~Harry Potter and the Wolves of the Nevernever~

~Book 1 of the Archive series~

Thank you all for the hits and reviews from the first chapter and I will now answer a few questions and ideas that have been raised from the first chapter.

Kay Geez: Firstly thanks for the lengthy review always like 'em that way. Dumbledore won't be into the extremes, but I'm not going to give too much away at this time because that would ruin the story. As for the goblins, I based this on trips I've had to banks as the tellers and other workers are happy to help the customers, but do have other people to get to and will get annoyed if you take too much of their time. The nevernever will come into play later and if you know anything about the Dresden Files novels, you may understand where I'm going with this.

ROBERT-19588: Thanks for the ideas. You'll understand later on why Harry isn't a part of Slytherin or Gryffindor families when the story gets deeper, plus I personally don't agree with making him the head of too many families. Same goes for the marriage contract since that would alert people to his movements and he wants to test to see who he can trust. Same with becoming emancipated since he and Griphook know of things they can covertly work against any attempts against him. Any traces or blocks will be discussed in this chapter and the next.

Vellouette: Ditto. Lol.

Arkane291: It was to show that the name had changed in the past from one to the other.

Der Ritter: Will be explained in later chapters.

To all other reviews: Thanks much for them, they are well appreciated.

"Speaking."

'Thinking'

"Spells"

"Animal Speak"

Chapter 2: Dinner and Happy Returns.

~O0o- Aug. 9, 1993 12:00 PM-o0O~

Harry made his way up to his room at the Leaky Cauldron with the little black wolf pup, Jace, in his arms and holding his bed and some meat he had gotten from Tom at the pub down stairs. Jace was settled in his arms sniffing ever so often trying to get a handle on his own curiosity for his new environment. Upon getting to the door of his room, Harry sat Jace down and opened the door allowing the little pup to enter. Jace ran around the room exploring whatever he could find before he came to a stop looking up at a large snowy owl almost double his size that was giving him a dismissive look. Harry noted his new friends sudden stop before he looked at his long time companion and gave a soft sighing know that this could be bad for him and Jace.

Harry walked up to Hedwig's perch on the seat back of the old chair and noticed she had something on her leg and figured his friends must have returned his letters of thanks for his birthday gifts.

"Who is that and what is it doing here?" came the slightly annoyed voice of Hedwig.

Harry sighed again before informing her of his day and being drawn to the little pup. After explaining things to her she gave a slight huff, but was promised that she was the only one going to be delivering letters for him and she was, of course, still his number one girl. This got her to calm down some and decided that maybe having the little pup around wouldn't be such a bad thing. Seeing his friend happier and seeing Jace relax knowing that he wouldn't be eaten, Harry took the letters from his friends.

Ron's letter was relatively simple and short. He basically talked about his family's trip to Egypt and about a few things he had seen and heard his eldest brother, Bill, talk about. And Harry had to admit the talk of the Egyptian runes intrigued him and since he was taking ancient runes this year, it made him all the more excited to start his new term. Unfortunately, this was Ron and was very drummed down and he spent more time talking about quidditch than the traveling that bored Harry quickly. He may have loved quidditch, but simply hearing about it was rather boring.

Hermione's letter was of course very detailed but he could see the joy in her writing when she would write a letter to him and it always made him feel better. She mainly talked about her time in France with her family and the sights they saw, but unlike Ron she didn't rub it in like he tended to do and she also asked him how his summer was going. Harry smiled softly when he thought of his 'sister' as he liked to think of her. He often would think if he could ever see her in another light, but usually shook that off in favor of keeping their relationship as it was and to not ruin something that truly made him happy.

He wrote a quick response to Ron and his family along with a longer response to Hermione before sending Hedwig off on her journey, but not before giving her some treats and telling her to take a break with Hermione so she could rest before moving to Ron. After sending her on her way, he walked to his trunk and turned a dial on its side to '3' before hearing a click and opening the top and picking up the curious Jace before making his way down to the 'lab.'

~O0o-5:30 PM-o0O~

Harry emerged from his trunk with thirty minutes to spare before he had to arrive at the Bones' residence for dinner with Jace closely following behind. Madam Bones had informed him that it was to be a casual dinner so he didn't need to be in formal attire and he decided to wear a more muggle look. He wore a tight dark grey tight t-shirt; he also wore black jeans with his white and forest green sneakers and carrying a deep, forest green hoodie. He ran a hand through his messy black hair as he pulled out a black pocket watch he had purchased in the alley a few days before to make sure he wouldn't be running late. "You ready Jace?" he asked the little pup standing next to him as he pulled on his hoody.

"Ready when you are papa," he spoke excitedly.

~O0o-Bones Manor: Swansea, Wales-o0O~

Harry walked through the floo with Jace in his arms, all the while thanking Nic for explaining the 'trick' to floo travel. He looked around in awe as he took in the large sitting room that he had come into with a high, ornate ceiling, several comfortable chairs, a large couch and loveseat, along with several portraits around on the light tan walls. However what truly caught Harry's attention was the large window that looked over the Three Cliffs Bay.

Harry's focus was broken by a voice behind him. "Welcomes to Bones home Mister Potty. Missy Bones asks me to leads you to her."

Harry turned to see a small house elf that was maybe a foot and a half tall with a small towel on his form that looked like a toga. He nodded to the little elf and began to follow him. As he made his way from the sitting room, Harry continued to look in awe of the house he was in. While the walls stayed to the tan color he was able to see several rooms as he followed his guide including a large study with quite a few book shelves filled to over flowing and what looked like a bathing room with a sauna. But what truly caught his attention was a large, grand staircase that he passed as he made his way by the large front doors before finally making it into the dining room.

Upon entering he noticed Madam Bones sitting at the head of a large ten-person table that looked centuries old. She was clad in a casual, blue witch's robe with her hair held back in a loose ponytail and reading an issue of the Daily Prophet. "Good evening madam, yous guest has arrived."

Amelia looked up and gave the elf a nod and smile. "Thank you Ed." The little elf nodded before popping away. "Come sit down Harry," she said kindly inclining her head to the seat to her left. As Harry made his way to the seat, Amelia noted the little fur ball dangling in his arms which got her to give a bigger smile. "And who is this?"

"This is Jace, Amelia," he said holding out the little pup he gave a playful grin at the older woman. "I found him at the alley today and took him in with me. I hope you don't mind me bringing him with me."

Seeing the nervousness in his eyes, Amelia gave him a soft smile. "Not at all Harry, he's a cute little guy though," she stated as she scratched under his chin.

"I like gramma. She nice papa," stated the little pup as his tail wagged happily.

Seeing Harry snicker slightly, Amelia asked what was so funny to which Harry told her that he could not only talk to Jace, but understand him as well and informed her of what the little guy had said that got a laugh from the older woman too.

"Susan should be down in a few minutes," she stated softly.

Nodding in understanding, Harry sat Jace down on the hardwood floor of the dining room so he could explore, but told him to stay close. Looking around the room he noticed some more paintings moving around him, along with the shadows from the candles in the bright chandelier. "How have your last few days been Harry?" came Amelia's curious voice.

"Oh as good as can be expected I guess. I've been doing a lot of reading and exercise mostly," came Harry's response.

Amelia nodded to the young man and was about to continue the small talk when she heard footsteps coming down the staircase outside of the dining room. Harry heard the steps too and looked to the door to see Susan Bones walk through. Harry had to admit, Susan was certainly filling out well as she got older. He remembered the young Hufflepuff his first year that was slightly on the pudgy side and taller than himself. While she was now the same height as him, her figure became curvier and a little more toned with very little baby fat left. She was dressed in an ivory blouse with black jeans and a simple pair of black sneakers. As his eyes wondered up he could see that her face was heart-shaped unlike her aunts more angular shape; and her strawberry blonde hair was loose and framed her face very nicely unlike her usual pigtails. Harry sported a soft grin when he realized that she blushed slightly when she spotted him and took her seat by Amelia giving Harry a shy smile. "Harry! I didn't know you would be our dinner guest."

"It's great to see you again Susan. How have you been?" spoke Harry with a playful grin.

The two teens exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes before their meals arrived thanks to the house elves. The three ate in relative silence with little snippets of conversation thrown in. Throughout the meal both Harry and Susan got to know each other better and come to realize that they both had quite a bit in common. Both had lost their parents to Voldemort during the war. They lived with an aunt, though admittedly Susan was in a better boat in that regard. And finally, both had chosen the same electives for the following term. One thing that threw Harry off though was Jace's reaction to Susan since the little pup took to her very quickly and called her 'mama', but what shocked him was that the strawberry blonde girl could both hear and talk to the little wolf just like he could. He resolved to look into the mystery surrounding the pup at a later date, 'Maybe Nic will know something.'

Once their meals were finished, the three made their way to the large study Harry had seen when he arrived at the manor to relax and talk some more about themselves. During their conversation, Harry and Amelia touched on their conversation from the Leaky Cauldron a few days prior. Susan agreed with Harry that he should at the least keep an eye on the headmaster as well as the Weasleys just to be on the safe side. Amelia also took this time to tease her niece while the boy she had had a crush on since her first year was within earshot, although she did do so in a way that Harry was left very confused and Susan beet red with embarrassment. Upon the clock reaching 10 PM, Harry decided it was time for him to head back and picked up Jace from Susan's lap. With a final wave and a promise from Susan to keep him company over the next few weeks, Harry disappeared through the floo.

~O0o-Aug. 31, 1993 10:45 AM-o0O~

Just over three weeks had passed since Harry's dinner with Susan and Amelia at their manor and in those three weeks a few things have changed for the dark haired teen. One of the changes was Harry's relationship with Jace in which he had come to think of the little pup as his pup and would protect the little guy with his life if need be. Even Hedwig had turned out to look at the little pup as a friend and confidant for herself.

Another change came through Harry's lessons with Nic and the readings that he undertook from the Nic's archive. While very little in the way of spells came into play aside from telepathy, empathy, and working on his budding telekinetic abilities, which Nic called 'Ancient Mage Arts'; most of his lessons came in the form of philosophy, politics, and what Nic considered to be the true 'Laws of Magic' that Harry had little trouble understanding thanks to his mind exercises. His telepathy and empathy progressed to the point where could easily feel other peoples feelings and even have them feel his own which he practiced regularly in the pub down stairs, along with his ability to see the surface thoughts of those he could look at while also protecting his own mind thanks to Nic's training. His telekinetic abilities advanced at a far slower rate, but he could at least lift small objects with a thought.

The biggest and most important change to Harry was without question his developing friendship with Susan. She had kept her promise and came to visit Harry many times over the last few weeks. Harry quickly came to see her as one of his closest friends next to Hermione and Ron. After the first week, he trusted her enough to show her his trunk and introduce her to Nic to which she gave her word that she would keep this knowledge to herself since Harry wanted to keep this from those who would do anything to gain the boundless knowledge that Nic and his archive held. Harry's easy trust came with the fact that Jace and Hedwig both trusted her completely and told him in their own way.

Another interesting change came in the form of meeting another new friend one day while walking through the ally. He had stopped to take a look at the new Firebolt racing broom when he heard a commotion from up the ally. Upon turning he noticed a man running toward him carrying a purse that was obviously not his with a pink haired woman chasing him. Thinking quickly he turned to make like he was looking at the broom. As the man came within reach, Harry thrust his leg back enough to catch the guy and tripped him giving the woman enough time to reach him. He was surprise to find out that woman wasn't much older than he was and was a Auror trainee who was in pursuit of the thief. She introduced herself as Nymphadora Tonks, but warned him to never call her by her first name. After she had led the prisoner to her partner/mentor, a man that looked like he had been through a meat grinder in Harry's opinion, she came back to thank him and invited him for lunch as a thank you. Harry learned quite a bit about Tonks during that lunch including: she was a Hufflepuff seventh year while he was a first year, she had helped him and his friends get away from trouble a few times; and most importantly, she had met him when he was a baby when her cousin Sirius Black had brought her to visit the Potters for his first birthday. After informing her of his findings about her cousin, to which she and her mother had always believed something was off but could never confirm it, he promised to keep in contact with her and met her a few more times throughout his stay.

It was on the last day before the Hogworts Express would depart for another term that found Harry seated on his bed in meditation with about twelve steel marbles circling around his body at a sedate pace, while Susan sat on the floor playing with an energetic Jace. Every few minutes the strawberry blonde would check her watch before going back to playing with the black-furred pup. Finally she spoke out to Harry, "Harry! Times up!"

Harry's hand slowly moved into the path of the orbiting marbles and caught them each as he let out a soft sigh before putting them away. "Thanks Suz," stated Harry as he stretched and moved off the bed. He moved over to his trunk with Susan in toe with Jace held in her arms against her growing bust. After making their way into the trunk they said their greetings to Nic to which the skulls eyes merely flashed into life. "No more training today you two. You have to head back to school tomorrow and you never know what may happen so keep your strength," came Nic's usual English drawl.

Both teens nodded in understanding and Harry picked up his pocket watch from his desk to see that it was nearly 11 AM, and after a quick query with Susan both made their way out of his trunk and room for an early lunch. Upon exiting the room, both were nearly run over by a familiar looking rat followed by a rather large ginger cat. Harry and Susan gave a look at each other before shrugging and making their way down stairs with a happy Jace still nuzzled in his 'mama's' arms. Soon they heard two very familiar voices arguing.

"I'm warning you, Hermione! Keep that bloody beast away from Scabbers or I'll turn it into a tea cozy," threatened a gangly, ginger haired boy that was roughly the same height as Harry, against a brown, bushy haired girl.

"It's a cat, Ronald. What do you expect? It's in his nature," countered the bushy haired girl with the ginger cat in her arms.

"A cat? Is that what they told you? Looks like a pig with hair if you ask me."

"Oh, that's rich coming from the owner of that smelly, old shoe brush," sneered the girl as she petted and cooed to her cat. "Crookshanks, just ignore the mean little boy."

Harry grinned happily at seeing two of his best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. He looked over his should at Susan who was trying to stifle her giggles from the banter of the two Gryffindors which Harry soon matched with his own chuckles. Two cries of 'Harry' and one 'Susan' brought the teens' attention back to the bickering pair. Ron looked on with a happy, but confused look; meanwhile Hermione just seemed happy to see the two.

After the four teens exchanged pleasantries they took a seat at the large oak table in the pub and began to discuss what had happened to each during the summer. Ron's story was pretty simple and interesting, but Ron focused more on the food they had and the lack of quidditch than the sights of Egypt. Hermione seemed to have enjoyed herself greatly on her trip to France and told detailed accounts of her trip that was very interesting to both Harry and Susan, but was slowly putting Ron to sleep. Harry and Susan then gave accounts of their summer, but omitted a few things that Harry had decided to wait about telling his two oldest friends until he had checked on a few worries he had. The questions that Harry had expected of course came up such as: who Jace was-'My familiar who I think of like a son', how he had gotten so much taller and better built-'It's amazing what can happen when you eat right', and why he wasn't wearing his glasses-'contacts.' Now he wasn't lying per-say but he also didn't wish to show his cards just yet.

Their conversation continued after they were joined by the rest of the Weasley clan who had returned from the alley. Mrs. Weasley of course doted on Harry as usual, but Harry tried to keep his distance from her, as well as Ginny, after what he had learned from the goblins his first week in the alley. The twins spent most of the time picking on Ron for bragging to several people about the family trip to Egypt, but also took time to chat up Harry and the other two young teens. Mr. Weasley took some time to pull Harry away to have a quiet chat about the possible danger of Sirius Black towards Harry to which Harry acted to be worried so as not to tip off that he already knew some things about his godfather.

Time passed quickly with the Weasleys leaving to return to the Burrow after their school shopping was done leaving Harry, Hermione, and Susan to stay at the Leakey Cauldron with promises to meet them for the train tomorrow. Hermione's parents had rented a room for her at the pub since they had to be at work early the next day so she would be able to stay close to Harry with Susan in the same boat with her aunt, but she was staying in Harry's room as it was. This brought about some good ribbing from Hermione at her friend's expense not that he minded it.

As night descended upon the alley, the three friends found themselves sitting on the bed in Harry's room and talking about multiple topics before Hermione's curiosity just couldn't be contained any longer.

"Alright Harry. I want answers since you were being far too vague today in answering mine and Ron's questions and I want answers," exclaimed the bushy haired girl. Her answer came in a knowing grin from Harry and a soft groan from Susan who dropped a galleon into Harry's outstretched hand.

After explaining that he had made a bet with Susan that she would demand answers as soon as they were in a more private setting Hermione blushed in embarrassment, but maintained her determined face. "Well Hermione to answer one of your earlier questions," Harry paused to pick up Jace from Susan's lap. "This is Jace my familiar as I said. Say hi Jace."

"Hi Aunt Bushy!" grinned the little wolf as his tail wagged happy. This statement prompted a chuckle and giggles from Harry and Susan respectfully much to Hermione's confusion. The two teens quickly explained to her that they could hear and understand Jace and vice versa. Hermione was impressed with their discovery, but waited patiently for the rest of her questions to be answered.

Harry nodded with a smile on his face to Susan who returned one of her own as they got up from the bed and motioned for Hermione to follow. With her curiosity growing Hermione followed without question till she was standing in front of a trunk she hadn't noticed when she came into the room and was broken from her musings by her best friend's voice. "Now Hermione you are my best friend and sister in everything but blood. I love you and trust you with my life and that is why I'm willing to show you this."

Hermione was taken-a-back by Harry's statement, but knew that she felt the same way about him and knew that he was about to trust her with some special knowledge. She watched as Harry reached for a dial on the trunk and popped open the top to reveal a door. Hermione soon followed her friends down into the 'lab' and for the first time in a long time Hermione was speechless. She could see wall to wall bookshelves with quite a few books on most and potions and ingredients along the others, a large work table, and desk with a large tome on it with a wolf skull on top with its glowing eyes. 'Hang on! Glowing eyes?' Hermione looked closer and was shocked to see she indeed wasn't imagining anything.

"Hermione. Allow me to introduce you to Nicodemus," spoke Harry when he noticed the confused look on his friends face.

"A pleasure Milady," spoke the skull much to the surprise of Hermione. The bushy haired girl jumped in surprise at the skull's sudden words which drew a chuckle from her two friends. Harry went on, with help of Nic, to explain what Nic was. Needless to say, that after the explanation, Hermione was openly drooling and her eyes alight with a lust for knowledge which got more laughs from her friends and a slightly fearful look from Nic, a nifty trick for a skull. Harry continued the tour, after promising Hermione could look into the tome and quiz Nic from time to time which earned him an energetic hug from his friend, and showed her the rest of the 'lab' before moving on to the other rooms in his trunk. He also took time to explain to her that he had been taking potions to help his body since he first arrived at the ally. Needless to say once he was done Hermione was begging for a trunk of her own. Harry explained to her what he had discovered from his meeting with the goblins and Madam Bones, as well as his home life prior to entering Hogworts and by the end of his tale and theories his bushy haired friend was tempted to go to Privet Drive and give a serious beating to his relatives, and even a part of her wanted to dress down the lady Weasleys and Headmaster.

"I'm not going back," Harry said breaking Hermione out of her mental rant.

After a quick thought, she nodded along with Susan in understanding. "Where will you stay Harry?"

Harry grinned and motion around him. "That is another reason why I got this trunk. Worse comes to worse, I can live in here and maybe you or Suz," at this he grinned at the blushing strawberry blonde, "will allow me to stay at your places. The only thing I would need to worry about would be the traces that are on me, but hopeful Nic will be able to help with that."

At the confused faces of the two girls, Harry explained about his mage sight that he had developed with the help of Nic, and promised to teach them. It was through this sight that he was able to see things in a different light and thus noticed that he had several bindings and traces placed on himself from an unknown person whom he believed to be Dumbledore, but couldn't prove it.

~O0o-Sept. 1, 1993 9:00 AM-o0O~

Harry woke up relatively early and after checking his watch had roughly two hours before they needed to be at the station. He dressed quickly and placed on a pair of hollowed glasses. He explained the night before to both girls that he needed to have the glasses on otherwise it might draw some unwanted attention from the Headmaster. He dressed in a simple forest green t-shirt, blue jeans, black belt, and his sneakers before making his way out of his trunk.

Upon opening his trunk, Harry came to a dead stop with wide eyes at the sight before him. With a soft yelp he closed the trunk led with a beet-red face, 'Black silk knickers?'

Susan stood up from her trunk at the sound of a yelp and the shutting of his trunk. She was clad in black silk knickers and a matching brassiere holding a purple top in her hands. She blushed a bright red when she realized what had happened and quickly finished dressing. She then called out to Harry that it was safe to come out which lead to two blushing teens apologizing to each other and the shy Hufflepuff teasing her friend while Jace watched on with his tail wagging merrily.

Harry soon shrunk and packed his new trunk into his old one to keep it a secret and packed the rest of his things before telling Hedwig that he would meet her at Hogworts. Harry and Susan shrunk their trunks down and placed them in their backpacks for safe keeping before they made their way down with the little wolf following. They met Hermione with her own pack and Crookshanks in her arms at the table waiting to have breakfast. They had a good meal with light chatter and Hermione asking why they were blushing when they took sideways glance at each other which led to the normally up-tight bookworm nearly peeing herself from laughing at them both.

~O0o-10:35 AM-o0O~

Platform 9 ¾ was the usual massive of chaos that has become common place with the bustling parents and students trying to get on the Hogworts Express for the new year. Not helping matters was the hard rain that greeted them for the departure. On the train, Harry and Hermione had found a cabin with only one occupant, a sleeping gentleman in his mid-thirties with a scruffy overcoat covering his dozing form. They had parted ways with Susan who went off to find her friend Hannah, but said she would be by to sit with them before the train took off. Both teens took seats across from each other with Jace in Harry's lap and Crookshanks in Hermione's lap.

Fifteen minutes later, they were joined by Susan and her blonde haired friend Hannah Abbott whom Susan introduced to the other two occupants. A few minutes later their ginger-haired friend finally stumbled through the door and noticed that there were two additions to the usual group. This got a confused look sent towards his two friends who shrugged it off as they were friends. That comment got a grumble from Ron, but for once he chose not to argue. At 11:00 sharp the train exited the station and began its journey to Hogworts.

During the trip, the occupants of the cabin conversed about their summer and the up-coming term. Ron almost blew a gasket when he found out that Harry had dropped divination, but a quick detour into this year's quidditch season got him distracted fairly well though he still grumbled and sulked ever so often.

At sometime along the trip, Ginny had tried to join the group along with Neville Longbottom, but both were turned away politely because of the overflow of people already within the compartment. Neville took it with a grain of salt and merely wanted to say hello to everyone before he moved along to find another compartment. Ginny, on the other hand, was very put out by the fact that she couldn't sit with the trio because of two 'Puffs, but seeing the irritated look on Harry's face, completely ignoring Hermione and Susan's own looks, she chose to merely humph and leave.

The train was just crossing a large bridge, when it suddenly came to a halt with the lights failing and sending some students out of their seats. In the crews compartment, the five students were looking out the window trying to find the cause for the sudden stop after Hermione blurted out that they 'couldn't possibly be there yet.'

Harry stood and opened the door to look out along with a few other students in the neighboring cabins. Looking to one side he saw nothing till he swung his head to the other and stopped as he saw a dark, shadowy figure glide into their car. "Everyone inside! Lock 'em up!" yelled Harry getting the attention of everyone else who followed suit. He slammed his shut and fell back into his seat after locking the door. The figure slowly glided into view of their cabin a few seconds later and came to a stop attempting to open the door. Now that Harry could see it clearer he could only describe it as the grim reaper with its black cloak and boney hands, but could not see under the hood. He felt Susan clinging to him and heard gasps from all his friends before he felt it, a sudden cold that chilled him to the bone followed by a near endless sadness. Looking down he noticed to his horror that the lock had been flipped and the figure was slowly sliding the door open before a brilliant, silvery light came from behind him and the dark creature vanished back out of the door. The last thing Harry heard before his world went black was a woman screaming his name.

~O0o—o0O~

Harry came to with a soft licking on his check with his head resting on a soft pillow; and after opening his eyes he saw Jace sitting on his chest looking at him with a worried look, "You okay Papa?" Harry smiled at the little pup before bringing his hand up to pet him. He then looked up to see that his 'pillow' was actually the soft, jean-clad legs of Susan, "Hey Suz."

Susan smiled down at him, "Hey sleepyhead."

He smiled up at her before noticing that everyone else was looking at him, along with the man who had been sleeping earlier. He had a scruffy, but kind face and smiled at him before reaching into his pocket and bringing out a small hunk of chocolate. "Eat this. It will help."

Harry slowly sat up cradling Jace so he wouldn't fall and retook his seat next to Susan with him in the middle Susan on his left and Hermione on his right, with Ron and Hannah sitting with the elder man, R.J. Lupin if he remembered from Hermione's assumption when they entered the compartment that he was a new teacher and read his suitcase. Harry took a small bite of the chocolate and immediately felt better before looking at the door, "What was that thing?"

"A Dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban. It was most likely searching the train for Sirius Black. If you all will excuse me I need to have a chat with the conductor," he said bringing the attention of the teens to him and stood to make for the door. He paused at the door and looked back at Harry with a sad smile that Harry caught. "Eat. You'll feel better."

Harry took a bite and looked back to his friends after Professor Lupin left, "What happened?"

Everyone looked at each other with Hermione taking the role as spokes person, "You fainted just after Professor Lupin sent the Dementor away."

"And did any of you..?" he asked questioningly only to receive four 'no' responses. All of them however did agree that it was a terrible experience with Susan admitting that she did feel faint but was able to hang on to Harry which gave her strength and stopped him from collapsing to the floor. Harry thanked her and gave a smile to the blushing 'Puff who matched his smile. He noticed Jace had made the jump to Susan's lap which got a smile from Harry. "Oh, do you feel safer in mama's lap than mine?"

Jace looked up with a puppy grin, "Mama's lap is softer papa. You can have mama sit in your lap then we'd both be happy," Jace said cheekily. This brought brilliant blushes to both teen's faces remembering the morning incident and waved off the questioning looks from their friends, but both felt uneasy seeing the mischievous look in Hermione's eyes.

Harry and Susan were saved from any embarrassment Hermione had planned by the return of Professor Lupin, "We should arrive at Hogworts within an hour as soon as the conductor gets us moving."

~O0o-To Be Continued-o0O~

AN: And so ends this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it and as always R&R. Until next time.