DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$ from this…
A/N: Again, sorry for the delay getting this one up.
Thanks for the reviews.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: SCHOOL & FRIENDS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1988 - POTTER HOUSE, LONDON, U.K.
Harry and the others expected their guest to arrive around nine that morning. The adults had put their heads together and agreed that having the kids learn and practice magic was a good idea even at their young ages and that Harry, Hermione and Clarice seemed to make good teachers. True, it would be wandless magics, but this was a useful still set to develop. Minerva had owled parents who might have interested students, as did Mike Evans and David Greengrass who knew magical families from work and, in Mike's case, from St. George's School.
Harry, Hermione and Clarice were waiting at the fireplace in the "Entry Parlor." All three were excited as they had fun the last time and there was so much they thought they could help their friends with. The first arrivals shocked them. Three children with flaming red hair piled out of the fireplace having flooed in from their home. For the three "teachers," it had been ages since they met as they met these three in Diagon Alley before they headed off to Japan. They recognized the three and knew they were Weasleys. The two boys were the twins, whose names they had forgotten and they had also forgotten the girl's name. For them, it had been over four years since they had ice cream with the Weasleys.
"Looks like they forgot our names, Forge," one of the boys said.
"Right you are Gred," the other replied. "George Weasley," he added. "The person pretending to look like me is Fred and this is our little, baby sister, Ginny."
"I am NOT a baby!" Ginny protested. "I'm seven now!"
"Here that George? Ginny mentioned nothing about eight?"
"Ron's not here, Fred."
"Where is the grumpy one," Clarice asked.
"Didn't wanna come," Ginny said. "Heard we would be learning things and stuff."
"He's afraid reading may be involved," George added.
"And Ickleronniekins can't read."
"Drives Mum spare, that one."
"Yup. Thinks if it ain't Quidditch or Chess, he don't need to know about it yet."
"Or ever, the way he goes on about it."
"What a baby," Ginny huffed.
"Have to agree with you there, Gin," Fred said. "You may be the youngest…"
"And only girl," George added.
"But Ronnie is the baby in the house."
"Besides, he'd hate it here," Ginny said.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Cause this house is big and he hates not having everything he wants."
"That and we know of some who are coming," Fred said. "Greengrasses right?"
Hermione and the others nodded.
"Their parents were in Slytherin at school," Fred said. "Ronnie believes all Sytherin are scum."
"Do you?" Clarice asked.
"Never met one," Fred said. "But I find it hard to believe they all are, or that their kids must be."
"Good, 'cause they're our friends too."
A loud clatter arose from the fireplace and the children turned to see a teenage girl with bright yellow hair rising to her feet. "Sorry 'bout that," she said. "Bit clumsy."
"No worries," Harry said.
"You must be Cousin Harry," the girl said. "Name's Tomks. I'm Sirius Black's first cousin or something."
"Harry," Harry said. "My sister Clarice and our best friend Hermione. Are you here for…"
"Oh yes," Tonks said. "Mum got a letter from Sirius 'bout you lot and what you could teach and it sounds wicked! I mean they don't teach that stuff at Hogwarts at all!"
"You're at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
"Well, not right now, am I? Still on Summer Hols and such. Be starting my Fourth Year September 1st."
"So you're only here for today?"
"Mum's working things out with Professor McGonagall. She's the Deputy Headmistress, you know. She says I might get permission to come here during the school year, assuming I'm not in detention or something."
"What House," Fred asked.
Tonks knew what he meant. "Odd one really. Mum was a Slytherin and Dad was a Raven. Somehow I wound up in Hufflepuff, not that I'm complaining mind."
"Is Tonks your real name?" Clarice asked.
"Last name, really. I don't like my first one."
"What is it?"
"Nope. Not telling."
"It can't be that bad," Harry said.
"It is. It's an old family name and I hate it."
"What is it?" Ginny asked. "Can't be as bad as mine. Ginevra - honestly. Makes me sound old! People who like me call me Ginny."
"Fine! It's Nymphadora! Anyone laughs and I do have a wand and know how to use it!"
"Who's laughing," Harry deadpanned.
"It's worse than mine," Ginny said.
"You got a middle name?" Harry asked.
"No," Tonks sighed.
"Well, I'm not going to call my only magical cousin Tonks," Harry said. "That's wrong too! How about…"
"Nothing with 'Nymph'," Tonks growled. "That's the part I hate."
"Dory?"
"That's a kind a boat, Harry," Hermione said.
"Dora, then?"
Tonks thought for a while. "I suppose," she sighed. "That's not too bad."
"Dora it is, then."
"Welcome Cousin Dora," Clarice said.
"Cool!" Dora Tonks replied. "Finally got magical cousins who aren't gits."
"You're talking 'bout that Malfoy kid, right?" Clarice asked.
"Yeah. Never met him and don't want to." Dora Tonks replied.
"We don't either," Clarice said.
Over the next several minutes, more and more children seemed to pour through the floo. Soon there were thirty "students" in the Entry Parlor. As soon as the influx of students stopped, Harry and the others led them from the Parlor and to what he had been told was a Ballroom. On Saturdays, this would become their classroom and training room. Thirty chairs were set out and the "students" were asked to find a seat. They did so and watched as an other witch and two younger - but still much older than any of them - wizards entered.
"Professor McGonagall?" Dora Tonks asked.
"Ah, Miss Tonks," Minerva said. "I'm am glad you could make it."
"You're our teacher?"
"No. I am a Minder. I and the other adults here can help out, but we are here mainly to provide adequate supervision. You all behave yourselves, and we don't exist."
"Who's Professor McGonagall?" a voice asked.
"She's teaches Transfiguration at Hogwarts and is Deputy Headmistress," Dora said. "No idea why she's here."
"Miss Tonks is correct," Minerva said. "However, I am not here in that capacity. You see, your three young hosts spent this summer at a magical school in Japan. Yes they are young. Here and elsewhere in Europe, you must be eleven to begin your formal magical education. That is not true elsewhere. In much of the world, magical education begins between the ages of six and eight, depending upon the country. Also, unlike here, wandless magic is taught."
"Why is it not taught here?" a voice asked.
"Cause it's bloody hard," another said.
"Is it?" Harry asked. "Are you saying you've never done accidental magic?"
"Er, no, but…"
"Every witch and wizard is born with that ability," Harry went on. "It is an ability, however, we can lose if we do not develop it. For most of us, if we have not begun to learn the wandless arts before age eighteen, it is almost impossible to learn them at all. The younger, it seems, the better. Some of you were here a while back for my birthday. Those who were all were taught and all were able to perform a wandless charm and transfiguration by the time they left. We want to continue teaching our friends and it would be wrong to exclude their friends, don't you think? Hence, the reason you all are here. Now, we don't know all of you, so we'll call your name. When called, please stand, say hi, tell us your age, what magical school you are either attending or probably going to attend and you can tell us something about yourselves or your family if you wish."
Harry sat down and Clarice stood holding a piece of parchment.
"Susan Bones," Clarice said.
A young, red haired girl stood. "Hi," she said blushing. "I'm Susan. I'm eight. My parents died in the war and I live with my Auntie who's an Auror. My family goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or at least they did. I have no brothers or sisters." She then sat down.
"Terrance Boot?"
A dark haired boy stood. "My friends call me Terry," he said. "I'm also eight and my parents went to Hogwarts."
"Millicent Bulstrode?"
A rather large girl stood. "Call me Millie. My family goes to Hogwarts and I'm eight."
"Regina Darcy?"
An older girl stood. "I'm called Reggie. Only my Mum calls me that and only when she is mad. My best friend is Aaron Evans, who's here. I'm ten and my family has attended St. George's School of Magic in London or generations."
And so the introductions continued. Colin Dunbar was fifteen and had finished his Fourth Year at St. George's. Then came Harry's cousins, a point made by Aaron when he was introduced. Jason had just taken his owls, Amber had finished her third year, Michelle her First. Aaron was ten and Billy and Cynthia eight year olds and twins. All were St. George's students or likely to go there. The Greengrass sisters, Astoria and Daphne were next and their parents had gone to Hogwarts. Andrew Kirke was nine, and a friend of the Evans family. He was a St. George's probable. Ernie McMillan, who was also and Evans friend, was a Hogwarts legacy. Megan Meeks was nine and probably bound for St. George's. Justin and Robert Parker were brothers. Justin had finished his Fifth Year at St. George's and "Bobby" his First. There were two twin girls Harry's age: Padma and Parvati Patil. Their family had moved here from India and their Dad worked with Mr. Evans. They did not know where they were likely to be sent for magical school. Trisha Powell had finished her Third Year at St. George's. Roger Sluvey was nine and from a St. George's family. Ian Smith had finished his Fifth Year at St. George's. Alicia Spinet was ten, loved Quidditch and was probably going to Hogwarts. Dora Tonks was also Harry's Cousin and had finished her Third Year at Hogwarts. Lisa Turpin was eight and from a Hogwarts family. Last but not least were the three Weasleys.
All told, there were thirty "students." Sixteen were from St. George's families, twelve Hogwarts and the Patil twins who did not know yet. The class was equally divided boys and girls and ranged in age from six (Astoria Greengrass) to sixteen.
"Right then," Minerva said, "now I'd like to introduce you to your instructors. All three went to the Watanabe School in July. During their summer sessions, the school is under time compression which, it you do not know what that means is for each day you experienced here in July, they experienced fifty days at that school. All three have completed their magical education up through their O.W.L.s."
"No way," a voice said.
"First, we have Clarice Jameson. She is seven eleven, meaning she is seven years old in regular time but has experienced eleven years of life. She finished this summer third in her class with all outstandings on her O.W.L.s and With Distinctions in Charms and Ritual Magics. She lost in the quarter finals of the school's magical dueling tournament, which had over 200 participants."
"Whoa!" Tonks said.
"Who indeed, Miss Tonks. Next is her housemate Hermione Granger. Clarice and her brother live with Hermione and her folks. Hermione is eight thirteen, meaning her real age is eight going on nine but she has experienced thirteen years of life. Hermione was first in her class this summer again with all outstandings on her O.W.L.s. She attained With Distinctions in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes and Honors in Trasfiguration, meaning she achieved the highest score in the world in that subject on the ICW exams. She beat Clarice in the quarter finals only to lose in the semi-finals.
"Finally, we have Clarice's older brother Harry Potter…"
"No way! As in The Boy-Who-Lived?" a voice asked.
"They said he was dead," another added.
Harry was not worried. He knew children would remember anyway and the wards would prevent anyone else from spilling the secret. Still, he was not comfortable with that moniker. "Just Harry is fine," Harry said.
"Harry was second in his class in Japan," Minerva said. "He is eight twelve. Like the others, all Outstandings on his O.W.L.s with a With Distinction in Defense and Honors in Potions. He beat Hermione in the semi-finals before winning the school dueling title in the finals.
"Now you all should know that they teach both wand and wandless magic from the first day of class practically. To the extent any magic can be done either way, they are expected to be able to do it both ways. They also teach silent spell casting from the first. I have observed classes there. True, there are wand spells that required verbal incantations to work, but most do not so they are not taught the incantations."
"So we're supposed to learn from some kids?" one of the older students asked.
Hermione and Harry looked at each other. Clarice saw what was coming and cast the necessary shields to prevent anyone else from being hit by errant spell fire. The older two drew their wands and almost immediately Clarice yelled "Hajimei!"
Almost two thirds of the students were not at their last demonstration. To say they were impressed was an understatement. They had never even heard of dueling like that before. The speed both physical and magical had them all amazed. Five minutes in Clarice, who was acting as judge yelled "Ipon!" Both combatants stopped and looked at her in confusion.
"She never hit me," Harry protested.
"And he didn't hit me!" Hermione added.
"You've made your point," Clarice said. "Don't need another twenty minutes of that, do we?"
"You're no fun," Harry chuckled. He then turned to the students. "Any questions?"
"So this training makes us wicked powerful?" a voice asked.
"No," Harry said. "With training and practice, you will reach your potential. But power is like the body. It varies from person to person and changes with age. I an eight years old. I have skills. But power? I AM EIGHT YEARS OLD!
"I will demonstrate the difference between skill and power. Jason? Could you come up here?"
A confused Jason Evans walked up. He was at least a foot taller than Harry and certainly looked like he was in excellent shape.
"You will all note Jason is a lot bigger than I am. We are now going to fist fight muggle style…"
"We are?" Jason asked.
"Or at least he will try his best to hit me. I will not try and hit back. No magic will be used by either of us." Harry looked at Jason. "Agreed?"
"I - I guess. Why?"
"Just try and hit me. I dare you," Harry growled.
Jason shrugged and lunged figuring he really did not have to try. After five minutes, he was trying like hell. The little kid was either not there when his fist was supposed to connect or he was winding up on his back. He knew Harry was not using magic. The kid was making him look…and he was thrown again.
"STOP!" another voice commended.
Harry looked down at his surprised opponent. "Truce cousin?" he asked.
"What was that?" Jason asked.
"We also studied non-magical martial arts. I am a black belt in Karate and Aikido."
"Can you teach as well?"
"To attain that belt, I must be willing to," Harry said.
"C-cool."
"We're not done yet," Harry said. "Round two you cannot help but win."
"I don't understand."
"On your feet. You'll see where I'm going."
"Okay."
"That," Harry said in a loud voice for all to hear, "was skill. Had he actually hit me … it would not have been a good day for me. Had I hit him, it would not have been as bad a day for him. He could not hit me because I am trained and skilled in certain fighting techniques and he is not. But, when it comes to physical power - and probably magical as well - he can and should beat me easily. We are now going to wrestle. He cannot punch, and neither can I. This is not about dodging your opponent but overpowering them. First one pinned loses. Ready Jason?"
Jason blinked. Harry lunged at him and tried to tackle him. Harry was pinned in five seconds.
"Feel better?" Harry asked.
"A bit," Jason said. "You will teach me that skill stuff?"
"Sure."
Jason helped Harry to his feet.
"That is power," Harry said to the class. "It's the same way with magic. I can out skill an older opponent, but if it comes down to power … well you saw the results and I was trying."
"Why do we need wands at all?" a voice asked. "I mean why don't they teach us wandless magic?"
"That is not an easy question," Hermione said. "I guess the reason they really do not teach it is custom. Wandless magic died out here and throughout much of Europe ages ago. The reasons are many. Wands are easier to use and to teach and you can begin teaching later than you can with wandless magic. While through O.W.L.s, there is no spell whose effect cannot be achieved without a wand, as we move beyond that level, there are spells that can only be achieved with a wand. Wands are more focused and precise in their effects. That explains their utility, not why both are not taught. Again, I think it's custom.
"Magic and magic users have been around for as long as any can record: ten thousand years or more. For much of history, there was no such thing as a wand and all magic was wandless. We do not know when the wand was invented nor by whom. Best guess was not later than 600 B.C. in what is now Italy. The Roman magic users adopted it because of its precision and comparative ease of use. It gave them an advantage over their enemies. A younger, less trained wand carrier could fight a power wandless wizard on almost even terms.
"The wand spread throughout much of what is now Europe, North Africa and the Middle East because of the Romans and Alexander the Great either through trade or conquest. Then, the tool stopped for centuries. Scandinavia and what is now Russia did not begin using wands until the age of the Vikings. Wands did not move East until the Mongols. They did not reach Japan until around 1500 and the Americas, Pacific, Africa and India until sometime later. There is a theory that we forgot most wandless magics. There is another that adds that some of our leaders looked down on wandless magics with contempt, just as the Muggle Europeans looked down on foreign cultures. No one really knows the truth. Suffices to say, we stopped teaching most wandless magics ages ago and most other cultures did not. Those of us who left these shores relearned the wandless magics when they encountered wandless magic users.
"It is a forgotten art here," Clarice continued. "That is perhaps the easiest way to say it. All wandless magics require a degree of mental discipline that wand magic does not. That's why it is easier to teach wand magic. To really begin wandless magic, you must also learn mental discipline. With such discipline, which is not as hard to learn as you might thing, you will be able to bend your magic to your will. That's all wandless magic is. You learn to control and command your magic.
"Yes. We will be teaching you wandless magics. After all, that's the fun stuff. But the most important stuff you will be learning here is the mental disciplines. That is what makes magic and learning easier. If you develop these skills, do not be surprised if you suddenly find yourselves doing loads better in school. You may find that the next top of your class students are all seated here today.
"With the techniques we will be teaching you," Harry continued, "you will all able to learn occlumency."
"Wicked," and older student said.
"What's that?" Astoria Greengrass asked.
"It is the art of protecting your mind from magical attack," Harry said. "If sufficiently developed, it can be of great benefit to you. In addition to the fact that you can block attempts to read your emotions and find your secrets through legitimacy, you can also become relatively immune to metal attacks and all forms of compulsion magic. Among other things, this includes the ability to throw off the Imperious Curse to some extent…"
"Some extent?" a voice asked.
"That curse will still work if the caster is trying to make you do something you wanted to do anyway. For example, it there were a girl here I really wanted to kiss, but could not bring myself to do so, even with Occulumency, I could still be compelled to kiss her."
"Eew!" several of the younger kids moaned.
"It's just an example. The same effect is true with love potions - a rather nasty branch of magic otherwise. A love potion will not work on you if you didn't already love the person. Even then, it will only lower your inhibitions. So, these skills have loads of uses."
"Finally," Hermione continued, "it will allow you to learn Shifting."
"What's that?" Tonks asked.
"That was how Harry and I were jumping all over the place. It is a very useful means of magical travel. And no, it is not Apparition. Apparition's advantage is it requires less discipline to learn and use. Under stress, you can still do it once you learn how. Of course, there is the chance if you're under too much stress that you'll splinch - a fate not possible with Shifting. You either shift or you do not. You can also apparate blind as it were. You really don't need to know the location well to get there. Shifting cannot be done blind. Shifting, however, has other advantages. I can shift from here to Kyoto in one jump. If I have been there before, I can shift there, even if it is across an ocean or on the far side of the world. Likewise, there are no anti-shifting wards."
"And," Clarice said, "it is not regulated by the Ministry."
"Wicked!" several voices chorused.
"Right then," Clarice said, "Three groups of ten and the fun can begin."
_____________________________________________________________
The first lessons were a resounding success. Every student managed controlled wandless magic and demonstrated the beginning mind magic exercises which they were asked to practice every day. It would help with everything, they were told.
It was not all magic, though. They had a large lunch in the banquette hall and a few hours to hang out and get to know each other or play in the grounds, swim in the pool and just be kids. Just before they left, the students asked if they could do this un Sundays as well and if they could include some of that Martial Arts stuff. Harry and the others agreed, but added that the next day was booked. Yet it was agreed that the following weekend would be at Potter House. Arrangements were made to allow all the students to spend the night beginning on Friday evening if they wanted to. It was not required and the full time residents did not know who would take them up on the offer, but it was there if they wanted.
Attendance was easy for the St. Geroge's students. While it was a boarding school, unlike Hogwarts you were not required to spend weekends there unless you were in detention or were having academic difficulties. Students who lived in London were not even required to spend their week nights at the school, except for detentions or extra study.
The one question was Tonks. Hogwarts was a full time boarding school and was not located anywhere near a city. Just beyond its gates was the village of Hogsmeade. It was said to be the only all magical village in Britain, yet with only 400 residents, there were few children of school age who could easily commute home, maybe one or two at any given time.
However, occasionally there were students with special magical gifts who required specialized instruction that Hogwarts could not provide. Those students or their families could ask for permission to take such training on the weekends. All they needed was permission from their parents, their Head of House and approval from the Deputy Headmistress. Tonks, it turned out, was a metamorphagus, a witch who could change her appearance at will. It was a rare talent that could not be taught and to be developed fully required special instruction.
Minerva knew she received such instruction over the summers and had been instructed since she was five. Still, it was an excuse. By the time she started Hogarts in about a week, she would have permission to leave the school on Fridays for London and her new "Special Instruction.' She would return Sunday evenings. Tonks would be told, however, that her permission would not get her out of detentions and could be restricted if she struggled in her class work.
At dinner, the adults were entertained by a heated debate between the three young teachers. Hermione wanted to get all kinds of books and assign reading and such. The Potters, while not opposed in general, felt that they should focus on the tasks at hand. They recommended buying the books, but unless the next lessons absolutely required it, reading would be suggested, not required. Clarice reminded Hermione that most of the kids had real school work and it would not be fair to them to pile on additional work. Hermione finally agreed. They would mail order 30 books on Mind Magics (actually 30 three volume sets), the same books they had at school. They would also order 30 books on Shifting eventually as well as 30 on dueling tactics and magic.
After dinner, Sensei made his appearance. As it had been from the day Harry first awoke in hospital, Sensei showed up about once or twice a week. However, he had become more of a sounding board than a lecturer. He said there would be more 'lectures' in the future, but they were not necessary right now and he was enjoying watching the three learn and grow, make friends and be kids. He knew that his Harry and Hermione never had really been kids.
"I noticed Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood were not among the students," Sensei said.
"Well," Minerva replied. "It seems the Lovegoods are out of the country looking for some creature or another. They're not expected back until the middle of September according to a sign on the door of the Quibbler office in Ottery St. Catchpole. I did speak with Neville's grandmother, but she did not think it was worth it. She seems to be convinced Neville is a Squib."
"I can assure you he is not. He just has not been pushed into it, yet."
"Pushed into what?" Harry asked.
"Accidental magic."
"Oh."
Sensei sighed. "When I was sent back, I had a mission. It was to help Harry avoid the mistakes that will otherwise be made that lead to the end of everything. Got a pretty good head start, I think. As you may recall, my target arrival date was July 1995. I missed that one by a bit.
"I was given secondary protocols in the event I over shot my arrival date. One was to get Harry away from the Dursleys and keep him away. Done. I am still amazed at how easy it was. The other was to help the others, it I could.
"As I am a projection of me, I knew what I meant. I knew who the others were and why they need or needed help. One was Sirius, who for me and even though I only knew him for two years, was the closest thing I had to a father. I was to help him win his freedom sooner rather than never. In my time, he escaped from prison. He lived the rest of his life a fugitive, which may have contributed to his untimely demise. And that's all I will say on that as that future is now gone forever. By helping you, Sirius, it seems I also helped Remus and for that I am pleased. Remus had a hard life because of his condition. Now…"
"Now I have a future, thanks to the lot of you," Remus said softly.
"I was also expected to help Clarice if I could. I knew little about her. Had no idea how I could find her before she began Hogwarts much less help her. It is amazing how much luck factors into things. I have no doubt her adoptive parents died in my time. I cannot imagine what happened to her in my time. I'd like to think she is happier now than she was then. She has friends and family who adore her and … well. All I knew about my sister was that she died in the camps. That will not happen now.
"I was also expected to help Neville Longbottom. He never had a friend before he went to Hogwarts and that hurt him even if he never said so. Being thought a Squib is not a good thing. His Gran, while a bit stiff, did love him. But she was acutely aware of the prejudice in this society. Neville could never really fit in with Muggles raised in a magical home. And magicals his own age would have picked on him. Add to that his parents, alive and yet not alive and… he's a lonely boy as we speak."
"His parents?" Harry asked.
"Frank and Alice were Aurors," Sensei said. "In late November of '81, they were attacked and tortured by four Death Eaters: Rodolphus, Rastaban and Bellatrix Lestrange and one Barty Crouch, Jr. They were driven insane and lived their lives in long term care at St. Mungo's. Neville visits them often, but it's hard for him as neither of them can speak or even react to him."
"That's so sad," Hermione sniffed.
"Bellatrix?" Sirius asked.
Sensei nodded.
"You know her?" Harry asked.
Sirius nodded. "Vicious Death Eater and regrettably one of the Blacks my Grandfather is on about. You met Tonks today."
Harry nodded.
"What do you think?"
"I like her. She's nice and she's funny."
"Bellatrix is her Aunt."
"So she's evil?"
"No Harry," Sensei and Sirius said in unison.
"Tonks was a lovely person in my time," Sensei said. "Her mother was disowned by her grandfather for marrying a Muggle Born. Aside from Sirius, she had no contact with the rest of her family. Well, Sirius and me, I guess."
"So I am evil?" Harry asked.
"Harry," Sirius said. "Not all Blacks are evil. Grandfather is not. He is sneaky, a bit aloof, and cunning, but not evil. He hates the Pureblood agenda but knows that standing up makes him a bigger target than he already is. I'm not evil - at least I don't think I am. Dora's parents are not. Dora's Aunt Cissy was not. She married an evil man and I have no idea if she is the wonderful woman I once knew. Your Great-grandmother was not. But yes. A fair few Blacks are or were." Sirius shrugged. "Evil is not a born condition. It is a choice. The evil Blacks chose to be that. The good black chose not to be."
Harry nodded.
"Every child needs a family," Sensei said, "one that loves them, cares for them and supports them. But parents, brothers and sisters are not enough. They need friends too. It's human nature. More important, it is through our friendships that we learn how to interact with people and from them and our family, learn to be confident. Neville Longbottom needs friends now. My Hermione and I became his friends, but he would be better off if he had friends now and not years from now.
"Last but not least, I was to help Luna Lovegood if I could."
"Not me?" Hermione asked.
Sensei shook his head. "I am sorry, Hermione. I never knew your real history. In my time you were a Muggle Born. I had absolutely no problem with that as you were such a gifted witch, brilliant friend and all of that and I loved my Hermione very much and always did. But I could not have come back to help you before Hogwarts because I could not tell you or let you learn about magic. Were Harry to have done that, it would have been trouble for him.
"In my time, you were never told about your true family. I don't really know why but I can make and educated guess."
"Why?" Hermione asked in a trembling voice.
"There came a time several years from now when you sent your parents off into hiding because the next War was going badly. You altered their memories both for their protection and in the off chance that you might die. You made them forget all about you. The spell was supposed to be totally reversible. It turned out it was not. They remembered you I know. They seemed to have forgotten about your real parents. As Minerva had agreed not to reveal that to you on her own, and as she died before they did years and years later, well … My Hermione never learned that. I never knew that about you until this time around. I'm sorry."
"S'okay," Hermione said with a whimper earning a tender hug from Harry.
"Had the original me known the truth, you would have been one of the others I was sent here to help it I could."
"Thanks," Hermione said. "So about this Luna?"
"Before I became her friend, she lived a lonely life," Sensei said. "I do not know the details, but the Luna I knew had not had a friend in years. It was really not her fault. She's a lovely person. Other things happened to her.
"One has already happened. I don't know exactly what. About a year ago, she lost her best friend. You've met the girl. It's Ginny Weasley. I don't think they had a falling out really as they were friends again later. But I do know from my Ginny that they were always together until about a year ago and then they were not. I suspect Ginny's Mum is the reason, but do not know. Ginny was eventually groomed to be my wife. I think that might be when she and Luna were no longer allowed to play together, but I do not know.
"I do know that Luna has no friends right now. I also know that something may happen in the next two years that will crush her further. She went through years without friends and not believing she deserved them. She was in her Fourth Year when she became mine. Before then, she was picked on and bullied all the time. She does not deserve that future."
"No," Harry agreed, "neither of them do."
"So how can we become their friends?" Hermione asked.
"I would not recommend bringing them here for classes yet," Rose Granger said. The others looked at her. "They are lonely and isolated. To be thrown into that might be a bit much for them right now. Become their friends and with that they can adapt. You can teach them too until then, but only after they warm up to you."
"In other words," Robert said, "if they cannot come to these three, then these three go to them."
"How?" Harry asked.
"Longbottom's easy," Sirius said. "I've been to their Manor. It's outside of Colne in Lancashire, but I could take you to their place. No clue about the Lovegoods, though."
"Their place is three miles due east of Burrow," Sensei said.
"The what?" several voices asked.
"It's where the Weasley's live. You can Floo there and such."
"We will need an excuse," Sirius suggested.
"Play dates," Rose said. "We kind of agreed to that and the younger ones are not in school."
"Get's us to Devon," Sirius said, "but not to the Lovegoods."
"Brooms," Sensei said. "You bought these three Comet 260's and they have not even had a chance with them. The Weasley's have a hidden Quidditch Pitch in some woods on their property. Take them there to fly. Fred and George are good flyers and can help and Ginny probably knows how by now as well, although none of her brothers know yet. You take them their, teach them to fly and recon to the east when you can. Later, when you find the Lovegood place, you can take them there."
"Brilliant! So who first?" Sirius asked.
"Longbottom," Minerva said. "Lovegoods are gone for weeks."
"Right then. We'll figure this out. Get the kids to Lancashire and teach them to fly in Devon. Loads of fun!" Sirius laughed.