The Magic in Ordinary

by Runt the Brave

Two hundred and three Students. One ordinary boy. One night sleep walking. A splash of dementor motivation. The Patronus Charm. Third year fiction, dealing with dementors, memories, friends, and family.

11. Hi

Chapter Eleven

…Hi…

Hedwig arrived with a letter from Julius Regan during the Sunday morning breakfast post. Harry made the mistake of sitting next to the sixth years while his close group of friends was all on his other side. He also made the mistake of being careless with the envelope, so the return name was visible. He made the mistake of wincing when Ruth Turpin grabbed the envelope. "Harry?" Ruth asked, "Why are you writing to Temperance's dad?"

Harry stuttered for a second. "I own the clothing company he manages," Harry managed to choke out. All three of the sixth years just stared at him. He ducked behind Julius's letter and tried to forget about the stares. The letter was nothing special. Mr. Regan just expressed some general questions and comments that could be answered easily enough. He seemed to understand how beneficial making clothes endorsed by Harry Potter would be. It was a little weird, having an adult writing to him in the tone of a subordinate. Okay. It was a lot weird. From what Harry could tell, Mr. Regan was ready and willing to go and already starting attending to everything that needed to be started before they could actually start designing a new line of clothes.

Huh. "You're my dad's boss?" Temperance said, her voice holding a mixture of disbelief and humor. "Well, that's… urm…"

"I think Harry's a lot of peoples' boss," Hermione said from Harry's left. "He just doesn't realize it yet."

Harry squeaked. The girls laughed at him. And Harry didn't mind. In an odd way, he almost liked being laughed at, at least by the Gryffindors. It made him feel accepted. Was that normal? Was anything he did or said or felt anywhere close to normal? Hannah and Susan got up from the Hufflepuff table and inserted herself between Harry and Hermione. Susan stayed standing behind her friend. Hannah poked Harry in the side. "Okay. Spill. You know what happened to Sally-Anne." Neville and Hermione both looked up, obviously curious about their conversation.

"Not particularly," Harry said. "Yesterday, she got a letter saying her mom was in the hospital or something. And so I took her to Professor Sprout and that's that." Neville's eyebrows furrowed, concerned.

The normally cheerful, energetic Hannah sighed. Susan looked particularly grim. "I hope her mom's okay," Susan said, "she's not back yet, and Professor Sprout refuses to tell us when she might get back."

"How's Megan doing?" Harry asked. All four of the Hufflepuff girls seemed especially close; Megan and Sally-Anne were no exception.

Susan and Hannah exchanged a glance. "Not so great," Hannah admitted. "I guess… well. Let us know if you hear anything."

"Yeah, same here," Harry said, speaking for himself and Neville, who looked just as worried as the Hufflepuff girls did. "And tell Megan that things will work out, okay?" Susan and Hannah nodded and moved back to their own table. Harry looked down at his food, any appetite he had for breakfast completely gone. At least it was Sunday. He'd get to fly later. Harry picked at his food a few seconds, before looking up to see Hermione watching him, speculative. "What?"

"It's just… funny," Hermione said, shrugging. "The beginning of this year, it was me. And now it's me and Sarah and Paradise and the other first year girls and the six fourth years and the four seventh and sixth years and Sally-Anne and Megan and Susan and Hannah and Tracey and Millicent and Angelina and Alicia and whoever Patricia is and… I guess there's the problems with Ginny and Luna—" Harry winced. "—but you've just got more friends that are girls than guy friends. And here I thought you'd never expand your horizons."

Harry stared at her. Able, who hadn't really been paying attention, chuckled. "But," Harry protested, "there's Neville and Able and Kenneth and all the Ravenclaws in our year and Wayne and Harry and Harry and Andy and Geo—"

"Really?" Hermione interjected. "Face it, Harry. Excepting Neville, Able and Kenneth, and maybe Wayne and Justin, and maybe a few of the Ravenclaw boys, all your actual friends are girls. You've got a ton of people-who-could-become-friends though, both genders. And it's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of."

Able's expression was something between humor and horror and more humor. Neville just looked a bit confuzzled. Sarah, who was on Hermione's right, just smirked at Harry. "It's all true, Harry," Sarah said. "Just think, if you ever need a date somewhere, there's a multitude of people you could ask!"

Harry bashed his head against the table. Repeatedly. When he finally stopped, all he could see was Ruth Turpin grinning about how effective headbashing was, Hermione and Sarah embroiled in a conversation about who'd he ask to a dance if there was a dance the following day, and Neville and Able looking from Harry to girls with alternating expressions of humor and horror.

ARGH!

Headdesk.

"Don't kill yourself, Harry," Angelina said, fisting her hand into Harry's hair as she walked past. Her hand kept his head up. "I hate to have to break in a new seeker." She let go and kept walking.

Headdesk.

o.o.o.o.o.o

He made it back to the common room before the after breakfast rush. Hermione and Able had gone straight to the library and Neville stayed in the Great Hall, so he was alone in returning to Gryffindor. He'd arranged to meet Tracey about their project for Runes, but that wasn't until much later that day. Neville and Millicent where supposed to join them at some later time. That should be fun. It was a pity that there were only Potions and his various electives that he had in common with the Slytherins in his year. Outside of Tracey and Millicent, it had been rather difficult to make inroads into Slytherin. He knew Selene, but was still on last name terms with almost everyone else. Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson were in Arithmancy and Blaisie Zabini was in Care of Magical Creatures along with Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. He was definitely interested in actually getting to know Theodore, Daphne, and Blaisie, but he didn't quite know if he could handle giving Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson any second chances.

Harry sighed and collapsed into one of the fluffy arm chairs. The house prejudices were really bad. Sarah Bathsheba climbed through the portrait hole and tacked a piece of parchment to the announcement board. She looked exhausted. "Hiya, Harry," Sarah said, turning away from the announcements. "You might want to look at the cast list before Professor Sinistra announces that they're up."

Harry pushed himself up from his couch and joined Sarah in front of the board. It looked like she'd been up all night.

Five Founders Cast List

Helga Hufflepuff – Daffodil Daywood (Hufflepuff 7th)

Salazar Slytherin – Icarus Crane (Slytherin 7th)

Godric Gryffindor – Eric Kettleburn (Gryffindor 7th)

Rowena Ravenclaw – Sarah Stebbins (Hufflepuff 6th)

Faolan O'Flannery – Vale Kensington (Ravenclaw 6th)

Daniel Son of Spencer – Declan Hopkins (Hufflepuff 5th)

Moriel Michigan – Iris Crane (Hufflepuff 7th)

Yager Son of Yan – Harry Potter (Gryffindor 3rd)

Helena Ravenclaw – Selene Grant (Slytherin 4th)

Moriel Harris – Queenie Babbling (Gryffindor 4th)

Julius Greene – Able Vane (Gryffindor 4th)

Kaka the Gypsy – Padma Patil (Ravenclaw 3rd)

Orena the Gypsy – Pavarti Patil (Gryffindor 3rd)

Siga – Eddie Carmichael (Ravenclaw 4th)

Cleo – Eliza Kirke (Gryffindor 4th)

Daisy – Gracelyn Zale (Slytherin 2nd)

Rogan – Logan Reinhold (Hufflepuff 4th)

Princess Arianna – Samantha Fawcett (Ravenclaw 5th)

Prince Matthew – Cedric Diggory (Hufflepuff 6th)

Katia (squib girl) – Artemis Ingraham (Hufflepuff 2nd)

Anyone who auditioned may be asked to perform in a non-speaking or understudy capacity. These rolls will be addressed when necessary

Magic Crew: Sarah Bethsheba, Matthew Bradley, William Caric, Miguel Chambers, Emma MacDonald, Corbin Matthus, Adrianna Sampson, James Botts, Penelope Clearwater, Sparkle Daywood, Ruth Turpin, Steven Vector, Zachary Waller, Fae Daniels, Jacob Dare, Brian Hooper, Kaitlin Towler, Fred and George Weasley, Horizon Zale, Demelza and Dakota Robbins, Hermione Granger, and Su Li

Anyone who auditioned for the magic-crew may be asked to assist those chosen to perform

"Wow," Harry said, staring at the sheet of paper. "Hermione's gonna be so pleased."

Sarah coughed. "Yeah. She and Su both. Third years on the magic crew is risky, but the two of them will keep up. They're pretty great at charms."

"I'm beating Hermione in that class." It was boastful and he knew it, but this was just big Sarah…

She smacked him on the back of the head. "You're in the play, so don't complain, genius. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sleep." She darted up the girls' stairs, disappearing in short order.

Harry moved back to his favorite armchair. He should have gone up to his dormitory and get a textbook, but he sort of wanted to see people react to the cast list. He was pleased. He really was. He'd get to work primarily with a Slytherin boy he didn't know, Able, Queenie, Selene, and a Hufflepuff he didn't know. Of course, he'd work with the whole cast. Yager had a semi-constant presence in the play. That presence annoyed Helena Ravenclaw (Selene). Oh, this was going to be fun.

Queenie and Eliza were two of the first people to come tumbling through the portrait hole. They scanned the cast list, squealed, and started jumping up and down and hugging each other. Queenie seemed more excited than Eliza, but still, they were bubbling. Queenie spotted Harry and just kept celebrating. She was obviously happy. Eric Kettleburn came next, and he looked absolutely relieved. After that, Harry couldn't keep track of the individual people. He caught Able Vane discretely triumphant, Cormac McLaggen befuddled and disappointed, Hermione Granger simply exultant, both Robbins girls immensely relieved, and Lavender Brown vocally upset. Harry eventually tired of watching the various reactions, so he headed up to his dormitory for his Runes, Charms, and language books.

He might as well head to the library right now…

"Hey, Harry," Andy seemed rather removed from the emotions running through the common room. "Professor McGonagall wants to see you."

Okay, so that changed his plans. Harry managed to avoid Queenie and Hermione, who seemed to be the most insistent to find him. He made it through the common room unscathed and to McGonagall's office fairly quickly. What did she want to see him about? Professor Sinistra and Paradise were waiting in McGonagall's office. His Head of House looked particularly grim. She ordered him and Paradise to sit while she and Professor Sinistra stood over them. Aurora fidgeted, like she didn't know whether to be nervous or excited.

"I promised both of you that we'd arrange for you to permanently escape from any abusive situation," McGonagall said, as an introduction. Paradise tensed and reached towards Harry, obviously seeking support. He gave her his hand and she clung. "We need to visit a department of the Ministry of Magic, but Headmaster Dumbledore has been unsupportive of taking you immediately. We do this without his permission."

McGonagall was acting against Dumbledore? "Harry," she continued, "I'm afraid I must apologize to you, as I was with the Headmaster when he placed you with the Dursley's. I did not force my protests to be heard and for that, I am sorry." Harry sucked in a breath, but he couldn't blame here. Dumbledore put him there? Intentionally? He bit his lip and clung back to Paradise. "Harry, you have arranged to be taken in by Professor Sinistra, correct?" He nodded. "And Paradise, I do not know if you aware, but your friend here is incredibly rich and has offered to take you in as a ward. Do you know what that means?"

Paradise's eyes widened when she looked at Harry, but she shook her head. Harry swallowed. "For all intents and purposes, you'd be my sister, I think." He said, looking at McGonagall for confirmation. "You'd be under my support and protection, and through me, Professor Sinistra would be your guardian. That is, if you'd like." Paradise started nodding, very, very rapidly.

McGonagall actually smiled. "Then let's go finalize some paperwork." She took a handful of floo powder and handed it to her fellow teacher. Sinistra stepped into the fireplace, said: Ministry of Magic, the Department of Miscellaneous: Family Court.

There was a Department for miscellaneous stuff? Harry wondered, amazed. And Family Court stuff was considered miscellaneous? That seemed a little odd. Little Paradise was staring at the floo powder, astonished. "It's okay," Harry promised her, "it's just a method of transportation." He stepped towards the fire place, accepted a handful of floo powder, said the passcode, and tumbled through the system towards the Ministry of Magic. Harry tumbled out on a plush red carpet at the feet of Professor Sinistra, Madame Pomfrey, and a woman he didn't know.

"Do try and stay on your feet, Mr. Potter," Madame Pomfrey said, "I hate to have to patch you up for a fireplace injury." Paradise tumbled through the fire, falling headlong onto Harry. Sinistra bent to help both of them stand. McGonagall stepped out of the fireplace, stately, demurely, and perfectly intact.

"Are you ready to proceed, Professor McGonagall?" said the woman that Harry didn't know.

"Yes, Madam Ayna. Miss Aster and Mr. Potter, as requested, and you remember Professor Sinistra?"

The woman studied the two children. "Indeed," she muttered, absent-mindedly. "All the evidence from Madam Pomfrey is in place; we can proceed with the finalization when the children have made their statements. Professors, if you could pleas leave the room…"

At this, Harry actually looked around the room. It was homey; the walls were beige, the carpet full, and thick and a couple of armchairs arranged in lopsided circle on the opposite side of the room. Madam Ayna was guiding their professors out a door that was opposite the fireplace. Paradise slipped her hand into his and pressed against his side. She was scared. So scared. She probably had no more knowledge of how this was going to work than he did. "Mr. Potter, Miss Aster, if you would join me…" Madam Ayna gestured them to the armchairs.

Harry picked one of the plushier looking ones. Paradise sat on the arm of his chair. Ayna frowned, but did not ask her to move. "Now, children, your professors have filed to extract you from your current homes and guardians and all seems to be in order for that to proceed. What I'd like to ask you, Mr. Potter first, what do you think of the situation?"

Harry bit his lip. It was a big… situation, as Madam Ayna termed it. "Well, I definitely don't want to go back to the Dursleys. I'd do anything to not go back there." That wasn't true. He wouldn't hurt anyone, or let anyone get hurt, but if he could buy something that would keep him away from that horrid place… "It was horrid; my aunt and uncle hate magic; they hate me. I want to get out."

Ayne nodded. Next to her, an automated quill was scribbling, presumably a transcript of what he'd just said. "And what do you think of being adopted by Professor Sinistra?"

Harry hadn't heard the word adopted before. Well, not in regards to him. If felt… good. "I trust Aurora." He rarely used her first name, but it seemed fitting here. "She's supported me, as an adult, when no else did. I trust her. I would like to be adopted by her." He could see in Ayna's eyes that the trust thing had gone a long way towards finalizing this whole thing. How many abuse victims had she worked with? Did she understand how abjectly hard it was to trust anyone?

"And what about you, Miss Aster, what do you think about being taken away from your parents?"

She opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. When she could finally speak, all that came out was a mouse-like "Please."

Madam Ayna nodded. "Don't worry, Paradise. You won't have to go back there. And what are your thoughts of becoming Professor Sinistra's ward?"

"I don't really know her. She's only been my teacher for a month," Paradise said, her voice still soft. "But I trust Harry. And if Harry trusts her, then… then I want to. I want to stay with Harry."

"Good, good. Mr. Potter again, your professors said you offered to take Paradise in as your ward. Would you please tell me what, in your understanding, that would imply?"

Harry swallowed. "Well, I'd be financially responsible for her. She'd be a part of my house, like, officially my sister. What I'm not clear on is Professor Sinistra's responsibility towards Paradise if she's my guardian and Paradise is my ward."

"Your financial status makes this a rather unique case," Madam Ayna said, "as does Headmaster Dumbledore's reluctance to move you from your relatives. For all intents and purposes, Professor Sinistra would represent you in matters that you are not capable of handling yourself. For example, on forms where you need a guardian's signature, it would be hers. The financial aspect would be for you to work out. That would be the same between Professor Sinistra and Miss Aster. Do you have any problems with this system? Do you have any objections to taking Paradise as a ward?"

"No! I offered!"

Madam Ayna smiled. "Well, I just need your both your signatures and we've finalized this process. Notices will be sent to your respective previous guardians, alerting them that they've been relieved of parental control." She presented a form to both Harry and Paradise, providing a quill for them to sign with. Harry scratched out his name before passing the quill to Paradise. She struggled a little with the archaic writing utensil, but managed her name just fine. The forms glowed a soft blue color when their names had been completed. Madam Ayna waved her wand at the door and invited Professors McGonagall and Sinistra and Madam Pomfrey back into the room. "Everything has been finalized. Aurora, here are your children. I'll see the three of you in six-months for an evaluation."

Harry made eye contact with his favorite professor; she looked happy. He felt happy. He'd never have to go back to the Dursley's ever again! He'd get to live with Aurora and, and, and oh it felt good! McGonagall and Pomfrey moved to the fire, both tossing floo powder, but calling the names of two different Hogwarts places. McGonagall headed back to her office, and Pomfrey to the infirmary. Harry and Paradise joined Professor Sinistra by the fire. She told them the floo passcode for her office. Harry went first. Paradise followed. Both of them scrabbled out of the way as their professor stepped through.

In the privacy of her office, Sinistra found herself assaulted by a hug from Harry. A hug from the kid who still struggled to understand why people would ever touch each other! She hugged him back, trying to express what she couldn't stay in words. Harry pulled back, grinning. Sinistra turned to the pale, small little girl and opened her arms. Paradise moved forward, tentatively, and Aurora hugged her, gently. When Paradise pulled away, she was smiling.

Harry claimed his usual hard-backed chair and Paradise studied its arm for a few seconds before sitting in the other chair. Aurora conjured her own chair, not wanting to sit behind her desk in the teacher-student configuration. "Paradise, I see Harry outside of classes once a week and would like to offer that same thing to you. Say, on Thursday evenings, would you like to come here so we can get to know each other better?"

Paradise nodded.

"Oh good," Sinistra said. She rubbed a hand over her eyes. "I'm exhausted. We were up for a long time finalizing the cast list."

Paradise perked up. She turned to Harry. "You got Yager, right? That's awesome."

And the small, newly minted family stayed tucked away until Sunday lunch, enjoying just being together.

o.o.o.o.o.o

At lunch, most every Gryffindor knew where Harry and Paradise had disappeared to. Apparently, McGonagall had told Emma MacDonald who told William Caric and was overheard by Lavender Brown who told Pavarti Patil who told Mary MacDonald and by then, it was impossible to keep quiet the fact that Harry Potter and Paradise Aster were now the Astronomy Professor's children. No one seemed to mind. It was news, but it was still overshadowed by discussions about the cast list.

The two of them sat next to each other at lunch, with Hermione and Neville next to Harry and Lily and Vicky across from their group. Halfway through the meal, the first year Aria marched up to them and sat down next to Paradise. The two girls looked at each other before Aria coughed and said "Hi, cuz. Welcome to the Sinistra world." Paradise grinned.

Harry choked on a swallow of pumpkin juice.

The first year girls snickered at him. "You didn't know my last name?" Aria said, still snickering. "Professor Sinistra's my aunt. Welcome to the family." She got up and bounced back to sit with Julia, Emerald, and Romilda.

Harry and Paradise had barely finished eating when Eric Kettleburn, the seventh year, cleared his throat behind them. "Harry, Paradise, can I talk to the two of you?" They both nodded and followed Kettleburn from the Great Hall. He didn't lead them far away, just to one of the unused classrooms on the same floor as the Great Hall. There was a whole group of people clustered in the room. Harry instantly recognized Queenie Babbling. There was a Ravenclaw, older boy that he didn't know, and then a boy and girl, both Ravenclaws, that simply had to be siblings. Harriett Patterson lounged in one of the corners. There were three kids who looked younger than Paradise, and none of them were wearing school uniforms.

What in Merlin's name was going on?

"This is really not fair," Harriett complained. "It pushes the balance in Gryffindor's favor so much. And we still don't have a Hufflepuff."

"I'm gonna be a Hufflepuff!" The oldest of the younger kids said, glaring at Harriett.

"Harry, Paradise," Eric said, "welcome to the Concordia of Staff Kids."

Queenie waved. "Introductions! You know me and Eric. This is Harriett Patterson, Steven Vector," the older Ravenclaw "Leann and Orion Hooch" the sibling Ravenclaws "Tyler Pomfrey" the eldest of the others "his sister Ciara, and Rebecca Hooch. We just call her Becks. Everyone, welcome Harry Potter and Paradise Aster."

"We know who they are," Ciara grumbled.

"Yeah," Rebecca said, "one's famous and none of you will shut up about them!"

Leann bounced Rebecca on the back of the head. "Behave, you."

Harry and Paradise stared, not quite sure how to take it all in. Eric chuckled. "We're just a collection of the kids and grandkids of various staff members. Officially, I should be gone as my granddad retired, but they haven't bothered to kick me out yet. Queenie is the Runes teacher's granddaughter; Steven, the Hooches, the Pomfreys, and you two are the direct responsibilities of Vector, Hooch, Pomfrey and Sinistra respectively. And Harriett here and is the semi-self-estranged, oldest granddaughter of Professor McGonagall."

Harriett snickered. "I think I gave her a heart attack when the hat said Slytherin."

"Not funny, 'riett," Tyler insisted.

Harry and Paradise still stared, struggling to take the whole spectacle in.

"There's others, too," Queenie said, half amused by the two Gryffindor's expressions. "But as Kingsley and Courtney – 'riett's siblings – live with their parents and not their grandmother, so they won't be official staff kids until they get here. We don't count nieces and nephews, 'cause that would be too many people. You also have to be eight to be an official member, but we don't have any kids younger than eight, although, isn't Court-"

"Nah. She's eight."

"Far too many people," Steven interjected. "I still don't get the grandkids."

"Tradition, Steven," Leann argued. It looked the two of them had had that discussion a lot.

"The two of you are so getting married," Queenie interjected, smirking. She and Orion exchanged a high-five. Harry couldn't figure out why.

"Queenie!" Leann grumbled.

"Oh, it's not just you," Harriett said, "Tyler and Becks are just destined for each other." Tyler made a face. Becks blushed bright red.

"Does that put you and Orion together?" Paradise asked. Harry blinked at her. He still hadn't sorted out everyone's name.

Harriett and Orion both violently shook their heads. The rest of the Concordia nearly died laughing.

"This is just an informal meeting," Steven said, directing it towards Paradise and Harry, "so we could introduce you and tell you the rules. They're simple enough. We met once a month, just to check in and make sure no one's having any real problems. We don't all have to be friends," here he glanced pointedly at Leann, "but we're not enemies here. If anyone asks for help, especially Tyler, Ciara or Becks, 'cause they aren't students, you help them. We aren't public knowledge, either, so stay silent and don't talk about the little three with anyone outside this room. Capice? I'm going to go study now." He left. Leann followed him out, chattering about how rude he was. It was humorous.

Eric left shortly after that, citing that he was a NEWT student and needed to go study. When Queenie left, that made Harry the oldest person in the classroom. Which was… odd, to say the least. Paradise started talking with Ciara and Becks, while Harriett and Orion just stood around, silently. Tyler worked up the courage to ask Harry about Quidditch and the two boys chatted for a good while. Orion and Harriett slipped away, leaving the two newest staff kids with the staff kids that weren't students, but neither Gryffindor cared. The younger kids were fascinating.

After a while, the class room door opened and Madame Pomfrey stuck her head in. "You kids are still here?"

Tyler startled and looked at his watch. It was after one o'clock. "Yes. Sorry, Mum, just lost track of the time."

Pomfrey didn't look mad in the slightest. "Understandably. Still, you two, Becks, you should head back to the staff wing. Mr. Potter, Miss Aster, have a good Sunday. Please don't let the Concordia go to your head. They're all a bit crazy."

"Mum!" That was Ciara.

Harry closed his eyes, trying to reevaluate most everything he knew about the school nurse. And Professor McGonagall had grandchildren! And one of them was a Slytherin! His head felt like it wanted to explode.