Chapter nine

Harry went to speak with his head of house first thing the following morning. She was going to take Harry to have his eyes checked. They would work on a day to go into Diagon Alley, then London if needed.

At breakfast the following morning, Harry was again sitting beside Susan when the owls flew in. One owl landed in front of Susan and the other landed in front of Harry.

'This is from my aunt but it may be just to tell us how it's going, we'll read it outside.'

'Good idea,' Harry opened his own letter and whispered, "Dear pup, I hear you are no longer a lion, I'm sort of confused as to why you would change houses, but if you had a good reason then I support you. I got an owl from Albus explaining what happened with the triwizard tournament and I'm glad you are no longer competing, that has seen people killed. You might have done more than others your age should but I would rather you not be involved. Albus asked me to write in the hope I could convince you to go back to Gryffindor, I'm not going to tell you to do anything, I don't have the right. All I would like to know is why and like I said, if you have a good reason then I support you.

"I'm fine by the way, well hidden, yet Albus wants me to return, I'm not sure why and he never really gave me a good explanation. I won't decide anything until I hear from you. I will not risk being kissed or sent back there unless you really need me. I will be there for you Harry, and I'm sorry I haven't been so far but from now on you can count on me. If you can write a really long letter, make sure to put in things you want to know. Since we never really got a chance to speak I have no idea how much you know of your family before that night. I'm sure you've been filled in and you've been told things about your mischievous father and your mother who could control the marauders better than anyone. But I'm sure you've thought of other personal things that you might not have been told. So I'll fill you in as best I can, until we can see each other face to face. My other letters I sent you I would have put in things that you might like to know, but I have no idea how much you have been told. Now you can write then add as many questions as you can think up.

"Albus said he is working on clearing my name, so I hope it doesn't take long than you and I can get to know each other. I wish I never left you with Hagrid that night, especially when I found out that you were given to Petunia. She is a bitch, make sure you tell her I'm keeping an eye on you even if she doesn't see me, she will if any of them dare lay a finger on you. Yes, I get why Albus put you there, we didn't know who to trust, but I also know your father would have murdered him for even suggesting it. You are going to be Lord Potter when you're seventeen, you need to know what that entails. Hopefully if my name gets cleared I can help, since I am Lord Black. I just can't use my position while everyone believes I'm a murderer. Anyway, I'll sign off now, stay with the puffs if that's what you want to do, they were always good people, love Snuffles."

'Sounds like he's not one to just do what the headmaster tells him,' Susan said.

'Yeah, so I'm going to write straight back, tell him to stay where he is for now. I will tell him why I felt I had to change houses and I'll tell him about that contract, which is now cancelled, thank merlin.'

'Let's just finish breakfast then you can write,' Susan kissed Harry on the cheek then dished up her own food.

'She never stops glaring at Susan,' Hannah said.

'She has a temper just like Ron, sometimes they act before they think. I worry sometimes that she might slip something in my juice or somehow curse me to make me want her. Then I worry that she just might hurt Susan to get her out of the way.'

'I could ask aunt about the protection charms on the Bones ring. She asked me a couple of years ago if I wanted to wear it, I thought I would wait.'

'Something I don't know about, what ring?'

'Oh, okay, well, old families like ours all have family rings. The head of the family will usually take it when the last died or when the last decides to retire handing the position as lord, lady or head of the family to their heir. Because of sibling rivalries, family disputes and downright family fights most of these rings will be enchanted with protection charms, all different types. Now I know most will automatically be charmed against poisons that covers things like love potions as well. Most spells will not even come close, apart from spells like the unforgivables. Once the ring is on your finger only you as head can remove it. They all carry the family crests on them and the ring will automatically allow you to pass through wards around the family homes.'

'So there would be one for the Potters?'

'Yes, I'm sure aunty will take you to your vault during the holidays, so you can find it.'

'I'll speak with her during the holidays, for now I'm with you lot so I know my drink and food is safe.'

'Let's go up to your room so you can write that letter. It would be best to stay away until aunty is ready to speak with him.'

'Yeah, it will be,' Harry took Susan's hand, Hannah went to Neville and the four friends left the great hall and went straight to the Hufflepuff rooms. Harry didn't know that someone could invite another person from a different house inside, but Hannah did so Neville joined the puffs. They went straight up to the boys dorm room and sat on Harry's bed. As he wrote his letter to Snuffles, Susan, Hannah and Neville would make the odd suggestion. The letter ended up three pages long before they headed to the owlery where Hedwig was told it would be a long flight so to take her time, eat and rest. Harry would see her when she returned but there was no hurry. They waited until she was out of sight before they headed back inside.

'Hey Neville, I'm sure Dumbledore or Mrs Weasley will check that contract. Keep an eye on Ron and Ginny, listen out for anything about that or me.'

'No worries mate, but I think Mrs Weasley would get notified if it was cancelled. As she was legally allowed to sign on her daughter's behalf she would have been notified straight away. Dumbledore wasn't your legal guardian so he wouldn't be notified. It's one old tradition I don't like and I told gran that I won't speak with her again if she ever signs one for me. She does want to approve of who I marry, I will let her think she can have a say but I will marry who I want even if I have to sneak away to do it.'

'Good one Neville, it's a terrible tradition and could cause a lot of problems. I mean what if the two people really hate each other, neither of them would be happy. They wouldn't end up with kids and it's one thing I do want when I'm older to have kids. But if I was stuck with someone like that…witch, I wouldn't touch her with Snape's bits. I might just get a healer to render me unable to…perform.'

Susan, Hannah and Neville laughed, Harry had blushed brightly when he mentioned the word perform.

One thing Harry really liked about spending time with his girlfriend and his two other friends, they all got on well and there were never any arguments or fights. Harry used to get sick of the fights Ron and Hermione had. He was stuck in the middle and both expected Harry to side with them. Now he finally had friends who were real friends.

Neville had told them a couple of days later that Ginny was furious but no one knew why. Neville knew but he didn't plan on telling anyone, apart from his girlfriend, and Harry and Susan. He still found it hard to believe that he, Neville Longbottom, had a girlfriend and a girl that he thought was really nice and pretty. Apart from Harry, he was one of the only boys in their year to have a girlfriend. He never thought he would end up with anyone. But he thanked Harry for helping him over the last few years, it gave him more confidence than he ever had before. He thought Harry was right as well about the Gryffindor's. Neville never had any real close friends, the other boys in his year ignored him unless they wanted information on herbology, they used him for his knowledge. He had begun to tell the Gryffindor's if they wanted herbology information then they could go to the library and look it up. Neville might remain in Gryffindor but he preferred the company of the Hufflepuff's, he also liked the way they stick together.

Over the next week Susan received the books and a letter from her aunt. She also sent a letter explaining how things were progressing faster than she thought. The first trial that should have already been held will still take a while to organise but she should be ready to speak with him, (meaning Sirius) within the next couple of weeks. She also wrote that after seeing Harry's memory she knew he was innocent of all charges. She had someone she trusted in her office who was helping her with the other trial. So even though he had been surprised who Amelia was planning on taking on, before the Wizengamot. Harry had the same thoughts, which was Albus Dumbledore believed he was above the law. Now he will find out he's not.

Amelia also found the information on the Potter seat, she wrote to Harry so he would know the old man had been voting on his behalf. Harry wrote back instantly that he would prefer that she, Amelia, take the voting rights for the Potter seat, until he was seventeen.

Another week went by before Hedwig arrived with a thick envelope, which Harry knew was a long letter from Sirius. From the time Hedwig left with Harry's letter then return with Sirius' letter, it had been two weeks. Which told Harry that Sirius was a long way away. He felt better knowing Sirius wasn't close so he wasn't in danger of being kissed by a dementor.

Harry put the letter in his pocket until he got to the Hufflepuff rooms then put the letter in his trunk. Even though he trusted the Hufflepuff's he still sealed his trunk. He did not want anyone to accidentally discover he was in contact with Sirius Black. It could ruin Amelia's chances of getting him free. After he sealed his trunk he headed to class, he would read the letter later that night.