Ginny teleported to the room of requirement, when Harry realized she wasn't with him he asked her.
Ginny, sweetie where are you?
Room or Requirement she said. Come on. she said.
He teleported and waved her wand and started muttering a long incantation that he recognized. Harry watched as the clock behind her stopped and he recognized the spell. Timestopper, the unspeakables had been working on that for a while and Harry, who as Head Auror, actually had some free time so he helped them. Apparently this might take a while if she had to stop time to do it.
"Harry." she said. "Please, I can tell you have been doing this since after the battle." she said taking his hand. "You have too much trust in Snape."
He narrowed his eyes. "Harry." she whispered. "Please, you have always thought negative of your father and Sirius when when you named Albus, you need to get over that."
"Why should I? What has he ever done for me?" he asked furiously.
"Because he is your father! He is the reason you are here! He died for you Harry JAMES Potter!" she shouted. "He was willing to risk his life to save Lily and yourself! What was Severus willing to risk Harry? Your life? Your fathers?" she asked moving on the James route first.
"You can't judge people on their past mistakes." he scoffed.
"YOU BLOODY HYPOCRITE! HOW DID YOU JUDGE YOUR FATHER? ON HIS PAST MISTAKES!" she shouted. He frowned, of course she was right, she always was.
"So what," he said. He at least wasn't going down without a fight, "He switched over when it counted."
"IT ALWAYS COUNTED! HE ONLY DID IT FOR UNREQUITED LOVE! HE WAS WILLING TO SACRIFICE EVERYTHING BUT HIMSELF FOR HER! INCLUDING YOU!" She spat.
"YEAH! AND WHAT DID JAMES GIVE UP?!" Harry tried back.
"EVERYTHING! HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU HARRY! BECAUSE HE LOVED YOU! HE LOVES YOUR MOTHER AND YOURSELF AND HE GAVE THE SAME SACRIFICE YOUR MOTHER DID! HE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE HIS WAND! HE DIDN'T CARE BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BUY YOU PRECIOUS BREATHS HARRY! HE MAY HAVE BEEN A GIT TO YOUR MOTHER FOR A WHILE BUT I RECALL S TIME WHEN YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO GET GIRLS TOO! HE WAS YOUNG AND STUPID LIKE ALL BOYS! BUT HE GREW UP! HE RIGHTED HIMSELF! HE BECAME THE MAN HE ALWAYS MEANT TO BE! THE MAN YOUR MOTHER ALWAY WISHED HE WOULD HAVE BEEN!" she said. "HE GAVE UP HIS FREEDOM FROM DOING WHATEVER THE HELL HE WANTED TO DO!"
Harry stared at her, "DIDN'T YOU EVER NOTICE WHEN SNAPE CALLED YOUR MOTHER A MUDBLOOD BECAUSE HE WAS MAD AT JAMES! HE TOOK HIS ANGER OUT ON THE PERSON WHO WAS TRYING TO HELP HIM! CLEARLY YOU DON'T REALISE HOW MUCH THAT HURT YOUR MOTHER! TO STOP HER FROM TALKING TO HER BEST FRIEND OF ALMOST 6 YEARS! 6 YEARS! IF YOU THOUGHT YOUR FIGHT WAS BAD WITH RON YOU AT LEAST SPOKE WITH HIM AFTER IT AND BECAME BEST FRIENDS AGAIN! THEY DIDN'T! IT WAS BAD ENOUGH YOUR MOTHER WOULDN'T SPEAK WITH HIM! HE DOESN'T DESERVE THE PRAISE YOU GIVE HIM!" she said.
He frowned she had really good points there.
She pushed him into a chair that appeared behind him. "This sounds childish, but you have to sit down and think Harry! Your old self in the dream did the same thing after you named James Sirius! You need to think Harry, he is your father, and no matter what you are stuck with him." she said. He frowned again and sat there with his eyes shut before something fell on his lap. He opened his eyes and looked at his lap, it was a muggle notepad and pencil. He picked it up, "What's this for?" he asked.
"For you to make a pro and con list for each" she said and then sat back on a nice couch that appeared. He looked down and sketched out the lines for both. He quickly got to work with them. He sat there for a good hour, saying time wasn't at a standstill for everyone but them. He finally sat back and Ginny took the list, she quickly counted. Then smirked, "So I take it you at least thought all these through and you support these?" she asked.
He sighed heavily, "If I wrote them, I support them." he said.
Ginny smiled, "So do you realize how much of a git you have been being to your father?" she asked.
He nodded sadly, "Harry, the next time you see him, look at him, really look at him, the way he looks at you. He loves you Harry, he shows things like love, protection, and above all shame. You can tell he is ashamed of what he has done, but you and I both know you can't change the past."
"Aren't we doing that now?" he asked.
"No because technically we are changing the future, that's what humans do, they can't change the past only the future." she said. He frowned, she was right again. "Harry, your father loves you, just as much and maybe more, than your mother. Mothers and their kids have a distinct bond and the father son bond is supposed to be just as strong. Right now you are trying to force that bond onto Snape. Snape isn't your father last I checked."
He nodded, she was right, again. "You know, you always surprise me. How are you always right?" he asked.
"I'm your wife, I'm always right, its a gift." she said dismissively.
"So, you counted, what was the numbers?" he asked.
"Snape- 8 good things, 23 bad things. James- 34 good things, and 3 bad things." she said. Harry nodded, "So if we were going with a point system, Severus would have-" he said thinking, "-15 points and James would have, 31." he said.
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner." she said. He nodded, "You mind if I still call him Sev?" he asked. She frowned, "Only if you call James dad."
He nodded, "Can do."
"So, how about you sit down again and make a list for Sirius and one for Remus and then the Marauders as a whole." she said pushing him down. He sighed and continued with the lists. Finally when he was done he frowned, "You're too good at this." he said. "Of course, again, they win and Severus loses."
"Duh, I'm not near as thick as you. I've seen what Snape claims is his worst memory. Tell me Harry, out of any of the people there, who was mentally hurt the most?" she asked.
"Mum." he said.
"And physically hurt the most?" she asked.
He was about to say Snape when he remembered something, "Dad." he said.
"Right and the gash on his face, who gave it to him?"
"Snape." Harry sighed.
"Right so your father was injured, more than once I might add, because of him. Harry, how many times was Snape actually injured by the Marauders? Like physically injured by them? Because I don't recall any, yet your parents ended up dead because of Snape."
"He's done some good things." defended Harry.
"Yeah, because pureblood enthusiasts, who are half bloods themselves, and use mudblood as an insult and create curses that kill at the age of 15 definately have enough redeeming qualities to recover that." she said.
"But-"
"Oh yes, argue with me would you, I'd love the chance." she spat at him. "Remember what happened when you were pulled, physically, out of the pensieve? How you were thrown on the dungeon floor? How he bruised your arm and the cockroaches exploded over you? Harry you were so scared you ran up 3 flights of stairs, around Hogwarts. Meaning who knows how many stairs that actually was. All for what? You finding out that your father had issues with him, and Snape was a right big git and that he wears grey undies?" she asked rhetorically.
"But-"
"You do realize that the sectumsempra one could easily kill someone, the langlock one could easily choke you. Not to mention levicorpus, meaning to levitate a body? Do you not remember the quidditch world cup of 94'? There it was just easier for them to torture someone, that's what it was used for. Didn't you ever think your father had a reason for doing what he did? 'Rather be brawny than brainy' ringing any bells? Snape insulted the honor of Gryffindors, if I were your father I would have done the same. The only reason snape even tolerated the house was because your mother was there. Lily Evans, the love of his life, a muggle born Gryffindor. 2 of the things he hated the most, and occasionally he let it show. James on the other hand may have been a pureblood, but not a biased one, he didn't care what Lily was and he definitely like the fact she was Gryffindor, but tell me. If your mother was say a Ravenclaw of maybe even and Slytherin, do you think that would have stopped your father from going after her?"
"No." said Harry.
"Good, then we do think alike, somewhat. I mean really, how thick can you be? Yeah sure, the marauders made mistakes, not big enough mistakes that got people killed! Do you not realize that in order to become a death eater you have to prove your worthiness, meaning they had to kill people Harry. Your parents weren't even the people that Snape murdered to prove himself. Really, how small minded are you?" she paused looking at him, "Clearly you don't realize or don't remember that it was his fault your parents died, his fault that you went to your aunts house in the first place, his fault your magical Hogwarts years were hell, his fault George had to go the rest of his life with one ear, his fault Albus Dumbledore died, his fault that you almost killed Draco Malfoy, his fault our child got the middle name of a so called 'hero' when you and I both know he wouldn't have wanted his name anywhere close to Potter and wouldn't have wanted called a hero."
Harry frowned, great, now not only was she making very good points but also pointing out things he had chosen to ignore. "I thought you like the kid's names?" he asked.
"I did like James', Lily's and that you named Albus after Albus Dumbledore but I never really like the fact you gave him the middle name of an ass." she said. "If I would have said something we could have had a better name." she chuckled, "Like Moony Hedwig, of Hagrid Buckbeak or something like that. Maybe even Albus Fred or Albus Alastor, something we both could have agreed on. You know, more influential people in our lives."
Now Harry was really frowning, change the name of his kids?
Ginny snorted, "Wouldn't you really hate it?" she asked. "If i chose Albus' name and he ended up Albus Dean?" she asked.
Harry's head shot up to hers, "No way!" he said.
"That doesn't actually sound bad, Albus Dean Potter." she said.
Ginny waved her wand and started muttering again, reversing the effects of the spell. When she finished the clock behind her ticked again. They grabbed hands and teleported to where they were supposed to be. He was frowning all the while, Albus Dean, please.
At the main gates, Snape was striding forward. He stopped when he saw them. Then he dashed to them and Harry said "Hey Sev!"
"Good day Harry, may I ask how you just got here with Miss Weasley?" he asked confused.
"The bond remember? It is one of the gifts and since we arent in school you can call her Ginny of if you must Mrs. Potter." said Harry smiling slightly at the last name.
"Oh right sorry Ginny. Forgot for a second." said Severus turning to Harry. "So where is Dumbledore you said about the wards for Dark Marks, and that I should be here."
"He was supposed to be with fawkes…. there he is." said Harry when Dumbledore appeared in a ball of fire.
He strode forward to the gat and Harry sent the spell to his head immediately breaking through his Occlumency shields. Dumbledore nodded and Severus looked at him, "Did he just get through your Occlumency shields?"
"Yes he is very skilled in Occlumency and Legilimency, try once Severus." said Dumbledore.
Sev tried and Harry felt a small prick in his mind. He turned to face Sev. Then the pricking stopped.
"Any luck Sev?"
"N-None. Would you mind trying to break my shields?"
"No problem. Ready?" said Harry smirking.
"Yes." said Severus.
Harry thought 'Legilimens" He went through the shields immediately and started to see things, Voldemort, his mother at school, his dead mother. Seeing that he pulled out.
"Sorry about that last one, How did you do that? You didn't say anything?"
"Wandless, non-verbal magic is rather simple to me much easier actually. I'm not terribly bad at anything I try, figured out how to transform into 8 different animals this morning alone. I can show you them by the lake after we are done here if you would like." said Harry. The adults glanced at each other before nodding, in shock.
Harry looked to Dumbledore who pulled out his wand and Harry used his hand and said it outloud while Harry and Ginny said it in their heads. The first layer went over the other wards.
When that layer was done Harry picked a blade of grass out of the ground and turned it into a small knife. Which he handed to Snape and said "Two drops of blood please, from the tip of your finger should do."
Severus nodded and poked the knife into his pinky finger, two drops dripped onto the knife. Harry then touched Sev's wrist and his finger healed and he took back the knife back. Then he used his unoccupied hand and made and X on the wards and he but the bloody knife on the X and the blood disappeared. Then Harry waved his hand and the X disappeared and Sev's arm glowed. Then Harry sent Dumbledore the second spell. He nodded and said it while Harry thought it and the second layer appeared.
When it went all the way around he turned back to the adults. "I'm sorry, but this is going to need to be removed before my fourth year." he said. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and Harry shook his head. He could interfere.
"To the lake?" Ginny asked.
They nodded and strolled to the lake. Albus and Severus in the back and Harry and Ginny holding hands in the front. Harry was joking with her all the way and she would joke with him, both laughing all the way to the lake.
Albus and Severus just stared at them as they walked. Lost in their own thoughts.
When they arrived at the lake Harry and Ginny stopped and waited for the adults to catch up. When they did Harry looked to Ginny "In the order we saw them in?" she nodded and then they turned to the adults and changed into a Lion.
"Gryffindor." said Dumbledore.
They looked at each other, still as lions and saw each other smirking before they turned into Eagles and flew in circles.
"Ravenclaw?" said Severus.
They changed back to humans.
"Don't be alarmed, Basilisks don't kill unless they absolutely 100% wants to kill." they said at the same time. With that they turned into basilisks.
"Slytherin?" said Dumbledore.
They turned into badgers.
"Hufflepuff." said Snape.
They turned back into people and said "This one should be done in water." Then they jumped in and turned into Mere-people and came back up. They waved and went under, turned into humans again and got out of the water.
Then they turned into Acromantulas. Both adults stepped back.
Then they were just Harry and Ginny.
"We are skipping one because we would like you to call fawks for that one." said Ginny.
Then they changed into a stag and a doe and pranced in a circle before they stopped in front of the adults Dumbledore nodded and said "Fawkes"
Fawkes appeared, "They wanted you to see this." and with that Harry and Ginny changed into two beautiful Phoenixes. Fawkes flew over to them and spoke.
Hello friends.
Hello Fawkes they spoke
Do you have my abilities, such as travel, carrying immensely heavy loads and-
Tears that have healing abilities. interrupted Harry the phoenix nodded and flew over to Dumbledore then he pecked him and flew up.
Come friends. We should test this out.
They flew up and then he said, This is just like apperation, you don't know how to apparate yet so this should be tricky.
Harry and Ginny the phoenixes looked at each other and disappeared in a ball of fire. Then reappeared a moment later 50 meters away.
WOW that was very excellent for your age.
Age is nothing but a number, your true age shows in knowledge. said Harry.
Fawkes nodded That is truer than true, you test the other two when needed, if you can apprate in phoenix from you should be able to do that.
They nodded and landed Harry and Ginny changed back and said "Sorry, we must be going. Our parents would be worried. See you soon." and with that they teleported, leaving two adults in shock with a phoenix.
They arrived to see Molly in tears and Arthur pacing. Lily looked worried and James was also pacing.
"What's going on?" said Ginny.
"R-R-Ron" said Mrs. Weasley
Harry and Ginny's eyes widened. They used their bond magic and reached out, they found him sitting in the Burrow in his room. They teleported to his room to see him laying on his bed with a blank expression.
Harry beat Ginny to him and he kneeled to him and said "Ron?! What is wrong with you?"
He only got one murmured word back, "Hermione."
Harry tapped his head and a copied all his memories of Hermione and put them into Ron's head. Ron immediately went back to normal and the only difference is he wasn't focussed at all. Harry smiled.
What was with him? thought Ginny.
His mind was shutting down his body because of he wants to see her. replied Harry, Merlin said it might happen. then there was a bit of a pause. Ginny, I'm sorry for not listening to you, for not asking your opinion on our children's names and being negative about the Marauders.
She just looked at him, Believe me now?
Yes. he said.
I need you with me. she said.
But I have been with you all day.
Yes, but I still want to kiss you, be with you Mr. Potter.
Well technically you are Mrs. Potter, so I'd be glad to snog you Mrs. Potter.
Then come here and snog me senseless.
Don't have to tell me twice.
He started to walk toward her when Mrs. Weasley came through the door. She looked at how Ron was almost normal. "What did you do? He looks better just… unfocused."
"He is in his head watching all my memories of a special someone, he seems to like her. When I asked him what was wrong with him he said her name."
"He is going through withdrawal? He hasn't even met her has he?" ask Molly.
"No but he loves her." said Ginny.
Molly smiled at her son as he came back to reality.
"Hey mum, Ginny, Harry." Ron said as he stood and went to his trunk and pulled out his copy of Hogwarts: A History and then left the room as if nothing happened. Harry, Ginny, and Molly stared after him before following him down. They got to the bottom floor quickly and saw him walking across the grounds, reading the book. Molly apparated to his side, quickly being followed by Harry and Ginny who teleported. He didn't notice. They were soon back to the group, where Arthur hugged him, "What was wrong with you?" he asked. Ron, who looked up from his book as his father hugged him, looked very confused, "What do you mean?" he asked.
"You walked into your room unannounced, went rigid in your bed, and then looked blank, you started to mutter a name."
"What name?" he asked.
"Hermione." they all said.
"Oh." he said blushing.
Harry chuckled, "It's alright Mr. Weasley, he shouldn't do it again." he said. Ron smiled, he couldn't wait to see her.
The day they got their Hogwarts letters was amazing. Harry sat at the table with everyone at the extended table. He felt some owls, felt not heard or saw owls coming. They were carrying envelopes. When they arrived they had their Hogwarts letters. Harry's read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
Everyone just stared at it for a second before they all giggled and squealed. They were so close now. They could almost taste the sweetness of it all. Or maybe that was just Mrs. Weasley's treacle tart.
The best part of having the list, other than knowing they were close, was that they already had all this packed and ready to go, except Ginny. So her and Harry went to Diagon Alley and Harry helped her in getting her stuff.
On Wednesday, July 31, everyone was buzzing around the house. Everyone except Ron, Harry and Ginny who were being entertained by the library. Everyone was setting up the surprise birthday party that only Harry didn't know about.
At noon James came in and said, "Lets go guys." he said. Ron ran ahead to the ball room. Ginny smiled and grabbed Harry's hand and drug him out of the Library. James and Ron dashed into the room to their places as Harry and Ginny came around the corner. She pushed him behind her and said "Come in."
He stepped through the door and everyone erupted in "Surprise! Happy Birthday Harry!"
He kind of just stood there for a second taking it all in. They were there, celebrating his birthday. They cared! He got a bit emotional and tears streamed down his face. Ginny stepped up and hugged him.
"Happy Birthday Harry." she whispered. He smiled and leaned into the embrace. She stepped back and Lily all but jumped on him.
"My little boy is 11!" she said. Harry smiled.
James hugged him next, "Now as your dad I get to teach you to play Quidditch the right way this afternoon."
Harry snorted, "Don't get your hopes up. The snitch is mine."
"Oh! Cocky Seeker we have here." he said.
Harry grinned and nodded. Sirius squeezed him. Tight. "Can't- breath." he choked out. Sirius barked his laugh and let go. Remus was next. Then Amy, Dora, and Severus chose to do the awkward hand shake. He shook hands with Augusta, and Xenophilius, and Susan, Neville and Luna hugged him.
They ate a giant green cake and other foods Molly prepared. After a while of long conversations, Augusta and Xenophilius left and Neville, Luna, and Susan disappeared along with their friends.
Harry went to his trunk, grabbed his broom and ran outside. He waited until the teams formed, it wouldn't be a full team for either sides. They agreed on 1 beater, 2 chasers, 1 keeper and 1 seeker per team. They narrowed it down to the seeker captains being Harry and James. James' team had Sirius and Tonks as chasers and George as beater and the got Bill to be a keeper.
Harry's team had Ron as keeper, Ginny and Charlie as chasers and Fred as beater. The game went off and everyone was battling hard. It was eventually being passed from team to team then tie for the lead, as Ginny couldn't do as much as normal without the third chaser. Harry was searching for the snitch when his dad flew up next to him.
"You are going to need to watch how this is done." he said.
Harry merely smirked. "Alright, dad knows best."
James grinned. "Potters and redheads." he muttered.
Harry chuckled, "Yep that is how it works isn't it?" James nodded. After a while of searching in silence James broke into Harry's thoughts.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"The Malfoys." said Harry.
"Oh, them slimy Slytherins." said James.
"Slytherins aren't all bad. Plus I was thinking of a way to make Ron, not hate Draco Malfoy."
"Why?" asked James raising his eyebrows.
"His daughter, Rose, had a crush on Draco's son. Scorpius was a nice kid, but Ron didn't like the name Malfoy." chuckled Harry. James smiled, "So how is Malfoy? Is he bad?"
"No, I wouldn't say bad. Just confused." Then Harry saw the Snitch. James saw it too and they took off. Harry knew something he was positive his dad didn't. He contracted his body to be as small as possible but then sticking out his arm. It made him go faster than his dad. He caught it far ahead of James even though they both were riding Nimbus 2000s. James scowled when Harry spun smirked and dove for the ground. He pulled up at the last second and stood up on the broom and cartwheel off, grabbing his broom and landing gracefully with broom in hand. James shook his hand and flew to the ground. Lily, Severus, Arthur, Molly, and even Tonks was laughing at James' face. A scowl and a defected and defeated look that was. He just glared at them.
"What was up with the showing off there at the end?" asked James glaring at Harry.
"Well my record has mostly been to not finish the game on my broom. I adapted to it so now I won't finish on my broom but I won't be injured either." he replied, then seeing the glare he added "Calm down dad. I can teach you that strategy to go faster. I already taught Ginny." he said as she hugged him.
James' glare lightened. "Presents?" he asked. Harry looked shocked then he looked at Ginny. That was all he could do to stop from crying again. He nodded and then they all sprinted back to the house.
Harry opened them. He got a few books from Ron and Bill, some Dragon hide boots from Charlie, a bunch of joke things from Fred and George, a ministry handbook from Percy, which he thanked him for it might come in handy, a bunch of Molly Weasley's homemade sweets, and a Wizarding encyclopedia set from Mr. Weasley. He got some rare potion ingredients from Snape, he loved those and promised to brew the next day. He got a bunch of charmed candies from Amelia and a giant pop-up book on hexes from Sirius, an Auror book from Tonks, and a book on magical creatures from Remus. His mom had gotten him a bunch of his old things from Godrics Hollow. James got Harry a sign for his room that as changeable. He tapped it with his wand and it wrote 'Marauders Forever' on it. James grinned. Harry flipped it and then they watched it change to 'Prongs is stupid' they all laughed. Prongs raised his eyebrows and looked at the sign that said 'Marauders Forever' after a while Harry finally told him what he showed them. James scowled and Harry laughed.
Harry laughed again and opened Neville and Augusta's gift. It was a book on plants. Susan gave him a watch. He saved one until later, Ginny's. She pouted and he grinned. After playing with the toys they went to Harry's trunk room to decorate.
He hung up his sign and then put his stuffed animals and things from his mom in various places. The sign now read 'Marauders Forever', and it flashed to 'Son of Prongs!' Then he sat on the bed and took out Ginny's present. He slowly opened it and found a beautiful book. He looked at her, she was blushing, he grinned and opened the book.
It was a photo album. It was filled with pictures from the dream. Of the Weasleys, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Teddy, Hermione and even one of all the Weasleys. It was taken when Lily Luna turned 7. He was crying by the end of the book. He shut the book and laid it beside him and got up and dashed to Ginny. He picked her up and swirled her around before he put her back down and kissed her, passionately. After a good ten minutes of snogging she pulled back, "I think you liked my gift." she giggled. He smiled "I loved it."
"I put charms on it, now you can't break it or burn it or anything." she said flipping the pages. He laughed as she cracked open the page with Sirius singing Christmas carols.
Ginny's birthday was quiet. She spent her day with Harry and her family. It was wonderful, Harry had gotten her gorgeous dress robes. He also got her an array of chocolate and sweets, plus some alone time for snogging.
Her birthday was wonderful. "You," she said. "Have to the best husband anyone could ask for."
He growled appreciatively and nudged her neck, where he had just been kissing. She pulled his head and started to snog him, when there was knock on the door. She frowned into the kiss and backed up from him, she looked to the door. Ron and the twins were there with half grins and half scowls on their faces. "Not interrupting are we?" the twins asked.
"Noooooo, nothing." said Ginny scowling at them.
Ron laughed, "Come on." he said. They all walked outside where buckets of water were dumped on Harry and Ginny's heads. They squealed and started to throw water balloons, that they conjured, at them. They conjured a whole bathtub full and soon a war broke out. Best birthday ever.
Time flew and before they knew it it was a two days before they were to leave for Hogwarts.
Harry took Ginny to Diagon alley and bought her her stuff for Hogwarts as well as Luna's and Neville's. He had already told them about the essays and they ended up finishing all the first year essays. He held off on the rest because Remus was supposed to be hired next year, and may not do them all, but also because Hermione would really need to catch up then. The two days past so fast you would think time speed up just because it wanted to.
The morning they were supposed to leave Kreacher popped in and handed him the locket, apologizing profusely for not bringing it sooner. Harry just thanked him, told him he did a good job and told him he could take the day off from Sirius. He accepted and popped away while Harry put protective wards on the horcrux in his trunk, mostly so it wouldn't duplicate. That would be awful if there were more than one of those lockets around.
Everyone had been practicing using their animagus forms to their strengths, including the transportation of a phoenix. They agreed that's how they would get to Platform 9¾. On the day, everyone who could transformed, Remus had assisted Lily in helping everyone with their luggage who wasn't a Marauder. After that was done they transformed and everyone grabbed the closest phoenix. Then in a giant fireball they all disappeared from the grounds of Potter Manor.
At Platform 9¾ everyone was staring at Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and Percy Weasley, Xenophilius Lovegood, and Augusta Longbottom, all of whom appeared with 13 phoenixes. They all gaped when the 13 phoenixes turned into Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny Weasley (not, but they didn't know that), Sirius Black who was holding Amelia Bones, Remus Lupin who was holding Nymphadora Tonks, Neville Longbottom who was standing very close to Luna Lovegood, and finally at the same time everyone saw them. The Potters, all three of them (Or so they thought). Everyone stood there in awe, even the Malfoys.
Everyone ignored the staring people and sent their kids on the train and straight to the Marauder's vacant cart. They enlarged it and waited put their stuff up on the racks.
Then they got off the train and went to their family. Since it was only 10:30 they talked for a good 25 minutes. Then they heard a "Wow!" for a very feminine voice.
Ron's head snapped up and immediately found Hermione Granger's face. He smiled and she blushed. Ron started to walk forward but Harry stopped him he turned around and Harry said "Wait, trust me."
Ron looked down but agreed. Harry and Ginny signalled to Neville and Luna. They nodded said their final goodbyes same as the rest of them and then said to Fred and George enlarge the cart for another person. They nodded. Everyone was getting on the train. The two couples went over to Hermione who was walking towards the train. Harry,Ginny, Neville, and Luna stopped her and she looked shocked, afraid, and a bit shy.
"Hi! I'm Harry, this is Ginny. That is Neville and she is Luna. We wondering if you would want to sit with us and a couple of friends on the train?" said Harry.
Hermione was a bit confused and she said slowly "I'm Hermione Granger, you won't prank me will you?"
"No of course not, we just think you will be a good friend to us." said Ginny.
Hermione blushed and smiled. "Alright"
Draco Malfoy frowned, did they not know who he was? How could they not? Why were they inviting her to sit with them and not him?
They made their way to the Marauder's compartment. Neville and Harry were carrying her trunk. It was used, and not very useful anymore, it wasn't personalized and Harry was glad that she didn't spend money on a good trunk.
When they put the trunk on the floor outside the compartment and not on the rack in the compartment she was confused.
"We were wondering, maybe after I explain you will understand." said Harry. He then proceeded to tell her about the dream and why they were being weird is because they knew her.
"... now this dreaming of the future is rare and so is a soul bond but stranger things are going to happen. So what I was wondering is if maybe you would join our group? It is called the Junior Marauders and we are pranksters, but we are also going to train to fight, dual and learn useful spells, our group will be everything, a dueling club, a pranksters palace, a study group. We are also all animagi, which if you agree we learned ours in a day instead of years because we are advanced I guess and we know you are too. So will you join?"
"Yes. Now why did you put my trunk on the floor?" asked Hermione after consideration of what she just heard. She believed them.
"It is a part of the group, having a uh… special trunk, there isn't anything wrong with yours, our is just more… convenient. In fact I have your's and your map right here." said Ginny pulling them out of her pocket. To Hermione it looked like a blank piece of parchment and a toy trunk that was the size of a muggle lego. They taught her how to use them and when she was done and understood everything she finished the lists to read:
Then the names list:
House Elves and Owls respectively:
George: Gred (boy) and Angie (girl)
Fred: Forge (boy) and Ali (girl)
Ginny: Harold (boy) and Quaffle (girl)
Harry: Ginger (boy) and Hedwig (girl)
Luna: Lori (girl) and Nev (boy)
Neville: Frankie (boy) and Lune (girl)
Hermione:Billy (girl) and Ronnie (boy)
Ron: Jean (boy) and Mione (girl)
Amelia: Orion (boy) and Susan (girl)
Tonks: Cissy (girl) and John (boy)
Remus: Ed (boy) and Dora (girl)
Lily: Jamie (boy) and Seeker (girl)
Sirius: Kreacher (boy) and Ami (girl)
James: Lillian (girl) and Snitch (boy)
Harry chuckled at her choices, Billy and Ronnie. When asked why she picked them she said she always liked the names. Harry laughed a bit more. Ronald Billius Weasley, so perfect for Harry sent his speaking Patronus to the adults about their Marauder names.
After that they got Hermione to drink the potion for her animagus forms. She saw the same first seven and her last one was an owl. Harry gave her the knowledge and she quickly transformed into all her animals. Then finally they went into the Marauder's cart, she passed off the thought of how big this one was compared to the ones they walked passed. She was amazed, they weren't even at school and she already had friends!
"All caught up." said Neville when they entered. Everyone smiled and Ron grinned the most. Hermione stood and converted all her stuff into her Marauder trunk and she said to Harry "What do I do with my old trunk?"
"Hmmm… oh here." said Harry and he waved his wand and it disappeared. She smiled now knowing what he meant about his wandless and non-verbal magic he and Ginny could do. Hermione sat down for the first time since being on the train. The only seat was next to a grinning red head who she felt she could be comfortable by. When she sat down she looked at him and smiled, she had the strange urge to kiss him, but she stopped herself. Now she was confused, she had never, ever, had that urge before.
Ron looked at her and grabbed her hand which she didn't object to. Then she had no choice but to kiss him and Harry said "Guys watch!" and with that Ron and Hermione kissed and the gold shield went around them. It was as strong as Neville and Luna's but none as strong as Harry and Ginny's they smiled. Harry and Ginny smiled and sent their Patronuses to the Weasley bunch. After a few minutes Mrs. Weasley replied by screaming that she was happy, called Dumbledore and he contacted the Grangers and when they got there so would the Weasleys and Grangers.
After another half hour the shield disappeared when it hit 100%. Ron and Hermione backed away smiling and then they turned to the others who were smiling. They smiled even bigger.
"You knew this would happen didn't you?" asked Ron looking at the other bonded couples. They just nodded.
They talked about their names and everything till they heard they would be there in 5 minutes. Then everyone got in their trunks respectively and changed. Then they got back out and hid their maps. Then when they arrived they got off and went to the platform to meet Hagrid.
"Firs' 'ears o'er 'ere" called Hagrid.
The twins turned to them "We have to go now, see you at the sorting." they said.
At the sorting, when Hermione went up she put the hat on and after a minute took it off. She then took it to Dumbledore.
"He said it needed to speak with you, Professor."
"Thank you dear." said Dumbledore. He removed his hat and put on the sorting hat.
Dumbledore! Long time! Alright, I stopped her sorting because she doesn't belong in any of the known 4 houses.
What are you talking about of course she does she is a witch! Thought Dumbledore back to the hat.
I said of the known four. The four founders of Hogwarts have another house. This house is for people who have an equal chance of being in any house, therefore cannot be sorted. These said people belong in The Big House, the common room is in the center of the castle and I will show you where later. From my knowledge I know who will be in this house, meaning I need to resort some Gryffindors who have changed.
Who? said Dumbledore.
Fred and George Weasley.
Very well just say that while I set up another table.
Alright just give me back to Hermione and tell her to place it back on her head, then inform the Weasley twins to come to the front.
Alright.
Dumbledore took the hat off, waved his wand and everyone watched as another table appeared in the Great Hall.
"Do not be alarmed if the hat doesn't say any house names you know of just sit at that table."
"Yes, sir." said Hermione, very very confused.
She walked back to the stool while Dumbledore waved his wand again and the Hogwarts Crest appeared on the new table.
"The Big House" called the sorting hat, he just explained it to Hermione. The whole hall was confused, except Dumbledore and Hermione.
The sorting continued. Neville, Luna, Harry, Ginny and Ron joined Hermione at the Big House table.
"Did this happen in your dream?" asked Neville
"No!" said Harry confused.
Then Dumbledore rose "The Sorting Hat called me to do a re-sort on some of the students here."
They all stared at him. A re-sort? That has never in Hogwarts' history happen before.
"Fred and George Weasley, could you please come up here?"
Everyone stared at them as they rose, they came over to Dumbledore and he spoke softly to Fred "sit"
Fred sat and put that hat on. When the hat explained what the house is it said "The Big House." Fred stood took of the hat and went to join the other Junior Marauders.
George sat and the hat said George Weasley, you will be sorted into the Big House. This house has been a secret to all for the last thousand years. The entrance to the common room is in the middle of the school. Now I know you posses a map that can show you exactly where and how to get in. This house is for extremely rare people who have 25% of himself or herself in each house. Therefore cannot be sorted into any house. You changed when you joined the Junior Marauders and now have become part of the Big House. Only Headmaster Dumbledore can get in the head of house they have yet to assign, your housemates or someone who is loyal to you and you trust completely. Looking through your head I can tell you absolutely belong in this house now. Welcome to THE BIG HOUSE"
He went and sat with the other Junior Marauders.
After the feast Dumbledore escorted them to their common room. For not being open for 1000, the room was perfect. It had loads of rooms and all were double people rooms.
"Won't have to worry about the special arrangements." said Dumbledore.
"Sir I was wondering, If maybe Professor Snape wanted an assistant, I'm sure he's love to work with Lily. James is good at Transfiguration, Amelia Bones is good at Charms and Sirius is good at being a head of House."
"I just might have to take you up on that. Remus can join later?"
"Yes, Quirrell has a mission." said Harry.
Dumbledore smiled and turned to everyone "Since I don't have to retrieve you, lets get going the Grangers and Weasleys are here."
They all went to the headmaster's office where they explained everything about the bonds to everyone who didn't already know. So mostly the Grangers. They explained to them how Hermione had been gifted with a rare bond that connected her with her soul mate. The Grangers both cried about their little girl 'growing up' and they somewhat welcomed Ron as a family member and Mr and Mrs. Weasley agreed to get together with them to get to know each other better.
When they were gone Dumbledore spoke "The reason I didn't ask you to be a professor is because I have another job for you. I believe you know what a head of house does, seeing how if I recall you ran into McGonagall a lot as a student here." Sirius nodded and smirked a Marauder smirk.
"Well, lucky for you. I hear there is a need of a head of house for a new house full of Magical Mischief Makers." said Dumbledore winking.
Sirius' grin grew wider. "Me? You want me to be a head of house?"
"I don't truly think my opinion matters. But yes I would. Plus this morning I discussed it with the house and they were all enthusiastic with the idea. Now this idea was presented to me by lets say the head student of this house. He gave me the suggestion of all the Professors aids and such, actually. I mean I'm not going to name anyone but he suggested exceptional people. His parents and their friends." said Dumbledore.
Harry blushed, ginny chuckled, sand Sirius winked at him before returning his attention to Albus.
"You get the picture, I'm guessing. I was hoping that in your free time, you would be able to try to set up things around the castle, it seems that Mr. and Mrs. Potter here have shown me how weak this castle is protected recently."
Sirius nodded and Dumbledore finished, "Now how about you go and set up your room while these two help or something until class starts?" said Dumbledore.
They exited smiling. They made their way to the common room. There Sirius went in while Harry summoned their bags. Harry and Ginny went to class then.
First up Charms, with Flitwick and Amy. When they got there they saw Neville and Luna at a desk by the front then an empty table then Ron and Hermione. When Harry and Ginny entered they patted the empty table. They sat down and heard they were going to be practicing the levitation charm.
Do the thing! Do the thing! thought Harry excitedly.
The LeviOsa thing? asked Ginny.
Yes!
Then when they started to practice it Ron did the thing he did last time was swinging his wand at the feather and Hermione said stop.
"Stop Stop Stop! You're going to take someone's eye out! Plus you're saying it wrong it is LeviOsa not LevioSAR."
Harry and Ginny chuckled along with Neville and Luna. Harry had shared that through the connection.
The two looked at them. "This happened before didn't it?" said Hermione smiling.
"Yes, but last time the git made fun of you and you got well… in trouble." said Harry smirking.
Ron blushed, Hermione smiled and pecked him on the check quickly. He blushed even more. They continued with their lesson Harry sharing his knowledge. They all then were the very first in the whole class to levitate it properly. Dean couldn't get his to do more than twitch. Ginny giggled and Harry growled, the pictures of Dean and Ginny flooding his head. She looked over to him with pleading eyes.
Oh my Merlin! Harry I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it I swear!
You were staring at him. Harry growled.
No I just glanced because there wasn't anything else to do! I looked at Lavender and Parvati too!
It's fine Ginny. Just lost my cool for a second. I didn't expect that to happen. There isn't any reason to apologize. If anything I should be apologizing for over reacting. Plus you know I love you. Always have always will. And don't worry I'll make this up to you. Like a snogging session later?
Yeah i'd like that. she said. Then he looked at her while she thought about the name, Albus Dean. He frowned, great he was going to have to get used to that.
They smiled and Professor Flitwick came over to see them, he knew after the display in the great hall they could do it but he had to check like any other professor. He smiled and said "Alright do you think you could levitate something else? Oh and 12 points to Gryffindor."
They smiled, turned around and levitated their chairs. He smiled, "Good! Excellent! 12 more points." They brought their seats back down and sat on them, then they levitated the chairs while sitting on them. They moved up until they could touch the tall ceiling. Then they did a circle formation and grabbed each others hands, wand still there and they spun until everyone oohed and awed. They came down and scooted their chairs in like nothing ever happened.
"Oh my! 30 points to Gryffindor! Please speak to me after class as well." squeaked Professor Flitwick.
They nodded and played with their feathers. They used them to tickle their bond mates.
After class everyone but them and professor Flitwick left.
"Now that was wonderful in class, I would like to advance you to advanced classes. I would love to see what you can do!"
They smiled and nodded, "Thank you professor, and have fun with Madame Bones! Good Luck!" said Harry. Flitwick smiled as they excited.
They all started to walk to History of Magic. When they got in there professor Binns was being completely out of character. He was smiling. Harry had truly expected the class to be extremely boring, which it was, so this was the class they did all 'practice' essays for. They sat there having conversations in their minds. Except for Ron and Hermione who were actually paying attention. It was strange to watch it was like they had swapped roles. Ron was paying attention and taking notes and Hermione was staring at him. It was unsettling to watch so Harry just stared at Ginny and she stared back. Each of them basking in each others presences. After class, Harry was asked, along with the rest of the present Marauders to stay behind. They obliged, staying in their formation. I line in which Harry and Ginny stood in the front slightly but in the middle showing signs of leadership and respect from the others. It was a really good formation, easily defendable for attacks, it showed the leadership and who to speak to and who not to, it was also a natural place to be.
"Now, some of you were slacking off in appearance so let me ask you, Uric the Oddball was famous for wearing what?" said Binns.
"A jellyfish hat." they all answered at once.
"Good, now how about what house was Uric the Oddball in at Hogwarts?" he asked.
"Ravenclaw." they answered again, apparently they were listening. They just didn't know it.
"Good I thought you were paying attention, even if you didn't" he said smiling. "That shows me great promise in you guys, good luck and make me proud." He said with a bit of enthusiasm. It was so not like him. He was normally dull and boring (still was) but apparently he did have a personality.
Harry handed him all their essays and he smiled. "All the essays for the year! Great advanced classes!"
The Marauders met Fred and George, as the two came out of Charms. Harry had memorized both his and their schedules, he shared his knowledge with everyone on how to do all of the charms, spells, hexes, and all of his knowledge on magic. He still didn't share the dream, he didn't plan to do that until he had no choice. It was amazing at the things they could all do now, they were all head of their classes. They all walked with a spring in there step and sent off fireworks after they walked in. They all set some off, wandlessly and nonverbally. Everyone stared at their dramatic entrance. Most had awe and confusion on their faces. For the life of them they couldn't figure out who sent off the fireworks. It was quite funny to see their faces. Dumbledore smiled, Severus chuckled Lily and James stood up and went over to join the fireworks. Sirius, Remus and Tonks went over. The Slytherins were glaring, the Hufflepuffs were staring at them in shock and awe, the Ravenclaws were chuckling slightly at the animations in the fireworks. The Gryffindors were staring, chuckling, and clapping.
Harry sent a large lion in red and yellow fireworks over the Gryffindor table. Tonks sent a badger over the Hufflepuff table and Luna sent an eagle over the Ravenclaw table. Ginny looked around and sent a serpent to the Slytherin table. It was a wonderful display. Finally they fizzled out and they went to sit. Even the adults sat at the table, mostly because there wasn't room at the Professor's table. They all ate the same things. Mostly chicken, but they also ate relatively healthy foods. They splurged slightly for dessert, Harry, Ginny, Lily, Amelia, and Tonks all ate treacle tart, their favorites. James, Sirius, Remus, Fred, and George all at chocolate cake, their favorites. It was scary how much they were alike. The teachers were watching them as was much of the hall. It would've made them extremely self conscious, if they were paying attention or even noticed they were staring. After a twenty minutes it was 12:30. They house and adults excited the hall. The students went to their classes to wait and study while the teachers went to prepare for classes. The 6 first years all went with James while the twins hid in a corridor and then Sirius went back to the common room.