What Makes a Family

by AnAvoidableAuthor

Harry, driven to the unthinkable by Voldemort and his Death Eaters after losing everyone important to him, takes drastic action. Yet, as usual where Harry is involved, things do not go to plan. He finds himself in the past? In an alternate universe? A mixture of both? Either way he doesn't care. What he does care about is making sure Voldemort doesn't win here like he did last time

2. Chapter 2: Lighting a Fuse

A/N: Obvious stuff is J.K.'s.

i.e. characters, universe, exact wording of the prophecy, etc.

---

Chapter 2: Lighting a Fuse

Sirius sat back down into the chair with an explosive breath out trying to make sense of what he had just been told. Could it be true? Could this boy across from him truly be Harry? No, he couldn't believe it. Yet here he sat looking at him and he was just as he imagined. Well, that wasn't entirely true, the boy was skinnier than could be healthy, shorter than he would have expected and he could see the edges of several scars peaking out from under his clothes in several places. But everything else was straight from his imagination of how Harry would have looked as a teenager.

"H-how?" he asked, a sense of wonderment in his voice and tears brimming in his eyes.

"Well. That is an incredibly long, convoluted and to be honest not a very fun story." Harry said simply.

"You're really him? You're really Harry?" Sirius asked, still not trusting what he was seeing.

"I am Harry Potter, born July 31st, 1980, to James and Lily Potter. Godson of Sirius Black. However, obviously, I am not your Harry Potter." Harry gently explained.

"Yeah, you said that you 'think' you are from another world. Just what does that mean?"

"I come from a place where it seems that everything was the same until Halloween night of 1981. That night seemed to be where your Harry and I's luck diverged. Events since then seem to have happened incredibly similar across both worlds, of course with some differences, until I arrived here and the two realities seemed to have merged."

"Interesting. Why exactly were you lucky that night while my Harry wasn't?" Sirius asked, clearly torn between elation at meeting the godson he never knew and anger that it seemed someone, maybe even a different him, succeeded where he failed in protecting Harry.

"Well, now we seem to have come full circle. If I recall, I was asking you about that night first. It was what led to this restructuring of our conversation. So, how about we start there." Harry demanded, thinking that it was time for him to start demanding that the information flow both ways.

"I… suppose that's true" Sirius reluctantly agreed. "That night, I was babysitting Harry. Lily wanted to take James out and surprise him with the news of your sister Rose. It was late, I had put Harry down to bed and was reading in the den when I heard the front door be blasted in. It turns out that Peter, who we'd secretly made the secret keeper, was a Death Eater spy. He had sold your parents out. Voldemort wanted them for some reason. They had always fought against him but no more than some others, but we never figured out just why he targeted your family that night. When I ran to the door, I found him entering and tried to fight. Tried to convince him that I was the only one home, I had hoped that he would kill me and then leave. But then, while we were fighting, Harry started to cry. It must've been the noise that set him off. But then Voldemort knew, knew that I wasn't the only one there. I think… I think that because he couldn't get James or Lily, he decided that taking their son would make them think twice about continuing to fight. I don't know why he left me alive, perhaps he knew it was the crueler fate, but he just left me unconscious and then went upstairs where he… where he… well, you know. Both Harry and the Dark Lord were gone…" Here Sirius trailed off remembering that night.

After a minute of silence where Sirius was lost in his memories and Harry was thinking about just what these differences meant Sirius finally broke the silence again.

Sirius choked out "T-tell me, why did you survive? Was your Sirius better, or did your James and Lily trust someone better?

Harry sighed, "Believe it or not, earlier when I said that your Harry and I's luck diverged, I meant that yours got the better end of the deal. I know it will hurt to hear, but from what I can tell everyone is better off that you weren't able to save Harry."

Sirius' face looked like Harry had just smacked him before quickly shifting to clear anger.

"… what did you just say?" Sirius growled lowly, only just keeping ahold of his quickly rising rage that anyone would claim that it was best that Harry died that night.

"On that night, from where I'm from, my mother and father were the only one's home with me. They had used the same plan of switching the secret keeper to Pettigrew who betrayed them the same way as here. When Voldemort came through the door my father told my mother to take me and run. He died, trying to give my mother even seconds more to save her and myself. Voldemort found us in the nursery, he killed her before turning his wand on me. But when he cast the killing curse on me and it rebounded. My mother had done something, something using her sacrifice in order to protect me. I was left orphaned and he was left as no more than a spirit." All of this he said without looking at Sirius, looking somewhere in the distance, clearly reliving the night as he recalled it.

Sirius could only sit there and gape at Harry as his temper rose and rose until it eventually boiled over.

"Come with me." Sirius growled out from behind gritted teeth and rising from where he sat.

Harry, his curiosity arisen, rose and followed Sirius from the dungeon basement. The two made their way upstairs to the room Sirius had found Harry at first, Regulus' old room. After standing in the doorway for a moment Sirius slowly strode into the room and sighed before beginning.

"This was once my brother's bedroom. I suppose that if you were here looking for him, he must have been different where you come from, but here he became a Death Eater. I hadn't spoken to him in years when he died, he had long since chosen his side and his side was against mine. He chose to stand for all that I hated and was certainly no innocent when he died, no matter how it happened. And do you know what s funny?" he said without a trace of humor in his voice.

Harry indulged him and asked "Oh? What would that be?"

Still without looking at Harry Sirius slowly turned and crossed the hall into what Harry knew contained the Black family tapestry before continuing. "Even though we weren't as close as we once were. Even though he had joined those that I had seen do unspeakable things. Even though he had chosen the side that opposed everything I chose to stand for. The first time I came in here and found his name crossed out," he said gesturing to where Regulus' name on the tapestry, "the first time I knew for certain that he had died, it broke me and I lost hope. I didn't see a reason to reason to keep fighting. I had lost my brother years before but it wasn't until his death that I truly thought of giving up."

Finally, Sirius turned and looked Harry in the eyes and Harry could see just how angry he was, "and do you know what gave me back that hope? The reason I didn't give up? What made me realize that it was worth it to keep fighting?"

Harry didn't know what to say to this. Luckily Sirius seemed to have asked it rhetorically and just continued.

"A week after my brother's name was crossed out. The boy I had played exploding snap with when growing up, who I taught his first spell and helped raise. I was made the godfather to my best friends' son and I thought I'd have a second chance.

Do you truly believe that it better that your parents live than you? I can tell you that your parents would have died happy in the knowledge that you had lived. I have lost two of the most important people in my life because I failed them. People who depended on me, who needed me. So don't you dare sit there and say that we are the lucky ones." Sirius demanded.

Having had enough, Harry finally snapped back at Sirius.

"And do you truly believe that you are the only one to have known loss? That you are the only one guilty of failing those important to you and contributing to their death? Do you truly believe that the cost of one life is not sufficient payment for the lives of the many? In this world you and your friends may have lost Harry, and Regulus, but where I come from, I lost everyone. I lost my parents when I was one. Days later I lost the chance at any real relationship I could have ever had with my godfather. I lost my childhood before the age of five. I took my first life when I was eleven. I watched my first friend die at fourteen right before watching the thing that took all of those things from me be reborn. At fifteen I watched my godfather die. Over the next ten years I watched each and every person important to me die. The ironic thing being that the deaths of those I lost from that point on made me wish I had lost them more like those I had lost earlier. As a child I felt sorry for those that had died for me. In the years since though, well, I have long since accepted that living for me was a far harsher burden than dying for me." Harry ranted at the man who somehow avoided the fate of his true godfather and never spent time in Azkaban yet somehow still found all the pain in life that had scarred him anyways.

"Just how old do you expect me to believe you are? You can't be older than fifteen or sixteen. And even that is with me giving you the benefit of the doubt." A now somewhat baffled Sirius scoffed at Harry.

"Hmph yeah, I suppose I didn't mention that part. My world seemed to be a number of years ahead of this one or I came to the past as well as a new world. I don't know. Either way though, when I left it was 2004 and I was twenty-three. When whatever happened, I found myself waking up here in a body to match the year and little in the way of explanation as to how or why." Harry explained.

"The future?"

"Yeah, weird shit just seems to happen to me" Harry said while shrugging.

"So, you know what's going to happen?" Sirius excitedly asked.

To this, Harry hesitantly replied, "I may be able to make some guesses if events have followed a similar enough path to my world. A number of signs point to the fact that the path is similar enough for my foreknowledge to be of use, not the least of which is this." As he said this, he pulled out Slytherin's locket and letting it hang from his hand.

"That's the locket that you were asking Kreacher about, I don't recognize it. What is so important about it and why was it here?" he asked, the curiousness clear in his voice.

Harry considered how to proceed. He had known that Sirius and Regulus had been close when they were younger but his earlier explanation of just how much Regulus' death affected him made clear that the next conversation would be no easier than the others to this point.

"Sirius, earlier you had said that Regulus must've been different in my world since I was in his room." Sirius slowly nodded. "He has shown to have been the most consistent between the worlds."

"So, the locket is dark? Why were you searching for it then?"

"Oh, it is certainly dark. Darker than almost any other artifact you could imagine. You see, Voldemort has taken steps to ensure his survival in the case that anyone was able to destroy his body. Horcruxes are something that a wizard hides a piece of his soul once he has torn it apart through an act of utter cruelty. An act so dark that even nature cries out against it." Here Harry held the locket up and looked into Sirius' eyes "Regulus gave his life in order to steal a piece of the Dark Lord's soul in order to help move him one more step towards mortal and eventually dead."

Sirius didn't know what to say but had to be sure things were the same here.

"You're sure? That Reg was the same here?" he desperately asked.

"Yes. Otherwise, this locket wouldn't have been here. Though, Kreacher knows a bit more than me so you could ask him if you want to. However, remember that Regulus was his favorite master. That he basically had to watch him die. And finally, that he feels he failed to carry out Regulus' dying wish. So, take it easy on him and maybe think about treating him better."

Not prepared to think through the fact that his brother was closer to a hero than an enemy after spending years thinking of him as such, Sirius decided to go back to their earlier discussion.

"We-well… if your knowledge can help us fight Voldemort then that's just what we'll do. Things have… begun happening, and many are worried that we may soon find war upon our doorstep."

---

James Potter sat, as he often did this year, in his study and remembered. It had taken years to get to the point where he would call it 'remembering' and not 'mourning.' His son, his beautiful son, had been taken from them. Soon he would have been fourteen and entering his fourth year at Hogwarts. Would he have loved quidditch as much of him? Everyone had said that he looked just like a miniature James, albeit with Lily's eyes, but he had always seen more of Lily in him. He knew that it had taken him longer than it should to become the man he wanted to be. He had met Lily when they were both just children, he the pureblood boy with too high an opinion of himself and she the headstrong muggleborn girl who would have nothing to do with him. Yet, looking back James thought that while the age of a girl Lily had always been the women he loved today. For the far too short of a time that James had gotten to hold Harry he had always thought that even as a baby his boy radiated the same sense that Lily did. That while he may seem a child, he was already more of a man than James could have ever hoped.

He loved both of his daughters more than life itself and they both were mature for their age to be sure. But he had watched his girls grow and change. They were both different girls than they were even a year ago. Neither had the sense of an almost agelessness. A sureness in who they were and what they stand for. In a way he was almost glad, he got to see his girls truly become the young women who they want to be. But it still pained him more than he would have thought possible that his son was taken before he could truly show the type of man he was and how he could help shape the world for the better.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his study door and his daughter Rose entered following his call for the person to enter.

"Rose, darling, I thought you were at Luna's? What are you doing back so soon?" James asked.

Rose looked down uncomfortably and muttered out "Luna invited Ginny over too."

"I thought you liked Ginny?"

"I do!" Rose was quick to defend, "but her brother, Ron, walked her over. And when he saw me, he kept asking about Harry. I didn't feel like playing much after that." She said ashamedly.

"Oh, Rosie. Come here" he said while holding his arms open.

Walking to her father, still looking down, Rose apologized.

"I'm sorry dad. You know I miss him too; I just wish I'd got to meet him." She said while sniffling into her father's neck and he hugged her.

"I know sweety, I know. He would've loved you so much. Maybe even as much as me" he whispered into her hair.

Now crying Rose asked, though it seemed she was asking it of the world more than her father, "Why did he have to take him? I know people call him a hero for getting rid of Voldemort. Does it make me a bad person for wishing he was still here, even if it meant Voldemort was still around?"

"No, sweety. Not at all. Because you know what? I wish that too" James said through his own, now falling, tears.

---

"What do you mean by 'things' and why do you think war is approaching?" Harry asked Sirius.

"It's' like the last time. People have started going missing, magical creatures are beginning to get restless and lastly Dumbledore has begun reaching out to those he hasn't since the last time around."

"Yeah, that sounds like how it went the last time for us. Let me ask you, since Harry died that night but Voldemort disappeared as well what do people think happen? What has Dumbledore said happened that broke the Dark Lord's power that night? Has he taken any particular interest in any students?"

"No one really knows. As far as Dumbledore goes, well, he really hasn't said much as to what could have happened. I know he was the one to tell the Potters to go into hiding but otherwise he hasn't said much until recently. Although, now that you mention it, he has taken a noticeable interest in Neville Longbottom and no one can quite figure out why." Sirius said.

"Neville Longbottom? Really? You're sure?" Harry demanded.

"Yeah, why? Everyone thinks he is a nice enough kid but he has never really impressed anyone. Rose says that a lot of the school makes fun of him actu-."

Harry cut him off, "you said that you never figured out why he targeted the Potters that night?"

"What? Yeah, like I said, the best we could figure was that he was trying to send the message that no one was safe. Showing that even an ancient and noble house wasn't safe by targeting the Potters."

"Would it surprise you to find out that he wasn't there for James or Lily at all? That they would have only been collateral damage had they been there?"

"What? He left me alone. Sure, whatever his curse was that knocked me out wasn't pleasant but by no means was it lethal" a confused Sirius asked.

Harry now paused and looked at Sirius almost pityingly before deadpanning, "of course. He wasn't there for you either."

"… wait! No! You mean… he was there for Harry?" Sirius asked with wide eyes.

"Yes. And based on your response I suppose you and the Potters were never told of the prophecy?"

"Prophecy?"

"Yes. There was a prophecy made that spoke of one with 'the power to vanquish the Dark Lord.' I was one of the possible boys that the prophecy could have been about. Neville was the other one." A grim looking Harry told Sirius.

"Neville has to kill Voldemort?"

"Well, that's an interesting question. Honestly? I doubt it."

"But you just said that it had to be either Harry or Neville?" Sirius asked, clearly not understanding.

Harry sighed and then recited the words that had cursed him his whole life and apparently this one as well. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

After pausing to let Sirius take the words and their meaning in harry leaned forward toward him and repeated "and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal" while moving his hair out of the way of the scar he had hated since he was born. "No, the way I see it I am likely on the hook in this world as well. I may not be from here but I suppose you could say I was 'approaching' in a way." Then leaning back away from him he finished "plus, from what you said about Neville, I doubt that he has the 'power the Dark Lord knows not.'

"… and you do?"

"Well, let's just say that I have plenty of power. So, the likelihood that the Dark Lord knows of it all is somewhat unlikely. Also, there is the whole other world time travel thing that may just fit the bill."

"I see" was all Sirius could say to that, while clearly not seeing.

Thinking of how they should move forward, Harry began thinking of the best way to fight Voldemort and become as big of a pain in the arse for him as possible.

"I need into Hogwarts, any suggestions?" he asked of Sirius.

"What do you mean? I know a number of secret passageways in and out or could likely even run there for you myself."

"No, I think I am going to need a more on-going basis than just a couple quick in and out trips."

"So, what? You may be, technically, old enough to be a professor. Barely. That is if you even have the qualifications to be one and a spot is open. But while technically old enough, you do not look it in the slightest and no one will believe it."

"Then I suppose I had better look for spots not on staff." Harry deadpanned.

"… you want to be a student? Why? Did you not finish the first time around?"

"Well, no. But that isn't why I want to enroll. As you've just explained, it, is unlikely for me to find a spot-on staff that'll accomplish what I need and that leaves only the one option. As far as for learning, well I'm not that concerned. I know what I need to."

"Then why do you want to go to Hogwarts?"

"Because, with the Triwizard Tournament this year, Voldemort's plans will revolve around the school. He'll have a spy there and, if Dumbledore is right, will likely try to rig the tournament to ensure Neville becomes a champion. Plus, there's a horcrux there as well as all the Basilisk venom I need to dispose of the things."

Somewhat stunned at the bluntness of how Harry explained what he expected to happen Sirius decided to just accept it and move on with his plan.

"Ok, well, I guess that if we talk to James and Lily and explain everything, they may be able to enroll you. It'll require a long conversation with Dumbledore I'm sure but it could be done."

"No, no, no. We will not be telling anyone about any of this." Harry said while shaking his head.

At this, Sirius recalled the vow Harry had made him take and it suddenly made sense. With comprehension dawning over his face, he could only shake his head and mutter to himself "you never planned to tell them." Then, looking back up into Harry's eyes he asked, "did you? You don't even want to get to know them, even after never getting to know them in your world?"

The realization that the lost son of two of his best friends didn't even want to meet them and there was nothing he could do horrified Sirius.

"Harry, you can't be serious. James and Lily have a right to know about this. Even if, in a sense, you aren't really the boy they lost, you are their son!" he exclaimed.

"Sirius, I thought we were on the same page on this? Neither of us believe that you are my godfather, so the James and Lily you know are not my parents."

"W-what? Of course, I do, of course they are!"

"We've both kept me and this world's Harry separate all throughout our discussion. Why would that change now? No. We won't be telling anyone." Harry said with a note of finality in his voice.

Letting a heavy breath out through his nose, clearly frustrated, Sirius thought over their interaction up until now and realized that he was right. The whole time he and Sirius had referred to the child that James and Lily lost as Harry while keeping the boy in front of him separate. When referencing James and Lily they both called this world's versions by their names and the other world's that had died were simply this boy's parents. With that realization Sirius had to ask himself just what this boy was to him. Was he Harry? Harry's replacement? Someone entirely different? Without a clear answer he decided that he would let the subject drop for the moment.

"Well then, what do you suppose we do? You need a parent to enroll you if you want to attend Hogwarts."

"No, I need a guardian to enroll me. As the Sirius in my world was my guardian and made me his heir, which judging by the way Kreacher answered me and the wards here allow me free reign has stayed the same. So, you can act in that roll."

Stunned at just what Harry was suggesting Sirius stuttered out the question "you, want me to adopt you?"

"Not really. Just enroll me in Hogwarts and let me borrow your name for a bit. I swear it won't be for too long."

"I'm sorry, there is just no way that would work. How would I explain where you came from when people ask? Because people will definitely ask."

"Who says you have to explain? Just say I'm a long lost Black relative."

Sirius could only shake his head some more and think of just how his life had been upturned.

---

July 23, 1994

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, as he often did, and considered the recent events that seemed to be building towards what he now viewed as the inevitable return of Voldemort. Ever since the Dark Lord had been destroyed, though not killed, that night in Godric's Hollow Dumbledore had been confused as to just how events would unfold.

He had been so sure that Harry Potter was the child of the prophecy. But Harry had been killed. Yes, that did in fact hold to the prophecy in a way but for some reason the prophecy orb that resides in the Department of Mysteries, that he knew spoke of the Dark Lord's downfall, remained alight. If Harry's death were to fulfil the prophecy, then it should've long since dimmed. This pointed to one possibility, Neville Longbottom was the child of the prophecy. Try as he might though he could not see the Longbottom heir as anything but average. He also could not see how Voldemort had 'marked him as his equal' in any way.

Perhaps there was another birth near the end of July that year that he had somehow missed? But no, they would have arrived to Hogwarts by now.

While this puzzle had long since vexed him it had recently taken on more of an urgency with the clear signs that the Dark Lord was attempting his return yet again. They needed the child of the prophecy to be ready to stand against the darkness and to fight when the time came. Dumbledore had begun giving Neville some private lessons in hope to either find what makes him special or to help cultivate something within the boy that may allow him to stand against the darkness if he truly is the boy that would have to oppose Voldemort. Alas, nothing seemed to have come of those lessons besides reinforcing Albus' doubt that Neville was the one spoken of by Trelawny that fateful night.

It was from these thoughts that Dumbledore was pulled when his floo lit in a bright green and the face of Sirius Black appeared, surprising the old wizard.

"Why, Auror Black, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked with no small amount of curiosity.

"Oh, I am not here on official business headmaster. Or at least not official ministry business that is."

"Ah, well then Mr. Black, please enlighten me as to what brings you to my floo this evening." A now even more curious Albus responded.

"Well, you see" Sirius began, clearly uncomfortable with where he foresaw the conversation heading "I have recently, through a very odd turn of events, come into guardianship of a somewhat distant relatives' son. I have made him my heir and hoped to enroll him in this coming school year at Hogwarts." Sirius explained.

Pausing to take in all that he had just learned Albus slowly responded, "why of course, I'm sure he will be a great addition to our institution. If you don't mind me asking, who were his parents that they may have evaded my notice?"

"I'm afraid the whole situation is somewhat personal to me and him headmaster. I'm sure you understand."

"Yes, yes I apologize. Forgive an old man his curiosity. What year will he be entering?" Albus asked, quietly wondering what Sirius could be hiding and why.

"Of course. And he is nearly fourteen so entering fourth year would likely be for the best. Though from what little I have seen he certainly will be advanced for his age."

"Fourteen?" Dumbledore asked, his earlier musings rapidly returning to mind. "What would his birthday be?"

"Jul- Oww!" Sirius began only to be cut off and jolted by what seemed to be someone kicking him from behind. Turing his head for a moment he seemed to listen for a moment to someone outside of the floo before turning back. "His birthday is July 25th headmaster."

Glazing over the odd interruption Albus thought of what that could mean. The 25th was not quite what he would consider 'as the month dies' but it was not out of reason. Maybe, just maybe, his questions regarding the subject of the prophecy would soon be answered.

"Excellent, I look forward to meeting your new charge Sirius! Before you go, what is the boy's name so that I can have Minerva send him his formal invitation?"

"…uhm, Algol. Algol Black, headmaster."

"We shall look forward to young Algol's arrival" Dumbledore finished before Sirius cut the floo connection, again looking over his shoulder at someone off floo with something akin to apprehension on his face.

---

Harry Potter was annoyed. He and Sirius had spent several days going over all that each of them knew that could possibly help the other and planning just how they would move forward. Including what his backstory would be and just how much they would tell others when asked. Yet, somehow, the subject of what his name and birthday were to be had slipped through. Of course, even a young Sirius could, when pressed by McGonagall or Filch, spin a convincing tale and avoid nearly all suspicion if not for his prankster reputation. However, put him in front of the headmaster and all that practice lying seemed to be for naught.

"Really? Algol? That's what you came up with? Not to mention almost slipping about my birthday!?" he berated the man.

"Sorry, sorry" he apologized holding his hands up. "But you know we couldn't go with 'Harry' and not get questions and my mother used to always curse that she hadn't known better and just named me 'Algol' so it just popped into my head. As for your birthday, I still don't see why that was so important?"

"She wished she'd named you 'Algol'? And I'm trying not to be seen as Harry Potter, so sharing a birthday and several notable features would be really tough to explain. Plus, even with the somewhat earlier date Albus is likely to wonder if I'm eligible for the prophecy too." An exasperated Harry stated.

"Yeah, the 'demon star' and all that. I was the bane of her existence and was apparently a definite bad omen for the house of Black, supposedly. As for the birthday, I suppose that makes sense, though why keep it so close if its' going to draw attention?"

"Huh, you lot and your fascination with stars are funny." Harry chuckled, "and I would've preferred something totally different but you'd said that I was 'almost fourteen' and that fourth year would be best. Thus, my birthday would have to fall between now and the 31st or else I would've already turned fourteen or would be aged as a third year and not fourth. You backed us into a corner there." He said rolling his eyes.

"Ah, ok, well. Now we just have to meet the Potters and somehow get them to buy it."

"Excuse me? Why would we need to meet them?"

Now stony faced, Sirius sarcastically replied "Oh, yes, why? Perhaps because it is my best friend and his family. Who know me better than anyone else? Who have a daughter going into first and third year so even in the unlikely event that my brand-new heir doesn't make the prophet they will hear of his existence and wonder why I didn't see fit to mention him or introduce him?"

"Damn. I suppose it can't be avoided" Harry said defeated. "When are we going to try to do that?" He asked warily.

"Well, lucky for us, we have dinner every other Saturday. And tonight, happens to be one of those nights." A now grinning Sirius said while clearly enjoying himself.

"I don't see how this is funny. We don't want them to figure anything out, remember?"

"No, you don't want them too. I just unknowingly swore a vow that won't let me tell them. If you slip up its' hardly my fault!" Sirius said now openly laughing.

"I don't know why I expected you to be any more mature than my godfather." Harry muttered under his breathe, though not quite quiet enough for Sirius not to hear. Setting off another round of laughter from the man.

"Well, if we're doing this then I need to run out for a bit. Do you happen to have any pounds that I could borrow?" Harry asked Sirius.

"What? Where could you have to run out to? And what do you need muggle money for?" a now curious Sirius asked.

"I need to work on my appearance. As I see it, I'll likely need some contacts, a haircut at least, and maybe some muggle makeup. Though I may forgo the last one."

"Huh?" Sirius grunted in question, not having followed any of that.

"I can't exactly go around looking like this. Especially if meeting the Potters. I was always told that I 'look exactly like my dad, but with my mum's eyes.' So, I'll have to get some colored contacts so that I don't have the glasses in common with my dad or the green eyes in common with my mum. The haircut is to try and look even less like my dad and the makeup would be to cover my scar. But since that isn't the tell-tale sign here as it was in my world, I may just leave it and if anyone asks make a story up." Harry explained.

"Oh, uh, yeah sure. Here" Sirius gestured while pulling a small wad of pounds out of a drawer in the kitchen and handing them to Harry.

"Thanks" was all he said before disappearing with a twist and a crack.

---

After knocking on the door Sirius was greeted by a beaming Lily, "Sirius! We're so glad you could make it. Please, come in, come in! Remus and James are in the study and the girls are in the den."

"Hey Lils, you know I never miss our dinners if I can help it" he chided her. "And actually, I have someone here to meet everyone so if you can grab the boys and meet us in the den, I'd appreciate it." He told her with a small amount of trepidation.

A now smirking Lily immediately needled him "oh? Bringing someone to meet the family? Could this person perhaps be of a… female, variety?"

"Ah, well, no" he stepped aside so Lily could now see an incredibly nervous Harry standing behind Sirius, "this here is Algol. He is the son of some distant family members and I've recently taken up his guardianship and named him my heir." He quickly explained.

Lily could only stand and stare at the boy who'd short circuited her brain. For one she had never heard of anyone whom Sirius was close enough to that he might be responsible for their child. Two, the boy radiated a sense of familiarity to her. She didn't quite know what to make of it. Perhaps it was that he shared the dark hair and was about the same age that her Harry would've been. The thought made her breath catch in her chest.

"I… see. I suppose I'll go fetch them now. I'm sure we'll all love getting to know you, Algol." She said holding out her hand and shaking his before rushing away to get James and Remus.

*Knock Knock*

"Come in" James called to the person knocking on the study door, cutting off his and Remus' discussion of the upcoming Triwizard Tournament, and then watching as a somewhat pale Lily walked into the room.

"Lily?! What happened?" a concerned James asked while standing up to go to her side.

"James, Remus. Sirius just arrived. He's brought someone he wants us all to meet. A boy, Algol, that he seems to have adopted in some sense." She shakily told the two men.

"He what?!" a now bewildered Remus exclaimed from his seat.

"That's really all the details I have. I'm afraid that I lost myself a bit, the boy looks to be about the age that… Harry… would've been. He just reminded me and I got lost in the memories coming to get you two. They'll be in the den with the girls."

Still coming to terms with what he'd just heard James said "well, I suppose we'd better go meet them and see just what is going on.

*Meanwhile in the den*

Sirius and Harry entered to see two young girls sitting on the couch and reading. One a near mirror image of her mother with her deep auburn hair and distinctive green eyes, the other a more of a mix of her two parents with Lily's structure but James' hair and hazel eyes.

"Rose, Daisy, I have someone here I would like you to meet." Sirius interrupted their thoughts.

The two girls looked up and were surprised to see a boy that could only be slightly older than them, if at all, looking back at them. They were taken in by the similarities between this boy and their father for a moment. For the shade of hair was correct though this boy wore his quite short on the sides and quite long at the top, pulled back into a ponytail of sorts. The way he carried himself was not unlike how their father did but with a sense of unending weariness with a tension coiled just below the surface. Then there were his eyes, shaped not unlike their mothers though were a dull blue instead of her green.

"Girls, this here is Algol, my new heir." Sirius explained

"Algol, this here is Rose" he said gesturing to the redhead who had yet to stand "and Daisy" he said putting a hand on the girl's, who had risen and approached out of curiosity, back.

"Hello" Harry simply said to the two. "It's' nice to meet you."

"Daisy here is going into her first year at Hogwarts and Rosie will be going into her third." Sirius said in way of continuing the introductions "and Algol has been enrolled in his fourth year."

"Fourth year?" Rose asked all of a sudden breaking out of her reverie "why haven't I seen you before this year? What house are you in?"

"Well, I haven't attended until this year. So, I don't have a house just yet, something I suppose me and Daisy here have in common." Harry said with a smile, making Daisy blush.

"Well why are you only showing up now?" Rose demanded, only to be overridden by her mother, father and Remus entering the room.

"Sirius!" James exclaimed taking the man into a brotherly hug, "its' been too long!" he stated.

"James! I saw you yesterday at the office!" Sirius barked out with a laugh.

"Exactly! I've been trapped here with a bunch of…" here James dropped his voice into a mock whisper "women!" and gave a fake shudder of horror before laughing when Lily saw fit to hit him on the shoulder and remonstrate him.

"James Potter, you know better than to act as though your wife and daughters are anything but a delight!" she said threateningly, though with a smile on her face.

Everyone else, now laughing, watched on as James attempted to defend himself briefly before giving in and pulling her to him and agreeing.

"Though it still looks as though my best mate has gone out and replaced me with a younger model?" James asked, now drawing the attention back onto Harry and subtly asking for an explanation.

"Ah, but James, you should know better! The only things I replace with younger models are women and brooms" he said with a wink before seeing three identical glares pointing his way from the woman and girls in the room and three identical looks of extreme interest in anything but what was going on from the men.

"Is that so, Sirius Black?" Lily asked in a frosty tone.

"Ah, well, uhm, you see… Everyone! I'd like you to meet Algol, my new but beloved heir to the much less new and even less beloved house of Black." Sirius said, earning a chuckle from Remus for the incredibly obvious change of subject.

Taking pity on his friend James stepped forward and offered his hand "Algol, well its' a pleasure to meet you. I'm James Potter, if you haven't caught that as of yet. This here is my wife Lily and these are my two girls, Rose and Daisy, and the old wolf behind me is the third of our childhood band of miscreants Remus Lupin."

"It's' a pleasure Mr. Potter. Thank you for having me for dinner tonight." Harry said accepting the hand graciously.

"Not a problem at all. Any friend of Sirius' is a friend of ours. And from what little we heard before coming in it sounds like you'll be at Hogwarts with Rose and Daisy here so perhaps they can show you the ropes when you get there. Or at least Rose, since she'll be the only one with experience in the castle."

"Yes, I'd greatly appreciate that." Harry slowly said, not wanting to seem rude but also not wanting to sign up to spend more time with his pseudo-family than necessary.

"Well, now that introductions are out of the way, dinner awaits!" an overly cheery Lily said, leading everyone else into the dining room and to the table for what promised to be an interesting meal.

---

July 31, 1994

Harry Potter sat in the room of Grimmauld Place that Sirius had been letting him use. He was turning fourteen for the second time and he was uncertain as to whether it was better or worse than the first time around. While he had his friends for his first fourteenth birthday, even if he was trapped at the Dursley's, this time his family was alive and would remain that way no matter what. In the end though, if he were honest with himself about it, there really was no question. His friends, even if not really his friends, and family, even if not really his family, all alive was something he would trade anything and everything for. Sirius, of course, spent the day with the Potters every year to remember Harry, for his sake as much as theirs. He had been invited to spend the day with them but Harry knew that there was no way he could spend a day in remembrance of himself sat with the family he never knew so he had begged off and even made sure Sirius knew that it was alright to spend the day with them. Initially, Sirius, who Harry had begun to realize was trying to not separate 'the Harrys' as much and form a sort of relationship with him, had thought that he should stay. Figuring that Harry had lost as much, if not more, than the other Potters. Plus, it was Harry's birthday so he should get to decide what they do in Sirius' eyes. Eventually though, while he hadn't said it in as many words Harry had made it clear that he only really knew how to be on his own anymore. A realization that cut his pseudo-godfather to the core. However, not knowing just how he could help the boy, as he still saw him no matter his true age, Sirius decided that it was a problem for another day and continued the routine he and the other Potters had for the day.

In fact, Harry decided, while he had the day to himself, he would do something productive! He had himself one of Voldemort's horcruxes but perhaps he would go and get himself another today. The wards around the old Gaunt shack were formidable he knew and would likely take time to dismantle. Harry also knew that Sirius would likely demand to accompany him if he were to know about the trip so he decided that he would take advantage of the man being out of the house to go and get the ring. Smiling at his decision, Harry began laying out his plan in his head. After several hours of planning and research in the Black library, Harry had a small lunch made by Kreacher and then apparated away to Little Hangleton.

When he arrived outside the cemetery that saw Voldemort reborn in his world Harry cursed to himself under his breath for being so stupid again. If things were following a similar path here then it was likely that Voldemort may already be in Riddle manor and his arriving could have been extremely dangerous. Holding his breath for a moment he waited for any sign that his arrival hadn't gone unnoticed. When no sign came, he began making his way, cautiously, towards the manor to investigate whether Riddle had returned yet or not.

After casting several revealing charms, it became clear that no one, besides the groundskeeper, had been to the manor in quite some time. Harry wrestled with the idea of setting up some 'surprises' for Riddle and his sycophants to find upon their move to the manor. Several dark chuckles bubbling up from the idea of Pettigrew losing his hand, or more, before the resurrection ritual even. But the thought of Voldemort's 'faithful servant' reminded him that Pettigrew was not the only one that he had to worry about. There was Crouch Jr. and even a Bellatrix on the loose this time around to worry about. Considering Crouch Jr. and Bellatrix's much better grasp of magic and its' capabilities than Pettigrew made Harry reconsider the idea of laying some surprises, not wanting to provoke the more volatile two that he would be harder pressed to anticipate the actions of.

With that decided Harry made his way away from the manor and worked his way towards the Gaunt shack and piece of Voldemort's soul that he had initially come for.

Laying eyes on the shack surprised him to a degree. Sure, in his fight against the Dark Lord he had found his way to the shack before so he had an idea of what it looked like. No, what surprised him was the condition of the shack. When he had seen it, or rather what remained of it, from his world all that was left was the foundation and some crumbling walls with remnants of what could have been furnishings. Looking at it now showed something resembling more of a dark fortress in better condition than he would've expected even at the peak of the Gaunt's time there.

The change was worrying. Could Voldemort have decided to return here rather than the manor? Could the change with the addition of Bellatrix have led him to switch his hideout for some reason?

When Harry made his way closer to the shack his worries did not diminish but rather shifted. Once close enough it became clear to Harry that no one had been to the shack for decades, but the feel of dark magic permeated the air in such a overcoming manner that the reason behind the differences became clear. The horcrux that resided there in the shack had long since tied itself to the home itself, rather than just the ring. He already knew that the horcruxes were sentient to at least some degree and would protect them at all cost. Perhaps the horcrux had realized that it would be even more difficult to destroy an entire structure made of stone and earther than just a small ring, even one with a hallow at the center. By absorbing the building, that was tied to the Gaunt blood itself as well, it could help ensure its' survival as well. When Dumbledore had come for the ring, he had likely found a structure similar to what now stood before Harry and realized the same and had to destroy the structure as well as the ring to end the horcrux. Thus, why all that was left for Harry to find years later was the remnants of what the place that stood before him.

"Well, this just got more interesting" Harry muttered to himself, thinking about how to deal with the issue now. His plans of simply showing up, blasting his way through any wards and taking the ring were now no longer feasible.

After sitting down on a nearby log and thinking over the situation for close to an hour he came to several decisions that made his steps forward somewhat clearer. First, he decided that there was no way in hell that he would be trying to break his way into a place that was for all intents and purposes a horcrux. No, he would have to break the connection between the building and the abomination before searching out the ring. Second, he decided, or rather realized, that his preferred method of Basilisk venom would be pretty useless here and he rather disliked using fiendfyre. But with how he thought that the connection worked in addition to the evidence he had seen of how Dumbledore had dealt with it in the future Harry was confident that enough physical damage to the structure itself would deal with the connection.

Standing up and quietly groaning a "here we go" to himself, Harry prepared to launch several bombardas towards the intimidating building and hoping all went according to plan and he avoided any more surprises. A thought he would curse himself for having only a few minutes later.

Harry thought that by the look of things it would take him several hours and quite a lot of magic and casts to deal enough damage to accomplish what he wanted, which was essentially a crater where the foundation laid.

With that in mind, he raised his wand, breathed deeply in and out and casted his first bombarda with the goal of leveling the structure.

---

James and Lily Potter had awoken as they normally did on this day each year. Both slowly coming to consciousness from nightmares that they were all too familiar with. The recollection of that night where they made their way to Godric's Hollow after an amazing night out with their spirits high.

They had decided to apparate to the far side of the village and walk home due to the nice weather and wanting to see all of the decorations and joy of the children as the ran from home to home. Only for their joy and spirits to be broken at the sound of a great explosion when they were only about a quarter of the way home.

Both trading horrified looks before beginning to sprint the rest of the way home, too scared at what they may find to even remember they could apparate the rest of the way much quicker than running.

The sight of their home with the door blown in and a smoking hole where the nursery was causing both to stumble and halt in horror for a moment before continuing to run and praying but not quite being able to believe that they'd find Sirius cradling an unscathed Harry.

That same nightmare plagued both of them from time to time but it always seemed that the night of July 30th would see them relive at least part of that night. They had discussed the nightmares on several occasions. They both felt some shame that they were happy that they never seemed to make it into the doorway during the nightmare. Remembering that finding Sirius and not finding Harry had been the worst moment of either of their lives and not wanting to relive it.

After waking fully from their restless sleep, they would go through their morning preparations and begin getting ready for the day, not that much was planned. Each year they simply spent the time together as a family. They no longer spent the day in mourning but it would never be a day of cheer. It was simply a day that they all needed one another and chose to spend it as such. Sirius would come over for breakfast and wouldn't leave until late at night while Remus would make it if he could, depending on commitments and the moon.

This year though, James and Lily were worried. Worried because they planned to talk to their friend that had taken Harry's death as badly as they had about his new heir.

"James, do you still think it is a good idea to talk to Sirius about this today?" Lily asked her husband as she began getting the food out for breakfast before the girls came downstairs.

Sighing James replied with clear hesitation "… I don't know. But I know that we have to talk to him and that he has been making it difficult to get ahold of him for this conversation so today is our best chance. I don't know what to think of his new heir and his sudden arrival but something feels odd about it, doesn't it?"

"You know I agree with you, Honey. Something does feel… strange, about it all. But I'm just worried that if we press him today, he may shut off even more. You know that today is just as hard on him as it is on us." She said looking towards the floor.

"I know. Believe me, I would rather not bring it up at all let alone today. But I just don't see another option."

As soon as he finished explaining this there was a knock on the door.

James strode to the front door and opened it and let a somber looking Sirius in.

"Hey Padfoot" James greeted him.

"Hey Prongs, the kiddos up yet?" Sirius asked.

"Nah, you know how it was at that age. You'd sleep the day away if someone'd let you" he said with a laugh. "Speaking of kiddos, where's Algol? I thought he'd be with you?" James asked, as the plan had been for he or Lily to distract all the kids, Algol included, to let the other try to talk to Sirius to find out more about just how things came to be. The lack of the boy's presence was both a benefit in a way as it made things easier and both James and Lily could now be present for the talk but also odd that on a day like today Sirius wouldn't be with someone supposedly so close to him.

"Ah, well, you see. He knows sort of what today means to everyone and didn't want to intrude. I told him he wouldn't be but he insisted that he would feel out of place" Sirius explained while thinking of Harry's explanation that morning and wincing when he remembered just how matter of fact Harry had been when he made clear that he wasn't used to being around people and didn't think it would be a good idea.

"Oh, well in that case come on in." a now hesitant James said. "Me and Lily wanted to talk to you about some things in a bit if that's ok?" He asked, though Sirius knew it wasn't really a question.

"Sure mate, should I go get the girls up?"

"Yeah, that'd be great. Lily should about have breakfast ready by now."

"Alright, be back in a jiff." Sirius said before taking off up the steps.

James went back into the kitchen where he saw Lily plating some bacon and pancakes and explaining how Algol wouldn't be joining them as he put one of the placemats away. Lily, raising her eyebrow at that asked "any particular reason?"

"I'm not sure. Padfoot gave an answer and I could tell that he wasn't lying, but the strange thing was that he didn't seem to be telling the whole truth either." Was his response.

"Hmm, well at least we can both be there for the conversation now. Hopefully he'll open up." Lily said as the sound of shrieks sounded upstairs and was followed by bangs as someone raced down the stairs clearly being chased.

Sirius burst into the kitchen and dove for a place at the table, where he sat and plastered his most innocent look onto his face that he could manage.

Rose and Daisy burst in, still in their pajamas, each with wet hair and looks of murder on their faces.

"Mum! Dad! Sirius charmed water balloons to fall on us while we were sleeping!" Daisy yelled at her parents.

"Wh-wh-what? You think that I, Sirius Black, would do something like that?" the man in question scoffed at their accusation.

"Yes girls, that really doesn't sound too much like something your uncle Sirius would do" James agreed, prompting incredulous looks from both of his girls and his friend before continuing "much too clever." Causing the two girls to laugh at the look of betrayal on Sirius' face and Sirius to sputter out how, while he assured them that it wasn't him, it was actually in fact exactly something like he'd do.

Lily could only roll her eyes at her family's antics while sending a drying charm at her daughters and telling everyone to eat up before the food got cold.

After everyone finished eating and the table had been cleared Lily asked their daughters to go and play, or in Rose's case work on her summer work, in their rooms in preparation for the adult's conversation. Once they were both upstairs and Lily heard their doors close, she joined James and Sirius in the den where they had just sat down.

"Sirius, I think it's' time that we talked about some things." James began what he was sure was going to be an uncomfortable conversation.

"What kind of things?" Sirius asked, well aware that those 'things' likely revolved around a certain someone.

"We're a bit worried about you" Lily said, now entering and sitting next to her husband.

"Worried about me? Whys that?"

"Well, mate, you all of a sudden have this heir that no one knows where he came from or anything about." James slowly explained, trying not to antagonize Sirius or accuse Algol of anything.

Sighing, Sirius said "James, I get it. I know it must look a bit odd, me claiming an heir after never showing a desire before. But trust me, I've talked with him a lot lately and I know him as well as anyone could."

"But where did he come from? You said he was the son of distant relatives. You hate all of your relatives besides Andromeda, Ted and Dora."

"…James, Lils. Regulus turned on Voldemort. That's why he was killed, because he saw the light and went against the Death Eaters in the end. I've only just found out." Sirius morosely explained. Remembering the discussion with Harry and later with Kreacher.

James and Lily sat there looking at him with stunned expressions on their faces.

"… is he his? That's how you found this out?" Lily asked.

"No, and yes. He isn't Regulus' but he is how I found out about Regulus' death. I can't tell you much about his parents, but I feel fairly confident in saying that you would've liked them." Sirius finished while fighting the smirk that threatened to break across his face at that thought.

"Did we ever meet his parents?" Lily had to know.

"You… are not unfamiliar with them." Sirius evaded, "But for everyone's safety I can't tell you much more about them. But really, they died a long time ago and he barely remembers them."

"Oh. We're so sorry to hear that" a despondent Lily replied, thinking how sad it was that his parents never got to know the man he was becoming which of course led to thought of Harry and her own loss.

"I know. And I know that you probably have a lot more questions both about Algol and where he came from. But for now, can we not dive into things. It is a very, very complicated situation and I can't talk about a lot of it. But believe me when I tell you that he can be trusted, that I truly do view him as my heir, I know him enough to judge all of this and I'd… I'd rather die than let something happen to him." Sirius choked out, thinking again of how he didn't in fact die for Harry when he should have and a realization beginning to dawn on him. Sure, this Harry wasn't the same boy that they had lost. But he was still Harry. His attempt to keep the two separate in his mind was pointless. He was the son of James and Lily Potter, godson of their best friend Sirius Black. He owed it to not only James and Lily, but also to himself, to carry out his duty.

"He's family. I may not have seen it at first and may not have seen him grow into the young man he is today. But what makes a family? Because I'll tell you now, that boy has led a hard life and still has some tough times to get through but I'll be damned if I don't plan to do all I can to help him and make sure that the rest of his life is whatever he wants of it." Sirius passionately finished.

They all sat there for a few minutes thinking of everything they had just learned before James began "Well, we do trust you Padfoot. But we both just think that things feel off and that something is coming. We don't want to see you get wrapped up in something too big to get out of or lose you. You know with everything going on it seems like we could be heading towards another war and you could still be a target from the last time. Just… be careful who you trust. We all learned that the hard way last time."

"You've got it Prongs; I'll be careful. But I can't promise that I won't be caught up in anything as I rather expect Algol and I will be in the middle of some things. We have some things to do, but I do promise that we'll do our best not to leave you Potters without some Black charm in your lives." Sirius winked and grinned at the couple while he rose.

"You and Algol? I don't know if I'm more or less worried now than when we started." James grinned right back. Though in the back of his mind thinking it odd that Sirius was thinking that he and his heir may find themselves caught up in things.

---

As all things seemed to do when Harry Potter was involved it went wrong from the moment it began and he found himself reacting.

The instant of his first cast he knew something had gone awry. The feeling of magic rushing into him from all around him, as he'd felt during the ritual that had accidently sent him to this world, scared him at first. Thinking of how that had led to the unforeseen consequences he was still navigating he worried about what could happen now. All of this raced through his mind in a moment but in the next it was quickly replaced by the thought of casting his strongest shield charm.

It was lucky that Harry instinctively shielded because he found a large number of various sized stones came flying towards him fast enough that survival if hit by one wasn't a likelihood. Harry's bombarda had connected with the structure and ended up being more powerful than he could have imagined. He had expected to punch a hole in the wall and that it would take a number of casts to even make any semblance of progress. What he got was a crater where the building had once been. Looking up, he could still see some of the larger stones that had gone upward, rather than horizontal, landing around the clearing.

Harry stood motionless for a moment and tried to comprehend what had just happened. Thinking back to just before his cast let him realize that his magic had responded to his desire more so than his expectation again. Whereas he had expected a simple bombarda and a hole in a wall his magic had sensed that what he truly wanted was the home of the Gaunts leveled. Acting off of his want seemed to pull more magic into him in order to overpower the spell.

"Strange" was all he could think. He didn't quite know what to make of this strange new development but was beginning to feel somewhat tired so he quickly decided that it didn't matter and moved onto retrieving the horcrux so that he could get away from the little town that he had long since come to hate.

Unfortunately, it seemed there were backdraws to severely overpowered bombardas as there was no sign of the ring. Thinking it had likely been flung to Merlin knows where Harry was at a loss as to how to find it. Getting frustrated at the inconvenience Harry began cursing everything he could and when he thought to curse his magic for going rogue, he was hit with the solution.

"If you blew it away, you can bring it back. Accio!" He called while thinking of the ring flying through the air and into his hand.

Harry stood there for close to a minute before he began to think that it had failed. That was until he heard the whistling of something flying through the air becoming louder and louder. Turning towards the noise Harry held out his hand only to pull his hand back and dove to the ground a moment later.

Cursing himself for his stupidity again, Harry stood back up and brushed himself off. Of course, how could he forget that the ring was cursed and that simply catching it would've been… problematic.

With that he turned toward where the ring must've landed, sighed, and began to search the muggle way to be safe. Luckily it didn't take nearly as long as he'd thought it would as the dark magic radiating off of the thing quickly allowed Harry to narrow his search over and over until he found it.

Harry pulled out the box in which he had Slytherin's locket stored and levitated the ring into it. With a snap, he shut the box and with a crack, he left the scene of destruction behind.

---

Sirius arrived to a quiet house upon his arrival back to Grimmauld Place after leaving the Potters.

"Harry?" he called out, the quietness somewhat unnerving him. When there was no response, he went to look in the boy's room, where he found the lights dark and Harry passed out, face down, on his bed with his shoes and pants still on but having apparently shed his shirt on his way to the bed.

Seeing the boy helped Sirius feel better than he had at this time any of the last decade's July 31st and he was grinning as he approached him with plans to get some revenge for their first meeting with a quick aguamenti.

However, his mischievous attitude quickly faded when he had gotten closer and could see the faint outline of the scars that adorned Harry's back through the darkness. Crisscrossing lines of aged pinks and whites told stories that Sirius was all too familiar with. His own mother had occasionally, but not often, "gone muggle" when Sirius argued during the lessons about what was, and was not, "proper" for him and society. But she had always made clear that if he were to give in and just behave the way she viewed as proper she would have supported him as much as any other mother. She didn't truly hate him, just what he was or stood for. Because of this, she had never quite gone too far until that night which saw him leaving the house he stood in now and becoming even more like brothers with the father of the boy that lay before him now. All of a sudden, something Harry had said came floating back to him. "I found myself waking up here in a body to match the year"… a body to match he had said. Did that mean that these were the scars from when he was only fourteen in the other world too? Needing to know the answer Sirius reached out to gently wake Harry.

Before Sirius' hand even reached his shoulder, Harry shot out of the bed and Sirius found himself banished across the room, a hand around his throat, a wand at his cheek and two glowing green orbs hovering just in front of him. The sense of magic in the air was overwhelming and it was all Sirius could do to choke out.

"Ha-Harry. Its' S-Sirius."

All at once the magic fell, the wand was pulled back from his throat and he watched as Harry's eyes dimmed back to their distinctive emerald and he backed up with a dawning look of regret on his face.

"Shit! Sirius, I'm sorry." Harry said while sitting down on the edge of the bed and holding his head in his hands.

"That's ok, Harry. I should have realized that waking you, after all that you've been through, was a bad idea. Sirius replied while moving to sit next to Harry. "It was just a long day, for everyone, and I wanted to make sure you were doing alright. But then I saw your…" Sirius trailed off.

Chuckling a bit at how awkward Sirius was being, Harry picked up the thought. "Scars? You don't have to worry Sirius; it's been a long time since I got these, and they certainly weren't the most painful of my collection by the end." He said, remembering the patchwork that was his body by the end. Vernon's fists and belt at their worst were once something he couldn't think of without wincing. But he had learned firsthand, over and over, that there were things that hurt worse than knuckles and scarred deeper than a belt ever could.

"So… they really are from before Hogwarts?" Sirius had to know.

"Yeah" was all the reply he got.

This realization was hardly surprising as he had surmised as much, but it still hurt to know that this Harry had to live through so much and never even knew anything better.

"Did the other me ever tell you about growing up?"

"He did."

"Did it help? Talking about it at all with him?"

At this, Harry seemed to freeze up.

"Sirius. I love my godfather and know that he had gone through plenty in his life as well. But this was the one subject I would never talk about with him nor will I with you." Harry said with a hint of iron lining his voice.

Taken aback by the firmness of the rebuke Sirius probed further even while knowing it was likely a bad idea.

"Why? He… we, want to be there for you."

Turning to face the man who so resembled the only parental figure he ever really knew Harry simply stated "Because, at the end of the day James and his parents saved you. But I, his son, had no James to turn to. I know it's' unfair of me and that it isn't like you got a happy ending either. But a small part of me always resented that my dad was there for you and not for me."

"Oh. Yeah. I suppose I can understand that." Sirius said, suddenly seeing Harry's point of view, "and I don't suppose me talking about how great of people they were, as I'm sure I did, would've helped there."

"Nope. Definitely not." Was the last thing said for awhile as the two sat there in thought.

Eventually the silence was broken by Harry.

"I went and got another of his horcruxes today."

"What?! By yourself?! What were you thinking? You could've been hurt or worse!" a stunned Sirius nearly shouted at him while jumping to his feet and beginning to pace.

"But I wasn't. And now we're one step closer to bringing down Voldemort" was the much calmer reply. "And in a month's time I'll be in the castle and will have the one that is there, plus all the Basilisk venom I need to take care of them all."

Seeing that his anger had no effect, Sirius sat down on the edge of the bed again.

"I really wish you'd let me help more, Harry."

"Well, you're in luck actually" at this Sirius looked up, curious. "One of them happens to reside in the Lestrange vault at Gringotts. I'll need your help, as the Lord of House Black, to get it."

"You mean you want me to talk to the goblins? That's the help I can be? You go and put yourself in Merlin knows how much danger, because you won't tell me, and all I can do is have a conversation and maybe some papercuts when filling out some forms?"

"Well, to be fair, I don't actually know what claim you have to get your hands on their vault. And asking the goblins to let you into someone else's vault can't exactly be good for your health either." Harry said, grinning at the end

Realizing that Harry may be joking but he had made a somewhat real point, Sirius all of a sudden felt more reluctant to make a trip to the bank.

After letting Sirius stew on the thought of dealing with possibly having to offed the goblins, Harry pressed on.

"The thing that may be the biggest problem here, as opposed to my old world, is that Bellatrix is out right now and I'm not sure what happened to Riddle's diary."

"She wasn't out in your world? And what do you need with some bloke's diary?" a bemused Sirius asked.

"No, the only one to break out of Azkaban without outside help in my world was you. And Riddle is Voldemort's birth name. Tom Marvolo Riddle, son of Merope Gaunt and Tom Riddle Sr., a muggle."

"You're having me on! I broke out? Voldemort is a half-blood? Merlin, we may have to sit down and go over some of just what happened because you say things are similar but you keep pulling facts out that are hard to believe."

"Maybe one of these days we will. But in the meantime, I'm still tired. I used more magic than I had planned when getting that horcrux today" Harry said while remembering just how that little chore had gone and the strange behavior of his magic. "Tomorrow I'll pick up what I need for classes, or at least those that I'll attend, and maybe pay some of the Death Eaters that I know have weaker wards a visit to see if I can find out anything useful."

"I don't know that breaking-and-entering a bunch of purebloods is a good way to avoid notice, Harry."

"Eh, you're probably right. So, scratch that part. Just shopping and maybe a bit of training. Annoying really to be in my old body. Shorter and scrawnier than I've been in years. I suppose I have a month to work on that. And we have a month to make sure our story doesn't run into anymore holes like it did with the name" here Harry huffed "honestly, Algol. I don't know what I'll do to get you back for that but rest assured it will be unpleasant."

"Yeah, yeah. I already said I'm sorry. But alright, we shop tomorrow and figure out the full story while we're at it."

"I don't need you to hold my hand in Diagon Alley, Sirius."

"I know, but I never got to take you to shop for school. I'd like to."

"Alright, but if you do try to take my hand, I'll warn you that you're liable to lose it."

---

September 1, 1994

August had simply flown by. While Sirius had gone to the goblins to inquire about the Lestrange's vault he hadn't made any progress. Harry had tried to tail Lucius Malfoy several times when seeing him in Diagon Alley but hadn't been able to learn anything noteworthy. There had been several more Potter family dinners and Harry had been dragged to another, finding it more awkward than the first as the Potters were clearly over their shock and were incredibly curious to learn more about Algol. It was a good thing that Harry and Sirius had discussed a much more in-depth history for him or else they certainly would've been caught by now. As it was, James and Lily were still suspicious. So, Harry had skipped the last dinner before the kids would return to school with the excuse of 'not feeling well due to the nerves of starting a new school so soon.' All of this culminated in Sirius and Harry standing on Platform 9 ¾ looking at the Hogwarts express.

"Well, I suppose this is bye for a while." Sirius said, not knowing how to feel about it. As he had come to actually enjoy the boy's company over the past month or so.

"Yeah. Let me know if you make any headway on the vault or hear anything about Malfoy." Harry replied, low enough others wouldn't hear.

"I will. Let me know if there is anything else that you need or that I can help with on the outside."

"I will."

With that they both looked at each other and didn't quite know what to do. A hug would certainly be the epitome of awkward and a handshake would look odd to anyone watching. So it was after a few moments that they both gave a nod of their head to the other and Harry made his way onto the express.

He boarded the train and immediately found a carriage that was empty to claim for himself. He quickly entered and stowed his trunk before sitting and opening the book he had borrowed from the Black library about magic and the effect of intent and will. The train had just left the station and he was only halfway through the first chapter when he heard a scuffle outside before the door to the carriage was flung open and a very familiar witch came bustling inside with a look of panic on her face while looking over her shoulder and closing the door quickly.

When she turned around and saw Harry sitting there, she jumped slightly.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see that this compartment was occupied. Do you mind if I join you? At least for a few minutes? Please?" She panted, clearly out of breath and nervous that he may tell her to leave immediately.

"… sure. That would be alright I suppose." Was all he said while the familiar sight had led to his muscle memory of helping Hermione with her trunk all those years caused him to rise and lift her trunk from where she had dropped it in her haste to close the door and stow it above the seats as well.

"Oh, uhm, thank you." Hermione hesitantly said. "I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger. I don't seem to recognize you, what house are you in?" She asked as they both took their seats across from one another.

"I'm Algol Black, and actually I am just starting at Hogwarts this year. Fourth year. I was homeschooled previously but, alas, that was no longer an option."

"Oh, I'm a fourth year as well. And a transfer! That is interesting, I don't think there has been any transfers in quite a number of years. I wonder why that is actually." She trailed off in thought.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps the curriculum is such that it is difficult to join late without the basis of the prior years? Or the headmaster simply doesn't like to allow late entrants? Could be any number of things."

Hermione frowned "That's true. Though I don't think the headmaster would do such a thing for no reason."

"I've found that people do the strangest things for even stranger of reasons. It is often folly to try to understand their actions even with all of the facts." Harry said while chuckling. Thinking of how this Hermione wasn't so different to his. Curious, headstrong and perhaps too much faith in authority.

"Hmm" was all she said to that, clearly still in thought.

They both sat there for several minutes in silence, lost in their own thoughts, when Harry began to wonder why Hermione was still here. Yes, jumping into a compartment because the train had just been pulling out and not wanting to be jostled made sense. However, they were well underway at this point and walking about the train was no longer a risk. So, where was Ron? Neville? Any of the Gryffindors? Why wasn't she off to sit with her friends by this point? Of course, Hermione was a kind person who might have wanted to make someone new feel welcome but based on their lack of conversation Harry somewhat doubted that to be the case. Thinking to her flustered and nervous entrance a weight began to settle in his stomach.

"Miss Granger, would you mind if I asked you a question?"

"Huh? Oh, not at all! What is it?"

"When you first entered you seemed to be somewhat distressed. Why was that?"

At this, the distressed face he had seen when she first entered returned. She was worried, before a look of dejection seemed to replace it as she must have accepted something as an inevitability before she began.

"Oh… that. Well, I suppose you'll find out soon enough. I'm not very… popular. So, I often try to avoid others when I can. Some people go more out of their way to make things difficult than others and I had seen one of those people so I was hoping to avoid him for as long as possible so I wanted to hide in here before he saw me." She was looking down at the floor, refusing to look Harry in the eye and see what she had seen in so many of her pupil's eyes. The rejection never stopped hurting, no matter how many times one felt it. "I suppose I can go now. You're new and don't want to be seen with me on your first day. It'll only make things harder for you. It was nice mee-"

Here, Harry cut Hermione off. The longer she had spoken and the sadder she became the more Harry felt his anger rise. It was a good thing that Hermione wasn't looking at him in that moment or she would've seen the green begin to shine out from behind his blue contacts and that his fists were clenched so tightly that the muscles in his forearms could clearly be seen straining.

"Surely, you have some friends who you would like to sit with?" Harry asked, though he dreaded the answer that he knew would be coming based off of her posture.

"W-what? Uhm, no. Not really. I suppose I am friendly with a few of the teachers. You see, everyone says that I'm a bit of a 'know-it-all' and a 'teacher's pet', that's why only the teachers can stand me. But really, I don't mean to be! So, if I happen to offend you this coming year, I am sorry." And with that she stood and began reaching for her trunk.

Harry didn't know what to do. He had sworn to himself that he would not get involved with those he should be close to. He had his plans and they didn't involve rekindling relationships that the others didn't remember. But here was Hermione, the strongest, kindest, smartest, most amazing witch he had ever known. And she seemed to have made it to fourth year as the same girl she had been before the troll incident on Halloween.

In his other world, after it was only the two of them left, they would sometimes reminisce. One night, when recalling the times before the war, Hermione and he had once spoken of that time. Harry recalled, with great fondness, how great seeing all the magic was for the first time and that while he hated all of the attention it was still some of the greatest days he could recall. At that, Hermione had just smiled at him and tried to change the subject. He had seen that something was off though and asked her what it was. Eventually, she told him that they had very different starts to their times at Hogwarts. Yes, she had been mesmerized by it all just as he had. But she had also been somewhat shunned. Everyone magical was too different to understand her utter fascination with everything and the other muggleborn even found her to be grating. Then she had dropped the bombshell on him when she had finished talking about just how tough those times were for her. She had whispered of how, looking back, had Harry and Ron not saved her that Halloween and she somehow survived, she didn't think she'd have come back.

Knowing that he could have missed out on one of the greatest friendships he could have hoped for terrified Harry. Those days before the troll now took on a pallor in his memory. No longer were they as happy as they once were, knowing just how badly his friend had been suffering. And now, he was sat across from a Hermione who may have dealt with that for three years. Was she really better off away from him? Surely, she would be safer from Voldemort. But he knew that safety could mean little if unhappy. After all, Dumbledore kept sending him to the Dursley's because it was 'safe'. With his decision made, Harry, as Algol Black, said quietly to her back as she fussed with her trunk in preparation to leave.

"I think I would like to be your friend, Hermione."

She stilled at this before saying over her shoulder without turning "you may think that now Algol, but believe me. I'm not worth it. You're much better off without me."

"I sincerely doubt that. And even if it were true, I've never been one to do what's best for me." Then, trying to add some levity to the situation added "plus, if nearly everyone agrees that you are a 'know-it-all' then I'm certain that you'll help save me time when I want to find out things like why no one just apperates into Hogwarts and always walks up the front lawn, which I hear can be quite a hike."

"Because you can't apperate in Hogwarts. The wards that the founders initially set up were bec-" stopping in the middle of her reflexive, rambling explanation Hermione spun around to look down at him. Her eyes clearly red, though she hadn't allowed any tears to fall during the rollercoaster of emotions she had found herself on the last few minutes.

"You already know why." She accused him when she saw his grin.

"Ah, well I can't very well test your apparently limitless knowledge with something I don't know. Then you could simply make up an answer and achieve the same. However, due to the rather small sample size I have at the moment I hope you don't mind that I think of you as simply a 'know-it-most' for now." Harry said, with a wink at the end and his grin never leaving his face.

Dumbfounded at their entire interaction, Hermione simply let herself fall back onto the seat. Thoughts of leaving the compartment completely forgotten. She had finally strung enough of her thoughts together to form a coherent reply when the compartment door was flung open and she saw perhaps the last person she wanted to, especially right then. Thinking that even after his reassurances Algol was likely to hear whatever diatribe Malfoy was about to send her way and recant his earlier thoughts. The fear that she was going to lose the chance she had seemed to be given only grew when she saw the smile on Algol's face.

Draco Malfoy stepped into the compartment with his two goons at his back in the hall, and looked at its' two occupants. He of course recognized the mudblood, but the boy was an unknown. Deciding to find out more about the boy before starting in on Granger, he addressed Harry.

"Who are you?" He asked.

Harry, still grinning at the predictability of Malfoy even in this world, simply replied. "Algol, I'm a new transfer student. And who are you.

Surprised at the brazenness that the boy ignored proper introductions Malfoy replied "Draco Malfoy, my father is Lucius Malfoy."

"Malfoy? Oh, that's right. I think Sirius said I might be seeing you here. We're like cousins or something!"

At this, Hermione felt herself finally begin to cry. It must have all been some sort of cruel joke and she'd fallen for it yet again. There was no way that someone related to Malfoy would've wanted to be her friend. She felt so stupid for believing otherwise was possible.

Incredulously, Malfoy sputtered "w-what do you mean, cousins?"

"Well, as Sirius is head of house Black, I'm his heir, and your mum used to be a Black. So, we're cousins of a sort, no?"

Draco did not like how things were going. Here sat this boy claiming to be Sirius Black's heir, a position that he and his parents had sorely hoped would go unfilled, allowing Draco to inherit the title Lord Black when the time came. He had simply come to get his fix of making Granger cry and now he was learning that he already had to write his mother to find out just what was going on. Deciding to focus on his initial goal and delay judgment on this Algol character until he learned more he decided that he would use the boy to help belittle Granger.

"Well, as a Black you must know that there are certain people who it would be… unfortunate to be seen with. As your cousin of sorts, I feel it is only right to warn you that the mudblood here would certainly fall into that category."

"Oh, is that so? I can't imagine why; she has been delightful the entire time I've gotten to talk to her." Was Harry's flippant response

Put on the back foot again by this unexpected response Malfoy resorted to his other favorite method of getting others to fall in line, threats.

"Listen, Algol. You may be the Black heir, but even that will only get you so far in the castle. Power is what matters, and joining late will mean that you would be well served to remember to listen to those with more of it than yourself."

Harry almost couldn't help but laugh out loud. He had forgotten that Malfoy fancied himself as powerful when they were still at Hogwarts. But when he looked away from Malfoy and back over to Hermione and saw her head in her hands and shoulders shaking, laughter was the last thing on his mind. Well, time to rattle the ferret's cage he thought.

"Hmm, interesting thought. You say 'power is what matters' and that its' a good idea to listen to those with more of it than myself. So, let me ask you. As I am more powerful than you, shouldn't you listen to me when I say that Hermione here is wonderful company?" Harry asked, with more than a hint of steel in his voice now.

"The mudblood? You're still going on about the mu-"

Draco was cut off by the hand that was suddenly wrapped around his throat and pinning him against the wall.

"In addition, again, as I am more powerful than you. Shouldn't you listen when I say that the next time you use that slur where I can hear it, I will make it so that you cannot sit for a week and that'll be the least of your problems?" Harry asked in an icy tone, loosening his grip slightly to let the boy reply but drawing his wand and jamming it under his jaw when Crabbe and Goyle finally figured out that they were likely needed and began clambering to enter the compartment.

Feeling the wand and understanding that his henchmen were liable to make his position even worse he yelled out a "stop" at the two. Halting their useless attempt to help.

"Y-you dare?!" was all the blonde boy hissed out at this new student that thought he could enter and make grandiose threats of him, a Malfoy.

"Yes, I dare. Go ahead Draco, test me. Me, the one you know nothing about besides the fact that I have had access to the Black library for some time now. And let me tell you, whatever dear Narcissa has told you of it pales in comparison to the real thing. With this Harry let the boy free from his grasp and stepped back, though did keep his wand levelled at him to make clear that trying to draw his own would not be a good idea.

Realizing his position had only gotten worse the longer he engaged with Algol Draco decided it best to retreat for now.

As he slowly made his way from the compartment, he took one last shot over his shoulder at Algol.

"You know Algol, you had better hope you follow your father's path and go anywhere but Slytherin. Because if you find yourself in the pit of snakes as nearly every other Black has, you are liable to have more than a few… accidents." He sneered, thinking that leaving on a vague threat would at least salvage something of the interaction.

That was until he heard Algol's reply of a laugh followed by him saying "You still don't have nearly as many of the facts as you believe you do, little snake. Sirius isn't my father, and you'd be surprised at just how well snakes and I usually get along. Though, they do usually end up doing whatever I tell them." Harry finished with a smirk as a red-faced Malfoy stalked away.

Returning to his seat after shutting the door, Harry looked across at Hermione for the first time in a while, as he had not wanted to take his attention off of Malfoy and his goons once things got heated in case, they tried something.

He was met with the most confused looking Hermione he could ever remember seeing. Knowing that she had probably felt awkward, scared, anxious and a whole host of other emotions during the altercation Harry decided to act as though nothing happened and just started another conversation.

"So, you're muggleborn? Well, I happen to be muggle raised. What do your parents do?"

If anything, this confused Hermione even more. Harry would have to wait nearly fifteen minutes before he got any kind of intelligible response from the stunned girl.