Chapter 4: Return to Hogwarts:
The rest of August wasn't that fun to Harry. Andy made a complete medical checkout for him and found him with deficiencies in most nutrients, she made Harry rest and take a complete potions regime. As a result, Harry couldn't visit the Weasleys. But he sent a present for Percy's birthday, a set of elegant quills and high-quality ink.
The last day of August, Andy took Harry shopping for a complete wardrobe of clothes, then she took him to an optometrist to update Harry's glasses prescription, they bought glasses in three different styles plus a set of contact lenses.
September 1st came. Harry warned Andy about Dobby blocking the barrier to the platform, so they went there with time to spare. Dobby blocked the barrier as the last timeline. Andy then just side-along apparated Harry to the other side. Harry went to find a good compartment in the Hogwarts Express.
A while later, Hermione Granger arrived at the compartment.
"Harry! Good to see you! I see that you look healthier now. I was worried about you because the newspapers said that Sirius Black was your guardian, and that your secondary guardian was another Black. I feared for you for being in a dark family." Said Hermione.
"Both Sirius and Andromeda were disowned by that family because they were 'blood traitors', Sirius was my father's best friend, someone he considered as close to a brother, and because of his surname, he was sent to Azkaban without a trial." Harry replied.
Hermione frowned, "They can't send people to Azkaban without a trial, the rules of the Magna Carta are still in effect even after the statute of secrecy."
"But that did happen in the end of the war against Voldemort, there was only one trial and it was for the Lestranges and Barty Crouch jr. There was no serious investigation after the end of that war. Malfoy's father is free because of that reason. Also, you should ask Ron about the true culprit of the crimes Sirius was accused of." Harry explained.
"Okay." Said a frustrated Hermione.
The two of them were sitting in awkward silence for twenty minutes until Ginny ran into the compartment and tackled Harry with a hug, Ron was walking behind her while the twins were carrying their trunks.
Harry whispered in Ginny's ear, "I got the maps, and also got the enchanted typewriters and an enchanted printing press." And handed her the map made for her.
Ron was smiling at the scene.
"Ron, what's up with Harry and your sister?" asked a concerned Hermione.
"They became close after her birthday."
"You are ok with your best friend becoming close with your sister?"
"Yeah. What's wrong with that?"
"That's something I didn't expect from you."
"Yeah, Harry is the best and I want the best for my sister, is simple math."
The discussion between Ron and Hermione devolved into their classic bickering. Harry was watching at the scene thinking about what led Hermione to betray him in the other timeline. Ginny, that was leaning on Harry at that moment, was pondering if Hermione and Neville are saveable.
The compartment door opened, and a certain quirky blond girl appeared. Ginny then presented Luna to the group.
The train ride started peacefully, with Ron and Hermione bickering about everything, and Harry and Ginny getting reacquainted with Luna. After an hour, the compartment door opened, and a group of angry second years stood by the door, led by Ernie Macmillan. Harry looked at the door and saw that the group consisted of Zacharias Smith, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbot, and Neville Longbottom.
"So here he is, the next dark lord. So, you are the one that was adopted by those filthy Blacks. Are you too good for the muggles?" Macmillan questioned Harry.
"You don't know how members of that family destroyed mine, Potter." Said Longbottom.
"What did you expect from that glory hound that ruined the house cup last year?" said Abbot to the group.
"Potter! I see that the hexes we gave you last year weren't enough. You must understand something, I don't believe your death eater godfather was innocent. There is a saying in the pureblood circles, 'Black by name, Black by nature'" Smith screamed.
Ginny saw that Smith was lifting his wand and pointing it to Harry, she quicky took her wand and used her signature spell, "mýxa nychterída". Smith was twitching in pain on the floor with bats made of bogeys leaving his nose and attacking him.
Hermione sent a body bind to Hannah.
Ron then cast a spell towards Macmillan, Macmillan then started vomiting slugs.
Harry on the other hand cast a levicorpus on Neville. "Longbottom, you are a fucking sheep. Sirius and Andromeda were disowned from their family for being blood traitors, they don't agree with Bellatrix or Narcissa. Don't you understand that? Also, Sirius was innocent of his crimes. Don't you understand that, Longbottom? Please, don't let those Hufflepuffs influence you. You know that the points thing last year was because McGonagall just jumps into conclusions without looking for the truth, you were one of the victims of that. You have two options, go away to think, or become like those puffs."
Neville nodded "Okay." And ran away after Harry freed him.
Right after Neville fled, a group of upper class Hufflepuffs appeared to attack the compartment where Harry was. But were thwarted by Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet.
"Thank you, Angelina and Alicia." Said Harry.
"It was necessary. We and Katie made a vow where we would defend you in any other incident where the school turned against you. Fred and George told us the truth about what happened in the 150 points incident, about how McGonagall just assumed you were a prankster and gave you a disproportionate point deduction, we don't like McGonagall that much now. I'm pretty sure the twins did worse things than what you were accused of and had only a ten point deduction." Angelina explained.
"They also told us about how they had to rescue you during the summer, that your relatives were starving you and that your new family situation was probably better. Also, in our vow to protect you we need to check every girlfriend you have to see if she is good enough for you." Alicia told Harry, then she looked at Ginny and said, "Hey! Little redhead! You are the sister to our friends and teammates, but you still need to be interrogated."
Ginny left the compartment with Alicia and Angelina.
As the trio were walking in the train they stopped by another compartment.
"Katie!" called Angelina, "We have a mission, our seeker has a girlfriend, we need to check her to see she is worthy."
Katie quickly joined them, and the quartet then walked to an empty compartment. The three chasers sat on one side looking at Ginny that was in the other side.
"Your brothers have a fear that you hero-worship Harry because of the boy-who-lived. What do you say about that?" inquired Angelina.
"I like Harry because he is sweet and selfless and doesn't feel intimidated by quidditch girls, he also has a great sense of humour. We have plans to kill the boy-who-lived, Harry wants to self-sabotage in Defence against the Dark Arts, and I support that with the condition he applies himself in his other classes." Ginny answered. The chasers nodded happy about her answer.
It was then Alicia's turn, "I don't really have a question for you, you demonstrated loyalty when you defended Harry against that Hufflepuff boy."
Katie then asked, "You said you are a quidditch girl, which position do you want to play, and which is your favourite team from the British league?"
"I want to play chaser and my favourite team are the Holyhead Harpies." Ginny answered.
"Ginny, we officially adopt you as our little sister." Angelina announced. "Let us escort you to the compartment where your boyfriend is."
As the quartet returned to the car where Harry's compartment was, they spotted the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan outside the compartment.
"Your sister exceeded our expectations." Angelina told the twins.
"I'm glad of that, it looks this time our family should stick together. We have had many unprovoked attacks from every direction. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are furious about the Sirius Black situation. I already asked my brother, the perfect prefect Percy, and he agrees with us. We are going to have a Gryffindor meeting tonight. We expect that tonight Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw will declare open warfare on Harry."
Just at that moment, Harry left the compartment. "Guys, we have a proposal for you. Sirius Black was co-leader of a group of troublemakers known as the marauders," the twins' eyes widened at that reveal, "Ginny and I offer you the possibility of forming a new incarnation of that group, we want to be the Hogwarts renegades. I offer you co-leadership, and this map Padfoot made for us." Harry then took the copy of the map made for the twins and presented it for them. "It doesn't have a password yet; we can discuss it later. The son of Prongs salutes you."
"Harry, we accept your offer, we have something for you." Fred offered a piece of parchment, "I think you know what this is."
Harry pointed his wand at it and said the passphrase, "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." Fred and George grinned.
Fred declared, "The heir of the marauders has been found!"
"Angie, Alicia, Katie, and Lee, we offer you to join as well. We want to be a force that transcends Hogwarts houses. But Gryffindor is the starting point."
"We accept." They all say at the same time.
"Our organization has four leaders, me, Ginny, Fred and George. We are going to communicate using these coins." Harry then passed all the members coin reminiscent of the D.A galleons from the other timeline. "I'll call a meeting tomorrow after class." Harry then entered the compartment with his girlfriend.
The train ride finished without more interruptions. But the tensions in the carriages and the seating at the feast could be cut with a knife. Harry was only focused in one thing, he wanted to see the sorting as he didn't see it in the other timeline.
His persons of interest, all were sorted in the same houses as the other timeline. Ginny was getting acquainted with the Colin, Demelza and Natalie from this timeline. It was after the feast and in the common room that meeting of all the Gryffindors was called.
"For the first years, welcome to Gryffindor house." Hubert Bird, the seventh-year male prefect announced, "As you know your house is supposed to be your family, and that is we should defend one of our own when they are attacked for no reason. Percy Weasley is going to take the stage now."
"Thank you. My girlfriend from Ravenclaw told me of a situation that has been brewing here. A member of this house has been attacked at the Hogwarts express because of his family situation. My girlfriend told me that at Ravenclaw there is a possibility of a full war between Ravenclaw and this person."
George then asked for the word, "Ravenclaw is not the only problem, Hufflepuff sent waves of attackers towards this person accusing them of being a dark wizard. There is a possibility that Hufflepuff also declares war."
Cormac McLaggen yelled, "Why don't we kick that person out of Gryffindor? I know that person is Potter, he would not be a great loss."
Oliver Wood replied, "If you kick Harry out, the entire quidditch team will follow him. Deciding to live with his godfather that was framed of a crime he didn't commit is not a crime. His parents trusted him for a reason and attacking Harry for his family situation would be dishonouring Harry's parents' sacrifice, they didn't just sacrifice for Harry, they died for all of us." The entire Weasley family and the quidditch team all cheered.
Hubert took the word again, "Everyone in favour of the Gryffindor defence pact say aye."
The vast majority of the Gryffindors approved the motion.
An hour later, Harry and Ron were having their friendly conversation in their dorm.
"So much for a peaceful year, Ron." Sighed Harry.
"Mate, I don't understand our classmates. They scrutinize everything you do. Just like past year, when McGonagall decided to deduct 50 points from you for being out of bed after curfew, something everyone did. I've head tales about Bill and Charlie being caught snogging girls in the astronomy tower at 2 AM. Just I tell you that you are my brother and I'll always support you."
"Thank you, Ron. You are a great friend."
"I have to thank Sirius for the owl. Even if my sister decided to call him Pigwidgeon and the name stuck."
Harry burst out laughing, good job Gin, "Ron, see you tomorrow, have a good night."
Harry felt asleep instantly.
For Sirius Black the final weeks of august were interesting. Andy had him under constant observation making sure he recovered well from Azkaban. He also sent a letter to the other true marauder left, hoping to reconnect and gain an ally for his plans. He thought about setting him up with Nymphadora, but Harry convinced him of not interfering, that Remus should be able to fin his happiness his own way.
The last day of the summer, while Andy was taking Harry to buy him a new wardrobe, Sirius had his own mission. Sirius went to Little Hangleton to destroy one of the ingredients for Voldemort's resurrection ritual, the remains of Voldemort's father. They didn't know if the bones of other relatives were useful for the ritual or not, so Sirius destroyed the skeletons of every Gaunt family member and every Riddle family member he found just to make sure. That way in the case a loyal servant found Voldemort, they would be forced to use a more difficult way to resurrect him.
The day Harry returned to Hogwarts, Sirius invited Remus to dinner at the Tonks house. Sirius wanted to use the family dinner to reveal his secret to Ted, Nymphadora and Remus and start planning what he could do on his front.
Remus and Sirius reconnected, and both apologized to each other for believing the other was the spy, before sitting in the Tonkses dinner table.
The dinner was a quiet event until everyone finished eating. Andy took command of the table and announced, "Now Sirius has some secrets to reveal to all of you."
"Thank you, Andy. I must say that this secret is of great importance, so important that is under a fidelius charm. All of you are my family and deserve to know."
Dora interrupted, "If it's so important and all the family must know, why did you wait until Harry was back at Hogwarts to reveal it?"
"Harry knows the secret, Harry is my secret keeper. I must warn you; this secret is difficult to believe."
Remus commented, "I'd like to believe that nothing would phase us by this stage after everything that happened with you, Pettigrew and Barty Crouch. Tomorrow is Crouch's trial and is going to be a dramatic event".
"Ok, I warned you" Sirius took a piece of parchment that had Harry's messy handwriting revealing the secret and passed it to Remus who furrowed his eyebrows when he read it, Remus passed it to Ted who stayed silent, and Ted passed it to Dora who only said, "This is a prank. Right?" Then the parchment returned to Sirius who burned it.
"Is not a prank. If you try to tell that secret to anyone outside this group, you won't be able to. The fidelius can only hide secrets that are true." Sirius clarified.
"Trust me, I tried testing the secret." Andy commented.
"Why is Harry the secret keeper? Did you pressure him to that?" Asked a frowning Remus.
"Harry is the secret keeper because he also has a secret, I'm going to reveal it to all of you." Sirius took a breath and then continued, "Harry's secret is 'Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley are time travellers sent back by death'".
"Is that the reason Harry acted in some ways older than a twelve year old kid?" Dora inquired.
"Who is Ginevra Molly Weasley?" Ted asked.
"Dad, you should know the Weasleys. I dated Charlie for a time, but it didn't work. I even introduced him to you." Dora replied to her dad.
Sirius answered Ted's question "Harry's girlfriend, they got married in the other timeline before they died and were sent to this timeline. I had died three years before them and was sent back with them as help."
Remus commented, "Weasley? I remember that the Prewett brothers from the order told me that they had a sister that was married to some Weasley guy. I know that the sister and her husband weren't in the order because they had children to take care of."
"Remus, you nailed it. She is the daughter of the Prewett sister Molly."
Ted queried "Was that bad of a future that Death herself decided to send you back?"
Sirius replied, "Well, Death decided to help Harry because he collected the Deathly hallows but didn't use them for power. But also, that future sucked, of the people that are here in this room, only Andy was still alive by the time Harry and Ginny died."
Andy stood up and slammed the table, "You didn't tell me that Ted also died."
Ted asked, "How did I die?"
Sirius decided to answer, "I'll explain all the deaths, here. I was killed by my dear cousin Bellatrix in the department of mysteries, but I also think that the Order of the Phoenix indirectly killed me by treating Harry badly and keeping him in the dark about things that involved him. Ted, you were killed by bounty hunters that were working for a death eater puppet ministry. Remus and Dora were killed in the final battle, Dolohov killed Remus, Bellatrix killed Dora. One year after the war ended, Harry and Ginny were betrayed by Ginny's brother Percy, and two people they considered friends, and were sentenced to a life of hell, so they decided to just end it."
Andy took control of the conversation, "We have two goals, the first one is preventing Voldemort's resurrection, the second one is neutralizing the people that destroyed our lives in Sirius' timeline."
"Who are those people?" asked a curious Remus.
Sirius exposed, "You know most of them. First, we start with the ones that were already neutralized thanks to the change in timeline, Peter Pettigrew and Barty Crouch. Hopefully Barty Crouch jr. is going to be neutralized tomorrow during his father's trial. The other threats are, Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, Ludo Bagman, the entire Malfoy family and Snivellus. Harry has some more personal grudges he wants to take a look at before deciding if it was necessary to neutralize them."
"Hey! I know you are telling us about this secret for a reason. Do you want help?" Tonks asked.
"Yes. Two, things really. Dora, I need a spy in the ministry, are you in?"
"Of course, cousin."
"Ted and Remus, I have business offer for you. We need to destroy Malfoy's influence and that means money. I've already invested in a broom company that is going to launch its first model next year that in the first timeline was extremely successful. I think we need a muggle business and another wizarding business; I have bounced some ideas with Harry already."
"Consider me in." Remus said.
"The Blacks are turning in their graves right now; I like this idea. I'm in." declared Ted.