[a/n]Delayed thoughts from #85: BTW, I strongly recommend a trip to Hawaii for all who can. Should be at least a bucket list item: Fondness for Susan? I know she largely disappeared from canon, but my initial exposure to the series was HBO playing HPSS nonstop on all 8 of its channels when it hit cable. That silent redhead in the background caught my eye. She was right there. Same in CoS. I got it long ago, directors' casting privilege. Eleanor reminds me of a couple girls I dated way back.

[a/n]Vukk's take on #85 made good reading, but misses the politifacts of the Wizard World. And actions taken in war are the first thing that're armchair quarterbacked. In that case, Hermione did break the law, deliberately and premeditatedly. I quote from STTNG JAG Capt. Phillipa Louvois "A court martial is standard procedure in [such circumstances]" I'd say Susan acted correctly given what she'd learned, even if Ron declared her a closet Slytherin. Plus, no one but Harry would be in a position to strike back on the matter. And that's years in the future. magitech, who never misses an opportunity to criticize Hermione expresses similarly. I mention him because he dinged me for messing with Tasmania and New Zealand. For that I blame my Bugs Bunny villain The Tasmanian Devil. I typed it while watching an episode and just kept going.

Harry Does Different DII

Arrogant J Mudblood L

"Nice job." Harry thumbed-up the unique dating method chosen by Ron's brother, then snickered at his friend's reaction. Receiving an elbow, and returning one. Both giggled. That was when both were seized from behind by the neck and faces shoved into books. Completely unaware of the source of the attack, Harry simply retaliated. His arm went satisfyingly deep into a soft target, which was accompanied by a grunt of pain. All the black Hogwarts robes looked alike, so he had no idea who he was fighting.

The assault was simply something Professor Snape was unprepared for. He could not begin to defend himself. His attempts to fight back were futile. That it was the Potter brat possibly killing him was galling.

"Harry! You're attacking a teacher!" it was Hermione intervening. She caught his arm in the middle of what could have been a death=blow.

It took a second for the haze to clear, though his rage didn't. Snarling in her face "Lemme go! No one'll miss the bloody soddin fuckin git!" Ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to throw her aside.

"You will explain yourself Potter!" Professor McGonagall arrived, demanding answers.

Harry's blood was near boil "Sick of this prick!" he spurned the vulnerable face with his foot "I'm as arrogant as my father at least twice a class! Bet Mum's a Mudblood like his dog, Malfoy, calls Hermione!"

"How DARE you!" came outrage from the Slytherin table.

Adrenaline fading, he countered "Oh please. Daddy is only slightly scarier than you."

"Enough of this!" the Deputy Head interjected herself "Potter, you are at great risk of expulsion. I am certain Professor Snape will demand it. And I do not know if Professor Dumbledore can do anything else."

Harry's temper had cooled, but his attitude hadn't "Would it get me outta this deathtrap contest?" he stepped on the Potion Master's stomach to punctuate his question "Besides, First Year we won the House Cup after I killed Quirrell."

"Enough, boy." McGonagall had had enough "Get to your room until further notice!"

Turning his back he muttered "Thanks Vernon."

Abcij

"Interesting event there, Mr. Potter." It was the scandalwitch.

Harry sighed "What do you want Rita?"

"Come come Harry." Her tone condescending "The truth. I won't say I …ahh… give it a helping hand from time to time. But there are circumstances where a story needs none. So?" Rita's grin was predatory.

Maybe he knew, maybe he didn't, he talked. Right until the Gryffindor boys' dorm "You can't go up there."

"Silly boy. That only applies to boys going near the girls." She was amused, pulled him by the hand, and unerringly led him straight to his dorm. Parking herself casually on his bed.

Harry just gaped at her "H-h-ow did you kn-know?"

"A good reporter never reveals her sources. Except, I strongly suspect, your story may be a little different. And certainly have more impact. So, we stopped on Sirius Black, how does The-Boy-Who-Lived end up associating with a convicted felon?" she spoke as adult to child.

Harry disregarded the tone, starting vaguely "When I first came to Hogwarts my best friend, Ron, told me quote Not a witch or wizard who went bad wasn't in Slytherin. Malfoy seemed to validate that theory. Then Professor Useless in Second was a Ravenclaw. This year all Hufflepuff hates me. But then even most of my own House does too."

"Now now, childhood actions don't necessarily carry into adulthood. Though I understand your point of view." She was lightly scolding "I myself, was a Ravenclaw. Can I presume you mean poor Professor Lockhart? Such a tragedy."

Harry snorted "Puhh-leeess, I bet he's still selling autographs even if he doesn't know what to write. "But that's another story." He decided the truth there was worth telling, but not now "Back to Sirius, even Hermione had enough Slytherin exposure to mostly believe Ron when he called Sirius one. But he wasn't. All Gryffindor. Though guess what! Black wasn't the bad guy. It was the one they gave the Order of Merlin. Peter Pettigrew. Maybe I'll leave it to you to find HIS details; including House."

"You would have to prove that, Harry." Rita's reporter brain was spinning. "We don't go around defaming national heroes."

He stuck a finger in his throat and gagged, then "Exhibit A: Harry Potter. Moving on, I imagine I am the best proof of Sirius' innocence, being alive and all after the whole summer in his house. But, I have two questions for you Madam Reporter. Why was Snape so mad about my accusation of calling Mum a Mudblood? Two, why does he hate a dead man so much he carries the grudge to me? Didn't you just say defaming national heroes was bad?"

"Have you asked professors that question?" she asked, ignoring the jab.

He shrugged "A few I don't knows, but the favorite is it's Snivilus' story to tell."

"THAT reeks of coverup. But …ahh… Snivilus?" Rita's nose twitched at that.

Harry smirked "Perhaps its use might go toward clearing Sirius. He mentioned it during the summer."