AN Not much happens in this chapter. There is a time skip, and it mostly goes over what happened the rest of the summer. And some of Harry's thoughts might be a bit dark, and he acts a little OOC, but I hope you like:t.
Disclaimer I don't one HP or Marvel
Chapter 46: I'm Fine, Perfectly Fine
When August arrived, it brought a heat wave with record-breaking temperatures Britain hadn't seen in decades. If it weren't for cooling charms, the family inside the little cottage in Wales would have been miserable, but thankfully, they had magic to get them through it as the last of the summer days went by fast. The day after Harry's birthday, Thor took the tesseract to Asgard and has yet to return. Harry, Sirius, Loki and Remus still spent their days cleaning out rooms in Grimmauld Place, returning home in the evenings. Harry would go outside and shift into his animagus form and run around, which got easier and less painful each time he did it. Sirius had been right about him sleeping in late. The day after he became an animagus, Harry had slept until two-thirty. When he did wake, he was achy and sore and still tired, but that had been the best sleep Harry had gotten all summer.
During the first week of August, Sirius discovered the only way Tony could install electricity in the drawing room, use electronics, and keep his Iron Man suit going, and not have everything go haywire was to take down all the wards and enchantments surrounding the room. To do that, Sirius had to show Bill a set of runes to put on the floor and walls in the drawing room that block any magic coming in or being used in that room, except for the magic of the one who put the runes down, they were old and mostly forgotten runes when asked where he learned them, Sirius said James had found them in an extremely old book on protection runes he found in the Potter Family Libary, Sirius had put them in his room to have a safe place to go when Walbuga went into one of her rages and started cursing Sirius with whatever hex or jinx she could think of.
In the second week of August, Sirius decided to give Harry his own bedroom in Grimmauld Place, and the room he picked to give him was Regulus Black's old bedroom. Harry wanted to point out that he didn't need a room at Grimmauld Place, but it seemed important to Sirius for Harry to have his brother's room, so he didn't say anything. Instead, he helped Sirius pack Regulus' belongings and move them to the attic. While emptying a desk, Harry discovered the bottom drawer had a false bottom. When Sirius pulled it out, they found a small wooden box hidden in it. It was handmade, with the Black Family Crest carved on the lid and R.A.B. underneath.
Sirius opened the box and, to Harry's bewilderment, laughed as he pulled out a slinky. Sirius had explained that the slinky was his. The summer before Sirius's third year, Remus went on holiday to visit his Muggle grandparents and bought the slinky to give to Sirius for his birthday. The Marauders spent their third year entertaining themselves by sending the slinky down the many stairs at Hogwarts. Then, for the first week of summer vacation, Sirius had driven his mother up the wall by constantly sending it down the stairs of Grimmauld Place until it disappeared on him; Sirius had assumed Walburga had gotten a hold of it and destroyed it. But apparently, it was Regulus who had stolen it.
The next thing Sirius pulled from the box was pictures of Sirius and Regulus from when they were children. Sirius smiled, looking through them, but then he got to the last photo, and the smile dropped from his face, replaced by a look of shock. The picture was of Sirius' Gryffindor graduation class; Harry spotted Sirius in the front, one arm slung around James Potter and one around Remus Lupin. Peter Pettigrew stood on the other side of Remus, and Lily Evans on the other side of James. Sirius told Harry the photos were given out to the graduates' families, which meant the only way Regulus could have one was if he had gone to Sirius' graduation.
Finding out Regulus had cared enough to attend his graduation had sent Sirius into a week-long depression that not even Loki could bring him out of; then, one day, after drinking himself unconscious the night before, Sirius went to have his tattoo finished. When he arrived home, he showed them the finished product. Sirius's tattoo covered the top half of the left side of his back had a black stag standing on its hind legs; the background was of the night sky, done in dark blue and purple, along with the the constellation Leo, the very constellation that housed the star Regulus, the biggest star tattooed on Sirius's back. He told Loki the tattoo was to honor the two brothers he failed to save, then broke down and cried while Loki held him, shocking Harry. He had never seen Sirius cry like that before, but it seemed to be what Sirius had needed; during the following few days, he slowly came out of his depressed state and back to acting more like himself.
By the third week in August, the heat had cooled down in time for their Hogwarts letters. When Harry, Sirius, and Loki met up with The Weasleys and Hermione in Diagon Ally, Mrs. Weasley was in a good mood because Ron was made prefect. Ginny asked Sirius if he had been prefect, and he laughed and said no one in their right mind would ever make him prefect; he spent too much time in detention with James. Remus was the one who got the badge, then Sirius clapped Harry on the shoulder and jokingly said he was proud that he was following in his trouble-making footsteps. Ron hadn't been the only one who had gotten a badge; Hermione was also made a Gryffindor prefect.
Despite his nightmares, flashbacks, and Voldemort's return, this has been the best summer Harry has ever had; he's grown close to Remus, who was fond of telling Harry stories of James and Sirius getting in trouble at school, he swore they a had file cabinet a piece in Filch's office. Harry decided he liked Thor. Before he went to Asgard, he would tell Harry stories of great battles and tricks Loki once pulled; unlike Loki, Thor would say great things about Odin, how great a father Odin was, how great a king he was. Harry figured Odin probably was to Thor, just not Loki, which was quite sad in Harry's opinion. When he pointed this out to Sirius, he shook his head and said Thor was brainwashed.
The Avengers didn't judge Harry by who his mother was and liked him, so when Sirius and Loki had to go to Hogwarts a few days before the students, Harry readily agreed when they said the only way he could stay behind and ride the train to school like his classmates was if he and Remus spent those few days at Grimmauld Place, and Harry had enjoyed his stay there. Tony would drag him into the drawing room to help him and Bill test products they were inventing, Steve was friendly and always had good advice, Natasha showed Harry how to use the taser she gave him, and Bruce was quiet but would often talk about science stuff, Clint was friendly, but mostly stayed to himself. Harry liked Bucky the best; he seemed to know when Harry didn't sleep or when Harry was upset and would take Harry into the room Bucky shared with Steve, where he had hung a pouching bag from the ceiling and had Harry take his feelings out on it, which always made him feel better.
When the first of September arrived, Remus woke Harry early so he was able to have a shower and breakfast before Harry, Remus, and four of the Avengers, Tony, Bucky, Natasha, and Steve, got into a van and with Tony driving they traveled to Kings Cross. Sirius and Loki had taken Harry's trunk and Hedwig to Hogwarts with them, so Harry didn't have to bother with them, but he had his bag with some books and his handheld game just in case he got bored on the train and needed something to pass the time.
When they arrived at Kings Cross, and Tony parked the van, Bucky got out and disappeared into the crowd while carrying his large gun; Natasha told Harry Bucky was going to watch from afar. Harry was led across the train station in the middle of his group of "bodyguards." Tony was in front leading them, Steve behind them, and Remus and Natasha walking on either side of Harry when they got to the barrier between nine and ten. Tony went first, having already been told how to get onto the platform earlier, then Natasha, after her Remus, and Harry went together, and Steve followed.
The first person to see them was Cho Chang, who, after saying bye to her parents, had hurried over to greet Harry by throwing her arms around him in a hug. When Harry introduced Cho to the Avengers, Tony got a look in his eyes that told Harry he would tease him about Cho's first chance he got. The Weasleys were late again, as always, and Harry, Remus, Cho, and the Avengers stood around and talked while they waited. Then, finally, ten minutes before the train would deport the Weasleys and Hermione arrived, Fred, Geroge, and Ginny didn't stop to chat; they hurried on the train to find their friends, but Ron and Hermione walked over to where Harry was along with Mrs. Wesaley.
"You probably should board now, Harry," Remus said, giving him a one-arm hug, "Have a good year."
"See you later, kid," Natasha said, surprising Harry with a hug. "The guys and I are going to miss having you around."
"Yeah, you're alright for a Kid Loki." Tony joked, patting the fedora on Harry's head. He swatted his hand away.
"Have a good term, Harry," Steve said. He only ever called Harry by his name; the others called him Kid, and Tony called him Oz or Kid Loki, while to Thor, Harry was Nephew.
"Thanks," Harry said as Steve shook his hand.
"You take care of yourself, Harry, dear," Molly said, hugging him, "You too, Ron and Hermione, stay out of trouble. You two are prefects, oh, and it's O.W.L. year, so study."
"We will, Mrs. Weasleys," Hermione said.
Harry gave one last wave to Remus and the Avengers, then offered to help Cho with her trunk, and they followed Ron and Hermione onto the train, which was already packed and getting ready to leave.
"Ron and I have to go to the prefect compartment first, but we'll find you two later," Hermione said.
"We'll save you seats if we can find somewhere that isn't full," Harry told them before they headed towards the front of the train where the prefect compartment was. Then Harry and Cho headed towards the back in search of an empty or almost empty compartment. They didn't find one until they reached the end of the train; the last compartment only had one girl sitting in it. She was reading a magazine.
"Luna Lovegood, she's in Ravenclaw." Cho said, "she's a little weird but nice." Cho opened the compartment door. "Hello, Luna, mind if we sit with you?"
Luna looked at her, then at Harry, nodded her head, and ducked behind her magazine, and Harry just noticed she had been reading it upside down.
"Thanks, " Cho grinned, she and Harry entered the compartment. Harry and Cho lifted her trunk into the overhead storage compartment, then sat in the seat across from Luna, with Harry by the window.
"We have a couple of friends that'll probably join us later," Harry said, "If that's alright."
"That's fine," Luna said, looking at Harry over the top of her magazine with silvery grey eyes. "You know, you're Harry Potter."
"I know I am," Harry said, looking at her bewildered. He turned to Cho, who shrugged, and then he turned back to Luna when she continued to talk.
"According to the Aesir Sun, Professor Ikol is your mother," Luna said, "I like her; she's always interested in hearing about the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."
With that, Luna disappeared behind her magazine, and Harry looked out the window as the train started to move. He felt Cho slip her hand into his and hold it.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Cho asked. Why did everyone insist on asking him that? What did they think? Of course, he wasn't alright. It's only been a few months since he was kidnapped, witnessed a classmate murdered, and had his blood used to bring Voldemort back. His fun summer had distracted him from it all, and Harry had been able to pretend everything was fine, even though it wasn't.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Harry looked at her and smiled. Harry gave the answer he always gave, that he was fine, because Harry knew that's what everyone wanted to hear, that he was fine. Harry doubted he'd ever be one hundred percent fine ever again.
"Good," Cho said, and Harry got into his bag and pulled out his handheld game. A distraction was what he needed.
"Have you ever played a muggle electronic game?" Harry asked, showing her the game. "Tony Stark invented this with the help of Bill Weasley. They are trying to make a Muggle devices that work around magic, I am supposed to test this out at Hogwarts."
"Interesting," Cho said, taking the game and looking it over.
"Would you like to play?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure how," Cho said.
"I'll show you," Harry said as he arms around Cho to show her how to play.
"First, you pick what Avenger to be, then you have to discover Loki's evil plan and stop him," Harry explained. When Loki found out he was the villain in the game and the player picked an Avenger to fight him, he was not amused, especially when Sirius played and chose to be Thor.
"I'll be Black Willow. "Cho said, and Harry showed her how to pick Natasha, and she started playing; every once in a while, Luna would peep over the top of her magazine at them before disappearing back behind it. The game wouldn't work at Grimmauld Place with just the enchantments Bill placed on it, so after Sirius showed Bill the runes, Tony suggested adding the runes on the back of it, and that had worked; they didn't know if it was enough to work at Hogwarts, though, with all the magic in and around the castle.
"Oh darn, I lost." Cho laughed, "Can I try again?"
"Sure," Harry said, removing his arms from around her, and he pulled out one of three books in his bag. The three were the ones Sirius had assigned for his class; they were a set: one was on protection runes, one on defense spells, and one on protection wards and enchantments. Harry chose the one on runes to read and pulled a muggle notebook and pencil out of his bag to write down the runes he wanted to learn and try out. When the trolley lady stopped at their compartment, Harry bought a little of each thing and shared it with Cho and Luna. It was twenty minutes later that Ron and Hermione showed up.
"That was the most boring experience of my life," Ron complained as he flopped down in the seat on the other side of Cho; Harry offered him a chocolate frog as a comfort.
"It was important, Ron," Hermione said, sitting beside Luna.
"Doesn't mean it wasn't boring," Ron said, opening the frog as he turned to Harry, "We had to meet the new head boy and girl, and the other prefects, then go over the rules, schedules and things like that. Oh, and guess who the Slytherin prefect is?"
"Malfoy?" Harry guessed. Ron took a bite of the frog.
"Yep, the prat," Ron mumbled, with his mouth full, and Cho gave him a disgusted look.
"Pansy Parkinson is the other one," Hermione said, "How that cow became prefect when she is thicker than a troll is beyond me."
"Who are the Ravenclaw prefects?" Cho asked.
"Padma Patail and Anthony Goldstein and Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan are Hufflepuff," Hermione said.
"I don't know Hannah or Ernie." Cho said thoughtfully, "And I don't know Anthony all that well, but according to his yearmates, he can be an arrogant prat sometimes."
"Yeah, he seemed it," Hermione said, then noticed Harry with the runes book. "Are you reading Harry?"
"It's interesting." Harry shrugged.
"Yeah, the whole set is. " Hermione said, "I wonder who the new defense teacher is. The books they assigned have so much useful magic in them."
Harry shrugged while smiling. He hadn't told his friends Sirius was the new defense teacher because he wanted to see the surprise on their faces when Dumbledore announced it, but the smile on Harry's face dropped when the compartment door opened yet again, this time it was Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
"What?" Harry aggressively demanded before Malfoy could open his mouth.
"Manners, Potter, or I'll have to give you a detention," Malfoy said as he pointed at the badge on his chest. "You see, I, unlike you, have been made a prefect, which means that I, unlike you, have the power to hand out punishments."
"Yeah," Harry said, "but you, unlike me, are an areshole. Now get the hell out and leave us alone."
"I'm only here to give you a warning," Malfoy said, and Harry rolled his eyes.
"I'm not in the mood for your bullshit this year, Malfoy," Harry said, standing. "So do as I say and get the fuck out of this compartment before you regret being in here."
Malfoy stared a moment at Harry, then decided it would be better for his well-being not to piss off Harry Potter at this moment. He stepped back and allowed Crabbe to step forward into Harry's face, cracking his knuckles.
"Oi," Ron shouted, jumping to his feet and pulling out his wand, as did Hermione, Luna and Cho stayed in their seats, watching. Cho with a worried look on her face.
"My father is dead because of you, Potter," Crabbe said. Harry was confused for a moment until he remembered one of the Death Eaters Loki had killed in the cemetery Voldemort had called Crabbe.
"Your father's death was his own doings," Harry said, which was true if he hadn't been in the cemetery with Voldemort, Loki wouldn't have killed him.
Crabbe growled and took a closer step towards Harry, who did not back down despite Crabbe being taller and larger than him. They stared at one another until Malfoy tapped Crabbe's shoulder and nodded to the door.
"I wouldn't roam the corridors by yourself this year, Potter," Crabbe said, "My father wasn't the only one that didn't make it home last June."
"You don't scare me," Harry said, "now get the hell out of this compartment before I throw your worthless arse out."
"Harry!" Hermione cried. Harry ignored her as he watched the three Slytherins leave. Once out in the corridor, Crabbe turned back to Harry.
"We'll finish this later, Potter," Crabbe said.
"I'll be waiting," Harry replied, shutting the compartment door in his face.
"Harry-"
"I'm fine," Harry said, again with that lie everyone believed or at least pretended to believe because that's what they wanted, the people they care about, to be okay, people usually didn't know how the deal with someone who wasn't fine.
Harry watched out the window the rest of the journey. It wasn't long before the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, and Ron and Hermione hurried off to help with the first years; Harry, Cho, and Luna left the train together. Once outside, Harry lost Luna in the crowd as he and Cho headed towards the carriages. Harry stopped in his tracks upon seeing the large, skeletal-looking horses pulling the carriages.
"What the bloody hell are those?" Harry demanded, pointing at them.
"What?" Cho asked.
"The skeleton horses pulling the carriages," Harry said.
"Harry, there isn't anything there," Cho said, sounding concerned.
"Yes, there is," Harry argued, "There are black skeletal horses with wings, don't you see them?"
"Nothing is pulling the carriages, Harry," Cho said, "They are pulling themselves like always."
"But they are right there," Harry said. Cho looked at Harry worriedly, and someone in a nearby carriage called out to her. Cho looked towards them, then back at Harry.
"I think I will ride up to the school with my friends. I'll see you later." Cho said, then walked off before Harry could reply, and when Hermione and Ron appeared next to him, he decided not to mention the skeletal horses he saw, just in case it scared them off, too.
"Hagrid isn't here." Hermione said, "I wonder where he is?"
"Probably on that mission Dumbledore sent him on," Ron said.
"Maybe," Hermione said. "I hope he's alright."
"Of course he is, he's Hagrid," Ron said.
The rest of the ride to the castle was mostly in silence, with Harry watching out the window. Once they pulled up in front of the castle steps, Harry did his best to ignore the skeletal horses as he followed Ron and Hermione into the castle. Just like last year, Loki in female form stood just outside the Great Hall doors, watching the students. She smiled when she caught sight of Harry, who grinned back and led his friends over to her. Loki pointed at Harry's leg, and he lifted the bottom of his robes enough to show her he had his dagger strapped to his leg.
"Have a good journey?" Loki asked, putting her arm around Harry and pulling him to her side.
"It was fine," Harry answered.
"Until Malfoy and his mates showed up telling Harry he better watch his back this year," Ron said.
"Crabbe said Harry shouldn't walk anywhere alone," Hermione said.
"I have no doubt Harry can take Crabbe and Malfoy." Loki said, "But perhaps you should be careful anyway. People like them either jump you from behind, or with their friends, or both."
"I'll be careful," Harry said.
"Good, now go on in the Great Hall," Loki said, letting him go. Harry said nothing else as he walked into the Great Hall. And he, Ron, and Hermione sat at the end of the Gryffindor table.
"What's Sirius doing here?" Hermione asked.
"Probably the same as last year," Ron said, "Keeping an eye on Harry."
"He got a haircut. He looks nice," Hermione said. Sirius had gotten a haircut before returning to Hogwarts; his hair, which had grown almost to the middle of his back, now barely touched the tops of his shoulders and looked waiver. It was a haircut Loki had approved of, saying it brought out his handsome features.
"Who's that?" Ron demanded, pointing towards the middle of the staff table. Harry looked to see a short woman wearing an ugly pink cardigan over her robes that had a Vote Cornelius Fudge For Minister of Magic badge pinned to it.
"Umbridge," Harry said, "she works at the Ministry. She was one of those at my questioning. She kept interrupting me, did it so much my mum snapped and told her to shut up."
"No," Hermione muttered. "surely not…"
Harry had no idea what Hermione was on about and didn't ask as the shorting started, and he turned his eyes back to the staff table, watching Sirius and Loki with their heads leaned close, talking to one another quietly as the Shorting Hat song.
"Gone off a bit this year, hasn't it?" Ron asked once the Shorting Hat had finished its song, which was all about doom and encouraging students to have House unity.
"Yeah, well, if it thinks we're going to befriend the likes of Slytherin, it's even nutter than I thought," Harry said, glancing over at the Slytherin table for a second, then back to the front of the room to watch the shorting. Twenty minutes later, the last student was placed in Hufflepuff, and Dumbledore stood and opened his arms.
"To our newcomers welcome," Dumbledore said. "To our old hands, welcome back. There is a time for speechmaking, but this is not it. Tuck in!"
Food appeared on the table, and everyone started eating as they discussed various topics. Harry glanced back at the head table to see Sirius laughing at something Loki had said, and Snape glared at them both while Umbridge looked their way in disapproval.
An hour later, everyone had eaten their fill and had dessert, and once again, Dumbledore climbed to his feet. The leftovers on the table disappeared along with the plates and goblets as the noise in the Great Hall died down. Every eye now turned once again to Dumbledore.
"Well, now that we all have enjoyed another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," Dumbledore said. "First-years ought to know that the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four-hundred-and-sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in the corridors between classes, nor are several other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door. " Dumbledore paused and motioned towards Filch, who stood off to the side holding Mrs. Norris in his arms.
"We have had two changes in staffing this year, along with a special…. guest who will be here with us for the whole year. First, please welcome Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will teach Care of Magical Creatures." Dumbledore paused to allow everyone to applaud, then went on. "Secondly, I am most delighted to welcome Professor Sirius Black, who has kindly agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."
"What?" Ron cried. He and Hermione turned to Harry, shocked, while further down the table, the Weasley twins cheered.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hermione demanded as Harry laughed. "I was worried it was that Umbridge woman."
"Because I wanted to see your faces when Dumbledore announced it." Harry grinned. Watching as Sirius bowed to a round of applause and cheers, Snape rolled his eyes, looking annoyed.
"He's so gorgeous." Lavender Brown said to Parvati Patil.
"I don't think I'll be able to concentrate in his class," Parvati whispered back, and then both erupted into giggles.
Dumbledore continued as the Great Hall quieted, "Now, I want you to welcome our guest, Madam Umbridge. She is here on request of the Ministry, and.." He trailed off as Umbridge stood, and cleared her throat. "Well, I believe she wishes to explain her visit." Dumbledore sat as Loki leaned over and said something to Sirius.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Umbridge said, "for those kind words of welcome. Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts. I must say, I am looking forward to getting to know each one of the staff and students. I am sure by the end of the year, we'll all be good friends. The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance-"
Loki snorted loudly, and Umbridge paused and turned to her. "Is there something you wish to voice, Professor Ikol?"
"Oh, there are many things I wish to voice to you, but since we are in a room full of children, I'll hold my tongue. Some may feel my words are inappropriate for such young ears," Loki said,
"Excuse me?" Umbridge said. Loki just grinned and motioned her hand towards the students, as many laughed.
"Please do continue your announcement. I'm sure the students would like to get to bed before the start of their first class," Loki replied, smiling more as Umbridge frowned at her before turning back to the crowd.
"As I was saying, my presence here this year is by request of the Minister. There have been a few questionable incidents that have happened here in the last few years. On top of that, with the tragic death of Cedric Diggory, Minister Fudge has decided to step in and investigate these incidents by making me Hogwart's new High Inquisitor, which entitles me to inspect all staff at Hogwarts, including the professors. I'll be sitting in their classes throughout the year observing their teaching methods. If I find their teaching not up to Ministry standards, or that of the school governors, I will report to Minister Fudge, who will go to the school governors for said professors' removal."
With those words, Umbridge glanced down the head table at Sirius and Loki, who didn't appear to be paying attention to Umbridge, as they whispered to one another. Umbridge's glanced filled Harry with anger, and before he knew it, he shouted out.
"That's bullshit."
"Harry," Hermione gasped as every head turned towards him; Sirius was snickering, and Loki's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Is there something you wish to say, Mr. Potter?" Umbridge asked. Harry opened his mouth.
"Harry, no," Hermione whispered; he looked at her, then glanced at the Ravenclaw table, and something in the look Cho was giving him had Harry biting his jaw to keep from saying more.
"No?" Umbridge pressed. "Very well, then, Mr. Potter, I warn you that next time you interrupt, there will be consequences for your action."
"I think not," Loki and Sirius said simultaneously.
"Oh, but I do," Umbridge said, "One of my abilities as the High inquisitor is to pass out punishments for misbehavior. I can make rules that must be obeyed, and not only will I be inspecting staff at Hogwarts, but I will also be interviewing each and every student throughout the school year if you have any concerns or complaints about any professor, staff, or classmate, you may voice those concerns then, and I will make sure the Minister hears them, you may stay anonymous if you so wish. This is a new chapter in Hogwarts. Things will change around here, and once this castle is back to being a safe and happy place for young minds to learn, be sure to tell your friends and family who made it so."
Umbridge tapped her Vote Fudge badge and gave them all a smile that made Harry feel sick before sitting back down, Dumbledore stood to continue his announcements.
"I can't believe this," Harry said, turning to Ron and Hermione. "While she's here making this year pure hell, she's encouraging students to tell their parents to vote for Fudge."
"She's only here to spy and report back to Fudge." Hermione said, "Caring for the student's safety is a front to look good for the election."
"They're despite." Harry agreed, "According to Sirius, too much has happened under Fudge's ministry lately, and many people are unhappy with him."
"Let's hope they're unhappy enough to vote for Loki instead," Ron said as everyone around them left the Great Hall.
"Ron, we're supposed to show the first-years where to go!" Hermione said, just remembering. As they stood, she and Ron hurried away, calling for the first years as Loki and Sirius approached Harry. The latter of the two threw his arm around him as they headed out of the Great Hall.
"I sure did miss you last few days, kiddo," Sirius said, gently shaking Harry a little, then dropped his arm from Harry's shoulder.
"Hedwig is in the owlery with Thori, and your trunk is in our chambers," Loki told him as they got to the bottom of the marble staircase.
"Dumbledore magically extended our chambers this past summer," Sirius said, "It now has two bedrooms, plenty of room for us to be comfortable, and you won't have to sleep on the sofa."
"I was kind of hoping I could sleep in the dorms this year," Harry said at the disappointed look on both their faces, he added. "But I'll still visit after class some evenings."
"If that's what you wish to do," Loki said, "I'll have a House elf bring you your trunk."
"You alright, kiddo," Sirius asked as they stopped at the turn that led to Sirius and Loki's chambers. "You look as if you haven't had any sleep."
"Yeah, everything's fine." Harry said, "Listen, I better get going. I don't even have the password to get into Gryffindor Tower, so I must catch up with everyone."
"Are you sure, sweetheart?" Loki asked as Harry took a step forward towards Gryffindor Tower. He paused and turned around and smiled.
"Of course," Harry replied. "I'm fine, perfectly fine."
AN I will try not to make it a big focus point, but I figured Harry should be a little depressed with what's happened, and I guess you can say he's suffering a little from PTSD. When keeping busy over the summer he was able to ignore it and let himself be distracted so it was only hinted a few times in my last few chapters, plus none were in Harry's POV to show how he was dealing with everything, so it's not been mentioned until now.
Loki and Sirius do know something is bothering Harry, but neither knows what to do, especially when he won't open up to them. They have never had to deal with a kid who has been through such a traumatic event and are afraid of trying to push Harry to open up, worried they'll make it worse. Harry has always dealt with things alone and doesn't want to worry anyone or be fussed over.
they'll make things worse. Remember they are still new to parenting and still learning.
Cho couldn't see the thestral and not knowing about them Harry insisting something was there she couldn't see spooked her out, plus she was already concerned with how Harry went from being mostly quiet to cussing and wanting to fight, it frightened her a little, which is why she got in a different carriage.
In the books, we don't really learn much about Regulus, except that he once believed the same as his parents, became a Death Eater, then turned on Voldemort because of him making Horcruxes, so, I figured I'd a little more about him, what he thought, and felt, about his family, and Sirius, my take on how Regulus would have been like.