Massive canon divergence ahead!

November 5, 1991

As soon as November came around, the weather turned very cold. Harry wished he had one of Molly Weasley's sweaters, which were surprisingly soft and warm. Quidditch season had also begun but Harry wasn't too worried – he had six years of experience and knowledge of what was to happen. Mostly, Harry was preoccupied with thinking how to get Sirius out of Azkaban these days.

Harry already had a plan how to go about it with the right sprinkle of innocence and skill that he supposedly learned in the Duelling Club. But it can't hurt to seek other options.

One afternoon, Harry picked up his pace and bolted out the door after Professor Sinistra dismissed the class, hurrying down the Astronomy Tower. This action left his friends confounded but Harry would like to do his research on his own without them nagging him. As soon as he saw the library, he approached the librarian – and not a moment too soon, he was greeted by the vulturelike countenance of Irma Pince.

Raising her eyebrows and looking at Harry severely, she asked, "And what can I do for you?"

"Er—do you have books regarding wizarding genealogies that are constantly updated, Madam Pince? I was curious about my family… you see," said Harry.

That wasn't a bad excuse. Harry was curious whether there are still members of the House Black that may help in his quest to free Sirius. Despite Sirius' insistence that all of the family members are Dark, Harry couldn't believe that now that he knew what he knew – not all who seemed bad were bad. Just like Severus Snape. Or Regulus Black.

Surprisingly, he saw a shift in Madam Pince's eyes – a look he knew too well, sympathy. Her severe look softened as she stared at Harry.

"You do have Lily Potter's eyes," said Madam Pince, lost in her thought for a moment. She shook her head immediately before shooting him an apologetic look. "Unfortunately, the book we have only covers until the 1950s. You ought to try asking Bathilda. She is, after all, a famed historian."

"Excuse me, Professor Bagshot?"

The old historian looked up, discontinuing her writing. She blinked before asking, "Mister Potter?"

Harry took this as a cue to enter her office. Gently, Harry closed the door behind him and approached Professor Bagshot's table. Shifting his weight from one foot to another, Harry asked, "Do you happen to have a book about wizarding genealogies and families, Professor Bagshot? I, er, was just curious about my family… knowing I didn't grow up in the wizarding world."

Professor Bagshot cracked a smile before nodding.

"I have something better, Mister Potter. An heirloom my father had given me. I haven't used it for over fifty years," she narrated as she rummaged the trunk behind her table. Harry peeked from behind and saw a glistening book in Professor Bagshot's hand.

Professor Bagshot turned back to Harry and placed the book on the table. Despite being an heirloom, the book didn't look as old as it should be. In fact, the book seemed to be glistening and alive with magic. The cover of the book wasn't ordinary leather but was lined with gold and scarlet.

Wizarding Genealogies Throughout the Ages

Professor Bagshot carefully opened the book and the pages seemed to come alive as it sprouted a big tree.

"It's a feat of incredible magic, Mister Potter. Ask the book the family line you want to see, and it shall reveal it," said Professor Bagshot before she asked the book to show her family tree. The tree produced letters arranging themselves into names, while branches were growing out as it fulfilled the wish of Professor Bagshot.

Harry could clearly see her name, in bright blue colors, while others were withering gray. Down the line, he could see Gellert Grindelwald's name in the same bright colors as Bathilda's. He had known this fact last timeline, so his reaction was minimal but his sight had lingered on it for a moment too long that Professor Bagshot had noticed.

She just smiled sorrowfully at Harry. He guessed that Professor Bagshot may have still loved his great-grandnephew despite his atrocities because that was what families did. One could condemn their actions but at the same time still love them all the same. Harry wondered if Sirius somehow felt this way towards his family, too.

"Here, Mister Potter. You can have it," Professor Bagshot said when no one broke the silence.

"Oh no, Professor. I would just like to borrow it –"

"It will serve you greater than it did me. I am not too long for this world, Harry. I am old, I have no use for such thing."

Harry nodded. "Thank you, Professor. But what do these colors mean? I mean, I can guess but I don't want to assume."

"If the color burns bright blue… that means, that person is living still. When the name is shrouded by withering gray and black, they already departed the mortal plane."

"And you have verified this, Professor? This book can't be fooled?"

Professor Bagshot chuckled. "Oh, what a curious mind you have! Reminds me of your mother. But yes, I have done everything possible to the book, Harry. I've researched extensively, the book is foolproof. What it says is true. Though how, I do not know."

Harry had heard Professor Bagshot's explanation perfectly, but his mind latched on to the phrase where she said he reminds her of his mother.

Whispering, Harry said, "You knew my mother?"

The old woman sobered up as her eyes softened. When she spoke, it was filled with sorrow and nostalgia, "I daresay I knew both your parents—and you, as a baby. I lived in Godric's Hollow, just like them. They were a handsome couple – Lily and James. Would you like to hear some stories?"

There was no hesitation from Harry's end.

November 7, 1991

Snape confiscated Quidditch Through the Ages, the book Hermione had lent him, spouting nonsense about library books not to be taken outside the school ("But we are in school? And that's not the library's property, it's Granger's!" protested Victor to Snape's deaf ears). Harry wasn't too bothered because he already knew what was in it, he'd read it over and over last timeline but Harry didn't account for Neville Longbottom.

November 8, 1991

Neville – who had always been brave, now braver being surrounded by his friends – felt it was unfair of Snape to do so, tried retrieving the book from Snape's office – and succeeded! It should have not been surprising to Harry but he did not expect Neville to do it, knowing Snape was his boggart.

"How'd you do it, Neville?" gaped Ron.

Neville shrugged. "I told him I'd involve Professor McGonagall if he doesn't give it back."

After handing the book back to Harry, Neville told them exactly what Harry had seen last timeline. Filch tending to Snape's wounds and Snape complaining about Fluffy. Internally, Harry groaned. He was trying to avoid having them suspect Snape but here they were.

"You know what this means?" Neville finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Hallowe'en! That's where he went when we saw him – he's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to create a diversion."

Victor was looking at them blankly. "A three-headed dog? There's a Cerberus in Hogwarts?"

No one answered him. (But after the Quidditch match they would tell him.) Too quickly, Harry said, "No – he wouldn't! He's a teacher here at Hogwarts."

Hermione agreed with Harry but Ron brushed them off. "Honestly, Harry – I'd expect Hermione not to agree but you too? He acts worse to you; I don't know why you're vouching for that man. I agree with Neville, I wouldn't put it past him."

November 9, 1991

The next morning, Harry received a lot of support – a lot more than the last time. The Hufflepuffs were sending him cheers beside their table, the Ravenclaws were silent with their support but sent him reassuring messages, and a couple of Slytherins stopped by the Gryffindor table to offer good luck.

Harry saw his teammates – Fred, George, Oliver, Angelina, Alicia, Katie – already in their positions, his friends in the top row of the Quidditch pitch letting the Potter for President banner fly high, he saw the Slytherin team smugly looking at him, the teachers on the top row with Lee Jordan commentating, and Quirinus Quirrell intently glaring at him.

Just like last time, he was jerked from his broom being jinxed. Later, as they had tea in Hagrid's Hut, Hermione would tell him that Victor saw Snape muttering, not breaking any contact with Harry and she immediately bolted towards the teachers' box and set Snape on fire. Harry couldn't believe he was the one convincing everyone it wasn't Snape.

"Rubbish," said Hagrid. "Why would Snape do somethin' like tha'?"

"Yeah, guys!" chimed Harry. "What's to say he wasn't performing a counter-curse or counter-jinx?"

Four pairs of eyes looked at him flatly, not even justifying his suggestion a response. Still giving Harry the side eye, Neville told Hagrid what they had experienced and seen throughout the past few weeks. Harry would have liked to bang his head on the table when Hagrid slipped that he owned Fluffy the Cerberus and whatever the dog's guarding is the business of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Flamel.

It didn't take long for them to figure out that Fluffy was guarding the Philosopher's Stone. Victor had pulled out Albus Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog Card where Nicolas Flamel was mentioned. Hagrid looked as if he wanted to unalive himself on the spot; Harry was inclined to follow him. Now knowing too much, Hagrid shooed them from his hut and they shuffled their way towards the castle, Harry barely listening to their conversation.

Come nighttime, Harry made sure everyone was asleep before climbing down the male dormitories and into the Gryffindor Common Room. He brought out the book given to him by Professor Bagshot, and just like before, a miniature tree materialized from the pages of the book.

"Show me the Potter family."

Harry's eyes immediately shone in wonder as the tree grew out of its branches. The name Harry James Potter burned blue at the bottom, and then a pang of sadness gripped his heart as he traced it back to the gray names of James Potter and Lily Evans, then his grandparents Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. Harry's heart raced however when his grandfather's brother was burning blue – Charlus Potter, the man Dorea Black married.

Dorea's name had long been blackened soot but Charlus and their line were burning bright blue. Harry was certain the couple followed the naming procedure of Dorea's family. James' cousin, Aries, and his sons Hercules and Achilles Potter were named after stars and constellations.

But they were alive. Were they alive back then? Why didn't Harry know? Did Dumbledore keep it a secret? Or did Harry just didn't ask? Of course, Harry never asked. He could hit himself with that realization, Harry never asked.

Did they want me? Did they offer to take care of me?

But even so, Harry would have never gone to the Potters… he thought bitterly. Her mother made a sacrifice that ran in her blood – the Evans blood, and so, even if the Potters wanted him, he'd have been given away to Petunia Dursley to ensure blood protection.

Harry's heart trembled as he grabbed his quill, ink, and, parchment to compose a letter for his granduncle.

To Charlus Potter

I hope this letter finds you well, Mr. Potter. I am Harry James Evans Potter, your brother's grandson. I have arrived at Hogwarts a few months ago, sorted in Gryffindor. Wanting to know more about my magical ancestry, I was led to Professor Bagshot who gave me a genealogy book and found out that I still have remaining relatives that are alive in the Potter side of the family, which includes you.

Since you are my grandfather's brother, does that make you my grandfather too? Or granduncle since you are my father's uncle? I admit I am still confused. Nevertheless, I am quite delighted that I still have remaining family members alive and I would like to meet you all.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Harry couldn't help the sheen of tears building up in his eyes and the thunderous beat of his heart. He still has a family other than his mother's side. He set aside the letter before his hands found the book again.

Steeling his determination, he reminded himself why he searched for this book in the first place – to find another option to save Sirius. Finding his family was just another bonus.

"Show me the House of Black."

He watched in awe as the tree started showing then-Headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black and his siblings. The lines and branches extended; Harry even saw Charlus' name in the tree next to Dorea Black. Even the family lines of those who were disowned were shown by the tree. Of course, Harry realized, that this was a genealogy tree – not the Black's version of their tree.

Iola Black was disowned for marrying Bob Hitchens, a muggle. Both their names were blackened soot but her line lives on – there were twins in her latest line born just a year after Harry; the names of Rigel and Lyra Hitchens were burning bright blue.

Marius Black – the Black squib, Harry remembers from Sirius' stories – was alive, his name also surrounded by bright blue. Harry doubted that Sirius' granduncle would want to help Sirius even if he might be sympathetic because he was cut off from his family.

Sirius' paternal grandfather, Arcturus, was still alive. The man wouldn't have cared for Sirius now if he didn't back then. Harry noted that Sirius' paternal aunt Lucretia, who was married to Ignatius Prewett, might help his godfather so he listed that down.

Other than that, Harry observed that the matrilineal line of the Blacks was thriving compared to the patrilineal line. There were Sirius' grandaunts Cassiopeia, Marius' sister; Cassiopeia's illegitimate daughter, Araminta; Callidora, married to Harfang Longbottom; and Cedrella, Arthur Weasley's mother.

Cygnus Black was still alive and so were his daughters Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa. Harry's eyes softened as his eyes found Sirius' name burning bright blue before his hand dropped the book as his eyes displayed the shock he felt.

It wasn't possible. He's dead.

How was it that the name Regulus Black burned bright blue, too?

Hello. It's been more than a year since I last updated this story - or any of my stories, in particular. Reasons for that include: losing the progress I made with my stories due to my laptop system failing (lost files, unable to recover them); hitting a writing slump; and things being so hectic in life. Currently, I'm in my last year at uni and undertaking my undergraduate thesis. So, there hasn't been a lot of free time to write for leisure, and had to reorganize my thoughts, plot lines, and structure of my stories.

But I wanted to give you guys - if there are still people reading - a chapter. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!