He had finally received a letter from his friends, well one of them at least, but he was sure Ron's was on the way. This one was from Hermione. Well, one wasn't right; it was almost a dozen letters, each going over different things, mostly about her vacation. He was really interested in how she had described France, especially some of the magical areas she had discovered.

While my parents and I originally went to Dijon, we've just decided to head to Paris as well; it has been so exciting learning about their history and culture, the magical side, I mean. Most of the books in the Hogwarts Library do not do the country justice and are very biased in their interpretations. Such as, did you know in the Paris Catacombs-

And the letter went on for another several pages about the history of just the Paris catacombs. Eventually, she had started asking about his time as well-

Oh, I am just so jealous that you get to stay at Hogwarts, even if it's just for a small amount of time, and getting the library all for yourself; I would do anything for such a privilege, you had better get at least all E's on your homework Harry James Potter, or I will personally make you a study schedule. Other than that, I'm glad things worked out for you in Diagon, but it makes me feel better that the professors are there to watch over you. Oh, and I can't wait for you to tell me who the new Defense Professor is once he arrives, though I wonder why Professor Snape doesn't like him. I do want to do some research on your new caretaker; however, for Professor Snape, of all people, to look up to them and for them to have worked alongside The Headmaster during the Great War, they must be something special. I will get back to you on this woman, Ashleigh Semenova, you said, I hope you spelled it right.

She was a little late on the reply, or was it his fault that he was so far away? The following letter she had wrote was a lot more frantic and less neat than she usually wrote.

Oh, Harry, you must introduce me to Mrs. Semenova; I just finished one of her books on Potion Brewing and its relations to Alchemy; she is on par with Professor Snape, if not far above him and on the level of the Headmaster. I barely understood any of it, but the bits that I could put together made me look at potions completely differently. I can now understand why Professor Snape is so strict in his class; of course he could still stand to teach us a little more. Oh, it was just so amazing looking into this woman; she's everything I strive to be, a Genius in her field and respected by many. She even holds a seat on the ICW and holds a position in the MACUSA Government, similar to the Headmaster's Chief Warlock position in Britain. She also holds multiple Masteries in, but not limited to Beast Mastery, the ICW version of Care of Magical Creatures, Defense, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and Alchemy. OH! Did you know every year professor Dumbledore attempts to teach an Alchemy Class at Hogwarts? I was reading over the new classes we could take, as well as future classes in Hogwarts, and noticed, very few ever apply, and the Board of Governors refuses to let him tach a class with less than 6 students, it's sad that so few people apply. Of course, it's only open to 6th and 7th year students, and you must have a O in Potions and Transfiguration to take it. Do you think you could ask Mrs. Semenova if I could borrow some books on Alchemy? Or on Potions and Transfiguration. Maybe even Charms and Defense? Or any books she has. I'm trying to convince my parents to let me get another of her books on Spell Craft, but I would have to forgo my allowance for two years or more to be able to afford it. It is quite expensive. Of course, it would be best if I were to wait, I do not have the practical knowledge to craft any spells and would do best to wait at least til after my third year to read such a book.

Oh, Harry, I apologize for rambling; I got off topic discussing the school; where was I? Oh, right, your caretaker. I found out the reason you were given to her. You see, she is a Potter. At least by marriage anyways. I couldn't find much on her husband except for the cause of death. Apparently, there was a terrorist attack in the early 60s, and she fled the country soon after, there was a mention of a son, but I don't know what happened to him, only that his name is Harry.

Harry blinked at that; Ashleigh hadn't told him that bit of information, the 60s hadn't been too long ago, and if her son was still alive... did that mean he had more family out there? He shook his head; no he couldn't think of something like that. He returned to reading the last letter, trying to push his warring thoughts away.

I'll try to do some more digging, but I'm sorry Harry, there's not much I can do in France, maybe once I'm back home I can learn some more. I do hope you make the best of your time there, however, I'm sure your grades and the Professors would more than appreciate it.

Best Wishes

Hermione Granger

Harry couldn't help but smile at his friend's kindness, taking time out of her vacation to help him out, he should do something nice for her, but he couldn't think of anything for now. Instead, he pulled out a new sheet of parchment, and began writing out a reply, putting his thoughts to paper, and describing all that he knew so far. Knowing Hermione, he even wrote down some of what he learned for Charms' homework, though knowing her she had already found out most of the information. After some time, he checked the letter over, and bade Minnie take the letter and have it sent out for him.

Having completed his morning mission, he turned to the large pile of fresh fluffy pancakes before him and dove in with gusto.

Some hours later, Harry was once more in the library, this time throwing together Snape's Essay with as much information as he could find, the man's threat still lingering in his mind.

"I never took you for such a dedicated learner when I first met you." A voice in his ear made the boy jump, nearly falling from his seat. "My so skittish, it's almost like you have something to hide from me."

Harry blushed as he turned to face his supposed aunt, or cousin, or whatever she was. "I didn't think a lunatic would sneak up on me and try to scare me."

The woman smiled, "Hah, I didn't try to scare you; I succeeded." She waved her hand as a small bag flew from behind her and landed on the table. "Your books, as promised, there's a few on potions as well as some copies of a few pages for your history essay."

"I can't have the whole book?" he began leafing through the bag as he asked.

"No, definitely not, you'll probably get too many ideas from it. I don't need a kid ordering around my house elves or trying to take over Germany." The woman scoffed. "You can make do with what you have, anything more and people might think you've become greedy."

With a frown, Harry chose to ignore the comment, instead focusing on taking out the potion books.

"Minnie told me to let you know dinner will be steak and roasted vegetables; she says if you don't clean the plate, it'll also be your breakfast."

The boy laughed as the woman disappeared through the library's doors; maybe staying here wouldn't be too bad, at least until Black was captured.