Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.

Surprise! Another chapter so soon.

Typically, I would not do new chapters back to back, but Chapter 9 had to be updated and altered to prevent future plot holes. This is because Sirius would have been born in 1959-60, and had his father been born after the war, his father would have been at best 15 and still in Hogwarts. If you wish to reread it, it isn't a bad thing to understand later chapters where the older couples will be mentioned.

So as an apology for possibly making you reread a few paragraphs, I have this. Hope you all enjoy, and check endnote for reply to comments and further explanations to Sirius discussion on Love Potions and Ginny.

Chapter 10: Plans

January 20th, 1994

Godric's Quarters

Harry reflected on the past few weeks.

Honestly, things had been going pretty well. The Greengrasses had accepted his apologies, and Lady Greengrass, Elise, was more than ecstatic to have gotten a letter from him. Cyrus seemed more wary though, and neither of the daughters had written alongside the returning missive.

Classes and Dueling practice continued, as well as his extra learning and training using the Time Turner. It was clear that with his more controlled use, he was doing better than Hermione was, but it was possible that it was due to his older mind, less stressful workload, or even his Occlumency. After all, he didn't believe she turned back more than six or eight hours a day.

Classes continued to bore him, except for Runes. Susan and Hannah continued to become better friends and Neville continued to come out of his shell. Luna had yet to approach him, but occasionally he saw her looking at him, smiling and nodding when he made eye contact.

It would be weird, if it weren't for the fact the girl happened to always know more than she should.

"Harry. Take a look at my list." Sirius spoke, causing him to look up from the book he hadn't been reading. Sirius had been writing a list of ideas for each of them, as they were uncertain on who should be the first to approach the Ministry.

"Seven has merit." Harry commented, "I could make that work. It would involve me a lot though."

"You want to be uninvolved?" Sirius asked with a frown.

"Sort of… I can't say the reason but things need to be a certain way… to a point. I'll do it though. Truthfully, it has the best chances of working out." Harry answered.

"You think?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah. Just write a letter to send to the Daily Prophet." Harry added, "Make sure to include how you are innocent. It'll make it impossible in case Fudge decides to interfere."

"Good idea." Sirius snapped his fingers, though Harry didn't quite know why, before adding that on. "So number seven then?"

"Number seven." Harry agreed. "I'll prepare the letter, though should I sign it, or should I leave it anonymous?"

"Hm…. Anonymous." Sirius answered, "And can you take me outside for the day tomorrow. Not to classes, but so I can go and do a few things?"

Harry hesitated, fear gripping his mind for a moment at the Ministry or the Dementors getting to him, but he took a breath. 'Sirius made it for two years with only a single massive close call… He will be fine for a single day.'

"Yeah. Just promise me to be careful." Harry asked, Sirius nodding in reply.

"Always."

Break…

January 21st, 1994

Hogwarts' Grounds

Harry found his godfather, in dog form, lounging near the lake. The sun was setting, and despite the bitter cold wind coming off of the lake, it was quite nice. Sirius sat up, looking around before barking as his gaze stared at the forest.

"Come on, Pads, let's get moving." The dog looked up, before running off towards the forest. Harry frowned, following the path he thought the dog took.

He was at least a hundred feet in when a stunner flew past his head, missing by millimeters. He snapped his wand out, several wide-area spells leaving it to destroy debris and make the opponent more visible. He saw the impressions where footsteps had been made, and fired again in what he hoped was the right direction.

This time, he was forced to block the exploding curse, which was followed by several others. He quickly formed the triangle shield and sent it towards the origin of the spells, before firing a myriad of spells back. The shield disappeared, and another one appeared, blocking most of the spells before it broke from the powerful onslaught.

He knew he scored a hit when Sirius let out a string of profanity that would've impressed even the most foul-mouthed. "I yield."

Sirius stepped out, a large gash going across his chest where the slashing curse had struck. Thankfully, Harry stayed more prepared, drawing out a small vial of dittany and passing it over as Sirius muttered the skin-knitting charm. It worked well enough.

"The hell, Sirius?" Harry snapped out as the man pulled the stopper from the vial.

"A practice for an ambush. You had no idea if it was me or not, so you had no choice but to fight as if it weren't." Sirius waved his wand, vanishing his blood before repairing his shirt.

"You made me think someone had discovered your secret." Harry snapped, "Now change back before someone finds us, and let's get you back to Godric's quarters."

Harry felt the tension in the both of them, even as Sirius was invisible under his cloak and in the form of his animagus. Missing the students walking around, they made it quickly back to the fourth floor.

"Sorry." Sirius spoke, the instant he changed back, "Perhaps the idea was in poor taste."

"Perhaps? I thought the aurors found you." Harry bit out, "You forget, Sirius, that there is more than just training for Voldemort going on. Yes, it's important, and after you're free, We'll certainly do more of the training in various environments, but this isn't the time for it."

"Of course." Sirius agreed. "Gringotts is handled. And so is my will in case this goes south."

Harry stopped, his breath hitching for a moment at the thought before speaking, "It won't go south."

"Just in case." Sirius repeated. "Look. Neither of us are stupid about the Ministry and their desire to bury their skeletons, especially ones like this. It's insurance. Gringotts and magic both recognize that I am your guardian."

He stopped, taking a breath, "Harry. If something happens, you'll be declared of age. Leave. Go to the continent after taking the Head of House ring, train, and live. Find love and move on from here. This place, it doesn't deserve your help."

"Sirius." Harry took a breath, banishing the thoughts of the veil and Sirius vanishing through it as he spoke, "You know I would never leave here."

"Please." Sirius asked. "If something does, promise me."

"I cannot make that promise, and please don't try to force me too. Mum and Dad would never have left their friends unless there was no other option. I still have options here." Harry said quietly, his voice shaking. "Besides, I'll take a life before I allow yours to be taken."

Sirius wiped his face, nodding, "You're right… but… I just… I'm sorry. I just worry if no one is here to watch over you."

"I have Remus, for what that's worth, and friends. I wouldn't be alone." Harry answered.

"Right." Sirius spoke, "Well…"

There were a few moments of silence that were painfully tense, where neither spoke or looked directly at one another, before Harry sighed. "I've got to get back. Disappearing in the middle of the day is not the easiest thing. And I'll come up with another way to ensure this can't be buried."

"Of course."

Harry made it halfway to the door when Sirius grabbed him from behind, hugging him. "Sorry pup, for my demands. I just want you to be safe and happy."

"I'll be happy once you are declared innocent." Harry replied softly, patting the man's arm.

"Alright." Sirius let go of him. "I'll see you tonight."

"Tonight." Harry agreed, disappearing through the wall.

The stone closed, leaving Sirius in silence. He admitted, if only to himself, that he was wrong in asking Harry to leave everyone and everything. His godson, for all it was worth, had a serious case of 'Doing what is right over what is easy.'

And in Sirius' mind, it was a glaring trait of Lily's. She stood up against the Marauders when they went out of line, stood up against the bullies who attacked muggleborns, hell, she stood up to Voldemort even at the end, from what Harry said.

James, well, he wasn't one to abandon his friends in any means. Nor innocents if he could help it, but he was not the same as Lily. She always went the extra mile.

'Yes. I was in the wrong.' Sirius thought, walking back towards the study. 'Twice. The environment training was rash and unnecessary.'

He sighed. It wasn't often he willingly admitted he was wrong. And he would admit it to Harry later too. He had just come to care for his godson more than he ever had before that night, hell, he loved him like he did James and Lily…

At that realization, Sirius realized Harry had become a son to him, and yet, he only felt more guilt, both over his past and present.

February 7th, 1994

Godric's Quarters' Hogwarts

"Fly safe, Hedwig."

His owl nipped his finger before flying from the window with her burden. It was a simple letter to Amelia Bones, a straightforward request to meet at the Three Broomsticks at noon on the thirteenth, anonymously sent of course. There were other letters being sent out by Kreature, who Harry convinced Sirius could be useful, their idea on how to keep the Ministry from burying the case. It was going to bring a massive spotlight to Sirius' plight, but in the letters accompanying the proof in the envelopes sent out, well, it made their fear clear.

The letter to Madam Bones, written by Harry, stated he had information on the whereabouts of Sirius Black, a truth, but what hadn't been listed in the letter was that Peter Pettigrew would be there as well, captured. It only requested her presence with two Master Aurors at the Three Broomsticks on the coming Sunday.

"So it begins." Sirius muttered.

A touch dramatic, but accurate nonetheless. This would be the first major change to the timeline, and in a few months time, he would know if the prophecy would still occur.

It would also mean that from this point forwards, there was little that Harry could predict. The graveyard incident could be guessed, but it was likely to have changed now that Pettigrew knew he was putting some effort into classes. Such was the downside of the upcoming changes, ones that would ripple far and wide in the coming weeks.

Perhaps more Death Eaters would be used to capture him? Or else, perhaps it would just be an outright capture and kill, or so they would hope? Either way, he would train. Already he was starting to hit Flitwick in duels, growing faster and stronger than he had before. It was a good thing, so long as no one knew until it was time.

"Are you ready to earn your freedom? The rat likely won't be kissed or executed, but…" Harry asked, trailing off.

"Beyond ready… I was thinking of opening up Black Manor, it's south of here but north of London. I was hoping you would want to move in this summer?" Sirius asked.

Harry eyed him, confused at the hesitancy in his tone. Shrugging it off, he nodded, "Of course I do. Besides, I won't return to the Dursleys regardless."

He saw Sirius' eyes flash darkly at the mention of them. Now knowing the whole truth about his muggle relatives really angered his godfather when they were brought up, both at Dumbledore and Petunia. He had expected better of her than to shove her nephew into a cupboard.

"Damn right you won't." Sirius said darkly. "They should just be thankful you stopped me. I'd happily show them a few things that relate to my name."

"Enough." Harry's voice was calm, but commanding, another new development in the past months. "They are terrible humans, sure, but I'd rather be done with them then force their presence to be experienced by others. Let it go."

Sirius just nodded. There had been something different about him in the past few weeks. He seemed more protective, but yet, not overbearingly so. Almost like a better version of Mrs. Weasley. He lacked the yelling, lacked that forceful overbearingness, but still ensured he was eating and sleeping well enough and taking care of his health, while asking about classes and his hobbies.

Thankfully, the quarters overlooked the Lake and if you sat at the right angle, the Quidditch Pitch. At least the man was able to watch the game from afar, and ask Harry questions on it later, much as he had done with the Slytherin-Ravenclaw game, which the Snakes barely managed to win. It gave them something to talk about regularly, though Sirius was hopeful to be free and able to attend his next game in March, the second match of the Gryffindor season as they were to play Ravenclaw at the beginning of March.

"I was wondering, have you read through the journal from Salazar?" Sirius asked. Harry glanced up from his homework, looking over the feedback Flitwick had given him.

"Not yet. I read Godric's though. I am still working on mastering some of the spells from it." Harry answered.

"Well, this one is worth a read for you. Some of it is written in weird scribbles that I don't understand, but other parts talk of the chamber and a vault within it. You said the basilisk is already dead so it should be safe to check out." Sirius said, flicking through the old-looking journal.

"Hm. Remind me to look at it later." Harry answered.

"Speaking of later." Sirius waited for him to look up, "What about once I am free? What will you do here?"

"The same thing I am already doing, only alone." Harry had long ago thought about that.

"And what if I were still to sneak in here on occasion to stay and help?"

"You're always more than welcome." Harry answered.

"Alright." Sirius replied, smiling.

Harry shook his head fondly, 'He is too much like me, afraid to be personal unless something stares him directly in front of his face.'

Break…

February 10th, 1994

Great Hall, Hogwarts

Harry sat, eating his breakfast, before feeling a hand trail on his shoulder, and saw Katie flop down in the seat next to him, followed by Angelina and Alicia sitting across from him. He just looked between the three in silence, them doing the same in return, before Katie caved, laughing.

"Not even so much as a 'why are you touching me?'" Katie asked.

"Nope, because you are only attempting to get a rise out of me. What can I do for the flying foxes?" Harry asked, smiling in return.

"Quit trying to butter us up. Oliver has lost his mind." Angelina said, a glare falling to her face, "Did you not see the new training schedule he created?"

"Haven't looked yet."

"Every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from five in the morning to eight, noon on Saturday, and Sunday from four to ten in the evening." Alicia said with a huff.

Neville had face planted against the table, his shoulders shaking with laughter at the distraught expression on the girls. Fred and George picked the same time as Neville's laughter to break down in exaggerated sobs over the schedule, causing Harry to laugh as well.

It took a minute to calm down, but eventually the two had, with Hermione, who was visibly tired and confused about what was occurring at the table, to speak up. "What's going on?"

"Just Oliver being Oliver." Harry said with a smile, "I take it you came to me so I can rein him in?"

"Of course!" The three replied, Angelina and Alice continuing in an odd overlap, worrying about their O.W.L.s.

"Fine, but you three owe me, big time. Oliver isn't going to want to back down simply, but even I have to admit, over twenty hours a week is far too much." Harry said, sighing.

"Deal!" All five chorused together.

"Oh, you two owe me then as well." Harry spoke, turning to the twins. They grimaced, but nodded regardless. Once he finished his breakfast, he stood, patting Neville on the back before heading to McGonagall's office. They had Transfiguration first anyways, which he found amusing.

'Perhaps they planned it. Oliver hadn't made us train this much though last time, maybe it's due to the lack of the Firebolt, at least to his knowledge. He always stayed below twenty hours.' Harry mused. 'Twenty two hours. Has that boy lost his mind?'

He knocked gently, knowing the woman was likely preparing for their lesson. "Enter."

He walked in, unsurprised to see her sorting out their last essays. "Mister Potter. Is there something I can help you with? You are early to your lesson after all."

"Actually, there is." Harry moved forward, taking a seat opposite to his head of house at her gesture. "Oliver has, to say it bluntly, lost his mind. The chasers and twins told me he posted a new training schedule. He expects us to train for twenty two hours a week, spread over four days with seven on Saturday and six on Sunday."

"Excuse me?" she asked dangerously, sitting her quill down on her desk and staring at him with her full attention, "He expects how many?"

Harry repeated the allotted schedule that Alicia gave him, and McGonagall looked frustrated, pulling out a slip of parchment and copying down Harry's words.

"No matter how much I want to win, he knows there is a limit on how much I allow the team to practice, no more than sixteen hours in a week." She shook her head. "I will take care of it, Mister Potter, and I will also ensure he knows that before ten on the weekends isn't possible, as you have your time with Filius."

"Thank you?" Harry said with a hint of confusion.

"Of course. It is clear to me that he greatly enjoys time with you, almost more than he did with your mother." She said, what he thought was a rare smile tracing her lips. "As do I. I am aware he tells you stories of your mother, but both Remus, or Professor Lupin, and myself would be happy to tell you stories of your father, and I would be happy telling you about Dorea and Charlus. I was friends with her, after all."

"You would?"

Truthfully, Harry never had a close relationship with the professor in his last life. He trusted her, sure, and had talked with her a number of times about his problems and the student body, but she had never made such an offer before.

"Yes. It is clear that the knowledge is doing you well and that you are trying harder in class. I know Albus is slightly displeased at you being pulled away from your studies and that Filius is making a more personal connection to you, but he has no say in the matter. And as your head of house, he cannot stop me from meeting with you either. My office is always open if you wish to know more about your father, as well as your grandparents, though I admit, I knew Charlus less than Dorea."

"Why is that, professor?" He glanced at the clock, knowing that there was only a few minutes left before others would show up.

She put down her quill once more, looking at him curiously. "Well. Your grandfather, Charlus, and Arcturus Black, were both three years ahead of myself and Dorea. It was clear though that Charlus and Dorea had a thing for one another. They officially got together in the spring of her sixth year, after she turned seventeen, but I know they were rather close even before that."

"I never knew much. I mean, I knew their names, and that Arcturus and my grandfather were close, but…" Harry trailed off. Sirius hadn't talked much about his grandparents but then again, he wasn't alive when this all happened.

"Yes. A sad thing. Charlus left for the war with Arcturus just a few years after getting married to Dorea. She was tense for the two years that he was gone, as Britain wasn't involved with the war until they brought it here. So was Melanie, Arcturus' wife. They had had Orion and Cygnus already, with Orion in his third year and Cygnus starting his first. It was tense, and I remember many days of talking with the two."

"Alright." Harry nodded happily.

"And Mister Potter." She stopped him from walking to where he normally sat, "Severus may also have stories of your mother, and your grandparents on that side. I doubt he would be willing to tell them, but it never hurts to ask."

"Of course, professor. Thank you."

He fell into thought as class began, only absently focused on the lesson and practical attempts of the spell. It also meant that he forgot to fail the spell on his first few tries, completing the spell on his first attempt and earning fifteen points for his house.

It was dinner time when anything else happened. Hermione and Neville cornered him at the table with Ron, Susan, and Hannah in tow, asking him why he had been so silent. He answered honestly, that his talk with the professor had led to a discussion of his grandparents on his dad's side, and that it gave him a lot to think about.

"Harry!" A shout drew him from the six person conversation. "The hell did you report me to McGonagall for?"

"Oliver." Harry's voice was firm, slowing the boy, "That training is beyond excessive, and the girls made it clear you weren't about to change the schedule. McGonagall agreed. We are in the lead as it is with our past schedule, and excessive practice will only be bad for our physical and mental wellbeing."

Oliver glared. Sure, the keeper was well built and stood over Harry by several inches, not including the fact that Harry was still sitting and Oliver was standing, but Harry wasn't intimidated. "We need to win though, Scouts have already told me they are looking at our team."

"We will win. Besides, you know the scouts look for more than just winning." Harry answered. "They also look for cohesion, knowledgeable players, and the leaders making good calls. We cannot train as much as the professionals do, not with having class. They know that and will understand."

'I might need to stop pulling things from my ass here, if Oliver catches on.'

Of course, he didn't catch on much to Harry's relief, "Fine. Perhaps you're right, but I expect you to catch both the remaining snitches, no excuses!"

Harry wordlessly nodded, and that reassured his captain enough to calm him down, "Right. Well, next time, let me know before you go to her. She was in a… quite scary state."

"Fine, but remember Oliver, Alicia and Angelina also have their O.W.L.s this year, and that determines their life if they choose not to pursue a professional quidditch career." Harry said firmly.

"I will… I'll apologize. And I'm sorry to you as well for almost interfering in your own affairs as well." Oliver said, walking off with hints of red in his cheeks before Harry could speak.

"Well, that went well." Ron muttered, eliciting a group of chuckles.

"I bullshitted half of what I said about the scouts." Harry replied with a small grin, ignoring Hermione's chastising of his language.

"You should be pleased with yourself then." Ron replied, lowering his fork and actually following proper eating decorum for a moment, "What you said is pretty close to the truth. Yeah, they want a team that can win, but they look for more than that too. If you can win and fly, but can't work with a team or learn, you're worthless to them in the professional field as you can't adapt like others can."

"Interesting." Harry muttered, "Well, at least that is done."

'If only things were so simple with Sirius being freed.' Harry thought as he took another bite.

A/n:

So I have seen the question on Ginny's role in the story. As of now, I have not made any final determinations. Personally, I want to see where I end up before doing such a thing. Now, as for Ginny being a pairing, I make no promises that she will or won't be. As Harry discussed with Sirius, he is conflicted on his feelings for her. He has no proof that there were love potions in play though, and it will be dismissed as just a burst of slight fear at the possibility of someone trying to enforce their will upon him. It'll come up to him more as the story will go on, as will some other things from his past and current life.

As for love potions, as Sirius said, not all of them create a powerful obsession like Ron experienced in HBP. Harry and Slughorn even wondered in the books if that potion was beyond date. Other potions only create a mild attraction if there isn't one, like a weaker version of the Veela aura, to a full on obsession, as Amortentia does.

Remember, while Harry lived the book's story, with only a few small differences, his life has more in it now.

As for Rita and the Jar, possibly. It never states in the books if she charmed the jar or not, but I'd like to believe that realistically, if the item wasn't charmed or enchanted properly, that they would simply change to escape before reverting back to their animagus form.