I have to address a few things on priority...
Firstly, thank you so much everyone for your comments, thoughts and appreciation. It means a lot ❤️
Secondly, I got a review asking what happened in Harry's meeting with McGonagall (ref Chapter 40). Well, I didn't write that part of the story since it had already been established in the original works. After their train journey, Harry is called in by McGonagall to check his health after the dementor attack. Well, that's the exact same thing that happens here. I just didn't feel the need to specify it again. So, if anybody else has the same doubt, well, that's what happened.
And finally, that brings me to the most important piece of information that I wanted to share with my readers. I should have mentioned this in the previous chapter itself. Up until the moment I published Chapter 40, I remembered to add this point as a postscript, but at that exact moment, I forgot.
In this story, we will not have HERMIONE using the TIME TURNER. I personally felt that it was a slightly irresponsible decision to hand over such a device to a 3rd-year student. But does the TIME TURNER exist in this universe? Yes, it does... But will it ever make an appearance? You'll have to wait and read the story to find out.
Another big change in this story is that the MARAUDER'S MAP DOES NOT EXIST. Another creation of the original works that I believe serves a singular purpose yet throws a million questions that are left unanswered. And I personally felt that I could do without the MARAUDER'S MAP. In my eyes, it is a plot-hole generator and hence I have decided to do away without it.
These 2 changes will have their own impacts on the story and you will have to watch the story unfurl to find its effects.
And that is that. Now, we finally have Chapter 41 of this story... Enjoy!
"You've got it, right?" asked John. Harry nodded quietly, there was something obviously bugging him.
Professor McGonagall was busy explaining the difference between an Animagus and a Transfiguration.
"Really, what has gotten into you all today?" asked Professor McGonagall suddenly as she turned around to face the class.
Everyone who had Divination earlier that day turned their heads towards Harry, however, none of them spoke up.
"What's up with everyone?" asked Hermione looking at Harry and Ron.
But they remained silent.
After a few seconds, Parvati Patil spoke up, "we just had our first Divination class," she said.
"Ah, of course," said Professor McGonagall, suddenly frowning. "No need to say anymore, Miss Patil. Tell me which of you will be dying this year?" she asked.
Everyone stared at her except Hermione and John who were staring at Harry and Ron instead.
"Dying this year?" whispered John, shocked.
"Yeah, what?" added Hermione in a whisper.
"Me," replied Harry loudly for the whole class to hear.
"I see," said Professor McGonagall. "Then you should know, Potter, that Sybill Trelawney has predicted a student's death every year. None of them has actually happened, so you have nothing to worry about," she added.
When the Transfiguration class got over, Hermione walked up to John.
"I owe you one," she said.
"You do?" asked John, surprised.
"I was stuck between Divination and Arithmancy. Thanks to your advice last year, I don't have to deal with Sybill Trelawney," replied Hermione.
"Did you like the Arithmancy class? Frankly, I found it a little below expectations," said John.
"It was a bit theoretical, wasn't it? Hopefully, we will have better classes going forward," replied Hermione.
John and Hermione reached the great hall where they found Harry and Ron in an intense discussion.
"What are we talking about?" asked Hermione.
"The Grim," replied Ron.
"What's the grim?" asked Hermione.
"It's an omen of death," replied John and Ron at the same time.
"Trelawney said you have the grim?" asked John, surprised.
"Yes," replied Harry gloomily.
"You can't be seriously worried about that, Harry," said Hermione. "Divination is an imprecise branch of magic. Even a broken clock is right twice a day," she added.
"We saw a black dog outside Harry's house," said Ron faintly.
"You what?" asked Hermione, confused.
"No we didn't," replied Harry fiercely.
"Yes, we did. Remember that day we were walking from the lake?" replied Ron.
"Ron... that was just a stray," replied Harry.
"There was a black dog outside your house?" asked John curiously.
"Even you? Please tell me you're not on this bad omen bandwagon," said Hermione looking at John.
"No no, I don't believe in omens. I was just curious about the dog," replied John. But a small thought had got stuck in his head. Just that instant, there was a loud crashing noise and John found himself drenched in soup.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to get soup on you... Oh wait, I did," chuckled Fred.
"Have a bad day, git," added George and the twins left.
"What was that?" remarked Hermione, shocked. Harry and Ron looked at her silently.
John cast a few spells on himself and a few seconds later, he was back to himself, without the soup.
"I'm sorry about them," said Ron slowly.
"It's alright, Ron. They aren't the only ones who hate me and Jane at the moment," replied John calmly.
The double Potions after lunch was just another just like any other class with Snape, a couple of remarks about Neville, Hermione's over-enthusiasm and of course, a few taunts at Harry. The only thing that this one lacked was Draco's nasty comments. The group got split again after their Potions as Harry and Ron had care of magical creatures, their first lesson with Hagrid, while Hermione and John had Ancient Runes.
"Did you and the Weasley twins get into a fight or something?" asked Hermione as they were walking to their Rune's class.
"No, nothing like that," replied John.
"What was that then at Lunch?" she asked.
"What? You mean the soup? He probably just lost balance," replied John coolly.
"Do you think I'm stupid? Something's obviously up between you all, what happened?" she asked.
John remained silent and continued walking.
"Something happened last night too, didn't it?" she continued pestering.
"Leave it alone, will you? Nothing happened last night," snapped John.
"Why are you getting worked up, if nothing happened?" retorted Hermione.
"Okay, you want to know what's going on? Yesterday night, my trunk was trashed, the mirror that I use to talk to Jane was broken. Today, a bowl of soup on my head. Why? Because they think I had something to do with what happened to Ginny. That's all, happy?"
"What?" gasped Hermione. "What are you going to do about it?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" asked John in return.
"You're going to let them do whatever they want?"
"If you think I'm going to stoop to their level, I'm not," replied John.
"Things will only get worse if you let them continue unopposed," advised Hermione and before they could continue their conversation, they entered the class and that was that.
And once their class got over, John sped away from there trying to permanently abandon the conversation. Up next was Defense Against the Dark Arts, finally something to look forward to.
Remus Lupin entered the class. Ron noticed that the professor looked much better and healthier than he did on the train.
"Good afternoon," he said. "Please put away your textbooks and take out your wands. We will begin with a practical lesson," added Remus.
There was an instant murmur that spread across the class.
Winning the approval of the class, especially after Jane was pretty much a cakewalk for Remus. By the end of the lesson, the entire class was practically swooning over their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
"Very well, everyone, an excellent lesson. Read the chapter on Boggarts and summarize it for me, to be handed on Monday. That will be all," said Remus and with that, the students left the classroom with their spirits lifted.
"Mr Smith, a moment?" said Remus suddenly and John stayed back.
Once the room was empty, John spoke up, "Professor Lupin... That was a great lesson," he said.
"Oh, stop it, will you?" chuckled Remus. John gave a broad smile.
"No, but seriously... that was a good start, better than Jane if I may add," said John with a smile.
Remus smiled for a moment but the smile vanished the next.
"How are you?" asked Remus.
"I am fine," replied John.
"Have you spoken to Jane?" he asked.
"I did... a few times, she's doing fine," replied John.
Remus knew better than to ask if John knew his sister's location.
"What happened on the train?" asked Remus. John was expecting this question from the moment Remus asked him to stay behind.
"A Dementor attacked us," replied John sarcastically.
"Really? I had no idea," retorted back Remus.
"I'm not sure I understand the question, Remus," said John trying to be coy.
"I think you do in fact... When I came to your compartment, I found you unconscious. Care to explain how or why that happened?"
"There's nothing to explain"
"Okay"
"That's it? Okay?" asked John, surprised.
"What? You expected more?" asked Remus.
"Is this some reverse psychology trick, Remus? Believe me, nothing happened on the train. I just fell unconscious, you know how Dementors can be?" replied John.
"Okay... I believe you," replied Remus. Though it was blatant that Remus did not believe John's story.
"Thanks... Speaking of which, I was going to ask you a favour," said John.
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
"Not for me, for Harry... I want you to train him and Ron," replied John.
"Train them? How?" asked Remus, surprised at the request thrown at him.
"You know? Just the usual stuff. Get them in good rhythm," replied John.
After a few seconds of silence, Remus replied, "sure... I'll see what I can do," replied Remus and with that John left.
A few days went by and the students had now thoroughly settled into their new academic year. Remus Lupin was the talk of the school. It warmed the hearts of Dumbledore, McGonagall, John and Harry especially to know that Remus was being well accepted in the school. And to his credit, his classes were all excellent. They were engaging, fun and kept the students interested.
Harry's mood however swung like a see-saw. The highs from Defense Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical creatures were well compensated by the lows of Potions and Divination.
John had resorted to writing an encrypted letter to Jane explaining that his mirror could no longer be used for communication. On another front, the initial burst of pranks and rudeness showed to him had died down as the days went by. However, there was one that was fast approaching.
Hermione had gotten extremely busy in the new term, focusing more on studies than ever before.
Ron was the only one who acted pretty much the same. But even he had poor spells where other students would come to him to ask about Ginny. One afternoon, after their Transfiguration class, the group were walking back to the Great Hall when Ron gestured at John to walk a bit behind Harry.
"A minute," whispered Ron.
"What's up, Ron?" asked John.
"Did you notice Harry's wand?" asked Ron.
"Harry's wand?" retorted John, confused.
"Yeah... his wand... It looks different, I'm sure of it. I have seen it before so many times. This one's different," said Ron.
"I don't know, Ron... I mean, why would it look different?" replied John.
"You didn't notice?" asked Ron.
"No... as far as I know, it's the same one... Now let's go, I'm starving," replied John and with that the conversation dropped.
Just after lunch, while the group were leisurely chatting, Oliver Wood, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team approached them.
"Hi Oliver," greeted Harry.
"Hi Harry, a word in private?" asked Oliver, he looked pale.
"Sure," replied Harry even though he found no need. Everyone there was in Gryffindor anyway.
Harry and Oliver went a few feet away, where there had some space for themselves.
"What's up Oliver?" asked Harry.
"Something has happened, Harry. I don't like this at all, but I have no choice. Your place in the side has come into question," said Oliver, hesitating with every word.
"What? What did I do?" asked Harry in shock. He wouldn't boast about it, but everyone knew that he was the primary reason for Gryffindor's success in quidditch recently.
"It's not what you did Harry. It's the company you keep. Some members of the team are unhappy with you, specifically with how close you and John are," replied Oliver. "I don't particularly care about it. But I have to worry about the team's morale and spirit," he added.
Harry was shocked at what he was hearing.
"It's Fred and George, isn't it? I can't believe they would do something like this," said Harry angrily.
"Quidditch or John, it's your choice... I hope you choose Quidditch," said Oliver and left without waiting for a response. If it was any consolation to Harry, Oliver didn't seem too happy with what he had done.
Still in shock, Harry went back to the table.
"What's up with Oliver?" asked Ron. "That was one animated discussion you had," he added, chuckling.
"Nothing... just quidditch stuff, practice and all," lied Harry in response. But both Hermione and John noticed Harry's face and knew something was up.
A couple of days later, Hermione found some alone time with Harry in the library. It was getting late and it was almost time for dinner. She was tired of all the hours she had been putting into her studies.
"I have been absolutely swamped this year... I can't believe I was going to take up more electives," she sighed.
"Mmm Hmm" responded Harry ignorantly.
"I still have so much to cover though," she added.
"Yeah," replied Harry.
"Hey..." exclaimed Hermione snapping her fingers in front of Harry's face, which made him jump a little.
"What was that for?" asked a startled Harry.
"Did you even hear what I said?" asked Hermione in return.
"Yes," lied Harry. He knew he heard something, but he had paid no attention whatsoever to what she had said.
"Don't lie... What did I say?" asked Hermione annoyed.
"You... uh... said that... Umm, you have a lot to study," replied Harry making up his response off the cuff.
Hermione chuckled and so did Harry, "nice try, Potter..." replied Hermione smiling.
"Sorry, I was zoned out," said Harry.
"What's up with you? You have been dull these past few days. Is it Trelawney?" asked Hermione.
"Trelawney? No... I mean, Divination classes haven't been any good, but it's not her. It's actually," replied Harry and took a pause.
"What is it?" asked Hermione, impatiently.
"You are not going to believe this... I'm going to be off the Gryffindor quidditch team," replied Harry.
"What? Why?" asked Hermione, shocked.
"It's all because of Fred and George. They have been pulling these nasty pranks on John and now they are trying to get me to push him away," replied Harry. Looking at Hermione's shocked and confused look, he continued. "If I remain friends with John, I can't be a part of the quidditch team," he added gloomily.
"They can't do that, that's so unfair... You're the best player in the team. There's no way you will be removed," replied Hermione.
"Well, guess again, because that's what's going to happen," sighed Harry.
"What is this? That's just childish behaviour. They have no right anyway to get you off the team. McGonagall will never let that happen," replied Hermione.
Harry remained silent at that, internally he knew that Hermione was correct.
"Does Ron know about this?" she asked.
"No, not yet... I haven't told anybody," replied Harry.
It was late in the evening. John was at the top of the West Tower, where all the owls of Hogwarts resided. He was busy reading the letter he had gotten from Jane.
Far away, just out of sight were 2 Gryffindor students, their attention solely on John.
"No points for guessing who sent him that letter," said Fred.
"I know what we can do," replied George. Fred looked at his twin brother, with a gleam in his eyes.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That'd be brilliant," replied George.
"And that might just get him out of the castle," replied Fred excitedly. And with that, the twins left.
Meanwhile, John was intently writing something on a parchment.
"... finally, I want you to get in touch with Padfoot. We have to find out the truth!
Without Wax
21815"
He finished the letter and re-read all that he had written. And once he was done, he attached the letter to an owl and sent it away.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, keep your comments coming... Thank you!
PS - Next chapter will be published in a couple of days... Ciao!