Chapter 4

Sirius sat across from Argante, sipping his tea. "How'd you find me?"

Argante sat her teacup down on the saucer in front of her. "I made it my business to find those that Harry was close to. You were top of my list."

"How is Harry?"

"How much do you know?"

"I remember spending twelve years in Azkaban and being killed by my cousin. I remember Siobhan and James adopting Harry this time around and I remember James giving Harry to you." He looked away. "That was the last time I spoke to James."

Staring down into his teacup, he continued in a soft voice. "I always thought if James had lived, we'd stay the best of friends for the rest of our lives, but this world…" He looked up and met Argante's eyes. "It's so different. I didn't grow up with a psycho mother. She wasn't even my mother this time around."

"Lina," Argante said. "A very minor sidhe noble, quite young and very gentle. From what I learned, Your Dad made a deal so Walburga could have a child. I was surprised they asked one of our kind for help as much as they value the purity of blood."

Sirius nodded. "Walburga never liked me. I think I was a reminder that she needed help conceiving. Grandfather was good to me, but Dad was really distant. Mum came to get me when I was seven. She was always so loving and kind. That's quite unusual considering she was a member of the Unseelie court. Did you know she cried when she sent me off to Hogwarts? I was her only child. She never married? She always said she got what she needed from my dad."

Argante shook her head. "I didn't," she said softly. "Sometimes people are judged based on stereotypes. The Seelie aren't all good and the Unseelie aren't all bad. As with most things, it's a lot more complicated than that. Voldemort killed her, didn't he?"

Sirius nodded. "Crucified her with iron nails." He swallowed thickly. "I can still remember her screams."

Argante took his hand and squeezed it hard. "I'm sorry."

Sirius drained his teacup. "After James gave Harry to you, I decided I was gonna do what I could to take down Voldemort. I've spent the last ten years searching for Voldemort's horcruxes, but I can't find them.

Ravenclaws diadem is in the tree where Helena hid it, Slytherin's locket is in a private collection along with Hufflepuff's cup, and the ring is nowhere to be found." Sirius refilled his teacup with a wave of his hand. Taking a sip, he continued.

"I don't think he created horcruxes this time. I don't know how he would've survived without them, but I've not found any evidence that he seriously considered making them. I interviewed the old potions professor, Horace Slughorn. I asked if Tom Riddle ever mentioned horcruxes."

"I'm surprised he told you."

"Compulsion charms go a long way."

"Ah," Argante said. "Please continue."

"Horace said that Tom asked about Horcruxes, but he seemed… disappointed in the answers he got."

"I wonder what changed."

"Well," Sirius said. "He was adopted for one."

Argante's eyes widened. "Really? That's definitely different. Did you find out by who?"

"No, the orphanage closed in 1940 and the records of what happened to the orphans were lost."

Argante nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if Voldemort or his parent arranged that, but at least we know we don't need to hunt down the horcruxes. On another subject, why didn't you ever contact Harry? He missed you."

"Missed me?" Sirius asked. "You mean…"

"You aren't the only one that has memories of that old world."

Sirius dropped his face into his hands. "Damn," he muttered. "I screwed up again. I stayed away because I thought he didn't remember me. I thought once he had you, my status as godfather would be revoked."

"I'd never do that. Harry needs a guardian if something happens to me, and you were on that list. I trust very few people with the safety of my child. You may be impulsive, but I know you have Harry's best interest at heart."

"So, you still want me to be his godfather?"

"You have your old memories. Including me, you are one of three people that understand what he's going through."

"Whose the other?" Sirius asked.

"Later, what are you going to do now?"

Sirius shrugged. "I dunno. I'm kind of at a dead end where Voldemort is concerned. I don't know what to do next."

"Do you have a place to stay?"

Sirius nodded. "Dad left me the Black house in London."

"Number twelve?"

Sirius nodded again, grimacing.

"You could stay here. I can make you a room if you like."

Sirius shook his head. "I've got a house. I may try to sell it. Maybe Regulas would agree to buy it from me. I could buy a little place in Hogsmeade. It'd be nice to be close to Harry without needing to hide."

Argante reached out and squeezed his forearm. "The offer still stands if you need it."

Sirius leaned forward. "Thanks, but I'd like to just rest for a few months. I've not had a lot of time to relax over the past ten years."

"I understand, just don't be a stranger."

"I won't. Now that I know Harry remembers me, I'm not gonna abandon him. I do have one question."

"Oh?"

"James didn't marry Lily this time around. Hell, I didn't even see Lily at Hogwarts…"

Argante held up a hand. "Lily is at Hogwarts with Harry. Turns out she was born twenty years later than she was before."

"But why? Why are things so different?"

"Because this isn't like a reset. People aren't pieces on a chessboard. Since the curse was never cast, magical creatures were able to travel freely in the wizarding world. Not only that, but conversations, interactions, and events didn't happen the same way. Case-in-point, Voldemort never made horcruxes, Bellatrix never became a Death Eater, and Edgar bones had a sister."

"But what about the prophecy? Why did Voldemort attack James and Siobhan?"

"I have investigated the prophecy as much as I was able. Even in this new world, the department of mysteries are a secretive lot. I've been unable to see if the prophecy was given, or if it was, if it was the same prophecy."

"How did it apply to Harry? If he was sent from the past, he was born before the prophecy was given."

"The first line of the prophecy was, 'the one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches, born to those that thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.' It didn't say that he wasn't born yet, but that he had been born as the seventh month dies."

"But in the old world, James and Lily defied Voldemort three times, but Harry wasn't born to them."

"No, but there were some house elves that defied Voldemort. As stunted as they were, they were still fae, like Harry."

"You're saying that it wasn't his parents the prophecy referred to, but his race or would that be species?"

"Why not? Subjugation was what the war was all about. It would make sense."

Sirius hummed. "I suppose. Prophecies were never my forte, but how does that apply to this world."

Argante shrugged. "The fae definitely defied Voldemort more than three times, but like I said, I don't know if the prophecy exists. Regardless, Voldemort will be after Harry because Harry defeated him in 1980."

"I'll see what I can find out," Sirius said. "The Black family still has contacts in the department of mysteries."

"Let me know what you find."

"Only if you keep me posted on Harry. I'd like to come and visit him at Christmas if that's okay with you."

"of course, it is. The more the merrier."

Sirius stood. "I'll contact you when I know something."

Setting his teacup down, Sirius left the cottage and vanished into the night.

Argante smiled. Things were starting to come together. Hopefully, preventing the curse would be less complicated than she feared.

**ACC**

Harry walked into the Great Hall the next morning and sat down at the Ravenclaw table.

"Morning," Lily said cheerfully. "How'd you sleep. The wind was very relaxing, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," Harry yawned as he piled sausage and eggs onto his plate. "What class do we have first?"

"Charms," Lily said bouncing in her seat. "I've been looking forward to that subject."

"I've heard good things about Professor Flitwick," Harry said.

"He was still a dueling champion in his youth," Luna said as she joined them.

"Yes," Cho Chang, a second year said as she sat across from them. "He's an excellent teacher, but he doesn't tolerate bullying in his house, so I'd suggest you try to get along with each other."

Harry looked over to see Luna frown slightly. On the pretext of reaching for the platter of toast, he whispered, "Did you get the same talk last time?"

Luna shook her head. "Remember, I was a year behind you last time. Besides, I think if Flitwick had known how I was being treated, he would've done something."

"I hope so," Harry said finishing his toast. "Come on, let's go meet our Charms professor."

**ACC**

Flitwick was just as cheerful as Harry remembered. When he called his name, Harry noticed Flitwick staring at him intently.

After he had called the roll, Flitwick stood up on the pile of books and addressed the class.

"Charms is some of the most varied magic you will learn here. It may not be as destructive as defense against the dark arts or as flashy as transfiguration, but a well timed charm can save your life someday."

After that simple speech, he set them to work changing the color of a piece of cloth.

"How would this save our life?" Terry Boot called.

"Everyone starts at the beginning, Mr. Boot," Flitwick called back. "We'll learn more interesting spells later."

By the end of the lesson, almost everyone had changed the color of their cloth.

"Very good," Flitwick said, "Next time we will begin working on the lighting charm. Class dismissed."

**ACC**

"don't see how this serves any practical use," Lily said.

"Camouflage," Harry said.

"What?"

"If you are trying to sneak somewhere, you can use magic to change the color of your clothes."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Why do you know that?"

"Mum. I had to learn it when I was hiding from the wild hunt."

"I still say that wasn't safe," Luna said.

"Nothing gives you motivation like running for your life from an angry pack of hunters that want to drag you back to Elfame and brainwash you to be one of them."

"Lovely," Lily grumbled. "What class is next?"

"Defense," Luna said.

"Who is teaching that subject?" Harry asked. "I don't remember seeing that professor at the welcoming feast."

"He wasn't there," Luna said. "One of the older students said he's really good."

"Really?" Lily asked. "How long has he been teaching?"

"About ten years," Luna said. "The student I talked to said he's really knowledgeable."

By this time, they had arrived at the defense classroom. Stepping inside, Harry froze as he saw the tall blond man standing at the teachers desk.

He could see the glamour wrapped around him, like a worn cloak. Power radiated from him, like heat off a banked fire. This man was dangerous.

The sidhe smiled at him. "Hello Harry, I've been waiting for you."

"You have?" Harry asked, stopping at one of the desks.

The man nodded. "Yes, I didn't know where your mother had hidden you, but I knew you'd be here eventually."

Before Harry could ask any more questions, the rest of the students had filed into the classroom. Harry slowly took his seat, not taking his eyes off the strange man. After calling roll, the man spread his arms wide.

"Welcome to defense," the man said. "I am Professor McCian The full title of this class is Defense against the Dark Arts, but I'm not fond of that name, so we're shortening it to defense. I intend to teach you to defend yourself from dangerous people, creatures, and magic. Any questions?"

Lily raised her hand. "Sir, how will you teach us to defend ourselves from dangerous people?"

"Good question Ms. Evans. You see, most wizards rely solely on their magic to protect them. Like all my other classes over this past decade, I intend to make sure you know how to fight physically as well as magically."

Terry Boot raised his hand. "Sir, but isn't fighting like mundane folk a bit barbaric?"

The man frowned. "Wizards used to fight with swords as well as wands. Centaurs use bows and arrows as well as magic. Goblins prefer using weapons along with magic. You need to be as prepared as possible for any situation."

"But the world is safe," another student said. "You-know-who has been gone since 1981. Besides, isn't that what the Aurors are for?"

The professor shook his head. "You need to know how to defend yourself in case the aurors aren't around. A nation of people that can't defend themselves is ripe for the next dictator to come along. Always remember, if you can't defend yourself, then you are relying on others to protect you and what happens when there's no one around?"

"Will we learn any magic?" Terry asked.

"Magic is what I'll be teaching you. I'm just gonna add some basic hand to hand combat training to the coarse."

The rest of the class passed with Professor McCian explaining how defense had aided wizards in the past. As they left the class, Lily turned to Harry and Luna.

"That was different."

Harry nodded. "Definitely not what I expected."

"I wonder where Professor Quirrell is?" Luna asked.

"Who?" Lily asked.

"The defense professor we had in the old world," Harry said quietly.

As they started to walk down the hallway, Harry froze, cocking his head to the side.

"Harry?" Luna asked.

"Shh," Harry hissed holding up one finger.

Distantly, he could hear a soft rustling sound like wind through dead leaves.

"What is it?" Lily whispered.

Before Harry could answer, a violent gust of wind knocked him to the ground. Razor sharp clause raked his chest, tearing through his robes and leaving several long gashes in his flesh. Through the swirling wind, Harry could see snapping teeth and fluttering wings.

Forming a ball of fire, Harry thrust it into the wind.

There was a hissing snarl, and the snapping thing flew back several feet. As Harry climbed to his feet, he ignored the screams around him and kept his eyes on the creature in front of him.

The creature was surrounded in a funnel of wind, but Harry could see thin wiry arms, razor sharp teeth, and long sharp clause. A pair of delicate wings kept the creature aloft and seemed to be generating the wind.

Harry ran through his repertoire of spells but could come up with nothing to combat the creature.

"What is that?" Luna asked.

"Sylph," Harry said. "It's an air elemental. One of the minor fae, primarily used for assassination."

"How did it get in here?"

"We can figure that out later," Harry said as the creature flew towards him. He hastily threw up a wall of fire to protect himself, causing the sylph to hiss again.

Hurriedly, Harry began drawing all the heat out of the air around him. He watched as the sylph's wings fluttered and slowed.

"What are you doing?" Luna asked.

"It's small, so maybe cooler temperatures will weaken it."

No sooner had he spoken, the sylph let out an angry hiss and flew straight at his face. Harry blocked the swing with his arm as the clause slashed at him. He grunted as his arm was cut open from elbow to wrist. Blood flew on the air and the creature let out a breathy chuckle.

"My mistress sends thee her regards," the sylph whispered as it raised it's hand for another strike.

"Regard this," Harry said releasing all the heat he'd drawn from the air. The flames wrapped around the sylph, setting it's delicate wings ablaze.

The sylph let out a shriek and began frantically flying in circles. Pulling a match from his pocket, Harry changed it into a large needle and waited. As the sylph flew passed, Harry threw the needle, using the air to add force to his throw. The sharp point of the needle struck the sylph in the head.

The sylph froze, the needle sticking out of it's temple. It's wings stopped, along with the wind, and it fell out of the air, landing on the floor with a soft thump.

"It's not dead you know," Professor McCian said walking over to them. He eyed Harry's slashed robes. "You need to go to the hospital wing."

"Who sent that thing?" Harry asked.

"That's what I intend to find out." He glared down at the sylph. "I want to know how it got in here."

The sylph's eyes fluttered open, and it glared at the professor. "I'll never talk. Thou hast no power over me, son of Cian."

"Maybe not," the professor said calmly, "but there are ways to make you talk… quite unpleasant ways."

The sylph's eyes flickered with fear. "Hath the Tuah forgotten honor? There was a time thy people would never lower themselves to torture another fae."

"You have attacked someone under my protection," Professor McCian said calmly. "You tried to kill him, and I want to know why."

The sylph tried to move and winced. "Thou doth not need me to tell thee that. Thou knowest why I am here. Thy charge interferes in the plans of my mistress."

"Who is your mistress?" Professor McCian asked.

The sylph laughed breathily. "I would rather die before telling thee her name."

Professor McCian nodded. He waved his hand. Stone rose from the floor and formed a sphere around the sylph.

"That should keep it from hurting anyone until I can question it. Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital wing."

Harry nodded and followed the professor down the hall. His mind was spinning. Who had sent the sylph? How did they know about him? How could he protect himself from something that could use the air as a weapon?

He was under no illusions. He'd gotten lucky. If that needle had missed, that sylph would've killed him.

"What's troubling you?" Professor McCian asked.

Harry snorted. "Just wondering how to fight the air itself."

The professor nodded. "How good are you at lightning spells?"

Harry blinked. "Mum just refreshed my memory on what I knew before and made sure I could use magic without a wand. She taught me a lot of fae magic. I'm good with air and ice, but as you saw, I'm not bad with fire. I suck at earth magic though."

Professor McCian shrugged. "We can work on that. Earth magic is harder to learn, but it'll definitely help if more of the elemental fae come after you."

As they entered the hospital wing, they saw Argante standing near one of the beds. At sight of Professor McCian, she stiffened.

"You?" she said sharply.

"Argante," Professor McCian said calmly. "Did you really think I would just abandon you and Harry? You aren't the only one that's spent a lot of time in the mundane world."

"Mum?" Harry asked. "What's going on?"

"Harry," Argante said slowly. "I would like to introduce you to Lugh, son of Cian and Celtic god of light, crafts, and oaths. She took a deep breath, "and your father."