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.

Chapter 8: A Werewolf and a Request

November 26th, 1993

Godric's Quarter's, Hogwarts

Harry stared in the full body mirror. It was the first time he truly looked at himself since he had returned, and he wanted to compare the differences. His body looked far better, his skin having a slightly healthier color, while he was more lean than skinny, with muscles clearly beginning to develop under his skin and his abs becoming more defined. The muscles and abs hadn't occurred until his later sixth year from quidditch, and even then, they had been meek.

He knew it had been nearly four months since he came back, and he was honestly happy with the changes in himself. He was far from the timid skinny boy he had been, now standing at the same height as Ron with a confidence that was reflected in his eyes, which now always seemed to glow a slight bit.

His marks and his magic even reflected such a thing. He could now control seven objects floating around him constantly, and at Sirius' insistence, began working on his casting speed for basic spells, along with his accuracy for both spells and objects. His godfather had been a blessing in those times, and with his ability to use the Holly wand some, Sirius had slowly been getting himself back into shape. Harry had begun occasionally leaving the wand there at nights for the man to practice some more, knowing it was helping him.

His Occlumency was also holding strong, something he was thankful for since Snape seemed to try and take a peek every so often.

Whereas in class, his marks were sitting at high Exceeds Expectations. He refused to bring them higher, but it was clear to the professors that he had begun showing the excellence that his parents had. Sirius even agreed that he was definitely taking after his parents in the matter.

Sighing, he got dressed, before heading out to talk with his godfather. Sirius was lounging in a chair, reading a book on what Harry could tell were elemental spells, as apparently both of them had a similar fascination with them.

He didn't speak though just watched him read for a minute. Sirius' face was less hollow, and there was more life in his eyes than there used to be. He already looked nearly as good as he had back in Harry's fifth year, and while he zoned out some, it was slowly reducing in numbers, along with the occasional slips of sanity, where he became angry or depressed. Only twice had either of those happen in the last five days, much better from the daily occurrences when he was first found.

"I know. I look great, but there's no need to stare in silence." Sirius drawled out, laughing at Harry's sudden flushing.

"You know I wasn't looking at you like that."

"Merlin I hope not." Sirius said, "I prefer witches myself, but I won't judge if you prefer a man's touch."

"Please stop." Harry groaned. "I'd much rather a woman's touch…"

He stopped, something dawning on him. 'I completely forgot about Ginny.'

Sirius eyed him and the look he was suddenly sporting. "Oh? Do you fancy someone?"

Harry thought about the question thoroughly. Thinking about Ginny, he had to admit, the older her was attractive, but much like Cho, there just wasn't something there. In fact, he thought of her more like his mother in looks, beautiful, but certainly not someone he wanted to sleep with. 'Did… did she pull a Molly and try to potion me?'

It wasn't unknown, especially to those that were friends with the Weasleys, that Molly had used a love potion on Arthur in order to get him to ask him out. However, Harry also knew quite well that in this case, Arthur had feelings for Molly, and his friends had ensured that it was done in a safe and controlled manner. However, he couldn't see his friends agreeing to something of the sort, but Molly, he couldn't quite put it past her with wanting him to be an official part of the family.

"Sirius. What are the signs I've been dosed with love potions?" Harry asked. Sirius frowned in thought, before he slowly answered.

"I've no experience with them, but from what I know, mild ones form a physical attraction to the person and only reduce their unwillingness to get together. Stronger ones form a full on obsession, making you want nothing but to be by her side, such is the effects of ones like Amortentia."

"So if I felt jealousy and physical attraction that wasn't there before?" Harry asked.

"Hormones and maturity, or else a mild dosing for a short period of time." Sirius seemed upset, "Have you been dosed?"

"Maybe? Not yet at least." Harry muttered. "No to your earlier question. I mean, there are some beautiful girls here, Susan and Hannah are both pretty, but I don't actively want to go on a date with any of them yet."

"Why not?" He asked. "Your father was going on dates before this point in his schooling, if only to keep people happy with him."

"Wasn't he in love with my mother already?" Harry asked with a grin. "And I don't know. Lack of desire?"

In truth, he wasn't sure if he wanted to date someone when he mentally had several years more life experience than himself. "He was, but he wanted experience, if you catch my meaning."

"Do not need to picture that." Harry muttered. "I've got to get going. I'll swing by for the wand in the morning. Do you want anything from Hogsmeade? It's visit weekend."

"I'll leave it on the desk. I'm going to stay up late again and work on getting in shape." Sirius replied absently, "Some chocolate and a crate of butterbeer if you can manage it."

"Alright. Have a good night." A properly embarrassed Harry made his way from the room, masking his scent and his footsteps like always under the cloak as he returned to the tower. He was fast asleep when he finally made it to bed.

November 27th, 1993

Hogwarts

Harry had just left Sirius, having dropped off the goodies the man asked for, when he encountered Remus as he headed back down towards the Great Hall. "Mister Potter, a word?"

"Of course, professor." Harry entered the abandoned classroom. "What did you need?"

"I couldn't help but be confused about the werewolf essay you wrote. Admittedly, you didn't need to write it at all, but you made some peculiar points." Remus said. He seemed to sniff slightly, and Harry had to suppress the reaction to panic, as he had forgotten to clean his scent of Sirius after the man hugged him.

"What points?" He said, acting the best he could. Remus pulled his essay from inside his robes, unfolding it before reading.

"Many werewolves are merely victims of the curse they suffer, Lycanthropy, and while they are dangerous, it is only on the full moon that one should be worried. Manys of those who suffer from the curse lock themselves away, trying to protect both themselves and others from being cursed or killed by the Lycan during the full moon. Some, however, give in to the curse and its urges, harming innocents."

Remus stopped, looking at him with a frown, before moving to another part of the incredibly long essay Snape had assigned. "During these times, without the wolfsbane potion, they are controlled by the curse. Many cannot afford this option due to prejudice within the ministry restricting their ability to work. And because they are ill so often, they often cannot hold jobs within the muggle world either. A simple solution to the issues that cause increased bite risk could be solved by reducing restrictions on those cursed, allowing them to hold jobs, or else providing incentives and giving them wolfsbane potion in return for work and public safety."

"What about it, professor?" Harry asked. He wondered if the man would even read his essay, but it did provide him humor to see Remus so floundered.

"I… Many believe werewolves are monsters and that they should be hunted and executed." Remus argued.

"True. But many fail to realize that no one was intentionally bitten. Greyback, for example, bites children intentionally to get revenge or to expand his pack. A terrible thing to do. Should I say those kids should be killed? Absolutely not. They are children afflicted with an ailment they cannot control one night a month. They deserve to have as normal of a life as possible." Harry refuted truthfully, not just pointing out what happened to Remus but the larger majority of Britain's werewolves.

Remus seemed entirely thrown off, and Harry was snickering mentally. "I… yes. You are quite right. You are much like your father, you know. He believed the same things, though he also thought having heightened senses would be cool as well."

"Right. I forgot, you went to school with my father. Were you two close?" It was their first time talking about his parents as they had stayed relatively more towards a professional relationship, even when working on the patronus spell once more.

"We were." Remus admitted, phrasing his words carefully, "He shared your views. He was friends with a werewolf, after all."

Harry sighed. Remus was too nervous about his condition it seemed. Harry was getting tired of dancing around the man, and truthfully, he missed his honorary uncle. He glanced around, making sure the door was shut. "Are you done referring to yourself in third person, professor?"

"What?" The statement had baffled Remus.

"Moony. You are Moony. A werewolf, and you were friends with my dad. Same with Padfoot, or Sirius." Harry stated flatly, before coming up with a reason to have known. "I remember some of the things before they died. I think I called you Mooey."

Remus had paled considerably, clearly afraid that he was going to be outed. "I…"

"Don't bother lying. Your worsening health at the end of the months. Disappearing for two or three days every time the full moon is around. The boggart of the moon. The nickname. I'm not stupid." Harry said firmly. "You were best friends with him, and I still have small flashes of my childhood. Admit it."

"You… you don't hate me?" Remus hesitated before squaring his shoulders, knowing there was no point in attempting to hide it any long.

"Did my dad?"

That seemed to be reassurance enough as the man laughed. "No. It was actually funny. Back when James and Sirius were researching werewolves separately, they found books in each other's trunks and believed one another was a werewolf. It took them a full month to discover that it was me. They weren't the brightest in their search for answers."

Harry laughed. "Well don't worry. Even if Snape is trying to out you, I won't tell anyone, and when Hermione figures it out, I'll make sure she doesn't either. She is too worshipful of Dumbledore though, so she wouldn't anyway."

"Thanks?" he said, frowning. "If you want, some other time I would be willing to tell you some stories though."

"Agreed." Harry's stomach rumbled. "Another time. I am starving."

"Well let's go… and Mister Potter, thank you." Remus said.

"Harry, outside of class." Remus nodded, and the two made their way to dinner. Harry could only sigh in relief that he hadn't been caught being close to Sirius by the werewolf. No doubt could he smell it, but it was likely it had been too long since he had last seen Sirius to clearly remember his smell.

Still, this gave him an extra opening to get to know the man. Harry didn't trust him completely, Remus was far too loyal to Dumbledore for allowing him to go to school as a werewolf, but he had still been important, and Harry wanted him in his life once more.

December 10th, 1993

Charms Classroom

Harry lingered behind as the class emptied out, a mix of Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. Hermione eyed him curiously, but he just gestured her to go on, and the others followed. As the last Hufflepuff left, Flitwick glanced up, seeing him still standing just feet away from his desk.

"Is there something I can do for you, Mister Potter?" He asked, his voice curious.

"Um, possibly." Harry worked on the words, despite having phrased it a hundred times in his head, "You are a dueling champion, right?"

"Of course." The part-goblin chuckled, "You should know this."

"Right. Well, I was wondering, and you can say no if you want, if you would be willing to teach me some things in the art." Harry asked hesitantly.

"And why do you want these teachings that no one else is getting?" Flitwick was a fair professor, and Harry wasn't thrown off by the question in the least.

"Every year since I got here, I have had something dangerous end up happening. Quirrell and the stone, the basilisk, and now Black escaping and supposedly being after me… I just want to be able to defend myself. Headmaster Dumbledore, for all his intelligence, thinks I need to enjoy being a kid, but I can't be a kid if I end up getting killed because I couldn't protect myself from those that want me harmed." Harry said, his voice full of childish concern.

Flitwick hummed, thinking, "You did defeat the basilisk though, even though it was with the assistance of the sorting hat and Fawkes?"

"Only after being bitten." Harry nodded.

"You were bitten? Albus never told us that." Flitwick hummed, "And you did hold off Quirrell from getting the stone until Albus arrived, which is a feat of its own."

"And I've been practicing too!" Harry added enthusiastically. "I'm sure I'm better than many in my year."

"You do not show it in class." Flitwick said. The comment was harsh, something he realized after he said it. "Do not get me wrong, Mister Potter, but you are above average in essays, and perhaps the second best in wand work. But you don't show anything extraordinary."

"Intentionally." Harry changed his tone some, he knew he needed to be more serious if Flitwick was going to entertain his idea. "I don't want those related to families who resent me to know my true capabilities-"

"-Because it is the perfect hat trick for when you need it most." Flitwick finished. "Impressive. That's cunning even most Slytherins wouldn't show."

Harry restrained himself from mentioning that he was almost in Slytherin as the professor thought about his question. "And you wish to keep it from Albus?"

"Preferably. While I don't think he has a problem with me learning, he doesn't want me to be concerned with my safety, only with having a childhood. He would likely stop any lessons." Harry answered.

"Hm." The professor sat in thought for several minutes, leaving Harry to sit there and wait in the hopes of some positive news.

"I will make you a deal," Flitwick began, "You will complete two tasks for me, right now, and if I find them sufficient, then on both Saturday and Sunday, from seven to ten in the morning for the rest of the school year, I will teach you as much as I can. However, you must put in your absolute best effort. This means no handicapping yourself and no holding back."

"And anything revealed will be kept between us?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"I swear it. Should anyone ask either of us, I am merely spending those times with you telling you about your mother and her time in school and as my apprentice. It's no secret that she is perhaps one of my favorite students, and I have plenty of stories to tell." Flitwick agreed, seeing a curious look on Harry's face, he added, "And I'll make sure to tell a few of them as well during our lessons."

"What are the tasks?" Harry asked eagerly.

"First, I want you to cast the three most advanced charms you know."

The professor was likely to be in shock from what Harry was going to cast, as Harry instantly came up with the ones he was going to use. Harry just nodded, and checked the door to make sure it was closed. Once he was sure, he drew his ash wand, not looking to see if the professor had noticed the difference in his wand.

Harry hesitated, before swishing his wand three times. A triangle of lights appeared in front of him, connecting lines before expanding. It filled in quickly, before it flew forward, crashing into several desks and toppling a shelf of books. Harry quickly ended the spell. "Sorry. I forgot exactly how destructive the spell was."

"Sorry? Don't be! That is a perfect dueling charm and one of the harder ones to counter!" Flitwick said happily. "The Wall of Trilux is a N.E.W.T. level spell. You casted it perfectly, and nonverbally as well! Do you know how to counter it?"

"A shieldbreaker spell is simple but it needs to be stronger than the Wall, and hence the caster, which takes a lot of energy if the caster and defender are of similar strength." Harry answered, "The second way is a lightning spell which destabilizes the energy the wall uses, causing it to fail rapidly. The third goes for any complex spell, but to interrupt the caster before it is finished."

"A perfect answer." Flitwick answered. Harry flicked his wand, righting everything in just a dozen seconds that had been damaged and knocked aside. "Well, that can be considered your second spell, as it was nonverbal and done with great control."

Harry just nodded, skipping to his third planned spell and hoping it would be enough. Of course, he also realized the professor would discover a mystery that was plaguing the school. "Expecto Patronum."

Prongs lept forward glowing a bright ethereal blue-silver, and Harry, actually close to the guardian and not soaked in cold rain, could feel the loving warmth and comfort radiating from the patronus. It was shocking though, to see the patronus was taller than him now compared to when it stood at his height before. Prongs lept around the classroom at Harry's will, before stopping in front of the professor's desk, dipping his head down before vanishing as Harry released the spell.

"Bravo!" Flitwick clapped. "I must say, your patronus is magnificent. And thank you, for protecting the students at the quidditch match. I must say, I am quite disappointed that I cannot tell anyone."

"It is intentional. Professor Lupin is teaching me the patronus spell still, as I haven't shown him the mastery of it. I am hoping to show him at the end of the year, school year that is." Harry replied. "Plus, afterwards recently he has been telling me a few stories about his time being friends with my dad."

Flitwick nodded absently, hopping down from his elevated chair to the floor and drawing his wand. With two flicks, the room was opened up, the elevation deck for the desks retracting to the wall with the desks and chairs moving too, leaving the entire floor space open. Harry frowned, wondering what was to come.

"Let us move onto the second task. For this, you must show me that you possess some skill with a wand in combat."

Right as the professor stopped speaking, a three-spell chain flew at him, and Harry ducked below it. They were fast, but it seemed the professor was going to test him before finishing the duel. Harry twisted his wand, two spears conjuring and sending themselves forward as he flicked his wand, the five-spell chain Sirius taught him following it only a second later with decent accuracy.

Flitwick was certainly proving he was the best. The spears were blasted and the shards sent back at him as small balls of stone as the professor twisted past the combo, ducking under the final stunning spell. Harry banished the stone balls, shielding against a powerful reductor curse before dropping it and sending back a blast of fire. The fire was collected at the tip of Flitwick's wand and turned into a fireball, which splashed and broke Harry's second shield.

The duel continued as he dropped his shield, sending the fire-whip towards the professor and watching it fizzle out as a gout of water poured from the professor's wand. Harry froze it with a simple freezing charm, blasting the ice as shrapnel which vanished before it even got close to the man.

Harry felt a cutting curse cut into his arm as he dodged a stunning and banishing spell combo that had been sent when he sent the blasting curse, blood beginning to trickle down his fingers. He ignored the stinging pain as he fired several moderately powerful hexes and curses, taking a dislocation hex to the left shoulder for his troubles. He knew he was on the back step after another two minutes of exchanging spells, where he was injured mildly a few more times, but he wasn't giving up. Casting the strongest Protego, he stood behind it, gathering his bearings for a second before firing off a flashbang charm.

It was one he had learned from Hermione while it was just the two of them. It was dangerous to use without the caster covering their eyes too, but thankfully, Harry managed to pull it off. He saw that Flitwick was blinded, and quickly fired off the five-spell chain a second time. Somehow though, the professor dodged it all, reflecting the stunner from the tip of his wand. Harry tried to dodge it, but ultimately, it caught his leg, and his world went black.

It felt like seconds later when he opened his eyes, seeing the professor standing just above him while grinning. "Impressive trick, blinding me and using that combo, but I am part-goblin. I can sense magic to a degree."

Harry cursed his luck at not even scoring a hit against his opponent despite having survived duels against Voldemort, but accepted the professor's hand as he was pulled to his feet. He was almost surprised by the strength the man had to haul him up so effortlessly, but then he remembered goblins are stronger than humans in physical strength.

"Let us talk." Flitwick said calmly. Harry felt a slight shakiness in his hands as he sat at the professor's desk, waiting on him to finish returning the room to its former condition before sitting himself. Harry met his eyes, which gave him nothing but a calm façade.

"You showed skills that even the average seventh year student doesn't have." He spoke calmly, "And your knowledge is certainly above that of a third year. Where do you currently sit in your studies?"

"Post O.W.L. right now." It was the truth. He occasionally looked through the sixth and seventh year texts, but mostly stayed in the fourth and fifth year books for theory as to keep himself from referring to things more advanced than he should ever reasonably know.

"You also have experience in fighting. You were calculating, searching for openings in my moves and casting in an attempt to hit me, even taking away my senses in hopes that would help." The professor continued. "You could easily join the U-15 ICW League right now, and win, and possibly place in the top sixteen or higher for their U-18 League."

"I need to be better though." Harry stated.

"Because Voldemort is still alive?" Flitwick asked, causing Harry to raise an eyebrow, "My people do not fear him or his name. That is why you are here though. You want to win."

"Yes sir." He answered truthfully.

"Good. The first rule was do not be afraid to use magic that will severely harm me. You still resisted the urge to use more destructive magic. I could see it. When I said do not hold back, you still did. I promise you, you will not gravely harm me. I am still better than you, and that isn't me trying to flaunt it at you. Consider it your warning for not listening." His tone was firm, and Harry nodded, hoping he hadn't cost him his best opportunity.

"Second rule, before you enter this classroom on our training days, always be prepared. You are not looking for dueling lessons, you are looking to fight. The walls of this castle can easily withstand blasting curses, and I will ensure no one can hear our fighting."

"So you are willing to teach me?" Harry asked eagerly.

"I may regret it, but yes. I want to see how far you can go." Flitwick said seriously. "Let's heal your shoulder and clean that blood up, and we will get you to lunch."

Evening…

"Hey pup! How did it go?" Sirius asked. Harry flopped down into the chair at the desk, looking at the marauder in his own conjured recliner from the night before.

"He accepted me. You should see him though. I didn't even touch him in our duel." Harry said. Truthfully, he was still in awe of him. There was a fluidness that Voldemort only showed when facing the headmaster, a smooth composure that when he moved, it was all a part of a dance, where he was still preparing to attack while avoiding the spells coming at him…

It was exactly what Harry wanted to learn.

"Good. Between him and I, I think we can definitely teach you some tricks and get you up to par. I was an auror after all. James and I learned from Mad Eye Moody if you know who he is." Sirius commented. "I need to get a wand though. The holly wand works, but I need my own to carry."

"Well… what do you say to a nightly excursion to get you one." Harry asked.

"Great idea. Got the cloak?" Harry nodded. It was a peaceful evening and not too busy, so escaping the castle was done without flaw, especially since he had cornered the twins and gotten the map back. He told them they could still borrow it, but he wanted it as it was something his father made. They agreed quickly, and asked him if they would ever meet the other marauders.

Harry didn't give them an answer, only smirking before leaving.

They made it to Grimmauld place, where Sirius unlocked the house. It was just as dark and run down as it had been in the last timeline. Actually, it had been worse, but that was likely because the others had spent a month cleaning it before he had arrived.

"Come on in." The house smelled of stagnant air and dust. Kreature appeared after they cleared the entry way and Harry had silenced Walburga's portrait, but Sirius only sent him off to clean, knowing it likely wouldn't get done. "Fifth floor is where my father's study was. He kept some spare wands for everyone there, including a secondary wand for me. Hopefully my dear old mum didn't break it."

Harry stopped on the first floor, feeling the familiar taint of the locket. "Come on Sirius, I just remembered something."

"What is it?" Sirius asked. Harry ignored him, entering the Drawing room. He instantly saw the locket, sitting on a small velvet display. Harry held his hand out, hoping the Sword would appear. A small breath was let out when he felt the familiar weight of the blade in his hand. "Harry?"

"Stay back, Sirius." He hooked the chain of the locket on the blade, tossing it to the floor. "~Open~"

The locket opened, the black spirit forming above it. Harry gave it no time to begin to influence them before he plunged the blade downwards tip first, stabbing clean through the front of the locket. A wave of magic blew out from it, causing him to stumble backwards. Sirius caught him easily.

"What the hell was that thing, Harry?" He asked insistently.

"Vile magic. Magic I will tell you about once you are free. Kreature!" The elf appeared, confused about the fact he was forced to appear.

"How does little half-blood call me?" He croaked out, before his eyes fell to the locket, black sludge seeping out from the damaged part. "Master Regulus' locket… you destroyed it?"

"I did." The elf stood there shocked for several moments, before kneeling.

"Half blood has done what Kreature could not. Kreature thanks you."

"No thanks are needed. But clean this house up. No doubt the rest of our ancestors are rolling in their graves at how this place looks worse than most muggle dwellings." Harry said, sneering slightly. The elf nodded, vanishing once more.

"What the hell was that?" Sirius demanded

"Getting Kreature to do his job." Harry let out a breath. "And your brother died fighting Voldemort. That thing, well… he died retrieving it. It cost him his life, but with it gone, let's just say that Voldemort is now a bit easier to kill."

Sirius stood still for several moments, a tear falling from his eye. "Reggy died fighting against them?"

"He did."

Sirius took a minute to gather himself. "Will you tell me the whole story one day?"

"Of what I know, yes. Let's get your wand and get back to Hogwarts. I don't have much time." Harry answered.

The study was actually a room he had never seen. Sirius explained that only the Lord and Heir could enter it, or even see it if it had been hidden. Harry guessed that as he never took up the ring in his past life, he had never seen the room. Sirius quickly found the drawer in the grand bookcase, and pulled out a wand from it.

"Ebony and Chinese Fireball Dragon Heartstring." he said proudly, the wand sparking as he swished it around. He checked the others before taking another wand, apparently his father's spare wand which was made of Birch and Unicorn Tail hair. "Want to try the others? It never hurts to have an extra wand."

"I have two already." Harry deadpanned. Sirius just gestured to the drawer. Sighing, Harry tried them all, before taking a red-brown colored one that was a bit shorter than his Phoenix wand but felt slightly better than it. Harry could see several scratches in it from its use, along with a small nick in the handle.

"My grandfather's wand. Mahogany and Dragon Heartstring. It was the one he used in the war when he took down several of Grindelwald's lieutenants." Sirius said proudly. He grabbed a holster for his wand, before gesturing to the door. "Come on. Let's get back to school."

One more apparition jump, and just a decently long walk back to the fourth floor, and Sirius was back into his safety. It helped Harry relax, where he finally slid the wand to the inside of his boot before going into the training room. Sirius went off to one side with a dummy, while Harry took two, determined to practice dodging some more.