A/N: And we are Back! Introducing a OC this chapter, and I had alot of fun writing them. Hopefully you like them as much as I do. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Familiar and Unfamiliar Encounters

It was the busiest day of the year for Platform 9 3/4 as the Hogwarts Express sat waiting to take all the students to school. As wide as the platform was, it was filled wall to wall with a mess of children and parents, and the air clamored with voices. Into this mayhem stepped Harry and his father through one of the commercial sized floos that lined the far wall.

Harry stopped and took in the scene, overcome with nostalgia. A part of him had been worried that this too would be different. But there the Express was, in all its glorious bright colors and cheery atmosphere.

Back in his own time, the platform had been destroyed in a Death Eater terror attack at the end of his sixth year. They had tried to catch all the students and parents at the station, but a brave auror had discovered the plot and set off the explosives early after clearing the platform with no time to remove or dispel the roiling concoctions of volatile ingredients. Those students looking out the window saw a pillar of fire engulf the platform while they were only a few hundred yards away, taking the life of only the singular auror and foiling the Death Eater plot. Harry instinctually reached up and fingered the book around his neck. His name was there as well. Remus Lupin.

Seeing it all in one piece and so full of life and happiness again almost made Harry feel like it was his first time there. And, in a way, it was. Only this time, instead of his holly wand he had one made of willow and ashwinder venom up his sleeve, and another made of bone white elder wood in an ankle holster. Also, much to his chagrin, in the cage on top of his trunk was not a beautiful snowy owl, but instead sat an ugly little chick of motley brown that wasn't even fully grown yet. The man at the Emporium had been especially proud of it, calling it a 'Fish Owl' and stating how hard they were to get a hold of.

Harry had taken one look at the scraggly little ball of hatred and eyes and apparently fallen in love at the spot. It glared balefully at all who passed in front of him and nipped at all fingers that came within reach, even Harrys. But the nips to Harry's fingers at least didn't draw blood, which was apparently the closest the little gremlin came to affection. He had named it Arcturus after his recently passed away great grandfather on the Black side which both James and Sirius had found immensely funny.

His father turned when he noticed that Harry wasn't following. An understanding smile came on to his face as he came over and crouched down in front of Harry. "I should have realized what was going on when you weren't up and ready at the crack of dawn this morning." He said knowingly, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"It's ok to be nervous, kid. But you don't have to be. I know you didn't have as much luck in the starter lessons as the other kids, but you'll get the hang of it. Just go on out there and make some new friends, have some fun, prank some Slytherins and make sure you go to class every once and a while, alright?" He said that part with a wink. "And remember, Professor McGonagall will look out for you. Just try not to give her too much hell...whoa!"

He was cut off when Harry suddenly launched himself at him and wrapped his arms around his waist. There was a brief moment of hesitation before James reciprocated the unexpected display of affection, holding Harry tightly with one arm and ruffling his hair lightly with the other. "Hey. I'm gonna miss you, too, kid. But you're gonna be alright."

Harry didn't even get a chance to respond before two much larger arms encircled both of them from above. A deep voice sobbed dramatically as James and Harry were squeezed in the sudden bear hug, "Such a touching family moment. *Sniff* It's enough to make a grown man cry." "Well it's ruined now you mangy mutt," came the muffled voice of his father, "Now get off!"

Harry chuckled at the antics of who now realized was his Godfather, Sirius, as the bear hug, if anything, just got tighter. He felt Sirius vigorously shake his head above him. "Hush now James. We are having a moment here."

James began to struggle vainly against the strong arms of Sirius when another voice, unexpected to Harry, called out. "Daaaaaaaaad!" Called the voice, young and feminine. "You are making a scene!"

With a mighty laugh, Sirius relinquished his prisoners and ruffled Harrys head. "It's good to see you, prongslet." "Good to see you, too, Uncle Siri." Came Harry's automatic reply, but his eyes were fixed on a the young girl behind Sirius, shaking her head at her father's antics.

Serena Black, his brain helpfully supplied, Sirius's daughter and his best friend since birth. Well, only friend really. She smiled when she saw him looking and grabbed her trunk. "Come on, Harry. Let's leave the two man-children and get a compartment before they are all taken."

Harry began to follow her slowly, still digesting her very existence. Sirius made an indignant sputtering sound behind them. "What?! No hug? No goodbye? No 'Love ya Dad'?" Serena just looked over her shoulder without stopping. "You've given me four hugs, three warnings and seven prank ideas since we left home this morning!" She shouted. "See you at Yule!"

"Prank some Slytherins for us, you little scamps!" Sirius shouted after them.

"And remember to look out for each other!" James added.

"And tell Old Minnie that she still looks ravishing for me!"

"Don't do that!"

"Oh come on, Prongs. Can you imagine her face when..."

Soon the bickering of the two marauders faded into the background as the two friends boarded the train.

~*~

Some time later found Harry alone in a train compartment trying to gather his thoughts. Serena and him had spent the first hour or so of the ride catching up and chatting about their Harry had learned many things. Or remembered many things. It was hard to tell the difference.

James and Sirius had been partners in the Aurors until recently when Sirius accepted a position among the Hit-Wizards, and there was still some tension between the two of them because of it.

Uncle Wormy owned an apothecary and potioneer shop just off of Diagon alley.

Remus ran his own small enchanting business that didn't have a storefront, but brought in a fair few customers just by word of mouth for his commissions. He mainly worked on newly built properties, installing the enchanted utilities and what-not.

Marlene, Serena's mother, occasionally wrote editorial pieces for The Daily Herald but spent most her energy taking care of Serena's three younger brothers at home.

Harry's head was reeling with information, and now that Serena had gone to chat with some other friends, he got out an quill and began to note all obvious differences between this world and his own.

-Neville is BWL. Unclear if prophecy now regards him or if Voldemort just guessed wrong. Or maybe its self-fulfilling and it doesn't matter.

-Pettigrew not outed as Death Eater. Perhaps he never was here?

-James being alive makes the political game very interesting. Have access to Potter wealth and status. Could use to my benefit straight away rather than waiting till Lordship.

-Sirius being free, having Lordship and kids is also huge. More political power to draw upon and more allies.

-Obvious, but previous knowledge unreliable. Take no allegiances for granted.

Harry was interrupted from his thoughts when the compartment door slid open. He looked up expecting Serena, but instead was greeted by a strangly welcome sight.

"Hmmmm. Just the squib." Draco sniffed as he stood in the doorway flanked by his two pet gorillas. "Where are Black and Longbottom, Potter? I wanted to speak with them before we reached Hogwarts."

'At least I can trust Malfoy to be as predictable as always.' Harry thought to himself. 'Well, time to get to work. Lets put on our best pureblood impression.'

"Do I have a pin on me that says, 'Longbottom's Keeper', Malfoy?" Harry said lazily not looking up from his paper. "Because, if not, you would be better off looking yourself."

Malfoy just sneered in response. "Getting a head start on homework, I see. Probably for best. I don't know how they let a squib like you in the school to begin with, but you'll need all the help you can get."

This was not the first time someone had brought up or been concerned about previous Harry's apparent lack of magical talent, and new Harry was beginning to wonder just how bad he had been. Regardless, they were in for a rude awakening, and it started with Draco.

"You forget yourself, Malfoy." Harry began quietly. "It is unwise to insult the heir of house, especially one above your own station. We wouldn't want an incident, now would we?"

Draco scowled but was taken slightly aback by Harry's tone. "I am the heir the Most Noble House of..."

"Yes. Your family is very wealthy." Harry interrupted. "Wealthy enough to buy your Noble status some one hudred and thirty years ago, I believe. And your seat amongst the common Lords is...respectable." Draco bristled at the comment but Harry didn't give him a chance to speak, continuing on in a tone someone might use while lecturing a child.

"But when dealing with the heir of a Most Noble and Ancient House," he said gesturing to himself, "it is always best to adopt a more...defferential approach. Just so no misunderstandings occur." At this, Harry rose out of his seat and took a step towards Draco. "So perhaps you would like to revise your previous statement."

Draco got red in the face. "How dare you...!"

"Oh I dare, Malfoy." Harry responded, still calmly but with edge to his words now. "House Malfoy won't acheive Ancient status for, what, another five generations? The Potters were Ancient when you were still crawling out of the pig farms of France. So do not speak to me as if we are equals or peers. House Potter may be small now, but we still stand head and shoulders above you."

"And House Black stands with them." Draco's head whipped around to see a thunderous Serena standing behind him, pushing her way past Crabbe and Goyle. Draco was reeling. This was not the timid and sheltered boy he had seen at social gatherings. He began to backtrack, passing Serena, into the train corridor.

"For now, Heir Potter." He sneered the word out reluctantly. "For now. But your time will come. And House Malfoy will be ready."

Serena and Harry both watched them go as they hurriedly retreated down the corridor, then Serena slammed the compartment door. "The nerve of that cretin..." she mumbled as she turned around and regarded Harry with a look of worry and...something else. Respect, maybe? How long had she been watching before cutting in?

"Are you alright, Harry?" She asked. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long. I..." Harry just waved her off and sat back down to his book. "I may not relish in the politics of the high houses, Serena, but I do know how to hold my own." He opened his book idly to regard his notes once again. Then he continued in a softer tone. "I am the last scion of Potter after all. I have alot to live up to."

Serena sat down as well. "I know. Its just that Dad wasn't sure if Uncle James...well, he just asked me to look after you. And stupid me, first time i walk away..." the last part was more muttered to herself than directed at Harry.

Harry picked up on the subtext right away. Sirius was worried James hadn't properly prepared Harry in Pureblood etiquette and politics. And why would he have? His Dad had never cared about any of that before his mom died. And to Sirius's credit, he hadn't taught Harry anything. Thankfully, he had recieved a crash course when he had inherited his Lordship in 6th year.

"Its alright Rene." Harry assured the girl in front of him. "And Merlin knows there is still alot of things you could probably teach me. But I do know enough to deal with weasels like Malfoy, so you don't have to keep an eye on me ALL the time."

Serena's eye twitched at the nickname that she hated, but she smirked anyway. "Clearly. I've never heard you talk like that before." She said, lounging back against the seat. "I've been trying to get you to throw that Potter weight around for years now. Its good to see you actually doing it." Her smile faltered a little, concern showing through. "Just...be careful, alright? For a second, it almost looked like you were going to fight him and...well...you know...just be careful."

Harry nodded to her reassuringly, understanding perfectly what she was clearly reluctant to say. Once again he was reminded that apparently Past Harry hadn't been to talented with magic and Harry looked down at his notes to add another bullet point. Being underestimated could be an advantage but could he reliably hide...

Only a decades worth of war enhanced reflexes saved him from the cushion that came flying at his head a moment later. "And don't call me Rene, Potty," Serena scolded him, "Or I'll you'll be spending this whole school year with your underwear stuck to your head! Now put those stuffy books away, nerd, I want to get some chess games in before we get to school."

Harry chuckled and put the textbook hiding his notes back into his pocket and began helping her set up her chess set between them. This is not how he had imagined this train ride going and it felt empty without Ron and Hermione. He had been tempted to seek them out when Serena had left to catch up with her friends but he had found himself overwhelmed.

Serena's very existance showed that the changes to this world could run deep and he didn't know what else to expect. He had to take this slow, formulate his strategies piece by piece as information revealed itself. His pawns on the board moved forward slowly, probing Serena's defences, and testing her reactions. This was the way. No reason to risk anything too early in the game.