[a/n-1]From last time, honestly I'm not clear how Kitty never caught onto Peter except for Plot Armor

[a/n0]In reference to MelodyPotterSnape about "Hagrid assaulted a child his age for something his uncle said" I took that up in HDD#109 #128 #129. Thanx for the fun reread.

Harry Does Different DXIVf

Kittie Minnie II

Harry did not know the word, but he'd grown highly cynical over the last couple weeks. Learning the details of his arrival at the Dursleys' soured his opinion of everyone involved. After some contentiousness with McGonagall, the boy dropped that because of the quite unpleasant relationship developing with Professor Snape. Plus she introduced him to Remus Lupin, who had some great tales of his parents, but here too there was something that bothered Harry. But now? Skip all that drama, because he had to meet someone else he never had. His …despite his Head's prior comment… unconvicted Godfather.

"Remus! And you've brought Harry!" the clean-shaven but otherwise bedraggled and plainly starved, sort-of former, inmate burst out of bed. Well almost. He was in the high security section of St. Mungo's, behind several wards which, combined, shoved the weakened man into bed. "Well, consider the attempt at a hug to be the deed. Sorry."

While Remus was allowed far enough in to shake hands, the youngster did not even make such an effort. Only one other inmate was present, and her bed was quite distant, with nowhere near the security.

Harry stopped before he got even that close "Thanks no." he shook his head "Not my thing. And that's even before I'm convinced Mr. Black, here, is actually innocent."

"Name's Sirius, or Padfoot to you, Harry. I'd hope you'd remember." He offered with a hopeful grin.

Harry shrugged "I'm just a kid who should be too busy writing essays and saving Hogwarts from trolls. Meanwhile I got thirty adults telling me fifty stories. First I heard of you was McGonagall telling me you were convicted of betraying my parents to Voldemort."

"That is NOT true!" Sirius had at least learned his lesson and knew his godson was not within reach.

Harry waved at his escort "Mr. Lupin here explained how you didn't get a trial. But then I know my cousin Dudley is guilty of lots of stuff. Never even arrested."

"Remus told me about you growing up with Petunia." Here he displayed guilt "And I do blame myself for two decisions that caused that. First was the suggestion that James make Peter the Secret Keeper instead of me. As a distraction. Never would have thought him a Death Eater. Mistake two, letting Hagrid take you to Dumbledore so I could get Peter. I should have stayed with you, never letting you NEAR Petunia. I can't go back, I can only say I'm sorry and promise that doing what's right for you will be my only goal."

Exactly because of everything people had told him, with all the contradictions, that speech was too much for Harry. He ran.

Abcij

Somebody would later point out how impressive it was for a first user of the Floo to get it exactly right. Though at the moment, Harry stormed into the Gryffindor Common Room. And got exactly three steps up the girls' dorm staircase before being thrown to the landing, most unceremoniously.

"Potter! You know full well boys are NOT allowed!" Percy Weasley was the prefect on duty, although he barely looked up from the book across his lap. Then his eyes clouded briefly and markedly changed his approach "Miss Johnson, kindly summon Miss Granger from her room. And Mr. Potter, I will bring down my brother. You three may then sit at the alcove under a minor privacy charm that will dissipate at curfew."

There were fewer Gryffindors present when their Head's office door opened a bit later. But enough witnessed her commending the Fifth Year "Not quite a by-the-book solution, Mr. Weasley, nevertheless, well done. Ten points to Gryffindor." Nobody present asked how she knew what had occurred, nor were they surprised when McGonagall easily crossed the prefect's barrier.

"Professor McGonagall." All three First-Years stood respectfully.

She waved it off "We are well after class time and rapidly approaching curfew. I ask this not as a teacher but as a friend of your parents. How is it? Learning about Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black?"

"Honestly, I'm not impressed with my parents' choice of friends." Harry was looking down "Not a one EVER checked in with their son. EVER! Even if the Dursleys were nice, which they're not, it would have been nice to know something about them. Even their names. Then …we were talking… and well, this Black guy, even if he's guilty… I mean he never got a trial back then. Doesn't say much for justice in the Wizard World."

Ron gave his friend a sour look and Hermione complained "We're kids, we should not criticize the courts."

"Nice try, Hermione." Countered Harry with a headshake "You two helped me figure that out. Why won't you see it?"

They both looked down, Ron put in "Dad works for The Ministry, Harry. It's his life. HE wouldn't do anything like what you're saying!"

"I'd hope not, mate." Harry was fervent in that "But let's ask. Professor? Is everyone in Wizard government completely honest and doing what's right for everyone?"

The teacher was clearly displeased, but answered truthfully "As much as I wish that were true, no Mr. Potter, I cannot say that."

"Now, about Black being my Godfather." He went on "Hermione pointed out, Aban did you call it?"

The young witch shook her head "Azkaban."

"Right. It's worse than Muggle prisons because of the …ahhh… Demtoids." This time he waved off the correction "What they do to someone's brain; the Dursleys hate me, but is it really a good idea to …ahhh… me live with him? Is it safe?"

The Professor smiled "An impressive bit of wisdom in that preteen jumble of illogic. I cannot imagine anyone suggesting a former …even cleared… convict. Never mind, force of habit. No, I doubt the Wizengamot would allow custody of a child to goto such-a-one. However, I do not know if there is a path to changing your current arrangements."

"Dumbledore is Headmaster of Hogwarts." Did the Common Room's temperature drop as Harry spoke? "He doesn't get to decide how I spend my summer. Ron and Hermione already sent letters to their parents. Tell you the truth? After the Dursleys, I might ask for a week with Draco."

McGonagall kept a straight face "So long as discipline is not involved, we staff ignore student arguments. But yours with Mr. Malfoy are already subjects of discussion. Your point is taken. On the record, speak respectfully to …and about… Professor Dumbledore. His decision may have been sensible, in 1981, but I offer the suggestion you go by the premise of Don't Ask Don't Tell. And get yourself a firm commitment for whatever summer plan you might make. With that, I believe First-Year curfew is nigh. Good night."