Magic’s child

by parkerminnix

Magics child 2

2. Magic’s child 3

Finding Family

Chapter Summary

DAY FIFTEEN IN THE CHAMBER

Five days passed and there was still no sign that Arcturus Black was soon to wake up. Five long days. Each day, Harry grew more and more concerned for his godfather. Sirius looked like he hadn't had much sleep and was spending more and more time sitting by his grandfather's bed. Even though the book had arrived, none of them where in a rush to continue reading. Harry and the others were still receiving intensive sessions with their tutors. The new arrivals had used the time to catch up on the first two books and the two Rita Skeeters had been sneaking about trying to spy on people. Although this was significantly more challenging without the use of her animagus form.

Once his lessons were finished for the day, Harry darted along the corridor to the hospital room, his younger self by his side.

Sirius was exactly where Harry expected to find him. Although he was surprised to find Severus Snape sitting beside him. The potions master looked especially concerned about Harry's godfather - father - dogfather.

Harry knew that his godfather had at least eaten as he'd been forced by Harry to attend meals at the very least and he was certain that Snape would have reminded him to take his potion, the one that was helping him overcome the damage done by his illegal imprisonment in Azkaban. Snape glanced up at them as they entered the room and immediately got to his feet. Harry wondered if his professor realised that he and Sirius had been flirting on and off for days now. It was odd, considering just how awful their history was, but Harry could easily imagine the two wizards together. Weirdly they suited each other. Both sarcastic. Both a little dark. And both willing to die for Harry.

Harry sighed. He wouldn't let that happen this time.

"Is it dinner time already?" Snape asked, looking awkward at having been caught being on friendly terms with Sirius.

"Yes, sir," young Harry said.

Severus nodded before turning back to Sirius. "Come, mutt. You can come back after dinner."

Sirius looked like he wanted to argue. But the look on Severus's face promised no room for compromise.

Sirius got to his feet and Harry was sad to see that his eyes were rimmed with red. He had clearly been crying. He didn't comment on it though. He didn't know how to comfort Sirius. Apparently, that wasn't necessary however, as Sirius grinned at them both before asking, "How were your lessons?"

"Rookwood taught us more about our core affinities," young Harry said eagerly, taking his godfather's hand. "Dad, he said that my core would make it possible for me to excel at magics of all types."

"That's brilliant, pup," Sirius replied and Harry frowned. He didn't like that his godfather was masking his emotions, even if he was doing it for him.

Just as they reached the door there was a quiet cough from behind them. They all turned around together, staring back at the bed. Arcturus's eyes were still closed but he coughed again. Sirius let go of young Harry's hand and rushed back to his grandfather's side. His eyes were fluttering open now.

"S-sirius?" he managed to croak out.

"Grandfather!" Sirius took the man's hand and began to cry.

"How are you here?" Arcturus asked.

Severus moved forward and began casting diagnostic spells.

"That's a long story," Sirius said with a smirk.

"You're supposed to be in Azkaban. I tried to get you out." He coughed. "But no one would listen to me."

Severus offered the elderly man a glass of water.

"Imagine sending my heir to prison without so much as a trial," he said after taking a large gulp. "They didn't even believe me when I told them you hadn't had a trial. Even when I showed them you were still my heir on my Inheritance test."

"You tried to get me free?" Sirius asked in surprise. "Who did you tell?"

"The minister," he croaked out.

Harry wasn't surprised. Of course, the minister would have ignored him. It might not have been Fudge back then, but no doubt they were probably just as corrupt as he was.

"Of course, I did. You're my grandson." He forced himself to sit up, even though it seemed especially difficult. "I even gave up my lordship when they refused to believe me, told them I wanted nothing to do with a political system that threw heirs of noble houses to the dementors without trials."

"That's why I'm the lord? You abdicated?" He could barely believe it. His grandfather had loved being Lord Black. "I thought you were dead."

"Yes, sorry about that. It was perhaps a little petulant." Arcturus sighed. "I don't regret it though."

They were quiet for a moment before Severus broke the silence. "I'll just get Poppy."

Sirius smiled slightly at the potion master. An expression that his grandfather did not miss.

Harry was relieved that Elder Black was now awake but he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that this meant that they'd be starting the third book soon. It would seem it couldn't be put off forever.

"I guess I should introduce you to my heir, grandfather," Sirius said. "This is Harry."

"Why are there two of them or am I seeing double?"

The three of them quickly began explaining everything that had happened since they entered the chamber. By the time Snape returned with Madam Pomfrey, Arcturus was looking utterly flummoxed. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. The Black heir was Mother Magic's prince. Well, that was certainly a legacy he could get behind. He looked over the two boys, noticing how small and underfed they looked, and the awful condition of their clothes. That would have to change. It had been a long time since he got to play the part of doting grandfather and he was looking forward to it.

Owl Post

Chapter Summary

DAY NINETEEN

Our characters start reading the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

It was a relief for Harry when Madam Pomfrey refused to allow Elder Black to leave his hospital bed for several days. Although he had a sneaky suspicion that it would become harder to pick back up reading, the longer he was allowed to put it off. Getting to know his great grandfather was strange in and of itself though and certainly provided a distraction. The entire Black family seemed to come around him, eager to help him much to his annoyance.

He frequently complained under his breath that they were all suffocating him with their loving care, although it was clear from his expression he was enjoying their concern all the same.

Three days passed before Madam Pomfrey agreed that Arcturus could leave the hospital. It was just after lunch and they used the rest of the day to show Arcturus their suite of chambers. They were pleased to note that Mother Magic had added another room to their chambers so that Arcturus could stay with them. With Arcturus's leaving the hospital, everyone else was eager to restart reading. Harry felt like a heavy weight had settled in his stomach. It would seem he was the only one who didn't want to read the book though because even younger Harry was eagerly anticipating the chance to hear more about his future self's time at Hogwarts.

"What happened in your third year?" he asked eagerly the night before they were due to start reading once again.

"You'll find out tomorrow," he teased. He still hadn't quite gotten used to having his younger self with him. Or how protective he felt of him. It gave him a new perspective on just how wrong his life was. The boy who he used to be was just so small, so vulnerable. So unprotected.

Not any more. He has me, Harry told himself, and Sirius too.

Sirius surprised Harry by taking on the role of parent in a practical way and sending them to bed early so they'd be ready to start reading once more. But Harry couldn't sleep. He was nervous. Scared even. He considered some of the things he'd said about Sirius before he learned that he was innocent and he worried what Sirius would think. Would he forgive him?

His godfather eyed him with concern the next morning, noticing the dark bruises under his eyes as he went off to his pre-breakfast training session. Arcturus frowned too, as he looked up from the book he was reading. He was close to finishing the first book and was horrified by what his great-grandson had experienced. Harry should have been with him. Protected. Safe. And yet he'd nearly died multiple times in his first year alone.

Harry went through the motions, running laps around the chamber, much quicker than his peers, almost enjoying the strain of his muscles, casting the defensive and offensive spells that Mad Eye was teaching them, eating his breakfast as everyone chatted away about what would happen in the next book.

"Oi Potter!" Draco called across the table, looking mildly concerned.

His mother tutted beside him.

Harry didn't even react.

"Oi Potter, isn't this the year you blew up your aunt?"

Several people gasped in shock and Harry blinked. "Er... Yeah."

"You blew up Tuney?" Severus asked with an eager glint in his eyes.

"No. Not Petunia."

"But you don't have-" Severus continued.

"Uncle Vernon's sister," Harry muttered. "Aunt Marge."

After that everyone seemed to eat even quicker. It didn't look like this could be put off any longer, Harry realised. They all wandered through to the main chamber, Arcturus sitting in a deep and comfortable looking armchair next to their sofa. Professor Flitwick grabbed the book and cast the spell as silence took hold of the crowd.

Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy... And he also happened to be a wizard.

"Weren't your school things locked away?" Minerva asked.

"Yeah, but I managed to sneak some of my books out of my trunk."

It was nearly midnight... he'd probably find himself locked in the cupboard under the stairs for the rest of the summer.

"I really hope we don't have to read too much about Potter's awful relatives in this book," Malfoy muttered to his younger self.

The Dursley family of Number Four... were Harry's only living relatives.

Arcturus tutted. It wasn't right that his great grandson didn't even know that he had family beyond these awful people.

They were Muggles... they would be able to squash the magic out of him.

Everyone glared at the book.

To their fury... forbid him to talk to the neighbors.

Minerva tutted. She had told Albus that Harry shouldn't live with them and she had been right.

This separation from his spell books had been a real problem for Harry... the Dursleys need never know that he was studying magic by night.

The teachers were impressed by his determination to study even if the results were unlikely to be impressive. This was not an environment conducive to learning.

Harry was particularly keen to avoid trouble... a telephone call from a fellow wizard one week into the school vacation.

Ron blushed slightly. He hadn't meant to get Harry in trouble.

Ron Weasley, who was one of Harry's best friends at Hogwarts... I -- WANT -- TO -- TALK -- TO -- HARRY -- POTTER!"

The muggle raised in the chamber shook their heads in disappointment while several people laughed.

Ron was yelling... DON'T YOU COME NEAR MY FAMILY!"

"Sorry, mate," Ron said, rubbing his hand through his hair awkwardly.

And he threw the receiver back... spraying Harry with spit.

"Eww," young Draco grumbled.

Ron obviously realized that he'd gotten Harry into trouble... and this summer was turning out to be almost as bad as the last one.

Sirius growled. He wished that just one of these books would have a year where Harry wasn't attacked by muggles, wix and magical creatures alike.

There was just one very small improvement... the racket Hedwig made if she was locked in her cage all the time.

"Poor Hedwig," Luna said softly.

Harry finished writing about Wendelin the Weird... He had been thirteen years old, without realizing it, for a whole hour.

Harry sighed at the looks of pity he was receiving.

Yet another unusual thing about Harry... He had never received a birthday card in his life.

"We'll fix that," Sirius promised, Arcturus nodding in agreement.

The Dursleys had completely ignored his last two birthdays... who didn't flinch at the sight of him.

More pitying looks made Harry glower at the floor.

Harry, though still rather small and skinny for his age, had grown a few inches over the last year.

"I'm glad to hear that my nutrient potions were working," Madam Pomfrey muttered. She had been hiding them in his food since the very first morning of his first year at Hogwarts.

His jet-black hair, however, was just as it always had been -- stubbornly untidy, whatever he did to it.

"No way to change that," Sirius grinned. "Even when I blood adopted you it didn't change."

The eyes behind his glasses were bright green... Barely alive, Voldemort had fled.

Barty Crouch Junior glared at the book angrily.

But Harry had come face-to-face with him at Hogwarts... lucky even to have reached his thirteenth birthday.

Sirius actually whimpered at the truth of those words.

He scanned the starry sky... was a large, strangely lopsided creature, and it was flapping in Harry's direction.

"Oh, no. What now?" Tonks asked. Knowing Harry it couldn't be anything good.

He stood quite still... wondering whether to slam it shut.

"Do it!" someone shouted.

But then the bizarre creature soared over... keeled right over and lay motionless.

Mr and Mrs Weasley leaned forward. That wasn't Errol, was it? But they were in Egypt. Who would be sending Errol?

There was a large package tied to its legs... and began to gulp some water.

"But we were in Egypt," Mrs Weasley began, glaring at her children. A journey like that could have killed the poor bird.

Harry turned back to the remaining owls... looked extremely pleased with herself.

"She always looked after me," Harry smiled sadly.

She gave Harry an affectionate nip... his first ever birthday card.

Mrs Weasley was brushing tears from her eyes.

Fingers trembling slightly... MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE

"Nice," several people murmured.

Arthur Weasley... Right in the middle of the picture was Ron, tall and gangling, with his pet rat, Scabbers, on his shoulder and his arm around his little sister, Ginny.

Several people sneered at the reminder of the rat. A rat that was still sitting in a cage on the mantel.

Harry couldn't think of anyone who deserved to win... who were very nice and extremely poor.

Mrs Weasley smiled softly at Harry.

He picked up Ron's letter and unfolded it... I asked Dad, and he reckons I shouldn't have shouted.

"You think," Hermione said sarcastically.

It's amazing here in Egypt.

"How dare you send Errol all that way," Mrs Weasley shouted at Ron. "You could have killed him."

"We could have visited a local post office, Ronald," Mr Weasley said, disappointment clear in his voice.

Ron didn't say anything. He knew his parents were right but thirteen year old him hadn't even considered Errol's age.

Bill's taken us around all the tombs... Muggles who'd broken in and grown extra heads and stuff.

"Was that why I wasn't allowed in?" Ginny laughed.

I couldn't believe it when Dad won the Daily Prophet Draw... a new wand for next year.

"Finally," Ollivander muttered.

Harry remembered only too well... Don't let the Muggles get you down!

Sirius huffed. It was easy for a kid from a loving family to be so bloody optimistic about the abuse another suffered.

Try and come to London... He had pinned his Head Boy badge to the fez perched jauntily on top of his neat hair, his horn-rimmed glasses flashing in the Egyptian sun.

Percy blushed in embarrassment. Really, he had been a pompous ass.

Harry now turned to his present... But he didn't realize Fred and George had put beetles in his soup.

Bill glowered at George who sniggered.

Bye... this time from Hermione.

"Now taking bets on what Granger got Harry for his birthday," George said with a smirk. "House bets its a book."

"No deal," Ron said with a hearty laugh.

Dear Harry... what if they'd opened it at customs?

"Never send magical artifacts through the muggle post!" Moody growled.

"Find a local magical community and find the post office," Draco said with a shake of his head.

"It's not that easy to find them when you don't know where they are," Hermione defended.

"There are travel guides at Flourish and Blotts," Draco explained.

"Oh, I didn't know that," Hermione blushed.

"Perhaps this is something else that should be taught in magical primary school," Lucius murmured.

"Oh, we could do school trips abroad just like muggle schools do," Hermione said.

"School trips?" Everyone was eyeing her with confusion.

"Mostly they're just day trips," Hermione explained. "A visit to a farm or zoo to learn about animals."

"We could visit a dragon reserve," young Draco said eagerly.

"But occasionally, they do week long trips to other countries to practice languages and learn about other cultures."

"That sounds brilliant!" several of the pureblood kids said eagerly, murmuring about all the places they'd like to visit with their friends instead of their parents.

but then Hedwig turned up!... the ancient Egyptian wizards were fascinating.

Harry grinned. Hermione really hadn't changed. Always learning something.

There's some interesting local history of witchcraft here, too... it's two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for.

"Definitely too long," Minerva grumbled.

"Does Binns even read our essays?" Dean asked Seamus.

"Don't think so. That one time I accidentally handed in my potions essay, I managed to get an outstanding," Seamus replied. "Professor Snape, however, wasn't as impressed with my history essay. Gave me a troll. Still don't know if that was because it wasn't a potions essay or because it was really that bad."

Ron says he's going to be in London... If not, I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express on September first!

"Didn't your friends wonder how you'd get your school supplies if your aunt and uncle didn't let you go?" Sirius muttered irritably.

Harry shrugged.

Love from Hermione... Ron doesn't seem too happy about it.

Ron grimaced. "He was being a right git about it."

Harry laughed as he put Hermione's letter aside... a large book full of very difficult spells

"Any bets?" George asked once again but no one doubted that it was a book.

but it wasn't.

"No way!" several people cried out in surprise. Hermione smiled.

His heart gave a huge bound... reading Broomstick Servicing Kit.

"Nice!" Draco grinned. "Way to go, Granger."

"Wow, Hermione!"... a Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare.

Everyone was looking at Hermione. They couldn't actually believe she'd bought Harry a gift he'd really like.

Apart from his friends... One of Harry's most prized possessions was his Nimbus Two Thousand racing broom.

Several people grimaced at the reminder of what happened to that broomstick.

Harry put the leather case aside... as though it had jaws.

Sirius looked slightly panicked. Would Hagrid gift Harry a monstrous creature?

Harry froze... Hagrid didn't have a normal person's view of what was dangerous.

Hagrid blushed heavily.

Hagrid had been known to befriend giant spiders... and sneak illegal dragon eggs into his cabin.

"In fairness, he didn't get Fluffy from a strange man in a pub, that was Norbert," Harry said but Hagrid coughed loudly. Harry stopped trying to defend his friend. It would seem he had in fact bought Fluffy from a man in a pub.

Harry poked the parcel nervously... a book.

"A book?" several people laughed.

Harry just had time to register its handsome green cover... scuttled sideways along the bed like some weird crab.

"Oh, dear," Charlie said. He loved his copy of that book but he wasn't sure if was a good text for third year care of magical creature students.

"Uh-oh,"... "Ouch!"

"It bit you?" Hagrid looked nervous.

The book snapped shut... sleepy grunt in the room next door.

"Phew!" several people murmured. They didn't want Potter getting in trouble with the muggles.

Hedwig and Errol watched interestedly... It struck Harry as ominous that Hagrid thought a biting book would come in useful,

George smirked at that.

but he put Hagrid's card up next to Ron's and Hermione's... Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.

"Yeah, right," Harry frowned. "Like they'd have ever signed it."

Minerva looked sad now. It really wasn't right that Harry had been forced to live with those muggles.

A list of books for next year is enclosed... persuade Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia to sign the form?

"That will never happen," young Harry said morosely.

He looked over at the alarm clock... Harry Potter felt just like everyone else - glad, for the first time in his life, that it was his birthday.

They all smiled at that.

Chapter End Notes

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Aunt Marge's Big Mistake

Chapter Summary

Harry blows up his aunt!

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

They don't pause for a second before they start the second chapter. Harry shrinks in on himself. He hated to think what everyone would think about him blowing up Aunt Marge. Personally, he thought she deserved it. And it wasn't like he'd done it intentionally. But still, for a brief moment, he'd really thought they'd send him to Azkaban or at the very least take his wand. And it wasn't an unreasonable thought given how the ministry had reacted to Dobby and the dementor attack. Would everyone judge him for what he did? To a seemingly defenseless muggle?

Probably, he thought to himself. Wizards and Witches tended to underestimate muggles.

Harry went down to breakfast... the long walk between the fridge and the television in the living room.

The mothers in the chamber all tutted even though they didn't really know what a television was. If any child needed exercise, it was Dudley Dursley.

Dudley had spent most of the summer... he ate continually.

"How is that child alive?" Madam Pomfrey asked, horrified. Her younger self shaking her head in disgust. The Dursleys should not be allowed to raise either boy. They were abusing both boys, just in very different ways.

Harry sat down between Dudley and Uncle Vernon... but Harry was far too used to this to care.

Sirius pulled both Harrys closer. He'd make sure Harry enjoyed all his birthdays in the future.

He helped himself to a piece of toast... Black is armed and extremely dangerous.

"Oh, look! It's me!" Sirius grinned.

A special hot line... "Look at the state of him, the filthy layabout! Look at his hair!"

"Hey! What's wrong with my hair?" Sirius complained.

"Well..." Harry grinned. "Other than the fact you were seriously dirty, it was long. Uncle Vernon doesn't believe men should have long hair."

"But wizards grow their hair out as soon as they come of age," Sirius said. "It's tradition."

"Like you've ever followed tradition," laughed Snape.

"Well, I liked that one." Sirius retorted.

"Why?" Young Harry asked.

"The length of your hair is said to reflect your core capacity," Sirius explained. "The longer the hair, the more powerful the wizard."

"That and it's also a physical sign of worship to the deities," Lucius added. "Wearing your hair long is a sign to everyone you meet that you practice the Old Ways."

Harry frowned for a moment. If that was true then why had Mrs Weasley always been trying to force Bill to cut his?

"Of course, there are also those that just do it for a fashion statement," Lucius added, "so it doesn't always mean that. At least not any more."

He shot a nasty look sideways at Harry... Harry felt very well groomed indeed.

This got a laugh from a handful of people.

The reporter had reappeared... Lunatic could be coming up the street right now!"

"Could you imagine if they announced that on the muggle news?" Ron laughed. "Mass Murdering Wizard Escapes Magical Prison."

"They'd wonder if it was April Fools," young Harry said.

"What's April Fools?" several purebloods asked and Hermione quickly cut in with an explanation.

Aunt Petunia, who was bony and horse-faced... spent most of her life spying on the boring, law-abiding neighbors.

"She must live a very boring life," Albus said glumly.

"When will they learn,"... "that hanging's the only way to deal with these people?"

"Hanging?" Blaise asked.

"They used to hang people," Harry explained quickly. "They stopped doing that ages ago though."

"The death penalty has not been given in the UK since 1964," Hermione said, clearly reciting from memory. "Capital punishment for murder was suspended in 1965 and eventually abolished for murder in 1969. They were planning to abolish capital punishment for treason and piracy with violence too this year, but I don't know if the law actually passed." She paused. "I'm not even sure it's been voted on yet."

"Wait," George said with a mischievous smirk. "Does that mean I can be a pirate?"

"Well, you'll still go to prison in the muggle world for piracy but yeah, you won't face the death penalty." Hermione answered seriously.

"Very true,"... "Sh-she's not coming here, is she?"

"I'm guessing we don't like Aunt Marge," Sirius said and both Harrys nodded their heads.

Aunt Marge was Uncle Vernon's sister... stop him from beating Dudley at musical statues.

Remus growled, his eyes turning flashing amber. She hit his cub with a walking stick when he was five years old. How dare she?

A few years later... a box of dog biscuits for Harry.

Harry hated how everyone was looking at him, their eyes full of pity.

On her last visit... Aunt Marge had refused to call him off until past midnight.

"It's looking like it might be a quadruple homicide after all," Sirius growled angrily. His grandfather's eyebrow was raised and he looked like he'd eaten something that tasted foul.

"We'll be pressing charges," Arcturus said in a low and quite terrifying voice.

The memory of this incident still brought tears of laughter to Dudley's eyes.

"Bastard," George muttered, only for his mother to screech at him. George glared at her. "I'm of age, mum. If I wan't to call him a bastard, I'm going to bloody well call him a bastard."

"Marge'll be here for a week,"... Dudley's favorite form of entertainment.

George nodded his head. Yup. Dudley was a bastard. In fact, in the grand scheme of things he thought he could call him far worse.

"Firstly,"... "if she does when she's talking to me. "

Why are you talking back? Young Harry asked in parsel.

I'd been away at school, Harry said with a shrug. I wasn't quite as scared anymore.

"Secondly,"... You behave yourself, got me?"

"Potter behave himself? Yeah, I can see that happening," Draco said with a smirk.

"I will if she does,"... St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys. "

"WHAT?" Sirius screeched, his voice almost as high pitched as Mrs Weasley's.

"What?"... it was the worst birthday present the Dursleys had ever given him, including that pair of Uncle Vernon's old socks.

Probably invited her just to ruin your birthday, young Harry said.

"Well, Petunia,"... "Mummy's bought him a lovely new bow-tie. "

Fred and George made gagging noises.

Uncle Vernon clapped Dudley on his porky shoulder... had a sudden idea.

"Oh dear," Hermione and Ron said together. This was guaranteed to go wrong.

Abandoning his toast... "Third years at Hog -- at my school are allowed to visit the village sometimes," said Harry.

"Definitely should have been in Slytherin," Blaise said to his younger self.

"So?"... "it'll be hard work, pretending to Aunt Marge I go to that St. Whatsits. . . . "

"Nicely done," Sirius laughed.

He'll never sign it, young Harry said. He didn't especially like talking in the chamber with everyone there. But it was okay talking parseltongue with his older self. Even if it did seem to terrify everyone else a little.

"St. Brutus's Secure Center... "You'll get the stuffing knocked out of you, won't you?" roared Uncle Vernon, advancing on Harry with his fist raised.

"I'll kill him," Sirius muttered. Harry was surprised that several other people looked murderous too. Remus. Tonks. Mrs Weasley. And perhaps most surprising of all Lucius Malfoy and Snape. Snape looked like he was actually listing off poisons in his head.

But Harry stood his ground... won't make Aunt Marge forget what I could tell her," he said grimly.

"Nice," Fred said with a smirk.

Uncle Vernon stopped... like I'm normal and everything. "

"Like you could ever be normal, Potter," Malfoy said but his tone lacked malice.

Harry could tell that Uncle Vernon was thinking it over... slammed it so hard that one of the little panes of glass at the top fell out.

"His temper is awful," Galenius Everleigh said. "He could definitely benefit from seeing a Mind Healer."

Harry didn't return to the kitchen... It's the only way I'll be allowed to visit Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione."

"Poor Hedwig," Luna said with a sigh.

Ten minutes later... put the empty cage away inside the wardrobe.

"Now you were really alone," Luna said softly. "That must have been horrible, Harry."

Harry frowned. Luna always knew. He shrugged, trying to pretend that it wasn't a big deal.

But Harry didn't have long to brood... so the untidier he looked, the happier she would be.

Several people chuckled at that. But it wasn't happy laughter. It was dark and threatening.

All too soon, there was a crunch of gravel... "Get the door!" Aunt Petunia hissed at Harry.

"What are you, her slave?" Hermione huffed.

"Yup," Harry muttered.

A feeling of great gloom in his stomach... "Where's my neffy poo?"

The twins smirked at that. "Neffy poo!"

Dudley came waddling down the hall... knocking the wind out of him,

"Bitch," Sirius gritted out. He completely ignored Mrs Weasley's tut of disapproval.

seized Dudley in a tight one-armed hug... Dudley had a crisp twenty-pound note clutched in his fat fist.

The parents in the chamber all bristled at that. "Imagine having to pay your children to show affection," Augusta complained.

"Petunia!"... "Ripper can have some tea out of my saucer," said Aunt Marge

"She isn't serious, is she?" Narcissa asked, looking revolted.

as they all proceeded into the kitchen... Aunt Petunia hated animals.

Snape huffed. There wasn't much Tuney did like.

"Who's looking after the other dogs, Marge?"... "Still here, are you?"

Harry grimaced. He really wished he could just leave the chamber for this chapter. But he knew he shouldn't. Aunt Marge had nothing on old Moldy Shorts.

"Yes," said Harry... if you'd been dumped on my doorstep. "

Sirius and Remus shared a look. If the ministry didn't do something about this woman, they would. They were fed up of hearing how people treated their pup.

Harry was bursting to say that he'd rather live in an orphanage... "Do they use the cane at St. Brutus's, boy?" she barked across the table.

The adults all looked disgusted and Harry couldn't help but wonder where this anger was when he had actually been thirteen and dealing with Aunt Marge. He didn't need their pity or even their righteous anger now. They were all five years too late. That said, at least young Harry wouldn't have to deal with her any longer.

"Er... A good thrashing is what's needed in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred.

The mothers all tutted. The woman was advocating child abuse. How were these the people that the Boy-Who-Lived, Mother Magic's chosen child had lived with?

Have you been beaten often?"... approve the use of extreme force in this boy's case."

Everyone glared at the book and Harry was almost surprised it hadn't burst into flames.

Perhaps Uncle Vernon was worried... What about that escaped prisoner, eh?"

"That's the second time I've been mentioned," Sirius grinned.

"Are we going to have to count through the entire book?" Snape asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Didn't you hear the title?" Sirius asked with a grin, happily diffusing the tension and adverting attention away from his godsons. "This book is all about me."

As Aunt Marge started to make herself at home... wanted Harry under her eye at all times,

"She sounds like my mother," Sirius muttered. "Vile woman."

so that she could boom out suggestions... daring him to ask why he hadn't got a present too.

"My old mum did that too. She was always trying to pit me and Regulus against each other." Sirius's eyes watered slightly at the thought of his dead younger brother.

She also kept throwing out dark hints... "If there's something rotten on the inside, there's nothing anyone can do about it."

"Imagine saying that about a child!" Narcissa said tersely. "You are not rotten, Heir Potter. If anyone is rotten, it's that horrible woman."

Harry tried to concentrate on his food... Don't rise -

"I don't see this ending well," Remus said, remembering both Lily and James and their tempers. If Harry was anything like his parents at that age, he was going to blow eventually and when he did, it would be catastrophic.

Aunt Marge reached for her glass of wine... If there's something wrong with the bitch, there'll be something wrong with the pup -"

Snape jumped to his feet. "There was nothing wrong with Lily!"

Everyone was shocked into silence at the potions master's outburst. But he quickly hid his anger behind impressive occlumency shields, pretending nothing had happened at all.

At that moment, the wineglass Aunt Marge was holding exploded in her hand.

"Oh, no. Harry, you need to control your temper," Hermione said, shaking her head.

"Easy for you to say," Harry muttered. "She wasn't talking about your dead mum."

Shards of glass flew in every direction... her great ruddy face dripping.

All the children laughed.

"Marge!"... I have a very firm grip..."

"Yeah, that's what did it," Fred smirked.

But Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were both looking at Harry suspiciously... escape from the table as soon as he could.

"Good decision," Sirius said, patting him on the back.

Outside in the hall, he leaned against the wall... if he carried on like that, he'd be in trouble with the Ministry of Magic.

"That was accidental magic," Tonks said. "You won't get in trouble for that. At least not until you're of age."

Harry thought that Tonks really didn't know much about the ministry, even if she did work there. Never mind, she'd learn.

Harry was still an underage wizard... His record wasn't exactly clean either.

"But that wasn't you," Amelia said. "And the ministry should have looked into it properly."

Only last summer he'd gotten an official warning... Harry would face expulsion from Hogwarts.

"Not for accidental magic," the younger Augusta Longbottom said.

Harry laughed. He couldn't believe how naive these adults were.

He heard the Dursleys leaving the table... he was mentally subnormal.

Arcturus pulled out his wand and conjured a quill, ink and parchment. He was going to make a list of all the people he would be suing once they left this place. People didn't know it but the Blacks had a law wizard on retainer that specialised in muggle law. He'd get the woman imprisoned for something, mark his words.

At last, at long last, the final evening of Marge's stay arrived.

"You survived two weeks?" George asked, amazed.

Aunt Petunia cooked a fancy dinner... Her huge face was very red.

The purebloods sneered. Were all muggles like this?

"Just a small one, then,"... Dudley was eating his fourth slice of pie.

Young Madam Pomfrey huffed, mentally calculating how long she thought Dudley would live before suffering a heart attack.

Aunt Petunia was sipping coffee... But I do like to see a healthy-sized boy," she went on, winking at Dudley.

"Healthy sized?" several people gaped.

"You'll be a proper-sized man, Dudders... "This one's got a mean, runty look about him.

The chamber was silent. No one spoke. But you could almost taste their magic in the air. Everyone was glaring at the book, looking ready to curse the muggle woman.

You get that with dogs... Weak. Underbred."

"She drowned it?" young Luna asked, her eyes wet.

Harry was trying to remember page twelve of his book: A Charm to Cure Reluctant Reversers.

"Good tactics, Potter," Moody said.

"Shame it didn't work," Harry muttered.

"It all comes down to blood... Bad blood will out.

Harry glanced at the blood purists in the room. They were all looking a little awkward at hearing words they'd spoken coming from the mouth of a muggle.

Now, I'm saying nothing against your family, Petunia"... Dudley had even looked up from his pie to gape at his parents.

Harry stared at his hands. He hated this. He wished he didn't have to hear this all over again. And more than that, he didn't want anyone else to hear it either.

"He - didn't work," said Uncle Vernon, with half a glance at Harry. "Unemployed. "

"Only because we were fighting a war!" Sirius shouted angrily. "Plus, he was a Lord. He sat on the Wizagmot. It didn't leave a lot of time for a regular day job. Especially with everything he did for the Order."

"As I expected!"... "A no-account, good-for-nothing, lazy scrounger who -"

"No one would ever call James Potter lazy," Snape said with a hollow laugh. "He was arrogant, narcissistic and - well, he was a lot of things. But not lazy."

Harry was taken aback to hear Snape of all people defending his father.

"He was not,"... He had never felt so angry in his life.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione frowned. She knew what was going to happen but it didn't make it any easier to hear.

"MORE BRANDY!"... you nasty little liar,

Harry glared at the book too now. He hated it when people called him a liar.

and left you to be a burden... "You are an insolent, ungrateful little -"

"I'll kill her," Sirius muttered, tightening his grip on his godsons even more.

But Aunt Marge suddenly stopped speaking... several buttons had just burst from her tweed jacket and pinged off the walls

The children were laughing again and young Harry's eyes had widened in horror. How would his older self get out of this one? He glanced at him as if to check that he was in fact still alive.

she was inflating like a monstrous balloon... rise off her chair toward the ceiling.

"Got to say," Moody grinned, "this is some exceptional accidental magic."

She was entirely round... Ripper came skidding into the room, barking madly.

Even the adults looked to be on the verge of laughter. The woman certainly deserved it.

"NOOOOOOO!"... sank his teeth into Uncle Vernon's leg.

More laughter rang through the chamber.

Harry tore from the dining room... The cupboard door burst magically open as he reached it.

"I don't think that was accidental," Tonks muttered with a smirk. "Powerful though."

"And to think he had a bind on his core," whistled Lucius.

Arcturus's eyebrow shot up at that. Why did his great-grandson have a bind on his magic? He looked to Sirius, expecting explanation but Sirius was focused on Harry, an intense look of concern on his face. As if he expected Arcturus's question, he thrust a sheet of parchment under the man's nose without looking up. He glanced at it. An Inheritance test. Harry's test. He skimmed through it until he reached the end. A horcrux? Merlin! His heart raced. They hadn't said anything about a horcrux. Snape, noticing his rising panic, passed him a calming draught and said in a low voice. "It's already been removed. The goblins did it."

That was a relief. Arcturus swigged the potion and focused on his breathing, working hard to calm his emotions, employing his occlumency shields to help.

In seconds, he had heaved his trunk to the front door... "COME BACK AND PUT HER RIGHT!"

"He wouldn't even know where to start," Amelia said. "He's just a child. It was accidental magic. These muggles really know nothing about our world. They should have been properly informed about our world. They should have been taught how to deal with Harry's accidental magic. As awful as they are, this isn't all their fault. They should have known to contact the ministry. There's a special telephone number for parents of muggleborn children to use in cases of extreme accidental magic."

But a reckless rage had come over Harry... You keep away from me."

"I thought I was probably expelled," Harry said quietly.

He fumbled behind him for the latch on the door... Hedwig's cage under his arm.

"Can't say I blame you, kid," Moody said gruffly.

The entire chamber erupted with noise as everyone spoke over each other. They couldn't believe what they'd just read. It could only have happened to Harry Potter.

"You actually blew up your aunt," Theo Nott said. "I always thought that was just a rumour."

"That was insane!" young George said.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Forge?" Fred said.

"Do you know Gred, I think I might be," George answered.

"New prank idea!" they chimed in together.

Older George was right there with them, already wondering how he could add a line of new sweets that would blow a person up like a balloon.

Chapter End Notes

Thanks for reading guys! Don't forget to drop kudos if you haven't already. I'd love it if you leave a comment and let me know what you thought of the chapter.

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

The Knight Bus

Chapter Summary

Our characters continue reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Eventually everyone in the chamber settled down and they were just about to continue reading when there was another flash of bright white light and much to Harry's surprise none other than Stan Shunpike was standing there in front of him, looking remarkably confused, staring at his younger self.

"That's impossible, that is," Stan said.

"Must be a dream," his younger self agreed.

By his side was a pair of house elves. "Yous be a disgrace!" the younger of the pair said as the older staggered, before toppling down onto the ground.

"Winky?" Harry blinked.

"Yous be knowing Winky?" the younger elf asked.

"Yes," Harry said with a smile. "Although, you haven't met me yet."

"Princey be knowing Winky." She bubbled with excitement. "I is needing to take Winky back to the other elves." She gave her older self a cold look. "She's be embarrassing us."

Hermione tutted. "She's upset."

"Winky has no business being upset. The Great Mother has called her elvesies. It is being a time of celebration."

Before Hermione could argue with the young elf, Barty was on his feet and rushing forward. "WINKY!"

He surprised everyone when he wrapped the two elves in his arms.

"M-Master Barty, but yous is being dead!" Winky cried.

"I is been trying to tell yous," younger Winky said with a grimace.

Stan Shunpike was not looking at the elves though. His attention was focused on the two Harrys. "Harry Potter?" he said, his jaw wide. "I'm definitely dreaming."

Minerva quickly explained everything in her most no nonsense voice and soon everyone was sitting back down. Barty was still clutching his two elves, tears evident in his eyes.

Harry was several streets away... a new emotion overtook him: panic.

"Surprised it took that long," Ron said. "I'd have been panicking as soon as I got out of that house."

Whichever way he looked at it, he had never been in a worse fix.

"Huh?" George asked.

"That whole thing with the dragon?" young George suggested.

"The detention in the forest?" Fred added.

"Quirrell and the stone," Blaise said.

"The basilisk," Draco muttered.

He was stranded, quite alone... he was almost certainly expelled from Hogwarts.

"It was accidental magic," someone said, like that actually mattered when your name was Harry Potter.

He had broken the Decree... swooping down on him where he sat.

"Unlikely. They wouldn't know where you are," Moody said. "You're not actively using magic. But they'll be at your house."

Harry shivered... outlawed from the wizarding world?

"Not for acc-" Harry tuned them all out. If he heard one more person say that accidental magic was forgiven, he'd lose whatever hold he had on his temper.

He thought of Ron and Hermione... he had no means of contacting them.

"This is a major breach of security," Kingsley was muttering. The protections around the Boy-Who-Lived were disappointing to say the least.

"Oh, is this the night we met, Harry?" the older Stan asked eagerly.

"You didn't say you'd already met him!" his younger self complained.

He didn't have any Muggle money, either... He'd never be able to drag his trunk all the way to London. Unless...

"Oh, no. What is he going to do?" Hermione muttered.

He looked down at his wand,... a bit more magic couldn't hurt.

"Except that would be intentional use of magic," Tonks said, "and actually could get you in trouble."

"Although, I would think that it would be allowed given you're stranded," Kingsley said. "It's called the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underaged Magic for a reason."

He had the Invisibility Cloak... flew to London?

"Not the worst idea," Moody said. "Only one spell but you do risk being seen if the cloak comes off in the wind."

Then he could get the rest of his money out of his vault... a trunk full of spell books and a broomstick.

"That's true enough," Arthur said.

"Also you need to find safety," Kingsley said. "While ever you are out in the open like that, you're at risk."

Harry opened his trunk again... Harry feel he was being watched,

"Good instincts," Moody growled.

but the street appeared to be deserted... something else.

"Good lad," Moody said with a nod.

"Lumos," Harry muttered,

"Harry! That's illegal!" Hermione screeched.

"No. It's not," Kingsley and Moody said together. "It's a perfectly reasonable use of the spell, given the situation he found himself in," Kingsley went on to explain.

and a light appeared at the end of his wand... something very big, with wide, gleaming eyes.

"What is it?" the kids all asked eagerly.

"Some sort of creature?" Charlie guessed.

Harry stepped backward... shield his eyes against a sudden blinding light.

"Was that me?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah," Harry grinned.

"Wait!" Kingsley was on his feet. "Are you telling us that Sirius Black found you before you even went to Hogwarts?"

"Yeah," Harry said with a shrug.

"No security at all," Kingsley muttered, glaring at Albus. "Anything could have happened."

"Hey! I wouldn't hurt my pup!" Sirius growled.

"But we didn't know that. His security was supposed to be at an all time high because we thought you wanted to kill him. Not to mention, if you could find him that easily, anyone could."

With a yell, he rolled back onto the pavement... The Knight Bus.

"Knew it," Stan said eagerly.

For a split second... and I will be your conductor this eve--"

"That's me!" Stan said.

The conductor stopped abruptly... "'Choo fall over for?" sniggered Stan.

Both Stans sniggered again now.

"I didn't do it on purpose,"... "Like a dog. . . but massive. . . "

"Yup, definitely me," Sirius grinned.

He looked around at Stan... "Woss that on your 'ead?" said Stan abruptly.

"Not the cleverest, is he?" Draco muttered to his younger self.

"Nothing,"... he didn't want to make it too easy for them.

This made several people laugh, to imagine a thirteen year old Harry Potter on the run from the Ministry of Magic.

"Woss your name?"... saying the first name that came into his head.

"Sorry, Nev," Harry muttered.

Neville merely laughed, his grandmother however looked less impressed.

"So - so this bus,"... Can't do nuffink underwater.

"Shame that, I always thought," Stan said with a sigh.

"Ere," he said, looking suspicious again,... "Not now, thanks, I'm pickling some slugs" and rolled over in his sleep.

Several people laughed. A surprising number of the children had never been on the Knight Bus and were eager to hear more about it.

"You 'ave this one,"... "Where are we, Ern? Somewhere in Wales?"

"That's quick," Fred said excitably.

"I wonder how it works," young George said.

"I wonder if we can make a prank toy that moves like the Knight Bus," Fred pondered.

"We'd need to work out how it works first," young George said thoughtfully. "Sounds an awful lot like apparition."

"Mass apparition? Is that even possible?" Fred asked.

"Ar," said Ernie... Never notice nuffink, they don'. "

"It's spelled," Kingsley said. "A combination of Notice Me Not charms and muggle repelling wards.

"Best go wake up Madam Marsh... Ernie didn't seem to have mastered the use of a steering wheel.

"Doesn' really need ter," Stan said excitably. "The bus does all the work."

The Knight Bus kept mounting the pavement... managed to get Aunt Marge off the ceiling yet.

"Unlikely," Kingsley said. "The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad would have done it in a flash though."

Stan had unfurled a copy of the Daily Prophet... "He was on the Muggle news!"

"Hey, look at that, Snape! They're talking about me again," Sirius said with a wink.

Severus just rolled his eyes.

Stanley turned to the front page... "You oughta read the papers more, Neville. "

"He's not wrong, Harry," Hermione said.

Harry mimicked Snape and rolled his eyes.

Harry held the paper up to the candlelight... most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress,

"Most infamous?" Sirius laughed. "Even more so than dear cousin Bella? She won't like that."

is still eluding capture... "and we beg the magical community to remain calm."

Harry gritted his teeth. He didn't like Fudge.

Fudge has been criticized... and Black, with his waxy white skin, looked just like one.

"A vampire?" Sirius chuckled. "I'll have you know, I'm more handsome than most vampires."

"Scary-lookin' fing, inee?"... "Black woz a big supporter of You-Know-'Oo," he said.

"Not true," Sirius said, folding his arms.

"What, Voldemort?"... "'Choo say 'is name for?"

"Harry always says his name," Ron muttered irritably.

"Sorry,"... "Blimey, my 'eart's goin' that fast. . . "

"I couldnee believe it. Imagine forgetting that!" Stan told everyone.

"So - so Black was a supporter... Harry nervously flattened his bangs down again

"You're being quite obvious," Remus said good-naturedly.

"all You-Know-'Oo's supporters... second-in-command once You-Know-'Oo 'ad taken over.

"Second in command?" Sirius laughed.

"No offense, Mr Shunpike," Amelia said, "but it bothers me that this is how Heir Potter is learning about this. His magical guardian," she glared at Albus, "should have informed him."

"Anyway, they cornered Black... "Jus' stood there an' laughed.

"It was the shock. I couldn't believe it. I didn't think Peter had it in him." Sirius frowned.

An' when reinforcements... 'Cos 'e's mad, inee, Ern? Inee mad?"

"Well, I am a Black," Sirius said.

Arcturus looked less impressed. He didn't like what people had been saying about his grandson back then.

"If he weren't when he went to Azkaban... "Gas explosion," grunted Ernie.

"That's the usual answer," Kingsley said. "It always seems to work. Muggles must have a lot of gas explosions, whatever they are."

"An' now 'e's out,"... "Never been a breakout from Azkaban before, 'as there, Ern?

"It's easy enough when the Ministry doesn't know you're an animagus," Sirius said. "Could have left at any time."

"Why didn't you?" Moody asked.

"What would be the point? Besides, I thought it was my fault," Sirius said.

Beats me 'ow 'e did it... Them Azkaban guards give me the collywobbles."

Everyone in the chamber seemed to agree with that, as no one said anything, eager to move past any mention of dementors.

Stan put the paper away reluctantly... 'E was tryin' to run for it. . . "

"You blew up your aunt, 'Arry?" Stan asked excitably.

"Yeah," Harry muttered.

He, Harry, had broken wizard law... and Hagrid was one of the bravest people Harry knew.

"Ah, thanks Harry," Hagrid smiled sadly.

The Knight Bus rolled through the darkness... "Diagon Alley," said Harry.

"Bad idea if you were actually on the run," Sirius said.

"Not that you'll ever need to know that!" young Mrs Weasley screeched.

Harry almost laughed. The younger Mrs Weasley was in for a shock or two.

"Righto,"... where, he didn't know.

The adults all frowned. The boy should never have been this alone. He should have had adults he felt he could go to when he was in trouble. Albus felt troubled. Didn't he know he could always come to Hogwarts?

Ern slammed on the brakes... "There you are, Harry," said a voice.

"Oh, no. Who is it?" Sirius asked.

"What if it's a death eater?" young Percy asked.

Before Harry could turn, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"No respect for personal space," Arcturus growled lowly. "Whoever it is, is lucky not to lose his wand hand for that! Touching a person from behind."

At the same time... Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic himself.

"Should have known," Arcturus said, his tone like ice.

Stan leapt onto the pavement beside them... "This is Harry Potter."

"No sense," Kingsley said. "He shouldn't be announcing your presence like that. They thought a murderer was out for you."

"I knew it!"... I can see 'is scar!"

Harry groaned. He hated the way people reacted to seeing him for the first time.

"Yes," said Fudge testily,... who still hadn't let go of Harry.

"Probably scared you'll do a runner," Hagrid said.

There was a loud scraping and puffing from behind them... "And a private parlor, please, Tom," said Fudge pointedly.

"Not the politest, Minister Fudge," Stan said snidely.

"'Bye,"... "'Bye, Neville!" called Stan.

"Did you forget who he was?" Hermione asked, bewildered.

"O' course not," Stan said. "But 'Arry clearly didn't want everyone knowin' it wer' him."

Harry smiled at that.

Fudge marched Harry along the narrow passage... dealt with the unfortunate blowing-up of Miss Marjorie Dursley.

"Shame," George said.

Two members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Department... and no harm done."

Even the aurors were looking shocked at Fudge's reaction. They'd expected him to ask about the incident, find out what caused it. Not to mention, they'd expected him to tell Heir Potter that he needed to learn control.

Fudge smiled at Harry... "Well, I won't deny that they are extremely angry, Harry,

"Understatement of the century," Harry muttered.

but they are prepared to take you back... stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas and Easter holidays."

"And that didn't concern anyone?" Augusta Longbottom asked.

Harry unstuck his throat... very deep down. "

"Fond of each other?" Tonks laughed. "Not likely."

It didn't occur to Harry to put Fudge right... I suggest you take a room here at the Leaky Cauldron and. . . "

"Major security risk," Kingsley muttered under his breath. He silently vowed that he'd become Harry Potter's personal bodyguard. He definitely seemed to need one.

"Hang on,"... We don't send people to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts!"

"Well, that's not true," Amelia said with a sigh. "If it was intentional and you were of age, of course, we'd send you to Azkaban. As it was, it was accidental magic and you were underage."

But this didn't tally at all with Harry's past dealings with the Ministry of Magic.

"He's not daft," Moody said to Amelia with a smirk. "He reads the situation well. He'd make a damn good auror."

"Last year, I got an official warning... if there was any more magic there!"

"And this is why someone is supposed to investigate every breach of the decree," Amelia huffed. "So it can be determined if you've actually committed a crime or not."

Unless Harry's eyes were deceiving him... in the present climate...

"What does he mean by that?" young Hermione asked.

"I think he's referring to the fact that I've escaped prison," Sirius said with a smirk.

Surely you don't want to be expelled?"... usual for the Minister of Magic himself to get involved in matters of underage magic?

"No, definitely not," Arthur said with a grimace. He knew how much Harry hated anything that even seemed a little bit like special treatment.

Fudge came back... Keep to Diagon Alley.

"Not sure why he thinks you'll be safer there," Hermione said. "Definitely more likely to come across death eaters in the alley than in the muggle world."

And you're to be back here before dark each night... best we know where you are. . . I mean. . . "

"He's acting so suspicious," Ron said with a chuckle.

Fudge cleared his throat loudly... Fudge's finger slipped on the silver fastenings of his cloak.

"Honestly," Minerva huffed. "It's no wonder Potter always finds things out on his own."

"It would be better if people just told me the truth," Harry said sharply.

"What's that?... D'you think you could --?"

"You even asked the minister?" Ron laughed.

"I really wanted to go," Harry muttered.

Fudge was looking uncomfortable... In fact, I think it's best if you don't... yes.

"Definitely keeping secrets from little Harry," Fred said.

well, I'll be off... "Hedwig!" Harry gasped.

"Impressive," Tonks said.

The snowy owl clicked her beak... "Arrived about five minutes after you did.

"Always looking after me," Harry said softly.

If there's anything you need... and that he was now facing two completely Dursley-free weeks.

"Best summer ever," young Harry said.

"It's been a very weird night, Hedwig,"... he slumped back onto his pillows and fell asleep.

"Right!" Mrs Weasley said, clapping her hands. "Time for lunch."

Chapter End Notes

Drop some kudos and a comment. I'd love to hear what you think of the chapter. Can't wait to write about Harry's time in Diagon Alley.

Not a Chapter - Character List 1

Chapter Summary

A complete list of all everyone who has made an appearance in the chamber so far...

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Characters coming from the Battle of Hogwarts:

Hogwarts Students:

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

George Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Percy Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student

Susan Bones

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Oliver Wood *although he's technically no longer a student

Seamus Finnigan

Lee Jordan *although he's technically no longer a student

Dean Thomas

Angelina Johnson *although she's technically no longer a student

Theodore Nott

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Foreign School Students:

Viktor Krum *although he's technically no longer a student

Fleur Delacour *although she's technically no longer a student

The Adults in Harry's Life:

Molly Weasley

Arthur Weasley

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Hogwarts Professors:

Filius Flitwick

Minerva McGonagall

Pomona Sprout

Poppy Pomfrey

Rubeus Hagrid

Other Adults:

Narcissa Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy

Andromeda Tonks

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Augusta Longbottom

Xenophilius Lovegood

Garrick Olllivander

Antonin Dolohov

Augustus Rockwood

Rita Skeeter

Amos Diggory

Mrs Diggory

Mr Granger *although he doesn't remember who he is.

Mrs Granger *although she doesn't remember who she is.

Saul Croaker

Galenius Everleigh - OC

Claudius Everleigh - OC

Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).

Abeforth Dumbledore

Stan Shunpike

Other Children:

Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy *although she's an adult by this point - OC

Characters coming from a few months before Harry starts Hogwarts:

Hogwarts Students:

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Percy Weasley

Susan Bones

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Oliver Wood

Seamus Finnigan

Lee Jordan

Dean Thomas

Angelina Johnson

Theodore Nott

Cedric Diggory

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Foreign School Students:

Viktor Krum

Fleur Delacour

The Adults in Harry's Life:

Sirius Black

Molly Weasley

Remus Lupin

Nymphadora Tonks *although she's not long out of Hogwarts herself

Arthur Weasley

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Hogwarts Professors:

Severus Snape

Albus Dumbledore

Filius Flitwick

Minerva McGonagall

Pomona Sprout

Poppy Pomfrey

Rubeus Hagrid

Other Adults:

Narcissa Malfoy

Amelia Bones

Mad-Eye Moody

Lucius Malfoy

Andromeda Tonks

Emmeline Vance

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Augusta Longbottom

Xenophilius Lovegood

Garrick Ollivander

Antonin Dolohov

Augustus Rockwood

Barty Crouch Junior

Ted Tonks

Peter Pettigrew - trapped in a cage

Rita Skeeter

Amos Diggory

Mrs Diggory

Mr Granger

Mrs Granger

Saul Croaker

Broderick Bode

Galenus Everleigh - OC

Claudius Everleigh - OC

Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).

Abeforth Dumbledore

Arcturus Black

Stan Shunpike

Other Children:

Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy (Meda) - OC

Creatures/ Beings that have visited:

These are mostly all OCs. For some, I've taken a name from cannon.

Celestial Beings:

Mother Magic

Lord Time

House elves:

Dobby

Kreacher (Older)

Kreacher (Younger)

Sanny

Winky (Older)

Winky (Younger)

Goblins:

Ragnok - Goblin King

Ragnok - Goblin King's Heir

Fasald - Head Goblin, London Branch of Gringotts

Ricbert - Chief Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts

Griphook - Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts

Bogrod - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Burgock - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Odbert - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Gornuk - Head Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Relde - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Finkla - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Thadnin - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Folvi - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Werewolves:

Marric - Alpha of the British Pack

Veela:

Isabeau Lemaire - Head of the Veela Council

Vampires:

Zeldan - British Clan Leader

Chapter End Notes

If you have anyone you'd like to see join the chamber in the near future, please do add a comment. Also take a second, to make sure you have subscribed and shared some kudos for the story. I've also just updated the Magic's Child Wixen Compendium for all you fans of magical theory...

The Leaky Cauldron Part 1

Chapter Summary

Our characters continue reading book 3...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Lunch was a particularly loud affair as everyone talked excitably about Harry blowing up his aunt. Harry struggled to reign in his irritation as he listened to them all discuss it at length as if it had been an awesome prank or some strange movie they'd seen at the cinema. Sometimes, it felt like they just forgot it was his life they were gossiping about. His appetite gone, Harry left the dining room without saying a word and made his way to the main chamber. He lay down on the sofa he usually shared with his younger self and Sirius and frowned up at the ceiling.

"This must be quite unpleasant for you," a voice said, startling him.

He immediately went to sit up but his new grandfather gestured for him not to bother getting up. He floated a small plate of sandwiches over to him and instructed him to eat something.

Harry wanted to argue but didn't have the energy for that, so he did as instructed.

"I can honestly say that I would loathe to be in your position," Arcturus continued as he settled into the arm chair closest to Harry. "No privacy at all. But to have people make light of what must have been a very traumatic experience, I can only imagine how it aggrieves you."

Harry had a mouthful of food so he didn't feel obliged to answer. It seemed at least that Arcturus didn't require a response anyway as he continued. "I know Mother Magic has informed you that it is necessary, but I imagine that proves little consolation."

"It wasn't that long ago that they were saying my death was necessary," Harry muttered around a mouthful of sandwiches.

"Indeed," Arcturus nodded. His eyes narrowed slightly at Harry's manners but he didn't comment on them. "People can be very fickle. But hindsight is a very powerful tool, and unlike most, we have the potential to implement it. We can make sure these things never happen to you again."

Harry nodded. It was a nice idea. Even if he didn't really believe it. With his luck, he'd just find himself in even greater trouble when they returned to the new timeline. It wasn't long before the others returned to the chamber, expecting to hear another chapter, one that would no doubt just embarrass Harry further.

Sirius wrapped an arm around Harry as he sat beside him. "You all right, pup?"

"Yeah," Harry muttered.

"No. You're not," Sirius said with a softness that made Harry's frustration ease minutely. "But you will be, I promise."

Before Harry even had time to catch his breath and prepare himself for it, the next chapter had started.

It took Harry several days to get used to his strange new freedom.

"It was amazing," Harry said quietly.

"I bet. No Dursleys." Young Harry sounded almost gleeful.

Never before had he been able to get up... stray back into the Muggle world.

"Why would he want to go to the Muggle world?" Draco asked Theo who shrugged.

Harry laughed. "I wouldn't. I was too excited to actually spend time in the magical world."

Harry ate breakfast each morning... raw liver from behind a thick woolen balaclava.

Kingsley muttered to himself about security risks but no one paid him any particular attention.

After breakfast... eating under the brightly colored umbrellas outside cafes,

"Didn't you feel lonely?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"Er... Not really. I'm pretty used to being alone," Harry said and felt like he wanted to scream when he noticed the pitying looks.

where his fellow diners... discussing the case of Sirius Black

"Who knew I was so interesting," Sirius joked.

("Personally, I won't let any of the children... occasional help from Florean Fortescue himself,

"I miss him," Harry admitted. "He was always so nice to me."

There was another flash of light and Florean Fortescue was standing in the centre of the chamber. "Well, this is a little odd, isn't it?" he said by way of greeting.

Several people groaned as this meant that they had to stop reading while Mr Fortescue was brought up to date. He took the information in his stride before bowing down to Harry like many of the others had when they found out he was Mother Magic's chosen child. He then conjured himself a comfortable looking armchair and took a seat.

Young Ron grinned. "Excuse me, Mr Fortescue."

"Yes, young man?" He smiled goodnaturedly at the child.

"Will you make ice cream for us while you're here?"

Mrs Weasley huffed, opening her mouth to tell the boy off.

"Of course!" Mr Fortescue grinned. "I never go anywhere without my book of recipes. If you're very lucky, I might even let you trial some of the new ideas I've come up with."

who, apart from knowing... gave Harry free sundaes every half an hour.

"Must have liked you," Mr Fortescue said. "I don't do that for just anyone. You must have paid particular attention to my ramblings about the witch burnings, to get free sundaes."

"You really helped me with my homework that year, sir," Harry said. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Mr Potter." The older man smiled down at him.

Once Harry had refilled his money bag... he had to exercise a lot of self-control not to spend the whole lot at once.

"You should have spent it," Sirius said. "You have more than enough. And its not like those muggles were buying you anything."

He had to keep reminding himself... ask the Dursleys for money for spellbooks,

"That would never happen," Sirius laughed. "There's no way you could spend all the money in your trust vault."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Albus said with a grin, glancing at the nearest of the two versions of his younger brother, who had in fact, spent all the money in their trust vault one summer. Their mother had been furious.

to stop himself from buying a handsome set of solid gold Gobstones... moving model of the galaxy in a large glass ball,

Sirius made a mental note for future present ideas.

which would have meant he never had to take another Astronomy lesson.

"You'd still have had to attend the class," Minerva said with a roll of her eyes.

But the thing that tested Harry's resolution... the most magnificent broom he had ever seen in his life.

"The firebolt," both Ron and Draco said together, eagerly sitting forward.

"Just come out... who was swinging off his father's arm.

"Fastest broom in the world?" Sirius asked. "Tell me you bought it!"

Harry simply smiled.

"Irish International Side's... "And they're favorites for the World Cup!"

"You have to get one," Sirius said, almost bouncing in his seat.

A large witch in front of Harry moved... TREATED WITH A DIAMOND-HARD POLISH

"Damn, that will be pricey," Sirius said. "How much did you say was in your trust vault? Probably not enough." He seemed to visibly deflate.

AND HAND-NUMBERED WITH ITS OWN REGISTRATION NUMBER... UNSURPASSABLE BALANCE AND PINPOINT PRECISION.

"Father wouldn't let me have one," Draco muttered.

"I'd just gotten you a Nimbus two thousand and one," Lucius said with a shake of his head.

THE FIREBOLT HAS AN ACCELERATION OF 150 MILES AN HOUR IN TEN SECONDS

"Bloody hell, that's fast," young Charlie said with a whistle.

AND INCORPORATES AN UNBREAKABLE BRAKING CHARM. PRICE ON REQUEST.

"Definitely too expensive for your trust vault," Sirius muttered with a sigh. Never mind, he'd buy one for Harry. In fact, he'd invest in the company and see if he could get one a little sooner. Three years was far too long to wait for a broom that good.

Price on request... when he had a very good broom already?

"Very sensible, Heir Potter," Lucius congratulated the young man. It wasn't often a thirteen year old showed that much restraint.

Harry didn't ask for the price,... just to look at the Firebolt.

"I don't blame you," Draco said.

There were, however, things that Harry needed to buy... Care of Magical Creatures and Divination.

"Boring," young Ron groaned. He thought Harry should have purchased the broomstick, regardless of how expensive it was.

Harry got a surprise... snapping aggressively.

"Why are they stocking those?" young Lucius asked.

Harry pulled his booklist out of his pocket... Hagrid wanted help with some terrifying new pet.

Hagrid laughed at that.

As Harry entered Flourish and Blotts... "Get out of the way," said the manager impatiently, brushing Harry aside.

"That's rude," Lucius said tersely.

He drew on a pair of very thick gloves... the door of the Monster Books' cage.

"He didn't even bother to check that you were taking Care?" Bill asked in confusion.

"No." Harry shrugged.

"Hang on,"... "Thank heavens for that. I've been bitten five times already this morning --"

Several people found this funny. Hagrid looked slightly abashed.

A loud ripping noise rent the air... cost a fortune, and we never found them.

"Well, it was rather foolish on his part to stock invisible books," Lucius said.

Well... "I need Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky."

"Useless book," Bode huffed.

"Ah, starting Divination, are you?"... Broken Balls: When Fortunes Turn Foul.

"All useless," Bode muttered.

"Here you are,"... palmistry, crystal balls, bird entrails."

"Bird entrails?" young Hermione asked, looking disgusted.

"Pointless," Bode said. "While divination is a form of ritualistic magic, the rituals that most magicals try to use to predict the future are utterly foolish."

But Harry wasn't listening... "You'll start seeing death omens everywhere. It's enough to frighten anyone to death."

"True enough," Bode said with a nod.

But Harry continued to stare... a black dog large as a bear, with gleaming eyes. It looked oddly familiar...

"It's a grim," Sirius said with a smirk. "James used to say my animagus was a grim. Not sure how possible it is to have a magical creature for an animagus form though."

"It's not," Minerva said.

The manager pressed Unfogging the Future into Harry's hands... I need Intermediate Transfiguration and The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Three."

Draco sighed. Shopping for his own books was boring enough without having to witness Potter's shopping too.

Harry emerged from Flourish and Blotts... hardly noticing where he was going and bumping into several people.

"CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Moody shouted. He couldn't help but think Shacklebolt was right. The boy was in serious danger, even if Sirius Black wasn't out to get him.

He tramped up the stairs to his room... "It can't have been a death omen," he told his reflection defiantly.

Sirius looked torn between entertainment that someone had thought him a death omen and horror that the person in question was his godson.

"I was panicking when I saw that thing in Magnolia Crescent... tried to make his hair lie flat.

"There's no fixing that hair," Sirius grinned.

"You're fighting a losing battle there, dear," said his mirror in a wheezy voice.

"Is she talking about his hair or the death omen?" Blaise asked with a raised eyebrow.

As the days slipped by... where they too were ogling the Firebolt;

Seamus and Dean grinned at him. It was a shame they hadn't spent more than a few minutes together that day.

he also ran into the real Neville Longbottom... being told off by his very formidable-looking grandmother.

Augusta sighed at that. Was she too strict with her grandson?

Harry hoped she never found out that he'd pretended to be Neville while on the run from the Ministry of Magic.

Augusta actually laughed at that. "While I must admit I'd have rather you used someone else's name, I'm not especially offended."

Harry woke on the last day of the holidays... "Harry! HARRY!"

"Oh, no," Kingsley muttered. The boy had been lucky so far. Too lucky.

They were there.. "I got all my school stuff last week," Harry explained.

"Did you really think he'd be getting his school stuff on the last day?" Sirius asked in confusion. If one of his friends was staying in the alley, he would not have looked for him in the places they'd get their school stuff.

"Dunno," Ron said.

"We still had to get our stuff," Hermione said.

"So, what you mean is, you weren't really looking for him at all. Just glancing about while you went about your business," Sirius said with a roll of his eyes. He wasn't convinced he liked his godson's friends.

"And how come you knew I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?"... the whole story of what had happened to Aunt Marge.

"He should not have known the whole story," Amelia huffed. Apparently her colleagues had no concept of the word discretion.

"Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?" said Hermione in a very serious voice.

Sirius sighed. He could just imagine how the young girl would tell him off.

"I didn't mean to,"... "I just - lost control."

"Perfectly understandable," Amelia said. "Magical children with higher core capacity often have bursts of accidental magic later in adolescences."

"It's not funny, Ron,"... "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled."

"It kind of was," Ron said unapologetically.

"If Mr Potter was expelled for that, he could have sued Hogwarts, the ministry and well..." Amelia paused. "To be honest, Mr Potter could sue the ministry and Hogwarts for quite a lot in these books."

"So am I,"... "Your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?"

"You weren't let off," Lucius said. "There were no grounds to expel you and certainly no legal reason to arrest you. This is why Hogwarts needs a Magical Law class. These children don't even understand the decree for the reasonable restriction for underage sorcery."

"Probably 'cause it's you, isn't it?"... "Famous Harry Potter and all that.

Sirius growled.

I'd hate to see what the Ministry'd do to me... "Mum and Dad dropped me off this morning with all my Hogwarts things."

Sirius frowned at this. So, the other two had been communicating but hadn't even written to Harry to let him know when he might expect to see them. They'd just assumed he'd be there.

"Excellent!"... Fourteen inches, willow, containing one unicorn tail-hair.

"Finally," muttered the younger Ollivander.

And we've got all our books - "... for Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, the Study of Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies - "

"Why would you take Muggle Studies?" young Draco asked in confusion.

"What are you doing Muggle Studies for?"... You already know all about Muggles!"

"EXACTLY!! Young Draco said with a nod.

"But it'll be fascinating... Hermione ignored them.

Several of the gryffindors smirked at that.

"I've still got ten Galleons,"... "How about a nice book? said Ron innocently.

Hermione glared at Ron.

"No, I don't think so,"... All I've got is Scabbers."

Sirius and Remus growled.

He pulled his pet rat out of his pocket... "I don't think Egypt agreed with him."

"Yeah, that's what it was," Sirius muttered.

Scabbers was looking thinner... and Hermione can get her owl."

"Oh, I can't wait to get an owl!" young Hermione said eagerly.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed it! Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

The Leaky Cauldron Part 2

Chapter Summary

The characters continue reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

So they paid for their ice cream... or hissing.

"You should get a pet snake," Sirius murmured.

"Not allowed," Minerva said.

"You let the rat in," Remus said.

"Yes, well..." Minerva paused. She wasn't sure why she'd never refused to allow the Weasley boys to keep their rat at the school.

The witch behind the counter... double-ended newts,

"Do you think the blast ended skrewts were part double-ended newts?" Ron asked Hermione.

so Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited... playing some sort of skipping game using their long, bald tails.

"You should swap Wormtail for one of those," Sirius said bitterly.

The double-ended newt wizard left... scuffled to the wire for a better took.

"Ah! That's so sweet," young Astoria said.

Like nearly everything Ron owned... "How old is this rat?"

"As old as me," Sirius muttered.

"Dunno,"... "What powers does he have?" said the witch, examining Scabbers closely.

"Powers?" Sirius laughed. "He's a better rat than he ever was a wizard."

"Er - "... "He was like that when Percy gave him to me," said Ron defensively.

"This is why it's a legal requirement to register your animagus form," Minerva said.

"We should have anti-animagus wards around key locations," Tonks said thoughtfully. "Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade..."

"Azkaban," Sirius muttered.

"An ordinary common or garden rat like this... you might like one of these - "

"We should have been suspicious of that," Mrs Weasley cried.

She indicated the black rats... bringing out a small red bottle.

"Doubt that will do much," Sirius laughed.

"Okay," said Ron... "Scabbers!" Ron shouted, racing out of the shop after him;

Sirius continued laughing. He decided he liked that cat.

Harry followed... "It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger," said Harry.

"A tiger?" several people laughed.

"Where's Hermione?"... "You bought that monster?" said Ron, his mouth hanging open.

"I thought you wanted an owl?" Mrs Granger asked. It was the first time she'd spoken to her daughter in a while. She was trying her best to rebuild her relationship with her only child but it wasn't easy, not when she knew what her daughter had done to her and her husband.

"He's gorgeous, isn't he?"... "Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" said Ron.

"They're going to argue about this, aren't they?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah. Practically all year."

"He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks?"... How's he going to get it with that thing around?"

Sirius laughed, although he had to admit the kid had a point. If Scabbers had been a real rat, it would have been a bit of a shitty thing to do to a friend.

"That reminds me, you forgot your rat tonic,"... Crookshanks will be sleeping in my dormitory and Scabbers in yours, what's the problem?

"As long as you take responsibility for keeping them separate," Mr Granger said with a frown at his daughter, who blushed slightly.

Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been in there for ages; no one wanted him."

"Wonder why?" Seamus said.

"Wonder why,"... the now familiar picture of Sirius Black staring up at him.

Sirius sat a little taller, eager to hear more about himself.

"They still haven't caught him, then?"... "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him, but no luck so far."

"Incompetent fools," Augusta said sternly causing the aurors to glower at her.

"Would we get a reward if we caught him?"... It's the Azkaban guards who'll get him back, You mark my words. "

"Why would you even ask that?" Mrs Weasley screeched. "If I hear anything about you going looking for him, I'll ground you until you're thirty."

No one noticed Sirius shiver at the mention of the dementors.

At that moment Mrs. Weasley entered the bar... and the Weasleys' youngest child and only girl, Ginny.

"Strange that you two were off alone," Tonks said, "with a supposed killer on the loose."

Mrs Weasley tutted. "They stayed with us just long enough to get their books and robes."

Ginny, who had always been very taken with Harry... muttered "hello" without looking at him.

Both Ginnys blushed at that.

Percy, however, held out his hand solemnly... "Harry. How nice to see you. "

"Pompous git," Fred said.

"Hello, Percy,"... It was rather like being introduced to the mayor.

Percy blushed too.

"Very well, thanks -"... "Simply splendid to see you, old boy -"

George smiled sadly at the mention of his twin.

"Marvelous,"... "How really corking to see you -"

Mrs Weasley had tears in her eyes. Had she been too strict with the twins?

"I said, that's enough,"... "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride.

Fred and George pretended to vomit.

"And last," Fred muttered under his breath.

"Are you sure there's no seer blood in your family?" Harry asked Ron.

I don't doubt that,"... "I notice they haven't made you two prefects."

Augusta frowned. She bit her tongue though. She thought it might not be her place to protest Molly's parenting skills.

"What do we want to be prefects for?"... "You want to set a better example for your sister!" snapped Mrs. Weasley.

Augusta couldn't hold back a tut.

"Gunny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother,"... "But Mum spotted us."

The younger Percy glared at the twins.

Dinner that night was a very enjoyable affair... "The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," said Mr. Weasley.

"Perks of being the Boy-Who-Lived," Ron muttered.

Everyone looked up at him... Everyone except Percy and Mrs. Weasley snorted into their pudding.

"Humongous Bighead?" Draco said with a smirk.

"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?"... they're doing me a favor..."

"You really are a terrible liar, Mr Weasley," Harry said.

His voice was casual... just like Ron's did when he was under pressure.

Both Ron and Mr Weasley covered their ears.

"Good thing, too,"... "He's dumped them on my bed."

"Tattle-tail!" young George complained.

"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron... Ron scowled at Percy.

Percy frowned. He hated that his family hadn't noticed that something was wrong with him.

After dinner everyone felt very full and sleepy... and Percy was shouting.

Mrs Weasley frowned. She hadn't known about this.

"It was here, on the bedside table... "My Head Boy badge is gone," said Percy, rounding on Harry.

Mrs Weasley glared at Ron who raised his hands in exasperation. "It wasn't me."

"So's Scabbers's Rat Tonic,"... "You're not going anywhere till you've found my badge!" yelled Percy.

Arthur grimaced. That wasn't like Percy. He really should have noticed that something was wrong.

"I'll get Scabbers's stuff, I'm packed,"... when he heard another pair of angry voices coming from the parlor.

Mrs Weasley went white. Had Harry heard them?

A second later, he recognized them as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley... then move closer to the parlor door.

Mrs Weasley tutted. "You shouldn't be listening."

"You shouldn't be talking about things you don't want overheard without silencing wards," Sirius retorted. He didn't like that she was trying to parent his godson.

"... makes no sense not to tell him,"... He's thirteen years old and -"

Harry smiled gratefully at Mr Weasley. He hated how people tried to keep things from him.

"Arthur, the truth would terrify him!"... For heaven's sake, he's happy not knowing!"

"Says who?" Harry asked, folding his arms. "Not telling me the truth, just means that I end up finding out from someone else."

"You wouldn't have found out at all if you hadn't been listening." Mrs Weasley looked ready to start screeching again. The only reason she wasn't was because she was so shocked that Harry was talking back.

"I knew," Draco said. "I teased him about it. That would have been a horrible way to find out."

Mrs Weasley looked at Draco in surprise.

"In fact, Draco knew more than I did," Harry muttered.

"I don't want to make him miserable, I want to put him on his guard!"... wandering off by themselves -

"HEY!" Ron said. "That's not fair. We don't just wander about looking for trouble."

they've ended up in the Forbidden Forest twice!

"That's not true either," Ron said. "I'd only been in the forest once at that point."

"And one of the times I went into the forest it was for a school sanctioned detention!" Harry said angrily.

Ron seemed to be thinking about it. "In fact, I'm not sure I've been in the forest much more than that, even now."

But Harry mustn't do that this year!... dead before the Ministry found him."

"I wouldn't kill him," Sirius said bitterly.

"But he's not dead, he's fine, so what's the point -"

"Keeping him informed would keep him safe," Kingsley said. He'd made this argument before though, when the order was keeping him in the dark about the prophecy. He hadn't agreed then and he didn't agree now.

"Molly, they say Sirius Black's mad... The only thing we know for sure is what Black's after -"

"So what you mean is you knew absolutely nothing," Harry said.

"But Harry will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts... If Black can break out of Azkaban, he can break into Hogwarts."

Sirius nodded. Breaking into Hogwarts would be child's play.

"But no one's really sure that Black's after Harry... "He's at Hogwarts. . . he's at Hogwarts."

"I don't understand," Tonks said. "Who did he think was at Hogwarts, if he wasn't after Potter?"

"Did he know that Pettigrew was at the school?" Moody asked.

Black is deranged, Molly, and he wants Harry dead... and he's had twelve years alone in Azkaban to brood on that..."

"You're not wrong there," Sirius growled. "I had plenty of time to brood about getting my revenge on Peter, but mostly I just worried about Harry."

There was a silence... hurt Harry at Hogwarts while Dumbledore's Headmaster.

Dumbledore smiled sadly at that. People really did put too much trust in him. He wasn't perfect. He'd proven that already. His brother certainly seemed to agree with him if his scoff was anything to go by.

I suppose he knows about all this?"... He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed. "

"WHAT?" Albus demanded. "Absolutely not."

Harry was surprised the older wizard actually looked angry. It wasn't often that the usually calm and stoic man showed any sign of temper.

"Not happy? Why shouldn't he be happy, if they're there to catch Black?"

"They are vile," Dumbledore said. "I wouldn't want them anywhere near my students."

"Dumbledore isn't fond of the Azkaban guards,"... "If they save Harry -"

Harry laughed bitterly.

"...then I will never say another word against them,... then headed back upstairs with the bottle.

"That wasn't how I'd have liked you to find out," Mr Weasley said softly.

Harry shrugged. "Better to know than not."

Fred and George were crouching in the shadows on the landing... "We've been improving it. "

Mrs Weasley glared at Fred.

The badge now read Bighead Boy... This explained everything.

"How did it?" young Harry asked.

Fudge had been lenient with him... so that the Weasleys could look after Harry until he was on the train.

"Oh," young Harry muttered.

Harry lay listening to the muffled shouting... Sirius Black had murdered thirteen people with one curse;

"Your magic probably knew I wasn't a threat," Sirius said. "I did blood adopt you after all."

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley obviously thought Harry... the safest place on earth was wherever Albus Dumbledore happened to be.

Albus smiled at that. He could easily imagine how much his older self had come to care for the boy. Or at least, he hoped he had. He didn't like the idea that he might have treated Harry more like a weapon than a child.

Didn't people always say... Lord Voldemort had ever been afraid of?

Barty Crouch Junior scoffed.

"Pretty sure he was scared of you, mate," Ron said.

Surely Black... Black's chances of getting inside seemed very remote.

Sirius frowned at that. He had to admit that if he never saw a dementor again, it would be too soon.

No, all in all, the thing that bothered Harry most... Harry suspected his every move would be carefully watched until the danger had passed.

"As it should be!" Mrs Weasley said sternly.

He scowled at the dark ceiling... he wasn't completely useless...

"Three times?" Fortescue asked.

"The night Harry's parents died, first year in the forest, and then again with the whole stone thing, Riddle's diary in second year," Ginny explained. "That's four times."

"The first one doesn't count," Harry said. "That was my mum."

Unbidden, the image of the beast... "I'm not going to be murdered," Harry said out loud.

Everyone was giving him pitying looks again and Harry hated it.

"That's the spirit, dear," said his mirror sleepily.

A couple of people laughed but mostly they stayed quiet eagerly waiting for the book to continue. They couldn't wait for Harry to get to Hogwarts.

Chapter End Notes

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The Dementor Part 1

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Tom woke Harry the next morning... persuading a disgruntled Hedwig to get back into her cage

"Should have just let her fly," Luna said in her usual sing song voice.

when Ron banged his way into the room... "At least I can get away from Percy at Hogwarts.

"Ronald! That's not very kind," Mrs Weasley said with a glare.

Now he's accusing me of dripping tea on his photo of Penelope Clearwater... her nose has gone all blotchy..."

Percy grinned.

"I've got something to tell you,"... and Mrs. Weasley was telling Hermione and Ginny about a love potion she'd made as a young girl.

Percy tensed.

All three of them were rather giggly.

"It's not a laughing matter!" Percy said, jumping to his feet.

Mrs Weasley blinked in surprise.

"Who did you use it on, mum?" Fred asked.

Mrs Weasley hesitated. "Your father said something rather unkind about my friend Celeste when we were in school. Said she was rabbit faced."

"Your mum decided to teach me a lesson and spiked my pumpkin juice with a love potion right in the middle of the Great Hall. It only lasted a few minutes but I certainly learned my lesson. It was perhaps the most embarrassing four minutes of my life, but Celeste was happy. She got to rebuff my advances and she wasn't especially kind about it either. Fell in love with your mother that day too. She was so protective of her friends, how could I not love her?"

He put his hand on Percy's shoulder in support.

"What were you saying?"... "I'll let you out on the train."

"You better not," the younger Mrs Granger said. "What about Scabbers?"

She was surprised her daughter was being so irresponsible.

"You won't,"... where a large lump indicated that Scabbers was curled up in his pocket.

Hermione grimaced, remembering just how awful her and Ron had been to each other that year.

Mr. Weasley, who had been outside waiting... glancing up and down the crowded street.

"That wouldn't have been at all suspicious if Harry didn't already know," Ron said sarcastically.

Harry got into the back of the car ... They reached King's Cross with twenty minutes to spare;

"There's a first time for everything," Bill laughed.

the Ministry drivers found them trolleys... Harry imitated him.

"You're over complicating it," Minerva said. "Just walk through. The place is warded to the heavens."

In a moment, they had fallen sideways through the solid metal... "Ah, there's Penelope!" said Percy, smoothing his hair and going pink again.

Percy tensed again, frowning at the book.

Ginny caught Harry's eye... He was embarrassed, but really quite pleased, when she gave him an extra hug.

Mrs Weasley beamed at him.

"Do take care, won't you Harry?"... "There's something I've got to tell you before you leave -" said Mr. Weasley in a tense voice.

Sirius nodded in approval.

"It's all right, Mr. Weasley,"... "That's not the way I'd have chosen for you to find out," said Mr. Weasley looking anxious.

Mrs Weasley tutted again.

"No - honestly it's OK... can't be worse than Lord Voldemort, can he?"

Sirius laughed at that.

Mr. Weasley flinched... and I'm obviously pleased that you're not scared, but -"

"I still don't understand why everyone seemed to think I'd go looking for Sirius!" Harry huffed.

"Arthur!"... " - that I'll be a good boy and stay in the castle?" said Harry gloomily.

"As you should!" Mrs Weasley said tersely.

"Not entirely,"... "that whatever happens -"

Harry was growing frustrated. He could feel his temper boiling just under the surface.

"Why would I go looking... "Arthur, quickly!" cried Mrs. Weasley.

Harry focused on his breathing.

Steam was billowing from the train... "Go away, Ginny," said Ron.

"RONALD!" Mrs Weasley screeched.

"Oh, that's nice,"... Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with gray.

Sirius's ears picked up. "Moony is that you?"

Remus shrugged. "I can't imagine they'd let me teach at Hogwarts."

"Who d'you reckon he is?"... "Professor R. J. Lupin. " whispered Hermione at once.

"It is you!" Sirius grinned.

"How'd you know that?"... stamped across one corner in peeling letters.

"Your mother bought me that case," Remus said. "She knew my greatest hope was to become a teacher. Never thought it would actually happen though."

"Wonder what he teaches?"... There were rumors that the job was jinxed.

"Cursed more like," Minerva said.

"Well, I hope he's up to it,"... don't go looking for trouble, Harry..."

"Why would I go looking for trouble?" Harry demanded angrily, glaring at Hermione.

"I don't go looking for trouble,"... to go looking for a nutter who wants to kill him?" said Ron shakily.

Sirius was nodding in agreement. It just didn't make sense. Were people really this thick?

They were taking the news worse... And he was a top-security prisoner too."

"Of course, we were scared," Ron said, confused that Harry didn't understand why it was so scary.

"But they'll catch him, won't they?"... standing up and reaching into the luggage rack.

"Who has handled his luggage?" Moody demanded. "You shouldn't touch that trunk."

A moment later... glowing brilliantly.

"Probably broken," Bill said. "It's a cheap one."

"Or maybe it's because of Wormtail," George suggested.

Bill paused. "It could be."

"Is that a Sneakoscope?"... but how else was I supposed to get Harry's present to him?"

Mrs Weasley tutted.

"Stick it back in the trunk,"... then closed the lid of the trunk on it.

"Don't just presume it isn't working!" Moody grumbled.

"We could get it checked in Hogsmeade,"... "I've read it's the only entirely non-Muggle settlement in Britain -"

"That's sort of silly isn't it," Harry said. "You'd think we'd have multiple non-Muggle settlements in Britain."

"There used to be more," Fortescue told them. "That was before the ministry put restrictions in place about how many magicals could live in close vicinity of one another."

"Yeah, I think it is,"... which you can suck in class and just look like you're thinking what to write next"

"I've always liked those," Sirius said with a grin.

"But Hogsmeade's a very interesting place, isn't it?"... Shrieking Shack's supposed to be the most severely haunted building in Britain -"

Several people groaned. Hermione was literally like a walking library sometimes.

"and massive sherbet balls... "You'll have to tell me when you've found out."

Sirius gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze.

"What d'you mean?"... McGonagall or someone will give you permission -"

"I'm not allowed to do that," Minerva said. "I suppose Albus could as Harry's magical guardian."

Harry gave a hollow laugh... they know every secret passage out of the castle -"

"We'd have told you," Fred said.

"Ron!"... sneaking out of the school with Black on the loose -"

"He shouldn't be sneaking out at all!" Mrs Weasley screeched.

"Yeah, I expect that's what McGonagall will say... "Black wouldn't dare -"

Sirius laughed at that. If he really was a death eater a couple of thirteen year olds wouldn't stop him.

"Oh, Ron, don't talk rubbish,"... the straps of Crookshanks's basket as she spoke.

"You better not be letting that cat out!" Mrs Granger said sharply.

"Don't let that thing out!"... sprang onto Ron's knees;

"Hermione!" Mrs Granger glared at her daughter. "If you insist on keeping that cat, you need to be a more responsible pet owner."

the lump in Ron's pocket trembled... "Ron, don't!" said Hermione angrily.

Mrs Granger shook her head, clearly unimpressed.

Ron was about to answer back... his yellow eyes on Ron's top pocket.

"There's something unnatural about that cat," Remus said.

At one o'clock the plump witch... "If he's hungry when he wakes, I'll be up front with the driver. "

"She always was fond of Remi," Sirius said.

"I suppose he is asleep?"... he hasn't died, has he?"

Remus laughed at that.

"No, no, he's breathing,"... "Potty and the Weasel. "

Lady Malfoy shook her head. "You do realise, Draco, that you're the one picking fights."

Draco nodded sadly.

Crabbe and Goyle chuckled trollishly... "Did your mother die of shock?"

"Sorry," Draco muttered.

Ron stood up so quickly ... he wasn't fool enough to pick a fight right under a teacher's nose.

Remus grinned. He was almost certain that his older self hadn't been asleep at all. His werewolf hearing would have made that impossible as soon as they entered the chamber.

"C'mon,"... Ron made a violent gesture in midair.

"Ronald!" Mrs Weasley said shrilly.

"Ron,"... but still, Professor Lupin slept.

"I doubt that," Sirius said with a chuckle.

"We must be nearly there,"... The words had hardly left him when the train started to slow down.

"You can't be there already," young Percy said.

"Great,"... "I'm starving. I want to get to the feast. . . "

Everyone was sitting forward now, waiting nervously for something to happen.

"We can't be there yet,"... the wind and rain sounded louder than ever against the windows.

"Well, that sounds spooky," Tonks said.

Harry, who was nearest the door... all the lamps went out and they were plunged into total darkness.

"That's not good," Moody said seriously.

Sirius looked like he might need another calming draught. He had a really bad feeling about this.

There was a bright flash of light that made almost everyone jump in shock. When the light faded, Harry raised his wand instantly, pointing it at the person who was standing in the middle of the chamber. Out of all the people he could imagine joining them in the chamber, this had never even occurred as a possibility to him.

Chapter End Notes

Sorry for the cliffhanger... well, half sorry.

A Damaged Soul

Chapter Summary

Everyone is surprised by the latest arrival in the chamber...

Chapter Notes

Can I just say that the best guess as to who has joined was definitely 'the trolley lady'. Thank you LilyLuna617 for making me crack up.

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry stood tall, his wand pointed at the wizard that was standing in the centre of the room. He was surprised to see him look - well, human - but he refused to let his surprise get the better of him. He heard a gasp from Dumbledore but didn't so much as glance his way. He barely even noticed when Ginny let out a whimper.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded angrily.

Tom Riddle stared at Harry's wand, an oddly nervous expression on his face. "That's a long story."

"We have time," Harry retorted.

Tom nodded. Harry noticed that this version of Tom was older than the one that came out of the diary but was no less attractive for it.

"Who is that?" Draco asked his father quietly.

Lucius frowned. "I don't know."

Harry's eyes flitted towards them before he smirked almost cruelly. "Everyone, this is Tom Marvolo Riddle. Although you mostly know him as Lord Voldemort."

Everyone shuddered at the use of that name and several people jumped to their feet, drawing their wands. Still more staggered out of their chairs and shied away, looking for someway of escape. Harry paid them no attention. He did notice that his godfather had grasped his arm as if he wanted to pull him behind himself. Harry had to restrain the urge to shake him off.

Tom grimaced. He couldn't understand why Mother Magic had decided to send him here. At least not yet. His soul was still in the process of being restored and his mind was still more cloudy than he'd like to admit.

"Well, start talking," Harry said between gritted teeth.

Tom hesitated. He didn't know quite how to start this conversation.

"Which timeline are you from?" Bode asked, his voice breaking.

"The new timeline," he answered automatically.

"Where's your older self?" Kingsley demanded.

"He's here too," Tom said quickly, "but he's... Well, he's..."

"He's batshit crazy," Harry finished for him.

"Er... yes. So Mother Magic has him isolated," Tom conceded. "When the horcrux in your younger self's scar was removed, Mother Magic had the goblins perform a ritual to restore my soul."

Harry blinked. He could remember how the goblins had refused to tell him what they intended to do with the horcrux.

"My older self can't be helped. His soul is too..." Tom paused. He hated this. He didn't like admitting his own foolishness and certainly not in front of so many people. "He has approximately 3% of his soul left and that's if you include the part that's currently in his Nagini. Even Lord Death wouldn't be able to help him now."

No one said anything so he pressed on.

"Mother Magic and the other deities are working on a way to prevent my soul merging with his when we return to the new timeline. They are concerned his insanity might corrupt my soul." He said it bitterly, as if he thought his soul - whole as it might be - was corrupt enough as it was.

"But why are you here?" Harry demanded.

"Once the goblins completed the ritual, Mother Magic sat me down and explained that I had a choice to make. They said that even though I acted out of insanity that if I were to die now, I'd never find peace. They said I had to find absolution first."

"You want forgiveness?" Harry laughed almost manically.

"No. I don't expect that. Lord Death said," Tom was cut off.

"You've met Lord Death?" young Fred asked, his mouth dropping open in surprise.

"Yes and I must admit that was terrifying. He is... something. That's for sure." He shivered slightly, hating himself for being scared of the deity. "He said that I needed to forgive myself."

Harry scoffed. He couldn't imagine that Tom Riddle actually felt any remorse. Except, if this was a version of him that had his soul completely restored, was it impossible that he might feel something? Harry himself had wondered if it was possible to save the mad man. But he hadn't actually thought it might happen.

"And how are you supposed to do that?" Harry asked, still not dropping his wand.

"They said that was open to interpretation. Although they had some ideas. Perhaps punishment for my crimes, or providing restitution." He ran an awkward hand through his hair. "They also suggested I might help you with your mission, or try and return to my earlier goals."

"What goals?" Percy asked.

"As a boy, I wanted to save children like me from experiencing what I did," Tom said. Anyone looking would have seen the frustration in his eyes. Even this 'whole' Tom hated being questioned. Harry was almost relieved to see that he was still an arrogant jerk, even if he might not be evil. "I wanted to find the solution to the squib problem. And protect our society from muggles."

"We don't need protection from muggles," several people scoffed.

"That shows what you know," Harry muttered.

"We are at constant risk of discovery," Tom said. "Their weapons even in my school days were terrifying. If they were ever to learn of our existence, I do not believe we would survive. I wanted to separate further from them. Remove children from muggle parents..."

"Why would you do that?" Hermione's parents demanded.

"Only when they were being abused," Tom answered. "Not all muggle parents are as understanding about magic as you are. I wanted to create a department in the ministry that would find muggleborns as soon as they showed their first bout of accidental magic and inform the parents of our world, ensuring they keep our secret, and monitor their households for signs of abuse. Only removing children when needed. I wanted to remove all wizarding children from muggle orphanages."

He seemed to be on a roll now. He was staring straight at Harry, as if imploring him to listen.

"I wanted to restore our traditions and help magical creatures," Tom said.

"We're just supposed to believe that?" Sirius asked. "It all sounds a little too good to be true."

"You don't have to believe him," Lucius said. "My father once showed me the manifesto he wrote with the knights of walpurgis during his school days. It was one of the reasons I joined the deatheaters. Although in that time they were already straying for their original goals."

As if Mother Magic was listening, with a flash of white light, a pile of parchment appeared on the coffee table between Harry and Tom. Glancing down, Harry read the headline, 'The Manifesto of the Knights of Walpurgis.'

"The Knights of Walpurgis?" Ron asked.

"The very first death eaters," Lucius explained.

Barty Crouch Junior got to his feet and approached Tom. "My Lord, is it really you?"

Tom grimaced. "Yes, Barty. But you shouldn't call me that anymore. I'm not your lord."

He couldn't deny he felt the same frill at having followers he had when he was insane. Although he felt far less desire to start flinging unforgiveables around.

"I let my fear get the better of me," Tom continued.

"What could you possibly have to fear, my l-Tom?" Barty asked.

"Death." His answer was short. Absolute.

There was silence. No one seemed to know what they were supposed to do or say now.

"Do we arrest him?" Amelia whispered to Moody.

"I really don't know," Moody growled under his breath. "Obviously, he needs to stand trial. But we can't exactly do that here."

Amelia murmured what sounded like agreement.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Ron asked. "Just keep reading and ignore the fact that Voldie is here?"

Tom's eyes flashed with anger at the nickname but he didn't say anything and what surprised everyone most was he didn't even look like he considered cursing the young man.

"I already know what happened before Mr Potter turned eleven," Tom said, "as I have the memories from his horcrux. It's taking time for them to settle. My mind is still somewhat disjointed, but I think Mother Magic wants me to hear the whole story so I can truly appreciate the damage my older self caused."

"You mean the damage you caused," Bill growled. "You did plenty wrong before Harry turned eleven."

"Very true," Tom conceded, "but I can't change that, unfortunately. I can only make better choices from here on out."

"Right, well..." There was an awkward pause as Sirius tried to think how best to resume the book. "Mr Riddle, why don't you take a seat."

"Hang on a moment," Amos said. "We're just going to leave him unrestrained. We have a rat in a cage on the mantelpiece because they're a death eater but the dark lord himself gets a chair?"

Harry blinked. The man had a point. But it felt different somehow. He hadn't forgiven Tom Riddle. Probably never would. But Pettigrew didn't have the excuse of insanity.

"He has a point," Sirius muttered.

"I'm unarmed if that helps at all," Tom said.

"I can't really say it does," Amos replied curtly. "You killed my son."

"Well, actually," Harry paused. "Tom's wand was used to kill Cedric but it was actually Wormtail that cast the curse."

"What?" Amos glared at Harry.

"You already know that Amos," Mrs Diggory said gently. "Harry told us when we visited him in the hospital wing."

"Fine. Just get on with it," Amos said in a huff.

Tom sat down on one of the few spare chairs, his back poker straight. He looked like he was expecting to be attacked at any moment and he certainly looked unhappy that he'd had to admit that he was unarmed.

Professor Flitwick cleared his throat and recast the spell on the book. But this time, no one even glanced towards the book. All eyes remained on Tom Riddle.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you so much for reading...

The Dementor Part 2

Chapter Summary

Our characters and one very awkward Tom Riddle continue reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"What's going on?"... "D'you think we've broken down?"

"Not likely," Remus said. "I've never heard of the Hogwart's Express breaking down."

"Dunno... "I think people are coming aboard... "

Kingsley was back to muttering about the prince's safety.

The compartment door suddenly opened... pulling Neville up by his cloak.

"What were you doing wandering about?" Augusta asked.

"I was scared and alone in my compartment," Neville whispered.

Harry frowned. He didn't like to think of how often Neville had been left alone. He really should have been a better friend to the boy.

"Harry? Is that you?... "I'm going to go and ask the driver what's going on," came Hermione's voice.

"You'll do nothing of the sort," Mr Granger said. "Who knows who is coming on the train. It might not be safe. You should wait for an announcement."

Harry felt her pass him... "Ginny?"

"Why are you all wandering about?" Mrs Weasley demanded. "It could have been Sirius Black for all you knew."

"Hermione?"... "Not here!" said Harry hurriedly. "I'm here!"

Ginny blushed. Why was she always embarrassing herself in front of Harry?

"Ouch!"... Harry could hear movements in his corner.

"Thank goodness, they have an adult with them," Mrs Weasley said.

None of them spoke... But the door slid slowly open before Lupin could reach it.

"Who is it?" Fred asked nervously.

"Voldemort?" Young George asked.

"Sirius Black?" Fred continued.

Several people shushed them.

Standing in the doorway... Its face was completely hidden beneath its hood.

"What is it?" young Hermione asked, her voice fearful.

"A dementor," Harry said, his voice lacking any inflection. He didn't want to even think about what came next.

Harry's eyes darted downward... like something dead that had decayed in water...

Everyone seemed to be holding their breath.

But it was visible only for a split second... suck something more than air from its surroundings.

"More like your soul," Sirius muttered. He was shaking slightly. Severus approached him, handing him a calming draught.

"Deep breaths," he murmured almost softly.

An intense cold swept over them all... it was inside his very heart...

"Why is there a dementor on the train?" Mrs Weasley asked shrilly.

"Searching for Sirius Black," Mr Weasley answered.

Harry's eyes rolled up into his head... the roaring growing louder...

"What's happening to him?" Mrs Weasley screamed.

And then, from far away, he heard... he tried to move his arms, but couldn't...

"Is someone hurt?" Charlie asked, his eyebrows raised in horror.

a thick white fog was swirling... "Harry! Harry! Are you all right?"

"Is it gone?" young Hermione asked in a faltering voice.

Someone was slapping his face.

"Why did you hit him?" Lucius asked, looking bewildered. "An Enervate would have done the job far better."

"I didn't think," Hermione muttered.

"W-what?"... He seemed to have slid out of his seat onto the floor.

"Did you pass out?" young Draco asked, but unlike his older self, he actually sounded concerned.

Ron and Hermione were kneeling next to him... Who screamed?"

"Good question," Mrs Weasley said with a sniff.

"No one screamed,"... Ginny and Neville looked back at him, both very pale.

"Were you all right, dear?" Augusta asked her grandson.

He nodded.

"But I heard screaming -"... breaking an enormous slab of chocolate into pieces.

"Finally a defense against the dark arts teacher who knows his remedies," young Madam Pomfrey praised.

"Here," he said to Harry... "One of the Dementors of Azkaban."

"I was wrong," Mrs Weasley said. "They should never have allowed those guards near the school."

Mr Weasley looked like he was tempted to say 'I told you so' but he held his tongue.

Everyone stared at him... I need to speak to the driver, excuse me... "

"That's it?" Sirius asked. "You didn't even introduce yourself."

Remus frowned. Why hadn't he introduced himself?

He strolled past Harry... "You went sort of rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching -"

"I hated that everyone was looking at me like something was wrong with me," Harry admitted.

"There's nothing wrong with you," Claudius, one of the mind healers said. "You are affected worse than your friends because you have horrors in your past that they can only imagine."

"And Professor Lupin stepped over you... and it turned around and sort of glided away..."

"A silvery thing?" young Percy asked.

"A patronus," Remus answered kindly.

"It was horrible,"... "Like I'd never be cheerful again..."

Both Ron and Neville shivered at the memory.

Ginny, who was huddled in her corner... "Ginny was shaking like mad, though..."

Sirius wrapped an arm around his godson as Mr Weasley did the same with his daughter.

Harry didn't understand... when no one else had?

"You didn't go to pieces," Claudius said. "You had an adverse reaction to a dementor. Plenty of people do. And they don't have the history that you do. You have nothing to be ashamed about, Heir Potter."

Professor Lupin had come back... spread suddenly to the tips of his fingers and toes.

"Chocolate really is the best cure for dementor exposure," Severus said. "That's why I infused chocolate in the potion I made for the Azkaban inmates."

He sounded so matter of fact but Harry had a sneaky suspicion he was trying to draw everyone's attention away from Harry. The young man couldn't be more grateful.

"We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes,"... Harry didn't ask how Professor Lupin knew his name.

"Harry, everyone knows your name," Draco said with a laugh.

"Fine,"... rain was driving down in icy sheets.

"At least you'll be safe at the castle," Mrs Weasley said.

"Firs' years this way!"... each pulled, Harry could only assume, by an invisible horse,

"Threstrals," young Hagrid said.

"I know that now," Harry muttered.

because when they climbed inside... The coach smelled faintly of mold and straw.

"We really should replace them if they're going moldy," Minerva whispered to her colleagues.

Harry felt better since the chocolate... frightened he might collapse again.

"I was," Ron admitted.

As the carriage trundled... standing guard on either side.

Mrs Weasley tutted at the mention of more dementors.

A wave of cold sickness threatened to engulf him again... "You fainted, Potter?

"Draco!" Mrs Malfoy looked very cross.

"Sorry Potter," Draco muttered.

Is Longbottorn telling the truth? You actually fainted?"

"Why did you tell Mr Malfoy?" Augusta demanded.

"I -" Neville paused. He hadn't meant to but he'd been rambling, telling everyone what had happened without paying much attention to anything. "Sorry, Harry."

"It's okay, Nev." Harry brushed the apology aside.

Malfoy elbowed past Hermione... "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?"

Lucius sighed. His son's taunting of Potter and Weasley was beginning to grate. He'd always made it sound like they were the instigators.

"Is there a problem?"... led them up the steps into the castle.

"You'll show more respect to your teachers than that," young Mrs Malfoy told her own son.

"Yes mother."

Hermione prodded Ron in the back to make him hurry... "Potter! Granger! I want to see you both!"

"You can't be in trouble already," Sirius groaned.

Harry and Hermione turned around... making him feel he must have done something wrong.

Minerva frowned at that. Perhaps she should try and be more approachable.

"There's no need to look so worried... you were taken ill on the train, Potter."

"Why are you discussing this in front of Granger?" Sirius asked.

"Er..." Minerva hesitated.

"Surely, Harry deserves privacy when talking about something so private?" Sirius demanded.

"I didn't think," Minerva said.

"What if he'd wanted to talk to you about it?" Sirius continued. "Wanted to talk about the memories the experience brought forth. You made that impossible by not respecting his right to privacy."

"You're right," Minerva said. "I'm sorry, Mr Potter."

"It's okay." Harry blushed. He didn't want to keep talking about this.

Before Harry could reply... without everyone making all this fuss.

"It's not a fuss!" Poppy said. "I needed to check you over."

"Remember, Mr Potter, there's nothing to be ashamed of," Claudius said.

"I'm fine,"... "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"

"POPPY!" Albus looked shocked. He couldn't believe the mediwitch had spoken to him like that.

"What? He was always being put in danger. Even then, I knew he didn't value his own safety enough. And quite frankly headmaster, neither did you." She folded her arms, looking quite angry.

"Even so," her younger self said, "you should have been a little kinder."

"Yes. I know." The mediwitch conceded before turning to apologise to Harry too.

"It was a Dementor, Poppy,"... "He won't be the last one who collapses.

"And I was right about that," Poppy said. "I was handing out chocolate all year."

Yes, he's all clammy... "I'm not delicate!" said Harry crossly.

Young Harry actually sniggered.

Whose side are you on? Harry demanded in parseltongue but the other boy only laughed harder.

"Of course you're not,"... Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?"

"AGAIN!" Sirius growled. "Why are you giving him a health exam in front of another student?"

"I'm not sure I realised Miss Granger was even there," Poppy admitted.

"I'm fine!"... He gave it to all of us."

Both Poppys smiled at Remus approvingly.

"Did he, now?"... teacher who knows his remedies?"

The two mediwitches shared a look. Although they knew they were the same person, it was weird to hear them say the exact same thing.

"Are you sure you feel all right, Potter?"... then we can go down to the feast together."

"What so Granger gets privacy to talk about her school work but Harry doesn't get the same for his health?" Sirius demanded angrily. "I'm seriously considering Durmstrang!"

Arcturus looked furious. "If my great-grandson attends Hogwarts, this will NOT happen again."

"No. Of course not," Minerva said, looking ashamed of herself.

Harry went back into the corridor... "we've missed the Sorting!"

"I don't think I attended the sorting until..." Harry thought about it. When had he attended the sorting? "I only attended... three sortings. My own. Fourth year and fifth year."

"Why did you miss it in sixth year and seventh?" Sirius asked nervously.

"I guess you'll find out when we get there," Harry said with a shrug, grateful they were no longer discussing his fainting episode.

New students at Hogwarts were sorted into Houses... and a few of them pointed at Harry.

"That's not exactly news," Ron said. "People were always staring and pointing."

Had the story of his collapsing in front of the Dementor traveled that fast?

"I don't think so," Ron said.

"It had. It's all the Ravenclaws would talk about," Luna said softly.

He and Hermione sat down... He was often described as the greatest wizard of the age,

Riddle rolled his eyes. He might have a full soul now, but he still hated Albus Dumbledore.

but that wasn't why Harry respected him... the Dementor had entered the train compartment.

Harry wondered when that had stopped being true while Dumbledore looked down at his hands. He didn't think his older self had deserved that trust.

"Welcome!"... "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express,

"Why weren't the parents warned that the dementors would be searching the train?" Lucius asked sharply.

"We weren't aware. It would appear the minister made that decision and didn't inform us," Minerva said tersely, "or we would have warned everyone in their letters."

our school is presently playing host... nobody is to leave school without permission.

"They shouldn't be leaving without permission period," Mrs Weasley said crossly.

Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks... make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors," he said.

"They shouldn't have been there at all," Augusta said angrily. "And really, you need more staff if you're relying on the head girl and boy for that."

Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from Harry, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively.

Percy actually groaned. Merlin, this was embarrassing.

Dumbledore paused again... Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Sirius cheered for his friend. "Way to go, Moony."

Remus blushed scarlet.

There was some scattered... it was loathing.

Severus merely shrugged. Personally, he thought he had good reason to hate Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Sure, he was strangely attracted to Black, but he'd get over that nonsense soon enough. Just as soon as the foolish Gryffindor reverted back to being the jerk he remembered.

Harry knew that expression only too well; it was the look Snape wore every time he set eyes on Harry.

"I don't hate you, Potter," Severus said softly.

"Your older self did," Harry said adamantly.

"Well, then, he was a fool," the potion master said.

"As to our second new appointment,"... in addition to his gamekeeping duties."

Several people cheered, including Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"What I don't understand is why he wasn't encouraged to finish his own education first," Lucius said. "He didn't have his OWLs, never mind his NEWTs. How could you reasonably expect him to succeed? It feels like you were setting him up to fail."

Harry wanted to argue with the man that Hagrid had been a brilliant teacher but he couldn't really disagree.

Minerva frowned. "We should have done that. Rubeus, I will be happy to tutor you so you can take your exams."

"Thank you, professor," young Hagrid said with a blush.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at one another, stunned... "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?"

Hagrid blushed again. "Sorry about that."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the last to stop clapping... It was a delicious feast;

"I imagine that was the first start of year feast you were actually able to enjoy," Poppy said approvingly. "The time in the alley will have prepared your stomach for it."

Harry didn't like the reminder of the abuse he'd suffered with the Dursleys.

the hall echoed with talk... "Congratulations, Hagrid!" Hermione squealed as they reached the teachers' table.

"It was a dream come true," Hagrid admitted, looking a little teary eyed.

"All down ter you three,"... great man, Dumbledore...

Riddle scoffed under his breath.

came straight down to me hut... He always had trouble remembering the passwords.

Augusta smiled, rolling her eyes at her grandson. He really was just like his mother. She'd never remembered the passwords either. "Just like your mum," she murmured quietly.

Through the portrait hole... felt he was home at last.

Dumbledore frowned. If Harry thought Hogwarts was his home, what was the point of him staying at the Dursleys?

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to subscribe so you can be the first to hear when the next one is posted.

Talons and Tea Leaves Part 1

Chapter Summary

Our characters continue reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall... impression of a swooning fit and there was a roar of laughter.

Lady Malfoy tutted. She would be talking to her son later.

"Ignore him,"... it's not worth it... "

"Easy for you to say," Harry said bitterly. "It's not you who hears..."

"Hey, Potter!"... The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooooo!"

"I really loathe that girl," Lucius said. "I do not understand why you insisted on being her friend, Draco."

Harry dropped into a seat... Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?"

Several gryffindors laughed at that, Malfoy went bright red, refusing to meet anyone's eye.

"Nearly wet himself," said Fred, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy.

Again they laughed, but Harry glared at them all, quickly silencing them.

"I wasn't too happy myself,"... "You didn't pass out, though, did you?" said Harry in a low voice.

The pitying looks were back. Harry hated it.

Tom Riddle surprised him. "I don't like them either. The first time I came across a dementor, I blacked out. All I could hear was the bombs as they fell around me. I was convinced I was going to die. Of course, I'd already made a horcrux by that point so I wasn't in any danger, even if the bombs were real, but it was horrifying all the same. I learned the patronus charm pretty quickly after that."

"How old were you?" Harry asked.

"Twenty five," Riddle said.

"Forget it, Harry,"... Most of the prisoners go mad in there."

"It sounds like a very inhumane sort of prison to me," Mr Granger said.

"It is," Riddle said. "It was in my manifesto to remove the dementors from Azkaban."

"Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks... first game of the season, remember?"

Several gryffindors glared at Malfoy at the mention of that match.

The only time Harry and Malfoy had faced each other... There isn't enough time."

"What were you doing looking at your timetable right there in the great hall?" Minerva huffed.

"Oh, were you given a timeturner?" Riddle asked the muggleborn girl. "I was too. Got twelve OWLs - all outstanding of course."

"I'll manage. I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall."... How're you supposed to be in three classes at once?"

"This is why you were supposed to keep your schedule a secret," Minerva huffed.

"You could have told your friends," Bill said. "I did. Dumbledore said it was okay to tell them so long as I didn't use it outside of the contracted agreement."

"Don't be silly," said Hermione shortly. "Of course I won't be in three classes at once. "

"That's very dismissive," Bill said. "He's literally just seen your schedule. Even Ron isn't stupid enough to believe that."

"Well then -"... "I told you, I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall."

"Don't snap at your friends, Hermione," Mrs Granger said sharply. "If you don't want to tell him, fine, but be polite about it. And you, young man, she clearly didn't want to talk about it, so you should have dropped it."

"Yes, Mrs Granger," Ron said with a sigh.

Hermione huffed out an apology too. She was not enjoying having her every action criticised. The only consolation was that she wasn't alone. Both Harry and Ron had been criticised repeatedly. And even Neville had been told off by his gran. And Malfoy had been repeatedly forced to apologise.

Just then, Hagrid entered the Great Hall... hones'ly..."

Hagrid frowned, remembering just how badly that first lesson had turned out.

He grinned broadly at them... a note of anxiety in his voice.

Ron grimaced. "Sorry, Hagrid."

But Hagrid merely smiled.

The Hall was starting to empty... The shouts of laughter followed Harry into the Entrance Hall.

Lucius, Narcissa and Severus all glared at Draco.

The journey through the castle... peering down the empty passage to the right.

"Aren't you in the completely wrong part of the castle?" Sirius asked with a smirk.

"Yeah," Harry admitted.

"Can't be,"... Draw, you knaves, you dogs!"

"Sir Cadogan," the Gryffindors all groaned.

They watched in astonishment... and he landed facedown in the grass.

Several people laughed.

"Are you all right?"... or else shall perish bravely in the charge!"

"He changed his tune pretty quickly," Remus laughed.

"I don't remember him," Sirius said.

"Me neither," Remus admitted.

He gave the sword another fruitless tug... "On foot then, good sirs and gentle lady! On! On!"

More laughter. Harry was just grateful they were no longer talking about him fainting.

And he ran... knew they had reached the classroom.

"Never going to remember how you got there," Draco said with a smirk.

"Farewell!"... "if we ever need someone mental. "

Mrs Weasley looked like she wanted to tell Ron off again, but she didn't say anything.

They climbed the last few steps... so Harry climbed the ladder first.

"Where's your Gryffindor bravery," George teased Ron.

He emerged into the strangest-looking classroom... and a huge array of teacups.

"Now I remember why I hated divination," Riddle said.

Ron appeared at Harry's shoulder... a soft, misty sort of voice.

The book stopped suddenly and with a flash of white light two versions of Professor Trelawney appeared in the middle of the chamber. "Oh, what's this? Am I in the beyond?" the younger of the two asked.

"Ah, Sybil," Albus smiled. "I wondered if you would be joining us. Take a seat, we're just listening to the story of young Harry Potter's life."

"Harry Potter, you say?" the younger professor asked, accepting the seat. She scrutinised Harry through her large glasses. "You'll live a long life, child. I can see it clearly."

Everyone stared at her in surprise. No one could imagine her saying such a thing. She'd certainly said much the opposite in the previous timeline.

"Oh, good, I'm so glad," Harry muttered, before glaring at Tom Riddle when he actually laughed.

The older professor followed her younger self, taking a seat beside her. Perhaps this was a dream?

"Welcome," it said. "How nice to see you in the physical world at last."

Several people tried to mask their laughter with coughing fits.

Harry's immediate impression was of a large, glittering insect... and her arms and hands were encrusted with bangles and rings.

"That's not very kind, Harry," Mrs Weasley said.

"I didn't say it out loud," Harry huffed.

Professor Trelawney laughed, not at all offended.

"Sit, my children, sit,"... the most difficult of all magical arts.

"It's not difficult," Minerva grumbled. "It's impossible if you don't have the gift."

I must warn you at the outset that if you do not have the Sight, there is very little I will be able to teach you...

"Well, that's true enough," Minerva nodded. She was happy that the teacher had at least admitted that. She herself thought the students should only be allowed to take divination at OWL if they did in fact have the gift, otherwise you were setting them up to fail. Dumbledore had disagreed though, telling her that they could at least understand the theory and still get an Exceeds Expectations.

Books can take you only so far in this field..."

"Granger won't like that," Theo said.

At these words,... wouldn't be much help in this subject.

There was a round of laughter as Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Many witches and wizards... unable to penetrate the veiled mysteries of the future,"

Minerva and Filius both frowned. There was a lot more to their subjects than loud noises, bangs and smells.

Professor Trelawney went on... "Is your grandmother well?"

Augusta glared at the professor.

"I think so,"... Neville gulped.

Augusta tutted.

Professor Trelawney continued placidly... edged her chair away from him.

"She wasn't talking about me!" Ron said crossly.

"Wasn't I?" Trelawney asked. "You went on a date with her to the yule ball, it ended badly I believe?"

"That was her sister!"

"Her twin sister," the younger Trelawney said, surprising them all.

"In the second term,"... And around Easter, one of our number will leave us for ever. "

"Well, that sounds morbid," Sirius said.

A very tense silence followed this pronouncement... it will happen on Friday the sixteenth of October."

"What was Brown dreading?" Theo asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

Trelawney frowned. "I saw a fox."

Hermione huffed.

Lavender trembled... I'm rather attached to the pink."

"Why not just ask him to take a blue one the first time?" Hermione demanded somewhat rudely.

"Hermione!" Mr Granger looked completely flabbergasted that his daughter would speak this way to a teacher.

Sure enough, Neville had no sooner reached the shelf of teacups... thank you. . . "

"Parlor tricks," Augusta muttered angrily.

When Harry and Ron... "A load of soggy brown stuff," said Harry.

Tom Riddle snorted. Harry's eyes widened. Voldemort had snorted.

The heavily perfumed smoke in the room was making him feel sleepy and stupid.

"Sage," Trelawney said. "It's supposed to help you see into the beyond."

"Broaden your minds, my dears... "That means you're going to have 'trials and suffering' - sorry about that

Several people laughed but Harry and Ron glanced at each other. It wasn't exactly wrong.

but there's a thing that could be the sun... so you're going to suffer but be very happy..."

The laughter only grew at this pronouncement.

Trelawney tutted. She hated the way people saw her subject. They never took it seriously.

"You need your Inner Eye tested, if you ask me," said Ron,

"I'm not sure I have an Inner Eye," Harry muttered. He'd never been any good at divination.

and they both had to stifle their laughs... "Maybe you're going to work for the Ministry of Magic... "

"We did see an awful lot of Fudge that year," Harry said with a chuckle.

He turned the teacup the other way up... "'A windfall, unexpected gold.

"Well, you did get a ridiculously expensive broomstick," Draco said.

Excellent, you can lend me some... Everyone went quiet to watch.

Minerva grew tense. She knew what was coming. And she was looking forward to not being on the receiving end of Sirius's anger for once.

Professor Trelawney was staring into the teacup... you have a deadly enemy. "

"But everyone knows that," Riddle said with a smirk.

"But everyone knows that,"... "Everybody knows about Harry and You-Know-Who. "

"Hermione, why are you talking back to your teacher?" Mrs Granger whispered harshly.

Hermione frowned. She'd never really considered Professor Trelawney as a real teacher.

Harry and Ron stared at her... this is not a happy cup. . . "

"An attack?" Seamus asked. "Were you attacked that year, Potter?"

"Well, sort of. I had several run ins with the dementors."

"I thought that was a bowler hat," said Ron sheepishly.

"Personally, I find that more likely," Hermione huffed.

"The skull... and then screamed.

Everyone was leaning forward now, eager to hear what was coming next.

There was another tinkle of breaking china... don't ask me... "

Minerva frowned, folding her arms.

"What is it, Professor?"... "you have the Grim. "

"She saw me in your cup?" Sirius asked almost excitably.

"The what?"... the worst omen - of death!"

"Well, people have said a lot about me in the past but that takes the biscuit," Sirius said, trying to make light of the situation. He didn't want to lose his temper with another of Hogwart's teachers. His reasons for home schooling were growing with every chapter.

Harry's stomach lurched... Everyone was looking at Harry,

"I hated that," Harry muttered.

everyone except Hermione... "I don't think it looks like a Grim," she said flatly.

"Hermione," Mrs Granger said quietly. "While your teacher was certainly behaving inappropriately, you do not get a free pass to be disrespectful."

Professor Trelawney surveyed Hermione... Very little receptivity to the resonances of the future."

"Well, she's not wrong," Luna said in an airy voice.

Seamus Finnigan was tilting his head... "When you've all finished deciding whether I'm going to die or not!" said Harry, taking even himself by surprise.

Everyone hushed. They were all looking a little ashamed. And Harry groaned aloud because the pitying looks were back again.

Now nobody seemed to want to look at him.

"Good," Harry muttered.

"I think we will leave the lesson here for today,"... Even Ron was avoiding Harry's eyes.

"Bloody hell," Sirius groaned. "Some friend. Where's the reassurance? Don't worry, mate. I'm sure she's just a crackpot old fool. I didn't see the grim."

"Until we meet again,"... so mind you work extra-hard to catch up."

"Were you late?" Augusta asked.

"I don't remember."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione descended Professor Trelawney's ladder... as though he were about to drop dead at any moment.

His classmates looked a little guilty at that.

He hardly heard what Professor McGonagall... spectacle markings around her eyes.

"A lesson on animagi and you weren't even paying attention?" Sirius groaned.

"Really, what has got into you all today?"... Tell me, which of you will be dying this year?"

Professor Trelawney glared at Professor McGonagall.

Everyone stared at her... one student a year since she arrived at this school.

"Not true!" Sibyll declared angrily. "The slander!"

None of them has died yet... True Seers are very rare, and Professor Trelawney..."

"Professor Trelawney what, Minerva?" Sibyll asked pointedly.

Minerva didn't say anything.

She stopped again... I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in. "

Harry smiled at the professor.

Hermione laughed... "But what about Neville's cup?"

"Parlor tricks!" Augusta stated coolly.

When the Transfiguration class had finished... "I saw one the night I left the Dursleys'. "

"I'm not a grim," Sirius laughed.

Ron let his fork fall with a clatter... she had gone mad.

"Should you really be so dismissive of your friend's fears?" the younger Mrs Granger asked sternly.

"He was being silly," Hermione argued.

"Fear is always irrational," her mother continued, "That doesn't mean we get to belittle it."

"Hermione, if Harry's seen a Grim... "Coincidence," said Hermione airily, pouring herself some pumpkin juice.

"HERMIONE!" Mrs Granger looked angry now. "You're talking about the death of his uncle. Where is your compassion?"

Hermione didn't say anything.

"You don't know what you're talking about!"... right, well, I'd better kick the bucket then!"

"Are you calling my brother stupid?" Arthur asked, the usually stoic man suddenly looking furious.

"N-no. Of course, not."

"That's what it sounds like," Arthur said with a calm that wasn't in his expression. "It sounds to me like you think you know better, just because what? You don't believe in divination? It's real. Sure, some of it is pretty foolish but that doesn't mean you get to talk about my brother's death so callously."

"I'm really sorry, Mr Weasley," Hermione said, looking suddenly sad.

Ron mouthed wordlessly at Hermione... "A lot of guesswork, if you ask me."

"No one did," Trelawney muttered.

"There was nothing woolly... You just don't like being bad at something for a change!"

"He's probably right about that," Draco said to Theo.

Arthur sighed. "Ron, I appreciate you were angry but you really shouldn't argue about this. Talk it out reasonably."

He had touched a nerve... That lesson was absolute rubbish compared with my Arithmancy class!"

Sirius whistled. He really wondered how those two stayed friends.

She snatched up her bag... "She hasn't been to an Arithmancy class yet."

"Honestly, that is no way for friends to treat one another," Mrs Weasley said to both of them. "Neither one of you came out of that looking good, I hope you realise that."

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'm considering letting you guys vote for Harry's ship... I can't guarantee that I'll go with what you want, but I'd definitely like to hear your ideas. Let me know your suggestions and I'll consider making a poll for voting.

Talons and Tea Leaves Part 2

Chapter Summary

Our characters hear all about Harry's first care of magical creatures lesson...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry was pleased to get out of the castle after lunch... Ron and Hermione weren't speaking to each other.

Both Mrs Weasley and Mrs Granger looked unimpressed but neither of them spoke up.

Harry walked beside them in silence... going to lead them into the forest;

"Please no," Mrs Weasley whispered.

Harry had had enough unpleasant experiences... "How do we open our books?" Malfoy repeated.

Hagrid blushed. He remembered how awkward it had been when he realised none of them had been able to open their text books.

He took out his copy... then fell open and lay quiet in his hand.

"Didn't the shop assistant tell you?" Charlie asked, bewildered. He might not think it was the best choice of text book for a class of third years but he couldn't deny that it was very informative.

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Malfoy sneered. "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!"

"Draco!" Narcissa glared at her son.

"Sorry," Draco muttered.

"I -- I thought they were funny,"... giving us books that try and rip our hands off!"

Hagrid looked crestfallen once again.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"... "That oaf teaching classes, my father'll have a fit when I tell him -"

Lucius glared at his son.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"... there's a Dementor behind you -"

"That is really quite enough," Narcissa murmured.

"Oooooooh!"... "Beau'iful, aren' they?"

"Wow!" Charlie whistled.

Harry could sort of see what Hagrid meant... approached the fence cautiously.

"Not the safest choice for a first lesson," young Amos said.

"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know... 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do. "

"I hope everyone is paying attention," Charlie said. "Otherwise someone might get seriously hurt."

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle weren't listening;

"Of course not," Lucius frowned.

they were talking in an undertone... 'cause those talons hurt. "

Lucius frowned at his son. He'd implied that Professor Hagrid hadn't even told them that hippogriffs were dangerous.

"Right - who wants ter go first?"... "I'll do it," said Harry.

"Rather you than me, mate," Dean said.

There was an intake of breath... Hippogriffs don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much..."

Lucius sat forward, so far this lesson had been nothing like his son had said. Not that it really mattered, he knew his son knew how to handle himself with hippogriffs.

Harry's eyes immediately began to water... an unmistakable bow.

"Cool," Fred said, his eyes wide.

"Well done, Harry!"... who were looking deeply disappointed.

"Probably wanted you to be trampled," Ron muttered.

"Righ' then, Harry," said Hagrid. "I reckon he migh' let yeh ride him!"

"Wait! What?" young Harry asked, his eyes wide and fearful.

This was more than Harry had bargained for... everything in front of him was covered with feathers.

"Damn it, Harry," Charlie groaned. "You really do get all the creature luck."

"Go on, then!"... He just managed to hold on and push himself straight again.

"Wow!" several of the younger ones said eagerly.

"Good work, Harry!"... which didn't seem to want to bend its knees.

"I think it knew I was scared," Neville admitted.

Ron and Hermione practiced... "Are you, you great ugly brute?"

Lucius was working hard to school his expression, lest he lose his temper in front of the whole chamber. How could his son be so stupid?

It happened in a flash of steely talons... "I'm dying, look at me! It's killed me!"

Narcissa frowned at her son.

"Yer not dyin'!"... gotta get him outta here -"

This too was different. Draco had made it sound like Hagrid just left him to it.

Hermione ran to hold open the gate... "They should sack him straight away!" said Pansy Parkinson, who was in tears.

"That would be unwarranted," Lucius said softly.

"It was Malfoy's fault!"... "You think he'll be all right?" said Hermione nervously.

Malfoy looked surprised that Hermione even cared.

"Course he will... "Trust Malfoy to mess things up for him. . . "

Lucius frowned. It was a strange day when he found himself agreeing with a Weasley.

They were among the first... not touching her steak-and-kidney pudding.

"You wer' worried about me?" Hagrid asked, his eyes wide.

"Of course, we were." Harry gave him a sad smile.

"They'd better not,"... cooking up their own version of how Malfoy had been injured.

Blaise laughed. "That's exactly what those three were doing."

"Well, you can't say... It's still quite early..."

"You really shouldn't!" Mrs Weasley said.

"Was it after curfew?" Sirius asked.

"No," Harry replied.

"Then of course you could go," Sirius said. "You're not a prisoner."

"I don't know,"... "Sirius Black hasn't got past the Dementors yet, has he?"

"Except to escape Azkaban," Theo said with a sarcastic lilt to his voice.

So they put their things away... as they weren't entirely sure they were supposed to be out.

"Technically, you weren't breaking school rules," Minerva said with a shrug, all the while knowing full well she'd have sent them back to their common room if she'd caught them.

The grass was still wet... "Don' reckon they've ever had a teacher who lasted on'y a day before."

Draco actually looked ashamed. Sometimes - well, most of the time - he forgot to remember that the half-giant had feelings too.

"You haven't been fired... "But's only a matter o' time, I'n't, after Malfoy..."

Lucius frowned. "I didn't even ask for you job. You did nothing wrong."

"How is he?"... moanin'..."

Lucius sighed. Was it unfatherly to say that he thought his son was ridiculous?

"He's faking it,"... Trust Malfoy to milk it for all it's worth. "

Malfoy looked torn between offended and embarrassed.

"School gov'nors have bin told, o' course,"... Jus' thought it'd make a good firs' lesson's all my fault. . . "

"Flobberworms?" Charlie groaned. "BORING!"

"It's all Malfoy's fault, Hagrid!"... We'll tell Dumbledore what really happened. "

Sirius smiled at Harry. He was a good kid.

"Yeah, don't worry, Hagrid, we'll back you up," said Ron.

Arthur nodded approvingly at Ron, pride clear in his eyes.

Tears leaked out... a bone-breaking hug.

"Careful!" Poppy huffed.

"I think you've had enough... went outside to empty it.

Several of the adults gaped at the girl. What was she doing telling a grown man how to behave in his own house?

"Ah, maybe she's right,"... wiping the water out of his eyes.

Several people chuckled.

"That's better,"... "WHAT D'YEH THINK YOU'RE DOIN', EH?" he roared, so suddenly that they jumped a foot in the air.

"Funny how everyone just expected me to know that I needed to stay in the castle," Harry complained. "For all you knew, Hagrid, I didn't even know Black was after me."

"YEH'RE NOT TO GO WANDERIN' AROUND AFTER DARK, HARRY! AN, YOU TWO! LETTIN' HIM!"

Harry counted to ten, focusing on his breathing. He would not take his temper out on Hagrid.

Hagrid strode over to Harry... I'm not worth that!"

"You're wrong, you know," Harry said. "You're definitely worth it."

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed it. Just to clarify, I have no intentions on Harry developing a ship until much much much later in the series. I'm just interested in what you guys would like ship wise...

The Boggart in the Wardrobe

Chapter Summary

DAY TWENTY

Our characters learn a little bit about the muggle world and some have to face their fears...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Dinner that evening was a somewhat quiet affair. Harry and the others had sat through an extremely tedious lesson on wizarding law just before dinner that seemed to focus on the statute of secrecy and the decree for the reasonable restriction of underage wizardry. Harry was pretty sure that Lucius had thrown away his original plan for their lesson when he realised how little the next generation understood the decree that so closely affected their lives earlier that day. While Harry had found the content of the lesson to have merit, he had to admit that the law didn't really interest him. Not the way it seemed to interest Hermione at least. Sure, he'd like to improve it, make it more fair for all, but he didn't want to spend hours going over old laws.

There seemed to be a contagious sort of tiredness around everyone as they returned to the chamber for a lecture on muggle from Ted and the two Arthurs.

These special evening sessions were some of the few times that the entire chamber came together except when they were reading the books. And Harry quite liked them, if only because they weren't reading about his childhood for once.

Ted called for their attention and immediately everyone quietened down. Harry was sure this would be interesting. A lot of the purebloods in the chamber would be surprised by some of the things they might learn about the muggles. Harry was surprised to note that Tom looked apprehensive. So far, most people had simply tried to avoid him. Rarely meeting his eye or speaking directly to him. It didn't seem to matter that the man was unarmed. They were still scared of him. Harry wasn't sure he believed him that he wanted to help, but against his better judgement he found himself willing to give the older wix a chance.

He seemed to be one of the few willing though.

"Wizarding folk have a tendency to underestimate non magicals," Ted said by way of introduction to the topic. There were a couple of scoffs from some of the purebloods in the chamber but mostly everyone paid attention. "While our society is slow to change, their's grows and evolves at a rate that is unparalleled by any wixen society on this planet."

More scoffs. Slightly louder now.

"Non magicals, muggles, nomajs - whatever you want to call them - would believe many of our traditions to be obsolete and not just old fashioned but archaic."

Several of the purebloods looked ready to argue why their traditions were so important.

"That isn't to say that our traditions and beliefs should be put aside," Ted continued. "I only mention it because it is important to know how we differ from our non magical brethren, just as much as it is important to know in what ways we are similar. Arranged marriages for example are something that most in nomaj Britain would look upon with disdain. They value their autonomy, but more than that marriage itself is on the decline in their world."

"They don't marry?" Theo asked in shock.

"Some do, many do in fact, Ted said, "but it is something that they tend to do later in life if at all."

"But what about children?" Astoria asked.

"They still have children - though even their population is declining as families are smaller and more and more people are choosing not to have offspring - but those that have children sometimes do so outside of wedlock."

"But children born outside of wedlock often miss out on their family magic!" Draco exclaimed.

"Something that has no baring for nomajs," Ted said softly. "Nomajs do not seek Mother Magic's favour in their unions, the way we wixen do."

There was a pause before Ted continued, "As I was saying our worlds are very different and their's in changing far quicker than ours is. Mostly because their population is so much greater. In the twentieth century alone Nomaj Britain has face two world wars, an economic depression, the rise of nuclear weaponry, a race to be the first country to put a man on the moon, the invention of communication devices that would revolutionise the way their world works, not to mention many many more inventions from the vacuum cleaner - which Nomajs still use today to clean their homes - to aircraft that carry millions of people around the world each day. They invented computers and televisions and the world wide web. New compounds such as stainless steel and plastic were created. Even self-driving cars - although these are not marketed yet to the common public, even though the very first one was created in the seventies. In this time their understanding of the human body has increased too with the discovery of the human genome and something called DNA."

Everyone now looked very confused.

"I don't even know what half of that means," Tom Riddle said quietly.

"Exactly!" Ted said somewhat excitably. "We do not understand half of what our nomaj brothers and sisters are capable of and so as I said before, we have been grossly negligent. We underestimate them."

"Yeah, but we aren't going to learn about all that stuff here are we?" Draco asked, feeling a little overwhelmed.

"No. I'm not convinced we'll be here long enough to truly appreciate what the nomajs have achieved in the last hundred years or so," Ted said. "Not with how quickly we are working our way through the books. Instead we will focus on what effects us."

There were several sighs of relief.

"Starting with their ability to communicate instantaneously," Arthur said, stepping forward. "I sometimes mispronounce this so bear with me but most non magicals have something called a felletone. No. That's not right. A telephone. If you have another person's telephone number you can call them and speak directly to them, regardless of how far away you are."

By the time their lecture had come to an end everyone seemed to have new respect for the muggles. Hermione had to grudgingly accept that the two Arthurs and Ted had given an accurate evaluation of the muggle world as she knew it. They had spoken of non magical warfare and telecommunications, and some of the ways that the muggle world seemed to developing and what that might mean for the magical world and their secrecy in the future. She didn't like how scared it seemed to make everyone but she had to accept that not everyone was as open minded about muggles as she was. After all, not all muggles were like her parents.

With the lecture over, everyone went to their beds still talking about their new understanding of the muggle world, but also eagerly anticipating the reading of the next chapter the following morning.

When morning came, no one complained when they had to wake up early for their defense lesson, eager to carry on reading the book. And when everyone entered the chamber after breakfast, it was as if everyone expected someone new to appear in the chamber. This did not happen though as Professor Flitwick started up the book once more.

Malfoy didn't reappear in classes... as though he were the heroic survivor of some dreadful battle.

Lucius and Narcissa glared at their son. They knew full well that he'd been healed almost instantly.

"How is it, Draco?"... wink at Crabbe and Goyle when Pansy had looked away.

"Lying little cheat," George muttered.

"Settle down, settle down,"... he'd have given them detention.

Severus frowned at that. Was he as prejudiced against the other houses as his older self seemed to be? He'd have to watch out for that. While he tried to protect the Slytherins from the worst of the prejudice against them, he didn't want to do a disservice to the other houses. He just knew someone had to protect his snakes.

But Malfoy had always been able to get away... favored his own students above all others.

Minerva tutted, glaring at Severus. He was still struggling to understand what he had done to offend his old friend.

They were making a new potion today... preparing their ingredients on the same table.

"Why would you do that?" George asked. "You always sat with the Slytherins."

"I'm sure my reasons will come up," Draco muttered.

"Sir," Malfoy called, "sir, I'll need help... Ron went brick red.

"Ah, that's the reason," George said with a sigh. "Anything to piss off Ron and Harry."

"GEORGE!" Mrs Weasley screeched.

"What? It's the truth," George said with a shrug.

"There's nothing wrong... so that they were all different sizes.

"Ronald!" Mrs Weasley complained. "You might not want to help him, but if your teacher asks you to do something, do it properly."

"Professor," drawled Malfoy... "Change roots with Malfoy, Weasley. "

"That's fair," Mrs Weasley said.

"But, sir -!"... then took up the knife again.

Mrs Weasley nodded her head in agreement with the professor, causing Ron to glare at her.

"And, sir, I'll need this shrivelfig skinned... Malfoy was smirking more broadly than ever.

"I hope you skinned that properly, Harry," Mrs Weasley said tersely, earning a glare from Sirius. While he agreed with her, he didn't appreciate her trying to parent his grown up son - godson - whichever he was.

"Seen your pal Hagrid lately?"... "Father's not very happy about my injury -"

"I never threatened Mr Hagrid's job," Lucius said sharply.

"Keep talking, Malfoy, and I'll give you a real injury," snarled Ron.

"RONALD!" Mrs Weasley looked horrified. "Violence is not the answer."

He's complained to the school governors... ever be the same again?"

There was a vein ticking in Lucius's temple.

"So that's why you're putting it on,"... Weasley, slice my caterpillars for me. "

"What other benefits?" Lucius hissed angrily. He didn't like being used, even by his son.

A few cauldrons away... fear of Professor Snape made things ten times worse.

Augusta glared at Snape.

His potion... does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours?

"Severus!" Minerva huffed angrily.

"I haven't done it yet," Severus said. It felt like a stupid argument even to his own ears.

Didn't you hear me say... He looked as though he was on the verge of tears.

Neville put a hand on his grandmother's arm. There was no point in her kicking off at this Snape. As the man had said, he hadn't done it yet. And Neville had a feeling he probably wouldn't either. The chamber was changing things.

"Please, sir," said Hermione... Hermione went as pink as Neville.

Professor Sprout tutted. The girl had just wanted to help her friend. That was hardly showing off.

"Longbottom, at the end of this lesson... Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly. "

"Absolutely not!" bellowed Augusta. Apparently, the witch could not be contained. "That is not a reasonable teaching method."

"I would have to agree with you," Severus said softly. "I won't apologise for what I haven't done. But I can promise, it will not happen in the future."

Snape moved away... they reckon Sirius Black's been sighted."

Sirius's ears picked up at the mention of himself.

"Where?"... By the time the Ministry of Magic got there, he was gone."

"If he was there in the first place," Kingsley said. "We had a lot of fake sightings."

"Not too far from here... Black single-handed, Potter?"

"Why would he do that?" young Hermione asked crossly.

"Yeah, that's right," said Harry offhandedly.

"Harry! You mustn't!" young Mrs Weasley said.

"No understanding of sarcasm," Sirius muttered.

Malfoy's thin mouth was curving... I'd be out there looking for him. "

"Why?" several of the younger ones demanded.

Harry could feel his anger bubbling away under the surface. "See, even Malfoy knew more than I did!"

"What are you talking about... "Know what?"

Lucius was glaring at his son again. He didn't know his son could be so cruel.

Malfoy let out a low, sneering laugh... I'd hunt him down myself."

"Sure, you would," Narcissa said almost as snidely as her son had.

"What are you talking about?"... so that Snape wouldn't see.

Augusta smiled at the young woman.

Harry and Ron packed away... He hasn't done anything to me - yet."

"That's the problem with not telling me stuff," Harry said crossly. "It leaves me open to be manipulated by others."

Some of the adults looked uncomfortable but no one said anything.

"He's making it up,"... his toad is likely to be poisoned."

Minerva gritted her teeth. Why hadn't her lions told her about this?

The Gryffindors watched fearfully... and he reappeared suddenly, fully grown.

"Well done, Neville," Augusta said, smiling triumphantly at him.

"Five points from Gryffindor,"... Class dismissed. "

"That wasn't fair!" Minerva huffed angrily.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed the steps... You should've said Neville did it all by himself!"

"I doubt my older self would have believed her," Severus said.

Hermione didn't answer... "Where is she?"

"Did she just vanish?" young Ron asked.

Harry turned too... something down the front of her robes.

"Ah, the time turner," Bill said.

"How did you do that?"... you were back at the bottom of the stairs again."

"If you weren't going to tell your friends," Percy said, "you should have been better at lying."

"What?"... crammed with at least a dozen large and heavy books.

"Even if you're taking that many subjects," Bill said, "you shouldn't have needed dozens of books every day." He certainly never needed that many. "Or you could have swapped them out over lunch."

"Why are you carrying all these... It's only Defense Against the Dark Arts this afternoon."

Several people chuckled. They wondered how long Granger would be able to keep the time turner a secret.

"Oh yes," said Hermione vaguely... Hermione's not telling us something?" Ron asked Harry.

"Obviously," Percy and Bill said together.

Professor Lupin wasn't there... as though he had had a few square meals.

Remus blushed. He could understand why Harry wasn't enjoying this experience.

"Good afternoon,"... They had never had a practical Defense Against the Dark Arts class before,

"And there's the proof the teaching has been sub par so far," Amelia said.

unless you counted ... a cageful of pixies to class and set them loose.

"Don't remind us!" several people complained.

"Right then,"... "Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin -"

"Peeves and I are old friends," Remus said.

"That's one world for it," Sirius laughed.

Rude and unmanageable... he was still smiling.

"I quite like Peeves," Remus sighed.

"I'd take that gum out of the keyhole... "Please watch closely."

"That's Remus for you," Sirius said, "everything is an opportunity to teach."

He was a bit surprised Remus hadn't introduced himself to Harry yet, but he supposed it was still their first lesson.

He raised the wand to shoulder height... he whirled upright and zoomed away, cursing.

Several people laughed at that. Some of the younger ones asking Remus to teach them the spell.

"Cool, sir!"... Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."

Augusta looked ready to throw spells at the potions master.

Neville went scarlet... "and I am sure he will perform it admirably."

Augusta looked pleased, nodding at Remus.

Neville's face went, if possible, even redder... "There's a Boggart in there. "

"Oh, this will be interesting," the aurors said, all sitting forward.

Most people seemed to feel... I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock.

"That one was at your grandparents' home, Harry," Remus said softly.

This one moved in yesterday afternoon... "It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most. "

"You should really wait to be called, Miss Granger," Flitwick said squeakily.

"Couldn't have put it better myself,"... he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears.

Moody almost considered telling them what a boggart looked like but he really didn't want to slow down the reading. It wasn't like it really mattered.

"This means,"... was very off-putting, but Harry had a go.

Hermione looked momentarily ashamed. She hadn't meant to put him off.

"Er - because there are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be?"

"Very good, Mr Potter," Minerva said.

"Precisely," said Professor Lupin... looking a little disappointed.

"You can't answer all the questions, dear," her mother said soothingly.

"It's always best to have company... After me, please. . . riddikulus!"

Everyone in the chamber was paying close attention, they were eager to know what Harry feared. Or at least that's what Harry thought.

"Riddikulus!" ... but no noise came out.

Augusta frowned. She hated it when Neville mumbled.

"I didn't catch that... "Professor Snape. "

Severus looked genuinely sad to hear that he was one of his student's greatest fear. Yes, he would have to fix that.

Nearly everyone laughed... I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either. "

Augusta frowned. Was her grandson scared of her too?

"No, no, you misunderstand me,"... your grandmother usually wears?"

Severus frowned. He knew where this was leading. He focused on his occlumency shields. He would not let his embarrassment show.

Neville looked startled... with that big red handbag. "

Everyone seemed to be holding their breath. No one dared laugh.

There was a great shout of laughter... What scared him most in the world?

Everyone leaned forward. This angered Harry even more. Even his deepest fears were not allowed to be private. It wasn't fair.

His first thought was Lord Voldemort... then a cold so penetrating it felt like drowning...

"Dementors," Sirius murmured. "Your greatest fear is dementors?"

Harry shrugged.

Harry shivered... everyone else was nodding and rolling up their sleeves.

"Good question Harry," Sirius said, wrapping an arm around his godson.

"Neville, we're going to back away,"... Snape was bearing down upon him, reaching inside his robes.

"You can do it Neville!" several people cried out in support.

"R - r - riddikulus! " ... and he was swinging a huge crimson handbag.

"Well done, Mr Longbottom," Severus said surprising everyone.

There was a roar of laughter... a banshee.

"I hate banshees," Seamus muttered.

She opened her mouth wide... clutched her throat; her voice was gone.

Sirius silently wondered if they could do that to Mrs Weasley.

Crack! The banshee turned into a rat... A giant spider, six feet tall and covered in hair, was advancing on Ron,

Young Ron looked truly terrified as he cowered behind his brothers.

clicking its pincers menacingly... He raised his wand, ready, but -

"Oh, no," Sirius said, "what now?"

"Here!"... who said, "Riddikulus!" almost lazily.

Sirius frowned at his friend who shrugged. He didn't know why his older self had done it either.

Crack!... burst into a thousand tiny wisps of smoke, and was gone.

There was a round of applause.

"Excellent!" cried Professor Lupin... at the start of the class, Harry," Lupin said lightly.

"I thought you thought I was weak because I fainted on the train," Harry admitted quietly to Remus.

"I don't think that was my reasoning," Remus said. If he had to hazard a guess, he imagined that his older self feared that the young boy would be scared of Lord Voldemort. And he couldn't have that monster materialising in the staff room.

"Very well, everyone... Had he thought Harry would pass out again?

Remus looked down at the young man. "I wouldn't think that."

But no one else seemed to have noticed anything... frightened of crystal balls?" said Lavender thoughtfully.

Sirius and Remus shared a look at that.

"That was the best... "A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten?"

"RONALD!" Mrs Weasley screeched at her son AGAIN.

Chapter End Notes

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Flight of the Fat Lady Part 1

Chapter Summary

Halloween has arrived at Hogwarts...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

In no time at all, Defense Against the Dark Arts... anything bad to say about Professor Lupin.

Lucius sighed. He was beginning to doubt he'd hear anything good about his son in these books.

"Look at the state of his robes... in the dungeons of castles

"There are even some in the Hogwarts dungeons," Severus said. "It's one of the many reasons you have a curfew."

and the potholes of deserted battlefields... he was bullying Neville worse than ever.

Severus sighed. Yes, he would have to make some changes. The other teachers all glared at him.

Harry was also growing to dread the hours he spent in Professor Trelawney's stifling tower room,

Professor Trelawney pouted at that.

deciphering lopsided shapes... as though he were on his deathbed.

Minerva tutted at that. It was a good job the girls weren't present or she'd give them a piece of her mind.

Nobody really liked Care... most boring creatures in existence.

Everyone glared at Draco. It was his fault after all. Hagrid looked fore long to hear that his class was disliked so much.

"Why would anyone bother... discuss tactics for the new season.

Oliver grinned. He really did love Quidditch. And they'd finally won the Quidditch cup that year.

There were seven people... I'll never get another shot at it."

The members of the Gryffindor team that were present all smiled at their captain.

"Gryffindor hasn't won for seven years now... "And me," he added as an afterthought.

"You're a brilliant keeper," Harry said.

"And a good captain too," George added, "when you're not being a git."

"We think you're very good too... the last chance we'll get to finally see our name on the thing. . . "

Draco frowned. The Slytherin team had never talked about winning like that.

Wood spoke so dejectedly... three evenings a week.

It was a bit excessive but better than Minerva had expected after what she read about the previous year.

The weather was getting colder and wetter... "End of October. Halloween. "

The younger ones looked disappointed. If Harry wasn't allowed to go, they wouldn't get to hear about it.

"Excellent,"... He's been sighted once already. "

"That won't change the fact he hasn't got permission," young Percy said matter-of-factly.

"Black's not fool enough... "Harry's supposed to stay in school -"

"Asking a teacher for permission isn't such a bad idea," Mrs Granger scolded her daughter. It was better than some of the other options they could try to get away with going.

"He can't be the only third year left behind,"... "Does he have to eat that in front of us?" said Ron, scowling.

Several people laughed at Ron's reaction.

"Clever Crookshanks... his yellow eyes fixed insolently on Ron.

"I'm sure Crookshanks wasn't staring at Ron!" Hermione huffed.

"Clearly he was, if the book says so," Ron pointed out.

"Just keep him over there, that's all,"... shoving the chart toward Harry.

"Ronald, that is cheating!" Mrs Weasley complained.

Sirius frowned. He hated to agree with her but... "Harry, you really shouldn't have."

"Yeah, I know. I was just so tired."

Hermione, who disapproved of copying... seizing his bag as Crookshanks sank four sets of claws deep inside it

"Do you think he understood Ron?" George asked.

and began tearing ferociously... "Ron, don't hurt him!" squealed Hermione;

"Then do something, Hermione," Mrs Granger said. "Ron is trying to protect his pet. Crookshanks is your responsibility."

the whole common room was watching... Scabbers came flying out of the top -

If they didn't know that Scabbers was actually an animagus, they would all feel pretty bad for the poor rat.

"CATCH THAT CAT!"... pulled Scabbers out by the tail.

Ron and Hermione glared at each other. This had been a particularly difficult year for their friendship.

"Look at him!"... You keep that cat away from him!"

"You shouldn't dangle him by his tail," Luna said a little waspishly.

"Crookshanks doesn't understand... "All cats chase rats, Ron!"

"But he is your responsibility, Hermione," Mr Granger said sternly. "If you can't trust Crookshanks around Scabbers, you need to keep them separate."

"There's something funny about that animal!"... "Crookshanks could smell him, Ron, how else d'you think -"

"Hermione it doesn't matter how he knew," Mrs Granger said. "Ron is perfectly within his rights to want to keep his pet safe. You should sit down and talk about how you can work together to keep Scabbers safe from Crookshanks."

"That cat's got it in for Scabbers!"... out of sight up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.

Sirius glared at the book. These were Harry's best friends?

Ron was still in a bad mood... Hermione were working together on the same Puffapod.

"Really, Ronald!" Mrs Weasley looked cross. "Surely your friendship with Hermione was more important than that."

"How's Scabbers?"... "He's hiding at the bottom of my bed, shaking," said Ron angrily,

Harry frowned. He'd hated being stuck between his friends that year.

missing the pail... "It's her rabbit, Binky. He's been killed by a fox. "

Hermione blushed. She hadn't handled this one very well either. Her parents were going to be cross with her again.

"Oh,"... She was right, she was right!"

Professor Trelawney looked momentarily pleased before pasting on a sympathetic look.

The whole class was gathered... you were dreading Binky being killed by a fox?"

Mrs Granger tutted.

"Well, not necessarily by a fox,"... "Was Binky an old rabbit?"

"Hermione! Why are you interrogating the poor girl?" Mrs Granger asked.

"N - no!" sobbed Lavender... Parvati glared at her.

Mrs Granger glared at her daughter too.

"Well, look at it logically," ... Lavender just got the news today -"

"Hermione, that really is unnecessary and surprisingly callus." Mrs Granger looked quite cross now.

Hermione frowned. "Yeah, I know."

Lavender wailed loudly... because it's come as a real shock -"

"HERMIONE!" Mrs Granger almost screeched as loudly as Mrs Weasley.

"Don't mind Hermione, Lavender,"... other people's pets matter very much. "

Harry sighed. Yeah, he hadn't enjoyed this year very much.

Professor McGonagall opened the classroom door... No form, no visiting the village, so don't forget!"

"Here's your chance, Harry," young Ron said eagerly.

Neville put up his hand... Well, that's all, you may leave. "

There was a round of laughter at that. "Your mother was just as forgetful," Sirius said with a smile.

"She was?" Neville asked.

Sirius nodded kindly. "It was quite endearing. I think its one of the things Frank liked most about her."

"Ask her now,"... forgot to sign my form," he said.

Several people laughed at that.

Professor McGonagall looked over her square spectacles... That's the rule. "

"It really isn't a fair rule of muggle raised kids," Hermione said. "Our guardians have no idea what the village is like."

"We're still your guardians, even if we don't know," Mr Granger said crossly.

"But - Professor, my aunt and uncle... or you'll be late for your next lesson. "

"I'm sorry, Harry," Minerva said softly. "I knew even then it wasn't fair but I couldn't change who your guardians were. It was out of my hands."

There was nothing to be done... Ron even angrier,

Hermione and Ron were back to glaring at one another. Harry really hoped that reading about this year wouldn't negatively affect their friendship.

and Harry had to endure... a day in Hogsmeade with everyone else.

"You're not wrong," Sirius said with a sigh.

Nothing anyone said made him feel any better... that was no good.

Minerva glared at Dean.

Ron halfheartedly suggested the Invisibility Cloak... Dementors being able to see through them.

"That would have been very dangerous," Albus said.

Percy had what were possibly the least helpful words of comfort... you're not missing anything. "

"Not missing anything?" George asked with a grin. Sometimes his brother could be really silly.

Not a Chapter - Character List 2

Chapter Summary

Just a quick update of who is in the chamber...

Characters coming from the Battle of Hogwarts:

Hogwarts Students:

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

George Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Percy Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student

Susan Bones

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Oliver Wood *although he's technically no longer a student

Seamus Finnigan

Lee Jordan *although he's technically no longer a student

Dean Thomas

Angelina Johnson *although she's technically no longer a student

Theodore Nott

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Foreign School Students:

Viktor Krum *although he's technically no longer a student

Fleur Delacour *although she's technically no longer a student

The Adults in Harry's Life:

Molly Weasley

Arthur Weasley

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Hogwarts Professors:

Filius Flitwick

Minerva McGonagall

Pomona Sprout

Poppy Pomfrey

Rubeus Hagrid

Sybill Trelawney

Other Adults:

Narcissa Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy

Andromeda Tonks

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Augusta Longbottom

Xenophilius Lovegood

Garrick Olllivander

Antonin Dolohov

Augustus Rockwood

Rita Skeeter

Amos Diggory

Mrs Diggory

Mr Granger *although he doesn't remember who he is.

Mrs Granger *although she doesn't remember who she is.

Saul Croaker

Galenius Everleigh - OC

Claudius Everleigh - OC

Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).

Abeforth Dumbledore

Stan Shunpike

Tom Riddle

Other Children:

Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy *although she's an adult by this point - OC

Characters coming from a few months before Harry starts Hogwarts:

Hogwarts Students:

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Percy Weasley

Susan Bones

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Oliver Wood

Seamus Finnigan

Lee Jordan

Dean Thomas

Angelina Johnson

Theodore Nott

Cedric Diggory

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Foreign School Students:

Viktor Krum

Fleur Delacour

The Adults in Harry's Life:

Sirius Black

Molly Weasley

Remus Lupin

Nymphadora Tonks *although she's not long out of Hogwarts herself

Arthur Weasley

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Hogwarts Professors:

Severus Snape

Albus Dumbledore

Filius Flitwick

Minerva McGonagall

Pomona Sprout

Poppy Pomfrey

Rubeus Hagrid

Sybill Trelawney

Other Adults:

Narcissa Malfoy

Amelia Bones

Mad-Eye Moody

Lucius Malfoy

Andromeda Tonks

Emmeline Vance

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Augusta Longbottom

Xenophilius Lovegood

Garrick Ollivander

Antonin Dolohov

Augustus Rockwood

Barty Crouch Junior

Ted Tonks

Peter Pettigrew - trapped in a cage

Rita Skeeter

Amos Diggory

Mrs Diggory

Mr Granger

Mrs Granger

Saul Croaker

Broderick Bode

Galenus Everleigh - OC

Claudius Everleigh - OC

Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).

Abeforth Dumbledore

Arcturus Black

Stan Shunpike

Florean Fortescue

Tom Riddle

Other Children:

Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy (Meda) - OC

Creatures/ Beings that have visited:

These are mostly all OCs. For some, I've taken a name from cannon.

Celestial Beings:

Mother Magic

Lord Time

House elves:

Dobby

Kreacher (Older)

Kreacher (Younger)

Sanny

Winky (Older)

Winky (Younger)

Goblins:

Ragnok - Goblin King

Ragnok - Goblin King's Heir

Fasald - Head Goblin, London Branch of Gringotts

Ricbert - Chief Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts

Griphook - Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts

Bogrod - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Burgock - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Odbert - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Gornuk - Head Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Relde - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Finkla - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Thadnin - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Folvi - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Werewolves:

Marric - Alpha of the British Pack

Veela:

Isabeau Lemaire - Head of the Veela Council

Vampires:

Zeldan - British Clan Leader

Flight of the Fat Lady Part 2

Chapter Summary

Sirius makes an appearance... sort of.

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

On Halloween morning... looking desperately sorry for him.

Harry frowned. Things were especially bad when even his best friends pitied him.

"Yeah, loads," said Ron... Crookshanks in the face of Harry's difficulties.

Sirius felt slightly pleased to hear that. Maybe the pair weren't all bad.

"Don't worry about me,"... "Scared of passing the Dementors?"

Everyone glared at Draco.

Harry ignored him... "you can come and sit with us, if you like, Harry!"

Harry grimaced. He liked Colin but back then he really hadn't thought there could be anything worse than hanging out with a bunch of second years.

"Er - no, thanks, Colin,"... staring avidly at the scar on his forehead.

And of course, there was that too, Harry thought with a sigh.

"I - I've got to go to the library... "What are you doing?" Filch snarled suspiciously.

"He's not doing anything wrong," Sirius complained.

"Nothing," said Harry truthfully... Harry had passed out of sight.

"There's no rule that says they have to stay in their common room over the weekend," Lucius said irritably. This really wasn't fair. Draco always complained that the school gave Heir Potter special allowances but right now, he wasn't seeing that. He was seeing a young boy that was frequently being isolated from his peers.

But Harry didn't go back to the common room... I've just taken delivery of a Grindylow for our next lesson."

Sirius smiled. Would Remus finally talk about James and Lily?

"A what?"... but I daresay you've had enough of tea leaves?"

Sirius laughed at that.

Harry looked at him... he couldn't cope with a Boggart.

Remus frowned. Why hadn't his older self made his reasoning clear about that? Then perhaps Harry might have opened up to him. They could have been closer. He was supposed to be something of an uncle to him. And his older self was failing royally.

Something of Harry's thoughts... that was obvious, Harry," he said, sounding surprised.

"Really?" Sirius asked, his eyebrow raised.

"I imagine my older self thought Harry would be scared of Lord Voldemort," Remus said.

Harry, who had expected Lupin to deny... it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort. "

Remus nodded, accepting his older self's reason.

Harry stared... Professor Dumbledore.

"I've never seen any point in fearing the taboo," Remus said. "Not since he was vanquished."

"Clearly, I was wrong,"... I imagined that people would panic."

"That's presuming the children knew what I looked like," Tom said quietly. There were few mentions of his appearance in the history books.

"I didn't think of Voldemort,"... fear. Very wise, Harry."

Albus nodded his agreement at that assessment.

Harry didn't know what to say to that... "You should drink that directly, Lupin. "

"I wouldn't be surprised if its poisoned," George muttered.

"Yes, Yes, I will,"... unsmiling and watchful.

Severus almost laughed. His older self was surprisingly suspicious. Although, he had to admit, he would have been untrusting too, his vow would have been uncomfortable leaving the child with a werewolf. And perhaps more significantly, a possibly accomplice of Sirius Black's.

Harry looked curiously at the goblet... there aren't many wizards who are up to making it. "

"It's a good job you were so rubbish at potions," Draco said, "or you'd have worked out he was a werewolf right then and there."

Professor Lupin took another sip... do anything to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. "

Severus didn't even bother to look offended. He'd heard that before.

Lupin drained the goblet... The empty goblet was still smoking.

"You didn't even tell him you were friends with Lily and James," Sirius said, bewildered.

"There you go,"... they'd had the time of their lives.

"You'd have probably thought that even if it was awful," Hermione said softly.

"Thanks,"... how fast you want your letter to get there!"

Everyone laughed to hear that Hermione could get excited about the post office.

"Honeydukes has got a new kind of fudge... really warms you up -"

"You could have," Sirius said with a frown. "You know its bottled right?"

"What did you do?"... any work done?"

"You can't get cross with him for not doing homework when you weren't," Seamus said.

"No," said Harry... "Is he mad?"

"I wouldn't poison a fellow teacher," Severus said sternly. Even the other staff members looked like they weren't sure they believed him, he noticed. Just what had he done in the future to lose their trust?

Hermione checked her watch... flickering toward Lupin more often than was natural?

Several people laughed at how suspicious Harry was.

The feast finished with an entertainment... "The Dementors send their love, Potter!"

Narcissa frowned but reminded herself that she must not lose her temper with her son in company.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed... The portrait seemed to be closed.

"That's odd," Sirius said.

"Unless she's gone off to get drunk with her friend Violet again," Remus replied.

"Let me through, please," came Percy's voice... "Somebody get Professor Dumbledore. Quick."

"Well, that can't be good," Sirius muttered, tightening his grip on Harry.

People's heads turned... great chunks of it had been torn away completely.

"Definitely not good," Sirius said.

Dumbledore took one quick look... "Poor thing. " he added unconvincingly.

Minerva tutted. Sometimes she really hated Peeves.

"Did she say who did it?"... "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black. "

"I did that?" Sirius asked in bewilderment. It was hard to imagine himself doing anything quite so reckless, except well, he'd always been a little reckless and straight out of Azkaban without any form of treatment? Yeah, maybe it wasn't so unbelievable especially if he thought Harry was in danger.

Chapter End Notes

Poor Sirius... He's realising just how much Azkaban has messed him up.

Grim Defeat Part 1

Chapter Summary

The worst quidditch game... almost ever... is approaching...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Professor Dumbledore sent all the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall... who all looked extremely confused.

"Are they going to tell Harry why they think Sirius is after him now?" young Ron asked.

"Not likely," young Harry said. Adults didn't tell him things.

"The teachers and I need to conduct... "Send word with one of the ghosts. "

The younger Weasley siblings all groaned at the idea of Percy in charge.

Professor Dumbledore paused... closing the door behind him.

"I doubt there will be much sleeping," Rookwood said.

The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly... Lights out in ten minutes!"

Even the teachers seemed to think that was ambitious.

"C'mon," Ron said to Harry and Hermione... Hermione whispered anxiously.

"Unlikely," Sirius said. "I know my way around that school better than most."

"Dumbledore obviously... "The one night we weren't in the tower... "

"Yeah, almost intentional," Kingsley said with a sigh. How had that been missed?

"I reckon he's lost track of time... Otherwise he'd have come bursting in here. "

"Even I'm not that mad," Sirius said with a small chuckle.

Hermione shuddered... "Just appear out of thin air, you know. "

"You can't apparate in Hogwarts," Hermione said through clenched teeth.

"Disguised himself, probably,"... read Hogwarts, A History?" said Hermione crossly to Harry and Ron.

"I think so," Harry said with a laugh.

"Probably,... they'll have them covered. . . "

"I doubt Filch knows all the secret passageways," Sirius said with a smirk.

"The lights are going out now!" ... no more talking!"

"It feels like this is something us parents should have been informed about," Mr Granger said tersely.

There was a murmur of agreement from the other parents.

The candles all went out at once... Harry felt as though he were sleeping outdoors in a light wind.

"If it wasn't because you thought a mass murderer was in the school, I imagine that would be pretty fun," Mrs Granger said.

Once every hour, a teacher would reappear... "Everything under control, sir. "

Percy frowned. He really had been a bit of a suck up.

"Good. There's no point moving them... so he attacked.

Sirius frowned at that. He liked the fat lady.

She's still very distressed... "All searched. . . "

"Told you I wouldn't stick around," Sirius said.

"Very well, Severus... each of them as unlikely as the next."

Sirius couldn't help but grin at that. He liked the fact he'd gotten one over on the old man.

Harry opened his eyes... Snape's profile, which looked angry.

"Why would Snape be angry?" George asked.

"You remember the conversation we had... block Percy out of the conversation.

Percy blushed slightly.

"I do, Severus,"... helped Black enter it," said Dumbledore,

"You suspected Remus?" Sirius asked Severus.

"I suppose my older self must have, but really wouldn't you?" Severus answered honestly.

"I guess." Sirius shrugged. "Except if he really believed I'd betrayed them, I can't imagine he'd pick my side."

and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed... when our search was complete. "

Several people frowned at the mention of the dementors. No one wanted them near the school.

"Didn't they want to help, sir?"... cross the threshold of this castle while I am Headmaster. "

Harry almost laughed at that. Dementors had entered the castle on more than one occasion that Harry knew of.

Percy looked slightly abashed... deep resentment on his face; then he too left.

Severus wasn't sure what to make of that. Did he hate Lupin so much that he forgot how much the man had cared for James and Lily? Or did he just resent the fact that Dumbledore - like usual - wasn't listening to him?

Harry glanced sideways... "What was all that about?" Ron mouthed.

Harry actually did laugh now. It was ridiculous how little people actually told him. "Do you know I didn't even know then that my parents died at Halloween?" he said, his voice a lot calmer than he felt.

Everyone eyed him nervously.

"I didn't know I was a wizard for eleven years, didn't know I had a godfather for almost fourteen, didn't know about the prophecy for nearly sixteen years and didn't know I was a horcrux until it was time for me to die," Harry's temper was rising. "Everytime, you all told me something, it was already too late. Some always seemed to beat you to it or someone ended up getting hurt because people manipulated me with the information I didn't know."

"Harry," Mrs Weasley began.

"What? Are you going to tell me I'm wrong?" Harry demanded, rage in his eyes. "Go ahead. These books will prove I'm right. People died over and over again because I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON!"

Mrs Weasley sniffed, shocked that Harry had shouted at her.

"Do you know who told me why my parents died?" Harry said angrily. "Voldemort. Do you know who told me about the prophecy? Lucius Malfoy. Do you know who told me I was a horcrux? Snape."

No one spoke.

"Do you see who is missing from that list?" Harry glared at Mrs Weasley and then at the headmaster.

The school talked of nothing but Sirius Black... turn into a flowering shrub.

"Now that is just ridiculous," Sirius said, trying to diffuse some of the tension.

The Fat Lady's ripped canvas... which he changed at least twice a day.

"At least?" Minerva said. No wonder Neville had forgotten them.

"He's a complete lunatic,"... brave enough to volunteer. "

"Not sure I'd call it brave," Ron muttered.

Sir Cadogan, however, was the least of Harry's worries... Teachers found excuses to walk along corridors with him,

"And no one thought that would seem suspicious?" Harry asked, glaring at his teachers.

and Percy Weasley ... an extremely pompous guard dog.

Percy looked slightly abashed. His mother had in fact asked him to keep an eye on Harry.

To cap it all, Professor McGonagall... "I know he's after me," said Harry wearily.

"It was really annoying being told half truths," Harry said.

"I heard Ron's dad telling his mum... it's very exposed, Potter -"

"You want to take away quidditch?" Sirius asked. "He's already not allowed to go to Hogsmeade with his school friends."

"We've got our first match on Saturday!"... Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions."

"Why not just do that in the first place?" Sirius complained. "It's like your go to is to curtail Harry's freedoms instead of working out a way to keep him safe and enjoying his childhood."

Harry smiled gratefully at his godfather.

The weather worsened steadily... We're playing Hufflepuff instead. "

"Why?" several of the older Gryffindors asked. It wasn't often the schedule changed.

"Why?"... Think it'll damage their chances. . . "

Draco grimaced as his parents shot him sour looks.

There had been strong winds... Angelina, Alicia, and Katie suddenly giggled.

George glared at Diggory. As if it was his fault the girls found him attractive.

"What?"... started to giggle again.

Cedric blushed slightly at the girls' descriptions.

"He's only silent... Harry caught the Snitch in about five minutes, remember?"

Amos looked furious. The only thing stopping him from raging at the Weasleys was that this particular child was dead.

"We were playing in completely different conditions!"... We must win!"

Minerva looked shocked to hear Oliver get quite so irate.

"Oliver, calm down!"... Seriously. "

"Yeah, only match we ever lost," George muttered.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you're enjoying the story so far... Let me know what you think. Harry is getting really close to boiling point and its beginning to show.

Grim Defeat Part 2

Chapter Summary

Gryffindor lose the match...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The day before the match... and none more so than Malfoy.

Lucius and Narcissa exchanged a look.

"Ah, if only my arm was feeling a bit better!"... so you might want to try looping him -"

Minerva glared at an unrepentant Oliver.

Harry skidded to a halt outside... it was Snape.

All the students grimaced. They knew just how bad it could be when you were late for one of Snape's classes.

"This lesson began ten minutes ago... "What's wrong with him?"

"That really wasn't any of your business, Potter," Minerva said crossly.

"In fairness, I thought Professor Snape had poisoned him," Harry said with a shrug.

Minerva frowned. She thought that might have been the first time Harry had ever called Severus Professor in her hearing, without being forced.

Snape's black eyes glittered... if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty. "

"That's a tad extreme," Remus said with a sigh. There really was no sense to the point system.

Harry walked slowly to his seat... topics you have covered so far -"

Remus frowned. He found that hard to believe. If there was one thing he knew about himself it was that he was a meticulous note taker.

"Please, sir, we've done... Professor Lupin's lack of organization. "

Hermione glared at Severus.

"He's the best Defense... Red Caps and Grindylows.

"Perhaps if Voldemort's puppet hadn't been teaching us in first year," Ron growled, "and we didn't have Lockhart in second year, we wouldn't have been behind."

Today we shall discuss... "we're not supposed to do werewolves yet,

"Why are you arguing with your teacher?" Mrs Granger asked. "If he wants to teach you about werewolves then so be it. He's the teacher."

we're due to start Hinkypunks... between the werewolf and the true wolf?" said Snape.

Remus glared at Severus. He knew exactly what Severus had been trying to do.

Everyone sat in motionless silence... ignoring Hermione.

"If one of your students knows the answer, you shouldn't ignore her like that," Mr Granger growled.

Severus nodded his agreement. He knew why his older self found the girl so infuriating but he couldn't help but agree with her father. He should have let her answer.

His twisted smile was back... "we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on -

Minerva tutted. This was exactly what students complained about. Perhaps she should have taken their complaints more seriously.

"Silence!"... Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are. . . "

Now all the staff were glaring at Severus as if he was the one that had said these things. He didn't appreciate being castigated for something he'd yet to do.

"Please, sir,"... The snout of the werewolf -"

"Hermione, dear," Mr Granger said, "your teacher clearly doesn't want you to answer."

"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn... being an insufferable know-it-all. "

"While I agree she should not have spoken up, you are bang out of line to talk to her like that," Mr Granger said angrily.

"I agree. I find myself quite disappointed with how my older self is handling this class," Severus said quietly. "For what it's worth, I don't think it was about the students so much as my dislike of their professor."

Hermione went very red... Why ask if you don't want to be told?"

Minerva looked conflicted. She agreed whole heartedly with Ron but she couldn't condone speaking to a teacher like that.

The class knew instantly... you will be very sorry indeed. "

Minerva frowned. The detention was deserved, unfortunately.

No one made a sound... I wouldn't have given it three. . . "

"Unnecessary," Minerva said, folding her arms in indignation.

When the bell rang... It is time somebody took this class in hand.

All the teachers were glaring at Severus now.

"I haven't done it yet," he muttered.

Sirius looked somewhat entertained. You might take the bat out of the dungeons, but he was still a damn bat. And Sirius actually thought Severus looked sort of cute when he was all bent out of shape for getting in trouble for something he hadn't even done yet.

Weasley, stay behind... D'you think this is all because of the Boggart?"

"Unlikely," Remus said. He knew exactly why Severus didn't like him.

"I don't know,"... scrub out the bedpans in the hospital wing.

"EW!" Several people cried out.

Without magic!"... He could have finished him off for us!"

"RONALD!" Mrs Weasley screeched, looking perfectly scandelised.

Sirius tried to restrain a laugh, exchanging an odd look with Severus.

Harry woke extremely early... blowing hard in his ear.

"On a game day?" George complained. "That's not fair!"

"What did you do that for?"... walked quietly out of the dormitory.

Amos frowned. The boy hadn't even had a proper night's sleep? He was surprised Potter hadn't tried to use that as an excuse for falling off his broom and losing the match.

As Harry opened the door... drag him outside.

Ron glared pointedly at Hermione. He'd known he was right that Crookshanks was after Scabbers. And sure, it was for a good reason but still, had the cat even met Sirius yet?

"You know, I reckon Ron was right about you,"... "Leave Scabbers alone. "

"Ah, thanks Harry," Ron grinned.

"Wish I hadn't now," Harry complained.

The noise of the storm was even louder... trifles like thunderstorms.

"You'd think they would be," Mr Granger said. "It can't possibly be safe."

Nevertheless, he was starting to feel... because he was less likely to be blown off course.

Amos huffed. Excuses. Excuses.

Harry whiled away the hours... sneaking up the boys' staircase again.

"That cat is a menace," Mrs Granger said.

At long last Harry thought it must be time... who wasn't eating anything.

"You should still eat," Minerva said sternly. How did he expect to win if he didn't eat?

"Stop worrying, Oliver,"... an enormous umbrella on their way to the stadium.

Draco looked somewhat abashed. He had been a particularly nasty git that year.

The team changed into their scarlet robes... beckoned them to follow him.

Oliver blushed and Percy nearly said something. He wanted to comfort the other man but he didn't think he could after everything that had happened - or not happened between them.

The wind was so strong... How on earth was he going to see the Snitch in this?

Amos laughed at that. This kid was full of excuses. It was no wonder his son had beaten him!

The Hufflepuffs were approaching... they were off.

"YAY!" everyone cheered. Sirius wished he could watch his godson play Quidditch.

Harry rose fast... he hadn't seen them coming.

Amos rolled his eyes.

He lost track of time... wiped them hurriedly on his robes.

"Not that it helped much," Harry grumbled.

"What's the score?"... "Impervius!"

"Well done, Miss Granger!" Flitwick said eagerly. It was always good to see their students use what they taught them in real life.

"There!"... he could have kissed her.

"I'm gay but right then, yeah, I could have kissed her," Oliver said.

"Brilliant!"... who was streaking in the opposite direction. . .

"Has he seen the snitch?" someone asked.

There was another clap of thunder... Harry needed to get the Snitch quickly -

"I'm not convinced any of you should have been playing," Mr Granger said, folding his arms. Wizards were so strange sometimes.

He turned, intending to head back... empty row of seats.

"I came to watch you play?" Sirius asked. "Oh, no. You're going to think I'm the grim."

Harry's numb hands slipped... shimmering in the rain-filled air between them. . .

"HA! You didn't even see it!" Amos said loudly.

Everyone glared at him. This was just a game between children.

With a jolt of panic...- what was going on?

"That can't be good," Remus said.

And then a horribly familiar... a woman. . .

Amos kept quiet this time. Which was fortunate as all the Gryffindors looked ready to defend their seeker.

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"

"Who is that?" Astoria asked her sister.

Daphne frowned. She wasn't sure.

"Stand aside, you silly girl... kill me instead -"

Tom looked suddenly white. And everyone was staring at Harry, horrified at what they were hearing.

Harry didn't meet their eyes, choosing to look down at his hands in his lap. He didn't want their pity.

Numbing, swirling white mist... falling through the icy mist.

Sirius's arm was tight around him and Harry could practically feel his godfather hyperventalating.

"I'm okay," he murmured quietly.

"You heard your mum?" Sirius said quietly.

Harry nodded.

"Not Harry! Please. . . and Harry knew no more.

Amos looked like he was going to be sick.

"Lucky the ground was so soft. "... "That was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life. "

"Thank hell you're alive," Sirius muttered.

Scariest. . . "Must've been - what - fifty feet?"

"Bloody hell," Amos said. He hadn't realised the boy had fallen so far.

"We thought you'd died,"... "What happened?

"You nearly die and you're asking about the game?" Mrs Weasley asked almost timidly. She was watching him like she thought he needed to spend some time with the mind healer, which in fairness, Harry thought he probably did. But not because he cared about Quidditch.

Are we doing a replay?"... even Wood admits it. "

"Only game my seeker ever lost," Wood said with a shrug.

"Where is Wood?"... "We think he's trying to drown himself. "

Mrs Weasley opened her mouth ready to tell Fred off, only to remember that she couldn't do that anymore. She let out a whimper instead.

Harry put his face to his knees... you didn't get it," said George.

"Very wise," Remus said in agreement.

"It's not over yet,"... a margin of a hundred either way -"

"Definitely doable," Sirius agreed. "Plus, less embarrassing losing to the Puffs than the Snakes. At least, the Puffs are good winners. They won't rub the loss in your face."

Harry lay there... he had lost a Quidditch match.

"Even the pros lose occassionally," Charlie said. "And the circumstances were exceptional."

After ten minutes... "I've never seen him like that before.

"For good reason," Albus said. He would definitely be furious.

He ran onto the field... Everyone thought you were. . . "

Amos gulped. A hundred dementors?

His voice faded, but Harry hardly noticed... it got blown away," said Hermione hesitantly.

"Oh no," Cedric said, looking genuinely sad.

"And?"... it hit the Whomping Willow. "

"That's not good," Remus said with a sigh.

Harry's insides lurched... it doesn't like being hit. "

"Understatement of the century," Sirius said. "Why are you drawing this out? Just tell the poor boy."

"Professor Flitwick brought it back... Harry's faithful, finally beaten broomstick.

"That was worse than losing," Harry admitted, glancing at his head of house.

Chapter End Notes

Amos is such an idiot...

The Marauders Map Part 1

Chapter Summary

The characters continue reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Mrs Weasley insisted everyone break for lunch. Tom looked awkward as he followed everyone into the dining room. Perhaps he'd be better to eat in his own room? Although it wouldn't be so bad he supposed. Barty had been sticking close to him, seeming to think he needed some sort of body guard. Unarmed he might be, but he could still defend himself if he needed to.

The meal was quite a boisterous affair as everyone discussed the dementors. No one could believe that they'd actually entered the grounds. Even Tom was surprised by that. Surely, the wards should have prevented that? Well, maybe not. They'd certainly not prevented any of the other dangerous stuff from happening around Harry Potter. Someone should really get those wards checked. Either they'd been poorly maintained or someone was intentionally sabotaging them. Tom didn't trust Dumbles, but he didn't think the man would risk the entire student population like that. He had certainly seemed angry in the book that the dementors had entered the grounds.

Sirius sat quietly, toying with his meal as he thought about the dementors. Even thinking about those horrid beasts, made him feel cold like he was back in Azkaban. He hadn't realised he was shaking until a long fingered hand covered his own, squeezing it gently.

"You're no longer there, Black," Severus murmured quietly before removing his hand.

Sirius was sorry to feel the warmth of his hand go. He glanced up at the potions master and smiled his thanks. Nodding slightly, he said, "I feel cold."

"Take an extra sip of that potion I made you," Severus muttered. "It will help."

Sirius almost jumped when he heard the scrapping of chair legs on the stone floor. Everyone was making their way back to the chamber and suddenly Sirius and Severus were alone. Sirius took a sip of the potion and just as Severus had promised he felt warmth fill him, radiating from his stomach.

"You're a genius, you know that," Sirius said, sounding more emotional than he'd like.

"Yes," Severus said with a shrug. "But it's nice to hear it."

They wandered through to the main chamber together in silence. Sirius felt he ought to say something, although he had no idea what. Professor Flitwick was just starting the book when they arrived and Harry gave them an odd look.

Madam Pomfrey insisted on keeping Harry in the hospital wing for the rest of the weekend.

"Of course, I did!" Poppy said, folding her arms. "You could have died."

He didn't argue or complain... he'd lost one of his best friends.

Harry sighed. He'd really had enough pity to last him a lifetime.

He had a stream of visitors... shut under his bowl of fruit.

Ginny blushed brightly.

The Gryffindor team visited again... he didn't blame him in the slightest.

"It wasn't your fault," Oliver said. "Didn't stop it hurting though."

Ron and Hermione left Harry's bedside only at night.

Sirius nodded. That was more like it.

But nothing anyone said... not even Ron and Hermione,

"You could have you know," Hermione said softly.

because he knew Ron would panic

"HEY!" Ron said. "I... yeah, all right. I'd have panicked."

and Hermione would scoff.

Hermione frowned. Would she have? Surely, she'd have been a better friend than that? But then she had been rude about Ron's uncle so maybe Harry was right. And even if he wasn't, it was upsetting that her behaviour had prevented her friend from talking to her about something that was bothering him.

The fact remained... near-fatal accidents;

Sirius frowned.

the first time, he had nearly been run over... over his shoulder for the beast?

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione looked close to tears.

And then there were the Dementors... their dying parents.

"Because the others don't have that sort of trauma in their past," Claudius, one of the mind healers said. "You're reaction is perfectly justified."

Because Harry knew who that screaming voice belonged to now.

Mrs Weasley was crying into a handkerchief.

He had heard her words... moonlight on the ceiling.

"You should have said," Poppy said. "I'd have given you some Dreamless Sleep."

When the Dementors approached him... Voldemort's laughter before he murdered her. . .

Tom fidgeted in his chair. He wasn't used to feeling guilty. It was a relatively new experience, something he hadn't felt in... well, he wasn't quite sure how long.

Harry dozed fitfully... dwell again on his mother's voice.

Harry closed his eyes. They stung with unshed tears and he couldn't bear to look at anyone. He knew he'd only see more pity.

It was a relief to return... endure Draco Malfoy's taunting.

Draco was horrified. He had never known why Potter was so affected. He should never have taunted him for that. He didn't even flinch when both his parents looked at him, their eyes full of anger. He knew he deserved it.

Malfoy was almost beside himself... Dementor imitations across the dungeon;

Severus frowned. Why hadn't his older self stopped him?

Ron finally cracked... caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor.

"That wasn't the answer," Arthur said, shaking his head slightly.

"If Snape's teaching Defense... "Check who's in there, Hermione. "

Minerva and the other teachers looked torn between telling Ron off and letting it go. They could understand why the boy was angry but still, he should attend his classes. Besides, if anyone had a right to be angry it was Harry and he wasn't saying anything.

Hermione peered... dark shadows beneath his eyes;

"Must have been the full moon," Sirius said.

nevertheless, he smiled... why should he give us homework?"

The teachers laughed. Homework should always be expected. When didn't they give homework?

"We don't know anything about werewolves -"

"Use your textbook or I don't know, visit the library," Flitwick said sarcastically.

"- two rolls of parchment!"... "- two rolls of parchment!"

The teachers looked mildly entertained. Two rolls might be slightly excessive but he had taught them a lesson on werewolves, why shouldn't they be able to complete the homework.

Professor Lupin smiled at the look of indignation... You don't have to do the essay. "

Minerva sighed. "Remus, you're too kind to them."

Remus merely shrugged. He wanted their education to be enjoyable.

"Oh no,"... "I've already finished it!"

Everyone laughed.

They had a very enjoyable lesson... squelching noise against the glass.

Remus looked pleased. They'd learn far more if they enjoy the lesson.

When the bell rang... "I'd like a word. "

Sirius leaned forward. Would Remus finally tell Harry that he knew his parents.

Harry doubled back... I arrived at Hogwarts.

"More like they planted it because I arrived at Hogwarts," Remus said.

People used to play a game... No broomstick would have a chance. "

"Idiot," Sirius and Severus both said.

"Did you hear about the Dementors... let them inside the grounds...

"Why would they want to enter the grounds?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"They were most likely hungry," Albus said.

Molly looked concerned at that.

I suppose they were the reason... "It has nothing to do with weakness," said Professor Lupin sharply,

The four mind healers all nodded their heads in agreement, glad that someone had told the child that.

as though he had read Harry's mind... that the others don't have. "

"Exactly," Claudius said.

A ray of wintry sunlight... happiness out of the air around them.

Mrs Weasley looked horrified. Why had she wanted them at the school? How could she think they'd protect the children?

Even Muggles feel their presence... You have nothing to feel ashamed of. "

Harry shared a small smile with Remus.

"When they get near me -"... murdering my mum. "

Claudius smiled. This was progress. Heir Potter was sharing. And with an adult too. Without being prompted or forced.

Lupin made a sudden motion... There was a moment's silence, then -

"I imagine I wanted to hug you," Remus said. "I don't know why my older self didn't tell you, but I was something of an honourary uncle. Until... Well, I stayed away to keep you safe. Dumbledore said you were safest kept away from our world. I shouldn't have listened to him. But yes, I imagine in that moment, I wanted to hug you and promise you that you'd never have to come across a dementor again. Of course, I wouldn't have been able to honour such a promise."

"Why did they have to come... prey has dried up. . .

Several of the parents in the chamber gasped. Really, it was disgusting that these beasts had been allowed anywhere near their children.

I don't think they could resist... it was their idea of a feast. "

Several people looked like they might be sick.

"Azkaban must be terrible,"... Most of them go mad within weeks. "

"That's inhumane!" Mr Granger said. "I don't care what they've done. That's not right."

Some of the people in the chamber looked like they wanted to disagree with him.

Tom nodded though. "I always thought so."

Harry smiled sadly at the muggle. "The wixen world doesn't have a very clear view of human rights."

"But Sirius Black escaped from them,"... if he is left with them too long. . . "

"Didn't you ever tell anyone I was an animagus?" Sirius asked Remus in surprise.

"No. Never. I probably should have. I don't know if my older self did that year," Remus said with a sigh, "but it didn't feel right. My wolf couldn't do it. And I didn't want to disappoint Dumbledore. We were reckless idiots when we were in school. I didn't want to have to tell him..."

Sirius nodded. He understood. Remus had always felt indebted to the headmaster. Although, he hoped his friend hadn't put his own pride ahead of his pup's safety. But it was impossible to know without reading more.

"You made that Dementor on the train... "Can you teach me?"

"Unlikely," Remus said softly. "It's very advanced magic."

"I don't pretend to be an expert... I chose a very inconvenient time to fall ill. "

Remus looked surprised. Why would he agree to teach a third year a spell that was well beyond his abilities?

What with the promise of anti-Dementor lessons... Harry's mood took a definite upturn.

Amos frowned at the mention of his son's defeat.

Gryffindor were not out of the running... keeping them at their stations at the entrances.

Albus sighed in relief.

Two weeks before the end of the term... turned out to be real, fluttering fairies.

"That's sort of cool," Mrs Granger said eagerly. Her younger self nodding in agreement.

The students were all happily discussing their plans... two weeks with Percy,

"HEY!" Percy glared at Ron.

and Hermione insisted... he was very grateful.

Ron and Hermione both blushed at being caught out. Sirius sighed, perhaps they weren't so bad after all.

To everyone's delight except Harry's... Toothflossing Stringmints from Honeydukes!"

"Oh, yes," Mr Granger said. "They were delicious."

Resigned to the fact that he would be the only third year... he definitely needed a new broom of his own.

"Why bother looking?" Draco asked. "You're obviously going to buy a Firebolt."

"I wouldn't have bought a Firebolt," Harry said softly.

Draco scoffed. "Yeah, right. That's why you did."

On the Saturday morning of the Hogsmeade trip... a statue of a humpbacked, one-eyed witch.

Remus and Sirius eyed George suspiciously.

"What are you doing?"... beaming, to look at Harry.

Minerva glared at George too, wondering just what the twins were up to. She wasn't the only one. Both Mrs Weasleys were doing the same.

"Early Christmas present for you, Harry,"... nothing written on it.

"It isn't!" Sirius said, leaning forward in his excitement.

Harry, suspecting... patting the parchment fondly.

"The secret of their success they say," Sirius grinned. He liked that.

"It's a wrench, giving it to you,"... "And what do I need with a bit of old parchment?" said Harry.

Sirius scoffed. "That's no bit of old parchment."

"A bit of old parchment!"... young, carefree, and innocent -"

"Were you ever innocent?" Ron asked.

George shrugged.

Harry snorted... we got into a spot of bother with Filch. "

"Big surprise there," Percy grumbled.

"We let off a Dungbomb in the corridor and it upset him for some reason -"

"I wonder why," Severus sighed. He'd heard the caretaker rant about the twins plenty in the last two years.

"So he hauled us off to his office... "- disembowelment -"

Everyone looked torn between laughing at what they hoped was a joke and fear that they were actually speaking the truth.

"- and we couldn't help noticing a drawer... I whipped the drawer open, and grabbed - this. "

Minerva tutted.

"It's not as bad as it sounds, you know,"... taught us more than all the teachers in this school. "

The teachers looked highly offended.

"You're winding me up,"... "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. "

Everyone sat forward eagerly.

And at once, thin ink lines... Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Several people gasped. They'd heard those names in this very chamber. They all looked at Sirius and Remus.

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers... Hogwarts castle and grounds.

The teachers were impressed. The school was supposed to be unplottable. Albus in particular, started wondering exactly how they'd done it.

But the truly remarkable thing ... Professor Dumbledore was pacing his study;

"That's impossible," Minerva said.

"Not impossible, just very difficult," Remus said. "We tied it to the wards. It took a lot of research and time to get the spells perfect."

"Not to mention hours upon hours of exploring the school," Sirius added.

the caretaker's cat... And many of them seemed to lead -

"Hogsmeade," Minerva frowned.

"Right into Hogsmeade,"... completely blocked.

Albus grinned. He loved Hogwarts. There was so much he didn't even know about the school.

"Didn't you think you should tell a teacher?" Mrs Weasley said. "If you knew ways to enter the school, what's to say that Black couldn't have used them?"

George shrugged. "I was fifteen. I wasn't about to go and spoil all my own fun."

And we don't reckon anyone's ever used this one... through that one-eyed old crone's hump. "

"That's amazing!" several people said.

Minerva frowned. They'd all be trying to sneak out after this.

"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,"... lawbreakers," said Fred solemnly.

Mrs Weasley glared at Sirius.

"Right," said George briskly... And it'll go blank. "

"That really is quite impressive," Albus said.

"Albus! You shouldn't be encouraging them!" Minerva groaned.

"Obviously, they shouldn't break the rules, but you have to admit the magic is impressive," Albus said with a sigh.

"So, young Harry,"... a satisfied sort of way.

Minerva huffed. Here they all were trying to keep Harry safe and he was going to sneak out of the school.

Harry stood there... he wouldn't have to pass the Dementors at all...

"You can't!" young Hermione said. "It's against school rules."

"Who cares!" young Ron said.

But even as he stood there... if you can't see where it keeps its brain.

"Very sensible," Mr Weasley said. "Although, I think you're safe with this one. Not that you should be sneaking out," he added after his wife glared at him.

This map was one of those dangerous... without anything horrible happening. . .

"Fair reasoning," Albus said. "Although you really shouldn't sneak out."

Harry traced the secret passage... 'Dissendium. '

"That is truly amazing!" Flitwick said.

"Dissendium!"... both excited and apprehensive, he set off.

Sirius grinned. He probably shouldn't encourage Harry in this but really the boy deserved a little fun. Even Severus had had more fun at Hogwarts than Harry seemed to. And he'd always had his head stuck in a text book.

The passage twisted and turned... his feet very cold.

"The village is further away than people realise," Albus said. "Although I imagine the passage ways take a more direct route than the road."

Ten minutes later, he came to the foot of some worn stone steps... his head hit something hard.

Someone sniggered at that.

It seemed to be a trapdoor... peered over the edge.

"I'm surprised the owners of Honeydukes never noticed a secret tunnel," Minerva said.

He was in a cellar... impossible to tell it was there.

"Well, that explains that I suppose," Minerva huffed.

Harry crept slowly toward the wooden staircase... somebody was about to come downstairs.

Everyone held their breath.

"And get another box of Jelly Slugs, dear... and then straightened up.

"Would have been easier with your cloak," Sirius said.

"Don't encourage him!" Mrs Weasley said.

"I'll encourage him if I want to," Sirius retorted. "He's my godson."

Honeydukes was so crowded... if he could see where Harry was now.

"That would be brilliant!" Ron said.

There were shelves upon shelves... exploding bonbons.

"Just think of their teeth," Mrs Granger groaned.

Harry squeezed himself through a crowd... they're for vampires, I expect," Hermione was saying.

"Why were you looking in that section?" Draco asked. "Everyone knows Harry likes pumpkin pasties and sugar quills."

Everyone looked at Draco in surprise.

"What?" he asked. "It's true. Everyone knows."

"Do they?" Harry asked, bewildered. He was surprised Draco knew his favourite sweets.

"It was in Witch Weekly," Draco muttered, turning pink.

Theo patted his friend on the back. He'd always wondered if Draco had a crush on Potter. Although he totally got why. Potter was hot.

"How about these?"... "you've learned to Apparate!"

"You can't apparate in Hogwarts!" Hermione complained.

"'Course I haven't,"... "I'm their brother!"

"Harry's need was greater than yours," George said with a shrug.

"But Harry isn't going to keep it!" said Hermione, as though the idea were ludicrous.

"You don't get to just decide that!" Sirius growled. "That's Harry's legacy. If we hadn't had it confiscated, James would have given it to Harry when he first started school." The if he wasn't dead, went unsaid.

"He's going to hand it in to Professor McGonagall, aren't you, Harry?"

Sirius glared at the girl. While he understood why she thought he should, that didn't mean he agreed. Or even that he liked the way she had just presumed that Harry would do what she thought was right.

"No, I'm not!"... Fred and George had nicked it!"

George smiled at Harry. He knew he could trust him.

"But what about Sirius Black?"... The teachers have got to know!"

"She has a point," Remus said with a sigh.

"He shouldn't be in Hogsmeade at all!" Mrs Weasley huffed.

"He can't be getting in through a passage," ... so unless he knew it was there -"

"Which I did," Sirius said, "but how were you to know that."

Harry hesitated... every night after sundown.

"How unpleasant," Narcissa said with a shiver.

This measure has been put in place... Merry Christmas!

"Well, that's cheery," Sirius said.

"See?" ... They live over the shop!"

"That's a fair analysis," Remus said, sighing. It was no wonder Harry was always getting into trouble.

"It doesn't change the fact that Harry is breaking school rules!" Mrs Weasley grumbled.

"Yes, but - but -" ... he'll be in so much trouble!

"I think this is one of those times where you just have to accept that you don't agree with what your friend is doing," Mr Granger said, giving his daughter a pat on the shoulder. "Sometimes that happens. It's his life. Not yours. You share your concerns and you let it go."

And it's not nightfall yet... Harry deserves a break. "

Sirius laughed. Harry should never have been forced to stay at the school in the first place. In the future, he'd make sure Harry's permission form was signed.

Hermione bit her lip... but honestly, Harry -"

"You didn't really think I would?" Hermione asked.

"Not then," Harry said with a shrug. "Later in the year, yeah, I did."

"Seen the Fizzing Whizbees, Harry?" ... Cockroach Cluster if I told him they were peanuts?"

"Not likely," said Fred.

When Ron and Hermione had paid... he didn't have his cloak.

Poppy gave an exasperated eye roll.

They headed up the street... "shall we go for a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks?"

"That's a definite must," Sirius said excitably. "Butterbeer is the best. Well, until you're old enough for firewhiskey," he told the younger Harry. Older Harry nodded his agreement.

Harry was more than willing... entering the tiny inn.

Mrs Weasley looked ready to explode. But luckily the book didn't give her a chance before it continued on.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you're enjoying the story... I know you all can't wait for Harry to blow up... he will very very soon... hopefully. Lol.

The Marauders Map Part 2

Chapter Summary

Secrets are revealed in ways people would rather they weren't...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

It was extremely crowded... bunch of rowdy warlocks up at the bar.

Ron blushed. He'd always had a crush on Madam Rosmerta.

"That's Madam Rosmerta,"... going slightly red.

George wolf whistled.

Harry and Hermione made their way to the back of the room... "Merry Christmas!" he said happily, raising his tankard.

Even the teachers smiled. They couldn't really blame Harry for wanting to enjoy the festive season with his friends.

Harry drank deeply... Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic.

Minerva went white. She remembered what they had discussed that day at the pub. She had a sinking feeling that Potter most likely heard their conversation.

In an instant, Ron and Hermione had both placed hands... then turn and walk right toward him.

"That's bad luck," Remus said.

"No. It's not!" Mrs Weasley said angrily. "He should be caught. He's not safe."

Somewhere above him... hiding them from view.

"Very well done, Miss Granger," Flitwick said.

Staring through the dense lower branches... "Mmm!" said Professor Flitwick, smacking his lips.

Flitwick went slightly pink.

"So you'll be the red currant rum, Minister. "... "Well, thank you very much, Minister. "

"Smarmy git," Ron muttered.

Harry watched the glittering heels... if he wanted to return to school tonight...

"Should have thought about that before sneaking out," Mrs Weasley said crossly.

Harry ignored her. Sirius wasn't so generous and gave the witch a glare.

Hermione's leg gave a nervous twitch... checking for eavesdroppers.

"If he was worried about eavesdroppers he should have used some protective spells," Kingsley said, shaking his head in despair.

Then he said in a quiet voice... Professor McGonagall exasperatedly.

Hagrid blushed. "I migh' have."

"Do you think Black's still in the area... "I'm sure of it," said Fudge shortly.

Amelia tutted. He shouldn't be talking about an active investigation like that.

"You know that the Dementors have searched... It's very bad for business, Minister. "

Everyone sat forward, paying attention to the book.

"Rosmerta, dear... he won't let them inside the castle grounds. "

Albus laughed. "Of course not."

"I should think not,"... teach with those horrors floating around?"

The other teachers nodded their agreement. It had been terrible. The poor students were in constant need for chocolate. They'd had to ensure every meal had extra chocolate for desert all year.

"Hear, hear!"... We all know what Black's capable of. . . "

"He thinks I'm worse than the dementors?" Sirius asked, not really expecting an answer.

"Do you know, I still have trouble believing it,"... Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought. . .

Sirius felt some relief that someone struggled to believe it. He felt like everyone had just accepted he was evil without even stopping to think about it.

I mean, I remember him... "The worst he did isn't widely known. "

Minerva glanced at Harry. She was horrified that he'd heard this.

Harry caught her eye. "This is what always happens. You all refuse to tell me the truth and I find out in the worse way possible." He shrugged. To him at least, this was old news.

"The worst?"... What could possibly be worse?"

Everyone eyed Sirius, suddenly nervous. Sure, they'd heard he was innocent but what if there was more they didn't know.

"You say you remember him at Hogwarts... Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!"

Harry tried to keep his cool. His rage was intensifying. He didn't want to hear this again and what's more he didn't want Sirius to hear how he reacted.

Harry dropped his tankard with a loud clunk. Ron kicked him.

"How didn't they realise that you were listening?" Tonks asked, shaking her head.

"Precisely,... could give 'em a run fer their money. "

George smiled proudly at that.

"You'd have thought Black and Potter were brothers!" chimed in Professor Flitwick. "Inseparable!"

"We practically were," Sirius said. "Not to mention we were distant cousins."

"Of course they were,"... You can imagine how the idea would torment him. "

"Funny isn't it," Harry growled. "How no one is willing to tell me the truth about my life, but they're perfectly willing to sit and gossip about it in the pub."

Minerva looked distraught. This was awful. She owed Potter an apology and by the looks on Hagrid's and Flitwick's faces they felt the same way.

"Because Black turned out to be in league... best chance was the Fidelius Charm. "

Harry laughed bitterly, glaring at the rat on the mantelpiece.

"How does that work?"... chooses to divulge it.

"The Potters were betrayed," someone muttered.

As long as the Secret-Keeper refused to speak... Potters' Secret-Keeper?" whispered Madam Rosmerta.

"No. I wasn't," Sirius said.

"We know, Sirius," Remus said soothingly.

"Naturally," said Professor McGonagall. ... would die rather than tell where they were,

"And he was right," Sirius said.

that Black was planning... "He suspected Black?" gasped Madam Rosmerta.

"I knew there was a spy," Albus said with a sigh. "I just didn't know who it was."

"He was sure that somebody close to the Potters... information to You-Know-Who. "

Sirius glared at Wormtail in his cage.

"But James Potter insisted... He had no choice but to run for it -"

Sirius growled, words lost to him.

"Filthy, stinkin' turncoat!"... I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN' TRAITOR!" Hagrid roared.

Hagrid frowned, giving Sirius an apologetic look.

"Hagrid, please!"... Black argued, but in the end he gave in.

"Of course, I argued. I knew exactly what Petunia was like."

Told me ter take his motorbike... a matter o' hours before the Ministry was after him.

"I'd already decided to go after Peter," Sirius said. "As soon as you refused to give me Harry, that's what I knew I needed to do. Revenge was all that was left."

"But what if I'd given Harry to him, eh? I bet he'd've pitched him off the bike halfway out ter sea.

"NEVER!" Sirius growled, clinging to both boys.

His bes' friends' son!... The Ministry of Magic caught up with him next day!"

Sirius scoffed.

"Alas, if only we had,"... he went after Black himself. "

"More like I went after him," Sirius muttered.

"Pettigrew... She sounded as though she had a sudden head cold.

Minerva looked a little green.

"There, now, Minerva,"... Blew Pettigrew to smithereens. . . . "

"I wish I had," Sirius said angrily.

Professor McGonagall blew her nose... I'd 've ripped him limb - from - limb," Hagrid growled.

Hagrid looked ashamed now.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Hagrid,"... A crater in the middle of the street, so deep it had cracked the sewer below.

"Gotta admit, Peter surprised me with that one," Sirius said bitterly.

Bodies everywhere... - a few fragments -"

"A finger," Remus muttered.

Fudge's voice stopped abruptly... the Order of Merlin, First Class,

"Not that he deserved it," Sirius muttered. "I went willingly too. But I still didn't get a trial."

which I think was some comfort... "Is it true he's mad, Minister?"

Sirius laughed. He was probably as mad as the rest of the Blacks.

"I wish I could say that he was,"... but I was shocked at how normal Black seemed.

"I stayed in my animagus form as much as possible," Sirius said with a shrug. "It helped."

He spoke quite rationally to me... Dementors outside his door day and night. "

"You asked for a newspaper?" Remus asked, his eyes crinkling.

Sirius shrugged. It hadn't happened yet but he could imagine it easy enough.

"But what do you think he's broken out to do?"... You-Know-Who alone and friendless is one thing. . .

"It's strange hearing Fudge talk about You-Know-Who as if he's not dead," Percy said.

"Yeah, he changed his tune quick enough," Minerva said bitterly.

but give him back his most devoted servant... back up to the castle," said Professor McGonagall.

Minerva sighed. No wonder Potter didn't trust any of them. They'd failed him over and over again.

One by one, the pairs of feet in front of Harry... They were both staring at him, lost for words.

There was silence in the chamber. Everyone seemed unwilling to break it. Nervous almost that if they did, Harry would lose his cool. And none of them could really blame him if he did.

Chapter End Notes

Poor Harry and Sirius...

The Firebolt Part 1

Chapter Summary

Everyone gets a little lesson in supporting their friends during emotional situations...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

No one said anything, choosing to let the book continue instead.

Harry didn't have a very clear idea... his head was still pounding with the conversation he had just heard.

Everyone seemed to be on tenterhooks, nervous to say anything in case they upset Harry further. Harry wasn't looking at anyone, staring into the fire, wishing he could be anywhere else.

Why had nobody ever told him?... their best friend had betrayed them?

Sirius tightened his grip on Harry. This wasn't fair. Harry should never have been made to feel this way. He should have had a trial, even if just to protect Harry from this pain.

Ron and Hermione watched Harry... in a fit of end-of-term high spirits.

Mrs Weasley tutted but didn't say anything, eyeing Harry nervously.

Harry, who didn't want Fred and George... Harry had never given him a thought before.

Harry snorted. The answer had been sitting there the whole time. Sure, he didn't look much like himself after spending so long in Azkaban, but why hadn't he ever asked about his parents' friends?

If he hadn't known it was the same person... make him unrecognizable?

Sirius frowned. The world had seemed full of possibilities then. He'd fancied himself in love with Marlene. Of course, he'd known even then that he was bi-sexual but he'd genuinely imagined a future with her. Possibly even children. And then she'd died and he'd given up on that future. He'd already blood adopted Harry, they thought that would guarantee Harry's safety no matter what the outcome of the war had been. Little had they known.

But the Dementors don't affect him... if they get too close -

"They affect me," Sirius muttered. "It's just easier to ignore as a dog. Everything is simpler that way. Thoughts and feelings are less complicated. Less deep."

Harry nodded, glancing up at his godfather. "You'll probably not like what you hear in this chapter," he said quietly.

"I'll understand," Sirius said. "You didn't know I was innocent."

Harry didn't say anything. He couldn't. He curled into Sirius's side instead. He didn't want to tell Sirius he'd once hoped that he'd receive the Dementor's Kiss.

Harry slammed the album shut... his eyes wide open.

"A little time alone to process, probably isn't a bad thing," Galenius said gently. "That must have been a terrible shock."

Harry kept quiet. He didn't think he'd stop talking if he started now. There was so much he'd like to say. So much he'd like to complain about.

A hatred such as he had never known before... whenever the Dementors drew near. . . .

Harry didn't bother looking at anyone. He knew what he'd see. Plenty of pity and not much else.

"Harry, you - you look terrible. "

"Helpful," Sirius barked.

Harry huffed a quiet laugh. He hadn't appreciated being told he looked awful either.

Harry hadn't gotten to sleep until daybreak... who had spread her homework over three tables.

The teachers rolled their eyes. Who needed three tables to do their homework?

"Where is everyone?"... I was going to come and wake you up in a minute. "

"I hated the way you both seemed to be waiting for me to blow up at you," Harry muttered. "Kind of how you're all behaving now."

Harry slumped into a chair next to the fire... peering anxiously into his face.

"A sleepless night will do that to you," Sirius snarked.

"I'm fine,"... you mustn't go doing anything stupid. "

"Not the time," Remus said with a sigh. Really did these children have no tact at all?

"Like what?"... He didn't say anything.

"Why would you even think he'd do that?" Sirius said crossly. "He's not stupid. He was hurting and he was angry but still, not stupid."

"Harry went after Voldemort in first year," Hermione defended.

"Because he didn't feel like he had a choice," Sirius argued. "That was very different."

"You won't, will you, Harry?"... not worth dying for," said Ron.

"That's true enough," Sirius said with a pat to Harry's shoulder.

Harry wasn't sure he agreed.

Harry looked at them. They didn't seem to understand at all.

"No. They didn't," Claudius said. "How could they? Neither of them has lost a parent. Neither of them know what it is to grow up alone and unloved. They can't possibly understand. You must have felt so alone. And they weren't even letting you talk about. Scream about it. Rage against how unfair it was. I'm sorry, Harry."

Harry looked up at the mind healer. That's right. That's what he'd needed that morning. He'd needed to be allowed to feel his feelings.

"It's important that people are allowed to feel their way through things," Claudius said. "Otherwise it festers. While I'm sure you both thought you were helping. You were actually making the situation significantly harder for Harry to deal with. You were making it impossible for him to share his feelings with you. Because he knew exactly what you thought already. All he needed was for you both to listen. No judgement. No calling the things he might - hyper-theoretically - do stupid. Just listen."

"D'you know what I see... sent Voldemort after her -"

Claudius and Galenius nodded in understanding. Harry was relieved to see no pity there.

"There's nothing you can do!"... and serve him right!"

Claudius frowned. "This is why an adult needed to inform Harry. These children were not equipped to deal with the emotional ramifications of the situation."

Ron and Hermione both looked momentarily offended. They'd done their best. Sure, at thirteen it hadn't been great. But they'd tried.

"You heard what Fudge said... to kill Black or something?"

"You do realise you put those words in my mouth," Harry said bitterly. "I never said anything about going after him. You did. I never said I wanted to kill him. You did."

Hermione and Ron both frowned. They hadn't meant to do that.

"Don't be silly,"... was almost more than he could stand.

"Which is a perfectly reasonable way to feel under the circumstances," Galenius said softly.

"Malfoy knows,"... I'd want revenge. '"

Claudius nodded. He couldn't do anything about Black so of course, he jumped onto the nearest person to hate.

"You're going to take Malfoy's advice instead of ours?" said Ron furiously.

"Why are you getting angry with him?" Sirius demanded. "He never said he'd go after me. He's hardly said anything at all."

"They were children!" Mrs Weasley said. "They hardly knew what to do."

"WHICH IS WHY AN ADULT SHOULD HAVE DAMN WELL TOLD HIM!" Sirius bellowed.

Arthur frowned at Sirius. While he agreed with the other man, he didn't appreciate him shouting at his wife. "This isn't helping," he said gently. "We clearly all messed up. But we did the best we could."

"We just wanted to protect Harry," Mrs Weasley said. "Everyone thought it was better he not know."

"That wasn't your decision to make," Harry said. "The Dursleys thought it was better I not know that I was a wizard. Sometimes it feels like you're all just the same. They kept secrets from me, locked me up..."

"I've never locked you up, Harry," Molly said, feeling shaken.

"Summer before fifth year," Harry said. "You and the bloody order literally guarded my house."

"To keep you safe," Molly argued.

"You locked me in a house with people you knew hated me," Harry pointed out. "I don't see the difference."

"That wasn't mum's decision, mate," Ron said.

"Not the point, Ron!" Harry seethed.

"The point, Heir Potter, is trying to make is that the adults in his life have let him down repeatedly and sometimes their mistakes and poor choices don't look altogether different from the abuse he suffered at the hands of his relatives." Claudius paused. "That is how Harry feels. And whether you agree or not, he's entitled to feel that way."

"Listen... Harry, and he's dangerous -"

"How is that supposed to help?" Remus sighed. Why hadn't his older self said something? He could have prevented this.

"Malfoy's dad must have told him,"... Voldemort's inner circle -"

Lucius glared at his son. "I knew Black wasn't guilty. But I couldn't have helped him, not without exposing myself and my family."

Narcissa gave an apologetic look towards Sirius and Harry. "We discussed it. Draco must have heard."

"Say You-Know-Who, will you?" interjected Ron angrily.

Sirius glared thunderously at Ron. What did that boy have to be angry about? Being scared of a name, was nothing compared to how Harry felt at that moment. Some friend.

"- so obviously, the Malfoys knew... he has to play you at Quidditch. "

"Really not helpful," Remus sighed.

"I was a kid," Ron defended. "What was I supposed to say."

"NOTHING!" Sirius shouted. "You were supposed to listen. Let Harry say whatever he damn well pleased for an hour or so. Even if it was irrational. Even if it seemed foolish. Even if you prayed he'd never act upon it. All you had to do was listen."

"Harry, please,"... They'd never want you to go looking for Black!"

"Low blow," Remus said. "Manipulating him with his parents."

Harry almost laughed. Remus had done the exact same thing later that same year.

"I'll never know... I've never spoken to them," said Harry shortly.

"Isn't it interesting that you two are getting angry and distressed," Claudius said, "and Harry is relatively calm. He's not the one shouting or losing his temper. That should tell you everything. He's hurting. He's not about to go off and try and search for Black. He was more likely to rant for a bit or even cry. In fact, that's what he needed to do."

"But you're allowing your own feelings on the issue to prevent you helping your friend," Galenius said. "It's immaturity and that can't be helped. But if you weren't capable of helping Harry then, you should have sought the help of an adult."

There was a silence ... We haven't visited him for ages!"

"Good idea," Galenius said. "As an adult, he can provide the support Harry needs. And Harry can get some closure about the fact everyone is keeping secrets from him."

"His trust has been broken," Claudius said with a nod, "especially by Hagrid. He was one of the ones mentioned earlier... Dumbledore, Hagrid, Mr Weasley, Minister Fudge. Those are the people he feels let him down. So confronting Hagrid is a good idea."

"How would confronting Hagrid help?" Hermione asked.

"Not all confrontation is negative. Sometimes it can be healing too. Especially when you are too young to process what you're feeling alone. Especially with an adult like Mr Hagrid who will forgive Harry for anything he might say in anger."

"No!"... leave the castle, Ron -"

"Not the right thing to say," Sirius sighed. Merlin, his pup must have felt so trapped.

"Yeah, let's go,"... wasn't what Ron had had in mind.

"He isn't going to just let it go," Galenius said. "He's experienced a significant emotional upheaval and has every right to take the time needed to process it."

"Or we could have a game of chess,"... shivering under her cloak.

"I was relieved. I didn't want Harry getting upset with Hagrid," Hermione said.

"Why shouldn't he?" Galenius said. "He trusted Hagrid. Hagrid told him about being a wizard, told him how his parents died... but he kept this big secret from him. He has valid reason to be angry and even if it wasn't valid, it was still how he felt. You can't control other people's feelings."

"I wasn't trying to control his feelings," Hermione argued.

"Just how he expressed them then?" Galenius asked calmly. The younger Everleigh brothers were nodding in agreement.

Hermione grimaced. That didn't sound any better.

"We have very limited control over other people," Galenius said softly. "We only really have control over how we react to things. And even then, we often get it wrong. There are going to be times when you get it wrong and times when your friends do to. It's part of being human."

Ron had his ear to the door... throbbing moans.

"Were you hurt, Rubeus?" Minerva asked.

Hagrid shook his head. There were large tears in his eyes.

"Think we'd better go and get someone?"... dripped down into his tangled beard.

"What's happened?" Tonks asked.

"Hagrid, what is it?"... There followed a list of the school governors.

Everyone glared at Draco.

"Oh," said Ron... I bet he'll get off. "

Young Amos frowned. "That's unlikely. It only takes one attack - especially on a minor - unless you can prove hippogriff baiting. Which is next to impossible to do."

"Yeh don' know them gargoyles... "They've got it in fer interestin' creatures!"

Neither Amos looked pleased with being called a gargoyle.

A sudden sound from the corner... "All on his own! At Christmas. "

Several people looked surprised at this. Hagrid was treating an XXX beast like an overgrown dog.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at one another... he was positively cute.

Several people laughed at that.

"You'll have to put up a good strong defense... Ad if I lose the case, Buckbeak -"

Amos huffed at that. He didn't like hearing people talk about his department like that.

Hagrid drew his finger swiftly... an' Sirius Black lurkin' around. "

"I would still want to help, Hagrid," Dumbledore said.

Ron and Hermione looked quickly at Harry... so miserable and scared.

"You really underestimate Harry," Sirius said crossly.

"Listen, Hagrid,"... see exactly what happened. "

Amos nodded his head. That was a good idea.

Hagrid howled still more loudly... shall I make a cup of tea?" said Ron.

Mr Weasley laughed. That was 100% Molly.

Harry stared at him... whenever someone's upset," Ron muttered, shrugging.

"It usually helps," Mrs Weasley said. "Shame you didn't remember that when trying to talk to Harry."

At last, after many more assurances of help... an' no one likin' me classes -"

The students all glared at Draco again.

"We do like them!" lied Hermione at once.

Hagrid laughed. He'd known she was lying. She wasn't very good at it.

"Yeah, they're great!"... "Too much lettuce. "

More laughter from Hagrid.

"Oh no!"... 'S like bein' back in Azkaban -"

Amelia frowned. Hagrid should never have been put in Azkaban in the first place.

He fell silent... Mind, the Dementors weren't keen on lettin' me go. "

"No, they wouldn't be," Sirius said bitterly.

"But you were innocent!" said Hermione.

Sirius laughed. He shouldn't really but it was funny how naive and innocent these kids were.

Hagrid snorted... who's guilty an' who's not. "

"It really does shock me that you use creatures like that as guards," Mr Granger said. "There must be a better option."

"Magic suppressing cuffs," Kingsley said. "Stronger wards. There are plenty of options but the ministry won't go for it. They'd have to pay wixen guards. It's all about money."

Hagrid went quiet for a moment... "I don' ever want ter go back ter Azkaban. "

"That would be a very bad idea," Amos said shortly.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed the chapter... Please know that I don't hate Ron and Hermione but I really feel they handled this situation wrongly. And yes, as the mind healers point out that's because of their age.

The Firebolt Part 2

Chapter Summary

Emotions continue to run high in the chamber...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The trip to Hagrid's... speaking occasionally when they ran across something relevant.

"Avoidance," Galenius said to his brother, who nodded in agreement. It would seem that a lot of these young adults had never had a chance to actually resolve their issues. It wasn't really surprising given that they'd all come directly from a battle field.

It looked like he and his brother (and their younger selves) had their work cut out for them.

"Here's something... everyone was too scared to go near it. . . "

George chuckled at that.

Meanwhile, in the rest of the castle... shelter of Ron's pocket to sniff hopefully at the air.

Sirius growled lowly. He hated that rat.

On Christmas morning... maroon again...

Mrs Weasley grimaced. She needed to remember that Ron didn't like maroon. There was just always so much to do. Raising so many children.

see if you've got one... and a box of nut brittle.

Sirius nodded at the Weasley parents. He was grateful that they'd ensured Harry received gifts. Even if Molly was annoying the hell out of him.

As he moved all these things aside... broomstick rolled out onto his bedspread.

"You mean you didn't buy it?" Draco demanded.

"No. Obviously not," Harry said with a shrug. "It was too expensive."

Lucius smiled. Harry would make an excellent Lord. He wasn't one to squander his inheritance.

Ron dropped his socks... streamlined birch twigs that made up the tail.

Sirius whistled. That sounded like an amazing broom. He wouldn't mind one of those himself.

"Who sent it to you?"... "I'm betting it wasn't the Dursleys. "

Several people laughed.They would have to agree. There was no way it was from the Dursleys.

"I bet it was Dumbledore," ... "He sent you the Invisibility Cloak anonymously. . . "

Albus chuckled. "I don't make a habit of giving gifts to my students. And even if I was to do so, I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend that much. It's a professional standard broom."

"That was my dad's, though,"... He can't go giving students stuff like this -"

The teachers all nodded their agreement. A couple of the Slytherins were surprised. They'd expected Potter to expect special treatment. Demand it even.

"That's why he wouldn't say it was from him!"... This is an international standard broom, this is!"

"I was," Draco admitted.

"I can't believe this,"... "I know who it could've been - Lupin!"

"Me?" Remus asked. "I wouldn't be able to afford that."

He'd certainly wanted to buy Harry presents over the years but without knowing where to owl them to, he had decided not to. Dumbledore had said he needed to be kept away from the wizarding world for his own safety. And Remus had foolishly trusted the man.

"What?" ... decided to visit Diagon Alley and get this for you -"

"I admit I probably would have been tempted to buy Harry a broom," Remus said, "especially since the tree that destroyed his last one was planted because of me. But I wouldn't have been able to afford one as expensive as that. In all honesty, I probably couldn't have bought him a second hand one."

He blushed. He didn't like admitting how hard it had been living hand to mouth, always unsure when or how he'd get his next paycheck.

"What d'you mean, he was away?"... that detention from Snape, remember?"

"I'm surprised you lot haven't begun to piece together that I'm a werewolf," Remus said.

"Oh, I knew," Hermione said.

That didn't surprise Remus.

Harry frowned at Ron... with a string of tinsel tied around his neck.

"Why would you bring Crookshanks up to the boy's dorm?" Mrs Granger asked. Surely, her daughter had more sense than that.

"What were you doing in the boy's dorm at all?" Mr Granger said sharply, eyeing the boys suspiciously.

"It's not a big deal," Hermione said with a blush.

"Not a big deal?" Mr Granger asked. She was his little girl. Of course, it was a big deal.

Minerva equally looked unimpressed. Just because the boys dorms didn't have the same safety features as the girls' dorms, didn't mean they weren't entitled to their privacy. She would have to raise the issue at the next staff meeting.

"Don't bring him in here!"... "There wasn't a card or anything with it. "

"It is quite suspicious," Tonks said.

To his great surprise... quite a good broom, isn't it?"

All the quidditch players in the chamber groaned. Quite a good broom?

Ron sighed exasperatedly... Slytherins' brooms put together," said Ron happily.

Draco glared at Ron for a split second before remembering he was supposed to be trying to get along with them.

"Well. . . can I have a go on it? Can I?"

"He hasn't even ridden it himself yet," Sirius said, shaking his head.

"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!"... sweep the floor?" said Ron.

"You can't just say something like that and not explain yourself," Tonks said. "While I agree with you, it's definitely suspicious, Harry deserves to hear your reasoning."

Hermione frowned. "I didn't get a chance."

But before Hermione could answer... a wild escape over his shoulder.

Mrs Granger sighed. "Really, that should have been expected."

Her daughter was usually so sensible. Why would she even bring the cat up to the dorm at all?

Ron seized Scabbers by the tail... kick at Crookshanks

Luna glared at Ron. "You're not being very kind to either animal."

"What?" Ron asked, surprised.

"You shouldn't hold a rat by their tail," Luna said.

"Oh."

"And you definitely shouldn't kick cats," young Luna added.

"Sorry," Ron said, his ears turning pink.

that hit the trunk... howling with pain.

Hermione looked momentarily pleased, before schooling her expression. She was still a little bitter about that year. Without Ron and Harry she had been practically friendless.

Crookshanks's fur suddenly stood on end... gleaming on the floor.

"Probably because of Wormy," Sirius said with a sigh.

"Was he part kneezle?" Luna asked. "Because they're supposed to be excellent judges of character."

Hermione smiled, giving the other girl a nod.

"I forgot about that!"... Crookshanks's yellow eyes still fixed maliciously on Ron.

"Crookshanks really doesn't like Scabbers," young Luna said. "He obviously knows he's not a rat."

Harry stuffed the Sneakoscope back inside... patches of fur seemed to have fallen out too.

Sirius gave a satisfied sort of smirk.

"He's not looking too good, is he?"... miserable if Scabbers died.

Sirius smiled. Harry was a good friend.

Christmas spirit was definitely thin on the ground... Harry gave up trying to make them talk to each other

"It's not your responsibility to make them talk," Claudius said.

"I always feel stuck in the middle," Harry said with a shrug.

Both Hermione and Ron looked surprised at that.

and devoted himself to examining the Firebolt... it too had been criticizing her cat.

"If you were worried about the broom you should have tried talking to Harry about it," Mrs Granger said. "He's your friend. I'm sure he'd have listened to you."

Hermione shrugged. She probably should have. But she really thought he'd just get angry with her. Then again, he'd gotten angry when she'd told their head of house too. So maybe talking to him would have been the better option.

At lunchtime they went down... who took it reluctantly and tugged.

Sirius chuckled, glancing at Severus. Severus merely rolled his eyes. He wouldn't admit it but it was nice to see Black smiling again.

With a bang like a gunshot... who swapped it for his wizard's hat at once.

Several people laughed at that.

"Dig in!"... I do beg you to forgive my lateness. . . "

"Oh, no," young Sybill said. "I shouldn't. I'll make thirteen."

"Certainly, certainly,"... the first to rise will be the first to die!"

Minerva scoffed.

"We'll risk it, Sibyll,"... "But where is dear Professor Lupin?"

"Why is she asking?" Remus asked. "Surely, the whole of the staff knew I was a werewolf."

"I'm afraid the poor fellow is ill again,"... knew that, Sibyll?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyebrows raised.

Mrs Granger frowned. That wasn't very professional.

Professor Trelawney gave Professor... "That explains a great deal," said Professor McGonagall tartly.

Everyone gaped at Minerva.

Professor Trelawney's voice... He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him -"

Remus chuckled.

"Imagine that,"... took the platter of sausages with trembling hands.

"It's a shame I don't get to interact with the students more directly," Albus sighed.

Professor Trelawney behaved almost normally... slaughter the first into the Entrance Hall. "

Mrs Granger tutted. These teachers were ridiculous. Really, was this the example they set children?

Even Ron laughed... "I want a quick word with Professor McGonagall. "

Hermione sunk into her seat. Looking back, she knew she should have talked to Harry properly before going to their head of house. But at the time, she hadn't even considered it.

"Probably trying to see if she can take any more classes,"... Password?"

None of the parents looked particularly pleased with this behaviour.

"Scurvy cur,"... accompanied by Professor McGonagall.

Tonks gaped at the girl. "You went straight to a teacher?"

"That is a dramatic escalation," Claudius said. "When you find yourself in conflict with a friend, it is always best to find the path of least conflict where possible. So, talk it through privately before bringing someone else in. I appreciate that with the issues you were having with Ron at the time, you might not have felt you could discuss it between the three of you. But it would have been better to take Harry aside and share your concerns with him. Give him the opportunity to make his own mind up on the matter before escalating it by involving a teacher."

Hermione sighed. "I was just so stressed. I'm not sure I even really thought it through."

Claudius nodded in understanding. The girl certainly seemed to have taken on more than she could chew that year.

Though Professor McGonagall was Head of Gryffindor House... hid her face behind it.

"Coward," Ron muttered. He had probably been angrier than Harry over the whole broom incident.

"So that's it, is it?"... sent a broomstick, Potter. "

Everyone was staring at Hermione now. They couldn't believe she hadn't talked to Harry before going to a professor.

"You're going to take it away?" Young Harry asked. Were they just like the Dursleys? Taking Harry's things away.

"I imagine that was very distressing for you Harry," Claudius said. "Especially since you have so little."

Harry blushed. He didn't like all this attention. "Yeah, it felt like I was back at the Dursleys."

Hermione and Minerva looked scandalised.

"They were always taking things from me," Harry admitted. "Anything good I got from school. Even library books weren't safe in their house. I wasn't allowed anything for myself. This felt just like that."

"Did you tell Hermione or Professor McGonagall that?" Claudius asked.

Harry shook his head. How was he supposed to tell them?

"Why do you think that was?"

"I thought maybe my relatives were right," Harry muttered.

"About what?"

"That I didn't deserve good things because I was..."

"Because you were a freak?" Claudius asked gently, causing Harry to nod his head. "You are not a freak, Harry. I promise you that."

Harry looked away from the other wizard, unwilling to let him know how much his words affected him.

Harry and Ron looked around at Hermione... "Well, I'm afraid I will have to take this, Potter. "

"Wait just one moment," Sirius said. "You can't just confiscate it."

"I thought there was a real chance that it was jinxed," Minerva said.

"Then discuss it with Harry," Sirius said, "and discuss his options. That's a professional broom."

"Options?" Hermione asked. She hadn't considered that there might be other options.

Harry sighed, trying to rein in his emotions. "It should have been sent back to the manufacturer for testing," he explained. "The teachers aren't trained in broomstick making, they very well could have damaged it."

"We did no such thing!" Minerva huffed, looking exceptionally put out.

"But it belonged to me and it should have been my decision what happened with it," Harry said, as calmly as he could. "Your tinkering certainly put an end to the warranty on it."

"What would the school have done if my great-grandson demanded compensation?" Arcturus asked. "If you had broken it?"

Minerva frowned. She hadn't considered that. It might not have bankrupted the school to replace the broom, but it was still an expense the couldn't really afford.

"W -- what?"... will strip it down -"

"They had no business doing that!" Sirius growled. Harry was right, they'd voided his warranty for sure.

"Strip it down?"... "You will have it back if we are sure it is jinx-free. "

Sirius shook his head. They were handling this all wrong. No wonder Harry didn't trust them.

"There's nothing wrong with it!"... I shall keep you informed. "

"You ever do something like this again with my great-grandson's property and I'll sue you for destruction of property," Arcturus promised, a menacing look in his eyes. He understood the concern, but there was a proper way to handle situations like this. Ones that didn't leave yourself and the school open to legal action. Really, the only reason they got away with half of what they did was because Harry didn't have an adult in his corner. That would be different now. He'd make sure of it.

Minerva looked like she wanted to argue.

"You know I'm right, Minerva," Arcturus said. "While I appreciate that you wanted to keep Harry safe, this wasn't the right decision. You could have damaged the broom and put him in real danger."

Professor McGonagall turned on her heel... "What did you go running to McGonagall for?"

Sirius sighed. And now Harry's so called friends were arguing again. Could Harry ever catch a break?

Hermione threw her book aside... that that broom was probably sent to Harry by Sirius Black!"

"Even if you were correct and I did send it," which Sirius thought he probably did, "and I was out to kill Harry, you still should have talked to him about it, instead of going straight to a teacher. I appreciate you wanting to keep him safe, but he has to be allowed to make his own choices."

"That's what annoyed me most," Harry admitted quietly.

"This is exactly what we were talking about before Hermione," Mr Granger said. "It's important to recognise other people's autonomy and not just presume that you know best. Harry should have been the one to decide what to do with the broom."

"But he wouldn't have told a teacher!" Hermione huffed.

"You don't know that," Harry said softly. "You never gave me the chance. I might not have told a teacher but I might have written to the manufacturer. Or something. And if you told me why you were concerned, I'd have listened, even if it was just to ease your concern. I'm not a completely crappy friend."

"I never said you were," Hermione said.

"You basically just said I wouldn't have listened to you," Harry said. "That would have made me a pretty rubbish friend."

Chapter End Notes

I know the firebolt is a difficult one... some of you are very against Hermione for reporting it, others are all for it... personally, I fit in the middle. It needed to be checked but I think everyone went about it wrong.

The Patronus

Chapter Summary

Everyone continues reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry knew that Hermione had meant well... ever see it again.

"It felt like being back at the Dursleys," Harry said with a little more confidence now. "Having my things taken away from me. I felt like I had no control over it."

"Your control was stolen from you," Claudius said understandingly. "It must have felt like a breech of trust."

Harry nodded. "And I didn't think I'd get it back. The Dursleys never gave me anything back."

"I'm so sorry, Harry," Hermione said. "I had no idea."

"I know," Harry said. "It's okay."

He was positive that there was nothing wrong... subjected to all sorts of anti-jinx tests?

"But you didn't know!" Hermione huffed.

Harry grinned at her. Obviously he didn't. But he had been thirteen and relatively stupid.

Ron was furious with Hermione too... nothing less than criminal damage.

Some of the adults in the chamber looked like they agreed with him. They understood the need for caution however and so they said nothing.

Hermione, who remained convinced that she had acted for the best... persuade her to come back.

"So, you both just stopped talking to her?" Sirius asked. That didn't sound like the Harry he'd read about. "You didn't try talking to her?"

"She wouldn't discuss it," Harry said softly. "Just kept insisting that she was right. She didn't give me a chance to tell her how I felt. Well, actually, her and Ron didn't really give me a chance. Every time they saw each other they'd start arguing again."

All in all, they were glad... we can't afford you to - well -"

Minerva looked ready to pounce on Oliver for that. The young man in question did look slightly guilty.

Wood broke off... I really didn't want to lose you as Seeker, Harry.

George glared at Wood now. "We'd have lost for sure without Harry!"

"I know," Oliver said with a sigh. "I was in a tight spot."

George shook his head, clearly unimpressed.

And have you ordered a new broom yet?"... a real Firebolt?"

Sirius frowned. Why was everyone else sticking their nose in? Harry should have been the one to tell his captain that. Especially seeing as how there was a real chance he might not get it back.

"Don't get excited, Oliver,"... "Jinxed? How could it be jinxed?"

Minerva opened her mouth but Draco Malfoy beat her to it. "The firebolt is one of the safest brooms out there because of all the jinx proofing they put into it. It's a professional broom - in fact, it's the best pro broom there is."

"Sirius Black,"... famous murderer was after his Seeker,

That earned Oliver several foul looks.

Wood said... buy a broomstick?"

Several of the adults laughed. That was perhaps the most naive thing they'd heard this book.

"Polyjuice," Tonks said.

"The imperius," Moody suggested.

"Owl order," George added with a shrug.

"I know," said Harry,... A Firebolt. . . . "

"That won't end well," Remus chuckled.

Classes started again the next day... white-hot logs.

Hagrid smiled at hearing that his lesson had been enjoyable.

The first Divination lesson of the new term... the shortest life line she had ever seen.

"I wasn't lying you know," Trelawney said.

"I know," Harry said with a sigh. He had died at seventeen after all. It wasn't completely impossible that she'd been right.

It was Defense... Dementor into the castle to practice on. . . . "

Several people paled at the idea of that.

"Still looks ill, doesn't he?"... "What d'you reckon's the matter with him?"

Mrs Weasley smiled at how caring her son could be.

There was a loud and impatient "tuh"... "Nothing," said Hermione in a lofty voice,

Mrs Granger sighed. These two were ridiculous. And Hermione was certainly not helping herself. Harry was right, he had been caught in the middle.

heaving her bag... a look of maddening superiority.

Mrs Granger tutted. "If you've worked out what is wrong with your professor you would do well to keep it to yourself and not taunt your friends with your knowledge."

Hermione sighed. "I was fourteen."

"Fourteen or not, I thought I raised you better than that," Mrs Granger said.

"If you don't want to tell us, don't,"... "She's just trying to get us to talk to her again. "

Sirius sighed. When Harry needed his friends most, after finding out what he'd learned in the three broomsticks, they'd pretty much forgotten all about how he felt, they were so busy arguing.

At eight o'clock on Thursday evening... there's a cupboard under my desk he'll like. "

"Oh, now that is clever!" Albus said with fresh anticipation. He was concerned how well Harry would do in these lessons. The patronus was a very complex piece of magic and a small percentage of his core had been blocked at the time.

"Okay,"... good substitute for a real Dementor.

"It's okay to be nervous, Harry," Remus said softly. "Especially when facing your fears."

The mind healers all nodded in agreement.

"So. . . " Professor Lupin had taken out his own wand... a guardian that acts as a shield between you and the Dementor. "

"It's very difficult though," Remus said. "And it is dark magic so those with light cores tend to struggle more. Even with a grey core, at that age, you'd have struggled."

Harry had a sudden vision of himself ... Many qualified wizards have difficulty with it. "

Several people laughed at the idea of a Hagrid patronus but the younger Claudius smiled. "You must really trust Hagrid, Harry."

"I do, yeah." Harry grinned at the half-giant.

"To be honest, I'd be amazed if you got any results at all before the end of the year," Remus said.

"What does a Patronus look like?"... Dursleys' was going to do.

Sirius scowled. He was still seriously considering murdering the Dursleys.

Finally, he settled on the moment when he had first ridden a broomstick.

"That won't work," Remus said gently.

"Right,"... "expecto patronum. "

Everyone leaned forward. Potter's patronus was almost as famous as he was, after his fifth year.

"Concentrating hard on your happy memory?"... it looked like a wisp of silvery gas.

"That's brilliant, Harry," Sirius said.

"Did you see that?"... moving into the middle of the deserted classroom.

Several people looked apprehensive. Sirius took Harry's hand in his.

He tried to keep his mind on flying... or did he?

"It's understandable if you did," Claudius said. "It was the first time you heard her voice after all."

Severus blinked, forcing tears away. He hated this. Harry should have grown up knowing his mum's voice and it was all his fault he hadn't. Well, almost all his fault. Even if the young man himself seemed to think otherwise.

Lupin grasped the lid... A wave of piercing cold broke over him -

Harry closed his eyes. He didn't want to remember this. He wished he could just block it out and never think about it again.

"Expecto patronum!"... stand aside, girl -"

A couple of the witches blew their noses.

"Harry!"... sweat trickling down behind his glasses.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Sirius murmured.

"Are you all right?"... in fact, I would have been astounded if you had. "

Remus nodded his agreement and Madam Pomfrey was relieved he'd been given some chocolate.

"It's getting worse,"... I will more than understand -"

"I couldn't just give up!" Harry said.

"I do!" said Harry fiercely... If we lose this game we've lost the Quidditch Cup!"

"There are more important things than Quidditch!" Hermione said but several people - basically everyone who played quidditch - glared at her.

"All right then... That one doesn't seem to have been strong enough. . . "

Claudius frowned. Harry was at a real disadvantage here. Not only was it dark magic, his core was partially blocked and he had a very limited number of happy memories.

Harry thought hard... definitely qualified as very happy.

Remus sighed. That wouldn't work either.

He gripped his wand tightly again... Expecto Pat -"

"He shouldn't be doing this," Mrs Weasley cried. "It's too advanced."

White fog obscured his senses... I'll hold him off -"

Several people gasped. "You heard James?" Sirius asked, tears in his eyes now. It was awful hearing his best friend - his brother's - last moments. He could only imagine how difficult it had been for Harry.

The sounds of someone stumbling... to give my mum time to run for it. . . "

Sirius wondered if Remus would finally tell Harry that he knew his parents.

Harry suddenly realized... so that Lupin wouldn't see.

Multiple people in the chamber were crying now.

"You heard James?"... you didn't know my dad, did you?"

Sirius sat forward.

"I - I did, as a matter of fact," said Lupin.

"Why didn't you tell me before then?" Harry asked Remus even though he knew he probably couldn't answer. It had always been something that bothered Harry. People never told him anything. But he'd have expected his parents friends to tell him about them. Or at the very least admit to knowing them.

"I'm not sure," Remus admitted. "Perhaps because I thought you were safer away from me. What with me being a werewolf. I might have thought I couldn't be the stable influence you needed in your life - coming to work at Hogwarts would have been a dream come true. I imagine I was waiting for it all to just disappear."

Remus couldn't help but feel disappointed in his older self. He'd allowed his own fears to affect a relationship with the last of his family - his cub.

"We were friends at Hogwarts... he didn't know what was. . .

Remus looked unconvinced but he hoped Harry was right.

Concentrating very hard on how he had felt... though for how much longer, he wasn't sure. . .

The entire chamber erupted with cheers. "That's amazing Harry!" several people shouted all at once.

"Riddikulus!"... "Excellent, Harry! That was definitely a start!"

"Better than I'd have expected from a third year," Remus said. "Better than I'd have expected from a seventh year too for that matter."

"Can we have another go?... He handed Harry a large bar of Honeydukes' best chocolate.

Madam Pomfrey smiled. She was glad Remus hadn't given in. Casting new spells like that was draining on the core. Not to mention that this particular lesson had been emotionally taxing too.

"Eat the lot, or Madam Pomfrey will be after my blood.

Poppy nodded. He wasn't wrong.

Same time next week?"... "What gives you that idea?" he said sharply.

Sirius chuckled as Remus gave him an apologetic grimace.

"Nothing... Harry, it's getting late. "

"That's it?" Sirius looked disappointed. Where was the uncle nephew bonding he'd been looking forward to? Remus had doted on Harry as a baby.

Remus sighed. Yes. He was very disappointed with his older self. He promised himself that he would do better this time.

Harry left the classroom... even though he was so full of chocolate.

"That's to be expected," young Poppy said.

Terrible though it was to hear his parents' last moments... if he half wanted to hear his parents again . . .

Albus sighed. What a horrible choice to have to make.

"They're dead,"... if you want that Quidditch Cup. "

They all tried not to stare at Harry. He wouldn't appreciate that. But they couldn't believe how hard this had been for him and yet he never complained about any of it.

He stood up... Harry had just one night a week to do all his homework.

"That is not sufficient," Minerva said crossly, glaring at Oliver again.

Even so, he was not showing the strain... snapped when she was interrupted.

"So, it wasn't just that you weren't talking to her?" Sirius asked.

"No. I tried a couple of times," Harry said with a shrug. "I didn't try particularly hard though. I could have tried harder."

"How's she doing it?"... she's never missed one of them either!"

Bill chuckled. He still didn't understand why Hermione hadn't just told her friends. Sure, you weren't really supposed to but everyone did.

Harry didn't have time... this time by Wood.

Minerva tutted loudly.

"Bad news, Harry... Told me I'd got my priorities wrong.

"You think," George said, rolling his eyes.

Seemed to think... as long as you caught the Snitch first."

Oliver's eyes widened. "Did I really say that? I didn't actually mean it."

Harry shook him off. He wasn't bothered by it. He understood what he meant. He just wanted to win. Harry had felt the same way.

Wood shook his head in disbelief... Malfoy thinks is good," said Harry flatly.

Draco looked momentarily offended. His broom was brilliant, thank you very much. It might not be a firebolt but it was still an exceptional broom.

January faded imperceptibly into February... Now, please stop badgering me. "

"In fairness, you did tell him you'd keep him informed," Sirius said. "Did you?"

"What?" Minerva asked.

"Keep him informed," Sirius said. "Did you walk him through what you would test for and how you would do it? What the risks were to the broom, any damage that could be caused?"

"No. I did not," Minerva admitted.

"Then I think he had good grounds to badger you," Sirius said pointedly.

To make matters even worse... guilty about his secret desire to hear his parents' voices again.

"Nothing to feel guilty about," Sirius murmured.

"You're expecting too much of yourself,"... You aren't passing out anymore, are you?"

Everyone in the chamber seemed to agree with this assessment.

"I thought a Patronus would... long enough to get back to the ground. "

"Which is what matters most," Minerva said pointedly to Wood.

"You said it's harder... "Yeah, I like that stuff!"

Sirius hit himself on the head. "You're not very good at keeping secrets, Harry."

Lupin raised an eyebrow... back from Hogsmeade," Harry lied quickly.

Severus laughed. No one would believe that. While it wasn't impossible, the lie was obvious in the delivery.

"I see,"... "What's under a Dementor's hood?"

"You don't want to know," Amos said softly. He felt for the boy. He'd been unkind to him. Hadn't actually appreciated what had happened during the match or how hard he worked to overcome it. He was made of strong stuff, Harry Potter.

Professor Lupin lowered his bottle... and suck out his soul. "

Someone actually screamed and both pairs of Grangers looked ready to vomit. "You allowed my daughter near soul sucking monsters for a whole year?"

The teachers frowned. It wasn't like they wanted the dementors at the school. "It was the ministry's decision."

"That better not happen again," Mr Granger said. "I'm sure it won't be too difficult to get a wizard lawyer to take a case for child endangerment - even if I'm a muggle."

Lucius grinned. "I'd happily represent you, Mr Granger."

"Thank you, Lord Malfoy," the man said with a nod.

Harry accidentally spat out... And your soul is gone forever. . . lost. "

Everyone stayed quiet. No one quite knew what to say.

Lupin drank a little more butterbeer... "He deserves it," he said suddenly.

Harry couldn't meet his godfather's eye. He was surprised when the man released his hand only to pull him into a hug. "It's okay, Harry. I understand."

"You think so?"... for some things. . . "

The people in the chamber considered that. Did anyone deserve the kiss?

He would have liked to have told Lupin... wouldn't be very impressed by that.

"I'd still have listened," Remus said with a sigh. The boy had clearly needed an adult to talk to.

So he finished his butterbeer... you've got a very good friend somewhere, Potter. . . "

Everyone grinned. Harry had his broom back!

Harry's jaw dropped... it looked as magnificent as ever.

"See, we didn't damage it," Flitwick said. "While I admit we should have considered speaking to the manufacturer."

"I can have it back?"... as Professor Snape was kind enough to remind me only last night. . . "

Severus grinned at that. He enjoyed his little quidditch rivalry with Minerva.

Speechless, Harry carried the Firebolt... Tomorrow?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. It was easy to guess who that was.

"Yeah. . . She was only trying to help. . . "

Sirius looked approvingly at Harry.

"Yeah, all right,"... "But I must've dropped them somewhere!"

"Wait!" Minerva said. "You warned the portrait that you'd lost the passwords?"

Neville nodded.

"I'm sorry, Mr Longbottom," Minerva said. "If I'd known that I probably wouldn't have been quite so angry with you. The portrait should have recognised the security breech."

"A likely tale!"... now I don't know what I've done with them!"

"So you all knew about the missing passwords?" Minerva asked with a sigh.

"Neville was always losing something," Ron said. "Thought it was in the dorm somewhere."

"Oddsbodkins,"... and at last, she looked up.

Sirius smiled. Harry was a good boy.

"I got it back,"... "I mean, at least you know now that it's safe!"

"She's not wrong," Remus said softly and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I suppose so," ... she looked almost as tired as Lupin.

Hermione's parents frowned at that. They understood how much their daughter loved to learn but she shouldn't do it at the expense of her health.

"Why don't you just drop... "It's my favorite subject! It's --"

Harry smiled. Hermione was so weird. He couldn't imagine enjoying arithmancy.

But exactly what was wonderful about Arithmancy... shaking the sheets in her face.

Sirius sighed. So much for making up.

"Ron, what... ginger cat hairs.

"Oh, dear," Mrs Granger said.

"Did he fake his own death again?" Sirius asked suspiciously.

"I guess that's us finished for the day," Remus said. "It's nearly time for dinner."

Harry frowned. They were having their history class today.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed xo

Firewhisky and Feelings

Chapter Summary

A late night conversation...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Sirius couldn't sleep. It probably should be expected. It had been a particularly difficult day. Very emotional. Harry had seemed ready to blow up at someone for hours and Sirius had spent much of his day watching him carefully.

And then the kids had had their history lesson and all hell had broken loose. They had been comparing what the muggles called World War Two and the war against Grindelwald. And the wixen raised had been horrified to learn just what the muggles had done to their own.

Sirius doubted they'd ever underestimate muggles again. He still felt slightly sick from what he'd heard.

He climbed out of bed and pulled a dressing gown on before leaving his room. He made his way to an empty drawing room where he knew there was a drinks cabinet that had a good selection of alcoholic beverages. A nightcap was exactly what he needed.

He was surprised to find Severus still up, sat by the fire with a glass of firewhisky on the coffee table in front of him. He hadn't noticed Sirius yet, his head buried in a book.

"Alright, Snape?" he said, his voice a little hoarse. He was frustrated to find that he felt nervous. Almost shy to find himself alone with Snape. But also a little giddy.

Severus sat up a little straighter, confused that Sirius had taken him by surprise. He was a spy. It wasn't often he missed someone entering a room. "Yes, just reading."

He bit the inside of his cheek. What a stupid thing to say. Obviously he was reading. He had a bloody book in his hand, didn't he?

"I couldn't sleep," Sirius admitted, pulling the bottle of firewhisky from the cabinet and pouring himself a rather large glass, before wandering over to the fireside, bottle in hand. He put the bottle down on the coffee table and sat next to Severus on the sofa. It was a conscious decision. He could have chosen the armchair but he wanted to be close to the other man. He had no idea why he was suddenly so drawn to him, but Severus was interesting. He'd always been interesting - even in school. Although, Sirius had been a bit of a bully to him. He tried to remember why he'd done that. He'd always said it was because the other man was dark. But so was he. Even if he didn't like admitting it. Especially as a kid.

Was he supposed to apologise? He probably should but would the man even want to hear it? And Sirius couldn't help but fear it might damage what little peace they'd found.

Severus hummed, closing his book.

"It's been a hell of a day," Sirius groaned, knocking back his drink before leaning back with a sigh.

"You're not wrong there," Severus said, pouring them both a second drink.

"I just don't know how to feel about all this," Sirius admitted. "Harry has been through so much and we're only half way through his third year. How am I supposed to be his parent? I don't fucking know what I'm doing."

"I don't think most parents do. It's mostly trial and error. Usually, by the time you've had a few, you know a little about what not to do."

That made sense. Make all your mistakes with the first and the rest should be easier. It didn't seem right though. And Sirius didn't really intend to have other children. "It's going to be so weird when we go back. I'm going to have an eleven year old son who is mentally seventeen," Sirius groaned. "How does that even work?"

Severus shook his head. He really didn't know.

"I was really fucked up when I was his age," Sirius said softly. "But you know that better than anyone."

Severus politely declined to answer that.

"And worse is, I'm not sure I'm much better now. Azkaban has done a number on me and I'd be a complete wreck without that potion of yours." Sirius took a sip of his drink. "I'm probably not a good role model at the best of times but this me - the one that's spent a decade in Azkaban - has no business being a parent."

"There's no changing that though," Severus said, eyeing the other man speculatively. "Unless you plan to abandon him."

"No. Never. I'm just scared shitless I'm going to mess this up."

"I think all parents feel that way."

"Probably," Sirius said. "But I have good reason."

"Yes. But you're not alone. You've got your grandfather and the rest of the Blacks. Plus you have the wolf." He hesitated. He really wanted to add himself to that list but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead, he drained the rest of his drink and stood. "I should probably head to bed."

Sirius nodded. This was awkward. But he liked Severus. That was something he'd realised in the chamber. But if they were ever going to be... well, anything... he needed to put their past to bed so to speak. He almost blushed at the idea of Severus and a bed. "You probably don't want to hear this," he began, causing Severus to stop and turn so that his back was now to the door. "But I am sorry. It doesn't fix it. And I'm not sure how much an apology matters to you. But I really am sorry for everything I did to you."

Severus nodded. Not trusting himself to speak. A part of him wanted to rage at the other man. Another part wanted to cower away and pretend this conversation never happened. But mostly he wanted to accept the apology. If he could trust it. "Thank you," he said eventually before turning his back on the other man and escaping the room, his cloak billowing behind him.

Sirius sighed, drinking a little more before turning in. Tomorrow was bound to be just as difficult as today and he needed to get as much sleep as possible so he could help Harry through it.

Chapter End Notes

Just a little snippet... I feel these two needed to have an apology - yes their issues will come up later and they'll have to work through them properly but the first step is an apology I think.

Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw

Chapter Summary

DAY TWENTY-ONE IN THE CHAMBER

A new day dawns in the chamber...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

I've not added anyone new in a while so I'm keeping with the last list for the time being.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The following morning, Harry felt more like he was going through the motions than actually taking an active part in his defense training. Moody and Amelia certainly seemed to notice although neither said anything about it. By the time they all entered the chamber, Harry felt uneasy. This was getting harder with every day they spent here, the more information that everyone learned... Harry was beginning to feel very overwhelmed.

It looked like the end of Ron and Hermione's friendship.

The Granger and Weasley parents looked unimpressed.

Each was so angry with the other that Harry couldn't see how they'd ever make up.

Harry shrugged. He was used to their arguments by now. It hadn't really let up after that year. They were always bickering.

Ron was enraged that Hermione... Ron look for Scabbers under all the boys' beds.

The adults in the chamber all sighed, actively having to remind themselves that they were children.

Hermione, meanwhile, maintained fiercely that Ron... there since Christmas,

Winky, who was visiting Barty, made a humph sort of sounds. "The Hogwarts elves bes doing a good job of cleaning the castle."

and that Ron... Ron's head in the Magical Menagerie.

"I wonder why," George laughed.

Personally, Harry was sure that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers... she lost her temper with Harry too.

"It seemed logical to me," Harry said. "Crookshanks had been after Scabbers for months."

"Okay, side with Ron, I knew you would!"... I've got a lot of work to do!"

"I wasn't trying to take sides," Harry said with a sigh. "I was constantly stuck in the middle."

Ron had taken the loss... he probably didn't feel a thing. "

Everyone laughed at Fred's attempt at comfort. George smiled softly. He missed his twin.

"Fred!" ... "Remember, Harry?"

"Best thing he ever did," Harry said, grinning at the memory of Goyle getting bitten.

"Yeah, that's true,"... what's the point of moaning?"

George snorted. That was so like Fred. He was all about action. Constantly moving. Always doing something.

In a last-ditch attempt ... they set off for the Quidditch field together.

Sirius smiled, feeling immensely proud of his godson.

Madam Hooch... Firebolt as everyone else had been.

"I thought Madam Hooch helped with the tests?" Sirius asked. "Surely she's already seen it up close?"

"She did help," Flitwick said, "but it was mostly me running the tests. She mostly just made recommendations for what to check for."

She took it in her hands... a very fine old broom it was too. . . "

"That was your dad's old broom," Sirius said with a smirk. "It's probably still in the family vault."

She continued in this vein... "I'll sit over here with Weasley. . . "

Everyone laughed. It was nice to hear something positive for once. This was what school was supposed to be like.

She and Ron left the field... made a full recovery,

Percy rolled his eyes. He could imagine Oliver complaining about that for hours - if they'd been talking at the time.

then said, "On the other hand... and kicked off from the ground.

Everyone eagerly listened, almost holding their breath to hear just how good it felt to ride the Firebolt.

It was better than he'd ever dreamed... rising thirty, forty, fifty feet into the air again -

"WOW!" Sirius said while Mrs Weasley looked a little peaky.

"Harry, I'm letting the Snitch out!"... within ten seconds had caught it tightly in his hand.

Everyone cheered.

The team cheered madly... and caught it again.

"I knew you had an unfair advantage on that broom!" Draco complained.

It was the best practice ever... George Weasley pointed out, was a first.

"No criticism?" Percy couldn't believe it.

Oliver blushed.

"I can't see what's going to stop us tomorrow!"... wishing it were stronger.

"You did exceptionally well," Remus said softly. He didn't like to see how Harry undervalued his success.

"The Dementors won't turn up again, Oliver. Dumbledore'd go ballistic," said Fred confidently.

Albus nodded in agreement.

"Well, let's hope not,"... Madam Hooch had fallen asleep in her seat.

"Some protection that is," Kingsley muttered to his younger self.

"Here you go,"... watching him.

"You're a good friend, Harry," Sirius said, giving the young man a squeeze on the shoulder. To be so willing to share even when he had so little that he called his own.

Night had fallen before Madam Hooch... a pair of eyes, gleaming out of the darkness.

Sirius sat forward. Was he there?

Harry stopped dead... was Crookshanks.

Several people let out sighs of relief that Harry hadn't seen the grim again. Even if it was just Sirius. Thinking you saw the grim was dangerous enough.

"Get out of here!"... vanished with one swish of his long ginger tail.

"Were you really going to throw a stone at him?" Hermione asked, afronted.

Ron shrugged but then blushed scarlet when Luna glared at him. He wasn't sure why he cared that the other girl thought he was mean to animals, but he did.

"See?"... probably washing down Scabbers with a couple of birds now. . . . "

"Well, he is a cat," young George said.

Harry didn't say anything... nor did he look left or right until they had reached the well lit entrance hall.

"I don't blame you, mate. That would have terrified me," Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

Harry went down to breakfast... Firebolt deserved a sort of guard of honor.

The Slytherins in the chamber all shook their heads, actively ignoring the fact that they'd probably have done the exact same thing if their roles were reversed.

As Harry entered the Great Hall... Slytherin team were all looking thunderstruck.

"The team were furious with me," Draco admitted. "They thought we should have taken our chances at the beginning of the year."

"Did you see his face?"... asked if she could actually hold the Firebolt.

Percy's hands tightened on the arms of his chair. Oliver noticed the gesture, wondering what that was about.

"Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!"... "Ten Galleons on the outcome of the match!"

Mrs Weasley looked scandalised.

Penelope put the Firebolt down again... And he bustled off to join her in a piece of toast.

"It's bad enough you gambled on the match," Mrs Weasley said, "but you didn't even have the funds for it!"

She thought Percy had more sense than that.

"Sure you can manage... in case you get too near a Dementor. "

"I was surprised you knew what a parachute was," Harry said with a laugh.

Crabbe and Goyle sniggered... "Then it could catch the Snitch for you. "

Sirius knew he shouldn't laugh. But as far as comebacks went that was pretty good. He met Severus's eye and noticed he looked like he was restraining a smirk.

The Gryffindor team laughed loudly... Harry's broom really was a Firebolt.

Draco sighed. That was exactly what had happened.

At a quarter to eleven... Professor Lupin was in the crowd, watching.

"If it wasn't a full moon, I imagine I would have been," Remus said.

"You know what we've got to do,"... practice yesterday, and we'll be okay!"

"Shortest pre-match speech ever," George said.

They walked out onto the field to tumultuous applause... she was extremely pretty.

Several people wolf whistled. Harry grimaced. He'd gotten over that crush pretty quickly, after the mess in fifth year.

She smiled at Harry... he didn't think had anything to do with nerves.

"You shouldn't be thinking about girls!" Oliver said crossly. "You had a snitch to think about."

"Wood, Davies, shake hands,"... national teams at this year's World Championship -"

"Still didn't win though did we?" Ron muttered. He'd been disappointed by how badly all the national teams had done. He would have loved to see England play at the world cup.

"Jordan, would you mind telling us... the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and -"

Everyone laughed.

"Jordan!"... Cho Chang was tailing him closely.

"That's a mistake," Sirius said. "If you're on the superior broom, she needs to find the snitch before you do."

She was undoubtedly a very good flier... Cho fell behind.

Sirius grinned as his point was proven.

Just as Katie succeeded in scoring the first goal of the match... he was ten feet away -

Everyone leaned forward eagerly.

Then a Bludger, hit by one of the Ravenclaw Beaters... the Snitch had vanished.

Several people groaned.

There was a great "Ooooooh"... who was forced to roll right over in midair to avoid it.

The Gryffindors in the chamber cheered.

"Gryffindor leads by eighty points to zero... GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!"

Lee smirked. He'd been a little excited about the firebolt.

Ravenclaw was pulling back... the Snitch was circling the Gryffindor goal post. . .

"Come on, Harry," Sirius cheered. He couldn't wait until he could watch Harry play for real.

Harry accelerated... "KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!"

Several people laughed at that.

Harry turned and caught sight of Cho... She'd decided to mark him rather than search for the Snitch herself.

Sirius laughed. That definitely wouldn't work if Harry was playing on a broom so much better than her own.

All right, then... the field at the Ravenclaw end.

The Gryffindors were cheering so loud they could barely hear the book.

He accelerated... hooded Dementors, were looking up at him.

Albus frowned. Surely, they wouldn't come back.

He didn't stop to think... erupted from the end of his wand.

"Was that corporal?" Remus asked in bewilderment.

He knew it had shot directly at the Dementors... close his fingers over the small, struggling Snitch.

Everyone cheered. Even Malfoy gave a polite clap. Young Draco was a lot more exuberant in his cheer however. "That was amazing!"

Madam Hooch's whistle sounded... hear the roars of the Gryffindors in the crowd.

"Well done, Harry!" Sirius said, patting him on the back.

"That's my boy!"... he had been engulfed by the cheering crowd.

"Anyone would think you'd won the cup," Remus said with a grin.

"Yes!" ... "That was quite some Patronus," said a voice in Harry's ear.

Remus smiled.

Harry turned around... "I didn't feel a thing!"

Albus blinked at that.

"That would be because... Mr. Malfoy quite a fright," said Lupin.

Narcissa sighed. She remembered receiving a letter from the school about this. They'd had to go in for a parent teacher conference. The whole thing had been highly embarrassing.

Harry stared... fifty points from Slytherin!

"That's nothing compared to what you'd have taken from your own house if the roles were reversed," Remus said, shaking his head.

I shall be speaking to Professor Dumbledore... "Party! Gryffindor common room, now!"

Sirius smiled. He couldn't even bring himself to be annoyed with Narcissa's boy. He was just too happy for Harry. Finally something had gone right for him.

"Right,"... well into the night.

Minerva sighed. She really should have told them to quieten down sooner, but she felt they deserved a little bit of fun.

Fred and George Weasley disappeared ... Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs," Fred muttered in Harry's ear.

Minerva tutted.

Only one person wasn't joining in the festivities... Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles.

Mrs Granger sighed. "Hermione, either join your friends and have a little fun or go read in your dorm room. You can't study in the middle of a party."

That was a recipe for disaster. She wouldn't learn anything, probably just get angry with the noise. Her daughter clearly needed to lighten up.

Harry broke away from the table... "Of course I did," said Hermione in a strangely high-pitched voice, not looking up.

Her parents sighed. Perhaps they should have had more children. Then Hermione would know how to interact with her peers. She hadn't even bothered to look at him.

Narcissa struggled to keep her expression mild. If there was one thing she hated, it was bad manners. And it was definitely rude not to look at someone when they spoke to you.

"And I'm very glad we won... four hundred and twenty-two pages to read!" said Hermione, now sounding slightly hysterical.

Minerva sighed. She should never have agreed to let Miss Granger take so many subjects.

"Anyway. . . "... He used to really like them -"

"But Mr Weasley isn't your only friend," Claudius said. "Harry clearly wanted you there."

Hermione frowned. She hadn't considered that.

Hermione burst into tears... "Can't you give her a break?" Harry asked Ron quietly.

Hermione gaped at the book. She hadn't realised that Harry tried to talk to Ron for her.

"No," said Ron flatly... She's still acting like Scabbers has gone on vacation or something. "

Claudius sighed. "Let's discuss this. The way I see it, there are three people in this argument. Ron, who feels his pet has been killed by Hermione's pet and who feels that Hermione doesn't care how that makes Ron feel."

Hermione frowned. "But I did care!"

"Did you tell him that?" Claudius asked.

Hermione hesitated. "No."

"Then how would he know?"

"I guess he wouldn't."

"We have to talk to one another if we are going to resolve our differences. You can't just hope that they'll disappear," Claudius told the girl gently.

"Then we have Hermione, who is under a lot of pressure with school work and feels like Crookshanks is just behaving like cats do. And lastly, we have Harry, who yet again seems to be stuck in the middle."

Everyone nodded.

"But here's the thing," Claudius said sternly, "Ron, you were wrong. Hermione did care about your feelings and if you'd talked to her instead of being - well," the mind healer hesitated, "the way the book is portraying your behaviour, it looks a lot like bullying. I'm not saying that was your intention but it certainly looks that way in the book. If you'd talked to her, perhaps you might have resolved things much quicker and you would have realised that Hermione really did care."

"I'm not a bully," Ron said, his temper rising.

"I didn't say that you are," Claudius said firmly. "But sometimes our actions have consequences that we don't expect. You certainly seemed to be trying to hurt Hermione's feelings. The most important thing when we do something like this is that we recognise it and accept responsibility for it. You were hot headed and you let your emotions control your response. You put your feelings before your friendship." Claudius paused before turning to Hermione. "But Hermione, you were also wrong. You were obviously very stressed with school work but that doesn't excuse the fact that you didn't talk to Ron and tell him you were sorry that Scabbers was gone. Even if you didn't know Crookshanks killed him, the fact Ron thought it should have been enough to at least warrant an apology. Crookshanks had attacked Scabbers repeatedly. It was a reasonable assumption to make."

Hermione frowned.

"What's more, if you were struggling with your school work to the extent you seem to be in this book, you really should have discussed it with your head of house. Allowances could have been made, she may have been able to give you some advice on where to focus your attention, how to best use your time. Your teachers are a resource, there for you to exploit. It is literally their job to support and encourage your education, you need to learn to ask for help when you need it. School work, while important, should not take over your time so much that you completely isolate yourself from your friends. How were you ever going to fix things with Ron if you weren't willing to look up from your books. Never mind the fact that you were also rude to Harry. He was talking to you and you didn't even look at him. Harry had done nothing wrong. He didn't deserve that."

The teachers were nodding in agreement and Hermione reluctantly accepted that the mind healer might be right.

"Lastly, Harry, well done for trying to find the middle ground. That isn't an easy thing to do. I'm sorry that yet again you seem to be caught up in something that isn't your problem. Especially when you had enough concerns of your own to worry about."

Both Ron and Hermione looked a little guilty at that.

The Gryffindor party ended only when Professor McGonagall... almost instantly drifting off to sleep. . .

Sirius smiled. It had been a good day. He wished Harry had more of those days. Even if it had ended poorly because of Ron and Hermione.

He had a very strange dream... ahead he could hear galloping.

Everyone gaped at that dream. Had Harry been dreaming of his animagus form? It wasn't completely unheard of, when you'd been meditating on it. But without even trying?

Then he turned a corner... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Sirius sat bolt upright suddenly on edge.

Harry woke as suddenly... Harry thought he heard the dormitory door slam.

Everyone looked about nervously. What had just happened?

At last finding the divide in his curtains... a look of utmost terror on his face.

Mrs Weasley looked white. Why hadn't she been informed about this?

"Black! Sirius Black! With a knife!"... Slashed the curtains! Woke me up!"

Molly glared at Sirius.

"You sure you weren't dreaming, Ron?"... It was deserted.

"How did he get in?" Bill asked.

"Are you sure you weren't dreaming... "Excellent, are we carrying on?" said Fred Weasley brightly.

A couple of the children giggled.

"Everyone back upstairs!"... had a nightmare -"

Percy frowned. He should have believed him.

"I'm telling you -"... Percy, I expected better of you!"

The twins chuckled. It was nice seeing Percy in trouble for once instead of them.

"I certainly didn't authorize this, Professor!" ... gotten through the portrait hole?"

"You immediately thought he was being ridiculous?" Remus asked. "And you wonder why these kids don't tell you anything."

Minerva sighed. Yes, she'd made many mistakes. It really wasn't fun having them all pointed out to her though.

"Ask him!"... Read 'em off a little piece of paper!"

Remus very nearly said I told you so.

Professor McGonagall pulled herself back... left them lying around?"

Neville looked down, feeling highly ashamed.

There was utter silence... raised his hand slowly into the air.

Augusta sighed. She'd been informed about this and her reaction hadn't been the best.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed the chapter xo

Snape's Grudge Part 1

Chapter Summary

Our characters read their second chapter of the day...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

No one in Gryffindor Tower slept that night... to tell them that he had again escaped.

The teachers sighed. The children should have been asleep.

Throughout the day... tiny cracks in the walls to mouse holes.

"Surely you should have taken all the security measures possible before the children even returned to school," Kingsley said.

"Why weren't the aurors there?" Amelia asked.

"We were all searching Hogsmeade," Kingsley said, "in case he was still in the area."

Sir Cadogan had been fired.

"Good riddance," George muttered.

His portrait had been taken back... comparing the size of their clubs.

"Security trolls?" Sirius actually laughed. He'd have gotten past them easily.

Harry couldn't help noticing... the hidden passageway within it.

Minerva frowned at that. It was very concerning that there were ways in and out of the school that the staff knew nothing about.

"D'you reckon we should tell someone?"... he would never be able to go into Hogsmeade again.

"There was always next year," Hermione said.

"Uncle Vernon wouldn't sign the form," young Harry said. "I'll never get permission."

Sirius wrapped the boy up in his arms. He'd make sure he had the full Hogwarts experience, Hogsmeade weekends and everything.

Ron had become an instant celebrity... with a wealth of detail.

"Did you even think about how Harry felt?" Remus asked as gently as he could. "You thought Sirius was trying to kill Harry. Did you think to check if he was concerned?"

Ron blushed. No. He hadn't thought about that.

"His safest place in the school, possibly his entire world, had been violated," Remus continued. "Did any of the teachers check if he was okay?"

The teachers all looked more ashamed than Ron. Remus wondered if he'd checked. He could only hope that his older self had had the sense to do so.

". . . I was asleep... and then I yelled, and he scampered.

Remus rolled his eyes. He couldn't help but wonder if Ron was only Harry's friend because of his fame. Sure, he'd seen some better qualities in the young man in the earlier books but he didn't like this. It didn't sit well with him at all.

"Why, though?"... "Why did he run?"

"Good question," Moody growled.

Harry had been wondering the same thing... four of whom were asleep.

"Very good point," Tonks said. It amazed her how much Harry thought like an auror. Even at thirteen.

"He must've known he'd have a job ... then he would've met the teachers. . . "

That was a reasonable assumption. Although, all good aurors knew never to assume. Tonks still thought the boy had a good head on his shoulders all the same. He certainly had more sense than she did at that age.

Neville was in total disgrace... given him a detention,

"For the year?" Remus asked.

Minerva nodded.

Remus sighed. It wasn't the worst punishment the head of house had awarded in these books so far.

and forbidden anyone to give him the password... unpleasantly at him.

"Now that is unreasonable!" Remus almost shouted. "You can't lock him out of his own common room and dorm."

The parents in the chamber certainly looked ready to put up a stink about it. Minerva sighed. "I will admit I was too heavy handed."

Her younger self even glared at her. That was definitely a bad sign. "You think?"

Augusta hadn't said anything yet, but her face was bright red and she looked about ready to explode. Her younger self was glaring at the teachers.

"In what world did you think that was a -" Augusta paused, taking a deep breath, struggling to rein her temper in. "What in the name of Merlin, possessed you to..."

The elderly witch looked down at her grandson and grimaced. "Minerva, I'm actually lost for words. You honestly thought that it was alright to restrict my... to restrict a student's access to their common room and dormitory? I - I - I cannot fathom what you were thinking. As far as you knew, there was a murderer on the loose. One that had broken into the castle twice. And you left my grandson to what... wander the castle, waiting for help, each and every night. It's disgraceful. It's callous. He was a child. He made a mistake. What you did... I have no words for what you did. You ENDANGERED MY GRANDSON, the heir of my house, all I have left in this world, as some sort of petty punishment for a mistake. A mistake."

"A mistake that was born out of the school's poor choice of house portrait, might I add," her younger self pointed out. "If he hadn't been changing the password every few hours, Neville might not have felt the need to write them all down."

Minerva didn't speak. She felt utterly tongue-tied.

"You should thank Merlin, I didn't know about this," Augusta continued, "or I promise you I'd have had you out of your job before Yule."

"I'm sorry," Minerva said eventually.

"I don't want to hear it. We send our children to Hogwarts for nine months out of the year, for seven years. We give you them to care for. We entrust them into your hands. And THIS is what you do with them?" Augusta glared at the other witch. "You leave them out in the cold, scared and alone. What lesson does that teach?" She shook her head.

"That they're alone," Remus said. "That adults can't be trusted. That forgiveness even for mistakes is unattainable..."

"I'm quite sure those are lessons I would rather my grandson not learn," Augusta said. "Perhaps, I've put too much trust in Hogwarts."

None of these punishments... a Howler.

"I shouldn't have done that," Augusta said with a heavy sigh. "And Neville, I promise you, had I known the nature of your punishment, I'd have shown up at the castle and demanded your removal. Our family might have a long history of attending Hogwarts, but traditions can be changed."

"Howlers should not be allowed at Hogwarts," Remus said. "If parents or guardians want to speak to their children, they should come to the school for a meeting."

Augusta nodded her head in agreement. She had been wrong to send the howler.

The school owls swooped into the Great Hall... shame on the whole family.

"I'm so sorry, Neville," Augusta murmured quietly.

Her grandson looked almost terrified to receive an apology from her. Was it really that unusual for her to admit when she was wrong?

Harry was too busy feeling sorry for Neville... "He probably wants to hear all about Black!" said Ron.

Everyone sighed - or at least all the Weasley children did. Ron was insufferable when he was the center of attention.

So at six o'clock that afternoon... "Oh," said Ron, looking slightly put out.

The twins laughed.

The first thing they saw... completely forgotten that Buckbeak's trial was so near,

"It wasn' your fault, Harry," Hagrid said. "You had a lot on yer mind."

and judging by the uneasy look on Ron's face, he had too.

Sirius might agree with Hagrid that Harry had reason to forget but he didn't think Ron had that excuse. Not that he really thought it was their responsibility but they had made a promise. And promises to friends mattered.

They had also forgotten their promise... driven it clean out of their minds.

Sirius frowned. That wasn't really a good enough reason. But it was possible Harry was just trying to focus on positive things, instead of all the things that had him worried.

Hagrid poured them tea... experience with Hagrid's cooking.

Hagrid laughed at that.

"I got somethin' ter discuss with you two,"... now yer not talkin' to her because her cat -"

Sirius smiled. Finally an adult was interceding between them. Maybe this drama would be put to rest.

"ate Scabbers!"... reckon he'll stand a good chance now. . . "

Hermione smiled at Hagrid. She hadn't known he'd done this.

"Hagrid, we should've helped as well... more'n broomsticks or rats. Tha's all. "

Sirius frowned. Harry shouldn't be lumped in with Ron. He'd already talked to Hermione. It wasn't his fault he was stuck in the middle.

Harry and Ron exchanged uncomfortable looks... an' you two not talkin' to her -"

"I wasn't not talking to her," Harry said. "But its hard to spend time with her when she's studying all the time. It's not like she wanted me to disturb her studying."

He'd been shouted at enough times for trying to do that to last a lifetime.

"If she'd just get rid of that cat, I'd speak to her again!" Ron said angrily.

"That's an unreasonable demand," Claudius said. "Ultimatums like that never end well."

"I was angry," Ron said, folding his arms.

"I know. And I think you had good reason to be angry," Claudius replied. "But anger is a very destructive emotion and usually we feel it when we don't understand our true feelings."

Ron looked confused as the mind healer continued. "Anger masks other emotions. Usually sadness. You were sad because your pet was dead and felt your friend didn't care. But you won't face that pain until you allow yourself to feel it instead of holding on to your anger."

"Huh," Ron tilted his head thoughtfully.

"But she's still sticking up... few ferret bones onto Hagrid's pillow.

Everyone laughed. They knew enough about Hagrid and his pets.

They spent the rest of their visit... passage into Honeydukes. . . " Harry said, even more quietly.

Sirius frowned. This really was a risk Harry shouldn't have been taking.

"Harry, you can't!" Mrs Weasley began but Sirius raised his hand, cutting the woman off before she could start ranting. She looked highly indignant.

"Harry, you really thought I wanted to kill you?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," Harry answered, giving him a wary look.

"And you thought I'd broken into the castle twice to kill you?"

"Yes."

"And so it was fair to assume I was still in the area?"

"I suppose."

"Which is more important a trip to Hogsmeade or your life?"

Harry looked unsure how to answer. Obviously his life was more important.

"I don't know why going to Hogsmeade felt so important," Harry said eventually.

"I do," Sirius said, softly. "You wanted to be just like everyone else and everyone else was going to Hogsmeade. This was just one more thing that made you different. I understand, but I need you to know that your life is more important. Going to Hogsmeade without permission is even more dangerous than if you'd gone with it. The teachers would think you were safe in the castle. They might never know if something happened to you while you were sneaking out."

"You sneaked out!" Harry tried to argue, even though he knew it was rather childish.

"Yes, but what sort of role model, am I?" Sirius said with a harsh laugh.

"Alright. I get it. I shouldn't have gone," Harry said with a sigh. He knew his godfather was right. He'd known it was wrong. But he couldn't help but think it was one of the very few times where he broke the rules for himself. Where he did what he wanted instead of what everyone else expected.

"Harry!"... I'll tell Professor McGonagall about that map!" said Hermione.

Sirius sighed. That would not help.

George and the younger twins looked highly offended.

"Can you hear someone talking, Harry?" growled Ron, not looking at Hermione.

Hagrid sighed. Clearly his little talk had had no effect at all.

"Ron, how can you let him... I mean it, I'll tell -"

"Ron doesn't let me do anything, Hermione," Harry said crossly. "He's not my dad and your not my mum. I make my own decisions."

Hermione blinked, taken aback.

Galenius sighed. "Hermione, you came into this conversation in a confrontational way. You couldn't possibly have expected to get a positive response. Threatening your friends is not the answer. Share your concerns, by all means. But don't just threaten them with teachers. While I think we can all agree Harry should not be going to Hogsmeade under the circumstances, this was not the way to get him to see sense. And Ron, did you not listen to anything Hagrid said to you?"

Ron blushed.

"We all have tempers," Galenius said, "but if you keep letting yours get the better of you, you will find eventually there will be consequences that will be far harder to overcome than a simple falling out between friends."

Albus shared a look with his brother. This was a lesson they'd learned the hard way.

"So now you're trying to get Harry expelled!"... and hurried away toward the girls' dormitories.

Sirius and Remus exchanged a look. These two were ridiculous. Harry hadn't even gotten a chance to say anything.

"So how about it?"... You haven't even been inside Zonko's yet!"

"Ronald, you shouldn't be encouraging Harry to put his life in danger!" Mrs Weasley scolded. She was trying very hard to master her own temper which was threatening to overwhelm her, but Galenius was right. And Molly was beginning to wonder if this was her fault. She'd always been hot headed herself. Perhaps she should sign herself up for one of those private sessions with them.

Harry looked around to check... the Invisibility Cloak this time. "

Sirius sighed. It was better than nothing he supposed.

On Saturday morning... "See you when you get back!"

The adults in the chamber were certain something would go wrong.

Ron grinned and winked.

Sirius groaned. Ron had no sense of secrecy.

Harry hurried up to the third floor... Neville Longbottom.

"Should have just stayed with Neville," Harry muttered to himself.

Harry quickly pulled out his wand... "Want a game of Exploding Snap?"

Harry gave Neville an apologetic smile.

"Er - not now -... I forgot, I finished it last night!"

Sirius shook his head, feeling a little disappointed. Harry was nicer than this. He should have just told Neville something closer to the truth. Said he wanted some time alone or something. Or better yet, played bloody exploding snap.

"Great, you can help me!"... "An odd place to meet -"

Sirius rolled his eyes. Severus was always so suspicious.

To Harry's immense disquiet... where you belong. "

Minerva frowned at that. While she agreed Harry shouldn't be trying to sneak out, Severus shouldn't constantly be trying to shut him up in the tower. The students had the run of the school on weekends. And Harry should be no different.

Harry and Neville set off without another word... examining it closely.

Sirius exchanged a look with Severus. The bat was definitely too clever for his own good.

Harry managed to shake Neville off... "Snape was hanging around. "

"Bets on how long it takes for Harry to get into trouble?" George asked. "House bet is an hour."

"Ten minutes," Lee Jordan said.

Draco rolled his eyes. He remembered this day.

They set off up the High Street... sat in the palm of Harry's hand.

The girls in the chamber cooed.

Then they visited Zonko's... a Nose-Biting Teacup apiece.

"All banned at Hogwarts," George said sadly.

The day was fine and breezy... but all the entrances are sealed shut. . . "

"For good reason," Remus said.

Harry, feeling hot from their climb... about how I couldn't use it for three months. . . "

"I did nothing of the sort," Lucius said. "I told the truth - well, close to. Said that you were attacked. I never told them your injury lasted because unlike you son, I do try not to lie when I can help it."

"No, father," Draco said softly.

Crabbe and Goyle sniggered... That Hippogriff's as good as dead -"

"That's not something to be proud of," Amos said. "My department hates putting down well behaved beasts. I promise you that if I'd known you'd baited the poor thing, I'd have had you charged for hippogriff baiting."

Draco gulped. He hadn't even known that was a crime.

Malfoy suddenly caught sight of Ron... all sleep in one room - is that true?"

Lucius wondered if he needed to apologise for his son again. He was getting quite irritated with it.

Harry seized the back of Ron's robes to stop him from leaping on Malfoy.

Galenius sighed. There was that temper again.

"Leave him to me,"... blond hair was suddenly dripping in muck.

The young lions all laughed.

"What the... trying to rub it out of his small, dull eyes.

Minerva thought she should probably say something but really what was the point? This happened years ago. And she was actually a little unnerved by what Augusta had said. She'd failed one of her lions. In fact, it seemed she'd failed more than one and she was beginning to question her own judgement.

"It came from over there!"... Malfoy stared at him.

Sirius facepalmed. He'd been seen.

"AAARGH!"... you'd better get back to the castle, quick -"

"You think," Remus said with a roll of his eyes.

"See you later,"... if Malfoy said anything -

Dumbledore himself frowned. He wondered how his older self would deal with that?

Back into Honeydukes... he heard quick footsteps approaching.

"My bet is on Snape," George said.

Chapter End Notes

Let me know what you think...

Snape's Grudge Part 2

Chapter Summary

Everyone continues reading...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

It was Snape... which he quickly hid in his pockets.

Sirius sighed. Perhaps this would stop Harry from risking his life further.

"Come with me, Potter,"... without Snape noticing.

Severus almost laughed. He doubted his older self had missed it. He wasn't a spy for nothing.

They walked down the stairs to the dungeons and then into Snape's office.

"Surely, he should have been taken to his head of house," Remus said.

Harry had been in here only once before... a strange story, Potter," said Snape.

Draco struggled not to look triumphant. This was perhaps one of the only times he'd fairly gotten Harry into trouble.

Harry didn't say anything... Harry tried to look mildly surprised.

Everyone laughed. Harry couldn't act to save his life.

"I don't know, Professor. "... Floating in midair. "

Sirius almost laughed. Snape was exceptional in his role of terrifying teacher.

There was a long silence... "If he's seeing things like -"

The lions all smirked and a couple even laughed. Sirius frowned. Harry could be just as cheeky as his father sometimes.

"What would your head... permission to be in Hogsmeade. "

A couple of people chuckled.

"I know that," ... "Like you told -"

"Is this the first time Harry has gotten in trouble for breaking the rules because he actually wanted to?" young Flitwick asked.

"Do you know I think it might be," Minerva said thoughtfully.

"Not bad," young Flitwick said. "I wish my ravens were as well behaved as Potter. Not that I'm condoning going to Hogsmeade without permission, mind you."

"Can anyone confirm that?"... But famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself.

Sirius had to remind himself that the Severus in the chamber hadn't been the one to say that.

Let the ordinary people worry... no thought for the consequences. "

Harry frowned. "I hated the way Snape always used my fame as a weapon."

"Professor Sna-" Mrs Weasley began.

"I will try to remember that, Mr Potter," Severus cut across her.

Harry stayed silent... The resemblance between you is uncanny. "

Severus grimaced. The young man he was coming to know was nothing like James Potter. And his older self was being unnecessarily cruel. Was he really so embittered from his own childhood that he couldn't even see the boy in front of him?

"My dad didn't strut,"... "And neither do I. "

Sirius laughed. "Hate to break it to you, Harry, but your dad definitely did strut."

"Your father didn't set much store by rules either,"... His head was so swollen -"

The teachers all glared at Severus as if he'd actually said these words. He hadn't said them yet and he didn't intend to ever say them.

"SHUT UP!"

"HARRY!" Mrs Weasley screeched. "You can't shout at your teachers."

"And why not?" Harry demanded. "He was out of line. Do you have any idea what its like to constantly be compared to someone you've never even met? Someone you know nothing about except that you look alike and his name was James. I knew NOTHING about my dad. Except that he died trying to protect me. So, yeah, I shouted at my teacher. Sue me."

"Personally I think my older self was probably trying to goad you into getting angry," Severus said with a sigh. "I'm sorry for that."

Harry was suddenly on his feet... the black eyes flashing dangerously.

Everyone felt slightly nervous. They didn't see angry Harry often.

"What did you say to me, Potter?"... You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for my dad!"

"Oh, dear," Sirius groaned.

Snape's sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk.

"That's a horrible image," George said.

"And did the headmaster tell you... precious Potter's delicate ears?"

Sirius sighed. This wasn't good.

Harry bit his lip... got cold feet at the last moment.

"That's not true," Sirius said quietly, forcing himself to look at Severus. "It was all me. James had nothing to do with it."

Severus said nothing. He'd had an apology and he didn't really want to bring this all up again now. He was quite enjoying the tentative truce they'd formed.

"Peter told James. He thought it was funny," Sirius admitted. "James wasn't involved. I can swear on my magic if you want. James and Remus didn't talk to me for a whole month after I did that."

Remus nodded. He knew that much was true.

There was nothing brave... his own skin as much as mine.

"No. He wouldn't have," Sirius said. "It wasn't him. But he was saving Remus and me - I suppose, not that I deserved it. But I'm not sure he thought about that at the time. He was really worried about you."

Severus almost laughed. He couldn't believe it. But Sirius had offered to swear on his magic. He must mean it.

"He hated you. Hated the fact you were friends with Lily," Sirius said, "but he didn't want you dead."

"What actually happened?" young Harry asked.

Sirius sighed. He didn't want to say. This was perhaps the worst thing he'd ever done and that was saying something. "Right well... Everyone knows that Remus is a werewolf, right?"

There was a murmur of accent.

"I-told-Severus-how-to-get-into-the-place-where-Remus-transformed," Sirius said in a rush.

Remus took pity on him, noticing just how ashamed his friend looked. "Severus came looking for me, and nearly... Well, he caught sight of me fully transformed. He was lucky he wasn't bitten or killed. Your dad heard what happened and came and pulled him out of there."

"The book explains it," Harry said, seeing the horrified looks on everyone's faces.

"You would have been executed," young Amos said to Remus.

Remus nodded. "Yes. Most likely. It was hushed up for that reason. This was before the Wolfsbane potion so I was highly dangerous when transformed."

No one knew what to say. From their expressions it was clear that they were in shock. Sirius couldn't look at anyone, especially Severus. He wasn't proud of what he did.

"You should have been expelled!" Augusta said pointedly to Sirius.

He nodded. She wasn't wrong. "They couldn't. Not without telling everyone about Remus. I was punished though. Spent the rest of the year in detention and was removed from the Gryffindor Quidditch team."

Severus was tempted to say he deserved more than that, but he knew Sirius knew that. And in fairness, the man had apologised.

"You could have been charged with attempted murder," Amelia said. "How old were you?"

"It was fifth year," Sirius said. "I was sixteen."

No one said anything. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.

"It's the worst thing I've ever done," Sirius admitted, glancing at Severus.

"You've already apologised, mutt," Severus said. "It's water under the bridge. No point crying over spilled potion now."

Everyone gaped at the potions master, especially those that knew just how much the two men despised each other.

Had their joke succeeded, he would have been expelled from Hogwarts. "

"I would have been," Sirius said, "but that's not the worst that would have happened." He couldn't bring himself to say what had ran through his mind for months afterwards. Thoughts of both Severus and Remus dead. On repeat. For months.

Snape's uneven.. "He brought them back from Hogsmeade last time -"

"He'll be a fool to believe that," Remus sighed.

"Indeed?... His hand moved toward the fire.

Sirius growled.

"No!" Harry said quickly... without passing the Dementors?"

Sirius smirked. You had to give Snape credit. He wasn't stupid.

Harry blinked... touching the wand to the parchment.

"That won't work," Remus said confidently. He was quite proud of the spellwork on that map.

Nothing happened... information you conceal!" Snape said, hitting the map with his wand.

Sirius grimaced. This wasn't going to be pleasant.

As though an invisible hand... abnormally large nose out of other people's business. "

At least one lion struggled not to laugh. They didn't trust this Snape not to give them detention. They could just imagine him making them scrub cauldrons here in the chamber.

Snape froze... Professor Snape is an ugly git. "

Young George and Fred shared a smirk.

It would have been very funny... an idiot like that ever became a professor. "

Sirius grimaced. "Sorry."

Harry closed his eyes in horror... advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball. "

Severus did not look impressed.

Harry waited for the blow to fall... "I want a word!"

Remus sighed. Of course, Severus would know it was theirs.

Utterly bewildered, Harry stared at the fire... An odd, closed expression appeared on Lupin's face.

"Been practicing your occlumency have you?" Sirius asked with a chuckle. Remus had always been terrible at the mind arts.

"Well?" said Snape... full of Dark Magic.

Sirius and Remus both laughed. He wasn't wrong technically. Although, legally he was certainly wrong. The ministry certainly wouldn't agree with his assessment.

This is supposed to be your area of expertise... warned him not to interrupt.

"He thinks you gave it to him," Sirius said to Remus, who nodded slowly.

"Full of Dark Magic?"... I imagine Harry got it from a joke shop -"

Sirius sniggered under his breath. His childhood ambition had been to open a joke shop.

"Indeed?"... directly from the manufacturers?"

"Yes, he definitely thinks my older self gave it to Harry," Remus said with a sigh.

Harry didn't understand... Nor, apparently, did Lupin.

"Oh, he understood," Sirius said.

"You mean, by Mr. Wormtail ... "It looks like a Zonko product to me -"

"As if Zonko's could make anything as brilliant as our map! Sirius said aghast.

Right on cue... ages - ago. . . "

Everyone laughed at Ron's timing.

"Well!"... excuse us, Severus -"

"I'm surprised I let you take it," Severus said, shaking his head.

Harry didn't dare look at Snape... astounded that you didn't hand it in.

Sirius stared at his friend in surprise. Hand in the map? Never.

Particularly after what happened... And I can't let you have it back, Harry. "

"Didn't really think you would," Harry said with a shrug.

Harry had expected that... They'd think it extremely entertaining. "

Sirius and Remus frowned at that. Remus should have told him the truth. Harry clearly agreed if the way he was glaring at the book was any sort of clue.

"Do you know them?"... gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks. "

"That's a low blow," Remus said with a sigh. He couldn't believe his older self had actually said that. "I'm really sorry, Harry. That was uncalled for."

Harry blinked. He hadn't expected an apology.

He walked away... at any point in Snape's office.

Remus sighed. That wasn't the way to handle the situation.

Slowly, he and Ron mounted the marble staircase... we shouldn't've done it -"

Sirius nodded. It was good to see Ron take some responsibility for his part in what had happened.

He broke off;... had she told Professor McGonagall?

Hermione tried not to feel too offended. She had threatened to after all.

"Come to have a good gloat?"... "Or have you just been to tell on us?"

Sirius groaned. He'd had enough of their constant arguing.

"No," ... Buckbeak is going to be executed. "

As sad as he felt for Hagrid, Sirius couldn't help but hope this would be what Ron and Hermione needed to finally put their differences aside.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

The Quidditch Final Part 1

Chapter Summary

The slap of the century...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"He sent me this,"... Buckbeak isn't dangerous. "

"He is," Amos said. "While I agree he shouldn't be executed, it doesn't change the fact that he is an XXX beast. They are dangerous, not the most dangerous, of course, but dangerous enough. You should never underestimate the dangers involved when engaging with creatures."

"Malfoy's dad's frightened the Committee into it,"... and they were scared.

Amos glared at the girl. He was not a doddery old fool.

There'll be an appeal, though... I'll help. "

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Oh, Ron!"... Finally, Hermione drew away.

Sirius tried not to let his exasperation show. It was like Harry was the side piece in the Ron and Hermione show. They were so bloody dramatic.

"Ron, I'm really, really sorry about Scabbers... might get me an owl now. "

Molly and Arthur exchanged a look. Where had Ron's owl come from?

The safety measures imposed on the students... exac'ly what he told 'em. . . "

Lucius nodded. The man wasn't wrong. That was a fair summation. But it wasn't because he'd threatened them or anything. He'd just made a reasonable case, unlike Mr Hagrid. He really should have hired a lawyer. He really should look at how much the man was paid. Perhaps he couldn't afford it. That needed to be fixed. Everyone should be able to afford legal representation when they needed it.

"There's still the appeal!"... "That Committee's in Lucius Malfoy's pocket.

Both Amos and Lucius glared at that. It wasn't true. Lucius had to admit he had some help from Macnair but beyond that it had all been down to the case he had put before the committee.

I'm jus' gonna make sure the rest o' Beaky's... "Look at him blubber!"

Draco groaned. This was all so embarrassing.

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle... all the strength she could muster.

"HERMIONE!" Both Mrs Grangers looked horrified. What had gotten into her?

Narcissa made a face half way between impressed and disgusted. On one side, she thought her son might well deserve it but still, muggle violence was just too uncouth.

Malfoy staggered... Hermione raised her hand again.

"Once was quite enough, Miss Granger," Lucius said coolly. While he understood the girl's anger - righteous indignation even - there was really no excuse for such violence.

"Don't you dare call Hagrid pathetic... Hermione pulled out her wand.

Lucius felt his pulse tick in his temple. This was exhausting. Every part of him felt the need to defend his son, even if he was an evil little toerag or whatever Miss Granger had been planning to call him.

Malfoy stepped backward... disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons.

The teachers looked scandalised. How had they never known about this?

"Hermione!"... because I can't stand it if Slytherin wins!"

Her words diffused some of the tension in the chamber.

"We're due in Charms,"... we've already divided into pairs -"

"Huh?" George frowned. "Where's Hermione?"

Harry and Ron hurried to a desk... But Hermione didn't turn up all lesson.

Hermione's parents glanced her way, clearly concerned.

"She could've done with a Cheering Charm... hurried upstairs toward Gryffindor Tower.

Lucius looked at his son in suspicion. He wouldn't put it past him.

They passed the security trolls... which lesson have we got now?"

Everyone stared at Hermione in disbelief.

"Divination... "You were with us till we were right outside the classroom!"

"I'm a tad disappointed you boys didn't work out she was using a time turner," Bill said.

"I didn't even know they existed," Harry said.

"I don't believe it!"... I'll see you in Divination!"

The mind healers shared a look. She had definitely bit off more than she could chew. It was understandable. She had the stress of a very heavy school timetable, helping Hagrid with his case, and the argument with Ron. It was a lot for a fourteen year old to deal with.

Hermione joined them... Professor Flitwick hinted they might!"

Flitwick frowned. If he'd realised she was so stressed, he'd have offered her an additional lesson to make up for the missed one.

Together they climbed the ladder... "I was getting sick of her flinching every time she looked at my hands. "

Sirius could understand that. It would get old quickly.

"Good day to you!"... I am anxious to give you sufficient practice. "

Minerva rolled her eyes.

Hermione snorted.

"Well, honestly... Harry and Ron choked back laughs.

Mrs Granger grimaced. "Hermione," she chided softly, "she's still your teacher."

It was hard to tell... some of you will see before the end of the class. "

Luna sat forward. She was quite good at this.

And so they began... Hermione kept tutting.

Albus frowned. "I'm a little disappointed in the three of you. While I agree that if you do not have the gift, it is most likely a waste of time to study Divination. It is still a branch of magic that deserves respect."

Hermione looked especially distraught at his words.

"Seen anything yet?"... I could be catching up on Cheering Charms -"

Professor Trelawney tutted.

Professor Trelawney rustled past... There's going to be loads of fog tonight."

Sirius struggled to hold in a snort and a side eye at Severus showed his shoulders were shaking slightly in suppressed laughter.

Both Harry and Hermione... my dear, stalking toward you, growing ever closer. . . the Gr -"

Sirius smirked. That was no grim! It was him. Or you know, Trelawney was a great big fraud.

"Oh, for goodness' sake!"... Grim again!"

Mrs Granger glared at her daughter. "You better apologise to your teacher."

Hermione looked like she wanted to argue. But gave in, sighing. She got to her feet, bowed to the divination professor and said, "I apologise, Professor, for being disruptive in class."

Mrs Granger raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And," Hermione pouted, "for being disrespectful."

Professor Trelawney nodded in acknowledgement.

Professor Trelawney raised her enormous eyes... whose mind was so hopelessly mundane. "

The Slytherins in the chamber sniggered.

There was a moment's silence. Then -... "I give up! I'm leaving!"

Mrs Granger - both young and old - looked at their daughter in shock.

And to the whole class's amazement... You said it ages ago, Professor!"

Professor Trelawney looked momentarily smug.

Professor Trelawney gave her a dewy smile... The Inner Eye can be a burden, you know. . . "

Luna nodded in agreement. It really was a burden.

Lavender and Parvati looked deeply impressed... with the Quidditch final drawing ever nearer.

Hermione frowned. She hadn't realised Harry was so bothered by the grim. She'd been so focused on how stupid she thought it was that she'd not even considered that Harry might be genuinely concerned.

The Easter holidays were not exactly relaxing... "The exams are ages away, what're they playing at?"

The teachers rolled their eyes. They had no idea. It would only get worse the closer they got to their OWLs.

But nobody had as much to do as Hermione... seemed constantly close to tears.

Minerva grimaced. She should have noticed that.

Ron had taken over responsibility... "I KNOW, OLIVER!" Harry yelled.

Everyone was surprised that Harry had yelled at his captain, even if they thought Oliver had it coming.

The whole of Gryffindor House... even Wood, wanted to win as much as he did.

Oliver was pretty sure he had wanted it more. It had been his last chance.

The enmity between Harry and Malfoy... wormed his way out of punishment.

"Yes, that was quite impressive," Severus said, not quite believing himself that it had happened.

Harry hadn't forgotten Malfoy's attempt... beat Malfoy in front of the entire school.

"Don't blame you," Sirius said softly.

Never, in anyone's memory,... leeks sprouting out of their ears.

A couple people chuckled at that. It could have been worse. It would have been worse in Sirius's time at Hogwarts.

Harry was having a particularly bad time of it... in case the Slytherins tried to put him out of action.

The Gryffindors all grinned. They'd worked hard to keep their seeker safe.

The whole of Gryffindor House took up the challenge enthusiastically... check that it was still there.

Claudius sighed. That was a sign of just how much having it taken away had effected Harry.

All usual pursuits were abandoned... "I can't work, I can't concentrate," she said nervously.

No one could quite believe it.

There was a great deal of noise... fighting to get out of his stomach.

Sirius grinned. This was how school was supposed to be. Stressing about exams and quidditch games.

"You're going to be fine,"... "Team! Bed!"

"Good idea," Remus said. "An early night is just what you need."

Harry slept badly... the match riding dragons.

"You know," Ron said, "your dreams are sort of... Well, like prophecies."

"What?" Harry gaped at him.

"Think about it. That one about the Turban talking? Voldie was in Quirrell's turban, the one chasing something silvery with hooves through the forest, that sounds awfully like what happened in the Forest of Dean and this one, well, you did fly against a dragon in fourth year."

Harry and Hermione both stared at Ron. He couldn't be right, could he? Professor Trelawney looked suddenly interested and Harry didn't think that was a good thing.

He was flying at breakneck speed... woke with a start.

A couple people laughed.

It was a few seconds before... conditions for the match would be perfect.

"Good. That's good," Sirius smiled.

Harry set down his goblet... prowling across the silvery lawn.

Oh no, Sirius thought. Please not now.

Harry dashed to his bedside table... It was only Crookshanks. . .

Sirius sighed in relief. He didn't want Harry worrying about Grims right before his big match.

Or was it only Crookshanks?... how could it be an omen of Harry's death?

Sirius blinked. Had he befriended the cat? It wouldn't be the first time.

"Ron!"... Crookshanks and the dog had vanished.

Ron frowned. He couldn't remember this at all.

Harry climbed onto the windowsill... A loud snore told him Ron had fallen asleep again.

Sirius rolled his eyes. Some help he'd been.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed the chapter... Harry's dream in this one really made me think... I'm probably clutching at straws but the idea is sort of cool.

The Quidditch Final Part 2

Chapter Summary

Our characters read their last chapter before lunch...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor team... Harry noticed that Malfoy looked even paler than usual.

"Not eager to go up against the Firebolt," George said with a smirk.

Wood spent the whole of breakfast... everyone applauded again.

The lions all grinned. This had been epic.

"Good luck, Harry!" called Cho. Harry felt himself blushing.

George made kissy noises. Harry flipped him the bird much to Mrs Weasley's horror.

"Okay - no wind to speak of... "Locker rooms," said Wood tersely.

Draco frowned. His team never put this much thought into it. They were just told they better win. Or else. He felt sort of envious of Potter for having Wood as a captain. Well, except when they had practice before dawn. Slytherins would never do that.

None of them spoke... and a very grim smile.

"He knows they're going to," Fred said eagerly.

"Lose. We've got this in the," young George continued.

"BAG!" Fred finished.

"And here are the Gryffindors!"... best team Hogwarts has seen in a good few years -"

Harry blushed. He agreed of course, but he didn't say it aloud.

Lee's comments were drowned... seems to be going for size rather than skill -"

Lee grinned. He might be a little biased. But who wouldn't be? Gryffindor were clearly the better team.

More boos from the Slytherin crowd... the rest of them were enormous.

Draco thought Lee had the right of it. Flint had chosen brawn over brain. There really wasn't a lot of strategy involved in their play.

"Captains, shake hands!"... break the other's fingers.

"You weren't wrong," Oliver told Harry.

"Mount your brooms!"... nice Bludger work there by George Weasley,

The Gryffindors cheered.

Warrington drops the Quaffle... SHE SCORES!

More cheering from the lions.

TEN-ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"... Marcus Flint went smashing into her.

"FOWL!" Fred cried.

"Sorry!"... Beater's club at the back of Flint's head.

Mrs Weasley smiled, lowering her eyes. That was just like her Fred, defending his friends. He might be a silly one but he was always a gentleman.

Flint's nose smashed... deliberate damage to their Chaser!"

Everyone laughed.

"Come off it, Miss!"... TWENTY-ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!"

The lions practically roared with triumph.

Harry turned the Firebolt... YES! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! HE'S SAVED IT!"

"WAY TO GO, OLLIE!" Percy shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

Relieved, Harry zoomed away... THAT WAS DELIBERATE!"

Sirius smirked. This game was dirty. Just the way Sirius liked his Quidditch. The fowls made the game if you asked him.

Montague, a Slytherin Chaser... if you can't commentate in an unbiased way -"

Lee winked at Minerva. His head of house merely shook her head.

"I'm telling it like it is, Professor!"... and if Malfoy saw it -

Draco groaned. He hadn't seen it.

Faking a look of sudden concentration... clearly thinking Harry had seen the Snitch there. . .

Sirius rolled his eyes. Didn't the boy realise the lions were playing for the cup?

WHOOSH... The other Beater, Bole, was closing in.

Everyone was paying avid attention.

Harry had a fleeting glimpse... Bole and Derrick collided with a sickening crunch.

"Nice!" Sirius grinned.

"Ha haaa!"... it was a joke, Professor, it was a joke -

Minerva rolled her eyes. She wouldn't tell him but Minerva thought Lee was a superb commentator. Even if he was a bit too biased when they lions were playing.

oh no - Flint in possession... tug the magical megaphone away from him.

Remus chuckled. That had happened a time or two to him too when he'd commentated.

"Sorry, Professor, sorry! ... he'd thought she was a Bludger.

Draco rolled his eyes. This was part of why Slytherin had such a bad reputation. Although he had to admit he hadn't helped. In fact, he'd done Slytherin's reputation some serious damage all on his own. He let Greyback into the school...

George Weasley elbowed Bole... Katie scored. Fifty-ten.

"So close," Hermione murmured.

Fred and George Weasley were swooping around her... clutching his broom, completely winded.

"Bloody hell!" Charlie exclaimed.

Madam Hooch was beside herself... Sixty-ten.

"Time to find that snitch, pup," Sirius said eagerly.

Moments later, Fred Weasley pelted a Bludger ... The Snitch was sparkling twenty feet above him.

"Perfect timing," Remus said with a smirk.

Harry put on a huge burst of speed... the Firebolt was slowing down -

"WHAT?" Sirius demanded.

Horrified, he looked around... the Snitch had disappeared again.

"You cheating little..." Tonks began angrily.

"Your puff is showing," Sirius teased.

"Penalty!... "YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B -"

Everyone laughed at the commentary.

Professor McGonagall didn't even bother... and she too was shouting furiously.

Minerva blushed as her younger self giggled. Actually giggled.

Alicia took Gryffindor's penalty... "Seventy-twenty to Gryffindor. . . "

"NO!" young Ron cried.

Harry was now marking Malfoy... found Harry blocking him.

Sirius smirked.

"Angelina Johnson gets the Quaffle... Like a bullet, he shot toward the Slytherins.

"NICE!" young George said eagerly.

"AAAAAAARRRGH!"... Angelina's way was clear.

"Nicely done," Remus cheered.

"SHE SCORES! SHE SCORES!... there, a few feet above the grass below, was a tiny, golden glimmer -

"NO!" Sirius and Remus bellowed.

Harry urged the Firebolt... he was at Malfoy's ankles -

"YES!" Sirius clapped his hands. "Come on, Harry!"

he was level -

"You can do it!" Remus muttered, leaning forward. Harry grinned. He hadn't known that Remus liked Quidditch.

Harry threw himself forward... and the stadium exploded.

"YOU DID IT, HARRY!" Sirius jumped to his feet, pulling Harry with him, hugging his godson closely. "That was amazing!"

Harry soared above the crowd... sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder.

Oliver didn't even look embarrassed.

Harry felt two large thumps... were hoisted onto the shoulders of the crowd.

Sirius grinned. He should have been there for this, cheering for Harry in the crowd.

Thrust into the light... Wait till I tell Buckbeak!"

Hagrid grinned. "Shouldn' take sides, really, but I was a Gryffindor once, yah know."

There was Percy... Dumbledore stood waiting with the enormous Quidditch Cup.

Albus smiled. Presenting the Quidditch Cup was one of his favourite jobs as Headmaster.

If only there had been a Dementor around. . . Harry felt he could have produced the world's best Patronus.

"I don't doubt it," Remus said with a watery smile. "Is it time for lunch?"

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed it!

Professor Trelawneys Prediction

Chapter Summary

Everyone reads another chapter... and Professor Trelawney gets a surprise.

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Lunch was a rushed affair as everyone wanted to get back to reading as quickly as possible. They were getting through these books quicker than any of them expected and truth be told many of them were eager to finish this one so they could finally get to Harry's fourth year. They wanted to know what had really happened at the end of that particular year. There was an urgency among those that had come from the old timeline that the others didn't really understand. Especially because no one seemed particularly willing to explain it.

They filled up on sandwiches and cakes before rushing back into the main chamber, restarting the book almost immediately.

Harry's euphoria... dreamily across the surface of the lake.

Harry sighed. This had possibly been his easiest year at Hogwarts and that was saying something.

But they couldn't... take their O. W. L. s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels).

Mrs Weasley looked pleasantly surprised. Arthur smiled at George. He always knew his boys would do well for themselves.

Percy was getting ready... the quiet of the common room in the evenings.

Minerva frowned at that. While it was important to be respectful of people who needed to study, the common room's main function was for social interaction.

In fact, the only person who seemed more anxious than Percy was Hermione.

The teachers frowned at that. She was a third year, she shouldn't have been that concerned about her exams.

Harry and Ron had given up... are you sure you've copied down these times right?"

Several people rolled their eyes. Why was Hermione leaving that lying around if she didn't want her friends to know about the time turner?

"What?"... "Yes, of course I have. "

Mrs Granger frowned but didn't say anything about Hermione snapping at her friends.

"Is there any point asking... two exams at once?" said Harry.

"That's annoying too," Harry said. "Hermione was allowed to keep this a secret, but I'm expected to tell Ron and Hermione everything."

"No," said Hermione shortly... we'll know day after tomorrow - one way or the other -"

Lucius and Amos both frowned. Hippogriffs were rare enough without executing them undeservedly.

They had Potions that afternoon... zero onto his notes before moving away.

Severus was tempted to tell the young man where he'd gone wrong. But thought better of it. He'd just teach him better this time around. If he was still allowed to teach after all this.

Then came Astronomy at midnight... sundaes with him in the stifling classroom.

"Well done, Harry," Florean said, smiling widely at the boy.

Minerva glanced at the older wizard, wondering if they could hire him to replace Binns.

Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology... with sunburnt necks,

Poppy frowned at that. There had to be a way to prevent that. Perhaps they should teach the students the spells needed to protect themselves from the sun in first year. They might be a little complex but it shouldn't be impossible. At the very least, they should have them cast upon them by the teacher during the summer months.

thinking longingly ... any of them had ever taken;

Remus sat forward, eager to hear more.

a sort of obstacle course... battle with a new Boggart.

Minerva grinned at that. Perhaps they should all try something similar for future lower year exams.

"Excellent, Harry,"... "Full marks. "

"WELL DONE!" Sirius patted Harry on the back.

Flushed with his success... she burst out again, screaming.

Hermione's parents looked at her in concern.

"Hermione!"... "Sh-she said I'd failed everything!"

Everyone struggled to keep a straight face. They could easily believe that was Hermione's greatest fear.

It took a little while to calm Hermione down... met them on the top of the steps.

Mrs Weasley tutted.

Cornelius Fudge, sweating slightly... Nearly finished?"

"It's so weird seeing him be nice to you," Percy said.

"Yes," said Harry... execution of a mad Hippogriff.

Amos huffed. If he'd known what he knew now there would have been no need for a witness.

As I needed to visit Hogwarts... "The Hippogriff might get off!"

Amos sighed. Unfortunately, that was unlikely. The appeal procedure was more of a tick boxing exercise than a legitimate procedure. He'd been trying to fix that during his time as the head of the department but had so far failed.

Before Fudge could answer... jerked her head toward the entrance hall.

Amos couldn't help but wish he'd insisted on going himself. Not that it would have made much difference. Not without evidence of baiting.

"Why'd you stop me?"... This isn't justice!"

"You're not wrong," Amos said crossly.

"Ron, your dad works for the Ministry... but she too looked very upset.

Arthur laughed at that. "No son. If you see injustice, you shout about it as loud as you can. Don't worry about me."

"As long as Hagrid keeps his head... believe what she was saying.

Minerva frowned. It was awful that at thirteen they were already so disenchanted with the world. They were supposed to be naive kids who saw everything through rose tinted glasses.

All around them... Hagrid and Buckbeak, didn't join in.

"Ah, don' worry about me," Hagrid said, giving them all a watery smile.

Harry's and Ron's last exam was Divination... trying to cram in a bit of last-minute studying.

"That won't help," Luna said. "You'd be better to meditate."

"She's seeing us all separately,"... the time until Buckbeak's appeal started.

Mrs Weasley frowned at that. He should have been focused on his exam.

The line of people outside the classroom... who had now reached the landing.

Augusta glared at Professor Trelawney. That was an awful thing to tell students.

"That's convenient,"... "she's a right old fraud. "

Professor Trelawney huffed indignantly.

"Yeah," said Harry... Well, good luck!"

"Probably said she saw me dying by the end of the year," Harry said. "That would get full marks."

"She didn't actually," Trelawney said oddly matter-of-fact. "She saw a rat like man hiding in a jar. Very odd. And a cat protecting Sirius Black from Mr Potter. Among other things."

Harry gaped at her.

She hurried off... Don't think she was convinced, though. . . "

Trelawney rolled her eyes.

"Meet you in the common room,"... then tell me what you see within it. . . . "

"I didn't see anything," Harry admitted.

Harry bent over the crystal ball... and decided to pretend.

Trelawney rolled her eyes. It was disappointing. She actually believed the boy might have the gift. He certainly had interesting dreams.

"Er -" said Harry... "A Hippogriff," he said firmly.

Everyone laughed. It was obvious what was on Harry's mind.

"Indeed!" whispered Professor Trelawney... have its head?"

Minerva tutted at the woman's eagerness. She was far too blood thirsty for her liking.

"Yes," ... a shadowy figure raising an axe behind it?"

"SYBILL!" Minerva said crossly.

"No!"... "It looks fine, it's - flying away. . . "

Hagrid grinned at that. It might not have been a prediction but it was true enough all the same.

Professor Trelawney sighed... but I'm sure you did your best. "

"Disappointing because it wasn't bad news?" Minerva demanded. "It was what actually happened!"

"Disappointing because he didn't actually see it," Trelawney argued.

"You didn't know that!" Minerva argued.

"Do you believe Mr Potter is a good liar?"

"Well, no," Minerva admitted.

"So you think I'm foolish enough to just not notice when he's lying to me?" Sybill pressed.

Relieved, Harry got up... "IT WILL HAPPEN TONIGHT. "

Everyone jumped. Including Professor Trelawney. She didn't remember this.

Harry wheeled around... the same harsh voice, quite unlike her own:

Everyone leaned forward. They were about to hear a real prophecy. This was exciting.

"THE DARK LORD LIES ALONE... CHAINED THESE TWELVE YEARS.

"Is it talking about Wormtail?" Sirius asked. "But he's already escaped."

TONIGHT, BEFORE MIDNIGHT. . . HIS SERVANT'S AID,

"Oh god," Amelia cried.

GREATER AND MORE TERRIBLE... HIS MASTER. . . "

"Looks like I was wrong about you Sybill," Minerva said, blinking rapidly.

Professor Trelawney's head fell forward... I drifted off for a moment. . . . "

Professor Trelawney looked like she could hardly believe what she'd just heard. Here was the proof that she'd always craved. No one believed she had the gift. And here, finally she could prove them all wrong.

Harry sat there, staring at her... that his servant's going to go back to him. "

"I don't imagine I'd believe that," young Trelawney said airily.

"You're right. You didn't," Harry said.

Professor Trelawney looked thoroughly startled... Rise again, indeed -"

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you," Sybill said, looking bewildered.

"But you just said it!... predict anything quite as far-fetched as that!"

No one spoke. These books were beginning to get serious now.

Harry climbed back down the ladder... Or had that been her idea of an impressive end to the test?

"Of course not!" Trelawney grumbled. "While I admit, I have a flare for the dramatics even I wouldn't stoop to that."

Five minutes later he was dashing past the security trolls... resounding in his head.

"That's to be expected," Albus said gently. "It happens when you hear a prophecy. It's like your brain won't let go of the information until its embedded in your subconscious."

"Have you heard a prophecy then, headmaster?" young George asked.

"Yes. Once. The situation was quite different though." Albus frowned. That prophecy was one of the reasons they were sitting in this chamber. One of the reasons he'd made or would make so many errors in judgement. He could only hope Harry would stand better under the burden of this new knowledge than he had.

People were striding past him... But he stopped abruptly at the sight of their faces.

"Oh no," Tonks said. "Now what?"

"Buckbeak lost," ... it was hardly legible.

Several people gave Hagrid pitying looks. But mostly they just wanted to hear more about the prophecy.

Lost appeal... 'specially you, Harry. . . "

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Molly huffed.

Harry sank his head... I'm in serious trouble," he finished.

Severus nodded. That was very true.

"That's true,"... "She hasn't gone to get it?" Ron said, staring after her.

Hermione's mum rolled her eyes. Her daughter really was an odd egg. Breaking the rules was okay when it was on her terms. Or at least that's how it seemed.

She had... Hermione looked rather flattered.

Mr Granger glared at Ron. He didn't want the boy getting any ideas.

They went down to dinner... Let us in and we can take it off. "

Sirius frowned. Sure, they shouldn't have been out of the castle, but really if this was why Harry chose to break the rules, he could hardly blame him.

"Yeh shouldn've come!"... This helplessness was worse to watch than tears.

"Yer shouldn' have ter see me like that," Hagrid gruffed.

"Wan' some tea?"... an' smell fresh air - before -"

Draco grimaced. He felt surprisingly guilty about this.

Hagrid's hand trembled... "Dumbledore -"

Tom rolled his eyes. Why was old Dumbles everyone's go to answer to all their problems?

"He's tried,"... but they're scared. . .

Amos frowned. That wasn't quite true. The case had seemed pretty clear. Dumbledore hadn't told them that the beast had been baited. If they'd had witnesses come forward perhaps the outcome would have been different.

Yeh know what Lucius Malfoy's like... an old pal o' Malfoy's...

"He's no friend of mine," Lucius said. "Although he certainly seemed more than willing to help. In fact, I wouldn't have pursued the case at all if Macnair hadn't overheard me and Narcissa discussing what had happened."

but it'll be quick an' clean... Great man, Dumbledore. . . . "

Tom sighed. He was sure he'd hear a lot more about just how great old Dumbles was in these books. And he couldn't wait.

Hermione, who had been rummaging, I don' wan' yeh watchin'.

Molly nodded. They shouldn't see that.

An' yeh shouldn' be down here anyway... it's Scabbers!"

"Scabbers?" everyone cried.

Ron gaped at her... Scabbers the rat came sliding out onto the table.

"Miss Patil's prediction," Sybill murmured.

"Scabbers!"... desperate to free himself.

"Stupid rat," Sirius muttered.

"It's okay, Scabbers!"... Go now. . . "

Everyone wondered when Scabber's would make his prophesied escape.

Ron stuffed Scabbers into his pocket... "It's bad enough without you lot in trouble an' all!"

Sirius frowned, suddenly thoughtful. Exams were over. A prophecy had been spoken. And it had said it would come true that night. Something was about to happen and he had a sneaky suspicion it wasn't good.

They had no choice... "I can't stand it, I can't bear it. . . . "

The tension in the chamber was growing. Several people had a bad feeling, certain that something was about to happen. It seemed inevitable when Harry was involved. And the prophecy had promised it...

They started up the sloping lawn... stay put -"

They grimaced. That rat was a menace. At least a few people glared at the mantel.

Ron was bent over... trying to sink his teeth into Ron's hand.

Mrs Weasley tutted. "Let him loose if you must but you need to return to the castle."

"NO!" several people shouted. "They can't do that. Didn't you hear the prophecy?"

"Scabbers, it's me... Scabbers, shut up, everyone'll hear us -"

"They're going to hear you," Remus pointed out. "Not the rat."

The rat was squealing wildly... the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe.

"Oh no!" young Luna cried, tears welling in her eyes.

"Don't worry," Ron said. "It'll be okay."

"But they killed him," she cried as Ron tried patting her on the back.

"Just wait," Ron said gently.

Hermione swayed on the spot... they did it!"

Several people looked white in the face. The children shouldn't have witnessed that. Even if it was just the sound. And it was all Peter Pettigrew's fault.

Chapter End Notes

Hope you enjoyed it... We're getting close to the end of book 3 yay!

Cat, Rat, and Dog

Chapter Summary

Another chapter is read by our characters as they get closer to the end of book 3...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

Want to have a say in who Harry ends up with eventually? Complete the POLL * THIS POLL EXPIRES IN ONE WEEK *

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry's mind had gone blank with shock... Then, behind them, they heard a wild howling.

"That can't be good," Blaise Zabini said.

"Werewolf?" Young Neville asked.

Remus rolled his eyes. It was ridiculous how everyone's minds automatically rushed to werewolves when they heard something spooky.

"Hagrid," Harry muttered... they know we've been to see him. . . . "

"Why would Hagrid be blamed for you three breaking curfew?" Minerva asked, feeling slightly blindsided. "No one had to know that you'd already been down there."

Everyone looked at the Gryffindor head of house in shock. Was she teaching her lions how to be sneaky?

Hermione's breathing was shallow and uneven... The light was fading fast now.

Sirius was on edge, tapping his foot against the hard stone floor. He knew an exploding potion when he saw one. And this situation was about to become very volatile.

By the time they reached open ground... OUCH! He bit me!"

Mrs Weasley grimaced. They should all be safely tucked up in bed instead of out in the grounds after dark.

"Ron, be quiet!" ... "What's the matter with him?"

"Probably knows his time is almost up," Sirius muttered.

But Harry had just seen... "No, go away, Crookshanks! Go away!"

Everyone peered eagerly at the book, clearly anticipating whatever came next.

But the cat was getting nearer ... pelted away into the darkness.

Mrs Weasley tutted. How could he be so reckless?

"Ron!"... they hurtled after Ron;

"Don't just leave the cloak!" Sirius almost yelled.

they could hear his feet... Scabbers, come here -"

"You'd think someone would hear all the noise you're making," Remus said. So much for extra security.

There was a loud thud... they'll be coming back out in a minute -"

Several people sighed in relief.

But before they could cover themselves... an enormous, pale-eyed, jet-black dog.

Sirius sat bolt up right. He was finally going to get to see how his older self met Harry.

Harry reached for his wand... he felt its hot breath, saw inch-long teeth -

Sirius was confused. Why did he jump on Harry? It wasn't Harry he was after.

But the force of its leap... his ribs were broken,

"They were," Madam Pomfrey said tartly and Sirius looked shamefaced. He wouldn't ever want to hurt Harry.

Harry tried to stand up... Ron's outstretched arm.

Mrs Weasley whimpered. Why was Black attacking them if he wasn't after Harry?

Harry lunged forward... as though he were a rag doll -

Mrs Weasley was crying loudly now, her head buried in her husband's shoulder. How did they not know about this?

Then, out of nowhere... He heard Hermione shriek with pain and fall too.

"Huh?" Everyone looked about in confusion. What had just happened?

Harry groped for his wand... the trunk of a thick tree;

"Oh no," Remus said morosely.

they had chased Scabbers... stop them going nearer.

"I don't think the tree likes me," Harry muttered.

"That tree doesn't like anyone," Remus countered.

And there, at the base of the trunk... but his head and torso were slipping out of sight -

Sirius felt like he should probably apologise. But no one else felt like apologising for what their older selves had done.

"Ron!" Harry shouted... he was forced backward again.

Flitwick groaned. They'd be lucky if they made it out of this with half their limbs intact.

All they could see now... his foot vanished from sight.

Mrs Weasley let out a wail.

"Mum, I'm fine," Ron said, rolling his eyes. He'd had worse than a broken leg since then.

"Harry - we've got to go for help -" Hermione gasped;... we haven't got time -"

Minerva frowned. She could see it from both sides. They certainly didn't have time to waste but this was ridiculously reckless.

They were underage, practically defenceless and worst of all, alone. They needed to find an adult and fast.

"Harry - we're never going to get through... without being in range of the tree's blows.

"You're wasting time," Moody growled.

"Oh, help, help,"... "Please. . . "

Sirius almost felt bad for the girl. She was clearly not at her best in a crisis.

Crookshanks darted forward... "How did he know -?"

"I imagine Sirius told him," Remus answered for the book.

"He's friends with that dog,".. breathlessly from behind him.

"You talk to much," Moody said. "The dog will hear you."

"I don't know... but it looked like it was heading for Hogsmeade. . . "

Fred and the two Georges sat forward, eager to know where this tunnel led.

They moved as fast as they could... painful gasps, running at a crouch. . . .

Poppy rolled his eyes. That boy was far too good at ignoring his pain. He'd been in a bad way when he'd come into the hospital wing that night. Nothing she couldn't patch up in seconds but that didn't mean much.

And then the tunnel began to rise... there were stains all over the floor;

"Oh, dear," Tonks said.

every piece of furniture... "I think we're in the Shrieking Shack. "

"NO WAY?" Fred gaped at the book. "That's the coolest thing ever!"

The twins glanced at each other. Yes, they'd be checking this out when they returned to school. Their mother eyed them suspiciously. She knew that look.

Harry looked around... "Ghosts didn't do that," he said slowly.

Remus chuckled drying. He was certainly no ghost.

At that moment, there was a creak overhead... something being dragged upstairs.

Mrs Weasley sniffed as Arthur murmured reassurances that Ron was indeed alive and well.

They reached the dark landing... "Ron - are you okay?"

Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats.

"Where's the dog?"... "Harry, it's a trap -"

Sirius sighed. He didn't imagine this was going to make pleasant reading. Just how crazed would he be after a few more years in Azkaban?

"What -"... It was Sirius Black.

Sirius didn't like the sound of that. He'd looked bad when he arrived in the chamber, but that sounded truly awful.

"Expelliarmus!"... "I thought you'd come and help your friend," he said hoarsely.

Sirius frowned. Had he been watching Harry or was he making assumptions based on what James would do?

His voice sounded as though... it will make everything much easier. . . . "

Sirius tightened his arms around the two Harrys. He must have terrified his godson that night.

The taunt about his father... "No, Harry!" Hermione gasped in a petrified whisper;

"If he was going to kill Potter," Kingsley said, "Harry would already be dead."

Ron, however, spoke to Black... and he swayed slightly as he spoke.

Sirius smiled at the boy. Clearly he was a better friend that Sirius had first thought. Remus seemed to be having a similar thought process if the nod he gave the young man was anything to go by.

Something flickered in Black's shadowed eyes... "You will damage that leg even more. "

Mrs Weasley gaped at Sirius. "You're the one that did it!"

"Well," Sirius sighed. "I don't imagine I actually wanted to hurt your son, Molly. I might have been bat shit crazy from my stint in Azkaban but I imagine even my older self drew the line at hurting children."

"Did you hear me?"... and his grin widened.

Sirius almost laughed. He wasn't helping himself. His older self had relocated to the whacky tree and didn't seem to realise that he'd basically just informed three kids that he planned to kill one of them.

"Why's that?"... What's the matter, gone soft in Azkaban?"

Sirius did laugh this time. "Harry, if I actually was a mass-murderer, that would have been a terrible idea. Word of warning, don't taunt the murderers."

Harry shrugged. He sort of made a habit of taunting Voldemort and his death eaters. It tended to work too. Distract them and inevitably he'd find a way to escape.

"Harry!"... lunged forward -

Sirius's laughter had died and he nearly let out a whimper.

He had forgotten about magic... he didn't care how much he got hurt in return -

"I care," Sirius murmured.

Perhaps it was the shock... they fell, backward, into the wall -

Theo was sitting, slack jawed, taking every word in. This was better than any book he'd ever read and he'd read a lot.

Hermione was screaming... punching every part of Black it could find.

Harry muttered a sorry to Sirius who merely shook it off.

"No harm done," he said gently.

But Black's free hand had found Harry's throat... Harry choked, his glasses askew.

Sirius looked horrified. He wouldn't. Never.

Then he saw Hermione's foot swing out of nowhere... "Argh!"

Moody grimaced. The boy needed that wand.

Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing. How did she never hear about this? Ron had never told her this story and he'd told her a lot about his adventures with Harry.

Crookshanks had joined the fray... Crookshanks now darted toward Harry's wand -

"That cat is ridiculously clever!" Susan Bones said to her aunt.

"You're telling me," Amelia agreed. She was beginning to wonder if the auror force could use kneezles undercover.

"NO YOU DON'T!"... Harry snatched up his wand and turned -

Hermione glared at Harry. She couldn't believe he'd kicked her cat!

"Get out of the way!"... both hands clutching his broken leg.

"You have the upper hand," Krum said. "Now iz the time to leave."

Fleur nodded her agreement. Even though they knew Sirius was innocent, she couldn't help worry that he clearly wasn't in his right mind.

Black was sprawled at the bottom of the wall... "Going to kill me, Harry?" he whispered.

Remus sighed. This was a mess. He really couldn't imagine what could make the situation worse.

Harry stopped right above him... "But if you knew the whole story. "

People were gaping at Black now.

"You said you didn't kill them!" Astoria said pointedly.

"I didn't. Not exactly. But I still felt responsible." Sirius sighed. "It was my fault."

"The whole story?" ... You don't understand. . . . "

Sirius frowned. He thanked Mother Magic for this chamber for the millionth time. This wouldn't happen again.

"I understand a lot better... you did it. . . . "

Hermione gaped at Harry. His words made so much more sense now.

Before either of them could say another word... trying to push Crookshanks off him.

Severus rolled his eyes. Trust Black to try and save the cat. He always was better with animals than people. Just like he himself was better with potions.

But Crookshanks sank his claws... It was in league with Black. . .

Hermione looked torn. That was her cat!

The mind healers eyed Harry speculatively. Did Harry even know how to kill a person?

If it was prepared to die... Crookshanks than for Harry's parents. . . .

Sirius sighed. "There's only two people I ever loved more than your parents."

Harry blinked up at him.

"My fiancee Marlene and you," Sirius said. "I loved you from the first moment I saw you but even that was nothing to how I felt about you after I blood adopted you. Your my son. Your James and Lily's too. But your my son."

Harry had tears in his eyes that he dried away in a hurry. He wished he'd heard those words from his Sirius.

Harry raised the wand... This was his chance. . . .

Albus grimaced. Knowing what he knew of the boy from these books, he knew he wouldn't do it. But he hated hearing this. Hearing him contemplate murder. Where was he? He should have known what was happening and come and rescued them. They were his students - his to protect - and he'd failed them yet again.

The seconds lengthened... someone was moving downstairs.

A sigh of relief echoes through the chamber.

"Thank goodness," Sprout said, her voice trembling slightly.

"WE'RE UP HERE!"... Do it now! said a voice in his head -

"You're not going to do it," Claudius said. "You're not a murderer, Harry."

Harry nodded. He knew that. Sort of. "Feels like it sometimes. I feel like people around me are constantly dying and its all my fault."

Tom grimaced. "If you need to blame someone, I'm that person. I'm the reason they died."

but the footsteps were thundering... "Expelliarmus!" Lupin shouted.

"WHAT?" Molly screeched. "Why would you take their wands?"

Remus wasn't sure what to tell her.

Harry's wand flew... lying protectively across his chest.

Moody groaned. Did these kids not know how to protect their wands? Then again, he knew they didn't. Not then at least.

Harry stood there... Black was going to be handed back to the Dementors.

"I'd have preferred that," Sirius said. "As much as I hate them and I definitely don't want to be kissed. I wouldn't want my death on your hands."

Then Lupin spoke... "Where is he, Sirius?"

"You knew!" Severus shot the wolf a glare. He almost smirked seeing his older self vindicated.

"Were you working together all along, Mr Lupin?" Rita asked, the headlines were writing themselves. This was brilliant.

Harry looked quickly at Lupin... who looked bewildered.

"The rat," young Daphne said eagerly.

"But then. . . "... without telling me?"

Everyone glanced at Remus in confusion.

Very slowly, his sunken gaze never leaving Lupin's face, Black nodded.

"Professor,"... embraced Black like a brother.

"And if that's not suspicious..." Florean muttered. It bothered him that even in moments like this Harry wasn't the adults first concern.

Harry felt as though... "You - you -"

Hermione grimaced. This was the first time she felt truly disappointed in a teacher. Lupin had been the best teacher she'd ever had, and to think even for a few moments that he was in league with Black had been soul destroying.

"Hermione -"... "I've been covering up for you -"

Remus grimaced. This wasn't how he would have wanted Harry to learn he was a werewolf.

"Hermione, listen to me, please... "and all the time you've been his friend!"

Harry glared at the book. He remembered how much that hurt. Harry wasn't quick to trust, a fact he'd long accepted about himself.

"You're wrong," ... he's a werewolf!"

Even though they all already knew, they all let out a gasp of shock.

There was a ringing silence... "Only one out of three, I'm afraid.

Remus actually chuckled.

I have not been helping Sirius... "Get away from me, werewolf!"

Sirius glared at Ron. He hated the way people's opinion of Remus immediately changed as soon as they knew what he was. It wasn't right.

Lupin stopped dead... Or did you realize that the Boggart changed into the moon when it saw me?"

"You're wasting time!" Moody growled. "The rat might escape while you're discussing this."

"Both,"... witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione. "

Severus struggled not to roll his eyes. Sure. She was smart. But she had nothing on Lily Evans. But he might be biased.

"I'm not,"... "Is he mad?"

A couple of people glared at Ron. This was the sort of bias they were supposed to be avoiding. Still more seemed to think he was right.

"Some of the staff thought so,"... "YOU'VE BEEN HELPING HIM ALL THE TIME!"

Harry glared at the book. He didn't like it when he lost his temper.

He was pointing at Black... Harry caught his, stunned.

"Shouldn't have taken them in the first place," Tonks muttered.

"There," said Lupin... "how did you know he was here?"

"Good question," Amelia said approvingly.

"The map,"... that was my friends' nickname for me at school. "

"You should have told me that sooner," Harry said, trying to sound gentle but failing terribly.

Remus nodded. The young man wasn't wrong.

"You wrote... "How d'you know about the cloak?"

"Getting side tracked," Moody groaned.

"The number of times I saw James disappearing under it. . . " said Lupin, waving an impatient hand again.

"And hid under it yourself," Sirius said, rolling his eyes.

"The point is, even if you're wearing an Invisibility Cloak... "No, we weren't!"

"PETER PETTIGREW!" the children all cried out in excitement.

I couldn't believe my eyes,'... "One of us!" Ron said angrily.

Several people rolled their eyes. It wasn't so much fun when they were more informed than the characters in the book.

"No, Ron,"... "What's Scabbers got to do with it?"

"Just give him the damn rat," Lee said in frustration.

"Everything,"... "That's not a rat," croaked Sirius Black suddenly.

Everyone grimaced. It was horrible to think that a grown man had been playing the role of pet to children.

"What d'you mean... "by the name of Peter Pettigrew. "

Finally they were getting somewhere Sirius thought to himself. This was like getting blood out of stone.

Chapter End Notes

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Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

It took a few seconds for the absurdity... "You're both mental. "

"I don't think I'd have believed it myself," Arthur admitted.

"Ridiculous!"... not this time, though!"

"You can't murder him in front of the children!" Mrs Weasley cried. She paused, blinked and spoke again, "I mean you shouldn't murder him at all."

And Crookshanks was thrown... we've got to explain -"

"Oui!" Fleur said crossly. "Zat would be a very good idea."

"We can explain afterwards!"... you owe Harry the truth, Sirius!"

"If you'd killed him then Voldemort might not have come back," Harry muttered. A part of him still blamed himself for deciding to take Wormtail to the dementors. Everything might have been different if he didn't.

Black stopped struggling... I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for. . . "

Sirius frowned. "Snape your potion really is extraordinary. If this is what I'd be like almost a year after leaving Azkaban without it."

Severus's face barely changed but his lips curled ever so slightly. "You've also been in Azkaban for a shorter period of time."

"Only a few years," Sirius muttered.

"You're nutters, both of you,"... "A whole street full of them. . . "

"Good lad," Moody said. "You've got good senses. Get straight to the heart of the matter."

"They didn't see... Ron's holding him, Harry. "

"Tell him what did happen then!" young Charlie complained.

Harry looked down at Ron... but why was Lupin playing along with him?

"Don't just presume they're wrong," Moody groaned. "Get the full story out of them first. See what evidence they have."

Then Hermione spoke... Peter Pettigrew had been an Animagus.

"That's presuming everyone keeps the law," Amelia huffed. She was definitely going to put legislation before the Wizagmot to put up anti-animagi wards around key locations after this.

We did Animagi in class with Professor McGonagall... Pettigrew's name wasn't on the list. "

Several people looked confused. Were there really so few?

"Only seven?" Astoria asked, sighing. She'd always wanted to try becoming an animagus but if only seven people had done it in a century it must be even more difficult than she had thought.

Harry had barely had time to marvel inwardly... three unregistered Animagi running around Hogwarts."

"I mean it is a little hard to believe," Amelia said. "You were school children."

"If you're going to tell them the story... The bedroom door had opened of its own accord.

"Who's there?" Blaise asked.

All five of them stared at it... "This place is haunted!" said Ron.

"Don't just look around," Tonks groaned. "You're a wizard! Use the human revelio charm."

"It's not,'... The screams and howls the villagers used to hear were made by me. "

"And a couple of other students over the years," Albus said softly. "Not many mind you."

He pushed his graying hair... and if I hadn't been so foolhardy. . . "

"That's not fair," Sirius said. "You shouldn't blame yourself."

He looked sober and tired... She was watching Lupin very intently.

Mrs Granger didn't look very impressed. Why was Hermione allowed to interrupt but not the boys?

"I as a very small boy when I received the bite... wait for the moon to wane again.

Several people glanced at the werewolf. That still didn't sound good. "Is it painful?" Theo asked.

Remus blinked. "Yes. Like every bone in my body is breaking and reforming in a matter of seconds. It's excruciating. I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

"I'm sorry, sir," Theo said. "That sounds awful."

Remus brushed off the concern. "Advances are always being made. Perhaps one day we'll find a cure."

Of course, he didn't say what he actually thought. That it would only happen if the wixen world came to care for people like him. Something he didn't see happening any time soon.

"Before the Wolfsbane Potion was discovered... want their children exposed to me.

No one dared say anything. Even those that disliked werewolves because they'd come to realise that losing Harry's favour might be bad for them.

"But then Dumbledore became Headmaster... stop anyone coming across me while I was dangerous. "

"Wards would probably have been better," Bill grumbled. That tree had no business being on school grounds.

"Or better yet," Rookwood said, "escort him through the floo network to another location entirely."

"We really should have forests designated specifically for werewolves," Harry said. "Where they can go and spend the full moon, safely warded to keep humans out and them in. Then they could run free."

Remus smiled at the young man and was surprised to hear many in the chamber murmur their agreement. He would have expected werewolf rights to be a sticking point. There was an awful lot of prejudice in their world.

Harry couldn't see where this story was going... so I bit and scratched myself instead.

"Did you want to bite people?" Daphne asked, nervously.

"It's so much a desire or want as an instinct," Remus tried to explain. "Humans are our natural prey. A free werewolf that doesn't come across a human will likely wake up with a mouthful of feathers or fur. Small creatures like rabbits and chickens are pretty fair game for a werewolf."

The villagers heard the noise... the villagers don't dare approach it. . . . "

"Well, it wasn't empty the entire time," Albus said. He had to admit he'd quite enjoyed helping those rumours along.

"But apart from my transformations... James Potter. "

"Finally!" Sirius sighed. "You finally acknowledged you were friends with James."

"Now, my three friends... Hermione, worked out the truth. . . . "

"Like we'd ever abandon you," Sirius gruffed.

"And they didn't desert me at all... They became Animagi. "

"Right under my nose," Minerva said, shaking her head.

"Sorry, Minnie," Sirius said cheekily, making the older woman blush.

"My dad too?"... three years to work out how to do it.

"Well, it is very advanced magic!" young Minerva huffed. It wasn't an easy task.

Your father and Sirius here were the cleverest students in the school,

Severus scoffed. They were clever enough he supposed. But he and Lily were the ones competing for the top spot in potions, not to mention Severus had always been one of the best at defense. Charms was Lily's too. He'd admit they were good at transfiguration though.

and lucky they were... Finally, in our fifth year, they managed it.

"FIFTH YEAR?" Minerva looked close to fainting.

They could each turn... they kept me company as animals," said Lupin.

"They didn't?" Young Mrs Weasley couldn't believe her ears.

"A werewolf is only a danger to people... I became less dangerous.

"How is that even possible?" Amos asked, almost eagerly.

"I still don't understand it," Remus said. "I think it was about acceptance. With a pack, the wolf is more docile."

My body was still wolfish, but my mind seemed to become less so while I was with them. "

"Amazing," Tonks said.

"Hurry up, Remus,"... roaming the school grounds

"That was highly irresponsible!" Mrs Weasley said crossly. What if they'd stumbled across a person?

Remus couldn't even look at Albus. The older wizard hadn't said anything but he could just imagine the disappointment he'd see there.

and the village by night... Sirius is Padfoot. Peter is Wormtail. James was Prongs. "

The adults were all looking disapproving but the kids thought the whole thing sounded like some big adventure.

"What sort of animal -?" ... What if you'd given the others the slip, and bitten somebody?"

"Hermione! Harry was talking," Mr Granger said. "While I understand your concern, you can't just talk over people like that."

Hermione grimaced. She hadn't even noticed that she'd done it.

"A thought that still haunts me,"... carried away with our own cleverness. "

Albus sighed. "You were children. Children rarely truly understand the consequences of their actions."

"I sometimes felt guilty about betraying... And I haven't changed. . . "

"You didn't make us become animagi!" Sirius growled. "That was our choice. And it was usually us talking you into the more reckless stuff."

Lupin's face had hardened... and Dumbledore's trust has meant everything to me.

"Remus," Dumbledore said softly, "while your actions were unwise, I don't blame you for them. You were trapped in that house. I should have come up with a better solution."

He let me into Hogwarts as a boy... Snape's been right about me all along. "

Severus frowned. His older self wasn't right. Not really.

"Snape?"... a trick which involved me -"

Sirius grimaced. He didn't want to talk about this again.

Black made a derisive noise... hoping he could get us expelled. . . . "

"I don't think that," Sirius said, looking at Severus, his eyes beseeching.

"Severus was very interested in where I went... didn't like each other very much.

"Understatement," Severus and Sirius said in unison.

He especially disliked James... the Quidditch field. . .

Severus scoffed.

anyway Snape had seen me crossing the grounds... Snape glimpsed me, though, at the end of the tunnel.

The adults all glared at Sirius.

He was forbidden... he knew what I was. . . . "

"I should have been expelled," Sirius said shortly.

"Yes, you probably should have been," Albus said. "But I've always believed in giving people second chances. And Remus should not have to suffer for your actions."

"So that's why Snape doesn't like you,"... his wand pointing directly at Lupin.

"Oh, great," George grumbled. "Just what we need more pre-teen drama from the adults. We're never going to hear the end of this story."

"That's the end of the chapter," Flitwick said.

"How many chapters are left?" Blaise asked eagerly.

"Four more."

"Can we keep reading?" young Theo asked.

"Absolutely not," Mrs Weasley said. "It's time for your potion lesson with Professor Snape."

Ron groaned. "You know he's only going to make us prepare ingredients again."

"Half the work is in good ingredient preparation, Ronald," Hermione retorted.

Chapter End Notes

Another chapter over! Hope you enjoyed it...

A Minor Explosion

Chapter Summary

Harry has a minor argument...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

After dinner that evening everyone returned to the main chamber for another lecture, but Lucius was sitting, gazing into the fireplace.

"You realise that when we finish this book tomorrow," he began, cutting into multiple conversations, "we'll be nearly half way through these books."

Everyone gaped at him. He wasn't wrong. Book Harry was nearly half way through his Hogwarts education already.

"We should probably begin to think about what changes need to be made," he said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps this should be discussed after the children have gone to bed," Mrs Weasley suggested haughtily.

"Why?" Harry asked, working hard to mask his fury. "They're going to know everything we know when we go back anyway."

"I was including you in that, Harry my dear," Mrs Weasley said.

"Mum, you can't be serious!" Ron exclaimed.

"I'm not a child," Harry said, wishing he didn't sound quite so petulant. "Haven't you learned anything from these books? Keeping me in the dark is a mistake. And what's more you have no right. I'm of age. I have a right to know what's going on."

"And in case anyone has forgotten," Lucius said coolly, "Harry is Magic's Chosen. He is our reigning monarch. No decisions should be taken without his support."

"They are children!" Mrs Weasley huffed.

"I haven't been a child since..." Harry began. He wasn't sure when he stopped being a child. Perhaps around the time Quirrell died? But his entire so called childhood had been a clusterfuck of disaster and he wasn't willing to repeat it if things weren't going to change. "If I'm old enough to fight in a war, I'm old enough to put the world I live in, the world I fought for, THE WORLD I DIED FOR, back together again."

"I never wanted you to fight!" Mrs Weasley said stubbornly.

"Guess what, Mrs Weasley. Life isn't fair. We often don't get what we want." Harry could feel his temper rising. He wasn't going to be able to control it for much longer. Was she seriously trying to push him out of this?

"Harry stays," Sirius said sternly.

"Well. Of course, you'd say that," Mrs Weasley huffed.

"Enough, Molly," Arthur said with a sigh. "You've expressed your concern. But Harry is not your son and as he's already stated he is an adult and can make up his own mind."

"But Arthur!"

Harry laughed. "You don't get it, do you?"

Mrs Weasley blinked at him.

"You're part of the problem," Harry said coldly. "You're so hell bent on wrapping everyone in cotton wool that you can't contemplate that sometimes the best defense is being prepared. You just want the children to sit back and let the adults do everything, but it didn't work in the war and it isn't going to work now."

"And why is that, Harry?"

"Because you don't see the issues," Harry said. "You don't see how your own actions make the problems worse. Not better."

"I hardly think I'm to blame for all this," Mrs Weasley grumbled.

"WE ALL ARE!" Harry shouted, his temper finally getting the better of him. "YOU! ME! LUCIUS FUCKING MALFOY! WE'RE ALL THE SAME. WE'RE ALL TO BLAME!"

Mrs Weasley looked ready to explode with anger. Harry had never shouted at her like that before.

"Perhaps we should table this discussion for tomorrow after we finish the book," Albus said, trying to soothe the situation.

"I really don't think there's anything to discuss," Sirius said. "Harry is the Prince. That's all there is to it. We shouldn't be trying to exclude him. Instead we should be feeling damn well grateful that he's willing to include us in his plans for our world."

"Here here!" several of the younger ones called out.

"He'll be eleven when he goes back," Mrs Weasley said.

"But I'm almost eighteen now," Harry countered.

"You won't be able to do anything when you're eleven, Harry," Mrs Weasley said. "Don't you see that. Your main job will be going to school, getting a good education and having fun."

"Right. But that doesn't mean that adult me can't help decide what the other adults will do before I can make changes myself. Or are you telling me you're all just going to sit on your hands until I finish school?" Harry was seething. It was taking all his energy not to scream at the woman.

"Of course not. But that's for the adults to decide!"

"I'M AN ADULT FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!" Harry shouted. "WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT ABOUT THAT FOR YOU TO COMPREHEND?" Harry turned on his heals and left the chamber.

"Just to clarify," Lucius said, his voice dripping honey, "My family and I will not discuss any changes to our world without the prince present."

Then he and his younger self guided their family out of the chamber.

Andromeda got to her feet. "Neither will mine."

The entire Tonks family left the chamber too.

Surprisingly, Albus followed next, the two Abe's close on his heels.

One by one, everyone left the chamber until only a handful of people remained.

"Do you get it now?" Sirius asked. "We got it wrong. Harry is Mother Magic's Chosen. The one we are supposed to follow. Not you. Not fucking Albus Dumbledore. And its about time you realise that."

He then followed the others out of the chamber.

Soon Arthur was left alone with his wife. He shook his head in disappointment.

"Don't give me that look, Arthur," Molly said, huffing lightly.

"I don't know what you expected, Molly dear," Arthur replied.

"They're children."

"Except they're not. They've seen things. Things I'd rather they hadn't. Done things they probably wish they hadn't. They fought in a war. They're young, yes. But they're not children."

Molly glared at him, her eyes shining slightly. "I won't lose them too."

"Do you really think that's going to happen?" Arthur asked. "When we leave here we're not going back to a battlefield. Who knows what will happen but you only have to look about this place to know what that young man is capable of. Because of him and Mother Magic, You-Know-Who is sitting in the same room as Albus Dumbledore and no curses have flown yet. Death eaters are eating meals with order members. It's absurd. But do you really think our world will be anything like the one we just left?"

She shook her head.

"But we have to use this time wisely," Arthur continued. "It's a gift from Mother Magic herself. And we must not squander it. Harry has ideas. Real ideas that could change everything. You heard him talk about werewolves and primary schools... He wants to change things. Don't try and hinder that. That boy's been downtrodden enough in his first life. I won't let it happen this time around too. Not even by my wife."

"I wasn't trying to..."

"I know. But the end result is the same," Arthur said as gently as he could. "Harry is right. We are part of the problem and until we start thinking differently, acting differently, that isn't going to change."

With that, he kissed his wife on the forehead and left the chamber.

Chapter End Notes

Well... Mrs Weasley has good intentions but that isn't always enough.

The Servant of Lord Voldemort Part 1

Chapter Summary

DAY TWENTY-TWO IN THE CHAMBER

Our characters get closer to finishing the third book...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Things were tense in the chamber the following morning. Sirius had informed Harry about the mass exodus after his argument with Mrs Weasley and Harry had been glad to hear that the other adults had seemed to see his side of things. Even if Mrs Weasley didn't. He was actively keeping his gaze away from where the Weasley parents were sitting, still too angry to talk to her.

Hermione screamed. ... he'd received a huge electric shock.

"What's that?" Blaise asked Theo.

Theo shrugged. "Something muggle?"

"I found this... "Very useful, Potter, I thank you. . . . "

Sirius almost laughed. James would be rolling in his grave to learn Snape had ever used his cloak.

Snape was slightly breathless... so I took a gobletful along.

Remus suddenly got to his feet. "Wait! It's not the full moon, right?"

He looked at Harry and was horrified to read the answer right there on his face.

"I didn't drink my potion. You all need to leave. It's not safe," Remus said, beginning to pace, clearly panicked now.

And very lucky I did... I saw you running along this passageway and out of sight. "

Severus groaned. Was he really such a dunderhead that he didn't consider the real danger they were all in?

"Severus -" ... use this old place as your hideout -"

Remus paced the chamber. Severus wondered if a calming draught would help at all. Werewolves were notorious for being unaffected by many medical potions.

"Severus, you're making a mistake... a tame werewolf -"

"There's no such thing," Remus growled.

"You fool," ... "Give me a reason to do it, and I swear I will. "

"Ropes won't hold me for long if I transform," Remus said. "You all need to leave."

Black stopped dead... showed more hatred.

"I don't hate you," Sirius muttered.

"I know that, mutt," Severus replied, his voice surprisingly tinged with warmth.

Harry stood there... what they've got to say, w-would it?"

"Why aren't you all leaving?" Remus demanded angrily, his eyes flashing amber.

"Miss Granger, you are already facing suspension... For once in your life, hold your tongue. "

"Technically, you could say Weasley was kidnapped," Sirius countered.

"But if - if there was a mistake -"... Hermione fell silent.

Mr Granger had to remind himself that the man in the chamber had not said these things to his daughter. But he promised himself he'd be keeping a closer eye on her this time around.

"Vengeance is very sweet,"... "I'll come quietly. . . . "

Severus grimaced. He didn't quite understand what this chamber was doing to them. Was there some sort of mind altering magic in the air or something? He'd always hated Black and yet now, he couldn't seem to imagine hating him again. It really was strange. If it wasn't for his own occlumency shields he'd think someone had him under the imperius curse. Or a compulsion at the very least.

"Up to the castle?" ... pleased enough to give you a little kiss, I daresay. . .

Severus looked like he might vomit. He didn't want that. Perhaps he might have done, had they not come to this chamber. Had Black not apologised. But this Black. His Black. Didn't deserve the kiss.

What little color there was... He seemed beyond reason.

"Anger and resentment will do that to a person," Claudius muttered. "It clouds all reason."

"Come on, all of you,"... Perhaps the Dementors will have a kiss for him too -"

Several people gasped in horror. How could he talk so callously about the dementor's kiss in front of children?

Before he knew what he was doing... "If I hadn't been here to save your skin -"

Harry actually rolled his eyes. "I like you, Professor. And I respected your older self. He did safe my life a lot. But this is not one of those times."

"Professor Lupin could have killed me... "Get out of the way, Potter. "

"Oh, Harry's going to blow," George murmured.

"YOU'RE PATHETIC!" ... YOU WON'T EVEN LISTEN -"

Severus grimaced.

"SILENCE!... like son, Potter!

"Everyone is always comparing me to him," Harry grumbled. "I've never even met him. How can I be anything like him? You know what, Professor."

Severus looked at him, his eyebrow raised.

"You've influenced who I am more than my father ever did," Harry said. "So, if your older self doesn't like who I've become he only has himself and the other teachers to blame."

There was truth in that, Severus had to admit. He nodded. He wanted to say that his older self was a fool for not liking the young man but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not without saying far more than that.

I have just saved your neck... you might be mistaken in Black -

"I didn't trust Sirius but I wanted answers," Harry said with a sigh. "I wanted to make sure that I knew the truth one way or the other."

- now get out of the way... a split second.

Severus knew what was coming. He was about to be attacked by a student and his older self would not be impressed. This would end very badly indeed.

"What is wrong with the lot of you?" Remus cried, dropping back onto the sofa. "You're in a room with a werewolf on the full moon. One who has not taken his potion. And you're all acting like it doesn't matter."

"I'm sorry, Remus," Harry said, taking the werewolf's hand in his own.

Before Snape could take even one step ... He had been knocked out.

"You're lucky you all cast at the same time," Severus said. "You'd never have taken me down otherwise."

"I know, Professor," Harry said with a small smile.

Harry looked around... "You shouldn't have done that," said Black, looking at Harry.

"I still can't believe we attacked a teacher," Hermione whispered.

Her parents were staring at her in shock.

"You should have left him ... he'd done the right thing.

"That's fair," Sirius said with a sigh.

"We attacked a teacher... "Oh, we're going to be in so much trouble -"

A round of laughter echoed through the chamber at the sound of Hermione panicking.

Lupin was struggling against his bonds... where the ropes had cut into them.

"Don't untie me, you fool!" Remus grumbled.

"Thank you, Harry," ... Ron clutched Scabbers closer to his chest.

"I thought they were bloody mental," Ron said defensively.

"Come off it," ... which one he is after if he was locked up in Azkaban?"

"Good question!" Moody growled.

"You know, Sirius... there, on Ron's shoulder, was Scabbers.

"The minister gave you the paper!" one of the children cried out.

"How did you get this?" ... to where Harry was. . . "

Sirius sank into the sofa in relief. He wasn't just there for revenge. He wanted to protect Harry from Peter.

"My God," ... "What about it?" said Ron defiantly.

Everyone stared at the book in awe.

"He's got a toe missing," ... and sped down into the sewer with the other rats. . . . "

Amelia frowned. She needed to get Black and Pettigrew a trial as soon as they returned. Well, after she removed Potter from his relative's house. She would need to send Alastor, Kingsley and Tonks to the Burrow to contain the rat.

"Didn't you ever hear, Ron?" ... "Didn't you ever wonder why he was living so long?"

"Very long for a common garden rat," young Hermione muttered.

"We - we've been taking... Sirius was on the loose again..."

The younger ones were getting restless. This book had a lot more talking in it than the others had. And they'd already found out most of this during their time in the chamber.

"He's been scared of that mad cat!" ... since the time when Black had escaped. . . .

Tonks groaned. "Just cast the anti animagus spell already."

"This cat isn't mad," ... and he's been helping me. . . "

"He's still a menace," someone muttered.

"What do you mean?" ... As I understand it, he took them from a boy's bedside table. . . "

"See!" Neville said. "I didn't leave it lying around."

"I'm deeply sorry, Mr Longbottom," Minerva said with a sigh.

Harry's brain seemed to be sagging... Well, faking his own death had worked once. "

"Called it!" Sirius smirked.

These words jolted Harry to his senses... like you killed my parents!"

Everyone sighed. They were going round in circles. And the danger was getting more pronounced by the second. Remus could transform at any moment.

"No," said Lupin... with an evil look at Scabbers.

Sirius sighed. His older self really wasn't helping himself. He glanced towards the mind healers. Perhaps he should schedule an appointment… Azkaban had clearly stunted his emotional maturity. And yes, Severus's potion was helping but he needed to make sure he was the best possible parent for Harry.

"Then I should've let Snape take you!" Harry shouted.

"I deserved that," Sirius said.

"No you didn't." Harry wrapped his arms around his godfather.

"I did. Because I was thinking about revenge," Sirius said gently. "I'm really sorry, Harry. You are far more important than any revenge I could ever get."

"Harry,"... Sirius tracked Peter down -"

Everyone stayed quiet. You could practically hear the tension in the chamber.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!"... HE SAID HE KILLED THEM!"

"I as good as did," Sirius said. "It was my blasted idea to use Peter."

He was pointing at Black... use him as Secret-Keeper instead of me. . .

"See, it was my fault," Sirius whimpered.

I'm to blame, I know it... and their bodies...

Several people had tears in their eyes.

I realized what Peter... Ron, give me that rat. "

"Yes. Prove it once and for all," Amelia said with a huff.

"What are you going to do... it won't hurt him. "

"Get on with it, Ron," young Percy said. He wanted that rat gone as soon as possible.

Ron hesitated... his wet eyes suddenly seemed to be burning in his face.

Everyone leaned forward eagerly. So far they'd just taken Harry's word for it that the rat was in fact an animagus. Now they'd finally have proof.

"Together?" ... THREE!"

Silence reigned in the chamber as they all anticipated what would happen next.

Chapter End Notes

Drop a comment. I'd love to know just how many people are reading this story. xo

The Servant of Lord Voldemort Part 2

Chapter Summary

Everyone continues reading The Servant of Lord Voldemort.

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

A flash of blue-white light... a speeded-up film of a growing tree.

All the purebloods exchanged confused looks. What the hell was a film?

A head was shooting upward... Harry saw his eyes dart to the door and back again.

"I can't believe it," Minerva muttered. It was one thing being told it. Albus had assured her it was true after Sirius re-joined the order. But it was something else to hear about it first hand like this.

"Well, hello, Peter,"... "My friends. . . my old friends. . . "

Sirius and Remus both growled.

Black's wand arm rose... He tried to kill me, Remus. . . . "

Sirius's eyes darted to the mantel. How he'd like to finish the rat once and for all.

"So we've heard," ... You've got to help me, Remus. . . . "

Albus blinked. How was all this happening without his older self being aware? Surely, someone must have realised that Harry and his friends were out of bed by now? Or that Severus was missing?

Black's face looked more skull-like... "When nobody has ever done it before?"

Kingsley rose a single brow at that.

"He's got dark powers... taught him a few tricks!"

"Lying little good for nothing..." Sirius mumbled under his breath.

Black started to laugh... "Voldemort, teach me tricks?" he said.

Even Tom wanted to laugh at that. His feats of magic were not mere tricks. And he did not share.

Pettigrew flinched ... His whole face was shining with sweat now.

"No. They weren't," Lucius said. "They blamed Peter. Thought he'd betrayed the cause. Of course, not everyone knew he was a death eater. But those who did..."

"You haven't been hiding... They all think you're dead, or you'd have to answer to them...

"Cousin Bella had a thing or two in store for Wormy," Sirius said vindictively. He had heard her rant about him in Azkaban. In fact, he may have egged her on, telling her all about Peter's grand escape.

I've heard them screaming... If they ever got wind that you were still alive, Peter -"

"He'd be dead," Lucius said with a decisive nod.

"Don't know... would want to spend twelve years as a rat," said Lupin evenly.

There was a murmur of agreement rippling through the chamber.

"Innocent, but scared!" ... the spy, Sirius Black!"

Sirius's eyes hardened. He silently begged Mother Magic to let him finish him off.

Black's face contorted... me and Remus. . . and James. . . "

Remus almost laughed. That was true enough. Peter was always hanging on their coat tails. He would laugh if he wasn't still insanely worried that they'd all die because they were foolish enough not to escape while they still could. He couldn't believe his older self was being so foolish. He was putting Harry and the others in danger.

Pettigrew wiped his face again... telling Voldemort you could hand him the Potters. "

Harry glared at the mantel too now.

Pettigrew was muttering distractedly... can I say something?"

Everyone wondered what the girl could possibly want to say.

"Certainly, Hermione," ... how come he never tried to hurt Harry before now?"

Moody rolled his eyes. "No motive. He thinks his old master is gone."

"There!" ... you could see what was in it for you.

Moody nodded. It made sense.

Voldemort's been in hiding... Keeping an ear out for news, weren't you, Peter?

The Weasleys looked unimpressed at this. They were all glaring at the mantel too.

Just in case your old protector... he had never seen anything quite like her.

"She called me Mr Black!" Sirius laughed loudly. "I don't think anyone's ever done that."

"If you don't mind me asking... He seemed to be pondering his answer.

"I wouldn't have been able to if I wasn't an animagus," Sirius said gruffly, "I imagine."

"I don't know how I did it," ... but it kept me sane and knowing who I am. . .

"Sane enough, at least," Sirius said sharply.

helped me keep my powers. . . I had no hope of driving them away from me without a wand. . . . "

Amelia needed to make sure they got rid of the dementors. She'd talk to Heir Potter about it first of course, but she couldn't imagine he'd disagree with her that they had to go.

"But then I saw Peter in that picture... He'd be welcomed back with honors. . . . "

Moody nodded his head. He could easily see it happening that way. Damn, they really had been too carefree with Potter's safety. To think he'd been sharing his dorm room with a death eater for three years!

"So you see,... You fly as well as your father did, Harry. . . . "

Sirius smiled at that. He'd have to make sure he never missed a match.

He looked at Harry... Throat too tight to speak, he nodded.

"You believed me?" Sirius sighed in relief.

"Of course, I did," Harry whispered back. "You're my godfather."

"I'm your dad," Sirius corrected. "Dad number two. I'd like to say I'm the better of the two, but sadly that would be a lie. Your father was a thousand times the man I am."

"No!"... without you touching them," said Black.

Severus choked on his laughter. That was the sort of thing he'd say.

"Remus!"... "Forgive me, Remus," said Black.

"Nothing to forgive," Remus muttered. "Protecting James, Lily and Harry came first."

"Not at all, Padfoot, old friend,"... "Shall we kill him together?"

"YOU CAN'T!" Mrs Weasley screeched, before glancing at Harry. She didn't want to anger him again. "Not in front of the children," she whispered.

"Yes, I think so," ... you're on my side, aren't you?"

"Get away from my son," Arthur said in a deadly cold voice.

But Ron was staring at Pettigrew... it's not much to boast about, Peter," said Black harshly.

Ron looked like he wanted to be sick. He didn't like thinking about Scabbers. Even though this had all happened years ago.

Ron, going still paler with pain... backed away against the wall, looking horrified.

Hermione glared at the rat in his cage.

Pettigrew knelt... HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT JAMES IN FRONT OF HIM?"

Sirius looked livid. His hand was itching for his wand.

"Harry," ... he would have shown me mercy. . . "

Harry frowned. He didn't know what his dad would have done. He still didn't know if he'd made the right decision that night.

Both Black and Lupin ... "Do you deny it?"

"He should really be brought before the wizagmot for trial," Amelia said with a sigh.

Pettigrew burst into tears... He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named forced me -"

Sirius scoffed.

"DON'T LIE!"... "Only innocent lives, Peter!"

"Peter didn't care about that," Sirius said crossly.

"You don't understand!" ... AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!"

Harry closed his eyes. His feelings were waging a war in his stomach. Had he made a mistake?

Black and Lupin stood shoulder to shoulder... "NO!" Harry yelled.

The entire chamber went suddenly quiet. They were all staring at Harry now.

He ran forward... but don't kill him. "

Amelia smiled. She knew she was right about him.

"Harry!" ... I don't reckon my dad would've wanted them to become killers - just for you. "

Sirius made a sound half way between a laugh and a cry.

No one moved ... "But think. . . think what he did. . . . "

"It was your decision," Sirius said gently, "and you made the right one."

"You think?" Harry asked.

"I know," Sirius murmured. "You're a good man, Harry Potter."

"He can go to Azkaban,"... "That's all, I swear. "

"You should also cast anti animagi enchantments on the ropes," Tonks said. Personally, she wouldn't have tied him up at all. She'd have stunned him and floated him back to the castle in chains but ropes would have to do, it seemed.

Harry stepped out of the way... nodded so that Pettigrew could see him.

Sirius couldn't be more proud of his pup. He was a better man than he was. A better man than most.

"Right,"... we just strap your leg up until we can get you to the hospital wing. "

Poppy smiled at that. Too many people thought they were competent at mediwizardy.

He hurried over to Ron... "Thanks. "

Both sets of Weasley parents smiled at Remus.

"What about Professor Snape?" ... "You were just a little - overenthusiastic.

A couple of people laughed at that including Severus.

Still out cold... tucked it safely into his pocket.

"You're all forgetting something," Remus growled. "It's still the bloody full moon."

"Sorry," Harry said, feeling abashed.

"It wasn't your fault, Harry. It was my responsibility to take the potion and I should have made the decision to stay in the shack. The blame lies with my older self."

"And two of us should be chained to this,"... "And me," said Ron savagely, limping forward.

Mrs Weasley whimpered. Now her son was chained to the werewolf.

"That really isn't the wisest idea," Moody said gruffly.

Black conjured heavy manacles from thin air... his bottlebrush tail held jauntily high.

"Well, that's that then," Flitwick said. "Next chapter... oh dear."

"What?" everyone asked.

"The title of the chapter is The Dementors Kiss."

There was a sudden intake of breath as everyone sat a little straighter, feeling highly unnerved.

Chapter End Notes

We're very very close to the end now... How excited are you for book 4?

The Dementors Kiss

Chapter Summary

The chamber is all a panic as Harry is nearly kissed...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Harry had never been part of a stranger group... Harry and Hermione brought up the rear.

Remus couldn't believe they were being so foolish. He was a werewolf and it was the full moon. They could all die and it would all be his fault.

He wished he could strangle his older self.

Getting back into the tunnel was difficult... Black was making no effort to prevent this.

Sirius glanced at Severus, biting his lip slightly. He hadn't done it but he still felt bad.

Severus merely rolled his eyes as if he expected nothing less.

"You know what this means?" ... "You're free," said Harry.

Everyone smiled. Even Harry. This time around things would be different. Sirius would really be free. And young Harry wouldn't have to return to the Dursleys.

"Yes. . . " ... "If anything happened to them. . . "

Severus rolled his eyes. He imagined his older self would be grateful he was knocked out for this awkward conversation.

Emotions had never been his strong suit.

Harry waited... "Leave the Dursleys?"

For a split second, I thought everything might be better, Harry hissed.

Young Harry smiled sadly at him. Would his life be just as awful as his older self's was? He really hoped not.

"Of course, I thought... When can I move in?"

The mind healers sighed. That was a giant red flag. And chances are because Sirius was just out of Azkaban and unhealed, he would most likely miss it.

He would be too busy imagining the future he himself craved.

Black turned... Black didn't seem to care.

Sirius actually blushed. It was ridiculous. He couldn't work it out. Why was the idea of his older self hurting Severus Snape in such a way so... disappointing. It wasn't like it was the first time he'd ever done anything to hurt the other man. He'd like to believe he'd just grown up or he was a better man but he had a sneaky suspicion it was neither of those things. And instead it had everything to do with caring about Snape. Maybe he was just grateful. The man had been tirelessly supplying him with calming draughts after all. And he had made him that special potion to fight off the effects of Azkaban and the dementors. He owed Severus for that. That must be it. It wasn't that he actually liked Severus or cared about him. He was just grateful.

And he'd listened to him ramble on last night... Yes. It was gratitude and nothing more.

Except it didn't feel like gratitude...

"You want to?"... laughed at Harry's parents' wedding.

Severus almost smiled. His occlumency shields helping him to force his facial muscles to stay still.

They did not speak again... At last, all of them were out.

"Time to get to the castle and fast," Amelia said forcefully. Her heart was racing. Between the title of the chapter and the fact that there was a werewolf and a murderer with them, she was seriously close to panicking about the children's safety. And she didn't panic. Not ever.

The grounds were very dark now... the convict they'd seen on television.

"They'd probably throw a party," young Harry muttered.

"After leaving the country," Harry added. They'd no doubt be terrified that Sirius would come after them.

"One wrong move, Peter,"... Their party was bathed in moonlight.

"That's not good," Remus whimpered.

Snape collided with Lupin... He flung out one arm to make Harry and Hermione stop.

Everyone sat in silence, tension rippling about them. Remus was breathing harshly. This was his worst nightmare. And he couldn't bare to hear what was about to happen. He was certain he must have hurt them. It didn't matter that he knew Harry and the others were there, safe and sound in the chamber with him. Images of what he could have done, what he would have done, without the potion, ran through his mind. His eyes flashing amber, he stood abruptly once more and almost made to dart out of the room. He couldn't listen to this.

But Tonks came to stand beside him. "It's okay," she said soothingly. "Everything will be okay."

He looked at her, his eyes wide with pain, trying to believe that she was right. But how could she be? He was a monster. This was why he wasn't a teacher. Why he kept his distance from Harry.

He'd never forgive himself if he attacked James and Lily's son. He'd never forgive himself if he bit another human. But Harry... the mere idea of that was too much. And he crumpled in on himself, collapsing back into his seat. Tonks sat on the arm of his chair and wrapped an arm around him. She wasn't sure what she was doing. Lupin was a complete stranger to her but she couldn't watch him suffering like this.

"It's going to be okay," she said again, not knowing what else to say.

Remus lowered his head into his hands and tried to stem the tears that were threatening to fall.

"You didn't hurt us," Harry said, coming to sit on the floor before Lupin. "I promise."

Lupin raised his head to look at Harry. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I can't believe I didn't take my potion. I put you in danger."

"It's okay," Harry said gently.

"It's not!"

"You haven't done it," Harry said. "No one else is getting berated for the things they haven't done yet. What makes you any different?"

Remus frowned. Didn't Harry understand how dangerous he was?

"You haven't done it," Harry said again, his voice firm.

Harry could see Lupin's silhouette... He's not safe!"

Draco rolled his eyes. What was with Granger and pointing out the obvious?

"Run," ... "Leave it to me - RUN!"

It was like everyone on mass forgot how to breathe as they all held their breath. Would Harry actually let an adult deal with the problem before them? Would he trust Black, a man he'd just met, in a way he hadn't trusted a single adult in his entire life? It didn't seem likely. Mrs Weasley was crying heavily now. Why hadn't they been told about this? So much of Ron's time at Hogwarts had been kept from them. And she wasn't sure who she was supposed to be angry with. Dumbledore and the teaching staff? Ron and his friends for keeping so many secrets? Remus for being a werewolf and endangering her son?

There was a terrible snarling noise... jaw to jaw, claws ripping at each other.

Remus closed his eyes, wishing he could block out the sound of the book. He cursed his enhanced hearing not for the first time in his life.

Harry stood, transfixed by the sight... Pettigrew had dived for Lupin's dropped wand.

"NO!" several people shouted.

Ron, unsteady on his bandaged leg, fell... Lupin's wand flew high into the air and out of sight.

"Well done, Harry," Charlie said almost breathlessly.

"Stay where you are!" ... heard a scurrying through the grass.

"He's getting away!" Daphne cried.

There was a howl and a rumbling growl... Pettigrew transformed!" Harry yelled.

"Never mind that," Mrs Weasley cried. "You're all in danger."

She glanced at Sirius. Why hadn't he ever told her that he saved her son's life?

Black was bleeding... but he didn't seem to recognize them.

Mrs Weasley grabbed Ron by the collar and pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly.

"I don't know... still hanging, unconscious, in midair.

Severus rolled his eyes. Some protection his older self was.

"We'd better get them up to the castle... a dog in pain. . . .

Remus whimpered. He'd hurt Sirius.

"Sirius," ... Black was in trouble -

"Absolutely not, Harry!" Sirius groaned. "Your life always comes first. Do you hear me?"

Harry grimaced. Sirius didn't know what he was asking him. Harry had seen his Sirius die once already. He'd do everything he could to make sure that never happened again.

Harry set off at a run... felt the cold without realizing what it must mean -

"No. Absolutely not," young Mrs Weasley cried out. "They can't come onto the grounds again. They wouldn't... Dumbledore will stop them. Surely..."

Albus almost laughed bitterly. People really did think too highly of him.

The yelping stopped abruptly... they were encircling them. . . .

"Oh, god," Astoria sobbed, curling into her big sister's side.

"Hermione, think of something happy!"... I'm leaving the Dursleys.

"Come on, Harry," Sirius murmured. "You can do it. I know you can."

He forced himself... Expecto patronum!"

Remus laughed bitterly. "It won't work. Without Pettigrew, Harry must have known that dream was already dashed."

Black gave a shudder... Expecto patronum!"

There was no way the girl would be able to master such an advanced spell under such terrible conditions. They were thirteen. This was an impossible task. One they were guaranteed to fail. Draco looked even paler than usual as he stared at the book, almost in disbelief that even without the Dark Lord attacking Potter, the boy was still going to almost die. The only reassurance he felt came from the knowledge that the blasted lion was sitting on the floor, clutching Remus's hand. He had survived. Somehow he'd done it.

The other Slytherins weren't fairing much better. They were all staring at Harry in wonder. Could he really cast the patronus spell against a hundred dementors?

Tom Riddle was staring at Potter. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. His ears were practically ringing with fear. It was something of a first for him, feeling fear for someone other than himself. And he wasn't sure he liked it.

"Expecto... "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

"It won't work," young Luna said sadly. "But it's okay. A protector will come."

A thin wisp of silver ... completely alone. . . .

Story of Harry's life. He was always alone. This was nothing new.

"Expecto ... It made a gesture as though to sweep the Patronus aside.

Remus scrunched up his face as if in pain.

"I'm only alive because of you, Remus," Harry whispered, his tone harsher than he meant it to be.

"You mean you did it?" Remus asked, bewildered.

"No. Well, not exactly. But you teaching me that spell saved my life that night," Harry said. "I'd say I owe you a life debt but I know you'd never accept it."

"That's not how life debts work," Remus huffed, momentarily distracted. "I was your teacher. It was my job to teach you."

Harry laughed. Remus reminded him so much of Hermione in that moment it was impossible not to.

"No - no -" ... and lowered its hood.

Sirius was whimpering now as Severus poured another calming draught down his throat.

Where there should have been eyes... the sound of a death rattle.

One of the girls actually screamed.

A paralyzing terror ... His Patronus flickered and died.

For the first time, it felt like time truly had stopped in the chamber as they all listened avidly.

White fog was blinding him... he heard the familiar screaming...

Remus pulled Harry up and into his arms. He could stop himself. He needed to know that his cub was okay. That he was safe. That he was whole. That he still had his soul.

expecto patronum... She was going to be the last thing he ever heard -

Harry could hear several people crying now. But he ignored them as he tried to comfort Remus. "This isn't your fault."

And then, through the fog that was drowning him... The blinding light was illuminating the grass around him...

"Someone else cast a patronus?" Remus asked. "Who?"

"Is it Dumbledore?" young Ron asked. He was the only one he imagined could be strong enough to repel a hundred dementors.

The screaming had stopped... to a halt as it reached the opposite shore.

"What was it?" young Theo asked. "Who cast it?"

For a moment,... raising his hand to pat it...

"WHO?" everyone cried out in frustration, now the danger had been removed.

someone who looked strangely familiar... his head hit the ground as he fainted.

"That can't be it!" Blaise shouted. "Who was it?"

"How could you faint right when we were about to find out who cast the patronus, Potter!" Draco grumbled.

Harry laughed at that. "You'll find out in the next chapter."

"Someone familiar?" Seamus wondered aloud. "A teacher perhaps?"

"Or another student?" Dean added.

"Can you cast a patronus in your werewolf form, Professor Lupin?" Theo asked.

"No, Mr Nott. That would certainly be an incredible feat." Remus laughed but his eyes were still somewhat hollow.

Chapter End Notes

So... what do you think??? I actually really loved writing this chapter, so I really really hope you loved it too.

Hermione's Secret Part 1

Chapter Summary

Our characters are getting closer and closer to finishing the third book...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Shocking business... by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape. . . "

Severus expression was pinched. His older self hadn't exactly done anything. If anything his presence had been a hindrance rather than a help.

"Thank you, Minister. "... First Class, if I can wangle it!"

Severus actually laughed. This was ridiculous. As if Fudge was about to award a known death eater with an Order of Merlin! The idea was laughable.

"Thank you very much... "No!"

Severus rolled his eyes. His older self loved trying to destroy people's opinion of Potter. He hadn't exactly been looking forward to Potter coming to Hogwarts but he'd like to believe he hadn't already decided what the young boy would be like before he even arrived at the school. Had Draco influenced his opinion, told him lies about the incident on the train? That certainly wouldn't have encouraged Severus to think well of Potter. But even then... it had seemed in the first book like Severus had decided his opinion upon his very first glance of the boy. Was it simply because he looked just like his father?

"Black had bewitched them... a possibility he was innocent.

"Liar," Severus muttered under his breath.

They weren't responsible for their actions.

"How magnanimous of you," Sirius teased.

On the other hand... catch Black single-handed.

"I think you actually believed that, Professor," Harry said.

They've got away... amount of license by the headmaster -"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Your older self gave Fudge an arsenal of weapons to use against me."

Severus frowned. He was supposed to protect the boy. Not make his life harder.

"Ah, well, Snape. . . I try and treat him like any other student.

Minerva tutted. If these books were anything to go by, that was not true.

And any other student would be suspended... consorting with a werewolf and a murderer -

"You make it sound like Harry wanted to..." Fred began agrily.

"Find Black," young George finished. "And if you didn't want him consorting with a werewolf, the school shouldn't have hired one."

- and I have reason to believe ... The boy has undoubtedly been foolish. . . . "

Harry rolled his eyes. He hadn't done anything wrong. Except perhaps attack his teacher.

Harry lay listening with his eyes tight shut... what made them retreat, Snape?"

"Not Snape then," Moody muttered to himself. He wanted to know who cast that patronus.

"No, Minister... bound and gagged Black,

"Kinky," Sirius murmured. "Didn't know you were into that sort of thing, Severus."

It took all of Severus's occlumency skills to stop his face taking on the colour of a tomato. He tried his very best to remain looking indifferent. It was getting harder, the more time he spent with Black.

Harry looked like he might actually vomit, having also heard his godfather.

naturally, conjured stretchers... Ron's red hair was visible beneath Madam Pomfrey's arm.

"I'm considering getting you a sign for that bed, Mr Potter," Madam Pomfrey said chidingly.

Harry moved his head over on the pillow... It looked like a small boulder.

"Chocolate is the best remedy for dementors," Madam Pomfrey said matter-of-factly. "So of course, I had a large supply that year."

"Ah, you're awake!" ... you'll be staying here until I'm satisfied you're -

"You were all very lucky to be alive," Poppy said, shaking her head. She'd always had a soft spot for Harry.

Potter, what do you think you're doing?"... "I need to see the headmaster," he said.

Sirius grimaced. "As much as I appreciate your concern, at least eat the damn chocolate first."

"Potter," ... performing the kiss any moment now -"

Poppy frowned. "I had meant that to be reassuring. It obviously had the opposite effect, given the circumstances."

"WHAT?"... has he had any chocolate?" he asked Madam Pomfrey anxiously.

Poppy glared at the book, wishing that Minister Fudge was in the chamber to hear a piece of her mind.

"Minister, listen!"... You can't let the Dementors do that thing to Sirius, he's -"

"Wait! You told the minister the truth?" Amelia asked hotly.

"Of course, I did," Harry blustered. "Not that he listened."

But Fudge was shaking his head... "YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!"

Amelia could not believe it. Just how low could this man sink. Not to even listen when someone was trying to... Her thoughts trailed off. That was it. The minister would be out of office within the year of their return or she would... Well, she wasn't sure what she would do but it wouldn't be pretty. Threatening Lord Black with the kiss was tantamount to attempted murder, seeing as how he had been illegally imprisoned in the first place.

"Minister, listen, please," ... Black's done a very good job on them..."

Severus frowned. Had his older self not believed them or was he really so caught up in hating Black that he hadn't even considered the possibility that they might be speaking the truth?

"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" ... "If they'd just listen -"

"No one ever does," Harry said. "I don't make a habit of lying, you know. And yet when I tell people the truth, they never believe me."

Ron and Hermione both nodded before feeling suddenly shamed. They fell into that category too sometimes. They hadn't believed him about Malfoy in sixth year. And Ron hadn't believed him about the tournament in fourth year.

But Madam Pomfrey suddenly... force him back onto the bed.

"I'm sorry, Potter," Pomfrey said. "I should have checked you for spells. I took Severus's word for it." She hadn't even paused to consider that the potions master might not have actually checked them for compulsions.

"Now, please, Minister... Headmaster, I must insist -"

"I swear it's a circus every time Mr Potter spends time in the hospital wing," Poppy muttered.

"I'm sorry, Madam Pomfrey," Harry said softly.

"It's not your fault, dear." Her eyes softened. "It's those pesky adults and they should know better."

"My apologies, Poppy... Pettigrew being alive -"

Every sighed in relief. Dumbledore would save the day. Harry rolled his eyes at just how naive they all were.

"That, indeed... I see any sign of him on the grounds. "

"Like I'd have had a chance, being unconscious," Severus complained.

"That was because you were knocked out... we must make allowances -"

"There were easy enough ways to prove it," Kingsley said.

"We couldn't use veritaserum on children," Amelia sighed, "but we could have questioned Black under the potion. Asked the children for their memories. Ran an actual investigation instead of the minister just deciding to play judge, jury and executioner."

She was really struggling to understand just how much the minister had overstepped his authority. And not just this once either. But the year before too.

"I would like to speak to Harry and Hermione... "I must insist. "

Poppy glared at Albus. She still didn't like how he'd forced her out of her own hospital.

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips... Dumbledore, I'll see you upstairs."

"So much for not letting Dementors into the school," Charlie muttered.

He crossed to the door... You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?"

"That hardly changes the fact that he's innocent of the crime he was imprisoned for," Severus muttered.

"My memory is as good as it ever was... it wasn't Sirius -"

Everyone waited eagerly to hear if Dumbledore would believe them. He was chief warlock, he could demand a re-trial. The minister wouldn't like it but he'd have to go along with it. At least long enough for the wizagmot to determine if there was in fact grounds for a re-trial. Amelia was thinking rapidly. There would be grounds too, if Black was to be believed and he never actually had a trial in the first place. In fact, they weren't just taking his word for it. His inheritance test had proven he was still eligible for his lordship and as such had never been convicted of any crimes before the wizagmot.

But Dumbledore held up his hand ... proof to support Black's story, except your word -

Amelia gaped at this. There was time to find evidence if he would just call in the DMLE!

and the word of two thirteen-year-old... Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper."

Everyone was staring at the book in disbelief. Wasn't Dumbledore going to fix this? He had to.

"Professor Lupin can tell you... the fact that he and Sirius are old friends -"

Remus frowned, his stomach churning with self loathing.

"But -"... we have no chance of overturning Sirius's sentence. "

Amelia shook her head. This was wrong. All the adults seemed to be incapable of making logical decisions. What was Dumbledore playing at?

"But you believe us. "... or to overrule the Minister of Magic..."

"You do when he's overstepping his jurisdiction," Moody growled angrily.

"You do when there's a crime being committed," Amelia argued.

Harry stared up into the grave face... "is more time. "

Bill gaped at the book. The headmaster wasn't suggesting what he thought he was suggesting, was he?

"But -" ... You - must - not - be - seen. "

"Stop the book," Minerva said sharply.

Flitwick did as she bid, feeling overwhelmed by shock himself. Even Molly Weasley was sitting in silence as if she couldn't believe her ears. Severus looked on the verge of exploding and Sirius was gaping as he stared at the headmaster.

Bode groaned. This was why his department was so particular about the use of timeturners. The risks of such an action were...

"Did he really just tell a couple of thirteen-year-olds to break international law?" Rookwood said, his tone cold.

Bode nodded his head. There were treaties in place concerning the use of turn timers. If this were to get out... There'd be uproar.

No one else was speaking. They were utterly beside themselves. Silenced into a stuper by their shock.

"While I clearly don't want to be kissed," Sirius said, gritting his teeth, "what in the world possessed you Albus to..."

He couldn't finish the sentence. Albus himself was looking scandalised.

"Why the hell didn't you do it yourself?" Minerva demanded angrily, her Scottish brogue even more obvious in her temper.

"Or better yet," Amelia said, "call in the DMLE!"

Everyone was glaring at the headmaster now. And he was blinking rapidly, unable to fathom that he had just encouraged... No. Instructed two third year students to break the law. Not just that but to risk their lives doing so. Had he even considered the potential threat to time itself?

Bode grimaced. "You arrogant fool," he said quietly. "Have you no respect for the magic of time?"

Albus frowned. He had no answer for that. Clearly his future self didn't.

"Perhaps we should continue reading," Harry suggested. "As reasonable as your anger is everyone, this Albus hasn't done it yet."

"But he would!" Remus growled. "And that's bad enough."

Harry sighed. "There are things I've done that I wouldn't want future Harry to take the heat for."

"The difference is you are a child," Severus said almost gently. "The headmaster knowingly endangered your's and Miss Granger's life. Not to mention all the other risks he disregarded by encouraging you to mess with time travel."

"Harry, take the time turner out of it for a moment," Sirius said. "There were dementors, a deatheater and a werewolf on the grounds that night and he was sending you back out there."

"I get why you're angry," Harry said with a grimace. "It makes me angry too. I just don't see the point in blaming this Albus. The point of doing this, isn't so we can just berate each other for things we haven't necessarily done yet. It's so we can learn from them and prevent them in the new timeline."

"Perhaps we could leave the berating until the end of the chapter," Tonks suggested. Everyone glared at her too now. "Personally, I'm all for shouting myself hoarse at the man but we do need to finish the chapter and we should make sure we know the whole story so we know everything we're shouting about."

The other adults in the chamber could see the logic in that and so settled back into their seats but their severe expressions remained. There would be consequences for this.

Harry didn't have a clue... three turns should do it. Good luck. "

Remus and Sirius growled at the headmaster, who was looking decidedly nervous.

"Good luck?" ... very fine gold chain.

"Aren't you even going to answer him?" Mrs Granger grumbled. She wasn't happy. Based on what all the wizards in the chamber were saying her daughter was about to do something highly illegal. She could hardly believe it. "If you expect Mr Potter to break the law with you, you aught to at least make sure he knows what he is doing!"

Hermione frowned. She hadn't even thought about that. Dumbledore had told her what to do and so she'd just done it.

"Harry, come here,"... chain around his neck too.

Sirius glared at the girl. He didn't like this one bit.

"Ready?" she said breathlessly.

"Clearly not," Severus said. "Since he has no idea what you're about to do."

"What are we doing?" ... hourglass over three times.

Mr Granger stared at his daughter in shock. "I believe Hermione that we will be having to revisit our conversation about autonomy and perhaps even the conversation we had about the birds and the bees when you were twelve."

"W-w-what does this have to do with that?" Hermione asked blushing.

"Consent, Hermione!" Mr Granger struggled to control his temper. "It isn't just a word that matters when you're talking about sex."

Mrs Granger reached over and took her husband's hand, gently trying to remind him to keep his temper. He was usually so mild mannered.

Her husband took a breath before continuing, "If your friend does not know what you are doing, they cannot consent to take part in it."

The dark ward dissolved... he tried to yell but couldn't hear his own voice -

"It is quite disconcerting the first few times," Bode said. Time would tell just how bad the consequences would be. There was no point worrying over spilled time sand now.

And then he felt solid ground... "Hermione, what -?"

Hermione's parents continued to glower at her.

"In here!" ... "Three hours back. . . "

"Surely, you'll explain a bit more than that," Mrs Granger huffed.

Harry found his own leg... yes, I think it's us going down to Hagrid's!"

The younger kids eyed the book eagerly. This was so cool.

"Are you telling me," ... Harry wanted a few questions answered.

"Perfectly understandable," Sirius said, folding his arms.

"Where did you get ... I've been doing several lessons at once, see?

Everyone gaped at her. Bode in particular wasn't looking impressed. "The rules, Miss Granger. At least make sure he knows the rules."

He couldn't help but think it might be time to rethink the policy that allowed underage wix to use timeturners for their education.

But... How's that going to help Sirius?"

"That's Dumbledore for you," Severus grumbled. "Never one to share information."

Harry stared at her shadowy face... "We just heard ourselves leaving. . . . "

Bode sighed. That was an unnecessary distinction. And now wasn't the time to argue about tenses. What mattered was that she'd forced the boy to participate in time travel without even a by your leave or an induction into the very strict rules in place.

Harry frowned; ... "Hermione, we're going to save Buckbeak!"

Moody smirked. The boy was quick. He might not agree with Albus's actions but he could certainly appreciate how Potter's brain worked.

"But - how will that help Sirius?"... they can escape together!"

Tonks groaned. "This is so illegal," she murmured, her head in her hands. She couldn't even imagine how much trouble they'd be in if they got caught.

From what Harry could see ... it'll be a miracle!"

Bode definitely agreed with the girl. This plan was far too reckless. And guaranteed to fail.

"Well, we've got to try... We must be nearly at Hagrid's by now!"

Sirius groaned. He might have to find someway to track Harry's every move while he's at Hogwarts. Otherwise he might actually have a heart attack. That's if he even ended up going to Hogwarts. Sirius was honestly thinking his young charge might be better home schooled. Of course, he'd have to discuss it with Harry first. He wouldn't make Molly Weasley's mistake and treat him like a child. He'd already proven in these books just what he was capable of.

Still working out what she meant... And Harry heard his own voice.

"Weirdest thing ever," Harry said.

"It's us... "We need to get nearer to Buckbeak!"

Everyone was sitting forward, anticipating what would happen next. They couldn't believe that this would actually work. Bode was struggling to control his panic, tapping his foot almost manically on the chamber's floor.

They crept through the trees ... We've got to wait until they've seen he's tied outside!"

"Good plan," Moody said gruffly.

"Won't give them much time though," Tonks replied.

"That's going to give us about sixty seconds,"... "I'm going to find Scabbers in a moment -"

"Can't you just run in there and grab Scabbers?" young Ron asked.

Bode groaned. "That would be a terrible idea. They would be seen and most likely cause a time paradox. That's if they lived."

Sure enough, a few minutes later... we just run in there and grab Pettigrew -"

Bode sighed. This was why you couldn't use time magic without a proper induction. The boy's lack of knowledge about time magic and it's rules was going to be a liability.

"No!" ... Nobody's supposed to change time, nobody!

"Well, at least you know it," Bode said. He couldn't understand what had possessed her to obey her headmaster when he told her to break international time law.

You heard Dumbledore... some Dark Magic going on -"

"Two perfectly reasonable explanations," Rookwood said.

"Exactly! ... killing their past or future selves by mistake!"

Mr and Mrs Granger both paled. "Why were we not asked to give consent for her using this timeturner?" Mr Granger asked. "Surely, if it is so dangerous, as her parents, we had the right to know."

The teachers all frowned, glaring at Minerva. "Technically as Miss Granger is a muggleborn..."

"We might be muggles, but we're still her parents!" Mr Granger said tersely.

Madam Bones was nodding in agreement. Technically, Minerva was correct. As Miss Grangers parents were muggles, her magical guardian - presumably her head of house - had the power to make that decision for her, but they should have at least been consulted on the matter. Even if it was only a courtesy.

"Okay!" ... "We're about to come out!" Hermione breathed.

The adults were all holding their breath. The younger children however were eagerly lapping up the story, completely forgetting that this was real life, even if it hadn't happened yet and also completely unappreciative of the very real danger involved. Andromeda noticed this and realised that they would now need to have a lecture on time magic. Perhaps Bode would be willing to do the honours. Time magic did seem to be his area of expertise.

Chapter End Notes

Sorry about the delay with this chapter. I've been really unwell in the last week and so unable to write. I'm still not 100% but will try and get this book finished asap.

Hermione's Secret Part 2

Chapter Summary

The characters finish the penultimate chapter.

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

And sure enough... and watching himself in the pumpkin patch.

Bode nodded. He could remember his first time using time magic. That feeling never really left you.

"It's Okay, Beaky... throw the Invisibility Cloak over him and Ron.

Everyone sat forward. This could all go horribly wrong and very quickly.

"Go quick... staring out at Buckbeak.

"Right, so he's seen Buckbeak," Remus said. "You're not going to have much time."

"Especially if he stays at that damn window," Moody growled.

Then they heard Fudge... It was now or never.

Everyone in the chamber seemed to hold their breath in anticipation.

"Wait here," ... and approached Buckbeak.

Hagrid frowned. He really hoped Harry remembered how to approach Buckbeak or this could all end horribly.

"It is the decision... rope tying Buckbeak to the fence.

"Well done, Harry," Sirius said quietly.

". . . sentenced to execution... Buckbeak had dug in his front feet.

"That's not good," Hagrid groaned.

"Well, let's get this over with," ... I don' wan' him ter be alone -"

Several people glanced pityingly towards Hagrid.

Footsteps echoed... "You need to sign too. "

Amelia frowned. Did Dumbledore know what was going on even then? Surely not. But he did seem to buying them time.

The footsteps stopped... "Harry, hurry!" she mouthed.

Several people in the chamber looked like they might be on the verge of a panic attack.

Harry could still hear... "They might hear us. "

They all sighed in relief. They'd done it.

Hagrid's back door had opened... "I saw it! Just here!"

The twins looked ready to sing a little song about the disappointed executioner.

"How extraordinary,"... a note of amusement in his voice.

Amelia glared at the headmaster. Yes, the man was highly suspicious.

"Beaky!"... Beaky, yeh clever boy!"

"That was fortunate," Bode muttered.

Buckbeak started to strain... "We should search the grounds, the forest. "

"He has wings," Fred said. "What's to say he didn't fly off?"

"Macnair, if Buckbeak has indeed been stolen... "Search the skies, if you will.

Amelia tutted. She couldn't deny she was happy the hippogriff wasn't unduly executed but still... this was all so highly illegal.

Hagrid, I could do with a cup of tea... and then silence once more.

"I believe that was the easy part," Bode murmured.

"Now what?" ... Oh, this is going to be difficult. . . . "

The adults clearly agreed with her. This was not a task for two teens.

She looked nervously over her shoulder... or we won't know what's going on. "

"Good idea," Moody growled.

"Okay," ... Harry, remember. . . . "

Several people looked like they wanted to tell Hermione to stop badgering Harry but Bode was nodding in agreement. It was imperative that they not be seen.

They moved around the edge of the forest... "Gotcha! Get off, you stinking cat -"

The younger ones looked less impressed that they'd have to listen to this part of the story all over again.

"There's Sirius!"... "We're in."

The adults eagerly anticipated what would happen next. Although they imagined it would mostly be a lot of waiting.

The moment they disappeared... making their way up to the castle.

That was surprisingly close. If they'd waited only a moment longer they could have had adults helping them. Amelia rolled her eyes. Fudge and Macnair wouldn't be much help at all.

"Right after we'd gone down into the passage!... Macnair to murder Sirius on the spot. . . . "

Amelia couldn't help but wonder if the boy was right.

They watched the four men... Clouds were obscuring the moon completely.

"That was fortunate," Remus moaned. He couldn't believe how foolish his older self had been.

They watched Lupin ... Snape'd never be able to get it and -"

Bode sighed. This was why you weren't supposed to try and change time. Adding more time to your day was one thing, especially when you go into that day knowing you'll have the extra time. But this... This was reckless. The only argument he could make is that Dumbledore already knew Buckbeak had somehow escaped and so suspected they'd used the timeturner to rescue him, and that's why he'd suggested it. The fact that Buckbeak hadn't been confirmed to be executed was the only reason any of this was possible without creating a paradox.

"Harry, we mustn't be seen!"... "I'm going to grab the cloak!"

"NO HARRY!" the adults all shouted as one.

"Harry, no!"... A large bottle was swinging from his hands.

Bode sighed in relief. That had been close.

"See?" Hermione whispered. ... His head drooped sadly.

Hagrid looked close to tears as he remembered how relieved he'd felt that night.

Barely two minutes later... "Get your filthy hands off it," Harry snarled under his breath.

Severus frowned. He knew a lot of his students didn't like him. But to think Harry at thirteen hated him. And it was all his own fault.

"Shh!"... he put on the cloak.

"Definitely not something to leave lying around," Moody muttered.

"So that's it,"... arms around her knees.

The kids all sighed. This book had a lot of sitting around and talking.

"Harry, there's something I don't understand... there were so many of them. . . . "

"That's what we all want to know," Draco groaned. "Who cast the patronus?"

Harry sat down too... "A real Patronus. A powerful one. "

"But who cast it?" Theo asked.

"But who conjured it?"... but how could it have been?

"WHO?" several people demanded in frustration.

"Didn't you see what they looked like?" ... to drive all those Dementors away. . .

"That's true," Tonks said quietly.

If the Patronus was shining so brightly... I passed out right afterward. . . . "

They were all leaning forward now eager to hear who Harry thought it was.

"Who did you think it was?"

The mind healers glared at the book. It wasn't fair to try and force it out of him. He was clearly upset about whatever he'd seen.

"I think -" ... "I think it was my dad. "

The chamber was suddenly quiet. No one knew quite what to say.

Harry glanced up at Hermione... a mixture of alarm and pity.

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Harry, your dad's - well - dead," she said quietly.

"And you say I lack tact," Ron muttered.

"I know that," ... I've got photos of him. . . . "

No one said anything. Sirius tightened his grip on Harry.

Hermione was still looking at him... "I know it sounds crazy," said Harry flatly.

"Not crazy," Claudius said. "Your parents sacrificed themselves to save you. It makes sense that in a moment of genuine danger you would see them as your protector."

He turned to look at Buckbeak... for a moment, before he'd lost consciousness. . . .

The mothers all had tears in their eyes and Harry refused to look at anyone. He didn't want their pity.

The leaves overhead... "Here we come!" Hermione whispered.

"Finally," muttered young Lee Jordan.

She and Harry got to their feet... There's nothing we can do... "

The adults glared at Albus. This was an unreasonable expectation to put on a thirteen year old Harry.

"So we're just going to let Pettigrew escape... "All right!"

Sirius glared at the book. He didn't appreciate the way she was constantly telling Harry what to do. Yes, of course, they needed to keep the rules, but they'd already broken the law. It was perfectly reasonable for Harry to find this situation frustrating.

The moon slid out from behind its cloud... "We've got to move!"

The change in tone made everyone sit up a little higher. Something was wrong.

"We mustn't,... right at us!"

Mrs Weasley let out a hoarse sort of cry.

Hermione gasped... They could hear the werewolf howling behind them...

Remus had gone pale and looked ready to vomit.

The cabin was in sight... "That was really close!" she said to Harry.

Sirius was drinking yet another calming draught.

"Yeah... we won't know when it's time -"

"That's a terrible idea!" Mrs Weasley grumbled.

Hermione looked up. Her expression was suspicious.

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"I'm not going to try and interfere,"... and the Dementors. "

The adults were all nodding in agreement. This seemed like a terrible idea. The kids on the other hand seemed to think it was a brilliant adventure. Young Harry might be the only exception. He was hiding his face in his godfather's side.

Harry stepped outside... appearing at any moment...

George eyed the adults. He didn't think he could get away with placing bets on this.

For a fraction of a second he stood... He had to know. . .

Hermione eyed Harry, her eyes tear-filled.

And there were the Dementors... his own attempts at a Patronus -

Sirius and Remus both drew in a sharp breath. They'd worked it out.

There was a bush... "Where are you? Dad, come on -"

Albus had tears in his eyes now.

But no one came... but no one was coming to help this time -

"Your rescuer is already there," young Luna said knowingly.

And then it hit him... he had seen himself -

Bode frowned. Oh, this could be so bad.

Harry flung himself out... They were gone.

"AMAZING!" several people cried.

"At only thirteen!" Tonks cried excitably.

"Unprecedented," Amelia whispered, awe clear in her voice.

The Patronus turned... It was a stag.

Sirius and Remus exchanged a look. James.

It was shining brightly... "Prongs," he whispered.

More than one person was crying now.

But as his trembling fingertips ... "You said you were only going to keep a lookout!"

Sirius tutted. "He just saved your life."

"I just saved all our lives... That's very, very advanced magic. "

Remus shook his head. He couldn't believe it.

"I knew I could do it this time,"... he moved them away toward the castle.

"Looks like your older self was more respectful with my body than my older self was with yours," Sirius said to Severus. "Sorry about that."

Severus brushed it off.

"Right, it's nearly time,"... before anybody realizes we're missing... "

"This is the difficult part," Amelia groaned.

They waited... He's gone to get the Dementors!

"It's time then," Moody growled.

This is it, Hermione -"... He nudged Buckbeak's sides with his heels.

Both of Hermione's mums looked like she wanted to scream.

Buckbeak soared straight into the dark air... toward the upper floors of the castle...

"Lucky he followed your directions," young Hagrid said. "They don't tend ter do that."

Harry pulled hard... was able to tap sharply on the glass.

"Bloody lucky they got the right window," Bode said between gritted teeth.

Black looked up... "Alohomora!"

"A first year spell?" Amelia actually laughed. If that worked, she'd say this whole thing was the minister's own fault.

The window sprang open.

The aurors all groaned as one. As happy as they were that an innocent man wasn't about to be kissed, they couldn't help but be disappointed in the level of security.

"How - how -?"... onto the Hippogriff behind Hermione.

"This is insane," Draco said in bewilderment. He knew Potter got up to a lot, but this was just... mental.

"Okay, Buckbeak, up!"... they'll find out you're gone. "

"No time to waste," Moody agreed.

Buckbeak pawed the ground... Quick - go -"

Mrs Weasley gave Sirius a watery smile for caring about her son.

But Black was still staring... "We'll see each other again," he said.

Sirius smiled at that. This time he'd be free and would spend plenty of time with Harry.

"You are - truly your father's son, Harry. . . "

Severus looked like he wanted to say something about that but he held it back. He didn't think Harry was at all like his father.

He squeezed Buckbeak's sides... They were gone.

The kids all cheered. Finally something good had happened.

Professor Flitwick glanced at the book. "There's only one more chapter."

"I guess we can finish the book before lunch," Mrs Weasley said with a sigh as she glanced down at her watch.

"Aren't we going to shout at Headmaster Dumbledore?" Tonks asked Kingsley under her breath.

"I imagine that will wait until we've finished the book," he said with a chuckle.

Chapter End Notes

So... what do you think?

Owl Post Again

Chapter Summary

Our characters finish the third book...

Chapter Notes

BOLD = Bookquotes

ITALICS = Parsel

UNDERLINE = Younger Version of a Character

Character List

Don't forget to check out the series tumblr.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Harry!"... before Dumbledore locks the door -"

"Yes, the danger isn't over yet," Remus said sternly.

"Okay," ... "The Kiss will be performed immediately?"

Albus glared at Severus. Why would he presume he'd make things difficult? Just because he wouldn't want an innocent man to be executed! His older self was clearly senile if he thought this was okay but still...

"As soon as Macnair returns... exactly how you saved him. . . . "

Amelia was furious. Fudge wanted to execute a man just because he was embarrassed?

Harry clenched his teeth... then they heard a cackling ahead.

"Peeves!" the twins cried out in horror.

"Peeves!" ... broke into a run again.

Bode could not believe how lucky these children were. That's presuming they made it back in time.

"Hermione - what'll happen ... "One minute!"

Amelia considered the question. "It could result in criminal charges."

They had reached the end of the corridor... "Sirius has gone, on Buckbeak. . . . "

Everyone glared at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore beamed at them... Am I allowed to look after my patients now?"

Madam Pomfrey was livid. She resembled a dragon about to breathe fire.

She was in a very bad mood.

"Of course I was in a bad mood!" Poppy grumbled.

Harry and Hermione thought it best to accept their chocolate quietly.

"Good idea," Sirius murmured.

Madam Pomfrey stood over them... What do they think they're doing?"

Everyone seemed to be counting down until whoever was shouting burst into the ward.

"My money's on Fudge!" Lee said.

"Nah, it's definitely Snape," George said with a shrug.

Harry was trying to hear ... When this gets out -"

Amelia groaned. The man was a literal moron. "This is why you call in the aurors when you have a criminal locked in the castle."

She wasn't sure why she was bothering. It was clear that calling law enforcement was not a priority for these teachers. They were just so used to playing vigilantes. Maybe that was the problem. They'd let the Order of the Phoenix get away with too much during the war. And as for Fudge... There were no words for him.

"Hey!" Sirius grumbled.

"Even if you were innocent, they should have called in aurors," Amelia said. "For one thing, I imagine we were all eager to know how you escaped Azkaban. And you'll never be free without a trial!"

"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!"... THIS - HAS - SOMETHING - TO - DO - WITH - POTTER!"

A couple of people chuckled, Severus included, although he did his best to hide it.

"Severus - be reasonable... he looked as though he was quite enjoying himself.

That earned the headmaster several glares.

Fudge appeared angry... "Control yourself!"

Severus frowned. He thought he had more control than this.

"See here, Snape... "You're talking nonsense!"

A couple of lions smirked. They loved the idea of getting one over the Slytherin bat. Severus, however, looked ready to have his older self committed.

"YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER!" ... any point in troubling them further. "

"Surely, the entire staff knew Granger had a timeturner?" Remus said shrewdly.

"Either my older self has forgotten in his fury or he's not quite insane enough to accuse them of breaking international law," Severus said thoughtfully. He was personally leaning towards the former.

Snape stood there... "I'd watch out for him if I were you, Dumbledore. "

A couple of people laughed. He'd been singing the man's praises not ten minutes ago.

"Oh, he's not unbalanced,"... I'll be a laughingstock!

"He already is a laughingstock!" Moody huffed.

Well. . . I'd better go and notify the Ministry... Perhaps we should think about dragons at the school entrance. . . . "

Hagrid looked momentarily excited at the thought.

Tonks laughed. "He's actually lost his mind."

"Hagrid would like that," ... helping himself to some more chocolate.

Everyone sat in bewilderment. How had that crazy plan worked?

When Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the hospital wing... Bin celebratin' all night!"

Hagrid grinned at Harry and Hermione. He really couldn't thank them enough for saving his Beaky.

"That's wonderful!" ... but Lupin says he never ate anythin' las' night. . . . "

Remus sank into his seat in relief.

"What?" ... He's packin' now, o' course. "

Severus gave Remus an apologetic expression. That really had been quite vindictive.

"SEVERUS!" several of the younger teachers exclaimed in shock.

"He hasn't done it yet," reminded Harry.

"He's packing?" ... Says he can't risk it happenin again. "

"And he's not wrong," Remus said with a sigh. It was much too dangerous. His older self had that much right.

Harry scrambled to his feet... there's anything we can do -"

"He can say goodbye," George said, shaking his head. Sometimes those two could be rather stupid.

"I don't care... It was the Marauder's Map.

"Please tell me he didn't give you that map back," Minerva groaned.

Harry smirked, saying nothing.

"I just saw Hagrid,"... loss of the Order of Merlin hit him hard.

"Yeah, that's what it was," muttered Sirius and Severus.

So he - er - accidentally... That must never happen again. "

Several people in the chamber looked like they agreed with him. Harry glared at them all. He agreed that Remus should have been more careful. He probably shouldn't have been on the grounds at all for the transformation, but it wasn't a reason not to be allowed to teach. Greater protection was all that was needed.

"You're the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!" said Harry. "Don't go!"

"That's true enough," Theo said. Blaise nodded his agreement.

"Better than Umbridge," Draco said.

Lupin shook his head... Tell me about your Patronus. "

Everyone smiled at the reminder of Harry's incredible feat of magic.

"How d'you know about that?" ... that's why we called him Prongs. "

"It is incredible that your patronus took his form," Sirius murmured softly.

Lupin threw his last few books into his case... find uses for it. "

Minerva frowned.

Harry took the map... never found any of the secret passages out of the castle. "

"That's true," Sirius chuckled. "He'd have been mighty disappointed."

There was a knock on the door... "Your carriage is at the gates, Remus," he said.

Everyone who had had Remus for a teacher looked sad to see him leaving in the book. He really had been their best DADA teacher.

"Thank You, Headmaster. "... Lupin wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

"I'm not the best at goodbyes," Remus admitted.

"Good-bye, then, Remus,"... proud of yourself after last night. "

Mrs Weasley huffed. She didn't like the way Dumbledore always encouraged the children's recklessness!

"It didn't make any difference," ... You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. "

There was a murmur of agreement around the chamber but it was subdued. They couldn't understand why Dumbledore didn't step in as Chief Warlock. Not to mention, he really shouldn't have directed two underage students to break the law.

Terrible... stranger than usual, you mean?"

A couple of people laughed. Professor Trelawney looked highly offended.

"Yes... was she making a real prediction?"

Professor Trelawney smiled. Finally she had proof that she was a real seer. Even if she couldn't really share it with anyone.

Dumbledore looked mildly impressed... I should offer her a pay raise. . . . "

"He did too," Sybil said with a smile. "Not that I knew why at the time."

"But -" ... That makes it my fault if Voldemort comes back!"

"Hardly!" Amelia said sharply. "You did the right thing. Sometimes even doing the right thing has bad consequences. That is often the cost for good behaviour."

"We don't know the outcome of our actions," Claudius nodded. "We just have to do our best to follow our own sense of right and wrong."

"And the law," Amelia added pointedly.

"That too," Claudius conceded. "Although even the law and our own moral compass clash sometimes. That inevitably always leads to issues."

"It does not," ... You did a very noble thing, in saving Pettigrew's life. "

"It's certainly not something to be ashamed of," Remus said gently.

"But if he helps Voldemort back to power... his servant in the debt of Harry Potter. "

Several people nodded, Tom included.

"I don't want a connection with Pettigrew!"... very glad you saved Pettigrew's life. "

Harry smiled. That life debt had saved his life once. He didn't regret it anymore. Not really.

Harry couldn't imagine... "He would have saved Pettigrew too, I am sure of it. "

"Yes, he would have," both Sirius and Remus agreed.

Harry looked up at him... you have your mother's eyes. "

Everyone was quiet again.

Harry shook his head... Prongs rode again last night. "

Sirius and Remus exchanged a look. This might actually be the best end of year conversation Albus had had with Harry so far.

It took a moment ... You found him inside yourself. "

"Our lost loved ones are always within us," young Luna said.

And Dumbledore left the office... he and his father had been outwitted by a gamekeeper.

Lucius rolled his eyes. He'd felt relieved when he learned of the hippogriff's fate.

Percy Weasley... his girlfriend, Penelope.

Amelia actually laughed. Her department had absolutely nothing to do with this fiasco.

Though the weather was perfect... "Maybe a vampire," suggested Dean Thomas hopefully.

"Or a death eater," Dean muttered under his breath.

It wasn't only Professor Lupin's departure... it was now impossible.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Sirius muttered.

"Not your fault," Harry said.

The exam results came out... itching to place them around Harry's throat.

Severus eyes widened in horror. That was it. He was booking a slot with the mind healer.

Percy had got his top-grade N. E. W. T. s.

The Weasleys all cheered.

Fred and George had scraped a handful of O. W. L. s each.

More cheers from the Weasleys.

Gryffindor House... I've decided to drop Muggle Studies. "

"That's a good idea," Tonks said. "To be completely honest, you could probably sign up for self study and pass without trying."

"But you passed your exam with three hundred and twenty percent!" said Ron.

"How is that even possible?" the Grangers all asked.

Most people shrugged. They had no idea.

"I added my own questions and then answered them," Hermione said with a shrug.

"Why would you do that?" Ron asked, completely baffled.

"I know," ... "We're supposed to be your friends. "

"You do realise you don't have to tell your friends everything," Mrs Weasley said. "Hermione is welcome to keep her secrets and you can keep yours."

This looked like it was news to Ron and Hermione. Harry, however, just rolled his eyes.

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone,"... "Oh, cheer up, Harry!" said Hermione sadly.

"Easy for you to say," Sirius muttered.

"I'm okay," ... Dad can usually get tickets from work. "

All the younger ones sat up a little straighter at that. It would be awesome to hear about the world cup.

This proposal had the effect ... though nothing with chocolate in it.

"Yes, I imagine you've all had enough chocolate to last a life time," Sirius said.

Remus looked personally offended.

But it was late in the afternoon ... "It's from Sirius!"

"Thank goodness he's safe," young Andromeda sighed in relief.

"What?" ... "See! I told you it was from him!"

Multiple people rolled their eyes.

"Yes, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" ... permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends.

Everyone smiled at that. It wasn't fair that Harry had to stay at the castle. Just because his muggle family were abusive.

"That'll be good enough for Dumbledore!" ... "Keep him?" he said uncertainly.

Mrs Weasley looked surprised. She'd never learned where Ron got the owl from. "Thank you, Sirius."

Sirius shrugged. It wasn't like he'd done it yet.

He looked closely at the owl for a moment... "He's mine. "

All the gryffindors laughed.

Harry read and reread the letter... "If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another -"

Sirius and Remus growled.

"It's not," ... "You haven't got a godfather!"

"Shows what he knows," Sirius muttered angrily.

"Yes, I have,"... check if I'm happy . . . "

Moody barked a laugh at that. "Clever! Well done, Potter."

And, grinning broadly at the look of horror... a much better summer than the last.

"Well, that was..." Flitwick didn't quite know how to describe that book. So much had happened and he hadn't know about any of it. "A surprise," he settled for in the end.

"Time for lunch," young Mrs Weasley said, ushering everyone down the hall to the dining room.

"Wait!" Tonks muttered to the other aurors. "We still haven't all shouted at old Dumbles."

Young Kingsley laughed. "There's still plenty of time after lunch."

The chamber was deserted when there was a sudden flash of light and a new book appeared on the coffee table.

Chapter End Notes

All finished. Don't forget to drop some kudos if you haven't already and make sure you're subscribed to the series so you get updated when I start book 4.

Not a Chapter - Character List 3

Chapter Summary

Just a quick reminder who is in the chamber at the end of book 3/ start of book 4.

Chapter Notes

If you haven't already, drop some kudos and make sure you're subscribed to the series to be the first to hear when book 4 starts.

Characters coming from the Battle of Hogwarts:

Hogwarts Students:

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

George Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Percy Weasley *although he's technically no longer a student

Susan Bones

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Oliver Wood *although he's technically no longer a student

Seamus Finnigan

Lee Jordan *although he's technically no longer a student

Dean Thomas

Angelina Johnson *although she's technically no longer a student

Theodore Nott

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Foreign School Students:

Viktor Krum *although he's technically no longer a student

Fleur Delacour *although she's technically no longer a student

The Adults in Harry's Life:

Molly Weasley

Arthur Weasley

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Hogwarts Professors:

Filius Flitwick

Minerva McGonagall

Pomona Sprout

Poppy Pomfrey

Rubeus Hagrid

Sybill Trelawney

Other Adults:

Narcissa Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy

Andromeda Tonks

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Augusta Longbottom

Xenophilius Lovegood

Garrick Olllivander

Antonin Dolohov

Augustus Rockwood

Rita Skeeter

Amos Diggory

Mrs Diggory

Mr Granger *although he doesn't remember who he is.

Mrs Granger *although she doesn't remember who she is.

Saul Croaker

Galenius Everleigh - OC

Claudius Everleigh - OC

Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).

Abeforth Dumbledore

Stan Shunpike

Florean Fortescue

Tom Riddle

Other Children:

Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy *although she's an adult by this point - OC

Characters coming from a few months before Harry starts Hogwarts:

Hogwarts Students:

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Ginny Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Luna Lovegood

Percy Weasley

Susan Bones

Neville Longbottom

Blaise Zabini

Oliver Wood

Seamus Finnigan

Lee Jordan

Dean Thomas

Angelina Johnson

Theodore Nott

Cedric Diggory

Daphne Greengrass

Astoria Greengrass

Foreign School Students:

Viktor Krum

Fleur Delacour

The Adults in Harry's Life:

Sirius Black

Molly Weasley

Remus Lupin

Nymphadora Tonks *although she's not long out of Hogwarts herself

Arthur Weasley

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Hogwarts Professors:

Severus Snape

Albus Dumbledore

Filius Flitwick

Minerva McGonagall

Pomona Sprout

Poppy Pomfrey

Rubeus Hagrid

Sybill Trelawney

Other Adults:

Narcissa Malfoy

Amelia Bones

Mad-Eye Moody

Lucius Malfoy

Andromeda Tonks

Emmeline Vance

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Augusta Longbottom

Xenophilius Lovegood

Garrick Ollivander

Antonin Dolohov

Augustus Rockwood

Barty Crouch Junior

Ted Tonks

Peter Pettigrew - trapped in a cage

Rita Skeeter

Amos Diggory

Mrs Diggory

Mr Granger

Mrs Granger

Saul Croaker

Broderick Bode

Galenus Everleigh - OC

Claudius Everleigh - OC

Mrs Zabini - she's been in the chamber a while but I forgot to add her to the list (sorry).

Abeforth Dumbledore

Arcturus Black

Stan Shunpike

Florean Fortescue

Tom Riddle

Other Children:

Andromeda Narcissa Malfoy (Meda) - OC

Creatures/ Beings that have visited:

These are mostly all OCs. For some, I've taken a name from cannon.

Celestial Beings:

Mother Magic

Lord Time

House elves:

Dobby

Kreacher (Older)

Kreacher (Younger)

Sanny

Winky (Older)

Winky (Younger)

Goblins:

Ragnok - Goblin King

Ragnok - Goblin King's Heir

Fasald - Head Goblin, London Branch of Gringotts

Ricbert - Chief Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts

Griphook - Bank Teller, London Branch of Gringotts

Bogrod - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Burgock - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Odbert - Account Manager, London Branch of Gringotts

Gornuk - Head Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Relde - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Finkla - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Thadnin - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Folvi - Healer, London Branch of Gringotts

Werewolves:

Marric - Alpha of the British Pack

Veela:

Isabeau Lemaire - Head of the Veela Council

Vampires:

Zeldan - British Clan Leader