I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OCS AND THE SITUATIONS I PUT THEM IN. WARNING: There will be cussing, lemons, and violence. (Also, someone said I should put: please don't steal. Didn't think I needed to, but ok. Please don't steal my stories.)
Some characters may seem OOC at some points at different times in the story, but I hope I explain that in the story when the time comes. Some things happen pretty fast at first (like certain relationships or legal stuff), but again I try to explain it. Some people may go back and forth at times, but I'll explain it! You get the idea. Spelling and grammar errors, I recheck constantly, so sorry if some slip by. Some character bashing in the beginning and for a little while, but that doesn't mean it will last the whole story. I don't hate certain characters though it may seem like that at times. THIS IS A WARNING. Though I will put a warning at the beginning needed. I do not condone all of these things, but my mind can be really fucked up, I apologize now. So, I am mixing both movie and book but I'm mainly following the movie. Though I will try to make a good blend between the two. Big thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. You guys rock! Sorry for the delay. Thank you all for the well wishes for Regulus. He's doing much better now, just a ball of attitude that I have to watch twenty-four seven. Thank you to JRock, Nbop, CoolFanfictionLover, and KRUNKXSMASH (For the things you mentioned in the review; don't worry. I have plans for that in the future. Thank you for pointing it out though. Thank you to MadnessInTheHeart16 and Guest-the polite one. (I have plans for what you asked about as well. So, look for that in coming chapters). And one last thank you to TubFullOfDishes345, Starie78, Sillygabby, PanduhBabyy, and Horcruxsss. All of your guys' reviews and well wishes were much appreciated. For those of you with questions, they will be answered as the story goes. I just don't want to give anything away yet. Thank you again and I hope you continue to like it. Enjoy.
Chapter 4: Revenge Party.
It was the day of Neville and Harry's birthday party. A month before they went back to Hogwarts and got a chance to start changing things from the inside.
Sirius had explained that it would also count to towards letting people know they were essentially taking over as Lords of their families in a sense.
Ron and Harry had joked about taking Arthur's car again. They'd buy him a new one of course, but Hermione had shot that idea dead cold.
One glare and the boys had moved on quickly.
"Is everything set up" Hermione asked in her pretty red flower dress.
"Yes, the guests will be arriving shortly while certain people have been relocated" Neville told her, messing with his grey dress shirt as they waited for guests to arrive.
"I made sure that word spread. They should be here or at least send something" Luna told Hermione as she swirled her shimmery blue dress, watching as the ends seemed to sparkle.
"Tonight I'll go to Grimmauld Place and reclaim it" the disguised Sirius told them with a pout. That was his mission.
"Don't worry, we'll be with you" Vivian said brushing imaginary dirt from the dark pants paired with a gray shirt she wore as she helped Remus set up the last table outside.
Hermione slapped Ron's hands away from the large cake Sirius had ordered.
"I guess we'll grab everything we need…things of Reggie's" Sirius said, voice lowering at the end as Harry came to stand by him.
"Then we can get the locket and figure out what you want to do with Kreacher" Harry told him.
"I don't want the unpleasant little pest" Sirius replied automatically making Harry nod.
"I'm sure Narcissa would love to take the ever-pleasant elf" Harry told him with amusement.
The bell rang signaling the first of the guests. Predictably it was the Weasleys followed by Albus, Minerva, and Severus. The rest of the staff that could make it was behind them.
It seemed Hagrid and Filius were tasked with carrying gifts with Sybil. Though she kept dropping them. Finally, the charms professor just levitated the packages.
Sprout led the rest of the staff in with an assortment of snacks and some odd plant that a grumbly Hooch and Pomfrey were helping her carry.
What had shocked a good amount of the staff was the invite of Hogwarts' ghosts. Peeves included.
He zoomed in but whatever he went to say was silenced as the Bloody Baron took up quiet station next to him.
"Jolly good day for a party" Nicolas said as he greeted the occupants with the Fryer, Gray Lady, and Myrtle trailing behind.
Binns soon joined the other spirits. He went as far as to float through a now annoyed Ron.
The ghosts soon amused themselves looking at the muggle appliances they could manipulate.
Arthur looked around the home in awe as the children piled in, along with Charlie and Bill who had shown up to meet their little brother's best friends and girlfriend. Molly looked around, looking determined.
After greeting everyone, she made her way back to Harry.
"Harry dear" she said, and he wondered how a woman with such a kind face could look like a sabretooth tiger suddenly. "Where are your relatives" she asked, and he had a good idea why.
He almost wished the real Dursley's were around to take the wrath of an angry Molly.
Just then, many other guests arrived. Harry pretended not to see them as he spoke.
"They said they didn't want to see me with my freaky friends and to keep quiet or I'll go back to my cupboard" he whispered looking down fearfully. This produced gasps and shock from those watching. "They're in their room" he told her.
"Well, let me just have a word with them!" she got worked up while handing Arthur the food in her hands before marching off.
"I'd like to speak to you about that Mr. Potter" a short blonde woman who was standing with Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot said as she adjusted her monocle. "Amelia Bones" she introduced, shaking his hand as he greeted Susan and Hannah.
"Will I get in trouble?" he asked quietly, wringing his hands with big eyes.
Her own powder blue eyes softened.
"Of course not" she promised and he gave a tentative nod.
"I'd like to speak to you as well" Albus said, but Rectus and Remus kept Harry away from him. Something that Amelia noticed.
"Later, all that can be dealt with later" Sirius said, "I am Lord Rectus Latronem, welcome" he said as everyone came in walking between the house and backyard.
Oliver Wood was soon explaining to the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team how if they really tried, he bet they could fit a pitch in the back for a quick practice.
None of them were having it, though Lee and the Weasley twins definitely looked like they were planning something.
Then again, they always looked like that.
"Why are we here?" the lovely Tracey Davis quietly asked her beautiful best friend Daphne Greengrass and their companion Blaise Zabini.
"I'm sure it's because of our families and any Black ties" Daphne put in as Blaise took everything in with keen hawk-like eyes. The handsome dark-skinned boy's expression giving barely anything away.
It was well known that the boys were not just having a birthday.
This was a Lordship announcement party in a sense.
At least, that was what everyone had been led to believe.
Though judging them now, the Slytherins weren't sure if either boy knew or acknowledged that they were performing said tradition.
"Hello" Vivian walked up. "You're in Slytherin right?" she asked already knowing the answer.
She knew that these three would not only bring her the power in Slytherin that she needed but also become strong and loyal followers.
"Yes" Daphne said briskly, chin up confidently as they looked at her. "I am Daphne Greengrass. This is Tracey Davis and Blaise Zabini. And you are" she asked in cold politeness.
The girls curtsied and Blaise took her hand and stiffly brought it to but not touching his lips.
Really, it was only what was expected of them. They were representing their families. Whether they were surrounded by Gryffindors or not they had images to uphold.
"Lady Vivian Lupin of the Noble and Ancient House of Black" came the retort gaining recognition from the three. "I'm going into Slytherin this year" she said cheerfully to their surprise.
"And you're pleased?" Daphne asked as Blaise simply observed.
Tracey looked a little confused but waited to comment.
"Yes" Vivian said, hand on hip as they took in everything about her pretty face and dark-clad figure. "I read up on them, and that matches me the most. The others agree as well" she told them.
"You know most of the others are Gryffindors, right?" Tracey asked still confused. "I think only Lovegood isn't" she finished. It just dawned on her then how Ravenclaw was the house with the least members in their mists.
"I'm aware" Vivian said with a single brow raise and ghost of a smirk. She ignored Blaise's eyes trailing over her.
"They're alright with you being in Slytherin?" Tracey asked disbelievingly.
"They're fine with it. Ron even thinks it's funny that he's dating a snake" Vivian chuckled. "Aren't there other inner house relationships at Hogwarts, friendships?" she asked curiously.
"Yes" Daphne admitted after a moment. "Though yours is a bit different" she carefully explained.
It didn't need to be said that her choice of company was the reason.
"You're dating Weasley?" Blaise's slightly deeper raspy voice asked as if she was having him on. It was the first time he had spoken, but he couldn't help himself.
"Of course" was the simple reply.
It served two purposes. One, people would know that she was off the market and two, people would know that Ron was off the market as well.
Vivian was quite possessive, but in her defense, so was Ron.
"Enjoy the party. Hope to see you at school" Vivian grinned silkily before sashaying off towards Albus, Minerva, and Severus. Harry joined her.
"Hello professors" she said charmingly as she shook their hands.
"Professors" Harry said, "This is my sister, Vivian Black-Lupin" he introduced. Severus looked at her with extreme contempt but finished shaking her hand. Soon after he snatched his appendage back and somewhat discreetly wiped it on his robes as if dirty.
Vivian held in a predatorial smile, though her eyes were bright with pleasure.
"Yes, we heard you would be attending Hogwarts this year. If you need anything, my door is always open" Minerva offered.
"Thank you, Professor" she said with a smile.
"What house do you hope to be in dear? Gryffindor like young Harry?" Albus asked, wanting to ask the girl thousands of questions.
"Slytherin" Vivian said happily, and Harry nodded with his own grin. The three adults looked shocked.
"Have some punch" Harry offered before leading Vivian to Seamus and Dean who were talking with Ron.
"Remus my boy" Albus called as he walked over to Remus and Rectus with the other two teachers just a step behind.
Remus noticed that his ex-schoolmate was as sallow and standoffish as ever.
Sirius noted that Snape seemed as greasy as ever as well.
Though he might have been biased.
"Headmaster" Remus said before introducing the three to the magicked Sirius.
"You didn't go to Hogwarts did you Lord Latronem?" Minerva asked as she sipped on some punch.
Sirius gave a secretive smirk, happy to be able to pull a prank on his former Head of House and favorite teacher, the headmaster, and school nemesis all at once.
"Private tutors" he revealed. She nodded as he continued, "But Remus has told me so much that I feel as if I have been there myself".
Albus was looking at them as if he knew something, which is what he was going for. He wanted them to think he knew something so that they would let something slip. He had discreetly tried to check for enchantments on Rectus but came up empty-handed.
Well, he had gotten a very unpleasant chill go down his spine. Yet, he as that wasn't a symptom of any magical disguise that he knew, he disregarded the slim uneasy feeling.
Even so, something about Rectus was almost recognizable. The air around him seemed off.
It was just the way the man held himself that seemed just too familiar.
Severus also thought something about Rectus was familiar in the most despising fashion. The proud blonde man standing next to Lupin only served to make him more suspicious of the man.
It all gave him an uncomfortable tingle down his spine.
"And how did you come to meet Harry and Remus?" Albus asked pleasantly.
"Remus here had just saved the young Miss Vivian" Sirius said making them look quickly at the young girl who was holding hands with Ron Weasley.
Albus was a bit nervous when he saw Harry speaking to Amelia, but decided that it would be fine for now.
He could fix any potential damage later.
"She was in dire states with the bastards who had her captured. They decided they needed a werewolf for their circus" he went on making Albus feel for the young girl.
Severus tensed at hearing that she was a werewolf.
He hated werewolves, all werewolves since his encounter with Moony in their fifth year.
Due to a run in with Moony, he owed James Potter a life debt which got transferred to Harry.
He hated it all.
"That's atrocious, the poor girl" Minerva stated appalled. "What of her parents" she asked.
"They are unfortunately the ones who gave her away after Greyback's attack" Remus said gently. "But that is a talk for another time I think" he cut in.
"We would like the staff to talk vows on not revealing Vivian's affliction, for her own safety" Rectus announced while looking at Albus.
"I can assure you the staff is trustworthy" the old man offered.
"None the less we'd like the vow before school starts" he told Albus, making the smile start to slide off of the headmaster's face.
"We'd also like to make sure no anonymous rumors about her illness are spread around either" Remus added looking right at Snape.
"And if we refuse" Snape snapped which made Minerva glare at him from the side.
"Severus, she's a child" she voiced her disapproval.
"I suppose we'll have to take Harry and Vivian to another school" Rectus commented nonchalantly.
"Impossible" Severus spat.
Albus was thinking along the same lines, worry in his heart though his face didn't show it.
"No, actually. It's not. Mr. Potter's relatives just signed over guardianship to Remus and I" Rectus said. "And since Sirius Black was his legal guardian yet was never properly tried, he gave me power of representation" the disguised Sirius continued.
Minerva's brows rose slightly as Severus made his face impassive. Albus was no longer smiling.
"We can take the children out of Hogwarts" Rectus finished.
"They love Hogwarts" Albus tried, "Let's not be hasty. Harry has many friends".
"They can owl" Remus replied. "Besides, it's only been a year. I'm sure he's not that attached" he shrugged.
"Why don't we talk more on this vow tomorrow" Albus attempted. Harry remaining at Hogwarts was of the utmost importance. "You can drop by my office and we'll speak there".
Severus looked at him sharply but didn't say a word.
"Perfect" Rectus said pleasantly, new features pulled into a happy grin. "Candy anyone?" he offered gesturing to the refreshment table as Remus tried to hide his smile at the whole display.
He was trying not to smile too much at the enchantment being placed on the adults without their knowledge.
Ron wanted to be sure Snape didn't try to spread the word about Vivian and make things harder on her. He knew the man wouldn't take the oath right away, but instead try to spread the word before doing so and then claim he never broke his oath.
Ron had taken precautions against the man from the moment the potions professor had stepped through the door.
Not that Snape would know that. Yet.
Molly made her way down the stairs looking beyond proud with herself before going over to the food she brought and beginning to magically dish some out for anyone who came up.
Seamus and Dean walked over to Neville who had just finished speaking to the two eldest Weasleys. "Neville, is Ron really with that Vivian bird?" Dean asked excitedly.
Neville almost drawled out an answer before catching himself and remembering where he was. Who he was…for the time being. Almost like it was unfamiliar to him, he smiled publicly.
To the other two boys, it just looked like his usual hesitant grin.
"Oh yeah. Viv's great" he assured them in his usual gentle voice. He tried to keep his back from straightening too much.
"I heard her talking to the snakes" Seamus said in his Irish accent. "And she's adopted by Black. Does she really want to go to Slytherin?" he asked surprised. "Though shouldn't be too surprised with a name like that" he added before Dean lightly nudged him.
"She was adopted by Remus Lupin as well" Neville pointed out. "And why not?" Neville asked, making them look at him in shock. "It's a good house, just has some bad seeds in it" he told them. He couldn't help but throw in a careless shrug as he sipped some punch and absentmindedly leaned next to one of the house plants.
He was quite appalled over the poor state Petunia had kept the little thing in until he got his green thumb on it.
Neville had almost forgotten just how much he enjoyed herbology and gardening.
Even on simple muggle plants.
"Besides, Black is innocent" Neville added as he scanned the party looking uninterested.
"A good-. It's Slytherin" Dean said as if he'd never heard such an astounding sentence.
"Innocent?" Seamus wondered. "But my Ma said the paper said he was a dark wizard" he finished in a mutter.
"I wouldn't let Ron hear you use that tone" Neville said lightly, grin a little easier now. "He's a tad overprotective".
He motioned to the lanky redhead who had his arm wrapped around the attractive Vivian's shoulders as they spoke to Xeno Lovegood with Luna.
"How long they've been a couple?" Dean asked, moving past the houses.
"Oh, awhile" Neville said as his gaze turned secretive.
"Really, I didn't know they knew each other that long" Seamus commented confusedly.
"You'd be surprised" Neville told them.
Harry let Hermione do most of the talking when it came to Amelia Bones.
He played the shy but friendly shell of a child with Hermione as the insistent but good-hearted best friend. 'If only we could have done this the first time then it would have been real' he thought.
'It's real now' he told himself. 'It's real now!' his thoughts were a little more desperate.
"It's not that I don't understand how the ministry works Madam Bones" Hermione was saying patiently. She was speaking in her child talking like an adult voice. "It's just that the way the Ministry operates in itself doesn't make much logical sense when you actually think about it" she told her with bright eyes.
Amelia blinked at that.
No one had ever in her long career or life said that around or too her face about the Ministry.
Not that people didn't think it. They just didn't openly say it.
Yet, here was this small muggle born child doing just that.
"Oh, and why do you say that?" she found herself asking.
Susan and Hannah had left the conversation the moment Hermione had brought up politics.
Amelia had thought it was because they didn't want to hear what someone their own age like Harry had gone through since she had questions for him. Yet, now that she was on the end of Hermione's questions, she wondered if this was how the girl was at school. She thought maybe that was the reason.
"Well, let's take Sirius Black for instance" Hermione said in her little girl voice with wide brown eyes.
Amelia kept her face impassive. She didn't like all this talk about Sirius Black and the possibility about him being innocent.
It wasn't just the idea of a scandal that made her uncomfortable.
It was the thought of an innocent person being thrown away to rot in a place like Azkaban prison and no one noticing for so long.
"What of him?" she asked in a controlled voice.
"By law" Hermione started in her know-it-all-voice "He should have been granted a trial and questioning. Yet, he was never given either of those things" she said making Amelia's eyes widen so far that her monocle fell out until it magicked itself back in place.
"Never had a-" she couldn't help but breathe before catching herself. She gave both of the children stern looks. "How do you know this and how do you know it is true?" she asked them.
"Sirius is my Godfather" Harry told her like it was the simplest thing. "He was under a magical oath and Veritaserum" he shrugged. "Isn't that how all suspects are questioned?" he asked her.
"Well, yes of course" Amelia said though she felt her throat begin to dry out.
"We heard that a few ministers ago just began throwing suspected Death Eaters into prisoners while others were able to bribe their way out with the simple claim of the Imperius curse" Hermione said not letting her off the hook.
"In the muggle world that would be considered a misconduct of justice" Hermione finished with a lovely toothy smile, showing off her prominent front teeth.
"That's just one prime example you see" Hermione said with a small shrug of her petite shoulders.
"I see…what other examples do you have?" Amelia couldn't help but ask.
"Well-" Hermione began before Ron came up to their side.
"Hermione, can't we save all this serious talk for another time?" Ron asked with a fake sigh. Harry tried not to chuckle at the play on words. "It's Neville and Harry's party" he said with puppy dog eyes.
"Oh, sorry" she gushed looking at Harry.
"You know I don't mind Love" he told her kissing her temple. "Have a nice time Madam Bones" he told Amelia.
The children turned, counting down in their heads.
As predicted, Amelia quickly spoke.
"Wait, Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter" Amelia said. Ron winked at them before strolling over to Luna, Vivian, and Neville.
"Yes ma'am?" they asked as they turned looking clueless.
"Would you be willing to meet with me at a later date to discuss this further?" she asked them seriously.
Harry bit his lip. "I'm not sure what Remus and Rectus have planned" he told her. "I'd have to ask them. I'm sorry" he told her, looking slightly bashful.
"No, that's quite alright young man" she told him understandingly. "It's much better to confirm this with your guardians so we don't muddle things up. Why don't you do that? I'm sure I will also have a chance to speak to them before the day is up. Perhaps we can exchange owls" she offered, hoping to ease the distressed look that had grown on Harry's face as Hermione rubbed his back.
"Oh, brilliant" Harry said beaming up at her.
"Harry" the voice of Albus Dumbledore called as he made his way over with that same grandfatherly smile on his face. The smile that Harry had remembered, looking just as his mind had captured it so long ago. So caring, so loving. So wise. As if he truly loved Harry. Care for him. Wasn't setting him up to die.
It made Harry want to take a cheese grater to the man's skin.
Instead, he put on a smile and slightly turned.
"I'll owl you Mr. Potter" Madam Bones said before nodding to the children and going over to talk to Arthur Weasley.
"Professor" Harry warmly greeted as his green eyes seemed to hold an extra shine. "I'm glad you could make it. Isn't Mrs. Weasley's cooking the best" he asked sweetly.
"Indeed it is young Harry. Thank you for inviting us all. We were but brimming with joy to come see you. Weren't we Severus, Minerva?" Albus asked his closest colleagues.
"I did believe it would be easier to speak to Miss Granger in person about her grades" McGonagall nodded while sipping more punch.
Hermione almost froze. Her grades were perfect!
Then she remembered she had owled the teacher asking if there was anything she could do to be better. 'Always an overachiever' she thought. It was what had led her to receiving the time turner in third year.
That little pause had given Albus and the usually stiff upper lipped Minerva a reason to let small smiles settle on their faces.
They knew all about the young girl's concern for her grades. Perfection or not.
Snape had shot Albus a look of contempt when he had been included in the sentiment. It was obviously a lie. That was clear as day for everyone to see.
"It seems as you've had a very exciting summer Harry" Albus began.
Baby steps. It was all about baby steps. Albus didn't ask what he wanted to know. He left a suggestive sentence hanging and others usually filled in all the blanks. It was a talent really.
Minerva shot him a side look as Snape's sneer intensified. "It would appear as though your life has brought many changes" he dropped the hint.
Now he just needed Harry to take the bait and let all of his secrets come pouring out.
"Yep" Harry nodded with that easy charm filled half grin of his making his eyes crinkle happily.
Albus waited for more before realizing that that was it.
Hermione bit her dark pink dusted lips breathing deeply while trying to hide her ever growing amusement. Her acting skills were tested when Albus blinked twice as the rest of him was seemingly frozen.
"Yes" the old man repeated. "Well, I'm sure it's unlike any other you have ever seen" Albus went on. "I'm sure you can barely contain your exuberance over telling all of your school chums" was the slightly umped up tactics.
Harry shrugged as his bottom lip pulled down dismissively. Hermione made a thinking face while looking up as if in memory.
"I don't know sir" Harry disagreed. "Last year was remarkable on its own" he blinked up. "I met my best friends and everything. I even learned I was a wizard" he added innocently as if that was still the thing that blew his mind the most.
Not facing Voldemort.
"Indeed" was Albus' retort. "Well, I do hope you know that you can always come to me about anything" he told him with twinkling blue eyes behind half-moon glasses. "Anything" he emphasized.
"Thank you sir" Harry said. "I know that I can go to any of the teachers if I feel in danger. Though, things might be so fantastic that they may not always believe me" he added in a saddened tone as his gaze swung to McGonagall. "Even in a school of magic" was added.
Minerva straightened her back. That felt suspiciously like a call out over her not believing them about the threat to the Sorcerer's Stone.
'Yet they were correct even if who they thought was the culprit was wrong. In the end they were right' Minerva thought keeping her face set in the usual stern way it often was. 'Mr. Potter wouldn't do that… Would he?' she had to wonder. Seeing Granger not reprimand him, Minerva let it go.
The girl wouldn't let disrespect be shown to any professor.
'Even if it was earned' the tall older witch told herself. She was startled upon realizing that she wasn't sure whether she was speaking of Severus or herself.
"I do hope to get to know some of the staff better" Harry went on.
Albus was thinking over how he could get the boy to see that he was the only mentor the child would need. Then Harry's next sentence caught his attention. Mainly because he had to restrain his potions master.
"Especially Professor Snape" Harry bashfully turned his body towards a supportive Hermione. "It is my favorite subject" he revealed before looking Snape dead in the eye. "Remus says both my parents were brilliant at it too, so I have to do the Potter name proud" he managed to get some color to dust his cheeks.
His smile to the thin, dark robed man was so sweet Hermione wondered how her lover's teeth didn't fall out.
One of Severus' sunken in cheeks twitched with his left eye. That onyx viper like gaze narrowed with such loathing that it was almost impressive.
He stood his full tall stature as his rise of temper became more apparent by the increase of breathing. Harry and Hermione could see his thin chest rise and fall rapidly under his heavy, black robes.
His hands were in such tight fists that they heard a few knuckles crack.
It was apparent that Snape was worked up into a state.
'And by such simple words' Harry tilted his head as if unaware with the still smiling Hermione.
Snape's mouth snapped open as no doubt something foul and cutting was about to spurt forth from his uneven teeth. He even went to take an aggressive step closer to the children, towering over the two to make sure he was heard.
Yet, he didn't get the chance.
Albus' hand snapped out with speed that defied his age as Minerva loudly cleared her throat, glaring at her house counterpart.
"Severus, I just remembered there were those boxes of unknown potions that Pomfrey needed you to inspect. Why don't you go do that now" Albus suggested.
It was really an order.
Pomfrey looked over from her spot with raised brows. She didn't comment though, just filing it away for later.
With one last flare of his nostrils, Snape spun sending his cape sweeping as he began marching to the door.
"You're leaving already professor?" Harry called making him go rigid.
"Harry" Albus tried but Hermione stopped him.
"He's been so excited" she gave a small sigh.
"You haven't even talked to Neville" he said making Severus shoot a look of contempt to the chubby blonde boy who simply raised a brow. "And we haven't even eaten any cake. Don't you want to celebrate our birthdays?" he asked.
Harry couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun toying with someone's emotions.
Then again, this was pretty personal. He had a score to settle with his 'favorite' potions professor.
Snape shook as his neck clicked to the side.
His gaze switched to the side where he caught sight of Remus Lupin elbowing a snickering Rectus.
In a flash, the thin blonde was replaced with a different man. Another who he despised with his very soul.
All he saw was Remus trying to calm down Sirius Black's laughter while the werewolf's own small smile threatened to break free.
As his hand flew to his wand, Harry strolled over to the two men. The image of a small Harry Potter going over to stand by them was far too familiar to another Potter.
As he looked into Potter's eyes, he half expected to see taunting dark hazel.
Instead there was the vibrant green that sent pain throughout his whole body and soul staring with his heart.
He blinked and everything was back to the present. To the truth.
'The ugly, cruel truth' he thought.
His expression hardened and he stormed out of the house without another word.
"It seems the professor was busy after all" Neville's voice rang out through the now quiet room as a soft yet firm developing timber. Luna stood by him moving her blonde hair over her shoulder and face with knowing eyes.
"Too bad" he deadpanned.
"Well" Ron clapped his hands next to Vivian. He put on a joking tone as the Knights watched everyone around the room hanging on the drama. "More cake for us then".
####SCENE BREAK#####
Rita Skeeter had caught on to the fact that the Boy Who Lived was having a birthday party. She had even been in the ministry the day that Amelia Bones got the invitation.
Of course, the squat woman with too much red lipstick was undercover and using her own brand of skills to remain hidden.
Once she heard this juicy bit of news, she knew she just had to find a way to get inside. She would sell Merlin knew how many copies of the Prophet with a story containing up close secrets about Harry Potter and his close friends.
Of course, she'd put her own spin on things. Especially if there wasn't much to tell. But he was Harry Potter. The boy just screamed story to her.
The only problem was getting in. Or, more correctly, getting in and staying undetected.
There were some big names with real power to back it up attending.
The sharp eyed curly blonde older woman couldn't risk her secret getting found out. Nothing would save her then.
She looked over her pointed glasses that were suspiciously close to her animagus form as the imaginative, vicious mind behind them worked overtime.
Rita had to decide whether to risk attending the party and having Amelia Bones somehow find her out. Dumbledore was there so that sliver of fear was seeded in Rita's conscience. On the other hand, she could just wait and interview people who were there.
'And those who were uninvited' she thought as a smirk twisted her apple red painted thin lips. 'I'm sure someone has something interesting they'd like to say about not being invited. It's not as if the affair was kept quiet".
Her high cheekbones almost hurt with how sinister her smile became.
To be truthful, Rita didn't need to interview anyone at all to get a story. With a mind like hers, she could make up both halves of a story. Then all her loyal readers would eat her column up.
It's not like the same hadn't been done countless times before.
This was only the first time she had any real possible access to Harry Potter in the flesh. 'If only I could get the boy one on one' she thought with a bit of a pout. 'To be a fly on his wall' she rolled her eyes. 'So to speak'.
The party had already started but there was still time for her to buzz in.
Rita sighed leaning back as she went over her possibilities.
She was in a bit of a bind like no other.
For once, Rita Skeeter felt like she had too many options.
####SCENE BREAK#####
Neville and Harry smiled as Remus and Arthur carted out the huge chocolate cake. There were genuine blushes and grins on the boys' faces as Molly lit the candles with Augusta by her side.
The old woman's face cracked into the smallest of grins as she saw the warmth on her grandson's face.
"For they are jolly good fellows" Rectus began the chant that everyone soon took up.
Fred and George were exceedingly excited to sing with the very happy Peeves.
Whether he was cheerful over actually being invited somewhere for once or because he was thinking of future mayhem, no one knew. They were just glad he didn't pull anything yet.
Well, almost everyone was glad. A certain pair of twins and Marauders were a tad disappointed.
Everyone else was disappointed that neither the twins nor Peeves were musically talented, though they belted the lyrics loud and proud.
"For they are jolly good fellows! For they are jolly good fellows! And so say all of us" the small crowd cheered as both boys shared a laugh and blew out the candles.
Luna chuckled with Hermione. They didn't think they'd ever seen Vivian, Ron, or Remus' eyes look so big or full of amazement as they did while looking at the giant stacked chocolate cake.
"Well we know why Viv and Remus look like that" Luna whispered under her breath as children rushed by to get a piece of desert.
"True, but what's Ron's excuse" Hermione couldn't help but tease to the blonde's amusement.
"He's Ron" was all Luna could provide.
"Enough said then" Hermione good-naturedly rolled her eyes with a small head shake.
"What's so funny?" Percy asked curiously while moving to stand by the two as he waited his turn.
"We were just discussing the possible magical properties behind Ronald's large appetite" Luna informed sweetly.
"You think there are magical properties?" Percy asked with a quirk of the brow.
"How else would he be able to eat so much and not burst. I'm surprised Hagrid hasn't had to lend him clothes yet" Hermione quipped.
That happened to be the moment that the kind half-giant ground's keeper chose to clap Harry and Neville on the back in congratulations.
The two gave their thanks but were pretty sure they'd need a healer later on.
Hagrid really didn't know his own strength.
"How about a family photo" Arthur suggested and before Harry could even get a word in edgewise, it was decided for him.
The two birthday boys found themselves surrounded by the rest of the Death Knights, newest members included.
"I hope there's room for one-" Albus went to say before he tripped. He would have landed flat on his face had he not caught himself on his palms earning a hiss of pain from the man.
He was sure he had sprung his wrist.
There were gasps from around the room as Minerva and Hagrid quickly moved to his side with Pomfrey just a step behind.
Quick as a whip, Hermione silently spelled the camera that the concerned Arthur had begun to lower so that it would take their picture.
"A proper family portrait" she whispered cluing Ron and Harry into just why Albus had fallen.
"Professor, are you alright?" Harry called as the group slowly separated.
"I'm fine dear boy" Albus assured. "It takes more than a small stumble to trip me up" he went to wave off all while warily resting down into a chair.
He'd take the sympathy points where he could get them.
"Look" Luna pointed out a bug on the wall. "A beetle, the biting variety in the hoopoo family" she went on with a knowing tone despite disbelieving looks from some that had heard.
Her father took a picture. "Don't get too close dear one" he told his daughter. "We'd need mooncalf's milk mixed with gnome saliva to heal any bites" he advised with almost crossed eyes before they righted themselves.
"Well then why don't I squish it" Remus offered as he came up to see what she was talking about.
"Good, though perhaps we can use the wings for potions first. There is this wonderful finding potion that would do just wonders" she sweetly replied as Remus conjured a jar to capture the fat little bug.
As if knowing what they were talking about, the beetle quickly took off.
Remus looked confused at the fluttered bug, but Luna was smirking as it hastily made its exit.
Looking down and seeing the blonde's look he guessed there was a story behind the smirk that he'd have to get at a later date.
For now, they had the rest of the party to get to. Remus passed Sirius, seeing a smirk on the man's new face as he talked to Amelia.
Remus held in a sigh. Even if he thought it was a bit funny, he didn't need Sirius getting cocky.
Sirius actually wasn't being cocky. Well, perhaps a little but that was secondhand nature to the man and no amount of years stolen could truly break the brave Gryffindor.
Sirius was thinking about what a blast the party was in a more untraditional sense.
As far as he saw it, this wasn't a lordship party or even just a birthday celebration. Though he was over the moon getting to finally spend another birthday with his Godson.
Even if key people were unfortunately missing… He held in a sorrowful sigh as James and Lily flashed through his mind.
That aside, Sirius saw this as a revenge party.
With everything that he, Remus, and the children had been through he couldn't say it was undeserved.
At this point, he was simply waiting for someone's head to end up on a spike. Either figuratively or in full gory glory.
'Now that's a party' he couldn't help but think with a slightly darkened humorous smirk.
####SCENE BREAK#####
Draco Malfoy was incensed.
Harry Potter threw a Lordship celebration disguising it as a birthday party with that pathetic excuse for a wizard Longbottom and Draco wasn't invited!
Oh, he knew it was to slight him before all of the other prominent families.
He had heard about it from Pansy who had heard about it from her parents. It was said to be 'open invitation' though it encouraged only people who knew the boys personally to attend as well-wishers were welcomed to send cards.
With that said it seemed Potter went out of his way to invite quite a few children of prominent and powerful families.
It would be well known by the first that the Malfoy heir had not been invited. Of course, it was only Draco who was surprised by this.
'I doubt that squib Longbottom thought of such a move' Draco told himself as he threw things about his room in a tantrum. 'I doubt even Potter could think of such a plan. The less said about Weasel and the mudblood the better' he huffed.
The slicked back blonde was loathed to admit that Granger would have no doubt been the one to orchestrate such a conniving and even Slytherin move.
He doubted she had the pureblood knowledge to go through with it though. 'No matter how many books she tries to consume. Filth' he sneered at the thought.
Draco moved over to his large expensive dark stained mahogany desk.
"This snub cannot go unanswered" the lean boy told himself as he went against his manners training and slouched in the comfy black chair. "Potter and his band of miserable misfits need to realize why one never crosses a Malfoy" his nose went up with false superiority.
Draco sent off two quick letters to Crabbe and Goyle. The notes literally told them to wait for his future letters.
It was a bit redundant, but on the other hand, one couldn't be too sure with the two cronies.
With that out of the way he then went about writing up possible plans for the coming school year. He had to teach Potter a lesson!
'No one messes with a Malfoy' he thought again with a pompous sniff. 'Especially not Draco Malfoy'.
####SCENE BREAK#####
Harry smirked as he washed up for dinner.
The party had gone perfectly in every sense. He made a mental note to send Sirius and the girls to Grimmauld Place in the morning.
After the guests left, Sirius had stopped limiting his Fire Whiskey intake and got a bit out of control with Remus.
Well, it was more like Vivian had stopped counting his drinks.
Apparently, he and Remus had taken up their old game of 'try to drink the werewolf under the table'.
Padfoot had yet to win.
'They'll be a joy in the morning' Harry thought with a snort.
He didn't hold it against the men. They still had a lot bottled up. A lot that they didn't talk about or get out in the open. He figured it was just the next step in them moving forward. After this, the emotions and talks came.
He hoped. He didn't need them getting plastered every night.
It wasn't healthy or helpful.
Luna was making them some soup as they were all but passed out in the living room.
Hermione came up hugging him from behind as they locked eyes in the reflection. "Looks like today was a success" she complimented. "I hope you liked your party" she added in a whisper.
"It was perfect Love" he sent her small smile. "I can still see Nev's face when Luna smooshed that piece of cake against his mouth for good luck" he chuckled.
"Well, she did kiss his cheek after so you can't say she was completely wrong" Hermione joined him.
"No, you can't" he agreed.
"I wish Tonks had come, but" she trailed off.
"It was still perfect. Don't worry, we have time for that. They have time for that" Harry assured his wife who sighed against the side of his neck.
"We'll go over and see Grimmauld Place tomorrow" Harry finalized. Hermione didn't point out that he's basically said the same thing for the last two days. "I want us moved into Potter Manor then too" he established.
"Of course Harry" she kissed his jaw. "Then we're off to school. Do you want to start with the diary tonight?" she asked curiously.
Harry's eyes lit up. "I was thinking of speaking to him when in the chamber" he revealed. "Though I don't think a small chat tonight will hurt too much" was offered.
"I'll get the others ready" Hermione said with a grin.
"Good. We can't stay up too late. We've got big plans tomorrow" he saw her begin to pout and teasingly added on. "But we can play a bit tonight" he soothed.
With that Hermione landed another loud kiss on his cheek before practically skipping downstairs.
"Happy wife, a happy home" he told the Harry in the mirror.
With that, Harry made his way down the stairs with a whistle. 'Maybe I should sell the house?' he thought as he wondered what need he'd have for it now. 'Then again it is a pretty good cover and any news of the sale could get out' he weighed back and forth.
Upon arriving in the dining room Harry noticed that the decorations from earlier were all gone. In place were candles around the table with Tom Riddle's diary in the middle alongside a quill.
Seeing it in the low candle glow the book looked somehow both innocent yet foreboding in the same glance.
Then again, his Knights standing at their spots around the tables with mixtures of sinister smiles and scowls across their young faces in the flickering light might have had a hand in the unsettling scene.
He smiled and took his position opposite of Hermione at the head of the table.
"Is everyone ready?" he questioned already knowing the answer.
There were affirmative nods from all around.
"Doing this will keep Riddle distracted until I am physically ready to take his soul" he spoke out loud. "It will also help us put a ward around the diary repelling any potential victims" he saw Ron's chin go up a little at that.
The six locked hands as their eyes rolled up in their sockets.
No words were spoken for a moment. No, this magic was built with intent. Intent; the most important aspect in any magic.
They focused all of their energy into a powerful seal that would all but make the diary invisible to anyone but them. Harry's young body was not ready to take the soul out to devour or trap it with the one inside of him.
It wasn't ideal to take the horcrux around the student body. However, they were out of time in a manner of speaking.
Despite their powers, it couldn't force their physical beings to adapt faster than they were able to. Even with training.
They had some catching up to do which only puberty and exercise would properly help with.
Not that the soldiers were going to actually admit that. Getting used to the idea of being less than indestructible was proving trickier than first anticipated.
There was a light hum followed by a snap like sizzle making everyone's hair start to rise as if touched by electricity. With that, they released hands and eased into their seats. They were sure the magic worked and were ready to communicate with the split spirit.
"Who wants to do the actual writing?" Harry asked the group.
"Luna should" Neville suggested. "She has the best handwriting" was his explanation.
Luna smiled sweetly at the cute boy as the others couldn't fault his logic.
"Alright" Harry agreed. "We know my writing's bollocks anyway" he joked. "Go head Luna, you start" he told the blonde.
Luna happily grabbed the quill with never ending ink then slowly opened the book to the middle.
"Dear Diary" she read out loud. "Today was sad because a boy called me Loony" she shot a playful look at the blushing Ron making Vivian snicker. "I wish I had some friends" she finished.
They waited as the ink began to dry.
As expected, the words began to bleed into the page before disappearing as if having never been there in the first place.
Smirks were shared around the table as adrenaline and excitement rose.
Ron wrapped his arm around Vivian's shoulders as Harry and Hermione smiled at one another with dark promise from their spots on either side of the long table.
"Remus and Sirius may regret missing this" Neville commented to the group's amusement. He gently laid on arm on the back of Luna's chair. Discretion is what he was going for but the blush on his face and nervous coughing was a dead giveaway.
"Oh, look" Luna said not commenting on the arm behind her.
The page filled with words once more, but this was a different message from their own.
'Hello, my name is Tom Riddle. What is yours?' came the neat handwriting.
"What should I tell him?" Luna looked around.
Every head turned to Harry who was already rubbing his chin in thought.
"Kritanta" he told her remembering something from their travels. "Kritanta Emydius" he decided. "What do you think Love" he asked his wife.
A smile stretched her cheeks. "Fitting, very fitting" she approved. "Besides, it sounds pureblood" she reasoned.
Luna wrote down the name. "How are you in a book Mr. Riddle" she wrote out with false innocent curiosity.
"By being a stupid prat" Ron answered for him with a head shake.
'I'm a memory' Riddle wrote. 'This used to be my diary' he explained.
Vivian suddenly let a small laugh out.
"What?" Hermione asked her friend.
"Tell him you thought only girls had diaries. Then ask if he's a girl" the black-haired girl suggested.
"Boys can have diaries" Hermione told her smartly.
"I know that" Vivian waved off. "But think about when Riddle was alive. If you question his masculinity…" she left the rest hanging.
"He'll hate it. His ego won't be able to take it" Hermione finished for her with understanding.
"He has always been full of himself, hasn't he?" Neville rhetorically asked.
"What led you to think that mate" was Harry's sassy comeback.
Neville answered back just as sarcastically. "Quite a lot, thanks for asking" with a tiny sardonic grin getting a snort like laugh out of Ron. Harry threw one of Petunia's ugly placemats at his best mate.
Ron easily deflected it while the carefree smile never left his face.
"He's replying" Luna clued them into the fact that she had gone ahead with Vivian's input.
'No, I'm a boy. Almost a man really. It's more like a journal" Riddle tried to explain to giggles. 'It's just a place for me to write my thoughts and dreams' he added. 'Do you have any dreams?' he tried.
"If this thing is full of your thoughts, then why is it empty" Harry dictated. "Do you not think often?" he asked.
The diary was blank for a moment.
"Maybe you hurt his feelings" Ron suggested looking more than pleased at the idea.
Vivian shot a disbelieving look. "From just that?" she asked. "Bit of a pansy then, isn't he?" she shook her head.
"We already knew he was a lot of talk" Hermione put in. "If he truly studied horcruxes then he would have known exactly the cost of so many made" she sniffed.
"I thought there weren't many books about them" Ron put in.
"There weren't many books about what we did either, yet we still accomplished amazing feats" she replied.
"He's talking again. Oh, I think he's trying to use a sort of allure" Luna announced to the group.
'I have many dreams' came the response. 'My thoughts are numerous. Maybe, someday I'll show some to you. I hid them with magic. Wonderful magic' he went on. 'I'd much rather hear about you now' he put in as there was an attempt of a pull on Luna's soul.
"My turn" Vivian sang making her blonde friend pass her the book and quill.
'I dream' she began while chewing on the feathery tip. 'I dream of being just like my grandfather Albus Dumbledore' she smirked. 'He's my hero! Even Voldemort was scared of him before being vanquished by that baby' she wrote as there was laughter around the table.
Harry leaned forward eagerly. "Let's see how he handles the upsetting news" he chuckled.
For a minute, nothing came through.
"I don't think he liked that at all" Hermione cackled.
"He definitely didn't like that" a frightful grin began to overtake Neville's stony expression. "Poor sod" his eyes alight with twisted joy. It brought out the gold coloring in his hazel gaze.
'What do you mean Lord Voldemort was killed by a baby' the way the letters curved hinted to great aggression behind the words.
Harry could swear the page was almost indented from the angry sentence.
"He's not really a lord" was Vivian's reply before asking. "Where are you Tom? Can I call you Tom? I mean, are you in the book or somewhere else? Where did you come from? What's it like there" she quickly fired off.
'Of course you may call me Tom. That's what friends do Kritanta. I do hope we become friends. I'm lonely as well. I am from a school called Hogwarts, for wizards and witches. Like you. Have you gone to Hogwarts yet? What year is it where you are? And what happened to Lord Voldemort?' Riddle asked. Once more his questioning of Voldemort had a desperate note to it.
"I wonder if he'd burn himself if I said I wasn't a witch" Vivian told the room.
"You think the horcrux would self-destruct?" Harry asked keenly.
"We'll have to find out another time" Hermione said looking up at the clock. "As much fun as this is, we have to go. Tomorrow is going to be a full day" she told them.
"Hermione walking away from torturing a self entitled blood purist" Ron shook his head. "Now I've seen everything" he whistled before Harry lightly whacked the back of his head. "Joking" he muttered.
"I like to take my time Ronald, unlike some people" Hermione sniffed.
"You two can compare styles later. Hermione's right we need to go" Harry cut in.
"Besides, Hermione likes it when they can hear her" Vivian sent the brunette a wink.
"It is more fun that way" Luna had to acknowledge.
"Right, well tell him goodnight Viv" Neville gestured his head to the book.
"Hmm" she hummed before looking at Harry and grinning.
"Sorry Tom" she wrote, "But I have to go. The Boy-Who-Lived, the one who defeated Voldemort? Well he's here and I don't want to miss my chance to meet him. He's so powerful and dreamy" she had Ron howling in laughter over her shoulder.
"Very funny" Harry shot them a flat look.
'Wait' Riddle hastily wrote. 'What's his-' he was cut off by Ron happily reaching over to shut the diary.
"Well, that was fun" the redhead grinned. "What's for dinner" he asked getting laughter from Harry and Vivian. Hermione rolled her eyes so hard they looked like they'd get stuck. Neville shook his head with amusement as Luna simply watched serenely.
A/N: So sorry this took so long! A few key things were set up in this chapter, so that's always fun. Next chapter has; Grimmauld Place, werewolves, hunts and more! Ask, suggest, or review if you'd like. Until then, have a great day.