Chapter 11
-oOo-
April 6, 1994
Hogwarts Express
Hermione was sitting with him. Susan and Neville sat across from him with Hannah between them.
Daphne and Tracey had nodded to them on the platform, but that was all he was expecting to see of her today. He wasn't so lucky that others would not visit them. Malfoy came seeking them out about two hours into the ride.
The door rattled as someone tried to open the door and Harry looked up to see the blonde he despised. Harry returned the hard glare as the boy took out his wand. After trying two spells, Malfoy banged hard on the glass.
"What did you put on the door?" Harry asked.
"It's just a simple locking spell. Not my fault he doesn't know how to open it," Hermione scoffed, glaring at the boy.
"Coloportus?" Hannah asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied.
"Where is Percy when you need him?" Harry muttered, getting up to open the door before the blond prat broke the window. His own wand came out. Draco grabbed for the door handle and yanked on the door. Harry unlocked it as the blond yanked a second time. Draco threw his whole body into this time and Harry smirked as the boy stumbled into Crabbe.
"What do you want, Malfoy," he deadpanned.
Draco stood up, his face angry. "I don't know how you managed to pay off Fudge and others, but the House of Black is mine, you mudblood bastard."
Harry wasn't having it today and stepped up to Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle moved in but stopped when three wands pointed around his body. "I have no clue what you are talking about. Now get lost before I make you."
Draco snorted. "Like you could. I am talking about the fact you have been registered as the next heir to the House of Black. That is my title from my mother. Sirius Black was disowned."
"I highly doubt he was disowned if he could claim Regency," Susan said behind him.
"I would watch your back, Bones. Father says things are going to change soon. It's about time the riff raff is cleaned up. Now, give me back my inheritance," Malfoy snapped at Harry.
Harry moved a step closer to stand over Draco. He was almost two inches taller now. "Listen you bastard. I don't know what you are talking about and if you threaten any of my friends or family again I will make sure you can't in the future," Harry warned.
The wands were pressed past him. He felt the the bodies behind him. Draco took a step back, his eyes looking at the wands. "You just wait. I'll tell my father and you all will get what is coming to you.
Pulling on some of the tutoring Amelia had given him this past week, he said, "I am Scion of House Potter. A House that is higher than yours. Should I have my Regent put in a formal complaint against House Malfoy?"
This made Malfoy's eyes widen a little.
"Go crawl back to your father," Hermione snapped.
Draco glared at her and then nodded is head. Harry huffed and didn't go back into the compartment until the three left the carriage heading towards the back of the train. "Bloody dick," Harry groused as he slammed the door. "What the bloody hell is he talking about I stole his inheritance?"
Susan frowned. "I think we need to send an owl to Auntie."
"Harry, your grandmother was a Black, right?" Neville inquired.
"I think so. I have a few books to go through now that I didn't get a chance to over the Easter Hols," he replied.
"Euphemia Potter was a Black. Sister to Arcturus, if I remember correctly," Hannah stated. "She would be your grandmother and Acrturus Black was the last Lord Black. He died shortly before the war ended. Draco's grandmother was cousin to Lord Arcturus Black. Harry should have the better claim anyways."
Harry sighed. "I have just been trying to catch up on my work and study for the exams this year."
"You have the summer. We can help. Auntie is also going to have tutors for us, like every summer," Susan sighed.
Hannah shrugged. "It's not always that bad, Susie."
"Speak for yourself. You like that stuff, I don't," Susan supplied.
"Neither do I. Think we could all change the rules once we are on the Wizengamot?" Neville put to them.
It was the best thing Harry had heard all day.
-oOo-
April 9, 1994
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry reported to the hospital wing after breakfast, just like he did every two weeks. Today there was a lot to talk about. The last two weeks had seen many things happen that really had played on his emotions.
Healer Tonks was talking with Healer Anne as he walked to the office.
"Good morning, Harry," Healer Tonks greeted him.
"Good morning," Harry replied. He nodded to the other healer. "Healer Anne."
The elderly woman smiled at him. "Good morning, Harry. How are you today?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Fine."
The woman snorted. "One of these days you will tell me how you really are before we get started. Would you like to walk today or just stay here? After we talk, I wanted to start you on Occulumancy, but to do that, you have to let me into your head."
Harry frowned. "Do you have too?"
"Healer Anne is the one that taught me everything I know about the mind arts, Harry. She will never reveal anything you don't want and it can help," Healer Tonks encouraged him.
"Can you do it," he asked Healer Tonks.
Healer Tonks looked surprised for a second. The older woman just clucked. "You know its best if he does this initial bit with someone he trusts, Andi."
The one that had helped him for months looked at her mentor before looking at him. Harry held her eyes. He really didn't want anyone poking their way around his head, but Healer Tonks was family and he trusted her. Healer Anne had been telling him how occlumency could help him, in more than just working through the issues in his head. "Please," Harry requested after a few.
"Andi, you know this is the best route," Healer Anne pressed.
After a moment, Healer Tonks nodded her head. "How are your Monday afternoons?"
"I have a study group from one-thirty to three," he informed her.
"Alright. Four o'clock Monday we will start. If we are going to do this properly and to get you ready as soon as possible, I will demand three one-hour sessions a week. Over the summer as well. It may take us months to a year to get your basic skills to a passable level," she ordered.
Harry nodded. He wasn't afraid to work anymore. "Yes, ma'am."
Healer Anne nodded. "How about a walk then today? It's a nice April day."
Harry smiled at her. "Out to the lake?"
"If that is where you want," Healer Anne replied.
Soon they were out of the castle and heading towards the lake under the anti-listening ward the woman always used. "How are you? Andi told me you saw your Godfather after his trial."
Harry shrugged. "Fine. Really. Amelia brought a letter to him and said I could probably see him again in two more weeks. I knew she won't tell me what is wrong, but I think Dumbledore did something to him."
She raised her eyes at that. "What makes you think that?"
Harry thought about it for a few. "I believe he made the godfather oath and the man didn't look like he was lying to me. He also had an argument with Dumbledore before Hagrid took me away from my house that night Voldemort disappeared." Harry let out a sigh. "I know I don't trust many, but I trust he wanted to get me to my father's sister."
The woman was silent for a moment. "As I have said, I think you are brighter than you think. That is also a very mature way of thinking about all this. How does all this make you feel?"
"Angry," Harry replied without pause.
"Angry at what?"
He let out a long breath as they approached the lake. "Angry at everything and everyone related to my parents, their friends, my relatives and especially Dumbledore. Amelia won't come out and say it, but I know he is responsible for all this. Anne, I really don't want to go to court in July to talk about my relatives. What if they want me to sit on the stand?"
The woman sighed. "I know, Harry, but it will only be your decision to sit on the stand. I think you should go. From what Solicitor Tonks says, you will get a chance to confront them during the trial or sentencing, if you want."
Harry frowned. "You don't understand what they did," he said in barely more than a whisper.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He felt tears biting at his eyes. He had not done so yet. They came near a large rock and Harry moved to lean against it. Some other students were out on the grounds today, but none of them were paying any attention to them. After a stuttering breath, he looked at the ground. "Did anyone tell you that my first bedroom was under the stairs? It was a small closet, meant for shoe and jackets," he said. "It would smell musty when the umbrellas would be put in there after some rain."
Harry missed how her eyes had widened. Apparently, the woman had not really been told what Harry had experienced. She cast a few more quick charms to make sure no one would be paying attention to the boy as he told her about many of the horrors he had experienced with his relatives.
-oOo-
April 27, 1994
Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry had a grin on his face. Four times in a row his ethereal looking stag had come out, chased off a boggart and then pranced around him before dissipating. He wasn't hearing any echoes of his mother or the Dark Wanker. In fact, he wasn't feeling any effects at all. He wasn't sure if it was the spell or the fact it was a boggart, not a Dementor before him.
"Excellent, Harry. I think that is enough for tonight. Anymore and I think this boggart is done for," Professor Lupin stated.
"Will it be good enough if I ever face off against a dementor again?"
The man gave him a smile that melted some of the scars off his face. "I have no doubt, though with the dementors all back at Azkaban, you should not have that issue unless you visit some of the eastern countries in Europe or Russia. Most other places have chased them off or eliminated them," the man replied.
Harry nodded.
"Right, you should go back."
Harry took in a deep breath and let it out. "Have you been to see Sirius?"
Professor Lupin looked totally caught off guard by this. "What? Not yet. I am not sure he would want to see me."
The resolve Harry had to put his anger down at the man melted. "So you would just abandon him like you did me?"
The frown was telling. "I didn't say that. I just think it better we talk once he is better."
Harry snorted. "He asked about you last weekend when Amelia took me. I just thought you might actually be a friend. Guess I thought too much of you. I am not sure I should do these lessons anymore."
Harry left a distraught looking professor. Sirius had promised to tell him about his parents and that was who he was going to trust. Amelia had said that Sirius had some lingering effects on him, effects that may not have had him in his right mind all this time. It was the same effects that Madam Pomfrey had been suffering from. Effects that had compulsed them to act against Harry's best interest, even if they had wanted to do what was right by him.
Harry didn't contemplate if Professor Lupin may have the same issues. The man was too good a target for all of Harry's anger.
-oOo-
May 1, 1994
London, England
Albus had never been a fan of portkey travel, and after nearly three months in Azkaban, his body protested the movement. Not since he was a little child had he collapsed upon arrival.
With a groan, he got to his knees.
"You still with us?" Robards enquired.
"Fawkes," he called out to his familiar. On Azkaban, he knew Fawkes would not be able to reach him. Here he should.
When nothing happened, Robards and a female Auror got him to his feet. "That is your one warning used. You try to escape again and you will be going back to the Hotel. This time a top floor suite," the man promised.
Albus coughed. It had a rattling, unhealthy sound to it. He felt he had aged twenty years. This meant that either Fawkes had left him or could not get to him. He would like to believe his phoenix just couldn't reach him here due to wards. Surely he hadn't fallen that far?
"Let's go. You have an appointment with some Healers and then you will be moved to your new cell," Robards instructed.
"Robards, you were one of my top students. Surely you don't believe all the lies that Amelia is spouting?"
The man gave him a hard look. "You want to tell that to my two uncles they were lies? They both died before I could meet them fighting Grindelwald. I have heard about your cowardice for almost two decades while the man rose to power and led Europe to burn in both the Muggle and Magical world."
Albus swayed a little as another racking cough ripped through his body. He groaned at the pain in his lungs and joints. "It was not my choice to let him run so rampant."
"I don't want to hear it. McLaggen, you and Stewart are to remain guard. If he grabs for any wands or attempts anything you have the permission to do what you need to subdue him," Robards ordered. "Just don't kill him."
"Yes, Boss."
Albus was brought into a room with two people in lime-green robes. "My wand? Where is my wand?" Albus asked.
"It's in a safe place. You'll get it back if you are found innocent. Otherwise, it will be burned up," Robards informed him.
All he had been told so far was that it was safe. It was infuriating. "You can't do that. If you have to, give it to Severus Snape or Harry Potter," he said almost desperately as he was sat on a nice clean bed.
One of the Healers looked at him. "Didn't you give him a bath or shower?"
"There aren't any in Azkaban and we were order to take him straight here. Boss' order is to get him checked out, healed up and cleaned before he is shown to his new suite," Robards informed the healers.
"You can tell your Boss that this is inhumane," the Healer said in disgust.
"I'll pass your regards to Scrimgeour. The rest of us will be in the hallway."
Albus frowned. How had he been brought so low and why did they think him so dangerous that eight Aurors were assigned to his guard? He would never hurt someone unless it was required.
-oOo-
May 4, 1994
Hogwarts, Scotland
It had taken a week for Harry to find out why Draco was so upset with him on the Hogwarts Express. Apparently, Sirius had named Harry next in line and had disowned Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. That made Harry the only male eligible for inheriting the House of Black, unless Sirius was to have a child.
Amelia and Sirius were to have a talk with him over the summer what that meant.
In the mean time, exams were a month away, and he was more likely to be found in the library or an abandoned class room with his study group and friends than anywhere else. Harry was relieved it was only his exams to worry about now. The last Gryffindor match had just passed and Wood was finally leaving him alone. With Harry stealing the snitch from a still very disgruntled Draco, they had secured a 310 to 160 point win for the match and the House Quidditch Cup. It was a near thing as Slytherin was answering every Gryffindor goal with one of their own.
With Quidditch over, Harry concentrated on his Astronomy charts. In a little bit they would go find a room to practice charms and transfiguration.
Tracey was doing the same next to him, showing him where he was making his mistake in measuring the degrees in his movement. "Why is this so important again?"
"There is a branch of Arithmancy that focuses on prophetic imaging and tracking how things move can be used in the formula to know how to interpret the star movements," she informed him.
Harry shook his head. "If this is only used in Arithmancy, then why are we studying this? I am not going to be taking arithmancy," he gripped.
"I agree with you," Neville replied from the other side of the table where Hermione was helping him.
"It also is useful in some branches of Divination," Hannah expanded.
"Something else I am never doing again," Harry whinged. He hated astronomy as much as History of Magic.
"You are going to get into Runes next year, correct?" Daphne enquired.
"Yeah, why?"
"Are you planning on taking Runes or Ancient Magics for your NEWT classes?"
"Yes," Harry replied cautiously, feeling he was being set up.
"Then you need this. Many ritualistic magics or rune strings use the power generated by the stars and planets at certain points. Knowing how to predict when that power point will occur will be important. Now do your star chart and stop complaining," Daphne ordered.
He scrunched his face before turning back to Tracey. She was silently laughing at him, her shoulders shaking, while Hermione was trying to hide a smirk and Susan shook her head. Neville just gave him an understanding look.
He bent over the parchments again and worked through the movements of the stars, still not understanding why a one degree difference in the rising position of Orion was so important.
He was so engrossed in using the alignment tables and his protractor that it took Tracey elbowing him for him to look up. "What?"
"Everyone is packing up. We have our last class soon," Tracey told him.
Everyone else was packing up. Daphne looked amused that he had been so engrossed after complaining so much. "Right. Should we meet in the classroom on the fourth floor after dinner?"
"Not tonight. My father is coming to have a talk," Daphne told him.
He nodded. Susan and him were to have a meeting with Amelia Saturday. It sounded like a deal had finally been struck for the alliance.
"Friday morning then?" he said a little reluctantly. They had Potions and DADA together tomorrow, but they couldn't associate in classes or almost any public area until House Potter declared itself Neutral and their alliance was made public.
"Friday," Daphne agreed.
Outside the library they went their opposite ways.
"Are you sure you need to follow all these politics?" Hermione asked.
Harry made a face and Neville sighed. "For now," Neville replied. "Many hold a lot of value in all this."
"But you and most of the other Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs don't act this way most of the time. I like Daphne and Tracey and would just like to hang out with them," Hermione voiced.
"I would too," Harry agreed.
"Where were Susan, Hannah and Ernie today?" Hermione asked him.
Harry shrugged. His other cousin and her friends didn't always study with them. "Not sure. They will join us Saturday when we go to Hogsmeade."
"It will be nice when we can go in with Tracey and them next year," Neville added.
Harry raised an eyebrow at his cousin. Hermione gave a look as though she was trying to figure something out. Neville was just looking ahead. Neither of them teased Neville about it, knowing he seemed to get sensitive when either of them brought up if they suspected their friend liked someone.
It was a companionable silence as they walked the rest of the way to Transfiguration. When the three of them made to take a table, Ron came up to them. Since Easter, Ron and them hadn't said much, and their housemate looked miserable.
"Hey," Ron said sitting before them.
"Hey," Harry responded.
"Ronald," Hermione greeted. It was the way she had greeted him for months now.
Ron frowned. "I'm sorry," Ron suddenly said.
Hermione's brow went up. "Is that towards me?"
Ron sighed as Seamus and Dean joined him. He rubbed his hand behind his neck. "To both of you. I was a prat."
Hermione snorted. "That is one way to look at it."
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I get you were just trying to be protective, but it was a Firebolt," Ron said, a little anger coming out.
"Thank you for apologizing, Ron," Harry put in before they started to bicker.
Hermione snapped her mouth shut before responding, "Yes, thank you."
Ron nodded. "Can we go back to being friends now?"
"Ron, I will be your friend, but I don't know if I can go back to the way we were before," Harry answered.
Ron frowned before nodding. It must have been obvious that what they had before was not the same now. Harry had other people he wanted to hang out with and he found some of what he liked to do was different now. Ron looked to Hermione. She pursed her lips for a moment.
"I will be friendly, but I do not know if I will forgive you anytime soon," Hermione informed him. Ron looked even more crestfallen.
"Look, I am sorry," Ron started before Professor McGonagall called the class to attention.
"Attention up here. Today we are going to continue our lesson on the unknown and how it can be used to add what it takes to make our transfigured animals more like real animals. Then you will practice the avifors, lupifors and ericifors spells," McGonagall instructed the class as her wand flicked. Notes appeared on the board and Harry rushed to get his supplies out.
Hermione had a stern face when not concentrating on class. Ron glanced back at them a few times. The more happy go-lucky look of the red head wasn't there. As Harry thought about it, it hadn't been there for a while. It bothered him that his first friend was like that, but Harry didn't really have time to fret. Not with classes, studying, reading up on the ways of Wizarding society...
-oOo-
June 18, 1994
Hogwarts Express
They were laughing as a hummingbird flitted around the compartment, all thankful the school year was over. Hannah had her wand aimed at the flitty thing as Hermione was conjuring rings of coloured smoke in the air. It was a game they had created while studying for exams.
Hannah moved her wand and Neville let out a yell of surprise as her aim missed the smoke ring and just about impaled him in the head. They all laughed at the disgruntled look on his face. "You are a menace with that thing," Neville gripped.
"It's better than you. I at least clipped the smoke ring," Hannah retorted.
"It's still a tie between Susan and Harry. Three each," Hermione reminded them.
"I haven't seen you try," Hannah challenged.
"That is because I would win," Hermione said with a small smirk.
Harry just chuckled. Hermione wasn't normally this cocky, but he didn't doubt her in this. He had seen her doing this a few months ago as practice to improve her aim and control, before they had all picked it up. "You would not. I challenge you to get four," Susan eyed Hermione.
Hermione shrugged. "Harry?"
"My bet is six," he told her and they all gave him a surprised look. "Circulum fumi," he said, flicking his wand nine times to make nine smoke rings.
"I will do seven," Hermione countered. Harry indicated for her to go.
"She is the one that made up this game, isn't she?" Neville put to them.
"Avifors," Hermione said confidently and turned one of the chocolate frog wrappers into a bird and her wand flicked. The hummingbird took off, running through the round smoke hoops and she was about to get the seventh one when the door opened. The smoke ring was just before the door and she had to fly through it and turn up immediately or the hummingbird would hit the window. "Scion Potter..." Daphne screamed and jumped back into Tracey.
Harry was up, his hand out and the small bird in his hand before it could impale Daphne in the chest. Hermione's hands went to her mouth as Daphne just looked at them. "What was that?" someone called from the hallway.
"It was nothing. Just someone jump scaring us," Tracey commented and she pushed Daphne into the compartment.
"Daphne, I am so sorry. We didn't expect the door to open," Hermione was saying.
Daphne looked up to him, her eyes a little wide. "How did you catch that?" she asked.
Harry let the bird go and shrugged. "I'm a seeker," he replied.
Susan and Hannah giggled. "You going to kiss him or yell at him?," Hannah asked.
Daphne's face went molten as she looked away to glare at the blonde. Hannah laughed even more at Daphne's look. Tracey looked to be hiding a smirk while Neville just shook his head.
Daphne 'harrumphed' and took the seat next to Neville instead of him today. "What were you doing? I assume that wasn't meant for me?"
Hermione still looked a little sheepish. "We were trying to put hummingbirds through the smoke rings."
"I think you owe me a galleon," Harry told Hermione.
She scoffed at him. "That doesn't count! Daphne got in the way."
"You said Hannah's hand getting in the way counted," Susan yelled in indignation.
Harry chuckled and Daphne raised an eyebrow at him. "You owe me a galleon," Harry pressed.
"You only said six. I got six," Hermione countered.
"And then you upped it to seven. Now pay up," Harry held out his hand. She had taken a few of his today.
She scrunched her face and reached for her own money pouch as the Hufflepuffs still chuckled.
"I thought the gentleman was to be nice to a woman," Daphne enquired.
He shrugged again, the hummingbird flitting by his head. "All is fair in love, war and bets."
Tracey looked at him. "That isn't how the saying goes."
"It does here," Neville backed him up. He felt like Neville and him had to back each other up with so many girls around.
Susan snorted as she tried to reign in her giggles. "So was this war or love?"
"Neither," Harry glared at her. For the last two months Hannah and Susan had teased Daphne and him here and there. He liked the dark hair girl but he didn't like being teased about it.
Hermione put the coin into his hand. "I'm getting that back. Hannah, are you still having us all over next week?"
Hannah was still giggling at the expression on his and Daphne's face. "Yes. Mum said she would make sure the rooms are all good. This time I am going to have lots of ice cream," the girl said excitedly.
"Mother said I have permission," Daphne replied. "I can come over at any point that day."
"You aren't going to Dumbledore's trial?" Hermione asked.
The room became sombre. "Auntie isn't letting either of us go."
Daphne and Tracey nodded. "Yes, father expects it to be a little crazy that day. I have been told I am not to go," Tracey told them.
"Auntie thinks it will be also," Susan confirmed.
"Gran is letting me go with Harry. She said this involves me because of my mum," Neville replied.
Harry nodded. "Amelia is supposed to have a talk with me tomorrow. I don't know all the details yet, but I think this involves my relatives and my parents will," he confirmed for them. He was feeling the anger that had been below the surface for months now. There were hints from Amelia that this was a major issue and that he needed to be prepared for what might come out. She was going to do all she could to protect him, but some of their adventures and the treatment by his relatives may be revealed. He was not looking forward to that.
"Maybe this will finally get Malfoy to shut up about Black," Daphne said annoyed.
"Did he bother you again?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowed. Draco hadn't done or said much to Harry or the others that had been in the compartment since the ride back from Easter, but he had bugged Daphne, her sister and some others.
Daphne frowned. "The boy really needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. He was just saying how his father would strip Black of his Regency and retake the scion rights from you. The same he has been saying for months. I think it may be a surprise once our alliance becomes known," she said with a vindictive smirk. "I want to see the ponce fall."
Tracey shook her head. "And you wonder why you were not named a Ravenclaw at times? I hope he likes the present we left him."
Daphne had a satisfied smirk come on her face. "I think he will."
"What did you do?" Susan asked, her face alight at the possible gossip.
Daphne sat back in her seat. "Well, everything in his trunk will not smell like daisies, and hopefully his whole room."
"It better. I spent four galleons to get that stuff," Tracey said grumpily.
"What stuff," Neville enquired.
Tracey had a totally innocent look on her face. "Oh, nothing."
Many of them looked at her with a discerning look. Daphne giggled. "I'm not the dangerous one here. All I can tell you all is not to mess with Tracey. She is a little vindictive when upset."
Tracey winked at Neville. "I'm always nice to my friends," she remarked and Neville looked a little abashed.
Hannah looked between them and Harry tried to head it off. He knew that look. It was the same look she gave Daphne and him. "So, I think I have convinced Amelia that we can go to Lightwater Valley with you," Harry said quickly to Hermione.
"Oh, that will be amazing. You are coming too, right Susan? Neville?" Hermione asked, knowing that the others had already been denied. It was too muggle for Daphne's and Tracey's parents and Hannah was going to be out of country that week.
Neville looked apprehensive while Susan looked as excited as Harry. "Do the Muggles really have rides like the Gringotts carts?"
"Yes. They are called roller coasters. We should all be tall enough to go on them. I am not a fan of them, but I know Harry likes those things," Hermione said a little halfheartedly.
"Blimey, those things are awful," Neville commented.
"I can't wait to try them," Harry excitedly stated. "You are sure you can't go," he asked towards Daphne and Tracey.
Daphne shook her head. "Unfortunately not. I may be able to invite you to a Harpies game or two," she offered. "There is also the World Quidditch Cup."
"That would be wicked," Harry replied enthusiastically.
"Ms. Davis," Neville asked as they all talked about other summer plans. Harry was happy to just have a summer to look forward too. It felt so odd that he could actually look forward to enjoying it for once.
Tracey sat tall. "Yes, Scion Longbottom?" she asked. A few cast glances towards them, but Harry and Daphne tried to keep the others occupied by some unspoken agreement.
"So, you really can't come? I love those carts in Gringotts," Harry said loudly, drawing most of the others into an argument about how good or bad the carts were. He still overheard Neville and Tracey.
"Would you like to come over at some point this summer? I could use some help with my summer work and show you the orchards," Neville asked.
Tracey had a small smile come over her face. "I would like that, Neville. Send me an owl. I will ask mother and father the same."
Neville shared her smile.
Like normal, their Slytherin friends stayed about an hour. Long enough to enjoy each other's company, but not long enough to be too suspicious. Harry was looking forward to next year when he could spend as much time with the cute brown-eyed girl as he wanted. He watched them leave, watching Daphne walk away then shut the door behind him.
"Are you going to ask to escort Daphne to the Abbott's cotillion in August?" Susan asked.
"Daphne isn't eligible to be presented until summer after next, right?" Hannah asked.
Harry and Hermione looked at them both oddly. "Cotillion? You mean like a debutante ball?" Hermione enquired.
"Yes. My family has hosted one of the largest for the last twenty years," Hannah told them. "Most of the Neutral and Light Families will attend our ball. The Parkinson's usually hold the other major cotillion. All of us are invited as long as you are thirteen or older, but you aren't considered eligible to be presented until you are sixteen," Hannah told them.
"Do you feel like we have stepped back in time?" Hermione asked him.
"Constantly when I get to know more about this stuff," Harry agreed.
Susan looked at them. "Muggles don't do that anymore?"
Hermione shook her head. "My parents have talked about it just because they deal with a lot of rich clients and they had considered sending me away to private school, but it is not common."
"Oh. All the children of the Wizengamot families and most with any reputable name do as such," Hannah told them.
"Gran said she will have me put on the rolls in two summers," Neville told them.
Hermione scrunched her brow. "What does that mean that you are presented or put on the rolls?"
"It is some of the old laws and ways. Those of us that are considered pureblood, old families or have an inheritance that puts us on the Wizengamot can initiate the old courting and marriage traditions. It is the only way if you want to transfer family names or inheritances," Hannah explained.
"It's also the only way if a Halfbood or Muggleborn that isn't part of an old family can be considered to be a Lord or Lady. Those voted in can claim the title while they hold the seat, but otherwise they are just normal citizens," Susan put in.
"Gran would like to get rid of those old laws," Neville sighed. "If I don't marry someone recognized as a proper wife, then she can't take my titles."
Hannah frowned. "I don't even want to think about this yet. I only just turned fourteen last month."
"I know, but Auntie will have the tutors again over the summer. Harry will be with us this time though," Susan remarked.
"How am I to remember all this?" Harry asked Hermione.
She was looking back and fourth as Neville, Hannah and Susan talked about it all. She waived him off. "Are you saying you can't marry anyone except those that are recognized by these laws?"
"Merlin, no. We can marry anyone we want, but if we want them to be recognized and possibly be able to take over our seats and other inheritance, then they need to be recognized as someone that has taken the training and oaths to protect and proliferate our world. It was something the Wizarding Council instated soon after the first Statute of Secrecy was agreed upon," Neville replied.
"Auntie thinks it's part of why the purebloods hold tightly to their beliefs. If the law was overturned then the titles and voting seats could be passed down to anyone. Since most Muggleborn and Halfbloods don't know about it, it limits the available people that can be considered. If I find someone some day, I won't care, but until then, I will do as Auntie asks," Susan said fiercely.
This conversation was a little heavy. As he listened, a thought came to him. "Neville, do you know if my mum went through all this?"
"I don't know. I can ask Gran. Your father only took up the Regency, so there is a good chance she didn't," his cousin replied.
"Auntie may know as well. We can ask her tonight," Susan provided.
"Do you have to be presented or put on the rolls at sixteen?" Hermione asked.
"No. You only have to be at least sixteen, and there is no age limit," Hannah answered. "Technically you don't have to be presented either, but it is considered uncouth not to do so."
A whistle echoed down the train. "We should be to Kings Cross in about a half-hour," Hermione told them.
Like normal, it was a hectic time on the platform. He said his goodbyes to Hermione, Hannah and Neville. Hermione had given him a longer hug than normal, even though he was going to see her in two weeks.
He caught sight of Daphne and Tracey with their parents. Soon he wouldn't have to act as though there was nothing between them. Hopefully it wouldn't be too dangerous for them.
When they got back to Grace Hall, Harry started to unpack his trunk. Usually it was locked in the cupboard right away and his relatives wanted to act like he didn't exist. He wanted to make sure the house knew he did.
Harry hung his Firebolt and Nimbus 2000 on the wall as Amelia came to his door. "I hope those hooks are what you wanted for your brooms?" she asked.
He gave her a smile. "They're bril. Will I get to fly over the summer?"
"I can arrange something. I want you and Susan to be down in about half an hour. We have some stuff to talk about tonight and tomorrow. It will be your choice if you want to go to the Wizengamot meet in three days, but I need to be in the office Monday," she told him.
"Do you want us to dress up?"
"That is the tradition for the first meal back. Do you need any new clothes? We can take care of that in a week or two," she told him.
He shrugged. "I would like some more Muggle clothes," he told her, missing his old jeans and t-shirts. Plus, he liked being able to go out and not worry about sticking out.
"Let me organize that. Susan and I could probably use more as well," she agreed. "If you need anything else for your room, let me know."
"I will, Amelia," he replied.
"Sirius is going to be coming to dinner tonight as well."
Harry nodded. He had seen his god father once outside of the trial. The man had called him James when he first walked in, but soon realized he wasn't his father and had asked how school was going. He had to admit he was interested in getting to know Sirius. Unlike Remus, he had tried to get Harry to a safe place.
She walked off towards Susan's room. He let a smile onto his face. He really did belong here... he felt that.
Susan had put her hair up and was in a nice dress when she knocked on his door. He had to admit she was very attractive. Even though his body liked her curves, he didn't feel that way towards her. "You ready for this?" he questioned.
"Sure. What is Sirius Black like?"
He fell in step besides her. "Not fully sure yet. I've only talk to him a few times and heard he used to be a big prankster. So far he has been rather humdrum. My father, Sirius and their friends use to get into trouble and be worse than the Weasley twins, from what I heard."
She eyed him nervously, smoothing her dress. "He isn't going to try anything tonight is he? I like this dress."
He shrugged. "No clue."
"I hope not," said Susan concerned.
They joined Amelia at the base of the stairs to wait for Sirius to come through the fireplace. They didn't have to wait long. The fire soon flared green and a man with black hair, grey eyes and looking around with a smile stepped out. He caught sight of Harry and his smile grew. "Pup! It's so good to see you."
Sirius moved as though he was going to hug Harry. Harry stepped back and extended a hand for a shake. Harry caught the way the smile dropped from Sirius face and the look Amelia gave towards Sirius. Before they could say anything else, the fire flared again. Harry took a further step back. Grace Hall was supposed to be a safe place, and when he saw the sandy hair of Professor Lupin come through, it felt less so.
Sirius stopped and looked back at Professor Lupin. "I can do this on my own, Moony," Sirius snapped, not looking pleased at Harry's reaction.
"You know St. Mungo's only let you out for the weekend under my supervision. Madam Bones, thank you for inviting us over tonight," Professor Lupin said with a small bow.
Susan had moved a little closer to Harry. Amelia stepped up, extending her hand. "You can dispense with the pleasantries, Remus. We were all amicable at one time and we should be again."
"Of course, Amelia. Susan, you are looking quite nice tonight," their DADA professor complimented.
"Thank you, Professor," she replied.
"Pup, you doing alright?" Sirius was only paying attention to Harry.
Maybe he would have something to talk with Healer Anne about next week. "Yeah, fine."
Everyone seemed to ketch his tone. "Why don't we all go into the dinning room. I am sure Susan and Harry are famished from their ride back to London. I would like to hear how the rest of your year went," Amelia put to them.
"Yes, Auntie," Susan replied and they all made their way into the smaller family dinning room. He sat between Susan and Amelia with Sirius and Professor Lupin across from them. When Harry called him Professor Lupin again, the man corrected them. "I won't be your Defence professor next year. This was a one-year thing. I think it better you call me Remus now."
"I think I prefer Mr. Lupin," Harry remarked. That was one thing Healer Anne had told him: to speak his mind more. Let people know when he was uncomfortable or needed to change the subject. When he was with his friends, he didn't think about it. When he was with people he didn't know or trust, especially adults, he was more conscious of this. He found it helped to subdue his anger at times. It also made it easier to have Susan there. She had become a friend in the last few months.
Sirius looked between them briefly before the adults were asking Susan and him about their year. Harry was rather proud to report he finished sixth. He probably would have been higher, but he had goofed off too much at the start of the year. Susan was just behind him at seventh. Neville had actually been able to move up to eleventh. Five of the group he studied with were in the top ten. Of course, Hermione had secured first, with Daphne just behind her. Corner, from Ravenclaw, had finally been dislodged from second and sat third. Tracey was just ahead of Harry at fifth. Next year his goal was to dislodge Corner from third.
When quidditch came up, Susan helped him to retell his catches, even acknowledging that he had beat Cedric fair and square.
Harry thought it odd how normal it felt... well what he thought should be normal. It wasn't the wild affair he had come to expect from the Weasleys, or the way his relatives seemed to tolerate him and not really talk to him at all. As it got to desert, it hit him how much of a normal family life he had missed all these years.
He probably wouldn't have even realized it, if not for Healer Anne. It was times like this that it triggered his anger at how he had grown up. Amelia was trying to give him normal. What should have been normal. Sirius was laughing and teasing him about all the girls he had around him. When Remus made the comment that it was like James, always having a flock of girls around him and being a Quidditch star, it was too much. Maybe his rage at Lupin was unfair, but he couldn't take it that the man spoke so familiarly about parents he didn't know.
He put his napkin down, "Amelia, will you excuse me?"
Everyone one suddenly sobered as he sat up.
"Are you alright, pup?" Sirius asked.
"I just, uhm, forgot to do something."
He left the room without another word. When he made it to his room, Harry slumped into the chair by the fireplace and put his hands in his head. A few months ago he was upset that he had been left behind by everyone. Now he was finding himself upset about that as well as being upset as he started to really understand what had been done to him and what had been denied.
It seemed so silly to him. He shouldn't get so upset about such a simple thing like a family dinner, but the comment about his father had set it all off. A tear rolled down his cheek. He wiped it off, looking at it confused. Harry Potter didn't cry about what might have been or what he could have had. He just pushed through everything. That was all he could do. Push through to face the next shite thing that would inevitably happen.
That was until his parents will suddenly materialized.
Since then, his life had started to turn.
Another tear fell down his cheek. The emotions in him seemed to be falling from his eyes instead of being shoved down like they should.
A knock came at his door. "Harry, can I come in?"
It was Amelia. Harry didn't reply, pulling his legs up onto the chair. He wasn't used to feeling like this. He wasn't used to feeling so many emotions. Healer Anne had warned him that this might start happening as he worked through the blocks in his head.
After a moment the door opened when he didn't answer.
"Harry?"
"What?" he asked, furiously trying to get the tears off his face.
"Can I come in?" Amelia asked again.
"I'm sorry for leaving like that," he apologized.
She took a tentative step in. "You have nothing to apologize for. I should have maybe held this off a few more weeks. I just thought you might like to see Sirius and get to know him more. "
Harry kept having tears leak out of his eyes. "I do," he confessed.
She frowned as she came over to him and crouched down before he chair. "Are you alright?"
He ran his hands over his face again. "Are they still here? I should go back down," he told her, trying to force himself to stop crying and just face things like he always did.
"Sirius and Remus thought it best they go home for the night. Sirius is willing to meet you tomorrow if you want," she told him.
"So they just left me again?" Harry accused bitterly.
She shook her head and reached out a hand. He pulled back a little and she stopped, eventually dropping her hand. "No. They didn't leave you. If you want, I am sure I can have them come back?"
He took in a shuttering breath and then let it out. "I don't want Mr. Lupin to come back." He took in another deep breath and let it out. "Why did they leave me? Why did Sirius give me to Hagrid? Why did Mr. Lupin never try to find me?"
She gave him a sad smile. "Harry, we haven't told you yet, but we think Sirius never wanted to leave you that night. Part of why he is still undergoing treatments is that he was compulsed, confounded and obliviated. The three in conjunction with each other at the same time is known to lead to mental instability and make people do things that they might not otherwise. Sirius Black didn't abandon you, Harry. He was forced to leave you. Some of this will come out at Dumbledore's trial in a few days. There are some other revelations I would like to talk with you about tomorrow, but I want you to know that Sirius never meant to leave you."
His eyes were clouded with tears.
"Why?"
She sighed. He watched some internal struggle go through her mind. "If I promise to tell you tomorrow, will you be able to get some sleep tonight?"
He frowned. "I don't like secrets. You told me you wouldn't keep anything from me unless you needed to as my guardian."
"And I will not. I have no secrets about you that I will not tell you someday, but I think you are a little young and should focus on school, your friends and what Healer Anne has you working on," she replied in a solemn tone. It was the tone of a concerned parent.
Harry was finally able to stop the tears on the whole. Hearing that Sirius had never wanted to leave him was comforting. "Are you going to let me go to Dumbledore's trial?"
"I don't think it best for you right now. You and Susan are going to go to the Abbotts for the day. It is actually going to be a closed trial now with only a few media members and the Wizengamot. There are things that will come out that could be detrimental to you or others if the general populace knew. I am doing this not because you don't deserve to be there, but because my first responsibility is to keep you and Susan safe. As I said, I will talk to you tomorrow and tell you all I can," she informed him.
Harry took a long time before he nodded. In the few months she had been his guardian he had never felt she was misleading, controlling or attempting to abuse him. Amelia had been honest. Telling him what he thought was most of what was going on, and being honest when she felt he wasn't old enough or that it was something he didn't need to know. She had also protected him and made sure he was taken care of. No one had ever done that for him before.
Tonight, he needed a few more answers though. "Why did Dumbledore do that to Sirius and why did he send me to my relatives?"
Amelia gave him a concerned look. "You won't rest without those answers tonight, will you?"
He shook his head.
"Dumbledore got to your house just after Voldemort killed your parents. When he found you, he did a few diagnostics on your scar and thought it was something very dangerous. In his arrogance and fear, he thought it best to hide you away and put up some pretty illegal wards on your relative's house, thinking that blood wards based on love and the connection of family would protect you. He essentially kidnapped you, compelled Sirius to leave you with him and to chase after Pettigrew. I am still unsure how he repressed your parents will, but without the reading, Sirius in Azkaban and when your Aunt Alice was attacked a few days later, none of us knew where you had gone," she told him. "I'm sorry I didn't look for you myself. I have no excuse except that I was trying to take care of Susan and still dealing with my brother's death while we were trying to round up the Death Eaters."
Harry reached up to run his hand over his scar. He really couldn't feel it anymore. In the mirror it was just a thin white line now. He didn't blame Amelia. "What did he think was in my scar?"
"You know how you have faced off against Voldemort twice now?"
He suddenly felt a little sick. "You mean he was somehow possessing me like Quirrell? Is he still in me? Amelia, he made Quirrell kill unicorns..." He was panicky. Harry really wasn't used to dealing with so many emotions.
"Harry, it is alright now! You were never possessed like Quirrell or in danger like Ginny Weasley of having him use you to come back," she told him. "Whatever it was in your scar is gone now. That is why it has healed."
He searched her eyes for a few before relaxing back into the chair. "You are sure?"
"Certain."
After a moment, he nodded.
"Do you need to ask me anything else tonight?" asked Amelia.
He shook his head, having enough to work through as it was.
She nodded and reached for one of his hands again. He didn't pull back this time and she squeezed it before pulling back. "If you want, Susan wanted to play a board game before bed. We will be in the family sitting room if you want to come join us, or I can ask Sirius to come back?"
He shook his head. "I think I just want to be alone for a while."
"Sure. If you need anything, you call Dobby or any of our elves. If you need to talk some more, just let me know," she offered.
"I just need some time alone."
She nodded, stood up and surprised him when she leaned over and kissed him on the top of the head. He stiffened, never having any adult care for him this much before. "I'll see you at breakfast."
"Sure," Harry replied, his world feeling shaken to the core tonight.