Christmas break was packed full of family time, Neville protested when Harry and Hermione handed him his Christmas present on Boxing day, claiming he got the best gift anyone could ever get him by giving him his parents back. Frank and Alice fit in perfectly with their family unit, Harry and Hermione loved getting to know them, Frank was super smart however and realized that Harry had to have knowledge far past second year to be able to get thru his mindscape, the Potters ended up telling the Longbottom's their traveling story, how could they not after witnessing their strengths.
Alice had all but adopted Harry, weeping for the loss of her friends and Harry's life all stemming from one man's need to hold onto knowledge. She didn't think she could face Dumbledore and hold her tongue, she might have been tortured almost a decade ago, but she still remembered who told them it was safe to come out from behind their wards.
Healer Jarvis agreed to keep the knowledge of the Longbottom's recovery private for now, he understood their need for family time and privacy. After putting the pair thru extensive test to make sure they were fit and healthy for travel he gave them a private portkey that allowed them to get out of the hospital without walking thru the lobby. The only other person who knew of their recovery was the head of St. Mungo's Healer Hector Bonham and he promised to keep this quiet until it was appropriate.
They planned to release their recovery well after the New Year allowing the Longbottom family some peace and quiet for a few weeks.
Augusta was unsure how the pair would react to waking up and heading straight back home where everything happened, so instead they became guests at Potter Manor until they could wrap their heads around going home.
Spending time at Potter Manor turned out to be helpful in their healing, all the laughing and companionship went along way into mending their minds even further, they were having a hard time losing so many memories and time with Neville that the Twin's goofiness or the Marauders hijinks made it easier.
Harry was exactly right in his thoughts to tell Amelia separately than from the rest of the group about their second trip to meet Harry's parents. Hermione had just gotten to the part where they met her brother when she lost it. She started shaking and rocking back and forth, the two didn't know what to do so they called for Sirius.
Amelia was now sitting tight up against Sirius with his arm around her shoulders stroking her arm slightly while she nursed a glass half full of firewhiskey, reading the letters that magically made it thru time and space. She could spot her brothers handwriting anywhere, so knew these weren't faked. Tears poured down her face at his words of encouragement and praise for raising Susan. Even more tears were shed at the letter he sent along to give to her from both him and his wife at her graduation.
"Harry, you will never know how much this will mean to Susan. We lost Edgar and Virginia so suddenly, I never had time to mourn them, suddenly I was a single parent with no family to help. It was an amazing coincidence that I had Susan that night or I would have lost everyone." Amelia snuggled in tighter to Sirius.
"Believe me Amelia my greatest wish came true getting to spend time with my parents when we first came back, but it felt like it went by in the blink of an eye, to be given the gift of time this go around was amazing. We got to spend some quality time as a family, I got to meet my grandparents and introduce them to my wife. Believe me I know how important this was." At that Harry stood and motioned for her to join him, he walked with her thru a hidden doorway from the Study into the Library.
Amelia gasped at the picture of James and Lily, Sirius walked up behind her and once more wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Ami, I'm so sorry for your loss, and for not being there to help you thru everything, I shouldn't have allowed my anger at Wormtail to interfere with those I love. I promise to do better."
"You're damn right you will! Padfoot if I could, I'd color you purple with orange spots!" Lily said in a mock angry tone to which Amelia just laughed.
"She's right you know." Prongs said mirroring Sirius by putting his arm around his wife. "You took far too long to tell this wonderful woman that you love her."
Amelia turned to face Sirius, allowing him to keep his arm wrapped around her and proceeded to wrap hers around his waist. "Thank-you Sirius, at least you are here now."
Sirius leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Snickers could be heard from the painting above, so he turned his face to look at his brother, "What's so funny Prongs?"
Instead of James answering all he got was Lily busting a gut, snorting sounds from the painting suddenly became surround sound. All the laughing caused the rest of the group who were long ago forgotten to start chuckling too as Harry slid his wand back up into its hidden holster smiling at his wife who was mimicking her mother-in-law.
"Pads old buddy, purple really isn't your color." Remus said while walking in the room and patting him on the back before conjuring him a mirror.
"Why you…" He couldn't finish because Amelia was now chuckling with the rest of them. If making her laugh after feeling so sad means me being purple with orange spots, then it's a price I'll gladly pay Sirius thought to himself handing the mirror back to Remus.
The day before the kids headed back to Hogwarts the Tonk's family arrived to spend a family game night with the Potters and company. With the Longbottom's back at home Sirius thought it would be a nice time to put a little more effort in the whole Operation Wolf Love.
He watched as Remus turned a deep shade of red having the charmed Mistletoe hang above him and Dora's head once more, this would make it the fifth time, each time taking a little longer of a kiss to release its charm. Smiling he watched as Remus pulled Dora out of the room. Now this wasn't the first time a mistletoe was charmed; however, it normally was sent after James and Lily sparing Remus the embarrassment of kissing someone for quite a bit of time in front of an audience, that this audience just happened to have her parents in it made it all the more embarrassing.
Remus pulled Dora into the study; she was laughing although he could sense she was just as embarrassed as he was to be practically making out in front of her parents.
"I'm really sorry about this Dora, I don't know why he's purposefully trying to make me want to kill him, but I apologize for tonight." Remus said with as much dignity as one getting pelted with a singing mistletoe in the back of the head can sound.
Tonks pushed up onto her tiptoes and leaned into the werewolf, her hair changing rapidly thru different shades of reds and pinks, and kissed Remus deeply. She twined her fingers thru his sandy brown hair and pulled him closer, his arms automatically wrapped around her waist. They kissed until the mistletoe zoomed from the room, at which Tonks flicked her wand into her hand and closed and locked the door, all while continuing to kiss the man who was featured heavily in her dreams.
Pulling back, she let loose a small chuckle at his dazed expression, "I didn't mind the kissing, just a little embarrassing to do it so passionately in front of everyone, especially my parents."
Remus couldn't form a coherent thought at the moment, so he just simply nodded.
"I've really enjoyed getting to know you these last few months, I'm actually kind of glad the mistletoe found us so interesting tonight, I was starting to think you didn't like me." She said as his arms tightened around her pulling her in closer.
"Dora, how could I not like you? Your caring, charming, creative, and ungodly beautiful. Hell, even my wolf has fallen for you. But you don't want us, we come with so much baggage, and your job would prevent us from having a happy life together, I couldn't saddle you with all that." Remus said as he attempted to pull away.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Dora asked while pulling the werewolf back to her. "For your information Amelia already knows how I feel about you, and with you being a professor and never having an incident makes it easier for me to be with you. Besides, all that werewolf propaganda is just a bunch of hogwash the purebloods created to make it hard on people who had no choice in the matter. One my cousin says he's working on getting corrected solely for you."
Remus knew his wolf fancied Tonks; he wasn't quite prepared for the wolf demanding that she was his Mate however. Werewolves don't normally settle down with anyone who isn't compatible with their inner wolf, and finding your mate required one to date, and well Remus simply didn't date. Moony however was all but screaming that this gorgeous woman in front of him was his mate for life. It scared him, he always thought he would be a lone wolf, forever a bachelor, but here he was wrapped in the arms of a woman he could see forever with.
Remus was always a strong and powerful wizard, the wolf just enhanced those qualities, what it didn't enhance was his self-esteem or confidence. His head was still trying to come up with reasons to not be with Dora, he's too old, he doesn't have the finances… well I guess Harry and Hermione and even Sirius fixed that problem. But he still was a beast!
Tonks could see the internal struggle in this gentle wolf, "Stop over thinking it Remus, you're not too old, you don't have to worry about supporting us both I work too you know, and I've done my research due to being your guard, I can handle Moony, not that he would hurt me to begin with."
Remus thought that she was right, even if he didn't have wolfsbane there was no way Moony would hurt his Mate, wolf or not. Deciding to finally take that leap of faith he said the only thing he knew in his heart of hearts to be true. "I love you Dora."
Tears glistening in both of their eyes Tonks replied, "I love you too wolfie." As they once more leaned in to exchange a love filled kiss.
"WOOOHOOOO!" a yell came from behind Remus.
"Sweet mother of Morgana what the hell!" Tonks shouted flicking her wand back into her hand from its hidden holster once more.
Remus had automatically turned placing himself in between the perceived threat and his mate his wand seemingly coming from nowhere. "What the hell?"
No one was there, however the voice sounded very much like Sirius now that he calmed down enough to think about it. Then it dawned on him, "Sirius take off the damn cloak and get the hell out!"
The floating head of Sirius suddenly appeared right behind the desk in the study, he must have sneaked in while Remus was getting beaten by the mistletoe.
"Siriusly, it's about time you two got together!" Sirius laughed at both his joke and at the pairs rosy cheeks.
"Sirius, I'm going to give you to the count of three to get the hell out of this room…" Remus started.
"Or what? You'll color me purple, that's already happened this week, I'm over the amusement of it." Sirius said with a feral grin on his face.
"If you would ever allow someone to finish their sentence, I was going to say or else I would send Hermione and Harry on you, but now that you mention it." Remus was remarkably fast with his casting, a bonus of having lightning quick werewolf reflexes, and got off the color changing spell before Sirius could form a shield. He had conjured it so that his skin tone and spots would blink thru the rainbow at a fast rate, much like Tonks hair when she got excited.
Sirius was so distracted with himself that he didn't see Tonks cast a tickling hex at him right before Remus levitated him out the room and into the family room, much to the amusement of the rest of the family.
"Congratulations you two!" Prongs said from the painting above the fireplace, Harry had made it so that they could enjoy his parents' company in several rooms of the Manor.
"What are we congratulating them on? Pranking Sirius? Because that seems to be pretty easy if you can get him talking!" Hermione said with a chuckle.
"Well, my sweet daughter in law, although you are correct, I know Sirius well and he wouldn't have blown his cover if these two love birds didn't make it official and start dating, he charmed that same bloody mistletoe in our sixth year, I can't complain too much though because it got me this beautiful lady right here." James said with a smile as he pulled his wife to him.
Based on the shocked expressions from his kids, Sirius had pulled the ultimate prank in his eyes, he was also glad he got it right, he knew the kids were pushing the pair together, he just hoped that this would fix or at the very least help whatever their plans were.
"Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag, thanks you two I was going to properly ask Ted to court the beautiful Miss Tonks, but you two blithering idiots always ruin everything!" Remus said with mock anger, his eyes searching out Ted's to make sure he knew that he was joking with the guys but really did want to ask his permission, the slight nod from him sealed the deal. Remus was a happy wolf. The pair released Sirius so that he could go and sit by his now girlfriend, Amelia couldn't contain the laughter at his flickering spots, Sirius just rolled his eyes and leaned in to kiss her forehead.
Two things happened on the train ride back to Hogwarts from Christmas break, the first being that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy not only showed up to the platform together, escorted by Narcissa Black, but they sat together on the train as well.
Now as strange as that might be to some of the students, what shocked everyone including the Potters was Draco winning a game of chess against Ron. The once mortal enemies set aside their differences and decided to play the wizarding version of chess, it seems that they could get along just enough to talk about quidditch and chess, which was WAY more than Harry ever thought Ron capable of. And to top it off Draco broke the winning streak that Ron had going since last year, and instead of getting mad, Ron congratulated Draco on being the best opponent he had ever played against.
Miracles really do happen. Hermione grinned as she looked at Harry, all he could do was nod as he was deep in a conversation with the red head and blonde about his thoughts on the Quidditch World cup next year. Ron thought it was going to be the Cannons year, however Draco was rooting for Puddlemere United. Harry kept his comments to himself for the most part but did say he thought Ron's idea was complete and udder rubbish with a chuckle.
Back at school the Potters were up in their private room having just finished unpacking their trunk.
Gringotts reported that the properties of which Harry bought to grab the last horcrux out of didn't in fact contain the horcrux at all. Ragnok reported that it did have traces of the dark magic that makes them up present but the actual object itself was recently removed.
"Well we kind of figured that's what Crouch did while he was in Little Haggleton, it seems in this case he is just a half a step ahead of us." Hermione said out loud to Harry from her spot at the table in their room.
Harry had opened a folder that contained all the correspondence from Gringotts and placed the letter back inside, once done he raised from his spot on the couch and placed it back in a hidden compartment on the book shelf to the right of the fireplace.
All in all, their private room at Hogwarts was cozy. Hermione had no problem filling the bookshelves lining either side of the fireplace, it made the perfect spot to slip in a false book they charmed so that only they could remove it. The small kitchenette proved useful when Hermione decided on an all-night study session, even though they knew all the coursework she still insisted upon having good grades, and Harry did concede that potions was a lot easier when he brushed up on the topic beforehand.
They both enjoyed McGonagall's expressions when they informed her of the new password each month, this month's password just happened to be Mischief Managed, and based off her reaction Harry could tell she knew exactly what the Marauders were up to during their time at school.
The following morning the transfiguration class was packing up after a double lesson when McGonagall called out, "Mr. Potter, I know you have a break after my class, I would like for you and your wife to stay behind for a moment please."
Hermione nodded and grabbed her bag from the floor while Harry reached out to carry it for her and followed her into McGonagall's office.
"Thank you both for agreeing to meet with me, there are a few things I would like to go over with you both." Minerva started, eyeing the two down to see if they would get jumpy or twitchy. Something she picked up from Harry's fathers time at school, something that Sirius still did, and it secretly made her laugh.
But not these two, steady as stone, almost like they were familiar with her techniques, most don't pick up this kind of calmness till after they graduate, too intimidated by her brusque manor to feel quite at ease this young.
"I've noticed things have been off since the start of this year, for one Harry, if you don't mind me saying this, but you have improved by leaps and bounds from last year. At first, I thought it was a change in your home life, but it was much to sudden and big of a change." At this Minerva did see him squirm a little. Moving her eyes over to Hermione she finished her observations.
"And you Mrs. Potter, you have calmed down a substantial amount since last year, and almost seem bored at the knowledge I am imparting upon you. I know you read ahead and are an excellent student, however I caught you mouthing some of the words to my lecture the other day, almost as if you had heard it already." Hermione blushed not at the assumption of her having prior knowledge, but at the fact that she was caught mouthing the lecture on Beetles to Buttons.
"Now, I am presuming that the reasons behind these sudden changes is a need-to-know basis, I am also presuming that you wouldn't want a certain crooked nosed individual to catch wind of any sort of future knowledge you two may or may not have." Seeing the pair shake their heads Minerva continued down her practiced speech.
"However, given my role as an educator, it is my job to make sure you are both learning at an appropriate level and pace. I have been approached by the other heads of house, Professor Snape included, about increasing your workload." Minerva paused to let that sink in, it wasn't every day that Severus saw it fit to compliment her cubs, she took great pride in these two.
Shite, it didn't think we were that obvious.Harry mentally projected over to his wife.
Language love, and I agree, I didn't think we projected our future knowledge quite this much, I know exactly when Professor McGonagall caught me mouthing along, Beetles to Buttons sticks out in my mind because I got the spell right on the first go around all those years ago. But I forgot that I used to be a bossy know it all.
In his head Harry chuckled, proud that Hermione could own up to that. What are we going to do love, I don't think we should tell her about the time travel or our encounters in purgatory? Harry and Hermione had already discovered very early on that they could have quite long conversations using their mental communication in a rather short amount of real time simply because the thoughts just popped into each other's heads.
Why don't we try telling her a version of the story, we could push some of the explanation off on Remus, he really is an extraordinary teacher. It would certainly explain our knowledge to some degree, and we could push off my bossiness fading due to our relationship. Hermione thought.
It's a good idea, you know it's going to be a roll with the punches sort of plan, right? Hermione's response of 'Like normal' almost made Harry chuckle out loud. You start love.
"Thank-you Professor, for both your understanding and insight into expanding our education. We would gladly accept any increased education. We talk often with Professor Lupin on our schoolwork and use him as a sort of tutor, so it must seem like we already know what's coming but in reality, he's always just pushing us to do better. As for my calming down, you'll have to thank this one right here" Hermione said pointing to Harry.
"The bond we share due to our soul bond makes it for me to see how I am thru his eyes and perspective; I certainly didn't like what I saw and push myself to change my pushy ways." Hermione blushed as she said this.
"And really she hasn't changed all that much Professor, she still is a stickler for a study schedule, you just don't see it because it's in our dorm room." Harry laughed as his wife smacked his arm.
Minerva smiled at them, she knew they were excuses, and she understood their need for secrecy, "Those are well thought out explanations for the changes the teachers are seeing, I will pass that on to them and let them know you accept the addition workloads." The two nodded at her words but were cut short by her next statement.
"Of course, you understand that I know how much a pile of rubbish that is. Please ensure that Remus knows of you two tying him into the lie that this is, it will make it all the more believable for the others." Minerva couldn't help the chuckle that escaped, did the two really think she wouldn't know better.
"I don't need to know your story, in fact I prefer not to know, it makes it easier to lie to Dumbledore. I will ask that you be honest with me on a few topics so that I may help you better. My first question is pretty straight forward, Am I right to assume you are both mentally graduated from Hogwarts?"
Gulping the pair in tandem nodded.
"And am I correct in the assumption that you both remember enough of your past studies to pass quizzes and your exams?"
Instead of answering the pair lifted their wands and performed the Patronus charm silently. A beautiful golden pair emerged, a strong build golden stag walked over to an equally strong looking doe and nuzzled her with his nose, then as a pair they walked over to the stunned professor for inspection.
Next to prove their point Harry summoned a block of wood sitting in the corner that the 7th years used in class to transfigure into turkeys, only instead of turning it into a turkey Harry made it into a back support for her chair, Hermione cast a few spells to make the support unbreakable, damage proof, and Scarlet red with yellow buttons.
Minerva accepted the gift and placed it on her chair, shocked to find it self-adjusting.
"Very well, you two are excused from turning in any work in my class, I trust for you both to turn in papers when I ask the rest of the class, but they may be blank or if you need to communicate with me you may do so thru the papers. Given Mrs. Potters mind, I'm sure you will know when the papers are coming."
Making sure the two understood Minerva continued, "Now, as for my last question, is there anything you need from me? Additional information on anything, questions I could answer?"
"Not at this time Professor, we really appreciate you not demanding answers for everything, eventually we would like to tell you the whole story, but simply can't risk it right now" Harry said truthfully.
"That is understandable Mr. Potter, thank-you both for your time, now we must all make haste as it is almost time for supper." The professor nodded to the clock on the wall, the pair was shocked they had been talking for almost two hours.
"What did Professor McGonagall need with you two?" Ron asked the pair as they sat down for supper. Neville looked over to them as well, curious as to what was going on.
"She offered us additional studies, seeing as we have been successful in our classes, we were going over what options were available to us." Hermione said seeing the understanding in Neville's eyes and the acceptance in Ron's.
"Makes sense with all the bloody studying you both do!" Ron said non-scathingly. Sometimes Harry and Hermione just couldn't believe this was the same Ronald Billius Weasley they knew from the past.
After dinner Harry and Hermione were sitting in their room going over all the notes, they had taken from Winky's observation when the elf herself popped in right as Harry was taking a sip of tea. Harry, startled, almost spit his tea right at the tiny elf, it was by sheer luck he was able to stop himself.
"Good evening Winky, I take it there is new material to report?" Harry asked after composing himself.
"Yes Maste… Harry," Winky stopped herself, her new masters were quite strange to her, it took a lot of effort to just call them Harry and Hermione. Dobby said this would wear off with time, but she doubted it.
"Winky sees old master with a giant snake and an ugly evil baby, they were heading into a dingy shack somewhere Winky can't remember the location of, I's only be finding old master when he's outside the shack, and can't sense him when he's inside."
It seems he's got his homunculus earlier than last time; we must have changed enough of the past that the timeline is starting to change. Hermione thought over to Harry as he nodded in agreement.
"They must be using strong wards to prevent you from seeing or finding them. Thank-you Winky, please continue to follow Crouch's movements when you can, so long as you ensure your safety, and that you always come back to us." Harry re-enforced the need for her to be safe, losing her was not an option, Dobby had the same rules put in place. Harry didn't think he could stand losing the little elf again.
"Let's get a report over to Amelia." Hermione said as she enlarged her watch and called Amelia's watch.
"Hello, you two, I take it you got news?" Amelia said as she answered, obviously in her office.
At the pair's positive response, Amelia placed up the privacy wards her office was provided with, then put some of her own on top of them. "There we go all secure, go ahead you two."
"It seems that Voldemort obtained his homunculus form way earlier than in the last timeline. I'm not sure what we changed to allow Crouch to escape and steal the ring, it's definitely not what happened last time." Harry explained.
"I also don't think he's going to use the same ritual he used previously either. It would make way more sense to use the horcrux. Given that we believe he made the ring second in his line of horcruxes, it would indicate that a much bigger soul fragment would be housed within, creating a stronger Voldemort than what we faced before." Hermione said sadly.
Amelia understood their trepidation, a younger stronger Voldemort was a scary thought, his tales in school were legendary and this horcrux was made apparently very late in his Hogwarts career or early stages after graduation. But any ritual would need a potion to help join the homunculus to the soul fragment, and to make that potion would no doubt require rare ingredients.
"Winky, did the Crouches have any other elves?" Amelia asked, trying to identify ways Crouch Jr. could get his hands on those ingredients.
"No Missus Bonsey ma'am, Winky was the only elf." The tiny elf replied in her high-pitched squeaky voice.
"Where is your train headed Amelia?" Harry asked.
"Well, to transfer his soul piece into the homunculus he would need to hold a ritual, that ritual would need a potion with very rare or expensive ingredients. I could narrow it down if I only knew of the ritual itself, we could put a watch on the known death eaters and apothecaries for purchases of certain ingredients." As Amelia was thinking she was playing with her ever-present monocle, Harry found out last time that it had charms on it to allow her to see false walls, or hidden compartments, much like Moody's eye.
"Well given that we believe he used a book from the Black library last time, why don't you start there, see if Sirius could help you find any books pertaining to Horcruxes." Hermione said, suddenly Harry heard her thoughts and agreed instantly.
"That's brilliant Hermione!" Harry said while hugging her.
"What's brilliant?" Amelia asked, it really was tiring trying to keep up with their mental conversations.
"Hermione had a thought to look in the room of requirements, the space we often use to help Neville with potions, and the twins with their pranks. You can ask the room to be anything you wish of it, Riddle actually hid a horcrux in the school, my beautiful wife assumes that he might have hidden notes or idea's there as well, fully expecting to be hired on as a teacher; that would allow him to access them at any point." Harry said proudly.
"That is a good plan, why don't you two bring Remus and the twins with you, if I remember right you said that room was huge and packed full of stuff." Amelia said while once more playing with her monocle.
The pair agreed and agreed to report back with their findings over the weekend. Maybe just maybe they could stay ahead in this war.
The following evening, the Potter's and the Weasley twins headed toward Remus' office, not unusual as they quartet often spent time there, now more than ever as a way to cover their story to the other teachers, and the twins because they idolized the marauder.
"Good evening you four, are you ready to go on a scavenger hunt?" Remus asked to the group, who all replied with a nod.
Once inside the room, Harry asked for the room to become unplottable, this way no one could stumble in on them, next he taught the twins a spell he learned from Fabian that detects harmful energies on objects. The basics of the spell provided you a warning on the object's intentions. Once cast your wand tip glows white, very similar to the lumos spell, if it comes near an object that has a life-threatening curse or dark intentions the light turns black, that gives you about a meter in diameter gap between you and the object. The closer you get to said object your wand starts to vibrate, the closer you are the stronger the vibrations. If the light turns Red, you are to get out of the vicinity as fast as possible as that is indication of a deadly curse that can seek you out if close enough.
Overall a useful charm, one the twins were excited to learn simply because of who taught the Potters. Hermione used a charm that created a grid like pattern on the floor. Once a search of the area was complete a 'X' would appear in the square, making it so if they needed to spread this out over a couple of weeks, they wouldn't waste time re-searching an area they had already searched. Not to mention the untold treasures this room held, Hermione was saddened that they couldn't go back and search last time due to the fiend fire incident.
As it turned out, the book they were looking for was actually in the room, right inside the door. Riddle must have hidden it in a hurry when he deposited the Diadem. What shocked Harry was the book wasn't from the Black family library, but a different family. It was a crest that neither the twins, nor Remus recognized, but one that Harry was very familiar with. Not many people knew the Dumbledore crest, or at least the old one, Albus had it changed after his father killed those three muggles, it was well documented in Rita's tell all book. Now the true question, why did Tom Riddle have a book from the Dumbledore family?
A few weeks later the wizard in question was sitting contemplating everything he had observed this year, where he had once felt confident in his role as Harry Potters hero per say, he couldn't help but feel his role in Harry's life had shifted, it started when Sirius was released from Azkaban. As the elderly headmaster sat in his high-backed throne like chair, his fingers steepled in front of him reflecting last year. It had gone according to plan, Harry was best friends with the Weasley's, a family who he had considerable pull with, it was of little inference that he was friends with the Granger girl, as without her the two boys probably wouldn't have made it thru the tests and traps he set. Harry himself was weak minded and pliable, something Ronald Weasley used to his advantage on the train.
In that same vein he felt his pull with the Weasley's to dip substantially as well, and even he could see the huge difference in the youngest male Weasley. So much change and yet Harry was in the center of everything.
He had to figure out what was all going on, just this morning at the monthly staff meeting, it was full of his senior staff praising how much Harry had improved on his studies, only surpassed by Severus actually praising the Longbottom lad, again thanks to Harry. Something was off.
Albus decided to see if he could gleam anything from the source himself and called for Minerva.
"Yes Albus?" The green face of Minerva in the fireplace spoke.
"Minerva, if it wouldn't be too much to ask, I would like to speak with Harry for a few minutes today, I have something in my possession that I wish to gift him. I know the lions have transfiguration this afternoon, could you have him come up during your class?" Albus spoke, knowing that he would need a good excuse for calling one of his deputy's charges in the middle of her class, and he had a number of possessions he had removed from the Potters home in Godrics Hollow that he could pass on now that he was done perusing them.
"I will be sure to pass on the message this afternoon, you can expect him after his transfiguration lesson." As Minerva spoke her brogue accent became stronger. "As I'm sure the item or items you are passing along to him belonged to his parents, you may also expect me to be present as well, given that it could get quite emotional for Mr. Potter and as his head of house it's my job to help him work thru those emotions." The Scot said this with finality to broker no excuses.
"Of course my dear, I was going to ask you to be present for the handoff anyway." The twinkle in the headmaster's eyes left little comfort to Minerva. Sure you were, she thought to herself.
Once she got her head out of the fire, Minerva went off to find Harry and Hermione. She didn't want them to get blind-sided by her request and wanted to make sure that Harry felt okay with her being there.
Albus sat and stared at the fireplace where his deputy's head used to be, even she has changed, Albus said out loud to his empty office, or at least he thought it was empty.
"That is a true Gryffindor Albus, surely you wouldn't expect any head of house to not be supportive of their student?" The sorting hat spoke. Not an unusual occurrence in and of itself, however for the hat to be questioning the Headmaster was.
"Allister, you know that's not what I meant by that statement." Albus said a little shocked.
"I do know, just as I know you were never going to outright invite her to the meeting in the first place Albus. I must say, I am a little saddened by your changes. Gone is the brave little boy who wanted to make a name for himself, in his place I find tendencies more akin to a younger Tom Riddle. I know you know my reference." The hat spoke once more before becoming dormant like it was most of the year.
What in the… Dumbledore couldn't finish his thought however several owls flew in thru the window with letters from the ICW and the Wizengamot, it seemed his duties were calling.
Minerva found the Potters coming back from the library and heading towards what she presumed to be her classroom for their transfiguration lesson which was set to start in twenty minutes.
"Good afternoon you two, would you mind following me into my office, I'd like to speak with you both before class begins." McGonagall seemed a little peeved as she said this, Harry was hoping it was nothing to do with them.
"Absolutely professor, after you." Harry bowed while indicating the professor should lead the way, while Hermione just snickered.
Once safely ensconced in her private study Minerva began, "I'm sorry to cut into your free time Mr. Potter, however I was informed by the headmaster just a bit ago that he wished to speak with you in his office after class today, well actually during class but I digress."
"Nothing new there, I'm sure he's curious as to all the changes I've undergone." Harry stated matter of fact.
"Actually, I was told that he has something in his possession that he wishes to pass onto you." The professor looked a tick mad still.
Strange Hermione's voice popped into his head, he already gave you the cloak last year, I wonder what else he could have?
Harry thought back for a moment before answering her back, I'm not sure, this is a new development, he never gave me anything other than the cloak in the last timeline, at least not until his death. It has to be something from my parents, something he didn't give me last time, and if it's important I swear I'm going to ring his neck!
"Have you any idea what he has Professor?" Harry asked curiously, trying to maintain his occlumency shields to hide his anger.
"Not a clue, I did however, and I beg your pardon for not passing it by you first, invited myself along to the meeting. I figured you could use some help when that old wizards' eyes get to twinkling." His head of house look just as angry as he felt at the moment, she must have figured out it was something from his parents as well and agreed that it should have been returned much earlier than this.
"I appreciate that ma'am and will graciously accept your presence in the office. Do you think the great headmaster would have any objections to my wife being present?" As Harry said this, he reached for Hermione's hand giving it a squeeze, he could hear her inner monologue racing trying to figure out what the old goat had that he didn't hand over last time.
"I don't believe he would have a choice; it is your right to have her in there." McGonagall said with a small smile, "now I do believe it's time for class." She rose from her seat and opened the door leading to her classroom, the pair walked thru and took their seats in the front of class.
They had requested from the professor to study the animagus transformation, something that Minerva was weary to teach until Harry explained how he wanted to be one like his father and Sirius, and that it would be better to learn it from her than from Sirius, to which she agreed wholeheartedly and relented. This was what they were studying for as the rest of the class worked on turning animals into water goblets.
They already knew the theory behind the transformation, but needed to start the work on meditating and finding their inner animals, something that they couldn't do in purgatory.
The class passed rather quickly as they only had a regular session today as opposed to their double session every other week. Once the class was dismissed McGonagall asked for the Potters to stay after for a meeting with the headmaster, Neville offered to take their book bags back up to Gryffindor tower as they had a free period now and supper afterwards before heading off to astronomy.
The pair thanked him and then followed McGonagall out of the classroom and down the hall. Walking up the spiral staircase past the gargoyle the trio knocked on the door and entered.
"Ah good evening Harry, and Mrs. Potter, I see you tagged along, splendid... splendid." Although the headmaster looked anything but pleased, he waved the elder wand and created a third chair and motioned for the group to sit.
"Would anyone like any tea or biscuits?" Dumbledore asked politely.
The group all agreed to tea as one of the many Hogwarts elves appeared with a tray of biscuits and four cups of tea. Harry and Hermione both noticed that their tea was made exactly how they liked it and came to the conclusion that Dobby had helped.
"There, now that we are all settled in there are a few things I would like to go over with you Harry, and then I have a few items that I would like to pass along to you." Dumbledore kept his eye on Harry, waiting for the normal awed look that most kids his age got from being in his presence, something Harry had last year but was sadly missing this year. Blast the hold Sirius had on him.
Harry for his part, avoided direct eye contact with the headmaster, and advised Hermione not to fall victim to his twinkling eyes. Harry never confirmed but greatly suspected that the twinkle was fake and a way to have students look him directly in the eyes long enough for a light legilimency probe, just a surface reading, enough that students and adults alike wouldn't suspect anything.
Seeing no reaction, the headmaster proceeded to put his nose where it didn't belong.
"Now then, I am pleased to hear that you both have been doing well in your studies this year, so much so that several teachers have been assigning you extra work, it's been a weeks now and I would like to hear how that is going. Have you both been able to keep up with the extra work? Are you experiencing any trouble that the staff could help with?" He couldn't help but see how shocked Minerva was at this question, he figured she would be pleased that he was following up with her favorite students and taking an interest in their well-being.
What's he playing at Harry? Hermione asked thru their connection.
Dunno was his reply.
"We have been having no troubles sir. The professors are really good about making sure we aren't overworked, and we have both enjoyed having the extra knowledge, especially with Voldemort still out there I think it's important for me to be ahead of the game." Harry answered knowing that he asked this question to figure out their motives for the extra work. Using Voldemort after being attacked by him last year was the perfect built-in excuse for Harry to try harder in his classes.
"Yes… yes, that is very good Harry." Dumbledore said happily, he's scared and worried that's why he's changed so much from last year he thought to himself.
"And what about you Mrs. Potter, how are you adjusting to finding yourself married? Are your parents taking it well? Do you need anyone to visit to explain to them the bond you both share?" Albus watched as Hermione looked toward Harry and then back to him.
"They took it well sir, however if you happen to have a book on soul bonds, I'm sure my mother would be eternally grateful." Hermione laid it on a bit thick, her mum would in fact be happy to read a book about the bonds her and Harry share, however she was pretty sure she could find that book in the library at Potter Manor.
"I shall endeavor to look for a text to satisfy her." Albus said once again happy with the response he received. A slight probe while she was looking at him told him her answer was genuine and that she too was nervous about Voldemort.
Good one love. Harry said as he gave her hand a squeeze. It was easy to avoid the headmaster's probes, and it appeared even easier to let him see what they wanted him to see.
"Albus, perhaps we should get this moving along, least the children miss supper." Minerva spoke after Albus was silent for several minutes.
"Of course Minerva" Albus said with a bow of his head and then he opened his desk drawer and pulled out two journals that Harry recognized right away and a pair of wands. As he placed them on his desk Minerva gasped.
How did he get my parents journals? They were in my safe last time… Harry thought. Hermione then answered his thought, He must have placed them in there before he died. McGonagall is royally peeved, look!
Harry and Hermione looked to their head of house, confused at her response to the objects. "Albus you had no right to withhold those from him!" Minerva spat.
"How dare you keep such important items from Harry, they should have been handed over when he started school. Actually, they should have been handed over earlier, considering Hagrid said the most he was told about his parents was the lie that those horrible muggles told to him that they died in a car crash! A CAR CRASH ALBUS!" Minerva having shouted the last bit was huffing as she continued to stand.
Harry was still a little confused, but so proud of his head of house Go Minerva! He thought before asking, "Can someone please tell me what has my head of house so upset so I can either join her or at the very least understand her anger?"
"Harry those are your parent's wands, I would know them anywhere, the wizarding world was under the impression that they were lost to the destruction of your family cottage. The books are their private journals, of this I'm sure because I gifted them both those diaries as a graduation present. One I give to every Gryffindor who completes Hogwarts." Minerva looked ready to skin Dumbledore alive.
"WHAT!" Hermione had no issues joining Minerva in her anger as Harry just stood there shocked as he stared at his parent's wands.
Albus held up his hands in surrender as he attempted to calm the angry scot. "I had every intention of giving these items to Harry, I was going to hand over the diaries last year right before he got on the train but was sidetracked by the Quirrell fiasco, I obviously couldn't give either items to him while he was at the Dursleys, the boy knew nothing of the magical world, something I would like to remind everyone here, that kept him safe whilst the wizarding world rounded up several dangerous death eaters. I don't think I have to remind you Minerva of what happened to the Longbottom's?" Albus said solemnly.
"Safe?" Harry said as he reached for his parent's journals and wands pocketing both within his robes ready to leave in a huff.
"You thought I was safe?" Albus didn't understand where this conversation was going as he looked into the calm, cool, and collected eyes of Harry Potter.
Hermione stood and slid her hand in his, giving it a squeeze as she tried to calm down, she knew where Harry was about to go and needed to be calm so as not to let her magic get away from her.
"I was beaten by my relatives, BEATEN! I have scars that criss cross on my back from the whipping's I've received, I have had broken bones that healed improperly. And you consider that safe?!" Harry was now breathing heavy and trying to listen to Hermione's voice inside his head to breath so as not to let his own magic escape him.
" I've had to dumb down my learning since I first started muggle primary so that my obese cousin would do better than me in class, he and his friends had a game called Harry hunting that they quite enjoyed, is it any wonder I'm so good at dodging bludgers I've been having to dodge my families fists since I was two years old!" At this Dumbledore turned a ghostly white.
"I'm good at potions because I had to learn at the age of five how to cook a full meal, I was encouraged to learn quickly as I couldn't eat unless I made the meal perfectly, not that I got to eat my perfect meal I was given a single piece of lunch meat and bread and water to eat." Harry calmed slightly as he felt Minerva place a hand on his shoulder.
"I lived in the cupboard under the stairs headmaster, on a baby mattress that Dudley used to sleep on, when I was a baby all I had was the basket and blanket I was left in. I was only upgraded to Dudley's second bedroom this year as my aunt and uncle are petrified of Hagrid. In fact, if it wasn't for the twins then I wouldn't even be here as they ripped the bars off my window to rescue me!"
At this Minerva lost it, "THEY HAD TO DO WHAT?"
"I was locked in my room with only a cat flap to pass food thru, I was left out for a few mins to use the restroom and take a five-minute cold shower then shoved right back in." Harry now had to stop in order to hold onto Hermione, as she was actively sobbing into his shoulder.
"Mister Potter, would you please escort your wife to the infirmary for a calming draught, I will be along shortly and request that you stay there until I arrive as I would like her to give you a wellness exam to correct any past injuries that magic could help with. I just need to have a brief word with the headmaster and then I'll be down." McGonagall's order was stern but caring at the same time.
Harry just simply nodded and led Hermione out from the headmaster's office, right before he closed the door, he saw Minerva make a turn face and started her tirade on the headmaster. Harry had a small grin on his face knowing that the headmaster was in for a good rollicking. Hushing Hermione, he pulled her toward the infirmary, that calming draught would do wonders as he hadn't exactly told Hermione everything that happened in his childhood before, she knew bits and pieces, but he tended to leave out the really bad parts.
Giving her a kiss to the forehead the entered Madame Pomfrey's domain.