Yeah, I was lucky to meet him, Harry wrote. Sorry that you can't work with him, but maybe you'll become friends anyway. By the way, Professor Lupin just now agreed to teach all the students the Patronus Charm. He and Professor Flitwick will start a club just for that. I guess with almost all the school attending they'll have to split us up in smaller groups, but I really hope I'll get to study with him. He also didn't ask me about you, even though he must have smelled me on you on Wednesday. Hermione says that a werewolf's nose is even better than that of a dog. Maybe that means he wants you to be safe as well. I don't think he hates you, honest, but if you like I can try and talk to him.
Again, Sirius took a while to answer, and when he did, a couple drops of ink landed on the page and blossomed a little until they dried. I don't know, pup. Times were very dark back in the day, and I didn't trust him enough. Didn't trust him over Wormtail, of all people. If he's smart, he'll never forgive me for that, because that was absolutely shitty of me and your dad. Of course, it didn't help that Dumbledore was sending him away all the time to speak with other werewolves, but we should have known better. He was our brother in all but blood.
Harry didn't know what to say to that, except, I'm very sorry.
I'll hate myself for this until the day I die, Sirius wrote, and I'm okay with that.
Harry didn't think that it was okay for him to suffer that long, but didn't know how to tell him that without making it worse. Instead, he followed his instinct and painted his whole hand black with ink and pressed it onto the next page of the journal. With all his might, he sent a pulse of his magic into the handprint, hoping that touching it would let Sirius feel that he wasn't as alone as he thought.
The bell rang, signalling the end of the school day.
I have to go now, class is over and I don't want my friends to worry or get curious, Harry hastily scratched out. Love you, see you soon!
He packed his things, carefully putting the Gringotts letter into his weekly planner for later, and left the strange magical room.
"I'll be back next week," Harry told Dobby, who was waiting for him. "Thanks for showing me, it's awesome. Uhm, do you think I could also use it to train with Hermione? She'll show me martial arts so I can defend myself without a wand if I have to."
"It be very good idea. Dobby be popping Harry Potter sir from now on whenever he can," Dobby said. "It be safer. If Harry Potter sir be needing Dobby, Harry Potter sir be calling. Dobby be taking Miss Mione, too."
"You could open a taxi service," Harry joked. "I appreciate your help, honestly. You're the best."
Dobby flushed with pleasure. "Betty be also a very good elf. She be very handy with repairs. Betty's cooking still be needing a bit work, but Dobby will have her trained up in a snap. Harry Potter sir's dogfather not be complaining."
"He's too sad to complain," Harry sighed. "Tell Betty to be extra nice to him, yeah? He's lonely."
"Dobby will," the elf promised. "Can Dobby take Harry Potter sir to Gryffindor Tower?"
"Sure! Pop us away, Dobby!"
With a grin, Dobby did just that, and deposited Harry close to the portrait of the Fat Lady, where his friends were just arriving.
oOo
As he now knew of a room that would suit their needs perfectly, Harry asked Dobby to take him and Hermione directly there on the next morning. Dobby popped away right after, but with the promise to serve breakfast when they were done. For now, they had water and elf berry lemonade.
"Since this is your show, you should do the honours," Harry said with a grin. "Dobby says we have to walk along that wall three times and think about what kind of room we need. Then it just appears."
"Incredible. I guess he wants us to keep this to ourselves for now?" Hermione asked. To Harry, she looked fantastic with her high ponytail and worn workout clothes. Even though nothing was overly tight, it accentuated her slender, strong figure perfectly.
"Yes, but I don't think the others will need it. There are lots of empty classrooms around for whatever they want to do. This is just safer." Harry smiled. "Try it."
Hermione walked along the wall with a look of concentration on her face. As the door appeared, she jumped a little, but was curious enough to open it and go inside.
"It's perfect!" she called. "Look at this, Harry! It's just like a dojo, but what a view over the grounds! There's even a corner for meditation - and showers!" Amazed, she turned around over and over, always discovering another little thing. "This will do very well."
"I'm glad. How do we start?" Harry wanted to know. He placed his bottle and towel against the wall of the room. "People do warm-ups before doing the serious stuff, right?"
"True," Hermione said and grinned a little. "But you're such a beginner that we'll start from scratch. After all, it won't hurt to give you the whole experience."
"The whole experience?" Harry followed her to the meditation corner and goggled when she took off her shoes. "Wait, what's this?"
"To be able to fight, your mind has to be on board," Hermione explained. "We'll start with just five minutes of meditation. It's not what you think; all you need to do is breathe deeply and stay completely in the moment." She sat down, folded herself into a prezel-like position, and patted the space in front of her. "Come, sit. I'll show you."
Harry sat. "Like this?" Something in his right leg twinged and he eased away from copying her position. "Ouch."
She giggled. "Crosslegged is just fine, Harry. Now watch." Closing her eyes, Hermione straightened, placed her hands palm up onto her knees and began to breathe deeply and evenly. "Just like this. In, and out. Make it as deep as you're comfortable with, and concentrate on that. Count the seconds for each breath in and out, if you like. It helps me stay focused."
"Alright, that doesn't seem too hard." Harry closed his eyes, mimicked Hermione's hand placement, and straightened himself.
The first few breaths were a little strange because he felt rather exposed, but it soon got easier. Counting the seconds helped as well; he breathed four seconds in and six seconds out. Just as he'd gotten into a nice rhythm, the time was up and Hermione gently tapped his knee to pull him back.
"That went rather well," she said, brown eyes shining with pride. "Now we can slowly start our warm-up."
Slow still kicked Harry's butt, even though he didn't notice at the time. He had a lot of experience running from Dudley and his gang, but apparently that didn't translate into running mellow laps and doing a few primary school sports exercises throughout. Worse, they only did that for about twenty minutes and Harry was already winded. Hermione hadn't even broken a sweat, yet.
"Okay, that's enough for today. Are you ready for some kicks and punches?" she asked.
Harry groaned even as he nodded. "That's the whole point, isn't it? But you're killing me, 'Mione."
"Nah, not yet," she laughed. "Come on, copy my stance. Fist always like this, or you'll hurt yourself." She looked absurdly comfortable throwing punches, and was a surprisingly patient teacher when it came to correcting Harry's form. "That looks good!" she said a little while later. "Now kicks. Just one today, the front kick."
She demonstrated, first slowly, all the while explaining why she did what she was doing. She was also hissing out on each kick, which was quite strange to Harry.
"I know you don't speak parsel, but it sounds just like sucker when you do that," Harry informed her. He fought a grin. "It's oddly appropriate."
Hermione stared at him. "For real?"
"Yep. Why do it, though?"
She smiled. "It's a little weird, but hissing out helps to focus the energy, and also distracts a little from the pain of impact. Now, there are a lot of ways to do a front kick - it depends on the kind of martial arts as much as it does the situation in a fight - but all require good body tension. Like this ..." She demonstrated again slowly, but this time she had Harry press his fingers against her midriff. "Feel that? It's all engaged. You need to be engaged for this to work, otherwise you could really hurt yourself. Now try. Your right leg first."
She had him do a few kicks with each leg, again correcting him gently. Harry wasn't sure how much time had passed when she stopped again, but it felt like mere moments.
"Last but not least a few blocks," Hermione said with a wink. "You did very well so far, Harry. I'm really proud of you."
Patiently she guided him through the first, easy block. First with his right hand, then with the left, and then, when he had that one down, going a bit faster every time.
"It has to come instinctively," she said as Harry clumsily blocked her fist. "That'll take time, there's nothing for it. Just like the kicks and punches, you'll have to do this over and over and over again, until it's become second nature. Even as you learn new things, we'll always turn back to the beginning, because this is the foundation of it all."
"Got it," Harry panted. He grinned proudly as he deflected her punch. "It's such an easy move, but it really works!"
"It does," she said and smiled back. "Ready for another?"
Harry was.
After another fifteen minutes, and ten minutes of stretching, they visited the showers and then sat down at the suddenly there bistro table where Dobby had already served breakfast.
"This looks fantastic," Hermione sighed happily as she spread butter onto a slice of still slightly warm herb bread. "My parents sometimes put fruit on the table, but mostly we're too lazy to bother."
"Dobby is a wizard in the kitchen," Harry joked, enjoying her pleasure. "Eat up, he'll bring more if we manage this lot."
Hungrily, they decimated the feast before them until they could hardly move.
"Don't do this once we start in earnest," Hermione warned him. "Your muscles will get sore and press on your stomach. I don't want you to barf."
"Okay," Harry agreed. He frowned thoughtfully. "But when will I eat? I mean, I want to keep doing this."
"You can eat whenever you like," she replied. "Just not huge portions. Eat snacks whenever you can - the healthy kind of course. You'll need proper food to build muscle and agility. The worst thing is eating right before training. Don't even drink too much because barfing can happen on a water tummy, too."
"Sounds like it'll be a bit of work," Harry said. "I didn't know martial arts were so complicated."
Hermione laughed a little. "They're not. You just have to get used to it."
"Noted." Harry cast a lazy tempus. "It's past ten already. Do you think we should head back?"
"Give me a few more minutes. I'm basking." Hermione laughed again at his incredolous look. "Honestly, I've missed this. If Dobby doesn't mind, I'd like to come here on my own sometimes to exercise. I love helping you, but if I've got such a great dojo at my disposal, I'd like to do it right."
"You don't even have to ask." Harry took her hand and held it gently. "Thanks for doing this."
"It's fun, and it refreshes my muscle memory."
Half an hour later they were back in the Gryffindor common room, only to be greeted by a school owl with a note.
"It's from Dumbledore," Harry said after reading it. "Neville's gran is here and I am to meet them in the headmaster's office."
"I'd come with you, but Professor Dumbledore would probably send me away," Hermione said with a huff. "What about Professor Lupin? He wanted to take care of your appeal for you."
"I'll have my good friend ask him if he wants to come." Harry smiled grimly. "I won't let the headmaster win."
Hermione nodded and sent him on his way with a kiss to his cheek.
This soon after the holidays, a lot of students were out and about. Most came from breakfast, but a rather large percentage of them was actually leaving to catch some sunshine on the grounds or fly a little. Whenever someone greeted Harry, he waved back, but he didn't allow himself to be distracted from his meeting.
Professor Lupin met him at the gargoyle, face serious but amber eyes gleaming rather mischievously. "You ready, Harry?"
Harry lifted his chin and repeated what he'd already told Hermione, "I won't let him win, Professor."
"Good, then let's go." Lupin gave a password to the gargoyle and they rode up the stairs in silence.
The office door swung open without them having to knock, and the first thing Harry saw upon entering was the vulture hat that Neville had put on his boggart's head. Confronted with that, Professor McGonagall standing next to Fawke's perch went almost unnoticed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Harry managed to say, eyes heroically not straying to Augusta Longbottom's extravagant head dress again. He offered his hand and bowed over it when it was given. "How are you doing?"
"Well, well, at least he has manners," Mrs. Longbottom said. "Well met, Mr. Potter. My Neville told me some things about you."
"None of it too horrible, I hope," Harry replied, suddenly worried.
Mrs. Longbottom's stern lips twitched a little. "Not yet, you may rest assured. Now let's talk about this absolute nonsense regarding the boy's electives, Albus, so we can get on with our day. Visiting hours at St. Mungo's have already started."
"Certainly, Augusta. But first, take a seat, please, Harry and Remus. Tea? Or perhaps a lemon drop?" Dumbledore smiled slightly. "No? Well then. Harry-"
"Albus, if I may?" Remus interrupted. After the headmaster's nod, he said, "Considering that this is an official hearing regarding the educational situation of a student, even if that student is your ward, I propose to keep it professional. It's Mr. Potter from now on, just for the record."
"Yes, of course, I apologize." Dumbledore's mild expression never wavered, but Harry thought he could detect a hint of impatience in his eyes. "Mr. Potter, you applied for a change of electives this summer-"
"Which is his right as a student," Mrs. Longbotton said severely.
"Yes, of course. However, after reviewing Mr. Potter's choice to exchange Divination with not one but two very demanding subjects, I decided to overrule Professor McGonagall's initial agreement on the grounds that the lad had need of a more relaxed experience at school. After these last two years, some quiet surely wouldn't go amiss."
"Ancient Runes and Arithmancy are certainly demanding subjects, but even as his magical guardian by proxy your interference is more than just questionable, Albus."
Even if it was a little uncomfortable to see two old people quarrel, Harry couldn't help but admire Augusta Longbottom. Her no-nonsense attitude actually made his heart beat faster, and it got even better!
"It is your job to make the school safe for your student, especially if that student also is your ward," Mrs. Longbottom continued. "I'm concerned about this as well, to be honest. I don't like what I've been hearing these past two years, and neither do Child Protection Services."
Chastised, Dumbledore blinked.
Mrs. Longbottom turned to Harry. "There are several more students in your year with the exact same electives, therefore it is unreasonable to deny you your choices." To Dumbledore, she said, "Even with Mr. Potter's special circumstances, his grades were solid, so you can't explain your decision with poor performance. I've told you this before, Albus, as has Minerva. I would have you explain yourself to all of our satisfaction before your stubbornness forces me to involve the whole board."
"Maybe not the best idea, considering what Lucius Malfoy is already up to," Remus said mildly. "I rather thought that Hogwarts shouldn't be involved in yet another scandal so shortly after the incident with the Chamber of Secrets and Hagrid's hippogriff."
"Especially not with the newly founded student newspaper underfoot," Professor McGonagall added. Harry couldn't be sure, but he thought she sounded a little gleeful.
"Albus, your explanation," Mrs. Longbottom demanded. "Now, if you please."
Dumbledore deflated a little and stood from his chair. His robe was garishly yellow and dotted with lilac moons and silver stars, usually a source of some cheer. Right now, it made him look pale and diminished.
"Ah, Augusta, as usual you're cutting right to the heart of the matter. I will explain. Mr. Potter ... I ask that you hear me out and consider my reason before making your final decision. Can you do that?"
"I can," Harry said, not sounding very graceful and not caring one bit.
"Very well. It is true, the events of the last two years are the reason why I wanted my ward to have a quieter time of it. Difficult subjects lend themselves to frustration, and I wanted to prevent young Mr. Potter from damaging his already fragile relationship with the rest of the students."
"You mean the bullying he suffered last year," Mrs. Longbotton said baldly. "Honestly, Albus, stop beating around the bush. You didn't do enough to protect the boy - honestly, you're all not doing enough to protect the students in this school! - and I find it rather amazing that you now think to punish the boy for your failings. You'll have to do better than that."
"I especially have a reason to keep Harry in the Divination class." Remus cleared his throat in warning, but Dumbledore ignored him as he continued, "I want him to learn that there's more to magic than spells and potions. As Minerva is so fond of saying, divination is a woolly subject, but that doesn't mean that someone with the sight doesn't have some worthwhile knowledge to impart. I wanted to prepare my ward for the possibility of more."
"Then you can teach him that yourself, or arrange for a few private lessons with Sybill, or just give him a bloody book." Mrs. Longbottom glowered at Dumbledore. "That not a good enough reason to deny the boy a well-rounded education. Mr. Potter, are you willing to indulge the headmaster?"
"No, ma'am," Harry said at once.
She sniffed. "I hereby overturn your decision, Albus, and if you dare to test me, I'll drag the whole board here on Monday and hold the hearing in the great hall, in public, making attendance for all students mandatory."
Be still, my heart, Harry thought in utter delight.
Dumbledore wilted another inch. "I fear that you're making a mistake, Harry, but I see that I'll have to bow to the decision of the board spokeswoman." He bowed shallowly at Mrs. Longbottom. "Your reasons are sound, of course, madam, I just wish you had a sense for the bigger picture."
"Don't madam me, and don't be a sore loser," Mrs. Longbottom snapped. "Let the boy go to his classes and keep your nose out of business that doesn't concern you. And Minerva, if I ever catch you not informing a student of their rights in such communications again, you'll get your first letter of reprimand. I'm only letting you off the hook this time because I know who's really behind it."
"It won't happen again," Professor McGongall said through pinched lips. Her cold glare at Dumbledore made even Harry shiver. "Mr. Potter, this meeting is over. You may join your friends."
"He'll accompany me to the front gate," Mrs. Longbottom said imperiously, taking up her purse and patting her skirt down. "Professor Lupin may join us, as protection against those foul things you both have failed to keep away from the school."
Harry followed Professor Lupin out the door and then fell into step with Neville's grandmother.
"Thank you," he said with utmost sincerity. "You were absolutely awesome!"
She smirked. "Thank you. I'll be frank: putting old, silly men in their place is a favourite pastime of mine."
In front of them, Lupin snorted with laughter.
Mrs. Longbottom narrowed her eyes at Harry. "Now that I've had the opportunity to meet you, I'd like to know why you haven't yet confirmed your godbrother bond with my Neville?"
"Er, what?" Harry stared at her, nonplussed.
"Neville is your godbrother, young man," Mrs. Longbottom repeated. "Surely you knew that?"
"No, I can't say I did. He never said anything." Her gimplet stare prompted him to volunteer even more information. "Uhm, and neither did anyone else?"
The formidable lady took a deep breath. Her face was so forbidding that Harry imagined that this was how a dragon might look like before it spewed fire.
"Your magical guardian didn't tell you that you have a godbrother?" she asked slowly. "Has Dumbledore ever told you anything about your family? Anything important at all?"
Harry wracked his brain but could only think of the cloak of invisibility. While the cloak was very important to him, the corresponding conversation had been nearly nonexistent. "No, ma'am. I don't think so. At least not before I came here."
"Next you'll tell me that he's never taken you to see your parents' estate, or their graves!" Mrs. Longbottom looked ready to pop a vein at his meek headshake, not unlike Uncle Vernon when he was close to a full-blown rage. "Why, I've never!" She stopped, turned on her heel, and hissed, "We'll finish our talk another time, Mr. Potter. I need to have a couple more words with Dumbledore! Good day."
As soon as she was gone, Harry stared up at Lupin. "She's scary, but I think I'm a little in love."
Lupin snorted again. "You and several other men who haven't lost their common sense yet. She's definitely something else. Now, she seemed intent on talking about you and her grandson. Why don't you go find Neville and ask him what this is all about?"
"Yeah, I should probably do that. Thanks, Professor." Harry waved and trotted off.
He and Hermione didn't have any plans other than their training, so he checked the Gryffindor common room first and the greenhouses second, where he found Neville with his hands in the dirt.
"Hey Neville," he said and sat on an overturned bucket. Around him, half a dozen or so pink blossoms of a large bush snuck close and let their petals brush over his ears and hair. "Eh, that tickles! I just met your grandma. She, er, convinced Dumbledore to let me have my electives."
"Congratulations," Neville said and smiled. "I knew that she'd make it right."
"She also wanted to know why we haven't confirmed our godbrother bond yet." Harry sighed when the other boy flinched guiltily. "Neville, why didn't you ever say something?"
Neville's shoulders slumped. "I don't know. You're so brave and I'm so pathetic. I just ... I didn't know how."
"Just telling me generally works out pretty well," Harry said, a little exasperated. "We're as good as brothers, Neville! To me, that's a big deal! If I'd known in first year, a lot of things would've probably gone differently."
"I'm sorry." Neville abandoned his work and sat on another bucket. "I really, really didn't think you'd want to. Not after meeting Ron and being such fast friends."
"Ron is a prat a lot of the time," Harry said. "And I can always do with more friends and family. I'm really sorry if I made you think that I wouldn't want you."
"You didn't," Neville said quietly. "I'm really very sorry. If you still want to ..."
"Yes," Harry sait immediately. "I'd like to know what it means before we confirm this bond, but I do."
They stared around for a few moments, unsure of what else to say.
Then, Harry remembered what Mrs. Longbottom had said about visiting hours at St. Mungos. He asked, "Is your gran going to St. Mungo's often? She mentioned it in Dumbledore's office."
Neville nodded. "She's going to see my parents every week."
"Wait, what? Your parents are alive?" Harry was shocked. "You always talk about them as if they were gone, same as mine."
"They might as well be." When Harry didn't say anything, Neville asked, "You don't want to ask me about it?"
"No more than you want to talk about it," Harry said and shrugged. "They're your parents."
"Thanks, Harry. And also sorry for my grandmum. She can be ... intense."
Harry broke out into a wide grin. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Er, sure?"
"I adore your grandmum. She ran over Dumbledore like a ... a stampeding hippogriff. If I am half as tough as her when I'm grown, I've done everything right."
Neville choked on his spit. "You're kidding me!"
"Nope." Harry grinned even more. "She absolutely slayed the headmaster."
"Uh, okay. If you're sure."
Rising from his perch, Harry clapped Neville on the shoulder. "She did me a huge favour there, so I'm allowed a little hero worship, right? She even went back to tear into Dumbledore some more when I told her that I've never seen my parents' graves, or the estate."
"If he's really your magical guardian, he deserves it," Neville said with a sudden scowl. "I mean, I couldn't quite believe it when you said he was, but if my grandma is up there screaming at him ... wow. I don't know what to say, except sorry. If I'd been more brave, I could've told you a few things about your family."
Guiltily thinking of Sirius and his family's grimoire, Harry demurred. "I have time for that, and now that I know what he kept from me, I'll bug him about it. Constantly."
Instead of the expected smile, Neville merely nodded grimly. "You should. It's your legacy, after all. Some heirs of old families take up their first duties at thirteen, and usually a magical guardian is eager to let go of the resposibility."
"You, too?"
"Yes." Neville grimaced. "I'm all that's left of the direct family line. My grandma is great with our finances, and luckily I inherited my grandpa's green thumb so our business will keep prospering, but she's not getting any younger and wants me to take business classes and whatnot. Everything to help the goblins manage our estate."
Harry grimaced as well. "Sounds boring."
"Well, I'd rather work in my greenhouses and on the fields," Neville admitted, "but business management isn't so bad in our world. The contracts are way easier, and are usually enforced by magic. First rule: if one's not, don't sign it. The muggles don't have that advantage. The little bit my uncle showed me of it last summer seemed like a horrid mess. Everybody always seems to try to cheat someone else."
"Ugh, lucky us, then, I guess."
"Oh, before I forget again, thank you for your birthday present," Neville said. "Where did you get a cutting from a whomping willow? It's not from Hogwarts' tree, they don't feel the same."
"Why do you want to know?" Harry asked carefully.
"Just curious, because they don't come exactly cheap and they're quite tightly regulated."
"Er, I got it from a private seller," Harry said, cringing a little about his faux-pas. When Dobby had brought it from Potter's Field as a last minute present for Neville, he'd just run with it. "I'd better not say any more."
"It's fine, Harry." Neville laughed a little. "The one you gave me is an endangered subspecies. Still rather aggressive, but also protective of other plants. I've planted her close to our most profitable potion ingredients. She already knows me and lets me care for her without problems."
"She?"
"You got me a girl." Neville grinned. "I can't wait to see how much she'll have grown when I go home for Yule."
"Huh, seems like everybody will go home this year."
"Maybe not everybody, but most families will want their heirs close to get a few lessons in management in. And to show them off to the family, of course."
Harry frowned. "Where's the difference in just celebrating together?"
Neville suddenly flushed a little. "Right. I forgot that you don't know much about our customs and stuff. Presenting the heirs at Yule, and showing off some accomplishments, is kind of rubbing it into the faces of the cadet lines that the main line is still going strong, and ready to lead for another generation. If the families like each other, great ..."
"... but that's not always the case?" Harry guessed. "This is so strange and complicated."
"Well, not really. I mean, if you take your relatives, you're the cadet line in that scenario," Neville explained. "I know that you don't really like them, so that's a pretty good example."
Harry had almost forgotten the Dursleys after the shock with the Slytherin thing, but even so their mention could barely rouse him. After the summer he'd had they were already in his past, and nothing would get them back into the present if he could help it.
"They show off my cousin often enough," Harry admitted and smiled crookedly. "Alright, it's nearly time for lunch, and I'm hungry. Are you coming up with me?"
"Er, if you're sure, Harry?" Neville looked so hopeful that Harry felt even worse for not being a better friend in the past.
"Of course I am. Brothers, remember?"
Since Neville had to scrub his hands before he'd be allowed at the table, Harry used the small break to drink down his potion and refresh himself with a smart charm.
They were early for lunch on a weekend, but a few of their friends were already sitting at the table and beckoned them over cheerfully.
"Well?" Hermione asked as soon as Harry had sat across from her. "How did it go with Neville's gran?"
"She's a warrior and I can join you in class next week," Harry told her and all of their friends succinctly. "Case closed."
"It better be," Hermione grumbled. "What was the headmaster's reason?"
"Oh, you'll love this ..." Harry told them what Dumbledore had said, trying to be as exact as possible. Their astonishment and anger was amusing, now that the situation was resolved. "Yeah, I thought it was total hogwash, too."
"What does he even mean by more?" Ron asked between two bites. "Divination is only really interesting for peope with the Sight. The rest of us just have to study a little to fudge around with tea leaves and stuff. As I said, an easy pass."
"Maybe Dumbledore means that Professor Trelawney has made a true prophecy once and wants him to experience what real divination is like," Lavender pondered. "She's kind of famous for it; there aren't many true seers in Great Britain."
"Even so, why is that important for Harry?" Hermione asked. "Why put him in a class just to hopefully have him experience the giving of a prophecy? Or any bit of future-telling, I suppose. There seems to be an abundance of possibilites for that."
"Well ..." Ron cleared his throat, "everybody knows that Dumbledore is You-Know-Who's greatest opponent, right? What if this stuff is somehow important to the headmaster to fight You-Know-Who? Maybe he needs Harry as a trigger or something, so Trelawney will find out something about the war?"
"Doesn't that seem a little farfetched?" Parvati asked sceptically.
Ron shrugged. "Sure, but if that wasn't the reason, the headmaster would've tried to keep Harry from doing what he wants just because he can. And I'm not sure I can believe that."
Hermione chewed on her lower lip. "Your guess is as good as any, Ron. And the strategy might be sound ... but I don't know a thing about divination. What say you, Lavender? Or Parvati? Could a foretelling be triggered like that?"
"No one knows," Lavender said with a little huff. "People sure wish they did, but no study about prophecies ever brought results. Seers just give them when the time is right. I've never heard that this can be influenced."
"Me neither," Parvati agreed, "but I could ask Padma. Ravenclaw has a lot of books exclusively in the tower. She might find something there."
Hermione nodded gratefully. "Thanks, that'll work."
"We'll keep an eye on Professor Trelawney," Lavender said. "She's a bit strange, but she's not a bad person or anything. If something happens, we'll let you know."
Dean and Seamus came up them then, and Ron abandoned the topic at once in favour of a pick-up quidditch game. "Can I borrow your broom, mate?" he asked over his shoulder, barely sparing Harry a glance. "I can get it myself if you want to stay here for a bit longer."
"Maybe Harry wants to play as well," Hermione said a bit tartly. "Or do you want to exclude him so you can take his broom?"
Her raised eyebrow had Seamus crossing himself with a chuckle. "Merlin, no, 'course he can, if he wants to. It's just that Ginny claimed Seeker already and we weren't sure he'd like another position."
"I don't, and I'm not keen on just flying today, either. You can use my broom, Ron. But only you. If it breaks before the matches start, Professor McGonagall will kill me," Harry replied. "You have to promise."
"Yes, of course." Ron jumped up. "Can we get it now?"
"Let him finish his lunch," Hermione sighed with an eyeroll. "Honestly, Ronald. The world doesn't revolve around quidditch."
"That's where you're wrong," Dean smirked. "To us, it does."
Harry probably had a little too much fun seeing Ron squirm and huff about his slow eating, but at last they were on their way to Gryffindor tower.
"You know, you could've taken your time if you hadn't locked up your trunk," Ron remarked as they stepped through the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Darn inconvenient, isn't it?"
"I rather like knowing what's going on with my stuff," Harry replied unapologetically and ignored Ron's reddening cheeks. With a loud click the trunk unlocked. Everything was perfectly in order, his shrunken broom carefully strapped to the lid of the trunk. "There you go. Only you Ron, I mean it."
"I already promised," Ron whined. "Can I have it now? I could fly right out of the dorm window, would cut the way to the pitch down to nothing ..."
"Professor McGonagall would have your hide." Harry handed the Nimbus over and unshrunk it with a muttered spell.
"Thanks, mate. Er, what will you be doing if you're not playing with us?" Ron asked. "Don't say you'll do homework, please. We've only been here for a couple of days."
"Nah, I'll probably take a walk around the lake or something, get a bit sunshine and stuff. It's already getting colder."
"Yeah, best enjoy that while we can." Ron saluted playfully. "Thanks again, see you later!"
And off he went, running from the dorm and down the stairs into the common room. Harry shook his head and turned his attention back to his trunk.
There was a new journal lying on top of his things which hadn't been there a moment ago. It was bound in green leather and had the healers' symbol on the cover.
"Er, what is this?" he asked intelligently.
Dobby popped up next to him. "This be present from Healer Williams. He be saying that Harry Potter sir's dogfather be genius and that having talky session be no problem now. Healer Williams be asking whether Harry Potter sir be having time on Sunday for a chat."
"I think so." Harry searched around for his athame and, upon finding it, quickly bound the journal to him with blood. "All done. Sirius could earn a fortune with those." He opened the journal, found a pen, and quickly jotted down a note so Brady would know that he'd received his present.
The healer's reply was almost instantaneous.
September 4th, 1993
Hey Harry,
Good to know that you'll be able to make Sunday work. What time would be good for you?
-Brady
Harry didn't have to think very much about it.
How about five in the afternoon? We don't have much homework yet, so the time is perfect for me.
That's fine, Brady answered. With the salary Gringotts is paying me, I'm always available for you. Just let me know. Once school is in full swing, we'll find out if it can stay that way. Once a week is still alright for you?
Yes, actually. I've got a lot to tell you.
Brady drew a little smiley face. Good things, I hope! Now go, enjoy the weather. Snake sends his regards, as does Portos. He's still a bit disgruntled that you left your warm nest that night he was over for a visit. He asks that you make it up to him.
I'll be home for Yule; if Gringotts says he can, I'll gladly have him over again. A warm feeling spread in Harry's chest, and he grinned. Tell him I'm looking forward to it. If Dobby is to be believed, the first garden gnomes are moving into the garden now.
They wrote their goodbyes and Harry finally made his way outside. Hermione cought up to him and, after making sure that Harry didn't mind her presence, fell into step beside him. Hand in hand, they marched once around the Black Lake, enjoying the Scottish highlands and the slightly tangy, cool air.
"The light is really beautiful today," she said with an appreciative sigh. "I didn't know you went on walks."
"I didn't do it often last year, but if we're doing the martial arts thing, I could probably do with something to relax and stretch out my muscles. My legs are already starting to hurt."
Hermione grinned and tilted her head slightly. "Then you've done it right. But I thought flying relaxes you?"
"When do I ever really have time just to fly?" Harry asked. "Usually it's just Wood tormenting us during training, and then quidditch matches."
"Yes, those aren't relaxing at all," Hermione agreed. She gripped Harry's hand a little tighter. "You'll probably do this alone sometimes, but I love taking walks, and, uhm ... I'd really like it if we could do this together every now and then."
"Like dates?" Harry asked.
"Maybe." She flushed a little. "It's unfortunate that you can't come to Hogsmeade, but being away from the castle kind of counts as well, doesn't it?"
"To me, it does." Harry smiled at her. "Thanks for thinking of it."
"I'll bring a picnic," Hermione huffed. "And if you need someting from Hogsmeade, I'll buy it for you."
They reached a small ledge and stood right at the edge to watch the giant squid as it lazily swam through the lake. Harry thought that a date like this was already rather perfect. There were no expectations of romantic words; just being together and talking about everything that crossed their minds was enough.
As the lake was very big, several kilometers around, in fact, Harry and Hermione only entered the castle when dinner had already started. The hall was full and it was impossible to get a seat with their friends. Harry just shrugged and pulled Hermione back to the very end of the table, where some first and second years sat.
"Hey, Harry!" Colin Creevey called. "Will you sit with us tonight?"
"Sure, but only if you keep your camera away," Harry replied. "Who are your friends?"
"This is my brother Dennis," Colin said, clapping a tiny boy on the back. "He's a huge fan."
"He's really talking to me!" Dennis squeaked excitedly. "Can I have your autograph, Harry?"
Hermione smirked at Harry. "If he gets one, I want one, too. Maybe on one of Colin's many pictures."
"You're horrid," Harry grumbled and elbowed her. "Just so you know, I'll find out what I can do about all these newspaper articles and stupid books and stuff."
"Well, if someone could do with a lawyer, it's probably you," Colin gushed. "He could write up all kinds of contracts for you, Harry!" He fumbled with something in his robe pocket and pulled out an amateurish business card. "I wanted to ask about a contract for your photos - my dad said that it's not nice to just take pictures. 'Specially not if I want to sell them to newspapers, maybe."
"I'm glad you understand that now," Hermione said with an approving smile. She elbowed Harry back. "Better get a lawyer, then, to sort this out."
"You think you're joking," Harry retorted. Inwardly, his thoughts were already churning. "But enough about me. How did you like your first few days at Hogwarts?"
The first years talked all over themselves, which made Hermione giggle and Harry blush with embarrassment.
All in all, dinner with the younger students was surprisingly fun. Later, as Harry was sitting on his bed with the curtains drawn and writing a longish entry into his Sirius-journal, he felt grateful to Colin for bringing yet another matter to his attention.
It's time that these stupid book vanish from the bookstores, he wrote. Please tell me that there's something I can do to stop people from believing that I grew up like a pampered little prince and went on adventures to slay dragons and stuff.
Sirius was still awake and ready to reassure him. Of course you can do something about it, pup. I'll contact Sharptooth, he'll find us the meanest lawyer available. It's not like I won't need one anyway as soon as the ICW has taken on my case.
Thanks, Siri. I appreciate it. Also, sorry for keeping you awake.
Not much to do here, Sirius replied. You keep thinking about what you need and I'll do my best to make it happen.
Harry grinned. You're enjoying this, aren't you?
What, preparing to be mean to people who sent me to hell for a decade without cause? You bet I am. Although I'd need the help of your little friends for my more devious plans.
Out of the question, Harry hastily scribbled. Get your own to do your dirty work!
Sirius wasn't insulted at all. Oh, I will, just as soon as you tell me how you managed to attract your two. A nice house elf would be a really welcome change.
I didn't know you could have bad experiences with house elves, Harry wrote. The ones I've met so far were super nice and helpful.
The one in my family wasn't. If he's even still alive, he'd jump at the chance to betray me to the Ministry. But that's a story for another day, kiddo. Time for bed and all that! Your bud Brady keeps telling me that I have to do adult things sometimes so you'll be able to accept me as your guardian and let me do stuff for you.
I've already accepted you as my friend, if that helps, Harry replied, adding a cheeky smiley to his words. I'm tired, though. Hermione really kicked my butt in training today. We'll do it only three times a week for now, but I'll probably have sore muscles all the time from now on.
Sounds dreadful, Sirius scribbled, his words kind of winking at Harry. But you'll probably sleep very well tonight. Sweet dreams, kiddo. I miss you.
I miss you too, Siri. Sleep well!
Regretfully, Harry closed his journal and stuffed it beneath a pillow. Knowing that his godfather was lonely and sad made him wish that Dobby could pop him over there right now. A cuddle with Sirius until the sadness passed seemed like the best thing in the world right that moment.
As he drifted off, a vague idea formed in his mind.
If I can't be with him, I can make sure he finds a nice house elf for himself to keep him company. Dobby might know one who needs a good home. He always knows what I need.
oOo
Sundays were for sleeping in, and Harry slept for so long that he didn't bother getting down to the great hall for breakfast. Instead, Dobby popped him to the Come And Go Room, which was already in existence and could only mean that Hermione had taken advantage of it for her personal training.
She opened when he knocked and eagerly pulled him inside.
"Are you nearly finished?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled. "Yes. I only have a bit more yoga to do. Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No, I could eat," Harry admitted. "Uhm, can I watch?"
"Sure, I've got no problems with that."
For a few minutes, Harry unabashedly stared as his girlfriend flowed from one position into the next, all the while breathing calmly and deeply. She looked competent and in charge, and also very relaxed ... not to mention very attractive. Then Dobby appeared with two glasses of lemonade, and he decided to act on his impulse from last night.
"Hey Dobby," he said quietly after casting the muffliato spell. "I wondered whether you knew an elf who needs a family."
Dobby's huge eyes widened even more. "Harry Potter sir needs another elf?"
"Not for me, for Sirius," Harry explained. "He's lonely and said that his family elf was a bad one. Betty takes great care of him, we both know that, but it's not the same."
"Dobby will investigate," Dobby said, eyes still wide and gleaming. "Can Dobby bring Harry Potter sir breakfast now?"
"As soon as Hermione is done. Thank you."
Ten minutes later, Harry enjoyed a huge brunch spread. Hermione helped him eat and she even asked for one of the strawberry-flavoured nutritional potions.
"I'll pay you back," she said after emptying her vial with a pleased hum. "They're just so good, I couldn't resist."
"I've got a goblin potion book somewhere," Harry said. "I wanted to try and make my own. If you want to help ..."
"Absolutely!" Hermione gave the empty vial back. "Before you told me, I didn't know that the goblins brewed potions. I didn't even know they had healers, for pity's sake. Why doesn't anyone teach us this stuff?"
"History really is a joke," Harry agreed. "I got to know the goblins pretty well over the summer, and everything Binns is teaching us is an insult to them. I think I'll protest and ask my account manager at Gringotts to reduce the Hogwarts tuiton. I'm not paying for something I'm not receiving, and History is a core subject."
Hermione smirked into her tea. "And people call me a troublemaker."
"Well, I'm not asking others to join me," Harry replied with a shrug. "But the goblins are my friends. It'll make them happy."
It was early afternoon when they finally left the Come And Go Room. Hagrid hadn't written a letter yet, but Harry knew how miserable the man was and convinced Hermione to visit him.
"I can't believe Ron blew us off like that," she huffed as they trotted along the path to Hagrid's hut. "How important can flying be?"
"I'm not angry about it," Harry said and pointed at the hippogriff corral. "Maybe Hagrid will let us meet some of the other hippogriffs. Don't you want to fly on one?"
"I'm afraid of heights," Hermione mumbled, flushing with embarrassment. "I wasn't good on a broom, how do you think I'd do on an animal with its own head?"
"Oh. I didn't know that." Concerned for her, Harry squeezed her hand. "I just thought that it'd be great to do something like that together. Buckbeak was great, honestly."
Hermione smiled weakly. "I believe you. It's definitely not his fault."
They reached the hut and knocked. Inside, Fang started barking and he only stopped after having slobbered all over Harry and Hermione's faces and hands.
"It's good ter see yer," Hagrid said and smiled about their whines of dismay. "Eh, one quick spell an' all is forgotten, right? Come in, I'll make tea."
Hermione whipped out her wand and cleaned up both Harry and herself.
"How are you doing, Hagrid?" Harry asked. "Are there any news?"
"Well, Malfoy ran to his father, o' course," Hagrid said gruffly. "An' ol' Lucius naturally ran to the minister. It doesn't look good for Buckbeak."
"He's not at fault," Hermione said, lifting her chin. "We're working on it, Hagrid, I promise. Malfoy won't be able to do anything to him."
"Once the Prophet brings the article, there's nothin' anyone can do for poor Beaky. He's no' even mine; I borrowed him and his herd from a friend." Hagrid pulled out a huge handkerchief and blew his nose. "The minister is worse than a niffler, always lookin' fer gold. Ol' Lucius certainly has enough of tha'."
"As I said, he won't get away with it." Hermione stood and readied the tea cups. "Don't worry so much, Hagrid. We loved our first class, even if hippogriffs are a bit, er, demanding."
"I wanted to ask if we can visit with them, in fact," Harry quickly added to cheer Hagrid up.
"Yer really want ter see 'em?" Hagrid trumpeted one last time into his handkerchief. "Well, why not, then? Le' me jus' start the tea ..." He poured the hot water into the pot and tapped it with his pink umbrella. "Er, that's jus' ter keep it fresh, yeah?"
"Your secret is safe with us," Hermione said. "Who's this friend you got the hippogriffs from?"
"I met 'im in Greece," the giant replied, eyes already dry again. "Such a decent fellow. Dirty rich, o' course, but that's why he offered me the herd when I told 'im I'd been made professor. Beaky is one of his best stallions. I can' lose 'im."
"And you won't. Hello, hippogriffs." Hermione stopped at the corral fence and bowed to them all. Harry followed, and a minute later the whole herd bowed back. "Oh, they're all coming here! Eek!" A smaller hippogriff - a mare, Hagrid told them - with a lot of red and brown feathers, butted her beak into Hermione's hands and quite insistently demanded to be petted. "Uh, they're friendly today."
"They feel that yer' a friend," Hagrid said and gently patted her shoulder. "Yer a good sort, Hermione. Magical creatures have a nose for that."
Harry was busy stroking Buckbeak's beak and cheeks and laughed when two others crowded close for a turn. "They're awesome. We don't even have any ferrets with us."
"Yer wanna fly?" Hagrid asked. "They can have some after."
"Er, no, Hermione's afraid of heights and I don't want to go without her," Harry declined, a bit regretful but also resolved.
"Actually ..." Hermione took a deep breath and scratched her hippogriff between the eyes. "She's very nice. Maybe I'd like to try after all. But only if it's not too fast or too high. Alright?"
"Agapi knows how ter behave. Come, I'll get yer up her back. Wait fer me, Harry, better not try this alone ..." Hagrid sat Hermione onto Agapi's back and did the same for Harry, who had no choice but to ride Buckbeak, as he snapped at the other two eager hippogriffs. "Now," he told the animals sternly, "just once along the border, and no funny business with 'em mean dementors, alrigh'?"
Buckbeak snorted and Agapi pecked at Hagrid.
"Okay, then ... go!" Hagrid slapped the animals' rumps and hooted as they gallopped off, further down the hill, wings already spread wide and wind catching beneath the feathers. "Remember! One round!"
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" Hermione screeched. Agapi screeched with her, although clearly in exhilariation, and then they took off.
Harry laughed even as Hermione shrieked. "It's okay!" he called. "Hold her around the neck! You're strong, you won't fall!"
"I've changed my mind!" she wailed. "I want down! Oh my god!"
Only a few seconds later, the rough ride stopped and the hippogriffs' wings stopped beating. Instead, they began a peaceful glide.
"See? The start is a bit bumpy, but this ..." Harry smiled when she dared opening her eyes. "Isn't this wonderful? And look, there's the forbidden forest. It doesn't look very terrible in the sunlight, right?"
Slowly, Hermione calmed down, and after a while she even managed to enjoy the flight. Her highlight was the descent to the Black Lake's surface, where both hippogriffs held their claws into the cool water and snagged a fish each.
The landing wasn't very smooth, but Hermione bore it with as much grace as she could muster and even apologized to Agapi for screaming in the beginning.
"You're really a very good flyer," she told the animal and stroked her neck. "I almost wasn't afraid at the end. Thanks."
Agapi cheeped, clearly pleased with herself, and trotted off to Hagrid who fed her a handful of fat ferrets.
"I'm really glad you tried," Harry told her once Buckbeak was gone as well. He pulled Hermione into an embrace and kissed her slightly salty forehead. Knowing how stressed out she'd been kicked up his protective urges. "That was very brave."
"Just don't ask me to do that again anytime soon," she whispered.
"Next time we'll do something you like." Harry held her even closer and felt stupid with his affection for her.
"I'll hold you to that, Harry James," Hermione muttered against his neck.
She couldn't have made him a better promise.