FIC: The Creators -- Chapter Six -- PG-13

[batsutousai]

Title: The Creators
Author: batsutousai
Beta: The amazing, the beautiful, tsuki_no_suzu!
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Susan/Neville, Ron/Krum, Hermione/Bill, Sarah/??, Harry/NO ONE, DAMMIT!
Warnings: Mentions of child-abuse, anti-Muggle sentiments, mentions of murder and rape, anti-Dumbledore
Summary: 'When their Creators return, their world shall be remade.' Four children hold the fate of the Wizarding World in their un-tried hands.

Disclaim Her: I love Snape. But he's a bit of a jerk, and Sal doesn't suffer jerks well.

-0-0-
A Dream Comes True When It Will
-0-0-

Remus looked up when he heard Harry. The boy was staring at one of the Hufflepuff first years as if she was a ghost. Before Remus could do more than turn towards the children, Harry had shot forward and engulfed the girl in a hug. Remus noticed tears in the boy's eyes and swallowed.

As soon as Remus had met Harry, he knew the boy hadn't had a good life. He had the jaded look that Remus had carried for much of his life, but it was faded by the happiness of having friends and a sort-of family.

Harry cried like Remus, too; never. Remus had only ever cried twice since he'd come to Hogwarts: when his friends accepted him for what he was, and when James and Lily had been killed. In the same way, Harry would only cry if something deeply upsetting was to occur.

And Remus couldn't begin to imagine what was so upsetting about a first year girl.

-0-0-0-

Harry practically danced into the Room of Requirement. "Helga! Helga!" he called once the door had fallen shut behind him.

When Susan looked up curiously, Harry grabbed her arms and swung her around in a circle. Laughing, she held on tight until he stopped, then asked, "Goodness, Sal, what has you in such a wonderful mood?"

"Sarah," Harry whispered, green eyes bright with happiness Susan couldn't remember ever seeing. "Helga, she's here."

Susan blinked a few times. "Your sister? Sarah Slytherin?"

Harry nodded, looking like he wanted to dance around the room some more.

Susan smiled and hugged him. "Oh, Sal, that's wonderful. And she remembers?"

Harry's eyes darkened and he drew away abruptly. "She knows me," he said. "I don't..."

Susan's eyes widened in understanding. "Her death."

"I don't want her to remember that," Harry hissed.

Susan firmly tugged Harry back into a hug, ignoring his resistance. "Did she look like she remembered?"

Harry closed his eyes and relaxed in Susan's hold, since she was so determined. "No, not really. But... She looked so happy. I don't know if it was just because we met again or..."

"Or if she's actually forgotten. Well, you'll just have to ask her. She's in class?"

"Yeah. She's with Uncle Remus. Don't know for how long though..."

Susan smiled. "Hogwarts?"

'Until supper. I'm sorry, Sal, if I'd known–'

"Hogwarts, you couldn't have known," Harry said gently. "I'm the only person who could have recognised her, and I didn't notice her at the Sorting. It's my own fault."

"Sal..."

"No, really. If I'd seen her last night, we could have caught up during lunch or something," Harry said, gently slipping from Susan's hold to smile. "Well, we've got two hours. What did you need me for?"

Susan sniffed, but led Harry back to the table she'd been working at. "Row and I agreed we need to go back over the wards, since it's been a thousand years. Row's not sure how much help she can be, however, so she told me to get you."

Harry nodded in understanding; his and Susan's magical sight were perfect for this job. "Hogwarts: A History says the Headmasters have, over time, added their own spells and helped boost the wards. What are we worried about, exactly?"

"Everything," Susan said helplessly. "Spells have changed over the years, and some of the older ones may be useless or more useful at this point. Row also wants to know how the hell two pieces of Voldemort's soul managed to make it undetected into Hogwarts. We're worried about the students; if those two soul pieces could get in, what about his people? Or even Voldemort himself?"

Harry winced. "Right. What have you got so far?" he asked taking a seat.

Susan sighed and waved at the piles of books the room had supplied. "I was brushing up on my warding. It's not something I've really considered since we put the first wards up, and it's not something I can really study at home."

Harry nodded. "And things have changed. I understand. Here, let me see that book over there. I could use a refresher too." He grinned at Susan, getting a grateful smile in return.

They settled in to read quietly.

-0-0-0-

When Harry walked into the Great Hall for dinner, he paused in the doorway for a moment, then walked over to where his sister was talking nervously with another Hufflepuff first year. "Oiy," he said to the boy who sat next to Sarah, "mind if I squeeze between you two?"

Sarah practically leapt out of her chair and knocked Harry over. "You came to sit with me!"

"Indeed I did, but not on the floor," Harry agreed cheerfully. "Perhaps the bench might be a better option..."

Sarah giggled and tugged him down into the open space that had appeared next to her original spot. "You're so silly, Sa– Harry."

Harry brushed a hand through her hair with a smile. "Only sometimes. You know, if I'd known you had the class, I would have taken Professor Lupin up on his offer of helping him."

Sarah gave him a curious look. "Why didn't you?"

"Already promised my friend Sue I'd help her during our free period." Harry glanced up when someone tapped on his shoulder. "Hi, Ron."

Ronald smiled at him. "What brings you to the Hufflepuff table? And to someone other than me?" he asked teasingly.

Harry grinned. "Ron, this is Sarah. Sarah, this is one of my old friends, Ron."

Ronald got a strange look on his face as he looked at the bright-eyed first year. "Sarah?" he repeated, sounding slightly amazed.

Harry nodded. "Yes, Sarah," he said, answering Ronald's unvoiced question.

"I think I need to sit down," Ronald mumbled and gratefully took the open spot the first year boy that had moved for Harry made. "Wow."

Harry grinned some more. "I know. And we thought we were special or something."

Ronald snorted and punched Harry lightly. "Prat," he said, then held out his hand around Harry. "Nice to finally meet you, Sarah."

Sarah took the hand gently and shook it. "Likewise, though I somehow think you know more about me than I do about you."

Ronald chuckled. "Yeah, I can see the resemblance," he said, eyeing Harry, who rolled his eyes at him. "Well, you missed Harry, I'm afraid. He did Hufflepuff two years ago."

"Aww..." Sarah pouted a bit. "Figures."

Harry smiled fondly and hugged her. "Don't worry. It's not like we're at completely different schools or anything."

"Oh, I know," Sarah agreed.

"Brilliant. Well, eat now, chatter later," Ronald ordered. "The food won't stay forever, you know."

"Do you, or do you not know how to get to the kitchens?" Harry asked drily.

"Well, yes, but that's not the point."

Before Harry could reply to that, he had a roll shoved into his mouth, making the first years around them laugh. Harry just rolled his eyes and ate the roll.

-0-0-0-

"Potter, do I want to know how you got into our common room?" a voice asked tiredly.

Harry glanced up and smiled at Cedric Diggory. "Oh, hey Diggory."

"I invited him in," Sarah said, coming to a stop next to the sixth year. "Is that okay?"

Cedric smiled at the girl. "Usually, not really. But Potter and his mates are generally okay, since they're all trying out the various Houses and can probably get themselves into any of the common rooms without corrupting innocent first years." He eyed Harry suspiciously.

"I'm wounded, Diggory," Harry said.

"Sure you are. Don't think I don't know where you're headed last, Potter," Cedric commented.

Harry grinned knowingly. "Yeah? Please feel free to share that with my godfather; he still thinks I'm a Gryffindor."

"You?!" Cedric choked. "Haven't you known each other for two years now?"

"Yup!" Harry agreed, then stood from the chair he'd borrowed. "Well, Sarah and I are off to catch up. I promise to have her back by curfew."

Cedric eyed the younger boy suspiciously. "Uh-huh. Do I need to wait up and make sure of that?"

"Mmm, well..." Harry eyed the badger clock on the wall with a cringe. "I'll try."

"Hmph. Just don't get caught by Snape."

Harry grinned. "I do try not to, you know."

"Yeah, right," Cedric nodded disbelievingly. "Well, go on then."

"Cheers, Diggory!" Harry called, leading his sister from the room.

"Snape's not really that bad, is he?" Sarah asked. "I had him this morning. He's a bit harsh, but he's not horrible."

Harry shrugged. "He went to school with James Potter," he explained. "They didn't get on, and I'm afraid James was the bully."

"Oh," Sarah said in understanding.

Once they got to the Room of Requirement – which had created a nice little sitting room with hot cocoa for them to talk in – Harry said, "It's not that cold, Hogwarts."

'That's what you think,' the school retorted. 'And hello, there, Miss Slytherin.'

Sarah looked around the room in awe. "That's the school? She's conscious?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Rowena – Hermione, now – made the spell herself. She figured it would be better to have a school that could think for itself, rather than just having a building that sat passive." He grinned. "Considering she's lasted a thousand years, I'd say Row had a pretty good idea."

Sarah nodded. "Yeah! So, who else is there? I guess the other Founders are here? And when did you help found a school? You hated children."

Harry laughed nervously and sank into one of the chairs. "Well, Ron is Godric, and Sue – Susan – is Helga. And, uhm, well... Sarah, how much do you remember? From... before?" Harry asked, eyes glittering with concern.

Sarah shrugged. "Uhm, I remember going to sleep. I think... Yeah! Tomorrow was going to be my fourteenth birthday!"

Harry let out a breath of relief. "Thank Merlin..."

Sarah looked at him suspiciously. "All right, Salazar Slytherin, what happened?"

Harry swallowed. "It was... not pretty. Uhm, Father and I had a fight. He left. You–" Harry choked and closed his eyes. "You were killed a month later."

Sarah bit her lip. "How?"

Harry shook his head. "Sarah, I failed you. That's all you need to know."

"Salazar!"

"I'm not telling you, Sarah!" Harry snapped back, glaring at her. "You don't need to know. Fuck, sweetie, I don't want you to know."

Sarah huffed and pouted a bit. "That's not fair."

Hogwarts carefully commented, 'Sarah, he still has nightmares about it. Part of his denial is because he, himself, doesn't wish to think about it.'

Since Harry didn't appear to have heard that comment, Sarah cleared her throat and said, "So, what did you do then? After."

Harry looked so relieved at the change of topic, that Sarah thought Hogwarts might have been right. "Well, I wandered a bit. A lot, really. I eventually came across Rowena and Godric, who were childhood friends, and they sort of dragged me into their group. They were teaching magical children in their home village at the time – in secret, mind – but they knew there were a lot of other children who never learned about their magic, especially the muggleborns. They wanted to start a school, a proper school, but they didn't think they could do it on their own. I didn't have anything better to do, so when they asked, I told them I'd help.

"About a year after that, we met Helga, who had been doing the same thing Row and Ric had been doing. We found an old castle that was abandoned and falling apart and bought it cheap from the last of the family who it had belonged to. We spent a long time rebuilding the castle, and when Row suggested making her sentient, we spent a few years on that. Once the school was built, we gathered some friends who were willing to teach – including one of Helga's sisters and Willard Justice, if you remember him?" Sarah nodded, smiling in memory at the mention of her brother's best friend when they'd been kids. "Well, once we had a staff, we found kids. And the rest, as they say, is history."

"Slightly coloured history, though," Sarah commented. "Doesn't look much like you and Godric had a huge fight and you left the school."

Harry laughed. "Well, no. A lot of the history has been coloured over the years by tales of how Dark I was and my hatred of muggles. I'm sure my Heirs didn't help."

"You had kids?!" Sarah squeaked.

Harry grimaced. "Yeah. A son and a daughter. Lisa, my wife, left me after Sarah, my daughter, was born. Met Ric and Row after that."

Sarah blushed at the realization that her brother had named his daughter after her. "So you never saw them again?"

"No." Harry looked away. "Lisa refused to let them come to the school. I believe she died shortly after the school was built in the Dark Wizarding Wars, but I don't know for sure."

"Oh, Sal..."

Harry smiled. "It's all right. Row had Helena, and we all helped raise her, even if she did end up being a bit of a brat. And I had all sorts of kids, after."

Sarah smiled at that. It had been hard to imagine her brother as a teacher, but if he'd had children who he'd been unable to raise, it made sense that he would have managed with students. She'd always said that he would have made a wonderful father, no matter how much he said he hated children.

"So, what's your family like?" Harry asked, finally picking up and sipping at his hot cocoa. "Now, I mean?"

Sarah shrugged, smile fading. "I don't have a family. My mum died giving birth to me – sound familiar? – and I got left with an orphanage. Never even knew her name. I suppose she must have been a witch, since there was no record of her anywhere in the muggle world."

Harry sighed. "I'm sorry."

Sarah shrugged again. "It was okay. The kids at the orphanage thought I was a bit odd, since I acted so much older, but I grew up fine, I guess. One of the older boys there, Andrew Kirke, had it really hard, because he always performed accidental magic as a kid, so he got beat up a lot. I already knew how to control my magic, so they left me alone."

"Andrew Kirke?" Harry mumbled. "Gryffindor, year above me. I didn't know he was picked on at home."

Sarah smiled a bit. "He was adopted about five years ago by a squib. Wonderful woman. I think she only came because she'd heard about his magic and the abuse he was facing. She could only take one of use, though, and since the other kids were leaving me alone..."

"She could tell you were a witch?" Harry asked, leaning forward.

Sarah shrugged. "I was the only person to befriend Andy, and I told him a bit about magic, so he could control it better. I think he told her."

"Huh. Well, I'm glad he got out of there. And I'm glad they didn't hurt you."

Sarah beamed. "I love you too, Sal."

Harry chuckled and rubbed at his neck. "Yeah."

'It's nearly curfew,' Hogwarts offered gently. 'Sal can get back without getting caught, but Sarah should head back soon. Cedric Diggory is waiting for her.'

Harry laughed at that and they both stood. "Ah, Diggory. He really did earn that prefect badge. Well, let's get you back, Sarah. I do believe the Ravenclaws will murder me if I lose them points on the first day back, especially for something as trivial as bringing a first year back late."

Sarah giggled and let Harry take her hand to take her back to her dorm. "Why do you two call each other by your last names?"

Harry grinned. "Old time's sake, really. Diggory caught me out a lot the first month of my first year – I was always coming in late and stuff back then, since I didn't really care about curfew – and he'd always call me 'Potter' when it happened. So I took to calling him 'Diggory' in response. It sort of stuck, even though by the end of the year he stopped disliking me so much, since I stopped ignoring all the rules."

Sarah shook her head in amusement. "Sal, I love you, but you're a complete loony."

"Why thank you," Harry agreed cheerfully, then walked through the painting which had opened without a password. "Here you are, Diggory. Back without a hair out of place and before curfew, as promised."

Sarah giggled while Cedric rolled his eyes. "And you, Potter? I'm pretty sure the Ravenclaw tower is a bit farther away than five minutes."

"That, Diggory, is because you don't know the shortcuts," Harry replied smartly, then hugged Sarah. "I'll see you in the morning, sis."

Sarah smiled brightly. "Okay! Have a good night, Harry!"

Harry waved to her, then slipped from the common room. After he got a couple of hallways from the common room door, he had Hogwarts transport him to a couple hallways away from the Ravenclaw dorms – otherwise, he wouldn't have made it in time – and cheerfully walked in. Padma called him over to where his other year mates were working on their homework for that day. He happily walked over to help them, absently summoning his own books from his dorm.

-0-0-0-

Friday morning, Harry slept through breakfast, since he didn't have a class until after lunch. About half an hour after breakfast had ended, however, the curtains around his bed were thrown open and a small body launched itself onto his stomach. "Time to wake up, big brother!" Sarah sang happily.

Harry groaned and blinked up at her. "Come on, Sarah. I was sleeping."

"Be that as it may," Susan commented drily from next to the bed, "you promised to help me today."

Harry groaned again. "Demons."

Sarah bounced on him again, making Harry moan a bit, then slipped off and grinned at him madly from next to Susan. "Yup! Now get up. Sue told me what you're up to and I want to help."

Harry eyed Susan curiously and the girl shrugged. "She doesn't have any classes today, so I told her she could. You were an ace with wards before we met, so I wasn't sure what she already knew or not."

Harry sighed. He hadn't really researched warding until after he'd settled down with his wife, so Sarah didn't really know much about it unless she'd looked it up without him, but since it meant spending time with his sister, he wasn't about to complain. "Yeah, yeah. Now out!"

Sarah giggled and stage whispered, "He always sleeps nude."

"He also always sleeps with his wand," Susan replied, absently blocking a tickling charm. "Come along now."

Harry hissed some choice words in parseltongue, making Sarah blush brightly before the door closed behind them, then got up and got dressed.

When he made it down to the common room, he was given a roll and a banana and herded by the two girls to the Room of Requirement. There, they sat down to their reading on the wards. It was slightly less boring with Sarah occasionally chirping a question, and the two ex-teachers found themselves enjoying explaining the basics to her. Even if they got less done than they would have without her, at least they had fun doing it.

-0-0-0-

The weekend was spent getting to know Sarah, since the other Founders had only heard of her in passing; Salazar had never really spoken of Sarah much, since most of his memories of her were overshadowed by her death. Sarah equally enjoyed hearing about her brother's "family," as well as learning more about his life after her death. Sarah was also quite horrified to find out that her brother's family as Harry Potter had been destroyed by his own Heir.

Sunday was spent showing Sarah the castle and her secrets. They spent lunch in the kitchens and got lost in the dungeons – except not quite as lost as they had been during their first year, since the others had all had a turn in Slytherin House, which involved a fair stretch of time in the dungeons.

The rest of the month of September and all of October was much like the Founders' previous years, except with Sarah's new eyes and constant excitement. As Harry had almost expected, as soon as Snape realised Harry was very fond of Sarah and had started calling her 'sister', he became unbearable towards the girl. The Friday before their first Hogsmeade trip, October 29th, Harry finally snapped.

The two once-Slytherins had been sitting by the lake with some bread and fruit they'd gotten from the house elves. They had been alternating eating the food and tossing it to the squid when Snape came up behind them and said, "Fifty points from both your Houses for bothering the squid."

Harry turned to look at the man and glared. "Okay, I've about had it with you, you fucking prick. I get that you had issues with my father and godfather. I get that I look so much like my father that you're taking it out on me because he's dead. I even get that you were friends with my mum, once, before you were a jerk and pushed her away. Yeah, that's fine. But if you continue to take your problems with a dead man out on me and, worse, Sarah, I will take this to the governors and have your arse fired. Are we clear?"

Snape stared at the boy for a long moment, apparently unable to comprehend the fact that Harry had just spoken to him so sharply. "Three hundred points from Ravenclaw," he finally said, absolutely furious.

Harry eyed him coldly, then nodded and stood. "Come on, Sarah. I have a letter to write."

"Are you threatening me, Potter?" Snape hissed.

Harry smiled coldly. "Oh, no, Snape. I already threatened you. Now I am carrying through on my threat."

"The Headmaster will hear of this," Snape spat.

Sarah snorted. "Once my brother's spoken to the governors, Snape, I don't think he'll have much to say except 'good-bye'." Then she followed Harry passed the shocked professor and back into the school.

-0-0-0-

When Hermione found out what had happened at dinner, she sat down across from Harry, who gave her a wary look, and said, "I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did."

Harry blinked, then snorted. "Well, considering all I've been told they did to him, I was willing to let it be, and you three could take care of yourselves. But Sarah's just a kid, and she has nothing to do with this. I couldn't–"

"Harry," Hermione soothed, placing a hand over Harry's gently. "It's okay. I understand. He's been impossible from day one, and I'm glad you finally did something about it. What I want to know – what all of us want to know – is what you're planning to do if the Headmaster fights the governors?"

Harry smiled grimly. "I suppose I'll have to find a way to get to Gringotts," he replied, referring to their agreement that all four Founders would wait to access their old accounts until they either came of age, or the Founders needed to appear.

Hermione nodded. "That's what I thought you would say. You know the rest of us are behind you."

Harry smiled tightly and set his free hand atop hers. "Yeah. And I can't tell you how much better that makes me feel."

-0-0-0-

Harry made himself relax for their first trip off school grounds. He also decided to use the trip as a good excuse to spoil his sister rotten without her there to stop him. He dragged everyone with him to the stationary shop and bought Sarah some new quills and parchment, since he'd noticed her supplies were poor quality. He then dragged them over to the candy shop, where he bought a few things for himself and loads of sweets for Sarah. His friends also bought candy there, Ronald commenting that Harry was adorable with a younger sibling. (Ronald was promptly cursed with the Babbling Curse, then silenced by Hermione before he said something dangerous.)

Finally, Harry made a trip to the robe shop to buy his sister some new robes, since they were also second-hand – he'd bribed one of her roommates for her size in preparation for the excursion. Then he let his friends drag him over to the Three Broomsticks for a break. There, they sat and joked about various things, taking care to avoid the discussion of Snape and what they would have to do if Dumbledore fought it.

After their break, the friends went to Zonkos, where Ronald made an effort to find something he could use to play on his brothers while his friends snickered behind him. When Harry wistfully commented that it was a pity there was no pet store in Hogsmeade, his friends decided it was time to go back to the castle, before Harry could talk them into finding a way to London.

On their way back to the castle, Susan commented, "It's impressive how much that tiny village has prospered over the centuries."

"I know!" Hermione agreed, eyes bright. "Remember when we first built the school, and there were only a couple homes there?"

"Yeah," Harry added drily. "Weren't those the people who mocked us for trying to build a school for magical children? 'It'll never happen' or 'It will fall into decay once you've died'."

"Shush," Ronald said, shaking his head. "Happy thoughts, you old bag."

Harry snorted. "Happy thoughts, huh? I don't know how many of those I have."

"I'd like to hear you say that around your sister," Ronald shot back.

"Boys," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Harry and Ronald promptly stuck their tongues out at her in response.

Susan shook her head at them. "So, when do you want to look at the wards, Sal?"

Harry glanced up at the dome that only he and Susan could really see. "Next weekend?" he suggested. "We probably could have done it today–"

"But we had to go to Hogsmeade," Susan agreed.

"Bad idea to mess with them when children are going in and out of them, anyway," Ronald commented, squinting up at the wards that he couldn't actually see.

"We're just planning to look at them first," Susan said defensively. "We wouldn't actually mess with them while there are so many students on campus."

"Yeah, if we have to change things, we'll wait until winter hols," Harry agreed. "And while I hope we don't have to change anything, our reading and the fact that we've already found two pieces of Voldemort's soul on the premises shows that we will have to change things."

"I can already see they're a mess," Susan said with regret, eyeing the wards they were about to walk through. She paused and pointed to something only she and Harry could see. "Look at this, Sal."

"Eh?" Harry leaned in and looked at the addition with a slightly sick look on his face. "The fuck?"

"What is it?" Hermione asked, squinting hopefully.

"A curse," Harry muttered, "on the Defence position."

"Really?" Susan said. When Hermione and Ronald looked at her strangely, she said, "It's not English?"

"No, it's parseltongue," Harry agreed, frowning. "And it's not actually a ward; it's a desperate, hate-filled need."

"How the hell did that get there?" Ronald demanded.

"I haven't the faintest," Harry replied, motioning that they should continue on.

"A hypothesis," Hermione suggested.

"Better than what we've got," Susan replied with a nod.

"When the wards were changed, who changed them?" Hermione asked, referring to the time when the Founders had held off the muggle attackers.

"The other staff and older students," Ronald replied.

"Of course," Harry whispered. "The students."

"Moreover, if it's in parseltongue, it's extremely likely one of your Heirs added it," Susan realised. "And we never thought to block our own blood from adding to the wards."

"Yeah, okay, but how could a need become part of the wards?" Ronald asked.

"It translated the need into a ward, of sorts, because there wasn't actually a ward for it," Harry said. "Not really. The need was so strong, it had to be put somewhere, so it was put onto the wards."

"Based on where it was in the wards," Susan added, "I'd say it was placed when the person stating the need left the grounds."

"Reasonable," Hermione agreed. "Perhaps they'd just been denied the position them self?"

"Or maybe they hated their Defence professor like Sal hates Snape," Ronald suggested.

"I don't hate him!"

"I wonder when the curse first started taking effect," Susan murmured. "Sal, what was the need, anyway?"

"For the Defence professor to not last longer than a year."

"Ooh, fun. So the teaching will be subpar over the years, giving Hogwarts a distinct disadvantage," Ronald commented. "I'd say that sounds like something your Heir would do, Sal."

Harry frowned down at the grass. "Yeah. Me too."

Hermione huffed. "Salazar, you cannot blame yourself for everything that monster does! He's not your responsibility!"

"Tell that to the rest of this damn world," Harry snapped back.

"Sal, he's not your fault," Susan whispered. "None of this was. It's not your fault you couldn't raise your own kids. It's not your fault your legacy was twisted through the years. It's certainly not your fault that a bitter man who just happens to share your blood is the cause of all the troubles over the past twenty-some-odd years."

"Mate, you weren't even alive when he picked his course," Ronald agreed gently. "And no matter what the wizarding world thinks, it's not your job to stop him, either. Even if that's what you intend to do."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, I know." He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced up at Hermione. "Sorry, Row."

Hermione smiled at him. "Don't worry about it. If Helena hadn't died and it was my Heir that was causing all this trouble, I'd probably feel the same way."

"Reassuring," Ronald commented, then ducked the swing Hermione took at his head.

"Harry!" a voice shouted just before a blur barrelled into Harry's stomach, knocking him over backwards.

Harry laughed and hugged his sister. "Hey, sweetie. I got you some things."

Sarah huffed at him. "You were supposed to go to Hogsmeade to enjoy yourself, Salazar. Not buy me things."

"Oh, we made sure he had a break with us," Susan said lightly, leaning down to help the girl to her feet.

"Yeah, and he bought himself some candy," Ronald agreed, pulling Harry up.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Look: new robes, some new quills and parchment, and a bunch of candy. And I'm allowed to spoil you! I've already missed eleven years of your life!"

"Wait until Christmas," Ronald stage whispered. "Your pile of presents will be bigger than your bed."

"That's not fair," Sarah complained, taking the bag of things Harry hand handed over. "I don't have any way to buy you anything."

"Sarah," Harry said gently, pulling her into a hug, "having you here is gift enough."

"Awww..."

"Shut up, Godric."

Ronald traded looks with the other two girls, then they all said, "Awww..." before turning and running for the castle, ducking the curses Harry sent after them.

-0-0-0-

As luck would have it, the governors wouldn't let Dumbledore fight them, they simply fired Snape themselves and told Dumbledore he had a week to find a new Potions professor or they would be finding one for him. By Friday, Dumbledore had managed to find a man named Horace Slughorn to fill the post. Hermione thought the man was awful, the way he "collected" students, but Harry had just shrugged and said, "He's a Slytherin, Row."

That weekend was spent observing the wards. Ronald and Hermione walked around the perimeter of the school wards with Susan and Harry, making it seem like the four friends were simply out for a walk. (Sarah had wanted to come, but when Harry asked her about her homework and she admitted she'd barely touched it, he became rather strict and sent her to work on it, saying that if he caught her outside when she hadn't finished, he'd spank her, like their father used to do.)

After their examining, Susan and Harry made a list of everything they'd seen that was wrong. Sunday, they walked the perimeter again and made sure they'd noticed everything, recording the three things they'd missed. They agreed to spend the next month researching ways to fix everything without completely bringing down the wards or alerting the staff to their changes, then spent the rest of that day spending time with Hermione, Ronald and Sarah, who had finally finished her homework that afternoon.

Almost as soon as winter break arrived and the student population had mostly vacated the building, Harry and Susan started fixed the wards, while Hermione, Ronald and Sarah worked to keep the staff occupied and away from the other two Founders and their work.

They took a break on Tuesday to enjoy Yule together, but on Wednesday the two friends were back to work again.

By Friday, thankfully, the wards were finished, and Hogwarts was all the happier for it. (Apparently, the faulty wards had been draining her strength a bit, and having them fixed allowed her better control over the rest of the building and grounds. Harry also noted, with a wince, that Dark magic would be less likely in the school now, since they'd added some wards against it. His friends were, understandably, worried, since Salazar had used a number of Dark rituals on himself, most of which should still be active on Harry. Harry had admitted that it was making him a little uncomfortable, but Hogwarts herself was keeping most of the wards from affecting him too badly.)

Friday brought a surprise guest, who practically danced into the Great Hall that morning, wearing the biggest grin any in attendance had ever seen on his face.

"Sirius?" Harry asked as the man danced up to him.

Sirius pulled Harry from his seat and swung him around. "You got rid of Snape!"

Harry laughed and carefully tugged out of his godfather's excited grip. "Well, he was being stupid, and I was tired of it."

"I think it's excellent."

"Sirius," Remus said with a helpless sigh as he walked over. "Severus was a teacher–"

"He was an arse," Sirius shot back.

Remus looked down at Harry pleadingly. Harry shrugged. "Sorry, Uncle Remus, but he was. Everything Dad and you lot ever did to him, he paid back to me tenfold. Which, hey, was fine. Mostly. But then he started picking on Sarah too..."

Remus nodded in understanding. He'd seen how protective Harry was of the first year he'd practically adopted since that first day. An older Slytherin was said to have been picking on the girl and had ended up in the hospital wing within the hour, sporting some very painful boils. There were no witnesses and nothing pointing to Harry having been the person to attack the boy, but everyone who knew Harry suspected him. If Snape had been bothering Sarah, it was a surprise he'd lasted until Hallowe'en.

"Speaking of Miss Sarah, where is she?" Sirius asked, looking over Harry's shoulder comically.

Harry glanced back at his friends and waved his sister over. When Sarah came to a nervous stop next to her brother, Harry beamed and said, "Sirius, this is Sarah. Sarah, this is Sirius, my godfather."

"Pleased to meet you," Sarah said. She wasn't sure how well Harry's godfather would take to her, and she wanted this man to like her, since he was part of her brother's family. Harry, of course, was already sure Sirius would love her.

Sirius eyed her curiously, then rose an eyebrow at Harry. "She's much politer than your letters say, pup."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah? It's clearly because you're intimidating. I mean, Merlin, who knows what you're going to pull next?"

Remus snorted and walked back to his seat at the head table, shaking his head. Sarah elbowed Harry for his comment, making Sirius laugh. "Ah, I think I'll like her," he decided. "So, how about some of that good Hogwarts grub?"

Harry snickered and half-led, half-shoved Sarah back over to the table. "Really, Sirius. Can't you act your age?"

"I am acting my age!"

"Yeah, your mental age," Hermione offered with a smirk. When Sirius gave her a wounded look, she smiled innocently and said, "How are you, Sirius?"

"Yeah. And how long are you here, for?" Ronald added, mouth full of food. Hermione promptly cursed his mouth glued shut.

Sirius grinned at the two of them. "I'm fine. Was a bit hurt that Harry decided, again, to spend Christmas with you bunch of loonies, so I decided to just come over here myself, since he won't come to me."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Sooo sorry, Sirius." They'd laughed over Harry's constant need to stay at Hogwarts over the winter hols that summer, and Sirius had said that he really didn't mind, since Harry was happy, and Sirius could just as easily come for a couple of days to stay at Hogwarts.

"So you're here for all of Christmas, then?" Susan asked curiously while Ronald finished silently un-cursing himself so he could eat more.

"Yup! Well, until Sunday afternoon-ish, really. This, of course, means snowball fights. And I get Moony on my side!"

The Founders traded looks. "Okay," Harry agreed easily.

Sirius looked at them suspiciously, trying to figure out why they'd agreed to go against two Marauders with such ease. "And Fred and George."

"Okay," Harry said again.

"Can I play?" Sarah asked, eyes bright.

"Sure," Harry decided. "You can play on our side, unless, of course, Sirius is afraid of four third years and a first year?" He looked up at Sirius with a smirk.

Sirius puffed out his chest and looked down at Harry like he was little more than a bug he'd just stepped on. "Sirius Black has no fear of children."

The Founders and Sarah shared a knowing smile while Sirius hopped down the table to ask his chosen teammates to play. The twins looked ecstatic, despite losing pitifully two years in a row. Remus looked a little wary, since he'd seen Harry and his friends in classes, but agreed anyway, since he was feeling fine, despite the recent full moon. (Harry had continued to shoot the old spells he knew at Remus on the days following the full moon, since he wasn't sure how he could explain knowing them, and Remus never seemed to notice the spells, anyway.)

After breakfast, the nine combatants bundled up and made their way outside. There was a half-hour cease-fire, during which both teams built a fort and created a store of ammunition. Both teams also planned who would be refilling the ammunition supply and who would be throwing.

On the Founders' team, Harry, Ronald and Susan were given the duty of throwing the snowballs, while Hermione and Sarah loaded ammunition. Harry and Ronald had the best aim, but Harry and Susan's magical sight gave them just enough of an edge that they could always tell which direction to throw. (Of course, the four friends also used homing spells on their snowballs, so they always hit, no matter where they were thrown. Sarah was quickly taught both the spell for making the snowballs and the homing spell.)

Without warning, the war began. With three throwers – who didn't even have to poke their heads over their fort's wall, really – on their side, the Founders quickly put their opponents on the defensive. After about ten minutes, Harry and Susan saw that their opponents were using the incoming snowballs as cover to approach their opponents. The two friends traded with Hermione and Sarah and, after quick warming charms, turned into their animagus forms so they could sneak up behind their opponents.

The four older wizards attempted a surprise attack by dumping a bunch of snow into their opponents' fort, but they found the place empty, as the other three had vacated shortly after Harry and Susan, choosing to make themselves invisible and hop out before the supposed sneak attack hit. While the other team stood there in confusion, Harry and Susan became human behind them and levitated a huge pile of snow, which they promptly dumped on the party of wizards.

After much sputtering, Sirius, Remus and the twins had managed to mostly unbury themselves, and Sirius demanded, "How'd you know?"

"Our secret," Susan said with a bright smile, which Harry buffed his nails on his coat.

"Shall we go back in?" Hermione suggested, taking the spells off herself and Sarah while Ronald removed his own. "Before you four catch colds?"

"I thought that spell was NEWT-level," Sirius said suspiciously, eyeing Hermione and Ronald.

"Of course it is," Ronald agreed. "But 'Mione's a studying nut, so we all know it. Well, except Sarah, but she's exempt, as she's still a first year."

"Oh, come on, gape inside," Harry demanded. "It's bloody cold out here." He shivered faintly. Changing into his snake form, of course, had made him even colder than before, despite the warming charm.

The group tromped in and everyone went to change in their dorms or rooms. When Percy saw the twins, he said, "Lost again?"

"Did we ever," they agreed, then continued on to their room.

-0-0-0-

Christmas dawned bright, and the Founders and Sarah all woke to a pile of presents. As Ronald had guessed, Sarah had a huge pile of gifts, but Harry hadn't been the only person to have spoiled her; all of the Founders had gotten her a number of things. She'd also received some gifts from her housemates and a care package from Mrs Weasley, which had surprised her, as she'd never even met the woman before. (Ronald later explained that, since he'd mentioned how Harry had practically adopted her, his mother had added another sweater to her list of things to make.)

The best gift, however, came when they'd all met in the Great Hall for breakfast. Sirius had stopped behind Sarah and Harry and said, "I believe I forgot to get someone a gift."

"You don't have to," Sarah replied, blushing. "I mean, we only just met."

Sirius smiled at her and knelt next to the bench, so he could see her eye-to-eye. "Yes, but the way Harry talks about you, I feel as if I've known you all year. And since I really met you yesterday, I think I have the perfect gift for you: Sarah Smith, would you like to become a Black?"

It took everyone a second to realise what Sirius meant. When Sarah connected the dots, she squealed and half-fell over the bench to give Sirius a hug. Next to her, Harry was smiling with tears in his eyes. Across the table, Hermione and Susan were staring on in happy amazement, while Ronald laughed at the lot of them.

The Founders and Sarah were all in agreement that it had been the best Christmas any of them had ever had.

-0-0-0-0-0-

A/N: Really, I had intended for Harry to officially adopt Sarah as his sister, but I wasn't sure how it would work, so I just had Sirius adopt her instead. It had the desired outcome. XD
Alternately, every time I read over that last bit, I get this horrible urge to squee. It's terrifying. XD

Oh yeah! So, because I'm curious, if you're a person who tends to review – if you don't, I'm not really mad, goodness knows I'm horrible at reviewing these days – and you read this author's note, mention it in your review. Because I keep getting a lot of stupid questions that are answered in the A/Ns, and I just want to see how many people actually read them.

Next chapter, a brief finish of their third year, some mention of the summer, and fourth year begins! Yes, my friends, that means the TriWizard Tournament!

~Bats ^.^x

Chapters:
Pro - Prophecy's Children / 1 - Home ||| 2 - Socially Acceptable ||| 3 - Touch the Sunrise
4 - Tomorrow Will Come ||| 5 - Fallen Star ||| 6 - A Dream Will Come True When It Will
7 - The Deepest River ||| 8 - Question of Honour ||| 9 - Hanging By a Thread
10 - Never As it Seems ||| 11 - Long Road
Incomplete

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