Metempsychosis

Harry’s heart was thudding painfully against his ribcage, briefly his mind flitted to his old timeline, when he had spotted Padfoot in this same exact spot and had been terrified. Harry remembered tripping over his trunk and landing on his arse, he remembered slamming his eyes closed thinking he was about to get mauled, only to open them again to see the Knight Bus. This time around Harry only stared, the corner of his eyes burning with unshed tears. Because right in front of him was Padfoot, and he was Alive.

Realistically Harry knew he had to make a decision and fast. He had two options; Harry could call the Knight Bus, get on and pretend he hadn’t seen Padfoot, let events continue to play out as they had. Or, Harry could call Padfoot over, hug him like he had been longing to do since the end of fifth year and take Padfoot with him, figure things out from there. Carefully Harry thought over his options. Yet as he thought over how his third year had gone the first time around, Harry found himself angry. He couldn’t let things play out as they had.

Steeling himself, Harry straightened and wiped the corners of his eyes. Inhaling a deep, soothing breath, he made his decision.

“Padfoot” He called, and the dog animagus in question froze where he stood at the mouth of the alley, whining softly. Harry’s heart hurt and his voice cracked, “please, please Pads. Come here”

The seconds ticked by as the green-eyed boy held his breath, refusing to take his eyes off the shaggy Grim. Harry was terrified that Padfoot wouldn’t come, that he’d panic and run away. Padfoot lifted his snout, sniffing the air before letting out another soft whine. Slowly the animagus took a step out of the alley. When he realised Harry wasn’t going to run, Padfoot bounded his way across the road. Harry moved to kneel, winding his arms around Padfoot the moment he was within reach. 

They spent a while just sitting like this, Harry hadn’t realised he’d started crying until Padfoot was licking the tears away. Sniffling, he sat back and ran his finger through the soft fur between Padfoots ears. 

“Okay here’s the plan” Harry voice was shaky as he spoke, “I’m going to put my invisibility cloak over you, we’ll get on the Knight Bus and head for The Leaky Cauldron. Once I’ve gotten a room I’ll explain everything okay?”

Harry’s eyes searched Padfoots, the animagus nodded the best he could and barked softly with his agreement. A small smile tilted Harry’s lips and he turned to his school trunk, rummaging through the messily packed contents until his fingers met the silky fabric. He hastily withdrew it and the eleven silver Sickles he’d need before he closed his trunk and turned back to Padfoot, “right let’s do this shall we”

Once he had secured the Cloak over Padfoot, Harry stood up and took a moment to try and remember how to call the Knight Bus. Had it been to stick out your wand hand or your wand? He pulled his wand out, thinking that either way his wand hand will be out and thought about the Knight Bus. A familiar deafening BANG echoed throughout Magnolia Crescent as a gush of air blew through Harry’s already messy hair, he fought to stay still and upright this time as the double decker, violently purple bus appeared out of thin air. 

The conductor clad in an equally purple uniform with his large protruding ears and scattered pimples stepped out of the door way, looking past Harry as he began his speech.

“Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this evening.” Ah, it hand been just your wand hand, Harry thought.

Stan finally looked down at Harry and blinked, his eyes flitting to the scar on Harry’s forehead. Hastily Harry flatted his hair over the offending thing so it was covered.

“Woss your name?” Stan asked abruptly, Harry got the feeling the conductor knew all too well but he still used the same lie as he had previously.

“Neville Longbottom” Harry kept his voice as confident as possible “how much is it to get to London?”

“Eleven Sickles” Stan said without missing a beat “but for firteen you get ‘ot chocolate, and for fifteen you get an ‘ot-water bottle an’ a toofbrush in the colour of your choice”

Harry reached into the pocket of his rolled to fit secondhand jeans and pulled out the handful of Sickles, shoving them into Stan’s hand, who made haste in counting them before shoving them into a pocket. Stan and Harry heaved his school trunk and Hedwigs cage up onto the bus. Just like last time, out of the many beds lining the bus instead of seats, Harry was given the one right behind the driver.

At the back of the bus, dressed in a night cap, a tiny wizard muttered about pickling slugs as he turned over in his sleep. Harry felt Padfoot lean against him to let him know that the animagus had gotten on. After situating himself on the bed and being introduced to the driver Ernie who wore the thickest glasses Harry had ever seen, the bus took of as the same overwhelming speed Harry remembered. 

This time around Harry didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask about the front of Stan’s newspaper, considering Sirius Black was in the bus disguised as a dog, under an invisibility cloak. He still asked about how muggles can’t see them and made other small talk. Harry watched as wizards and witches alike got off at every stop, until Harry was the only one who remained.

“Right then, Neville,” Stan said, clapping his hands, “where abouts in London?”

“Diagon Alley” Harry replied.

“Righto, ‘old on tight then…”

Another loud bang and they were thundering off along Charing Cross Road. Harry watched objects move out of their way, the sky had begun to lighten and Harry debated if it was worth getting a few hours of sleep once he was in the Leaky Cauldron. He still had to deal with the Minister for Magic, and then he had to explain to Sirius how he had travelled back in time and knew Sirius was innocent. That lead to another thought, he was going to have to trap Peter Pettigrew as soon as possible. That line of thinking quickly gave Harry a headache so he dismissed it.

Ern slammed on the breaks and the Knight Bus skidded to a holt in front of the shabby looking Leaky Cauldron, behind which was the magical entrance to Diagon Alley.

One awkward confrontation between himself, Stan and Cornelius Fudge - the Minister for Magic - about how Harry is not Neville Longbottom and is indeed Harry Potter, later and Harry was following the Minister and Tom - the hunched over, toothless wizard who owned the pub - into the Leaky Cauldron. Stan and Ern excitedly carried Harry’s trunk and Hedwigs cage in for him, while Tom lead the minister and himself to a private parlour. 

Harry settled into the armchair that Cornelius guided him to and watched as the man shucked off his pinstriped cloak and tossed it aside, as Harry observed the expensive looking bottle-green suit the Minister wore, he made a mental note to buy new robes and clothes and to burn Dudley’s hand-me-downs. The conversation wore on the same way it had in his previous life as the Minister introduced himself and then reprimanded Harry for running away from his aunt and uncles house, he let Harry know that Marge - his awful uncles, awful sister - had been located, deflated and had her memories changed. Harry even remembered to play up being worried about punishment, in which Cornelius waved it off by saying it was accidental and they didn’t send people to Azkaban for accidental magic.

Harry even remembered to act slightly confused and bring up how ‘last year’ he had been given a warning about being expelled, after Dobby had smashed the cake his aunt made. This time however instead of staring at it after the Minister strode out to check about getting Harry a room, he did eat the crumpet offered to him. After he returned, gave Harry his room number and told him to stick to Diagon Alley, Harry still asked if the Ministry have had any luck finding Black. He really had to try his best not to laugh as the man fumbled with his cloak fastening and the answer.

Once the Minister for Magic was gone, Tom the barman showed Harry to his room. The second the door was unlocked and open Harry made a beeline straight for his gorgeous Snowy Owl, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. Harry’s heart gave a painful thud as Hedwig let out a soft coo and leaned into the small fingers that were petting her. After Hedwig had saved his life by taking a killing curse that would have hit him, he grieved her for a long time, he never did buy another snowy owl.

After Tom bowed and closed the door as he left, there was a huff and then a shuffling sound. Harry turned around expecting to see Padfoot, instead he found a dirty prison uniform, mattered black hair and a sallow face. Tears welled again and Harry grinned.

“Sirius!”

𓇢𓆸𓇢𓆸𓇢𓆸𓇢𓆸𓇢𓆸𓇢𓆸

Harry had been in Sirius’ arms in a split second, not caring about the grime that covered the man, or the odour. They had spend a long time squeezing one another, all the while Sirius muttered on about ‘I’m so sorry Pup, s’all my fault I’m so sorry’ Harry ignored the ramblings, just glad to be able to hug his godfather again. When they finally pulled apart the green-eyed boy wiped his face to dry the tears that had flowed.

“I know your innocent Sirius” Harry spoke quietly, staring up at him “I know about Peter, and I know where he is”

Sirius looked down at his godson bewildered, “but- what - you- how?”

“Sit down and I’ll explain, I just ask you let me get through it before questions” Harry said, taking a seat at the end of the bed. Sirius nodded mutely and did the same, still looking absolutely confunded.

After a moment of silence and a deep breath from the dark haired boy, Harry launched into the story. He told Sirius everything, how he had already lived this life. Harry detailed exactly what had happened that got Sirius arrested, the true version of events, How there had been another war after Voldemort had risen once again. He detailed how once Harry defeated him and gained the elder wand, Harry had officially gained all three Deathly Hallows, therefore becoming the Master of Death. He explained how he had died, the conversation with Death, Dumbledore’s betrayal and how Harry had decided to go back in time. To his credit all throughout Sirius stayed quiet, only looking at Harry like he was slightly raving mad.

Afterwards the room fell into silence while Sirius digested the information.

“Okay” Sirius said nodding. It was Harry’s turn to look bewildered.

“Okay?” He queried.

“Okay.” Sirius confirmed, “I believe you pup, I mean don’t get me wrong it’s complete insanity but I believe you. It makes sense, seeing as there’s no way you could know about Peter or what happened after… after that night and how I was arrested”

Harry blinked, and then blink again. The boy hadn’t been expecting Sirius to just accept his explanation that quickly. He launched himself into the man’s arms again.

“I’m going to get you freed, I’ll catch the rat and then I’ll get you your trail and you’ll be free” Harry’s words were muffled into the animagus’ shoulder. Sirius chuckled and squeezed Harry tighter.

“We’ll plan that at a later date pup, for now I want to shower and get some rest. You need to go to Gringotts in the morning.”

By the time they had both showered and crawled into bed, Sirius was Padfoot again, the sun had began to rise.