Renouncing Magic's Child

When Harry woke up ... felt so miserable and worried.

Harry glared at everyone who gave him a pitying look. Those looks needed to stop.

Then the memory ... gone down to breakfast.

"That's got to be a first," George said. "Ron never wakes up first."

The other gryffindor boys agreed. They were used to having to wake the other boy in the morning.

Harry dressed ... broke into applause again.

Harry barely held back a growl. His younger self just shook his head. The Gryffindors seemed to be morons. He seriously wondered if he actually wanted to be a Gryffindor when he - if he - went to Hogwarts.

The prospect of going down ... face-to-face with Hermione.

Sirius silently hoped that the girl had more sense than Ronald.

"Hello," ... Want to go for a walk?"

Sirius nodded his head. That was something at least.

"Good idea," ... accepted his story without question.

"Of course, I did," Hermione said with a sigh. "I know you Harry Potter. You're my best friend."

"Well, of course I knew ... read out your name!

"I don't think I've ever seen you look so terrified," Hermione said, "and I've seen you when you're preparing to go to battle with Voldemort himself."

But the question is, ... or get over Dumbledore's -"

"Good question," Moody growled.

"Have you seen Ron?" ... not really," said Hermione awkwardly.

Ron sighed. Yes, he had been an idiot.

"What's that supposed ... "He's jealous!"

Ron momentarily bristled, glaring at Hermione. Except she wasn't wrong. Was she?

"Jealous?" ... whole school, does he?"

Sirius pointedly looked at the fire. He didn't trust himself not to glare at the youngest Weasley son.

"Look," ... all the attention, you know it is.

"That's hardly Harry's fault," Sirius said sharply. "And anyone with eyes can tell Harry doesn't like it."

There was a murmur of agreement throughout the chamber.

I know it's not your fault," ... brothers to compete against at home,

The Weasleys all glared at the book. They couldn't understand why Ron felt he needed to compete with any of them. But more than that, they were annoyed with themselves that they'd never noticed before reading these books. Molly sighed. She was pretty sure she had caused some of Ron's issues with his brothers. She had always praised the older boys and tried to encourage the younger ones to emulate them. Had she not praised them for their own good qualities enough?

and you're his best ... people see you,

A couple of the Slytherins scoffed. "Shouldn't have befriended the chosen one then," Blaise said coldly. "I mean it's not like he chose that compartment on the train because there was really nowhere else free."

The other Slytherins were nodding their heads in agreement. There was always an empty compartment or two.

"He wanted to be friends with the Boy-Who-Lived and now he realises it's not all its cracked up to be," Blaise continued, "he's just going to drop him because he's jealous."

Ron sighed. He couldn't really argue with anything the other boy had said. He'd been a shitty friend and he knew it.

"Blaise, that's enough," Mrs Zabini said quietly.

and he puts up ... one time too many... "

"Are you actually defending his behaviour?" Theo asked.

Hermione sighed. "No. Of course, Ron was wrong. But understanding why people do what they do is helpful for resolving issues."

"Great," ... I'll swap any time he wants.

Ron groaned. Even back then, he hadn't wanted to be Harry.

Tell him from me ... forehead everywhere I go..."

"I don't really get what there is to be jealous of," young Harry said. "So, we're famous. So what. We're also being hunted down by a mad man. We're orphans. No parents. No siblings. No family. Well, unless you count the Dursleys and I definitely don't. We starve on a regular basis. We might have a vault full of money but what use is that trapped at the Dursley's house? We're forced to wear hand-me-downs that drown us. Your clothes might be second hand but at least they fit."

"I know. I..." Ron didn't know what he wanted to say. "I was an idiot."

"I'm not telling him anything," ... sort this out."

"Getting cross with Harry will not help," Mrs Granger said. "Really, Hermione. Harry has done nothing wrong. While I agree you aren't a middle man, you could have been more understanding of Harry's feelings. You took the time to explain Ron's feelings. Why didn't you consider Harry's too?"

Hermione frowned. "I tried to explain how Harry felt to Ron. He didn't listen. Just like Harry didn't listen."

"Of course, Harry didn't listen. One of his best friends just betrayed his trust," Mr Granger said. "You can't expect the boy to just roll over and accept that. If I was him, I wouldn't be willing to make the first move either."

"And what's more," Mrs Granger said. "It isn't his responsibility as the injured party. While, it would no doubt be easier and certainly a lot tidier if people just sorted their problems straight away. Reality isn't like that. It usually takes time for people to process their feelings before they're willing to even consider how the other person in an argument might feel."

"I'm not running around ... I've got my neck broken or -"

Ron flinched.

"That's not funny," ... She looked extremely anxious.

"I wasn't trying to be funny," Harry said crossly. "I was deadly serious."

"Harry, I've been thinking ... parchment and a quill out with me -"

Sirius nodded. That was a good idea.

"Come off it," ... entered me in the Triwizard Tournament -"

Sirius laughed slightly at that. He couldn't deny there was truth in what Harry said.

"He'd want you to tell him," ... and you're famous.

"Don't remind me," Harry muttered.

I'll be really surprised ... about you competing...

"No privacy," Harry muttered.

You're already in half the books about You-Know-Who, you know...

"No. Try all of them," Moody growled. "Not that any of them are worth the parchment they're written on."

and Sirius would rather hear ... toast into the lake.

Sirius wrapped an arm around his son.

They both stood ... "Ask Ron if you can borrow -"

"Why would you even suggest that?" Remus asked, shaking his head. "They're not talking."

"I thought it might be a good way to break the ice," Hermione said.

"Not likely," Draco muttered.

"I'm not asking Ron for anything," ... I got picked as a fourth champion.

Sirius could only imagine how panicked his older self had been when reading this letter.

I don't who put my name ... inside his chest since last night,

"You can tell me anything," Sirius murmured, giving Harry's shoulder a squeeze.

but he couldn't think ... "I've got to use one of these."

Luna sighed. Hedwig wouldn't like that.

Hedwig gave a very loud hoot ... "This isn't my fault."

The mind healers all glared at Minerva. She should have checked on him. It was clear that the prince wasn't coping.

If Harry had thought ... entered himself for the tournament.

"The teachers didn't say anything?" Sirius asked but Harry simply shook his head. "Damn it. What's wrong with you people?"

The teachers all shrunk back in their seats at the angry look on Sirius's face.

"He was fourteen and forced to compete," Sirius said, "and you didn't think oh I don't know... Let's announce that Harry didn't enter himself in the tournament. Or that you were investigating who did... Oh wait, you didn't do that because you couldn't be arsed to fucking investigate."

"Language, Black!" Molly said.

"You are not my mother," Sirius said angrily, "and trust me, she was a thousand times more intimidating than you ever could be."

Unlike the Gryffindors, ... seem impressed.

The other school aged people in the chamber grimaced as they recalled how they'd treated Potter.

The Hufflepuffs, ... the whole lot of them.

The puffs looked apologetic.

One Herbology lesson was enough ... their champion's glory;

Susan sighed. That's exactly what they'd thought.

a feeling exacerbated, ... Gryffindor once at Quidditch.

Cedric sighed. He hadn't even won that match fairly.

Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley,... smacked him hard in the face.

"Sorry," both boys said.

Ron wasn't talking ... eye contact with each other.

"Pathetic," George muttered, glaring at Ron.

Harry thought even ... Head of Hufflepuff House.

Professor Sprout frowned. Had she been distant? She hoped not. Although, she had to admit she had been angry about him competing and she hadn't been informed of everything that had been discussed after his name was drawn from the goblet. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way, Mr Potter."

Minerva gave her a look that clearly said, see I'm not the only one who keeps making mistakes.

"And you call yourselves teachers," Remus said with a heavy sigh.

He would have been looking ... familiar sneer firmly in place.

Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "That really isn't your most attractive expression, dragon."

"Ah, look, boys, ... going to be around much longer...

Severus glared at his godson. He was not pleased to learn that he had become something of a bully.

Half the Triwizard champions ... Ten minutes into the first task's my bet."

Lucius gave his son a look of reproach that had Draco apologising again.

Crabbe and Goyle guffawed ... the blasting end, or the sucker?"

Everyone was momentarily distracted by the idea of taking the blast-ended skrewts for a walk.

"Roun' the middle," ... School champion."

The mind healers nodded. Finally an adult was bothering to check in on him.

"One of the champions," Harry corrected him.

Cedric gave the other boy a smile.

Hagrid's beetle-black eyes ... yeh in fer it, Harry?"

Sirius smiled over at Hagrid gratefully. Finally, an adult believed him.

"You believe I didn't do it, ... he felt at Hagrid's words.

"Didn't doubt it fer a second," Hagrid said.

"Course I do," ... an' I believe yeh -

"I'll always believe yer Harry," Hagrid said gruffly.

an' Dumbledore ... who did do it," said Harry bitterly.

Moody nodded his head in agreement.

The pair of them looked ... very hard to control.

Amelia tutted.

"Look like they're havin' fun, ... classmates certainly weren't;

Hagrid laughed awkwardly.

every now and then, ... get back on their feet.

The children all laughed but none of the adults did.

"Ah, I don' know, Harry," ... happen ter you, doesn' it?"

Everyone in the chamber agreed with this statement. Harry had the worst luck.

Harry didn't answer... Ron was no longer talking to him.

Young Ron frowned. Harry Potter was nothing like the boy he'd read about in those adventure books. He wondered if he really had only become his friend because he was famous. That would be a pretty crappy thing to do.

The next few days were some of Harry's worst at Hogwarts.

The teachers looked horrified at that.

The closest he had ever ... attacking his fellow students.

Sirius glared at the teachers. What had they done to protect his pup?

But Ron had been ... Ron back as a friend,

Ron stared at the ground in shame.

but he wasn't going ... on him from all sides.

"This is unacceptable," Arcturus said. "I want to know what you teachers did about it?"

The teachers exchanged looks. They hadn't even noticed that there was a problem, let alone do something about it.

He could understand ... vicious insults from the Slytherins -

The snakes and badgers all looked surprised to hear the Prince make excuses for their behaviour.

he was highly unpopular ... goblet into accepting his name.

"Not the cleverest bunch," Moody growled at the Ravenclaws.

They looked momentarily offended but had to admit they hadn't even bothered to assess the situation before making assumptions.

Then there was the fact ... and gray eyes,

Both Cedric and Harry blushed. Harry really hated having his every thought broadcasted like this. He didn't need everyone knowing just who he found attractive.

"Is it just me or does Potter always seem to fancy quidditch players?" Blaise asked his friends quietly.

The Slytherin girls giggled slightly.

"Sorry, Theo, looks like you don't stand a chance," Blaise said with a wink. "Unless you're a secret beater? Or maybe chaser?"

Theo blushed brightly.

"I think you're wrong," Draco said. "He clearly likes seekers."

"Still don't think you have a chance, Draco," Blaise said with a smirk.

"Obviously!" Draco almost screeched. "We're cousins! Eww."

"He's changed his tune, hasn't he Theo?" Blaise laughed.

"Finding out you're related to your crush will do that to you," Theo said smoothly, barely hiding his own grin.

"I think Theo might still stand a chance," Daphne said. "He also seemed to find Tom Riddle attractive and he was more of the studious sort."

They all stared at her in horror. They couldn't imagine anyone finding the Dark Lord attractive. One by one, they all glanced at said Dark Lord and had to reconsider their thoughts. He was certainly too old for any of them but he was attractive. Very attractive.

it was hard to say ... Cedric or Viktor Krum.

Cedric and Viktor both blushed.

Harry actually saw ... school bags one lunchtime.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile there was no reply ... more certainty than usual,

Sirius glared at Professor Trelawney.

and he did so badly ... apart from Neville.

Neville rolled his eyes. He really hadn't done well in school until he got his own wand.

"It's really not that difficult, Harry," ... "You just weren't concentrating properly -"

Mr and Mrs Granger both sighed. That wasn't particularly helpful.

"That's not strictly true," Filius said. "The summoning charm is complex magic. It involves both dark and light magic in tandem. It doesn't come easily for anyone, even those like Mr Potter, who have a grey core. Once you get over the hurdle of using both types of magic in tandem complex spells of this nature becomes easier, but it is no exaggeration to call learning to use both magics simultaneously a hurdle. This initial step can take months. Especially when one's emotional state is in turmoil as Mr Potter's clearly was at the time."

"Wonder why that was," ... forward to this afternoon... "

The Gryffindors all groaned.

Double Potions ... nothing short of torture.

Severus frowned at that description.

Being shut in a dungeon ... why today should be any better.

Minerva glared at Severus. She just couldn't understand why Sirius seemed so willing to forgive Severus for his treatment of Harry. Sure, this Severus hadn't done it yet. But surely, he would and therefore deserved at least some of the treatment she'd received. It really wasn't fair. She also couldn't understand why Harry seemed so willing to forgive the man who would eventually come to kill Albus.

When he and Hermione ... S. P. E. W. badges -

The Slytherins laughed at the idea of them wearing SPEW badges.

then he saw that ... THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION!

Sirius sighed. Surely the teachers would do something about the badges at least. They might not name Harry outright but it was clear that they were backhandedly attacking him.

"Like them, Potter?" ... POTTER STINKS!

"Tell me you did something about the badges," Sirius demanded.

The teachers all sighed in defeat. "In fairness, I was not aware that they said that," Filius said.

The parents in the chamber stared at the teachers in disbelief.

The Slytherins howled ... "really witty."

The Slytherins all said their apologies.

Ron was standing against the wall ... sticking up for Harry either.

Molly shook her head in disappointment.

"Want one, Granger?" ... don't want a Mudblood sliming it up."

"Sorry, Granger," Malfoy said before his mother or father could tell him to.

Some of the anger Harry ... backing down the corridor.

The mind healers were not surprised. Eventually Harry would explode. His temper was currently being held on a short lease. Both in the book and in the chamber.

"Harry!" ... do it, if you've got the guts -"

Lucius sighed. His son had no sense whatsoever.

For a split second, ... both acted.

Narcissa shook her head. This was the only time anyone could even try and argue that Harry had started it, as he'd drawn his wand first, but really, her son needed to stop constantly attacking his cousin and his friends. Not to mention his use of that word was uncouth. Although they had managed to have a pleasant lunch together so perhaps there was hope.

"Funnunculus!" Harry yelled... ricocheted off at angles -

The adults all sighed. That was why you didn't duel in hallways.

Harry's hit Goyle in the face, ... ugly boils were springing up -

The lions all struggled not to laugh. But one glare from Minerva and they were all looking much more serious.

Hermione, ... was wrong with her;

Sirius huffed. Sure, he cared about Hermione. But he didn't give a flying fluxweed about Harry. That much was clear. Or he'd have come to Harry's defense earlier. Even when the marauders were fighting, they always had each other's backs. He was really beginning to wonder at his son's choice in friends. Although based on what he'd read about in these books, he supposed Harry's options were limited. No one seemed to see Harry for himself. And Ronald had stepped up on occasion... 

Harry turned and saw Ron ... let out a terrified cry.

The adults in the chamber glared at Harry and Draco. Sirius glared back at them. He wasn't about to let any of them berate Harry for defending his friend.

"And what is all this ... "Explain. "

Severus sighed. He wasn't going to get an honest answer there.

"Potter attacked me, sir -"

"If you ever lie to me again, Draco, there will be consequences," Severus said in that same deadly voice.

Draco nodded. "Sorry, Uncle Severus."

"We attacked ... same time!" Harry shouted.

"At least someone knows how to tell the truth," Lucius muttered.

"- and he hit Goyle ... "Hospital wing, Goyle," Snape said calmly.

Poppy nodded her head. Harry's spell had been very well cast - in fact, if anything it had been slightly overpowered and had been quite difficult to fix.

"Malfoy got Hermione!" ... behind Snape's back.

"I loathe that girl," Narcissa said.

Snape looked coldly ... "I see no difference."

"SEVERUS!" Minerva shouted.

"What?" Severus replied. "I haven't done this yet. But I will remind you, I am a spy. I can't afford to show kindness to Gryffindors - and especially not Potter and his friends - in front of the Dark Lord's follower's children."

Hermione let out a whimper; ... out of sight.

Everyone was giving her the pitying looks they usually reserved for Harry. 

It was lucky, perhaps, ... He got the gist, however.

Severus chuckled at that. "You're just like your mother," he said softly. "Always defending your friends."

"Let's see," ... it'll be a week's worth of detentions."

"What?" Minerva huffed. "Malfoy didn't get any points removed for dueling in the hallways."

"Actually," Draco said with a sigh, "I was called to his office after dinner and given detention. In Slytherin punishment is kept private. It isn't broadcasted to the other houses when our head of house punishes us."

The other Slytherins all nodded their agreement.

Harry's ears were ringing... back to normal between them,

Ron grimaced. He'd been a right git. He couldn't help but wonder if Harry would even want to be his friend in the new timeline.

but then Ron turned ... flashed once more across the room.

Sirius looked ready to rage at the teachers about the badges again but he didn't get a chance as the book continued on.