Strange Potter

Albus sighed as he read over the very few interested people who would be willing to take over as Defense Professor.

Tom's curse is still well in effect. How I wish I was able to remove it but alas all my efforts have been in vain. He truly was a master of his craft. If only he could have been a beacon of the Light instead of Darkness, but that is impossible. Some actions are just unforgivable and he has embraced all of them.

While he would always believe everyone deserves a chance at remorse, he also knew that Tom was incapable of this. His followers however could still be shown the error of their ways. Even those residing in Azkaban might still find some regret once Tom was truly vanquished.

He considered writing to Remus but it was doubtful he would be able to take the position.

His new celebrity status and the distribution of the cure would undoubtedly take up the man's main focus.

Briefly, he considered writing to Sirius but that thought quickly left his mind.

Sirius watches over me too much as it is. Better it just be at the meetings. I need to work to limit Sirius and his stepmother's influence on the boy. 

As he read he came across the most interested one. Gilderoy Lockhart.

Interesting. I remember young Gilderoy. The boy was not as impressive as his books like to portray him. These feats he's claiming...I know two of the wizards who did them. Claiming fame and the hard work of others. Disgraceful.

Perhaps he needs only to be put back into an ordinary school setting to be revealed as such a charlatan and a fraud? There are lessons even a fraudulent person can teach. 

He began writing the acceptance letter to his new professor. 

By luck, Neville and Harry's birthdays landed on Friday and Saturday so planning parties worked out for everyone.

And, for safety and practicality, they decided to have both at Longbottom Manor.

Sirius insisted that, since they were using the house, he would cover the boy parties as far as food and any supplies needed.

Frank and he got into a slight argument over it but it was quickly ended when Alice and Natasha stepped in.

While they were going over the details Harry was with Neville and Regulus back in the woods of the cabin.

"Wicked!!" Reg said as the axe flew back to Neville's hand. "I want one!"

"I have something better planned. No, I won't tell you what it is, because I'm still working on it." Harry floated up. "Ready Neville?"

"Hit me!"

"Reg?"

"Bring it!"

Several balloons began floating out of nowhere as Neville began throwing the axe to pop them with the axe.

Regulus saw several of them coming at him and saw Harry smirking.

He pulled his wand and started casting. Popping them. Both had their back to each other as the balloons came closer. It was a familiar strategy that all three had been working with. Harry and Neville worked better together but that was the idea. 

Harry was forming different balloons all different shapes and colors and a big scoreboard was behind him. They were playing against each other while working together.

This also was a good excise for Harry as he had to constantly make new balloons and move them around the two.

Neville's axe flew through the air and sliced the balloons in a fancy circle but he was confused when it vanished through a portal.

"Now you have no axe. What next?" 

The kids found Wong staring with his fixed expression at them.

Neville pulled out his wand and started casting.

Harry grew a wicked grin as he formed the balloons into a giant balloon dragon.

"Show off!!" Both the other boys shouted together.

Wong watched the three carefully. Years ago he was worried about the boy and his powers. Now he was very proud of how much Harry had control over his abilities. Not that he would admit it out loud.

"Harry!" Regulus shouted as he was wrapped in a balloon anaconda.

Neville spun around and hit the 'snake' with a cutting curse to the head. It popped and Reg shook his head at the noise.

Harry decided they had enough and all the balloons disappeared as he floated back down. "Not bad."

"Snakes and dragons. You sure you don't belong in Slytherin?" Neville asked.

"I was worried you wouldn't want to fight a lion or griffin the same way." He shrugged. "And they can't wrap around you." He looked at his watch. "Let's go take a gaming break."

"Wait my axe?"

Wong opened the portal and the axe flew through back to Neville's hand. He shrunk it back down and put it away.

As they walked back to the house Neville asked. "Did you send one to Blaise and Susan?"

"Yeah but I haven't heard anything back yet." It was odd. He hadn't heard of any mail. Could be an issue at the Sanctum.

Wong overheard that. "Unusual. I'll look into that."

"Thanks, Wong."

The man portaled out as the three made their way into the house.

"Hmm. Well, they wrote back to me." Neville informed him. "I'll send one from my house if you want."

"Sure thanks, mate."

They ran up the stairs to the gaming room. Neville was so happy Harry was his friend because he saw how some of the other kids didn't even know about video games. Harry was adamant to show him when they were younger and it was wicked.

Harry saw it as the best of both worlds. He embraced the magical world but why give up the internet or technology? 

Susan was sitting by the fireplace reading the invite.

"Auntie, did we get any mail from Harry Potter?"

"Not that I'm aware of." She answered as she went over some documents from work.

"Hmm." 

"Something wrong?" Amelia asked as she sipped her tea.

"An invite to Neville and Harry's birthday parties. Both at Neville's house. Neville said Harry sent one but we never got it."

"I'll check the mail direct, but do you plan on attending?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I will do my best to be available to take you but there is a possibility of work interfering."

"I understand."

Amelia let out a sigh as the girl turned her back to read the letter more. She wished work didn't get in the way as much as it did but she had to keep her department in top shape. Fudge was determined to undo the Auror budget and she would not give him any ammunition for it.

Not to mention that Umbridge. She was not liked by anyone but Fudge. It was very easy to see why.

But lately, she has been even fouler. I know why too. I might be beginning to like this doctor.

No surprise party for Harry this time. He didn't mind that. Nevilles was yesterday and both Blaise and Susan made it. Blaise's father was unable to attend but he did give his word he would be the one to deliver Blaise to Harry.

Both Sirius and Harry had the same thought. That he was more interested in the Black family than that of the Longbottoms. 

When he and Blaise arrived they knew they were right. 

"Hey, Harry." Blaise greeted them. "Mr. Black this is my father."

"Michael Zabini." The larger man offered his hand to Sirius.

"Yes, I'm aware of your name. Unfortunately, we never had a chance to converse in session before."

"Well, you know how the Wizengamot is. Hardly the place for a pleasant chat."

"Agreed." Sirius laughed.

"Mr. Potter." Michael offered his hand to the boy. "I have heard much about you."

"From who?" Harry shook. "Some people have very different opinions on me."

"Luckily just from Blaise. Or is his opinion not one of the positive ones?" He challenged with a thin smile.

"Na, Blaise is alright for a Slytherin." He smirked at his friend.

"And you're smart for a foolish Gryffindor," Blaise smirked back.

"Alright let's not open that can of worms., Natasha said. She had heard about that stupid rivalry and she wanted none of it.

"Mrs. Black." Michael bowed. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Just Natasha please."

"Very well." Michael was pure blood and a bit of a bigot, he would admit, but he was smart. He also had some contacts outside the magical world and had learned some surprising things about the Black Widow. He will admit that she was impressive.

Even for a muggle, she is enchanting. Black certainly is a lucky man.

Susan and her aunt managed to make it too. 

While Susan talked to Harry and the others Sirius took adults into another room to discuss more political problems. Amelia and Michael weren't allies yet but he hoped to persuade them on his bill to outlaw all love potions.

Michael had hoped to meet the Supreme but unfortunately, Stephen didn't do parties or children's parties specifically thanks to Tony getting Morgan to constantly ask to do a rabbit hat trick.

But he did see someone he wanted to speak to. 

"Mr. Lupin," Michael said. "It is an honor to meet you."

"That...that is very different than what I have been used to," Remus said.

"I would imagine. However, you have lifted a small weight off my soul." The man confessed. "In the last war, I had a childhood friend who was...lost to an attack from Greyback and his pack. For years I held a resentment against all of them, of you. You offering an alternative to simply removing them is something I never imagined and I am happy to see it."

"I...Understand but to tell the truth. All I did was volunteer to be a lab rat."

"And possibly saved countless lives from your hardships." Amelia cut in. "I think you deserve the recognition you are getting Mr. Lupin."

Remus was still getting used to these responses. From a plague victim to a beacon of hope? At least that was what a child, bitten a few years ago, called him in a letter. That did make him feel like he was truly making a difference.

Frank and Alice were a little unnerved to have Zabini, senior, in their house. The man never took a side but he was well connected with the darker families. However, Wanda already told them that she would keep an open mind on the man just to be safe. At first. She didn't sense any ill intent from him and told them so.

As the kids ate and talked Hermione asked. "Did you guys ever decide what trip you were going to take?"

"We couldn't decide so we're doing a combination of both. A cruise." 

"Nice," Neville said.

"How exciting," Hermione replied. 

"A ship filled with mug...Non-magical? That is not my first place for a vacation." He saw the slight glare on Hermione's face. "Not that there is anything wrong with them, I just couldn't go that long not being around magic."

She nodded at that. That was something she could understand for someone raised in the magical world and could see it as a difficult time.

"We're taking off from New York and will be in London in about two weeks."

"What day are you leaving?"

"Friday."

"Do...well my parents are having an early birthday party for me and I was wondering if you two would like to come."

"I'll be there," Harry reassured.

"Me too." Neville agreed.

"I will see if I am able to," Blaise said. "Father has me helping him with some investments after I gave him a gentle nudge to Stark Industries."

"You're welcome." Harry grinned.

"Is he making cures for all the werewolves?" Susan asked. "I read the paper but Auntie is always skeptic of the Prophet."

"He is. Both Dr. Banner and Tony are already getting his company to begin mass production. I'm willing to bet that in a few years the whole werewolf community will be down to a fraction of what it is now."

"That's incredible." She sighed in relief. "Oh, I don't see why I wouldn't be able to make it to your party Hermione."

"Okay." Hermione smiled at them.

The rest of the party was great. When a certain man and his family were brought into the house by way of Wanda. Harry had to introduce him to Hermione and her parents.

"Hey, Tony. Hi Pepper. Morgan." Harry greeted the three.

"Hi, Harry," Morgan replied while holding out a gift. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks, Morgan." He took it. As he turned back he found his friend and her parents were stunned. "What?"

"You didn't tell me Tony Stark was coming!"

"Surprise?" 

"You..." 

"I see my reputation precedes me." 

"You're Tony Stark! Is there anywhere you can't go where they don't know you?" Hermione asked not believing the question. She knew Harry knew Tony but to have him at his party?! 

"See Sirius! That's the proper response!"

"Daddy is still bitter about Uncle Sirius not knowing who he was when they first met," Morgan told Hermione.

"First Natasha and Wanda now Tony Stark," Jean said. "Harry you are full of surprises."

"You have no idea." Several of the others said at the same time. Earned a glare from the boy.

"Richard Granger." Richard offers his hand. "I mean I'm meeting Ironman. I have to shake your hand."

"Finally!" Tony let out. "I've gotten used to them not knowing me."

"Well, I'm a dentist, as is my wife, Jean here. So we're more informed than they seemed to be."

Tony had to hold in a joke about British people and dentists. He was trying to be on better behavior right now.

"Mrs. Stark." Hermione was in true awe. This woman ran one of the most powerful corporations in the world. 

"Just Pepper is fine. It's nice to meet you, Miss. Granger or can I call you Hermione?"

"Yes! I mean that's fine." Hermione said very fast.

Harry laughed at that. "Looks like Mum got some competition for your favorite Avenger. I mean Pepper is technically one too, but then again you have Wanda..."

"Prat." She snapped just to stop him. "I can have more than one favorite."

"Not according to Tony..." Regulus came over. "Mines you by the way." He told the man.

"Smart boy., Tony smirked.

"Wait didn't you say, Cap...."

"Shut up!!!" Regulus said quickly to Harry.

Harry laughed at that, but he was stopped when someone grabbed him from behind.

"Happy birthday shorty!"

"Tonks! Stop grabbing me!" Harry complained as she hugged him.

"You're getting too big. I remember when you were so small and cute. Now you're an old man."

"Haha!" Yeah big sisters can be a pain, but I wouldn't trade her for anything...well a Firebolt would be tempting...

Harry saw Amelia and Michael both eager to talk to Tony. It was funny. Two purebloods both trying to learn from a 'muggle'. 

Their world was growing and he was happy to be a part of it.

Since the trip was taking off from New York, Harry had to make a quick stop a few hours before they had to get to the dock.

He portaled to the top of their usual meeting place with his little brother this time. Regulus looked over the side. 

"Wow. We're high." He looked back. "Didn't this use to be Tony's tower?"

"Yeah. Until they got the new place upstate. Don't worry nobody ever comes up here."

"Except for you." Another voice said above them.

Regulus saw the red and blue and waved. "Spider-Man! Wicked."

The Spider landed next to him. "Hi, Harry. Hey Regulus." He did a high five with them. "How was school?"

"Not bad."

"He knocked out a troll and fought a guy growing out of the back of someone's head."

The whites of Spider-Mans eyes went wider. "Really? Awesome!"

"Mum didn't think so."

Peter Parker aka Spider-Man was used to meeting his little friends like this. Ever since Tony discovered who he was and helped him with a more serious suit he had been involved with Tony, and by that, the Avengers. 

That was almost ten years ago and he would admit that he was way too enthusiastic back then, but it was Tony Freaking Stark! Now he focused on New York while he let Tony deal with the bigger picture.

Part of him was happy he didn't have to fight the killer robot...

Officially he was Tony's personal intern. Unofficially he was also a babysitter to Morgan. He would proudly admit that the little girl was like a sister he never knew he wanted.

And it was through Morgan that he discovered who Natasha had been with and all about the wizarding world when he found Regulus and Harry in the compound. With Harry floating in midair.

It was freaking awesome! But he knew he had to keep it quiet. Dr. Strange had drilled that home. Even Ned and MJ didn't know about it. Even if she had figured out who was under the mask and he accidentally showed up in full Spider-Man suit with Ned in his room and had to tell him.

How May hadn’t discovered yet was something he was grateful for. She had enough to worry about. The fact he had to take some time off from Spider-Man for most of the year didn't help hide it. Boston was a long way away.

Harry helped with that when he heard. A few calls and Spider-Man was swinging around the city and one portal later Peter Parker was answering May on the phone from MIT.

Luckily he graduated and was back full-time. 

"Hey P...Spider-Man." Harry quickly corrected. He knew who was under the mask since he read his mind. He promised to keep it quiet but sometimes forgot that. "How's work?"

"Slow day." Peter shrugged. "Kinda boring. So I was going to swing off to go see what's going around."

"Sure. Probably off to see someone particular." Harry smiled. 

"I have no idea who you talking about." Freaking mind reader. Seriously man can't I have any privacy? Yes, I want to spend time with my girlfriend.

"I'm joking Spider., Harry said. "How are the new shooters?"

Peter responded by making a very elegant web all over the wall. Harry and Regulus's names in webbed to it.

"Nice," Regulus said.

"I keep saying I can make the webs last forever. Just one spell..."

"Thanks but no thanks. I like to make my own and understand how it works. Magic is awesome but science is my area."

"Magic beats science., Regulus argued.

"There's no reason they can't work together. Ask Thor." Harry laughed. "But hey I have an idea for something I think you could help with."

"Oh do tell."

"I'm thinking a thimble-sized bomb that shots your webs in a huge net."

"Now that I like. I made something similar but it was about the size of a baseball."

"I can shrink it down easily, can I see the formula for your webs?"

"Sure I'll text them to you, but please use them responsibly."

"So...no pranks?"

"Only on Regulus or Tony."

"Hey!"

"I'm joking Reg," Peter smirked under his mask. "So what are you two up to?"

"We're going on a cruise!" Regulus said.

"Nice. Take pictures." 

"Mum always does." 

The three talked for a while. Harry finally saw the time and knew they had to go. A wave later and they portaled out.

Peter looked down the building before jumping. His phone of course went off mid-fall.

Loser you coming?

On my way!

...Are you texting and swinging again?!

Technically I'm texting and free-falling...

Uhh!!!! Don't die!!

😙 Love you ❤

Ahhhh!!!!🖕

Once Sirius would have scuffed at the idea of a huge ship filled with non-magical. He wasn't as bad as some of the wizards but he would admit he didn't think they knew how to relax or have fun.

That was over a decade ago and he will tell anyone who asks that he was an idiot for his previous beliefs.

"Did you really have to get the Garden Villa?" Natasha teased as they came in.

"Did I? No. Do I regret it? No." Sirius shrugged. Yeah, he had money. Why not splurge a little?

"I call this room!" Regulus said when he entered the main room.

"Yeah, not happening kiddo," Natasha said. 

Regulus chuckled as he carried his bag to his real room.

"Do we need it to be bigger?" Harry asked. "Just say the word."

"I think it's large enough."

"Alright.

"I'm going to the slide!!"

"Not yet." Nat grabbed Regulus. "I know you are excited but repeat the rules."

"Muuummm."

"Come on."

"No magic. No pranks and if I feel something is wrong then it probably is." Reg had them memorized.

"Good. Now you can go." 

"I'll keep an eye on him." Harry came out of his room in his trunks with a towel.

"But who will watch you?" Reg snickered.

"The fear of mum keeping us in our rooms for the rest of the trip."

That got a chuckle out of Sirius as the boys left for the main area. With Harry, they knew he was able to protect both of them and Regulus was smart enough to understand danger when seen.

Plus the odds of a threat following them unto a ship filled with non-magical was unlikely. Well from the wizard side. Natasha used all the proper channels and the right fake identities for herself. Even dying her hair blonde for the trip. Magical dye so it would be able to wash out with the proper soap. 

"So we have the room to ourselves?" Sirius said. "Whatever will we do?"

Natasha responded by locking the door.

Turns out they had options for slides. The ship came with more than one so they decided to go with all. Multiple times.

Harry was wiping the water from his face when he heard.

"Harry come here!"

On the backside of one of the slides, Regulus was sure he saw something.

"What?" 

"Come on." The boy slipped under the 'do not enter sign and down the hall that was clearly for employees.

"On come on." Harry groaned but followed and did a quick cast to stop anyone from following. Just a simple barrier that made the hall disappear. 

"In here!" The younger brother went into a storage room.

"Reg. What are you doing?"

"I know I saw something...right there!!!" 

Harry saw a basket of fruit move. His eyes went red and he saw was what hiding. 

"Wow." He held up his glowing hand.

The invisible creature knocked the basket over and tried to run it froze with a flash of red. It's invisibly ended with the spell.

The small creature fell to the ground. It looked like an orangutan with large, black eyes and long, silky hair fur covered it. Regulus thought it looked more like a small sloth.

"It's a Demiguise." Harry realized as he canceled the spell.

"Wicked." The younger boy said. "Hey, little guy."

"It's not an adult. Where are his parents?"

The small creature tried to turn back invisible but Harry was stopping him. That made it terrified.

"I'm not going to hurt you." Harry tried to calm the infant. "What happened?"

The wizard and the Demiguise locked eyes and Harry slipped in.

He saw the mum running the baby clingy tightly to her. Wizards chasing after. A different boat, mum frantically hiding her baby, and then no mum...The young creature slipped from ship to ship to finally landing on the cruise liner a few months back.

"He's an orphan...His mum died saving him from fur hunters. She hid him and he's been hiding on different ships ever since." Harry had to wipe his eyes. That was one of the parts he hated about reading. He had to live the experiences with him.

"Hey." Reg carefully picked up one of the bananas. "Here you go, little guy."

The creature backed up away from the offered fruit. Regulus could tell he was afraid so he put it down on the ground. Slowly the Demiguise grabbed it.

"He won't hurt you," Harry said. He showed the terrified baby that they weren't threats to his mind.

Regulus held out his hand. "Come on. We'll take you somewhere you won't have to be afraid."

Harry saw the Demiguise carefully move to Reg. He took his hand and then began climbing on him.

"I'm keeping him. He's family now." The boy declared as the small creature climbed on his shoulder.

"Mum is going to flip."

Natasha did not in fact flip but she couldn't stop asking.

"How does a waterslide end in finding an exotic pet that can go invisible?"

"Can see the future too," Harry added. "That's how he was able to avoid being seen, well until us." How Reg managed to see it in the first place was still confusing him.

"Were you two careful getting back here?" Sirius asked as he looked at the small creature holding his son tightly.

"Yes. I made sure no one saw anything." Harry answered. "Plus he went straight invisible when we left the room.

"Can I keep him?" Regulus finally asked the question burning in his mind.

"Reg..." both his parents said.

"He's an orphan." The boy worked his eyes.

Sirius and Natasha shared a look before the man said.

"You have to clean up after him."

"Yes!!" Regulus ran to them and hugged them both. "I promise." He pulled the small guy off his shoulder and held him gently. "Welcome to the family."

That got a smile from the creature as he grabbed onto Regulus' shirt.

Regulus held the small furball against him as it settled in. "Don't worry little guy. You're safe now."

After the fun was settled down and they all had dinner. The Demiguise held on to Reg most of the time but he did climb down and go to Natasha. She didn't know how to feel when it climbed onto her shoulder.

"I think he likes you."

"Of course he does." She turned to the small guy. "Listen just don't use me as a bathroom and we'll be fine."

The Demiguise nodded in understanding.

"Smart guy." 

"He needs a name," Harry said as he handed Hedwig her pile of bacon.

How do you sneak an owl on a cruise ship? Just open a portal. It was the first time the owl had been on vacation and she seemed to like it. She also didn't mind the new addition. For now.

"I'm thinking of one." He wanted to call him Loki but he knew mum wouldn't like that one.

Later that night when the boys were in bed. Sirius looked in and found Reg with his new pet tightly together. A Demiguise? Really James. I know you somehow had something to do with this.

He shut the door and went back to his room chuckling the whole way.

As the trip continued Regulus was debating whether he would have to stay in the room most of the trip to take care of his little friend until Harry reminded him.

"You remember he can go invisible right? He's really smart too so just explain what he needs to do and you could probably walk around the whole ship with him and no one will ever know."

That piece of information turned out to be a double-edged sword. Because Regulus tried to exploit the invisibility part.

Luckily the small creature could see the future so they never got caught doing anything they shouldn't.

Hermione's birthday party was just three days away when the cruise ship came to dock. Harry was worried they might not arrive in time but he also knew he wouldn't have a problem getting around so it worked out perfectly.

As they loaded their bags to leave Harry had pulled out his mirror and called the Grangers, minus Hermione.

"Hey, Richard and Jean." He greeted them when they answered. "What...what would you think of a pet for Hermione's birthday?"

"She has been hinting at one," Jean said. "There were some cats she saw in Diagon Alley that had her attention."

"A cat? I can work with that." Harry thought. "Are you okay with me getting her one?"

"Thank you for asking. I think she can handle it." Richard said. 

"Do you think kitten or more adult?"

"I think you understand our daughter pretty well so I'm sure she'll love whatever you have."

"Alright see you this Friday." He said goodbye and shut off his mirror. "Padfoot! I need to go to Diagon Alley before we go home."

While Regulus and Nat took his new pet home Sirius and Harry made the trip to the alley.

Entering Magical Menagerie they were greeted by the saleswoman.

"Welcome!"

They bowed in acknowledgment.

"Where do you keep your cats?" Harry asked.

"The back dearie."

"Any idea what she would like?" Sirius looked over the cages.

"Well, I'm going to go off what I know. She's smart, organized, and very...bossy but she means well. So she probably won't have the time or patience to raise a kitten. One more mature would fit her personality."

Harry looked over all the cats and tried to get a good feeling for them. None of them were being abused so that was a plus for the shop.

He saw one cage near the back. Inside was a very big, bandy-legged, ginger-colored cat. 

"Bloody hell." Sirius saw the cat. "One ugly girl." The cat hissed at him. "My apologies, boy." When he read the name and sex on the cage.

"He's not ugly just unique," Harry said.

"Reminds me of your mum's cat. Bloody thing hated me, but to be fair I was often in Padfoot form just to torment the thing." He confessed.

"That's not nice." Harry reprimanded.

"I know that now. I mainly started doing it after he nearly ate Pettigrew." Sirius still felt vile saying that name. "He hated him more than anyone. Finally understand why. Beast could tell the rat was no good." He felt he owed an apology to that cat now. Wonder whatever happened to him? This one does look familiar but there's no way...

Harry leaned in and looked at the cat. He had a bottlebrush tail and yellow eyes. His face looked like he ran into a wall but for some reason, the cat just felt right. 

"How much?" He turned to the saleswoman.

"Are you sure you want that one?" She asked. "He's been here a long time."

"I'm sure." 

She shrugged and pulled the cat out of the cage only to scratch her. The animal jumped down and ran directly to Harry before sitting between his legs.

He casually picked him up and the cat let out a purr as he pets him.

"You can have the bloody thing!" She growled.

Sirius held in a chuckle. The two did pay for various things that Hermione might need to take care of her new pet before they left.

"So. Crookshanks. Ready to meet your new owner? She's smart and I'm sure will spoil you as you deserve."

The cat seemed pleased to hear it. Although his face didn't seem to change.

"Can't believe you got the ugliest one." 

That got a hiss from the cat.

"Yeah, he's a bad dog." Harry patted his head. 

"You and your animal whispering." The man mumbled.

"Whose whispering?"

Sirius rubbed his hair to annoy him but stopped when he caught Harry's eyes showing a flash of red. "That's cheating."

"'Take any advantage you can use."

"I knew I would regret teaching you that!"

Harry laughed as they made their way back home.

"Wow...He...is...ugly." Regulus stared at the feline.

Earning a hiss from the cat.

"You're not." Harry stroked the cat's back. "He's jealous he's not as good-looking."

"Ha ha," Regulus said as his pet landed on his shoulder.

The cat and the Demiguise both stared at each other. 

"Don't worry Motto." Reg patted the one on his shoulder. "He's not staying."

"You named him that?" Harry asked.

"I consider Wong but I don't think he would like it."

"Yeah naming him after the founder of their order is much better."

"He liked it." Regulus shrugged and patted his little friend.

Hermione's house was nice and simple. Not elaborate as a wizard but Harry liked it.

The family knocked and Richard opened the door. "Welcome."

"Harry." Hermione came over when she saw him. Neville and his parents had already arrived and she was talking to them when she saw her other friend arrive.

"Happy birthday Hermione," Harry said as he handed over the box, with holes in the top, to her.

"Thank you." She began to take it to the table with the others. 

"Hermione." Her father stopped her. "You might want to open that one right now." He suggested.

She looked at him slightly puzzled but put it down and pulled the top off. Her eyes lit up bight like the strongest Lumos spell.

"He is brilliant!" Hermione gushed as pulled the cat out and it purred against her. "Thank you!" She ran back over, cat in hand, and hugged Harry tightly.

"Glad I didn't pick the wrong one." He joked then looked at the cat. "Told you it would just be for a few minutes."

Crookshank gave a slight hiss but seemed to like the girl so he settled in when she put him down.

"Here are some things for him." Regulus held up another gift. "So you know he pees everywhere!"

"Reg." 

"He peed on my bed!"

"You shouldn't have called him ugly." Harry shrugged with a smile.

"He's not ugly!" Hermione defended her new pet. "No, you are not." The feline responded by purring against her leg.

Yes, this human will do.

"I admit I thought you might have made a mistake when I saw him but you knew our daughter well."

"Just process of elimination and trusting my gut." Harry shrugged.

Blaise and Susan did manage to make it. They looked slightly uncomfortable in non-magical clothes but they were told to blend in. Still, they were happy to get to come.

The birthday girl's parents watched both enjoying the sight of their daughter and her friends. The last birthday party was just them and some cards from her teachers. This was a very different experience and they loved to see that look on her face.

The smile Hemione had all day was something they wanted to see a lot more of. And they didn't plan to embarrass her when they took plenty of pictures of her asleep on the couch with Crookshanks curled up beside her later that night, but it was too precious to pass up.

The dungeon raged with the sounds of one very petty man.

The paper he was reading was tossed into the fire as he sat.

If I have to see one more photo of the beast and Black I will lose it! A celebrity? The wolf should have been put down! If things worked out as they should have he would have been that night.

He still carries the blade laced with enough poison to put down at least two werewolves. The same he had that night, but he had been too eager and nearly suffered for it. The fact Potter had saved him was still infuriating.

Lupin should have died and he could have been the one to save himself from a dark creature. All while Black would take the blame for telling him how to get to him. Black would have been expelled and all he had to do was deal with Potter and that coward Peter. Potter would have been easier without his guards.

I already had plans for both of them, but no it all went wrong. Then that old fool buried the whole thing. Black should have been arrested. Expelled the least.

He picked up a calming drought and swallowed. As the potion took its effect he allowed his mind to relax.

At least his probation was over and he could finally go back to property punishing the dunderheads. Carefully though. He doesn't want McGonagall back on his case.