Strange Potter

She ran faster than she had ever run. Even when she was chasing the troll or trying to avoid the basilisk! Her legs were killing her, but she had to get away from this madness!

Suddenly she felt her exhausted legs give out, and down she went. Right into a magical red cushion that stopped her from faceplanting. She groaned and rolled onto her back. The madman behind all this was here.

"Not bad." Harry stood over her. "But you can't really run away in here. It's my creation."

"I...Hate...You." Hermione glared up at him.

He chuckled at that. "You know if I had a gallon every time someone told me that I'd be rich, Oh wait, I am!".

"You will always be a prat!"

Again, he laughed. "Just so you know, you're doing better than Neville did."

"You are evil. I won't be able to walk tomorrow! And my arms..."

They were in the special area where he had constructed the large workout tower. It has every piece of equipment a person could need. Along with training dummies that could fight back. It was more like a castle courtyard with more modern exercise equipment. The whole place was hidden by Harry's magic and he could go to it any time he wanted. 

Hermione had finally agreed to try his exercise plan, but after two hours, she bolted. Hence the situation.

"Oh, it's not that bad," Regulus shouted from the bottom of the tower with the training dummies. "Mum does all this blindfolded!" He was swinging his hammer around and taking out various dummies that charged at him. So he was having a blast!

"You said you would go easy!" Hermione struggled to sit up.

Harry offered his hand. "I did."

"Ow." She took his hand forcibly, and he pulled her up.

She staggered against him and felt his very lean body. Both were hot and sweating. Harry's dark hair was down over his face, and those damn eyes were looking at her with some concern, but she swore she saw a faint blush.

The same she had!

"So...Do you want to try some dueling?" He stammered slightly. Why do I keep getting like this?

"I can barely stand!"

Harry rolled his eyes, and his hands glowed. Hermione felt a warm, relaxing wave wash over her. Then all her muscles felt better.

"Better?"

"A lot." She was probably never going to get used to his magic. "Wand dueling?"

"Yeah. I don't know if Mom will let me teach you those martial arts she showed me, so let's stick with magic. Besides, it would be a great opportunity to hex me."

That did make her smile, but another question came up. "We won't be detected here."

Please, like any Ministry on earth, can detect anything from here. I'm almost insulted."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Careful. You're sounding like Malfoy."

Harry's eyes went darker. "Now I am insulted."

She laughed and hobbled over to the dueling spot. "None of that magic."

"Not this time." He pulled his wand out of the holster.

Hermione pulled hers. They bowed and began.

"Stupefy!" Harry cast.

Hermione managed to duck it and cast "Trinus sursum!"

"Protego! Impedimenta!"

The tripping hex hit her own shield. Harry took it out with another hit. Hermione knew Harry was a better duelist, but she had an idea.

"Lumos!"

Harry wasn't expecting a lighting charm and was blinded by it briefly before hearing it.

"Expelliarmus!"

His wand flew from his hand.

"Ha!" She stood in victory.

Harry shook his head and rushed her. She only let out a yelp as he yanked her wand from her hand and now had it pointed at her face.

"That's cheating!!"

"I told you no chaos, not non-magical means." He smiled.

"It's still cheating." She crossed her arms.

"No. It's winning to fight another day. Remember what Wong taught us? In a fight, there are no rules. Win by any means."

She looked cross, but she took her wand back when he offered it. She then bent over and picked up his wand to hand it to him.

Harry looked at his wand, then at her as he took it. "Hmm. It likes you."

She shrugged. "What's not to like?"

"That's my line!"

She laughed out loud at that. "You keep saying you're a bad influence on me."

"I regret nothing."

Again, that awkward silence came between them. Suddenly, they heard a loud crash behind them. They found the tower about to fall.

"Harry! Little help!"

Harry shot over and caught the structure in red. He replaced it and fixed everything that was destroyed.

"What part of don't knock down any houses did you not understand?" Harry floated down to his brother.

Regulus shrugged and held his hand out. MiniMjölnir flew back into it. "That was a tower."

Hermione and Harry both gave him a look. Regulus was used to that from Harry, Mum, Dad (sometimes), Remus, Wanda, Morgan, Cap, Bruce, and Pepper, but did Hermione get the same look too?

"You are lucky not to have any siblings," Harry told her.

"Another summer down," Harry said, loading up his trunk.

"They go by too fast." Regulus groaned.

"Just one more year, and then you can help me turn Hogwarts upside down."

His little brother grinned wickedly at that.

Harry grabbed a small notebook that he had been adding to and crossed off ideas for a gift for Hermione. Anyone who would have read it would have been very confused by the notes he made.

Down in the kitchen, the adults were still talking.

"Are you sure we want him to go back?" Natasha asked.

"Hey, now we have someone there." Sirius told her for the third time that day.

"I can't believe Remus took the job."

"He may have had some persuasion," Wanda told them as she sat. She undid the magical coat buttons and revealed her rather large stomach. Keeping the twins a secret was one of her top priorities at the moment. This magical world loves to talk. The less they knew about her, the better. For all of their sakes.

"I didn't need much when you told me you would have a good excuse to visit every day." Remus carried a cup of tea to her.

"How are you feeling, Wanda?" Natasha asked.

"Fat." 

"You are not fat." Remus smiled. "You're still as gorgeous as the day you walked in that door and into my life."

"Smooth," Sirius said. "You stole that from me."

"And you stole most of it from the television."

"Stole. Made better," shrugged Sirius as he turned to Wanda. "I heard some gossip that Fudge will be reaching out to you soon."

"He already sent Strange a letter. Stephen delayed it for me. I'm not sure I want to be in the same room as Umbridge while they're," She rubbed her stomach. "With me."

"I don't want to be anywhere with her at any point," Natasha replied.

"The feeling is mutual from what I can tell." Sirius smirked.

"I should have hit her harder."

"Loaded up and ready!" Harry called, coming down the stairs. Hedwig sat on his shoulder before having to go into the cage.

"Ah!" Regulus let out when Motto hooped on his back. The little Demiguise had, had a growth spurt and was no longer able to sit on his favorite sport on the boy's shoulder so he took to being carried on his back. "Motto says he'll miss you." 

"Keep an eye on him."

"I always do." Regulus scuffed.

"I was talking to Motto."

That got a smile from Motto but a glare from Regulus who saw Wanda at the table. "Hi Aunt Wanda. Uncle Remus. How was your trip?"

"Relaxing."

"Mostly." She winked at Remus.

"I just want to say thank you for blocking me out for whatever horror you two got up to." Harry added.

"You little..."

"Better hurry!" He took off out the door away from her with a laugh.

"He's not wrong. No sense scaring the boy." Sirius laughed.

"I don't want to know." Regulus went after Harry with Motto piggybacking on him. Oh, he knew but did not want to imagine it. 

The group had met up at the station. All the adults and children waited for Harry's group.

"What electives did you take?" Susan asked Hermione as they walked.

"All of them." All the kids looked at her. "What?"

"How can you possibly do all of them?" Blaise asked.

"Professor McGonagall said she had an idea to help me." Was all Hermione told him.

"You're mental," Regulus, shuttering at the thought of all those classes, only to get a slap to the back of the head. "Hey!"

Harry didn't look sorry.

"We attempted to talk her out of that many classes, but she was very adamant," Jean told them.

"I can handle it." The bookworm was determined.

"Why would you take Non-magical Studies?" Neville asked.

"It sounded interesting to see how it is viewed from a different perspective."

"Professor Royer is good at it," Blaise admitted. "I think even Malfoy learned a thing or two there."

"So he's a miracle worker?" Luna asked but was very serious, making everyone laugh. She did too after a minute. She, being a pure blood, had to take the class and did learn a lot of interesting things about the non-magical world but she never would have guessed Malfoy would learn something new. Though she doubted it did anything to his thinking.

As they all entered the platform, another group ran in behind them.

Ginny saw the group first. Harry is front and center. She had spent most of the summer in Italy on a 'vacation' that doubled as treatments for the diary. Thanks to them, she understood that her crush on Harry was made worse by Tom's obsession. She still was a bit taken with him. His eyes were gorgeous but she shook her head at that thought. She was still working on who's thoughts were hers and Toms. It would take time but it was better now.

Bill had been told that if they had not gotten her the aid, she would probably never get over her crush on the boy. She would always see him as a hero in a story. He had almost lost his temper with his mother for those blasted stories she made up. They did not help the situation at all.

Arthur was the branch that kept the arguments from getting explosive. He did admit that Molly's stories were not a good idea in hindsight. At the time, he thought they were just harmless tales, but he did not consider the viewpoint of the boy who was in the stories. Now that he owned the young man and his extended family a debt, he was trying to undo some of that.

"Harry dear!" Molly greeted him first.

Harry stopped at the larger group of redheads. "Mrs. Weasley. Mr. Weasley."

"Hello Harry." Arthur nodded before turning to Sirius and Natasha. "Sirius. Mrs. Black."

"Arthur. Molly." Sirius shook his hand. "How was your summer?"

"Very...informative." He said it cryptically. "We had a wonderful time in Italy to say the least."

Molly held in a sigh. She wanted to go visit Charlie but was overruled, something that had never happened before, by Bill and Arthur. She believed Dumbledore was right, and Ginny just needed time. But then they visited the place Wanda gave them and discovered that Dumbledore may have been mistaken. It was hard for her to admit that he could be wrong. Ginny's change in attitude to being back how she been was the big factor that had her not argue as much as she did.

"Hello Ginny." Harry greeted her.

Ginny didn't shrink into herself. "Harry."

Her mind is better. It looks like they listen to Doc.

And me.

Arguing against you is hazardous. He smirked.

You try.

I'm special.

"Thank you again." Ginny saw Wanda there  too. "And you too, Miss Maximoff."

"You're welcome, but there's been a change. It's Mrs. Lupin now." Wanda smiled.

"Congratulations!" Arthur said with enthusiasm. "Where is the lucky man at?"

"He wanted to get to his new job early today." By that she mean she had opened a portal directly to his new classroom and went over it for any traces of that curse. Luckily she didn't find any.

The train whistle went off, and everyone moved. All the family members said their goodbyes.

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Richard held Hermione's shoulders.

"I'll be okay. Promise." She hugged him.

"Behave." Natasha hugged Harry.

"Hey. I'm always on my best behavior."

"That's what scares us," Sirius said. "It is your 'best' behavior."

"I learned it from you."

"True. Luckily, this time I have more eyes in the caste." Sirius grinned.

"Who does Remus like better? Me or you?" Harry grinned back.

They both stared at each other, then looked at Wanda.

Yeah, definitely her."

"Yep." Harry agreed and looked at Regulus. "Don't destroy my spot."

"One time and you won't let it go!"

Harry patted his brother's shoulder and heard Wanda say.

I'll keep an eye on the place.

And let me know when those two are coming.

Are you sure you want to feel that?

Harry paled slightly. That's a good point.

Wanda hugged him tightly before he went to find a compartment.

Down the way, a blonde-haired boy glared at the scene as he loaded on to the train.

"I'm surprised we haven't heard from Malfoy yet," Neville said halfway into the trip.

"I didn't see him, so I don't know if his Wrackspurts infection is active." Luna chewed on one of her hair.

"His mother probably told him to be on his best behavior," Harry told them as he flipped over his notebook. "Although how he'll be when he's under Snape's protection is anyone's guess."

"So far Professor Snape has kept him from doing anything foolish in the common room," Blaise said. "Although I'm under the impression that he will be spending a lot of time trying to regain his place there. Without Lucius, he's lost a lot of power."

"Are you in danger?" Hermione asked with concern.

"Not openly, but I wouldn't put it past Draco to try to take a shot at me. Luckily I have some people I can trust there watching my back. And say what you want about Snape but he will not let anyone in Slytherin fight against each over."

"If only he cared about all the students like that." Susan huffed.

"I don't think caring is the right word. More like survival is his goal. If anyone there was hurt under his watch then it would be bad news to the families that are still loyal to Voldermort. That could be bad for Snape's livelihood." Harry argued. "Snape's top priority is self-preservation.

"Then why does the Headmaster trust him?" 

"People make mistakes. Dumbledore is no different. Maybe he truly believes Snape is on his side. I'll take my chances believing what I believe over his judgment." 

With no blonde tosser to annoy them, it was a quiet trip. Luna was asking when they could do another movie day which Susan and Blaise we're eager to do as well.

Neville was wondering how much damage Regulus had done and how Hermione survived Harry's exercise from hell. She scuffed and said it wasn't too bad only to get a laugh from Harry who was met with a glare back.

When the train stopped at the station they saw Hagrid doing the usual greet to the first year's but he looked a little different.

"Does Hagrid look cleaned up?" Hermione asked as the passed the large man taking the first year's down to the boats.

"Trimmed his beard a bit too." Harry noticed. "Maybe he had a date." He shrugged as he loaded into a carriage.

"That would be a really tall woman." Neville whistled at that idea.

When they exited the carriage to go to the main hall for the feast, Hermione received a note from an elf from Professor McGonagall.

"I'll meet you guys in a minute." She told them and walked away.

Harry gave her a puzzled look, but the rest shrugged.

"Hey." Neville saw who was sitting at the main table. "You could have told me." He looked at Harry.

"Where's the fun in that?"

All the others went to their own table for the opening. Hermione came in after a short time.

"What did Professor McGonagall want?"

"Nothing. Just going over my classes."

Harry knew that wasn't the full story but didn't get to press when Dumbledore called everyone's attention for the sorting. Harry didn't pay too much attention to it. He was waiting for next year, though.

Will it be Gryffindor? But Reg does have a clever mind. Ravenclaw? 

Doesn't he want to one day wield Thor's hammer for real? Sounds pretty ambitious.

Wanda! Regulus would never be in Slytherin. If just to be the second Black to not be

True.

Once the sorting was over, Dumbleodore stood again.

*"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward tothe flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair."*

Off to the side, McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.

"Hm.Yes."  Dumbledore acknowledged he was getting off-topic. "Unfortunately, Wong was unable to return to the school."

Some of the students let out an upset groan.

"Yes, I know his classes were tough, but well-liked." He smiled. "I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you." 

The students clapped. Many knew who Remus was now. He was almost as famous as Harry. Speaking of the boy was leading the loudest clap with Neville and Hermione.

"Will he be as good as Wong?" Dean asked when he sat back down.

"He might not do as much physical activity and add essays."

Hermione looked excited, but the others all looked annoyed.

"Now for the next bit of news." Dumbledore started again. *"As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"*

Students clapped again. Harry and his friends gave the same enthusiasm they did with Remus. Harry liked Hagrid even if he made some mistakes.

"That's why he cleaned up. Wanted to look more like a professor." Harry said.

"I hope he's more careful than he was with his pet spider." Hermione huffed.

"I'm sure he learned. Doc and Sirius did drive the point home." Harry assured her.

"I guess we'll find out in class." Neville grabbed one if the plates when the food appeared.

Dumbledore sat to enjoy his meal. He was reluctant to ask Remus about the man's new loyalty and wife, but after he had invited him to the wedding, he took it as an opportunity to regain some trust. That and others he had reached for to take the job were refused.

This also gave him a chance to test Strange's work on the cursed position. Either the man was right and he would have a more permanent professor, or he was mistaken and would show Stephen he wasn't as powerful as he believed.

But I still need to work to get ahead of him in the Horcrux development. I will have to work harder to gather more memories. I had hoped to focus more on Harry this year but I can't risk Strange discovering any of them. If Tom would catch wind of the search all will be lost. I hate being pressed for time.

Down from him, another man was fuming. His Occlumency was at its limit.

First, he had to suffer Black, making his life as a professor even more miserable than it already was. Then he had to endure Strange hovering over him, looking for an opportunity to ruin him. Next everything got worse when the Spawn of Potter came here and was everything like his father.

Now he was denied, again, the one position at this cursed school he was not only most qualified for! No it was given to that beast Lupin! Oh, he knew the man had been cured, but to him, he was still a useless dog that would be better put down.

And to top that all off, I have to keep Draco from doing something foolish over his daft father's mistake.

Severus was good friends with Lucius, as much as a man like him could be, and did respect him, but the idiot's idea with that book was another level of stupid.

There is something more to that diary than is clear, but Albus is keeping that tight-lipped as usual. He may say he trusts me with his life, but not with his secrets. One day, your secrets will be the end of you. I just hope it's after the dark lord is gone. Hopefully, you two can destroy each other. 

He looked over the Slytherin table and found Draco glaring at Potter. 

But first I have to keep that brat from doing something that he will regret. Lucius truly spoiled the boy and I have to deal with it!

"Brother, these visits are becoming boring." Loki lay on his bed after another round of victory over Thor's games.

"I can see about bringing a different game." Thor picked up the game.

"Is there any game where you would surprise me and win?"

"Whose stronger?" Thor's cocky grin was infuriating to the caged brother.

"All brawns. No brains."

"That was one of the reasons we were a good team." Thor put the board back and went up the stairs, not seeing the penitence that briefly appeared on Loki's face.

After a few minutes, he slipped into the corner of the cell. Slowing his magic forced him to the edge of the barriers. Years of focusing on one spot were finally working. The real trick was keeping his illusion going so Heimdall wouldn't see or hear him.

His finger poked through the small hole, and he would say glee was filling him.

Brother. Soon the real game will begin.