A Better Ending, A New Beginning

Harry was in the library completing his Potions essay. He was almost done. Harry allowed his mind to wander as he thought about his new home-life. He wondered where he and Sirius were going to live.

Dumbledore had been kind enough to give them rooms to stay in until they could get a place of their own. Sirius had made it clear that he didn't wish to continue living at 12 Grimmauld Place. It would still be used as a headquarters for the Order, but Sirius wanted to have a fresh start in a new home. Harry didn't really care where they lived.

Harry was scanning through a Potions text when Sirius appeared at the table where Harry had been working.

"Harry, I have found a place for us to live," said Sirius. He had spoken a little too loudly. Madam Pince glared at the loud annoyance who had dared to disturb the quiet of her library. Sirius ignored Madam Pince's glare.

"That's great, Dad," said Harry. "Where is the new place?"

"It's close to Hogsmeade; only about a mile outside town. I'll take you there next week after the wards and protection charms have been administered around the house."

"Dad, are these wards and charms as powerful as the wards at the Dursleys'?" asked Harry. In all the excitement of the adoption and Sirius' freedom, he hadn't given much thought to the issue of security.

"The wards and charms are not as strong as the ones at the Dursleys," Sirius admitted. "However, you are now protected by the Parental Protection Charm which is stronger than the ones at Privet Drive."

"I never had a charm like that placed on me," said Harry.

"It's not a charm that can be cast with a wand. It's a natural protection charm that exists between parents and children. Since you are now my son, the Parental Protection Charm can protect you whenever you come home for the summer and Christmas holidays, or whenever I'm nearby."

"So, this charm exists between all magical parents and their kids," said Harry. 'Maybe I'll write my charms essay on the Parental Protection Charm,' thought Harry.

"That's right," replied Sirius. "The charm can also exist between Muggle parents and their kids, but to a lesser extent. Muggles who are unaware of magic, commonly refer to the charm as a 'bond.'"

Harry understood what Sirius meant. He had heard the words 'father-son bond' in the Muggle world.

"I think I'll write my Charms essay on this protection charm," said Harry.

"Well, it's good to know you inherited you mother's studious nature," said Sirius with a smile.

"I'm not studious; Hermione is studious," said Harry.

"You're definitely more academically inclined than James was. James was smart, but he preferred playing pranks and flying. He managed to get N.E.W.T.S. in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions. James probably wouldn't have passed his exams if Lily hadn't helped him with Transfiguration and Charms. Snape tutored James in Defense and Potions."

Harry looked at Sirius in surprise.

"Snape tutored my father? Why would he do that? He hated him," said Harry.

"You're right, he did hate James, but he didn't hate Lily. She somehow managed to convince him to tutor James in return for Lily tutoring Snape in Charms," said Sirius.

"Snape wasn't very nice to Mum in the memory that I saw in the Pensieve. He called her a 'Mudblood'" said Harry.

"That memory took place in Fifth Year. By Seventh Year, Lily convinced us to call a 'no more pranks' truce," explained Sirius. "We never became friends, but we managed to be civil, at least some times."

Harry absorbed everything Sirius was telling him. He couldn't get enough information about his parents.

Sirius glanced down at the textbook. "Are you done your Potions essay?" he asked.

"I'm almost done. I just have a few more paragraphs to write," replied Harry.

"When you're finished, would you like to go to Hogsmeade with Remus and I?" asked Sirius. "We're going out to eat supper at the Three Broomsticks." "Yeah, sure," replied Harry.

This would be the first time in fifteen years that Sirius would be out in public since he was exonerated.

"Meet me in the entrance hall in twenty minutes," said Sirius.

Voldemort, formerly known as Tom Riddle, sat on his throne. He was waiting for his supporters to arrive. He had sent the summons five minutes ago and he was getting impatient. Fifty-four Death Eaters had already arrived. That idiot Pettigrew and the Potions Master, Snape were late!

The more Voldemort brooded about it, the angrier he became. The sound of a crack indicated that someone Apparated. A dark robed figure strolled up toward Voldemort. The Death Eaters were masked and dressed identically, but Voldemort could tell them all apart. The Death Eater who had just arrived was obviously Severus Snape. He was too graceful and appeared too confident to be Pettigrew.

Severus dropped to his knees and kissed the hem of the Dark Lord's robe.

"My Lord, please excuse my tardiness," said Severus. "I came as soon as I was able to sneak away without drawing suspicion."

"When I call you Severus, I expect you to arrive in a timely manner!" shouted Voldemort angrily.

"I'm sorry, my Lord, I..."

Whatever Severus was going to say was cut off when Voldemort cast the Cruciatus Curse. Severus willed himself not to make a sound of pain. He prided himself on his ability to maintain his dignity and not to show feelings of discomfort and pain. After a few moments of silent agony, Voldemort lifted the curse. Torturing Snape was never as much fun as torturing his other supporters because Snape never screamed. Voldemort loved the sound of pain.

"I expect you to arrive on time when I give you the next summons," said Voldemort angrily.

"Yes, Master," said Severus. His voice didn't betray the post-Cruciatus pain he felt.

"Take your place, Severus," ordered the Dark Lord.

Severus stood between Malfoy and Goyle. At that moment, Pettigrew arrived and the Voldemort got to hear the sound of pain he loved to hear. Pettigrew practically crawled to his place with his fellow Death Eaters.

"I have good news," said Voldemort happily. A murmur went through the crowd. It wasn't often that the Dark Lord displayed any emotion besides anger.

"I have figured out a way to get complete control over Potter," said Voldemort with an evil smile.

Voldemort reached into his robe pocket and took out a small item.

"When this item is in Potter's possession, I will be able to control him."

An excited cheer rang out among the Death Eaters.

"Severus, you will give this item to the boy," said Voldemort.

"Master, won't Potter be suspicious if I were to give him something? The relationship that I have with the boy isn't exactly cordial," said Severus.

"I don't care how you give it to him. I want it to somehow wind up in Potter's possession," ordered Voldemort.

"As you wish, My Lord," said Severus.

Voldemort handed the item to Severus.

Severus was actually glad that the Dark Lord selected him. If he had chosen any other Death Eater, Potter would be as good as dead. Severus now knew that his days as a spy were numbered. When he didn't give the item to Potter, Voldemort would know about his betrayal.

"This meeting is over. I will summon you all again after Potter is under my control."

The Death Eaters took their leave.

Hogsmeade - The Three Broomsticks

The popular hang-out known as The Three Broomsticks, was a busy place. Hogwarts students, parents, professors, and those who lived and worked in Hogsmeade enjoyed dining at the restaurant.

Sirius, Remus and Harry were enjoying their meals in a booth. Sirius and Harry had informed Remus about the adoption.

"I have some good news, too," said Remus while they ate their desserts. "Dumbledore has asked me to returned this semester to teach Defense."

"That's great, Remus," said Harry, In Harry's opinion, Remus was the best Defense teacher since Harry started attending Hogwarts.

"I'm happy for you, Remus," said Sirius.

"I thought you would be able to teach again after Snape told everyone about your lycanthrope," said Harry.

"Well, there seems to be a terrible rumour about the job position being cursed," said Remus with a smirk. "No one wants to take the job. Dumbledore was able to convince the Governors that having me teach is better than having no one teach. The Ministry is reluctant to let any of their employees take the teaching position considering what happened to Professor Umbridge."

"That old hag got what she deserved," said Sirius.

Harry agreed with his dad. He never thought he would encounter a professor that he disliked so much. Having detention with Snape would now seem like a walk in the park compared to the blood-letting detentions that he had endured with Umbridge.

"Sirius, have you considered the teaching position that Dumbledore offered you?" asked Remus.

"What teaching position?" asked Harry.

"Dumbledore has offered me a job as the new History of Magic professor," replied Sirius.

"What happened to Professor Binns?" asked Harry.

"After seventy years of being a Hogwarts professor - forty years as a live wizard and thirty years as a ghost - he has decided it's time for retirement," replied Remus.

"I'm glad Dumbledore asked you to teach History," said Harry.

"I haven't accepted the job yet," said Sirius. "I don't know if I'll make a good teacher."

"You'll be great," encouraged Harry. "You couldn't be any worse than Binns. He put the class to sleep."

"It's not the subject matter that puts the class to sleep, it's the teacher," said Remus. "I remember when Binns taught us. It was his boring monotone voice that put everyone in a coma."

"You could really liven things up, Dad," said Harry. He was envisioning what it would be like to have Sirius teach him about the goblin wars and the house elf revolution of 1712.

"Alright, I'll take both your opinions under consideration," said Sirius.

"It's be so cool having you teach at Hogwarts," said Harry.

"Cool? What's that mean?" said Sirius.

"It's a Muggle expression," explained Remus.

A thought occurred to Sirius. "I could show you some secret passages and help you pull some Marauder-style pranks," said Sirius with a grin.

"Sirius, you can't do that," said Remus.

"Why not?" asked Sirius. "It'll be fun."

"Professors are not supposed to engage in pranks. In fact, you will have the authority to give detentions and deduct house points for such misbehavior," said Remus.

"Oh, yeah right," said Sirius with a sheepish smile.

"Fred and George usually give me samples of their inventions for my birthday," said Harry. "Maybe I'll slip Malfoy one of their chocolate frogs that makes you act like a frog."

Harry smiled impishly.

"We'll have to forget Harry said that, Mooney," said Sirius. "I don't want to have to give me son a detention."

"Sirius, I don't think Harry would want special treatment," said Remus. "Right, Harry?"

"Well, no, I guess not," said Harry.

"If it's alright for Snape to treat Harry the way he does, why shouldn't I give Harry favorable treatment?" asked Sirius with a tone of anger in his voice.

"The way Severus treats Harry is not okay. It is just has unprofessional to discriminate against a student as it is to favor a student," explained Remus.

"Harry isn't just any student. He's my son," said Sirius.

"That's all the more reason why you should give Harry special treatment," said Remus.

"Dad, I think Remus is right about not giving me special treatment," said Harry. "I just want to be treated like a normal student. It's already annoying being treated as 'The Boy Who Lived.'"

"Alright, Harry, if that's what you want," said Sirius.

"Thanks, Dad," said Harry.

"That's Professor Black, young man," said Sirius in mock sternness.

End of Chapter 4