Privet Drive

After cleaning the breakfast dishes Harry quickly headed for the back yard. Dudley's friend, Piers, would be over soon, and this made Harry the day's entertainment. The summer was almost over, and since no one had turned them all to bats or exploded their house the Dursley' s were back to their usual mistreating of Harry. At least Harry was able to eat some decent food again. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had all but given up on Dudley's diet; instead they had found a tailor who would make Knickerbockers in his size. With Piers over to help, it was easier to catch Harry and with Dudley getting so enormous he hadn't been able to catch Harry straight out.

Running through the yard Dudley and Piers ran around the corner after him. Harry was safe for the moment because the postman was coming up the walk. Then Harry saw her, a pretty little girl, around Harry's age, with the most amazing blue eyes. Harry had already heard about her coming to live next door. Aunt Petunia was always on the phone, sharing the latest information about what the new neighbours were like, at least Aunt Petunia's version of them anyway. He wanted to say something but the words seemed to be stuck in his stomach swirling there. Before he could get them out, she said hello and Harry started to go pink.

"Um, Hi," mumbled Harry.

"They are an awful sort," she said as she watched Dudley and Piers going in to the house.

"Yeah," Harry said.

A timid voice came from the window, "Iris, have you the post, dear?"

"Well bye then," she said smiling.

"Bye," said Harry. "That was smooth," Harry thought sarcastically to himself, referring to Iris, as he polished his firebolt, using the cuff of his sleeve to wipe polish off the gold lettering on the handle.

By mid afternoon Dudley and Piers were bored again and had returned to chasing Harry. With his t-shirt wet from sweat, Harry tossed his plaid over-shirt on to the fence as he ran another lap around the yard. Harry slipped past them, but was trapped; the new neighbors had blocked off his usual escape route with some garden supplies. Harry leaned on the fence, panting, he could hear Dudley and Piers storming around and knew he was going to get it. The fence Harry was leaning on seemed to give way and he fell to the ground. Harry looked up to see Iris crouching beside him smiling; she had opened the gate just in time. They sat in silence waiting for Dudley and Piers to get out of earshot.

"Thanks" Harry said breathlessly "A few more days and I'll be back at school and away from them," Harry said.

"I overheard Mrs. Dursley tell my mum that you go to St. Brutus'," she had a funny sort of look on her face. "You don't seem to be the type to find yourself in so much trouble," she continued.

Harry smiled, "Trouble seems to find me."

Iris awoke the next morning looking at the plaid shirt hanging over her desk chair. She put it on with a broad smile. Iris scrunched up the front of the oversized shirt to smell it. The smile turned to an odd sort of expression, "What is that smell? Furniture polish?"

Harry was in his room sending a letter to Ron. He made sure to send Hedwig out early in the morning or late at night after they were all asleep, since Uncle Vernon didn't allow this.

"Harry, get the paper from the yard!!" bellowed Uncle Vernon.

Uncle Vernon was cleaning bird droppings from his car. He was mumbling something about Hedwig, but Harry wasn't listening.

Grabbing the paper, he saw her. Iris was peaking out from the hedge.

"Hi," Harry said, more confidently than yesterday. Iris saw him notice the shirt she was wearing. Her face went scarlet, "It looks a lot better on you," Harry hadn't meant to say that out loud. Harry couldn't believe the words had come out. Before he had a chance to be embarrassed he spotted it, a brightly colored bird in the sky. He knew at once that it was a letter from Sirius. Harry looked nervously at Uncle Vernon in the driveway.

"I had better go," he said quickly and dashed up to his room to get the letter. The plumage on the great bird was amazing. Harry was thinking of how put out Hedwig would have been if he had seen this great bird drinking from his water dish.

Dudley came around the side of house just in time to see the familiar shirt from behind the hedge. He grabbed the shirtsleeve pulling, which he thought was Harry off balance, and let his pudgy fist fly.

Uncle Vernon saw this in the reflection of the highly polished chrome, his smile curled from the thought of Harry getting a wallop from Dudley. A timid looking woman poked her head out the window to see where her paper had gone. Her jaw dropped and her eyes grew three sizes as she spotted Dudley in mid swing.

Harry had just closed his window again when screams could be heard from outside. One of those was from a girl. The other was unmistakably Uncle Vernon. Harry couldn't make out what he was yelling.

He dashed down the stairs, taking them five at a time. Iris's mother, who did not seem very timid at the moment, was taking the blue-eyed girl into her house. She was yelling something like, "The very idea! He thought it was his cousin? Really! Is it acceptable that he beats his cousin?"

Uncle Vernon quickly turned to Harry, "What did you do??? You planned that. You just..." He continued to scream in Harry's face, but Harry was no longer listening. He was thinking of Iris wearing his shirt, hoping that Dudley hadn't gotten a clear punch. How would he get a chance to say he was sorry, or even good-bye, to her now?

Harry found himself on the train to Hogwarts still thinking of her. He, of course, had not had chance to see her again before he left.

"You seem kind of distant Harry," Hermione said, "Thinking of Sirius?"

"Yes," Harry lied. He had forgotten about Sirius's letter, "Sirius said there would be someone new at Hogwarts, someone that he could trust to keep an eye on me. As if I need looking after."

Ron and Hermione both thought it would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. "Who else could be new at the school this year?" Ron said, as they entered the great hall.

As they walked past the teacher's table, Harry at once saw a new face there. She was a pretty woman looking at Dumbledore; there was something about her that looked vaguely familiar. She turned to look right at Harry. His jaw dropped as she smiled at him and moved her hair away from her face to reveal a black eye.

"Prof. Paetulus will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Prof. Dumbledore announced, and led them in applause.

"Wow, shiner aside, She's quite..." said Ron.

"Oh honestly Ron!" Hermione interrupted.

At first, Hermione thought that Harry's open mouth was due to the same childish behavior as Ron's, but then the new face said, "Hello Harry."

In the common room Harry finished telling them about his last few days on Privet Drive. Ron started to snigger

"You said that, to a teacher?" Harry wished he had left out the part about his shirt.

"Oh be quiet," Hermione hissed at Ron, "She wasn't a teacher at the time."

"But it couldn't be her really. Could it?" Harry asked.

"Looks that way," said Ron still trying to stifle a giggle. Hermione had not laughed, but was smiling.

"What do you think they did to Dudley?" Ron asked, looking devious.

Harry didn't actually know, but it was fun thinking of the possibilities. Eventually they had all come to the conclusion that the new teacher had simply known who Harry was because she had noticed the scar.

Hogwarts had a strange sort of energy in the air. Students whose parents did not believe that Voldemort was in full form, acted quite 'business as usual'. Clearly, there were others who had a cautious air about them. Malfoy seemed to have the spring back in his step.

The Hufflepuffs were the most subdued of all.

"It's hard to believe it's only been a few months," Hermione was saying to Harry and Ron. She was showing them the hair ties the Hufflepuff girls were wearing. They looked like regular black hair elastics, but with a little golden snitch.

"They're to remember Cedric then?" said Ron.

Harry had very little to say, he seemed to be lost in thought. He hadn't even noticed that Neville had climbed though the portrait hole and joined them.

Ron said, "So, we wont have Defense Against Dark Arts till Thursday. Have you heard anything about her?"

"No," said Harry flatly.

Hermione seemed to be pondering something. "I know I've seen her name somewhere. Do you think she is a friend with any of the teachers? She appears to be around the same age."

"She seems to be quite friendly with McGonagall," Neville said. The sound of Neville's voice made Harry jump with such a start Neville dropped his toad.

"Wh-what did you say?" Harry sputtered. Neville proceeded to tell them that he had been in the greenhouse after class, sorting sprouts, and Prof. McGonagall had come in with Prof. Paetulus. They had come to get some fresh supplies for Madame Pomfrey.

"I think it was for her eye," Neville continued, "McGonagall was going on about a nasty muggle boy and that she was sure her magic would be back to snuff in no time."

"How would a black eye affect her magic? Can you imagine a grown witch in a brawl?" Neville said.

Ron laughed, "That would be some cat fight."

"THAT'S IT!" Hermione jumped to her feet, "That's where I saw her name before. I saw it on the list of registered animagi. She's a Cat! I'll bet they're old friends, her and McGonagall."

Harry stared up at his four-poster feeling as though he had been deceived. Who was this woman, why had she been in Privet Drive? It perturbed him that he could be so easily fooled. Harry's thoughts came back to Iris once more, and he once again decided not to like this woman. "How stupid could I have been? Did Sirius send her to watch over me?" Harry didn't want to like her, but it was hard when he kept imagining Sirius with his parents and some of their other friends all having a good time. After all, who were all of those people who had given the photographs to Hagrid for the photo album Harry had gotten?

Harry wanted to write to Sirius and ask him about it, but where would he start? He had so many questions. Now that Harry was at Hogwarts was it possible that he would see Sirius in person? He hated being so out of touch with the wizarding world while on summer holiday. Harry had tried to get the Daily Prophet sent to him like Hermione did, but he was unable to. It was something about the way Harry was protected at the Dursley 's. Dumbledore had explained that Muggle homes could not be on a wizard paper route with out being on a registered list, making Harry a much easier target. Dumbledore also said that when he returned to Hogwarts more would be explained to him.

"What's that Neville?" Ron asked with a mouth full of sausages. Neville was holding a tiny little pot with a sprig growing in it.

"It's a plant that will help me with my memory. Professor Sprout sent it to me over the summer. She says as the plant grows my memory will too," said Neville.

"What's it called?" asked Hermione.

"I forget," responded Neville looking sullen, "I'm going to keep it in the greenhouse, it's too dark in the dorm room."

"Hey Neville," Harry called over, "This is the first year you didn't get a package from your Grandmother the first day back!"

"Yeah! I remembered to pack everything," Neville was beaming.

On the way to Herbology, Harry, Ron, and Hermione passed Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle in the entrance hall.

"Still alive Potter? Shame," Malfoy sneered as he passed. None of them even looked at him.

Once the large oak doors had closed behind them Harry quickly turned to say, "I hadn't really thought about those three all summer." Harry reminded them that Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle 's fathers were at the cemetery with Voldemort that last fateful night. Ron had stopped asking Harry not to say Voldemort out loud. With all that Harry had been through he had the right to, but Ron shuttered all the same.

Hermione wondered aloud how much Malfoy and the others actually knew.

"He knew about the Tri-Wizard contest," Ron said.

"Yeah, but we almost did too, and his dad wouldn't tell who opened the Chamber of Secrets," Harry said thoughtfully, thinking about how Malfoy had also known the story of Black betraying the Potters. The conversation continued that night in Hagrid 's hut. Hagrid didn't think that Malfoy 's father would be saying too much about what was going on, not even to Draco.

Ron interrupted. "He probably knows that is son is such a slimy git he would blab."

"Do you think it's safe having the children of Death eaters in the school?" Hermione asked Hagrid.

Hagrid seemed to be pondering this question, and then changed the subject. "Have you met Professor Paetulus yet? I think you're going to like 'er."

Ron snorted and said, "Some of us more than others." Harry went slightly pink, and gave Ron a small kick under the table.

The next day Harry was dreading the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Hermione tried cheering him up, "She might be nice, perhaps you only need a fresh start." It only got worse when he saw the Slytherin students enter the class.

Harry entered the classroom, "You're late, detention Mr. Potter!" she handed Harry a small piece of parchment. Malfoy was wearing a wide grin. Harry leaned over Hermione as he sat.

"So much for a fresh start," he said.

It wasn't until later in the common room that Harry remembered the detention slip in his pocket. It read:

Harry, I am looking forward to meeting you. Sorry about the detention, but it was the safest way. More will be explained to you tonight. Meet me in Professor McGonagall' s office at 9 o'clock.

Harry looked puzzled, "What does she mean she hasn't met me yet?"

Ron, who was reading over Harry's shoulder saw the paper melt into a sort of purple powder and wisp in to the common room fire, "Cool," said Ron.

"Yeah" Harry said, "Better than James Bond."

"Who?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head, "Never mind."

Detention 9:00

"Come in Harry," McGonagall waved him in to the office. Dumbledore and Prof. Paetulus were also there.

"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore said smiling, "I have something I want to show you." Harry sat in a nearby chair looking at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Dumbledore continued, "As you may know, there are forces in place for your protection at home. It is because of some of them that Sirius, among others, has not been to visit you. Since the summer it is Professor Paetulus that I have entrusted with your evolutio-tutela," Dumbledore unwrapped a scroll of what looked like clear parchment.

"My what?" Harry asked.

"Evolutio-tutela," Dumbledore repeated, placing the parchment in mid-air so they could all see it.

Harry thought it looked like a radar screen. As the headmaster waved his wand over the parchment Harry could see clearly that it was a grid of Privet Drive and the surrounding streets. There were all sorts of colors moving throughout it.

Dumbledore explained, "This was designed by myself and several other wizards. You see there are movements of color representing a person with magical powers. While it not only shows the presence of others it also has a great characteristic of the Mirror of Erised, it shows intent. A wizard merely passing over your area would show up, but with little color. Someone showing strong anger or intent to harm you Harry would show up much brighter. Even a muggle close enough to you would show up."

Harry thought of Uncle Vernon.

Dumbledore waved his wand again over the parchment, "Harry this is the night you eh.. blew up your Aunt," Dumbledore said. The colors in the house were getting brighter and brighter. Then, the area looked like it was ablaze and it suddenly went dim.

Dumbledore continued, "When you are not there, the grid is dim. I had immediately received word of magic being done on Privet Drive. Soon after the evolutio-tutela showed you had instantly gone. We feared the worst."

"That's when I saw Sirius for the first time," Harry remembered aloud.

"Yes Harry," Dumbledore said with that twinkle in his eyes, "I do think that this will be of some help for Sirius. Proving his innocence will not be easy. The grid clearly showed no bad intent, only a person of strong magical power very close to you just before it dimmed. We have to expect that I will be away from Hogwarts from time to time. When you need someone in person, I hope you can trust Professor Paetulus as you would me."

Harry turned to her to ask, "Why didn't you tell me who you were on Privet Drive?"

"I think someone might notice you talking to a cat Harry," McGonagall interjected.

Harry looked puzzled, "Aren't you Iris?"

"You are very clever Mr. Potter. No, I am not Iris. I transfigured with Iris just after you spotted Sirius' letter coming in," said Prof. Paetulus. Harry stood there looking dumbstruck. "I shouldn't have interfered; but I couldn't let him hit her. They think Dudley missed."

Dumbledore looked over to Harry and Prof. Paetulus, "Who is Iris?" Harry went pink, and Dumbledore smiled.

~*~To be continued ~*~