Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 21| Long Summer

Hey, a quick heads up for the next eight or so weeks, I will be dealing with college. So, there might be slow or no updates to some of my books. I do hope you enjoy the chapter and book though.

                                          ~SR

The rest of the school year went by without any more incidents. Dumbledore was oddly quiet, leaving Harry alone. Of course, the boy was smarter than he was originally and noticed that his food was poisoned with potions and charms. Things that would make him loyal or trust the old fool. It wasn't hard for the old soul to use his magic to quietly negate them; it was almost child's play if he were honest about it.

The teachers were a lot nicer, maybe a little fairer as Harry was still reaching out to talk with more people than just those in his House. Draco was polite with him, if not a bit awkward, but that seemed to help the others in Slytherin to talk more freely with him and the other Gryffindors.

By the time they were to go home, Hogwarts felt less suffocating, less competitive. It felt so much calmer. There were more friend groups that had a mix of the Houses, not just cliques within the House. The train wasn't as segmented too, which felt good to Harry. He liked the idea of Hogwarts being a peaceful community, where someone's House only showed their core values, but they weren't completely attached to those values or to the history of the House. That, that person was their own individual.

It was during the train ride that Harry reintroduced Hermione to the rest of them. She wasn't very comfortable, not able to make eye contact with anyone of them, not that he blamed her. Neville was the one who gave her a smile, offering her a figurative olive branch. She took it of course and the group of them soon began talking about how their new lives were treating them. It was nice to hear, especially when they all began to talk in all sorts of languages. It was relaxing and fun.

"Harry!" A voice shouted before the small boy was yanked into a warm body the second he was off the train.

The powerful wizard looked up to the voice, a smile breaking on his face. Life he wouldn't recognize that voice!

"Sirius!" He cried, jumping up to wrap his arms around the adult's neck.

The Nobleman gave a happy laugh, tears springing to his eyes. He couldn't believe that he has the chance to see his Godson, to hold him! Even to be free and do this! He buried his head in the boy's untamable hair, breathing in his scent to remember it. He honestly thought he would've had to escape that hellhole just to see the boy, to get revenge.

"How you feeling? Adjusting okay? Have you met-"

"Harry, Harry, breathe." Petunia placed a soft hand on the old soul's shoulder. "We met last week. We have talked some things over too, but I think we should talk about that at the apartment." She smiled to him.

The eleven-year-old smiled to her, a relaxing feeling taking hold of him. He was glad that they were getting along and talking. Or at least were being cordial with each other for him. He turned to his friends and waved them away as he was pulled along with the pair.

"Dudley is with Remus in Digon?" The young mother looked to the shaggy-haired wizard, who laughed at her mispronunciation.

"Diagon Alley." He corrected, giving her a broad smile. "They're down there to pick some books for him and your aunt." Sirius hummed to his Godson.

Harry perked up at that, his head snapping to the thin woman. She gave her nephew a weak smile and nod. She was clearly unsure of this, but it was the fact that she was even trying to learn more! It felt so good!

"I can probably teach Duds some simple magic!" He chirped.

This got the two of them to give him a raised eyebrow. They both were told that magic couldn't be learned by muggles, not like Potions.