Second Chance at Saving Them {Harry Potter}

Back in Their Lives

Sorry updates have been slow. Between school, play practice, and general tiredness, it's been crazy. Also, I've been editing the older chapters. Nothing plot related, but I thought you all should know. Anyway,

"Where did Harry first remember seeing Sirius?"

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The next day at school wasn't as bad as it could have been. It seemed Harry had put on enough of a show to convince most Hufflepuffs, including Professor Sprout, that he didn't want to take any credit from Cedric. Ernie and Justin were a little cold towards him, but they were polite enough during Herbology that they had a conversation.

The real problem was the Slytherins, which wasn't surprising considering Malfoy's continued assault against him. Most of the Ravenclaws had sided with the Hufflepuffs, and Harry suspected this was, in part, Luna's doing. She may not be the most popular Ravenclaw, but she was impossible to ignore.

The worst incident with the Slytherins was outside Snape's class the morning of the wand weighing for Champions. They had all forgotten about the original incident outside the classroom until Malfoy showed off the badges he and his fellow Slytherins had made.

It wasn't the badges that set them off, it was Malfoy calling Hermione a Mudblood that did it. Ron reacted faster than Harry, his wand out in a split second. But Malfoy had been expecting it and sent off a curse before either of them could. Luckily, they were each able to throw up a shield charm. Unfortunately, Hermione received the brunt of it, as she hadn't been expecting a spell to the face. It was the same spell as last time and Hermione groaned.

Ron ran over to her while Harry quickly pulled down his shield. "Don't try anything else, Malfoy. I'm sure any teacher besides Snape would gladly hand you a weeks worth of detention for this."

Malfoy was about to retort when Snape walked out. Malfoy hadn't put his wand away yet, and Hermione was still of the ground, covering her still growing teeth. Even Snape couldn't deny the evidence, but he only took ten points from Slytherin and sent Hermione to the Hospital Wing. Ron went with her, but Snape didn't seem to notice.

Harry sat at his table, boring holes in the back of Snape's head. It was a good thing that Colin came in when he did because Harry could feel his temper rising. As soon as Snape, reluctantly, dismissed him, he nearly ran out the door.

"Thanks, Colin." Harry said at the door, and walked in, not bothering to keep his head down. He was going to join Krum in his leaning against the wall, but Bagman spotted him and explained the wand weighing.

"And this is Rita Skeeter. She'll be doing a small piece in the Daily Prophet for the Tournament."

"Oh, I wouldn't call it small, Ludo." Harry could barely hold back his groan. Of all the people he had met in his life, Skeeter was, and would continue to be, the biggest thorn in his side. Skeeter then went on to make up a reason to talk to Harry alone.

"Of course! That is - if Harry doesn't have an objection."

"I do." Harry said before Skeeter could say anything.

"Oh, don't be silly," Skeeter persisted, "I don't bite." She dragged him away before Harry could get another word in edgewise. She lead him to a broom cupboard and took out her hideous green quill. It began writing before Harry even said anything.

"Now, Harry. Why did you decide to enter the Tournament?"

"The truth is-" Harry paused and could practically see the wheels spinning in her head. "I didn't enter the Tournament, I wasn't even aware it was possible. Of course, I'm nervous, I'm a fourteen year old going against adult wizards. If my parents had been here, my mum would probably have demanded that she examine every inch of the rules to find a way to get me out of the Tournament, and my dad probably would have congratulated me and them helped my mum."