Harry Potter and the Rewrite of Azkaban

Chapter 1

"Riddikulus!" Another failure. What was funny to him? What lit up his soul and tickled it until it cried laughing? He wondered about this for who knows how long, he wasn't keeping track. Thoughts flitted through his head, drifting like a feather on the wind, gentle, until the door opened and they scattered.

"Moo- Ron!" Standing at the door was Harry's best friend since childhood, a huge grin on his face and a suitcase in hand.

The Weasleys always managed to waltz in at the most odd times. Once they'd even walked in, with full winter outfits on, while Remus was baking cupcakes with Harry (admittedly, the cupcakes were very good). However, this time, the creaks of the stairs, the laughing from downstairs, the aura of happiness, it belonged. It made sense. Ron and Harry were going to Hogwarts again this year, more memories would be shared together than before, more magic, more knowledge, more friendships and laughter and more evenings by the fire with hot chocolate and the scratching of pens against parchment, and more pranks from Fred and George, and to them, that seemed perfect. To them, that seemed like a dream come true.

"How're they holding up? Are they good at being dads?" Ron asked.

"Good? More like brilliant, you mean. Paddy's a really good tattoo artist, sometimes I see him with new tattoos, and-"

Ping. You have: A text message.~

Fred: You two better hurry up and get down here before George and I have all the cookies

Ron: Oi, what cookies?

George: Come down and see for yourself

Mrs Weasley: You two! Don't be like that! Anyway, Ron, Harry, come downstairs dears, we're sorting out the arrangements for Hogwarts.

You: Okay, Mrs Weasley, we'll be right down

Conversation end.~

~~~
The train station was bustling, there was life everywhere, all these people laughing and smiling and saying goodbye, crying, holding on to each other as if they'd never see each other again, promising to text, call, video chat, send videos of the train ride. People lighting up, young first years looking nervous and crying, second years confidently saying goodbye, seventh years looking gloomy at the prospect of their last year at Hogwarts. Ginny was clinging to Mrs Weasley, Remus and Sirius were trailing behind Ron and Harry, whispering to each other, and Percy was leading them through the crowd.
"This way! Excuse me, Head Boy coming through! Excuse me!"

No one noticed Harry and Sirius dipping behind a pillar, and no one noticed Harry and a black shaggy dog coming out of it, either. Even if they had, people wouldn't be surprised, Animagi weren't so uncommon. At least, they thought no one saw them.

Fred and George had located their friends Wren and Lee already, and were talking at unprecedented speeds, presumably planning pranks or jokes. Harry noticed how George was smiling more and touching Lee for slightly longer than normal. Maybe he had a crush? Harry had to look into that later.

"All aboard!" The train guards started to herd students and teachers on board, cutting off teary goodbyes, pushing people into the carriages as they went along, making sure everyone was on board in time to avoid a repeat of last year's flying car incident (which eventually lead to the running joke of Fred being taken by the car). Meanwhile, Hermione had found Harry and Ron - "I just had to look for Ron's hair" - and hugged them both tight, her crochet braids hitting at their legs multiple times.
"Hurry up and get on the train or we'll have to find another way to Hogwarts! Come on!"
Harry turned to Sirius and Remus, but they were already gone. Turning back to Hermione, he nodded, and they boarded.

The only compartment with any space was the one Lupin was sleeping in. Ron saw the dog under the seat, curled up, watching them. It was a little creepy, to be honest. Ron let Harry sit next to Lupin, seeing as they were technically family.
"So, Hermione, how was your summer?" He asked, leaning against the window and putting his feet up on the chair. She gave him a disapproving glance before proceeding to tell him about all the enrapturing stories that happened over the summer. Ron was always slightly confused when Hermione talked to him about dentists. Do Muggles not take care of their teeth? He thought that was pretty irresponsible, especially since they don't have spells or anything. Before Ron could put his thoughts into words, Harry asked, "Hey, have you guys heard of that fourth year transfer student that's coming soon? I heard their name was Thea."
"Thea Fernsong. Their father wanted them homeschooled, but their mother finally convinced him to let them come to Hogwarts," Hermione answered, appearing as knowledgeable as ever. She was always up to date with new things about Hogwarts.
Huh, I wonder what house they'll be in.

The daylight outside dimmed slowly as the sun dripped away. Before long, the Hogwarts Express found it's station, and Harry had already jumped to his feet before Remus grabbed his wrist.
"Here," he said, handing Harry a bar of chocolate, "take this. It'll help calm your nerves." Harry grinned.
"Thanks, Moony." He walked off, sharing pieces with Ron and Hermione on the carriages to Hogwarts.
The trees almost whispered, secrets passing between the branches, whole conversations held by the time a leaf touched the ground. The bitter wind sliced through Harry's layers like a dagger, and he was thankful that Remus gave him the chocolate. Sharing it made him that little bit warmer in the stark wind. The pumpkins on the path purposely flared their flames as the carriages passed by, looking like fireflies and making all the difference in heat.
"Ron, you had to have liked at least one girl before," Hermione was saying.
"I haven't, I promise! Ask anyone. Charlie and Percy haven't liked anyone either, it's not weird or anything," he answered, sincerity practically jumping off his face. "It's not like I haven't thought a girl looks nice, I just... I just haven't ever felt anything more than friendship. And that's fine by me, I don't mind either way, really." He looked at the stars, trying to avoid looking at anyone for fear of embarrassment. "I think Percy called it aromantic once. Sounds like a cool word. That's probably what I have too," Ron continued. It sounded pretty fair to Harry. No attraction, but still able to see the beauty in people. That sounded amazing, unlike the nagging fear that one day, he'd grow up into a judging, grumpy old man, disliked by everyone. Harry looked to the stars, and found solace.

Entering the hall, George made sure that Fred, Lee and Cloud were with him so they could all sit together and laugh. All the other students were rushing in, in little gaggles and squads and weird formations. The first years weren't there yet, because they had the boat trip on the lake. George remembered the trip, the moonlight on the lake, the lamps on the end of the boat. He remembered looking at Lee and realising he's gay. Damnit, there I go again. It's not like he'd like me back.
Pretty soon, the first years came in and got Sorted into their respective houses. They looked around in wonder, staring at the ceiling in awe, trying to figure out how it all worked. George could remember a time when he was like that. He'd look for bright stars and point them out to Lee, saying that the stars were in his eyes. Sometimes it shocked him to look into his eyes and see more than just a few stars.
The announcement made by Dumbledore started, it was the usual thing again, apart from one difference - the announcement of a transfer student.
"Hey, Fred, do you think they're gonna be in the same house as us?" He whispered, leaning in to his twin.
"I don't know, hopefully. We could prank them."
"Puking Pastilles?"
"No, something more-"
"Do you two ever shut up? Some of us are trying to listen here!" Aurora Winterheart interrupted. She was was looking at Dumbledore with interest, trying to listen to what he had to say next. It was almost as if she were rotating the points of her ears towards him, like a TV antenna.
"...The student will be in fourth year. If they wish to explain why they are starting at such a late stage, they will find it within themselves to do so. However, I've been speaking for too long, and many of us are hungry. May the feast begin!"
Food appeared on the plates and trays before them, on all tables, service of the chefs in the kitchens. Their glasses filled up with whatever drink they were wanting at that moment - for George, that was apple juice. Speaking to his friends, he grinned.
"Here's to a new year at Hogwarts!"
Glasses clinked, giggles ensued, and the fun began.
George almost felt happiness.