Hey everyone,
IMPORTANT UPDATE! This will be the last month where I will be updating all 14 stories at the end of every month. I am just going to do the same thing everyone else does; either fully finish a story and then post the full thing or finish a chapter and then post it once it's written. However, there are stories, like to Read Into The Universe, where I will probably try to finish the whole thing and edit out the mistakes and whatnot and only then post the finished product.
I'm sorry if this upsets some of you, but I know about myself that I NEED to do this. Over the course of the last few months, I just haven't felt as if I have given these stories the attention they deserve and while I am happy with some stories and how some chapters are written, do I just feel lost and disappointed looking back on others. I'm just starting to feel like thinking: "I could have done better." when looking back at some of the chapters I wrote, so I made this decision.
Hope you understand,

Venquine1990
Shout-Out:
Wishfull-Star
V.L Crawford

Chapter 53
Cutting Down the Numbers

15th of August 1995
The Arena, Potter Place
James' POV

After Hermione warned me about what she had learned during her lesson with Sirius, I went to the Quidditch pitch while using the wards to allow Narcissa to gain sanctuary here. I know I didn't have to do too much as Narcissa is a Black like my mother and was never more than a Dark supporter, never really Voldemort but just Dark magic in general, but adding her to the wards ensured her an extra level of safe security. Yet Hermione had been worried and so I had left.
I'm at the arena and Tarzan was the first to spot me, making the others do the same and fly down. "We haven't been training for that long. How far are you?" Angelina asks and I answer: "We've only done one of the two bad chapters, there are still the two neutral ones after that." The girl nods and says: "We'll just train for one more chapter then." Yet I argue: "Just train until the neutral stuff is over, I'll sends sparks up when that happens."
The girl looks confused and I say: "After that, the crap is going to hit the fan and I'd rather have a large group of people whose minds are completely clear of concerns or worries. It might not sound entirely fair, but –.""But you'd like to rely on us to keep you guys calm when the nightmares start to become reality." Ienzo voices my thoughts and I nod at him. I then turn to Ron and say: "And there's more. Sirius and I have granted sanctuary to Narcissa."

"Malfoy's mother? Why? She's –!""A Dark magic supporter, but she has no interest or love lost for Voldemort himself. Sirius used family magic to converse with her and apparently Lucius has been breaking every rule in the contract that binds him to her in marriage since Walburga kicked the bucket. What's worse, Hermione and Sirius suspect that Lucius has been allowing Draco to join in – and Lucius is accused of being disloyal to his marriage.
Plus, there is every chance that, after the book is read, Narcissa will move herself to London. She's a Black at birth, so she'll feel more confident there and probably gather a few Black House Elves to clean the place up for her. Think about it, Ron. Would you leave that woman in a home like that when you know her husband and sister have a – ahem – hidden love for the Unforgivables?" The boy seems doubtful of this and I say: "Ron, even Malfoy abused her."
And this seems to convince the redhead, yet after he nods, does he say: "But I will sit right in front of her when we get back." And I nod, understanding that he wants to be able to see her reaction to what might happen when things take a turn for the worst in the books. And because Sirius and I share a belief on what that might be, do I understand the boy's need for this. I give him a grateful smile and then leave the teams to return to their training.

And on the way back, I try my hardest not to think of exactly that as it is constantly followed with another thought: "If Sirius dies in the book, then Book-Harry will start his Sixth year as an orphan in every way of the word – and he won't ever even know it. He might even, at one point, visit my book-self's grave and stare at it, not knowing that it's actually empty. And with him an orphan, that witch will have even better access to him."
These thoughts haunt me every time I think of what we might – or probably will – come to read once these next three chapters are read and so, when I get back, I can't help but ask: "What are the rest of the chapters called?" And Belle pages through the book as she reads: "Snape's worst memory, Career Advice, Grawp, OWLs, Out of the Fire, Fight and Flight, The Department of Mysteries." And as she reads the last one, I share a glance with the Order.
"I'm sorry." Harry mumbles, looking down, but we all shake our heads and Sirius, who has returned with Narcissa while I was away at the stadium, pulls him close as he says: "This isn't you who's doing it. And if anything, I'd rather you find out this way, now that your connection is broken, you're learning Occlumency the right way and are surrounded by us, then however you might learn it in the book." At which most in the Order nod in agreement.
Albus then sighs and says: "I best read the next chapter, seeing the title." Belle hands him the book and while I wonder which memory of what my friends and I did to Snape in our youth is going to be mentioned or described here, do I also spare a glance at my son, knowing he'll never see this from my point of view. And so, as I listen, do I prepare myself as well.

Snape's Worst … for Magic

"May I have a copy of that, Albus? I'd like to make sure I have something to back me up and prove to Cornelius just how bad things could go if he continues his little spiel." Augusta requests, yet Albus smiles at her and says: "Just wait a little while, Augusta. I just read ahead and the next bit will be even more useful." The woman nods, while the rest of us feel intrigued and the man reads on.

The notices … little tantrum."

This makes a lot of those around me, especially those that had been getting really annoyed with the woman and those that work at the Ministry, laugh hard and Albus copies the whole bit before giving it to Augusta, who smiles as she accepts it. And while I think: "Appointing someone who Hogwarts won't accept in that position. That'll definitely be useful evidence." Does Albus calmly wait for the others to regain themselves before he reads on.

"Oh, I … for that."

At this Narcissa, who had been sitting in between Kingsley and Tonks while this was read, sighs in shame and Sirius asks: "Does he do this at home too, Cissa?" The woman nods and mutters: "It started this summer. He would suddenly start listing reasons as to why either our House Elves or I myself should be punished. Though I convinced Lucius not to let him join in if I were the target. But, after punishing me, Lucius would always disappear, leave the house."
This infuriates me as it's obvious that Narcissa knows exactly where her husband goes when he leaves the house. And the fact that he abuses her for excuses made up by his son when he should be teaching him to respect his mother makes the whole matter even worse. Narcissa turns desperate eyes to Sirius and asks: "You'll help me, won't you Lord Father?" And the fact that she addresses him by title instead of name says everything.

Sirius nods, while Sora softly whispers at the others what he learned about titles a few days ago and then suddenly Luna gasps, a gust of wind almost blowing her off her seat and her eyes changing to look like the moon when it's full but wane and tries to break its light through a mist of clouds. "That – that's incredible. I – I didn't expect that." Instantly Harry, who obviously knows and fears the same thing I do, asks: "What? Luna, what happened?" And the girl answers:
"Your picture changed." Instantly Sirius pulls the envelope, which for some reason he still keeps in the inner pocket of his robe, out and scurries through them for the photo of our son. And when he finds it, do Sora, Harry and I crowd around him, all of our eyes wide as we see just why the wind suddenly turned so fierce and why Luna was so shocked at what she saw. The whole entire photo has been changed, drastically.

Where at first it showed Harry and Ginny on the staircase inside the Burrow with those Shadow Heartless surrounding them and with Sirius slightly transparent and lying on their lap with his head in Harry's, has the whole picture scenery changed. Instead of the inside are they standing outside the Burrow, but Ginny's no longer next to Harry, Sirius is in human form. And Narcissa is too, standing next to him with a grateful, loving smile.
And while I can still, for reasons that both worry and confuse me, see Ginny in the background, hiding behind a bent tree and glaring at the three, do I also notice a couple of girls standing with the group, while Lea and the twins are standing on Harry's other side. "Wait a second, I know those girls. Two of those are from Ginny's year and that girl was a first year last year." Harry suddenly says, pointing to the three girls standing in the photo.

We all turn to Narcissa and the woman nods as she says: "Lucius was fine with me being pregnant, as long as it wasn't pregnant of a girl. That's why I told Sirius that Draco was my only son, the only child Lucius allowed me to have. He allowed me to keep my girls until they were old enough for solid food and then wiped their memories and gave them up for adoption. I had no say in the matter any of the times it happened."
This infuriates me and yet Albus instantly proves he is a man of honor and respect as he lies the book down and says: "I'll go talk with Minerva, make sure she visits the girls in question and addresses this. Lady – Daughter Black, do you by chance –?" And Narcissa proves herself a true black as she shows off a small charms bracelet and pulls on one of the charms, which comes off and changes into a group of three scrolls.
"I hid them as soon as I heard Lucius speak of the adoption the first time, when I gave birth to my twin girls. Lucius starved me for it for a fortnight and a month after I did the same with my youngest, but I was determined. By that time, regardless of my marriage, I desired his end before my daughters would turn of age, so that, by that time, I could visit them and tell them the truth." She then stands up herself and says:
"I'll go with you. I want to be there when you tell my babies the truth. I want to help you convince them. I – I need them to know that I didn't willingly abandon them, that it was their father's choice, never mine." The man nods, a look of incredible care on his face and Sirius squeezes Narcissa's hand as he says: "Come back safe." Narcissa nods and the two leave. Kingsley then picks up the book, looks around and continues to read.

Ron pulled … Fred coolly.

Arthur frowns at his sons for this and I sigh as I say: "Well, you boys sure were on a hot streak for a while. I guess it was only to be expected that you'd fall back at some point." This makes the two cringe and Sirius states: "Do not use magic you don't know about on anyone, not your enemies or your friends, capish?" The two nod and while I feel glad that this might not happen and wonder about that Cabinet, does Kingsley read on.

"Anyway… we've … along, now."

"Okay, I'm in two-battle here." Sirius groans and he goes on: "On one hand, I'm grateful that you guys don't tell my son what you've done as it gives him plausible deniability, but I'd also rather you hadn't, because Umbridge would blame and question him first the minute you guys do something wrong." At this the twins cringe, yet I also whisper: "Not that I think you'd ever rat them out." Making Harry smile at me as Kingsley reads.

Fred and … in charge."

Here Kingsley stops and casts a spell, copying the text just like Albus did and handing it to Augusta, who smirks and mutters: "If I show all of this to Fudge, Umbridge might just lose her Acceptables all-together." Yet to this I say: "Don't let him. That just means Umbridge –." But the woman smirks at me and instantly I get what she's up to. I smirk back at her and say: "Never mind. Go wild, Gussy." The woman nods and Kingsley reads, smirking himself.

Umbridge had … to drink?"

And instantly every adult in the arena that is from this world frowns and growls in disgust and Kingsley growls: "This is because of Edgecombe. Because she can't get another word out of the girl, she's planning to drug Harry with Veritaserum and get all of his secrets out of him." Yet Harry smirks and says: "No way am I going to fall for a trick like that." And while a small part of me worries if his confidence is misplaced, does Kingsley read on.

"What?" said … stood up.

And this one line makes us all grin as Sirius snickers: "She's an idiot. She tried to use Veritaserum, but she doesn't even know how to recognize the symptoms of someone who is under it. Harry wouldn't be able to be this cohesive if he had been. She should have – wait, was I just about to say that? What I meant is, thank Merlin she didn't realize that he had faked drinking the stuff." Everyone nods at this and Kingsley reads on.

"Very well … he watched.

This makes the kids gape, gawk and stare at the twins in amazement, while the adults are grinning at them in pride and Hermione says: "You – you actually improved upon Filibuster's Fireworks – and they became famous for that stuff." At this Fred grins at her while George fakes to rubs his nails clean on his polo shirt and Harry rolls his eyes before he says: "You are being way too modest, G." Making George wink at him as Kingsley reads.

Filch and … the authority."

And the growing sense of amusement that is steadily growing stronger as Kingsley reads bursts, making basically everyone burst out laughing. "Using her own need of power against her. That is beyond perfect!" Hermione wheezes and Fred laughs: "Yeah, I just wish they had done this sooner." But to this his twin says: "Not me, this is a perfect tension breaker. We so needed this." And we all agree with the boy before Kingsley reads on, teary-eyed.

Beaming, he … bit… rebellious."

"Like when you lied to McGonagall to keep us out of trouble?" Harry asks his friend, astonishing me. we then get shocked as suddenly Ron's voice sounds and asks: "Or when you decided it should be you who should steal ingredients from Snape to brew Polyjuice potion?" We all look up and notice both teams standing on the edge of the arena. "You're back. I thought you'd keep training until I called you guys over." I mutter and Ron says:
"We planned to, but then we heard you laughing all the way at the pitch, so we decided to come and find out what was so funny." At this I nod, yet then I realize what the boy just said. "Wait, steal from – Snape?" I think to myself and Harry smirks as he goes on: "Or when you decided to sneak out and get back my invisibility Cloak so we could visit Hagrid even though it was almost after curfew?" And while Hermione is now red as Weasley hair, does Kingsley read on.

Harry could … hurting… BANG!

And Kingsley screams this last word, as if in an effort to show how annoyed he is that this great moment of hilarity and enjoyment had to be so rudely interrupted and Angelina sighs as she mutters: "Right, back to training." Yet then Ron looks around and asks: "Would some of you mind coming with us? I'm doing better on the team, but I need to work on playing under public pressure." A large portion of the group nods at this and stand up.
And when the whole group has left the only ones that are left are Sirius, Harry, the twins, Lea, Hermione, Luna, Arthur, Augusta, Sora, Riku, Remus, Kingsley and myself. I turn to Augusta and the woman says: "Quidditch was never really my thing. Remember, I only ever came to one of every three matches that Frank played in." I nod at her as I do actually remember that and the twins chorus: "We're staying with our mates." Making Lea and Harry smile as Kingsley reads.

Harry awoke … that excuse.

"Not even, though there are two things I suddenly noticed." Riku mutters and we turn to him as he says: "First off, in the last part, it said or somebody else wanted. That means that Harry, in the book, is becoming aware of where his part of the connection ends and Voldemort's part starts. However, the other thing I noticed, those doors. They were opening all by themselves – or were they?" And this question concerns me as Kingsley reads on.

He attempted … stalking off.

I want to scoff, smirk and shake my head at this as it's obvious that the girl was expecting Harry to side with her and her friend, which I think is stupid as Harry hardly knows either Cho or her friend. Yet I can't get myself to do any of these things as I can only imagine how much harder his next session with Snape is going to be now that this little confrontation has preceded it. And so I listen with dread in my stomach as Kingsley reads.

Fuming, Harry … face Harry.

"Is it wrong that I wish Umbridge was here right now?" Sora suddenly asks, shocking and startling us all and Hermione asks: "What? Why?" And Sora shrugs as he says: "The Pensieve. There is no way Dumbledore would have allowed Snape to keep it to himself since Christmas, so that means Snape has been able to get inside his office earlier that day. I just wish Umbridge could have seen that." This fact astounds us all and then the kids start laughing again. Kingsley smirks at my son and reads.

"So," he … from Harry?

"The one thing no one else should have felt the need to hide from you." I mutter and Harry turns to me confused. I sigh and mutter: "Follow me." And I motion for Lea to do the same, but shake my head at everyone else. And while the twins grimace at this, do they just sit back down with Sirius, who sends me a bit of a guilty look. I just sigh and shrug at him and then guide Harry away, over to the lake where Lea told me he had talked to him about Hermione.
"Mum?" Harry asks and I realize I have just been staring at the lake for a few minutes. I release another breath of regret and say: "Harry, I – I'm not perfect. I was the only child of my parents, who had me when they themselves were already quite in their later years, and so they spoiled me rotten and gave me this huge ego. And the war and the fact that my family was playing a huge role in helping the Ministry and Dumbledore against Voldemort didn't help matters.
I – I wanted to play my part, but – dad wanted me to be a teen, to not worry about this stuff more than learning the course we told you about a few days ago. Then, I started noticing that Voldemort was actually gathering followers or at least sympathizers who would later become Death Eaters. And – heh – I saw my chance. I saw my chance to do my own contribution. Only, looking back, I wish I had done that – differently."

Harry looks at me, a lost look of concern and pain on his face and I sigh, sticking my hands in my pockets and kicking a small rock in front of my feet as I say: "Look Harry, I am never going to expect you to understand why I did these things and – this will probably be something we will forever have to agree to disagree on, but – while I am not proud of what I did – if I was given a chance to go back and either do it again or not do it – I would probably do it again.
I might not go as badly out on Snape as I had as I would now know that he would let that out on you instead of me, but – I wouldn't change what I did, Harry. It may not have been right and I'm not proud of it, but – I just –." And then suddenly Lea's voice speaks up, reminding me that I had asked him to come along and he says: "You were never the only one in the wrong." And I look up at the man, who is actually looking at me in understanding.
"Trust me, I know what that's like. I made the beyond stupid mistake of taking Xehanort's words as if they were of my world's leader, Ansem the Wise. It ruined my life and made me exist as a Nobody for the better part of a decade, but it also got me to meet Roxas, Xion, Sora and everyone else. I'm not happy I did it, but I like the results, so I would probably do it again, if given the chance. Though like you, I would also change a few things I did."

I smile at the older teen and then sigh as I turn to Harry and say: "Basically, what I'm trying to say, Harry is – I was a bully growing up. It was the combined effort of Lily, Sirius and I needing to put up and work through our plan in order for me to be together with him that finally helped me grow up. And you're about to see hear about one of the times I did indeed bully Snape." This makes Harry grimace and he asks:
"Did you have a good reason?" At which I sigh and mutter: "It depends. Sometimes I did as Snape had just landed someone in the Hospital Wing and a few times even in St. Mungo's and wasn't punished harshly enough – at least not in my eyes. Other times, no. There had also been times where I did it, just because I was bored, because my friends were bored or – and this I do very much regret – because I liked doing it."

And while I had expected it, does Harry's furious, betrayed glare still break my heart before he turns around and storms off. And the fact that he heads for the house instead of back to the arena really doesn't surprise me. I sigh and turn to Lea as I mutter: "Keep him company." The teen nods, just looking at me with a neutral expression and turns around. And while I know I deserve it, do I feel utterly alone as I trudge back.
"Where are Harry and Lea?" Hermione asks and I mumble: "I told Harry the truth; he didn't like it." At this the girl wants to comment, but Sirius shakes his head and says: "Let's just read the book, figure out which memory this is and then figure out a way to tell Harry about it so that he can understand both sides. He doesn't need to hear this, not if James already told him." The girl nods in understanding and Kingsley reads on.

The silvery … seized him.

This makes the mother in me want to wake up and go to scold Harry, but I repress this and think: "He's already being punished. Knowing that his father was a bully who did so just because it was fun is more punishment than any lecture I could give him about respecting people's privacy." And while I feel like a bit of a hypocrite as I'm sure I would have done the same thing if I had been in his shoes, does Kingsley read on.

He took … WIZARDING LEVEL.

And instantly the title of the chapter makes sense and makes both Remus, Sirius and me cringe and Remus asks: "You told Harry about –?" I nod at him and mutter: "Yeah, I told him about that. About how sometimes, while growing up, I would bully others just because I liked it." And while this makes all of the kids gape at me, proving they never envisioned me to have been like that. And while I hate that I have to disappoint them as well, does Kingsley read on.

So Snape … in height.

And while these resemblances are no longer a fact, do I still feel a pang of guilt and pain hit me in the heart every time I hear how happy Harry is to be able to see me in – sort of – real life like this. "We'll make sure to tell him about this." Fred gently tells me and George goes on: "Yeah, and we'll tell him how bad you feel about him being so happy for the start of this memory." I smile at the two, loving the fact that they know that Harry will consider this punishment as Kingsley reads on.

James yawned … stand for?

"He doesn't even know Lily's surname? Petunia never even told him about that?" I ask, actually feeling shocked at this, but then Hermione says: "I doubt it. To Petunia, the whole Dursley thing is something she compares to perfection. Her maiden name just reminds her of her sister, so she probably just made herself forget that." And while I can't help but think: "Along with her own parents." Does Kingsley read on.
Yet then Sora says: "Hey, maybe you can use this to help Harry forgive you." But I shake my head and say: "No kiddo. I appreciate the idea, but that would make it look as if I am trying to buy Harry's forgiveness by giving him something he really wants. He deserves to know about his aunt and her parents, but that info shouldn't be used for such goals." And Sora cringes and mumbles: "Right, sorry." As Kingsley reads.

"Quills down … showing off.

"You were and you still are. Though we weren't together at this point." I say, not wanting to prolong the inevitable, but feeling the need to at least say something and Sirius sighs as he says: "No, but my birthday was in November and I had already been several months into my Veela heritage. And the fact that you were doing this for someone other than me really annoyed the Veela within." I nod at him and the man pulls me possessively close as Kingsley reads.

"I'm bored," … clearer view.

This makes the three of us share another look of concern and disgust and Sirius growls: "I – I don't believe it. He became a Death Eater, because of us. Because we fed that disgusting need of his to see others hurt and humiliated. And in the end, he turned it on us, on our son.""Maybe, but becoming one and turning on you – was still his choice. You did not inspire him to do that." Riku tells us and this makes me feel better as Kingsley reads on.

"How'd the … choking him –

This makes me wince as I had actually not noticed this at the time and then I turn to the others and say: "Please don't comment on the rest of this. I know that most of the commentary is currently coming from Remus, Siri and me, but –.""We all just want this chapter to be over with as quickly as possible. Plus, the chapter itself, seeing all this from Harry's POV, is punishment enough." Kingsley says and we all nod before he reads on.

"Leave him … told him.

And while the whole arena has been tense for most of the chapter, does Kingsley close the book with a sigh after reading this last line. I wince at this and then mutter: "I'm going to go get Andy. I think she needs to go talk with Harry.""Won't you do it yourself?""Harry won't listen to me right now, I know he won't. Plus, I don't want Andy to get Harry to forgive me. I want her to help him accept it, nothing more. And – I don't like admitting it, but – I can't do that myself."

Poor James,
So yeah, expect the upcoming chapter to start with a conversation between Andy Tonks and Harry. I already have a few plans in mind on how I want that conversation to go. And I know some of you might be confused or worried, but – I myself don't want to make Harry forgive James. Their pasts are too different for that to be conceivable in my eyes and it just doesn't sound realistic.
But Harry accepting that everyone makes mistakes in their lives sounds more realistic, so that's what I want to accomplish. Also, I've been mentally preparing myself all month in the belief that the whole thing with the Department is only a month or two away. Imagine my annoyance when I read the chapter list down and noticed there are still five chapters between this and that. And even then there's still two more chapters before
It – happens,

Venquine1990