AN: In re-reading the older chapters and reviews to make this update I read a comment about how people found the use of weapons from video games to be confusing. I want to know how many would prefer I go back and edit the chapter and instead use weapons from history/mythology with the odd video game weapon to fill in any gaps.

AN2: I recently saw Thor: Ragnarok with my fiancé (bloody amazing movie by the way) and have the Marvel bug. In 'First Chapters' there's a HP/Avengers crossover called Death's Avenger that I plan to move from First Chapters to an actual story soon but I'm starting to have second thoughts about the two other worlds mentioned in the backstory [for those confused, go read the chapter]. I would like people to either say in a review on that post or via PM a world (or worlds) you would like to see used instead of the ones mentioned. When it's closer to when I'll post the story, I'll put up polls for the choices.

Wrath of Time

Chapter 10

-Harry-

Head held high, his love on his arm, he entered the Three Broomsticks, heads glancing up at the light from the opened door. Several patrons lifted tankards in greeting, welcoming smiles on their faces while others looked far less pleased to see the 'fourth champion'. "Ah, Harry!" the sickeningly cheerful voice of Rita Skeeter called out from a corner booth, her quick quotes quill in hand while her camera man was at the bar enjoying ale.

"Ms. Skeeter," he nodded, using the experience from his past life to keep up a fake smile on his face "a pleasure to see you." Shaking her hand, he sat down with Tracey across from Skeeter, mentally preparing himself for the coming mental battle. The reporter was as crafty as a politician and twice as trusted by the masses, she could be an invaluable ally or a dangerous enemy if one didn't play their cards right.

"Please, the pleasure is all mine." She beamed happily, and it was somewhat of a surprise that the smile seemed real "That story you gave me about the Greengrass girl, simply scandalous!" she preened eagerly, "I'm sure you're well aware of my 'reputation' but you have nothing to fear from me, 'geese' and 'golden eggs' and all that."

"Well then you won't mind putting up that Quill," he said, his tone friendly but eyes resolute "if you need I have a simple dicta quill on hand that should prove more than sufficient."

"Cautious fellow, aren't you?" Britain's most famed reporter asked, seeming more amused than offended as she put up the acid green quill and accepted the sky blue one from Tracey, apparently her hope for more good stories was rather valuable to her.

"Caution is the only way to traverse the battlefields of Politics and Public opinion, no?" he asked, giving off a soft chuckle as Skeeter pulled out a pad of paper. This interview would be crucial to how things progressed as while many people in Magical Britain were sheep the flock could be a dangerous and uncontrollable force if one must act against it. It was best to get them on his side early on and build form that rather than have an uphill battle the entire way.

"And you've already learned one of the most important lessons of the big leagues," the woman sounded honestly impressed and it was hard to tell if it was genuine "you've got quite the catch there Ms. Davis."

"Thank you," Tracey grinned, intertwining her fingers with his as Rosmerta brought a round of drinks to the table "but enough idle chatter, you did say you had some questions you wanted to ask for an article yes?"

"Straight to the point then," Rita nodded "very well. Right now, you, Mr. Potter, are one of the biggest scoops of the week. Word has trickled out to some about your recent 'changes' and most everyone knows of your placement in the tournament. My article about the incident with Ms. Greengrass drew the gaze of all to you and I plan to hit while the Iron is hot. I want to write a series of articles about the changes you've experienced, about your past with Miss Davis, and your role in the tournament."

"And I'm more than willing to agree to these," he nodded, charting out what to talk about and how much to say, "with some stipulations of course."

"And those are?" Skeeter asked, seeming slightly put out but not enough to kill her eagerness for the stories.

"First is that you can't misquote us in any way, whether that means changing what we said or making up answers." His gaze hardened "I'm more than willing to declare a feud with the Prophet and, by extension, you should this one be broken."

Gulping nervously at that threat, something that most politicians would find too heavy handed, Skeeter nodded "Anything else?"

"You won't write any articles being derogatory on myself or my friends," he finished "and you'll respect our privacy. Agree to these and I'll give you those articles you wanted and more."

"More?" Skeeter asked confused "What type of 'more'?"

"I've been in danger every day of my life since my parents were killed." His voice turned cold "My…guardians, were not the most ideal of living conditions. I'll give you information to write articles about that as well as the 'misadventures' I've had here at Hogwarts, perhaps you could write books about them should we be able to come to an arrangement about how the profits are split."

"Books?" she asked surprised, having apparently not thought of writing such "That could represent a veritable fortune if people accept they're true."

"Do we have a deal?" he asked, pushing forward a contract about the given conditions for the articles, pertaining to both sides, he had brought prepared, so Skeeter could review and sign it "We can write one up for the books later."

"Mr. Potter, I think you're going to make me a very rich and very happy woman." The acidic journalist grinned as she signed the contract with a flourish, Tracey and himself doing the same a moment later. "Let's start with what people know the least about," the dicta quill floated about the paper eagerly "the changes you've undergone. To start simply what caused it?"

"Halloween, nineteen eighty-one," he told her seriously, tapping the faded lightning bolt scar upon his brow "Voldemort murdered my parents and turned his wand up on me. My parents were able to do something to stop his curse and give me the power to survive. The problem was that the residual magic put restrictions on my mind, my personality, my body, and my magic. A few days ago, I finally managed to break through its power, shattering the lingering dark magic. The result was that all the magic I lost to the curse scar was returned and I was able to use my mind to its full extent. The muscles came along with the improvements although I'm not entirely sure why."

"That…that's something I never would have considered." Skeeter's eyes widened, having likely expected a magical ritual or having trained in secret and having hid it "Do you have any proof of this though?"

"I have several witnesses to Dumbledore confirming that I broke through the curse scar," he nodded "I may not be overly fond of the Headmaster at the moment, but none would disagree that he is a genius when it comes to the arcane. I also had my magical core readings tested after the changes occurred and the power levels for my core registered at a far greater number than they had previously."

"I'll have to ask Dumbledore for a statement." Skeeter muttered to herself as the quill noted the reminder before she shook herself back into focus "Any idea how you were able to break through the scar? Why you could do it now and not at any point before or why it wouldn't happen later?"

"Of course," he gave his most charismatic laugh, trying to sell the image he wanted to convey as best he could "but that will have to wait, can't put everything in the first story, now can we?"

"This is enough to go off of for a first article I suppose." Skeeter sighed, her curiosity likely eating away at the woman "I can pad out the length with statements from Dumbledore and other curse experts I suppose. Would you be willing to take a photo for the article? I was thinking of using one from before the changes as a 'before and after' to rest above the article."

"Of course." He nodded, Rosmerta allowing them to use the tavern for the photo as he posed by the fireplace. Picture taken, and interview given he waved off Skeeter and her photographer before turning to the friendly tavern owner, "Madame Rosmerta, would you be willing to prepare a large lunch? Tracey and I are planning to meet up with some friends for a picnic shortly."

"No problem Mr. Potter," she smiled bustling about as she threw a picnic basket full of food together with the help of some elves "you two enjoy." Nodding in thanks and handing over some gold they walked out, heading towards the cliffs where they knew Sirius was hiding. The twins and Lee were currently buying supplies to work on making more pranks and other useful items, the Chasers were meeting with some of their other friends, and Neville had met up with his grandmother to go get a new wand, having finally mustered up the courage to tell his grandmother that using the wand of his father wasn't going to work.

At the outskirts of the town the duo came face to face with a large black dog who barked happily at seeing them, bouncing around and tail wagging. "Hey there Snuffles," he chuckled as Tracey ruffled his dogfather's ears, "let's get going, we have a picnic to get to after all." Barking Sirius led them up to a cave hidden in a large hill that overlooked Hogsmede.

Once inside Sirius quickly shifted back to his human form, "So," he gave Tracey a warm smile "you're the woman who stole my little godson's heart. Have to say Pup, you have good taste."

"Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Black," Tracey giggled as they handed over the food "I'm happily taken."

"Curses!" Sirius mock raged before dissolving into laughter and tearing at a chicken leg "So what's been going on? Your letters haven't said much besides you finally getting a girlfriend. Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"Hermione has been rather…distant as of late." He winced, hoping to get his friend to calm down and come back soon "My new personality as well as my sudden rise through the ranks in class threw her for a loop and she's been working herself into the ground trying to take back the top spots. As for Ron, he's lucky I haven't thrown him to the acromantula colony."

"…Now I know I missed something important." Sirius' joviality vanished "Tell me everything." So, for the next half hour he explained the story to Sirius, of coming back in time, of what happened in the future, of Time and Fate, of the lies and betrayals. Eventually the story drew to a close and a frazzled Marauder ran a hand back through his tattered rat's nest of hair "I don't know whether to focus on anger at what those back-stabbing bastards did or pride at how well you're handling everything. Is there anything I could do to help?"

"Get healthy again," Harry ordered "I hope to get you a trial within a year thanks to Skeeter's good coverage. You coming in looking like the villain from a bad psycho killer movie won't help your case when that day finally comes."

"I'm not that bad." Sirius pouted and even Buckbeak was giving the man a deadpan stare.

"There's also the Horcrux in Grimmuald place," he said seriously "the one your brother stole from Voldemort. Kreacher is dark and twisted right now but he can be helped. Go back to the manor and call him, tell him you plan to finish Regulus' work, maybe offer to let him keep Black family heirlooms he wants that you don't care about. Once you have his loyalty, he'll move heaven and earth to help you."

"Promise me you'll keep me informed about what all's going on." Sirius demanded, the knowledge that there actually was a plan lifting a weight from the escape convict's shoulders "Kreacher isn't the only one who can move heaven and earth you know."

"I know Padfoot." Smiling he brought the closest thing he had left to a father into a hug before gagging "Good grief you need a shower!"

"Oi!" Sirius protested as he continued to gag, and Tracey just giggled, "Alright you little brat, is there anything else I can help with?"

"The notes from when you and the others became animagi." He grinned, "I have to finish getting my form and the others need to find theirs as well. We have a Marauder tradition to keep up after all."