Author's note. I can't apologise enough for how long it's taken to get a new chapter up. I don't know what happened, I just lost my muse and couldn't write anything, plus real life and other stories ended up taking more focus.

I was wondering if there's anyone who has experience rp-ing because I could use some help with carrying on with this story. I don't want to give up on this story but I'm having trouble writing it. Thanks

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

"This place is so big, I can't believe it," Harry said happily as he held Minerva's hand as they strolled through the Hogwart's grounds.

"Believe it, Harry," Minerva replied with a very fond smile. "After all, this is the only Magical school in Britain with over five hundred students."

Harry's eyes were wide as he took that in, that sounded like a lot of kids. They were currently passing by the Greenhouses which Minerva had explained were full of exotic and magical plants. She'd told him that they couldn't go in and see the plants today but would another time. She also warned him that some of the plants could be dangerous if messed around with.

Harry had nodded, but he couldn't wait to explore them some other time. Even if they were just plants, they were magical and therefore exciting. He had got a waft of what smelled like compost, fertiliser and something very smelly but the stinkiness just made him want to explore it even more.

But a question suddenly occurred to him as he thought about how fun it would be to live here.

"Where do all the kids go before they turn eleven?" he asked Minerva as they headed to the spooky looking forest. "Is there a Wizard primary school?"

"No," Minerva said, shaking her head. "It depends on the parents, Muggleborns obviously go to Muggle Primary and Half Bloods sometimes do as well. But some Half Bloods and nearly all Pureblood's get homeschooled."

"Oh, that's funny," Harry said, looking a bit bemused, he didn't know anyone who was homeschooled. He'd been sure everyone went to school; it was just one of those things in life, like going to the dentist.

"What about me, am I still going to school?" he asked and she said kindly.

"That will be for Severus to decide...do you want to continue going to school?"

Harry nodded.

"Yeah, it's better than hanging round the Dursleys all day even if Dudley's there. But I like the lessons and we get to do fun things. And if I go to a new school, I can make friends."

"Ah," Minerva said with a nod, understanding why Harry would be keen. He wanted friends and for most children, they made their friends at school. She had a feeling that Severus would want Harry to attend school, if only so that he could continue working at Hogwarts.

"I'm sure Severus will take what you want into consideration," she now said to Harry who nodded sagely.

"Who lives there?" Harry suddenly asked, pointing at the hut in front of the Forbidden Forest.

"Our gamekeeper, Hagrid," Minerva replied, wondering if he was about. "Would you like to visit him?"

"Okay," Harry said brightly and they turned slightly so they were heading in the direction of Hagrid's hut.

But just as they reached the little fence which surrounded the hut, a very large and hairy man suddenly came around the large water barrel and stopped at the sight of them. His beetle black crinkled into a smile and even though most of his face was hidden by wiry black beard, he was clearly beaming at them.

"Galloping gargoyles, is this little Arry?"

"Uh," Harry said, gaping up in awe at the man he barely reached knee height with.

"Yes Hagrid, this is Harry," Minerva said briskly, seeing how overwhelmed Harry was.

"Look at how much you've grown," Hagrid said proudly, staring straight down at the wide eyed boy. "Last time I saw ya, you was only a tiny little tyke. I could fit you in just one of me hands."

Harry felt that he probably could still fit into one of those hands but he just smiled up at Hagrid. Minerva was pleased to see that Harry was very at ease with the gentle groundskeeper. Hagrid bent down, still beaming as he said.

"How'd yah like a cup o' tea?"

"Yes please," Harry agreed.

"Come on, I'll show yah some of me creatures later," Hagrid said jovially as Minerva said quickly. "Safe creatures Hagrid, Harry is too young for the dangerous ones."

"Right you are Professor," Hagrid said with a nod.

"Do you have any dragons?" Harry questioned and Hagrid's eyes lit up with delight.

"Not at Hogwarts," he exclaimed, his tone rather regretful. "But we do have dragons here in the country."

"Are they really big?" Harry asked eagerly. "And do they breathe fire?"

"Of course they do," Hagrid chuckled, his beetle black eyes crinkling at the edges. "The ones we've got are the Common Welsh Green and the Hebridean Black. Real beauties they are too."

"You've seen them?" Harry questioned as Hagrid led him over to his hut.

"Years ago," the massive gamekeeper admitted. "Went to a couple of reserves, they're beautiful creatures."

"I'd love to see them," Harry declared, making Hagrid beam as they entered his hut.

Minerva hadn't spoken; it was nice just to listen to the conversation. She didn't normally deal with children as young as Harry but so far she was enjoying it. She wasn't sure if she'd make a good teacher to Primary aged children; their needs were different to those old enough to attend Hogwarts. It didn't really matter; she loved her job and looked forward to the day that Harry attended Hogwarts. Would he be talented in Charm or Transfiguration or something else entirely?

At this stage it was of course impossible to tell but it would be interesting to see what he grew into.

Later

"Hi," Harry yelled, running over to his godfather, Minerva had escorted him to the hospital wing but had some things to take care of now.

"Hey sport," Sirius said with a massive grin, pushing himself up and laughing as Harry bounded onto the bed. "Have a good time?"

"Yeah, it was great," Harry agreed with a nod. "Are we going to have lunch?"

"I hope so," Sirius said, patting his stomach. "I'm famished; I've had to live on practically bread and water for six years."

"Really?" gasped Harry. "That's horrible!"

"Yeah but I'll get over it," he threw out casually. "Don't you worry about it Harry, I'll be eating much better from now on."

"That's good," the little boy stated solemnly as Severus's hand touched his back gently.

"You'd better eat on a chair for your lunch," he told his young charge. "I believe we are having lasagne."

"Like at school?" Harry asked and Severus smiled, saying. "No, much better."

Harry giggled at this, although he did manage to say. "Not that bad."

"The meals here are excellent," Sirius assured his godson. "And when you first arrive at Hogwarts, there's a big feast, everyone loves it. And that's not the only feast we have."

"I know, Uncle Sev told me about them," Harry exclaimed excitedly. "I can't wait to go to school here, it's gonna be so cool."

"That's what everyone says," laughed Sirius, ruffling his godson's hair. "I remember staying up all night during the summer before my first year, just waiting for that owl to arrive."

Severus reflected that he'd done something similar; he and Lily had talked at length about when their owls might arrive and what they would say. They'd managed to go to Diagon Alley together and it had been one of the best days of his life. Lily had gotten her letter framed, her parents had been so proud of her achievement while Petunia had stewed in her jealousy. Very soon, he'd need to go and visit the Dursleys.

"So an owl will arrive for me to tell me I'm going to Hogwarts?" Harry asked with a gasp.

"The owl will deliver the letter that tells you you're going to Hogwarts," Severus said smoothly. "It will contain a list of what you will need, like a wand and some robes."

"Cool," Harry said in awe. "I really wish I could go now."

"Everyone does," Severus assured him. "But until then, you'll go to Muggle school, believe me, it's to your advantage to know about both worlds. Wizards had know nothing about muggles tend to be rather helpless since they have no idea how muggle money, television, the post service, etc works."

"How come they don't know?" Harry asked curiously.

"Because they never go into the muggle world," Sirius said knowingly. "They don't see any point; it's like going to be a completely foreign country for them."

"Weird," Harry mused to himself. It wasn't often he got to handle any money but he still knew the difference between a five pound note and a one pound one.

"Yes and that's why it's important you don't lose your ties to the muggle world," Severus said. "Especially as a portion of your House mates will be muggleborn, you might even end up with a best friend who is muggle born."

"Like you and mum?" Harry said with a smile and Severus returned it.

"Exactly," he said softly. Lily had always said that no matter who she married, her children would know the world she had come through, they would never be ignorant of non magical people and never ever speak of them as though they were nothing more than children with special needs.

"I'll learn everything I need to," Harry promised, making both men smile.

"Good boy," they said at the same time before staring at each other in amazement.

Harry's laughter and cries of 'jinx' broke the tension and they managed to smile.

"Jinx...why do I have the feeling that's not what I'm thinking of," Sirius said ruefully as Harry covered his mouth to stifle his giggles.

"Oh, I remember that one," Severus said wryly. "I'm sure Harry will explain."

And as Harry did so eagerly, it occurred to Severus that maybe there was a chance they could progress beyond an uneasy alliance. Maybe.

Author's note. Ever notice that wizards, even ones like Arthur Weasley tend to talk about Muggles like they have mental problems? Not in a malicious way but in an ignorant way. Until next time.