Chapter eleven

Until Sirius could find a place for them to live, Amelia offered Sirius and Harry to stay at Bones manor. This gave Sirius time to look for the perfect home for Harry. It also gave Harry and Susan time together.

While Amelia was working, Sirius did take Harry and Susan out. He would explain where they were, but he would also tell more stories about his friendship with Harry's parents. He also told Susan stories about her parent's.

When Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape had their trials, Harry didn't go since he still acted like he had no memory. But all Harry wanted was for those two men to be punished. Amelia had already guaranteed that both would end up in Azkaban, and probably for life.

Sirius went to the trials, he wanted to see with his own eyes that Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape would never be able to hurt his godson again. Everyone in the courtroom was shocked at some of the information that came out. One bit had all the aurors arresting many people, some who were inside the courtroom and had seats on the wizengamot. It seems all those that got away with their crimes after Voldemort disappeared by saying they were under the imperius curse would finally be questioned using veritaserum. Snape had revealed that you had to take the dark mark willingly and he also gave account on how they would earn their marks. Many were sickened when they heard what Snape had done to earn his dark mark. Many couldn't believe that Albus Dumbledore had allowed Snape to teach their children when he knew what type of man Snape was. When they were sentenced to life in Azkaban, Sirius couldn't help making a few nasty comments as Snape and Dumbledore were lead away from the court room, both shackled.

The ministry holding cells ended up full of all those that got away with their crimes. Now Amelia's department had to organise new trials for them, and the others that had been arrested, or will be arrested. One person's arrest surprised the Minister for Magic. His undersecretary was discovered to be a death eater, so she was now sitting in a holding cell waiting for her trial.

Harry made sure to still spend time with Ron and Neville. But most of his time was spent with Susan, sometimes Hannah joined them. Ron had begun to teach Harry chess again, and Harry made sure he acted like he had no clue how to play the game. Neville spoke mainly about plants and what their herbology classes had been like at Hogwarts.

Amelia was able to get permission for Harry, Susan, Hannah, Neville and Ron to use magic at her home during the remainder of the holidays. Amelia and Sirius, with the help of the other children helped Harry learn the spells he had used the previous two years. The two adults also helped by teaching them the spells they would use in their upcoming year.

Harry slowly began to make it look like he was starting to remember. He would just say how he remembered being somewhere, or speaking with someone. But when he got to fly with Susan, he then said he remembered playing quidditch for Gryffindor.

When Sirius finally found a house, it was only two weeks before Harry and Susan were due to return to Hogwarts. They decided to have lunch at Bones manor before Sirius and Harry left.

Amelia and Sirius gave Harry and Susan a bit of privacy so they could say goodbye, even if it was only two weeks and they would see each other again.

Sirius took Harry by side-along apparition, 'Wow, it's big,' Harry said as he looked at the house in front of him.

'I wanted something where you could still fly during the holidays, but also somewhere that had enough room so you can invite friends over. This way you and your friends will have plenty of space.'

'But how will we look after it?'

'Ah, the house came with three house elves. The owner worked it so the house elves will bond with the new owner the moment he died. He just wanted his house elves to be treated right and someone who would look after his home that he lived in for ninety years. Let's get in and I'll show you around.'

Sirius and Harry walked around the house, and Harry couldn't believe how beautiful it was. His room was huge, and it had its own balcony and bathroom. He saw Hedwig sitting on a perch near the open window. He gave her a pat before he followed Sirius back downstairs.

The following morning Harry woke and knew it was time. He used the bathroom, changed into some of his new clothes then raced downstairs.

'Sirius, I remember.'

'That's great pup,' Sirius got up and hugged his godson, 'Poppy said you just might need some times. I think it's also got to do with how you were being manipulated. Something in you kept you from remembering due to stress of what has been happening.'

'And now they are out of my life, my memory returned,' Harry grinned then sat down ready for breakfast.

'Harry, about what happened. Do you remember who killed the Dursley's?'

Harry lowered his head but nodded, 'I did, but I don't know how I did it. He kept hitting me then he threw me in the cupboard where my leg broke. My magic just seemed to let go. I don't know how to describe it. I was in so much pain, my head hurt and I could hardly see. I was dizzy and knew I was going to pass out. The room lit up Sirius,' Harry looked up, 'My skin was glowing and flashes of light were shooting out of me and out of the cupboard. I heard the screaming right before I passed out.'

'It's okay pup. Our magic will sometimes act on its own, it's for protection. You might have done it before without going so far, but this time since you could have died, your magic decided to keep you alive but also punish the ones that hurt you. Children's magic is still so unstable when your this age, then add hormones, it would make it even more unstable.'

'Will I get in trouble?' Harry asked nervously.

'No, they beat you almost to death and your magic protected you. I'll get Amelia here and you can explain. But she won't even put it in an official report. Muggles have hurt our kind before and magic is usually what saves them. That's all it was doing, your magic was protecting you. You've got nothing to worry about.'

Harry sagged in relief. At first he wasn't going to admit killing them but he knew he could trust Sirius and Amelia.

'Um, are you going to contact Lupin?'

'No, he believed I was guilty but even if he didn't, he never went to see how you were. James and I did a lot for Remus so he would not suffer alone during the full moon. I can't forgive him for deserting you.'

'Good, even though I could feel he wouldn't hurt me, he did leave me with those people. Do you know who will be headmaster?'

'At first Minerva McGonagall was going to be the new headmistress. Since Amelia found out she was with Albus when they left you on a doorstep and she never once helped you while you were at Hogwarts, the governors passed her over. Professor Sprout is now headmistress with Professor Flitwick as deputy. There are going to be a few changes at Hogwarts, some will take a while to implement, but one is that no head of house will be a teacher. They want someone to be available at all times so if a student needs them then they won't have to wait until classes finished.'

'That sounds better. I mean I went to McGonagall about the Philosophers stone, and she blew me off. I hope whoever is our head of house will be better.'

'I'm sure they will. Now the other change is a communal common room, but one that will not allow magic. So many students who have friends from other houses can spend time with each other, only for the hour or so after classes. Now they can spend time in the common room until curfew.'

'So Susan and I will be able to spend time together of an evening.'

'Yes, it will also help with homework. Like I heard as Spike, Neville is brilliant at herbology. He could now help Susan or any of the others you two are friends with. From what I was able to find out you were top in defence, so you could help others as well.'

'Susan is great at charms, so she could help as well,' Harry grinned. 'Will any of the staff being keeping a watch on that room?'

'Yes, the four heads of house will take turns.'

'Good because some Slytherin's, like Malfoy will cause trouble, he always does.'

'Ah, but Snape is no longer there to bail him out, and his father was arrested. This time though Lucius Malfoy will not get out of being questioned with veritaserum. That should knock some of his pompous air out of him. But also, as I am head of the Black family, if Lucius gets life in Azkaban, which I'm sure he will, then I will basically be in charge of Narcissa and Draco, since Narcissa is my cousin.'

'So if Draco wants money, he has to ask you?'

'Yes, until he becomes of age.'

'He will hate that, and you, but I love it,' Harry chuckled as Sirius grinned at him.

That evening Amelia and Susan dropped in so Amelia could explain to Harry there would be no punishment. Since he almost died due to their treatment and it was natural magic that released to protect him, she did not even have to write a report. Children often use magic when they are upset or angry. Harry's just went further due to the beating he had received.

Sirius invited the two Bones women to stay for dinner, they accepted. While Sirius and Amelia was talking Harry showed Susan around the house.

As Harry went to bed that night, in his new room in his new home, he thought about how his life had changed. He might have suffered from what the Dursley's did, but in the end it gave Harry a new life with his godfather. He even had a pretty girlfriend. As far as Harry was concerned, life couldn't get better.

The end: