Author's Note: Sorry about the long time it took to update this. I lost interest in this fic for awhile and focused on the other fics I was writing, in which Harry was born a girl. Also, I had something of a writer's block. Then my sister pointed out that I hadn't decided on whom Harry would pick to be his guardians. So it is my sister than gave me the inspiration for this chapter. I will try to update more frequently, but for now, nothing interesting will happen. Harry won't have to rescue the Philosopher's Stone from Quirrell/Voldemort, after all. Things will pick up in second year, when the ward against Animagi comes into effect. I think my readers can work out what that means.

The Christmas holidays soon ended and students returned to Myrddin School. Harry returned his attention back on classes and schoolwork. It was also at this time when he found himself with a crush on Mari, for some reason. He had been struck by how beautiful she was at the Christmas party, and now he kept staring at her and felt shy around her. Every time she looked at him or complimented him, he turned red.

Mari, however, showed no signs of returning the crush, and treated Harry the way she had before, as nothing more than a very good friend. In fact, if she had a crush on anyone, it was probably on Justin, for she always made a point of helping him with homework. Also, Harry had once come across Mari and Abby whispering and giggling together, and he had caught the words, "Justin's cute" from Mari.

He finally sought out Remus for advice on what to do about the crush. "It's common for preteens to develop crushes," said Remus calmly. "Eventually the crush will die out, or it will develop to a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. As you aren't twelve yet, Harry, your crush will likely die out, unless it remains for the next couple of years and you get Mari to notice you then and start dating.

"Since Mari shows no sign of returning your crush, I advise you not to tell her, because she will then apologize and tell you she only likes you as a friend. Do your best to only see her as your friend, and perhaps it will become reality."

At the end of January, the Wizengamot notified Harry that all the families that wished to adopt him had submitted their names. A list of the families was included with the letter, and he was free to pick which family he wished to live with. If there were more than one family he felt would suit him, the Wizengamot would select one for him.

Harry skimmed through the list and noticed that the last names of several of his schoolmates were on there. He also noticed the names of most of the staff at Myrddin School. He was about to pick the Weasleys, then realized that they already had seven children and he didn't want to burden them with another. His other choice was Professor Lupin, but as a werewolf, he wasn't allowed to adopt, at least not until Professor Snape or some other Potions master perfected a potion to cure lycanthropy.

Harry went over the other teachers that had submitted their names and finally decided on Mari's parents. He then sent his decision to the Wizengamot, and a week later, the Yamatato-Patels and Harry went to the Ministry to finalize the adoption. Mari was very pleased with having Harry for a brother, and Devdan was just glad that he was going to have a brother in addition to a sister.

The day of the adoption hearing, Devdan chattered excitedly about how happy he was to get a new brother, especially one that was, in his eyes, terrific and great. He had been impressed with Harry's flying skills the first time he'd seen Harry fly, and Devdan had declared that he wanted to a great Seeker like Harry when he was older.

The Ministry officials at the hearing looked amused with Devdan's antics, and Amelia Bones was heard to mutter, "Well, Harry Potter isn't going to have any difficulties being part of this family if they're all as enthusiastic as Devdan."

When the papers were signed, Harry and the Yamatato-Patels left. That evening, the parents had a talk with Harry.

"Since you're now our son, please call us 'mum' and 'dad', Harry," said Professor Yamatato-Patel. "At least in private. In class, you can still call me Professor."

Harry nodded, then realized that there was a matter that he hadn't brought up before. "Will I have to convert to Hinduism, Professor, I mean Mum?"

"Of course not!" exclaimed Professor Y. "Not unless you want to, Harry."

"We won't force you to believe in reincarnation or karma or worship the Hindu dieties or believe that the cow is sacred or anything else," said Mr. Patel. "You haven't been brought up in the Hindu faith, after all. Just behave properly and be a good brother to Devdan and Mari and we'll be happy."

Now that he was part of the family, Harry got over his crush on Mari very quickly. She was now his adopted sister, after all, and if he persisted in the crush, it would border on incest, even though they weren't blood relations.

Quidditch practices resumed and Harry had less time to focus on his schoolwork. In addition, Devdan kept begging him to spend time with him. On weekends, Harry was free to do so, but he couldn't during the school week, not unless he wanted to fall behind on his work or skip Quidditch practices.

All Devdan wanted to do with his free time was go flying, play Aurors and Death Eaters, pretend to be pirates, or have mock duels with plastic swords. Since all this was stuff Harry might have played if he'd had a proper childhood, he was quite willing to spend time with Devdan and play with him. It made up for Harry's lost childhood. As time progressed, Devdan insisted on spending more time flying, and badgered Harry to give him tips on becoming a better flyer and Seeker.

Harry also enjoyed having Professor and Mr. Yamatato-Patel as his adopted parents, though it did take awhile before he was used to calling them 'mum' and 'dad'. It was harder with the professor, for he had spent five months thinking of her as his Herbology teacher and Head of House. He still went to Remus for advice, but now he also spent some time in the evenings with his adopted parents, talking to them about school and other things.

If his parents were still alive, Harry had no doubt they would be very much like the Yamatato-Patels. Wherever his parents were, he was certain they were looking down at him and pleased that he had adopted parents that were there to look after him in their place.