Tell No Lies

By Voltora

Authors Notes

Originally posted on fanfiction.net over 2001 and 2002, I have decided to re-post the entire fic after discovering numerous grammar and spelling mistakes.  Hopefully the majority of these mistakes have now been corrected.  Plot holes have also been filled in and loose ends tied up resulting in a greatly improved fic.

I'd like to thank Morgan D for writing to me, expressing equal parts praise and criticism for my original efforts.  No one can improve without fair criticism.  Thank you.

And this fic would be still be a grammar disaster area without my Beta, Lilupin.  You have a fantastic amount of patience to help me with my mistakes, though I have surely sent you round the bend with my appalling use of apostrophises.  Many apologies my friend!  I'll get the hang of them … eventually. 

My heartfelt thanks to you both.

 ~ Dedicated to the memory of Shirley Bowman, mentor and friend who left us on 5th January 03.  You always asked I was getting on with this; your support meant so much to me, more than you'll know.  We'll all miss you dearly ~

Please note that this is a completed fic.  All chapters are ready for posting and will be posted twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Disclaimer

Harry Potter belongs to Joanne Kathleen Rowling. I am making no money from this. This work is simply a product of an insanely obsessed fan who likes to write in her spare time.

Any characters and places that you, as the reader, do not recognise from the books, are products of my own creation unless otherwise stated. Please ask if you wish to use them in your own fics.

Any similarity between this fic and any other that was posted before July 2002, is simply coincidental and non-intentional.

Summary

When Sirius falls for the new DADA professor, his relationship with his godson comes under threat. Meanwhile the Dark Forces seem to have disappeared and the Magical Community remains ignorant of the Dark Lord's return.

Timeline: Following on from Goblet of Fire.

Chapter One: Owl Post

Most teenagers love the summer holidays. Several, seemingly endless weeks to do anything and everything they can do to have fun, without the worry of school lurking at the end of every week.

But Harry Potter wasn't like most teenagers. He hated the way the summer dragged on and on; mainly because it meant returning to the Dursleys in Privet Drive. The Dursleys weren't any happier than Harry to see him back. As far as they were concerned, having a young wizard in the family was a matter of deepest shame; a secret that had to be concealed at all costs.

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia went to great lengths to hide their nephew's 'abnormality' by giving him housework and gardening to do to keep him occupied. But if company came round Harry was instantly confined to his small bedroom, which was fine with him. Any time spent away from his Medieval-Attitude Muggle relatives was bliss.

Over the past few years, the Dursleys had been enlightened to the fact that Harry, as an under-age wizard, could not perform magic outside of school. This information had brought them tremendous relief.

Not that this had stopped him from doing some by accident.

Harry had only returned to Privet Drive a week ago and already he was in trouble.

Uncle Vernon had organised a large garden party for some rather important business people. Uncle Vernon was hoping to get his company, Grunnings, associated with some larger companies. Aunt Petunia had bought an expensive new dress and had managed to persuade Dudley into wearing what had to be a very uncomfortable suit.

'Oh, doesn't Dudley look handsome?' Aunt Petunia had sighed lovingly once Dudley had squeezed his massive form into the hideous clothes.

Dudley scowled darkly.

His sleeves didn't quite reach his hands; the jacket couldn't stretch far enough around his bulging stomach to be buttoned up, and the trousers were threatening to split apart.

Clearly the diet that Dudley had been on last year either hadn't worked, or Dudley had not been following it at all. The latter was the most obvious conclusion but Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were adamant that the 'good-for-nothing' diet had done nothing more than depress their perfect little angel, who should thus be fawned over more than ever to make up for it.

So Dudley had proceeded to gorge himself whenever he wasn't asleep. He was now so wide that he kept banging into doorframes, no matter how he tried to manoeuvre his waistline through them.

Harry was ordered to stay in his bedroom all day, which didn't bother him at all. He'd put up with this sort of treatment for years and the Dursleys' attitude towards him was unlikely to ever change in the slightest.

Harry was sat at his desk, working on his Potions essay. Professor Snape had assigned an eight-foot long essay on naturally occurring poisons and their antidotes. He was skimming the pages of Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, when a loud high-pitched scream shattered the silence.

Dropping his eagle feather quill and blotting his parchment, Harry leapt up, hurried to the window and looked down into the garden.

Aunt Petunia was shrieking at the top of her lungs as two owls swooped low over her head, hooting loudly. Uncle Vernon was flapping his arms like a headless chicken, trying to shoo the birds away. Dudley had obviously been taken by surprise with the birds sudden appearance because he was lying on his back, having fallen backwards off his chair, and was waving his arms and legs around in a feeble attempt to get up, crying for help. The six smartly dressed guests, whom Harry assumed were the 'important business people' his uncle had mentioned, were all backing away rather quickly from the scene of madness. Many of them stared in disbelief and horror as the owls dived down on the Dursleys again and again, screeching loudly.

One of the owls was a large, beautiful snowy female; Hedwig. She was Harry's own post-owl and clearly agitated that she couldn't get into the house to deliver Harry's post, due to the fact that his bedroom window was locked.

The other owl was small, dark and zooming round and round in tight circles, screeching continuously. This owl went by the name of Pig and belonged to Ron Weasley.

Deciding that he'd better do something quick, Harry grabbed a wire coat hanger, bent it out of shape and began to pick the lock on the window. Uncle Vernon must have locked it once Hedwig had left a few days ago, Harry thought angrily.

Chancing a glance at the mayhem below, Harry's heart leapt up into his throat.

Uncle Vernon had made a wild snatch and grabbed Hedwig out of the air. She shrieked in fear as Uncle Vernon held her tight, almost choking her!

Harry felt a hot wave of anger surge through him, and almost immediately, Uncle Vernon gave a startled yell, releasing Hedwig who quickly flew high into the air. The reason he had let the owl go was that the table bearing all of Aunt Petunia's beautifully prepared food had just shot several feet up into the air, spinning madly. At once, Uncle Vernon's sharp eyes snapped up to Harry's window, his great ruddy face turning a nasty shade of purple.

Harry gulped.

Bowls of salad, mini trifles, ice cream, baked potatoes and bread rolls flew off the table and hurled themselves at the terrified guests as they raced into the house. Aunt Petunia screamed louder than ever - until a large slice of melon shot into her mouth, muffling the noise. Dudley, still stuck on his back like a turtle, torn between fright and his compulsive desire to eat, opened his mouth as wide as possible in the hopes of catching some of the flying food while it pelted him mercilessly.

Harry stared as Uncle Vernon, plastered with food from head to toe, ran to Aunt Petunia, pulled her over to Dudley, heaved their massive son back onto his feet, and then ran for the safety and shelter of the house. Once they had disappeared from sight, the floating food and table fell to earth with a loud crash.

Hedwig and Pig had settled themselves in next doors apple tree when the food fight had begun and where now peering cautiously through the leaves at Harry's window. Harry gave the wire a last twist, heard the lock click and shoved the window wide open.

Hedwig spread her wings and glided through the window, followed by Pig a few seconds later. They dropped two parchment envelopes onto Harry's bed. Pig fluttered across the room to Hedwig's cage and helped himself to some water from her tray. Hedwig settled herself on Harry's shoulder, rubbing against him lovingly.

'Are you all right, Hedwig?' Harry asked, stroking her soft plumage. 'Did my uncle hurt you?'

Hedwig hooted softly in response.

Next moment, the bedroom door was flung open so violently it bounced off the wall with an alarming bang. Uncle Vernon was breathing heavily like a winded rhino; his hands were clenching and unclenching in a dangerous, unsteady rhythm and his bloodshot eyes were bulging out of his puce coloured face. His mouth opened and closed several times, forming silent threats.

Harry stood there quite calmly, completely nonplussed.

Uncle Vernon stormed across the room towards him. Hedwig instantly flared her wings and let out a threatening hiss, as though daring him to come closer. Drawing up short, Uncle Vernon cast a wary eye over the large owl. Glaring murderous at his nephew, he finally found his voice.

'WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?' He roared, spraying Harry with spit. 'IF YOU OR THAT RUDDY OWL PUT EVEN ONE MORE TOE OUT OF LINE, I'LL -'

He continued to yell for nearly half an hour, threatening Harry with numerous punishments ranging from locking him up in the cupboard under the stairs for the rest of the summer, down to plucking out all of Hedwig's feathers one by one. But Harry knew very well that his uncle wouldn't follow through with any of these punishments because Harry had some very useful contacts that could turn up at any time and transform the Dursleys into warty toads if they suspected that Harry was being mistreated. And Uncle Vernon knew this very well.

Once he had shouted himself hoarse, Uncle Vernon marched back out of the room and slammed the door shut so hard that the windows rattled.

'I wonder if he can still do business with those people?' Harry said aloud. Hedwig gave a sharp hoot and shook her head firmly. Harry grinned. 'I didn't think so.'

Harry reached for one of his letters, glad that Uncle Vernon hadn't seen them and confiscated them. This had Ron's untidy scribble on it. Harry slit it open and pulled out the parchment.

Harry,

I know Dumbledore wanted you to go back to the Muggles for a while but one week with those gits is one week too long! You should come and stay with us for the summer. I've asked mum and dad already and they really want you to come.

I've asked Hermione but she's going to Bulgaria for a fortnight. You know, with Vicky!

Harry knew. Viktor Krum was an international Quidditch player and played Seeker for Bulgaria's National team. He had come to Hogwarts last year as part of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and had fallen for Hermione, Harry's other best friend. Krum had invited her to come and visit him over the summer before he had to return to Bulgaria. Clearly she had taken him up on the offer.

Let me know when you can come and we'll figure out a way to get you here!

See you soon I hope!

Don't let the Muggles get you down!

Ron.

Harry's spirits lifted considerably. He would give anything to stay with the Weasley's for the whole summer. The Dursleys would probably be glad to get rid of him.

Turning to the other envelope, he knew instantly that it was from Hermione. No one else he knew had such neat handwriting.

Dear Harry,

I do hope you're okay. You seemed rather down when I last saw you. Ron's invited me to stay but I'm in Bulgaria right now. The local history of the magical community is simply fascinating! But I have left all my homework, well, at home. Mum and Dad insisted that my trip should be a holiday, which means no schoolwork of any kind!

Harry laughed. Poor Hermione. Harry could just imagine her suffering from homework-withdrawal.

But I am having a lovely time with Viktor. I'll tell you all about it when I return. I hope my parents will allow me to stay with Ron when I get back. Hope to see you there!

Have a good holiday!

Love from Hermione.

P.S Have you heard from Sirius?

Harry sank onto the bed, no longer smiling.

Sirius Black was Harry's godfather. He was also an escaped convicted murder on the run unable to prove that he was innocent. He had used his Animagus ability to escape from Azkaban, to track down Peter Pettigrew who had framed him. But Pettigrew had managed to escape justice yet again, forcing Sirius to go on the run. Only Professor Dumbledore, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Remus Lupin, their former Defence against the Darks Arts professor and Sirius' old school friend, knew or believed in his innocence.

Since then, Harry and Sirius had kept in touch by owl-post, but over the past few weeks, Harry hadn't heard anything from his godfather at all. They had been together briefly at the end of the last school year but Sirius had to leave almost straight away due to Lord Voldemort's return. Professor Dumbledore had begun to take immediate action; he had asked Sirius to contact 'the old crowd', whoever they were. He'd left that very night and hadn't been in contact since.

Hedwig, sensing that Harry was feeling pretty down, hooted softly and settled down on his lap. Harry gentle stroked her, wondering. Harry had tried writing to Sirius but none of his letters had made it to him. Hedwig had brought each one back, seemingly ashamed of herself that she hadn't been able to locate him. Harry held Hedwig close, gazing blankly at the wall.

What was going on?

Where was Sirius?

*

To Be Continued

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