Authors Note: I do not own any of these characters except for Prism. She was created by me. The rest of the characters belong to the literary Goddess, J.K. Rowling. And yes, if the first couple of paragraphs look familiar, it's because you have (if you've read OoTP). It's in that one chapter were… he dies…. It's so sad! They have to bring him back! They just have to! Contains OotP spoilers. If you haven't read the book and like surprises then go back. NOW! J/k. Now in this story we can just pretend that Hermione and Ron didn't know about… /his/ death. *tears up* Sorry if this is messed up. I'm kinda new at this. I think the rating is staying the same unless if I decide to do a major plot twist. Which… ya' never know.
Chapter One: Coming to Reality
''Some that have died deserved life. Yet some that live deserve death. But can you give it to them?.... All you have to decide, is what to do with the time that is given to you."
-Gandalf-
Harry watched anxiously as Sirius dueled with Bellatrix even though he knew what the outcome was going to be. Sirius ducked avoiding another jet of light from Bellatrix's wand.
"Come on! You can do better than that!" He was laughing at her. His laughter echoed off the walls. Then he watched as Bellatrix shot another spell from her wand. This time it hit Sirius in the middle of the chest. Bellatrix shouted with triumph as Sirius' laughter died. He gracefully fell to the floor eyes still wide with shock and slid through the black veil hanging off the arch in the diased room.
"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled, "SIRIUS!"
Sirius was just behind the curtain. He, Harry, would pull him out. He reached the smooth stone floor only to be grabbed round the chest by Remus Lupin, holding him back.
"There's nothing you can do Harry-"
"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!"
"It's too late, Harry-"
"We can still reach him-"
Harry struggled uselessly against the strong arms of Lupin, but Lupin would not let him go....
"There's nothing you can do, Harry...nothing... He's gone."
"NO!" Harry screamed waking up. He sat up in his bed at Number Four Privet Drive and slowly lowered his right arm. He sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. He heard distance thuds against the walls. "Crap, just what I need." he thought to himself, "Okay, Harry. Brace yourself." he closed his eyes tight making stars appear in them. BANG! The bedroom door slammed open unhinging itself slightly and a very angry Vernon Dursley appeared in the way.
"What is all this ruckus? This'll be the third time this ruddy week!"
Harry said nothing. Just glared down at his sheets.
"What is with you boy? Huh?! What is it? Do you live to make your aunt and I miserable?"
"Maybe," Harry thought to himself smiling slightly.
"Or... what's this? The boy is smiling Petunia. Smiling."
Harry immediately reset his face as Petunia and Dudley Dursley appeared alongside Vernon.
"What's wrong Harry?" Petunia asked yawning. Vernon stood there with his mouth open staring down at his wife.
Harry's eyes widened. Who was this person and what have they done with his Aunt? Usually if Vernon was yelling, Petunia was either (a) yelling right along with him, (b) glaring at him evily and pursing her lips, or (c) all of the above. Could this be that she was being understanding? Caring? Never before had she said his name. It was always "come here boy" or "Potter!" or "you."
"Nothing... it was just... just a nightmare."
"Hm... Are you sure?"
"Yes ma'am. Quite sure."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Who is this woman?!" "Um... no... no thank you ma'am."
"All right then. Vernon, shall we just go back to bed?"
"Bu... bu, bu, bu,...." Vernon stuttered moving his hand between Harry and Petunia.
"Goodnight then Harry." she ended looping her arm through Vernons and dragging him out of the door and turning around to shut it as much as she could.
Harry waited until the Dursley's footsteps fell silent and snoring once again resounded from the doorway across the hall. "What the hell was that about?" he asked addressing no one in particular. "Who the hell was that? Hedwig!" He ran over to the window to retrieve the snow owl that was clutching a mouse in her beak and a letter attached to her outstretched leg. "Have a good flight Hedwig?" Harry asked unattaching the letter. Hedwig set down her breakfast momentarily to give a weary hoot and nibble of affection, then picked up the mouse again and flew over to her cage. Harry quickly recognized Hermione's neat penmanship on the address. Nervously he opened the letter.
August 18
Dear Harry,
How is your summer coming along? Mine is going along fairly well. Next week we are to depart for Paris, France. Have.... you got anything planned this summer? Mum says you're more than welcome to come with us. We won't be back until the start of term, which is, excitingly, a week from now. Ron is already attending. Oh, please say you'll come Harry. I don't want to be left alone with Ron for the rest of the summer. Ask your Aunt and Uncle. Hopefully they'll allow you to come. I don't know why we're going. Now that V-Voldemort's returned I don't see why mum would want to travel but perhaps it would relieve some of the surrounding stress that has been pressed upon us. Have you gotten your O.W.L.'s yet? I'll have to write about mine (or show them to you) in my next letter (or when we go to France). I've heard that Ron has been practicing. Fred and George have written me (strangely) saying that they practice almost daily with their brooms and a football. Evidently he's not dropping it near as much now. Although they'd have to bewitch the yards to sing "Weasley is our King" in order to push some of the necessary stress upon him. Their joke shop is coming along quite well. Maybe we could check it out next time in Diagon Alley. Anyway write back about France. Mum will need to know as soon as possible so she'll be able to book your ticket. Hopefully they'll allow you to come. Well, talk to you soon!
Yours Truly,
Hermione Granger
PS
How's Snuffles?
Harry ended the letter folding up and re-unfolding it again to read the last line. "How's Snuffles?" He felt a pang of guilt to realize that he had not even told Ron and Hermione about Sirius. He himself was not ready to say those words. "Sirius is dead." just made it seem so... final. He looked out the still open window at the purplish-blue sky. A new day had begun. He closed his eyes as the morning fresh air blew in on his face. Then a face appeared inside his head. The face was smiling. Brown, sparkling eyes, and long shaggy brown hair. Sirius' mouth opened in silent, rarely heard, laughter. Harry wanted to turn back time. Re-live every single moment he had with Sirius. The jokes, the lovable old stray that dared to hide out in Hogsmeade to get closer to Harry. He just couldn't bring himself to say the words. Then as quickly as the happy face of Sirius appeared, it banished. Nothing more than a memory. Harry opened his eyes and peered sadly out at the now orange sky. Three years ago, he remembered, I saw Sirius for the first time. That night as I flagged down the night bus. He was checking up on me. Not as a human but as a shaggy dog. Then he laughed silently to himself as he remembered how he thought it was the Grim and how he thought death was upon him every time Sirius appeared anywhere near him. And now.... he added the laughs dying, I will never see him again. He then retreated to his trunk and retrieved a small photo album. He flipped it to the page of his parents wedding. There standing at his fathers side was Sirius. The photo of Sirius smiled and waved up at him. Harry felt his eyes sting and he smiled weakly and waved back. The smiling Sirius stopped and looked up at him with worry written on his face. Harry very gently shut the album upon the worried Sirius and decided to retreat outdoors.
It was very early and wet inside his aunts flower bed. A mosquito buzzed annoyingly around his ear. Harry watched as old Mrs. Figg turned the corner with her walking stick and carpet bag. Harry stood up on his knees actually hoping to catch her eye. She stopped and waved excitingly at him with an old wrinkled hand. He waved back and allowed the old lady to continue with her business. Just last summer Harry had learned that he was being watched by Mrs. Figg, who was a squib. This rekindled a respect for the old woman. Harry flopped back into the damp soil and watched as a lizard scuttled out of his way. The sun was just peeking through a cloud near the horizon. Banging came from inside the house and then a big flump sound floated out the open window and over Harry's head. His lovely cousin was up. Actually since the previous summer when he, Harry had saved Dudley's life, Dudley had lightened up a bit. Clattering of pots and pans were heard from the kitchen. Slowly Harry stood up out of the moist soil and walked around to the back door by the kitchen. His aunt was standing at the stove cracking open eggs into warm skillet. Silently he opened it and tip toed over to the refrigerator.
"Good morning Harry." Aunt Petunia said not looking away from her skillet.
"Good morning."
"Did you sleep okay after you had that nightmare?"
"Er- yes ma'am. Thank you.", he lied.
"Mmhmm. Did you receive any letters lately?"
"Urm- yes ma'am."
"Really? From who?"
"My friend. Hermione Granger. Aunt Petunia, may I ask you something?"
"Yes of course. What is it?" she said wiping her hands on her apron and turning to face Harry.
"Um, Hermione was wondering... well her family is going on a trip to Paris.... and she was wondering maybe.... if.... if I could go with her."
Petunia bit her lip thoughtfully. "Yes, I suppose that would be fine." she then dropped her voice to a whisper. "Just don't tell Vernon. He's always wanted to visit France." Then winking at him she turned back around and continued to cook breakfast which was weird in itself.
"Thank you ma'am." Harry then hurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his bedroom. He got out a piece of parchment and his quill.
August 21
Dear Hermione,
My aunt says it's okay if I come along to France with you. This is going to be so much fun. I'll wait until I see you to talk about Snuffles. He.... hasn't written me lately. And I don't think it would be safe to talk about that here not with You- know- who back. Anyway, see you next week then!
Yours,
Harry
He closed the letter, and sealed it after re-reading it.
"Hedwig." he crooned over the top of his wardrobe, "Come here please."
She flew down and held her leg out to him.
"Can you take this to Hermione for me please? Be careful." he replied as she nibbled at his finger affectionately and flew out his open window. He sighed and sat back on his bed watching as her wings flapped out of sight.
He then thought glumly about the day ahead of him. It was to be filled with more bike riding, no doubt. Trying to out run Dudley's pack of cronies had became a recent and unpleasant ritual for him. Although Dudley, himself never beat Harry up, he never out lawed it to his little pack either. He, Harry, had confronted his cousin on this. The reply he got was, "Well, can't expect me to stop everyone beating up on you now can we? I have to up keep my personality and appearance you know.''
Yes he knew. He knew only too well. Dudley was one of the head weight boxing champions at his school. ''Wonder why?'' Harry thought amusedly to himself. Then he turned his thoughts upon the upcoming adventure.... or the girl he was taking it with. He couldn't remember how he had lived before he met Hermione Granger all he knew was he didn't like it. He knew however that he did like the hugs and pecks on the cheek she gave him. He thought that counted for /something/. But then again she did the same to Ron. But /he/ liked Hermione. And Ron just acted like Hermione was another friend so..... but then there was Cho, he liked her too, and she /definently/ seemed to like him back. If only he could talk to her without having to approach the subject of Cedric Diggory's death or face her crying... Harry quickly shook his head to clear his thought. It was just too confusing. Things would lay themselves out in due time. Hopefully they would lay them out the way he, Harry, wanted them too. His thoughts were interrupted by an angry "POTTER!"
He winced as his uncle bellowed his name and began to sulk down the stairs. "Yes sir," he mumbled as he stepped on the last step. Then he turned the corner to the den and was pleasantly surprised to see Hermione with rather straight hair.
"Hermione, what are you doing here?" he asked as Hermione ran up to him and embraced him tightly. His head began to spin, it just felt so good to know that he was ''loved'' by /someone/.
''Oh, Harry! I just couldn't leave you here for another week! I know how they treat you.'' she whispered.
"Actually it hasn't been that bad.''
''Are they ill?'' she asked raising an eyebrow.
''What? No, no... I'll explain later. Did you come by Floo-''
''No. We came the /normal/ way.'' she said smiling.
Oh that smile. That beautiful smile. That was the smile that sent his stomach into cart wheels.
''That's probably a good thing. You should have seen what happened back in Fourth year when the Weasley's traveled here by Floo Powder. And who's 'we'?"
"Oh, Me, my mother, and Ron of course.''
''Ron's here?!''
''Yes! He's just outside.''
''Boy.'' Uncle Vernon said.
Harry looked at him and he looked quite angry. His mustache was twitching and the large vein in his purple small yet large neck was poking through the skin and his hands were clenched tightly into fists.
''Oh yes, Hermione, this is my Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon, this is Hermione.''
''How do you-'' Hermione said offering a hand to Uncle Vernon. He quickly snatched his out of reach, "do?'' Hermione said smally, taking her hand back.
''Ve- Very fine thank you. Boy. What is going on?''
''Oh hello there. You must be Hermione Granger." Aunt Petunia said coming in and wringing Hermione's hand, ''Very nice to meet you. Are you taking Harry today?''
''Yes, ma'am.'' she said startled.
"Good. Well you've already met my husband.'', she noted to Vernon who was standing there, lips spread apart in awe, ''Oh Vernon stop gawking! It's impolite. Hermione would you like some tea?"
''Um... no thank you. My mother is expecting me back in the car.''
''Oh your mother's here?! Oh, well I'll just go and introduce myself. Harry pack your things and you may leave.'' she said bustling out of the house.
''Yes ma'am.'' Harry said. That was quite a sight. Uncle Vernon, Harry, and Hermione standing gawking at the open door Aunt Petunia just left through.
''I'll just... go pack then.'' Harry said. His eyes grew wide as Vernon turned around and glared at him.
''I'll- go help him.'' Hermione said, then she linked her arm with his and ran up the stairs, Harry in tow.
"Man. I feel like I just walked into a prison. Oh, no offense.'' Hermione said walking into his room with the prison style door and the single square opening through which meals where pushed through.
Harry chuckled, ''None taken, trust me, none taken. Now I just gotta pack.'' he said walking over to his wardrobe and pulling clothes and, without taking them off the hangers, jamming them into his trunk.
"Harry!''
''What?''
''You can't pack like that!'' she said racing over to the trunk and pulling out all those clothes, ripping them off the hangers and folding each one identically like the other.
Harry walked over to her and grabbed her hands, holding them close to his chest. ''I guess this is due time.'' he thought to himself.
''What? What's this?'' Hermione said edging closer to him.
''Don't do that.''
''But... why? Oh Harry, your clothes are going to get wrin-'' she was stopped by Harry's finger.
''Shhh. You remind me of my Aunt, and that's not a good thing.'' he said, then he kissed her lightly.
''-kled.'' she answered as he let her go, "What was that for?"
''Can I confess something to you?"
"Of course Harry. You can trust me.''
''I've, um... I've liked you ever since the fourth year.'' I think, he thought to himself.
''You have? I've liked you ever since second.''
''Really?''
''Yes.''
''Wow. So we're...''
''Yeah I guess we're....''
''Let's not tell Ron about this.''
''Yeah, I don't think he'd deal with it well.''
"Probably not. Well we shouldn't keep him waiting.''
''Yeah...''
''Not tell Ron about what?'' Ron said coming in the door, ''Hiya, Harry!''
''Ron. It's wonderful to see you here.'' he said quickly dropping Hermione's hands.
''Thanks. Listen, mate, I just passed your uncle coming up the stair. He looks like a wound rhinoceros.''
''I would take /that/ as an improvement. Usually he just looks like a pig.''
The three of them laughed and continued packing. Once his books, parchment, ink, quills, clothes, robes, and wand were tucked securely in his trunk they walked down the stairs. Ron and Harry carried the trunk and Hermione carried Hedwig's cage and Harry's Firebolt.
''So mate. How's your summer been?'' Ron asked as they walked past a very agitated, still glaring Uncle Vernon.
''Aw, it's been pure torture Ron. Pure torture. I think I would have been better if I was hanging by my thumbnails in Filch's dungeons.'' Harry replied after walking out of the house.
"Oh, I don't know mate. That sounds pretty painful.'' Ron said rubbing his thumbs.
"Yeah, well, Uncle Vernon's is acting like a Rotweiler that's smelled blood, and my cousin's /still/ beating me up. Although it's better now.'' he ended smiling at Hermione.
''But you saved his life!" Hermione said shifting the owl cage under her arm.
''Yeah. Tell him that. And my Aunt.... man she's acting really weird lately.''
''How can you say that? I think she's a rather nice lady.''
''Exactly.'' Harry replied to Hermione.
''Oh. Mum, this is Harry. Harry, this is my mum.''
"Hello Mrs.Granger.'' he said offering her a hand.
''Hello Harry. Hermione's told us so much about you.'' she replied taking it.
''Really?'' he said looking at Hermione who smiled shyly.
''It's so nice to have someone not gawking at my scar.'' he thought to himself. "Thank you for taking me to France with you Mrs.Granger.''
''Oh, it's nothing, my husband just got premoted. From what Hermione's told us you've been a great friend to her. Well come on, let's get your stuff situated here.'' she said stepping to the trunk of the car and opening it, "Let's put your trunk in first. Yes, there you go. Now the broom, and the bird cage can go in the front seat. Good. I think we're ready. Good bye Petunia. We'll have to get together sometime and have one of those Tupperware parties.''
''Oh yes we will. Good bye Harry. You have a good year.''
''Thank you Aunt Petunia. Good bye.'' he said ducking into the back seat of the car between Hermione and Ron.
''Everybody ready then. Here we go.''
''So Harry. Did you get your O.W.L.'s yet?'' Hermione asked.
''Yes, I did.''
''How many did you get?''
''Eleven.''
''That's rather good. Ron?''
''Ten.''
''Great job!''
''What about you then?'' Ron asked taking a chocolate frog out of his pocket. ''I know you're just dying to tell us.''
''I got twelve.''
''Really? Full house. Congratulations.'' Harry said.
''Thanks. It is better than what I expected.''
"Really- Uh, Harry. Is that Hedwig?" Ron asked.
''What? No, that's nonsense. Hedwig's at my house.'' Hermione said.
''No, it can't be Hed- Hedwig!'' Harry exclaimed looking at the bird flying along outside his window. He quickly rolled down the window and watched her swoop in and land on his leg. ''I'm sorry Hed. I didn't see ya' there. Forgive me?'' Hedwig nibbled at his finger and closed her eyes.
''Speaking of owls, Harry. Has... Snuffles written lately?" Ron asked pulling a chocolate frog out of his pocket. He and Hermione leaned in to Harry to listen.
''I didn't tell you did I?'' Harry replied glumly.
''Harry, what? You didn't tell us what?" Hermione said.
''Remember that night... at the ministry..." he paused and watched his friends nod, "Well... Lupin, Moody, Tonks, and Sirius showed up there along with Professor Dumbledore....''
''And...'' Ron said chomping the head off of his Chocolate Frog.
''Sirius fought Bellatrix. You remember her? The one who...''
''...did /that/ to Neville's folks, yes we remember. To the point Harry!'' Ron said impatiently.
''Well...'' he paused a moment and sighed as if he was finally coming to reality.
"What mate? Out with it!'' Ron exclaimed again.
''She... she killed him.''
''Killed... who, Harry?'' Hermione said numbly.
''Sirius.... Sirius is dead.''