Hey all! Sorry if there is any grammer mistakes here; my e-mail isn't working so my beta can't send them to me. (Correction. My e-mail works on every computer BUT MY OWN AT HOME!) -sigh- I hate technology.
Anyway, I hope you like!
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Harmony Potter laughed at her godfather, Sirius Black, as he was dangled by his ankle in the air. Remus Lupin, the caster of the certain spell that currently had Sirius swept off his feet (please excuse the lame joke) tried to keep a straight face as he taught Harmony the spell.
Because of all the wards over Grimmauld Place Harmony was able to perform magic without being sent a letter from the Ministry of Magic. Although Remus thought she should only use magic if it was really need. Sirius had talked him into teaching Harmony some of the spells that they used in some of their pranks in school.
Remus had smiled evilly, his brown eyes sparkling with the same mischief that almost always shown in Sirius'. "Okay, only if I get to choose the spell and you get to me the dummy."
Sirius had readily agreed and here they were now.
"Let me down!" exclaimed Sirius shaking his fist upside-down at Remus.
"Okay, you asked for it," said Remus in a warning tone. He lifted the spell suddenly and Sirius fell to the ground in a heap. Remus and Harmony broke into full blown laughter as Sirius stood up grumbling under his breath.
Harmony was sure the she heard the words, "Ungrateful children," and "Bloody werewolves."
Remus just shrugged and turned to Harmony. "So Harmony, are your friends coming tomorrow?" he asked. Harmony nodded, just remembering. It was her birthday tomorrow and Sirius said that Cedric and Hermione could over for a celebration. Then Hermione was going to be staying for the rest of the summer. (Harmony had already had to go over to the Grangers for a day trip. She had to take Mrs. Granger up on that offer of 'girl time' recently. No. Bloody. Comment.)
The thought of her birthday made her heart swell. She was going to be a teenager!
Sirius must of noticed her fogged over eyes, because he laughed and put a hand on her shoulder. "Ah, looks like our Harmony is growing up. Soon she'll be a teenage girl. Oh the nightmares I will have. In fact, they've already started," said Sirius with a wink, Harmony blushed. "Not only that, but they also include hormonal teenage boys - and trust me - I know their type."
Sirius grabbed her chin and moved her head so her eyes were to his. "That being said, you are not allowed to date until you're twenty - at least!"
Harmony shook her head out of his hand and rolled her eyes, ("See! The eye rolling has begun!" exclaimed Sirius.) "Sirius! Stop it! I can handle my own, you know that," sighed Harmony exasperated.
Sirius put his hands to chin thoughtfully, Remus followed the suit. "You know, she has a point," begun Remus.
"Yes, I concur," said Sirius adjusting fake glasses. "I wouldn't want to be the guy that gets on the wrong side of this girl."
"Like he would stand a chance against someone who has faced Voldemort three times," said Remus.
"And has killed a basilisk and battled a mountain troll," added Sirius. "I pity the man."
Harmony stood up and put her hands on her hips, (Sirius and Remus cowered in mock fear.) "Now if you will excuse me," said Harmony narrowing her eyes. "I'm going to read my book on animagi. You promised that after I read the book through five times you would start teaching me how to become one. I'm on number four." Then she turned on her heal and walked up the stairs.
The moment Harmony's door was shut she burst out laughing as she walking to her desk. She picked up the book and fell onto the bed. When she first arrived at Grimmauld place Sirius had taken her to this room and asked her what she wanted it to look like, Harmony had thought of it for a few minutes then finally came to a decision.
The room was pretty large and she had a twin size bed. In the far corner of the room was a book case full of all her books - muggle and magic - and she had a desk for her school work. The colors she chose was purple and black - not only were those her house colors, but also her favorites. The bed spread was a mixture of Maximus purple (a very dark purple), black and a light purple. Her four walls alternated the two shades of purple and the carpet was pure white. The bookcase and desk were black; inside the desk Harmony had even bought some purple stationary to send to her friends.
Over all, it was the room she always wanted but never had at the Dursleys.
Harmony turned the page and started on chapter twenty. She had been so excited when Sirius gave her this book at the beginning of the summer! Him and Remus said that they all read the book at least five times before moving on to the next stage of becoming an animagus, so she had to do the same. Harmony had agreed in a heart beat.
The summer so far had been even better than the last. Remus and Sirius together was almost dangerous, even Remus, who was much more mature than Sirius, became like a teenager around his old friend. Harmony didn't really mind this, it was funny to watch. Although she had to play referee a few times . . .
And the best part about this summer: Not yet was there any crazy house-elves, plots to kill her or any secrets to keep.
Yeah, life was good.
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Harmony was having a wonderful dream. In other words, one of Sirius' nightmares. It involved Cedric and a dark corner of the library . . . suddenly a heavy weight fell on her legs and stomach. The sound of laughter met her ear before she even opened her eyes, when she did the sight that she saw so wasn't one she was expecting.
Cedric was lying on her legs and Hermione was on top of her stomach, both of them laughing. "Getoffme!" exclaimed Harmony, it coming out drowsy. More laughter came to her right side and she turned to see Sirius and Remus. "You four are so dead!"
Cedric and Hermione climbed off the bed, still laughing. They stood next to Sirius and Remus, still laughing as well, and they all broke out into the birthday song full of giggles. Harmony smiled despite being woken up at an early time (for her, anyways. 9 o'clock wasn't too early.)
She threw the covers off her and hugged each of them.
"It's no problem, Harmony," assured Sirius. "Now why don't you get dressed and come down stairs when you're done. We'll be waiting!" Harmony looked down at her clothes and blushed, her pajama bottoms were pretty short shorts and her top showed off her stomach. (Big surprise, they were purple!)
Harmony shooed them out, all but Hermione who wanted to help her pick out her outfit for today. Sirius, Remus and Cedric all left muttering about girls - until Harmony and Hermione threw pillows at them.
Harmony and Hermione walked downstairs about thirty minutes later. Harmony took a quick shower while Hermione explored her bedroom, she really liked the colors as well. Hermione told her to stick with the colors for the day; she and Harmony agreed on a pair of black jeans and a purple top along with a small black tie. All of this was required in Hot Topic, easily Harmony's favorite muggle store. She had found it just a month ago when Sirius had taken her into Muggle London to get some new clothes, she had outgrown all her other things. The funniest thing was that Sirius liked a few of the things the dark store sold.
The last thing Harmony had put on was the locket from Cedric, at which time Hermione teased her for the second summer in a row.
When they arrived downstairs the three males had already started on their breakfast, Cedric had looked up briefly and smiled shyly at her. Harmony noticed he was wearing the t-shirt she had gotten him at Hot Topic as an early birthday present. While Cedric was going into his fifth year he was going to be sixteen on October 21. You had to be eleven by September first to entered Hogwarts so Cedric had to wait a whole year before going, thus making him one of the oldest in his year.
The t-shirt in question was black, big surprise, and said: "Friends help you move, Read Friends help you move the body." She had laughed at this because he said something very similar during her first year. "Friends help you with homework, Real friends help you fight a mountain troll." (Although she couldn't find this! What kind of store were they running?)
After breakfast they went outside and played a game of quidditch, Remus and Sirius on one team and Harmony and Cedric on the other. Hermione said she would just watch from the side lines. Since there were only two people on each team there was no one defending the single goal and no snitch was released, both members were Chasers.
Harmony and Cedric beat the old geezers' butts by twenty points. They were taunting them on the way inside for lunch, which also had Harmony's birthday cake. The group sang 'Happy Birthday' to her again and she blew out the candles.
Hermione smiled and said, "So, how's it feel to be a teenager?" she asked. Like Cedric she had a birthday after school started, in September, so she was already thirteen.
Harmony smiled evilly. "It's great, in fact . . ." she looked at Sirius. "Sirius told me I could have a boyfriend if I wanted!"
Sirius narrowed his eyes, "I said no such thing!"
Harmony pouted, "Really? From the impression I got last night you thought I could handle myself against them and I'd be just fine. Right?"
Sirius opened and closed his mouth, he looked like an overgrown fish. Hermione was giggling behind her hand and Cedric was looking at Harmony with a bemused expression on his face. Finally Sirius' face hardened, "You little Slytherin, you're twisting my words around."
Harmony eyes lit up, "Well, I am 1/4 Slytherin, so I'm entitled to. Along with my biting sarcasm."
Sirius didn't know what to say, Remus was behind his best friend and like Hermione was trying to stop the gulfs of laughter threatening to break loose. Finally, Sirius sighed and said, "Let's just open presents now."
Harmony smiled, "I win this round!" she said in a sing song voice. Sirius moved his hand in a talking action.
First Harmony opened Sirius' gift, it was an old piece of folded paper. What? She looked at Sirius with raised eyebrows, he and Remus were smiling like idiots. He took it from her and pulled out his wand, he tapped the paper with his wand and said clearly, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Suddenly ink started to spread out from the tip of Sirius' wand like little spider webs. Finally the top revealed green words:
Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
are proud to resent
THE MARAUDER'S MAP
"What - " Harmony broke off suddenly. This was the map that Sirius had told her about! But, that was impossible, Fred and George Weasley had the map.
"I know," said Sirius happily. "See, when the twins fount out I was a Marauder they gave me the map back. I thought I would keep it until you were of suitable age." His eyes softened slightly. "James would have wanted you to have it."
Harmony shot out of her chair and hugged her godfather tightly. "Thank you," she whispered, tears in her eyes.
When they separated Sirius showed her how to clear the map, "Mischief managed!"
Next Harmony opened Remus' present, it was many muggle books that she had put on a list for him when he asked. (Including the series Daughters of the Moon by Lynne Ewing and Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and all the books by Scott Westerfeld, including the Uglies trilogy, So Yesterday and Peeps and it's sequel.) Then Hermione's present was the CD's she asked for, she had bought the CD player and a few other CD's when they were at Hot Topic. Since Sirius was useless when it came to Muggle things and Remus wasn't much better she decided to keep the technology buying to Hermione.
Cedric shyly handed Harmony his gift, which was wrapped in purple wrapping paper. Harmony unwrapped it and smiled broadly. It was another journal, the one Hermione gave her before was filled now, but this one was very different. It had snitches on the cover, and on the paper there was music notes.
"I hope you like it," said Cedric rubbing the back of his neck, something he always did when he was nervous.
'Why is he nervous?' Harmony asked herself. 'It can't be because he likes me. No. It's just . . . he sent his present last time. He didn't have to see my reaction then. Yes, that's it.'
"You see, it can never be filled up," explained Cedric. "It's charmed so the papers never end and it stays the same size that it is now. Also, when you sign your name on the 'This Belongs To' line the diary recognizes you whenever you open it. No one else can read it unless you open it first."
"Thanks, Cedric," said Harmony standing up and hugging him tightly. "Come on, Hermione, Cedric, let's go upstairs. I want to put my presents away." The trio traveled up the stairs, when they arrived in Harmony's room Cedric shut the door looking a little grim.
"Harmony," he said, then cleared his throat. "I didn't really want to be the one to tell you this, but I don't think Sirius and Remus have yet, so . . . "
"What?" asked Harmony putting her new books away in her bookshelf.
Cedric sighed and pulled something out of his pocket, it was a newspaper clipping. He handed it to Harmony and she looked down on it quizzically, she started to read.
PETTIGREW EXCAPES!
Azkaban prison has had itself another breakout. Peter Pettigrew, who was just placed in Azkaban two years ago, escaped sometime on the 29th or 30th of July. He was discovered outside his cell late last night, the 30th. Aurors have been sent out to find Pettigrew, who is very dangerous. We have also put the Muggle World on alert, saying that Pettigrew is armed with a gun (something that Muggles use to kill each other with) and the police (a Muggle Auror) should be contacted if seen.
To learn more on the charges Pettigrew was placed in Azkaban for, see page 5. . .
Harmony bit her lip and reread the article again. "Oh no," she mumbled. "Why, why, why? Why does the rat have to escape now! Or ever!" She threw the article down on her desk. "How in the world did he do it?"
Hermione spoke up, "He is a rat animagus, and even though they knew that and tried to prevent it there is only so much they can do. A rat is just so small and can fit anywhere."
"I'm sorry, Harmony," said Cedric putting a hand on her shoulder.
Harmony nodded slowly. "I wonder why they haven't told me yet," she said bitterly.
"Harmony, I'm sure they were going to . . ." started Cedric.
Hermione finished for him, "It's just that, the article just came out this morning and it's your birthday. Sirius and Remus didn't want to bother you with it today."
Harmony nodded, "Yeah, I guess you're right," said Harmony slowly.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Harmony," assured Cedric putting his arm around her and hugging her to him. "Aurors are out looking for him, and so it the muggle world, he won't be able to hide long." She nodded and smiled sadly.
"Okay," she sighed finally. "I guess I shouldn't be like this on my birthday," Harmony smiled and threw her arm around Cedric then her other around Hermione. "Come on, let's go and get that cake with my name on it."
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Cedric left sometime around eight, and Harmony and Hermione disappeared up to her room to gossip and laugh. Sirius came by around 2 o'clock pounding on the door telling them to go to bed.
The rest of the summer pasted by, Sirius and Remus had finally told Harmony that Pettigrew had escaped. She had pretended like she just found out, too.
Anyway, Hermione stayed in the room next to Harmony's though she spent most of the day in Harmony's. Sirius and Remus stayed clear of the teens for the most part, Sirius had even joked about it. "Yeah, now we're only here to give you food. It's like clock work."
The girl had rolled their eyes at this, of course, like any self respecting teen would do.
Harmony and Hermione finished all their homework. The Transfiguration essay Hermione helped Harmony on, even though she was reading the animagus book which was advanced Transfiguration, Harmony always needed help on the subject. Potions, Charms and the rest of the subjects were finished although for the second summer in a row they didn't have any Defense Against the Dark Arts homework.
For the first summer they didn't have any because their teacher, Professor Quirrell, had the misfortune of dying. Served him right, seeing as he had Voldemort sticking on the back of his head. For this summer they didn't have any because Professor Dumbledore decided not to give them any. After Professor Lockhart, a totally fake writer, lost his memory the Headmaster took over the teaching position.
They didn't know who was going to be their Defense Against the Dark Arts teach for their third year, they just hoped that they didn't want to kill or erase their memories.
Harmony and Hermione received their Hogwarts letters two weeks before the start of term. Both were taking two extra classes each so they both qualified for time-turners, with their responsibility and grades. Hermione had wanted to take a few more, but Harmony convinced her to just take two. It would be enough pressure with two extras, let alone four!
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Finally September 1st rolled around once again. Hermione and Harmony were woken up around eight by Sirius, telling them to get their butts up. They grudgingly woke up and ate a quick breakfast, then getting anything packed that they had forgotten the night before.
Harmony asked where Remus was, he was usually up before Sirius but he was nowhere to be seen today. Sirius had answered vaguely. "Oh, you'll see."
The group of three left at ten and arrived at Kings Cross station at ten thirty. Sirius hugged Harmony goodbye and hugged Hermione with one arm. The girls walked onto the train and started looking for a compartment. Harmony started to wonder what Sirius was talking about, "'Oh, you'll see'" and where was Remus? Harmony was pulled out of her musing from a sudden weight on her shoulders.
She turned to her side to see Cedric hanging his arm on her and his other on Hermione. "Hello, ladies!" he exclaimed. "Now, where shall we sit?"
"I don't know," said Hermione looking into a compartment. "It looks like there's only one left, there's someone in it and by the looks of it, he's an adult."
They nodded and walked in, in the corner was a man covered with a black tatty cloak . . . a cloak she wouldn't mistake anywhere. "Remus!" she whispered, shocked. The body stirred slightly, but stayed asleep.
"What's he doing here?" asked Harmony confused.
Cedric shrugged but Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "Isn't it obvious? He must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!" She sent them a smart smirk. "And the fact that his briefcase says Professor R.J. Lupin."
Cedric laughed and sat down next to Remus, careful not to wake him up. "Well, at least we know he's not going to kill you this year," joked Cedric.
"Ha, ha. Funny," said Harmony sarcastically as she and Hermione sat down across from him. "But besides that, I bet this is going to be a good year. Remus is the greatest and he knows a lot about the subject."
At about 1 o'clock the food trolley came and Hermione suggested that they wake Remus up, Harmony had laughed and shaken her head. "Good luck trying, he's the soundest sleep I've ever seen. If he doesn't get a certain about of sleep then he won't be waken up from a nap so he can catch up on it." Hermione had nodded and the group bought many sweets.
That was when Draco Malfoy and his friends decided to make an entrance. Malfoy sneered, "Oh, look who it is, Potty, Diggy and the Mudblood."
"Like that will never get old," sneered Harmony back.
Remus gave a loud snort at this moment, making them all look at him.
"Who's that?" asked Malfoy.
"Oh, him?" asked Harmony innocently. "He's the new teacher, who just happens to be one of my dad's friends. He's like my uncle." Harmony smiled. "Now do you really want to try anything? Wouldn't really matter anyways, I can out sneer, sarcastic and insult you any day."
It looked like Malfoy was about to say something, but thought twice about it looking at Remus. Then he stormed out of the compartment, Crabbe and Goyle - his bodyguards - following him.
Harmony laughed as she sat back down. "Thank you, Remus."
Suddenly, the train started to slow down. "We can't be there yet," said Hermione checking her watch.
Harmony stood up and looked out the door, but the train stopped with a jolt and she fell back into her seat. The compartment door closed with a snap. Then all the lights turned off without warning.
"Ouch, Cedric!" said Hermione. "That was my foot."
"Do you think that we broke down?" asked Harmony.
"Not sure," said Cedric.
A moment later the compartment door opened and Neville Longbottom, a fellow member of the Maximus house, fell onto Harmony's legs. With a muttered, "Sorry," he sat down next to Cedric.
Next Hermione stood to go to the driver, but they heard two squeals of pain. Hermione had run into Ginny face first. Ginny went to sit down, but almost sat on Harmony.
"Quiet!" said a hoarse voice. Remus had woken up.
Harmony was going to ask him what was going on, but when he lit his wand she saw the serious look on his face and her mouth closed with a snap. Remus started walking to the door, but it opened before he could get to it.
The thing standing in the compartment door was in no way human. It was in black robes that were torn in many places and a decaying smell washed over Harmony. A hand was coming out of the arm of the robes and was resting on the door frame. It was scabbed and dead looking.
As if it sensed her the thing turned to Harmony, a cold waterfall washed over her and she was shivering. The thing drew a shallow breath, sucking up . . . something from the room. Harmony' eyes rolled in her head. She was so cold. And then, from far away, a scream. They were pleading. Harmony wanted to know who it was, who needed help, but someone was shaking her.
"Harmony! Harmony, wake up!" said another pleading voice, though not the one just a second ago.
Harmony opened her eyes, he glasses were off, but she could see many faces. Hermione was right over her, the one that was calling her name, Cedric was sitting on her other side and Ginny and Neville were hovering above her. Wait. Why was she on the floor?
Harmony sat up slowly with Hermione's help, Cedric handed her glasses to her. When Harmony put them back on she could feel the cold sweat on her face, she felt sick, too. Cedric and Hermione helped her back on her seat, she noticed Remus watching.
"Remus," she asked, her voice weak. "What was that? Who was screaming?"
"Harmony," said Cedric, looking pale. "No one was screaming."
"Yes, there was." insisted Harmony. "It was a woman, she was pleading or something . . ." Harmony sighed.
Remus was rummaging in his bag, he pulled out a large slab of chocolate and handed it to her. "Here, Harmony. Eat this, you'll feel better." Harmony took a bite, a warm feeling started at her finger tips and started working up.
"Thanks," she muttered. "What was that thing?"
Remus was giving chocolate to each of them. "That was one of the guards of Azkaban," sighed Remus. "A dememtor."
"A guard of Azkaban?" repeated Harmony.
Remus sighed and sat next to Harmony, putting an arm around her. "Yes, he was searching for Pettigrew." He stood again and opened the door to the compartment. "I'm going to have a word with the driver, please excuse me." The he left.
Hermione and Cedric explained what happened after Harmony had gone ridged and fell to the ground.
"Really? And did any of you fall of your seats?" asked Harmony.
They all nodded 'no', "But I felt like I would never be happy again," said Cedric. Everyone agreed.
Remus came in a few minutes later saying that they were going to be at Hogwarts in ten minutes.
Harmony looked out the dark window for the whole time. 'Well, it looks like the school year is off to a wonderful start.' she thought sarcastically.
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Yay! I just love to end the first chapter of every year with a sarcastic comment (although the first year had a sweet and fuzzy comment.)
Please review and wish me luck! I'm going to Spoken Word tonight. (It's a poetry slam thing.) And I'll be reading my totally crazy (really, It's titled The Voices) in front of people. Did I forget to mention that I don't do well in front of crowds? Well, I don't. Put me on stage in tap shoes and I do fine, but add public speaking and I'm lost!
