CHAPTER TWO- Old Friends (Harry's point of view)

I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. I just stared at the Stone. I could feel Ron's life force. his essence inside of that Stone. Finally, I pulled it close to my eye and looked hard. I saw nothing but blueness. I held it up to my ear but heard nothing. But there was something in there. Ron was in there. I put the Stone in my pocket and ran to Ron's desk. Wait, what was I doing? Jasmine was catching a PLANE back here. She couldn't come any sooner. Besides, it'd be almost time for her to leave by the time my letter reached her.

Hermione? No. I didn't feel like ruining her fun with Krum.

Peggy.? I had no clue where she was. I had no clue if she was good or evil. If she was lying or speaking the truth. If she could be trusted or not.

Sighing, I pulled the Stone from my pocket and flopped on my bed, trying to see in the Stone. I couldn't see or hear anything. but I could feel it.

Ron was definitely inside of that Stone. I had to write someone. Anyone.

And despite what Sirius said, I begun my letter to him.

***

Sirius looked up as Hedwig floated through his door, looking slightly dazed from the trip. She collapsed on his desk. Sirius threw his book down and ran over, feeling for life. She was still alive.

He revived her from her unconscious state and made food and drink appear which she gladly ate and drank. Sirius, in the mean time, untied the letter tied to her leg, throwing swear words at his godson the whole time.

Sirius,

I have the Stone of Power in my pocket as I write this. Also, it holds Ron's life force. If you have any idea how to free it WRITE ME ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harry

Swearing more at his godson with words that wouldn't even be suitable in R rated movies, he threw the piece of paper on the floor and pointed his wand.

"Incendio!" Flames burst from his wand and burned the paper to ashes. This wasn't enough for Sirius. "Cascadus Dropulus!" Drops of water fell onto the ash, until it began like mud. Sirius wasn't done yet. He scooped the ashy mud-like substance onto a piece of parchment and put a few sparks on the end of his wand, holding it close till the ash mud-substance dried. Next, Sirius began smashing it with his wand, making it into a powdery stuff. He took a fourth of it and flushed it down a toilet, another fourth of it he put into a mug of stale beer he had left on his dresser and stirred it till there was no sign of the powder. He then poured the beer down the sink. Then, he took the rest of the powder stuff and tipped it into a glass of water. He then dumped the glass of water on the floor and mopped it up with a towel, then rung the towel out into a bucket, then dumped the bucket into the sink. Most of it went down the drain, but some clung to the side.

Sirius mopped that up with a tissue, threw the tissue in the toilet and flushed again.

Satisfied there was no possible way anyone could ever find out what that letter had said, he went back into his living room where he saw three people.

Mr. Martin, Claire and. Sir.

Sir's arms were folded and his steel gray eyes looked even more steely then usual. "Going to a lot of trouble to conceal a letter, Mr. Black."

"I h-have no idea what you're talking about." Sirius said and held up a bottle. "beer?"

"Reducto!" The bottle burst open, sending shattered glass and beer onto the floor. Sir crossed the room and grabbed Sirius by the collar. "I am not going to be messed with."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Sirius repeated. Sir let go of Sirius and pointed his wand.

"Sorry to do this to you. Veritas!"

It felt as though an ice cold dagger had been stabbed through his chest, and into Sirius's heart. The golden light sunk deep into his heart and stopped. "What did the letter say?" Sir demanded.

Unable to stop himself, Sirius talked. "Harry wrote to me saying he has the Stone of Power with him and that it held his-" Sirius never finished. Sir moved his wand and took the curse off.

He turned to Claire who cringed under his steel glare. Then he looked at Mr. Martin. "Has the TOP done anything about the absence of a Minister of Magic in England?"

"We sent a letter the other day." Martin said bitterly. He hated Sir with a passion.

"Go and work on that."

"Yes Sir." Martin snapped and left, muttering to himself.

"Miss Clavell?"

"Oui Monsieur?" She asked, looking at him.

"Go and tell Miss Walitza I'll be absent for a few days."

"Oui." Claire said and ran off.

Sir turned back to Sirius. "We won't hurt the boy. All we want is the Stone." He assured him before leaving.

Knowing that since that Stone held Ron's life force, Harry would probably rather die then give it up. Swearing even more, Sirius grabbed his cloak and ran down the halls.

***

HAAAAARRRRRYYY!

Harry woke with a start as a huge dog bounded into Ron's room.

"Sirius?!" Harry demanded and looked at the clock. "its two in the morning you better have a good reason for-"

The Stone?! Where is it?! Sirius demanded, tongue hanging out far.

"Right here." Harry pulled the Stone out from in between the mattresses.

Give me that. Sirius clamped his whole dog mouth on Harry's whole hand.

"Sirius what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Harry demanded, trying to tug his hand out from Sirius's mouth but he kept his mouth clamped shut.

Whatever you do, do not mention the Stone. Sirius said. He let go and ran into Ron's closet, with the Stone in his mouth.

Harry was wiping the slobber off his hand when a wizard suddenly appeared in Ron's bedroom. Harry nearly screamed at the sudden sight of the fearful man. He was tallish with steel gray hair that hung around his hawkish face. His steel gray eyes pierced at Harry in the darkness. Harry couldn't tell how tall he really was, for he was hunched over. He was very thin and bony and he wore a steel gray suit. He held a wand his a bony, hawk-like hand.

Harry felt himself trembling slightly at this incredibly fearful man.

'Hello Harry, I've been wanting to meet you for a while."

"Are you a servant of Voldemort?" Harry demanded.

The hawk-like man laughed, a laugh that sounded like metal striking metal or something. "Oh no, Harry. Certainly not. I am most definitely AGAINST Voldemort." With this he took a step forward. "and because of this, I shall need the Stone of Power, Harry."

"The Stone of Power?" Harry asked, feeling bewildered. "I-I-I've never heard of such a thing."

"Oh come now. Sirius Black told me everything."

"Sirius?!" Harry asked, trying not to let his eyes go towards the closet.

"Yes. We're all on the same terms. Against Voldemort." The man reached a hand out towards Harry. It reminded him a lot of the Dementor's hand. "so give me the Stone."

"I don't have it."

"Sirius said you wrote to him and told him you had it. Were you lying to him?" The man asked.

"Y. . . yes." Harry said, feeling a sense of bravery inside him that made him straighten up.

"Now why would you do a thing like that?"

"Because I wanted him to come visit. I haven't seen him for a while. . . I wanted to see him. I-I thought by saying I had the Stone he would. . . come." Harry said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. The man scowled deeply. "Damn it." He looked back at Harry. "thank you, though, for cooperating. If you actually DO get the Stone. be sure and tell your godfather." And with that, the man Disapparated. Harry ran over to the closet and saw Sirius had returned to human form. He had the Stone clutched tightly in his hand and he was quite pale. "Atta boy, Harry." Sirius said, walking out into the room.

"Who the hell was that?" Harry demanded.

"I don't know his real name. Nobody does. Everyone just knows him as 'HIM' or. Sir." Sirius said, looking down at the Stone of Power.

"Is he a servant of-"

"Never. Sir wants Voldemort dead as much as you or me." Sirius cut in quickly. "mind if I sit down? I was doing a running Apparation. got me a bit out of breath." Sirius flopped onto Harry's bed. He lay there motionless, for so long a time that Harry wondered if he swooned or fallen asleep. Sirius suddenly sat up. "Ah, feel much better. Come. Sit with me." Sirius patted the bedspread and Harry sat down. "Sir. well, he is against Voldemort and wants him dead as I already mentioned. But. he's like Crouch. Power-hungry and doesn't care what happens so long as he climbed higher in the Organization he works for." Sirius sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "the way he is thinking right now. is get the Stone and destroy it, so Voldemort can't use it."

"But." Harry sputtered out and stared at the innocent-looking blue stone in Sirius's hand. "Ron is in there. I MUST get him out."

"I know. I am going to try and prevent Sir from finding out you really do have the Stone with you. Harry you need to figure this out as soon as you can. . . Sir he. he knew you had it, or thought you did, because had used the Truth curse on me."

Harry rubbed his chest, knowing how painful that was. "How did he know about the letter?"

"I have no clue. speaking of which. Harry I told you NOT to write me!"

"Sirius, you told me not to write you back. I didn't write BACK to you. I just. wrote to you." Harry said.

Sirius was silent a moment then he began laughing. "Oh my God Harry. you sounded EXACTLY like Remus just then. that was his trouble-making talent, you know. Finding a loop-hole, even the most microscopic one, and breaking through it." Sirius shook his head. "I remember he got us out of detention once. . . we were flying over the Forbidden Forest and flew down into it. Well, a teacher found us and gave us points off plus detention for going into the Forbidden Forest. Remus pointed out that we didn't go INTO the Forest, we had gone DOWN to. Nevertheless they quickly changed the rules to 'students aren't permitted into the forest' or whatever."

Harry laughed then realized how loud they were being. And realized they were still in the Burrow, and it was now almost half past two in the morn. Sirius realized this, too because he handed the Stone back to Harry. "I gotta go. Remember what I said."

"What, that Remus can get out of almost anything?" Harry asked.

"Well. . . I meant."

"I know, I know. I'll try and find anything about this Stone. bye Sirius."

"Bye Harry." Sirius turned to leave then turned back. "Oh, and Harry?'

"Yeah?"

"Do not, under any circumstances, write to me until I have written to you."

"Okay, Sirius." Harry said and watched him Disapparate. Climbing back into bed, Harry quickly fell asleep, forgetting completely it was July 31st, and that he was now sixteen.

*** (Sirius's point of view)

Sir burst through the front door of my rooms. I causally looked up from where I was reading the newspaper in a chair. I was out of breath from doing the near-impossible: running Apparation. But concealed my breathlessness. "Hullo, Sir." I said.

"You went to Harry and told him not to say anything, didn't you?!" He shrieked.

"Yeah I did. I beat one of the world's fastest Apparaters, and managed to tell Harry that in time." I said with a look of sneering on my face.

Sir fell silent. "You're right. I had. I'm sorry, I had no right to accuse you. You couldn't possibly of done that and beaten me there."

I fought back the urge to yell triumphantly in his face and smiled. "I did do that, Sir."

"Mr. Black, stop joking." He said wearily.

"But I did do it! Honestly I did!" I insisted, knowing how Sir's mind worked.

"GoodNIGHT, Mr. Black." And Sir left.

I sat back in my chair and grinned to myself. I was mildly surprised I had gotten away with that. I wasn't the best at doing that.

But the best.. . .

I looked over at a photo taped to my mirror. It was unmoving and showed me, Remus and James. All grinning. I walked over and stared hard into James' grinning, face. His expression was clearly 'I'm about to do something that has a seventy percent chance of me getting expelled but do I care? HA!'. (Or at least that's what another kid in our gang had dubbed that expression on James's face).

"But the best is now dead." I said and returned to my chair.

***

"Harry!!!" Jasmine's voice echoed out through the airport as she dropped her backpack and flung herself into the arms of her brother.

"Jasmine!" Harry said, hugging her tightly.

A scowling Draco appeared, arms folded and obviously not very happy. "I am never, ever, in my entire life going on another plane as long as I live."

"Hullo M. . . Draco." Harry said, still hugging Jasmine.

Draco looked surprised that Harry said his first name. "Hello Potter."

"Draco." Jasmine snapped.

Draco scrunched his face up. "Harry." He spat out like it was a disgusting piece of candy.

"Good boy." Jasmine giggled and turned towards Arthur. "Hi Mr. Weasley."

"Hello Jasmine." He said and glared at Draco who glared right back. "Mr. Malfoy." He said through gritted teeth.

"Mr. Weasley." Draco said, nodding but his eyes were filled with hatred.

The Weasleys and the Malfoys hated each other with passion. Each usually wanted to kill the other. "We better go find our luggage before it ends up on Jupiter or something." Jasmine said. She and Draco got their luggage and followed Harry and Mr. Weasley to the Weasleys' green van.

Harry was itching to tell Jasmine everything. but he didn't want to say anything in front of Malfoy.

*** (Harry's point of view)

We dropped Malfoy off at the Leaky Cauldron (I scowled as he and Jasmine kissed goodbye) and then we finally arrived at the Burrow.

Ginny took Jasmine to her room to help her get settled, and I went back to Ron's room

When I went in, I saw a 14 inch, lightish brown owl with contrasting spots was fluttering outside the window. I knew it was Remus's owl. He had gotten it near the beginning of that summer and that certain type of owl, because he liked the name. The owl was a boobook owl from New Zealand. I went over and opened the window. Nova flew in and stuck her leg out. Hedwig was hooting happily. She and Nova had become good friends.

Nova flew over to Hedwig after I untied the letter. I fell back on my bed and read the it.

Dear Harry,

By the time you get this letter Jasmine will be back so tell her I said hi. I have a question. Have you heard from Sirius? I haven't gotten ANYTHING from him and haven't seen him since that time at Hogwarts. Anyway, if you hear from him please tell me. I have something I really need to tell him. Have you remembered where the Stone is yet? I found a book on it. and it's amazing. I mean, the Stone of Power is one of the most magical objects in the world. it can save someone from death. Not like the Philosopher/Sorcerer's stone.

Anyway, write me back and tell Jasmine to write me.

Remus

I read the letter a couple times then sat at Ron's desk and begun a letter back.

Dear Remus,

I've heard from Sirius. He seems all right. I saw him a few days ago.

I stopped at this and pondered over whether or not to tell Remus everything and finally I decided to. I told Remus about 'Sir' and Sirius showing up in the middle of the night. and finally I wrote that he had the Stone with me.

And Remus, if you have read how to get a life force out of the Stone, write me. I have a strong feeling that Ron is in the Stone.

Harry

I folded the letter, tied it to Nova's leg and sent her on her way then I sat back on my bed, hoping Remus would know how to free Ron.

*** (Remus's point of view)

I poured through the book desperately trying to find out to free life forces in the Stone. It was way past midnight but I wasn't a bit tired. That was one good thing about being a Werewolf. When I was in human form I could easily stay up for 24 hours before actually feeling tired. If I wanted.

The huge, huge leather-bound book in front of me was titled 'Enchantment in Baking'. Someone had charmed the book about the Stone to look like an old worn copy of the cookbook. If it wasn't for my horrible cooking ability, I would of never found it.

Swearing loudly as I finished yet another chapter with no luck, I went into the kitchen to make myself some tea. Outside my little window above my stove, I could see the sickle moon. The tree outside my window swayed in some wind and a branch tapped against the window.

Pouring a large cup of tea, I returned to my study. I pulled the light low over the book and read until there was a tapping at my door. Jumping slightly, I reminded myself it was just a tree.

I hated the trees in the wind in the middle of the nights. I also hated lying to Harry but I needed to. I knew perfectly well where Sirius was. But. I had to.

Knock, knock, knock.

That sure as hell wasn't a tree. I set my teacup down, grabbed my wand and went to the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

I looked out the front window but saw nothing. But someone was knocking. Gripping my wand tight, I flung open the door to see absolutely nobody there. "You're beginning to hear things, Moony." I told myself and shut the door. Or would of. The door stopped as if someone had stuck an invisible foot in the thresh. "Okay whoever you are, take off that cloak or spell and face me like a man!" I snapped.

"But neither of us is a man, my dear werewolf." Came that familiar, haunting voice.

My eyes got wide. "Ember?" I asked in shock.

"I'm flattered you remember my nickname. Now are you going to invite me in or are you going to leave your door open to let creepies in?"

"Oh." I opened the door and the invisible person passed. I shut the door and looked around. "take that cloak off, Ember."

"I. er, can't. Its not my cloak. Its a potion gone wrong." Ember's voice floated from somewhere in front of me.

"You were never good in Potions." I said and went to the living room.

"I'm not the one who blew the teacher's cauldron up." Ember laughed from a couch as she sat down.

I grinned sheepishly, staring at where my couch sunk in. "Hey, it was an accident and not entirely my fault. Prongs did have his hand. or rather whole arm. in it."

Ember laughed. "Yeah."

"Ember why are you here? I thought you left after everything happened." I said, offering a cup of tea to her.

"Oh heaven forbid I drink tea YOU made, Moony." Ember said.

"I'm getting better."

"Better my foot, you can't book worth beans."

"Hmm." I said, rubbing my chin. "worth beans? Never tried it. I've tried navy beans before, though. Now then. Why are you here? Don't tell me you came all the way from Romania to insult my cooking talent."

"I came because of Pad-er, because of Black." She said, fighting the urge to say 'Padfoot'.

"He'll be touched." I said.

"Moony. I should of returned when he escaped but I was too scared but now. I think we should get our revenge for what he has done."

"And what exactly has he done?" I said through clenched teeth.

"He betrayed us. Got Prongs and Wildflower dead and then killed Wormtail." I raised my eyebrows at the name 'Wildflower' since I had not heard Lily's nickname for so long. "he destroyed us all."

As much as I loved Ember, I wanted to slap her. But I reminded myself I had done that too. Actually believing Sirius had done all that. "Oh you're right we need to find Black and kill him." I said in what I hoped was a convincing voice. I was just glad this was Ember and not Sapphire.

I could tell Ember was staring hard at me. ". does Harry know?"

"About what?" I asked.

"Everything."

"I think so."

"Good."

I felt my nails digging into my palms. I knew I had to convince Ember that Sirius was completely innocent. I had to do this. "He knows the complete truth."

"That's good." Ember said.

"The truth which barely anyone knows." I continued.

"What do you mean?" Ember asked.

"The real truth. Not the 'truth' that everyone thinks they know."

"Moony you're nutters." Ember said.

"Ember, there is more to the story then you realize. I didn't even know about this until less then three years ago."

"Know what?" Ember demanded.

"Ember, I won't tell you until I can see you. Let's get working on a potion that will return you to normal."

"I was never normal, Moony."

I had to laugh at this. "None of us were, Ember."

*** (Sirius's point of view)

I stood in front of my fireplace nervously. The fire blazed. I threw a handful of Floo powder in and cleared my throat.

"Moony's Den." I said and stepped through. Remus had written an urgent letter saying I needed to come to his house as soon as I could.

I fell forward on his stone hearth, feeling dizzy. Slowly I stood up and looked around the room, coughing. It was just as I left it a few months ago. "You need a housekeeper, Moony." I said, seeing the werewolf standing close to the fireplace.

"You're messier then I am." Remus pointed, helping me up.

"So what was so urgent?" I asked.

"Couple of nights ago I had a visit from an old friend." Remus said.

"An old friend?" I asked.

"Come on in!" He called. The door to the other room opened and I nearly gasped.

"Ember." I said.

"You!" She shrieked and dove for me. Remus caught her and held her by the waist. "Put me down, Moony! Its him! Its him!" She shrieked, hitting and kicking Remus.

"I know perfectly well its him now calm down!" Remus snapped. He set her in a chair like a large doll, and pointed his wand at her. "now then. Don't do anything till you've heard everything."

Ember's slanted green eyes darted from him to me. "I'm waiting." She finally said.

"I'm innocent." I said and she snorted.

"He is innocent, Ember." Remus said.

"You were their Secret Keeper." She spat out.

"I WAS to be their Secret Keeper but I knew that's what Voldemort was expecting. and like the total idiot I am, I demanded a switch."

"You mean. you weren't the Secret Keeper?" Ember asked.

"No. Wormtail was. I should of known he was the traitor but. I was young and stupid and thick."

"Wormtail betrayed us." Ember whispered.

"Yeah. And after I realized it. it was too late. I tracked Wormtail down-"

"And killed him." Ember said.

"The --- is still alive." I sneered.

"Sirius tried to attack Wormtail, but for once Peter was faster. He blew the street apart, killed twelve Muggles, cut off his finger, turned into his ratty self and disappeared." Remus said.

"He hid as a house pet for a family for a while but. when I escaped I wanted to get my revenge. I did track him down but the little worm escaped."

"Its my fault he escaped." Remus said, shaking his head.

"No its not." I snapped.

"It is so! If I hadn't of turned into a werewolf-"

"Which is NOT your fault!" I yelled. Remus fell silent. "Wormtail returned to Voldemort, helped him regain his power. and now we have him."

"We? Who's we?" She said and her eyes got wide. "Oh. Them."

"Yes." I said.

"He's awaiting trial." Remus said, flicking back some gray hair.

"Padfoot." Ember's eyes filled with tears. She leapt at me and hugged me tightly. "I am so sorry I ever doubted you."

"Its okay, Ember." I assured her, hugging her tightly. She looked up, her green eyes shimmering with tears.

"Can I see that stinking piece of trash once more? I want to give him a piece of my mind."

I had a feeling Ember's piece of mind to Wormtail would consist of mostly swear words. "I'll ask Mr. Yallin." I said and checked my watch. "now I gotta go." I kissed Ember's forehead and took a step back. "it was great seeing you again, Ember."

"Right back atcha Padfoot." She said with a smile.

"Bye Moony."

"See ya." Remus said.

"And you better get a housekeeper by the time I come back here." I said and turned to the fire and went through.

***

Harry's face shone with happiness as he received a letter from Remus.

Harry, after countless hours of searching I think I may of discovered how to release the spirit. Remus.