Disclaimer: Would take rights to Harry Potter as a gift.
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Feathers, Fangs and Flames
Chapter IV
The Truth
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Harry and Remus arrived with a loud pop, just outside the Burrow. Harry was disoriented for a second, and wondered just how Remus could endure the night and be the first one standing. He admired Moony for his strength.
"Oh hello, Harry, dear." Mrs. Weasley opened the door. "Come in, come in. We were just planning to have breakfast."
He lowered his gaze to the ground. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
Remus shook his shoulder a little. "Well, Harry, I'll be..."
"Remus," Molly was smiling like a predator. "could you join us for breakfast too?"
"Molly, I'm flattered, but I don't want to intrude..."
"Nonsense, you were working for Albus, probably got so worked up, you didn't even get supper yesterday. I insist."
She all but dragged them both inside.
The kitchen was unusually empty and silent, beside Mrs. Weasley, Harry and Remus there were only three red-haired people. Two of them Harry had never seen before, though he knew immediately who they must be: Bill and Charlie, the two eldest Weasley brothers.
"How're you doing, Harry?" said the nearer of the two, grinning at him and holding out a large hand, which Harry shook, feeling calluses and blisters under his fingers. This had to be Charlie, who worked with dragons in Romania. Charlie was built like the twins, shorter and stockier than Percy and Ron, who were both long and lanky. He had a broad, good-natured face, which was weather-beaten and so freckly that he looked almost tanned; his arms were muscular, and one of them had a large, shiny burn on it. His scent was one of fire and burned leather.
Bill got to his feet, smiling, and also shook Harry's hand. Bill came as something of a surprise. Harry knew that he worked for the wizarding bank, Gringotts, and that Bill had been Head Boy at Hogwarts; Harry had always imagined Bill to be an older version of Percy: fussy about rule-breaking and fond of bossing everyone around.
However, Bill was – there was no other word for it – cool. He was tall, with long hair that he had tied back in a ponytail. He was wearing an earring with what looked like a fang dangling from it. Bill's clothes would not have looked out of place at a rock concert, except that Harry recognized his boots to be made, not of leather, but of dragon hide.
Percy was just reading some papers and only nodded at the guests. Lupin moved to shake offered hands, smiling at the older brothers. He wasn't used to people accepting him quickly.
"Where is everyone else?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"Arthur and the others left earlier in the morning." Molly was putting a plate before him. "You missed them by couple of hours. That reminds me, you didn't make it to the portkey... Someone will have to take you Side-Along. Bill, perhaps you..."
Remus piped in, "Molly, I'll take him. We have done it few times already."
This earned him a smile from Mrs. Weasley. "Perfect. Now, dig in."
Harry had to try really hard to swallow, but all in all, with each bite he was getting better. When they were close to finishing, Bill looked at him for the third time this meal, and, seemingly having worked up his curiosity, asked. "By the way, Harry, I always figured you wore glasses."
They had forgotten his fake glasses Dumbledore made for him. Harry almost started cursing. Lupin choked on his food and had to reassure Molly that he was alright.
Harry silently thanked him for the seconds he had won. "I'm trying out contact lenses."
"What are those, Harry?" Charlie piped in.
"It's a muggle thing." He struggled trying to remember everything he had heard about them. "It's a small invisible lens that goes into the eyes. They act the same as glasses otherwise."
"How wonderful really," Molly was beaming at him, "It's strange that I didn't even notice at first. It looks good for you, because everyone can clearly see your beautiful eyes."
Harry blushed at that. Remus started to relax.
Bill was deep in thought. "Could you take one out and show me? They sound really interesting..."
"Um..." the panic came back on. "Look, Bill, I'd love to, but it's really difficult for me to take them out or put them in. It will get easier with practise, but... You know, it is one of the reasons why we missed the first breakfast. Perhaps I'll stick to the glasses for most of the time, even."
"Never mind it then. I'll look them up myself."
Harry forced his way through the rest of the meal. Hermione would catch him in a heartbeat. What would he have to do? Still, he figured he had to let in both her and Ron in on his secret. He just didn't think it would have to be this soon.
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The apparition point was bustling with wizards. The shouts, the flags and the crowd were swirling around in a mesmerising pattern. The smells that assaulted Harry were numerous and he even had trouble standing straight.
Lupin stroked his hair. "Relax, Harry, it'll pass soon."
Harry straightened himself.
"See, it's alright... Well, I'll see you next time." He looked at Bill, who had just appeared nearby, "Good luck, Harry."
"Thanks, Moony"
A loud pop marked Lupin's disappearance.
Bill looked around for his brothers and Harry. "I'm going to ask Basil where our family is," he pointed at the man wearing a kilt and a poncho. "Then we'll try to find them in this mess."
Percy had ignored that and rushed forward, probably noticing someone he knew. Charlie went with Bill, and Harry found himself alone in a crowd of unknown wizards. He inhaled the scents again and smiled as he recognised one. Ron. Without thinking much, he went to that direction.
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As he arrived to the source of the faint trail, he saw no Weasleys there. It was just a water tap, where a huge queue was waiting. He sniffed again trying to guess the time and realized he was at most fifteen minutes late.
He turned to go in the way they came from, and almost ran into a girl. A pretty girl, in fact.
She turned around to face him and her eyes widened.
"Harry?"
He gulped nervously. "Hello... Cho."
She traced her gaze all over him, taking in his tired pose and settling on his eyes. Harry couldn't help but shiver from the gaze. He hoped she didn't catch him at that.
"Where are your glasses?"
Her voice seemed to awaken him a little. "I'm... trying out contacts." He might as well stick to the story.
"You should wear them all the time." She was feeling almost as embarrassed as him. "Your eyes look very..." The blush crept into her face for a second. "Handsome."
"Thank you..." Harry hoped his face wasn't as scarlet as he felt it was. "Cho."
She smiled at him. There was a strange aroma in the air he found almost enchanting. It was mixed up with something that was making his nose itch a little. Harry barely stopped himself from starting to sniff her to get a clearer understanding.
"Have you seen any of the Weasleys?" he asked, trying to distance his thoughts from the itch.
"Are you looking for, what's his name, Ronald? Why do you need him?"
"You see..." Harry ruffled his hair, fearing that he looked like an idiot. "I was supposed to find their tent, but I seem to have gone in the wrong way."
"You got lost?"
He winced. "No, but... I mean... I know they are somewhere there..." He motioned towards the side he could smell the trail going to. "But it's taking me longer to find them than I had hoped..."
"You got lost." She was grinning at him. "So, the great Harry Potter can't find his way in a camp site?"
"Please don't call me that" He said it a bit harsher than he wanted to. He could swear he felt the wolf stir with his annoyance.
"Sorry?" Cho looked confused. "I meant it as a joke."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have overreacted. It's the lack of sleep talking." Harry was hurriedly reassuring her. "It's just that everyone calls me great for no reason. Everything I want is just to be Harry."
"I'm not sure I understand..." She looked into his eyes again. "You really don't want the fame?"
"No."
"Strange. Many people would give so much to be in your place..."
He laughed at that. The laugh was so fake and ironic, that Chang cringed. "They really shouldn't wish for that."
They fell silent for a few uncomfortable seconds.
"I think I saw Ronald going that way." She pointed at the same direction he had. "Hermione and his little sister were with him. He was carrying a huge bucket of water, so their tent shouldn't be far..."
"Thank you, Cho." He almost started to walk away when her question stopped him.
"Who do you think will win the Cup?"
"I'm sorry." He felt really stupid saying that as he tried to remember the countries playing. "I don't really know any players from Ireland nor from..." His gaze went to flag a few tents to the side. He blinked. White, green, and red; it didn't help.
"Bulgaria. Are you sure that you like quidditch at all, Harry?"
"It's just that I have been very busy these days..." he trailed off uncomfortably.
"You'll have to tell me sometime."
Harry just blinked at that.
"Look, I'll help you. When someone from Bulgaria asks, just say that Victor Krum is an excellent Seeker and will probably catch the Snitch again. If they are wearing shamrocks, tell them that their Chaser line is incredibly strong." She smiled warmly. "That way everyone will be happy with your expertise."
He snickered at that. "I'll keep it in my mind. But I really should go, they might get worried. Later, Cho."
"See you, Harry."
He inhaled deeply, both taking in her scent and looking for the trail of Ron.
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He found them near the fire where the tasty smell of roasting meat assaulted his already growling stomach.
"Harry!" Ron saw him first and jumped up, waiving. "Over here!"
Hermione waved to him as he was getting neared and he waved back. This caused Ginny, who was standing next to the fire, go scarlet.
Fred and George suddenly were near him and grabbed him on his arms.
"Now, you little liar –"
"– of a friend. Tell us one good reason why you are late or better yet..."
"Tell us why you shouldn't be pranking you into the next week?"
Harry struggled a bit. "I'm sorry."
"It's a good start, but not good enough."
Harry resorted to his last chance. "Did I ever tell you who the marauders were?"
"Your terms are acceptable." George let him go first and leaned in to listen.
"Speak," Fred didn't let go him yet.
"Boys!" Came Mr. Weasley's voice, "stop the ruckus. Hello there, Harry. Where are the others?"
Percy chose this moment to appear. "Just Apparated, Dad." He saw Harry being held by the twins. "You two! Do you think it funny to steal Harry from our noses? Bill and Charlie are searching all over for him."
"Whoa, there, Perce." Fred glared at him. "Why did you think it was us?"
"Good job Harry." George was slapping him on the back. Harry even winced, he was still sore from the night. "We knew you had it in you."
"Harry!" Hermione had reached them and looked at him with disappointment.
"I'm sorry."
"You do say that awfully lot these days," Fred noted. "Do you even have any other words?"
"Are you wearing contacts?" Hermione leaned a bit closer.
"Yes," he lied. "I am."
"What's that now? Harry, blimey, where are your glasses?" Ron was already shaking his arm.
"He just answered that." Hermione huffed at him. "He's wearing contacts. Brilliant idea there, Harry."
"What are those?" George asked curiously, perhaps thinking if they could use that in some way.
"And where did you put our other brothers?" Fred smirked.
Harry smiled. "I already explained it once for Bill. Here he comes; you could ask him."
Everyone turned around to see Bill berating Charlie on the way. "I told you I'll go ask. Did you have to come with me? Do you know what mum will do to you once she knows you lost Harry?"
"I lost him? You went there to speak to Basil with your head raised and didn't even spare the glance at Potter. You lost... Harry" Charlie finished staring at Harry, surrounded by his younger brothers.
Bill sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "So... let's eat lunch?"
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Harry found himself in a tent, which looked more like a small flat. There was such a strong odour of cats, that his eyes almost started watering. Hermione and Ron took him there under the pretence of showing him everything.
He coughed a few times and rubbed his eyes, missing Hermione's question. "Say that again?"
She huffed. "Harry, where were you yesterday?"
"Yeah, what did you have to speak with Sirius for?"
He gulped and started scratching his nose, fighting the annoying scent. His wolf was shifting around, uncomfortably.
"And why did you lie about contact lenses? Usually you can see them in the eyes from up close..."
He sighed looking at Hermione, "I figured you would catch it soon..." he paused to try and catch breath as the words came out hard. "It's... Do you remember the night we met Sirius?"
Ron nodded. Harry felt as if the wolf was judging them. Were they his pack? He quelled the feelings of mistrust and weariness. He could trust his friends with anything. At least he hoped so.
"When I said that he bit my arm, it was only half of the truth... I... that is..." He coughed and shifted his feet uncomfortably, afraid of his friends reactions. His words were silent, almost a whisper. "Moony bit me too."
Hermione covered her mouth and stared at him in surprise. "Impossible." she whispered so silently Harry was sure only he had hear it.
Ron was stammering, "But... Ha... What?"
"And yesterday." her eyes looked thoughtful, and she didn't lower her hand while speaking. "There was a full moon?"
"WHAT? No, Harry, you can't be! It's wrong!" Ron's eyes were filled with fear.
"But I am."
"No, no…" Ron was slightly shaking. "My best mate can't be a werewolf!"
Harry coughed again. The old cat scent was getting to him. He could barely distinguish the smells of confusion and fear, and there was only a faint aroma of parchment and breakfast. He imagined he could feel the faint scents of grass and strawberries, in addition to grasping the trail of the different crowds outside, but it all was hidden under the fat blanket of cats.
"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione was looking a little bit more composed already as she started worrying.
"It's just that these cats really, really stink..."
Ron grabbed his hand. "Please tell me it was a joke. A cruel joke."
"Ron, I'm sorry..." Harry flinched at the touch and Ron jumped back. "It is true. And I'm really sore because of yesterday."
Ron gazed at him intensely. "Look, mate..." The words felt a little fake and distant. "I'll have to think about it." He took a step backwards. "I'm sorry, Harry..." His gaze went to Hermione and back to Harry. Then, he turned around and left the room they were in, probably heading outside.
Hermione was fighting back her tears. "Harry..." She breathed out with a sob. "Why does it always happen to you?"
It took all his willpower to smile at her. "It's not that bad, actually. It even fixed my eyes."
"You are lying..."
"No, it really did fix my eyes."
"Oh, Harry, you know what I mean." She took a step forward and wrapped him in a hug.
He winced again and she released him.
"Sorry" they both said at the same time. Her eyes were glittering with tears.
"Harry –" there came a shout and they both turned to see twins entering.
"Is it a bad time?" Fred looked thoughtful for a second. "We wanted to ask about the thing you promised..."
Hermione whipped her tears and looked at Harry, questioningly. He looked at the twins in surprise. "What?"
"About Marauders?" George looked insulted by the question. "Do you forget everything this easily?"
"It's just... I'm a bit sleepy today, guys." He heard Hermione sniff at that, but continued, "I did promise to tell you... Do you remember Ron's rat?"
"Harry?" Hermione asked as the twins nodded.
He gave all of them another superficial smile. "I trust you to hold a secret, alright?"
"Of course, Harry, you –"
"– are our favourite non-Weasley..."
"Sorry, Hermione." Fred finished bowing at her.
They all smiled at that. Even Harry did.
"It all began with three friends finding out a secret of the fourth..." And Harry spun a tale Sirius told him yesterday. He mentioned the animagus transformations and Moony's little furry problem, and quickly went on to tell the tale of the last year, omitting the bite he suffered. Nearing the end, Hermione piped in a few times to add some details of the night. He told them of Sirius and Peter, James and Remus. He probably wouldn't have told as much, but when Ron left, he was feeling faint and he felt that telling some part of his secrets would help him a bit.
"So," George was scratching his head in thought. "You mean to tell us, that we lived with Wormtail in our home and Sirius Black is both Padfoot and your godfather."
"And, don't forget, oh brother of mine, we had Moony for a professor for a year."
"No wonder we only got him once."
Harry grinned at that. It really did feel better to tell them this. He knew he hadn't made a mistake.
"So, yesterday, you were probably speaking with Padfoot?"
Harry let out a small laugh. "Yes. And he told me how my father got a week of detentions from McGonagall..."
"You'll really have to tell us someday. But now we should really go and look around."
"There should be all kinds of stuff for sale –"
"– we will only look at." Fred was radiating good mood. "When you were in the tent with Ron, you missed Ludo Bagman –"
"– you know, the Head of Magical Games and Sports... We bet him that Krum catches the Snitch, but Ireland wins."
"What did your father say?" Hermione inquired curiously.
"What could he say? It was our money."
"Been saving them for a long time, though..."
"So, are we all going out or will you two stay here?"
They were crawling out of the tent when George asked "By the way, what did you say to Ginny that she darted back to the girl's tent like Krum chasing a Snich?"
"Or was it the little git of our brother? He got that look he usually has when he's done something wrong."
Harry and Hermione changed worried glances and she muttered, "we'll speak to them."
"Look Harry, if our little git gives you trouble for no reason..."
"Just tell me or my a little less handsome twin brother." Fred got hit on his head for that. "Alrighty?"
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Hermione returned and grabbed his arm. This time he managed to stay calm and let her drag him into the smaller tent.
"She heard Ron."
Harry sighed. "And?"
"I think you should talk with her."
"But, Hermione..."
"She will listen to you. Please, Harry, she's panicking a little and we have to make sure she won't tell everyone..."
They were in front of the bathroom door. She leaned forward and tapped on the wood a few times. "Ginny?" Hermione felt silent for a second, and Harry could hear a faint sob from inside. Hermione obviously couldn't as she continued, "are you there?"
"Go away."
"Ginny, I've bought Harry..."
There was no answer. Hermione nudged him forward and hissed in his ear. "Talk with her. I'll look if someone is coming." Without waiting for an answer, she left and went to the room nearer to the entrance.
Harry took a deep breath and tapped the bathroom door twice. This tent didn't stink of cats, so he could discern each scent with clarity. The tent had no kitchen and was very clean even if a bit old. There was an aroma of tears, pain, broom polish, fresh parchment, Hermione, and Ginny; a trail of his wolf, a swirl of wind, Weasleys from outside, a rarely used cot, and a flowery shampoo...
"Harry?" There was a mutter so silent, he almost didn't catch it.
"It's me." He could hear her jump in surprise.
"You heard me?" Her words were silent and the bathroom door didn't help much. But they were loud enough for him to hear.
"Hello, Ginny..." He sat down by the door, getting closer to the gap under the door. He could feel her sitting there, her red hair squashed against the door, and her back to him, eyes filled with tears. The smell was slightly salty.
He had to wait a few seconds to hear an answer. "Hi." She sobbed. "Harry."
Harry couldn't understand why Hermione wanted him to talk with Ginny. How could he understand why Ginny was crying? "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" He could probably understand why everyone was making faces when he said the same thing.
She breathed slowly. He could hear her shifting lightly to the side. "It's just..."
"Hermione said that you heard Ron..."
"Is it true? Are you?"
"Yes." He breathed out, shifting closer to the door. "Ginny, I won't lie to you, there is a reason to be scared of me. And I..." he swallowed, "understand."
"Harry? It's not why I'm upset."
"It isn't?" Now he was confused even more. "Why are you then?"
"It's just so unfair... Your parents... You... And you're still saving everyone."
"Not everyone." He tried to protest, a little.
"You saved me, even when you didn't know me at all..."
"You are Ron's sister. Of course I would try to save you." He sniffed to check if someone was coming. No one was. "You are my best friend's sister." It hurt him a little saying that, as Ron had walked out on him minutes before. He hoped he would have his friend back.
"But he's such a git sometimes..." As she was talking, he couldn't help but snigger at the quip at Ron. "And you still barely know me..."
"You know, you could try talking to me."
She shifted again. "I'm afraid..." It was so silent he didn't think she wanted to him to hear that. But he still answered.
"Did you fear professor Lupin too?"
She didn't answer. He could hear her breathing unevenly.
"Look, Ginny, I like your family a lot." He sniffed the air again, smelling the broom polish and sea salt. And a faint trace of strawberries which he must have imagined. "You all are like family to me."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
They were silent for a minute or two. He continued, feeling that he was on the right way somewhat. There was a nagging feeling that he might be saying everything in a wrong way, but he just took a slow breath and ignored it. "Ginny, I know you have six brothers, all of them cool, maybe except Percy and," He could hear her snigger. "sometimes Ron is a git... But..." Was he really saying it? "I hope you wouldn't mind another one. I know I come with a little furry problem, but if you ever need something..."
He could hear her sobbing at the other side and panicked. "Ginny, I'm sorry, I didn't..."
"Shut up, Harry," came from the other side.
He could hear her unlocking the door. It didn't open. He waited. There was a sound of running water.
"Ginny?"
"Wait a minute, please."
He shut up and waited some more.
The door opened and he saw her, her face wet and slightly red, her sleeves stained with tears and her eyes glittering strangely. Then she suddenly jumped to hug him. Harry was so surprised he fell down, Ginny on top of him. He cried out of pain silently.
She jumped up and gave him a hand. Surprisingly, she was grinning at him. The smile felt a little fake, but he wasn't sure. "Some brother... Others don't fall then I do that."
He took her hand, muttering silently.
"What?"
"I'll have you know, that yesterday was a full moon."
She didn't even cringe at his words how he expected she would. "And?"
"I'm aching all over."
She beamed at him, "then I won't jump you so soon after those next time, alright?"
He shook his head in surprise. "Next time?"
"Welcome to the family." She showed him her tongue and ran out.
Harry started laughing when he heard her jumping Hermione, who yelped out in surprise. "Some sisters," he muttered, happily.
No one heard him.
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The chapter has a chunk taken directly from Rowling's Goblet of Fire. I didn't mark it as not to break the flow.
Update schedule is in the profile.
