Chapter 9: Anderson's Anger

The Day after Hogsmeade, the dayafter Harry found out that Black was his Godfather, Josh was sitting on the grounds near the Whomping Willow, practicing his Patronus Charm before dinner. He was sitting there on the ground just analyzing his life and how it had changed. He thought about his friends in Gryffindor and all the adventures which were very fun, at least he thought so. Josh did the Patronus Charm and a silvery mist shield appeared and then he let it go. He then thought of something that had made him sad, afraid, and angry. It was about his stupid fear of his future, his relation to Voldemort and Slytherin, his parseltongue and being the only one in his family to speak it.

Josh did the patronus charm again, but only a little silvery mist appeared then went away. Why wasn't it working? Cause he wasn't think happy. He was thinking of anger and fear. He was afraid to become mad or crazy. Look what he did that one day where he almost use the unforgivable curse. He was just angry; angry for being related to Slytherin or Voldemort, angry for being afraid of what he is to become, angry for being the only one in his family to speak the snake language, angry for not being able to produce a corpreal patronus...

Josh growled as he grabbed a rock and threw it towards the Whomping Willow as hard as he could, then rested his chin on his hand. He looked up when he heard something sound as if it was stiffening. He looked up to see the Whomping Willow stop moving and freeze into a regular tree. Curious, Josh stood up and walked over to the tree but stopped out of the tree's distance. Cautiously, Josh took a few steps closer to the Willow, yet it didn't move towards him. He moved closer, and still, the tree didn't move.

Josh smiled a little and began to examine the tree where he noticed a whole at the bottom of the trunk. Curious, Josh kneeled over and looked inside. He lit his wand to see it was the start of a tunnel that led to somewhere. So, he did what any responsible thirteen year old would do, he crawled through the hole and began to travel though the tunnel. After a few minutes, Josh came up to a trapdoor above his head. He opened it up and looked inside to find out that it was a dirty old house of some kind.

Josh opened the door all the way, jumped into the house, and began to walk around to explore the house. He walked up to a window and looked through it to see the edge of the village of Hogsmeade, and that's when he figured out he was inside the Shrieking Shack.

"So, the Whomping Willow protects the only entrance to this place," Josh told himself. "But why?" He took a step back and felt something under his foot. He moved his foot to see what he had stepped on. There on the ground was a broach that he thought he had seen somewhere before on someone's clothes. It looked very familiar, but the question was, where had he see it before and on who?

Josh heard movement and quickly jumped around just as Professor Lupin walk in, shocked to see a student in the Shack. "Joshua, what are you doing here?" Lupin asked.

"What are you doing here?" Josh asked the professor suspiciously, clutching the broach, and putting two and two together.

"I am the professor here, Josh," Lupin said, crossing his arms. "So, please, answer the question. What are you doing here, out of Hogwarts Grounds, when it is nearly after hours?"

"I got bored, decided to practice the patronus charm, and accidentally discovered the tunnel under the tree," Josh answered with a sigh, mimicking Lupin by crossing his arms. "Can't help my Curiosity."

"I see," Lupin said. "I suggest that you head to dinner."

Josh didn't move but uncrossed his arms. "You didn't answer my question, Professor." he said.

Lupin sighed through his nose. "The same as you, of course," he lied, though Josh looked unconvinced. "Look, it doesn't matter why I'm here 'cause I'm the teacher, and I am ordering you to go back to school, now!"

Josh clenched his teeth in frustration, sighed through his nose, and began to leave. He passed the professor but stopped and turned back to Lupin. "Professor?" he started. "Why didn't you let me go up against the Boggart that one day?"

"Oh, that was just wrong timing," Lupin replied. "I'm sorry about that though, but if you'd like to do that, then I'd be happy to let you go up against a boggart."

"Oh, no thanks," Josh replied.

"Oh, ok, sure," Lupin said. "Well, go on back to school now."

Josh nodded and began to leave once more, but he turned again to see that Lupin was watching him. "Aren't you going as well?" Josh asked, wondering why Lupin wasn't following him.

Lupin's eyebrows rose up. "Er...I have to make sure that this place isn't enchanted with dark magic," the professor told Josh who was unconvinced. He thought Hermione was a better liar than Lupin who continued to say, "Dumbledore's orders an all, so run along back to the school or I'll give you detention."

Josh nodded, deciding he didn't care anymore and left the shrieking shack and headed back to Hogwarts for dinner.

After Josh's uneventful dinner, he decided to walk through the third floor corridor. He began to think about his thoughts on heir and legacy, and what one's expectations would be like and how they would have to live up to their ancestor. Josh sighed and put his hands in his pockets, filling something in one of them. He grabbed it and pullied it out to look at it. It was the broach that he found in the Shrieking Shack that looked identical to one he had seen Lupin where so it had to be his. Besides, Lupin showing up proved tha the broach was his and that he had been in the Shack before, but the question was why.

What was Professor Lupin doing in the Shrieking Shack?


Josh was asleep in his bed and he was dreaming. It was a weird dream. He was dreaming about his grandfather, who was doing something secretive, something he had to do. He was sneaking around somewhere in the shadows, but before he made it anywhere, someone was shouting in his ear.

"Mr. Anderson!" someone said to the sleeping Josh.

Josh opened his eyes to reveal McGonagall shaking him awake in the middle of the night. "Wazzit?" he said and sat up and wiped his face. "What's going on?" he asked more clearly.

"There's a family emergency, i'm afraid, and I need you to come with me to the Heaadmaster's Office," she said quickly and sternly.

"Family emergency?" Josh repeated a little louder, and now fully awake. "What do you mean? What's going on?"

"I'm afraid I only know that there was an emergency and the Headmaster want's to see you," McGonagall replied. Josh nodded and rolled out of bed, pulled on his sweater and shoes, and follwed McGonagall all the way to the Headmaster's office where a gargoyle guarded the entrance.

"Cockatrice," McGonagall spoke, and the gargoyle moved to reveal the revolving staircase. The Transfiguration teacher nodded towards Josh who nodded back and walked up the stairs. He walked up to the headmaster's door and was about to knock, but before he did, the door opened to reveal three people. The Minister, the Headmaster, and Malcom, Josh's grandfather.

"Grandpa?" Josh said, walking into the office, towards his grandfather who smiled at him, but Josh noticed that it wasn't a full or joyful smile. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Joshua," Dumbledore spoke, waving to a seat. "Please sit," he said calmly.

Josh nodded and sat down in a chair that had been already provided. Malcom walked over and stood behind the chair, while Josh looked at the Minister and Headmaster with suspicion in his eyes. "What's going on?" he asked again.

"Joshua," the Minister spoke up. "I'm afraid we have some bad news, about your mother."

"What kind of bad news?" Josh asked as his heart rate began to pick up, afraid for the answer.

"She's been arrested," the Minister answered, shocking Josh.

"Arrested?" Josh repeated, as the Minister nodded. "Why? What for!" he asked, getting a little angry. His mother was a good person, and she would never do anything wrong, right?

"She was seen aiding and abedding a known criminal,' the Minister answered. "She was seen aiding the notorious escapee, Sirius Black."

Josh shook his head, shocked at the news. "No, she would never do that," he said.

"I'm afaid that it is true," the minister replied. "She was actually caught red handed as well," he added, while Josh continued to shake his head, not wanting to believe this was possibily true, then stopped.

"What really happened?" he finally asked quietly, after moments of silence.

"It happened a few days ago," The minister started, but was interuppted by Josh.

"A few days ago!" He repeated loudly. "A few days ago? And you're just telling me now!"

"I thought it was best for you to know about it later, when things got cleared," The minister replied, looking down at Josh.

"What is best for me? What is wrong you with, Minister? What do you have you're head so far up your arse that you forget to tell a son that his mother is in prison right away?" Josh growled out, standing to his feet. The Minister was about to retort, but Dumbledore held up a hand to him to not talk so Josh could finish. "My mother knows what's best for me, my grandfather knows what's best for me, I know what is best for me, Not you! You are not my father! I don't have one, nor do I want one!" He finished, breathing heavily.

"Are yo finished?" Dumbledore asked. Josh looked at the headmaster and nodded, sitting back down. "I am sorry, but what went on was that in another village near Hogsmeade."

"Your mother was seen by a few citizens of the village helping Sirius Black do something we don't know about yet," The minister continued.

"How do you know that the person she was helping was Sirius Black?" Josh asked, crossing his arms, more anger rising in him.

"Witnesses say that the man was wearing his prison robes," The Minister Replied. "So, he was indeed the notorious escapee, Sirius Black." Anger bruned deep inside Josh as there was a confirmation about the man his mother was with.

"Maybe she was kidnapped by Black," Josh said through his gritted teeth, hoping he was right.

"Witnesses say the two were hugging," The Minister replied while Josh closed his eyes. "Josh's mother was in Slytherin house was she not?" the Minister asked the Headmaster.

Dumbledore nodded. "She was, but I don't see what that has to do with anything," the headmaster said.

"Well, everyone, especially you Dumbledore, should know that most bad wizards come from Slytherin house," The minister explained. "And most of Black's family were in Slytherin," he added then turned to Malcom. "Your family knew the Black's, am I right?"

Malcom nodded. "Yes, we knew them," he said. "But after the first war, we exhiled ourselvesfrom that family and any other family that followed Voldemort."

"Yes, yes," the Minister said as he flinched at the sound of Voldemort's name. "But you still knew them." he added turning back to Dumbledore. "Sandra and Sirius were in the same class and from a few of the witnesses called from to the stand say they were seen together more than a few times in school..."

"What stand?" Josh blurted out. The Minister looked at Josh and sighed. "What do you mean witnesses were called to the stand? Are you serious? Was there a trial and I wasn't notified about it?" he growled, and looked at all of the older men who nodded. Josh turned to his grandfather who nodded as well. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked his grandfather.

"I felt that I shouldn't burden you with it right now," Malcom answred, a bit ashamed. "I felt you should enjoy your school for now, but it was Dumbledore's idea to tell you when he got a letter from the Ministry yesterday to testify against your mother, my daughter, and refused to do it."

"But still, my mother was arrested and already put to trial so fast," Josh said, standing to his feet in anger. "I should have been told right when she was arrested. And you have no right to know what's best for me. You are not my father, nor is that Minister over there." Malcom nodded, accepting his grandson's anger at him. Josh turned to the Minister. "And why didn't I get a letter to attend my mother's trial?" he asked.

"We felt that a mere child wouldn't be needed in this kind of trial," The Minister replied calmly. Josh clenched his hands in fists.

"A mere child?" Josh growled out. "I am not a child, I know things about my mother that you people don't! My mother is a good person with a good heart! She helps people, magic or not. She married a Muggle for Merlin's sake. Would a person who would follow Voldemort do that?"

"Could have been a cover up," The Minister stated.

"That's bollocks!" Josh shouted angirly.

"Joshua, please calm down," Dumbledore finally spoke. Josh nodded to the man he only had respect for in that room and exhaled heavily.

"Thank you, Dumbledore," the minister said, while Josh glared hard at the minister. "Now, I was only here, as Dumbledore's suggestion and grandfather's permission, to tell you about your mother's arrest, and possibly what will happen to you for the summer, as who will be your guardian."

"I'll most likely go stay with my grandfather," Josh replied, crossing his arms.

"That is a possibility," Dumbledore said. "But there's also another." Josh shook his head, knowing what Dumbledore meant.

"No, no, I don't want to go with him," he said defiantly. "I never want to see him no matter what law says."

"Well, I guess we will just see what happens," the Minister said, getting ready. "Now, is there anything else?"

"If Black is caught, will my mother be released?" Josh asked.

The Minister shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't happen," he answered.

Josh scoffed. "Why, because you won't be able to catch Black or..."

"Becase your mother was aiding a known criminal and that's breaking the wizarding law. She will have to stay in Azkaban for a while, no matter whether Sirius Black is caught or not," The minister replied hotly. "And another thing, the news of your mother being arrested will be in tomorrow's Daily Prophet."

"You can't do this," Josh said angrily as the Minister walked towards the fireplace.

"Of course I can," the Minister replied, putting on his hat. "I'm the Minister of Magic," he finished and then left through the fireplace in a flurry of green flames after throwing in some Floo Powder and shouting his destination.

Josh stared hardly at the firplace, hoping the Minister would get stuck or something. His mother was in the worst places of all, all because of Harry Potter's supposed godfather, Sirius Black.

Josh felt a hand touch his shoulder. He turned his head to see his Grandfather nodding and then he too left through the fireplace. Josh sighed angrily and slumped into the chair behind him, forgetting that he wasn't alone.

"Fear not, young Joshua," Dumbledore said, bringing Josh out of his reverie and remembered that he was in the Headmaster's Office.

"What now, then," Josh replied. "My mother is in Azkaban, worst place in the world, and I might have to live with the worst person in the world all because of wizarding law? It sucks."

"I guess it does," Dumbldore said, standing up to his feet. "Though I could think of a few places that are far more worse than Azkaban. And laws do change."

"Yeah, whatever," Josh replied, standing to his feet. "I'm going back to bed, if i can," he finished the turned for the door and left the Headmaster's office.


Josh hadn't gotten to sleep until daybreak. He had woke up to find the dorm deserted. He got out of bed, dressed, and gone down the spiral staircase to a common room that was completely empty except for Ron, who was eating a Peppermint Toad and massaging his stomach, Hermione, who had spread her homework over three tables, and Harry who was slumped in a chair looking very depressed.

"Where is everyone?" Josh asked as he walked farther into the common room.

"Gone! First day of the holidays, remember?" said Ron, watching Harry closely, and making Josh remember that his mother was arrested and that he might never go home for the Holidays with his mother ever again. "It's nearly lunchtime; Hermione was going to go and wake you up in a minute." Josh looked over at Hermione who seemed to be very busy looking over her homework with blushed cheeks.

Josh slumped into the couch in front of the fire. Snow was still falling outside the windows. Crookshanks was spread out in front of the fire like a large, ginger rug.

"You really don't look well, either," Hermione said, walking over to the three boys, and peering anxiously into Josh's face then looked at Harry. "You both look very tired."

"I'm fine," said Harry.

"Me too," Josh replied, looking into the fire. Hermione nodded and set her sights on Harry.

"Harry, listen," She said, exchanging a look with Ron that Josh noticed. "You must be really upset about what we heard yesterday. But the thing is, you mustn't go doing anything stupid."

"Like what?" said Harry.

"Like trying to go after Black," said Ron sharply. Anger rose in Josh when he heard Black's name.

"You won't, will you, Harry?" Hermione said.

"Because Black's not worth dying for," Ron added.

"D'you know what I see and hear every time a Dementor gets too near?" Harry asked. Ron, Josh, and Hermione shook their heads, looking apprehensive. "I can hear my mum screaming and pleading with Voldemort. And if you'd heard your mum screaming like that, just about to be killed, you wouldn't forget it in a hurry. And if you found out someone who was supposed to be a friend of hers, betrayed her and sent Voldemort after her —"

"There's nothing you can do!" said Hermione, looking stricken. "The Dementors will catch Black and he'll go back to Azkaban and — and serve him right!"

"You heard what Fudge said. Black isn't affected by Azkaban like normal people are. It's not a punishment for him like it is for the others," Harry replied as Josh thought what the dementors would do to his mother.

"So what are you saying?" said Ron, looking very tense. "You want to — to kill Black or something?"

"Don't be silly," said Hermione in a panicky voice. "Harry doesn't want to kill anyone, do you, Harry?" Josh looked at Harry expectanctly, hoping that Harry would at least say maybe so Josh could help him or something if he actually wanted to kill Black.

But, Harry didn't say anything. He looked lost in thought, conflicted of what to do.

"Malfoy knows," Harry said abruptly. "Remember what he said to me in Potions? 'If it was me, I'd hunt him down myself… I'd want revenge.'"

"You're going to take Malfoy's advice instead of ours?" said Ron furiously. "Listen… you know what Pettigrew's mother got back after Black had finished with him? Dad told me — the Order of Merlin, First Class, and Pettigrew's finger in a box. That was the biggest bit of him they could find. Black's a madman, Harry, and he's dangerous —"

"Malfoy's dad must have told him," said Harry, ignoring Ron as Josh listened to Harry. "He was right in Voldemort's inner circle —"

"Say You-Know-Who, will you?" interjected Ron angrily.

"— so obviously, the Malfoys knew Black was working for Voldemort —"

"— and Malfoy'd love to see you blown into about a million pieces, like Pettigrew! Get a grip. Malfoy's just hoping you'll get yourself killed before he has to play you at Quidditch."

"Harry, please," said Hermione, her eyes now shining with tears, "Please be sensible. Black did a terrible, terrible thing, but d-don't put yourself in danger, it's what Black wants… Oh, Harry, you'd be playing right into Black's hands if you went looking for him. Your mum and dad wouldn't want you to get hurt, would they? They'd never want you to go looking for Black!"

"I'll never know what they'd have wanted, because thanks to Black, I've never spoken to them," said Harry shortly causing a silence in which Crookshanks stretched luxuriously flexing his claws. Ron's pocket quivered.

Before anyone could continued to talk, there was a peck at the window. Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned to see a ministry Owl holding a Prophet. Josh didn't turn as he knew that it was his subscription of the Daily Prophet and he knew what the front page would say.

"Josh, isn't that for you?" Hermione asked. Josh nodded. "Shouldn't you get it then?" Josh shook his head. "Okay," Hermione replied, standing to her feet and walking over to get the Daily Prophet which she took from the Owl and walked back only to stop half way and gasp.

"What is it?" Ron asked as him and Harry turned to look at her. Josh continued to look at the fire, anger rising inside him. Hermione then walked over to Harry and gave him the Prophet, Ron joining them.

"This is not real, is it?" Ron asked as he read the front page. All three heads turned to Josh who was glaring into the fire, his hands clenched into fists.

"Josh, is this true?" Hermione asked, taking a seat next to Josh, bringing over the newspaper to show him. "Did your mother get arrested for helping Sirius Black?" she asked. Josh looked at the newspaper and at the moving picture that showed his mother being led to somewhere by Aurors and Photographers everywhere. The Headline, Woman Caught Aiding Sirius Black!

"Josh," Harry called. Josh looked up from the newspaper and up to Harry. "Is this real?" he asked. Josh nodded, looking at his friends who felt sympathetic towards him.

"Yes, it is," Josh replied quietly, his anger fading. "I only just found out last night, and I wasn't even invited to her trial."

"Oh, Joshua," Hermione said, grabbing his hand. Josh closed his eyes at his full name which reminded him of when his mother would say it when he was in trouble, and now, he wouldn't hear it as much. Josh then continued to tell his friends what went on the night before when he was summoned to Dumbledore's office.

"I don't even know if she'll even get out of that dementor filled, life ruining, prison," Josh said, leaning back.

"Will she be released if Black is caught?" Ron asked.

"No, the Minister said she'd still be in prison for helping out Black," Josh answered, getting a bit angry. He then looked at Harry who looked back. "Looks like you're not the only one with a grudge against Black now, and now you might have a bit of competition too."

"Competition?" Hermione repeated, hoping it didn't mean what she thought it meant.

"Maybe," Harry replied calmly.

"Look," said Ron, obviously casting around for a change of subject and stopping the start of something bad, "it's the holidays! It's nearly Christmas! Let's — let's go down and see Hagrid. We haven't visited him for ages!"

"No!" said Hermione quickly. "Harry isn't supposed to leave the castle, Ron —"

"Yeah, let's go," said Harry, sitting up, "and I can ask him how come he never mentioned Black when he told me all about my parents!"

"I don't think further discussion of Black wast what Ron had had in mind, Potter," Josh said, while Harry side glanced him.

"Or we could have a game of chess," Ron said hastily, "or Gobstones. Percy left a set —"

"No, let's visit Hagrid," said Harry firmly, while Josh rolled his eyes.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood to their feet while Josh stayed seated. The trio turned to Josh who didn't move. "What, not going, Anderson?" Harry asked.

"No, thanks," Josh replied. "I have to go to the Library. I have some Laws to look up." Ron nodded while Harry shrugged and began to leave.

"Would you like some help?" Hermione asked.

"No, I want to do this myself," Josh answered. "You should go with Harry and Ron, they might need you." Hermione nodded and left after Ron and Harry.

A few minutes later, Josh left the Common Room himself and left to the Library. He searched the shelves for books that would help him in anyway to get his mother out of Azkaban, yet he found nothing, all saying that she was going to have to serve time, usually up to life, but it all depended on the Criminal and their conviction. Black's case was a bad one. He murdered fourteen people and Josh's mother was seen helping him, which could mean that she would never get out of Azkaban.

Josh sighed and walked back to the Common Room in brooding anger. It was possible that he would never see his mother again, all because of Sirius Black. Josh clenched his hands to fists thinking that if he ever came face to face with the madman, he didn't know exactly what he would do, but whatever it was, he won't let anyone get in his way. Not even the famous Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.

The next day, Josh ignored his friends as they were looking for ways to get Hagrid's Hippogriff, Buckbeak, of a jam as Buckbeak was sentenced to death only for giving Malfoy his little scratch on the arm. But they did not find anything.

Meanwhile, in the rest of the castle, the usual magnificent Christmas decorations had been put up, despite the fact that hardly any of the students remained to enjoy them. Thick streamers of holly and mistletoe were strung along the corridors, mysterious lights shone from inside every suit of armor, and the Great Hall was filled with its usual twelve Christmas trees, glittering with golden stars. A powerful and delicious smell of cooking pervaded the corridors, and by Christmas Eve, it had grown so strong that even Scabbers poked his nose out of the shelter of Ron's pocket to sniff hopefully at the air.

On Christmas morning, Josh was woken by a soft thud sound and Ron's voice.

"Oi! Presents!"

Josh sat up, squinting through the semi-darkness to the foot of his bed, where a small heap of parcels had appeared. Ron was already ripping the paper off his own presents and Harry was slowly moving to his presents.

"Another sweater from Mum… maroon again… see if you've got one."

Josh looked over to see Harry opening a present Mrs. Weasley had sent him which was a scarlet sweater with the Gryffindor lion knitted on the front, also a dozen home-baked mince pies, some Christmas cake, and a box of nut brittle. Josh opened his which was a blue sweater with a small dragon knitted on the front and the same sweets.

"What's that?" said Ron, looking over, a freshly unwrapped pair of maroon socks in his hand. Josh looked up to see Harr picking up a long thin package.

"Dunno…" Harry breathed out, then ripped the parcel open, and all three boys gasped as a magnificent, gleaming broomstick rolled out onto Harry's bedspread. Ron dropped his socks and jumped off his bed for a closer look. Josh staying where he was, admiring the broom from afar.

"I don't believe it," Ron said hoarsely.

It was a Firebolt, identical to the dream broom every wizarding boy wanted. Its handle glittered as Harry picked it up. It hung in midair, unsupported, at exactly the right height for one to mount it. Josh's eyes moved from afar at the top of the handle, right down to the perfectly smooth, streamlined birch twigs that made up the tail.

"Who sent it to you?" said Ron in a hushed voice.

"Look and see if there's a card," said Harry.

Ron ripped apart the Firebolt's wrappings. "Nothing! Blimey, who'd spend that much on you?"

"Well," said Harry, feeling stunned, "I'm betting it wasn't the Dursleys." Josh snorted, but looked away when Harry glanced over at him. Josh continued through his presents and ignored the other two boys.

Josh looked at his presents, one from his grandfather with was a new wand holster, one from Mrs. Weasley which was the sweater, one from Daphne which was a new Defense spell book, one from Blaise and other friends which were all treats from Honeydukes, and lastly, the wrapped gift which was from his mum. He stared at the small boxed, blue-colored present, not really wanting to open it all, fearing it was the last present he would ever recieve from his mother.

" — Lupin!" Josh heard Ron said, bring him out of his thoughts. He turned to listen to the two boys.

"What?" said Harry, now starting to laugh himself. "Lupin? Listen, if he had this much gold, he'd be able to buy himself some new robes."

"Yeah, but he likes you," said Ron. "And he was away when your Nimbus got smashed, and he might've heard about it and decided to visit Diagon Alley and get this for you —"

"What d'you mean, he was away?" said Harry as that peaked Josh's interest. "He was ill when I was playing in that match."

"Well, he wasn't in the hospital wing," said Ron. "I was there, cleaning out the bedpans on that detention from Snape, remember?"

Harry frowned at Ron as Josh figured he knew where Lupin probably was. "I can't see Lupin affording something like this." Harry said.

"What're you two laughing about?"

Hermione had just come in, wearing her dressing gowns and carrying Crookshanks, who was looking very grumpy, with a string of tinsel tied around his neck.

"Don't bring him in here!" said Ron, hurriedly snatching Scabbers from the depths of his bed and stowing him in his pyjama pocket.

"What's with you?" Harry asked.

Hermione dropped Crookshanks onto Seamus's empty bed and stared, open-mouthed, at the Firebolt. "Oh, Harry! Who sent you that?" She asked.

"No idea," said Harry. "There wasn't a card or anything with it."

To the boys' great surprise, Hermione did not appear either excited or intrigued by the news. On the contrary, her face fell, and she bit her lip. Josh felt she was about to get protective and weird.

"What's the matter with you?" said Ron.

"I don't know," said Hermione slowly, "but it's a bit odd, isn't it? I mean, this is supposed to be quite a good broom, isn't it?"

Ron sighed exasperatedly. "It's the best broom there is, Hermione," he said.

"So it must've been really expensive…"

"Probably cost more than all the Slytherins' brooms put together," said Ron happily.

"Well… who'd send Harry something as expensive as that, and not even tell him they'd sent it?" said Hermione.

"Who cares?" said Ron impatiently. "Listen, Harry, can I have a go on it? Can I?"

"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" said Hermione shrilly.

"What d'you think Harry's going to do with it — sweep the floor?" said Ron.

But before Hermione could answer, Crookshanks sprang from Seamus's bed, right at Ron's chest. Josh jumping to his feet in surprise.

"GET — HIM — OUT — OF — HERE!" Ron bellowed as Crookshanks's claws ripped his pajamas and Scabbers attempted a wild escape over his shoulder. Ron seized Scabbers by the tail and aimed a misjudged kick at Crookshanks that hit the trunk at the end of Harry's bed, knocking it over and causing Ron to hop up and down, howling with pain.

Crookshanks's fur suddenly stood on end. A shrill, tinny, whistling was filling the room. The Pocket Sneakoscope had become dislodged from some old socks and was whirling and gleaming on the floor.

"I forgot about that!" Harry said, bending down and picking up the Sneakoscope. "I never wear those socks if I can help it…"

The Sneakoscope whirled and whistled in his palm. Crookshanks was hissing and spitting at it.

"You'd better take that cat out of here, Hermione," said Ron furiously, sitting on Harry's bed nursing his toe. "Can't you shut that thing up?" he added to Harry as Hermione strode out of the room, Crookshanks's yellow eyes still fixed maliciously on Ron. Josh laughed to himself and too strode out of the room, pocketing his mother's present.

Josh entered the common room where Hermione was, sitting by the fire. He walked over and sat down as well.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked out of the blue.

"Fine," Josh replied automatically.

"Are you sure? You have been ignoring us for the last couple of days," Hermione said.

"I know I have," Josh replied with a heavy sigh. "But I'm fine."

"Joshua, I just want you to know that if you need anything, anyone to talk to, I am here for you."

Josh looked at Hermione who gave him a small smile. He smiled back and nodded. "Okay, thank you."

Christmas spirit was definitely thin on the ground in the Gryffindor common room that morning. Hermione had shut Crookshanks in her dormitory, but was furious with Ron for trying to kick him; Ron was still fuming about Crookshanks's fresh attempt to eat Scabbers; Harry gave up trying to make Ron and Hermione talk to each other and devoted himself to examining the Firebolt, which he had brought down to the common room with him. For some reason this seemed to annoy Hermione as well; she didn't say anything, but she kept looking darkly at the broom as though it too had been criticising her cat. She also kept an eye on Josh who seem ed to be brooding but he did have a good sense to tell Harry 'Happy Christmas' though it was without emotion.

For some reason, Josh wasn't mad at Harry, but everytime he looked at him, he thought of Black and what he caused for Josh's mother, which also made Josh be a bit bitter towards Harry.

At Dinnet they went down to the Great Hall, to find that the House tables had been moved against the walls again, and that a single table, set for twelve, stood in the middle of the room. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick were there and there were no other students.

"Happy Christmas!" said Dumbledore as Harry, Ron, Josh, and Hermione approached the table. "As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the House tables… Sit down, sit down!"

They took seats around the table, Josh sitting at the end, away from everyone.

"Crackers!" said Dumbledore enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape, who took it reluctantly and tugged. With a bang like a gunshot, the cracker flew apart to reveal a large, pointed witches hat topped with a stuffed vulture.

Josh saw the scene and smirked in amusement; Snape's mouth thinned and he pushed the hat toward Dumbledore, who swapped it for his wizard's hat at once.

"Dig in!" Dumbledore advised the table, beaming around, and lastly at Josh who nodded at one another.

As Josh was helping himself to roast potatoes, the doors of the Great Hall opened again. It was Professor Trelawney, gliding toward them as though on wheels. She had put on a green sequined dress in honor of the occasion, making her look more than ever like a glittering, oversized dragonfly.

"Sybill, this is a pleasant surprise!" said Dumbledore, standing up.

"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," said Professor Trelawney in her mistiest, most faraway voice, "and to my astonishment, I saw myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from my tower, and I do beg you to forgive my lateness…" Josh raised an eyebrow, forgetting how weird Trelawney really was.

"Certainly, certainly," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Let me draw you up a chair —"

And he did, and the rest of dinner, the day andwas normal to Josh who really wasn't paying attention, but he was, secretly.

Professor Trelawney behaved almost normally until the very end of Christmas dinner, two hours later. Full to bursting with Christmas dinner and still wearing their cracker hats, Harry, Josh, and Ron got up first from the table and she shrieked loudly.

"My dears! Which of you left their seat first? Which?"

"Dunno," said Ron, looking uneasily at Harry. Josh shrugged, not really caring.

"I doubt it will make much difference," said Professor McGonagall coldly, "unless a mad axe-man is waiting outside the doors to slaughter the first into the Entrance Hall."

Even Ron laughed. Professor Trelawney looked highly affronted.

"Coming?" Josh heard Harry say to Hermione.

"No," Hermione muttered. "I want a quick word with Professor McGonagall."

"Probably trying to see if she can take any more classes," yawned Ron as they make their way into the Entrance Hall, Josh walking behind the two

When they reached the portrait hole they found Sir Cadogan enjoying a Christmas part with a couple of monks, several previous headmasters of Hogwarts and his fat pony. He pushed up his visor toasted them with a flagon of mead.

"Happy — hic — Christmas! Password?"

"Scurvy cur," said Ron.

"And the same to you, sir!" roared Sir Cadogan, as the painting swung forward to admit them.

Josh and Ron sat in front of the fire while Harry went up to the dorm and came back down with his Firebolt and the Broomstick Servicing Kit Hermione had given him for his birthday. He and Ron simply sat admiring it from every angle, Josh staring into the fire thinking the same thing he had been thinking for the pass couple of days when the portrait hole opened, and Hermione came in, accompanied by Professor McGonagall.

The three boys stared at her questioningly, Harry and Ron both holding the Firebolt. Hermione walked around them, sat down, picked up the nearest book and hid her face behind it. Josh glanced at her suspiciously.

"So that's it, is it?" said Professor McGonagall beadily, walking over to the fireside and staring at the Firebolt. "Miss Granger has just informed me that you have been sent a broomstick, Potter."

Harry, Josh, and Ron looked around at Hermione. They could see her forehead reddening over the top of her book, which was upside-down.

"May I?" said Professor McGonagall, but she didn't wait for an answer before pulling the Firebolt out of their hands. She examined it carefully from handle to twig-ends. "Hmm. And there was no note at all, Potter? No card? No message of any kind?"

"No," said Harry blankly.

"I see…" said Professor McGonagall. "Well, I'm afraid I will have to take this, Potter."

"W — what?" said Harry, scrambling to his feet. "Why?"

"It will need to be checked for jinxes," said Professor McGonagall. "Of course, I'm no expert, but I daresay Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip it down —"

"Strip it down?" repeated Ron, as though Professor McGonagall was mad.

"It shouldn't take more than a few weeks," said Professor McGonagall. "You will have it back if we are sure it is jinx-free."

"There's nothing wrong with it!" said Harry, his voice shaking slightly. "Honestly, Professor —"

"You can't know that, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, quite kindly, "not until you've flown it, at any rate, and I'm afraid that is out of the question until we are certain that it has not been tampered with. I shall keep you informed."

Professor McGonagall turned on her heel and carried the Firebolt out of the portrait hole, which closed behind her. Harry stood staring after her, the tin of High-Finish Polish still clutched in his hands. Ron, however, rounded on Hermione and Josh watched.

"What did you go running to McGonagall for?" Ron spat.

Hermione threw her book aside. She was still pink in the face, but stood up and faced Ron defiantly.

"Because I thought — and Professor McGonagall agrees with me — that that broom was probably sent to Harry by Sirius Black!"

"Bullocks!" Ron growled, walking towards Harry to find a way to keep his mind off of his Firebolt.

Hermione looked at Josh. "You understand that I mean well, don't you?" she asked Josh who shrugged.

"Maybe, but you should have at least told Harry about it first," he replied, standing to his feet. "But you didn't and now two of your friends are mad at you for going behind their backs," he finished and then left Hermione to her thoughts.

A/N: He readers, sorry for the long wait but i've been busy and writers and I have all these stories I started at once which is a bad idea by the way so dont do that. Anyways, there it is. Tension will begin to arise in Harry and Josh because of Sirius Black, someone likes someone who also is liked by someone else, and Josh had his first real dark thought and thus it begins, the fight of dark and light inside Josh's heart. So, Josh may have a hard time to do his Patronus for a while and may never conquer the spell, but will still be the teacher for Harry and Blaise but it will be difficult. Next Chapter, Josh begins teaching the Patronus, learns a few things, and may steal something that belongs to Harry