Chapter Nine: Silent Tears
"Finally," Ginny said, as Harry descended the stairs, "Took you long enough."
"Sorry," Harry said, going towards her, "Why the hell did you get me up at three a.m. anyway?"
"I dunno," the redhead replied, "I got this from a house elf an hour ago."
"Let me see it," Harry said, taking the paper from her.
Harry,
Seein' as it's no longer banned, can you and the rest come down to me home later this evenin'? I've got something to show you .
-Hagrid
"So lets go," Ginny said, grabbing his hand.
"We've got to go get Ron and Hermione," Harry said slowly, "He said 'the rest' so I'm assuming it includes them too."
"Ugh, fine," Ginny sighed, walking back up the stairs to the girls dormitory, "You have no idea how hard it is to wake Hermione up at this time of night."
Chuckling to himself as he remembered the trio's journey the past year, "Oh I think I do."
xoxoxo
"Question: Are we sneaking out?" Hermione whispered, as the four walked out of the castle.
"Shhh!" Ron whispered, "Hermione,! Haven't we taught you anything?"
"Wha-"Better to be safe then sorry," Ron interrupted.
"I don't think we're sneaking out," Ginny said, "I mean we aren't actually in school."
"Honestly I don't even care if we are," Harry said laughing, " I mean , I highly doubt Riddle's going to pop up again….what is there to be afraid of? Filch?"
"True….when was the last time we left the castle at night without the cloak on?" Ron asked.
"Just how often did you three sneak out?" Ginny asked slowly.
"You don't even want to know," Hermione said, shaking her head.
"Please?"
Laughing, Hermione linked arms with the red head, "Fine, I'll tell you what really happened."
"No….you don't have to do that," Harry and Ron said hastily.
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" 'Arry!! Ron! 'Ermione! Ginny!"
"Hi Hagrid," the four chorused.
"Thought I'd invite you over ter 'ear me news!" Hagrid said, smiling broadly.
"News?" Ginny asked excitedly, following him into the hut, "What sort of news Hagrid?"
"Wait a moment Ginny," the large man said as he pulled out several bottles of butterbeer and passed them around, "There's time enough ter talk of it now. All thanks ter 'Arry hear o' course."
"It wasn't just me," Harry protested, accepting his bottle.
"I'm getting' married."
The news was a shock to everyone involved. Ron in particular reacted violently.
"EW!! RON!"
"Sorry Hermione," the redhead blushed, wiping off his mouth, " Married? Hagrid?? To who?"
"Olympe," Hagrid said smiling,"I asked her by owl yesterday and I just go' an owl back an hour ago."
"Congratulations!" Ginny said happily, "When's the wedding?"
"Later on this summer," Hagrid replied, a lazy smile growing on his face.
"Hagrid? You aren't leaving Hogwarts are you?" Harry asked, still a bit shocked.
"No! 'Ogwarts is home! We're buying a house outside of the village. Olympe is going ter work at the Ministry."
"Well then," Ron said, raising his glass, "Cheers!"
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The next day Harry laid his parents and godfather to rest next to the Lupins.
When the time came for Harry to speak, he found himself standing in front of his friends and teachers without anything to say. It was as if Sirius and his parents had died yesterday. The pain was fresh and raw. He could see Sirius's dark face, head thrown back in a laugh. He could see his parents, happy and smiling. It was too much.
And silently, as he stood there, the tears began to fall.
He couldn't see through his tears the exact moment they left their seats, but in a flash, Ron, Hermione were standing next to him.
And Ron began to speak:
"Sirius Black was my idol. He was strong and brave. The strongest man I've ever met, with the exception of my best friend. He saved my life.
I remember how we spent our third year fearing that Sirius would come and try to kill Harry. Boy, were we wrong. Scabbers? My rat? Yeah. He was Peter Pettigrew. That worm was who wanted to kill Harry.
Sirius grew up in a house full of dark magic. His parents believed that pure bloods ran the world. Sirius didn't care. He was everything his parents hated. He epitomized everything the three of us believe in.
He spent years in Azkaban, years that he could have spent with Harry, alone. Was he bitter? Maybe. But he never lost sight of the goal: defeat Voldemort.
Sirius is the reason we survived. He never doubted any of us. It did not matter that we were only kids. He knew that we were strong enough. He knew that Harry was strong enough. And he was right.
Sirius Black is a hero and he died a hero."
Hermione added, " I was one of his biggest doubters. I hate to admit it. Sirius had more faith in our strength then I did at times. He was loyal and go-
"It's because of him that I'm here today," Harry interrupted, "He's the reason we won."
xoxoxo
Sorry for the lack of updates! My muse has returned somewhat so I should be churning out more chapters soon!! lol
I finally got a freewebs account and will be updating each chapter's status there from now on (go to my profile and click on homepage)
Review please!!
best wishes for 2008
-domslove
