Harry Potter
Redemption of the Innocent
By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Rating: K
Pairing: N/A (as of now)
Genre: Adventure/Friendship
Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.
Summary: Third year is approaching and Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. It is believed that he is heading towards Hogwarts. How far are the friends willing to go, to prove the innocence of a desperate man?
Author's Note: Once again, special thanks to DJScales, Wild-in-Spirit, Alieen Autarkeia, Forever Dreaming Grace and Razmend. Chapter is dedicated to you.
Pre-Christmas Blues
Monday rolled around quicker than any of the students could comprehend; after the match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor on Saturday, Harry had to remain in the Hospital Wing all weekend. Something he didnt seem to mind he had everything he needed, and his friends came around every chance they had to visit him. Sometimes Charlie would show up, her Slytherin friends in tow -the girls, not the boys- and although they looked disgruntled to be visiting the Gryffindor Seeker they didnt voice their complaints, because they knew how worried Charlie had been about her friend. They had after all been standing beside her in the stands the day of the match, they had witnessed her scream, her pursuit down onto the pitch to check on him. They had heard her scream his name as she landed on her knees beside him, and witnessed the fear in her eyes when the Dementors circled above her as Dumbledore lifted Harry off the pitch and taken him to the Hospital Wing.
During one of Charlie's visits, Ginny Weasley had visited him bringing with her a homemade 'Get Well Card' which she quickly gave him before scampering off to find her friends; and left Harry to endless hours of torture from his Slytherin friend -who was still teasing him about it Monday morning-
"Any news from your girlfriend, Harry," Charlie smirked, as the five friends headed down the hall towards Defence
The Seeker glared at her
"Girlfriend?" Riley questioned "What girlfriend?" she turned to Harry "You've got a girlfriend?"
"No," Harry shook his head, "I dont know what she is talking about"
"Oh come off it!" Charlie responded "Ginny, came up to the Hospital wing on Sunday to give Harry a 'Get Well card'" she explained "Poor kid, was the colour of a beetroot"
Riley snickered "Looks like Myrtle's got competition" she teased
Harry glared at them both as Charlie burst into laughter.
He was saved from retorting, however, when they rounded the corner and appeared right outside the DADA classroom. Hermione reached the door first as Ron urged her to check who was on the inside "If its Snape, im going on the sick!" the Red head stated
Thankfully enough Professor Lupin was back at work; he certainly looked like he had been ill. His clothes looked like they were ten sizes to big for him and there were dark circles under his eyes, but nevertheless he welcomed the class with a smile, as they took their regular seats within his classroom.
"Welcome back, Professor" Riley greeted, as she removed her book and equipment from her bag
Lupin nodded in her direction "Thank you, Miss Spirit" he mumured, in his usual soft tone "Now, what happened while I was away?"
The class -save for a few Slytherins- burst into complaints at Snape's behaviour during their last lesson -
"Its not fair! He was only filling in! Why should he set us homework?"
"- we dont know anything about Werewolves -
"- two rolls of parchment -"
Lupin gazed around at his class "Did you tell Professor Snape, that we havent covered them yet?"
Charlie groaned, and buried her head in her arms as the Gryffindors burst out once more.
"Yes, but he said we were really behind -"
"- he wouldnt listen -"
"- two rolls of parchment -"
Lifting her head, Charlie picked up her notebook and threw it; she didnt know what possessed her to do it, but the fact remained was that she had. And it connected with her intended target - Ron.
"Ouch!" the Red head exclaimed, reaching back and rubbing the back of his head; he turned in his seat and glanced at the notebook which had landed on the floor with a soft 'thump' he lifted it up and read the name "Charlie?" he frowned turning in his friends direction "What did you do that for?" he asked
The Slytherin shrugged "Oh, because you're complaining is annoying me!" she answered, taking her book back "We're all well aware that Professor Snape gave us two rolls of parchment, would it kill you to just do as your told for once? And not question those superior to you?"
The other Slytherins nodded, glad that someone was speaking up on the heads of house's behalf.
"Okay, Miss. Hunter," Lupin called "Please settle down. There is no need to throw things at your classmates"
Charlie put her book down and turned to face the front of the class once more; Riley shot her a sideways glance and reached for a quill and a piece of parchment.
"As for the rest of you," Lupin continued "I will speak with Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay"
Hermione looked disappointed "But i've already finished it!"
xXxHarryPotterxXx
After the hubbub at the beginning of the class, the Gryffindors settled down and the lesson commenced. It was rather enjoyable, Professor Lupin had brought in another creature for them to study, although this time it was nowhere as fierce as a Boggart. This time he had brought a glass box which contained a little one-legged rather frail and harmless-looking creature. A Hinkypunk.
"Now, can anyone tell me what a Hinkypunk is?" was one of the first questions Lupin had asked
Only Hermione and Riley seemed to know the answer, or were the only ones could be bothered to raise their hands to answer the question. Lupin called on Riley.
"A Hinkypunk is a small, one-legged creature which appears as though it were made of wisps of smoke," Riley explained "It likes to lead travellers off the track at night and into marsh-like areas. Muggle's refer to them as the will -o'-wisp"
Lupin nodded "Well done, 10 points to Gryffindor"
The Hinkypunk the lanuched itself at the glass and made a horrible squelching noise against the glass.
Soon the bell rang, signalling the end of the lesson, Gryffindors and Slytherins alike quickly gathered their books and slid them back into their bags before heading towards the door. Charlie, hoisted her backpack up onto her shoulder and grabbed her note book and wand from the desk as she followed her Gryffindor friends towards the door. She had only reached the threshold when Lupin's voice reached her senses and called her back "Miss. Hunter, I would like a word with you"
The Slytherin nodded "I'll be fine guys," she told her friends, before turning back
The door closed behind Riley and silence dropped between herself and her professor, the Slytherin watched as her professor covered the Hinkypunk box with a cloth, before turning in her direction. "I heard about the match," he told her, his back still turned.
Charlie frowned. If he wanted to talk about the Quidditch match, shouldnt he have held Harry behind and not her?
"Excuse me?" she asked
"I spoke to Mr. Potter on Sunday evening," Lupin informed her, turning to face her once more "after you had left, of course, he told me about what had happened down at the Quidditch match on Saturday. He also explained to me, what you felt when you were in the stands?"
The Slytherin nodded "Oh, you mean that I felt the Dementors before I could see them" she answered
"Yes," Lupin nodded
"But I didnt pass out this time," Charlie pointed out "That's got to be an improvement"
Lupin nodded again "But if I remember correctly, your Boggart was a Dementor was it not?"
"Yes," Charlie answered "I've been wondering about that since that lesson," she frowned "Why did my Boggart take the shape of a dementor? Its not my biggest fear. And -"
"Why did I stop you from facing it?" Lupin interrupted her
The Slytherin nodded
The DADA professor motioned for her to sit down. Charlie did perching herself on top of one of the desks, as her backpack lay beside her on the floor "I thought your fear would be obvious," Lupin spoke, sitting behind his desk "It is not hard to see that you are protective of Miss. Spirit and Professor Dumbledore has already warned me of your derailment last year, following her attack"
Charlie blushed
"I figured that your biggest fear would be her, dead" Lupin finished
"I did think of that at first," Charlie admitted "But then I had a flashback of me and my mum once, we had gone to the fun fair in London; and there was this clown, he made me a balloon animal, but he kinda followed me around after that. Always staring at me and watching me, it creeped me out and my mum so she scooped me up and took me home" she explained "I've been afraid of clowns ever since"
Lupin nodded in understandment "Sounds logical" he mumured "We associate things with what scares us the most. Im guessing you have never gone to another fun fair or circus, after that incident?"
Charlie shook her head. Since the incident when she was a child, she had no desire to go near a place where they housed a clown. "But then I remembered that night on the train," she shivered "and the Dementor"
"Well, im very impressed" Lupin responded "That suggests what you fear the most is fear itself. This very wise"
"Before I fainted," Charlie continued "I heard something. A woman and a Man. They were talking"
Lupin looked up expectantly "Do you know what about?"
"Someone named Serenity," the Muggleborn answered "The woman wanted the man to promise that 'Serenity' would be safe"
The DADA professor looked confused "Well, Dementors force us to relive our very worst memories. Our pain becomes their power"
"But that doesnt explain why I was hearing this conversation," Charlie interrupted him "It wasnt about me. It wasnt one of my memories..."
Lupin nodded, this was true. As far as he was aware the witch sitting before him was a Muggleborn, born and raised in the Muggle community and learned of Hogwarts when she was 11 years old. So why was she reliving a memory that wasnt her's?
"Professor, why do the dementors affect me and Harry?" Charlie asked, breaking through his thoughts "I mean, us more than everyone else?"
"Listen," Lupin sighed "Dementors are the foulest creatures to walk this Earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory, until a person is left with absolutely nothing but their worst experiences" he explained "You are not weak, Charlie. The Dementors affect you most because there are true horrors in your past. Horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine"
Charlie knew that he was talking about the past two years of her life at Hogwarts, they were the only horrors in her past. Facing Quirrel and Voldemort, the Forbidden forest. Aragog and the Basilisk. Riley's petrified state. He couldnt have known about the horrors that she had to face in the Muggle world, because aside from this year, he didnt know her. Especially during holiday time.
"You, nor Mr. Potter have nothing to be ashamed of," Lupin added, breaking through her thoughts this time
"Im scared, professor" she admitted "Normally I can laugh in the face of danger. I've done things that my classmates couldnt even imagine doing. I've faced things that would truly terrify most students at Hogwarts" she told him "and not once have I batted an eyelid, or felt scared in the presence of danger. But this year..." she trailed off, shaking her head "I don't know, this year, its like..."
"Something you can't explain?" Lupin offered "Something that is out of your control?"
The Slytherin nodded "Yeah"
"Well, i'd consider you a fool if you werent scared," Lupin chuckled
Charlie jumped off the desk "I need to know how to fight them!" she said determindedly "and you're the perfect person to teach me!"
Lupin did not look at all surprised with her request "You and Mr. Potter are more alike than you know" he smirked "he made the very same request"
"Well, you made that Dementor on the train go away" Charlie pointed out
"There was only one that night," he responded
Charlie shrugged "But you made it go away,"
"I don't pretend to be an expert, Charlie" Lupin sighed "But as the Dementors have developed an interest in yourself and Mr. Potter, maybe I should consider teach you." he glanced up at her "But after the holidays; for now I need to rest"
Charlie nodded in understandment, and after acquiring a note from Professor Lupin hurried off to her next class. Diviniation.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
The months had flown by, and soon it was Christmas. Although Charlie had been looking forward to going home for Christmas she had decided at the last minute that she wanted to spend Christmas at the castle -at least thats what she told her mother- truth be told, she, Riley, Hermione and Ron were only staying to keep Harry company although the Slytherin and Riley would be spending the festive season in the Slytherin dorm rooms. It was tradition that every year they would each move into one anothers dorms to spend the festive cheer, first year Charlie had been up with the Gryffindors, last year Riley was supposed to have been in the dungeons but instead was in the Hospital wing. So they were picking up from where they left off.
"Im not going!" Hermione strained, as she struggled against Charlie and Riley who were pulling her out into the Hogwarts grounds, while Ron stuffed her hat onto her head "I have work to do!"
Charlie signalled to Riley and the two let Hermione go. Hermione stumbled for a second before landing in the cold snow "You asked for it!" Charlie shrugged, as her friend glared at her "and its your fault you have so much work to do!" she stated, reaching out a hand "You insist on taking about thirty subjects, then your asking for trouble!" she stated "We just decided you need a break, come on! We're gonna be late!"
The carriage stopped beside them and the Slytherin shoved Hermione in first "Late for what?" Ron asked
"You're getting to meet Snuffles," Charlie grinned "I wonder if he remembered?"
Riley rolled her eyes and hopped into the carriage behind her friend "He is a dog!" she stated "He doesnt understand the concept of dates, besides, he's a stray; probably gone by now"
But Charlie was defiant that the dog she had found last trip, was still in Hogsmeade waiting for her.
The trip down was enjoyable; when the carriage came to a halt the four friends jumped out and quickly darted for the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer before heading up the slope towards the Shrieking Shack. While Ron and Hermione refused to go inside, Charlie and Riley hurried down the path and disappeared into the building in the distance.
"Snuffles!" Charlie called, as she edged towards the stairs of the shack "Snuffles, you here?" she asked
There was a whining noise from upstairs and the Slytherin quickly took them two at a time, bursting into the main bedroom in seconds. In the corner of the room; looking like he had been attacked was "SNUFFLES!" Charlie screamed, sprinting to the dog's side and patting his head affectionately "Oh, Snuffles. What happened to you?" she asked
"Charlie?" Riley asked, edging into the room "What happened?"
"He's been attacked," her friend answered "Look, he's got claw marks on him and his fur is missing!"
Riley approached her friend "Could he have gotten into a fight with another dog?" she asked
"I dunno," Charlie shrugged "Riley, what am I gonna do? I can't take him to Madam Pomfrey because Dogs arent allowed in the castle" she looked up at her friend "and I don't know any healing spells"
The Gryffindor knelt beside her friend "I know one," she mumured "But I don't know if it will work on animals"
"Try anyway" Charlie urged "Please?"
"Okay," her friend nodded, and reached for her wand. She pointed it at the dogs injuries and muttered the spell. There was a flash of white light, and suddenly the wounds healed.
Charlie, knelt with bated breath as the wounds healed, Snuffles moved slightly before launching himself at the Slytherin and licking her face. She giggled, pushed him back as she sat up, before throwing her arms around him and hugging him "Oh Snuffles!" she cried "You're okay!"
The dog barked and licked Riley in thanks after Charlie had let him go "We should get back to Ron and Hermione"
The Slytherin nodded and got to her feet, the two friends headed for the door and she turned "Come on Snuffles, I want you to meet my friends!"
And the three of them left the shack together.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
"...those weasels!" Ron fumed, as he and his friends walked along the Highstreet of Hogsmeade. When Charlie and Riley had returned from the shack they had found Hermione and Ron laughing with Harry, on the outskirts of the building. The three of them had stopped when the other two returned, surprised that Charlie hadnt made up the dog like they thought she had "They, never told me about any Marauder's Map"
Hermione shook her head "Harry, isnt going to keep it" she told the red head "He's gonna turn it over to Professor McGonagall, arent you?" she turned on Harry
"Oh sure," Charlie interrupted "Along with his Invisibility Cloak?" she asked
Snuffles nudged her hand with his nose, she smiled and petted him
"Look who it is," Riley smirked "Madam Rosemerta, Ron fancies her" she teased
"No I don't!" Ron defended
Minister Fudge, arrived seconds later followed closely by Professor McGonagall "Minerva," the Minister called
"Cornelius!" McGonagall responded
Both came to a halt beside Madam Rosemerta "Rosemerta, my dear" the Minister smiled "I hope business is good"
"It'd be alot better if the Ministry wasn't sending dementors into my pub, every other night!" the bar maiden stated, waving the hammer in her hand at the Minister.
Cornelius stepped back "We have a killer on the loose," he told her
"Sirius Black in Hogsmeade," Rosemerta responded, shaking her head "and what would bring him here?" she asked
Minister Fudge leaned in closer to her and whispered in her ear. The friends couldnt hear him, but Rosemerta provided them with what they needed.
"Harry Potter?" she questioned, loudly
The friends gasped as Fudge and McGonagall ushered the woman inside, they turned to Harry but found he had disappeared.
But there were footsteps heading towards the pub.
"Go!" Hermione said, pushing Ron towards the door
Riley looked at Charlie "This way!" the Slytherin said, jerking her head towards the alleyway beside the Three Broomstick. The two friends disappeared down there, Snuffles trotting behind them.
"What are we looking for?" Riley asked, as she and Charlie reached the back of the Three Broomsticks. She could hear voices but couldnt work out where they were coming from.
Charlie looked up "That!" she said, pointing at an open window that resided in the back of the pub. Looking around she spotted a few empty bins underneath the window "Come on, up here!" and she hoisted herself up, reaching for the window sill to hold herself up as Riley climbed up beside her.
They could hear everything was being said, but couldnt be seen. Unless of course one of the three people in the room just happened to look out of the window and directly downwards.
Other than that - they were safe.
"Nobody will come to a pub where they'll get scared out of their wits," Rosemerta was saying
"Professor Dumbledore doesnt want dementors around the place," McGonagall reassured her "I can assure you"
There was a clicking sound before Rosemerta's voice changed drastically "Now, tell me what this is all about"
"Years ago, when Harry Potter's parents realized they were marked for death," McGonagall spoke once more "They went into hiding. Few knew where they were, one who did was Sirius Black. And he told You-Know-Who"
Outside the window Charlie and Riley exchanged looks
"Not only did Black lead You-Know-Who to the Potters that night," Minister Fudge, spoke this time "he also killed one of their friends; Peter Pettigrew!"
At the name Snuffles gave a low growl; Charlie looked down and frowned "Shh, Snuffles" she whispered
"Peter Pettigrew?" Rosemerta questioned
"Litte lump of a boy," McGonagall answered "Always trailing after Black"
"I remember. Never let James and Sirius out of his sight"
Charlie and Riley, who were still outside the window, inched up a little bit on their toes so that they could see through the glass. Rosemerta was standing in front of the fireplace, McGonagall was sat on the couch and the Minister was heading in their direction. Ducking down quickly, the friends hoped they hadnt been seen.
"What happened?" Rosemerta asked
"Peter tried to warn the Potters," McGonagall answered "and might have managed too, had he not run into an old friend. Sirius Black"
"Black was vicious" the Minister stated "He didnt kill Peter; he destroyed him! A finger! That's all that was left. A finger. Nothing else"
"Oh yes," McGonagall agreed "Sirius Black may not have put his hands to the Potters, but he's the reason they're dead"
"And now he wants to finish what he started," Fudge spoke, once more
Rosemerta's voice echoed through the open window, after a moments pause "I don't believe it"
"That's not the worst of it," McGonagall responded
Charlie quirked a curious eyebrow "What could be worse?" she whispered to Riley
The Gryffindor shrugged
Rosemerta had said something, but the friends missed it.
"This: Sirius Black was..." McGonagall spoke "...and remains to this day...Harry Potter's godfather"
The two friends outside the window gasped, as they stepped backwards; their feet came in contact with air and they landed on the snow covered grounds with thuds. The bins on which they had been standing clattered all around them as they fell.
"What was that?" three voices questioned from the open window
Charlie shoved Riley hard in the shoulder "Run!" she hissed, and the two friends and Snuffles blasted around the corner, before they were caught.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Once back around the front of the pub, the two friends witnessed Hermione and Ron disappearing from the High Street; they followed behind their friends until they came to the edge of the Forbidden Forest lining the outskirts of the school. At least 20 feet away from the opening, they could hear the sound of sobbing. Hermione made to move forward, but Charlie held her back, shook her head and walked forward herself. She didnt know why, but she felt that right now, Harry needed someone whom he could confide in and as much as she had nothing against Hermione; she and Harry had been through alot together. Alot more than Hermione anyway.
Kneeling down beside the rock; Charlie reached out and grasped the watery material of the Invisibility cloak and removed it from her friend. Harry was staring into his lap, tears streaming down his cheeks. She reached up and wiped them from his face.
"He was their friend" he mumured
She nodded "I heard," she whispered "Outside the window..."
"I hope he finds me, Charlie" Harry growled
"You don't mean that," Charlie shook her head, trying to reason with him "The Ministry will find him before that"
Harry shook his head "I mean it!" he stated "And you know what? When he does find me; im gonna kill him!"
Admist of all that was happening or had happened; neither of the friends had noticed Snuffles had disappeared.
A/N: Mhmm; so why does Charlie and Harry relate more than any of the others? Why would Charlie think Harry felt comfortable talking to her as opposed to Hermione, Ron and Riley? Could it be because of passed events, I mean they have just about died together more times than once? Anyway, next update should be tomorrow. Don't know yet.
Review (please)
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to myself xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 24/01/2011 at 03:18am
