AN: Well, I guess the first then I'm going to do is kill JK for doing that to Sirius! He's my favorite character! I'm telling you all now that I will never ever do that to Sirius in my story! That goes for a lot of main character like Hermione, Ron, McGonagall, Remus, Dumbledore, and my poor cloaked figure who it seems can't seem to keep he's face hidden. If you think you know who he is email me privately and tell me so I can see weather or not any of you have guessed his true identity, Though I'm not sure if you have! Anyways, enjoy this chapter! So of the things in this chapter may appear as though I've gotten it from the fifth book, but I didn't! I have this chapter written back on… what was the date… let me check…. Hmmm….. Ahh, here it is… Sunday, March. 2nd, 2003! So there!

– Chapter Nine –

New Teachers and Surprises

   September the 1st has arrived and so had all the students ranging from first year to seventh. From what Harry had heard, their trip was uneventful except that someone said Malfoy thought Harry was dead and had upset many people with this news. Harry could do nothing but laugh when he found out, though he felt sorry for all the first years that Malfoy scared.

   Harry, Ron, and Hermione had spent the day like they did all the other days. They played Quidditch, chess, exploding snaps, played pranks on Snape (courtesy of Sirius) and read out of the Perfects Handbook (It was Hermione's idea and she had Harry and Ron at wand point to make them read it).

   Harry was still struggling with what he had heard last night, but Sirius was helping him and made sure that Hermione and Ron kept him busy. They hadn't a clue why they had to keep him busy, but they did all they could and Harry was nothing less then grateful.

   Now it was the time Harry had been waiting for since he walked off the Hogwarts Express in June and was forced to go back to the Dursleys. The thing that he would always count down too while he was stuck in the second bedroom. The Great Feast.

   Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall with everyone else. The house tables were now in their proper places as well as the teachers' table. Harry smiled to himself as he entered. This was what made his life worth living.

   As they walked towards the Gryffindor table, Harry notice that there were three new faces at the teachers' table and two of the seats up there were empty. He knew one must be for the new Defense teacher, but who was the other one for?

   "Do either of you know who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is?" asked Harry, as the three of them took their seats.

   "No," said Ron a little too quickly. Hermione just refused to meet his gaze and pretend to be very interested with her golden plate.

   Harry just started out them. They knew and they weren't going to tell him. What, was it some big surprise? "Fine," he answered, "don't tell me."

   Hermione quickly shot him a look. "Harry, it's a surprise, alright. That's all. We're not allowed to tell you. We're sworn to secrecy."

   Harry juts nodded. That was new. Why would knowing who the new Defense teacher is be a surprise?

   The great hall doors opened and Professor McGonagall walked slowly in followed by a lot of frightened first years. They walked to the front of the Great Hall where McGonagall placed the sorting hat on the stool. The First years were all looking around in amazement and fear. Some of them even caught sight of Harry and gasp.

   The sorting hat sang it's little song about the founders and the qualities that each looked for in a house. Harry just tuned it out. He had heard it all before. Sure the song was different ever year, but it was starting to get boring. When the hat had finished, McGonagall unrolled the long scroll she was carrying and spoke.

   "When I cal your name, please come to the front. I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorting into your houses." She glanced down at the list. "Sabrina Melville!"

   A young girl with long brown hair stepped forward. McGonagall place the big hat on her head and she almost seemed to disappear into it. After a few moments the hat called out, "Ravenclaw!"

   "I wonder what other teacher could be missing?" said Ron, as someone else was called up.

   Harry scanned the table to see who could be missing. "I don't see Hagrid or Professor Binnis."

   Ron smiled a little. "No Binnis. Yes, finally a new History of Magic teacher!"

   Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't jump to conclusions, Ron." Their table suddenly roared with applause as someone was sorted into Gryffindor.

   Harry sighed in puzzlement. Where could Hagrid be? He wasn't fired, he knew that much. Maybe he wasn't finished with his mission yet. But why was it taking so long?

   Finally the sorting finished and Dumbledore stood to make his usual speech. "I'd like to say a few words before we begin the feast. As most of you have probably noticed, we have some new teachers this year. Fist I'd like to introduce Rebecca Holyoak as our new Care of the Magic Creatures Professor. Hagrid has been unfortunately detained and will be for the reminder of this year."

   There was some clapping for the new professor before Dumbledore continued. "I'd also like to introduce Atticus Toggart as our new Divinations Professor and Nora Falliver as our new Astronomy Professor."

   There was tons more clapping, and then Dumbledore continued, "Professor Binns, our History of Magic Professor unfortunately decided to step aside at the end of the last term. So I'd like to re-introduce Professor Remus Lupin, which some of you will remember as our old Defense Against the Darks Arks Professor, as our new History of Magic Professor."

   At that moment the Great Hall doors opened to revel Remus followed by Sirius. The whole hall started clapping very loudly for Remus as many people missed him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione clapped for him the most, but what Harry couldn't figure out was what the hell Sirius was doing in here. What if he was caught?

   "Sorry we're late. We got a bit tied up." Remus sat down in his seat, but Sirius remained standing.

   "Now some of you may have heard that Sirius Black has been freed of all charged made against him and is innocent." Said Dumbledore calmly. Many people started at Dumbledore in confusion while Harry just looked dumfounded.

   "Sirius was not responsible for the deaths of those thirteen people and he was not the Secret Keeper for the Potters. He never betrayed his friends to Voldemort." Many people shuttered upon hearing the dark Lord's name. "So, I'd like to introduce Sirius Black as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

   Not many people clapped. Only a few from the Gryffindor table did, others just started at Sirius in shock and fear. Sirius didn't seem the least bit surprised at this as he scanned the Great Hall. Then one shy little Ravenclaw first year stuck up her hand.

   Dumbledore smiled down at her. "Yes Mal?"

   The girl looked around shyly then rested her gaze on Sirius. "My mom said that Sirius Black was out to kill Harry Potter." Many people stared at Harry then at Dumbledore, waiting for an answer.

  Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Yes, many people believe that Sirius is indeed after Harry, but he's not. Sirius is Harry's Godfather and would not harm a hair on him."

   The hall went into a studded silence, which was only broken by the laughter of Sirius Black. Many people looked at him as if he was mad, but then they followed his gaze. Harry was still perfectly still, gaping at Sirius like a huge fish.

   "That look suits you Harry, but you better watch it or your face will stay that way!" Sirius called out over the silent hall.

   Harry couldn't help but laugh at this and soon, the whole hall was laughing, except, of course, the Slytherin table. They all worn the same scowl they always did when something good happened to Harry Potter.

   Dumbledore smiled. "Well, not that that's taken care of, Let the feast begin." The tables magically filled with food and everyone stared digging in.

   "I knew you would like it," said Hermione, smiling.

   Ron laughed. "You should have seen the look on your face. It was classic."

   Harry rolled his eyes. "Sirius almost gave me a heart-attack. I didn't know he was free. I thought that someone was going to call the Ministry and have him arrested."

   Hermione gave him a pointed look. "You really think Dumbledore would have let them take Sirius away even if they had come. And besides, I think it's great that he and Professor Lupin are working here. You know how hard it is for Lupin to find work because of what he is and Sirius would have a pretty hard time right about now as well. I mean, seriously, who would want to higher someone who was sent to Azkaban for twelve years?"

   Harry nodded. "You're right. But you do realize what's going to happen. Two Marauders as professors isn't the greatest thing in the world."

   Ron snorted. "Can't wait to see what they plan to do to the Slytherins and Snape."

  "I wonder what History of Magic will be like now that Lupin is teaching it?" said Hermione.

   "Well, one things for sure," said Harry. "We won't be falling asleep in that class anymore. Remus will see to that. He's never boring."

   They talked quietly about different topics over the course of the meal, going on about Quidditch and the new course Harry would have to take. Hermione had millions of questions to ask Harry about that and was only stopped because the feast ended. The students slowly started to filter out of the Great Hall up to their own dormitories. The first years waited impatiently by the doors for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to show them the way to Gryffindor Tower.

   "Hermione, Ron, start taking the first years up. I'll just be a moment."

   Hermione and Ron both knew that Harry need to talk with Sirius so they nodded and ran off towards the first years.

   Harry then made his way through the crowds to the front table where Sirius was waiting expectantly.

   Sirius smiled as Harry reached him. " This whole surprise was worth it just to see that look on your face Harry. It was priceless."

   "Why didn't you tell me instead of trying to give me a heart-attack. I've got enough things to worry about. I don't need you trying to end my life any earlier, thank-you." Said Harry, though he was smiling like a madman.

   Sirius shrugged. "I wanted it to be a surprise. You haven't had a break since your birthday and I wanted to lighten the mood for you. But, of course, I had no clue that you would take it like that."

   Harry playfully punched his Godfather. Then an awful though occurred to him. "Does this mean that I have to call you Professor Black?"

   Sirius couldn't help but laugh. "I'd shot you if you did. For you, I'll make an exception. Ron and Hermione only have to call me Professor Black in class, so that shouldn't be too hard for them."

   Harry smiled. "So, how did you get free?"

   Sirius did that face he did when he was hiding something. "Well, let's just say that someone showed up with proof that I'm innocent."

   Harry frowned. "So they haven't caught Wormtail yet?"

   Sirius sighed. "Unfortunately, no. They still don't believe he's alive though they now have enough proof of it. Fudge just doesn't want to admit to it cause that would mean admitting to the fact that Voldemort's back and Fudge still doesn't want to believe you."

   Harry nodded sadly. Fudge was an idiot, he knew, but he didn't think that the man would risk innocent lives just to prove a point. And what point did he have to prove. The man would be much better off if he had just said the truth from the start instead of denying the evidence that has been shown to him.

   Sirius ran a hand through his hair. "Anyways, I think you better go help Ron and Hermione with the first years oh great Prefect. I'll talk to you later."

   Harry rolled his eyes as Sirius antics and ran off to catch up with Ron and Hermione. Sometimes Sirius could be a real pain, but then he wouldn't be Sirius if he didn't act that way from time to time. That's what made Sirius such a great person as well as a Godfather and, of course, a Marauder.

   Remus came up behind Sirius and placed a hand on his friends shoulder as they watched Harry leave the Great Hall. "Harry just keeps getting more and more like James everyday, doesn't he?" said Remus.

   Sirius sighed and nodded. It was true. Harry was getting more and more like James weather he realized it or not. "Even with everything he's got to face and has already faced."

   Remus sighed as the hidden meaning of Sirius' words sunk in. "He's not getting any better is he?" Remus knew that Harry had overheard the conversation last night. Sirius and Dumbledore thought that he should be include.

   Sirius shook his head sadly. "I don't think he blames himself anymore for what happened to that Diggory kid, but the guilt is still there. But he's still not getting any better. I think he's only getting worst. He's had too many blows delivered in a short period of time. You can't tell just by looking at him unless you look closely at his eyes. He's gotten too good at hiding things."

   "That's probably the Dursleys doing," said Remus.

   Sirius' fist bawled in anger. "I'd like to have a piece out of those filthy bastereds. They had no right to treat him like they did. You should have seen him Moony. He was a bloody mess when I found him."

   Remus tightened his grip on Sirius' shoulder reassuringly. "I know, Sirius. But we'll help him. He'll get through this. If anyone can get past all of this, then it's Harry."

   Sirius nodded. "I hope you're right."

   Harry caught up to Ron, Hermione and the first years just a little ways out from the Great Hall. The first years were looking at absolutely everything their eyes could take in. Harry watched them with a smiled. He could remember a time when the castle had been new and exciting and the prospect of being a wizard still felt like a dream come true. But so much had changed since then. They used to be carefree and innocent, but now, things were much different.

   "Well, if it isn't Weasel, Mudblood and Scarhead. Trying to show these poor, little first years the way to Gryffindor Tower. I wouldn't be surprised if you lost your way." Came the drawling voice.

   Harry, Ron, Hermione and the first years looked up to see Draco Malfoy, along with a bunch of Slytherin first years, standing near the top of the stairwell. He had that sly look that always made Harry cringe instead and let him know that Malfoy was up to something.

   "What do you want, Malfoy?" said Harry bluntly. He wasn't in the mood for Malfoy's tardiness tonight.

   Malfoy smirked. "I was just telling the first years here how you killed Cedric Diggory last year, Potter."

   That struck a nerve and Malfoy knew it. Harry felt like his heart had stopped beating in his chest. He could feel the guilt wash over him like a huge tidal wave. The horrifying images flashed before his eyes.

   "Wands out, d'you reckon?"

   "Yeah,"

   "Someone's coming,"

   "Kill the Spare."

   "Avada Kedavra!"

   'Cedric was lying spread-eagled on the ground beside him. He was dead.'

   Hermione's temper got the better of her. "Harry didn't kill anyone, Malfoy!" she spat. All the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins were watching the confrontation with interest and now more people were starting to show.

   "Is that so. Who did then?" Malfoy drawled.

   Harry stared at Malfoy in anger and disgust. "Voldemort." Everyone in the hall gasped at the mention of the Dark Lord's name.

   Malfoy smiled. "Yes I heard that you believe that he's come back. I heard that you supposedly dueled with him also. Screamed like a little baby I heard." Malfoy laughed. "It probably didn't even hurt very much, Potter. You were just too much of a baby to take it."

   "You know nothing, Malfoy," said Harry, his anger rising. " You weren't there. You have no idea what really happened!"

   "Really. Well then, why don't you enlighten us, Potter. Tell us what really happened. Or are you to scared to admit that you killed Cedric just so that you could win the cup and become champion."

   Harry made a step towards Malfoy, but Hermione held him back. "You don't have to tell him anything Harry."

   "Malfoy's just trying to push your buttons," said Ron.

   "And it's working," stated Hermione, trying to make Harry see reason.

   "I didn't kill anyone, Malfoy!" stated Harry, but he couldn't figure out if he had said that because it was true, or if he was trying to convince himself that it was true.

   "Really. I've heard no proof that would convince me otherwise." Said Malfoy, crossing his arms.

   "You want to know, Malfoy. You want to know what really happened after that stupid cup pulled Cedric and myself away from the safely of Hogwarts and into a deserted graveyard?" said Harry, eyes burning. To some it almost seemed like they were glowing a bright emerald green.

   Many people quieted down upon hearing this from Harry. Malfoy seemed surprised, but couldn't very well decline. "Yes, Potter. Why don't you tell us?"

   The hall was dead silent now. Harry's mind was swarming with memories of the Third Task that would normally overwhelm him but right now he was too anger and upset to care. Malfoy wanted to know, and then Harry was going to tell him.

   "Fine. We landed in, what looked like, a dark, overgrown graveyard. There was nothing around us that look remotely familiar. Even the mountains that surround the school were gone. It was then that we realized that the cup must have been a Portkey."

   "It didn't take long for us to notice that there was a shadowed figure moving slowly towards us. Then the figure began to talk. 'Kill the spare,' it had said and the next thing we knew someone had uttered the killing cures."

   "Cedric was dead right then and there. There was nothing I could have done to stop it from happening. There is no curse that can block the killing curse. Before long, I was tied up against one of the headstones there and forced to watch as a servant of Voldemort, by the name of Wormtail, performed a ritual which consisted off, bone from the father, flesh from a servant, and blood from an enemy, me!"

   People were now dead silent at Harry's words, all with a look of pure fear on their faces. Even Ron and Hermione looked afraid. Malfoy was starting to shake under Harry's piercing gaze.

   "I watch as Voldemort rose out of the caldron and called his Death Eaters. Watch as he talked to them about rebirth and all that had happened to him in the past Fourteen years since his downfall. Watched as he scolded them for not coming to find him when he needed them. Do you know what happens to a Death Eater who angers Voldemort, Malfoy?"

   Malfoy slowly shook his head.

   "He tortures them. Just for fun and pleasure. He gets a real kick out of hurting people weather their on his side or not. And if you really piss him off, he'll kill you, without a second thought."

   "After his little rant, he then turned to me and told his Death Eater how people thought I had been his downfall. How I had escaped him so many times and he still hadn't managed to kill me. Then, just for fun, he put me under the Cruciatus Cruse."

   People gasped and started to whisper.  Malfoy looked absolutely terrified.

   "He then had Wormtail untie me and gave me back my wand. He forced me to fight him. Force me to have a proper wizard duel with him, to the death. He was just messing with me. And then he put me under the Cruciatus Curse for then second time, only this time, it hurt much worst then before."

   Harry's eyes narrowed. "Do you know what it feel like to be under the Cruciatus Curse, Malfoy?"

   Malfoy shook his head.

   "It's like pain beyond anything you can imagine. Your every bone feels like they're on fire. White-hot knives pierce every inch of your skin and your head feels like it will surely explode with the pain. And after awhile, you can't even hear yourself scream anymore. All you want is for it to end… to blank out… to die…"

   The hall was silent. No one uttered a single word. Malfoy hadn't a clue what to say to this and all Ron and Hermione could do was stare at Harry in shock. They had had no idea.

   Harry stared at Malfoy; anger clearly shown on his face and his eyes were glowing bright green. "I went through that twice, Malfoy. The second time, Voldemort held it on longer. I wanted nothing more then just to die to stop the agonizing pain."

   The hall remained silent. Every student stared at Harry with a mixture of fear and respect. Everyone besides Malfoy and his small group of Slytherins, that is.

   "Mr. Malfoy?" Everyone turned to see a very angry Professor Dumbledore along with most of the other teachers, all of which were just as shocked as everyone else at what they had heard.

   Dumbledore walked swiftly up to Malfoy and Harry. The last time Harry had seen Dumbledore this anger had been last year when Moody, or rather Couch, had taken him out of his sight.

   "You will follow me to my office," Then he turned to the rest of the students. "If I hear that anyone has questioned Harry about what happened at the Third Task again, they will be expelled." He gave Harry a concerned glance before he led Malfoy away to his office.

   Everyone was still to shock to move or do anything for that matter, except stare at Harry. Finally McGonagall sprang to action. "Well, don't just stand there. Everyone go to your dormitories, immediately." No one needed to be told twice.

   Hermione and Ron starting leading the First years towards Gryffindor Tower again and Harry followed closely behind them. Everyone was still staring at him, though he didn't seem to notice. He was still angry and hurt.

   Sirius and Remus watched him follow the first years with some concern. Sirius had known what Harry had gone through during the Third Task. He had told him. But he didn't think Harry would ever actually get angry enough to yell it into someone's face, especially Malfoy's.

   "Think we should go talk to him?" Remus asked, not quite knowing what to do in a situation like this.

   Sirius shook his head. "No. I think it's best if we just let him be for now. I'll talk to him about it later."

   Harry slowly walked behind the group, just making sure no one fell behind. He really didn't want to think about what had just happened with Malfoy. He knew he shouldn't have lashed out like that, but he just couldn't stop himself. Malfoy had gone too far. He had just been starting to believe that maybe Cedric's death hadn't been his fault, but now he was starting to have doubts again.

   He was brought back to reality when the staircase started to move. Harry quickly jumped off of it without even thinking much of it, but then quickly turned back to make sure everyone had gotten off of it.  A little Gryffindor girl stood at the very top of the staircase as it began to pull away. Harry held out his hand. "Grab on." The girl quickly took hold of Harry's hand and tried to jump, but she was just too small for the gap.

   She started to fall and began to scream, but Harry was able to keep his grip on her. "Don't let go! Please!" She screamed, tears streaming down her face. Harry strained to hold on.

   "I won't, okay!" He reassured her. "Ron! Hermione! Quick!"

   Ron and Hermione had been leading the other Gryffindors away until they had heard the scream and then Harry's call for them. "Oh, God." Hermione gasped as she and Ron reached Harry. Ron quickly bent down beside Harry and tried desperately to reach the girl's other hand.

   "Hermione, get help!" said Harry, still panting with the effort of holding the little girl up. 'Oh God, she's slipping,' Harry thought to himself in panic. But he wasn't going to let her fall. He wasn't going to let her die.

   "Harry, I can't get a hold of her!" Ron yelled, trying frantically to reach her, but he couldn't.

   The girl was crying harder now. Harry didn't know how long he could hold onto her. Ron still wasn't having any luck. 'God, no, please don't let her die!' Harry pleaded.

   "Ron, hurry! She's slipping!" Harry's hand was all sweaty now and the girl was slowing sliding further away.

   "I can't reach!" yelled Ron, lying on his stomach, trying to grab a hold of her.

   Harry tried to think of something else he could do, but his mind was blank. He couldn't think of anything. That was when he heard it. Suddenly his mind just seemed to clear. There was only one thing he could do.

   Before Ron could stop him, Harry had jumped off the landing. The girl screamed as they fell. Harry pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her protectively, hoping to shield her from the impact.

   The sound he had heard began to fill his being, and without realizing what he was doing, yelled, "Ardeola Rellavda!" A golden sphere appeared around Harry and the girl, just as Dumbledore came around the corner. They slowed and the dome softly touched one of the Staircase and Harry and the girl landed safely on the ground. The golden sphere melted away as well as the sound Harry had heard.

   Harry collapsed on the staircase with the girl still in his arms. He was exhausted and now all he wanted to do was head up to the boys' dormitories and sleep. He raised his head to take a look at the girl who was still shaking in his arms. "You okay?" he asked.

   She raised her face from his robes to look up at him. Her blue eyes were wet and bloodshot from crying, her face ret and sticky. "Are we safe now?" she asked timidly, fear still shining in her eyes.

   Harry nodded and smiled to reassure her. He was far too tired to manage anything else what had him puzzled was what just happened? He wasn't quite sure what he had done. It was all kind of blurry now.

  "Harry?!" Harry sat up and looked up to see Hermione running down the staircases followed by Ron, Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Sirius. Remus was up with the other first years trying to keep them calm.

   Hermione ran up to him with Ron at her side. "Harry," she managed to say, but Harry could tell that she was extremely relieved.

   "You alright Harry?" Ron asked, panting just as much as Hermione.

   "Harry nodded. "Just tired."

    Both Ron and Hermione didn't need to be told to know that. Harry looked nothing more then exhausted. Hermione bent down in front of them and started looking over the poor girl still trembling in Harry's arms. "Is she okay?"

   Harry nodded again. " I think she just a little shaken."

   Hermione held out her hand to the girl. The girl looked at Hermione a little hesitant. "Hi," said Hermione, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm Hermione. What' your name?"

   The girl used her sleeve to whip some of the tears still staining her face. "Zoe." She said simply

   "Zoe. That's a pretty name. Do you want to come with me to the hospital wing and we can have Madam Pomfrey check you over to make sure you're alright?" said Hermione carefully, not quite sure how Zoe would reacted.

   Zoe tightened her grip on Harry's robes. It was obvious that she was still frightened. She looked up at Harry questionably. Harry just smiled at her. "It's okay. Zoe. Hermione's a good friend of mine. She'll take care of you."

   With that said. Zoe reached out for Hermione's hand and followed her towards the hospital wing.

   "Harry?" Harry looked up to see Professor Dumbledore and Sirius standing over him. "Are you alright?" said Dumbledore.

   "Yes sir. Just tried." Said Harry.

   Dumbledore smiled down at him, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. "Understandable. You've been trough an awful lot tonight. But before you go up to bed, may I ask that you accompany Sirius and myself to my office. There is something that we need to discuss."

   Harry simply nodded his head. He wondered if this had anything to do with the Order of the Phoenix.

  Dumbledore turned to Ron as Sirius help Harry to his feet. "Mr.Weasley, would you please led the rest of the first years up to Gryffindor Tower. Harry will be up there shortly."

   Ron nodded. "Yes sir. See ya later, Harry." He said before running off to the rest of the first years.

   Dumbledore then turned to McGonagall. "Minerva, would you please inform our 'guest' of what has happened here. I'm sure that he will want to know."

   "Yes, of course Albus," she said, and then she too left.

   Harry swayed a little as he tried to regain his balance. Sirius helped to stabilize him. "You alright, kiddo?"

   Harry nodded. He then looked up at Dumbledore. "Professor, what exactly happened? It's all just a big blur to me."

   Dumbledore just continued to smile in an all-knowing sort of way. "We'll discuss all of that in my office, Harry."

   Harry nodded and followed Dumbledore to his office, Sirius standing close to him to make sure that he didn't fall. What Sirius didn't realize was that Harry was more grateful that Sirius was giving him the support he need rather then just helping him stand up straight.

   A million different things were swarming through Harry's head at that moment. He remembered that Zoe had been slipping; he had known that he wouldn't be able to hold on to her. Then what? He had heard something, but what was it. It almost sounded like… a Phoenix.

   But that wasn't the only thing he was thinking about. Why the hell was the Order of the Phoenix guarding him? That was another question that he desperately wanted answered. And why was everyone so concerned about his powers. Sure he had been doing some pretty nifty stuff lately, but that was normal in extreme situations. Wasn't it?

   All too soon, Harry was brought out of his thoughts when they reached the stone gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office. Harry vaguely heard Dumbledore give the password (Fire blasters) and the goyle sprang to life. Harry suddenly felt like he was going to fall asleep where he stood. Why was he feeling so tired?

   They all slowly made their way up the revolving staircase and through the big oak door to Dumbledore's office. Sirius quickly lead Harry to a chair sensing that his Godson wouldn't be able to stand on his feet much longer. Harry smiled up at him gratefully.

   Fawkes fluttered off his perch and came to rest in Harry's lap. Harry looked down at the magnificent scarlet creature and smiled. " 'Lo Fawkes."

   Fawkes sand out a note in response and Harry felt something strangle ripple through him in response to the Phoenix's song. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he did remember that he had felt it once before. It had happened at Privet Drive when Fawkes had delivered Dumbledore's letter. But what could it mean?

   Dumbledore took a seat behind his desk while Sirius remained standing beside Harry's chair. "So, Harry," Dumbledore began. "What do you remember about what just happened? Try not to leave anything out."

   Harry took a moment to think about it before answering. "I remember that she fell and I tried to pull her up, but I couldn't. Ron tried to reach her but he couldn't reach and Hermione had left to get help. Zoe started to slip and I knew that she was going to fall and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Then…" Harry trailed off. He still wasn't quite sure what had happened.

   Dumbledore saw his confusion and said, "Just tell us what you think happened, Harry."

   Harry looked up at him and nodded. "I guess my mind just sort of… cleared and all I could hear was what sounded like a Phoenix. Everything after that's just a blur."

   Dumbledore nodded, his eyes twinkling again as he exchanged looks with Sirius. "Harry," he started to say. " What happened has a lot to do with why the Order is protecting you. Your powers are getting stronger and because of that, you were able to save Zoe's life."

   Harry just merely nodded. 'Tell me something I don't know,' he thought to himself angrily. He was sick and tired of people hiding things from him and not telling him things because they think that he can't handle it. What was worst was he wasn't even sure why the order was protecting him and he wanted to know why these innocent people were dying for him.

   Then Harry asked the question he had been dying to ask. "Why is the Order protecting me, sir?" he said, looking up at Dumbledore with what looked like pleading eyes. He didn't want to be kept in the dark anymore.

   Dumbledore sighed. "I can not tell you the main reason yet, Harry, and that is mainly because of your link with Voldemort. Since Voldemort has found away to reach you through your dreams, we can't risk him finding this out through you. Understand?"

   Harry nodded though he wished he could be told. But he also had a funny feeling that there was more too it then that. What was Dumbledore hiding from him?

 "So, what exactly did I do tonight?" said Harry, not quite sure if he wanted to know the answer.

   Dumbledore exchanged a look with Sirius. "You'll have to let Sirius explain, for all I saw was the end result."

   Harry looked up at his Godfather, waiting for an answer. Sirius looked at Dumbledore once more before explaining. "Harry, when I got there, you had just thrown yourself over the edge. Ron tried to stop you, but it was too late. You brought Zoe into your arms and shouted, I think, 'Ardeola Rellavda'."

   Then Dumbledore took over. "A golden sphere formed itself around you and Ms. Davis. It slowed you down and disappeared once you had safely reached the staircase below."

   Harry looked from Sirius to Dumbledore in Puzzlement. "But, I don't remember that. I've never even heard that spell before. How could I cast a spell that I've never even heard off?"

   Fawkes sang out again and Harry looked down, puzzled. Fawkes was staring at him intensively.  'Okay,' Harry thought. 'Now I'm really confused.'

   Dumbledore knew what Fawkes was trying to do and sighed. "Harry, that's something I can't answer. You'll have to find that out on your own, and I'm sure that you will."

   Harry nodded, feeling content to just sit where he was 'til he fell asleep, but knew that he couldn't do that. He stuffed a yawn, but Sirius caught sight of it.

   "Maybe we should get you to bed, Harry. You look exhausted."

   Harry yawned again and proved Sirius's statement true. Sirius then helped Harry up as Fawkes returned to his perch. Dumbledore watched as Sirius help Harry to the door. "Sirius," Sirius turned back. "Once you get Harry to bed, come straight back here. There are things that we need to discuss."

   Sirius nodded in understanding and lead Harry out of the office and down the revolving staircase into the hall. They walked slowly in silence, both wrapped up in their own thoughts.

   Harry's mind was still whirling with the events that had just taken place and of what he had heard last night. It was all starting to get to be way too much for him. Why couldn't Malfoy have just kept his mouth shut?

   They reached the portrait sooner then Harry would have thought, said the password, and head through the hole. The entered to find that the Common Room was jammed packed with the Gryffindors.

   As soon as everyone saw Harry, they all rushed towards him, bombarding him with questions 'til Sirius silenced them. "No one is to question Harry about anything that has happened tonight! He needs rest and you all," he eyed Ron and Hermione, "better let him get it!"

   Harry looked up at Sirius gratefully as he was led up the Boys' staircase and into his dormitory. "Thanks," he said as they entered the room.

   "You're welcome," Sirius answered, helping Harry get into bed. Flame was perched beside his bed and watched his every move. She knew what had happened tonight and knew that what Harry need most of al right now was comfort and rest.

   Sirius tucked Harry in. "Good-night Harry."

   Harry smiled sleepy. "Good-night, Sirius."

   Sirius smiled and started to leave when he noticed that Harry had already fallen asleep. He chuckled to himself as he left the room, noticing that Flame wasn't the only Phoenix that was watching over Harry tonight.

   Harry hit the ground hard. He didn't need to look up to know where he was. He had relived this part of his life so many times in his dreams that he almost had every detail of the place imprinted in his mind. He was in the graveyard.

   He stood to find that Cedric was beside him, but he was different then before. His eyes were white and his body was mostly decayed. The sight of it made Harry want to throw up.

   Cedric turned to Harry. His white eyes locked on him. "Someone's coming, Harry, and you know who it is, don't you? You left me here to die! It's your entire fault that I died! You nothing more then a murder!" he yelled.

   Harry shook his head frantically. "No Cedric, I didn't mean for any of this to happen! I didn't want you to die!"

   "Liar! You left me to die! And because of you more people are going to die! It's all your fault" Cedric bellowed.

   It was then that Harry noticed Wormtail with the little bundle in his arms. "Kill the spare."

   Harry watched him horror, unable to do anything to stop it. "No!" But he couldn't move. He couldn't do anything but watch.

   "Avada Kedavra!!!"

   The flash of green light was all that Harry saw. He then saw Cedric. He was lying on the ground spread-eagled on the ground beside him. He was dead.

Harry shot up right in his bed drenched in sweat. His scar was burning dully and his breathing was hard. He tried to calm himself down but the images kept flashing before his eyes.

   This happened every night and Harry was getting sick of it. He wanted to sleep, but the nightmares wouldn't let him get any rest. He couldn't remember the last time he had gotten a good nights rest.

   Harry knew he wasn't going to be able to get back to sleep, so he quietly pulled back the curtains and got out of bed. Flame watched him curiously. Harry sighed. "Come on then," Flame took the invitation and hoped onto his shoulder.

   Harry quietly made his way down the steps to find, for once, that the Common Room was deserted. Sirius was nowhere to be seen. He was a little disappointed at this. Sirius knew that Harry had nightmares every night and when he couldn't sleep, he come down here and just talk with Sirius. But he wasn't here.

   Harry sighed and slowly made his way to one of the windows that over looked the lake. He just sat there quietly, stroking Flame absent-minded and just thought about everything that had been happening.

   He felt like he was suffocating with everything that had happened. The Third Task, the attack at the Dursleys, Uncle Vernon, the Order of the Phoenix, and the events of tonight but to name a few.

   Harry closed his eyes and tried with all his might to just escape it all. But unfortunately, he found that he couldn't. Old feelings began to swell up inside of him. The fells of helplessness, fear, and anger were only a few. They were trying to drown him in a sea of emotions. He didn't think he could fight the pull of it anymore.

   It was then that Harry felt something that he hadn't felt since he had been at Privet Drive. It was this feeling that had saved him so many times when he had been so close to ending his own life. The feeling of someone's love for him.

   "Penny for your thoughts." Harry jumped up in fright and snapped his eyes opened. He looked up to see a very amused Sirius standing by the doorway to the portrait hole.

   Harry breathed a sigh of relief and stared up at Sirius. "That's the second I almost had a heart attack this evening because of you." Said Harry, trying to caught his breath.

   Sirius chuckled slightly. "I didn't mean to scare you." He said, pulling up a chair and sitting down beside Harry.

   "So," Sirius began, "What were you thinking so intensively that you didn't hear me come in?"

   Harry sighed and stared out the window. "Just, what I normally think about when I can't sleep."

   Sirius nodded. He knew Harry would probably wake-up from another nightmare, which was why he had come up here. He had been hoping he had been wrong, though, and that Harry was snuggled nicely in his bed sleeping peacefully. But he was wrong. He wished he could let Harry get his sleep. God only knew how much he really needed it. It also didn't help that tomorrow would be the first day of classes and Harry need his sleep if he wanted to stay awake in them.

   "Sirius?" said Harry, turning back to face him. "When Dumbledore said… that my powers were getting stronger… what exactly did he mean?"

   Sirius sat there in deep thought for a moment, wondering how he should answer that question. Then, finally, he spoke, "Harry," he began, " when wizards and witches get older, around puberty, their powers get stronger and start to reach their full potential. When people are young, it's hard to tell weather on not you are going to very powerful or not. Only the really powerful wizards and witches show any strong powers at a young age. What Dumbledore meant, Harry, was that your powers are getting to the point where they'll start to show their true colours. James was the same way, actually."

   Harry frowned. "What do you mean?" he asked.

   "What, James?" said Sirius.

   Harry nodded.

   "Oh," said Sirius. "Well, when James was your age, the same sort of things started to happen. He'd just all of a sudden disappear out of thin air and end up only God knows where. Or he'd save someone when he didn't even know they were in trouble. Weird little things like that. But the worst was when someone made James angry." Sirius shook his head, remembering. "Some times you couldn't even recognize the room he had been in."

   Harry thought about it and laughed. He could imagine a very big mess of ruble and papers where the common room used to be and his father, still fuming with anger, in the middle of it all.

   Sirius scowled Harry playfully. "Laugh all you want. It's not funny being on the receiving end of his anger, I can tell you. I still have the scars."

   This only caused Harry to laugh harder. Sirius smiled. It was good to see Harry laughing again. He really needed to do it more often. Harry tried to calm himself unsuccessfully. "Knowing you, you probably deserved it."

   Sirius smiled. "I did not! Okay, maybe a turned all the clothes he had bright pink, but I had to make sure the spell worked somehow."

   Sirius got even more laughter out of this. 'Good thing I put a silencing charm on the common room before coming in,' Sirius thought.

   Sirius then proceeded to tell Harry about tons of pranks and stuff that the Marauders had done and each and every one would make Harry laugh harder then the last. Harry was laughing so hard that he thought he was going to explode. Sirius couldn't help laughing along with him.

   "There was this one time," Sirius continued, "when James and I really wanted to embarrass the Slytherins because they had been making fun of Remus. What about, I'm not allowed to say. Moony would have my head. Anyways, James came up with this idea. We stole a pair of boxers from each of them, and then made them float in mid-air in the Great Hall. So when everyone came down for breakfast the next morning, there were boxers flying around the room." Harry was laughing so hard at this that his face was turning blue.

   Sirius smiled. "You think that's funny. I haven't even told you the best part. When the Slytherins came down for breakfast, not only were they surprised to see their boxers flying around the place, but also the boxers then went and hovered over their owner's head just out of reach. You should have seen the looks on their faces. It was classic. Especially Snape's. It was beautiful to see his green boxers with silver snakes flying over his head."

   Harry was laughing so hard he almost fell off the windowsill. Flame, who had long ago abandoned her position on Harry's shoulder, watched the exchanged curiously.

   Harry was finally able to calm himself, somewhat. "Oh Sirius… you guys must have had so much fun."

   Sirius grinned. "We sure did."

   Harry sighed. "Do you sometimes wish you could just go back in time and do it all over again?"

   Sirius sighed. "Yes and no. Yes because it was the best time of my life. No because it be too hard seeing James again, knowing what his fate is going to be." Harry could tell that it was hard for him to say that.

   "It must have been tough on you and Remus. I don't think I could imagine what it must have been like." Said Harry.

   Sirius nodded. "It was hard, but it must have been so much harder on you and Remus."

   Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

   Sirius looked up at Harry. "You were a very smart kid, Harry, still are. You knew that your parents were gone and never coming back. I remember the look you had on you face and what your reaction to everything was. Hagrid said that it had taken a lot of effort to get you out of the nursery and when you saw me you did all you could to try and get to me and you kept calling for your father, hoping that he'd come but knowing that he wouldn't."

   Harry stared dumbfounded at Sirius. "I did?"

   Sirius just nodded. "You knew too many things Harry. You never did like to go near Peter and you would always be quite and clutch whom every was with you as though your life depended on it. You also seemed to know that Remus wasn't a traitor cause you trust him completely. Remus even told me that at the funeral, you wanted to stay with him instead of go back with the Dursleys. Though, I don't blame you for that one." Said Sirius staring at the floor.

   They sat there for a long while, just talking about many different subjects until Sirius drove Harry back to bed. Harry, amazingly, was able to get back to sleep that night and didn't have another nightmare. Instead he dreamed about his father and his three friends who called themselves 'The Marauders'.

   And anyone who bothered to notice, would have seen a small smiled spread across his face that would have provide enough energy in a patronus to destroy a street full of Dementors.

   A cloaked figure slipped away, down a secret passage that led to Harry's dormitory, with an identical smile on his face.  

AN: Hope you enjoyed this new chapter! I write am writing chapter ten onto this computer and will write more after I have posted this! I wrote chapter ten back in March as well, but I haven't gotten around to typing in up until now1 I'm currently writing chapter Twenty-Three on paper. So I have been busy with this story and I almost have the whole thing written! I'll have to stop writing this AN soon cause I feel another round of tears coming because of Sirius's….

   Please don't forget to review! Here are the people I want to thank for review since I posted the last chapter:

   Laterose – You better not start to figure it out. Please email your guess to me privately so I can see if my secret keeping is really that bad!

   Kyntor – Well, for starters, Harry is going through a lot right now! Sirius is the closest thing he has to a father and if I were in his position I would have been able to stay that anger with him either. Besides, Harry is not your normal teenage. He generally doesn't act like normal teenagers would which means that he would be able to calm himself down a lot better. Besides, Harry gets made at everyone later in my story, so keep your shirt on. Also Dumbledore trust Snape and even though I hat Snape, Snape would not give up that information easily. I think he'd much rather die then tell Voldemort what he knows. Snape hates Voldemort remember. He wants him dead even more then Harry does at this point, so he's not going to tell a thing!

  Anarian – Thanks for the complement! I've tried really hard to stick to the same style as the other books! I'm not really planning on any sort of death, though the end of my book… Sirius won't be dying, I'll tell you that!

   Gryffindor-girl – Okay, I wasn't not contradicting myself. Let me try to clear this up! Harry wasn't in immediate danger, but he's still in danger. Dumbledore's know quite sure if Voldemort knows exactly where Harry is and knows that if he does, the shields around Privet Drive will hold him off long enough to get Harry out of there. Theses wards, unfortunately, don't block out creatures like Dementors. That's why Harry has to use magic. To try and defend himself, if necessary, against something, like a Dementor, that Voldemort throws at him. Get it! If not, just mention in another review and I'll get back to you!

Also thanks to Shdurrani, and Amy Potter 13 for your reviews! Don't forget to review. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to either go back to bed and cry or try to type up chapter ten, though I think I'll be the former.