{Sorry it took so long to get this next chapter up. I hope you like it, considering I had writer's block for a majority of this chapter.—CM}
Charlus took the book and turned to the next chapter.
Chapter 10. Memories
Several people were curious.
The first major game for the Hogwarts Quidditch cup was Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff.
Avid quidditch fans wooed and hollered.
The sky was grey as rain pelted down onto the pitch.
"Urgh." Many moaned.
Before Harry headed into the locker rooms he was stopped by Aries and Leo.
That brought some smiles from many people.
Harry was secretly glad Leo didn't make the Hufflepuff team since he didn't want to play against him, and the weather was horrible today.
Sirius and James snorted.
"Good luck Harry." Leo said grinning through the plastered hair and rain.
Shizuka smiled.
Aries smiled and pulled his wand out. He tapped Harry's glasses once, and Harry noticed how the rain didn't hang on the glass anymore.
"Thank you Aries!" James cheered.
"I had a feeling you didn't water proof your glasses." Aries said with a chuckle.
"This one doesn't." Remus said pointing to James. "This one can hear you." James huffed.
Harry grinned at him, swiping rain plastered hair out of his face. He was glad that Velvela, Luna and Leo kept Aries' mind off of his mystery letters.
So was the rest of the room.
"See ya." He said before stepping into the locker room.
Several people rolled their eyes, especially if they knew Hogwarts quidditch players.
Everyone was there, semi-circling Wood who held all their attention. "C'mon team, this is it. It's my last year and I want to remember it with you guys getting the cup again." Wood said with a fiery look in his eyes.
"Same here." The Gryffindors said with a smile.
Everyone grinned. They wanted to get the cup for Wood.
"I wish they boys had simpler lives like this." Dorea sighed.
Wood smiled and said "I know it's early in the season, but I-" George and Fred had clapped him on each shoulder.
Septimus wore a fond smile.
"Even if we don't win this match, were gonna make sure you get that cup Ollie." George said. "Best Captain we've ever had." Fred said with a grin. Wood blushed very lightly.
"I'm not, Charlie-" "You're our favorite Captain." The twins said loudly, shutting Wood up.
Several people chuckled.
They went out into the field and got in position. Harry was extremely grateful for Aries' charm, otherwise he'd be as blind as a bat in this weather.
"I blame you for his bad eye sight." Dorea huffed at her husband. Charlus just shifted his eyes to his son before going back to the book.
The heavy rain and winds muffled the sound of the starting whistle, but the game started off the bat.
Several people were eager to hear about the game.
Harry roved his eyes across the air before spotting a glimmer of gold in the rain.
James and Jamie began to cheer. Their family just shook their head fondly at their antics.
He sped after it, before Diggory came neck and neck with him. They both tried to catch it, but lost sight of it when a bludger zoomed in front of their noses.
People were sitting at the edge of their seats in anticipation.
Harry looked around again, hoping to beat Diggory to it.
"You can do it Dad!" Jamie shouted. "Go Harry!" James hollered.
Then he felt a sudden chill.
Everyone went still.
His breath fogged and stray water drops turned to ice.
"Oh Circe no." Dia hissed.
To Harry's utter horror, there were dementors. Dozens of them.
Everyone paled.
Harry saw as the black figures flew over the crowds and chased the players in the sky.
Liliana began to mutter in rapid Italian.
Harry turned his broom to the left when he was faced with the tattered black hood.
Everyone jumped.
The air went frosty, and his dark as the last thing he can remember doing was letting go of his nimbus.
"NO!" Everyone screamed.
There was a loud bang. Babies were crying.
Several people looked pensive.
"Shizu! Lana! You two need to take the boys and get out of here!" A man screamed.
Everyone went still in horror. "James…" Dorea breathed.
"I'm not leaving you James!" An Italian accented voice shouted.
Liliana and James grabbed each other's hands. They held their hands in a white knuckle grip.
"I'll hold him off! You two find Sirius and Remus!" James shouted.
The Marauders looked miserable.
"James!" Another woman's voice screamed.
"Shizu…" Sirius said shakily. She put her palm on his cheek and gave him a watery smile. He returned it.
More loud bangs. Shattering sounds, louder cries.
Several people jumped.
"Stay away from my boys!" James screamed.
James had a protective look in his hazel eyes.
Bang. Bang. THUD. Two women screamed. Babies cried. A high, cold, cruel laugh.
Charlus and Dorea held onto each other.
Liliana pulled James into a tight embrace and sobbed into his shoulder. James hugged her back tightly, petting her long copper hair and whispering assurances that she won't lose him this time.
Sirius hid his face in Shizuka's thick hair, and she matched Sirius' shaking shoulders. Remus was hiding his face in his son's chest
When Harry came to, he blinked and saw many blurry faces in his air. "He's waking up!" Someone shouted. "Step back give him some room!" Someone said sternly.
Those in the Room relaxed ever so slightly.
He blinked and his vision cleared. His entire team, Aries and Leo were looking at him with looks of concern.
"And they're gonna hug the life outta him." Teddy said with an uneasy chuckle. It got a sparse splattering of smiles.
Aries and Leo had red rimmed eyes as they leapt forward and clung to him.
Kie had a knowing look and a small smile on his face.
"Are you okay Harry?" George asked. Harry's mind was still a bit hazy and the sudden movement jostled his brain some more.
Aries and Leo tightened their grip on him. Harry shook his head. "What happened?" Harry asked.
Liliana paled and gripped James in a nervous and panicked vice. James yelped, very unmanly mind you, in pain.
"Dementors came. Dumbledore was furious. The professors began to shoot a white glowing mist that scarred them off, but you fell." Fred said with a worried voice.
Septimus' expression showed his desire to be there to comfort his yet-to-be-born grandson.
"Leo and Aries levitated you for a while, 'ts why you're not broken up." He mumbled in a frantic misery, similar to when Ginny was taken into the Chamber.
Everyone winced at the mention of the Chamber.
Harry hugged Aries and Leo back.
"Where's my broom?" Harry asked. Wood walked forward then.
"Uh oh…" Al muttered.
"I'm sorry Harry, but it flew into the Whomping Willow." He said, extending his arms. He was holding out his splintered and broken broom.
The quidditch fans sucked in a breath.
"Sorry I cost you the game." Harry mumbled.
"You shouldn't be sorry!" Many people in the room (mostly of the female variety) shouted.
Wood freed one hand and placed it softly on Harry's head. "Diggory won the game fair and square. While I'd normally try to drown myself in the showers, you being okay is worth an early lead.
"Would he really try to drown himself in the showers?" McGonagall asked nervously. "Yup." The future Potters, Blacks, Weasleys and Longbottom intoned.
'Sides, you're fine, no broken or missing bones.
Several growls, hisses and murmured threats to the doomed pillock named Lockhart sprung up in several parts of the gathering thanks to the bitter memory from the last book.
We can always win the next match." Wood said with a warm grin. Harry nodded and gave a small smile in return.
That managed to lighten the mood and expressions of the listeners.
"When you get released get ready for longer practices Potter." Wood beamed, causing the whole team to groan half-heartedly.
Some people chuckled at that.
The team, save for the twins left the Hospital wing when Harry shooed them out.
"Poppy must be having a conniption fit." Moody said, causing many to guffaw.
Then Harry tumbled back, Aries and Leo's entire weight on him now.
He heard slow even breaths and the two not moving. It took him a couple of moments, but Harry just realized that the two fell asleep on him much to the amusement of the twins.
Some people gave hearty laughs.
George reached a hand down to pet Leo's hair, but the moment he touched the dark hair, Leo gave a small but scared whimper.
All mirth dissipated.
The twins frowned in sync. Harry saw Fred try the same thing with Aries, and got the same scared noise, making the older Black cousin curl instinctively to Harry.
The twins frowned deeper.
As did the occupants in the Room.
"Are they okay Harry?" They asked in unison. Harry just gave a curt nod.
Many people shook their heads.
"It's not your problem, so just forget about it." He muttered. The two Weasleys shared suspicious look in one blink of an eye. "You just rest up, ickle thirdies." The twins said, stiff smiles in sync before they turned and walked out of the hospital wing.
Septimus was wondering what his grandsons are going to do, but remained quiet.
Harry eventually did go back to sleep, after reassuring Aries and Leo's sleeping minds that they were safe from the nightmares Harry was sure were of their past.
"Dursleys…" Two pairs of future parents snarled as venomously as a basilisk.
Harry was suddenly woken up by a loud screech.
"Owl?" Some people guessed.
Leo fell off the small hospital bed and Aries rose like a mummy from muggle movies.
Some people gave weak chortles.
It was a card that was placed on the bedside table. In a voice as shrill as sharpened nails on a chalkboard it sang more off tune than Sirius and Leo did when caroling during Christmas.
Everyone grimaced and pitied the boys at that moment.
I wish you well
Shocked when you fell
But you looked so sweet while asleep
I left you this card to tell
Leo grimaced and tore the shrieking card to itty bitty pieces.
"Thank you!" Several people cheered.
Harry heard a gasp and saw a curtain of red hair rush past the door.
"Ginny saw that." Harry groaned. "Don't care." Leo grumbled tiredly.
Several snickers were heard.
The three eventually got up and went to their first lessons, after taking some food Madam Pomfrey left on a tray for Harry.
Some people hummed.
Harry walked to Defense and sat with Ron and Neville. They wore bright grins.
More individuals smiled at that.
Remus had walked to the blackboard. On it he wrote 'Dementor.' Harry frowned.
Most people frowned, but Moody nodded approvingly.
"Now, in light of recent events, I thought I'd deviate from normal curriculum, and teach you about dementors." Remus said gravely.
"This shouldn't have to be covered to third years." Augusta said, shaking her head.
"And to help me I've brought a guest speaker." Remus added, sparking a wave of murmurs among the students. Harry couldn't help but wonder who he brought to Hogwarts within a day.
"Five Galleons it's me." Sirius said. "Granddad no one is dumb enough to try that bet." Liliavati deadpanned.
Then, striding in was Sirius.
Sirius huffed, much to the amusement of his granddaughters.
He wore a finely pressed suit, his long hair tied back neatly, and an expression of utter seriousness.
"Oh dear…" Dorea said in worry.
"Everyone, this is Sirius Black." Remus introduced.
"No it's the Muffin Man." Jamie snarked. "The one who lives on Jury Lane?" Teddy asked. The two fist bumped with matching smirks.
"I'm sure most of you have heard of me, but if not, the reason Professor Lupin asked me to come and speak to you is because of my long experience with dementors when I was wrongfully incarcerated in Azkaban for a decade." Sirius said in a heavy voice.
"Who are you and what have you done to the Padfoot we know and love?" James asked.
Sirius gave a bitter smile that Shizuka kissed away chastely.
"You can ask him questions later." Remus said. "Right now I want you all to learn of a spell that can ward off dementors." Harry's eyes went wide.
"That's an advanced spell." Lily said in a mixture of shock and disapproval.
"So's animagi, but we managed it on our own." James refuted. "Plus in actuality, anyone not stuck in depression is capable of doing this spell."
Lily didn't have a comeback, and the reading carried on.
"In theory it's a simple manner. The incantation is 'Expecto patronum.'" Remus said. The class repeated him for a bit.
McGonagall had a fond smile.
"All you have to do is hold out your wand and say the incantation. However there is something needed for the incantation to work." Remus said. "Anyone know what that is?" Remus asked.
"You and making people learn." Sirius joked. "Hey, if he can get you to learn anything, he can teach anyone." Liliana said.
"Shizu, did Lana just insult me?" The dog animagus asked in a faux-innocence. "Yes." The Japanese witch said in a heartbeat. Sirius pouted like a petulant child.
"You sure you want the stubborn ninny, Shizuka?" James asked in a stage whisper.
"Yes I want the stubborn ninny." She said. "The stubborn ninny can hear you two." Sirius said. His friends all smirked.
"Bullocks." Sirius growled when he realized what he called himself.
The whole class was drawing blanks, even Hermione.
Some looked surprised.
Ron nervously raised his hand.
Septimus chose to pay a bit more attention at that point.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" Remus asked. "Happy memories?" Ron asked. Remus gave a tight smile. "Yes. Fifteen points to Gryffindor." Ron grinned a bit uneasily.
Septimus gave an easier smile.
"Since dementors bring misery, happiness and love drive them off." Remus said. "So I want all of you to think of your happiest memories when you try this spell. The happiest memories filled with love are the strongest."
"This's why it's my favorite spell." Teddy said. Remus made a mental note for the future.
Remus pulled his wand out and said "Expecto Patronum." A silver wave rippled out of his wand and it formed a wolf.
Everyone was amazed.
"If a patronus is strong enough it will take on a corporeal form, like mine just did. I don't expect you all to do that just yet, so don't be disappointed if all you get is a silver mist. That is capable of driving off dementors as well." Remus said.
Many people looked forward to seeing Remus teach some more.
Harry thought hard.
"If he wasn't Harry, I'd be worried." Kie said lowly to himself.
"Expecto patronum." First time riding a broom. Nothing.
Several people gave the book confused looks.
"Expecto patronum." Going to Hogwarts with Aries and Leo. A slight trickle of silver.
Remus smiled.
"Expecto patronum."Talking to Daphne and Nott under the Quidditch stands. A steady stream of silver.
Dorea looked proud.
"Expecto patronum." Having a family for Christmas holiday. A thicker stream of silver mist flowed out of his wand.
Harry's family had sad, but happy smiles.
After an hour and a half, Remus stopped them, and everyone lowered their wands.
McGonagall debated the teaching of the Patronus Charm to younger students based on Remus' lesson so far.
"Now that you know how to ward them off, we should cover more about dementors themselves." Remus said.
"Where do you even find information on them?" Frank asked. "Somewhere dealing with dark magic." Sirius said with a grimace.
"Does anyone know where dementors come from?" He asked.
"Azkaban?" Auggie guessed.
No one said anything, but Hermione raised her hand excitedly.
"No one should be excited if dementors are the topic of conversation." Lucius drawled.
"An island in the North sea." She said. "That's Azkaban." Sirius said.
"Shot down." Danny whispered to his brother.
She went a bit red, whether from embarrassment or from being miffed Harry wasn't sure.
"Maybe both." Several of the future kids said in unison.
"That's the first reported area of dementors by the British Ministry, but that is not where they come from." Remus said gravely.
"I get the feeling the Black Family library was used in the making of this lesson." Arcturus said.
"Dementors are wraiths." He said. Some of the students paled or hissed, while most looked confused.
Lily looked confused.
"They are the remnants of the twisted and tortured souls caused by black magic. They haunt the most sinister and desolate of areas, doomed to forever steal other souls. Their mere presence bring cold, resurfaces the most painful of memories." Remus said.
Shizuka shuddered. It seems that no matter what culture, torment breeds foul spirits that harm the living.
Everyone looked grimly at Sirius.
"Mr. Black." Seamus said hesitantly. "Yes?" Sirius asked. "Is that true?" He asked.
Shizuka pulled Sirius into a comforting hold.
"Yes." Sirius said, his face unreadable, but his eyes were shadowed. "For ten years I was constantly reliving every miserable memory I've ever had in my life. The only reason why I'm still same was because I knew I was innocent."
"Wouldn't that be a happy memory?" Hermione asked.
"No." Sirius strangled out.
There was a flicker of absolute misery in Sirius' grey eyes. Remus had a dangerous look on his face.
Everyone else seemed apprehensive.
"You think that knowing that my so called friend that I had since my first year of Hogwarts, whom I dormed with, invited to my wedding, allowed to hold my only son and nephew and godson was a Death Eater and a traitor is a happy memory?" Sirius asked in a grave voice.
Sirius hid away in Shizuka's thick blue-black hair.
Everyone paled and gasped. Hermione looked abashed, but Harry couldn't help but give her a dirty look for bringing this up.
James wore a pained expression and Remus looked feral.
"Knowing that because of my misplaced trust cost me the lives of my wife, whom I loved from the bottom of my heart, my best friend who was a brother to me in all but blood, and his wife who I thought of as the sister I never had?" Sirius asked, his voice cracking slightly.
"My life was pretty miserable, but never miserable enough to call THAT a happy memory."
Shizuka hugged Sirius and whispered loving words in his hair.
"I don't blame you Sirius." Liliana said sadly. "I would never blame you."
James looked at Sirius. "I trusted Peter too. It's my fault." James said. Sirius and Remus looked at James in shock.
"I trusted the rat too. I could have kept you as the Secret Keeper, but I decided to switch to Peter. My death—Liliana's death—are my fault." James said. Sirius actually stood up.
"ARE YOU DAFT!?" He shouted. "WILL YOU STOP BLAMING YOURSELF!?" James shouted back. Sirius shrank back slightly and gave him a guilty look. "But I-"
"We ALL had a part in that tragedy Sirius!" James continued, "What's important is that now that we know, we can prevent it from happening!"
"Sirius." Shizuka said, taking his hand and giving him a reassuring look. Sirius stared at her before sitting down. "Okay." He whispered.
The bell rang, ending the lesson. Harry chanced a glance at the class from the corner of his eye.
Every one of his classmates was in tears. Many were horrified and unable to speak. Hermione had a hand over her mouth, as if she wanted to take her question back.
Many grimaced.
"Class dismissed." Remus said thickly. The class emptied but Harry was the only student to linger.
Sirius smiled slightly.
Remus, shucking professional propriety to the wind, pulled Sirius into a tight and brotherly hug. "It's not your fault." Remus said lowly. "It's never been your fault." Sirius hid his face in Remus' shoulder.
"It isn't." Remus reassured.
Harry got up and ran towards Sirius. He hugged him tight around the middle and let out a shuddering breath as he felt tears rain down. "They're not really gone, Padfoot." Harry whispered.
"But it's not the same." Barty said suddenly. "It isn't." Shizuka added.
Sirius disentangled from Remus and Harry. "I suppose that that's true." Sirius said with what Harry thought was the saddest smile he ever saw Sirius wear.
James knew the smile Harry was talking about.
Then an image came into Harry's mind.
Harry was with his parents. They were smiling happily and lovingly at him. Aries and Leo played with him, without a care in the world, as Shizuka and Sirius talked with Saorise and Aries' dad about something that made them all smile and laugh easily.
Those listening couldn't help but smile at the described image.
Harry wasn't sure if it was a memory, a dream, or a memory of a dream, but he held onto that warm feeling he felt.
Xenophilius looked from the book, to his father and brother to his grandchildren with a slightly dazed look. A dream, huh?...
"Expecto patronum." His patronus rushed out of his wand like a rapid, and standing in the swirling silver was a tall and majestic silvery stag.
Everyone was shocked, and silent.
The buck lowered its muzzle towards Harry. "Prongs." Remus and Sirius chocked.
Dry eyes were hard to find.
Harry had hoped his patronus would make them feel better.
But Remus had tears in his eyes, and shook slightly.
Sirius had fallen to his knees, and tears running rapidly as he sobbed into his hands. Harry did what he would do with Leo or Aries.
He hugged him until he stopped crying.
James looked pained, as if the pain he unintentionally inflicted on his friends physically wounded him.
When he stopped sobbing, Sirius reached a hand out to the stag, and it nuzzled his palm.
It dissipated, leaving a warm feeling in the air that Harry wondered if Aries would associate with love.
The two underage animagi shared a deep look that was secret to all but them.
Harry went about his day with a heavier heart than he would have liked. By the time dinner rolled around, Sirius left after tight hugs from Leo and Aries.
"You might see me tomorrow or the day after." Sirius said with a chuckle as he gave the three of them hugs and hair ruffles. The three grinned widely when they sent him off.
Some people smiled, but the smiles were a mixture of happiness and sadness.
When they walked towards the Great Hall, Harry saw Daphne and her sister.
"You guys go on ahead." Harry said as he walked over towards the Greengrass sisters.
Dorea smiled.
"Hi, Daphne." Harry greeted with a warm smile.
"Harry!" Daphne said loudly before throwing her arms around him. Harry returned the hug. She pulled back and looked worriedly at him.
"Are you okay? I saw you fall, and I wanted to come see you but the Headmaster said that you needed to rest and—and-"
"She must have been really worried." Narcissa hummed.
"Daphne I'm fine. See." Harry said, holding her hands in a loose grip. She nodded and let loose a breath.
"You really wanted to come and see me?" Harry found himself asking. "Me and Nott, yeah." She said. "Why didn't you?" Harry asked.
"That's what I'm wondering." Dia said with a small frown.
"Headmaster Dumbledore said we couldn't see you." Daphne said in a huff.
"That conniving goat!" Dorea screeched. McGonagall's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"That's odd." Harry said. "My whole team, Aries and Leo came in."
Daphne looked shocked. "What?" She asked. "Why couldn't me and Theodore see you?" "I don't know." Harry said.
"Why exclude them?" Danny asked in a huff. "Maybe…because they're Slytherins." Jamie threw out there. Many people were understandably angry.
"Uh, Daphne…" A small voice said from their side. The two third years looked at the younger Slytherin girl who was looking at their hands.
They pulled away quickly. "Harry, this is my sister Astoria." Daphne said a tiny bit louder than usual.
The majority of the Room's occupants chuckled at their actions.
"Hi Astoria." Harry greeted with a wave. "This is Harry." Daphne said to her sister. She gave a nod at him.
"Mum." Scorpius pointed out.
"Harry!" A familiar voice called making the three jump slightly. Harry turned and felt a bit uneasy at seeing Ginny walking briskly towards them.
Septimus was still feeling conflicted when concerning his youngest grandchild.
Harry turned back to the two sisters. 'Go.' He mouthed at Daphne. She nodded.
"Bullocks." Charlus muttered.
"Well we should go to dinner. Bye." Daphne said with only a slight amount of confusion. She and her sister walked away, giving him a confused and concerned look before going to eat dinner.
"Please don't leave him alone with her again." Liliana said.
Harry pooled together his Gryffindor-ness and turned to face Ginny with a smile. Said smile fell off like butter when he noticed the dark look in her eyes.
"Fuck."
"JAMES CHARLUS POTTER!"
"Mum!"