Chapter 14: Birthday Presents, Sirius AGAIN!

Hermione 'Granger' the dark lord's daughter.

Chapter 14.

After I wrote the letter to my mum, I had dinner so I got up and went to the Great Hall.
I sat next to Draco, but I didn't listen to a word him or Blaise were saying. Pansy was talking about something that I had no interest in. So I didn't listen to her either.
I looked over at the Gryffindor table. I saw Ginny looking my way. She looked down as soon as she noticed me looking at her. She nudged the twins who looked up and smiled a small smile. I could bring myself to smile back. Fred whispered something to George, who laughed. They looked at me and I read Fred's mind. 'Tell Ron how stupid he was annoying Cali. She's awesome."

That made me smile. I finished my dinner at the same time as Ron and Ginny. I walked out, and the pain in my head got more intense as I came near Ron. I walked out without looking at him. I heard Ginny tell Ron that she was going to the owlery. I was going there anyway. Maybe we could talk. I got up to the owlery and gave my letter to my family bird. He took it straight away. As I turned round I saw Ginny. I smiled she returned it. I sat on the stairs, as I had when I had the talk with Harry. Ginny just stood there and finished her letter. I wondered if she was going to sit afterwards. She finished the letter and gave it to the owl and turned round to face me. She let a breath out then sat next to me.

"Hey." I said quietly.
"Hey Cali." I smiled.
"How have you been?" I asked. She laughed.
"Ok. Getting over what happened..." She looked like she said too much.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Ron and Harry had a massive fight last night. Shouting and Screaming. If it wasn't for me and Dean, fists would of got involved." She said laughing at the memory.
"If I can ask, why were they fighting?"
"Harry had a go at Ron because of what he did to you." I hid a smile.
"Why would Harry care?" I asked.
"He does care about you Cali. He misses you. We all do. Me, mum, dad. The twins." She says quietly and slowly.
"I miss you, the twins. I really do but I don't know why Ron is being so stupid towards me."
"Neither do us. Every time we try and talk to him, he walks off muttering stuff." Ginny says looking down the entire time.
I smiled and it felt good and normal. Ginny suddenly jumped up and rushed off saying she had to go.

I sighed; I had gotten used to people not looking at me. Hell I was used to people staring and laughing but Ginny just rushing off hurt. A lot. I walked back to my common room. I was thinking about my birthday. It was tomorrow. I wonder what Severus has got me.

The next day. (Cali's birthday)

It's finally Saturday. MY BIRTHDAY. I'm awoken by screaming girls. (Pansy must have told them all). They all gave me presents of make up and jewelry. I make my way to the great hall after half an hour of fake 'thank yous' and fake 'I love it's'. As I sit down and start to eat, the owls come. At least five of them with presents. I send the presents magically to my room. I can't be asked to open them right now. I look up at Severus.

"Happy Birthday" His voice loud and clear in my mind.
"Bah humbug" I reply. I can hear him laugh.
"What's up? Do you want to spend the day in my rooms with me?" He asks.
"Yes" I say quickly. I get up and walk to his rooms.

The presents are there. They owls must have known I was coming here. A few seconds later Severus walks in chuckling. I sit across from him on the couch. I start with the present off my uncle and aunt.
The note said:

To our darling Cali.
We know this will be better than anything you could want.
We hope this cheers you up.
Uncle Lucius and Aunt Cissa.

I look at Severus and smile. I ripped the magic sparkly paper open and there laid the best magical laptop a girl could asked for. Severus laughed and I knew he knew about this. As I reached for the second present which was wrapped in the same paper as the first one, Severus suggested I read the note first.

Cali.
You mother wanted you to have this for your 14th birthday.
Lucius.

I looked at Severus, he shrugged. I opened it. It was a beautiful jewelry box. I opened it and the song started. The mirror was a two way mirror. I could see my mum! I put it to one side. I'd experiment later. After opening Draco's present there was only one left. Severus'.
"What did you get me?" I asked, it looked like a box.
"Open it and find out." he said snarky. I looked at him; it looked like a large box. Severus better not have gotten me a box. I opened it slowly and it became clear. It was a cage. But for what I still hadn't worked out. I looked at him but he still didn't say anything. I opened the cage door, and out slithered the most beautiful snake in the world. Second only to Severus in his animagus form.

From the look on Severus' face I was astounded. "You bought me a snake?" I said slowly. He smirked and nodded. He then covered his ears because I began to scream with joy. Of course.

Two weeks later.

I'd been released from my depression after my birthday. I was happy. My third year was finally finished. I could go home and live my very happy life. I had 2 days till we could go. I was wandering by the wamping willow when suddenly a black dog ran out and bites my leg and dragged me down. Harry and Ron were already down there. I heard Ron mutter something but I didn't catch it properly. The dog quickly transformed back into his human state and it was none other than Sirius Black. GREAT! The one time I'm not wearing my necklace. Then I remember it's in my pocket, I wonder if I can get it out without Sirius noticing.

He comes up to me. His face right in mine. So close I can smell the alcohol on him. I can see where he has tried to look more presentable. I lean back, only a little, just to increase the distance.
"Cali. My second cousin, right?" He says. Slowly as if he's taunting me. I nod. The movement strong and brave. Hopefully.
"What do you want with me Sirius?" I say. There is no stutter in my voice, no hesitation. Harry's wand is already out. Ron's is making its way out. I feel Sirius' eyes bore into mine. He looks away first. "Because" I carry on. "If it's trivial, can I go, there is a lot more I could be doing right now." I say almost in a mocking tone. At this he pulls a wand out and points it to my neck. I continue to taunt him. "Poor little Sirius, Can't argue with a little teenage girl, had to bring his stolen wand out to feel safe. How does it feel? To have your stolen wand pointed at an unarmed enemy. Does it make you feel strong?" I feel good. I'm not weak this time. Harry's wand is loose in his hand. Ron's is still in his pocket. I don't care. I can protect myself. Or at least that's what my mind says. I feel Sirius move back and turn round to talk to Harry. Telling him the truth of what really happened that night. It gives me enough time to put the necklace on and activate it.

Not a second later Remus walks in. This is bad, the full moon is tonight. Oh CRAP! I bet Harry and Ron don't know. I wasn't going to leave them. Not with a Werewolf who clearly hasn't taken his potion. Can this night get any worse? Remus looks round the room see's the blood leaking from my leg, sees Ron cowering in the corner. Sees his best friend tormenting Harry. Then his eyes lock onto the wand Sirius is holding. I can see the panic set in.
"Give it up Remus" I say quietly in his ear. He turns to me in confusion. "Sirius has gone to the dark side, no saving him now." I mutter. Sirius quickly turns around though. Damn! Sirius looks at me and growls. Why do I have a bad feeling about this? He advances again this time my wand is out quick and creates a good distance between us.
"What do you want" I say slowly and simply.
"To be free, Free of guilt. I didn't do what I'm framed of. I need this you insolent child." He says. I stand straight, raise my dropped wand and make sure it's pointing right at him.
"You listen to em! I'm not insolent and I'm not a child, and you know what! You better stop thinking of me in that way! Now you want forgiveness from Harry for what you supposedly did to his parents. What on earth has that got to do with me?" I say. My face as hard as stone I'm sure. Remus walks closer but both Sirius and I stop him.
"I don't know it felt right." I move closer so there are only a few inches between us.
"Leave me out of your twisted little games Black." I say. His wand goes higher, so it's level with my face, so I raise mine.
"It isn't a game and it sure for hell isn't twisted."
"Everything you do is twisted." I shoot back. He closes the gap even more.
"Watch you self girl" And he pushes me back. I fall flat on the floor and hit the back of my head on the stone concrete floor. That is the worst thing he has ever done.

I feel blood run down my cheek, the cut from Ronald must have re opened. Remus rushed over, plucked my wand from my hand and healed it. He hesitated before giving it back. I don't take it straight away. I hesitate. I realize that I need some help. So I activate the necklace. Then I wait.

I don't know what I'm waiting for. Well I do. I'm waiting for Severus. Where is he? Then all of a sudden the door breaks down and there he is. My savior. My hero. My knight in shining amour. He looks at Harry and Ron, then at Remus. His gaze suddenly whips round to Sirius, then the wand in Sirus' hand then finally, me. His gaze is longer and more sensitive to me. As if he is examining every detail. He looks angry. I run to him and let him envelope me in a hug. Finally something safe and reliable. Sirius finally turns back to Harry and they start talking again, meanwhile Severus exams the cut on my forehead closer. And whispers.
"You're a death trap aren't you" I nod and laugh.

Severus walks up to Sirius and whispers in his ear and Sirius turns to me and said "I'll leave you alone Cali, if you and Severus don't report me."
I turned to face him and a single word left me lips. "Fine" I walked out Severus right behind me.