Harry Potter & the Child of Phoenix
Disclaimer: We've discussed this. I don't own anything! Except for the plot and the characters you've never heard of. They're mine. Mine.
Warning: This chapter has minor "Half-Blood Prince" spoilers.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Nevermore
"Relax, Hermione." Ron advised after what seemed like the seventeenth time. Hermione ignored him again, instead inspecting the head table with an apprehensive look. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry, who flicked the brittle edges of his bacon at an unsuspecting Icarus. "Oh, for — ! They're not going to say anything." He hissed at the uneasy witch.
Hermione simply frowned at the table holding the Slytherins and Aves and picked at her breakfast. Ron piled more food onto his plate. "It's been three days! If they wanted to get us in barney, we'd already be there." The clever witch lowered her brow and looked to her other friend for support.
"Harry?" She prompted.
"Ron's right." He apathetically replied. Said Gryffindor hummed in triumph as Hermione scowled.
"A professor could have shown up at any time and there wouldn't be a Defense Association anymore!" She attempted to pull at their heartstrings. Harry casually sipped his pumpkin juice as Ron gave him a wide grin.
"Good thing they didn't eh, Harry?"
Harry halfheartedly raised his glass. "Cheers." He heard a groan across from Ron.
"Lucky we didn't get a detention."
Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Lucky we didn't get caught! That was horrid!" Her eyes instinctively drifted back to the head table, and followed afterward to the Averins.
The redheaded prefect huffed. "They're not going to tell anyone. No one's caught us. And Seamus took care of Pomfrey." Restated Ron firmly. Harry reflected back to when Seamus arrived in the dormitories very early in the morning. He said he told the Mediwitch his nose was broken due to roughhousing; she just did not realize the literal implication.
Harry very much doubted she wholeheartedly believed Seamus' story. "Besides, they lost. The last thing the Slytherins want the entire school to know is that they lost a fight to Gryffindors." Ron laughingly resumed.
Harry tipped his head to the side to stare at Ron. "Worse, if we were Hufflepuffs…." Ron snorted.
"Funny," she slickly began, "You weren't saying that when they nearly wrecked you in Quidditch." Ron and Harry successfully shut up.
Ron's retort was effectively hindered when the morning mail soared in. Students swatted the feathery messengers from their breakfast plates and droned on. Harry was taken aback when an aged gray owl landed in front of him and held out its leg. After the message was successfully retrieved, the accomplished owl pinched a few scraps from Harry's platter. Harry unfurled the parchment and deciphered Sirius' quickly scrawled:
Send date of next Hogsmeade weekend by return owl.
Harry turned the parchment over and made a noise of reason at finding it expectedly blank. "Borrow a quill, Ron?" The redhead waved distractedly as he read a short letter. Harry fetched a worn quill from Ron's bag and replied Sunday, February 14th. The owl flew off after Harry strapped the note to its leg. As he handed the quill back to Ron, he raised his brow at the redhead's curious look. "What?"
"What was that?" Asked Ron, his brow crowning near his fringe.
Harry shrugged, gulping down his juice. "Nothing." The younger wizard disregarded Hermione's suspicious look.
"Well, who's it from?" She pushed.
A sigh escaped Harry's lips. "Nobody." They were still too involved in his matters. Even if the message was from Sirius, Harry felt bothered enough to keep his best friends wondering.
His response made Hermione's eyes glimmer in the same curious manner she acquired right before she hurried to the library to quench it. "Now why would nobody write nothing to you?"
Unfazed, Harry parodied a reply, "I don't know. Maybe nobody had nothing to do." Ron was fruitlessly choking back a snort of amusement. Hermione's face dissolved into a frown.
"Harry — "
"Drop it, Hermione." The wizard brooked no tone for argument. Her dark eyes bore into him even as he turned away from his best friends. Harry knew he had been rather harsh and distant in the last few weeks, but they had to understand.
"Hm," Icarus murmured across from Harry, his nose buried in the Herald. "Good news. The school's nearly complete. We'll be able to move back in by August." A few sixth year Paraffins and Voltaires hunched around him, reading over his shoulder.
Seats away, Nikola slinked around a few second years to grimace over the black prefect. "Fantastic. Our summer's cut short." Hermione's face was hidden behind the Daily Prophet as Starbuck joined the discussion.
Harry opened his mouth to ask about the academy when he heard Dean exclaim, "Blimey! They've chosen one already?"
"What?" Hermione pulled the paper from under Ron's nose and held it before Harry's face.
A black and white picture of a rough-looking wizard smirked back at Harry. "Rufus Scrimgeour," she answered his implicit question. Harry's eyes ran over the man's tough façade. "The new Minister for Magic."
The day dragged on, with most conversations centered on the new Minister. Mixed reaction met the news, and Harry had little time to form an opinion on the man. From his picture in the Prophet alone he looked a better replacement for Fudge, but there was something curious about him Harry couldn't place.
Harry was pleased to see the return of Hagrid for their Care of Magical Creatures class. Though the half-giant looked worse for the wear, Hagrid was just as excited as ever, outlining the rest of the course for the remaining months. After class, he tried to badger the three into his cabin for rock cakes, but luckily, they had to attend Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Today, by far, had been the most difficult lesson, save for the instance when the intricate Barter Hex was introduced. Kenward started them on Nonverbal Spells and after some tips, set them on their way. Only a handful of students managed to achieve the smallest of spells — Hermione included, of course — but Harry thought he saw Ron's book give a feeble short of shake when he tried to levitate it.
The weather was rather unsettled, windy one moment and wet with thaw the next. Harry opted to stay in the warm common room rather than join some of his housemates outside. He was glad he at least had Ron as a companion. Then again, Ron was only there because Hermione wasn't in the library with Terry Boot for a change. Harry presumed he only remained because he needed Hermione's Astronomy notes.
But after a good hour of silence, Ron managed to bring up, "What is it with you and Boot?"
Hermione blinked up from her History of Magic book, her cheeks stained with red. "Oh, well, Terry and I have been studying." Ron's eyes narrowed.
"Right. Studying." He weighed. Hermione gave him a look of exasperation.
"Yes," she snapped. "Terry knows the importance of revising. Something you two ought to have an interest in."
Harry threw his hands up from his slow scribbling. "Leave me out of it."
"I'm interested in studying." Ron indignantly affirmed. If he was, he sounded awfully unimpressive, Harry considered. Hermione raised a brow and turned her attention back to her textbook.
"Please, the only thing you have eyes for are flying balls and brooms in the air." She retorted.
The keeper's ears inflamed. "Shows how much you think you know." Harry heard him mutter. He concentrated on finishing his essay as Hermione and Ron flung dispute after dispute at one another. He had almost completely blocked out their voices when he heard his name.
"…Harry doesn't think so, do you Harry?" Hermione inquired with sharp eyes. The Gryffindor tore his eyes away from his essay to meet expectant faces. Ron was flushed from quarrelling and Hermione appeared quite red herself. He realized he had no idea what they were disagreeing about.
"Er…" he stalled, waggling his quill to defer an answer. "…No?"
"You see?" Hermione triumphantly accused. "Harry doesn't think so at all."
"Right…." Harry distractedly backed. Ron looked at him with a mixture of disappointment and treachery.
"Really, Harry," he growled. "How can you believe that flobberworm's not interested in Hermione?"
Harry's eyes widened. How did he wind up in this conversation? The truth was, he neither knew, nor cared about what the Ravenclaw and his friend did. "I…er, well…studying…" He lamely endeavored.
"That's what they all say." Ron seethed, glaring at Hermione. She simply rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, exactly what are you studying?"
The witch narrowed her eyes warily. "Since when do you care whom I study with?" The redhead's face colored faintly.
He choked, "I don't," but he swiftly rectified, "Well, I do, but…"
Hermione's left brow rose. "You do?"
"I do, I mean…" Ron fumbled, turning steadily redder until he almost hysterically sputtered, "But it's just studying, right?" By now, several Gryffindors and Paraffins were watching the exchange.
Her lips altered into a thin line of disapproval. "If you must know, I've been looking into this Child of Phoenix issue." She murmured over her essay. Harry's attention immediately shifted. He stared hard at Hermione.
"What?"
Sighing wearily, Hermione shut her textbook and leaned in close to both boys. "Well, this rumor has been circulating all over the school, and people are creating these pipe dreams about this Child of Phoenix. No professor has spoken about it, and I doubt even Dumbledore believes this prophecy." She informed. "So, I thought I'd look into it a bit more so we know what fraud we're looking for now."
Harry ignored her skeptical tone and moved closer, asking, "Did you find anything?" about the same time Ron crossly inquired, "Why Boot?"
The clever prefect crossed her arms and threw her fellow a slightly harassed look. "He needed help with revising, and besides, he was there when the prophecy was spoken."
"Yes, but why Boot?" Ron insisted. Hermione ignored him and favored a look toward Harry.
"I've been reading tons and tons of books," she began, absently thumbing through pages of the book in her lap. "There is very little information out there on this supposed Child, but I have found a few theories."
This spiked Harry's interest. "Theories? What about?" Inquired the seeker.
Hermione smoothed out a page of her book. "There's one theory by a noted anthropologist, Khirbi Whippleweston, that the Child of Phoenix might be a Bellotaur."
"A what?" The boys simultaneously asked. Hermione issued an annoyed sigh.
"You honestly haven't read a thing when it comes to History of Magic, have you?"
"Well, we don't have that class anymore," the redheaded wizard reminded. "So, what's the point?"
Hermione's brown eyes grew fierce. "The point is — !"
"What is a Bellotaur, Hermione?" Harry barged in, wanting to get information before the two got another spat in.
The brown-haired witch breathed calmly before regarding Harry with a lenient stare. "The Bellotaur were thought to be seven invincible warriors that destroy evil. Whippleweston thought the Child of Phoenix, or as he calls it, 'Phoenix Warrior', to be the youngest."
Harry digested the information slowly. A Bellotaur. A warrior. Thought to be invincible. Where would an invincible warrior be found? Hogwarts certainly wasn't his first choice to look.
Ron's eyes narrowed at the subdued witch. "And why haven't you come to us with this information before?" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"These theories are implausible." She hastily claimed. "I needed more information to prove or disprove them. Thus far, I'm neutral."
The red-faced wizard frowned. "But Bellotaur, they're good, and — "
"These are the theories of other wizards, Ron. Theories. None of them have met the Bellotaur; Bellotaur are said to be mythical, living dozens of centuries ago, and just as old." Hermione expanded doubtfully. "These theories hail from investigators of Seers and mythmakers. We can't rely on their words. Besides, some of the other theories I read stated Bellotaurs were ruthless killers. We can't trust schemes that contradict themselves."
Ron leaned into his seat, throwing his arms across his chest. Harry followed suit, but tangled himself in his thoughts. The Bellotaur could be good or bad? Did Voldemort know about them, and find some? If that was the case, did the Bellotaur even exist?
As Hermione turned back to her book, Harry noticed one of his visiting dorm mates dropping into the armchair across from her. Starbuck took in the concentrated face of Ron and the slightly annoyed expression of Hermione. Harry watched as he slapped his hands on his thighs and perkily queried, "And what are we bickering about today?"
ooooo
The last weeks of January melted into a blur of February. Harry barely perceived this since their workload vastly increased. If he didn't know better, he would have thought they were taking their N.E.W.T.s next week. The professors were piling work on them as if their lives depended on it; in all actuality, Harry realized, their lives did depend on it. Or their futures, at any rate.
One major change was the shift of mood throughout the castle. After Scrimgeour was appointed minister, Harry noticed Aurors near the gates of Hogwarts and some even swept the halls one day. Purple pamphlets about individual safety were handed out in Charms, and signs of the same nature hung on the common room boards.
The atmosphere changed from one of cautious vigilance to overwrought tension and alertness within days. Attacks were frequently reported in the Daily Prophet, and Harry noticed students were sometimes called out of class or taken from mealtimes to be told the dreadful news. Parents and relatives were being killed or just plain dying from the stress of the war. Now more than ever, Harry was noticing the intent looks in his direction.
Although grave, the mood was not always so. There were times when Harry would bask in the normalcy of begging Hermione to copy her notes or talking to Ron about Quidditch. For what was probably the hundredth time this week, Ron nattered on about Slytherin's victory over Ravenclaw.
"What a surprise," he stated slowly, but sarcastically. Harry refrained from rolling his eyes for fear of losing his reading spot on valerian roots. "At this rate, we could not practice at all, play Ravenclaw, and still win! By a huge margin!"
"You do that, Ron." Harry distractedly murmured. He'd been stuck on the same paragraph for an hour now.
"It's that Cho Chang." Ginny joined in straight from the portrait hole. "I don't think she realizes she's actually playing the game." Harry remained silent. Ron's eyebrow shot up as Ginny settled at a table behind the quietly reading Ella.
"And where were you?" He nosed, pushing his potions book away. Ginny considered him with an annoyed look.
She replied, "That's hardly any of your concern."
Ron conveyed a dramatic sigh and curled his lip asking somewhat spitefully, "Ah, so who's your man of the week?"
"It's really none of your business," Ginny began tartly, "But I was talking to Colin. He asked me to Hogsmeade."
Harry heard a rolling guffaw come from the boy beside him. Ginny and Hermione frowned as Ron continued, poking Harry to join him. "Fancy that!" He exclaimed around a fit of chuckles. "Ginevra Creevey! I rather like the sound of that!" And he burst into another fit of uncontrollable sniggers.
By now, various Paradors were glaring at Ron's disturbance, but Ginny was even more affronted. Her hair held no comparison to the scarlet of her ears and cheeks. "Well!" She snapped, glowering at Ron, "I'd better get used to calling Luna Lovegood my sister-in-law, as I'm sure she'd thoroughly enjoy that!"
Ron quickly sobered and straightened himself out. Hermione remained quiet behind her book. Harry, on the other hand, smirked at Ginny. "She's got you there, Ron." Ron mumbled something incomprehensible.
Ginny, pleased by her brother's reaction, smiled winningly. "I turned him down." Ron visibly relaxed. "And then Seamus approached me." Immediately, Ron tensed and began to splutter.
"Seamus? Seamus Finnigan?" He objected. "That brown-haired hooligan?" The witches frowned. Harry lowered his brows, somewhat agreeing.
"He's your housemate." Ginny harked.
The black-haired boy nodded. "Yeah, but it's Seamus." He awkwardly protested with a frown. "He is a bit of a wild one…."
The female chaser tilted her head to the side with a smirk. "You're just jealous." She teased. Harry feebly began to stammer in protest when Ginny laughed aloud. "I'm joking. But I turned him down." Both wizards eased at this.
Right away, a disapproving look rattled Ron's countenance. "Why do you always do that?" He reproached, looking unusually weary. "Stringing me along like that."
"Because you're so gullible," Ginny answered without looking up. "And I find it rather enjoyable. You're horribly overprotective." These words sounded less cheerful than her previous statement.
Harry studied Ron's long face. "You're my sister," he implored tightly. "There are tons of prats out there and — "
"And you don't want to see me get hurt, how very big brother of you." Ginny insultingly waved off. "I can handle myself." Ron sat ready to confront her.
"But, Ginny — "
"I can handle myself." She forcefully persisted.
Ron looked irked and stared at his sister's profile. "Just be careful with boys." Ginny's face whirled in his direction and she looked as if she was about to throw her quill at him.
"Ron — !" She warned.
"She can handle herself," Hermione chimed in, giving Ron a severe look.
"Just let her be." Ella unexpectedly added, giving them a warm smile. "She's old enough to make her own decisions, right?" Ginny shot the older witch an appreciative smile and nodded. Ella shrugged, returning to her book. "Let her alone." Oddly enough, Ron did not complain, and miserably went back to his potions book as the portrait hole opened. Several of the sixth year Paraffins spilled in with their tracksuits, both shivering and sighing in the warmth of the common room.
Many headed straight for the dormitories, while few stayed behind. "Dark — Force has to — s-stop," Harry heard someone shudder haltingly. "At least — until the — weather is warmer."
"Aye." Yorick squeaked, lurching up the steps after Starbuck. Quite a few Celestials agreed before they made it up the steps. Harry turned to Nikola, who just stepped into the common room and shook her head.
"Wimps." She muttered, grinning prettily at Harry. At his confused look, she explained, "Underwater curriculum." Harry's eyed widened as Hermione exclaimed.
"In the middle of the winter?" She all but screeched.
The Entity shrugged. "Whatever works." Harry stared at her disbelievingly.
"Where's Kaltag?" Ella suddenly inquired, eyeing the heads of the lingering Celestials. Harry glanced around and realized the Being was nowhere to be found. "I haven't seen him all day."
For some unexplainable reason, Nikola gave a shrill cry of laughter before standing up. She continued to convulse, much to the bewilderment of Harry and the others. Hermione looked slightly bothered by the Celestial's display, but did not comment. Ron looked vaguely amused, but it was obvious he did not know for what reason.
The blonde Entity began climbing the stairs, still laughing in unidentified amusement. All Harry could decipher between the turn of giggles was, "He fully deserved it! I can't wait for you to see this…!"
ooooo
The absent prefect returned to the dormitories after everyone had settled for bed and left before anyone woke up. Harry was decidedly curious now that the Celestial was clearly avoiding them.
He dressed quickly and headed out of the tower with Ron beside him and Starbuck trailing behind. They talked about aimless things, and Ron pointed out all the crumpled purple pamphlets littering the corridors when he abruptly stopped near the entrance hall. "What happened?" He shouted, staring ahead. Harry followed his gaze and noticed the house hourglasses. Gryffindors rubies were rather low. "We haven't even had Snape yet!" Ron continued.
"Oh," Starbuck stated in realization. Harry just remembered he was following them. "That." Ron slowly turned to favor the Being with a glower.
"'That'?" He sizzled, his voice deadly calm and dangerously low. Obviously Starbuck noted Ron's steadily coloring face, because he rushed through an explanation.
"Kaltag was being Kaltag in Einar's class," he resignedly enlightened. "Einar gave the wrong details on the Satyr Massacre of 1362, and Kaltag corrected him. Lectured everyone like he was there or something, and Einar went a bit mad on points. Didn't help when Kaltag insulted him." The Being looked as if he was fighting to keep a grin off of his face. "Used some very colorful words to express his dislike. Einar wasn't exactly thrilled."
Harry's brow wrinkled. He'd heard insulting Einar was like insulting Snape: No one came out unscathed. "Is that why Nikola was laughing at him?" They started back toward the Great Hall. Ron still looked miffed. A ghost of a smile appeared on Starbuck's face.
"Oh, no," he shot down. "She was laughing at him because he got his jaw smashed in Defense." Harry threw an equally confused Ron a baffled look. He didn't see the amusement in having one's jaw shattered: It meant re-growing bones. It meant pain. "Oh, don't get me wrong, it isn't at all funny. But this isn't the first time this has happened."
"Somehow I don't doubt that." Mumbled Ron.
Starbuck raised his bag higher on his shoulder. "Yesterday we were dueling in Chiron's, and brother dearest was having such a horrible day, really. For once, he was losing in combat against Xenik. So, he resorted to dirtier tactics — slighting Xenik's envy, trying to humiliate him, and this brought Xenik off the deep end. He forged his fist into a mallet and swung at him. And again, he didn't miss."
The wizards groaned audibly. Harry felt unpleasant tingles in his chin just from hearing it. "Ouch," Ron voiced his thoughts.
Starbuck nodded as if it were commonplace, which Harry could only assume it was. "Kaltag then broke Xenik's nose, chipped his cheekbone, and knocked a few teeth out. Nothing Mender Magus couldn't fix. Goodness knows she's used to it by now."
The younger wizard furrowed his temple. "I don't understand. Why is he avoiding us then?" Harry asked. If the Mender fixed everything, why was the Being dodging them? Embarrassment?
The Being smiled without answering, and Harry quickly learned he didn't need to. The three entered the Hall reverberating to raucous laughter. Harry could have been completely sightless and would have still known from where the laughter gushed.
They neared their usual spots and Harry noticed the loudest voices and chuckles came from the seat near his spot. His eyes caught Thanos wiping tears of mirth from his eyes and Icarus and Seamus falling over each other in amusement. "Headgear!" Basil wailed, belting out a cackle. "It still gets me!"
Several tables curiously craned their necks to get a good look at the rowdy Paradors, and some students out-and-out glared daggers at them. The Gryffindors did not seem to mind. Harry's eyes searched the faces around him for a clue to this madness before he found the source of their teasing.
There sat Kaltagonus, his eyes on his plate, and his hands in his lap, looking for all the world as if he had just lost his best friend. And he probably had, since Icarus took another look at him and erupted into a fit of cackles. Harry now saw why they were laughing: an unusual silver contraption framed the Being's jaw and forehead, just looking….
Well…laughable.
It was even more profound since Kaltag's black and blue jaw was set at a bizarre angle, frighteningly reminiscent of Mad-Eye Moody. It was something of a petulant scowl. His lower jowl was stiff, and his eyes remained on his plate. "Ha ha," Ron goofily snorted. "What happened to you?" Kaltag didn't look up.
All through breakfast, it seemed the Paradors could not stop their ridicule. Every chance they were given, the Beings and wizards poked fun at their own. The witches and Entities were more sympathetic, giving the boy gentle pats on the shoulder as they left the Great Hall. Harry was aware Kaltag never acknowledged them. Even Hermione, who scowled during the entire spectacle, stopped her quiet reassurances.
Aves and Slytherins went out of their way to round the Hall and passed by, mocking and leering at the quiet student. It wasn't until the mail soared in and Nikola began to thumb through the newspaper that some kind of response was provoked out of the prefect. "Oh, look at that, Kaltagonus. You've made page six." Informed the Entity in a flat tone.
Kaltag gave an indifferent twitch as a Ravenclaw pointed and laughed at his facial gear. "'Celebrity Relationships in Memoriam, An Olympic Herald Exclusive," the strong Entity recited. She read off a number of names in boredom before she gasped overdramatically. "'…And who can forget young Kaltagonus Smythe and Caprice Aubert!'"
The Being's head snapped up, his eyes broad with something unreadable. Harry stuffed a pile of eggs in his mouth and observed as Kaltag icily stared at his brother. Starbuck's eyes suddenly bulged and he dropped his fork, swiftly twisting toward his brother in shock. "Hera's knickers!" Blurted the Being. "You've my attention! What d'you want?" Harry tracked the older Being's gaze to the avidly commenting Nikola.
"…Here you are at Bacchus', how charming! And look, you're feeding each other nuts…!"
Starbuck dully sighed, raising his eyes skyward. "Shut up, Nikola." She lowered the paper marginally to glare at her younger sibling.
"Shut it yourself, Starbuck." His hands came up in defense, motioning toward the silent prefect.
"Not me, Captain Metal-Chops over there."
The female's expression soured. "Oh, what's this?" Nikola affected cruelly. "What's that you're wearing? Could it be the matching pink sweaters she made for you? Absolutely adorable, wouldn't you say, Kaltagonus?"
Harry lifted a brow at the glare he sent in the Entity's direction. Immediately after, the brothers were fiercely staring at each other, the younger of the two with a horror-struck gaze. "Shut up and — Malakas!" Harry was startled by the change in language. The seeker spotted Starbuck struggling not to grin. "We do share a dorm with him, you know."
Harry could tell the ginger-haired boy was trying to smirk, but the attempt to move his jaw made the prefect wince in pain. The Entity leered scornfully. "Serves you right, you tosser."
Starbuck replied — red-faced — with a foul-mouthed response. Nikola leveled them both with a dark look. "Choke on it. Both of you." The other boys laughed again, obviously having not forgotten their housemate's humiliating dilemma.
Dean goaded, "You're not going to get much exercise with that mouth of yours for Valentine's, will you?" The boys' laughter only seemed to aggravate the prefect further. The unruly-haired wizard was starting to notice the dark red blotches staining Kaltag's cheeks.
Beside the blushing Endymion, Hermione's surly face came into view. "Oh, leave him alone." Icarus sniffed, his smile wavering.
"Hey, we're only joking." He pledged. Somehow, Harry noted, the blue-eyed boy's gaze appeared to become darker. Icarus followed with, "I'm sure your girl won't be able to tell your horrible kisses have become worse!" An entire dam of laughter exploded once more as the Being darkened six shades of rouge.
The witches merely frowned, and Hermione curved her brow. "And how would you know?" She swindled. At last, the laughter was directed at someone other than the thoroughly-had Being of the Elements. Harry heartily joined in chuckling at Icarus' horrified expression. Finally, the group of Paraffins stood to leave, hilarity still rumbling through them. Harry heard Basil continue to murmur, "Headgear! Gets me every year…!"
Harry trudged down the hall, making light conversation with Starbuck, as Kaltag remained silent. Ron and Hermione were very quiet next to him, until Harry saw Ron hesitate out of the corner of his eye.
Ron first looked at Harry, his face pale and his eyes a mixture of uncertainty and anxiousness. His eyes broke from Harry's perplexed gaze and settled on Hermione for a moment. "Er, Hermione?" The oblivious witch turned to him. Ron's brown orbs darted to Harry for a split second before they returned to Hermione. "Could…I have a word?"
The corners of Hermione's mouth turned down. "Now? We have Potions, and…"
"It'll only take a second." He sounded urgent. Hermione veered to give Harry a troubled glance. Harry, sensing the necessity in Ron's demeanor, waved a dismissal.
"Don't worry. I'll meet you there." Ron had dragged Hermione off before Harry even finished his statement. He vaguely wondered what Ron had to tell her that he couldn't say in front of him. Brushing the negative thoughts from his mind, Harry resumed walking alongside the Smythe brothers. He again struck up an exchange with the blonde Celestial, but as he spotted Kaltag's crooked jaw and disagreeable countenance, he couldn't resist. "You're very quiet, Kaltag." He grinned in jest.
The ginger-haired student merely gave Harry a black look, and his brother spewed into a chortle. "You do not want to know what he's calling you right now."
Nearing the dungeon, Harry's spirits lifted when he noticed Professor Jace greeting students at the door. He slapped Dean on the back and shook Ernie Macmillan's hand. Jace gabbed Harry's hand, shaking it enthusiastically and patting him on the shoulder. "Good to see you, Harry!" He messed about. Harry got a good chuckle when he heard Jace behind him, "Do chin up, Mr. Smythe! Smile!" He could only imagine the lour on the Being's face.
Moments later, Harry watched Ron and Hermione stride through, both looking decidedly red. He opened his mouth to question the grinning Ron as he sat beside him, but closed it as Snape walked in the door, scowling deeply. There was no point in losing points for having his mouth hanging open.
The potions master strutted to the front of the room and alighted his glare on the sixth years. Jace hung to the far side, his hands shoved in his pockets. "What is the main use of a sopophorous bean, Mr. Montgomery?" Snape quickly singled out.
Harry grimaced as Basil stammered through a long-winded response, only to have Snape sneer and spotlight another student. Hermione stretched in her chair, her hand close to trembling. Snape produced an intolerant sigh and finally called on Hermione. She quickly spouted her textbook response and Snape curled his lip in disgust.
"And — " The abrupt bang of the door opening interrupted him, as Xenik nonchalantly sauntered in. It wasn't hard to glimpse his injuries, with his nose and cheeks a mixture of pale violet and blue. Harry hated to admit, he looked much better than his facial-geared housemate. Jace squared his shoulders as if rearing to punish the Aves deputy, but Snape cut him off. "So nice of you to join us, Mr. Xenik. Take your seat." Harry knew Snape would never take points off his own house, even if the student were a temporary member.
Snape rounded on the class. "What potion relies on the reaction of the sopophorous bean?" Snape's black eyes surveyed the class for his next victim, and Harry swallowed thickly when his malicious gaze lingered on him. Surprisingly, the professor's eyes slid a few inches to his right. His smirk was merciless. "Mr. Smythe?" The Paradors reacted as appropriately as they could. They hadn't lost any house points yet.
Jace stood straight, a frown spread across his face. "Really, Professor Snape. You know the boy doesn't have full use of his mouth for the period of a day."
Snape's eyes bore impenitently into the young Being's. "There are other means he can employ to answer a simple question." Harry thought he heard a deep growl from his housemate, followed by a stifled moan. Already several of the Aves and Slytherin students were snickering at their tables. Malfoy flashed his 'Serpents' pin across the room at Harry. "Mr. Smythe? I'm sure you believe the world revolves around you, but we, however, do not have all day. An answer, if you please."
"Snape — "
"Quiet, Jace." He hissed, glaring at the broken-jawed Being. "Five points from Parador." Harry couldn't believe Snape would be this cruel to his godson. Ron's fists shook, and he looked as if he were about to jump out of his seat to protest.
Which — sure enough — he did. "That's low, even for you!" The redheaded Gryffindor shouted. Snape's face dimmed and he snarled at Ron.
"Ten points for your boldness, Weasley." Malfoy and company laughed aloud, shaking their heads in disgust. Seething, Ron took his seat and threw the Slytherins a dirty look.
The Remedies professor advanced toward Snape until they were feet within each other. "That's enough, professor." Harry had never seen the jovial instructor so displeased.
Snape merely leered. "Five more points, Mr. Smythe. The clock is ticking." Several Gryffindors and Paraffins groaned, and Harry vaguely heard the snapping of quills from Icarus' table. He sympathetically turned to Kaltag, who — predictably — looked murderous, his eyes a bright golden orange.
"Kaltagonus!" Starbuck gasped, looking at his brother in disbelief. The elder Smythe threw his brother a dark glower as Starbuck shook his head in astonishment.
Harry examined Snape, whose eyebrow was raised in vile amusement. "Deadly thoughts toward a member of authority, Mr. Smythe? Another twenty points from Parador. I should report you for expulsion. Pathetic."
Garnet painted the cheeks of the mute Celestial, and his eyes burned even more in the face of the Slytherins' laughter. Harry was quite sure Kaltag would have protested and even lunged at the potions master for his embarrassment.
Without warning, one of the large jars on the shelf behind Snape's desk exploded, raining glass and the former jar's glutinous contents over both the desk and Snape.
Many students in the front shrieked, scuttling away. Harry wasn't sure whether it was the Being's anger or the backlash of a Parador that caused the jar to shatter. Once the mayhem was over, Snape looked positively venomous.
He was covered in what looked like rat tails, his hair shinier and greasier than ever, with thick glop dripping from his hooked nose. Stark silence reigned in the dungeon laboratory. Harry didn't move, not even to gauge Ron's expression. Such movement could probably set the potions master off, and the sixth year Paradors would have detention until they passed their N.E.W.T.s. Snape was exactly the type of professor to invent this punishment. "What," he fumed, "is the meaning of this?"
No one moved to respond to Snape. Harry greatly wanted to burst out in laughter, but his brain swiftly beat that impulse down. Only Jace looked close to falling over with hilarity, and Harry thought he was entitled. A slimy rope of gillyweed lurched down the front of Snape's robes. Apparently, this feat set him off.
"ANSWER ME!" He bellowed. Harry barely flinched at the deafening tone, his heart sinking. Even under the viscous gunk, Snape looked deadlier than usual. Gryffindor was sure to be drowning in the negative for the next decade or so. The professor's dark gaze deepened as they landed on his godson. Harry eyed Snape baring his yellow teeth, prepared to strike.
But lo and behold, someone had the daring to disrupt to the incensed potions master.
"Oops."
A Gryffindor. No surprise there, Harry mused.
Every eye turned to the back of the room, searching for that most unabashed voice. The brazen voice that did not even attempt an apology. Harry slowly turned in his stool, seeking that bold Gryffindor. His mouth fell open then.
Harry's eyes widened in horror at the least likely person he would have guessed. The Potions professor fumed, his black eyes shamelessly carving into his godson's, before cutting into the bold perpetrator's direction. Snape's expression curdled.
"Detention, Ms. Burton." He icily stated. "Get out."
Harry continued to blink owlishly at the red-haired witch, looking ever as ready to shatter another container in a heartbeat. The Being on the other side of Ron grimaced rather audibly and gingerly gripped his mouth, his normal-hued eyes locked on Ella.
Slowly, the witch gathered her belongings and calmly left the dungeon classroom. Harry thought he saw her grin smugly right before the door thumped shut.
Jace emitted a disbelieving snort and moved to the board with chalk in hand. Snape leveled him with glare, and stalked into his office, slamming the door hard behind him. "All right, back in your seats. It was just a bit of glass." He ordered the outraged Averins. The chalk screeched on the board with every letter. "While Professor Snape changes into something more than likely black and billowing, we'll begin brewing Draught of the Living Death…."
ooo
The sixth years were the loudest out of all the years in the corridors. Word of Ella's humiliation of Snape spread like wildfire. Everyone stopped by the witch during lunch to pat her on the back in admiration or stare in awe. Of course, the Averins sent her death glares, but she didn't seem to mind.
Ron continued to talk and boast about it as if he'd done the deed himself. He bragged in vibrant tones all through the morning's classes so much that Harry and Hermione left him to his own devices. The Paradors were holding the witch in high esteem, clapping earnestly every time they passed her by. Only Hermione appeared unhappy with her actions.
"She dumped crucial ingredients on a teacher!" She hissed in scandalized tones. "How is that supposed to be praised?" Harry wanted to tell Hermione he didn't even believe the witch smashed the tub of gillyweed, that she took the blame for someone else.
But instead, he shrugged, squeezing through two lanky seventh years. Hermione was walking faster than usual. "Because it's Snape. How many of us have wanted to do that since day one?"
Hermione huffed, clutching her books tightly to her chest. "She wasn't even sorry."
"I wouldn't be, either." Harry countered. "And face it, neither would Ron, nor you — "
"I would!" She shrieked appallingly. "I completely would!" Harry's brow furrowed.
"Of course you wouldn't."
Hermione's lips thinned. "Just because I'm not a barbarian, like you boys — "
Harry shook his head, a smile brimming on his lips. "You wouldn't."
The older witch scoffed, moving hurriedly through the hordes of students to get to her Ancient Runes lesson. She was still slightly scarlet, whether it was from the brisk pace or her anger, Harry wasn't sure. In the sudden stint in conversation, Harry noticed she gave him uneasy looks. After her fifth glance, she cleared her throat. "There's something I need to tell you."
Harry nodded, starting to fumble through his bag to make sure he had last night's Divination homework. "Mm-hmm. Is it about the Bellotaur?" He asked.
"No."
He smirked into his folder. "Are you finally admitting that you wouldn't be sorry to hex Snape?"
She sounded frustrated. "No." Harry distractedly nodded as he tucked spare parchment away. "I've been asked to Hogsmeade." Hermione's voice was quiet, almost muffled, but Harry heard her.
"Oh?" He stopped rummaging through his sack.
She nodded, her cheeks violently pink. After a pause, she elaborated, "By Ron."
Harry absently nodded. "Okay."
The prefect suddenly slowed her pace and gave Harry a timid look. "Are you all right with this?" Harry shrugged, his brows lowering with incomprehension.
"You know I am. We always go to Hogsmeade together." He knew they had no idea he would be speaking to Sirius this weekend, but he had a weird feeling Sirius would want to talk with him alone.
He was perplexed by Hermione's flabbergasted expression as they rounded a corner and were separated by Hufflebores. She paused for a considerable amount of time before, "Yes, I know. But Ron and I are going to Hogsmeade." She emphasized.
Harry nodded, unmoved. "Uh-huh."
Hermione sighed deeply. "With each other."
"Oh."
The witch made a noise of slight exasperation before she expanded, "The two of us."
Realization finally dawned on the seeker. "Oh." He didn't see that coming. Hermione's pace suddenly quickened again, and Harry hurried to keep in step. "Well, that's g…nice." He coughed to keep from frowning.
She hummed nervously. "You want to come along?"
"No, you and Ron will do. I'll have something else." He carelessly stated. Hermione looked up with a skeptical expression.
"You're furious, aren't you?" She fretfully repined. "It's completely uncalled for, me accepting without consulting you. I'll just cancel — "
"No," Harry contradicted somewhat halfheartedly. "Don't cancel. You and Ron have your own lives. You should go to Hogsmeade. With him. I'll…yeah."
Hermione paused, clearly unconvinced. "Harry," she began tentatively, "Are you sure?" Harry started in the opposite direction, toward the lower staircases.
"Yeah," he raised his voice over the garish fifth years. "We'll meet up for a butterbeer, good and well?" Harry nodded to himself, and turned away after Hermione embraced his suggestion. He couldn't say he didn't expect this, what with Ron's behavior aggressive towards Boot and the entire Viktor Krum issue. The Gryffindor trudged to his next class, deep in thought.
He would not have realized he carried himself all the way to the Divination classroom if it hadn't been for the enveloping darkness and the grass beneath his trainers. The forest span had few students, already on their backs, stargazing. It would be good to mull over this over before —
"Harry!"
Unfortunately, Ron was already propped against a tree, scratching in his last answers. Harry presented him with a flat smile when the prefect caught his advance. "Wondering when you'd get here, mate." He clumsily budged over to make room next to a large rock. Harry stiffly sat beside him, pulling out his homework as a reflex action. "You missed it in the Great Hall," the redhead carried on, jotting away.
"Oh?" Harry attempted to sound vaguely interested.
"Yeah, Seamus and Yorick…." Ron started to spout some nonsense about the day's Potions incident reenacted, but Harry wasn't listening. Sliding on his back, Harry stared at the glittering night sky, his eyes narrowing. It would all end up how he wanted it, right? He'd meet Sirius while Hermione and Ron would be frolicking around Hogsmeade doing goodness knows what.
He did keep Sirius' visit a secret; he didn't really want his friends to intrude. Lord knows they've always slunk in the background when he discussed general information with his godfather. He didn't feel like fighting with Hermione in the common room afterward, as she always criticized Sirius' actions.
This was his chance to finally get away: Hermione and Ron need not come along, and Harry was well certain he didn't want them there. His forehead wrinkled and an uncomfortable frost settled in his stomach. He certainly didn't need Ron and Hermione hanging over his shoulder this weekend. They would have their own time, and he would have his. It was only fair he kept them in the dark.
But why did he feel so awful about it?
ooooo
Harry shoved his Invisibility Cloak in his pocket and left the dormitory. Ron and Hermione weren't in the common room, but he hardly attempted to look for them. He stuffed the note sent by Sirius earlier in the week into his pocket and headed for the entrance hall.
He nodded to Dean, wrapped around some Brittlebore, on his way out of the castle, and lightly swathed his scarf around his neck in the chilled breeze. Filch growled at him as Harry passed by the late weekend breakfast in the Great Hall. By the time he reached Hogsmeade, Harry's ankles were freezing. Cursing the snow, Harry lumbered up the high road only to freeze in his tracks.
Aurors congregated in the small wizarding village, their faces flinty and their wands at their sides. Many stopped various residents and shoved small pieces of parchment in their faces, letting them on their way after a few whispered words. Harry knew from the Daily Prophet the law enforcement officials were now stationed in Hogsmeade, but he didn't think they would need this large number.
Through the swarm of Aurors and Hogwarts students, Harry spotted a familiar looking bald head not to far from him. Face set in determination, Harry shoved past pairs of students and made his way toward the Auror. The wizard had already turned and his eyes came to rest on the advancing Gryffindor. "Kingsley."
"All right, Harry?" The black Auror boomed, his fists crossing his chest.
"Brilliant," Harry hastily replied. "What's going on?" He gestured to a few drawn-faced wizards. "There are Aurors everywhere. Is something wrong?"
Kingsley frowned, as if he wasn't going to answer. Then he dipped a large hand in his robes and produced a small square of paper, showing it to Harry, who frowned. It was a small picture of a younger Sirius, his eyes angry and menacing. "The department received an anonymous tip that Sirius Black would be in Hogsmeade today." His dark eyes glittered, and Harry's chest tightened.
"I thought you'd given up on the search?"
The Auror tucked the photo away. "Minister Scrimgeour wants to tie up all prior loose ends during his term." Harry seethed at the thought of his godfather being a 'loose end'. He didn't like this Scrimgeour one bit.
He ran the words over and over in his head as his breathing faintly quickened. "An anonymous tip?" He caught on, his eyes fierce. "From who?"
The older wizard gave the Gryffindor an admonishing smile after briefly scanning the crowds. "If we wanted you to know, it wouldn't be anonymous, now would it?" Harry released the tight breath trapped in his lungs. Kingsley inclined his head curtly at a passing colleague. "In any event, we don't know ourselves."
Clenching his fists, Harry glared. "How do you know it isn't some prank?"
Kingsley looked troubled before he continued. "The information was consistent with evidence we've already gathered." Harry's temple creased as the Auror looked away once again.
"Evidence? What kind—?" But Kingsley thumped him on the shoulder and headed up High Street, effectively ending the conversation.
"Squander easy, lad. The Aurors will make sure to handle any inconveniences with subtlety." And he walked off with a smirk.
Blinking, Harry shook his head and cursed all the way to Honeyduke's grabbing whatever sweet he passed. He realized he would regret this when he got back to the castle, as some of his purchases weren't what he normally bought, namely the blood-flavored lollipops.
But Harry was upset. Who tipped the Aurors off? He tossed in a box of Cockroach Clusters. Harry hadn't told a soul he was meeting Sirius, but did someone find out? Did one of the students read the note over his shoulder? He should have been more careful. Harry was irritated. Despite being in the center of everything, he still wasn't getting any answers.
Without much interest, Harry slipped in and out of Hogsmeade's shops purchasing very little. He even found less interest in Zonko's today. It wasn't much fun going by himself. And Harry did realize he was by himself. It wasn't hard.
Today's Hogsmeade weekend was scheduled, unfortunately, on Valentine's Day. It seemed everyone in Hogsmeade had a partner today. Everyone was holding hands, or attached at the hip or mouth; or like some of his classmates, they were with another friend, just spending the day together.
And Ron would be with Hermione.
Harry felt like an outsider. He was only glad he wouldn't have to go to Madam Puddifoot's. The place was probably packed on this occasion.
He left Dervish and Banges and nearly bumped into the wild-eyed Slytherin who had insulted Hermione after the D.A. meeting. The Slytherin scowled at him, and Harry glared right back, but noticed even he was with a knot of housemates.
Passing Gladrags, Harry spied Starbuck and Kaltag, standing idly in front of the shop. Both brothers smiled in greeting, Kaltag's metal gear having been removed a few days ago. "It's Harry." He brightly stated. "Harry's here."
The seeker lifted a brow. "What, were you waiting for me?"
"No, but here you are." Starbuck snorted and shook his wavy head.
"What are you doing here?" Harry questioned, looking around their area. "Came together?"
The Smythes grimaced. "The girls are in the shop, perusing the shelves. We'd much rather freeze in the snow." Harry's face fell slightly and he began to fumble around in his Honeyduke's sack. Even they were with someone.
Kaltag nodded enthusiastically. "I don't mind all that much." The redhead thrust his hands in his pockets, turning to inspect the window. "It's hard finding someone to date."
"Yeah," Starbuck resumed impassively. "As every other girl on Olympus is either your cousin or your sister."
Harry's eyes widened and he paused with Bertie Bott's in hand. "Seriously?"
The boys released identical snorts. "It's a nightmare."
Harry's head slanted interestedly to the side. "So, Endymion…?" He let the query hang in the air.
The elder Being cagily lowered his eyes. "Great grand aunt or cousin, I think." Harry's face contorted and he offered them an Every Flavor Bean. "She's of Titan blood." His tutor recommenced after gnawing on a green bean. "Still sort of unpleasant, the thought, but inbreeding is normal, right?" Harry could only guess the look on his face was one of disbelieving appall.
Kaltag shrugged, looking self-conscious. "Guess not."
The tinkling of the shop's bell ended their silent feasting. Harry watched in amusement as a wistful grin brightened the redhead's face. Harry could only guess he was waiting for his companion—Ella—to finish her shopping. He looked like he was about to break his jaw again from smiling so hard. The witch grinned at him and turned the smile on Harry. "Hello there, Harry."
She helped herself to some of his candy. Harry nodded and popped in an Every Flavor bean. He quickly spat it back out: pocket lint.
"Where's—?"
"Circe's still in there, fighting off a few admirers." She disrupted the blonde's inquiry. Starbuck did not wait for another statement and marched into the small shop, looking annoyed. Kaltag's smile widened.
"Find anything?"
Harry observed the witch shake her head, her face lighting up. "Let's go to Puddifoot's!" Harry nearly gagged when the Being's grin waned.
He now looked sick. "Good Lord, you're not serious, are you?" Her upbeat expression morphed into a glower of rebuke that reminded Harry strongly of Ginny. "I-I mean, you're not serious," the Celestial hesitated, looking to Harry for support. "I was thinking the, uh…exact same thing…!" His laugh was forced. "What a — "
"Travesty." Harry murmured under breath.
"Coincidence." The prefect frothed, shooting a glare in Harry's direction. The Gryffindor couldn't help but bite his lip to stem a chuckle. Ella looked disbelieving, but dragged the Celestial by the arm anyway.
"Goodbye, Harry. Say hello to Hermione and Ron for me." The enigmatic witch smiled, towing a very reluctant companion to Puddifoot's café.
Harry shuffled to push his half-eaten box of jellybeans away. "Right." He muttered into his shopping bag. "If I see them." He had no sooner shoved the box of beans into his bag when he ran straight into someone. Stumbling back, Harry muttered an apology to the blonde person and paused when he locked gazes with inquisitive, bulging eyes. "Luna," he greeted unexpectedly. "Sorry about that."
The Ravenclaw angled her head to the side, hardly noticing his presence. "How odd," she absently stated. She wasn't looking at him, but at the confectionary. "Someone told me the sweetshop was closed down due to a rodent infestation. Hm. I thought it might've been the Gray-Banded Snobblefloot." She nodded self-assuredly. "It favors abandoned areas where the air is sweet."
Frowning, Harry fathomed a few students were probably playing a prank, making fun of the eccentric fifth year. "They must've rid the store of it. It's open." He nodded his head, clutching his sweets sack close. Luna's silvery gray eyes narrowed under her pale brows, and she adjusted the wand behind her ear. A number of Ravenclaws witches glided by, assessing Luna with judgmental stares and stifled their titters, in turn making the Gryffindor upset.
Mouth fixed and green eyes narrowed, Harry raised his chin. "D'you want to hang about Hogsmeade with me today?" He announced loud enough, earning ogling gapes from the passing witches. Their eyes rocketed to his forehead for confirmation. Luna considered him with an unusual look.
"What about your friends, Ronald and Hermione?"
Harry shrugged. "They'll understand." He vaguely elaborated. "Come on." He gently grabbed her elbow and tugged her toward the entrance. "You can tell me more about the snobblefloot…." Luna's eyes lit up before she went on a tangent, and they happily left the gaggle of girls behind.
After her spirited lecture, Harry and Luna walked into Honeyduke's, elbow to elbow with their peers. Harry acknowledged a few of his year mates and their companions with simple nods while Luna inspected the Jelly Slugs.
It was as Luna wandered off toward the front; Harry noticed many of the departing students were strolling away from the Three Broomsticks and toward a more unpleasantly familiar area. His heart dropped along with his content mood. Sulking back to Luna, Harry suddenly felt uneasy and nervous. The last time he'd been there, his date was a complete disaster. But Luna was a girl….
Swallowing uneasily, Harry paused beside the oddball Ravenclaw. "Harry," she airily greeted. "Mr. Honeyduke tells me there wasn't a snobblefloot problem." She tapped her chin in deep thought. "I think they might've had a displaced hauge loose…."
"Erm…Luna?" Harry clutched his bag for reassurance. Luna watched him intently. "I'd wager, considering," he gestured awkwardly between the two of them, "You'd want to head to Madam Puddifoot's?" He tried very much to keep the dejection from his voice, but he sounded more morose than when Hagrid gave Norbert away.
Luna pierced him with an expression of disinclination before — thankfully — shaking her head. "Oh, I would never go in there." Harry would have grabbed and embraced her in appreciation but resigned himself to a relieved sigh. "I believe it's haunted by breeding beetlewort cacao demons."
Nodding awkwardly, Harry accompanied Luna outside. "I thought so, yeah." Her eyes lit up with approval. Both the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw disregarded the astonished stares and rapid whispers of Hogwarts students as they trudged in and out of the shops on High Street.
Harry found Luna to be a quite enjoyable companion, their conversations ranging from the normal to the abnormal — not that Harry minded. Luna kept his mind off of the state of things, and for that he was grateful. They shared drinks at the Three Broomsticks, chatting about The Quibbler and whatever theory or information Luna concocted. Luna wasn't so bad; strange, yes, but rightly so.
At one point, Harry had to stop Luna from revealing what the 'most unpleasant but absolutely fascinating' ingredients of butterbeer consisted of. He really wanted to enjoy the drink on subsequent Hogsmeade weekends. Harry had a suspicion what Luna almost enlightened would've impacted him negatively. He didn't want to cause a scene by spewing the two bottles he already consumed in the midst of the tavern.
Luckily, Luna pulled out a rather thick copy of The Quibbler, as he was about to leave for his meeting. "We should do this again sometime." He smiled, standing from his seat. He was somewhat surprised to find he really meant it. "Are you sure you'll be all right here?"
Luna didn't look up from her reading. "Wonderful." She vaguely responded. "I promised Ginny she could read this edition first. She's supposed to be here with a boy from Hufflepuff." Harry grunted a response and bade farewell. He needed to get to the mountain's edge in less than an hour.
He pressed through a crowd of nearly intoxicated wizards and left the pub, checking that his invisibility cloak was still in his back pocket. He hadn't taken three steps away from the door before his way was blocked. Harry's eyes first noticed the bushy hair.
"Harry!" Ron greeted genially. Harry briskly returned the greeting and stepped onto the main road, waiting for a carriage to pass. "We've been looking for you all day. Aurors everywhere! It's quite crowded today."
At the mention of Aurors, Harry's face contorted with ire. "They're looking for Sirius." Ron and Hermione's eyes widened. "Kingsley told me. I think someone is playing a prank."
"A very elaborate one." Hermione whispered as an Auror tipped his hat to her.
"Quite." Harry shortly replied, quick to change the subject. "I had an pleasant walk around the village." Hermione nodded quickly, and her laugh was unnatural.
"Oh, yes," she toiled. "We've had a very…enjoyable walk, too…" He'd only eyed their faces for a few seconds, but judging by their identical flat expressions, it seemed they were on a dreadful guided tour rather than an 'enjoyable walk.' Harry noticed — with some amusement — they were far apart: very unlike the fawning behavior of the others around them. Ron gave Hermione odd looks, who barely looked in his direction at all.
The younger wizard smirked. "Right." He started to walk up the road.
"Where are you going?" Ron nosed, his long strides keeping up easily. "And have you seen Ginny or who she was with?" Harry shook his head.
"I heard she was with a Hufflepuff. Maybe Macmillan."
Ron made a sound of incredulity. "That twit?"
"Ron!" Hermione butt in. "That is not polite!"
The Quidditch keeper quietly grumbled, "Well he is," and pulled a face. They followed the black-haired wizard in silence before he spotted Hermione's affected smile again. She was using it quite a bit, he realized.
"Want to go to the Three Broomsticks?" She offered. Harry declined. "How about Honeyduke's?" She tried again. Harry held up his sack bursting with candy.
"Already been." Ron stared at the bag with longing.
There was quite a pause before Hermione hastily burst out, "Zonko's?" Harry nearly faltered in his step. Hermione rarely ever went into Zonko's. When she did, she would always loom over them and scold them on how foolish and immature they were.
Harry lowered his brows suspiciously as Ron finally looked at Hermione with astonishment. "Not today, thanks." He turned down.
"Since when do you go to Zonko's?" the red-haired prefect queried.
"Are you sure?" Hermione fished. "We can get those dungbombs and — and those stink pellets and — "
"I'm fine, Hermione." She fidgeted with her scarf and chewed on her lip.
Ron seemed oblivious to Hermione's motives. "You want to go to Zonko's?" he repeated.
Hermione hesitantly replied, "N — yes. Yes, I would." Her answer was just as strained as her smile. Harry knew exactly what she was up to. "Harry, are you sure?" The look she threw him was pleading. "At least we can go to Rosmerta's for butterbeer."
Harry sighed roughly, refusing once again. "No, I already had butterbeer with — someone." He evaded. Hermione's desperate look swiftly faded into one of interest.
"Oh?" Harry didn't like her intrusive pitch. "Who?"
He curtly repeated, "Someone."
"Do we know her?"
"Sure, but I need to meet somebody."
Ron at last reentered their level of conversation. "Wait, you've got a girlfriend?" The two prefects paused in the snow together, Ron with a look of disbelief and Hermione with a funny gleam in her eyes. Ron's temple furrowed and he moped, "I want to come."
"No, Ron," Hermione tugged his arm to hold him back; she suddenly seemed much happier. "They want to be alone. After all, who are we to interfere with Harry's love life?" Harry subdued a grimace at that comment. Ron whined in objection as Hermione waved him off. "Have fun, Harry." She joshed with a smirk as they headed back to the Three Broomsticks.
Sighing with relief, Harry headed toward the back of Hogsmeade, pausing to look at the progress of Fred and George's new shop when professors or Aurors passed. He was relieved to make it safely to the end of the road with minimal fuss, and as he put distance between himself and Dervish and Banges, he threw on his cloak.
His return post from Sirius shortly notified him to meet at the stile at the end of the road. Harry moved quickly toward the end of the village, roaming the winding lane and hazily observing the fewer number of cottages and larger gardens he last spotted in his fourth year. The mountain looked somewhat smaller, but Harry ascribed it to the reality that he was much taller now. Turning the corner, he spied the stile at the end of the lane, and lying near it, a bear-like hound with its ears erect.
Harry pulled off his cloak and stuffed it in his back pocket. Sirius sprang up on all fours and began to trot up the mountain. They walked through rock and snow for nearly a half hour until the dog slipped through the narrow fissure in the mountain. Harry gratefully followed and tightened his scarf; being winter, the cave was much cooler.
His eyes roving the familiar cave, Harry spotted a large blur, half-eagle, half horse, its beak sifting through a pile of bones. On the floor beside it were yellowed Prophets from nearly two years ago. "Good to see you, Harry." Sirius slapped him on the shoulder, gripping it rather tightly. He had a mischievous gleam in his eye Harry didn't like at all. "I didn't pull you from anything special in Hogsmeade, did I?"
The Gryffindor exhaled brusquely. "No, you did not." He punctuated. Sirius released a short whoop of laughter.
"Were you with anyone?"
Harry turned away to bow at Buckbeak. The hippogriff stopped rifling through scraps to inquiringly return the respect. Harry stooped to pat him gently on his neck. "Hardly romantic. Hogsmeade is loaded with Aurors."
"I know."
Harry raised a brow. "That they're looking for you?" He looked over his shoulder at his godfather's puzzled guise. "Apparently not." Buckbeak squalled in agreement.
"That's funny," Sirius cupped his chin pensively. "Thought I only told Remus at breakfast that I'd be here." Harry scratched the last of Buckbeak's feathers before he stood and held out his bag of sweets to Sirius.
"I have too much as it is." The Animagus shot him a gratified look and rummaged through the bag.
Sirius pulled out the Every Flavor Beans and popped the carton open. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"
Another frown blemished the seeker's face. "Necking in Hogsmeade, I'd imagine." He scornfully answered. The convict's shaggy brows soared toward his hairline.
"Really? That serious?" Stated Sirius.
Harry heaved a guilty sigh. "Well, no. But they went together."
"Are you all right with that?"
He quickly replied, "I am." Sirius appeared anything but convinced. Harry remained silent for a moment, mulling over his response before, "I think. I mean I — it was bound to happen, right?" Sirius motioned for him to sit on a small stone he hadn't noticed before now.
Sirius slumped amusedly against the wall and waved, "Go on."
A sigh erupted unbidden from Harry's lungs. "With the way Ron's been acting about Krum and then, when Hermione was studying with this Ravenclaw, and they argue about everything." The godfather nodded as Harry's face scrunched, "And even Starbuck at the beginning of last term. I suppose it was always there, but I can see it all now."
The Animagus nodded, his grayish eyes glinting. "And what about you?"
Harry frowned. "Not really. Since last year, there really hasn't been anyone. Although I did spend the day with Luna — "
"Luna?" Sirius stretched out her name with curiosity. He chuckled at Harry's glare.
"Luna Lovegood. Her father runs The Quibbler." A noise of enlightenment emitted from Sirius. "But we went as friends. I did it mostly to shut her housemates up. They're very rude." Sirius blanched somewhat.
"Slytherin?"
"Ravenclaw." The convict sighed with ease. "Everyone was paired in Hogsmeade. It's rather nauseating." This earned a quiet snigger from the gaunt wizard. Harry's expression warped resentfully in Buckbeak's corner. "But it is Valentine's Day."
When Sirius remained utterly silent for a span, Harry's eyes strayed in his direction. His eyes widened as he noted Sirius' somber look and darkened eyes. He looked much older and shadowed than he was, as if he'd never left Azkaban prison. Harry cautiously stirred, "Sirius?"
The wizard didn't even look in his direction but began to speak. "Valentine's Day," his tone was far away, and his gaze even farther. "Always Valentine's Day." Harry wrapped his robe closely around his arms; the cavern seemed to drop in temperature. Buckbeak even paused his ferreting.
"I always teased your father about his infatuation with Valentine's Day. He planned pranks for February fourteenth, especially on the girls. Your mother in particular, Harry." Said student tensed at the new information. "That was mainly why she couldn't stand him. His practical jokes and merciless teasing of certain people. But he was always a bit of a sap," Sirius rumbled with laughter. "Tried to assure us there was "no significance" with the holiday. Never believed him, anyway.
"But your father — such a sap," there was no teasing behind his words, "mainly pranked them for attention."
"My mother." Harry rasped. He hadn't realized his mouth was as dry as cotton. Sirius tossed him the bag of sweets and swallowed a handful of Beans.
"Yes, Lily. She hated him. You remember that fifth year memory?" Harry sullenly nodded. "She couldn't stand his showboating. But James was quite the charmer. Made it up to her in our sixth year. Voldemort was gathering followers, and of course they teased your mother for being a Muggleborn. It went on every day, non-stop, mostly because she was the top of our class. James didn't like when someone else was harassing others; he believed that job was reserved for himself only."
Harry gave a short, amused laugh. Sirius eyes flickered in reminiscence. "So, he set aside his mischief and offered her comfort — she still hated him, of course. But you can guess what happened — they succumbed to the influence of Valentine's Day sixth year." The confection Harry swallowed felt a lot lumpier in his throat. What if Ron and Hermione…? He swallowed thickly.
"The rest of our years for us — Remus, Pettigrew," he spat out the name, "And I had to skirt around Lily to do our pranks. She became Head Girl, after all. Even though your father became Head Boy, he was a Marauder first and foremost." He proudly beamed as Harry bit into a Chocolate Frog. As quickly as the Animagus' beam appeared, it receded into a closed look. "But Valentine's Day. A holiday both kind and cruel to your parents." The hippogriff crunched the last of his bones and took to shredding the newspaper.
Sirius moved slowly to the entrance of the cave, his arms folded and his gray-blue orbs distant. Harry noticed the light dusting of snow falling as he delved into thought. He appreciated Sirius coming all the way out here to tell him about his parents, really, but what was the purpose of this? The man almost seemed sad and obligated to tell him this. Harry believed it probably weighed heavily on him to speak about his deceased friends. The older wizard remained silent for a little while longer before he spoke again.
"Valentine's Day was a bittersweet day for your parents. It was a day James unfailingly played jokes on Lily, it was their first date; the day of James' marriage proposal in seventh year, and…" He smiled briefly before his countenance fell ominously. Harry's eyes narrowed. "…And a day of loss."
Loss? This caught Harry's attention. "What do you mean?" Sirius gave a rattling exhale, as if he was in pain. Harry's heartbeat quickened. He somehow knew he wasn't going to like this. "Sirius?" he prompted.
"It's time you know the truth, Harry." He had a strangled tone to his voice. Harry slowly stood to his feet.
A dull burn began to spread across his chest. "The truth?" He whispered. His heart felt lodged in his throat.
Sirius emitted a sigh that could cut through glass. "Harry," the boy never heard his godfather sound so broken. Worry stabbed through Harry like a knife. Sirius still dared not look at him when his next words doused Harry in ice water.
"You weren't the first child Lily and James had."
oooooooooo
A/N: I'm sure you all hate me right now. Is it too much to ask for a little support? Please review!
A/N 2: If you want to know how the next chapter is progressing, check out the MoonFruit link on my profile.