It didn't take long for the news to spread around the Order that Sirius Black and Harry Potter had successfully busted Ginny Weasley out of Azkaban. After Harry's much-needed shower, he had eaten a bowl of Lily's chicken soup and promptly fallen asleep on Sirius's couch again. The next morning, he awoke to a trickle of visitors that quickly turned into a stream over the following days. Lily and James agreed to let him stay at Grimmauld Place for a few days before heading off to Hogwarts so he could both recover his strength and be near Ginny. So Wednesday morning found Harry sipping a cup of orange juice on the couch when the first visitor arrived.
Emmeline Vance clucked and fretted over Harry and finally prescribed nutrient-replenishing potions and at least four days of bed rest.
"Four days?" Harry yelped. He was anxious to get to Hogwarts.
"Four days," said Lily firmly. She had apparated over earlier that morning before Harry had awakened.
It was no use arguing. Harry found that without the Strengthening Solution he had almost no energy at all. Simply walking to the bathroom took all his effort.
Sitting still was not something that came naturally to Harry, but Sirius and James supplied him with a whole stack of Quidditch magazines to keep him occupied. Lily, on the other hand, had different ideas. Halfway through the morning, she disappeared and returned a few minutes later carrying a stack of textbooks. Harry looked up from the game of Exploding Snap he was playing with his godfather, who had come downstairs to see how he was.
"I picked these up for you when I took Leila to Diagon Alley last week," she said brightly. "It's a good thing I didn't send your trunk on to Hogwarts when you didn't show up on Monday. Now you can keep up with the classes you're missing!"
Harry and Sirius exchanged incredulous looks. "Lily, he's supposed to be relaxing!" Sirius protested.
"That's no excuse for not keeping up," Lily said briskly, plopping the stack of books down on the coffee table and pushing her hair out of her face.
Harry was saved from replying by the buzz of the doorbell. "Oh, who could that be?" his mother snapped, and scurried off to answer the door.
"Well," said Sirius, "some things never change."
"Was she like this when you went to school together?" Harry asked curiously.
"Worse," Sirius said, grinning. "Once she and James started going out in our sixth year, she never left the Marauders alone. 'Sirius, do your Potions essay!' 'For goodness sake, Peter, a Colliavor is the core of a Filisky Tree, not part of a Christmas wreath!' 'James, you prat, study those diagrams for the test tomorrow!'" He laughed. "It was only because of her that James, Peter, and I got the number of N.E.W.T.'s we did. Of course, she and Remus got along fine. He'd been telling us to study for years, and having Lily around was like a dream come true… Oh, hi, Remus! We were just talking about you."
Harry looked up. Lupin had just stomped thought he door, red-faced. He ignored Sirius's greeting.
Harry's stomach sank; he had completely forgotten about Lupin when he had made his plans to rescue Ginny. He gulped nervously. I'm in for it!
And 'in for it' he was. Lupin shouted for five minutes straight at Harry and Sirius, but there was nothing he said that Harry's mum hadn't already lectured him about. Besides, every time Lupin's back was turned, Sirius imitated him or made funny faces. It was a struggle for Harry not to laugh. Finally when Lupin had wound down, he looked exasperatedly at the pair and sighed.
"I suppose asking you two to be repentant is like asking the sun to rise in the west," he said resignedly.
"Damn right," Sirius said, winking at Harry.
"Old Marauder saying," Lupin said. "'If you're going to break rules, do it with no regrets.'"
When James came to Grimmauld Place at lunchtime, he tossed a Daily Prophet at Harry, who caught it.
"SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD GINEVRA WEASLEY ESCAPES FROM AZKABAN! Aurors Find No Traces of Outside Help," the front headline read.
"Perfect job, Harry," James said, grinning as he threw himself into an armchair. "No evidence, no clues. She 'escaped' four days after you and Sirius 'left'—most likely Sirius won't even be questioned. My son, the first ever to escape from Azkaban!"
"James! It's nothing to be proud of!" Lily snapped as she entered the room carrying a tray of food.
James didn't reply, but he gave Harry a thumbs up when Lily's back was turned.
After lunch, several more Order members dropped by, including Moody, Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, and Augusta Longbottom. Each had their own lectures to give, usually along the lines of how foolish the whole thing was, the risks, and how both Sirius and Harry should be thankful they weren't in Azkaban right now. But they all ended with some form of, "that was really quite impressive." Moody even slapped Harry on the back and said he'd be looking for him in the Auror training program in a few years.
When Augusta Longbottom left, she cautioned them not to say anything to Alice or Frank about their part in the rescue. "They're on the Weasley case," she explained. "I'm sure they already know who did it, but if you come out and say it outright, they'd be required by law to report it to the Auror Department."
Fortunately not all of the visitors came to lecture. "I can't believe you did it!" Kiara cried as she bounced out of the fire. "The whole Auror Department is talking about it. Don't worry," she said at Harry's alarmed look. "I'm not on the case, so I won't tell on you. But what you did was a stroke of genius. Did you come up with the plan by yourself?"
"Sirius helped," Harry said modestly.
"Bloody brilliant if you ask me," she said, sitting in one of the chairs and resting her chin in her hands. "So, what was it like?"
"What was what like?"
"Azkaban, of course!" she exclaimed. "Was it scary?"
"Er… Not too bad…"
"Oh, don't be modest," she said, tossing her braids. "Tell me about it!"
"Kiara, he's supposed to be resting," Lily reprimanded from the door.
"Sorry, Lily. I was just curious, that's all." She turned back to Harry, her eyes sparkling. "You should hear the Aurors talking about it, though. They're completely baffled. Some people think Ginny is a Riya—that's a super powerful witch. The last one recorded in history was Merlin's mother. Others think she's a Metamorphagus, but no one has thought of an Animagus transformation yet. And I won't be the one to bring it up."
As the afternoon wore on, Harry was surprised to see the headmistress herself step out of the fire. Harry braced himself for a lecture, but to his surprise, one never came.
"I suppose anything I might say has already been said," McGonagall said primly. "So I will only say that I am very impressed at what you pulled off. Though your actions were rash and foolish, your motives were commendable." She paused, then lowered her voice. "Especially when your current circumstances are taken into consideration."
Harry knew she was referring to the Aperio.
"I will expect you back at school on Sunday evening," she continued briskly. "You will not be required to make up your homework, but I will expect you to know the material for your N.E.W.T.'s. You may floo directly into my office at six on Sunday. Don't be late."
He nodded, and she stepped back into the fire and vanished.
An hour later, Sirius came downstairs. "How's Ginny?" Harry asked at once.
"Still sleeping," Sirius replied. "She's definitely got a long road to recovery before her, but in time she'll be fine."
"Has the Weasley family found out yet?"
"Not yet. They've been being grilled by Aurors all today, so I thought it was best not to tell them until the investigations are over. That should be tomorrow, according to my sources."
Thursday brought another crowd of Order visitors. Around mid-afternoon, at Sirius's request, Arthur Weasley apparated over.
"Have a seat, Arthur," Sirius invited.
"Thank you," the balding man replied, sinking wearily into a chair and massaging his temples. "Good Lord, the Aurors have been swarming our house for three days." He sighed. "I think they finally have decided that we really don't have a clue where she is or how she got out."
"Well, that's kind of why we invited you over," Sirius said, glancing over at Harry for approval before continuing. He related the entire story from beginning to end. By the time he finished, Mr. Weasley was in tears.
"You have no idea what this means to us," he said, wiping his eyes and shaking their hands. "Especially you, Harry. Why did you do it?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "She was innocent," he mumbled. "I had to do something."
Mr. Weasley withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose, but he was beaming. "I can't afford to reward you," he said.
"It's OK," Harry insisted.
"Bless you, dear boy, for what you've done." Then Mr. Weasley asked to see his daughter, and Sirius consented, but only after warning him about Ginny's condition.
After that, the line of redhead visitors never seemed to end. By Friday morning, all the Weasleys except for Ron had been over to thank Harry and Sirius, and to visit Ginny. Harry found these visits embarrassing. Mrs. Weasley had enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug and had tearfully thanked him repeatedly. Percy had shaken his hand gravely, then rushed from the room, also wiping tears away. Bill had simply been ecstatic.
But by far, the most embarrassing visit was from the twins.
"Harry, that was brilliant!" Fred cried, bounding through the door, his twin in tow. Their hair was windswept form apparating. Sirius had warned the Weasleys not to use the Floo Network, as their fireplace might be under surveillance, as well as any owls they might send or receive.
"Completely mad," said George, plopping down on the opposite couch.
"You're our hero, mate," Fred said sincerely.
"What you did was totally awesome! Right under the Ministry's nose."
"Have you read the papers? If you ever went public, you'd be a celebrated hero."
"Or a convict, more likely," Harry mumbled. "They'd chuck me back in Azkaban, with anti-Animagus wards."
"But you'd get out again," George said confidently. "You were incredible!"
"If you ever need anything from us, mate, just ask!"
"Yeah. You saved our little sister. We owe you one big."
"I'll say," said Fred, looking at Harry with new interest. "We had no idea you liked Ginny so much."
"Well, we thought you fancied her a little during her first year…"
"Did not," Harry protested, his face growing hot.
The twins exchanged knowing glances. "Right," said George sarcastically. "Listen Harry, you just risked your life getting our sister out of Azkaban. In our opinion, it's about the same as declaring your undying love."
Harry opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Fred and George just smirked at him. "Denial isn't just a river in Egypt, mate."
"You'll come around," Fred said confidently.
"And when you do, you've got our blessing."
"She's partly yours now anyway."
Harry was glad when they left. His face felt like it was on fire from embarrassment.
When Saturday finally arrived, Harry woke up, feeling perfectly fine. Too bad his mum didn't feel the same way.
"Harry James Potter!" she yelled for the ninth time that morning, and Harry groaned. "If I see you move an inch from that couch one more time, so help me I'll keep you home from school for a month!"
"Mum, I'm fine!" Harry called, exasperated. He had tried to sneak upstairs to check on Ginny, but Lily had ears like a hawk.
In truth, he was feeling much better. He'd gained back some of the weight he'd lost in Azkaban, thanks to his mother's cooking, and almost all of his energy was back. But he seriously wasn't used to all the pampering and coddling he was getting. He hated being treated like an invalid.
"Mum, I'm just going upstairs for a moment."
Lily protested profusely, but in the end, Harry won out. He quickly climbed the stairs before she could change her mind. When he pushed Ginny's door open, he found Sirius again reading a book next to Ginny's bedside.
"Hey, Harry."
Harry pulled up a chair. "How's she doing?"
"Good, good," Sirius said cheerfully, closing his book and folding over the corner of the page he'd been reading. "She's woken up a couple of times, but only long enough to take some potions and eat a few bites. Emmeline Vance has been by every two hours to check on her as well, and she said Ginny's doing marvelously for the length of time she spent in Azkaban. I wonder how she kept any memories at all. Azkaban is supposed to drain all happy memories from a person. She remembers her parents, though, and Hogwarts, and she remembered you."
"I guess those weren't happy memories," Harry said quietly. "She thinks her parents hate her for opening the Chamber because they didn't show up for her trial. Hogwarts was supposed to be a wonderful place for her, but with Riddle it turned into living hell. I don't know why she remembers me." That wasn't true, but Harry wasn't about to tell Sirius the truth, that she'd liked him, and he'd ignored her. At least in the other world.
Sirius looked thoughtful. "Hmmm. I believe you're right, Harry. Another reason why we must keep the Weasleys visits limited to when she's asleep. Ginny hasn't been awake when they've visited yet, and though Molly has been begging for me to let her stay here, I can't allow it. The Aurors might catch onto something. When Ginny is stronger, I'll explain everything to her, and only then will she be in any condition to see her parents again."
They were both silent for awhile. Harry noticed that the book on the nightstand was a thick paperback. "What are you reading?" he asked curiously.
"Les Miserables," Sirius replied, holding it up. "It's about this ex-convict…"
"I know what it's about," Harry said, grinning. He'd heard about the book from Hermione in their first year. She'd gone on and on for weeks about how Muggle literature ought to be added as a class. ("I've talked to all the older students and Professor Haluska doesn't even touch on it in Muggle Studies.")
"Right, your mum," said Sirius, misinterpreting Harry's smile. "I'll bet she's read it at least three times. I think I remember hearing her talk about it at Hogwarts. Hey, about that, when are you going back?"
"Tomorrow," Harry said promptly. "McGonagall is letting me floo into her office." Then he remembered. "Wait—aren't you supposed to be at school too?"
"School? Oh, I just told McGonagall I'd be a little late." Sirius laughed. "Poor little first years will have to wait an extra week before they learn how to fly."
Harry laughed too, and on the bed, Ginny stirred. He glanced anxiously at Sirius, who raised one finger to his lips.
"Will I have to call you 'Professor'?" Harry asked, lowering his voice.
As Sirius considered this, a mischievous look came into his eye. "Professor Black. I rather like that. Hey, I can take points too, can't I?" His godfather grinned evilly. "Watch out Slytherins!"
"Do I detect a hint of favoritism?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Never!" Sirius exclaimed in mock horror. "Let's just say they're going to get what they've deserved for years."
Author's Note: Many of you have written reviews and are anxious that Hermione is to be left out of the story completely. I assure you that this is not true. She will play a very important role, but that isn't till later on in the story. But never fear, she will appear!
Others of you are afraid that Ron and Harry are going to be at each others' throats all through the story. This is not true either. I'm sorry if Harry seems a little unrealistic in not missing his friends (yes, he does miss them! I just can't picture him pining for them). Harry's had a lot on his mind lately, with his parents and Sirius and all. And rescuing Ginny.
Please, trust the author!
I'm planning on having most of the story written by next weekend. I probably won't have it finished, though, and it definately won't all be posted up here. I've been posting every two days, in case you haven't noticed.