TWENTY-EIGHT
AN: There is quite a large chunk of writing in this chapter that is almost directly copied from JKR's lovely books. I couldn't help it in this case - just a reminder that still, it sadly all belongs to her.
Silence bled into an odd muffled sort of noise. Sadly familiar with the feeling, Harry realised he must have been unconscious, though his brain was fighting to figure out what had happened. He didn't have a clue where he was, or how he'd got there, or what he'd been doing before he got there. All he knew was that every inch of him was aching as though it had been beaten.
'Lucky the ground was so soft.'
Someone scoffed. 'Lucky the headmaster cast that spell.'
'Is that why he slowed-…?'
'-I thought he was dead for sure.'
'Boy-who-lives huh?'
'Now isn't time for jokes! God! I thought- I thought-'
Harry could hear the voices, but they made no sense whatsoever. They had started barely audible, and were still only whispers, though Harry wasn't sure that it was just his ears. A small part of his mind suddenly registered that the muffled noise was someone crying, and he wondered what they were crying about, and if he should be upset too.
'That was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life.'
Scariest…the scariest thing…hooded black figures…cold…screaming…
Harry's eyes snapped open. He was lying in the hospital wing. The Slytherin Quidditch team, spattered with mud from head to foot, was gathered around his bed. Daphne, Blaise and (shockingly) Hermione were also there, looking as though they'd just climbed out of a swimming pool.
'Harry!' said Theo in a panic, he looked extremely white underneath the mud. 'Does anything hurt?'
It was as though Harry's memory was on fast forward. The lightning…the cold…the Snitch…and - Damn it! He'dpassed out… again.
Dragging up every bit of effort he had he cleared his face of all emotion then gave Theo a sarcastic look.
'I fell, what? Forty feet? No, Theo, nothing hurts at all.' Harry managed a deadpan, but winced at the end.
'More like-' Blaise, gulped, and Harry realised even he looked pale. 'M-More like ninety.'
'We thought you'd died,' said Loki, who was shaking.
Hermione made a small, squeaky noise. Her eyes were extremely bloodshot. Harry shot her a curious look. She was sitting further back, a bit aside from the Slytherins, and Harry took note of the empty seat next to her.
'Granger.'
Obviously some of Harry's confusion must have slipped through, as Hermione flushed red, then grabbed a bag Harry recognised as Neville's and rushed out.
'I'm glad you're okay.' She mumbled, stumbling a bit as she left.
Harry found himself a bit amused, underneath a lot of pain and a lot of anger at himself.
Harry looked to the other side of his bed, and found a shockingly white Marcus. He raised one eyebrow.
'The match?'
Harry could feel the snitch still tightly held in his left hand, but he wanted to check. However instead of an answer, Marcus all but exploded.
'DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT AGAIN YOU UTTER MORON! AND AS FOR THE GAME-' Marcus cut of with a snarl and forcibly looked away.
'Even I don't want the Quidditch cup that much.' Draco broke the silence that had followed Marcus' outburst. 'You alright, Potter?'
'We won though, right?' Harry demanded.
Draco sighed dramatically. 'Yes, Potter. We won.'
Marcus let out another snarl and threw his hands in the air, storming out trailing mud behind him. This caught the attention of Madam Pomfrey, who came over to tell the team to leave him in peace.
She shoo'ed them out then turned and gave Harry an all too familiar stare. Harry winced.
'Sorry Poppy.'
She huffed, 'Don't you Poppy me, young man! I expect to see you on Fridays only.' She waved her wand over him in a familiar pattern Harry recognised as a check for breaks and heavy bruises. He winced as his body lit up almost everywhere in varying grades of blue.
'Well?' She prompted.
Harry winced. 'Three doses of anti-bruise and probably a weeks worth of balms on my lower back, left shoulder and left wrist.'
'If that's what you think.' She said, sounding unimpressed. Harry assessed himself again, second guessing himself.
'And- er- a quarter dose of skel-e-grow?'
'Are you asking me or telling me?'
Harry glanced at his shoulder again and winced when he tried to move it. 'Telling.'
She huffed, but summoned what Harry had listed, as well as a dark blue potion. She waved it in front of his face with a glare, but didn't say anything.
With another wince he reached out with his right hand to take it. 'And pain reliever, of course.' he amended.
'Of course.' This time her huff was cut through with a small smile. 'Ten minutes.' She gestured to Theo, Blaise and Daphne, who had watched the whole interaction with wary awe.
'Thanks Pop- Erm, Madam Pomfrey.' Harry made the mistake on purpose, and she let out a snort heading back towards her office.
Theo, Blaise and Daphne moved nearer to Harry's bed, Daphne eyeing Pomfrey's retreating back with surprise. To Harry's relief she didn't ask, and neither did the boys.
'The Headmaster was really angry,' Daphne said in a slightly quaking voice. 'I've never seen him like that before. He ran onto the field towards the end of your fall, waved his wand, and you sort of slowed down before you hit the ground.'
'I honestly didn't think he'd be in time to-' Blaise broke off as Daphne let out a half-aborted whimper.
Theo continued the tale. 'A giant silver Pheonix shot out of his wand to ward of the Dementors. There was a sort of wave of pale mist and they left. He was-…'
'Furious.' Blaise shuddered. 'My mother always warned me against him, but until today I thought he was just some harmless fool. I'll never see him the same again.'
Harry nodded. 'There is a reason Voldemort feared facing him. That he hides his power so easily only makes him more dangerous.' Harry kept his voice just barely above a whisper.
The three paused all looking at Harry as if they wanted to say something, but didn't.
Daphne shook her head and picked up the explanation. 'They brought you up here on a conjured stretcher. Everyone thought-… well.'
'Everyone thought you were dead. I've never seen Slytherin so still.'
'What?' Harry turned to Theo, suddenly more interested in the story. 'What do you mean?'
'You've still got enemies, don't get me wrong.' Theo started, and Harry shrugged with one arm. 'But you're King. We're not exactly used to seeing someone we all look up to falling from the sky and then being floated away like a pale corpse.'
Daphne seemed to completely lose her mask, letting out a full sob and launching a hug at Harry.
'Ooof.' Harry tried not to let out a moan as he discovered several more bruises.
Hesitantly he brought his right hand up and patted Daphne on the back, sending Theo and Blaise a helpless look over her shoulder. Daphne, other than when Harry pushed her, never lost control of her mask these days. Or at the very least it was extremely rare.
Harry cast around for something matter-of-fact to say.
'Did someone get my Nimbus?'
Theo and Blaise's quick glance told it all, and Harry sighed heavily. Annoyingly, now that he knew it was broken he could no longer do anything to save it, so he pushed it from his mind. He seriously hoped Sirius would still buy him his Firebolt.
Harry tuned out Blaise and Theo's stuttered explanations as they pulled out a rucksack with the pieces of his Nimbus. His brain was focused on far more pressing matters. He thought back, trying to focus on when he was falling, and suddenly had to suppress a grin when he could bring up an (albeit blurry) image of a boy and a shaggy black dog imprinted against the sky in the topmost, empty row of seats.
'- and Flitwick says he can talk to the Goblins about releasing money from your main vault to finance a replacement broom. He seemed very upset to be the one bearing the bad news.'
'What?' Harry suddenly tuned back in, but brushed that off for later thought. 'Never mind that now. Help me up.'
Daphne finally let go, blushing crimson and not able to look Harry in the eye.
Theo and Blaise helped, right up until the moment they realised he intended not just to sit up, but to actually get out of bed.
Fortunately by that time Harry could reach his wand and he cast mufliato before they could call Pomfrey. He then cast several numbing charms, and summoned the pain-reliever.
'You cannot be serious.' Theo groaned. Harry had to struggle not to comment on that, but couldn't help the grin. I'm not, but I'll be seeing him soon.
'Are you going to help or hinder?' Harry demanded aloud.
Blaise groaned. 'Why do I get the feeling you'd somehow manage to stun us without alerting Madam Pomfrey?'
Harry smirked. 'Because you know me so well. Give us a hand.'
Harry couldn't help the hint of a groan as his weight shifted fully vertical. He rather suspected his shoulder might need a half dose of skel-e-grow. He took the quarter dose for now, and just one of the bruise relievers. They would make him too sleepy otherwise.
'Have you got my bag?' Harry asked.
'I'm not at all sure I should give it to you.' Blaise said, handing it over.
'Most likely not. Now what time is it?' Harry grinned, sticking his good arm in to his elbow and pulling out the bundle of things he had on standby.
'Er- half-one, or just about.'
'I'll need a distraction for say, ten minutes, max.' Harry stood up again ignoring his body's protest and silently breaking the ward that alerted Pomfrey that a patient was escaping.
'Pomfrey will kill us!' Daphne hissed.
Harry winced. 'Kill me, more likely. Ten minutes?'
Theo and Blaise looked at each other and reluctantly nodded. Daphne pursed her lips but remained silent.
'Thanks.' Harry cast a notice-me-not on himself and slipped out of the hospital ward purposely leaving the door ajar. Sometimes it was rather nice to be in Slytherin; his friends still cared for him, but they also expected him to know his own limits. In an entirely bizarre way, they trusted him more than the Gryffindors had.
Harry checked his watch before turning back, giving himself extra time to make his way to the top of the stands with the start of the crowds. Thankfully due to the rain Harry was easily ignored as everyone was too busy rushing through the rain. Harry had a cloak with a hood, and had charmed his robes red and gold, to look like a Gryffindor, as that was the section he was heading to. Despite lots of other worries, it felt kind of nice, sitting back in the Gryffindor stands in his old house colours. He got a few odd looks for sitting at the top of the Gryffindor stands alone, but mostly everyone was too busy fighting with their umbrellas to worry about him.
It was odd, watching himself play. For once Harry thought he might understand why Hermione always used to complain about tearing her nails to shreds when she watched him fly.
Despite already knowing the outcome, Harry found himself holding his breath every time he and Cedric played their game of chicken, or only swerved away from impact at the very last second.
Harry had the notice-me-not on himself, but in the end it was Sirius who snuck up on him. He'd just let out a relieved sigh as his younger self swerved around the goal post at the last minute, when a joyful yip of a dog caught his attention.
With a grin, Harry pulled his hood off and dropped the notice-me-not.
'Sirius! I know you're innocent!' Harry yelled.
His godfather seemed to freeze up upon hearing his name yelled through the storm. All of his fur stood up on end and he started to let out a low growly whiny noise. Harry's grin dropped slightly.
'Sirius?'
Ever so slowly, as if afraid Harry might jump at him if he moved too quickly, Sirius looked from Harry, to the game, then back to Harry.
Frowning at the odd behaviour, Harry took a step forward. 'Sirius, I found Peter and-'
Harry had to break off in shock as Sirius suddenly flew at him teeth bared and barking. Hastily Harry put up a solid shield.
'Sirius Black!' Harry called. He wasn't sure what was happening. Was this in fact not Sirius?
The dog made a feint then, half attacking, but at the last minute darting sideways towards the back stairs that led down the outside of the stands.
'Wha-… No! Sirius!'
Harry rushed after his godfather, but he was too slow compared to a dog when rushing along the narrow isle. Ahead of him Sirius bounded over two rows of seats, his paws sliding out for a moment, before regaining grip and shooting forwards again. Harry scrambled over one chair, but caught his robe on the next one coming down on his fractured shoulder shooting pain all down his arm. He pushed through it with a grunt rolling painfully to his feet and casting a numbing hex as he tried to keep up. Harry was getting frantic as he made it to the top of the stairs. He could feel the cold dread of the Dementors closing in and pure bubbling frustration strong enough to make him want to cry was overtaking him.
'SIRIUS!'
But it was too late. From the top of the stairs Harry could just make out Sirius' tail disappearing around the last flight of stairs and streaking off into the forrest.
'Aarrgh!' Harry lashed out, unrefined magic sweeping out and tearing the banner to his left to shreds. Harry could only feel despair at ever catching his godfather, and despondency in general. Turning back to the quidditch game Harry sucked in a huge breath.
Hurtling towards the ground through swarms of dementors, at a frankly terrifying speed was his own unconscious self. Acting before he had time to think Harry's wand was out and he was casting.
'Arresto - Momentum!'
There was a weird sort of lurch in his magic. Harry wasn't sure if it was the spell catching his younger self's weight, or a paradox reaction from time-travel. Either way, for just a second he felt the world spin and his vision white out, before it settled back.
His younger body no longer looked like a high-speed missile, but Harry couldn't help the heavy wince as even through the storm he heard the impact and felt the horrified gasp of the collective crowd as mud sprayed up around his body, coating Dumbledore as the headmaster sprinted onto the field.
Somewhere at the back of his mind Harry was comforted to feel the slightly scared taint to the huge Light aura that was swelling over the crowd. Harry could see why his friends had been so pale. It was more than a little bit daunting the way Dumbledore, leeching such power, simply dropped to his knees and felt Harry's body for a pulse.
Harry could feel the moment Dumbledore found him to be alive. There was a sort of pause in the magic, before any and all emotions in the aura switched to rage.
With wandless magic, Harry's body was scooped up onto a magical stretcher at the same time Dumbledore cast the patronus with his wand. Standing at the back of the stands Harry had the pleasure of feeling the wave of energy as the Dementors were sent flying away from the stands as it hit him. A giant Phoenix flew and attacked those that had been closest to Harry's younger-unconscious self. Harry couldn't help but notice that unlike his own casting, or that of Aberforth Dumbledore's, the waves of energy weren't opaque and there wasn't the sort of humming buzz of reaction. Knowing it to be a Dark spell, it sort of confirmed for Harry that Dumbledore was the Light Lord. It had been unlikely to be otherwise, especially considering Tom's Horcruxes, but Harry had still had doubts about the handover from Grindelwald.
As the patronus faded out a hushed silence fell over the stands. Both quidditch teams had landed, and were swarming around Dumbledore and Harry's younger self, though they seemed to be scared enough to stand back as Dumbledore passed the levitation over to McGonagall or Sinistra, Harry couldn't tell whom from here. Both witches set of at an almost run next to his body. Harry could see what his friends meant about him looking dead. Even standing there knowing he was alive it sent shivers down his spine. His body was unmoving and his head and neck at an odd angle, his arm still crumpled underneath his body. Madam Pomfrey had obviously healed a gash somewhere before Harry woke up, or re-set a broken nose, as blood was, even from this distance, visible covering the silver section on the front of his quidditch robes and wrist with crimson.
Harry couldn't help a shudder.
Casting a quick tempus Harry decided to follow Dumbledore to the gates, knowing he still had too much time to arrive back at the hospital wing. He couldn't get close enough to hear what was being said, or rather yelled, as Dumbledore might have picked up on him, even with a strong disillusionment. He didn't need to, however. There was a rather shocking revelation that was more than enough. Dumbledore, although clearly furious, was not nearly as daunting as the sight of Snape, who was cursing something furious at the top of his lungs every time Dumbledore stopped for breath, Snape's magic crackling. The Dementors, Harry noted with half-disgust, half-amusement, were grouped in front of the two yelling wizards with their robes swirling at a rather fast rate. It could be taken as nerves, however Harry knew that the myth of Dementors thriving only off positive emotions was patently false. While rather touching to Harry, Snape and Dumbledore's anger was feeding the Dementor herd.
Harry made his way back up to the hospital wing slowly. Partially to get the best effect from the disillusionment charm, and partially because his body ached. Harry watched his younger self slip out, waited a minute, then slipped back in.
'Are you going to tell us where you went?' Daphne demanded.
Harry gave her a weak grin. 'No.'
'Here, move to the right side of the bed.' Harry said, after a moment.
'Why?' Theo asked, but did as requested. Harry went to shrug, but pain shot down his arm again.
'Sorry.'
Harry sat down quickly, but carefully on the other side, he reenabled Pomfrey's wards then accioed the glass of water from beside his bed and carefully lay on his side. He put just enough strength in the accio that the glass slid to the edge, then fell straight to the floor with a loud SMASH!
'Wha-?' Blaise started, looking completely stunned, but before he could formulate a more coherent question, Pomfrey came rushing in. She took one look at the stunned faces of his friends, then at the water, before sort of jumping in to action.
'You foolish child! You shouldn't have reached for that.' She scolded, making the presumption he'd fallen off the bed, like Harry meant her to. 'Here, careful now.' She rolled him over neatly, then levitated him back onto the bed.
'Ow.' Harry offered. He could only hope the re-break would be distraction enough to avoid her noting any new bruises.
'You silly boy.' She said, summoning another dose of pain reliever. 'I expect better of you Potter.'
Harry barely knew anything more, as the double dose had a strong drowsy effect, and the next thing he knew he was blinking around to see morning light coming in through the huge windows. A less wanted guest was awaiting him too.
'Headmaster,' Harry sighed struggling to sit up a bit without jostling his arm. 'I believe I owe you some thanks for slowing down my fall.'
Dumbledore's beard twitched, and after only the slightest pause, he nodded. It was enough for Harry to question whether it was only his own spell that had caught himself.
'I am most sorry my b- Mr. Potter. The Dementor's are not allowed on the school grounds. It was one of my more firm conditions for the Minister. I was most- displeased, to say the least.'
'Yes, well. I'm okay I guess.' Harry shrugged, but immediately wished he hadn't. Apparently his shoulder was not fixed. Something must have shown on his face too, as Dumbledore actually looked quite remorseful.
Feeling like a cad, Harry couldn't help but wonder if Dumbledore was truly sorry that Harry had been hurt, or angry that his rules had been disobeyed. Harry let out a little sigh, he hated not being able to think even the smallest amount of good of the man. Harry leaned back into his pillows so he could look at the ceiling instead of the old man. Gods he was clearly in a morose mood today.
Dumbledore had remained silent while Harry shifted and thought, but after a moment of silence stretched, he got down to business.
'Mr. Lupin has offered to teach you some protective magic against the dementors.' Dumbledore said, in an annoyingly bubbly voice. 'It is a rather advanced form of magic, but I can see that in this case perhaps the situation warrants it.'
Harry frowned, wondering exactly how Remus would have done it this time, without Harry's Boggart being a dementor. He opened his mouth to protest, but Dumbledore must have seen any protests coming.
'Really, I must insist on this, Harry.'
Harry wanted to glare at Dumbledore for the use of his first name, but he honestly couldn't bring up the energy this morning.
'Fine. I'll let Professor Lupin teach me the Patronus.' Harry sighed. Perhaps he would spend the time convincing Remus to teach Ron.
Dumbledore's eyebrows raised. 'You have heard of the Patronus Charm?'
'I looked it up as soon as I realised there would be Dementors at the castle.'
A delighted smile crossed Dumbledore's face, making Harry want to scowl. 'You are quite advanced for your age.'
'Thank you.' Harry said, wary of why Dumbledore would seem so pleased. Perhaps it was just a mask.
'Professor Lupin was a friend of your parents.'
'Yes, I know.'
Dumbledore's eyebrows raised towards his hairline again. 'You do?'
'Yes,' said Harry, getting an evil idea, 'I found out when I went looking for my magical guardian over summer.'
'You went looking for your magical guardian?' Dumbledore asked, expertly hiding any alarm.
'Mmm, at first I didn't realise the Dursley's could sign a permission form for St. Mungos.'
This time Dumbledore's mask failed a little as some colour drained from his face. 'St. Mungos?' He asked. 'What happened that required a visit to the hospital?'
Internally Harry smirked. 'Apparently I must have been one of Lockhart's obliviate victims.'
'Oh… oh dear.'
'Mmm,' Harry said, enjoying watching Dumbledore squirm. 'Although the signature was quite off, which almost makes me wonder if someone else in the castle was using the charm.'
'Oh I shouldn't think that was very likely.' Dumbledore said sounding quite alarmed.
'Hmm.' Harry responded nonchalantly.
Dumbledore left soon after that.
Harry's surprises weren't over yet, as not an hour after Dumbledore left Draco came to visit.
Harry merely greeted him with raised eyebrows.
Draco scowled.
'My father left a letter for you.'
'Your father was here?'
'He came to watch the match with a- friend.'
Harry frowned. What exactly did that mean? DeathEater? Politician?
'I don't know what it says,' Draco said stiffly, 'but if it's what I think, then you're a lucky sod. Don't pass it up just because you are some sort of annoying child genius.'
Harry snorted. 'Careful Draco, that was almost a compliment.'
Draco surprised Harry by simply pouting. 'Some people would kill for the opportunity.'
'To compliment me? I know.' Harry teased, 'Don't worry, I'll give special permission just for you.'
'Merlin you're impossible!' Draco whined, before tossing the letter on Harry's lap and turning to stomp out of the ward.
Harry laughed.
'I can almost like the git.' Harry mumbled to himself. 'Gods Ron, what would you think of me?'
Harry picked up the letter with some curiosity. Peeling back the heavily embellished Malfoy seal, and noting with some amusement the peacock in the family crest, Harry opened the letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I would cordially like to invite you to a private luncheon at 1 o'clock in Parlour Three of the Three Broomsticks on your next Hogsmead visit. My wife Narcissa, a family friend and myself have a proposition which I believe you may interest you.
Confirmation through my son, if easiest, would be acceptable,
Sincerely,
Lucius Malfoy
Head of the Most Ancient House of Malfoy
Heir apparent to the Ancient House of Troy
Head of Malfoy Industries and Associations.
Harry looked down at the letter with a frown. That told him practically nothing. Although it did catch his curiosity. It was very formal too, with the Malfoy seal and the titles at the end. Harry couldn't help but wonder what Lucius had up his sleeve. It was a bit odd to mention the family friend as being part of the proposition. The whole thing was rather odd. Harry would go, even though he suspected a plot. Lucius was, after all, apparently under the opinion that Harry was his Lord, so it couldn't be too bad.
Madam Pomfrey insisted on keeping Harry in the hospital wing for the rest of the weekend. He didn't argue or complain, feeling a bit guilty for having sneaked out. This time Harry just kept the splintered piece with the Nimbus Two Thousand logo, giving in to Pomfrey's insistence on throwing out the rest. He had a stream of visitors, all intent on cheering him up. Hagrid sent him a bunch of earwiggy flowers that looked like yellow cabbages, and Luna trailed by a blushing Ginny Weasley, making Harry laugh when Luna produced a similar get-well card from them, only instead of shrill singing when it opened, it was an odd sort of hummed tune that had no structure or plan. The Slytherin team visited again in the afternoon. This time Marcus was more normal, telling Harry with a sadistic sort of glee that apparently Wood had tried to drown himself in the dorm showers after watching them steamroll Hufflepuff despite the weather. Harry was tempted to ask if Marcus knew from personally witnessing it, or if it just a was rumour.
His friends let him be after Theo arrived with snacks and a Quidditch magazine, only to discover Harry surrounded by books that Hermione had obligingly dropped off, writing up an essay for Flitwick. Theo had taken this all in his stride until he realised that Harry had already caught up on all his homework and that this essay was voluntary not prescribed.
Harry felt a bit embarrassed, but Flitwick had mentioned an interesting new charm planned for magical travel, and Harry was keen to study up on the subject Belleza had mentioned too.
Despite the friendly visits and interesting charms distractions, Harry was still in a generally morose mood. He had missed Sirius again, and was starting to wonder if the timeline wouldn't let him change things. He couldn't help but be put out by Sirius attacking him too, and as he couldn't figure out a reason why, was rather hurt. He'd been so focused on the task of saving Sirius, he had pushed aside any niggling doubts about the possibility of Sirius being on his parent's side. But during the night hours he lay awake staring at the strips of moonlight on the ceiling, seeing Sirius' dog form growling and flying at him with teeth bared over and over, and he couldn't help but let doubt seep in.
It was a relief to return to the noise and bustle of the main school on Monday, where he was forced to think about other things. At least this time he didn't have to endure Draco's taunting. Amusingly, almost dying for their team seemed to have won Draco over, along with removing quite a bit of quiet opposition in-house. It didn't quite sit with what the world saw as Slytherin behaviour. Surely it was too brave and reckless, and not at all self-preserving and sly?
Harry's relationship with Snape had become less strained after seeing him face off against the Dementors, and his friends let out a collective breath now that they didn't have to worry about Harry explosively cursing Snape whenever his back was turned. Snape also seemed to be aware of this shift, as Harry was back to making advanced potions at the front of his class. Unfortunately this meant Harry and Neville were no longer able to operate as a barrier between the two rival houses, and Draco took to taunting Ron about the Dementors again. Harry had been oblivious to this until Ron finally cracked and flung a large, slippery crocodile heart at Malfoy, which hit him in the face and caused Snape to take fifty points from Gryffindor.
Draco had tried to find sympathy amongst the Slytherins walking to their next class, but they all said he deserved it. Apparently watching Harry almost die because of the Dementors had given them a new perspective, and Harry suspected that someone would probably inform the Weasley twins again without having to do so himself.
'If Snape's teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts again, I'm skiving off.'
Harry shot an amused look at Ernie, who went rather red upon realising the whole group of Slytherins had heard him. He gained equilibrium rather quickly however.
'Oi Potter, check who's in there, Snape probably won't kill you.'
Harry made a show of looking, whilst mentally rolling his eyes.
'It's okay!'
Remus was back at work, as expected, and was immediately bombarded by the Hufflepuffs regarding the essay.
'It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?'
'We don't know anything about werewolves-'
'- two rolls of parchment!'
'Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?' Remus asked, frowning slightly.
The babble broke out again.
'Yes, but he said we were really behind-'
'- he wouldn't listen-'
'- two rolls of parchment!!'
Remus smiled at the look of indignation on every face.
'Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay.'
Remus didn't comment on the silence of the Slytherins, but did raise one eyebrow at Harry, who merely smiled slightly and shrugged. Unfortunately this caused him to wince, as due to re-breaking his shoulder after taking the first lot of skel-e-grow he had had to take a slower version that would heal less quickly over the next three days. Harry had refused to wear a sling, only convincing Pomfrey when he asked a house elf to collect some muggle strapping tape and submitted to having it bound under his uniform and being surrounded by cushioning charms.
The lesson of the Hinkypunk was less interesting the second time around, though the rest of the class seemed to enjoy it. When the bell rang, everyone gathered up their things and headed for the door, but Remus called Harry back.
'Wait a moment, Harry,' Lupin called. 'I'd like a word.'
Harry doubled back and watched Remus covering the Hinkypunk's box with a cloth.
'I heard about the match,' said Lupin, turning back to his desk and starting to pile books into his briefcase, 'and I'm sorry about your broomstick. Is there any chance of fixing it?'
'No,' said Harry. 'The tree smashed it to bits.'
Lupin sighed.
'They planted the Whomping Willow the same year that I arrived at Hogwarts. People used to play a game, trying to get near enough to touch the trunk. In the end, a boy called Davey Gudgeon nearly lost an eye, and we were forbidden to go near it. No broomstick would have a chance.'
'Yes, I know.'
Remus smiled, a little exasperated. 'Of course you do.' He looked at Harry carefully for a moment. 'I would have liked to see your match, it's a pleasure watching you fly. You're even better than James.'
Harry looked away, but didn't get too annoyed at the reference to his parents. He needed to tone that down.
'Perhaps you wouldn't have enjoyed this match so much.' Harry shrugged again, wincing having forgotten his shoulder.
Lupin looked at him quickly.
'Perhaps not. I don't think any of us have seen Professor Dumbledore that angry. The Dementors have been growing restless for some time… furious at his refusal to let them inside the grounds… I suppose they were the reason you fell?'
'Yes,' said Harry. 'Dumbledore said you offered to teach me the Patronus?'
'Being effected has nothing to do with weakness,' said Remus sharply, misreading Harry's apprehension. 'but yes, Dumbledore suggested I teach you… And I have no doubt you'll learn the spell with an unusual amount of ease for the rest of us to be jealous of.'
Harry hesitated, 'Er- actually, well… Expecto Patronum.' Harry whispered.
The look of shock on Remus' face was totally worth it. Harry looked away trying not to laugh, only to spot his Patronus sniffing at the Hinkypunk tank. Harry blinked.
'Oh.' Remus said, in shock and quite a bit of awe. He looked at Harry with sparkling eyes. 'You really are quite amazing at magic. Not just for your age, but in general.'
Harry let his cheeks going rather warm, and shrugged again (wincing and chiding himself again). 'Thank you.'
'Do you know why it's a fox?'
Harry watched as his new Patronus seemed to find something they couldn't see in the air and bound after it like a small puppy.
'Actually I have no idea.' Harry said, genuinely confused. Perhaps it was because Luna's was a hare? Ron's had been a Russell Terrier, to chase Hermione's otter. He frowned. A part of him was rather sad to no longer see Prongs. Even if his father had abandoned him, Prongs had protected him. '…I really don't know.'
Remus hummed, watching as Harry eventually let the fox fade out. A ray of wintry sunlight fell across the classroom, illuminating Remus' grey hairs and the lines on his young face.
'So no need for the lessons then.' Remus said, and Harry caught a tiny tinge of sadness.
'Actually sir, I thought perhaps Ron might like them.'
Remus looked at Harry surprised. 'Ron Weasley?'
Harry only remembered just in time not to shrug. 'Draco's being a right git about him fainting.'
Remus still looked surprised, and eventually settled on saying 'You are not a normal Slytherin, Harry. No matter how well you do there.'
Harry snorted. 'I'm not very good at Normal, Sir.'
The Gryffindors had been a bit subdued after Slytherin so blatantly won the match despite their ploy, though their mood did pick up when Gryffindor flattened Ravenclaw in their Quidditch match at the end of November. Oliver Wood, who had been moping around the castle looking like the world was ending, suddenly had more spirit, and Gryffindor spurred back into Quidditch practices almost every day. Flint made to follow suit, but Harry and the rest of the team put their foot down at four practices a week, and wouldn't be moved. Flint had been stubborn, especially as Oliver had apparently been taunting him in class, but Harry sat him down with the help of Loki, and gave him a long lecture on the importance of education as well as match skills, especially emphasising that most reps looked to see a minimum of three NEWTS. Eventually they bartered down to two normal practices and one extra long one by getting one of the girls in Ravenclaw seventh year to agree to tutoring. Harry knew that originally Flint had had to repeat Transfiguration and Herbology in order to have enough grades for a Quidditch Rep to look at him.
Two weeks before the end of the term, the sky lightened suddenly to a dazzling, opaline white and the muddy grounds were revealed one morning covered in glittering frost. Inside the castle, there was a buzz of Christmas in the air. Flitwick had already decorated his classroom with shimmering lights that turned out to be real, fluttering fairies. Sadly he'd also put a ward on the classroom, as they were cute little creatures that were nice to keep around and Fred and George had been given detention twice trying to steal some to give to Ginny for Christmas.
The students were all happily discussing their plans for the holidays. And Harry was surprised to receive yet another invitation, this time from a rather unexpected source.
Hadwin had just arrived at the breakfast table with another disappointing note saying his parents were still eluding discovery when a large eagle owl landed in front of him. The magnificent bird gave Hadwin an evil eye and pushed for Harry's immediate attention of the letter it held.
Hello Harry,
You might remember me from the incident over the summer holidays. Susan, my niece and ward, is in your year in Hufflepuff and informs me that you get on quite well in class.
I've always been rather upfront, so I'll avoid any needless small talk. I was brought up spending holidays at your grandparents house as Charlus Potter and my father Samuel Bones were both leading Aurors, and later consecutive Department Heads of the DMLE.
We (Susan and I) were wondering if you might like to join us over the holiday break. I am aware that Christmas is a time for family, however to be frank, I am unsatisfied with your current guardians. I was led to believe, both from your own words during the incident, and following a conversation with Narcissa Malfoy, that you share this opinion.
Unfortunately certain factions are preventing Narcissa (who I am led to believe is your cousin) from inviting you to stay due to Black's breakout and her husband's previous alliance. To be frank, Lucius Malfoy may be many things, but stupid enough to harm a child publicly under his care isn't one of them. Fudge has also had some concerns over security, however it is widely known that my property is one of the most secure around, due to my being the head of the DMLE.
I understand if you feel uncomfortable with this offer, however I couldn't not ask.
Regardless of whether I see you,
Have a wonderful Christmas,
Amelia Bones.
Harry was rather shocked, and certainly intrigued by the information on his grandfather, but he would be a fool to pass up the opportunity to visit the Flamell's. However he was rather flattered, and penned a very nice reply immediately. He would have to ask Amelia about the familial connection later. Apart from being curious about his grandparents, Amelia might know where James might be likely to hide out. She would certainly be someone good to have onside when it all went public. Until Harry could be sure that he wouldn't be carted straight off to live with Lily and James he couldn't bring himself to just announce the plot. Perhaps whispering in a few ears preemptively wouldn't hurt. It was certainly something to think on.
It was also curious that Amelia had some connection with Narcissa, despite being from opposite factions.
'You're looking thoughtful.' Theo spoke up across from Harry.
'Hmm. Yes, I just got a Christmas invitation from Amelia Bones.'
Theo's brows rose. 'Why?'
'She's met my family.' Harry scowled.
'No love lost then?' Blaise said carefully. Harry realised with a start that he had kept almost all of his home life from them, which caught him a little by surprise.
'Not really, no.' Harry said, searching for something to change the topic. 'Is anyone from Slytherin staying over break, do you know?'
'Snape said the sign-up list would go up tonight, but I don't think so. I asked around for the first years, like you said, and the only one who was thinking on it has now been invited to stay with a friend.' said Theo.
Harry nodded. 'Thanks.' He had hated having to sign that list in first year, and decided that as King he'd avoid any drama for the little first years. He mentally snorted. What with that and getting Peeves off their back they'd probably get a shock in second year.
To everyone's delight (except for Harry's self-appointed minders) there was to be another Hogsmeade trip on the very last weekend of the term.
'We can do all our Christmas shopping there!' said Daphne with a grin. 'Astoria will probably give me a list of course, but it beats trying to brave the crowds at Diagon after school breaks out.'
'Not that Hogsmeade won't be busy anyway.' Tracey sighed.
'Are you going to come with us this time?' Blaise asked Harry.
Harry had been contemplating the blank holiday sign-up list and how to get Snape to pretend he was on it until the last minute. 'What? Yes. Though no dates.'
The boys laughed and the girls huffed.
Shrugging them off Harry decided that it was long past time for a conversation with Snape again and left his friends plotting over plans for taking over the ice-rink.
He knocked on Snape's office door and tried to plan out the conversation tactics in his head. He was completely thrown off when Snape let him in, only to find that Remus was there sitting rather stiffly on a chair and holding a cup of tea like it might bite him. Harry smirked.
'Oh, I didn't know you were seeing each other.' Harry said with a sly grin. Remus nearly dropped the tea, spilling a fair amount on his lap, and Snape spluttered before pushing Harry roughly into the remaining empty chair and slamming the portrait closed.
'Three points from Slytherin for blatant baiting.'
'Do I get three points for making Professor Lupin wet his pants?' Harry asked with a mock-innocent look. This time Remus spluttered and Snape merely gave a sharp smirk. 'Five.'
Harry laughed.
'I could take ten for disrespect to a teacher.' Remus sulked, though he looked relieved to see Harry (or perhaps anyone so he wasn't alone with Snape).
'We were just discussing the lack of time designated for teaching you a patronus.' Snape offered. They can't have been discussing it long… or for some reason Remus wasn't sharing. Probably the latter, trust was hardly strong between the two.
Harry's eyes flicked to Snape. 'Looking out for me, Sir?'
Snape merely glared. Harry perked up. Clearly Snape must have spent some time ruining Remus' character, leaving Snape in a good mood after venting some verbal abuse. It was rather annoying that Remus was there, in terms of not alerting Dumbledore, however Harry could probably play this.
'I noticed you put up the sign-on sheet up for staying over the holidays.'
'Congratulations, shall I polish your trophy?' Snape snarked.
Harry grinned. Definitely in a good mood. 'No, but I was wondering if you might be willing to pretend up until the last minute that my name was on it?'
Snape raised an eyebrow.
'Nicolas Flamell has asked me to stay, and-' Harry flicked his eyes to Remus, then back to Snape. 'Well it would be better if certain persons didn't know I was going until I am gone.'
'Certain people?' Remus questioned.
'Black, obviously.' Snape sneered, and Remus went white. Snape had followed, however, confirmed by a short nod. 'Lupin, if this is to remained tight-lipped I suggest even the staff be unaware. You will remain silent.'
Harry and Remus both rolled their eyes at the snarky command, though Harry could only hope Remus would. He could hardly announce that it was Dumbledore that he didn't want to know, and at the very least it would be informative if Remus ran straight to the old coot.
'Excellent,' Snape added, when Remus nodded, then Snape turned to smirk at Harry. 'Now, Potter. You have convinced your wolf, you only have to convince me.'
Harry sighed mentally. Slytherins and their bloody favours.
'Your price?'
Remus spluttered again, but both Slytherins ignored him. 'You will attend lessons with the mutt until you can produce at least a semi-corporeal form. No doubt you will still be having the lessons when you are thirty, but that is not my problem.'
Harry gave Remus a warning look before he opened his mouth.
'Okay, that's your only request?'
Snape jerked his head. 'Yes.'
Harry grinned. 'Well, if that's all sir, I'll leave you two to your date.'
'Five points from Slytherin. I wouldn't date your mongrel if he were the last creature on earth!' Snape hissed.
Harry laughed, walking to open the portrait, then turning at the last minute. 'Naturally. Good evening professors… Oh, and Expecto Patronum!' Harry cast his patronus into the room and walked out laughing.
The last few weeks passed in a flurry of assignments and exams. Both Pomfrey and Belleza seemed to ignore this and assign their own homework too, Madam Pomfrey being particularly nasty after seeing Harry hadn't come to her when he ran out of bruise balm after the quidditch match. Harry was beginning to understand why Hermione had looked so frazzled the first timeline, and was rather annoyed to see that both the diary he had given her, and the reminders about extra sleep and food that he had written in it, meant that this time around Hermione hardly looked bothered at all.
Before Harry knew it it was the last Saturday of the term and everyone above third year were lining up in the entrance hall, the older students casting snow-repelling spells on their cloaks.
Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Fred and George, curiously enough, poring over a bit of parchment. They both had quills in their hands, and the twin on the left (Fred?) was nursing a huge tome entitled Hogwarts Wards and How to Read Them. Harry wanted to grin. A new map? Perhaps he could drop a hint to Remus about helping some mischief-heirs out.
'So, Honeydukes first?' Theo asked, thanking Harry as he handed him a piece of chocolate. 'I have to get you something for all this chocolate you've been handing out.'
'Don't worry about it.' Harry said, 'I've got more than enough money, and this was muggle chocolate anyway, which was significantly cheaper after the exchange rate.'
'Well I have twelve cousins and five half-sisters to buy for.' Blaise winced, 'So, Bertie-botts beans - en mass!'
Harry still loved going to Honeydukes. There were shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable. Creamy chunks of nougat, shimmering pink squares of coconut ice, fat, honey-colored toffees; hundreds of different kinds of chocolate in neat rows; there was the large barrel of Every Flavor Beans, and another of Fizzing Whizbees, the levitating sherbet his Ron had favoured; and along yet another wall were 'Special Effects' - sweets: Droobles Best Blowing Gum (which filled a room with bluebell-colored bubbles that refused to pop for days), the strange, splintery Toothflossing Stringmints, tiny black Pepper Imps ('breathe fire for your friends!'), Ice Mice ('hear your teeth chatter and squeak!'), peppermint creams shaped like toads ('hop realistically in the stomach!'), fragile sugar-spun quills, and exploding bonbons.
He'd spent one enjoyable boxing day bringing a tentative Dudley to the store in the small shopping district outside Bath. It had been as he and his cousin were stretching out peace branches, and Harry had wanted to introduce some of the nicer sides of magic to Dudley.
Dudley had spent a months wage and sworn Harry to secrecy as he had been on a diet 'Relatively successfully, until you went and ruined it with this.' Dudley had announced eyes wide with awe, before dragging Harry to an awkward session at a muggle gym to make up for it. Harry ended up cheating with a lightening charm on some of the weights.
Today however, the three of them took one look at the crowd and groaned. Theo dug out some coins and passed them to Blaise. 'You get me an extra pack of beans and a bar of treacle-fudge chocolate, and me and Harry will head to the Three Broomsticks and try and find a table.'
Blaise grimaced, but nodded and squeezed himself through a crowd of sixth years and into the shop proper.
'I'm meeting up with someone there at one, but it's so chilly today that staying inside all day suits anyway.' Harry offered, as they stuffed their hands deep in their pockets and took up a brisk pace down the street.
'Is that why your wearing nice robes? I thought there was to be no dates.' Theo teased. 'Find a nice girl after all?'
Harry snorted. 'Unless you count Draco's mother? No. Mr. Malfoy sent me an odd note saying he and a friend had a proposition.'
Theo paused, in his steps, looking rather awkward.
'What?' Harry asked, when it became obvious Theo wanted to say something.
'Well-… it's just…' Theo bit his bottom lip in an uncharacteristic show of nerves. 'You do know that Lucius Malfoy wasn't actually under the imperious, right?' Theo had dropped his voice to the slightest whisper. Harry couldn't help but let a huge smile slip onto his face.
'Yeah, I do. I'll be fine. But erm- thanks.'
Theo looked relieved, though a bit wary. He huffed. 'Gods, my father would kill me.'
Harry wasn't quite sure how to answer that. He had so easily forgotten that Theo's father was in Azkaban because he was a DeathEater.
'I wouldn't make you choose.' Harry said quietly.
Theo flushed. 'Yeah. I know. Come on- this conversation is getting sappy. I want a Butterbeer.'
They both let the matter drop and headed in. Harry paused at the door to see a familiar notice on the board.
BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Customers are reminded that until further notice, Dementors will be patrolling the streets of Hogsmeade every night after sundown. This measure has been put in place for the safety of Hogsmeade residents and will be lifted upon the recapture of Sirius Black. It is therefore advisable that you complete your shopping well before nightfall.
Merry Christmas!
The image of his face on the Undesirable No.1 flashed through his mind. The sign gave Harry the chills, and he couldn't help but remember the days of the war when Dementors were less semi-permanent.
'Well that's what you get for living so close to a political target.' Theo said, pushing the door open and stomping the snow off his boots.
Harry chose not to comment.
'Hello Harry.'
Harry turned to find Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott sitting at the table next to the door. He grimaced internally as Susan went bright red after the hello and Hannah giggled loudly. Theo jabbing him in the ribs with a wink didn't help either.
'Hello Susan, Hannah. Merry Christmas.'
'You too. I'm sorry you didn't decide to stay with us. Auntie Amelia has lots of fun things planned.'
'Yeah, me too.' Harry said, feeling slightly bad. 'I'd already said I'd stay with someone else.'
'Oh. Well, Merry Christmas then.' Susan giggled, looking rather happy. Mentally Harry groaned.
'Shut up.' He hissed at Theo as his friend wiggled his eyebrows once they'd found a table.
'I don't know why you don't ask her out. She's pretty enough, neutral enough and clearly likes you.'
'Who likes Harry?' Blaise asked, coming up behind them and pulling up a stool and passing Theo his beans and fudge. Harry slid over a butterbeer.
'Susan Bones was flirting with Harry.' The smirked.
'She is quite pretty, for a Hufflepuff.' Blaise said, blatantly turning around to stare at her and Hannah.
'Gods! You two are horrible friends.' Harry groaned, and when Blaise went to wave across the room Harry levitated a familiar potted Christmas tree so it blocked them further into the corner.
A sudden cold breeze ruffled his hair. The door of the Three Broomsticks had opened again. Harry looked over the rim of his tankard and choked. He'd totally forgotten about this conversation.
Professors McGonagall and Flitwick had just entered the pub with a flurry of snowflakes, shortly followed by Hagrid, who was deep in conversation with their Minister of Magic, Fudge. Exactly why Hagrid was still on speaking terms with the man, Harry had to wonder. Although he supposed this time, due to Harry's sucking up, Fudge had actually done Hagrid a few favours.
Like last time, the teachers paid no attention to Harry's silent wishes, and picked the table directly next to them on the other side of the Christmas tree.
'I've always wondered what the professors talk about when they're not teaching.' Blaise said gleefully, shifting his chair a bit closer. Harry wanted to groan.
Madam Rosmerta passed their table with a tray of drinks, stopping at the teachers table.
'A small gillywater —'
'Mine,' said Professor McGonagall's voice.
'Four pints of mulled mead —'
'Ta, Rosmerta,' said Hagrid.
'A cherry syrup and soda with ice and umbrella —'
'Mmm!' said Professor Flitwick, smacking his lips.
'So you'll be the red currant rum, Minister.'
'Thank you, Rosmerta, m'dear,' said Fudge's voice. 'Lovely to see you again, I must say. Have one yourself, won't you? Come and join us…'
'Well, thank you very much, Minister.'
At least this time Harry didn't have to worry about being there against school rules.
'So, what brings you to this neck of the woods, Minister?' came Madam Rosmerta's voice.
Through the tree Harry could see Fudge's thick body twist in his chair as though he were checking for eavesdroppers. But he obviously wasn't particularly bright at it, as he missed their whole table and one on the opposite side. Then he said in a quiet voice, 'What else, m'dear, but Sirius Black? I daresay you heard what happened up at the school at Halloween?'
'I did hear a rumor,' admitted Madam Rosmerta.
'Did you tell the whole pub, Hagrid?' said Professor McGonagall exasperatedly.
'Do you think Black's still in the area, Minister?' whispered Madam Rosmerta.
'I'm sure of it,' said Fudge shortly.
'You know that the Dementors have searched the whole village twice?' said Madam Rosmerta, a slight edge to her voice. Which Harry could easily understand. 'Scared all my customers away…It's very bad for business, Minister.'
'Rosmerta, dear, I don't like them any more than you do,' said Fudge uncomfortably. 'Necessary precaution…unfortunate, but there you are…I've just met some of them. They're in a fury against Dumbledore - he won't let them inside the castle grounds.'
'I should think not,' said Professor McGonagall sharply. 'How are we supposed to teach with those horrors floating around?'
'Hear, hear!' squeaked Flitwick, whose feet were dangling a foot from the ground.
'All the same,' demurred Fudge, 'they are here to protect you all from something much worse…We all know what Black's capable of…'
'Do you know, I still have trouble believing it,' said Madam Rosmerta thoughtfully. 'Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought…I mean, I remember him when he was a boy at Hogwarts. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead.'
'You don't know the half of it, Rosmerta,' said Fudge gruffly. 'The worst he did isn't widely known.'
'The worst?' said Madam Rosmerta, her voice alive with curiosity. 'Worse than murdering all those poor people, you mean?'
Theo and Blaise leant in, shooting Harry worried looks. Harry just rolled his eyes.
'I certainly do,' said Fudge.
'I can't believe that. What could possibly be worse?'
'You say you remember him at Hogwarts, Rosmerta,' murmured Professor McGonagall. 'Do you remember who his best friend was?'
'Naturally,' said Madam Rosmerta, with a small laugh. 'Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here — ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!'
'Obviously, or he hardly would have been made secret keeper.' Harry hissed, finding this whole thing rather annoying.
Theo and Blaise gave him odd looks.
'Precisely,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Black and Potter. Ringleaders of their little gang. Both very bright, of course - exceptionally bright, in fact - but I don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers-'
'I dunno,' chuckled Hagrid. 'Fred and George Weasley could give 'em a run fer their money.'
'You'd have thought Black and Potter were brothers!' chimed in Flitwick. 'Inseparable!'
'Of course they were,' said Fudge. 'Potter trusted Black beyond all his other friends. Nothing changed when they left school. Black was best man when James married Lily. Then they named him Godfather to Harry.' Fudge's chair creaked as he shifted awkwardly. 'I'm not sure who told Harry,'
'He knows?' McGonagall said, drawing in a sharp breath of shock.
'Why does that matter? Because Black turned out to be in league with You-Know-Who?' whispered Madam Rosmerta.
'Worse even than that, m'dear…' Fudge dropped his voice and proceeded in a sort of low rumble. 'Not many people are aware that the Potters knew You-Know-Who was after them. Dumbledore, who was of course working tirelessly against You-Know-Who, had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him off, and he alerted James and Lily at once. He advised them to go into hiding. Well, of course, You-Know-Who wasn't an easy person to hide from. Dumbledore told them that their best chance was the Fidelius Charm.'
Harry clenched his eyes shut in anger. He hated listening to this, and had half a mind to get up and walk past their table to break it up. But his meeting was in less than half an hour, so he refrained.
'So Black was the Potters' Secret-Keeper?' whispered Madam Rosmerta.
'Naturally,' said Professor McGonagall. 'James Potter told Dumbledore that Black would die rather than tell where they were, that Black was planning to go into hiding himself…and yet, Dumbledore remained worried. I remember him offering to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper himself.'
'He suspected Black?' gasped Madam Rosmerta.
'He was sure that somebody close to the Potters had been keeping You-Know-Who informed of their movements,' said Professor McGonagall darkly. 'Indeed, he had suspected for some time that someone on our side had turned traitor and was passing a lot of information to You-Know-Who.'
'But Potter insisted on using Black?'
'He did,' said Fudge heavily. 'And then, barely a week after the Fidelius Charm had been performed-'
'Black betrayed them?' breathed Madam Rosmerta.
Harry perked up at that new information. He had thought it was much longer.
'He did indeed. Black was tired of his double-agent role, he was ready to declare his support openly for You-Know-Who, and he seems to have planned this for the moment of the Potters' death. But, as we all know, You-Know-Who met his downfall in little Harry Potter. Powers gone, horribly weakened, he fled. And this left Black in a very nasty position indeed. His master had fallen at the very moment when he, Black, had shown his true colours as a traitor. He had no choice but to run for it —'
'Filthy, stinkin' turncoat!' Hagrid said, so loudly that half the bar went quiet.
'Shh!' said Professor McGonagall.
'I met him!' growled Hagrid. 'I musta bin the last ter see him before he killed all them people! It was me what rescued Harry from Lily an' James's house after they was killed! Jus' got him outta the ruins, poor little thing, with a great slash across his forehead, an' his parents dead…an' Sirius Black turns up, on that flyin' motorbike he used ter ride. Never occurred ter me what he was doin' there. I didn' know he'd bin Lily an' James's Secret-Keeper. Thought he'd jus' heard the news o' You-Know-Who's attack an' come ter see what he could do. White an' shakin', he was. An' yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN' TRAITOR!' Hagrid roared.
'Hagrid, please!' said Professor McGonagall. 'Keep your voice down!'
'How was I ter know he wasn' upset abou' Lily an' James? It was You-Know-Who he cared abou'! An' then he says, Give Harry ter me, Hagrid, I'm his godfather, I'll look after him-' Ha! But I'd had me orders from Dumbledore, an' I told Black no, Dumbledore said Harry was ter go ter his aunt an' uncle's. Black argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. I won't need it anymore he says. I shoulda known there was somethin' fishy goin' on then. He loved that motorbike, what was he givin' it ter me for? Why wouldn' he need it anymore? Fact was, it was too easy ter trace. Dumbledore knew he'd bin the Potters' Secret-Keeper. Black knew he was goin' ter have ter run fer it that night, knew it was a matter o' hours before the Ministry was after him.'
Harry contemplated that, as Hagrid paused to take a huge gulp of his drink. Harry was slightly peeved at being reminded of Dumbledore's sticky fingers too, and was surprised when Theo prized his glass out of his hands. It was almost completely frozen over from unconscious-magic. Harry clenched and unclenched his hands, but turned back to the conversation as Hagrid continued.
'But what if I'd given Harry to him, eh? I bet he'd've pitched him off the bike halfway out ter sea. His bes' friends' son!'
Hagrid took another gulp.
'It is odd though…' Hagrid paused and scratched his beard. 'I was the one to take Harry to buy his Hogwarts things in first year. He asked about that night, and when I told him the story, well… it was strange…'
'What?' Madam Rosmerta said with bated breath.
'Harry said the name Sirius meant something ter him. That he thought he remembered… dark hair and warm hugs. That's what Harry said.'
'But, Potter couldn't possibly remember that far back… could he?'
'He remembers the' night.' Hagrid said quietly.
A long silence followed.
Then Madam Rosmerta said with some satisfaction, 'But Black didn't manage to disappear, did he? The Ministry of Magic caught up with him next day!'
'Alas, if only we had,' said Fudge bitterly. 'It was not we who found him. It was little Peter Pettigrew - another of the Potters' friends. Maddened by grief, no doubt, and knowing that Black had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper, he went after Black himself.'
'Pettigrew…that fat little boy who was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?' said Madam Rosmerta.
'Hero - worshipped Black and Potter,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him. You can imagine how I - how I regret that now…' She sounded as though she had a sudden head cold.
'There, now, Minerva,' said Fudge kindly, 'Pettigrew died a hero's death. Eyewitnesses - Muggles, of course, we wiped their memories later - told us how Pettigrew cornered Black. They say he was sobbing, 'Lily and James, Sirius! How could you?' And then he went for his wand. Well, of course, Black was quicker. Blew Pettigrew to smithereens…'
Professor McGonagall blew her nose and said thickly, 'Stupid boy… foolish boy… he was always hopeless at duelling… should have left it to the Ministry…'
'I tell yeh, if I'd got ter Black before little Pettigrew did, I wouldn't've messed around with wands - I'd 've ripped him limb - from - limb,' Hagrid growled.
'You don't know what you're talking about, Hagrid,' said Fudge sharply. 'Nobody but trained Hit Wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad would have stood a chance against Black once he was cornered. I was Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Catastrophes at the time, and I was one of the first on the scene after Black murdered all those people. I - I will never forget it. I still dream about it sometimes. A crater in the middle of the street, so deep it had cracked the
sewer below. Bodies everywhere. Muggles screaming. And Black standing there laughing, with what was left of Pettigrew in front of him… a heap of bloodstained robes and a few - a few fragments -'
Fudge's voice stopped abruptly. There was the sound of five noses being blown.
Harry had perked up again, getting weird looks from Theo and Blaise. He hadn't remembered that being said… perhaps he could convince Fudge to give him a memory of the event to look for more ways to poke holes in the story. Actually, how would one leave blood stained robes when the body had supposedly exploded? That bore looking in to as a possible loop-hole.
'Well, there you have it, Rosmerta,' said Fudge thickly. 'Black was taken away by twenty members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad and Pettigrew received the Order of Merlin, First Class, which I think was some comfort to his poor mother. Black's been in Azkaban ever since.'
Madam Rosmerta let out a long sigh, and behind the tree Harry scowled.
'Is it true he's mad, Minister?'
'I wish I could say that he was,' said Fudge slowly. 'I certainly believe his master's defeat unhinged him for a while. The murder of Pettigrew and all those Muggles was the action of a cornered and desperate man- cruel… pointless. Yet I met Black on my last inspection of Azkaban. You know, most of the prisoners in there sit muttering to themselves in the dark; there's no sense in them… but I was shocked at how normal Black seemed. He spoke quite rationally to me. It was unnerving. You'd have thought he was merely bored- asked if I had anything to read, cool as you please. I didn't but one of the Aurors had a romance novel… Odd chit of a thing. Anyway Black shrugged and said he'd take what he could get. Yes, I was astounded at how little effect the Dementors seemed to be having on him- and he was one of the most heavily guarded in the place, you know. Dementors outside his door day and night.'
'But what do you think he's broken out to do?' said Madam Rosmerta. 'Good gracious, Minister, he isn't trying to rejoin You-Know-Who, is he?'
'I daresay that is his- er- eventual plan,' said Fudge evasively. 'But we hope to catch Black long before that. I must say, You-Know-Who alone and friendless is one thing…but give him back his most devoted servant, and I shudder to think how quickly he'll rise again…'
There was a small chink of glass on wood. Someone had set down their glass.
'You know, Cornelius, if you're dining with the headmaster, we'd better head back up to the castle,' said Professor McGonagall.
One by one, cloaks were donned and Madam Rosmerta's disappeared behind the bar. The door of the Three Broomsticks opened again, there was another flurry of snow, and the teachers had disappeared.
'Harry?' Theo asked tentatively.
'Give me a minute, I'm thinking.' Harry said. The conversation had Harry reeling, especially the end. First there was a confirmation that Sirius definitely hadn't seen Peter in the paper. Somehow Harry doubted Peter was in a romance book. And secondly, and of far more interest, had been those bits of conversation about Voldemort. …met his downfall in little Harry Potter. Powers gone, horribly weakened, he fled. - - - - ...You-Know-Who alone and friendless is one thing…but give him back his most devoted servant, and I shudder to think how quickly he'll rise again…
Fudge knew Voldemort was still alive! The ministry knew! Harry's brain was firing at a mile a minute trying to think of all the possible ramifications of that. What had changed between now and the end of next year? Was Fudge really just a coward, or was it something else?
