Chapter 23: A Black Night
March 12th, 1994
Harry and Hermione had spent the earliest part of the day in the book store, then they'd gone to Zonkos. Hermione had made a large fuss about how immature most of the products there were, but she laughed at things there considerably more than she should have if that was the case. Harry suspected that she was putting on a front. Then they had picked up some quills and parchment at the Scriptorium.
It was getting towards lunchtime, and Hermione suggested that they eat at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Neither of them had ever been there as they'd been told it was mostly frequented by couples. Harry was willing, though he had a feeling that it wasn't going to be all that interesting to either of them.
Sure enough, Harry and Hermione discovered the inside of the tea shop was gaudily decorated with lace and frills and all sorts of other decorations that were, in Harry's opinion, rather tacky. Also, the entire room was filled with kissing teenagers. Harry wasn't exactly sure what to think about that. While he certainly was interested in kissing, he wasn't so sure he wanted to do it in such a public place. Still, he was game for just about anything today.
That sat down and ordered drinks and some pastries. It wasn't really going to give them a big meal, but there would be a large meal at Hogwarts later, so Harry didn't feel shorted. The table they had been given was rather close to the front of the shop though, and Harry felt as if they were being put on display.
Once their tea got there they started talking. For once, Harry was nervous talking to Hermione. He didn't understand why. He'd never had this problem before. Then he realized that whether he wanted to or not, he was probably going to have to kiss her in front of all these people.
Well, if that was what Hermione wanted, he'd give it to her.
"This place is a bit tacky," said Hermione.
"Yeah," said Harry, "Looks like people only come here for one reason."
"And what is that Harry?" she asked.
Seeing an opportunity he leaned over and kissed her. The kiss was very nice, but Harry felt exposed to giving it.
As he sat back after the kiss, he noticed that Hermione had turned scarlet.
"Everything okay?" he asked her.
"Yes. It's just…" Hermione hesitated. "This is a little public for me," she admitted.
"Wait, I thought you wanted to do this in public," said Harry, "I thought that's why you asked me here."
"No, I wanted to come here because Daphne recommended it," explained Hermione.
Harry shook his head in disbelief. "She tricked us it seems."
The two of them finished their tea, having a good laugh about Daphne's trick.
"We could head back to the castle early and find a broom closet," Harry suggested.
"Sounds more fun than staying here." agreed Hermione, "let me just use the loo."
Harry nodded as Hermione got up. This date was suddenly looking up.
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Hermione finished pulling up her leggings. She'd been rather careful to dress warmly, but hadn't wanted to wear jeans on her first date. She still couldn't believe that most magicals were comfortable wearing nothing but their skivvies under their robes. There were only two stalls in this tiny bathroom, plus one sink. She heard a skittering noise but didn't see anyone in the next stall. Curious.
She left the stall and went to wash her hands. She looked down at her soapy hands, then looked up into the mirror. And in the mirror, she saw a dirty unkempt man behind her. She instantly recognized him as Peter Pettigrew. She started to scream, but he grabbed her arm and suddenly she felt as if she was being sucked through a straw.
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Harry heard something from the girl's loo, but it was too loud in the crowded tea shop to know more. He shook his head. It was probably the toilet flushing.
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Justin was having an odd day. To be sure, he considered Susan Bones a very good friend, but when she'd asked him to Hogsmeade he hadn't quite known what to think. As it turned out, she had just wanted her first date to be with a friend she knew would treat her well, rather than with some boy of possibly more impure intentions. Still, Justin was fairly sure he didn't like Susan that way. Of course, that wasn't necessarily an impediment to the two of them fooling around a bit, especially in Hufflepuff where oftentimes friendships were a bit more… intense.
And so Susan had led Justin to the outskirts of the village. He wasn't entirely unenthusiastic about spending time with her, but he had rather hoped he'd do this sort of thing the first time with a girl who was interested in him.
They found a cozy spot under a tree that seemed fairly dry and sat down. But before either of them could start anything there was a loud pop from about 30 yards away. It was the sound of an apparition. Justin looked around the tree only to see a short dirty man who looked like a rat manhandling Hermione Granger! He was searching her rather roughly, and finally found her wand, which he tucked in a pocket. "Go on! That way girl!" he shouted at her.
Well there was just no good way to interpret this, thought Justin. Hermione had been kidnapped.
"Cast a tracking charm on me," whispered Justin, "Then get help. I'll follow them."
Susan nodded. Justin was better at moving quietly. As soon as the man began moving Susan snuck away, sparing one last glance towards Justin who was sneaking behind the kidnapper.
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"What do you mean she isn't in there?" asked Harry, "She hasn't come out."
Madam Puddifoot just shrugged. It was probably not uncommon for teenagers to ditch dates in her shop. But Harry knew that wasn't what had happened. He paid for the tea and walked out the door.
Soon he saw his friends. Daphne, Blaise, Tracey, Seamus, Ron, and Neville were talking outside the Three Broomsticks. Harry ran up to them.
"Hermione has disappeared!" said Harry. "She went into the girl's loo in Madam Puddifoot's and didn't come out!"
"You went there!" laughed Tracey.
"She was probably so embarrassed that she made a runner," said Seamus.
"Hermione wouldn't do that!" said Harry.
"No, she wouldn't," said Ginny, who suddenly appeared in front of them. She was carrying several parcels, some of them containing potions ingredients. Harry wondered what her game was there.
Ron's eyes bulged, "Ginny what are you doing here?
"I'm doing some errands for the twins," said Ginny, "So they have plausible deniability. Draco's been causing Colin some trouble and they're getting a bit of payback."
Suddenly Susan Bones ran up to them. "I just saw a dirty man who looked like a rat disapparate on the edge of the village! He had Hermione with him, and he looked like he was holding her hostage."
"Peter," said Harry in a gruff voice. Suddenly all the Slytherins got very serious.
"Oh bloody hell, this is what we get for doubting Harry," said Blaise.
"Justin's following her, I put a general tracking charm on him so you'll be able to follow him!" said Susan, "Now I need to find a teacher or Kingsley. Aunt Amelia told me I should bring any news of Pettigrew to Kingsley Shacklebolt."
"Everyone, stay here!" said Harry as he cast the charm to follow the tracking charm. He then ran off in the direction it indicated.
"Like hell I will!," said Ginny as she followed him, dropping her parcel "But seriously, the rest of you get help! Peter Pettigrew killed 10 people at once!"
The rest of the Slytherins looked about to go after them, as did the Gryffindors. But Susan glared at them. "We need to get help you idiots!" she screamed.
"Bloody Gryffindors and bloody Slytherins acting like Gryffindors," she muttered to herself.
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Pettigrew threw Hermione down in a hollow of a tree some small way into the Forbidden Forest. It was rather uncomfortable down there, but Hermione had no time to worry about that. Pettigrew stopping might be a very bad thing.
"So how should we do this!" said Pettigrew angrily, "I could just kill you now, leave your corpse to be found. That would devastate Potter, but I wouldn't get to see his face. No, no, I'll have to lure him here somehow. Kill you in front of him, then kill him. He ruined everything. I was comfortable and he ruined it ALL!"
Hermione stood up. "Then you need me alive," she said.
Pettigrew gave a wretched laugh, then suddenly decked Hermione, sending her sprawling. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his hot breath shooting saliva over the side of her face.
"Oh no, I could do just as well throwing your severed head at him," he said, his eyes on fire. Hermione cringed away from him.
"Leave the girl alone rat," said a voice that was unfamiliar to Hermione. Pettigrew immediately grabbed Hermione by the neck and pulled her to her feet as he spun around and put his wand to her head.
Hermione recognized the man standing there. It was Sirius Black.
"Make a move and I kill your godson's girlfriend," said Pettigrew.
"You always were a coward," said Sirius, "Killed 10 innocent people rather than turn yourself in. Lived as a rat rather than pay for your crimes. You disgust me. To think I called you a friend."
"You always were condescending to me Black," said Pettigrew, "But I'll have the last laugh this time."
"Expelliarmus!" shouted another voice. Hermione was stunned as Justin Finch-Fletchley jumped out after his spell.
Pettigrew leapt behind Hermione and suddenly put his hand on the front of her throat as he began casting spells. One squeeze and she'd be a goner.
Suddenly another spell joined the fray. Harry was there, trying to disarm Pettigrew. And Ginny ran up behind him.
Ginny at least had the sense to cast a more effective spell. "Accio Hermione!" she shouted.
Hermione suddenly found herself jerked out of Pettigrew's grip as she flew towards Ginny. Ginny caught Hermione on the fly.
"Stupefy!" cast Sirius.
Completely exposed, Peter fell to the ground unconscious as the spell hit him.
"Nice summoning charm girl!" said Sirius, "Not many your age could pull that off."
"There's more to me than meets the eye," said Ginny a bit saucily.
"We have him!" shouted Harry, "We have Pettigrew!"
Hermione walked over to the unconscious rat and searched his pockets, recovering her wand.
"Ginny, Justin, go back towards town and find Kingsley Shacklebolt," said Harry, "Madam Bones trusts him. Once he gets here we'll be able to put Pettigrew away and clear Sirius."
The two of them both nodded and began to head back towards town.
"I've hunted this rat all across England and Scotland," said Sirius, "Good to have that over with."
"Sorry we didn't get to find that broom closet Harry," said Hermione with a weak smile.
"All that matters is that you're all right," said Harry.
Sirius laughed, "Looking for broom closets already? Your parents would be proud of you. Well, James would be. Lily would probably find it funny but tell you that there was no rush."
"I was thinking of inviting you to come with me on vacation this year Harry," said Hermione, "my parents are planning to do the vacation we had to cut short this year."
"Now that sounds like a good idea!" said Sirius with a wicked grin, "I insist you do it. I insist you use my money to do it! A pretty girl invites you on a vacation with her? I'd disown you if you didn't go!"
"If we can convince your parents, I'd love to go." said Harry, "Though Dumbledore might object. He seems to be trying to get me interested in Ginny for some reason."
"Leave Dumbledore to me," said Sirius, "I'll be your guardian soon enough."
Suddenly, Hermione's blood seemed to go cold, as did the air around her.
"Oh, bollocks," said Sirius.
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Ginny and Justin made their way back to town. They walked quickly but didn't run over the uneven forest ground. Ginny felt awkward being alone with Justin. He'd shown no indication that he'd forgiven her.
"Ginny," said Justin, "I wanted to talk to you…"
"Shhh!" said Ginny as she stopped suddenly. "I hear something."
A sound like an eerie wind seemed to be getting closer. It was barely noticeable, but Tom had studied dementors extensively.
"Dementors incoming," she said.
"What?" asked Justin, "How can you tell?"
Suddenly the air seemed to get cold.
"They're here," said Ginny pulling out her wand.
Dozens of dementors began to fly past. Most of them seemed to be heading towards where Harry, Hermione, and Sirius were. But a few pushed towards Ginny and Justin.
"Expecto Patronum!" shouted Justin as he tried to cast his Patronus. His shield came out. Against one dementor it might have worked. But at least four were attacking him. Justin began to fall to his knees, as he tried to move his shield to hold off the dementors. But it was no use.
Ginny realized that none of the dementors had focused on her. It was probably her Occlumency. It made her less of an appetizing meal for them. She could just run, leave Justin here. No one would blame her. What could she do against four dementors?
Ginny growled that thought down. No, she wasn't going to do that. That is what Riddle would have done. And she was better than him. And the moment she accepted that she realized the truth. She was better than Riddle. She was her own person. And she'd be damned if she didn't hold to herself.
"Expecto Patronum!" she yelled. Her wand flared and a horse made of light leaped from her wand. The four dementors didn't hesitate, all four fled instantly.
Ginny ran over to help Justin. With her help, he managed to get back on his feet.
"Thanks for the help Ginny," he said, "I was going to apologize to you. For what I said a few weeks ago. I shouldn't have blown up at you. I know you didn't try to hurt me. And now you've gone and saved my life."
"Well don't go saying that," said Ginny, "The last thing I need is you owing me a life debt. You're a friend of Harry's. That's good enough for me."
Justin nodded in agreement. "Friends then?"
"Yeah," said Ginny, "Now we have got to get an adult! Those dementors are heading towards Harry!"
And as she turned around she ran straight into Professor Snape. An Auror Ginny recognized as Kingsley Shacklebolt was behind him.
"Funny," said Snape, "I could have sworn you were a second year."
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The light fizzled on Sirius's wand again as dementors pushed against him. He was having a very bad time of it. Hermione had conjured her Patronus Shield, and Harry's shield was still holding, but neither could leave the other's side for fear of leaving the other unprotected. There were so many dementors!
Suddenly Pettigrew bolted upright! The dementors had awakened him. But instead of fighting the dementors, he immediately transformed into a rat and ran. There was nothing to be done. They had to let him flee. Hermione cursed that rat, but there was no time.
"You have to defend Sirius!" she shouted, "I can handle myself!"
"No, it's too dangerous!" shouted Harry back.
"Sirius will die!" said Hermione, "I'll stand my ground!"
Harry looked at his godfather, almost rendered catatonic by the dementors. At that moment Hermione kissed him.
"Save him," she said.
Harry's Patronus shield turned bright. And he charged the dementors. More closed in behind him, but he managed to drive those hovering over his godfather back. Still, the weight of numbers wore against them. Harry's Patronus shield quickly began to flicker. He looked over at Hermione. Her shield held, but she couldn't breakthrough.
"Save yourself!" Harry screamed.
No, no she couldn't leave him here. Hermione was not about to let Harry fall here. She couldn't lose him. Not like this. Her sadness began to manifest in her Patronus as it flickered even more than Harry's.
"Noooo!" shouted Harry as he fought to push through the dementors to her side. But he couldn't. Hermione smiled. Even now, when they were about to die, he tried to save her above anything else. She felt foolish for ever thinking that Harry would abandon her. He wouldn't abandon her, no matter what. He would die for her. He would die for any of his friends.
So why was she so worried about it? He wasn't going to abandon her! None of her friends were! This last year Hermione had allowed herself to become a victim. She'd allowed herself to depend on Harry completely, rather than using his strength to complement her own. But she had that strength. If she wanted to save Harry, it was up to her to do it!
And suddenly, her shield was strong again and concentrating all her love and hopes for the future into her spell, an otter leaped from her wand. It swept through the dementors surrounding Harry and Sirius driving them back. And as the dementors left, Harry's wand erupted into his stag. The stag tore through the remaining dementors surrounding Hermione sending them scattering.
The dementors began to reform on the edge of the small clearing, but then two Patroni, a horse and a doe, charged the dementors, and they fled. After a couple of moments, Ginny ran into the clearing, followed by Severus Snape and Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"Bloody dementors," said Kingsley, "There's a reason we keep them on Azkaban."
"Where is Pettigrew?" said Snape coldly.
"He got away when the dementors attacked," said Sirius wearily.
"He was here though," said Harry.
Kingsley shook his head. "That won't be enough for Fudge. He's dead set on silencing Sirius here. We'd have to have Pettigrew in custody or his corpse."
Harry growled. "That self-serving bastard."
Snape raised an eyebrow at that, but he didn't say anything.
"Sirius isn't in any condition to go anywhere right now," said Hermione, "But we need to get him to safety."
"What about Hogwarts?" asked Ginny, "If we can get him onto the grounds without anyone seeing him…"
Harry looked at Sirius. "That's possible," said Harry.
Hermione nearly hit herself. Of course, Sirius was an animagus!
"Well the less you tell me the better," said Kingsley, "I have to report to Scrimgeour, not Amelia. He has a talent for sniffing out liars."
"Why don't you see if you can find Pettigrew?" asked Hermione, "Even if you don't, you can say you were hunting for Sirius."
"Good idea," said Kingsley, "I'll see you later."
Snape seemed to stare at Sirius as if he was going to grow an extra head any minute. As soon as Kingsley was gone, Sirius turned to the Potions Master.
"Thank you, Severus," he said, "I know we've had our differences…"
"Don't thank me yet," Snape cut him off, "We have a long way to go before you are out of hot water."
"Of course," said Sirius, who then transformed into Padfoot.
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Snape managed to bluff Sirius past the gates by saying he was bringing him to Hagrid. Dumbledore was waiting in the entrance hall, with Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Lupin. Otherwise, it was empty.
"We've heard all sorts of rumors about Peter Pettigrew in the village and dementors swarming," said McGonagall, "Do you four have any idea what is going on?"
"I was kidnapped by Peter Pettigrew," said Hermione, "He was trying to kill me to punish Harry for exposing the fact that he was Scabbers to the Weasleys."
"Pettigrew was an Animagus?" asked McGonagall incredulously.
"Please Minerva, don't act so surprised," said Snape, "It explains so much about the marauders."
"Sirius Black and Justin arrived at the same time but Pettigrew threatened to kill me. Then Ginny and Harry arrived and Ginny summoned me. So then Sirius stunned Pettigrew." explained Hermione.
"Ginny and Justin went back to get help, but then dementors attacked and Pettigrew got away," said Harry, "We managed to drive off the dementors with our Patronuses, but it was too late."
"Where is Mr. Black then?" asked Flitwick.
Remus snickered. "He's right here," he said as he scratched Padfoot's head.
"Another Animagus trained right under my nose," said McGonagall, "I must be losing my touch."
"I'll keep him hidden in the Dark Arts classroom," said Remus.
"He'll need to leave no later than tomorrow," said Snape, "Without Pettigrew, we can't prove his innocence to Fudge."
"I can't believe Fudge…" started McGonagall.
"Fudge knew Sirius did not get a trial," said Dumbledore, "as did I. While I offer no defense for my actions, Fudge will do almost anything to cover up his."
McGonagall nodded glumly.
"You three," Snape said to Harry, Hermione, and Ginny, "You've all done well, summoning Patroni. But you should all go to the hospital wing to get checked out. If you want to get dinner before going to bed you may, but I expect no detours from you tonight. Dealing with the aftermath of a dementor attack is difficult enough as it is."
Harry nodded, and Hermione and Ginny joined him.
"Oh, and Miss Weasley?" said Snape, "We'll discuss your punishment for leaving the school without permission tomorrow."
Ginny grimaced.
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Madam Pomfrey was quite impressed with Harry, Hermione and Ginny's conditions given that they had just been attacked by dementors. She gave them all chocolate, and orders to eat a big meal and get a good night's rest. The three of them decided to head down to the Great Hall as dinner was starting in less than an hour. When they reached the Entrance Hall, they heard Fudge arguing with Dumbledore.
"There is no validity to the idea that Pettigrew is still alive Albus, I just can't see it," said the Minister.
"I do hope you are right Minister," said Dumbledore, "But what if you are wrong? Would you condemn Sirius Black to a fate worse than death not knowing what is happening?"
"I know what is happening," said Fudge, "Black is trying to convince us to break off the search!"
"Ugh, let's go outside," said Harry, "I don't want to deal with Fudge right now." The three of them went out onto the grounds. The sun was just beginning to set, and in the distance, Harry saw carriages returning from Hogsmeade.
"Was Justin all right?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, he was fine," said Ginny, "He even forgave me for petrifying him after I chased the dementors away for him."
Harry laughed.
"Sorry your date got ruined," said Ginny.
"We were coming back to the school for a quiet snog anyway," said Hermione.
Harry blushed, but Ginny just laughed. "Good for you guys," she said.
Suddenly, Harry felt a chill on the breeze. A dementor chill. Looking up, he saw hundreds of dementors throwing themselves at the school wards.
"Bloody hell," said Harry, "Fudge must know Sirius is here! He must be keeping Dumbledore distracted while he sends the dementors in."
"But the wards will hold right?" asked Hermione.
"No," said Ginny with certainty, "The wards aren't equipped to handle hundreds of dementors. The wards aren't equipped to handle hundreds of anything! Even a single wizard could break through if they are determined enough. They'd just be detected."
"But they'll kill Sirius!" said Hermione.
Harry shook his head. "The castle isn't safe. Ready or not, Sirius has to get away now."
All of a sudden a group of dementors broke through the wards and made a beeline for the defense against the Dark Arts office.
"How will we get there in time? And we can't get Sirius out the front gate!" said Ginny.
Harry turned towards the Quidditch pitch. "We need to get our brooms," he said. The three of them ran into the Slytherin Locker room and Harry and Ginny opened their lockers. They'd been keeping their brooms here under special security spells all season as aside from Harry's Firebolt and Nimbus, all the brooms technically belonged to the team. Ginny grabbed her Nimbus 2001 while Harry pulled out his Firebolt and his old Nimbus 2000.
"Hermione, hold onto me, but also hold my old broom," said Harry. Harry mounted his broom and Hermione climbed on behind him. Ginny was already off. Harry kicked off and soon he and Hermione were climbing into the air. She gripped him tightly as if she were afraid she would fall.
Ginny had taken point and had somehow deployed her Patronus already. "A few got inside!" she yelled as she staved off more dementors flying through the wards.
Harry flew into the window of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Remus was fending off dementors mostly successfully. Hermione summoned her Patronus and the dementors fled.
"Fudge knows Sirius is here!" shouted Harry.
"That's a little obvious!" replied Remus, "What do you want to wager Snape sold Sirius out?"
"We don't know it's Snape that sold you out," said Hermione.
Sirius and Remus both gave each other incredibly guilty looks. "Yes we do," said Sirius cryptically.
"Well, take this broom," said Harry, "We have to go."
Hermione threw Sirius Harry's Nimbus. Sirius mounted up and took one last look at his friend. "Goodbye Remus, I hope to see you soon."
"Goodbye Sirius," said Remus.
Harry and Hermione flew out the window, with Sirius close behind. Harry flew straight for the mass of dementors.
"Hermione!" he yelled.
Hermione directed her Patronus at the dementors. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ginny's Patronus as well. The Dementors scattered, and the three students and one fugitive flew out over the Forest.
They flew for sometime when suddenly they saw a beam of light from the forest. It flew by, a Patronus in the form of a phoenix.
"Dumbledore's down there," said Sirius.
They flew low and sure enough, there was the Headmaster, with his real phoenix on his shoulder. All of them came in for a landing.
"Well done Harry!" said Dumbledore, "Fudge had me distracted, but luckily you showed a remarkable presence of mind. Unfortunately, we were not able to clear you, Sirius."
Sirius shook his head. "I'm alive and free, that's all that matters now."
"I would suggest that you leave the country for a time," said Dumbledore.
"Probably good advice," said Sirius.
"The three of you had better get back to the castle," said Dumbledore, "Perhaps you should check in with Madam Pomfrey again."
The three students nodded.
"Mind if I keep the Nimbus Harry?" asked Sirius.
"I guess I traded a Nimbus for a Firebolt," said Harry, "A pretty good trade."
Harry walked up and hugged his godfather.
"I will clear your name Sirius, I promise you," said Harry.
"Take care of him, Hermione," said Sirius, "If he's anything like his father he'll need it."
"I will," replied Hermione.
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As soon as the kids were gone, Sirius turned to Dumbledore. "I do have a favor to ask Albus," said Sirius more somberly.
"Of course Sirius," said Dumbledore.
"I should be Harry's guardian, don't you agree?" Sirius asked.
"Of course," said Dumbledore, "Though legally speaking…"
"Yes, yes, I know I can't legally take care of him now," Sirius interrupted, "That doesn't change the fact that I think I should have at least a small say in how Harry is taken care of,"
"I agree with that," said Dumbledore.
"I don't know if you've noticed," Sirius began, "but my godson seems rather taken with Miss Granger."
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Dumbledore's eyes glinted, "Is that so?"
"She wants to invite him on vacation," said Sirius, "If she can get her parents to agree, let him go. My godson deserves some fun in his life, especially after having to deal with the Dursleys."
Dumbledore seemed to hesitate, then he bowed his head, "Very well Sirius, I can hardly deny your request. Perhaps a vacation is precisely what he needs."
"And a piece of advice," said Sirius, "If he's anything like his father, trying to force him to be with a girl is unlikely to work. It's more likely to drive them apart. Harry noticed. He's not going to play along."
Dumbledore shook his head. "I should not forget that Harry is a Slytherin."
"You really shouldn't," said Sirius, "because from what I see he's a damn good Slytherin. Which means you won't be able to hide things from him for long. But he also has the courage of a Gryffindor and the loyalty of a Hufflepuff. Trust him!"
Dumbledore looked a bit troubled, but Sirius didn't know if he had gotten through to him.
"Farewell Albus," said Sirius.
"Farewell Sirius," said Dumbledore.
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To say that Madam Pomfrey was upset to see the three dementor fighters back in the hospital wing was an understatement. She was positively enraged that the three of them had gone out to fight dementors AGAIN. She'd immediately ordered them confined to the hospital wing for the rest of the night.
"You'll get a good meal and a good night's rest, even if I have to force it down your throats!"
"We're not going anywhere," said Harry. "No more dementors for us."
"At least today," said Ginny.
Madam Pomfrey looked briefly as if she wanted to strangle Ginny. The food brought up by the elves was very good though, and then Ginny's brothers came up to make sure she was all right. Luna also stopped by as a representative of the Slytherin contingent. Luna had brought some enchanted lights with her that took the form of various creatures (to cheer them up). Fred and George tried casting a spell of some sort on one of them, and it exploded, leading to the Weasleys and Luna all being ejected from the infirmary.
Finally, Madam Pomfrey told them it was time for bed. Harry climbed into his bed sadly. It had been a rough day. Hermione had nearly died. He'd been so close to having his godfather back, but everything had fallen apart. Harry sighed sorrowfully. Rough didn't cover it. It was a disaster of a day.
Suddenly he felt someone crawling into bed in front of him. He opened his eyes to see Hermione.
"I thought we weren't doing this anymore," said Harry.
"Special occasion," said Hermione.
"Ooh, can I join!" said Ginny.
Harry wondered how they'd all fit. These hospital beds were made for only one person after all.
"The more the merrier," said Hermione, "I don't think any of us want to be alone right now."
Ginny slid onto the bed behind Harry and wrapped her arms around him, while Hermione held him from the front.
And at that moment, Harry knew true peace. Held by his two best friends, he drifted off to sleep.
Author's Note: And that wraps up the main plot of year 3. There's still the aftermath to deal with next chapter, but Year 4 is on the horizon now.
One point. Some people seemed to think that I had a problem with the concept of arranged marriages as a whole being used in stories, which I don't. My problem is with the history of arranged marriages in Britian; they stopped being a thing except for very high nobility centuries ago. Shakespeare made fun of arranged marriages because they were seen as old fashioned in his time. So I just don't like stories where everyone treats arranged marriages in magical Britain as normal, because arranged marriages stopped being a thing in mainline British culture before the Statute of Secrecy. Which, I guess would make it not British culture because that's also before the Act of Union, but you know what I mean! (Can you tell I'm a giant history nerd?)
Also I dropped a huge fucking hint as to who was behind Harry and Ginny getting sorted into Slytherin in the last two Chapters. Obviously I didn't bring it up in relation to the sorting, that would give the game away. But I think you actually have enough information now to guess correctly based on evidence.
Oh and yes, for those who are going to ask, Ginny/Justin is where I'm headed with that relationship. I wrote Justin into Chapter 1 on a whim originally, and very quickly decided he was going to end up with Ginny. I mean I have never, I mean EVER seen that pairing.