A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands
A/N: Needed to put the finishing touches on this one before posting after the "not real" chapter. I'm well aware that in Canon everyone knows Remus is a werewolf. If it isn't clear by now, it is fairly unknown in this AU.
Chapter 31: No More Secrets
December, 1994
Roof tonight, 11.
Harry stared down at the note he had clutched in his hand. It had been delivered by a regular tawny owl earlier in the morning, and the handwriting was unmistakable. It was barely legible and indicated speed and haste by the writer. The note had come from his godfather, and there were only three words: Roof tonight, 11.
All other things had been banished from his mind. He was nervous about the ball. Fleur seemed to get more excited every day, and occasionally Harry saw her eyeing him with a look her didn't recognize, but only when Fleur thought he wasn't looking. When Harry would glance at her, curious as to why she was looking at him, she would instantly look away. She had disappeared last weekend, supposedly to buy clothes for the ball, and to Harry's delighted surprise Hermione and Lavender had accompanied her. He was genuinely happy Fleur seemed to be making friends with his female friends.
He was also struggling to prepare for some tests Remus had drummed up in order to gauge his progress in classes. According to his grandmother, Remus had been one of the best students in his year and would have had a chance to be Head Boy if not for his furry problem and James's newfound maturity and natural leadership. Since Harry skipped classes occasionally in order to train for the tournament, Remus had been tasked with making sure Harry didn't fall behind. Harry had complained that this was unfair because nobody else had these tests. His protests had been noted by Akira, Minnie, and Remus. Those protests were summarily ignored, and his tests were scheduled for two days before Yule.
But now the only thing that mattered at the moment was that, against all advice, Sirius was arriving tonight. Harry was equal parts thrilled and nervous. He was happy he would have the chance to spend some time with his godfather and get to know the man who would have taken him in if things had gone differently, both when he was born and at the end of the last year. He still remembered how excited Sirius had looked when Harry told him he would love to leave his aunt and uncle and live with him.
That was coupled with the reality of the situation Sirius was entering. Dumbledore had gotten rid of the aurors watching Harry at the request of his grandmother. After the first task Harry was barely allowed to be alone, and when he wasn't with a friend Remus, Charlie, or Akira were nearby, keeping an eye on him. The consensus of all the adults was that after his miraculous performance during the first task, the saboteur would risk attacking in plain daylight. With two tasks left, Harry agreed, but he chaffed at the lack of solitary time.
Harry had gotten adept at ditching his tail when aurors had been the ones watching him, but Charlie was fairly persistent. It took Harry close to half an hour to lose Charlie, and Harry looked at his watch. It was 10 minutes from 11, and Harry headed up the stairs to the roof. He had a small bag slung over his bag, and inside he had the marauders map and his cloak. As he reached the door to the roof that was occasionally used by the astronomy class, he saw Remus waiting for him.
"You are sure he said tonight?" Remus asked. He had not gotten a chance to see the note earlier, and Harry showed him now. "That's his handwriting all right. I remember correcting it on quite a few homework assignments."
"He wasn't a good student?" Harry asked
"Well, he didn't much care for studying," Remus admitted. "He was more fond of fighting or causing pranks. James reigned him in during our later years, and when James was named Head Boy in our final year, Sirius started to buckle down and study harder. Thought I have suspicions about why that change occurred."
"What?" Harry said, but Remus shushed Harry. They heard steps below them, and Remus raised his wand. With a quick and quiet "alohomora," the door swung open and Harry and Remus crept onto the roof. Harry shut the door behind them, careful to make sure the sound of the door hitting its frame and the door handle clicking was minimal. They held their breath and Harry put his ear up against the door and held his breath. It was only after he heard nothing that he exhaled.
"That was close," Harry said, and Remus nodded.
"I wonder who else is dumb enough to be out after curfew," Remus asked.
"Maybe it's a professor," Harry commented. "Oh, I'm an idiot!" Harry said, smacking himself on the head. He pulled the blank parchment from his bag and waved his wand over it "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The ink on the parchment began to spread, names appearing all over it with steps behind anyone moving. "Here, keep an eye on this," Harry said, handing the parchment. "Make sure no one comes up here."
Harry heard a noise and saw the air all around him swirling. He looked up and saw a giant birdlike creature heading towards him, big wings beating and propelling it towards the tower he was standing on at the moment. It took Harry a moment to make out the creature, and then he realized he had seen this creature before. It was a hippogriff, and as it got closer he saw a person on its back.
The hippogriff landed and Harry made sure to bow, and Remus followed. After looking them both over, the hippogriff inclined his head. A man slid from the hippogriff's back, an irrepressible smile on his face. He stepped forward and hugged Remus, who happily returned the embrace.
"Harry," Sirius said, hesitantly stepping forward.
"It's good to see you Sirius," Harry said. He thought they didn't know each other well enough for a hug. Harry knew that if he flinched from the unfamiliarity of the hug and the physical contact Sirius would be hurt. But Sirius being named as his godfather meant that a handshake was far too impersonal. Sirius clearly had the same thoughts on his mind and settled for a clap on the back.
"So, what's this nonsense I hear about you playing tag with a dragon?" Sirius said, taking a newspaper out from a bag he had hung over back. The moving picture was one Harry had yet to see. It was him and the dragon, but this picture was of Harry grabbing the egg and exiting the nest as he fired the spells to distract the dragon. The title was what caught his attention.
"Boy Who Lived is Boy Who Tames Dragon?" Harry read aloud. "I haven't seen this one."
"Came out around a few days ago," Sirius said. Harry saw the name Skeeter on the byline. "According to this, Charlie Weasley has been named professor, and is here to personally tutor you on dragons for a future profession in the field." Sirius comment brought Harry's mind back to the meeting with the other champions where they had talked about future careers.
It was true that Charlie's weekly seminar was quickly becoming Harry's favorite class. He was an engaging teacher and usually brought some form of tangible item to show the class. Charlie was full of interesting stories and anecdotes, making his job sound fascinating and dangerous. Harry would be lying if he said that he wasn't interested. It helped that Charlie always made time for Harry if he had more questions after class. Besides, it couldn't be much more dangerous than facing a nesting Hungarian Horntail without his wand.
"So, are you thinking about a career with dragons?" Sirius asked. "They don't like being called tamers, if memory serves me right."
"Dead on," Harry said. "They prefer the term wrangler."
"Well, as much as I'd love to stand up here talking about Harry's misadventures and future career, we should probably get you inside," Remus said.
"Are you crazy?" Sirius yelled. "I can't go into school, and Buckbeak will be spotted in a second."
"Shockingly, Harry and I have thought ahead. I'd understand the idea is foreign to you," Remus told Sirius. Sirius punched Remus's shoulder but there was no power behind it. "We thought the chamber of secrets might be able to hold you."
"The chamber?" Sirius asked. Harry realized that during his imprisonment, Sirius had not heard the news and Harry had never been afforded the chance to hear the tale before his flight.
"Boy, do I have a story for you!" Harry said as they headed back to the door that led to the school. "You won't believe what is down in the chamber. So my second year, there was this bloody message in the wall that said the chamber of secrets is open." Remus held out his hand and Sirius and Harry stopped.
"Harry!" Remus said. "Barty Crouch is heading this way! No idea why he is here, but he was the one to imprision Sirius in the first place"
"We've got to go!" Harry said, hurrying towards the stairs. His only thought was that he needed to hide Sirius.
Remus muttered, as they heard footsteps down the corridor. Harry turned to head back to the roof, but he saw Buckbeak behind Sirius. There was no way they would be able to get the hippogriff up to the roof so quickly. Harry turned and took a few desolate steps towards the stairs. Maybe he could stun Barty Crouch, though Harry doubted it.
"Harry," Sirius said calmly. "How about that room?" Harry turned to his right and saw a giant door in the wall. He recoiled in surprise. Harry had been on the 7th floor countless times, and he had never seen that door. He couldn't even recall seeing the door 5 seconds ago. But there was no real option. Harry swung the door open and the 3 men and the hippogriff rushed in. Harry slammed the door shut behind him.
"If Crouch is on the prowl, he might check in here anyways," Sirius said, readying his wand.
"If only the door didn't exist," Harry joked, and then the door vanished. Harry gave a jolt of surprise. "What the hell was that?"
"Uh, Remus?" Sirius asked. "What the hell is this?"
"No idea," Remus said. He looked down at the map, and his eyes widened. "Harry, do you know what you did?"
"Found a room" Harry said, still a little disturbed. "Am I dreaming?"
"No, you are not," Remus said, and then beckoned Sirius over. Sirius looked at the map and started laughing. "Harry, what exactly were you thinking in the hallway?"
"Well, we needed a place to hide Sirius," Harry said. "What does the map say? Is Crocuh gone?"
"Crouch? No, he is still out there. It doesn't matter. He won't get in," Sirius said. "Go on Remus. Show him!" Remus held out the map and Harry saw the room they were in. It didn't seem to connect the hallway, and at the top of the room were three words: Room of Requirement."
"Room of Requirement?" Harry said. "What is that?"
"It's a legend at Hogwarts," Sirius said. "Supposedly there is a room where if you walk past it three times and ask for a room to do something, it will appear. I'd had always hoped to find it, and then you go and stumble over it without even trying. You have the soul of a marauder, that's for sure."
"We never found the room, so the map does not show it," Remus explained. "In fact, I bet if we were to leave the room, it would disappear from the map. It only shows it because it is in the room, and at this moment the room is in use by the person who is here." Remus looked around the room. It looked similar to the Gryffindor common room, except there were no substances to sit. "Fascinating."
"Well, we can get out of here," Sirius said, looking at the map. "Moody is gone."
"Why leave?" Remus said. "You can stay here with even less fear of discovery. I bet this could be quite a bit more comfortable than the chamber too."
"Yeah!" Harry said. "If Remus and I leave, we just need to think of a room to hide Sirius in, and you will pop back up."
"Well, we don't know that for sure Harry," Remus said. "Perhaps we could test it before abandoning your godfather in a room we know very little about."
"How?" Harry asked. Remus smiled and took a quill from under his robes. He tapped the quill and it turned into a silver tea kettle. He placed it in the room. "Now we exit. Harry, please imagine that door again." Harry stared at the wall, and the exact same door appeared. Harry swung the door open and heard a cry of surprise. He instantly drew his wand and yelled "Stupefy!" Just as the red light appeared at the end of his wand Harry saw the face of the person in the hall and he yanked his wand point up as the red beam left the tip.
"God, you scared me," Hermione said. The stunner had come within inches of hitting her. "Harry, how did you appear out of thin air?"
"I didn't," Harry said, turning back to the wall. He gave a start of surprise. The door was gone! "Oh god, what happened? Where did they go?" Harry was in a full-on panic, until a door appeared in the wall.
"What is that?" Hermione inquired, peering around him. "I've never seen that door before." Harry gave a small jolt of surprise as Hermione's movement had revealed someone behind her. Susan gave a small wave to Harry as Sirius and Remus stepped out from the room.
"Maybe don't allow the door to vanish while we are still in there next time," Sirius joked, and then he froze as he saw the other two people in the hall.
"Um, who is that?" Susan asked, pointing at the man next to Remus.
"Long story," Harry said, and then any chance of Susan forgetting the moment was gone when Buckbeak strolled out the room. Susan glanced from Harry to the mystery man and then to the hippogriff.
"Wasn't there a hippogriff that Malfoy had killed last year?" Susan asked. Harry nodded. "Same hippogriff?" Harry nodded again. "And if Professor Lupin is helping to hide a man I have never seen before, this must be the infamous Sirius Black." She pursed her lips in contemplation. "He really doesn't look like a mass murderer."
"Harry!" Sirius cried, his hand diving into his robe for his wand.
"It's ok Sirius," Remus said, stepping in between Susan and the now angry man, pushing his wand away. "She knows."
"What?" Sirius looked incredibly puzzled.
"Sirius, this is Susan Bones, niece of Amelia Bones," Harry said. "I believe you know Amelia?"
"How well you know her is up for debate," Remus said quietly. Harry, closest to them heard Remus's soft comment and Sirius elbowed Remus in the chest, which Harry found curious. He would have to talk to Remus about that comment later.
"Hermione, what are you doing out so late? You are breaking curfew," Harry said. When Hermione glared at him, Harry had the decency to look a little ashamed.
"And you aren't?" Susan pointed out. Everyone glared at her. "Sorry, just thought I should mention it."
"I have an adult with me," Harry told them, indicating Remus. "I won't get in serious trouble."
"Well, you have been distracted all day, ever since you got an owl I didn't recognize this morning. The only time I have ever seen an owl I didn't recognize was last year when Sirius sent you the firebolt. I figured the only thing that could make you so distracted was if Sirius was coming."
"Good deduction, Ms. Granger," Remus said with a smile. "Very impressive." Hermione blushed at the praise, and Harry rolled his eyes. Remus wasn't a teacher and Hermione wasn't his student, but some things never changed. "Ms. Bones, I believe that leaves you."
"Well, I was in the Gryffindor common room studying with Hannah and Neville, and I saw Hermione leave. I followed her," Susan stated as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "Can't really explain it. I guess I'm just curious as to what would make Hermione Granger risk getting caught out of the dorm after curfew."
"Wait, I need a second," Hermione said. "Harry, who knows what here?"
"Wow," Harry said. "I have an awful lot of secrets." He looked at Hermione ruefully. "Even you don't know all of them. It's getting really confusing, but I'll try to get it all. Hermione, as far the Sirius situation goes, you know everything except that Susan's aunt is the head of the DMLE and that if my guess is right, that is who Sirius reached out to get me confirmed as Lord Potter." Harry looked at Sirius who nodded.
"That's kind of a big secret," Hermione said.
"Yeah, it's been a crazy month," Harry replied. "Never came up."
"That's an understatement," Susan said.
"Ok, Susan you know all about Sirius being innocent, but not why he here now and why is with a hippogriff." Harry shook his head. "Wow, never thought I'd say that sentence."
"Harry, if this is going to take a while, might I suggest we adjourn to the room?" Remus said.
"Good idea. What should I do this time?" Harry asked.
"How about a room where you can tell stories?" Sirius suggested.
"And that can fit a hippogriff."
"Ok." Harry walked back and forth in front of the wall, muttering "I need a room to tell stories." As he turned and began to pace again a door appeared. This door looked different, but it was just big enough for Buckbeak to squeeze through. Harry looked at the floor, but there was no silver tea kettle.
"Tea kettle is gone," Remus remarked. "And we have some things that were not here before." The room had multiple long red banners, and a circle of 5 chairs. "This indeed fascinating. I wonder if we left the room and asked for-"
"Remus, perhaps you could leave the academic curiosity for later?" Sirius remarked, taking a seat.
"Yes, of course." The ex-professor and the girls took a seat.
"Well, I'll just start at the beginning," Harry said, taking the final seat. "Everyone here knows Sirius is innocent, and that's a good jumping off point. Susan and Remus, you know how Hermione and I rescued Sirius, but not entirely. Dumbledore asked me to keep it a secret, but I have realized that secrets tend to do more harm the longer you keep them and the more important they are." Harry smiled to himself at that. Hayashi-Sensei had preached the entire summer on the virtue of truth and honesty, and while it had taken a few months Harry was finally coming around, at least in regards to secrets that occurred at Hogwarts.
"Well, Hermione is a bit of a crazy person," Harry explained. "She decided that last year that two or three electives wasn't enough. She needed to take all of them."
"Some of them are at the same time," Susan noted.
"Exactly," Harry said. "So Professor McGonagall, who we will talk about in a little bit, decided to give her a time turner so she could make all of her classes. We may have gone a little off-script when we decided to use it to save Sirius."
"A time turner!" Remus exclaimed. "That is incredibly dangerous!"
"I always wondered," Sirius said with a smile. "That is incredible."
"Well, Dumbledore gave us a hint, meaning he wasn't going to say it out loud, but he was willing to let us do it anyways," Hermione said quickly. "We weren't breaking any rules, not exactly."
"Hermione, we helped a fugitive from justice escape," Harry said. Hermione glared at him, but the cocky grin he had on his face made it impossible for Hermione to stay mad at him. "I think that breaking school rules was the least of our worries." Quickly Harry added Buckbeak into the explanation, which Susan, who knew most of the story, accepted without question. "After Sirius got free, I assume Sirius made some discreet inquiries with Amelia Bones about my lineage."
"It went down a little differently than I expected," Sirius admitted. "I was curious as to whether or not you could carry the Potter family name and all it entails, because your mother was muggle-born. To my surprise, I got a letter stating that your mother was not muggle-born, and that you would be given the full privileges of a lord immediately. I asked for it to be kept from the public, but it filtered out to various channels and rumors despite your aunt's best attempts."
"I had been working with two other purebloods, Daphne Greengrass and Neville Longbottom to understand my rights and privileges," Harry said, continuing his long explanation. "They managed to figure out who my grandmother is. Hermione, Neville, and Daphne are the only ones who know." Harry paused for a second, thinking. "Oh right, Akira knows too."
"Who is Akira?" Susan asked.
"You've met him outside class already," Harry said. "Professor Hayashi's first name is Akira." Susan was flabbergasted. "I told him because I was his roommate all of this summer. In fact," Harry said as he drew lifted up the arm of his robe to reveal a faint scar on his arm, "we became brothers by blood this summer. He taught me the martials arts I used to play tag with a dragon, but in this instance I needed his magic to convince my grandmother that we were related."
"How did someone mistake your mother for muggle-born?" Susan asked
"She was given up for adoption because the witch who was her mother wasn't married, and her father was indeed muggle. Her mother thought she would give her child a better chance in a stable family, even her heritage was wizard. But magic doesn't lie, so Akira and I confirmed it earlier this year."
"How did you do that?" Remus asked. "You haven't snuck out of school, have you? I doubt that Akira could have gotten you out of school without someone noticing."
"We didn't have to leave school," Harry said. He felt it was only fair to leave the rest of the room in suspense the same way Neville had left him in suspense. "But we have to keep it a secret for now. It would be a massive scandal, and it would also end up revealing I have lived with muggles my entire life, which would shatter the reputation of the boy who lived." Sirius grimaced at that. "Don't worry Sirius, it's not your fault I lived with them. We still don't know why that happened, but Augusta Longbottom is looking into it. I have every confidence in her. I guess this is another secret that only Hermione knows."
"Why is this such a big secret?" Susan complained. "Just tell us already."
"Well, I want to build the proper suspense for the biggest secret of the night," Harry explained. "Of course, my grandmother was here while my mother was. She didn't know it, but she was one of her teachers. Now she teachers me as well and I made sure we got to spend a lot of time together this year."
"There was only one female teacher here while we were at school that is still here, but I believe she was widowed by a wizard without children," Remus said. "I don't even remember the smallest rumor of…" his eyes widened, and Harry realized the implications of what Remus had said had hit him. Sirius started laughing and almost fell out of his chair.
"Can someone please spell it out for me?" Susan asked.
"That's impossible," Remus said, repeating the phrase over and over.
"Doesn't someone pick up on the fact that you are spending a lot of time with her this year?" Sirius asked when his laughter stopped.
"Harry actually had a good idea for once," Hermione answered. "Each student gets one mentor who they have full access to during the tournament. Dumbledore put himself forward for Harry, but he chose his grandmother."
"Isn't his mentor Professor McGonagall?" Susan said. Harry nodded. Sirius broke down in another gale of laughter, while Remus looked off into space as if he had just been woken up.
"I call her Minnie," Harry added, and this time even Hermione laughed a little bit. Susan looked stoic at the news. "Not surprised Susan?"
"Harry, I can honestly say that nothing you do surprised anymore. You are blood brothers with one professor and the secret grandson of another. You are a champion of Hogwarts in a tournament that was impossible to enter, and you are in first by a commanding margin. Your godfather is a convicted felon who is apparently innocent and has a hippogriff for company." Susan shook her head. "Honestly, killing a basilisk and having a corporeal Patronus that is solid seems like another Wednesday for you. It must be exhausting for you, Hermione."
"What?" Hermione wanted to know.
"Being his best friend."
"Well, it can be trying at times," Hermione told her, and Harry gave her a playful shove. "But the benefits are well worth the trouble. He does seem to have a knack for surprises and secrets. I assume we are all caught up."
"On the important stuff, I guess, but I still have a few smaller secrets. I prefer to think of them as surprises though. Nothing that would affect you guys all that much."
"Wait," Sirius said. "Two things. First, I thought Remus said you had a girlfriend."
"We broke up," Harry told his godfather with a grimace. "Old news."
"Did I touch a nerve there?" Sirius said quietly, so only Remus could hear him.
"Big time," his friend replied. Sirius filed that information away for later. While it sounded like Harry had some close female friends, it might be time for an older male to have a "talk" with Harry if he was dating.
"The second thing is that I heard the word basilisk twice today," Sirius said aloud. "What is that all about?"
"Oh yeah, we never told you about the surprise guest you would have in the chamber," Harry said. He smiled at Remus, who smiled back. During their discussion about where Sirius could hide, they both decided to hide the fact that Sirius would have a basilisk for company while he stayed there. "I killed it second year." He raised his right arm now, allowing the sleeve to slide down, revealing a bigger scar. "It got me here before I stabbed it in the mouth."
"I didn't know it got you," Remus said, clearly appalled. "You should be dead."
"Fawkes helped out," Harry admitted. "That's Dumbledore's phoenix," he said by way of explanation to the girls. "He clawed the eyes out, and then cried tears into the wound, so I managed to make it out."
"That's insane," Sirius said. "Why were you facing a basilisk?"
"Well, that's a story for another time…" Harry trailed off at the incredulous looks from everyone in the room.
"Still keeping some secrets Harry?" Susan asked, the sarcasm in her voice evident.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I'm not telling anyone this secret, not even my brother." Harry had given Dumbledore the diary after his excursion into the chamber, but he had never told anyone about the entire interaction with the spirit of Tom Riddle, nor the fact that he knew the real story behind Voldemort. Somehow, that felt like a secret Harry needed to keep to himself. There was an eerie quality about what had happened below the school and speaking it aloud made Harry acknowledge the gravity of what had occurred.
Although he knew it was foolish to compare himself to one of the most dangerous wizards that ever lived, Harry suspected that in the future he would face the monster who killed his parents again, and he didn't want anyone interfering. While he was an accomplished fighter, the Hayashi school tend to beat violent tendencies and the desire for revenge out of its students. But Harry knew if he had the chance to bring a reckoning down on Voldemort, he would do what was needed to tear Voldemort's heart out of his chest and crush it with his own two hands, whatever the personal cost.
"Well, I guess everyone has some secrets," Remus was saying.
"Like yours that you are a werewolf?" Susan said. "Harry didn't tell me, I figured that one out by myself." Harry noted Susan was a convincing liar. "Not a lot of people know," she said after Remus paled. "Harry didn't tell anyone, and outside of myself, Granger and Weasley, I think the students are unaware. Some would put it together if Harry told them entire story of what happened with your escape, but for some reason," Susan glanced at Harry, "I don't think he will be sharing it all that often."
"You know, I hear that getting secrets of your chest is cathartic," Sirius said. "How do you feel pup?"
"Pup?" Harry asked, a little annoyed. "You are calling me pup?" Sirius smiled and then morphed into his dog form, and walked over to Harry, nuzzling him in the chest. He then stepped back and transformed back into his human form.
"I'm a dog," Sirius said. "That makes my godson a pup."
"You must excuse Padfoot," Remus said. Harry looked at Remus with surprise. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Padfoot?" Harry pointed at the parchment in Remus's hand. "The creator of the map?"
"Oh yes, that was indeed us," Sirius said. "A wonderful and very complicated piece of magic. It was my idea, but your father and Moony here did the heavy lifting. Your father was Prongs, and Pettigrew," Sirius said, spitting he final name with real venom "was Wormtail. Our legacy at Hogwarts, you might say. One final prank by the marauders."
"You were the ones?" Hermione said, shock all over his face. "You created the map?" Sirius gave a half bow as he sat back down.
"The map is?" Susan asked. Remus looked at Harry, who shrugged.
"Not really my decision when the creators have it," Harry said. "You guys can hold on to it until we figure out how the room works. If you want to show Susan…"
"It's ok, I don't need to know everything. To be honest, while this doesn't surprise me, it's a lot to process in one night" Susan stood, rubbing her temples. "You said this room can be anywhere?" Remus nodded. "Ok. How about a door to the Hufflepuff common room?" A door appeared in the wall and Susan smiled. "See you all later."
"Amelia's niece, huh?" Sirius said. "She doesn't look like it."
"Because she is her niece, not her daughter you moron," Remus said, smacking Sirius over the head. "Speaking of which, after I escort Ms. Granger back to the dorms, we three will be having a discussion about Madam Bones."
"We will?" Harry asked. Remus gave him a glare reminiscent of when Harry did poorly on an assignment, which, to be fair, was not often in DADA.
"What?" Hermione said, standing angrily.
"Hermione, while I admire your loyalty, this really doesn't concern you," Remus said, his voice and expression stern. "This is not a secret, per se. But it is a discussion that needs to happen, and in your presence, it might be hard. Sirius, I assume you take care of it?"
"Foisting the toughest tasks on to me, as usual," Sirius said with a smile. "Get Hermione back to her dorm ok." Remus held up the map. "Ok, get going." Remus looked at the door Susan had created, and it shimmered changing shape. "Remember, a room you can tell stories in." Remus nodded and then stepped out of the door with Hermione.
"So what do we need to discuss that Remus couldn't be here for?" Sirius looked at Harry with amused look on his face. "What?"
"Nothing. It's just that the only person who called Moony Remus was your mom. We all called him Moony, and with your eyes… it brings back fond memories."
"Can you tell me stories about them?" Harry asked, eyes alight. "Remus told me a few, but we never seemed to have time."
"It seems like you have even less time, but if you can find time, then I'm sure I can share some stories with you," Sirius said. Harry nodded. "But first, I am burdened by the one to have a talk with you. Normally your dad would do this when you had your first girlfriend, but I guess I'll do it. Harry, when you get older, your body starts going through some changes."
Harry Potter had dealt with fame all his life, and it made him very uncomfortable. He had faced dementors, basilisks, and multiple incarnations of a wizard whose name many people were still afraid to say aloud. Being in those situations where he was expected to do the impossible made him uncomfortable as well. But all of these situations paled in comparison to the discomfort he felt as Sirius fumbled his way through the current speech.
Sirius managed to make his way through puberty, and his face was contorted as Harry's was now bright red. Then he began to describe what he might do in the future with his girlfriend and explained various things that might occur if he wasn't safe and use contraceptive potions or spells. Finally he concluded with kids and why it might be best to hold off on children.
"Well, I don't think that was the worst thing in the world," Sirius said, and Harry gave a tired nod. "Oh wait, I forgot about sexuality and masturbation." Harry's face fell as Sirius dived back into the subject. Finally Harry couldn't take it anymore and he held up his hand to stop Sirius.
"Sirius, it's ok. I know some of this stuff. I promise, nothing is going to happen in the near future. Like I said, I'm single now."
"What?" Sirius looked totally baffled. "No, you aren't."
"Sirius," Harry said tiredly, "don't project my dad or yourself onto me. I just broke up. I don't think I have the emotional capability to be in a relationship at the moment."
"Harry, I have many flaws and have made a litany of mistakes in my life," Sirius told him. "However, I have always been good at reading people. My one mistake cost you your parents, and me my best friend and his wife." Harry nodded in understanding. "When you said you had broken up, there was a flash of hope in your eyes."
"What?" Harry tensed up instantly.
"Don't worry, no one else would have noticed it. You clearly had feelings for the first girl."
"Yeah, I really liked her. It was a girl in our year named Daphne Greengrass."
"Greengrass, the name sounds familiar," Sirius said. "I think her father was in school the same time we were, though I think he was older. Wait a minute." Sirius's eyes narrowed and he fixed Harry with a steely gaze. "He was a Slytherin."
"So is Daphne," Harry said. "Sirius, I'll tell you what I told Ron. While my best friend and best mate are in Gryffindor, I like having friends in other houses. There is a girl in Ravenclaw, quite a few from Hufflepuff, and even though Daphne and I find it hard to talk to each other at the moment, I'm sure we can return to being friends soon enough. I think I'll make a real effort sooner rather than later. I miss having her as my friend."
"Old prejudices die hard," Sirius said after a moment of silence. "Maybe you'll understand after I tell you some stories about our school days. I wouldn't say Slytherin and I got along, especially given my family history."
"Just promise you will try, for me." Sirius nodded. "Thank you. Eventually I will have to introduce you to some more people. Believe it or not, I have the rough outline of how to get you declared innocent.
"Do you?" Sirius eyes sparkled. "Is it devious enough to be worthy of the marauders?"
"If we pull it off, you might have induct me as Prongs Jr.," Harry told his godfather with a smile. Just then a door appeared in the wall and swung open to reveal Remus. "We will need Remus's help."
"One moment Harry," Remus said, sitting across from his old friend. Remus had been nervous to have this conversation since he spoke to Susan the night before the first task. But he knew it was necessary. Sirius was always foolhardy and rash, and while this helped him be an excellent duelist and a loyal friend, it sometimes compromised his judgement and decision making. Remus needed to confirm what Susan had implied back in November. "Sirius, you need to be straight with us."
"Ask away," Sirius replied, leaning back in his chair. "I don't think I have too many secrets."
"Did you date Amelia Bones during our 7th year? Is she why you changed?" Remus asked, although his voice made it sound more like a fact than a question. Sirius's face morphed to show fury.
"Something else, Remus."
"Sirius." Remus's voice crackled with emotion. "This is critically important."
"Fine," Sirius snapped. "Yes, we dated. We broke up when I decided to become an auror. She thought aurors needed to be cruel and hard-hearted, and she didn't want me to become that. Years later I learn not only did she become an auror, she is the head of the DMLE. I sent her a letter because I knew she would investigate Harry's situation, but I don't ever want to see her again."
"Are you sure?" Remus asked.
"Did that sound unsure?" Sirius replied. Sirius had risen from his chair and was clearly frustrated. Harry knew Sirius was a strong wizard. But he could literally feel the magic crackling of his godfather, and he leaned back in his chair, surreptitiously palming his wand.
"No, but I want to make sure that you don't do something stupid, because she is supposedly going to be here in a few days," Remus said, staring down Sirius. Sirius's face flicked through too many emotions in a matter of seconds for Remus to figure out what he was thinking. When his features settled, Sirius had affected a look of indifference, which Remus knew was a lie.
"What, and you think I'll want to see her?"
"Whether or not you want to is irrelevant. Whether you actually act on your desire is what I care about. Harry obviously went to a lot of trouble to break you out. Don't make him do it again." Without even looking at the wall, a huge door appeared on the wall. "Harry, I'll take you back to the tower." Harry went out the door and Remus gave one more glare at Sirius before following Harry out the door.
"Do you think Sirius will actually want to see her?" Harry asked.
"I wasn't sure before," Remus admitted, "but now I know for sure."
"And?"
"You may want to try and acquire another time turner."