In Harry's opinion. Everything was moving much to fast yet also much to slow. Ever since Dumbledore had fled for some unknown reason the castle was put into lock down and classes were put on hold in order to interview every student about their opinion on Dumbledore and their possible involvement in the Defensive Aegis. It was only supposed to last a few days, but the days were close to becoming a week as the teachers and reporters worked through interviewing the entire school.
Hermione had repeatedly bemoaned that this was torture and fretted about missing out on important lessons they would need to pass their O.W. Ls. But she stopped fretting about this near the end of April, focusing her studying energy on keeping Fred and George's products on a tight lease and keeping an eye on the Gryffindors who had finished their interviews while Ron comforted Harry and stopped him from strangling Malfoy. Who was just asking to be hexed to the moon and back.
But even though he found Hermione's fretting annoying he desperately wish he had that to focus on instead of listening to the endless gossip about what crimes Dumbledore had possibly committed.
The current theory that was bouncing around was how Dumbledore had pulled Harry under his wing to prepare a true heir to take over the Ministry and tried to do the same with Earthbound but failed. Speaking of Earthbound, the boy was slipping back into his grumpy spell and refused to speak to anyone that wasn't his friends. Those who managed to cox a few words out of the boy were quickly fleeing as Ness gave them a glare or some harsh words.
It was maddening to listen to the rumors and Ness's bitter remarks about Dumbledore. Dumbledore hadn't done anything wrong! He was just trying to stop Voldemort from ransacking their minds! He wasn't a criminal and he certainly wasn't grooming anyone! But the longer the gossip and chatter went on the louder the little voice in Harry's head became.
Reminding of just how much Dumbledore had kept him out of the loop despite his life being endangered and how it was Dumbledore calling the shots for everything. He could tune out the gossip and talk to Ron, Fred and George who were quickly becoming pillars of support as the days dragged or ran past but he couldn't tune out the voice in his head.
Especially not once Luna and Karma had done their interviews and disappeared from the Great Hall. The two other people who knew possible even more about what was going on with Voldemort and Dumbledore than Harry did with Earthbound's pet, Nagini. It felt like eons before the interviews/questioning was over and their temporary Headmaster gave an announcement before dinner a mere day before April ended.
Professor Mackerson stood up, somehow bearing the hungry and hopeful gazes aimed at him from all sides as he cleared his throat and began to speak. "Students of Hogwarts, I know this past month has been rough for everyone due to the Ministry's hasty efforts to get as much information as we can about Dumbledore and do our best to cover every inch of what we have found.
"But I am happy to announce that starting tomorrow your regular schedule of schooling and preparation of exams and Quidditch practice shall resume."
He paused, waiting for the cheers and loud cries of relief to die down a little before he resumed speaking. "I am also happy to announce that you shall receive mail once more and that any mail that was confiscated to ensure a lack of outside of influence will be given to you in the morning. We have not tamped with your letters and although we have scanned your packages, they have not been tampered with either. A problem I assume you've had before."
A problem they had thanks to Umbridge of course. But no one voiced this as they simply nodded and waited for Professor Makerson to continue. "I am admittedly a little reluctant to inform you of the news you've missed to try and keep your theories about Dumbledore's escape low. A bit unfair I know, but given these drastic times and being told that we have enemies lurking in the shadow we felt it was best to let you form your own opinions using your classmates information than be thrown for a loop by our beliefs and theories."
"I wonder if that's a fancy statement for 'We didn't want you to muddle your facts with our facts." Fred whispered.
"Probably, they have everyone waiting for answers armed with pitchforks." George offered, "Wouldn't do them any good if they thought the Ministry was trying to push their agenda onto their children again."
"Won't this get them in trouble as well?" Harry asked, glancing around as everyone whispered to themselves or watched Professor Mackerson to resume speaking, "I mean, isn't withholding information against the law or something?"
"Not really. Plus, we're minors. Easily influenced and what not." Fred offered, "They'll be angry, but they'll feel a bit at ease. I mean, who knows what's the Prophet has been saying." George added.
Harry frowned, but didn't say anything as Professor Mackerson continued, "To get you up to speed, the Daily Prophet has been scrambling with little information and has been examining Dumbledore's past actions and throwing out theories with little evidence." He paused and pointed to someone in the back—in the Slytherin section of the Great Hall.
"Yes Mr…? Sorry, I can't see your name tag from here." Professor Mackerson apologized as everyone turned to see Karma standing up with his hand raised, "Karma, Selvis Karma. Sir." Karma answered before he asked, "What are some of these theories, sir?"
"To put it bluntly, the biggest theory about Dumbledore is the possibility of him grooming other students in preparation for something long before he met Potter and Earthbound. The smallest theory is Dumbledore planning to overthrow the Ministry via mind control and he wanted Earthbound and Potter to be his right-hand men and possibly takeover in his stead when he died."
Harry bit his tongue to suppress the yell burning in his throat as he looked at Earthbound, who seemed surprised but mostly just annoyed by the news.
"I see," Karma sat back down and someone else raised a hand, "Yes Miss?" Mackerson stated pointing to Cho Chang who was looking defiant about something, "What happened to Umbridge? Is she going to Azkaban for manipulating a minor and gravely injuring her?"
Everyone who wasn't from the Ravenclaw table gasped in surprise as Earthbound looked away, no doubt still feeling guilty about Edgecombe getting attacked.
"Unfortunately, while there was a lot of evidence to throw Umbridge into Azkaban or at least be detained and stripped of her wand, after her hearing with the school board where she was promptly fired. She vanished." Professor Mackerson explained looking a little remorseful as Cho Chang blurted out, "So that woman just gets to walk away without any consequences? After she turned Marietta into a squib?!"
"Sadly, yes. We're doing all that we can to find her." Professor Mackerson promised, "But we fear she may have been kidnapped and possibly, killed given how abrupt her disappearance was."
A hushed roar broke out as people threw around theories, some strongly believing that Mystic Informer finally took their revenge on her or maybe even You-Know-Who after she had chased Dumbledore off and gave him free reign to weaken his numbers but they quickly died down when Cedric rushed over and pulled Cho out of the room with a few friends.
Reminding everyone that Cho had lost her best friend to that mad woman and that Edgecombe would probably never walk alongside them again. And if she did, it wouldn't be as equals. It would be something that some considered worse than a Muggleborn. A Squib.
"All because of that wretched woman." Harry thought, ducking his head to hide his anger when he heard Professor Mackerson call, "Yes? Miss?"
"Weasley, Ginny Weasley." Ginny replied, "What are the theories surrounding Profes—Mr. Kale?"
"Well, the most popular one is that Dumbledore tried to make him a valuable ally, going so far to hire him alongside Ms. Trelawney despite Kale not looking for a job at the time." Professor Mackerson explained, "This is supposedly why he so readily left Hogwarts despite Dumbledore offering to let the both of them stay in the castle if he wished to."
"I see, thank you sir." Ginny sat back down and glanced at Ness who shrugged his shoulders and looked away.
"Wonder what that was about…" Harry wondered as Hermione stood up next and asked, "Sir, do you know where Dumbledore is?"
"No but rest assured. When we do find him, it'll be strictly for questioning." Professor Mackerson explained, "We have no reason to arrest him and our desires for answers outweigh any other option we have at the moment."
"Thank you, sir." She sat back down and frowned at Ron and Harry's bewildered expressions.
"What? At least we know they don't plan on throwing him into Azkaban." Hermione whispered as more people asked their questions.
"He could be lying." Harry reminded her, "He's with the Ministry after all."
"Harry has a point." Ron agreed.
"If he were planning on that then he would have paused or something. He answered the question like every other one." Hermione replied, "Not to mention that if they throw Dumbledore into Azkaban then they'll need a stronger reason other than grooming people for something he could get without manipulating others for doing it for him."
Harry bit his tongue again, wanting to argue but knowing that Hermione was right, as per usual. So instead he turned back to Mackerson who was answering the last question before he gave his closing statement and food appeared on their plates.
"At least it will be nice to get mail again. Mom's probably throwing a fit." Ron murmured.
"I wonder how Snuffles is doing…" Harry murmured, glancing at Ness before he loaded his plate with food.
"Probably just as worried. He's practically a parent at this point." Hermione said a small smile appearing on Harry's face as he remembered Sirius's offer. Only two months left before school ended and he could go home and be far away from the Dursleys.
"I almost relived school is almost over." Harry admitted, frowning when Ron choked on his roasted sausage and Hermione looked at him in disbelief, "A-are you alright Harry?" she questioned.
"Yes?" he replied unsure why they were so surprised as he helped Ron not choke on his food, "I'm just happy that I'll be living with Snuffles soon."
"Living?" Ron wheezed before he gulped some water down.
"Yea? Did I forget to mention this to you guys?" Harry asked looking at Ron and then Hermione, "You mentioned it to me but I don't think Ron knew about it," Hermione answered as Ron's shock morphed to joy.
"It's about time! Ginny and Hermione were prepared to break into the Dursley's house and kidnap you if Dumbledore kept you out of the loop again." Ron exclaimed, dropping his voice to a whisper when he said Dumbledore's name.
"Really?" Harry could see Ginny doing that and maybe Hermione, but it was hard to picture.
"Of course, the Dursleys are a horrible excuse of guardians and er," Hermione dropped her voice to a whisper and added, "The Ministry thinks they're abusive. I didn't tell them anything to get them on that path of conversation but er, I think Ness mentioned it."
"They asked me that question to," Ron admitted glancing at Ness who was whispering to Ginny in between eating his shepherd's pie. "Thought I could confirm if they were abusive pricks to you and promised they wouldn't put it in the papers if I told them."
"That's…" Harry started his stomach dropping as he remembered that question. He had been prepared for the other questions such as revealed Dumbledore went, why he set up the Defensive Aegis with Earthbound, who was in the DA and if he believed Dumbledore was grooming him for something important. But being abused by the Dursleys? That had thrown him for a loop and had him stammering replies as he tried to wrap his mind around it and figure out if he wanted to be truthful or lie.
Professor Mackerson and the reporter did their best to seem professional and yet gentle, but Harry could sense the pity behind their words as they asked a few more questions about the Dursleys and glanced at Professor McGonagall who looked ill.
"I thought I was the only one who got asked that." Harry admitted, not sure what he was feeling as Ron and Hermione grimaced and patted his shoulder.
"In the few stories I've read about…abuse, the police always go to third parties, someone who isn't in the middle of the mess to get a better outlook on the situation." Hermione explained, "They probably wanted a clearer picture on your possible situation."
"What did you answer with?" Harry asked not feeling hungry as Ron said, "The truth mate. You shouldn't be locked up with actual bars just because you're a wizard."
Hermione rapidly nodded her head in agreement, "I told them that you did have another guardian but that he was wrapped up in some legal troubles and couldn't wrestle you away from them."
Harry looked at her in horror but swallowed it as he numbly nodded, knowing that Hermione wouldn't let too much slip about Sirius.
"I…thanks, I think." Harry murmured, forcing himself to drink some water before he got up, "I don't think I'm hungry." He admitted, "I'll meet you guys at Gryffindor Tower."
"Do you want company?" Ron asked, moving to get up when Harry shook his head no. "See you later." He said before he walked away.
Away from the cheerful noise of chatter and silverware scrapping against plates and towards the empty quiet of the castle hallway. Leaving him with his thoughts as he took his time and listlessly studied the living armor and paintings. He should be…happy that someone was taking note of the Dursleys' behavior towards him but…it felt so wrong. Like this was a trap and he was the bait to force Dumbledore to come back.
It made the little voice wonder why Ness and the Ministry had to bring up the issue Harry had been dealing with for years and not the adults who were 'looking out for him'. The adults who had fussed over him and complained about the Dursleys when he and his friends had told them about his summer vacations with them.
"Maybe Dumbledore really is using me." Harry wondered feeling sick at the mere thought as he climbed the Great Staircase.
No, that couldn't be right. Dumbledore was simply the headmaster and leader of the Order of the Phoenix. He wanted him to keep his nose out of their business for his own safety and yet…he found himself not believing that as he remembered how frustrated he was with Dumbledore and the others when he had been staying Grimmauld Place. Believing that they hated him or didn't find him worth the time to send a quick letter or two when he sent them mail.
"Stop it. My friends wanted to keep me in the loop. It was just the adults." Harry thought squeezing his eyes shut and feeling an unfamiliar chill.
"Potter?" he jumped and opened his eyes, surprised to see Nearly Headless Nick looking at him.
"Nearly Headless Nick?" Harry questioned, "Where have you been?"
"Oh er…" the ghost's form flickered for a moment before he sighed and looked away, "Hiding."
"Hiding? For almost the entire year?" Harry repeated looking at the ghost in disbelief as he tittered, "Well, yes. We heard the stories about your…argument with him and decided it would be in our best interests to…vanish for a little bit. Especially once they moved in to support him."
"Them? Him? Hold on, do you mean Ness?" Harry questioned, "Ness isn't going to hurt you!"
Nearly Headless Nick barked a laugh that almost sent his head flying off his shoulders, "Maybe not, but that wasn't a chance we were going to take. We've heard the rumors and the stories surrounding his kind. We weren't going to risk our afterlives by sticking around a ticking time-bomb with minions at his disposal."
What? Ness wouldn't attack the ghosts of Hogwarts! Sure, he had seemed uncomfortable around them, but he didn't—wouldn't attack them!
"Ness wouldn't do that." Harry insisted, "And he can't hurt you!"
"No, he can simply do one worse than hurt us. Kill us." Nearly Headless Nick replied his tone cold but also frightened as he shook his head…or tried to before he had to pull it back onto his neck, "But that isn't important-,"
"It sort of is-!" Harry tried but the ghost simply spoke over him, "Professor McGonagall wish to speak to you. Preferably with your friends before you turn in for the night in Gryffindor Tower."
"Why? And Ness can't kill ghosts!" Harry protested looking around him to ensure that no one was listening in on his conversation as Nearly Headless Nick shook his head, "She simply told me to tell you that if I saw you leave dinner early. Now if you excuse me, I have to leave."
"Hey—wait!" but the spirit didn't wait, quickly disappearing through a wall as if his afterlife depended on it. It left Harry speechless before he slowly turned around and headed back to the Great Hall to inform Ron and Hermione about their appointment.
When he got there Ron and Hermione were bickering about something but stopped when Harry tapped their shoulders, "Harry?" Ron exclaimed looking surprised as Hermione moved to let him sit on the bench.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, frowning when Harry shook his head no and whispered, "We have an appointment with Professor McGonagall."
"What?" Ron whispered glancing around as Hermione murmured, "Why? Surely whatever they have to say can be said here…Unless…"
"I dunno, Nearly Headless Nick told me about it, and they want us to meet them before we turn in for the night."
"You saw Nearly Headless Nick?" Ron exclaimed, cringing as Hermione and Harry shot him looks to be quiet, "How was he?"
"Terrified. Apparently, Ness is the reason why all of the ghosts have vanished." Harry answered, "He wouldn't stick around and left when I tried to ask him about it after he gave his message."
"Ness? What did he do to the ghosts?" Hermione wondered looking at Ness who was still whispering to Ginny, "Maybe it's because he's…y'know." Ron offered, "I mean, he did take down Voldemort's forces with ridiculous ease."
"I don't know. But I want to get to the bottom of it." Harry said, "Nick insisted that Ness could kill them."
Hermione and Ron looked at him in disbelieving horror before looking at the boy in question then at Harry, "Do you think he can?" Ron asked, "I mean, he can control items so…"
"I don't know. I mean, we don't even know how he did that or why." Harry reminded him, "For all we know, it could have been an accident on his part."
"That's the problem with his kind, we know nothing unless we ask." Hermione grumbled, looking frustrated before she sighed and mumbled, "Let's at least finish dinner before we head upstairs."
"Fine by me." Ron said, "Although I wonder what Professor McGonagall wants with us."
"Maybe…it's something to do with Dumbledore?" Harry offered, glancing around before looking at his friends who thought about it before shrugging their shoulders.
"At this rate, you can tell me that Muggles can fly, and I'll believe it." Ron said, "I just want some answers."
"Actually, Muggles can fly but with an airplane." Hermione offered earning a groan from Ron as he complained, "I meant with a broom Hermione!"
"You didn't clarify." Harry pointed out, smiling as Ron shot him a betrayed look and turned back to his dinner with a huff, "I bet these aeroplanes don't even work half the time." He grumbled.
This time, the walk to Gryffindor Tower had a small handful of students leisurely walking back and chatting about Professor Mackerson's announcement or the joy of being allowed to practice Quidditch.
Harry felt his stomach flip-flop at the idea of practicing Quidditch and getting ready to defeat Ravenclaw before remembering that he, Fred and George were still banned and until someone said otherwise. They would stay banned.
"But that's something to worry about later." Harry reminded himself, looking up at the Fat Lady as Hermione said the password and they stepped inside and knocked on the Professor McGonagall's door.
"Looks like she's still at dinner." Ron murmured when no one answered, glancing at Hermione who looked a little irritated before saying, "Well, at least we can pass the time by studying."
"Or we could play a game of chess." Ron offered shooting Harry a pleading look before he stopped and quickly looked away, prompting Harry to frown but not voice his concerns as Hermione insisted that they should study and prepare for whatever test Snape or Professor Sliver throws at them given how studious they were.
"Just because we got a short break doesn't mean we should rest on our laurels!" Hermione scolded, bustling them to an empty corner and pulling out her supplies before she stopped and frowned, "That's odd."
"What's odd?" Harry asked, glaring down at his Potions book before looking up to find Hermione with a sixth year herbology book.
"I don't remember picking this book up." Hermione answered, looking at Ron and Harry with a frown before she flipped through it.
"Are you sure? It looks like something you would read before bed." Ron pointed out, frowning a little as Hermione pursed her lips and shook her head no, "I don't really like herbology—don't get me wrong, it's very useful but I prefer to read advance history books and charms in my spare time."
"Maybe someone slipped it into your bag by mistake?" Harry offered, "I mean, for all we know the book could have been there for ages."
"I don't know…this feels…wrong." Hermione stated her frown deepening as he and Ron exchanged a look.
"How is a book wrong? It either fell into your bag, got slipped into your pile of books or-," Harry started when Hermione interrupted him "This isn't a copy from the library." flipping to the front of the book and then pulling out a history book on goblins and doing the same. Revealing a small logo inside the goblin book, but not inside the herbology book.
"That's…weird." Harry noted, feeling a little paranoid as he glanced around for someone listening in before gesturing to see the book.
"Maybe your parents got it for you as a gift?" Ron tried but they both knew it was a fruitless assumption. Hermione didn't talk a lot about her parents, but they did know they were busy with dental work and weren't thrilled about Hermione's collection of magical books. They accepted she was a witch just fine. They just didn't enjoy their daughter's enthusiasm to study every inch of the wizarding world.
"Maybe…Maybe Ness put it there." Harry offered, dropping his voice to a whisper as he turned the book over in his hands.
Hermione frowned and Ron tapped the table in a thoughtful manner, a look of annoyance on his face from hearing Ness's name but also a hint of confusion as to why the PSI user would slip a book inside Hermione's bag.
"Maybe it's a clue?" Hermione tried, looking excited before Harry shook his head no, "I don't think Ness wants us to find out on our own about what he can and can't do. He's pretty upfront about stuff if you ask."
"Yea, he doesn't hide secrets." Ron recalled before he frowned and corrected himself, "Or if he does, you don't find out because you don't think to ask."
"That is true-," Hermione started when she spotted something behind them and exclaimed, "Professor McGonagall's back!"
"And we didn't get to study!" Ron cheered, his joy abruptly dying when Hermione fixed him with a glare and huffed, "We could get some late-night cramming in if Professor McGonagall is brief."
"If she's brief." Harry reminded them, "We don't know why she wants to speak to me…with friends."
"That is a little weird…normally it's one on one…unless…" Ron trailed off looking a little pale as Hermione caught his drift and quickly said, "Well whatever it is we aren't going to find out standing here and talking." And hurried to Professor McGonagall's office.
It took Harry a moment to realize what Ron was hinting at, but when he figured it out his stomach dropped like it was a boulder and his breathing quickened.
"Please don't let Sirius be hurt. Please!" Harry begged, thankful that Hermione was opening the door after she knocked since he didn't trust himself not to throw it open in his haste to sooth his nerves.
"Evening Professor." Ron greeted as they shuffled inside, flinching from the somber tension in the air as Professor McGonagall nodded and gestured to the three chairs in front of her desk.
"Potter, we have much to discuss." Professor McGonagall stated, her expression grim but professional as Harry tried to swallow his growing panic and sat down.
"Sir—Snuffles isn't hurt, right?" Harry blurted out, scowling when Professor McGonagall waved her wand and poured them three mugs of butterbeer and knit her hands together.
"Well?" Ron pressed, sounding a little snippy as Hermione tried to polity demand answers, "Professor, why are we here? What did you need to tell Harry?"
"A moment Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall stated, closing her eyes before she continued. "The news came very recently, and it is a bit of a shock."
"They caught Snuffles? Dumbledore!?" Harry exclaimed, ignoring his mug as Professor McGonagall opened her eyes and reached into her drawer. Placing an envelope with his name on it in front of him.
"Read it, Potter." She quietly ordered before taking a long sip of tea.
"Who's it from?" Ron demanded as Harry clumsily opened it, his hands shaking as he saw Sirius's handwriting.
"Sirius, it's from Sirius." He answered before he started to read his nerves easing when his hasty scan for words of death or capture proved that Sirius wasn't in trouble.
"Dear Harry, knowing Miner- McGonagall. She's probably drawing this out and making it sound like I'm dead. Well, if she hasn't told you what I've done.
To be frank, I did something I felt was in -our-my I've done something you frankly wouldn't approve of. And I know, once McGonagall stops beating around the bush and spits out the truth that you aren't going to listen to why I did what I did until you've had time to process it. When that time comes and you want answers, I shall happily give them to you.
But until then I'll simply get to the point and blow this ball of mystery wide open. Last week, the Ministry put out a desperate statement stating that if I or Padfoot-Remus came forth with possible information about Dumbledore's whereabouts or his reasons for fleeing we could get our names cleared or a better shot at life.
Well, two days ago I took that chance and set up a meeting with Fudge, and some aurors. to explain what I knew.
No, I didn't sell out the Order. I made sure not to bring them into the conversation. Yes, I sold out Dumbledore but only after realizing that what he had in store for you wasn't what Lily would have wanted for you.
Hell, I doubt James would want you to be the center of attention, abused or being yanked around and treated like a child despite being a valuable assist to the Order.
But you don't want to hear that now. Nor do you want to hear my request of you and Earthbound writing down the names of any Death Eaters you spotted at Voldemort's rebirth.
I don't blame you. Betrayal is a bitter pill to swallow. And despite my intentions this is still a betrayal. I wish I could say sorry, but we both know you don't want to hear that at the moment.
(Well, Padfoot says you might but he's the people person. I'm just the troublemaker.)
I'll wait for your reply.
Love, Sirius.
P.S. Just a heads up, I had the interview in Dumbledore's office (quickest place to get noticed by the Ministry) and Phineas—the stuffy old headmaster painting—stated that two people arrived before I did and were seemingly investigating Dumbledore before Fudge and I arrived.
Padfoot believes that it was Earthbound and a friend snooping around since he can teleport. But I can't be sure. Could you keep an eye on him?"
Harry lowered the letter. Torn between screaming in anger, crying at Sirius's coldhearted betrayal of not only his trust but Dumbledore's or just blocking it out to feel numb.
"Well?" Ron urged, his tone softening when he saw the obvious distress on Harry's face, "What did he write?"
"He sold Dumbledore out." Harry whispered, his hands shaking with rage.
Ron blinked and opened his mouth to exclaim something when Hermione gently plucked the letter out of his hands and read it for herself. "He set up an appointment with the Ministry," Hermione explained, "They talked about the possible whereabouts of Dumbledore or something."
"He what—why!?" Ron exclaimed as Harry vaguely remembered Kale's voice, encouraging him to count to ten and breathe deeply as he felt what little dinner he had crawling up his throat.
"Apparently, he did this for Harry's benefit." Professor McGonagall stated, her voice soft but shaky as she pushed an issue of the Daily Prophet which boldly stated, "Sirius Black steps up to shed some light on Dumbledore's flight from Hogwarts!"
"Me?" Harry whispered the grief being swallowed up by anger, "How the hell is this helping me?! Dumbledore didn't do anything wrong!"
"Harry…" Hermione softly stated as Ron grabbed the paper and began to read, "Says here that Black came forth to clear his name after Dumbledore burned a few to many bridges in his haste to keep everyone in the dark."
Clear his name? Harry blinked then yelled, "So he didn't do it for me he just did it for himself!"
"Harry, I don't think that's why-," Hermione started, getting up—why was she getting up? Wait, when did he get to his feet?—and gently grabbing his arm before he shook her off and turned to Ron. "What else does it say?"
"Well, to be brief. Sirius doesn't know where Dumbledore is and just knows that he has a lot of loyal allies. But he does know that Dumbledore absurd actions to keep you 'safe' have burned his bridge of trust by leaving you, his godson in the care of abusive muggles and that if he wants to start making amends for your poor treatment that he has to clear his name." Ron explained lowering the paper and giving a small frown, "It er, gets worse from there."
"How worse?" Hermione questioned.
"Well, he admits that he wasn't as close to Dumbledore as Lupin was. That he believed Dumbledore was preparing you and Earthbound for something but wasn't sure what other than some grandeur event that had yet to pass and uh, he didn't blame you for not taking Occlumency seriously after being paired with someone he tried to maim during his school years and had to be rescued by your father."
"Snape." Harry guessed, reeling a little as Ron nodded in agreement, "Other than that. It's a lot of dead ends for where Dumbledore could possibly be. He mentioned that Dumbledore does have a large net of allies but that a lot of them are out of commission thanks to the war taking a heavy toll on them or trying to bide their time with Voldemort on the rise."
"That doesn't sound so bad." Hermione tittered, looking a little nervous as Harry snapped, "How is that 'not so bad'?! He just implied that Dumbledore was grooming me!"
"And that's his belief on the matter," Hermione gently argued, "It isn't yours. I mean, until Dumbledore steps forward we aren't going to know for sure."
"I dunno, Sirius mentioned that Dumbledore kept a lot of people out of the loop. Which paints a pretty bad picture for those in the loop." Ron pointed out, looking a little sheepish as Hermione shot him a murderous look, "After all, Sirius admitted that he wasn't in the loop and had no idea why my dad was guarding the Department of Mysteries until he got attacked."
"Sirius also mentioned that you and Earthbound were taking Occlumency to try and prevent any mental attacks from Voldemort." Professor McGonagall stated, "Meaning that Voldemort will no doubt try a different approach and the public will be thrown into a tizzy about protecting their minds."
"A small bright side!" Hermione offered, her forced smile morphing into a scowl as Professor McGonagall shot her a look, "Yes, we'll have people running around claiming that Voldemort is in their heads and forcing them to kill Muggleborns."
"They would do that without Voldemort's help." Ron scoffed, placing the newspaper onto the desk as Harry slowly sat back down. Boiling with rage as his mind spun in circles.
The little voice trying to say something, but it was thankfully drowned out by his screams of how Sirius had betrayed Dumbledore for his own selfish gain and trying to claim that he was doing it for Harry's benefit.
"Why are you telling us this?" Hermione questioned, "Did-did something happen at the Order?"
Professor McGonagall looked nervous before she shook her head, "I have no idea. Our safest connection to the Order was through Phineas. And with Dumbledore's office locked up and many teachers under heavy suspicion we haven't been able to check by mail or floo powder."
"We could check." Harry offered, a small hint of joy bubbling up at the idea of being helpful when Professor McGonagall shook her head no, "I'm on thin ice Potter. And although your help would be appreciated it's too dangerous."
"Thin ice?" he repeated, frowning as Ron murmured, "Because she's Dumbledore's right-hand woman. Snape is probably under suspicion as well."
"Is that all Professor?" Hermione questioned looking at the door as Professor McGonagall nodded, "More or less, outside of the letter, Headmaster Mackerson wished for me to be an emotional support given how presumable close you were with Sirius."
"They know?" Harry demanded feeling sick as Ron gave him a small pitiful nod, "Yea, the end of the article sums it up as a friend trying to right wrongs and give his Godson a better life. They're trying to play it up as Sirius being wrongfully framed and being a hero for turning his back on an idol but…"
"Well, he was wrongfully framed and without trail." Hermione reminded them, sounding a little thoughtful as she asked, "Is Sirius going to get a trial?"
"Yea, they don't say when, but they assure it'll be soon." Ron replied, but Harry was having trouble hearing them, their voices filtering out and being replaced by static as the words bounced around his head.
They know. They knew Sirius cared about him—not enough—they would use that against him. The Ministry wouldn't honor their word and Sirius's selfish plight to get a better life would be for nothing.
Just like how Dumbledore's attempts to protect him would be for nothing and he would be made a villain thanks to Umbridge kicking over the dominos and Sirius adding flames to the crumbling mess.
He vaguely heard himself saying he was going to bed and felt someone touching his arm, but he couldn't tell. All he knew was that he was walking and then collapsing into his bed and swallowing a scream of bitter anger. His scar prickling as he closed his eyes and found himself picturing Voldemort laughing at how everything was turning up roses for him as the Ministry tried to bury Dumbledore six feet under for crimes he never committed.
Thankfully, his dreams weren't plagued by another glimpse into Voldemort's victory dance, but he was instead taken down that twisted hallway with the door Ness had been peeking out from.
This time the door was closed, and the twisted hallway was shorter. Allowing him to see another door that probably lead to the Department of Mysteries main hall.
"Why am I here…?" He had seen snippets of what Voldemort was plotting and felt a large amount of grief over Nagini, but he hadn't been in this hallway for a while now.
"Well, I might as well try to get some clues about Ness." Harry thought, remembering with a jolt that Sirius said that Ness had been in Dumbledore's office.
No doubt trying to find something to use against Dumbledore or have as a backup plan.
Back up?
"I know Ness doesn't like Dumbledore but…why else would be searching his office?" Harry wondered, moving down the hall and frowning at the sudden prods at his scar. As if someone was nudging it.
Dumbledore?
He shook his head, trying to shake the feeling away from his scar as he opened the door and found himself standing in the middle of a room filled with flying papers, faceless wizards bustling to and fro and yelling out theories and the smell of ink burning his nose.
"The Department of Mystery leads to the Daily Prophet office?" Harry wondered aloud, frowning until one of the faceless wizards turned to him, his form shifting and the color draining away to a slivery gray.
Dumbledore is evil?
What? No! Dumbledore wasn't evil!
Dumbledore lied
Another reporter stated, stopping to face him as well as the color drained away.
Dumbledore hadn't lied about anything! He was simply trying to do things for the greater good! It wasn't his fault that Sirius decided to sell him out for his own gain!
Sirius?
Sirius Black
Killed 12 people
Killed 12 people?
Sirius didn't kill anyone! He was framed! He and Ness had proved that!
Sirius framed
But not freed?
Dumbledore friend
Not to Black
Friend to puppets
Manipulator
Harry jerked back, trying to move away from the growing crowd of slivery grey faceless wizards when he bumped into something cold and fleshy.
He turned around smothering a scream as he found himself surrounded by the wizards and felt a few grabbing at his pajama sleeves. As if trying to pull the information out of him as he struggled to break free.
His scar throbbing with pain as the whispers and theories echoed around him.
Dumbledore trying to play hero
He's tampering. Just like THEM
He's using people for his own gain
There is no friend or foe
Sirius wanted to protect lightning boy
Lightning boy…good?
Sirius good, Dumbledore evil
Dumbledore puppet master
Dumbledore leaving everyone in the dark
Dumbledore making people suffer
Dumbledore
Dumbledore…
Dumbledore!
DUMBLEDORE IS DANGEROUS
"HARRY!"
He awoke with a scream, pitching forward and clawing at his scar as light flooded into his bed and he was surrounded by pajama wearing wizards and oddly, Ness who was standing beside him. His hands held up in surrender as he stepped back.
"Are you alright, mate?" Ron asked as Harry forced himself to look up and tried to breath.
"I-," Harry started before he doubled over, the urge to throw up overwhelming as he heard Ness say he was going to inform Madam Pomfrey and Ron bark at everyone to give him some space.
He heard a soft, "Can you stand Potter?" and risked a glance to see Professor McGonagall standing beside him, rubbing small circles on his back as Harry choked, "I-I think so." And moved to try and get out of bed.
He succeeded but his knees buckled, and Ron and Professor McGonagall had to catch him, "Hold on, we're going to walk you to Madam Pomfrey." Professor McGonagall stated.
Harry could only nod, his heart thundering against his chest and his scar still throbbing with pain as they slowly moved down the stairs. It must have been early in the morning since there weren't a lot of people in the common room. Something Harry was thankful for as he stumbled and swallowed the urge to throw up.
It felt like eons before they reached the hospital wing where Ness and Madam Pomfrey were waiting for him with a bed already prepared.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey demanded, glaring at Ness and Ron who were purposely lingering in the room as Harry focused on the room not swaying and rasped, "Nightmare. My scar hurts."
"Voldemort." Professor McGonagall grimly guessed, her lips pursing as Ness frowned and tilted his head. As if suspecting that something else was amiss.
Harry wanted to say no but he wasn't sure. So, he simply stayed quiet as Madam Pomfrey fussed over him before pulling back with a frown and then muttering something about getting some remedies from the back.
Professor McGonagall frowned and quickly followed her, leaving him alone with Ron and Ness.
"Must have been one hell of a nightmare." Ron quietly remarked, moving to sit beside the bed as Ness slowly approached. "Yea, it was." Harry answered, biting his lip as the urge to throw up returned and turning away.
"Potter…can I try something?" Ness asked glancing at Ron as if asking for permission while Harry looked back wondering what Ness wanted to do.
"What are you planning?" Ron questioned, his eyes narrowing as Ness glanced at the door and then dropped his voice to a whisper, "Potter's condition…it isn't natural. I want to see if I can reverse it."
"So, it's like Marietta's condition?" Ron asked, scowling as Ness gave a slow shrug, "I don't know yet."
"Try it." Harry stated, just wanting the feeling of throwing up and doing the opposite of what his mind wanted. Ness nodded and stepped forward, murmuring something that sounded like "Healing Beta." and stepping back as the nausea and strangeness he was feeling quickly subsided.
Just leaving the pain of his scar behind as Ness paled.
"What? What happened?" Ron demanded, blinking in surprise as Harry sat up and gently massaged his scar.
"Potter was inflicted with PSI statuses." Ness replied his voice shaking before he gave him a firm look, "Potter, what was your nightmare about?"
"It was…about the hallway." Harry started, "But I could leave, and I ended up in some sort of news office. Surrounded by faceless wizards."
"Faceless wizards?" Ron repeated glancing at Madam Pomfrey's office before he looked at Ness, "Did you fight any faceless creatures?"
Ness shook his head and gestured for Harry to continue. "One of them stopped and asked me something. But I can't remember what. It's voice it was…unnatural and felt like it was in my head."
Ness frowned and then asked, "Like this?" using his telepathy powers.
"No, it was…invasive? Curious? Like a child." Harry tried struggling to explain it as his scar throbbed with pain, "I think it was curious about Dumbledore since his name was bouncing around my head and with every question more wizards would appear—to surround me and their colors melted away to a slivery grey."
"Ring any bells?" Ron asked, looking at Ness who was frowning but not offering anything. "I don't know…The only thing I could think of…" he frowned and quickly shook his head. "Nothing, it's nothing."
"It doesn't sound like nothing." Ron pressed a scowl forming as Ness gave him a sharp look and coolly repeated, "It's nothing. Weasley. This doesn't concern you."
"It feels like it does." Harry murmured, applying more pressure to his scar and hissing in agony when it simply reacted with a pulse of pain, the weird voice echoing in his head.
"Dumbledore is dangerous."
"Actually! It claimed that Dumbledore was dangerous." Harry recalled looking at Ness who gave him a look of 'you're just figuring this out?' before he swiftly looked away and mumbled a hasty, "Sorry."
"So…maybe it's something Dumbledore locked up in the Department of Mysteries. Something Voldemort wants to get his hands on." Ron offered, brightening a little as he quietly exclaimed, "That's why my dad was guarding it!"
Ness frowned and looked like he wanted to argue but stopped himself and looked away. "What?" Ron asked, his scowl returning full force as he took a step towards Ness, "What are you hiding?"
"I…I don't think Voldemort wants what was in one of those rooms." Ness slowly stated facing Ron's glare and giving a frown, "I was in one of them and they were locked up remains from the attack on my town."
"So…more PSI stuff." Harry concluded, wondering if that was why he saw Ness peeking around the door.
"He could still use that." Ron argued, slamming his mouth shut as Madam Pomfrey returned with some bottles and ushered them out into the hallway with a sharp, "Don't forget that you two have classes!" before she focused her attention on Harry.
"I feel better now," Harry offered, moving to get up when he was stopped by a firm glare from Madam Pomfrey.
"I'll be the judge of that." She huffed, pulling her wand out and casting a few spells to give an overview as Professor McGonagall watched with a small frown, "Well?" she pressed once Madam Pomfrey was satisfied with the results.
"He's physically better and will just need some chocolate to sooth the night terrors." Madam Pomfrey reported, giving him some chocolate and ordering him to eat it after putting some grits into his stomach before giving Professor McGonagall a stern look, "Try not to worsen his condition Minerva." And bustling back into her office.
"You want to hear about my nightmare as well?" Harry asked, moving to put the chocolate into his robe pocket before he remembered that he was still in his night clothes.
"If you feel up to it."
"Right," it was less tiring to relay his nightmare to Professor McGonagall than it was to Ness and Ron but maybe that was because she wasn't interrupting him to ask something or press Ness for information.
When he finished, she pursed her lips and murmured something about Dumbledore knowing what to do before she sent him back to Gryffindor Tower to get ready for class. It was a comforting walk back, the rising sun casting warm shadows onto the living suits of armor and stone walls as the feeling of spring entered the castle.
Lifting a small weight from his stomach as he relaxed and enjoyed the brisk silence that was only interrupted by the paintings whispers and gossip which he firmly tuned out.
It was probably around five when he got back since there were more people in the common room whispering about his latest nightmare. Some seemed surprised to see him in pajamas but didn't question it as they turned back to their conversations.
"Maybe today won't be so bad." Harry thought, a knot of anger forming as he remembered Sirius's betrayal and how Ness and one of his friends had been spying on him.
"I'll need to ask Ness what he heard…" Harry noted as he got dressed and grabbed his school bag, hurrying downstairs to have an early breakfast after he noticed that Hermione and Ron weren't in the common room.
The Great Hall wasn't very busy but there were small groups of early birds eating breakfast and sorting through giant bags of mail or reading some archived newspapers. Most of his dormmates were up, probably unable to sleep after Ron and Ness had woken him up, they were pouring over the news and sleepily whispering to one another.
"Probably found a new theory." Harry bitterly thought, glaring at Seamus Finnigan. Who had been the most gleeful over hearing that Dumbledore had fled questioning and that their headmaster's old age had caught up to him.
He had almost made it to Ron and Hermione who were having a hushed argument with Ginny when Seamus called, "Oy! Potter!" and was met by sharp hisses from two of the girls sitting beside him—Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil as Harry tried to ignore him only to find himself turning around to glance at Seamus.
"Seamus don't!" Lavender squealed moving to grab a package as if to attack Seamus with it as the boy called, "What's it like knowing that your own Godfather thinks the Ministry's a better ally than Dumbledore?"
"Seamus!" Parvati scolded before turning to Harry who was slowly processing Seamus's words, "Ignore him Harry, Seamus is just being a git."
"Godfather?" a voice drawled prompting a sharp motion of movement behind him as Harry turned and found himself looking at Malfoy who had stopped by their table, as intrigued smirk on his face as he studied Seamus then him.
"Now look at what you've done." Lavender grumbled, glaring at Seamus who looked like he swallowed a toad before he grumpily retorted, "He would have found out anyway. It's in the news."
"In the news?" Malfoy repeated his eyes slowly focusing on Harry as he remembered that he needed to breath. (Why was breathing so hard?)
"Let me guess Potter, your favorite headmaster finally decided to throw that disgrace of a serial killer a bone and cleared his name?" Malfoy drawled.
"Shut up Malfoy." Harry managed to turn away from the prick to walk over to Hermione and Ron when a Fourth year nervously spoke up, "A-actually, Dumbledore didn't do anything. Black sold him out."
"Henry, now isn't the time." Ness murmured, nudging the skittish looking kid who grimaced and ducked his head to mumble a series of apologies.
"Really?" Malfoy exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised as Ron got up to snap, "Move along Malfoy. Class starts in an hour."
"Touchy-touchy." Malfoy replied, "Merely curious to know what the Dumbledore fan club had heard."
"Move." Ron ordered, grabbed Harry's arm and pulling him to Hermione as Harry focused on a spot on a wall high above anyone's head.
"Blasted git," Ron grumbled, "Can't keep his nose to himself."
"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione asked, a book propped up beside her eggs and toast as Harry opened his mouth and then scowled as Seamus's words finally made sense, "No, I'm not."
"Ron told me about your nightmare…" Hermione added glancing around the quiet Great Hall before she kept talking, "Do you think this is one of Ness's enemies trying to mimic what Voldemort did?"
"I…I don't think so." Harry replied, grabbing a small bowl of grits and shoving a spoonful into his mouth before he took a bite out of the chocolate Madam Pomfrey had given him.
"When I saw through Voldemort's eyes it was…stable, connected." Harry tried to explain, "With that dream it was…well, it felt like some demented nightmare that I can't even remember."
"So, it isn't Occlumency then." Hermione theorized looking relived until Ron muttered, "It isn't wizard Occlumency. It might just be something from Ness's kind."
"Speaking of Ness, we have to ask him what he heard." Harry recalled, glancing at the boy who was quietly whispering to Henry and his friends before glancing at Luna who was scribbling something into a book.
"It would be good to see if the Prophet omitted anything." Hermione agreed, glancing at her current issue which was talking about how the Ministry was having high turn-over rates in their haste to find any spies planted by Dumbledore.
"It's so jarring." Ron said, picking up the Daily Prophet and frowning at the news, "First the Ministry wants nothing to do with Voldemort and Dumbledore's 'crack pot theories' and now they're turning over every stone to find him."
"He hasn't done anything wrong." Harry quietly complained, "He was just trying to help."
"Maybe, but you can't deny that this feels pretty suspicious." Hermione argued, their conversation falling into a familiar pattern as Ron nodded in agreement, "Yea mate, before Dumbledore became Headmaster, I heard that he was offered to be the Minister and said no."
"So that means they shouldn't think he's trying to overthrow them." Harry replied, "He doesn't want it!"
"Maybe not then but time might have changed his mind." Hermione pointed out, "Face it Harry, not even Sirius knew what was going on in Dumbledore's head and until they get some solid answers. They're just going to keep throwing theories out."
"And everyone will probably be poking you for answers behind Sirius's decision." Ron said grimacing as he peered down the table, "I mean, it's well known that you hate the Ministry and yet here's Sirius. Going to the people who locked him up in Azkaban to clear his name."
"Because the Ministry is incompetent." Harry grumbled, careful to keep his voice low when someone threw him a glare.
"But they're trying. They have to." Hermione reminded him before she got up with a quick, "I'm heading to the library before class."
"Have fun bookworm." Ron called before he focused on Harry, "It'll be okay. Once everyone gets caught up on the news they'll focus on other things."
"Right, just like they always do." Harry sarcastically remarked, finishing his grits off and muttering, "I'm going to take a quick walk around the grounds."
"Alright, oh! I have Quidditch practice later tonight! You wanna come?" Ron called, a smile on his face as Harry glanced back and forced one of his own as he nodded in agreement.
"Maybe…Maybe Professor Mackerson will lift my lifetime ban…" Harry thought, his feet carrying him to the Quidditch grounds as he aimlessly looked around. The cool spring air doing little to clear his head as he kept his eye on the sky and broke into a small jog to pick up the pace.
He didn't want to be late for class but at the same time, he didn't care. It felt like nothing mattered now that Dumbledore was on the run and his own Godfather had betrayed them for what? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
It would take pigs taking to the sky without magic before the Ministry honored their deal and by then Sirius would be back in jail and killed on the spot for escaping.
"Not that I would care." Harry thought, hating how a spike of guilt shot through him as he thought that. "Okay fine, I WOULD care. But not a lot." Another spike but he ignored it to studying the goal posts before sighing and turning back to run back to the castle to make it in time for potions.
"Snape is probably laughing his head off." Harry thought, adjusting his bag as he joined the crowd of students rushing off to their first class.
He grimaced as he realized that potions meant working with Slytherins who would have much more leeway with gossiping in class than Gryffindors and swallowed a frustrated yell as he turned and hurried into the dungeons.
"Cutting it close," Ron quietly noted as Harry sat down and grabbed his note supply, "Where'd you walk to?"
"Quidditch field—wasn't thinking." Harry replied, ducking his head as he felt everyone's eyes on him. A few Slytherins snickering and murmuring something before Snape swept into the room. Looking oddly tired and frustrated as he snapped, "We'll be reviewing forget me not potions today."
"What's got his robe in a twist?" Harry wondered as everyone hastily rushed to grab their ingredients and cauldrons to avoid angering their already annoyed professor.
He glanced at Hermione who shrugged but seemed a little distracted and Ron simply mouthed, "Probably misses Dumbledore." As Neville dropped his scale and got a sharp hiss of disapproval and twenty points from Gryffindor subtracted.
Herbology didn't go any better, Professor Sprout was in a good mood but the Hufflepuffs were in a mood and were determent to get some answers out of him.
Asking questions like, "Isn't Dumbledore Black's friend?" and, "Do you think Dumbledore actually got it into his head that you were some cliché chosen one hero?"
And last but not least, "Do you think Dumbledore is supporting the Mole people?"
That got a dumbfounded look from Harry and the Hufflepuff's friend as the Hufflepuff in questioned flushed in embarrassment and yelped, "It could be true!" before they focused on their Two-lip plant.
"You know, Hufflepuffs could probably give Ravenclaws a run for their money with dumb questions." Ron muttered as they walked to lunch, "Someone asked me if it was true that Sirius tried to duel Dumbledore to the death for custody over you."
"I'm sorry, what?" Harry exclaimed as Hermione hummed agreement, "Someone else thought that Dumbledore was secretly dating Kale. Said they've been catching up on Kale's interviews."
Ron and Harry exchanged a disgusted look before Ron asked, "Kale got interviewed?"
"Yea, last week." Hermione explained, "Apparently, Professor Kale wasn't even looking for a job and was just there to support Trelawney since they were good friends and he had been helping her with money problems."
"Money problems?" Harry echoed.
"Yea, her predictions were far and few between so, Kale told her some of his so she could make a quick buck."
Ron frowned and shook his head, "That doesn't make any sense. Why would he give up free money for Trelawney?"
"He's a squib. So, he was probably content with living like a Muggle with his magical interactions only coming from Trelawney." Hermione theorized, "In the article he explains that he taught Trelawney how to use a telephone so they could stay in touch when he wasn't visiting England."
"But Dumbledore went ahead and hired him to be a teacher." Harry murmured, a knot forming in his stomach as he wondered why Dumbledore would be so interested in an American Squib. Were Kale's prophesies as big as Trelawney's? Or were they small, like the ones you would read in the weekly news about your astronomy symbol?
"And Kale accepted or felt that he didn't have a choice in the matter." Hermione added, sitting down and looking at Ness who was talking to Ginny about something.
"Dumbledore wouldn't force Kale to work here against his will!" Harry protested, a scowl forming as Hermione and Ron frowned.
"I dunno…Dumbledore did seem pretty surprised that Kale wanted to leave the castle when he was fired." Ron recalled, "Almost like he thought Kale would see the castle as his home like Trelawney."
"Or, that he understood the dangers of being a seer without any magic." Hermione noted a worried frown forming as she pushed her chickpeas around, "You don't think You-know-who is after Kale, do you?"
That was… a good point. Hogwarts was the safest place in all of England, and if Kale had the power to give accurate predictions when the stars were aligned then Voldemort might find him useful.
"We have to warn him." Harry concluded before remembering that they had no idea where Kale was or lived.
"Maybe we can tell one of the teachers to warn him, like Trelawney." Hermione offered, "She's still in the castle."
"Somewhere." Ron reminded them, "We have no idea where her office or room is."
Hermione frowned as Harry brightened, "We can use the map—it can find her."
"I forgot you had that…" Ron muttered as Hermione smiled in relief then paused as she spotted Ness laughing at something.
"What?" Harry questioned glancing at Ness who was shaking his head at Ginny, "Well, Ness spent a lot of time with Kale. Right?" Hermione asked, glancing into her bookbag and then back at Ness as he and Ron nodded in agreement.
"And I went to Kale to ask him something. Do you think Kale might have planted the book in my bag?"
"I still say you stole it from somewhere and forgot." Ron stated shrugging his shoulders as Harry frowned and looked at his plate, "Maybe…I mean, Kale did give us some cryptic hints to try and warn us so…maybe there's a plant that can help us?"
"How? We don't even know what we're looking for." Ron argued, "I mean, it's a book about plants! How is that going to help us with anything?"
"Who knows-," Hermione said when they heard Malfoy loudly saying something about Sirius being more Slytherin than they first thought and getting a round of guffaws from his friends.
"Ignore him." Ron grumbled glaring at Malfoy's back as Harry grit his teeth and focused on his food, "He's just trying to get a rise out of you."
"We can talk to Trelawney after class and worry about Ness later." Hermione said.
"You'll have to go Hermione, I have practice." Ron said trying to look a little upset but unable to hide his excitement. Hermione frowned in confusion before she realized that Harry was going to watch the practice session.
"Oh, alright. Have fun chasing your quaffles and bludgers around." She huffed but it was playful as she finished her food and hurried back to the library to try and find the book's possible origins before lunch ended.
The rest of class was…peaceful, or as peaceful as it could be with everyone eyeing him and tossing him notes during Magical History asking him for his thoughts on the matter of Sirius betraying Dumbledore and the Daily Prophet throwing theories out with stronger pieces of evidence tied to them with each issue.
It left him frustrated but he swallowed it and focused on the thought of watching Quidditch practice and maybe give Ron some tips, or better yet. Play a few rounds once practice was over and everyone had left.
"I'm going to be so rusty." Ron bemoaned, carrying his equipment to the field as Harry carried his broom, practically drooling over the smooth wood that was a bit coarser than his Firebolt—which Sirius had given him—but it felt so nice to be holding a broom after so long.
"Everyone will be," Harry soothed, his interest in holding the broom dying as he remembered Sirius telling him how good a player his father was back in the day. "I mean, no one's gotten to practice in half a month, so you won't have to worry too much."
"The others won't, I will." Ron moaned, "I can barely block a goal!"
"Well you won't if you keep whining." Ginny huffed, trailing behind them with Luna wearing a blindfold and a serene smile on her face.
"Oh, shut up, I bet you'll miss the snitch at least twice before your muscle memory kicks in." Ron snapped turning around and almost tripping at the sight of Luna, "Why is Looney Lovegood here?!"
"I wanted to talk with Ginny." Luna hummed, "The Mystic Informer published a very interesting issue today."
"Talk with her later!" Ron snapped before he turned on his sister, "Ginny, she's the enemy!"
"Ron. She can barely keep up with Quidditch, and she's blindfolded!" Ginny retorted giving her brother a glare as Luna unhelpfully added, "And I had Selvis hex it to my face. Had to rile him up a but it was well worth it."
"You let a Slytherin hex it to your face?!" Ron exclaimed, looking at Luna and then Ginny in disbelief.
"Of course, now it's guaranteed that she won't be able to spy on us." Ginny replied, looking a little smug as Harry wisely inched away from the possible brawl between the two siblings.
Thankfully, before they could actually come to blows, they had arrived at the Quidditch field where Angelina was waiting for them with the others.
"Good! You're all here-," Angelina started a look of relief on her face before she spotted Luna, "Why is there a Ravenclaw here?"
"I wanted to talk to Ginny," Luna explained, "We haven't got a lot of time to chat given how busy it's been."
"Sure." Andrew scoffed, leaning on his beater bat as he pointed an accusing finger at her, "You're probably just here to spy on us!"
"Pretty hard to do when you have a blindfold hexed to your face." Luna hummed with a small thoughtful smile.
"You probably hexed it yourself." Katie stated looking wary before Ginny spoke up, "Selvis did it and he's a Slytherin. Plus, Luna purposely got on his nerves so he could do it."
"He's so helpful when he wants to be." Luna noted, her smile growing wider as everyone shot her a baffled look before looking at Angelina. She frowned, tapped her foot in thought before sighing, "Fine, she can stay. It's not like we're going over tactics or anything."
Andrew and Alicia looked at her in outrage but quickly relaxed when Angelina added, "But you're staying with Potter and not moving an inch without his say so. Understood?"
"As clear as a glass buffalo's tear." Luna agreed, waving her hands around before Harry reluctantly grabbed one and lead her to the stands to watch the practice. A large part of him aching in agony as Angelina started talking to the team before they mounted their brooms and flew into the air to do laps. He wanted to be up there, the wind in his air and his worries left firmly on the ground.
But he couldn't, not unless Angelina asked him to help out or he decided to try his luck and ask Professor Mackerson if he could get his lifetime ban removed.
"So…" Harry started, leading Luna up a few flights before sitting down in the Gryffindor section, "How has your week been?"
"Busy, busy." Luna hummed her smile never wavering as she pulled out a small stuffed owl—hold on wasn't that Ginny's? —and began petting it, "How was your interview? I got asked some very interesting questions."
"Mine was fine." Harry shortly answered, "How about you?"
"Interesting, they asked me quite a lot about you and Ness."
"Which was?"
"Oh, if Ness liked Dumbledore in any way or form, if you were being abused and your relationship to him." Luna replied pausing in her petting to thoughtfully add, "They also asked for my opinion on Dumbledore."
Harry frowned and looked up to the sky, watching Ron fumble with a quaffle as Ginny dipped and dived around the sky with wild cheers.
"What's your opinion on him?" Harry finally asked, dreading the answer as Luna again paused in her petting and moved to thoughtfully tapped the owl's head.
"You aren't going to like it." Luna stated, the dreamy air to her voice gone as Harry watched her.
"What was it." He pressed bracing himself as Luna gave a low hum and let her smile drop. "Frankly, I think Dumbledore has his fingers in too many pies and idiotically pushing his limits."
Harry blinked and hesitated, debating if he should ask for clarification before Luna bluntly stated, "Dumbledore is working too many schemes at once and is trying to do something he shouldn't mess with."
"He doesn't scheme! He plans!" Harry protested, "And what do you mean messing with what he shouldn't be-,"
"Ness." Luna interrupted her tapping becoming a little harder as Harry slammed his mouth shut and looked back at the sky. "You…You don't honestly believe he's grooming me and Ness for something. Do you?"
"Well, aren't you the 'boy who lived?'" Luna questioned, her tone hardening a bit before she resumed petting the owl, "Ness was the boy who saved the world from aliens, at least where he's from. Don't you find it a bit odd that he comes here as a bodyguard and is a walking threat to wizarding society?"
He wanted to argue that it wasn't weird, but it was. It was very weird, and he wished he knew why Dumbledore had dragged Ness into this mess. Was he really that helpful? That valuable? There was a yell that made them look up, apparently Jack had decided that playing air baseball with a square quaffle was a worthy way to spend his time at practice and Angelina had just caught him in the act.
"Dumbledore has his reasons." Harry muttered, scowling as Luna pressed, "And what are your reasons?"
"What?"
"Your reasons, for trusting him."
"He's trying to stop Voldemort and he's protected me more times than I can count!"
Luna pursed her lips, looking irritated which was an odd thing to see on the girl's face but whatever argument she had she swallowed as she turned her head away.
Harry huffed in annoyance but didn't press, a small part afraid that Luna would find the one thing he couldn't defend Dumbledore on as the little voice hissed and prodded at the back of his head.
"Ness broke into Dumbledore's office." Harry stated, glancing at Luna who relaxed a little and hummed, "They told me about that. Tried to find a reason why he left."
"Did they?"
"Find a reason?"
"Hm…" Luna hummed, "No, they simply found a very interesting to-do list."
"About?" Harry pressed, growing frustrated with how Luna was beating around the bush.
"A bunch of things, like keeping you and Ness away from some Unspeakables by using someone named Victoria and using someone named Remus to keep the Mystic Informer away from Ness."
Victoria? Harry racked his brain, trying to remember if there was anyone in the Order named Victoria but he couldn't remember her. She was either a new member or someone he hadn't met before. But maybe Sirius knew—No, he shook the thought out of his head. Reminding himself that Sirius wasn't to be trusted. At least not right now.
"Oh, by the way." Luna started when she stopped and hummed, "No, you wouldn't want to hear that."
"Hear what?" Harry questioned looking at Luna as Ron gave a loud cheer as he presumably caught a quaffle.
"That Sirius intends to keep working with the Ministry to try and flush out Voldemort's followers." Luna explained dropping her voice to a low whisper as Angelina yelled something.
Harry didn't hear what though since he was looking at Luna in growing horror, feeling sick as Luna cautiously continued, "The Minister knows that Dumbledore has some secret club with Sirius involved, but he doesn't want to press. Instead, he wants a list from you and Ness about the death eaters you saw at the graveyard."
"He's lying." Harry stated, "The Minister doesn't care about Voldemort! He just wants to keep his head in the sand!"
"Maybe so. But until Dumbledore gets back the Minister's our only defense against Voldemort." Luna replied the edge returning as Harry hissed, "What defense?! Because of Fudge Voldemort has the dementors—"
"Umbridge."
He jerked back, confused until Luna elaborated, "Umbridge, sent the Dementors after you. Or so they think since one of the aurors pointed out that none of the dementors went after Ness."
"Yea, because Ness scared him half to death."
"Dumbledore scares Voldemort. It didn't stop him from trying to kill and kidnap you." Luna countered, turning to face him as Harry tried to organize his thoughts. (Why was it so hard to think all of a sudden?)
Luna took his silence as a gesture to kept talking and tapped the owl's head, "And Umbridge went missing right after her hearing. Meaning that Voldemort snatched her up."
"We don't know that for sure." Harry whispered feeling sick before he shook his head, "Besides, Fudge sent Umbridge!"
"He didn't order her to send Dementors. Dementors Dumbledore knew were coming."
"What are you getting at Luna?" Harry snapped, hating how hard it was to read her as she tapped the owl.
"You know what I'm getting at Potter." Luna replied, "Those who wish to understand everything…have to pay a high price for it."
"Such as?" Harry challenged, blood thundering in his ears as he opened his mouth to yell that Dumbledore was already paying a price, that the Ministry was just trying to paint him as the bad guy when Luna said, "Their life. Or worse, others' lives."
"And you know this how?"
"Because my mother paid the price." And with that, she got up and carefully made her way back down the stands. Her soft voice ringing loudly in his ears as she called, "Don't read the Mystic Informer. They've been quiet nasty with Dumbledore lately."
Harry spent the rest of Gryffindor practice mulling over that, feeling sick as the little voice teared down every positive thought he had towards Dumbledore and found the thoughts of Dumbledore actually using him like how a Slytherin would trick a Hufflepuff into doing their herbology homework for some grand scheme that he didn't understand.
He felt even worse when the little voice wondered why he was so defensive over Dumbledore instead of the man who was his father's best friend, broke out of jail to avenge him and protect him from Wormtail. The very same man who offered him a chance to leave the Dursleys for good and sacrificed any chance of evading the Ministry by selling out the man who had simply given him a school year sanctuary from the Dursleys.
The words 'Dumbledore is dangerous' from his nightmare bouncing back to him as Ron and Ginny approached him, with tired smiles and having a happy conversation as he recalled Sirius's words. Stating how he would wait for Harry to reply instead of forcing his reasonings on him when he wasn't ready.
"Did…did Dumbledore offer me that?" Harry wondered as he tried to force a smile and get to his feet, the ground trembling beneath him as Luna's words, the nightmare's warnings and the realization that he knew nothing of what Dumbledore had in store for him echoed loudly in his head.
10 out of 12!
Why does Fanfic NOT have the option of putting slashes through words like Word does? It ruined my attempt to show Sirius was cutting off ties and doing his best to put Harry first and not midigate what he had done for their sake. Also, Fanfic doesn't have Align right. -.-
Oh well, at least it isn't to annoying to fix.
