Forgiveness

As expected, the message was from Dumbledore. He wanted him to come in his office during the evening. Harry guessed he would go to Grimmauld Place then. He spent the morning in his common room trying to take some advance on the remaining essays. Around eleven, McGonagall went to check up on her Gryffindors and she nodded with satisfaction towards Harry when she saw him.

He stayed until the middle of the afternoon. By then, his Transfiguration essay was done.

When the basilisk heard his footstep, he could tell something had changed. Harry went immediately towards him without a look for Tom. He couldn't hate him. But that didn't mean he didn't felt resentment.

'I am leaving,' hissed Harry to the basilisk. 'I have to go away for the remaining of the holidays.'

The snake nodded and Harry could tell he was sad about the idea of being alone. His heart clenched a bit. He disliked greatly to disappoint him.

'If there was a way,' continued Harry, 'I can assure you I would bring you me.'

'Well, you could try the Extension Charm,' he heard Tom say in Parseltongue.

'What?' He asked irritated.

'It is a spell to increase the internal dimension of an object while the outer ones remain unchanged.' He pointed toward Harry's schoolbag. 'Besides the content is rendered light enough to carry almost everything.'

Harry looked at him suspiciously. His help annoyed him. But he didn't want to leave his basilisk alone. Moreover, he could already read the hope in the snake's eyes. He sighed.

'What is the spell?'

'Capacious extremis,' answered Tom.

Harry looked at his bag and formulated the spell in his head. When he looked inside of it, nothing had changed. But the basilisk passed between his legs and started to curl himself up at the bottom of the bag. Harry was bewildered. The bag seemed at the same time of a giant size and normal size. He blinked and looked at Tom who had a satisfied smile.

'Thank you,' said Harry coldly.

He turned his heels and started to head toward the exit.

'Harry, wait!' Shouted Tom.

The boy stopped without turning toward him.

'What is it?'

'It might be too late but frankly I don't care,' the voice was a bit hesitant. 'I am sorry... I can't regret everything, but I am sincerely sorry for the wrongs I have done to you.'

Harry nodded briefly and resumed his walk. He didn't want to think about it yet.

He arrived in the Headmaster office, keeping his schoolbag tight against him. It had been so weird walking around the school with the very creature that had haunted its corridors a few years ago. If anyone discovered what he was carrying… He forbade himself to think about it. No one would find out.

'Ah Harry,' said Dumbledore joyfully. 'I managed to get a safe way toward Grimmauld Place tonight. I am sure Sirius and the Weasleys will be delighted to see you.'

Harry nodded, feeling his body tense up. Dumbledore observed him a few seconds. He had guessed a days ago that the boy was hiding something. Something he knew was important. But he wouldn't force the boy to reveal it. He had forfeited this right. If he ever had it one day.

He took the same kettle he had used for the Weasleys out of his drawer and put it on his desk.

'What is going to happen when school resumes?' Asked Harry a bit anxious. What would happen when Umbridge would be back?

'My power at Hogwarts is limited,' whispered Dumbledore. Harry could tell it was a painful matter for him. 'My hands are tied and now, more than ever, is not the time for me to be away from you.'

His frankness baffled Harry and his throat tightened thinking about all the secrets he knew but couldn't share.

'I understand, Sir,' he replied in a low voice. 'Thank you.'

'Don't mention it,' smiled Dumbledore. 'As the Professor McGonagall likes to remind to me, things would have been different had I changed my plan earlier.'

He let out a deep sigh and buried his gaze into Harry's eyes.

'I will never ask you for your forgiveness about all this for I don't think I deserve it. I just want you to know that from now on I shall always stand at your side. No matter the consequences.'

'What about the Wizarding World?'

'May it find his its own champion,' replied Dumbledore. 'I offered him one and he rejected it. However, as I use to say, help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.' He paused a few seconds. 'I have always prized myself on my ability to turn a phrase. But I would, in this case, amend my original statement to this:" Help will always be given at Hogwarts, to those who deserve it."' His eyes were sparkling under his glasses.

Harry smiled. He had missed this Dumbledore.

'And you, my dear boy,' continue the Dumbledore, 'are, in many regards, the most deserving student this school has ever seen in a long time. Perhaps it is time I remember your loyalty at its true value.'

He continued to observe Harry who few more seconds. The boy was speechless. His throat had never been this constricted. His eyes were sparkling with gratitude. But his mouth remained sealed.

Dumbledore finally turned to grab the kettle and handed to Harry who took it apprehensively. He could already feel the unpleasant feeling behind his navel.

'Repeat after me,' said a voice in his head. 'I have discovered Voldemort's secret.'

'I will see you in January then,' Harry said eventually.

'Merry Christmas my boy,' replied Dumbledore with a soft smile.

'Merry Christmas, Sir.'

He was caught in a whirl of color before he could finish his sentence. As his feet hit the floor of one of the many rooms at Grimmauld Place, he refrained his urge to throw up. He just had the time to adjust his glasses on his nose before two strong arms circled his body to pull him in a tight embrace.

'I am sorry about what I told you last time,' whispered Sirius in his ear. 'It was cruel of me, and I didn't realise it then. Forgive me.'

Harry had expected everything but this. He felt a warm feeling fill his chest. For a moment he lowered completely his guard and let his hand join behind Sirius's back. His head was buried on the wool vest of his godfather, and he breathed deeply. During the next minutes he was a child in the arms of the last member of his family and nothing else mattered.

When he released the boy, Sirius noticed he had never seen his godson's eyes so bright, and he cursed himself silently. Comparing him to James had been highly inconsiderate. How could he have lectured the boy who had gone back in time to save his damned soul on risk? He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and together they climbed the stairs down to the kitchen where Hermione and the Weasley family were waiting for them.

Harry had rarely felt so happy in his life. They laughed and chatted about everything. To his great embarrassment, Mr. Weasley insisted on making a toast to him that everyone joined cheerfully. For a brief evening, they all forgot about the coming war. Harry never left his schoolbag, though Mrs. Weasley was insisting on putting it away. He even managed to slip some food from the table that he discreetly put inside the bag.

Hi guys,

If anyone has any idea about a cool name for a basilisk please let me know!

Everything I have found so far is not suitable for him

Thank you!