Hogsmeade was freezing and Harry was certain he would die of the cold. He and Neville had been sitting in the three broomsticks for the better part of the trip. Neville seemed to be plying Harry with butterbeer in an attempt to warm him, Rosemerta had even put them near the fire after seeing Harry's trembling when they entered.
When Malfoy and gang finally came in for lunch, the group of them seemed right out of a television show, they were glowing with a charming rosiness. They seemed to command the room without even noticing, the students around them pausing to watch as they passed. Harry found himself staring at the group as they all elegantly swept away snow from their robes and sat at a table.
When Harry came back to himself he noticed Nev smiling at him, "They are a bit out of our league aren't they."
Harry let out a sharp laugh, "We aren't exactly the most popular are we?"
Nev took a sip from his mug and leaned back, "We should let him enjoy the limelight a bit longer. When we finish our drinks we should leave."
Harry found it difficult not to watch the group of high society Slytherins. Draco seemed to blend in entirely not a muscle out of place, not a single glance in their direction. Draco moved in closer whispering something to Pansy who burst out laughing blushing lightly. She was touching his arm, and it was making Harry very uncomfortable. Something rose in him that made him want to stand and say something, instead he felt it settle onto his shoulders sitting like a weight.
He let his leg bounce he'd been holding it still since they first sat down, and he let his mind drift- inevitably to the first task.
The impending task loomed over Harry like an illness, with everyday that passed Harry felt more out of control. He had become more impulsive, he would say things he normally wouldn't and it took far more effort than usual to keep his mouth shut.
He watched Neville stand walking towards Rosmerta, he tripped into Malfoy and Harry knew this plan to see Sirius was probably a part of his impulsiveness. Deep down he wasn't sure if he'd be all that upset if it were a trap.
Malfoy made a small show of the situation calling Neville a name and pushing him back. Harry hoped that no one would notice the push was more playful than aggressive, even the name calling was fairly tame. Nev raised his hands defensively, apologizing and turning, Harry stood up instinctively to move to Neville's defence. He could have sworn he saw one of Draco's friends moving to do something. But realized quite quickly they hadn't, Draco was now sitting down and only gave him a cursory glance. Harry blinked several times and sat down as Neville moved back to him, the bill in hand.
"Let's pay and leave," Nev spoke softly and Harry returned to himself instinctively throwing down enough money to pay for both of them. He grabbed Nev and raced for the door before the other boy could argue.
Harry wanted to get it over with, either the disappointment of a trap and subsequent fight, or the relief of finding Sirius alive and well. He and Neville walked down the main street towards the path that led to the Shrieking shack. They waited at the mouth of the path for Malfoy who appeared only a few moments after them.
"Shall we?" He playfully offered his arm to Harry who pushed it away.
"Stop it this is serious."
"You're telling me." Malfoy said with a nervous laugh leading the way.
Nev stayed behind, closer to the Shacks observation area far enough away that the observers couldn't see him, but close enough that he could still make it to help if things went bad.
Malfoy had become more rigid once he and Harry were alone, and off the beaten path. Harry was on edge too. When a black dog jumped from the brush towards them Harry almost let loose a jinx. Malfoy stepped behind Harry, "How the hell is there a dog out here?"
Harry smiled bending down, "Sorry I couldn't come alone. Wasn't sure if it was really you. Do you have somewhere private we can talk?"
The dog seemed wary at first looking at Malfoy and letting out a whine. "Oh hush, he's alright one of my new friends."
The dog let out a final far more dramatic whine before reluctantly leading the boys away from the shack.
They were led to a cave into which the dog disappeared. As Harry went to follow Malfoy grabbed his arm. "I don't trust it Harry, let's go back."
"Oh there is nothing to worry about little snake. I'd never hurt my godson." Sirius walked into the light, he was skinnier than when Harry had last seen him. Harry took a moment to notice that Sirius had more colour and his hair was shorter. Harry was relieved to see the man was wrapped in thick warm winter robes and stood with his arms open. Harry ran into them, holding tightly to the man. He smelled of earth and the countryside with a hint of wet dog that Harry didn't mind.
"I missed you," Harry couldn't help whisper into his chest. Sirius held Harry close, "I've missed you too. I promised to take care of you. I was not going to let you face this alone."
Harry pulled away and turned to smile at Malfoy who stood awkwardly a few feet away. Decidedly Malfoy was trying to focus on the ground attempting to give Harry a private moment.
"Draco," The other boy blushed at his name, and looked up.
"This is my Godfather Sirius Black."
Draco gave a small nod bringing his arm forward in a small bow, "Mr. Black I've heard good things."
Sirius let out his bark like laugh, "Now that's a lie but I must admit I wasn't expecting you, dear cousin."
Draco paled suddenly, and Harry looked between the two. "You're related?" He asked Draco, who grimaced.
"Distantly yes," Sirius said pointedly, "However I was disowned from that family long ago. I'm sure your mother never mentioned me."
Malfoy looked at Harry, eyes pleading. "No, I mean, she didn't but I suspected, I mean…"
"We're all related, the pure-blood families at this point no one's left besides us is there." Sirius didn't hide his disgust and Harry felt something squirm in him at the subtext of that comment. Draco looked guilty, or maybe shameful, either way he turned his eyes back towards the ground.
Sirius seemed to realize he had hurt Draco and cleared his throat before saying, "Well it's good of you to stand by Harry at a time like this. He needs all the friends he can and well... You didn't hex me so I suppose you must be alright."
This made Draco at least more agreeable though he still seemed suspicious of Sirius.
"So it hasn't been getting any easier has it, if you all thought this was an ambush." Sirius turned back to Harry.
"To be fair, it was Neville who thought it was an ambush; he's a bit more paranoid than either of us." Harry explained sitting on a stone near the mouth of the cave.
Sirius hummed, "Still should I sit in the stands or something? Do we think the task will be sabotaged in some way?"
Draco shrugged leaning against the cave wall at Harry's side, "I'm sure Harry hasn't told you but the task is dragons."
It was Sirius' turn to pale, "What? They expect you to fight a dragon? Is no one putting a stop to this?"
"Who is there to put a stop to this? You're on the run, and well Molly isn't looking too kindly at me anymore." Harry hugged himself trying not to get upset. "I put up as much of a fight as I could... they say it's an unbreakable contract or something."
Sirius gave him a soft look, "Things with the Weasley's aren't going well?"
"They think I'm teaching Harry the dark arts in order to get him through the competition." Draco didn't hide his anger.
Sirius looked thoughtfully at the floor, "That's not good. Do others think that?" He took up a slow pace walking the entrance of the cave.
Harry shrugged, "A few? I don't know, we've been focusing on preparing for the task. Draco helped me get a plan of attack, I'm going to try and out fly it until the time runs out."
Sirius' eyes lit up, "You're a fair flyer, that sounds like a respectable plan."
They spoke for a while longer explaining their preparations, the spells they were learning, the dives they were practicing. Sirius seemed delighted at Draco's optimism and by the end of the visit, though calling them friendly would be going too far,the two were no longer at odds.
Harry left the cave heading back to Neville on the hillside, Draco walked around to enter Hogsmeade through the other side. Neville was sitting at the trunk of a tree reading and jumped slightly when Harry announced himself.
"How did it go?" Neville asked cautiously, sitting up making room for Harry who dropped down next to him.
"Why did he come here?" The anger he had been trying his best to squash was crawling it's way up his throat. It was uncomfortable and horrible, Harry was torn in a way he felt he shouldn't have to be. "Why would he put himself in this danger? Our hope lies in his freedom. Why would he risk it all? Doesn't he understand how irresponsible that is? Do I really have to parent him to curb this inexplicable urge he has to impulsively rush into danger. Why-
Harry you said it yourself, you might die."
Neville had cut him off not in an angry way like Harry had expected but in a calm stern tone. Harry felt so out of control the words had just started coming out before he could stop them. He took several breaths looking at his friend who seemed to be seeing the situation with a clarity Harry knew he himself no longer possessed.
"He just wanted to be with you before the task. He wanted to show you how much he cared. At least that's what I would have wanted, if I was him." Neville lost some steam by the end. As he finished he nervously opened his book to an index page.
Harry felt his breath waver and found himself suddenly sad. A wave of helplessness seemed to drown him in one fell swoop. Suddenly he was drowning in a deep lake without even a shred of light to lead him to the water's surface. He sank lower and lower realizing the ridiculousness of his plan, the inherent flaws of his team, how ultimately alone he was.
Harry for the countless time since his name had been called from the goblet of fire, broke down. He was surprised to feel the sudden warmth of Nev's arms as they wrapped around him. They sat in silence until Harry found he could collect himself.
As they walked back up to the castle Harry swore he saw a glimpse of the Grim in the forbidden forest but by the time his brain had put the image together the dog was gone. Harry could never be sure if it was Sirius and he wasn't sure what was more comforting. If it was real or all just in his head.
