Disclaimer: All things you recognize from the seven Harry Potter books belong to J.K. Rowling. I am merely borrowing for my own entertainment and do not earn anything for writing this story.

Hey, guys, I'm back. This isn't a very active chapter, but I hope it'll do. I'm even busier than before because I've recently begun a story at FictionPress. I would greatly appreciate it if you took a look at it.

Now, please enjoy and review! Thanks a lot.

Also, someone spoke up about their confusion about chapter three, when Harry is worried someone will catch Sirius. I hope my reply has cleared things up a bit for those who were confused.

110.3.3.

Reply Section

1) To HeartsGlow:

I didn't mean catch him in Grimmauld Place, but when he contacts Harry through the Floo. I'm sorry if I didn't make it clear, but I thought it is obvious since I mentioned the letter - but still, I wrote the story, so my bad.

Capturing Sirius when he is speaking to Harry through the Floo is highly possible because Umbridge attempted to do so in the actual book. If Draco Malfoy had been the one who intercepted the letter, then he could inform his father, who could inform the Ministry, and therefore Umbridge would know and attempt to catch Sirius, or Snuffles, and maybe she would have the help of Aurors.

Thank you for speaking up about this.

A Bloody Hand: Things Just Seem to Happen Together

Chapter 6

The three best friends had a very cheerful lunch, and then Harry excused himself from the table.

"But where are you going, Harry?" said Hermione, frowning a little in confusion. "You just spent quite a bit of time with McGonagall, and now you're leaving us again."

Harry frowned. "I wasn't gone that long, Hermione, and I'm not leaving you guys," he replied, feeling slightly annoyed, "I've just got to go do something. It probably won't last long," he added. "Look, guys," he said, sighing as he looked at Hermione, then glanced at Ron, who shrugged and offered him a quick grin, "you're my best friends, but some things … I just have to do, alone."

"But why?" demanded Hermione, her cheerfulness gone now. "I mean, a little while ago, you never disappeared, and you weren't hiding something from us, but now, you are!"

"I'm not," said Harry quickly. "I'm not, Hermione, I told you I'll tell you two later."

"When's later?" asked Hermione, and Harry saw that she was angry, worried, confused, and a little hurt at his behavior. "A month later?"

"No!" cried Harry. Then he lowered his voice – there weren't many people around them as they had arrived a little late to lunch, but he was careful anyway. "Just … maybe a week or so. As soon as ... I deal with some things."

Ron, who hadn't spoken at all while Hermione argued with Harry, rolled his eyes. "It's okay, Harry," he said. "You know Hermione just gets worried. C'mon," he said to Hermione, "leave him be, he'll tell us when he's ready – won't you, mate?" he added to Harry.

Harry grinned at Ron, grateful for this Ron who was sensible and hardly ever happened, and then smiled at Hermione. "Of course," he said. "Soon, Hermione," he promised. "Now, I really need to dash."

Hermione sighed. "Sorry, Harry, I just worry. And you know I like to know what you're doing," she said, giving him a rather strained smile, and Ron grinned at Harry without her noticing. "See you later."

Harry nodded. "Thanks, Ron, see you guys later," he said to his friends, and then he left the Great Hall, relieved.

But as he left, he worried a bit. Hermione was pushy, he knew, and would probably be … what, exactly? He couldn't say what exactly, but he felt slightly worried about their friendship. He knew the three of them would probably always be friends, but he was worried about the current mood of their friendship, which wasn't good.

Ignoring his worries for now, he hurried back to the common room and into his dorm and straightened his clothes in front of the mirror in the bathroom. Then he went to the common room and glanced at the clock. He had twenty minutes until he needed to be at the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.

He decided to head there anyway because it wouldn't hurt to be early, and Hermione and Ron could be back any moment. It would be hard to leave their company a second time. He looked around at the various people in the common room, making sure they weren't paying attention to him before heading off.

He wandered a bit, so not long after he had arrived at Dumbledore's office, McGonagall appeared.

"Potter," she said in greeting. "Good, you're here."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied nervously.

"Come, let's go," said McGonagall briskly. "There's nothing to worry about, Potter," she added, seeing his nervous expression, then muttered the password to the gargoyle, which sprang aside. McGonagall grasped Harry's left shoulder and steered him up.

"Professor?" said Harry, questioning. "I can walk, you know."

She sighed, looked at him and released his shoulder, and then knocked on the door, which opened at once.

"Hello, Minerva," said Dumbledore serenely, as they entered. Then he frowned slightly. "And Harry, what a surprise!" Still serene, thought Harry nervously, but more serious.

"Hi, Professor," said Harry, after a little pause.

"Harry," Dumbledore wasn't smiling, but he didn't sound upset either, "how are you?"

"Er …" Harry glanced at McGonagall for help, then said, "Um … I'm fine, sir, just fine."

"That is great to hear, my boy," said Dumbledore, and smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Headmaster," interrupted McGonagall, "surely this isn't the time for pleasantries? You know I asked for this meeting to discuss something important with you."

"And you brought Mr Potter along, I see," said Dumbledore.

"Yes, Potter is here for a special purpose," said McGonagall, flushing a bit in embarrassment and then straightened up.

"Oh, is that so?" said Dumbledore. "Right then," he continued briskly, "let's get down to business – Minerva?"

McGonagall took a deep breath, then … lost control, much to Harry's astonishment. "Albus!" she shrieked. "Are you blind? Are you crazy? Are you so naive as to think – think –? I know it couldn't be helped, but you should have checked – you should've kept an eye on her!" She stopped, took another deep breath, then continued, "I'm sure you're very busy, but at least pay some attention to your students, will you, especially this one!"

Dumbledore, no longer serene, looked rather startled, and Harry gaped at his head of House before saying indignantly, "I don't need special treatment, Professor, I can –," but McGonagall interrupted him.

Sounding much calmer, she said, "I'm sorry, you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" She paused and added, "It is your own fault you haven't noticed anything though. Headmaster, I asked for a meeting because of Dolores Umbridge," she continued, finally getting to the point. She spat the name "Dolores Umbridge."

"Ah," said Dumbledore, once again serene; Harry glared at him, but he didn't notice. "And what has she done? I hope you're not going to accuse the poor woman of doing something perfectly acceptable, as you did last time." He peered at McGonagall over his glasses a little sternly, as if she were a student.

Harry stared at McGonagall curiously. "Last time"?

McGonagall flushed slightly, and it was clear she was remembering the "last time." "Of course not," she replied with dignity, "this accusation is much more serious than the last."

Dumbledore nodded. "Well then, Minerva, what is it?"

"This woman has been making her students write with a blood quill during detentions with her!" exclaimed McGonagall. It seemed she was unable to control herself. "Potter here writes lines with this quill!"

Dumbledore frowned slightly. "Really?" he asked, calmly. "I do hope you aren't exaggerating the truth, Minerva," he said, and when McGonagall scowled at him, nodded. "Well then, Harry, show me your hand, please."

Harry hesitated, and then did so, holding out his right hand.

Dumbledore stared in disbelief for a moment, then shouted, "How dare she!"

Harry jumped, and McGonagall started a little, then said, sounding extremely calm, "Indeed, Headmaster, so please take immediate action now." Then she glanced at Harry and mouthed at him, "Go now."

Harry nodded and hurriedly retreated, still a bit shaken. Who knew Dumbledore could get angry like that?

Once the door had clicked shut behind him, Harry dashed down the stairs and ran the entire way back to the Gryffindor common room. He panted the password at the Fat Lady and peeked into the common room. Once he had made sure Hermione and Ron weren't there, he went in and went up to his dorm, out of breath.

Harry sat down on his bed, breathless, and closed his eyes. It was happening, he realized. Umbridge would be arrested and no one would receive detentions from her any longer. Then it would be over and things would be calm. He opened his eyes and stared down at his right hand, where the sentence was. "'I must not tell lies,'" he repeated aloud, and smiled slightly. "But I'm telling the truth."

He felt overwhelmed, suddenly. In reality, he should be whooping. He should be excited and happy about this, but he couldn't be. He felt tired, really tired, and wished it was all over. He just wanted Umbridge gone so he could study and do homework and hang out with his friends like everyone could. Although, with Voldemort on the loose, he might not be able to after all. Harry sighed softly. He wished he was normal more than ever now …

For those who bothered to read what I wrote above, thanks. But if you didn't, that's alright too. Only, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a look at my story at FictionPress. Thanks.