finally a substantial authors note, thanks to all for the constructive criticism, spelling has always been my forte (hack!) ill get to the meaning of The Third Camp later (suspense... organ music) and I HAVE been misspelling Avada Kedavra. Actually I didn't mean for the story to be funny in the least-- strangely enough, I'm one of those people that feeds on pure drama and expected this to be as such, ah well the story sometimes writes itself if you catch my drift. And I forgot a disclaimer in my last two installments (I'm sure you all missed it so terribly much) DISCLAIMER-- JKR Harry Potter and the whole motley crew except for... well so far the Weasley's Car.... (sigh)
THE THIRD CAMP
CHAPTER III-- THE ROAD TO THE BURROW
At long last-- the Weasley's had gotten a new car, an old forest green beat up Ford Prefect that somehow managed to hold four trunks, seven people (nine would be slightly more accurate considering Dudley's size) and two owls. The Dursleys were all crammed into a corner, clinging to each other for dear life while Uncle Vernon muttered something unintelligible about his company car. Harry and Ron sat next to them while He supposed Dumbledore had talked to Mrs. Weasley about Sirius's innocence for they took the front together conversing in hurried tones. Leaning forward Harry caught snippets of their conversation...
"Lupin's coming, Figg, Cox, Moody, Snape--"
"At your house?"
"Tonight... he'll tell them, half already know"
"Will it make a difference?"
"...Fudge has to listen... Percy..."
Straining to hear more, Harry gave it up when he saw what Ron was after. Leaning over Harry, Ron stared at Dudley, his face breaking into an evil grin strangely reminiscent of Fred and George. "Hello... Dudley."
The boy just gaped at him.
"I'm Ron, how are you?" Harry elbowed him, but Ron continued on undaunted. "I'm just ever so pleased to meet you, Harry's been telling me loads--" Dudley paled and tried, unsuccessfully, to fade into the car's upholstery, gripping him bottom ever tighter.
Harry whispered, "Give it up Ron, he won't even talk to me anymore, not that its much of a loss."
Ron looked at Harry and lowered his voice, taking on a look of mock-concern, "Are you sure the poor boy's sane?" And they both started laughing. The Dursleys eyed them like a pair of lunatic maniacs. Suddenly Ron turned his attention to the front seat, "Why'd you show up, Sirius, I thought you were with Lupin."
"I am," Sirius sighed, "I had to talk to Arabella Figg for Dumbledore."
"Mrs. Figg?" said Harry and Uncle Vernon in shocked unison.
"Well of course dear," Mrs. Weasley said, "Arabella Figg is one of the most famous aurors in Britain."
"You're not serious..." Harry started, "She used to sit me..."
"Well yes," said Mrs. Weasley in her matter-of-fact tone, "She only moved in because of you, Arabella is the wizard Dumbledore had maintain the ward spells on your house."
"I thought I'd stop by and visit when I was through," Sirius finished.
"Arabella Figg... is one of you?" Uncle Vernon muttered in amazement.
"Little slow on the uptake, are we?" Sirius said amiably, as Uncle Vernon scowled.
----
It seemed to take forever and some more for the Ford to chug its way to Ottery St. Catchpole but despite the fact that he had three unwelcome stowaways Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of joy when he saw the Burrow. It was more home to him than Privet Drive could ever be. As he carried the trunk to the door Harry was still smiling at the look of shock on the Dursleys faces when Sirius had suddenly became a large black dog.
Ginny opened the door, she blushed at the sight of Harry, and then he face dissolved into confusion as the Dursleys tramped in, followed by her mother, brother, and a dog almost as tall as she was.
"Where is Bill?" Mrs. Weasley asked once they were all inside.
Ginny shifted her weight from foot to foot, looking reluctant to answer, "He went to talk to Percy again-- oh Mum!! I told him not to... but he wouldn't listen--"
Mrs. Weasley's pleasant features had dissolved into a lump of iron, she didn't even bother to reply.
"What's with Percy?" Harry hissed to Ron, but Ginny shrieked before he had a chance to answer.
"SIRIUS BLACK!!!"
"Where?" As if on cue, Fred and George half ran, half slid down the stairs, their faces lit with excitement.
"Ginny-- shhhh-- he's all right--" Ron said.
"How could you!" she bawled, pointing at him, "You're Harry's friend!"
"Its ok!" Harry grabbed her, "He's innocent!"
She blinked at him, furiously fighting back tears, while Uncle Vernon's voice reached a low growl, "What?"
Harry turned to face him, hopefully looking more brave than he felt, "Sirius is innocent." Uncle Vernon's entire face turned read and Harry could see the anger boiling up inside of him, indignation waiting to burst through ever since the doorbell had rung that morning-- Harry felt a fist connect with his chin and before it registered than he had just been punched, people were swarming in from all sides... as he stood there in a daze of screams and yells-- one voice carried above all of them, and slowly opening his eyes, he hadn't even realized they were shut, Harry saw Mrs. Weasley, pounding Uncle Vernon on the head with a broomstick. "HOW DARE YOU HIT HARRY!" she was roaring," WE JUST SAVED YOUR WORTHLESS LIVES AND YOU REPAY ME-- AS A GUEST IN MY HOUSE-- BY ABUSING--"
"Good afternoon, Molly," walking through the open door was the last person Harry wanted to see at a time like this, his potions master, Professor Snape.
Dropping her broom, Mrs. Weasley tried to regain what was left of her shredded hospitality. "Severus welcome-- do come in, you're here early."
Instead of replying, Snape gave her one of his patronizing smiles, which broke the moment he saw Harry and Ron, "Ah yes... Mr. Potter, taking a break between interviews, no doubt?"
"You never change, Severus, do you?" Sirius snarled, baring his teeth.
Snape eyed the gray robes Sirius had been wearing for the past year and a half with distaste, "Nor does it seem... do you."
The two were staring daggers at each other so Mrs. Weasley grabbed Snape in one arm and Uncle Vernon in the other, "Severus, I don't believe you've met Harry's family. This is his Uncle Vernon, his cousin Dudley, and his Aunt Petunia. Lily's sister- you remember Lily--"
"Charmed," said Snape dryly, making it very clear that he wasn't charmed in the least.
"Mr. Dursley, this is Severus Snape-- Harry's potion master at Hogwarts." To Uncle Vernon, Snape looked like his worst idea of a wizard with his aquiline nose, greasy hair, and robes that seemed a chronic black. To Snape Uncle Vernon was related to Harry, and that was more than enough. However Harry knew in the unlikely event of a conversation between the two parties, they just might reach a state of camaraderie on Harry's faults.
"Hello," Uncle Vernon muttered. Snape gave him one of his you-are-dirt looks that only a Slytherin could perfect.
Ginny however, could not get over the shock of having so many things happen on less than a minute. Without thinking she turned to Snape, "You know Sirius Black?"
Giving her a black stare Snape looked to Mrs. Weasley, "I have heard this one too many times, Molly. If you'd excuse me.." and with that he stormed into the living room.
"Oi," said Ron, "My head hurts."
"Mine hurts more," Fred muttered, "You know what's going on."
Harry took a breath, and launched himself into the tale of two years previous in which he had found out that the convicted murderer from Azkaban was his godfather, a man he had grown to know and love.
----
Ron's room was just as Harry had remembered it, outrageously, blatantly orange. He grinned cheekily at him as they heaved Harry's trunk through the too small door.
"Well," said Ron, "Don't know where we're ever going to fit the Dursleys. Hopefully they won't have to stay in here with us."
Harry scowled, "That would be fun."
"I wish Herimone could have come," Ron said with a trace of bitterness.
"Maybe she's home already," Harry said, desperately trying to cheer up him friend, "we should send Pig to see."
Ron just shook his head.
After an uncomfortable silence, Harry tried to change the subject, "Why's Snape here?"
"I'm not sure, really," Ron said, "Dad quit his job at the ministry to work with Dumbledore against You-Know-Who. I think they're trying to resurrect the old Dark Force Defense League."
"Your father quit his job?" Harry knew how poor the Weasleys were.
"Fudge refused to listen to the truth, even after Karkaroff's death, so Dad's working for Dumbledore-- he pays better than the ministry too, "Ron flashed a cheeky grin, "Fudge seems to have taken it upon himself to tear down Dumbledore-- he tried to get the board of governors to remove him as Headmaster-- but thankfully they wouldn't listen. For the last few weeks, all the aurors that support Dumbledore have been meeting at our house."
"All of them?"
Ron sighed, "There's not that many."
Suddenly Harry remembered what he had heard downstairs, "What's all this about Percy?"
"He... won't listen to reason," Ron drummed his fingers on the orange bedspread-- the only outward sign of tension, :He says you're deranged and Dumbledore's a fool to believe that You-Know-Who is back. Percy won't even see us anymore, says its bad for his career to associate with Dumbledore..." He broke off, staring at the ceiling.
Harry nodded glumly, it was all his fault. If he had never touched the Triwizard cup in the first place, this would have never happened, Voldemort would never have come back, Cedric would still be alive, and the Weasleys would still have Percy...
As if he could read Harry's thoughts, Ron gave him a smile, "Don't beat yourself up too badly, Harry, its not your fault."
Shaking his head, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the slip of parchment that had arrived in the mail that morning and unfolding it, he handed it to Ron. "This came in the mail today, from Tom Riddle..."
Ron's eyes widened as he say what was written on the paper "Harry... Avada Kedavra.... this is really serious, wow, you remember what Moody said--"
"Yeah," he said, suddenly regretting showing it to Ron. Harry needed advice, not added worry.
"You should show this to Sirius."
"Yeah..." Harry felt a sudden qualm, he didn't want to turn to Sirius for everything, he had enough worries of his own... and besides, who knows that Voldemort really sent the note, "Not yet, ok?" He snatched the not from Ron, who began to nervously twist the bedcovers.
Before Ron could reply, there was a knock on the door and swinging it open, Sirius stepped in. Harry thrust the note back into his pocket quickly, as Ron shot him a quizzical look.
Sirius smiled, "Am I intruding?"
Ron shook his head, "No, sit down--" he pointed at his already full twin bed, and somehow, Sirius managed to oblige.
"To be an ill-mannered house guest," he began, "I'd like to invite you two to Lupin's to stay with us."
"Really!" Harry grinned, Avada Kedavra forgotten. It had been over a year since he had seen his old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and any time with Sirius was a godsend in itself.
"Truly," Sirius answered, "You're Mum's already agreed, Ron. With the Dursleys around she'll need the extra room, I offered to take them too--"
"Sirius- No!"
"But your Uncle turned somewhat green and I didn't pursue the subject."
Ron turned his eyes heavenward, "Praise be."
Sirius chuckled and stood up, "I'd like to leave tonight after the meeting, mainly so Remus can carry your luggage, so do pack Ron."
"Sure, Snuffles."
After rolling his eyes, Sirius walked out.
"Where does Lupin live?" Harry wondered aloud, a subject he had never considered before.
"A cave, do you think?" Ron said hopefully.
"With bats," Harry added.
"and vampires-- I mean how else does he know so much about Dark creatures?"
"Better pack some garlic," Harry suggested as they heaved Ron's trunk out from under his bed.
THE THIRD CAMP
CHAPTER III-- THE ROAD TO THE BURROW
At long last-- the Weasley's had gotten a new car, an old forest green beat up Ford Prefect that somehow managed to hold four trunks, seven people (nine would be slightly more accurate considering Dudley's size) and two owls. The Dursleys were all crammed into a corner, clinging to each other for dear life while Uncle Vernon muttered something unintelligible about his company car. Harry and Ron sat next to them while He supposed Dumbledore had talked to Mrs. Weasley about Sirius's innocence for they took the front together conversing in hurried tones. Leaning forward Harry caught snippets of their conversation...
"Lupin's coming, Figg, Cox, Moody, Snape--"
"At your house?"
"Tonight... he'll tell them, half already know"
"Will it make a difference?"
"...Fudge has to listen... Percy..."
Straining to hear more, Harry gave it up when he saw what Ron was after. Leaning over Harry, Ron stared at Dudley, his face breaking into an evil grin strangely reminiscent of Fred and George. "Hello... Dudley."
The boy just gaped at him.
"I'm Ron, how are you?" Harry elbowed him, but Ron continued on undaunted. "I'm just ever so pleased to meet you, Harry's been telling me loads--" Dudley paled and tried, unsuccessfully, to fade into the car's upholstery, gripping him bottom ever tighter.
Harry whispered, "Give it up Ron, he won't even talk to me anymore, not that its much of a loss."
Ron looked at Harry and lowered his voice, taking on a look of mock-concern, "Are you sure the poor boy's sane?" And they both started laughing. The Dursleys eyed them like a pair of lunatic maniacs. Suddenly Ron turned his attention to the front seat, "Why'd you show up, Sirius, I thought you were with Lupin."
"I am," Sirius sighed, "I had to talk to Arabella Figg for Dumbledore."
"Mrs. Figg?" said Harry and Uncle Vernon in shocked unison.
"Well of course dear," Mrs. Weasley said, "Arabella Figg is one of the most famous aurors in Britain."
"You're not serious..." Harry started, "She used to sit me..."
"Well yes," said Mrs. Weasley in her matter-of-fact tone, "She only moved in because of you, Arabella is the wizard Dumbledore had maintain the ward spells on your house."
"I thought I'd stop by and visit when I was through," Sirius finished.
"Arabella Figg... is one of you?" Uncle Vernon muttered in amazement.
"Little slow on the uptake, are we?" Sirius said amiably, as Uncle Vernon scowled.
----
It seemed to take forever and some more for the Ford to chug its way to Ottery St. Catchpole but despite the fact that he had three unwelcome stowaways Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of joy when he saw the Burrow. It was more home to him than Privet Drive could ever be. As he carried the trunk to the door Harry was still smiling at the look of shock on the Dursleys faces when Sirius had suddenly became a large black dog.
Ginny opened the door, she blushed at the sight of Harry, and then he face dissolved into confusion as the Dursleys tramped in, followed by her mother, brother, and a dog almost as tall as she was.
"Where is Bill?" Mrs. Weasley asked once they were all inside.
Ginny shifted her weight from foot to foot, looking reluctant to answer, "He went to talk to Percy again-- oh Mum!! I told him not to... but he wouldn't listen--"
Mrs. Weasley's pleasant features had dissolved into a lump of iron, she didn't even bother to reply.
"What's with Percy?" Harry hissed to Ron, but Ginny shrieked before he had a chance to answer.
"SIRIUS BLACK!!!"
"Where?" As if on cue, Fred and George half ran, half slid down the stairs, their faces lit with excitement.
"Ginny-- shhhh-- he's all right--" Ron said.
"How could you!" she bawled, pointing at him, "You're Harry's friend!"
"Its ok!" Harry grabbed her, "He's innocent!"
She blinked at him, furiously fighting back tears, while Uncle Vernon's voice reached a low growl, "What?"
Harry turned to face him, hopefully looking more brave than he felt, "Sirius is innocent." Uncle Vernon's entire face turned read and Harry could see the anger boiling up inside of him, indignation waiting to burst through ever since the doorbell had rung that morning-- Harry felt a fist connect with his chin and before it registered than he had just been punched, people were swarming in from all sides... as he stood there in a daze of screams and yells-- one voice carried above all of them, and slowly opening his eyes, he hadn't even realized they were shut, Harry saw Mrs. Weasley, pounding Uncle Vernon on the head with a broomstick. "HOW DARE YOU HIT HARRY!" she was roaring," WE JUST SAVED YOUR WORTHLESS LIVES AND YOU REPAY ME-- AS A GUEST IN MY HOUSE-- BY ABUSING--"
"Good afternoon, Molly," walking through the open door was the last person Harry wanted to see at a time like this, his potions master, Professor Snape.
Dropping her broom, Mrs. Weasley tried to regain what was left of her shredded hospitality. "Severus welcome-- do come in, you're here early."
Instead of replying, Snape gave her one of his patronizing smiles, which broke the moment he saw Harry and Ron, "Ah yes... Mr. Potter, taking a break between interviews, no doubt?"
"You never change, Severus, do you?" Sirius snarled, baring his teeth.
Snape eyed the gray robes Sirius had been wearing for the past year and a half with distaste, "Nor does it seem... do you."
The two were staring daggers at each other so Mrs. Weasley grabbed Snape in one arm and Uncle Vernon in the other, "Severus, I don't believe you've met Harry's family. This is his Uncle Vernon, his cousin Dudley, and his Aunt Petunia. Lily's sister- you remember Lily--"
"Charmed," said Snape dryly, making it very clear that he wasn't charmed in the least.
"Mr. Dursley, this is Severus Snape-- Harry's potion master at Hogwarts." To Uncle Vernon, Snape looked like his worst idea of a wizard with his aquiline nose, greasy hair, and robes that seemed a chronic black. To Snape Uncle Vernon was related to Harry, and that was more than enough. However Harry knew in the unlikely event of a conversation between the two parties, they just might reach a state of camaraderie on Harry's faults.
"Hello," Uncle Vernon muttered. Snape gave him one of his you-are-dirt looks that only a Slytherin could perfect.
Ginny however, could not get over the shock of having so many things happen on less than a minute. Without thinking she turned to Snape, "You know Sirius Black?"
Giving her a black stare Snape looked to Mrs. Weasley, "I have heard this one too many times, Molly. If you'd excuse me.." and with that he stormed into the living room.
"Oi," said Ron, "My head hurts."
"Mine hurts more," Fred muttered, "You know what's going on."
Harry took a breath, and launched himself into the tale of two years previous in which he had found out that the convicted murderer from Azkaban was his godfather, a man he had grown to know and love.
----
Ron's room was just as Harry had remembered it, outrageously, blatantly orange. He grinned cheekily at him as they heaved Harry's trunk through the too small door.
"Well," said Ron, "Don't know where we're ever going to fit the Dursleys. Hopefully they won't have to stay in here with us."
Harry scowled, "That would be fun."
"I wish Herimone could have come," Ron said with a trace of bitterness.
"Maybe she's home already," Harry said, desperately trying to cheer up him friend, "we should send Pig to see."
Ron just shook his head.
After an uncomfortable silence, Harry tried to change the subject, "Why's Snape here?"
"I'm not sure, really," Ron said, "Dad quit his job at the ministry to work with Dumbledore against You-Know-Who. I think they're trying to resurrect the old Dark Force Defense League."
"Your father quit his job?" Harry knew how poor the Weasleys were.
"Fudge refused to listen to the truth, even after Karkaroff's death, so Dad's working for Dumbledore-- he pays better than the ministry too, "Ron flashed a cheeky grin, "Fudge seems to have taken it upon himself to tear down Dumbledore-- he tried to get the board of governors to remove him as Headmaster-- but thankfully they wouldn't listen. For the last few weeks, all the aurors that support Dumbledore have been meeting at our house."
"All of them?"
Ron sighed, "There's not that many."
Suddenly Harry remembered what he had heard downstairs, "What's all this about Percy?"
"He... won't listen to reason," Ron drummed his fingers on the orange bedspread-- the only outward sign of tension, :He says you're deranged and Dumbledore's a fool to believe that You-Know-Who is back. Percy won't even see us anymore, says its bad for his career to associate with Dumbledore..." He broke off, staring at the ceiling.
Harry nodded glumly, it was all his fault. If he had never touched the Triwizard cup in the first place, this would have never happened, Voldemort would never have come back, Cedric would still be alive, and the Weasleys would still have Percy...
As if he could read Harry's thoughts, Ron gave him a smile, "Don't beat yourself up too badly, Harry, its not your fault."
Shaking his head, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the slip of parchment that had arrived in the mail that morning and unfolding it, he handed it to Ron. "This came in the mail today, from Tom Riddle..."
Ron's eyes widened as he say what was written on the paper "Harry... Avada Kedavra.... this is really serious, wow, you remember what Moody said--"
"Yeah," he said, suddenly regretting showing it to Ron. Harry needed advice, not added worry.
"You should show this to Sirius."
"Yeah..." Harry felt a sudden qualm, he didn't want to turn to Sirius for everything, he had enough worries of his own... and besides, who knows that Voldemort really sent the note, "Not yet, ok?" He snatched the not from Ron, who began to nervously twist the bedcovers.
Before Ron could reply, there was a knock on the door and swinging it open, Sirius stepped in. Harry thrust the note back into his pocket quickly, as Ron shot him a quizzical look.
Sirius smiled, "Am I intruding?"
Ron shook his head, "No, sit down--" he pointed at his already full twin bed, and somehow, Sirius managed to oblige.
"To be an ill-mannered house guest," he began, "I'd like to invite you two to Lupin's to stay with us."
"Really!" Harry grinned, Avada Kedavra forgotten. It had been over a year since he had seen his old Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and any time with Sirius was a godsend in itself.
"Truly," Sirius answered, "You're Mum's already agreed, Ron. With the Dursleys around she'll need the extra room, I offered to take them too--"
"Sirius- No!"
"But your Uncle turned somewhat green and I didn't pursue the subject."
Ron turned his eyes heavenward, "Praise be."
Sirius chuckled and stood up, "I'd like to leave tonight after the meeting, mainly so Remus can carry your luggage, so do pack Ron."
"Sure, Snuffles."
After rolling his eyes, Sirius walked out.
"Where does Lupin live?" Harry wondered aloud, a subject he had never considered before.
"A cave, do you think?" Ron said hopefully.
"With bats," Harry added.
"and vampires-- I mean how else does he know so much about Dark creatures?"
"Better pack some garlic," Harry suggested as they heaved Ron's trunk out from under his bed.