(A/n Thank-you for all your reviews! I thank everyone for the constructive criticism - I've made good use of it ; ) I've putting in a lot more plot in this - more things happen. I hope you like this. I'm sorry for the slightly depressing ending of this chapter! Well, I don't own anything, please do not sue me for I have not a penny… review please….they bring me great solace : p Thanks! ;
Nunquam Praeclarus
Chapter 3
Upon the Image of Death
Harry and Sirius were walking up the wide path that led up to Hogwarts. Sirius has already given Harry a good telling off for running away, 'especially now things are so dangerous!', and they were now on their way to see Dumbledore. Harry was sure Dumbledore would be disappointed and secretly he was dreading to see that disappointment portrayed in his face. They were soon outside the headmaster's office and as Sirius muttered the password the stone gargoyle leapt aside. They knocked on the door at the top of the moving stairs and heard Dumbledore's voice call from the inside. They stepped in, and Harry, who was looking very sheepish, sat down next to Sirius.
"Harry", started Dumbledore, "You already know half of what I am going to tell you."
"Never to run away again", Harry interjected. Dumbledore nodded gravely…Harry knew there was something much more pressing at hand that Dumbledore was about to reveal to him. Dumbledore moved his eyes to Sirius, who nodded, clapped Harry gently on the shoulder and left. Harry stared.
"W-what…", Harry started. Dumbledore surveyed Harry pensively, his eyes, devoid of the comforting glow, betrayed the sympathy that he now felt.
"Harry, we have just learned of a new plan of Voldermort's from a trusted source", Harry was sure that he meant Snape, "It's getting to dangerous to let you stay at Hogwarts as he knows you are here. After the events of last year, I feel I failed to protect you and I must never let that happen again." Harry felt he had punched hard in the stomach. He struggled to form the words,
"Y-you're expelling me?" Harry stuttered but Dumbledore cut in,
"No! As I said, I do not find it safe for you to stay here. I know this is burdening for you to hear me say this, but by staying here, you are not only endangering yourself, but others as well." Dumbledore could tell by Harry's face that he already knew this but he still looked grief - stricken. "I'm going to send you somewhere far away from here, some place where Voldermort won't look and to be sure, we will carry out the Fidilous charm. You know about - "
"Yeah, I know." Said Harry simply, "You're going to be my secret keeper." It wasn't a question. Dumbledore nodded heavily and sighed. This was going to be difficult. "I'm sorry but you must not, under any circumstances, tell Mr Weasly or Miss Granger about the charm or who you're secret keeper is. You may, of course, tell them you are leaving."
"Where am I leaving to exactly?" Harry asked, emotionly preparing himself for the worst, "what about my education? It won't be too far away will it?"
Dumbledore smiled gently at Harry's flow of questions and said, "I want you to stay in school, and it has to be far away. I'm sending you to a school called The View Point Magical Educational Institution. It is not as large as Hogwarts, and although it is an excellent school, it is not celebrated as much as it should be, but under the current circumstances, this works to our favour."
Harry looked liked he was struggling to take all this information yet he said, "You still haven't told me where it is…"
"It's in America, Harry. California to be exact." Harry didn't look too thrilled…he knew Dumbledore had no clue how long he would be there for, he would leave behind everything he loved about Hogwarts; Quidditch, the secret passage ways, his friends. He felt a lump rise in his throat when he thought about leaving Ron and Hermione, his greatest friends. And Sirius, his godfather.
"I'm sorry, Harry - but it has to be done…" Dumbledore looked sadly upon Harry.
"No, I understand, don't worry - I'll be fine."
The charm was performed and Harry wrote to Ron and Hermione, telling them about having to leave. He felt dreadful but he knew that if he didn't go - he was putting everyone at risk. He sighed as he sent Hedwig with the letters - no turning back.
***
Hermione, was at home in Leamington and she was amazingly not doing her homework. She was slobbing out in front of the television and doing - well - crap all, basically. She turned her head to a tapping at the window. It was Hedwig. She smiled and ran over to the window to let Hedwig in. Hedwig held out her leg and hooted softly as Hermione took the letter and gave her an owl treat. Hermione's expression whilst reading the letter turned from happy, to anxious and finally ended on shock tangled up with despair.
Dear Hermione,
I don't know how to say this, but Dumbledore told me today that I'd have to leave Hogwarts and transfer somewhere else, where Voldermort can't find me…I'm not going to get to see you guys before I go and probably not going to speak to for a while. I know a letter isn't an ideal way to say goodbye to your best friends, but it's all I have. I don't know how long I'll be gone, even Dumbledore doesn't know. I'll really miss you, you're my best friends…I'm really sorry. Your friend Harry.
A tear fell off her nose and splashed onto the letter that she held in her now shaking hands. She sat down, and cried.
Nunquam Praeclarus
Chapter 3
Upon the Image of Death
Harry and Sirius were walking up the wide path that led up to Hogwarts. Sirius has already given Harry a good telling off for running away, 'especially now things are so dangerous!', and they were now on their way to see Dumbledore. Harry was sure Dumbledore would be disappointed and secretly he was dreading to see that disappointment portrayed in his face. They were soon outside the headmaster's office and as Sirius muttered the password the stone gargoyle leapt aside. They knocked on the door at the top of the moving stairs and heard Dumbledore's voice call from the inside. They stepped in, and Harry, who was looking very sheepish, sat down next to Sirius.
"Harry", started Dumbledore, "You already know half of what I am going to tell you."
"Never to run away again", Harry interjected. Dumbledore nodded gravely…Harry knew there was something much more pressing at hand that Dumbledore was about to reveal to him. Dumbledore moved his eyes to Sirius, who nodded, clapped Harry gently on the shoulder and left. Harry stared.
"W-what…", Harry started. Dumbledore surveyed Harry pensively, his eyes, devoid of the comforting glow, betrayed the sympathy that he now felt.
"Harry, we have just learned of a new plan of Voldermort's from a trusted source", Harry was sure that he meant Snape, "It's getting to dangerous to let you stay at Hogwarts as he knows you are here. After the events of last year, I feel I failed to protect you and I must never let that happen again." Harry felt he had punched hard in the stomach. He struggled to form the words,
"Y-you're expelling me?" Harry stuttered but Dumbledore cut in,
"No! As I said, I do not find it safe for you to stay here. I know this is burdening for you to hear me say this, but by staying here, you are not only endangering yourself, but others as well." Dumbledore could tell by Harry's face that he already knew this but he still looked grief - stricken. "I'm going to send you somewhere far away from here, some place where Voldermort won't look and to be sure, we will carry out the Fidilous charm. You know about - "
"Yeah, I know." Said Harry simply, "You're going to be my secret keeper." It wasn't a question. Dumbledore nodded heavily and sighed. This was going to be difficult. "I'm sorry but you must not, under any circumstances, tell Mr Weasly or Miss Granger about the charm or who you're secret keeper is. You may, of course, tell them you are leaving."
"Where am I leaving to exactly?" Harry asked, emotionly preparing himself for the worst, "what about my education? It won't be too far away will it?"
Dumbledore smiled gently at Harry's flow of questions and said, "I want you to stay in school, and it has to be far away. I'm sending you to a school called The View Point Magical Educational Institution. It is not as large as Hogwarts, and although it is an excellent school, it is not celebrated as much as it should be, but under the current circumstances, this works to our favour."
Harry looked liked he was struggling to take all this information yet he said, "You still haven't told me where it is…"
"It's in America, Harry. California to be exact." Harry didn't look too thrilled…he knew Dumbledore had no clue how long he would be there for, he would leave behind everything he loved about Hogwarts; Quidditch, the secret passage ways, his friends. He felt a lump rise in his throat when he thought about leaving Ron and Hermione, his greatest friends. And Sirius, his godfather.
"I'm sorry, Harry - but it has to be done…" Dumbledore looked sadly upon Harry.
"No, I understand, don't worry - I'll be fine."
The charm was performed and Harry wrote to Ron and Hermione, telling them about having to leave. He felt dreadful but he knew that if he didn't go - he was putting everyone at risk. He sighed as he sent Hedwig with the letters - no turning back.
***
Hermione, was at home in Leamington and she was amazingly not doing her homework. She was slobbing out in front of the television and doing - well - crap all, basically. She turned her head to a tapping at the window. It was Hedwig. She smiled and ran over to the window to let Hedwig in. Hedwig held out her leg and hooted softly as Hermione took the letter and gave her an owl treat. Hermione's expression whilst reading the letter turned from happy, to anxious and finally ended on shock tangled up with despair.
Dear Hermione,
I don't know how to say this, but Dumbledore told me today that I'd have to leave Hogwarts and transfer somewhere else, where Voldermort can't find me…I'm not going to get to see you guys before I go and probably not going to speak to for a while. I know a letter isn't an ideal way to say goodbye to your best friends, but it's all I have. I don't know how long I'll be gone, even Dumbledore doesn't know. I'll really miss you, you're my best friends…I'm really sorry. Your friend Harry.
A tear fell off her nose and splashed onto the letter that she held in her now shaking hands. She sat down, and cried.