REUNION
A/N: Sorry it has been so long, and above all, sorry this is so short. I'm still in the middle of exams y'see..Erm, this is just a little bit of development, giving you all something to think about! Someone is gonna turn out evil….can you guess who? I just decided the other day. This isn't my main fic, that'll be posted soon. O.k that is it for now, those of you who haven't already, please check out my other story 'The Practicalities of Potions' only one chapter posted so far – it's Hermi/Snape, but very mild so far – just be warned!
Disclaimer: Yes, these characters are all mine, every one of them….ahh come on – you know they are not!
The enormous, shaggy black dog emerged from under Harry's bed. It had been a tight squeeze –despite being severely emaciated, Padfoot was by no stretch of the imagination small. The dogs outline shimmered, mingling with the background and for a moment it was difficult to distinguish human from canine. Quickly, a mans body shot upwards. Despite his over-riding grief, Harry found it impossible not to marvel at the complex magic involved in becoming an animagus. Harry found himself gasping as he gazed into the face of the man who, only moments ago he would have given his Firebolt to talk to. However, faced with the reality of his godfather, he had lost the power of rational speech. Sirius had wasted away beyond all recognition. His handsome face was hollow, not only through physical denial of food, but also with pure grief. His eyes, which could sparkle with mischief and fun, were dead. Sirius' face was masked by an overgrown bush of a beard and his black hair hung well below his shoulders, matted and greasy.
"Harry." He croaked, his voice cracking with emotion at the very mention of his beloved god-son.
"Oh God Harry….what, what is going on? Remus….It can't be true…it just can't be."
Sirius could hold back no longer. He lunged forward and pulled Harry to him. The boy clung to him tightly, unwilling to let go. They shared an inexplicable bond – if truth be told, they barely knew each other, yet they felt comfortable in each others company. Harry was so grateful to be held, to cry without feeling ashamed, that he failed to notice that Sirius too was crying. After a moment the older man pulled out of the embrace and looked deep into Harry's eyes, as though searching for something – but what?
"Harry…I need you to think carefully, you must tell me exactly what happened here today…I don't know what's going on – the only thing that I'm sure of is this is dark…very dark…." His voice trailed off uncertainly.
Harry gulped, and retold the events of the day as best he could, hesitantly at first, building into a great crescendo of words, pouring from his mouth, as though they would never stop.
"Sirius…it's not….you don't think…well, Volemort…."
"If I'm honest Harry, I understand as little of this as you do, I only know that you….we…have to be VERY careful. If this…person could attack Remus on his way to Hogwart's ….I shudder to think what the extent of their powers could be."
Harry stared at his Godfather, his face ashen.
"You don't think this has anything to do with me?"
Sirius hung his head.
"I wish I could reassure you Harry, really I do….It's just…no….maybe its best…"
"Sirius?"
"It was always said that Voldemort would kill all who were dear to your father – eventually – I just can't help thinking, with Remus gone…"
Sirius looked so guilt-stricken that Harry felt he had to try to lighten the situation. He pasted a smile on his face.
"Well, this makes a change…usually I get to face Voldemort at the END of the year – maybe I'll get to do it at the beginning this time."
It wasn't funny, and Harry had not expected laughter to escape from Sirius' thin lips, the situation was far to grim for that. However, neither had he forseen the response he got.
"Harry! How can you say that? This is not a laughing matter – we could be facing – well, I dread to think what, and the best you can do is joke…"
Sirius' jaw tightened noticeably and his eyes sparked alight – not with their usual, cheerful shine – but with rage.
"I, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…"
"God Harry, no, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap…this is not your fault…It's just – under the circumstances – you understand?"
Harry nodded uncertainly, then smiled, just as cautiously. Sirius reached out and gripped his hand.
"We have to stick together."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Meanwhile, in Gryffindor common room, a visibly shaken Professor McGonagall was addressing an unusually sombre group of students.
"I am sure that I do not need to remind you of the severity of the situation. Security around the school has, needless to say been tightened. This means that no one…and I mean NO ONE, loses, or gives out the house passwords."
McGonagall paused, with a meaningful glance at Neville, who shifted uncomfortably under her scrutinous gaze. He was well known for his memory lapses.
"However, the headmaster does not want you worrying unnescecarily….he does not believe that the tragedy of Rem…I mean Professor Lupins death will have any major implications on school life, and the tightening of security is merely a precaution."
McGonagall cleared her throat a little too loudly, as if she did not entirely agree with this.
"Now if you are ready, I would suggest an early night. It's been a long and difficult day, and in light off…"
She stopped abruptly and her voice changed quickly from soothingly reassuring to wildly panicked.
"Wait a minute…where is Potter?"
Her eyes roved the common room anxiously.
"It's ok Professor, he's upstairs..I think he, err, wanted an early night."
Dean piped up quietly.
McGonagall inhaled deeply – visibly trying to compose herself.
"Thank you…erm…yes…just wanted to be sure…err…well…I'll leave you to it…sleep well."
With that, she turned and swept quickly from the room, through the portrait hole.
Ron raised his head wearily.
"Now what…." He said quietly "was that all about?"
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Back upstairs, in the cool, heady darkness of the dormitory, Harry lay quietly, blissfully near sleep. Sirius sat by him, stroking his hair, talking softly to him.
"It'll be ok, you wait and see Harry, I'm sure we'll find out what's going on soon enough."
"You think so?" Harry slurred drowsily.
Sirius smiled reassuringly and patted Harry's hand. Turning, and crossing the room swiftly, he opened the dormitory window.
"Yes…." He said quietly. "I dare say we will."
Then he was gone. Harry watched him leave blearily, until the dark, reassuring veil of sleep enveloped him, and he knew no more.
A/N: thanks for reading…please leave a review….more soon.
