Disclaimer: None of this belongs to me. I'm just borrowing the characters for awhile
Chapter Six: The "Make Harry stop blaming himself,"Club
As they exited the Weasley house, Ron had a thought. "Er, Sirius, how are we going to get there? I can't apparate or anything."
Sirius smiled. "Not to worry, Ron," as he pulled a very small box out of his pocket with a flourish. "Behold our very own top of the line Portkey!" He lifted off the top of the box and inside was a toothpick,that was, presumably, the Portkey.
"We're not going to take Harry by Portkey, are we? It's just that he might have a problem with it after all that happened to him-with You-Know-Who and Cedric and all that."
Sirius paused. "Ron, I think it's time you learned to say Voldemort. Fear will only make him go stronger. And no, we won't be taking Harry by Portkey. We're going to drive."
Ron was puzzled. "Drive? The Ministry gave you a car?"
"No, there's a very nice old lady near Harry who's going to get us a Muggle car, and we'll drive that to a point near Hogwarts, where some friends will meet us."
"So are we going to get Hermione as well, then?" Ron managed to ask, though his heart was beating a little erratically.
Sirius looked at him with just a touch of amusement in his eyes. Roon took a defensive pose. "Well, she's all alone, and all this horrible stuff has happened to her, and I really think it would be best if she was with people who cared about her!"
"Like you, Ron?" Sirius asked gently. Ron turned bright red, mumbling something unitelligable about them having been friends a long time. He turned away. "So are we ready to go, then?" he asked, trying to pretend that his voice hadn't gone all squeaky at the end of the sentence. Sometimes it really sucked being a teenage boy.
"All set...1...2..3!" At the 3, they simultaneously touched the toothpick. Ron felt a jerk at his navel that was familiar (he'd traveled by Portkey before) but at the same time a little frightening. It was unimaginable to think of what Harry had gone through. Ron was so glad that finally they were going to do something to help him. The whirling stopped, and Ron and Sirius landed with a bump.
Ron picked himself up, and looked around. From the looks of it, they were in someone's yard, and not a particularly well kept one. The fence was very high and scraggly untrimmed bushes nearly obscured it from view altogher. He wondered where they were, and why they hadn't just gone straight to Harry's house. He supposed it might have frightened the Dursley's, but they were all such horrible gits anyway that he didn't see why it would matter.
"Who is this old woman, anyway? Is she a Muggle? Why is she helping us?"
"Just full of questions today, aren't you? The lady in question is Mrs. Arabella Figg,a retired Auror, who has agreed to return to work again."
Ron bit his lip, thinking. He seemed to remember Harry mentioning a Mrs. Figg who lived down the street, with cats...and stale cake. Could it be the same person. Was that why Dumbledore had always been so insistent that Harry go to the Dursleys in the summer, even after all that had happened?
Sirius began to walk to the side of the house, which seemed badly in need of paint. He reached a small yellow door and knocked three times, one hard, loud one, followed by two short raps. Ron supposed it was some sort of password or something. A peephole that Ron hadn't realised was there opened a crack.
"Is that you, Sirius?" a sharp voice inquired crisply, her crispness somewhat marred by the fact that Ron could hear something like a dozen cats mewing as she spoke.
"Of course it is, Arabella. Let us in, we have a lot to do today."Sirius replied.
"If it really is you, what was the name of your Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher in your sixth year?"
Sirius thought for a moment. "Hmmm, let me think, wasn't it...you?"
The lady laughed. "Yes, and you were such a nuisance." The door opened, and she ushered them inside. Ron was struck instantly by the almost overpowering smell of cats. The lady seemed to notice his reaction and smiled. "It's terrible, I know. I started the whole cat thing as a disguise, so I would be thought of as just another crazy lady down the street, and now I'm afraid I've fallen in love with them all." She bent down and petted one, a very fierce looking ginger cat that reminded him of Crookshanks. Which reminded him of Hermione. Which made him shake his head in disgust and try very hard to put all his attention to the lady that was now holding out her hand. (which unfortunately had a few cat hairs clinging to it.)
"Arabella Figg," she smiled. "Perhaps your friend Harry has mentioned me?"
"So you are the same woman!" Ron burst out."Have you been watching over Harry all these years?"
She laughed. "Yes, in fact, though I'm sure Harry doesn't think too kindly of me. He will likely suffer a shock when he realizes who I really am. I've been subjecting him to my horrible cakes and photos of my cats for many years. I do hope he'll forgive me. Are you hungry, young man?"
Ron jumped, and tried to think of a polite way to refuse. He WAS hungry, actually, but the thought of stale cake did not tempt him. His ears slowly turned red.
Sirius chuckled. "She's kidding, Ron. She's always doing things like that to people.
Seems to think she's funny. Although, I have to admit, it IS a lot funnier when it's being done to someone else."
Mrs. Figg cackled. "Come boys, have a seat for a few minutes. The car is in the garage, by the way. It's not in great shape, it was the best I could do on such short notice, but it will get you to where you're going. Does young Mr. Potter know you're coming?"
Sirius looked a little guilty. "He actually told me, in no uncertain words, not to. I think he's worried that he'll be a danger to us."
"That's ridiculous!" Ron seethed. "We're in danger already. Does he honestly think that by ignoring all of us we'll be safe?"
"That is probably what he's thinking, if I know Harry. So it's up to us to get him and stop him from feeling that way. We all have to stick together, now, we're stonger when united."
Ron felt a burst of determination. "Well, let's go, then," he said impatiently, tugging on Sirius' arm. "How far do we have to walk? Let's run!"
"It's about two streets away," Sirius replied, turning to Mrs. Figg. "Again, thank you, Arabella, for all your help. You've been invaluable lately."
She playfully smacked him on the arm. "I've always been invaluable, Mr. Black. If you work on it for a few years, one maybe you will be, too. Now off with you! I expect you back within the hour, where I'll have a wonderful dinner waiting for you!"
"Really, Arabella?" Sirius asked, looking a trifle nervous.
"Don't worry, I'll actually use magic. Although I have to admit it was fun cooking without it all these years. The horrible things I've made!"
Ron was about to run out the door and go pelting down the street when he remembered his manners. "It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Figg," he said formally. "Thank you for your help."
"Keep on being a gentleman like that, and you'll soon win over that girl you're after," She laughed and pushed them out the door, leaving a confused Ron blushing and wonderng if there was anything in thought waves.
They headed up to the door to number four, Privet Drive, within minutes. "Should we just knock, do you reckon?" Ron whispered, looking furtively about.
"Why are you whispering, Ron?" Sirius whispered back.
"I don't know-it just seemed more fun that way." They walked up the short flight of stairs to the very ordinary looking door of the very ordinary looking house, and paused.
"Look Sirius. There's a button here! Can I press it? What does it do?"
"You're almost as bad as your father, Ron. Yes, press it, but not too hard, and only once. We may as well be polite to the Muggles while we're here."
Ron pushed the shiny button. (Wow, that was neat) He was about to do it again when the door was opened by a very red-faced man with a large mustache.
"Yes!" he barked. "What do you want? I'm not buying anything today!"
Sirius stepped forward. "Mr. Dursley, I am Sirius Black. We're here to collect Harry. Kindly have him, and his belongings down here in 10 minutes."
Mr. Dursley stepped back, looking frightened. Sometimes the murderer thing came in handy, Ron thought."Hey, boy!" he yelled. "Get down here this instant!" Ron craned his neck, trying to get a view of Harry coming down the stairs. Finally he saw him, and his heart leaped. "Harry," he yelled happily. Harry came towards them slowly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, not very enthusiastically. "Sirius, I told you not to come."
Sirius, who had been having an apparent staring match with Mr. Dursley, looked at Harry sternly. "Since when does the godfather have to listen to the godson? A lot of things have happened, Harry. I think Ron should be the one to tell you some of them. So why don't the two of you get upstairs, and pack your trunk, while I work things out with Mr. Dursley here."
Mr. Dursley looked terrified. Harry almost smiled, and motioned for Ron to follow him upstairs.
There was awkward silence between them for a few minutes. "So...how have you been Harry?" Ron asked carefully.
"Not too bad, I guess," Harry said, not really looking at him. After a moment, though, he DID look at him and Ron was overwhelmed by the look of pain on his face. "You shouldn't be here, Ron! It's not safe to be my friend, you're better off at home with your family where it's safe!"
"What would make you think that any of us would leave you here, Harry? Whether we're your friends or not, we're all in danger! Just because you're at home with your family doesn't mean you're safe!" Ron paced the room angrily.
"What are you getting at, Ron?" Harry asked tiredly. Ron stopped pacing and looked Harry straight in the eye. "Hermione's parents were killed by Voldemort's supporters a few days ago. So, you see, Harry, it's not really safe anywhere anymore, and you sitting here feeling guilty is not going to do a thing to help anyone."
"You said his name..."Harry whispered.
"Sirius made me realize that fear is only going to make him go stronger. He may kill us all eventually, but I'll die fighting, and I'll be damned if I let somebody kill me who's name I'm afraid to say."
Harry looked at him in wonderment for a moment, and nodded slowly. "Where is Hermione?" he asked. "Is she okay?"
"She's at Hogwarts right now, we're going there next to pick her up. So let's get packing, we should try to be with her as soon as we can!"
Harry seemed to be going through an inner struggle. Finally though, loyalty, bravery. and just plain old love, the characteristics that had kept him famous these many years won out, and he smiled bravely, although perhaps not happily. "Right, then," he sighed. "Let's get to work."
"Wait till I tell you, Harry! Old Mrs. Figg is a witch!"
To be continued.
A/N I'm tired now. I really wanted to get this out today, I've had such great reviewers, I love all of you guys so much! I'm sorry it's taking so long to get anywhere! For an R/H story, there sure hasn't been much H, has there? Next chapter, I promise! And once she's there, she's there to stay!
Thanks to my new reviewers: PhoenixTears, Trina-k, maxie cejap77,FleurHartz, SaltineRitz, and AngelEyes. All your reviews really inspire me. Hope to hear from you again!
Nikalee
P.S I'm sorry if there are any spelling/grammar errors. I've been up since three a.m(don't ask) and am too tired to check it right now. I'm sure it's not too bad...I hope!
Chapter Six: The "Make Harry stop blaming himself,"Club
As they exited the Weasley house, Ron had a thought. "Er, Sirius, how are we going to get there? I can't apparate or anything."
Sirius smiled. "Not to worry, Ron," as he pulled a very small box out of his pocket with a flourish. "Behold our very own top of the line Portkey!" He lifted off the top of the box and inside was a toothpick,that was, presumably, the Portkey.
"We're not going to take Harry by Portkey, are we? It's just that he might have a problem with it after all that happened to him-with You-Know-Who and Cedric and all that."
Sirius paused. "Ron, I think it's time you learned to say Voldemort. Fear will only make him go stronger. And no, we won't be taking Harry by Portkey. We're going to drive."
Ron was puzzled. "Drive? The Ministry gave you a car?"
"No, there's a very nice old lady near Harry who's going to get us a Muggle car, and we'll drive that to a point near Hogwarts, where some friends will meet us."
"So are we going to get Hermione as well, then?" Ron managed to ask, though his heart was beating a little erratically.
Sirius looked at him with just a touch of amusement in his eyes. Roon took a defensive pose. "Well, she's all alone, and all this horrible stuff has happened to her, and I really think it would be best if she was with people who cared about her!"
"Like you, Ron?" Sirius asked gently. Ron turned bright red, mumbling something unitelligable about them having been friends a long time. He turned away. "So are we ready to go, then?" he asked, trying to pretend that his voice hadn't gone all squeaky at the end of the sentence. Sometimes it really sucked being a teenage boy.
"All set...1...2..3!" At the 3, they simultaneously touched the toothpick. Ron felt a jerk at his navel that was familiar (he'd traveled by Portkey before) but at the same time a little frightening. It was unimaginable to think of what Harry had gone through. Ron was so glad that finally they were going to do something to help him. The whirling stopped, and Ron and Sirius landed with a bump.
Ron picked himself up, and looked around. From the looks of it, they were in someone's yard, and not a particularly well kept one. The fence was very high and scraggly untrimmed bushes nearly obscured it from view altogher. He wondered where they were, and why they hadn't just gone straight to Harry's house. He supposed it might have frightened the Dursley's, but they were all such horrible gits anyway that he didn't see why it would matter.
"Who is this old woman, anyway? Is she a Muggle? Why is she helping us?"
"Just full of questions today, aren't you? The lady in question is Mrs. Arabella Figg,a retired Auror, who has agreed to return to work again."
Ron bit his lip, thinking. He seemed to remember Harry mentioning a Mrs. Figg who lived down the street, with cats...and stale cake. Could it be the same person. Was that why Dumbledore had always been so insistent that Harry go to the Dursleys in the summer, even after all that had happened?
Sirius began to walk to the side of the house, which seemed badly in need of paint. He reached a small yellow door and knocked three times, one hard, loud one, followed by two short raps. Ron supposed it was some sort of password or something. A peephole that Ron hadn't realised was there opened a crack.
"Is that you, Sirius?" a sharp voice inquired crisply, her crispness somewhat marred by the fact that Ron could hear something like a dozen cats mewing as she spoke.
"Of course it is, Arabella. Let us in, we have a lot to do today."Sirius replied.
"If it really is you, what was the name of your Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher in your sixth year?"
Sirius thought for a moment. "Hmmm, let me think, wasn't it...you?"
The lady laughed. "Yes, and you were such a nuisance." The door opened, and she ushered them inside. Ron was struck instantly by the almost overpowering smell of cats. The lady seemed to notice his reaction and smiled. "It's terrible, I know. I started the whole cat thing as a disguise, so I would be thought of as just another crazy lady down the street, and now I'm afraid I've fallen in love with them all." She bent down and petted one, a very fierce looking ginger cat that reminded him of Crookshanks. Which reminded him of Hermione. Which made him shake his head in disgust and try very hard to put all his attention to the lady that was now holding out her hand. (which unfortunately had a few cat hairs clinging to it.)
"Arabella Figg," she smiled. "Perhaps your friend Harry has mentioned me?"
"So you are the same woman!" Ron burst out."Have you been watching over Harry all these years?"
She laughed. "Yes, in fact, though I'm sure Harry doesn't think too kindly of me. He will likely suffer a shock when he realizes who I really am. I've been subjecting him to my horrible cakes and photos of my cats for many years. I do hope he'll forgive me. Are you hungry, young man?"
Ron jumped, and tried to think of a polite way to refuse. He WAS hungry, actually, but the thought of stale cake did not tempt him. His ears slowly turned red.
Sirius chuckled. "She's kidding, Ron. She's always doing things like that to people.
Seems to think she's funny. Although, I have to admit, it IS a lot funnier when it's being done to someone else."
Mrs. Figg cackled. "Come boys, have a seat for a few minutes. The car is in the garage, by the way. It's not in great shape, it was the best I could do on such short notice, but it will get you to where you're going. Does young Mr. Potter know you're coming?"
Sirius looked a little guilty. "He actually told me, in no uncertain words, not to. I think he's worried that he'll be a danger to us."
"That's ridiculous!" Ron seethed. "We're in danger already. Does he honestly think that by ignoring all of us we'll be safe?"
"That is probably what he's thinking, if I know Harry. So it's up to us to get him and stop him from feeling that way. We all have to stick together, now, we're stonger when united."
Ron felt a burst of determination. "Well, let's go, then," he said impatiently, tugging on Sirius' arm. "How far do we have to walk? Let's run!"
"It's about two streets away," Sirius replied, turning to Mrs. Figg. "Again, thank you, Arabella, for all your help. You've been invaluable lately."
She playfully smacked him on the arm. "I've always been invaluable, Mr. Black. If you work on it for a few years, one maybe you will be, too. Now off with you! I expect you back within the hour, where I'll have a wonderful dinner waiting for you!"
"Really, Arabella?" Sirius asked, looking a trifle nervous.
"Don't worry, I'll actually use magic. Although I have to admit it was fun cooking without it all these years. The horrible things I've made!"
Ron was about to run out the door and go pelting down the street when he remembered his manners. "It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Figg," he said formally. "Thank you for your help."
"Keep on being a gentleman like that, and you'll soon win over that girl you're after," She laughed and pushed them out the door, leaving a confused Ron blushing and wonderng if there was anything in thought waves.
They headed up to the door to number four, Privet Drive, within minutes. "Should we just knock, do you reckon?" Ron whispered, looking furtively about.
"Why are you whispering, Ron?" Sirius whispered back.
"I don't know-it just seemed more fun that way." They walked up the short flight of stairs to the very ordinary looking door of the very ordinary looking house, and paused.
"Look Sirius. There's a button here! Can I press it? What does it do?"
"You're almost as bad as your father, Ron. Yes, press it, but not too hard, and only once. We may as well be polite to the Muggles while we're here."
Ron pushed the shiny button. (Wow, that was neat) He was about to do it again when the door was opened by a very red-faced man with a large mustache.
"Yes!" he barked. "What do you want? I'm not buying anything today!"
Sirius stepped forward. "Mr. Dursley, I am Sirius Black. We're here to collect Harry. Kindly have him, and his belongings down here in 10 minutes."
Mr. Dursley stepped back, looking frightened. Sometimes the murderer thing came in handy, Ron thought."Hey, boy!" he yelled. "Get down here this instant!" Ron craned his neck, trying to get a view of Harry coming down the stairs. Finally he saw him, and his heart leaped. "Harry," he yelled happily. Harry came towards them slowly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, not very enthusiastically. "Sirius, I told you not to come."
Sirius, who had been having an apparent staring match with Mr. Dursley, looked at Harry sternly. "Since when does the godfather have to listen to the godson? A lot of things have happened, Harry. I think Ron should be the one to tell you some of them. So why don't the two of you get upstairs, and pack your trunk, while I work things out with Mr. Dursley here."
Mr. Dursley looked terrified. Harry almost smiled, and motioned for Ron to follow him upstairs.
There was awkward silence between them for a few minutes. "So...how have you been Harry?" Ron asked carefully.
"Not too bad, I guess," Harry said, not really looking at him. After a moment, though, he DID look at him and Ron was overwhelmed by the look of pain on his face. "You shouldn't be here, Ron! It's not safe to be my friend, you're better off at home with your family where it's safe!"
"What would make you think that any of us would leave you here, Harry? Whether we're your friends or not, we're all in danger! Just because you're at home with your family doesn't mean you're safe!" Ron paced the room angrily.
"What are you getting at, Ron?" Harry asked tiredly. Ron stopped pacing and looked Harry straight in the eye. "Hermione's parents were killed by Voldemort's supporters a few days ago. So, you see, Harry, it's not really safe anywhere anymore, and you sitting here feeling guilty is not going to do a thing to help anyone."
"You said his name..."Harry whispered.
"Sirius made me realize that fear is only going to make him go stronger. He may kill us all eventually, but I'll die fighting, and I'll be damned if I let somebody kill me who's name I'm afraid to say."
Harry looked at him in wonderment for a moment, and nodded slowly. "Where is Hermione?" he asked. "Is she okay?"
"She's at Hogwarts right now, we're going there next to pick her up. So let's get packing, we should try to be with her as soon as we can!"
Harry seemed to be going through an inner struggle. Finally though, loyalty, bravery. and just plain old love, the characteristics that had kept him famous these many years won out, and he smiled bravely, although perhaps not happily. "Right, then," he sighed. "Let's get to work."
"Wait till I tell you, Harry! Old Mrs. Figg is a witch!"
To be continued.
A/N I'm tired now. I really wanted to get this out today, I've had such great reviewers, I love all of you guys so much! I'm sorry it's taking so long to get anywhere! For an R/H story, there sure hasn't been much H, has there? Next chapter, I promise! And once she's there, she's there to stay!
Thanks to my new reviewers: PhoenixTears, Trina-k, maxie cejap77,FleurHartz, SaltineRitz, and AngelEyes. All your reviews really inspire me. Hope to hear from you again!
Nikalee
P.S I'm sorry if there are any spelling/grammar errors. I've been up since three a.m(don't ask) and am too tired to check it right now. I'm sure it's not too bad...I hope!