A/N Hola, how are you doing? I would be doing fine, but some of you decided not to review last time. That made me sad, and it's harder to write when I'm sad. Reviews make me happy. So give me lots of reviews and you can have the next chapter very soon, okay. Read, enjoy, and review.
CHAPTER 18
The next few days passed surprisingly quickly for Harry. He spent the first day entirely in his room, with comfort from Hermione until she had to go to bed that night. He still didn't go to classes the next few days, but he started making appearances in the common room and had Dobby bring him his meals. Ron and Hermione were constantly with Harry, eating with him and around him when he ventured into the common room. All of the other Gryffindors had heard of what happened and mainly left him to himself. Many of them did come up and tried to cheer him, especially Fred and George. It turned out that getting repeatedly transfigured into a wide selection of animals can take your mind off things.
After a few days of rest and relaxation, Harry was beginning to feel better, if that was possible. He still knew that he was responsible for the Dursley's deaths, and for what they did to him, but it wasn't the constant burning sensation in the pit of his stomach anymore, just a dull throbbing that occurred whenever he thought about it.
One morning he was woken up by Ron a little bit earlier than usual, who sleepily told him that Professor McGonnal was waiting for him in the common room. Even though his clock was telling him to 'go back to sleep', he got up anyway and through some robes on over his pajamas. Walking slowly down the stairs, he found a stern looking Professor McGonall accompanied by someone Harry very much did not expect to see, Professor Lupin.
"Harry," Professor McGonall started, "Today is your relatives funerals. If you feel like going, then Professor Lupin will take you there and back. If you don't feel like going, then Professor Lupin will just take you out somewhere to do something."
"Anything you want, anywhere you want Harry."
Harry looked back and forth from the two of them, from the stern looking and old yet wizened face of Professor McGonall to the unnaturally old but still cheerful and youthful face of Professor Lupin. Not sure what to do or say, he stood uncomfortably in the silence that followed and was thankful when Remus finally broke it.
"Its okay if you don't feel like going to the funeral, Harry, we know what they did to you." Yeah, right, thought Harry, you don't know the half of it. Not that it was that bad, since he had gotten them killed. "And if you do decide to go the funeral, well, then, its much more then they ever would have done for you."
Harry pondered it for a moment longer, then decided to go. He and Remus would take floo powder to the Leaky Cauldron, and then Remus would drive them out to the church. Harry was a little apprehensive as they both got into the little red Geo that had been provided for them. Remembering his previous experience with Remus driving, he wasn't exactly excited as they made their way through the northern suburbs of London. Remus had improved considerably, although Harry still had to remind him to watch the road every now and then.
"Harry, I'm sorry that Sirius couldn't be here today. He couldn't take the chance that some muggle would see him and make a fuss."
"That's okay, at least you're here so I don't have to go all alone."
"We don't have to be back to your school until later tonight, so what do you say to heading out to do something afterwards?"
"That sounds great."
"If you're up for it, there's a game that you might be interested in. The Chudley Cannons are playing The Puddlemere United this afternoon."
"I'd love to, the Cannons are my favorite!"
"Great, I already have the tickets."
"You didn't have to Professor. How much were they, I can pay for it." Harry took a look at Remus' run down robes.
"That's quite all right Harry. I sent an owl to someone on the Puddlemere team, and he was quite excited to have Harry Potter coming to see him play. Gave me an entire luxury box to myself, only on the condition that he could see you sometime after the game."
"That's awesome, who is it?"
"I can't tell you that, he wanted it to be a surprise." He turned to face Harry again, looking quite serious. "I wish that I could have done stuff like this sooner, Harry. When your parents died I was furious at Dumbledore for not letting me take of you. I didn't even talk to him for six years after he sent you to live with the Dursley's instead of me. Imagine that, I didn't even talk to the man who was the only person living who would even considering accepting me into Hogwarts. I wasn't your godfather or anything, but I was one of James' and Lily's best friends. I was there when you were born, and I saw you almost every day before that night. It took me a long time to realize that Dumbledore was only doing it for your protection, and even when you went to Hogwarts I was too scared to talk to you, afraid that you would hate me for abandoning you. So I'm sorry."
Harry smiled back at him. "Don't be sorry. I know that there wasn't anything that you could do. As soon as you and Sirius can fix it up so I could come live with you, I would love to."
Remus was still watching him closely. "I've always wanted to do this, really, but I've never been able to. I'm glad and I'm sure that Sirius is that we can start-"
Harry cut him off quickly. "You're driving on the sidewalk!"
"Shit!"
"Meow!"
Remus concentrated on the road and Harry once again stifled laughter.
____________________
Hermione and Ron had just finished lunch, and were pondering over what to do.
"Hey, why don't we go down and see Hagrid? We haven't been down there yet this year."
"Sounds good," Hermione agreed. "I wanted to ask him about his mission with Madame Maxine this summer anyway."
"I thought that he wasn't supposed to talk about it."
"Of course he's not supposed to, but it's not exactly that hard to find out. Anton would probably be very interested."
They walked down to Hagrid's cabin, enjoying the nice summer day. When they arrived, he motioned them inside and gave them both tea and some rather rock-like scones.
"I've been waiting fer yeh to come down, it's been to long!" Hagrid shouted at them jovially.
"We're sorry about that, Hagrid, we've just been busy, what with Harry and all."
"Oh, it's okay Hermione, I understand. Harry will get along fine, just give him a few days. I met those muggles once, and I wouldn't relish doin' it again. Do you know Professor Dumbledore thinks that it might not have been death eaters?"
Hermione gave him a puzzled look. "Who else would possibly care about the Dursleys?"
"I don't know, but if Dumbledore suspects something, then so do i. Come out back with me, I've just been waitin' to show yeh what we're goin' to be studying in class first term."
Hermione couldn't help but glance at Ron nervously.
"But that can all wait. Here, have some tea and scones." Both of them took the tea, but politely declined the scones.
Hermione elbowed Ron when Hagrid wasn't looking. "So, erm, how was your summer Hagrid? Do anything interesting?"
Hagrid gave them both a look. "I know what your tryin' to get at, and it's not going to work this time. Dumbledore specifically told me not to tell anyone."
"But Hagrid-"
"No buts, Hermione, I can't tell you. Change the subject."
"Fine." They started talking and enjoying their free afternoon, and even went out to a pen behind Hagrid's cabin where he showed them the creatures that they would be studying.
"I got somethin' special fer yeh this term. Now mind that we can only keep 'em for a few weeks, but we can still have fun with them while we got 'em."
Out in the pen were the most beautiful creatures that Hermione had ever seen. "Unicorns!" She shouted happily. There were four of them, three glittering silver fully-grown mares and one dull gray miniature unicorn.
Hagrid pointed to the baby. "Isn't it pretty. Not as pretty as Norbert was, but she's still nice." Hermione had to stifle a giggle at this. "It will be another couple years before she turns silver like the rest of 'em."
They went back into the cabin and chatted amiably until Hermione figured it was the right time.
Cutting in over Ron, who was talking about quidditch, she asked Hagrid the question that she had been waiting on all afternoon. "So, Hagrid, how were the giants."
Hagrid answered her enthusiastically. "Oh, they were great. Tickled pink that somebody besides Voldemort finally decided to talk to-"
He stopped quickly, just realizing what he had done. "Oh, no, I did it again. What's Professor Dumbledore going to say?"
"It's okay, Hagrid, we won't tell anyone, WILL WE, Hermione?" Ron gave her a meaningful look.
"Don't worry, it will be our little secret."
Hagrid still looked distraught. "He trusted me again, and I let him down again." Hermione and Ron had to spend the rest of their time there comforting Hagrid, but despite the feelings of guilt that Hermione had over tricking him she was quite pleased over what they had learned.
______________________
Remus and Harry had made their way through England, with Remus carefully watching the road the whole time, until they were at Surrey, Harry's town. However, instead of pulling up to 4 Privet Drive, Remus pulled into old Mrs. Figg's house. Noticing Harry's questioning look, he quickly explained.
"With all the killings and whatnot, we figured that it wasn't safe for you to go alone, so there is going to be some extra protection today. Arabella Figg is your old Mrs. Figg's sister, so she offered to lend her house to us as headquarters for today. You should recognize some of the people in there." Remus led him up to house.
Once they were inside, Arabella Figg greeted them. She was dressed in a black muggle dress, and looked a little out of place with the two of them wearing robes. "Come on now, Harry, just go into the other room. You'll find a black suit laid out on the bed, I need you to put that on, okay hon? Come out when you're done, there's somebody that wants to see you."
Harry had never put on a suit before, as the Dursley's had never taken him anywhere that had required one. It took him a little while, but he finally figured out everything except for the tie, which he had no clue how to put on. Walking back out into the living room, he saw Professor Lupin talking with both the Figg's, a man that Harry recognized as Mundungus Fletcher, Bill Weasley, and a large black dog. When the dog saw him, he ran over at once and leaped up on Harry, knocking him back into an armchair.
"Sirius!" Arabella yelled. "Don't you dare mess up that suit! It took me forever to find a one that fit Harry." She turned to him. "And you! Eat something, right now!" She conjured up a plate of sandwiches and a bottle of butterbeer, then went back to talking with her sister. Sirius quickly transferred to his human form again, and Bill Weasley came over to join them.
"Hiya Harry. It's nice to see you again; sorry you didn't get out to see us this summer."
Harry smiled at Bill, who was easily his favorite Weasley, after Ron of course. Bill was the prototype cool older brother, and Harry always had fun with the oldest Weasley. "I'm sorry too, I really wanted to come see you. What are you doing here?"
"I got Gringotts to transfer me to Ireland so that I could work for Professor Dumbledore too. I'll be seeing you soon, your first Hogsmede weekend, actually."
Harry was puzzled. "Why?"
Bill looked a little embarrassed, and Sirius laughed. "Ole' Bill has a date with one Miss Delacour, who happens to be your professor now."
Harry gave a long low whistle, impressed. "Bill, your lucky! How did you pull that one off?"
He started a little slowly. "Well, you know the day of the third task last year," Harry's face darkened just the slightest bit at the mention of this, "I just happened to slip away during lunch. I went for a little walk around the lake, and, well, I guess that Fleur wasn't that hungry either. We kept seeing each other over the summer, and then, well, things happened."
Harry and Sirius burst out laughing. "Well, Bill, I must congratulate you, that is one fine piece of-"
"So, I hear you're going to a quidditch match after this is over." Bill broke in quickly over Sirius to change the subject.
"Yep, Chuddley Cannons against Puddlemere United. It should be a good game."
Sirius went over to Remus and dragged him back. "Moony, how many tickets did you get to the game today?"
"None, I got a luxury box."
"And you didn't invite me or Bill yet for what reason?"
Remus sighed. "I was going to, just after the funeral. Yes, you can both come." Sirius and Bill looked excited.
"Excellent! This will be my first real quidditch game in what? Fourteen years now?" He laughed excitedly.
"Hey! My game was real."
"Yeah, but it's not the same as when it's being played with professionals. Although you are a damn good seeker, Harry, I have to admit."
"I know I am, you don't have to keep saying it. What time does the game start?"
"Three." Remus looked at his watch. "It's about nine thirty now, we should get going."
At once the jovial tone slipped from everyone's voices, and they set off to the funeral.
___________________________
"Excellent. And Harry doesn't suspect a thing?"
"No, as far as he is concerned it was only a death eater attack."
Anton grinned happily, and looked around in triumph at the four people who were with him, Abby, Moe, Arthur, and a large Italian wizard named Thomas, who was eighteen. Only Abby seemed unhappy. They were the top five people in the organization, and comprised the highest authority under the direct word of Anton himself. Right now they were meeting in a small and empty American pub in Abby's hometown.
"Even if you did get away with it, you still shouldn't have done it, Anton. Instead of making Harry feel better you just made him feel worse! And I know that Dumbledore won't let it slide that easily. Not only that, but I would be more worried about Hermione, she's the smartest witch her age that I've seen in the coalition."
Anton was starting to get annoyed. "We've all heard your reservations about the matter, Abby. We left no evidence! We killed them using the killing curse, just like death eaters, and sent up the Dark Mark, just like Death Eaters! Very few people know the incantation for the Dark Mark, only the death eaters and a few others."
"We can't go around killing people whenever we feel like it!"
"Of course we're not going to do that! We never have and we never will! You saw what these people did to Harry. He wasn't going to tell anyone about it, and still isn't! Think about what would have happened if he had gone back there at Christmas, or next summer! They constituted a physical threat to his well being, and they had to be eliminated!"
"And how do you think he's going to take it when he finds out who really did it?"
"I don't really know! I don't really know if he even needs to know. Right now we give him some time to grieve, and if the time is right we can tell him."
"He's going to be royally pissed!"
"Not if he doesn't find out about it! Everyone thinks that it was the Death Eaters!"
Moe finally decided to step in and put an end to their argument. "Anton, have you noticed that in the past few weeks there hasn't been a single attack by Death Eaters in Britain?"
Anton finally turned away an irate Abby. "Yes, but I just figured that was because he was attacking Switzerland and France."
"I don't think so. When we attacked them last Monday, they had a couple hundred Death Eaters ready to go. What was the estimate, Arthur?"
"My Free Fighters estimated around two hundred and fifty."
Moe started up again. "That way more than enough to start a major action, and that wasn't even the members of the inner circle."
"That's great, what does it mean?" Anton snapped impatiently.
"It means that I wouldn't put it past Fudge to give Voldemort a free hand on the continent as long as he leaves Britain alone."
Anton thought for a minute. "It sounds reasonable, I'll have some of our contacts in the ministry check it out. Damn German, how do you figure these things out?"
"Just naturally bright I guess."
Abby snorted into her Coke. "Yeah, and Anton's just naturally beautiful."
"Why thank you Abby, I thought you would never notice."
"I try."
Arthur cleared his throat. "When are you going to start training that contingent from Hogwarts? I could use some replenishment for my forces."
"Don't get too excited, you're only going to get about ten in the first group, but hopefully thirty after that. Thomas, when can you fit them in?"
The big wizard thought a little while. "I reckon I could fit then in next Saturday night. I have fifty students from Barcelona that need to finish up first. We can keep them for about six hours, then give them a time turner and send them back to make up the difference."
"Sounds good. I'll notify Harry and Hermione when and where to meet you. Oh, and try to go quickly with these ones. We need these British more than you think."
______________________
The mood was still somber as Harry walked through Diagon Alley that afternoon, accompanied by Bill Weasley. Remus and Sirius had to attend to some business with Dumbledore's contacts in the ministry, so Bill agreed to take Harry through Diagon Alley until it was time to go to the quidditch match. They ate a quick lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, then went straight to Zonko's.
"Holy shit!" Bill said when he saw a brand new line of magical products that were being marketed, marked only as being made by W.W.W. "These things are amazing! Whoever came up with them must be a genius."
A clerk saw him gawking and came over to help. "I see you like our new products. They're our best sellers now, most people haven't seen anything like them."
Bill bought an entire bag of the new products for himself, and Harry couldn't help but laugh a little at Bill paying so much for stuff that the twins would have readily given him for free. However, he had been sworn to silence by Fred and George, and feared the ways that they could get back at him if he broke it. Bill had wanted to buy him a bag too, as a late birthday present, but Harry declined politely, seeing as he already had a gigantic box of them. Instead, Bill had bought him a large bag of Colonel Filibuster's fireworks, and then shrunk the bag and made him promise not to tell Remus or Sirius.
They quickly went back to the Leaky Cauldron, as it was almost two thirty, where they met Remus and Sirius, in dog form. They took floo powder to the quidditch stadium, which although still large and impressive, was nowhere near as big and nice as the world cup. When they had finally climbed the stairs to the second to last level, found their box and also a lengthy battle with a witch who didn't want Snuffles to stay, Harry could see on the large scoreboard that they were at Cannons Stadium. They had excellent seats, on the level below the top box. They were almost as good as the one's at the World Cup, but Harry had much more fun here once Professor Lupin had charmed the door locked and Sirius transformed to himself again.
They spent the time before the match with Bill showing his new purchases to Remus and Sirius.
"Hey, they stole our idea on that one," Sirius laughed. "I swear, if we hadn't have been so busy after we graduated we could of come up with stuff like this, eh Moony?"
"Of course. But still, these are quite impressive." He turned to Harry. "And you didn't get any, right? You, Ron, and Hermione don't need to be getting into anymore trouble than you already do."
Bill spoke up and saved Harry. "I didn't let him buy anything, I figured that you wouldn't appreciate it when he got expelled." Sirius looked a little downcast at this news, but had slipped some Sirius Solution from the bag into Professor Lupin's drink, and couldn't stop laughing as Remus went around the room on all fours barking.
"Now that is some funny stuff. Good name, too."
As he finally got back up from the floor, the game started. The announcer first called out the visiting Puddlemere team; 'Smith, Quincy, Lopes, Wood, Mulcifer, Mulls, annnnnnnndddddddd…MARTINEZ! Then the home Chuddley team; 'Annancay, Lopez, Washington, Jefferson, Ancio, Morgan, annnnnnnnnddddddddd…ZANZIBAR!'
Right from the start Harry could tell that the two teams had opposite strategies, as Chuddley was an established team and had its strength in the chasers, opting to score as many points as possible before the snitch was caught. Puddlemere was a young, up and coming team that had its strength in its keeper and beaters, trying to catch the snitch as quickly as possible. The only problem with this strategy was that the Puddlemere seeker was horrible, from what Harry was seeing. He seemed more interested in trying to stay on his broom and stalking the other seeker, who was leading him on dashes across the field every few minutes.
"Hey Harry, see anybody you know playing?" Remus asked suddenly.
Harry peered closely at the players, finally stopping on a chaser for the Cannons, who was easily the best player out there. "Is that one of the Irish chasers?"
"Yes, but is there anybody else. Try the Puddlemere keeper."
Harry looked even closer at the keeper, Wood, who was busy blocking a tough shot from the three Cannon chasers. "Oliver!"
"Yes, that's right. He got moved up from the reserve team last off-season, and he gave us the box. After the game you need to go down and see him, that was the only thing that he asked."
The game took a while, over three hours, as neither seeker was that good. Finally, with the score 170-120 in favor of Chuddley, Harry caught a glimpse of the snitch flying around the Puddlemere goal posts. It took a minute before it finally caught the eye of the Cannons seeker, who quickly dove straight down and got it without pressure from the Puddlemere seeker. Getting up, all four of them started down towards the visitor's locker room.
