Chapter 9: Good News
The next morning, Harry and company were going down to eat breakfast when they were joined by Prof. Matthews. "Good morning all," said Matthews in cheery voice, "I hope you all had a good week, do you mind if I join you on your way to the Great Hall?" he asked. "We don't mind," said Ron after Hermione stuttered trying to find the words.
"I hear you have been asking a lot about Professor Galder, you know you should talking to him yourselves instead of asking around. He's not as bad as he seems," said Prof. Matthews. "He seemed so arrogant yesterday, though, why would he act like that unless he really is," asked Harry. "First impressions aren't always the best, Harry, talk to him a while, I bet he has a lot of things to say about Hogwarts during his day," said Prof. Matthews, "You know he was on the Quidditch team with your father, quite a good beater back then."
"He knew my father? Did you?" asked Harry in surprise. "I'm sorry to say, I didn't know him well, we were just acquaintances. I wish I did though, I knew that since his son was attending I might see how well off he is now. Oh and I have some advice for you if you ever want some dirt on Prof. Snape, ask Prof. Galder, He'll tell you things about Snape that you can use to shut him up if you ever need him to," he said smiling and left them at the Gryffindor table to go the teachers table.
"He acts more like a child than an adult. And what does he mean talk to Prof. Galder? He's got to be kidding," said Liana, "That guy is so full of himself."
"Maybe we should," said Harry, "Think of all the stuff we can learn about Snape and maybe we can figure out why he hates me so much. It can't be just because I'm his dead nemesis' son. There's got to be more than that. I don't think he's lying, why would he? He's a teacher."
"I guess but still don't like him much," said Liana with Ron and Hermione agreeing. "We'll take to him after we eat, I'm sure he won't mind," said Liana.
"What was Prof. Matthews talking to you about?" asked George as they sat down at the Gryffindor table. "He told me that Prof. Galder was on my dad's Quidditch team, a beater," said Harry. "Wait," said George, "that means he was in Gryffindor."
"So," said Harry. "Don't you guys know? He and Snape are brothers," said George. "What?" cried Hermione with Ron and Harry choking on toast and Liana holding back laughter, but barely. "Yeah, found out yesterday, they both were the best potions students in their years. Galder is younger by a year," said George.
Suddenly the ceiling filled with owls as the mail came. Hedwig landed on Harry's left side and dropped a letter on his plate and another owl fell by George's plate splashing people with milk. Errol had a letter in his beak from Mrs. Weasley. "Fred's woken up!" cried George, "He's awake and he'll be here on Monday! This is great! I'm going to go tell everyone!" he finished and got up to find Lee Jordan. "That's great," said Ron, "We'll all be here now, I'm going to go find Ginny."
"Harry," said Hermione, "Who wrote you?"
"It's Sirius!" whispered Harry and he went on to read the letter:
Dear Harry,
Did you hear? They caught Pettigrew and now their reviewing my case. I'm going to go to the Ministry of Magic tomorrow and find out what's going to happen to me. If he confesses everything, I'll be off the hook and you'll be able to live with me. Of course I have to get a job and buy a house but if all goes well, you'll be able to move in with me by summer! Wish me luck!
Sirius
Harry couldn't believe it; first Fred wakes up and now he had a chance to move to his godfathers house. He'd finally leave the Dursleys. "Thats great!" cried Hermione, "Sirius might finally be freed and Pettigrew would get what he deserved."
"I'd really like to meet Sirius," said Liana, "It must have been awful to be in Azkabam for so long." They didn't notice it but an owl had dropped a letter in Liana's lap which she quietly opened, but Ron came back and noticed her reading it. "What did you get there Liana?" he asked causing Hermione and Harry's to look in her direction. "It's from my foster parents in the states," she began, "they've won the American Lottery! 54 million dollars!"
"Oh my gosh, that's 5.4 million galleons," cried Hermione. "And they want me to come home this Christmas for a vacation in Aspen. Oh and they want you all to come with me; they'll pay for the plane tickets," said Liana smiling the whole time. "5.4 million galleons! I bet that's more money than even Malfoy has. I'd better ask my mum if I can go; She might not like it but I'll try to go," said Ron looking for a quill and parchment.
"Me too," said Hermione, "I've never been to Aspen and we can learn how to ski."
"Well I guess I have to ask Dumbledore, I don't know if he'll want me to go," said Harry. "I'll do it, I have to talk to Dumbledore after breakfast anyway," said Liana and then she got up and left with Dumbledore through the Great Hall. "This day is turning out great," said Harry.
Excuse me," said a voice behind them which turned out to be Prof. Galder, "I'd like to apologize for how I behaved yesterday, it was wrong of me to blame you, Harry, and I am sorry. Where is Liana? I would like to apologize to her as well for snapping at her. I didn't mean anything I said really; its just that I had to do something in front of the Slytherins so that they would like me more. I would like to talk to you all more, but not here. If you would please join me in the dungeons later this afternoon at around 3 o'clock I have something to tell you." Then he left to join Prof. Matthews at the table.
"That was weird," said Ron, "He just came out of nowhere and talked a mile a minute and leaves, he's a nut." "Well, I still think he's a little odd. Wonder what he wants to talk to us about," said Hermione. "I still don't like him, I don't really care what he has to say," said Ron. "Ron give him a chance, he apologized for what he did so we should hear what he has to say," said Harry.
