Chapter Three: Letters to Snuffles
Harry must have run all the way to the owlery because when he got there, he had to stop for a minute to catch his breath. His heart was racing but he didn't know if it really was from running up all those steps. He clenched a small piece of parchment in his hand. Some of the ink had smeared because of the sweat on his hands. Harry looked it over one more time before tying it to Hedwig.
"Sirius, I'm not staying at the Dursley's this summer. I was excepted into the summer study program here at Hogwarts. A woman arrived today, her name is Margerite Adler. Snape said she is on business for Azkaban and that she is looking for you. Thought that you should know and be careful. Write to you again soon, Harry."
Harry brought Hedwig over to the window and with one heavy thrust; Hedwig took off. He followed Hedwig with his eyes until he was out of sight. With a long sigh, Harry made his way down the stairs and walked quickly toward Gryffindor Tower.
Thoughts swam through Harry's head and he felt immersed in them like he was drowning. Why had Magerite Adler come to Hogwarts? The whole business concerning Sirius's escape had happened two years ago. Sirius had mad sure that he was spotted far away from Hogwarts to take the search elsewhere and away from Harry. Most importantly to Harry, why had Dumbledore allowed her to be here?
Before he could begin answering any of these questions, he turned a corner blindly and smacked head long into Hermione. He held out a hand and helped her to her feet as he rubbed his scarred forehead with the other.
"Sorry, Hermione."
"Harry, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you!" She said rummaging through her pockets. "Here, I've got something for you to see." She took out a clipping that had been ripped from the Daily Prophet and shoved it in Harry's hands. "It's from a couple days ago." She added as Harry skimmed over the article.
"The Ministry of Magic has issued a statement over the recent sightings in Hogsmeade of the wanted fugitive of Azkaban, Sirius Black. Cornelius Fudge commented, "...Though we [the Ministry of Magic] are taking the sightings very seriously, we don't feel the need to get worked up over them. Officials from the Ministry have spoken to the person who supposably saw Black but they were unable to confirm if it really was him. Further investigation will be conducted by the proper authorities from Azkaban." The authorities of Azkaban were unable to be reached for further comments."
"They know Sirius is here. He must have been spotted in Hogsmeade. We've got to warn him!"
"I know. I've already sent him a letter."
"What should we do now, Harry?" Hermione asked looking rather uneasy.
"All we can do now is wait." He shrugged.
He was about to put a hand on her shoulder to offer comfort but the sound of voices coming down the hall startled them. They ran to the nearest door and crept in. They left the door open a crack to see who would pass them.
"Now, Madam Margerite, let us discuss why you are here."
"You know very well why I am here. I was summoned by the Minister of Magic last night."
"That is a very long journey to make in one day. Why don't you rest tonight and begin your work tomorrow." The kind voice of Dumbledore inquired.
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore." Said Magerite Adler coldly. "But I already know my presence is far from welcomed. I will begin my work tonight and will leave as soon as this mess is cleared up."
Her voice was steady and unemotional. It sent chills through Harry's body. He felt Hermione's hands clenching his shoulders from behind him. She was trembling but whether it was from the sound of Madam Margerite's voice or fear, Harry didn't know.
"I understand, you must have many other engagements to see too. I doubt it was really worth all the trouble coming here because someone was frightened by a shadow..." He continued in a lower voice. "Madam, do you really think that Sirius has returned?"
"Honestly, no. But this has given me a chance to personally investigate the incident that happened two years ago. I may require interviewing those who were involved..."
As the two continued down the hall, their voices trailed off. When everything once again fell silent, Harry and Hermione opened the door and peeked around the corner to see that it was once again empty.
"This is good news right? She doesn't think it is Sirius, so she'll leave, right?" Hermione said ringing her hands.
"Everything will be fine. We've already warned Sirius. He's probably halfway across the country by now." Harry said looking around nervously. "It's getting late, we better get back before we run into anyone else." Hermione nodded and with a final glance about the hall, they made their way quickly to Gryffindor Tower.
Harry had a restless sleep, try as he might, he couldn't even nod off for a moment. Dawn came and so did the first day of summer classes. Hermione was in all of his and then some. He rose, tired and stressed for the pervious day's excitement. He didn't wait for anyone to come down. Harry dressed and went to breakfast alone. A few other students were already there, combing over large texts and writing in their notebooks. Harry took a seat far from everyone else so he could be alone with his thoughts.
A sudden squawk awoke him from his trance. Hedwig soared in quickly and dropped a scrap of parchment in front of him before settling on the table and drinking from Harry's cup. Harry fumbled with the letter as he opened it. He turned his back to the other students in the hall and read quickly.
"Harry, listen to me. Stay away from her. She is as dangerous and deadly as any dementor if not more so. Send me another letter, so I know you have read this one and you understand completely. To be safe, don't address me by my name. Hedwig knows where to find me. Hope your classes go well, Snuffles. PS, destroy this letter once you have read it."
Harry felt his stomach drop to his feet as he finished. He took out his wand and tapped the letter once. It instantly burned to ashes, which he brushed off the table like they were food crumbs. With this warning from Sirius and the knowledge that Madam Margerite would be seeking out him and Hermione for questioning, he was beside himself uncertainty.
This was a terrible way to begin his summer term but there was nothing he could do for the moment. Harry took a deep breath and picked up his books. Cautiously looking around him as he walked out of the Great Hall, just in case Madam Margerite would be waiting for him in a dark corner, he practically ran toward his first transfiguration class. Harry reached the class and did his best to smile at Hermione who waved him to an empty seat next to her. He tried his best to act like nothing had happened.
* * * * *
Author Notes: Hey! I finally finished my third chapter! It took longer then I thought it would due to the fact that I'm currently working on other stories. However, I hope you are enjoying this story so far and please feel free to drop reviews once the option become available.
If you are still reading this, you rock!! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and I'll be back soon with chapter four!!!
Harry must have run all the way to the owlery because when he got there, he had to stop for a minute to catch his breath. His heart was racing but he didn't know if it really was from running up all those steps. He clenched a small piece of parchment in his hand. Some of the ink had smeared because of the sweat on his hands. Harry looked it over one more time before tying it to Hedwig.
"Sirius, I'm not staying at the Dursley's this summer. I was excepted into the summer study program here at Hogwarts. A woman arrived today, her name is Margerite Adler. Snape said she is on business for Azkaban and that she is looking for you. Thought that you should know and be careful. Write to you again soon, Harry."
Harry brought Hedwig over to the window and with one heavy thrust; Hedwig took off. He followed Hedwig with his eyes until he was out of sight. With a long sigh, Harry made his way down the stairs and walked quickly toward Gryffindor Tower.
Thoughts swam through Harry's head and he felt immersed in them like he was drowning. Why had Magerite Adler come to Hogwarts? The whole business concerning Sirius's escape had happened two years ago. Sirius had mad sure that he was spotted far away from Hogwarts to take the search elsewhere and away from Harry. Most importantly to Harry, why had Dumbledore allowed her to be here?
Before he could begin answering any of these questions, he turned a corner blindly and smacked head long into Hermione. He held out a hand and helped her to her feet as he rubbed his scarred forehead with the other.
"Sorry, Hermione."
"Harry, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you!" She said rummaging through her pockets. "Here, I've got something for you to see." She took out a clipping that had been ripped from the Daily Prophet and shoved it in Harry's hands. "It's from a couple days ago." She added as Harry skimmed over the article.
"The Ministry of Magic has issued a statement over the recent sightings in Hogsmeade of the wanted fugitive of Azkaban, Sirius Black. Cornelius Fudge commented, "...Though we [the Ministry of Magic] are taking the sightings very seriously, we don't feel the need to get worked up over them. Officials from the Ministry have spoken to the person who supposably saw Black but they were unable to confirm if it really was him. Further investigation will be conducted by the proper authorities from Azkaban." The authorities of Azkaban were unable to be reached for further comments."
"They know Sirius is here. He must have been spotted in Hogsmeade. We've got to warn him!"
"I know. I've already sent him a letter."
"What should we do now, Harry?" Hermione asked looking rather uneasy.
"All we can do now is wait." He shrugged.
He was about to put a hand on her shoulder to offer comfort but the sound of voices coming down the hall startled them. They ran to the nearest door and crept in. They left the door open a crack to see who would pass them.
"Now, Madam Margerite, let us discuss why you are here."
"You know very well why I am here. I was summoned by the Minister of Magic last night."
"That is a very long journey to make in one day. Why don't you rest tonight and begin your work tomorrow." The kind voice of Dumbledore inquired.
"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore." Said Magerite Adler coldly. "But I already know my presence is far from welcomed. I will begin my work tonight and will leave as soon as this mess is cleared up."
Her voice was steady and unemotional. It sent chills through Harry's body. He felt Hermione's hands clenching his shoulders from behind him. She was trembling but whether it was from the sound of Madam Margerite's voice or fear, Harry didn't know.
"I understand, you must have many other engagements to see too. I doubt it was really worth all the trouble coming here because someone was frightened by a shadow..." He continued in a lower voice. "Madam, do you really think that Sirius has returned?"
"Honestly, no. But this has given me a chance to personally investigate the incident that happened two years ago. I may require interviewing those who were involved..."
As the two continued down the hall, their voices trailed off. When everything once again fell silent, Harry and Hermione opened the door and peeked around the corner to see that it was once again empty.
"This is good news right? She doesn't think it is Sirius, so she'll leave, right?" Hermione said ringing her hands.
"Everything will be fine. We've already warned Sirius. He's probably halfway across the country by now." Harry said looking around nervously. "It's getting late, we better get back before we run into anyone else." Hermione nodded and with a final glance about the hall, they made their way quickly to Gryffindor Tower.
Harry had a restless sleep, try as he might, he couldn't even nod off for a moment. Dawn came and so did the first day of summer classes. Hermione was in all of his and then some. He rose, tired and stressed for the pervious day's excitement. He didn't wait for anyone to come down. Harry dressed and went to breakfast alone. A few other students were already there, combing over large texts and writing in their notebooks. Harry took a seat far from everyone else so he could be alone with his thoughts.
A sudden squawk awoke him from his trance. Hedwig soared in quickly and dropped a scrap of parchment in front of him before settling on the table and drinking from Harry's cup. Harry fumbled with the letter as he opened it. He turned his back to the other students in the hall and read quickly.
"Harry, listen to me. Stay away from her. She is as dangerous and deadly as any dementor if not more so. Send me another letter, so I know you have read this one and you understand completely. To be safe, don't address me by my name. Hedwig knows where to find me. Hope your classes go well, Snuffles. PS, destroy this letter once you have read it."
Harry felt his stomach drop to his feet as he finished. He took out his wand and tapped the letter once. It instantly burned to ashes, which he brushed off the table like they were food crumbs. With this warning from Sirius and the knowledge that Madam Margerite would be seeking out him and Hermione for questioning, he was beside himself uncertainty.
This was a terrible way to begin his summer term but there was nothing he could do for the moment. Harry took a deep breath and picked up his books. Cautiously looking around him as he walked out of the Great Hall, just in case Madam Margerite would be waiting for him in a dark corner, he practically ran toward his first transfiguration class. Harry reached the class and did his best to smile at Hermione who waved him to an empty seat next to her. He tried his best to act like nothing had happened.
* * * * *
Author Notes: Hey! I finally finished my third chapter! It took longer then I thought it would due to the fact that I'm currently working on other stories. However, I hope you are enjoying this story so far and please feel free to drop reviews once the option become available.
If you are still reading this, you rock!! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and I'll be back soon with chapter four!!!