Chapter Two: The Familiar Keeper
Mrs Figg's home wasn't too bad after all. The whole cat obssession was true, her home was littered with them when Harry first entered, but it was furnished like any other witches or wizards home. There were protraits that moved, of her family members Harry assumed. Furiture that crawled around, and there was a particularly sneaky kitchen table that tried to sneak out at dinner time with the food on it. To sit at the table you had to catch a wild chair, which often roamed around the house, and if you weren't careful, they could pounce you and give you the most awful splinters.
But the main characteristic of Mrs Figg's home was it was crawling with cats. Every inch of her home had cats, the kitchen, the lounge, even the bathroom. You couldn't bathe without finding a cat in the bath, or with the soap.
Mrs Figg welcomed Harry with open arms into her home and immediately Harry felt as if she were family.
Harry was treated to an assortment of wizards food, and a large helping of Butterbeer which warmed his jangled insides and calmed his nerves instantly. He looked at Mrs Figg with curiousity. He had so many questions he wanted to ask Mrs Figg. Did she know his parents? How long has she been his secret Keeper? How does she knew Dumbledore? But he noticed instantly that Mrs Figg knew what he was thinking.
"I'm sorry about all the secrecy Harry," Mrs Figg said quietly. Her face became serious again. "I had to pretend to be as normal as possible around these muggle areas," she continued. "but how does a Familar Keeper hide her many cats from muggle eyes?"
Harry looked at Mrs Figg utterly confused. "Familiar Keeper?" he asked. Mrs Figg smiled and took a sip of her Butterbeer.
"I'm Arabella Figg," she said with the widest grin. "and a Familiar Keeper is a witch or wizard, who watches over the familiars of special witches or wizards, usually ones who need protecting" Immediately her face turned serious. She stood up and ushered Harry out into the living room which was crawling with cats.
"Notice anyone familiar?" she said looking at Harry with the most gravest face he had ever seen. Harry scanned the room of cats until he came across a familiar, bushy ginger cat. Harry knew instantly who's cat that was.
"Crookshanks?" Harry said utterly shocked, he looked at Figg desperately. "why is Crookshanks here? Did Hermione need protecting? Is that what you're saying!?" Harry began to panic, he knew something was wrong and it was leaving the most biggest lump in his throat. Figg took Harry to the lounge in front of the fire, and left the room quietly. Harry stood staring at the floor.
"Hermione?" he said quietly to himself. He felt a gentle hand touch his shoulder, and he turned to meet the anxious face of his God-Father, who had Hedwig on his shoulder hooting merrily. Harry immediately lept into his Uncles arms and gave him the biggest hug he had ever given anybody in his life. He held back the tears that threatened to escape, but the questions escaped his lips again.
"What's going on Sirius?" Sirius placed Harry back down and sat behind him.
"I've been staying here for a while," he began slowly. Harry didn't even notice Hedwig was nibbling at his ear trying to get some attention she had missed after many months of flight. "after I was sent by Dumbledore, I have been moving so much that Hedwig was unable to find me," Harry could tell Sirius had bad news but could only pray for good news; "I was being tracked by Death Eaters, who have also been involved in the murders of witches and wizards everywhere. This explains why your scar has been hurting Harry. Sirius pulled out the letter than Harry had sent him a month ago. Harry looked preadingly into Sirius's eyes waiting for the inevitable bad news.
"Something happened to Hermione didn't it?" Harry asked both Sirius and Figg who was now sitting on the other side of Harry listening in.
"I had just arrived here when Arabella had recieved Crookshanks Harry," Sirius began. "Hermione had been given a Familiar in her third year because of all the threats rising about Muggle Born witches and wizards. Peter was returning to Voldemort so Death Eaters everywhere and Voldemorts supporters were sending out threats to the Ministry. Fudge didn't want to believe it, and he still doesn't want to," Sirius took Harry's hand in his. "Hermione is missing Harry," he paused to allow Harry to take it all in. "we have sent out a search party and investigation, all we know is she isn't dead yet, because Crookshanks wouldn't still be with us if she was"
"Familiars die if their charges die," Figg explained quietly as Harry looked at his hands in his lap. "I keep track of all familiars that come through here, and Hermione was one of my familiar's charges"
There was a long silence until Harry finally spoke.
"This is all my fault" he said quietly.
"Nonsense Harry, stop blaming yourself for this" Sirius said.
"No, if Hermione wasn't my friend she wouldn't have been a target for Voldemort," Harry stood up looking at both Figg and Sirius with hurt in his eyes. "I have sentenced my best friend to death at the hands of the evil Lord Voldemort" Harry yelled angrilly. He was fustrated, he had let his best friend get captured by Voldemort and to possibly suffer a horrible death at that cost.
"Harry if Voldemort wanted to kill Hermione he would have done so by now," Figg began. "he obviously wanted her for something else"
"I don't care," Harry yelled back. "I have to go find her" Harry left the room to fetch his things but Sirius followed him and grabbed his arm forcefully but gently. Turning Harry around he noticed the hurt in Harry's eyes bursting to get out.
"Harry, please," Sirius said trying to calm the teenager down. "I am doing everything in my power at the moment to reassure that Hermione is returned safely" he began.
"But you've been here all this time, you didn't even try..."
"Harry I had to hide here, or they would have killed him, or worse I could have exposed your secret location at the Dursley's" Sirius yelled. "I couldn't do that to you"
"But Hermione..."
"I care about her also, but going alone will do nothing," Sirius bent down to Harry's height and looked at him eye to eye. "please Harry, stay here for a few days then you can go to the Weasley's house. I have contacted them and asked for a Floo connection," he paused, and Harry noticed the weariness in Sirius' eyes that hadn't been there the last time he saw him. "you and Ron need each other right now, and need to be strong for Hermione, we will find out, and she will come home safely" Harry nodded slowly and leant in and hugged his God-father tightly. As Sirius turned away, he moved to Mrs Figg and thanked her for her hospitality.
Harry stood at the foot of the old rickety staircase and felt a hole through his heart, he felt numb at the feeling the dark lord could be doing anything bad to his best friend at the moment, and he just knew he needed to see Ron for reassurance at that moment but he would have to wait two days for that.
It had been the longest wait of Harry's life, but finally he was packed and waiting silently at the fireplace for the Weasley's to collect him. Mrs Figg waiting beside him, and the sadness in her own eyes was enough to tell Harry that she felt his pain also. Harry had begged Mrs Figg to allow him to take Crookshanks. He knew that if he had Crookshanks that he would know if Hermione was alright or not. Crookshanks had been in a rather alert, scared mood during the last few days which told Harry that Hermione was scared.
Harry's attention immediately was brought to the flickering of emerald green flames, and he watched as Fred and George entered with solemn looks on their faces.
"Hi Harry," Fred said with frown. "we're glad you're able to come, Ron's a mess"
"We've never seen him like this" George added.
"Mum's in a way too," Fred added as he took Harry's trunk. "Hermione was like another daughter to her"
"Hello boys," Mrs Figg said with a small smile. She presented them with a bag of sweets and a platter of food, George took them immediately. "give these to your mother, and make sure Ron gets these" she said pointing to the bag of sweets. George and Fred groaned in dissappointment, and went back into the fire, as they thanked her for the gifts.
Harry was left alone with Mrs Figg, and shook her hand slowly.
"Thanks for everything" Harry said quietly.
"I just hope they find Hermione Harry," Mrs Figg said quietly. "just try to be in good spirits for Ron okay, he sounds very distraught by the sounds of what young Fred and George said"
Harry nodded and thanking Mrs Figg one more time he walked towards the flames and announced; "The Burrow" the location he would be spending the last weeks of the holidays.
Mrs Figg's home wasn't too bad after all. The whole cat obssession was true, her home was littered with them when Harry first entered, but it was furnished like any other witches or wizards home. There were protraits that moved, of her family members Harry assumed. Furiture that crawled around, and there was a particularly sneaky kitchen table that tried to sneak out at dinner time with the food on it. To sit at the table you had to catch a wild chair, which often roamed around the house, and if you weren't careful, they could pounce you and give you the most awful splinters.
But the main characteristic of Mrs Figg's home was it was crawling with cats. Every inch of her home had cats, the kitchen, the lounge, even the bathroom. You couldn't bathe without finding a cat in the bath, or with the soap.
Mrs Figg welcomed Harry with open arms into her home and immediately Harry felt as if she were family.
Harry was treated to an assortment of wizards food, and a large helping of Butterbeer which warmed his jangled insides and calmed his nerves instantly. He looked at Mrs Figg with curiousity. He had so many questions he wanted to ask Mrs Figg. Did she know his parents? How long has she been his secret Keeper? How does she knew Dumbledore? But he noticed instantly that Mrs Figg knew what he was thinking.
"I'm sorry about all the secrecy Harry," Mrs Figg said quietly. Her face became serious again. "I had to pretend to be as normal as possible around these muggle areas," she continued. "but how does a Familar Keeper hide her many cats from muggle eyes?"
Harry looked at Mrs Figg utterly confused. "Familiar Keeper?" he asked. Mrs Figg smiled and took a sip of her Butterbeer.
"I'm Arabella Figg," she said with the widest grin. "and a Familiar Keeper is a witch or wizard, who watches over the familiars of special witches or wizards, usually ones who need protecting" Immediately her face turned serious. She stood up and ushered Harry out into the living room which was crawling with cats.
"Notice anyone familiar?" she said looking at Harry with the most gravest face he had ever seen. Harry scanned the room of cats until he came across a familiar, bushy ginger cat. Harry knew instantly who's cat that was.
"Crookshanks?" Harry said utterly shocked, he looked at Figg desperately. "why is Crookshanks here? Did Hermione need protecting? Is that what you're saying!?" Harry began to panic, he knew something was wrong and it was leaving the most biggest lump in his throat. Figg took Harry to the lounge in front of the fire, and left the room quietly. Harry stood staring at the floor.
"Hermione?" he said quietly to himself. He felt a gentle hand touch his shoulder, and he turned to meet the anxious face of his God-Father, who had Hedwig on his shoulder hooting merrily. Harry immediately lept into his Uncles arms and gave him the biggest hug he had ever given anybody in his life. He held back the tears that threatened to escape, but the questions escaped his lips again.
"What's going on Sirius?" Sirius placed Harry back down and sat behind him.
"I've been staying here for a while," he began slowly. Harry didn't even notice Hedwig was nibbling at his ear trying to get some attention she had missed after many months of flight. "after I was sent by Dumbledore, I have been moving so much that Hedwig was unable to find me," Harry could tell Sirius had bad news but could only pray for good news; "I was being tracked by Death Eaters, who have also been involved in the murders of witches and wizards everywhere. This explains why your scar has been hurting Harry. Sirius pulled out the letter than Harry had sent him a month ago. Harry looked preadingly into Sirius's eyes waiting for the inevitable bad news.
"Something happened to Hermione didn't it?" Harry asked both Sirius and Figg who was now sitting on the other side of Harry listening in.
"I had just arrived here when Arabella had recieved Crookshanks Harry," Sirius began. "Hermione had been given a Familiar in her third year because of all the threats rising about Muggle Born witches and wizards. Peter was returning to Voldemort so Death Eaters everywhere and Voldemorts supporters were sending out threats to the Ministry. Fudge didn't want to believe it, and he still doesn't want to," Sirius took Harry's hand in his. "Hermione is missing Harry," he paused to allow Harry to take it all in. "we have sent out a search party and investigation, all we know is she isn't dead yet, because Crookshanks wouldn't still be with us if she was"
"Familiars die if their charges die," Figg explained quietly as Harry looked at his hands in his lap. "I keep track of all familiars that come through here, and Hermione was one of my familiar's charges"
There was a long silence until Harry finally spoke.
"This is all my fault" he said quietly.
"Nonsense Harry, stop blaming yourself for this" Sirius said.
"No, if Hermione wasn't my friend she wouldn't have been a target for Voldemort," Harry stood up looking at both Figg and Sirius with hurt in his eyes. "I have sentenced my best friend to death at the hands of the evil Lord Voldemort" Harry yelled angrilly. He was fustrated, he had let his best friend get captured by Voldemort and to possibly suffer a horrible death at that cost.
"Harry if Voldemort wanted to kill Hermione he would have done so by now," Figg began. "he obviously wanted her for something else"
"I don't care," Harry yelled back. "I have to go find her" Harry left the room to fetch his things but Sirius followed him and grabbed his arm forcefully but gently. Turning Harry around he noticed the hurt in Harry's eyes bursting to get out.
"Harry, please," Sirius said trying to calm the teenager down. "I am doing everything in my power at the moment to reassure that Hermione is returned safely" he began.
"But you've been here all this time, you didn't even try..."
"Harry I had to hide here, or they would have killed him, or worse I could have exposed your secret location at the Dursley's" Sirius yelled. "I couldn't do that to you"
"But Hermione..."
"I care about her also, but going alone will do nothing," Sirius bent down to Harry's height and looked at him eye to eye. "please Harry, stay here for a few days then you can go to the Weasley's house. I have contacted them and asked for a Floo connection," he paused, and Harry noticed the weariness in Sirius' eyes that hadn't been there the last time he saw him. "you and Ron need each other right now, and need to be strong for Hermione, we will find out, and she will come home safely" Harry nodded slowly and leant in and hugged his God-father tightly. As Sirius turned away, he moved to Mrs Figg and thanked her for her hospitality.
Harry stood at the foot of the old rickety staircase and felt a hole through his heart, he felt numb at the feeling the dark lord could be doing anything bad to his best friend at the moment, and he just knew he needed to see Ron for reassurance at that moment but he would have to wait two days for that.
It had been the longest wait of Harry's life, but finally he was packed and waiting silently at the fireplace for the Weasley's to collect him. Mrs Figg waiting beside him, and the sadness in her own eyes was enough to tell Harry that she felt his pain also. Harry had begged Mrs Figg to allow him to take Crookshanks. He knew that if he had Crookshanks that he would know if Hermione was alright or not. Crookshanks had been in a rather alert, scared mood during the last few days which told Harry that Hermione was scared.
Harry's attention immediately was brought to the flickering of emerald green flames, and he watched as Fred and George entered with solemn looks on their faces.
"Hi Harry," Fred said with frown. "we're glad you're able to come, Ron's a mess"
"We've never seen him like this" George added.
"Mum's in a way too," Fred added as he took Harry's trunk. "Hermione was like another daughter to her"
"Hello boys," Mrs Figg said with a small smile. She presented them with a bag of sweets and a platter of food, George took them immediately. "give these to your mother, and make sure Ron gets these" she said pointing to the bag of sweets. George and Fred groaned in dissappointment, and went back into the fire, as they thanked her for the gifts.
Harry was left alone with Mrs Figg, and shook her hand slowly.
"Thanks for everything" Harry said quietly.
"I just hope they find Hermione Harry," Mrs Figg said quietly. "just try to be in good spirits for Ron okay, he sounds very distraught by the sounds of what young Fred and George said"
Harry nodded and thanking Mrs Figg one more time he walked towards the flames and announced; "The Burrow" the location he would be spending the last weeks of the holidays.