Shadow – Chapter Four

Twelve months later.

Shadow hadn't disappeared, but had taken a far more active role in fighting the Dark Lord.  In fact, despite a promise he made to Dumbledore never to help them in their fight, he found himself drawn to the carnage, where he often faced Voldemort and even more often was the only remaining member of the resistance who was conscious.

Still, Dumbledore and the other members (except Lupin, Snape and Moody) refused to aknowledge his innocence, and it grated.  Slowly it was beginning to extinguish the little flame that burnt inside of him, pressuring him to keep going.  He hadn't once heard from Ron or Hermione, or Sirius or any of his old friends and though he wasn't surprised, it still hurt and he was disappointed that they actually believed him capable of torturing and attempting to kill Draco Malfoy.

It had been mid morning only a few months after he had left Hogwarts, when he finally straggled back to his apartment that fateful day that his life was to change again.  He no longer lived alone, but instead lived with Sandrilene, Hermione and Ron.  His two former best friends had appeared on his doorstep only six months after he was expelled, saying that they too had been expelled and that they were sorry for not believing him.

They then informed him that they had been 'seen' as Death Eaters and had therefore been expelled immediately.  Only Snape, Lupin and Moody believed them, but none of those three were going to push too hard against the river for three children who happened to be Voldemorts biggest enemy.

As a result, the four of them had been attending a Muggle college by day, and studying Wizarding magic by night.  They had taught Sandrilene some basic magic that all humans are capable of, like heart magic or 'feel' magic.  Magic that is created by linking emotions.

It was, however, on Easter Sunday that things were going to change.  A Daily Prophet the day before had arrived on their doorstep, thanks to Hermione's subscription, informing them that the three infamous Death Eaters Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Sandrilene (a muggle? What was Voldemort thinking?) and HARRY POTTER, had been captured and were being questioned under veritaserum that night.

Sandrilene had offered to attend the trial for them, but they'd shaken their heads and insisted that they would find out the next day when they got the Prophet or received an owl from their old friends.  Instead, they spent the evening discussing whether they'd be able to forgive all the people who hadn't trusted them over the last year.

"I don't think we can," Harry heard as he stepped inside, "I think they should all be sent to Purgatory."

"But Purgatory is a Christian thing, Ron, and wizards aren't Christian."

"Thank god for Buddhism!" Sandrilene smirked.

"I'm Home!" Harry shouted.

"How'd it go?" Ron demanded, "were there any resistance members fighting this time?"

"Nope.  It was just two Death Eaters who are finally dead and myself.  I think Voldemort expected us to be at our trial.  Oops."

"Well, not really," Hermione said, "the Prophet just arrived,"

"LET ME SEE!" Harry shouted, "let's see what these sniveling little beasts have to say for themselves!"

Boy Who Lived and three Cronies, Innocent?

It was revealed at the most publicized trial since Sirius Black that Harry Potter and his three close friends, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley and a muggle by the name of Sandrilene Smythe, are innocent of the crimes that they were said to have committed earlier this year, writes Rita Skeeter special correspondent.

They were being impersonated by four Death Eaters, Lestrange, Lestrange, Pettigrew (Yes, he's alive) and Nott.  It is believed that the four teenagers will be given full pardons and compensated for their suffering over the last twelve months, at the same time as Sirius Black's situation is reanalyzed.

In the meantime, it is a popular question on the minds of witches and wizards everywhere if Minister Fudge is suitable for his position and if his government has the strength to survive in the fight against Voldemort at this time.

Rita Skeeter!

"So, we even manage to get Sirius exhonerated!" Harry smirked, "Are we good, or what?"

"Are we going back?"

Ron shook his head, "I don't know if I can."

"Hogwarts was the closest to a home I ever had before I came here," Harry said softly, "I'd like to visit."

"I want to use the Library."

"I don't remember much," Sandrilene said shyly, "but maybe we could just wait until they contact you.  That always puts you one step ahead of them and you can make all the decisions."

"That's a good idea," Harry agreed, "but I'm not a particularly patient person."

"Well, Harold," Hermione said, in a wonderful impersonation of a mother, "you'll just have to learn, now won't you?"

"Obviously," Harry grinned, "but in the meantime, I'm going to sleep."

"Face it, Albus, you made a mistake!" Snape said angrily, "and it's time that those four stopped suffering for our mistakes and started living and making their own."

"So we should write to them?"

"It's a start."

"Who should write the letter?" Sirius asked.

"It should be formal and businesslike.  They'll be able to handle that.  Remember, the four of them have been living a life that is a far cry from what they were meant for and I don't think they'll be able to handle the stress of an emotional letter.  Perhaps Minerva or Severus are best," Lupin said quietly, "they can do it like that traditional acceptance letters."

Minerva nodded briefly, "I'll do it.  Would you like me to invite them here?"

"You should be bloody ordering them here!" Sirius exploded, "after all the worry they've caused us!"

Remus raised his eyes to the sky in a prayer for forgiveness to Lily and James for allowing them to choose Sirius as Harry's Godfather, "Sirius, they hate us.  We gave up on them when they needed us the most.  Ordering them will do no good.  Let Minerva handle it."

"Friday, on the Express," Dumbledore said quietly, "that will give me a chance to organize for their old beds to be returned."

Dear Mr's Potter, Weasley and Ms. Granger and Smythe,

Due to recent revelations, your presence is requested at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry on Friday.  Transport via the Hogwarts Express has been arranged and your tickets are enclosed.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress.

"So," Harry said finally, "are we going?"

"I think we should go and see what they want," Hermione said finally, "and then we can always leave if we want.  It's not like a lack of a wand stops us from doing anything anymore."

"Wasn't it so funny the first time we did a conscious spell, wandless?" Ron grinned, "it was such a weird feeling.  Like something was being returned to me!"

"It makes everything so much easier," Harry said, "now that I'm not the only one who can do wandless stuff.  It means that I don't have to worry about my ever growing family when I go out to fight evil for the other evil," he sighed reflectively, "I suppose it's really a case of the lesser of two evils."

"That's the truth," Hermione grinned, "So, we're going?"

"I'm going," Sandrilene said quietly, "I want to see this school, and I want to see Mr. Lupin again.  He struck me as relatively nice when I saw him that first time."

"I think I should," Harry said slowly, "but I'm not going to put up with any shit from any of them."

"Same with me," Ron said quietly, "and I don't want to see my family."

Hermione frowned, "my parents won't speak to me anyway.  All that they were told was that I had betrayed the world, both muggle and magical, in the worst possible way and had killed over one hundred people.  Needless to say, I was rather unpopular, but I just regret their lack of faith in me."

"Well, I guess we're going to Hogwarts," Harry grimaced, "whoopee doo!" he said sarcastically.