Disclaimer: I'm not making any money.
A/N: Hey, I timed this well, all the first day of school stuff is coming out on September 1st. Well, that amused me anyway.
Chapter 6
The Bad News
Hermione, Ron and Ginny headed off to the Great Hall for the traditional Sorting Ceremony as Harry made his way through Hogwarts' twisting hallways to Dumbledore's office. Harry had been in Dumbledore's office many times and he always left learning something new about the headmaster who was more than he seemed. After saying the password, Harry nervously walked into the office. Harry approached the large desk and found the envelope with his name printed in Dumbledore's hand. The envelope seemed full, as if there were several parchments inside. Sure enough, there were several pages with several distinct handwritings. The first page was written from Sirius:
Harry,
Now, I don't want you to start worrying about me, but I might not be able to send you any owls for a while. I'm writing this at the end of your school year and leaving it with Dumbledore, so you probably won't read this until September. The thing is Harry, I don't know how much longer I can hide. There are some people in the Ministry who take their jobs far to seriously and still have not given up looking for me. I've had a few narrow escapes. So, I will owl you as soon as I am in a safe position to do so and I'll try to make sure to send you at least a letter for your birthday. Harry, if anything should happen to me, I don't want any of your daring adventures. I heard about what happened when you met Voldemort again this year and I don't want you to take any more risks like that. Focus on your school work and try not to think about the outside world. Oh, I heard you performed excellently on your O.W.L.s! Keep up the good work. If anything big happens, and only if something big happens, send Hedwig and let me know. She's a smart owl and knows how to drop a trail. If anything happens, let me know and I will do the best I can to help you. Now, don't get worried or start making any plans yet Harry, stick to your school. Hopefully, my name will be cleared soon and you can spend next summer with me. How do you like traveling? Good luck this year Harry.
Sirius
Harry put down the letter. Don't worry? Why couldn't Dumbledore have given him this letter before he left for the summer? Still, Sirius had said he would send a letter for Harry's birthday and he hadn't, he hadn't even sent a note with Hedwig. Something must be terribly wrong. Harry decided to keep reading. The next letter was addressed to Dumbledore:
Dumbledore,
I am pleased to inform you that the last of the remaining dementors will be removed from the Hogwarts area. We have located Sirius Black and believe that he is no longer a threat to young Potter. It is now only a matter of time before he is sent back to Azkaban, where he belongs.
Cornelius Fudge
At that, Harry's heart sank. They found him. Harry moved quickly to the next parchment.
Dumbledore,
Sirius Black has been recaptured! He will have a small trial on September the 2nd, but I assure you there is no reason that he would be released. I will inform you as soon as the trial is over and we may all sleep in peace.
Cornelius Fudge
At this point, Harry couldn't read anymore. What if it was his fault? Maybe they had tracked him from the letter Harry had sent on his birthday? In the back of his mind, Harry knew these thoughts were foolish, but he couldn't help wondering. If Sirius went back to Azkaban, Harry would have nobody again. It was true that he had the Weasley's, but it wasn't the same as having your own family. After Harry regained control, he picked up the last parchment.
Harry,
I'm sure this news is very disturbing to you and I must ask you to remain in my office until I can come talk with you. It is true that they have captured Sirius, but like he said, you do not need to be doing anything about it. You may tell your friends what has happened later tonight, but I must remind you that it is very important that no one overhear your conversation. On a happier note, Sirius has left you a birthday present, you will find it on your bed when you return to your dormitory.
Dumbledore
Harry just sat and stared at the wall. Dumbledore had been sitting at his desk for five minutes before Harry even noticed that he was there. Dumbledore broke Harry's trance by speaking his name, but Harry didn't move his eyes from the wall.
"Harry, I don't want you to give up hope. There is still the possibility that Peter will be found. I assure you there are people still looking for him. Sirius did survive for nearly thirteen years in Azkaban before, I'd bet he'll survive it again."
"He barely survived at all last time."
"Sirius has more to live for now. There are people that believe him, there's you, there's his sense of justice. If I know Sirius Black, he will not give up that easily."
Harry hesitated for a moment. "How did they find him?"
"They had been tracing him since the end of last year."
"So it is my fault."
"No Harry, it wasn't only for you that Sirius was here to help last spring. He still has his own score to settle with Voldemort."
"Do you think that he will be able to escape again?"
"It doesn't seem very likely. They have double security on him. But . . . let's hope so. Harry, we can only hope for the best."
"Right." Harry sighed. "Can I go back to my room now?"
"I don't see why not." Dumbledore paused. "Harry, I think I have a birthday present of my own to give you."
Harry looked at the headmaster dumbfounded. Dumbledore had never given him a present before. Dumbledore handed Harry a tiny mirror, only the glass was cloudy and he couldn't see anything in it.
"That is a piece of The Mirror of Erisol."
Harry gasped. "Why would you . . . I thought . . ."
"It is not the same mirror that you discovered in your first year. Erised's brother created this mirror that is more like a window. It, unlike it's brother mirror, shows the truth, but only when we need it the most."
"I still don't understand why you are giving it to me."
"Because you, more than others, sometimes need to step back and see the truth. There is more expected of you than almost any other wizard your age. I know that you have many burdens Harry, and you have born them all well." Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat back in its place for another year. "This hat never made a mistake Harry. You have shown true Gryffindor bravery more than once in the last five years."
Harry finally turned from the wall and looked at the Sorting Hat. He was reminded of how he questioned the hat in his second year. Harry turned and faced Dumbledore, who was standing to show Harry out.
"I cannot give that mirror forever, but I think at least for this year."
"Thank you Professor."
"Oh and Harry? The password for the Gryffindor Common Room is 'finklebots'."
Harry walked slowly toward Gryffindor Tower. He thought about going to the kitchen, since he had missed the feast, but realized that he wouldn't eat anything anyway. It was already late, and he just wanted some time to think. Harry wasn't sure he was ready to tell Hermione and Ron yet, although they were probably waiting for him to tell them everything. He just wasn't sure he was ready to tell them yet, but he needed to tell someone.
Suddenly a strange thought occurred to him. If he told Ginny, she would just listen to him. She wouldn't give him advice or hit the books, she would listen. Of course, he would tell Ron and Hermione tomorrow, then they could do all that. For tonight, he only wanted to think.
Harry walked into the Gryffindor common room to find it full of first years and a few older students. Ginny was there, curled up in a chair with a book. When had she become a bookworm? Well, I guess that happens when you spend half the summer living with Hermione. He walked over to her and lightly ran his hand over her hair. She looked up and quickly registered the look in his eyes.
"Harry! Are you alright?" she said quietly. "What did Dumbledore tell you? Did you get dinner?"
He smiled at her concern but slowly shook his head.
"Can you meet me down here at 12:30?" Harry asked a little nervously.
Ginny's eyes widened, but she nodded. Harry left her to her book and went upstairs to the 6th year boy's room. He walked in to find Ron and Hermione waiting expectantly. Hermione was the first to read his expression.
"Harry, are you ready to talk about this?"
"Not really," he said, not wanting to hurt their feelings. "Do you mind if I tell you tomorrow?"
"Aw, come on," Ron protested, but Hermione shushed him.
"I just need some time to think about everything first."
"Hey Harry, what's this?" Ron was pointing to a box on Harry's bed.
"Oh, that must be Sirius' birthday present," Harry said brightening for a moment before darkening again at the thought of Sirius. "I guess he left it here at Hogwarts."
Harry opened the box to find one the greatest gifts he had received. There were several items that had belonged to the Marauders. There was a whole file titled "Ways to get by in Potions," another map that showed areas of the castle that Harry had not seen on the other map (this one did not show everyone's location in the castle either). There was another thing that really got Harry's attention: his father's quidditch robes. Ron was in awe as Harry pulled out the Scarlet Gryffindor Quidditch robes. They looked just like Harry's, except it had "Potter, Seeker" written in gold script across the left breast. The robes they played in now didn't have their names on it, but Harry thought it would be great to use his dad's robes sometime. After an hour or so, the other 6th year boys started coming in and Hermione slipped out. Ron studied Harry carefully:
"You're sure you don't want to talk. You look miserable mate."
Harry just shook his head and soon they were all in bed. Harry lay awake thinking about how much had changed in just that day. When he was sure that the other four boys were sleeping soundly, he silently climbed down the stairs into the common room. Ginny wasn't there yet, so Harry sat down on one of the red sofas and flipped through a Quidditch book he had found on one of the tables. Harry wondered when he was going to have time to hold try-outs for the open Quidditch positions. He looked up at the sound of a creak in the floorboards. Ginny was standing next to a chair facing Harry. She seemed very nervous.
Harry was surprised to find himself thinking that the glow of the fire made her red hair seem almost alive, as if they were a part of the leaping flames. He pushed these thoughts from his mind as she took her seat and waited for him to speak. Harry gathered his thoughts as he took a deep breath. Then he looked around the room and muttered a quick silencing charm. Ginny started to get a bit anxious. She usually had a hard time keeping quiet. Not that she wasn't a good listener, she just had a tendency to talk a lot. Finally Harry started talking. He told her in more detail about his godfather and the events of his third year. She had relaxed quite a bit during Harry's story, happy that he was sharing some of his secrets with her.
"I can see why you were worried when you didn't hear from him this summer."
"Well, that's not the worst of it." Harry paused and Ginny sat, ready to listen. "You know that letter from Dumbledore?" She nodded silently. "Well, my fears were right. They, uh, they . . ."
Harry couldn't seem to finish his sentence. Ginny waited patiently for Harry to find the words. She really wanted to reach out, take his trembling hand, but . . . she wasn't sure how her comfort would be received and she certainly didn't want him to think that she was still the enamored little girl she had been a few short years ago. After a few minutes, Harry regained his composure and continued.
"Sirius was caught. Tomorrow is his trial and they're going to send him back to Azkaban. There's nothing I can do. Last year . . . he practically risked everything for me, and there's nothing I can do for him. If I could just get my hands on the damn Peter Pettigrew! No, it's probably best that I don't, I might use and Unforgivable on him."
Harry looked up at Ginny sitting across from him. She had been so patient, listening, asking questions only once in a while. How had he overlooked her for so many years? He tucked these thoughts away for later examination. He was starting to wish he had one of those things Dumbledore used to siphon out his thoughts. Instead, he began pouring out all his thoughts and fears. Through all of it, Ginny had listened. She studied him carefully as he talked.
After a long period of silence, Ginny asked, "Why did you tell me about all of this?"
"Like I said, I want to be your friend. I guess that means letting you be mine." He grinned as he got up and held out a hand to help Ginny up. Together, they walked back to the stairs. Harry had shared some very personal things with this girl, things he would hesitate his own best friends, and he almost wondered why. Why did he think to talk to her? Harry and Ginny both went to bed that night, their heads full of thoughts they couldn't control.
Before Harry fell asleep, a new fear rose within him. In the nightmare he'd had on the train earlier that day, Voldemort had warned him to watch his dream. Well, he certainly didn't want any more nightmares, but he wasn't entirely sure that that's what Voldemort had meant.
**Watch your dreams.**
A/N: So, I did get another chapter out today. Well, you never can tell. So, what did you all think of that????? I know, I know, I hate to send Sirius back to Azkaban, but it's really kind of necessary. Thanks to all my chapter five reviewers: Moira, Ruq., Fawkes, Estrella, and Andy. I was really excited to see people reviewing. So . . . the big question seems to be about Ron and Hermione. All I have to say about that is, we'll see what happens, they have a rocky road ahead of them. I'm not usually a R/Hr ship fan, but we'll just see where this year takes them. With Harry off with Ginny, that does leave Ron and Hermione alone a lot, but I don't know that I really want to break up the trio, so I don't know yet. The next few chapters will be more focused on finally developing the Harry/Ginny romance, chapter 8 will be very fluffy. But don't worry, there'll be plenty of action for our favorite trio, I can't bring myself to write pure fluff. Anyway, until the next chapter, which should be done tomorrow, review review review review!
~~butterflystarr
A/N: Hey, I timed this well, all the first day of school stuff is coming out on September 1st. Well, that amused me anyway.
Chapter 6
The Bad News
Hermione, Ron and Ginny headed off to the Great Hall for the traditional Sorting Ceremony as Harry made his way through Hogwarts' twisting hallways to Dumbledore's office. Harry had been in Dumbledore's office many times and he always left learning something new about the headmaster who was more than he seemed. After saying the password, Harry nervously walked into the office. Harry approached the large desk and found the envelope with his name printed in Dumbledore's hand. The envelope seemed full, as if there were several parchments inside. Sure enough, there were several pages with several distinct handwritings. The first page was written from Sirius:
Harry,
Now, I don't want you to start worrying about me, but I might not be able to send you any owls for a while. I'm writing this at the end of your school year and leaving it with Dumbledore, so you probably won't read this until September. The thing is Harry, I don't know how much longer I can hide. There are some people in the Ministry who take their jobs far to seriously and still have not given up looking for me. I've had a few narrow escapes. So, I will owl you as soon as I am in a safe position to do so and I'll try to make sure to send you at least a letter for your birthday. Harry, if anything should happen to me, I don't want any of your daring adventures. I heard about what happened when you met Voldemort again this year and I don't want you to take any more risks like that. Focus on your school work and try not to think about the outside world. Oh, I heard you performed excellently on your O.W.L.s! Keep up the good work. If anything big happens, and only if something big happens, send Hedwig and let me know. She's a smart owl and knows how to drop a trail. If anything happens, let me know and I will do the best I can to help you. Now, don't get worried or start making any plans yet Harry, stick to your school. Hopefully, my name will be cleared soon and you can spend next summer with me. How do you like traveling? Good luck this year Harry.
Sirius
Harry put down the letter. Don't worry? Why couldn't Dumbledore have given him this letter before he left for the summer? Still, Sirius had said he would send a letter for Harry's birthday and he hadn't, he hadn't even sent a note with Hedwig. Something must be terribly wrong. Harry decided to keep reading. The next letter was addressed to Dumbledore:
Dumbledore,
I am pleased to inform you that the last of the remaining dementors will be removed from the Hogwarts area. We have located Sirius Black and believe that he is no longer a threat to young Potter. It is now only a matter of time before he is sent back to Azkaban, where he belongs.
Cornelius Fudge
At that, Harry's heart sank. They found him. Harry moved quickly to the next parchment.
Dumbledore,
Sirius Black has been recaptured! He will have a small trial on September the 2nd, but I assure you there is no reason that he would be released. I will inform you as soon as the trial is over and we may all sleep in peace.
Cornelius Fudge
At this point, Harry couldn't read anymore. What if it was his fault? Maybe they had tracked him from the letter Harry had sent on his birthday? In the back of his mind, Harry knew these thoughts were foolish, but he couldn't help wondering. If Sirius went back to Azkaban, Harry would have nobody again. It was true that he had the Weasley's, but it wasn't the same as having your own family. After Harry regained control, he picked up the last parchment.
Harry,
I'm sure this news is very disturbing to you and I must ask you to remain in my office until I can come talk with you. It is true that they have captured Sirius, but like he said, you do not need to be doing anything about it. You may tell your friends what has happened later tonight, but I must remind you that it is very important that no one overhear your conversation. On a happier note, Sirius has left you a birthday present, you will find it on your bed when you return to your dormitory.
Dumbledore
Harry just sat and stared at the wall. Dumbledore had been sitting at his desk for five minutes before Harry even noticed that he was there. Dumbledore broke Harry's trance by speaking his name, but Harry didn't move his eyes from the wall.
"Harry, I don't want you to give up hope. There is still the possibility that Peter will be found. I assure you there are people still looking for him. Sirius did survive for nearly thirteen years in Azkaban before, I'd bet he'll survive it again."
"He barely survived at all last time."
"Sirius has more to live for now. There are people that believe him, there's you, there's his sense of justice. If I know Sirius Black, he will not give up that easily."
Harry hesitated for a moment. "How did they find him?"
"They had been tracing him since the end of last year."
"So it is my fault."
"No Harry, it wasn't only for you that Sirius was here to help last spring. He still has his own score to settle with Voldemort."
"Do you think that he will be able to escape again?"
"It doesn't seem very likely. They have double security on him. But . . . let's hope so. Harry, we can only hope for the best."
"Right." Harry sighed. "Can I go back to my room now?"
"I don't see why not." Dumbledore paused. "Harry, I think I have a birthday present of my own to give you."
Harry looked at the headmaster dumbfounded. Dumbledore had never given him a present before. Dumbledore handed Harry a tiny mirror, only the glass was cloudy and he couldn't see anything in it.
"That is a piece of The Mirror of Erisol."
Harry gasped. "Why would you . . . I thought . . ."
"It is not the same mirror that you discovered in your first year. Erised's brother created this mirror that is more like a window. It, unlike it's brother mirror, shows the truth, but only when we need it the most."
"I still don't understand why you are giving it to me."
"Because you, more than others, sometimes need to step back and see the truth. There is more expected of you than almost any other wizard your age. I know that you have many burdens Harry, and you have born them all well." Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat back in its place for another year. "This hat never made a mistake Harry. You have shown true Gryffindor bravery more than once in the last five years."
Harry finally turned from the wall and looked at the Sorting Hat. He was reminded of how he questioned the hat in his second year. Harry turned and faced Dumbledore, who was standing to show Harry out.
"I cannot give that mirror forever, but I think at least for this year."
"Thank you Professor."
"Oh and Harry? The password for the Gryffindor Common Room is 'finklebots'."
Harry walked slowly toward Gryffindor Tower. He thought about going to the kitchen, since he had missed the feast, but realized that he wouldn't eat anything anyway. It was already late, and he just wanted some time to think. Harry wasn't sure he was ready to tell Hermione and Ron yet, although they were probably waiting for him to tell them everything. He just wasn't sure he was ready to tell them yet, but he needed to tell someone.
Suddenly a strange thought occurred to him. If he told Ginny, she would just listen to him. She wouldn't give him advice or hit the books, she would listen. Of course, he would tell Ron and Hermione tomorrow, then they could do all that. For tonight, he only wanted to think.
Harry walked into the Gryffindor common room to find it full of first years and a few older students. Ginny was there, curled up in a chair with a book. When had she become a bookworm? Well, I guess that happens when you spend half the summer living with Hermione. He walked over to her and lightly ran his hand over her hair. She looked up and quickly registered the look in his eyes.
"Harry! Are you alright?" she said quietly. "What did Dumbledore tell you? Did you get dinner?"
He smiled at her concern but slowly shook his head.
"Can you meet me down here at 12:30?" Harry asked a little nervously.
Ginny's eyes widened, but she nodded. Harry left her to her book and went upstairs to the 6th year boy's room. He walked in to find Ron and Hermione waiting expectantly. Hermione was the first to read his expression.
"Harry, are you ready to talk about this?"
"Not really," he said, not wanting to hurt their feelings. "Do you mind if I tell you tomorrow?"
"Aw, come on," Ron protested, but Hermione shushed him.
"I just need some time to think about everything first."
"Hey Harry, what's this?" Ron was pointing to a box on Harry's bed.
"Oh, that must be Sirius' birthday present," Harry said brightening for a moment before darkening again at the thought of Sirius. "I guess he left it here at Hogwarts."
Harry opened the box to find one the greatest gifts he had received. There were several items that had belonged to the Marauders. There was a whole file titled "Ways to get by in Potions," another map that showed areas of the castle that Harry had not seen on the other map (this one did not show everyone's location in the castle either). There was another thing that really got Harry's attention: his father's quidditch robes. Ron was in awe as Harry pulled out the Scarlet Gryffindor Quidditch robes. They looked just like Harry's, except it had "Potter, Seeker" written in gold script across the left breast. The robes they played in now didn't have their names on it, but Harry thought it would be great to use his dad's robes sometime. After an hour or so, the other 6th year boys started coming in and Hermione slipped out. Ron studied Harry carefully:
"You're sure you don't want to talk. You look miserable mate."
Harry just shook his head and soon they were all in bed. Harry lay awake thinking about how much had changed in just that day. When he was sure that the other four boys were sleeping soundly, he silently climbed down the stairs into the common room. Ginny wasn't there yet, so Harry sat down on one of the red sofas and flipped through a Quidditch book he had found on one of the tables. Harry wondered when he was going to have time to hold try-outs for the open Quidditch positions. He looked up at the sound of a creak in the floorboards. Ginny was standing next to a chair facing Harry. She seemed very nervous.
Harry was surprised to find himself thinking that the glow of the fire made her red hair seem almost alive, as if they were a part of the leaping flames. He pushed these thoughts from his mind as she took her seat and waited for him to speak. Harry gathered his thoughts as he took a deep breath. Then he looked around the room and muttered a quick silencing charm. Ginny started to get a bit anxious. She usually had a hard time keeping quiet. Not that she wasn't a good listener, she just had a tendency to talk a lot. Finally Harry started talking. He told her in more detail about his godfather and the events of his third year. She had relaxed quite a bit during Harry's story, happy that he was sharing some of his secrets with her.
"I can see why you were worried when you didn't hear from him this summer."
"Well, that's not the worst of it." Harry paused and Ginny sat, ready to listen. "You know that letter from Dumbledore?" She nodded silently. "Well, my fears were right. They, uh, they . . ."
Harry couldn't seem to finish his sentence. Ginny waited patiently for Harry to find the words. She really wanted to reach out, take his trembling hand, but . . . she wasn't sure how her comfort would be received and she certainly didn't want him to think that she was still the enamored little girl she had been a few short years ago. After a few minutes, Harry regained his composure and continued.
"Sirius was caught. Tomorrow is his trial and they're going to send him back to Azkaban. There's nothing I can do. Last year . . . he practically risked everything for me, and there's nothing I can do for him. If I could just get my hands on the damn Peter Pettigrew! No, it's probably best that I don't, I might use and Unforgivable on him."
Harry looked up at Ginny sitting across from him. She had been so patient, listening, asking questions only once in a while. How had he overlooked her for so many years? He tucked these thoughts away for later examination. He was starting to wish he had one of those things Dumbledore used to siphon out his thoughts. Instead, he began pouring out all his thoughts and fears. Through all of it, Ginny had listened. She studied him carefully as he talked.
After a long period of silence, Ginny asked, "Why did you tell me about all of this?"
"Like I said, I want to be your friend. I guess that means letting you be mine." He grinned as he got up and held out a hand to help Ginny up. Together, they walked back to the stairs. Harry had shared some very personal things with this girl, things he would hesitate his own best friends, and he almost wondered why. Why did he think to talk to her? Harry and Ginny both went to bed that night, their heads full of thoughts they couldn't control.
Before Harry fell asleep, a new fear rose within him. In the nightmare he'd had on the train earlier that day, Voldemort had warned him to watch his dream. Well, he certainly didn't want any more nightmares, but he wasn't entirely sure that that's what Voldemort had meant.
**Watch your dreams.**
A/N: So, I did get another chapter out today. Well, you never can tell. So, what did you all think of that????? I know, I know, I hate to send Sirius back to Azkaban, but it's really kind of necessary. Thanks to all my chapter five reviewers: Moira, Ruq., Fawkes, Estrella, and Andy. I was really excited to see people reviewing. So . . . the big question seems to be about Ron and Hermione. All I have to say about that is, we'll see what happens, they have a rocky road ahead of them. I'm not usually a R/Hr ship fan, but we'll just see where this year takes them. With Harry off with Ginny, that does leave Ron and Hermione alone a lot, but I don't know that I really want to break up the trio, so I don't know yet. The next few chapters will be more focused on finally developing the Harry/Ginny romance, chapter 8 will be very fluffy. But don't worry, there'll be plenty of action for our favorite trio, I can't bring myself to write pure fluff. Anyway, until the next chapter, which should be done tomorrow, review review review review!
~~butterflystarr