Chapter 11, I'm going as fast as I can!
Thank you to kateydidnt for helping me with those dates. I had been trying to work it out from the Deathday party too but searching around for dates (plus my awful maths skills) were making it a bit difficult.
Polkat: Glad to know I'm still getting the interest of new readers. Tell your parents that you don't need sleep to survive, reading this is much more healthy!
Wintermoon: I understand what you mean about Sirius wanting to stay at the castle but he couldn't just live there could he? Not being a teacher I doubt he'd be allowed and he's got his own life to re-build- house, job etc. Oh what the hell just keep reading!
Once again thanks to everyone for reviewing!
Chapter 11: Secrets Best Kept
He lay there still, helpless. The hard earth beneath him felt strangely warm and damp. He could he its face above him. He could see those evil, yellow eyes just inches from his own. He wanted to move but he couldn't. It was trapping him, pinning him down with its cold steely claws.
Sirius must be on his way, he would come soon, and he would help.
Glancing to his left he could see her. She lay there, stiff and lifeless, blood oozing endlessly from the cuts on her skin.
Was blood supposed to do that? Do dead bodies still bleed?
Surely not.
That's when he noticed. It was all around him.
Warm, sickly-smelling blood surrounded him like an ocean, lapping against his body like the waves of the sea.
Please Sirius. Please come.
The creature continued to glare at him, smirking at his fearful expression.
A sudden noise from behind the creature forced it to turn its' head.
He could see him, the great black dog; Sirius had come to save him.
Or had he?
Something else happened, something he had not expected, Sirius changed.
The black dog transformed into its human form and looking at the scene he laughed,
Sirius laughed.
No, that can't be right, he's come to save us.
But he hadn't.
Looking helplessly back to the corpse by his side he noticed that it too had changed. She was no longer lying still but sitting upright, a twisted smile upon her blue lips. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but it wasn't words that came out it was blood. The fast flowing liquid ran from her mouth, soaking his robes…and the man began to call his name
'Harry…Harry'
'Aaaaaargh' Harry screamed aloud.
'Oh it's ok' he realised, struggling to open his eyes 'It was only another nightmare'
He strained to see without his glasses. He must be in his dormitory, he didn't know how, but he was.
That was when he saw it, the dark figure leaning over him. In his blindness he couldn't tell the figures identity, but it was far too tall to be Ron.
'Aaargh' he yelled again, but the figure but a large hand over his mouth to quash his screams.
'Harry shut up you'll wake everyone!'
'Sirius' Harry hissed 'Is that you?'
'Yes, here' he handed Harry his glasses.
To his disgust the boy could now see that Remus was there also.
'It's half six Harry, sorry to wake you early but I wanted to talk to you now while I still have the chance.' Sirius's tone sounded urgent.
'What the hell are you doing here anyway?' Harry asked. 'You must be mad. If Dumbled….'
'Dumbledore is fully aware of Mr. Black's presence' Remus cut in. 'Meet us in the Great Hall when you are dressed, I daresay you are very hungry after last night's escapade.'
With that the two men left allowing Harry to get ready. He dressed extremely quickly, surprised at how energetic he felt after such a long night, Sirius sure cast a mean Consorpio Charm.
On his way out of the dormitory Harry couldn't help but cast a glance at Ron. He lay there huddled under his blanket with a peaceful expression on his face.
He looked so content. So falsely content.
How could they lie to him like this?
How could they lie to anyone like this?
Harry did not know what he was going to say to his friend when he awoke.
Should he be told the truth? Surely he had a right to it.
On entering the Great Hall, Harry noticed Remus and Sirius sitting together at the teacher's table.
'What the hell is he playing at?' Harry thought to himself angrily. 'Is he determined to get himself caught?'
Walking towards the table he noticed that three plates had already been set. He sat down at the table as instructed by Remus.
Harry couldn't help but notice that the headmaster looked extremely strained and very tired. But then that was nothing more than he deserved.
'Breakfast's up in a minute.' Sirius attempted to sound cheery.
'What are you doing?' Harry demanded. 'Do you want to go back to Azkaban?'
Sirius laughed.
'Well Harry if you had not caused such a drama last night I would have come to tell you. I am a free man. Dumbledore has been working all summer to clear my name and, finally, justice has been done. As far as I am aware there is now a substantial award and a Dementors Kiss resting on Peter Pettigrew's head.'
'Drama?' Harry thought. 'Drama, is he trying to make light of this?'
'Yeah Harry, Congratulations to you too!' Sirius said sarcastically.
'That's brilliant' Harry smiled, giving his godfather a massive hug.
He was glad of a bit of good news and this was as good as it got.
Just then a small tug on his sleeve forced Harry to pull away from Sirius.He looked around to see that it was in fact Winky the House-Elf.
'Mr Harry Potter sirs, you is a very bad, bad boy. You has never guessed what Dobby is doing now? He is claiming the minimum wage! He tells Mr. Dumbledore that he is a big elf now and is having to have four galleons an hour for his work!'
As if hearing the conversation Dobby strode over to the table from his work in the kitchen.
Harry was surprised to see that Dobby was wearing a bright green sports jacket, brown combat shorts and Dr. Marten boots. His socks, which he had pulled up to his knees, bore a logo that looked suspiciously like Gucci.
'Oh, Mr Potter sirs, how Dobby has missed you.' The elf enthused, a huge grin spreading across his face
' Winky has told you sir, of my pay-rise? Oooh sirs, Dobby is rich beyond a house-elf's dreams.
The small elf pulled a silver packet from his pocket that turned out to be Cuban cigars.
'Is Mr Potter liking a snigar?' he asked cheekily.
'Dobby!' Remus yelled in an attempt to be strict, but a faint snigger escaped his once serious lips.
'There is absolutely NO smoking in this castle!'
'But sirs me is hearing that all workers are allowed the snoking break'
'You can smoke in your break if you wish Dobby, but not within the castle grounds.'
Dobby stormed off back to the kitchen rambling angrily as he went. Words such as 'unfair deprivation' and 'persecution of snokers' could be made out.
'See Mr. Potter sir! See what you has done! Oooh the shame!'
Winky began to cry uncontrollably into her hands and scurried off after Dobby.
'Ooh Dobby you is a bad, bad elfie' she yelled as she went.
'Yes Hermione, you did a really good job there' Harry though to himself
The three wizards began to laugh uncontrollably, pushing their differences momentarily aside.
Sweeping his wand hand across the table Remus conjured the food that the house-elves had prepared. Large, golden dishes of sausages and bacon appeared before their eyes as well as plates of fries eggs, toast and hash browns. Remus raised a toast to Sirius's freedom with a glass of pumpkin juice and instructed them all to tuck in.
As they helped themselves Sirius began the somber conversation.
'Harry, I realize that you have probably not had time to digest what happened last night but I would like to ask you a favour. I am leaving the castle tonight, Mr. and Mrs. Lupin have agreed to take me in, and it would make me a happy man if you and Remus could put your differences aside before I leave. I am not asking you to forgive and forget, but at least be civil. Remus has a very hard job to do, he needs your support.'
'You are right.' Harry replied. 'I haven't had enough time to think but I will co-operate with Remus until I have made my decisions.'
'Decisions?' asked Remus.
'Whether or not to tell Ron. Whether I accept your pleas of innocence.' Harry's voice was cold and hard.
Surely he could not be serious. He couldn't blow Lupin's cover now.
Could he?
After finishing his meal Harry excused himself and made his way up to Gryffindor Tower. On his way he bumped into Hermione who was looking even more pleased with herself than usual.
'Oh Harry. Have you heard? She beamed. 'Sirius is free.'
'I know' Harry grinned half-heartedly.
'I thought you'd be a bit more excited.' Hermione said sounding slightly concerned about her friend's mood.
'Just got stuff on my mind.' He replied shortly.
'Oh' the girl seemed confused 'Well have you seen Professor Lupin? I saw him and Sirius rushing around this morning and he dropped this.'
Hermione held out a small, red wallet.
'It's got a little money in and a photograph so it must be important.'
'You looked in it?' Harry asked surprised.
'Well, you know, I was curious. I blame Ron's influence. Look….'
Hermione opened the wallet up and showed Harry the picture.
'Doesn't he look different?' she giggled at the longhaired young Remus. 'I don't know who she is but she looks familiar, I think it's the eyes…'
Harry knew exactly who it was it was.
Sonny.
She looked young here too, probably about fourteen. Harry couldn't help but feel touched by the image. Remus looked so caring of the young girl, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. They looked happy.
Maybe Sirius was right. Remus certainly didn't look like he'd hurt the girl intentionally.
What was he supposed to think? Every time he thought he'd reached conclusion an opposing thought cancelled it out.
What would Hermione say? She was so logical, she would know the answers.
Should he tell her?
Where was the harm?
'Meet me in the common room after breakfast, alone' he told her.
'Harry', she laughed, 'we've got Potions after breakfast. How could you forget?'
'I don't care' he said sharply 'There's something I need to tell you.'
Harry disappeared up to the common room waiting impatiently for Hermione's arrival. When she came she seemed very flustered.
'Harry, quickly what is it? Snape will give us detention for this, and we could lose house points! We won't be late if you hurry!'
'We aren't going to potions.' Harry answered flatly. 'It's ok I can clear it with Professor Lupin.'
Hermione was going to argue but sensing the determination in Harry's eyes she thought better of it.
Sitting down in a corner of the room Harry began to relay the events of the night before.
Hermione listened, not interrupting, staring open mouthed at Harry as though she was trying to catch a chocolate frog.
When Harry came to a stop she immediately cut in.
'Oh my god, but that's awful. It wasn't his fault! Remus couldn't have known!'
'And you're sure about that?' Harry asked 'He knew what he was doing when he let Sirius lie to Dumbledore.'
'Yes but Harry' Hermione argued 'It wasn't his fault - it was the wolf! What could he have done they couldn't exactly arrest the wolf and not him. No, Harry this is absolutely not Lupin's fault – he had no control! You saw the photo, if that's her then they obviously weren't enemies, he looked like he cared for her terribly '
'But Hermione', Harry became exasperated, 'I lost my aunt, Ron lost his aunt, surely someone has to be punished!'
Hermione looked increasingly flustered.
'Jones is being punished.' She reminded him 'If it weren't for him Sonny and Remus wouldn't have been in the forest in the first place.'
'Oh what the hell would you know?' Harry snapped.
Looking at his watch he realized that Potions was now over.
'I'll ask Ron shall I? He is the only one that can understand, he is the one who has lost an aunt because of Lupin, just like me!'
'Harry you can't tell him.' Hermione whispered fearfully.
'Oh can't I' Harry yelled storming out of the room
'We'll see!'