Chapter Six: News
Harry watched the new professor walk swiftly away with interest, his cloak billowing dramatically as he marched along the hallway. Turning back Harry stared up the spiralling stairs that led to Dumbledore's office, feelings once more surging within him as he stepped with anxiety onto the first stair before slowly moving upwards.
Arriving at the oaken door, Harry knocked hesitantly causing it to swing open unbidden, causing the occupant of the room to flip backwards with surprise. Sitting behind Dumbledore's desk had been the last person Harry expected to see, now instead of his feet perched atop the desk, Sirius was lying on the floor behind it where he had fallen off. Rushing over Harry saw a silly grin plastered over his godfather's face and gathered that his own must be something to look at.
Springing up from the floor, Sirius circled the desk and pulled the flabbergasted Harry into a hug, recovering from the shock Harry returned the embrace feeling a grin spread over his face as well. Pulling back Sirius put his hands on Harry's shoulders and studied his face, the grin now smaller but still genuine and warm, letting go he perched on the edge of the desk and nodded Harry to a chair. 'It's good to see you,' he said, 'sorry I didn't write – Dumbledore's been keeping me busy.'
'That's okay,' Harry replied quietly, feeling his smile fade a little, 'I don't think I would have written back,' he said honestly, a small grimace appearing.
'I can't say I blame you Harry,' Sirius said, smiling to secure him, 'I remember how I felt after Lily and James were – ' he stopped abruptly causing an uncomfortable pause, flashing a quick smile to cover up Harry still saw the pain in his eyes. 'Did you get your birthday present though?' Sirius asked shortly, obviously changing the subject but Harry didn't care.
With a smile Harry retrieved the teardrop like stone and held it out for Sirius to examine, oddly enough Harry noted there were still swirls of the red pattern that had formed the prior evening. Seeing the movement Harry swore that Sirius's grin widened as he sat perched on the edge of the desk. Returning the teardrop to Harry he spoke once more, gesturing at the stone, 'Do you know what that is?' he asked almost cryptically, receiving a shake of Harry's head in reply.
'It's called a [insert name here – possibly liefgemma], I'll let you figure out the translation yourself, I just remembered that James had one while he was at Hogwarts, it was a gift from his parents,' Sirius's voice was almost wistful now and Harry couldn't help but smile once more. 'I thought I should continue the tradition,' Sirius continued wearing a small grin, a grin which suggested there was something else behind the present, 'just keep it with you, it can help at times as you've probably found out already.'
Sighing Sirius slipped off the edge of the desk and walked back around, lifting up Dumbledore's chair once more and sitting down, 'I did have a proper reason for seeing you though…' he continued, his eyes now more serious, 'Dumbledore asked me to explain what's happened since Voldemort's return as you've been out of touch…' an almost oppressive silence settled on the usually warm atmosphere of Dumbledore's office as Sirius left the statement hanging in the air.
'What?' Harry whispered breathlessly, his mind already racing back to the events of the last year and forwards to the possible repercussions that could await him.
'Well…nothing,' Sirius's face, which had turn grave and serious now took on a puzzled look, his eyes still remained locked into Harry's though, 'It's almost as if he never came back that night, in fact it's even more calm then normal.' Sirius added the last part in a tone that suggested even he didn't believe it.
'But…what about the Ministry?' Harry said, 'Ron's dad looked even worse then after the incident at the Quidditch World Cup last year.'
'Ah.' Sirius's mouth hung open before he shut it to think for a minute. 'Well…you know how Minister Fudge was just a bit…awkward…last year? Well, you know Arthur Weasley and some other ministry members have started helping Dumbledore?'
'Some?'
'Okay, roughly half of them,' Sirius added, a small grin playing on his lips, 'anyway, Fudge found out and he's now become more…awkward'. Judging from the slight pauses Harry could tell Sirius was thinking Fudge was something else entirely, mentally he was agreeing with his godfather. 'For now that's all I have to say…unless there's anything you want to discuss?' Sirius asked with a grin that approached sly, 'anything at all?'
'Um…not that I'm aware of,' Harry replied semi-confused by a side of Sirius he'd never noticed before, 'why?'
'Oh…' Sirius replied, slightly put out, 'it's just…that I have to go on another errand for Dumbledore and wondered if you wanted to talk about things – I won't be around for a few months.' Standing up Sirius walked back around the desk.
'There's always Hedwig,' Harry replied with a smile before embracing his godfather once more, then he followed him to the door of the office as Sirius picked up his wand and cloak. 'There was one thing though,' he said as they began moving down the stairs to the corridor exit, 'do you know anything about the new professor?'
'What, Kilmorie?' Sirius asked without expecting an answer, 'I'm not sure what to make of him, he seems reasonable enough, I mean he accepted me after Dumbledore told him the real story. Apparently he's been in exile for a few years, he's just returned to our normal lives, I think Dumbledore must know him well – he gave him the job straight away.'
'Dumbledore knew Moody as well,' Harry said quite harshly, surprising himself.
'Good point,' Sirius replied, turning to look into Harry's eyes, 'which is why Kilmorie was tested, including with something you should recognise.' Stepping out into the corridor Sirius handed Harry a parchment from his robes with tattered edges, 'Moody found it after you left, gave it to Dumbledore, and now it's back to you.' Unfolding the paper Harry saw a familiar map, and true enough in the crowded great hall he saw Julian Kilmorie seated at the high table. 'Keep an eye on him anyway,' Sirius continued, looking up and down the corridor, 'he's a clever man from what I can tell – you might actually learn something this year,' he added with a grin as he pulled his cloak about him.
'Are you coming back later in the year?' Harry asked Sirius as he stowed the map away.
'Nothing's going to keep me away Harry,' Sirius said, 'never forget that.'
'I won't,' Harry replied with a smile, embracing once more, 'I'll see you next year?' A hearty bark met his question as Snuffles replaced Sirius, for a minute they stood there, boy and dog before, with another bark, Snuffles took off down the corridor with his tail wagging, Harry watched him leave until the tail disappeared down the stairs at the end of the hallway.
Walking back in the opposite direction Harry made his way back to the entrance hall before sneaking into the Great Hall, up above him the sky on the ceiling was cloudless and starry, an inky black sky allowing the moon to shine brightly, a peaceful light washing over the hall.
'RAVENCLAW!' a familiar voice shouted, and Harry looked to the front of the hall to see the last new student run to the cheering table while the Sorting Hat perched on the chair at the front of the hall. In the brief pause that followed Harry walked to the Gryffindor table slotting into a gap alongside Ron, a quizzical glance from Hermione was greeted by a short shake of his head, Harry would tell them later.
At the front of the hall Dumbledore stood for his traditional greeting.
'Welcome once again to our school, both new and old students, for once I will bore you with the news before the feast.'
'I'm hungr–' Ron's traditional moan was cut short when Hermione's elbow found his stomach.
'This year I would ask that no students go into the Forbidden Forest no matter what circumstances may arise, also please note all Care of Magical Creature classes will take place in the Great Hall for every year. One final note, the Quidditch season begins in a week, see your team captains for tryouts. And now,' he raised his hands and the feast appeared.
Sitting among friends Harry felt the familiar warm feeling return as he ate and chatted, one inevitable topic was the upcoming Quidditch trials and the position of Gryffindor Keeper, as well as who should play the role of the captain since Wood's departure in the previous year. After much debating, Harry's suggestion of Angelina as Captain, despite the fact she would leave this year, was accepted although he received a sideways glance from Fred when he refused to be captain himself.
After an hour of food and drink Harry felt content as Dumbledore rose once more to address the students, 'All that remains is for me to wish you a good night, as always the prefects have the passwords to your common rooms, you will receive your timetables in the morning.'
Rising to leave with the others Harry felt a hand touch his shoulder and he turned to see Professor McGonagall with her usual stern expression, 'The headmaster would like a word Mr. Potter, go to his office, he will meet you there.' With a feeling of dread Harry let the others walk on ahead, he knew that he was not in any trouble, well, not yet anyway, but the one thing he had not looked forward to was speaking with Dumbledore once more, most of the times he felt uneasy having spoken to the headmaster, he doubted this time would be any better.
