CHAPTER 4

After lunch Harry, Ron and Hermione got up and started walking towards their Defense against the dark arts class. When they reached the last few steps about half their enthusiasm had drained out due to the long walk. They found some desks and slumped down into the seats. After about five minutes a tall thin women with long blonde hair walked in. Most of the boys including Ron and Harry raised slightly as she entered. She was stunning. She had vibrant blue eyes and was wearing a turquoise set of robes to match. "Hello class." She said. She picked up her wand and swished it into the air. A silver ribbon shot out and wrote "Professor Hardgrove." She looked at the class "That's my name." She said and smiled "Now I have received a letter from Lupin about what you have studied and Professor Dumbledore has given me a brief outline. I now want to learn all of your names, so stand up and I'll push the desks away and we'll play a game." There were excited mumbles as people put their books in their bag. With a swish of her wand the desks were pushed to the back of the room. "Now I want you to stand in a circle and say your name and then tell me a dark art or creature you know then the counter curse for it. We'll start with you." She pointed at Neville who was standing next to Harry. "Umm, my name is Neville and.ah.to destroy a boggart you laugh, and think of something to make it look funny and say "Riddikulus." The class clapped, it was the first time Neville had gotten something right in his life. "Right, good. Next?" said Hardgrove, and looked at Harry. "My name is Harry," he said. Professor Hardgrove stopped dead. "Potter?" asked Hardgrove. "Er, yes," said Harry. Professor Hardgrove paused and moved to the next person. He received some puzzled looks from a lot of people.

It was 5:50 as they started to make their way to the front of the gargoyle. They got there at 5:58 and at 6:00 it magically sprang aside. They climbed the staircase and when got to the top could see that the door was open, waiting for them. The entered. Inside was Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagle, Lupin, a women whom Harry had never seen before, Hardgrove and. "Sirius!" Harry yelled. He ran over and hugged his godfather. "Hello Harry" said Sirius. He nodded politely to Ron and Hermione. He looked great. He'd gained some wait and was wearing some better robes. He looked handsome, vibrant and alive, just like the day of his parents wedding.

"Right, let's get down to business." Said Dumbledore. He basically told them all the news he had heard about Voldemort and assigned each of the adults their different tasks and then turned on to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Now, I've asked you three to come as you're easily the smartest students in the fifth year (Hermione blushed furiously and sat up straight with pride) and you've defiantly had the most experience. You're all being made prefects and will be give secret codes and passwords to get into some restricted areas. I would like you to report to me any news you hear, understood?" The three of them nodded. "Ms Hardgrove?" Dumbledore asked. But she didn't answer; she was lost in thought staring at Sirius. Then Harry clicked. She was the girl in the picture. That's where he'd remembered her. "Ms Hardgrove?" Dumbledore asked again a little louder. "Hmm? Oh yes Professor?" she said slightly dazed. "Would you take Harry back to his tower, I think you could explain some things to him. I will explain to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger." He said suggestively. Hardgrove nodded. They walked in silence for about 5 minutes and then Prof. Hardgrove said, "Well there is know time like the present, is there." She sounded very shaky and nervous. "Would you come in here please?" she said, walking into an empty classroom and lighting the candles. "What Dumbledore would like me to tell you will come as a shock. Umm." she said looking uncomfortable. "I was your mothers best friend, all through out school, then I was her maid of honour at your parents wedding" she said trying to hold back tears. "I'm also your god-mother." She said. Harry was amazed. Before he said anything she kept going "There is also another thing, Sirius and I were engaged before he was sent to Azkaban. Tonight's been the first night I've seen him in fifteen years. And I know Sirius is on the run and everything and I know you'd probably like to stay with your other family, but if you'd like to, I'd be honored to be your legal guardian." She said with a hopeful, irresolute smile on her face. Harry could only grin.

Harry walked into the common room. It was quite late and he expected no one to still be up. As he got closer to the portrait of the fat lady though, he could hear muffled yells of an argument. "Cockroach Cluster" Harry said and entered. A very red face Hermione and Ron turned towards the door. "What's the argument about?" Harry asked brightly. Ron shook his head looking for the words. "Urgh! Why don't you ask your lying friend." He said aggressively, then turned, and stormed up the stairs. Harry looked at Hermione for an explanation. "Well, when we got back I sat down to write a letter to Victor and Ron asked who I was writing to and I told him and he got all mad and was calling me a liar and I haven't got a clue why. You don't know do you?" Hermione asked. Harry shook his head, guilt pouring all over him.