Disclaimer: Still don't own Harry Potter, the other characters, and the stories -except this one!
Chapter Two
Maybes
Suddenly, a stone had fallen on Harry's heart. He felt as if he were being pressed because it was getting harder to breathe when his chest felt this tight. It had only been a week – A WEEK! – since the death of … of ….
"Yes," he said suddenly, but weakly, "Yes. I will go. But am I allowed? Dumbledore said I'd be safe here. Is it safe for me to leave?"
Mrs.Figg nodded. "Yes. In fact, this was Albus's idea, in a way. Now, go back to your aunt and uncle's house and pack up. Your aunt will be receiving a letter shortly requesting your leave. You'll stay at Sirius's for a week, and then you are to return to your aunt and uncle's for a few weeks. After that, you are to go to the Burrow."
He stared at her. She knew about Sirius and his house. She and the others, it seemed, had already mapped out his summer. Why? Did they foresee something he didn't?
"Er … ok. I'll be back."
He ran home, seeing a flash of brown enter into the house from an open kitchen window. He tore open the door and gathered all the belongings he'd need for a week. He took clothes, toothbrush, some school books to look over … and then he saw it. It was still wrapped horribly, though it was a million pieces instead of one thing. Supposedly breaking it would cause him seven years bad luck.
He laughed. It wasn't a happy laugh, but a truly bitter and angry one. It was ironic. For the past five, almost six years of his life, his life was filled with nothing but bad luck. No, no, that was wrong. The past fifteen almost sixteen years of his life were filled with bad luck. Was there some kind of hidden mirror that kept breaking, causing his life to be a spiraling demise?
He opened it up and looked at the tiny shards of broken glass. It was just about as broken as he felt. Why hadn't he listened to Sirius? Why had he been so bitter? Maybe if he had talked to the man one night, he wouldn't have felt so restless. Maybe he could have found out about Buckbeak and known that it was all a trick. Maybe he could have talked about the Occulmency lessons and found the strength to continue taking them. Maybe he should stop talking to himself!!!
Then again, why didn't Sirius remind him about the mirror when they talked in the fire? Did he, too, forget about it?
Had Sirius ever tried contacting him before on it? No, of course not. That was too dangerous. Ron and Hermione never knew about it, so they couldn't remind him.
As usual, everything came back to Harry. It was all his fault. He could have prevented everything in more ways than one. He could have gone to talk to Snape, he could have thought about the mirror, he could have tried protecting his mind harder, he could have seen past the illusion . . .
"Harry," said a voice. He jumped and spun around to the most unlikely face.
"I just received the letter," she said, softly. He didn't know if she was upset and nervous or didn't want her husband and son to overhear their conversation. (It was a Saturday. Uncle Vernon was downstairs watching television, and Dudley was in his room playing the latest Playstation 2 game with his "friends") "Well, what are you dawdling for? Get packing. We don't have all day!" she exclaimed, trying not to seem out of place.
Harry smiled to himself for the first time in weeks. He, once again, caught a glimpse of the true side of his Aunt Petunia. Despite the hatred that had grown in him during his life, he was actually glad this was his aunt. She may be tough, but he realized that she really did care for him inside.
"I'm packed Aunt Petunia," he replied, gathering his suitcase and Hedwig's cage. Petunia handed him his Firebolt which they had locked up in the real broom closet.
"Now, I don't want to hear any complaints that we mistreated you!"
"There will be none at all…" he replied, walking out the door. He then stopped, "And Aunt Petunia? Thank you."
With that, he ran to Mrs.Figg's house.
"Now dear, be careful. We can't have you fly because it's too dangerous. All the Floo network is being watched. Portkeys are the best right now…"
She looked towards a marble statue of a cat.
"Albus set this up for you. Please be careful."
Harry nodded. He touched the cat and was transferred to the attic of number 12 Grimmauld Place ...