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Chapter 3

The Pensive

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AN: Of course I don't own Harry Potter. Would I have killed off the best character?! GR!!! Enjoy this chapter. Sorry for not updating sooner. Happy 4th of July! Enjoy this chapter and keep reviewing! Thanks for all your reviews!

            Harry found himself in the one place he dreaded most: Sirius's room. During the last few months his godfather had secluded himself to the attic of the house along with his companion, Buckbeak the hippogriff.

            Harry noticed the bandages on the poor animal's feet. His talons were cut up, and it seemed as if feathers had been removed. There were noticeable areas of pink flesh.

            "Hey Buckbeak! How are you feeling?" asked Harry. The hippogriff bowed clumsily to Harry, recognizing him. Harry stroked his beak. "I see your bandages have been changed. I guess Lupin's taking care of you?"

            Brown boxes labeled "Keep" and "Toss" were cluttered around the room. Harry hadn't noticed them in the dim lit room at first, but as his eyes adjusted, he saw them.

            Realization hit him once again. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. His heart had crumbled to ashes, and his legs wobbled. Buckbeak, noticing this, rubbed Harry's back with his wing, as if to support him.

            "Thanks," mumbled Harry. "I bet this is just as hard on you, too. Not many companions, I guess. Not to mention that fact that you're all cramped in this dark…"

            But that wasn't true! Not everything was dark! A bright light shone in the left corner of the other side of the room.

            "A pensive?!" cried Harry. He ran to it, leaning over. He was soon absorbed into Sirius' last few minutes in the Black family house.

            Harry found himself in the kitchen. Remus was sitting at the table, reading the newspaper and sipping butterbeer. He looked pale because the full moon had been the previous night. He quietly ate a snack of cookies.

"Harry's been tricked! He believes He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has Sirius!" cried Tonks. The woman currently had bright red, long hair, like Harry's mother. "I just received word from Snape!"

"How? WHAT?!" cried Lupin.

"It seems as if those Occlumency classes didn't work or Harry hasn't been practicing. I blame Snape!  Dumb git! Damn him! Anyway… He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named saw through it. He knew we saved Arthur because Harry saw the vision. He probably figured he could do the same, just this time make something up to scare the poor kid. And why wouldn't he use Sirius? He's the closest person to Harry!"

Lupin nodded. "I'm getting Mad-Eye." He stopped. "Wait. Where IS Harry now?!"

Tonks looked at him sadly. "Where do you think?"

Lupin looked down and added quietly, "Don't alert Sirius. Don't tell him a thing."

"Tell Sirius what?" questioned Harry's godfather. He had come downstairs to see what all the racket was about. He still had some gauze and first-aid supplies in his hand.

"What happened?" asked Lupin, seeing the bandaging supplies.

"Buckbeak was attacked. Most likely by that dumb house elf. Now quit trying to change the subject. What happened?!"

"Er…Snivellus called. He's coming up later."

"Bull Lupin. What's going on…It's Harry, isn't it?"

Lupin looked at him and shook his head. "No. Not at all. Everything's under control Padfoot."

"Ya know, in all the years I've known you, Moony, you've NEVER lied to me. Why start now?"

Tonks looked at Lupin, realizing he was going to break. "There's more trouble at Hogwarts, Fudge is heightening the amount of Ministry Members at the school. However, this is just a …"

Kingsley, an African wizard burst into the kitchen, all in a tizzy. "Snape just told me that Harry…" he saw Sirius, "is doing fine in school!" he exclaimed, trying to show false excitement. He lowered his voice. "He's extremely safe, as are Ron and Hermione."

Sirius glared at them all. "BLOODY HELL! You know, I'm a member of the Order, too! Harry is MY godson! I am the closest thing he has to a parent. He's like a son to me! I deserve to know WHAT IS GOING ON!"

Alastor Moody, an older wizard, joined the crowd in the kitchen. "Stop this childish bickering! Kingsley, Tonks, and Remus, with me. Dumbledore is expected shortly. You, Sirius will stay here. The situation is under control. We're losing time. Let's move."

Sirius grabbed Lupin's arm and looked at him with pleading eyes. "Moony, you are my best friend. I know Harry's in trouble. I heard what Tonks said. I NEED to go. If Harry sees me, he'll understand. If he doesn't, he'll believe you are trying to trick him to get in to leave quickly. He'll think you're lying to him to save him. If I'm not allowed to go, you know I'll find a way to sneak out! He's my godson. He's my responsibility! He's my LIFE! If anything happened to him, I'd kill myself…well, I'd kill you first, then me. Please Remus. I at least owe this to James…"

One by one the group looked to Lupin. He sighed and slowly nodded. "Tell Kreacher to greet Dumbledore and explain everything that's happening. Grab your wand, Padfoot. Tempus fugit!"

Sirius nodded. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kreacher approach. "Kreacher, as the last surviving Black I command you to tell Albus Dumbledore, when he arrives, that we have gone to save Harry. I want you to tell him everything we just said, because I know you were spying on us."

Harry's godfather then ran upstairs to grab his wand. He looked out into the room, almost straight at Harry, as if he knew the boy would be looking into the pensive.

"Check my mirror…"

With that, a hand grabbed Harry, dragging him back to harsh reality…