Harry Potter and the Betrayal of Snape

Chapter 2 —Untold Emotions

The next two days seemed to be crawling by like snails in Harry's eyes. The red writing on the clock already said 12:24 AM but Harry just couldn't rest without drowning thoughts trying to suffocate him. He placed the key into the hole in the trunk, opening the third compartment, where he hid his diary.

Dear Sirius,

Did I really make the right choice to go back to the wizard world? If I never went, if I had just hid from my real identity, you would still be alive. It's my fault and I know it. I let all my friends see the edge of death, almost killing Hermione….I could've killed her…if only I never existed…if only….Did I do the right thing to go back to school early too? I tried to pretend that everything was back to normal, but you know it's not going to happen, and I know it myself too. I thought that it would be better for facing my fears earlier so I could get it over earlier…but I'm not sure if it's going to happen. I love you so much Sirius, something that I was sort of embarrassed to say in front of you, but I guess that now I won't even have a chance to talk to you ever again…

Harry

Just when Harry was about to put his diary away, there was a knock on the window. He grabbed his wand right away and turned around. Hedwig hooted loudly, fairly surprised at Harry's sensitive reactions. "Oh I'm sorry Hedwig…" He said as he opened the window and put his wand back on the bed. "Thanks a lot." Hedwig nipped his shoulder softly, accepting his apology. Harry hurriedly untied the letter and read the piece of parchment.

Dear Harry,

We've just received your letter and everyone here appreciated your gratitude. About getting you safely to Hogwarts earlier, we have decided to let you and your best friends Ron and Hermione travel by a registered Portkey in the Ministry of Magic that leads straight to my office. I know it may be hard for you to travel that way once more, but it's only safe. If you do not feel comfortable, you may choose not to. In Hogwarts, many teachers have already arrived so there will be no problem about your safety. Please send me a message if you decide to change your mind, if not, Professor Lupin and Professor Moody will pick you up on 20th August by muggle transportation.

Prof. Dumbledore

The Ministry of Magic….? Will I really be able to go through all that again? Harry thought. But somehow there was this voice in his head, this voice so familiar to Sirius', urging him to go and face his fear. He tried to shut it out, but his voice just convinced him into it. He took a deep breath, I'll go, he thought. He went back on working his last essay, finishing up the last sentence.

While Harry was doing his homework, back at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, Ginny and Hermione were whispering among each other, unable to sleep.

""Mione, do you think that Harry will change his mind cause of what happened last year at the ministry?" Ginny whispered softly, fearing that her mother, Molly Weasley would hear.

"I'm not sure Ginny…I'd think that he'll probably will decide not to go, but…you never know when people change. I really hope that Harry will be able to recover from this tragic event…." Hermione responded with a heavy sigh. "We probably should go to sleep, it's already a quarter to one. Night Ginny."

"Night Hermione."

Many days flew by after Harry had told his uncle and aunt about the day that Lupin and Moody were to pick him up, while Harry kept himself occupied all those days by polishing and fixing up his Firebolt with his new broom kit. He was quite happy when his uncle just gave him a look of fear in his face and answered all right…and hurried off into the kitchen.

The morning of the "big" day finally arrived after so many afternoons of boredom (because you do get tired after doing the same thing everyday you know!). "Hedwig, I have this new trunk and uh..it's quite big so you won't have to stay in your cage. I'll let you stay and fly around in the fifth compartment. Wait, it's quite dark so I have to get some light for you." Harry said as he opened one of his birthday gifts that Tonks gave him: Taking Care of your Magical Home. After taking care of Hedwig, he proceeded to continue his packing. Harry chose to wear his best clothes, which were of course his birthday present with Dudley's sunglasses (just to show the Order that the Dursleys did treat him a bit better this year.) By muggle transportation… He thought. Just when he was thinking about how and when they're going to get there, after finished packing, the doorbell rang. Harry had been so drowned into his own thoughts that he didn't notice an unfamiliar car parked in the Dursleys' driveway. Harry was quite sure that it was probably a friend of Uncle Vernon's, or business partners but —

Uncle Vernon opened the door and was surprised at facing two men, both of them so familiar. The first, Moody, the one he recognized and had nightmares of after the day at King's Cross. The other, Lupin, a handsome looking man, but still always with a weary look and still with a face of exhaustion. Uncle Vernon took a few steps back and tried to hide his fear away, Dudley ran upstairs, so fast that he couldn't be spotted…but only could be heard (BOOM! BOOM!) and Aunt Petunia just slowly slid behind his husband.

"Uh..uh..are…are..you two loo…looking…" Stuttered Uncle Vernon.

"Hello, nice to meet you again Dursleys," Lupin said with a smile, before Vernon could finish his question, "yes, we're here to pick up Harry Potter." Vernon cringed a little bit as Lupin spoke.

"Uh..boy…they're here…" Uncle Vernon managed to yell out. Harry was surprised at how early they got here. A rush of happiness filled up in his heart as he ran down the stairs to meet the two members of the Order. Harry had the biggest smile on his face.

"Professor Lupin, Professor Moody!" Harry greeted. Lupin just stood there in awe, staring at Harry. Harry tilted his head a little bit, shocked at Lupin's reactions.

"You…you look just like….James." Lupin whispered. "Uh…sorry Harry. Heh…So how've you been?" He smiled, knocking himself out of his trance.

"Uh gr….great…thanks.." Harry said, still quite surprised at Lupin. He stared at Lupin and Moody, with the feeling of warmth surrounding his heart and mind.

"Potter, we'd better get going. Dumbledore expects us to arrive at the ministry at 11:00 AM sharp. And Harry, welcome back." Moody said. While Moody went upstairs to get Harry's stuff, and Harry started talking to Lupin, uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia slipped into the kitchen, leaving with just a few mumbles of: have a great year Harry.

"So where's Ron and Hermione Re…uh….Professor Lupin?" Harry asked.

"It's ok Harry, you can call me Remus when we're outside of school. They're going to arrive by floo powder." Lupin responded as Moody levitated the trunk down the stairs.

"Bye Uncle Vernon! Bye Aunt Petunia! Bye Dudley!" Harry screamed. The Dursleys echoed a goodbye back to him and Harry left number 4 Privet Drive, getting onto the old fashioned car, which was lent by the ministry. As Moody was driving, Lupin handed him a train ticket.

"Here Harry. So uh, how've you been? Haven't talked to you much except for the simple letters. Couldn't write too much, in case Hedwig was intercepted." Lupin said, breaking the silence, which was in the atmosphere for about 20 min of the drive.

"Uh, the Dursleys are way nicer to me now…." Harry said, feeling a little bit awkward, after all, he barely said more than 20 sentences during the summer.

"I can see…" Lupin said as he stared at Harry's clothes. "It always amazes me how much you…you…look almost identical to James….with the hair, sunglasses and …Everything….except for those beautiful emerald green eyes…Lily's eyes." Lupin continued. "Sirius always used to say…" Lupin stopped abruptly, noticing that he had said something wrong. Moody looked over to Lupin, but not saying a word. Harry started to fidget in the backseat. He didn't feel ready to talk about Sirius or his dad. Harry felt like he was fighting away his tears, and the ride to the train station and train ride was a complete silence.

When they finally arrived, the three of them, dressed in muggle clothes (of course Harry looked the most normal) entered the small and old red telephone box. Moody, closest to the phone, dialled six, two, four, four then two again. Suddenly a familiar voice Harry heard last year with Arthur Weasley said: "Welc ome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."

Moody answered with a bold voice: "Alastor Moody, Remus Lupin and Harry Potter. We are here to escort Mr Potter to a registered Portkey inside the ministry leading to Albus Dumbledore's office."

"Thank you," said the cool female voice. "Visitors, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes." The three of them managed to pin their badges with their own names and the words Portkey travel even though there were barely any room left in the telephone box. Once again the female voice spoke: "Visitors to the ministry, you are required to submit a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."

"Ugh…" Moody said, slightly annoyed at the complicated process. The telephone box started to shudder and lower. Harry took a deep breath, holding in the tears. His heart felt so sore, so tired and exhausted from all the emotions he had to keep in. Lupin looked at Harry, staring into his glossy eyes and put a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry didn't look into his face, but looked down at his feet.

"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day," said the woman's voice as the door opened. Harry walked out and laid his eyes on the fountain, looking all brand new. The group of golden statues still stood tall, shiny and gleaming with brightness. Harry looked back down, feeling a sense of rage and anger. Why can the statues be fixed, but Sirius…why? Harry thought. He followed Lupin and Moody a desk with a sign that said Security. It wasn't the same badly-shaven man in peacock blue robes, but a younger looking blond-haired man looking up at the three. "Harry Potter again…I heard that you were hear last year with Arthur…I hope that you're not here for another disciplinary hearing..or are you?" the man chuckled, as he took a long golden rod ready to search all three. "And hah! Alastor Moody!" the man greeted as he looked down at the thin rod. "Don't worry "Mad-Eye" Moody…..oh oops…I mean Mr Moody…haha…don't worry, I'm not going to attack you with this….It's just a S-E-A-R-C-H, not A-T-T-A-C-K! Haha…" Harry ignored what the man said and walked slowly to a seat in the lobby, near the fountain. No one noticed since Moody was too mad, he was about to take out his wand but Lupin stopped him. "Well, well, well. Can't take a little joke can you? I will have to report you if you do not give me a little more respect. I can report that you were…" the man said but suddenly a long bearded man with half moon glasses appeared.

"They're with me Samuel," Dumbledore said. "I hope you're not up to no good…" he smiled.

"Oh I'm so sorry Mr Dumbledore," the man said, but still glaring at Moody. "I was just…fooling around with them…nothing serious….uh but they still need to do registration…"

"Samuel, I already told Cornelius, he said it's fine." Dumbledore responded.

"Uh…yes sir, yes sir…" the man said as he gave one more glare to Moody and went back to work. "Hello Alastor and Remus…everything went smoothly I suppose?"

"Yes, everything went fine," Remus answered with a smile. "Harry is…" He turned around and noticed him missing. "He was…" Remus got nervous.

"Don't worry Remus, Harry's there," Dumbledore said as he pointed to Harry sitting on the chair, head down.

"Do you think that he'll be okay?" Remus asked, worried.

"He'll be alright Remus, don't worry." Dumbledore replied. Harry couldn't think properly. He didn't know why he was sitting there. He had kept his sunglasses on, to avoid anyone staring at him. "Sirius, why…?" Harry whispered as he clenched his hands in a fist. Suddenly Harry heard a lot of commotion behind his back and a voice so familiar.

"Oh Merlin's beard! How can they put house elf on the fountain?!" Gasped the voice. Harry heard this familiarity in the voice but decided not to turn around. "Hello Professor Dumbledore, Professor Moody, Professor Lupin! Where's Harry?" It was Hermione. Harry tried to bring a smile but still couldn't. It was too painful for him to. He stood up, a little slumped, and turned around. There stood Hermione, Ron and Mrs. Weasley.

"Harry!" Ron yelled. Harry took off his sunglasses, revealing his sad emerald eyes, which met the figure of a young woman. It was Hermione. She had also grown a lot during the summer. Her straight hair gleamed like the sun and she could totally be noticed as a young lady, rather than a girl. He gazed into her eyes, melting her on the spot. "Hey mate!" Ron said again as he ran to Harry. Ron was about to pounce on Harry for a hug, but then stopped at the last second, almost falling to the ground. "Heh..Ron…doesn't matter, come here!" Harry managed to say, acting normal and giving Ron a hug. "Missed you buddy." But Hermione just stood there. Staring into those depressed eyes. She was lost into this unknown but handsome Harry.

"Hey Hermione, can I have a hug?" Harry said, without even noticing what he just said.

"Yes Harry, we all missed you," She whispered next to Harry's ears. Harry felt so warm in the arms of Hermione. He felt like all his fear disappeared, the thoughts of Siruis and his pain seemed drowned out. He let go of Hermione and greeted Mrs Weasley.

"Harry dear! Oh, you look so exhausted!" Molly Weasley said as she gave Harry a big bear hug, and Harry could tell that she was about to cry. Harry gave her a forcing smile. Harry then turned around and walked slowly to Dumbledore. "Hello Professor Dumbledore."

"Good morning Harry, do you feel comfortable here even though what happened to Sirius?" Dumbledore asked, concerned. Harry gripped his pants tight. How could he mention Sirius in front of me? Harry thought. Harry ignored him and walked to Ron and Hermioine. "Harry?" Dumbledore asked again.

"Yes…" mumbled Harry, but actually really not feeling comfortable. Harry was holding in his tears while he stared at the unforgettable statues. Lupin broke the silence when everyone just stared at Harry.

"Albus…uh…I think they should be going now…" Lupin suggested.

"Yes, yes," Dumbledore agreed. "Samuel, please drain the fountain,"

"But…but…" Samuel stared at Dumbledore, unsure. "Well…uh…yes sir, yes…" Samuel quickly drained the fountain by the flick of a special silver tiny rod.

"Well Mrs Weasley, Remus, Alastor and I are all going to accompany the three of them so don't worry. You three and I are going step into the fountain first and touch the wizard statue at the count of three, and hold on tight to your trunks. Remus and Alastor are going to come right after. Goodbye Mrs Weasley!" Dumbledore smiled.

"Goodbye! Have a great year. Any troubles just contact me! Have a great year Ron, Hermione…and Harry!" Mrs Weasley yelled, almost at the edge of tears.

"Bye!" they all yelled but Harry only looked into Mrs Weasley's eyes, feeling the sorrow she felt, but worse. Harry wore back his normal glasses.

"One, two, three!" Dumbledore said as the four of them touched the wizard. Harry felt the familiar sensation of a hook being jerked behind his navel as flashes of memory zoomed by. The veil, Sirius, flashing spells…..

Hermione opened her eyes as she was yanked by the portkey. She felt this cold drip of water fall on her face. She looked over at Ron and Dumbledore, noticing that both of them had their eyes closed; then she turned to Harry —It was Harry's tears.

A/N: Tell me if you don't like this chp..if you don't…I'll rewrite it!…just please R/R..since this is my first fanfic, I really want more reviews to improve…thanks!