::crosses fingers:: please please paaallllleeeeaasssseeeeeeeeee upload this
time!!!
::story finally uploads after trying for 5 days:: yay!!! the computer gods
are smiling on me!!!!!
Hey everyone! Hope you enjoy!
I would like to thank Warbl65, QuEeN oF tHe UnIvErSe and Nightcrawler for your reviews!!!! I love you guys! ::wipes away a tear and sniffles::
p.s. I own nothing. Otherwise, I'd be fly fishing in Colorado right now in the stream right outside of my back door
Chapter 4
Harry woke up with a start. He thought at first, it was because of the sudden jolt of being bounced as Ron and Hermione jumped on his bed. But his forehead also hurt. He remembered dreaming something, but he couldn't remember the specifics. "Maybe I'll remember more so I can report it to Sirius later," he thought.
Ron and Hermione jumped again. "Ok....ok....I'm up. What!"
"We want to know what's going on, Harry. What happened?"
"I'll tell you later....I'm hungry." Harry tried to sit up, but was pushed back down by the pair.
"Ok....fine....I'll just go back to sleep." Harry inwardly smiled. Even though he had thought about most of the night what to tell them and what to leave out and knew exactly what he was going to say, torturing the two was too much fun. They promptly started jumping on the bed again.
"Mate, we are doing this for your own good. Tell us what's going on or we are going to have to beat you up," said Ron, jokingly. "If only they knew," thought Harry.
Harry finally conceded and started talking. Once he started, the words just kept coming. He told them about how his uncle had found something and barred up his room again....but not about the bottle....then about Sirius and Dumbledore coming to get him because of Lord Voldemort.
"He knew....how...." Ron broke in, but Hermione gave him a severe look of don't interrupt so he stopped in mid sentence.
Harry continued on about how when they got to the Shrieking Shack....what the Dursley's did and how Sirius tried to kill his uncle and then to the happiest news of all....that he no longer had to live with his adopted family and was going to live with Sirius from now on. Harry finally finished his story and it felt if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Part of that was from Ron and Hermione finally letting go of him and the other part was just getting matters out in the open to his two best friends. Harry was finally able to sit up. As soon as he did, Hermione hugged him hard.
"Oh Harry....are you ok?" Hermione looked genuinely worried. Harry nodded.
Ron was sitting at the end of the bed, staring at the wall in front of him. "You ok, Ron?" came from Harry.
Ron looked Harry dead in the face, his eyes slightly glossed over. He shook his head.
"Nothing....nothing's wrong. I'm going to go on down to breakfast. See you two in a little bit." With that, Ron stood up and walked out.
"What's up with him? I've never seen him like that."
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I have no clue....but that idea about the breakfast was a good one. Want me to wait for you?"
Harry shook his head as he got out of bed and grabbed some clothes. "Nah....go ahead. Maybe see what's up with Ron?"
Hermione nodded and left as Harry went into the bathroom.
******************
Harry walked into the kitchen. Ron, Hermione and Sirius were already sitting around the table, eating. Harry walked over and grabbed a blueberry scone as he sat down. He sat it down on a plate in front of him as he reached over and grabbed a pitcher to pour some juice.
"How are you this morning?" asked Sirius, taking a sip of his tea.
Harry shrugged. "I'm ok."
Sirius looked suspiciously at the trio each of which seemed very preoccupied with something and he assumed the worst. "You all do remember what we talked about last night. No going out of the house and no trying to find out what's going on. You all are still kids....act like it! Have fun! Maybe explore the house today and see what you can find."
They muttered in unison, "Ok.....we will." Sirius just shook his head and stood up muttering, "Kids today grow up too fast." He nearly got half way out of the room when he remembered something, went back to where he was sitting and pulled out a Daily Prophet from under his plate. He then hurried out of the room. After he left the room, Harry leaned in.
"Did anyone see what it said?" he said, taking a bite of food.
"The main headline on the front page said '15 Muggles Killed in Attack on London Museum' but as soon as he heard Ron and I walk in, he folded it up and put it under his plate so we couldn't see it."
After they finished eating, they decided that they would take Sirius's suggestion and go exploring. After walking through several very long hallways, Harry was determined that there was no end to the house. They found one room that was a brightly colored shade of green that had vines growing all over. Another room was red and blue striped with lime green furniture. Ron was strangely quiet. Harry was about to confront Ron on what the problem was as they approached two very large wooden doors. Hermione opened one of the doors a crack and looked in. Her jaw dropped to the floor as she swung both of the doors open. Both of the boys could not believe what they were staring at. It was a library that rivaled the one at Hogwarts. Hermione ran to one of the shelves and started running her finger across spine after spine.
"I've only heard about a portion of these books." She pulled one out. "And this one is in the restricted section at Hogwarts."
"Then maybe you shouldn't touch it," snapped Ron.
Harry turned around to face Ron. Hermione was oblivious to what was going on, engrossed in rows and rows of books. "What's going on, mate?"
"What do you care?" Ron yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. And with that, he shot off. Hermione, startled at the shout, dropped the book she was looking in. The book actually muttered an "ouch" as it hit the floor, but Harry and Hermione were too shocked to hear it.
"I'll go find him. He didn't start this until after I talked to you all this morning. So something I said must be what's eating him." Hermione nodded and picked up the book and watched Harry as he left.
******************
Harry found Ron in what appeared to be a very large exercise room. He was over by several foils and rapiers that were hanging on the wall. Harry walked over next to him and noticed that Ron was holding a foil. Harry stood back a little.
"What's up? Why are you in such a mood? What did I say?"
"Why didn't you tell me they had you locked up again. The last time they did I was able to get you out. We are supposed to be mates, Harry. And mates look out for each other."
Ron whipped the foil next to him so it had a whooshing sound. Harry picked up a foil too.
"Why did you think Hedwig was hanging around your house so much? I couldn't even get a note out."
Ron whipped his foil at Harry and Harry was barley able to block it. "Hey watch it!"
Ron's voice was getting louder and louder. "There were other ways to get word out....I sure that you could have used your magic for just once if you were in trouble....the ministry wouldn't have cared....they always make allowances for the great Harry Potter!"
Ron continued to fight Harry with the foil. "Ron....stop it!!!" Harry yelled in panic, being over taken by Ron.
"I couldn't take the chance! I'm human Ron....do you hear me....human. And the rules apply to me like everyone else." Harry was breathing very hard and trying to protect himself from getting cut because Ron's attacks were getting fiercer.
With all the screaming going on and the clanking of the foils, both Sirius and Hermione came running. As they came into the room, they stopped for just a moment in surprise and to watch.
"No they don't! You think rules are above you!" Ron executed a perfect disarming attack and Harry's foil went flying as he stumbled to the ground. Ron pointed the corked tip at Harry's chest.
"Watch it! You trying to kill me?"
Sirius decided it was time to put a stop to this.
"Ron....give me the foil....your going to poke somebody's eye out with that thing." Ron handed it to him. "Now....tell me....who taught you how to fence?"
Ron looked surprised. "Well....nobody did. This is the first time I have ever tried it. Always watch it when I can and I've read several books on it, though." Hermione smiled at the thought of Ron actually studying up on something.
"You are an absolute natural. If you would like, I can show you a few moves so that you can be ready for the school year. I think it was my 5th year that we spent some time learning sword fighting. You might not always have your wand around, so as part of Defense of the Dark Arts, you learn some other ways to protect yourself."
Harry was still on the ground, almost afraid to get up. Ron remembered where he had left his friend and offered a hand to help him up. Harry refused it and got up on his own.
Sirius broke in. "Ok....I don't know what happened between you two, but you are too good of friends. You know you both do your share of breaking rules and you both have your fair share of problems. What's coming up is going to require everyone to support each other and each person is going to need as many friends as they can find. And you never know what is going to happen before you meet again....time is precious."
Both Harry and Ron looked at each other and knew exactly what he meant. Sirius' best friends had died before he could get to him in time.
"I'm sorry Harry....I just wish you had told me....so that I would have been able to help. I mean....you're my best mate."
"It's ok, Ron. And I never asked to be the 'Great Harry Potter.' I only ever wanted to be just Harry....just me."
"I know," said Ron, as he extended his hand. Harry took his hand and pulled Ron towards him, and gave him a brotherly hug.
"Ok....now that that is over with, how about some lunch? Fencing can give you quite an appetite." The trio agreed and followed Sirius to the kitchen. They all helped pull sandwich makings out onto the table and helped themselves. Harry started to think about what Sirius had said.
"Sirius....what did you mean when you said 'What's coming up is going to require everyone to support each other'? What is going to happen?"
"Nice try, Harry. I'm not going to tell you." Harry grumbled a bit and the group at the rest of the lunch in silence.
After everyone had stuffed themselves and everything was put away, Harry, Hermione and Ron decided to go up to Harry's room. As soon as they were out of earshot of Sirius, Hermione told the two, "It was really weird in the library. I started looking through the shelves and it was as if books of certain subjects were taken out randomly throughout. When I got to the 'S' section, 5 whole rows of books were gone!"
Harry smiled. "So....all we have to go on so far is that we are looking for a ring that has something to do with the letter 'S' that was maybe hidden in a London Museum. Not up to our usual standards, guys." The other two laughed.
As soon as they had reached Harry's room and gone in, the two really took a good look around Harry's room for the first time. Ron stared at the picture over the fireplace.
"Are those......?" Ron broke off. Harry smiled and nodded. "Yes....those are my parents."
"You were so cute when you were little!" said Hermione. She leaned over to playfully pinch Harry's cheek, but he backed away just in time. Then Ron noticed something else.
"Um....Harry....why did you get another trunk? Afraid your going to have too much stuff to move back to school with? Looks kind of old and dusty....must have got it in the same place my mom gets my school supplies."
Harry went over and sat in front of the trunk. "Um....Ron....this is my dad's old trunk. He used it to keep all of his stuff in after he got out of Hogwarts. Sirius gave it to me last night and I just haven't got a chance to go through it yet."
Ron put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'm sorry....I didn't know"
"It's ok, Ron."
Hermione grabbed a hold of Ron's arm. "We'll leave you alone, Harry...."
"I would rather you stay....I need some moral support to go through this." And with that, Harry opened up the trunk. Ron sat in a chair on one side of him and Hermione on his bed. First, Harry picked up his baby blanket and laid it aside. He then picked up a midnight blue cloak that had to have belonged to his father. Harry stood up and tried it on over his clothes.
"What do you think?" Both Ron and Hermione agreed that the robes looked very smart on him and agreed that he should take it with him to school to wear in case and balls were held.
Next, Harry pulled out a forest green robe, obviously meant for a lady. It was made of soft velvet and shimmered in the light.
Ron joked, "Hey Hermione....why don't you model it for us!"
Harry agreed. "Come on Hermione!"
Reluctantly, she tried it on. It fit absolutely perfectly. Ron smiled. "That's a nice cloak. Wish I had some that were as nice as that." Harry mind flashed to the twins and their promise of getting Ron some new robes and wondered how they were going to keep it. Then he really took a good look at Hermione as she twirled around once, letting the robe billow out and got a funny feeling in his stomach. He noticed how the dark green picked up the red highlights in her bushy brown hair.
"You look nice in that, Hermione," said Harry.
"Thanks," she said, the green now picking up a hint of red in her cheeks. Ron just shook his head and asked, "What else is in there?"
Both Harry and Hermione took off the robes and set them on the bed. Harry dove deeper into the trunk. Other things that they found were a quaffle with a bunch of signatures on it, some old report cards and school papers, an old rapier and a photo album. All three of the friends gathered around the album as Harry opened it. The very first picture had a very familiar setting. It was a picture of James Potter, Sirius Black and Lilly Evans....all very young and in Gryffindor robes waving. It was one almost exactly like Harry, Hermione and Ron had taken during their first year at Hogwarts. As the pictures went on, they chronicled a life that Harry had never thought of his parents having. They were just like him at one time in their lives....happy and carefree students, never thinking a thing could hurt them. Harry abruptly closed the album and lowered his head.
"You ok, Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head. "I think I'm just still tired. It would probably be better if I tried to take a nap for awhile." The other two took his hint and left, agreeing that they would meet again at dinner. Harry walked over and picked his father's dress robe back up and slipped it back on. He looked at himself in a full length mirror on the inside of the bathroom door. "It is absolutely amazing," he saw himself say in the mirror. "I really do look like my dad." He did not really see it up to this point, but with that robe on, he could not deny that it was true. Harry started walking to his bed to lie down for a bit when he slid his hands into the pockets of the robe. He felt a piece of paper and pulled it out. It was an envelope addressed to "Mr. Harry James Potter" in a handwriting that he had never seen before. He opened it up.
Dearest Harry,
Since you are reading this right now, our deepest fears were realized.
Sirius was right and Lord Voldemort was after us. We are going into
hiding today....Peter has agreed to be our secret keeper. I won't lie
to you Harry. Both your mother and I are very scared but it is
usually not a Potter's way to hide. We have to, though....we have to
keep you safe. You are our heart and soul. As I look at you,
sleeping in your crib, I barley can imagine not being able to see you
grow up....not being able to see you get your letter to Hogwarts and
be sorted into Gryffindor (because you have to be....it's a matter of
family honor)....not be able to watch you as you nervously go on your
first date....not be able to see you get married and have children of
your own. I sit here and think of what I would like to tell
you....what one piece of advice you can take through life. I guess it
would be this: Have fun Harry. Don't be afraid to live life. Hold
your head up high and do not let anyone bring you down for you are a
Potter.
All my Love,
Your father, James Potter
p.s. Albus Dumbledore is holding a present for you. I'm not sure if
you have it yet or not, but have fun with it....and try not to get
into too much trouble using it. But you wouldn't be any son of mine
if you didn't get into a little!
Harry sat down on the side of his bed and stared at the letter for what seemed hours reading and re-reading it. After he had memorized every word on the page, Harry carefully folded it and slipped it inside his beloved photo album which was sitting on his night stand. He laid back and started thinking about what his father said. He smiled as he drifted off to sleep, really believing for the first time that his parents really were watching.
******************************
The next few weeks drug on and on for the trio as they got increasingly more tired of being inside. One time, Harry and Ron tried to get out by enchanting the door, but as soon as spell had left their lips, both of the boys' hair turned a bright shade of pink. Neither Sirius nor Hermione could keep a strait face when they saw him. Sirius reminded them that he had issued a warning and refused to turn the hair back to the original colors for two days. After that, they gave up on trying to escape. Instead, they occupied their time finishing up their summer assignments and exploring the house. Hermione took the opportunity to get a good head start in studying for her O.W.L.S. (and suggested that Harry and Ron do the same.) Sirius had also taken a personal interest in teaching Ron the basics and then more advanced fencing moves. Nobody could believe how well Ron took to it. Harry and Hermione tried to keep up with the lessons, but they could not get past basic blocking techniques.
A week before school started, the three received their letters from Hogwarts. None were surprised to find out that Hermione had been chosen as a prefect. As soon as the little silver badge fell from the envelope, she polished the front of it on her sleeve and pinned it on to her shirt, her face beaming. Ron rolled his eyes, remembering how Percy had done the same thing so many times. Sirius collected the lists and sent them to Mrs. Weasley to shop for the supplies when she went with Ron's brothers and sister. Ron grumbled that he wanted to go with her this time so he could pick out his own dress robes, but he was not allowed.
"But last time she came home with a hideous thing with moldy lace and ruffles!"
"How about this, I promise that if you do not like what she picks for you, you can have one of my old dress robes, ok?" said Sirius. Ron could do nothing but agree to the terms.
When the packages came back the day before the Hogwarts Express was to pull out of the station, the first thing Ron did was to start ripping open packages to look for the robes. When he found them, they were an attractive deep purple velvet that fit perfectly. A smile swept across Ron's face.
"Wow....new robes. I wonder how mom and dad could afford them!" Harry grinned inward.
Harry, Ron and Hermione packed their trunks with all of their new Hogwarts supplies a little slower than they usually did. Even though they had been stuck inside Black Manor for so long, they seemed as if they were closer friends because of it. Harry, in particular, had always seemed so ready go to back to Hogwarts, but he realized that he was going to miss the place where he had spent the last month. His new home.
Hey everyone! Hope you enjoy!
I would like to thank Warbl65, QuEeN oF tHe UnIvErSe and Nightcrawler for your reviews!!!! I love you guys! ::wipes away a tear and sniffles::
p.s. I own nothing. Otherwise, I'd be fly fishing in Colorado right now in the stream right outside of my back door
Chapter 4
Harry woke up with a start. He thought at first, it was because of the sudden jolt of being bounced as Ron and Hermione jumped on his bed. But his forehead also hurt. He remembered dreaming something, but he couldn't remember the specifics. "Maybe I'll remember more so I can report it to Sirius later," he thought.
Ron and Hermione jumped again. "Ok....ok....I'm up. What!"
"We want to know what's going on, Harry. What happened?"
"I'll tell you later....I'm hungry." Harry tried to sit up, but was pushed back down by the pair.
"Ok....fine....I'll just go back to sleep." Harry inwardly smiled. Even though he had thought about most of the night what to tell them and what to leave out and knew exactly what he was going to say, torturing the two was too much fun. They promptly started jumping on the bed again.
"Mate, we are doing this for your own good. Tell us what's going on or we are going to have to beat you up," said Ron, jokingly. "If only they knew," thought Harry.
Harry finally conceded and started talking. Once he started, the words just kept coming. He told them about how his uncle had found something and barred up his room again....but not about the bottle....then about Sirius and Dumbledore coming to get him because of Lord Voldemort.
"He knew....how...." Ron broke in, but Hermione gave him a severe look of don't interrupt so he stopped in mid sentence.
Harry continued on about how when they got to the Shrieking Shack....what the Dursley's did and how Sirius tried to kill his uncle and then to the happiest news of all....that he no longer had to live with his adopted family and was going to live with Sirius from now on. Harry finally finished his story and it felt if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. Part of that was from Ron and Hermione finally letting go of him and the other part was just getting matters out in the open to his two best friends. Harry was finally able to sit up. As soon as he did, Hermione hugged him hard.
"Oh Harry....are you ok?" Hermione looked genuinely worried. Harry nodded.
Ron was sitting at the end of the bed, staring at the wall in front of him. "You ok, Ron?" came from Harry.
Ron looked Harry dead in the face, his eyes slightly glossed over. He shook his head.
"Nothing....nothing's wrong. I'm going to go on down to breakfast. See you two in a little bit." With that, Ron stood up and walked out.
"What's up with him? I've never seen him like that."
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I have no clue....but that idea about the breakfast was a good one. Want me to wait for you?"
Harry shook his head as he got out of bed and grabbed some clothes. "Nah....go ahead. Maybe see what's up with Ron?"
Hermione nodded and left as Harry went into the bathroom.
******************
Harry walked into the kitchen. Ron, Hermione and Sirius were already sitting around the table, eating. Harry walked over and grabbed a blueberry scone as he sat down. He sat it down on a plate in front of him as he reached over and grabbed a pitcher to pour some juice.
"How are you this morning?" asked Sirius, taking a sip of his tea.
Harry shrugged. "I'm ok."
Sirius looked suspiciously at the trio each of which seemed very preoccupied with something and he assumed the worst. "You all do remember what we talked about last night. No going out of the house and no trying to find out what's going on. You all are still kids....act like it! Have fun! Maybe explore the house today and see what you can find."
They muttered in unison, "Ok.....we will." Sirius just shook his head and stood up muttering, "Kids today grow up too fast." He nearly got half way out of the room when he remembered something, went back to where he was sitting and pulled out a Daily Prophet from under his plate. He then hurried out of the room. After he left the room, Harry leaned in.
"Did anyone see what it said?" he said, taking a bite of food.
"The main headline on the front page said '15 Muggles Killed in Attack on London Museum' but as soon as he heard Ron and I walk in, he folded it up and put it under his plate so we couldn't see it."
After they finished eating, they decided that they would take Sirius's suggestion and go exploring. After walking through several very long hallways, Harry was determined that there was no end to the house. They found one room that was a brightly colored shade of green that had vines growing all over. Another room was red and blue striped with lime green furniture. Ron was strangely quiet. Harry was about to confront Ron on what the problem was as they approached two very large wooden doors. Hermione opened one of the doors a crack and looked in. Her jaw dropped to the floor as she swung both of the doors open. Both of the boys could not believe what they were staring at. It was a library that rivaled the one at Hogwarts. Hermione ran to one of the shelves and started running her finger across spine after spine.
"I've only heard about a portion of these books." She pulled one out. "And this one is in the restricted section at Hogwarts."
"Then maybe you shouldn't touch it," snapped Ron.
Harry turned around to face Ron. Hermione was oblivious to what was going on, engrossed in rows and rows of books. "What's going on, mate?"
"What do you care?" Ron yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. And with that, he shot off. Hermione, startled at the shout, dropped the book she was looking in. The book actually muttered an "ouch" as it hit the floor, but Harry and Hermione were too shocked to hear it.
"I'll go find him. He didn't start this until after I talked to you all this morning. So something I said must be what's eating him." Hermione nodded and picked up the book and watched Harry as he left.
******************
Harry found Ron in what appeared to be a very large exercise room. He was over by several foils and rapiers that were hanging on the wall. Harry walked over next to him and noticed that Ron was holding a foil. Harry stood back a little.
"What's up? Why are you in such a mood? What did I say?"
"Why didn't you tell me they had you locked up again. The last time they did I was able to get you out. We are supposed to be mates, Harry. And mates look out for each other."
Ron whipped the foil next to him so it had a whooshing sound. Harry picked up a foil too.
"Why did you think Hedwig was hanging around your house so much? I couldn't even get a note out."
Ron whipped his foil at Harry and Harry was barley able to block it. "Hey watch it!"
Ron's voice was getting louder and louder. "There were other ways to get word out....I sure that you could have used your magic for just once if you were in trouble....the ministry wouldn't have cared....they always make allowances for the great Harry Potter!"
Ron continued to fight Harry with the foil. "Ron....stop it!!!" Harry yelled in panic, being over taken by Ron.
"I couldn't take the chance! I'm human Ron....do you hear me....human. And the rules apply to me like everyone else." Harry was breathing very hard and trying to protect himself from getting cut because Ron's attacks were getting fiercer.
With all the screaming going on and the clanking of the foils, both Sirius and Hermione came running. As they came into the room, they stopped for just a moment in surprise and to watch.
"No they don't! You think rules are above you!" Ron executed a perfect disarming attack and Harry's foil went flying as he stumbled to the ground. Ron pointed the corked tip at Harry's chest.
"Watch it! You trying to kill me?"
Sirius decided it was time to put a stop to this.
"Ron....give me the foil....your going to poke somebody's eye out with that thing." Ron handed it to him. "Now....tell me....who taught you how to fence?"
Ron looked surprised. "Well....nobody did. This is the first time I have ever tried it. Always watch it when I can and I've read several books on it, though." Hermione smiled at the thought of Ron actually studying up on something.
"You are an absolute natural. If you would like, I can show you a few moves so that you can be ready for the school year. I think it was my 5th year that we spent some time learning sword fighting. You might not always have your wand around, so as part of Defense of the Dark Arts, you learn some other ways to protect yourself."
Harry was still on the ground, almost afraid to get up. Ron remembered where he had left his friend and offered a hand to help him up. Harry refused it and got up on his own.
Sirius broke in. "Ok....I don't know what happened between you two, but you are too good of friends. You know you both do your share of breaking rules and you both have your fair share of problems. What's coming up is going to require everyone to support each other and each person is going to need as many friends as they can find. And you never know what is going to happen before you meet again....time is precious."
Both Harry and Ron looked at each other and knew exactly what he meant. Sirius' best friends had died before he could get to him in time.
"I'm sorry Harry....I just wish you had told me....so that I would have been able to help. I mean....you're my best mate."
"It's ok, Ron. And I never asked to be the 'Great Harry Potter.' I only ever wanted to be just Harry....just me."
"I know," said Ron, as he extended his hand. Harry took his hand and pulled Ron towards him, and gave him a brotherly hug.
"Ok....now that that is over with, how about some lunch? Fencing can give you quite an appetite." The trio agreed and followed Sirius to the kitchen. They all helped pull sandwich makings out onto the table and helped themselves. Harry started to think about what Sirius had said.
"Sirius....what did you mean when you said 'What's coming up is going to require everyone to support each other'? What is going to happen?"
"Nice try, Harry. I'm not going to tell you." Harry grumbled a bit and the group at the rest of the lunch in silence.
After everyone had stuffed themselves and everything was put away, Harry, Hermione and Ron decided to go up to Harry's room. As soon as they were out of earshot of Sirius, Hermione told the two, "It was really weird in the library. I started looking through the shelves and it was as if books of certain subjects were taken out randomly throughout. When I got to the 'S' section, 5 whole rows of books were gone!"
Harry smiled. "So....all we have to go on so far is that we are looking for a ring that has something to do with the letter 'S' that was maybe hidden in a London Museum. Not up to our usual standards, guys." The other two laughed.
As soon as they had reached Harry's room and gone in, the two really took a good look around Harry's room for the first time. Ron stared at the picture over the fireplace.
"Are those......?" Ron broke off. Harry smiled and nodded. "Yes....those are my parents."
"You were so cute when you were little!" said Hermione. She leaned over to playfully pinch Harry's cheek, but he backed away just in time. Then Ron noticed something else.
"Um....Harry....why did you get another trunk? Afraid your going to have too much stuff to move back to school with? Looks kind of old and dusty....must have got it in the same place my mom gets my school supplies."
Harry went over and sat in front of the trunk. "Um....Ron....this is my dad's old trunk. He used it to keep all of his stuff in after he got out of Hogwarts. Sirius gave it to me last night and I just haven't got a chance to go through it yet."
Ron put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'm sorry....I didn't know"
"It's ok, Ron."
Hermione grabbed a hold of Ron's arm. "We'll leave you alone, Harry...."
"I would rather you stay....I need some moral support to go through this." And with that, Harry opened up the trunk. Ron sat in a chair on one side of him and Hermione on his bed. First, Harry picked up his baby blanket and laid it aside. He then picked up a midnight blue cloak that had to have belonged to his father. Harry stood up and tried it on over his clothes.
"What do you think?" Both Ron and Hermione agreed that the robes looked very smart on him and agreed that he should take it with him to school to wear in case and balls were held.
Next, Harry pulled out a forest green robe, obviously meant for a lady. It was made of soft velvet and shimmered in the light.
Ron joked, "Hey Hermione....why don't you model it for us!"
Harry agreed. "Come on Hermione!"
Reluctantly, she tried it on. It fit absolutely perfectly. Ron smiled. "That's a nice cloak. Wish I had some that were as nice as that." Harry mind flashed to the twins and their promise of getting Ron some new robes and wondered how they were going to keep it. Then he really took a good look at Hermione as she twirled around once, letting the robe billow out and got a funny feeling in his stomach. He noticed how the dark green picked up the red highlights in her bushy brown hair.
"You look nice in that, Hermione," said Harry.
"Thanks," she said, the green now picking up a hint of red in her cheeks. Ron just shook his head and asked, "What else is in there?"
Both Harry and Hermione took off the robes and set them on the bed. Harry dove deeper into the trunk. Other things that they found were a quaffle with a bunch of signatures on it, some old report cards and school papers, an old rapier and a photo album. All three of the friends gathered around the album as Harry opened it. The very first picture had a very familiar setting. It was a picture of James Potter, Sirius Black and Lilly Evans....all very young and in Gryffindor robes waving. It was one almost exactly like Harry, Hermione and Ron had taken during their first year at Hogwarts. As the pictures went on, they chronicled a life that Harry had never thought of his parents having. They were just like him at one time in their lives....happy and carefree students, never thinking a thing could hurt them. Harry abruptly closed the album and lowered his head.
"You ok, Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head. "I think I'm just still tired. It would probably be better if I tried to take a nap for awhile." The other two took his hint and left, agreeing that they would meet again at dinner. Harry walked over and picked his father's dress robe back up and slipped it back on. He looked at himself in a full length mirror on the inside of the bathroom door. "It is absolutely amazing," he saw himself say in the mirror. "I really do look like my dad." He did not really see it up to this point, but with that robe on, he could not deny that it was true. Harry started walking to his bed to lie down for a bit when he slid his hands into the pockets of the robe. He felt a piece of paper and pulled it out. It was an envelope addressed to "Mr. Harry James Potter" in a handwriting that he had never seen before. He opened it up.
Dearest Harry,
Since you are reading this right now, our deepest fears were realized.
Sirius was right and Lord Voldemort was after us. We are going into
hiding today....Peter has agreed to be our secret keeper. I won't lie
to you Harry. Both your mother and I are very scared but it is
usually not a Potter's way to hide. We have to, though....we have to
keep you safe. You are our heart and soul. As I look at you,
sleeping in your crib, I barley can imagine not being able to see you
grow up....not being able to see you get your letter to Hogwarts and
be sorted into Gryffindor (because you have to be....it's a matter of
family honor)....not be able to watch you as you nervously go on your
first date....not be able to see you get married and have children of
your own. I sit here and think of what I would like to tell
you....what one piece of advice you can take through life. I guess it
would be this: Have fun Harry. Don't be afraid to live life. Hold
your head up high and do not let anyone bring you down for you are a
Potter.
All my Love,
Your father, James Potter
p.s. Albus Dumbledore is holding a present for you. I'm not sure if
you have it yet or not, but have fun with it....and try not to get
into too much trouble using it. But you wouldn't be any son of mine
if you didn't get into a little!
Harry sat down on the side of his bed and stared at the letter for what seemed hours reading and re-reading it. After he had memorized every word on the page, Harry carefully folded it and slipped it inside his beloved photo album which was sitting on his night stand. He laid back and started thinking about what his father said. He smiled as he drifted off to sleep, really believing for the first time that his parents really were watching.
******************************
The next few weeks drug on and on for the trio as they got increasingly more tired of being inside. One time, Harry and Ron tried to get out by enchanting the door, but as soon as spell had left their lips, both of the boys' hair turned a bright shade of pink. Neither Sirius nor Hermione could keep a strait face when they saw him. Sirius reminded them that he had issued a warning and refused to turn the hair back to the original colors for two days. After that, they gave up on trying to escape. Instead, they occupied their time finishing up their summer assignments and exploring the house. Hermione took the opportunity to get a good head start in studying for her O.W.L.S. (and suggested that Harry and Ron do the same.) Sirius had also taken a personal interest in teaching Ron the basics and then more advanced fencing moves. Nobody could believe how well Ron took to it. Harry and Hermione tried to keep up with the lessons, but they could not get past basic blocking techniques.
A week before school started, the three received their letters from Hogwarts. None were surprised to find out that Hermione had been chosen as a prefect. As soon as the little silver badge fell from the envelope, she polished the front of it on her sleeve and pinned it on to her shirt, her face beaming. Ron rolled his eyes, remembering how Percy had done the same thing so many times. Sirius collected the lists and sent them to Mrs. Weasley to shop for the supplies when she went with Ron's brothers and sister. Ron grumbled that he wanted to go with her this time so he could pick out his own dress robes, but he was not allowed.
"But last time she came home with a hideous thing with moldy lace and ruffles!"
"How about this, I promise that if you do not like what she picks for you, you can have one of my old dress robes, ok?" said Sirius. Ron could do nothing but agree to the terms.
When the packages came back the day before the Hogwarts Express was to pull out of the station, the first thing Ron did was to start ripping open packages to look for the robes. When he found them, they were an attractive deep purple velvet that fit perfectly. A smile swept across Ron's face.
"Wow....new robes. I wonder how mom and dad could afford them!" Harry grinned inward.
Harry, Ron and Hermione packed their trunks with all of their new Hogwarts supplies a little slower than they usually did. Even though they had been stuck inside Black Manor for so long, they seemed as if they were closer friends because of it. Harry, in particular, had always seemed so ready go to back to Hogwarts, but he realized that he was going to miss the place where he had spent the last month. His new home.