Chapter 6 A traitor Among Us
A few day's had passed before Harry saw Ginny in the dormitory. She looked well, and happy. She was talking with Trinity. Harry hadn't talked with her since she was in the hospital. He didn't know what to say to her, he was still hurt from her outburst. He was still waiting for a letter from Lupin, hoping for advice. "Hey Harry." Ron said, coming up behind him. "Ready to get some breakfast?"
Harry, looking away from Ginny, said "Sure, why not." They made there way down to the great hall. "I've been practicing with Neville." Ron said, as they entered the great hall. "He's really getting better. I think he has a good chance at getting on the team this year." Ron said, as he and Harry sat down next to Hermione.
"That's great." Harry said, half listening to Ron. Half way thru the meal, mail came. Hedwig swooped down carrying a letter for Harry. Harry forgot eating his toast, and opened his letter, hoping it was from Lupin. But it wasn't. Harry stood up.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.
"It's a letter.." Harry said, looking as white as a ghost.
"Who's it from." Ron said, looking at the letter.
"From Sirius." Harry said, in a hoarse whisper, as he handed the letter to Hermione,
"How?" Hermione said, jumping up she took the letter and scanned it, as Ron did the same thing. They all left the great hall and made there way to the lake. "Look Harry, it 's old." Hermione said, looking at the letter. "It's dated two day's before…well you know." not liking to talk about it.
"Well, what's it say?" Ron asked, standing beside Hermione. Hermione handed the letter back to Harry, as Harry started to read it.
Harry,
I still don't like the idea of being cooped up
here, not knowing if your aright or not. Molly
was wrong when she said that I thought of you
as a buddy like your dad, your much more to me
then that. You're my godson, and I care a great
deal about you. That's why I gave you that mirror,
so we could talk if you need to, or just to say, Hi.
I want to be their for you, like your parents should
have been. Take care of yourself, and always remember,
that I'll be there for you, no matter what. Cause were
family now, don't ever forget that.
Sirius
Paddlefoot
"Yea, like that's ever going to happen." Harry said, angrily. "Like he's here now." Harry crumpled the letter up and through it on the ground.
Hermione, running to grab it before it blew away. "Harry, it wasn't his fault, you know that. He'd be here for you now if he could." she said, straitening the letter out.
"She's right Harry. Old Snuffles was always wanting to be with you." Ron added, looking from him to Hermione. "We'd better get going or we'll be late for class."
Harry followed them in, still felling angry and upset. But by lunch time his anger had faded away, and he had asked Hermione for the letter back. "Hey, you've got a note from Holly." Neville said, handing him a note. Harry read the note, then handed it to Hermione.
Reading it she turns to Ron and Neville, "it's about Dumbledore Army." She said, "She needs the list of all the others that were in it, and find out who wants to be in it."
"Okay, Well start ask around." Ron said, looking around the room. "Well, I'll ask anyone but Slytherin."
"Oh Ron." Hermione said, looking frustrated. "Just get over it." Then walked away.
"You know, I still think she's mental. Beautiful, but mental." Ron said, smiling, as he watched her walk away. At that moment, Ginny walked in the room, but to Harry's surprise, she wasn't alone, Dean was walking in with her.
Harry felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. "Hey Harry, what's the matter?" Neville said, looking at Harry, as he was poured some pumpkin juice in his goblet.
"I thought they broke up." Harry said, through gritted teeth, glaring at Dean. Ron, looking over toward Ginny and Dean, then turning toward Harry.
"They did, I don't know why there together now." as he looked back over to Ginny.
"Come on, let's get out of here." Harry said, jumping to his feet and grabbing his bag, still glaring at Dean. "We're going to be late for potions anyways." Then he stormed off towards the dungeons, then cries over his shoulder. "I'll see you later Ron."
"Hold up Harry." Neville cried, as he was trying to catch up with Harry. Harry, slowed down so Neville could catch up. "What was that all about?" Neville asked, out of breath.
"Nothing." Harry muttered, as they reached they're potions class.
"You know Harry, we're really early for this class, no bodies here." Neville said, as he put his bag down on the nearest table. "You like Ginny don't you?' Neville said with a grin.
Harry, turning red. "No I don't. She's Ron's sister."
"Just because she's Ron's sister doesn't mean anything." Neville said, still grinning as he sat down.
Harry, walked around Neville and placed his bag beside him, then slumped in the chair. "How did you know?" he asked, looking utterly mortified.
"Oh, it' was easy to figure out." Neville said, as he leaned back in the chair. "Like for instants you just got mad cause she was with Dean, and the way you stayed by her side when she was sick, stuff like that. I've also noticed you looking at her, when ever she's in the room."
"Is it really that noticeable?" Harry asked, going even redder in the face, then horror exploded in his face. "Do you think Ron knows?"
"No, he's to busy denying his feelings for Hermione, to notice anything else around him." Neville said, with a smirk on his face. "But I think Hermione suspects it."
Harry put his face in his hands, "Oh..no." and proceeded to shake his head.
Neville started to laugh, "Harry, why don't you just admit it. Ginny still likes you, but thinks that you only think of her as Ron's kid sister."
"But I don't." Harry exclaimed. "I mean I did, but now I don't."
"Then tell her, or loss her to Dean or someone else." Neville said, looking seriously at Harry.
"I can't, and even if I could, I wouldn't know what to say." Harry said, looking confessed and upset. "Sirius would know, and be able to help me."
"Harry, even if Sirius was here, he couldn't give you courage, you need to have that." Neville said, looking at Harry with a sad expression.
"Your right." Harry agreed, shaking his head, then looking at Neville in awe, "When did you get so wise?" He asked, smiling weekly at Neville.
Neville, smiling back, "Friends like you, and a little help from my gran."
"So what's this about Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked, smiling widely. Neville and Harry talked for a few more minutes before the other students started filing in. Neville got his bag out, and as he was taking out his books, some papers came out. Harry reached down to pick them up, and noticed that some of them had ingredients on them.
"Hey Neville, what's these for?" Harry asked, handing the papers back to Neville.
"Um… Well… there… um… something I've been working on." Neville said, looking away shyly, and stuffing the papers back in his bag.
After all the students were seated, Snape came in, arrogant as ever. Snape cleared his voice. "Ummm… I'm astonished to see that some of you have decided to return to my class," looking Harry's and Neville's way, then continued. "Again, you are now in the most advanced potions and you will be working much more harder then you have worked this far in my class "There will be no playing, I want your complete attention." again looking Harry and Neville's way, "I will not settle for anything less." Turning around, Snape then grabs a book from the table. "We will begin with learning about Foxglove, Can anyone tell me what that is?"
To Harry's surprise, Neville slowly raised his hand. Snape scowled at Neville for a moment, "Mr. Longbottom."
"It's.. um.. It's a poisonous flower, also known as Digitalis Purpurea."
Snape, looking surprise, "That's correct Mr. Longbottom, it appears that you've been studying over the summer."
Then Snape continued, as Harry and Neville looked at each other and grinned. After class Harry, and Neville walked to their next class, Herbology. "Neville what was all them papers about?" Harry asked, remember about them.
"There um.. Just some extra work I'm doing. Um not for class though." Neville said
"What are you working on Neville, you can tell me. Maybe I can help you!" Harry said with a sappy grin.
"Its.. I'm trying to find a potion that might help my mum and dad recover." Neville blurted out rather fast.
"Really, how far have you gotten?" Harry said. "I would love to help you, Neville, I wouldn't mind at all, that's if you want me to help?" Harry looking at Neville.
"You really would help, Harry, I mean with your brains we just may yet find a cure." Neville said with a big smile on his face. "Yea we can work on it, when we can find some free time after classes maybe!" Harry said smiling at Neville. Harry and Neville rounded the corner and made there way outside. And that's when they saw Ron, and Hermione, waiting for them,
"Oi Harry, what took you so long we've been waiting for ages." Ron yelled, grinning at them.
"So how was Professor Snape's class today, was he nicer to you?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a stern look.
"Yea, right Hermione, like that would ever happen." Ron busted out, as everyone laughed at that.
"The same, he will never change, only this time I was a little braver." Neville busted out proudly, as Harry told them how Neville raised his hand in class and gave a correct answer. "I do think its going to be a bit harder, but with Harry and Professor McGonagall, I just might make it thru." Neville said smiling, as they entered the Herbology classroom.
"Oh Neville I'm happy to hear that." Hermione said, smiling towards Neville, "I told you, with practice you can do anything you put your mind and heart too." During dinner that night, Harry kept glancing over towards Ginny, as she talked with Dean, then he'd fume, and turn away for a few minutes, this went on all thru dinner. While Harry was headed back to the dormitory's he heard someone call his name, he turned around to find Holly coming towards him.
"I'm glad I caught you." She said, all out of breath. "I wanted to know if we could talk for a little bit."
"Sure." Harry replied, as he watched Ginny and Dean walk out of the room together, then looked at Holly again. "do you want to talk here?"
"No, we can go to the classroom." She said, and started out the door, as Harry followed. Once in the classroom she sat down in the first chair she could find and ushered Harry to the one beside her.
All was quite for a moment as Holly looked at him, then Harry, feeling a little out of placed asked, "so what did you need to see me for?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I was staring, but you're just as I would picture you would look." Holly said, smiling as she shook her head. "I know you hear this a lot, but you do look like your father, except for the eyes."
Harry smiled at her, "Yea, I know, that is what everyone says."
"You know, I loved you're mother like a sister, we did everything together, I even had to put up with Sirius Black for her." Holly said, laughing. "Don't get me wrong, I loved Sirius, he was loads of fun at times, but he loved to get us all in trouble."
Harry smiling, "I'd believe that of Sirius."
"Oh yea, he was famous for that." Holly said, then turned serious. "I never once believed that he did what they say he did." shaking her head. "Not for one moment. He loved your parents, and you, oh Harry, Sirius was the first person, besides you're parents that held you the moment you were born, of course I was second, but I just sat back and watched as Sirius looked at you, I think he was as proud of you as James was."
"If you was so close to my mother why didn't they ask you to be a godparent to me?" Harry asked, as Holly paused for a moment.
Holly looking over at Harry, "They did." Harry, felling stunned, just stared at Holly. "Oh, Harry, I wanted to tell you a long time ago, I wanted to take you in and raise you, like your mother wanted me too, but Dumbledore stepped in, and said no, that you needed to be with your hateful Aunt and Uncle, cause of the blood thing." Holly said, looking so upset.
Harry, still shocked, looked away. "I know, Dumbledore told me that last year."
"Harry, I was so mad at Dumbledore, that I never spoke a word to him, until this summer, when he came to my house to ask me to teach." Holly said, with a sad look on her face. "He had told me all that you had been up too, and what had happened to Sirius, I was so upset and saddened by your loss. So of course I said, I'd come and teach so I could be near you and get to know you." She smile softly towards Harry, "and I'm glad I did, cause you've grown up to be a handsome, smart, intelligent, young man. Just like your mum and dad would have wanted you to be. They would've been so proud of the man you're becoming." Holly and Harry talked for a little while longer before Harry said he had to meet with Professor Snape for his Occlumency lessons, so they said there goodbyes, and just as Harry was walking out the door he turned and said "Thanks" with a smile, and closed the door.
Harry was waiting in Snape's office for 15 minutes before he enter the room, and when he did he had a snarl look about his. "Mr. Potter have you been clearing you mind as I have instructed you to do?" He said coldly
"I think so sir." Harry said, glaring at him.
"Lets just see shell we. On the count of three then…. Three … two … one [I]Legilimens! [/I]" A Hour had past and Harry was exhausted from the lesson he had with Professor Snape, that all he wanted to do was sleep. As he was walking back to the dormitory he spotted Luna Lovegood.
"Hello Luna how was your summer?" He said coming to a stop at her side.
"Fine as always, I helped my dad with the Quibbler. How was your summer?" She asked.
"It was good. Look, I'd like to say and chat, but I'm really tired. " Said Harry.
"Oh ok, night then." Luna said, as she watched Harry walk away.
Harry, having a thought turned around, and asked "Luna, I forgot to ask you if you have seen Hermione, Ron, Neville or Ginny?"
"No, why." Luna said, looking puzzled
"Ooh well we are starting up the DA again, and we're going around looking for everyone that was in the DA last year, and see if they would like to join in again. So can we count you in?"
"Yes count me in." She said in a low voice, and smiled.
"Good, that's great. I'll let you know when the first meeting is okay. Have a good night Luna." Harry said as he walked away.
A week had passed, and Harry was woken suddenly with a jolt, by someone poking him in the side. "Harry,… Harry you awake?" Neville said in a hush kind of voice.
"I'm awake now… what is it.. Whaz happened?" Harry said, sitting up in bed, and reaching for his glasses."
"You remember you said you would help me with my extra work, if I need it…." pausing to look around. "Well I do need some." Neville said with a hush voice, and a small smile.
"Okay, but why so early?" Harry said looking at the clock. "It's the best time of day to pick the plant root we need to get started on the potion." Neville said looking excited.
"Okay, but give me a minute to gather myself up first, then I'll meet you down in the common-room." Harry said yawning, and stretching.
"Okay, see you in a bit then." Neville said walking away with a kind of skip..
Ten minutes later Harry, and Neville were walking out of the common-room, on there way to the green house. "I already asked Professor Spout if I can pick some roots for class with Professor Snape, and she said it would be fine." Neville said proud of himself for thinking ahead. After gathering all they needed and a few they thought they'd try to use, they started off to the great hall for breakfast. They had just sat down when Ron and Hermione joined them.
"Up a bit early weren't we." Ron said, with his eyebrow hunched up, knowing that they had been up to something.
"We're just working on a project of sorts." Harry said, with a grin towards Neville, then looked over as Ginny sat down next to Dean again, his smile kind of faded away. Just then the mail came. Harry noticed that the Weasley's owl, Errol, nearly missed Ginny's pumpkin juice, but collided with Dean's eggs, and dropped the letter. Ginny picked the letter up, then got up and brought it to Ron. "It's for you." She said, and then glanced at Harry quickly, then looked away.
"It's from George." Ron said, looking confused, as he ripped open the letter, Ginny lingered behind Ron, as Ron read the letter. Ron jumped up, and nearly collided with Ginny, "No way." He yelled, looking shocked.
"What, what is it." Hermione said, looking a little worried.
"He wouldn't, he couldn't, it's not true, it just can't be." Ron said, very angrily.
"What can't be true." Harry said, with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"We've got to go somewhere to talk." Ron said, looking around at the others.
"Let's go out by the lake so we can talk." Ginny said, as she started for the door, everyone followed. Out by the lake, Ron, paced back and forth with the letter in his hand.
"Ron, for goodness sake, either tell us what's in the letter, or let me read it." Hermione said, in a annoyed voice. Ron handed the letter to Hermione, who then proceeded to read it out loud.
Hey Ronniekins,
Just kidding, business is booming, thought I'd drop you a
line and give you the and the others a heads up, Dad just
informed us that they, the Order, has found the Leak, and
You're not going to Believe it, cause we don't our selves, it's
Lupin. Kind of blows your mind doesn't it. I mean, all this time,
I thought he was good, who would Have thought that he'd turn
on us, on Harry, even, Well got to fly, got a big order of,
ton-tongue toffee. Talk to You soon little brother.
Gred and Feorge
Hermione looked up at Harry with a shocked expression, "It isn't true." was all she could manage to say. Harry looked around at everyone, everyone's expression was the same as Hermione. Harry remembered back to the night before they left for school, he remembered what Lupin had said to him, I also care about you, always believe that, If you need me, send me an owl Harry knew deep in his heart that Lupin was not a traitor.
"It's not true." Harry stated, looking around at everyone. "I know he'd never go over to Voldemort's side. I just know it."
"You're right, Harry." Ginny said, with force in her voice.
"Yea, we all know he's no traitor, it's just a trick or something." Neville said, just as firmly. Ron and Hermione shook there heads in agreement.
"We've just got to have a little faith, and trust that he knows what he's doing." Ginny said, smiling at everyone.
A few day's had passed before Harry saw Ginny in the dormitory. She looked well, and happy. She was talking with Trinity. Harry hadn't talked with her since she was in the hospital. He didn't know what to say to her, he was still hurt from her outburst. He was still waiting for a letter from Lupin, hoping for advice. "Hey Harry." Ron said, coming up behind him. "Ready to get some breakfast?"
Harry, looking away from Ginny, said "Sure, why not." They made there way down to the great hall. "I've been practicing with Neville." Ron said, as they entered the great hall. "He's really getting better. I think he has a good chance at getting on the team this year." Ron said, as he and Harry sat down next to Hermione.
"That's great." Harry said, half listening to Ron. Half way thru the meal, mail came. Hedwig swooped down carrying a letter for Harry. Harry forgot eating his toast, and opened his letter, hoping it was from Lupin. But it wasn't. Harry stood up.
"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked, looking up at him.
"It's a letter.." Harry said, looking as white as a ghost.
"Who's it from." Ron said, looking at the letter.
"From Sirius." Harry said, in a hoarse whisper, as he handed the letter to Hermione,
"How?" Hermione said, jumping up she took the letter and scanned it, as Ron did the same thing. They all left the great hall and made there way to the lake. "Look Harry, it 's old." Hermione said, looking at the letter. "It's dated two day's before…well you know." not liking to talk about it.
"Well, what's it say?" Ron asked, standing beside Hermione. Hermione handed the letter back to Harry, as Harry started to read it.
Harry,
I still don't like the idea of being cooped up
here, not knowing if your aright or not. Molly
was wrong when she said that I thought of you
as a buddy like your dad, your much more to me
then that. You're my godson, and I care a great
deal about you. That's why I gave you that mirror,
so we could talk if you need to, or just to say, Hi.
I want to be their for you, like your parents should
have been. Take care of yourself, and always remember,
that I'll be there for you, no matter what. Cause were
family now, don't ever forget that.
Sirius
Paddlefoot
"Yea, like that's ever going to happen." Harry said, angrily. "Like he's here now." Harry crumpled the letter up and through it on the ground.
Hermione, running to grab it before it blew away. "Harry, it wasn't his fault, you know that. He'd be here for you now if he could." she said, straitening the letter out.
"She's right Harry. Old Snuffles was always wanting to be with you." Ron added, looking from him to Hermione. "We'd better get going or we'll be late for class."
Harry followed them in, still felling angry and upset. But by lunch time his anger had faded away, and he had asked Hermione for the letter back. "Hey, you've got a note from Holly." Neville said, handing him a note. Harry read the note, then handed it to Hermione.
Reading it she turns to Ron and Neville, "it's about Dumbledore Army." She said, "She needs the list of all the others that were in it, and find out who wants to be in it."
"Okay, Well start ask around." Ron said, looking around the room. "Well, I'll ask anyone but Slytherin."
"Oh Ron." Hermione said, looking frustrated. "Just get over it." Then walked away.
"You know, I still think she's mental. Beautiful, but mental." Ron said, smiling, as he watched her walk away. At that moment, Ginny walked in the room, but to Harry's surprise, she wasn't alone, Dean was walking in with her.
Harry felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. "Hey Harry, what's the matter?" Neville said, looking at Harry, as he was poured some pumpkin juice in his goblet.
"I thought they broke up." Harry said, through gritted teeth, glaring at Dean. Ron, looking over toward Ginny and Dean, then turning toward Harry.
"They did, I don't know why there together now." as he looked back over to Ginny.
"Come on, let's get out of here." Harry said, jumping to his feet and grabbing his bag, still glaring at Dean. "We're going to be late for potions anyways." Then he stormed off towards the dungeons, then cries over his shoulder. "I'll see you later Ron."
"Hold up Harry." Neville cried, as he was trying to catch up with Harry. Harry, slowed down so Neville could catch up. "What was that all about?" Neville asked, out of breath.
"Nothing." Harry muttered, as they reached they're potions class.
"You know Harry, we're really early for this class, no bodies here." Neville said, as he put his bag down on the nearest table. "You like Ginny don't you?' Neville said with a grin.
Harry, turning red. "No I don't. She's Ron's sister."
"Just because she's Ron's sister doesn't mean anything." Neville said, still grinning as he sat down.
Harry, walked around Neville and placed his bag beside him, then slumped in the chair. "How did you know?" he asked, looking utterly mortified.
"Oh, it' was easy to figure out." Neville said, as he leaned back in the chair. "Like for instants you just got mad cause she was with Dean, and the way you stayed by her side when she was sick, stuff like that. I've also noticed you looking at her, when ever she's in the room."
"Is it really that noticeable?" Harry asked, going even redder in the face, then horror exploded in his face. "Do you think Ron knows?"
"No, he's to busy denying his feelings for Hermione, to notice anything else around him." Neville said, with a smirk on his face. "But I think Hermione suspects it."
Harry put his face in his hands, "Oh..no." and proceeded to shake his head.
Neville started to laugh, "Harry, why don't you just admit it. Ginny still likes you, but thinks that you only think of her as Ron's kid sister."
"But I don't." Harry exclaimed. "I mean I did, but now I don't."
"Then tell her, or loss her to Dean or someone else." Neville said, looking seriously at Harry.
"I can't, and even if I could, I wouldn't know what to say." Harry said, looking confessed and upset. "Sirius would know, and be able to help me."
"Harry, even if Sirius was here, he couldn't give you courage, you need to have that." Neville said, looking at Harry with a sad expression.
"Your right." Harry agreed, shaking his head, then looking at Neville in awe, "When did you get so wise?" He asked, smiling weekly at Neville.
Neville, smiling back, "Friends like you, and a little help from my gran."
"So what's this about Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked, smiling widely. Neville and Harry talked for a few more minutes before the other students started filing in. Neville got his bag out, and as he was taking out his books, some papers came out. Harry reached down to pick them up, and noticed that some of them had ingredients on them.
"Hey Neville, what's these for?" Harry asked, handing the papers back to Neville.
"Um… Well… there… um… something I've been working on." Neville said, looking away shyly, and stuffing the papers back in his bag.
After all the students were seated, Snape came in, arrogant as ever. Snape cleared his voice. "Ummm… I'm astonished to see that some of you have decided to return to my class," looking Harry's and Neville's way, then continued. "Again, you are now in the most advanced potions and you will be working much more harder then you have worked this far in my class "There will be no playing, I want your complete attention." again looking Harry and Neville's way, "I will not settle for anything less." Turning around, Snape then grabs a book from the table. "We will begin with learning about Foxglove, Can anyone tell me what that is?"
To Harry's surprise, Neville slowly raised his hand. Snape scowled at Neville for a moment, "Mr. Longbottom."
"It's.. um.. It's a poisonous flower, also known as Digitalis Purpurea."
Snape, looking surprise, "That's correct Mr. Longbottom, it appears that you've been studying over the summer."
Then Snape continued, as Harry and Neville looked at each other and grinned. After class Harry, and Neville walked to their next class, Herbology. "Neville what was all them papers about?" Harry asked, remember about them.
"There um.. Just some extra work I'm doing. Um not for class though." Neville said
"What are you working on Neville, you can tell me. Maybe I can help you!" Harry said with a sappy grin.
"Its.. I'm trying to find a potion that might help my mum and dad recover." Neville blurted out rather fast.
"Really, how far have you gotten?" Harry said. "I would love to help you, Neville, I wouldn't mind at all, that's if you want me to help?" Harry looking at Neville.
"You really would help, Harry, I mean with your brains we just may yet find a cure." Neville said with a big smile on his face. "Yea we can work on it, when we can find some free time after classes maybe!" Harry said smiling at Neville. Harry and Neville rounded the corner and made there way outside. And that's when they saw Ron, and Hermione, waiting for them,
"Oi Harry, what took you so long we've been waiting for ages." Ron yelled, grinning at them.
"So how was Professor Snape's class today, was he nicer to you?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a stern look.
"Yea, right Hermione, like that would ever happen." Ron busted out, as everyone laughed at that.
"The same, he will never change, only this time I was a little braver." Neville busted out proudly, as Harry told them how Neville raised his hand in class and gave a correct answer. "I do think its going to be a bit harder, but with Harry and Professor McGonagall, I just might make it thru." Neville said smiling, as they entered the Herbology classroom.
"Oh Neville I'm happy to hear that." Hermione said, smiling towards Neville, "I told you, with practice you can do anything you put your mind and heart too." During dinner that night, Harry kept glancing over towards Ginny, as she talked with Dean, then he'd fume, and turn away for a few minutes, this went on all thru dinner. While Harry was headed back to the dormitory's he heard someone call his name, he turned around to find Holly coming towards him.
"I'm glad I caught you." She said, all out of breath. "I wanted to know if we could talk for a little bit."
"Sure." Harry replied, as he watched Ginny and Dean walk out of the room together, then looked at Holly again. "do you want to talk here?"
"No, we can go to the classroom." She said, and started out the door, as Harry followed. Once in the classroom she sat down in the first chair she could find and ushered Harry to the one beside her.
All was quite for a moment as Holly looked at him, then Harry, feeling a little out of placed asked, "so what did you need to see me for?"
"Oh, I'm sorry I was staring, but you're just as I would picture you would look." Holly said, smiling as she shook her head. "I know you hear this a lot, but you do look like your father, except for the eyes."
Harry smiled at her, "Yea, I know, that is what everyone says."
"You know, I loved you're mother like a sister, we did everything together, I even had to put up with Sirius Black for her." Holly said, laughing. "Don't get me wrong, I loved Sirius, he was loads of fun at times, but he loved to get us all in trouble."
Harry smiling, "I'd believe that of Sirius."
"Oh yea, he was famous for that." Holly said, then turned serious. "I never once believed that he did what they say he did." shaking her head. "Not for one moment. He loved your parents, and you, oh Harry, Sirius was the first person, besides you're parents that held you the moment you were born, of course I was second, but I just sat back and watched as Sirius looked at you, I think he was as proud of you as James was."
"If you was so close to my mother why didn't they ask you to be a godparent to me?" Harry asked, as Holly paused for a moment.
Holly looking over at Harry, "They did." Harry, felling stunned, just stared at Holly. "Oh, Harry, I wanted to tell you a long time ago, I wanted to take you in and raise you, like your mother wanted me too, but Dumbledore stepped in, and said no, that you needed to be with your hateful Aunt and Uncle, cause of the blood thing." Holly said, looking so upset.
Harry, still shocked, looked away. "I know, Dumbledore told me that last year."
"Harry, I was so mad at Dumbledore, that I never spoke a word to him, until this summer, when he came to my house to ask me to teach." Holly said, with a sad look on her face. "He had told me all that you had been up too, and what had happened to Sirius, I was so upset and saddened by your loss. So of course I said, I'd come and teach so I could be near you and get to know you." She smile softly towards Harry, "and I'm glad I did, cause you've grown up to be a handsome, smart, intelligent, young man. Just like your mum and dad would have wanted you to be. They would've been so proud of the man you're becoming." Holly and Harry talked for a little while longer before Harry said he had to meet with Professor Snape for his Occlumency lessons, so they said there goodbyes, and just as Harry was walking out the door he turned and said "Thanks" with a smile, and closed the door.
Harry was waiting in Snape's office for 15 minutes before he enter the room, and when he did he had a snarl look about his. "Mr. Potter have you been clearing you mind as I have instructed you to do?" He said coldly
"I think so sir." Harry said, glaring at him.
"Lets just see shell we. On the count of three then…. Three … two … one [I]Legilimens! [/I]" A Hour had past and Harry was exhausted from the lesson he had with Professor Snape, that all he wanted to do was sleep. As he was walking back to the dormitory he spotted Luna Lovegood.
"Hello Luna how was your summer?" He said coming to a stop at her side.
"Fine as always, I helped my dad with the Quibbler. How was your summer?" She asked.
"It was good. Look, I'd like to say and chat, but I'm really tired. " Said Harry.
"Oh ok, night then." Luna said, as she watched Harry walk away.
Harry, having a thought turned around, and asked "Luna, I forgot to ask you if you have seen Hermione, Ron, Neville or Ginny?"
"No, why." Luna said, looking puzzled
"Ooh well we are starting up the DA again, and we're going around looking for everyone that was in the DA last year, and see if they would like to join in again. So can we count you in?"
"Yes count me in." She said in a low voice, and smiled.
"Good, that's great. I'll let you know when the first meeting is okay. Have a good night Luna." Harry said as he walked away.
A week had passed, and Harry was woken suddenly with a jolt, by someone poking him in the side. "Harry,… Harry you awake?" Neville said in a hush kind of voice.
"I'm awake now… what is it.. Whaz happened?" Harry said, sitting up in bed, and reaching for his glasses."
"You remember you said you would help me with my extra work, if I need it…." pausing to look around. "Well I do need some." Neville said with a hush voice, and a small smile.
"Okay, but why so early?" Harry said looking at the clock. "It's the best time of day to pick the plant root we need to get started on the potion." Neville said looking excited.
"Okay, but give me a minute to gather myself up first, then I'll meet you down in the common-room." Harry said yawning, and stretching.
"Okay, see you in a bit then." Neville said walking away with a kind of skip..
Ten minutes later Harry, and Neville were walking out of the common-room, on there way to the green house. "I already asked Professor Spout if I can pick some roots for class with Professor Snape, and she said it would be fine." Neville said proud of himself for thinking ahead. After gathering all they needed and a few they thought they'd try to use, they started off to the great hall for breakfast. They had just sat down when Ron and Hermione joined them.
"Up a bit early weren't we." Ron said, with his eyebrow hunched up, knowing that they had been up to something.
"We're just working on a project of sorts." Harry said, with a grin towards Neville, then looked over as Ginny sat down next to Dean again, his smile kind of faded away. Just then the mail came. Harry noticed that the Weasley's owl, Errol, nearly missed Ginny's pumpkin juice, but collided with Dean's eggs, and dropped the letter. Ginny picked the letter up, then got up and brought it to Ron. "It's for you." She said, and then glanced at Harry quickly, then looked away.
"It's from George." Ron said, looking confused, as he ripped open the letter, Ginny lingered behind Ron, as Ron read the letter. Ron jumped up, and nearly collided with Ginny, "No way." He yelled, looking shocked.
"What, what is it." Hermione said, looking a little worried.
"He wouldn't, he couldn't, it's not true, it just can't be." Ron said, very angrily.
"What can't be true." Harry said, with a dumbfounded look on his face.
"We've got to go somewhere to talk." Ron said, looking around at the others.
"Let's go out by the lake so we can talk." Ginny said, as she started for the door, everyone followed. Out by the lake, Ron, paced back and forth with the letter in his hand.
"Ron, for goodness sake, either tell us what's in the letter, or let me read it." Hermione said, in a annoyed voice. Ron handed the letter to Hermione, who then proceeded to read it out loud.
Hey Ronniekins,
Just kidding, business is booming, thought I'd drop you a
line and give you the and the others a heads up, Dad just
informed us that they, the Order, has found the Leak, and
You're not going to Believe it, cause we don't our selves, it's
Lupin. Kind of blows your mind doesn't it. I mean, all this time,
I thought he was good, who would Have thought that he'd turn
on us, on Harry, even, Well got to fly, got a big order of,
ton-tongue toffee. Talk to You soon little brother.
Gred and Feorge
Hermione looked up at Harry with a shocked expression, "It isn't true." was all she could manage to say. Harry looked around at everyone, everyone's expression was the same as Hermione. Harry remembered back to the night before they left for school, he remembered what Lupin had said to him, I also care about you, always believe that, If you need me, send me an owl Harry knew deep in his heart that Lupin was not a traitor.
"It's not true." Harry stated, looking around at everyone. "I know he'd never go over to Voldemort's side. I just know it."
"You're right, Harry." Ginny said, with force in her voice.
"Yea, we all know he's no traitor, it's just a trick or something." Neville said, just as firmly. Ron and Hermione shook there heads in agreement.
"We've just got to have a little faith, and trust that he knows what he's doing." Ginny said, smiling at everyone.