Chapter2 - Beginnings & Endings
Ron and Hermione just looked at each other neither entirely sure what Sirius could have said to cause such an abrupt change in their friend.
"Looked kinda like a book to me." Ron said quietly after a few minutes silence.
"Hmmm." Agreed Hermione without sifting her gaze from the far end of the garden. "We should give him some space though." He nodded in agreement knowing that sometimes a little space was all that kept you sane.
"Not too long though." He added as he settled into his own thoughts gazing silently up at the stars above. Nothing disturbed the peace and quiet except the song of birds and the quiet closing of the heavy front door as Hermione's parents left. Ron had found this summer to be somewhat of a change to his usual hectic life at home with his parents and siblings. Being aloud to spend extended periods of time with his friends without the shadow of work or examinations looming over them had been great. He honestly couldn't imagine what it would be like when they all graduated at the end of the year when they would all go their separate ways. It wasn't just his two closest friends he would miss though it was people like Neville, even some of the professors and in a strange kind of nostalgic way, Snape and Malfoy to. This thought caused an involuntary shudder though as he queried which masochistic part of his subconscious he had pulled that little gem from. Hermione stood from her chair across the table and stretched like a cat waking up from a nap. They didn't need to actually say anything to each other as she glanced at the door. He gave a small nod and followed her as she headed indoors.
They walked through the rustic style kitchen and into a dimly lit hallway before climbing the two sets of stairs that led to what had served as the boy's bedroom during their stay. Ron watched as his friend tapped lightly on the door before sticking her head around it.
"Harry? You ok?" She asked as she walked ahead of him into the room.
"Yeah." Came the quiet reply.
"If you want to be alone then that's fine." Reassured Ron as thy both sat down on the bed next their friend.
"No. It's ok, really." Harry replied seeming to shake off his melancholy. Picking up a leather bound book Harry turned it over in his hands. "Apparently my Dad wrote a diary." There was another moment's silence before he continued. "This was only one of many apparently but he singled this one out, asked Sirius to look after it for him."
"Do you know why he chose that one?" Hermione asked her natural inquisitiveness rising to the fore.
"No idea. And I don't think Sirius does either."
"Are you going to read it?" Ron couldn't help but ask.
"I guess so. It seems so strange that I should get this what – eight days? Before I start my last year at Hogwarts."
"Maybe that's why he gave it to you now?" Ron hypothesised.
"Maybe."
"If you want to read it alone then…." Hermione began.
"No." Harry cut in rather abruptly. "I want you guys to hear it to. After all it's bound to say something interesting about Sirius and Professor Lupin. It might even have something to tell us about Snape." This brought a small smile to Ron's face.
"Hmm. Blackmail." He said rubbing his hands together and shufting his eyes around. This resulted in the other two rolling around with laughter gasping for breath and generally looking equally stupid as he did.
"I don't know about you guys but I think I'm ready for some more of that oh-so-delicious-sugar-free-ice-cream. Hmm?" Asked Harry once they had all recovered a little. This was greeted by all round approval and they traipsed back down stairs again.
They sat in the kitchen the tub of 'ice-cream' on the table between them.
"What I wouldn't give to be able to visit Honeydukes right about now." Said Ron wistfully.
"But just think how much better this is for your teeth!" Harry jibbed at him and they all shared a smile at one of Hermione's dad's favourite phrases. Living with two dentists for the last six weeks had meant that sugar had been in short supply.
"If you're really that desperate then I'm sure Harry would let you have one of his rock cakes." Countered Hermione with a smile. But despite all of his pretences Ron couldn't deny that it obviously wasn't that bad as, two minutes later, it was all gone. After they washed their spoons and put the container in the bin they moved through to the living room. Flopping down on the couch, Ron watched as his friend's hand ran over the latch of his father's diary. He couldn't explain it but for some reason he felt sure that they were going to find out something well, important didn't seem quite the right word. His thoughts were interrupted though when Harry spoke.
"Do you suppose it's magical?"
"By the look of it – I would say yes but I really can't be sure." Hermione offered.
"As long as it's not like Neville's." Harry said with a shudder. Neville's diary had brought much hilarity and chagrin to their dorm last year. Every time he had written in the book, which had been charmed to read back what had been written on previous occasions, it would start to speak. Unfortunately this was a book with an attitude problem. It would twist the writer's words and come out with some truly astounding statements at the top of its charmed-to-sound-like-it's-owners voice. Ron couldn't help but snigger at the memory of the diary's proclamation of Neville's 'true, deep and undying love' for Professor Snape.
"Well I guess we won't know until I open it!" Harry said with a somewhat nervous smile. The other two subconsciously leaned forward in their seats the anticipation mounting. Slowly and carefully he undid the simple latch and opened it up at the first page.
A/N Ok so maybe we'll get to the interesting stuff in the next couple of chapters (!) Thanks for the reviews keep 'em coming