Chapter Fifteen: Black vs. Potter
A few days after Ron was scared by Sirius and Clarice dealt with the Dementors, she was released from the hospital wing. Fred and George were the ones to meet her outside the common room to warn her.
"Clarice, there's a problem and it involves Harry," said George.
"What's going on guys?" asked Clarice.
"Harry found out that Sirius Black is his godfather and that he is the reason that he has no parents. He is fuming. Add on top of that Ron's being attacked by Black a few days ago. Harry is angrier than we've ever seen him," said Fred.
"Oh shit. Black is innocent guys. He didn't turn Harry's parents over to You-Know-Who," she responded.
"How do you know Clarice? Maybe Black lost his mind," said George.
"I just do. Let's go deal with Harry," said Clarice.
Fred gave Clarice a searching look to try and find out what she was hiding. She must've noticed it.
"Don't worry Fred. When I'm ready to reveal this secret I will tell you guys. I promise. Right now, I need to deal with my cousin."
Fred let his curiosity go and followed Clarice and George into the common room. Most people were down in the library studying for exams so the common room only had Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sitting around when Fred, George and Clarice came inside. As soon as Harry saw Clarice he let his anger out on her.
"So, you're dear old uncle is the reason that I'm an orphan! How could you not tell me that Clarice! Your uncle, the man MY father trusted with not only his life but my life and my Mum's life, betrayed him to prove himself to Voldemort!"
Clarice flinched at the mention of Voldemort's name.
"Harry, please listen to me. Sirius didn't do it. He was set up. Please believe me. I know it's hard for you because you don't know what happened, but I do know. Please don't be mad at me Harry. I didn't know how to tell you the truth about Sirius."
"BELIEVE YOU?! BELIEVE YOU!?! HOW THE HELL AM I TO BELIEVE YOU WHEN YOU HID THIS FROM ME? WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FAMILY! FAMILY DOESN'T HIDE THINGS LIKE THIS!"
"Harry, please don't shout at me, please. You don't understand the situation right now. There are still things that I can't tell you that would change your mind about Sirius. Please. Don't blame Sirius for this. You-Know-Who is the one who tore apart many families. He tore mine apart too. My parents died at his hand as well. Please. Don't be mad at me."
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU WANT ME TO JUST IGNORE THE FACT THAT YOUR UNCLE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MUM AND DAD DYING. I HEAR THEM EVERY TIME THE DEMENTORS COME NEAR ME."
"SO DO I HARRY. THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL WING. DEMENTORS GOT TOO CLOSE AND I RELIVED MY PARENTS' DEATHS! I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. MY PARENTS WERE ALSO BETRAYED BY SOMEONE THEY TRUSTED!"
"YES, BUT IT WAS NOT MY UNCLE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PARENTS' DEATHS, WAS IT?"
"Harry, I'm sorry I shouted at you. I didn't mean to. No, it was not a relative of mine or yours that led to the untimely deaths of my parents. But Sirius is innocent. I can't explain how I know that, but I do. Please, have faith in me. I would not lead you into dangerous grounds intentionally."
"HE GAVE MY MUM AND DAD TO VOLDEMORT!!!!! NOW, WHILE HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME YOU WANT ME TO BELIEVE HE'S INNOCENT!!! HE ALMOST KILLED RON!"
""Harry, listen to me. There are just some things that you just can't understand. Not yet anyway. I promise you'll understand the truth when the time has come."
Harry did not want to hear anymore. He stormed out of the common room. Ron and Hermione gave Clarice a sympathetic look and followed him out. Just when they had left, Percy walked into the common room. Apparently, the Fat Lady had alerted him to the problems in Gryffindor Tower.
"Clarice, what was the meaning of all that racket? Students are supposed to be studying, not disturbing the school. I am surprised. I would think you would be taking your O.W.L.s more seriously. If it happens again I will let Professor McGonagall know."
"Fine Percy. Are you done? Only, I've got to get my Potions books so as to get studying for the exams."
"Yes, I am done Clarice. Don't do it again."
With that Percy walked out of the common room. Clarice assumed he would be returning to the library to study for his N.E.W.T.s. As the portrait hole closed behind Percy, Fred and George looked questioningly at Clarice. It was apparent they wanted to know how they knew that Black was innocent.
"I can't tell you guys right now. When the time is right, and my hands aren't tied, I'll tell you all you need to know. Right now I can't. I want to, but I was told by two of the teachers to keep my mouth shut. I'm sorry. Look, I need to go to my room and get some of my school things. I'll see you two at dinner."
"But Clarice we were supposed to-" George started, but Fred stopped him.
Clarice went to her dorm room and started to cry again. Once again, as she had been making a habit lately she stopped only after she slit her wrist. Deep down, she knew she needed to stop. The slits were getting deeper and more difficult to heal with magic she knew. She slipped into a fitful sleep.
Meanwhile down in the common room, George rounded on Fred.
"Why did you stop me? We're supposed to be planning our big end of term prank. She's in on it every year! What is it with you?"
"Can't you see how upset arguing with Harry made her? She needed to be alone, George. We can plan the prank later on, after dinner. I just hope she's okay."
"Fine."
The truth of the matter was that Fred was worried about Clarice. He didn't know how she would feel having George hounding her about planning the end of term prank so he just wanted to give her time to relax. Besides, he had feelings for Clarice that he had never mentioned to anyone.
A few days after Ron was scared by Sirius and Clarice dealt with the Dementors, she was released from the hospital wing. Fred and George were the ones to meet her outside the common room to warn her.
"Clarice, there's a problem and it involves Harry," said George.
"What's going on guys?" asked Clarice.
"Harry found out that Sirius Black is his godfather and that he is the reason that he has no parents. He is fuming. Add on top of that Ron's being attacked by Black a few days ago. Harry is angrier than we've ever seen him," said Fred.
"Oh shit. Black is innocent guys. He didn't turn Harry's parents over to You-Know-Who," she responded.
"How do you know Clarice? Maybe Black lost his mind," said George.
"I just do. Let's go deal with Harry," said Clarice.
Fred gave Clarice a searching look to try and find out what she was hiding. She must've noticed it.
"Don't worry Fred. When I'm ready to reveal this secret I will tell you guys. I promise. Right now, I need to deal with my cousin."
Fred let his curiosity go and followed Clarice and George into the common room. Most people were down in the library studying for exams so the common room only had Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sitting around when Fred, George and Clarice came inside. As soon as Harry saw Clarice he let his anger out on her.
"So, you're dear old uncle is the reason that I'm an orphan! How could you not tell me that Clarice! Your uncle, the man MY father trusted with not only his life but my life and my Mum's life, betrayed him to prove himself to Voldemort!"
Clarice flinched at the mention of Voldemort's name.
"Harry, please listen to me. Sirius didn't do it. He was set up. Please believe me. I know it's hard for you because you don't know what happened, but I do know. Please don't be mad at me Harry. I didn't know how to tell you the truth about Sirius."
"BELIEVE YOU?! BELIEVE YOU!?! HOW THE HELL AM I TO BELIEVE YOU WHEN YOU HID THIS FROM ME? WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FAMILY! FAMILY DOESN'T HIDE THINGS LIKE THIS!"
"Harry, please don't shout at me, please. You don't understand the situation right now. There are still things that I can't tell you that would change your mind about Sirius. Please. Don't blame Sirius for this. You-Know-Who is the one who tore apart many families. He tore mine apart too. My parents died at his hand as well. Please. Don't be mad at me."
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU WANT ME TO JUST IGNORE THE FACT THAT YOUR UNCLE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MUM AND DAD DYING. I HEAR THEM EVERY TIME THE DEMENTORS COME NEAR ME."
"SO DO I HARRY. THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL WING. DEMENTORS GOT TOO CLOSE AND I RELIVED MY PARENTS' DEATHS! I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. MY PARENTS WERE ALSO BETRAYED BY SOMEONE THEY TRUSTED!"
"YES, BUT IT WAS NOT MY UNCLE WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PARENTS' DEATHS, WAS IT?"
"Harry, I'm sorry I shouted at you. I didn't mean to. No, it was not a relative of mine or yours that led to the untimely deaths of my parents. But Sirius is innocent. I can't explain how I know that, but I do. Please, have faith in me. I would not lead you into dangerous grounds intentionally."
"HE GAVE MY MUM AND DAD TO VOLDEMORT!!!!! NOW, WHILE HE'S TRYING TO KILL ME YOU WANT ME TO BELIEVE HE'S INNOCENT!!! HE ALMOST KILLED RON!"
""Harry, listen to me. There are just some things that you just can't understand. Not yet anyway. I promise you'll understand the truth when the time has come."
Harry did not want to hear anymore. He stormed out of the common room. Ron and Hermione gave Clarice a sympathetic look and followed him out. Just when they had left, Percy walked into the common room. Apparently, the Fat Lady had alerted him to the problems in Gryffindor Tower.
"Clarice, what was the meaning of all that racket? Students are supposed to be studying, not disturbing the school. I am surprised. I would think you would be taking your O.W.L.s more seriously. If it happens again I will let Professor McGonagall know."
"Fine Percy. Are you done? Only, I've got to get my Potions books so as to get studying for the exams."
"Yes, I am done Clarice. Don't do it again."
With that Percy walked out of the common room. Clarice assumed he would be returning to the library to study for his N.E.W.T.s. As the portrait hole closed behind Percy, Fred and George looked questioningly at Clarice. It was apparent they wanted to know how they knew that Black was innocent.
"I can't tell you guys right now. When the time is right, and my hands aren't tied, I'll tell you all you need to know. Right now I can't. I want to, but I was told by two of the teachers to keep my mouth shut. I'm sorry. Look, I need to go to my room and get some of my school things. I'll see you two at dinner."
"But Clarice we were supposed to-" George started, but Fred stopped him.
Clarice went to her dorm room and started to cry again. Once again, as she had been making a habit lately she stopped only after she slit her wrist. Deep down, she knew she needed to stop. The slits were getting deeper and more difficult to heal with magic she knew. She slipped into a fitful sleep.
Meanwhile down in the common room, George rounded on Fred.
"Why did you stop me? We're supposed to be planning our big end of term prank. She's in on it every year! What is it with you?"
"Can't you see how upset arguing with Harry made her? She needed to be alone, George. We can plan the prank later on, after dinner. I just hope she's okay."
"Fine."
The truth of the matter was that Fred was worried about Clarice. He didn't know how she would feel having George hounding her about planning the end of term prank so he just wanted to give her time to relax. Besides, he had feelings for Clarice that he had never mentioned to anyone.