Harry Potter and his whole world belong to JK Rowling. I am borrowing a few characters from her.
Oh Captain, My Captain
Harry woke early the next morning looking forward to the day. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so excited about the first day of school. He and Ron dressed quickly and met up with Hermione in the common room.
She, however, didn't look excited at all. On the contrary, she looked furious.
"What's up?" Ron asked.
"Seamus," she snarled.
Harry looked at her, eyebrows raised. "What did Seamus do to you?"
"It's not so much what he did to me, it's more what he did to you, Harry," Hermione snapped. Harry studied Hermione for a moment. "What did he do to me?"
She said nothing, only pointed at the notice board.
Plastered there, enlarged to twice its size, was the picture of the demolished Riddle house. Bellatrix Lestrange had been removed from the caption, and now it only read House in Little Hangleton Demolished by Sirius Black.
Harry stared at the board, not daring to believe what he was seeing. What on earth was Seamus playing at?
"Harry?"
He whipped around, his wand raised, intending to hex the person who'd spoken to him. He found Dean Thomas standing there, anger written all over his face.
"What do you want?" Harry spat.
Dean raised his chin and his eyes flashed.
"I wanted to tell you that I had nothing to do with that. I believe your story and I believe that Sirius Black is dead." Dean glanced around, and then lowered his voice. "I'm not sure what Seamus thinks he's doing, but he's not been himself lately Harry."
"He'll not be himself once I'm through with him," Hermione growled. There was murder in her eyes.
"Wait," Harry said. He spun around and sprinted back to the dormitory. He was back in a flash. "Let's just prove it, shall we?"
Dean looked confused. Hermione and Ron, however, nodded enthusiastically.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked, shuffling over to them. Ron explained and Ginny turned angry eyes to Dean.
"Hey, it was nothing to do with Dean," Hermione said softly. "Don't blame him."
Harry raised his wand once more and pointed it at the notice board. "Accio newspaper!"
The article flew toward him and the five of them set out for the Great Hall.
The first thing they noticed was Seamus glaring at them defiantly. The second thing was that Remus had stood up as soon as they entered the Great Hall and was hurrying down the row to them.
"What is it?" he demanded quietly. "You all look geared up about something."
Without a word, Harry shoved the article in Remus' hand. Remus looked at it, did a double take and glared down at the page.
"Who did this?" he snarled. His hands were shaking and there was fury creeping into his eyes.
"We're about to go speak to him now, Professor Lupin," Dean answered quietly.
Remus glared at Dean and then understanding rose in his eyes.
"Seamus did this? Seamus Finnigan?"
They nodded, and Remus turned, sparks fairly shooting from his eyes.
Seamus took one look at him and grabbed up his bag and had already started up the row between the tables when Remus caught up to him.
"Sit, Mr Finnigan," Remus snarled, not too gently pulling out a seat for Seamus. Seamus sat. Harry sat across from him, Ron and Hermione on either side. Ginny sat next to Hermione. Dean and Remus sat next to Seamus.
"Explain this," Remus said furiously, slamming the article on the table.
"Me mam told me I should do it, to show that I think that Harry's full of it. She says that anyone who believes that Sirius Black is innocent is a fool. She says that he's probably the one leading all the Death Eaters, not You-Know-Who." Seamus lifted his chin. "I know Harry and Professor Dumbledore, and now the Ministry say different, and I did believe for a time that You-Know-Who is back, but when nothing has happened all summer long, it's hard to believe now. And me mam is certain that it's You-Know-Who's former right hand man doing it all."
Remus stared. Harry could almost see the struggle to remain calm in his teacher's grey eyes.
"Voldemort attacked, and destroyed, the Knight Bus. He and his Death Eaters killed two innocent people, and they nearly killed me."
Seamus looked at Remus in surprise.
"Mr Black has not been of this world for two months now, Mr Finnigan," Remus said, his voice deathly quiet. "However, contrary to what Harry told you last night, Mr Black is not dead."
Dean and Seamus both stared at Harry. Harry glared back at them and brought his hand up. Both flinched, but Harry only placed the mirror on the table.
"Sirius went through an archway in the Ministry of Magic," Harry said quietly. "We thought it brought death to any who went through it, but it only...puts them on hold, I guess you could say." He paused. "I did not lie last night. Sirius Black did die, in everyway possible except he didn't actually die. He still breathes and has thoughts and dreams. And he did die saving me from Voldemort."
Seamus was looking incredulous. "I'm sorry if I'm having a hard time believing this," he spat.
"You had a hard time believing it last year too, Finnigan, and you were proved wrong, weren't you?" Ron growled. Seamus ignored him.
"What is that thing for?" Seamus pointed at the mirror.
Hermione grinned. "It's like a telephone," she answered softly. "Watch."
She picked up the mirror and put it in Harry's hand. Harry was quite surprised, as he thought she'd do it herself.
"Sirius Black," Harry said quietly but clearly. They waited. "Sirius Black."
Seamus and Dean had both leaned forward eagerly, but when Sirius didn't answer right away, both sat back down, disappointed. Seamus was starting to look sceptical again.
"Sirius Black," Harry repeated. He glanced at Remus. "You don't think anything's happened to him?"
"I'm alright, Harry, I was just sleeping and it took me a moment to pull my head together." Harry started and looked down at the mirror. Sirius grinned up at him.
"It's taken you forever to talk to me again! How are you? Where are you?"
"I'm fine, Sirius," he said with a smile. "I'm at school. But you should see this."
Remus waved his wand and the paper shrank until it was small enough to fit inside the mirror frame. Harry held it up to the mirror. He looked up while Sirius read and found Dean and Seamus immobilized with shock.
"That," Dean said, "is the coolest thing I've ever seen."
Harry was about to reply when he heard Sirius curse. Then, to his amazement, Sirius started to laugh. He pulled the paper away from the mirror.
"That was the biggest load of rubbish I've ever read," Sirius gasped in between howls of laughter.
Harry looked at Ron, wondering if perhaps Sirius was a bit unhinged.
"Ah, it's nice to know that I'm remembered anyway. Thanks Harry, I needed a laugh. As I said, it's dreadfully dull in here."
"Where are you?" Seamus asked quickly. Sirius turned and looked at him curiously.
"I don't know you," he said. His face grew serious.
"This is Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, Sirius," Harry said quickly. "Seamus was having a bit of trouble believing that you...aren't here. And that you're not a Death Eater." Sirius' face darkened and Harry was reminded of the first moment he'd seen Sirius in the Shrieking Shack.
"I am not, and have never been, a Death Eater," Sirius snarled in Seamus' direction. "And I'm not in Britain. Hell, I'm not even on a physical plane. I went through a bloody arch and I'm stuck here in hellishly boring limbo. I'd of rather died, rather than fallen over. God, I hate this. Hello, Professor McGonagall."
Harry jumped as though electrocuted. He turned to find Professor McGonagall behind him, holding a sheaf of parchment, frozen in shock. She'd apparently come up to give them their timetables and glanced at the mirror over Harry's shoulder.
Sirius, however, started. He stared up at Remus in wonder. "What the hell are you doing there, Moony?"
Remus grinned. "I'm teaching again, Padfoot," he answered.
Sirius beamed and then opened his mouth to say something.
"Sirius Black?" Professor McGonagall had found her voice. "But he's dea-I mean, he's wanted by the law. What is he doing here?"
Harry glanced at Seamus and saw that, finally, he believed them.
Professor McGonagall sat down beside Remus. She stared at the mirror in Harry's hand. "Brilliant," she breathed. "How did you do it?"
"I'll explain later, Professor," Remus said quickly, glancing at Seamus and Dean. "Excuse us, will you, boys?"
Dean and Seamus nodded and stood. Professor McGonagall handed them their timetables and they moved down the table.
Seamus stopped beside Harry before they went. "I'm sorry Harry," he said quietly.
"Now, do you mind explaining to me what that was all about?" Sirius demanded as soon as Dean and Seamus were out of earshot. Remus explained quickly and Sirius sighed.
"I figured as much."
"So how on earth did you do this?" demanded McGonagall. Remus sighed, looking tired. He rubbed his eyes with his hand.
"You might as well tell her, Moony," Sirius said with a grin. "She might as well know that you aren't all innocence and high standards. Hell, most of our pranks were pulled off by you."
Harry laughed. He'd figured as much.
Remus glared at them both. "For your information," he said haughtily. "I was a prefect."
He sounded so much like Percy that Ron and Ginny stared at him in shock. Sirius, McGonagall, Hermione and Harry burst out laughing, and a moment later the two Weasley's joined in. Remus glared around at them all, but he was smirking.
"I remember those mirrors," McGonagall said softly after she'd calmed a bit. "Well, not those particular mirrors, but mirrors much like them. You and James used to use them all the time." She smiled at Sirius. "How is he? And Lily?"
It looked as though shutters had closed over Sirius' eyes. He sighed softly.
"Sirius hadn't seen them, Professor," Remus said softly. "Sirius isn't dead."
McGonagall reacted much the same way Harry had. Remus explained everything. Harry watched Sirius as Remus explained. He just sat quietly, nodding here and there. Remus explained Harry's idea about the mirrors, how they'd journeyed to the Ministry, how they'd sneaked into the Death Chamber and had slid the other mirror through the veil. How they'd waited. And waited. And waited.
"Extraordinary," she said as Remus finished. "So that's why you were on the Knight Bus that night." Her eyes flickered over Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. "Where were you four when the Bus was attacked?"
"Attacked?" Sirius sputtered. "What are you talking about, attacked?"
"We were on the Bus," Harry answered McGonagall. "We were under an Invisibility Cloak so Stan and Ernie wouldn't see us. Remus insisted we'd be safer, and we were. Voldemort didn't see us. Instead, he just demanded Remus tell him where I was."
McGonagall closed her eyes. Sirius, however, was nearly beating on the mirror, trying to get someone's attention.
"Hello! I asked a question! Who was attacked?"
"The Knight Bus, Padfoot," Remus answered. "He attacked the Knight Bus and killed two people. He nearly got me, but Dumbledore got me out of there. I managed to send these four back to...where we were staying by portkey."
McGonagall suddenly gasped. "Oh my goodness, it's nearly time for you four to head to your classes. Here are your schedules." She handed them out. "It was nice to see you, Sirius, I hope to talk to you again. Remus, you should get to your class as well."
Harry had the distinct impression that she was leaving before Sirius exploded, because there was still ten minutes before their first class. Looking down at Sirius, however, Harry could understand why McGonagall wanted to get out of there. His face was nearly purple with fury. Harry wasn't sure whether it was at Voldemort or at Remus and himself.
"We should get going," Hermione said quickly. "We'll call you again later, okay Sirius? Tell you how our first day went." She stood up, motioning to the others to follow.
"See you later, Sirius," Ron and Ginny said quietly, getting up to follow.
"Coming, Harry?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head.
"In a moment," he answered. "Go on ahead."
"Bye," Sirius grunted. He glared up at Harry and Remus. "You are not to come to the Ministry again," he told them both.
Remus raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me, Sirius, but I am not a child."
"Neither am I!" Harry said furiously. "Last year you berated me because I wouldn't let you come up here! You said that my dad would do it just for the thrill! I really wish you would make up your damned mind, Sirius!"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Harry. "Last year I was there to protect you. This year I'm not. Last year, Remus was not the only link to your parents you had. This year he is. I repeat, neither of you is to come to the Ministry."
Remus laughed.
"So last year, I was expendable. Thanks Padfoot."
Sirius glowered at Remus.
"That's not what I meant and you know it. Don't be a git." His face was relaxing a bit. "I don't want either of you to join me here. I don't want you to join Lily and James either. Please. Please promise me that you won't come here again. Promise me that you'll be careful. Please."
It was painful to hear Sirius begging Harry and Remus to be safe. Glancing up at Remus, Harry could see that it hurt him as well.
"We can't promise that we won't be at the Ministry, Sirius," Harry said quietly.
"But we both promise that we'll be careful," Remus added. "I miss you and James and Lily, but I really don't care to see any of you in person anytime soon."
Sirius smiled sadly. "I suppose that will do. You should get to class, Harry. And you, Remus. Contact me later and let me know about your first day. Both of you."
He smiled up at them both and the mirror went blank.
*
Harry's first lesson of the day was Charms. He met up with Ron and Hermione as they were entering the classroom.
"Was he very angry?" Hermione asked as soon as she saw Harry.
"No," he answered, flopping into an empty seat, trying to catch his breath. "He just wanted to tell Remus and I not to come to the Ministry again."
Ron raised his eyebrows. "Who's he to talk?"
Harry chuckled. "That's basically what I said to him. I told him to make up his mind."
Their conversation ended there as Professor Flitwick started the lesson.
Ginny caught up with them as they were leaving the Charms classroom. She wanted to know what Sirius had said, so Harry told her. She was about to say something when Professor McGonagall stepped out of her office and stopped in front of them.
"Miss Weasley, Mr Potter, I wish to speak with the both of you."
Harry looked at Ginny in surprise. Usually it was Ron and he that got the talking to, not Ginny. McGonagall had a small smile on her face.
"Neither of you are in trouble, Potter, so don't worry. Go along, Mr Weasley, Miss Granger. Mr Potter will catch you up."
Confused and curious, both Harry and Ginny followed Professor McGonagall into her empty classroom. She sat behind her desk and looked at the two of them with her beady eyes.
"As you are well aware of, Potter, you were given a lifetime ban from Quidditch last year," she said cautiously.
Harry grimaced. He was aware, and was still smarting from it. He said nothing, merely waited.
"As...er...Professor Umbridge isn't with us any longer, it is up to the school and the school board to decide your fate. Whether to uphold the ban, or to allow you to resume your position on the team." Harry held his breath. "The school board thought that there was no harm in allowing you to play, so as of right now, you are once more a member of the Gryffindor team. That is, of course, if you are still interested in playing Seeker?"
Harry was speechless. He had never thought that he'd be allowed back on the team. Ginny gave a squeal and flung her arms around Harry's shoulders.
"I told you Harry! I told you that you'd be back!"
"Miss Weasley, kindly get a grip on yourself. Mr Potter hasn't answered my question yet." Harry stared at McGonagall. She hardly needed to ask.
"I'm interested, Professor. I'm definitely interested!"
McGonagall smiled. "I thought as much. Now there is the question of the Captaincy. As you know, Miss Johnson left school last year, as did your brothers, and Alicia Spinnet. That leaves Katie Bell, whose leadership skills are questionable, Mr Weasley, and you two. I know Mr Weasley has the talent, but I think he is best as Keeper, and not as Captain. That leaves you two. Both have shown yourselves to have excellent leadership skills, so this year I am going to divide the Captaincy. You two will be the new Gryffindor Captains."
Harry and Ginny stared at McGonagall, and then at each other. Harry wondered if he looked as stunned as Ginny did.
"But, Professor," Ginny argued. "I've only been on the team a few months. I don't even have a position, not really, now that Harry's back-"
"From what I saw, Miss Weasley, you showed excellent skills on a broom, and would be an asset to the team in any position, and you were very good with your teammates. Are you saying that you don't wish to be Captain?"
Ginny shook her head. "Not at all, Professor, it's an honour! It's just...I don't really understand, I guess. I thought Harry would be Captain, is all."
"Mr Potter is going to be Captain, as are you. Co-Captains. As I already explained, you both show excellent leadership skills, and I know that you work well together. I think your fire and passion will counteract Potter's easygoing nature."
Harry raised an eyebrow. Easygoing? Since when?
"Yes, Potter, easygoing. You're not about to tell anyone to get the Snitch or die trying, are you?" She smirked at him.
"Well, no Professor, as I'm the Seeker, I probably wouldn't."
Ginny snickered. McGonagall smiled.
"That's all I wished to speak to you about, you both should get on to the Great Hall."
And, still stunned, Harry and Ginny left the room.
***
I just wanted to thank everyone for reading this story. I'm glad that you're enjoying it, and thank you for all the reviews. I'm going to try to finish this story before I update Saviour, because there are things coming up in Saviour that are spoilers for this story. So please be patient with me!!