Chapter Forty-Two Secrets
The rest of the year went by very quickly. The "Youth" Order held meeting in Professor Delacour's office. Fluer had come in a week after the Grand Order formed. She joined the Order of the Unicorn and because Seri was knocked out in Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Hogwarts needed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher.
"'e English iz getting veru much better." Fluer told them at their first "secret" Order meeting. She would attend the real Order meeting every time then come back and discuss the topics and solutions with them. Nothing much was happening with Voldemort though, it seemed being scared out of his wits in front of the Order had put him in check, but Fluer explained how she was split between wanting to know what Voldemort was up to or him disappear for what they all knew.
The last quidditch match against Ravenclaw, and Harry wasn't very sure whether he wanted to play, but Katie riding on him so hard to fly, he did. Ron, in some sort of phase after Percy and Bill died, forced more. like he matured over night. His jokes where less shallow and he didn't snap back very fast.
It a fast game, Gryffindor won. Ron not letting anything in and Harry out running Cho in lighting time. "WE WON!" Talker chanted holding the trophy above his head.
Seamus, Dean, Neville, Ron and Harry all went down to the kitchen and brought back a feat for the Gryffindor house.
"ATTENTION!" Katie said above the crowd, "I said ATTENTION!"
The room hushed.
Katie smiled and looked at everyone, "I would like to thank the team for an excellent year and to announce who the team voted our captain next year."
Harry's bottom dropped. They had voted night before the game and he felt butterflies in his stomach, not knowing if he wanted to be captain or not.
"Now I know you all think you know who it is. but I believe the team made a very good decision. Ron."
"Yeah, I think Harry would be a great captain too." Ron said, grinning at Harry.
"No Ron, Harry's not captain." Katie said, jumping off the table. "You are."
"WHAT!?!" Ron was smiling and laughing all at once. He looked at Harry bugged eyed and even smiled wider when Hermione threw herself around him in a hug.
Harry felt his gut chinch just like it did when he hadn't got prefect. He thought he wanted it. wanted to be "perfect" but what probably twisted it the hardest was that Ron was on his way. maybe now he would stand out in his family.
The end of the year was nearing fast, and Harry found himself in the library every night with Hermione and Ron for their exams. But it was so easy now compared to the stress Ginny and Luna were putting on themselves for the OWL's.
The last day of exams, Harry dropped his quill and read over his History of Magic essay. Professor Binns snatched it up and told him to leave. The burning summer sun shown on him brightly, warming him up. Mark and Adam ran around him, hexing each other in celebration for exams being over.
"Harry," Professor Snape came striding toward him, "Harry, Professor Dumbledor would like a word with you."
"Oh. okay." Harry stuttered. He then turned his direction to the Head Master's office.
"You wanted to speak to me Professor?" Harry said as he sat down in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Yes, Harry, I want to speak to you. Rather, ask you a question." Dumbledore turned around in his chair and studied Harry.
"Okay, shoot... I mean, go on." Harry messed with his hair slightly.
"Well, it is a touch of an unorthodox question, but do you want to be head boy?" Dumbledore asked, leaning on his elbows.
"Err... excuse me?" That was the last thing Harry was accepting.
"You look more like your father each and everyday... act like him too I'm afraid." Dumbledore gave a Harry a type of small smile. "The choice is yours Harry, you can be Head Boy or not."
Harry just stared blankly at him. Of course he wanted to be head boy, his dad was head boy... his mum was head girl... but what was stopping him from saying yes... it was like words failed him... was he speechless?
"I understand it is a complex question, come tell me when you're ready." Dumbledore smiled. "You'll make the right choice." And then he winked.
Still failing to speak, Harry nodded, stood and left.
"Why didn't I say yes?" Harry said out loud. The corridor was empty; everyone was outside celebrating the end of exams. Yet, Harry didn't seem to relived, the Headmaster just asked if he wanted to be head boy like his dad and he couldn't answer... what was wrong with him? Harry walked up a couple flights of stairs, beating his brain for just one tiny reason not to hit Dumbledore up on the offer, but a reason didn't come to him.... why not!?!
Harry leaned against a wall and ran his hands through hair.
His mind went black. He felt his feet moving and someone stepping on them. It was cold too.
"I'm freezing," said a Ron next to him. "Let's forget it and go back."
"NO!" Harry hissed beyond his control. "I know it's here somewhere."
They passed a ghost of a tall witch gliding in the opposite direction, but no one else. Just as Ron started moaning that his feet were dead cold, Harry spotted the suit of armor. An excitement fled to him and he didn't know why, but his feet dragged him over to the armor.
"It's here-just here-yes!" He heard himself say.
They pushed the door open. Harry dropped a cloak from around his shoulder and ran to a mirror.
And then he saw them. There they were. His mother and father beamed at the sight of him. Shock over took his breath and collapsed his lungs. He was standing in front of the Mirror of Erised.
"See?" Harry whispered.
"I can't see anything."
"Look! Look at them all... there are loads of them..."
"I can only see you."
"Look in it properly, go on, stand where I am."
Harry stepped aside, but with Ron in front of the mirror, he couldn't see his family anymore, just Ron in his paisley pajamas... an eleven year old Ron!
Ron, though, was staring transfixed at his image.
"Look at me!" he said.
"Can you see all your family standing around you?"
"No-I'm alone-but I'm different-I look older-and I'm head boy!"
"What?"
"I am-I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to-and I'm holding the house cup and the Quidditch cup-I'm Quidditch captain, too!"
The pit fell out of Harry's stomach. He dropped his fingers from his hair. Dumbledore had told him the Mirror of Erised showed our deepest desire of our hearts and Ron's was to stand alone, best of all his brothers. Harry took a raspy breath. That's why he couldn't answer. He licked his lips and stared up at the ceiling. Who cared if it was what he wanted... it was the right thing. Harry ran his hands over his face and stood up. Before he could change his mind, he was going to tell Dumbledore his answer.
He walked back down the stairs and the corridor. "Stag" and walked into Dumbledore's office, gentle knocking on the open door. "Professor,"
"Yes Harry." Dumbledore said merrily. "You've made your decision?"
"Yes sir," Harry said, stepping farther into the room. "I don't want to be head boy."
Dumbledore smile and his eyes gave a twinkle under his large half moon spectacles. "And may I ask what made you come to that?"
"Well sir," Harry said taking a breath, "I figure I've already stood in a room with my family around me... being head boy means a little more to someone else." Harry frowned a bit and nodded as though just now agreeing with his words.
"Nobel Harry, it takes a strong person to do that. A very self noble person to deny what you want for someone else" Dumbledore crossed the room and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up at him. "It'll mean a lot to him."
Harry nodded and returned to the corridor outside. Just then Hedwig swooped down in front of him. "What is it girl?"
She bit his ear affectionately. Harry took the letter from her grasped and pet her on the head before she flew off.
He ripped open the note and read,
"Harry,
I am fine now, nothing but a slight dizzy spell. I hope, over your summer break, we will be able to discuss some of the things that have happened this year. I am just happy that you finally have faith in yourself and that you might still have a little in me after what I did.
Seri
P.S. Secrets lie within the box."
Harry read it and sort of smiled. He felt nearly relived to know Seri was at least well enough to write, but she was bound to be okay with Charlie and Sirius being at her side every millisecond. Yet, what was she saying about this box. the box holds many secrets. hummm.
"The Potter Box," Harry said to himself. He pocketed the letter and sprinted to his room, throwing open his trunk and uncovering the box with the Potter family seal on it. The wood was still shining as brightly as it did the first day Harry saw it. He ran his hand over the lid softly, and then tried to pull it open.
It didn't budge.
He sighed and sat the bow down on the bed. He messed with his hair. Seri's words rang though his head. "Know who you are." But he knew who was. he was Harry James Potter. He messed with his hair again and picked the box back up. There was one think about Harry's character he was not to shy to admit, he never gave up and he tried again. So, in the same fashion as before Harry gently forced the lid open
This time it the lid followed his finger tips. Harry half swallowed and half coughed. He couldn't believe such a simple motion and action could send his breath from his lungs. Harry smiled reluctantly somehow thinking Seri must be proud. dad must be proud. He tossed the lip back on the hinges and found what he least excepted.
Without another thought, he jumped behind his curtains with the box and poured it's containments onto the ruby red bed spread.
There was press black rose, a bronze key with the top of it shaped like a lion head, two rusting wedding wings wrapped in deep green silk and a book lying at the bottom. The cover was a majestic red and gold, the bind tattered and worn. Taking a breath, he opened the book.
"Angelica Jamie Potter"
Harry nearly gagged as he read what was below that. It was scrawled in much messier hand writing than the neatly printed name. The corners frayed up and the ink slurred from what looked like dried water.
"Don't read this, burn it, throw it to the wolves, get ride of this journal! It is of that of the devil. Satin gave me his eyes and put these in my thoughts!"
Now, more excited and nerves than ever, Harry flipped to the next page. It was childish writing, a tiny date above the sentence.
"August 31st, 1967
"A werewolf was born last night."
Harry looked in complete puzzlement at the feature wondering what it possibility could mean.
"September 23rd, 1969
"My life begins to darken. A shadow is forming over me and James. Our destiny hides in the stars and it's darkness is as dark as the sky behind those stars."
Breathing rather quickly now, Harry scanned though the pages. More scrawl which he wished not to read. They were Angelica's visions, her prophecies. Till one caught his eyes, did he stop turning the pages at his fingers. A big red "x" crossed though the page but the words were still readable.
"January 12th, 1978
"Fate has changed. I wouldn't let Sirius go to his death. It is my fault now we must suffer more for my silly crush. Harry. Lily. James. How could I have done this? The dark Lord will meet his down fall, but more lives will be taken because of me."
Harry read it again. the night fate died. The night everything changed. And for some reason something else caught his attention. A page was stuck to the back of the one he read. He gently separated them and read the fine print.
"Fate defied. Was it meant to happen? What did I do? What did they do? A Gryffindor and Slytherin should never befriend again, let alone love. Her secrets destroy her and yet save the world. It was not my fault."
Shocked at words, knowing they must mean something, yet not knowing what, Harry shut the tattered little book and sighed. What he had been able to open the Potter box those many months ago. Would anything be different now? He placed the objects back into the box and safely locked it in his trunk.
"HARRY!" Someone screamed as the door was slammed open. "There you are, Hermione and I have been looking everywhere for you!"
Harry smiled and turned to face Ron. "What for?" Harry asked mischievously.
"Err. I dunno. exams just ended. and." Ron kinda smiled and scratched the back of his head, ending his stumbling sentence with a feeble laugh.
Harry joined his laugh and escaped down the common room where Hermione met them.
Maybe Harry didn't have all the answers, and maybe some of the answers where half told truths and lies, but for right now he didn't need to know very much. He had two best friends, who on many accounts, proved they would die for each other, a healthy god father, and the beginnings of a complete family. That's all he needed to know, he had somewhere to run when the world got to cold, and that was enough.
The end of the school year came and the Great Hall was decorated in Gryffindor red and gold. The seventh years were by far the loudest, absorbing every lost memory and laugh they could suck out of the old castle. But, Harry was just fine sitting between Hermione and Ron as they softly bickered over what was better; chocolate frogs and eatable quills.
Adam McCabe and Mark could be heard a few seats down, loudly plotting the death of a Slytherin boy they said jinxed Mark's hair to be pink instead of a vibrant red.
"Are you ready to go Harry?" Hermione asked sweetly the next morning. It was a crisp morning, well, crisp for a June morning.
"Yeah," Harry replied shaking his head. "Just kind of weird, next time we see the place it'll be our last year."
"Yeah." Ron stuttered, staring up at the towers as Harry, "That is weird."
Hermione giggled softly, whispered under her breath how much more like girls the two acted, and pushed them down the hill side to the carriages.
"HARRY!" Ron said, grabbing his arm, "I.I."
"..see them?" Harry finished for his friend, following Ron's eyes to the big black horses in front of the carriages.
Ron nodded and slowly edged his way into one with Hermione, Harry and Miley (who had heard Ron scream and ran to his side.)
The way back was oddly enjoyable. Malfoy stopped by, saying a merrily "how do you do" which seemed very odd until Ron realized he stole five chocolate frog in doing so.
They got off the train, drug their luggage and met and shining Seri, Moody, Remus and Sirius by the gate. "Hello squirts, have a good year?" Moody have grumbled.
"Yes'sir." Mark slurred.
Sirius smiled at him and rubbed his hair.
"Hello Harry," Sirius grinned, "Thank you."
"For what?" Harry asked puzzled.
"For saving my life."
Harry tried not to blush, but he did slightly, and followed their crew out of King Cross.
They all compacted into the tiny Order Car, Sirius, Moody, Seri, Remus, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Harry, Mark, Draco (who's mother rightfully disowned him) and Miley that is. Harry, more hopeful than anything, crossed his fingers that the Dursely weren't on their way or that Sirius would just drive straight by Surrey. But alas, they dropped Mark off who was intercepted by a tight faced woman, who smiled and thanked Seri before pushing Mark into the house.
And Harry heaved a sigh when the car slowed to a halt in front of Number Four Privet Drive.
"Sirius do I have." Harry started.
Seri turned around and cut him off. "Harry, it's for your own good, you know the bound between you're your aunt and your mom."
"But."
"But Harry, you won't be here long." Remus cut Harry off again.
"I promise," Sirius and Seri said together.
Relived at some point, Harry pushed his trunk and Hedwig out of the car and stood on the corner and watched the little black car turn the fork and leave.
He then turned and looked at the small, cold house before him. Not long he though, he wouldn't have to be here long. And he smiled beyond himself.
The rest of the year went by very quickly. The "Youth" Order held meeting in Professor Delacour's office. Fluer had come in a week after the Grand Order formed. She joined the Order of the Unicorn and because Seri was knocked out in Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Hogwarts needed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher.
"'e English iz getting veru much better." Fluer told them at their first "secret" Order meeting. She would attend the real Order meeting every time then come back and discuss the topics and solutions with them. Nothing much was happening with Voldemort though, it seemed being scared out of his wits in front of the Order had put him in check, but Fluer explained how she was split between wanting to know what Voldemort was up to or him disappear for what they all knew.
The last quidditch match against Ravenclaw, and Harry wasn't very sure whether he wanted to play, but Katie riding on him so hard to fly, he did. Ron, in some sort of phase after Percy and Bill died, forced more. like he matured over night. His jokes where less shallow and he didn't snap back very fast.
It a fast game, Gryffindor won. Ron not letting anything in and Harry out running Cho in lighting time. "WE WON!" Talker chanted holding the trophy above his head.
Seamus, Dean, Neville, Ron and Harry all went down to the kitchen and brought back a feat for the Gryffindor house.
"ATTENTION!" Katie said above the crowd, "I said ATTENTION!"
The room hushed.
Katie smiled and looked at everyone, "I would like to thank the team for an excellent year and to announce who the team voted our captain next year."
Harry's bottom dropped. They had voted night before the game and he felt butterflies in his stomach, not knowing if he wanted to be captain or not.
"Now I know you all think you know who it is. but I believe the team made a very good decision. Ron."
"Yeah, I think Harry would be a great captain too." Ron said, grinning at Harry.
"No Ron, Harry's not captain." Katie said, jumping off the table. "You are."
"WHAT!?!" Ron was smiling and laughing all at once. He looked at Harry bugged eyed and even smiled wider when Hermione threw herself around him in a hug.
Harry felt his gut chinch just like it did when he hadn't got prefect. He thought he wanted it. wanted to be "perfect" but what probably twisted it the hardest was that Ron was on his way. maybe now he would stand out in his family.
The end of the year was nearing fast, and Harry found himself in the library every night with Hermione and Ron for their exams. But it was so easy now compared to the stress Ginny and Luna were putting on themselves for the OWL's.
The last day of exams, Harry dropped his quill and read over his History of Magic essay. Professor Binns snatched it up and told him to leave. The burning summer sun shown on him brightly, warming him up. Mark and Adam ran around him, hexing each other in celebration for exams being over.
"Harry," Professor Snape came striding toward him, "Harry, Professor Dumbledor would like a word with you."
"Oh. okay." Harry stuttered. He then turned his direction to the Head Master's office.
"You wanted to speak to me Professor?" Harry said as he sat down in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Yes, Harry, I want to speak to you. Rather, ask you a question." Dumbledore turned around in his chair and studied Harry.
"Okay, shoot... I mean, go on." Harry messed with his hair slightly.
"Well, it is a touch of an unorthodox question, but do you want to be head boy?" Dumbledore asked, leaning on his elbows.
"Err... excuse me?" That was the last thing Harry was accepting.
"You look more like your father each and everyday... act like him too I'm afraid." Dumbledore gave a Harry a type of small smile. "The choice is yours Harry, you can be Head Boy or not."
Harry just stared blankly at him. Of course he wanted to be head boy, his dad was head boy... his mum was head girl... but what was stopping him from saying yes... it was like words failed him... was he speechless?
"I understand it is a complex question, come tell me when you're ready." Dumbledore smiled. "You'll make the right choice." And then he winked.
Still failing to speak, Harry nodded, stood and left.
"Why didn't I say yes?" Harry said out loud. The corridor was empty; everyone was outside celebrating the end of exams. Yet, Harry didn't seem to relived, the Headmaster just asked if he wanted to be head boy like his dad and he couldn't answer... what was wrong with him? Harry walked up a couple flights of stairs, beating his brain for just one tiny reason not to hit Dumbledore up on the offer, but a reason didn't come to him.... why not!?!
Harry leaned against a wall and ran his hands through hair.
His mind went black. He felt his feet moving and someone stepping on them. It was cold too.
"I'm freezing," said a Ron next to him. "Let's forget it and go back."
"NO!" Harry hissed beyond his control. "I know it's here somewhere."
They passed a ghost of a tall witch gliding in the opposite direction, but no one else. Just as Ron started moaning that his feet were dead cold, Harry spotted the suit of armor. An excitement fled to him and he didn't know why, but his feet dragged him over to the armor.
"It's here-just here-yes!" He heard himself say.
They pushed the door open. Harry dropped a cloak from around his shoulder and ran to a mirror.
And then he saw them. There they were. His mother and father beamed at the sight of him. Shock over took his breath and collapsed his lungs. He was standing in front of the Mirror of Erised.
"See?" Harry whispered.
"I can't see anything."
"Look! Look at them all... there are loads of them..."
"I can only see you."
"Look in it properly, go on, stand where I am."
Harry stepped aside, but with Ron in front of the mirror, he couldn't see his family anymore, just Ron in his paisley pajamas... an eleven year old Ron!
Ron, though, was staring transfixed at his image.
"Look at me!" he said.
"Can you see all your family standing around you?"
"No-I'm alone-but I'm different-I look older-and I'm head boy!"
"What?"
"I am-I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to-and I'm holding the house cup and the Quidditch cup-I'm Quidditch captain, too!"
The pit fell out of Harry's stomach. He dropped his fingers from his hair. Dumbledore had told him the Mirror of Erised showed our deepest desire of our hearts and Ron's was to stand alone, best of all his brothers. Harry took a raspy breath. That's why he couldn't answer. He licked his lips and stared up at the ceiling. Who cared if it was what he wanted... it was the right thing. Harry ran his hands over his face and stood up. Before he could change his mind, he was going to tell Dumbledore his answer.
He walked back down the stairs and the corridor. "Stag" and walked into Dumbledore's office, gentle knocking on the open door. "Professor,"
"Yes Harry." Dumbledore said merrily. "You've made your decision?"
"Yes sir," Harry said, stepping farther into the room. "I don't want to be head boy."
Dumbledore smile and his eyes gave a twinkle under his large half moon spectacles. "And may I ask what made you come to that?"
"Well sir," Harry said taking a breath, "I figure I've already stood in a room with my family around me... being head boy means a little more to someone else." Harry frowned a bit and nodded as though just now agreeing with his words.
"Nobel Harry, it takes a strong person to do that. A very self noble person to deny what you want for someone else" Dumbledore crossed the room and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up at him. "It'll mean a lot to him."
Harry nodded and returned to the corridor outside. Just then Hedwig swooped down in front of him. "What is it girl?"
She bit his ear affectionately. Harry took the letter from her grasped and pet her on the head before she flew off.
He ripped open the note and read,
"Harry,
I am fine now, nothing but a slight dizzy spell. I hope, over your summer break, we will be able to discuss some of the things that have happened this year. I am just happy that you finally have faith in yourself and that you might still have a little in me after what I did.
Seri
P.S. Secrets lie within the box."
Harry read it and sort of smiled. He felt nearly relived to know Seri was at least well enough to write, but she was bound to be okay with Charlie and Sirius being at her side every millisecond. Yet, what was she saying about this box. the box holds many secrets. hummm.
"The Potter Box," Harry said to himself. He pocketed the letter and sprinted to his room, throwing open his trunk and uncovering the box with the Potter family seal on it. The wood was still shining as brightly as it did the first day Harry saw it. He ran his hand over the lid softly, and then tried to pull it open.
It didn't budge.
He sighed and sat the bow down on the bed. He messed with his hair. Seri's words rang though his head. "Know who you are." But he knew who was. he was Harry James Potter. He messed with his hair again and picked the box back up. There was one think about Harry's character he was not to shy to admit, he never gave up and he tried again. So, in the same fashion as before Harry gently forced the lid open
This time it the lid followed his finger tips. Harry half swallowed and half coughed. He couldn't believe such a simple motion and action could send his breath from his lungs. Harry smiled reluctantly somehow thinking Seri must be proud. dad must be proud. He tossed the lip back on the hinges and found what he least excepted.
Without another thought, he jumped behind his curtains with the box and poured it's containments onto the ruby red bed spread.
There was press black rose, a bronze key with the top of it shaped like a lion head, two rusting wedding wings wrapped in deep green silk and a book lying at the bottom. The cover was a majestic red and gold, the bind tattered and worn. Taking a breath, he opened the book.
"Angelica Jamie Potter"
Harry nearly gagged as he read what was below that. It was scrawled in much messier hand writing than the neatly printed name. The corners frayed up and the ink slurred from what looked like dried water.
"Don't read this, burn it, throw it to the wolves, get ride of this journal! It is of that of the devil. Satin gave me his eyes and put these in my thoughts!"
Now, more excited and nerves than ever, Harry flipped to the next page. It was childish writing, a tiny date above the sentence.
"August 31st, 1967
"A werewolf was born last night."
Harry looked in complete puzzlement at the feature wondering what it possibility could mean.
"September 23rd, 1969
"My life begins to darken. A shadow is forming over me and James. Our destiny hides in the stars and it's darkness is as dark as the sky behind those stars."
Breathing rather quickly now, Harry scanned though the pages. More scrawl which he wished not to read. They were Angelica's visions, her prophecies. Till one caught his eyes, did he stop turning the pages at his fingers. A big red "x" crossed though the page but the words were still readable.
"January 12th, 1978
"Fate has changed. I wouldn't let Sirius go to his death. It is my fault now we must suffer more for my silly crush. Harry. Lily. James. How could I have done this? The dark Lord will meet his down fall, but more lives will be taken because of me."
Harry read it again. the night fate died. The night everything changed. And for some reason something else caught his attention. A page was stuck to the back of the one he read. He gently separated them and read the fine print.
"Fate defied. Was it meant to happen? What did I do? What did they do? A Gryffindor and Slytherin should never befriend again, let alone love. Her secrets destroy her and yet save the world. It was not my fault."
Shocked at words, knowing they must mean something, yet not knowing what, Harry shut the tattered little book and sighed. What he had been able to open the Potter box those many months ago. Would anything be different now? He placed the objects back into the box and safely locked it in his trunk.
"HARRY!" Someone screamed as the door was slammed open. "There you are, Hermione and I have been looking everywhere for you!"
Harry smiled and turned to face Ron. "What for?" Harry asked mischievously.
"Err. I dunno. exams just ended. and." Ron kinda smiled and scratched the back of his head, ending his stumbling sentence with a feeble laugh.
Harry joined his laugh and escaped down the common room where Hermione met them.
Maybe Harry didn't have all the answers, and maybe some of the answers where half told truths and lies, but for right now he didn't need to know very much. He had two best friends, who on many accounts, proved they would die for each other, a healthy god father, and the beginnings of a complete family. That's all he needed to know, he had somewhere to run when the world got to cold, and that was enough.
The end of the school year came and the Great Hall was decorated in Gryffindor red and gold. The seventh years were by far the loudest, absorbing every lost memory and laugh they could suck out of the old castle. But, Harry was just fine sitting between Hermione and Ron as they softly bickered over what was better; chocolate frogs and eatable quills.
Adam McCabe and Mark could be heard a few seats down, loudly plotting the death of a Slytherin boy they said jinxed Mark's hair to be pink instead of a vibrant red.
"Are you ready to go Harry?" Hermione asked sweetly the next morning. It was a crisp morning, well, crisp for a June morning.
"Yeah," Harry replied shaking his head. "Just kind of weird, next time we see the place it'll be our last year."
"Yeah." Ron stuttered, staring up at the towers as Harry, "That is weird."
Hermione giggled softly, whispered under her breath how much more like girls the two acted, and pushed them down the hill side to the carriages.
"HARRY!" Ron said, grabbing his arm, "I.I."
"..see them?" Harry finished for his friend, following Ron's eyes to the big black horses in front of the carriages.
Ron nodded and slowly edged his way into one with Hermione, Harry and Miley (who had heard Ron scream and ran to his side.)
The way back was oddly enjoyable. Malfoy stopped by, saying a merrily "how do you do" which seemed very odd until Ron realized he stole five chocolate frog in doing so.
They got off the train, drug their luggage and met and shining Seri, Moody, Remus and Sirius by the gate. "Hello squirts, have a good year?" Moody have grumbled.
"Yes'sir." Mark slurred.
Sirius smiled at him and rubbed his hair.
"Hello Harry," Sirius grinned, "Thank you."
"For what?" Harry asked puzzled.
"For saving my life."
Harry tried not to blush, but he did slightly, and followed their crew out of King Cross.
They all compacted into the tiny Order Car, Sirius, Moody, Seri, Remus, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Harry, Mark, Draco (who's mother rightfully disowned him) and Miley that is. Harry, more hopeful than anything, crossed his fingers that the Dursely weren't on their way or that Sirius would just drive straight by Surrey. But alas, they dropped Mark off who was intercepted by a tight faced woman, who smiled and thanked Seri before pushing Mark into the house.
And Harry heaved a sigh when the car slowed to a halt in front of Number Four Privet Drive.
"Sirius do I have." Harry started.
Seri turned around and cut him off. "Harry, it's for your own good, you know the bound between you're your aunt and your mom."
"But."
"But Harry, you won't be here long." Remus cut Harry off again.
"I promise," Sirius and Seri said together.
Relived at some point, Harry pushed his trunk and Hedwig out of the car and stood on the corner and watched the little black car turn the fork and leave.
He then turned and looked at the small, cold house before him. Not long he though, he wouldn't have to be here long. And he smiled beyond himself.