Chapter Twenty-four: Runaway

Summary: Twenty-fourth chapter. Twenty-five to go. That about sums it up.

As Arabella continued to scan the letter her smile quickly faded. Sirius noticed the change.

"What is it?" He asked.

Arabella looked up slowly from the letter, but didn't answer. Sirius reached over and slowly took it from her. Carefully he read it over before handing it back to her.

"So," he stated with a scornful laugh. "Snape has to have his laugh, does he?"

"I don't think it's much of a joke, Sirius."

Harry was looking from one to the other for some answer. "What's the matter?" He asked.

Sirius turned to his godson's anxious stare. "Snape says he thinks he's found a potion that will counter the poison. But there's a certain risk involved. It seems this particular potion either cures or kills. It will either restore my magic ability or destroy it forever."

The three stood in silence for a very long time.

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked finally in a quiet tone.

Sirius turned to his godson. "I'm not much good to you the way I am, Harry."

Arabella started to protest, but Sirius stopped her.

"I appreciate your point of view, 'Bella, but when all is said and done, that is the truth. I'm suppose to be Harry's protector and I can't do much of a job of it the way I am. What if the Deatheaters came here tonight? What would you do, 'Bella? Try and protect all of us? You'll end up dead yourself. This is a chance we have to take. If it doesn't work, we're no worse off than we were before."

"But Sirius," She said in a small voice, "If it doesn't work, this is forever."

Sirius started to say something, but stopped himself. "It's what has to be, 'Bella." He said finally.

"But if we waited," Harry suggested quickly, "Professor Snape may find something else. Something more...sure."

"There is very little time for 'waiting', Harry. The possibility of Deatheaters showing up suddenly without invitations was not just a supposition. It is a very real possibility. Especially if they know the poison has worked. It removes one protector for your side. Making you an easier target. The faster we set things right, the better. And the Deatheaters won't be aware of any change. If this works, we'll have a definite advantage over Voldemort's followers."

"When will you go?" Harry asked after a moment.

Sirius turned to Arabella. "We can leave in the morning. We can all go together. That way, if anything goes wrong, at least we'll be at Hogwarts already." Sirius turned to his godson. "You'll be better protected there, Harry. If I can no longer protect you, you'll need all the extra protection you can get."

Harry nodded solemnly without looking up at his godfather. Without another word he turned and headed up the stairs to his room. Already he was forming a plan in his head about what he felt was a much better course of action under the circumstances.

Sirius and Arabella had already given up enough on his account. Each had lost at least twelve years of their lives due to him. That was enough to ask of anyone. But now Sirius was looking at losing something he likely valued even more. His magic ability. Without it he would be utterly lost. How could Harry asked him to risk his only chance to have it restored all because Sirius felt he had to rush for an answer on account of Harry's continued need for protection?

Harry closed the door to his room after him and slowly slid the lock into place. Going over to Hedwig's cage, Harry opened the door. The owl flew out of the cage and swooped down until she settled on Harry's bed, expectantly waiting for whatever he needed of her.

The owl watched as Harry stuffed a few things into a small duffle bag before he turned back to her.

"So," he stated, trying to look cheerfully optimistic, "ready to return home?"

Hedwig hooted questioningly as she watched Harry get his Firebolt out of the closet and go over to the window. Balancing on the window ledge, he turned back to Hedwig.

"Come on, girl." He called to her. "We have a long trip in front of us."

And with that Harry leapt from the window ledge and soared off towards the cover of the clouds.