A/N - JKR owns everything familiar. Me --- not so much.
A/N -Read, enjoy, review. Most importantly though, remember to enjoy!
Chapter 50
Tough Talk
"You!"
Harry had obviously surprised the wizard in the room. But he recovered soon enough.
"Potter! You would do well to remember your manners when you address a member of the staff. Ten points from Gryffindor for your insolent tone."
Harry knew he had to take a few seconds to calm down before he spoke. When he was ready he asked, "Where is the Headmaster?"
"I don't know Potter. Why don't you look in his office?" While he was speaking, Snape continued to pour over whatever current concoction he was currently brewing.
"I am" Harry replied as he turned and walked back out of the door he had just entered. If what Fred and George told him was true, the Headmaster's office would return - or more precisely the Potions Lab would move on to a new location - in an hour. Not wanting to wait outside the stone gargoyle for the next hour, Harry returned to his Common Room. He walked over to Ron immediately.
Ron looked up from his book about the Chudley Cannons. "What happened mate? Why are you back so soon?"
"I'll tell you in a second. Where's Hermione?"
"I'll give you one guess." Ron answered with a smile.
Harry groaned. He decided he could tell Hermione later after she returned from the library. "Guess what I saw when I opened the door to Dumbledore's office?"
"Em --- Dumbledore?"
"Nope. Snape."
"Snape? Why wasn't he in the Potions Lab trying to set things right?"
"He was."
It took a few seconds for Ron to put everything together. Harry saw the recognition form on his face before they both subsided into fits of laughter. This had the effect of getting the attention of several occupants of the Common Room, including Ron's older brothers.
"What gives?" asked Fred when he and George had made their way over.
Ron and Harry had almost managed to catch their breath but upon seeing the twins they broke down again into more laughing fits.
"Mental." George said to his twin while looking at Ron and Harry. However as soon as Ron and Harry had calmed down enough to tell the twins what Harry had just seen, they too collapsed into one big heap of laughter.
The rest of the day passed quietly enough. Hermione had returned soon after the four had finally managed to calm themselves. She didn't find the tale nearly as amusing as Harry's other audiences. Instead she browbeat everyone into studying for his or her OWLs and NEWTs respectively.
"Dinner time," announced Harry after they had been studying for what Ron and Harry thought had been forever and a day.
"Finally," said Ron as he stood up and started putting his things away.
If Ron and Harry thought that they were done studying for the night, they were sadly mistaken.
Hermione had wolfed down her meal and was sitting at the table reading a book entitled "Really Advanced Transfiguration" while waiting for Ron and Harry to finish eating. When she noticed that the boys' were almost done she started in.
"Do you two want to finish studying in the library or the Tower?"
Ron almost choked on his apple pasty. "What are you talking about? We are done studying Hermione."
"No we're not."
Ron continued. "It's Sunday. We've been studying most of the day. We need a little time to relax before starting another week of class."
Hermione glared at Ron thereby giving him her best imitation of McGonagall. "Ron, do you want to get any OWLs at all?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Harry stood up. You didn't have to be best friends with these two for five years to sense that a major argument was about to ensue. Declaring himself the unofficial peacemaker for the day, Harry decided on a course of action.
"Let's split the difference."
"How," a skeptical Hermione asked.
"Let's spend the evening working on the practical portions of the OWLs. We can work on Transfiguration, DADA and Charms."
Harry watched his two friends closely waiting for their reactions.
Hermione was the first to agree. Soon afterwards Ron also agreed and so that's just how the three spent the rest of their weekend. Mainly, Harry's goal was to stay out of the way while Ron and Hermione worked off some stored up frustration by hexing each other. It didn't take long for Ron and Hermione to tire each other out so the three turned in fairly early to be rested for the upcoming week.
After Quidditch practice on Tuesday night, Harry flew over to the stands instead of joining his team in the locker room. He pointed his new broom towards the ground and landed near a large black dog that was wagging its tail.
"Hello Sirius."
POP
"Hello Harry," Sirius responded while pulling his godson into a tight hug.
They chatted amicably for a couple of minutes before Harry finally decided to take the initiative. "Sirius, I'm always glad to see you but I get the feeling that there's something more that brought you here."
Sirius studied his godson for a couple of minutes before answering. "Well there is, and then again there isn't."
"You've been spending too much time with Dumbledore," Harry muttered. He was slightly surprised that Sirius didn't even crack a smile.
"What's wrong?"
Sirius sighed, "I don't know Harry. That's just it. You won't tell us."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked even though he was pretty sure that he knew the answer to his own question.
"Harry, I don't want to drag anything out of you. I want you to want to tell me." Sirius paused here to collect his thoughts and look into Harry's eyes for a few seconds. Harry, for his part, wouldn't take his eyes off the ground.
"Harry, look at me."
No response.
"Look at me."
Slowly, Harry raised his eyes to meet those of his godfather. He wasn't exactly sure how he had found out but Sirius obviously knew that Harry had been keeping his nightmares from him and the Headmaster.
Sirius continued, "Harry, I know I haven't always been there for you like I should have been. As a matter of fact, I know I almost have never been here for you when you needed me." He paused to collect himself and to try to find the right next few words. Harry was staring at the ground again. Part of him wanted to interrupt his godfather to console him but everything he had said so far had been true and he didn't know what to say.
"Harry, I need you to look at me."
Again, Harry slowly raised his eyes to meet his godfather's. He was startled to see how red and shiny they were.
"Harry, I know that we haven't really spent that much time together although I would like nothing more. I can't expect you to forgive me --- "
This shocked Harry into talking. "Forgive you? For what?"
"For what? For not being there --- For losing my temper and going after Pettigrew instead of ensuring that someone would be there for you as you grew up --- For living with the Dursley's all those years --- For not being able to protect you since you came to Hogwarts--- For not giving you a home after I escaped ---For everything."
Now it was Sirius' turn to stare at the ground and Harry's turn to try to find the right words.
"Sirius, I don't know what to say --- "
"You don't have to say to say anything Harry," Sirius responded as he covered his face with both of his hands.
It was obvious that the older wizard didn't want to be seen crying by his godson. Harry put his hand on his godfather's shoulder. "What I was going to say was that I don't know what to say to make you not blame yourself for any of that. I don't blame you Sirius."
Sirius only shook his head, not answering.
"Sirius, it's true we don't know each other as well as I would like, but that will come with time. I don't blame you for anything."
Harry waited for a response but continued speaking when it was obvious that none was forthcoming.
"If anyone is to blame Sirius it's me, not you." Whatever effect Harry was hoping for he obviously did not achieve because his last sentence resulted in Sirius shaking his head even more furiously and gulping down a couple of breaths of air.
"I'm sorry Sirius. What did I say?"
No answer.
"Sirius, I'm really sorry for whatever I did. Please stop crying."
Once again, this had the opposite effect of what Harry intended. At a total loss for what to do, Harry just waited silently for Sirius to work himself out of it. He didn't have to wait long before Sirius managed to continue what he started.
"Harry, please believe me when I say that you've done nothing wrong. If you don't trust me enough to tell me everything yet, it's ok. We'll get there. I just wanted you to know that I was here if you wanted to talk about anything."
This was too much for Harry to bear. It was his fault and he was going to set things right. "Sirius, it's obvious you know that I've been having nightmares recently." Sirius nodded so Harry continued.
"I'm not sure why I didn't tell you and Dumbledore. It's just --- well I guess I was angry."
"Angry? I thought you didn't trust me."
"No Sirius, it isn't anything like that. It's kind of embarrassing to admit but I was angry that you and Dumbledore were still keeping things from me while expecting me to tell you all everything. Ron and Hermione have been after me to talk to one or both of you about my dreams but I was just being stubborn. I thought that I could deal with Voldemort myself. Honestly Sirius, I had no idea that you'd take it this way. I do trust you. My dad trusted you to be his best friends and that's good enough for me."
Sirius pulled Harry into a tight (but manly) hug. "You've given me a lot to think about tonight Harry, thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you son. Just for being you."
They both sat there quiet and perfectly still for a few minutes. An unspoken agreement between them to consider the other's words, both men got to their feet and slowly began walking back to the castle.
Although Harry went to all of his classes on the following day, his professors constantly chided him for not paying attention. Harry found his thoughts constantly returning to his conversation the night before with his godfather. He had known he was being childish by not telling him and Dumbledore about his nightmares but he had no idea how deeply his actions had affected Sirius. He also reflected on the irony of how he was protesting their not treating him like an adult through childish actions. All in all, by the end of the day, he was less than pleased with himself. He decided to set things right that very day.
At dinner that night, Harry approached the staff table.
Professor McGonagall was the first one to notice Harry standing there. "Potter, what can we do for you?"
"I want to ask Professor Dumbledore something if I might."
The old wizard eyed Harry over his half-mooned spectacles with the typical twinkle in his eyes. "Yes Harry, what can I do for you?"
"Professor, I was wondering if I could talk to you and Padfoot tonight?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Your godfather is a free man, Harry. You may refer to him as Sirius in public. But to answer your question I do believe that can be arranged. Why don't you come up around nine o'clock?"
"See you then." Harry responded as he went back to his table.
At ten minutes before nine Harry made his way to the Headmaster's office. He found Sirius and Dumbledore both waiting for him. Sirius quickly engulfed his godson into an embrace before returning to his position by the fireplace.
Harry took a seat and began. "I know I should have told you earlier and I'm sorry but I'm here now and I'll tell you about my recent nightmares."
Sirius and Dumbledore occasionally interrupted Harry to ask a question trying to glean every possible detail from his dreams. When he finished, he sat quietly waiting to see if the two other wizards were going to tell him anything in return or --- more likely --- chastise him from keeping secrets about something as important as Voldemort and his activities.
To Harry's surprise neither of those things happened. Dumbledore was surveying Harry and quickly answered the questions Harry was waiting to find out. "Well Harry, thank you for coming and talking to us about this. I trust you will continue to do so in the future. And now since tonight is a school night, if that's all --- "
Harry briefly looked to his godfather before getting to his feet. He made his way quickly back to his room.
The rest of the week passed without incident. The school was buzzing about the Quiddich game that was going to take place on Saturday. Slytherin and Ravenclaw were going to play the second to the last game of the year. It was an important game. If Ravenclaw won then there was no way that Slytherin could win the House Cup. However if Slytherin won they would finish the season with a 2-1 record and would have a chance of winning if Gryffindor lost their last game. Almost everyone was talking about the upcoming game.
Unfortunately for the Gryffindors, no amount of cheering could change the outcome of that game on Saturday. It was all Slytherin --- all day. Cho Chang did manage to catch the Golden Snitch before Draco Malfoy but that didn't affect the end result. Slytherin was leading by over two hundred points before Cho caught the Snitch. The rest of the Ravenclaw team was too new to compete with Malfoy's teammates and broomsticks.
The Gryffindor team was all sitting together watching the outcome from the stands. Ron was the one that did the math for the team, although they all knew it already. "That means that both the Slytherins and the Hufflepuffs could finish the year with 2-1 records. If we beat Hufflepuff then we'll be the only House with a 3-0 record. If we lose to Hufflepuff by more than seventy points then they'll win the House Cup."
"At least Slytherin can't win the Cup this year," Alicia was commenting. "I'm so glad that we beat them so badly last term." The reminder of that game and the look on Snape's face brought smiles to the faces of the entire team.
Fred spoke next. "What's the problem? All we have to do is win the next game."
George eagerly answered, "That's right. That way it's a non-issue. Now come on - let's get back to Gryffindor Tower. I think we've all earned a little break from our studies tonight so that's exactly what we're going to get."
Fred didn't need any more encouragement. He signaled something or other to Lee Jordan who seemed to understand the message immediately. He shouted into his microphone, "Gryffindors, Common Room, now!"
Out of the entire Gryffindor House, Hermione was the only one who seemed the least bit put out by the idea of not being able to spend his or her Saturday night studying. But even she relented when all four of the Weasley's started comparing her to Percy. (Even though she had always gotten along with Percy, she did recognize how few friends mostly because he put studying above his friends.)
On his way to Gryffindor Tower, Harry decided to stop by the Owlery and send Hedwig to Sirius inviting him and Remus to the party. He scrawled a quick note saying that if they couldn't come it was okay but that they were welcome to drop by if able.
When Harry got to the Common Room, the party was just starting up. The twins were nowhere in sight. Apparently they were on a "secret mission" and would return shortly. Harry could only imagine what they would bring with them. The Creevey brothers had managed to rig up some music and a few people were starting to dance in the middle of the room. Harry and Ron decided to do their parts and go to the kitchen for food.
In next to no time the party was going full blast. The twins returned with enough butterbeer to go around for everyone. They also returned with plenty of snacks but this late into the year all of the Gryffindors knew better than to touch any food from the twins. Fred and George were hoping that after a few butterbeers that some people would forget what food they brought and eat it by accident.
Sirius and Remus did in fact make it to the party. They said their hellos to everyone before grabbing a butterbeer and taking in the scene. Sirius noticed that the twins looked downcast so they went over to ask about it.
"The word is out," Fred started.
"No one is fooled by our treats no matter how we disguise them." George finished.
Sirius and Remus were both sporting large grins.
"Amateurs," Sirius commented to his old school friend.
"Definitely," Remus responded.
Fred and George were unsure how to respond to these harsh insults. But they knew they had to defend their honor. Marauders or no --- no one could call the twin's amateurs. "Now wait just a minute --- "
Remus started laughing. "Calm down boys. We mean no disrespect to you or your pranking abilities. It's just that you need to think outside of the box a little bit."
When the twins didn't answer, Sirius picked up the slack. "If the Gryffindor's don't trust your offerings, go to someone else."
Fred and George wore a matching expression of disbelief. Fred spoke first. "If our own House doesn't trust our goodies why would anyone else?"
Remus answered, "Because they won't know it's from you."
Sirius waved them all to lean in closer. "Here's what you need to do --- "
Everyone else at the party was having an equally fun time, even if they weren't learning as much as the twins were. People were munching on the snacks (only the snacks they knew to be safe though), drinking butterbeer, dancing, enjoying the music, or simply enjoying each other's company and a night off from studying. Things in the Gryffindor Tower had been so tense lately that the younger students refused to attend the party at all until Hermione promised that she wouldn't yell at anyone that night for being loud.
Everyone had a great time and the party lasted well into the night. Harry was one of the last to make his way up to his bed so his roommates let him sleep in the next day. It was Hedwig, actually, that woke him.
His owl was hooting at him to remove the letter from her leg. He took the note from his owl's leg and read it.
"Dear Harry,
After your breakfast today, please come to my office. There are things we need to discuss.
Albus Dumbledore"
From the time that Harry was showering through breakfast he couldn't help but wonder what the Headmaster wanted. He was fairly certain that he had told them everything on Wednesday evening. Surely the Headmaster wasn't angry about the party --- after all --- the Gryffindors had done much worse in the past and the party wasn't even his idea.
All in all, he had to admit to himself that he had no idea what this meeting was about. Harry sat across from Ron and Hermione eating as fast as was reasonably possible. Since he didn't know what the meeting was about yet, he decided not to tell his friends about the meeting yet. Instead he told them that he would find them soon after he took care of a few things.
He quickly made his way to Dumbledore's office. He entered to find Sirius and Remus both there as well as McGonagall and Dumbledore. Harry was more than a little taken aback at the number of those present. He glanced quickly at everyone in the room before walking over to the fireplace and settling his gaze at the Headmaster.
"Hello Harry, thank you for coming."
Harry didn't answer.
Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. "It is time," he said, "for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything."
A/N - Please don't sue me - The ending of this chapter is from one of the released excerpts from JKR's book 5.
A/N -Read, enjoy, review. Most importantly though, remember to enjoy!
Chapter 50
Tough Talk
"You!"
Harry had obviously surprised the wizard in the room. But he recovered soon enough.
"Potter! You would do well to remember your manners when you address a member of the staff. Ten points from Gryffindor for your insolent tone."
Harry knew he had to take a few seconds to calm down before he spoke. When he was ready he asked, "Where is the Headmaster?"
"I don't know Potter. Why don't you look in his office?" While he was speaking, Snape continued to pour over whatever current concoction he was currently brewing.
"I am" Harry replied as he turned and walked back out of the door he had just entered. If what Fred and George told him was true, the Headmaster's office would return - or more precisely the Potions Lab would move on to a new location - in an hour. Not wanting to wait outside the stone gargoyle for the next hour, Harry returned to his Common Room. He walked over to Ron immediately.
Ron looked up from his book about the Chudley Cannons. "What happened mate? Why are you back so soon?"
"I'll tell you in a second. Where's Hermione?"
"I'll give you one guess." Ron answered with a smile.
Harry groaned. He decided he could tell Hermione later after she returned from the library. "Guess what I saw when I opened the door to Dumbledore's office?"
"Em --- Dumbledore?"
"Nope. Snape."
"Snape? Why wasn't he in the Potions Lab trying to set things right?"
"He was."
It took a few seconds for Ron to put everything together. Harry saw the recognition form on his face before they both subsided into fits of laughter. This had the effect of getting the attention of several occupants of the Common Room, including Ron's older brothers.
"What gives?" asked Fred when he and George had made their way over.
Ron and Harry had almost managed to catch their breath but upon seeing the twins they broke down again into more laughing fits.
"Mental." George said to his twin while looking at Ron and Harry. However as soon as Ron and Harry had calmed down enough to tell the twins what Harry had just seen, they too collapsed into one big heap of laughter.
The rest of the day passed quietly enough. Hermione had returned soon after the four had finally managed to calm themselves. She didn't find the tale nearly as amusing as Harry's other audiences. Instead she browbeat everyone into studying for his or her OWLs and NEWTs respectively.
"Dinner time," announced Harry after they had been studying for what Ron and Harry thought had been forever and a day.
"Finally," said Ron as he stood up and started putting his things away.
If Ron and Harry thought that they were done studying for the night, they were sadly mistaken.
Hermione had wolfed down her meal and was sitting at the table reading a book entitled "Really Advanced Transfiguration" while waiting for Ron and Harry to finish eating. When she noticed that the boys' were almost done she started in.
"Do you two want to finish studying in the library or the Tower?"
Ron almost choked on his apple pasty. "What are you talking about? We are done studying Hermione."
"No we're not."
Ron continued. "It's Sunday. We've been studying most of the day. We need a little time to relax before starting another week of class."
Hermione glared at Ron thereby giving him her best imitation of McGonagall. "Ron, do you want to get any OWLs at all?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Harry stood up. You didn't have to be best friends with these two for five years to sense that a major argument was about to ensue. Declaring himself the unofficial peacemaker for the day, Harry decided on a course of action.
"Let's split the difference."
"How," a skeptical Hermione asked.
"Let's spend the evening working on the practical portions of the OWLs. We can work on Transfiguration, DADA and Charms."
Harry watched his two friends closely waiting for their reactions.
Hermione was the first to agree. Soon afterwards Ron also agreed and so that's just how the three spent the rest of their weekend. Mainly, Harry's goal was to stay out of the way while Ron and Hermione worked off some stored up frustration by hexing each other. It didn't take long for Ron and Hermione to tire each other out so the three turned in fairly early to be rested for the upcoming week.
After Quidditch practice on Tuesday night, Harry flew over to the stands instead of joining his team in the locker room. He pointed his new broom towards the ground and landed near a large black dog that was wagging its tail.
"Hello Sirius."
POP
"Hello Harry," Sirius responded while pulling his godson into a tight hug.
They chatted amicably for a couple of minutes before Harry finally decided to take the initiative. "Sirius, I'm always glad to see you but I get the feeling that there's something more that brought you here."
Sirius studied his godson for a couple of minutes before answering. "Well there is, and then again there isn't."
"You've been spending too much time with Dumbledore," Harry muttered. He was slightly surprised that Sirius didn't even crack a smile.
"What's wrong?"
Sirius sighed, "I don't know Harry. That's just it. You won't tell us."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked even though he was pretty sure that he knew the answer to his own question.
"Harry, I don't want to drag anything out of you. I want you to want to tell me." Sirius paused here to collect his thoughts and look into Harry's eyes for a few seconds. Harry, for his part, wouldn't take his eyes off the ground.
"Harry, look at me."
No response.
"Look at me."
Slowly, Harry raised his eyes to meet those of his godfather. He wasn't exactly sure how he had found out but Sirius obviously knew that Harry had been keeping his nightmares from him and the Headmaster.
Sirius continued, "Harry, I know I haven't always been there for you like I should have been. As a matter of fact, I know I almost have never been here for you when you needed me." He paused to collect himself and to try to find the right next few words. Harry was staring at the ground again. Part of him wanted to interrupt his godfather to console him but everything he had said so far had been true and he didn't know what to say.
"Harry, I need you to look at me."
Again, Harry slowly raised his eyes to meet his godfather's. He was startled to see how red and shiny they were.
"Harry, I know that we haven't really spent that much time together although I would like nothing more. I can't expect you to forgive me --- "
This shocked Harry into talking. "Forgive you? For what?"
"For what? For not being there --- For losing my temper and going after Pettigrew instead of ensuring that someone would be there for you as you grew up --- For living with the Dursley's all those years --- For not being able to protect you since you came to Hogwarts--- For not giving you a home after I escaped ---For everything."
Now it was Sirius' turn to stare at the ground and Harry's turn to try to find the right words.
"Sirius, I don't know what to say --- "
"You don't have to say to say anything Harry," Sirius responded as he covered his face with both of his hands.
It was obvious that the older wizard didn't want to be seen crying by his godson. Harry put his hand on his godfather's shoulder. "What I was going to say was that I don't know what to say to make you not blame yourself for any of that. I don't blame you Sirius."
Sirius only shook his head, not answering.
"Sirius, it's true we don't know each other as well as I would like, but that will come with time. I don't blame you for anything."
Harry waited for a response but continued speaking when it was obvious that none was forthcoming.
"If anyone is to blame Sirius it's me, not you." Whatever effect Harry was hoping for he obviously did not achieve because his last sentence resulted in Sirius shaking his head even more furiously and gulping down a couple of breaths of air.
"I'm sorry Sirius. What did I say?"
No answer.
"Sirius, I'm really sorry for whatever I did. Please stop crying."
Once again, this had the opposite effect of what Harry intended. At a total loss for what to do, Harry just waited silently for Sirius to work himself out of it. He didn't have to wait long before Sirius managed to continue what he started.
"Harry, please believe me when I say that you've done nothing wrong. If you don't trust me enough to tell me everything yet, it's ok. We'll get there. I just wanted you to know that I was here if you wanted to talk about anything."
This was too much for Harry to bear. It was his fault and he was going to set things right. "Sirius, it's obvious you know that I've been having nightmares recently." Sirius nodded so Harry continued.
"I'm not sure why I didn't tell you and Dumbledore. It's just --- well I guess I was angry."
"Angry? I thought you didn't trust me."
"No Sirius, it isn't anything like that. It's kind of embarrassing to admit but I was angry that you and Dumbledore were still keeping things from me while expecting me to tell you all everything. Ron and Hermione have been after me to talk to one or both of you about my dreams but I was just being stubborn. I thought that I could deal with Voldemort myself. Honestly Sirius, I had no idea that you'd take it this way. I do trust you. My dad trusted you to be his best friends and that's good enough for me."
Sirius pulled Harry into a tight (but manly) hug. "You've given me a lot to think about tonight Harry, thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you son. Just for being you."
They both sat there quiet and perfectly still for a few minutes. An unspoken agreement between them to consider the other's words, both men got to their feet and slowly began walking back to the castle.
Although Harry went to all of his classes on the following day, his professors constantly chided him for not paying attention. Harry found his thoughts constantly returning to his conversation the night before with his godfather. He had known he was being childish by not telling him and Dumbledore about his nightmares but he had no idea how deeply his actions had affected Sirius. He also reflected on the irony of how he was protesting their not treating him like an adult through childish actions. All in all, by the end of the day, he was less than pleased with himself. He decided to set things right that very day.
At dinner that night, Harry approached the staff table.
Professor McGonagall was the first one to notice Harry standing there. "Potter, what can we do for you?"
"I want to ask Professor Dumbledore something if I might."
The old wizard eyed Harry over his half-mooned spectacles with the typical twinkle in his eyes. "Yes Harry, what can I do for you?"
"Professor, I was wondering if I could talk to you and Padfoot tonight?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Your godfather is a free man, Harry. You may refer to him as Sirius in public. But to answer your question I do believe that can be arranged. Why don't you come up around nine o'clock?"
"See you then." Harry responded as he went back to his table.
At ten minutes before nine Harry made his way to the Headmaster's office. He found Sirius and Dumbledore both waiting for him. Sirius quickly engulfed his godson into an embrace before returning to his position by the fireplace.
Harry took a seat and began. "I know I should have told you earlier and I'm sorry but I'm here now and I'll tell you about my recent nightmares."
Sirius and Dumbledore occasionally interrupted Harry to ask a question trying to glean every possible detail from his dreams. When he finished, he sat quietly waiting to see if the two other wizards were going to tell him anything in return or --- more likely --- chastise him from keeping secrets about something as important as Voldemort and his activities.
To Harry's surprise neither of those things happened. Dumbledore was surveying Harry and quickly answered the questions Harry was waiting to find out. "Well Harry, thank you for coming and talking to us about this. I trust you will continue to do so in the future. And now since tonight is a school night, if that's all --- "
Harry briefly looked to his godfather before getting to his feet. He made his way quickly back to his room.
The rest of the week passed without incident. The school was buzzing about the Quiddich game that was going to take place on Saturday. Slytherin and Ravenclaw were going to play the second to the last game of the year. It was an important game. If Ravenclaw won then there was no way that Slytherin could win the House Cup. However if Slytherin won they would finish the season with a 2-1 record and would have a chance of winning if Gryffindor lost their last game. Almost everyone was talking about the upcoming game.
Unfortunately for the Gryffindors, no amount of cheering could change the outcome of that game on Saturday. It was all Slytherin --- all day. Cho Chang did manage to catch the Golden Snitch before Draco Malfoy but that didn't affect the end result. Slytherin was leading by over two hundred points before Cho caught the Snitch. The rest of the Ravenclaw team was too new to compete with Malfoy's teammates and broomsticks.
The Gryffindor team was all sitting together watching the outcome from the stands. Ron was the one that did the math for the team, although they all knew it already. "That means that both the Slytherins and the Hufflepuffs could finish the year with 2-1 records. If we beat Hufflepuff then we'll be the only House with a 3-0 record. If we lose to Hufflepuff by more than seventy points then they'll win the House Cup."
"At least Slytherin can't win the Cup this year," Alicia was commenting. "I'm so glad that we beat them so badly last term." The reminder of that game and the look on Snape's face brought smiles to the faces of the entire team.
Fred spoke next. "What's the problem? All we have to do is win the next game."
George eagerly answered, "That's right. That way it's a non-issue. Now come on - let's get back to Gryffindor Tower. I think we've all earned a little break from our studies tonight so that's exactly what we're going to get."
Fred didn't need any more encouragement. He signaled something or other to Lee Jordan who seemed to understand the message immediately. He shouted into his microphone, "Gryffindors, Common Room, now!"
Out of the entire Gryffindor House, Hermione was the only one who seemed the least bit put out by the idea of not being able to spend his or her Saturday night studying. But even she relented when all four of the Weasley's started comparing her to Percy. (Even though she had always gotten along with Percy, she did recognize how few friends mostly because he put studying above his friends.)
On his way to Gryffindor Tower, Harry decided to stop by the Owlery and send Hedwig to Sirius inviting him and Remus to the party. He scrawled a quick note saying that if they couldn't come it was okay but that they were welcome to drop by if able.
When Harry got to the Common Room, the party was just starting up. The twins were nowhere in sight. Apparently they were on a "secret mission" and would return shortly. Harry could only imagine what they would bring with them. The Creevey brothers had managed to rig up some music and a few people were starting to dance in the middle of the room. Harry and Ron decided to do their parts and go to the kitchen for food.
In next to no time the party was going full blast. The twins returned with enough butterbeer to go around for everyone. They also returned with plenty of snacks but this late into the year all of the Gryffindors knew better than to touch any food from the twins. Fred and George were hoping that after a few butterbeers that some people would forget what food they brought and eat it by accident.
Sirius and Remus did in fact make it to the party. They said their hellos to everyone before grabbing a butterbeer and taking in the scene. Sirius noticed that the twins looked downcast so they went over to ask about it.
"The word is out," Fred started.
"No one is fooled by our treats no matter how we disguise them." George finished.
Sirius and Remus were both sporting large grins.
"Amateurs," Sirius commented to his old school friend.
"Definitely," Remus responded.
Fred and George were unsure how to respond to these harsh insults. But they knew they had to defend their honor. Marauders or no --- no one could call the twin's amateurs. "Now wait just a minute --- "
Remus started laughing. "Calm down boys. We mean no disrespect to you or your pranking abilities. It's just that you need to think outside of the box a little bit."
When the twins didn't answer, Sirius picked up the slack. "If the Gryffindor's don't trust your offerings, go to someone else."
Fred and George wore a matching expression of disbelief. Fred spoke first. "If our own House doesn't trust our goodies why would anyone else?"
Remus answered, "Because they won't know it's from you."
Sirius waved them all to lean in closer. "Here's what you need to do --- "
Everyone else at the party was having an equally fun time, even if they weren't learning as much as the twins were. People were munching on the snacks (only the snacks they knew to be safe though), drinking butterbeer, dancing, enjoying the music, or simply enjoying each other's company and a night off from studying. Things in the Gryffindor Tower had been so tense lately that the younger students refused to attend the party at all until Hermione promised that she wouldn't yell at anyone that night for being loud.
Everyone had a great time and the party lasted well into the night. Harry was one of the last to make his way up to his bed so his roommates let him sleep in the next day. It was Hedwig, actually, that woke him.
His owl was hooting at him to remove the letter from her leg. He took the note from his owl's leg and read it.
"Dear Harry,
After your breakfast today, please come to my office. There are things we need to discuss.
Albus Dumbledore"
From the time that Harry was showering through breakfast he couldn't help but wonder what the Headmaster wanted. He was fairly certain that he had told them everything on Wednesday evening. Surely the Headmaster wasn't angry about the party --- after all --- the Gryffindors had done much worse in the past and the party wasn't even his idea.
All in all, he had to admit to himself that he had no idea what this meeting was about. Harry sat across from Ron and Hermione eating as fast as was reasonably possible. Since he didn't know what the meeting was about yet, he decided not to tell his friends about the meeting yet. Instead he told them that he would find them soon after he took care of a few things.
He quickly made his way to Dumbledore's office. He entered to find Sirius and Remus both there as well as McGonagall and Dumbledore. Harry was more than a little taken aback at the number of those present. He glanced quickly at everyone in the room before walking over to the fireplace and settling his gaze at the Headmaster.
"Hello Harry, thank you for coming."
Harry didn't answer.
Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses. "It is time," he said, "for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything."
A/N - Please don't sue me - The ending of this chapter is from one of the released excerpts from JKR's book 5.