This was a fun chapter to write. It is little bit of foreshadowing……

I hope you guys are still reading, reviews have been down a bit, not that I'm complaining, I appreciate all of your support…..

Thanks again to my reviewers and readers.

You guys are amazing…..

Anyways….brief….if you haven't read my L/J fic, than this chapter might not make much sense, but eventually I'll tie I all together….

And make sure you pay close attention to Harry's presents, they'll play an important part later in the story..

Read and Review

Nothing is My Own


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Chapter Nineteen: Right to Know the Truth

"Harry wake up, it's Christmas morning," Ron said excitedly tossing a present towards his head.

"Ron, watch it, you almost hit me," Harry said quickly dodging the flying box.

"Sorry mate, I thought you had good reflexes," Ron laughed tearing into his first box.

Like everything else in his life, Christmas just wasn't the same without his Godfather. Harry's Firebolt gleamed in the corner where Harry had been tending to it the night before with his repair kit. Making sure all the twigs were as they should be, it was the first present Sirius had ever given him.

"You play as well as your father did," Harry heard a voice say in his head. He shook his head trying to escape the memory of Sirius's voice.

"Aren't you going to open your presents?" Ron suddenly asked, noticing that Harry wasn't joining in the festivities.

Harry forced a smile and ripped the paper off the present in his hand, another planner from Hermione.

"Is that the only thing she can give us is more books," Ron asked quietly holding up an identical book in his hand.

Harry let out a soft chuckle, before rising to his feet.

"Here open mine next!" Ron said excitedly shoving the gift at Harry.

He peeled back the paper on the sloppy wrapped gift, "thanks Ron."

"I couldn't think what else to get you," Ron confessed.

"It's perfect," Harry smiled holding up his small pensive.

"It's small, not like the real one you've described in Dumbledore's office, it only holds one or two memories at most."

Harry placed the small bowl aside and shuffled though the rest of his gifts. Lupin had gotten him a book on Animagi. Mrs. Weasley, her normally goodies and green knitted sweater. Dobby had really gone out of his way this year, getting him a whole outfit, mismatched of course.

The last two seemed strange to Harry, since he didn't expect either of them. One was small, the other was a bit larger.

"I wonder who sent you those?" Ron asked with a mouthful of Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Harry shrugged choosing to open the large one first, "it's from Cho."

"Well, open already," Ron urged.

Harry slowly opened the present, instantly feeling guilty since he hadn't gotten her anything.

"WOW! Is that what I think it is?" Ron exclaimed jumping to his knees.

Cho had gotten him an actual Quidditch strategic planner board, with small miniature player he could position and play out strategies to see if they would work.

"She's been helping me with game strategies and stuff," Harry said quickly noticing the look in Ron's eyes.

Ron laughed, "a girl doesn't give you a gift like that for nothing."

Harry choose to ignore him picking up the last gift in his pile, it didn't have a name on it. When he opened the box a poof of pink powder exploded in his face and a sweet rhyme erupted.

"I'm someone that you surely know,

Our feeling once did almost show.

To you I send this Christmas gift,

So close your eyes and make a wish."

"Holy Merlin Harry, that's a wishing potion!" Ron exclaimed.

"A what?" Harry asked with a cough.

"Quick! Make a wish before it wears off," Ron rising to his feet.

Harry eyes grew wide, "I wish I knew what Professor O'Riley and Lupin were talking about the other night."

"You wasted your wish on that!" Ron said disappointed, "I'd have wished for a million gallaons."

Harry shrugged, "it didn't matter, nothing happened."

"Oh Harry, it doesn't work that way. Even in the magical world, wishes take time to come true."

Harry stared at the empty box, "I wonder who sent me a wishing potion?"

"Someone you were close to once," Ron said in response.

Harry sighed, "but who?"

"Happy Christmas you two!" Hermione exclaimed making her appearance.

"Happy Christmas Hermione," Harry welcomed, "Happy Christmas to you too Ginny."

"Harry got a wishing potion!" Ron blurted out.

"Really, who sent you a wishing potion?" Hermione asked narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Don't know, it didn't have name on the package," Harry replied.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "it doesn't matter, they don't work anyways."

"Yes they do," Ron interjected.

"Ron, don't be so naïve, if they really worked how come everybody doesn't make one to use?" Hermione questioned.

"Because their complex magic," Ron defended.

Hermione let out another sigh, "So explain why Fudge or even Voldemort doesn't use one. Even if it was complex magic, Voldemort could have made one and wished for the prophecy last year."

Ron crinkled his face, which was a sign he had lost this argument.

"What did you wish for anyways?" Ginny asked, hoping to take the pressure for Ron to retort.

"Nothing really, it was a stupid wish," Harry said quickly, him and Ron had kept the conversation they had heard to themselves.

Ginny eyed him suspiciously, "if it isn't anything, tell us?"

"He wished he knew what Professor O'Riley and Lupin were talking about the other night," Ron said suddenly with a shrug as Harry gave him a cold glare.

"What? they would have got it out of us eventually."

Hermione looked at Harry, "what do you mean, I don't understand."

Harry surrendered, "the other night me and Ron overheard Professor O'Riley and Lupin talking in the kitchen. Lupin said that Sirius told him he thought about Professor O'Riley everyday before he…"

"Oh my, I knew she was hiding something. It's the way she looks at Remus," Hermione stated.

"The way she looks at Remus?" Ron questioned.

"You two really are clueless, she's in love with him," Hermione revealed.

Ron laughed, "you're crazy. How could she be in love with Remus?"

Hermione turned to say something to Ginny but she nodded, "I know, my brother is an insensitive pig."

"What?" Ron said suddenly offended.

Harry shook his head, "Hermione, that doesn't make any sense, Remus said Sirius thought about her everyday, not himself."

"Isn't it obvious Harry?" Hermione said with frustration. It was obvious he didn't see what was so obvious.

"Remember in our third year when we were in the shrieking shack? Well, Remus said he thought Sirius was the spy, and Sirius thought Remus was the spy."

"I still don't see you point?" Harry said desperately.

Hermione took a deep breath, "she came between them. That's why they didn't trust each other."

"Harry, remember when Lupin said he might have well kill your mum and dad?" Ron jumped in.

Harry shook his head, "I don't think that's it."

"It makes perfect sense," Hermione argued.

"I can't see Sirius and Lupin throwing away their friendship over a girl. They had too much between them for something so trivial," Harry said flatly.

"Boys are trivial," Ginny added.

The four finished getting ready and walked down to the main parlor, where December O'Riley and Remus Lupin were exchanging a laugh.

"Happy Christmas," Lupin offered watching them come down the stairs.

"Happy Christmas," Hermione offered as the rest of the group stared at the two defense teachers suspiciously.

"Mrs. Weasley's fixing breakfast, it should be done shortly," Lupin replied happily rising to his feet to go into the kitchen.

Harry was about to follow Remus and his fellow housemates into the kitchen when December grab his shoulder and told him to wait for a minuet.

"Harry, I didn't want to give you your present from me to be at the end of your bed this morning," she started, "I can't show favoritism with my students."

"I understand, but you really didn't have to get me anything," Harry said quickly, feeling awkward.

"I didn't really get you anything tangible, it's more of an offer. I talked with Professor Dumbledore, and he told me about your Occlemency lessons last year with Professor Snape."

Harry felt a lump developing in his throat, it wasn't exactly a subject he wanted to talk about.

"I would like to continue your lesson. I'm good at the subject, for personal reasons," she offered, "only if you want to that is."

Harry nodded, "can I think about it?"

"Oh course, but me and Professor Dumbledore agree that it is essential you continue this subject, whether with me or not. Your mind is still open to the Dark Lord, and he could still try to use that to his advantage."

Harry didn't need to be reminded of what Voldemort could or would do. The empty void in his heart was a constant reminder, "I can't do it. If I had listen to what everyone was telling me last year, than…"

"Sirius Black wouldn't be dead," she finished for him.

"Don't do that to yourself Harry, I've spent fifteen years of my life doing the same exact thing, and now I also am blaming myself for Sirius's death."

"You don't understand, I failed. I was too weak to keep Voldemort out of my mind and he prayed upon my pathetic need to always play the hero," Harry spat.

"Your strong and brave Harry, and there is no shame in wanting to save those close to you. Don't ever question who you are," Professor O'Riley said sincerely.

Harry felt like running, like hiding in his room and closing himself off like he had done on Privet Drive over the summer.

"Think about it, and let me know if you would like me to help you with Occlemency."

"Thanks Professor," Harry finally managed to get out.

Christmas breakfast was fantastic, and Mrs.Weasley made a fuss over everyone eating seconds.

"Where is everyone?" Harry finally questioned noticing the absent of the majority of the Weasley family.

"Oh don't worry about it dear, somebody had to keep up the Order watches during the holiday," Mrs. Weasley said casually.

"All of them?" Hermione picked up noticing Bill, Charile, Mr. Weasley, and even Fred and George were missing.

"Percy didn't think it would be right to show up for breakfast, he promised to stop by later," Mrs. Weasley said starting to shake slightly.

"Molly, let me clean up, you've done enough," Professor O'Riley offered.

"Oh no December, I don't mind. It helps me keep my mind busy," Mrs. Weasley said sweetly.

"I can't believe Percy has the nerve to show-up. I'll give that stupid git a piece of my mind," Ron whispered over towards Harry.

"Ron," Hermione said sternly giving him one of her disappointed looks.

"What?" Ron asked innocently.

"Why do you have to be such an insensitive wart?" Hermione hissed.

"Me and Remus will be relieving the Weasley's this evening, so they'll be home for dinner," Professor O'Riley said trying to perk Mrs. Weasley's spirit's a bit.

"I know dear, Professor Dumbledore asked me to go with you, we need the numbers in case something happens," Mrs. Weasley replied, her eyes filling with more worry with every word.

"Things are going to be fine Molly," Remus tried to assure her.

The loud pop of an apparation sounded in the living room, and Mrs Weasley walked to the kitchen door to see who had dropped by for a visit.

"Percy dear, you just missed breakfast."

"That's okay mum, I can't stay long. I just wanted to wish everyone Happy Christmas," Percy said quickly.

Ron's face turned a deep shade of red, and although Hermione was trying to cling onto Ron's robe sleeve, it was a vain attempt. Ron jumped out of his seat and pushed his way into the parlor.

"You stupid prat!" Ron said viciously.

"Hello Ron," Percy attempted to greet.

"Don't you hello Ron me! You haven't even spoken to me in over a year, unless you count that stupid letter you wrote me. How dare you tell me not to trust my best friend, what gave you the right to do that?"

"Ron, I don't know what to say," Percy replied in his normal snobby tone.

"You've never had that problem before! Bet you feel really dumb now that the Minster has admitted that Vol- Voldemort is back!"

Percy nodded, "I understand you're angry with me."

"No, I'm not angry. I don't want to know you anymore, as far as I'm concerned you're not my brother, you're an insult to the Weasley family name!"

"Ron," Mrs. Weasley pleaded in tears.

"I'm sorry mum, but I can't accept him," Ron said suddenly before storming upstairs.

"Maybe I should go," Percy offered.

Mrs. Weasley nodded, "that probably a good idea, I'll tell your other brothers and your father you stopped by."

"Happy Christmas mum," Percy said again, "tell Harry I'm sorry."

Harry saw a flash of red hair sweep past him before Hermione grabbed his arm dragging him upstairs. They followed Ginny, with a sense of fate in the air.

"RON WEASLEY! HOW COULD YOU!" Ginny shrilled.

"He deserved it!" Ron defended.

Ginny slammed her foot into the ground, "you know how much this meant to mum!"

Harry widened his eyes, Ginny was a bit intimidation when she was angry.

"What about the rest of us, do you realize what he asked me to do last year!" Ron exclaimed now rising to his feet.

"I DON'T BLOODY CARE! I EXPECTED THIS OUT OF FRED AND GEORGE, NEVER YOU!"

Hermione placed her hand on Ron's shoulder trying to silently urge him not to retaliate.

"I am better than Fred and George, they probably would have cursed the daylights out of him," Ron spat back hatefully.

"Ron please," Hermione begged.

Ginny narrowed her eyes, "you're no better than him Ronald Weasley, you just broke our mother's heart."