Chapter Six

Dear Hermione, That is so weird I mean about you being kidnapped. I would like to come see you over the summer. I bet it'll be better for Harry with "Padfoot" gone he probably won't want to got back to headquarters. It'll do him good not to go there just yet. Tell me what his answer is when you get it. Miss you too, Ron

"Leave it to Ron to be obvious," I thought. I got out of the tub and put on a robe that was laid out for me. It was a pink robe and it had pink fluffy slippers. I put the letter on the counter in my bathroom. I combed through my tangled hair. That's what sucked about wavy hair is when you get it wet it goes into a big poof ball and you can barely get a comb through it. I can't wait until I graduate so that I can use magic all the time. Then there was a knock on my door.

"Come in," I called.

"Hello," Maddie said as she entered the bathroom.

"Hi," I said.

"I was just coming to tell you that the party is going to start soon so you should probably get ready," Maddie said. "I don't know if you saw the clothes."

"I saw them thank you very much," I said.

"You're welcome," Maddie said. "Did you get a letter back from one of your friends?"

"Oh yes Ron," I said. "Here." I gave her the letter to read. I'll just tell her Padfoot was his dog and headquarters is our clubhouse and he always brought his dog with him.

"All right," Maddie said her voice had become shaky.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," she said. "Let's go see what dress you picked out."

"Okay," I said but I would ask her later what was wrong.

"So what dress are you going to where?" she asked.

"This one," I said pulling down the one I had chosen earlier.

"I love that one," Maddie said.

"What was wrong earlier?" I asked. I didn't want to let it drop.

"I told you nothing," she said. I could tell she was lying.

"Please tell me," I urged.

"It's just the name Padfoot," she said.

"Yeah that was Harry's dog," I lied.

"Um sure but I think it's ironic that he named him Padfoot," Maddie said. I was getting what she was talking about now. She had been in Gryffindor the same year as Sirius. She saw the name Padfoot and freaked out. She must have known his nickname.

"You mean because that was his godfather's nickname," I said.

"How do you know that?" Maddie asked.

"I- Um-" I didn't know what to say now then I decided just to tell her the truth I mean she is my mom. "I knew Sirius."

"How?" she asked.

"Well you need to know the truth I guess," I said and explained that he was innocent.

"You've got to be joking," Maddie said.

"No," I said.

"Oh my god," she said. "Where is he?"

"He died," I told her.

"What?" Maddie asked.

"Yea," I said and explained, omitting some details, of the adventure in the 5th year.

"So he really is back," Maddie said.

"Yes Voldemort is back," I told her. She didn't wince at the name.

"Sirius is dead though," Maddie said.

"Yes," I said. "Um can I ask you about my father?"

"Yes," Maddie said. "He was very smart although he didn't always act it."

"You said he was in Ravenclaw," I said.

"Well actually he was in Gryffindor," Maddie said.

"Why did you tell me he was in Ravenclaw then?" I asked.

"I had told you that what year I was in and I didn't, well I don't know," Maddie stammered.

"What was my dad's name?" I asked. Just then a maid came in.

"Mam guests are arriving," the maid said.

"Thank you Tanya," Maddie said. "I'll tell you later. Get dressed but I'll come get you when its time for you to come down."

"All right," I said. I got dressed and straightened my hair. (With the help of a maid and magic.) I put on a little bit of make-up even though I hated it, and finally I found some shoes that matched my dress.

"Time to come down," Maddie said. I followed her through a door that I didn't notice exploring and down a hall that led to the grand staircase. I waited while I was announced.

"Now presenting Ms. Hermione Granger," I walked forward to the top of the stairs. I looked around at the audience and started down the stairs.

"What do I do?" I asked Maddie.

"Dance and drink," Maddie said.

"Drink what?" I asked.

"Punch, Soda, whatever," Maddie said and was swept away by her guests.

"Would you like to dance?" said a very familiar voice.

"Malfoy!" I said.