Author: darkjedi
Title: The wall
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Yeah, sure. I'm J.K. Rowling and I own this. No, I don't think so.
Summary: An alternate Universe fic. Sirius only killed Peter. And was released from prison. Now, ten years later, Harry's' sparked interest in his godfather leads him to a man who calls himself 'The Grim.'
A/N: I'M BACK!!!!! I am SO sorry that it took so long. I had a bad spring break. (Surgery, on spring break. Life is full of surprises) I wrote the last part of this right after I got out of the hospital and the pain killers hadn't worn off so when I woke up the next morning there wasn't a coherent word from the third page on. But now I'm back in school and I can type when class is finished. YAY FOR ME! Also, I would like to say that I have a beta-reader now! YAY FOR SNUFFLES! YOU'RE A GODDESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Wall, chapter 7
The next morning, Harry went down to the inn early, way too early for a normal thirteen year old with no supervision to get them up. He grabbed an early breakfast at the inn, and then took one last look around at the odd assortment of shops. Especially Quality Quidditch supplies (A/N: I have a book in my lap, therefore I spelled it right!) He spent several minutes in the shop looking at their new broom, the Firebolt. It was now Harry's favorite broom, but he could not justify emptying his vault for one when he already had a perfectly good broom. He had owled Ron earlier in the week and had arranged to meet him and Hermione in the ice cream shop at 12:30. So, at fifteen after, he went to wait for them. " Harry, HARRY!!" Harry, who had been engrossed in the sundae he had gotten looked up and saw the two of them, Ron and Hermione, dashing toward him. Ron looking very freckly and Hermione very brown. Both were carrying large bags filled with schoolbooks, quills, parchment and inkbottles. " Hi guys!" Harry said relived that he was finally with his friends again, " How was your summer?"
" Fine." Said Ron. "Look." He pulled out a long, slick wand and smiled " We got it from the winnings that dad got out of that draw at work, remember me telling you about it?" " Yeah, that's great."
Ron's smile grew. " We were hoping to catch you early, at the Leaky Cauldron, but they said that you were already gone, so we've been looking for you every else."
" I got my books and stuff last week."
" Well, you could've told us that." Said Hermione. " We went to the book shop, Madame Malkins, Quality Quidditch supplies and..."
" Harry, did you see the new broom they've got? Isn't it awesome?"
" Yeah!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. " Honestly, you two!"
" What did you do over the summer, Harry? Ouch!!" It was obvious to Harry that Hermione had kicked Ron, and he felt the pit of his stomach fall out. Hermione was glaring at Ron and then she turned her gaze and her eyes softened.
" What...what have you heard?" He asked cautiously.
" That... that you left your uncles." Ron started.
" And that they...err... weren't the best of guardians." Hermione finished
" Is that all?"
They both nodded. And Harry inwardly sighed in relief. They hadn't found out about him being abused. Harry hoped that word of it would never get out. He dreaded anyone founding out...No one knew, or would ever know, except for Cyrus, but that hadn't happened by choice, and maybe even, one day hopefully, his godfather, who might be able to understand.
" Yeah, well...it wasn't that bad really." Harry lied, hoping to loosen the intensity in the conversation. " Really, I'm fine."
Ron and Hermione looked very relieved.
" We...we were afraid that ... well, if wasn't that bad, then it doesn't matter what we though. How did you get here, anyway? To Diagon ally, I mean?"
Harry blushed and smiled.
" You'd never believe me."
" Try us."
So Harry told them of how he got into a fight with his uncle, how he left his home and met Cyrus and how he had met Lupin. (a.k.a. Chapters 3-6) Harry braced himself for the blow and when it didn't come for a few moments he thought that Hermione had either lightened up or died where she sat.
Unfortunately, it was neither. She was just getting redder in the face until she finally exploded in his face.
" HARRY JAMES POTTER!!!" Hermione started, " WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE YOU THINKING!!!" people were staring now " RUNNING AROUND ENGLAND LIKE THAT WITH A COMPLETE STRANGER!!!" Harry had gone a little red." HE DIDN'T EVEN SHOW YOU HIS FACE!!! AND YOU GOT ON A BUS WITH HIM!!!" Now Harry was bright red." DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!! WHAT IF HE HAD BEEN A SERVANT FOR VOLDEMORT!!! HUH?" now Ron was feeling embarrassed for Harry." HE COULD'VE KILLED YOU AND..."
" HERMIONE!!!" Harry yelled. She stopped.
" Chill, nothing happened, he didn't kill me, obviously, besides, I've got something more important to tell you."
" What is more important than you risking you life?"
" I have a godfather."
This did not render the response Harry had hoped for. Hermione looked even angrier and Ron just stared at him stupidly.
" What?" Harry asked.
" I suppose that this 'Cyrus' told you this?" Hermione said bitterly.
" No, my godfather wrote to me."
Her attitude changed suddenly.
" When?"
" Years ago. I just got the letters last week."
"Ron, what's up?"
" Huh?"
" You're just staring off into space like a idiot. What's wrong?"
" Well, I just... Harry, are you sure?"
" What, of course I'm sure! You need to read the letters to understand, the...the way their written, you can tell this guy is for real."
" Ok, but Harry, you might want to look into this a little more closer..." Ron said.
" I am. And I'd like you to help me."
" Harry, does he say where he's been all these years?"
" He... He said he had made some mistakes that he had done... but that doesn't matter. "
" Harry." Hermione said. "It does matter. What if he's been...? I don't want to even think of the possibilities."
" What possibilities?" Harry was starting to get angry with her. He had just told her the best news in his life and she was acting like it was some kind of Voldemort trap. It couldn't be, could it?
But now that he thought about it, it did seem suspicious. No one had ever mentioned that he had a godfather before. And Harry was sure that Hagrid or Dumbledore or even Mr. Weasley would have mentioned him at some point, no matter what he had done.
"Hermione. I ... I can see where you are coming from, sort of. But I still want to look into it, you know?
" No, Harry, I don't know, please, tell me why you want to go looking for a man who you don't even know the name of and could very well be a servant of Voldemort?"
" You ... you just have to read the letters..."
" Harry, It doesn't matter what the letters say..."
" IT MATTERS TO ME!!!" Harry yelled, surprising everyone, even himself.
" Look" He said, after he took a deep, calming breath. "I have never had anyone tell me they love me, not once, all right? And he did, at least three times and it's just the little things, you know? Little things like what my first words were and where my first steps were, that sort of thing, you guys have easy access too, your parents are just down the street, you can just walk up to them and they can tell you. My parents are gone, so I have no idea. No one paid attention to me before Voldemort tried to kill me. My parents did, and I bet my godfather did, too. There are some questions that only my parents can answer, but their not here, but their best friend may very well be. You see? If there is even the slightest chance that he's still out there than I want...need to find him. Can you understand?"
Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times before she looked away from them, wiping her eyes for some strange reason and turned back to them.
" Yeah, I ... I guess I can understand. I'm sorry, Harry, really, it's just... I don't know. It seems kind of hopeless? Dangerous? Both?"
Harry laughed.
"Please, Hermione, it's us. Even if we didn't know about this, something would have happened to us. It always does, and it's not as though we've never done anything like this before, remember Nicholas Flammel?"
Ron smiled. " Yeah, I bet we don't have to sneak to look in he restricted section to find Harry's Godfather."
Harry nodded.
" So... so you are going to help me then?" Harry said.
" Of course we are! I bet I can find something on him in ..." and she paused. " Harry, what's ..... um..... do you know anything about him?" Hermione asked
" Well..." In truth, Harry didn't know a thing about him. Except that he was a friend of his parents, but that didn't really help.
"No." He finally said.
" Well, I think we should start looking for his name. Do you know anyone who would know? " Ron said.
" Yeah, I think Professor Lupin knew him."
" Well, did you ask him?" Hermione said, looking confused.
"I started to, but we got a little distracted."
" By what?"
" Don't ask."
" Ok, well, we can go to his apartment... No, that's a little rude. Maybe we can ask him when school starts... Do you think he would tell us? Are you sure he knows?"
"I...Yeah, pretty sure." Harry said, feeling his stomach turn.
"Ok, well. Once we find your godfather's name, then what?"
They talked for several minutes more on this subject, and then Hermione stood and said that she wanted to go to the magical pet shop they had scene on their way, she was planning on getting an owl.
" It's not fair, really. Harry has Hedwig and Ron has Errol."
" He's not mine, he's the families!"
"Well, same difference. Besides, I have early birthday money from my parents and I want to get an owl."
Ron grunted.
"Well, I was thinking about getting a new pet anyway." He said.
" What about Scabbers?" Harry asked looking at Ron.
" Oh, didn't I tell you? He died, during the summer. Right after we left school."
" He died?"
"Well, I don't know. I might of just lost him on the train."
Despite the casual way Ron said it. Harry could tell that the loss of his pet had hurt him. Harry silently vowed that if Ron didn't get a new pet today, Harry would get him one for Christmas.
"This is the place." Harry said, pointing toward the pet shop building.
"Why Hello dears! How can I help you?" Asked the women behind the counter as the three of them walked in.
"I'm looking for a pet." Hermione said, looking around.
" Oh, and what did you have in mind?"
"An owl."
"Well, come right this way, and we'll..."
But before she could finish, something very large, furry and orange practically charged at Ron and Harry, who were still standing in front of the door.
" Crookshanks, NO!"
Too late, the cat had pounced on Harry and dug it's claws in his knee.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! GET OFF! GET OFF!! GET OFF!!!"
"HERE, HERE. Oh, he's such a feisty one, isn't he!" The woman screamed reaching for the ball of fur.
"I'LL SAY!" Said Harry, who had kicked the 'feisty cat' off his knee and was now searching for holes in his pants.
" Mean little devil cat, I'd say!" Said Ron
" HE IS NOT!"
The boys looked up to see Hermione, who had taken the animal from the owners arms and was now holding the creature and rubbing under the felines chin affectionately.
" Hermione, what are you doing?"
"Oh, isn't he gorgeous."
"No." Harry and Ron said together.
" Well, I think he is!"
" You're not going to get him, are you?"
Hermione paused. And then looked at the shop owner.
"How much is he?" "I can't believe you." Harry said at dinner that night. He, Hermione and The Weasley's were seated together with three of four tables pushed together in the inn. The twins were laughing and whispering to each other. This earned nervous looks from the others. Percy was in the middle of a conversation with his parents about...Well; Harry was trying not to listen to their conversation, on account of the fact that he wanted to stay awake during the course of the meal. Ginny and Hermione were sitting opposite Harry and Ron and Ginny had decided to take up for Hermione on this one. Of course, Ginny hadn't been in the store when her brother and Harry were an attacked by a creature Ron had deemed 'The Demon Ball of Fluff'.
" And what is so wrong with Crookshanks?" Hermione asked angrily. : What'd he ever do to you?"
" HE TRIED TO KILL ME!"
" He did not."
"Ron, calm down. Hermione, he did try to kill us. You had to see the look in his eyes when he was charging at us. He was meant to kill."
Hermione, sensing Harry's humor, smiled at him and turned to Ron, who was still not looking ever happy.
"Is that true, Ron?" She asked sweetly.
"Um...yeah, it is."
Hermione reached down and grabbed her cat, who had apparently been sitting in her lap, and pulled him up and looked strait in her eyes.
" Did you try to hurt them, you adorable ball of fluff you?"
The cat purred.
"Well, that settles it then." She said.
"No it doesn't!" Ron said outraged.
"Ron! We won! He purred, that means yes. He did try to kill us." Harry laughed.
"No it doesn't" said Hermione. " Because he was saying yes to me, not you. He was saying yes, he was an adorable ball of fluff."
The conversation carried on like this until Mr. Weasley sent them to bed. Harry, now full and very content, crawled into his bed and pulled the blankets around him with a smile on his face as he thought of his next term and how much better it looked than the last.
A/N-It only took me three periods and break to finish this. WHOO! Again, I am so sorry about the wait. It's the longest I've ever gone without posting and it's scaring me. Getting 8 up won't take this long, I promise.
Title: The wall
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Yeah, sure. I'm J.K. Rowling and I own this. No, I don't think so.
Summary: An alternate Universe fic. Sirius only killed Peter. And was released from prison. Now, ten years later, Harry's' sparked interest in his godfather leads him to a man who calls himself 'The Grim.'
A/N: I'M BACK!!!!! I am SO sorry that it took so long. I had a bad spring break. (Surgery, on spring break. Life is full of surprises) I wrote the last part of this right after I got out of the hospital and the pain killers hadn't worn off so when I woke up the next morning there wasn't a coherent word from the third page on. But now I'm back in school and I can type when class is finished. YAY FOR ME! Also, I would like to say that I have a beta-reader now! YAY FOR SNUFFLES! YOU'RE A GODDESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Wall, chapter 7
The next morning, Harry went down to the inn early, way too early for a normal thirteen year old with no supervision to get them up. He grabbed an early breakfast at the inn, and then took one last look around at the odd assortment of shops. Especially Quality Quidditch supplies (A/N: I have a book in my lap, therefore I spelled it right!) He spent several minutes in the shop looking at their new broom, the Firebolt. It was now Harry's favorite broom, but he could not justify emptying his vault for one when he already had a perfectly good broom. He had owled Ron earlier in the week and had arranged to meet him and Hermione in the ice cream shop at 12:30. So, at fifteen after, he went to wait for them. " Harry, HARRY!!" Harry, who had been engrossed in the sundae he had gotten looked up and saw the two of them, Ron and Hermione, dashing toward him. Ron looking very freckly and Hermione very brown. Both were carrying large bags filled with schoolbooks, quills, parchment and inkbottles. " Hi guys!" Harry said relived that he was finally with his friends again, " How was your summer?"
" Fine." Said Ron. "Look." He pulled out a long, slick wand and smiled " We got it from the winnings that dad got out of that draw at work, remember me telling you about it?" " Yeah, that's great."
Ron's smile grew. " We were hoping to catch you early, at the Leaky Cauldron, but they said that you were already gone, so we've been looking for you every else."
" I got my books and stuff last week."
" Well, you could've told us that." Said Hermione. " We went to the book shop, Madame Malkins, Quality Quidditch supplies and..."
" Harry, did you see the new broom they've got? Isn't it awesome?"
" Yeah!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. " Honestly, you two!"
" What did you do over the summer, Harry? Ouch!!" It was obvious to Harry that Hermione had kicked Ron, and he felt the pit of his stomach fall out. Hermione was glaring at Ron and then she turned her gaze and her eyes softened.
" What...what have you heard?" He asked cautiously.
" That... that you left your uncles." Ron started.
" And that they...err... weren't the best of guardians." Hermione finished
" Is that all?"
They both nodded. And Harry inwardly sighed in relief. They hadn't found out about him being abused. Harry hoped that word of it would never get out. He dreaded anyone founding out...No one knew, or would ever know, except for Cyrus, but that hadn't happened by choice, and maybe even, one day hopefully, his godfather, who might be able to understand.
" Yeah, well...it wasn't that bad really." Harry lied, hoping to loosen the intensity in the conversation. " Really, I'm fine."
Ron and Hermione looked very relieved.
" We...we were afraid that ... well, if wasn't that bad, then it doesn't matter what we though. How did you get here, anyway? To Diagon ally, I mean?"
Harry blushed and smiled.
" You'd never believe me."
" Try us."
So Harry told them of how he got into a fight with his uncle, how he left his home and met Cyrus and how he had met Lupin. (a.k.a. Chapters 3-6) Harry braced himself for the blow and when it didn't come for a few moments he thought that Hermione had either lightened up or died where she sat.
Unfortunately, it was neither. She was just getting redder in the face until she finally exploded in his face.
" HARRY JAMES POTTER!!!" Hermione started, " WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE YOU THINKING!!!" people were staring now " RUNNING AROUND ENGLAND LIKE THAT WITH A COMPLETE STRANGER!!!" Harry had gone a little red." HE DIDN'T EVEN SHOW YOU HIS FACE!!! AND YOU GOT ON A BUS WITH HIM!!!" Now Harry was bright red." DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!! WHAT IF HE HAD BEEN A SERVANT FOR VOLDEMORT!!! HUH?" now Ron was feeling embarrassed for Harry." HE COULD'VE KILLED YOU AND..."
" HERMIONE!!!" Harry yelled. She stopped.
" Chill, nothing happened, he didn't kill me, obviously, besides, I've got something more important to tell you."
" What is more important than you risking you life?"
" I have a godfather."
This did not render the response Harry had hoped for. Hermione looked even angrier and Ron just stared at him stupidly.
" What?" Harry asked.
" I suppose that this 'Cyrus' told you this?" Hermione said bitterly.
" No, my godfather wrote to me."
Her attitude changed suddenly.
" When?"
" Years ago. I just got the letters last week."
"Ron, what's up?"
" Huh?"
" You're just staring off into space like a idiot. What's wrong?"
" Well, I just... Harry, are you sure?"
" What, of course I'm sure! You need to read the letters to understand, the...the way their written, you can tell this guy is for real."
" Ok, but Harry, you might want to look into this a little more closer..." Ron said.
" I am. And I'd like you to help me."
" Harry, does he say where he's been all these years?"
" He... He said he had made some mistakes that he had done... but that doesn't matter. "
" Harry." Hermione said. "It does matter. What if he's been...? I don't want to even think of the possibilities."
" What possibilities?" Harry was starting to get angry with her. He had just told her the best news in his life and she was acting like it was some kind of Voldemort trap. It couldn't be, could it?
But now that he thought about it, it did seem suspicious. No one had ever mentioned that he had a godfather before. And Harry was sure that Hagrid or Dumbledore or even Mr. Weasley would have mentioned him at some point, no matter what he had done.
"Hermione. I ... I can see where you are coming from, sort of. But I still want to look into it, you know?
" No, Harry, I don't know, please, tell me why you want to go looking for a man who you don't even know the name of and could very well be a servant of Voldemort?"
" You ... you just have to read the letters..."
" Harry, It doesn't matter what the letters say..."
" IT MATTERS TO ME!!!" Harry yelled, surprising everyone, even himself.
" Look" He said, after he took a deep, calming breath. "I have never had anyone tell me they love me, not once, all right? And he did, at least three times and it's just the little things, you know? Little things like what my first words were and where my first steps were, that sort of thing, you guys have easy access too, your parents are just down the street, you can just walk up to them and they can tell you. My parents are gone, so I have no idea. No one paid attention to me before Voldemort tried to kill me. My parents did, and I bet my godfather did, too. There are some questions that only my parents can answer, but their not here, but their best friend may very well be. You see? If there is even the slightest chance that he's still out there than I want...need to find him. Can you understand?"
Hermione's mouth opened and closed a few times before she looked away from them, wiping her eyes for some strange reason and turned back to them.
" Yeah, I ... I guess I can understand. I'm sorry, Harry, really, it's just... I don't know. It seems kind of hopeless? Dangerous? Both?"
Harry laughed.
"Please, Hermione, it's us. Even if we didn't know about this, something would have happened to us. It always does, and it's not as though we've never done anything like this before, remember Nicholas Flammel?"
Ron smiled. " Yeah, I bet we don't have to sneak to look in he restricted section to find Harry's Godfather."
Harry nodded.
" So... so you are going to help me then?" Harry said.
" Of course we are! I bet I can find something on him in ..." and she paused. " Harry, what's ..... um..... do you know anything about him?" Hermione asked
" Well..." In truth, Harry didn't know a thing about him. Except that he was a friend of his parents, but that didn't really help.
"No." He finally said.
" Well, I think we should start looking for his name. Do you know anyone who would know? " Ron said.
" Yeah, I think Professor Lupin knew him."
" Well, did you ask him?" Hermione said, looking confused.
"I started to, but we got a little distracted."
" By what?"
" Don't ask."
" Ok, well, we can go to his apartment... No, that's a little rude. Maybe we can ask him when school starts... Do you think he would tell us? Are you sure he knows?"
"I...Yeah, pretty sure." Harry said, feeling his stomach turn.
"Ok, well. Once we find your godfather's name, then what?"
They talked for several minutes more on this subject, and then Hermione stood and said that she wanted to go to the magical pet shop they had scene on their way, she was planning on getting an owl.
" It's not fair, really. Harry has Hedwig and Ron has Errol."
" He's not mine, he's the families!"
"Well, same difference. Besides, I have early birthday money from my parents and I want to get an owl."
Ron grunted.
"Well, I was thinking about getting a new pet anyway." He said.
" What about Scabbers?" Harry asked looking at Ron.
" Oh, didn't I tell you? He died, during the summer. Right after we left school."
" He died?"
"Well, I don't know. I might of just lost him on the train."
Despite the casual way Ron said it. Harry could tell that the loss of his pet had hurt him. Harry silently vowed that if Ron didn't get a new pet today, Harry would get him one for Christmas.
"This is the place." Harry said, pointing toward the pet shop building.
"Why Hello dears! How can I help you?" Asked the women behind the counter as the three of them walked in.
"I'm looking for a pet." Hermione said, looking around.
" Oh, and what did you have in mind?"
"An owl."
"Well, come right this way, and we'll..."
But before she could finish, something very large, furry and orange practically charged at Ron and Harry, who were still standing in front of the door.
" Crookshanks, NO!"
Too late, the cat had pounced on Harry and dug it's claws in his knee.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!! GET OFF! GET OFF!! GET OFF!!!"
"HERE, HERE. Oh, he's such a feisty one, isn't he!" The woman screamed reaching for the ball of fur.
"I'LL SAY!" Said Harry, who had kicked the 'feisty cat' off his knee and was now searching for holes in his pants.
" Mean little devil cat, I'd say!" Said Ron
" HE IS NOT!"
The boys looked up to see Hermione, who had taken the animal from the owners arms and was now holding the creature and rubbing under the felines chin affectionately.
" Hermione, what are you doing?"
"Oh, isn't he gorgeous."
"No." Harry and Ron said together.
" Well, I think he is!"
" You're not going to get him, are you?"
Hermione paused. And then looked at the shop owner.
"How much is he?" "I can't believe you." Harry said at dinner that night. He, Hermione and The Weasley's were seated together with three of four tables pushed together in the inn. The twins were laughing and whispering to each other. This earned nervous looks from the others. Percy was in the middle of a conversation with his parents about...Well; Harry was trying not to listen to their conversation, on account of the fact that he wanted to stay awake during the course of the meal. Ginny and Hermione were sitting opposite Harry and Ron and Ginny had decided to take up for Hermione on this one. Of course, Ginny hadn't been in the store when her brother and Harry were an attacked by a creature Ron had deemed 'The Demon Ball of Fluff'.
" And what is so wrong with Crookshanks?" Hermione asked angrily. : What'd he ever do to you?"
" HE TRIED TO KILL ME!"
" He did not."
"Ron, calm down. Hermione, he did try to kill us. You had to see the look in his eyes when he was charging at us. He was meant to kill."
Hermione, sensing Harry's humor, smiled at him and turned to Ron, who was still not looking ever happy.
"Is that true, Ron?" She asked sweetly.
"Um...yeah, it is."
Hermione reached down and grabbed her cat, who had apparently been sitting in her lap, and pulled him up and looked strait in her eyes.
" Did you try to hurt them, you adorable ball of fluff you?"
The cat purred.
"Well, that settles it then." She said.
"No it doesn't!" Ron said outraged.
"Ron! We won! He purred, that means yes. He did try to kill us." Harry laughed.
"No it doesn't" said Hermione. " Because he was saying yes to me, not you. He was saying yes, he was an adorable ball of fluff."
The conversation carried on like this until Mr. Weasley sent them to bed. Harry, now full and very content, crawled into his bed and pulled the blankets around him with a smile on his face as he thought of his next term and how much better it looked than the last.
A/N-It only took me three periods and break to finish this. WHOO! Again, I am so sorry about the wait. It's the longest I've ever gone without posting and it's scaring me. Getting 8 up won't take this long, I promise.