Legal Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling With the exceptions of Attivus Attlewart and Mistofolees the cat he appears courtesy of Xanthia Morgan who is a wonderful author and also a great beta reader. Xan thanks for all your help….
A/N Here it is part 7….wow can you believe it?? 2 whole chapters in less than 2 weeks?? I told you I'd work harder to get more chapters out to you…. Please keep reading and reviewing without your reviews I would find it very difficult to continue.
Last time in chapter 6…
"Ahhhhhhhh…. who's that?" Dudley screamed "Mum...Mum! Harry has another weirdo with him!" Dudley ran screaming out of the living room. Sirius did a quick spell to get rid of the boards that walled up the fireplace. Then, using the wood that used to board it up lit a fire with his wand. He groped around in his robes and found his little box. Taking a pinch he grabbed Harry, got in the fire and shouted
" Remus Lupin" As loud as he could. Petunia barely had time to shriek as Sirius and Harry vanished in the flames.
Remus Lupin was sitting in his parlor sipping at a piping hot cup of tea and pouring over the day's Daily Prophet, the wizarding world's newspaper. He wasn't paying attention to his surroundings so when his fire sprang up and two forms tumbled out, he was so startled that the tea went flying out of his hands and all over himself. He muttered a curse as he only did when he thought no one was listening and then he glanced over at the fireplace to see who had come. He was quite shocked and asked
" Sirius?? Is that you?? You have Harry with you? What on earth is happening?" All of this was stated in a rush and a rise in crescendo. Before Sirius could answer Remus started in again by saying " Are you daft?? You must be daft. Do you have any idea what will happen when Dumbledore finds out?? You'd better hope he finds out before the ministry does. If he does he may cover for you so you won't be given directly to the dementors, but really this is a chance…And then you don't even send an owl to let me know anything after the time you said you were going to stop by and see Harry…Sirius, really, what has gotten into you?"
While Remus was doing his ranting, Sirius helped Harry to the couch and lay him down on it. Then he turned to Remus. Obviously his friend had now run out of questions but the last thing that was asked struck him as odd.
"Remus, first of all if you had looked when we first came in you would see that Harry is ill. I think he may need a doctor and only you can help us with that. His aunt and uncle couldn't care less. I was with him for over two days Remus, and what did I see? I saw them running him ragged with chores. He stopped eating and had horrible nights and they didn't even ask if he was all right. They didn't so much as stop their own lives for even a moment to see to Harry. Not to mention that Harry told me that his uncle gets physically abusive with him sometimes. I even witnessed it once. I used a memory charm and his uncle left him alone. And I did send word. I sent Hedwig out to you as soon as I saw what was going on. That was two nights ago. You mean to say that she hasn't gotten here yet?" Remus just shook his head no as he walked over to Harry and placed a hand on his forehead.
"Sirius he's burning up." Remus said as he left Harry's side to move to the kitchen.
" Didn't I just say that?" Sirius said to no one in particular. He then moved to sit by Harry. "Harry, how are you feeling? Does it still hurt badly?" Harry just nodded his head yes as he tried to shift his position to lessen his pain.
" The other times it went away. This time it's just staying." Harry said softly as Remus was coming back into the room. He brought with him a small basin with water in it, while over his shoulder was slung a cloth. He set the basin down and dipped the cloth in the bowl. He then proceeded to put the wet cloth over Harry's forehead. He then said
" Hello Harry, I am going to ask you a few questions alright?" He got an affirmative nod from Harry. Then he began his questioning. "Now then, Harry where do you hurt?" Again Harry pointed to the spot. Remus looked quickly to Sirius and then back to Harry. The ex-professor then proceeded to prod the area. As soon as Remus's hand touched the spot, Harry gasped. " It hurts that much?" When Harry nodded yes Remus stood up and motioned with his head for Sirius to follow.
" Professor, did you say that Hedwig never reached you?" Harry asked with a mix of surprise and fear.
" Now Harry, don't you worry. Hedwig is a smart owl. I'm sure she will be here any minute." Remus said as he patted Harry's shoulder. "We'll be right back, you just lay quiet alright?" At that, the two maraurders left the room. Harry wanted to hear and tried to get up, but as soon as he tried the pain got to be too much and he was forced to stop.
Out in the hallway Remus turned to Sirius and looked at him in a serious way.
" Sirius how long has it been like this?" he asked. Sirius shook his head.
" At least overnight. He woke me last night saying he didn't feel well. But if I had to guess I'd say from the first day I was with him. He had gotten dizzy the first day outside. I thought it was from weariness and from heat but I'm not sure. What do you think?" He said a bit nervously.
" Well I think you're right about the medical attention and I understand why you didn't want to bring him to Hogwarts. Sirius, really I am not a doctor but if it is what I think it is, we need to get him to a doctor straight away." Remus answered starting to think deeply about what to do next.
" Remus, what do you think it is?" Sirius asked after a quietly tense moment.
" I think it may be appendicitis that may have just turned acute. If that's the case it has to be taken care of immediately before it bursts." Remus answered. He then looked at Sirius' panic striken face at the news. " Now I'm sure we can get him help in time. For what it's worth you did the right thing." Remus said as he turned to go back into the room. Sirius followed closely behind.
" But Remus, who can we call?" Sirius asked as he reached Harry's side.
" Why who else but Attivus?" Remus said with a small grin. " Oh Sirius, don't give me that look. You know as well as I do that Attivus would never betray you. If it makes you feel better you can always appear as your other form shall we say." Sirius nodded alright. " Right then you may want to do your disappearing act now though. I am going to firewall him." There was the sound of a pop and gone was Sirius Black now replaced by a four footed big black dog. "Good boy." Remus joked as he turned to the wall. A faint growl was heard and Remus chuckled a bit. He then took a dark colored powder from above the mantel and threw a pinch into the fire. " Dr. Attivus Attlewart, a word please." Remus waited for a moment but no one answered. "Dr. Attivus Attlewart" Remus stated a bit louder this time. " Humm maybe he's not in. I'll apparate over to his place and see if he's there. Poor Mistofolees. Hates it when people appirate over, doesn't like the sensation I guess. I'll be back momentarily. " he said and with another pop he was gone.
Meanwhile, a hooded cloaked person appeared in front of Lord Voldemort. He held in his hands an unconscious snowy owl.
" My lord I have Harry Potter's owl as you have commanded me to get. I intercepted her not far from the warewolf's home. I have the letter that was written."
A/N Cliff hanger don't you just hate me for doing this one….well don't blame me my boyfriend said to be cruel to everyone and cut it here. J You can send your rants to him through me. J I'd like to thank all of my wonderful reviewers who are patient with me through my writer's block and have remaind faithful. Happy and Healthy New year to you all. May we all find peace in the coming year.
Look for my next post sometime with in the next two weeks.
-sweets