Chapter 12 Letter

"Good heavens Albus, what happened? Mr. Weasley was quite beside himself when he arrived with your message." McGonagall stated sounding irritated "He said something about another wizard, one who could throw lightning or some such rubbish."

As Harry and Snape exited the carriage McGonagall gasped. "Not a wizard Minerva, Manann Mac Lir" explained Dumbledore.

McGonagall's eyes opened wide "Mac Lir, you don't mean to say..." she started looking around expectantly "where is she Albus, where is Catri? If he did anything stupid, so help me Albus. I will go straight to her father, I have half a mind to contact him now. Where is she?"

"Calm down please. She and Remus are in the carriage, a bit the worse for wear I fear" Dumbledore finished, suddenly looking tired. Madame Pomfrey was already in the carriage tending to Remus and Cat. She levitated Remus out first, he looked only slightly better than he did in the pub, Pomfrey summoned a stretcher for him and then turned her attention to MacLeod. Unfortunately Miss MacLeod was looking very bad, her face was still streaked with blood, and she had begun to bruise, it would be a minor miracle if nothing was broken. Madam Pomfrey simply clucked her tongue, signalling her disapproval of MacLeod's condition.

However McGonagall was fit to be tied, Harry had never seen her so angry, she was positively livid. Dumbledore didn't even try to calm her down, "better to let her vent" he whispered to a wide-eyed Harry "where clan is concerned she can be quite unreasonable I'm afraid". Harry wasn't sure he had heard correctly, 'where clan is concerned', did he mean that McGonagall and MacLeod where related? He couldn't even think straight anymore. Snape looked as if he were going to fall over at any minute, although he flatly refused to go to the hospital wing on a stretcher. Madame Pomfrey had finally given up on talking sense to Snape and was now heading towards Harry. Luckily Professor Dumbledore intercepted her. "Madam Pomfrey, I will accompany Harry to the hospital wing momentarily, please tend to the others now, they are sadly in need of your services." Pomfrey didn't look happy about it, but Remus and Cat were looking pretty bad. Madame Pomfrey gave them both a meaningful look and started towards the hospital wing……..

After everyone was safely tucked in for the night Albus and Minerva took a moment to discuss the days events. "Don't worry Minerva, I am quite certain nothing like that will happen again. I sent an owl to her father just now. He will see to it that his daughter is left in peace." Chuckling out loud at the situation, the headmaster reflected on the events of the past week. "Well there is hardly ever a dull moment around here anymore. Harry keeps things interesting enough and now we have both of them."…..

When Madam Pomfrey was satisfied that Harry had little more than a few bumps and scratches, she allowed him to return to his dorm. "Oy, Harry" Fred yelled across the common room "heard ya had some......oohhhfff .....ouch Hermione."

"What Fred meant was, are you alright? Ron told us what happened." Hermione asked as Fred stuck out his tongue at her, rubbing his arm where she had pinched him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. But Remus and MacLeod are looking pretty bad. They're still unconscious, and Snape has a broken arm and three broken ribs." Harry sighed "And I have the distinct feeling I'm the one who's going to suffer for that in potions."

"So Harry, exactly who was that guy?" asked Ron "And why was he after Miss MacLeod?"

"Don't really know. So far all I've figured out is his names Mac Lir, he's related to MacLeod, he wants her back home, he knows Dumbledore somehow, and he's got some strange idea that MacLeod's my mom." replied Harry exhausted "Oh and I almost forgot, McGonagall is really angry with him."

"McGonagall, what does she have to do with all of this?" Ron asked, looking confused.

"Well, she was very upset when Miss MacLeod was missing, and wasn't she the one who insisted on sending her to Madame Pomfrey when Hagrid finally found her" said Hermione.

"Oy Harry, I almost forgot" cried Ron "an owl dropped off a letter for you, its upstairs."

"Okay Ron, I'll read it later. Maybe tomorrow after I've rested a little" Harry sighed.

"No. Actually Harry I think you should read it now" Hermione said pointedly "it may be something important.....someone important"

Harry sat bolt upright, looking at Hermione he guessed what she was trying to get across to him "You know Hermione, you're probably right. I guess I should go upstairs now, I'll read it as I get ready for bed."

"Gheez, make her head girl and she's bossing everyone around, oy George." Fred said as he threw some "mellow marshmallows" at his brother, "we need to make these a little stronger, Neville's still awake."

Harry bounded up the stairs followed closely by Ron and Hermione. Harry sailed across his room, landing on the bed and grabbing the letter. "Its from Sirius" Harry yelled excitedly "maybe he's finally able to come back." Tearing open the letter Harry read aloud:

Dear Harry,

I hope you are doing well, things are going better here than I thought, I may be able to return in a week or two. If I'm lucky, in time to see you win your first Quidditch match of the season. Please be careful. I miss you.

Sirius

"One or two weeks, that's great" yelled Harry, "can you imagine the look on Remus's face when I tell him."