Chapter 19 Drakes

Harry's practice had gone wonderfully, and the team was confident that they would win the house cup again this year. He really needed this practice today, it got his mind off of everything that had happened in the last few weeks. His mind kept replaying the conversation with Miss MacLeod, and he kept wondering what could have been, if his parent's had lived, if Cat had married his father's friend and they lived next door, if he had a real family. Harry kept going back to that, a family, right now that's what he wanted more than anything in the world. He smiled to himself as he thought about his fortune in class this morning.

"Hey Ron. Do you remember what MacLeod read in those stone this morning?" Harry needed someone else to say it, just in case he misheard her.

"What, you mean about you planning to get married next week?" Ron began to chuckle. "You should have seen his face, positively hysterical." he told Hermione.

"I'm serious Ron. Do you remember what she said about my heart?" he questioned anxiously.

"Honestly Harry, don't tell me you actually believe in that now?" the disgust in Hermione's voice was obvious.

"Just humour me. Come on Ron, do you remember or not?"

"Okay, wait half a minute" Ron's face was screwed in concentration "I think it was something about you wanting a change in hope....and something about changing your family."

"Oh well that just makes all the sense in the world." she quipped sarcastically "Imagine wanting to change what happened to your family. Really Harry, I know you two like Miss MacLeod, but lets not get carried away."

But Harry wasn't listening anymore, Ron had confirmed what he had heard, and as far as Harry was concerned, he had no choice in the matter. She was right, he wanted a change, he wanted a family. He wanted Sirius and Cat to be his new family, Remus and Hagrid had both told him that they used to go out, heck Hagrid had even said he thought they were going to end up together like his mother and father. And at this moment, they were definitely the closest thing he had to parents, Sirius was his godfather so by wizarding law, he was already considered responsible for him, at least he would be once they finally cleared his name. And if he married Miss MacLeod.... that was it, Harry had made up his mind, he had a plan.

"Harry,.....Harry. You hoo, anyone in there?" Ron rapped Harry on his skull.

"What, hey...knock it off Ron" he laughed at his friends, maybe he could get them to help as well. Harry decided he would wait until after they saw Hagrid to ask, he needed to get a little more information from Hagrid and Remus before Sirius got back…..

Sirius looked around with a satisfied smile on his face. He finally got the last one to talk, hopefully Dumbledore could use the information to stop Voldemort. To bad Peter wasn't with them, he still had a sore spot for him, and if it took him the rest of his life, he would see Peter pay for everything that he had done to Harry and himself. Twelve years lost, Sirius shook his head, no time to think about it now, he needed to get back to Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore needed this information and he needed to see Harry. He knew Remus would keep an eye on him, but still, he was his godfather, it was his responsibility to take care of Harry, and once they finally stopped Voldemort and made Peter confess, he intended to do just that. He imagined the little home they would share, Remus would probably be there with them, hope Harry could handle it. Not that Harry had any problems holding his own, smart kid, inventive too, his pranks were almost as bad as theirs, definitely his father's son...no doubt about it.

Sighing loudly Sirius changed back into a dog, not that he didn't enjoy a good run now and then, but this life on the road was getting a bit old. His mouth was watering just thinking of the food that he knew would be waiting for him at Hogwarts. With any luck he would be in England before any of the remaining deatheaters regained consciousness, probably would have been better to kill them, but he just couldn't bring himself to kill in cold blood. The only time he could kill someone is when he was protecting his friends, except where Peter was concerned of course, it kind of frightened him to think how easily he could snuff out his former friends life….

As they approached Hagrid's hut, Harry stopped the others "Do you hear that" he said breathlessly "what is that, it sounds so sad."

"I hear it too, but I think it sounds sweet," Hermione said wistfully, "and very kind. I think its someone singing."

"You don't think its Fawkes do you?" Harry asked worriedly, he still thought it sounded mournful.

"Its coming from Hagrid's I think, come on, lets make sure he's alright" They began to run toward the hut when Ron pulled them down to the ground.

"Look over there, what is that?" he pointed towards the back of the hut where the drakes were being kept.

There in the shadows was a cloaked figure, the hood of the cloak was hiding its face. For a moment Harry was afraid it was a dementor, but he quickly realized it was far too small for that. They watched the figure open the pen Hagrid was keeping the drakes in. Oddly the drakes didn't mind at all, in fact they all shuffled up to the figure and began rubbing against it, like large, scaly, fire belching cats.

"What do you think it is? Something from the forbidden forest maybe?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure" Hermione responded "it seems odd that the drakes don't mind it being in there, they were really twitchy today during class. Didn't Hagrid put them back early because of that."

"Hermione's right, Harry" Ron said breathlessly "I almost got bit twice, they were all a bit mental, even that trick MacLeod taught Hermione didn't work today, maybe that thing knows something we don't."

They all became silent as they heard the sound again, it was a ghostly sound, both sad and sweet at the same time, Harry knew it was a sound that would haunt him for a long time, it made him want to laugh and cry at the same time.

"Hey I think its that thing. What is it doing, singing to them?"

Singing, it was a song, Harry had heard it before, he was sure of it. He felt the song wrapping itself around his heart, searching him, he had felt this before too. He didn't feel any pain, in fact it felt kind of comforting, like being cradled or hugged. Suddenly Harry began to laugh out loud.

"Hey guys, its Miss MacLeod." he told them happily "I can't believe we didn't figure it out sooner." he got up and walked towards her.

"Harry!! Are you crazy," his friends pulled him back "how do you know that's MacLeod, it could be anyone, or anything."

"No honestly, it's her. I can feel it" he began trying to explain to his friends when Hagrid came walking around the hut, practically bumping into them.

"Well, 'ello you three. Wern't sure that ye were coming." Hagrid said happily "best ta come inside, it'll be gettin cold soon."

"Getting cold he says, its freezing now." Ron said as they follow Hagrid inside.

"How 'bout a spot o' tea, jest put some on the fire," Hagrid was cheerfully bustling around his hut "know I 'ave some cakes in 'ere somewhere."

"Uhm, Hagrid" Harry asked "the woman with the drakes, the one singing, that's Miss MacLeod isn't it?"

"Wha, oh yes it'tis. Felt bad 'bout askin her to come down 'ere tonite. She's had a rough few days she has. But them drakes were gettin a bit frisky, 'fraid they mighnt get a bit nippy with some o' the students."

"Can I go out and talk to her? Do you think she'd mind?" Harry was intrigued by the song, he knew he had heard it before, maybe she could tell him where.

"Don't know if that's a good idea, them drakes r'a bit punchy, and she seems o'bit tired herself." Hagrid said thoughtfully "Besides, she'll be in soon 'nuff, makin some tea fer her"

Harry walked over to the window and watched her, the drakes were all around her, one of them had actually flapped its way onto her lap. She was petting it as it cooed softly, Harry started laughing again, only she could get a little dragon to think it was a kitten. No wonder Hagrid asked her to help him, after all she even had Snape believing he was human, a drake probably wasn't even a challenge to her. Harry hae to wonder what it was she saw in Snape, he was mean, cold and just plain ugly. He just didn't get it, maybe Remus could explain it.

"Harry, are you going to join the rest of us?" Hermione asked as she took over setting the table for Hagrid, who was still busy looking for the cake and biscuits.

"Coming. You two should see what she's doing, the drakes are acting like she's their mother, they're all over her." Harry said with admiration, as Hermione wrinkled her nose. That was not her idea of a good thing.

As they began to enjoy their tea Miss MacLeod came in, she was shivering even though she had on a heavy cloak. She looked a bit surprised to see everyone sitting there, but quickly smiled as she pulled down her hood. She had taken her hair down from its usual knot, and she looked much younger and softer with her hair down around her face.

"Still, no'feelin right," Hagrid asked her "Yer shaken agin."

"'fraid not Hagrid" she replied wearily "something's going on, just wish I could figure out what it is. I don't like the feelings I'm getting right now." She seemed very sullen as she sat down to drink her tea.

"Ye should speak ta Proffesser Dumbledore then, the sooner t'better." Hagrid told her as an apprehensive look crossed his face "Ye don' think its 'im, do you?"

Concentrating for a moment Cat shook her head "I'm not sure yet, but someone is going to a lot of trouble to keep me out. You are prepared, aren't you?" she looked expectantly at Hagrid.

"'Couse I am. 'Ave been since I heard 'bout his commin back." Hagrid replied with a smile and a wink. Cat returned the smile and turned to Harry.

"Harry, how are you doing tonight? Everything alright?" she was ruffling his hair again, smiling warmly at him.

Trying to get his hair to look somewhat normal again, he grinned back at her "Except for the new hairdo, everything is fine." he saw Cat give him a wink as she laughed "We just got done with Quidditch practice, first game is this weekend."

"Yeah we're gonna win for sure" Ron chirped in proudly.

"Oh, so your all on the house team?" she asked as she looked around the table.

"No, not all." Hermione stated, "Harry is the seeker and Ron just got on as keeper this year."

Cat smiled and congratulated Ron, who preceded to turn the most charming shade of pink he could manage "So Hermione, you don't want to be on the team then?" Cat asked.

"Her, she's too busy studying all the time," Ron answered for her "she'd never have time to practice."

"Now Ron, there is absolutely nothing wrong with studying" Cat said in Hermione's defence "in fact if what Professor Dumbledore tells me is true, Hermione is quite possibly the brightest student in the school. She should be very proud"

Hermione looked as if she had just been handed the house cup, she was smiling from ear to ear. That was it, she definitely liked MacLeod now, even if she did teach divination. "See Ron, at least someone appreciates my efforts."

As the children continued their bickering, Miss MacLeod surveyed the table and smiled warmly. They reminded her of her family, her brothers and sisters, always teasing each other, but always ready to help each other when it came down to it. MacLeod's eyes drifted towards the window again.

Harry noticed how she kept looking out of the window, she was distracted by something in the forest, it was like she could hear something they couldn't and every so often she would shiver violently. He was becoming concerned and it showed on his face. "Is there anything we can do? You don't seem to be yourself" Harry turned to look out the window himself. He didn't like the look in her eyes, normally they had a warm, soft glow, with just a twinkling hint of mischief, but tonight they looked positively haunted.

"No sweetie, 'fraid not. Just something that happens from time to time. You get used to it." she explained sounding less than convincing.

MacLeod turned to Hagrid "Well anyway, the drakes are better now, I'll come back in a day or two to check up on them again. They are really growing fast. You do realize you won't be able to keep them all, don't you." she gave Hagrid a pointed look "Albus was lucky he could get a permit for them at all, and you know the MOM is just looking for an excuse to come here."

"Yeh, I know." Hagrid said gloomily "But how 'm I suppos' to decide. Ther all so helpless."

"Oh Hagrid, only you would consider a drake helpless," she smiled compassionately "but if they keep growing like this, they will end up...erh....deciding the issue themselves."

Hagrid just stared at her as an anguished look erupted on his face, he understood what she meant.

"I really should go see Albus now. Goodnight children, please don't stay out after curfew. Professor Snape is on watch tonight." MacLeod told them earnestly "You know what a stickler for rules he is."

"Cat, do you mind if I go with you" Harry practically jumped out of his chair. "I wanted to ask you something, about the song we heard, just now." She nodded her approval, and Harry quickly grabbed his coat and ran out with her.

Ron, Hagrid, and Hermione were left behind giving each other curious looks. "Wonder what that's all about then?" Ron said aloud as Hermione and Hagrid nodded in agreement.