Loss
By BlackPotterGrl
Chapter XIX- October NightsBurying his head in his pillows, Harry tried to ignore the sounds of everyone around him getting dressed for classes. He was a bit like his godfather in the way that he was a light sleeper. He didn't need anyone to shake him awake unless he was in a really deep sleep. He could usually tell when it was time to get up.
Today, however, he really couldn't care less if anyone was getting dressed, or leaving, or coming back from classes because he was going to cut.
It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision the previous night. After realizing what the next day would be, Harry resolved that he wouldn't deal with it at all. God knew he was missing enough sleep just to miss the entire day and wake up in time for dinner so that people wouldn't worry about him and think that he was sick.
He knew that if he lay in bed until the very last minute, Neville would probably try to wake him up, but he was too fed up to care about that.
Today was the day that Ron would officially be dead.
Dead.
There was that word. The word he had been avoiding since Ron had disappeared.
Because saying the word dead meant it was true. Everything that he had spent the last month denying would be forced in his face. Like Hermione. He knew at some point in the following week, he was going to have to face her. And Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. Were they blaming him? They probably were. Not to his face of course, but he knew they probably would be.
And the guilt.
The guilt that he had tried to shove down to the bottom of his thoughts. The guilt that Sirius had tried to beat out of him. But it was no use. He had ignored it pretty much all month, but when he went to bed, there it was. Lurking just below his conscious. Waiting for him to fall asleep to attack him with the horrible dreams.
He knew that Sirius – or anyone else for that matter – would be upset to find out, but he had taken to stuffing a sock in his mouth to stop himself from crying out in his sleep. No one knew about it, he was pretty sure, and anyone who would find out, being his room mates, probably wouldn't care. They where still giving him the cold shoulder because of his actions toward Hermione. He began to wonder if that was the only reason though. Perhaps they thought that he was the reason that Ron was missing as well.
They had never been particularly fond of him. No more then they had Harry. But distancing themselves from him could be to protect themselves. Harry really couldn't blame them, for he himself had distanced himself from Hermione to prevent that from happening to her. If Dean and Seamus weren't his friends, they didn't have anything to fear from him.
Even while gagging himself, Harry still awoke with tears in his eyes to the horrible visions. Though his imagination had run out of new ways to envision Ron in horrible pain, old dreams, like Ron being decapitated, or chopped up into little pieces still bothered him.
He hadn't told anyone of the graphic horror he witnessed in his dreams. For one, he would probably be locked up in the nut house if they found out he was having dreams about his friend being murdered in grotesque ways. Secondly, he rarely had anyone to talk to about things of that nature. Not that he would.
The funeral would be that Saturday, and he was perfectly content just to miss the next two days of class. Not like he would be missing anything of importance. He couldn't make himself care that he would be missing Potions and History. His two worst classes. He didn't care the missing that much homework would drag his grade down a lot. The rest he could easily miss.
"Harry?" asked a small voice.
"I'm sick. I'm not going." He said, putting effort into sounding really exhausted, though it didn't take much.
"O- oh. All right then." Neville replied. Harry could here him under his breath. "You sure get sick a lot." Harry didn't have the strength to feel insulted, though it occurred to him that he didn't have any reason to be. Another thought came to him that something was wrong with him. Thoughts were arriving at his brain delayed.
Maybe he should have gone to classes. Somebody was bound to notice he was missing. If nothing else to get him in trouble. Snape would be bound to notice. He could just imagine.
"Where's Potter?" He would draw.
"He didn't feel like coming to class, professor." One of his classmates would say willingly.
Somebody would draw the conclusion.
He wondered if Hermione was going to class. Should he care? For his plan to completely separate himself from any friends he might have, he realized that these thoughts would have to stop. He couldn't care about Hermione on the outside, so he should stop caring on the inside.
But then… what about Ron. If he was alive then he would be Harry's friend, right? So should he stop caring about Ron? Why should he? It wasn't like Ron was around to not care about.
'If Ron were here, everything would be different.' He thought to himself. He wouldn't have to abandon Hermione. Why? Because… because he wouldn't. Truth was, he didn't know. He had made that his excuse. If Ron were around, everything would be better. He could start living again. He knew he could never forget about Ron. Not now, not ever.
So why could he do it to Hermione?
Truth be told, he had no idea. Because Hermione was a girl? Because she wasn't as close to him as Ron was? Because he was a bastard? Or maybe because Ron had disappeared, and there was no way that he was going to come back. Everything was always easier when it was just a pipe dream.
When Ron came back, he would get out of bed and start living his life, he thought, and rolled over, not wanting to think anymore. But the thoughts came anyway.
He lay like that for what seemed like forever. Sleep he had thought so easy to achieve didn't come. He stared at a tiny black dot on the ceiling for so long that it almost began to annoy him. Weren't house elves suppose to take care of those sorts of spots? It was about the time when thoughts like that started plaguing him that he heard the last bells for classes.
He realized that he was hungry from not eating breakfast or lunch. However, he didn't feel like going. Finally he rolled out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans. He was headed towards the great hall to get something when he thought just to turn around a get a sandwich from the kitchens when dinner was over.
He walked in for the last two minutes of dinner and sat at the table and stared down.
He spent the next day doing the exact same thing. He expected that someone was going to stop him from taking the day off, but nobody seemed to mind… or care.
Saturday came with amazing speed, but he forced himself to get out of bed that morning. He went down the stairs of the dormitory and every eye seemed to be staring at him. He lowered his head and headed towards the portrait hole. He passed through and ran headlong into Hermione who promptly dropped her books. What could make this situation more awkward, he wondered. Of course, that thought hadn't crossed his mind before Sirius walked down the hall.
He hastily picked up the books and practically shoved them into her chest. He heard a soft "Thanks" behind him. He headed for the great hall – the direction Sirius seemed to have been coming from – and –surprise surprise – Sirius stopped him.
"Harry? What's going on?" Sirius was following him. He stopped and gave a short lived smile. He continued to walk with Sirius by his side.
"Nothing much. I was just going down to breakfast." Harry replied with forced calmness.
"No, I meant… you know. How are you holding up?" Sirius asked him.
"I- guess I'm okay." Harry replied. It seemed like a strange calm had come over him.
"That's good. The – erm… memorial service is today. They're doing it outside. Right near the lake." Sirius seemed to be talking to someone else, because his tone was completely different then that of which he'd ever spoken to Harry in. It was more like he was talking to someone he didn't really know to well, but felt the need to say something to.
Harry decided not to say anything about Sirius's detachment. "Yeah, I read. 3:30, right?" He asked.
Sirius cringed, but Harry didn't know why. "I guess it probably would have been better if someone told you, instead of leaving you to read about it."
Harry shrugged. "It's fine. Whatever."
"You sure you're okay, kid?"
"Fine." Harry said. He wasn't really lying. "So, are you mad?" He had been pretty sure Sirius would mention him cutting classes.
"About you not going to class? Nah." He shrugged it off.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Well, I'm not one to be hypocritical, and if you must know, I've skived off lessons enough to not be able to really say anything to anyone about cutting."
"You? Hypocritical? Of course not." Harry joked.
"That doesn't mean that you can start going around and doing all of the stupid things I did when I went here without me telling you off. And you have to go back on Monday." Sirius told him. They reached the hall. Sirius gave his shoulder a squeeze and walked off.
Breakfast seemed to fly by, as everything does when you're anticipating something horrible. He walked to the library to wait out the service. Unfortunately, he found Hermione in the library as well. He was then in a difficult position. Should he leave? No. He decided that he couldn't let this rule his life.
Now that he didn't have to do any of the homework for the classes he missed, he wouldn't really have a problem with any of his other homework. He pulled out the Transfiguration assignment, but couldn't help staring at Hermione. She really looked a mess, but now that he thought of it, he realized that she hadn't really looked too good at all during the past month. This made him feel all the worse.
He made himself pick up the book and forget about all of that.
By the time 3 o'clock had come, he was completely off in his own world. Hermione had left and he realized he might as well too. He flopped onto his bed in his dormitory and wondered for the first time whether he should bother going to Ron's funeral. What was the point? So he could hear a bunch of good things about his best friend. Stuff he already knew about him? So that he could stare at all of the people who where probably blaming him for this? He didn't want to see Ron's parents. Or his brothers and sister. Or Hermione. And what if he didn't show up and people had something else to say about him.
"He didn't even show up at his best friend's funeral. He's really screwed up."
If he was going, he refused to cry.
Oh, what the hell. He might as well.
It was a nice out-door ceremony. The whole school didn't show up, but all of Gryffindor, the staff (bar Snape and Filch), and Ron's parents went to pay their respects. Dumbledore was doing the eulogy because he had refused to, and probably Hermione as well.
Sirius sat next to him and Mrs. Weasley sat on his other side along with the rest of the Weasleys. Hermione sat next to Ginny, who put her arm around her in comfort.
Dumbledore began his tribute to Ron, talking about how he was a good person, a respectable Gryffindor, and a loyal friend. He heard sniffing begin around him, and felt Sirius's hand on his shoulder. Mrs. Weasley burst into hysterical tears next to him, but he stood stock-still, persistently holding any emotion off of his face.
When Dumbledore had stopped talking, he noticed that a lot of people in Gryffindor who he hadn't even realized knew Ron had handkerchiefs out and were dabbing at their eyes. Fred and George were looking downward, and Hermione and Ginny were hugging each other. Most people where starting to leave but the some of the friends and family where there. Everyone had stood to talk so he followed half-heartedly.
He saw Hermione looking at him through red eyes, and gave her a small smile. That couldn't hurt, could it?
She made her way towards him. Yes. Apparently, it could.
She stood in front of him sheepishly, like she where trying to face Snape after not doing a homework assignment. "Why do you hate me so much?"
'Oh god, not here.' He thought desperately.
"What did I do so horrible?" she asked.
'I can't do this. I can't do this! Why here? Why Ron's funeral?' He knew his face was contorting with his inward struggle.
"Harry?" She had begun crying. "Why don't you like me? What did I do?" She had started sobbing.
His stomach felt like someone was twisting it like dough. Someone like Hagrid. He bit his lip so hard he knew there would be teeth marks.
People had turned around to see what was happening. He didn't dare to breath because he didn't know if he would be able to stop himself from tearing his hair out.
Finally, the inevitable happened. She threw her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder.
'What do I do? What do I do? I want to hug her back. I can't do that! But I should. It's the right thing to do. But it's not the logical thing to do, though!' his left and right brains feuded, while he stood completely still, not knowing what to do.
Everyone starred at him with curious expressions. 'Curious as to what I'm going to do. A lot of help you lot are!' He wanted to glare, but the situation at hand prevented him from doing that.
Tentatively, he put his hand on her shoulder. Inwardly, he sighed dramatically. God, this would have been a lot easier if half the world weren't watching him.
"I'm sorry Hermione. It's my fault. I didn't want you to get hurt." He said while she cried, not hearing his comment. 'If I'm going to have to make a long-winded speech, I wish she weren't squeezing me so tight. I can't breath.'
"What?" She replied, coming up, still whimpering with sobs. Her face was red and her hair horribly tousled.
"I didn't want you to end up like Ron." He said, wishing again that he wasn't saying this in front of an audience.
"Why would you… why would I end up like…" Hermione seemed to finally get it. "Harry, that isn't going to happen." She said, finally seeming to get a hold of herself.
"How do you know? It probably will. Ron's 'dead'. I don't want that to happen to you." Harry said. Well, there was no going back now. Unless he wanted to wipe Hermione's and about fifteen other people's memories, and that didn't seem likely.
"Harry, what makes you think that's going to happen to me? Just because I'm your friend doesn't mean I'm going to die. Ron's not your fault." Hermione told him.
"He was only taken because Voldemort wanted to know where I live. Come on. He wouldn't tell him, and who knows where the hell he is now?" Harry confessed.
"You can't live like that though." Hermione told him. "What's the point if nothing ever happens to me? If I lived then what would it matter to you if we weren't friends? You can't live life without taking those risks." Hermione said.
He shook his head. She was right. He knew it. But he had known it since before he even decided to go through with this stupid plan of his. But why bother? Any idea of rejecting Hermione now was stupid.
She grabbed his shoulder roughly and shook it. She could almost look directly into his eyes. Damn him and his shortness! "Harry…"
"Yeah, I know. It was stupid. I'm sorry." He didn't look at her, but staring at the other people who were openly gaping at him wasn't much better. "Do you forgive me?"
As inappropriately as it would have been, if she said no, he would have laughed. For her to say that she didn't want to be his friend any longer would have just been ironic. However, he was saved from awkwardly embarrassing himself.
"Yeah. Of course I do. You were doing it because you care about me anyway." She said.
He was surprised when she didn't hug him, preferring to smack him upside the head and say "Don't you EVER do that again! You hear me?" He smirked and nodded.
Hermione turned faced the crowd of people and instantly turned red. Though Harry was mistaken when he thought it was out of embarrassment.
"WELL? What are you all staring at? Shows over." Harry was slightly impressed. In the crowd of people, he was surprised she would speak to Dumbledore, McGonagal, Sirius and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley like that.
Wait. Sirius? Uh oh.
"Well, it's been depressing. I have to go catch up on homework. I'll see you all later." He smiled tautly. He then headed for the Quidditch pitch. He needed to sort stuff out.
He summoned his broom and took a few laps around the quidditch pitch. He didn't care though. Hermione was his friend again, and Ron… he was ready to start living again. He knew that Ron wouldn't stop plaguing him, but he wouldn't dwell on it so much.
'When Ron came back… he would have his best friend again.'
________
Eventually, he did have to talk to Sirius. After avoiding him all day, Sirius eventually caught up to him. He imagined that it couldn't have been too hard as he spent most – if not all – of his time in the library. Now that Hermione and him were friends again, they could do their homework together and he didn't have to scramble about while he tried to finish it all. He now could focus more on defensive magic. Hermione seemed really pleased that he had taken an interest in books and was happy to point out many of her favorite muggle books, as well as some anti-dark art books.
She comically pointed out that he should write an anti-dark arts book himself.
"Oh yeah." He had replied. "Tastefully entitled 'Staying Alive, by Harry Potter.
"It would double as your auto-biography." Hermione said smiling. "I could call mine, 'How I Kept My Sanity,' Subtitled, 'Five Years With Harry Potter as my Best Friend.'"
"Now Hermione. Don't go taking my title." He heard Sirius's voice coming from behind their table.
Hermione turned to smile at him, but he kept his eyes on his book.
"What are you reading?" He asked.
"Just a book."
Sirius looked at the title on the upper right-hand corner. "That one's boring. I had to read that one for Auror training. The good ones are all in the restricted section."
"Really? Like what?" As long as Hermione was sitting there, Sirius probably wouldn't say anything. Right?
"All kinds. Most of them are pretty sick though. There was this one I read that taught you a spell to make somebody's brain explode without actually puncturing the skull."
"Ever get around to using that one?" He asked while Hermione's nose wrinkled up.
"No, but there have been some times when it was pretty tempting." He replied smirking.
"I have to go." Hermione said, looking a bit queasy.
Harry was a bit impressed. "Always use to work on Lily." Sirius told him. Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm the one who should be mad at you."
"I'm sorry, okay? If I had told you the truth, what would you have done though?"
"Thought you were a really big idiot."
"In my defense, I felt really guilty about lying to you." Harry told him truthfully.
"Oh! Well in that case. I forgive you." He said sarcastically.
"Well what do you want me to say? It was for the greater good." Harry told him.
"Whatever. At least you had good reasoning behind it. Don't do it ever again." Sirius told him.
"Heh. You've still got three more years left. You think this will be the last time I ever lie to you?"
"No, but up until now I had been happy thinking you would never ever lie to me. Now you've gone and ruined it." He whined.
"Yeah well… I have to go pull Hermione's head out of a toilet."
"Before you go… how are you? I mean, since the funeral?"
"I- think that it helped me a lot. You know? Helped me to get past this." He said.
"That's good Harry. You need to move on."
"On a brighter note." Sirius said smirking like he had just found a really good picture to blackmail him with. "You are now – or, again I suppose – the talk of the school."
"What makes this good news?" He said groaning.
"Oh, it's good, and if it's not, then it's good for me." He replied. He then put on a really squeaky voice. "Did you hear about what Harry Potter said to Hermione Granger last night? I thought he was just a jerk, but I think it's so sweet how he was trying to protect her like that."
Harry put his head down on the table. "And did you notice how cute he got over the summer. I mean, he's still really short, but…"
"Will you shut it? And I am not short. I'm pleasantly average sized. I don't want to be tall anyway."
"Yeah, girls think it's real romantic when you have to jump to kiss them." Sirius teased him.
"Ha Ha. You're hilarious." He said walking out.
__________
The rest of October seemed a lot less depressing then the previous month. Homework became a lot easier now that he and Hermione were working together, and his dreams all but stopped.
As much as it embarrassed him that whenever he went to the library to study or was sitting in the common room, there seemed to be little groups of girls staring at him 'inconspicuously', it was definitely an improvement to the disgusted glares he got from everyone else. Whenever he looked at them, they all seemed to burst into mad giggling fits.
It just about made Hermione crazy, and on a daily basis he heard "I just don't know what they see in you. I mean, you really aren't all that cute."
He never heard any comments from her right before Sirius walked into the room, when the female portion of the class was talking and giggling hysterically. He hadn't told Hermione about Sirius's (not) mysterious girlfriend, and in spite of her still seeming hung up over Krum, (which caused Harry's eye rolling skills not to falter) Harry was wondering whether Hermione was joining the masses of hormone-crazed teenage girls in finding him attractive.
Harry didn't find their attraction as disturbing as he did funny. Did they really think they had a chance? Did they really think he was a pedophile? He considered on various occasions bursting their bubbles by telling them he had a girlfriend, but he hadn't even confessed that he knew to Sirius. Why would he tell a bunch of strangers?
As far as he could tell, not even the staff new about Sirius's secret rendezvous with professor Murphy, who was still as bitchy as ever.
Hermione had been on one of her rants about his little fan club on the morning of Halloween before a DADA lesson whilst Sirius's fan club prepared to see their idol, when the unthinkable happened.
Snape walked in.
The classroom immediately shut up as they watched in horror. "Professor Black has deemed himself unfit to teach lessons, and lucky for all of you, I will now be teaching his class for him on a regular basis."
Every single mouth dropped open in horror. A few girls looked like they were close to tears. Harry wasn't sure what to think. He knew that Sirius would have told him about this before Snape took over the class. Just when he was about to raise his hand to ask about it, he was shocking back into silence as Snape smiled humorously. Two words he didn't think had ever graced Snape's vocal cords before were said. "Just kidding!"
Suddenly, Snape's head was morphed into another one. A noticeably familiar one. It was Tonks.
She was smiling wittily, and threw off her Snape like robe to reveal something that looked like she would wear. People were still looking on in confusion.
"I'm sorry." She choked out in laughter. "I just thought it would be a great way to make an entrance. I'm Nymphadora Tonks. You can just call me Tonks though." She then explained to the class how she was a metamophmagus. He enjoyed her lesson, and the fact that she assigned no homework.
"Tonks." He stopped her on his way out. He motioned for Hermione to go on without him.
"Oh! Hey there Harry." She said smiling.
"Hey. What's up with Sirius. Is he sick?"
"He er, has a 'twenty-four hour cold'." She gave him a look.
"I wasn't aware there were such things. And how do you know it's twenty-four hours. It might-" He stopped himself, realizing what she was implying.
"Wait, why would he skip classes?" He asked, confused.
"I have no idea. Maybe you should ask him." She recommended. "Or possibly check the calendar."
She shrugged, and they both left the room, her probably going to prepare for her next performance.
He thought about all through out his next lesson. It wasn't until he was on his way to the teacher's corridor after dinner that he realized what it was that she meant. He was a little bit more apprehensive, walking along that hallway during the day. Especially now when all of the professors were headed there. He said the password, and promptly ran into McGonagal.
"What are you doing here, Potter?" She asked him suspiciously.
"Oh. I'm sorry, professor. I was just going to visit Sirius." He announced.
"Oh." She said, looking at him understandingly. "Do try and cheer him up." She almost smiled at him.
He told the wolf the password and knocked on his door.
It took a bit of time for there to be an answer. Sirius gave him a small smile and let him in. "Hey kid." He didn't sound to good. His voice wasn't hoarse or anything, but he sounded depressed and a bit tired.
"How are you doing? Is your one-day cold almost over?"
Sirius didn't look ashamed or anything. He just shrugged. "I guess. You want to sit down?"
He complied, and Sirius sat down next to him. Sirius seemed to be taking this hard. Not having been around for any of his previous Halloweens, Harry wasn't sure how Sirius usually took to them.
"Have you eaten?" he asked, trying to fill the space.
He shook his head. "I'm not hungry."
"Should I alert the media?" Harry asked grinning. He didn't smile.
"Hey." He said, for lack of anything better to say. "Cheer up."
He replied with a very tested smile.
"Come on. I mean, you've started over now. You're doing great. You've got a good life. A nice house, a decent job, and in my humble opinion, one of the best godsons in the world." He smirked. Sirius didn't reply. He just turned away.
Harry watched helplessly as he rested the side of his head in his arms on the armrest.
Harry was out of ideas. He sat back against the couch, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Sirius didn't move at all. In fact Harry sat there for an hour before he moved even an inch.
Harry was very uncomfortable. He had been sitting in the same spot for an hour now and he was getting uncomfortable. He was scared to move though. He knew he couldn't leave. It wasn't just a matter of not wanting Sirius alone in this state; it was a matter of decency.
He sat there for another three hours, trying not to move much. He had quite a stiff neck by then, and he was getting tired. Three times he almost nodded off before Sirius moved. He wasn't asleep as Harry had suspected.
"You don't have to stay here, Har." He said. He startled him so much that he jumped.
"No, I'm fine." He said a bit drowsy.
"Really. You should go back to your common room. I'll be fine."
He shook his head decisively. "That's all right. I'll stay here."
Sirius must have seen the determination in his eyes, because he didn't mention it again.
Sirius had stayed up all night long with him countless times. He knew Sirius probably wouldn't sleep that night, and the least he could do would be to stay there with him. So he pulled his legs up and leaned against the arm rest staring protectively at Sirius.
At about four in the morning, Sirius nodded off, but Harry didn't dare get up, in fear that his movement would wake up his godfather. He didn't sleep either. He was lucky that the next day was Saturday. He waited until Sirius awoke at about seven o'clock that morning to get up.
Sirius was surprised to see that he was still there and awake when he awoke, but he smiled appreciatively at him.
"You want to get something to eat with me kid?" Sirius asked him.
"Yeah, sure." He said. In spite of his tiredness, he agreed, eager to see Sirius eat something.
He knew it was probably selfish, but he felt proud of himself. Sirius did so much for him. He felt the least he could do was to repay him in whatever way possible.
End Chapter XIX-October Nights
I could just be overanalyzing everything, which – so I've heard – I've been prone to doing, but I feel like my writing skills have declined. Perhaps there's a period in every story where everything just seems to be protracted, and boring before you get to the exciting part. I have one of those coming up, but… oh I don't know. It just seems weird to me now. I think that I've gone over it so many times in my head that I've gotten tired of it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? I have a bunch of stupid little plot-bunny babies that I want to fit in, but they seem to take up a lot of time. Wow, I never thought I'd have the problem of not being able to fit everything in one chapter. : )
So, I hope you liked this chapter. I really did work hard on it. I was up until four in the morning finishing it, and here I am, tired as a… something tired. I can't think of anything, but finishing it. You know answering reviews takes a lot of the time, but you know I love it.
Anifan1: I'm glad you liked it. That little… vignette was what I was talking about in the reviews. I thought it would be funny if Sirius caught Harry sleeping in class and it got a bit out of control. *Sirius nods* I don't think many people have to wear both contacts and glasses. Usually that's only if you need reading glasses, but still, my vision's getting really bad though. I may need to. : ) I think I did mention that Sirius said that if Harry was having trouble he would be excused from homework.
Shawn Pickett: Interesting how you phrased that. Harry's going to snap like a twig soon. Can't wait to see it.
Sirius: God, while don't we get the Daily Prophet to cover it?
I guess you called it. I wasn't planning on having Harry and Hermione get back together until later, but the make-up practically wrote itself and there was nothing I could do. I know that if Harry had told the truth about Hermione that there would definitely have been some sort of intervention of Sirius's, and Hagrid didn't really know what was going on. Thanks for reviewing.
Sailoranime: Really? I didn't think subtlety worked well with you. I'm just playing around. : ) Really? You don't like her? I happen to love my character. No, I'm just playing. In fact, I ought to draw her name on a punching bag and get this rage towards her out. It doesn't seem like Harry's style to prank somebody, but I'll keep it in mind.
Hermione's reaction may come up later. I can't guarantee, but I'm thinking of doing something a bit shocking. To me, I think Ginny is turning into something of a firecracker. I never really paid a lot of attention to her, but she seems like someone who would furiously defend her friends. I might have been a bit misinterpreted with that whole thing there. I mean, Harry – stretched to the limit with stress and tiredness – wouldn't really take too well to a perky and sarcastically witty Sirius, now would he? I mean, I get six or seven hours of sleep and I'm about ready to bite somebody's head off. Of course, some react to sleep deprivation by getting hysterical, but I can't see Harry doing that.
Of course, whenever you tell someone not to read something, they have to go right out and do it. I don't know why. I can't see how I would be really insulted by that remark though. How was this? Dark enough? Enough turns to call it a roller coaster? Yes, the chapter was a bit shorter then usual. Somehow, with your amazing wit, I find you the perfect author to write that. If you aren't too over your head with stories. Thanks for reviewing.
Katani Petitedra: You don't? Then I guess I'm doing my job. Thank you, and you have a nice day as well. : )
Personwhoyoudidn'tanswerlasttime: I didn't answer you? Wow, I'm really sorry. I swear, I couldn't find your review. Personally, I think that if Snape would be permitted to teach children then Sirius Black would be as well. Thanks for your review, ad once again, I'm really sorry. : (
Alastormadeyemoody51: Thank you. Oh really? Murphy is a common name though, I'm pretty sure. I just thought up the name off the top of my head.
A.Dee: Wow, looking back at your review, I hadn't realized how long it had been since my last update. When you mentioned flame, I forgot you had updated. Loved that one anyway. I don't think there was ever a time when you held any affection towards her. You were, however, the first one to guess that Sirius was seeing anyone if you go back to your review about a couple thousand years ago.
That was a funny one. I'm pretty keen on that whole scenario during his defense class though. I thought that was funny. I know exactly what you mean with the chapters. You know how when you get towards the end of the chapter and you stare longingly at the scroll bar, wishing it wasn't so close to the end? Okay, maybe that's just me. ; )
Felinity: That's really flattering. *Smiles* Wow, so many question, so little I can answer. You saw the end to that whole Hermione mess. I think that I've pretty much answered the question about Ron as well. Remus isn't really in the story much, but I'm trying to put him in more. I think Sirius noticed how depressed he was, but there wasn't really to much to do for him. I mean, with Ron disappearing, it would have been natural for him to be moping around a lot. Thanks for your review.
Star-prancer: I'm glad that you said that, because I was starting to think that people thought I wasn't trying to make her so bitchy. I don't think it was her anger that was jumping; I think it was the fact that it was all in caps. But yeah, that was how I thought she would react in cannon. Thanks for reviewing.
Buffy Summers1: Thanks a lot. I'm glad that I'm writing her right.
Blueberrie: Wow, thanks a lot. I'm glad you like it. And good luck with your new story. It's really good. : )
SP-in-Sirius-Denial: I'm glad that you reviewed. I hadn't realized I was taking so long. I understand with busy. I'm sorry about being so late. It's not writer's block, it's writer's blah; no motivation to write. Sirius is such a freeloader, not a good muse at all. : ) I'm pretty sure resolvation is not a word. It's not making it past my spell check. But I'm pretty sure one of those problems will be solved within the next three chapters, but I can't be sure. Thanks for reviewing.
Ican'trememberwhoiusuallyam: Really? Well, I'm glad you've reviewed in the past. I don't know who you reviewed under, however. Sorry. And that's really flattering, but I seriously don't think that I can be compared to the legendary Bored Beyond Belief. *Bows head in honor.* Thanks for your review.
The Bell and the Black Dragon: Thanks a lot for your review. I'm pretty sure you haven't review, but I saw you on the list of people who have me on their favorite author's list. Twenty and counting. : ) No. No, I don't want to be responsible for your death. That wouldn't be good at all. Sorry it's taken so long. Thanks for your review.
Thanks everyone for your sweet and kind reviews. I love all of you.