He was suffocating. The air was pressing in on him on all sides. He
felt like Sirius had just fell through the veil again. The whole experience
was coming back more vividly and horribly than ever before. The cursed veil
flashed before his stricken eyes.
Only one couple was still battling, apparently unaware of the new arrival.
Harry saw Sirius duck Bellatrix's jet of red light: He was laughing at her.
"Come on you can do better than that!" Oh, God Sirius she did, he yelled,
his voice echoing around the cavernous room
The second jet of light him squarely on the chest.
The laughter had not quite died from his face, but his eyes widened in
shock.
Harry released Neville, though he was unaware of doing so. He was jumping
down the steps, pulling out his wand, as Dumbledore turned to the dais too.
It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall. His body curved in a graceful
arc has he sank between the ragged veil hanging from the arch.
And Harry saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather's
wasted, once handsome face as he fell through the ancient doorway and
disappeared behind the veil, which fluttered for a moment as though in a
high wind and then fell back into place.
He had to get out of here. He stood up abruptly and walked out of the
office, ignoring the eyes filled with concern that followed him out the
door. He needed air; he stepped into the Entrance Hall. He tried taking
deep breaths, but was failing miserably. This was his fault Sirius was gone
-gone, and it was his fault. He was a danger to everyone. This was too
hard. This was hurting so badly. Harry stopped thinking for a moment when
he noticed a delicate prickling on the back of his neck. Pulling his wand
out automatically, he spun quickly on his heals. Harry stared into the
sneering face of Draco Malfoy. He relaxed slightly; at least it wasn't a
Death Eater, yet anyway.
"Oh, don't get too comfortable, Potter," he spat. "You should be more
careful than that."
"Well you understand, I don't exactly see you as a threat, Malfoy." Harry
watched in enjoyment as Malfoy seethed.
"You best watch your back, Potter."
" Well, I appear to be doing quite well handling Voldemort, so I don't
think you should be a problem."
"My father-," Malfoy started, a pink tinge rising in his mousy face.
"Your father what?" Harry shot back, "I might be mistaken, but I didn't
think they allowed prisoner visits." Harry was thrown backwards as he
landed on the hard stone floor. With the wind knocked out of him he could
hardly talk let alone cough. Which was what he happened to be doing at the
moment, having a hysterical coughing fit.
Malfoy was standing above him, his hand curled into a fist which he was
starring at triumphantly. His white bony hand was covered in blood, Harry's
blood.
"Well, well, well, Potter it looks like some people understand how a
murderer like yourself should be treated." Harry flung himself onto Malfoy
ignoring the increasing pain in his chest, as they both fell to the ground
and Harry gave Malfoy a hard punch in the stomach to match the one he
himself had just received. Malfoy's hand had just come in contact with
Harry's chin and he was about to retaliate when he was lifted upward by a
surprisingly strong Professor McGonagall. Malfoy was lifted off the ground
by his mother, who was cradling him protectively. He was rubbing his
stomach like he'd just been shot.
"You will here from our lawyers about this," Narcissia Malfoy's face
contorted into a rat like form, so much like her son's.
"You will do no such thing as of yet, Mrs. Malfoy," Dumbledore came forward
from the back of the crowd, " we have no idea who threw the first punch, so
to speak." Harry pointed at Malfoy still to winded to speak, and Malfoy in
turn pointed at Harry. Dumbledore gazed at both of them. "Then we find
ourselves in quite a predicament don't we?"
"If I may interrupt, Headmaster." Most every one in the hall turned to the
large marble staircase, as the Fat Friar floated gracefully towards the
crowd. "I was strolling towards the Great Hall, sir, and I believe I saw
Mr. Malfoy attack first."
"Well, then," Dumbledore clapped his hands together triumphantly, "that's
all settled and no one will be pressing charges, then?" Ron made a noise as
though to interrupt, but the old man spoke over him, " You are free to
leave Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy we will see you at the start of term." With
arms still around her son, Narcissia lead Draco out of the hall. "Thank you
for your help, Fat Friar" The ghost nodded.
"Any time, Headmaster." He looked over at Harry, who was still curled
inward and breathing shallowly. "Young Mr. Potter took quite a blow."
Everyone's attention was now focused on Harry, who was going into another
coughing fit. Professor McGonagall was patting his back soothingly. Remus
came over and shifted Harry's weight onto himself. When the wizened
Transfiguration teacher pulled back a small portion of her robes were
covered in blood.
"Harry your bleeding," Remus whispered.
"Let's get him to the hospital wing," Harry wasn't sure who was speaking;
in another fit of coughing, Harry's vision began to waver. He was vaguely
aware of Ron slinging Harry's other arm over his shoulder. As they walked,
or in Harry's case dragged, to a severe-looking Madam Pomfrey.
Remus set Harry on the bed, so that his legs were dangling off the sides.
Madam Pomfrey bustled over to Harry. The rest of the occupants in the room
took seats on various empty beds and chairs; this annoyed him slightly but
he was in too much pain to care at the moment.
"Lift your shirt, Mr. Potter." Harry looked at the medi-witch skeptically.
"Come on," she snapped. "Honestly, your so much easier to handle when
you're unconscious. " Ron barked a laugh.
"As he's been so many times as well," Madam Pomfrey tutted. Harry slung off
his robes, forced back a grimace, and lifted his shirt with maximum effort.
Everyone in the room winced as they saw one of his healing ribs jutted out at an odd angle nearly ready to puncture skin. Madam Pomfrey moved her wand down the lean teenager's chest. She let out an impatient sigh as she delicately unwrapped the terrycloth wrap. The skin felt tender and flimsy where the wrap used to lay. As she began to put a fresh wrap on the wound, she began to criticize. "Potter, you punctured a lung. And if you so much as exert yourself this summer I will strap you to a wheelchair and ban you from quidditch. Is that understood?" "But-" "No buts Potter. I will repeat myself. Is that understood?" Harry nodded glumly. " Good, and once again there is nothing I can do for you until you allow yourself to heal properly. And I doubt getting in a brawl with Mr. Malfoy helped." "Well at least I didn't hit him first," Harry said, trying to laugh. "That is such an improvement," she snapped harshly. "Why was Malfoy here anyway? They didn't get anything." "Well, after you walked out." Ron trailed off and looked hesitantly at his friend. Harry nodded his conformation for Ron to continue. " Dumbledore read the rest of the will, including a note from Sirius," when Harry blanched at the name Ron stopped again. Harry quickly covered his slip up with another fit of coughing that happened to come upon him at the perfect moment. The perfect cover up quickly became not so perfect when he saw his hand covered in blood. Madam Pomfrey promptly handed Harry a wet cloth. He composed himself and nodded for Ron to continue. He shot Harry a worried glance and continued, "the note said that, and I quote, 'to dear Narcissia and Draco your attending today has given me a last moment of happiness to know that you had to sit through a, hopefully, long funeral and will reading and yet have gained nothing from it. I hope the look on your face as watching the Black fortune be given away has been enough to shine a little light on my true family's faces. I thank you for giving me that last moment of vengeance. Now please, leave; these kind people have too much of the Black fortune to sort through to look at your cowardly faces.'" Ron paused dramatically, "Sirius was the coolest dude to ever exist." Ron smiled. Harry looked down to the floor. Ron's smile faltered, "sorry Harry. I didn't mea-" "It's okay Ron," he was still examining his shoelaces.
There was a pause where everyone stared off in silence for a few seconds until Dumbledore broke the awkward stillness.
"Well, I have some business to attend to and it looks like you lot could use some sleep. Good day." He gave a Harry a fleeting look and swept from the room.
*****
Ron woke up the next morning in fairly high spirits. Well, as high as his spirits could be after returning from a funeral. He still felt a chill run up his spine every time he remembered that haunted, broken look in his best friend's eyes.
Ron felt he was close to a nervous breakdown these days, but he tried his hardest not to show it in front of Harry. Ron had more emotions than were healthy running through his brain. He was scared most of all. Scared and Worried. His best friend was in shambles. Harry may have thought he was being discreet when he would have to take deep breaths after walking up a flight of stairs of clutch at his side every time he got up from a chair. And worst of all now was the coughing. Every evening he would fall asleep listening to his muffled, hacking coughs, and every morning he would wake to find a pillowcase soaking in soapy water, tinted pink.
The next powerful emotion in Ron's mind was anger. Every time he saw Harry's bloodied form he had a powerful urge to curse those cows he called relatives to a bloody pulp. And Malfoy just deserved a good kick in the arse.
And of course grief. Harry and Remus weren't the only ones suffering from Sirius's death. Of course he knew his pain was nothing compared to what his friend and former teacher were going through but it still hurt. Sirius was such a good, friendly person. Sure he was the king of pranksters but under that crazy exterior he was such a caring person (and dog). He had loved Harry so much; Ron wasn't sure which of the two needed the other more. But now only one was left and Harry was suffering. He didn't care if he got any strong, sudden urges of jealousy over the Boy-Who-Lived, Ron would ignore them, because right now Harry needed him, even if he didn't know it.
Finally to add to his roller coaster of emotions he still had those annoying scars on his arms from the brain attack last year. There was this nagging feeling in the back of Ron's mind telling him these marks on his arms were going to cause him more problems than the soreness he felt now. All he knew is that Hermione's comment about him having the emotional range of a teaspoon has long since past.
But to put all sorrow and misery aside, today was going to be a good day. Today Harry was finally going to get a birthday he deserved. The second Ron's mom had found out Harry was going to be here for his birthday, she had gone all out. Ron, Fred and George had been assigned to send invitations out to most of the Gryffindor house, while the girls had been set to food and décor. Harry was oblivious, of course, but that was as it was supposed to be.
They had set up the entertaining area in the backyard and had paced concealment charms over the expanse, making it invisible to the human eye with out actually stepping into the ward. The guests were arriving at one o' clock this afternoon and until then, they had to keep Harry out of the backyard.
As Ron entered the kitchen he saw his mother slaving away over the stove, chopping food up franticly. Ron took his place between Dean and Neville, and started in on his kippers. He heard the thump of slow and steady feet coming down the stairs as Harry appeared around the corner. He nodded to the group at the table and took his seat, wincing slightly as he did so. He began pushing the food around on his plate taking a bite occasionally; it annoyed Ron to no end how little Harry seemed to be eating lately. He felt another hot surge of anger towards a certain unspoken muggle.
As mum piled another helping of food on the boy's plates, Harry sighed exasperedly. He half-heartily put a fork full of eggs in his mouth when Mrs.Weasley had given him a death glare. Ron noticed his best friend eye the masses of food cooking on the stove warily.
"If you don't mind me asking Mrs.Weasley," Harry piped up uncertainly, "what's with all the food."
The redheaded woman answered immediately, having already rehearsed her answer. "I thought we'd have a little dinner for your birthday, dear." Ron snorted under his breath, if he only knew.
"Oh," Harry's voice was filled with uncertainty and what Ron had noticed was a tint of hope. He cast his eyes upon his half eaten plate, "you don't have to do that Mrs.Weasley."
"Of course I do, dear, don't be silly. It's about time you had a birthday celebration," there was a small pause.
"Thanks," he muttered quietly.
"Think nothing of it." ******
Melindaleo-This was one of the reviews that meant the most to me. Going by what you've told me, I've accomplished my goal. Sirius didn't leave anything to Ginny because he didn't have as close of a relationship with her as with, Ron, Hermione, or the twins. As for Remus and Tonks, you'll just have to wait and find out.
Sword Wielder -Firebreath- I believe I answered the thing about the Malfoys in this chapter, as I was going to do all along. As I mentioned in the story, Sirius found a loophole in the law. As Erin answered previously, Harry doesn't have to live with Lupin, so the full moon won't be a problem. Sometimes you just have to wait for the answers.
Terence- Deeply sorry for your wait; I had a bit of writer's block. I'm very honored that you find this story so good. Sorry I ticked you off about the cliffhanger, but I'll try to write faster in the future. Keep reviewing.
Walter34- I lived by your rule- it is one day less than a month! I appreciate your support.
Nadia Greenleaf- That's exactly what I'm aiming for.
REALbluelightsaber- Once again, I've accomplished my goal. I'm an angsty person.
Froggyy1- Thanks for your wonderful review. I got quite a kick out of that foursome your looking for- it sounded like they were all part of one big couple! Thanks again. Keep reviewing.
GuitarGirlErin- At the moment, I'm forcing Erin to type this. So in response to her review, you'll just have to wait and see. And thanks for typing.
Itladyc- Hey, I know you! Sorry to keep you waiting, but it was pretty hilarious watching you try to steal my story from my purse. But it's up now. Hopefully, I won't be having you stalking me for a while because hopefully I'll update soon. And what about the violins?
sophia-blondee- Hey, I know you too! The review is awesome, as I've probably already told you. I backed you up about the violin thing; it's two against one, Itladyc.
And thank you to everyone else who reviewed: Potter Fan, Moony2003, Starwest48, Kurbani, and Abluebird223.
Don't kill me, I had a bit of writer's block, but at least it wasn't a month between updates. Everybody should thank Erin (GuitarGirlErin) (Crystal e. Evans) (us) because without her, this chapter would not be possible because her incessant nagging and 3 page notes are the reason I finally updated. Also thank her for being a wonderful beta reader and typist. Check out her story, coming soon.
Thanks to all who visited our website. If you do, please sign the guestbook. Here's the link ( www.freewebs.com/phoenix_core/
Everyone in the room winced as they saw one of his healing ribs jutted out at an odd angle nearly ready to puncture skin. Madam Pomfrey moved her wand down the lean teenager's chest. She let out an impatient sigh as she delicately unwrapped the terrycloth wrap. The skin felt tender and flimsy where the wrap used to lay. As she began to put a fresh wrap on the wound, she began to criticize. "Potter, you punctured a lung. And if you so much as exert yourself this summer I will strap you to a wheelchair and ban you from quidditch. Is that understood?" "But-" "No buts Potter. I will repeat myself. Is that understood?" Harry nodded glumly. " Good, and once again there is nothing I can do for you until you allow yourself to heal properly. And I doubt getting in a brawl with Mr. Malfoy helped." "Well at least I didn't hit him first," Harry said, trying to laugh. "That is such an improvement," she snapped harshly. "Why was Malfoy here anyway? They didn't get anything." "Well, after you walked out." Ron trailed off and looked hesitantly at his friend. Harry nodded his conformation for Ron to continue. " Dumbledore read the rest of the will, including a note from Sirius," when Harry blanched at the name Ron stopped again. Harry quickly covered his slip up with another fit of coughing that happened to come upon him at the perfect moment. The perfect cover up quickly became not so perfect when he saw his hand covered in blood. Madam Pomfrey promptly handed Harry a wet cloth. He composed himself and nodded for Ron to continue. He shot Harry a worried glance and continued, "the note said that, and I quote, 'to dear Narcissia and Draco your attending today has given me a last moment of happiness to know that you had to sit through a, hopefully, long funeral and will reading and yet have gained nothing from it. I hope the look on your face as watching the Black fortune be given away has been enough to shine a little light on my true family's faces. I thank you for giving me that last moment of vengeance. Now please, leave; these kind people have too much of the Black fortune to sort through to look at your cowardly faces.'" Ron paused dramatically, "Sirius was the coolest dude to ever exist." Ron smiled. Harry looked down to the floor. Ron's smile faltered, "sorry Harry. I didn't mea-" "It's okay Ron," he was still examining his shoelaces.
There was a pause where everyone stared off in silence for a few seconds until Dumbledore broke the awkward stillness.
"Well, I have some business to attend to and it looks like you lot could use some sleep. Good day." He gave a Harry a fleeting look and swept from the room.
*****
Ron woke up the next morning in fairly high spirits. Well, as high as his spirits could be after returning from a funeral. He still felt a chill run up his spine every time he remembered that haunted, broken look in his best friend's eyes.
Ron felt he was close to a nervous breakdown these days, but he tried his hardest not to show it in front of Harry. Ron had more emotions than were healthy running through his brain. He was scared most of all. Scared and Worried. His best friend was in shambles. Harry may have thought he was being discreet when he would have to take deep breaths after walking up a flight of stairs of clutch at his side every time he got up from a chair. And worst of all now was the coughing. Every evening he would fall asleep listening to his muffled, hacking coughs, and every morning he would wake to find a pillowcase soaking in soapy water, tinted pink.
The next powerful emotion in Ron's mind was anger. Every time he saw Harry's bloodied form he had a powerful urge to curse those cows he called relatives to a bloody pulp. And Malfoy just deserved a good kick in the arse.
And of course grief. Harry and Remus weren't the only ones suffering from Sirius's death. Of course he knew his pain was nothing compared to what his friend and former teacher were going through but it still hurt. Sirius was such a good, friendly person. Sure he was the king of pranksters but under that crazy exterior he was such a caring person (and dog). He had loved Harry so much; Ron wasn't sure which of the two needed the other more. But now only one was left and Harry was suffering. He didn't care if he got any strong, sudden urges of jealousy over the Boy-Who-Lived, Ron would ignore them, because right now Harry needed him, even if he didn't know it.
Finally to add to his roller coaster of emotions he still had those annoying scars on his arms from the brain attack last year. There was this nagging feeling in the back of Ron's mind telling him these marks on his arms were going to cause him more problems than the soreness he felt now. All he knew is that Hermione's comment about him having the emotional range of a teaspoon has long since past.
But to put all sorrow and misery aside, today was going to be a good day. Today Harry was finally going to get a birthday he deserved. The second Ron's mom had found out Harry was going to be here for his birthday, she had gone all out. Ron, Fred and George had been assigned to send invitations out to most of the Gryffindor house, while the girls had been set to food and décor. Harry was oblivious, of course, but that was as it was supposed to be.
They had set up the entertaining area in the backyard and had paced concealment charms over the expanse, making it invisible to the human eye with out actually stepping into the ward. The guests were arriving at one o' clock this afternoon and until then, they had to keep Harry out of the backyard.
As Ron entered the kitchen he saw his mother slaving away over the stove, chopping food up franticly. Ron took his place between Dean and Neville, and started in on his kippers. He heard the thump of slow and steady feet coming down the stairs as Harry appeared around the corner. He nodded to the group at the table and took his seat, wincing slightly as he did so. He began pushing the food around on his plate taking a bite occasionally; it annoyed Ron to no end how little Harry seemed to be eating lately. He felt another hot surge of anger towards a certain unspoken muggle.
As mum piled another helping of food on the boy's plates, Harry sighed exasperedly. He half-heartily put a fork full of eggs in his mouth when Mrs.Weasley had given him a death glare. Ron noticed his best friend eye the masses of food cooking on the stove warily.
"If you don't mind me asking Mrs.Weasley," Harry piped up uncertainly, "what's with all the food."
The redheaded woman answered immediately, having already rehearsed her answer. "I thought we'd have a little dinner for your birthday, dear." Ron snorted under his breath, if he only knew.
"Oh," Harry's voice was filled with uncertainty and what Ron had noticed was a tint of hope. He cast his eyes upon his half eaten plate, "you don't have to do that Mrs.Weasley."
"Of course I do, dear, don't be silly. It's about time you had a birthday celebration," there was a small pause.
"Thanks," he muttered quietly.
"Think nothing of it." ******
Melindaleo-This was one of the reviews that meant the most to me. Going by what you've told me, I've accomplished my goal. Sirius didn't leave anything to Ginny because he didn't have as close of a relationship with her as with, Ron, Hermione, or the twins. As for Remus and Tonks, you'll just have to wait and find out.
Sword Wielder -Firebreath- I believe I answered the thing about the Malfoys in this chapter, as I was going to do all along. As I mentioned in the story, Sirius found a loophole in the law. As Erin answered previously, Harry doesn't have to live with Lupin, so the full moon won't be a problem. Sometimes you just have to wait for the answers.
Terence- Deeply sorry for your wait; I had a bit of writer's block. I'm very honored that you find this story so good. Sorry I ticked you off about the cliffhanger, but I'll try to write faster in the future. Keep reviewing.
Walter34- I lived by your rule- it is one day less than a month! I appreciate your support.
Nadia Greenleaf- That's exactly what I'm aiming for.
REALbluelightsaber- Once again, I've accomplished my goal. I'm an angsty person.
Froggyy1- Thanks for your wonderful review. I got quite a kick out of that foursome your looking for- it sounded like they were all part of one big couple! Thanks again. Keep reviewing.
GuitarGirlErin- At the moment, I'm forcing Erin to type this. So in response to her review, you'll just have to wait and see. And thanks for typing.
Itladyc- Hey, I know you! Sorry to keep you waiting, but it was pretty hilarious watching you try to steal my story from my purse. But it's up now. Hopefully, I won't be having you stalking me for a while because hopefully I'll update soon. And what about the violins?
sophia-blondee- Hey, I know you too! The review is awesome, as I've probably already told you. I backed you up about the violin thing; it's two against one, Itladyc.
And thank you to everyone else who reviewed: Potter Fan, Moony2003, Starwest48, Kurbani, and Abluebird223.
Don't kill me, I had a bit of writer's block, but at least it wasn't a month between updates. Everybody should thank Erin (GuitarGirlErin) (Crystal e. Evans) (us) because without her, this chapter would not be possible because her incessant nagging and 3 page notes are the reason I finally updated. Also thank her for being a wonderful beta reader and typist. Check out her story, coming soon.
Thanks to all who visited our website. If you do, please sign the guestbook. Here's the link ( www.freewebs.com/phoenix_core/