Chapter 18 - Birthdays, Letters and Warnings

Fred, George, Lee and Carlie were currently choosing their subjects for the next year. Carlie hadn't talked to Jess or Nathan after the incident a few nights ago.

"I'm going to do muggle studies" Carlie said "It'll be a total bludge for me."

"Someone told us Divination is a bludge too" George said.

"Okay, choosing that" Carlie said.

"Guys! Do care of magical creatures with me!" Lee said.

Carlie shrugged "Hey why not" She filled in the parchment form.

"Do we want to do anymore subjects?" George asked.

"Nah, three is enough, I won't be able to keep up with the homework" Carlie said.

"What are you doing for the holidays?" Lee asked.

"Nothing much" Fred said.

"You want to come to my place for some of the holidays?" Lee asked.

"Sure" George said.

Carlie thought about this. She was really over magic at the moment. All she wanted to do was to go home and pretend to be a normal muggle for a little while.

"Can't. Busy" Carlie answered.

"That's probably good actually, mum mightn't approve of me having a girl over" Lee said

"Carlie a girl? You gotta be joking" George laughed.

"Do you want proof that I am a girl?" Carlie asked.

"No thank you Carlie, we'd prefer not to see them" Fred laughed.

"When do we have to hand these in" George waved the parchment around.

"Just before we hop on the train" Carlie answered.

"Hey" A voice said from behind them.

Carlie looked up to see Jack Sloper smiling at them.

"Hey Jack" Carlie said.

"What subjects are you choosing?" He said as he sat down.

"Muggle Studies, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures" Carlie answered.

"I'm doing Divination, Ancient ruins and Care of Magical Creatures" Jack answered

"Cool" Carlie said.

"Have you finished Snape's potions essay yet? It took me ages to finish it" Jack continued.

"We finished it last night, though we're a bit under" George answered.

"Oh shit I forgot about it!" Carlie slapped her forehead.

"Well you better do something because we have potions next" Lee said.

"I'll make you a copy of mine if you want" Jack offered.

"Oh thank you so much!" Carlie gave him a hug and he went a bright shade of red.

"Here" He said, reaching into his bag and pulling out the parchment. He waved his wand and an identical piece of parchment appeared beside it.

"Thanks so much Jack" Carlie said,

Jack smiled back and mumbled "it was nothing"

"Well thanks anyway" Carlie said.

He got up and walked over to Andrew Kirke who was nudging him and laughing.

"You know Carlie, I think he likes you" George said

Carlie crinkled her nose "Are you kidding?"

"No. I think he does. I mean he just copied his potions essay for you without asking you for anything" Lee said

Carlie shrugged "So what if he does like me?"

Fred, George and Lee exchanged looks and said "ask him out."

Carlie laughed "Yeah right, aren't we a little young for that?"

"You're thirteen next week Carls, it's the best bit of being a teenager" George said.

Carlie bit her lip and looked at Jack. "Well he is nice and he's pretty hot."

"Go for it Carlie" Lee said.

Carlie stood up. She was a bit nervous. She'd asked a few guys out for Tegan before but she'd never done it herself. Then Carlie remember that most of the whole 'going out' thing at the moment was just walking around and holding hands. Walking over to Jack and Andrew she smiled and turned her hair a brown colour with red streaks in it that flowed just over her shoulders in long curls.

"Hey Jack do you wanna go out with me?" Carlie said.

Jack looked quite taken aback by Carlie's boldness. Carlie was feeling the colour rising in her face.

"Okay" He said.

Carlie wasn't the only one who'd forgotten about their school work. Lyndsay had totally forgotten that she had a maths test. Now she was sitting in the classroom with the test paper in front of her and she had no idea how to do half the stuff on it. Lyndsay decided to use her seer powers to try and see the answer sheet. Marcus had began to teach her how to use her seer powers to see where people are so she could posses them. Lyndsay knew it was wrong but they couldn't prove a thing. Concentrating she soon saw the test answers as if she was holding them in her hand.

"Well just this once" She thought.

Fred and George and Carlie had a feeling Andrew as well, had spread it around that her and Jack were going out. Jess would have laughed at it if Carlie was on speaking terms with him.

"Does the whole flipping school know about us?" Carlie said in frustration.

"Pretty much but a lot of the older students don't really care" Fred explained

Carlie rolled her eyes "Yeah for me then!"

"Have you guys actually done anything?" George asked

Carlie shrugged and said, "We've held hands and we hug loads but that's about it."

"I thought so" George said.

"What are you doing for your birthday next week Carlie?" Fred asked.

"I really want to go home and have a party but I guess I can't."

"You weren't like this last year" George said.

"That's because if I went to muggle high school I wouldn't have had a party last year anyway. I have them every few years and I would of have had one this year" Carlie sighed

"What do you want for your birthday?" Fred asked.

Carlie shrugged "Whatever I'm not fussy."

Jess was sitting in the library. Carlie wasn't talking to him still because of the whole 'father' incident the other day. He knew why she was so bitter. She'd written him a letter and he'd never replied back. Then it hit Jess. It was because he was in Azkaban. Maybe if he sent him a pen and some parchment he would write back to her. It was a long shot but Jess knew it would mean a lot to Carlie if he did write and who knew; maybe he would be sain enough to keep writing or something. Jess smiled to himself, it may just work.

Lyndsay and Nathan were at Nathan's place when they got the message from Marcus.

/Come now. I need to speak with you/

Since Nathan's parents weren't home (as usual) they quickly orbed to Marcus's house.

"Sup Marcus?" Lyndsay said.

"I'll tell you when Carlie and Jess get here" Marcus said.

Meanwhile Carlie was with Fred and George and it would take a while to get away from them.

/Jess can you tell Marcus that I'll be a little late/ Carlie messaged him.

/You're talking to me/

/Yes. Now tell him shit head/ Carlie snapped back.

Jess rolled his eyes when he got the message and orbed straight away.

"Where's Carlie?" Nathan asked.

"She'll be here soon but listen" Jess said quickly. "I have the best idea for a birthday surprise for Carlie."

"A party right?" Lyndsay said.

"No Fred and George are going to plan one but mine will mean much more but I need your help" Jess said this all very quickly.

"What?" Nathan asked.

"Okay. Over the holidays Carlie wrote to Sirius, who's her father" He added the last bit to Lyndsay who had opened her mouth to ask. "Now she is very bitter at him because he didn't reply but I know why. It's because he's in Azkaban. The wizard prison. My idea is to send him a letter and explain why we're writing to him and send him a pen and some parchment and tell him to write to Carlie for her birthday and explain everything to her."

"So that's why she acted so strangely the other night" Nathan said.

"What happened the other night?" Lyndsay asked.

Jess explained as quickly as he could and Lyndsay sat with her mouth open the whole time.

"So why is he in prison exactly?" Nathan asked.

"He murdered thirteen people with one curse" Jess explained.

"Does Carlie know?" Lyndsay asked.

"No but I'm going to get him to explain everything to her" Jess said "At least you hope so" he added silently.

"When do we do this?" Nathan asked.

"How about later on tonight" Jess said.

"What here?" Lyndsay asked.

"No in the park where we first met" Jess said.

"I forgot all about that" Lyndsay said.

"I did as well until I began thinking up this plan" Jess explained.

"Hey where's Marcus?" Jess suddenly realized their guardian was nowhere to be seen.

"He went to get that fantail guy" Lyndsay said.

"Okay Lynds its Phantal not fantail" Nathan said.

"Whatever" Lyndsay said.

"Hey guys" Carlie said.

"When did you get here?" Jess asked, hoping that she hadn't been there for long.

"About a minute why?" Carlie crossed her arms.

"I just wanted to know" Jess replied.

Carlie rolled her eyes and sat on the couch next to Lyndsay.

"So anyway, are you going to buy me an awesome birthday present?" Carlie asked Lyndsay

"My gift is my friendship" Lyndsay said.

"Well that's a crappy present" Nathan exclaimed.

"Yer damn right!" Carlie shouted.

Suddenly there was a flare of blue particles and a man with grey hair and white robes stood next to Marcus.

"Hey Marcus what's happening?" Carlie asked.

"Phantal here is going to explain what you should be wary of" Marcus said.

"How are you lot?" Phantal asked

"Fine" They chorused.

"Good, Good. Anyway, as you've been told that Minaru is after you."

"Who the hell is Minaru?" Lyndsay asked.

"Head of the underworld. There is so much to get into about it but all you need to know he is the bad guy." Phantal explained.

"Good stuff" Nathan remarked.

"He will use any type of tactics to lure you to him. Whether it be demons attacking you, endangering someone you love or a messenger" he continued.

"We think he is going to try a messenger" Marcus added.

"So be wary of anyone who suddenly tries to be your friend" Phantal said.

"Kinda puts an end to your social life huh?" Lyndsay said.

"So is that it?" Jess asked

"Yeah pretty much" Marcus said.

"Good then" Carlie said "I have to finish my Transfiguration essay so later much" Carlie then disappeared in a burst of blue particles.

"Yeah we have to go too" Lyndsay said.

"TTFN" Nathan said

Marcus looked puzzled "Ta, ta for now" Lyndsay said.

With that the three of them orbed off.

It was about eleven o'clock at night when Nathan, Jess and Lyndsay got together at the park.

"What's with the owl?" Nathan asked

"This is how we are going to send it to him and I'll instruct the owl to stay until he sends one back" Jess explained.

"So are we ready to write to the murder?" Nathan asked as he sat down.

Jess snickered and Lyndsay gave him a hard look.

"So how to start it?" Lyndsay said

"How about dear Mr. mass murder" Nathan suggested.

"Nathan!" Lyndsay hit him.

"How about dear Mr. Black?" Jess said.

"Yep that will do" Lyndsay wrote it down.

"My name is Jess and I'm a friend of Carlie's" Jess continued.

"What about us?" Nathan demanded.

"Just listen" Jess snapped "Me and a few other friends of Carlie's are writing to you because we know Carlie sent you a letter a few months ago."

Lyndsay continued to write.

"She isn't aware that you are in Azkaban." Jess said.

Lyndsay was writing with a pen. They'd decided to use parchment but Quills and inks were too hard to write with and send.

"Carlie was very upset that you didn't write back and is angry at you" Jess continued "As it is her birthday in a few days we decided to write to you and to ask if you would consider writing back. We have enclosed a few pieces of parchment and a pen. My owl will stay until you have written a reply. We hope that you will try and explain everything to Carlie. Thank you very much, Jess."

"Shouldn't you write your last name?" Nathan asked

Jess shook his head "No he'll know the name Mcairn straight away."

"I hope he writes to her" Lyndsay said.

"I think he will, though it might be a bit of an insane letter" Jess said.

"Why?" Nathan asked.

"Most people go insane in Azkaban" Jess explained.

"What do we write on the front?" Lyndsay said.

"Sirius Black" Jess said.

Lyndsay wrote it down and passed everything to Jess who tied it on the owl and told it "Don't leave until you get a reply" Then he let the owl go.

"I hope it finds him" Jess said.

Dear Sir
I don't know how to begin this but let me start with saying who I am. My name is Carlie Mason but according to my birth certificate I was born Carlie Black and you, Sirius Black are my father. I don't know what happened between you and my mother but it must of been bad, since she never speaks of you. I want to meet you, if you get this can you please met me at the Leaky Caldron on August 4th at 9.30pm. I will be wearing a red cap so you know me.

Thankyou

Carlie Mason Black

Sirius had read the letter over an over. He wanted so much to reply to it but he knew he never could. It had been many months since it arrived and Carlie probably thought he didn't want to talk to her. He sighed and closed his eyes then he felt something fall on his head. Opening his eyes he saw the parcel in the corner. He quickly grabbed it and ripped it open. Inside was a letter addressed to him, a few pieces of blank parchment and a pen. He opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Mr. Black

My name is Jess and I'm a friend of Carlie's. Me and a few other friends of Carlie's are writing to you because we know Carlie sent you a letter a few months ago. She isn't aware that you are in Azkaban. Carlie was very upset that you didn't write back and is angry with you. As it is her birthday in a few days we decided to write to you and to ask if you would consider writing back. We have enclosed a few pieces of parchment and a pen. My owl will stay until you have written a reply. We hope that you will try and explain everything to Carlie.

Thank you very much

Jess

Sirius looked at the owl, it was still siting there looking at him. He took the parchment and leaned on the stone floor and began to write.

Dear Carlie

Sirius had read the letter over an over. He wanted so much to reply to it but he knew he never could. It had been many months since it arrived and Carlie probably thought he didn't want to talk to her. He sighed and closed his eyes then he felt something fall on his head. Opening his eyes he saw the parcel in the corner. He quickly grabbed it and ripped it open. Inside was a letter addressed to him, a few pieces of blank parchment and a pen. He opened the letter and began to read.Sirius looked at the owl, it was still siting there looking at him. He took the parchment and leaned on the stone floor and began to write.
When Carlie walked into the great hall for breakfast on her birthday Fred and George jumped up and sung a very heartfelt version of happy birthday. Carlie laughed and everyone watched them. When they sat down Dumbledore gave them an enthusiastic applause. Carlie sat down and told them they should look into performing professionally.

The day was great, except she had to go to classes but it didn't matter much. In the evening there was a party in an empty classroom and there was cake and presents and everything. But the best present was yet to come. McGonagall had just come in and told them they had to be out in fifteen minutes. And everyone was beginning to leave and Fred, George and Lee began cleaning up when and owl swooped in and landed in front of Carlie. She bent forward and took the letter off it to see who it was addressed to.

Carlie Black

Carlie looked t the name and opened it. She began to read

Dear Carlie

First of all Happy Birthday. I am very sorry I did not reply to your letter or show up at the Leaky Caldron. You see I'm in Azkaban, it's the wizard prison and I couldn't reply because I had nothing to write on. Then your friend Jess wrote to me asking if I could write to you. dThere is so much I want to tell you but I am limited on parchment but I'm innocent, I didn't murder those people. It was Pettigrew, he was a friend of mine and I was tracking him down and then he blew up the street with his wand and transformed into a rat. He is an animagus. I have nothing to prove my innocence though. I never left you willingly Carlie, I have to tell you that. I was taken away. I never wanted to leave you so don't be angry at me. Is Miranda well? Tell me were you live and what you like doing and send me some parchment and I'll write back. Happy Birthday my wonderful daughter

Love Dad

Carlie was on the verge of tears. He written to her, he'd actually written to her. And Jess, it was because of Jess. Carlie looked up and Lee, Fred and George were looking at her.

"Who was it from?" Fred asked

Carlie couldn't keep the grin off her face. "Just someone who I haven't heard from in a long time"

Jess was walking down to the classrooms. He wanted to know whether Sirius had written to her or not. He was quiet then he heard Fred, George and Lee talking to Carlie.

"You'll be okay to take the presents up?"

"Yeah" Carlie called. The boys disappeared up the hall and Carlie walked out with a bunch of objects floating behind her.

"Carlie!" Jess called.

Carlie turned around and saw him. She ran up to him and threw her arms around him.

"Thank you so much Jess!" She cried.

"I take it he wrote back" He said.

Carlie released him and nodded.

"So what did he say?" Jess asked

Carlie passed him the letter and he stood silent for a minute while reading it.

"He says he's innocent" Jess said when he finished it

Carlie nodded. "I don't know if he's telling the truth but maybe we could find out"