Chapter Four*~~
There remained only two weeks left of vacation. Harry was lying on his bed thinking about Sirius when Pig flew in through his open window. Harry hopped up and grabbed Pig with ease of his new reflexes. "Hey Pig!" He untied the letter and let the owl roam around his room. Hedwig flew to Harry's side. "Ron wrote me a letter."
Hedwig hooted softly in response. Harry smiled and opened the envelope. Inside there were two pieces of folded parchment, each reading Harry. One was in Ron's untidy scrawl and the other was in what was unmistakably Ginny's neat, twisty writing. "Ginny," Harry said softly. He opened hers first.
Harry,
I hope you're well! I knew you'd like my preset.
I'm sure you read Ron's letter first. Can you believe it? I'm excited to see you all! And I'm guessing he mentioned my trip. It was a blast. You'd never believe how interesting it was.
Well, I have to go, it's my birthday tomorrow so Mum's taking me shopping with Mione! Always,
**Ginny**
Harry stared at the letter for a while. Then he carefully set it down and grabbed Ron's.
Harry,
Hullo! Glad you liked the quidditch dome. All of us brothers pitched in, you were right. They all refused to let me sign their names on the card though. I guess you can do that. Maybe you perfected your horrible hand writing in the Elvin Realm. No comments on mine, thanks.
Guess what?! You get to come to Snuffle's old house tomorrow! Isn't that great?! It's almost completely done. We've almost gotten how to get his Mum off of the wall! Oh, and Neville and Luna are invited for the last week.
Ginny went to America this summer for a week. I forgot to mention it before. She spent that time in Montana. Apparently it was "amazingly beautiful." She rode something called a dirt beyek and entered a mozarcrost race. She got third. I guess that's good for a rookie.
Did you see what happened? It was all over the daily prophet. Some muggle town got attacked out in Surrey. Ten died, thirteen severely injured. No one got out without a scar. There were also two wizard kids killed. They were at their baby-sitters- who was their Squib aunt.
Everyone here is trying to figure out what happened. Oh well, don't worry about it too much.
Percy hasn't said anything to us or sent us a letter or anything since that day with Voldie. He and Dad haven't crossed paths at the ministry. Fudge has made a point of avoiding Dad as well. Feels guilty. He should, the arse. Oh, he gave Dad's department a new office. Nice and big. Plus Dad's got a giant pay raise. Fudge's silent way of saying sorry.
See you soon. Ron.
Harry shook his head and put down the parchment next to Ginny's. Not think about it too much? It was swarming his brain. He had trained for five years to stop this kind of thing.
He sat down at his desk and pulled out some parchment and began writing a plan for the DA. This is what he always did when he was stressed. He'd sit down and plan a way to teach others to defend themselves. Added to the DA were Lavender and Seamus who had each written him a lengthily apology. Harry had accepted and offered them each a spot in the DA- after asking everyone else, that is.
The doorbell sounded through the house. Harry glanced at his clock. It was an hour before he had Defense with Remus. He crept quietly down the stairs just as Vernon opened the door. "B- Harry!" he called in a strangled voice. "Your teacher is here." Harry dashed down the last steps to see Remus standing in the door.
"You're early," Harry said walking to the door. His uncle watched them closely.
"I have a. er. gift for you. Let's go up to your room. You have to pack for tomorrow anyways," Remus said, giving him a look.'
"Right," Harry said.
"Where are you going tomorrow?" asked Vernon sharply.
"My godfather's house," Harry said. Remus snapped his fingers and a shaggy black dog walked to his side. Harry stared before lurching over and squeezing the dog tightly. "We'll be going to my room now." He led the way quickly up the stairs and slammed the door behind him.
"Hello, Harry," said Sirius softly. He stood in front of his godson in human living form. He was skinnier and his hair dirty but he was there. Harry flung himself into Sirius's arms. "Geeze, kid, it's only been about two months."
"You forget, Sirius," said Remus, helping Harry in his loss of words. "Harry spent five years worth of time in the Elvin realm. He's waited a good long time to feel your touch." Sirius squeezed his godson and then sat on his bed.
"Guess who's trial is tomorrow?" he asked brightly.
"Yours?" Harry asked quickly.
"No, better. Lucius Malfoy's. And he still thinks I'm dead," Sirius said meaningfully.
"Wait a minute," Harry said carefully.
"Yup," Sirius said.
"Dumbledore's one of the people questioning him. He'll get Malfoy to say Sirius was innocent all along and then we've got on free Sirius," Remus said grinning.
"But how will that make him free?" asked Harry.
"If someone is proclaimed innocent by a Death Eater after having been charged for the same crimes, the formerly accused gets another trial or their first one," Sirius explained. "I'm guessing they'll say not guilty. Malfoy will end up saying Bellatrix killed me, not that I went trough the veil."
"Wow," Harry breathed.
"Now, onto packing," Sirius said.
"You get to sit and watch," Remus said. Sirius glared at him. "It is not my fault you are a disaster when it comes to packing. Me and James ended up having to pack your trunk all the time."
************************************************************************
Harry sprang off his bed when he heard the doorbell. He grabbed Hedwig's cage and hammered down the stairs. His school things lay by the door. He set Hedwig down and opened it quickly.
In front of him stood Tonks, Remus, Moody, Fleur Delacour, Bill, and Melody. "Hello," Harry said brightly. "I'm ready to go. All my stuff's right here." He grabbed it and began pulling it out of the door. Tonks smiled and cast a shrinking charm. "Thanks." He set everything in his pocket and let Hedwig free. Tonks then shrank that.
"Grab a bike," Fleur said in exemplary English. "I'm riding back on Bill's. I rode here on the red one. It's yours. From Snuffles." Harry was facing six motorcycles. One was Remus's- he recognized that. Tonks was getting on the pink one, Moody the black on, Bill and Fleur on a blue one, and Melody on the final blue one. A red one with a yellow lightning bolt remained.
"Wow," Harry said. He climbed on. As if he had been riding one forever, Harry started the bike and rode along with the others. They rode for a long while until they finally stopped at the place between numbers thirteen and eleven Grammauld Place. They parked their bikes on the side of the road and cast an invisibility charm on them. Then they all headed to the doorway that had appeared and went in quickly.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed softly. She was sitting on the bottom of the stairs with Ron, playing cards. She sprang up and gave him a quick hug.
"Hey, Harry," Ron said. They exchanged a quick brotherly hug. "Come on." Harry waved good-bye to his guards and followed his two friends up the stairs. They heard bickering from behind a door on their way up.
"Mione, isn't that you and Ginny's room?" Harry asked, pausing.
"Oh, yes," Hermione said. "She's probably still yelling at Fred for trying to steal her diary."
"Oh," Harry said in an understanding way. They entered his and Ron's room to find Sirius asleep on Harry's bed. "What's he doing in here?"
"Remus is painting his room and kicked him out because he was being such a nuisance," Hermione said. "Ron and I were. playing cards up here when he came in and we left because he is annoying. I guess he took a nap."
"Oy Sirus!" Harry said loudly, poking his side.
"No go mate," Ron said. "I helped Remus wake him up this morning. It took an hour." Harry grinned evilly and snapped his fingers, muttering something under his breath. Ice cold water poured down on Sirius.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he screamed, rocketing up. "What the bloody hell was that for?!"
"Being asleep in my bed," Harry said.
"Well now your bed in soaked," Sirius said smugly. Harry smiled and snapped. It dried instantly. "I hate the Elvin Realm." Harry rolled his eyes.
"I liked the bike by the way," Harry said.
"Good," Sirius said decisively. Ron and Hermione were talking quietly. Sirius began looking hard at them. Eventually Hermione looked up.
"What Sirius?" she asked huffily. He looked pointedly at them and then at Harry. Hermione glared at him. "Well then, LEAVE!" Sirius jumped and left.
"What was that about?" asked Harry plopping onto the bed.
"Um," Hermione shifted uneasily. Harry sat up straight.
"What?" he repeated.
"Well," Ron said.
"You see we weren't playing cards when Sirius came in," Hermione said, hands twisting her hands nervously.
"Yes," Harry prompted.
"Well we were," Ron shifted his feet.
"We were... kissing," Hermione said quietly. She and Ron were scarlet at this point.
"Oh, that all? Not on MY bed I hope," Harry said casually.
"What?! Oh, YOU!" Hermione smacked his head.
"You don't seem to think it's that big of a deal," Ron said, eyes wide.
"Well, if it WAS on my bed we have a problem. My bed is not for the two of you snogging, thanks," said Harry.
"So you don't mind we're going out?" asked Hermione carefully.
"I'm surprised you two have waited this long," Harry said. "I mean I had five years in the Elvin Realm to think about things and in only two months I realized the two of you have been in love since the end of first year! And especially since forth year."
"So they told you, did they?" asked Ginny from the door way.
"Hey, Ginny," Harry said brightly.
"Hello, Harry. Now the two of you have no excuse for not telling everyone at dinner tonight," Ginny told Ron and Hermione firmly. Harry noticed a small silver key glittering on a thin, long silver chain around her neck. It dropped half way between her chest and her navel on top of her large navy sweat shirt.
At dinner that night Harry was sitting next to Ginny which was across from Ron and Hermione. Ginny gave the two a pointed look and nudged Harry. As planned he cleared his throat loudly. "Yes?" Sirius asked.
"Ron and Hermione have an announcement," he said. All eyes turned to them.
"We, well, we're an. item now," Hermione said cautiously. Clapping broke out across the table and Ron and Hermione went scarlet.
"Bout time if you ask me," Remus said. "Even when I worked their I spotted the feelings between you. Kids these days sure are slow."
"And what of you and May?" asked Mel evilly. Remus went bright red.
"MEL! This is NOT the time to talk about her!" he hissed.
"Oh, I think this is a great time," Sirius said, leaning forward. "All that's left about Ron and Hermione is the fact they were snogging in Ron and Harry's room this morning.
"SIRIUS!"
"Sorry," he offered, not sounding it. They rolled their eyes.
"I'm interested in what you have to say about Remus," Ginny said happily.
"Nice to see what compassion you have for me, Ginny," Remus said sarcastically.
"I know," said Ginny brightly.
"When we were in school Remus had this giant crush on me and Lily's other best friend, May," Mel began. "Well, she liked him too. To this day they have had one date and we were all with them on it."
"Thanks," Remus said blandly.
"No problem," Mel replied sweetly.
"Now," Molly said sternly. "We have some Order business to discuss. Go on." There were four groans at the table as the four Hogwarts students stood up and dragged themselves up to Harry and Ron's room. Ginny lay across Harry's bed in dismay as Ron and Hermione stretched out on Ron's. Harry plopped next to Ginny and mimicked her by placing his head on his arms.
"I can't believe they still refuse to let us in on those meetings!" Ginny whined.
"You'd think after last year we could hear at least SOME of it!" Ron agreed.
"It is quite unfair," Hermione put in. "At least Harry should be bale to. And he'd just tell it to us."
"Maybe that's why they won't," Harry said thoughtfully. "I mean maybe they'd let me in but they know I'd tell you."
"And why only you?" snapped Ginny.
"I am sort of five years older than I was when summer started," he pointed out. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I hate it when men have a point," she grumbled, flipping onto her back.
"Well, duh," said Hermione. Ron glared at her. "I love you." Hermione leaned up and kissed him.
"I guess I could use a few of my new spells to let us hear and see the meeting," Harry said after a few moments of silence. They all perked up. "They shouldn't be able to detect any elf magic so they'll never know."
About ten minutes later they had a large clear circle on the floor with silver/green edges. Harry muttered some Elvin words and dropped some of the ashes they had made into the center. Few more words and Harry pulled out his wand. In a quick X movement the circle began having shapes and sounds. Suddenly it cleared. As Sirius said a few things and consent was given around the room the four teenagers looked up at each other, amazed.
There remained only two weeks left of vacation. Harry was lying on his bed thinking about Sirius when Pig flew in through his open window. Harry hopped up and grabbed Pig with ease of his new reflexes. "Hey Pig!" He untied the letter and let the owl roam around his room. Hedwig flew to Harry's side. "Ron wrote me a letter."
Hedwig hooted softly in response. Harry smiled and opened the envelope. Inside there were two pieces of folded parchment, each reading Harry. One was in Ron's untidy scrawl and the other was in what was unmistakably Ginny's neat, twisty writing. "Ginny," Harry said softly. He opened hers first.
Harry,
I hope you're well! I knew you'd like my preset.
I'm sure you read Ron's letter first. Can you believe it? I'm excited to see you all! And I'm guessing he mentioned my trip. It was a blast. You'd never believe how interesting it was.
Well, I have to go, it's my birthday tomorrow so Mum's taking me shopping with Mione! Always,
**Ginny**
Harry stared at the letter for a while. Then he carefully set it down and grabbed Ron's.
Harry,
Hullo! Glad you liked the quidditch dome. All of us brothers pitched in, you were right. They all refused to let me sign their names on the card though. I guess you can do that. Maybe you perfected your horrible hand writing in the Elvin Realm. No comments on mine, thanks.
Guess what?! You get to come to Snuffle's old house tomorrow! Isn't that great?! It's almost completely done. We've almost gotten how to get his Mum off of the wall! Oh, and Neville and Luna are invited for the last week.
Ginny went to America this summer for a week. I forgot to mention it before. She spent that time in Montana. Apparently it was "amazingly beautiful." She rode something called a dirt beyek and entered a mozarcrost race. She got third. I guess that's good for a rookie.
Did you see what happened? It was all over the daily prophet. Some muggle town got attacked out in Surrey. Ten died, thirteen severely injured. No one got out without a scar. There were also two wizard kids killed. They were at their baby-sitters- who was their Squib aunt.
Everyone here is trying to figure out what happened. Oh well, don't worry about it too much.
Percy hasn't said anything to us or sent us a letter or anything since that day with Voldie. He and Dad haven't crossed paths at the ministry. Fudge has made a point of avoiding Dad as well. Feels guilty. He should, the arse. Oh, he gave Dad's department a new office. Nice and big. Plus Dad's got a giant pay raise. Fudge's silent way of saying sorry.
See you soon. Ron.
Harry shook his head and put down the parchment next to Ginny's. Not think about it too much? It was swarming his brain. He had trained for five years to stop this kind of thing.
He sat down at his desk and pulled out some parchment and began writing a plan for the DA. This is what he always did when he was stressed. He'd sit down and plan a way to teach others to defend themselves. Added to the DA were Lavender and Seamus who had each written him a lengthily apology. Harry had accepted and offered them each a spot in the DA- after asking everyone else, that is.
The doorbell sounded through the house. Harry glanced at his clock. It was an hour before he had Defense with Remus. He crept quietly down the stairs just as Vernon opened the door. "B- Harry!" he called in a strangled voice. "Your teacher is here." Harry dashed down the last steps to see Remus standing in the door.
"You're early," Harry said walking to the door. His uncle watched them closely.
"I have a. er. gift for you. Let's go up to your room. You have to pack for tomorrow anyways," Remus said, giving him a look.'
"Right," Harry said.
"Where are you going tomorrow?" asked Vernon sharply.
"My godfather's house," Harry said. Remus snapped his fingers and a shaggy black dog walked to his side. Harry stared before lurching over and squeezing the dog tightly. "We'll be going to my room now." He led the way quickly up the stairs and slammed the door behind him.
"Hello, Harry," said Sirius softly. He stood in front of his godson in human living form. He was skinnier and his hair dirty but he was there. Harry flung himself into Sirius's arms. "Geeze, kid, it's only been about two months."
"You forget, Sirius," said Remus, helping Harry in his loss of words. "Harry spent five years worth of time in the Elvin realm. He's waited a good long time to feel your touch." Sirius squeezed his godson and then sat on his bed.
"Guess who's trial is tomorrow?" he asked brightly.
"Yours?" Harry asked quickly.
"No, better. Lucius Malfoy's. And he still thinks I'm dead," Sirius said meaningfully.
"Wait a minute," Harry said carefully.
"Yup," Sirius said.
"Dumbledore's one of the people questioning him. He'll get Malfoy to say Sirius was innocent all along and then we've got on free Sirius," Remus said grinning.
"But how will that make him free?" asked Harry.
"If someone is proclaimed innocent by a Death Eater after having been charged for the same crimes, the formerly accused gets another trial or their first one," Sirius explained. "I'm guessing they'll say not guilty. Malfoy will end up saying Bellatrix killed me, not that I went trough the veil."
"Wow," Harry breathed.
"Now, onto packing," Sirius said.
"You get to sit and watch," Remus said. Sirius glared at him. "It is not my fault you are a disaster when it comes to packing. Me and James ended up having to pack your trunk all the time."
************************************************************************
Harry sprang off his bed when he heard the doorbell. He grabbed Hedwig's cage and hammered down the stairs. His school things lay by the door. He set Hedwig down and opened it quickly.
In front of him stood Tonks, Remus, Moody, Fleur Delacour, Bill, and Melody. "Hello," Harry said brightly. "I'm ready to go. All my stuff's right here." He grabbed it and began pulling it out of the door. Tonks smiled and cast a shrinking charm. "Thanks." He set everything in his pocket and let Hedwig free. Tonks then shrank that.
"Grab a bike," Fleur said in exemplary English. "I'm riding back on Bill's. I rode here on the red one. It's yours. From Snuffles." Harry was facing six motorcycles. One was Remus's- he recognized that. Tonks was getting on the pink one, Moody the black on, Bill and Fleur on a blue one, and Melody on the final blue one. A red one with a yellow lightning bolt remained.
"Wow," Harry said. He climbed on. As if he had been riding one forever, Harry started the bike and rode along with the others. They rode for a long while until they finally stopped at the place between numbers thirteen and eleven Grammauld Place. They parked their bikes on the side of the road and cast an invisibility charm on them. Then they all headed to the doorway that had appeared and went in quickly.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed softly. She was sitting on the bottom of the stairs with Ron, playing cards. She sprang up and gave him a quick hug.
"Hey, Harry," Ron said. They exchanged a quick brotherly hug. "Come on." Harry waved good-bye to his guards and followed his two friends up the stairs. They heard bickering from behind a door on their way up.
"Mione, isn't that you and Ginny's room?" Harry asked, pausing.
"Oh, yes," Hermione said. "She's probably still yelling at Fred for trying to steal her diary."
"Oh," Harry said in an understanding way. They entered his and Ron's room to find Sirius asleep on Harry's bed. "What's he doing in here?"
"Remus is painting his room and kicked him out because he was being such a nuisance," Hermione said. "Ron and I were. playing cards up here when he came in and we left because he is annoying. I guess he took a nap."
"Oy Sirus!" Harry said loudly, poking his side.
"No go mate," Ron said. "I helped Remus wake him up this morning. It took an hour." Harry grinned evilly and snapped his fingers, muttering something under his breath. Ice cold water poured down on Sirius.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" he screamed, rocketing up. "What the bloody hell was that for?!"
"Being asleep in my bed," Harry said.
"Well now your bed in soaked," Sirius said smugly. Harry smiled and snapped. It dried instantly. "I hate the Elvin Realm." Harry rolled his eyes.
"I liked the bike by the way," Harry said.
"Good," Sirius said decisively. Ron and Hermione were talking quietly. Sirius began looking hard at them. Eventually Hermione looked up.
"What Sirius?" she asked huffily. He looked pointedly at them and then at Harry. Hermione glared at him. "Well then, LEAVE!" Sirius jumped and left.
"What was that about?" asked Harry plopping onto the bed.
"Um," Hermione shifted uneasily. Harry sat up straight.
"What?" he repeated.
"Well," Ron said.
"You see we weren't playing cards when Sirius came in," Hermione said, hands twisting her hands nervously.
"Yes," Harry prompted.
"Well we were," Ron shifted his feet.
"We were... kissing," Hermione said quietly. She and Ron were scarlet at this point.
"Oh, that all? Not on MY bed I hope," Harry said casually.
"What?! Oh, YOU!" Hermione smacked his head.
"You don't seem to think it's that big of a deal," Ron said, eyes wide.
"Well, if it WAS on my bed we have a problem. My bed is not for the two of you snogging, thanks," said Harry.
"So you don't mind we're going out?" asked Hermione carefully.
"I'm surprised you two have waited this long," Harry said. "I mean I had five years in the Elvin Realm to think about things and in only two months I realized the two of you have been in love since the end of first year! And especially since forth year."
"So they told you, did they?" asked Ginny from the door way.
"Hey, Ginny," Harry said brightly.
"Hello, Harry. Now the two of you have no excuse for not telling everyone at dinner tonight," Ginny told Ron and Hermione firmly. Harry noticed a small silver key glittering on a thin, long silver chain around her neck. It dropped half way between her chest and her navel on top of her large navy sweat shirt.
At dinner that night Harry was sitting next to Ginny which was across from Ron and Hermione. Ginny gave the two a pointed look and nudged Harry. As planned he cleared his throat loudly. "Yes?" Sirius asked.
"Ron and Hermione have an announcement," he said. All eyes turned to them.
"We, well, we're an. item now," Hermione said cautiously. Clapping broke out across the table and Ron and Hermione went scarlet.
"Bout time if you ask me," Remus said. "Even when I worked their I spotted the feelings between you. Kids these days sure are slow."
"And what of you and May?" asked Mel evilly. Remus went bright red.
"MEL! This is NOT the time to talk about her!" he hissed.
"Oh, I think this is a great time," Sirius said, leaning forward. "All that's left about Ron and Hermione is the fact they were snogging in Ron and Harry's room this morning.
"SIRIUS!"
"Sorry," he offered, not sounding it. They rolled their eyes.
"I'm interested in what you have to say about Remus," Ginny said happily.
"Nice to see what compassion you have for me, Ginny," Remus said sarcastically.
"I know," said Ginny brightly.
"When we were in school Remus had this giant crush on me and Lily's other best friend, May," Mel began. "Well, she liked him too. To this day they have had one date and we were all with them on it."
"Thanks," Remus said blandly.
"No problem," Mel replied sweetly.
"Now," Molly said sternly. "We have some Order business to discuss. Go on." There were four groans at the table as the four Hogwarts students stood up and dragged themselves up to Harry and Ron's room. Ginny lay across Harry's bed in dismay as Ron and Hermione stretched out on Ron's. Harry plopped next to Ginny and mimicked her by placing his head on his arms.
"I can't believe they still refuse to let us in on those meetings!" Ginny whined.
"You'd think after last year we could hear at least SOME of it!" Ron agreed.
"It is quite unfair," Hermione put in. "At least Harry should be bale to. And he'd just tell it to us."
"Maybe that's why they won't," Harry said thoughtfully. "I mean maybe they'd let me in but they know I'd tell you."
"And why only you?" snapped Ginny.
"I am sort of five years older than I was when summer started," he pointed out. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I hate it when men have a point," she grumbled, flipping onto her back.
"Well, duh," said Hermione. Ron glared at her. "I love you." Hermione leaned up and kissed him.
"I guess I could use a few of my new spells to let us hear and see the meeting," Harry said after a few moments of silence. They all perked up. "They shouldn't be able to detect any elf magic so they'll never know."
About ten minutes later they had a large clear circle on the floor with silver/green edges. Harry muttered some Elvin words and dropped some of the ashes they had made into the center. Few more words and Harry pulled out his wand. In a quick X movement the circle began having shapes and sounds. Suddenly it cleared. As Sirius said a few things and consent was given around the room the four teenagers looked up at each other, amazed.