Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter I would be working on a sixth book, instead of writing on a fanfiction site.
Summery: This story basically picks up where the fifth book left off, when Harry is leaving the station. The Order of the Phoenix gains some new members, and an interesting object is revealed at number twelve, Grimmauld Place.
A/N: phrases in italics are thoughts
Chapter 2
Missing Sirius
Sirius Black-Innocent?
In a statement issued Monday, The Ministry would like to issue an apology as regarding the false imprisonment of Sirius Black. Several Death eaters were captured after a rather lengthy battle in the department of mysteries last week, and while questioned under the influence of Veritaserum, several of them have admitted to aurors that Black was never part of their ranks.
Two of the Death Eaters believed to have belonged to You-Know-Who's inner circle have admitted that Black was framed by none other than Peter Pettigrew, who, thirteen years ago, faked his own death, in attempt to stay out of Azkaban. Peter had been passing information on the whereabouts of Lily and James Potter for a year before they were killed, and had been made their secret keeper, the night before he indeed betrayed them to You-Know-Who leaving old school friend Black to take the blame. It has come to our attention that Pettigrew is currently hiding in the sheltered protection of You-Know-Who, and has taken on the illegal animagus form of a rat. How Black escaped from Azkaban still remains a mystery, as none of our captives have been able to provide us with any information on the subject.
The ministry regrets to inform you that Black died in the battle inside of the department of Mysteries last week, after coming to the aide of Albus Dumbledore, and his followers defending against the Death Eaters.
Harry stopped reading, the paper went on to list the names of the captures Death Eaters, whom Harry already knew. He was very happy that the ministry had finally realized that his godfather had been innocent; however he felt bitter resentment at the Minister, Cornelius Fudge for realizing it just a little too late. He was also disappointed to see that they had not announced an apology to Sirius, for having to spend thirteen years of his young life in Azkaban. Sirius had died fighting the dark side, and the minister didn't feel the need to apologize for accusing him of being one of them.
Probably because Fudge couldn't take that kind of blow to his bloody ego. Harry thought bitterly. He was pleased that Fudge hadn't figured out how Sirius had escaped from Azkaban though.
Harry felt a pang in his heart as he thought of Sirius, so he cast his mind around for something else to distract him. Suddenly he remembered something. What had Ron meant when he had said to visit his old babysitter? He thought for a moment wondering about Mrs. Figg when it hit him.
Of course! How could I have forgotten? He thought, mentally smacking himself. Mrs. Figg is a squib! She knows Dumbledore, and she might have a connection to the wizarding world. But why would Dumbledore want me to visit her?
Harry picked up a new sheaf of parchment and thought briefly about owling Dumbledore, when he realized he could just go over and visit Mrs Figg. He was just about to go over to her house, when another more important looking owl flew through his window, and landed with a soft thump on his bed. He looked at it for a moment, until the owl hooted impatiently, and he walked slowly over to relieve it of the letter tied to its leg. As soon as Harry had the letter the owl hooted and took flight. Harry turned over the letter cautiously, having no idea who it was from, and saw the Ministry of Magic seal on the back. Harry ripped open the letter only to find another thick piece of parchment. He began to read.
Dear Mr. Potter,
As you are fully aware, the wizarding world has recently experienced the return of the dark wizard He Who Must Not Be Named. In the event of his return the Ministry has been forced to make some rather important decisions, many regarding yourself and your safety. It has been decided that due to current circumstances, you are to be given a reprieve from the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry. We have been assured by none other that Albus Dumbledore, that you will not abuse these privileges over the holidays. You must know that you should be using your powers mainly for self defense, and an unnecessary discovery of our kind by muggles will result in disciplinary action. Have a good holiday.
Madame Bones
Harry stared at this letter for a moment. He was allowed to use magic over the holidays after all. He was happy for a brief moment when a voice in the back of his head said, ahh…but you wouldn't be able to if Sirius hadn't died. That is the only reason the stupid ministry ever listened to you and Dumbledore. Harry suddenly felt sad again. He really needed someone to talk to. But he was the only one who was this close to Sirius. He really hated Wormtail at this moment for ruining so many lives. He couldn't believe he had ever been friends with his father. He couldn't believe that his father, Sirius and…
Professor Lupin! Harry thought suddenly. He was the only one of the true marauders left, and he and Sirius were friends in school. He couldn't believe he hadn't realized it before. He could talk to Lupin about this whole thing. Harry sat and thought for so long about a way to see Lupin with out anyone else finding out, that he was startled to hear Aunt Petunia calling him down for dinner. Harry groaned, and resigned himself to having dinner with the Dursleys. Just as he was about to sit down, however, he heard a pound on the door. Uncle Vernon got up to answer it. Harry heard his uncle's sharp intake of breath.
"Why hello," said a familiar voice. "Nice to see you too Mr. Dursley."
"What are you doing here?" inquired Uncle Vernon. "We have treated that boy well."
Harry suddenly jumped up and raced into the hall. He knew whose voice that was now.
"Professor Lupin," he panted. Lupin smiled at him.
"Harry" he said. "Please call me Remus. I haven't been a professor in years. I came by to see you, but i shall wait until you have finished eating. It would be quite rude of me to interrupt." They walked into the kitchen where his aunt and uncle exchange a look, and proceeded to eat as though Harry and Remus weren't there.
"Well, if you are going to ignore us, then I will just fix Harry and myself a little dinner of our own." Uncle Vernon looked as though he was going to reply butt he wasn't given the chance as Remus waved his wand, and two plates filled with food landed on the countertop for he and Harry. Harry smiled at the look on the Dursley's faces. He then went to pick up his food. Remus waved his wand once again, and two stools appeared at the counter, just the right height for them to sit and eat. The Dursleys were stunned.
"Excuse me but what do you think you are doing?" Uncle Vernon seemed to have finally found his voice.
"Eating," replied Harry trying to hide the grin on his face. Dudley was eyeing their delicious feast with his greedy little eyes.
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When Harry and Remus had finished eating, they had returned to Harry's room, and were sitting on his bed. Lupin pulled out a letter from his pocket and said
"Harry, this is a letter from Sirius. He wrote it to you when he was still alive, and asked me that if anything should happen to him I was to give this to you. I haven't any idea what it says, nor when he wrote it, although I imagine it was sometime around when he finalized his will. That also reminds me why I was sent here in the first place."
Harry who had been thinking about what could possibly have been in that letter was brought back to earth quite suddenly. "Dumbledore knows you are here?" Harry asked. And I thought he had come to see how I was doing. Harry thought bitterly. Nope. Just Dumbledore's bloody orders. "Why are you here then?" Harry asked rather rudely.
Lupin sensed Harry's feelings and sympathized. "I am here," he began, "to inform you that the Hearing for Sirius will be held on the twenty first of July. That was what I was instructed to do, and then i am supposed to leave. I however, have been looking for an excuse to see you all summer, and found this one quite convenient. I wanted to give you this letter, and tell you that I will be here for you if you ever want to talk. You and I have both suffered a similar loss, and we both need to grieve.
You must realize that whatever is in that letter does not change anything. I will be here for you Harry, as a friend. I hope you can do the same for me, as I have too suffered a loss. Hagrid has also tried to help us, and has recovered an object that he feel you and I might like. We shall see tomorrow as I am escorting you to Mrs. Figg's house."
Harry felt a sense of gratitude towards Remus Lupin for saying that he would help him through this time. "I would be happy to be there for you Remus, and we can help each other through this."
Harry and Remus talked for hours about their feelings on the whole situation, and were quite surprised to see that it had begun to get dark outside. Remus remembered something.
"Well," he looked at Harry. "Are you going to read that letter?"
A/N: Again…Kind of short…Sorry
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