Author's Note- Hey! Sorry it took so long to update! I've been caught up in school work, and yes, I admit it, your fan fics. I am guilty, clap 'em in irons. Oh, well. Here is the next chapter! Yay!
Chapter 9, Hope
"Who am I? You sure you want to know? The story of my life is not for the faint of heart. If somebody said it was a happy little tale... if somebody told you I was just your average ordinary guy, not a care in the world... somebody lied."
-Peter Parker, from the movie Spiderman-
I awoke the next morning, with a feeling of determination. I needed to face Harry, and sort out whatever it was that was bothering him. He had been so close with Sirius, in such a short amount of time. I didn't want it to seem like I was intruding on his life.
I yawned as I headed down to the common room. It was a Saturday, so many students were still in bed, or outside on the grounds.
When I didn't see Harry in the common room, I decided to look outside. Sure enough, I found him under a tree by the lake with Ron and Hermione.
As I made my way over, I hadn't seen Draco walk up behind me. He stuck his foot out, and my leg caught on to it. I tumbled over and landed flat on my face.
The anger surged in me as I pulled myself up. But when I looked up, a hand was extended towards me, and I looked to see the owner of this hand and was shocked to find that it was Harry Potter. I took his hand great fully, and he helped me up.
'They must have seen me fall and come over.' I thought, brushing off my robes. Then I spun around to face Draco who had a big smirk plastered on his face.
"Sod off, Malfoy." I spat, glaring at him dangerously.
"You should watch where you're going. You don't know who's watching you." he said, and the smirk disappeared from his face.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"Nothing. I'm just saying, if you're going to be falling all over the place." he retorted, though I wasn't completely convinced that that was all he had meant by the previous comment.
"You're not doing to well nowadays are you? With your father in Azkaban and all." I said, apparently hitting a nerve. Draco's jaw tensed and in one fluid motion he had grabbed my arm roughly, and we were now dangerously close.
"What did you say?" he asked, through clenched teeth.
"You heard me. Ask your father what it's like to have finally been caught in the act." I said. I was pushing all the right buttons and I was enjoying it. His grip tightened.
"When you see your father again, soon, ask him what's it's like to have been killed by his own cousin." Draco hissed. At this I heard a struggle going on behind me, and I turned my head slightly to see Harry, Ron and Hermione being held back by Crabbe and Goyle. I returned my attention to Draco.
He had hit a nerve of his own, and he knew it. But I wouldn't let him see how much those words had hurt.
"Well, why don't you find out for yourself." I replied, and before he could contemplate what had been said I lifted my leg and thrust my knee right where it hurts. And believe me, it hurt.
He let go of my arm, and sank to his knees, groaning in pain.
"Once a Black, always a Black." I heard him mutter hoarsely.
"What was that?" I asked sarcastically. Crabbe and Goyle went to help him, and I turned and walked away, back to the castle. Harry, Ron and Hermione following me.
"Are you ok?" Hermione asked.
"I'm fine." I said. I wasn't sure if this was the complete truth. Sure, I was physically fine, besides a massive bruise on my arm, but what Draco said had stung.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron said, looking back to see Crabbe and Goyle lifting Malfoy to his feet. He chuckled softly.
"Thanks." I said absentmindedly.
When we got back to the castle, Hermione and Ron had to go to a prefect meeting so I was left alone with Harry.
"Thanks for helping me today." I said quietly, looking around the common room, trying to avert my gaze from Harry.
"It was nothing. I saw you fall, so..." Harry began. An awkward silence descended upon us. It remained silent for a long time. None of us really knew what to say.
"Look Harry, is something bothering you?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.
"No. Why would you say that?" He asked.
"Well, because you just don't seem like you like me. I get the impression I'm bothering you or something. Like you're mad at me."
"You don't bother me, and I do like you. It's just-"
"You're mad because Sirius didn't tell you he had a daughter." I finished for him.
"Yeah." he said bowing his head as if he were ashamed.
"I know I shouldn't be mad. He couldn't tell me. It was for you own safety. I just wish I had known."
"I understand. Plus, I'm sure having another Black around is like having a painful reminder of last summer."
He nodded, obviously wanting to get off this subject. "And seeing someone who looks so much like him is a bit unnerving." he said with a small smile.
I laughed. I couldn't help it, it struck me as funny. I watched in amusement as he blushed slightly, and then it struck me. I intimidate him! Ha! This was too funny.
"So, you never told me about your mother." he said.
"Oh, that's a story for another time. I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."
He nodded. "So what's it like to live with Remus?"
"It's great! I couldn't ask for a better guardian." I said, happily.
"Yeah, I wish I could say the same about my guardians." Harry replied gloomily.
"You live with muggles right?"
"Yeah, the Dursley's."
"Your aunt is Petunia, right? Lily's sister?" I asked, recalling what Remus had told me.
"Yeah, how'd you know."
"Remus." I said, grinning sheepishly.
"Right."
"I heard they are awful."
"Yeah. They are pretty bad, but I've never known anything else. I was supposed to live with Sirius after his name was cleared, but..." Harry trailed off, lost in his own painful memories of times gone by.
"I understand. Hey! Maybe you can come live with me and Remus during the summer!" I exclaimed, hoping Harry would acquiesce.
"Yeah, maybe." Harry replied, trying not to get his hopes up yet again on leaving the Dursley's. He knew he was always welcome at number twelve Grimmald Place, the headquarters for the Order, but he couldn't bring himself to go there. It wouldn't be the same without Sirius.
He knew only too well, from experience, not to get his hopes up. Leaving the Dursley's was impossible. It was like he was never going to be free. Every year he got his hopes up, and every year something happened to crush his hopes.
'Maybe it would be different this time. Maybe I can finally be free.' He thought to himself.
They continued talking for the next hour and a half. Ron and Hermione came back, and they all headed down to dinner.
As Harry followed his friends into the Great Hall, laughing and joking around, he had a newfound hope. He took a seat next to Lasarus, smiling inwardly at the thought of being free, and living with his dad's and Sirius' best friend and his godfather's daughter.
He forgot for, a short while, the horrors that awaited him in his future. He was, for the most part, happy. And, for him, this was the first step in getting over the death of Sirius.
How was it? Was it worth the wait? Well, please review and let me know what you thought. It will make me a very happy person!
Thank yous:
Sweet 16 Movie Buff: I know she doesn't seem like she's pretending to be happy, but I didn't mean it in such a literal way. She's supposed to seem depressed cuz she is, but in a way she's still putting on an act. Remus, and everyone else don't really know what's going on in her head, they don't know what she's really feeling. She tells them every thing's fine, when really it isn't. Maybe she doesn't realize how depressed she really is. I'm sorry, I should have worded it better. I'll try not to do that again. Thank you so much for the review!
MeredithAnn109: Thank you so much! I'm so happy you like it! Wow! Thank you! I hope you like this chapter!
Kristine: Thank you so much for the review! I hope this answers one of your questions. As for the other, you'll have to wait and see. Thanks again!
Prince Kazaf: It's ok. I know how demanding school can be! There's no need to apologize. I'm glad you like it! As for you questions, you'll just have to wait and see! :p Thanks for reviewing!
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