Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
.
"Hello there, Harry," Sirius Black smiled at his godson as she came over to hug him. Harry still stood there astonished. He couldn't believe he was seeing his father's best man again. Even though it was just a month since they last saw each other.
"Sirius!" Harry smiled as he hugged his godfather almost to a point of crushing him.
"Harry," he gasped. "Air." Harry immediately released him and smiled in embarrassment. Sirius had a coughing fit making Harry nervous. After a few moments, Sirius smiled and took a deep breath.
"You really need to get that phlegm out of your lungs," Ian smirked. "It sounds like one of Snape's potions brewing in there." Sirius laughed causing him to cough again. "You really need a break, 'Don' Sirius. You sounded like someone who was shouting at the top of his lung for hours." Everyone smiled at this dialogue. It seemed like they were great friends if Ian was talking to Sirius the way he did.
"I was addressing a large crowd last night," Sirius said in a hoarse tone. "I can't believe they still think that this war is over."
"You talked to a large crowd with that cold of yours?" Ian said in disbelief. "I would be more convinced that your voice had gotten that way from the Quidditch game last night." Sirius had a faint blush from embarrassment.
"What I said is true," Sirius said adamantly.
"So the large crowd was the opposing team's fans," Ian smiled as he shook his head. "Insults by the great Sirius Black. They must be honored. Bygones. Why did you call me?" The rest was surprised by Ian's shift in priorities. But judging by Sirius's expression, he had done this often.
"Everyone, please, sit," Sirius offered as he sat behind his desk again. Then he turned to Harry and the rest, giving them a look in intrigue. "I trust you wanted explanations?"
"Quite," Harry said. "The first question pops into my mind is 'Don' Sirius?"
"Ah! That," Sirius smiled. "It's a moniker I had been labeled with. Kind of stuck with me though." The young ones were still baffled but Ian continued with his explanation.
"Sirius is the head of the Auror's Special Ops. He deals with espionage and intelligence. Most of his operatives operate from the underground. In effect most of them had the covers of gangsters. Some informants were hooligans and others decent folk. The thing is they would only talk to Sirius.
"He then gives them aid in any problem that should arise. Like provisions to the folks because of the floods. Things like that."
"Excuse me," Hermione raised her hand but sheepishly put it down again. She wasn't used to address a blind man. But Ian gave her a reassuring smile and she continued. "Why are you telling us this? I think this sort of thing is being kept under wraps. Why come out in the open?"
"Ian?" Sirius smiled and he looked at him. "How's your performance?"
"Due to my... disability," he sighed. "I'd say 75%."
"I'd have you even if you were performing 50%," Sirius smiled and turned to the rest. "Due to Ian's deficiencies, I had asked him to select those who could aid him."
"Aid in what?" Cho asked in confusion. She thought that this was just an ordinary meeting but it was turning into something else.
"Capturing Peter Pettigrew," Sirius said tonelessly. Harry and Ian frowned at the name. They waited for him to continue before making any comments. "It will be hard to find him since the day you found them," Sirius looked at Ian. "We searched every inch of that place but came up empty. No leads, no clues and no Pettigrew."
"Why?" Ian said defiantly. "He didn't seem significant to the boys upstairs before, why now?"
"I'm sorry, Ian. I truly am," Sirius sighed in exasperation. "If it were up to me he would be dead long ago," he saw Harry flinch. "I wasn't talking about that, Harry. We have standing orders to capture him alive. We has a few brush in but it was hard to catch him, the rat that he is."
"I hate politicians," Ian made a low growl that resembled a wolf's. "They think they know everything."
"Well, if Hermione decides to go to politics, we then have a politician who actually KNOWS everything," Ron said and the whole room erupted with laughter. But Hermione wasn't amused and smacked him at the back of his neck.
"Honestly, I don't want our beloved Hermione getting stained with all those crap that comes from their mouths," Sirius smiled. "But if she did, she'd become Minister in a matter of weeks."
"Days," Ron said in pride, making Hermione blush.
"Why does he need us?" Ginny asked as if she already figured out the plan. "I could see from his demeanor that he's never worked with anyone before."
"Sometimes I must swallow my pride to do what is needed," he said. "Especially if I'm blind and can't seem to do much good."
"Please don't say that," Cho said quietly. "You saved me from a disastrous fall and I considered that doing a lot of good. Please don't degrade yourself." He tone was soft, sincere and serene. Ian sighed and turned to her direction.
Harry and the rest saw this behavior. Cho was deeply concerned that Ian was hitting himself. It looked like Ian never done this before.
And Cho's face fell when she heard him say he can't do any good. This was the first time she heard him being let down by his deficiency. He seemed like he could still take on the world with his attitude from the previous days. But just now she felt his pain.
And Harry knew of the suffering Ian was going through. He felt like that the moths after Cedric's death. He always felt that he should have done something more. He knew Ian was feeling the same thing. He saw it when he first saw him in Hogwarts.
Harry knew that Ian was in pain.
He disguises it with humor and his joviality despite his seriousness. But he knew it would be exhausted one of these days. And it almost did.
But somehow, Cho had broken his thoughts of self-pity.
"Can't anyone fix your eyes," Hermione said in a soft respectful tone. She was afraid that she had offended him but he smiled instead.
"Unfortunately I was the first to suffer this kind of fate," Ian said. "Everyone else who had gotten struck with the killing curse are ... dead."
"Can't your brother fix them?" Harry said in a hopeful tone.
"Like he did with your eyes?" Ian smiled. "Sure. If he was here. He's gone to a trip and I don't expect him to be back in another year. Before anyone could ask I cannot call him. He's not in the same plane of existence as we are right now."
"Not even if I summon him?" Ginny asked. It had been two years since Ginny had summoned a sacred creature. Being a summoner, she could call the sacred being to help her. Usually it was in battles but the last battle she had was in her sixth year when they all defeated Voldemort.
"Not even," Ian smirked. "Most of the sacreds went back to their realms. And you're out of practice. It would be tiring for you to attempt it. No, I'll just wait for his return." Cho smiled as she felt his determination returning.
"Anyway, what about Peter," there was poison in his tone and Sirius knew why.
"He's trying to steal the necronomicon," Sirius was crestfallen. "He had made several attempts and every time he has gotten close to achieving it."
"The book of the dead?" Hermione asked in confusion. "Why?"
"To revive Voldemort," Cho was dead certain of it.
"But why my book?" Ian asked. Everyone except Sirius did a double take. As if they hadn't heard him right.
"Your book?" Ron asked. "Why would you have the necri... nersa....."
"Necronomicon," Hermione said in an air of frustration. "It is an evil book that had incantations to call forth demons and creatures from beyond the darkness. It was bound in flesh and written in blood. How come you own it?" she turned to Ian.
"I had used it before," he admitted as if it didn't matter. "I found it where Avalon once stood. Bygones."
"You can't dismiss something like that so quickly," Ron said in defiance.
"He could," Sirius smiled in amusement. "It will take something more persuasive than Veritaserum to convince him to tell you that story."
"Does it pain you to remember it?" Cho asked softly. Ian flinched as if he was jolted by electricity.
"It does," he sighed. "Mainly because so many lives were lost because of that damned book."
"Oh," Cho smiled ruefully. "Friends of yours?" Ian's smile was sad and sorrowful.
"I work alone," he said. Sirius was intrigued by this development. Ian wasn't open about it before. But a mere inclination from Cho, he revealed more than he had ever done.
"Very well," Sirius finally said. "Back to the task at hand..."
"We have to draw him out," Ian suddenly said, cutting Sirius off. Again, the shift in emotions. Harry couldn't figure out how he was doing it.
"How?" Hermione asked.
"The necronomicon is hidden in Professor Dumbledor's office," Ian said. "He's have to take it from there."
"It's evil," Harry frowned at Ian. "How can it be in Dumbledore's office?"
"A very strong encasement," Ian said. "It was actually there before Albus became a student there."
"Then how did you find it when it's... Cho began but changed her question. "How old are you anyway?"
"In my years, seventeen," Ian looked at the ground.
"What do you mean in your years?" Harry asked.
"When we reach a certain age we gradually age," Ian said softly. "Didn't you wonder why Lian looked like he was nineteen but had the wisdom of an old man?" the question was directed to Harry.
Harry was about to answer but Ginny held his hand in a form of soft interruption.
"How old are you, really?" she asked. Ian smiled and shook his head.
"I am as touchy as age as a lovely lady," he smiled. "Bygones. So we lure Pettigrew, catch him, make him talk, etc. Seems easy enough."
"Easy?" Ron huffed. "You sounded like you've done something harder." Ian only smiled cryptically. He then turned to Sirius and stood.
"I think we're done here," he said abruptly. "I need to prepare some things. Ian, call me if there's anything to report."
"Likewise," Ian said. He then turned to Harry with a questioning glance and smiled. "Could you help me with this task, Harry?" he could sense Harry smirk.
"Sure," he said. With that Ian smiled as well.
*** ***
They were back in the Burrow in an hour's time. Mrs. Weasley was preparing lunch by the time they arrived. As they entered, Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Ian holding him while he had a look of worry in his face.
"A word, Harry," Harry nodded and led him to the garden.
"What is it?" he asked worriedly. It might be something he neglected to mention in Sirius's office that would made the rest worry.
"I have to come clean," Ian sighed. Harry was almost dreading it. Ian was too serious. It must be something important.
With a final sigh, Ian told him.
*** ***
"Where's Harry?" Cho asked as she looked around. Ginny cringed. Did she still like her fiancé? She opted to ask her directly.
"Why?" Hermione asked. "I mean he's in the garden with Ian."
"Where's Ron?" Cho asked.
"He's with mum," Ginny frowned but noticed that she sighed in relief. "What's this all about? You still fancy Harry?" Cho blushed and looked at her feet.
"It's not that. He's like a little brother to me now. It's.... something else." Hermione suddenly smiled in realization. Catching on, Ginny grinned.
"Come, now, we're all friends," Ginny said. Cho sighed and looked at the room. She took out her wand and with a spell, silenced the room.
"I was right," Hermione said in triumph. Cho nodded to their unasked question. But she answered them anyway.
"What do you know about Ian?" Cho asked with a blush.
End of 9
A/n: Okay guys. In chapter 11 who do you want first? Harry and Ginny or Ron and Hermione? Chapter 10 will deal about... well you can guess. Thanks for reviewing. I thought... well,, it's in the past now. Thanks again! And please review.
.
"Hello there, Harry," Sirius Black smiled at his godson as she came over to hug him. Harry still stood there astonished. He couldn't believe he was seeing his father's best man again. Even though it was just a month since they last saw each other.
"Sirius!" Harry smiled as he hugged his godfather almost to a point of crushing him.
"Harry," he gasped. "Air." Harry immediately released him and smiled in embarrassment. Sirius had a coughing fit making Harry nervous. After a few moments, Sirius smiled and took a deep breath.
"You really need to get that phlegm out of your lungs," Ian smirked. "It sounds like one of Snape's potions brewing in there." Sirius laughed causing him to cough again. "You really need a break, 'Don' Sirius. You sounded like someone who was shouting at the top of his lung for hours." Everyone smiled at this dialogue. It seemed like they were great friends if Ian was talking to Sirius the way he did.
"I was addressing a large crowd last night," Sirius said in a hoarse tone. "I can't believe they still think that this war is over."
"You talked to a large crowd with that cold of yours?" Ian said in disbelief. "I would be more convinced that your voice had gotten that way from the Quidditch game last night." Sirius had a faint blush from embarrassment.
"What I said is true," Sirius said adamantly.
"So the large crowd was the opposing team's fans," Ian smiled as he shook his head. "Insults by the great Sirius Black. They must be honored. Bygones. Why did you call me?" The rest was surprised by Ian's shift in priorities. But judging by Sirius's expression, he had done this often.
"Everyone, please, sit," Sirius offered as he sat behind his desk again. Then he turned to Harry and the rest, giving them a look in intrigue. "I trust you wanted explanations?"
"Quite," Harry said. "The first question pops into my mind is 'Don' Sirius?"
"Ah! That," Sirius smiled. "It's a moniker I had been labeled with. Kind of stuck with me though." The young ones were still baffled but Ian continued with his explanation.
"Sirius is the head of the Auror's Special Ops. He deals with espionage and intelligence. Most of his operatives operate from the underground. In effect most of them had the covers of gangsters. Some informants were hooligans and others decent folk. The thing is they would only talk to Sirius.
"He then gives them aid in any problem that should arise. Like provisions to the folks because of the floods. Things like that."
"Excuse me," Hermione raised her hand but sheepishly put it down again. She wasn't used to address a blind man. But Ian gave her a reassuring smile and she continued. "Why are you telling us this? I think this sort of thing is being kept under wraps. Why come out in the open?"
"Ian?" Sirius smiled and he looked at him. "How's your performance?"
"Due to my... disability," he sighed. "I'd say 75%."
"I'd have you even if you were performing 50%," Sirius smiled and turned to the rest. "Due to Ian's deficiencies, I had asked him to select those who could aid him."
"Aid in what?" Cho asked in confusion. She thought that this was just an ordinary meeting but it was turning into something else.
"Capturing Peter Pettigrew," Sirius said tonelessly. Harry and Ian frowned at the name. They waited for him to continue before making any comments. "It will be hard to find him since the day you found them," Sirius looked at Ian. "We searched every inch of that place but came up empty. No leads, no clues and no Pettigrew."
"Why?" Ian said defiantly. "He didn't seem significant to the boys upstairs before, why now?"
"I'm sorry, Ian. I truly am," Sirius sighed in exasperation. "If it were up to me he would be dead long ago," he saw Harry flinch. "I wasn't talking about that, Harry. We have standing orders to capture him alive. We has a few brush in but it was hard to catch him, the rat that he is."
"I hate politicians," Ian made a low growl that resembled a wolf's. "They think they know everything."
"Well, if Hermione decides to go to politics, we then have a politician who actually KNOWS everything," Ron said and the whole room erupted with laughter. But Hermione wasn't amused and smacked him at the back of his neck.
"Honestly, I don't want our beloved Hermione getting stained with all those crap that comes from their mouths," Sirius smiled. "But if she did, she'd become Minister in a matter of weeks."
"Days," Ron said in pride, making Hermione blush.
"Why does he need us?" Ginny asked as if she already figured out the plan. "I could see from his demeanor that he's never worked with anyone before."
"Sometimes I must swallow my pride to do what is needed," he said. "Especially if I'm blind and can't seem to do much good."
"Please don't say that," Cho said quietly. "You saved me from a disastrous fall and I considered that doing a lot of good. Please don't degrade yourself." He tone was soft, sincere and serene. Ian sighed and turned to her direction.
Harry and the rest saw this behavior. Cho was deeply concerned that Ian was hitting himself. It looked like Ian never done this before.
And Cho's face fell when she heard him say he can't do any good. This was the first time she heard him being let down by his deficiency. He seemed like he could still take on the world with his attitude from the previous days. But just now she felt his pain.
And Harry knew of the suffering Ian was going through. He felt like that the moths after Cedric's death. He always felt that he should have done something more. He knew Ian was feeling the same thing. He saw it when he first saw him in Hogwarts.
Harry knew that Ian was in pain.
He disguises it with humor and his joviality despite his seriousness. But he knew it would be exhausted one of these days. And it almost did.
But somehow, Cho had broken his thoughts of self-pity.
"Can't anyone fix your eyes," Hermione said in a soft respectful tone. She was afraid that she had offended him but he smiled instead.
"Unfortunately I was the first to suffer this kind of fate," Ian said. "Everyone else who had gotten struck with the killing curse are ... dead."
"Can't your brother fix them?" Harry said in a hopeful tone.
"Like he did with your eyes?" Ian smiled. "Sure. If he was here. He's gone to a trip and I don't expect him to be back in another year. Before anyone could ask I cannot call him. He's not in the same plane of existence as we are right now."
"Not even if I summon him?" Ginny asked. It had been two years since Ginny had summoned a sacred creature. Being a summoner, she could call the sacred being to help her. Usually it was in battles but the last battle she had was in her sixth year when they all defeated Voldemort.
"Not even," Ian smirked. "Most of the sacreds went back to their realms. And you're out of practice. It would be tiring for you to attempt it. No, I'll just wait for his return." Cho smiled as she felt his determination returning.
"Anyway, what about Peter," there was poison in his tone and Sirius knew why.
"He's trying to steal the necronomicon," Sirius was crestfallen. "He had made several attempts and every time he has gotten close to achieving it."
"The book of the dead?" Hermione asked in confusion. "Why?"
"To revive Voldemort," Cho was dead certain of it.
"But why my book?" Ian asked. Everyone except Sirius did a double take. As if they hadn't heard him right.
"Your book?" Ron asked. "Why would you have the necri... nersa....."
"Necronomicon," Hermione said in an air of frustration. "It is an evil book that had incantations to call forth demons and creatures from beyond the darkness. It was bound in flesh and written in blood. How come you own it?" she turned to Ian.
"I had used it before," he admitted as if it didn't matter. "I found it where Avalon once stood. Bygones."
"You can't dismiss something like that so quickly," Ron said in defiance.
"He could," Sirius smiled in amusement. "It will take something more persuasive than Veritaserum to convince him to tell you that story."
"Does it pain you to remember it?" Cho asked softly. Ian flinched as if he was jolted by electricity.
"It does," he sighed. "Mainly because so many lives were lost because of that damned book."
"Oh," Cho smiled ruefully. "Friends of yours?" Ian's smile was sad and sorrowful.
"I work alone," he said. Sirius was intrigued by this development. Ian wasn't open about it before. But a mere inclination from Cho, he revealed more than he had ever done.
"Very well," Sirius finally said. "Back to the task at hand..."
"We have to draw him out," Ian suddenly said, cutting Sirius off. Again, the shift in emotions. Harry couldn't figure out how he was doing it.
"How?" Hermione asked.
"The necronomicon is hidden in Professor Dumbledor's office," Ian said. "He's have to take it from there."
"It's evil," Harry frowned at Ian. "How can it be in Dumbledore's office?"
"A very strong encasement," Ian said. "It was actually there before Albus became a student there."
"Then how did you find it when it's... Cho began but changed her question. "How old are you anyway?"
"In my years, seventeen," Ian looked at the ground.
"What do you mean in your years?" Harry asked.
"When we reach a certain age we gradually age," Ian said softly. "Didn't you wonder why Lian looked like he was nineteen but had the wisdom of an old man?" the question was directed to Harry.
Harry was about to answer but Ginny held his hand in a form of soft interruption.
"How old are you, really?" she asked. Ian smiled and shook his head.
"I am as touchy as age as a lovely lady," he smiled. "Bygones. So we lure Pettigrew, catch him, make him talk, etc. Seems easy enough."
"Easy?" Ron huffed. "You sounded like you've done something harder." Ian only smiled cryptically. He then turned to Sirius and stood.
"I think we're done here," he said abruptly. "I need to prepare some things. Ian, call me if there's anything to report."
"Likewise," Ian said. He then turned to Harry with a questioning glance and smiled. "Could you help me with this task, Harry?" he could sense Harry smirk.
"Sure," he said. With that Ian smiled as well.
*** ***
They were back in the Burrow in an hour's time. Mrs. Weasley was preparing lunch by the time they arrived. As they entered, Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Ian holding him while he had a look of worry in his face.
"A word, Harry," Harry nodded and led him to the garden.
"What is it?" he asked worriedly. It might be something he neglected to mention in Sirius's office that would made the rest worry.
"I have to come clean," Ian sighed. Harry was almost dreading it. Ian was too serious. It must be something important.
With a final sigh, Ian told him.
*** ***
"Where's Harry?" Cho asked as she looked around. Ginny cringed. Did she still like her fiancé? She opted to ask her directly.
"Why?" Hermione asked. "I mean he's in the garden with Ian."
"Where's Ron?" Cho asked.
"He's with mum," Ginny frowned but noticed that she sighed in relief. "What's this all about? You still fancy Harry?" Cho blushed and looked at her feet.
"It's not that. He's like a little brother to me now. It's.... something else." Hermione suddenly smiled in realization. Catching on, Ginny grinned.
"Come, now, we're all friends," Ginny said. Cho sighed and looked at the room. She took out her wand and with a spell, silenced the room.
"I was right," Hermione said in triumph. Cho nodded to their unasked question. But she answered them anyway.
"What do you know about Ian?" Cho asked with a blush.
End of 9
A/n: Okay guys. In chapter 11 who do you want first? Harry and Ginny or Ron and Hermione? Chapter 10 will deal about... well you can guess. Thanks for reviewing. I thought... well,, it's in the past now. Thanks again! And please review.