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CHAPTER IV: Mister Talon's Wild Ride
Diagon Alley in the early evening appeared to be lit with faery fire. Lights twinkled overhead as Harry and his guardians attempted to find the Weasleys and Grangers amidst the crowd. Sirius was taking great pains to explain in gleeful detail how Arthur Weasley had beat up Lucius Malfoy.
"So anything else happen in Flourish and Blotts after I left?" Remus asked as he shrunk down their purchases.
"We met the new Defense teacher," Harry said rather glumly.
Remus raised a brow at that. "You did? Who?"
"Guess," Sirius snarled.
Remus halted in place. Who could . . . ? "Oh, no." It was too horrible to contemplate. "Oh, no."
"Oh, yes," Black said savagely. "Gilderoy Lockhart voted best smile award, blah blah blah. That peacock, that absolute prat! He assaulted Harry in the shop today."
"What?!" Remus grabbed Harry and brushed his hair out of his eyes and peered into that small, earnest face. "Harry, are you all right? What did that maniac do?"
"H-he grabbed me and then Sirius was there and the reporter took a picture and then the bookcase fell and Draco and Ginny . . ." Harry tried to explain.
"It will be all over the Daily Prophet tomorrow," Padfoot grumbled. "When we get home I'm contacting my solicitor and suing them all!"
Calm now that he realized Sirius had prevented any bodily harm from coming to Harry, Remus took the boy's hand in his as they continued along the Alley. "I thought you said Arthur was the only one who did any assaulting, " Remus said wryly.
"Malfoy was bloodied good and proper," Sirius said proudly. "I never knew Arthur had it in him."
"Harry!" Ron's voice suddenly rose over the bustle of the Alley. In the distance, red hair unmistakable was Ron, calling and waving and jumping up and down so his friend could see him.
Harry waved back and ran forward to meet them.
"Harry, wait!" Sirius called.
"Let him go," Remus said. "He's still well in sight for your stalking."
"I do not stalk!" Sirius countered indignantly. "Besides even if I did stalk, which I do not, I'm completely justified. You didn't see the crowd in the bookstore when that moron Lockhart had the gall to haul Harry up like a display piece to show off. I swear they were about to eat him alive, pawing at him like that. And now that idiot is going to be teaching at Hogwarts of all places. I don't know what Dumbledore is thinking. First a possessed Defense teacher and now this walking fashion plate! Well let me tell you, I am heartily glad Harry is not going this year. Best decision I ever made," Sirius said firmly.
Rolling his eyes, Remus restrained himself from letting out an enormous sigh. Sirius never changed. "Look at it this way. Gilderoy Lockhart is hardly likely to be a Death Eater in disguise. I don't even think Voldemort could stomach the man."
"He just might be desperate enough, the bodiless son of a bit--"
"Hush," the werewolf scolded as they caught up with Weasleys and Hermione just in time to hear Harry ask.
"Did you just make it out of Flourish and Blotts?"
Ron nodded. "We tried to leave just as Lockhart was leaving. It was crazy. All these witches fawning over him!"
"Mum and Dad are still trapped alive in there, so are the Grangers," George said mournfully. "Who knows if they'll ever escape."
Fred nodded. "Dad told us to run while we still could."
"He did not!" Percy corrected in annoyance, pushing the bridge of his glasses up.
"There is nothing wrong with recognizing a great wizard and his achievements, Ron" Hermione scolded. "Are you all right, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "I'm fine, Hermione."
"Come on then, let's check out Quality Quidditch Supplies," Sirius put in drawing a resounding cheer from the male Weasleys.
"They have the newest broom on display, the Nimbus 2001!" Ron said eagerly as they hurried to the shop window.
"They have a new model out already?" Harry asked catching his first sight of the perfectly polished black handle.
"The broom store?" Hermione was dismayed. "If we go in there, I'll never finish getting my supplies."
"We'll just be a minute, Hermione," Ron argued.
"No you won't," she countered knowingly, "You'll be hours! I know you two. Both of you are completely Quidditch mad! I haven't even got parchment and ink yet. And I used all of mine finishing summer assignments."
"You've done all your homework?" Ron asked incredulously. "Already? And how could you possibly use all your parchment. No teacher wanted more than two feet and that was just Professor Snape."
"I believe in doing a thorough job," Hermione informed her friend archly.
"You haven't even started your summer homework, Ronald," Percy put in curtly. "Our time is better spent somewhere else."
"Here he goes again!" Fred and George intoned in unison.
"Honestly Perc, there is no need to practice being prefect right now," George added.
"You made prefect?" Remus asked. "Congratulations. I was Prefect my fifth year as well."
"You were?" Harry brightened and turned to Sirius. "Were you Prefect too, Sirius?"
Sirius Black stared down at his godson, goggle-eyed. "Er . . ."
Taking pity on his friend, Moony gave Harry a gentle push towards the entrance of Quality Quidditch Supplies and let the eager Ron do the rest.
"I'll go get parchment and no doubt find you both still ogling the brooms when I get back," Hermione yelled after them. With that she turned smartly on her heel and headed towards the parchment shop.
"I have other things to take care of," Percy informed the twins. "Take care of Ginny, I'll be back later."
"Off to buy Prefect supplies?" Fred called after him. "Be sure to get a big enough hat to cover your humongous head!"
"Now that sounds familiar," Remus said to himself, grey eyes narrowing as he and Sirius entered the store.
"I never said you had a big head," Padfoot denied vehemently.
"No, you only made comments about how I was power mad and taking the "prefect thing" too seriously."
"You were!" Sirius insisted as he made a beeline for the Nimbus display once he found Harry was engaged in checking out the practice snitches. "Besides being Sirius is my job," he added with a smile as he picked up the Nimbus 2001 off its satin cushion, ignoring the amazed faces of children peering in through the window, and headed towards the cashier.
"Sirius what are you doing?" Remus asked in confusion.
"Buying a broom." Gently laying down the piece of Quidditch gold, Black grabbed his money pouch.
"Would you like this wrapped sir?" The man behind the counter asked.
"Yes, please, in gold and red."
"Another one? Harry has TWO brooms already!" the werewolf cried. He snatched the broom out of the cashier's hands.
"But Moony! Be reasonable. This is a Nimbus 2001; Harry needs the best broom to play Quidditch. Look, look it's faster, has a better breaking charm, and-- and-- safety, Moony! This broom is the height of safety on the pitch."
"It is the very best broom on the market sir," the cashier assured Lupin desperately, not wanting to loose the commission of such a sale.
"Ah-HA! So you ARE letting him go back to Hogwarts next year!" Remus crowed shaking the broom at his friend.
Sirius sputtered. "I-I said nothing of the sort. It's dangerous!" He grabbed the broom away from the werewolf. "Harry is not going back to Hogwarts."
"Then put the broom down. Put it down! Bad Padfoot! Drop the broom!"
From over by the snitch display Ron looked up at the ruckus. "Harry?" he asked cautiously.
"Hmm?" was the reply.
"Are you sure you're all right living with Sirius and Remus?"
"Of course," Harry said looking up at his friend. "Why?"
"Oh . . . nothing," Ron said slowly. But as he looked back at the sight of the two grown men playing tug of war with the Nimbus 2001 he wasn't so sure.
"All right Harry. It's quite simple. Just step into the fireplace, throw down the floo powder and say your destination in a clear, loud voice," Mrs. Weasley instructed patiently, patting Harry on the arm,
Harry eyed the floo powder on the mantle of the Leaky Cauldron skeptically. He had seen this done-- this fireplace was in constant use all evening during the dinner at the Cauldron --but Harry's more usual mode of transportation was flight or apparating with one of his guardians, not a fireplace.
"It's all right Harry, "Remus said taking a handful of the powder. "I'll go first and be waiting for you at home and Sirius will be right behind you."
"Just remember to speak clearly," Mrs. Weasley repeated, a little anxious that this was Harry's first floo trip for all he had spent six years in the wizarding world.
"Thank you for the birthday party, Mrs. Weasley," Harry told her with great solemnity. "It was wonderful."
Molly's expression softened. "You are most welcome; we all had a marvelous time, didn't we?"
"Absolutely smashing," George said.
"Best cake we've had since Ginny's birthday," Fred added rubbing his stomach in fond remembrance.
"Mmmm, cake," Remus murmured eyes going dreamy.
"Glad you could make it mate," Ron said, punching his friend lightly on the shoulder. "See you on the train to Hogwarts."
Perplexed, Harry watched as Remus was nudged out of his chocolate daydreams by Padfoot and into the fireplace, powder in hand.
"But I'm not going to Hogwarts this year," Harry reminded his friends in puzzlement.
"Think positively, Harry," Hermione insisted. "You are going to Hogwarts this year. You are going to Hogwarts this year," she said staunchly, ignoring with only minor trembling the death glare of the human grim beside Harry.
"Moor House," Remus said clearly and vanished in a torrent of green flames.
Jumping back, wide eyed with fright, Harry watched the flames die leaving no trace of Moony.
"He's all right," Sirius leaned over to whisper to his godson. "He's perfectly safe and waiting for you at home." He took hold of the floo powder pot and held it towards Harry. "Go ahead and grab a good handful."
Slowly, Harry reached out and grasped the harsh grains in his hand. Seeing Moony vanish amid green fire had left him feeling ill. It reminded him of the woman in his dreams who did nothing but scream.
As his godfather helped him into the fireplace the Weasleys added more helpful advice until Fred's "don't fall out too early" was rewarded by his mother smacking him lightly on the arm, and Percy going off on how immature all of his siblings were, and general Weasley chaos reining supreme.
"I'll see on the train," Ron said again, waving at his friend. "Otherwise we'll just have to come get you with the car."
"Deep breath," Sirius coached quietly.
Harry closed his eyes and held his hand out, fist facing down. "Moor House!" he called.
A roaring sound and Harry vanished up the floo.
"Thank you again," Sirius said as he bid the Weasleys and Grangers good bye. "You have no idea how much it meant to Harry to be invited to your home. Molly, fantastic meal. Arthur, good luck with the raids," he added shaking each of their hands in turn before stepping into the fireplace. "Moor House!"
Sirius fell through the fire in the living room and landed on a strategically placed cushioned chair. Looking about as he stood and brushed off the ash with an absent cleaning spell he couldn't see either Harry or Mo--
"Ack!" The Animagus fell back into the chair as a familiar face was suddenly right in front of him.
"Where's Harry?" Lupin asked worriedly. "Did he ask you to go first?" The werewolf risked sticking his head into the fireplace to see and hear if Harry was coming.
"Harry went before me. He's not here?" Sirius stood and quickly shoved his way into Moony's place with his head up the chimney. "Harry? Harry? Can you hear me?" He pulled back out and grabbed Remus by the shoulders. "Harry's not here! He's supposed to be here!"
"Don't panic!" Remus said desperately, his own voice rising with hysteria. Oh dear gods, we've lost Harry! He could be anywhere!
"Don't panic? Don't PANIC?!" Sirius echoed with wild laughter. "Look at the clock! Look at the clock!" He cried shaking Moony. The hand designated for their Harry was on Lost but heading inexorably towards Mortal Danger.
"Don't panic," Remus repeated firmly. One of us has to be calm, he thought frantically. Be calm Remy! Now is not the time to start howling. We've got to find Harry. Think!
"We'll-we'll jut go back. He's probably had an incomplete entry into the network and got spat out one grate down from the Leakey Cauldron. We'll just go back, Sirius, we'll just go back and find Harry and bring him home!" Moony shoved the floo powder at Sirius. "Get going! I'm just going to leave a note for Harry in case he makes it back before us."
"Leaky Cauldron!" Sirius yelled and was gone.
Green light filled his senses. For one horrible moment he was back on that field, the ruined Quidditch pitch outside the fortified ruins of Hogwarts.
Reeling back, Harry fell with a thump out of the floo and onto a filthy, creaking floor. Scrambling for his glasses, Harry hurriedly put them on and tried to figure out exactly where he was.
In the darkened room, Harry could make out looming shapes that resolved after several anxious moments into shelves and glass cases filled with objects. Standing up, Harry peered about and realized he must be in some sort of store.
He shivered.
A store filled with the taint of pain, blood, and darkness.
These were Dark Artifacts.
There was a sudden pounding at the door. Nearly causing a display to fall over, Harry steadied the display and himself and stared wide eyed at the front door. Behind him a lamp was lit.
"I'm comin'!" a voice yelled behind him.
Without thought, Harry ducked back into the fireplace and crouched down to hide in the tiny space between the grate and the brick wall.
He watched silently as a man who could only be the storeowner peered through the yellowed glass and then quickly spelled the door to unlock.
"Mr. Malfoy, come in, come in, sir! A pleasure as always to see you," the shopkeeper bowed and scrapped as he locked the door and drew thick drapes across the front half of his shop.
Lucius Malfoy, every bit as imposing, appeared to be idly shopping as he perused the various cases and displays but this attitude bellied the cold fury in his voice as he spoke. "Mr. Borgin, I was under the impression that your establishment was open to the discerning customer at all hours. I do not appreciate being force to knock to gain entrance."
Mr. Borgin paled, as if realizing he had made some life threatening error. "M-Mr. Malfoy, no offense, no offense at all was meant! I expected you earlier but when you did not appear--"
Lucius whirled around and towered over the man. "Are you trying to tell me that I was tardy for our appointment?" he asked in a whisper.
"N-no! N-no! Of course not! It-it was my fault, misjudging the time. A thousand apologies. You had spoken of haste and I have hurried with all speed to make arrangements necessary to . . . dispose of seven items previously discussed."
"Six items," The head of the Malfoy line corrected.
"Six?" Borgin's eyes bulged. "B-but Mr. Malfoy. The arrangements were for seven, the very expensive arrangements were for seven items! Seven very valuable items placed in safe hands until the Minister can be . . . dealt with."
"I have already disposed of the seventh in the most," here Lucius' face was covered with a truly terrible smile "unassuming and perfect of places. Perhaps these beastly little raids of Weasley's are more useful than annoying," he mused.
The Weasleys? Harry's eyes widened and before he could stop himself a tiny gasp escaped his lips.
Malfoy whirled around, wand suddenly in his hand, pointed towards the fireplace.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Borgin asked hesitantly. "Mr. Malfoy, there is nothing there. My store is well secure." The shopkeeper fumbled around at his waistcoat and drew out a chain with a number of jangling charms attached. "See? If someone were foolish enough to be here the sneakascope would . . ." he trailed off as the miniature device began to spin and glow.
The aristocrat did not answer but advanced inexorably towards Harry, wand glowing with an unspoken lumos spell.
Terrified, Harry closed his eyes and pressed himself further against the rough stone of the fireplace. I'm not here, you can't see me, I'm not here, he thought desperately.
The light burned through his tight shuteyes and Harry held his breath as Malfoy's arm passed by him lighting the recesses of his hiding place.
--I'm not here, you can't see me, you can't see me-
There was a disturbance of dust and soot that showered down on Harry as one gloved hand brushed against the uneven stone of the fireplace just above his bent head.
And the light retreated and Harry dared to breath again.
"Put the charm away, Mr. Borgin. In a shop like this it is hardly useful," Malfoy snapped as he wand was slid into the ebony of his cane.
Borgin nodded, agreeing quickly with his valued customer as he pocketed the chain. "True, Mr. Malfoy. A rather useless charm when compared with your six items. I have lined up several interested families of the purest bloodlines to benefit from being able to see the wonders of your family's collection."
Grey eyes snapped in the dim light. "A temporary and costly gift. I also require the names of those who shall, for a time, own these items."
As the two men began to haggle, Harry closed his eyes and tried desperately to think of a way out of this situation. I could wait until they leave and then try the floo again, he though with great reluctance. Or I could leave by the door in a few hours and try and figure out if I am still in Diagon Alley. Either way once I'm outside, I suppose I could fly home, he reassured himself. There was no reason to be afraid. He'd be home soon.
Suddenly something grabbed hold of his collar and yanked sharply. Before Harry could cry out he was back inside the floo network, arms pinned to his side. Harry couldn't even begin to struggle as he shot along the bumpy path. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the flicker of other hearths whizzing by. Nauseated by the twists and turns, Harry closed his eyes and hoped it would be over soon.
With a roar of flames they shot out of a fireplace and bounced onto a strategically placed couch.
Coughing and shaking, Harry looked up from the firm surface he'd buried his head in and realized it was Padfoot who held him and that he had made it home.
A hand pushed back his sooty, grimy hair. "Are you all right, Harry?" Sirius asked anxiously.
Harry coughed and cleared his throat and nodded. "Y-yes, I'm fine."
"Moony, I've got Harry!" Sirius called flopping back against the couch, boneless with relief. "Moony?" he called again when he received no answer.
Harry wriggled out of his godfather's arms, careful of where he put his elbows and knees as he looked about for the werewolf. "Moony?"
"Sirius! Harry!" Came Remus' voice from upstairs. "Hurry! I can't hold him for long!"
Meeting eyes for an instant, both of them jumped off the couch, drew their wands and ran up the stairs.
Following his ears and nose, Sirius burst into Harry's room first and found Moony facing off against a bedraggled house elf, both wielding spells, locked against each other, evenly matched.
"That's Dobby!" Harry said in surprise. "He was the elf that was in Ron's room."
"How the hell did he get in here?" Sirius roared, not bothering to complicate things with further magic and simply strode over and grabbed the creature by the scruff of the neck and hauled him up until they were nose to nose. "How dare you come into our home, to my godson's room uninvited?!"
Harry rushed forward to help a weakened Moony to sit on the bed, his magic a bit drained from facing off against such a magical creature, werewolf or no.
"Dobby had to come! Dobby has to warn Harry Potter!" the pitiful creature wailed.
"Warn or set a trap?" Sirius hissed, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"No, no, Dobby would never--"
"Padfoot," Harry said, reaching and grabbing a hold of the Marauder's robe. "He didn't hurt anyone, not really."
Sirius looked down into those familiar green eyes and slowly lowered Dobby to the floor. "All right now. Who sent you?"
"Dobby cannot say."
Sirius rolled his eyes in frustration. "Whose family do you serve?"
"Dobby cannot say."
"Who gave you permission to leave your home and come here?"
"Dobby cannot say." The elf now fell to his knees and started banging his head against the ground.
"Stop!" Harry cried, unable to watch the self-torture. "Stop it!"
"Hey, hey, hey! No beating yourself up," Sirius scolded, pulling the elf to his feet.
"What can you tell us?" Remus put in.
"Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year. There is a plot," he continued, wringing his hands. "A terrible plot to make Bad Things happen. If Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts he will die!"
"Sounds rehearsed to me," Sirius said looking at the werewolf. "What do you think?"
"Rehearsed," Lupin agreed, "But Dobby's feeling's are genuine, he does care."
"Dobby cares! Dobby cares about the great Harry Potter. Before Harry Potter destroyed He Who Must Not be Named we house elves were treated like vermin. House elves is treated much better now. But Dobby is still treated like vermin," he whispered, wiping away his tearing eyes, ears dropping despondently. "Harry Potter must believe Dobby. I is not wanting such a great wizard to be hurt."
After this impassioned speech, Harry stepped forward and dug out his handkerchief and handed it to the house elf. "Thank you, Dobby. I'm sorry we attacked you."
"And I sorry I tried to hex you," Moony put in.
There was a long moment of silence. Remus gave the black haired wizard a pointed look.
Running his hands through is long hair, Padfoot looked down guiltily. "I am sorry, Dobby, for shaking and grabbing you, but I was worried about how you got in."
Dobby looked from one wizard to the next and once again burst into tears. "Such-such good wizards!" he managed to cry into the handkerchief. "Dobby will do whatever he can to protect Harry Potter." With that he vanished with a crack of power.
"Well that sounded ominous," Remus muttered tiredly.
"We said we were sorry. Why did he cry?" Harry asked in bewilderment as his godfather guided him to the bathroom to wash up the grime of his floo adventure.
"Never mind. Go take a shower and we'll talk when you get out."
Remus flopped back onto Harry's bed as soon as the door closed. "Gods, what a night. Harry lost, the attack of the persistently helpful house hell, all on top if his birthday. Where the hell did Harry get to in the floo network?"
"He fell out a couple grates down. What I want to know is where the hell did that elf come from in the first place? And how did he get into Harry's room?" Sirius snapped as he began to pace his 6 1/2 step track across the floor.
"House elf magic is very, very powerful. He wasn't really trying that hard to block the hex when I tried to cast Petrificus on him. If they weren't enslaved and brainwashed, Wizards would not be the ones running things in the magical world. We can't ward this place enough to keep him out, especially if he has some sort of permission from his master to find Harry.
"Damn," the Marauder hissed. "Damn, damn, damn. At least I know I made the right choice to pull Harry out of Hogwarts this year."
"Did you?" Moony asked not bothering to open his eyes. "If Dobby was sent, and we presuppose only an old pureblood family keeps a house elf in such wretched conditions, then the message could be a distraction, a misdirection to keep Harry away from where he could do the most good, be the most secure."
Sirius snarled, "Hogwarts secure? The Defense teacher rode about with Voldemort on the back of his head all last year and NO ONE KNEW!"
"Hush," Remus said as the sound of the shower turned off.
"Besides," Padfoot continued in a softer but no less biting tone. "It is not Harry's job or duty or anything to help. He is just a child! He is supposed to have fun, to learn, make friends, play Quidditch."
"Which he cannot do wrapped up in cotton wool here at Moor House," Remus added to the old familiar argument quietly.
Padfoot sighed and sat down on the bed. "I hate it when you're logical, Moony." He flopped down on the bed horizontally, pushing Remus' feet aside to rest his head.
The door to the bathroom opened quietly and Harry, dressed in a long, hooded bathrobe smiled at the sight of his guardians and hurried into his closet to change into his bed clothes.
Once dressed, Harry scrambled up to sit cross-legged at the foot of the bed.
Sirius, reached out and grabbed one of his godson's hands in his, squeezing it once. "What happened when you fell out of the floo network? Why didn't you jump back in? Where were you?"
"I was in a store, a dark store. Everything there was . . . tainted. A man was there, Mr. Borgin. He answered a knock at the door. I hid in the fireplace. It was Mr. Malfoy."
"What was he doing there, Harry?" Remus asked quietly, knowing full well Padfoot was too upset about the danger his godson had been in to do anything but fume.
"He'd made some sort of deal with Mr. Borgin about dark things, dark artifacts. He wanted to hide them with someone else for a while 'cause Mr. Weasley was going to raid his home. They fought because Mr. Malfoy was supposed to bring seven things but only brought six. He said he'd gotten rid of the seventh one somewhere. I think it was somewhere where it could hurt someone," Harry finished with a whisper.
"Borgin and Burkes, Knockturn Alley," Padfoot said with a sigh, sitting up and putting an arm around his godson.
"Should we firecall Mr. Weasley o-or the Headmaster right now?" Harry asked.
"We'll let them know, we'll make sure they keep an eye out," Remus assured him, sitting up as well. "But how did you fall out of the floo in the first place?"
"Oh," Harry said blinking, "W-well . . . I was . . . the fire . . . er--"
"Never mind that now," Sirius put in, running his hand soothingly through Harry's dark, damp hair. The Animagus shot his friend a warning glance, he didn't want to get Harry worked up about anything before falling asleep. The last thing they needed was Harry to suffer from a night terror. "It's been a very busy day," he said as he shifted on the bed to pull down the blanket and sheet on one side, urging Harry to lie down.
Harry opened his mouth to protest that it was too early to go to bed, but all that escaped was a tremendous yawn. With some help from his guardian's Harry got situated under the covers.
"Was a very nice party," Harry murmured sleepily as he got comfortable.
"Yes it was," Remus agreed. "The cake was excellent. Do you think Molly would let us have the recipe?"
"Always thinking with your stomach, you chocolate fiend," Sirius said with a laugh. "Sleep well, Harry. No dreams tonight."
Dear Harry,
Have Sirius and Remus decided to let you go to Hogwarts after all? You have been asking them, haven't you? I've been busy all day degnoming the garden. It would be a much better garden if Mum would let me get some chocolate frogs like Moor House. You'll be on the platform at 10:30 on September 2nd, right? I was going to write to the Magical Education Office to make them let you come to school, but Dad said not to. Have you finished your homework? Hermione keeps owling me about it. Poor Errol is looking very worn. Percy got a new owl for being prefect but he won't let anyone use it and he's always sending letters off with it and getting secret letters back. The twins haven't managed to steal one yet, but I bet it's something boring just like Percy. If you have finished do you know anything I could add to my transfiguration essay on mass conversions? I'm two inches short even with writing really big. I'll see you on the Platform or I'll steal the car and come get you.
Your friend,
Ron
Sirius looked up from the Daily Prophet front page scowling and saw Harry had gotten a letter. Wiping his anger from his face he asked. "Who's the letter from?"
"Ron. He needs help with his transfiguration essay. I haven't done it yet," Harry admitted sheepishly.
"Well, no need really," Sirius replied as he stared malevolently at the front page of the Prophet. "His dad hasn't said anything about selling his car has he?" he asked with interest.
Harry shook his head slowly. "No, but Ron said he'd like to fly it over sometime. I'm going to go out flying," Harry said getting up with his breakfast dishes.
"I'll be out to join you in a moment," his godfather said, surreptitiously covering the front page of the paper with his arm as Harry passed.
Remus waited until Harry had disappeared into the kitchen before shoving Sirius" arm aside. "What is it? Let me see." The werewolf grabbed the Daily Prophet and stared at the front page photo.
Larger than life, Picture Sirius appeared to have much less control over his temper than real life Sirius. Picture Sirius had already drawn his wand on Lockhart fending the foppish man off while he gleefully toppled Lockhart's careful pile of book and stomped on them. Lockhart was practically in tears.
Picture Harry was out of the frame as most Picture Harrys were, but since Sirius was in the photo, Harry was peeking out to watching his godfather in amusement.
"It's an . . . interesting picture. You look good," Remus offered, swallowing his laughter.
"It's an awful picture. Look at that peacock, he looks pretty even when he's in tears!" Sirius raged. "I bet he'll win Witch Weekly's award for that too."
"The rag papers are going to have a field day with this photo, you know. You're not helping your reputation any."
"Doesn't matter," the Marauder said airily "I'm going to sue the photographer and the Daily Prophet until they bleed," he smiled vindictively as he folding the paper careful as it was evidence for his future lawsuit.
Dear Harry,
This is absolutely intolerable. How can your guardians keep you from school? Your education is the most important thing. How are you going to get any sort of job without graduating? How will you develop magically without the proper nurturing and educational support system? Especially when we have Gilderoy Lockhart teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, your favorite subject! Write me back immediately telling me if you godfather has allowed you to go to Hogwarts. Meanwhile, rest assured I shall write to Professor McGonagall and inform her of this horrid situation.
Love from,
Hermione
"Harry?"
Green eyes darted up at the careful call of Moony. Giving Hedwig an absent pat, Harry hurried down the stairs from the tower Owlry. "Yes Moony?" The werewolf looked unusually pale and the full moon wasn't for days. "Is something the matter?"
Remus seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "Harry, have you been writing to your friends recently?"
"Yes, of course. Hermione wrote me last weekend. I just owled my reply," Harry said with a slightly puzzled expression.
"Anything in particular she wanted to write about, Harry?" Remus asked tentatively.
Harry thought back to the letter. "No, not really. Just school stuff, why?"
"Sirius Alexander Black! What is this I hear? Why is Miss Granger of all people informing me that Harry will not be attending Hogwarts this year?!" Professor McGonagall, still floo stained shoved a letter into the Marauder's face. "Forbidding, forbidding Harry to attend Hogwarts, Sirius?!!"
Sirius scowled at the letter and then scowled up the stairs where to Remus had made his timely escape once he'd seen who was coming down the floo. "I think it is a rational and reasonable decision given the events of last year, and as Harry's lawful guardian it is my right to chose NOT to send him to Hogwarts," he announced firmly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Rational? Reasonable to deny Harry James Potter a Hogwarts education?"
"He's not safe there!" Sirius yelled back.
McGonagall drew back in shock as if her old student had just slapped her across the face. "How dare you? I protect all my Gryffindors and as Deputy Headmistress my concern extends to each and every student and is second only to Albus."
"Well you didn't to a good enough job of it. It was left up to Harry, my Harry, to fight and defeat Voldemort."
"That-that was unavoidable," Minerva whispered tightly. "Don't you know how it pains me to know that the dear boy, that all three of my Gryffindors were in danger and I didn't listen hard or long enough to help? Don't you think I've had this pressing on me all summer, that I all the staff has worked night and day to make sure such dark forces never enter the castle again?"
The Marauder couldn't help but feel slightly shamed hearing his old strict teacher express herself so openly. But this was Harry's safety they were talking about, and when Harry was at risk, Sirius would not be swayed. "And yet you hire someone like Gilderoy Lockhart as Hogwarts' premier defender," Sirius pointed out sprawling into the seat by the fire. "If that is your idea of safety, you, madam, have just solidified my decision."
"I will have you know, Mr. Black, that Professor Lockhart is a renowned wizard, author, and defense expert."
"He is also a fashion plate, a fop, and a complete self-absorbed arse. If danger comes knocking he'd be too worried about staining his robes to save anyone!" Sirius retorted hotly. "You are not helping your feeble case by pointing out that-that peacock as a shining example of Hogwarts staff. As far as I'm concerned he and Snape can just get stuffed."
"That is typical childish behavior from you, Sirius Black, insulting members of the staff. You will watch your tongue, or you'll find yourself with a mouth full of soap," the Transfiguration Professor warned.
"I'd like to see you try, you old ball of fur!" Sirius yelled indignantly, sitting up in his chair.
"Do not talk back to me, young man. I'll have none of your lip," she warned, shaking her finger at him.
"Moony?" Harry whispered from where he and the werewolf watched from the doorway the confrontation between the Professor and his godfather.
"Yes Harry?" Remus answered just as quietly.
"They're talking about me, aren't they?"
"Yes, Harry."
"Are they just playing? Or-or are they upset about me?" Harry bit his lip worriedly
Remus rubbed Harry's shoulder reassuringly. "No one's upset about you, Harry. You've done nothing wrong. But, well you know how Padfoot's a dog and Professor McGonagall is a cat . . ." he trailed of meaningfully.
Realization lit Harry's face. "Are they going to start fighting now?" he asked urgently.
"Only if the Professor scratches Padfoot's nose," Moony said with all seriousness.
"Why you . . . I'm not a child anymore!" Sirius yelled jumping up.
"Then stop acting like one!"
"Me? What about you?
Minerva drew herself up to her full height and stepped nose to nose with the imposing former Prisoner of Azkaban. "I happen to be a professor, I'll have none of your cheek or I'll just--"
"Don't scratch him, Professor!"
Both . . . adults, stopped mid-yell and turned to regard the twelve year old boy.
Straightening her robes and brushing off the remaining floo powder with Hermione's letter before realizing what it was a quickly putting it away, Professor McGonagall attempted to regain the air of a discipline and dignity. "Harry, how nice to see you. Your godfather and I were just . . . talking."
"Don't scratch him," Harry repeated sternly. "He's a Grim, you know. He eats rabbits in one bite and he'll eat you too if you scratch him."
Desperately trying not to laugh, Remus came forward to stand behind Harry, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Perhaps we could take this into the kitchen and get something to drink?" Lupin suggested.
"We have cream," Harry offered to their guest helpfully.
Ignoring her two former students barely smothering their laughter, she held out her hand to Harry. "I'd be delighted, Mr. Potter. It's the nicest offer I've had all day."
To Be Continued (tcb)
I hope the scene in Knockturn alley was at least a bit frightening. It is hard to write suspense when so much of canon remains in second year. I can't wait to write year four, then I'm really planning on diverging a lot. But until then, I do hope that some of Harry's floo trip was suspenseful. Equally, I hope the humor came across: the Quidditch shop, the photograph, and Minerva's visit. Let me know what you think. >grin
athenakitty- Harry may have Sirius wrapped around his little finger but Harry loves his godfather so much, thinks he owes Sirius everything for rescuing him from the Dursleys he never takes advantage of it, not even to demand to go to Hogwarts. Sirius has serious overprotection problems, but then if Harry Potter was your godchild, wouldn't you protect him from Voldemort and assorted evils too? Lockhart managed to dodge the flying books but that doesn't mean Sirius will "miss" with his next plan to hurt and humiliate one Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry is for the most part completely oblivious to girls' attention, even Ginny. Remember in Harry's sixth year story written by neutral Harry remains completely oblivious even when some Hufflepuff girls pounce on him, so no embarrassment really. Hermione and Ron understand more than before. It's up to neutral to determine how much when she finishes "Hunting for Marbles" hopefully soon. As for Dobby being free . . . wait and see.
skipastarseeker- thanks for the bounces! You're practically a Tigger aren't you? grin
gallandro-83- No Remus' condition is the subject of rumor, not knowledge at large. Some people do know of course, some of the Hogwarts' staff members, etc. I am in contact with netural who has just informed me that she has recently finished finals. I can do no more than beg like any fan for more story chapters especially when neutral is both creating new chapters and editing and revising old stories. Sorry, no leverage there. It is true that so many of the bits and pieces come "second hand" as you say through my works. I'm sorry I can't help that; I try to give as much background and reference and explanation as I can when I do mention it and be assured every mention of not yet written neutral story plot has been approved by her. As for Harry's independence over time, when away from his guardians, Harry is quite independent as I hopefully showed in "Let Winterlight come" However Harry suffers under the belief that he owes his guardians everything as they rescued him from the Dursleys. I agree Harry needs to rebel somewhat. It is a bit hard to write that though when neutral's sixth year funny fic has Harry still oblivious, still innocent, and trusting his guardians' every word. (Not that the story isn't hilarious). Never fear, I will try to get some rebelling in (especially third year with the whole Hogsmeade stuff). I totally agree that Harry does indeed have a backbone of sold steel and should show it more often. Thanks for the encouragement on my exams and I will keep up with writing, never fear: reviews are too addictive to ignore.
fritz- No punching except in the Weasley/Malfoy quarter just yet, but be patient. Sirius has more devious plans than just physical violence; he is a Marauder after all. Thanks for the review.
rayvern- I am sooo glad I managed to capture Snape in character. I swear he is one of the hardest characters to write believably. As for Lockhart, he's easy: pompous, selfish, and vain. :)
Insane Pineapple from Naboo- Sirius has issues, that has never been in question but remember Remus is right that no one loves Harry more. Sirius really doesn't need to know about the Basilisk if Harry manages to go. By the way, looove your name!
Sheandre- It is true that Hermione and Molly have the whole "doubt Sirius and Remus as competent guardians thing" going. There is a reason for that. First, Sirius prior to Azkaban and being labled a death eater was quite the wild party boy, being labeled a death eater hasn't helped either. Second, for practical reasons, foreshadowing for later stories, there needs to be some concern about his "parenting" of Harry. I shall not say more. But Remus did tell Molly off quite soundly and Sirius would have but he didn't want to ruin Harry's birthday. I'm not sure that necessarily makes them weak: Sirius certainly is sticking to his guns over not letting Harry go against significant disapproval from all quarters (more of that in the next chapter). As for summoning the camera, good idea but then Sirius wouldn't have a reason to sue the Daily Prophet. Evil laugh
Abbika-Rose-Writers- Remus is sort of making a deal with the devil so to speak. But don't count our favorite werewolf out just yet, he was a Marauder and is quite able to take care of himself and Snape.
paradox01- Yes, Lockhart's arrogance and self importance knows no bounds. Glad you liked the wolfsbane plot point. Enjoy this chapter and expect more Lockhart and wolfsbane later.
emeraldlight- I don't know how many chapters this will be but we are on chapter four and we haven't even reached September, so this will be long.
Review?