Chapter Three

-The Surprise-

Harry expected Ron to come up during the night but when he woke the next morning the bed next to his was still made from the day before. He was sleepy and tired; his hair was a mess, it stuck out everywhere, it was worse than usual. His mind went back to Pandora Hevil, he was certain now she was a Death Eater, there could be no doubt about it. His scar had tried to warn him when he'd shaken hands with her. He'd just passed it off as a normal twinge but now he knew different, and if the others couldn't see his way then maybe it'd be best if he stayed out of everyone's way. Remus was tired from his change and Tonks was ill, so he'd easily avoid them, but Mrs Weasley created more of a problem.

Harry had been so wrapped up with thinking about Pandora he almost forgot that he was officially sixteen now; his birthday was today. His tummy began to rumble as he got dressed, pulling on his jeans and a t-shirt. The door suddenly flew open and Mrs weasley entered, holding a tray of food.

"Good morning, Harry," she grinned, broadly, she was acting like yesterday had never happened. She put the tray laden with food on the dressing table and flung the curtains open so the sun streamed in. Harry squinted in the sunlight as Mrs Weasley passed him his breakfast. "Thought you might like a breakfast in bed," she smiled. Harry interpreted this as a nice way of saying 'thought you might want to stay out the others way a bit'.

"Thanks Mrs Weasley, but I'm not really hungry, I think I might just go for a walk outside or something," he lied, getting up and searching the room for his coat.

"Oh, alright then," Mrs Weasley smiled still, holding Harry's coat out. He took it gladly, then looked at the gaping slash it had in the back of it. "Oh, don't worry dear, I can fix that in a flash." Mrs Weasley smiled, taking out her wand. She waved it and blue light made the split in the coat seal itself together again. Harry thanked her again and put the coat on, he instantly felt warmer and suddenly realised the coldness of the old castle. "Don't be too long will you?" Molly asked, as he walked for the door. "We're having Pandora over for lunch."

Harry looked back at her, opening his mouth to reply but instead he nodded and left, walking down the stairs, avoiding the dellusional Ted Tonks and heading for the big castle doors, much like the ones Hogwarts had. It was a fine day outside, though still chilly. Harry could see the moors, mist lingering over them. Large mountains blocked his view of anything else, but he did see someone walking across the moors, a bouncy sheepdog at their side. He moved swiftly towards them, to get a better look of a object the dog had in it's mouth.

The black and white collie bounded up to Harry, dropping the white ball at his feet. Harry peered at it closer, it resembled a prophecy. The owner of the dog put their foot on the ball and Harry looked up into the bright blue eyes of Pandora Hevil.

"Good boy," she patted the dog on the head, which it didn't seem to enjoy, and picked up the ball with a silk gloved hand. "Good afternoon Harry," she said softly, a smile playing on her face. "I didn't think we'd see each other again quite so quickly."

Harry looked at the woman with utter dislike, he was so close to her now he could smell her perfume; it was a sweet cinnimon flavour. Her chessnut hair fell gracefully down to her shoulders, although it seemed she'd been through a stressful time to mantain it's beauty.

"What did you do to Tonks?" he blurted out, his anger rising.

"I told you, I have done nothing to Nymphadora Tonks, whatever trouble or danger she has got herself into is none of my doing or my business," Pandora held the glass ball in between long red nails, she was impatiently moving it lightly from hand-to-hand. "Now, I'm sorry to interupt your interagation, but I have places to go and people to see, a life to live."

Harry watched as she walked past him, her cinnimon perfume still lingering in the air. The black collie ran after it's mistress, bounding happily. Harry turned to her and walked after her, trying to catch her up; she was walking at a fast pace.

"Don't lie, I know that potion made her sick," he exclaimed, angerily.

"Oh, so Tonks is ill is she?" Pandora asked, avoiding Harry's comment. "Poor girl, perhaps I should take her a potion to clear it up."

Harry had only felt this anger and dislike towards two other people before, Voldemort and Umbridge. He was certain that Pandora had poisoned Tonks, he was so certain he would of been willing to bet his life on it.

"Stop it," he growled, "stop lying!"

"Harry, if I had time for this I might just sit down and watch paint dry, it intrests me just about as much as this conversation does. I did not poison Tonks, now can you accept you're wrong for once before someone gets hurt." Pandora snapped at him, walking away to Malunovo Mansion. Harry let her walk on, deciding it best not to follow her this time. He wandered off over a field and climbed over a fence into another field. He looked up as he saw something that brought a smile to his face, two children throwing a Quaffle to each other. Any normal teenagers favourite sport might of been football or basketball, but Harry's was by far Quidditch. He was Seeker for the Gryffindor team.

He approached the two children cautiously, they weren't too far from the ground and desended to talk to Harry.

"Hey, I know you, you're Harry Potter," the girl said, she looked the youngest.

"Yeah, he knows that Maria," the boy snapped; Harry recognised him as Euan Abercrombie, a Gryffindor, just about to enter his second year at Hogwarts.

"Hi," Harry said, awkwardly to the two. "I, er, better leave you to your game of Quidditch," he turned to leave but Euan caught his wrist.

"No, come on, stay, play Chaser or Keeper for us," Euan begged as Harry turned to face the boy.

"I've never tried playing those positions before but... I guess I'll give it a try," Harry said, happy to be playing Quidditch again.

"You can borrow Jack's broom, he's our brother; he's out with my mum picking up my school supplies." Euan informed Harry.

"Have the lists already arrived then?" Harry asked, wondering if his had arrived at Malunovo Mansion yet.

"Oh no, she just went to buy me a new set of robes, my others were getting too small," Euan explained, handing Harry a Cleansweep broom. "I know it's nothing like your Firebolt but it's the best we've got." Harry took the broom, happy to be off his Firebolt for once; it sort of brought back a lot of unwanted memories.

Soon enough he was soaring in the sky, playing Keeper for the two children. He blocked a couple of their shots but the young girl, Maria, was a pretty good thrower and he let most of hers in. He felt the wind on his face as he made a spectular dive to grab the Quaffle, flying back up he chucked it over to Maria who hit it back and scored a goal.

"Ha, see, I'm better than you Euan," she bragged, flying over to her brother and smirking.

"You might of scored more but you've also dropped more," he pointed out; Harry thought this was very true, Maria was quite the butterfingers.

Harry checked his watch, it was almost half past two now, he'd been playing for hours.

"I've got to go now Euan," Harry told the boy as he floated to the ground and stepped off the broom. "My friend's mum wants me in early for a lunch we're having with a friend..."

"Hold on, I thought you lived with a couple of Muggles in London," Maria asked, as she too floating down to solid ground.

"Er, I do, but I'm staying with my friends for a while, thanks for the game," Harry didn't feel like explaining anymore and he turned to go.

"So you really were attacked by a Werewolf?" Euan asked, his voice of horror. "Were you scared?"

Harry turned around again, "how do you know I was attacked?" he asked, urgently.

"It's all over the Daily Prophet, The Great Harry Potter Attacked By Werewolf; some are suggesting it was that teacher you had in your third year, Lupin." Euan replied.

Harry didn't take in the fact people were accusing Remus, but he did take in that it was all over the Daily Prophet. Hadn't Dumbledore put a stop to all that?

"I've- I've really got to go," he walked off, in surprise and shock, back to Malunovo Mansion. When he reached the cold castle with it's over-the-top decorated hallways and strange orniments he walked into the living room. Tonks was lying on the sofa whilst Mrs Weasley held a wet flannel to her head.

"Hello dear, you're just in time," she smiled, "Pandora offered to make lunch, isn't that nice?" she asked. Harry didn't reply, he did, however, make a mental note not to eat any food Pandora made, incase he was poisoned.

"Why am I on the front of the Daily Prophet?" he asked, angerily.

"Are you?" Tonks asked weakly, "I thought it was all about the death of that Barty Crouch."

"That was yesterdays, Nymphadora," Mrs Weasley said, sympathetically. It looked like Tonks couldn't even tell one day from the other now.

"Yes, Harry, I was going to ask the same question," Pandora's chilling voice asked, Harry turned as he smelt the distinct smell of cinnimon in the room. "Are you on the cover?" She held up the Daily Prophet with her fingers, on the front was a picture of the Azkaban fortress. Harry read the caption at top speed, 'Arachne Bagshot is let out of Azkaban half a year early'.

"Who's-" he began, but Pandora cut in.

"She was in top security at Azkaban, she was in for murdering 11 Muggles randomly; she's a huge Voldemort supporter, but not a Death Eater." Harry tried to detect even a little of dissapointment in Pandora's voice, but her tone was unnaturally emotionless. "She's Bathilda Bagshots only daughter; Bathilda as in the author."

Harry looked at the photo of the woman, there was a comparision one from 16 years before hand; the woman's eyes had lost their shine and her hair looked course and dry now.

"She looks..." he was lost for words, the woman looked hideous.

"Disgusting, isn't she?" Pandora asked, putting the paper on the table and looking up at Harry. "Do you believe you're not in the paper now?"

"Yes but a boy I know called Euan said I was in today's Daily Prophet, supposedly there was an artical about me being attacked by the Werewolf." Harry explained, his mind still half on Arachne and her haunting face.

"Do you really think Albus would allow that to be put across the nation?" Mrs Weasley asked, "he couldn't have that infomation about you leaking out."

Harry frowned, although thankful he wasn't on the front cover he wondered how Euan had known about the attack.

"Hey Harry, I didn't think you were ever coming back mate," Ron joked as he came into the room. "I got a letter from Hermione," he held up a piece of paper and passed it to Harry.

'Dear Ron and Harry (if you are there),

How are you? You would never believe how incredible Portugal is, although the heat is almost unbearable. What is the weather like over there? Have I missed anything? Did Hagrid owl you the good news? Professor Dumbledore got someone to fill Defence Against the Dark Arts position. I hope they actually know how to teach.

Love,

Hermione.'

Harry finished the letter and looked up at Ron, "did she send anything else? Was this all?"

"That's all, it's a bit short and I haven't replied to her yet," Ron said, sitting down on a chair, "she asked a lot of questions, she wasn't very clear was she?" he asked. Tonks groaned and pulled the flannel off her head, Mrs Weaskey rushed to push her down again but she stopped her.

"No, Molly, I'm alright," she told her, standing up weakly. "Harry, I think I can expand on what Hermione said."

"No, Tonks, we've talked about this, he's not meant to know until-" Molly began.

"Until when Molly? When he's back at Hogwarts and finding out for himself? When he's angry at us for keeping something else from him? Come on Molly, I don't care what Albus thinks is right; when has Albus ever been totally correct with what he tells and doesn't tell Harry?" she asked, not waiting for a reply. "Your new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor is Pandora, Harry." Tonks said, somberly.

Both Ron and Harry gaped at the woman with chessnut hair, her cool, calm blue eyes flickering to look at Tonks once before looking back at the two boys.

"I hope it doesn't come as too much as a surprise; you're a bright boy Harry, I thought you might of figured it out," she told him cooly. Harry was speechless, he could barely endure being in the same room as Pandora, he couldn't possibly have her teaching him! "You're a very bright boy," she continued. Harry didn't comprehend what Pandora said, he was still in shock . "I think I better be going now Molly."

Pandora was heading for the door when she was met by a very tired looking, pale Remus Lupin.

"Ah, Remus," Pandora said, her smile reforming, "You're up," she met his tired eyes with her own and then brushed lightly past him.

"What- what happened?" Remus asked, looking around the faces of the people in the room.

"Tonks told Harry and Ron... about Pandora being their new Professor." Molly explained, "Harry, Ron, you have to understand; Pandora is a very exprienced witch, she can teach a lot."

Ron snorted, "exprienced with what? Preforming Dark Magic on Muggles?" he asked.

"See here Ron-" Remus began, as Tonks grabbed her bucket again and rushed to the bathroom. The big wooden doors of Malunovo Mansion slammed as Pandora left, waking the gaint frog up from it's sleep.

Ted Tonks made his way into the room and dropped a large looking fish into the tank, the frog returned to being quiet as it chewed on the fish.

"Did you see the papers about Bagshot, Molly?" Remus asked, desprate to change the subject.

"Oh yes, quite surprising really; how did she work her way out?" Mrs Weasley replied, not daring to look at the fish in fear she might be joining Tonks in the bathroom.

"Convinced them she was innocent and was under the Imperius curse at the time," Remus replied, as Ron and Harry sat down, Harry eager to hear of Arachne Bagshot's bail. "Naturally half of them believed her, her mother is high up." Harry saw Molly shake her head and make a disgusted face.

"This Arachne get's out of Azkaban half a year early for lying and-" Molly glanced awkwardly at Harry, who pretended to have taken an intrest in a pattern on the rug. He looked up afterwards to see Remus looking a little downcast too. Tonks returned, looking just as pale and worn out as Remus himself. She took a seat by Ron, who edged away a little.

"Oh don't be a baby Ron, I'm not contagious," she said, a little hurt, she gave a little cough as Ron stood up and left, Harry gave an awkward glance and headed after him.

"Come on Tonks, I think it's best if you get off to bed," Molly began, reaching out and touching Tonks' arm lighty.

"No, I'm fine, besides, I have my own story about Arachne Bagshot," she said, looking paler by the minute. Harry then grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him back, listening silently. Remus and Molly exchanged worried glances; Molly looked back and was silent, waiting for Tonks to start.. "Right," the metamorphamagus began, looking around as if she was a small child stealing from the cookie jar. "Everyone knows Bagshot was in high security, so obviously she met and talked with others in high security, across the cells of course." Tonks continued as Harry frowned at Ron then Tonks spoke up again, "Sirius told me about her." Remus looked up now, imensly intrested. "Sirius said she turned mad; completely, she told him all about her friend who'd got her framed. Nobody liked her there, she made up the most terrible lies." Tonks tone lowered so Harry and Ron had to strain to hear her, "she wanted Sirius to get her revenge because she was too weak to do it herself..."

Ron shook his head, "she should of pleaded insane, right Harry...?" He turned round but Harry was gone, he had dissapeared up the stairs silently. He was now sat on his bed thinking carefully.

"She tried to convince Sirius to murder," Harry said, lightly, as he heard Ron come into the room. Ron looked awkward, this wasn't his area of expertise; he wished Hermione was here.

"But he didn't," he said, eventually, and Harry looked up, "he didn't murder anyone." Ron didn't really understand why Harry was feeling so upset, he doubted Harry knew exactly why either.

"He never mentioned Bagshot to Remus... why would he do that?" Harry continued.

"I- I dunno mate," Ron replied, as he looked out the window as the sun set slowly, shading the walls of the room orange. "But I'm positive Sirius had his reasons."


Harry woke before Ron the next morning, he looked over at his friend who was tossing on his bed and smiled. Getting himself up and heading for the bathroom he met Ted Tonks, the eccentric man was smiling at Harry as he met him on the landing.

"So you're Harry Potter then?" Ted asked, "surprising how you can stay in someone's house yet not meet them for three days."

"Er, yeah," Harry said, rather sceptically, "I saw you when you were feeding that frog... what is it?" Harry asked, curious to unravel the mystery of the large frog.

"Ah, that's Nymphadora's pet Amphibius, vicious creatures. Can swallow a dog whole," Ted added. Harry didn't press into how Ted knew the frog could eat a whole dog. "They're a recent magical discoveries, people usually keep them for inhumane ways of de-gnoming."

"Does-" Harry began, but Ted cut in almost instantly.

"No, Nymphadora keeps it as a pet; she's rather fond of gnomes." Ted replied.

"Right. Well, thanks, they're extraordinary creatures, really." Harry was saved by Mrs Weasley hurrying up the stairs.

"Harry dear, your presents are downstairs," Molly smiled, taking Harry's arm as Ron rushed down after them.

"My- my presents?" Harry asked, forgetting yesterday was his birthday. He reached the kitchen, where Tonks set off a party streamer over his head as she stood infront of a large banner.

"Happy 16th Birthday... Harry," Harry read, a big smile on his face as Tonks gave him a hug. He suspected why they had gone to so much trouble for him, but to be honest, he felt appreciated. He looked around the kitchen, almost the whole of the Order had turned out; save Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore. Infront of him on the pine table was a pile of presents, bigger than Harry had ever recieved. He was about to thank them when Mrs Weasley stepped away and Hermione rushed out to hug him.

"Hermione!" Harry said, shocked. "I thought you were in Portugal!"

"I was but when Mrs Weasley sent the owl that they were throwing you a party I had to come!" Hermione smiled broadly. "I wouldn't of missed it for anything." Harry pulled the streamer off his head and smiled back at the grinning faces.

"Come on then," Ron laughed, "open your presents!" Harry smiled and took a seat at the table, opposite him was Remus, in a small party hat. Harry felt more happy than he had been for a long while, everyone had helped orginising the party. He guessed that was what Tonks and Remus had been talking about in low whispers a few days before. Harry reached for the first present, neatly wrapped; it was from Tonks. He opened it carefully, even with Ron's constant talk he should be opening faster.

He smiled broadly at the book on Dark Arts, he thanked Tonks as Ted put his arm around his daughters shoulder. He reached for the next; from all the Weasleys. Inside was a large box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and and a box of Honeydukes Best Chocolates. He looked at the next one, it was from Remus. He looked up once or twice as he opened it, finally doing so and looking inside. Inclosed was a gold quill, he frowned at first then looked at the quill more carefully, the feather was that of a Pheonix's. There wasn't any ink with the quill, as Harry would've expected. He wrote his name on the back of his hand, at first nothing appeared but Remus instructed Harry to tap his hand with his wand. Harry did so and gasped as he watched the ink spread over his hand, forming his name.

"How do you think we made the Marauders Map?" Remus asked, as Harry looked at the quill, grinning... this used to belong to the Marauders, and now it was his. He kept the quill next to him as he reached for the next present, it was most definetly from Hagrid, it had holes in the side... like air holes. He opened it cautiously, even Ron bother him, telling him to unwrap faster with this one.

"Come on," Tonks said, impatiently as she took a sip if water, she seemed to be recovering well, "it won't bite."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Harry said, he pulled out the present and looked inside, his eyes widened as he showed everyone the Amphibius.

"Wow, Harry, that's unusual," Hermione said, looking at it as it peered up at the both of them with large pupiless eyes.

"No kidding," Harry grinned, as the frog croaked. "Beats Neville's hands down," he joked as Tonks took the creature in her hands and almost cooed over it.

"What're you going to name it?" Tonks asked. Harry hadn't really planned on naming it, he hadn't planned on getting one either.

"Erm..." he began, thinking hard.

"Erm, thats no good name for a frog," Tonks said, as she smiled at the creature... or in Harry's eyes rather, monster.

"Froggy?" Harry suggested, not very constructively. "Froggy the frog?" Ron snorted and had to turn away to hide his laughter, even Alastor seemed to be holding back a smile. Tonks conjoured Harry a makeshift tank for the frog and put it in it.

"It could come in handy," she told him. When? Harry thought, when I'm de-gnoming the School Grounds?

"Anyway, next present," Ron said, pestering Harry and passing him the next gift, which was merely named from 'The Order'. He opened it as Hermione looked worriedly at the rest, wondering if Harry would even like the present.

Harry looked at the book then turned it over and read the front cover, "How to handle your... Hippogriff?" Harry asked, in shock.

"Erm," Hermione began, "Harry, Hagrid also sent you... Buckbeak..." Harry turned round as two Order members, looking very worried themselves, brang in the Hippogriff. Harry looked on as if it was one big joke and someone would shout 'just kidding' any minute now. But no-one did, everyone looked solumnly on as Harry got up from his chair and looked the Hippogriff in the eyes, he tried hard not to blink, as he'd been instructed by Hagrid three years before.

Buckbeak gave Harry a memorable bow and continued towards Harry as he reached out for the Hippogriff.

"Hello Buckbeak," Harry said, his breathing becoming heavier as the Hippogriff reminded him of Sirius. Hermione was about to grab Buckbeaks reins and lead him away when Harry put his arms around the Hippogriff, burying his head in the feathers.

"I knew it was a bad idea," Tonks said, so Harry couldn't hear. "Hagrid wouldn't have none of it though, he insisted Harry had Buckbeak." Harry pulled away from the Hippogriff, who looked at Harry friendly and put his beak to Harry's cheek, as if in condolence.

"How can a 16 year old look after a Hippogriff? Honestly!" Mrs Weasley complained, as Beakbuck tried to lay down in the middle of the kitchen.


"Harry," Hermione said, "we all tried to stop Hagrid giving you Buckbeak but-"

"What makes you think I don't want Buckbeak?" Harry asked, as he, Hermione and Ron walked across the landing to the bedrooms.

"But Harry, you're at school all the time, how can Hagrid expect you to look after such a creature?" she asked. Harry didn't answer, he stopped aruptedly and walked into the room where Buckbeak was crunching rat bones happily.

"Harry, mate, we just want you to-" Ron began but Harry had shut the door behind him before he could finish. He strode over to the middle of the room where Buckbeak was lying and ruffled the creatures feathers.

"How can he do this?" Harry asked, quietly. "Does he want me to suffer...?" Harry asked, as he pulled something out of his pocket, it was the Marauders Map. He collapsed beside Buckbeak, who bent his round to almost comfort Harry. "It's not your fault Buckbeak," Harry added, after some consideration. "He's trying to help, he thinks he's helping me get past the grief..." Harry said, finally. The arrival of the Hippogriff had caused an end to the celebrations and half the presents still laided wrapped on the kitchen table. He suspected the Order were complaining about Hagrid; but if Dumbledore agreed Harry could have Buckbeak he must of thought Harry could stomach it all. In truth Harry felt sick to his very bones of the sight of anyone but the Hippogriff now. He looked up at Buckbeak and smiled a little.

"You're going to have to stay out of the way, Beaky, if anyone see's you they'll want to-" Harry stopped talking as he narrowed his eyes and looked closely at the Hippogriff. If he hadn't known any better he could of sworn there was a small tear in the corner of Buckbeak's black eyes...