There was a minute, then Sirius came running into the kitchen.
"What? What's wrong?" He asked. Harry held out his hand, which was now
shaking. He showed Sirius the blood.
"Where's you cut yourself?" He asked. Harry shook his head. He pressed a
fist to his mouth and forced a cough. When he retracted his hand and showed
it to Siruis, there was blood on it. Sirius stared at the blood.
"I'm sure it's nothing." He said quickly, picking up the muggle phone.
Harry watched as Sirius punched in a couple of numbers. He pressed the
phone to his ear and started talking to someone.
"So I shouldn't be worried?" He asked nervously. There was a minute of
silence.
"Have him drink more fluids...got it." Sirius said. He thanked the person
and hung up.
"It's okay. You've been coughing so much that your throat is probably raw.
You should drink more fluids...that'll help it heal." He said shakily.
Harry hesitated, then nodded. He ran his hand under the tap to get the
blood off. He had a few quick words with Sirius before heading back up the
stairs. Ron, Hermione and Abby were still sitting on the bed.
"Are you okay?" Abby asked when she saw Harry. Harry nodded. He wasn't
going to tell them about the blood. It was normal. He resumed his place
next to Abby and they continued talking.
"Lunch!" Sirius called up the stairs. Everyone made their way into the kitchen. When Fred and George arrived, they had no eyebrows. Mrs Weasley scoffed at them and refused to regrow their eyebrows. Everyone enjoyed a hearty lunch of pizza. After that, everyone gathered around in the den so Harry could open his presents. He received a bag of jokes from Fred and George, a homemade card from Ginny and a shimmering model of a stag from Lupin. The stag fit in the palm of Harry's hand and it pranced around. Harry continued to open his gifts. He got a jumper from Mrs Weasley, a slab of Honeydukes chocolate from Mr Weasley, a load of comic books from Ron, a book from Hermione and a card from Abby. She told him she'd give him his present later. Harry came to the last present. The present from Sirius. Harry shook the package. It felt oddly like a book. He stared at Sirius. Sirius flashed him a smile. Harry tore off the wrapping paper and, it was indeed a book. A very thick book. Sirius had gotten Harry a book for his sixteenth birthday. "Thanks for the er...book!" Harry said in a very unenthusiastic voice. Sirius laughed. "It's not a book. Well, it is, but not a normal book." He explained. Harry flipped the scarlet cover open and read the first page.
Property of James Potter
Was all that it said. Harry flipped the page over and realised that this was a handwritten book. Sort of like a journal. "I figured you were old enough for that." Sirius said quietly. Harry smiled. He had his Dad's old journal. Sirus had given him a great present.
After the presents had been opened, nearly everyone went outside to enjoy the sunny day. Harry however stayed in the den. He was a little tired. Harry closed his eyes and rested his head on a pillow. He was clutching the scarlet book close to him. "Harry?" Harry opened his eyes and looked around. Abby was sitting at the end of the couch and she was holding a small box. "I um...wanted to give you this when not everyone was around." She said, blushing. Harry smiled as he accepted the gift. Abby hurried outside before Harry saw what he had received. He pulled the lid off of the box and peered inside. Harry's eyes were so large from surprise. Inside, was a silver watch. Harry looked at the watch face more carefully and saw that it was a magic watch. Little words appeared. right now, it read 'Happy Birthday'. Harry smiled and slipped the watch onto his wrist. He couldn't figure out why Abby always bought him such luxurious gifts. First the chain, now the watch. Harry put his scarlet book upstairs, then went outside. His new watch shining in the sun. Once again, he led Abby away from everyone else and behind a tree. "Thanks for the present." He said with a grin. Abby blushed. "You like it?" She asked. Harry nodded. "You shouldn't spend so much money on me though..." Harry said awkwardly. Abby sighed. "I spend money on people I like, Harry." She said quietly. Abby kissed his cheek and then hurried off the rejoin the festivities.
EIGHT O'CLOCK THAT NIGHT **************************************** Harry sighed as he plopped down on the couch in the living room. He had just said goodbye to all his friends. Sirius smiled as Harry folded his hands across his chest. Sirius noticed the watch for the first time. "Nice watch.." He said quietly. Harry smiled. "Yeah. Abby gave it to me. Second best present I got today." Harry said with a smile. Sirius blushed. He opened his mouth to reply, but the doorbell rang. Harry got up to get it, but Sirius stood also. "Er...I'll get it. You stay here." He said hastily. Harry noticed Sirius grip his wand tightly. He hurried from the room. A few minutes later, Sirius returned...with Dumbledore. "Happy Birthday Harry." Dumbledore said with a smile. Harry grinned as Dumbledore and Sirius sat down. Sirius seemed to be trying to hide something. "What's going on?" Harry asked suspiciously. Sirius bit his lip. "Harry...I have a alchemist friend in Africa who has been working very hard to find a complete cure for first stage er...werewolves." Dumbledore began. Harry sighed. "Since you were administered the cure, you are still able to take this." Dumbledore explained, revealing a thin bottle. "What is it?" Harry asked nervously. "It is the second part to the cure." Sirius said excitedly. Harry reached out a shaky hand and took the bottle. Sirius watched anxiously as Harry removed the cork and put the bottle to his lips. He swallowed it in one gulp.
Harry placed the empty bottle on the coffee table and turned to Sirius. "Now what?" He asked. Sirius sighed. "Now, we wait." He said quietly. Harry sighed. "I'm gonna go to bed." He said quietly. Sirius stared at him. "It's quarter after eight!" He laughed. Harry shrugged. He said goodnight to Dumbledore and Sirius. They watched him climb the stairs and disappear. Sirius was staring open mouthed at the stairs. "He'll be fine." Dumbledore assured him. Sirius closed his mouth and nodded. His mind flashed back to when he saw Harry and Abby behind the big tree. Harry had told Sirius they weren't going out. Was he lying?
Harry closed his bedroom door and went over to his bed. He clicked on the lamp that was mounted on his headboard and turned off the overhead light. Harry closed the hangings around his bed and grabbed the scarlet book. Harry's hands were shaking as he turned to the first page and began reading the first entry.
December 25th Er...Mum and Dad got me this book thing for Christmas. I don't really know what to write. Guys are really supposed to share their er...'feelings', are they. I mean, not that I have any 'feelings' to write about. Oh god, this is just awkward. I swear, if I ever have a son, I won't make him do this! -James.
Harry smiled sadly. He flipped ahead a couple of pages to a large paragraph. He focused his eyes.
January 18th I don't know what's going on. Lily and I just kissed! I mean...it was great and all, but we agreed to just be friends! I find myself thinking about her more and more often and I just...can't talk to anyone about it. Not even Sirius. Sirius is so protective. I don't know what he'd do if he found out I kissed Lily. He'd freak...I know it. Lily is so different from all the other girls. I think I love her. But, I'm too young! I don't know what love is! I'm only in my sixth year! This is too major. I can't believe I'm spilling my guts to some book. Still, it's better than the alternative. I've just got alot to concentrate on. School...quidditch and Dad keeps telling me about some Dark Lord. I don't know . I don't have time for a girlfriend. I don't have time for love. I just don't have time. But...maybe I should make time! I am just confusing myself now! Bye. -James.
Harry finished the paragraph and gasped. His Dad sounded just like him. Harry was getting freaked out. This was dejavu! His Dad didn't have time for love either. He had other things to worry about. But...look at what happened. He married the girl he was too busy for. Harry was so confused. He closed the book and plopped back onto his bed. His mind was spinning with questions. And there was no one there to answer them.
11:30 THAT NIGHT ****************************************
Sirius carefully opened the door to Harry's room. All the lights were out and the hangings of the teenager's bed were drawn. Sirius slipped into the room and closed the door. "Lumos." He muttered. A dim light appeared at the end of his wand. Sirius tip toes across the room in his pajama pants and t-shirt and moved one of the armchairs over, beside Harry's bed. Sirius pulled back one side of the curtains and sat down. Harry was fast asleep. Sirius sighed and conjured a candle. He lit the candle with his wand and rested it on the nightstand. He extinguished his wand and watched the candle light flicker against the wall. Sirius peered out through the silver curtains that hung over Harry's window. He could see the moon. Pretty soon he would find out if the cure had worked. Sirius stared at Harry, unblinking. Harry did not move. The only sound was the heavy breaths Harry was taking. After a few hours, Sirius drifted off to sleep.
****************************************
Sirius woke with a start. He had been having a dream. A dream about someone he had once known. Sirius quickly shook the face out of his head and focused on Harry. He glanced at his watch. It was nine in the morning. Sirius gently shook Harry. "Wha?" Harry grumbled. Sirius shook Harry again. Harry groaned and pressed his face into the pillow. "Harry, come on son..." Sirius yawned. Harry groaned and lifted his head. "What?" Harry asked angrily. He had been in the middle of a rather enjoyable dream. He really wanted to get back to it. "Come on Harry." Sirius sighed. Harry reluctantly rolled over. "What?" He snapped groggily. Sirius smiled. Harry wasn't pale, he didn't have circles under his eyes and he wasn't tired. "It worked!" He laughed. Harry stared at Sirius, confused. "What worked?" He asked, confusion obvious in his voice. "The potion! Nothing happened to you!" Sirius explanied. Harry stared at him for a minute, then understood. "Awesome!" He laughed. He and Sirius chatted happily before heading down to breakfast.
"Lunch!" Sirius called up the stairs. Everyone made their way into the kitchen. When Fred and George arrived, they had no eyebrows. Mrs Weasley scoffed at them and refused to regrow their eyebrows. Everyone enjoyed a hearty lunch of pizza. After that, everyone gathered around in the den so Harry could open his presents. He received a bag of jokes from Fred and George, a homemade card from Ginny and a shimmering model of a stag from Lupin. The stag fit in the palm of Harry's hand and it pranced around. Harry continued to open his gifts. He got a jumper from Mrs Weasley, a slab of Honeydukes chocolate from Mr Weasley, a load of comic books from Ron, a book from Hermione and a card from Abby. She told him she'd give him his present later. Harry came to the last present. The present from Sirius. Harry shook the package. It felt oddly like a book. He stared at Sirius. Sirius flashed him a smile. Harry tore off the wrapping paper and, it was indeed a book. A very thick book. Sirius had gotten Harry a book for his sixteenth birthday. "Thanks for the er...book!" Harry said in a very unenthusiastic voice. Sirius laughed. "It's not a book. Well, it is, but not a normal book." He explained. Harry flipped the scarlet cover open and read the first page.
Property of James Potter
Was all that it said. Harry flipped the page over and realised that this was a handwritten book. Sort of like a journal. "I figured you were old enough for that." Sirius said quietly. Harry smiled. He had his Dad's old journal. Sirus had given him a great present.
After the presents had been opened, nearly everyone went outside to enjoy the sunny day. Harry however stayed in the den. He was a little tired. Harry closed his eyes and rested his head on a pillow. He was clutching the scarlet book close to him. "Harry?" Harry opened his eyes and looked around. Abby was sitting at the end of the couch and she was holding a small box. "I um...wanted to give you this when not everyone was around." She said, blushing. Harry smiled as he accepted the gift. Abby hurried outside before Harry saw what he had received. He pulled the lid off of the box and peered inside. Harry's eyes were so large from surprise. Inside, was a silver watch. Harry looked at the watch face more carefully and saw that it was a magic watch. Little words appeared. right now, it read 'Happy Birthday'. Harry smiled and slipped the watch onto his wrist. He couldn't figure out why Abby always bought him such luxurious gifts. First the chain, now the watch. Harry put his scarlet book upstairs, then went outside. His new watch shining in the sun. Once again, he led Abby away from everyone else and behind a tree. "Thanks for the present." He said with a grin. Abby blushed. "You like it?" She asked. Harry nodded. "You shouldn't spend so much money on me though..." Harry said awkwardly. Abby sighed. "I spend money on people I like, Harry." She said quietly. Abby kissed his cheek and then hurried off the rejoin the festivities.
EIGHT O'CLOCK THAT NIGHT **************************************** Harry sighed as he plopped down on the couch in the living room. He had just said goodbye to all his friends. Sirius smiled as Harry folded his hands across his chest. Sirius noticed the watch for the first time. "Nice watch.." He said quietly. Harry smiled. "Yeah. Abby gave it to me. Second best present I got today." Harry said with a smile. Sirius blushed. He opened his mouth to reply, but the doorbell rang. Harry got up to get it, but Sirius stood also. "Er...I'll get it. You stay here." He said hastily. Harry noticed Sirius grip his wand tightly. He hurried from the room. A few minutes later, Sirius returned...with Dumbledore. "Happy Birthday Harry." Dumbledore said with a smile. Harry grinned as Dumbledore and Sirius sat down. Sirius seemed to be trying to hide something. "What's going on?" Harry asked suspiciously. Sirius bit his lip. "Harry...I have a alchemist friend in Africa who has been working very hard to find a complete cure for first stage er...werewolves." Dumbledore began. Harry sighed. "Since you were administered the cure, you are still able to take this." Dumbledore explained, revealing a thin bottle. "What is it?" Harry asked nervously. "It is the second part to the cure." Sirius said excitedly. Harry reached out a shaky hand and took the bottle. Sirius watched anxiously as Harry removed the cork and put the bottle to his lips. He swallowed it in one gulp.
Harry placed the empty bottle on the coffee table and turned to Sirius. "Now what?" He asked. Sirius sighed. "Now, we wait." He said quietly. Harry sighed. "I'm gonna go to bed." He said quietly. Sirius stared at him. "It's quarter after eight!" He laughed. Harry shrugged. He said goodnight to Dumbledore and Sirius. They watched him climb the stairs and disappear. Sirius was staring open mouthed at the stairs. "He'll be fine." Dumbledore assured him. Sirius closed his mouth and nodded. His mind flashed back to when he saw Harry and Abby behind the big tree. Harry had told Sirius they weren't going out. Was he lying?
Harry closed his bedroom door and went over to his bed. He clicked on the lamp that was mounted on his headboard and turned off the overhead light. Harry closed the hangings around his bed and grabbed the scarlet book. Harry's hands were shaking as he turned to the first page and began reading the first entry.
December 25th Er...Mum and Dad got me this book thing for Christmas. I don't really know what to write. Guys are really supposed to share their er...'feelings', are they. I mean, not that I have any 'feelings' to write about. Oh god, this is just awkward. I swear, if I ever have a son, I won't make him do this! -James.
Harry smiled sadly. He flipped ahead a couple of pages to a large paragraph. He focused his eyes.
January 18th I don't know what's going on. Lily and I just kissed! I mean...it was great and all, but we agreed to just be friends! I find myself thinking about her more and more often and I just...can't talk to anyone about it. Not even Sirius. Sirius is so protective. I don't know what he'd do if he found out I kissed Lily. He'd freak...I know it. Lily is so different from all the other girls. I think I love her. But, I'm too young! I don't know what love is! I'm only in my sixth year! This is too major. I can't believe I'm spilling my guts to some book. Still, it's better than the alternative. I've just got alot to concentrate on. School...quidditch and Dad keeps telling me about some Dark Lord. I don't know . I don't have time for a girlfriend. I don't have time for love. I just don't have time. But...maybe I should make time! I am just confusing myself now! Bye. -James.
Harry finished the paragraph and gasped. His Dad sounded just like him. Harry was getting freaked out. This was dejavu! His Dad didn't have time for love either. He had other things to worry about. But...look at what happened. He married the girl he was too busy for. Harry was so confused. He closed the book and plopped back onto his bed. His mind was spinning with questions. And there was no one there to answer them.
11:30 THAT NIGHT ****************************************
Sirius carefully opened the door to Harry's room. All the lights were out and the hangings of the teenager's bed were drawn. Sirius slipped into the room and closed the door. "Lumos." He muttered. A dim light appeared at the end of his wand. Sirius tip toes across the room in his pajama pants and t-shirt and moved one of the armchairs over, beside Harry's bed. Sirius pulled back one side of the curtains and sat down. Harry was fast asleep. Sirius sighed and conjured a candle. He lit the candle with his wand and rested it on the nightstand. He extinguished his wand and watched the candle light flicker against the wall. Sirius peered out through the silver curtains that hung over Harry's window. He could see the moon. Pretty soon he would find out if the cure had worked. Sirius stared at Harry, unblinking. Harry did not move. The only sound was the heavy breaths Harry was taking. After a few hours, Sirius drifted off to sleep.
****************************************
Sirius woke with a start. He had been having a dream. A dream about someone he had once known. Sirius quickly shook the face out of his head and focused on Harry. He glanced at his watch. It was nine in the morning. Sirius gently shook Harry. "Wha?" Harry grumbled. Sirius shook Harry again. Harry groaned and pressed his face into the pillow. "Harry, come on son..." Sirius yawned. Harry groaned and lifted his head. "What?" Harry asked angrily. He had been in the middle of a rather enjoyable dream. He really wanted to get back to it. "Come on Harry." Sirius sighed. Harry reluctantly rolled over. "What?" He snapped groggily. Sirius smiled. Harry wasn't pale, he didn't have circles under his eyes and he wasn't tired. "It worked!" He laughed. Harry stared at Sirius, confused. "What worked?" He asked, confusion obvious in his voice. "The potion! Nothing happened to you!" Sirius explanied. Harry stared at him for a minute, then understood. "Awesome!" He laughed. He and Sirius chatted happily before heading down to breakfast.