Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

By: Fred and George Weasley are MY Kings

Chapter 13: Finding Fudge

DISCLAIMER: I own everything you don't recognize; every thing you recognize isn't mine!

A/N: I dedicate this chapter to four great guys (Two seniors, one junior, and one graduate) who were killed last night (Thursday) in a car accident. Their car slipped on a patch of ice and they went head-on into a semi (the semi driver was okay…Thank goodness). It was terrible and I hope that everyone will get through it. I was not very close to any of them, but I do know many people who were. It'll be such a huge change, and probably one that many people just aren't ready for. Please remember: there is no cure for birth and death, except to enjoy the interval. Rest in peace Josh, Jason, Danny, and Justin. We will all miss you and we will never forget you!

FIRSTLY REVIEWS: Special thanks for pointing out my errors and for the great suggestions!

Half blood-dark-phoenix: Okay, the mistakes: I went back and fixed the Luna age thing and I also made Katie the Gyffindor captain when Eagle-eyes :) mentioned it earlier, but thanks anyway – I appreciate it. As far as Ginny trying out for beater… I didn't know she wanted to be a chaser in OotP. I apologize, I must've forgotten and I admit that I should have caught it. Thanks for letting me know! I'll have to go back and revise chapter 9 again. As far as details go, I try and do my best. I know it isn't near close to what it should be. I'll keep it in mind as I am continuing on with the story and revising my story. I noticed that I was lacking detail in chapter 9, and I tried fixed that. Thanks for the review, and the tips…I think you are right about more details. Thanks again!

Vertigo4Ever: I love the name! Hehe. Anyways thanks for the review. I don't know why I put Blaise and Hannah in fifth year… Thanks I'll have to go back and fix that. Thanks for the reviews! Also about the dementors, Harry was not able to fight them off for a very specific reason (under normal circumstances, he would have been able to)… it has a lot to do with the black-haired boy that he saw (hint! hint!)

Clara: Hey, thanks for the review. Sorry, but I do not think that I will be able to post this soon enough for you to read it at school! It's so cool that you memorized my id number… makes me feel so special, hehe. Thanks for pointing out my error, too!

Ice Phoenix Tears: Hey…YAY my best reviewer! Hehe. Hope you enjoy this chapter:)

Blue Mittens: Thanks for the review! Harry and Luna are not together as a couple… yet. Sorry to prolong it but now isn't the time for it to happen! It will eventually, I promise! Hey-- Vertigo4ever was kind of upset about your review... I don't think you meant it to be a flame, but she was very upset. Maybe you could settle something? I don't know. Thank you for the review

Nandhp: So glad that you liked the chapter! Thanks for the great review… It really made my day. I really needed something cheerful today… it's been a very sad and horrible day.

Chapter 13: Finding Found

The shock of the attack so close to Hogwarts was slowly ebbing away as December strode in with full force. Ginny was as good as new and everyone else was slowly going back to their normal, and might I add boring, lives…With the exception of the golden trio. Snowfall increased in the ten-fold so now a healthy seven inches was visible on the school grounds. Harry and Ron were both now throwing themselves into the D.A. and quidditch, leaving schoolwork a bit in the dust. The D.A. had turned out to be a great success. Not only were other houses joining, but Harry could tell that the members actually enjoyed what they were doing. He saw their achievements made over just the first lesson and couldn't believe some of the talent that some of them had. Karl Voss, for instance, could produce a patronus just as easily as Harry could.

Professor Hall had again resumed the Occulmency practices, but nothing strange occurred. Hall had been lost for any explanation as to why it had occurred in the first place. Harry, however, was becoming sufficiently better at blocking out Hall, even though he still entered Harry's mind. He assumed that the reason he could do it much easier now with Hall had something to do with the fact that Snape had so much resentment inside of him, that when he cast the spell, all of the resentment and hate came with it.

Snape was back to being his old self, Harry soon found out when he entered Potions class Monday morning. Harry had been hoping that Snape would've perhaps become a little bit more bearable, after the Hogsmeade attack. After all, Harry reasoned, Snape had risked his life for Harry and Luna by cursing Mr. Malfoy like that. If Snape had been seen performing such an act, Harry was sure that Voldemort would've immediately put two and two together. But if there had been any truce between the two, it wasn't found on Monday morning. Snape had hi usual biting remarks while Harry bit his lip, and struggled not to say anything in reply.

Harry hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Luna after Hogsmead, and was desperately awaiting a time when he could. He still was unsure about what he felt about her, but he definitely knew it was something more permanent and more likeable then his brief experience with Cho Chang. Harry was also eagerly awaiting Sirius's vault contents. Some items of interest… Those had been Sirius's words. So what was in the vault? Something important… maybe something to do with the half-blood prince? Harry had been wondering about just who the half-blood prince could be...Was it possible that the death eaters had been looking for the half blood prince as well? Harry also had the uncanny feeling that the black-haired boy was linked to the half blood prince somehow. Was the black-haired boy the half blood prince? Is that why he felt so familiar to Harry? Harry was just hoping that maybe the vault contents would give him some answers. If not, he would have to turn to Ron, Hermione, and maybe even Luna. There was nothing that they couldn't overcome together.

Harry soon found out that he wouldn't have to wait too long for Lupin to return. On Wednesday, Lupin returned back to school grounds with three parcels in his hands, which he personally gave Harry right beforeHarry was to head out to the pitch for quidditch practice. "Best not open them here Harry, wait until you're alone. Well I have to be off with other business, but you take care of yourself." Lupin said with a warm smile after he had handed Harry Sirius's vault contents. Harry couldn't believe that Lupin was already here, and that the mystery that had been nagging on him for quite some time would finally be solved.

"Lupin, how did you manage to get these so soon? The paper is always reporting about how hard it is to get into Gringotts and actually retrieve anything since the Goblins are no longer working there at all. Actually, I think just yesterday I read something about the many wizarding families panicking and sending their house elves to retrieve all of their savings, and the house elves were dieing because of all the special security that only Goblins can break. You should've heard Hermione…She's still going at it."

"Oh yes I suppose, that's Hermione for you. I personally don't keep up with the daily prophet. As far as getting into Sirius vault, I had a speck of help from a friend," Lupin said mysteriously with a flicker of glee in his eyes. It was the first time that Harry had seen Lupin somewhat happy since last summer.

"Would that friend happen to be Clara?" Harry asked with an all-knowing smirk. He figured he might as well have fun with the situation.

"Ah, that's a bit of a long story, one that I don't have time to tell right now. I have got some order business at Plain Pillsbury this evening." Lupin said, swiftly changing the subject.

"What kind of business?" Harry asked his interest flaring.

"That, Harry, is another story… one that again I unfortunately do not have time to tell. By the looks of things, it doesn't seem like you have time either." Lupin said. Harry soon realized that Lupin was right. All of Harry's other teammates were already on the field and no longer in the locker room.

"Well, Harry I am afraid I must be off. Remember if you need anything, just owl me. Of course, you'll have to be discreet… you know the drill by now, I am sure."

Harry just nodded in response. "Goodbye, Lupin." Harry called as the man opened the locker room doors, exposing bright sunshine reflecting of the radiant and blinding white snow. Lupin gave a light wave accompanied by a smile as he walked out into the winter wonderland.

After quidditch Harry tore up the snowy hills in a very hurried manner. He was so anxious to open the parcels that he hadn't even paid attention during quidditch. Katie, who had become so intensely frustrated by Harry's lack of attention, practically screamed at him every time he passed her. "Pay attention!" She would yell or "We play Slytherin, Harry! No joking matter!" but her definite favorite phrase was, of course, "Malfoy has a faster broom, Harry. He is faster! You need to practice!" Harry knew that he needed concentrate but finding out what was hidden in Sirius's vault was a lot more important right now that some quidditch game. What if these packages had something to do with the Half-Blood Prince? Harry needed to know. He knew the half-blood prince was important. He had begun to suspect that Mr. Malfoy was also looking for the half-blood prince at Hogsmeade. He wasn't sure why, but he sensed the connection. He also thought some connection between the image of the black-haired boy existed with the issue at hand. Was the black-haired boy the half-blood prince? Was that why the boy had felt so familiar?

Quickly making his way up the staircases, he bounded up to the portrait of the fat lady. "Jastnohdy puvrita," Harry called as the portrait swung open. He climbed through the portrait hole, and stole away to the dormitory, where he could open his gifts in private. He set the three parcels down gently on his four-poster bed and picked up the lightest one first. He noticed that his name was written very neatly in bright green ink on the front of each of the packages. Harry eagerly tore of the wrapping and was very surprised at what he saw. Inside the parcel, were three very important looking documents. As Harry leaned closer, he saw that they were deeds to different estates. The first one was for Godric Hollow, Potter Manor. The very place his parents had been killed… Where he had lived for the first months of his life. Harry felt awe coming over him.

The deed, issued by Lily and James, said that Potter Manor was to be left with their heir Harry Potter when he was of age, if in any case they died before they were able to issue it themselves. Until that time of age, which was preferably eighteen, Sirius Black would remain the owner. Harry then shuffled the documents to find that Sirius had left him the Black Family Estate in France and the Black family summer home in London. With these two deeds, Sirius left a note of explanation.

Harry,

These were given to me from my Uncle Alphard that I told you about earlier. I actually lived in the summer home in London for quite sometime, right after graduation, to be precise. The estate in France is probably one of the more valuable estates that the, but I do not know for sure, seeing the fact that I have never been there. I hope you will find some use out of them. They are really the only things I own of value besides for my own small inheritance from my uncle, which is in another parcel. Behave yourself…Oh who am I kidding? Just don't get into too much trouble.

Love,

Sirius

Harry folded up the letter carefully and put the deeds in his trunk, carefully hiding them underneath many pairs of socks --- the ones that Harry tried his best to avoid wearing. He couldn't believe he was now the sole owner of three huge estates. He certainly didn't have any use for them now. A part of him wanted to go back and look at where his parents had once lived… to Godric Hollow. He had to admit that he was curious about the places that he had just gained possession of in the last minute. What would he do with these places? Sell them? He couldn't do that… His parents had passed down the Potter Manor to him and Sirius had given him two estates, because Sirius believed Harry would use them. He couldn't just throw them away like trash. They were gifts from the only parental-like figures that he had ever known, besides for the exception of Remus Lupin.

He again sat down on his bed, determined that he would decide later about what he was going to do with the estates, and opened the second parcel. It was a small wooden box with small carvings of elves and other magical creatures running all along the sides. On the top, there was a picture of large black dog. How appropriate, Harry thought with a smile. Black dogs had always been Sirius's trademark. Harry carefully and gently unlatched the hook of the box and opened it. Inside there was a small item about the size of a women's small brooch resting on green silk cushion that was tucked in neatly all around the box. Harry peered over it and looked closer. It looked similar to a coat of arms. It was shaped like a shield with the figure of a golden lion walking forward with its tail perked. The background was a deep and brilliant purple has and emerald green writing that read: Fortuna Bonus. Harry had no idea what the phrase meant or what the thing even was. Figuring that he would have to just ask Ron and Hermione later, he closed the box and moved on to the next parcel.

This parcel was a lot larger and heavier than what the others had been. Harry had been trying to guess its contents the whole trip up to the dormitory. He tore of the wrapping. It was large and wooden, with a long indentation on the cover that read S.B. It wasn't locked or hooked together, so Harry carefully lifted the lid. Inside were many gold galleons and shining knuts. It looked as though there might even be some muggle money in the mix: Harry saw something that looked suspiciously like a penny. It wasn't close to a fortune, but Harry knew that this was probably all his godfather could offer, and it meant so much to Harry that Sirius would leave him all of this.

Harry smiled as he put his new possessions in his trunk, again disguising them with old socks. He knew that he might never use what Sirius had given him, and he had to admit he was expecting some answers about the current mystery… but it meant the world to know that he had meant just as much to Sirius, as Sirius had meant to him.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Immediately after the attack, Ron, Hermione, and Harry all vowed to do their best to get to the bottom of the mystery. OnThursday morning, however, the mystery came to them. As usual the owl post arrived. Ginny and Hermione received their usual: Daily Prophet for Hermione, and Molly's annual letter for Ginny. Ron and Harry continued on eating, knowing that if anything of interest was in either post, then the girls would tell them.

"Look at this," Hermione exclaimed excitedly as she set down a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of the three others as Colin Creevey and Elizabeth Conners looked also. A bold headline proclaimed 'Fudge Found'

"I didn't know he was missing," Ron said as he read the headline.

"No, Ron… It's about Fudge being questioned. The ministry counsel members tried him in trial after the Hogsmeade attack. The paper also says that our beloved Minister of Magic has been under the Imperious curse."

"What? How?" Harry asked. He remembered being concerned about it last year when he realized that Fudge had such close contact with Mr. Malfoy.

"Why were they trying him in court?" Colin asked.

"It says that Hogsmeade has protective wards around it that only the Minister of Magic can lower, but he first needs the approval of the Ministry Counsel. He lowered the wards before the attack took place without the approval from any counsel members. They tried him and found him guilty. The Aurors then were taking him away when he leashed out… That's how they found out he was under the Imperious Curse, and the Aurors don't know how long it has been going on or who was controlling. They were forced to kill him."

"That's awful," Elizabeth said wearing a frown.

"They don't know who cast the spell?" Harry asked. He remembered being concerned about the exact same issue last year when he had noticed how close Fudge was with Mr. Malfoy.

"No, they Auror's are investigating." Hermione said looking over the paper some more.

"So does this mean we need a new Minister? I wonder who it will be." Colin Creevey said, mildly surprised.

"Me too, I can't believe Fudge died." Ron said dazed.

"Well, that explains how Voldemort got in…" Hermione said then added in an undertone that only Harry and Ron heard, "Now we just have to find out why... I wonder if it has to do with the half-blood prince."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Thursday came with more snow and the greatly anticipated Slytherin game. Harry had managed to convince Luna to come, and he couldn't wait to face of Malfoy. He knew that the Bindlstrike was of course faster than the firebolt, but Harry felt a special bond with his broom. It had helped past many obstacles before, and Harry knew it wouldn't let him down now.

Ron, Harry, Ginny, Lavender, Katie, and the Conner twins all headed down to the pitch all nervously awaiting the start of the game. Katie had already let them know how she felt about this year and didn't say anything further except to "Bring Gryffindor some pride." Harry intended on doing just that. They dressed silently, knowing that if they lost this game, they would be joining Hufflepuff and be out of the running for first place. They had already sworn to Katie that they were not going to settle for anything less... and they didn't plan to either.

The team, all cloaked in their scarlet robes made their way out to pitch just as the flush green of Slytherin began to clear out as well. The air was cold, as was to be expected in winter, but the players were all wearing their heavy robes, which ensured their warmth. The fourteen players took their positions on the ground ready for kick off. Katie and the Slytherin captain shook hands tensely, and with a blow of a whistle the Quaffle was released. Harry flew up immediately noticing the Bindlstrike's speed. Malfoy was the quickest one to pull out of the starting position and he began quickly scanning the field for any flitter of gold. Harry began to do the same, also striving to listen to the commentary that was being provided by some Hufflepuff fourth year Harry didn't know. "Bell has the Quaffle, passes to Conners, who passed... oh no pass, an excellent fake by Conners. Back to Bell, she shoots... and she scores." The cheers from Gryffindor's section were tremendous as Katie quickly did a victory lap. "Mendeleev has possession, and he passes...and... INTERCEPTED by Conners who turned and scored! Excellent play... amazing... intercepted!" The cheers were defying as Harry circled around the stadium. Here they were, five minutes in and Gryffindor had a twenty-point lead. The game continued as Slytherins made a slight comeback on Ron to tie the score.

Katie wasn't about to let Slytherin take the lead. She quickly passed the quaffle to Elizabeth, who wasted no time in pulling a successful goal. Mendeleev, the Slytherin captain could be heard yelling at his keeper, "She's a girl... you're being outplayed by a girl. Get it together."

The keeper then fired back, "At least I am not being outscored by a girl." Harry began to dislike the 7th year chaser more and more as the game continued. Mendeleev, however, didn't seem to care what anybody thought. After a rather great goal by Conners, Mendeleev took the beaters bat from his teammate and chucked a Bludger in her direction, hitting her square in the back and knocking her off her broom. Harry was about to go help her when he saw glittering gold by Mendeleev's face.

Harry pushed his broom forward and flung his arm outward feeling the cold winter air fly up in his face, almost laughing at the surprise and fear in Mendeleev's eyes. Malfoy must've noticed the snitch as well, because he too was flying at Mendeleev in warp speed. Harry had already had a two second head start and pulled in the dive as the snitch flew towards the ground . Malfoy was constantly gaining on Harry. He quickly outstretched his hand and encircled the small gold ball just as Malfoy's hand snatched the air where the snitch had previously been located.

Harry magnificently pulled out of his dive, holding his arm up as Ms. Hooch blew her whistle signifying the end of the game. Cheers echoed throughout the stadium as the team of scarlet hugged each other. Katie hugged Harry an extra long time, whispering, "Thank you," in his ear, while she gave a big, almost aunt-like kiss on the cheek. The Gryffindor's victory was of course somewhat sort-lived. Elizabeth had fallen off her broom and had been taken to the hospital wing, by Madame Pomfrey.

The Gryffindor team landed, as did the Slytherin team. Mendeleev threw each of the Gryffindors murderous looks. Malfoy was also looking a bit murderous as he glanced upon Harry. "Luck Potter. That's all it was... I would hate to see the day when your luck runs out."

"Well, Malfoy," Harry responded, "It looks as though yours already has."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

A/N: All right sorry this chapter is a bit short but I have a lot on my mind and all with the deaths...It's so horrible! I can't believe it happened. Well anyway, enough about that depressing note.

Anyway Chapter 13: We "find fudge" and realize how the Hogsmeade attack occurs and how Fudge was killed. We also hear some more talk about Occulmency, the D.A., the hogsmeade battle and Snape. Then we find out just what Sirius's vault contents really are... as far as the lion pin, you will find out its REAL meaning next chapter... if there are any theories I would love to hear them! We have Harry's suspicions about the half blood prince, and of course the great show down of Slytherin vs. Gryffindor. Well hope you enjoyed! REVEIW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

ANY COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, COMPLAINTS OR IDEAS? If so, please share!

PS: Chapter fourteen will be updated ASAP! Expect sometime this week if not sooner. Thanks for reading, goodbye!