A/N: I would look put-out if supported astericks. Anyway ... Why is this chapter so short? Please excuse my utter lack of writing talent on this chapter. I know, it sucks. But I needed to have this chapter in here before I got onto the good parts. But, hey! Look on the bright side! The chapter is short, so you only have to suffer through a little bit of suckiness.
CH25: Reunion
"Good morning, Harry," greeted Voldemort as Harry sluggishly entered the dining room.
"Morning, Tom," he replied glumly. Voldemort frowned. Harry hadn't been this sullen and withdrawn since the Holliston attack, almost a month and a half ago. And it worried him. As much as he hated to admit it, he was becoming quite fond of the boy and it bothered him immensely when he wasn't his usual self.
He watched as Harry began to eat, admiring the subtle changes in him that had occurred over the past weeks. The child was definitely darker – his eyes had dark clouds in their depths at what they had witnessed. And he was more dangerous – the smooth way he moved, like a panther ready to attack. Not to mention the litany of dark curses he now had at his disposal.
Yes, his heir was shaping up quite nicely. There was only one problem left.
Harry's stubborn nature to stay light.
Harry pushed the last book into his bag. There. That was everything. He quickly donned a cloak, hiding the satchel that was lying by his side. Taking one last glance around, he exited his bedroom.
The journey to the gardens was uneventful. But this was where the real trouble would come. Harry knew that Bella liked to wander the paths at night. Taking a sharp left turn, he meandered down to the edge of the property, eyes and ears open. He stopped flat when he saw her.
Bellatrix was standing ten yards away, smiling – smiling? – up at the sky. Harry held his breath as he tiptoed past her. He vaguely thought he heard her whisper, "Sirius," but was sure his imagination was playing tricks on him. His mind was being influenced by what his thoughts were on.
Sirius and Hermione and Ron and Remus and the rest of the Weasleys and even Snape. He couldn't wait to see them all.
'And soon I will,' he thought, slipping through a hole in the fence. 'Just in time for Christmas.'
The next day, the only thing found in Harry's bedroom was a small square of parchment.
Tom,
I'm sorry, but I can't stay cooped up like this. I haven't seen my family and friends in months. I miss them and I need to see them.
I'll be back in two weeks. I promise.
Happy Christmas,
Harry
Sirius sighed. The holidays always depressed him and, now, without Harry around ...
He gazed around the Great Hall. Very few students had chosen to stay over break. With the death toll rising, families wanted to spend as much time together as they could.
Noticing the concerned look Remus was shooting his way, he pushed the potatoes on his plate around. He wasn't hungry, so why was everyone forcing him to eat –
The door to the Great Hall blew open. Sirius head shot up and he looked warily at the entry way.
A cloaked man was standing there. He dropped his bag to the floor by his side.
"Hello," Albus said cautiously. "May we help you?"
The man raised an arm and pushed back the hood to his cloak. Sirius breath caught in his throat as he saw unnaturally green eyes staring straight back at him.
"Hello, Sirius," said Harry. Sirius didn't even realize he had stood up and, before he knew it, he was enveloping the teen into his arms.
"Harry!" He pulled back and held his godson an arm's length away. "If you ever do anything like this again, I will lock you in a room with Snape."
"Duly noted." Harry hugged his godfather back. "I missed you too, Sirius."
