A/N:Another chapter. I have up to chapter 32 planned! Yay! So i'm going to hurry up posting these next few chapters. So you'd better keep up with your reviews! Always, Angel.

Chapter 15- The counsel of Padfoot

Harry didn't see Ginny the next morning at breakfast, but decided not to worry, as her friends weren't in the Great hall either.

Harry sat with Dean and Seamus, who were discussing quidditch tactics, but for once Harry didn't feel like joining in. Harry hadn't felt like himself all morning. He'd been snappy with Ron, who went off in a huff, he'd slammed a door in one boys face, and been rude to a first year who had lost her cat.

There was only one word to describe how Harry felt: drained. He felt like he'd missed a nights sleep, or just had a long quidditch practice. Harry put his hands in his pockets, and found that one contained a chocolate frog. Harry remembered. Lupin had told him to eat chocolate after his lesson, but in his rush to get to quidditch, Harry had forgotten.

Harry opened the packet, but couldn't bring himself to eat it. The sweet smell sickened him. Harry took a swig of pumpkin juice, before being interrupted.

'Hey big bro!' Erin exclaimed, in a squeaky voice. 'How's life treating you?'

'Not too great.' Harry admitted, as Erin took a seat next to him.

'Where are the love birds?' Erin asked.

'The love…? Oh yea.' Harry mumbled. 'I don't know. I moaned at Ron this morning, and he went off in a huff. Haven't seen him since.'

'Ouch.' Erin said, taking a slice of toast. 'You three are spending a lot of time together lately. I didn't think you got along so well with Hermione.'

'She's alright.' Harry said, unsurely.

'I recall one time where you called her a stuck up whore.' Erin said, pulling a thinking face. 'Who should, I quote, 'mind her own business.''

'Well, things change.' Harry said, looking down at his plate. 'Since Ron's dating her, I've decided to try to get along with her better. And I've found out that she's really alright.'

'Right.' Erin said, but didn't seem convinced. 'A lot of things seem to have changed lately.'

'Really?' Harry said, in a voice that wasn't his own. 'I hadn't noticed.'

'Hmmm.' Erin said, pouring herself a drink. 'Well I've noticed.'

Erin gave Harry a look which made him feel extremely uncomfortable. It was the kind of look Lavender and Parvati wore, when they left Trelawney's room in the evening. It was a kind of, knowing look.

'Hiya!' Said Daisy, as she took a seat next to Erin. 'Why the long face?'

'No reason.' Erin answered simply.

'I've found out where Ginny is.' Daisy said, and Harry's ears pricked up. 'She's staying in the Hospital wing this morning. Apparently she over did it at quidditch practice.'

'Is she alright?' Harry asked.

'I think so.' Daisy answered. 'Skye and Mitzy wouldn't tell me anything else. I had to beg them for that much information about Ginny.'

'What was that about our favorite chaser?' Seamus asked.

'Hey!' Erin and Daisy chorused.

'I thought I was your favorite chaser, Wormtail?' Erin said, pulling a fake sad face.

'Well you thought wrong.' Dean said. 'So how is she?'

'She's fine.' Daisy answered. 'As far as I can tell.'

'I might go and see her before lessons.' Erin said. 'Or try, rather. I doubt I'll be let it.'

'It's worth a try.' Dean said. 'Me and Moony will come with you.'

'So will I.' Daisy said, putting her drink down. 'You coming Prongs?'

'Not right now. Maybe later.' Harry said, rubbing his aching head. 'Give her a hug from me.'

Erin and Daisy exchanged smiles, and knowing looks.

'Sure.' Daisy said sweetly, before the four of them left.

Harry sat alone for a while, before he was joined by Ron and Hermione.

'Hey Harry.' Ron said, cheerfully. 'You ok?'

'I'm sorry about this morning mate.' Harry blurted out. 'I just snapped.'

'That's ok.' Ron said. 'As long as you're alright now.'

Ron and Hermione began breakfast.

'Are you alright, Harry?' Hermione asked. 'Is there anything you want to tell us?'

'No.' Harry muttered. 'I'm just tired.'

'Are you sure?' Hermione asked.

'Yes.' Harry said, sternly. 'Actually no, there is something. It's Erin. I think she's getting suspicious.'

'About you know what?' Hermione whispered.

Harry nodded his head.

'She said things have been changing a lot lately.' Harry revealed. 'For one thing, the old Harry, Ron and Hermione, don't hang out together. And the old Harry doesn't like the old Hermione very much.'

'Oh.' Hermione said, frowning. 'But she couldn't really know. You probably misinterpreted what she was saying.'

'Yea.' Ron said, putting his knife and fork down. 'You've probably got the wrong end of the wand.'

'Pardon?' Harry said, looking very confused.

'Wrong end of the stick.' Hermione explained.

'Ok then.' Harry said, before a friendly hoot caused him to drop his fork. 'Headwig!'

Headwig gave Harry a letter, nipped him affectionately on the ear, and flew quickly off again. Harry opened the letter, and read it to himself.

Dear Harry,

I'm glad you're well. That prank you played on Snape was brilliant! It's things like that, that make me proud to say that you're my son. I've also heard about the new lessons you're taking with Lupin, and I couldn't be prouder. Things are quite busy at work, but I wont say much incase you're not alone reading this letter. Hopefully I will be around for Christmas, but your mother and I will be on call if we're needed. There's no need to be so modest about your Christmas gift! I know your old broom is still good, but I've seen some great new ones in quality quidditch supplies, and you deserve something nice for Christmas. If you don't choose one, then I will! I've heard from your sister that there's a Christmas ball. Hope the young girl you have your eye on will say yes this time. See you at Christmas, Son.

Dad

Harry smiled. He couldn't wait to meet his Dad, and it seemed he would have to for much longer.

'Who's that from?' Ron asked.

'Just my Dad.' Harry smiled. 'Christmas arrangements. He wants to buy me a new broom for Christmas.'

'I've asked my Dad for a new broomstick.' Ron grinned. 'We can afford one, you see.'

Hermione grinned fondly at Ron.

'It's funny how you base so much on material things.' Hermione mused.

'Well, what do you want for Christmas?' Ron asked.

'Ideally, a way to get home.' Hermione said seriously.

There was silence for a moment.

'I think we ought to talk to Dumbledore.' Hermione said.

'But not till after Christmas, please.' Harry begged. 'I'm so close to meeting my parents.'

Harry handed Hermione the letter, and she read it over. She gave Harry a sympathetic face, before something hit her.

'What lessons with Lupin?' Hermione asked. 'This says Lupin's giving you extra lessons.'

'It's nothing.' Harry said, snatching the letter back. 'I'm just flunking care of magical creatures.'

'No you're not.' Ron said. 'You're one on the best in the class.'

'Are you taking some sort of secret lesson, like you did with Snape last year?' Hermione asked.

'Look, I can't tell you.' Harry said, angrily. 'So just leave it.'

Harry was suddenly aware of how tired he was. He looked at Hermione's hurt face, and Ron's protective arm around her.

'Sorry.' Harry muttered. 'Lets go. The bells going to go any minute.'

'Hermy! Hermy, over here!'

A 6th year girl was calling Hermione. She was standing with Lavender, Parvati and a few other girls. Harry recognized her as one of Ginny's popular friends.

'I'm coming Skye!' Hermione called, and added to Ron and Harry. 'I'll see you later.'

Hermione squeezed Ron's hand, before letting go, and running over to the girls.

Harry stared at Ron's hands.

'What?' Ron asked, apparently confused.

'That is going to take some getting used to.' Harry said, shaking the thought from his mind.

'Oh yea.' Ron said, realizing, and going red. 'But it's not as if we get a choice.'

'I know.' Harry sighed.

Ron and Harry exited the Great hall, and met Dean and Seamus outside.

'Did you see Ginny?' Harry asked.

'No.' Seamus moaned. 'The stupid nurse in there wouldn't let us in.'

'Madame Pomfrey?' Ron asked.

'No, the other one.' Seamus said.

'We've got defense against the dark arts first lesson.' Dean announced. 'And I really don't feel like going.'

'Me either.' Seamus said. 'Lets not go.'

Harry was about to object, when he remembered what Snape had said to him. The old Harry regularly skipped Snape's lessons.

'Ok.' Harry decided. 'So what do you wanna do?'

'How about we visit Padfoot senior.' Seamus said.

'Sounds good to me.' Ron grinned, and they headed off.

By the time they got to Sirius's office, everybody was in lessons.

'Hello?' Dean said, as he knocked on the door. 'Your favorite four students have come to see you.'

'I'm sure he doesn't have a lesson now.' Seamus said.

'He doesn't.' A familiar voice chimed. 'But you do.'

The door opened, and behind it stood Sirius.

'And to what reason do I owe this honor?' Sirius asked, with his arms crossed. 'Need my great prank advice again?'

'You are the god of all pranks.' Dean said, nodding his head. 'But not this time.'

'We just came for a visit.' Harry explained.

'Of course.' Sirius smiled. 'Come in.'

When Harry got inside, he found that Sirius's office was like no other teachers office he had ever seen. The walls were bright red, and covered with various posters. The shelves and cupboards were filled with more pranks than potions, and on his desk laid a large bag of dungbombs.

'Had to confiscate these from a student.' Sirius explained, picking up the beg. 'Disgraceful, just disgraceful.'

Sirius opened a cupboard to his left, and Harry was not surprised to see that it was filled with bags of dungbombs. Sirius chucked the new bag on top, and shut the door.

'So.' He said, as he sat on his chair. 'Any news?'

'Nothing much.' Seamus said. 'I suppose you've heard about our little rain cloud prank.'

'Oh yes.' Sirius smiled evilly. 'And I was nice enough to show concern in Blaise, that very same day.'

'Really?' Dean asked, with a raised eyebrow.

'Oh yes.' Sirius said. 'You see, it's my job as a teacher to watch out for the pupils. So when Blaise was leaving the Great hall, I said to him, 'are you ok? You look like you have a little black cloud above your head.''

The boys burst out laughing.

'That was mean.' Ron laughed. 'What did he do?'

'Started frantically checking above his head for a cloud.' Sirius grinned childishly.

A couple of hours later, the boys staggered out of Sirius's office, holding their stomachs laughing.

'You boys had better run along.' Sirius advised. 'Tell Snape you missed his first lesson because you needed to discuss a problem, which we've not sorted out.'

'Good plan.' Harry grinned. 'Lets go.'

Harry led the Marauders towards Defense against the dark arts, but then changed his mind.

'I'm not going to Defense.' Harry stated. 'I'm still not feeling too good.'

'What?' Seamus asked.

'Shows how observant you lot are.' Harry said, shaking his head. 'I didn't feel too good this morning, and I still don't now. I'm going to the hospital wing.'

'See you later, Prongs.' Ron said, as Harry headed in the opposite direction.

Harry moped to the Hospital wing, his limbs feeling very heavy. He'd felt ok in Sirius's company, but as soon as he was left alone with his thoughts, he couldn't help but feel tired.

When Harry arrived in the Hospital wing, it was completely empty, except for one person.

'What are you doing here?' Asked Ginny.

She was sitting snuggled in a bed, at the far end of the room. She wore silky cream pajamas, and her hair was unkempt. Her face was almost as white as her sheets, which made her freckles stand out, and Harry couldn't help but notice how she had bags under her eyes.

'Nice to see you too.' Harry smiled sarcastically, walking towards her bed. 'How're you feeling?'

'I was alright until you showed up.' She said, with a sly smile.

'Oh really?' Harry said, as he perched on the end of her bed.

'So what calls you here, Potter?' Ginny asked. 'Didn't feel like going to your lesson?'

'No.' Harry said, in mock hurt. 'That's why I skipped my first lesson. I'm here now because I feel sick.'

'Have another dodgy meal.' Ginny smiled, referring to their last meeting in the Hospital wing.

'No, actually.' Harry said. 'I'm just feeling a little tired. Mind if I jump in there with you?'

Harry was surprised at his own daring, and went red. Ginny reached forward, and hit Harry on the shoulder.

'Ok, ok.' Harry muttered. 'I'll find my own bed.'

Harry took the bed on Ginny's left. He climbed in, and pulled the cover up to his neck.

'Pretty nice.' Harry smiled in approval.

'What are you doing?' Screeched a nurse, but It wasn't Madame Pomfrey.

Harry recognized her, but he couldn't think where from. There was something about her manor that Harry new, and he had defiantly seen those glasses before. As she stomped towards him, Harry realized who said was: Moaning Myrtle.

'Ah.' Harry said. 'The thing is-'

'Is there a problem?'

Madame Pomfrey had popped her head around the door.

'This imbecile has just climbed into one of my nice clean beds!' Moaning Myrtle screamed.

'Calm yourself, Myrtle.' Madame Pomfrey said, and led her to sit down in a chair. 'If your not careful, you're going to have to retire early. Now what is the problem, Mr Potter?'

'I feel really tired.' Harry said, honestly.

'Too tired to go to lessons?' Madame Pomfrey asked. Harry nodded his head. 'Well you're not the first.' She motioned towards Ginny's bed. 'Ok, now an explanation.'

'I don't know.' Harry said, unsurely. 'It's not like I've missed any sleep. I went to bed at the same time I always do.'

'Have you taken part in any new activities?' Madame Pomfrey asked, knowingly. Harry nodded his head. 'Well I suggest you start to look after yourself a little better. I'll let it go this once, but I don't expect to see you in here again with the same problem.'

'Thank you.' Harry said, as he rested his head on the pillow. Madame Pomfrey began to leave the room.

'Their time gets filled with so many activities.' Madame Pomfrey murmured. 'Sucks all the life out of them.'

'If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, Poppy.' Myrtle said. 'School is becoming too stressful. Well in my day…'

The two nurses left the room, and Harry rolled round to face Ginny, and found that she was already looking at him.

'See something you like?' Harry grinned, cheekily.

Ginny shook her head, but smiled.

'I wasn't looking at you.' She explained. 'I was just thinking.'

'Yea.' Harry smiled. 'That's what they all say.'

Madame Pomfrey appeared again, with a steaming goblet. She handed it to Harry.

'It's a dreamless sleep potion.' She said. 'This should keep you sleeping till about lunch.'

'Thanks.' Harry said, and Madame Pomfrey left swiftly. Harry took a sip.

'Sweet dreams.' Ginny said, softly.

Harry was about to make a witty remark about dreaming of her, when he fell into a deep sleep.

He dreamt he was dancing at the ball with Ginny, just like he had seen in divination. They were waltzing, and twirling. The only difference was, that Ginny was wearing her silky cream pajamas. Infact, everyone was wearing pajamas. Ginny looked angry, and asked Harry where his pajamas were. Harry explained that he'd left them in the Chamber of secrets, when he'd gone to feed his cat. Ginny got really angry, and ordered that Harry should go and get them, else she would go and get married to Dobby. Harry begged her not too, but she wouldn't budge. Dobby started to dance in front of Harry saying, 'I've got your Wheezy sir! I've got you're Wheezy!' 'Please!' Harry begged. 'I only caught the Snitch so Sirius could have a letter!'

Harry suddenly woke up. He rubbed his eyes, and put on his glasses.

'Felling better?' Asked Lupin. Lupin was sitting at the end of Harry's bed, and smiling his regular smile.

'Yea.' Harry said, looking around. Ginny was gone.

'I'm guessing that you didn't take a rest last night, like I asked you to.' Lupin presumed.

Harry nodded him head, sadly.

'I didn't have time.' He explained. 'I had quidditch practice.'

'Well maybe next time you'll put your health first.' Lupin said, wisely. 'Or else I will be forced to stop your training. I'm disappointed in you, Harry. I thought you were mature enough to look after yourself.'

'I am.' Harry argued. 'I just forgot.'

'Well don't in future.' Lupin advised. 'I would rather you didn't miss any more lessons, and I'm sure your parents will agree with me, that your grades are more important than animagus training.'

'I'll be more careful next time.' Harry said, sincerely.

'Good.' Lupin smiled, fatherly. 'Now eat some chocolate, and I'll see you later.'

Harry took the now squashed chocolate frog from his pocket, and ate it in one go.

'You're awake.' Madame Pomfrey said, as she entered the room. 'And feeling better I can see. You're free to leave when you wish, and I suggest that you leave soon, as your afternoons lessons will be beginning shortly.'

Harry jumped out of bed, straightened his robes, and headed straight to History of magic. There was no point in trying to find Hermione, Ron, or any of the other Marauders, as by the time he would have found them, the would have had to leave for lessons.

Harry arrived outside his class, with five minutes to spare. He lent against the wall, and heard voices coming from inside the classroom. Harry wondered what sort of company Riddle would have, so with his curiosity getting the better of him, he pulled the door open a jar.

'It just isn't me.' Riddle sighed. 'I'm just not a teacher.'

'You're a great teacher.' Said Ginny's voice.

'No.' Riddle said. 'I can teach, but my hearts never in it. I just don't enjoy teaching. It's not fulfilling enough.'

'What's not fulfilling about teaching tomorrows leaders, about great people from the past?' Ginny asked. 'I think it's a brilliant job.'

'It is.' Riddle said. 'But I can't see myself doing this forever. I always dreamed when I was a child, that I would be a somebody.'

'You are.' Ginny reassured him.

'No, I mean a real somebody.' Riddle said, his voice sounding harsher than before. 'I've always had quite a taste for power. I thought a school would fulfill me. I could become a teacher, and work my way up. It just isn't enough anymore.'

'Well, maybe you just need a change.' Ginny suggested. 'You need to find out who you really are. Maybe you could travel.'

'That's sweet, Ginny.' Riddle said, his voice softening again. 'But at my age, it just doesn't seem like the right thing. At my age, I should have done everything I want to in life.'

'It's never to late.' Ginny said. 'You should give it a go. If teaching really isn't for you, then you should find out what is.'

'Thank you.' Riddle said, almost fondly. 'It's nice to have a pupil who I can talk to. I'm afraid the professors don't take me seriously anymore. They underestimate me, but they'll be sorry someday. Someday when I have power. I'd do anything for a little power.'

The bell rang, and made Harry jump. He'd been so absorbed in the conversation, he'd forgotten where he was.

Harry opened the door and entered the room, to find that Ginny was about to leave.

'We have got to stop meeting like this.' Ginny said, shaking her head.

'Some would call it fate.' Harry smiled.

'Some wouldn't.' Ginny said, as she left the room.