Teenage Detective

Last Chapter

Last Promises

After securing a half-numb Zacharias, Harry brought out a neat thick black book. Zacharias looked at it with utter curiosity. Harry held it and raised it in front of his face, covering half his vision of the chained boy. "Susan helped me a lot after Voldemort's demise. She never left my side and filled the place that used to be my bestfriends, and I am glad for her existence. We were as close as friends ever could be, but some people took it differently," he said.

Zacharias frowned. "You don't have to tell me this," he said bitterly.

Harry smiled and dropped the book by his side. "So you admit now…. Very well," he said as though hiding a meaning. Harry cast a spell and the book hovered in the air in front of him. "Revealo," he said, and the book's cover shred furiously, revealing the hidden cover beneath. Harry made a pushing motion with his hands, and the book followed his commands, flying to Zacharias. It stopped right in front of Zacharias.

Zacharias could not believe his eyes. He looked nervously at the light blue thick cover book with sticky notes jutting messily out of the book. He recognised the book. "Susan's diary," he whispered.

Harry then made a swirling motion with his hand. The book opened with a short musical song.

'Welcome Susan, Another Entry, Another Day, Hopefully it is Happy, Not another Bad Day'

The book flipped a few page till it stopped in the middle. Zacharias face was not of fear and anxiousness, but of tremendous amazement, like he just found a long lost treasure. The hand was unmistakably Susan's, neat, curvy and special. He looked at the page on the left, he did not care about the uncomfortable chain around him anymore. He was about to read it when a voice was heard, a voice that both boys knew very well.

"Susan!" the both gasped, very shocked indeed.

"Thank you Harry," Susan's serene voice said, a glow around the diary appeared. "I have a lot of explanation to do here and I deeply appreciate what you have done. As my voice is heard, you have succeeded in fulfilling my last promise. We shall we begin my story, a part of yours and Zacharias' too."

Susan read out the entry that Zacharias was about to read.

2nd November 1996

'Dear Diary,…. I am feeling utterly gloomy right now. Happiness does not come easily. The one I love doesn't look at me like he use to. I know I have been a lot neglectful towards him, but I have explained everything to him, about my work, my family and Harry. He misunderstood all of it completely and we began an argument that almost ended our relationship. We did make up, but as vague feelings. He supported my decision, but not full-heartedly…

"She was planning on a project to make wizarding homes livelier with plants," Harry told him. Zacharias nodded in understanding though his eyes were still fixated on the diary that flipped a couple of pages.

'30th November…. Dear Diary… Harry begins to come more and more out of his gloomy stupor and he started to take an interest in the books I gave him to read, save the romance books; he chuck them out or makes a pillow. He even told me that I'm easy to talk to under the shy exterior. I knew by then I am a friend to him. I was kind of mad that his bestfriends ignore his situation, but I will not do anything. I'll continue doing the right thing and stand by Harry's side. I hope he doesn't find this annoying.

Zacharias doesn't accompany me to class anymore. Just ignores me like Ron and Hermione.

"She was really calling for you," Harry said again after another entry of the diary.

'1st of January… Dear Diary… it's the first day of the year and my resolution to be the best girl to everyone. I met with Harry, who spends his Christmas at Hogwarts, at the same place he spends Christmas in… he he, odd way to tell a situation… he changed a lot… he was cute… I missed him when he walked by me… he just came up to me like an utter stranger and greeted me with a smirk and oddly like a Victorian Gentleman.

Then I realised it was Harry, with no glasses and that god awful cursed scar off him. I have to admit it, he is cute, I said two times in one entry. And everyone mistakes him for a new student.

Zacharias was embarrassing himself when he returned to the common room drunk, and embarrassing me by yelling my name…

'25th January… Dear Diary… Harry and I made a new friend, Dennis Creevey, who Harry saved from bunch of 5th years. This 'House Unification' is hard to cope with, especially for me, and the small pupils. Harry found it hard to believe Ron and Draco were friendly with each other. I thought so too; there could be something to it. But the Golden Couple like the change and relish it while still ignoring their other, and former, bestfriend.

Harry and Zacharias had a fight, but Harry handled Zacharias easily. I begged him to stop and he complied, but Zacharias took a cheap shot and Harry ended up in the Hospital Wing. I decided then I need to talk to Zacharias.

"She broke up with me after that…." Zacharias said regretfully. "And told me not to come near you," he added.

"I know," Harry said pityingly. "But she regretted braking up with you too."

'26th January… Dear Diary… I just broke up with Zacharias… he was my everything and still is… please help him…'

From there on began the three last life journals of Susan Bones. Hers and other peoples story from her point of view. Her views on the Quidditch incident, Harry's taste for mystery novels, The Hufflepuffs being discriminated and other situations. All of them were told, but nothing compared to her strong observation on Zacharias' strange behaviour.

'Dear Diary... Zacharias is hiding something… I know it and sense it… he keeps giving Harry a big venomous glare, enough to send chills down Hannah's spine… he also kept disappearing after curfew… I don't how he got off without getting caught, but he definitely is hiding something big… and I have a feeling that it involves Harry.'

'Dear Diary… I intercepted Zacharias' letter for Harry. He was very daring to use Harry's owl Hedwig. Thankfully, I got to it first before Harry; it pained me to see Hedwig fluttering like he was warning to go to Harry. But this is between me and Zacharias, even though Harry's observation around Hogwarts was full proof, my stomachs squirms at the thought of how Zacharias is involved in all of this.'

Both of the boys knew then, the next entry would bee the last one Susan had written. After a short pause, Susan's voice appeared again and read the last entry.

'Dearest Diary…. My ever-faithful companion, I have written a lot in you and you have kept lots of secrets, facts and trivia of my life and I thank you for your service. However, I need you to do one more thing…

I feel that tonight would be the last night for me here in this ever amazing school, and just moments away from meeting Zacharias, I am giving it all tonight to help him, and if I fail and am somehow gone, I have enchanted you so you would be in the hands of my dearest friend, Harry James Potter…'

'And to Harry Potter, continue your dreams, and please help Zacharias,'

After she read the last line, Zacharias felt a comfortable breeze pass him and looked up at nothing. Then he heard a soft whisper.

'I still love you, Zacharias'

The chains around untangled themselves like snakes slithering away. The blonde boy dropped to his knees and the book closed with a thud and dropped on the floor. Zacharias then cried, on his knees, covering his face with his hands.

Harry watched the person in front of him. A person, who was so different months ago, now regretting what he did. Harry dropped his emotionless act, gazed softly down at the boy. Later, cries of Aurors came.

Hermione watched the dramatic scene before her, from the threshold. All of the events months ago came down to this and she finally came to a realization and she knew why Harry helped the Smiths escaped.

Harry was carrying out a friend's wish, a hopeless and impossible one, but Harry turned it into a reality. He helped Zacharias come to his senses.

She finally knew that Harry was still Harry.

Aurors burst into Grimmauld Place and immediately reprimanded the Smiths. Kingsley led the group, after getting an order not from the Ministry, but from a mischievous old wizard. The black man was told to wait for an hour after the Headmaster let Ron and Hermione used the Portkey to go to Grimmauld Place.

Kingsley smiled amusedly thinking of another person. He knew since the Smiths escaped that Harry was responsible, after all he was the one who gave the Sleeping Gas to Harry, to be used as 'in-case-of-trouble type situation'. He was going to let this one slide.

He owed Harry a huge favour. Phillips was now out of work.

Outside number twelve, Aurors worked tirelessly, setting up magical camouflage all over the place. They cleverly placed police cars and an ambulance, to make it look like a police investigation scene. They even dressed up completely in muggle police uniforms. Even though it was late hours they took very serious precautions when it came to hiding the Wizarding World.

Ron and Hermione were near the ambulance. The truck was parked so its back was facing Grimmauld Place. Ron was treated by Tonks, who came in concern for Harry.

"Stay calm!" she sternly scolded the stubborn boy, who could not stop shivering. He was given a Calming Draught, but to little effect. Tonks, who dressed as a Medical Emergency Officer, tried futilely to stop Ron's squirming. Hermione tried to hold back her laughter at the look of Ron's face.

Apparently, Harry's spell was stronger than normally expected. The effects were tremendous, leaving Ron numb for a long time, even after countless spells from Hermione to revive the red head. The doctor too had the same condition as Ron, but the Auror decided to leave him like that.

Hermione wrapped the grey blanket around her. She smiled as she got her answers and was satisfied with it. Harry never change from the beginning, he was still the same. Still the one who wants to help.

After talking and confirming his situation, Harry gazed upwards at the dark skies, sprinkled with stars. He sighed, letting the relief set in. He had finally done it, his promise to Susan. Now, his path became clearer.

He knew what to do with his life.

He set his sights at the ambulance area. With a high heart, he walked up to them.

Tonks surveyed her work with a satisfied smile. "Now everything is good, your body should be in great condition now," said Tonks, smiling smugly.

Ron narrowed his eyes at her. "How in the bloody hell am I in good condition?" he asked, furiously. "When I can't move my left side of my body!"

True, he was stiff on his left side of his body. He could not move his left leg, left hand, or even blinking his left eye, which fortunately was closed. He even has to speak with half of his lips. Hermione could not contain her laughter, and it irritated Ron.

"Shuddup Ermione!" he growled funnily.

"Oh, Ron, you should look at yourself," she said, covering her giggles with her hands.

Ron used his leg and arm to show whatever signals he wanted to show. "This is not a laughing matter, and Tonks, you did an awful job as a heeler," he said bitterly, and a bit understandable.

Tonks was not miffed a bit, instead she admitted her mistakes. "I guess I really did an awful job, and I'm proud of it," she said, and the girls laughed together, making Ron flush.

Then Tonks stopped laughing when she saw someone from behind Hermione. Ron followed her line of gaze and was shocked to see the person coming up to them. Hermione stopped laughing as she noticed the odd looks on Ron and Tonks.

"What is it?" she asked, looking back and forth between the two people. Then she knew there was someone was behind her, so turned around slowly. Her face turned into a surprised look when she saw the familiar messy raven haired, that green eyes of his and the boyish face she knew very well. It was like resurrection.

"Harry,"

"Hey," he said back, not with malice, but calm and happy. Silence fell upon them, it was bit of awkward.

Tonks saw this as none of her business, gladly excused herself and see other matters that needed to be handled. "I'll leave you guys alone, I think Kingsley wants some help with the Muggle Cover-up Void," she said and left briskly. The three watched as the pink haired woman left them and turned back to each other. They looked everywhere but each other as the awkward silence looming over them, until Harry and Hermione broke it.

"Listen," they both said in unison. They were surprised.

"You go first," they did it again.

"No you!"

And they laughed, even Ron too, with half of his mouth.

Harry stopped laughing and spoke, "That was kind of funny."

"Yeah we haven't laughed this much since fifth year," said Hermione earnestly.

"Or that time, when the impostor Moody turned Draco into a ferret," said Ron, at which Harry and Hermione laughed.

"You better have someone check up you, Ron," said Harry.

"Yeah thought so, Tonks did an awful job," said Ron sourly.

"Harry,"

"Hmmm…"

He did not look at her but at the Aurors placing the rigid Gerrard into one of police cars. He could see the doctor's face contorted into a dangerous glare.

"I'm sorry," she said regretfully.

Harry turned to her and stared at her in puzzled expression. "For what?" he asked.

They were leaning against the side of the ambulance. Ron was being treated with a real Auror Healer, something he deeply appreciated.

"For thinking false things about you… what you did for Zacharias was… unselfish and caring, I always thought you wee just showing off being smart, guess Draco rubbing off on me," she giggled at that part but quickly went back to the conversation as she knew Harry disliked Draco. "Even though he murdered Susan you didn't hate him or avenge Susan," she added. "Why?"

Harry chuckled at the simple question. "No matter, I did what I had to do. And promises of good intentions should not be left unfulfilled," he said in a sort of teaching tone.

Hermione nodded. A nagging voice in her head told her another thing, but Harry's words made sense.

"There's no use in going on hating. It'll only distract you from reality and the truth. I decided to get rid of my hate back when I defeated Voldemort and the Death Eaters. I felt no reason to hate after that. Even if I got insulted and provoked from time to time, there seemed to use to hate. Zacharias had his reasons."

Then Harry grew silent as though contemplating his next choice of words while Hermione waited in anticipation.

"I've learned a lot from living in both the wizard and muggle worlds." he continued, looking at the skies above him.

Hermione gazed expectantly at him. "What did you learn?"

He dropped his view of the stars and turned his head to Hermione. He gave her a wink and a grin, one that Hermione had never seen before. "There's a lot of people in trouble, more than us, and I intend to help them if I ever cross-path with them," he said.

She saw something odd about him, but when he spoke it was as though he was glowing brightly, like the night was not here. She suddenly found herself blushing and admired his enthusiasm.

Ron was fully healed and things get merrier. Or dreadful, in Ron's case. The Weasley's came led by a very distressful Mrs. Weasley. The plump woman immediately rushed to her youngest son and gave him one the fiercest hug she ever gave. This was the first time they saw each other since the dungeon incident.

Ron was out of breath as Mrs. Weasley wailed and cried, ignoring her son's uneasiness. Mr. Weasley looked on happily and proudly while his children, Fred, George, and Ginny watched in amusement at Ron's pain. Harry and Hermione too watched in amusement.

Then Hermione saw something and wrung Harry's arms. "Harry look," she said desperately and pointed her forefinger to the front door. Harry looked at her for a second and turned to the direction where she was pointing.

Kingsley and two of his men were escorting a calm lanky blonde boy, who did not mind getting apprehended and gave in to the authorities. Harry noticed he was hiding still guilt and regret. Harry felt remorse for him, but was happy when he saw Zacharias was clutching Susan's diary in his hands.

They were about to pass Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys when Zacharias spoke suddenly. "Stop please," he said.

Kingsley and the Aurors halted. Zacharias turned to Harry. Harry looked at the boy's expression that changed so much since arriving hours ago at Grimmauld Place. Harry then turned his head to Kingsley and they exchanged a knowing look. Kingsley gave Zacharias a few minutes to talk.

The two boys look expectantly at each other, no rift, no revenge, no bad thoughts, no nothing. "Harry Potter," Zacharias started and spoke the raven haired boy's name as though it was an honour. "I wish to thank you a lot. Susan would have been utterly proud of what you did for me. It will mean a lot to her that her wishes will not be meaningless," he said, smiling a genuine smile.

Harry smiled back. "You're welcome… Susan would be glad to know your love for her hasn't died or been forgotten," he said full heartedly.

"I won't forget her," Zacharias said determinedly, and his smile changed to a toothy grin. "She will always be in my heart," he added and reached out to offer Harry something.

Harry shook his head and pushed the diary back to Zacharias with one hand. "Keep it," he said trustfully. "You'll need it for comfort in Azkaban, now with the Dementors gone," he said.

Zacharias grasped back the book to his chest. He nodded gratefully. "Thank you," he whispered. Then Kingsley and his men led Zacharias to a portkey, where he was taken into custody. Harry watched a friend and a final farewell to Zacharias Smith.

"Well what now?" Ginny asked, looking back at the now reunited friends.

"Christmas is nearing and only three weeks away," said Hermione in her usual tome of voice, directive.

"How about Christmas at the Burrow?" Ron suggested happily, with a hopeful look.

Hermione shook her head in decline. "No again, Ron. We did it already your place last year, remember?" she said making Ron snorted in annoyance. Then she turned suggestive. "How about my place? My parents always wanted to have wizards and witches to join our home for Christmas," she said merrily.

Ron snorted. "Sorry Hermione, I can't stand doing muggle things, or not doing magic even for a day. It might work for dad, but not for me, forget it," he said in a rather quicker voice.

They both exchanged glares. Harry shook his head. 'Some things never change,' he thought.

"How about my place?" Harry stepped in to stop the argument. Hermione, Ron and Ginny turned to him. "I mean you haven't seen the new number twelve, right? Then how about we spend Christmas here? All Hogwarts invited," he said.

"Great," said Hermione, beaming at Harry.

"Fantastic," said Ron, though to him the Burrow was better.

"Lovely," Ginny said, she wanted to ask Harry if Draco could join but changed her mind.

"C'mon I'll give you a tour of the house," said Harry, as he welcomed his friends into number twelve, his home.

END

BETA version is here and the story is finish! and a sequel is ont the works. Hey even though i dont own the Hp world, its my story... read and review, read back and review again, ha ha... tq to my reviewers for reviewing and rachkmar for bEtaing... well that's about it but sure to check in my blogs, the address is in my profile... c ya in the sequel...