I have to say that two reviewers said that Harry was not to canon or character with how he reacted. Well when you are in shock you act out of character. That is why I had him act that way, because he was in shock. I hope that helps to understand why he was out of character.
April 30, 2004 only 36 more days until the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
GoterdamRung:I am so glad you liked my story. I hope that you will continue reading and reviewing. I'm also glad it helps get your mind off the stress of finals.
JuveFan:This response will be to all 20 of your reviews.
First let me say Malta very cool. My Uncle Joe is from Malta. I hear it is a very lovely place. I am so glad you
liked my story, and such kind words from someone so young. I love the story
lines of Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Harry. Thank you so much for all of
your reviews.
Maria:I gave you a little bit of romance there I hope you liked it. I never listened to the Spice Girls; I am a country fan myself. I hope you like the chapters coming up. Thanks again for reviewing.
Rhiain:I am so glad you are taking a look at my story and hope to read more soon. I hope those who read my story will check out you story because it is a great one. I will put in a few good words at the end of my responses for people to check it out. I hope that my answers in my e-mail help with they way Harry is in this story. Thanks again for checking my story out and reviewing.
Silvercrystal77:Thank you so much fro reading and reviewing. I love to hear from my readers. I decided on the jackets for the new Marauders as a symbol of who they are to make it fun and so they could hold a lot of the WWW products. I will say they all will become Animagus and I hope you will be surprised and thrilled at what they become. Thanks for the kind words and I hope to hear more about what you think in the up coming chapters.
Lourdes:This is answering both of your reviews. I'm glad you liked it. As far as action, some, just a little but not to much. I don't like making them rush into things but they will get closer. Thanks again for the kind words and hope to hear more review from all my readers. When you are in shock you tend to be out of character per say. I hope you understand why I did that. Thanks again.
Nymphadora003:Thank you, I am glad you think it was adorable. I
wanted to get things rolling with the nick names as we get farther in the story
before they become Animagus they will use them a lot. I will say chapter 23 is
the reading of the Will. I hope you like what I do in that chapter. It was
finished before I even started on chapter 22.
Thanks again for reading and as always you reviewed. Thank you. On too
your second review for chapter 21,I'm sorry I had to
put in some drama, just know that he is not hurt too bad. Thank you for the
kind words and up next is the reading of Sirius Black's Will. Thank you so much
for being with me this far and hope you will be with me when this is done. Lots of HP Love to you and all my reviewers.
Ted M. Hammett:I am glad you have enjoyed the story so far. I do have a beta reader working on the first 16 chapters and I am also going over everything again. I have went back and looked at where I used the word seem and do not see where I should have used seam. Seam is used in reference to a garment or like the seam of the paper. I agree that I did use ruff the wrong way and I have fixed that but not posted the fix yet. I have also gone back and fix the separated words. I will say that I appreciate you reading and reviewing. I love hearing what my readers say but I do have to correct you on a few words such as you put gramatical when it should be grammatical, and seperated should have been separated, and conjuctive should have been conjunctive. I am not perfect as we can see you are not either. I have fixed my mistakes and will repost after I get my chapters back from my beta reader. I am glad you tried to help, and I hope that you will continue to read and review.
sambow24:I am so glad you are enjoying my story. I try to up date once or twice a week depending on if I am in an over zealous mood in my writing. Thanks again for reviewing.
Uknowwhoslittleprincess, AKA Molz:Thank you for your reviews. This is the answer to all three of your
reviews. That is funny that you thought it said undies. I am glad you feel that
some of the story line is sweet. When you are in shock you tend to be out of
character per say. I hope you understand. Thank you again for reviewing and
hope you will continue reading.
CAN LOVE FIND ME NOW
Chapter 22
Two steps back, Healing and Owls
Seven o'clock came too early for Molly, being up half the night tending to Harry and Remus. She had been on automatic mother mode since one in the morning, checking on Harry a few times and checking on Remus at least ten different times. When Ron, Ginny and Hermione came down for breakfast at eight, she was ready for a nap, but knew that would not come for a while. At ten that morning Harry was still sleeping. Molly informed the other three that morning what had happened last night, (with out much detail) and that he was given a dreamless sleeping potion. They were only told that Remus had been hurt and Harry happened to be up when he was brought in and was given the potion. Then they bombarded her with the questions:
"Mum how was he hurt?" asked Ron.
"Mum how did Harry react?" said Ginny.
"Mrs. Weasley, will they be alright? Has Harry woken up yet? When can we see them?" said Hermione
She stopped them before they could go any further; with the promise that as soon as they were ready, they could talk to them both. This did not go well with any of them but let it be for the time being. After breakfast the three headed back to Ginny's room. They only had the parchment for the Animagus transformation, so they sat and read over the parchment and tried to concentrate on the exercises they needed to do for the body transformation. They worked until noon and took a break for lunch. They speculated about who would be the first one to discover if they would be able to make the transformation into an animal. Ron had kept quiet about his extra practices when he was alone. Ever since Neville had left, he would work a lot by himself. He would spend time with the others but at night he would stay up for hours on end trying to work on the exercises and he was doing very well. When they reached the kitchen they found a note telling them that the sandwiches were for them and to clean up after themselves. Harry was no where in site. Ginny was beginning to worry that he had slipped back into his private shell. She wanted to check on him but knew her mother would have her head if she did.
As the trio was heading back up stairs, Molly was coming down with a tray in her hands. She just smiled at them and headed down to the kitchen. They all looked at each other and headed back to the kitchen to find out what was going on. Ginny was elected to ask all the questions, hoping that she could work her mother into divulging any and all information. Entering the kitchen cautiously, they all took seats at the table.
"Mum who did you take the tray to?"
"Oh, Ginny dear you startled me. I took it up to Remus, he's awake but weak."
"When can we go see him? To let him know we are thinking of him."
"Ginny, now please we have to give him time to heal, when he wants visitors then I will let you all see him, until then please don't ask to many questions."
"What about Harry is he up and doing alright? Has he eaten anything yet?"
"I'm sorry dear but right now he won't see anyone. He refused to eat anything, and yes I am worried about him too. Don't worry (giving her daughter a hug) dear I will make him eat in a little while, now you all go on and occupy yourselves with something. I have a lot to do and I do not have time for twenty questions."
"Alright mum, but you will let us know when we can see them both, right?"
"Yes, yes Ginny I will; now go on and you two should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to use my youngest to get the information you all wanted."
With their heads hung low they walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to Ginny's room. Once inside they worked out a plan; this plan was to check on Harry first. They had to make sure he was not pulling back and retreating into that shell he always pulled around himself. They decided that it would be at least an hour before Molly would come back up stairs to check on either Remus or Harry. Ron wanted to be the one to check on his best mate, Ginny argued that it should be her to check since they were working on "things", Hermione used the reason of her being his sis and it should be her to do the checking. In the end they chose to draw straws; from an old broom in the corner. In the end Hermione won the draw and headed up to Harry's room. Ten minutes later she was back in the room and pissed off to no end.
"He yelled at me, can you believe it he yelled at me. Said it was best for me to stay away from him so I wouldn't get hurt too. Who does he think he is to tell me what to do? I think I'm going to go back up there and give him a piece of my mind."
"Hermione, stop you can't do that, you know how Harry is. We have been best friends with him for six years, just leave him be."
"But Ron, he needs us more then ever, we can't just let him get all hateful again like he was last year. Maybe if we send Ginny up there, he's been talking to her a lot. He likes her and all what can it hurt?"
"Hermione Ron's right, Harry has taken a long time to confide in us. We do not and I repeat do not want him to with drawl from us again. Pleasejust calm down, we will wait until we can see Remus and talk to him about this. Maybe if he talks to him it will help ok."
"OK, but I don't like this; he could get worse before that happens. Then what will we do?"
"Mione, everything will work it's self out you'll see. Come on let's go and talk for a bit and see if we can't get you to calm down. Ginny you don't mind do you, if me and Mione leave you alone for about thirty minutes?"
"Sure Ron you two go ahead and talk (evil grin and raised eyebrows), I'll just practice the exercises for a while. Go on and have "Your talk" and I'll see you in a bit."
As soon as Hermione entered Ron's room she broke down, Ron was at her side in an instant trying to calm her. He wasn't for sure how to console her, so he just sat her down on the empty bed and held her. Rubbing her back in small circles and whispering in her ear that everything would be alright. They sat in silence for a few minutes until she was quiet. Ron tried to reassure her that Harry would come around as soon as Remus was better, he just needed time. During the past weeks they had gotten more comfortable with each other and had hit a record; no fights in two weeks. They had held hands a lot and had just kissed each other on the cheek but nothing to drastic. They had agreed to take things slow just like Harry and Ginny had. Sitting there with her made him want to rethink the slow part; he wanted to kiss her so bad. She was upset (this is not the time to think these thoughts) but god she was so beautiful to him.
"Hermione are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm sorry Ron. I know I shouldn't let this bother me so but just knowing about what he has to do. He deserves to be happy and have a normal life. We as his friends are supposed to help him with that not just sit back and watch him go back into that shell that he's been in. What are we going to do?"
"We have to give our friend support and love like we always do. We can't push for answers Mione; we just have to be patience like he asked us to do. We have to be strong and let him come to us ok, I know it will be hard but we have to ok."
"Your right but it's not going to be easy, as long as I have you and Ginny for support I think I can get through this."
"You always have me, no matter what and don't ever forget that. I'm yours for as long as you will have me."
"Oh (flinging her arms around his neck) Ron"
He held her close and placed a tender kiss on the top of her head and not thinking of anything else started placing butterfly kisses on her forehead, the right cheek, the left cheek and then kissed her softly on the lips. She looked up at him with a bit of shock and surprise but then kissed him back. Her kiss was just as soft as his but a little more passionate. When they broke apart they both could do nothing but gaze into each others eyes. Ron knew right then that she was and always would be the love of his life but he would take things slow for her and only for her. They cuddled for a little while longer not wanting to end their private time but knew it was time; so Ginny wouldn't be left alone for too long. They shared a few more tender kisses before they decided to go back to the girl's room. Ron got lost in thought as they headed down to the room, he could not believe how lucky he was to have such a wonderful, beautiful, smart, caring, brave, and just brilliant young lady and he loved her. When they entered the bedroom Ginny was sprawled across her bed sound asleep, they laughed at how she looked. She had parchment stuck to her left cheek and under her right cheek; was her quill with ink smudged from her cheek bone to her nose. They decided to let her nap for a bit and went down to the kitchen to see if they could help Mrs. Weasley with dinner or any other chore she might have for them to do.
The sight that met their eyes was shocking to say the least, there on the table stood ten owls. Molly Weasley sat at the head of the table, the look of shock on her face could not be denied. In her hand was a piece of parchment, the look on her face scared Ron to death. Was it news that some else in his family had been hurt or killed but who were the other owls for and what was written on the parchment. Not sure what to do or how to ask his mother what was happening, he decided to go cautiously towards his mother.
"Mum are you alright, who are all these owls for?"
"Mrs. Weasley, is there anything we can do, do you need anything?"
"Mum, mum (placing his hand on her shoulder) are you ok, mum please look at me. Hermione what do we do, I haven't seen her like this before."
"Ron make some tea, and I will try to get through to her."
"Ok"
"Mrs. Weasley, can you hear me? Molly (tilting her head where she could see her eyes) it's me Hermione, can you hear me?"
"Oh, Hermione, yes, yes I can dear (tears started flowing down her cheeks) where are Ron and Ginny?"
"Ron's making tea and Ginny is asleep, do you want me to go get her?"
"Yes, yes dear please go and get her, these owls are for everyone."
"Ok, I'll be right back, Ron is the tea ready?"
"Just about, you go on and get Ginny; I'll stay here with mum."
Hermione headed back up stairs to get Ginny, while Ron took care of his mother. While she was gone Molly had him flow his father, Fred, George, Charlie, and Bill with the message that they all needed to get to headquarters as soon as possible. She knew she would need to get Harry down to accept his owl but how? Remus was feeling better and moving around, so she would have Hermione and Ron go up and get him, then let him decide how to handle the Harry situation. She knew his reaction my not be good, he was touchy about Sirius and his death. He had been holding up better then they could ever hope but last night might have sent him over the edge. She just hoped that was not what was happening. A very sleepy Ginny and an overly nervous Hermione walked into the kitchen, Ron was sitting next to his mother talking to her in whispers, patting her on the back and giving her kisses on her forehead. Hermione gave him a questioning look, and he just shrugged his shoulders. Ginny stood there with her mouth hanging open, seeing so many owls in one place was shocking.
"What's going on here, why are there so many owls sitting on the table?"
"We don't know yet Gin, your mum hasn't told us yet."
"Mum, what's going on and why are there so many owls?"
"Ginny please just sit down, we are waiting on your father and brothers. When they get here then we will find out why their here. Hermione, Ron could go up and get Remus and then we will see about getting Harry out of his room."
"Yes, ma'am"
"Mum do you want me to try and get Harry, maybe I can get him to come out of his room."
"No Ginny, we'll wait for Remus and see what he thinks, I know you two have been getting along but I think Remus needs to handle this ok. Just be patient, he'll come back around."
"But why can't I try, he told me that I comfort him. I know he trusts me and I want to help him."
"I know sweetheart but he went through a lot last night, wait for Remus."
"Ok mum"
"Molly what is going on, where did all these owls come from? Where is Harry?"
"These owls showed up about thirty minutes ago and there is one for each of us. Ron called his father and brothers through the flow network and Harry has been locked in his room all day. I can't get him to answers the door. He saw you when they brought you in last night, said it was Wormtail that hurt you. I had to give him a dreamless sleep potion."
"I'll explain later about Wormtail Molly, I'll go up and see if he will come down with me. How bad did I look, that way I know how bad of a state he might be in right now?"
"Remus I am not sure if I should say this if front of the children."
"It's alright Molly, I am sure they can handle what they hear, from the marks on me; I don't think it could be that bad."
"Alright I still don't think they should hear; all I can say is that at first sight you looked dead. I think that Harry went into shock when he saw you; then he started mumbling to himself. I had moved over to the couch where they had put you. I was checking you over when he came over and sat on my lap, then he traced a finger over one of the marks on your face and said Wormtail did this. He said that Wormtail was Peter Pettigrew and that he was the one that betrayed his parents. Poppy got here about then and took over checking you. I took him up stairs and gave him the potion and he has been there ever since."
"OK, Ron could you help me back up stairs, then wait in your room so you can help me come back down if I can't get him out."
"OK, sir"
Ron and Remus headed back up the stairs to see how bad of a mood he was really in and to see if he could get Harry out of the room. At each landing they had to stop for Remus to rest a bit, it was taking more out of him then he thought it would. He had to do this for his godson. Soon they were outside Harry's door, Ron left Remus there and headed down to his room. Taking a few deep breaths, he prepared him self for the state of mind he would be in.
"Harry, it's me Remus, can you let me in to talk to you?'
No answer was heard.
"Harry please, I know that you were up when they brought me in last night. I know it scared the hell out of you but please let me in so you can see that I am ok."
Still no answer was heard from him.
"Harry one way or another I will come in there with you; we can do this the hard way or the easy way, you decide."
With the clicking of a key turning; the door opened just enough to see in the room. Remus pushed the door open and frowned at the mess the room was in. It looked like a hurricane had hit the room. He entered the room with an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Harry lay sprawled across his bed not even looking at the door. Remus made his way over to his bed and sat on the edge. Gathering his thoughts before he spoke, he ran his hand through his hair.
"Harry this will be easier if you turn and look at me while I talk to you. Did I do something to you to make you mad at me?"
"No"
"No what?"
"No, you didn't do anything."
"So what's going then?"
"I don't know"
"Well then why have you stayed up here all day, destroyed stuff in this room and yelled at Hermione?"
"I don't want to talk about it, please just leave me alone."
"NO, I will not just leave you alone, (speaking in a very stern, but fatherly voice) you have people in this house that love you and that are worried about you. You just close everyone off and lock yourself in this room. Do you even care about anyone in this house Harry, because right now you're not acting like you care at all? I know you have a lot on your plate but you can't just shut us out."
"Just like Sirius, it's all my fault. If I had let you and Sirius kill Peter then he wouldn't have hurt you."
"Harry what happened to me is not your fault; you did what was right and you were trying to help free Sirius. You have to stop blaming yourself for everything that Voldemort and his followers do. I know what happened last night scared you but you have to let us be there for you. You can't keep closing yourself off; it will do you more harm then good."
"It's just so hard Remus; I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of me."
"They won't be hurt because of you; they will be hurt because of Voldemort. The only way you hurt them is with what you are doing now. Yelling at your friends for being concerned is wrong and you know it. There are ten owls sitting down stairs on the kitchen table, until everyone is down there the owls won't deliver the parchments, so you need to clean yourself up and come down to the kitchen. You have no choice, they are from the lawyer."
"Ok I'll get cleaned up and be down if a few minutes, thanks Remus."
"For what Harry, you don't need to thank me."
"Because you came up here and knocked since into me."
"Hey, that's what I'm here for, godfather role you know. James would kill me if I let you turn into a real prat."
"I don't like being treated like a child and look at me today, I act like that child. I'm really sorry Remus and yes I will apologize to Hermione for yelling at her."
"What about everyone else Harry, you have everyone worried. One red headed Weasley who will probably give you what for after her mother is through with you."
"Yes Remus I will apologize to all of them and I will deserve her yelling at me."
"Ok you get cleaned up and please be down stairs in fifteen minutes, and no longer then that."
Yes sir, thanks again Remus."
Ron was standing on the stairs when Remus came out of Harry's room. They headed back down to the kitchen, while Remus told him he would be down soon. Once back in the kitchen, he assured everyone that Harry would be down soon and that he was alright, moody but alright. Arthur and Bill had arrived to the house; they were now just waiting on Harry, George, Fred and Charlie. Fifteen minutes later Harry appeared in the kitchen, he walked right up to Hermione and pulled her into a hug. He released her just a bit and apologized to her for yelling at her. Ginny sat across the table by her mother watching and wondering if he would explain his behavior. As he started to give his apologizes to everyone the rest of the Weasley's came into the kitchen.
"Mum what's going on? Did someone get hurt? Why did you call us here?"
"Everyone just take a seat at the table and you will find out, that is what the instructions said for us to do. Once everyone is seated one of these owls will come to you, take the parchment and then we will know what this is all about."
Everyone took a seat at the table and waited for an owl to come to them. The scene that unfolded in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place was one of shock, fear, contentment, and a bit of hatred. Ron, Hermione and Ginny sat with their mouth hanging open, not believing that they would have to go to the reading of the Will and who else would be there. The parchment that they all received read as follows.
From the offices of Sir Walter Nigel Watters
Attorney at Law
Subject: Last will of Sirius Black
Date of reading: August Sixteenth Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Six
Witnesses to this reading
Amelia Susan Bones
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Alastor Moody
Beneficiaries of said will and relationship to Mr. Sirius Black are hear by notified that their presents are requested. Having all been notified to appear at the office of Sir Walter Nigel Watters. Please be at this office by no later then 10:55 a.m. on the Sixteenth of August nineteen hundred and ninety six. For all minor child please be accompanied by your legal guardian. The reading of the Will of Sirius Black will begin at precisely 11:00 a.m. With the amount of benefactors that will attend, please be prepared to be in these offices for approximately two hours. If you are unable to attend please inform this office by the owl that delivered you request.
Listed benefactors of said Will of Mr. Sirius Black.
Harry James Potter – godson
Remus John Lupin – friend
Arthur and Molly Weasley – cousins
William Weasley – cousin
Charles Weasley – cousin
Percy Ignatius Weasley – cousin
Fredrick Weasley – cousin
George Weasley – cousin
Ronald Bilius Weasley – cousin
Ginerva Molly Weasley – cousin
Hermione Jane Granger – friend
Nymphadora Tonks – cousin
Ted and Andromeda Black Tonks – cousin
Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore
The James and Lily Potter foundation
OOTP origination
Narcissa Black Malfoy – cousin
Draco Lucius Malfoy – cousin
Bellatrix Black Lestrange – cousin
Due to security reasons, some items named in said Will are being kept secret. If you are a receiver of said secret item you will be given that information in a private room. Listed below are minors that will need their guardian with them.
Harry James Potter – godson; Vernon and Petunia Dursley or Remus J. Lupin
Ronald Bilius Weasley – cousin; Molly and Arthur Weasley
Ginerva Molly Weasley – cousin; Molly and Arthur Weasley
Hermione Jane Granger – friend; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Granger or appointed guardian.
Please come with said guardians. I look forward to seeing all parties on the sixteenth of August.
With the deepest admiration
Sir Walter Nigel Watters
The rest of the day and into the night the people inside Grimmauld Place could be seen sitting in the parlor in silence. Dinner that night was simple and not one person cared. They ate in silence, even when members of the Order stopped by no one said anything. They did answer questions if they were asked but other then that not one word was said. Harry would not let Ginny leave his side as well as Remus. He kept these two very close to him all night. When it was time for bed, he held her close to him, they whispered to each other for a few minutes and then Remus walked him to his room.
The night before the reading of the will there was silence at dinner that could be cut with a knife. Everyone had been in a right state ever since they had received their letter from the lawyer requesting their presents at the reading of Sirius's Will. Remus and Harry had isolated themselves the night before and told the rest of the house that they would see them in the morning. Harry had reassured Ginny that he was ok and just wanted to be alone with Remus to talk. Giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek and told him she was there for him. Remus and Harry spent most of the night looking at pictures; he had pictures starting from their first years together; through the final year that James and Lily Potter were alive. They looked at pictures of Sirius, his parent, Remus and the months before his parents died. Remus told him stories from their Hogwarts days. At around two in the morning they decide it was time to try and sleep, though neither one wanted to. Tomorrow was going to be a emotional day and neither were looking forward hearing Sirius Black's Will; it would make everything final.
I want to thank my readers for being here and supporting this story. With out you there would not be a story. Thank you to all my reviewers, and I hope that you will enjoy this chapter. The reading of the Will is the next chapter. Enjoy and don't forget to review. Until next time, Hp love to all.