Chapter 22:
A Gift of Frankness
Harry lay in his bed thinking Sirius birthday was coming up and he really wanted to give him something special because he never given Sirius a birthday present and Sirius's present were always so great.
'What does he really want?' Harry thought. Then it hit him. It wouldn't be easy to get but he could do it if he spent enough he was sure.
'This is going to work' he told himself as he went to find Malfoy.
Sirius had been looking for Harry for a day now whenever he got a free second but he had not seen him anywhere and was starting to wonder where he could be. Just as he was about to go check in the library he spotted Harry in the halls talking with Malfoy…no that couldn't be right! He was laughing with him too! Sirius watched as the two took part in teasing a second year to almost tears and then laughing as he ran away. He was stunned he couldn't understand why Harry would act this way.
Malfoy spotted Sirius and whispered something to Harry. Harry turned and looked at Sirius sending him a hateful look and walking off with Malfoy, Sirius just stood there unable to move.
Sirius could understand maybe that Harry was upset about one of his friends being a trader but becoming friends with people like Malfoy and his gang was not the answer at all. He'd tried to talk to Harry but Harry would only blow him off saying that he didn't understand anything.
Sirius was in the halls on the second floor just sort of wandering around since most people were in class. He saw Harry and Malfoy walking in the hall when they too should have been in class. He got closer to hear what they were saying.
"Here is the money you said you'd need but I can't wait forever I need it by tomorrow night" Harry said handing him a bag of coins.
"Yeah, yeah Potter don't be pushy" Malfoy said taking the bag. "Your just lucky you're rich and can pay me well or I would so not be doing this" he said.
"Well I am and I'm paying you just fine now get me what I want" he said.
Sirius had no idea what they were talking about but he was sure it wasn't good and was also sure that Harry didn't' think Malfoy was his new friend, but what was going on?
Harry was up late the night in the halls with his cloak on so no one would spot him. He had been here for a while and Sirius had been watching him knowing Harry was there through smell because he was in dog form. He changed back and stepped out around the corner.
"Harry?" he called. "Harry I need to talk to you" he said.
Harry froze hearing Sirius voice, 'Oh no he'll ruin it!'
"Sirius?" he said carefully.
"What are you doing out here Harry?" Sirius asked. "Its not safe" he added.
Harry didn't want to be rude to Sirius again but it was for his own good. "Like I care you stupid dog go away!" Harry hissed at him.
Sirius looked hurt. "Harry-"
"GO!" Harry said.
Sirius sighed and shook his head not sure what had happen to the relationship he had thought he'd had with Harry. "Fine just be careful" he said walking away.
Harry watched him walk away then went back to what he was doing. 'Why was Malfoy so late! Was he coming at all or was he pulling my leg all this time? I'll kill him!' Harry thought.
"Potter?" Malfoy called unsure into the empty hallway.
"Here" Harry said talking off the cloak. "Do you have it?"
He said.
"Yeah, yeah I got it. Took some doing though." Malfoy said and Harry noticed the black eye he had not had last time they talked and a lot of cuts and bruises.
"You alright?" Harry said stiffly.
"Yeah" he said giving Harry a box that was taped shut.
"In there and if someone comes after you for it its not my problem and you didn't get it from me you hear?"
"Yeah sure" Harry said handing him a load of coins.
Harry carefully placed the box in the hidden draw where he had his father's journal. 'Can't believe it worked and I didn't' die getting it!' he thought. 'Tomorrow is gona rock!' Harry knew he wouldn't be able to sleep so he went out and made his way up to the roof in his cloak. He sat up there and looked at the starts for hours before he drifted to sleep under them.
Sirius laid in bed thinking, 'This should of been a very happy birthday. I got back to the real world, I got to see James this year, I have Harry here for it...'
"Why!" he said slamming down his fist. Why had Harry gotten so angry towards him? Why had he drifted away from all his friends? Why did it have to hurt so much to know that Harry didn't care about him?
'WHY! WHY!' Sirius just couldn't understand. He put his head in his hands and tried not to cry. He sat there so long he forgot where he was or what he was doing till he heard a knock on the door.
"Sirius?" a voice asked.
Sirius looked up to see Lupin standing at the door looking at him with a fading smile.
"What's wrong? You should be happier on you birthday, look its midnight" he said pointing at his watch.
"I-I..." Sirius didn't know what to say.
"Come on Sirius since when do you keep things from me?" Lupin said sitting down next to his friend.
"I'm just worried I guess" Sirius said.
"About Harry?" Lupin asked.
"Yeah, I...I think he hates me" Sirius hung his head unable to look at him friend.
"Sirius! That's not true and you know that look at what he did to get you back! You don't know how sad he was with out you, of course he likes you, even more I'm sure he loves you. You're the closest to a father he will or ever has had" Lupin almost yelled.
"Oh then why wont he talk to me, why is he always putting me down and telling me to go away if I come near him? Why does he say all those things to me!" Sirius said thinking of Harry's remarks to him.
"Sirius..." Lupin said. He had never really thought about how much Harry affected Sirius he knew Sirius affected Harry but the he didn't know that Harry could hurt Sirius this much. In fact he had only known James to be able to hurt Sirius this much. "You really care about him don't you?" Lupin said.
"Of course I do! Lupin I'm failing, James trust me take care of him and I'm failing. I can't even get him to look at me let alone anything else!"
Lupin shook his head and hugged his friend. "This isn't' your fault" he said shaking his head. He would have to have a talk with Harry VERY soon.
Harry woke with the birds that morning and smiled happy that the big day was here. He went to the dorms and changed quickly and was going to head down to get a quick breakfast but he saw Lupin in the common room waiting for him.
"What's up?" Harry asked him.
"That's is what I would like to ask you" Lupin said raising an eyebrow at Harry.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"You've upset Sirius very much he loves you Harry and you treat him like dirt you know you're lucky, he doesn't have to care about you he's not your father" Lupin reminded.
"I-I know...I didn't mean to hurt him he's just to nosey for his own good" Harry said.
"NOSEY! Look who is talking, the boy who spies on the world!" Lupin ranted. "I love you too Harry I do, but I love Sirius also and I wont let you hurt him like this."
"I DIDN'T! IT WAS A TRICK!" Harry yelled. "I didn't want him to find out about his gift ok! Here I'll show you if you don't believe me come on" Harry lead him to the boys dorm and opened the door. The others were still asleep so they walked quietly without talking.
"Here" Harry whispered opening the secret draw and pulling out the box. He opened it and watched Lupin's eyes grow wide.
"Harry! You didn't! You could have been killed! You still could be!" Lupin whispered loudly.
"I didn't do it. Malfoy did for a price" Harry said closing the box. "Plus Sirius is worth it" he said.
Harry figured he should talk to Sirius since he wasn't getting the present till tonight at his surprise part he would think Harry hated him all day if not. He found him in his room getting read for the day.
"H-Harry?" he said looking surprised.
"Hi" Harry said sticking his hands in his pocket nervously. 'What if he doesn't forgive me?' he thought.
"Is there something I could umm do for you" Sirius asked uneasy.
"Well...I JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M SORRY!" Harry blurted out. "I DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOU AND I REALLY DO CARE ABOUT YOU!"
For a minute Sirius didn't move but then a smile broke out across his face and he laughed. "I'm glad, very glad. I was starting to worry that you hated me" he said.
Harry hung his head. "I don't really Sirius I mean it, you mean a lot to me and I'm sorry I know I don't seam to be acting that way but I will from now on I promise" Harry said.
"Well I think I'm ready to have the best birthday ever then" Sirius said. "Lets go eat"
Sirius got lost of present ever before his party and lots of food had been made. The whole school new something was up when they got food for breakfast like the kind they got on Christmas. They all whispered about why this might be and Harry was more then happy to say they would know by tomorrow why.
"What do you mean Harry?" Hermione said staring at him. "Why would they know tomorrow today is snuffles birthday?"
"Cause" Harry said smiling and saying no more.
Ron just shrugged he was to mad at himself for not having money to buy Sirius a good present to care about that.
"I can't wait to give him Shane and my present. We got it together" Luna smiled.
Shane didn't say anything and when the others looked at him he just shrugged.
"Well I got his something great" Airean said. "But you'll all have to wait and see what"
"What about you Harry what did you get Sirius?" Hermione asked.
"Well-I-um it's a surprise too" He said.
Harry was having so much fun being around his friends again he forgot one of them was a trader all together...not that that was a good thing to go forgetting.
Harry and the others at the party all hid behind and under the house tables as Lupin went to go get Sirius for the party. Harry was so happy he couldn't wait to see Sirius's face when he got his present.
Sirius came in lead by Lupin who held up 5 fingers behind his back to them counting down to 0. When he reached 0 they all jumped up and told Sirius happy birthday.
Sirius looked around at all of them very surprised. "Wow" he said as the room changed into a ballroom all done up for a great party. Everyone Sirius knew was there even Snape who to everyone surprise had brought a present.
There was music and lots of food around the rooms. Slowly people began to give Sirius their gifts. He seamed very happy to have all of them but Harry held off until everyone else was finished he wanted his to be special.
Sirius watched at everyone handed him all these gifts. They were wonderful but he hadn't gotten one from Harry and that made him sad. 'Snap out of it! You only made up this morning, he didn't have time to buy you anything' he told himself.
They party was great though and when it was almost over Harry came up to him caring a small box.
Dumbledore raised a hand and quitted everyone in the room. "Harry has something to give you Sirius" he said smiling at Harry.
Sirius looked at the box in Harry's hand and smiled. "Thanks" he said.
Harry nodded but didn't hand over the box. "One rule" he said. "You have to promise to make sure you don't kill it" he said.
Sirius shrugged. "Alright" he said.
Harry handed him the box and looked nervous.
Sirius lifted the lid and gasped. Inside the box was a small cage with a smaller gray rat sleeping inside.
"P-peter" he breathed. The rat didn't wake.
"He's under a spell" Harry said.
Sirius looked at Harry. "How did you-"
"Doesn't matter" Harry said. "The point is you're gona be free now" He smiled.
Sirius nodded just starting to take in what Harry had done for him. He would be free, no more hiding he could go home, and go out, he could even have Harry live with him! "T-thanks" he whispered a tear falling from his eyes. 'Free' he thought. 'I'm free'
Harry smiled tomorrow Sirius and Peter were going to court to get Sirius' name cleared. Harry wasn't aloud to go but he was sure Sirius would tell him all about it later. He was glad that things were working out for him and Dumbledore had decided that Sirius house wasn't safe for Harry to live so he had bought Sirius a very nice new house. Harry thought it really had nothing to do with him being safe just Dumbledore giving out one of his very large present.
Harry was sleeping that night, he had not had nightmares in a long time about Voldemort but tonight they came back. He was in a dark room and he could see someone in front of him being held by two men. The person seamed to be quite and Voldemort was yelling at them. Rather Harry was though, his word were harsh. "HOW DID HE GET PETER! HOW!"
"I-I don't know" the weak voice said...Harry thought it was very familiar.
"HOW CAN I GET TO HIM! HOW CAN I GET MY HANDS ON HIM?"
This time it was one of the men holding the person who answered Harry. "Take this one. He loves her so hold her till he comes. He'll do it he's a little love bird like that" the man said.
Voldemort nodded. "You know what to do" he said laughing.
Harry sat up in bed sweating. The one he loved? Who did he mean? Then it hit him and he screamed. "NO!" 'I've got to find Airean' he thought jumping from his bed.
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