A/N: Well here's chapter twenty-two for you! (Sorry it's late but a thing called readers block has imprinted my mind for a while – well a while back and I just rushed to finish this chapter now!( 13 pages in word – oh My! Le Gasp! Dun Dun Dun… right okay then, I think you get it already…ahem ah, the attack of imaginary Umbridge – Not!) Because I'll be on holidays for about (estimated) two weeks or so, and I wanted to give you some reading material you've all (who is reading this) most likely been waiting for (except for the Half-Blood Prince! YEAH! 6 more days until it comes out!) After that this story will be a total AU, but thanks for all the encouragement and enjoy!
P.s Some of the chapter has been removed from this chapter and will be put into the next one thanks:P Sorry for the delay and about that though – but please, ignore this extra long authors note and read the story!
Enjoy!
Don't forget to read and review people:P
Disclaimer: I do not own anything, otherwise I wouldn't be here writing fanfiction!
Chapter 22: The Conspiracy Begins
Dumbledore gave a Harry a long once over. "Have you had any rest Harry?" his voice was gentle, but harry felt the concern behind his words. He shrugged in response. He didn't really feel like expressing much in the way of conversation at the moment. Especially with Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore sighed heavily "Harry, I can't say I understand what this is like for you, nor do I begin to wonder." He met Harry's gaze "But I need your cooperation if we are going to make this work, Alright?"
Harry shrugged again. He wasn't totally sure what the man was asking of him.
Blue yes dimmed slightly "I see." He calculated Harry with that intense gaze he gave many, with the feeling of being stared right through. It made him shiver. "A lot like you're mother you are." He commented. "You're eyes, so much like hers, and you're Stubbornness is quite obvious as well if I might add." Harry thought he saw amusement flicker in the old mans eyes but as soon as it came it was gone. "Although you do look remarkably like you're father." His eyes roamed to Harry's fringe called 'Hair' He chuckled lightly. "I see the curse of the Potter Hair really does stay, if I may be so bold."
Harry waved the comment off lightly, and sighed slightly. He had no idea where this conversation was going, but so far it didn't hold much useful info. He had been told that he looked and acted remarkably like his parents since he met Hagrid. This was nothing new.
Harry decided to just cut to the chase. It was better this was sometimes when it came to getting anything out of Dumbledore, the man had a way of avoiding questions that needed answering sooner then later. The prophecy pushed to his mind but he thrust it back roughly, now was not the time. "Please Sir, What did you really want to talk about?"
Dumbledore chuckled lightly once again. "I see you will not be persuaded, alright, what I was trying to get at was what we are going to do now that you are here."
Harry looked down at the beddings trying to avoid the man's gaze and keep his emotions in check. Just being reminded every five minutes that he was forced into a situation that could be lethal to his health and everybody else's was a hard a emotion to control. Especially when the people in that time were not alive in your own.
"I' am sure that the rules of time travel do not proceed you?" he narrowed his eyes searchingly at Harry, who shook his head in turn. "Good, Then we might as well cut to the chase and discuss what you are going to do while we search a way for you to return home."
Harry mentally found the words 'What Home?' Float through his mind but he pushed them back, shoving them among the other bad thoughts he didn't need at the moment. Not that he ever did anyways…
"Staying at Hogwarts is definitely out of the question, as there are too many students and people around, so definitely not." He crossed his fingers together in completing thoughtfulness. "You couldn't stay with Hagrid either, as he doesn't know about you yet, so better keep this a secret form as many as possible…"
Harry nodded numbly wondering briefly if there ever was anywhere he could stay that was safe.
Dumbledore's eyes suddenly sparkled. "Alas! I think I have an idea." He looked sideways at Harry. "How about staying with you're parents in Godric's Hollow?"
Harry started dumbly at the Headmaster, too shocked to speak. Godric's Hollow? He would get to see his childhood home? A feeling of happiness over plowed every other one in Harry's body at that moment. When a nagging thought in the back if his head pushed back with vengeance.
But you can't…you could change the future, it's probably already screwed as it is…Darn the voice for being right!
"I-I don't know Professor…" Harry stuttered. "I d-don't think it would be such a wise idea--,"
Dumbledore raised a hand to silence him "Why would that be Harry? Since you're parents already know so much, and the place is well secluded from other prying eyes, I daresay you shall be safe until we find you a way back home."
Harry just stared, wondering if Dumbledore was right. Could he go? Could he really? Was it safe? Many have said Hogwarts was the safest place on the earth at the moment, but it has been known to have attacks there too…
But what if you change something? How would you live with another burden on you're shoulders…?
"Alright Professor." Harry said, overriding his thoughts. "I'll stay with my parents at Godric's Hollow."
The words sounded odd on his tongue, even as Dumbledore smiled gently at him, got up and patted him on the shoulder before walking quietly out of the Hospital Wings. Harry still felt a stab in the back of his mind…a feeling that maybe this wasn't the right choice for matters. It might only make things worse.
Yawning he leaned back on his pillows, starring at the white bare ceiling. The choice was made, and there wasn't much other choice anyways, so why not just go along with it?
Thoughts too many thoughts stirred in his mind, and it wasn't until 5 minutes later, did Harry get any sleep…
Remus watched as Dumbledore swooped into his expansive office. Fawkes chirped friendly at him, greeting in a way Remus assumed he usually did. The chair before him across Dumbledore's desk the Headmaster sat down in, starring at the occupants of the room before him.
Sirius and James sat on either ends of him; Lily could be seen beside James and Peter. Remus did a subconscious double take at Peter's state. He was a lot thinner then ever before, and could have probably passed as skinny, if James was not sitting beside him. He snorted at him self for that thought. Dark circles ringed under Peter's eyes, and his skin could have been the equivalents of a snowman's.
What was wrong with Peter?
Deciding he would ask later, Remus faced Dumbledore again, but not without noticing everybody's grim expressions.
"Thanks Remus and Peter for joining us today, I feel we have a lot to discuss that you two unfortunately missed."
The weird glances he was receiving made him feel slightly claustrophobic and uneasy. How much had he really missed in a day that was so important?
He guessed only time would tell.
No pun intended.
"I guess we should start with the happenings of the last weekend…"
As Dumbledore filled him in one the parts they missed out of there last conversation (before and when they were telling Harry about everything) Remus felt a different merge of so many emotions rush through him he wasn't sure what to feel about the situation.
"…And now that you have the details I think we should discuss some more important stuff then this."
Remus felt like exploding. What they talked about wasn't as important as what he was going to say? What in the world could that be?
He had to admit his curiosity was peeked, something that he usually kept pretty well in check. Hanging around with James, and the gang made him hold a responsibility of being more the responsible and sensible one. Curiosity in check helped the gang keep in well-less trouble?
Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak again. "We should be discussing where Harry shall be staying as of yet, and what we should do about this situation."
The gravity of his words stung them all like bees. This wasn't just about changing the future; it was about much much more. Like keeping this from Voldemort, and the dreaded… prophecy.
Remus clenched his fist unwittingly to himself. He would surely kill whoever made the ideas of prophecies if he could, although he doubted people would thanks him for killing Merlin.
"Albus." Lily interrupted the silence. "Couldn't Harry just stay with us? I mean Hogwarts is well, too crowded, and he couldn't be safe anywhere else. But Godric's Hollow is a very well secluded area, anybody who tried to get there would be lost for days wandering through the woods if they didn't know the way."
Dumbledore smiled grandly "That's precisely what I was thinking, always the smart one Lily." Lily blushed a deep scarlet. "I feel Godric's Hollow would be an excellent choice. Also allows time for you three as a family to – reunite." He supplied gently.
Remus looked over and saw the faces of Lily and James hanging down, almost in shame. But that couldn't be the reason… no…. then he remembered that they never really got to know Harry. Somewhere along the way they died… leaving Harry, as a mark for Voldemort. But there was a huge gap in the middle that they just couldn't place.
Even as he pondered these thoughts, others barged into his mind.
Don't try to figure it out…you shouldn't know anything that could damage the future!He looked back at Dumbledore to see him starring solidly at the married couple.
"It does seem safe, though I would highly recommend some protected…well protection."
"And that is…?" Sirius prompted, looking for all the part, serious.
Remus felt a little awkward starring at his best friend looking so solemn and serious. Something about this whole situation had definitely struck a nerve for the young man. Maybe it was because he was defensive of Harry; maybe because he didn't want Harry growing up like he did, in a house of hate… or maybe it was so much more…something so deep none of them could begin to comprehend.
Although one look at James, and Remus saw the same look, along with Lily. But as soon as he turned to Peter, he was shocked to find him looking like nothing had changed in his world, and he had just over-excoriated himself doing last minute exercise.
Something was definitely up with Peter.
And Remus Lupin was going to find out.
"I feel a secret keeper would be the best choice." Dumbledore's grave but gentle voice broke the Remus' thoughts.
"A Secret Keeper?" He repeated tersely. "But that's a extremely hard spell!" Immediately Remus closed his mouth feeling embarrassed about who he was talking too.
Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "Indeed it is, but seeing as we have a very adept charms professional here, I don't see how it will be a problem."
Remus was thinking that it might have been just a little but arrogant of Dumbledore to say that about himself, when he noticed Dumbledore was starring straight at the now maroon Lily Potter.
"…Alright." She muttered in a meek voice.
It may not have been like Lily Potter to sound timid and embarrassed, actually usually she was quite the opposite. Sometimes Remus would swear to his death that James had rubbed off on her.
But being confronted by Albus Dumbledore, calling you a professional at something was a little bit much. She was extremely modest, and that made her melt like a mushy puddle of goop.
He chuckled to himself, and saw Peter meet his eyes. An unreadable look was in them, but Remus could definitely detect that it was not one he liked…not a good one at all.
"…Now the only problem is - who will be the secret keeper?"
Immediately everyone in the room started starring at each other calculatedly like they were evaluating somebody for a job. In fact, that's kind of what they were doing.
Remus noticed with an unreadable pang, that James and Sirius immediately seemed to look at each other as if agreeing that they could trust nobody more. He shoved that rough feeling away, one he had often shoved away.
Don't be stupid, you know there as thick as thieves. You shouldn't do it anyways you're a werewolf…
He pushed that thought away too, but just as soon another one came.
Stop denying the truth Remus! You know how you feel about this…No! I' am not jealous!
Yes you are,
No im not!Yes you are!
No im NOT!
With a jolt he realized the room was starring at him almost waiting for him to respond. With a guilty gut wrenching feeling he realized he had no clue what they had just said, wound up in his own treacherous thoughts.
"Sorry, could you please repeat that?"
That's why your best off to ignore you're inner no good feelings…Dumbledore gave him a knowing smile. "We just said discussed that Sirius would be good for the Secret Keeper."
Remus felt his stomach tighten again. "Oh, Good. Good…."
James and Sirius gave him odd looks, while Peter just stared straight ahead, like he was contemplating something. Definitely not Peter personality. Finally Remus realized somewhat what that look was in Peter's eyes.
He was soaking up all the info he could get.
At that moment, Remus felt a little afraid of his friend Peter. And that was saying something. If somebody bothered to look close enough they could see he had changed. He didn't quite look like the scared Peter that they all knew…
"Great! Then it's all settled! We shall perform the spell at Godric's Hollow tomorrow night if that's alright with you Lily?"
Lily nodded her consent, and Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands.
"Now if im not much mistaken, we have a young charge waiting for us in the dreary Hospital Wing."
Without waiting for Dumbledore to finish, two streaks of black rushed out of the doors and pounded down the spiral staircase, not even waiting for Remus.
Remus sighed, as his turmoil's thoughts began to build as well as his emotions, then he remembered how odd Peter was acting and waited for his friend to catch up with him. Together they walked down the halls, Lily had stayed back almost reluctantly to discuss a few things with Dumbledore.
As soon as they were out of earshot of the office, Remus turned to his abnormally quiet friend.
"You alright Peter? You look like you've just been beat around the bush or something."
Peter just shrugged, stopping before the one-eyed witch. "I don't know if I should go to the Hospital Wing to see…Pot- I mean Harry." He stuttered. His eyes never met Remus'. "I mean, I think he might just be overwhelmed with everybody at once you know?"
Remus raised a doubtful eye. Yes, something was definitely up with Peter. Never had he ever refused an invitation to be near James or Sirius, or even him really.
"I don't think Harry would mind actually." Remus smiled at him, ruffling Peter's sandy blonde hair to his annoyance. "He might want to check up on some lost friends. That is, if we are his friends in the future."
"The future…" Peter still looked doubtful as he cast his faraway gaze back at Remus, but rather suddenly his lips pulled into a obviously forced smile. "Then what are we waiting for? Lets go!"
With a sudden unexpected cheeriness, Peter bounced all the way down the rest of the hall towards the Hospital Wing, leaving Remus pondering in thought following closely behind.
Harry slammed his hands angrily down on his throne like chair. Thin lips pressed in rage, He stood up stalking towards the insolent brat.
"What do you mean he's out of commission?" he hissed, eyes flashing.
The Death Eater in question seemed to struggle with finding an appropriate answer that wouldn't anger him any more then necessary. "H-he's in St.Mungos Sir." The man breathed out.
Harry finally took a step back, contemplating the answer almost, before rounding once again on the less then innocent sole before him. "There's something you're not telling me Rookwood…" he left the threat hanging.
Rookwood's eyes widened in fear. "He's I-insane m-my L-Lord…"
Harry dropped the worthless bundle of his servant on the floor. "I guess I should have seen that coming, although I am disappointed you didn't tell me this hence forth."
The disheveled looking Death Eater bowed clumsily once again. "Forgive me my Lord, but I felt I had more important news to share rather then that -,"
Harry cut him off, eyes flashing once again more. "I will tell you myself what is more important or not, got it?" he stopped before his throne like chair as if contemplating sitting in it before obliging to resting for a bit. "Now tell me this news that you bring Rookwood?"
The Death Eater bowed once again before beginning his nervous speech. "When I learned of a attack from the Department of Mysteries area. I went to go investigate myself. Working in that area they let me -,"
Harry's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You were going to inform me of this when?"
"W-when I thought it was important my L-Lord please forgive me-,"
"I do not forvgive, forgive," Harry said, leaning back in his chair steeping his long skeletal fingers together. "But I do forget - if your lucky…continue."
Rookwood gulped nervously now. "What I discovered shocked me greatly, it seems that seemed that the hall of prophecies had been breached. A prophecy was seen fallen form the shelf, unharmed and had somehow rolled under another one. They recovered it but didn't touch it as only the ones the prophecy was made out too were allowed to finger it – and only them alone." He paused here as if waiting for a reaction, but the Dark Lord gave him none, so he continued even more nervously. "That piece of information I obtained by the other unspeakables who work in that certain department, and I also learned of a certain Lucius Malfoy who was seen roaming the halls muttering to himself mysteriously about pleasing his master and what not before being sent off to St.Mungos insanity ward for mental illness. I haven't heard of his condition since that incident."
Harry frowned deep in thought, enjoying the miserable nervous fear twitching before him called Rookwood. It always made his spine tingle in delight at how he could make even the strongest of wills piss in their trousers. Finally he acknowledged the shivering Death Eater. Although the shivering might just might have been possibly been from the almost 10 degree heat of the abnormally low room temperature. "Rise Rookwood." The man rose withering in agony as the Cruciatus curse was suddenly flung at him. "Let that be a warning that I do not appreciate your tardiness in whatever subject it follows."
The man was shallow breathing as he nodded, rising to his feet more unstably now. "You are dismissed, but," he held him back a moment more letting the fear trickle in for a feeble minute more. "I would like you to bring Lucius to me, using any means necessary – and if you run into wormtail dear old wormtail tell him his master would like a visit as soon as possible – I'll call him though anyways. Lets see whose way is more efficient shall we?" He left it off there as the world slowly resolved into a blurry mass of high pitched cold laughter…
Harry rolled off the bed, clutching his forehead in pain, an unbearable sense of anger surging through him, penetrating his very core. He needed to tell Dumbledore…
It was not until a gentle shaking roused him that Harry realized he was laying on his backside on the tile floor of the Hogwarts Hospital Wing.
"Harry…Harry wake up, it was only a dream."
Harry groggily opened his eyes, his sight being covered by a bright red. It was only about five seconds later that he realized it was somebody's hair.
"Ron?" he asked without thinking.
Gentle hazel eyes met his, and for a brief moment, he totally forgot about his scar, and the unbearable anger that was surging through him moments before. Harry. But as the detached feelings separated from him, the feeling of loss and reality seemed to creep back in, creating another obstacle course for him to overrun and conquer. Wow, didn't life just feel like giving him presents?
"Harry, just drink this – it will help." Harry felt a goblet being pushed into his hand before red hair flashed before his eyes again. He didn't drink it though. "W-ho are you? Ron?"
The hand now brushing his hair lightly of his forehead paused briefly. "It's not Ron hunny, now drink the goblet." When Harry still refused to look away from the blurry face and drink the goblet the person sighed heavily, pushing it to his lips for him. "Just drink it Harry, it's only a calming draught."
Harry felt like his throat was being stretched apart as the fine fingers pressed his mouth open and poured the slick potion down his throat. He chocked a bit before swallowing the mixture. "Thanks." He whispered slightly hoarsely.
He felt his hair being ruffle gently. "No problem. Now are you going to tell us what that was about?" A pair of glasses were pressed into his hands and he placed them on, managing to quench his teeth together, stopping his mouth from falling open at the immediate sight of his mother. "J-just a nightmare I guess… Don't really remember." The past events rushed back to his head and he groaned. Why him?
He felt horrible lying to his mother but he felt it was the only way. Lily nodded absentmindedly gaining that unmistakable look Dumbledore did when they didn't believe him. Crap.
"We had a chat with Dumbledore, and decided it would be best if you stayed with us alright hun?" Harry felt like the contents of his breakfast were merging close to the surface – wait, he didn't eat breakfast… oh well.
"S-sure…" he stuttered, chiding himself for doing so.
"Great." James leaped out from behind the crowd of people around him Harry just noticed then to be his father, Sirius, Remus, his mother, and with a pang of nausea Peter. They were all staring at him as though he was the most precious thing in the world. He cringed back again slightly, not totally used to receiving so many of that kind of look. Lily helped him off up the floor, which he had somehow managed to get too in the rush of everything, and handed some plain robes he could change into. "Here Harry, change into these and meet us outside the wing when your done alright? We'll be taking a portkey there."
Harry nodded absentmindedly, unconsciously half glaring at Peter standing timidly in the back. "Right." He said tightly, throwing back the curtains and closing them behind him.
James exchanged a strange look with Lily, Peter, Remus and Sirius. "Do you think Harry's feeling alright? He seemed fine until…" he looked half-heartedly at Peter who just shrugged like it didn't bother him in turn.
"I'm sure he's fine." Lily snapped back. Her eyes flashing showing how much she disliked talking about others in front of their face. James cringed. "Or as fine as one can get in his situation."
"True, although I congratulate him on being as sane as he is with all he's been through." Remus supplied.
Sirius nodded enthusiastically. "Well were going to have to change that aren't we?"
Lily stomped in front of him. "You will change nothing Sirius Orion Black – Or I will seriously have you spayed and neutered."
Everybody cringed except Sirius who just blinked in confusion. "What? I can't be spayed and neutered – I'm a guy!"
James snorted. "That has been arguable."
"Exactly my point, thanks James." Lily smiled triumphantly standing outside the wing doors waiting for Harry.
Sirius spluttered in rage. "Hey – that's no fair!" his head sagged like a rain trodden puppy. "Why does everybody pick on me?"
"Because it's easy." They all chorused. Sirius just smacked his head.
A couple minute later the hospital wing doors opened to reveal a slightly disheveled looking Harry Potter. Lily held out a fresh tissue to Harry, who took it somewhat confusing before blowing his nose in it. The group laughed.
"no Harry! Awww sick!" James picked up the used thing with his two forefingers, nose scrunched up in disgust. "This was the portkey!"
Lily rolled her eyes and looked towards the now abashed Harry, she couldn't help but laugh at the cute tinge staining his cheeks then. "Awww, it's alright Harry, I should have told you it was the portkey, I would have done the same thing if somebody randomly handed me a tissue too." she grabbed the used thing from James who squealed in disgust. Lily rolled her eyes again. "On the count of three then."
"One…Two…Three!"
Harry blindly felt himself being tugged into a whirlwind of blue, bashing occasionally against his mother who was by his side and to his disgust the rat Peter on the other side of him. What he wouldn't do now to punch the bloody git…
Just as the rage was starting to over take him, the portkey landed, and so did he with an ungraceful leap face first into some dirt. A laughing Sirius helped him to his feet. Harry still had a hard time getting used to seeing his face again so young and carefree. It almost hurt.
"You alright kiddo?"
He used to call him that all the time too. Harry nodded with slightly blurry eyes as he followed Sirius gaze towards the house.
"Welcome to Godric's Hollow, kiddo."
Ex-Convict Sirius watched the house for what felt like an eternity. He couldn't shake the homesick feeling that passed through him, although not for this place. He wanted to go back to his time – with his Harry – where he could forget about the depressing past that continued to haunt him from day to day.
Unfortunately this wishful thinking didn't help anything.
So the ex-convict continued to brood shamelessly, glad Remus wasn't there for a change to scold him about living in the past too often. Although, Sirius had caught him at it too quite often. He snorted quietly, the sound making a foreign noise in his ears.
His head felt heavy from lack of sleep, but the constant need to stay alert, along with his worry for what happened to Harry kept him wide awake. Did he make it out alive? What about everybody else? Did Voldemort finally get the prophecy?
Did Harry think he was dead?
That was the one thought that brought the most pain to him. He couldn't begin to understand what Harry felt like right now.
Did he even miss him?
Right as that thought came he shoved the negative thinking right back to where it came from. Of course Harry missed him – he was his loving Godfather after all.
He just hoped to everything out there that Harry was okay and not worrying too much about him. I'll be back Harry, I'm all right, I just hope you are…
But for however long it took to get back - he really had no idea.
Should he just waltz right back through the veil where he came from? Now that he thought about it, how did he get to that park in the first place?
Feeling completely and utterly confused now, Sirius settled under a nearby tree to keep watch over the house. For what reason he had no idea, except for the comforting that he was actually doing something.
Even if for the moment it was completely and utterly useless.
It could have been hours, or maybe it was only minutes, but when the unmistakable sound of voices floated to his ears, Sirius felt a chill run up his spine.
Was that… could that be…?
Without further a-doo, Sirius turned to his trusty animagus form, before bounding through the darkness towards the voices. He hid behind a bush as soon as he was close enough to pick up scratches of their conversations.
"…He should be safe here really, I'm sure nobody knows about him that shouldn't…"
Sirius felt his interest peek up. What were they talking about? They couldn't possible be talking about him could they? But no, they didn't know he was there… did they?
A pause. "No, I suppose not, but we should be careful non the less. I don't think it's a good idea to let him outside unless supervised."
"Oh come on Lily, give the kid a break – he's been through enough already."
Sirius felt his back tighten in anticipation. He knew that voice, he knew it like the back of his hand… of course he would know that voice seeing as it was his.
Silence. "I guess your right… but," lady who was talking sighed, Sirius was sure it was Lily. He felt his heart give a tight pang. "I'd just feel much better if he was inside due to the wards."
It wasn't those voices that made Sirius almost jump out of his bush, but the one that was speaking right then. "Oh come on Mom! I won't misbehave I promise – Old Voldy-Mole won't have a go at me if his ego hasn't been restored since last time." How was it possible?
He had to have made some mistake, but no the only one who would have called her mom would have been –
Harry!
How had he gotten there? Sirius felt his heart beat faster. This was definitely a big new twist he hadn't been expecting.
Not that he had been expecting this mind you.
He heard Lily sigh "Alright, but only and I'll repeat only if somebody is with you, alright?"
He heard a short almost awed chuckle as if the child still couldn't believe something. "Yes mother."
"Oh be quiet you."
The unmistakable sound of a door slamming shut behind loads of familiar laughter brought Sirius to his senses. He needed to get Harry, and he needed to get him out of there fast. If he was anything like Sirius himself – meaning rash decisions – then they were bound for some trouble sooner or later.
Sirius looked at the house with a new purpose. "Hold on Harry," he whispered. "I'm coming, just don't do anything to rash or we won't get out of this alive." That goes for you too Sirius! He chided himself, before clambering back into the depths of the darkened forest.
In the meantime, he needed a plan. Hopefully it wouldn't be too late though. He looked back briefly at the house. Harry already seemed to be under the time traveling spell.
I know I've said this before Harry, but hold on there! All is not lost – I'm serious! No seriously, I am…
Harry snuggled deeper into his covers. It was still pretty weird to be suddenly smack dab in the middle of some stuck up time traveling conspiracy thingy. He had a hard time believing still that he had actually talked to his parents and was staying in his own bed in Godrics Hollow.
Talk about dream walking.
'Your as good as mine Harry'Harry gasped, sitting up fully in his temporary bedroom, looking around in fright. If he hadn't known better he would have thought he just heard the Dark basterd himself talking… but he couldn't get to him there unless mind traveling was possible.
Harry's scar seared once again and he doubled over onto the floor. Finally he knew where the voices were coming from. Somehow Voldemort had managed to forge a temporary connection for him to be able to hear his voice. This wasn't a good thing. What if the evil git found out something he shouldn't? He resolved this little dilemma on just trying to ignore the basterd for a while, and then maybe he would get bored and leave.
Laughter only met this response; it sent a shiver down Harry's spine. What was worse was that it seemed to be amused almost, and an amused Dark Lord was never a good thing. Not that a Dark Lord everwas mind you.
'You can't ignore me forever Harry'
Harry ground his teeth together, both in pain and anger. "Leave me alone! What did I ever do to you anyway?"
Pause. 'It was what you didn't do Potter…'
"What the heck is that's supposed to mean?" He had to admit it was pretty freaky to actually be holding a conversation that was actually quite civilized with your worst enemy (the Darkest Wizard for over a thousand years) who supposedly didn't know you were in the past and was invading your mind. He supposed he should at least try to push him out, least he find out anything he shouldn't. He shivered. That would be kind of hard to explain.
Silence. 'Only time will tell…'
Harry blinked. "Can you stop talking in bloody riddles and just say it? You're starting to sound like Dumbledore."
No response.
He expected a bout of rage or random threats thrown his way at least, but was pleasantly surprised to find the silence that met his ears.
Harry didn't know weather to sigh with relief or shudder in revulsion that that actually managed to happen. Some idle thought in the back of his brain reinforced the fact that their bond had yet gotten stronger since the possession form the Department of Mysteries, and he didn't really relish in lingering to find out what may come of it. The fact that he could have gotten possessed and given him the prophesy or worse revealed all that had happened to him in the last couple days while unintentionally murdering his parents along the way changing the future- was not a pleasant thought. Maybe he should have cut the conversation off sooner. What he said was simple yet puzzling, why waste so much energy on that?
With too many thoughts swarming about, Harry decided to try and geo get a glass of water instead. There was really no point in trying to sleep in this state of mind.
A loud crack of something outside gave him a shock of a life time, making him efficiently jump, looking straight out the window and into a pair of sapphire eyes. He froze.
There standing right out his window on the second floor was a large shaggy black dog with deep saw familiar sapphire eyes-
"No…" Harry muttered to himself.
Without thinking, forgetting all about the glass of water he was going to get and everything else for the moment he opened the closest, and found his father's invisibility cloak, grabbing it and heading off down the stairs, intent on finding out what the heck was going on.
His wand in hand he started down the stairs trying not to creak any along the way, and hardly breathing when he passed his sleeping parents' room. He a quick look out the window told him that the black dog was still there, and following him at a steady pace, showing that he was totally aware that he knew he was there…
"CRASH!"
Harry tripped over the chair he was sneaking across, and fell to the floor with a loud thud, the chair hitting the filling cabinet and shattering the glass like a loud chime. He winced inwardly when the footsteps began to pound down the stairs. Oh bother…what now?
"Harry? Is that you?" A light flicked on. "What are you doing?"
Harry refused to meet his mothers' eyes, and groaned at the floor. Didn't anything go right for him? He only wanted to sneak out for a couple minutes to see what that thing was…just a look… but nooooo He was the flipping Boy-Who-Always-Got-Caught-And-Just-Wont-Die. He didn't know why he should bother being annoyed, He should have saw it coming anyway.
"I – I was just getting a drink…" He murmured into the floor.
Lily lifted an elegant brow. "Really? And take an invisibility cloak with you? What did you think? The boogieman was going to see you?"
Harry groaned again. Awww shucks. This sucked beyond belief. For a moment he was glad his parents didn't usually yell at him – then he remembered he didn't have any anymore and cringed. Right then…
Harry could feel his cheeks getting warmer. "No, I just--,"
She held up a hand. "It's okay harry, I'm not mad at you, I was just wondering what you were doing. It's not safe to go wondering around at night with or without an invisibility cloak. You never know what's hiding in the shadows theses days." She helped lift him to his feet, pretending to his gratitude not to notice his flaming red cheeks. "I'll get you a glass of water and you can head back to bed all right?"
A moment later, he chanced a look out the window. The black large black dog was gone, leaving a scraggy bush in his way almost mocking him into believing he was sleep walking and it was his imagination running away with him. He groaned. Sirius must have rubbed started rubbing off on him for him to think to act so rashly in a stupid situation. It could have been some kind of trap for all he knew.
At least it was a good dream, if that's what it was.
His mother handed him a glass of cool fresh water, a gentle smile on her face. "I put a bit of a calming draught in it, tasteless and effective." At his questioning look she sighed. "Those bags under your eyes are a dead giveaway at restless sleep Harry." She ruffled her hair against her better judgment, deciding she liked the feel of doing that. It just felt – motherly. James was really rubbing of on her.
"Just drink it and get some sleep okay? If you have any problems me and James are just down the hall." She glanced up the stairs at her bedroom door. "You're lucky James is a heavy sleeper, or you would have had a hyper Marauder on your butt." She chuckled and laid a gently kiss on his scar, an oddly claming effect took place on Harry whether form the kiss or the claming drought he had no idea. Probably both.
"Alright." He mumbled sleepily. Lily draped an arm around his shoulders and guided him back to his bed without another word.
The stars outside the window reflected oddly in the sky, and the bright one that night shone like mischievous dog that everyone knew. Focused sapphire eyes watched from the bushes that had been close. It growled in frustration. So close but yet so far away! At least he got his attention though.
Sirius scrambled back behind the bushes near the woods, reflecting on how he could get Harry out of their grasp before it was too late. He looked back towards the window and a slow smirk began to grow across his face as an instant idea suddenly popped back in his head.
Time to turn back to good old Seriously Rash Sirius.
To Be Continued...
A/N: Well here it is! Hope you enjoyed it and it isn't too rushed – though if it was or if there's anything I can improve on please tell me okay? Thanks!
Spoilers for next chapter! If you don't want to read them skip to bottom lol!
Next Chapter: Sirius's rash decision leads to chaos galore! A breakthrough on the Aparations, Their discovery about a lost St. Mungos patient hint hint and a special Daily Prophet front page creates a chaos beyond time traveling! Plus the Aparation you've all been waiting for will grace them with its presence in Chapter Twenty-Three: Oh Crap – Were Screwed!
Stay tuned!
See that button on the bottom? That's called a review button! Isn't it pretty? Why not let your curious fingers push it? I'd love it if you did - Thanks!
-Because-I-Got-High :P