Chapter 47: Rita's Mistake

It was months before finally people stopped talking about the second task and what happened under the water. Remus left not to long after the second task, but I gave him another bag of gold, telling him to take care of himself. He didn't want to be at the school when the next full moon hit, not trusting himself or the potion to keep him as human mind in wolf form to remain in control. I couldn't get back to finish my talk with Sirius as the Rita papers were spreading all lies about Harry, about Hermione and about me. I had found Harry gripping it so hard it was about to tear in two.

"Harry, calm down. What's going on?" I asked, walking over to where they sat at the table eating breakfast. "I'm going to snap every pen that woman owns!" he growled and I pulled the paper away, seeing a photo of him walking the halls with me. The article read, 'Harry Potter's true mother! James's affair!' I blinked, shocked by the boldness of this woman. I read the paper to myself,

'Harry Potter, thought to be the son of James and Lily Potter, school sweethearts and victims of the Dark Lord, leaving Harry an orphan and ever so lonely. But this report heard rumors of James's previous love, before Lily. A such dangerous beauty by the name of Phoebe Ice. Entranced at a young age, the two were soon smitten and never without the other. People in their classes said they were thought to be perfect for each other and Lily shoved Phoebe out of the picture, sneaking a love potion to James to win his affection. James married Lily and Phoebe was so heartbroken she clung to Remus Lupin, one of James's best friends. People say only to try to worm her way back into James's heart.

Then people saw James's sneaking around with Miss Ice, even after marrying Lily, making this reporter assume that the true reason the Potters went into hiding long before the Dark Lord came after them was to hide the fact that Miss Ice had become pregnant with James's child and they had to save face and force poor Lily to claim the child as her own and raise her husband's bastard. That means our sad orphan Harry Potter is no orphan at all, always having his real mother around to watch over him. This reporter will always find the truth for her viewers! Until next time! Wish our sweet emotional Harry the best as he learns the truth and confronts his mother.'

I couldn't believe the words as I read them, not even realizing that I was filled with such anger that the paper burst into flames as my fingers lit up. The kids leapt back and I blinked, dousing the flames with some juice and rubbing my fingers to get back in control. Harry's eyes bore into mine and I just gave him a 'don't believe this bullshit' face. "Can we talk?" he asked and I nodded, leading him out of the hall and into a pathway toward the Herbology building. We sat on a bench next to a fire to keep warm as he faced me. "Did you really-" "Date your father? Yes I did. But that was it, we only dated for a short while before he began to go after your mother, who was my best friend. I was happy for them both when she asked if I was okay with them dating."

"I felt only a fondness for your father, he was a good man and I always hold a spot for him in my heart, but nothing more than a friendship. I have always supported their relationship and loved Lily like a sister, I was so happy when she told me he asked for her hand in marriage, even happier when she told me that she was pregnant with you. I also did date Remus when I was younger, also a short while. But again, nothing more than friendship. We are still good friends to this day. But Harry, I swear to you that everything else the bitch wrote is wrong, James and I weren't the perfect couple, we fought a lot, and I knew I didn't feel love like that toward him."

"There is no possibility at all that you are my child…other than being my godchild. James made Sirius your godfather and Lily made me your godmother. The reason I never came to get you from her sister and husband, was because Dumbledore said it was the only place you were safe during the summertime. Harry, when I found them in the house…dead…I nearly lost my mind, I found you in your crib and crying. I held you so tight, shushing you to calm you down. Soon after I found Sirius on his motorcycle and he asked me to give you to him. I couldn't do it, I was so lost in my mind, I couldn't do anything. He took you from me and left, to get you safe. Dumbledore found me crying on the steps and put me to sleep."

"I woke up in a bed, where they told me what Sirius had done. That's all I am going to say about this as it breaks my heart to talk about it. Harry, you are my family the way Lily and James was, not blood, but bonded by love. Stronger than anything else in this world, love is everything. Your parents saved your life, gave their lives so that you could live. And this Rita has made a grave mistake in trying to tarnish it."

I didn't give him a moment to speak as I got up and walked off, heading straight for Dumbledore's office. When I entered, it was as if he knew and he gestured for me to sit. "You know why I'm here. I'm not going to let this witch get away with this. Speaking ill of the dead like that, making Harry doubt his parent's honor…she deserves to be silenced…permanently." my rage was boiling over, I felt my body heating up as I spoke. "Phoebe, I understand your anger. Rita has been banned from the grounds, her words only words. Think nothing of them. Please remain calm."

I shook my head, "No! This is too far, she needs to be ripped apart! She doesn't deserve to breath air if she is only going to use it to hurt people!" the window blew open, a gust of wind whipping around me and blowing papers everywhere. He waited in his chair, letting me get the wind back under control before speaking. "Perhaps you need a break from the school, why don't you go home for a while…get some sun, relax and recharge. You haven't been looking much like yourself." his eyes knowingly stared into mine, knowing that I had been having troubles in my sleeping and waking moments. "Are you giving me a choice?" his eyes sparkled as he gave me a crooked smile and shook his head. "I believe this is best. I will keep you updated on Harry and the tasks, but Phoebe, you need to rest."

I groaned and nodded, going to pack my bags. I shoved random things into the suitcase and Rain appeared in the window, holding her leg out to me. I took the letter and she flew off, going to find food most likely. I opened it and found Sirius's writing back at me. 'Phoebe, please come see me as soon as you can. It's important. -S' I figured if I had to leave school anyways, I could stop by and see him beforehand. It wasn't long before I was off school grounds and I could apparate. I made sure to cloak myself and take several detours before coming up to the cave. I let out a breath, knowing if Sirius had seen the paper as well, he was going to be just a livid as I was.