The Revelation
Chapter 5
Sirius left Dumbledore's office and quickly transformed into his Animagus. He didn't need unsuspecting students yelling murder at him and Padfoot's senses were of much use in tracing Harry. He followed the familiar scent out of the Entrance Hall, a couple of students shrieking at the sight of a giant dog his size.
Padfoot paid them no mind as he trotted onto the grounds which were relatively empty at the early hour. The lone boy in school robes walking away from the castle was enough for him to deduce that it was Harry. He gave a loud bark and Harry turned to look at him. He bounded forwards and sniffed his hands. Harry understood the gesture as he patted his head and he continued walking in his intended direction with Padfoot beside him.
When they reached the lake, Harry found a secluded spot behind a couple of bushes and sat down. Sirius shuddered involuntarily at the sight of the lake. The last time he had been here, he had been surrounded by hundreds of Dementors ready to Kiss him and his godson had saved him. Guilt surged in Sirius; he should have been the one saving his godson, he was the one who was charged with protecting Harry. And he hadn't been able to do the single thing James and Lily had entrusted him with.
He changed to human and sat beside Harry. They sat like that in comfortable silence for a long time, each in their own thoughts, each taking silent strength from the other.
After about half an hour (it felt like ages to Sirius), Harry spoke, "Can we just run away somewhere? Out of the country?"
Sirius' steel-grey eyes were swallowed in sadness. "If you wanted to, we could do that."
"But that doesn't change anything, does it?" said Harry, pulling at the blades of grass.
Sirius sighed heavily. "No, it doesn't."
Harry looked thoroughly dejected as he mumbled, "It's just — I didn't want this — I just wanted to be…"
He sighed, unable to put his thoughts into words.
Sirius understood; it was really tempting to take Harry out on his suggestion and away from this war. He was certain James and Lily would have wanted their son to have a normal life with the only thing worrying him being homework and exams and girls. If everything he heard from Remus were true, his godson had not had a single normal year at Hogwarts. But it was also out of his hands. Voldemort had made Harry out to be his mortal enemy and there was no hope of changing that.
He wrapped an arm around Harry. "Look, you're not alone. I promised your parents I would look after you. Now I know I wasn't in your life for entirely too long, but I intend to keep that promise. I would die rather than let you face him alone."
Harry shook his head and spoke in a strangled voice. "Don't say that. I don't want you to die for me too! When I saw you in that vision, for a good couple of hours I thought… I thought you would be gone!"
Sirius was startled to see Harry's eyes were rather bright and he pulled Harry close to him. "But I'm here now, so don't you worry. It's going to be alright. You'll see."
Harry found himself believing Sirius though only half-heartedly. He heard people streaming out into the grounds, talking and laughing. He felt so isolated from them all; he had always been and always will be a marked man…
He dreaded returning to Privet Drive in a week's time. For the first time, he felt very opposed to going there again. He did not want to leave his godfather, not when he could be with him in Grimmauld Place. He didn't think anyone but Sirius could understand what he was feeling and the idea of staying away from Sirius was unappealing.
Harry felt like a punch to his gut when he remembered that Sirius was going to be produced in a trial.
"What about you? What's going to happen to you now?" asked Harry worriedly.
Sirius smiled weakly. "Dumbledore received the message just now that I will be tried in five days."
Harry froze and he pulled away from Sirius to look at him properly. "What? But Fudge won't let…he won't believe..."
Sirius looked away from Harry and watched the lake, looking thoughtful. "Well, the Ministry did get a good glimpse of Voldemort last night, so they know Dumbledore was right all along. There is hope that I will be freed. I think."
Harry did not like the uncertain tone of his voice. Sirius sounded almost resigned and Harry was filled with the urge to do something.
"I can testify. I can tell them the truth! You're innocent! They can't just throw you away in Azkaban again," said Harry vehemently.
Sirius gave a humourless smile. "I appreciate that, Harry. But I doubt Dumbledore would agree. Besides, he promised me he would do everything in his might to help me clear my name."
"Well, he should," Harry said forcefully and Sirius chuckled.
"Until then, can — can I come stay with you?" asked Harry.
Sirius' eyes widened before he frowned. "You mean you want to leave Hogwarts today? There's still a week before term ends and the trial is before that…"
Harry nodded, averting his eyes. "I don't want you to be alone right now."
Which was only partially the truth. He didn't want to be alone right now.
Sirius looked up at Harry and smiled sadly as if he understood just what Harry had thought, before he nodded. "I think we should talk to Dumbledore."
Harry did not want to talk to Dumbledore again so soon and he nodded reluctantly. If he wanted to leave school before term ended, he had to ask permission.
Harry got up to his feet and watched as Sirius transformed into Padfoot again. Harry remembered just then that he was yet to see his friends after last night. "Listen, why don't you go along to Dumbledore's office? I just need to make sure Ron and Hermione and the others are alright. I'll be back right after."
Padfoot gave a bark of agreement before they both set off. The grounds were now filled with students on a Friday morning; as OWLS were over but other exams were still going on, there were fewer students than usual. As Harry walked up to the castle, people turned to look at him, pointing and whispering. Padfoot growled and Harry played idly with the thought that they were pointing at the great black dog which looked like the Grim and not him. One could make wishes.
They departed in opposite directions - Padfoot bounding back up to Dumbledore's office and Harry went to the Hospital Wing.
oOo
Sirius entered the office and Dumbledore motioned for him to sit. "How is he?"
"Upset," said Sirius shortly. He noticed the folded up Daily Prophet lying on Dumbledore's desk and half of the front page had the headlines screaming in large letters: HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED RETURNS!
"I would be surprised if he was otherwise," said Dumbledore, inclining his head forward.
"He wanted to go out of the country," said Sirius, watching Dumbledore for his reaction.
The slight widening of his eyes was the only clue to Dumbledore's surprise but Sirius hastened, "But he knows it's futile. He just needs some time to come to terms with it."
Dumbledore nodded slowly and sighed. "I did not want to burden Harry with this prophecy so soon. He is still too young. He deserves a normal childhood."
"But Harry has never had a normal childhood; not at Hogwarts and certainly not at the Dursleys," said Sirius brusquely.
Dumbledore acknowledged that with another incline of his head, unable to disagree.
Sirius looked shrewdly at Dumbledore, as if daring to challenge him. "I'm taking Harry with me to Grimmauld Place. Today."
Dumbledore frowned but Sirius continued, "He said he didn't want to be alone right now. And he's right. He shouldn't be forced to continue as if he's back to normal when he clearly isn't, Dumbledore!"
For a long moment, Dumbledore surveyed him over his glasses, contemplating his answer. With a great sigh, he finally relented. "Very well. I would not say I didn't expect this."
Sirius was so gobsmacked that Dumbledore was agreeing to him, that he was startled when Dumbledore then called out, "Dobby!"
A crack and a house-elf appeared, but it was the oddest house-elf Sirius had ever seen. For one, he had never seen a house-elf dressed in such gaudy layers of colourful clothing. The elf gave a polite bow to Dumbledore who said kindly, "Dobby, I would like you to take Harry Potter's belongings from his common room to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Can you do that?"
The elf bobbed his head enthusiastically and Sirius was amused as the tea-cosy that the elf wore for a hat wobbled frantically. "Yes, Professor Dumbledore sir, Dobby will be honoured to serve the great Harry Potter."
With another loud crack, the elf vanished and Sirius looked quizzically at Dumbledore who replied, "Dobby can be trusted. He is very much loyal to Harry and would not betray his secrets."
"And do I need to know why?" Sirius asked raising an eyebrow.
"Perhaps Harry will tell you later," said Dumbledore with a smile in his voice. His tone became serious again when he said, "On another note, Sirius — your trial. Are you sure you are ready for this?"
Sirius nodded and though his face was void of emotion, the tremor in his voice betrayed his anxiety. "I haven't got any choice, have I? It's my only chance of getting legal guardianship of Harry."
Dumbledore stared at him when Sirius said vehemently, "You didn't think I would let Harry go back to the Dursleys, did you? Now that Voldemort has Harry's blood, Lily's protection seems to work only when Harry is inside the Dursley's house. And you let him come to Grimmauld Place last summer anyway. It's not worth even one month of safety for Harry to stay there any longer. Voldemort is out in the open and I have a fighting chance to get myself cleared. And the first thing I do when I'm free is to get Harry's guardianship cleared out of the way. He is never going back there! I have neglected my duty to Harry for too long, Dumbledore, and I do not intend to do so further!"
Sirius was glowering at Dumbledore who seemed really calm for someone who was being shouted at. Sirius felt his anger ebbing but he continued to stand his ground.
Dumbledore murmured quietly, "I must let you know that this course of action is not my first choice…"
Sirius cut-in sharply, "He's my godson, Dumbledore. You can give me your opinions but it is ultimately my decision."
"I know, Sirius. Which is why, I agree. As I said earlier, I will do everything in my power to get you a fair trial. I also have Harry's best interests at heart," said Dumbledore softly.
Sirius hardly thought Dumbledore had his priorities right in regards to Harry. Harry needed to be safe, yes, but Harry also needed to be happy. What was the point of life if you weren't living?
He wisely chose not to comment and nodded instead when there was a knock outside the office.
oOo
Harry entered the Hospital Wing and saw five beds occupied. Ron, Hermione, and Neville were fast asleep. Ginny and Luna were awake, propped up on their beds and chatting amongst themselves. They looked up at him as he entered and gave cries of greeting.
"Harry! Where have you been?" said Ginny, putting down the Daily Prophet that she had been reading.
"Hello, Harry," came the mild voice of Luna Lovegood. She was looking at him with those wide eyes that always managed to make him discomfited.
"Hi Luna," said Harry as he sat down on the edge of Luna's bed which was the nearest. "Listen, about last night, I'm sorry I took you to the Ministry and led you into a trap…"
"Don't be silly, Harry. You told us not to come, but we insisted. It's not your fault," said Ginny, waving away his apologies.
"I think it was good of us to go. Everyone knows about You-Know-Who now," said Luna, her eyes wide as she pointed at the Daily Prophet lying on Ginny's lap.
"Er… right," said Harry, unable to come up with a good response to that because in a way, he knew she was right. "How are you both doing by the way?"
"Oh, we're okay," Luna said distractedly.
"Madam Pomfrey put us back in a trice," said Ginny, nodding. "She is still a bit dazed," whispered Ginny, jerking her head towards Luna discreetly.
"And what about them?" said Harry, pointing at his other friends.
"Madam Pomfrey says they'll be fine," said Ginny. "She fixed up Neville as soon as we came. Ron needs to be applied frequently with Dr. Ubbly's Oblivious Unction. She said 'thoughts could leave deeper scarring', whatever that means. And Hermione, well, it could have been worse. But Dolohov's curse was non-verbal so the damage was lesser. I heard her say she'll need to drink ten different portions for a couple of days."
Harry felt guilt rise in him again when Ginny saw his face and quickly added, "Don't apologize! It's not your fault!"
Harry wondered why everyone seemed to be saying that to him for the past twelve hours. Clearly, it was Harry's fault, but he didn't think he had the strength to argue so he simply nodded.
"Well, when they wake up," he said pointing at Ron, Hermione, and Neville, "can you tell them I'm leaving for my godfather's house?"
He was very aware of Luna sitting beside him and resolutely looked at Ginny, who was frowning. "Today? Why? Is this about the trial I just read in the Prophet?"
Grateful that Ginny was very perceptive, he nodded.
"Oh," said Ginny. "Well, okay, I'll tell them."
Luna was staring off into space and didn't seem to have listened to their interaction. Harry stood up. "Tell them I'm sorry and I'll write soon."
Ginny nodded and Luna smiled at him brightly. "See you later, Harry!"
"Well, see you soon," said Harry before leaving the Hospital Wing.
He reached Dumbledore's office in about ten minutes and was already very happy about his decision to go to Sirius' house as soon as possible. He didn't think he could stand one more day of all the pointing and whispering and now, people were calling to him and waving too. No doubt they had all read the morning newspaper. Funny, Harry thought darkly, how one day could change people's opinions.
He knocked on Dumbledore's office and was not surprised to see Sirius waiting for him.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Sirius, frowning in concern.
Harry nodded. "Can we go?"
Sirius turned towards Dumbledore in answer, who was sitting at his desk. Dumbledore was surveying him through his glasses and Harry fidgeted nervously. If Dumbledore said no…
Dumbledore sighed. "I understand why you want to Harry and I will not begrudge you. You can take my Floo straight to Grimmauld Place."
Harry nodded his thanks before looking at Sirius again. "I forgot to get my things, I'll just go and…"
Dumbledore spoke to him benignly. "You'll find them all sent straight to Sirius' house. I took the liberty of asking your friend Dobby to do it for you."
"Thanks," said Harry, this time finding the courage to look at Dumbledore properly.
"We'll best be off then," said Sirius as he ushered Harry to the fireplace. Sirius went first, stepping into the emerald green flames. Harry took the pinch of Floo powder in his hands and then turned to look at Dumbledore. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate this."
Dumbledore smiled. "Sirius is very lucky to have you as his godson."
Harry nodded at him one last time and stepped into the fire.
oOo
A/N: I've seen some stories where Dumbledore fights to keep Harry with the Dursleys. I don't see Dumbledore like that at all. There was genuinely no safer place for Harry than the Dursleys at first. But, even he would have preferred Sirius keeping Harry. As JK said, Dumbledore genuinely cared for Harry, so I don't think he would begrudge Harry this happiness.
And seriously, what did staying with the Dursleys really achieve? Voldemort always had the opportunity to kill him, so I think even Dumbledore sees no loss in removing him from the Dursleys.
