CHAPTER 7

Harry couldn't believe it. Was he dreaming? He pinched himself in the arm just to make sure. He wasn't dreaming! Sirius was actually there! Harry ran as fast as he could. Sirius smiled and hugged Harry as he came to him.

"Sirius! How did you? When did you? What are you doing here? I thought you were dead!" Harry exclaimed.

"No, I'm here," Sirius replied.

"But how did you come back? Lupin and Dumbledore said you were dead," Harry said.

"I'll explain later. So where is Dumbledore?" Sirius asked happily. Harry frowned.

"Sirius, I hate to tell you this but Dumbledore's, well, dead," Harry answered quietly, "Snape killed him." Sirius looked over Harry and saw Lupin mouth the words, He doesn't know. Sirius frowned at him and pretended to be upset. He guessed they'd tell him later when it was safer. Sirius hugged him again and they walked up to greet everyone. There were cries of "Sirius! What are you doing here?" and "Oh my God! You're alive!" Everyone beamed and wanted to know what happened. Lupin and Mr. Weasley didn't seem to be surprised that Sirius was alive. This could've been the secret they were keeping. Harry couldn't wait to find out what Sirius knew. This was probably why Lupin was asking questions about Harry's dreams. Then something came to him.

"Sirius, where's Snape? I had a dream about you and he was there," Harry said. The smile faded from Sirius's face.

"I'm right here, Potter," came Snape's voice, "Tell me, have you learned to cast spells in your mind yet?"

"Snape," Harry hissed as he turned his way, "you killed Dumbledore! Why are you all just standing there? Get him! He's going to get away!" Everyone held their positions. Hermione and Ron moved to the front of the crowd behind Harry to back him up.

"Please Potter, do you really think I'd show my face here if they all wanted to kill me?" Snape asked as he gestured to the crowd. Harry turned around and to his disbelief no one seemed to care Snape was even there.

"You haven't been told the truth have you Potter?" asked Snape. The deep silence gave Snape the answer, "Well come on Lupin, tell him. Or would you rather do it Sirius? You'll have to so he'll trust me." Snape smirked, "Well Black, go ahead."

"Tell me what? He's a murderer! No matter what you say you can't deny it!" Harry shouted at Snape, "Hold on. Sirius, you weren't involved were you? I had a dream of you bowing down to Voldemort! You're not on his side are you? Exactly how long have you been alive? What's going on around here?" He continued to yell in frustration.

"Harry calm down-"

"No Sirius! I can't calm down! He killed Dumbledore and you're just going to stand there and let him live! He ratted out my parents! And you did the same thing didn't you? You just stood there and took it, didn't you?" Harry said. Sirius looked shocked and hurt.

"Harry, I-is this what all of this is about? Your parents? Harry trust me, I didn't just stand here. I went after Pettigrew didn't I?" Sirius explained.

"But you didn't go after him," Harry shouted as he pointed to an angry Snape.

"Harry, I did-"

"Then why isn't he dead? Or at least in St. Mungro's?" Harry asked angrily.

"Because Dumbledore stopped me!" Sirius yelled. Harry jumped, "Dumbledore stopped me. You don't think I would try to get justice for my best friends?"

"I..."Harry stuttered.

"Potter, you need to learn to keep your mouth shut," Snape hissed.

"NO! You need to shut up! You killed Dumbledore!" Harry roared. Snape was taken aback.

"Mr. Potter, I don't appreciate your attitude! We may not be in school but I can still find alternatives to detention," Snape smirked.

"Oh like what? Killing me?" Harry countered.

"Alright Harry! That's enough! Go over there and calm down!" Lupin ordered. Harry stomped to the other side of the cave. Ron and Hermione followed.

"Harry, you really need to cool off. You can't just go yelling like that to a teacher!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Hermione! He's not even a teacher any more!" Ron said.

"Who cares! He could've cast a spell on you or something Harry," Hermione argued.

"Oh well. It would've worked. Obviously everyone was going to take his side over mine. No one would've done anything about it," Harry said.

"Oh Harry. They all love you. You just can't go ranting and raving like that," Hermoine said.

"Hermione! He's a murderer! He killed Dumbledore! We might even lose the war because Dumbledore's gone! Do you not care anyomore or what! HE KILLED DUMBLEDORE! What are you not understanding?" Harry asked disbelievingly.

"Harry! Come here," Lupin shouted above the crowd.

"What?" Harry asked through gritted teeth as he approached them. Snape was still there.

"Alright, let's go," Lupin said. Everyone started to leave the cave. Snape was with them.

"Hold on, what are you doing?" he asked Snape, "He isn't coming with us is he?" Harry asked as he turned to Lupin.

"Harry-" Lupin started.

"No! He's a MURDERER! Am I not saying it clearly? If you aren't going to do anything I will," Harry yelled. He drew his wand.

"Please Potter, you don't have the guts!" Snape hissed.

"Oh yeah?" Harry said as he reached Snape. He raised his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" yelled Lupin. Harry's wand shot from his hand.

"What! Why did you do that? He's a murderer!" Harry shouted, "When are you going to get it! He killed-"

"Dumbledore's not dead," Lupin said.

"What?" Harry asked in amazement. The crowd started to whisper and get excited. Many people scooted up to try to hear details. Others tried to ask questions but were cut off.

"He's alive," Lupin said. Harry opened his mouth to say something but Lupin held up his hand and said, "I'll explain later Harry. Just not here." And with that, they left the cave.