Harry Potter

Redemption of the Innocent

By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Rating: K

Pairing: N/A (as of now)

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.

Summary: Third year is approaching and Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. It is believed that he is heading towards Hogwarts. How far are the friends willing to go, to prove the innocence of a desperate man?

Author's Note: Big shout out to to everyone who has reviewed the first chapter. Some who have been with me since the beginning in 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' I love hearing from you. Here is the second chapter. Chapter dedicated too DJScales, Aileen Autarkeia,PlzTypeNameHere and Forever Dreaming Grace its people like you that keep me wanting to write and update. Enjoy.

Return to the Magical World

"I don't think he has ever had a Birthday party before," Riley told her mother, it was Saturday 31st July and the Spirit household was awake at its usual time of 10:00am. Riley was up, showered, dressed and raring to go. Seeing as today was one of the most important days of the whole summer, it was Charlie's bithday and not only Charlie's but Harry's too. Harry Potter, the same Harry Potter that went to school with both Charlie and Riley was spending the remainder of his summer at Spinner's End with the two girls after fleeing his Aunt and Uncle's house a few days previously. Riley, who had been visiting her father at the time had gotten a phone call from Charlie explaining that Harry sounded nervous on the phone and if it was possible for Riley's mother Carol to bring him back to Spinner's End. Obviously Carol had no problem with the request and Harry was ship off immediately (it seemed the Dursleys, were happy to be rid of him, contary to disbelief)

Carol looked up from her breakfast and glanced across at her daughter "Im sure that's not true," she answered "Im sure his Aunt and Uncle celebrate his birthday every year"

"I don't think they do, Mum" Riley shook her head, and spooned her cereal into her mouth "The way Harry talks about his family its like they cant wait to be rid of him. At the end of last year, Hermione asked if they would be proud that he fought a Basilisk and he responded by saying, no and that all the times he could have died but did, that they were going to be furious"

Carol looked surprised "Maybe your right," she nodded "That doesnt sound like a loving family at all" she pondered the thought for a moment "I'll tell you what, I know someone who works in the Social Services near Surrey; I'll give them a call and ask if they can check out Harry's living conditions next time he is there. Okay?"

"Thanks Mum," Riley smiled "I'd appreciate that"

Her mother nodded and went back to her breakfast; she had met Harry once when she picked him up from his Aunt and Uncles and twice more in the past couple of days of him living with Charlie, he was a real happy teenage boy and got on well with both Riley and Charlie; he seemed to fit in with them despite how both girls were closer than friends and usually it was difficult for a third party to fit into their friendship, but the three of them acted as if they had been best friends since day one. It was like Harry had always been around Charlie and Riley from the moment they had met back in Creche in 1984, it was a pleasurable sight to see and Carol hoped that the friendship would carry on past school it would have been dismal if these three werent friends after Hogwarts.

"Its nearing 10:30," Carol spoke once more, after breakfast had finished and the dishes had been cleaned and put away "Have you got Charlie's present?"

Riley nodded and pulled out a small brown paper bag from behind the sofa "Yeah, its here" she smiled, holding it up to show her mother. She hadnt gotten her friend anything fancy, because mostly she couldnt afford it, but Charlie had a fond liking to plush stuffed animals and the past summer on her trips into London with her father she had spotted a plush Snake on display in one of the second had store windows and immediately the Gryffindor knew that Charlie would love it, not only was it one of the animals she didnt have, but it also represented the symbol of Salazar Slytherin at Hogwarts. "Are you ready?" she asked her mother

"Yes," Carol nodded, grabbing her house keys from the bowl near the door in the hallway; she then ushered her daughter outside and closed the door behind her, locked it and the two set off together down the street and around the corner onto Spinner's End. "Who's coming to this party?" she asked her daughter as they walked.

Riley shrugged "Not alot of people," she answered "I dont think Charlie's friends from school are coming because its a Slytherin/Gryffindor day, it wouldnt be fair on Harry if the house was filled with all Slytherins. Ron is in Egypt, Hermione is in France and I would be the only Gryffindor. Oh, Jenn is dropping William off for the afternoon Charlie has agreed to babysit him while Jenn returns to Hogwarts for her pre-term lesson plans, I think Professor Snape is accompanying her"

Carol nodded in understanding, one would have thought that Hogwarts was complicated for a muggle to understand but the School system sounded exactly like that of the Muggle world. So it didnt seem that confusing after all. After the short walk, the two Spirits reached Charlie's home and entered through the gate. Riley reached up a hand and pressed the doorbell, as seconds later a disorted figure appeared on the otherside of the glass and the door was pulled open to reveal Harry.

"Happy Birthday!" Riley grinned, throwing her arms around her friend who had grown at least 3 feet taller "I hope your gonna stop growing!" she pouted "I feel like a midget standing next to you"

Charlie appeared behind Harry "You look like one too," she teased

"Hey!" the Muggleborn Gryffindor huffed "Mum!"

Carol, meanwhile shook her head and entered the kitchen where Charlie's mum, Serena was situated baking two birthday cakes for her daughter and Harry. Since this was Harry's first birthday part in 13-year's it was only fair that he got a cake for himself. "Good morning," Carol greeted

Serena turned away from the oven "Morning," she smiled "How's it looking in there?" she jerked her head towards the living room "Charlie, wont let me go in there, she wants to decorate it herself. I can hear her and Harry arguing at random intervals about what goes where; their very joyful to listen too"

"I bet," Carol nodded "The playful banter the three of them have between them, its like Harry's been here since day one"

"You've noticed too?" Serena asked, having noticed the closeness between her daughter, Riley and Harry from the moment she returned home to find Harry in her house.

Carol nodded and took a seat at the table as Serena made her a cup of tea, while they waited for the cakes to bake.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Meanwhile in the living room Charlie was glaring at the offending gold and scarlet streamers that refused to remain stuck to the ceiling and kept falling back to the ground every few minutes "I really hate Gryffindor," the Slytherin growled as she stuck the streamers up once more.

"Why do you hate Gryffindor?" Riley asked "He's got nothing to do with this party"

"Tell that to your stupid coloured streamers!" Charlie responded, throwing the gold and scarlet streamers over her best friend and Harry "The Silver and Green one's stay up fine! So therefore, I hate Gryffindor!"

Harry and Riley exchanged looks at her reasonings and frowned "That makes no sense," Harry stated, shaking his head

"Then you stick them up!" Charlie pointed to the far corner "If they stay for you then its a Gryffindor thing!"

And so with a roll of her eyes, Riley climbed onto the step ladder and pinned the Gryffindor coloured streamers into the far corner of the living room and smiled in satisfaction as they remained there even after she had climbed down and walked away.

"See," Charlie cried "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Over-reacting!" Riley chuckled, picking up another gold and scarlet streamer and sticking it to the ceiling. Harry, meanwhile sat on the sofa and watched, he had been told by Charlie that he was forbidden from helping out since most of this party was for him. Finally the living room was decorated and the three friends turned to one another.

Charlie grinned "Mum! Auntie Carol!" she yelled out loudly "We're ready!"

The two older women entered the living room and nodded at the decorations "Very nice," Carol approved "Very colour co-ordinated. Any particular reason its all Gold, Scarlet, Silver and Green?"

"House colours," Riley told her mum "Silver and Green, represent Slytherin" she pointed at Charlie "and Gold and Scarlet, represent Gryffindor" she pointed at herself and Harry "Its all very simple" she grinned

Charlie butted in "Are we ready?"

"For what?" Serena asked

"The invasion of children," Charlie grinned "William is coming over, not to mention a few members of the SESG"

Harry frowned "The what?" he asked

"Its an abbreviation," Riley told him "S-E-S-G stands for Spinner's End Street Gang. Their a small group of kids who come together whenever Spinner's End and River Terrace are invaded by the kids from Clinton." she pointed at Charlie "she just happens to be a member. And a few of the other members are coming over to celebrate her 13th birthday and they want to meet you, don't worry, they'll like you, you're not snobby and rich"

Harry's eyes widened at the explanation and was even more nervous than he was when he woke up.

There was a knock at the door and Charlie rushed to answer it, her voice carrying into the living room throught the open door "Hey guys, come on in!" and she returned seconds later with the same people that Riley had been telling Harry about two seconds ago "Guys, this is Harry" the Slytherin stated, getting straight into introductions "He's my friend from school. Harry," she turned to the Gryffindor "These are a few of the guys from S-E-S-G; this is Jake Ryans -" she pointed at an older boy, with shaggy brown hair that stood behind her, he looked to be about 14 years old "Greg Forts," she pointed at a blonde that stood to her left, he looked around the same age as Charlie "Nick and Josh York," two identical looking boys on Charlie's right nodded, they too looked to be about 13 "and this is Jack Baker, he's our leader" Jack was a tall, well built boy, who looked to be around the age of 17.

Jake extended an hand to Harry "Nice to meet you, mate" he smiled "Charlie's told us alot about you. Feel like i've known you for years. How you feeling, you alright?"

Harry was slightly taken back by Jack's friendly attitude, but shook his hand nonetheless "Yeah, feeling fine. Thanks" he nodded

"Cool," Jack nodded, retracting his arm "Well, Happy Birthday" he grinned, giving Charlie a one-armed hug "Cool decorations" he motioned to the streamers

"Its Harry's birthday too," Riley pointed out

Jack turned in her direaction "Riley Spirit," he grinned "What you doing hiding over there? Get over here and give me a hug, havent seen you since Summer started" he chuckled, giving her a strong hug. Even though Riley wasnt exactly apart of the S-E-S-G's, she was made an honoury member by Jack because of Charlie's lethal action to anyone who lay a hand on her best friend.

"So lets get this party started," Jake smirked, reaching for a drink.

Charlie slapped his hand away "Not everyone is here yet!" she scolded "I've gotta run round to Jenn's and grab William. I won't be long"

"Hurry back!" Jake yelled after her, as she disappeared out the door

Jack shook his head as he turned back to his conversation with Harry; it seemed he had taken an instant liking to the boy. When Charlie returned with William Carmichael, the small birthday party began. At around 12:00 they had cake and then the remainder of the afternoon was spent opening presents. There was one from Hermione that Harry and Charlie decided to open later incase she had sent them something from the Wizarding world. Charlie recieved her plush Snake from Riley and practically tackled her best friend in a hug for it, Harry promised to get her something next time they were in London; although Charlie and Riley knew that he was hinting at Diagon Alley. From the other members of S-E-S-G Charlie recieved various cards but not gifts seeing as each of them didnt have the money to spend on gifts. But Charlie didnt complain. At the end of the party there were five presents left, three for Charlie and two for Harry. They were from Hagrid, William and his mother, Professor Snape and Hermione.

And so after Jack and the gang had left, leaving the Witches and Wizards alone Harry and Charlie opened what was left of their presents; from Hermione, Harry recieved a rather heavy black leather case with silver words stamped across it: 'Broomstick Servicing Kit'

"Sweet!" Charlie grinned, as Harry stared at his present slack jawed and in shock. The Slytherin then opened her present from Hermione, as expected it was a rather large book; but upon closer inspection she noticed that the book was actually labelled 'The Adventures of the Brother's Grimm' it was a book Charlie had been wanting to read for a while, but she had never been able to find the book in any second hand store. But she needn't look anymore "Thank you, Hermione" she grinned

Riley smiled "What did Professor Snape send you?" she asked

"Probably something to do with Potions," Charlie answered, and in fact the present from the Potions master included a whole new Potion's collection. Including vials, potion ingridients, several potion key cards and instructions. A book on different potions, their properties and what they were used for "Woah..." the friends as Charlie run her hands delicately over the collection, staring at it in awe. She made a mental note to thank her head of house when she saw him.

Next on the present list was Jenn and Williams to Charlie, and Hagrid's to Harry.

"You go first," Harry pointed at his friend

Charlie shrugged and read the card "Dear Charlie, I thought you would find this useful this year. Be careful, it bites. Stroke the spine to calm it"

"Stroke the spine?" Riley asked "What does that mean?" she looked at William who shrugged "Open it!" she urged her friend

"Im not sure I want too," Charlie gulped, but ripped off the paper of her present and carefully lifted the lid of the box, there was a low snarling sound and a large snap caused Charlie to drop the box as a leathery book landed on the floor. Harry, Charlie, Riley and William screamed and jumped up onto the sofa as the book moved to attack each of their feet. The book disappeared under the sofa and the three 13-year-olds exchanged looks. Now what? "Uh-oh," Charlie muttered

Jumping down off the sofa, Harry dropped to his hands and knees and stuffed his hand under the seat attempting to pull the book out "Ouch!" he cried, withdrawing his hand. The book had slammed shut on his hand and then flapped past him, scuttling around like some crab. Telling William to stay on the sofa Riley and Charlie dived off to help Harry try and corner the book so that they could stroke its spine and get it back into the box for safe keeping. They finally managed to flatten the book, calm it down and trap it back in its box.

"What the hell was that?" William whimpered

Charlie stared wide-eyed at him "Where'd you learn that language?" she asked

"You say it," he pointed out

"Im older than you!" she responded "Never say that again, at least not in that concept! Understand?"

William nodded

Harry stared at Hagrid's present as it gave a shuddering shake "Don't open it!" Riley told him "Wait till we go back to school!"

Harry nodded in agreement. After the last present had been opened the two birthday teens took their things upstairs to put away, before heading out into Spinner's End. With the promise to William that they would take him swimming that afternoon.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Soon it was time to go back to school, and as surprising as it was for Muggles to hear, Harry, Charlie and Riley couldnt wait to get back to Hogwarts. To be able to see their friends everyday and never be separated from one another except for at meal times, lesson times and evening times in the common room (but even then that didnt stop these five) Charlie, who had been on many adventures since her first year at school was looking forward to a simple year filled with lessons, tests, homework and failing grades she didnt want to think that this year was going to be like the others where she put her life on the line to save the school and its students from some crazy man who was a loyal Voldemort supporter or a giant snake that was Pterifying students around every corner. But before they could return to the castle they had to get the rest of their school things from Diagon Alley.

So the evening before they were designated to return to Diagon Alley; Harry, Charlie, Riley and William were creeping through the quiet streets of Spinners End with Jack, Jake and Greg the three boys from the Spinner's End Street Gang. They had taken a real liking to Harry and were spending more and more time with the group of three 13-year-olds and William (who was glued to Charlie and Riley) and enjoyed their evening escapades into Clinton to mess around with the rich kids; there had been several raids issued on the kids from Clinton and several fights had already broken out, William and Harry had been taken out of the equation along with Riley as Charlie and the boys prevented any further harm to come to the kids of Spinner's End and River Terrace by the big shots who deemed themselves better off, because they were richer.

"That was class," Jack laughed, patting Charlie on the back "We're really gonna miss you when you go back to school"

Charlie smiled "I'll miss you too," she told him "But I'll write when I get the chance. Just keep messing with those kids for me, don't let any harm come to my Spinner's Enders"

"Or my River Terracers," Riley interjected

Jack held one hand over his heart and the other in the air "I swear, right here and right now" he vowed "that no harm will come to the kids on our streets, while S-E-S-G are parolling this turf"

Charlie and Riley grinned and nodded "Well, we best get home" Riley said, looking at Charlie "We're going school shopping in the morning"

"Night guys" Charlie said, as Greg, Jack and Josh headed off home

"Bye!" Harry caled

William waved, before catching Charlie's hand and the four of them began the walk home. They hadnt even made it to the end of Spinner's End when William stopped in his tracks and turned towards the bushes beside him "Do you hear that?" he asked. The older kids turned to look at him, Riley opened her mouth to respond when a growling sound cut her off. Charlie, meanwhile, had pulled William away from the bush and the four of them started to back up as glowing yellow eyes appeared amongst the green and black darkness, and a dog emerged. "Oh," William smiled, reaching out a hand to touch the animal but Charlie pulled him back once more.

The dog surveyed them before growling and letting out a booming bark; the friends jumped and within seconds were running full out down the street of Spinner's End, up Charlie's garden path and into her home. They slammed the door behind them, leaning against it and breathing heavily.

"What's going on?" Serena demanded, coming out into the hallway from the living room "What has gotten into your four?"

"There was this dog," Charlie told her mother once she had gotten her breathing under control "We thought it would attack us, so we ran. Sorry for slamming the door"

The others nodded

"Okay," Serena sighed "Its nearly midnight. Go get ready for bed, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow"

Again the kids nodded and headed upstairs. Riley was spending the night tonight while her mother was in work.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

The next morning, at 10:00 each of the four kids were sitting around Charlie's kitchen table eating cereal and drinking orange juice as they waited for Carol Spirit to get home from work so that they could floo to the Leaky Cauldron and start their school shopping. Harry had written to Ron and Hermione the previous night to tell them that he and the girls would be in Diagon Alley the following morning and to see if they wanted to meet up for the first time in 6 weeks the reply had come in that morning during breakfast to say that they both would be waiting at the Leaky Cauldron by 11:00am. So after breakfast, and Carol had turned up slightly later than she had promised the two witches and two wizards stood in front of the Fireplace wearing their robes and looking at the two Muggle women.

"Okay, Riley, you and Harry take Auntie Carol" Charlie told her two friends

The Gryffindors nodded and stepped into the fireplace along with Carol who was looking confused, she stood between the two children and grasped her daughter's hand. Charlie offered the Floo powder to Riley and looked at Harry "We don't need a re-run of last year" she teased. The boy scowled.

"DIAGON ALLEY!" Riley shouted, dropped the Floo powder and the three disappeared in a flash of green

Serena stared wide-eyed at her fireplace "Dont they get burned?" she asked

"Nope," Charlie answered "Its like some magical protection from the flames or something" she answered "Come on, they would have been there by now. You'd be surprised how fast you move" and she stepped into the fireplace, her mother and William following. While Serena lifted William into her arms, she clutched Charlie's hand as the Sytherin took a deep breath and shouted "DIAGON ALLEY!" dropped the powder and in a flash they disappeared. When they finally stepped out of the moving fireplaces, Charlie was instantly attacked by a blur of bushy brown hair "Hermione!" she squeaked, as she hit the ground with a thud.

Hermione, the third Muggleborn of the group, grinned as she pulled away from Charlie and helped her back to her feet "Your here!" she gushed "When Harry's letter came through, I had to beg mum and dad to bring me here; we've only just got home from France their both still tired, but they could see how happy I was of being able to see you guys again that they agreed!" she said all in one breath

"Breathe!" Charlie told her "Im happy to see you too! Where are your parents?"

"Over there," she pointed to where her parents were talking with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley

Charlie nodded "This is my mum," she turned to Serena "Mum, this is Hermione. A friend from school. She's Muggleborn like me and Riley"

"Pleasure to meet you Hermione," Serena smiled

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Hunter," Hermione smiled

Serena waved her off "Call me Serena, sweetie" she told her "Mrs. Hunter makes me feel old"

Hermione nodded "Come meet my parents," and she pulled Charlie in the direction of her parents, where Riley and her mother was already standing with Harry and Ron "Mum! Dad! This is Charlie and her mother," she looked at William "Oh and this is William Carmichael, his mother works at Hogwarts"

As the adults introduced themselves and spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about the Muggle world and vice versa, the children snuck out the back and disappeared into Diagon Alley to start their school shopping. Hermione telling her friends all about her holiday in France, while Ron gushed about Egypt.

"Egypt," Harry breathed as the five of them headed down the cobbled stone path of Diagon Alley, and onwards towards Gringotts "What's it like?" he asked

"Brilliant" Ron beamed "Loads of old stuff like mummies, tombs, even Scabbers enjoyed himself" he stated, referring to the rat he usually carried around with him.

"Not gushing over Egypt again, are you Ron?" came a familiar voice, and seconds later Fred and George appeared behind the friends. George spotted Riley and moved to stand beside her, it had been him that had spoken "Hello, little Gem" he grinned

Riley smiled "Hey George," she greeted

"I havent told anyone!" Ron protested, at his brother's statements

"No, not a soul" Fred retorted "Not unless you count Tom -"

"- the day maid -"

"- night maid -"

"- the cook -"

"- The bloke who fixed the toilet -"

"- and that wizard from Belgium!" the twins finished, as Charlie her girl friends and Harry had looked between them as if watching a tennis match as they spoke.

Charlie rolled her eyes as Ron started to splutter "He was only telling us how much fun you guys had," she defended "It sounded amazing. I wish I could have gone"

"Me too," Riley nodded

"Maybe one day," George told Riley "I'll take you there myself, little Gem"

Charlie and Hermione exchanged looks as Riley blushed a deep red. Soon the twins bid goodbye to the friends and returned to the Leaky Cauldron and the five friends continued onwards. Riley being reduced to teasing by Charlie and Hermione about her and George.

"You and George," Hermione was saying as they entered Gringotts "are the Marcus Flint and Charlie of Gryffindor"

Charlie stopped dead "Hey!" she protested, she had to deal with Hermione's assumptions for two whole years about her and Marcus "We are just friends!"

"Uh-huh," Hermione nodded "Of course you are. Of course" and she patted her friends shoulder as she headed inside

Charlie glared after her but followed without protesting

Half an hour later, they were back on the streets and ready to start shopping. Harry needed new robes, and also wanted to replenish his Potion ingredients, Riley wanted to visit the pet store and get some more food for Iassac and Charlie also needed to replenish and cat nip for Scamp. Hermione wanted to buy herself and early Birthday present and had decided on getting a cat. Ron had to buy a new wand, because his had broken at the beginning of last year after a nasty collision with a tree on the Hogwarts grounds but the group also had to finish buying their books for school.

"Shall we split up then?" Riley suggested "We'll cover more ground"

Her friends nodded in agreement

"Harry, you and Ron go to Madam Malkins and Ollivanders," Riley suggested "Charlie, Hermione and I will go to the Pet Store. Meet back up at Flourish and Blotts in half an hour. Okay?"

The boys nodded and headed off

"Can I go with Harry?" William asked, he had been quiet up until now, that Charlie had forgotten he was there

The Slytherin looked down at him "Okay," she looked up and called after her Gryffindor friends "Look after him, Harry!" she warned

The emerald green-eyed boy nodded and the three disappeared as the girls headed towards the pet store to finish their shopping. After the pet store, the girls headed towards Flourish and Blotts to wait for the guys, they could buy their books and then browse while they waited.

The three girls had the surprise of their life when they looked inside the window of Flourish and Blotts, instead of the usual golden spell books they found a giant cage which held over a hundred copies of The Monster Book of Monsters, which were fighting with one another and torn pages were flying everywhere. As they entered the manager came hurrying towards them.

"Hogwarts?" he asked abruptly "Come to get your new books?"

The girls nodded

"We need -" Hermione started, but was cut off a the man pushed past her, and headed towards the large cage

"How many?" he asked

Charlie stepped forward "Two," she answered. The manager looked ready to cry, as he pulled on thick black gloves.

"What about you?" Hermione asked

"I already have mine," the Slytherin answered "Jenn gave it to me for my birthday. Harry has his too," she answered "Hagrid" she added. Hermione nodded.

A loud ripping noise was heard as two Monster books grabbed onto a third and started tearing it apart. The Manager separated them and turned back to the girls "This is the last time we are selling them!" he told them "Their almost as bad as The Invisible Book of Invisibility, we ordered 200 of them, never found them! Well, is there anything else I can help you with?"

Charlie glanced down at her book list "Uh, we need two books of Unfogging the Future, by Cassandra Vablatsky"

"Ah, starting Divination, are you?" the Manager asked, stripping off his gloves and leading the three girls into the back of the shop, where there was a whole corner devoted to fortune-telling

The Slytherin shrugged "Im only taking it because she's doing Anicent Runes instead," she pointed at Riley "I like to stick with subjects I know I can do"

"Hence why you chose Diviniation," Riley retorted "Its an easy subject and you can sleep pretty much the whole hour! Jenn says the professor is a Quack!"

Charlie shrugged "I could get a O in sleeping" she grinned

The Manager smiled at them as he picked up two books of Unfogging the Future "Here we are," he said, handing them to Charlie, who passed one to Hermione. "Anything else?"

"Yes, Immediate Transfiguration and The Standard Book of Spells Grade 3" Charlie read from her list "3 times on both" she added

The Manager nodded, disappeared and returned with the books. While Charlie paid for her items Hermione and Riley requested the rest of their books and by the end of it all, Hermione's bags were alot bigger than her friends. "Do you plan on sleeping this year?" Riley asked "What are you taking anyway?"

"Pretty much the whole list," Hermione answered simply.

Charlie and Riley paused "Why?" they asked

"Because I cant resist a challenge," their friend responded

"Wait, a minute" Riley frowned "You're even taking Muggle Studies, although you are a muggleborn?"

Hermione nodded "I want to see what it is like from the Wizarding eye" she explained "Now shall we look around while we wait for the guys?"

Charlie and Riley nodded, and although they were still stunned by Hermione's answeres they disappeared to look around while they waited for Harry, Ron and William to turn up to by their books and then they could return to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner, and then possibly come back to Diagon Alley just to look around before they headed home for their final night with their families before they headed back to school tomorrow.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

When they entered the Leaky Cauldron for lunch, the group of six found Mr. Weasley sitting at the bar, reading The Daily Prophet. He looked up as they entered "Harry!" he beamed "How are you?"

"Fine, thanks" Harry said, as he and the others joined Mr. Weasley with all their shopping

"Your parents have gone into London with the Grangers, girls" he added to Charlie and Riley "They should be back soon"

The two friends nodded, as Charlie peered at the paper Mr. Weasley had put down "Have they caught him?" she asked

"Afraid not," the older man answered her "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him, but no luck so far!"

"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" asked Ron "I'd be good to get some more money -"

"Don't be ridiculous, Ron" said Mr. Weasley "Black isnt going to be caught by five 13-year-old Wizards and Witches. No, it will be the Azkaban guards that will get him back. You mark my words"

Charlie looked towards Harry "Stranger things have happened" she pointed out "Two of those five 13-year-olds saved Hogwarts two years in a row"

"Which is why I must speak with you both," Mr. Weasley said, "May I speak with you both, alone?"

Riley, Hermione and Ron exchanged looks and jumped up as they walked away. Taking William with them.

"Are you both looking forward to a new term?" Mr. Weasley asked, as the others moved away

"Yeah. It should be great" Harry answered

Mr. Weasley nodded, before sighing "Okay you two, some within the Ministry would strongly discourage me from divulging what i'm about to reveal to you." he glanced over his shoulder "But I think that you both need to know the facts." he looked pointedly at Harry "This concerns you mostly, Harry, but since you and Charlie both seem to be involved with whatever happens at Hogwarts at the end of the year, I think its best you both hear it"

"Hear what?" Charlie asked

"You are in Danger, Harry" Mr. Weasley sighed "Grave danger"

Charlie and Harry exchanged looks; when were either of them not in danger? "Does this have anything to do with Sirius Black?" Harry asked

"What do you know about Sirius Black?" Mr. Weasley asked

"Only that he's escaped from Azkaban,"

"And that he killed 12 people with a single curse," Charlie inputted. Shrugging when Harry gave her a strange look.

Mr. Weasley nodded "But 13 years ago, when you stopped..."

"Voldemort" Harry inputted

"Don't say his name!" Mr. Weasley snapped

The two friends stepped back

Mr. Weasley sighed "...when you stopped You-Know-Who, Black lost everything" he went on to explain "But to this day, he still remains a faithful servant. And in his mind you are the only thing that stands in the way of You-Know-Who returning to power" he dropped his voice to a whisper "and that is why he has escaped from Azkaban, to find you and -"

"Kill me" Harry finished

Charlie gripped her friends hand tightly.

"Harry, Charlie, I want you both to swear to me," Mr. Weasley started again, as Charlie wrapped her arm around Harry and buried her head in his shoulder "that whatever you might hear you wont go looking Black"

Charlie frowned "Mr. Weasley, why would we go looking for someone who wants to kill us?" she asked "Well, Harry more than me, but you get my point. We might be troublesome teenagers but we're not stupid"

But before Mr. Weasley could respond to her his wife entered the Leaky Cauldron behind him ladened with shopping bags and followed by Ginny, who smiled brightly when she saw Charlie and hurried towards her. Blushed and mumbled an 'hello' to Harry, before hurrying away towards Hermione and Riley on the otherside of the pub.

Percy, who entered behind his mother also smiled proudly when he spotted Charlie and Harry and held out his hand when he approached them "Harry! Charlie, pleasure to see you. I hope you had a splendid summer" he spoke in a snooty voice, that made Charlie bite her lip to keep from giggling.

"Hello Percy," Harry responded, shaking his hand, also trying hard not to laugh "Our summer was rather well, thank you"

Charlie nodded, before her hand was seized by Fred who had elbowed his older brother aside "Charlie, simply splendid to see you!" he said, mocking Percy and causing Charlie to laugh

George, meanwhile, seized Harry's hand "Marvellous," he grinned "Absolutely spiffing"

Percy scowled

"That's enough!" Mrs. Weasley spoke up, as she was relieved of her shopping bags by Hermione and Riley, who had appeared while the twins were poking fun at their older brother. "Hello dears," she added to Ron's friends "I suppose you have heard our exciting news" she pointed at the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest "Second Head-Boy in the family!" she said

"And last," Fred muttered

"I don't doubt that," said Mrs. Weasley "I noticed they havent made you two Prefects"

"What do we want to be Prefects for?" George asked "It'd take all the fun out of life"

Ginny giggled and Charlie wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Fred and George werent exactly Prefect material.

"You want to set a better example for your sister!" snapped Mrs. Weasley

"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother" said Percy "Im going up to change for dinner"

He disappeared upstairs, as the five friends, Ginny and the twins occupied an empty table a few feet away.

"We tried to shut him in a Pyramid," George told the 13-year-olds, with a heavy sigh "But Mum caught us"

Charlie, Riley and Harry chuckled at the image planted in their minds as Hermione scowled from across the table.

Soon the Grangers, Carol and Serena returned (with a little help) Lunch was served and the conversations changed so fast that the kids had a chance to keep up with them and therefore had started their own conversation about the new School year ahead and what they expected to happen.

Because as the Muggle saying went 'Bad Things always happened in Three's'

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Update should be faster now that we are returning to Hogwarts. That and Year 3 is my favourite. Will probably change after I see 'Deathly Hallows - Part 2' in July.

Review (please)

~*Kara*~

All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Chapter updated 16/01/2011 at 02:00am