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: Chapter dedicated too all those who have reviewed and put me on alert and everything. But special dedication to DJScales, Razmend, Forever Dreaming Grace, ItzKevin97 and Wild-in-Spirit for reviewing since the beginning, you guys are truly the best. I love logging into my emails in the mornings and finding that I have several reviews from you lovely people, you made my day.
Confusing Fears
"You dont think Mr. Malfoy will execute Buckbeak do you?" Riley asked nervously, as she and the Slytherin 3rd years finally reached the infirmary where Draco had been taken. The incident in Care of Magical Creatures was nothing more than an accident, Buckbeak had taken to everyone else in class, something must have spooked him and regrettably it had been Draco's turn at petting him. The Blonde had done everything right so Buckbeak couldnt have just felt like attacking him for being rude or something. "I mean, Buckbeak didnt do anything wrong!"
The Slytherins sighed, the ones who knew Draco the most shook their heads "We don't know Rils," Blaise answered "Mr. Malfoy isnt going to be happy that his only son has been attacked; you can guarantee that he will want something done about this. He might just execute Buckbeak to abolish the possiblity of Draco or someone else being attack"
"Like a scapegoat," Charlie mumured "Maybe we could explain to him that Buckbeak didnt intentionally attack Draco" she suggested
Nathan shook his head "You can try," he answered "But I know Uncle; once his mind is made up then that's it. There is no changing it"
"Draco must take after his father then," Riley commented
The pureblood Slytherins nodded.
Finally when they had made it to the door of the infirmary, they stood paitently as Charlie raised her hand and knocked on the door. They had been closed, so politely they knocked and waited, there had to be a reason they had been closed, right? Several moments after the Muggleborn Slytherin had knocked the great doors opened and Pomfrey loomed over them "Oh, hello" she smiled "I was wondering when you eight would show up. Mr. Malfoy is resting, but you can see him. Don't jostle him too much. Understand?"
"Yes, Ma'am" the students responded and she allowed them entry into the Hospital Wing. Quickly locating Draco's bed the seven Slytherins and one Gryffindor took up occuptional stances arond the bed. Charlie and Riley sitting either side of the platnium blonde. There was some colour returning to his face, he had been stripped of his school robes and replaced with Hospital pajama's; his injured arm was covered in white bandages that extended from Draco's wrist and ended at his elbow.
"How are you feeling?" Pansy asked, standing at the head of Draco's bed and started to play with his hair
The Blonde looked up "Better," he answered "Thanks to Madam Pomfrey, I just need to rest and try to move my arm as little as possible. When Hagrid brought me in she instantly started feeding me several Blood Replenishing Potions it stopped the bleeding and healed the skin, but they were disgusting"
Charlie smirked "You don't have to tell me how disgusting potions are," she responded "I've had enough in the past two years that will last me a lifetime"
"And their probably not the last," Riley pointed out
"Too true," the Muggleborn Slytherin agreed.
Her friends laughed as Draco sat back "Are you really gonna tell your father about Buckbeak?" Riley asked, hopefully "You know he didnt attack you on purpose"
Draco sighed and surveyed her sadly "Im sorry Rils," he mumured, using the Nickname he had grown accustom to using "but my father needs to know about this. He wouldnt be happy if I didnt tell him"
Riley nodded and looked down sadly.
Draco's heart twinged in agony at the look on her face naturally he would have been the first to admit if Charlie hadnt been sorted into Slytherin 2 years ago, and brought her friendship with Riley with her, he would have been one of the firsts picking on them because of their Blood Status; but his friendship with Charlie and her way of showing that even though your a Muggleborn witch you can still be magical and be good at magic has much as a pureblood. And through Charlie he had become friends with Riley, a Muggleborn Gryffindor, he hated Gryffindors and everything they stood for, they were the mortal enemies of Slytherin and therefore Gryffindors and Slytherins should not have been friends; but again Charlie and Riley had come to Hogwarts and since day one they had been shaking up the castle and proving that just because you were in different houses didnt mean that you had to be mean to one another,
But because of his friendship, he couldnt bring himself to even think about hurting a Muggleborn "But I'll talk to him," he added quickly "Maybe I can convince him that it was an accident, and hopefully Buckbeak will be spared"
"Promise?" she asked
"I promise," Draco nodded
A bright smile enlightened Riley's features and much to the Slytherins surprise Draco returned that smile.
"Well maybe, Mr. Malfoy would listen to us?" Charlie questioned "I mean there was enough of us around to know that Buckbeak didnt attack on will, and even if he did, he was spoilt for choice on who to attack. There was a class of both Gryffindors and Slytherins."
Her friends nodded "But you gotta realize that it happened to be Draco that was attacked," Nathan pointed out "Uncle Lucius will only see that, and then he'll say that Buckbeak is a dangerous creature and will kill you as soon as look at you." he explained.
Draco nodded in agreement "My father may be able to over look many things," he told his friends "but he wont over look this. Buckbeak's got his days number, sorry Rils" he added to the Gryffindor "But you'v gotta see it from my point of view. I know Hagrid is your friend and you don't want to see him upset about losing his creature, but you don't know my father. You're parents may be able to over look it, but father wont" he sighed "And it'll be sad to see that magnificent creature killed"
Millicent paused "Did I just hear that right?" she asked
"I was just about to ask the same question," Blaise nodded "I think he's lost too much blood"
Draco glared "Shut up," he growled "You can't disagee that Buckbeak was magnificent"
"True," his friends ageed.
Daphne patted Riley's shoulder "But don't worry to much," she reassured "Lucius Malfoy can't just demand an execution, there has to be an inquiry into why Buckbeak attacked. Statements will be taken, so you'll get your say. We all will. Then there will be a hearing at the Ministry of Magic, if it helps we'll research ways that Hagrid can prove that Buckbeak didnt do anything wrong. And hopefully this will all be put down to a mis-understanding of animal behaviour and the Ministry will let it slide"
Charlie glanced up at her friends "Im sure Hagrid wouldnt have to go to the Hearing alone, anyway" she pointed out "Jenn would probably go with him. She'll vouch for Buckbeak"
Her friends nodded
"So will we," Nathan agreed "Buckbeak didnt do anything, he was probably just spooked; we all do irrational things when we're scared. Attacking is just an animal instinct. There is alot of things about creatures that we don't understand and may never understand. We just gotta be careful around them, thats why we have lessons, like Care of Magical Creatures"
Charlie and Riley nodded, but neither could hide their smiles. It was nice knowing that despite what you hear about Slytherins and how they didnt care about anyone but themselves, it was nice knowing that they could see behind the hard masks of reality and know for a fact that Slytherins were just like everyone else.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Draco had to remain in the Hospital wing for the night, but the next morning just before Potions he returned to the hustle and bustle of the school. He entered the Great Hall for breakfast and quickly located his friends at their usual seats at the Slytherin table and hurried over to them, his arm still full of bandages but held up in a sling and Charlie knew it was to keep the blood running smoothly through his arm without causing numbness in his wrist and elbow. At the sight of his seeker, Marcus paled, causing his friends both older and younger to stare wide-eyed at him.
"Marcus?" Nikki questioned. He didnt answer.
Charlie, rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers in front of the Captain's face, snapping him back to reality "Next time you're gonna gawk at something, remember to breathe" she reminded him
"But he -" Marcus trailed off "What about the Match? Its in a two weeks and its against Gryffindor. We'll never find a seeker in time"
"Marcus, relax" Draco reassured "Madam Pomfrey already told me if I keep the my arm in a sling for the next two weeks, everything will be fine. I'll be ready to play"
Marcus sighed in relief
Nathan nodded "and if he's not, you can alway use this as an advantage to get out of playing"
"Cheater," Charlie accused "You just don't want to play against Gryffindor, 'cause your afraid Harry might actually catch the Snitch again"
Her friends paused in their eating "Your defending the Gryffindor seeker?" Marcus asked
"No," the Muggleborn shook her head "Im just stating a fact. Harry's caught the Snitch within seconds the past two years, you're just afriad to go up against Gryffindor because they've got a tight team. Besides, if I remember correctly, it was Nathan's fault that Harry even made the Gryffindor Quidditch team"
Nathan frowned "What did I do?" he asked
"You stole Brandon's remeberall back in first year, remember?" Charlie asked "You taunted Harry to follow you, he did, caught the sphere, got reprimanded by McGonagall and taken to see Oliver" she stated "His training started soon after"
Daphne nodded "Maybe you'll remember it better, Nathan" she spoke, swallowing her toast "Because that was actually the day she jumped you in the common room" she pointed at Charlie "Remember the first time we found out that she had a temper"
The Muggleborn grinned and she reached for the pitcher of Orange Juice and poured herself a goblet full.
"Don't remind me," Nathan grumbled "I still got the bruises"
Charlie smirked, before looking up to the sound of her voice being called "Hey Rils," she grinned at the Gryffindor, who was hurrying across the hall towards her clutching the Daily Prophet in her hands "What's wrong?" she added quickly, seeing the colour drain from her best friends face.
"He's been sighted!" Riley breathed sharply, tossing the Daily Prophet down onto the Slytherin table. The 3rd years and 7th years leaned in quickly to see a picture of Sirius Black leering up at them.
Charlie glanced across the Great Hall and her gaze connected with Harry immediately, he had been staring at her for little over two minutes, possibly waiting to see her reaction to the paper. Beside her Marcus seized the copy of the Daily Prophet and read the headline.
"Muggle contacts authorities after Mass Murderer found outside Home" he glanced up at his fellow Slytherins "He was spotted not that far from here, in Dufftown. A Muggle woman saw him, obviously didnt understand, called that helpline they got, but by the time Ministry of Magic officals got there he had goone"
Riley squeezed herself in between Daphne and Charlie "Brandon's afraid that he'll come to Hogwarts" she explained
"You don't think he will do you?" Charlie asked "I mean, they got Dementors at every gate"
Adrian scoffed "Dementors?" he asked "he's already slipped past them once," he shrugged "Who's to say he won't do it again?"
Bletchely nodded "That's right. Black could be anywhere" he told them "It's like trying to catch smoke"
Charlie paled as she took the paper from Marcus and stared at the murderer that was after one of her best friends.
"- like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands" Bletchely finished, but by now Charlie had already drowned him out, as Sirius Black's depicted black eyes bore into her own from the front page. The man did not look friendly...in fact, he looked exactly as everyone had explained him to be. Twisted. Insane and downright frightening.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
After breakfast the 3rd year Slytherins hurried back down the Slytherin common room, grabbed their things had headed off to Defence Against the Dark Arts, this would be their very first lesson with Professor Lupin and everyone was excited to experience DADA in its rightful form, the past two Professors of the job hadnt exactly pulled in anyone's interest because they had either been boring or full of themselves.
"What do you think we'll be doing, today?" Riley asked, as she followed Charlie to an empty desk at the back of the room
"Dunno," Charlie answered "But I hope its good. Im starting to lose paitence with Defence, the past two Professors havent exactly been the best"
The 3rd year Gryffindors and Slytherins started to empty their books onto their desks, when Lupin entered the room and stopped them "Today, will be a practical lesson" he instructed "all you will need is your wands. Put everything else away and stand back"
The two houses did as instructed and with a flick of his wand, Lupin stacked all the desks and chairs up against the outer exterior of the walls. With another flick of his wand a wooden cabinet appeared in the centre of the deserted room "Inside this cabinet is a creature that im not expecting many of you to know," Lupin spoke once more, moving to stand in front of his class. The cabinet quivered behind him "So would anyone like to venture a guess?"
"That's a Boggart," Connor Andrews, of Gryffindor answered
Lupin nodded in approval "Well done, Mr Andrews"
The cabinet shook violently and a few students backed away from it "Boggarts like dark and cool places, it appeared in the wardrobe in the Staff room a few days ago and I requested that Professor Dumbledore not get the teachers to remove it, I wanted to see if you were able to do so" he surveyed them "Now, can anybody tell me what a Boggart looks like?"
"No one knows," answered a familiar voice, causing Charlie, Harry, Ron and Riley to jump more than the wardrobe was doing.
Hermione had appeared beside them "When did she get here?" Ron asked. His friends shrugged.
"Boggart's are shape shifters," Hermione explained "They take the shape of whatever a person fears the most. That's what makes them so -"
Lupin cut her off "So terrifying, yes, yes, yes," he nodded "Luckily, a very simple charm exisits to repel a boggart" the cabinet shook "Let's practice it now. Without wands, please" he added hastily "After me. Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!" the class chanted
"Very good," Lupin approved "A little louder and very clear, listen: Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!" the class repeated
Lupin looked proud "Very good. So much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a boggart is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Let me explain, uh, Brandon, would you join me, please"
Brandon paled in comparison and shuffled forward
"Hello" Lupin smiled "Brandon, what frightens you most of all?" he asked
Brandon mumbled something
"Sorry?"
"Professor Snape," Brandon repeated, elicting laughter from his classmates
Even Lupin chuckled "Professor Snape, yes, he frightens all" he nodded "and I believe you live with your grandmother"
"Yes, but I don't want that boggart to turn into her, either!"
Lupin shook his head "It wont," he promised "I want you to picture her clothes. Only her clothes, very clearly, in your mind."
"She carries a red handbag..." Brandon started
"We don't need to hear," Lupin told him "as long as you see it, we'll see it. Now, when I open that wardrobe here's what I want you to do. Excuse me"
He moved forward and whispered something into Brandon's ear, the boy gave a start, but before he could object, Lupin had removed his wand. Brandon followed suit. The door to the cupboard clicked open and Professor Snape glided out.
"Think, Brandon, think" Lupin encouraged
Brandon pointed his wand at the Boggart "Riddikulus!" he shouted, there was a crack and Professor Snape appeared in green clothes, with a vulture ontop of the hat and a red handbag.
The class exploded into laughter.
"Wonderful, Brandon, wonderful!" Lupin chuckled "Incredible! Okay, to the back Brandon. Everyone form a line" he instructed
Nervously Brandon made his way to the back of the class, the majority of the Slytherins glared at him.
"I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the very most," Lupin told them "and turn it into something funny" he turned on some music "Ron!" he pointed at the red head
Ron stepped forward and instantly a giant spider replaced Professor Snape; Ron's biggest fear had always been spiders. Pointing his wand at the spider "Riddikulus!" he uttered the incatation and skates appeared on the spiders feet as it tried its best to stay upright as it rolled around the room.
The class laughed
"You see? Very good, very good" Lupin laughed "Marvelous! Absolutely, very, very enjoyable. Riley! Next!"
Riley stepped forward, removing her wand from her robes.
"Show us what you see," Lupin mumured
The spider disappeared and a giant black cobra replaced it, ever since she had be bitten by the snake last year during the duelling club; Riley had adopted a fear of them, it was annoying because she never used to be afraid of them, now she couldnt shake it.
Glancing at Lupin, Riley bit her lower lip as she felt her heart race as panic overwhelmed her "Keep your neve. Steady." Lupin encouraged from the sidelines.
Riley glanced over her shoulder; Charlie was standing behind her, and at the sight of her best friend some of the fear started to ebb away. Turning back to the snake, she pointed her wand and shouted "Riddikulus!" the snake disappeared, and a clown replaced it.
"And next!" Lupin shouted, Riley backed up and high-fived Charlie as she hurried to the back of the room beside the other Slytherins. "Step up, step up!"
Charlie hurried forward, ironically enough, the thing Riley found amusing was something that Charlie feared. She couldnt stand clowns, they scared the hell out of her and so standing in front of the jack-in-the-box was nerve-wracking, because she wasnt sure if it would change or stay the same. Unfortunately, the clown did change, but instead of taking the form of another clown the Slytherin felt the temperature drop as a long-black robed death-like creature swooped down on her.
She raised her wand as the spell to repell the boggart-dementor closed in on her; but Lupin slid into view blocking the dementor from her and it instantly changed.
Huh? Charlie thought, gazing at the new boggart form A full moon? she wondered, why was Professor Lupin afraid of a full moon?
"Riddikulus!"
There was a crack, and the full moon became a balloon that whizzed around the classroom before disappearing back into the wardrobe.
"Right, sorry about that" Lupin apologized "That's enough for today. If you would all like to collect your books from the back of the class, that's the end of the lesson" the rest of the class groaned in disappointment "Thank you! Sorry!" he apologized "Sorry, you can have too much of a good thing"
As the rest of the class headed to pick up their books; Riley and the Slytherins made their way towards Charlie who was standing in the exact same position in front of the cabinet where the Boggart was hidden. It had assumed the form of a Dementor! In all honesty, if anyone had asked her 'Charlie, what's your biggest fear?' she would have said clowns! So why did the Boggart take the form of a dementor? And why didnt Professor Lupin at least give her a chance to try and fight it off? Did he think she would pass out again?
"Charlie," Riley said, touching her friends shoulder "Class is over. Lets go to Lunch"
The Muggleborn Slytherin nodded numbly "Okay," she mumured, turning away from the cabinet and leaving the room along with her friends.
A/N: Mhmm...in the wise words of Ollivander...Curious, very curious.
I would just like to say that Harry Potter: POA is by far my favourite film of the Harry Potter series. Its not my favourite book, but its my favourite film, which is why most of the plot follows the film and not the book (although I do mix it up and use both. Makes it interesting) anyway, what did you make of that? Charlie fears the Dementors, or did she just remember the one from the train and freak out. To be honest I found it difficult to think of a fear for Charlie, because of everything she has done in the past two years, she seems fearless. I did decide to have her fear losing Riley or her mother but could depicte it into this scene, so I decided on a clown instead. Although her biggest fear is losing her mother, Riley or Auntie Carol (her family)
Right, well, I've talked your ear off. Im off to bed early start in the morning.
Review (please)
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belong to myself xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 19/01/2011 at 02:12am