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 to those who reviewed last chapter Itzkevin97, DJScales, Razmend, Forever Dreaming Grace and Ciroth.
The Shrieking Shack 'Monster'
So far third year at Hogwarts was going relatively normal, nothing major was happening and Charlie was rather relieved at that. School was about meeting new people, making friends and learning things that you would use later on in life outside of school, but then again Hogwarts wasnt exactly your everday regular school, it was a school of magic and its hundreds upon hundreds of students were young witches and wizards in the making, so a normal school year was entirely unheard of; well come on? Who ever heard of a normal school year when Magic is involved, right? Anyway, as the weeks passed the one lesson everyone seemed to enjoy the most was Defence Against the Dark Arts this one subject had been more or less the worst subject to ever be taught at Hogwarts school because of the past two professors had been boring and not very up to par in what they were teaching. It may have also had something to do with the fact that the first DADA Professor had a certain dark wizard growing out of the back of his head and the second one was more in love with himself than he was of teaching students how to protect themselves against dark magic.
But this year, was different. Professor Lupin was an amazing teacher; he actually knew what he was talking and he didnt bore his students with old stories, and he didnt love himself more than his job. He was perfect...at least in the students eyes, he was. Soon Halloween was upon them and the very first Hogsmeade weekend came along. All third years were excited to go, and so on the morning of Halloween, Charlie and her Slytherin friends woke early dressed in their warm winter clothes, grabbed their permission slips and hurried out of the Slytherin common rooms and up to Breakfast. Breakfast was always a lengthily affair, the older students told the third years all about Hogsmeade and how much fun it was to be able to leave the castle grounds and wander around the surroundings of the village and getting the whole experience of being out of the castle but still remaining in the Magical World.
After breakfast the third year's up congregated in the courtyard where they were too hand in their permission slips to Professor McGonagall before they were escorted to the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade. Once breakfast was over, Charlie excused herself from her friends and returned to the Slytherin common room to grab her jacket from her dorm room; she gave the password to Headmaster Slytherin and hurried inside only to crash into someone who was exiting the room "Oof!" she cried, as she hit the ground "Oh My God! I am so sorry!" she rushed, jumping back to her feet.
"Its okay," answered a gruff voice, as the person whom she had crashed into got to his feet "Shouldnt you be heading towards Hogsmeade?"
Charlie nodded "Forgot my jacket," she answered, grabbing the faded black jacket from the back of the couch "Um, im Charlie. Charlie Hunter" in the two years she had been at Hogwarts, she didnt recognize this Slytherin standing in front of her
"Nice to meet you, Charlie" the boy answered "Im Alex"
The Muggleborn smiled as she dropped her hand and slid on her jacket "Are you heading to Hogsmeade?" she asked
"Yes," he answered "Come on, trust me, you don't want to be late. Your friends are probably looking for you" and he pushed open the portrait hole and allowed her to scramble out ahead of her.
Together the two Slytherins headed back up from the Dungeons to the Entrance Hall where Riley, Hermione, Ron and Harry were indeed waiting for Charlie. Three of the four Gryffindors were clutching their permission slips. "Ready?" Riley asked. Charlie nodded and they headed out into the courtyard where the other third year students were waiting, and McGonagall was speaking.
"Now remember, these visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege" the Transfiguration professor was explaining, as Charlie and Riley were the last of their friends to hand in their forms to Filch "Should your behaviour reflect poorly on the school that privilege shall not be extended again"
Harry hurried towards her, clutching his form
McGonagall shook her head "No permission form signed, no visiting the village" she told him "That's the rule Potter"
"Those with permission, follow me" Filch spoke, gruffly as he walked away "Those without, stay put!"
He directed the last of his statement in Harry's direction. As the caretaker lead the way towards a row of carriages that had appeared outside the gates, the friends remained behind as Harry tried again with Professor McGonagall.
"But Professor, I thought if you signed it, then I could go" Harry sighed
"I can't," McGonagall explained "Only a parent of a guardian can sign. Since I am neither, it would be inappropriate" she noticed his crestfallen expression "Im sorry Potter, that's my final word" she patted his shoulder and turned to his friends "Hurry now," she urged them "You're going to miss the carriages"
Charlie nodded "We're coming Professor," she told her, as the Transfiguration walked away from them. She then turned back to Harry. "We dont have to to Hogsmeade" she told him "It will still be there next trip,"
Harry shook his head "Forget about it, guys. See you later" and he turned and returned to the castle
His friends exchanged looks and headed towards the gates, turning only briefly to wave before they disappeared.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Hogsmeade Villiage was a small, yet beautiful town located to the northwest of Hogwarts. It was the only settlement in Great Britain which was inhabited solely by magical beings. It was very well known in the magical community for its medieval houses, the most famous of which was the Three Broomsticks, an ancient inn. Hogsmeade also consisted of a single thoroughfare, called the High Street, on which most of the village shops and other magical venues were located, although many unnamed alleyways branched off from the High Street leading to other historical places like a run-down pub called the Hogs Head and a tea shop were couples usually attended, especially on Valentines Day.
"I for one, am not going down there!" Charlie stated, shuddering at the thought of being surrounded by all lovey-dovey couples. Even the thought of it made her feel sick.
Riley nodded "Agreed"
"So where too first?" Hermione asked, she turned to Charlie "are you meeting the Slytherins today?"
The Muggleborn Slytherin nodded "Yeah, we're meeting about 12:30 in the Three Broomsticks. Marcus is gonna show me around"
"Alone?" Riley asked "as in just you and Marcus? Or as in you, Marcus, Nikki and myself?"
"The second one" Charlie stated, quickly
The Gryffindor nodded "Uh-huh..." she smirked and leaned into Hermione "I wonder how long it will be until she and Marcus are walking around here, alone - OW!" she cried, as Charlie hit her across the back of the head "Bully!"
"Meanie!" the Slytherin retorted
Ron frowned "You hit her, and she's the meanie?" he questioned
"Yes!" Charlie nodded
"Don't ask Ron," Riley shook her head "Understanding Charlie, takes years of practice"
The red head nodded and the four friends continued onwards, peering into shop windows and ooohing and ahhhing at various items on display. Around 12:00pm, the four friends walked side-by-side up the High Streets and coming to a halt in front of the very ancient inn that was called the Three Broomsticks. Leading the way inside, Charlie and Riley went off to get Butterbeers as Hermione and Ron quickly located an empty table near the window of the inn. When Charlie and Rley returned they set four Butterbeer bottles down and the conversations began.
"Harry would have loved it here," Ron brought up "Its such a shame he couldnt cme"
Riley nodded "Maybe next time he could," she thought "I mean, Sirius Black isnt gonna be at large forever. They'll catch him"
"Hopefully sooner, rather than later" Hermione pointed out
"And if he cant," Charlie inputted "I'll remain behind with him next time. Its not fair that he has to be the only third year in the school to stay behind, all because his aunt and uncle are pathetic excuses for Muggle's and don't like anything that they dont understand" she downed the rest of her Butterbeer and looked around for any signs of her Slytherin friends "Oh! Nikki!" she shouted, over the crowd waving her hand frantically in the air to draw the attention of the 7th year Slytherins to her.
Nikki pushed her way through the crowd "There you are," she smiled "We've been looking everywhere for you! You ready?"
Charlie nodded and turned to Hermione and Ron "You guys gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, you guys go" the Gryffindors smiled "We're gonna check out Zonko's, then get Harry's sweets from Honeydukes...then head back up to the castle." Hermione explained "We'll see you later. Have fun"
"Bye guys," Riley waved, as she, Charlie and Nikki made their way back to Marcus and the other older Slytherins
Adrian looked up at their approach and handed the three of the Butterbeer bottles "Drink up," he encouraged "Its cold outside"
"Unless you want to see me bouncing off the walls," Charlie told him "I'd take this back" she held out the bottle "I've already had one, and it doesnt take much to get me hyper"
Riley nodded "She's telling the truth. She's already jittery, I hate to imagine what she's gonna be like by tonight" she sipped her butterbeer "Thanks, by the way" she added
Adrian nodded at the Gryffindor "I think we can handle you, Charlie"
The Muggleborn Slytherin drew in her breath "Oh, I highly doubt that" she responded, before shrugging "Okay, well, it's your problem. I did warn you" and she downed her drink in two. Within seconds, and right before the groups eyes she started to bounce on her feet.
"Uh-oh," Riley groaned "The torment begins!"
The older Slytherins exchanged looks - What had they done?
xXxHarryPotterxXx
After they had finished their drinks, the 7th years led the two 3rd years out of the Three Broomsticks and headed away from the High Street and onwards towards the Shrieking Shack. Riley, walked behind with Nikki discussing a majority of things, mainly the classes she had taken this year and how she was enjoying them. Charlie, meanwhile, had broke away from the two girls and was walking ahead with Marcus and Adrian -the rest of the group had broken away to do their own things- the Muggleborn Slytherin had grabbed Marcus's arm and was hanging onto his every word as he told her about Hogsmeade and everything that could be found in it, he told her about Honeydukes, the Hogs Head, the Three Broomsticks and was just in the middle of telling her about the Shrieking Shack, when they turned onto the road leading up into the woods. They were so far ahead of Riley and Nikki, that they reached the old rickety fence first and stared across the frozen land and up at the run down two story building.
Charlie frowned "Why is it believed to be haunted?" she asked
"Because people have claimed to hear strange noises coming from it," Adrian replied "howls and cries"
"But there's no proof?" Charlie asked
Marcus nodded
"So these noises could just be that?" the Muggleborn asked "Noises of an old house?"
Adrian nodded "Yes, but -"
"But nothing," Charlie cut across him "You just said that people have claimed to have heard noises coming from inside the Shack, but no one actually knows if they were made by an animal, ghost or man or if they are actually just due to the structure of the building" she explained
By now Nikki and Riley had caught up "You're not already arguing over the Shack are you?" the older of the two girls asked "Everyone argues over it at some point, but the point is everyone has different opinions on what happens inside the shack" she looked between the two Slytheins "None of us may ever find out the truth, so just drop it, before anything gets too far out of hand"
Charlie looked towards Riley who sighed "There is one way we can sort out the truth from the accusations," she piped up "and I would just like to clarify that this is not my idea!"
"What is it?" Marcus asked
"We could go inside," Charlie grinned
The older Slytherins stared at her as if he had just landed, or grown an extra head "What?" they all demanded, but Charlie was had already vaulted over the rickety fence and was heading up the pathway towards the shack.
"Charlie!" Nikki called after her
Riley shook her head "She's not gonna stop," she told them, before hurrying after her best friend
"Their mental!" Adrian shook his head
Nikki growled "No, she's dead!" she retorted, hurrying to catch up with the two 3rd years.
Marcus and Adrian followed.
"Oh come on!" Charlie cried, turning on the balls of her feet so that she was walking backwards "where's your sense of adventure?" and she turned back to face the shack, as it loomed into view.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Running the rest of the way towards the front of the house, Charlie slid to a halt and waited for her friends to catch up; as the Gryffindor and three older Slytherins trudged across the pathway the 3rd year Slytherin gazed up at he dilapidated house. Charlie felt herself shiver, as though the frozen air replaced her spine and a frown replaced her excited smile as the cold air enveloped her entire body, it seemed that the multiple layers of clothing she was wearing could not
protect her against the cold wind. The front porch leading up to the door was cracked, the walls showed black decay by neglect and splotches of yellow original paint hinted that the house had been empty for many years. Cobwebs covered the corners of the doors, and tiny black spiders threaded towards their prey.
"Good thing Ron isnt here," Riley commented, her voice quivered in the cold air as she and the three older Slytherins finally reached Charlie; her gaze landed on the spiders
Charlie nodded "Shall we go in?" she asked, and without waiting for an answer, she stepped up to the door and pushed it open. The door creaked as it swung open, a musty odor slinked out into the atmosphere. The five friends, covered their nose and mouths with their hands letting off small coughs at the disgusting smell and thick dust. The Shack was dead silent except for the intermittent creaks and moans, mould dotted the ceiling in clusters, water seeping in through the cracks in the roof; the five friends stood huddled together in the middle of the hallway, the door wide open behind them.
Riley broke away from her friends and peeked through a door on the left "Its the living room," she stated, pushing open the door and stepping inside slightly. The living room was dark and empty, the windows were covered in dirt and grime, and streaks of white light entered through the window. Shadows slinked away from the light as it illuminated the sofa and chairs, which were overturned, or torn to pieces and strewn across the room "What happened in here?" she asked herself
"What do you mean?" Nikki asked, popping up behind her friend and causing Riley to jump in fright
She glared at the older girl "Don't sneak up on people!" she snapped
"Sorry," Nikki responded, before setting her sights on the destroyed furniture. Her stomach turned over as she found scratch marks on the walls "Uh...Charlie? I think its time to leave"
But the 3rd year didnt answer
"Charlie?" Riley asked, turning around to find her friend missing from the hallway, along with Marcu and Adrian "Now where did they go?"
Suddenly Adrian spoke from upstairs "We're up here!" he called, over the banister
"I really think we should leave," Nikki called up "Its getting late. We should head back to the castle"
Riley nodded in agreement
"Oh, come on you guys!" Charlie whined "Don't be such babies!I wanna find evidence that this place isnt Haunted"
Adrian glared at her
She grinned at him "I will prove you wrong," she told him
"Good luck," he muttered
Charlie smirked and pushed away from the banister, Nikki and Riley exchanged looks but made no movement to follow their friends up the stairs. Instead, creaking could be heard as Adrian hurried back down the stairs to wait with them. Marcus, meanwhile, stood on the second floor, in clear view of his friends beneath him and keeping an eye on Charlie who had gone off on her own. He looked down at the three at the bottom of the stairs, before creaking noises from down the hall reached his senses. He looked up, Charlie had gone. "Charlie?" he called out "Where are you?"
"Down here" came her voice
However, Marcus felt his heart stop beating momentarily as a shadow fell across the wall opposite the room, in which Charlie was supposed to be. "Charlie?" he called out again, his voice nervous
Nikki looked up "Marcus?
"Stay there," he told her, reaching for his wand
Nikki and Adrian were instantly on alert as their friend produced his wand, grabbing Riley by the shoulders they too removed their wands; and began to back up out of the house. Marcus, meanwhile had summouned his courage and taken the first step forward to search for the 3rd year Slytherin. There was something in the shack with them...he was sure of it. Heading down the hallway, the 17-year-old pushed open the door leading into a rundown bedroom and found Charlie on the otherside of the room staring out of the window and down onto the frozen garden of the Shack "Charlie?" he asked quietly, entering the room and approaching her "Look, Nikki's right we should get out of here! Come on, its getting late" he reached for her hand
Charlie jumped when he touched her "Marcus!" she squeaked, ripping her hand from his grip and placing it over her chest "It was you," she sighed
"What was me?" he asked
"Making that sound," she answered him "I heard creaking and was too scared to turn around" she admitted "It was you"
But before Marcus could respond there was a creaking noise from outside the room. Charlie shrieked, but Marcus pushed her against the wall and placed his hand over her mouth, indicating that she was to be quiet. She stared up at him nervously "What was that?" she asked once he had lowered his hand, her voice was quiet and timid.
"Its okay," he whispered "its probably just the wind"
"That's not the wind," she answered as another creak echoed, this time louder. The creaking soon stopped. "Whoever it is...their right outside the door" she clutched the front of his clothes, her fearful demeanour - gone. This was scary. She was scared.
Clutching his wand, Marcus grabbed her hand and turned to face the door "When I say," he told her "Okay?
Charlie nodded
The Slytherin Captain shouted a spell, and the door was blasted open. The shadow of whoever, was on the otherside of the door bloted back down the hallway. "Come on!" Marcus shouted, pulling her behind him and back down the hallway, but as Marcus rounded the top of the stairs a whimper caused Charlie to stop. "Charlie!" Marcus hissed
"Wait," she mumured, pulling him back up the stairs "Listen -"
There was another whimper. Turning to the half open door in front of her, Charlie pushed it open fully and stepped inside.
The small whimpering sound was coming from under the desk, where the 3rd Slytherin spotted two golden eyes staring back at her. She frowned "Marcus, its okay" she called to her friend "The intruder is just a dog..a familiar dog...but a dog none the less"
Marcus entered the room "Okay, can we get out of here now?"
"Hang on," Charlie answered, kneeling down and holding her hand out towards the dog "Its okay, we wont hurt you" she stated
The dog watched her intensively for a while, before crawling out towards her. The younger Slytherin smiled and stroked his ragged fur.
"Right, well you found the shack's problem" Marcus said, eyeing the room with distaste "Can we just get the hell out of here now?"
Charlie sighed "Fine" she tuned back to the dog and patted him once more "Bye Snuffles!"
And she allowed Marcus to drag her from Shack.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Charlie and Marcus finally made it back to the fence, where their friends were waiting for them. Nikki was pleased to see them both, but Charlie was surprised to find the whole Slytherin team waiting for them. Apparently Nikki had sent Adrian off to find them incase they had to go back in and get Marcus and Charlie from whatever or whoever was preventing them from leaving. Riley, upon seeing her best friend, threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly before spotting the dog "You've got a dog?"
"His name's Snuffles," Charlie answered "he's the reason the shack is haunted" she added to Adrian "there's your big monster!"
"Snuffles?" Riley asked
The Slytherin nodded "He needs a name, doesnt he?"
"I guess..." Riley sighed "But, you arent supposed to name stray animals. It forms a bond with them. You'll never get rid of him now!"
Charlie frowned "and thats a bad thing? Im sure Mum wont mind if I bring home a dog..." she grinned "I always wanted a puppy"
"Whatever!" Nikki shook her head "Lets just leave"
But the dog was determined to come with them
"No, stay!" Charlie told him, patting his head. But the dog continued to follow her. She sighed "Okay, but you can only come as far as the castle gates. No further. Okay? I could get in trouble if I brought you into castle. No dogs allowed."
The dog barked once to show he understood, and padded alongside the Slytherin as the group returned to Hogsmeade.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
The group friends headed back up the hill towards the castle, as the sky continued to darken overhead. They got some strange looks from people in the villiage, while children laughed and cooed at the dog which was following them. Other students of Hogwarts questioned the Charlie on where she had found him, and what his name was. Charlie gave them the answers, but stated that he didnt like strangers whenever someone went to touch him, and the dog growled at them in response.
"Charlie," Nikki spoke, stopping a few yards away from the carriages "I think its time to say bye to your little friend" she pointed at the dog, as a carriage appeared to take them back to the school.
The 3rd year nodded "Okay" she turned to the dog "Bye Snuffles -" and she knelt down to hug him.
However, the exchange was interrupted "Hello," said a tired voice from behind them, the group turned to find Lupin walking towards them clutching a paper bag in his arms "Shouldnt you be back at the castle? Its getting late"
Nikki nodded "We were just waiting, Professor" she smiled "Charlie's found this dog. We were just waiting for her to say goodbye"
The Muggleborn Slytherin smiled and pointed at Snuffles "I found him, in the Shrieking Shack. His name is Snuffles"
"Really?" Lupin asked, looking back at the dog. "Strange dog" he muttered, seeing as he dog was now brushing against his legs as if greeting him.
Riley nodded "That he is," she mumured, frowning at the dogs behaviour.
"Well, we best get going," Nikki spoke "Dont want to be late for the feast"
Lupin nodded
"Come on," Marcus said, grabbing Charlie's shoulder and leading her towards the carriage.
Charlie twisted in his grasp and turned to wave at the dog "Bye Snuffles!" she called, laughing as he barked at her. Before he disappeared from view.
A/N: Nothing much to say, except what did you think? A little bit of Charlie/Marcus in this chapter, as most of you have guessed. Yes, I am aiming for that pairing. Anyway, im off to bed. Night.
What did you think? Good. Bad. Okay. Let me know in a review. (Thanks)
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belong to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 21/01/2011 at 02:55am