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: Apologies for the chapter that was updated last night, I was so tired I guess I clicked the wrong link and uploaded chapter 9 again. Such a shame. Anyway, here is Chapter 11 and dedication goes out to all those who reviewed. You know who you are, but if you dont here they are :- DJScales, Itzkevin97, Alieen Autarkeia, Razmend and Sakura-H-U-S-5 who was actually one of the people too warn me that I had posted chapter 10 twice. So I thank her for noticing it and letting me know.
Black Pheonix
Charlie stared open mouthed at her male best friend as he sat opposite her at the Gryffindor table, the night before term was supposed to start back up. The rest of the students were returning tonight from their homes seeing as Christmas had come and gone once more. Harry had just spilled the news on the fact that he had recieved a brand new Firebolt for Christmas of an unknown person and Charlie looked like she had forgotten how to breathe for a moment, as the news sunk in "You had a Firebolt?" she asked "Who sent you a Firebolt?"
"Dunno," Harry shrugged "I mean, I don't know anyone that rich! At least no one would spend that incrediable amount of money on me"
The Slytherin looked thoughtful "How come you always get the best gifts?" she asked "First year you recieved an Invisibility Cloak and now this year you get a Firebolt? Oh, can I see it?"
Harry chuckled "I would but -"
"Oh come on, im not gonna try and sabatouge it!" she protested "I just wanna see it"
Harry shook his head "No, its not that, its just Hermione -"
"Hermione?" Charlie frowned "What? She's kidnapped it and locked it away in a place that I cant get into? Knowing her its in the Library"
"Try McGonagall's office," Harry said quickly
Charlie paused "Why is it in there?" she asked "Why would it be in there?"
"Hermione grassed me in," Harry sighed "Remember Christmas Day, when we had our annual snow fight?" Charlie nodded "Hermione was talking with McGonagall about the broom. She figured that Sirius Black had sent it to me and jinxed it, so that when I rode it, it would take me to him"
The Slytherin nodded "Uh right," she mumured "Just one problem, Black has been in prison for just over 12 years, where the hell is he gonna get the money to buy a Firebolt?"
"He could steal it," Harry suggested
Charlie glared.
However, the two were interrupted as Oliver Wood approached them "Hello you two? Have a good Christmas?"
"Splendid," Charlie answered, her eyes never leaving Harry "You?"
The Gryffindor captain nodded "Lovely. Now Harry," he started, and lowered his voice "I've been doing some thinking over Christmas, after the last match. If the Dementors come to the next one...I mean...we can't afford you to...well..."
Charlie quirked an eyebrow "Oh, how very compassionate" she mumured "Your seeker passes out and plummets at least 500 feet to his death, and all you care about is the stupid game!"
Oliver glared "Don't you have some innocent first year to torment?" he demanded
"Nope; Im happy sitting here tormenting you!" she grinned
Harry smirked, but turned to Oliver "Relax, I got it covered. Professor Lupin has agreed to teach both Charlie and I how to defend ourselves against Dementors. He said we'd start after Christmas, so im guessing its sometime this week"
Charlie nodded in agreement
"Ah," Oliver smiled "Well, in that case - I really didn't want to lose you as Seeker, Harry. And gave you ordered a new broom yet?"
"No," Harry answered
"What?" Oliver exclaimed "You'd better get a move on, you know - you can't ride that Shooting Star against Ravenclaw!"
Charlie jumped in "He recieved a Firebolt for Christmas,"
"A Firebolt?" Oliver stuttered "No! Seriousl? A - a real Firebolt?"
"Don't get excited, Oliver" Harry responded gloomily "I havent got it anymore, McGonagall confiscated it. She's checking it over for jinxes, thinks that someone sent it to me as a trick"
Oliver did not look pleased, in all fairness, Charlie honestly thought he was gonna have an Heart Attack. "Jinxed? How? What? Why?"
"Sirius Black," Charlie answered "Yeah, he's supposed to want Harry's head on a platter, and McGonagall fears that he sent the broom as a rouse. A trap to tray and bring Harry to him, rather than him come to Harry"
The two Gryffindors stared at her
Charlie rolled her eyes "and if push comes to shove you can borrow my Nimbus 2001"
Again they stared
"What?" she asked, in an aggravated tone
"You've got a broomstick?" Oliver asked "Do you even know how to fly?"
"Im learning," Charlie shrugged "Marcus and the Slytherin team are training me. Oh and Lucius Malfoy sent me a broomstick, last year, after he bought the Slytherin team new ones. If im gonna learn to fly, then im gonna learn from the best and learn on the best!" she nodded proudly
Oliver smirked "Then you're clearly learning from the wrong team" and he got to his feet, leaving the two third years behind
Harry laughed as Charlie sat mouth open wide after Oliver
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Classes started the following morning; and during breakfast Charlie recieved an owl from Jenn's family owl. She glanced at up at the staff table and frowned seeing as Jenn wasnt present for breakfast "Odd," she mumured, turning back to the letter and ripping it open. She read through the contents quickly :-
Dear Charlie,
Sending this too you, to inform you that Care of Magical Creatures has been cancelled this morning. I have already cleared it with the Headmaster, not sure if he has already announced it at breakfast but I wanted to be sure. Hagrid and I are working on our defence case for Buckbeak, thank you for the information you sent me, it was really helpful. When you set your mind to something you really pull through; I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas didnt get to chat much over the Holidays, but I know William had fun, he can't wait for the weekend so that he can come to the castle and see you. I was hoping that on the 20th, Buckbeaks appeal, you would be grateful enough to watch William while I go to London? If its during school hours, I can request for someone to pick him up and bring him to the castle, or maybe Professor Dumbledore would allow you to go and collect him. I'll let you know.
Anyway, enjoy your morning off. And I'll see you soon.
Faithfully
Jenn xx
"Who's it from?" Pansy asked
Charlie looked up "Jenn," she answered "There's no class this morning. She and Hagrid are working on Buckbeak's case, she's already cleared it with Dumbledore"
"Cool," Daphne grinned "Free morning"
The Muggleborn nodded "Im gonna let the Gryffindors know" and she jumped to her feet "See you later" and with a wave she scampered off to the Gryffindor table on the far side of the Hall.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Without Care of Magical Creatures to worry about the 3rd year Slytherins and Gryffindors enjoyed a very easy morning, before preparing themselves for their other lessons. Charlie quickly scribbled down something for her Divination homework which was due in the week after Christmas; and once she was done she hurried off to Defence with her friends. She was keen on this class, having every intention of reminding Professor Lupin about his promise made before Christmas break; and at the end of the lesson both she and Harry remaind behind to speak with their Professor. "Ah, yes," he nodded "Let me see...how about eight o'clock on Thursday evening? The History of Magic classroom should be large enough" he nodded, and rubbed his hands together "I will have to be careful, I can't bring a real Dementor in to do this -"
Charlie paled in comparison at the thought of a real Dementor, even the thought of it made her feel sick "Why can't we practice on a Boggart?" she asked
"Because what you fear," Lupin answered "Harry may not fear. Boggarts penetrate our fears."
The Slytherin nodded "Well, can't we just practice the spell first?" she suggested "and then attempt at the boggart or something? I mean, what is the point of putting us through endless torment of facing a Dementor if we can't produce the spell first?"
Harry stared at Charlie as if she had grown an extra head "When did you get so smart?" he asked
"Riley's rubbing off on me," Charlie answered "Besides, this is like street smarts" she added "not book smarts"
Lupin chuckled at her "That is a very good idea, Charlie" he nodded in approval "so this Thursday, we will start the incantation. Understand?"
The two 3rd years nodded and hurried off to Dinner.
"He still looks ill, doesnt he?" Harry asked, as he and Charlie walked side-by-side down the corridor
The Slytherin nodded "Wonder what's wrong with him?" she asked "Do you think he'd take offence if I asked?"
"He might," Harry answered "just don't do it okay?"
"Aye Captain," Charlie saluted, before breaking off and heading towards the Slytherin table once they had entered the Great Hall.
Harry watched her go, before shaking his head and moving off towards Riley, Hermione and Ron at the Gryffindor table.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
So at 8:00pm Thursday night, Charlie left the Slytherin dungeons for the History of Magic classroom. She met up with Harry on the way and the two quickly entered the classroom, as they awaited the arrival of Professor Lupin. They didnt have to wait long and soon the DADA professor entered the room, looking worse for wear "Are you alright, Professor?" Charlie asked nervously
"Im fine thank you, Charlie" Lupin nodded "Shall we get started?"
The friends nodded and jumped off the desks they had been sitting on.
"Now, are you both sure about this?" Lupin asked "This is very advanced magic, well beyond the Ordinary Wizarding Level"
The friends nodded "We're sure," they answered together
"Right. Well, the spell I'm going to teach you is called the Patronus Charm," Lupin went onto explain "You ever hear of it?"
The two 3rd years shook their heads "How does it work?" Harry asked nervously
"Well, a Patronus is a positive force" Lupin explained "For the witch or wizard who conjures one it works something like a shield, with the dementor feeding on it rather than them" he was now standing in front of them "but in order for it to work, you need to think of a memory"
Charlie frowned "A memory?" she asked
"Not just any memory," Lupin responded "a very happy memory. A very powerful memory. Can you do that?"
Charlie nodded and turned to Harry, he hesitated, before nodding as well.
"Very well," Lupin smiled "Close your eyes. Concentrate. Explore your past. Do each of you have a memory?"
"Yes," Charlie nodded, a smile on her face as her chosen memory surfaced. She was back in Spinners End with Riley and her parents. Both her parents. They were smiling and laughing, her mother and father looked happy just like they used to be before her father had died.
"Allow it to fill you up," Lupin instructed "Lose yourself within speak the incantation, Expecto Patronum"
"Expecto Patronum!" both Harry and Charlie's voiced echoed in the quiet room
Lupin nodded in approval "Very good"
Opening her eyes Charlie looked expectantly at her Professor
"Now, we're going to use Charlie's idea and just practice the charm today" he told them "Im not expecting either of you to create a corporeal patronus on the first go, so don't fret if you can't do it. Understand? Its just the first lesson"
Charlie nodded and Harry followed suit.
"Good," Lupin turned to Harry "Would you like to go first?" he asked
"Sure," Harry agreed
Charlie removed herself from the training area and re-took her seat on top of one of the benches "You can do it, Harry" she encouraged
"Wand at the ready," Lupin instructed
Harry removed his wand "Expecto Patronum!" he muttered. Nothing happened.
"Try again" Lupin told him
"Expecto Patronum!"
Again nothing happened.
Harry tried once more, and after recieving nothing Lupin called for him to stop "Out of curiosity, what are you thinking about?" he asked "Which memory have you chosen?"
"First time I rode a broom," Harry answered
"Thats not good enough," Lupin responded "that's why you can't produce the charm." he turned to Charlie "Do you want to give it a go, while Harry rests?"
The Slytherin nodded and swopped places with the Gryffindor; she removed her wand and held it out in front of her.
"Go on then," Lupin encouraged her
"Expecto Patronum!"
Nothing happened.
Charlie frowned, as she closed her eyes. Riley floated into her minds eye and she smiled "Expecto Patronum!" there was a wisp of white smoke from the tip of her wand.
"Again!" Lupin's voice cut through her thoughts
Her mum joined Riley's face "Expecto Patronum!" she mumured. A puff of cloud sprouted out of her wand like water, before starting to take a form. But there wasnt enough energy behind it and it disappeared instantly.
"One more try," Lupin's voice spoke, he sounded excited
Charlie smiled as her father's face appeared beside Riley's and her mum's "Dad," she mumured
Her father's lips moved "I love you, Charlie" he uttered
"I love you too, dad" she responded "Expecto Patronum!" she cried, seconds later and a white silvery substance shot out of her wand. It circled her for a moment, before landing on a table near by. Charlie opened her eyes and stared at the silvery smoke as it started to take form.
Harry hurried up to his friends side "What is it?" he asked
Charlie gasped as the Patronus finally stopped forming "Its a Phoenix..." she answered
Lupin shook his head "Not just any Phoenix," he told them "It's a Black Phoenix!"
A/N: Just a quick short one. So Charlie's patronus is a Phoenix...and a Black Phoenix at that! How do they know its a Black Phoenix, well you shall find out soon. Possibly next chapter.
Review (please)
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to myself xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 26/01/2011 at 02:42am