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 thank-you too DJScales, Razmend, Forever Dreaming Grace, ItzKevin97 and Alieen Autarkeia. Love hearing from you five, know I can count on you to review. Thanks guys!
Seeing the Impossible
The weeks started to drag by slowly, the days were becoming brighter and longer and classes were becoming more and more boring. The exam season was fast approaching and everyone was starting to feel the stresst of it all. Although it seemed Hermione was feeling it slightly more than everyone else in her year; having taken at least 30 subjects the entire semester she had extra exams to take, and although it bugged her friends to no end, they were still trying to figure out how she was taking so many classes in the first place. "How long can a Salamander survive outside of its flames after birth?" Riley asked, as she and Charlie sat opposite one another at the Slytherin lunch table.
Charlie chewed the tip of her quill "Oh I know this one!" she complained, Care of Magical Creatures was probably the only class at Hogwarts that Charlie excelled in -aside from DADA- "6 hours?"
Riley glanced at her notes "Correct," she nodded "But how many different types are there?"
"Several," the Slytherin answered "also ranging in colours from blue to scarlet"
The Gryffindor nodded in approval "Nice one" she counted up the number of correct answers her friend had recieved "Total of 19 out of 20! You're so gonna pass COMC!" she grinned
"'Bout time I aced something," Charlie chuckled "Exams are gonna be so hard this year"
Riley nodded in agreement "Do me," she stated, offering Charlie her Ancient Runes book
"Okay," Charlie nodded, flipping open the Anicent rune book "Uh, name the three groups of Aett" she looked at Riley expectantly
The Gryffindor thought long and hard "1st is the Earth Family," she answered "2nd is the Warrior Family and lastly is the Heaven Family"
Charlie ticked her off and nodded in approval "Explain the moon's phases; and when its best to cast using Runes as guideance"
"Best casting times would be," Riley tapped her quill on the table "during a waxing Moon, just after a New Moon or prior to a Full Moon" she explained "Oh and you should avoid casting during the dark of the Moon"
"More than I expected, but correct" Charlie nodded
The tactics went on back and forth for a few minutes before the two friends were interrupted by a familiar looking tawny owl fluttering down between them "Hey, Tabby," Riley smiled, reaching out to stroke the feathers of the owl "What you got?"
The owl hooted and Charlie untied the letter. The bird flew off seconds later and Charlie tore open the letter as she read, her eyes becoming wide and her jaw hit the table.
"Charlie?" Riley questioned
"We gotta go!" the Slytherin yelped, jumping to her feet. She snatched up her things and stuffed them into her bag, before pulling Riley out of the Great Hall. They deposited their things in the Slytherin common room, and headed down towards Hagrids.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Hermione smiled as she walked ahead of Ron and Harry back towards the Hogwarts castle "Beautiful day," she grinned
"Gorgeous," Ron commented "unless of course you've been ripped to pieces!"
Harry frowned "Ripped to pieces?"
"Ronald has lost his rat," Hermione answered
"I've havent lost anything!" the red head retaliated "Your cat killed him!"
Hermione shook her head "Rubbish!"
"Harry, you've seen the way that bloodthirsty beast of hers is always lurking about." Ron turned to his best friend for help "And Scabbers is gone"
"Well, maybe you should learn to take better care of your pets!" Hermione snapped
Ron growled "You're cat killed him!"
"Did not!"
"Did!"
Charlie and Riley rounded the corner and slammed into the three of them "Going down!" the Slytherin cried as Harry's arms wrapped around her in order to steady her, but they were knocked off balance by the momentum of her speed and hit the ground seconds later
"Where you two going?" Ron asked, geting to his feet once more and helping the two girls up "Where's the fire?"
Riley's eyes widened "There's a fire?"
Charlie giggled "We're looking for you!" she told the three Gryffindors "Come on!" and grabbing their hands, she pulled them in the general direction of Hagrid's hut.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Splash. Splash. Splash.
The rock skipped the water several times before disappearing beneath the waves, Jennifer Carmichael sighed, as she sat on the sidelines and watched as her son played near the waters edge and her co-professor Hagrid stood ankle deep in the wading waters skipping rocks. They had just returned from London, they had gotten back earlier than she expected and instantly pulled William out of school because she needed time to think over the day she had had.
The moment she had returned to Hogwarts with her son, she had sent word to Charlie that she wished to see her. Buckbeak's hearing had been today, April 20th and Charlie had every right to know what had happened, after the hard work she had put into doing for the case; which was often a wonder because it took all means possible to get Charlie to even read a Fiction book, let along non-fiction. Even when it came to homework, she copied of Riley's paper, changed a few words, left things out and voila she had her own makeshift essay.
Crunching on the stones caused the Professor to look and a smile graced her face as the person in question that she wanted to see had finally arrived, flanked as per usual by her group of Gryffindors. "Hey guys," she smiled warmly in welcome, despite the devasting truth that was eating away at her on the inside "Thanks for coming"
"You said it was urgent," Charlie smiled, sitting down beside William and ruffling the little boys hair "How did it go? The hearing?"
"Well, first off, the committee members took turns talking about why we were there" Jenn explained "Then I got up said my piece, explained how Buckbeak had reacted to everyone in class and that Mr. Malfoy was doing every perfectly and that there was no indication that he had offended Buckbeak in anyway"
Riley nodded "And?" she asked
"Well, we don't know what happened to Buckbeak that day," Jenn answered "There wasnt much I could really say about Buckbeak's behaviour. He was calm and levelheaded. He shouldnt have just attacked. There is the chance that he got spooked, and I told them that but Lucius Malfoy cut me down. I've always hated that man"
Charlie and Riley exchanged looks
"Then Hagrid got up, said his piece" Jenn continued "Told them all about Buckbeak's habits. But he was so nervous, poor guy kept dropping his notes and forgetting everything we had prepared for him to say. The Committee can be quiet intimidaing especially when they sit in their high-throne like chairs, dressed in all black."
Hagrid let out a huge sob "I got all tongue-tied!" he cried "An' then Lucius Malfoy got up. Well, you can imagine, what he said. He said Buckbeak was a deadly and dangerous creature who would kill you as soon as look at you"
Charlie frowned "Huh, was Mr. Malfoy alone?" she questioned curiously "or was there another man with him? I would say gentleman, but the person im speaking off, is not so gentle!" she growled
"Lucas Malcolm?" Jenn asked. Charlie nodded. "No sorry sweet pea, I would so happily put Mr. Malfoy's attitude down to him if he was there, but im afraid he wasnt"
The Slytherin sighed "I wouldnt worry too much, Hagrid" she called out to him "There is still the appeal. I'll just have to put a little extra research this time!"
"You won't do it alone this time!" Ron said fiercely "I'll help!"
Harry nodded in agreement "Me too," he agreed
"An me," Hermione smiled "I guess I can tear myself away from my homework for a while."
Riley smiled at Charlie and winked.
The Slytherin couldnt help but feel elated; she never did much research, but now she had an whole team behind her ready to help her find a way to prevent the execution of Buckbeak.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
That night, after returning from Hagrid's dinner was already started when the group of five friends entered the Great Hall. Hurrying off towards the Slytherins, Charlie submerged herself between Daphne and Marcus and instantly started eating, studying and worrying over Buckbeak had clearly worked gotten her hungry. "Where have you been?" Marcus asked, "Havent seen you at all this afternoon"
Charlie smirked "Aw, did you miss me, Marcus?" she teased
The Slytherin captain almost choked as Nikki and the 3rd year Slytherin girls laughed
"And I have seen you today," Charlie added "When Riley and I dropped our things off earlier today"
"Then where did you go?" Pansy asked
"Hagrids!"
Her friends were on instant alert "What happened with the hearing?" Nathan asked
"Did Buckbeak get off?" Blaise asked
"How's Jenn?" Millicent asked
Charlie held up her hands "One had a time!" she cried, taking a deep breath "Now I know what its like to be smothered!"
Her friends rolled their eyes "Well?" they demanded
"They lost!" Charlie answered, she turned to Draco "You're father claimed that Buckbeak was a dangerous beast and would instantly kill you, as soon as he saw you" she explained "The Committee agreed with him, and the date for the appeal is pending" she sighed "But even I know there's not gonna be an appeal"
Nikki watched sadly as the Muggleborn Slytherin lowered her head, and she wouldnt have been surprised if Charlie had burst into tears. The young Slytherin had worked hard on the research for the Hippogriff; she had read into case studies that normally she would have tossed aside in boredem, but because it was a friend in need she had poured her heart and soul into finding something that would win Buckbeak over. But it seemed all had been in vain. "Hey, cheer up Charlie," she smiled "Its not the end of the world"
"I know," the Muggleborn mumured "but...now I know what it's like..."
Marcus glanced her way "Know what, what is like?" he asked
"To fail!" the Slytherin answered
Nikki shook her head, as Daphne placed her hand on her best friends shoulder "You didnt fail," she smiled "You did everything you could to help. Sometimes things just arent meant to be...you gave it your best shot, you could have walked away, but you didnt you perserved and did everything you could to help a friend"
"Thanks Daph," Charlie smiled
The blonde nodded and returned to her food.
Charlie followed her example as silence fell over the 3rd years, and the Muggleborn was left to think of the appeal. If and/or when it was going to happen.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
Midnight had rolled around; just minutes after getting into bed, Riley was awoken to the sound of creaking. Groggy and disorientated from the admist of her sleep the Muggleborn, stuck her head out of her curtains and listened to the soft breahing for her room-mates so its not these lot who are awake she thought; rubbing her eyes she slipped out of bed and headed down into the common room to see who was awake at this time of the night and much to her surprise, she found Harry heading towards the Portrait hole. "Harry?" she mumured.
The boy in questioned jumped in surprise, he whirled around and considered his friend "Riley?" he whispered "What are you doing up?"
"You woke me up," she answered "Where are you going?"
The only light in the common room at this moment were the dying embers of the fire, and the moonlight from outside the window.
"I saw something on the map," Harry answered, holding up the Marauders Map
Riley frowned "and you thought you'd check it out?" she asked
Harry nodded
"Knowing that there is a killer on the loose?"
The raven-haired boy nodded again
"Knowing that said murderer is trying to kill you!" Riley continued "you thought you'd be foolish enough to go wandering the castle? He has already gotten in here once, Harry! What makes you think he won't do it again, and just happens to come across you in the hallways?"
Harry looked down "I never thought of that," he mumured
"No, of course not" Riley retaliated "You dont think of these things! Neither you nor Charlie, you leave it to us to think of it for you!" she sighed "Harry, im sorry for getting all bossy on you, but going out there with a killer on the loose seems pretty suicidal. Dont you think?"
"Charlie would -"
Riley cut across him "Im not degrading the fact that Charlie would probably join you," she told him "but she's not here! Harry, I mean this as a friend...please, don't do this! Just go back to bed"
"I cant," he mumured "The name I saw, it was of someone who is supposed to be dead."
"And who's that?"
"Peter Pettigrew!" he answered. He figured if Charlie knew the truth...then so did Riley.
The Muggleborn paled slightly in the dim light "Peter -" she cut off "- Pettigrew?"
Harry nodded.
"Oh, im so gonna regret this!" she complained "Stay here!" and she turned toe, hurried back upstairs. She threw on a hoodie over her pyjama top and pulled on a pair of trainers. Lastly she grabbed her wand and hurried back down to the common room where Harry was waiting. Lighting their wands, they both made their way out of the portrait hole and down the dark hallways.
"Put those lights out!" cried a grumpy portrait "We may be paintings but we need our beauty rest as well!"
Riley lowered her wand "Sorry," she muttered, and turned back to Harry "Where is he?" she asked
"Should be right around here," he answered her
Glancing at the map; the two Gryffindors spotted their names hovering over one another as they stood side-by-side on the seventh floor; and a few feet away from their names hovered Peter Pettigrew and he was heading straight towards them.
Raising their wands; the two looked dead ahead but saw nothing but darkness. Anticipation turned to fear as Pettigrew's name grew closer, but still no one appeared infront of them, there was a small squeak and Riley jumped as something brushed across her leg, she lowered her wand as a beam of light hit a familiar looking creature scurrying across the floor. "Scabbers!" she squeaked, before diving forwards and snatching the rat up off the ground "Stop wiggling!" she stated, trying to maintain a firm grip on the old rat. She turned to Harry "Ron, will be pleased" she smiled
"Oh no," Harry breathed
"Yes he will," Riley nodded, confused at why her friend was complaining about finding the rat
"Huh?" Harry frowned "Oh no, not that -" he pointed at Scabbers "That!" he pointed at the map. Severus Snape hovered just around the corner from where they were standing.
Riley's eyes widened "Snape! Quick! Nox!" she added quickly as the light on the tip of her wand went out.
"Mischief managed. Nox!" Harry repeated the same command and they were thrown into darkness.
Darkness only lasted a few seconds, and a light appeared behind them as Snape approached the midnight wanderers.
"Potter!" he sneered "Spirit, im surprised to find you out this late. Miss. Hunter must be rubbing off on you"
Riley shrugged "Eh, was bound to happen sooner or later, Professor" she hissed as the rat in her hands dug its teeth into her finger "Stupid rat!" she complained.
"Now, onto my next question" the Potion master spoke "What are you two Gryffindors, such as yourselves, doing out of bed at this hour?"
"I was sleepwalking," Harry lied quickly
Riley looked at the Potions master, what was the point of lying? He knew her all too well "I tried to stop him Professor" she admitted
"Traitor!" Harry accused
The Muggleborn shrugged; Charlie often called her that, the phrase didnt phase her anymore.
"How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter" Snape retorted "He, too, was exceedingly arrogant, strutting about the castle"
Harry glared "My dad, didnt strut!" he growled "and nor do I! If you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you could lower your wand" Harry added
Riley elbowed him for his rudeness.
Snape sneered as he lowered his wand "Turn out your pockets!" he ordered. Harry hastily did so and pulled out the map. He unfoloded it to the title page and Snape placed is wand tip to it "Reveal your secrets!" he said.
Writing appeared on the smooth surface, as if an invisible hand was writing upon it.
"Read it," Snape snarled
Glancing at Riley, Harry sighed and turned back to the words "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs; offer their compliments to Professor Snape and..." he trailed off uncertainly
"Go on," Snape pressured
"...and request that he keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business" Harry finished
Riley's eyes grew wide as she clutched Scabbers tightly in her hand. Oh, this was not good.
"Why you insolent little -" Snape started
"Professor!" Lupin cut across the Potions master, as he appeared behind him.
Snape turned and the light from his wand landed on Lupin "Well, well, Lupin" he drawled "out for a walk in the moonlight, are we?" he smirked
Lupin cocked his head looking at the two teens "Riley. Harry, are you alright?" he asked
The two Gryffindors nodded.
"That remains to be seen. I have just confiscated a most curious artefact from Mr. Potter." Snape said, snatching the map away from Harry "Take a look Lupin. Supposed to be your area of expertise, it's obviously full of Dark Magic" Snape said as Lupin looked the Map over.
"I seriously doubt it, Severus" Lupin chuckled "It looks as though it's a parchment designed to insult anyone who tries to read it." he looked up at the students "I suspect it's a Zonko product"
Snape moved to take it back
"Nevertheless," Lupin added, pulling map away from the Potions master "I shall investigate any hidden qualities it may possess. It is, after all, as you say, my area of expertise" he pointed at the two Gryffindors "would you two like to come with me. I'll see that they make it back to the Gryffindor tower in one piece" he nodded at Snape "Professor, good night"
Still clutching Scabbers, Riley edged around Snape "Good night, Professor" she nodded, and followed after Harry and Lupin
"Goodnight, Miss. Spirit," Snape nodded, watching her disappear.
xXxHarryPotterxXx
With a click, Lupin pulled open the door to the defence room and ushered the students inside "I havent the faintest idea how this map came to be in your possession, but quite frankly, I am astounded that you didn't hand it in!" Lupin started, his back turned to his students "Did it never occur to you that this, in the hands of Srius Black is a map to you, Harry?"
Harry shook his head "No, sir" he answered
"Your father never set much store by the rules either," Lupin sighed, walking back towards them "But he and your mother gave their lives to save yours. Gambling their sacrifice by wandering the castle unprotected, with a killer on the loose, seems like a pretty poor way to repay them!"
Riley looked up "I did tell him, Professor" she mumured "But he's just too stubborn. He said he had to investigate a name that had appeared on the map, a name of a person, we know is dead!"
"Oh?" Lupin asked, glancing her way "and who is this person, Miss. Spirit?"
"Peter Pettigrew," Harry answered quietly
Lupin seemed to freeze
"But it was a false alarm, Professor!" Riley said quickly, she held up Scabbers "The map must have dysfunctioned or something; because we only found Scabbers" the rat had given up attempts to escape, and was now asleep in Riley's hands.
Lupin stared at the Rat "You are probably right, Miss. Spirit" he nodded "a malfunction of the map. Now, I want you both to return to your dormitories and stay there. Understand?"
"Yes, sir" they nodded
"And don't take any detours," Lupin warned "Not even to the Slytherin dorms" he warned Riley "If you do, I shall know"
Riley sighed "But Professor, I can't take Scabbers back to the Gryffindor dorms. Crookshanks will kill him! Charlie, is the only person I know who can keep him safe!"
"Not tonight Miss. Spirit," Lupin told her "It is late. Im sure you will think of something to protect Scabbers."
The Muggleborn sighed and nodded "Yes, Professor" and with a defeated sigh, she left the classroom with Harry.
A/N: Oh, getting closer to the end. As requested by DJScales, I decided to skip the part where Neville (or Brandon in my story) lost the passwords and Sirius had access to Gryffindor Common room. Instead I improvised as usual, and brought you this. Did you enjoy it? Let me know.
Review replies:
Forever Dreaming Grace: I honestly don't know what I would do without you. Thanks for the checks over for grammar and spelling and whatnot. Appreciate to have a second pair eyes really.
Razmend: Suspense is what keeps a story flowing; and it keeps people coming back for more.
DJScales: Nope, Brandon didnt lose the passwords. Sirius Black didnt get in and Ron wasnt attacked.
Alieen Autarkeia: Phoenix's are my ALL time favourite mythtical creature. I love them. They are so gorgeous.
ItzKevin97: I cannot tell you what a Black Phoenix is, but I can tell you that all will be revealed soon. Don't you just love mystery?
Reviews (please)
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 27/01/2011 at 02:36