Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Fifteen

Winter Break pt. 2

Weasley Cottage

Ron was not happy when he arrived home to learn that since his room had been torn up by that dog he would have to share it with the twins. He didn't mind Fred and George, generally, but they would try to prank him. He knew they would. It was just how they were, he had tried to beg off and stay with Percy instead, but Percy flat refused to share with him.

Ron then tried to talk his mom into letting him stay in Bill and Charlie's old room promising not to get into any of their things, but of course this year they decided to come home for Christmas. Both of them, inconveniently. So, here he was stuck on a camp cot in the twins' room waiting for them to get home from Hogwarts and begin their pranks.

"Pouting won't solve anything you know." Ginny said from the doorway.

"If you like them so much, you share with them." Ron grumbled.

"I don't think so, we both know they'd just do something awful like stick toads in my bed or something." Ginny groaned.

"Exactly, so if I want to sulk, let me." Ron flopped back on his pillow. "This is terrible. Scabbers is gone, my room is destroyed, and I have to share with Fred and George. Worst Christmas ever."

"Yuery said Scabbers wasn't right." Ginny frowned, "Do you think he was wrong?"

"No. Yes. I don't know. I mean when have I ever seen him wrong about these things, but then Scabbers has been my pet for years… but then that is strange that he's been around for so long. I don't know."

"Well, you said it yourself, Yuery's never wrong about these things. His Dad thought so too, remember? Yuery said his Dad agreed there was something strange about the rat."

"Are you trying to make me feel worse? Because you're making me feel worse." Ron grumbled.

"Cheer up, Ron, we're here now." Fred said merrily from the landing.

"What troubles you, so we might enjoy it as well?" asked George.

"You. You're just going to prank me all break." Ron sighed tiredly. "Can you at least wait until tomorrow to get started."

"Of course," they said together in the jovial manner that meant the opposite to Ron's horror and Ginny's amusement. Why she got to escape with a wave of her hand, he didn't know but he did know she was getting a terrible present this year, never mind finding the perfect sweater for her, he would just save it for her birthday because she deserved nothing nice for Christmas.

Longbottom's House

Gran seemed pleased with Neville's scores so far this year, though she was dubious with some of the courses, overall unconcerned with his results from the 'muggle classes' only showing interest in his magic lessons.

"Here, this score is for Herbology." Neville explained pointing to the score, "It's labeled differently is all."

"Well, your scores are good at least. I do wish they wouldn't waste so much of your time on these pointless lessons." Gran frowned as she held out the page. "Why would you need these extra classes? 'Every class in Xerxes is designed to aide their students in the integration of future work environments whichever career path one has chosen', why would that be a question? You intend to be an auror of course."

"Well, Anya and Yuery will both be in charge of their countries one day, but they still take classes in other areas so that they have a well rounded education." Neville defended and deflected. He knew his Gran wanted him to be an auror like his parents and his grandfather, but he feared the idea. He hoped one day that he would be brave like them, and refused to voice his concern to anyone. After all, for years everyone assumed he was a squib so to learn that he was capable of magic had been cause of celebration in the family. It had been shortly after the time his uncle accidentally dropped him revealing his magic, that his Gran and uncle started making plans for his future career.

"Still, it isn't as though you will remain there long term, these extra classes do seem to be a waste, I suppose though that there is no harm." Gran sighed. "Just be sure to focus on the important classes, these extra ones do not matter."

"Yes Gran. What's for breakfast?" Neville asked to change the subject, glad for her to move on, he didn't want her to decide to remove him from Xerxes after all.

Granger House

Hermione had been happy to hand over her grades to her parents, she knew she had done well, and that they would be pleased. She was a bit nervous with her alchemy scores so far; though her professor and her classmates assured her she was doing well, she was far from either the top or the bottom of the class. She was not used to being in the middle like this.

Mom and Dad seemed pleased with all her scores luckily, even in alchemy. She bit her lip nervously before confessing her concerns about the class. Her dad nodded in understanding before her mom added. "When we discussed the addition of this class to you class list, the Headmaster, Professor Elric, explained to us that many students begin these lessons very young. He did warn you to expect to feel as though you were struggling compared to some of your friends in the beginning."

"I know Mom, but I didn't expect it to be this difficult, I am passing the lessons." Hermione sighed.

"Hermione, we've talked about this." Dad said as he hugged her. "You do not have to be the best at everything. You cannot expect to be the best at everything. We agreed to allow this class added, as long as you weren't too hard on yourself. You are not a practical alchemist; I am sure that will make the lessons harder for you than for some of your classmates."

"William Elric is not a practical alchemist." Hermione muttered, before sighing "Though he did start his lessons well before most students, as had his siblings."

"There you are, you just began these lessons, and they are unfamiliar. Give yourself a chance." Dad smiled at her. "Now, have you made any friends?"

"Yes, I have. There are lots of pleasant people there, and of course, Ron, Yuery, and Neville are all there as well." Hermione, remembering not to mention Draco, though she almost slipped.

"I'm happy to hear it, now eat your breakfast, we have to finish the shopping this morning." Mom said as she put the report away without commenting further on Hermione's scores.

Malfoy Manor

Lucius glowered at the empty fireplace as he slouched in his chair. No one had been here when he returned from prison to greet him, apparently the elves had been reassigned, and his treacherous wife was still gone of course.

He had been sent word that Draco had attended Hogwarts last year but had once again disappeared. Clearly, given that the boy had been seen in the company of the Potter brat and several Gryffindor, he was hidden somewhere in Xing or Amestris. It was obvious, he should have realized sooner, that was of course the best place to have hidden from him or anyone looking for them.

Once things had settled down, and the Ministry was no longer looking for evidence that he had committed a crime he would decide the best way to reach his son. For now though, he needed to try to stay calm. After all, losing his temper was what caused them to lock him away to begin with and he had desire to spend any more time with the Dementors.

Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle had arrived earlier, but he had ignored them until they left. They were here to gloat, he knew. They were jealous of his high standing with the Dark Lord years ago, and his high standing with the Ministry even after recent events. Soon, he would regain his place on the Board of Governors for Hogwarts as well. Then, when he regained his son, he would be able to ensure that the boy was given the right treatment. He had heard that his son had been allowed to associate with all the wrong sorts, and that could simply not continue. No he had his work set out for him to correct the damage done by his wife, however, he was certain he could steer his son back to the right path.

Unknown Location

Europe

Sirius had been following the rail lines, he was fairly certain he was heading the right direction. The biggest problem he realized was that he was not entirely certain where Xerxes Academy was located. This was not unusual in that the locations of magical school were generally hidden, but he was confident that once he was close the magic concealing the school would be noticeable to him.

He had tried to ride in a cargo car for a short while and while that got him as far as France, he had then been forced to walk after someone had noticed the large dog inside the shipment and had attempted to capture him. He escaped and ran down the tracks until he lost sight of the worker before wondering through the city to find something to eat, rejoining the tracks at the edge of the city close to dark.

This was going to take longer than he had originally planned, he sighed ass he left the tracks behind once again when he saw a decent sized town ahead. He was hungry and cold, he needed to find something to eat and possibly somewhere sheltered to sleep for a few hours before he began again. He found a small restaurant quickly by following the smell and begged hopefully at the door for a few minutes before resigning himself to digging through the cans in the back.

It wasn't until he had wandered back out onto the street in search of shelter that he noticed the decorations everywhere. He had lost track of time; it was Christmas time. This was a problem too, because Harry's school would have to have let out for Christmas. He tried to think, he couldn't remember how long most schools took for the break. If he arrived before the students returned, he would just have to lurk around and wait for them to return.

Perhaps if he was lucky, Pettigrew would be easy to find and he could rid the world of the rat before the children even returned to school. Then he could concentrate on watching over his godson and determining what sort of people were caring for the boy. Lupin and Snape couldn't be trusted of course, and he had been assured the child was safe, but he had to know. If Snape was allowed around the boy…well, he either had managed to trick the ones caring for Harry or they were not the sort to be trusted with a child.

From the article he had received a few years ago, the boy had seemed happy and well cared for, though that had been a single article. He had to know, he had to be sure. Should the child be in danger, he would save him. If the child was safe, well then… Sirius had once begged Remus not to seek the boy in case You Know Who's followers tracked the boy through him. Should the child be safe and cared for, Sirius should probably follow his own advice.

The idea of simply walking away broke his heart. Surely, he decided, surely it wouldn't be that selfish if, should Harry not need him, he stayed nearby anyway. Not to interfere, but to simply watch. Pettigrew had a good idea after all, not that he wanted to admit it. Sirius decided that perhaps the best way to handle this whole situation was to get himself adopted by Harry's new family.

Yes, once he rid the world of Pettigrew, he would find Harry and join the family. Then he would know for certain that the child was safe and happy, and if the child wasn't he could take Harry away from there. If he was, well then, at least Sirius would get to be part of his life. He had promised James and Lily that he would watch over young Harry should anything happen to them and so far, he had done a terrible job of it.

Hogwarts

Headmaster's Office

Albus sat alone behind his desk. So much had been happening lately, and it seemed the whole situation was falling apart on him. The Weasleys and the Longbottoms both reported that Xerxes Academy was taking good care of their students. Which was good, he was happy to learn the students were cared for, however, he was unhappy to find no viable faults to use as leverage to force Harry's return to Hogwarts.

The child needed to learn how to fight dark wizards, he needed to feel strongly that it was his responsibility to end this war. It was the only way they were going to be able to get him to fulfill the prophesy and defeat Tom. Albus knew Voldemort would be back again, and without Harry here, there was little they could do to truly defeat the man.

Albus had long resigned himself to the situation at hand, even if everyone else who learned of it failed to see why this was so important. One day, when all of this was over, perhaps they would see that Albus had had no choice. He didn't expect this would be easy, not with Elric causing so much trouble. Apparently, the other Elric had won over the Weasleys and Longbottoms enough at least to consider not transferring their children back to Hogwarts after the Sirius Black situation was resolved. He wouldn't allow for anymore of the students to be sent away then, because they needed as many as the could manage to be trained for the war with Voldemort and his followers.

Albus tired pulled himself to his feet and made his way upstairs to his bedroom. He was exhausted and he needed a drink, but he had finally admitted to himself that Severus Snape had been right to condemn his drinking. It muddled the mind and hindered his ability to plan. Had he stayed sober longer, he was certain he would have been able to trick Elric into giving up the boy, as it was he had been so early in his sobriety that he had made several unfortunate miscalculations with Harry.

No matter, he would simply try again. After all, now that the boy had clear friends inside his classes, surely he would feel the need to do whatever it took to protect them. Therefore, all Albus had to do was invent a way to seem that the only way to save them was to come out of hiding and fight Voldemort. Then the prophecy would be fulfilled, and they could be at peace, and Albus could finally rest.

The Burrow

Ron felt he had been very reasonable about the entire thing. When he had woken to his sheets soaked in pond scum, he laughed it off. When just two days later he had woken to his hair magically stuck to his pillow, he had yelled quietly to avoid their mother finding out the twins behavior. He had endured experiments with prank candies and garden gnomes and his clothing.

This morning they crossed the line. He had been reasonable, after all and he loved his brothers but enough was enough. He had woken to three large spiders crawling across his pillow. Fred and George KNEW he was afraid of spiders, but they put them in his bed anyway. Then they laughed at him while he screamed. Therefore, when his mother rushed into the room to find out what was happening, Ron blurted out everything the twins had done to him over break.

Ron had been relocated to Percy's room, with Bill now in with the twins and their great aunt still in Bill's room. Percy, Fred, and George had spent breakfast glaring at him, but Ron refused to feel guilty. Let Bill deal with their brothers' pranks for a change, he decided. With this in mind, he happily munched on his toast as if his brothers weren't trying to set him on fire with their eyes. "Why are they mad?" Ginny asked as she sat next to him and grabbed some toast for herself.

"I screamed this morning when I woke to spiders in my bed. Mom felt that since the spiders should have been in Fred's terrarium then perhaps it would be best for Bill and I to switch." Ron said.

"So you finally told on them pranking you?" Ginny snickered, now receiving glares from the twins as well as she added to them. "Oh you know you deserved it. You're just cross you wouldn't dare prank Bill."

"What's Bill going to do, run to Mommy like little Ronniekins?" George scoffed. He had been informed he had to handle the chickens alone this morning, while Fred was to handle the washing up after breakfast. Neither was happy with the added chores.

"No, he'll just hex you instead." Ginny said with a shrug. They all knew Bill would too, he wasn't above pranking his younger brothers in retaliation to what ever they had thought up. On the other hand, it was just as unlikely that they had now given up their favorite hobby just because their target changed.

"Well thanks to you, now I have to deal with Ron rather than Bill. Ron whines. Bill is silent. This is going to be a nightmare I still have a ton of homework." Percy said as he glared at his brothers in turn. Charlie didn't react at all and Bill rolled his eyes. Ron decided to spend the remainder of his holiday as quiet as possible, with Ginny taking pity on him, allowing him to hide in her room most of the day.