Chapter Twenty-One: Friends

"Harry!" Sirius' voice echoed down the hallway. He opened the door without knocking. "Kiddo! Time to wake up! You've got mail!" He stepped into the room, holding the letters in one hand.

The sight of an empty bed knocked the breath from his lungs. Before he could panic, the soft sound of a sleepy Harry came from the couch. He turned, his heart starting to beat again. He must have fallen asleep on the ruddy couch, he shook his head at the thought.

"There you are!" He tried to keep his voice cheerful and loud. The boy surrounded himself with too much gloom; it hurt to see it. Sirius pushed the thought away and plunked himself down on the couch, narrowly missing the thin feet of his godson.

"You've got mail," he repeated and held them out. Harry's hair stuck up in all directions, almost as if…Sirius frowned and looked closer. It almost looked as though someone had been mucking a hand through his godson's hair, but that was impossible. Must be like James, he clung to the thought. James' hair used to stick up every morning. I'm sure of it.

Remus said he was focusing too much on James when it came to Harry. Sirius didn't think so. After all, Harry was James' living image! Well, almost. He cast an eye over the boy. He used to be, he sighed. Sons were like their fathers, weren't they? Sirius frowned at the thought…but his father wasn't so much as a father to Sirius as James' father had been, so of course that was all right. He knew what he was doing. Of course he did. Healer Fondorn would have said something if he was doing it wrong.

He watched Harry finger the open letters. Sharp green eyes met his. "You read them?"

"Well, we opened them," Sirius felt like squirming under the direct stare. "A lot of people out there want to hurt you. We're just doing what's best for you."

"What's best for me," Harry echoed. He seemed to find that funny.

"Kiddo…" Sirius was feeling it again. That gulf of distance between them that would not close. He wanted to reach out and gather Harry up in a hug. But something held him back, and he wasn't sure what. He wanted his godson back. He wanted the kid who used to light up when he entered the room. He wanted the boy who would prattle on about Quidditch and flying and silly things, chasing away the gloom that hovered in Sirius' mind. He wanted the boy back, not the incarnation that sat in front of him, too still, too quiet, too…gone.

"A letter from Neville?" Harry's soft, wondering tone brought Sirius back to the present. Shadowed eyes scanned the short note. Harry looked up at him, and those soft eyes went hard for a brief moment.

"You read them too, didn't you?"

"Well…"

"What's best for me, of course," Harry interrupted with a shake of his head.

The frustration was building again. "Healer Fondorn said to watch what was given to you." It made something inside him tighten at the fear that crossed Harry's face at the mention of the old Healer's name. "If you were influenced so easily by the Malfoys…"

"Then of course I'll be susceptible to other's influences," the boy muttered.

"I didn't mean it that way, Harry…"

"Yes, you did."

The frustration was turning into anger. "You should be grateful to Healer Fondorn," he snapped without thinking. "He's working is arse off to help you and you don't even care!"

The silence that came down between them was razor sharp.

"Harry…" Sirius closed his eyes against the sight of his godson's pale face and large eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sirius." The words were fragile. "I'll try harder, really."

It was what he wanted to hear…and not. He wanted Harry back to his old self. He wanted that rambunctious energy that used to pour off the boy in waves. He wanted…he wanted to go back in time and stop everything that happened, to change it somehow, to keep Harry the way he was. It would have been better than…

Sirius stood with a swallowed growl. He would not have that thought in the same room as Harry. He wouldn't. He paced to the window, hands clasped behind his back. James' father used to pace that way, back and forth, back and forth in front of the fire when he and James had gotten into trouble over some prank or another.

"Can Neville come over?" The question was not what he was expecting. He had been braced for Harry's bitter retort, parsed the same way Snivilus used to…

"Padfoot?"

The old nickname caused his shoulders to sag in relief. He turned on the boy, seeing how Harry was curled up on one end of the sofa, hand buried in the throw blanket that still covered him. Harry's bangs were hanging in front of his eyes, making it impossible to see them clearly.

"Harry," Sirius got out before his throat closed. He bounced over to the boy and swept him up in his arms, holding the frail body tight. Merlin, he needs to eat more, he noted as the thin arms tensed against him. He sat them down in the couch with a thump, which made Harry squeak.

"Of course Neville can come over," Sirius managed to get out. "He can stay as long as he wants! Harry, it's so good to see you acting normal again! James would be so proud! You two can even play pranks on us, we won't care!" Relief freed the laughter from his throat. It was that or cry, and crying wasn't very manly. In his mirth he did not hear Harry's reply. But it didn't matter. His kiddo was on his way back. Healer Fondorn had been right all along.

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Neville's arrival at the Black Manor was a large affair. Remus, Ginny and Sirius were on hand to witness the other boy's arrival. Harry stayed seated on the couch until the Floo fires flared green and the other Slytherin tumbled into the room.

Sirius was the first to reach the soot-covered boy. Harry rose, but stayed back, knowing his godfather's temperament. Neville thanked the animagus several times and stood with the help of a friendly hand.

He's grown, Harry blinked in shock. Neville stood almost as tall as Sirius. His shoulders had filled out, and the pleasant tan on the boy's skin spoke to long hours out in the sun. I wonder what Blaise looks like now…He shook away the thought with a twitch of his hand. He could ask later, when they were alone.

Neville turned to him. "Harry," the smile that broke out over his friend's face was one Harry knew all too well. The crisp line of teeth and the head tilt shadowed the eyes that weren't smiling at all. Harry copied the motion.

"Hello, Neville." He stuffed his hands into his pockets. The shakes were going to be bad that day. He'd woken up from several dreams the night before. He knew. "You're right on time."

"Well, I try not to be. Gran says you should always be early."

"For shame!" Sirius broke in. "All good Gryffindors are always late to the party. They make the party! It's the only way to be!"

Neville caught Harry's eye. He shook his head. "Well, one way or the other, lunch is here," Harry said. "Can we eat?"

Neville's face went pink. "Ah, yes please." Harry's eyebrow twitched. "Gran says I'm growing like a weed. I don't agree, since weeds last just weeks and this has been happening for months." Neville turned his stare to Harry.

He ducked his head and stared at his feet. "Growing is good," he agreed.

"Well, if you fellows are hungry, then let's eat!" Sirius clapped his hands together. Ginny took that moment to rush forward and throw a hug around Neville's waist.

"It's so good to see you!" She leaned back, her cane held loose in one hand. "How have you been? I bet you've been gardening all summer? You're so tan! We've been trying to get Harry out in the sun more but he's being a sour puss…Come on! We'll give you a tour after lunch!"

"Ginny," Remus broke in with a quiet laugh. "Let the boy get a word in edgewise."

"Sorry," the girl grinned up at Neville. She let him go and turned to Harry. "Come on," she said and grabbed his hand. "Tandy made your favorites."

"Really," Harry murmured.

"Yep," Ginny's hand tightened on his. "Sirius told her all your favorites."

"I see."

They were leading the party into the dining room. Ginny's sharp look over her shoulder was lost on the others. Harry raised his eyebrows back at her.

Harry had been looking forward to seeing Ginny again. He had worried about the girl after he had gone to stay with his relatives. I shouldn't have, a traitorous voice snapped in the back of his mind. She was doing just fine here without me. He tried to smile at the girl and quell the voice. He cared for Ginny. She deserved to be happy, especially since the mess that went on with the Weasleys.

I thought it would be different, he bit back a sigh as he allowed Ginny to drag him further into the room. He sat at one end of the long side of the table. He would be between Ginny and Sirius. Neville would be across from him, away from whispering distance.

They settled into their places. Sirius fired questions at Neville, who answered them with surprising deftness. Harry was pleased to see the change in his friend. Blaise must be working with him. The thought held no pain. It was a good thing to see Neville so happy. One of them had to be.

"I thought we'd be able to go to Diagon Alley together, Harry," Neville said halfway through lunch.

Sirius' spoon paused in midair. "I don't know," his godfather said. He cast a glance at Harry that he was able to read all too well. Are you going to behave? That was how Harry read it. Was he going to tremble and shake like a child? Was he going to lie again?

Harry washed the bitter thoughts down with a long drink from his water glass.

"Gran said I could go on my own, but I thought it would be more fun to go with Harry. And Ginny, of course." Harry tried not to choke on his water. He set the glass down harder than he meant, giving Neville a quick glance. The bland look he received in turn was surprising.

"That would be fun," he said before Sirius could say no.

"I haven't had a chance to look over my lists yet," Neville continued. "You?"

"…I got them with your open letter."

"Harry…" Sirius frowned at him.

"What?" He tried to pour as much innocence into his look as possible. "Neville's letter was very open. Not like those other letters you've been weeding out for me, right?"

Sirius' frown vanished. Ginny's elbow dug into his side.

"Harry," she hissed at him. "Neville doesn't need to know about all that."

"Right," he smiled down at her. "Of course, he doesn't."

"If it's all right with you, of course," Neville told Sirius.

"Well…" The animagus looked between them. "If we all went together, I don't see how it could be a problem. Scrimgeour's got the press all settled down. I haven't seen a bad article about Harry in a week, right, kiddo?"

"You don't let me see the news, remember, Padfoot?" Harry tucked into his meal, shuffling his food from one side of the plate to another.

"Oh, that's right. Sorry I forgot."

"Quite all right."

Ginny's foot came into contact with his angle. He narrowed his eyes and glared at her from the corner of her eye.

"Harry's being a bit dramatic," Ginny said to Neville. "We've got to watch for that all the time you see."

"Ginny," Sirius wiped his mouth with a linen napkin.

"Well, he is. Healer Fondorn said so, and we've got to be vigilant. If Neville's here, then he's got to know, too."

"Well…" Sirius pushed his plate away. "Not right now, okay, Gin?"

"…Fine."

"Why don't you and I go riding again?" Sirius asked her. "You wanted to work on the small jumps, didn't you?"

"Really?" Ginny's face lit up. "You mean it, really? I can?"

"Of course you can."

"Thank you!" Ginny tore out of her seat, her cane thumping along in a swift tempo by her side as she dashed from the room.

"She's looking better," Neville said to Remus. "She's hardly using the cane anymore."

"Healer Fondorn is confident that she'll grow out of its use."

"Really?"

"Oh yes," Remus smiled at the boy. "Fondorn thinks all she needs is hard work like Harry's and she'll be able to walk on that leg again without trouble."

Harry kept his face turned to his plate. So that's what's wrong with her, Harry stifled a mental sigh. I've been far too mean to her. He pushed the last of his meal to the side and looked up.

"Madam Pomfrey said Ginny would never be able to walk normally again," Neville said.

"Well, Healer Fondorn is a well respected Healer," Remus spread his hands and shrugged. "Madam Pomfrey – Poppy is a dear woman, but she is hardly a Healer."

"Of course," Neville laid his fork and knife aside. His plate was clean of all food. "Harry," he turned. "Want to show me around?"

"Why don't we get you into your room first?" He offered instead.

Neville nodded and rose. "Of course. Gran said she'd send the baggage through with a house elf."

"You have one?"

"Sort of." Neville joined Harry at the dining room entrance.

"Can we go, Sirius?" Harry remembered to ask. It was something both adults were trying to pound into his skull, along with other things. Manners and etiquette were easier to learn at the Malfoys, he sighed.

"It's may I, and you may," Sirius waved them off. "Go, have fun. And remember what we've talked about Harry!"

Harry felt his smile go stiff on his face. "Of course," he said to his godfather. He turned to Neville. "Your room's this way," he said and headed for the hall.

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With the door shut behind them and a silencing charm cast with a wand Harry had never seen before, Neville leaned up against the wall and stared at him.

"What in the name of Merlin have you gotten yourself into, Harry?"

Harry collapsed into the stuffed chair near the fireplace. Every room in the Black Manor had a fireplace. It was a little daunting. "It's a mess," he said. "A bloody, ugly mess."

"I have some things for you," Neville pushed away from the wall and opened his trunk. The clink of vials reached Harry's ears.

"You didn't…"

Neville's grin appeared through the fall of loose hair around his face. "Blaise and Draco are writing each other every day." He stood with a grunt and put the handful of vials on the low table in front of Harry. "I've got a check list from Healer Fabing. They've filled me in on what they could. I have the ingredients for other potions but…" Neville was cut off by Harry's arms wrapping tight around his neck.

"Harry?"

He couldn't speak. Tears were too close to the surface. "I…I'm glad you're here, Neville. You have no idea."

A tentative hand patted his back. "I should have come sooner."

"Don't – just don't. You're here now. Thank you, thank you so much."

Neville let a hand rest in the middle of Harry's thin back. "It's the least I could do, mate." He pulled away, reaching for the nest of notes Draco had sent by owl post. "I've got a ton of mail for you, too."

"You do?" Harry all but snatched the letters from Neville's hands. He felt like a fool, holding them tight to his chest. Neville smiled at him.

"I'd be the same way if Blaise's mail was kept from me." He frowned and glanced at Harry. "I…Will it be, since Blaise's, you know, a Slytherin?"

"You caught that," Harry wrinkled his nose.

"I did."

Harry put the letters into his lap, his thumb stroking over the bold script on the front of the letters. "I don't know what's wrong with him. It's like he's forgotten we were ever resorted into Slytherin. Even Ginny's starting to act that way."

"She is?"

"Yeah." Harry rubbed at his forehead. "Although I think I figured it out at lunch as to why. That Healer," Harry spat out the word, "He's a real piece of work."

"I gathered as much." Neville was taking down short notes on a blank piece of paper. "Are you having fevers?"

"No, but I can't tell if it's because I'm not sick or if it's because of the Pepper-Up Potions they're giving me."

Neville's glance was sharp. "Healer Fabing says you shouldn't be on those."

"I shouldn't be on potions that say they're one thing and are really the other."

Neville closed his eyes for a moment. "They're drugging you?"

"Not anymore."

He met an inquisitive stare.

"I'm throwing them up," he said shortly. "Don't," he held up a hand at Neville's disturbed expression. "I know it's bad. Believe me, I know it's bad. But I…the potions were making me feel weird. Really weird. Like a zombie that would do anything that people told me to do."

"That's…like Imperio."

"It doesn't feel like the curse," Harry chewed on his lower lip. "It just makes my mind cloudy. Really cloudy, like I've had too much firewhiskey."

"Have they noticed that you've stopped taking it?"

"Not that I can see. And they would have said something if they had noticed. No," he shook his head. "They stopped testing me once I did what they said for a week without complaining."

"That's…awful, Harry."

"I don't like it here," it came out without thought. He blushed and looked away. "It's awful, isn't it? I've been dreaming to get here ever since I learned about Sirius. And now that I'm here, I'm an ungrateful brat who hates what they're doing and…"

"Harry." Neville's touch made him jump. "You've got two more weeks." Neville's eyes were kind. "Believe me…I think I know, a little bit, about what's going on. I'll stay these last two weeks. Everything will be fine. Then we'll be back at Hogwarts, and we'll have the rest of the school year to figure out what's going on."

"You…know?" Harry felt hope stir in his heart.

"Something's…wrong," Neville nodded. "The plants are dying, Harry. It's like winter is already here. Draco's letters to Blaise haven't been very informative, since well, you know," they shared a look. "But I know enough that you saw something and that Draco's been working like mad to figure out a way to get to you."

"He is? Really?"

"Yeah."

Harry swallowed down a rush of feelings. "That's…good. Real good." He remembered the letters in his hands. "Can I…Can I leave these with you? I…I'm afraid if Sirius finds them…"

"They search your room?"

"Not that I can tell, but I'm learning to be paranoid." His fingers tightened on them. He really wanted to read them, but… "Are those potions from Professor Snape?"

"Yes," Neville turned back to the paper in front of him. "I've got Dreamless Sleep, a couple calming potions, and something for your throat that Healer Fabing wanted you to start taking…" The afternoon light waned as the boys bent over the long line of potions on the table. Harry kept Draco's letters tight in his hands the whole time. Something hard in the center of his chest was dissolving with every word Neville spoke. He had a friend. Neville understood. He would be okay. They would all be okay. They could do this. They would be fine.

Harry's smiles were genuine for the first time in a long while.

End Chapter Twenty-One