Hey thank you all so much for the reviews! It means a lot. :) So anyway moving onwards…..chapter 56 is about the grand plan to get into the chamber……Are ya intrigued yet? Lol. Let me know what ya think and Ill talk 2 ya soon:)

Christmas came and went a lot faster than anybody anticipated. Ron and his brothers went home with Harry as warned to by their parents given the circumstances at Hogwarts. Hermione spent Christmas week with her parents but spent the second week with Harry. Arielle insisted on having Hermione share her room. She looked up to Hermione as the big sister she never had. The Potter Pride lands were quite chaotic at the moment, however. Not only did Lily and James have Hermione staying with them but Ron too. Shari had her parents and her younger sister and older brother with them too. Her sister was getting married in the summer so she needed Shari's advice on wedding plans. While Shari commanded the house with her own family…..Sirius and Remus took refuge next door.

One night in James and Lily's Sirius and company sat at the kitchen table planning the way into the chamber of secrets. The table became a little over crowded with Sirius, Remus, James, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Arielle, Rob, Ryan and Shari's brother; Dieter.

"Alright so someone give a bit of parchment please." Sirius called out.

"Here you go Sirius…."

"Ah cheers nice one Jamsie mate!" Sirius replied smiling at his old friend.

"Wouldn't a quill come in handy too Padfoot?" Harry drawled resting with his elbow on the table and his head resting in his hand. Remus who was on his right half laughed at him.

"Like father like son……Ill tell ya something for nothing kid. You are damn lucky to be too far away from me to belt ya! Thanks Prongs."

"Are you gona stand for this James?" Dieter asked as James resumed his seat beside him.

"Stand for what Diet?"

"Sirius threatened to belt your son….."

"Oh that…..ya well Padfoot knows the price if he touched my son in that sense. Don't ya me ole mate?"

James asked smirking cynically and putting his arm round Sirius.

"Whatever ya say Prongs……So anyway down to business people. What are we gona do about this chamber then?"

"Get into it?" Harry said lazily in the same position. Everyone laughed or sniggered at him.

"Well ya Einstein but how ya flaming dipstick!"

"Oh hey Sirius I have a question!" Arielle asked innocently sitting beside him.

"Oh ya and what is that angel?"

"Well……what is a flaming dipstick?" Everyone at the table roared with laughter at Sirius expense. Even Sirius himself couldn't deny the humour in the last remark.

"Alright come you guys lets get down to business alright? Now nobody knows where this chamber is right? But we all know what lies inside it……"

"What lies inside Sirius?" Harry asked sitting upright.

"Supposed to be a monster but if Voldemort is behind it…….and Dumbledore is pretty sure he is then its more than likely a snake of some sort….."

"Why is that?"

"Because Ronald the Slytherin symbol is that of a snake. So as legend has it the chamber lies beneath the school itself therefore it would have to be a fairly large snake if it were to attack all those people. So the largest snake that has been recorded in the last two centuries is a basilisk. That is probably what we are dealing with. Therefore we have to divulge a plan that will enable us or Harry to defeat the basilisk without him becoming a victim to its mass destructive charismatic charms. Harry is the only one who can defeat it once and for all because that is who Tom Riddle is after. Harry is the only person who can restore Voldemort to full strength therefore the plan has to be carefully thought out otherwise we might loose Harry."

Everyone stared at Hermione in exasperation. Dieter's jaw was dropping slightly at the sound of so much knowledge coming from someone so young.

"So Sirius…..have I left anything out?"

"Uh…..uh…..uh…..no Hermione. You covered everything I think darling. Wow…..okay. Um James who does she remind you of?"

"Hmm…..well there is one person. She is very beautiful. She is extremely intelligent and ambitious. Grades used to mean everything to her and boy did she keep us in line. So um how about……"

"Lily!" James, Sirius and Remus all exclaimed together.

"Hermione I never in my life met somebody who knew so much about anything. You must be the smartest witch of your generation." Remus said kindly smiling as he put a hand on her shoulder. Hermione smiled coyly at Remus and said meekly….."Thanks…"

"Okay so now that we know what lies in the chamber…..all we have to do is figure out where the entrance is. Hermione I don't suppose you know anything about that?"

She smiled before saying……"Actually James I don't but I could always find out…."

"I think that you have done enough Hermione for one night." Remus said charismatically.

"So……what do we do?"

"Well Ron……."

"Hold up a minute dad…….Sirius, Remus…..didn't ye tell me that somebody was killed the last time the chamber was opened?"

Ryan gulped and said…..Killed?"

"Shh Ryan. Ya why Harry?" Sirius asked curiously.

"Well you mentioned how she died in the abandoned girl's bathroom. Why is it abandoned?"

"Well because there's this annoying ghos…..t. Are you saying what I think you are saying Harry?"

"Sirius if she died in the bathroom what if the entrance is in there somewhere?"

"Oh my god kid you could be onto something…."

"Harry have you met Myrtle?"

"Ya I have dad why?"

"Well she doesn't really like to be disturbed…."

"Ya I know she's right old moaning cow her!" Ron exclaimed sitting back in his chair. The marauders smiled at each other.

"We know what you mean Ron. She hated us in school coz we used always invade her space and provoke her and stuff. However she did have a soft spot for James. Didn't she Sirius?"

"Ya she sure did Remus mate….."

"That's freaky! She has a crush on Harry too!" Ron said.

"Well there you go. She like so many others has a thing for Potter boys! So watch out Harry!" Sirius said winking at him.

"Oh well Harry already has girls dripping over him……"

"Oh really Rob? Tell us more."

"There is nothing to tell Rob…"

"Let us be the judge of that. Go on Rob…"

"Well James the night that Sirius and Remus came to Hogwarts……Harry was in the common room when Ginny strolled in foul humour…."

ROB DON'T!" Ron shouted.

Sirius and James looked at Ron but Rob kept talking…..

"Well Hermione went to see what was wrong but she asked for Harry to come up to her. Harry swears nothing happens. We believe him though coz when Ginny came down the proof was there. But then in the common room…..Lavender Brown was coming onto him and the stupid tool did nothing!"

"I don't like her Rob okay?"

"But she is sooooo hot man!"

"Now that does sound like the true Potter magnetism. Girls just can't keep away from us Champ."

"Ya……"

"Well don't look too enthusiastic about it Harry. If I had girls like Lavender coming onto me…."

"Well you know what Rob? You go for it alright? She's all yours! I am not bothered. I'm going to bed. See you guys in the morning." Harry said as she stormed out of the kitchen with nine pairs of eyes stabbing him in the back.

"What has got into him?" Rob asked universally.

"You just couldn't leave him alone could ya Rob? You know he doesn't go after every girl he sees!"

"Well they all go after him I was just….."

"So what are you jealous?"

"Oi Ron! That's enough. Rob what has got into you?"

"Dad I was just winding him up…."

"Ya well congratulations. It worked brilliantly!"

"Dad I….."

"Rob! I don't want to hear it alright? Harry clearly is not at that stage yet okay? Don't go hassling him about it. Now go upstairs and apologise to him."

"But dad…."

"Rob go up and apologise to Harry immediately or I will drag you up!"

"Alright fine….."

"Thank you. And lose the attitude while you're at it." Sirius remarked as Rob passed him on his way into the hall. Everyone was looking unsure of what to say.

"Okay meeting is adjourned for tonight troops. So Ryan get off to bed now please.

"But dad it's only 10:00…."

"RYAN! You should have been in bed an hour ago now go….."

"But dad….."

RYAN! I don't want any arguments okay? I already got that from your brother so go on scoot!"

Ryan stared at Sirius looking disgruntled so Dieter stepped in and said….

"Hey come on little man Ill go with ya okay?" He ruffled his nephew's hair. Ryan smiled a little and hopped off the chair.

"See ya later guys." Ryan said as he headed to the door with Dieter behind him.

"See ya in the morning alright?" Dieter called out smiling at the others.

"See ya Dieter." They all replied.

"Okay Airs off to bed with ya."

"Okay dad. Goodnight Sirius." She got off her chair and hugged Sirius who was still sitting but got down on his haunches.

"Goodnight sweetheart." He picked her up and kissed her forehead before saying…..

"Ill see you in the morning angel." She smiled as he put her back down. She then went over to Remus.

"Goodnight Remus. Ill see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Arielle. Sweet dreams." He replied hugging his god daughter securely.

"See you in the morning daddy."

"Goodnight darling." James said as he hugged his daughter.

"Good night Ron. See you later Hermione."

"See ya Airs." They called back.

"Alright well job done. I have apologized to Harry okay?"

"I don't particularly care for your attitude Rob……"

"Dad I….."

"You just came in here as if nothing happened! Don't you understand the humiliation he must have gone through?"

"……yes of course but….."

"No buts Rob. Some people mature quicker than others. And from where I'm standing I prefer Harrys growth rate…."

"Oh here we go again. Prince is oh so perfect….."

"OI! THAT IS MY BEST FRIENDS SON YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WHO HAPPENS TO BE STANDING BEHIND YOU! MY GODSON….."

"YES AND I AM SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR SON……SIRIUS!"

"You are my son….."

"Really coz sometimes I get the impression that maybe just maybe you would rather I had never invaded the perfect world you had with Harry!"

"I thought we were passed this rubbish Rob….."

"Ya well so did I! I guess I was wrong. He is still your favourite no matter how hard you convince yourself…."

"Rob that is not true!"

"I heard you last night…..in the classroom? "You will always be my best man Prongslet."

"Yes and he will but that doesn't mean I love you any less….."

"You are unbelievable sometimes….."

"Rob wait……"

"Alright answer this one dad…..if there was fire on the grounds and everyone got out safely bar Harry and me…..who would you save first?"

"What Rob come on now that is not fair….."

"I thought so….."

"Rob….."

"You would rather save your precious godson than your own son? There is nothing more to say Sirius. See you guys later." Rob opened the back door and ran for the house.

Sirius sighed in frustration. He ran his hands over his face tiredly.

"Sirius….." Remus called.

"I am so sick of this argument! He knows how much Harry means to me. I would……I would sacrifice my own life for that kid but that doesn't mean I wouldn't do the same for him! No matter what I do is wrong….."

"Sirius what you have got to understand is that Rob will always be jealous of Harry unless you put an end to it…."

"Hermione……I have bent over backwards to prevent that. Hell my back is broken form that kid!"

"There is only one difference between Harry and Rob….."

"Really coz I can see six or seven….."

"They are not differences. Those are flaws."

"Oh really? So tell me what is this one difference between them then?"

"It has got nothing to do with you or school or even Harry. It has to do with family."

"Family? Hermione we are a family….."

"No he doesn't…..not really. He lost his family five years ago. The only time he met you and Harry and the others was at your wedding to his aunt. He was always an only child. He was used to being doted upon and never had to share anything. The biggest challenge in his life….he had to share a father figure with a child everyone adored. Harry was adored in the same he was."

"Yes but Hermione it's been five years!"

"So what Sirius? Admit it….you don't love Rob in the same way you do Harry….."

"Hold it right there!"

"Why so defensive Sirius if I am wrong?"

"I love Rob……"

"But you love Harry more. Everyone can see that and it isn't wrong but……maybe you should spend more time with Rob…."

"This all blew out of proportion because I said he wasn't maturing in a way I approved…."

"You compared him to Harry. Sirius if you don't fix this for good you will lose Rob forever. And I know you don't want that."

"No of course not….."

"Well then…..what are you waiting for? Go and talk to him."

"Alright but can I just say one thing? You are going to make an amazing witch no matter what path you end up travelling." Hermione smiled at him. Sirius left hurriedly with a thumbs up from his friends.

"Well I suppose I better go and see that son of mine."

"Well in that case I will bid you all a goodnight."

"You sure mate? You don't want to stay for a goodnight beverage?"

"No James it's alright. Ill see you in the morning. Goodnight Ron, Hermione."

"Goodnight Remus." They replied smiling back at him. James winked at him and they both left.

"Hey Harry can I come in mate?" James called from outside the door.

"s open." Harry replied. James smiled at his son's lazy answer and entered. Harry was lying face down on the bed. He looked up and smiled at his father. James returned it as he sat down on the edge.

"Hey you alright champ?" He asked as he laid his hand on Harry's back.

"I'm alright thanks…."

"You aren't upset by what Rob said?"

Harry turned over on his back at this statement.

"Do you think that I am slow dad?"

"What? Harry what are you talking about?"

"I remember the stories that Sirius used to tell me…..about your days at Hogwarts. How you and him used to chase every girl around the school. And sometimes ye would sit in the common room and count how many girls ye had at the end of each month. Whoever had the most was allowed to use the invisibility cloak for a week to sneak into the kitchen or whatever……"

"Harry….."

"Sirius said he first kissed a girl when he 12 and you were the same. But Remus didn't until he was 15. He called him the sensible one coz…..you shouldn't kiss a girl just for the sake of it. Girls shouldn't used to boost a man's ego. That was his biggest regret……"

"Harry what are you getting at mate?"

"This girl who is in our year….Lavender Brown. The other night she came close enough to me I could have kissed her. But I didn't……"

"Well that's good Harry. You are heeding Sirius sound advice…"

"I didn't kiss her dad because I don't know how! So go on….laugh."

"Harry why would I laugh? You are my son….."

"Aren't all Potter men supposed to be wickedly talented quiddtich players and magnets for girls?"

"People only say that for a bit of a laugh Harry….."

"No they don't dad! They say it because its true. How many girls did you kiss in school?"

"What? Harry…."

"HOW MANY DAD?"

"……. I honestly don't know Harry okay?"

"That many huh?"

"Harry please don't become despondent. Look I had my first kiss when I was twelve with this girl who was in Hufflepuff. Her name was Alexandra Henderson but everyone called her Alexei…..anyway it was towards the end of second year. Sirius, Remus, Peter and I were outside under one of the trees by the lake. The Sirius and I had only just begun to notice girls you know? Anyway I had my eye on this girl and I saw her looking over at us. She was sitting a little away from us with three other girls. So after I had mustered up the courage I approached her and asked her if she wanted to come out with me sometime and she said yes. So as you can imagine I was well chuffed coz it was my first time asking a girl out and she had obliged….."

"Well according to Sirius none of them refused you."

"Well…..ya okay anyway since we were in second year there was not a lot of places we could go so I suggested the kitchen. That night I met her outside her common room and we snuck down to the kitchen under the invisibility cloak. It was a lot of fun actually looking back on it. We stayed there for about three hours talking and laughing about various things. We walked back to hers and I kissed her goodnight…."

"Did ye go out for long?"

"Only for two weeks….."

How come?"

"Well we were twelve and I didn't want to be tied down and neither did she. So we agreed that if we were both single at the start of fifth year that we would go out properly."

"So….."

"Well I only said that coz I didn't want to hurt her feelings……I just didn't think we had anything going you know?"

"So……"

"So my point is that if you really like someone you should go for it before it's too late. If the mutual chemistry is right…..then so will the kiss. First kisses are always hard Harry but once you have done it once…..you are sorted for life…Practice makes perfect."

"So that is why you went out with so many!" Harry said smiling.

"Partly that yes but also for your mother….."

"What has mom got to do with anything?"

"I had my eyes set on her since I was thirteen years old Harry. She was the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She still is. The second I lay eyes on her….I knew that she was meant for me. I knew that we would be together for life. The only problem was she thought I was extremely arrogant and I probably was if I think about it. All the girls after me and being a top quiddtich player….."

"Sounds like you still are….." Harry said half laughing. James hit him playfully.

"I would do anything to get her so I began to tone down a little once I realised that this was getting me nowhere with her. I went out with hundreds of girls but Lily is the only one I said I love you to. She was and always will be the love of my life. Anyway you get some sleep and we will talk some more tomorrow."

"Alright…..goodnight dad."

"Goodnight Champ." James replied as he closed the door and smiled at his son.

Meanwhile Sirius was having no luck with Rob. He refused to believe a word Sirius said.

"Alright do you want the truth? I am not going to deny that Harry means more to me than he will ever know. He was the reason I started acting like an adult……He gave me reason to live when I thought I couldn't be strong enough for James and Lily and he is and always will be the reason that I got married. So you don't dare stand there and impugned me Rob on how I favour him over you! If I do its because you leave me with no choice. I want you to remember me as a father you were deprived of, I want us to be able to talk freely about things going on in each others lives, I want us to be able to support each other through our times of turbulence and heartache. But how can we have all of that if you keep on pushing me away? You seemed to have a Harry obsession imbedded in into your skull or something."

"I want to have all those things too dad but……we can't. I want to call you dad because you are that to me. But you're not Sirius. You are just a father figure in my life. Every time we get close to bonding……to learning more about the other….something happens. Now please don't go off on one okay but…..you do prefer Harry to me. I understand why finally and all. You have known him longer than me, you were there for his birth, his christening, his birthdays and everything in between. You both bonded from the start and that sort of bond can never be over shadowed or diminish. We have only known each other for five years……that is not enough time to become as close as you and Harry are."

"So how much time will it take?" Sirius asked patiently.

"Not ten years, not twenty years not even a century. There is too much going on with Harry and there always will be. He is your priority Sirius and he always will be. I know you love me Sirius. So do I…You will always be the best father I had but you cant change the past. The damage has been done. I started to call you dad in the hope that things would change……"

"We were doing well for a while kid..."

"Ya…..I tired of fighting for your attention Sirius. And I am sick of us arguing. I think we should just cut our losses and……move on. If second best is all you can offer Sirius then…..so be it. That's better than us fighting."

"I promise that I will prove to me that you are equally important to me Rob….."

"Sirius you can't so stop it….Can we just move on and……"

"Rob you are my son and I love you. That I will prove to you. See you in the morning son."

"Goodnight Sirius."

"Goodnight Rob.