Hey everyone.

Sorry for the horrible long wait, but I had some personal matters to take care of first and there just wasn't any time to write.

And lots of thanks to my new beta Kyae for her wonderful job! And also thanks to Horacrux777 who also decided to proof-read!

But now on with this story!

Enjoy!

Chapter 26

He was gliding down a deserted corridor towards a plain black door, past rough stone walls, torches, and an open doorway, onto a flight of stone steps leading downstairs on the left…

He reached the black door, placing his hand on the doorknob, but could not open it… he stood gazing at it, desperate for entry… something he wanted with all his heart lay beyond… a prize beyond his dreams… something that would help him to finally win… to achieve his goal…

…HPHPHP…

With an annoyed sigh Harry jolted up in bed, rubbing his temples to try and force away the vestiges of the dream. A tired yawn escaped his lips that were now set into an annoyed scowl "Damn it… I've had it with Voldemort's dreams."

It had been four days since he had arrived at Grimmauld Place in the middle of the night and tomorrow – he glanced at his watch – no, today was Christmas. He yawned and stretched before standing up. It was four o'clock in the morning and not a single night since he had arrived here had he slept completely through the night and slowly but surely he was getting grumpy because of it.

With a tired sigh he stumbled across the room, nearly falling over a heap of presents in front of his bed. Not really caring at the moment he ignored them and left his room to get something to drink in the kitchen. He knew that he couldn't go to sleep again anyway.

He tiptoed down the stairs, careful not to wake up Mrs. Black, who still liked to scream her lungs out when something disrupted her slumber. He shook his head. 'At least she's not that prejudiced against muggleborns anymore...'

When he arrived in the hallway, he stopped and looked over to the candlestick next to Mrs. Black's portrait. A frown made its way to his face when he saw that the secret door leading to the Black library wasn't fully closed.

With a quiet snap of his fingers his wand shot out of its holster and appeared in his hand. He quietly pushed the door a little bit more open and peered inside. The dim lights of the library were turned on and a single person was sitting on one of the comfortable black armchairs, reading a book. Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Sirius?" he asked, still holding his wand up, lest it wasn't him.

His godfather looked up a little startled. "Harry? What are you doing here at… four in the morning?"

Harry fully entered the library and titled his head while closing the door behind him. "I could ask you the same question," he grinned. "Normally a bucket of ice-water's needed to get you awake – let alone out of bed! And now I find you here - with a book in hand no less! Who are you and what have you done with Sirius?"

The man in question pouted. "It's me Harry, I just couldn't sleep well, so I decided to put my time to a half-decent use for once. And you?"

Harry flopped down in the other armchair in the Black library and shrugged. "The same problem. Voldemort keeps bugging me with visions of what I believe is the Department of Mysteries."

"Your shields still aren't up then? And – wait, come again? What do you mean when you say visions of the Department of Mysteries?"

"It's just like I said. For the last four nights I've always been running like a maniac through a dark corridor. Over and over again. And when I want to open the door, leading to the room where I believe the copy of the prophecy lies, I always wake up."

The book suddenly slipped out of Sirius' hands and he looked at Harry with slight horror. "Harry…Merlin's beard! When your shields are down… Voldemort doesn't need to go to the Ministry to get the full contents of the prophecy. He may already have them!"

Harry rested his head on his hands and gave Sirius a look that asked 'Do you think I'm stupid?'

"I'm close to fully regain control over my magic again, thus over my shields also. I believe my shields will be up tomorrow if I keep trying until then he can try as long as he wants. But despite that, Voldemort isn't able to get the full contents of the prophecy out of my mind. Even after my shields broke down I was able to keep the most important things behind an extra barrier I've made in my mind."

"I don't understand," replied Sirius a little perplexed. "How's that possible?"

Harry leaned back in his chair. "Draco and I developed a technique – or rather Nicolas taught us after having mastered it first - that allows us to protect a small part of our minds without the help of normal Occlumency. For this technique no magic is needed, so I was able to hold it up after the dragon-blood disrupted my magic."

"Occlumency without magic?" asked Sirius with a sceptical voice. "Is that even possible?"

Harry nodded. "It is. Some of my thoughts are protected by a barrier of… numbers, you can say." At Sirius blank look Harry decided to elaborate: "Well… you have to imagine it like this: Legillimency works like you're viewing small movies or pictures with sound. If something is in your way or is too loud, you can't see or hear anything. In a small part of my mind, the part where the really important information is stored, I'm nonstop counting to hundred, over and over again, while concentrating on the numbers, so that they appear in my mind. They're blocking the view on the information and at the same time are disrupting the sound."

Sirius closed his eyes. "So… you're counting even at the moment? How the hell do you manage to focus on the things around you then?"

Harry chuckled. "You can say it's a form of multitasking. It took me roughly half-a-year to be able to do it in the back of my mind without needing to concentrate on it. Narcissa nearly lost it with Draco, Fleur and me when we totally ignored her or didn't even manage to translate the easiest Runes. And Perenelle..." he shuddered. "She's really scary. She nearly skinned us alive when we destroyed her favourite vase while practicing duelling and that counting stuff."

"So… you're sure that he couldn't access information about the Order?"

"Positive. Nick tested it several times after my shields broke down the first time I came in contact with dragon-blood."

"It's funny how dragon-blood - which normally is considered a healing ingredient - can do so much damage to ones magic… you know… James had a little problem with dragon-blood as well... said that he always felt like a bag of itching powder had been thrown over him when he came in contact with it." Sirius chuckled. "Maybe it's something that lies in the family..."

"Dad had a problem with dragon-blood too?" asked Harry and Sirius nodded. "Well, that could explain it. Say, Padfoot, which book is interesting enough to make you read it?"

His godfather looked at the book on the floor and picked it up to place it on the small desk next to him. "Normally this is something you shouldn't even know of but… it's about ways to cheat death." Harry's eyebrows rose and Sirius continued. "I've always asked myself how Voldemort managed not to die after attacking you and your parents. And after we found…"

He stopped and Harry leaned forward. "Yes? You found what?"

Sirius quickly shook his head. "Nothing. I was just -"

"Ah, Harry. Long time no see."

Sirius threw a small smile at the ghost of his brother who was floating near the ceiling and then stood up. "Well… I guess I start making breakfast then. We are what? Thirteen people? I guess it'll take more than an hour to get everything ready. And with today being Christmas… the first Weasley probably will be up shortly after six o'clock."

Harry slightly turned his head up and his eyes followed Regulus when he floated down. He threw a last look at his godfather and then looked at the ghost. "He's hiding something… and I get the feeling that he isn't the only one that knows something about Voldemort that I don't. Am I right, Regulus?"

Regulus chuckled. "I think you're just reading too much into the things the big mouth of my dear brother spits out."

Harry narrowed his eyes, but didn't say anything. He grabbed the book Sirius had left on the table and read the title on the pitch-black leather cover while Regulus kept chatting about Sirius and his big mouth. Immortality of the Soul, by Marcus Carrowan. Harry slowly stood up and put the book on the nearest shelf. 'What does this have to do with cheating death?'

"Are you even listening to me?" asked Regulus a little annoyed.

Harry sighed and threw him an apologetic look. "Sorry Regulus. I've got a lot on my mind at the moment, and I haven't had a good nights' rest in ages. Forgive me if I'm not that talkative at the moment."

Regulus waved his apology away. "No problem." His brow furrowed. "I heard from Sirius Voldemort was able to gain access your mind. Is this true?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Slowly but surely this question's annoying me. Yes, it's true." His eyes wandered over the different shelves and then his head snapped up. "Regulus? Tell me, have you read all the books in this library here?"

The ghost slowly floated around him and then to the shelves. "Nearly every single one, why?"

"So…" began Harry and followed the ghost to look at his transparent face. "You know a lot about the Dark Arts? I mean different rituals and so on?"

Regulus looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. "Yes, Harry. I suppose I do."

Harry was silent, while thinking about the strange things he had heard and come across the last days 'In essence divided… an immortal soul… I'm getting a headache with all that stuff!' He looked back at Regulus. "Is there a way," he asked slowly, "to cheat death with the help of your soul? Hypothetically spoken that you believe in the souls' immortality?"

Regulus didn't move at first, but then looked at Harry with a blank expression. "It would be stupid not to believe in it. You have a ghost in front of you after all. Normally we're also referred to as restless souls. Our bodies are dead, but our souls live on."

He seemed to think for a moment and then shook his head. "The immortality of the soul is something that goes beyond human understanding. Surely, some souls can be seen – like me for example – but no one knows what's happens to those who don't return as ghosts. And if you ask me… death is only the next great adventure. You know… that's one of the favourite phrases of a certain headmaster of Hogwarts."

Harry frowned. "That may be, but it doesn't answer my question."

"I can't help you there, Harry," said Regulus firmly and slowly floated back to the armchairs. "Death is something you shouldn't try to prevent with all means. It's a part of life."

Harry's left eye twitched slightly, he didn't even really register the words Regulus said next. If Voldemort's return had something to do with snake-face overcoming death by tampering with his soul - provided there was even such a possibility, and it wasn't just a figment of Harry's over-tired, emotionally fraught imagination – then… did Harry have to fear that Voldemort would do it again?

He rubbed his head. 'I'm seriously beginning to wonder whether I'm developing a moderate case of paranoia,' he thought drily.

"Well?" asked Regulus with a transparent eyebrow raised.

With a huff Harry went over to the door. "Geeze… being dead really must affect your brain. You start to sound just like Dumbledore," he replied sarcastically and then shook his head. "Sorry. I guess I should go now. I don't want to start arguing with you. Merry Christmas."

"Yeah, a merry Christmas, Harry," nodded Regulus and Harry left the library.

…HPHPHP…

Harry slowly climbed the stairs and wiped his head with the towel slung around his neck. He sat down on the broad windowsill in the living room to catch his breath while Sirius, Remus and Mrs. Weasley were putting up Christmas decorations – a little late, but nevertheless. Harry could not remember Sirius ever being in such a good mood; he was actually singing carols, apparently delighted that he was to have company over Christmas. Harry could hear his voice echoing up through the floor while watching the sky growing whiter outside the windows, threatening snow. His eyes felt a little heavy.

Unlike Sirius had expected there hadn't been a Weasley stomping down the stairs to the kitchen at six. Quite the contrary actually, for that it was nearly twelve o'clock and they had yet to wake up.

Harry yawned and shook his head with slight wonder. 'I don't know how someone can sleep that long…I thought Ron had gotten into routine by now…' He stretched his slightly aching muscles. He had been out training for two hours.

"Harry? Where the heck are you?" asked a familiar voice from the hallway.

"Back already?" Harry grinned. "In the living-room, Draco."

He waited for a short time, listening to the footsteps of his friend and then Draco entered the room with a slightly baffled look on his face. "Say… aren't the others awake yet? Mother and I left three hours ago to visit Uncle Sev. Before that Mrs. Weasley told them all to wake up."

Harry shrugged. "They probably ignored her. It's their problem that they didn't get any breakfast. And I must say… I was surprised, but Sirius is a pretty decent cook. The food was delicious."

Draco snickered. "Yeah. Wait 'til the weasel wakes up and hears that he won't be having lunch today because Mrs. Weasley wants to visit Mr. Weasley. He's going to have a fit."

Harry nodded and stood up. "D'you want to come too? I still have to open my presents." He grinned. "By the way, did Snape like ours?"

"He couldn't really believe what he was seeing. I haven't seen Uncle Sev like that since he met Nick and Penny. But I guess it was to be expected. After all…" Draco smirked when they entered Harry's room. "How'd you react when someone gives you a set of four Phoenix feathers, each a different element and a vial of Phoenix tears?"

"I guess Snape thought the world's coming to an end. The former 'Gryffindor Golden Trio' giving him a present together with his godson…" Harry snickered and sat down on the bed. "I bet he's asking himself if he should check in into a mental institution."

"Probably," agreed Draco with a smirk.

Harry sorted through his presents and found one with Hermione's handwriting on it. She had given him a book that resembled a diary except that it said things like "Do it today or later you'll pay!" every time he opened a page.

"Morgana's holy shoes… this has to be a joke somehow," muttered Harry while Draco was busy laughing his ass off. "What did I do to make her angry?"

Draco looked at him after somewhat having calmed down. "You know, she was pretty pissed when you just disappeared from Hogwarts without saying goodbye."

Harry shook his head with a bemused smile on his face and once more dove into the pile.

Sirius and Lupin had given him a set of excellent books entitled Practical Magic and its use against the Dark Arts, which had superb, moving colour illustrations of all the counter-jinxes, curses and hexes it described. Hagrid had sent a furry brown wallet that had fangs, which were presumably supposed to be an anti-theft device, but unfortunately prevented Harry putting any money in without getting his fingers ripped off. Tonks's present was a small, working model of a Firebolt. Ron had given him an enormous box of Every-Flavour Beans, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley the usual hand-knitted jumper and some mince pies.

Suddenly the door opened and a slightly sleepy looking Ginny and a widely yawning Ron entered his room. "Morning. Merry Christmas you two," said Ginny softly.

Harry smiled and too, wished her and Ron a merry Christmas. He was looking at a skilfully crafted, silver dagger in his hand that he had gotten from Narcissa and Draco. Then his eyes fell on a pair of black gloves made of the skin of a Hungarian Horntail. He chuckled quietly. That, and – he shook his head – four small vials of the Elixir of Life, were the presents he got from Nicolas and Perenelle.

Draco meanwhile nodded a little uncomfortable and looked at Ginny when she flopped down on the chair at the desk. "Thanks for the potions manual, I've been looking for something like that. Sorry that I didn't get you anything, but I didn't expect a present."

Ginny waved it away, while Ron's eyes suspiciously darted from one to the other. "It's no problem. It just caught my eye and I thought you'd like it, being so good in potions and all." She looked at Harry. "Um… what are you doing?"

He had just reached the last package. It was a present from Dobby. A truly dreadful painting that Harry suspected had been done by the elf himself. He was just turning it upside-down to see whether it looked better that way while squinting at it as if he still needed glasses.

Finally he gave up and shrugged, when, with a loud crack, Fred and George apparated at the foot of his bed.

"Happy Christmas," said George. "Don't go downstairs for a bit."

"Why not?" said Ron.

"Mum's crying again," said Fred heavily. "Percy sent back his Christmas jumper."

"Worthless prat," Draco said annoyed.

"He didn't have to wear it, but to send it back…" mumbled Harry with a frown.

"Without a note," added George. "Hasn't asked how Dad is or visited him or anything."

Ginny and Ron were shifting in their sits uncomfortably, they had promised to forgive Percy but hearing this again wasn't really helping them do that.

"We tried to comfort her," said Fred, moving around the bed to look at Harry's portrait. "Told her Percy's nothing more than a humungous pile of rat droppings."

"Didn't work," said George, helping himself to a Chocolate Frog. "So Lupin took over. Best let him cheer her up before we go down for breakfast, I reckon."

"What's that supposed to be, anyway?" asked Fred, squinting at Dobby's painting. "Looks like a gibbon with two black eyes."

"It's Harry!" said George, pointing at the back of the picture, "says so on the back!"

"Good likeness," said Fred, grinning. Harry threw his new homework diary at him; it hit the wall opposite and fell to the floor where it said happily: "If you've dotted the 'i's and crossed the 't's then you may do whatever you please!"

Harry eyed George. "Tell me… did you just say 'before we go down to breakfast'? How are you planning on doing that?"

George looked at him oddly, just like the other Weasleys in the room. Ron titled his head. "Well… standing up… climbing down the stairs… going into the kitchen? That's what you usually do if you want to have breakfast."

Harry nodded and looked at them seriously, while Draco hurriedly stood up and left the room. Supposedly to laugh.

"That it is, yes. But alas, my dear children," he said, all the way keeping a perfectly straight face. "Despite seeing the truth behind your words it's impossible to eat breakfast past twelve o'clock. Because I daresay, it's lunchtime then."

"Past twelve o'clock…?" repeated Fred and then looked at his watch. "Merlin's blue boxers! We slept past twelve o'clock!"

Ron's eyes widened. "You're joking, right? Today's Christmas. There's no way we slept that long!"

Harry didn't answer, but rather stood up to follow Draco. When he was at the door he once more turned around. "By the way, we won't have lunch today. Because-"

"CHILDREN!" the voice of Mrs. Weasley suddenly boomed trough the house. "WE'RE LEAVING FOR ST. MUNGOS NOW! COME DOWN!"

Harry just smirked and left three totally flabbergasted Weasleys behind to get a drink in the kitchen. He, Draco, Narcissa, Remus and Tonks had already visited Mr. Weasley the day before. And they all agreed that Christmas was a day to spend with the family.

...HPHPHP...

"Am I supposed to believe that?" asked Harry, laughing so hard that he nearly fell off the sofa near the fireplace.

Sirius, who was sitting next to him on the sofa nodded. "Yes! It's a pity that it was the only time we were able to prank Filch in front of the whole school, though. Seeing him jumping around in a pink dress was hilarious! And Mrs. Norris was such a cute little ballerina as well!"

Harry snorted anew. He, Sirius and Remus were sitting in the living room, where a giant Christmas tree, decorated with real fairies, was located. They were the only ones in the house at the moment. The Weasleys were all visiting Mr. Weasley in St. Mungos, while Draco had disappeared into the library. Narcissa was nowhere to be found.

Remus gave Sirius a pointed look from his seat on the other sofa. "Yes and it earned you and James a month of detention with McGonagall, if I remember correctly."

Sirius scoffed and waved his comment away. "As if you didn't have a hand in it too! You were the one who researched the spells after all."

Harry grinned. "Ah, but he wasn't stupid enough to let himself get caught."

"Hey!" cried Sirius indignantly and Remus nodded with a slightly smug look on his face. "Are you saying I'm stupid?"

"Heavens no!" replied Harry innocently. "I was merely voicing my opinion on that matter. If getting caught at breaking the rules would mean you're stupid... then I'd be a total idiot!"

Sirius ruffled his hair. "Can't argue with that pup."

They sat in comfortable silence and the only thing heard was the crackling of the fire and the soft ruffling of paper when Remus turned a page of his book. Harry felt himself slowly drifting off into the depths of his mind. He closed his eyes and adjusted his position on the sofa to be more comfortable. But despite that he was aware of the slightly interested looks Sirius and Remus were sending him now.

His brows furrowed, when he started to feel the magic coursing through his body, through every nerve and even the tiniest cell. With glee he realized, that not a single thing seemed to be wrong with it and nothing was disrupting the ever-present flow anymore. Harry took a deep breath and opened his eyes – then stopped.

Nothing happened.

He closed his eyes again and frowned. Something still wasn't right... Suddenly he nearly fell off the sofa. A wave of magic had washed over him, startling him to no end. With a gasp his eyes snapped open and he looked at his godfather. Sirius was grinning slightly.

"Thought you needed a little help to get the magic flowing into the right places again," he answered with a little shrug. "I'm an average occlumens myself, so I know that sometimes you've gotta kick-start your shields."

Harry nodded with a smile of his own and once more closed his eyes. Without much effort now his shields fell into place... accompanied by the slight tingling sensation. Layer for layer the barriers rose and he stashed all of his memories behind them. He mentally thanked Sirius once more and let out a content sigh. He definitely felt safer now that his shields were up again.

"I swear when he's finished he's so gonna get it!" sighed someone familiar behind him. "He disappeared without saying anything! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

"Calm down," he heard Sirius answer and noted that he and Remus were no longer sitting with him. Had he been busy longer than he thought? "How come you're here anyway?"

"Calm down? Pah... that's a good joke. And I came here to yell at him!"

Harry chuckled and slowly rose to his feet. With a small smirk he turned around and came right face to face with his glowering girlfriend.

"Well... hello, my dear," he smiled widely and stepped around the sofa to grab her hand. "It's a real pleasure to see you. I wish you a merry Christmas and hope you had a nice trip."

He kissed her hand and Hermione blushed a little bit when Sirius started snickering. She smacked his hand away and crossed her arms. "Flattery will bring you nowhere Potter. D'you have any idea how worried I was?"

Harry gave her a mock bow. "My apologies. Forgive me for being so rude. I've failed to tell you that I had to leave four days ago. But please understand that I was in a little bit of a hurry."

She sighed exasperated, but a small smile played on her lips. She rolled her eyes and took a step forward. "Don't you scare me like that ever again. I had no idea where you disappeared to, until Dumbledore told us. I was so... ugh! Forget it!" She took a deep breath and shook her head. "And I also wish you a merry Christmas."

Harry smiled softly when she gave him a hug and pressed his nose into her soft hair, inhaling deeply. He briefly closed his eyes. "You've got a new shampoo," he murmured and she leaned back to look at him. "Before it was a mix of lavender and chocolate... now you smell of vanilla and lilies..."

She chuckled and gave him a soft kiss. "I'm surprised you've noticed. I got it from my parents yesterday."

He raised his eyebrow and encircled her waist with his arms. "Why yesterday? Today's Christmas."

Hermione shook her head and looked down at the floor. "My grandfather called. My grandmother isn't really well and they decided to visit her for Christmas. My dad's afraid that it might be the last time he'll be able to see her. They took the plane at five o'clock."

With a frown Harry titled his head. "And you're not going with them because...?"

She wriggled out of his hold and stretched her arms over her head with a sigh. Harry's eyes travelled downwards and rested on her belly when her pullover rose up, slightly exposing it.

She caught his eyes and clicked her tongue with a shake of her head. "Staring's rude," she remarked with a small smile that – which Harry noticed slightly worried – didn't reach her eyes. "And I didn't accompany them because I've never met my grandmother and my grandfather. I... well... I don't see why I should visit them then... it would just feel awkward."

Harry nodded and gave her another kiss.

Suddenly they heard Remus give a snort and looked over to him. He was grinning at Sirius, who was currently busy pouting. Harry threw his godfather a questioning look and he huffed and turned his back to him. Remus chuckled once again.

"What's his problem?" asked Harry curiously.

Remus waved his hands and shrugged. "The puppy's shining trough. I guess poor little Padfoot wants attention."

Sirius turned around and punched Remus softly on the arm. He grinned sheepishly when Harry raised his eyebrows and then gave him a mock hurt look. "I'm wounded Harry!" he cried. "As soon as the girl arrives we're nothing but air!"

Harry grinned. "But I have to pay attention to Mione. Otherwise I'd be in trouble. It's all out of self-preservation."

He yelped when Hermione roughly shoved him on the sofa and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head when she looked down at him. "You're such a jerk Harry James Potter!" She stuck her nose into the air. "I'm going to set up my room. Don't follow me!"

She abruptly left and Harry just stared at the door with a raised eyebrow. "Damn... she's bitchy today..."

Sirius and Remus started laughing and once again went over to the sofa to sit down.

"Just like James and Lily," chuckled Remus and Harry smiled softly. "They were always arguing like that. I swear that was like seeing a memory."

Sirius stared into space and then nodded. "Damn scary that is... Harry's nearly an exact replica of James, but Hermione? She's just like a second Lily! Damn smart and she even looks a little like her."

Remus snorted. "You're right she really looks a little like her, yes. But her personality reminds me more of Lily than her looks. She's a very intelligent young woman and she's not just book smart. And she's got a very fiery temper."

"Looks like all Potter men are destined to end up with bossy woman," muttered Sirius and gave Harry a wink.

"Definitely," agreed Remus. "He made a good choice."

Harry just gave both of them a blank look. "No offence or anything, but...could you two please shut up?"

"Never!" they both chirped amused.

Harry sighed and stood up. "I go and help her with her stuff."

"Didn't she say not to follow her?" asked Sirius with a frown. "She seems awfully quick to anger today. And women are scary when they're angry."

When Harry reached the door he nodded. "Believe me, I know that they can be, but I have to ask her something."

With that he closed the door behind him and went over to the stairs. A small frown was etched on his face when he started to climb them. He didn't think the two adults had noticed, but something was troubling Hermione it seemed. It may sound cheesy, but the light in her eyes, that always made her smiles so beautiful, hadn't been there.

When he reached her room he softly knocked on the door.

"I told you not to follow me!" she bellowed from the other side of the room and her voice cracked a little bit at the end.

Harry didn't knock a second time, but opened the door and before Hermione could even register what he was doing closed it behind him and locked it, so that she couldn't run out. She opened her mouth, but Harry held up his hand.

"Don't," he said with a firm but gentle voice while walking over to her. She was seated on the bed. The large trunk at her feet was untouched. A clear sign for him that she hadn't come up here to set up her room.

"Get out," said Hermione softly. "I want to set up my room and I don't need you distracting me the whole time. So please just leave me alone for a while."

He shook his head and sat down next to her. "Not happening. First you're going to tell me what's wrong. You're not your usual self today."

"I... it's nothing," she replied and turned her head away. "And besides, I can't be cheery every day. I just have a lot of things on my mind right now. That's all."

Harry frowned. "Like your parents supposed visit to your grandparents?"

She looked up startled and then her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean with 'supposed visit'?" she asked angrily. "Are you accusing me of lying about why I'm here?"

He gently took her hand when she looked away once more. "No," he replied softly. "But I know you good enough to see when something's troubling you."

"Harry I... damn it!" she sighed and then looked up. Harry felt a pang in his chest when he saw that she had tears in her eyes. "I... I can't lie to you, can I?"

He raised her hand up to his mouth and kissed it softly. Then he shook his head. "You could. But I won't like it. And... usually it's better to talk about things. You have often told me that yourself."

"You're right." Hermione took a shaky breath. "I got a letter. It... It was delivered yesterday morning. A black barn owl carried it and dropped it on our table at breakfast. I don't have a clue how it got into the house..."

"A letter?" asked Harry, feeling uneasy.

She nodded and with shaking hands reached into her pocket and then held a piece of parchment out for him. He looked into her eyes to be sure she really wanted him to read it and slowly unfolded the letter.

His eyes immediately grew cold when he saw the beginning of the letter.

…HP…

My dear Miss Granger,

I must say I was delighted when the news of your and Mr. Potter's relationship reached my ears. Who would have thought that a mudblood could win the heart of the famous Boy-Who-Lived? But on the other hand I wasn't very surprised.

Be sure, that I will use this to my full advantage. Your nasty little boyfriend, that still dares to oppose me, will suffer. I wonder if he will scream when I kill you in front of his eyes. Torture you while he's unable to do anything. Make you suffer in the worst way imaginable... all the while letting him watch. Sounds tempting, doesn't it?

I will get you; kill you and all the others. Then we will see how much the famous Harry Potter can take before he breaks. Before he pleads for dead... before he finally dies.

So watch out for yourself and your 'lover'.

Lord Voldemort

...HP...

His mind was numb. Harry hadn't noticed that he had balled his hands into fists, until he felt a sharp pain on the inside of his hand and something warm dripping down his fingers. He had pierced the skin with his nails...

He looked down at the letter without really seeing it and then wordlessly left the room.

...HPHPHP...

Sirius and Remus were quietly enjoying a game of chess after Harry had left them to go to Hermione. It was a rare occurrence that they last had the chance to enjoy more than fifteen years ago.

"So... do you think the small lover's quarrel's already over?" asked Sirius while moving his knight after thinking some time. "Check."

Remus frowned while looking at the board. He had forgotten how good Sirius was at the game. One wouldn't have thought that behind the 'happy-go-lucky' and sometimes crazy attitude of the man lay a calculating and very intelligent mind.

"Harry's a way with words. I bet they already made up," he replied while moving his king out of harms' way. "He must've learned that from Narcissa and the Flamels."

Sirius nodded slowly and his eyes narrowed just slightly, never leaving the board. "You bet he has! But... I believe the situation's a little more serious. Hermione seemed troubled by something. And it wasn't about the fact that Harry left Hogwarts without telling her."

Remus shifted in his seat and looked over to his dark haired friend. He had forgotten how observant the man could be if he wanted to and sometimes... it was scary. Sometimes Remus had to remind himself, that Sirius hadn't been one of the top Aurors for nothing. He once had seen Sirius doing his job and damn nearly hadn't recognized him then.

It was as if he had been looking at a totally different person then. Sirius had been a calculating, cold and deadly fighter instead of the normally cheery friend. He shuddered slightly. And James had been exactly the same...

But he had never spoken of it. Knowing that it had been something Sirius and James wanted to keep to themselves. Knowing that this particular side of them had been something they normally only allowed each other to see. He doubted that even Lily had known this side of her husband. Remus remembered the conversation he and James had once had when he had asked him something after James and Sirius had been called on a highly dangerous mission.

...HP...

"Why are there only four of you working in pairs anyway? Before you told me I thought there are only squads of at least six people."

"Normally that's true," had James answered. "But every Death Eater will immediately notice that something's wrong when a group of six people is roaming around, looking for him. That's what we're there for."

Remus had just stared at him and then shaken his head. "But to uncover a Death Eater's hideout with just one partner... that's crazy!"

"It's a little dangerous, yes. But your partner is your other half. You can rely on him. In most situations your life depends on him." He had smiled then. "And your partner's also the only one that knows who you are."

"What d'you mean?" he had asked baffled. "Everybody knows that you and Sirius are partners..."

James had just continued to smile before getting ready to work.

...HP...

He absolutely hadn't had a clue what that had meant until he had seen them work together trusting each other without question. They really were the only ones to know each other fully. They had known each other like twins.

Remus shook his head to get his thoughts out of the past. He himself had sensed that something was troubling the girl – being a werewolf made him much more sensible for the feelings of other people. Hermione's movements had been a little stiff and her voice always a little distant, despite her really good efforts to hide it.

"D'you think Harry noticed it as well?" he asked finally and watched as his tower was being slaughtered by Sirius' queen.

Sirius shrugged. "Probably. The kid's not dumb. Quite the contrary actually... sometimes he's too smart for his own damn good. And on top of that he's by far the most stubborn person I know."

"Like you?" Remus asked with a small smile.

Sirius sighed and Remus looked at the board, noting with dismay that his king was in danger once more. "Yeah... and that's what worries me the most. Moony... I made a lot of really silly mistakes because of my stubbornness and my reluctance to accept help when I needed it. I'm afraid of the same happening to Harry."

"I don't like to say it, but you're probably right...," replied Remus and decided to abandon the chess game (he only had four pieces left) and decided to change the subject a little: "You do know that he'll be really angry when he discovers that we've found out how Voldemort's still alive, do you?"

Sirius looked up and nodded. "I suppose he'll be. But truth to be told... I have to agree with Dumbledore on that matter. Harry's too young to worry about something like that. Maybe... maybe next year, but not now."

Suddenly they heard a loud bang and Mrs. Black began screaming her lungs out. They jumped to their feet when a loud ripping noise reverberated through the house and Mrs. Black's screeching died with a final scream.

They looked at each other and raised their wands while sprinting out of the room into the hallway. Sirius and Remus looked up when a door above them slammed shut and Hermione's face appeared over the railing. She was crying they noted with worry.

"H-have you seen Harry?" she asked and climbed down the stairs. "He just left like that! After..."

"After what?" asked Remus and laid an arm on the distressed young woman's shoulder to console her a little bit. "What happened Hermione?"

"I lied when I said my parents got a call from my grandfather. I told them it would be a good idea to go there and they agreed so they left. I... I just had to get them away from home... because... because I got a letter from Voldemort."

"WHAT?" cried Sirius alarmed and Remus winced a little bit at the volume.

She nodded. "Yes... it was a threat. He w-wants to kill me... he found out about H-harry and me. And he wants to kill Harry after that... "

Sirius stared at the girl for a little moment, while Remus watched Hermione, trying to think of something they could do. He looked at Sirius, who now was looking over the railing to see the entrance hallway.

Suddenly the man seemed to do a double take and Remus quickly looked what was wrong. He gasped when his eyes fell on the picture of Mrs. Black. "Merlin..." he whispered and hurried down the stairs after Sirius to get a better look.

When he stood in front of the picture he shook his head in disbelief.

It was totally destroyed! Nothing more was left of Sirius' mother's portrait than a heap of ripped canvas on the floor and at the sides of the burned frame. "Holy shit... she surely will never be able to scream until our eardrums burst!" said Sirius

When Remus looked at him, the man's eyes were already directed at the front door.

"I..." he said solemnly. "I see if I can find him. If I'm not back in an hour tell Dumbledore what happened." Remus nodded and Hermione just buried her head in her hands. He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry I'm sure everything's okay. I'll be back in a jiffy."

Sirius slipped through the door, while Remus decided to get Hermione a cup of tea.

Well then, I hope you all liked it!

DON'T FORGET THE REVIEWS!

Dark Phoenix of Slytheirn