3rd POV
Winter soon set in as fall quickly faded under the icy white blanket that covered the grounds. Spirits were high, and the concern of the year melted under the might of the season's festivities. The holidays were approaching, and students were shopping for gifts to give family and friends while deciding if to stay at the castle or return home. It was another Hogsmead trip, the last before winter break and Harry's friends were in the village while he remained in the clocktower; watching students below enjoying the snow.
Harry POV
'I wish I could go' I thought as I gazed out the circular window. It's been months now that I haven't been able to join in the privileged trips of third years and older. 'If only they weren't watching me…' my thoughts drifted until an idea struck me. Quickly I ran to my dorm to fetch my father's cloak and sprinted to the doors. After donning the cloak, I made my way out into the snow, slowly making way past playing students and almost made it half-way across the courtyard until I was snatched from behind by a pair of gingers.
The Weasley twins dragged me back to the clocktower to toss my butt onto the stairs all the while laughing at my failed attempt. After unveiling me, Fred handed me a folded up blank piece of parchment. "What's this rubbish?" I questioned to them chuckling in-sync "What's this rubbish he says; That there is the secret to our success. It's a wrench giving to you from me, but we've decided your needs are greater than ours. George if you will."
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." waving his wand over the paper to reveal ink materializing on the cover.
"Messieurs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present to you the Marauder's Map." I read aloud in surprise.
"We owe it so much." George commented in appreciation.
"Hang on, this is Hogwarts. And that, no… is it really?" I questioned.
"Dumbledore.' "In his study.' 'pacing.' 'Does that a lot." The twins answered my unspoken conundrum. "So, this map shows…" I started with them finishing with "Everyone."
"Everyone?!" astonishment grasping the word from my mouth. "Everyone." they confirmed.
"Where they are.' 'What they are doing.' 'Of every minute.' 'Of every day." They elaborated.
"Brilliant!" I exclaimed in amazement, "Where'd you get it?"
Fred answered, "Nicked it from Filch's office." With George adding, "First year."
Then they proceeded to tell me about the seven secret passage ways out of the castle and recommended the One-eyed Witch passage to Honey Duke's. Before leaving, they taught me the closing spell 'Mischief Manage' so no one could read it.
3rd POV
In the village unbeknownst to its inhabitants and shopkeepers, a stone slab in the cellar was being removed to reveal a tunnel that one Harry Potter was climbing out of. After replacing the slab and donning on his cloak again, proceeded up the stairs to enter the sweets shop. The store was full of sweet-toothed teenagers either restocking their sweet stashes or staring in bewilderment of all the confections that it housed. Exiting the shop with a stolen lollypop from Neville, he then began his exploration to the Shrieking Shack at the top of the hill, away from the village towards the forest.
At the fence of said building, stood Ron and Hermione awkwardly talking about the famed haunted structure. Both were half-heartedly about the trip without their best friend and going with their new friend. Hermione just asked Ron to which he declined to moving closer when they heard Draco Malfoy and his lackies approach. "Well, well, look what we have here. You two shopping for a new dream home? Isn't it a bit grand for you Weaselbee, don't your family all sleep in one room?"
Ron responded, "Shut your mouth, Malfoy."
To the retort of, "Ooooo, not very friendly. Boys, I think it is time to teach Weaselbee how to respect his superiors." as Crabbe and Goyle stepped forward.
Hermione sarcastically laughed to comment "Hope you don't mean yourself." while taking a step towards the blonde, tension thickening as the seconds passed.
"How dare you talk to me, filthy little mudblood." Draco snarled before being hit by an invisible assailant. Unknown to them, Harry saw the whole conversation and then started to pelt the unsuspecting Slytherins with snowballs and mischief. Failing to find and stop said assault, the three snakes high-tailed it back the way they came, all the while entertaining the two lions. Harry then proceeded to play with Ron's hat stings and a piece of the girl's hair until Hermione giggled out, "Harry!", throwing off the cloak in an instant.
The reunited trio made their way back to the village, happy to be together again. Harry was telling them about the map that the twins gifted him to have Ron grumble about his brothers' unfairness and Hermione's stab at moral justice of said contraband. The quartet spied Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Minister Fudge, and Madame Rosemarta enter the Three Broomsticks while talking about Sirius Black and making a comment about Harry. Said boy, curious on what the four adults had to say, concealed himself once again under his cloak and entered the pub, causing the other two to follow only to be shut out of the establishment.
Harry, still under his invisibility cloak, followed the quartet up to a private room where Rosemarta served her three guests their preferred drinks. They discussed how Sirius Black was during his school days and his friendship with his victim, Peter Pettigrew. McGonagall explained to Rosemarta how he'd follow James and Sirius around like a puppy while the minister explained how he killed him and the only thing left of Peter was his finger. "Sirius Black was and remains to this day, Harry Potter's godfather." McGonagall exasperates to resolved any of Rosemarta's voiced doubts about the flirtatious boy she remembered. Harry was shocked speechless about this new discovery and quickly exited the pub.
What Harry didn't stay for was the conversation shift to Selena Black. "Minister, I never got why you locked-up that girl. She would have been a baby back then." Rosemarta spoke, finally voicing an old question. McGonagall voiced her agreement of the question, also confused on his decision long ago. The minister took a second before answering, "Better to be safe than sorry."
'How could this be, how could this happen?' he thought as he stormed through the occupants on the busy streets, still invisible and not noticing that Ron and Hermione were trailing after him. He led them through the village, past the haunted shack and to a large rock where he sat wallowing in denial and shock. Hermione took the lead and unveiled him to have the declaration to kill the murderer himself to follow afterward. As they traveled back towards the castle, a sudden thought burst into his head causing him to pause and anger to resurface. 'What if Selena knew about this? What if she knew all along?' with a new resolve; he quickly moved towards Hogwarts to find their new "friend", leaving his two friends to run after him again.
Selena's POV
It was another Hogsmead trip and once again I couldn't go, also couldn't find Harry which was strange but figured he wanted some time alone. I was in the library doing some homework and looking up some potions for future references. After putting everything away and started making my way to the common room when I spotted Ron and Hermione and surprisingly Harry with them.
"Hey guys, how was it? Harry, where were you, I couldn't find you anywhere." I greeted them, only to be pushed and held against the wall by a furious brunette with two gaping mouths behind him.
"Did you know? Did you know any of it?!" Harry yelled in my face, tightening his hold on me.
I was looking at him wide-eyed and confused while our two friends were mirroring my expression as well as making sure no one else was witnessing this happening. "Know what?! What's going on? Harry let me go!" I struggled against him, starting to become frantic as he increased the pressure on my shoulders and neck from his arm. I fought harder as Hermione tried to talk to the huffing boy while Ron was telling him to release me.
"Did you know that Sirius Black was my godfather? Did you know this whole time?!" Harry snarled to my face, breathing hard as if he's trying to restrain himself from strangling me or something else he'll might regret later. I paused in my attempts to break free to process what he was accusing me of, "No, Harry, what are you talking about? My dad never told me about this. All he talked about was how Uncle Moony and Uncle James used to get into trouble and how he misses them along with Aunt Lily."
Harry was frozen after I said that, all he was doing was breathing heavily while staring at my eyes like he was searching for a lie. That hurt me in a way, here was someone who was supposed to be my friend while my other friends at least tried to help, and now I'm being attacked like a criminal. After a few more breaths, he pushed off from me and said "I don't believe you. I thought you were my friend and now I don't."
He walked away from me and left while Hermione and Ron stood there dumbfounded before leaving as well, but not before giving me a reassuring look. 'You were supposed to be my friend. You were supposed to be different from everyone else…' was the only thought going through my head as tears started to slowly fall and felt a pain in my chest. Like my heart just cracked, if not broke all the way.
3rd POV
It has been three weeks since Harry accused Selena of knowing something about him and every resident in the castle took notice, especially Draco. Draco was the one to find his younger cousin in the Astronomy tower after she failed to come to dinner and told the whole story to him after demanding why her eyes were red. Ron and Hermione still talked to her, but not as much since Harry was usually with them. Harry on the other hand, had been avoiding her every chance he got. When they had classes together, he'd sit as far away as possible; leaving their two mutual friends to pick a side each time. The teachers were picking up on the strain between the group and started to worry, especially McGonagall and Lupin.
The fighting was causing the Black heiress to become more isolated from her peers, except for her cousin and Hermione. Rumors started to spread about the group's cause in splitting up and most were said to be her fault. Ron and Hermione had been playing advocates for the two while trying to talk so sense into Harry. They were slowly getting through to him as he started to rethink the situation and replayed the scene repeatedly in his Patronus lessons with Lupin.
Winter was turning into spring as the snow melt in the increasing sunshine. Harry was going to meet Lupin for his lesson as he turned the corner and bumped into someone. The collision caused them to stagger backwards from each other, giving Harry a good look as to who the other person was, Selena. She had been coming from the library when this occurred and didn't want to be anywhere near him, in fear of being accused of something else. As she quickly retreated to the common room, Harry pondered on the encounter as he continued to his destination. Selena was looking paler and thinner than the last time he saw her, as well as her eyes wouldn't meet his for a second before running.
He met with Lupin and got the run down of the exercise, to think of the happiest thought and hold on to it while reciting the spell Expecto Patronum. After reciting it without his wand one time, Lupin opened a chest that a dementor burst from. It hovered for a second, making its presence known both physically to the occupants of the room and to the atmosphere, causing the temperature to drop. Harry stood his ground while Prof. Lupin stood off to the sidelines to observe. With a confidence that was shaken by the specter's appearance, the thirteen-year-old recited 'Expecto Patronum' with only the candles blowing out as a result. He tried again, only to feel the crushing presence that he has began to associate with dementors.
Harry's POV
Everything was black and silent after the screaming stopped, until I started hearing a different voice and a jarring-motion that pulled me back to consciousness. Prof. Lupin was crouched over me, shaking my shoulder while repeating my name. Finally coming to my senses, I started to sit-up with assistance from Lupin, all the while he was trying to offer me something in his hand. I was iffy as to what it was until he confirmed, "It's all right. I didn't expect you to do it the first time. It would have been remarkable. Here eat this, you'll feel better."
I was leaning on my hands, still trying to catch my breath, accepting the chocolate.
"That's one nasty dementor." I commented while eating.
He batted the comment away by saying, "Oh, no, no, no; that was a boggart, Harry. A boggart, the real thing would be worse. Much, much worse. As a matter of interest, what were you thinking? Which memory did you choose?"
I take a moment before answering, "The first time I rode a broom." All the while he was relighting the candles that wee blown-out earlier. He turned towards me with a disbelieving grimace on his face.
"That's not good enough, not nearly good enough." he responded, putting his hands in his pockets.
'Not the answer I was looking for,' I thought, releasing a sigh as I made my way to him; but stopping at a candle that was stationed across from him. As I starred into the strong flame I explained, "There's another, it's happy, exactly. Well, it is. It's the happiest I've ever felt…but it's complicated."
"Is it strong?" was all he asked, trying to solve the problem that was at hand. My only response was a head-nod as I turned to him, a concerned look as well. "Then let's give it a try. You feel ready?" concern still shining on his face. I got into position with determination flowing through me, my response was "Just do it."
The trunk was opened again, releasing the boggart. The same thing happened the first time, nothing but candles being blown-out; but after I said the spell with more conviction, a silvery shield erupted from my wand tip.
The shield was large enough to prevent the dementor from coming near me or breaking the misty barrier. I was proud of myself as I forced it back into the trunk, while Lupin was laughing in astonishment and praise as he exclaimed "Well done Harry. Well done!"
We were both panting as the adrenaline wore off and impact of what just occurred took place. "I think I've had enough for today." I breathed, while he agreed as we sat on the steps; him handing me some chocolate to boost my blood sugar up again. 'Where does he get all this chocolate?' I wonder as he spoke "I think you'd have given your father a run for his money. And that…is saying something."
Now even more happy by the comment, I added "I was thinking bout him and mum. Seeing their faces. They were talking to me, just talking. That's the memory I chose. I don't even know if it's real, but it's the best I have."
He was looking at me with understanding as we sat in silence for a moment before starting, "I hear that you had a fight with a new transfer student, if I am correct. What's this all about?"
I sighed, knowing that gossip traveled fast and would have to deal with it eventually. I explained to him what happened and my reasons for distancing from Selena. He was quiet for a moment after I told him everything, waiting to see his take on the situation. A few moments passed before turning back to me and answered "As I see it, it seems like a very lonely person who has lost one of the first few friends she has ever had. Harry, Selena has only ever had her father in her life until she came here, that means being completely cut-off from the rest of the world and only hearing stories from her father. She only knows certain people through Sirius and the names and relationships from his point of view and experiences. He might have not wanted to let her know about past deeds he did and wanted her to be happy. I've heard from Selena that she's very sad and lonely without you and Ron and her other friends. Maybe you should go and apologize to he before potentially losing a good friend."
I was shocked by this revelation, not having thought of looking from her view, completely mucking it up when I realized that I didn't even let her try to defend herself, just automatically jumping to conclusions about her relationship with her father. I felt bad now and wanted to apologize but didn't know if she want to see me again after what I did to her. After talking some more with Prof. Lupin, I went to go look for Selena hoping that she would forgive me and still want to be friends.
I'M BACK B#TCHES! AND I HVE KICKED MY DEPRESSION IN THE ASS AND SAID "ENOUGH OF THIS SH#T!" I'M SORRY THAT IT TOOK ME A YEAR, BUT 2017 WAS A MESS 4 EVERYONE INCLUDING MYSELF. I AM DETERMINED 2 FINISH THIS STORY ND 2 BETTER ORGANIZE MYSELF BY FOCUSING ON ONE STORY AT A TIME. THOUGH I HVE 2 ADMIT THAT UPDATES MIGHT BE SLOW BECAUSE I'M STARTING MY SPRING SEMESTER IN A WEEK ND MAY HVE A LOT OF HMEWRK, BUT NEVER FEAR, I'M GONNA LET MY STUBBORN SPITEFULNESS PULL ME ALONG THE WAY TO FINISH. HOPE U GUYS ENJOYED THIS LONG CHAPTER!