I actually ran to the carriages on the last day. I was so excited for the holidays, I could barely contain myself. I did love Hogwarts, but I just really wanted to see everyone, especially Sirius.
I hadn't seen him since the trial.
We had written each other letters though. One of them said he had paid all our fines. Another said he had found a house in the country to buy, but he wanted mine and Harry's opinion on it.
I had written to Tonks, Moody, Remus, Bill, Charlie and the twins too.
Fred and George were being really kind not telling anyone what had happened during the trial. If I had been caught, my evidence would have been classes as invalid and Sirius may have gone back to Azkaban.
They did it on purpose. Evil, Wicked, extremely hot, Scaboir.
I halved my time on the train between Harry and Co; and Seamus, Dean, Collin, Oliver, Pavarti and Lavender. I wasn't too happy about the last two, but what could you do?
With Ginny now dating Dean, we just kind of flowed from compartment to compartment with each other.
Seamus had found an empty carriage and wanted to "say goodbye." I was having none of that though. We said goodbye yesterday, and last night. How many times did the guy need to say it?
As soon as the train came to a halt, I grabbed my things and dashed of the train.
"Tonks!" I cried, spotting her pink hair easily in the crowd.
"Why are you so excited, I saw you like a week and a half ago." she hugged me merrily though.
"I don't know, I'm a bit hyper. I think it was the sweets on the train. Sirius!" I called running over to him. He looked really well.
His shaggy hair had finally been trimmed and he was dressed quite smartly.
I could see the other parents staring at him in shock. Some with disgust, others with interest.
"Hey, how was the trip?" he asked, hugging me.
"Boring. Dull. How are you?"
He laughed. "Haven't been this good in a long time. The ministry can't do enough, the bastards. I have season tickets to the canons. Top box."
"The Chudley Cannons?" Ron asked, suddenly appearing. "Oh Sirius mate, you have to take me to a game."
They emerged into a long and boring conversation about Quidditch. I rolled my eyes and tried to find someone new to talk to.
I saw the Twins talking to Lee and Alicia so I couldn't really interrupt. They hadn't seen each other in ages.
I wondered around aimlessly until Sirius called me and Harry over.
"Harry with me, Ally go with Tonks. Moony... You take yourself."
If he did buy this house Remus and, after much persuading, Tonks would move in. Because of the whole 'Love' and 'Calling this place home' stuff, Harry couldn't officially live with us. But once we were done viewing the house, Harry would go back to the Dursley's for a week, and then back to us.
"Ok, these people are muggles so no magic talk ok?" Tonks said, as soon as we had apparated down the lane.
I nodded and looked around. It was extremely hot. I was glad I wore shorts today.
We were in the countryside and there were no other houses around for miles.
The house was beautiful. It had a porch, ivy growing up the side and had little potted plants around the foundations. Outside stood a huge tree with a tire swing on it.
"And look." Sirius nudged me and pointed up to the roof. The attic bedroom had a huge window that led out onto a mini roof terrace. I grinned.
An old woman came running out of the house. "Hello there Mr Black, this must be your brother and sister," she said, smiling kindly at Harry and I.
"Yes, this is Harry and this is Alyssa."
"Very nice to meet you ma'am." I shook her hand warmly.
"And you dear. The house is all yours," she told Sirius. "Feel free to wander around."
Sirius thanked her and she went back inside.
"Probably should have warned you," Sirius said quietly. "They're very old fashioned, Mary and her husband. She wouldn't have even let us in if she knew there would be two teens and lots of "unmarried sinners'" he quoted, referring to Tonks. "So I am big brother Sirius, Tonks is the sister and I am your guardian after our parents died. And Moony is Tonks husband."
"Who's too cheap to afford a ring," Tonks added.
The house was even more amazing on the inside. The living room was huge, as was the kitchen. It was set out like a real country kitchen with an old fashioned oven and everything. ("It's a shame none of us can cook," Sirius said.)
There were six bedrooms, so we could all have one each, and there would still be a guest room.
I had already called mine before we had even agreed to buy it. It overlooked the front yard and the tree was right up against my window. Good for sneaking out.
"And this is where to football pitch will be," Sirius said, leading us out into the back yard. He couldn't say quidditch because the little old man was following us about. Apparently, he didn't trust Tonks' hair.
There were a lot of trees too and between them was a creek. This house was too perfect.
"What do you think?" Tonks asked us once we had apparated back to Grimmauld Place.
"I love it," Harry said earnestly. "It's a shame I have to live with The Dursleys."
"Officially," I pointed out. "It really is an amazing house. But what would you have done if we hated it?"
"Nothing," Sirius said holding up the keys. "we would have moved in anyway. I brought it last week and we move in tomorrow."
:-:
I didn't go with Sirius to drop Harry back home; I was too tired. Instead I went upstairs to my old room and took a long nap.
It was weird being in there without Ginny and Hermione. The normally cramped room seemed alone and empty.
I started out in that room alone, and my last night would be alone. It was quite sad really.
Sirius was going to sell Grimmauld Place but I begged him not too. Where would Harry, Ron and Hermione go in The Deathly Hallows?
"No one will buy it Sirius. Besides, you don't need the money," I told him.
"Yeah, but it would be nice just to get it off my hands," He answered. "You know how much I hate the place. I might free Kreature too."
"No, no," Remus butted in. "He knows too many order secrets. It's best just to keep the house; you never know when it may come in handy." Thank you Remus. I knew I liked him.
The little nap I was taking soon turned into a twelve hour sleep. At eight o'clock I was rushing around to grab a few last minute things.
As I grabbed a few snacks in the kitchen I stopped nostalgically and looked around. I had so many fond memories in here. Cooking, the prank, the parties, Christmas...
Kreature came out of his little hole, gave me a filthy look before stomping up the stairs muttering under his breath.
I looked over to his 'bed' and saw something shining.
Checking no one was near; I dashed over to it and pulled it out. It was the Slytherin Locket. Thank God Kreature had kept it. But imagine if something happened to it. The whole plot would go completely wrong.
I stashed the locket in my pocket and bolted up to Relagus' Room.
It was very messy and smelt of damp. I pulled a quill and parchment off the desk and thought hard about what to write. I couldn't write too much, but I needed to give them enough information to help. I had changed a lot of things.
Talk to Kreature about the locket. He kind of has the full story. Give him the fake one. He'll like that.
Try to stay on to move. Don't be in a place longer than necessary.
Just to note: I never really did like A History of Magic. It seemed slimy and pointless to me.
Beware of the mother of all evil with knives. That's all I'm saying.
Stay safe
I didn't sign my name, although I knew they would figure it out it was from me. I hoped Hermione would get the Bellatrix reference; she probably would.
I place the note and the locket under the bed before walking to the door. But I stopped.
With the locket being there. They wouldn't go to the ministry. They would never go on the run, and they would never get the sword.
I reluctantly stuffed the necklace back into my pocket and went to pack.
It looked like I would have to pay a visit to dear old Dung.
:-:
"You're not going to Diagon Alley alone," Sirius said, the next morning. "It's moving day! Don't you know how much fun moving day is?"
"No, because it isn't fun at all." He stared at me in shock; like I had deeply offended him. "I will just get in the way. But if I go to Diagon Alley I can buy last minute furnishings."
"Tonks and Remus did all that yesterday," he argued. They went into muggle London because everything was cheaper, but I knew there were a few forgotten things.
"They didn't get Floo powder," I pointed out. "Or balls for the Quidditch Pitch..."
"I wouldn't actually call that a necessity," Remus said, entering the room. I stuck my Tongue out at him.
"Oh Moony, but they are!" Sirius dug into his pocket and handed me several sparkling pieces of paper. "Another gift from the ministry. 50 Galleon Gift Card for Quality Quidditch Supplies. And here." He handed me Fifteen Galleons. "Now don't go running off with my money."
"Dang, you've caught me out," I said sarcastically.
"Now Ally, the place is unsafe. Death Eaters, Vampires, Spies... Anything can go on," Remus said. "So if they're any trouble. Get out of there. Try and Floo to The Burrow. Don't be afraid to use magic and remember Fred and George will be in their shop. Now don't do anything stupid."
"Yes Dad," I said. He was acting like I had never left the house before. It wouldn't surprise me if he followed. But that wouldn't do.
Sirius gave me the last of the Floo Powder and I stood in the small fireplace.
"Diagon Alley," I said clearly.
A nice green heat engulfed me before everything turned green. It only lasted for a second though.
I stepped out into The Leaky Cauldron. It looked pretty much the same as it did last year.
I waved to Tom the barman and then went through the back to the Alley.
That looked nothing like it did last year. It was empty, cold. There were no people wandering around, looking in to the windows. The displays were barren and the shoppers were rushing around in large groups eager to get away.
Bellatrix's wanted posters littered the street, making me feel as though I was being watched.
I felt lonely and unsafe. But this was something I had to do. Everything depended on me.
There was a very good chance that Dung would not be here, but I had to try. I gripped my wand in my pocket and wandered toward to sign that read Knockturn Alley.
Now this place would definitely be filled with Death Eaters. I wonder if any of them knew me.
Suck it up a voice said in the back of my head. Don't be so scared. These people can smell fear. Act like you go there all the time, and you'll be fine.
I held my head up high and scuttled down the little passage way.
Diagon Alley looked safe and happy compared with this place. The streets were narrow and dark and everyone, excluding me, seemed to be covered in black cloaks hiding their faces.
I was just about to turn around when a group of men in their early twenties came over to me.
"Hey little lady, are you lost?" I could tell that they were French from their accents.
"I'm good thanks," I said stumbling away.
"You're good are you? You got anything for us?" One of them asked, snatching my bag away from me. Why did I always find myself in these situations? They began to move closer to me, backing me up against the wall.
A sudden fierce Anger rose up inside of me.
"I suggest you get away," I said strongly. "Do you have any idea who my mother is?"
They stared at me confused. I shuffled to the left slightly until I was standing next to one of Bellatrix's wanted posters.
I watched as their eyes flickered back and forth and then grew wide.
"Is - Is she here?" the smaller one asked. I smirked evilly.
"Just around the corner." they threw my bag down and bolted away down the Alley.
I don't know why, but tears began to flow down my face. I leant against the wall for a moment, gaining some composure before setting off to find Dung.
I was just about to give up when I saw him up a side alley. He had a little table in front of him and was successfully annoying the customers.
"Come on, two galleons. You ain't gonna get a better price that that," he bartered.
"Well I think it's only worth one. Now give it to me," The man slammed the coin on the table and tried to take the watch.
"Here," I called tossing a Galleon to Dung. "I've reimbursed you now."
"Thanks little lady," the man said. He tilted his hat slightly. He had green skin and only one eye. What kind of a place was this? The man nodded and then strolled away.
"What you playin' at? I 'ad him right where I wanted 'im," Dung said, packing up his table and transfiguring it into a brief case.
"It doesn't matter, you got your money. I have something for you though. Something very valuable."
"How much is it worth?" he asked excitedly.
"It's priceless. But it will be your ticket to freedom."
He stared at me confused. I dug in my pocket and pulled out the picture of Umbridge that was in The Prophet yesterday.
"In about year, this woman will come pestering you about a licence. And you give her this as a bribe. Give it to her, and no one else, ok? Please don't ask me how I know it. Just do it."
He stared at me sceptically. "Why should I do anythin' for you. Got me into a lot of trouble with Dumbledore, and the Hogshead landlord. And Mrs Weasley 'ad a fit when she found out I gave you Firewhisky."
"Well count this as an apology," I said, holding out the locket. "Please Mundungus." I showed him my 'Sad Eyes.'
"Alright, bleedin' 'ell. No need to get upset," he said, taking the locket off me.
"Thanks. Love you Dung," I smiled.
He stared at me unemotionally for a second before walking away down the street. Now all I had to do was find my way out.
Hopefully the plan would work out the same. I had told Kreature last night that "The Evil Thief" Mundungus Fleature had stolen his locket. Kreature was upset, but he would soon get over it.
I turned the corner, only to realise I had been here twice before. I sighed continued to walk, trying a different route. After ten minutes i realised I was well and truly lost.
I couldn't really ask anyone for directions. They were all probably killers.
"Are you lost?" a cockney voice asked. Dear God, not again. I spun around to see Scaboir and one of his friends approaching. Out of the entire world population, why did it have to be him?
"Look who it is Tone. It's our friend from the courts, Alyssa. Goes by the name Ally if I'm not mistaken."
Ok this was creepy. He could have gotten my name from my interview, but no one had called me Ally in front of him. He knew something.
"Yes, now how do I get back to Diagon Alley," I asked, desperate to get back.
"We can show you if you like?"
"No it's fine. Directions will suffice."
He grinned at me devilishly. "No we'll take you. We know a great pub."
"Unless it's the Leaky Cauldron, I'm not interested." They laughed without humour.
Scaboir looked down the alley and his eyes sank.
"Oh, you're boyfriends back," He said sounding genuinely disappointed.
Wait, why was Seamus here? I looked to the right and saw Fred Weasley charging down the street.
"Are you ok?" he asked me, holding my face softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, wriggling out of his hold. I looked to see if Scaboir and his friend were still there, but they had gone. It finally registered to who was standing next to me.
"What are you doing in Knockturn Alley?" we asked each other simultaneously.
"I needed to find Dung," we said again at the same time. I grinned, the tension easing slightly.
"Why am I always getting you out of trouble? I'm like your babysitter or something." I ignored his snarky comment.
"Do you know how to get out of here?" I asked him.
"There's a side entrance around here somewhere. It comes out near the shop."
"How is the shop anyway?" I asked, trying to make light conversation.
He glared down at me."Don't try to change the subject. What were you doing down here with Scaboir?" he asked angrily.
"I was lost, and he came up to me. That's it."
"And you just happened to come across him?" he asked suspiciously.
"What are you suggesting? If this is the whole 'You're a Death Eater' Thing again, I would rather just find my own way out." I stomped off in the other direction but he grabbed my arm.
"Sorry ok," he said sadly.
"Apology accepted."
He led us down a very narrow gap between two buildings which ended in Diagon Alley.
"Thanks," I said once we were back on the main high street.
"Wait," he called. "Aren't you coming to see the shop?"
I looked at my watch. "Ten minutes. Finding Dung took longer than I thought."
"Why were you with Dung anyway?" he asked as he took me down a very dull looking street.
"That's on a need to know basis. What about you?"
"Need to know," he said, matter of factly. It was probably something really stupid like 'he gave us some Poxie venom' but he was just being difficult.
We rounded the corner and came to stop in front of a large purple shop. It was nothing like the others which were very dull and daunting.
Large posters and displays lined the windows and various cannons firing fireworks erupted around outside.
"What do you think?" Fred asked, nervously.
"It's magic." I lead the way into the shop and grinned around. It was even more spectacular inside. It was full of Hogwarts kids. Some I knew by face, others I had no idea; but they seemed to know me. I waved politely back when they said hello.
I had a quick wander around the shop, knowing I could see it properly when I came back next week.
"What do you think?" George asked, giving me a hug.
"It's so amazing; I can't believe how popular it is."
"Yeah I know, we had to take on more staff." Fred pointed to a very pretty girl with long blond hair. They both stared at her wistfully.
"Hire yourself a treat?" I asked. They snapped from their gaze and looked at me blankly.
"What?" Fred asked. I laughed heartily. What idiots.
"Ask her out," i said simply.
"I have a Girlfriend," George said pompously. "But Fredrick here doesn't." he obnoxiously started nudging his brother.
"Do you think I should ask her out, she is an employee after all?" he asked me.
"Absolutely. Suggest somewhere to go on a lunch break," I said. Fred kind of needed a girlfriend. From what I got from The Deathly Hallows, Fred died alone and then George stole Angelina.
I knew I was meddling again but Fred kind of needed someone.
"Shall I ask her?" We nodded. He took a deep breath and the waltzed over to her.
"I wish I could hear what they were saying," I said. George grinned and pulled an Extendable Ear off the shelf. We crouched down and listened.
"...George and I, he gave it to us," Fred said.
"Wow, that's really interesting," the girl, Verity, i think, said.
"Oh dear God he's talking about Harry," George grumbled. "Just ask her." he whispered loudly.
Fred and Verity spun around and looked for the source of the voice.
George stood up guiltily. I stayed put. He pulled me up by the arm so I was standing beside him.
"Found my ear ring," I said.
"You weren't wearing any," Fred said sounding very annoyed.
"She wanted to see if the Extendable Ears work," George butted in.
"And they do," I grinned. "Congratulations."
Fred and Verity glared at me.
"Sorry, it's just my little sisters friend," Fred muttered.
Little Sister's Friend? I was more than that! We did hate each other for a while, but I thought we were friends now.
"Ok, I can see where I'm not wanted. See you later."
I waved sulkily and practically ran outside. I was running late anyway and would probably be due back in the new house soon.
I went to Quality Quidditch Supplies and brought a set of balls with the Griffindor lion on. Tonks wouldn't really like it, but majority rules. I then went to Broomstix and picked up a second hand pair of brooms. Once I had gotten the Floo Powder, I stood blankly in the middle of the high street. How the hell was I supposed to get home?
The new house wasn't connected to the Floo Network yet and I wasn't allowed to use magic. Well I could, no one would really know, but I didn't know how to apparate.
I looked around aimlessly and shrugged.
I couldn't really go back to the shop and ask for help. I think the pair had enough of 'babysitting' me for one week.
Once I started to get strange looks from a man around the corner, I swallowed my pride and gave in. I stomped back to the shop, dragging the extremely heavy brooms and balls behind me.
I caused a lot of clatter going into the shop, causing many people to stare.
"Why are you here again?" George asked, sounding slightly annoyed that I had disrupted his customers. His feelings disappeared though as soon as he saw the new shiny Quidditch Balls. He crouched down and admired them, completely forgetting me.
"I have no way to get home," I said in feign sadness.
"Sorry, can't help you," he said, eyes still on the quidditch stuff. "Fred and Verity have gone out to lunch, leaving me in charge."
"You're in charge anyway." He shrugged. "Can you patronus Sirius to come get me please?"
"Why can't you?" George asked with a knowing smile.
"Because I'm underage?" I said, like a question.
"And..."
I looked down turning pink slightly. "I can't produce a patronus."
He laughed, but not in a mean way.
"Sorry," he said, sounding anything but apologetic. "But it's nice to have a spell that I can do and you can't." I mock glared.
George pulled his wand out of his pocket.
"Patronum Chartium," He muttered, holding the wand to his throat. "Come to the shop, Ally can't get home. Expecto Chartium To Sirius Black. Expecto Patronum," he called. His large fox swept out of the tip and disappeared through the street.
A few of the customers stared in shock, not knowing of the Patronus Communication that Dumbledore invented.
I only had to wait thirty seconds until Sirius waltzed through the door.
The entire shop went quiet as he entered and stared at him with wide eyes. Sirius looked down slightly embarrassed.
"Hey Sirius," I said hugging him fondly. I was a bit over the top, but people needed to know that he wasn't this bad criminal. George understood what I was going and shook his hand.
"Pretty good, isn't it," he said gesturing around the room.
Sirius' youthful eyes lit up and he looked excitedly around the room, completely forgetting the ignorant audience.
"It's more than good, this is amazing." His child-like self came out as he ran around the shop grabbing various products.
The other customers continued to stare at him with Frightened or superior looks.
"Hey," I called to three boys a little younger than me. "Why are you staring at him? He's innocent you idiots." The boys shrugged and went back to their debate about Edible Dark Marks.
After a few minutes, the novelty that 'Mass Murder Sirius Black' was in the shop wore off, and the other customers went back to their wares.
I saw a man with his hat pulled down low acting very suspiciously. He was standing by the pigmy puffs and looked like he was shop lifting or something.
"Oi," I said grabbing his arm and spinning him around. The man's hat fell back slightly and I saw it was Scaboir. I realised from his outfit that he was the man that had been watching me earlier.
"Are you stalking me?" I asked venomously.
He looked down wearily. "I don't know what you're talking about. I've just come to have a look at the new shop."
I stared at him sceptically. "Yeah right, who sent you? Bellatrix, the Malfoys?" he looked down again. "Why are you following me?" I asked again in a whispered. I don't know why I was whispering. I really should have called blue murder, but he was the only source of information I had.
He stared at me for a second before nudging past me and going out the door. I ran after him, but unsurprisingly no one was there.
I sighed heavily and went back inside. The only key to finding out why I was here had gone.
I am so sorry I was so long. I have had the flu and I'm only just recovering. I feel really bad as we got to 90! I just want to thank everyone. Writer. Of. The. Gods, Sensula (the name mistake was deliberate, the prophet sometimes do that ;) xXxFredWeasleyForeverxXx, FredandGeorge'sAwesomeness, PossimpiblyPossimpible, 2feathbraids, ChaygraceDaya (Your review made me smile ;), HunterSalvatore'Xo, fruityloops156 and Georgie Monsoon.
This chapter originally was 7,000 + but it was too long, so I've added it to the beginning of the next chapter.
Don't worry about Scaboir, he's not too major. I just really wanted to write about one of the characters who was misunderstood and he's my target. He's gone for a while, but he'll come back eventually.
Next chapter: The Dursleys, Slughorn and Qudditch and then after that: Vampires and Christmas. You don't realise how excited I am to write chapter twenty. Only two more to go.
Thanks again for reading, let me know what you think : )