Harry joined his friends and loaded his trunk and Hedwig onto the train. Harry then walked back over to Sirius.
"Harry, sorry I didn't take you and your friends to your house. I promise to arrange it to happen over the summer."
"Sounds good to me and it's okay that you didn't take us to the manor. With everything that was discovered, I understand."
"Well, you should get going. The train is about to leave."
Harry turned and ran to the train. He had just closed the door when the train began to pull away. Harry went in search of his friends.
"Harry, we're up here."
Harry looked up when he heard his name and saw Hermione just up ahead. He quickened his steps and reached Hermione in a matter of seconds.
As Harry walked into the compartment he saw Fred, George and Ron on side engaged in a game of exploding snap. On the other side of the compartment he saw Ginny sitting near the window and that Hermione had taken her seat next to the door. Harry smiled as he took his seat in between Hermione and Ginny.
"Harry, you made it. For minute there I didn't think you were going to make it." Ron said as he finally registered that his best friend had arrived.
"Yeah, tell me about it. I almost didn't make it. Next time I won't cut it so close. Oh, Sirius said that he'd arrange for us to go to the house I inherited. Too much happened over the holiday and it slipped his mind."
"You inherited a house?"
"Oh yeah. When Sirius discovered that his mother prevented Mr. Weasley from getting the inheritance, he remembered that my parents had family stuff for me in the basement of the house in Godric's Hollow…"
"How did that happen? How does the discovery of an inheritance to Ron's dad lead to Godric's Hollow?"
"The inheritance documents for Mr. Weasley were in a box down in the basement at Grimmuald Place. Regulus was supposed to have destroyed everything, their mother thought that it all had been destroyed. Regulus packed it all up, put down in the basement and placed wards or charms or something like that so that Sirius would be the only one to be able to gain access to the basement. Kreacher of course knew everything and on Regulus's orders, Kreacher was only supposed to tell Sirius about it and to help him gain access. So, all the stuff in the basement at Grimmuald Place trigged the memory of the basement at Godric's Hollow. When Sirius went to Godric's Hollow he only found a letter in the basement. The letter…it said where all the family stuff for me was at and why it had been moved to the Potter Manor. I just can't wait for all of you to see it. There are no words to explain it. I guess I could try and do my best to describe it again. There is a huge library. I peaked my head in and saw several books on spells and potion ingredients."
"I wonder if those book are advanced levels." Mumbled Hermione.
"Well, Hermione you will get the chance to find this summer."
The chatter continued in the compartment as they played exploding snap.
An hour later the compartment door opened.
"There you two are. I've been looking all over the train for you and Ron. I want to…" Percy trailed off as he realized that Ginny was leaning against Harry and her hand in Harry's.
"Well, it isn't Percy." Said Fred and George annoyed.
"I demand to know what is going on in here? And I expected more from you Fred and George. Both of you should be more concerned about Ron and Ginny and who they hang out with and consider friends."
"Nothing is going on in here that shouldn't be Percy." Said Ron.
"Potter let go of my sister! I mean it. Now!"
"Percy, Ginny is the one leaning on me and holding my hand. And honestly I don't mind one bit. You're not my guardian and you're not Ginny's parents so get lost." Harry said slightly angry.
"How dare you talk to me like that! I'm Head Boy, you better watch it Potter. I have half a mind to…"
"You have half a mind to do what exactly Percy? Give Harry a detention? You can't, we're not at school yet and besides classes don't resume until tomorrow. You'd just be abusing your power and the title of Head Boy would be stripped from you." Hermione said interrupting Percy.
Percy huffed and puffed as he entered the compartment.
"Percy there is no room for you in here. Get out!" Barked Ron.
"You and Ginny are leaving with me right now."
"No we're not!" Ginny growled
"Then I'm staying to make sure…"
"Oh Percy get lost would you!" Said Fred.
"You don't need to keep an eye on Ron and Ginny." Added George.
"Do either of you care about Ron and Ginny? Do either of you want to ensure that they're hanging out with the right sort of witches and wizards and having the right sort of friends?"
"There's nothing wrong or bad about those we hang out with and are friends with." Ron said angrily.
"Mum and dad don't have a problem with who I hang out with and are friends with so you shouldn't either Percy." Ginny added.
"They're blind fools! And I can see I'm too late to save Ron. But I still have a chance to do just that for you Ginny. Come on let's go."
"Come any closer or touch me I'll hex you into the next decade!"
"Don't be silly Ginny. No one can do that."
"I'll still hex you and don't think that I won't try to do just as I said."
Percy reached for Ginny's arm and suddenly flew backwards out of the compartment.
"I told you not to come any closer or touch me." Ginny said while standing on her feet with her wand drawn.
"That's it…"
"Watch it Percy, you don't want to go and…oh never mind… go ahead and try to do something like give out detentions or something. You'll be the one in trouble. Honestly, I would like to see the title of Head Boy being stripped from you. So please, I beg of you to abuse your power." Hermione said hopefully.
"I'm writing to mum and dad. Now they'll see that I have been right all along." Percy said as he stood up before stopping off down the corridor.
"Keep dreaming Percy!" Harry yelled after Percy as he stopped off.
"Harry, go find Hedwig and bring her back here. While you are getting her we'll write our own letter to mum and dad. Percy won't send his letter until we get back to school. So if we get ours out now, it will get there long before Percy's." Ron said excitedly.
"Ron that's…really clever." Hermione said brightly.
Harry quickly took off and found Hedwig. He grabbed the handle to make carrying the cage easier and quickly rushed back to the compartment with his friends.
"Just finished the letter. Let Hedwig out of her cage so we can attach the letter." Ron said anxiously.
Harry opened the door on the cage while informing Hedwig that there was an important job for her to do. Ron attached the letter to the outstretched leg of Hedwig.
"Quickly Hedwig. It is extremely important that this letter is to be delivered to Mrs. Weasley as quickly as possible." Harry murmured to Hedwig.
Hedwig nipped Harry's fingers affectionately, chirped and took off out of the window.
"What the hell is Percy's problem?" Asked Hermione.
"He's just being a git." Replied Ron.
Fred and George looked at each other contemplating something.
"Should we?" Asked Fred.
"Yes, we should." Replied George.
"What are the two of you going on about?" Asked Ginny.
"Last night we hear voices, mum, dad and Aunt Muriel's. So we decided to find out what exactly they were talking about." Said Fred.
"And?" Prompted Ginny.
"Percy seems to thing that Harry's going to get Ginny pregnant before she finishes school and that Harry will disappear without a care in the world like Sirius did to Ruby." Said George.
"WHAT?" Exclaimed the other four.
"That's what we heard." Replied the twins.
"You both kept that to yourselves. Why didn't you say anything to us before?" Asked Ron.
"Well, we know it's total rubbish and that Percy has obviously his damn mind." Said Fred.
"And we didn't want to upset anyone. But with Percy's recent stunt…" Added George
"Sorry we didn't say anything when you first entered the compartment." The twins said together.
"I can't believe that Percy got the title 'Head Boy'." Hermione declared.
"Well, with any luck maybe now we won't have deal with Percy at home. I am so sick of him. And to think I didn't' tell anyone that he's dating that Clearwater chick from school." Said Ginny.
"Brilliant sis. Thanks for the info." Said the twins mischievously.
"Any time."
"Well, we should start changing into school robes…I know we're not near Hogsmead Station, but as there are so many of us…"
"Hermione, I honestly don't think that it will matter. As you said earlier, classes don't resume until tomorrow." Harry said teasingly.
"I'm going to see if anyone has changed or plans to soon."
"You go do that Hermione." Said Ron.
A few minute later Hermione returned to the compartment.
"So Granger, what did you find out." Asked the twins.
"No one has changed nor will anyone be changing into their school robes."
"So what are you going to do?" Ron asked.
"Well, I certainly am not going to be the only one, aside from Percy, dressed in school robes."
"You're not going to be able to convince us to change…"
"Of course not Ronald! I wasn't insinuating that. I was meaning that I am not going to change into school robes, you nit-twit."
Suddenly the compartment door opened to again reveal Percy.
"We're nearly to Hogsmead Station, you all should get changed into school robes. I am disappointed that none of you have already changed. I am completely shocked Miss. Granger."
"Deal with it Percy. I am not going to force anyone to change and I am not changing either. No one else has, well other than you."
"Someone needs to set a good example around here."
"Piss off Percy." Said Ron.
"Percy do you want a repeat of what happened when you refused to leave me alone in my room at Grimmuald Place, you know before you had to go to your Aunt Muriel's to clean?" Said Harry irritated.
Percy's face turned beat red and he stomped off once again.
Before anyone knew it the train reached Hogsmead Station. All six stayed together as they de-boarded the train, headed to where the carriages were ready and waiting to take them to the castle and climbed into one as quickly as the could in hopes that Percy would not find them in time to ruin the return to school more than he already had.
The carriage pulled away as Percy approached. Harry smiled warmly at Percy as he took Ginny's hand in his and held up their clasped hands just before resting their hands on his thigh.
"Harry, what was tha…" Ginny trailed off as she caught sight of Percy.
Percy was standing in the middle of the lane glaring in Harry's direction. Percy's face was red and his eyes were huge.
Ginny smirked and tapped Harry on the shoulder.
Harry turned to face Ginny as he said, "Yes Ginn…"
Ginny cut Harry's words off as her lips touched his. Harry was surprised, a little confused by Ginny's actions that she was able to unbalance him causing Harry to fall backwards on to the bench seat. He tried to resist but knew it was useless, as he had been thinking about kissing her for quite some time. As Harry gave in and kissed her back he reached out to grab someone for his or her help.
"What Har…Ginny! Stop! Get off of Harry!" Sputtered Fred.
Ginny responded with a grunt that was clear to everyone that she was saying no.
George, Ron and Hermione looked up to see what was going on. To find out why Fred was yelling at Ginny and where he was looking.
"Ginny! Stop attacking Harry! Let the poor bloke breath!" Cried George.
Ginny stopped kissing Harry and looked at Fred.
"What?" Chuckled Ginny with an innocent expression on her face.
"What were you thinking?" Asked Ron.
"Behave yourself." Said Fred.
"Mum and dad won't like this. Your only twelve." Added George.
"Percy was having a hissy because Harry held my hand. I just figured that I'd give him something to contemplate. Mum and dad will just end up pissed at Percy for causing me or pushing me into things and situations that I normally wouldn't be involved in. In other words, mum and dad will process that Percy's behavior will potentially result in years down the road of me becoming a parent at such a young age. Percy will be the one in hot water not me. Besides I wanted to kiss Harry."
Fred and George couldn't argue with Ginny's logic so they dropped the issue.
"Ginny, mum and dad won't be quite so lenient on you. You're twelve and not allowed to date so snogging will be unacceptable to them. What if they end up siding with Percy?"
"They won't side with Percy. Don't worry so much Ron. Trust me, mum and dad won't do anything other then possible request that I not go to such extremes to antagonize Percy and to be patient."
"If you're sure."
"I am sure Ron."
"Harry, are you alright?" Asked Ron as he saw a strange look on Harry's face.
"S-sure." Harry stuttered quietly with a dazed expression on his face and a glazed look in his eyes.
"Harry. I'm sorry. I didn't really think it through. I didn't mean to…Can you forgive me for taking advantage of what you told me about how you feel about me? I wish I could promise not to do it again, but I can't. But I'll try not to do it again."
"I forgive you. In the future a bit of a forewarning would be very appreciated." Harry whispered.
"Nice one Ginny. You made it so that Harry can't talk. I hope it's not permanent." Grumbled Ron.
"It won't be permanent." Said Fred smirking.
"Just give it a few hours." George added while smirking.
"Um…Ginny…you might want to…um… let Harry get…I mean sit up. We're nearly to the castle. In maybe a minute or two and we will be there." Hermione stuttered.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry Harry." Ginny said as she climbed off of Harry and retook her seat on the bench.
"Don't worry about it." Harry whispered in a slightly raspy voice as he sat back up.
As the carriage came to a halt everyone picked up and grabbed what they had brought with them into the carriage.
Harry sat still to let everyone by so they could climb out.
"Harry are you getting out to the carriage or what?" Asked Ron.
Harry nodded while signaling that he'd be a minute.
Hermione and Ginny were just inside the castle waiting for Harry for join them.
"Harry do you still want to go with me to check on …you know?" Hermione inquired.
Harry only shook his head. Hermione went on her own to check to se if Draco was in the room of requirement and if he was she was hoping that he would be alright.
As Harry and Ginny headed for the dining hall Ginny glimpsed Violet walking towards them.
"Hi, Harry. I was wondering if I could have a word with you? It's extremely important, or at least it is to me." Violet said with a desperate plea in her voice and glassy eyes that were threatening to spill tears.
Harry cleared his throat before saying, "Sure."
"Ginny can come too. It doesn't matter. I just need to talk to you."
Harry and Ginny looked at each other with hopeful expressions as they followed Violet into an empty room.
"I heard that Sirius Black is your Godfather and that you spent the holiday with him?"
"He is my Godfather and I did spend the holiday with him."
"What's he like? How is he? Has he ever mentioned someone by the name of Ruby?"
"He's great, kind, caring and the best father figure I know, aside from Mr. Weasley. He was my parent's best friend. They met here at Hogwarts. He's doing pretty good. He has mentioned Ruby, but only recently. He was pretty choked up and it was painful for him to talk about her."
"I heard the whole story. It's so sad. I won't say anymore about it. If it were me, I wouldn't want to talk about it."
"Violet, I hope you don't mind me asking but why are you so interested in Sirius and if he has ever mentioned 'Ruby'?"
"Over the holiday I found out that Sirius Black is my father. Mum's best friend, Marie, raised me from birth. My mum died shortly after I was born. I've known for quite some time about my mum. Marie intended on telling me a few years ago but the conversation never came up until this past holiday. I couldn't take it anymore so I asked Marie about my father. I would really like to meet him and get to know him. And hopefully live with him. I also have a letter for him. My mother wrote a letter to my father and me before she died. There's also this vial of something and I need what's called a pensive to view it. Goodness I am sorry. I've been rambling on. I'm nervous and anxious, excited and terrified at the same time. Marie is not well. To be honest she doesn't have much life left. She's a Muggle."
Ginny used all her energy and strength to not jump up and down at the revelation that she and Harry were right about Violet.
"Violet I can assure you that Sirius wants to get to know you."
"But he doesn't even know that I exist."
"Actually he does."
"But how? My mum never got the chance to tell him that she was pregnant."
Harry explained about Sirius declaring himself as the Head of the House of Black and about the Black family tree tapestry and what Sirius had said about Ruby.
"So, how do I and my father meet or whatever?" Asked a very excited Violet.
"First we need to inform Sirius that you're here, near by. Ginny and I thought that you might be the Violet that appeared on the tapestry. Ginny was going to talk to you about Sirius when we returned from the holiday. Not to worry, we know someone here that will be able to inform Sirius that his daughter is at Hogwarts. Then we arrange it so that you and Sirius can talk and such."
"The best thing to happen to me, other than Marie, is finally finding out about my father and being able to meet him."
"What about finding out about magic and Hogwarts?" Asked Ginny.
"Don't get me wrong, I love Hogwarts and finding out that I am a witch. Just, knowing that there's a possibility that I'll have a home when Marie dies. The Muggle doctors don't know what's wrong and can't figure out a way to make her well. Being that she is a Muggle and what ever it is that is wrong with her is not the result of magic so she doesn't think that St. Mungo's would take and try to see if there is anything that they can do. See, when my mum was eleven she confided in her best friend about magic and Hogwarts. Marie was intrigued and excited that magic was real and not some story. From that moment on they were inseparable until my mum started attending Hogwarts and when she met my father."
"Sorry to hear that your mum died. It must have been hard to learn what happened. I am glad that you have had Marie to help you through it. I am also sorry to hear about Marie's current health."
"Thank you. You really are as kind as I've heard. I get the feeling that I could confide in both of you. It would be so nice to have some one I could talk to about things and have them there for me to help or just comfort me when I need it."
"What about your friends?" Asked Ginny.
"Friends? What friends? Sure there are a few that it hang out with from time to time and several that chat about classes with but I don't have any friends or anyone to really talk to about Marie. I can't talk to her about things, I don't want her to worry about me than she already does."
"Well, a lot of things are going to change, starting now. You have a friend in me and I am sure a friend in Ginny as well. In a way I'd say that you and I are family…Sirius. I think there is still some time left for the feast. Come sit with us."
Violet nodded and smiled as she followed Harry and Ginny out of the room and into the dining hall.
As the three of them made their way to the Gryffindor table Harry made eye contact with Remus.
Remus looked from Harry to Ginny to Violet and back to Harry with huge eyes and a questioning look on his face.
Harry smiled, looked at Violet and back at Remus with a nod to convey that yes she is Sirius's daughter.
Ginny, Harry and Violet took a seat at the table and started to eat.
After a while Ron started looking around and became confused.
"Harry, where's Hermione?"
"What do you mean?" Asked Ginny.
"You and Hermione were waiting for Harry to show up and you and Harry show up here with a first year instead of Hermione. She…she went alone? It couldn't take that long to find out what happened or didn't happen over the holiday to Dr…you know."
"This can't be good." Harry and Ginny said together.
Harry, Ron and Ginny got finished what they had their plates, got up and headed for the doors to leave. Harry stopped and ran back to the table.
"Violet, sorry to run out on you like this. It's just that there is something important that I need to check on and find out. We'll meet you in the common room. Fred and George will show you our spot. And not to worry they won't prank you at all in any way, shape or form."
"Oh, we won't." Said Fred.
"Is that so?" Asked George.
"Of course you won't do your usual. Sirius wouldn't be too happy to hear that either or both of you were to prank his daughter."
"Well in that case we will be sure that nothing unwanted comes her way or bothers her." Said Fred.
"We'll stay with her until the rest of you show up." Added George.
Harry smiled, turned and quickly caught up with Ron and Ginny.
The three of them walked straight to the room of requirement. No one was inside so they went to Gryffindor Tower. As the followed the corridor they could see the portrait of the fat lady up ahead as well as Hermione pacing.
At the sound of footsteps approaching Hermione looked up to see Harry, Ginny and Ron.
"Where have you three been? I've been waiting for over an hour. I didn't want to go into the dining hall and get you, as it would have been suspicious, more suspicious than it has been. I don't want things to get worse for him." Hermione shrieked.
"We went to the room of requirement and you weren't there. No one was there so we came here. We got here as fast as we could." Ron replied.
"So, before going to the room of requirement, all of you were in the dining hall all this time?"
"No. Hermione please calm down. Ron was in the dining hall when Ginny and I finally arrived with Violet. As you took off to the room of requirement and Ginny and I headed for the dining hall, Violet approached me and wanted to have a word with me. She didn't even care that Ginny was there. Violet wanted to know about Sirius. Over the holiday she found out her father's name, and yes Sirius is her father."
"Oh! That's great! You should tell Re…Moony. Now. What are you waiting for?"
"Uh…Hermione."
"Harry."
"First you yell at us about where we were and now you want me to go to Moony right this second about Violet being Sirius's daughter. I can see that you have something important to tell us, and yes Sirius's daughter is important as well. I think the other is just a bit more important right now. I will talk to Moony to be sure he understood my silent words, and I will soon. First I want to know how did…" Harry paused to look around to be sure that no one else was around that could cause a serious problem before continuing softly, "Draco's holiday go?"
"Not good. But I don't think that we should discuss it out here."
"Oh, right. Let's get inside then." Harry said feeling a little stupid.
All four walked through the common room and straight to the table in their corner.
"Okay so what happened? If anything did." Ron said skeptically.
"Before the holiday, Snape paid a visit to the Malfoy Manor and talked with Draco's father. Well, when Draco arrived home, his dad asked him who he had been talking to at school. Of course Draco said 'no one', but his father didn't believe him. The result is that Draco has a gash on the right side of his face. It's not very long, but it is deep. Really deep."
"That's it? Why didn't you come to the feast? How long could it take to fix up a small gash on one's face?"
"Shut up Ron! That's not all that happened. Draco's father…oh hell…Lucius made the gash magically…well when Snape had visited he did something just before he left, I'm not sure what…"
"How do you know that Snape did something before he left the Malfoy Manor?"
"Ron shut it! Give Hermione a chance to explain and tell the whole story. For the love of Merlin would you please stop interrupting her." Ginny said
"Lucius also has a gash on the right side of his face. Shortly after the gash was made on Draco's face he saw a longer and deeper gash appear on his father's face, same side. Lucius's is about three times as long and deep. At least from what Draco could tell. Draco also said that hid father screamed as though someone was torturing him with a poison or some kind of acidic potion. Lucius cast several spells at Draco, one's that cause excruciating pain…worse than 'Crucio'. Well the result was the same, every thing that Lucius did magically to Draco, Lucius felt everything that Draco felt except it was three times or more intense for Lucius."
"That's good. Lucius can't do anything to Draco any more! That means that we won't have to be involved any longer."
"Yes it's good that Lucius can't hurt Draco magically any more, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't still need our help. All it means Ron is that Lucius knows he can't harm Draco with magic without going through it himself."
"Oh no." Gasped Harry.
"Lucius physically beat his son? How horrible. Is Draco all right?" Violet asked, speaking up for the first time.
"He will be alright, in time. I wouldn't call it that Draco was beaten. Lucius used something on Draco that caused a hideous burn on his chest. Draco knows that it was not done by magic because his father was unaffected. In other words, Lucius Malfoy will use Muggle means to punish his son. Luckily I carry Muggle remedies with me at all times."
"You're telling me that Malfoy let you use Muggle remedies on him?" Asked Ron.
"Yes he did. Of course he was a little reluctant at first. I asked him to trust me and he let me tend to his burn with what I had. Yes Ron I carry Muggle remedies with me at all times. I shrink it down to a small box so that I can carry it in my pocket at all times so I don't look ridiculous carrying a big case with me and it's extremely heavy when not shrunk down."
"So, you're all helping Draco? That's really nice of you. Personally I think that whole thing about the Gryffindor's and Slytherins being mortal enemies and hating each other is a load or rubbish. Just because it has been that way for decades doesn't mean that it has to continue. Not all pure bloods are kind and decent just like not all pure bloods are worthless pieces of crap. If you really pay attention, every family has kind and decent members as well as those that are worthless pieces of crap. You should never assume or categorize another just because of his or her family history. I don't know what he did to you Ron or your friends or your relatives but you can't let that get in the way of helping Draco in a time of need."
"Thank you Violet."
"You're welcome Hermione. I'd like to add that you can help someone without trusting them. Also don't be so closed-minded that you make a final decision as to the type of person Draco might be in the future. He may have been a worthless piece of crap but he might change, may have already changed. I'm not saying 'bury the hatchet and be his best friend', I'm just saying be there for him, help him, don't pre-judge him because of his past actions against you and those you care about or because of his family history but do be cautious. You clearly have your issues and reservations about Draco, but what if he's not how you think he is? Think about what you have said about and to Draco as well what you have or haven't done or doing in regard to Draco. Now ask yourself, are better than he has been?"
"Very well put Violet." Said Ginny.
"And don't worry I wont say anything to any one about you helping Draco. I would like to help as well."
"Well…okay…this is better. There's now another person to take care of Draco. Hermione won't have to go alone anymore."
"I've never gone alone because I had to! I chose to go alone every time! You just refuse to see past the Malfoy family history and their wealth!" Hermione said infuriated.
"And it's rubbish! The Malfoy family has a horrid history and yes they are wealthy but come on Ron, we found out over the holiday that our family has it's own wealth. Don't you remember the house we looked at? You know the one we'll be living in this summer and always." Ginny growled at Ron.
"Sue me! I forgot about the house."
"Okay now." Said George.
"I think we all better get to bed now." Said Fred.
"Don't look at us like that Ron." Said George.
"It's really late." Said Fred.
"Crap! It's past two!" Harry said as he stood up and headed to the staircase that lead to the dormitories.
The rest followed Harry's lead and went to his or her dormitory in silence.
