Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. Its J.K. Rowling's Magical world. I'm just renting residence. Heh.
Chapter Summary: A worried Sirius and Remus look for their small Charge and Harry goes through doubt.
A/N: I was so busy today that I almost didn't take out the time to write this chapter, but I read the reviews and here you are…-sigh- Haha. :-)
Chapter 5: Windy Day by the Lake
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"What!?" Both Sirius and Remus almost shouted.
"I-I was just going in to check up on him and t-the covers were pulled back. H-His bed was empty and the hospital wing door was wide open!" She hurriedly explained.
Neither answered nor asked for more information from the concern-filled woman in front of them, before they dashed out of the office and down the spiral staircase.
"We left him, Moony! How stupid! After we promised and everything!" Sirius rambled worriedly as they ran down the hall looking in every room on the floor, but finding nothing.
"Do you think he really believes that we actually left him?" Remus asked perturbed, vainly hoping Harry had only decided to go for a nice walk around the castle, as they came to a stop in the Entrance Hall.
"He's three, Remus, and he hasn't exactly lived the most trust-filled life! We promised, and we left, he wakes up, and we're gone. What would you think?" Sirius's reply came sharper than he had intended for it to. Remus actually flinched slightly. "Look, I'm sorry, Moony, I shouldn't have said it like that…it's just…"
"No, it's alright. You're right…we made him a promise, and he woke up to find us gone. Come on, let's keep looking. We've got to explain to him."
They checked all of the floors in the castle, including all the secret passageways that only 'they' knew about, but still found nothing. As they returned to the Entrance Hall for a second time, they ran into Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey.
"Nothing?" Remus questioned hopeful that he might be wrong. They all solemnly shook their heads 'no'.
If anything happens to that boy, I'll never forgive myself, Sirius thought as he mentally hit himself. How could I be so dense?
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-One hour before, while Sirius and Remus were still having their little chat with Dumbledore-
Harry sat in the hospital wing bed scolding himself mentally. How could he have actually allowed himself to believe someone could be nice to someone like him? Yes, he had hoped - really, really hoped - that those two men could be different, but…once again, as always, he was proven wrong. For here he now sat in this bed, alone, and - in his opinion - abandoned. He should have known better, he knew…but Padfoot…Padfoot had been so nice, so gentle, and kind…and Moony had been the same…
He hated it…he hated it when he was pulled up just to be knocked back down again. Dudley used to do it all the time. He, Harry, with time and experience, had learned not fall for this kind of thing, but he had slowly begun to let those two get to him and now…now… He knew he would never be loved, just like Uncle Vernon always said, good boys are loved...and bad ones are not. But how he had so wished that Padfoot and Moony's intentions were true…that now…now it hurt to realize the obvious. Which only made it that much harder to stop the tears that were gradually beginning to roll down his cheeks.
In the midst of Harry's anguish he saw something very strange sitting in the doorway of the hospital wing. It looked like a miniature half white tiger, half white wolf. It had shimmering snow-white fur with black strips and beautiful amber eyes. It was small enough to be a cub and to Harry it was the prettiest animal he had ever seen.
Where did it come from? Harry thought to himself, emerald eyes gazing into amber.
Placing his attention on this odd creature, Harry wiped away the few tears that had found their way onto his face, pulled the blankets off him, and got down off the bed. He had always been fond of animals; they, to his knowledge, had never hurt or betrayed anyone. He had always sensed honesty and goodness around them, unlike Uncle Vernon.
Now that I think about it… Harry reasoned as he crept slowly around his bed toward the creature. I didn't sense anything bad awound Padfoot or Moony… he thought sadly, but was quick to push the feelings away. He did not want to think about that anymore.
"Here kitty…or awe you a doggy?" Harry questioned softly. The animal sniffed, waged its tail briefly, and then turned around, walking out of the hospital wing. Harry's curiosity got the better of him - where was it going? - and he decided to follow the 'thing'.
It led Harry down numerous flights of stairs, through various passages, and through uncountable corridors. So much so, that Harry was sure he would never be able to get back to the hospital wing by himself, even if he tried. But he did not mind...he did not really want to go back anyway. They might…send him back to Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, and that was the last thing he wanted.
Besides…this was fun, like a game of follow the leader. Hesitant though he was when they reached the huge, open, front doors of the Entrance Hall, he followed the creature outside. It was a bright sunny day in June and there was a nice breeze flowing through the air. This was good because Harry was exhausted by the time they reached the lake, which was where the dog/feline creature decided to stop. Panting, Harry sat down on the water bank and tried to catch his breath.
"You'we fast…you know?" Harry panted, smiling as the 'thing' went and drank a little water from the lake. It turned back to face Harry and proceeded to lie down in front of him tiredly. The Potter heir tentatively reached out and petted the animal's fur.
Wow, its so soft, Harry thought serenely. The animal did not protest, on the contrary, it licked Harry's outstretched hand, which caused the emerald eyed boy to giggle.
"Hey!" Harry said, giggling as the 'thing' got up and walked around him, smelling him, only to laugh when it decided to lick his face. Harry rubbed it behind its ears and it promptly sat back down, laying its head on Harry's lap, almost purring.
"What's your name?" Harry wondered aloud as a strong breeze ruffled his jet-black hair. The 'thing' just continued to lie there, content, enjoying Harry's rubbing.
"How about…Amber? I usta know someone named Amber…before she moved cuz Dudley was mean to her fow being nice to me…" Harry stated sadly.
"But that was a wong time befowe now," the young boy amended, smiling again as he continued to pet the newly dubbed 'Amber'. A large shadow came over the Potter and 'Amber', covering the two of them completely…and Harry froze, his breath catching in his throat, fear immediately enveloping him…
"An' who 'av we here?"
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A/N: It shouldn't be hard to guess who that is…but that's beside the point. It took me some time to pick a name for 'Amber', there where too many names that could have gone for the purpose that she is in this story. In the end I hope that ambereyes2873 (whose reviews I really enjoy) doesn't mind that I used the beginning of hers as it fit perfectly, for reasons that as of yet cannot be mentioned. Anyway, please review and tell me what you think so far.