Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.

Author Note – I enjoy writing short stories for my own enjoyment but at a suggestion from a friend, I have decided to start posting some of my stories that I am working on or have completed. All feedback is welcome (hopefully constructive!) Looking forward to what you think!

"Oh, most definitely. In the meantime. It is a fun game to play. Hide and go find! Did you know I had actually found some of my stuff in Marietta Edgecombe's trunk last year. Can't imagine why the Nargles thought that it was a good idea to put them there."

"Ummm … Luna …" Harry started before stopping, realizing he did not need to break the illusion she had right now. "Actually, nevermind, good luck with your hunt! But my offer still stands, if you ever need any help finding things, let me know, that's what friends are for."

Luna flashed a large smile towards Harry, "Thank you! I like having you as a friend. I will also be there to help you if you ever need it."

"Well best be off, have a good evening, Harry."

And with that Luna turned and skipped down the hallway. Leaving Harry alone besides the quickly shrinking door for the Room of Requirements.

Harry started off back to his own common room, mostly thinking excitedly about the prospect of receiving word from Sirius.

However, part of him was thinking of how he would be able to stop Luna from being bullied. While Luna was an incredibly resilient witch and was mostly immune to the opinions of others, she was a steadfast friend and Harry was bound and determined to make sure she did not have to continue tolerating the bullying.

With that decided, and a hint of a plan forming in his mind, Harry's thoughts once more focused on the pending arrival of the letter from Sirius … and of equal importance, being reunited with Hedwig. With that though, Harry could not keep the smile off his face as he broke into a run, heading towards his common room.

The corridors of Hogwarts were dimly lit, the torches flickering as a cold fall draft swept through the castle. Harry pulled his cloak tighter around him and approached his common room entrance, his footsteps echoing on the stone floors.

As Harry reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, a plump woman current dressed in a silk dress with a feathered hat, he took a deep breath as she starred at him.

"Phoenix Feathers"

"You are almost late Potter." She replied crossly.

"Sorry got caught up … studying."

"Mmm-hmmm, I am sure you were."

"Phoenix feathers!" he said again a little louder.

"No need to shout, someone is in a hurry." She replied disappearing out the side of her frame as the portrait swung open to reveal the cozy Gryffindor Common Room.

Knowing that he was expecting Sirius' letter, the sight of the room instantly lifted his spirits. The crackling fire in the hearth cast a warm, golden glow over the room. Plush crimson armchairs and well-worn leather sofas were scattered around, groups of Gryffindor students were still occupying the space engaged in various activities.

Harry immediately spotted Hermione sitting by the fireplace, her nose buried in a large tome, however it was the sight of Ron sitting with Lavender and Parvarti that surprised Harry. Or more specifically it was the sight of Ron sitting incredibly close to Lavender that surprised him.

Apparently seeing Harry enter the room, Ron looked at Lavender and Parvarti before he jumped up as if scalded and walked over to Harry.

"Hey mate, feeling better? I was … just talking about Divination. I might not have given … Divination … enough attention before." He stumbled out, causing Harry to almost laugh as Harry looked back and forth between Lavender and Ron, the latter who had been starting to form a little blush.

"There might actually be more to … Divination than I thought and might be worth paying more attention to …". Ron paused as if suddenly realizing what he was saying. "I mean obviously the class is a load of bull … but might be interesting."

Harry smiled at his friend, "Well I am glad you were enjoying … Divination. I am going to go over to Hermione and work on my potions, have you finished yet or want to join?"

Ron eyed him suspiciously before nodding his head and mumbling out, "Sure I will join just need to grab my bag."

As Ron headed back towards Lavender and Parvarti to grab his stuff, Harry turned to head towards Hermione who was still engrossed in her book. However, before he could even take a step he felt hands on both his shoulders grab him and pull him to the side of the room.

Turning around he saw that it was the twins who had grabbed him, wearing their trademark mischievous grins.

"Hold on one second there, Harry," they said at the same time before looking to each other and smiling.

"We just wanted to thank you!" Fred said.

"Aye, you really saved our bacon." George chimed in.

Harry paused looking back and forth between them, raising an eyebrow in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Fred smiled, "Not sure if you remember us talking to Bagman at the World Cup and betting on the match."

George nodded, "Well we ended up listening to you advise about getting the agreement in writing and having an alternative payment option suggestion."

Harry immediately understood where they were going with this and hesitantly nodded. "Oh?"

"Ya … well not sure if you would believe this from a member of our illustrious Ministry. But that slimy git …" Fred was interrupted as George put his hand on his brothers arm.

"What he means to say is that professional slimy git that we have nothing but the utmost respect for and have no doubt he made an accident in payment." George said.

Fred smiled and nodded, "Of course that is what I was meaning to say George, just shortened it down for Harry, boy seems to be in a hurry. But yes that professional slimy git that we have nothing but the utmost respect for and have no doubt that he made an honest accident … paid us in Leprechaun's Gold."

Harry fought his instinct to laugh at the boys antics, as he adopted a facial expression that he hoped would pass as shock.

Apparently it worked as Fred continued, "I know, we were shocked as well. However, at your suggestion we had actually written a clause into the contract that he either needs to pay us or give us the approximate value in material compensation from his playing days … so old robes, signed beater bats, his first quaffle he had ever accidentally scored with when it bounced off his big head, … stuff like that."

This time Harry had no difficulty with showing his surprise. When he had made the suggestion to the twins, he had been thinking they would write it more so that there was a concrete way they would get their money, however using his old quidditch paraphernalia as collateral was … a really good idea. Knowing the boys salesmanship abilities, Harry had no doubt that they would actually be able to sell Bagman's old quidditch stuff at significantly higher that it was expected to go for, so at the end of the day they should actually be able to make more from the sale of the stuff than they would have gotten from the bet in the first place.

George lightly elbowed his brother, "I think he sees why we are happy, Fred."

Fred smiled at his twin, "I think he does indeed. So Harry we basically wanted to thank you for your suggestion, without that we probably would have been in trouble."

"We really do owe you for that Harry, we talked and want to offer your first pick from th stuff when Bagman brings it to us. He is apparently going to be around the castle for the Triwizard Tournament."

Harry smiled at the twins, "That is terrific you guys. I am really happy for you. But you don't need to give me anything."

Harry smiled as he saw the shocked look on both their faces.

George looked at him and dropped his joking demeanor, "Harry this is important, you really saved us. That was all of our money and we have serious plans for that money, if we lost it all …"

Continuing with his brothers serious tone Fred took up his brothers thought as he trailed off, "He is right Harry, we are in your debt."

Harry nodded and smiled again at the twins.

"No I understand it was important but it was really just a bit of advice to friends. However, if you feel there is a debt consider it paid."

Harry wished he had a camera to capture the mirrored looks of shock on their faces and struggled to contain his laughter.

"What do you mean?"

Harry looked back and forth between Fred and George before elaborating, "Well you seemed so confident in your bet on that outcome that I ended up making a rather sizeable bet myself on the outcome. So if anything, I probably owe you."

Harry waited a second for their response and was rewarded when both of them burst out laughing at the same time.

"Oh that is too good Harry!"

"Ok, consider the debt paid off!"

"Although our offer still stands, you can have first look over the wares. We will offer them to you at fair prices."

"Well … fair-ish …" George corrected.

"That is exactly what I said George, we will offer you fair-ish prices, Harry."

Harry laughed as he watched the twins turn and walk off to join Lee Jordan at a table in the corner of the common room, before he walked over to where Ron had joined Hermione and they both had their books out.

"Hey Harry what was that about? What did my brothers want?" Ron asked.

"They were just looking for suggestions about ways to prank you?" Harry said nonchalantly as he reached into his bag for his own book.

Setting it on the table, he looked up into the pale face of Ron, which caused him to burst out into laughter.

Eventually Harry managing to calm himself down, "Oh I am sorry about that Ron that was mean … they actually wanted to talk to me about Quidditch, they had actually seen us going out to the pitch flying around and wanted to see what I thought of you and whether your performance at the World Cup was just a result of the timer having been hit by a confundus charm."

Ron immediately got animated, "Merlin Harry! That's great what did you say? Did you say I was ready for the team or I would be ready for the team? Did they want to come watch? Should Gryffindor want to start practicing this year anyways? …"

Harry held his hands up to slow his friend down before he could really get into a rhythm.

"I told them the truth." Harry said.

Ron froze as he looked at harry expectantly.

"I told them that you were good, still a little raw but if you kept up your hard work you would be able to be a serious contender for the team next year."

Ron starred at Harry in excitement, before letting out a quiet, "Wicked!"

Harry smiled to himself as he proceeded to get out the rest of his supplies. While that wasn't actually wasn't what he had been talking about with the twins, he did mean it. He had noticed that when flying alone with Ron, he really did have the potential to be a good Quidditch player. Harry was just trying to come up with a plan to make sure his confidence never wavered. Knowing that if he could stop that from becoming a thing, or at least help Ron develop coping skills in advance, he would prevent it from snowballing into a bigger obstacle for Ron to have to overcome.

As Harry looked up he saw Hermione trying to hide a smile as she shook her head slightly back and forth. "Are you feeling better Harry? Where did you head off to after class? We didn't see you at supper."

"Oh don't worry Hermione, I wasn't hungry so didn't end up going for supper." He paused noticing the concerned look on her face. 'Seriously no need to worry, I just wasn't hungry. I had found an abandoned classroom and was practicing spells … it helped me clear my head. And then I just lost track of time. Now where were we in potions … have you completed the assignment yet Hermione I had a question about …"

And just like that the three of them focused on their work and stayed in the common room watching as the common room slowly began to thin out before they were the only ones sitting there finishing their assignments. Although Harry was struggling to completely focus and he hoped that he was not being too obvious as he was checking the window ever two minutes.

Shortly after the last other group of students had left the common room to head upstairs, Harry heard a familiar scratching on the window. By the time he saw Ron and Hermione's heads lift up to identify the sound Harry was already hallway across the room to open up the window.

"Hedwig! I missed you girl." He said quietly, his voice full of emotion.

She hooted softly in response, nuzzling her beak against his cheek.

Taking a step backwards and trying to compose himself, Harry let Hedwig hop into the room and glide to the table where they were all sitting, before turning around and joining Hedwig at the table with his friends.

Sitting down Harry looks at Hedwig, "Thank you Hedwig for everything you have done. I really missed you." His voice getting thick with emotions again.

"Harry, mate, she's just an owl delivering letters. It's what she does."

Harry looked at Ron and shook his head, "That's not all she is, she is more than an animal. I don't exactly know what it is but it is more than that."

Ron shrugged his shoulders, "If you say so. Although I know for sure that Pigwidgeon is just an owl, an owl that has somehow managed to discover caffeine, sure. But just an owl."

At that Harry laughed acknowledging the truth in Ron's words and wondering if perhaps Hedwig was different somehow, sure owls in the magical world were significantly different from the usual muggle owls but Hedwig was different than any of the owls he had met in the magical world as well.

"Oo Harry she has the letter, Looks like Sirius sent a reply." Ron exclaimed.

Harry excitedly reached for the letter … the first message he had received from his godfather since he lost him through the Veil.

Even knowing the contents, part of Harry wanted to read the letter silently, keeping the contents to himself, but he read it aloud, sharing the message with his friends.

Harry looked up at his friends once he finished reading. As he made eye contact with Hermione he saw her struggling to refrain from saying something.

As he raised an eyebrow in her direction, he was interrupted by Ron, who simply stated, "Sounds like Sirius is coming up north".

Harry nodded as he looked towards Ron.

Finally, Hermione managed to find her words, "And you are okay with that? I assumed part of you would be upset that he was coming up and putting himself at risk."

Harry looked again in her direction, impressed by her estimation of his likely reaction, knowing that was indeed his initial reaction. However, Harry could not help but get a feeling that this was not what she had been struggling with before.

As he looked at Hermione, he paused to come up with what he wanted to say, "I am definitely concerned about Sirius and the additional risk of being in the country, but he never deserved to have to be in hiding, he deserves to be free and I will find a way to help him."

Hermione smiled at him, "We will find a way to help him Harry, you are not alone."

Ron nodded in agreement, "Anything you need, let me know."

Harry smiled at Ron and Hermione, "Thank you."

Harry nodded and looked back down to the letter. "I think I want to write out a reply."

Ron and Hermione nodded and started to pack up their belongings, before Hermione looked up at Harry "If there is anything you need Harry, just let us know."

Harry nodded at her.

As they turned around and walked off to their respective dormatories she turned and looked back over her shoulder, "Try not to stay up too late."

He smiled as he watched her climb the stairs and disappear from sight.

Looking to Hedwig, "But I won't be sending it tonight."

She looked back at him as if mildly offended.

"Don't look at me like that Hedwig. It is not that I don't think you would be able to deliver it. But you deserve a good night's sleep, I'll write the letter and come find you in the owlery in the morning to send the letter." Opening a pouch in his pockets and withdrawing the contents for her he continued, "But I do have some treats, thanks so much for delivering this letter."

Apparently accepting Harry's words, she made quick work of the treats and hoped towards the window before flying away.

Harry once again looked at the letter in his hand … Sirius was alive …

He could not wipe the smile off his face as he began writing the letter.

Sirius,

I am so relieved that you are alright. I am not sure if this letter will make it to you before you make it to … wherever you are going. However, if there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

It will be really nice to have another person close to by that I can absolutely trust to have my best interests at heart.

I promise to keep an eye on what is happening around me, danger seems to follow me and being a little cautious certainly couldn't hurt.

Once you manage to make it up here safely and get settled in, please let me know and we can arrange someway to meet up.

I am seriously … frustrated with the current state of things with your situation. There has to be a way to get you proven innocent, even without Pettigrew.

I know you are going to caution me to be careful, and while I will promise to proceed with caution, I know there is nothing you would not do for those you care about. As demonstrated by your return. So why should I do any less for you. I have a feeling that my dad would have been livid with your incarceration and current status as a fugitive.

I will find a way to help.

I promise this.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Harry

P.S. I met a very nice lady at the World Cup, a Mary McDonald. She seemed to … believe in your innocence. She mentioned she knew my mom as well. Next Hogsmeade's weekend I will plan to visit her, she apparently has a shop in town and I look forward to any stories she may have of you and my parents.

As Harry finished the letter he leaned back and stretched. With a contented sigh, he read through the letter one last time, his smile growing with each sentence, he could not help but feel a profound sense of happiness knowing that soon Sirius would be back in the country, soon he would have the chance to make things right with him.

Realizing he was quite happy with the letter, he made his way up to his dormitory. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he slipped the letter into his trunk, hiding it among his old socks … smiling at the thought of Sirius laughing if he smelled the letter.

As Harry prepared for bed he noticed that he could already hear Ron's snoring coming from his bed, although he was not able to hear anything from Neville's bed.

"Hey Neville, are you ok?"

Several seconds went by with no sound and just as Harry was about to decide that maybe for the first time since their first year Neville had managed to sleep without snoring, Neville tentatively replied, "Ummm … ya Harry, I'm … fine."

"Well … if you ever want to talk, just let me know. That class today was intense. I know seeing Moody demonstrate the spell that killed my parents …" Harry paused, "Well seeing it was rough … if you ever need to talk … about anything … just let me know."

Once again the quiet lengthened to the point where Harry wondered if Neville had fallen asleep.

However eventually he heard quiet sobs, as if someone was crying into a pillow, and a whispered reply.

"Thanks Harry … thanks …"

Kind Regards,

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spicyanimechick - Thanks so much for the feedback, I am happy I started sharing as well, took ... a little bit of convincing but have really appreciated the feedback.

DJ Scales - Thanks!

jkarr - Glad you enjoyed it!

zega606 - She is a delight, I really enjoy writing Luna, so much fun

Lucy Elizabeth Dawson - I am really glad you enjoyed it! Will do.

fortinpatric - Of course. Ne pas probleme.

Ariadne Venegas - Do not worry, Dobby has not been forgotten, In my opinion behind Sirius death I think that death would have affected him the most (especially the way it happened) I know it sure affected me the most. Dobby and Winky are soon to appear!

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