I do not own Harry Potter, only the OC
Hello guys, Badger here. Back again, with a new chapter. You know how it goes.
When I first wrote this chapter, I did a time skip, only to remember how the previous chapter ended, so completely rewrote the chapter, so that delayed the chapter somewhat. But that's fine. Once I knew what to write in this chapter, it was relatively easy and, after a few breaks, I had the chapter finished and waiting to be published in just under two days.
Anyway, I'll leave it there for now, I hope you enjoy and I will see you at the end.
Chapter 6
A Godfathers Oath
Harry sat with Ginny and Neville at lunch, ignoring the stares and whispers from other students. Many still considered him to be a cheater. However, Harry didn't care about that. His mind was on the First Task, which was happening next week. The dragons he saw in those cages was all he could see, and he dreaded seeing one out of its cage.
He also thought about the letter Sirius had sent him. He wasn't sure how Sirius was going to meet him in the Gryffindor Common Room, but he's sure he'll find out tonight. However, that brought on a new set of problems. Knowing he could trust Ginny and Neville, he told them about Sirius' innocence and, like himself, they wanted to see him free with his name cleared. However, James and Daphne didn't. Sooner or later they'll find out that Harry has been in contact with the man and want answers, so that left Harry with the question as whether he should tell them or not. As he thought about it, he believed he should tell them. He trusted them well enough, by this point, that he believed they could keep it a secret. He'll tell them when he sees them after lunch.
"Hey Harry" A voice said
Harry, Ginny and Neville looked up, slightly startled at the sudden voice, where they saw Angelina, Alicia and Katie, the Gryffindor Chasers, sitting down opposite them, all three of them ruffling Harry's hair, making the boy smile slightly.
"Hey guys" Harry said, smirking slightly "How's detention going?"
"Detention…that's one word for it" Katie said "I swear they're trying to kill us!"
"It's not that bad is it?" Neville asked, raising an eyebrow
"Please, when we aren't polishing the trophies in the trophy room, we're cleaning the cauldrons in the Potions classroom…by hand" Angelina said "And when we aren't doing that, we're cleaning up the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, after lessons are over…I feel like my arms are going to fall off with how much manual labour they're making us do"
"Ginny told me why you got detention" Harry gave them a small smile "I appreciate it, but I don't want you getting into trouble, on my account"
"Harry, we've been teammates for four years now" Alicia said "You're like a little brother to us, so when someone bad mouths our little Seeker, then they'll have to deal with some very angry, and protective, sisters"
Harry smiled, as he tried to hide the blush on his face. Ever since his first Quidditch Match as the Gryffindor Seeker, he had gotten along well with the three Chasers. Every time Gryffindor won a match, they would ruffle his hair and hug him like he was teddy bear. It took some time getting used to the affection, but he grew to love it. The friendship he had with the Chasers, evolved to the point where he saw them as older sisters, like how he saw the Twins as brothers, though he never knew they saw him as a brother in return.
"Enough about us" Katie said, changing the topic of conversation "What about you Harry…Alicia saw you talking to James Badger and Daphne Greengrass in the library the other day…anything you would like to share"
"James Badger and Daphne Greengrass…4th year Slytherin students?" Ginny asked, looking at Harry
Harry didn't answer, he looked across at the Slytherin table, where he saw the two students in question, talking amongst one another, as they calmly ate, ignoring everyone else around them. Harry couldn't tell what they were talking about, though he had an idea. Harry also noticed every now and then that James would glance down the Slytherin table, to Astoria, the girl Harry found James with the other day. The two would catch each other's gaze, before quickly looking away, both of them sporting a hint of blush on their cheeks. Harry wondered if Daphne knew that there was something going on between her friend and her sister.
"They've been helping me with the Tournament" Harry replied, after a moment "Every few days we meet up somewhere, where they'll help me with spells for the Tournament, preparing for the First Task and also teach me more about the Wizarding World"
"So that's why you disappear from us" Ginny commented
"How come they've been helping you with the Tournament?" Neville asked, curious
"I've been asking myself the same thing" Harry shrugged "They don't have any reason for doing so, yet they are…but they're proving themselves to be better friends then Ron and Hermione"
"Really?" Angelina asked, surprised, before she turned to look at the Slytherin students for a moment before turning back to Harry, shrugging slightly "They seem like cool people…as long as they make sure you stay alive in this Tournament, you won't see any complaints from me"
That caused the group to laugh, as their conversation moved on to more lighter tones.
…
Across the Great Hall, at the Professors Table, Dumbledore sat in his chair, looking at Harry, with concern in his eyes. He was upset that the boy had been abandoned by his best friends. When Harry's name came out the Goblet, Dumbledore knew the boy would be alienated by the school. This was proven to be true immediatley after. He knew that Harry wouldn't take the bashing well and Dumbledore hoped, that Ron and Hermione would stick by Harry's side and help him through the whole ordeal. After all, that's what Ron and Hermione were paid to do: Stick by Harry's side, and help him, no matter what. Harry would need loyal friends by his side, up until the moment came, where Harry's sacrifice was needed for the Greater Good.
Oh yes, Dumbledore knew why someone would want Harry in the Tournament. This, without a doubt, was a plot for Voldemort to return, one way or another. When he did, it was only a matter of time until Harry needed to die for the Greater Good of the Wizarding World. Ron and Hermione were supposed to help guide Harry towards his fate.
Now though, Harry was hanging around more with Ginny and Neville, to people who weren't in his pocket. And when Harry wasn't hanging with them, he was lord knows where. Dumbledore wasn't sure how he was supposed to salvage the situation, but he hoped it wasn't too late to do so.
…
After lunch, Harry made his way to the same abandoned classroom, where he met up with James and Daphne on numerous occasions. To no surprise, the two Slytherin students were inside, talking to one another, though they stopped when they noticed Harry.
"Good you're here" James said "The First Task will be happening in the next few days, we'll need to make sure your spell work is efficient enough for you to get to the Golden Egg and steal it from under the dragons nose"
"Speaking of which, I have something that could help" Harry said, removing the notes for the Flame Freezing spell, Sirius had sent him and handed it to them
James and Daphne looked at Harry curiously, as Daphne took the notes, and the two read through them. Harry watched, as James' and Daphne's eyes widened in surprise.
"This is incredible" Daphne said, looking up at him "Where did you find this?"
"Someone sent it to me" Harry replied
"Really, who?" James raised an eyebrow
Harry closed his eyes, and took a small breath, before answering.
"What do you know about Sirius Black?" He said
"Same as everyone else" James shrugged "Was in Azkaban for 12 years, believed to be a follower of Voldemort, escaped from Azkaban and is still currently on the run…what does this have to do with this spell"
"Because he sent it to me" Harry replied
"Sirius Black sent this to you!" Daphne exclaimed "Why would he of all people send this to you?"
"He's innocent, he's my Godfather" Harry said
That made James and Daphne stop, as if they were frozen. Harry watched as the two looked to one another, their eyebrows raised so high, Harry thought they would end up flying off. The two stood in silence, seemingly having a conversation without actually speaking. It felt like an eternity, before one of them spoke.
"That's not possible" James said, as he and Daphne looked back to Harry "You're sure he's your Godfather?"
"Yes" Harry nodded
"That means he took the Godfathers Oath" Daphne said
"What's the Godfathers Oath?" Harry asked
"It's an oath, a vow, made by the Godfather" James replied "They swear on their life and magic that they will do everything in their power to keep their godchild safe, and to not betray that child, or the child's parents, because if they do, they break that vow and lose their life…if Sirius Black is your Godfather, then he took the Godfathers Oath…which means, if he did betray your parents to Voldemort, then he should be dead…so he really must be innocent"
"Does anyone else know that he is your Godfather?" Daphne asked
"I…I believe the Minister of Magic knows" Harry replied, remembering the conversation he overheard, under his Invisibility Cloak, the previous year in the Three Broomsticks
"Which means the Ministry must know" Daphne muttered "This is bad"
"Harry, if the Ministry knows that he's your Godfather, then they should've known about the Godfathers Oath" James said "It's a mandatory tradition when it comes to naming a child's godparents…this should've been brought up in his trial"
"He never had a trial" Harry explained "He was just thrown into Azkaban, when he was captured"
"So much for the justice system!" James spat out in disgust, before calming himself down "But this still doesn't explain things…if the Minister knows that he's your Godfather, then he knows about the Godfather Oath and if the rest of the Ministry knows, then they should know he couldn't be the one who sold your parents out to Voldemort, because he'll be dead from breaking the Oath"
"You suspect foul play?" Daphne asked, knowing what her friend was implying
"Seems so" James sighed "Something tells me, someone wanted Sirius in Azkaban"
"Who would do something like that?" Harry demanded, outraged about the possibility of someone purposely locking Sirius away, keeping Harry from having the family he deserved
"Your guess is as good as mine" James rubbed the back of his neck "Next time you're in contact with him, I suggest talking to him about this…if he is innocent, then his name needs to be cleared as soon as possible…then it's only a question of who wanted him kept in Azkaban"
…
Elsewhere, isolated and hidden away from prying eyes, a darkness opened it's eyes. If what Pettigrew informed him, was true, the First Task will be starting within the next week. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to stay this way for long. He felt weak and frail, two things he hated being. But soon that will change.
Hopefully, his spy will do his job correctly and make sure that Potter is the one to reach the cup during the Third Task, where he will be waiting. Once his body has been restored, he'll kill Potter slowly, before delivering the boys dead body to the castle personally.
He will rise again.
…
That night, Harry was alone in the Gryffindor Common Room, the rest of the House was already asleep. It had just reached Midnight and there was no sign of Sirius. Harry didn't know how Sirius was going to meet him, but Harry hoped he didn't try sneaking in. It didn't go so well when he snuck into the castle, for Pettigrew, last year, and something told Harry the paintings around the castle were still on high alert, expecting another break in at any point.
It was at that moment, flames appeared in the fireplace. Harry approached, confused, where he watched as the flames seemed to morph and shape, forming a face in the fire and smoke. A face he knew well.
"Sirius!" Harry said, excitedly, whilst also keeping his voice down, to make sure he didn't wake anyone up
"Hey pup!" Sirius smiled "Good to see you!"
"How are you doing that?" Harry asked
"The Floo Networks allows people to talk to others, kind of like Muggle Telephones" Sirius replied
"Can't you just come through?" Harry asked
"As much as I would like, it's best if I don't" Sirius sighed "Can't risk being seen, I caused enough panic the first time I entered the castle"
"Fine" Harry muttered "What did you want to talk to about?"
"I wanted to warn you Harry, and make sure you're being careful" Sirius said "I was speaking to Dumbledore about the Tournament the other day, he believes you being part of the Tournament is part of some kind of plot"
"He said that?" Harry's eyebrows raised in surprise
"He didn't outright say it, but it's what he was implying" Sirius replied "With the Death Eater attacks at the Quidditch World Cup and now this, his worries are reasonable"
"You think he is involved?" Harry asked
"Every fibre of my being is wishing that isn't so, but I fear that he is" Sirius sighed "Which is why I ask you to be careful…as careful as you can be anyway"
"Don't worry Sirius" Harry replied "With James' and Daphne's help, I should be fine"
"Ah yes, your newest friends" Sirius smiled "How are they, do they know about…you know…yours truly?"
"They know of your innocence…but…" Harry replied "They mentioned something…Sirius…when you became my Godfather…did you take the Godfathers Oath?"
"Yes, I did, before the legal documents were made, I took the Oath and made the Vow, with no hesitation" Sirius replied, looking at Harry curiously "Why do you ask?"
"Well, if people know you're my Godfather, then they should know about the Godfathers Oath" Harry replied "That's what James and Daphne said…they said that, if they know about it, then they should know that you're innocent…because if you did what you were falsely accused for…you'd be dead, as you broke that oath, which leaves the question, as to why you were imprisoned?"
"You know…I never really thought of that before" Sirius said, after a moment "Why did I never think of that before?"
"James suspects foul play" Harry stated "He believes someone interfered to keep you locked up for one reason or another"
"Something tells me that he might be right" Sirius scratched his chin, as he thought
"But who?" Harry asked "Who would want to keep you locked up…and why?"
"I don't know Harry" Sirius replied "I have a few suspicions, but I can't be too sure…but, if I can get myself a trial, the Godfathers Oath will help prove my innocence…though, it's probably best if I wait until after the Tournament…tensions are still high after the Death Eater attack, and I'm still on the Dementors menu, with the Kiss On Sight still active…unless…"
"Unless what?" Harry asked, when Sirius went quiet
"I get a trial abroad" Sirius said "If I can get in touch with the Ministers of Magic in another Magical Country, they could set up a trial for me"
"Would they even allow that?" Harry asked "Considering who you are?"
"Ministers of Magic don't care about international situations, only situations happening in their own country" Sirius replied "If a wizard from Germany, who committed acts of genocide, entered the British Ministry and demanded a fair trial, the Minister of Magic would allow it, as the wizard committed the acts in another country"
"That's insane!" Harry stated
"You'll find a lot of people in the Wizarding World are insane, in one way or another" Sirius replied "I'll talk to Remus as soon as I can, to see if anything can be set up…I'll update you if anything happens…for now, keep yourself safe, I don't want to read about you getting yourself killed or severely injured in the next issue of the Daily Prophet"
"I will Sirius" Harry nodded
"Love you pup" Sirius said "See you soon"
With that, the face of Sirius disappeared, as the flames slowly died down, leaving Harry in the darkness of the Common Room once more. Harry watched, as the smoke from the flames disappeared, and faded, into nothing. Sirius seemed to agree with James, that foul play was going on in terms of his imprisonment. Yet, Harry still didn't know why someone would keep Sirius intentionally locked up. Not to mention who. Hopefully Harry could find out who it was. Though, he wasn't sure what he would do, if he did find them.
Sighing, Harry got up and carefully made his way up to the boys dormitory. It was late and he was tired.
Sleep seemed like a good thing right now.
…
And that is the new chapter done. Your thoughts?
It was when I rewrote this chapter, I realised I hadn't included the Chasers or the Twins yet, so expect the Twins in the next few chapters. Now, I'm not sure about you lot, but I enjoy fanfics where Harry is seen as a younger brother to the Gryffindor Chasers, I believe it makes a nice dynamic. The same being said for the Twins. Which is why I struggle to read fanfics where Harry hates the Twins and vice versa, which is also probably why I will never write such scenarios either.
Anyway enough of that. James and Daphne now know about Sirius. I figured it would be better to get that out the way, sooner rather then later. Now, I'm not the first to write about a Godfathers Oath. I've read a few fanfics that include such things, though to my recollection, none of them involved the Godfather dying if they broke that Oath, so I felt like it would make a good point of evidence for Sirius' case. Though it does beg the question, who meddled to make sure Sirius remained imprisoned, and why and how? You'll have to wait I'm afraid.
That is all for now. I hope you enjoyed and I'll see you next time.
Badger Out