I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello everyone, hope all are doing well. An update to my posting schedule. I used to do Taste on Mondays and Wednesdays and Extended on Fridays. Until Heals is done, I'm going to post Side on Monday, Heals on Wednesday, and then the extra weekly chapter of whatever will be on Friday. It will typically be an extra Side or Heals, but maybe something from my Reddit pile or that one shot I still need to put up. Hope everyone has a lovely week and as always, thanks for reading.
Oh, and I was honored to write one of my very favorite lines in all of my writing in this chapter. See if you can find it. It was so out there and random and utterly hilarious. I laughed for a solid few minutes when I wrote it. Enjoy!
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Side Dishes
6th Course – Speaking With Words 2: The Third Year
As per tradition, takes place all over the timeline with this first instance taking place during the 30th Course when Harry is returning to school at the beginning of his third year.
Harry smiled a little as he walked through the barrier at King's Cross and onto Platform 9 and 3/4s. The morning had amused him slightly. Vernon and Petunia were upset to find the majority of the leftovers gone and after Harry proved he did not throw them away, they blamed Dudley. Dudley, who many times in the past had done what they accused him of, protested his innocence to no avail and the fight they had made Harry smile inwardly while near them, and outwardly now.
It was still early, something Harry liked. Less people to point and stare, something he still had not gotten used to. It was also a little quieter and Harry could find a compartment for himself and hopefully his friends when they arrived. In short order he found one near the back of the train and settled down comfortably. Hedwig kicked the door to the cage open as soon as they gotten into the compartment and flew about some, stretching her wings. She finally settled in his lap and nibbled on his fingers, demanding attention.
"Let's see. Don't need to use my full strength to kick the door open. Don't want to break it completely. Let's try…69 percent. BAM! Ha! Perfect. I'm even better than I thought I was. Now pet me to praise me for how awesome I am. Yes, just like that. Thank you, Chick."
He looked up at a knock on the compartment's door and smiled brightly, waving back. It opened and Pansy and Millicent were there. "Hi!" he said happily.
"Hey there!" Millicent smiled back.
"Hello!" Pansy smiled. "May we join you?"
"Of course, let me help." He gently deposited Hedwig on the seat beside him before getting up and helping the girls with their trunks. He smiled at Sunny's insistent meows, the kneazle pawing at her basket latch. "She can't get out on her own?"
"Oh no, we charmed that to be unopenable from the inside," Millicent said as she undid the latch and Sunny squirmed out before the basket lid could be fully opened. "Otherwise we'd be able to never transport her anywhere."
"Hedwig kicks her cage door open," Harry smiled. The girls laughed when Hedwig puffed her chest out. "Of course she knows when it's appropriate to do it." He sat down and stared when both the owl and the kneazle had tried to claim his lap. "Uh oh," he said as the two pets squared off, hissing lightly at each other.
"I think Hedwig will win this round," Pansy smiled.
"Come on, share," Sunny hissed.
"No! I don't share unless it's with Chick!" Hedwig hissed back.
"You see how happy I make him too! Come on, we can work together on this," Sunny wheedled.
Hedwig sighed. "Fine. But know your place."
After some intense posturing, Hedwig consented to roost on Harry's head and Sunny curled up on his lap, both making noises of content.
-0-
"Hey, Hedwig."
"Hmm? What?" Hedwig yawned, looking at Sunny.
"Question for you. The Weasley boy, have you spent time around his rat?"
"Not really. He doesn't hang out much without him and doesn't really talk or anything," Hedwig said.
Sunny sat on her haunches, tail wrapped around her and the tip of it flicking back and forth. "Something about it bothers me."
"Don't bother hunting it. It's so sickly looking, you'd probably get sick and it's not worth the effort," Hedwig said.
"Not inclined to anyways, I don't eat rodents. Just hunt them." Sunny sniffed delicately and licked a paw before looking serious once more. "But I don't like how it feels. It doesn't feel like a natural rat, or a magical one."
Hedwig blinked at her. "You think?"
"Crookshanks agrees," Sunny said.
"Crookshanks is a fat lazy thing," Hedwig said.
"True, but he's not wrong. Plus have you seen that big black dog on the grounds? He wants the rat."
"Why would the dog want the rat?" Hedwig asked, tilting her head. "Not to mention that dog feels a bit off too, come to think it."
"He does, but he insinuates that the rat is a danger." Sunny's eyes narrowed. "To Harry."
"Oh nothing is threatening my Chick," Hedwig said dangerously.
"Then let's keep an eye on it and see if we can get it," Sunny said.
"Agreed."
-0-
Hedwig huffed slightly.
She was enjoying herself, no reason not to admit that. She was visiting the Browns at the beginning of the Holiday break from school. The Brown home was a warm one, full of warmth and laughter. It was obvious that the family loved each other and it was a good place.
Hedwig was feeling faintly annoyed and guilty. She had come to play with the girls at their request and Harry had encouraged her to. But he was still at the castle and was not allowed to leave since Sirius Black was still at large and a threat. Hedwig had wanted to go find this Sirius Black herself and make him stop but she was not allowed to, for some reason.
She wished Harry was having fun here too. He deserved it. Still, she understood that being in a mood cheapened the experience and she would just be extra loving and affectionate to her boy when she went back to the castle.
"Hedwig, want to learn a new game?" Clover and Marigold asked together, looking excited.
"Of course! I love games," she hooted. She watched with interest as the girls each picked up a large pillow and hid on either side of the doorway. They motioned for Hedwig to sit in plain sight and seeing no reason not to, Hedwig did.
"Hi Hedwig," Lavender smiled, walking into the room. "Where're-" She shrieked as the girls both swung their pillows and Lavender got hit in the face and the stomach with them. Marigold and Clover laughed uproariously and belabored a flailing Lavender for a few hits before they ran squealing.
"That does look fun!" Hedwig flapped into the air and picked up a pillow with her talons. She swung it experimentally a few times, getting the feel of the weight and then she swooped in and smacked Lavender across the back.
"Hey! Not fair!" Lavender shouted, laughing. "You're ganging up on me and I'm not armed!"
"Oh that's fair." Hedwig dropped her pillow into Lavender's hands and grabbed another one. She then swooped down on Marigold and whalloped her with the new pillow while Lavender attacked Clover. The quartet laughed and shouted and barked and screeched as they pillow fought and Cokie dashed around, joining in on the fun.
"Hedwig is pillow fighting." Daniel said, frowning at the sight.
"Oh, so she is," Leena smiled, watching the scene with love and amusement.
"Can owls do that?" he asked.
"I've never seen an owl do that before but Hedwig is incredibly smart as we know," Leena said.
"Too smart if you ask me," Daniel said ruefully. "Well, as long as they're having fun."
-0-
"Phew, look at all this," Nicolas said with awe. The table was laden with sandwiches and sweets and all sorts of things. The table was set up in the corner of the kitchens and Harry was bringing things over, laying them out. Another table was set up with cutlery and things beside it. "And you made all of this?"
"Pretty much with Inky and Ebbers helping," Harry said proudly. "Or me helping them rather on some things. Since our tea is going to have more people this year, we made a lot more and are having it here where it's nice."
Nicolas looked over to the other side of the kitchen where the House Elves had gathered around their own Christmas tea, chattering away happily. "A fine place to have it," he agreed. "And who is this charming person?"
"This is Hedwig, she's my owl and best friend," Harry said, looking up at Hedwig perched on his head. She hooted smugly and fluffed up, wiggling comfortably on Harry's head.
"Hello! I am Hedwig, the best owl for my Chick. How do you do?"
"Oh good, I was about to ask if you had an owl." Nicholas reached into his pocket and removed a thin gold band. He murmured a few words, tapping it with his wand before giving it to Harry. "There. If you ever need to send me or Perenelle a message, put this on Hedwig's leg and she can bypass our wards and find us directly."
"Oh thanks!" Harry smiled and when Hedwig put out her leg, he slid it on and it shrank to fit snugly. Hedwig admired the golden band and hooted happily. "She loves accessories. I've gotten her ribbons and bells."
"Oh this is very pretty!" Hedwig barked. "I like it very much! Thank you! I already liked you because Chick does but now I like you more. You can never have too many accessories."
"An owl after my own heart," Perenelle smiled.
-0-
Harry woke slowly, feeling warm and comfortable. It had been an incredible holiday so far, and each day had been a delight, somehow better than the last. He yawned and patted his stomach over the covers, frowning when he did not feel a bump. He blinked and felt the end of his glasses being poked into his cheek. "Oh, thanks Hedwig," he yawned, taking his glasses from her and putting them on. He blinked again when his vision cleared, seeing Hedwig standing there looking at him. "What's up?"
"Remember I do this out of love and affection. Surprise owl pillow attack!"
Bonk!
He gaped at her. "Did…did you just hit me with a pillow?!"
"I did! It's fun!" Hedwig nodded and flapped up again, thwapping him with the pillow she held in her talons.
He smiled. "Did the Browns teach you about pillow fighting?"
"They did! It's fun!" She nodded again and thwapped him again. She fled, hooting happily as Harry chased her around with his own pillow. "Hehehehe, come and get me!" He managed a few hits before he was the one fleeing with her thwapping him repeatedly over the head with unerring accuracy, barking with glee and superiority. "I'm going to get you! I'm the best at pillow fighting!" It ended how these fights invariably did, with her roosting on his head in victory, hooting lovingly.
"We're going to have to get Lavender when she gets back," Harry smiled, bringing her down to hug her.
Hedwig hooted in agreement, eyes gleaming brightly. "Oh that sounds like a lot of fun!"
-0-
"Hi Harry!"
Harry smiled when Lavender tackle-hugged him, stumbling a couple of steps but hugging her back with equal enthusiasm. "Hi Lavender! Welcome back."
"Did you have a nice holiday?" she asked as she broke the embrace.
Harry nodded as he hugged the Patil sisters. "I did actually! You won't believe who came to spend it with me. Nicolas and Perenelle!"
"The Flamels came to spend the holiday with you?!" Hermione gasped as she hugged him too. "That's amazing!"
"Yeah, it was a lot of fun," Harry said, thinking fondly of the recently passed holiday. They were in the clubroom and the rest of the students were returning from the holiday break. As people filled the tower again, Harry went to the clubroom for a bit of peace and quiet as well as baking some small hand pies for his returning friends. Lavender had accurately guessed Harry would be there so after she and the others dropped their things off, came looking for him.
"I'm glad you had a nice holiday," Lavender smiled.
"Thank you. Oh by the way," Harry gave her a look, "did you teach Hedwig about pillow fighting?"
"Me? No, I didn't!"
"Uh huh. Did Marigold or Clover?"
Lavender giggled. "Yes, they did."
"You taught an owl how to pillow fight?" Padma laughed.
"Not just an owl," Parvati said. "You know what she's like. If any owl could learn it and like it, it'd be her."
"Oh she likes it alright," Harry said with a fake weary sigh.
Lavender giggled even harder. "She sure is cute when she's doing it, isn't she?" She walked to the cabinet to get some napkins and plates.
"She sure is," Harry smiled.
Before Lavender could open the door, the cabinet burst open and she shrieked, the shriek becoming muffled as she got hit full in the face with a pillow. "SURPRISE OWL ATTACK!" Hedwig flew around Lavender's head, cackling with glee, and waggled her tail feathers. Lavender ran around the clubroom yelping while Hedwig chased after her, thwapping her with the pillow she clutched in her talons.
"Not fair!" Lavender laughed, ducking. "I'm not armed!"
"That's not my problem this time! Take this, and that! And some of this! Mwahahaha!"
"There're pillows in the cabinet," Harry said and laughed when Lavender managed to pull one out on her next circuit around the room, fending Hedwig off and chasing the owl around herself.
"You two look ridiculous," Parvati laughed. "Wait, hold on," she said, backing away when Hedwig and Lavender shared a look. "Let's get her!" Parvati ran squealing when owl and girl chased after her, belaboring her with their pillows.
"Help me!" Parvati shrieked as she ran.
Padma fished out a pillow and tossed it to her. "There, I helped!" She shook her head as Parvati caught the pillow and fought back. "She's insane if she thinks I'll fight against Hedwig."
Hermione smiled as she watched. "How was spending the holiday with the Flamels?"
"It was really good," Harry said sincerely. "They're really nice and funny. They also play fight and argue a lot. With each other and the professors."
"It must be so weird watching them banter like that," Padma remarked.
"It was at first," he admitted. "But I got used to it. It was nice." They watched the battling trio fight up and down the clubroom. The door opened, revealing a sleepy looking Luna carrying a pillow of all things but when she saw the fun, she joined in at Harry and Lavender's urging, her sleepiness evaporating.
"How did she know to bring a pillow?" Harry wondered.
"I don't think she knew really, I think she was sleepy and brought it to nap with." Padma snorted when Parvati was buried under the other three attacking her simultaneously. "But who knows with Luna."
"Oh, Harry, may I make a suggestion for us to figure out making something for club?" Hermione asked.
"Sure, what is it?"
"My parents really got into making smoothies lately and I had a lot of them for breakfast over break and I'd love to try and keep having them here," she said. "Problem is, the easiest way to make them is a blender."
"And those won't work here," Harry nodded. "Is there a magical equivalent to a blender?"
"I don't think so," Padma said thoughtfully. "Smoothies are liquid and yogurt and fruit mixed up right? With ice sometimes?"
"Yeah, depending how cold you want it and what you want to mix in it," Hermione nodded.
"That's kinda like lassi. We make that with spices and yogurt and fruit puree. You can make it with a whisk but it'd be fun to find a magical way," Padma said.
"Let's see if there's a random spell," Harry smiled. "Otherwise, it'll be fun trying to figure it out magically."
"What is going on here?!" Pansy and Millicent walked in and stopped when Hedwig flew past them, chased by Parvati swinging her pillow wildly, trying to hit the cackling owl.
"You can't touch me! Swing and run all you like! Oh! Almost got me! Try again! Ha! You couldn't hit the Lake if you were standing in it!"
"The Browns taught Hedwig about pillow fights and she ambushed Lavender a bit ago," Harry smiled. "Parvati got drawn in and Luna joined."
"A pillow fighting owl, will wonders never cease," Pansy said as she watched Hedwig do a pinpoint turn in place and flew in the opposite direction, slamming her pillow right into Parvati's face. Incensed by Padma's raucous laughter, Parvati flung her pillow and caught Padma fully in the face as well, causing her to join the fray. Millicent needed no urging and armed herself and charged in.
"We have some silly friends," Hermione smiled.
"Isn't it great?" Harry chuckled.
-0-
"Oh hey girls," Harry said, smiling when Lavender, Padma, Parvati, and Sue walked into the clubroom. "You're back early, is everything okay?"
"Yep! We just wanted to get some Harry-made food," Parvati said. "Oh wow and it's already done!"
"We've been making tea food," Harry said brightly. "Luna's gotten really good at the Blending Charm and she made smoothies."
"This one is strawberry and banana. This one is berry good because it has raspberries and blueberries." Luna pointed proudly at the pitchers of smoothies.
"What's that one?" Sue asked, pointing at a cup.
"That one is peach and bacon."
"Why?!" Padma gasped. She nodded with understanding when Hedwig hooted from the cabinet, fluttering over carrying napkins. "Oh well that makes sense now. How does it taste?"
Hedwig dipped her beak into it and slurped. She looked up thoughtfully before nodding, hooting happily. "Mmm, it's good! Sweet and savory with chewy bits of bacon. What's not to love?"
"Now I kinda want to try it," Parvati said. They helped with the last of the preparation and set the table. Sitting together, they began to eat.
"Mmm," Lavender said, eating a cucumber sandwich. "This is so much better than Madam Puddifoot's."
"Really?" Harry asked, trying hard not to look too happy.
"Really," Lavender said emphatically. "The company is better too."
"Oh, didn't have a good date?" Harry asked, trying hard to look sympathetic. "I'm sorry."
"It was okay but I feel better now and this will be more fun," Lavender smiled warmly. She bit into a bacon sandwich next. "Oh and I totally think Luna is right. Lots of fuzzy headed people at Madam Puddifoot's."
"Wrackspurts," Luna said knowingly.
The door opened again and Millicent and Pansy peered in. "May we join you?" Pansy asked.
"Of course, come in," Parvati waved. "How was gift shopping and clothes shopping?"
"Tiring," Millicent said as they entered. "Tracey went through all this effort and when she finally bought something, she realized she bought them the same thing last year so we had to start all over. And Daphne was being super picky over something and this one clerk got in my face about a fabric thing."
"She looked so embarrassed when she realized the store buys from your family directly and you pointed out your family crest on the shipping materials," Pansy smiled and the others laughed.
"Yeah, that was satisfying," Millicent said smugly.
"I brought us a small cake to share," Pansy said, putting it on the table. "It will go very well with the tea food and…well it should taste good with the smoothies."
"We made tea too," Harry smiled. "Thanks for the cake!"
Pansy smiled back. "Oh this looks interesting," she said when she poured out a small cup of smoothie. She took a sip and her face froze. She put the cup down and chewed slowly, brow furrowed. "Is that…bacon?"
"Bacon and peach," Luna said. "It's a Hedwig special. What do you think?"
Pansy swallowed, noticing Hedwig looking at her intently. "It's…actually not bad. I like ham and melon together, so this isn't so dissimilar. Just was not expecting it."
"It's good though, right? Have to broaden your horizons and try new things, just like Chick and Little Moon," Hedwig said, chewing happily.
They ate and joked and chatted and laughed together. Perfectly content.
-0-
Hedwig flapped around the castle and kept her eyes low, staring at the grounds. Lately Scabbers had been acting especially suspicious but seemed extra wary with Hedwig, Sunny, and Crookshanks on their guard. Then Hedwig noticed that the rat had fled the tower and had alerted the others. They in turn informed the big black dog and they went hunting for the rat.
Scabbers led them on an extended chase for a while and it was approaching dark. The air grew colder, but nearly enough for Hedwig to notice. She saw some motion and dove, resisting a hunting keen to not alert the prey. She dove at a sharp angle and just barely missed it, the rat scampering away at the last second and making a desperate dive past her talons. It squeaked and wriggled into the wall through a tiny hole in the stone.
"Not this time you rat bastard! I'm tired of you and want this to end! You won't escape me by going into the stone nest! I'm going to get you-" Hedwig stopped and looked up, feeling something in her thrum. "Chick! Chick I'm coming!"
Her prey forgotten, she flapped hard and flew around the castle, looking for Harry. She turned and flew towards the Infirmary. She arrived at the one of the windows and kicked it hard, making it fly open. She flapped in and landed on the bed. "Chick! Are you okay?! What are you doing?! Fix him!" she screeched.
Pomfrey spared her a confused look for a moment before she spoke into her small communication Floo.
-0-
His hearth roared suddenly, a fire appearing in full force as if it had been burning for some time. "Remus!" Pomfrey's voice came from the Floo fire. "I need you in the Infirmary! Potter's here!"
Remus literally jumped into action, lurching to his feet and snatching up his wand. He ran out of his quarters and did not stop until he reached the Infirmary. "Harry!" he shouted, bursting in. He dashed to a bed, seeing the boy lying there. "What happened?!"
"Exposure to Dementors and magical exhaustion," Pomfrey said crisply. "Help me check on him."
Remus nodded and they both cast diagnostic charms, murmuring incantations and comparing results. After they finished, they nodded to one another.
"Is he okay?" Lavender asked tearfully.
"Nothing is wrong, is it?" Pansy asked, looking just as upset.
Remus belatedly realized they were there too, and Hedwig was sitting on the bed frame, keeping an eye on things. "He is fine, exhausted magically but otherwise nothing terrible. Signs of miasma of course but faint and lingering. What happened?"
"We were out looking for Sunny, my friend's kneazle," Pansy explained. "We saw her and another kneazle and a dog from up high in the castle. When we came down, we couldn't find them and the Dementors came after us when we were returning."
"I'm going to gut Fudge for this," Pomfrey said savagely. "How did you three survive with minimal exposure?"
"Harry saved us!" Lavender said loudly and proudly. "He cast a full Patronus and it drove them away!"
"He did?!" Remus looked down with pride and worry at Harry.
"He did," Pansy said, eyes shining. "She was beautiful. She was a snowy owl like Hedwig and she protected him and us."
Hedwig hooted smugly and proudly, looking at her boy with love. "That's my boy and chick! Of course he did. He's the best. Because I'm the best so he is too. Such a good boy. And he loves me so of course his magic is like me. And I love him so his magic will be the best at protecting him too."
-0-
"This is turning into a regular thing, isn't it Sir?" Harry asked, joking feebly.
Dumbledore smiled. "It is a mark of resiliency when a person is able to smile and make jokes in the face of adversity."
He and Remus had gone to the Infirmary while Amelia took the stunned Peter to the Ministry. She would return after he was secure and wait for Remus and Dumbledore to meet her on the grounds afterwards. Dumbledore had been heartened to see Harry awake and well albeit still exhausted.
"My word, your owl is rather protective of you," Dumbledore remarked. Hedwig was sitting on Harry's lap and glared mightily at Dumbledore when he sat by Harry's bedside. Her expression had turned thunderous when Dumbledore had explained why he was there.
"Of course I'm protective! No one else is and their efforts aren't good enough! Chick needs watching, bless my feathers. And after all he's gone through today, you want him to do what?! How dare you! Fighting off all those black-cloaked soul suckers wasn't enough?!"
"She's the best," Harry smiled, petting her and she nibbled on his fingers lovingly before staring up at Dumbledore with unmistakable disapproval.
"You suck old man!"
"Indeed. And we have two kneazles to thank for helping us apprehend the criminal," Dumbledore said. "It appears he was also responsible for damaging some of the protections keeping the Dementors out, something the Director discovered so we will add that crime to his list."
Dumbledore took a deep breath. "Remember your first year, when I said there were things I could not tell you?"
Harry stilled and looked up at the Headmaster. "Yes Sir."
"There are some things I still cannot, but there are things I believe you should know before we proceed." He took another breath. "Your parents were in hiding, from Voldemort. A way they hid was a very powerful spell called the Fidelius Charm. With that charm, a location could remain essential invisible, completely impregnable from outside as long as someone keeps the location safe, the Secret Keeper. As long as the Secret Keeper does not divulge the location, it will forever be safe."
"So how did they get found?" Harry whispered.
"They were betrayed," Dumbledore said sadly. "Someone they thought they could trust told Voldemort where to find them and you."
"Was it Sirius Black?" Harry asked, eyes wet. "Is that why he killed Peter?"
"The opposite as it turns out," Dumbledore said sadly. "Peter was the Secret Keeper, something we did not know. He betrayed your parents and faked his death while incriminating Sirius as well as murdering those poor people to further the farce. He lived, all this time, and we recently caught him and he confessed."
Harry sat there and gaped at him while Remus pinched the bridge of his nose and Dumbledore sat there calmly as if he was discussing the weather. "That…is a lot to take in," Harry said after a while.
"Seriously, couldn't you have explained more or softened it somewhat?!" Hedwig hooted indignantly.
"It is and I wish I could give you more time to process it properly," Dumbledore said. "You are taking it in stride and I am quite proud of you."
"Thank you, Sir," Harry said, still flabbergasted. "So…Sirius is innocent?"
"Yes. However, he is still considered a fugitive and we need him to come in so we can get him a trial to prove it. Another transgression is that he never received one the first time. Now, as you might imagine, he is a bit distrustful of the Ministry at large." Dumbledore ignored Remus' snort and cough.
"Even I can see that," Hedwig cheeped sarcastically.
"I can see why," Harry said. "Where do I come in?"
"Well, we think he will trust you and because he cares a great deal for you. He is your godfather."
"I have a godfather?" Harry asked, feeling overwhelmed by the information.
"Yes you do but again, the aforementioned incarcerated in Azkaban despite being innocent situation, prevented you from knowing him unfortunately." He turned to look up at Remus. "Would you like a cough drop, Remus?"
"No, I'm okay," Remus sighed, burying his face into his hands.
"Also," Dumbledore continued smoothly, "you have met him recently it seems. The large black dog you met in Surrey and in Hogsmeade."
"My godfather is a dog?!"
"Your godfather is an animagus and his animal form is a dog," Remus said, cutting Dumbledore off.
Hedwig stared at Dumbledore. "That's how you explain things?! Really?! What is the matter with you?! Also I knew that dog wasn't just a dog. Huh. So that means the rat wasn't just a rat. That…actually makes sense now in hindsight. Ew. Creepy."
"Oh, well, alright then," Harry stammered. "So you want me to go and try and talk him in?"
"Yes, and you will be accompanied by myself, Remus, and Amelia Bones. Not that we think you will come to any harm mind you, but more for moral support and witnesses." Dumbledore smiled sheepishly. "It does appear that I ask you to do a lot."
Harry smiled. "No trolls though, right?"
"None at all."
"And no basilisk?"
"NO WHAT?!" Hedwig shrieked, looking up at Harry appalled before he petted her.
"I certainly hope not."
"And no Dementors."
"Absolutely not," Dumbledore said firmly. "I have verified that they are gone and if I even think one is near, I will be taking it with me to the Ministry and Cursing it to be bound to Fudge and I mean that in every sense of the word."
Harry smiled a little more easily. "Well, I think I can handle it then."
"Splendid. Thank you, my boy. Come, the sooner we do this, the better."
-0-
"Right then, where is he?" Amelia asked when she accompanied Harry, Dumbledore, and Remus onto the grounds. "Also, why is there an owl with us?"
"To take care of my Chick. Why are you here?" Hedwig hooted snidely.
"She pointedly ignored me when I suggested she stay," Dumbledore said lightly. "And had an expression that I have seen on Fawkes when he looks like he is going to peck you. Ah speaking of." Fawkes appeared in a flash of fire and light and the phoenix trilled a greeting before settling on Harry's vacant shoulder.
"Okay," Amelia said. "So, where to?"
"I have an idea," Remus said. He led them to the Whomping Willow, a rather belligerent tree that waved its limbs and branches at them threateningly as they approached. "The tree was planted over a tunnel leading to the Shrieking Shack when I arrived. The Shack was where I sequestered during my transformations when I was a student here."
"How do we keep it from whomping us?" Harry asked, standing back when the tree swung its branches about.
"There's a knot that when pressed, it stills," Remus said, trying to find it in the dark. He blinked when Dumbledore flicked his wand and the tree went immediately still. "Or you can do that."
"Do not tell Pomona, she will be cross with me," Dumbledore said, "but time passes and I want this resolved as soon as possible." He led them down the tunnel and they walked for a few minutes with Fawkes emitting a warm orange-red light for illumination. Finally, they came to a wooden door that was slightly ajar.
"Recent disturbances," Amelia said, noting signs of broken dirt and tracks. She held her wand at the ready and pushed the door open. She and Remus entered with their wands held up, shining more light. The interior of the shack was humble, made of plain wood boards. Deep claw marks scored the walls and floor and ceiling, the edges of boards gnawed and broken and splintered.
Remus sighed deeply, his face a complicated expression. He started gently when he felt a touch and relaxed when he noticed it was Harry patting his arm. "Thank you," he said, voice husky.
Harry nodded, looking sad.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Sirius? Are you in here? We are here to help."
Silence was their reply.
"Sirius, we caught Peter. He confessed," Remus said, his voice thick with emotion. "I am so sorry my friend. Please, we really are here to help you." They looked around when they heard creaking, something moving, but saw nothing.
Harry saw Dumbledore and Remus looking towards him and took a steadying breath. "Uhm, hi. I'm Harry but you probably know that," he said sheepishly, face red. "We met apparently a few times, back in Surrey and in Hogsmeade. I gave you leftovers and a sandwich. Sorry, I didn't know it was you, or that you were a person and not a dog. I could've given you better or treated you better."
A low whine filled the air and the turned. A large dog crept out of the corner, hidden from sight by debris at first. The large animal showed its teeth at the adults for a moment before looking at Harry, brown eyes glinted with emotion and intelligence and pain.
"Oh, that really is you, huh," Hedwig remarked.
"I just learned that you're my godfather and that you were accused of betraying my parents," Harry said quietly and the dog whined again, a loud mournful sound. "That must have been really hard, and I'm really sorry it happened to you. But the Headmaster and the Director have sworn that you will get your trial and you'll be found innocent and everything will get better. It doesn't mean it's alright, because it isn't. Just because things get better, it doesn't make everything before go away."
Harry sighed. "I know a lot about that. But I'm lucky to have friends that are teaching me that it does get better, and that some things are wrong and just because you're used to it, that doesn't make it right. And you deserve that too, I think."
"I swear to you, Sirius Black, on my name Albus Dumbledore, that I will do what is needed to make things right for you," Dumbledore said quietly. "To atone for my mistakes and to make things better for you and for Harry, to bring you justice that was delayed but not forgotten."
"Me too," Remus said. "I solemnly swear."
"Me too," Amelia said quietly.
The dog looked at them in turn before he shuddered. His fur shrank, his body changed, and soon the large dog disappeared and was replaced by the man in the wanted posters. His hair was messy and limp, his skin waxy and pale. He was dressed in ragged robes. Yet his eyes did not have the manic gleam the posters had. Instead there was intense pain, intense vindication, and longing.
"You caught the rat?" Sirius' voice was harsh from pain and disuse.
"We did," Remus said.
"I'll get my trial?" he asked.
"You will," Dumbledore said.
Sirius nodded and looked at Harry. He smiled and for a moment, it looked like years melted off his face. "You wouldn't happen to have another sandwich or something, do you?"
"Not with me, but I can make you something when I can," Harry smiled.
Sirius' smile grew. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot." He offered his hand. "Sirius Black, nice to meet you again Harry. Properly."
"Nice to properly meet you too," Harry said and shook it firmly without hesitation.
-0-
"Look, let's talk about something else like what are you cooking Harry?" Lavender asked loudly.
"I'm making fish for Sunny and Crookshanks and making a big piece of slab bacon for Hedwig," Harry said, smiling at the pets who were seated on the table and watching him eagerly. "Then I'll make something for us."
"Mmm fish," Sunny and Crookshanks purred together.
"Mmm bacon," Hedwig hooted.
"Fish is better, and healthier," Crookshanks sniffed.
"Then why are you fat and lazy?" Hedwig asked mildly.
"That has nothing to do with the fish," Sunny giggled while Crookshanks turned his head away.
"You're not overworking, are you?" Pansy asked worriedly.
"I'm tired but feel better," he said. "Besides, I want to cook and eat with everyone and I want to thank them first."
"I can't believe they did all that," Neville said, looking at the cats. "I thought they just really wanted to eat Scabbers because of them being kneazles."
"Hagrid did say they were very protective and they must have realized something was funny with Scabbers." Hermione rubbed Crookshanks' head proudly.
"Poor Ron, imagine your pet getting killed and replaced by a crazy person," Sue said.
"Yeah, that's what Dumbledore said happened," Harry said. He had told them that small difference at least, something the Headmaster decided to make a small falsehood about to help people feel a little better.
"It's such a long trek from the dungeons to the tower," Millicent said, shaking her head. "All summer she made me carry her places at home!"
"But they're good pals," Harry said, depositing large fillets of seared salmon in front of Sunny and Crookshanks and putting an indecently large piece of slab bacon in front of Hedwig. He smiled when they started eating with noisy enthusiasm.
Harry decided to make beef stew for them to eat and he went through the motions smoothly, getting things prepared and cooking swiftly. As the others chatted amongst themselves, Lavender stood next to him by the stove.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.
"Tired still but okay physically. Otherwise, a bit jumbled. I learned so much in such a short period of time, I'm still kinda processing it," he said.
"Yeah, it's a lot," she agreed. "If you had the option of leaving the Dursleys, would you?"
He stirred the stew slowly. "I…don't know. I mean, I know what I went through isn't right, like you told me. And I know if I stay there I'll start resenting them and cooking and I don't want that. But…well…"
"-it's what you're used to and what you know," she said sadly. When he nodded, she hugged him tightly. "You deserve so much better, Harry."
"Thanks," he said, leaning against her slightly. "I mean, I don't know if it even is an option, you know?"
"Well, we can hope," she sighed.
"As soon as he's been cleared, I'm going to meet him, like properly," Harry said. "Remus promised he would be there too to make things go smoothly."
"Is he a danger?" Lavender asked slowly. "I mean, he was in a terrible prison for so long."
"No, Remus said that his personality flaws were present before he went to prison." Harry grinned when Lavender snorted. "And that he was awkward before, so he wants to be there to help. He also feels guilty for everything too."
"That's good." She squeezed a little tighter. "Thank you for saving us," she said quietly.
"You don't need to thank me," Harry said, hugging her back.
"It feels weird if I didn't."
"Yeah well, there's no way I was going to let anything happen to either of you."
She felt warm and happy. "One day I'll do my best to save you."
"You already have," he whispered to himself.
"I still can't believe your Patronus is Hedwig," Lavender giggled, not having heard his whisper. "I mean, it makes sense actually. She is very protective."
"She really is," Harry said, smiling fondly as Hedwig finished her bacon, licking her beak.
"Can you cast it again?" Hermione asked, hearing the last part. "I'd love to see it."
"Sure!" Harry held up his wand as Lavender let him go. He took a deep breath, focused on how he was feeling at that moment. "Expecto Patronum." He felt that same wonderful rushing feeling, an upwelling of warmth that started deep in his chest that built up and went through his arm and into his wand before the tip shone as bright as the sun. Silver light gathered and took shape and form and then a silver snowy owl leapt daintily onto the tabletop.
"Oh my goodness!" the Patils squealed as they leaned in to look at her closely.
"Wow," Neville said, eyes wide. "That's incredible!"
Hedwig flapped over and she and the Patronus inspected each other closely. "Well look at that," Hedwig said admiringly. "Bless my feathers, you really are me! Beautiful, divine, powerful. I adore it."
"It's like a mirror!" Luna said with delight. She laughed brightly when the owls did act like mirror images, raising first one wing, then the other before shaking a leg and then waggling their tail feathers. With identical hoots of glee, the two started dancing, mirroring each other perfectly.
"Magic is pretty great!" Hedwig hooted as she danced with the Patronus.
"And you're not controlling the Patronus?" Pansy asked excitedly.
"Not at all! I feel the charm being active and drawing on my magic but she's doing what she wants to do," Harry smiled, enjoying the sight.
"You know, I had a nightmare about this once," Parvati remarked. "Two Hedwigs chasing me." She blanched when both owls turned to look at her. "Wait, hold on." She scrambled and ran squealing when both owls flew after her, barking happily.
"Run run run!" Hedwig barked as she and the Patronus chased her. "Flee from grace and beauty!"
"Maybe divination is real," Padma smiled as everyone else howled with laughter.
Finally, the Patronus and Hedwig flapped to Harry, setting on his shoulders. After hooting musically together for a few moments, the Patronus faded, her eyes being the last to disappear and they did so with a wink. "That was fun," Hedwig said happily. "I like her. She's great."
"So troublesome," Lavender smiled. "You need two Hedwigs looking out for you."
Hedwig's weary sigh and adamant head-bobbing, coupled with Harry's look of indignation, sent everyone else into hysterics. "You have NO idea."
-0-0-0-
Wentley - Hedwig is indeed super cute.
James Birdsong - Thank you.
poka - I didn't want it to be immediate bond from first sight for some reason. I wanted Hedwig to have her own reasoning and see their relationship grow closer and warmer in time. Hedwig's possessiveness is one of my favorite parts of her for some reason. It's so funny to me.
odonnellzoo99 - I thought it would be fun to see her origin so to speak and how she became the best owl in the world. It really has been a while since we've gone that far back.
TheSphynx - I'm sure that will happen eventually.
Shroudy9 - Such sass. Much life. I don't know but perhaps one day. That said, I feel she and Harry communicate without direct communication in the future. They don't need a charm or a spell.
HoneyBear84 - Thank you.
Hands off MY Wolfie - Well that and how she deserves it and does amazing things. Thanks for reading.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - She is very soft and loving and the best.
alix33 - More or less through body language I imagine. She's had a lot of practice and is good at it.
nypism - Not soon but will get there eventually.