Hello all. I would have been back sooner, having actually written most of the chapter before posting the last one however I'm an idiot. My laptop likes to randomly delete stuff so I save things to a memory stick which, like the genius I am, I decided to put through the washing machine. Anyway, I managed to get the chapter written again only to then break my laptop. I finally have a new one so here we are.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter Thirteen:
By Rosa241
Bill's POV:
Dear Bill,
I'm sure you will probably have read this in the newspaper before our letter reaches you but your mother and I thought it best if you hear the full story from us.
Mum and dad's letter set about explaining how a rat that had been in our family for what must be ten years now, was in fact a man. But this wasn't just any man; no this was a man who had been responsible for countless murders and framing an innocent man. The thought sends anger and worry shooting through my body. How can this have happened? The thought of what could have happened, of what he could have done to Ron, to Percy...
The mere thought almost makes me want to break into Azkaban and kill the man myself. Almost. After all I'm not stupid, I know that he's not getting out of there at any point in this life time. But the thought, the thought that he's been hiding in plain sight, the thought that I've held him in my hands...it was me who suggested that Scabbers be handed down to Ron after mum and dad bought Percy his owl. It was me who put that, that monster into Ron's hands. How could this be happening?
The thought of what could have happened if this man hadn't have been found out. The thought just about makes my entire body stop. If I could travel over to the school and wrap both of them up then I would. Unfortunately it's not like I can just drop everything and leave, well I could but I'd probably lose my job in the process. Reluctantly I pull out a sheet of paper and begin writing a letter to my brothers.
Percy,
Holy hell! Mum and Dad told me what happened with Scabbers, Merlin I'm not even sure what to call him now. I can't believe this, it's insane. How are you doing? I can't imagine the shock that you must be feeling right now. How about Ron and the others? Ron will tell me he's fine but I know he won't be.
What happened? I got the gist of it from Mum and Dad but they don't know everything. I really wish I could be there to help you with this but I can't just pack up and leave. I hate to think of you having to deal with this by yourself but I guess we've not got much choice.
The letter ended up being over four pages long. I never thought I had that much to say, never thought I had so many words in my brain, but once it's written I feel a weight lifted off of my shoulders. My letter to Ron ends up being just as long but just as heartfelt. I honestly don't think I've ever written so much in one sitting before.
They're my brothers, I should be there helping them through this, I should be supporting mum and dad. For the first time I find myself regretting the day I ever decided to work out here. I hate being so far from my family at the best of times but right now I can't stand the thought of being here. I love my work, of course I do, but my family always comes first.
Not that there's much I can do, it's not like I could persuade a bunch of Goblins to give me the time off! Grumbling to myself loudly I settle back and wait for my owl to return. I hate this!
Harry's POV:
Now that I'm standing here, letter in hand, I honestly don't think this was a good idea. I don't know anything about this man, for all I know he could be completely crazy! I mean after all he has spent ten years locked up in a prison that from what Hermione says is pretty horrific. What if he tells me to get lost? What if he just completely ignores me?
Writing the letter was surprisingly easier than I would have thought. Once I started writing about my past I really just kept writing and writing. Hermione was right. He's family, well he's my Godfather so I guess he's practically family. If I don't at least try then I guess I'll never know. Taking a deep breath I steady myself before knocking on the door.
"Enter." Professor McGonagall's voice comes from the other side of the door. I doubt there has ever been a scarier woman ever!
"Professor, can I have a word." She looked up from the stack of papers on her desk momentarily, glancing at me over the top of her glasses, before responding.
"Of course Mr Potter." She settled down her quill and clasped her hands together on her desk. She really is scary.
"Um...well I was talking to Hermione and Ron about my Godfather and we thought that...actually it was Hermione who came up with the idea I suppose, I wouldn't have thought it myself-" I cut myself off, realising that I am babbling and try to start again. "I wrote a letter to my Godfather and wanted to send it but I'm not sure where to send it to."
She seemed surprised at my words, shocked even, but there was a definite hint of a smile there. She cleared her throat before picking up her quill once more.
"I'll see to it that the letter gets sent off Mr Potter, just place it on the desk there." I walked up quickly and placed the letter, which I'm sure was now damp from the fact that my hands are sweating so much, on the corner of her desk. I'm not really where the words come from but for some reason I can't stop myself from opening my mouth.
"Professor is he alright? It's just that Hermione said that Azkaban was a horrid place and he's been there for ten years." This time she rewards me with a full blown smile.
"Not to worry Mr Potter. Sirius Black is just about the most stubborn man I know. He'll be fine; you'll just have to give it some time." Her smile disappears now as she gives me a completely serious look. "There is no doubt in my mind Mr Potter that he will be anxious to see you but I must advise you to tred carefully. What Miss Granger tells you about that awful place is true. I can guarantee you that it will be a little while before he is ready to face the world and I'm afraid that includes seeing you."
With that I give her a nod before heading out of the door. She's right of course, having been locked up for ten years it would be strange finally being free. I can't imagine how weird it must be, or how scary. As anxious as I am about the idea of meeting my Godfather the thought of having someone out there who is family is exciting. I mean real family of course, not like the Dursleys. From being very young, well younger than I am now, I can always remember feeling unwanted. It's not like being at Hogwarts, being at Hogwarts feels right, I feel like I belong here. But even that has its draw backs. Christmas is coming up soon and I hate the idea of going back to the Dursleys. I wish I could stay here forever but I suppose I can't. I keep thinking I should ask someone but it would be embarrassing to ask what I'm supposed to do. Maybe I could talk to Ron...on second thoughts maybe not. Ron and I are friends now, Hermione too; I don't want them to think I'm weird or anything. Maybe I could ask Percy...
Arthurs POV:
"I just can't believe it. That man, that...that murderer has been sleeping in our house, he's been sleeping in their beds! He could have killed then, he could have..." She trails off, anger in her voice as she cleans.
"Molly...Molly!" She finally tears her eyes away from the counter top to glare at me. "There's nothing we can do about it now dear. I know how hard it is to accept but there's nothing we can do. He's in prison now, nothing happened thankfully and we can get the boys through this."
She sighs heavily but stops cleaning, sitting heavily down at the table.
"I just...I just...I'm their mother. I'm their mother I should have seen it." We've had this conversation so many times now. The way she feels, the guilt...it's normal. I've got my guilt of course but I know that there's nothing we can do now. Peter Pettigrew is in prison now, he's out of harms way, he can't touch us anymore.
"I know dear, I know. Look if you're really concerned with him having done something to the boys then...maybe we can get Dumbledore to have a look at them." She kisses my cheek at this, smiling for the first time in days. There's no need to do anything of course, the boys are both fine but if it puts Molly's mind at ease then it's worth it. Before anything else can be said a familiar tapping at the window draws both of our attention. An owl with a letter between its beak is flapping it's wings irritably outside the window.
"Who's it from?" Molly questions as I remove the letter.
"Charlie."
To Mum and Dad,
I'm still struggling to get my head round all of this. How could he have spent all of this time in the house? How could one of us not have spotted him? I just can't believe it.
I've already sent letters to Ron and Percy but are they doing okay? I know that Percy wouldn't tell me if he was struggling, he's too proud and Ron wouldn't want to seem weak.
I've been thinking, if I can talk my boss into it I might be able to come home for Christmas. I don't think I'll be fully settled again until I've seen both of them for myself. What do you think?
I wish my letter could be longer but I'm writing this in between work. I'll hope to see you soon.
Love Charlie x
"Charlie coming home for Christmas? What do you think?" I can't suppress the smile that reaches across my face as I turn to my wife.
"A proper family Christmas. I'll write to Bill straight away, see if we can get him to come home too." With that she darts off into the other room, hastily shuffling around, looking for some paper. Something to look forward too, that'll put her mind at ease and give her something to smile for. With my heart feeling somewhat lighter than before I send the owl on its way.
Percy's POV:
The letter from Bill was somewhat enlightening, rather long winded, but a roundabout way of saying he was worried and that he cared. It was nice to read of course but rather unnecessary. It's never been a doubt in mind that Bill cared about me, he's always made that obvious. Or at least he did before, you know before I went back in time.
Entering the dorm room there's only one thing on my mind at this point in time. Sleep. It's rather late in the evening now, between making sure that Ron was okay, getting through Bill's lengthy letter and trying to reassure Harry that he wouldn't be going back to the Dursleys for Christmas I'm rather exhausted. Of course all traces of sleep disappear from my mind upon the sight that greets me as I enter my room.
"Do you want to explain what this is?" Oliver hands me a sheet of paper, one that I quickly recognise as my list. My list of things to do, a complete list of things that I need to do in order to change the future. Crap! "Don't you dare lie to me! You've been lying to me since this entire year started and I'm sick of it! Tell me the truth!"
"It's...it' s nothing. It's just..." I know from the moment it leaves my mouth he doesn't believe me. Of course he doesn't. If there's one thing I can't do then it's lie, especially to Oliver. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
It's the truth of course. No one would believe me for an instant. They'd lock me up without a second doubt.
"What wouldn't I believe?" He's angry, but he's concerned. "Please Percy, just tell me what you're mixed up in?"
"I...I don't even know what to start." I sigh before sitting on the nearest bed.
"The beginning is always the best place to start." He whispers as he sits next to me.
"Okay, before I say anything, just...just listen to me, listen to me and believe me."
Aaaaand that's your lot. Hehe! I've decided to be even more cruel than before! Bye bye.