:-[Chapter 47]-:
To Harry James Potter, Heir to the House of Potter,
I have great news, Mister Potter. I have managed to receive the signature of Azkaban's Warden. You may visit the inmate Sirius Black at your earliest convenience. I believe you'll be glad to know that Auror Amelia Bons has already accepted to be your escort.
I know you have asked me to try and be discreet about it, but the Warden refused to budge on this matter. He wanted more Aurors at the beginning but when I spoke of Auror Bones, he immediately agreed after hearing her good news. I'll let her tell you herself, like she asked of me.
Send me Hedwig whenever you want to visit Sirius Black. I assume Hogwarts will authorize your leave considering that this is a private House matter.
Respectfully,
Theodore Edward Tonks,
Tonks and Perkins, esquire at law.
Harry smiled wildly at this. It took a good part of the summer for Ted to manage this and the young wizard could not be happier about it. With the Hogwarts Charter on his side about this yet again, the young wizard wasn't too concern about obtaining a leave of absence. He put the letter in his pocket, planning to go see Professor Flitwick about it.
:-[T.A.B]-:
:-[September 5th, Saturday, 1992]-:
Harry, Auror Bones and Ted were standing on a desolate island that seemed to be made of only rocks. In the middle of it was a huge black building made of stone and bricks. Terrifying cloaked figures were flying around the castle, like black ghosts. A gigantic silvery lion was at the small groups side.
"Those are dementors, Harry." Auror Amelia Bones said, her voice full of warning. "They are despicable creatures, but they do their job well. The spell that I just used is Expecto Patronum, an incantation at Newt level."
"Why do I feel so oppressed? It feels like I'll never see happiness or something." Harry lamented.
"Really now?" Amelia said, surprised. "My Patronus should be enough to keep the bad feeling away. Mister Tonks, can you do the spell?"
"Of course. Expecto Patronum!" Ted said, casting a silvery duck. "Well, I admit that it is not as impressive as yours, Auror Bones, but I think it does the job quite well."
"Indeed. How do you feel, Harry?" the female Auror asked her charge.
"Better, far better. Let's do this." Harry answered, nodding to himself.
The group of three went inside the black castle, where two other Aurors were guarding the entrance. Nodding to Amelia, they opened the gate.
"Good luck in there, boss. The dementors are feeling quite restless. Say the word and we can summon more Aurors for your protection." one of the aurors said.
"No thank you. Thanks to Mister Tonks here, we have than enough Patroni to keep those creatures at bay." Amelia answered.
When they were inside, Harry looked at his bodyguard accompanying him. "Why did they call you boss? Aren't you an Auror, like them?"
"Not since this morning. I have just received a promotion as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, or DMLE for short. This is my last assignement before I take the job." she smiled.
"Wow! Congratulations, Madam Bones. We have not known each other for very long but, I can see that you deserve it. Does Susan know?" Harry asked.
"Why thank you, young man and yes, she does. Well, she should if she read the letter that I sent for her this morning. Susan should have received our family owl or be about to."
They walked in silence and climbed the many steps of the castle, leading to Sirius Black's cell, in the most secure area of the prison where the most dangerous prisoners of Britain were. Cold-blooded killers, the lot of them. Ted had told Harry about some of their crimes and gave him the shivers. If those monsters were to be freed, the entire country could be in danger.
"How is your training coming along, Harry?" Amelia inquired.
"Pretty well I think. I practiced the Disarming Charm quite a lot since this summer and I recently started on the Shield Charm also."
"Both great choices. The Shield Charm however is a tough one for a second-year since it is learned in fourth year." the female auror said, sounding impressed.
"Yes, I know but I want to have an edge over the people of Hogwarts for the dueling tournament. Only one per year can represent Hogwarts, after all." Harry said.
"I am sure you'll do well, Harry." Amelia said, sounding sure of herself.
The small group walked in comfortable silence, well, as much as they could since they were surrounded by Dementors. Outside, the winds were howling violently and the rain was pouring from the dark clouds in the sky. After a moment, they arrived at the cell block where the most dangerous criminals were. The warden of Azkaban was there, flanked by four mean-looking aurors.
"Well, Mister Potter. I sure hope everything is at your convenience. We have removed the dementors within the cell block. Madam Bones has offered to come with you and your lawyer as protection in case something happens." the warden said.
"In case something happens, sir?" Harry asked, looking at the little bald man wearing a white coat.
"You are about to meet one of the worst criminals in Azkaban, boy." the man said, almost snarling in the process. "Sirius Black may be quiet as a prisoner, but do not forget his heinous crimes. He killed in cold blood twelve muggles and his friend, Peter Pettigrew... with one single fucking spell."
"I understand the risks, Warden." Harry said, clasping his hands behind his back. "I am ready to see him."
The warden of Azkaban sighed dejectedly, probably hoping to make Harry change his mind about this. With a wave of his wand, the man unlocked the iron door. The young wizard pushed the door and felt a cold wind coming from inside.
'Is my imagination playing tricks on me?' thought Harry, before entering.
You could describe the surroundings as gloomy or even dismal. Water was slowly flowing from the roof onto the walls. It was a simple long corridor, far too long from what Harry had seen from the outside to possibly exist. Magic was clearly at use here. On each side of the corridor were many, many iron doors looking exactly like the one the young wizard just took.
"Follow me, Harry." Amelia said, looking quite serious. "Black's cell is further down the corridor."
It only took them a minute to arrive there. Once in front of the iron door, Amelia indicated to Harry to stop for a moment and tapped her wand on the door.
"Black! This is Auror Amelia Bones. You have a visitor, be prepared to be Stupefied." the woman said, her voice giving no other choice but to follow her orders.
"A v-visitor? Wh-Who?" a very tired sounding voice said.
"Come in front of the door if you wish to know. You will be prepared first." Amelia said, her wand still on the door. She opened a small hole in the door and watched as Black put himself in front of it.
"Stupefy." Amelia casted, before Harry saw a red flash and then a thud from a body hitting the hard ground.
"Well Harry, it is time to see your godfather." Theodore Tonks said, his duck patronus trotting behind him.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Sirius Black opened his eyes slowly and with difficulty. A groan escaped his lips when he saw that he couldn't move. He was presently strapped on a chair with ropes tying him up and the legs and... well everywhere. Looking down, he could not see a place on his body that didn't have a rope or a chain.
"Well, Amelia, I've never thought you liked all this set up." Sirius said, his voice coy and playful despite his tiredness.
"Enough you scum." Amelia said, not taking the bait.
"Aww, you can't play a little with me like in the good old times, Ames?" Black said, laughing slightly madly.
"Hello, Sirius Black." a young voice said, coming from behind Amelia. "I am happy to see that your sense of humor is still intact after all these years even after killing all of those muggles and that wizard."
"I only wish I could have killed that fucking little rat." Sirius snarled violently.
"I beg your pardon, Mister Black?" the same voice said, still hiding.
"I never killed anyone, even to defend myself in the war. Dumbledore had never wanted it so we never did." he explained, his mood darkening. "I am innocent of all that I am accused of and the worst of it all? I've never even had a trial to begin with."
"Never had a trial? How is that possible? Surely a man who'd kill more than ten people at once would get a trial before getting tossed in here." the mysterious voice said.
"Who are you? Show yourself." Sirius said.
"Look at him, trying to give orders. Very well, Black. Lookyour shame in the eyes."
Sirius looked at the third person making an appearance. Coming from behind Amelia, a smaller figure appeared. Dressed in a black cloak with a hood of the same color, it was obviously a child.
"No... it can't be." Sirius said.
"Yes." the child said, before removing his hood, revealing his sneering face. It was his godson, Harry James Potter, in the flesh. "It is I, your so-called godson whom you betrayed at the same time you did my parents."
"Harry, you have to believe me, I did not betray your House. I..."
"Then you must have had a complete and logical reason for the Aurors who found you hysterically laughing, surrounded by dead bodies and cries of pain coming from the muggles. Did you know that two children are now orphans, because of you? You destroyed more than thirteen lives that day, Black." Harry said, his voice full of anger.
"I agree that it was not my best moment. The reason is because Peter escaped me."
"Mister Pettigrew is dead. You killed him. The only thing we found from him was his pinky finger." Amelia said, her voice leaving no doubt in her mind.
"He left what he wanted you to find. He is a little trickster, always has been. He managed to trick you all into thinking I am the evil one when in fact, he is." Sirius protested weakly. Even with the dementors out of the wing, he still felt their effects.
"Yes, I am sure. Easy to say that when the man you speak of is dead." Harry said, his voice full of venom. "The House of Potter has come to take retribution from you, Mister Black. From what I understand, you were close enough to my parents to have enough of their trust to put me in your care if anything was to happen to them."
"Harry, you have to..." Sirius tried but was interrupted by his godson who never looked so angry.
"I don't have to do anything, Black. You are a traitor, nothing more, nothing less." the young wizard snarled at his godfather.
"Please believe me, Harry." Sirius begged, tears forming in his eyes. "My only mistake was to not take care of you when Voldemort killed your parents all those years ago. I never should have gone after Peter alone."
Sirius started to cry openly. His last light of hope just left him in the cruellest way. Even Voldemort could not have imagined such a way to torture him. His beloved cousin Bellatrix would have a go with him once she learned about the visit. Somehow, she always did.
"I think I've had enough. Madam Bones, Mister Tonks, I am sorry to say that I made you come here for almost nothing. This man is not worth a single minute of my personal time."
It was the nail in the coffin for Sirius. His heart broke at the second he heard the last sentence coming from Harry. Unable to endure the pain in his heart anymore, the broken man went limp on the chair he was bound to. Something broke deep inside him and left him with nothing but hopelessness.
:-[T.A.B]-:
"Thank you again for coming with me, Madam Bones. I know your time must be far more valuable. Do you have a message for Susan while I'm here?" Harry said, once they had come back from Azkaban and were now standing at the gates of Hogwarts.
"Tell her to expect a letter from me in the coming days, please." Amelia Bones answered, before shaking his hand firmly and Apparating away to her duties.
"Well, I shall take my leave also, Mister Potter." Ted said holding up his hand to shake the one of his client.
"Wait a moment, Mister Tonks. I have another job for you, something Black told us in Azkaban. He said that he never had a trial. Investigate this. Take your time and do it discreetly, if possible."
"I have to ask if I may, Mister Potter, why so?" the lawyer asked, clearly curious about it.
"He never said he killed Pettigrew, only that he wishes that he did. That gives me pause and concern. He also seemed genuine in his plea. I admit that anger clouded my judgement when we spoke at the prison."
"I will look into it, Mister Potter. If I may say, however, investigatingon a case like this will be harder than you might think. We are speaking of Sirius Black, traitor to the Potters and right-hand of You-Know-Who himself."
"Your point? Do your best, Mister Tonks." Harry said in a tone that gave no choice, his hands clasped behind his back.
:-[T.A.B]-:
:-[September 6th, Sunday, 1992]-:
Harry was currently inside an empty classroom that Professor Flitwick had given him and his friends from almost all of the Houses to practice in. The young raven-haired wizard was helping Luna with her wand movements. She was trying to master the Expelliarmus Spell even if it was a second-year spell with mitigated success.
Neville had surprisingly given his name to Professor Sprout with Susan Bones and well, all of the second year Hufflepuff. Inside of Ravenclaw house, it was the same thing, all of Professor Flitwick's students had given their names. For Slytherin, all of the boys and none of the girls were participating in the tournament. That left Gryffindor with only five members remaining in which, luckily for Professor McGonagall, all of them participated.
"You have to jab it strongly toward your opponent." Harry explained patiently to Luna. "You have a tendency to let your wand become stagnant. Always be on the move if you can. In an official duel, we will need to learn the Protego Spell since we cannot move much."
"Like this Harry?" Luna asked, showing him the move with her wand before saying the incantation.
"Exactly. Try it on me."
She waited as Harry moved on the other side of the classroom. Once he was there, the young wizard took out his wand and place himself into a defensive position even thought he would not retaliate to let Luna practice her spell properly. After all, he needed sparring partners and right now, none were at his level.
"Expelliarmus!" Luna exclaimed happily, letting a red stream of magic go from her wand directly into Harry's chest.
Harry's wand effectively snapped out of his hand, out of range. Luna started to jump around in joy at having succeeded in casting the second-year spell for the first time. The young wizard smiled at his friend. She was so carefree and happy in life that it was starting to become contagious.
"Good job Luna! You are going to surprise a lot of first-years during the tournament I think!" Harry said, before retrieving his wand. "From what I have seen, the vast majority of students don't go further than their year curriculum."
"Yay! Do you think I can win?" Luna said, still bursting with energy.
"Anything can happen if you work hard enough, Luna." Harry said, patting her head with affection, making her smile. "Now, can you help me with the Shield Spell? I want to make sure it is strong enough to resist basic spells."
"Of course, Harry!" Luna said enthusiastically, before shooting her spell point-blank at Harry, making him lose his wand, yet again.
"Hey! I wasnt ready, Luna!" the young wizard said, protesting against the young blonde witch.
"Always be ready. Isnt that what you said your house-elf is always saying?" Luna told him wisely, crossing her arms while nodding twice.
"Never should have told you about Marcy." Harry grumbled but loud enough for everyone to hear and laugh.
Ron, who was standing in the corner, sulking since they had started their training, took that opportunity to talk with Harry.
"What about me, Harry? You know, your best friend?"
Harry looked at Ronald for a small moment, thinking about his next move. This could be the time when the red head would finally change for the better.
"Very well Ron, but you have to know that I take my training with the utmost seriousness. We do not have any time to waste. The inner-house tournament is very soon after all."
"Of course I'll take it seriously! What do you take me for?" Ron said, crossing his arms on his chest, pouting.
"For a lazy two-legged." Hedwig said mentally, making Harry almost lose control of his composure.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Walking in one of the many corridors of Hogwarts in the company of all his friends, Harry had insisted on walking Ron back to the Gryffindor Tower. He loved to simply walk around the castle, be it alone or with people.
"Can I see the inside of the Common Room?" Luna asked excitedly. "I promise not to remember the password, Ron!"
"Well... I am not sure..." Ron started but stopped when he saw the big silvery eyes of Luna looking at him.
"Pleeeaaaaaase?"
"Fine! Loyalty." Ron said to the Fat Lady's portrait who opened immediately.
The group, consisting of a Gryffindor, three Hufflepuffs and three Ravenclaws entered the former's Common Room. The hearth was still roaring on a wall, creating the cozy atmosphere Harry used to love.
"Good grief!" a voice said, his tone overly dramatic.
"An invasion!" another one said, in a similar tone.
"What can we do in front of all of these invaders?" a third one said.
Harry and the group laughed in front the trio composed of Lee Jordan, Fred and George Weasley. If he was honest with himself, he misses the comradery the Gryffindors usually brought. The 'Claws were way more centered on studying than anything else, with was perfect for him.
Hermione went to talk with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, which were her old roommates in Gryffindor. Neville went to Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, with Susan and Hannah following him closely. Luna stayed with Harry while he was immediately under attack by the Gryffindor's trio of chasers.
"Why did you have to leave, Harry?" Katie Bell whined playfully. "Now, we are stuck with Cormac MgLaggen and trust me, he is nowhere near as good as you."
"Hey! I heard that!" Cormac exclaimed from the other side of the Common Room.
"Don't care!" she said, before returning her attention to Harry. "Well?"
"She has a point, Harry." Angelina Johnson said.
"I know and I am sorry." Harry said. "After the Stone last year, McGonagall lost my trust when she simply sent us away when we had vital information. I am sorry about Quidditch though."
"You better be! We were going to be legends!" Oliver Wood whined from behind the chasers.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Sitting at his desk inside his personal room in Ravenclaw Tower at night, Harry was studying a fourth-year spellbook on defense, hoping to learn more about the art. The rejection of Professor Flitwick had tremendously hurt his ego, but he also understood the reasoning of the small man. He was right. Why would a worldwide Master Duelist take him for an apprentice when he showed mediocre results in his first-year?
"I am going to make him my mentor." Harry said aloud, mainly to himself. "One day, Filius Flitwick will be my master in the art of dueling."
"Why do you want his help so much, Master Harry?" Hedwig said, cleaning her feathers.
"The man is basically Ser Barristan Selmy but in dueling. Can you imagine the strength this man must have? He is the key to success, I am sure of it. I need to find a way for him to see me as more than a miserable failure and to take me as an apprentice." the young wizard answered mentally, still reading his book.
"I am sure the tournament is a good way to start, Master." the white owl said wisely. "After all, he said that he would help the seven winners of Ravenclaw, did he not?"
"Indeed he did, girl. I think I'll go train some more in the trunk. Wanna stay here and keep watch as usual?" Harry asked.
"You really need to learn some spells and wards for that, Master." Hedwig said, squinting her eyes slowly at him. "That way you can add your own protection to your room without me acting as a look out."
"Runes will help tremendously next year. I have already decided on that class since it seemed the most important of all. I have already read a little on the subject and the potential is almost infinite. Did you know that there is a rune that makes objects almost indestructible?"
"What use can you make of this, Master Harry?" the familiar inquired.
"I can easily make Potter Manor an even stronger fortress than what it is now. Grand-father Fleamont has told me that the house is very strong in term of wards but has almost norunes involved. This is where I come along, I will make my house the strongest place you can possibly live in Britain so that no one, can ever destroy my home." the young boy explained, while descending the stairs to his trunk to train by himself yet again.
:-[T.A.B]-:
:-[Author's note: I have a question for all of you. My initial plan was to see Harry doing his second and third years before going into a new adventure in a new universer, BUT what if our young wizard was to go back to Westeros in the summer? Please tell me what you think and a little gift this week, 10 comments and I post the next chapter this saturday. As always, thank you for reading]-:
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 47 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story or what you would like to see.
Criticism is always welcome as long as it is constructive.
Thank you to abarai72 for his amazing help in developing this story!
To modelbuilding1fan1: Nope, no Tri-Wizard yet! Durmstrang is not involved in this tournament.
To Mark1: See him next year my friend! I didn't forget about him, don't worry!
To BioHazard82 and joharasbel: Thank you again for reading! I hope to see you this week also.
To rajeshkont: I am going to be honest, I forgot about his friends in Gryffindor haha Stay tuned for Remus!
To Blaze1992: No, no he did not wait! Harry knows what he wants this time around. Hope you like the scene with the Quidditch team!