Chapter 13 - Freedom and Love
The next Saturday, the trio went to Professor Lupin's office immediately after breakfast. He ushered them inside. "I thought we'd have a short lesson before we left."
Hermione looked excited; Harry and Ginny were not far behind her.
"Since our lesson on Boggarts in the third year class," he gave Ginny a sympathetic look at her inability to attend, "showed that Harry's fear is a Dementor, I shall have a Boggart on hand for our next private lesson, but for now I want to go over the basics of the Patronus Charm without extra pressure.
"Now, this Charm has no specific wand movement, so most people just use a jab. The incantation is 'Expecto Patronum'. The key to making it work is to hold on to your happiest thought while thinking of a protector; that should drive the spell. Partial success will give you a mist shield, which is helpful for a few seconds. Complete success will produce a corporeal Patronus that is an animal of some sort, and that will provide much better protection. Let me demonstrate…"
Lupin pulled his wand out and concentrated for a split second before he jabbed his wand and cast, "Expecto Patronum." A silvery wolf came out of his wand and walked around the room as if looking for something. A few seconds later, it faded. "As we'll discuss later in the year, that is also the defence against Lethifolds."
"I saw that on the train. I thought it was the ghost of a wolf…"
Lupin grinned. "No, Harry, it was just my Patronus chasing off the Dementor. Now it's your turn. I want each of you to take a moment and think of your happiest memory." He watched them for a moment. It was amusing to see them all scrunch up their faces as they thought about a memory to use. He found it interesting that Ginny was ready first, with Hermione shortly after her. Harry eventually looked happy and turned to him.
"Very good. Harry, I'd like you to go first. Think very carefully about your happiest memory and cast the spell." Lupin wondered how well he would do.
Harry drew his wand and got ready, a very serious look on his face. He suddenly jabbed his wand forward like a fencer and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"
Lupin was surprised to see not only mist, but to see the mist coalesce into a big blob before it dissipated. "Excellent, Harry. Rest a moment before you try again. Hermione?" He watched her get ready, then pause as a thought obviously struck.
"Professor, do we choose the animal?"
"No, Hermione, your magic will. You'll find that it's an animal that has meaning to you, although the connection may not be immediately obvious. Please try," he directed her.
"Expecto Patronum!" Mist came out of her wand and created a small blob.
"Also excellent. Ginny, your turn." What were the odds all three could do it, especially since Ginny was a year younger?
The redhead took the same stance as the other two and wore just as fierce a look of determination. "Expecto Patronum!" Not only did Ginny get a small blob, but her blob had something that looked like a tail and miniature appendages that would become four legs.
"Again, excellent work," Lupin praised the girl and she blushed. "Harry, back to you. Try thinking about the thought a little harder, or perhaps pick a different thought. This spell is driven by good emotions."
"Like emotions of love?" Hermione asked.
"That would probably be the strongest good emotion," Lupin agreed.
Harry got ready and stood there for a moment. As peace came over him, he cast, "Expecto Patronum!" This time, his blob was better defined and it had four legs and what looked like would become a long neck. It vanished quickly once Harry stopped the spell.
"Yes," Lupin said excitedly. "Did you think stronger or use a different thought?"
Harry blushed. "A different thought."
"I think that one may do it after more practice. Hermione?" Lupin turned to her.
Hermione seemed to blush for a moment before she cast the spell. Her blob of mist also became more defined.
"Better. I think you have a good thought. Ginny?"
Ginny's face was almost as red as her hair as she cast the spell. Out of her wand came a silvery shape.
Lupin was surprised that hers was the best of them. It was not fully formed, but close. "Almost perfect, Ginny. It looks like your form will be something in the canine family. You only need more practice."
Ginny beamed. "Thanks, Professor!"
What were the odds that all three would do so well, Lupin wondered. It normally took very pleasant and intimate thoughts to do well with this spell, hence only adults could cast it. He also wondered what Ginny's thought was, based on her expression. He suspected it had something to do with Harry.
"I believe that will conclude our lesson for today," Lupin told them. "You're welcome to practice this on your own, but I would appreciate it if you did it in private and didn't tell anyone about this. I don't plan to cover this in class, except for the seventh years during next term." He received three echoes of "Yes, Professor."
"Again, well done. Now, let's go on a trip." Three happy students bounded after him as he led them out of his office and out of the castle. They walked to the front gates and to the nearby town. Ginny was especially happy because she would not be able to join her friends on normal Hogsmeade trips until next year.
Lupin showed them around, going into shops as they desired. Harry bought a nice quill for each of the girls and sweets for them all. As they came out of Honeydukes, a dark-haired man crossed the street toward them.
"Remus!"
"Sirius!"
The two rushed together and exchanged manly hugs before stepping apart.
"I'm so sorry I doubted you," Lupin quickly confessed.
"And I'm sorry I suspected you of being the spy," Black returned just as sincerely.
They grinned at each other and stepped into another quick hug.
Sirius pulled back and looked over at the three students watching him. "Harry, you could be no other. You look like James with Lily's eyes."
Harry looked at this man now revealed as his godfather. He had very dark hair that reached his shoulders, but it was definitely brown, unlike Harry's that looked black. The man was also thin, overly thin. He was dressed in nice robes and had a big grin on his face. Harry stepped forward and held out his hand.
Sirius grabbed the hand, then pulled Harry into a hug, which Harry returned. Sirius let go and went down to one knee, putting the top of his head level with Harry's shoulders. "Harry, I'm so sorry I ignored my duty to you when you needed me most. I was truly mad with grief. That does not excuse me, but that is why I wasn't there for you. I can promise you that I'll not do it again."
Harry examined him and found him sincere and trustworthy-looking. He grinned. "OK, but what does a godfather do?"
Sirius gave a barking laugh. "Why, I spoil you rotten, among other things. However, I can see that there is one thing you don't need help with." Sirius grinned and indicated the two girls with a nod.
With a blush, Harry grabbed the two girls by their sleeves and pulled them forward. "These are my best friends: Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley."
Sirius stood and bowed to each girl. "Miss Granger and Miss Weasley, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance and thank you for looking after my godson for me in my absence."
"It's nice to meet you," Hermione said, giggling. Ginny actually curtseyed, although Harry wasn't certain how seriously she meant it, since she was also giggling.
"So, I see you've been shopping a little. How about some Butterbeer and an early lunch on me?" Sirius suggested. Everyone agreed so he led them to the Three Broomsticks.
When they walked in, Sirius called out, "Rosie!"
A pretty blonde barmaid, slightly older than Sirius, turned at the sound of his voice. "Sirius Black?"
"The one and only," he said jovially. "Can I have your back room, Butterbeers for five, and whatever you have for an early lunch?"
"You may. Go ahead, I'll be there in a minute." She turned back to the customer she had been helping and Sirius led them through a door at the back of the bar into a small room with a table and chairs.
Everyone grabbed a seat and Sirius looked at Harry and his friends. "Harry, how did this happen? It looks like you snagged the two prettiest witches in the school."
All three blushed. "I guess I got lucky."
Hermione shook her head. "It was us who got lucky. In our first year, Harry saved me from a troll in the girls' loo and we've been friends ever since."
Sirius looked at Lupin and grinned. "Being the hero is a nice touch, Harry, but you need to work on making the environment a little more romantic. Most guys don't frequent the ladies' room." The two in question blushed and the other three chuckled. "How about you, Ginny?"
Now Ginny blushed. "Harry saved my life in the Chamber of Secrets at the end of last year. That started the friendship for us."
As Sirius was about to say something, Rosie came in with a big tray. She set down a dozen bottles of Butterbeer and several large platters of food, along with empty plates and cutlery for each person. "If you need more, call out."
Sirius thanked her. After they were alone again, Sirius turned to Harry and he did not look quite as easy going. "Harry, would it be correct to say that no one has taught you the customs and traditions of our society?"
"No one has specifically," Harry said, "but Hermione and I have been reading books on it and Ginny has been helping to teach us as she can."
"I see. Dumbledore has a lot to answer for," Sirius said with a severe frown.
"He does," Harry agreed. "Sirius, did you have a copy of my parents' Will?"
"I did. Since you ask, I assume it wasn't executed?" Sirius looked concerned.
"No. I'm trying to have that done now." Harry spent a few minutes telling Sirius what had happened and what he was doing with Ted Tonks.
Sirius smiled. "It's a small world, Harry, never forget that. Ted Tonks is married to my cousin Andromeda, your Potions professor." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm, I probably need to do something for her too," he said to himself. "Anyway, I will talk to Ted about the Will. I asked about customs because you have a Life Debt from the Weasleys now. Did you know that?" He glanced at Ginny to see her reaction, but she did not look bothered about it.
Harry nodded. "Yes. This summer, I told Mr Weasley that I would postpone it indefinitely as long as Ginny was happy at home." He hoped he could avoid the topic of their bond.
"I see," Sirius drawled and looked at Lupin, who shrugged slightly. Sirius looked back at Harry. "I've heard that Dumbledore placed you with Lily's sister."
"He did, but during my first year here, I found out that they were not legally my guardians, so I switched to Hermione's parents and it's all legal now. Dumbledore was not happy about it, but I am," Harry said with a grin.
Sirius gave another barking laugh and everyone else chuckled. "Excellent, Harry. Very good indeed. As you can probably guess, Dumbledore is not my favourite person at the moment. If you can figure out what happened to me and straighten it all out, he should have done that when I was first sent to prison."
"Because he sent me to the Dursleys, he's not my favourite person either. He also won't tell me why my parents went into hiding. Do you know why?" Harry looked back and forth between the two men.
"I'm sorry, I don't know," Lupin replied.
"Me neither, other than Voldemort was after them specifically," Sirius added.
"But why was he after them?" Harry persisted.
"Sorry, kiddo. Your father said it was important for them to hide, but he wouldn't tell me why, even when I asked. I assumed it was because they were trying to protect you." Sirius sighed and looked a little depressed. "I really miss them."
Lupin reached over and clapped his hand on Black's shoulder. "They were very special, to all of us."
Sirius looked intently at his friend. "What do you have, two weeks?"
"Thereabouts," Lupin answered cryptically.
"I'll be there for you," Sirius promised fervently.
"I appreciate it. I'll be at the same old place." Sirius nodded in agreement.
Harry wondered why Lupin looked so pleased and what they were talking about.
Sirius suddenly smiled and turned back to Harry. "So, kiddo, tell me all about how you figured out I was innocent. Don't leave out a single detail."
Harry started on the story, but let Hermione and Ginny tell their parts. Both Lupin and Black were very impressed.
At the end, Sirius looked very thoughtful for a moment. "Harry, would you do me a big favour? Just for your godfather?"
"Anything…"
Sirius smiled. "That's a bad thing to say to either Remus or me, but I won't take advantage of you this time." Harry laughed. "I want you to write that story down. Pretend you're writing a history report or an article for the Daily Prophet."
"I'll get Hermione and Ginny to help me, but why?" Harry could not think of a reason for the request.
"Because I think I want to have some fun with it. No big hurry, just sometime in the next week or two. Send me a copy when you have it done," Sirius said mysteriously. He finished the Butterbeer he had been drinking and picked up another. "Now, how about some stories?"
It was late afternoon by the time they left the Three Broomsticks to return to Hogwarts. Harry's sides hurt from laughing so much. He liked Sirius and his stories. Lupin was not too bad either, more distant, but nice. Harry considered that might be because he was presently their teacher.
Sirius had promised he could continue living with the Grangers, but wanted Harry to visit him from time to time. Harry was thrilled, although he was also sad to see the day end and to have to return to the castle.
After the trio left Lupin, Hermione pulled them into an unused classroom. "When we were doing our lesson with Professor Lupin, did either of you feel a slight, uh, pull of some kind when the others were casting their Patronus?"
Harry shook his head, but Ginny nodded. "I did. It wasn't much, but I felt different for a brief second when Harry was the one casting. Not exactly light-headed, but something like that. I'm not sure how to explain it. I felt something it like earlier this summer during the night, but I thought I had dreamt it then."
"Was it about two weeks after the end of the term?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"Maybe," Ginny answered, wrinkling her brow. "I can't remember exactly, but maybe about then."
"What are you getting at, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"We all know we're bonded, magically. So if we have a magical connection, maybe we can also share magic," she theorized.
"I understand why you think that might be true for the Patronus charm, but why did you ask me about this summer?" Ginny wanted to know.
"Because that would have been about the time Harry was doing some big magic, when he said that he pushed his magic as much as he could. I felt a brief pull then too, but I didn't know what it was at the time. What if he was pulling a little bit from us then, too?" Hermione looked at the other two for their reactions.
When no one said anything else, Harry pulled out his wand. Concentrating for a moment on hugs from the girls, he pushed his magic as much as possible and cast, "Expecto Patronum!" He did not hold the blob that came out of his wand for very long.
"I felt something," Hermione said.
"So did I. It was faint, but I felt his spell," Ginny confirmed.
"I did push my magic as much as I could," Harry told them. "I guess you're right, Hermione." He gave her a hug. "Way to go, as usual."
She blushed as she accepted his hug, and then one from Ginny. They all went back to Gryffindor Tower, happy in their togetherness.
On a Monday morning a little over two weeks later, Albus Dumbledore opened the Daily Prophet at breakfast and almost had a heart attack.
Chief Warlock Ignores Justice
A short time ago, newly-appointed Wizengamot member Sirius Black was found to be innocent of wrongdoing, but only after serving twelve years in Azkaban for crimes he did not commit. In an interview, he said, "I will make it my duty to see that every prisoner in Azkaban is there because they should be. If I can be imprisoned when innocent, there may be others."
Mr Black also gave us the complete story of how he was proven innocent.
Albus read the story of searching for the truth, which was just like it was given in his office. He looked up for a moment and found Harry Potter, who was avidly reading the newspaper with his two friends looking over his shoulders. Albus was sure Harry had a hand in this somehow. He returned to the article.
"That's exactly how it happened," Mr Black said. "If a student who wasn't there can find the truth, why couldn't the present Chief Warlock have figured this out when he was involved with it all? I plan to call for an investigation into this. Considering his lack of effort in this case, and that he rarely shows up for Wizengamot meetings, perhaps the Chief Warlock is too busy to serve this august body."
When Minister Fudge was asked his opinion on the matter, he said, "The Chief Warlock is indeed a busy man, being Headmaster and Supreme Mugwump, too. Perhaps it is too much for a man of his age and it's time for a younger man to take leadership there. I shall launch an investigation into this matter and what else the previousadministration may have done."
Dumbledore put the newspaper down, his breakfast still untouched. He contemplated on the injustice in this article. In 1981, he had been a regular member of the Wizengamot, not the Chief Warlock. This was a case of the Daily Prophet doing what it enjoyed most: stirring up controversy and ignoring facts so that it could print a more sensational story.
"I assume I'll be in charge of the school for most of the day?" McGonagall asked blandly from his left.
There was little doubt that he would soon no longer be Chief Warlock. However, with some effort, perhaps he could keep his international connections. "I'm afraid that you will be. I'll be in Geneva for most of the day."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Very well. Good luck, Albus."
Dumbledore was a bit surprised at her cool treatment of it all.
He was also surprised two days later when, despite his efforts, he was now only the Headmaster of Hogwarts. The Wizengamot had removed him from the Wizengamot completely and the ICW had taken the Supreme Mugwump position from him. He supposed if he were to look on the bright side, he would now have more time to research the Horcrux problem.
On the last Saturday of October, the trio went to visit Professor Lupin again for extra lessons.
"Good morning, everyone," the professor greeted them as he ushered them into his office. "Are you ready for more hard work?" he asked with a grin.
"We are, but we have a question first," Harry said. When Lupin looked at him curiously, he asked, "I was advised to learn to protect myself better and we've made a list of spells that we think would be helpful. Would you please look it over and make any suggestions that you think would be helpful that we've missed?"
"If you'd like." Lupin took the list from Hermione. "Why were you advised to do this?" he asked as he looked over the list, which included some very difficult spells.
"Trouble always seems to find me," Harry explained as if it should be obvious. "Voldemort has come after me twice for sure. There might have been a third time, but he left before he could do much. Some wonder if he will try again, and well," he paused and blushed a little, "Hermione and Ginny want me to be safe if that happens. I want them to learn too, because I want them to be as safe as I am."
Lupin picked up a quill. "You're better off learning a few spells very well than a larger number with only mediocre skill, so I'm going to put a mark by those you should leave until you've mastered the easier ones. After you've mastered the basics, you should probably also learn the Fortis shield; I'll add that to your list."
"What does it do?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"It is the next step up after the Protego shield. The Protego shield will stop many spells and slow-moving objects. The Fortis shield will stop almost every spell except for the three Unforgivable Curses and it will stop most moving objects. As you would expect, it is also much harder to cast and to keep up so most people never learn it. But if you can, it can literally be a life saver," he told them as he handed the list back. "Now, pull out your wands and show me your Patronuses."
"Ginny was the first to make it work," Harry said with a big grin, causing the red-head to blush.
When they all looked at her, Ginny concentrated for a moment and cast, "Expecto Patronum!" A silvery fox came out of her wand and pranced around the room.
While Harry gave the girl a hug, Lupin said, "I've very impressed, Miss Weasley. I would not have expected a second-year to have learned that. Take ten points for Gryffindor."
Harry looked at his other friend. "Hermione was the second to learn it, after Ginny told her secret for learning it."
"Oh?" The professor looked at the younger girl. "What thought or memory did you use?"
Ginny blushed. "I'd rather not say, but I found out it doesn't have to be a memory. An imagined memory of what might be true one day seems to work, too."
Lupin grinned, easily imagining what she might have been thinking about, especially when she would not look directly at Harry. "I hadn't considered that. That could be an excellent teaching tip. Take five more points for Gryffindor, Miss Weasley. Miss Granger?"
"Yes, Professor." Hermione got ready and cast the charm. A silvery otter came out and seemed to swim around the room. Harry gave the girl a hug for her good work.
"Well done. Take ten points, Miss Granger. Mr Potter?" Lupin looked expectantly at the boy.
"Expecto Patronum!" A silvery stag came out of his wand.
"Prongs!" Lupin breathed as he watched the majestic stag trot around the room.
"Excuse me Professor, what did you say?" Hermione asked as the animal slowly faded away.
"I said 'Prongs'," Lupin said in a more normal voice. "Harry, your father was an Animagus as well and that was his form - exactly." While Harry beamed, Lupin added, "Take ten points as well, Harry." He shook away the memory of his deceased friend and levitated a cabinet over from the back of the room. "This has a Boggart in it. Let's try the exercise again, Harry first. Afterward, Harry will need to be in front so the Boggart still takes the form of a Dementor, but then you ladies will have to quickly cast your protective charm to save your friend."
Harry got ready. With a flick of Remus's wand, the cabinet was opened and a what looked like a Dementor came out. With a shaking hand, Harry cast the spell. This time, only a mist shield came out. It held the Dementor back, but just barely.
"Hermione? Cast yours," Lupin ordered hurriedly.
The girl looked scared, but cast her charm. She was back to the misty blob which only pushed the Dementor back a little.
"Ginny, cast yours."
Ginny scrunched up her face in concentration and cast. Her fox come out clearly and easily pushed the Dementor back into the cabinet. Lupin quickly locked the large box.
"Everyone rest and eat some chocolate," he told the trio as he handed out chunks snapped from a bar he had ready. They greedily ate it.
"As you can see," Lupin told them, "it's a lot harder in front of a Dementor, and this wasn't even a real one, which would be stronger still. We'll try again in a few minutes, but let Ginny go first and Harry last."
He watched the three join together in a group hug. He was starting to wonder even more about the dynamics of the trio. It was amusing to watch Ginny whisper something in Harry's ear and for him to blush very red.
They tried again. Ginny's fox was still solid and easily pushed the Dementor back. Hermione tried again and still got a blob. She let it go and looked at Harry, who was grinning at her. Her next try produced her otter. When she let that go, Harry cast and his stag was clearly visible; it pushed the Dementor all the way back into the cabinet.
"Well, I'm thoroughly impressed with all three of you," Lupin congratulated them. He looked at the clock. "Here, take a little more chocolate with you and go for lunch. I think we're done with this. Next month, I think we'll review this just to be sure you can still do it, and then we can do story time and maybe help with one of the spells on your list."
"Thank you, Professor, you don't know how much this means to us to have this protection," Harry fervently told him.
"I'm happy to help." He held the door open for them and watched them walk out.
As he was about to shut the door, he heard Harry ask, "Would you really do that, Ginny?"
"When we're older, Harry," she answered with a giggle.
Remus Lupin decided it was best he did not know what she had whispered to the boy.
When the term ended, most of the students headed home for the holidays, and the trio were no different. On the train, the trio took one bench in their compartment, while Ron, Neville, and the newest addition to their travelling group, Luna, joined them on the other bench. Ginny had invited the Ravenclaw so she would have a friend in her year.
Ron looked like he was not sure what to make of Luna. She was a quiet girl, but when she talked, she usually said something completely unexpected. Harry found her amusing and ignored anything too strange, much like Ginny did. Hermione was having a harder time with the younger Ravenclaw, but she followed her bond-mates' lead.
On Platform 9 ¾, Ginny had to say good-bye. She gave Hermione a long hug. She then gave Harry an equally-long hug and whispered, "I'll come over the day after Boxing Day." She kissed him on the cheek and then walked sadly over to her family, already missing her bond-mates.
Harry was feeling the same way. He was now used to Ginny being around all the time and he liked it. He looked at Hermione.
She gave him a sad smile. "Yes, I'm a little sad too, but she'll be back with us soon. Come on, we need to go and find our parents."
They both picked up their lightened bags and went out through the portal to the Muggle side. Dan and Emma were there and hugged each of them eagerly.
Dan grabbed both bags and almost fell over when he expected them to be a lot heavier. He gave his daughter a questioning look.
Hermione smiled. "Yes, Dad. As Harry says, it is useful at times."
In the car, Emma turned in her seat as usual. "Well? How was school this term?"
"After the Dementors went away, it was really great," Harry said.
"Yeah, no real problems at all," Hermione added.
"Really?" Emma sounded surprised. Considering what had happened in previous years, she was expecting something to go wrong.
"Really, Mum," Hermione confirmed. "We do have an appointment at the Ministry tomorrow for Harry to talk to someone there about receiving some extra training. Harry's going to meet his solicitor at Gringotts at some point to sign some papers for the Potter family. Oh, and Harry's godfather wants to come over and meet you."
"That would be this Sirius Black person you told us about?"
"Yes, Mum," Harry said. "He wants to meet you and thank you for taking me in. He also wants to talk about me spending some time with him over the summer. He says I need to learn about my family heritage and Wizarding traditions."
Emma looked at her husband and he nodded, fully understanding what she was asking silently. "Perhaps he could do those lessons at our house. We would be interested too, if that's all right with you."
Harry shrugged. "I don't mind."
Emma felt a lot better about her children now. She had read about Sirius Black in the magical newspaper. Now that he had been shown to be innocent, he was in the paper about once a week. There was usually a small article about something he had said or done for the Wizarding world. She wondered if he was trying to increase his popularity to become Minister one day. He seemed like a decent man from what she had read in the newspaper and in her children's' letters, although she was a little concerned that he might try to take Harry from them.
"Does he have any other family?" she asked.
"Three cousins that I know of, but he's only on speaking terms with one of them: she's our Potions professor." Harry's voice turned grim. "One of his other two cousins is in Azkaban for life after multiple murders; his other cousin is Lucius Malfoy's wife."
"Malfoy, Malfoy, I've heard that name before…"
"Wasn't that the name of the chap that you believe gave Ginny the diary?" Dan asked.
"Yes, that's him," Hermione said. "Their house was also destroyed last summer and he went to Azkaban for some illegal items they found in his house."
"Small world then. Harry, why don't you send an owl to your godfather and invite him over for Christmas dinner if he has no other plans," Dan suggested.
"OK," Harry quickly agreed. He looked at Hermione and she was smiling too. They both hoped that their parents liked Sirius.
Dan and Emma were not happy about it, but Harry and Hermione had caught the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron so they could Floo to the Ministry. Their parents had wanted to go too, but Hermione had convinced then that would be a bad idea. The Ministry did not like Muggles just showing up in their building and, indeed, tried to have as little to do with them as possible.
At the Ministry, Croaker met them in the lobby. After taking them through the wand-weighing station, he escorted them to his department. Hermione was impressed with the spinning room of doors and how Croaker knew which door to take.
"I take it Miss Weasley will not be joining us today?" Croaker asked casually.
"No, but I'll tell her about this soon," Harry said.
The senior Unspeakable nodded and led them into a large hall filled with shelves holding little glass orbs. "Welcome to the Hall of Prophecies. I wanted to show you something before we go to my office and talk." He turned down an aisle and led them to a spot that had no orb. He pointed to the label still visible on the shelf.
S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D.
Dark Lord
And (?)Harry Potter
Harry's name was written with a different hand from the rest.
"Are you trying to say there is a prophecy about Harry?" Hermione asked nervously. "How do you know it's real? Who is S.P.T.? And where did it go if it's not here?"
"Very good questions, Miss Granger. Let's discuss this in my office; it will be safer."
Croaker led them out of the large hall and to his office, which was very cluttered with lots of books. Hermione was visibly restraining herself from trying to look them all over. The man sat behind his desk and waved his guests to a pair of chairs.
"No one can hear us in here now." He sighed. "I'm afraid you have jumped to the correct conclusion, Miss Granger. There is a real prophecy about Mr Potter. The only question in my mind is exactly what it says." Croaker did not look happy to have to say that.
"What do you mean? Surely it's recorded." Hermione watched him carefully, as did Harry.
"The missing orb was the recording, Miss Granger. I'm reasonably sure Dumbledore still has a copy, but as you could see, our copy is now gone. Because of enchantments on the shelves, only those mentioned in the prophecy can remove an orb to listen to it. That prevents anybody else, even such as myself, from removing one after it is placed there," Croaker said.
"Then what happened to it?"
Croaker looked very unhappy. "While I can't prove it, I'm reasonably certain Albus Dumbledore came here and destroyed it so I could not give it to Mr Potter." Harry looked almost as upset as Croaker when he heard that.
"Who is S.P.T? I assume the second set of initials was our Headmaster?" Hermione asked.
"You assume correctly, yes: his full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." Just for a moment he looked somewhat less solemn. "The prophecy was given to your Headmaster by Sybill Patrice Trelawney, your Divination professor. And before you ask, I have interviewed her and she has no memory of making it, confirming in my mind that it is real. I can also guess at its contents, but knowing the exact wording would be very helpful."
"What do you think it says?" Harry asked nervously.
Croaker looked right at him. "I'm reasonably sure it says that you can defeat the Dark Lord." The other two gasped. "In fact, I'd be willing to bet large sums of money that it says only you can defeat him. Beyond that," Croaker shrugged, "only Dumbledore knows."
Hermione was staring at Harry. "That would explain a lot, starting with your parents."
"And it all comes back to Dumbledore, once again." Harry looked back to Croaker. "Do you know why Dumbledore doesn't want me to know the prophecy?"
"Not really. Based on the conversation you witnessed at Hogwarts, I suspect he would tell you that it's because he's trying to protect you. However, in my experience, these sorts of things always come back to power and control, whether to get more or to deny others."
"And what is your reason for getting involved, Mr Croaker?" Hermione asked, eyeing the man carefully.
His mask slipped again and he smiled slightly. "Excellent question, Miss Granger. When you finish school, I think we should talk about a career here for you."
"Your reasons, Mr Croaker?" she persisted.
"I have several reasons. First, I enjoy collecting things: knowledge in this case."
"Because knowledge is power?" Harry asked.
Croaker chuckled before he turned serious. "It is indeed. Power over evil, which leads me to reason number two. I want to see Voldemort put down permanently. I don't mind Dark per se, as Dark is in the eye of the beholder; but evil is absolute and wrong, and make no mistake that Voldemort is evil - very evil. Lastly," he smiled again, "I have a great-nephew who says very good things about you and that makes me want to help you as well. While I'm not related to you, Mr Potter, you should always remember that the Wizarding world is very small."
"Thank you for being honest with me," Harry told him.
"You're welcome. We have a lot to do before Voldemort goes down. For example…" He got up and went over to a picture on the wall, which contained a lady wearing an old purple dress. "Ernestine, I need some mistletoe please."
"Of course, Senior Chief," the lady replied before swinging her portrait outwards to the right, revealing a small door .
Croaker put his hand on the door and they all heard a click. He pulled on the handle and opened the door, placing himself so they could not see what was behind it. When he turned back around, he put a small glass box on his desk. It contained a golden ring mounted with a cracked black stone which held a strange symbol in gold embedded in it. "There is number two and Director Bones has given me a lead on number three."
The two students stared at it. "That was a soul container?" Harry asked.
"It was, until I stabbed it with a goblin-wrought knife coated with Basilisk venom. I got the idea for the venom from you, Mr Potter. I used a goblin knife because they have a way of hardening steel that is the best technique known."
"So, that's two down and how many to go?" Hermione asked.
Croaker put the ring back into his wall safe and closed the door and then the portrait. "I'm afraid I don't have an answer for that, Miss Granger. Dumbledore is working on answering that very question. However, based on Arithmancy and the fact that there are already four parts known, I'd expect the final number of soul containers to be six with Voldemort being the last and seventh part."
Hermione nodded. "Because seven is such a magical number. Mr Croaker, can you answer one more question for us?"
"If I can…"
"How did you know we were bonded? We haven't told anyone." Hermione watched him carefully, but all she got was a smile from the man.
"Despite the fact that Dumbledore is surrounded by thirteen-year-old boys, I believe he's forgotten what it's like to be thirteen. Just a few minutes around my great-nephew, who is near your age, is enough to remind me that an average thirteen-year-old boy doesn't act like you do with girls. If you had been fifteen when we met, I don't think I would have caught it."
Hermione looked at her bond-mate. "I knew it would be something simple we would have overlooked."
"Also, Miss Granger, you should understand that I am a very observant person and I watch for unusual magic as a matter of course for my job. I don't think the average person would figure it out, but for someone such as myself, well … the way you presented yourselves to us when we first met screamed 'bonded' to me. The only thing that gave me pause was that there were three of you." He grinned. "That's very uncommon, if you're curious, but not unheard of either. If I may, will you tell me how you became bonded?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. Harry shrugged.
Hermione turned back to Croaker. "We think we understand the mechanics of what happened, but we don't know why we bonded."
"I see. No rituals or magical oaths?"
"No," Hermione confirmed. "It happened after Harry saved our lives. We understand Life Debts, but we also know that's not what this is."
"Very curious," Croaker said with a thoughtful look. "Well, unless there is anything else you want to ask, I think we are done until next time."
"We have nothing else," Harry told him.
Croaker led them back up towards the lobby. "How is your training going, Mr Potter?"
"Very well, I think. We've got Banishing and Summoning mastered, along with the Stunning spell. We can do the standard Protego shield, and we're working on the Fortis shield."
"Is it working for you?" Croaker asked, somewhat amazed. "That's normally a seventh-year spell."
"I'm doing the best and it's coming up a bit hazy. I think I just need more work. I've also got the cutting spells down and I think we'll learn the Blasting hex after the shield work, although Hermione wants to learn the Disillusionment charm next," Harry explained.
"Both are very useful. I would advise you to pursue the Blasting hex as it's easier. Also, learning to cast silently is extremely useful. Start with first-year spells when doing that," Croaker told them as they reached the atrium. "Well, here we are. Have a Happy Christmas."
"Thank you for your time, Mr Croaker," Hermione said.
"Yes, thank you. I've appreciated it. If you don't mind me saying so, you're a lot nicer than most of the other Ministry people I've met or read about," Harry told him.
Croaker chuckled. "That's because we have a common goal, Harry. I promise, I can be a right bastard when I have to be. Good-bye you two."
Harry led Hermione back home, retracing in reverse the route they had travelled to the Ministry.
"I like Mr Croaker," Hermione said.
"I do too, although I do have to wonder if he told us everything as well."
"If he didn't, he hid it well."
"I agree," Harry said.
Dan and Emma were sitting in the living room waiting for them anxiously when the teens returned.
At one o'clock on Christmas day, Harry and Hermione took a stroll down the street. Despite the cold, they were not wearing gloves so they could hold hands. Harry had been a little shy about it at first, but now was glad they were. Holding Hermione's hand was somehow comforting still, without the desperation that had marked the initiation of their bond.
When they reached the corner, a man with dark brown hair stepped out from behind a big tree with his arms open wide. "Happy Christmas, Harry!"
"Happy Christmas, Sirius!" Harry stepped into the hug. When he let go, Hermione moved forward for a greeting and a quick hug of her own.
Harry led his godfather back down the street. "I'll need a hair from you in a moment."
"I understand. However, what I don't understand," he said with a grin, "is why you were holding hands with Hermione. If things are progressing here, does that mean things aren't going well with Ginny?"
Harry had been ready for this. "Not at all. It only means that we're getting a little friendlier. We're all best of friends; we're not dating."
"Uh-huh," Sirius said, sounding like he was not convinced.
Harry stopped and reached up and plucked a hair out of Sirius's head.
"Ouch! That hurt!"
"Serves you right for trying to insinuate things about us," Hermione said and poked her tongue out at him.
"Do you use that tongue with Harry?" Sirius asked mischievously.
Instead of replying, Harry and Hermione each took a step off of the pavement and became hard to see. In fact, when Sirius tried to find them, he found himself looking at the house to side and wondering where the pair had gone to. It took him a moment to figure out what was going on.
"Very nice, you've got a Wizard-Notice-Me-Not ward up." Sirius waited patiently. Suddenly, the street seemed to get a little longer and an extra house became as easy to see as all the rest on the street. Harry and Hermione were standing five feet in front of him waving him in. He walked onto the property and into the house.
Inside, Hermione took his long wool coat, leaving him in a Muggle jacket over a jumper along with casual trousers. "How does it look?" he asked. "Remus said I should fit in with this."
"I'd say you fit in just fine. I'm Dan Granger." Dan, who was dressed similarly, held out his hand as he walked over.
"Sirius Black." He shook Dan's hand.
Hermione's mother walked up at that time. "Welcome to our house, Mr Black. I'm Emma Granger."
"It's nice to meet you," Sirius said as he took her hand and kissed the back of it instead of shaking. "And please call me Sirius. I'd like to hope we'll all be seeing a lot of each other over the coming years."
"And it's Dan and Emma to you. Please come this way. I'd ask if you'd like a drink, but Emma tells me lunch is about to be served." Dan led them all to the dining room. "Sirius, you can have that side. The kids can share on the other side." Dan left to help Emma bring the last bowls of food in before they took the two seats on either end of the long table.
"Sirius, from reading the Daily Prophet, I understand you're on the Wizengamot. What else do you do? Or does that take all of your time?" Dan asked pleasantly.
"Oh, you read our newspaper?" Sirius asked with surprise as he helped himself to the bowl of potatoes handed to him. He wondered how else he would be surprised here. "You really shouldn't believe everything you read in that rag."
Emma chuckled. "I think the Telegraph is more factual, but even they have their bad moments. Don't worry, we don't believe everything we read in there, but we do like to know what might be going on."
"Excellent ham, Emma." Sirius suited action to words, taking an extra slice.
"Thank you," she said with a smile, passing a bowl of potatoes to Hermione.
"To answer your question, Dan, the Wizengamot does take up most of my time, but that's partially because I let it. I've been spending extra time there trying to straighten out a few problems like Azkaban as well as remove some harmful laws. It's very slow going, but you have to start somewhere."
"Indeed," Dan agreed. "I would assume from what I read that you are fighting an uphill battle?"
"Most of the time. Bringing all of their lunacy into the public eye has been a good start and it's getting easier as I make alliances. I earned a number of useful allies by removing Dumbledore from the Wizengamot," Sirius said candidly.
"I was surprised to see that. I thought that you'd need all the help you could get on the 'good' side," Dan remarked.
"If he had actually been helpful, I wouldn't have led the effort to have him removed. I found that he kept the position of Chief Warlock but almost never did anything with it. In many ways, that was dragging our side down. I took a gamble that whoever replaced him would not make things worse and I came up lucky. Peter Throckmorton is a neutral and well respected by all. He's also willing to listen before making a decision, which is practically unheard of but very much appreciated."
"Are you planning to run for Minister, Sirius?" Emma asked. "By the number of articles in the newspaper with you in them, we've wondered."
Sirius grinned. "I wouldn't turn it down, but no, I'm not running for Minister next time. As I said earlier, I'm using the publicity to bring the bad things out into the open so we can fix them."
Emma put her knife and fork down and looked right at Sirius. "What are your plans for this summer … and for Harry?"
Sirius put his cutlery down in turn and wiped his mouth. He noticed that everyone was looking at him intently. "More of this, actually. Once Hogwarts breaks for the summer holidays, I had planned to invite Harry, and the girls if they so choose, to come visit me a few days a week. I thought I might show them how the Wizengamot works. The Potters used to have a seat and Harry can claim it again once he's of age. I also thought I might introduce him to aspects of our world that Hogwarts does not teach. For those like Harry, the school assumes a Wizarding family will teach him our traditions and ways."
"And for those like Hermione?" Emma asked firmly.
A sigh escaped him. "I'm sorry, but the school and the Ministry don't really care, which is why I planned to invite Hermione as well. I suspect Ginny will already know most of it, but I'm sure she will learn at least a few things. And before you ask," Sirius quickly added, "no, it's not fair."
Emma dropped her head into her hands. "Sometimes I just want to hit something or someone. This 'other world' is just so idiotic."
Sirius noticed that all of the others, even Harry, were nodding in agreement. "If it helps, I'll freely admit that I agree with you at times. Many things we do have a reason, but you have to know the history behind it all before they make any sense. Other things, well, they just are - like styles of clothes." He touched his jacket. "I find this … interesting. If I'm honest, it's not better or worse than what I normally wear. But my first reaction is to dislike it just because it's different."
"Perhaps that's part of the problem for us, there are so many things that are different," Dan commented.
"Were I Headmaster," Sirius said, "I would have a course to explain the Wizarding world to those who do not grow up in it. We have a course to teach us about your world, after all." He shrugged. "Maybe I can pursue that next year; I have bigger problems to take care of at the moment."
"And what about Harry?" Emma asked.
"That's really very easy." Sirius looked at his godson and smiled. "Harry, do you like living here and are they good parents for you?"
"I like it here and they saved me and they've been very good to me." Harry grinned widely showing his gratitude to Dan and Emma.
"Then he'll continue to stay here for as long as you want him to and for as long as he's happy." Sirius smile was as big as Harry's, while the three Grangers looked relieved. "I am his godfather and I want to be part of his life. If you want to treat me like a favourite uncle, I'd be thrilled."
"We can do that," Dan said, his smile reaching epic proportions. "Would you like to come into the other room where we can be more comfortable? I can also get you a good brandy."
"I'd be delighted, Dan. Emma, you cook wonderfully," Sirius said as he rose.
"Thank you, and thank you for not trying to take Harry away. We've grown to love him so much," Emma told him with unshed tears in her bright eyes, happy that her greatest fear was not coming true.
"Harry is always welcome at my house, although … I think Hermione makes him feel a little more welcome here than I would," Sirius teased.
Each of the teens blushed, but they did not deny it either. In the living room, they took a couch and sat very close, although they did not hold hands this time. Harry enjoyed the day with his godfather, and the fact that Sirius was fitting in with the Grangers so well.
Two days later, Ginny joined them and the trio was very happy to be together again. They exchanged gifts then.
Later that evening when it was just the three of them, Ginny put her arms around Harry's neck and gave him a kiss on the lips. It was not very long, but it was barely chaste. "Happy Christmas, Harry." When she let go, she turned him around to Hermione who did the same thing. Harry had to agree that it was a happy Christmas.
The trio also continued to work very hard on their French lessons. Their tutor, Maria, also came by to see them and help out a few times. They were starting to be able to carry on simple conversations. Emma was very pleased with their progress.
During the spring term, school was going well as were their self-taught defence classes. When they got stuck, Professor Lupin would help them out, but most of the time, they did not need that. By the end of May, all three could cast the Fortis shield and the Blasting hex, Disillusion themselves, and cast the low-powered spells silently. Those spells that took a lot of power still could not be cast silently no matter how hard they tried. Hermione believed they could do all of that only because of their magical connection.
The end of May also brought a new excitement to the school. At lunch, Lavender and Parvati were hyper. When Ron sat down for lunch, Harry asked him, "What's up with them?"
"They think that Trelawney just gave a prophecy. It was just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, but she was impressive," Ron said as he filled his plate.
"So what happened?" Hermione asked.
Lavender heard the question and moved down to sit next to Hermione. "You'll never believe it, but Professor Trelawney gave a prophecy today. She was teaching just like normal when she suddenly went stiff and started talking in this gravelly voice. It was so cool!" she squealed.
"And?" Harry prompted.
"She said:
The power to Vanquish will be
Found in the love of three.
Then she became normal again, and didn't remember a thing! Isn't it so cool?! Love will conquer all!"
Harry thought it unrealistic that Trelawney would ever be normal. The thought of love conquering anything seemed pretty strange to him too.
"Yes, that's cool, Lavender," Hermione said, hoping she sounded more excited than she really was. She must not have been too off, as Lavender lost none of her excitement as she moved back down to her usual place. Hermione looked at Harry and whispered, "I don't know if it's valid, but that could apply to us."
Harry thought about that for a moment. "You mean Him versus Us?" he whispered back. She nodded. Ginny got his attention with an enquiring look, and he whispered both comments to her. Her expression turned thoughtful.
None of them looked at the head table where the Headmaster was also thinking about Sybill Trelawney's second prophecy and how it worked with the first.
"Harry? Want to go for a walk around the lake?" Hermione asked. "This may be our last time for the year."
He looked around the Great Hall for Ginny and saw her sitting at the Ravenclaw table, talking to her friend Luna. With a shrug he said, "Sure."
The two walked out of the castle. Harry noticed that Ginny was following a little way behind, and Luna was still with her, both still carrying on their conversation.
"I'm still not sure about what classes to take next year," Hermione confided as they started their walk around the lake, taking a path that went up a small hill with cliffs over the lake so they could enjoy the view. "I really want to take them all, but Professor McGonagall says that's not possible as a couple of them are usually at the same time, like Divination and Arithmancy. Apparently, they don't expect anyone to take both of those, it's one or the other."
"I might try to take both," Luna said from behind them as they reached the top of the small hill.
Harry and Hermione stopped and turned, surprised the blonde could have heard them.
"I've always liked Arithmancy and some say Seers run in my family. My mother may have been one as she caused a bookcase to fly in front of me just before she…" She trailed off sadly.
"It's all right," Ginny said gently, giving her friend a hug.
Luna nodded numbly. "Everything was going fine and there were no troubles as I walked into the room, but she suddenly moved the bookcase and a few seconds later there was an explosion. How could she have known if she wasn't a Seer?"
No one answered her and they all felt sad for their friend.
"Of course, maybe a Snorkack told her, so maybe that's how she got her foreknowledge."
Harry looked at Hermione and raised an eyebrow. They had had a few conversations with Luna during the term and neither was quite sure what to make of her.
"I'm sorry you'll never know," Ginny told her sympathetically. "Come on, let's continue our walk."
Luna turned and looked out over the lake. "It really is pretty up here. It's so easy to ignore what's around you." She turned back towards them and gave a penetrating look at the other three.
Harry shivered from the look and a small ball of fear formed in his stomach at the thought of anyone else figuring out they had a bond. He saw Luna look right at him before she took a step backward as if to continue their journey around the lake, but she was too near the edge and the ground started to crumble.
Luna's arms started to flail as she tried to keep her balance and not fall off the cliff.
Without thinking, Harry started to lunge forward to grab Luna, but he was suddenly jerked backwards. Before he could panic, he saw Ginny's arm shoot forward and grab a fistful of Luna's robes, right between her small breasts, and pull hard. Luna's head snapped back as her body flew forward and into Ginny's embrace, where the latter held her tightly.
Harry turned to look at Hermione, who had restrained him. She gave him a slight shake of her head and put a finger over his lips before she released him and turned to Luna.
"Are you all right?"
Luna took a few deep breaths before she nodded. "I believe so." She pulled back from Ginny and carefully looked over the edge to the lake thirty feet below, lined with jagged rocks running along the base of the cliff. "Thank you, Ginny. I believe you saved my life."
"I don't think I did. You probably wouldn't have gone over the edge, or if you had, I'm sure you would have cast a Cushioning charm or two," Ginny told her calmly, despite the fact that her chest was heaving.
"But…"
"Don't worry about it, Luna," Ginny assured her. "It's what friends are for. However, I think we should continue our walk and go beyond the cliffs here. Perhaps walking in single file would be best for the moment. After you?"
Luna gave her a strange look before she shrugged and started walking down the path. Ginny followed her after a glance at Harry.
Harry let the other two girls get a little ahead before he turned to Hermione. "Why did you grab me? Luna could have been badly hurt," he whispered.
"Because I saw that Ginny would take care of it and you didn't need to be involved."
"But…"
"Harry, what would have happened if you had saved her?" At his look of sudden comprehension, she nodded. "If she was really about to die, I'd understand. I might be upset, but I'd understand. There was no need for you to be involved in this case. Ginny and I have decided that we will protect you from yourself - or maybe your magic - as much as we can."
With a nod, he said, "I understand, and … thanks."
"You're welcome, although I did have my own selfish reasons for doing that," she said with a quick smirk. "Now let's go, we need to catch up." She hurried after Ginny.
Harry grinned and then started down the path after Hermione. He was glad they looked after him; he did enough stupid things as it was.
When the year ended and they arrived on Platform 9 ¾, Ginny bid her bond-mates a tearful good-bye, promising to come and see them in a week. She was going to try to get her father to let her stay with the Grangers for the whole summer after that first week at home.
Both girls were very happy that no emergencies with basilisks or trolls had happened and no other girls had bonded to Harry this year. Between the two of them, they had discussed what might happen and they both hoped it would always be just the two of them for Harry.
Sirius was at the train station and met Harry and Hermione. He explained that he volunteered to come get them and save the Grangers from having to drive down through London traffic. He led them over to the platform's designated Apparation spot. There, he Side-Along Apparated each of them one at a time to the Grangers' home. After a nice dinner for the five of them, Sirius told them he would see them in a few days and Apparated home.
While Emma was happy that nothing bad had happened this year, another part of her was afraid this was the calm before a storm.
((A/N: That's the end of year 3. I've been surprised by the number of people who asked if Luna "can join". That's my answer. :-)
It also explains why Harry will not bond with a large number of girls. His bond-mates will actively work to prevent it, so they don't have to share him as much. Of course, accidents can happen... :))