Missions
“Sirius!” shouted Harry.
“I’ve waited a month Harry, a month when all I could do is wish that you were alright.”
“I know, I’m so sorry Sirius, I had a lot going on, but you did not contact me either! If you wanted to talk to me so badly, then you could have written sooner.”
Sirius sighed. “I know, I wanted to, but Dumbledore advised me otherwise. He said not to talk to you unless you wrote first.”
“What? Why?” Harry was shocked.
“Something about you needing time to adjust and not waste your energy into something else.”
“Hanging out with my godfather is not a waste of energy or time! These are no good reasons.”
“I tried to argue with him, but he is a really powerful headmaster and I’m a wanted criminal, he made these points crystal clear when I went against him.”
“He is the worst.”
“Don’t talk like that about him Harry.” Scolded Sirius. “Let’s change topic, how’s life in the dent of the snakes?”
“I’ve made friends with the Slytherins. They can be pretty nice when they are not bullying me. The worst is Snape. He is still annoying me, and he enjoys tormenting me. Can you believe that when I was in Gryffindor, taking points from me and giving me detentions was his favourite occupation and that as soon as I change houses, I’m earning points almost every class with him?”
“It does sound like him.”
“Also, the new DADA teacher is atrocious. I can hardly bear her.”
“I’ve heard. Unless you, Molly’s children wrote to her and complained about the pink toad a lot. I happened to read some of the letters in hope to see if you figured in them. It is also how I learnt about you making the Slytherin Quidditch team.”
“Yes…” Harry replied unsure, he did not know how his godfather would react at that statement.
Sirius groaned and for a moment, Harry thought Sirius was mad. “That means I will have to cheer for the Slytherin team. It’s the worst!”
Harry burst out laughing, Sirius could act like a child sometimes.
The two continued chatting, catching up with each other. The godfather did not talk much, only saying he was bored out of his mind. Harry, on the other hand, had a lot to say. He talked fast to make sure he had time to tell everything he needed.
Harry could see that his godfather was very angry about Ron when Harry talked about him. Sirius wasn’t pleased with the way he had talked to his godson. He was so angry that Harry decided against telling about what really happened in his detention, not wanting him madder than he already was.
Soon, the two came to a halt when they heard footstep coming down the stairs, without warning, Sirius’ head disappeared in a pop while Harry stared worriedly at the staircase. Draco was making his way yawning and sleep present in his eyes.
Before disappearing, he talked fast. “Last thing, I want you to talk to the twins, they miss you.”
“Did I just see Sirius Black’s head in the fireplace?” Draco questioned.
“NO!” Harry panicked a little.
“It wasn’t a question; I know what I saw.”
“Fine, it was him.” Harry finally complied. Then, seeing no point in lying more, he added. “He is my godfather actually and before you say anything, you must know that he is innocent.”
Draco gave his friend a funny look. “My father is a death eater, remember? I know he is. In fact, I’ve always wondered why Dumbledore never did anything to prove his innocence.”
“What? He could have done something?” Harry asked. No, it couldn’t be true. Dumbledore was a fair man. Besides, he needed Pettigrew in order to do so.
“Of course, he could have. I heard that Dumbledore was the one who made Pettigrew the secret keeper. He was also one of the wizards to agree not giving a hearing for Black.” “Now stop talking, I’m tired. Come to sleep as well.”
Harry followed Draco to their dorm. The other boy fell without grace on his bed, and judging from his breathing, he was already fast asleep. Harry did not have the same luck. He kept thinking about what Draco just said.
If it was true, then why the headmaster did nothing to reveal the truth? Why would he agree to put him in prison without giving Sirius the chance to defend himself? By that point, Harry was pretty mad at his headmaster. He could have had the opportunity to live with his godfather and leave the hell he had to endure at the Dursley’s house! The reason why did Dumbledore take it from him was incomprehensible.
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Harry woke up feeling more tired than he had in his entire life. Not only did it take him hours to fall asleep, but he hadn’t cleared his mind, resulting in him having a strange dream.
He was crawling in a long, dark corridor that Harry did not recognised. Then, he reached a door. Harry felt a strong desire to open it and he had a feeling that something precious was hidden in it. However, the door did not budge when he tried to open it, only leaving the boy frustrated.
He slowly dragged his feet to the Great Hall. He was so slow, the boy thought he was the last one to arrive, but Theo was behind him, also sleepy in the morning.
The boy plopped on his chair with a grunt while Pansy stared starngely at him, wide eyes. It was surely since Harry was always wide awake in the morning, always full of energy and frequently annoying his friends by speaking too much.
“What happened to you, you look dead Harry.” She sated.
“I did not sleep much, and when I did, I had strange dreams.” Harry responded.
“Didn’t you clear your mind like I taught you to?” Questioned Tracey.
“I couldn’t, something was bothering me, and I kept thinking about it.”
“What was it?” Worried Daphne.
Harry hesitated for a moment. He was not sure if he wanted to tell them or not. Making up his mind, he responded. “I was talking to my godfather, Sirius Black.” He started. When his friends did not react, it encouraged him to continue. They must have already known, just like Draco.
“I was interrupted by Draco and he said something that bothered me.” He continued. “He said that Dumbledore was able to save Sirius from prison back then but did not even lift a finger.”
“Yeah, my dad was flagger basted about it.” Replied Theo. “Back in third year, when he had escaped prison, he was talking none stop about it.”
“So, it’s true then. I did not want to believe it.”
Draco looked pained when Harry said that last part, like he couldn’t believe Harry did not want to believe him. However, Harry knew he was faking, the blonde was a great actor, so he paid no mind.
“I just can’t believe it, why would he do that? I can’t just come and ask him, not that he talks to me anyway” Continued Harry.
“I know!” Screamed Pansy triumphantly. “Dumbledore is an old man; he is sure to forget things here and there. He must have taken notes somewhere about his doing. We could try and take our hands on that.”
“Considering it is true, how would we steal from him. He is one of the strongest wizard alive.” Said Draco dutifully.
“We will find a way.” She replied confidently. “Besides, since we can’t do anything about Umbridge right now, we should at least resolve one thing.”
“Alright, let’s think about a plan.” Quickly agreed Harry. He desperately wanted to understand his actions towards Sirius. At the same time, maybe he could figure out why the old wizard was ignoring him.
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It was the first Hogsmeade’s trip. Hermione had asked him to go together and Harry had almost said yes before he remembered the promise he had made to Pansy. Right now, he was scolding himself for agreeing while walking next to an overly excited girl.
“So, we’ll start with Gladrags Wizardwear for clothes, then we’ll head to Madam Snelling’s Tress Emporium where you’ll have a complete makeover.” She was currently telling him. “Oh, and I also invited Draco to come with us if you don’t mind.”
Harry did mind. One of them was already overwhelming, two would be a terror. Much to his dismay, he couldn’t state his opinion since they had already joined Draco in front of the clothe shop.
They entered to building and the two others quickly started to rummage in the stalls full of clothes. Every now and then, they would throw and shirt or pants into Harry’s arms, instructing him to hold them while they continued.
At one point, they encountered an employee. Draco asked him to take Harry’s measurements and make the clothes his size. Once they were fitted, they made Harry try on every single one of them. There were a hundred! To his dismay, while the boy was changing, Draco or Pansy would often bring more to him.
One time, Draco had the audacity to bring a pair of boxers. That’s where Harry drew the line. He would not let Draco choose underwears for him. After an argument where both boys where having none of it, Harry finally won. He had to promise to pick some himself thought.
Their journey lasted all morning and Harry was exhausted. He could not wait for the day to finish. Right now, Harry and Draco were eating at the Three Broomstick. Their multiple bags lying next to them. Even shrunk, they were a pain to carry around. Pansy was joining them later at the second shop, she said she had a commission to do.
Draco made them hurry up, so they were done eating in a blink of an eye. Before leaving, Harry made sure to order some food for Pansy. He was sure the girl was hungry.
The teens had to wait for Pansy in front of Madam Snelling’s Tress Emporium. The girl was running late. After some minutes, they saw Pansy running towards them, a tiny bag in her arm.
“Finally! We were waiting for ages!” sighed Draco.
“Shut up you.” Replied Pansy. Then, she turned to Harry. “I got something for you Harry.” She declared while handing him the bag.
Harry opened it curiously. Inside, there was a beautiful necklace with a fragile looking silver chain. The necklace had a pendant in the form of a tiny green purse bag. It was pretty but Harry did not understand why Pansy would give him that.
The girl must have seen his hesitation since she started to explain herself. This is not only a simple necklace. With an incantation, the pendant will turn into a real purse. I then enchanted the purse bag with an expandable charm. You will be able to put everything you want in it without overflowing.” “You can put all the shopping bags in there, so we won’t have to carry them around.”
“Thanks Pansy, I’ll give it back this evening.” Replied Harry.
“You did not understand, I’m giving it to you.”
“But it must have been expensive.” Protested Harry.
“No buts, I’m giving it to you.”
Harry knew that he could not argue with her. He had learnt that the girl always, or most of the time, won her arguments. Harry was quick to thank her friend.
When they entered the Madam Snelling’s Tress Emporium and found out that it was already full of people. The employees were all occupied with a client and there was a bunch of wizards waiting for their turns.
“Welcome.” Greeted a lady at the front desk. “Our current waiting list is around an hour. We’ll write your name down and you’ll have to wait with the others.”
“You see ma’am, we are kind of in a hurry.” Declared Draco while leaning over the counter.
“So are they. Go wait.” Answered the lady.
Draco wasn’t pleased about her answer. It was obvious. “Listen madam, the client here is Harry Potter. You know, the guy who saved the wizarding world of the Dark Lord. The least you could do to pay him back is to take care of him right now.”
The worker’s eyes widened. She took a look at Harry’s forehead and not to anyone surprised, she gasped at Harry. She just recognised him.
“Yes, very well. As soon as one of our employees is done, we will reach to you.”
“Thank you.”
“You did not have to do that Draco; we could have waited.”
“I did not want to. Furthermore, you now learnt that you can take advantage of your name.”
They went to the waiting room and only sat two minutes before they were taken care of. Pansy requested them to wash his hair and gave clear instructions about his future haircut. She was saying a lot and Harry did not quite catch any of that. He did not really care anyway.
The worker leaded the way to the washing station and after it was done, he sat Harry on a chair. He spun the boy around so that he couldn’t see himself while his hair was being cut. Then, the man put a drying charm on his hair and smooshed a gel on it. Once it was done, Harry faced the mirror. He hated to admit it, but he his hair was handsome.
His curls were perfectly even, and the gel made his hair look messy. Not the kind of nest messy, but a neat messy. Harry couldn’t quite describe it. He knew he was pathetic to not be able to describe his own hair but what could he do?
“Wow!” Draco said, joining him along with Pansy. “You made the best choice Pansy; he looks way better like that.”
“I know, right! It is not finished thought. I planned to get rid of his horrendous glasses.” She replied. “Either we choose another pair, or we repair his vision.”
“Repair my vision?” Interrupted Harry. “I did not know it was possible.”
“It is.” Replied Draco. “It costs a lot and not many can afford it. It may be why no one told you.”
“I have enough money. I want to repair it; it will be useful for Quidditch.” Assured Harry.
“It is settled then, please follow me.” Instructed the worker.
He leaded Harry into a small room with a bed which looked a bit uncomfortable. Harry was instructed to lay down on it and it was, indeed, uncomfortable.
“I will perform a charm on your eyes, it will burn a few minutes but then, your vision will be perfect. Once it’s done, just come out the front desk in order to pay.” Explained the guy.
Harry nodded and the employee waved his wand while chanting; oculi privati omini modo perfecti fiant. As soon as he was done, pain flooded in his eyes making the boy cry out. He could hardly hear the worker say something that sounded like; soundproof… scream…
He did not wait more than necessarily, and Harry screamed in pain. It lasted a little more than five minutes, but to Harry, it felt like a few hours. The pain subsided as fast as it started, and Harry stood shakily on his arm. He had to wipe his eyes, and to his dismay, he saw that blood had tainted his sleeve. At least, it was one of his old shirts, one that Draco had promised to burn.
The boy had to blink a few times to clear his vision. It was so perfect Harry felt like he was blind before, which was technically true. He was also finally able to have a peripheric vision and could see farther with much more precision than before.
He made his way to the front desk, just as amazed and did not blink an eye when he was given the final price. It was more than expensive. But Harry thought it was worth it.
He then joined his friends to the owlery like they had told Harry they would be waiting for him previously. When the boy arrived, they were buying owl treats.
“Why are you buying that? Don’t you usually make them delivered?” Harry asked.
Pansy answered him. “We are here, so we take the opportunity to buy them now.” She then turned to him. She locked eyes for a second before squeaking. “You look so much better without glasses Harry! I love your new look. Once in your new clothes, nobody in their right mind will be able to call you ugly!”
The boys chuckled at her words. Then, Draco started talking. “We forgot the shoes; Harry can’t walk with these ragged ones.”
Harry was tired of shopping and all he wanted right now was reading one of his dark art books while eating candy. Speaking of which, he still hadn’t got the chance to visit the Honeydukes sweet that day.
Trying to find an excuse to escape more shopping, the boy looked around himself. He spotted the twins along with some other Gryffindors their year. Remembering Sirius’ instructions from before, Harry took the opportunity.
“I would love to buy new shoes guys, but I promised to talk to the twins.” He said to the others.
“You could just do it another time.” Replied Draco.
Harry shook his head. “No, I have to do it now. Bye!” He was hurrying towards the two Gryffindors when he was interrupted by Draco screaming.
“What’s your shoe size at least?”
Not thinking anything from it, Harry quickly responded before reaching the Weasleys.
“Hey, could we talk for a second guys?”
“Sure.” Fred answered. Harry could always tell which one was whom.
“We’ll join you on a bit.” Said George to the other Gryffindors.
“What.” Started Fred.
“Did.” Continued George.
“You.”
“Want.”
“To.”
“Talk.”
“About?”
Now that he was facing them, Harry was at loss of words. He had no idea what to talk about with these two.
“Umm, Sirius told me you wanted to talk to me.” He replied, unsure.
“Indeed.”
“We.”
“Wanted.”
“To.”
“Hermione misses you so much.” Said George. “She wanted to find a way to sneak you in the Gryffindor tower without anyone else noticing.”
“We did some research…” Continued Fred before Harry interrupted them.
“You can do research?” He mocked them.
“When our friends’ happiness is involved, yes.” Replied Fred.
George continued. “You could try and become an Animagus. As long as you’re not a bear or whale, you could come.”
“Yes, because a deer or a wolf is soooo much better.” Harry said.
“We could always pretend that we found you injured.”
“Or I can use my invisibility cloak.”
“Oh, come on Harry, it would be so much more fun. Besides, when did you ever back down from a challenge?”
That was true Harry had never backed away. But Harry wasn’t so fond of the idea, he was sure that the twins intended to break a few rules un the process. In addition, he did not have any wish to return in the tower where most of the occupants hated him. However, being an Animagus could become handy in the future. He could sneak past people and it might make him feel closer to his dad.
“Alright, I’m in.” He declared to the other two.
The boys cheered before asking him when they could start. The three agreed to study on Fridays, since Harry still had tutoring every other day, before heading to Honeydukes sweet together.