Harry Potter and Mystery's Daughter

On The Road Again

"How is he?"

"Resting I think...finally". Sirius let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Remus looked critically at him as Sirius leaned against a wall.

"You think he's resting".

"He's sleeping".

"Sirius you saw him out there. I doubt he's resting and I doubt that he 's going to find rest".

Sirius let out another sigh and heaved himself off the wall. He walked over to the couch, stumbling a bit on his long legs as he sank into the worn cushions. Remus came up to the table behind him and rested his hands on the dark wood.

"Remus, I- I just don't know what to do. I just don't know. James and Lily only picked me because they knew they would be around. I would just be there to baby sit Harry or help them out in a bind. They didn't pick me knowing I would be trying to raise their 15 year old son".

"Sirius what's your point? James and Lily didn't know they were going to die but they did know they wanted you and me to raise him if something happened to them. And look! We are trying to help him!"

"He doesn't want to be helped. You heard him out there. He screamed in my face, he cursed at me and you. He wants his mum and dad". Sirius choked on the last few words, his face becoming stiff and unreadable. His eyes seemed to focus on some intangible point. He opened his mouth and spoke very softly. "And so do I".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the Ministry of Magic

"Arthur you cannot be serious". Fudge slid down slightly in his huge leather chair and blinked up at Arthur Weasley.

"Minister, I implore you to listen to me. Voldemort is gaining strength. There have been attacks, not strong or large, but they are significant. Death Eater activity has been picking up. Families are starting to recognize the danger that was much more prevalent 15 years ago. I speak not only as a wizard fearful for his world, but as a Headmaster concerned for his students."

Albus Dumbledore rose out of his seat to join Arthur at Fudge's desk. Arthur glanced at the old wizard whose presence seemed to be taking the life out of Fudge.

"Yes Dumbledore, but there has been no proof brought to my attention".

"One of the families is in Harry's year".

"Ah yes...well that matter is being left to deal with by the Irish Ministry of Magic."

Arthur finally cleared his throat and brought his fist slamming to Fudge's nicely polished wood. The Minister pushed his chair back in alarm reaching for his wand, which was promptly covered by Arthur's hand.

"What more proof do you need?! A whole family is dead"--

Fudge's voice started to intervene but Arthur raised his voice and kept pressing

"--you have seen the reports from spies about Death Eaters, and you have Harry's testimony! You were one of the first to see him when he came back! You heard his story and you still refuse to believe! You sit here in your damn cozy office while the world falls apart! If any more die, it will be on your hands!"

Fudge stood up, blustering, and finally regaining some of his courage.

"How dare accuse me like that! None of the deaths are my fault! It's due to poor enforcement of magical law! Yes...and you make it sound as if I'm blind! As if I'm crazy when you're the one who came with me with this bogus request".

"I assure you Cornelius, that Arthur's request is well founded. The Order is prepared to take on full responsibility for Voldemort's return if only you would allow us the chance. I feel that the members are much better equipped to take on Voldemort".

Fudge was smashing his ears into his head and Arthur felt like taking a wand to his head.

"Listen to us Fudge. Dumbledore and I know what we are doing where as you won't even accept his return. Save yourself the trouble and let us handle the situation".

Fudge snapped his head up, his usually kind eyes rapt and hard.

"Listen to me gentlemen. I am in charge of Britain and I will not hand over my rights as Minister to a bunch of heroic muggle lovers! Weasley, hold on to your position in the Misuse of Artifacts, or whatever, Office and Dumbledore, if after this you think I'm going to let you return and reside at the best school of Witchcraft and Wizardry there is, you are deeply mistaken. You are hereby stripped of your position as Headmaster. Minerva McGonagall will take over your position until we find a more suited leader for the school".

Dumbledore was silent for a moment before raising his head and looking Fudge in the eye.

"I am afraid that you have just sentenced the wizarding world to its doom. I will step aside from my position if it is what you prefer, but know that I will not leave the grounds. Harry's safety and situation is too valuable for me to compromise because you do not see the truth".

With that, Dumbledore turned and walked out of the room, leaving Arthur leaning over the desk towards a very irritated Fudge.

"Let it be known that if any, and I mean, any harm comes to my children, Harry, or Hermione Granger, and their families, I will personally come and rip out your throat, Azkaban be damned".

Arthur released his grip on Fudges wand and stormed out of the office. Fudge let out the breath he was holding, and muttering, "Barking mad", he threw a pinch of red powder into the flames by his desk.

"Lucius, it has been done. Dumbledore has been removed".

The fire seemed to roar even more to Fudge as Lucius' smug and malicious smile pierced the flames.

"Then let it commence".

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry heard the arguing in the living room and brought his pillow further over his ears. He closed his eyes, and scrunched his forehead, trying to get rid of the pounding headache invading his sleep. Well this is a lot better than nightmares. Harry sighed and turned onto his side. He could still see everything from the afternoon going on again. How could he have yelled like that...at Sirius. Harry colored and felt guilty pangs in his empty stomach. He had given himself away. God Harry, do you always have to be such a prat? Can't even handle Voldemort can you? Why don't you just go crying to him? And plus yelling at Sirius...after all he's done for you. The man broke out of prison and lived on rats for you and you curse at him. You screamed at him all because you want your parents back...

Harry slapped at his head trying to get the voice out his head. Harry felt more pangs in his stomach and soon realized they weren't from the torrent of emotions he was feeling. He was hungry. Harry tried to ignore the rumbling pains, but he realized he hadn't eaten something solid for hours. Reluctantly, he left the safe cloister of his bed and padded out to the kitchen, stumbling a bit. He passed the hall mirror and looked in. He had a brief second to take in his haphazard hair, askew glasses, and tousled pajamas (who put those on me...) before the mirror shouted at him, "Have some decency Potter! We have guests!" Harry started and was about to scoff when he said out loud, "guests? I thought Sirius lived here..." Harry shrugged and started to walk towards the living room. Inside, Sirius heard the mirror's shout and cursed under his breath in his hiding place; Remus' broom closet. His hands sweated in anticipation and he looked for something to occupy him and keep him from running to get Harry. His hands passed over an old Silver Arrow 200 Remus had gotten when he first entered Hogwarts. Sirius remembered asking Moony about it on his first day, mainly to calm the pale boy's nerves.

Sirius shifted uncomfortably on his bed. He wasn't used to the silence in the dorm room that was only interrupted by the occasional shut of the chest drawers or the plink of schoolbooks on the table. Sirius could only sit and watch as Remus unpacked his trunk. Sirius wished James was here, but he was looking for a boy named Peter Pettigrew, who had ventured out to the bathroom and hadn't come back. James would know what to do although Sirius suspected all had been tried. Remus hadn't spoken during dinner even though James and Sirius had talked to him; cracked jokes...Remus hadn't said anything. Sirius now looked at him critically. He had light brown hair with a few highlights...he wasn't bad looking in any way but he was just so pale. During the Sorting Ceremony, Remus had shrunk back into the crowd of first years, and Sirius, having been one of the first, had the opportunity to look the others over. Remus seemed certain that he would be turned back when the hat was put on his head and even after getting into the best house in Hogwarts (in Sirius' opinion), he still looked scared and fearful. Remus now took out his broomstick and Sirius seized his opportunity.

"Oh is that your broom? It looks new".

"Yes."

Even today, Sirius could still remember the unfriendliness in his voice, a cold tone taking over.

"Yes it's your broom or yes it's new?"

"Yes to both."

Remus' curt answers were starting to annoy Sirius.

"What model?"

"Silver Arrow 200."

"Oh."

Sirius gave up and sat on his bed in thoughtful silence. Meanwhile Remus looked at him critically. A rouge, I suppose, Remus thought. He certainly could be trouble...he looks like a prankster.

"Do you have a broom?"

"Yes."

Sirius answered back with a forced closed off voice and he could see Remus was taken aback.

"What model?"

"Nimbus 500".

"Wow...just came out right?"

"Last month".

"Look I'm sorry for being curt earlier...just drop the act ok?"

Sirius laughed and swung around so he was facing Remus.

"Sure can do! So, you play Quidditch?"

"Oh, not really. I like to fly but I'm not one for the dangerous antics."

"Oh...I can't wait till I can try out for the house team. I would love to be beater."

'Surprisingly, I only pin you as a beater."

"Is that because of my roguish nature?"

Remus laughed and felt a warm flood flow through out his stomach

"You have no idea."

Even now Sirius could still remember how happy he had been to gain Remus as a friend. Things hadn't changed...Remus was now the only thing connecting Sirius to his former life. Even though he was out of Azkaban, he could never be the happy, mischievous prankster he once was. All he could do now was recall those bittersweet memories. Sirius wasn't sure that even if he hadn't gone to Azkaban after James' death he would still be the same. James...James was someone Sirius couldn't even define. He had been Sirius' best friend, comrade, and brother. Always his fellow prankster but someone was as caring and genuine as the next. So much life...extinguished. When Sirius thought about it, he didn't just cry the loss he had endured but that which James had. He lost his wife, his child, and his life. Sirius was sure that raising a kid who looked just like him would have been a hoot...his every dream. Harry would never know the joy that he brought just by looking the way he did...Sirius would get to see what James would have looked like. The very thought made Sirius want to thank God and also curse him. It was pure torture to see Harry grow up without ever knowing James. All the marauders had joked about their children. Even though they secretly knew Peter couldn't possibly spawn a good looking child, Remus probably wouldn't be able to find a girl who would accept him for who he was 3 days out of the month, and Sirius' child would get the psychotic genes that managed to stay recessive in Sirius, all four knew that James' child would be special. The son of a natural born Quidditch star, a genius, and one of the most popular students to come to Hogwarts...he had to be perfect. In Sirius' opinion, he was...but he would never know the grandeur and life of being a Potter...all he would know would be memories and jokes. Sirius clutched the Silver Arrow harder when he thought that. It made him sick...the boy who he shared a life with for seven years had been killed by Peter Pettigrew. Peter, who could never handle a spell or a potion without some help, somehow managed to destroy and tear their lives asunder. This idea still amazed Sirius but the bleak reality always seemed to sink in somehow. Sirius shook off further dark thoughts that were still lingering at the back of his mind. I'll deal with them later...I always do. Sirius let go of the broomstick and crept closer the door. He could hear Harry coming into the room...he heard Remus' signal of 2 knocks on the floor and he burst out of the closet.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!"

Only Sirius' voice wasn't the only one to fill the air. And he wasn't the only thing to burst out of the closet. Red and gold balloon magically went sailing across the room and a shower of blue fireworks quickly reformed into a banner for Harry. Streamers and party favors went rolling around the room, creating a ruckus, hard to be rivaled. Harry in the meantime, was having a hard time adjusting the minor little shock his heart just got. One minute he was walking into the living room and a second later there had been a mob of people (mostly red headed) all scrambling at him with their arms wide open and shouting at the top of their lungs. He had stumbled back, hitting the wall, and partially raising his arms from instinct. His breath was hard and ragged, the fact that he had just woken up adding to the confusion. Harry let out a deep breath of air and stepped into the mass of excited bodies. He put on a grin and looked around.

"I think I found the group of crazed wizards who broke out of St. Mungo's."

Ron's face broke through the crowd and he punched an arm at Harry.

"Happy birthday mate! You don't think that just because you didn't' come to the Burrow we were going let a chance for a party to go unused. Fred and George especially had something to say about that."

As if on cue, Fred and George came out of the kitchen with a large chocolate cake. Harry looked at it doubtfully and cast a suspicious glance the twin's way. The twin's grand smiles flickered a bit and Fred bit his lip.

"Hey Harry you aren't going to have any cake?"

Harry gave George one of his looks and hesitantly took cut a piece and took a bite. Besides feeling the warm chocolate sliding down he felt something hot on top of his head. Harry turned to see Ron choking down a laugh and Sirius clutching Remus' shoulder, his face alight with a malicious grin. Hermione had a stricken look on her face and Harry took that as his cue to go back and look in the mirror. He skidded to stop in the hall and looked with horror as his head. A bright, green neon 'Happy Birthday Ickle Harrykins' was displayed grandly over his messy hair. With a sense of foreboding, Harry moved his head but the green sign stayed over his head. His anger mounting, he stomped back into the room and saw the entire room paralyzed with laughter. I guess the sight of me running out of here with this ridiculous sign was pretty funny. Though Harry wanted to laugh as well but he kept his angry face on.

"FRED! GEORGE!"

"You rang Harry?"

"How long"

Fred and George exchanged evil glances before replying together, "All day long!"

Harry gave a resigned sigh before breaking out into laughter with everyone else. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Sirius was looking at him as if Harry was fragile. Harry gave a small frown and made a resolution to talk to him later. Right now he had a party to attend to. He turned back to Ron and Hermione when a scream rent the room.

"IT'S SIRIUS BLACK!"

Fred and George whipped around and suddenly for the first time saw Sirius, white faced, standing the corner. They joined Bill and Charlie in the center of the room, their wands drawn. They were advancing slowly and Mr. Weasley was holding Mrs. Weasley back by the shoulder, though she was trying to get free. Harry felt a weight drop to his stomach and he ran in from of Sirius. Ron had his hand on Hermione's shoulder (most like Mr. and Mrs. Weasley) and she had her hand covering her mouth. Harry held out his hands though the looks on the Weasley's faces made it seem that nothing would deter their pursuit.

"Listen to me. Put your wands down. Sirius is innocent."

Fred gave a hollow laugh and kept his hand outstretched.

"Fred, I'm not joking. Sirius is innocent."
"Innocent? Hardly...he escaped from Azkaban 2 years ago and tried to kill you Harry!" George looked incredulously at Harry.

"The crimes that he was convicted of were actually done by Peter Pettigrew. He's alive. I've seen him in...visions, and last year at the Triwizard Tournament. And of course when I discovered the truth."

Mr. Weasley approached Harry cautiously, his wand in his hand though at his side.

"Harry son...er, are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure who killed my parents Mr. Weasley." Harry's answer was short and curt but he couldn't say it any other way. Remus stepped in now.

"Arthur please let me explain to you. However, I think we need to do this in private."

"I won't leave my children and my wife with him."

"Oh Arthur I know the truth. I found out at the end of the school year and Dumbledore told me some of the story...I guess it might have slipped my mind?"

"Oh so it slipped your mind that a mass murderer escaped from prison and you had an outing with him?"

Mrs. Weasley looked torn between being exasperated and completely angry.

"Arthur Weasley don't argue with me...we can talk about this at home. Don't you think you and the boys have ruined this party enough?"

Mr. Weasley gave a resigned sigh and Remus politely ushered him to the study with a quiet look at Sirius, who was quietly standing there, apparently taking in Mr. Weasley's harsh words. The boys were still standing there dumbstruck. Sirius stepped forward and Charlie being the oldest, stepped forward as well.

"Listen to me Sirius. I don't who you are but if Harry, Remus, and Dumbledore trust you, I reckon I should too."

He pocketed his wand and held out his hand to Sirius, who took it very gratefully.

"I know that this is a shock to you Charlie, and the rest of you, but please believe me when I say I am innocent. And if I wasn't, would I be attending Harry's surprise party?"

Grins began to creep onto Fred and George's faces and Harry could tell that later on, Sirius would have to be telling stories. As the party began to reshape its relaxed atmosphere, Harry approached Ron and Hermione. He was pleased to see them talking and was surprised to see how different they looked. Ron somehow looked more muscular and his face had tanned. Hermione had filled out and grown taller. Harry was also pleased to see that the tips of Ron's ears were somewhat red; no doubt a result of Hermione's new looks. Her hair had calmed down and fell softly below her shoulders and Harry wondered if it wasn't because of some hair potion or another.

"Hey guys..." Harry wasn't sure how to talk to them after being so rude all summer. Hermione flashed him a great smile and Ron's blue eyes became softer.

"Hey Harry...did you have a good summer? Did you like the potions I sent you?"

"Yea they were great...really helped me out. Listen Herm...I didn't mean to be rude or anything. In your letter, you were kinda blunt and it really gave me a reality check...I'm so sorry."

"Oh Harry you have nothing to be sorry about. I understand that what happened at the end of the year was difficult and it was rude of me to presume that one could just forget it. I haven't...it was just one of those times of the month...everything goes haywire every once in awhile."

Hermione got up and gave Harry a quick hug and Harry gave her a genuine smile, one that hadn't surfaced since he had seen her last. He turned to Ron, his smile fading fast.

"Ron...I really don't know what to say."

"Harry, listen. After hearing what Hermione said, it makes sense. I don't get completely why you wouldn't come, but you're going through some stuff. Whatever makes you happy."

Harry looked at this new Ron for a second before cracking a grin.

"Wow Ron, someone took Hermione's advice a bit too seriously eh?

Ron blushed furiously and Hermione colored at the base of her neck and mumbled an excuse about going to get some punch. She left and Harry took her place leaning against the sofa. Ron was looking daggers at Harry who innocently grinned.

"Hermione's looking great isn't she Ron?"

"Meaning what..."

Harry pushed up his glasses while maintaining his grin.

"Meaning this year's gonna be fun."