Harry Potter and Mystery's Daughter

A Split in the Road

Harry's uneasiness was soon assuaged by Quidditch talk. Hermione tried to keep up, but Harry suspected it was only because of her desire to spend time with him. Ron was talking non stop about the new Chudley Cannon's team.

"- improved chances, Derek Blighter! Great beater for the Bats and even a good chaser. Well of course he would, with an arm like that!"

Harry smiled at his friend's faith and opened his mouth to ask if they wanted food when Hermione cut in.

"Didn't Viktor try out for the Cannons?"

Ron stopped talking and looked awestruck at Hermione, surprised at her impute on Quidditch and her audacity to mention Krum. Harry looked nervously between the two of them, and feared that any row between then would not only embarrass them fully, but give all the others in the room new ideas about the two.

"I mean, he did write me about it. He said he was tired of Bulgaria and he was afraid of the Ministry going Dark. After the Tournament last year, he's a bit more cautious and well, frightened."

"Hermione, I don't think the Cannons would want him. What's wrong with Bulgaria? Ickle Krumykins not good enough?"

"Yes Ron, that's why he's going to the Cannons".

Hermione shot back quickly and somewhat sarcastically. Ron went a deep shade of purple and seemed defeated until he opened his mouth again. Harry could tell that nothing good could come of this and he thought with all his might Don't say anything Ron, but to no avail.

"Who says he isn't Dark? I bet he's coming over to confer with Fudge and Malfoy! And since you insist upon talking with someone who you actually have no idea about and barely know, you'll probably end up getting Harry killed!"

Hermione gasped, her eyes wide and incredulous, while Harry looked sharply at Ron. Ron was fidgeting a bit, obviously because he hadn't meant was he said to that magnitude. But Harry could tell that Ron did have that concern deep down for the both of them. Hermione, on the other hand, didn't seem to be able to accept what Ron said. For once, she was left speechless. She moved deftly and slapped Ron across the face. Ron staggered back holding his hand to his cheek, looking very put off. Hermione was still furious.

"How dare you! How dare you say that! You- I can't believe you would say that!"

"Excuse me for looking out for the both of you! How about we just overlook the fact that Harry was nearly killed last year and Cedric was murdered! Murdered Hermione! And Krum? Sure he was under Imperious; let's see how many of us believe that! Do you know how many Dark wizards there are still comfy in their homes instead of Azkaban cells because they wormed out of punishment because apparently they were under Imperious!"

Ron was yelling at the top of his lungs, his voice sarcastic and truthful at the same time.

"You just wait Hermione! You just wait. Wait until Harry is killed by You-Know-Who or Wormtail because you wanted to trust Krum. You wait until you yourself are hurt by your own blind trust. You - Just- Wait"

Ron stormed outside leaving Harry frozen in place, choking on any words he could say. Hermione had her hands over her mouth, and silent tears were streaming down her cheeks. Sirius came running over, with Remus tagging behind him. Sirius gripped Harry's shoulders, who still looked dumbstruck and surprised.

"Where did he go Harry? Harry!"

"Sirius go look outside, I'll stay here with Harry. It's ok Sirius, go!"

Sirius looked torn between his godson and Ron, but he took off running and met Arthur at the door.

"Sirius, let me go, I'm his father".

"Arthur I went through this exact same thing when I was a bit older than him. I think he might listen to me more".

"Well I still don't trust you completely!"

"Well Ron does! And who is this about, you or Ron?"

Arthur looked daggers at Sirius who stood defiantly back and Arthur sighed wearily. He stepped back and Sirius moved to put a hand on his shoulder, but Arthur flinched and looked away. Sirius drew his hand back quickly as if burned but took off after Ron. His long legs rushed outside and Sirius looked around, pausing by the wooden table. He saw a red headed figure down by the lake, sitting by a tree. He walked over, and he heard heavy breathing and a lot of sniffling.

"Ron?"

The sounds stopped quickly and Ron spoke, not bothering to look at him.

"Go away Sirius".

"Listen Ron, I know what you are going through. Same thing happened to me about a year before James died".

Ron scowled at him and narrowed his eyes. However, he remained silent and Sirius took that as his cue to proceed. He took a deep breath and stepped a bit closer to the young teenager.

"James and I both realized that with the addition of Harry to his family, his life was in even more danger. I was worried that they were in danger. If you only could have seen me back then, I was fierce and violent towards anyone who would try to hurt my best friend and his family. I believed- I knew that someone close to us was a traitor. I knew that someone was going to sell us out. I...I thought it was Remus".

Ron turned sharply from behind the tree and looked at Sirius with disbelief and pity. Sirius could feel his throat starting to contract and his mind starting to retreat. He started to speak again and could feel shame and disgust shaping his words.

"I thought it was because he was werewolf. I thought that that side of him attracted him to Voldemort or that Voldemort somehow promised him...I don't even know now, a cure? A solution to that damn bite? I was convinced it was Remus and that's why, later on, I suggested Peter to be secret keeper. James and Lily are dead because of me. Because I was too afraid of what Voldemort would do to me to find out their location...so I chose Peter."

Sirius was too close to tears again. To Ron, he looked angry and defiant, yet his eyes gave him away. Though they were looking at him, Sirius wasn't seeing him. His eyes were seeing something from the past. Azkaban...Ron suddenly understood for the first time the full weight of the effects of the wizard prison on Sirius. Ron could see the guilt and regret plastered all over Sirius' faded features. Sirius suddenly looked quickly at Ron with a seething irritation in his eyes. His voice was bitter and harsh.

"Now you know what having a Potter for a friend is." Sirius looked slightly sick and horrified by what he said. His voice softened as he said, "Ron, your life is only going to get more complicated. Being Harry's best friend will hurt you. I can guarantee it. You're only going to want to protect him and it will hurt you. You need to realize that...but your friendship to Harry is more than important. It makes up who he is and he needs to you know you'll always be there and that you would never ever betray him and-"

Sirius seemed to go on and on and Ron, slightly alarmed, reached his hand out to him. Sirius looked so lost and Ron, his voice barely a whisper replied, "I'm sure James never doubted you". Sirius bowed his head, tears starting to fall silently from his eyes onto the wet grass by the lake's bank. Ron could feel his heart ache and he wished that he could take all the pain away. He felt helpless and suddenly young and small. He flung his arms around Sirius as the older men crumpled to his knees, huddled into the smalls of the tree. This was how Arthur found his son and his old friend half an hour later, massed together at the edge of the lake. Sirius was a tight ball and Ron had his chin resting on Sirius' back, staring at the ground, trouble and sympathy and... anger? was it, lining his eyes. He only looked up when he heard a twig under Arthur's foot snap and the blue in his eyes suddenly became strong and he shook his head slightly. Arthur acknowledged his son and turned back to go into the house. On an after thought he decided to stay outside of the tense atmosphere back in Lupin's cottage and he sank onto the garden table, weary with the day's events. He recalled what had happened half an hour earlier.

Harry was still numb with shock of Ron's words as Remus shook his back to reality. Hermione was slightly incoherent for a couple minutes as she continually went over what Ron had said. How could he even suggest that? After what I went through last year...he knew I thought Viktor was the traitor. After all, he was the only one they found in the maze. But then Ron convinced me otherwise...how dare he put that on me. He knows I care about Harry...how could he?! That stupid, stubborn Weasley...and to think I even like him! I could never admit that to him now...how could he say that...Hermione was so confused and distraught, she didn't even realize Harry was staring at her and muttering her name. She looked tearfully up at Harry who looked back stonily.

"Oh Harry how could he say that! He knows I would never ever...you know I would never!"

Harry nodded but didn't say anything. Fear was starting to mount in Hermione's heart and a dread started to grow in her stomach. She grabbed and clutched at Harry's hand desperately trying to get beneath his hard exterior.

"Harry you know I would never do anything to compromise your safety!"

Harry again merely nodded and Hermione started to feel squeamish inside and felt like she would be sick. If she didn't have Harry's trust...

"You know I would never be friends with Viktor if...if he was bad. You know that Harry, right?"

Harry only raised his eyes level with hers and his eyebrows furrowed a bit, as if realizing something.

"Harry answer me! If you really trust me..."

Harry looked at her with those deep green eyes of his and he opened his mouth and at long last began to speak.

"Hermione, the thing is this. What I went through in the graveyard will haunt me for the rest of my life. You can't imagine what it was like...and you never will because I'm going to protect you from that. I will protect you, and Ron, and the rest of the Weasley's for the rest of my life. However, I think that my life is going to short. Like Ron said, it's only a matter of time before Voldemort finds and kills me."

Hermione looked horrified and opened her mouth to interject but Harry held up his hand.

"I don't expect to live long and...I'm ok with it. For the past 4 years at Hogwarts I've lived under this shadow with his presence always there. And when I think about it, we've always known people who have direct links to Voldemort. Quirrel, Snape, Wormtail...so somehow we're always going to be betrayed by someone we know. Look at my mum and dad...they were killed by their best friend. So I'm ok with Krum...completely. I believe him...but if he turns out to be on the Dark side it isn't going to be a surprise. But I understand Ron's anger. I'm ok with my death, he isn't."

Harry finished his soft and slow speech and Hermione realized he was holding her hands. She slowly extracted them and kept them by her side. She took a deep breath and spoke.

"Harry listen to me. You aren't going to die for a long time. We're going to defeat Voldemort and you're going to live in peace. You, Ron, and I will be friends forever and we'll have great lives after Hogwarts. And we'll..."

Hermione broke off as Harry shook his head. He reached for her hands again but she kept them out of reach. He tilted his head slightly and smiled at her.

"Herm, you're just like Ron. You don't want to believe in the strong possibility that I might die in the final battle with Voldemort. What if a sacrifice is needed on my part to save the wizarding world? It's a possibility...until we know a definite and final way to kill him, it's a possibility. And one that I'm ok with. My parents died young...I think I might too. That's the life that was given to me. And yes it's unfair...I don't want to die and miss out on so many things. Like when you and R- I mean, whoever get married. When you have your children. Sometimes I'll be upset about it, but right now I see something that you and Ron both don't."

Harry was looking down now at the floor and he was breathing very peacefully. Hermione reached out and tentatively touched his cheek softly. He looked up, his green eyes sparkling, and smiled again.

"I've seen my life. The first 11 years well, sucked. But the past 4 years with you guys...that is all I wanted. I never needed other things...I needed a family and I have it. You and Ron have lives to live out. There are things you want to accomplish. All I want are the people I love right near me all the time. And I have that...I don't need anything else. So if I were to die, like tomorrow, I'd be ok. Do you understand?"

Do you understand? He's asking you a question Herm. Stop blubbering out there and answer him back. Say you understand and the fight back. He knows he doesn't want to die. Just yesterday he was crying for his parents...or so Sirius said. And how is he so composed? And calm...I could never be like him. Um, Hermione? Not to break the inner monologue, but he's waiting for an answer!

"Harry, of course I understand. I just...I don't want you to die".

She said this very softly and looked away. Harry felt struck in his heart and knew that he and Hermione had just entered a different stage in their friendship.

"Herm, I don't want to die either. But don't worry...I'm not going anywhere for awhile".

Hermione turned her head back and smiled at him while Harry flashed her a goofy grin. She took in the sight of him, with his hair mussed up and his glasses slightly askew. She suddenly felt a new love for Harry in her heart (A.N: No not like that! Hermione and Harry will NOT get together; this is just a deeper level in their friendship). She knew he felt it too and suddenly she was laughing and she launched suddenly at him with a monstrous hug. Remus and Arthur watched them from far off and they smiled sadly. Remus picked up his glass of water and took a deep drink. He held it in his hands, turning it slowly and turned to Arthur.

"I'm glad they worked it out".

Arthur turned sharply towards him, lines creasing over his worn face.

"Yes they've worked it out...but for how long. You heard what Ron said...this problem isn't going to go away."

Remus looked sadly down at his glass of water and suddenly saw the ring of moisture it had left on the coffee table. He sighed dispiritedly and put a coaster over it and the set the glass on top.

"Arthur they shouldn't have to go through this. Sirius and James when through it, but that was years after Hogwarts when James was married and had a son".

Arthur nodded regretfully and replied, "I know Remus. It hurts me every time I think about what they have to go through and that I have to also, but 30 years later. And I want to help so badly...I'll protect them by any means possible; I think I made that clear to Fudge the other day but..."

Remus put his hand on Arthur's shoulder sympathetically and kept listening.

"I mean with this new problem of Dumbledore's dismissal, what are we going to do? Minerva can't fend off all the problems at Hogwarts and if Dumbledore leaves, then Hogwarts is open to attacks. The school isn't that safe a place, it's only Dumbledore that keeps it a haven for our children, but how long can it stay?"

"Arthur, I believe that Dumbledore will return, and quickly. If I know McGonagall, she'll have Dumbledore at her side always. And Fudge will see the error of his ways, I hope. He's not too bright and is unfortunately, one of those who must learn from their mistakes. Have you told Harry yet?"

"No, none of the children know. I thought it would be plastered all over the Prophet, but I was surprised. I guess Fudge wants to keep off all the criticism till the year starts. Bastard..."

Remus let out a small laugh at Arthur's language but his thoughts were still troubled. From the looks of Harry at the moment, he was contented and once again, worried about his friends more than himself. But that was because he had Dumbledore. What would happen he found out? He would have continued in this vein for some time had it not been for Arthur's well placed distraction.

"I still don't know what to make of Sirius".

"Arthur I realize this day has been quite a shock. When Sirius and I planned this party, we completely put it out of our heads that he was still a wanted convict. But I assure you, he is innocent. I, as well as Ron, Hermione, and Harry saw Pettigrew and everything makes sense. It also accounts for why Sirius is not mad like the rest of the inmates in Azkaban. I assure you-"

Arthur cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Oh Remus, I accept your story. It took a little convincing, but I know you are not one to harbor a wanted murdered just because of a past relationship. I just keep thinking about how much pain Sirius has had to endure...the toll it's had on him. Images of him back then keep popping up...when he applied to the ministry, when he got his apparition license. I just keep remembering this exuberant man, full of life, with such a free spirit. To have that imprisoned for 12 years is cruel. I think about it and cringe. To be alone in a dank, cold, harsh room and the only thing you think about is your best friend and his family's death? I imagine he puts quite an amount of blame and guilt on himself and if that was the only thing sustaining him...all that could dwell on is that he was innocent of the crimes committed but only partially".

Remus looked at Arthur in a new light, to see that the older man could infer so much. He stayed silent for a bit and didn't know what to say. Later, when he thought about the four words he would say, he thought them stupid and simple, but they still got the point across.

"You have no idea".

Arthur looked at him sadly and cleared his throat.

"I'll go check on him".