Harry Potter and the Black Secret

Chapter Seven

Remembrance

Kristine ran down the stairs from the dormitories fifteen minutes later and dashed straight through the common room, grabbing Harry away from Ron and Hermione on the way. They ran all the way to Dumbledore's office without saying a word, until finally, they stopped outside the statue guarding the hidden stairway to the Headmasters room.

"What's the password?" Kristine asked, turning to face Harry for the first time since snatching his arm and dragging him out the common room.

"I don't know. Dumbledore changes it nearly every day. Can't you remember what it was yesterday?"

"Would I be asking you if I could remember?"

"Maybe, I never can tell with you."

"Oh this is so annoying!" Kristine exclaimed, kicking the eagle like statue in frustration.

"Hey, calm down Kriss. Someone will be along soon enough," Harry said to Kristine, his surprise of her reaction sounding in his voice. "Are you okay?"

Kristine took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Harry studied her for a moment. She had tied her hair back with a white band, strands of her hair hung around her face. She was wearing very long black trousers and a dark green strap top, over the top of which she wore an open shirt, which was a little large for her. It was black and had a printed silver and green dragon that ran along the base seam. Harry didn't recognise it, but it reminded him of something, or someone.

"When did you get this?" Harry asked, genuinely curious.

"Hmmm?" Kristine asked opening her ocean blue eyes.

"The shirt," Harry explained, "It looks familiar, but I don't remember seeing it before."

Kristine looked down at what she was wearing. Draco's shirt. The one he'd given her the first night they kissed. She hadn't even realised, she'd just grabbed whatever clothes seemed to match.

"I don't know," Kristine lied, feeling guilty as she said it; "I've had it for a while I think."

She was saved from any further explanation as the statues twisted away to reveal the staircase up to Dumbledore's office. A figure cloaked from head to toe in black emerged from the office.

"They're expecting you," Snape said neutrally to the pair and he walked passed them, making only a brief glance at Kristine before disappearing down the corridor, cloak billowing out behind him.

Harry and Kristine proceeded up the stairs into the office where, sure enough, Dumbledore and Sirius were waiting for them. As the entered the room, Sirius turned and rose from his seat in front of the Headmaster's desk, smiling as he saw them.

Kristine walked up to Sirius, a reflection of his grin on her own face. They embraced and pulled apart to look at each other briefly. Sirius stroked Kristine's cheek gently with his thumb, looking at her as if for the first time. The pulled apart and then a little to Harry's surprise and alarm, Sirius came over and hugged him as well.

"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed.

"What?" Sirius said simply, a roguish look on his face, "Can't I give my teenage godson a hug now? When I was your age I loved being embarrassed like this."

"You know, Sirius," Harry elucidated, "I'd be okay with you not taking on every aspect of the parenting role."

"Tough luck," Sirius said, ruffling Harry's already messy black hair. Harry was now only a few inches shorter than the tall man who was his godfather, making the display look even more like a conscious attempt to annoy the boy who lived.

Behind the large oak desk Dumbledore was smiling at the scene playing out in front of him. It wasn't how he'd hoped things would be all those years ago. He had imagined Lily and James standing and laughing with Sirius and Diana; Harry and Kristine talking animatedly away from their parents, having grown up together knowing everything about each other. Now only Sirius remained. The past generation was fading away, a quarter of the parenting team still intact. But the future, the future was still to come. The future was secure, and in safe hands.

"We have some good news," Dumbledore said to Harry and Kristine. Sirius's smile faltered a little, but a glimmer was in his eye.

"You shouldn't say that Albus, nothing's for certain yet. I don't want to get their hopes up," Sirius said.

"Why? What is it?" Harry asked, a little desperation in his voice. Good news came so rarely nowadays.

"Well," Dumbledore said, gesturing for them to take the seats in front of him, "We have received news from the field, news concerning Sirius's freedom."

Harry remained silent, waiting for Dumbledore to continue. Kristine however, spoke.

"The field? What do you mean?"

"There are teams of wizards; Aurors, Potion makers, Magical creature specialists and alike, who are aware of the threat looming with Voldemort's return. Incidentally Kristine, your Mother was part of one of these teams," Dumbledore said, a small sympathetic smile offered to Kristine, which she returned. He continued, "These teams have been gathering information and reporting to me since Fudge refuses to acknowledge the danger."

Dumbledore sounded more than a little exasperated at this last point, but he continued all the same.

"I received a report yesterday morning, stating that a capture had been made. Now I must stress that I did not authorise these extreme measures, however, as far as any counsel need be concerned, we merely caught a rat."

At this Harry's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Kristine didn't see the significance of this.

"You mean you've got him? Pettigrew, you've really captured him?" Harry said, hardly daring to believe it.

Kristine suddenly realised what was going on. Peter Pettigrew, the man her Father had been falsely accused of murdering was in the hands of their side of the fight. Pettigrew who could turn himself into a rat at will. Pettigrew. The single piece of proof that would clear her Father's name.

"The detained animal fits the description we were given, and lets face it, a rat with a silver paw is going to be fairly conspicuous now isn't it," Dumbledore said smiling.

"Right, stop there," Sirius said, "We don't know anything for certain. Until they bring him here we can't be sure. Voldemort could easily have sent out hundreds of silver pawed rats just to set us off on the wrong trail."

"Oh stop being so pompous Sirius, you're not that important after all," Harry said whilst trying to keep a straight face.

Sirius stared at his godson; his eyes bulging out of head and mouth slightly open, attempting to come up with a response.

"Excuse me Mr 'I'm the all famous and amazing Harry Potter' for trying to keep things in perspective."

"I'm just saying," Harry said smiling, "Besides, from what I gathered, I don't think Voldemort would be too bothered with Pettigrew being captured. He wasn't exactly thrilled to have him around before, why the hell would he need the balding little git now he's got Lucius Malfoy and all the other Death Eaters back on side."

Only Dumbledore saw Kristine stiffen at the mention of Draco's Death Eater father.

"Yes Sirius," Dumbledore continued, "Don't be so negative. Odds are you'll be a free man by the New Year."

"It'll take that long?" Kristine asked Dumbledore.

"I'm afraid so. There will have be a trial for Pettigrew, and for Sirius I'm afraid seeing as this was one courtesy he was denied the first time round. It will also mean convincing Fudge of Voldemort's return, which will be no simple task. In the end though, in the end, you will be free Sirius, I'll make certain of it."

Sirius smiled at the old Headmaster gratefully.

"Thank you Albus, I don't know what we'd do without you," Sirius said.

Dumbledore waved his hand as if brushing the compliment away, "No need for Thanks, I don't deserve it."

Kristine pondered over what he meant by this, but pretty soon her attention turned back to Sirius.

"I'm afraid I must leave you now," he said, "But I will be back soon, I promise."

Kristine nodded and Sirius bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

"Take care."

"You too," Kristine replied.

Sirius turned to Harry.

"Take care of her for me."

"You bet," Harry replied, allowing himself to be pulled into another hug.

"Hey, I resent that! I can look after myself," Kristine said indignantly as the pair broke apart.

"I know you can," Sirius said, "But your going to be far to bust taking care of him to keep an eye out for yourself."

It was Harry's turn to feel insulted.

"I do not get into that much trouble!"

"Yes you do!" the other three said in unison.

"See you soon," Sirius said as he hugged his daughter.

"Make that very soon," she replied.

"Bye Kriss."

"Bye Dad."

Sirius pulled back a little to look at her face. Her eyes told him not to make a big deal out of such a significant moment. He touched her cheek gently, then turned and left the office.

"Kristine, I would like a private word with you before you leave, if you don't mind," Dumbledore said.

"Sure," Kristine replied gladly, "I'll see you this evening? Quidditch practice right?" she said to Harry.

"Five thirty sharp," Harry replied with a nod, "You're sure you're up to it?"

"Of course I am! I haven't been flying for two weeks, I'm getting withdraw symptoms."

"After two weeks? I don't think 'Addict' is a strong enough word," Harry said teasing her.

"Get lost Potter."

"See ya," he replied with a grin as he walked out after Sirius.

Kristine turned her attention to Dumbledore, who was sitting behind his desk smiling patiently.

"Sorry Sir," Kristine said taking a seat opposite the Headmaster.

"No need to apologise, it's a wonderful thing to see. Harry has never had a proper family. He's only had friends since he came to Hogwarts; it is very pleasant to know that even with the horrendous past behind us, some things remain the same. You both were meant to be close. You have a special bond, treasure it."

Kristine nodded, "He's my brother."

"Is that how you both see the relationship?"

Kristine eyed the older man curiously. Surely Dumbledore wasn't giving her counselling on her love life?

"Yes," Kristine replied certainly, "We're family. We'll stick together through everything."

"I take it from that response that the owner of the other half of your necklace is not our Mr Potter then?"

Kristine's hand instinctively went to the chain around her neck. She realised that the movement confirmed Dumbledore's suspicions.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"Educated guess I'm afraid. However, I did see that rather illuminating display coming from the Astronomy Tower. Only one spell could create such a beautiful sight."

"Did anyone else see?"

"I doubt that. I was only fortunate enough to see anything due to a late night call from Ethiopia. Your secret is safe. Do you mind if I ask who the lucky man is?"

Kristine smiled a little against her will.

"I don't think I can tell you Sir, its...delicate."

"It's not one of the staff is it?" Dumbledore said, sounding perfectly serious.

"What!? No, it's a student. Definitely a student," Kristine said, but then she felt an overwhelming feeling to tell Dumbledore the truth, the whole truth.

From all the stories she had heard of Harry's adventures over the years, most of the more distressing elements could have been avoided if he had just asked Dumbledore for help.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir, if I tell you, you won't let it out will you? I mean, you will promise to keep it a secret. I'm not asking you to conceal a little love affair, if it gets out, the repercussions will be very serious. More than you could ever know."

"I will of course keep my word, however if the situation is as dangerous as you say, it may be wise to let me know what the full story is. I will only break my promise if your safety, or that of the other concerned party is in very real danger."

"In all honesty Sir, unless this secret gets out, we should both be perfectly safe."

Dumbledore remained silent, allowing Kristine to prepare herself.

"Draco Malfoy," she said, "It's Draco Malfoy."

Dumbledore took a deep breath and settled himself back in his chair. He had his fingertips pressed together, hands hovering just below his face.

"I understand your situation, and I'm afraid I must ask you one question, and do try not to be offended by it."

Kristine nodded.

"Are you absolutely sure you can trust Draco?"

"100% certain," she replied.

"Then I am glad. I had always hoped he would break away from his Father's side."

Kristine couldn't think of anything to say to this, so she sat silently, until finally Dumbledore spoke again.

"Your secret is safe with me. As long as you are under the protection of Hogwarts, you will both be out of harm's way."

"Thank you," Kristine said quietly.

"There is one other thing I would like to talk to you about. I was wondering if you had any questions for me."

"Questions? About what?"

"About the prophecy, your destiny. About you Mother."

"There is one thing, if you don't mind," Kristine said slowly.

"Go ahead," Dumbledore prompted her.

"I'd like to know why my Mother died. Was it because of me?"

The question had been hanging in the back of her mind for a while now.

"No," Dumbledore replied, "It was nothing to do with Voldemort's wish to find you. I don't believe he even knew that Diana was your Mother, otherwise he would not have been so careless as to let her go."

"Let her go?"

"You are aware that your parents were Aurors in their youth, and that they retook the post to help me. Sirius was reluctant to speak of what happened, but what I can tell you is that your Mother died protecting innocent people, and that her sacrifice did not go unnoticed. She saved a lot of people. You should be proud of her."

"I am, I always have been. I was lucky to have had her as a Mother, just as I'm lucky to have Harry and my Father with me now."

"You are an astounding young women Kristine."

"No, I've just been lucky enough to have lived around astounding people."

"Is there anything else you'd like to know before you leave?"

"Not especially, but can I ask you, when you hear something about Pettigrew, to let me and Harry know."

"Of course. Have a lovely day."

"You too," Kristine said, and she left the office in search of Draco, thinking how he'd react to her telling Dumbledore. Only one way to find out, and she pulled out the charm around her neck.

*

"You did what!?" Draco exclaimed, a little too loudly.

He and Kristine were sitting at a table at the back of the library.

"Shhhh! Someone will hear us," Kristine said urgently, "Look, sweetie, its not that bad, really, it isn't. Dumbledore won't tell anyone, we can trust him, and if you think about it, it'll be good to have someone know about us, that way if anything goes wrong, we'll be protected. He can help us."

"I know that, I just wanted to see what your battle plan to this argument was going to be. Its fine, I don't mind you telling him," Draco said and Kristine saw that he had been winding her up.

"Are you serious?"

"Yep."

"You let me worry and panic like that just for the hell of it?"

"Oh no, I let you worry and panic like that for the fun of it."

Kristine sighed, half out of relief and half out of exasperation.

"Your lucky I love you, otherwise your hair would be a very fetching shade of blue now."

"As long as its midnight blue that's fine. Pastel colours are just not in this season."

"Are you absolutely sure your not gay? I mean, if you are, I'd rather know now. We can still be friends."

"Your lucky I love you, otherwise that chair would just have vanished from underneath you."

"Want to go for a walk?"

"Sure, round the lake?"

"I was thinking more like to the old Divination classroom in the East Wing, you know? The one that is always empty because Professor Trelawney decided it had bad Chi and moved everything up to he attic when she first arrived."

"Why do you want to go up there?" Draco asked.

Kristine leaned over and whispered something in his ear that made a mischievous grin appear on his face.

"I love you," he said as he grabbed her hand and dragged her out the back door of the library.