After All This Time - Book 2

A newspaper slammed down on the table infront of me, causing me to jump slightly and drop the eggs from my fork.

"Shit Harry, you couldn't have told us more calmly that you were here" Ron growled, picking up the goblet that he had knocked over.

I reached across my plate and grabbed The Daily Prophet, reading the article on the front page.

"Sturgis Podmore sent to Azkaban for trying to break into the Ministry?" I handed the paper over to Hermione, looking back as Harry quizzingly.

"A member of The Order."

"Why would he be trying to break into the Ministry?" Hermione asked, scanning the front page.

"I don't think he went there just to break in" Ron interjected, taking to paper from Hermione. "It sounds like he was set up."

"Do you think by the Ministry?" Harry said, glancing over at Ron.

Ron shrugged, his eyes grazing over the story. "Dad said the Ministry is trying to prevent The Order from re-forming so I wouldn't be surprised."

"By the way Harry, has Sirius said anything?"

Harry shook his head, shoving a fork full of eggs in his mouth. "I don't really expect a reply anytime soon, with him being in hiding-"

Harry stopped talking as a loud clicking sound began echoing through the Great Hall. I turned my head slightly to see Umbridge walking in towards our table, a smug look on her face. Ron and Harry immediately jumped up, gathering their quidditch things before running out of the hall. I turned back around and started gathering my things when the clicking stopped right behind me.

"Miss Potter" I heard a shrill voice from behind me say.

"Yes Professor?" I said quietly, turning in my seat.

"I was looking for Mr. Malfoy. I assumed he would be with you."

"Sorry Professor, I haven't seen him this morning."

Umbridge stared at me for a moment before turning on her heel and walking out of the hall. I turned back to Hermione who had frozen in place until Umbridge had left.

"I'm going to the library if you wish to join and hide" she said, slowly standing from the table and gathering her things.

I nodded, quickly throwing my books into my bag and following her out of the hall.

~

A loud thud echoed through the common room, drawing our attention from studying to a nearby window. Ron stood up from his spot on the floor, walking over to the window and unlatching it. A small brown owl hopped onto the windowsill, looking curiously around at all of us. Ron snatched the letter from its leg before slamming the window shut. He walked back over to our group, plopping down on the floor and opening the letter.

"Who's it from" Harry asked, looking up from his book.

"Percy" Ron replied, rolling his eyes. "He just wanted to congratulate me on becoming prefect and....is warning me to stay away from you?"

Ron wadded up the letter and tossed it into the fire, adverting his attention back to his books. None of us said anything about the letter, it was probably best not to.

The common room had grown quiet, only the soft crackling of the fire could now be heard. Curfew was approaching and most students had either gone to bed or were on their way. The four of us were alone in the common room for about half an hour when a soft hissing sound started coming from the fire. No one paid much attention to it at first, but it kept growing louder until at last a man's voice came from it.

"Harry!"

The four of us whipped our heads up, looking around the common room to see if someone had joined us. No one had come in though, not even the twins to play a joke on us. I started to turn my attention back to my book when I heard Harry exclaim "blood hell." I looked over to where he was pointing and there, in the fire, was the face of Sirius Black. The four of us scooted close around the fire, blocking the view of anyone who might wander into the room.

"Sirius?" we all whispered, looking quizzingly at the face in the fire.

"Yes" he replied softly, his eyes scanning all of us. "Harry, it's not safe for me to write so I had to tell you here. Now your scar burning, you shouldn't worry about it. As far as I know it will burn whenever Voldemort feels a strong emotion."

"But what about Umbridge" Harry asked, lightly rubbing his forehead.

"As unpleasant as she is, she isn't a Death Eater. I would still try not to get too involved with her though. Also, I still do not know of Hagrid's whereabouts. I asked Remus, but he is also unsure. I assure you though, wherever he is, he is safe."

I sat around the fire for a bit longer, listening to Harry and Sirius talk until his face completely faded away from the fire. I climbed up onto the couch to continue studying, but found that my mind kept wandering. I pulled a piece of parchment and a quill from my bag and started writing my parents a letter. It was already halfway through September and I hadn't spoken to them since I left for Malfoy Manor. I quickly scribbled down a note telling them how I was doing and how busy I had been with classes and my "potions apprenticeship". I gathered up my things and ran up to my room, yelling a quick goodnight over my shoulder at the other three. As I entered my room I found Helios perched on my bed, awaiting my letter. I attached it to his leg as he gave me a quick peck on the cheek before flying back out my window. As I turned back to my bed, I noticed a small black envelope laying where Helios had been perched. I picked it up, turning it over in my hands before opening it and pulling out a small black card.

I need to talk to you tomorrow during divination

-D

PS I'd like to know how your owl somehow appeared in my room while I was writing this note

My brows furrowed as I read the note again, remembering that Umbridge had been looking for him. I shoved the letter back into the envelope, tossing it into my bag.