Harry Potter and the Violet Chain

Chapter Two

Harry quickly seized his wand from his pocket. He had always made sure that he had his wand near him all the time, to protect him from Voldermort or Death Eaters.

'Move away!' shouted Harry at Uncle Vernon, whose huge body was blocking the doorway.

Uncle Vernon flattened himself against the wall, and was still blocking half of the doorway, but Harry did not waste any time.

'Expelliar...'

'Harry! It's me!' the man in the cape cried.

Harry's hand was still outstretched, holding his wand, ready to disarm the man in cape.

'Oh my god,' exclaimed Harry, dropping his wand hand quickly. 'Oh my god... Sirius!'

Harry ran over to the door and hugged his godfather. He heard further cries from Uncle Vernon as he fled to the living room. He did not think a lot of serial killer in his house.

'What are you doing here?' cried Harry. 'How did you come here? Are you here to pick me up? What's wrong?'

Sirius was looking grim and pale. A rush of panic swept Harry's heart. Harry did not know what to think and how to feel, yet he was prepared for the worst. It suddenly dawned upon him that his godfather would not appear at his doorstep unless something very terrible had happened, as he was risking his life for being near Harry.

'I need to bring you away from here,' said Sirius quietly, but clearly. 'Now!'

Harry nodded and turned around to get his stuff.

'Leave your stuff there. Someone will come and get them for you,' said Sirius, 'Come with me.'

Sirius grabbed Harry's hand and tugged him close to his side. Harry could only manage to drag along as he was being held firmly. They went as far as down the road, near Magnolia Crescent, when Sirius halted. He was looking down at the road all those while, as if searching for something, and he found what he was looking for. He bent down and reached for a crushed, empty can. Harry's heart thumped madly and felt as crushed as the can.

'No!' cried Harry, panicked. 'No!'

Sirius startled with Harry's sudden horror. 'It's a portkey, Harry.'

'I know!' said Harry angrily. 'How do I know if you are Sirius?' Sirius was so shocked that he let loose off Harry's grip.

'Harry... I am your godfather...'

'Tell me or show me something that will make me believe you,' said Harry slowly and shaking, containing his anger and fear.

Sirius looked searchingly at Harry, his face contorted, trying to think of something to say. Feeling resigned, Sirius swerved around him, hoping to find something to show Harry instead.

'There!' said Sirius excitedly. He was pointing to a black spot between two houses on Magnolia Crescent. 'I was standing there, I mean, I was a dog... when I very first saw you, with your trunk, Hedwig's empty cage...'

'Sirius!' cried Harry, his whole body shaking. He had heard enough to believe him. Strings of words tumbled out of Harry. 'I'm so, so sorry. It's just that... the portkey... you suddenly appeared... someone I trust... like Moody... Triwizard cup...'

'Its okay, Harry... I understand,' assured Sirius. 'But we need to hurry now. Come.'

Holding Harry's arm, Sirius reached for the empty can. Harry felt a familiar jolt in his stomach. Past memories came rushing to his mind, as quickly as the portkey was transporting him and his godfather, right beside him, to a place he yet to know where, and he did not want to know yet. He closed his eyes, trying to forget the last trip he had with a portkey, but to no avail. He suddenly felt his feet touching the ground and he fell out of balance.

'Harry!'

Harry opened his eyes and quickly got to his feet.

'Ron!' cried Harry.

Harry found himself standing on a garden patch, fully grown with wild weeds, the Burrow looming in front of him. Ron was running towards him, so was Mr. Weasley, Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George and Mrs. Weasley.

'Harry!' shouted Ron.

'Ron!' shouted Harry.

'What took you so long?' asked Ron.

Harry's lips broke into smile, as he hugged his best friend. 'I'll tell you later,' Harry whispered to Ron's ear. Harry caught Sirius' eyes and gave him a smile.

Before Ron could say anything, Mrs. Weasley seized Harry from Ron and marched him into the house.

'What are you two thinking, really, standing out there in the dark, at these times, really,' muttered Mrs. Weasley, brushing wild weeds off Harry's clothes at the same time.

Everyone, including Sirius, was seated in the living room with a mug of hot chocolate in each of their hands. Everyone was calm but some of them were solemn, some, especially Harry, was confused.

'Harry, are you all right?' asked Mr. Weasley.

'I'm fine,' said Harry sheepishly. He was ashamed that so many people had to concern about him and worry for him.

'Good,' said Mr. Weasley, and he stared around the living room aimlessly.

It seemed like no one knew what to say, how to say or where to begin, so Harry thought that since it was all about him anyway, he should start talking about it, as his mind was reeling with confusion. Even Ron was quiet, but he kept fidgeting in his seat on Harry's left.

'Mr. Weasley,' Harry called out and asked, 'did you go over to my house to pick me up?'

'Well, Harry,' said Mr. Weasley, slightly shocked for being addressed. 'We were supposed to, I mean, Ron and I. But, well, something happened... the ministry... we had to... I mean, we... Ron wanted...'

'Voldermort was there, Harry' said Sirius. The Weasleys flinched in unison.

Harry stared right into the eyes of his godfather. 'He couldn't be,' said Harry, shaking his head. 'My scar... it did not hurt me. I know when Voldermort is near. Besides, he can't get near me at Privet Drive, Dumbledore assured me of that.'

'Privet Drive was protected, but to let the Ministry car to go in to pick you up, we need to release the protection for a few minutes. But Voldermort was too quick; he had been watching you closely all the while you were there, waiting for one moment to get hold of you. Dumbledore was watching as well, and he never thought that Voldermort would had gain back his strength so quickly, so he thought a few minutes would not do you any harm.' Sirius put down his mug.

'But he was wrong. Mr. Weasley and Ron were really on their way, when they were ordered by Dumbledore to turn back.' Ron nodded eagerly at Harry, agreeing to everything Sirius was saying. 'We thought that something had happened to you, until we got back here, and Dumbledore told us about the situation we were in,' said Ron.

'Professor Dumbledore was here?' asked Harry curiously. 'Where is he now?'

'He is in Privet Drive now, Harry,' said Sirius. 'Don't worry; he is fine, just need to, erm, sort out some stuff.' 'Some stuff' would be the Dursleys, his belongings and Voldermort, Harry presumed.

'But how come you were there, Sirius?' Harry turned to look at his godfather again.

'I was the nearest to you, so, Dumbledore contacted me to pick you up and use a portkey that he had prepared. He always had contingency planning, Professor Dumbledore,' said Sirius, his lips twitching a smile.

'Nearest to me?' said Harry in disbelief. Sirius nodded and gave him a look that meant something like 'don't ask me to explain that in front of so many people' look.

Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat loudly, and ushered her kids to bed as it was getting late. 'You can stay for a while longer, Mr. Black. I am sure you have a lot to tell Harry,' she said, giving a warm, pitiful look at Harry.

'Thank you, Molly,' said Sirius. Harry returned her a thankful smile.

Slowly, one by one of the Weasleys filed upstairs. 'See you in my room, Harry,' said Ron, giving Sirius a smile before he disappeared out of the door. At last, only Harry and Sirius were left in the living room.

'You were nearest to me?' asked Harry again, still in disbelief.

'Of course I was,' said Sirius, leaning back against his chair and relaxed his muscle. 'I am your godfather, Harry. You are the only thing in my life; where else do you want me to be?'

'But, where were you?'

'Oh, I could never go near Four Privet Drive, no one could, except muggles, well, until tonight,' said Sirius. 'I was down the road, at Arabella's house. Mrs. Figgs to you.'

'She is a witch?'

'She is a great witch,' Sirius corrected Harry.

'Oh,' said Harry. He would really liked to ask about Mrs. Figgs, how old was she, about her cats, the cabbage smell, but, there were other more interesting things to ask than that.

'If you let me know you were near me, I would be happy!' cried Harry. 'But, Hedwig normally would be gone a few days every time he sent post to you, if you were so near...'

'Oh, that,' Sirius smiled slyly. 'That was Dumbledore. I mean, each mail to me would go to Dumbledore first,' added Sirius quickly when he saw the dumbfounded look on Harry's face. 'To eliminate any traces of me, that is.'

'I'm sorry, but I got to get going, Harry,' said Sirius, getting up from his chair.

'No! Stay for the night!' pleaded Harry.

'I would love to, but I can't,' said Sirius, apologetically.

'But, I thought you are to look after me,' said Harry, confused.

'Dumbledore has new assignments for me, I hope you will understand,' said Sirius.

Harry could not understand why his encounters with his godfather were always so brief. He always felt comfortable when his godfather was around, and yet, he could never be around him.

Harry had no choice but to agree. 'But, can I ask you one last question before you go?' asked Harry.

Sirius stood there looking at Harry, waiting for his question.

'Was Voldermort really at Privet Drive?' asked Harry.

Sirius let out a deep sigh. 'I don't know,' Sirius shook his head. 'Dumbledore said he was near, and it was too dangerous for the Weasleys to pick you up. Maybe he was not near, maybe it was part of Dumbledore's plan, I don't know. All I know is, I trust Dumbledore.'

'I trust him too,' said Harry.

Sirius gave Harry a smile and seized him for a hug. 'Promise me, follow Dumbledore orders,' said Sirius.

'I promise you,' said Harry.

Harry walked Sirius to the fireplace, as he was to travel using floo powder. A sudden panic raced Harry's mind.

'Sirius, is it safe here, at the Burrow?' asked Harry quickly.

'Yes, I supposed so. Dumbledore said so,' said Sirius.

'I am not afraid... I just want to make sure,' Harry hesitated. 'I don't want anything to happen to the Weasleys, because of me.'

'I understand,' said Sirius, resting his hand on Harry's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. He then climbed into the fireplace and held out some floo powder in his hand. 'We will make sure that you are all safe here,' he said to Harry.

And he was gone.

Chapter Three

''We'? Who did he mean by 'we'?' asked Ron, lying on his stomach on his bed. He had been waiting for Harry all those while Harry was downstairs talking to his godfather. Harry came up not long ago, and he was telling Ron everything that he had discussed with Sirius and what happened at Privet Drive.

Harry shrugged. 'I don't know, maybe Lupin, Snape, Dumbledore... not Fudge for one.' Cornelius Fudge was the Minister for Magic and he disagreed with Dumbledore with everything and refused to believe the fact that Voldermort had risen.

'So, you don't know if you-know-who was there tonight?' asked Ron, eyeing Harry carefully.

Harry shook his head. 'No one knows for sure, besides Dumbledore,' he said. 'Tell me what happened here.'

Ron then ventured into his side of the tale enthusiastically. He and his dad went into the Ministry's car which his dad had arranged for them, according to Dumbledore's orders. Fudge was a bit tetchy over all the arrangements as they came from Dumbledore, but he had a soft spot for Harry Potter, so he agreed anyway.

'Why would Dumbledore wants a Ministry car to pick me up?' asked Harry quizzically.

'Beats me,' Ron shrugged. 'Anyway, we were halfway to your place when an owl appeared at our car window. Dad took the post from its legs and recognized Dumbledore's handwriting straight away. The letter asked us to get back to the Burrow quickly. And we went back.'

'And Dumbledore was already here?' asked Harry.

'Yup. Mom was hysterical when we got back, and I thought, something had happened to you...' said Ron, his voice trailing. 'Dumbledore then told us that, you-know-who was around your place, so it was not safe for us to go. And you would be here soon. And here you are!' beamed Ron.

Harry beamed back at him. Nothing could be compared with sharing his thoughts, his feelings and his presence with Ron.

'Harry, you said that you would tell me something about why you got here late. What was it?'

'Oh, that,' Harry then told Ron about his suspicion over Sirius, the portkey, and how he panicked.

'You did not!' shrieked Ron. 'How could you! Your godfather risked his life to get you out of there!'

'I know, I felt really terrible,' said Harry regretfully. He looked down on his bed, away from Ron. He felt the corner of his eyes burning.

'Harry, are you all right?' asked Ron eyeing Harry warily.

'I'm fine,' said Harry after taking a deep breath. 'Just tired.'

'I'm sorry Harry,' apologized Ron suddenly. Harry turned to look at Ron. 'I mean, I know it was really hard on you, what happened last time. It was perfectly normal for you to feel that way just now, I mean, with Sirius and all that.'

'Really?' asked Harry unconvincingly.

'Really,' assured Ron. 'I think I would freak out and pass out if I were you.' Ron nodded along with an on-the-spot demonstration of him passing out.

Harry laughed and threw a pillow at Ron. It hit Ron's face and he quickly seized a nearby pillow and they started a pillow fight.

'Shhhh, you two!'

Both of them turned to look at the doorway; both holding a pillow each with motions of throwing them at each other. They saw Percy standing there, still in his travel cloak and hat etc.

'Hi Harry,' said Percy, nodding at him. 'I know you had an eventful night tonight. Ron, even if you are not tired, I bet Harry is. Besides, the whole house is asleep. Go to bed!' Percy scowled at Ron and disappeared.

'He still thinks he is Head Boy sometimes, 'Go to bed!'' said Ron, sticking out his tongue.

'Actually, I am feeling very tired now,' said Harry.

'Oh yeah, right,' said Ron, throwing a pillow at Harry. Harry did not manage to dodge it but he was laughing anyway.

'Honestly, I think we should go to bed, before Percy come here and bore us about how we are disturbing him with his cauldron thickness report,' said Harry, fighting back his laugh, trying to sound really serious.

'Now you sound like Hermione!' said Ron, throwing another pillow at Harry. 'Okay, let's sleep now, shall we?'

Harry was beaming when he changed into his sleeping clothes. It was really nice to be back at the Burrow. Right at that time, Harry thought that he would not mind staying there forever. All his favourite people are there, the Weasleys, and he was sure they would not mind Sirius coming now and then, and Hermione was usually there when Harry was there too.

'Is Hermione coming to stay?' asked Harry.

'Wha..? Oh,' Ron suddenly seemed to be very interested on his Cannon's bed sheet. 'She was supposed to come tomorrow. But Dumbledore said it will be better if she doesn't.' said Ron in a musical voice.

'We'll see her in the train then?' said Harry, trying to hide his disappointment.

'Yeah, right,' said Ron shortly.

They both climbed on their bed quietly, each seemed to be thinking of something. Harry could not help feeling bad about being suspicious over Sirius earlier. How could he had such thought crossing his mind. If he could not even trust Sirius, who else was there for he to trust? Sirius had risked his life, not only for him, but for his parents as well. His dad had trusted him because they were best friends.

'Ron,' Harry suddenly had something in his mind that he must ask Ron.

'Yeah, Harry?' Ron's voice was grouchy, must had fallen asleep already. But Harry must ask.

'Will you ever betray me?' asked Harry.

'What? Of course not!' shouted Ron.

'Shhhh... you don't want to wake Percy,' hushed Harry, but he had a smile on his face. 'Thanks Ron.'

'You are welcome,' said Ron. He yawned. 'By the way, Percy had finished his cauldron thickness report ages ago. I don't know what became of it. But he is now working on a standard for brass scales. As... yawn... boring.'

'No, I think he may be able to interest Hermione,' said Harry. They both giggled and a few minutes later, they were fast asleep.

The next morning, Harry woke up and found that he was alone in Ron's room. He quickly dressed and went down to the kitchen. The kitchen was empty when he reached there, but on the table was a plate of bacons, eggs, sausages and toasts. Hunger pangs suddenly struck him, and he sat down and tucked in.

'Looks like you won't be having lunch with us.'

Harry turned around and saw Mrs. Weasley coming into the kitchen with bags of groceries hovering next to her, which she directed using a wand.

'Good morning, Mrs. Weasley,' mumbled Harry, his mouth half full with bacon.

'Afternoon soon, dear,' winked Mrs. Weasley. 'You were sleeping peacefully just now; I did not want to wake you up. Besides, the boys and Ginny were down at Diagon Alley.'

Harry stopped munching his food and stared at Mrs. Weasley with mouth half opened. 'Why... why didn't Ron wait for me,' Harry managed to spurt out.

'Oh, I'm sorry Harry, I thought you knew,' said Mrs. Weasley frantically. 'I thought Dumbledore would have told you, careless of me to assume. Should have asked him... or asked you. You are not allowed to go to Diagon Alley, Harry. Dumbledore said so. It is too dangerous for you.' Mrs. Weasley looked apologetically at Harry.

'Oh... right,' said Harry.

Harry ate the remaining of his breakfast quietly, while Mrs. Weasley prepared for lunch in the same silence. Ron could have told him last night, but he did not. Maybe he forgot, thought Harry. He finished his breakfast and went to put his dishes into the sink when he heard thuds and yowls coming from the fireplace. Both Mrs. Weasley and Harry quickly left the kitchen and went to the living room. Standing, some lying on the floor, were the Weasleys juniors, all black and grubby.

'Hi Harry,' said Ron, picking himself up from the floor near the fireplace, covered in soot. He then picked up two large bags with equal amount of soot covering them.

'I helped you got some of your stuff. Here,' Ron tossed one of the bags at Harry.

Harry caught it and opened up his bag. In there were some books for his fifth year classes, some potions ingredients, quills, parchments, tarot cards, sugar bombs and a small silver bowl, the size of the palm of Harry's hand.

'The tarot cards are for Divination. Sugar bombs are from me, and the pensive is from Hermione,' said Ron quickly as he saw Harry looking uncertainly at those things.

'Hermione was there too?' asked Harry in disbelief.

Ron nodded. Harry was quite certain that he saw Ron's ears turning red, but he was not sure about his face as it was covered with soot. 'She has a note for you,' added Ron quickly, retrieving a crumpled piece of parchment from his robe.

Harry took it and read:

Hi Harry!

Glad that you are safe at the Burrow now. So sorry that you can't come to Diagon Alley with Ron, we sure miss you here. I got a little gift for you, a pensive. I remember you told me that Dumbledore has one, and I thought, it would be nice to have somewhere to store away memories, especially unhappy ones. We should only keep happy memories within ourselves.

Anyway, I will see you soon on the train. Really miss you a lot. Can't wait to be back at Hogwarts again! OWL's this year as well!

Hermione

P.s. Say hi to Sirius for me, also to Hedwig. Oh yeah, Ron told me about Percy's work on standards for brass scale, I really do find it interesting, honestly!

Harry smiled as he folded the piece of parchment and tucked it into his pocket. Ron just appeared back from the kitchen. He went in to put down his shopping when Harry was reading Hermione's letter. He was looking awkwardly at Harry, and Harry could see that he was neither black nor red, as he was clean now.

'I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I was going to Diagon Alley,' said Ron. 'I didn't know that you didn't know that...'

'Oh, come on,' said Harry, cutting Ron short. 'There is no 'sorry' between us.' Harry smiled at Ron. Ron beamed back at Harry.

Harry spent the rest of the day, and the rest of the week playing quidditch at the Burrow's overgrown garden with the Weasleys, as Harry could not leave the house for somewhere with more space. At night, they played wizard's chess or exploding snap or just running around the house from Fred and George's tricks and gags.

The whole week passed by without anything eventful, which to Harry, was good news. Bill and Charlie had returned to their posts at work and the house was a little quieter without them.

The morning before returning to Hogwarts, an owl from Hogwarts arrived during breakfast. Each of their annual booklists and reminders from Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House were already sent the week before Harry came. So, an owl from school was a bit of a surprise for the Weasleys.

'Must be for you Harry,' said Ron, tucking in to some scrambled eggs. 'Dumbledore probably wants to say 'hi' to you.'

'Probably a warning to Fred and George - not to bring any tricks back to Hogwarts,' said Mrs. Weasley sarcastically.

'Maybe it is for Ron,' said Fred hastily, trying to change the subject. 'Maybe, it's... it's asking Ron to ... be a prefect! Yeah, a prefect!'

Right on cue, the owl dropped its post on Ron's plate. Ron stopped chewing with his mouth half full and glared at the letter in front of him. Indeed, it was addressed to 'Mr. Ron Weasley'. Ron picked it up with his hands shaking and looked at Harry blankly.

'Open it up!' hurried Mrs. Weasley. 'About time we have a prefect in the family.' She scowled dangerously at Fred and George, who were looking at their cereal bowls intently.

'Why are you still holding it, Ron?' asked Ginny anxiously, who was getting all excited with the matter.

Harry saw Ron clumsily tearing the envelope and out dropped - a prefect's badge, and a long groan from Ron. Ginny picked and held it up for everyone to see.

'Oh Ron! You are a prefect!' squealed Ginny happily. Mrs. Weasley was grinning from ear to ear.

'Oh no!' groaned Ron. 'I don't want to be one!'

'Don't be silly!' said Mrs. Weasley. 'It is an honour!'

Fred and George snorted into their cereal and were suddenly engaged in a series of coughs. Ginny picked up the letter Ron had left lying on the table and read:

Dear Mr. Ronald Weasley,

We are pleased to inform you that you had been chosen to be a prefect of Gryffindor House. Enclosed is a badge which you need to wear at all times when you are at Hogwarts.

Prefects have a special carriage in the Hogwarts Express, and you will be given introductory talks and instructions then. It is anticipated that you are ready to take on any challenges and tasks given to you in the coming school year.

We hope you will perform loyalty, honesty and competency to Gryffindor House and especially, Hogwarts.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Head of Gryffindor House.

'Wow!' exclaimed Ginny. Fred and George were having difficulties stifling their laughter, which they ended up choking themselves. Ginny's lips were tracing the last line of the letter ['loyalty, honesty and competency...']. Ron was dumbfounded and looked as if he was petrified. Harry could not help grinning, but was trying very hard to pull his face right to look at Ron.

'Congratulations Ron,' said Harry, as he could not think of anything else to say.

'Hey look!' cried Ginny suddenly. 'There's another owl coming!'

And this time, the owl dropped a mail at Harry's plate. Everyone including Ron turned to stare at Harry.

'Looks like you got one too,' said Ron, easing a little bit.

Harry quickly seized his letter and tore it open. Please, let it not have a prefect's badge in it, begged Harry, please. The content of the envelope dropped on the table. Harry stared at it amidst gasps around the table.

It was not a prefect's badge.