Harry Potter and the Slytherin Connection

Chapter 12

Happiness

Harry couldn't help himself. He laughed. "At last," said Harry. "A plan I can deal with."

Harry swore he had never had a better holiday. It was like living a dream. They played Quidditch almost everyday, had snowball fights and even constructed a very impressive snow fort. Nothing on the outside world touched him and Harry couldn't have cared less.

The most fun was when Remus had showed up one evening after the Weasleys had gone home. He had a box with him.

"What's in the box?" said Harry with interest. Remus dropped the box on Harry's lap, fixed himself and drink and found a chair near Sirius.

"So you found it?" said Sirius.

"Yes," said Remus. "Went through the stuff you gave me too. It's all in there."

"What?" said Harry, looking between the two of them.

"Just look, Harry," said Sirius. "Merry Christmas."

Harry put the box on the floor in front of him and leaned over it to shuffle through it. Old parchment, little trinkets, some jewelry, letters. Harry picked up a stack of the letters and realization hit him.

"This stuff is from my parents?" said Harry, looking at Sirius.

Sirius looked at Remus. "All the fun he's been having has made him a bit slow, don't you think?"

Remus laughed but now Harry's curiosity had gone nuts. He grabbed a stack of notes that were tied together.

Dear Remus,

James is absolutely horrible. How could he do this to me? I hate him. I'll never speak to him again.

Harry looked up Remus.

"Lily always came crying to me when she was mad at your father," said Remus.

And don't you dare tell him why I'm mad at him. If you do, I'll never forgive you.

Lily

Harry flipped to the next one. It appeared that Remus had ordered them.

Dear Sirius,

What the hell is going on? Why isn't Lily writing to me? I haven't done anything wrong. Remus says I have but says he's sworn to secrecy so he can't tell me. Do you know? YOU haven't done anything, have you? I swear, Sirius, if you got me into trouble again I'll have to kill you and I'd hate to loose my best friend.

Give me clue, will you.

James

Dear Sirius,

This is getting ridiculous. If I get one more tear stained owl from Lily I'm going to shoot James with the nastiest spell I can come up with. I can't tell him, but you can. But if you tell Lily that I told you, I'll kill you as well.

James missed their anniversary. Totally blew it off.

Harry looked up at Remus.

"When Sirius first asked her to be his steady. It was on the train on the way home for the summer during our 6^th year," said Remus.

"Not that I'm obligated to remember," said Sirius, "But I had tried to drop James a few hints after seeing how mad Lily was getting."

"That's were you get your temper, Harry," said Remus.

Harry nodded, looking back down at the note. "Snape told me."

Sirius sat up. "Severus told you?" said Sirius. "How much did he tell you?"

Harry looked up. "All of it, I think," said Harry.

Sirius looked at Remus.

"Well that's out," sighed Remus. "Albus isn't going to like that."

"Why?" said Harry.

"But we aren't going to tell Albus, are we, Remus?" said Sirius.

"Not on your life," said Remus.

"Why? What is going on?" said Harry.

"Let's just say we don't think it's a good idea if Voldemort knows that you know that Severus tried to save Lily's life," said Remus.

Harry nodded. He might use the knowledge to manipulate Harry in some way. Harry was starting to understand why Dumbledore wanted to keep information from Harry. The more Harry knew, the more could be used against him. Brilliant man. Harry should have listened to him.

The next letter was to Sirius.

Sirius, you miserable, rotten, mangy, underhanded scoundrel! YOU TOLD HIM. I'll hate you until I die. Don't talk to me, don't write to me. You even look at me and I'll put your eyes out! I'll never forgive you!

"It's not signed," said Harry. "My mother?"

"Oh yes," said Sirius.

Harry looked to the next one.

Dear Sirius,

I believe you may have received an owl from Lily which was well um, not very nice. She's written to me telling me that she's called you all sorts of terrible things and threatened you with horrible retribution.

Knowing you, my friend, as well as I do, the names were probably very accurate but Lily feels terrible about it now. I patched things up nicely with her and I think now she thinks I may be angry with her because she took it out on you.

Don't blow this on me, Sirius. I'm counting on you.

James

The next note looked like it had been written by a shaking hand.

My dearest Sirius,

I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. You know how my temper runs amok. I couldn't bear it if you were angry with me or with James because of all the horrible things I said. Please tell me you forgive me. I won't be able to sleep if we can't all be friends again.

Lily

Dear Remus,

He hasn't written back to me. Oh, Remus, what am I going to do? James will hate me. Please write to Sirius. He has to forgive me. He just HAS to.

Lily

Dear Remus,

What is Sirius doing? I'm going to kill him. Have you heard from him? Peter hasn't heard from him either. It's like he's dropped off the face of the earth. Let me know if you hear anything.

James

Dear Sirius,

You have four people worried sick now. I don't think this is at all funny.

Peter

Harry blinked at that one then looked up at Sirius. "What were you doing?"

"Lying through my teeth," said Sirius. "I waited about a week and then wrote to them all saying that we had been away. I made up some vacation details and asked how everyone was doing."

"You played dumb?" said Harry.

Sirius nodded. "It was exactly what James wanted me to do."

"But wouldn't the owls have brought back the letters if they couldn't deliver them."

"Our house elf was very absentminded and everyone knew it. If I told them I hadn't gotten any owls they would have blamed her," said Sirius. "It was convenient for me because I had to rely on that excuse a lot."

Dear Sirius,

Hah! Good one. You could probably fake your own death and get away with it. I'm impressed.

Anyway, you asked how I managed to patch things up. Well she wouldn't write to me so I sent some flowers then went into town. It took me half an hour to find one of those Muggle money telephones, figure out how it worked then get the right currency for it. Then I had to get her number. As her family is Muggle, they were listed in that book they use and I called her.

I had to keep feeding coins into that bloody machine because it took me ten minutes to convince the person on the other end (who I later found out was Lily's sister Petunia) that I was a friend of Lily's from school. When I mentioned school I thought the girl would hang up on me.

Anyway, I think Lily was impressed with the effort I put forth to make up. I apologized and basically groveled and she started to cry and everything was back to normal.

By the way, have you heard from Remus since the last full moon. I haven't. I'm a little worried. Let me know.

James

Dear Sirius,

Will you tell James to lay off all ready. I'm fine. Just because I can be with you three in school now when I transform, doesn't mean I'm not used to doing it alone. And tell him to watch his mouth. If Lily finds out, she'll throw a fit and then everyone's secret will be out.

Remus

Harry looked up. "My mum didn't know?"

Sirius shook his head.

"She eventually found out about me, but thankfully by then she was so attached to me that it didn't bother her," said Remus. "I never wanted her to know, because I loved your mother too much to see her afraid of me."

"And we certainly couldn't tell her what we were doing at school," said Sirius. "She would have had a fit." Sirius laughed. "And she would have blamed me."

Remus laughed too. "Yes, she always blamed Sirius."

Harry laughed softly as he picked up another stack. This one had his attention because the one on top simply said:

SHE SAID YES!

No salutation, no signature. Harry turned it over.

"Oh, that was when James asked Lily to marry him. He sort of lost all sense of correspondence protocol,' said Sirius with a laugh. "Wasn't as bad as when you were born but it was bad enough."

Harry read through some of them. His father asking Sirius to be best man. His mother complaining to Remus about how difficult his father was being about her family. Remus complaining to Sirius even a few from Peter complaining to both Sirius and Remus that Lily had dragged him into the planning of the wedding. This really bothered Harry considering what Peter had done to them. To him.

"How did you all manage to stay friends after all this?" said Harry. "All you did was complain."

Sirius laughed.

"It was Peter," said Remus. Sirius stopped laughing.

"Really?" said Harry. "How?"

"Go ahead, Remus. He deserves to know."

Remus nodded at Sirius and turned to Harry. "Well in our little group, Lily had tags for us. James was the strength - he was the most powerful of us, Sirius was the brains - he was the smartest, I was the soul - Lily felt because my suffering, and Peter was the heart - he was always the one that cared. As well as the weakest link."

"That's why we should have know it was Peter," said Sirius. "The heart is always the first thing that breaks."

"Lily said that after one of your parents more painful rows," said Remus.

"Now I don't think that Peter was involved with Voldemort at the time of the wedding," said Sirius.

"No, I'm sure he wasn't," said Remus.

"Why?" said Harry.

"Well I think he would've tried to stop it of course," said Remus. "He would've wanted to prohibit the making of the next heir."

"Good point, Remus," said Sirius.

"Anyway, Peter pulled us all together the day of the wedding," said Remus. "All he did was point out the look on Lily's face when she walked down the isle."

Harry had to smile.

"That's it," said Sirius, looking at Harry. "Happiness."

And Harry felt bathed in it. Every night the three of them read more letters. Even the latter ones, when Lily was pregnant with Harry and Voldemort's reign of terror was at it's peek, couldn't detract from the excitement of reading what his father had to say to his friends.

Sirius,

I'm getting scared. Not only because Lily is almost due, but because I've been approached again. There is a spy in the Ministry. I'm sure of it. So is Albus. Voldemort is still hiding but the killing doesn't stop.

My dreams are getting worse.

Harry looked up. "My dad had dreams too?"

"Harry, you've been having dreams?" said Remus.

"Yes, Harry," said Sirius. "He had them too." He looked at Remus. "Yes, Remus. Harry has dreams too."

"Why didn't you say anything?" demanded Remus. "This could change everything."

"What?" said Harry.

"I would have, Remus, but Harry's dreams are present they aren't future," said Sirius.

"Oh," said Remus.

"My dad had dreams of the future that came true?" said Harry.

"He did," said Remus. "Would have been helpful if you did too."

"Sorry," mumbled Harry, looking back at the letter.

I need you with me, Sirius. Please come.

James

Harry looked up at Sirius again. His father always counted on him. Just like Harry always counted on him and on Ron and Hermione. A warmth spread over him as he looked at his godfather.

Sirius smiled gently at Harry. "If he called, I was there, Harry. Just as he had done for me many times. Just as I'd do for you."

"Me too, Harry," said Remus and Harry looked to him.

"Did he ever tell you his dreams?" said Harry.

Sirius stood up, moved to Harry and took the letters out of his hand. It was late.

"No, Harry," said Remus. "James always kept his dreams to himself."

Sirius took Harry by the arm and pulled him up. "He did admit to me though that he knew Lily was going to have a son," said Sirius.

Harry looked up at him. "What did he say?"

"He said a Phoenix told him," said Sirius. "Now, go to bed, it's late."

Harry hugged Sirius then turned to Remus who also hugged him. "Goodnight, Remus."

Harry woke up with the warmth of last night still lingering within him. He was getting dressed when something started tapping on his window. Harry opened the window to let the bird in.

It was a pathetic looking bird. It looked like a half-plucked turkey and almost as dead as one before a feast. More feathers fell off it when it landed on Harry's bed and looked up at him with dull almost lifeless eyes.

Harry yelled as the thing burst into flames with one loud shriek then realized it was a phoenix. He had seen Fawkes do this once. He quickly pulled the blanket with the fireball on it off his bed and put it on the floor so his bed wouldn't catch fire.

"What is it?" Sirius said rushing in. "What's going..." He stared at the fireball on the floor. "Where did that come from?" said Sirius as it turned into a pile of smoldering ashes.

"It just flew in the window," said Harry. A few minutes later, a tiny, wrinkled, newborn bird looking as ugly as the original poked its head out of the ash.

"It just flew in the window?" said Sirius. "Phoenixes just don't fly into people's window and burst into flames."

"Well it did," said Harry.

"Great," said Sirius.

"What?" said Harry.

"Look's like you have another pet," said Sirius. "That Phoenix picked you. It's yours now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well it came here right before it's rebirth. That means it picked you. It will be faithful only to you, now."

Harry picked up the little bird. It nestled into his palm and started to sing. Harry recognized the feeling he got from it. Harry looked into the little eyes. "You're right," said Harry. "She says she's mine."

From her perch, Hedwig hooted.

"What's going on up here," said Remus from the door. He surveyed the scene and guessed. "Harry got a Phoenix? Oh this is too weird."

"What? Why is that weird?" said Harry, settling the phoenix onto Hedwig's perch beside the water where she drank eagerly.

"Remus, will you keep your mouth shut for a change," said Sirius.

Harry remembered his thoughts about having too much information and rescued Remus. "Never mind," said Harry. "I'm very sure that I don't want to know."

Ron came over after breakfast with Ginny and Harry showed them his new pet.

"It really just came in the window?" said Ginny and she stroked it gently.

"Well it knocked first," said Harry.

"And it burst into flames right in front of you?" said Ron.

"Yes," said Harry. "Then she told me, she was mine."

"It's a girl then," said Ginny. Harry nodded. "What are you going to call her?"

"Haven't decided," said Harry. "What do you think?" he asked Ginny.

"Oh don't ask her, Harry," said Ron. "Look at the name she gave Pig."

Harry only laughed as he watched Ginny look at the phoenix intently as if giving it a great amount of thought. The phoenix started to sing.

"Does Hedwig like her?" asked Ron, glancing toward Harry's owl.

"I think the jury is still out on that one," said Harry. He lifted his arm and Hedwig flew to him. "You know you're my best owl, don't you girl?" said Harry, stoking Hedwig. Hedwig nipped his fingers and rubbed her head against his face.

"Rowan," said Ginny suddenly.

"What?" said Ron.

"Her name. It should be Rowan."

"Why?" said Harry.

"I don't know," said Ginny, stilling looking into the phoenix' eyes. "It just fits somehow."

Harry looked at the Phoenix who looked back peacefully, then looked at Hedwig. "What do you think, Girl?" said Harry. "Should we welcome Rowan into the family?"

Hedwig bit Harry's ear but nudged Ginny's arm then flew back to her perch.

"Was that a yes," said Ron.

"As much of a yes as you'll get from Hedwig," said Harry.

Ginny handed Rowan back to Harry. "Are we playing Quidditch today?" she asked.

"I'm always up for a game," said Harry, putting Rowan in the small compartment he had made for her.

"I'll go tell the boys," said Ginny as she took off. Ginny, Harry had discovered was quite a good chaser and she loved the game.

They all met at the clearing and had played two games when pain erupted in Harry's head.

"All right, Harry?" said Charlie. "Looked like you almost fell off there."

"Yeah, I'm all right," said Harry, scanning the ground briefly. He didn't see anything but dove down to Hermione who was refereeing and keeping score. Hermione didn't fly all that well and preferred to watch rather than play.

"Hermione," said Harry. "Ref the game from the air this time ok?"

"What? Why, Harry?"

"Please, just do it. I'm begging you."

"Oh all right," said Hermione with entire ill-grace. "But don't complain to me if I miss something."

"I won't," said Harry as he zoomed off. He did a full circle of the field and still didn't see anything.

"What's up, Harry?" said Ron, hovering next to him. "How'd you get Hermione in the air?"

"I asked her to," said Harry. "Ron. Voldemort's here."

"What?"

"I'm sure he's only watching but I can feel him. He's here."

"Shouldn't we leave now then?" said Ron.

"No way. I'm not going to let him spoil my fun."

"Right, then," said Ron. "Charlie, you ready?"

"We're ready," said Charlie. He aimed his wand at the box and all the balls erupted and the six of them (they were playing 3 on 3 - Fred, George, Charlie, Ron, Ginny and Harry) moved into the game.

Harry wasn't sure what the score was when he saw the Snitch. Charlie had seen it too though and they both raced toward it.

"Give it up, Harry," said Charlie, laughing.

But the Snitch dove. Harry smiled. Dives were his specialty. "No way, Charlie."

They both dove after it. Harry heard Ron shouting behind him. "You've got it, Harry. Charlie can't do that!"

Charlie pulled up a safe distance from the ground as the Snitch turned and Harry did what Ron was referring too. He jumped up onto his broom and pulled up even with the ground right behind the Snitch. Letting go of the broom, Harry reached out and dove, catching the snitch and tumbling on the ground after a perfect catch.

(A/N: Yes, I know that wasn't in the book, but it looked very impressive in the movie and it's so much more dramatic so I adopted it. Hehehe Sue me.)

"Keep that up, Harry," said Fred, circling him. "And they're going to start calling that the Potter Dive."

"I would never have even tried that when I was young," said Charlie, landing next to Harry. "That was very creative."

"He's done it before," said Hermione, coming to a rough landing beside them. "Harry's famous for it."

They talked about the games as they cleaned up. Charlie miniaturized the trunk with the balls and put it in his pocket and they began the trek home. They were half way through the woods when pain exploded in Harry's head.

Voldemort's hand clamped around Harry's chin and Harry's knees hit the ground.