Healing the Darkness

Chapter 2: Letters to Padfoot

Dear Sirius, 15 October

How are you and Remus? Well, I hope. From what the Daily Prophet has

been reporting, it sounds like you've been busy catching who's left of Voldemort's

gang. I hope that some of Hermione's ideas have been helpful to you. I also hope

that Ron is continuing to be brave and fight to the near-death like he always did.

Hogwarts if as wonderful as ever, yet it just isn't quite the same without

Dumbledore. McGonagall is really doing her best, however. Hermione loves working

in the library, of course. She spent more time there during school than anywhere

else. And my teaching is all right, I suppose. I would tell you about it, but I have

a class to teach right now. First years. Urgh.

-Harry

Dear Sirius, 4 November

Congratulations on catching the Bulstrodes. They've always been a tough

team to track down, even while they were at school.

Well, I didn't think you'd really want to know, but I'll tell you anyway. My

very first lesson was for the sixth-year Slytherins and Ravenclaws, so I was already

worried about making a git out of myself. I forgot to call the roll, which I had lost

somewhere, I started to teach a lesson they'd already learnt and I dropped my text

three times. Then, afterward, I found that I'd gotten ink all over my robes. I felt so

stupid. I considered quitting just then, but then my next class came in, which went

better.

Honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing. I can fight the Dark Arts, but I can't

teach other how to do it as well. Everyone wants to hear about the war and the final

battle with Voldemort, but I don't want to talk about it. They just cannot understand it.

They ask almost every week.

Tell Remus not to worry; I'm doing fine.

-Harry

Dear Sirius, 17 December

Sorry, but this has to be quick; Slytherin's Beaters have gone mad and have

Transfigured everything in sight into rogue Bludgers and I have a feeling that

McGonagall will make me round them up. Snape refuses to do anything

because his daughter is the team's Seeker. Prat.

I'm having tea with the Weasleys at 4.00 and then I'll Apparate to your house

at around five. See you.

-Harry

Dear Sirius, 9 January

I've just returned from my third year lesson. Tell Remus that they

loved his Dark Creature obstacle course.

No, you dog, I do not have a girlfriend. If you'd spend less time as

Padfoot, perhaps your mind would be kept out of the gutters. It's not that I'm

still trying to hang on to Ginny, it's just that I haven't found the right girl yet...

~*~

Has Harry Potter Found Love at Last?

by Special Correspondent Andrea Lestrange

A flood of rumours has overtaken Hogwarts! As the students

very own under ground newspaper, the best and truest source

around, we bring you the best.

Many people are saying that harry Potter, our very own Defence

against the Dark Arts teacher, has fallen in love with one of his

students! We asked around to find out who the lucky girl is.

"It's Serena Snape, definitely," says Morris, a sixth-year Slytherin,

"There always looking at each other in class.

Mick Hayes, another Slytherin, agrees, "She stays after class a lot

to talk to him. Alone. I think they've been snogging."

Other eyewitnesses have seen the two together out on the Quidditch

pitch or in the corridors. They also say that they have been doing

this for a long time. The question is: What will Professor Snape say?

He was not available for comment, but we can be sure that he will not

like it one bit. Harry Potter would be wise to watch his back

Author's Note: What a reliable source, eh? Good old Slytherins, always handy for stirring up some trouble. Stay tuned. Thanks to all who have reviewed, who are reviewing or who ever

will review this story.