Harry Potter and the Ancient Alliance

Chapter 3

The Message

July's weather was hotter than usual. Harry, Ron, and Ginny spent their days at the lake or on their brooms flying around the Burrow; however, the whole day wasn't spent having fun. They also helped Mrs. Weasley clean, cook meals, and fold laundry. At night, they mostly read and played loads of Wizard's Chess. The Ministry had sent the first of the promised "Guide to Elementary Home and Personal Defense" publications and the trio spent two weeks thoroughly combing the pages. It was now a week before Harry's 16^th birthday and no one had said anything. Harry wondered if he should mention it to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, but decided against it. He was more than happy just being here with his best friend and no birthday gift could come close to such a great experience. Harry decided to keep his mind on setting the table for dinner. Just then, Mr. Weasley came though the door and he had someone with him.

"Hermione!" Harry yelled.

Ron looked up from the Daily Prophet, surprise seeping onto his face. Ginny squealed and ran to hug her friend.

"Hello, Harry, Ron. Having a good summer so far?" Hermione asked, releasing Ginny from her grip.

Harry and Ron ran to give Hermione a grand hug. Her bushy hair covered their faces.

"We didn't know you were coming today," Harry said as he broke his embrace.

"Dad told us you were coming next week," Ron finished, breaking his embrace as well.

"I know," said Hermione to Ron. "After I got your letter explaining what's happened and all, I asked mum and dad if it would be ok if I came a week earlier than planned. They said it would be fine if your parents agreed to it. Your dad said it would be alright, but I told him I'd like to surprise everyone so not to say a word."

"Welcome dear," said Mrs. Weasley giving Hermione a hug now too. "I'm so glad you're here and just in time for dinner."

"Thanks," said Hermione once Mrs. Weasley let her go. "It smells wonderful."

Ginny helped Hermione put her things away and then shortly afterward everyone sat down to dinner. Mr. Weasley said he had seen Fred and George today going into the Improper Use of Magic Office and mentioned how they looked quite "grown-up." After dinner, Ron fell asleep on the living room couch and Ginny, Mr., and Mrs. Weasley went to bed a bit early. Harry and Hermione were the only ones awake in the living room. Harry was reading the Daily Prophet and Hermione was knitting a sock, both doing so in complete silence.

"Harry?" Hermione said breaking the silence. Harry put the paper down and stared at her. "I wanted to ask you, how are you doing?"

"Fine," Harry said afraid of what Hermione had really meant.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it, but I've been worried about you. I want you to know that if you ever need to talk...about ANYTHING... I'll be here to listen to you no matter what. Ok?"

"Ok," said Harry a frown forming on his face. "I am fine though."

"Well, about Sirius," Hermione started.

"Yes?" Harry asked.

"Well, Harry," Hermione said carefully. "I just wanted to tell you that what happened was not your fault and..."

Harry cut her off, "I know that's what everyone has told me and maybe if I hear it often enough I'll start to believe that lie myself." His tone came out bitter and colder than he had intended.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something and then changed her mind. They sat there in an uncomfortable silence staring off into space.

"Hermione?" Harry said finally.

"Yes?" Hermione answered.

"I just want to let you know that I appreciate your friendship and concern. When I'm ready to talk to you about Sirius I will, I promise," said Harry in a softer tone.

Hermione nodded her head in acceptance and went back to knitting. Half an hour later they woke Ron up and the three of them headed up to bed. Harry hadn't heard the voice he thought was Sirius's in weeks, but the message still bothered him. What had Sirius been trying to warn him of? Where shouldn't he be alone? Was something going to happen to him? If so, when? Where? Was Voldemort coming for him? Was his time running out? Harry had so many questions the biggest one being if the voice really belonged to Sirius or if it was Voldemort playing mind games again. He had thought about telling Hermione or the Weasley's about it, but he remembered the strange looks he got during his second year when he heard voices that no one else had and decided to keep it a secret for now. Harry hated having to keep so many secrets. He still hadn't told his friends about the prophecy and the longer he kept it from them the guiltier and more alone he felt. He didn't want to scare them though, so he knew he should wait until they where ready to know. Well, maybe it was more like until he was ready to face what the message meant. Harry tossed and turned in his bed. Unable to sleep he crept down stairs to grab a snack. He sat at the kitchen table for a while in the dark before someone entered the room.

"Harry? What are you doing out of bed this late?" It was Mrs. Weasley. "I thought I heard someone come down the stairs, but when I didn't here anyone come back, I got worried. What are you doing in the dark, dear?" Mrs. Weasley turned on a light.

"Couldn't sleep," Harry said solemnly. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"What's the matter?" Mrs. Weasley asked taking a seat next to Harry at the table.

"Dunno," Harry lied.

Mrs. Weasley looked at him with great concern in her eyes.

"Harry, one of the reasons I brought you here with us was because I knew you'd be grieving over Sirius and couldn't stand for you to go through that alone. Not in that muggle house without any love and support." Mrs. Weasley whispered.

"I don't want to talk about Sirius, Mrs. Weasley. I don't mean to sound rude. Not after all the love and kindness you have shown me, but I'm fine and don't need to keep living in the past. He's gone and I'm gonna have to move on alone with out him," Harry explained, a small tear forming in his left eye. He sniffed and quickly brushed it way.

Mrs. Weasley squeezed Harry's hand and the two of them sat in silence.

"Harry," she said after a long pause. "I want you to remember something. Don't ever be alone, not in your head or in your heart."

Harry looked up into Mrs. Weasley's eyes, shock creeping into his own.

"It is dangerous and far too easy to get lost," she finished. "I told Sirius the same thing right before he..." her voice trialed off.

Mrs. Weasley stood up from the table to leave, kissing Harry right on his scar.

"Good night, Harry dear, try to get some sleep," Mrs. Weasley said and turned to go.

Harry was shocked. Was that the message the voice had been trying to tell him? Was Sirius trying to pass on advise that Mrs. Weasley herself had given? What did it all mean? Harry jumped up from the table.

"Mrs. Weasley?" Harry said.

Mrs. Weasley turned to face him. His face was an old color, his eyes sad, and his hands trembling. Harry could feel it come on like a stampede. Mrs. Weasley opened her arms to invite him into an embrace. Harry sank into her arms and cried. He cried for Sirius, he cried for Cedric Diggory, and he cried for the loss of his parents. But mostly, Harry cried for all of the people he loved that Voldemort and his followers had and would hurt to get to him.

Harry and Mrs. Weasley sat on the couch all night. Her hugging him and him crying. They fell asleep like that and for the first time since Harry could remember the weight of the world had been temporality lifted and he was at peace. Harry and Mrs. Weasley awoke to find the sun rising in the horizon. She released him when they heard Mr. Weasley rise, shuffling around upstairs. Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry with a kind smile creeping across her lips and then got up to start breakfast.

"This will be our little secret Harry. No one has to know about last night," Mrs. Weasley kindly offered.

Harry could hear Ron, Ginny, and Hermione greeting each other in the hall upstairs before making their way down to the kitchen.

"No, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said firmly, with a look that could send chills down the spine. "The time for keeping secrets is over."