Taming the Untamable

The Stranger by Sirius

Chapter One

He stood in a room that dropped down like an endless pit, a pit that only led to sorrow. His eyes were on a crumbling stone archway, covered by a black veil. It ruffled slightly as though it had been touched, despite the fact that he was alone in there.

His foot descended the granite top tier and headed for the dais that held the archway. His heart quickened with each step he took, cold sweat dripping down his face. Bitter stones met his bare feet and he shivered involuntarily.

This was a dream, nothing but a dream. He had been having it ever since that day he left Hogwarts. It crept silently into his dreams at night and showed him that dais with the archway on it, but it never let him touch. Even as he stood there, he was hesitant to step onto the platform because he didn't want to be refused again. He didn't want to wake up, disappointed that he didn't get to see his godfather beyond that curtain.

But this time, it was different. His foot stepped off the last tier and he was there, in front of the dais. He heaved himself onto it and made his way across. He could hear muttering again, he could hear voices of people back there. If he reached out a hand and lifted the veil, maybe he'd see who they were. Maybe he'd even see his godfather back there, a grin on his face, saying that he'd been waiting for him.

Harry strained to listen to what they were saying and he suddenly had an urge to be back there. It was like a secret, something that only the people who are behind the veil could know, and he wanted to be like one of them, he wanted to know the secret.

His hands stretched out to the midnight black curtains and this time, he grasped it. The feeling was warm in his hands, soft to the touch. He began to raise it, his breath coming out fast. This was it; he was going to see his godfather again. Lupin was wrong, Dumbledore was wrong. Sirius wasn't dead, he was just hiding from him, and now, Harry had finally found him.

It was halfway in the air, almost all the way off, but two soft and gentle hands grabbed his right arm and he dropped the veil. He whirled around in irritation, but stopped at the sight before him. She was beautiful, almost angelic. Her long dark hair swept past her shoulders and her dark eyes stared at him kindly. He noticed her eyes saddened at the sight of the archway, but she smiled at him.

Her full lips opened to speak, but a shrill voice like Aunt Petunia's came out instead. "Get up! How long are you planning on sleeping? The world has already been up for ages."

His eyes snapped open, the dream dissolving into nothing, but the angelic face remained in his head. He rubbed his eyes and went to the bathroom, passing his glaring aunt. He washed his face and stared into the mirror. A boy too thin to be sixteen stared back at him. Green eyes looked at him hopelessly and he turned away in disgust. He had only been alive for sixteen years and he had already seen more then wizards three times his age.

He made his way back to his bedroom and found - to his amazement - the photo album Hagrid gave him in his first year on his tiny bed. It was opened to a page that he had come across many times and he wondered who had taken it out. The last time he'd finished looking at it, he'd tucked it deeply into his trunk where it was safe and locked it up.

His eyes traveled to a picture of his mum and dad. They were together, happy without any knowledge that they wouldn't live to see their son grow up. He smiled sadly at them.

The sun was shining brightly against the blue, cloudless sky and he could hear birds chirping. It was another one of those perfect days in Little Whinging and everyone was outside, everyone except for him.

What was the point in going out anyhow? The Dursleys - his only living relatives - already had everyone on the block convinced that he went to St. Brutus's, a first-rate institution for hopeless cases. He didn't do much to prove his aunt and uncle wrong; actually, he encouraged his neighbors into believing this.

His eyes flickered to another photo on the same page and found himself staring at the Marauders and his mum. They stood in front of the lake, their smiles genuine. They looked to be only seventeen at the most, wearing their Hogwarts robes. Harry smiled when he noticed that they were all in Gryffindor, even the stranger who stood by Sirius' side.

James had a moment where he ruffled Peter's hair and Lily laughed. Harry stared at her, fascinated. She looked beautiful when she laughed, her green eyes - exactly like his - glittering.

But the moment soon came to past when he noticed that Sirius' arm had gone around the woman by his side. She smiled bashfully and there was a glint in her eyes as though she was shy. A thousand questions buzzed in his mind, but no one could answer them, no one but Sirius himself, and that was impossible because Sirius was dead.

Then something else crossed Harry's mind and he cursed himself because that only brought more unanswered questions. Why hadn't he ever seen her there before? Why hadn't any of the others mentioned her? No one could answer these questions now and Harry felt frustrated. How much of his life was going to end up without an answer?

There was a tap at his window and he jumped slightly. A huge barn owl waited for him patiently and he opened the windowpane to let him in. He flew onto Harry's bed and held out his thick leg so he could untie the parchment on him. He flew back out of the open window.

Harry unsealed the letter and read, his mind still on the photograph. It was something from Lupin. He was asking Harry to pack his trunk and be prepared.

Harry

I know you've got questions, I'm just not sure I've got the answers. But I'll try my best to answer them along with one of my friends. She knew Sirius when we were younger and I'm sure she has more answers than I do. Pack your trunk and get everything for Hogwarts ready. Be prepared tonight.

Remus Lupin

No one had to tell him that twice. He put the letter in his trunk and shuffled his clothes in after it. He paused momentarily to take a glance at the photo again, his heart racing. Why hadn't Harry thought of this? Why hadn't he thought of Lupin? He was there, he was one of the Marauders and he had the answers. Perhaps for once, the questions would finally be answered.

He waited through the whole day without going outside unless it was to use the restroom. He was excited, almost relieved. Not only was he getting some response, but he was leaving the Dursleys and nothing could be better than that.

By eleven o' clock, everyone was asleep and Lupin still wasn't there. Harry waited by the window, searching for any form of life. Perhaps Lupin was delayed, or maybe he was still trying to find his friend. Harry didn't know, but he wasn't giving up hope yet. Lupin was coming; there was no doubt of that.

One of Mrs. Figgs' cats darted across the street, but other than that movement, there was none. He let himself wait for a few more minutes, then sleep took him and the dream slipped into his slumber without his permission again.

* * *

He woke up to find himself in a brightly lit room. It was big, much bigger than his room at the Dursleys', and he knew that he wasn't at number four, Privet Drive anymore. He was at the Leaky Cauldron, this room identical to the one he'd stayed at before his third year attending Hogwarts and Sirius had escaped from Azkaban.

His trunk and all of his Hogwarts things were there too, but he didn't know how he'd gotten there. The last thing he remembered was that dream and someone...he couldn't grasp it. He remembered someone was there, but he couldn't bear in mind who they were or what they did.

No matter, he changed out of the clothes he slept in and pulled on his plain robe. There was a letter on his trunk, sent by Dumbledore. There was no doubt that his supply list was in there.

Hedwig made a hooting noise and Harry looked up to find that she was already feasting. She touched a parchment by her leg and he walked to it, curious of what it was. The note was from Lupin.

Harry

I'm sorry I didn't wake you up. When I came in, you were sound asleep and you looked so exhausted, I thought it best to let you sleep. I leave you in this room because I am picking up my friend at St. Mungo's. She's been there for quite some time now and if you wish to know who she is, you should try the Daily Prophet. I won't return for a few days, I think it best if you go on ahead into Diagon Alley and buy your supplies.

Remus Lupin

Harry smiled with relief and left the room with his supply list. He passed by people in the pub and many of them stopped him. Tom, the owner, winked at him, understanding his situation and distracted everyone by giving out free drinks. Harry couldn't be anymore thankful.

Out in Diagon Alley, he had to fight his way through crowds. Other Hogwarts students had received their supply lists and they were there too. He saw a few people he knew, including, to his disgust, Draco Malfoy. Draco spotted him even before he noticed and headed Harry's way, his skin and bone mum following not too far behind.

When she realized who he was, a smirk rolled over her face and Harry burned furiously. The apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree, for she had many features that Draco had. "Famous Harry Potter," she sneered and he couldn't help thinking how much she reminded him of her son. The hatred disappeared and amusement played on his face.

This surprised her. The smirk disappeared and her delicate nose flared, though he'd never tell her that. She gave him one last look as though he was something at the bottom of her shoes and walked away. Harry glanced at Draco and he waggled his brows. Harry said very quietly so only Draco could hear, "Watch out, Malfoy. Wouldn't want to become a slug again would you?"

Draco ignored this, but he seemed more alert and that satisfied Harry. He continued into Flourish and Blotts and bought the books that he needed. Afterwards, he headed into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and bought new robes. All his other robes were either too small, or tattered and ready to come apart.

Around lunch, Harry stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and bought himself a 'Shooting Rocket'. He noted to himself to visit Weasley's Wizard's Wheezes afterwards. If only he knew where to find Fred and George's premises.

A wizard who sat near Harry was reading the Daily Prophet and he remembered what Lupin had said about reading the Prophet if he wanted to know who Lupin's friend was. The wizard left a section on the table and Harry saw the face of a pretty witch. She kept blinking as though she was confused and his breath caught. That was her; she was the witch in his dreams.

"Er...excuse me, sir," Harry asked the wizard. "Could I by any chance see this?"

The wizard didn't even look at him, he just nodded and Harry took the section. His 'Shooting Rocket' was beginning to make dull exploding noises, but he ignored it and read the article.

Memories Return after Twenty Years

Yesterday at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, a patient for eighteen years finally came to. Eighteen years ago, she was found in the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with the loss of memories. With no clue of who she is or how she got there, she was taken to St. Mungo's for treatment. Healers thought she would never recover since the memory charm placed on her was the most complicated one yet, but yesterday around dawn, she woke up. Before she awoke, a healer near her heard her murmur in her sleep.

"At first, I thought she was just talking to herself, but when I stepped closer, I realized her eyes were closed," said Healer Smethwyck. "I'm not quite sure what she said, but I did hear one sentence, and it was, 'I have to help him.'"

A close relative has come to claim her, but she refused to explain what happened though it is quite clear that all her memories have returned. The witch's name will remain unknown due to various reasons.

Harry watched her face a while longer before ripping off the editorial and handing back to the wizard what was left. He stuck that into his robe pocket and began a search for Fred and George's shop.

They weren't too far from the turn into Knockturn Alley. The shop was small, but it was all they needed to sell their inventions. Harry stared up at the sign up in front and smiled. It read in big scarlet letters, Weasley's Wizard's Wheezes and in smaller gold letters, made possible by Harry Potter. Underneath the sign, he read number ninety-three.

He opened the door and stepped into a whole different world. There were people everywhere, ages six and up. Fred stood at the counter, bringing up a witch's total, and George helped a little boy with reaching certain items. No one noticed that he had entered until Harry picked out a bag of Tongue Tie Toffee and walked over to Fred. Those would do Dudley good.

"Harry!" Fred exclaimed, motioning George who was already on his way. They were both identical and it was impossible sometimes to tell which Fred was and which George was. "Harry, thought you'd never come."

"Yeah," George continued when he reached them and ran a hand through his red hair. "Did you see the sign? We thought it up ourselves, scarlet and gold for Gryffindor."

He smiled and nodded, taking everything in. Harry noticed the shop had gone slightly quieter than it was before. "Wow, this is great. Let me guess, business going well?"

George nodded and Ron came up behind him. He grinned and stepped into the back with him so the twins could attend to their costumers. "Are you working here with them?" Harry asked him, the bag of Tongue Tie Toffee still in his hands.

Ron shook his head with a lopsided grin. His red hair was similar to the twins, a trait that their whole family had. "I'm just helping them out for the summer. Did you see Hermione? I think she went out to look for you. I would have gone along, but they needed me here."

The line in front of the counter was getting longer and the shop was getting crowded. "They're doing great," Harry complimented. "Why is Hermione searching for me? How did she know I was here?"

Ginny emerged from a door that he hadn't noticed earlier, and the moment she caught his eyes she turned away. Ron glanced at her and answered, "She doesn't. She just thought she'd go looking for you in case you came. You know, I think Ginny's being her old self again. I overheard her telling Hermione how much she still likes you."

He didn't know what happened, it'd never occurred before, but his face flushed at Ron's words. His stomach gave a wild lurch as though he had missed a step going down the stairs when she walked by and he gave her a strained smile. "Nice to see you, Harry," she said shyly and the glint in her eyes reminded him of the girl in the photo.

"Ron, I've just remembered, I've got to tell you and Hermione something," he said urgently. "Do you think you can spare a moment when Hermione returns?"

Concern passed through Ron's eyes and he nodded. "You can go upstairs and wait while I go tell Fred," he said and turned to leave, but paused and turned back. "Er...Harry, it's nice to see you again. You're doing alright, aren't you?"

Harry nodded and headed up through the door that Ginny came out of. Upstairs was big, not so crowded. By the look of a bed in two separate rooms, Fred and George were living there too. He peeked into a different room and found himself staring at storage, the familiar inventions making him smile reminiscently. He picked up one of their fake wands and it turned into an ugly snake.

"You break it, you bought it," a voice said from the door. He turned around and found himself staring at Ginny, her smile teasing. "I'm kidding, Harry. So, how're you doing?" Her voice softened. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you then."

The snake in his hands began to struggle and he dropped it on the ground where it turned into a wand again. He looked up and stared at her for a while, her face flushing. She was beautiful, her eyes compelling. He'd never noticed this before, never thought he'd ever see her this way.

"What do you mean, Ginny?" he asked. "There wasn't anything any of you could have done. I mean, they were Death Eaters, they were dangerous. What you all did, that was beyond bravery. It was enough."

"Eat the other half, eat the other half!" George was shouting downstairs. It seemed one of their costumers was eating a Skiving Snackbox and blood was pouring from their nose like crazy. Ginny smiled at him and he grinned at her. The silence between them was good, almost relaxing. Then Ron bounded up the stairs and Ginny jumped, looking around wildly. She gave him a nervous smile and turned, leaving him in solitude.

Harry left the storage room and waited in the hallway for them. Hermione saw him first and she grinned, her face slightly flushed. She dashed towards him and hugged him before he could say anything.

Hermione was a few inches shorter than him, though she had grown over the summer. Her bushy hair was tamed now; it no longer puffed as much as it once did. "Harry, it's so good to see you. How are you?"

"Er..." he didn't know what to say. So many people had asked him that question; it was starting to get annoying. If truth were told, he wasn't quite sure how he was. He missed Sirius. He wanted Sirius back and everything to go back to the way it was. He was family, Harry's only living relative who understood magic and got along with it, unlike the Dursleys who did everything they could to avoid the subject. "Well, okay, I suppose. I'm not really sure how I'm feeling."

She smiled sympathetically and put in, "It's okay, Harry. I know how you feel. You know, before I found out about Hogwarts and all, I had a friend. We were really close, and then she died. I didn't know how to cope with that. I mean, how was I to? I never got over it, but I'm learning to. It just takes time."

Harry shook his head at her, the tears almost forming. "Sirius didn't die, Hermione. I know he's alive. He must be because I still hear voices beyond that veil, and one day, I'm going to lift that veil and see him again."

Hermione was ready to say more, but Ron stepped in. "I know, mate, and I believe you. Didn't you have something to say? It sounded pretty urgent before."

He didn't know whether he should tell them or not. They obviously didn't understand his situation; they didn't understand things like that. Perhaps his information would only hurt them. "It was nothing, Ron. It was nothing at all. I'm going back to my room in case Lupin returns, okay? I'll see you both later."

Ron reached out a hand as though to stop him, but he kept going. When he reached the ground floor, Ginny was mopping up the blood on the floor and she glanced at him. He avoided her eyes, staring at the ground. Fred and George yelled good-bye to him, but he only waved at them and then he headed back to his room.

In his room again, he took out the photo album and stared at it, trying to answer his own wonders. Then his eyes moved from his mum to his dad and then Sirius. Why did they have to die? Why did people even die? He didn't understand life anymore; He didn't think he ever did.

AN: Well, I'm not quite sure what kind of a fic this is. I think it's a G/H fic, but you won't be able to tell so until later on at the end. It's not really about them, I know, but the point really is that it's them. And I'd like to add, this is my first G/H fic. I usually write G/D, but I gotta start getting used to the fact that J.K Rowling isn't going to change Draco. Well, don't forget to review.