Help Is On The Way
It was a cold day and the wind was howling furiously . At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter had gotten word that his Godfather Sirius was coming back for a brief visit. His name had been cleared but Harry wasn't living with him just yet. The papers and everything was still to be worked out and everything, and tracing back to make absolutely sure Sirius could take guardianship of Harry. "I cant believe he is coming back! For one more visit before I get to go live with him! " Harry said trying to calm himself for he had much enthusiasm. "That's great Harry! Where did he say he was staying?" Ron asked. Harry 's smiled seemed to have faded. "Er......I don't know in his last letter all he said is that he was coming for a brief visit, and he had already checked in with Dumbledore to set a time where I could go see him." Hermione who was sitting down reading a book on very complicated potions. "Well I think is absolutely wonderful that you get so see him! Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that Potions final is coming up.... And you two better at least crack a book on potion if you don't want Snape to fail you!" Harry and Ron, with much moaning and curse words directed towards Snape (They made Hermione gasp) agreed. They sat down with a book.
The next day at the breakfast table Harry heard the light flutter of wings in the distance, and then it grew louder as all the owls came flooding into the Great Hall delivering mail. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked up into the air for a whisp of white among the brown and gray. Just then in swooped Hedwig, she had a letter in her beak. She landed in front of Harry and stared nibbling on his toast. Harry took the letter and opened it with trembling hands. Hands trembling from excitement. He finally got it out of the envelope and unfolded it. Harry read it just loud enough so only Ron and Hermione could hear. It read:
Dear Harry,
How are you? I'm so glad I get to come back. I have checked in with Dumbledore and we have decided where I can reside for our next meeting. I will be in the Forbidden Forest behind the Quidditch Field. I will be staying around the edge on the east side. Dumbledore will escort you and your friends Ron and Hermione (if they would like to come) also. This will take place on Saturday 12:00 noon sharp so be in the Entrance Hall by that time. I cant wait to see you! Best Wishes to Ron and Hermione also.
Sirius
"YES!" Harry screamed attracting many odd stares. "He is coming! He is going to be in the Forbidden Forest behind the Quidditch field!" "That's cool!" Ron said smiling. "And Saturday is just a week away!" Harry frowned on this. "Aww man! A whole week to wait! I don';t know if I can stand waiting that long!" Hermione smiled and said, "Don't worry, if you take your mind off of it, the week will pass by quickly." "Not quickly enough, I'm sure." Harry said with a slight monotone of annoyance. Breakfast passed and they went to their classes.
The week passed by, but to Harry, it had been the longest week of his life. "Finally! Its here! Well, almost." It was Friday night at Hogwarts and the students were so glad the weekend was almost upon them. And so was Christmas break. The trio sat in the common room trying to find ways to pass the time. Harry and Ron started playing chess and Hermione buried herself in a big thick book. "How can you read something like that? On a Friday night!?" Asked an amazed Ron. "I like to stay on top of my marks and you know that! You could too if you just tried!" "Hey I make decent grades! At least I'm not a snobby know-it-all like you!" Hermione snapped her book shut. "I'm going to bed!" She got up and marched up the stairs. Ron just huffed angrily. "I hate it when she does that!" Harry just looked at Ron and gave him a 'You-know-you-started-it look.' "Don't look at me like that! Hermione does that too much already!" Ron forced at laugh and Harry returned with a smile. He didn't want to say anything because he knew better than to say anything when Ron and Hermione were having one of their 'little' fights.
The next day finally came. It was Saturday and Harry could hardly wait until 12:00. At 11:45 There was a whispering of a password outside the common room. The portrait hole swung open and there stood Dumbledore. Harry was sitting in one of the armchairs by the fire and Ron and Hermione were still giving each other piercing stares from across the room. But Dumbledore did not bring good news. He looked at Harry in a mournful way. "I regret to inform you Harry, that there was a horrible snowstorm last night and more on the way. I'm afraid I cant take you to go see Sirius." Harry's heart fell. Ron and Hermione ran to the window. "Blimey Harry! Someone could get buried under that snow! Even Hagrid could!" Harry looked crestfallen. He waited really for over a week and was so excited, then it was all shot down by a lousy snowstorm. "Brr! It looks cold out there. Even in here I'm getting chills just thinking about it!" Hermione said. Harry looked up at Dumbledore expectantly. "Isn't there anyway for me to still see him? Can he come up here at least. You know, but in secret?" Dumbledore looked at him sadly. "I'm afraid both of those ideas are out of the question. That snow is so deep and its so cold outside, it's the lowest temperature we have had here in years! As for bringing him up here to the castle, I don't think that would be wise."
Even through all of Ron and Hermione's words of comfort, he was still upset. Hermione had said, "Don't worry Harry, I'm sure he is okay, besides, I'm sure its for the best. If Dumbledore said it wouldn't be wise then it probably isn't." Ron had said, Hermione is right. You are going to be living with him soon!" This had cheered up Harry a little bit. He lay I bed now and the feeling that something was going to happen came back into his mind. Harry started tossing and turning. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Harry heard footsteps, then the curtains on his four poster were drawn back and there stoops a figure with red hair gleaming in the moonlight. "Oh, hi Ron." Harry whispered. "Ron sat on the end of Harry's bed. "Are you okay Harry? You keep tossing and turning and making lots of noise. The only reason the whole dorm isn't awake is because of Seamus's and Neville's snores." "Sorry Ron." Harry apologized quietly. "I just cant get rid of the feeling that something is going to happen to Sirius. Its driving me mad!" Ron just looked at him. Harry forced a smile. "Don't worry about me Ron, go back to bed." Ron returned the smile. "Are you sure?" Harry nodded. "Okay." Ron said sighing. "Good-night." "Night Ron." Harry said. Ron got up and got into bed pulling his curtains back. Harry pulled the curtains on his bed shut. Harry took off his glasses and set then on the bedside table, rolled over and fell into an uneasy sleep.
That night Harry had a dream. And when he woke up, cold sweat running down his face and heart pounding in his chest. He remembered the dream very vividly. Harry dreamed that he was outside and snow was swirling around him; it was biting cold. He then saw a shadow of an animal of some sort, it looked like a dog. As he got closer it turned out to be a big black dog. Then the dog transformed into a human. It was Sirius! Harry ran towards him, but something was holding him back. He couldn't get to his Godfather. Just then a terrifying sound filled the air. SHLOMP! Harry's Godfather was gone. He just disappeared behind a whirl of white. Terror filled Harry's body. Then he woke up. Harry sat in bed and then pulled back his four poster curtains. Everyone was gone down to breakfast, except a certain red-headed boy. "Ron!" Harry exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you down at breakfast?" "I though I would wait until you woke up, because you seemed so troubled last night, I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Harry smiled. "Thanks Ron, you're a real friend. But I'm fine. I will catch up with you for breakfast. Go ahead." Ron looked at him, then stood up. "Alright then, meet you down there .........what 10 minutes?" "Better make it 15." Harry said. "Okay, see ya!" Ron scampered off.
Harry got dressed hurriedly pondering over the dream he had had. What did it mean? Harry thought over and over to himself. He made his way down the dormitory steps and out of the portrait hole and into the Great Hall. Everyone was chattering with no worries it seemed. Harry wished he felt like that, that dream had disturbed him for some reason. He took a seat beside Ron and Hermione. Then Harry noticed something. They were holding hands! "Are you guys okay?" Harry asked. They just smiled at him. Then Harry remembered, ever since the Truth or Dare game, where Malfoy had dared them to kiss, they had been 'closer' than ever. Harry figured out that they might get together. He was happy for Ron. "How did you sleep Harry?" Hermione asked, looking a bit worried. "I'm fine, I take it Ron told you how upset I was last night over not being able to see Sirius?" "Yes." Hermione muttered. Ron suddenly became very interested in the milk pitcher. "Don't worry, I'm not mad Ron." "Good." Ron said. They all smiled and stared breakfast. It was good. It took some of Harry's worries away.
As the day progressed, that feeling stared to wear off. He still couldn't shake off that dream. After the day was over everyone trudged back up to the dorms, dreading the next day. The day were there two day freedom ended. Hermione looked hurt. "I love Mondays! They are like a fresh start!" Everyone couldn't believe that she had this kind of view on it, but it was Hermione. So no one asked any questions. The days passed by, then the weeks and homework piled up right before the Christmas holiday break. Harry had a hard time concentrating because he kept having that same strange dream. The dream where he could see his Godfather, but a force was holding him back......a loud SHLOMP! And his Godfather would just disappear in a whirl of snow. He couldn't understand this dream. He finally told Ron and Hermione, but they didn't seem so worried. Hermione being the bookworm she is, just said, "Its simple Harry! Its just that you wanted to see your Godfather and the snowstorm got between you seeing him. Just like in your dream!" Ron had just agreed with Hermione and told Harry not to worry. Harry, even though Ron and Hermione were his friends, didn't believe them.
As the weeks went by Dumbledore, whenever he saw Harry, would look at him with a great sadness. Finally one day, Harry was asked to go to Dumbledore's office. McGonagall was the one who informed him. "You are to go to Dumbledore's office after lunch today. Here take this and don't let anyone see it!" Professor McGonagall gave Harry a slip of paper. Harry, puzzled at this nodded and McGonagall walked briskly away. So after lunch, Harry said good-bye to Ron and Hermione after promising them that he would tell them everything. He found the stone gargoyle and then suddenly remembered that he didn't know the password. He put his hands in his pockets and found the piece of paper that McGonagall had given him There was writing on the paper that read, 'Fizzing Wiz bee's' Harry looked up into the gargoyles emotionless face and said, "Fizzing Wizbees!" The gargoyle sprang to life and leaped to the side revealing a passage in the wall.
As Harry walked up the moving staircase to Dumbledore's office he wondered what this could be about. He finally reached the ever familiar door with a brass Griffin door- knocker. He knocked. "Come in Harry, come in please." Said a familiar yet solemn voice from inside. Harry pushed open the door and stepped inside. Dumbledore motioned for him to sit down in an armchair next to his desk. Harry sat. Harry looked into Dumbedore's piecing, yet soft blue eyes. "I need to talk to you Harry. I am supposed to be getting responses from your Godfather, Sirius." Harry just kept listening. "We used Hedwig a couple of times, I hope you don't mind." Harry shook his head no. "Good, good. To the point, I have not received a letter from Sirius in days. I don't know what is wrong." Harry just sat thunderstruck. 'What?!' Harry thought. How can this be? What could have happened?' "Professor, what do you think is wrong?" Harry finally said. "Honestly, Harry, I don't know, but lets hope that he is okay. There is nothing we can do. There is no way to contact him and obviously he cant contact us. Maybe he went back into hiding since he couldn't see you."
As Harry left Dumbledore's office Harry kept thinking. Sirius didn't just go back into hiding, he cared more for Harry than that didn't he? Harry didn't normally disagree with Dumbledore, but he just couldn't believe that Sirius would do that. Harry made his way back to the dormitory. The next day was the first day of the holidays. Ron and Hermione saw him slump into a chair by the roaring fire. Hermione put down her book and Ron put up his 'More Tricky Chess Tricks' book to walk over to see what was wrong. "What is wrong Harry?" Ron and Hermione said in unison. They looked at each other and blushed. Harry told them all about what Dumebledore had said and they both looked worried. "I don't really know what could've happened to him....." Ron said looking just as thunderstruck as Harry was in Dumbledore's office. Hermione just bit her lip. "Oh, Harry, I hope he is all right."
That night they all went to bed and Harry had this horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. As he undressed and stared getting into bed, careful not to wake anyone else, the wind outside howled. Then all of a sudden.........CRASH! Everyone sat bolt upright in their beds and Harry spun around. The window had broken because the wind was so strong it was blown one of the Whomping Willow's braches through the glass! Everyone gathered around the limb fighting their way through the wind that was howling through the window. Clothes and light objects where flying everywhere! "AHHHH! My homework!" Seamus Finnegan yelled. "My Remembrall! Its flying down the stairs!" Neville screeched. Foot steps were head outside the dormitory. All the girls had head the noise and had come up to see what was wrong. They fought to open the door, the wind was so strong pushing up against the door. Hermione yelled through the crack. "WHATS GOING ON?" "THE WINDOW! THE WINDOW! IT BROKE! LIMB, CRASHED THOUGH! Harry screamed at the top of his lungs. It was like a gigantic fan was being held up against the window. Just then the wind blew a piece of glass through the air. SLASH! "OWWWWAAAHHHHH!" Ron yelled. A glass shard had hit Ron in the shoulder and blood from his wound was flying from it and splattering across the floor. "SOMEONE HAS TO GET PROFESSER MCGONAGALL!' Dean Thomas yelled. Hermione luckily heard this and ran down the stairs. Snow was piling up in the room and burying books and soaking parchments. Seconds later, using her wand, McGonagall burst into the room! "Glassieo!" She yelled. And a pane of new glass replaced its self. The wind stopped. The room was still icy cold. Everyone was shivering. "What happened in here!?" Harry stepped forth. A Whomping Willow branch just crashed through the window! The wind, it was so strong!" "Is anyone hur----...AHHHHH! WEASLEY YOUR SHOULDER!" McGonagall yelled. Ron was crumpled on the floor on knees, with his hands clutching a huge glass shard that had embedded its self into his left shoulder. Blood was streaming from it, soaking his PJ's. Hermione screamed and ran to his side. Everyone stared wide eyed. "Don't touch him Miss Granger! Lets get him up to the hospital wing!" McGonagall magicked a stretcher and took him the hospital wing with Hermione by Ron's side.
For the rest of the night the boys from the Gryffindor dormitory were asked to sleep in the common room until everything was put in order. Hermione had come back form the hospital wing in hysterics. "Madame Pomfrey is having trouble healing his arm! The glass shard was so deep!" Harry, Fred and George tried to comfort her. "I'm sure Madame Pomfrey can fix it! I mean she regrew Harry's bones in his arm in his second year!" George said. Harry nodded. "Don't worry Hermione, I know he is in a lot of pain but he will get well soon." Fred patted her on the shoulder. "Harry is right you know." "You guys don't understand!" Tears were streaming down her face. She ran upstairs screaming. Fred and George looked horrified and rushed out of the portrait hole up to the hospital wing. Harry went pale.
It was only 11:00 at night. Everyone had gone to bed early that night because they were celebrating their last day before the holidays. But the holiday joy was cut short, not only was there a raging snowstorm outside and there was a quarantine on the castle, now a fellow Gryffindor had been hurt in a accident that happened right in the common room! Everyone finally drifted into an uneasy sleep, Harry tossed and turned, he stared to dream. . Harry dreamed that he was outside and snow was swirling around him; it was biting cold. He then saw a shadow of a dog. As he got closer it turned out to be a big black dog. Then the dog transformed into a human. It was Sirius! Harry ran towards him, but something was holding him back. He couldn't get to his Godfather. Just then a terrifying sound filled the air. SHLOMP! Harry's Godfather was gone. He just disappeared behind a whirl of white. Harry sat bolt upright. It was the exact repeat of his previous dream! Exactly! Every detail! Suddenly.......he got it. "Oh, no.....Harry though. Dumbledore isn't getting letters from Sirius, and I keep having this dream of him disappearing in a whirl of snow. Then that must mean....I've got to find him! He is stuck out in this snowstorm!" Harry quietly ran up to the dormitory, grabbed his cloak and his fathers Invisibility Cloak crept back down the stairs, and out the portrait hole just as icy sleet mixed with rain poured down outside.
Harry was determined to find his Godfather, if he hadn't replied to Dumbledore and he was out in this snowstorm, then something had to be wrong! Harry slipped passed teachers almost running into Snape rounding a corner. Out the front oak doors and onto the grounds. If was freezing cold! The wind whipped Harry's face and frosting his glasses. He rubbed them off on his cloak. "I-I must find Sirius!" He made his way towards the Forbidden Forest behind the Quidditch Field. The snow was up to Harry's knees! He trudged his way towards the Forest. The snow stung his face as the force of it hit him. His hair started to frost and his feet and legs were soaked and going numb. "I mustn't stop!" He kept telling himself. He actually had no idea exactly where he was heading. He could see the faint image of the Quidditch goal posts, but the general direction he had no idea. All Harry could see in font of him was a swirl of white and gray. You couldn't even see the clouds above. Then he remembered the Four-Point Spell from the 4th task that he used. Harry took out his wand and placed it flat in his palm. Before he could say on word---WHOOOSH! The wind blew his wand out of his hands! "NOOOO!!!!!!" Harry yelled. He had lost his wand, so all he could do now was to wonder aimlessly until he found the Forest. But his determination to find his Godfather kept him going.
Twenty minutes passed, then all of a sudden.......THUD! "OW!" Harry stood rubbing his head. He had run into a tree! "The Forest! This must be the Forest!" He was right, he walked into the thicket of trees but the wind was not slowed down even in the protection of the forest. As he entered the forest one of the low branches got caught on his robes and tore at them. Harry pulled and pulled, but blindly; It was so snowy and windy he couldn't see what he was doing. Then--- SRIIITTTCCHH!!! Harry's robes had torn completely off! All that was left was his clothes underneath and The Insibility Cloak which was all ready soaked, he was already cold. Although he couldn't think about that now, he had more pressing matters to deal with. Harry looked around, the trees were covered in white. Weighing down the branches. Harry wondered where Sirius was staying. He looked around the forest for ten minutes until he collapsed from the cold. Harry lay on the ground breathing heavily. "I must get up, Sirius needs me! I must find him, he could be hurt!" This encouraged him and he rose from the ground and decided to search some more.
As he was trudging through the snow, he saw a huge pile of snow. It was a snow bank. The sleet was getting colder and thicker. All of a sudden he tripped over something in the snow. Harry looked down---"My wand!" He picked it up and stared at amazement of his luck at finding it. He pocketed it and as he started thinking of what Sirius Blacks letter had said, It had said: 'I will be staying around the edge on the east side.' Harry got a sickening feeling, he put the wand in his hand and careful so it didn't blow away in the wind that was now getting so strong he could barely stand. "Point Me!" He yelled. The wand spun around and pointed North (towards the castle) "Then if that is North that this must be----" It felt as though a bucket of ice had just been poured into his stomach. The snow bank was to the east of the edge of the Forbidden Forest, behind the Quidditch field exactly where Sirius said he would be waiting! Harry jogged through the snow as fast as he could towards the pile of snow.
He reached it and started to dig through it but the sleet and rain had frozen it into almost a solid block of ice! Cold sweat was running down Harry's face. He pointed his wand towards the snow and muttered "Lacartom Iflamarai" Flames shot from the end of this wand and stared to melt the ice until he could dig through the slush. As it melted away Harry thought he saw a wisp of hair in the snow. He dug deeper and faster. His hands were getting numb. All of a sudden as the last layer of snow melted away Harry saw something that made his heart stand still. Laying in the snow almost completely frozen was---Sirius. "NO! Sirius!" Harry shook his shoulder. He was unconscious., or was he......dead? Harry's mind was racing. "I have to get him back up to the castle, I don't care if he is supposed to be in hiding, I cant let him die!" Harry picked up Sirius's arm and tried to heave him onto his shoulder. This wasn't an easy task since Sirius was heavier than Harry and to top it all off, Harry was weary with exhaustion from the cold. His clothes were soaking wet and freezing since he lost his cloak. And the Invisibility cloak was soaked, he had to take it off and sling it over his shoulder. His legs trembled with Sirius dead weight. "I have to do this! I have to save him."
Harry started back to the castle slower than before, and with the wind, sleet and snow, and dragging Sirius......It was all causing Harry to get to the point of collapsing. Harry trudged on until----CRACK!!!!!!!!!!! A huge sound echoed through the air. A tree limb had broken off from the weight of the snow on them. Harry whipped around........ "Just a tree limb, must go on. This storm has to be the worst ever!" He turned back around but just as he did-----SMACK!!!!! The limb that had broken off had come flying through the air and it hit Harry square in the back of his head with a sickening blow. The force of it was so strong Harry fell to the ground......unconscious, blood trickling from the back of his head. The snow stared swirling around the bodies of Harry and Sirius. And the tree branch that had struck Harry down.
Meanwhile in the castle Hermione was in the hospital wing with Ron. Ron was awake and had his arm in a sling. "Oh, Ron, does it hurt?" Hermione leaned forward and kisses him. Ron blushed. "I'm okay Hermione, really." Hermione looked at him with slight tears in her eyes. "I wonder how Harry is? Will you go get him?" At that moment Madame Pomfrey came up. "Well Weasley I think that will be it, that magic medicine I gave you should have done its work." She unwrapped his arm. "There you are! Now you can go join your friends." Hermione's face lit up. "Oh Thank you Madame Pomfrey!" Ron thanked her too and they both went out of the hospital wing. The made their way back up to Gryffindor Tower to see Harry and to tell him that everything would be all right. ( and Ron being there was physical proof!) They entered the common room, but they couldn't find him anywhere!
"Have you seen Harry guys?" Ron asked Fred and George. "No, sorry not for hours!" Fred replied. "The last time we saw him was after you had been taken up to the hospital wing Ron. Professor McGonagall said we all had to go to bed in the common room, she magicked up some sleeping bags." George said. Just then Seamus Finnegan came over. "Sorry but I overheard you talking about Harry, I saw him last night too, over in a corner with his sleeping bag. He went to sleep but kept muttering something." Ron and Hermione looked interested . "What did he say?" Ron asked. "He kept saying, 'No... no.....I must find him! I must see him again.' That's what he said. I don't know what it meant though." Hermione's eyes became wide with horror. "Oh, no........" Hermione muttered. "What is it Hermioneeeeoowww......(Ron's arm still hurt a little still) "Thanks you guys." Hermione told Fred, George and Seamus in a tone that told them to leave. They looked at her strangely and walked off to play Exploding Snap. Hermione whirled around to Ron. "RON! Don't you get it? Where Harry has gone too don';t you?" Ron thought for a moment and his face went white. He glanced up at the window. "You don't think that.....he........went looking for Sirius?" "Of course he did Ron! Its Harry! Remember his dream too? You know how much he cares his Godfather! If he has been out for hours......and hasn't returned........" Hermione went pale. "We must go inform Dumbledore!" "You're right Hermione! If he is out in this storm, he is probably buried alive under all that snow!"
Ron and Hermione tried to get up to the headmaster, but all the teachers would tell them to go back to their dorms and wouldn't listen to a word they said. "We are going to have to sneak out." Ron whispered to Hermione in the common room. It had been exactly 4 hours since Harry had been gone. "Fine, we have to be very careful. Harry must have taken the Invisibility Cloak with him." They climbed out of the portrait hole and crept down corridors hiding when necessary. They finally reached the front oak doors and stepped out. "Brrrr! Its freezing out here!" "I know but we have to find Harry! Remember what Sirius letter said? In the Forbidden Forest behind the Quidditch field. On the east side, lets go!" Hermione replied and on they walked to the Forest. A few minutes past they walked into the Forest. Just then Ron ran into something. "HEY! What is this?!" "Ron it's a cloak! Harry's cloak!"
Ron released Harry's cloak from the branches. "If he doesn't have this......He trailed off a look of extreme worry on his face. Hermione looked the same. They had no idea where to head next. Ron took the lead. "He has to be around here!" Hermione was speechless with worry. The snow started to get thicker and colder. They bundled up against it but it didn't help. Just when they were losing hope---"Ron! What is that? On the ground?" Hermione was pointing to what seemed like a long thin stick on the ground. "Looks like a stick to me." "Its not Ron, pick it up. Ron bent down and tried to pick it up. It wouldn't come. "Its stuck." "Ron I think that's ---" Hermione bent down next to Ron and they both tired to get it. It seemed frozen into the ground. When they pulled it up, Hermione screamed! "AHHHHHHHHHH!" Ron's eyes went wide. A hand had come up with that 'stick', but it wasn't a stick it was......a wand.
They hurriedly brushed off the hand, there was an arm and then, buried under 3 inches of snow there was Harry. Hermione gasped and Ron just stared. Obviously to stunned to speak. They unburied him and found blood stains on the snow. Then they found the limb. Hermione of course figured out what happened. And with much hard work their hands freezing, got Harry free from the snow. When they did they found none other than Sirius Black right beside Harry. "Oh Harry.." Hermione muttered fighting back tears. "So he found him." Ron said. "We better get these two back up to the castle." That was a hard task. Soon they found they couldn't carry nor drag them all the way to the castle. "Hermione, you go for help!" Ron yelled over the howl of the wind. "I cant leave you out here!" Hermione yelled back. "You have to! Just go! NOW!" Hermione glanced at Ron with a pleading and started back up to the castle.
Ron knelt down beside Harry and Sirius. "Don't worry you guys, we will get you back up to the castle." 20 minutes later Hermione came back with Dumbledore. "RON!" Hermione yelled. "Hermione! How did you get Dumbledore?" "We must get these two back up to the castle NOW!" Dumbleodore's voice seemed so stern they made Ron and Hermione feel they shouldn't dare disobey him. He magicked two stretchers and then all three of them fought their way through the wind, snow, and sleet. As they reached the castle Ron ran ahead to open the oak front doors. They entered the Entrance Hall then went up to the hospital wing. On the way they met Professors Snape and McGonagall. McGonagall gasped and clutched her heart. "Oh, Dumbledore, how in the name of Merlin?" Snape looked at Sirius with loathing. "What is he doing here?" He said pointing at Sirius. "We have no time for this Severus! Please excuse us!" Dumbledore held his wand behind him helping to hold Harry and Sirius's stretchers. McGonagall followed, Her face was white with shock.
They reached the hospital wing, and Madame Pomfrey was in hysterics. "Oh NO! Exposure to the elements! Possibly frostbite! Freezing to death! Harry and Sirius's faces looked like stone. Cold and emotionless. "Can you heal them Madame?" Hermione asked timidly. "I hope so dear, I really will do everything in my power to do what I can" "Can we please stay here by their side?" Ron asked with a pleading look. Madame Pomfrey looked sympathetic and nodded. "Yes.......Yes you may." Madame Pomfrey went to Harry then Sirius checking for frostbite and other injuries. Madame Pomfrey nearly screamed when she saw the injury on the back of Harry's head. "Oh no.......blood loss." She muttered. But Ron and Hermione heard her and Hermione put her head on Ron's shoulder and cried. "Its okay Hermione" Ron said with tears in his eyes now. "Everything will be fine." He cooed as he held her hand. Although Ron had a hard time admitting it, but deep down inside, he didn't know if be believed himself or not.
The last thing Madame Pomfrey did after tending to cuts and wounds and checking for broken bones, (Sirius had broken his wrist) And putting a bandage on Harry's head was take a clear bottle from the shelf. She took the special potion and put it in this sort of funnel and stuck it into Harry and Sirius's mouths. The red potion sent down their throats. "What's that? " Ron asked. "it's a potion to help warm you up." Madame Pomfrey replied. "Is it like Pepper Up Potion?" Ron said. "Well sort of dear, but much stronger. Powerful stuff. It has to be for this sort of situation........." She trailed off. Hermione tried to speak but her throat was too tight. Madame Pomfrey took the funnels out of their mouths and sat the potion back down. "Well that's all I can do I'm afraid." She cast a sorrowful look at Ron and Hermione and said. "I'm sorry for your loss." "What?!" Hermione said, finding her voice. "They are sill alive aren't they?!" "Yes dear, but barely. I don't know if they will pull through." She went into silent tears and went to her office.
Ron and Hermione looked at Harry and Sirius. Their faced were both a slight shade of blue. Harry's glasses where frosted, but they started to melt so there was a little puddle of water on his pillow. Sirius's wrist stuck out at a weird angle. All the Gryffindors had been informed and were down to the hospital wing at once. "No, not my Seeker, not our Seeker." Oliver Wood had said. "He was a good guy." Dean Thomas replied. Neville just sobbed. The whole Quidditch Team was in despair. Fred and George couldn't even speak. They looked really worried and their eyes were red. Percy was also worried. Madam Pomfrey didn't even have to tell them to go. They decided the would leave Ron and Hermione with him. After all they were his closest friends. After 3 1/2 hours after Madame Pomfrey had given them that potion......they hadn't stirred. Just then there was movement! Sirius Black's arm had moved, he opened his eyes. "Madame Pomfrey!" Ron yelled running to her office. "Sirius is awake!" She came bustling in. The other teachers came out too. Dumebledore, McGonagall and Snape. Ron and Hermione ran up to Sirius's bed. "Are you okay Sirius?!" Sirius blinked and looked around. And spotted Harry.
"What happened to him----Oh! He didn't come looking for me out in this did he?!" "I am afraid he did Sirius." Hermione said. "Oh no......" Sirius put his head in his hands. Dumbledore spoke up. "In case you want to know, you were brought here exactly 4 1/2 hours ago. I believe Ron and Hermione will have the story for you. They re the ones who came and brought you and Harry in. Ron and Hermione told Sirius the whole story, the dream Harry had had and everything right up to the part were the brought them up to the hospital wing and everything Madame Pomfrey had done to them. The rest of the teachers listened intently "I cant believe Potter did this." McGonagall said. Snape just kept looking at Sirius as though he regretted Sirius ever waking up. Harry through all this didn't stir. Sirius got up and walked over to Harry's bed. Even though his joints hurt. Ron and Hermione gave him a blanket to put around his shoulders. He took it gratefully. He leaned over Harry who's face was still stone-like and emotionless. "Oh Harry how could you risk your life like this for me?" Sirius crossed his arms on the bed and put his head facedown on them and cried. Ron and Hermione joined him. "I don't know if I can forgive myself for this, I am the reason he is like this now. He wouldn't have come looking for me!" Sirius stated. It was horrible. Although Snape seemed to have no feelings on it at all. He had the impression that Harry had foolishly cast aside his safety and risked his own neck and that it was all his fault. And he deserved what he got. The teachers had returned with Madame Pomfrey into her office to talk.
Harry's face started to get a little color back into it but still had a little frost in his hair. It was melting and made him look like he was sweating. Even Harry's lips looked frozen shut. An hour passed and everyone had given up all hope of Harry ever moving again. Sirius was beside himself with grief as with Ron and Hermione. They had all fallen asleep. Ron and Hermione in a chair by the bed and Sirius was sitting in a chair with his head on Harry's bed. And then.....Harry flinched. Sirius jolted awake. "Ron, Hermione!" Sirius ran over and shook them awake and then ran back to where he was before. Ron and Hermione looked sleepy but walked over to the bed. Just then a flicker of movement in Harry's face! Harry! Harry! Sirius said anxiously. Then, Harry slowly opened his eyes. Everything was out of focus........ Then it became clearer and clearer. "Hhnnn? Wha---?" "HARRY!!!!!!!!!" Sirius yelled. Ron turned around and yelled. " HARRY! ITS HARRY! HE IS AWAKE! HE IS ALIVE!" The teachers ran in and stared in amazement as Harry sat up. Ron and Hermione's mouths were hanging open in shock. Then the exploded in an array of cheers. "HARRY!" Ron yelled. "Are you alright?!" "Oh Harry we thought we had lost you!" Hermione said tears steaming down her face. Harry soon had 3 pairs of arms wrapping themselves around him. Harry's mind sharpened and he remembered everything. "SIRIUS!" You're alright!"Harry said as he looked over at Sirius. "Yes Harry but what's more important is you!" Sirius started. "What happened to you Sirius! Harry asked. "I guess I owe you that. Well the snow storm started up and well I tried to transform into the dog to keep me warm because I would then have fur. But I was too weak, weak from cold and hunger. Then an avalanche of snow from the weighted down branches buried me under a snow bank and before I could try and get out it started to snow more and then sleet. It must have froze me in and I almost froze to death if it wasn't for you or Ron and Hermione." Ron and Hermione then told Harry the story of how they had got him a Sirius to the hospital wing.
Harry apologized over and over, but it was all going to be okay. Harry spoke up. "Whoa, my head hurts, what happened there?" He put his hand on his head and felt the bandage. "AH! What the---!" Hermione spoke up. "You got hit by a flying branch." "Oh" This was enough for Harry for one day. "Well, Dumbledore said. McGonagall was smiling and relieved and Snape was looking disappointed. "I think its time for a feast. Its time to eat anyway." Harry left the hospital wing that afternoon. Everyone at the Gryffindor table had greeted him to pats on the back and hugs and kisses, from the girls. Wood even said he felt like kissing Harry but he didn't. Harry thought it felt good to eat again. And the thing that made this meal one he would never forget came during dinner. Dumbledore tapped his goblet with a spoon. "Attention Attention! I have some good news!" Harry glanced over at the Slytherin table and Harry could tell they were all very disappointed in his living especially Malfoy. Dumbledore continued. "I have an announcement to make!" Everyone grew silent.
First of all I want to say, I am glad that Harry is alright today. (Everyone by now had heard about the snowstorm incident) All the paper work had been sorted out and I am pleased to announce that Sirius Black's name has now been completely cleared!" Harry was ecstatic. The Gryffindor table applauded and so did the other tables (except Slytherin). Lastly, may I say that this document here is the paper saying that with the Godfather's name and the Childs, they have legal guardianship of the Child! Harry would you come up and sign this please, of course if you want to be under guardianship of Sirius." Harry practically jumped out of his seat. Ron and Hermione smiling. Harry approached the High Table and took a quill from Dumbledore and signed the document. "But Headmaster, this need Sirius's signature too." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Sirius, would you come in please?" Everyone's heads turned to the doors and in stepped Sirius Black. Harry couldn't believe it. He was here in the castle. Sirius came up and took the quill from Dumbledore and signed it. 'There, all finished." He smiled at Harry. Dumbledore took the paper and smiled. "Delightful! Now Sirius wont you join us for dinner?" Sirius smiled. "Way to go Harry and Sirius!" Ron said. "Yes, congratulations! "Hermione chimed in. "Thank you all of you!" Harry and Sirius said. Harry didn't think there was a better time in his life. Here was his Godfather sitting beside him in the Great Hall around all his friends eating and having fun! "Well Harry," Sirius began ,giving Harry a playful noodgie, "Looks like you are stuck with me!" Harry laughed. He was so happy, he would be leaving the Dursleys and never see them again! Harry laughed again. "Well Sirius, I think I can gat used to that!"
By: Gryffindor Student
but I thank you guys anyway.... 