Chapter 6- No good deed shall go unpunished

Once he entered what he liked to call the Marauders quarters Harry saw his Uncle laid on the couch reading. Remus raised an eyebrow at Harry and at Sirius fuming face. Sirius went straight to his own room were sounds of smashing could be heard. Harry bit his lip and stood there rooted in the middle of the living room. Remus gestured for him to sit next to him and studied him cautiously. Harry really didn’t want to make his Uncle stressed two days before the full moon but there was really not much he could do.

“Want to tell me what happened?” Remus asked calmly. Harry shook his head. He hated this calm way Remus had of talking to you when you did something bad. He’d rather he yelled and ranted like his dad. This made him feel like he was a huge disappointment.

Sirius came back after he had calmed down a little, not much mind you.

“So, want to tell me why were you out in the halls at night when I told you about our suspicions about Quirrell?” he said through greeted teeth.

“What? You were out Harry? Why?” Remus asked Harry.

Harry for his part was contemplating his shoes very interestedly. Remus put a hand on Harry’s chin and gently made him look at him. And there it was. That look Remus had that made you feel like crawling up in a whole and dieing. He gulped and said in a cracked voice.

“I was helping a friend.”

“Which friend? Who? Why? How? Why didn’t you just come and ask us for help?” Sirius asked.

Harry shook his head. Truth be told he never even thought of talking to his father. In hindsight that would have been better.

“I can’t tell you,” he whispered.

“Was this friend worth risking your safety in such a way Harry?” Remus asked and Sirius started:

“Nothing is-“

“Let Harry answer Sirius.”

Harry nodded, “Yes.”

“I hope this friends appreciates what you’ve done Harry. However Sirius is right, nothing is worth risking your life in such a foolhardy way. The next time you have to promise to come to us understood.”

“I promise,” Harry said in a small voice.

“I don’t know what punishment Sirius issued as a teacher but I am going to issue one as a former teacher. You are to serve a detention with Severus tomorrow night,” Remus said calmly and Harry’s eyes widened.

“What? He’ll kill me.”

“As much as I hate to admit it,” Sirius said, “Snape does care for you as much as us. Therefore he has the same right as us to freak out and scold you, and he won’t be able to do that in public. Tomorrow night I will escort you to his quarters under you cloak.”

“Relax, Harry, Severus will have had the whole day to calm down,” Remus said. Knowing Uncle Sev Harry didn’t think that was a good thing.

“Now go to your room Harry. You will sleep here tonight,” Sirius said shortly. Harry got up ant took a last look at his dad and Uncle and feeling like the worst person in the world he headed to his old room.

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Once they were sure Harry was asleep Sirius started ranting.

“How could he? Of all the things to do. No care for his safety. How can someone be so foolhardy?”

“Yes, imagine that,” Remus said sarcastically, “Imagine running around with a werewolf.”

Sirius stopped pacing and tuned to glare at his friend.

“This is completely different. Harry knows better than we did.”

“Yes, he does. But he is still eleven Sirius. At eleven we thought ourselves immortal. It’s not different for Harry. He probably didn’t even think he was risking his neck. He probably even forgot all about Quirrell.”

Sirius huffed, paced and then huffed a little more. Then with a sigh he dropped on the couch next to Remus.

“I can’t bear to think of something happening to him Moony.”

“I know. Me neither,” Remus answered exhaling slowly.

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In the morning Harry didn’t know what to dread more, facing his housemates about the loss of points or his guardians. He got dressed with the clean school robes that were by his bed and took his school bag. Harry guessed Kreacher had brought them. He understood why Sirius didn’t like the elf, he had worshiped Sirius’ parents and therefore believed everything they spewed, which was what Sirius ran away from. But Kreacher wasn’t all that bad once you took a little time to talk to him. And Harry had. When he was little he sometimes stayed in the kitchens with the house-elves when his dad was teaching and his Uncle was recovering from the full moon. In those times Harry made friends with all the house-elves including Kreacher. Especially because he brought news from his Grandmother’s portrait to Kreacher and the little elf had appreciated that a lot. Maybe if Harry had met Kreacher when he was older he would have seen the elf as Sirius did, but at four years old, Harry really didn’t understand why his dad didn’t like the elf.

He went into the living room where he found his Uncle getting his teaching things ready. Harry bit his lips and fidgeted a bit on the spot. Remus looked up. Put his books down and walked to Harry. He kneeled down and once again made Harry look at him. Harry asked in a small voice.

“You and dad hate me now?”

“No, cub, why would you think that?” he said in a soothing voice.

“Dad’s not here.”

“He went to tell Severus what happened,” Harry cringed. Remus sighed and said seriously “What you did yesterday was foolish and we hope you never repeat it,” Harry nodded, “We were so angry because we love you so much and you put yourself at risk. You did one bad thing Harry. You made one bad decision. That doesn’t make you a bad person nor does it make us forget all the reasons we have for being proud of you and loving you. Ok.” Harry nodded shyly and Remus pulled him into a hug.

That was the position Sirius found them when he came back to the quarters. He cleared his throat and Remus kissed the top of Harry’s head. He picked his bag and left giving Sirius a pointed look and mouthing “stay calm”. Sirius waved him off. Harry did not see all this since he once again was enthralled by his shoe fascination. He started a little when he felt one of his father’s hands on his shoulder and the other under his chin. When he looked up he found Sirius occupying Remus’ previous position.

“I am not going to shout with you or ask you who this friend was or what you were doing for him. Especially after the little chat I had with Hagrid,” Harry’s eyes widened, “He seems to think you are a good boy that should not be punished. I had a feeling his vehement defense of you may have something to do with your nightly escapade but he wasn’t volunteering any details,” at this Harry left out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, “Good thing you take after your mother in the facial features department and not after James. You just confirmed my thoughts.”

Harry fidgeted and said softly, “M’sorry.”

Sirius sighed and said, “No you’re not,” Harry moved to protest, “Do you regret whatever you did to help Hagrid,” Harry shook his head, “Than you are just sorry you got caught.”

“No,” Harry protested, “I’m sorry I forgot to ask yours and Uncle Moony’s help. I was so focused on the fact that Grandpa couldn’t find out that I never thought to ask. I am really sorry dad. I didn’t even remember about Quirrell. I never thought I was risking my life. Never thought he might do something. I promise I’ll remember to come to you next time.”

Sirius grimaced and said, “I really hope there isn’t the need for that, but if you have too please come to us ok?”

Harry nodded fervently. Sirius smiled and hugged him kissing the top of his head.

“I’m sorry too pup. I was so nervous last night that I overreacted,” Sirius bit his lips hard, “I think I may have exaggerated on the points taken from the three of you. I don’t think we ever got such a sum in one of our escapades. But I don’t think Minerva would have been lighter, not with-“ he cut himself abruptly.

“The Philosopher stone being guarded here?” Harry supplied.

“How do you know?” Sirius looked suspiciously at Harry.

“I didn’t go looking dad! Hagrid let slip that whatever was down there had to do with Nicolas Flamel and Hermione figured out the rest. I did not go looking for anything dad!” he pleaded desperately.

Sirius scrutinized him and said, “Ok, but I want you and your friends as far from the issue as possible.”

Harry nodded vigorously he really didn’t want his dad angry again.

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As Harry had predicted; Gryffindors were very upset with Harry and Ron and were not afraid to show it. The only people that still talked to them were Hermione and Ginny because they knew what had happened and Neville. Harry guessed that was because Neville knew how you felt being an outcast.

“Don’t worry guys. Hermione will earn those points back to us in no time. And it’s not like we’re that bad off. With Malfoy losing points too and the two games we won we’re still second and Slytherin isn’t all that ahead,” he’d said trying to cheer them up. Harry just wished that the rest of his housemates had the same optimism.

That was nothing of course compared to the dreaded detention. At seven o clock on the spot his executioner, ahem, his dad escorted him under the Invisibility Cloak to the dungeons where he left Harry and the cloak to their own mercy. Harry was a mess. He stood there on the spot as Severus was finishing grading some essays in complete silence and not looking at him for about five minutes. Severus did know how to do very good psychological torture.

Finally, Severus looked up, raised an eyebrow and stared at Harry a little more before saying.

“Do you intend to stand there all night?”

Harry didn’t even reply and quickly sat on the chair in front of the desk.

“As you can see there is quill, ink and parchment in front of you. I want you to write a hundred times:

“I will never again be a dunderhead and risk my life in some harebrained scheme that would give my guardians heart attacks.”

Harry gaped at Severus. That was it?

“Well?”

Harry started without waiting for his Uncle to change his mind and decide to take those famous chains and whips Mr. Filch was always talking about.

At a quarter to nine Harry was finally done and after writing “giving my guardians heart attacks” for a hundred time he was positively feeling like the worst person on the planet again. He had never thought that he would have worried his dad and Uncles so much. All he had thought was that he had to avoid Filch to avoid detention but that this outing was no different than any of the Marauders escapades he always had heard about. Except the Marauders didn’t have Dark Wizards wanting nothing better than to find them alone in a dark corridor and do them in. He bit his lips and said.

“I’m done sir.”

Severus extended his hand and took the roll of parchments. Gave it a once through and satisfied ignited the parchment in flames and it promptly disappeared. At Harry’s shocked face:

“Can’t have anyone finding out what I had you writing. Now come here,” he motioned to himself. Harry slowly rose and went to stand in front of Severus chair. Severus put his hands on Harry’s shoulders and said looking in his eyes.

“Did you understand why this was so stupid?”

Harry nodded.

“Answer out loud.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I know it’s not fair Harry. I know that  any other student can and will break curfew a few times, I myself did so at school, but as much as we want to give you as normal a life as we can, we can’t pretend you’re just like any other student. I know Ron didn’t get double punished and this may seem unfair to you but Ron isn’t on the Dark Lords most wanted list, he isn’t even in his radar. We have to impress this on you because all it takes was for it to have been Quirrell instead of Sirius to be patrolling the halls that night. I know the Headmaster may want more proof but I know he was the one to jinx your broom and let that troll in. Trolls are Quirrell’s specialty. Do you understand this.”

“Yes.”

“Do you promise to never go out after curfew again?”

“Yes.”

Severus face softened and he pulled Harry into a hug.

“You saved my life Harry. You gave me purpose, don’t take that away from me,” he whispered and Harry had the impression he wasn’t supposed to have heard that so he stayed quiet hugging his Uncle.

Later Severus escorted Harry to the Tower under the cloak and told Harry to tell anyone that he was serving extra punishment with Sirius.

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“They all hate me! It’s been a week and no one wants to talk to me. They  have even started to talk to Ron again. But not me. No. It’s like what I did was worse somehow even though everyone knows that I already served a detention and still have one to be set,” Harry ranted. He knew he was being childish. He knew he was eleven, closer to twelve, and twelve year olds did not rant about the injustice of life seated on their grandfather’s lap but Harry was depressed.

“Maybe they think that because the points were taken by your father?” Dumbledore reasoned.

“Like that’s my fault. And dad said Aunt Minnie would have done the same.”

“Probably. But that doesn’t change the fact that your housemates are upset at the loss of points and when people are upset they are hardly rational,” Dumbledore said pointedly. Harry crossed his arms and huffed.

“You know, when I started school I wasn’t very popular. Quite the contrary. I had arrived here with what you could call a bad reputation and people were afraid of me.”

“You did?” Harry asked bewildered. He couldn’t imagine his grandfather being anything but loved and idolized by the whole Wizarding world.

“Oh, yes,” he said playing with one of the many trinkets on his desk instead of looking at Harry, lost in memories. “My father had been sentenced to Azkaban for killing muggles and many thought I’d be the same as him.”

Harry was shocked. His Grandpa’s dad was a muggle hater. He couldn’t help himself.

“Why did he do it?”

Dumbledore smiled at Harry and hesitated a bit as if contemplating if he could tell Harry this secret.

“If you don’t want-“

“No, it’s ok. I never told anyone. Only Aberforth and I know the truth. But the people this secret involves are long gone,” he inhaled deeply, “I had a sister Harry, her name was Arianna. She was seen doing magic by some muggles and they attacked her. Because of this attack she became unstable and tried to repress her magic. But that doesn’t work Harry, our magic has to get out, has to be used. It’s a part of us. She was seven and she became unsafe. My mother had to take care of her all the time because if se got nervous or agitated she could blow up everything around, she had no control. Enraged my father sought revenge, but when he was arrested he let everyone think he was a muggle hater so the Ministry wouldn’t take Arianna away. If they had known they would have locked her up in St. Mungos and we’d never see her again and they wouldn’t take good care of her. So he died in Azkaban, for his daughter.”

“And everyone thought you were both dark because of that?”

“As you can see, sometimes there is more to the story than we know. But we can only react to what we know.”

“Is she dead too? Arianna I mean.”

Dumbledore nodded sadly, “After my mother died on one of Arianna’s loses of control I had to take care of her. But I was young and wanted the world. I didn’t want to be stuck at home taking care of an unstable child. I made a friend that wanted the same as me and we started making plans. I thought I’d take her with me and everything was going to be fine. Aberforth, in all his crudeness, was wiser. He had no trouble telling me and my friend that. My friend wasn’t happy and a fight ensued. I tried to stop them and soon we were in a three way duel. One of the spells hit Arianna. I never knew which,” he finished in a whisper.

Harry hugged him and said, “It’s not your fault grandpa. You tried to stop. You made a bad decision. Uncle Moony said that that doesn’t make you bad.”

“Yes, Remus is very wise in that way,” Dumbledore smiled on Harry’s head. He had never told this to anyone. How had this child opened him like this? How had he shown him that he didn’t have to carry this by himself.

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About a week before exams were to start Harry and Ron were informed of their detention. They were to meet Mr. Filch at eleven. Harry thought it a bit rich that they would be out at night serving a detention for being out at night but wisely said nothing. Filch took him, Malfoy and Ron to the outskirts of the forest where they met Hagrid. Malfoy of course whined about there being werewolves in the forest and Harry couldn’t help but roll his eyes. It wasn’t even the full moon yet? And the only werewolf around spent the full moon curled up in his room snoring with Padfoot. Of course Malfoy would never know that.

They were supposed to find an injured unicorn. Hagrid took them inside the Forest where they followed a path of silver blood.  They found some centaurs that were no help whatsoever expect for saying Mars was bright. When the path got divided Hagrid split them in two, Malfoy, Harry and Fang (according to Hagrid’s whisper Harry could defend himself from the “annoying twerp” better than Ron) and Hagrid and Ron.

They set off to find the Unicorn. And they did. In a clearing they found the beautiful unicorn knocked down and a horrible hooded something hunched down on it. Draco Malfoy being the brave boy he was promptly screamed and ran away with Fang at his heals leaving Harry rooted to the spot. Of course the scream alerted the hooded creature that looked up and at that moment Harry felt pain as never before. His head was about to crack open. He fell to the floor and couldn’t think properly.  The hooded creature launched itself at Harry and it was by pure survival instinct that Harry managed to cry Impedimenta and Protego. That slowed the creature’s progress but Harry had no idea how long he’d be able to keep it at bay. He couldn’t move and he felt darkness getting closer. Suddenly he heard hooves and a scuttling of robes. He lost consciousness as he felt two strong arms lifting him.

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Once again Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Severus Snape were surrounding a small boy’s bed. This time though they were in the Marauders Quarters instead of the Hospital Wing. Albus didn’t think it wise for the whole school to know what happened. Even they didn’t exactly know what happened. When Hagrid and Ron came bounding inside the castle, Hagrid holding Harry’s unconscious form all he could tell them was that the centaur Firenze had saved Harry from a creature Firenze swore was some form of Lord Voldemort. Severus had gone looking for Malfoy and found him hiding under his covers in his dorms. Malfoy wasn’t much help. He just told them about finding the unicorn and the hooded figure. Not that Severus could inquire more after all he had to make it look like his only concern had been Malfoy and the kid was fine. Shaken up but fine.

Then there was Dumbledore. He had never wanted to throttle the twinkling old coot more. Dumbledore was the one that set the detention. He said he had thought Hagrid would have been with the kids all the time and therefore they wouldn’t be in danger. He had suspected Voldemort to be the one killing Unicorns for their blood but had no way of confirming it. When Harry reported his scar hurting he figured it reacted to closeness to Voldemort and thought Harry would be able to identify him. Severus may have held himself back but Sirius did no such thing. It took both Remus and Severus to hold him back and Dumbledore was promptly banned from the room.

Thinking rationally he knew Dumbledore needed to know for sure that it was Voldemort and not some greedy teacher after the stone. He knew Dumbledore truly believed Harry would have been safe. The man had learned to love Harry like his own grandson even though Severus knew that when Harry had first defeated Voldemort, Dumbledore had seen him as a means to an end. That wasn’t true anymore. The same way Harry warmed his way in Severus’ heart he did in Dumbledore’s. But Dumbledore was still Dumbledore and had the whole school’s safety to think of. But right now, none of the three men in the room where interested in being rational.

Madam Pomfrey said Harry only needed rest. Harry may have known how to perform the charms but there was a reason they were learned after fourth years. It took a lot to perform and keep a shield up like Harry did. Grown wizards would have felt drained. Harry was just too young to be able to do that and walk away.

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There was always dark and green and a cruel high laugh. But now that laugh didn’t come from the dark. It came from a hooded figure. He wanted out, he wanted light, he wanted to get away from that laugh. There was a voice calling him and he wanted to get to the voice but the laugh wouldn’t let him. He fought valiantly to get to the voice, the voice he knew.

“Shh, it’s all right pup. You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you,” the voice said and as Harry found his way to awareness he realized the voice belonged to his dad who was holding him almost like a baby rocking back and forth and making soothing voices. Running a hand through his head. Harry didn’t make a noise, he just let his dad rock him like when he was little and had nightmares. He didn’t see the two figures going toward the doors or listened to their whispered conversation.

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“He hasn’t had a nightmare like that for a long time, has he?” Severus asked even though he knew the answer.

“No,” Remus sighed, “He stopped having nightmares about a green light and a cruel laugh that left him like that a few years back. It’s about that night. But he was too little to remember consciously.”

Severus looked at the rocking figures inside the room and sighed and with a grim expression said, “Unfortunately that’s not the last time he’ll have such nightmares.”

Remus nodded grimly.

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Ron and Hermione had been properly terrified when Harry told them what happened and who the adults thought that had been killing the unicorns was but somehow they didn’t share Harry’s complete and utter terror of what could happen. Yes, they were afraid of Voldemort coming back but they had the utter belief that even though Dumbledore had no grounds to kick Quirrell out, Quirrell wouldn’t dare try anything with the Headmaster there. There was also the fact that Ron still thought Snape a likelier candidate than Quirrell.

Harry thought that maybe this was the result of Harry having heard more about Voldemort from his dad, Uncles and Grandfather than them, or maybe because, as he let the adults know, his scar had not stopped burning since that night in  the forest. He really wished it would because it was interfering with his exams. Uncle Sev had given him a pain potion but it hadn’t work leaving the Potions Masters quite ruffled at the inefficiency of one of his potions.

But the last exam came and when they were outside walking to Hagrid’s for an end of term tea and cake a horrible thought crossed Harry’s mind.

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