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Life at Hogwarts had gotten worse for Harry, which means that Sirius has gotten to talk to him several times a day and therefore isn’t surprised to find Harry calling at midday on Friday.
“Pads!”
“Hey kid,” Sirius smiles. “What’s wrong today? Umbridge isn’t trying to dose you with truth potion, again, is she?”
Sirius had been furious that Umbridge had used her power as ‘headmistress’ to try and trick Harry into giving up his secrets by dosing a cup of tea with truth potion to get him to reveal his secrets. Fortunately, the nut job that was waiting for the right opportunity to kill Harry the year before had encouraged him to not drink anything your enemy gives you, thus Harry faked drinking it and poured it on a plant when she wasn’t looking.
Sirius had been relieved that Harry had such quick thinking, especially when he heard the sorts of questions Umbridge had asked him – specifically questions about him. If Harry had drunk the tea, they’d both be in a world of trouble.
Harry rolls his eyes. “I finally talked to Cho about what happened – our original fight early on in the week has been brewing all week and I knew that it would eventually hit a head.”
“And what happened?”
“Well, she said that I had to understand because Marietta’s mother was being threatened for information. When I asked how Umbridge had any idea that Marietta was even a part of the DA, she couldn’t answer.”
“Because Umbridge and Fudge weren’t threatening her mother – they didn’t have any idea that Marietta was part of it since you’re never around her.”
Sirius had noted that despite being Cho’s best friend, Harry never spent any time with her and there was no way that Umbridge would have gone after her mother instead of one of the obvious Gryffindors’ families instead or even Cho’s family. It just doesn’t make any sense to go after Marietta instead.
“Yeah, exactly. She didn’t really like that.”
“No, I don’t imagine that she would. Go on.”
“Yeah, well. She told me that whatever the reason – it was a mistake. That she was a good person that made a mistake. A very long mistake – since she used me for six months, didn’t bother to just warn us, and actively wanted me expelled.”
Sirius frowns. “She wanted you expelled?”
“Yeah, so, apparently, Cho thought if I gave her a chance to explain that I would be more understanding,” Harry replies, frowning.
“She brought the person who betrayed you and every member in the DA to your discussion on the situation? Knowing that you were and have the right to be angry and never have to face her, again?” Sirius asks, his frown deepening. Surely Cho is smarter than that.
“Yeah, she expected me to listen to Marietta when she wouldn’t even consider listening to Hermione’s reasons for the hex on the list.” Harry rolls his eyes. “Anyway, Marietta was somehow angry with me even though I didn’t hex the list and said that she never liked me because of everything that’s happened around me including most of those things that I didn’t want. She thought – or thinks – I’m exactly what the paper says. She figured she could get what needed out of me (good defense training) and then, if she could help the Ministry when they’re ‘right’ about me than why not, right? And that she’s disappointed that I wasn’t expelled. Then she stormed out.”
“Oh Merlin, that can’t have been what she had expected.”
“Definitely not. It wasn’t what I expected either – I thought maybe an apology or at least a small acknowledgement of what she could’ve cost me – I don’t know, remorse maybe? But that’s not what happened.” Harry shakes his head. “Hell, the rat showed a little bit more remorse than she did.” He pauses, “Not that what he did wasn’t ten times worse.”
“What she did wasn’t as low that you think, kid,” Sirius states. “It could’ve cost you a lot. She just lucked out that it didn’t.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. “And it sounds like she wanted you to suffer what you lucked out that she didn’t.”
Harry frowns. “Yeah, I think I know how close it was, and I’m still on pins and needles worrying about everything.”
“Hmm-mm,” Sirius hums. “So, what else happened?”
“Well, Cho tried to apologize on her behalf – she – er – thought that if I forgave Marietta, that so would everyone else,” Harry offers.
Sirius frowns. “Everyone else?”
“Hmm-mm, people not even in the DA have been giving her a hard time – not to mention the people in the DA that were furious about the effect on their lives. It surprises me, honestly, that most of the student population is actually angry at her for almost costing me expulsion. Even people like Seamus, who wasn’t a member of the DA, are furious at her. I guess because of the article.”
Sirius nods. It’s good that there is more support for Harry, but it does make him a target that Umbridge could go after. “Uh-huh, go on.”
“Well, so she really wanted me to forgive her friend so it would make people be nicer and more understanding of her and what she did,” Harry explains. “Except, that I – I couldn’t do that. Whatever the reason… I just couldn’t forgive her even if she hadn’t exploded and told me I deserved worse.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t expect you to forgive her, and I’m surprised that Cho did, but she probably had to try. You said that they’ve been best friends since they were toddlers.”
“Yeah, well, when I wasn’t having it … she went for a distraction.”
Seeing Harry’s blush tells Sirius all he needs to know regarding Cho’s distraction. She’s not the first person to distract someone with sex – Sirius himself would do that a lot and James was always on board with it.
“And after the distraction?” Sirius prompts.
“Er – well, I realized that it’s not Cho’s fault that she picked the worst best friend –”
“You didn’t tell her that, right?”
“No, no, of course not.” Harry shakes his head. “I’m not a complete dunce. I just I told her that I don’t think I could ever accept Marietta as part of my life and since she’s Cho’s best friend, she would be if we continued dating.”
“Oh,” Sirius nods. “And what exactly did she say to that?”
“That – that we could get through it like we did regarding Cho’s issue with Hermione, but I – I told her that I have a huge target and I can’t have someone close to me be untrustworthy in a time of war. She tried to say that I didn’t have to trust Marietta, just her, but she trusts her. She tells her almost everything and I just can’t risk it.”
“And so, you ended things then?” Sirius questions.
“Yeah, I did. It was – necessary.”
“It doesn’t mean that you can’t be hurt, kid,” Sirius assures him. “You’ve been with her for eight months. She’s your first love. It’s okay to be hurt and be broken hearted.”
Harry nods, looking upset. “I just feel like it shouldn’t have come to this. If we were going to eventually break up it shouldn’t be about a betrayal from her friend, it should’ve been because we didn’t – didn’t love each other anymore.”
“Sadly, kid, it just doesn’t always happen that way.”
“I didn’t want to end it,” Harry admits. “I just – I really enjoyed being with her. She’s been a highlight of my year.”
Sirius smiles. Of course Harry feels like Cho has been a light in his life this year, she’d happily distracted him from Umbridge and everything else. Something happy in the sea of losing everything that he loves thanks to Umbridge.
“Generally speaking, you’re never eager to end it,” Sirius smiles. “Or at least you shouldn’t be. She seemed like a good girl, who was a lovely first girlfriend for you, she was really good for you from what I can tell, but like I mentioned before, I always figured that she’d be a first girlfriend.”
Harry nods. “Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s just – now I won’t have her or the DA to help me through the next couple of months.”
“No, but I’m sure that O.W.L.s and staying out of Umbridge’s way will occupy you.”
“That’s what Hermione said,” Harry frowns. “It does not help.”
Sirius laughs, “Well, it’s not the best distraction – I’m sure you’d probably prefer the distraction you had earlier, but it is important, and it will distract you.”
“I guess. I should get going to class.”
“Try to stay out of trouble.”
“Always do. Bye Pads.”
“Bye kid.”
Harry disappears and Remus appears in the doorway. “How’s the kid?”
“Brokenhearted,” Sirius answers, looking over at him. “He would much rather have gotten over the situation with Cho, so he could still see her, but despite her best efforts to distract and convince him that they could continue on – it was time.”
Remus raises his eyebrows in surprise at the mention of distraction, but asks, “So that means that they finally discussed what happened with Marietta?”
“Yes, and it went awful,” Sirius states. He briefly explains what happened from what Harry told him and is unsurprised to see Remus frowning.
“She couldn’t really think given Harry’s past that he would ever be okay with having an unreliable friend or acquaintance like that?”
Sirius shrugs. “I think that she just hoped for the best or didn’t quite understand what Marietta did and how it relates to the rat – or me – since she still thinks I was the rat, like the rest of the world.”
Remus gives him a look. “You can’t blame her for that. Most people don’t know the truth.” He pauses. “But I could see how she might miss the idea that Harry would be uncomfortable with trusting anyone that was a rat in anyway.”
Sirius nods. “It’s not like I don’t understand why she wouldn’t think anything of it, especially since Harry got away with it, but it’s just… considering that Marietta obviously buys into Harry’s hero reputation rather than who he actually is… it doesn’t make any sense to even try for more or forgiveness.”
“It’s odd that she wasn’t remorseful – even the rat was, mind you, it was probably because he’d been caught red-handed, but he did seem to regret it, a little bit.”
“That’s what Harry said,” Sirius frowns. “I don’t really remember that.”
“That’s because you just wanted to kill him,” Remus states, plainly.
“You jumped on board that train fairly quickly,” Sirius reminds him.
“Yes, but what I mean is that you weren’t interested in the story like me or Harry – all you wanted was to finish what you started when you chased after him all those years ago, not that anyone could blame you. I wouldn’t have been interested if I had been your position and at the time, I didn’t realize how close you actually were to them or what he’d taken away from you…”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m not really interested in thinking about that just now,” Sirius states. He’s too worried about his kid to actually worry or want to think about what was taken from him. “I can’t change what happened, I just have to get Harry through the next few months.”
“Speaking of, Dumbledore’s worried about Bill sneaking in and out of the castle for the lessons,” Remus says. “That’s why I came up here. I told him I would lessen the blow for when he tells Snape and Bill at our Order meeting tonight.”
Sirius groans. “Dumbledore’s not even there to reprimand him anymore, if Bill isn’t there either…”
“I know, I know, but Harry’s doing somewhat better and – and Snape does know or probably suspects that you have a communication with Harry. He’ll know that you’ll know, and we all know that Snape, for all of his postering that he isn’t afraid of you, is actually afraid of you.”
Sirius grins. “Doesn’t act like it, but I definitely like the idea that he is afraid of me.”
Remus grins, too. “He was always jealous at how easy magic came to you and James – claiming pureblood advantage…”
“Well, to be fair, the Blacks aren’t known for adhering to the rules. I definitely had some advantages that he didn’t have, but still, I was quite talented.”
“Still are, even if you haven’t used your magic all that much.”
Sirius shrugs. “I would’ve honed my skills, but I’m not seeing any fights any time soon, whether that’s due to my essential house arrest or staying inside due to making sure I’m safe because of what I mean to Harry… well, there’s just no use in bothering.”
“Maybe there’s not, but it could be good for you. Just to give something to do other than worrying about Harry?”
Sirius nods. “I could use the distraction.”
“Good, then let’s do it.”
***
“I don’t get it,” Harry says, the next time he’s on the mirror.
“Get what, kid?” Sirius questions as he sits beside Remus and Bill in the kitchen. Harry’s call comes thankfully when he’s with two people who already know about the mirror.
“Why Umbridge is allowed to do this?”
“You should be more specific.”
“This stupid squad of hers,” Harry states. “The squad that’s like above even the Head Boy and Girl – they can do whatever they want and basically made it so the points are pointless.”
“Points have been pointless since Snape joined the staff,” Bill offers, jarring looks from the rest of them. “What? It’s a well-known fact that he purposely does whatever he can to make Slytherin win.”
“Yes, it was painfully obvious the year I was there,” Remus adds.
“Yeah, but this is different – like there are already zero points in three of four hourglasses, the entire place is in utter chaos…”
“Hmm-mm, well, just focus on what you have to do and avoid them.”
“They’re stalking me – how would I avoid them without exposing my cloak?”
“Try using distractions,” Bill offers. “I’m sure the twins would be delighted to help you.”
“Yeah, why not enlist their help to get the focus off of you – if they’re still offering?” Sirius suggests. He’s happy that someone else is willing to get Umbridge’s attention off of Harry.
“Yeah, they have offered, again,” Harry states. “I think they just enjoy the idea of causing chaos since her ridiculous squad is acting as if they’re really in charge and the other professors aren’t really doing anything.”
“It’s because they can’t risk being kicked out themselves,” Remus offers.
“While that is true – not doing anything is not the answer,” Sirius counters. “Not doing anything is condoning everything.”
Sirius will never be okay with not doing anything especially when the students are in need of support and they’re just not bothering to help.
“Speaking of not being able to help – did you tell him?” Bill asks.
“No.”
“Tell me what?”
Sirius clears his throat. “Well, er, because of the situation with Umbridge as Headmistress, Dumbledore is worried about Bill sneaking in and out of Hogwarts –”
“So, I’m not going to be protected from Snape anymore?”
“I’m sorry, kid, I know that this isn’t ideal. I don’t want you to have to be alone with Snape –”
“Does that mean I can quit the lessons?” Harry asks, hopefully.
“Er – no, they’re very important for you to try and learn.”
“But they suck! I don’t really like feel like I’m learning anything! And my scar hurts worse after I do it! And those stupid dreams haven’t stopped, and I hate Snape and it’s just not working.”
If it were up to Sirius, Harry never would’ve had these ridiculous lessons. They definitely don’t seem to be working and Sirius never learned by having his shields tested all of the time – well, unless it was due to someone trying to break through because they trying to find something. The only problem is that Voldemort wouldn’t be gentle so what Snape is doing has been theorized as necessary. At least according to Dumbledore.
“I’m sorry, kid. I wish I could say that you don’t have to do it, but I think it’s best that you just keep going with it for now.”
Harry frowns, clearly unhappy. “Are you sure?”
“Unfortunately, yes. At least for now.”
“Alright then. I should probably study for O.W.L.s.”
“I didn’t want to upset you.”
“Too late.”
It’s quiet and awkward for a minute. Sirius could tell that he likely wouldn’t be studying and more likely would be brooding for now. “Good luck, kid.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it.”
Harry disappears from the mirror, leaving Sirius feeling like he’s somehow letting him down.
“I wish I could do more for him,” Sirius states.
“You’re doing the best you can,” Bill offers. “And at least the year’s almost out – a couple of months and he’ll be home for the summer.”
“Yeah, I just hope that we can both make it there.”
“I’m sure you will.”
“Thanks.”