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Sirius is feeling a little antsy of late.
He’s not sure what it is, but something, he’s not sure what… is bugging him. There’s a low whistle in the back of his mind telling him that something isn’t right, and he can’t figure out what it is.
It’s bothering him and despite having more people in the house – Dumbledore’s been having more meetings and doing research in the library that he’s not letting anyone in on – he’s still a got strange feelings. Remus and Bill have both suggested that maybe it’s just being cooped up for too long, but he knows that’s not it.
He just can’t put his finger on what could be different. Nothing’s really changed in the last couple of months since Dumbledore was kicked out of Hogwarts. He’s been in regular contact with Harry, and nothing has really changed there, so why is he feeling like something is off? Why does he feel like something is running underneath his skin just trying to get out?
“You alright?” Kingsley asks as he comes into the kitchen, where Sirius is camped out by himself in one corner while Dumbledore holds a smaller meeting at the other end. Sirius was invited, but he just can’t get whatever’s niggling at him out of his mind and he can’t focus on whatever Dumbledore’s got up his sleeve to be of any use to the meeting.
Sirius hums. “Something feels off, and I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Maybe you just need some time outside?” Kingsley offers. “It’s been months, maybe being stuck inside…”
Sirius sighs. “I could definitely use some time outside, but I don’t think that’s it.”
“Well, then, maybe it could clear your mind so that you can figure it out?”
“Don’t tease me, Kings. Dumbledore’s never going to let me leave.”
Kingsley shrugs. “I’m sure that a prankster like you can figure out a way to sneak out… with a little help…”
Sirius smiles. “Finally, someone on my side.”
“Guess you’re game then?”
“Oh, I’m definitely game.”
***
Sirius is feeling better – even though he got yelled at – after his run as Padfoot with Kingsley. He’s still feeling a little uncertain and not sure what it is that is bothering him, but he is doing better.
Additionally, Sirius isn’t surprised by Harry’s call tonight despite the fact that he couldn’t participate in the quidditch final for Gryffindor because of the fact that he figures that Harry would be miserable about it given that he couldn’t participate. Still, he is surprised that it’s almost 1 AM when Harry calls.
“Sorry it’s so late,” Harry says, after their initial hellos. He’s covered in confetti and doesn’t look half as miserable as Sirius expected.
“That’s okay – I don’t exactly have to worry about going to bed since I have no reason to get up early and what not – what’s with the confetti, did you all win?”
“We did and there was this big party, Ron’s the big quidditch hero this time.”
“I’m sorry it can’t be you, kid,” Sirius states. “But at least Dobby’s tricked Umbridge by getting your broom back and placing a transfigured stick in its place.”
Harry laughs, “That is good – as long as she’s gone next year. I can’t wait to see how the curse affects her, honestly.”
“Hmm-mm, agreed,” Sirius states. “So, if you all won, I don’t suppose that’s why you called – I figured you’d call to complain about the unfair loss.”
“Uh, no, that – that nope that isn’t it.”
“Why are you stuttering, Harry? What’s wrong?”
“So, you told me about Hagrid’s mission and how weird it was that it took him so long to get back to Hogwarts, right?”
“Yes, I did,” Sirius states, slowly. He doesn’t really like where this is going. “Why?”
“I now know why it took so long, why his bruises haven’t been going away. See, he took Hermione and I away from the game while everyone was distracted, and he showed us his secret…”
“His secret?” Sirius asks. “What secret? Where did he take you? Harry, I know you like him, but if he brought you somewhere dangerous or near some dangerous creatures like those Skrewts again…”
“No, it was … worse than that. He took us into the forest –”
“He what?!” Sirius yells, angrily. “I told you – no matter the reason, I don’t want you near the forest, the things that are in there…”
“Look, I know, but it’s Hagrid. I just – Hermione wanted to go so I agreed. I didn’t really want to watch Gryffindor lose, anyway. I hate being in the stands.”
“Fine, go on – what was so important in the forest,” Sirius asks, calming down and remembering his promise to not react badly lest Harry stops sharing with him.
“He found out that he had a brother, a brother that he brought back with him.”
“He did what?”
“Yeah, see, he said that he just couldn’t leave him and even though Grawp didn’t want to come and is clearly unhappy in the forest, he continues to keep him there and wants us to teach him English and visit with him if Umbridge gets the approval to get rid of him like she did Trelawney.”
Sirius is silent for several minutes following this statement. He’s not even sure what to say. Hagrid was risking the students’ lives and the entire Order by forcing his brother to stay in the forest and now he wants Harry to visit the Giant in the forest on a regular basis when he’s been targeted by Umbridge to be expelled at the slightest provocation (almost managed to do it twice before) and while he’s meant to be worried about O.W.L.s. The kid – his kid – is somehow expected to go into a deadly forest and fight who knows what for Hagrid’s Giant brother to teach him English. What was Hagrid on?
“Sirius, are you okay? You look –”
“No, I’m not okay and you are not to go into the forest ever again – let alone to teach a giant English and cater to Hagrid’s whims. I don’t care that it’s his brother or that he’s your friend, you are not doing it – do you understand me?”
“I promise! I had no intention of actually doing it, I promised, but honestly, Umbridge as one of her squad tailing me constantly, we’re lucky we managed to make it back by the end of the game unnoticed, but I can’t or won’t risk expulsion again for this. Especially not with the other things I’ve come across in the forest.”
“Excuse me?” Sirius asks. “Are you saying there are other things you’ve come across in the forest?”
“Well, I –” Harry pauses, “Don’t be angry.”
“I won’t as long as you tell me why this isn’t your first foray into the forest and why didn’t you tell me during your stories at Christmas?”
Harry shrugs in the mirror. “I did, sort of. I just glossed over a lot. But I definitely mentioned the detention in first year, and Hagrid suggested something that led to the forest second year – the giant spiders, the whole time-turner thing third year, and the Dragons were there last year – it’s all very complicated, but it’s not like I ever mean to… I just feel like I have to sometimes. Anyway, I – I don’t want to go into the forest, ever – it just keeps happening.”
“I’ve forgotten that Hagrid’s done this before,” Sirius grumbles. He did remember a lot about the main events of his kids’ life, but he’d completely forgotten how dangerous Hagrid’s made things for Harry at times.
“Er – yeah. There was a thing with a myth that wasn’t a myth and we had to figure something out by going to Hagrid’s friend in the forest and it’s a long story – it’s the chamber, remember me telling you about it – I don’t really want to talk about it, again.”
He’s right. Harry already told him about the giant spiders and his various ‘adventures’ over the years. It’s deeply disturbing to him, for sure.
“Alright – fine. We won’t talk about it again right now, but I want you to understand that I absolutely do not want you to go anywhere near the forest or that giant ever again,” Sirius states. “I know it makes me a hypocrite, but if I’m honest, I don’t care. I want you safe and that forest is not safe.”
“I understand, Pads. Honestly, I didn’t exactly want to help him in this case either.” He pauses, “I’ve had some issues with Hagrid recently and with O.W.L.s and Umbridge…”
“Good,” Sirius replies, appeased. “Now, tell me about the game.”
“I can’t, remember? I didn’t see anything passed the first goal that Ron let in.”
Sirius deflates, “Oh, right.”
“But I can tell you the whole story of what happened with Grawp,” Harry offers. “It’s a bit of a story.”
“Alright, tell me that.”
Harry goes into the details, and Sirius gets more and more upset. He can’t believe that Hagrid would risk his kid’s life by dragging him into the forest of dangerous creatures just to guilt him into dealing with a deadly giant. The same giant that had been hurting him for months that his kid had no chance against. Not to mention the other creatures that Harry’s run into before due to Hagrid. He's sure that he doesn’t know the full story behind Harry’s trips into the forest, but he knows enough to know that Hagrid’s been involved.
Still, just knowing the other things in the forest don’t want him there either is disturbing Sirius more. What would happen if Hermione and Ron think that they’re responsible for actually following through with it all?
For once, he’s beginning to dislike Harry’s friendship with Hagrid. It’s a little bit too focused on what Hagrid needs and risking Harry’s life too much for comfort. He doesn’t like it.
“You okay, Pads?”
“Honestly, kiddo, I don’t know. I thought that you were relatively safe, but now, even with Umbridge more concerned with the castle turning against her, you’re being put in danger by your own friend. I don’t like it and it worries me.”
“Yeah, it worries me, too.”
Sirius takes a deep breath and tries to remind himself that the school year is almost over, and he’ll be able to take his kid to safety. “The important thing is right now is that you focus and finish your O.W.L.s and not worry about anything we can’t control.”
Harry nods. “Good point. Hagrid’s here, anyway, so it’ll be easy to avoid it and him as much as possible. I’ve got bigger worries.”
“Exactly, so just sit back and focus on your exams, and we’ll figure things out, promise. Just after the exams are over and you’re home for the summer.”
Harry smiles. “Thanks, Pads.”
Before they could move on to other topics, Harry yawns and Sirius says, “It’s late and you’ve had a long day, what don’t you get some sleep, and we’ll worry about things tomorrow?”
“Sounds good, Pads. Good night.”
“Night, kid.”