Just like Brothers

Chapter 92

"The Minister?" Sirius frowned, "Are you sure?"

Harry nodded, "positive, that's what it said."

"Do you have the map on you right now?" Remus asked.

Harry dug in the pocket of his jacket and brought out the folded piece of parchment.

"Here," he held it out for them to take.

"Thanks," Remus mumbled, bringing his wand to the parchment, "I solemnly swear. that I'm up to no good."

Ink blossomed from the center of the page, leaving a map of Hogwarts in its wake.

"Sirius," Remus' eyes widened, "look."

He pointed to Moody's office, there was in fact, two dots, Alastor Moody and Bartemius Crouch.

"You don't think..." Sirius locked eyes with the werewolf.

"We're going to have to check," Remus said.

Sirius grunted, "did you show Snape?"

Harry shook his head, "he doesn't know I have the map."

"We'll talk to him," Remus said, "eat your breakfast."

Sirius pocketed the map and plastered a fake smile onto his face.

"So what's with the wake up call, kid? Aren't you supposed to be at school?"

"I needed Severus's help with something last night," Harry said, "we figured out the clue for my next task."

"What is it?" Remus asked curiously.

"The Black Lake, mermaids are going to take something valuable from me and I have an hour underwater to recover it."

"How're you going to swim underwater for an hour?" Sirius asked.

"Severus is giving me gillyweed," Harry said.

"I thought teachers weren't allowed to help the champions," Remus said teasingly over the rim of his teacup.

"It doesn't count," Harry laughed, "he's my guardian, besides, I didn't sign up for this, I'm underage and less skilled then the others, it's only fair I get a little more help."

"That mindset will get you nowhere," Sirius warned, "you don't deserve special treatment every time you come across a situation less desirable, or a situation you didn't ask to be in."

"Party Pooper," Harry groaned, "let me live."

"Just saying," Sirius held up his hands.

"Go to school," Remus laughed, throwing an apple at Harry, "and eat that, growing teens should have nutritionally balanced meals."

"Did you read that in one of your books?" Sirius rolled his eyes.

"What do you mean, one of his books?" Harry asked curiously.

Sirius dropped his voice to a whisper, looking at Remus teasingly, "Moony bought parenting books."

"Parenting books?" Harry laughed, "why?"

"I only got them because Mrs. Whitely said Severus had bought a couple."

"Severus bought parenting books?" Harry boomed, "that's brilliant."

"Yeah, yeah, so funny," Remus rolled his eyes, "come on mini-prongs, get to school, you have class in twenty minutes."

"Alright," Harry shoved his apple in his pocket, "I'll see you guys around."