The Heart of Black - A Harry Potter Story

Chapter 3 - The Howler

Skylar hardly got any sleep that night. She was so nervous about the following day that it was impossible for her to even shut her eyes for five minutes. When she saw the sun rising through the dormitory window, she decided to give up. She climbed out of bed and went down into the common room.

The once blazing fire was now just a few embers. The room was deserted and unnervingly quiet. A floorboard creaked under the weight of her and Sky jumped of her skin, stifling a scream.

"What are you doing up so early?" came a voice from behind her. Sky yelped and spun around. It was Sirius. His long black hair was all over place and his grey eyes looked tired. Gaining control of her breathing Sky replied.

"I couldn't sleep." she said. "Why are you up?"

"I couldn't sleep either!" Sirius seemed rather reluctant to reveal this information, he looked down at his feet. Sky giggled.

"Why couldn't you sleep?"

"Because of my parents." said Sirius, looking up again. "When they find out that I'm in Gryffindor they'll go ballistic. No doubt they'll send me a Howler." he sounded miserable. Skylar didn't know what to say, she knew for a fact that Sirius was right. Although she had never met his parents (a good thing too, she would probably be dead as soon as she crossed the threshold), from what he had told her the previous day she could guess that he was right.

After a few moments silence, Sirius made his way over to one of the armchairs. Sky followed suit, taking the seat next to him.

"I really hate my parents." said Sirius dully.

"I'd gathered that!" said Sky.

"They're just so controlling. It's horrible the way they talk about Muggle-borns, I want to strangle them most of the time." he sighed deeply and gazed into the fire. He seemed genuinely upset.

A few hours past and Sirius and Skylar were slowly joined by students that were about to head down to breakfast. Remus arrived and sat next Sirius. He was already dressed.

"You two should probably go and get ready." he said, eyeing their pyjamas. They nodded in agreement and made their way towards the staircases. "Oh, and Sirius, wake James and Peter up while you're up there." Sirius nodded silently and began to jog up the staircase to his dormitory. Sky made her way up to hers.

She opened the door and saw that Lily was up and getting ready.

"Good morning," she said cheerfully, "sleep well?"

"No." replied Sky.

"Why not?"

"I've been really worried about our first day, but I'm sure I'll be fine once it's over.". Sky dragged her trunk out from under her bed and removed her robes, jumper, blouse and skirt. She also got out her scarlet and gold tie, which every Gryffindor was required to wear. She pulled on her skirt and blouse, then turned to Lily.

"Aren't you nervous?" she asked.

"Of course I am, but what's the worst that can happen?". Sky shrugged at this. She put on her shoes and grey, knee high socks. She waited for Lily, then the two of them made their way back down to the common room.

Remus had been joined by James, Peter and Sirius again. Skylar approached, but Lily wasn't very happy about it. Sky turned on her heel and dragged Lily over to the boys.

"Ready?" asked Remus, spotting the girls.

"Yep." said Sky. The boys stood up and together they made their way to breakfast.

The group had just taken their seats at the Gryffindor table when a flock of owls appeared. It was the post. Sirius glanced up nervously. His face lit up when nothing seemed to be there for him and he turned back to his breakfast. But then a large black screech owl landed heavily on the table in front of him. Clutched in its beak was a scarlet envelope with a bright red ribbon tied around it. Sirius groaned and reluctantly removed the letter, cursing under his breath. When the letter had been removed from its mouth, the owl took flight, smacking Sirius in the face with its large wing.

"Bet mum told it to do that." he said angrily, rubbing the spot that had been whacked.

"Sirius," said Peter nervously, "is that a-"

"Howler, yeah it is." said Sirius grimly. He was eyeing the envelope as though it was going to suddenly burst into flames.

"You'd better open it," said James, "they get worse the longer you leave them.".

"What is a Ho-" began Skylar, but James raised his hand to silence her.

"You'll find out in a minute." he said, looking just as grim as Sirius. Everyone's eyes were on the red envelope. Sirius slowly broke the seal. To begin with, Skylar thought that it was just a normal letter. But suddenly it flew out of Sirius' hand and formed what looked like a mouth in mid-air. The red envelope were the lips, the parchment inside were the teeth and the ribbon looked like a tounge.

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" it screeched, making Sky jump. Half the hall was now looking over at them. "YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO OUR FAMILY! HOW DARE YOU GET SORTED INTO GRYFFINDOR! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DO ONE THING RIGHT? NARCISSA, BELLATRIX AND ANDROMEDA MADE IT INTO SLYTHERIN! I CAN GUARANTEE THAT REGULUS WILL BE TOO! HOW DARE YOU STAND FOR THIS NONSENSE, WHY HAVEN'T YOU DEMANDED A RE-SORT!?" the Howler stopped screaming at Sirius and began to insult the Headmaster, Albus Dumbedore. "HOW COULD THAT IDIOT LET THIS HAPPEN, HE'S THE WORST FU-" the envelope was cut off. Sirius had jumped on top of and clamped it shut. It began to struggle madly in his hands.

"Move out the way!" shouted Sky, brandishing her wand. Sirius obeyed immediately, releasing the Howler, which began to hiss angrily at him.

"Stupefy!" screamed Sky. A jet of red light shot from the end of her wand. The Howler froze, its teeth were beared as though it was growling at them. Then it dropped, motionless, to the table. Sirius seized it and ripped it up into the smallest peices possible.

"How did you learn that spell," he gasped, turning to her, "we haven't even started lessons yet!?"

"Well, when I was reading I came across a few spells I one of the books. It told me how to cast the spell and the effects. I thought this was the perfect time to try it out." she said. Lily and the boys nodded in unison.

"Perhaps we should eat something," suggested Remus," we'll have to go soon." he gestured to the end of the table. Professor McGonagall was handing out timetables. Everyone piled their plates high with eggs, bacon and beans. Professor McGonagall reached them and handed them their timetables.

"Sounds like a good day today," said Sirius, scanning his timetable, "Charms, Transfiguration, double Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts!". And with that they all made their way back to the common room to collect their books.