Falling Star

In the Fire

A few days later, I wake up in a cold sweat, reeling from yet another nightmare. The details are already fading, but my heart is still beating an erratic rhythm. I know I can't go back to sleep now, so I decide to go ahead and get dressed for the day, then head down to the common room and try to get ahead on some homework. It's still pitch black outside. I guess it will be a good while until everyone else wakes up.

Muffled voices float up from below as I walk down the stairs. On instinct, I grab my wand out of my robe and hold it in front of me. I will my breathing to steady and continue moving toward the common room slowly and quietly.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I'm relieved to see it's only Harry...talking to the fireplace. I debate for a moment just going back upstairs, but I'm afraid he would hear my retreat and worry that someone was spying on him.

"Harry?" I call out.

He flinches, clearly startled, and reaches for his wand.

"It's just me. Don't worry. I just couldn't sleep."
I take a few steps toward him, and he turns to shield my view of the fireplace. I stop. "Who are you talking to?"

Harry says "no one" just as an older, gruff voice asks, "Is that Dahlia?"

My blood turns cold, and I suppress a shudder. Why does the disembodied voice know who I am?

"Y-yes. Who are you?"

"Harry, let her come here. I want to see her."

Harry looks bewildered and a bit wary, but he finally scoots over and gestures for me to join him in front of the fire.

A face stares back at me from the flames. The face is familiar, although I have never met him in person.

"Sirius?" I blurt out.

"It's nice to meet you, cousin. I wish I could do it in person, but..." He appears to try and shrug, but since his face is all that's visible, the gesture is kind of awkward. I understand it all the same, though.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, too. I've heard a lot about you. Wonderful things from Harry. Terrible things from my father. And Mum is just sad any time your name is brought up," I ramble because I don't know what else to say. It's not every day you meet a long lost cousin in a fireplace.

I never thought I would be able to meet the side of my family who had been burned off the family tree. I know I also have another aunt, Andromeda, and I think she has a daughter, too. It's strangely comforting to realize there are more family members of mine out there that don't subscribe to the pure blood superiority rubbish. A lump unexpectedly forms in my throat, and I cough to try and hide it.

"I always forget you two are actually related," Harry remarks beside me.

"Much to the Malfoy's dismay," Sirius quips. I giggle at this.

"You look so much like Cissy. She and I were great friends growing up," he tells me.

Not knowing how to respond, I just smile sadly and nod. Sirius cocks his head like he hears something we can't.

After a moment, he says, "I should be going. Harry, remember what we discussed. Watch yourself around Umbridge. Remember who she reports to. And Dahlia." His eyes are laser focused on mine. "Be careful. Hang on to what's good."

"I will," I reply.

"Bye, Sirius," Harry says quietly.

The fire goes out. Harry and I remain staring at it for a few moments.

I clear my throat. "Do you do this often? Speak to him through the fire, I mean."

Harry shrugs. "I used to write him quite a lot. But letters aren't the safest way to communicate anymore. So I do this when I need to see him."

I feel bad for Harry. Having his only good living relative be in hiding and not being able to see or talk to him whenever sounds terrible. "I'm glad you have him, Harry. He seems like a really good man."

The corners of Harry's mouth curve upwards. "He is. I wish you could meet him in person."

"Me too. I would like that a lot." I bite the inside of my cheek for a moment. "It's...nice knowing I have family that don't believe...you know."

"Yeah," Harry says, an awkward mix of pity and discomfort on his face.

"Right. Well." I stand up and dust invisible lint off myself. Thin light streams in from the windows. Sunrise will be soon. "Everyone will probably be waking up in an hour or so. What do you say we beat everyone to breakfast and get the best food?"

Harry gives a lopsided smile. "Good plan."