Sacrifices, Harry Potter Year 5

14. Percy and Padfoot

Lilly's POV
Harry was up early. I was in the common room, invisible, reading. Harry wrote a letter to Sirius saying, "Dear Snuffles, Hope you're okay, the first week back here's been terrible, I'm really glad it's the weekend. We've got a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge. She's nearly as nice as your mum. I'm writing because that thing I wrote to you about last summer happened again last night when I was doing a detention with Umbridge. We're all missing our biggest friend, we hope he'll be back soon. Please write back quickly. Best, Harry."
Harry went to the Owlery to send the letter to Sirius. Cho went there as well and her and Harry talked about Quidditch and how Ron was the new Seeker. Harry said he wasn't able to see his trial because he was in detention with Umbridge. Cho said Harry was brave for saying the truth and how it was all over the school. Then Fitch came in accusing Harry of ordering Dungbombs. Harry said that he sent whatever he sent off already. Fitch thought that he hid it in his pockets and Cho saved Harry by saying that she saw him send the letter. They left the Owlery together and Harry was particularly happy when he came and sat with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and I. Ron asked Harry why he was so happy and he lied saying he happy because of Quidditch. Ron wanted to go a bit earlier to get a good bit if practice in. Hermione was pestering them how they had homework and then the Daily Prophet came. Sirius was reported in London, so unfortunately he really can't come out of the house even if he could. Harry spotted a small print about Sturgis Podmore being sent to Azkaban for six months for trespass at the Ministry at one in the morning. Ron thought he was doing something for the Order. I said, "He was supposed to be part of the guard going to King's Cross. Moody was all annoyed because he didn't turn up."
Harry said, "So that doesn't seem like he was supposed to be on a job for them, doesn't it?"
Hermione said, "Maybe they didn't think he would get caught."
Ron thought that the Ministry was luring Sturgis there because they suspect he's one of Dumbledore's! Hermione looked rather impressed and agreed.
She went on again about homework and Neville asked me, "Can I watch you practice?"
I nodded asking, "Yeah, but don't you have your essay to do as well, Neville?"
He nodded solemnly but said, "I'll bring it with me!"
I giggled and said, "Okay, I'll see you later." I pecked his lips and Ron, Harry, and I went to go get changed. We went out and practiced a bit and Ron was fine before the official practice, but when it came to the real thing, it was quite terrible, in all honesty... I felt bad. Ron through the Quaffle at Katie and it caused her nose to bleed. Fred and George tried to stop it, but gave her the wrong candy. Angelina called it quits. I changed rather quickly and went to the Slytherins saying, "Five points for every nasty comment during practice. That was uncalled for and impractical! Ten points off for everyone who sang the song which was very, very rude! You're all lucky I did not give you all detention! Not one word out of you Mr. Malfoy or you, Miss Parkinson, all of you, away from the pitch when the Gryffindor team is practicing or you're punishment will be more severe!"
I sauntered off livid, Neville caught up to me and put his arm around me. I layed my head on his shoulder as we walked, he asked, "Common room?"
I said, "Not just yet... I want to show you something." I took him to the Kitchens, we got a few snacks and drinks, and then went to the common room. We walked in just in time to hear Ron and Hermione get into another fight! She asked how practice was and Ron said it was completely lousy.
She tried to console him saying, "Well, it was only your first one, it's bound to take time to-"
Ron cut her off snapping, "Who said it was me who made it lousy?"
She was really taken back and she said, "No on, I thought-"
"You thought I was bound to be rubbish?"
"No, of course I didn't! Look, you said it was lousy so I just-"
"I'm going to get started on some homework."

I sighed, Harry told Hermione how he did. Neville pulled me to sit on a couch and I said as we pulled out our books, "I get what you mean about those two. What Ron did was totally uncalled for. He can be really thick sometimes."
Neville nodded saying, "I just hope the next conversation that they have can go without screaming at each other."
I said, "Not going to happen, the next conversation they will have, Hermione will try to help, but Ron will snap at her..."
He nodded saying, "Probably..."
We worked the rest of the day and the next day Neville was working hard again while I was reading another book. Neville went to bed around ten and I went and sat with Ron and Harry, they were working on Professor Sinistra's essay. Hermione tried to help them and Ron started to get into another argument with Hermione and then Percy wrote to Ron congratulating him for getting Prefect, giving him advice on what to do, who to talk to (Umbridge), to sever the ties with Harry and his family, to put faith in the Ministry... All a bunch of dung really. Ron ripped the letter up and threw it into the fire. Then Hermione took over Ron's essay, fixing it. I took over Harry's and helped him correct it. Ron started coping it down and Harry thought he saw Sirius' head in the fire.
Sirius then appeared saying, "I was starting to think you'd go to bed before everyone else had disappeared. I've been checking every hour." They talked about Harry's scar hurting and how Umbridge hates half breeds, that we learn by the book, the Ministry doesn't want us trained us in combat, then I asked about Hagrid. Sirius told them to stop asking about Hagrid and that he can handle it. Sirius wanted to meet up again in Hogsmeade, but Harry, Hermione, and I said no. It was then that Sirius realized that Harry wasn't all like James. He left rather quickly...

Thanks for reading! Vote please! :)
-Lilly :)