Courage - Harry Potter

-46-

Book: Courage
Chapter 46
Word Count: 4019

The storm had blown itself out by the following morning, though the ceiling in the Great Hall was still gloomy; heavy clouds of pewter gray swirled overhead as Harry, Layla, Ron, and Hermione examined their new course schedules at breakfast. A few seats along, Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were discussing magical methods of aging themselves and bluffing their way into the Triwizard Tournament.

"Today's not bad... outside all morning," said Ron, who was running his finger down the Monday column of his schedule. "Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures... damn it, we're still with the Slytherins."

"Double Divination this afternoon," Layla groaned, looking down.

Divination was her least favorite subject. Layla was pretty good at it, but she still hated how unrealistic it was.

"You should have given it up like me, shouldn't you?" said Hermione briskly, buttering herself some toast. "Then you'd be doing something sensible like Arithmancy."

"You're eating again, I notice," said Ron, watching Hermione adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast too.

"I've decided there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights," said Hermione haughtily.

"Yeah... and you were hungry," said Ron, grinning.

There was a sudden rustling noise above them, and a hundred owls came soaring through the open windows carrying the morning mail. The owls circled the tables, looking for the people to whom their letters and packages were addressed. A large tawny owl soared down to Neville and deposited a parcel into his lap — Neville almost always forgot to pack something. On the other side of the Hall Draco's eagle owl had landed on his shoulder, carrying what looked like his usual supply of sweets and cakes from home.

Layla's owl, Apollo, came down with two letters. Layla recognised the handwritings immediately. She'd always been good at noticing anyone's handwriting. One letter was from Remus, and the other was from Sirius. Layla opened the one from her dad first.

Layla,
Hi, honey — how is school going?
I miss teaching there sometimes. You will have to let me know what you think of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I've heard things and he does seem odd.
I've attached your sweets, as usual.
I hope you enjoy your first full day back and I will write to you soon!
With love,
Dad
Ps: Sirius insisted on writing a separate letter to you. I said that I can just put a 'Sirius says hi' on my letter but he said, and I quote, "My letter will be more fun."
I love you, honey. Reply soon.

Layla smiled and placed her letter aside, mentally reminding herself to reply later. She opened a white chocolate exploding bon bon out of the packet that Remus had attached, before turning to open the letter from Sirius.

Layla, my favourite daughter!
Your dad gets so jealous when I refer to you as my daughter. It's hilarious.
Stay clear of that loony DA professor. He's a real nut job, that one. Just a warning. You'll thank me later, sweetheart!
The house is so quiet without you here. You're way more fun than your dad, but don't tell him I said that.
I'm great, thanks for asking! Just joking. But in all seriousness, I miss the outdoors. I can't go outside unless I transform into a dog. It gets boring after a while of just wandering around in dog form.
I know what you're thinking! "You, uncle Sirius? Boring? That can never happen!"
Well, thank you very much, but it's true!
Oh, before I forget, please don't tell Harry I've been sending you letters and not sending him nearly as much. Don't want to make my godson jealous. It is much easier to send you letters surprisingly, but many know that Harry is my godson so they will eventually start tracking the letters that enter the school. I have to be careful when speaking to him, you know?
Not to sound cheesy, but I miss you. I miss my daily dose of Layla weirdness.
Better go. Your dad just saw me writing this letter and has now walked off in a strop, mumbling about how he's your favourite, but that's obviously not true. You prefer me and you know it!
Talk soon, sweetheart,
Sirius
Ps: I better be careful with saying my name in letters in case they really do start tracking them. From now on, I'll address myself as Padfoot. So, if you get a letter from Padfoot, you know who it's from.
See you!