Power, Freedom and a French Flower

Mischief Managed

AN: Welcome to chapter 20 guys!

Wow...what a mix of reactions I got for my last chapter. I of course appreciate your feedback, and the majority of reviews felt that Harry had overstepped just a tiny bit.

Now, I have to be careful when listening to reviews only, due to sampling bias, of course. I hope you guys understand.

Nevertheless, I will think about your feedback and perhaps slowly introduce some character development to my story.

Keep the feedback up and together we will make this fic even more enjoyable.

Enjoy the next chapter!

The recognizable sections belong to JKR

Chapter 20

"What do you mean, Godfather?" Harry asked, perplexed.

Dumbledore sighed again:

"Sirius Black was good friends with your father during their time at Hogwarts. When your parents had you, they decided to name him your Godfather. Your parents went under the Fidelius Charm after learning about the prophecy. Have you ever read about the charm?"

Harry shook his head... He had not. Dumbledore continued:

"It is a very complex piece of magic. Only a truly skilled wizard or witch could cast it. The charm hides a location, place, item or any sort of secret within the soul of a person. It can only be revealed willingly, not through Legilimency, Veritaserum, or any other means.

Your mother managed to cast the charm over their house in Godric's Hollow and your parents chose Sirius as the Secret Keeper, as he was your dad's best friend." Dumbledore explained sadly.

Harry was processing the new information at a rapid speed:

"So Black was a spy for Voldemort? Why were my parent's friends with them in the first place? From what I have heard about the Black family, they were just as deeply involved in the dark arts as their name suggests?"

"Sirius was supposed to be the black sheep of the Black family. He befriended your father on the Hogwarts Express during their first year and was sorted into Gryffindor. Never before had a Black gone anywhere but Slytherin. It was almost a scandal."

"How did Black get caught after betraying my parents?"

Dumbledore waited for a couple of seconds but decided to be honest with the boy:

"He was cornered by Peter Pettigrew, another member of their little friend group during their Hogwarts years. Peter was no match for Sirius but distracted him long enough for the Aurors to arrive. Peter had been awarded the Order of Merlin posthumously for his efforts if I am not mistaken.

No one would have ever thought that things could turn out that way. Your father and Sirius were brothers in all but blood. They and their little group of friends were responsible for lots of mischief during their time at Hogwarts." Dumbledore gave a sad chuckle.

Harry froze. No! This could not be...

"What did you just say?"

"I beg your pardon, Harry." Dumbledore seemed confused

"About my dad and his friends?" Harry urged him. "What did you just say!" He almost shouted at the Headmaster.

"I said that they were always up to mischief during their time in the Castle. I believe they hold several records for the most detentions per year. I remember one of their pranks..."

Harry had stopped listening... Mischief...

All of a sudden, he knew where he had read the name Pettigrew before. He had seen the name on the Marauder's map close to the Gryffindor Tower once late at night and had wondered what student it was since the name was unfamiliar. He had shrugged it off as just an older year student.