The Potter Alliance

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Arriving in Hogsmeade Harry felt incredibly drained. He was helping carry the headmaster with one of his arms, and immediately went into the Three Broomsticks nearby. Thankfully the bar was mostly empty, and as he carried the wizened old man into the building very few even gave him a second look. Madame Rosmerta, the usually upbeat bar maiden, came over to them looking to serve, but saw the state of the headmaster and gasped, "What's happened?"

Harry sat the man into a booth as he groaned, "We have had just a bit of a rough night. Would appreciate it if you don't say anything to anyone about this."

The young man wasn't in the mood for games, so pulled a few gold galleons out of his back pocket and placed them on the table, "I will pay anyone in this bar off to keep this quiet."

Madam Rosemerta's eyes widened, but quickly swept up the change, "Is there anything I can get you two?"

Harry shook his head, "Send word up to the school somehow, and send for Madame Pomfrey, and Professor McGonagall."

She nodded, and Dumbledore grabbed Harry's arm, "Severus, Harry."

Quickly shaking off the grip of the old man Harry spat, "I don't really want to see that man right now. I may not be able to prevent myself from doing something we will all regret. I think right now you should be fortunate that I didn't leave you in that cave. Now sit there and shut up."

Harry took a deep breath feeling the rage quench his body but thought of Susan and began to relax as he drew his wand, "Expecto Patronum."

The stag appeared as Harry's mind shifted away from the event of the night and towards Susan. He basked in the warmth his father's animagus brought him, "Susan, Sirius, we made it out. We had to apparate out of our last location for safety. We are at the Three Broomsticks. Meet us here."

With that the Patronus shot out of the bar and disappeared. Harry stared where the creature previously was and tried not to look at the old man as the next few minutes passed. The door swung open a few minutes later and red head shot towards the boy wrapping him in a tight hug, "Oh thank Merlin you are okay."

Harry gently wrapped his arms around the girl and felt himself slowly begin to calm down. When the two separated the familiar black-haired man that had taken care of Harry over the past year stepped in and also brought the boy in for a hug, "What happened Pup? Did it all work out?"

Looking at the Headmaster with a bit of disgust he said, "It didn't go according to plan, but forgive me I would like to get as far away from that man as I can. Just waiting for Madame Pomfrey to arrive."

Susan and Sirius both recoiled at the boy's frosty tone, but neither said a word as they all waited in possibly the most uncomfortable silence possible.

It didn't take much longer for the school matron, and the deputy headmistress to arrive, "Potter! I heard Dumbledore was here with you injured."

Harry nodded, stepping aside to offer access to the patient, "He drank a poison Madame Pomfrey, but I cannot tell you what it was or how it came to be here. We need to get back up to the school now preferably. His strength seems to be returning."

Both women looked ready to protest, but Harry said, "This requires the utmost confidence. It has to do with the war."

This silenced both women, but before they could say anything else Fawkes the Phoenix arrived, and Dumbledore smiled at his familiar, "Ah thank you for coming old friend. Will you please take me back to my office? Madam Pomfrey I will await you there. Harry...we will talk another night."