Pennelope and The Order (Harry Potter Love Story) Book 5

Together

My feet hit the ground and I stumbled into Harry. He looked down at me with this new expression playing on his face, like he sees me through a whole new lightI pulled away from him and walked towards the window and stared off into the distance. I watched as kids laugh and play around.

I closed my eyes and tried to forget what just happened only minutes ago. I'm trying to forget -

"It's all my fault," Harry said behind me. "It's all my fault that Sirius is -"

"I don't blame you," I said simply, sniffing quietly. "You were willing to risk so much to save him, so I thank you."

It is true. Even if Harry was a total bitchacho to me, he acted that way to save Sirius. He was willing to go to the Department of Mysteries just to save my uncle.

"I was just . . . 'Playing the hero' . . ." Harry trailed.

There's a dark hole in my heart where Sirius had been. I blinked back tears. I'll never be able to see his smile, his laugh. The way he called me Pennelope Princess. I'll never be able to hear that ever again. I hated that name, but now that Sirius won't call me that ever again that's all I want to hear. I want to hear him talk about his family, I want him to complain about Kreacher. I want to hear his jokes. I just want Sirius.

"If I didn't fall for Voldemort's trick Sirius would be alive and not d-"

"Don't say that word, I can't bear it," I whimpered.

I put my head against the window and burst into tears, Harry wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me into his embrace. He rested his head on top of mine and aloud me to cry into his chest.

It is kind of Harry's fault, but telling him the truth would make him feel awful. I hate Bellatrix, I don't care if she's family, she is going to die, and I can't wait to watch the life slip from her.

I held Harry tighter, I embraced his warmth and let it calm me. Some portraits stirred around us. Harry let go of me and strode over to the door.

Harry seized the doorknob, and pulled. but it's locked.

"I hope this means," a portrait said. "That Dumbledore will soon be back with us?"

Harry turned and nodded. He tugged on the doorknob behind his back, but it won't budge.

"Oh good," the same portrait said. "It has been very dull without him, very dull indeed."

"Dumbledore speaks very highly of you two, as I am sure you know," another portrait said, sending me a comforting smile.

I smiled slightly back at him.

The fireplace burst into emerald-green flame, making Harry and I leap. I stared as Dumbledore unfolded himself from the fire, wizards and witches jerked awake. Many gave cries of welcome.

"Thank you," Dumbledore said softly.

He walked towards me and placed a tiny featherless bird in my hands. I smiled at the baby Fawkes and cooed.

"Well," Dumbledore said. "You two will be pleased to hear that none of your fellow students are going to suffer lasting damage from the night's events."

I gave a relieved sigh.

"Madam Pomfrey is patching everybody up now," Dumbledore said. "Nymphadora Tonks may need to spend a little time in St. Mungo's, but it seems that she will make a full recovery."

I smile, but quickly looked down as tears came up again.

"I know how you are feeling," Dumbledore said quietly, wrapping an arm around me as I cried silently.