Tears (Sirius Black's daughter) Book 2

Chapter 12

Harry found himself daydreaming about Hogwarts more and more as the end of the holidays approached; he could not wait to see Hagrid again, to play Quidditch, even to stroll across the vegetable patches to the Herbology greenhouses; it would be a treat just to leave this dusty, musty house, where half of the cupboards were still bolted shut and Kreacher wheezed insults out of the shadows as you passed, though Harry was careful not to say any of this within earshot of Sirius.

The fact was that living at the Headquarters of the anti-Voldemort movement was not nearly as interesting or exciting as Harry would have expected before he'd experienced it. Though members of the Order of the Phoenix came and went regularly, sometimes staying for meals, sometimes only for a few minutes of whispered conversation, Mrs Weasley made sure that Harry and the others were kept well out of earshot (whether Extendable or normal) and nobody, not even Sirius seemed to feel that Harry needed to know anything more than he had heard on the night of his arrival. It was the same with Clara but she understood that it was for her safety. 

On the very last day of the holidays, Harry was sweeping up Hedwig's owl droppings from the top of the wardrobe when Ron entered their bedroom carrying a couple of envelopes. 

"Booklists have arrived," he said, throwing one of the envelopes up to Harry, who was standing on a chair. "About time, I thought they'd forgotten, they usually come much earlier than this..." 

Harry swept the last of the droppings into a rubbish bag and threw the bag over Ron's head into the wastepaper basket in the corner, which swallowed it and belched loudly. He then opened his letter. It contained two pieces of parchment: one the usual reminder that term started on the first of September; the other telling him which books he would need for the coming year. 

"Only two new ones," he said, reading the list, "The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5, by Miranda Goshawk, and Defensive Magical Theory, by Wilbert Slinkhard." 

Clara was reading her letter when Harry and the rest of the kids came downstairs. The adults were in the kitchen with her. "THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!" She shouts. Adults turn their head to her abandoning their conversation. 

"What is?" Bill asks. 

"We have to buy a book called 'Defensive Magical Theory' I've read that book! there's nothing in there to do with defensive spells. Have they gone mad? This year is more important than ever! Especially with Voldy on the rise," Clara exclaims angrily. 

"Haven't you heard? The ministry is getting involved with Hogwarts," Hermione says. Clara looks at her dumbfounded. 

"I don't want to go to Hogwarts this year if I'm not learning how to protect myself." 

"You have too," Remus says. 

"But-" 

"No buts. You're going," Sirius says sternly. Clara sighs in defeat. Sirius stands up and walks to her. He places his hands on either shoulder and looks at her. "This year is the most important year so far, you need to go. Especially if you want to become an Auror," Sirius says gently. He pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her hair. 

"How-" 

"You've always wanted to be one, I figured it never changed." He felt Clara smile. "Your mum was one." Clara looks up. 

"Mum?" She says quietly. Sirius nods. 

"Can you tell me about her one day?" Sirius smiles softly. 

"I can tell you about her now," Sirius says. "If you want," he adds quickly. She nods eagerly. He leads her away from the kitchen and into the living room, after hugging Harry for a few seconds. 

"What would like me to tell you?" He asks taking a seat next to her.

"Everything," Clara says leaning her head into Sirius' shoulder.