Narcissa Tonks: Hufflepuff Fanfic

Train Ride Home

Narcissa's POV

The day after exams the castle was almost deserted. Due the sweltering, heat and the end of the exams. Third years and above enjoyed another Hogsmeade visit. I went with my house mates, it was a lot of fun. But I didn't see Padfoot at all. Which is strange, he usually around on Hogsmeade weekends for food.

That morning Snape let slip to the Slytherins that Professor Lupin is a werewolf. The whole school knew by the end of breakfast. I heard that he resigned. Which sucks. But I understood why, he didn't want to cause trouble for Dumbledore and most parents wouldn't want a werewolf teaching their kids. Mine wouldn't care, I've told them all about what an amazing teacher he is.

I didn't get to see Hermione or the other two until the train ride home. Before that though the exam results came out on the last day of term. I had passed every subject, even history surprisingly. Gryffindor House, meanwhile, largely thanks to their spectacular performance in the Quidditch Cup, had won the House championship for the third year running. This meant that the end of term feast took place amid decorations of scarlet and gold, and that the Gryffindor table was the noisiest of the lot, as everybody celebrated

Anyway, it turns out I missed a lot the night of Buckbeak's appeal.  Hermione and the others filled me in on everything. As the train left Hogsmeade station. Needless to say I was surprised by what they told me. "So Sirius Black is innocent?" I ask as I pat Aurora.

"Yes, it was Peter Pettigrew who betrayed my parents and Sirius tracked him down" Harry states.

"Then faked his death framing Sirius" Ron adds.

"Then Sirius was falsely imprisoned for twelve years and only escaped to come after Pettigrew" Hermione finishes.

"Who escaped that night" I state and they all nod their heads. "Sounds like you guys had quiet the adventure" I add. "Especially you and Harry, Hermione. Going back to save Buckbeak and Sirius" I whisper.

"I only wish we had caught Pettigrew, then Sirius would be free right now" Harry mutters.

"I still can't believe you didn't tell us about it, the time turner" Ron says looking at Hermione. "We're supposed to be your friends" he states.

"She didn't tell me either" I remind him.

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone" Hermione tells us. She looked around at Harry, who was watching Hogwarts disappear from view behind a mountain.

"We'll be back" I assure him.

"Oh, cheer up, Harry!" Hermione tells him.

"I'm okay, just thinking about the holidays" he tells her.

"Yeah, I've been thinking about them too" Ron states. "Harry, you've got to come and stay with us. I'll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I'll call you. I know how to use a fellytone now" he explains. I giggle.

"A telephone, Ron" Hermione corrects him. "Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year" she tells him. Ron ignored her. "By the way, what classes are you taking next year?" she asks me.

"Arithmancy and Ancient Runes" I tell her.

"Good choices" she says with a smile. "I love Arithmancy" she states.

"It's the Quidditch World Cup this summer! How about it, Harry? Come and stay, and we'll go and see it! Dad can usually get tickets from work" Ron states.

"My sister is getting tickets for herself and I. For my birthday" I tell him smiling.

"Yeah. . . I bet the Dursleys'd be pleased to let me come. . . especially after what I did to Aunt Marge" Harry states smiling. Feeling considerably more cheerful, Harry joined Ron and Hermione in several games of Exploding Snap. While I look out the window stroking Aurora's fur.

"Guys, is that an owl?" I ask a short while later. Something very small and gray was bobbing in and out of sight beyond the glass. Harry stood up for a better look. He quickly pulled down the window, stretched out his arm, and caught it. Then brought it into the train. It was an owl, a very small owl.

The owl dropped its letter onto Harry's seat and began zooming around their compartment, apparently very pleased with itself for accomplishing its task. Hedwig clicked her beak with a sort of dignified disapproval. Crookshanks sat up in his seat, following the owl with his great yellow eyes. Ron, noticing this, snatched the owl safely out of harm's way.

Harry picked up the letter. "It's from Sirius" he tells us.

"What?!" we all exclaims. "Read it out loud" we tell him. Harry opened the letter.

"Dear Harry, I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I don't know whether they're used to owl post.

Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I won't tell you where, in case this owl falls into the wrong hands. I have some doubt about his reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem eager for the job.

I believe the Dementors are still searching for me, but they haven't a hope of finding me here. I am planning to allow some Muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts, so that the security on the castle will be lifted.

There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you the Firebolt..." he reads.

"See! I told you it was from him!" Hermione states.

"Yes, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" Ron asks her. "Ouch!" he exclaims. The tiny owl now hooting happily in his hand, had nibbled one of his fingers in what it seemed to think was an affectionate way. Harry continues to read his letter.

"Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name but told them to take the gold from my own Gringotts vault. Please consider it as thirteen birthdays' worth of presents from your godfather.

I would also like to apologize for the fright I think I gave you that night last year when you left your uncle's house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my journey north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you.

I am enclosing something else for you, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable.

If ever you need me, send word. Your owl will find me.

I'll write again soon.

Sirius" he finishes. Harry looked eagerly inside the envelope. There was another piece of parchment in there. He read it through quickly. Sirius had given him permission to visit Hogsmeade. "That'll be good enough for Dumbledore!" he exclaims happily. "Hang on, there's a PS" he tells us. "I thought your friend Ron might like to keep this owl, as it's my fault he no longer has a rat" he reads.

Ron's eyes widened. The minute owl was still hooting excitedly. "Keep him?" he asks. He looked closely at the owl for a moment; then, to our great surprise. He held him out for Crookshanks to sniff. "What do you reckon? Definitely an owl?" he asks and Crookshanks purrs. "That's good enough for me, he's mine" he declares.

"Good for you Ron" I say with a smile. The rest of the train ride was uneventful. Mum and dad meet me at the station. I said goodbye to the others and we went home.

A/N

Picture above of Hogsmeade station and picture on the external link of Ron's new owl.