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Harry was amused by Albus Dumbledore's disgruntled expression at the Daily Prophet's Headlines the day after Sirius' trial. "Sirius Black Innocent. Illegal Imprisonment by the Ministry. Who Knew?" He read the account of the trial and was pleased. Part of him really looked forward to meeting his godfather. He didn't want him to have custody of him, but that to Harry was a separate issue. He definitely wanted to know him. Harry also hoped that the headlines would pull Remus Lupin out from wherever he had hidden himself.
Harry wanted to know both his father's friends but felt neither them was good and particularly trustworthy material. Sirius because he had felt revenge on Peter was more important that securing Harry's safety himself, and Remus because the man had been free but had made zero effort to contact Harry in any way while Harry was growing up. Curious about them willing to know them, yes, trust them, hell no.
Harry noticed three things as the year progressed, every time he checked the map to keep an eye on Lockhart's doings he also found himself checking on a certain Ravenclaw much to his personal annoyance. He had figured out the schedules of the first years because of where she was when, and it annoyed him to no end. So far none of his friends had picked up on his obsession and he wanted to keep it that way.
Harry was barely passing Lockhart's class, Harry figured his grade had more to do with his refusal to cater to the man's ego than anything else, he was working extra hard in his other classes to make up for it but it was still killing his average. Part of him hoped the man showed his true colors soon so they could get rid of him before Harry found himself forced to speak with his Head of House. The third thing he noticed didn't happen until Halloween.
On Halloween he heard a voice on his way back to the dorm from the library. He had avoided the feast because he really hated how people the previous year had spent more than half of it looking at him and pointing. He really hated all the Boy-Who-Lived crap, it was like people wanted to rub his nose in the fact his parents died. Most of the time he could ignore it but for some reason on Halloween it was hard to. Then he rounded the corner and came across Filch wailing about Mrs. Norris.
Draco was there shouting, "You'll be next mudbloods!"
Harry was a bit surprised to see most of the second years there. He snickered as Tracey didn't think, didn't hesitate, she just reached out and smacked the back of Malfoy's head. Crabbe and Goyle, the two bookends whose father's were apparently enforcers for Malfoy, Sr., stepped forward as if to retaliate. Then they noticed Harry and Blaise and backed down. Harry knew what he'd done to establish his bonafides as someone not to mess with, and he wondered what Blaise had done that had served the same purpose. The teachers were trying to move the students out so they could investigate. Harry and Blaise took charge of their year mates, and steered the Slytherins back down to the dungeons.
He got back to the dorms and was about to take Hedwig out for the night when Cassandra used the mirror to call him. "Harry, could you send Hedwig to me, I've got a letter here to you from your godfather. I figured you would want it right away."
Harry looked at Hedwig she ducked her head. "She's on her way." he said as she vanished in a swirl of snow.
Apparently Hedwig felt he needed the letter tonight, because a second later Cassandra was exclaiming "Oh, Merlin!"
"Cassandra, don't freak okay!" Harry checked the map to make sure no one was near before he continued. "Hedwig is a snow phoenix. She can go anywhere in a blink of an eye."
"You have a Phoenix familiar. Do you have any-"
"Idea how rare that is? Yes, yes, I do. This is kinda one of those things I really don't want anyone else to know. Got it?"
Cassandra sucked in her personal desire to screech like a fan girl about this, and instead uttered, "Understood." She handed the message to Hedwig who promptly vanished in another swirl of snow. "What have you found out about Hedwig's type of phoenix?"
"Not much. I've checked the library but there's only three quasi-references to a mythical variety of phoenixes called snow phoenixes. Given Hedwig's ability to masquerade as a owl, I wonder if they all hide that way."
"Maybe you should ask Mr. Flamel."
"Thanks, I think I will." Hedwig reappeared next to Harry and gave him his letter.
"Goodnight, Harry."
"Thanks, Cassandra." Harry carried Hedwig the rest of the way outside then returned to his dorm.
Harry had pulled out the box from his parents and sealed his curtains around his bed before he opened the letter.
Bambi,
I'm unsure how to start this really so I guess I'll just say sorry I screwed up. I didn't expect Peter to do what he did and as result I didn't keep my promises to your parents. I'm sorry.
I was very upset when I found out that the Wizengamot insisted that I get a month of care from a qualified healer before I'm even allowed to meet you. I've got one more week to go then I thought I could come to Hogwarts. I figure if I'm ever going to get the chance to keep my promises to you and your parents I have to do what the Wizengamot wants. Sorry.
My healer says she's impressed because I'm not as bad as she expected. I spent a lot of hours as Padfoot because as a dog instead of a person the dementors didn't bother me as much. It also helped that I had a rational if unhappy thought on which to focus. She wants me to talk about crap like what memories the dementors brought up. Like I'm stupid enough to tell her. Anyway. I look forward to seeing you in a week.
Your godfather, Sirius