Secret Lessons

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. However, since Rowling discarded my favourite characters I picked them up and took them into my care to give them the love and attention they deserve...and occasionally give them reason to need that love and attention no matter how much they deserve it without needing a reason.

Warnings: None, really.

Summary: Harry spends the day with Sirius and learns more than he'd ever thought he would as he meets with his godfather properly for the first time.

A/N: Based upon chapter twenty-two of Goblet of Fire in which Professor McGonagall informs Harry he needs to have a dancing partner and he tells her he doesn't dance.

Special thanks to Kitty for beta-ing this story for me and giving me endless support and inspiration for this series.

Rewritten February 2020

Xxxxxx

Hurrying to the Owlery after having spoken to McGonagall, Harry wasn't sure what he was hoping to accomplish with writing to Sirius, but couldn't help but go through with it as he bound the letter to Hedwig's claw; not having the patience to find a different one as she landed on his shoulder.

Dear Sirius

There's going to be a ball on Christmas Eve here and as a champion, I have to join.

Not only that, I need to perform the opening dance with a partner.

I have to dance! I don't know how to dance, least of all with a girl!

I'm not sure why I am telling you this, but remember what I told you about how I became friends with Hermione? About the Troll? Think you could, I don't know, maybe find one and have him break in on Christmas Eve so the ball's cancelled at the last minute?

Love,

Harry

Anxiously awaiting the owl post the next morning, his heart skipped a beat as Hedwig soared in, landing beside his plate so he fed her a piece of bacon while taking the letter from her and as she flew off, he slipped a thumb underneath the sealing to unfold it.

Harry,

Meet me at the place Padfoot came to life at the time you first saw a sleepy Moony, tomorrow.

Love, Sirius

Biting back a fond smile, he refolded the paper and tucked it away into his robes as he felt the eyes of Ron and Hermione on him and slicing his sausage he chewed thoughtfully.

Part of him was worried about Sirius returning to Hogwarts despite knowing it wouldn't help and that his godfather would be careful, but while he silently berated himself for having send that panicked letter, another part of him, the bigger part, was simply relieved to know the man might have a solution for him.

The letter had been written quite crafty so that even if it fell into the wrong hands, no one would know what Padfoot was or where he was born and the only reason Harry knew was because Sirius had told him about his first successful transformation as an Animagus in a room he'd never even knew existed.

He knew that what Sirius had called the Come and Go room, wasn't visible on the Marauder's Map, but thanks to his godfather he knew exactly how to find it and although surprised Sirius remembered it, he had in turn told Sirius how he had first met Professor Lupin at the train to Hogwarts. The man himself had been asleep at the time so it was a perfect cover for a time as there were only four people who knew about the time.

"What did he have to say?" Ron whispered as both of his friends leaned in closer.

"He just congratulated me on outsmarting the Hungarian Horntail," he wasn't entirely sure why he didn't just tell them the truth, but he felt oddly protective of the growing bond between him and his godfather.

He hadn't told either of his friends about the increasingly lengthy letters that were passing between them after Harry had received a special package that summer, containing what he'd described as a magical drop box.

It allowed Harry to freely communicate with his godfather without the usage of owls and he momentarily cursed himself for not having thought to use that instead of Hedwig, but what was done was done and he quickly brushed off the thought of telling his friends about his meeting tomorrow, not wanting to share his godfather's attention with them.

He knew it was selfish, but especially with Ron's recent behaviour still fresh in his mind, he decided to go alone and taking another bite, he wondered if he might be able to sneak off to the kitchen after breakfast tomorrow so that he could bring something extra for Sirius.

Through their box mailing, Harry had learned the man was currently hiding in a cave near Hogsmeade and knew food wouldn't be easy to come by if he was hiding so close to a magical community.

The transport had required some thinking on Harry's part as he hadn't wanted to give his godfather's hiding place away, but then Hermione had brought Dobby's presence to his attention and the little elf had been delighted to help out in secret; taking a nicely wrapped food package to Sirius once a month, that at Sirius' grateful request contained mostly easily salvageable food so that the man could use it for a longer period.

But if they were meeting up in person, then perhaps he could bring him some fresh ham and maybe roasted beef or some chicken, he mused before being pulled out of his thoughts as Hermione leaned in again.

"Does he have any clues about the egg?"

"Like the man would know what that ear-splitting screaming is supposed to mean through a description," Ron huffed. "He's not a miracle worker, you know."

"Maybe not, but it is worth a shot, isn't it?" she shrugged.

"I'll write later to ask him for tips on how to decipher the sound," making a mental note to bring along the egg, he tuned his bickering friends out to finish his meal and counting down the hours until the next morning.

He was up and on his way before the others were even awake so he could avoid any questions and after a quick breakfast he retrieved a large packed lunch from Dobby in the kitchen.

Hiding it with the egg in his bag he glanced at the Marauder's Map to ensure no one was around as he arrived on the left corridor of the seventh floor, surprised to see a message appear on it as soon as he activated it.

Mr Padfoot would like to inform Mr Prongslet that he should walk past the wall across the carpet of Barnabas the Barmy three times while thinking he needs to see Mr Padfoot.

Following the instructions, he watched in awe as a door appeared in the wall and nervously he walked through to see a large room.

Several bookshelves were stashed against the wall with a collection that would make Hermione drool and a single table with two chairs stood to the side while the majority of the room was empty space.

"You are early."

Unable to stop the smile from growing at the familiar voice, Harry turned to take in the sight of his godfather.

"So are you."

"I arrived during the night as it's easier to sneak around then," Sirius returned his grin, looking healthier as the man had gained some much needed weight; though he was still incredibly thin and Harry hesitated as he was unsure if he should hug his godfather or if the action wouldn't be appreciated.

But the man made the decision for him, striding forward to pull him into a tight hug and feeling giddy with excitement, he wrapped his arms around his godfather in the first hug he'd ever given an adult, surprised by how at ease it made him feel.

"It is nice to see you on better terms than the last time we met," Sirius smiled as they separated again and he glanced down at his bag eagerly.

"Is that what I hope it is?"

"If you mean breakfast, then you'd be right. I figured you'd not have eaten yet," handing over the bag, Harry let his gaze travel over him.

The man had clearly just showered as his surprisingly short hair was still damp and messy, wearing an old but clean pair of trousers that were slightly too big on his too thin frame and an old sweater of Dudley that he himself had send over when it had begun to get colder.

"You look good," he commented as he sat down at the table, deciding not to comment on how ridiculously large the sweater was.

"I figured I would take the opportunity to wash up properly," Sirius raised his arm to show of the extremely oversized sleeve. "I do have to wonder, though, just how large is your cousin exactly?"

Harry laughed. "He's as big as a whale in size."

"No kidding, I haven't bothered with it until now since I spend most of the day as Padfoot, but think you could help me shrink it down now?"

"I don't know any shrinking spells."

"I figured as much, I'll show you if I can borrow your wand for a moment."

"Sure," handing over his wand without hesitation, he watched as Sirius pointed it at the sweater.

"Reducio," immediately the piece of clothing began to shrink until it was comfortably sized and Harry chuckled as Sirius repeated the action with his trousers, conjuring a proper belt to replace the large piece of rope he'd obviously been using as one to hold them up until now.

"That's better, let's try it on this," handing Harry his wand back he placed the rope onto the table.

"The incantation is Reducio, pronounced as ruh-DOO-see-oh."

"Don't I need a wand movement?" Harry asked surprised as he turned to the rope.

"Not if your intent is clear. Just picture what you want it to look like in your mind and your magic will do the rest. Let's try imagining it is half its current size, all right?"

Nodding Harry concentrated on what he wanted. "Reducio."

Awed he watched the rope immediately shrink before his eyes. "I've never managed to get a spell right on the first try!"

"This approach works for every spell there is. The wand movements are pure nonsense that only helps beginners to channel their magic. As you grow older, it is the intent that makes your magic do your bidding, not some useless movements. You just need to picture what you desire in your mind, truly see it happen," Sirius revealed as he sat down across of him.

Harry, eagerly to try it out, turned to a pear Sirius had just placed on the table and focused on what he wanted it to do. "Wingardium Leviosa."

surprised, he could only stare as it immediately shot up, hitting the ceiling with a hard bang before splashing apart on the table and just narrowly missing Sirius.

"Of course at first it will require a bit of concentration on what exactly you want as I assume you didn't mean to squash a perfectly delicious and innocent pear, but eventually it will come naturally and you won't even have to think about it any more," Sirius tried to hide a chuckle, to Harry's mortification.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologise, it is all part of the learning process. Just keep practising, preferably without edible things, and you'll get it down in no time," his godfather encouraged him. "Do you know how to do the Tergeo Charm?"

"What's that?"

"A cleaning spell, brilliant for cleaning up a liquid mess. For more solid filth Scourgify is a better choice but Tergeo will do for this," Sirius indicated the mess on the table. "Why don't you try it?"

"Right, Tergeo you said? Tergeo," Harry watched with no less awe as all traces of the destroyed pear immediately vanished.

"Good job," Sirius praised him. "Do you have other plans today or do you have some time?"

"I'm free all day, how long can you stay?" Harry hoped he didn't sound too eager to be spending quality time with his godfather.

"For as long as you'd like me to stay today. So if you aren't in a hurry either then perhaps we could discuss things during breakfast?" The hopeful tone in his godfather's voice made Harry chuckle and unwrap the sandwiches Dobby had prepared.

"Don't get me wrong because I am really happy to see you, but why are you here? I mean, wouldn't it be safer to write?"

"For most things, yes. But it is kind of hard to teach you how to dance through a letter."

"Teaching...why?"

"Because I don't know where to find a troll before Christmas Eve on such a short notice."

"I didn't truly mean...I...," Harry trailed off, laughing nervously as his godfather grinned.

"I figured you didn't mean it seriously," Sirius teased. "But that leaves the point of you being unable to dance and worried about making a fool of yourself."

"Kind of. I'm supposed to participate in the opening dance with a partner."

"Ball room dancing usually requires a partner, pup."

The endearment the man had, no doubt, unconsciously used made Harry's stomach somersault and a happiness, even greater than learning his friends hadn't forgotten him after their first year, washed over him; nearly overwhelming him with the sudden rush of emotion over something so small.

And although he could mentally hear Ron's disgusted snort at being called something childish, he found he actually hoped his godfather would use it again.

"And then purple flamingos danced the Polka with Hagrid's tutu while..."

"What?" Snapping out of his thoughts, Harry blinked at his godfather, making him laugh.

"Oh, so you are back at the tutu, hm?"

"I guess I spaced out for a moment, sorry. What were you saying?"

"Before or after you spaced out?" His godfather teased.

"Before," Harry stuck out his tongue, smiling as Sirius grinned.

"I was saying that since ballroom dancing usually requires a partner, I figured it would be best if I came in person to be able to teach you."

"You know how to dance?" Harry asked surprised.

"It is part of the training for the heir of a Pure-Blood family."

"So, my Dad could dance too?" Looking at his godfather interested, he took a sip from his drink.

"Yes, quite well too, actually. Your mother on the other hand danced like a troll."

Liquid shot up to Harry's nose as he choked, simultaneously laughing and coughing and from the delighted laughter beside him, he figured that had been the man's plan.

Accepting the tissue handed to him gratefully; he blew his nose to get rid of the disgusting feeling in his nose, before turning back to his godfather.

"Was Mum truly that horrible?"

"She broke three of Remus' toes during our sixth year's Yule ball," Sirius revealed and as Harry no doubt stared at him in disbelief, he nodded. "Yeah, her heels dug into them during a twist and it didn't help that Remus himself had only recently learned how to dance, either."

"I'm not sure who I should feel the most sorry for, Professor Lupin or Mum," Harry laughed.

"You should feel sorry for your dad and me, not them. We spend weeks trying to teach the two of them to dance properly so that your mum would be able to dance at her own wedding without endangering anyone."

"Did you succeed?"

"After a lot of sore toes, yes. You know, your mum was a lot heavier than she looked," a pained expression slid over his godfather's face at the memory and Harry couldn't help but snort.

"And Professor Lupin?"

"Why do you keep calling him that?" Sirius asked confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he's kind of your unofficial uncle and not really your teacher any more."

"I've only known him as my professor and I guess the habit stayed despite the communication we've had occasionally this summer," Harry confessed.

"Right, I forgot you aren't close to him," rubbing a hand over his face, Sirius sighed. "I still need to find the opportunity to kick his butt for allowing Dumbledore to keep him away from you. But that's for another time. To answer your question, he learned to dance before the Christmas ball of our sixth year and your mum didn't break any toes at her wedding."

"So there is hope for me?"

"Seeing your agility on a broom, I think we might make a non-toe crusher out of you," Sirius teased as they finished eating. "But before we tackle that, why don't you tell me about this egg?"

Harry looked up as Sirius drummed his clean and short nails against the golden egg that was half visible in his bag.

"Yeah, I was hoping that since you're here anyway, you might have an idea what it is. All I hear when opening it is ear-splitting screaming."

"Ear-splitting screaming?" Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah."

"Could be a lot of things, but taking into account of what's around here that could be used for a second task, then there's a good chance it's something to do with the Merfolk as their singing sounds deafening above water."

Harry blinked, amazed that by simply using logic, the man had already deduced more about the task than any of Harry's dorm mates had and he hadn't even heard the noise yet.

"Want me to open it?"

"Might as well get it over with," Sirius shifted backwards a little as Harry pulled the egg from his bag and placed it on the table in between them before opening it.

The same horrible, loud and screechy wailing noise immediately filled the entire room and Harry clasped his hands over his ears to try and block it a little even as Sirius listened intently.

"All right then," Sirius commented lightly, clapping the egg closed again after a full minute had passed. "We'll need water."

"What for?" Harry asked, not entirely surprised to see a large and fairly deep aquarium immediately appearing between them on the table as Sirius had told him about the room's special abilities.

"Because that is indeed Mermish and although I could try and translate it for you, it's easier and less time consuming to just hold it underneath water and simply write the translation down as I'm fairly rusty in my Mermish."

"You speak Mermish?" Harry asked perplexed.

"Your dad and I got bored rather easily with classes so we picked up a lot of side projects to keep ourselves busy," Sirius shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure, but it sounds like you have to retrieve something precious from them."

"From them? You mean from the bottom of the lake?"

"That is where the Merfolks live, pup," Sirius chuckled.

"But...how am I supposed to breathe under water?"

"Oh, I know of a few things. Gillyweed, a Bubble-Head Charm or Transfiguration come up at the top of my mind, but let's not jump to conclusions and let's first listen to the actual song," he glanced at the aquarium before turning back to Harry. "Want to try a Bubble-Head charm?"

"Does it look as stupid as it sounds?"

"If by stupid you mean it looks like you've got a fish bowl upside down your head, then yes. It allows you to breath underwater for a period of time."

"I've never used it before," Harry admitted, grinning as his godfather shot him a look that clearly said 'no kidding'.

"Why don't you try it on this statue first?"

Nodding, Harry turned his attention to an appearing statue of a cat besides the aquarium and picturing an upside down fish bowl on the cat's head, he said the incantation.

"Uh...maybe it's better if you perform this one," he stuttered as a glass bowl appeared briefly before collapsing into a hundred pieces that harmlessly bounced off a shield that appeared around it.

"Giving up so soon? I thought you weren't in a hurry?" Sirius didn't bat an eye at the shield so Harry decided not to mention it and hearing the challenge in his godfather's voice, he tightened his hold onto his wand and tried again.

"Why do you think you are not succeeding?" Sirius asked after the fifth failed attempt.

"I'm not picturing it clearly enough?" Harry tried after giving it some thought.

"No, you are picturing it perfectly. But why are you picturing a fish bowl, is what I wonder about," Sirius calmly leaned against the table, staring at him questionably.

"Because you said it looked like a fish bowl," Harry frowned as a smile formed on Sirius' lips, the man clearly enjoying himself.

"Point being?"

"Uh..."

"What were my exact words concerning the description I gave you?" Sirius hinted him.

"That it looked like a...oh," sudden realisation washed over Harry and he flushed as Sirius' smile grew into a grin.

"Why don't you try it again now that you've figured it out?"

Turning back to the statue, Harry thought of the words, Bubble-Head Charm and raising his wand once more, he pictured a large bubble that covered the cat's head like a fish bowl but was movable and moments later a large bubble spread out over the statue's head and remained intact, making him cheer.

"Great work," Sirius straightened.

"Want me to perform the spell for real now?" Harry turned to him eagerly, quickly and confidently performing the spell on them both as Sirius gave him an unreadable look before nodding.

Chuckling at the indeed weird looking effect the spell had on a human, he dipped his head into the aquarium at Sirius' gesture and braced himself as the man opened the egg.

'Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground.

And while you're searching, ponder this;

We've taken what you'll sorely miss.

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took.

But past an hour, the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.

Once the song began to repeat itself, Harry pulled himself out of the water and turned to his godfather, surprised to see the man had already removed his bubble and was scribbling on a piece of parchment.

Raising his wand to perform the counter-spell, he froze as he realised he didn't know it, something his godfather was clearly well aware of if his knowing smile was anything to go by.

"Never try any spell on yourself unless you know and have mastered the counter-spell properly," the warning was clear in his tone, but Harry could also hear the true lesson the man had set him up for with his own actions and flushed.

Never get yourself into something without knowing what you're doing.

"Luckily for you, Finite works perfectly as a counter-spell to most general ones," Sirius teased and accepting this wisdom, Harry cancelled the Bubble-Head Charm.

"How'd you cancel the spell without a wand?"

"I know wandless magic and have been training myself to use it as much as possible. But for more impressive spell-work, I still need a wand right now."

"Right. So that shield earlier was your work and not the room's, too?"

"A little speciality of mine," Sirius picked the parchment up he'd been scribbling on, placing it on the table between them as he took a seat. "So you'll have to travel to the Merfolk's domain and retrieve something precious that they took."

"You think they'll take Dad's cloak somehow? It is the most precious possession I have. Well, that and my Firebolt."

"Remind me that I have to spoil you for Christmas and your birthday somehow," Sirius commented offhandedly before shaking his head. "No, they'd want a spectacle for the audience and something you'd fight for. No one sane would risk their lives for a broom or a loved teddy bear so by that what you sorely miss; I assume they'll take the person you're closest to."

"And Dumbledore would allow that?" Harry's chest tightened at the idea of anyone being taken by the Merfolk for him to retrieve. "What if I fail? Will they be gone for good?"

"You're taking it too literally, pup. I doubt your precious person will truly be gone for good as their families would never stand for it and raise hell. It is just meant to frighten you into hurrying as the hour means it's a time based challenge," picking up the quill again, Sirius swirled it between his fingers.

"So, let's see what we already know. The Merfolks will take someone precious and you have to retrieve them within the hour. The recovery part means you will need to search so a modified Four-Point Spell would be handy to pinpoint yourself into the right direction," he wrote the spell down while Harry couldn't help but stare unhelpfully at him as his godfather made a list of useful spells.

The man was using plain logic to break down what they'd need and effectively figured out a plan that would help him get this done.

"All right, that just leaves who they'll take. Who would you miss the most should they suddenly disappear from your life?"

Immediately Harry's heart clenched as he knew exactly who he'd miss the most.

Sirius.

Months ago, the answer to that question probably would've been Ron. But this wasn't a few months ago and things had changed for Harry since meeting his godfather as from the moment they'd come into contact, he had felt a connection between them but had squashed it down while believing him to be a murderer.

But upon learning the truth, he had no longer tried to deny that connection existed any more and they'd bonded almost instantly.

A bond that was only strengthening with time passing as they wrote to each other about all sorts of things and it had been the reason he hadn't been nervous to meet with his godfather today as that connection was even stronger than before.

But although he wasn't afraid to admit Sirius was the person he'd grown to care about most, he was terrified of what it would mean because if Sirius was taken as a hostage, he would be revealed to the world and immediately arrested and Kissed.

"What is it?" Sirius seemed to pick up on his distress as he looked at his worriedly and he swallowed.

"Can...Can they just take someone, anyone and make them hostages? Even when it would be dangerous for them?"

"Why would it be dan...," Sirius trailed off as realisation came to him, making Harry flush before a hand came to rest on his shoulder. "They can't force someone to participate, you know? It would be illegal."

"That's never stopped the Ministry from taking illegal actions before," Harry choked out, leaning into his godfather's touch as the man caressed his cheek with his thumb.

"Normally, I'd agree with you. But this is a very public event that is followed by thousands of wizards all around the world so they wouldn't dare to do anything illegal that openly," Sirius pulled him in, the warmth of his mere presence enough to settle Harry's worried for the most part.

"And I think it are the Headmasters who are in charge of finding a precious person to participate in this challenge," he added after a moment. "So I think it will be either Hermione or Ron that will be taken as they are the ones you are closest to."

"I guess," Harry sighed, pulling back after a moment and warm grey eyes met his own.

"How about I watch from the Forbidden Forest from a spot where you can see me? Would that make you feel better to know I'm safe?"

"Wouldn't other people spot you then?" Harry asked, trying not to show just how much the thought of his godfather's presence reassured him.

"Their gazes wouldn't be at the forest but at the water and I'd appear as Padfoot. Why don't I look around in the upcoming weeks a bit for a good spot and get back to you about that?"

"That would be nice."

"Good, this are a few spells that I believe would come in handy. When we take a break we can look over them to see which ones you know and which you don't," Sirius dropped the quill and rose to his feet. "What do you think? Are you ready to learn to dance?"

Rising to his feet as well, Harry nodded.

"Good, I assume that they'll start with a slow song to allow couples the chance to get close while mentally mortifying everyone else."

Laughing despite the sudden twist in his stomach at the knowledge of having to dance slowly with someone, he followed his godfather as the man put up some music in the newly appeared player.

Five hours later, he was no less mortified by the idea of having to dance, but at least felt sure of his ability to stay off of anyone's toes and move with the music and he laughed as he dropped into a chair, trying to catch his breath after Sirius had introduced him to a weird sort of two-step.

"How on earth did you get so good at that?" waving the spell list before his face to try and cool down, he looked up to his godfather in awe.

"You know there's a spell for that, right?" Sirius grinned as he pulled himself up to sit on the table, not looking the least bit winded.

"Which I'll be sure to have you teach me once I've caught my breath," Harry grinned as he watched Sirius peek into his bag to pull out the chicken Dobby had packed and divided it between the two of them for dinner. "Seriously though, how did you get so good?"

"I've just always liked to dance," Sirius shrugged as they ate. "And the spell I mean is one you should already know as it is third year material; the Ventus Jinx?"

"But that's mostly used to push rolling objects out of the way and if needed, attacks creatures?"

"The original jinx is, but when you modify it a little it can give a pleasurable constant breeze over your body when you're hot," he demonstrated it and Harry sighed relieved as his body cooled down.

"Handy," another grin split over his face as he practised the spell a few times to get it down properly, surprising himself by how much he was laughing today and he was pleasantly surprised to see his godfather was loosening up, too.

The longer he was around the man, the more he could see the haunted look lessen, although it never disappeared completely, as the man smiled and teased him; making him look years younger.

Knowing he had brought forth that smile made him feel warm inside and clearing his throat, he sighed. "Do you think I will remember your lessons when the time comes?"

"Your mother always claimed that it was like riding a bike, you never forgot how it's done," Sirius smiled as he clearly remembered a fond memory.

"But I don't know how to ride a bike," surprised to hear his godfather laugh at his words, he looked up to him.

"Your mum always laughed herself into stitches whenever I told her those exact same words," Sirius winked.

"You don't know how to ride a bike, either?"

"Never had the need to learn when there's other methods of transportation for wizards. Though I eventually learned how to ride a motorbike and she claimed it wasn't that different because it's all about balance," Sirius shot him a curious look. "You know, you never did mention who you are going with to the ball."

"That's because I haven't got a date yet. There's this girl I like, but she's already going with someone else. I overheard the girls giggling about it."

"That's a shame. You better hurry though, or all the nice ones will be gone."

"Nice ones?" Harry asked, having expected his godfather to say good looking ones or even hot ones like all the boys in his year were talking about.

"The girls you can have fun with at the ball without having everything be awkward and weird the entire time. A girl you are comfortable enough to laugh and just have a good time with, or a boy if that'll make you happy."

"Ron would tell me to ask the hottest girl, they are bound to say yes because I'm a champion," Harry admitted.

"And what do you want? Besides not going at all, that is," the knowing smile on Sirius' lips made Harry sigh.

"I'd like to go with a girl that I'm comfortable with. Who'd say yes because of me and not because of my fame or because I'm a champion," Harry admitted honestly.

"Why don't you ask Luna?"

Surprised, Harry gave it a thought as the petite blond hadn't even crossed his mind.

He had been curious to the third year Ravenclaw after Sirius had directed him towards her at the start of the new year, aware the girl had to be special to have caught his godfather's attention while hiding in the Forest the previous year especially and because he trusted Sirius' judgement, he had sought her out.

And not been let down either as he found Luna Lovegood was a kind, if somewhat odd girl that he got along with brilliantly and curious to just how Sirius knew her; though his godfather claimed to never having spoken to her and remained tight-lipped about how he knew her.

But even though he liked the girl for her odd quirkiness and sharp yet confusing mind and her honest company, he wasn't exactly looking for someone to date.

"Aren't I supposed to take someone as a date?" he asked.

"Is there a law to forbid you from taking a friend?" Sirius shot back and Harry chuckled.

"Did you take a friend when you went to ball then?"

"Yes."

"Who did you go with?"

"Remus."

"Seriously? Were you guys dating or so?"

"No, though absolutely everyone always seemed to think that for some reason," huffing, Sirius shook his head. "I asked him to go because after your dad, he was the one I was most comfortable with and I knew he wouldn't go otherwise."

"Why not?"

"He was rather apprehensive when it came to girls because of Moony and I knew he would never have asked anyone to go so I asked him to go with me."

"Why didn't you go with Dad if you wanted to go with a friend?" Harry asked curiously.

"That would have defeated the purpose of getting Remus to come. Originally I was going with a Ravenclaw we were close with and your dad was going to take Remus, but we realised he would be more comfortable with me as your dad always stood in the spotlights, so he took our friend while I took Remus."

"And the girl didn't mind?" Harry couldn't believe his godfather had chosen to ask a friend instead of going with a girl, especially considering how popular he himself must have been.

"No, she understood perfectly and didn't care which of the two of us went with her as she didn't mind the spotlight and just wanted to go with someone who wouldn't be getting any ideas as her boyfriend had graduated the year before."

"But didn't people talk behind your back when you showed up with Prof- Remus?" Harry corrected himself, trying to make an effort to let the other man in closer.

"Probably, people do little less than talk behind your back when given the chance."

"But didn't they ridicule you?" Harry always felt horrible when people talked behind his back.

"Probably, but I rarely listened to gossip. I didn't care what people thought of me as long as I was happy with the choices I made," Sirius shrugged and the simplicity in those words made Harry vow to try and stop caring what others said or thought, too.

"I'll think about it, I might just take your suggestion and talk to Luna about it. At the very least it should be fun."

"That's the most important thing, that you just have fun. Dating and all that can happen at any time, but just having fun and enjoying yourself at a party isn't something you'll get a chance to do often," Sirius picked up the list of spells he'd written down earlier, handing it over before scribbling something else down.

"Practice these spells and here's the address of a good and trustworthy pharmacist to get Gillyweed. You could ask Dobby if he's willing to pick it up for you, that way you can be absolutely sure you have it on time for the second task and it won't be tampered with or intercepted."

Nodding, Harry put everything back into his bag as he realised the time, knowing their time together had come to an end as it wouldn't be long now before people would start to notice is absence. "I do wonder how I'll be able to explain what I've learned about the egg to Ron and Hermione, though."

"You didn't tell them you were meeting me?" Sirius looked up.

"No. I kind of selfishly wanted you all to myself for this meeting," Harry admitted.

"Nothing selfish about it, unless I'm selfish for being glad you came alone, too," Sirius ruffled his hair. "You could always say I've told you to put the egg under water and you've been absent to do just that, working out the task and what to do on your own. It would explain where you've been all day and if they ask to see this room, just remember that you only have to think of what it is you want to get it."

He paused as something occurred to him. "But if you want some things to be hidden or certain people not allowed to be in then you have to be specific in what you want. When I entered this morning, I specified that I only wanted you and anyone you had knowingly brought with you, to enter. Just in case someone had followed you without your knowledge."

"Smart," Harry sighed, reluctant to let his godfather leave again. "I suppose it would be too dangerous for you to stay here?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Sirius confirmed as he wrapped an arm around him and Harry smiled as his godfather pulled him into his side once more, happily leaning into the semi embrace.

"When will you be leaving?"

"As soon as I call Dobby. He brought me here, too so neither of us would have to worry about being discovered."

"I'll wave you off then," relief at the knowledge no harm would come to his godfather washed over Harry and he nodded.

"If there's anything then don't hesitate to write to me. I want to hear all about the ball and everything else you could possibly want to share, no matter how small. Just..."

"Remember to occasionally send a letter by owl, too, so no one will discover that we are communicating differently," Harry nodded at the familiar warning. "I haven't even told my friends and am not going to."

"You make it sound like it's some gigantic secret," Sirius laughed. "You do know you can tell them, right?"

"I know, but I would like to keep this between the two of us for a little while longer," Harry admitted. "I'm not ready to share you yet."

"Then don't. Practice your spells, eat properly and take good care of yourself. Do your best in school and behave," he wrinkled his nose. "I can't believe I told you to behave, so have lots of fun, too."

"I will. You be careful and write to me soon again," there was no hesitation this time as Harry wrapped his arms around his godfather, hugging him close before stepping back so Sirius could call Dobby and moments later they both vanish before his eyes.

Sighing, he stared at the spot his godfather had been in for a long moment before grabbing his bag and walking to the door; pausing as he glanced back into the room to relish in the memory of dancing with his godfather before stepping out of the Come and Go room.

Watching the door disappear once he closed it, he made his way towards Gryffindor Tower.

"Harry! We've searched everywhere for you!" Hermione's upset voice called out as he walked through the hallways and he turned to see her and Ron running towards him.

"Sorry, I was working on the clue I received about the egg and found a quiet spot to work it out. I completely lost track of time," Harry lied, glad for the excuse his godfather had given him.

"Did you figure it out?" Ron asked surprised.

"Yes, I'll tell you about it later. I need to catch someone first," Harry said as a Ravenclaw passed them.

"I'll come with you," Ron immediately offered.

"No, it's something that I need to do alone," Harry shook his head as he quickly made up his mind, taking what Sirius had said into account and deciding that yes, he'd like to go to the ball with a friend.

He briefly played with the idea of asking Hermione, but quickly dismissed that idea as he wanted to have fun and he was reasonably sure he wouldn't have that with her.

"I'll see you guys at dinner in a bit," he called out as he pulled the Marauder's Map from his bag and quickly sought out the Luna's name on the list, hurrying to catch her before she'd leave the library.

He surprised himself by actually looking forward to asking the strange blond and spending time together with her, maybe even dancing some if she agreed to go and maybe, just maybe the upcoming ball wouldn't be such a horrific experience if he had someone to just enjoy the evening with.

Silently thanking his godfather's ingeniousness as the surprised blond gracefully agreed, he just knew it would be a ball to never forget as the petite blond walked with him; tossing ideas at him on what kind of fun things they could do.