Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter Five

Harry heard a soft knock on his door. He propped himself up on his elbows blinking in the daylight as the door opened slowly.

"Good morning, Harry." Dumbledore smiled tentatively as he walked in. "May I?" He gestured to the chair beside Harry's bed.

Harry nodded, reached for his glasses and sat up fully as Dumbledore seated himself.

"I heard you were able to get some rest last night." Dumbledore said, trying furtively to read Harry's appearance.

"Yes, at least for awhile, thanks."

"I'm glad. I know you're having a hard time with this… I must apologize to you once again for having left you alone with the Dursleys. Harry, I've been thinking and I believe it would be a good idea for you to go to Grimmauld Place this Saturday with Remus before the Dursleys return." Dumbledore kept his eyes solemnly on Harry's. "Sirius left his home to you."

Harry felt his heart sink and lowered his eyes unable to take Dumbledore's gaze any longer. After a bit he said quietly, "I don't deserve to-"

"Harry…I know this will continue to be difficult for you…I wish I could do something to make it easier. I'm sorry." Dumbledore reached into his robe and brought out an envelope. "Sirius left this letter for you…"

Harry slowly lifted his head. He felt as though icy water had suddenly replaced the blood in his veins as he saw his name written in Sirius' scrawl. He looked numbly up at Dumbledore then back at the envelope but couldn't seem to gather the strength needed to reach for the letter.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I'll keep this for you until you're ready." Dumbledore said somberly as he stood tucking the letter in his robes. "I'll leave more of the Dreamless Sleeping Draught with Remus if you want to use it again tonight." He clasped Harry's shoulder gently then turned to leave.

"Professor," Harry said quietly and Dumbledore turned slowly back. "Could I please have the letter?"

"Of course." Dumbledore nodded and held it back out to Harry who tentatively took it and laid it in his lap.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Harry." Dumbledore smiled slightly, turned and walked toward the door.

"Thank you, Professor." Harry said quietly as his door closed. Seconds later he heard footsteps hurrying up the stairs and Hermione's voice say, "Harry?"

"Come in."

Hermione opened the door, her gaze anxious. "Are you all right?" She quickly crossed to the chair beside his bed.

Harry looked down at the letter and after a long moment said hollowly, "He left Grimmauld Place to me-" He had to stop as his voice caught painfully in his throat.

Hermione covered Harry's hand gently with hers and said softly, "Do you want to read the letter now or do you want me to put it somewhere else?"

Harry lifted his green eyes hesitantly to hers. "I think I want to read it now but would you please get Remus and Ron, too?"

"Of course." Hermione squeezed his hand softly then stood and began to walk toward the door.

"Hermione?"

She stopped and turned round.

His expression was unreadable. "Thanks."

Hermione nodded, knowing he was remembering what had happened last night and walked back to him. She bent down and wrapped her arms around him, whispering, "I hope you feel better." She felt Harry nod back against her cheek then she released him and walked to the door. She went downstairs quickly and found Ron, now dressed, with Remus and Dumbledore talking in the kitchen.

Remus saw Hermione and asked immediately, "How is he?"

"Better, but still tired and upset. He wants to read Sirius' letter and he wants Remus and Ron, too."

Dumbledore nodded. "I'll be back tomorrow morning, then. Remus, would you please talk with Harry about going to Grimmauld Place on Saturday?"

Remus nodded.

"Thank you. I'll check on him tomorrow-let me know if you need anything." And with a swish of his cloak, Dumbledore disappeared.

The three headed up the stairs and found Harry dressed in jeans and a T-Shirt sitting on the edge of his bed.

"'Lo, mate." Ron said quietly as he sat beside Harry on the bed. Harry looked up and nodded. Hermione sat down beside Ron and Remus sat in the chair.

Harry handed the letter to Remus. "Would you read it aloud, please?"

Remus slowly took the letter from Harry and unsealed it carefully. Sirius' handwriting became visible and Remus began:

Dear Harry,

If you're reading this, I'm no longer with you and the thought of that tortures me. First of all, I'm sorry. You've already had to face the death of your parents and now mine too, I guess. I have asked Remus to be your guardian in the event of my death and he has willingly agreed. In the event he is unable to fulfill that role, Arthur and Molly Weasley have willingly agreed to assume that responsibility.

Remus glanced at Harry for his reaction but he was staring at the floor. Ron put a hand on Harry's shoulder and Remus read on.

All those years in Azkaban, I never dreamed that I would have the privilege of getting to know you. I am thankful that I did and I want you to know that I couldn't be prouder of you. I just wish that James and Lily could see the man you are growing to be. They loved you so much and would be so very proud of their son. You have more courage and heart than all the Marauders put together. I know that you are a great wizard and will continue to strengthen your skills. You have already proven that you are up to any task.

I have left Grimmauld Place to you. I'm sure you will allow the Order to continue using the house as a meeting place.

I am sorry that I won't be around to see you finish growing up. I envy Remus the chance to see that. I hope I will at least get to watch sometimes from eternity.

Think of me and your parents smiling together over you.

Remus' voice wavered and he paused for a moment then went on:

You have some difficult things to face ahead of you but I know you will prevail as you always have. Let your friends help you and trust Dumbledore. They all love you as I do.

Sirius

Remus sighed, wiped his eyes with his fingers and looked at Harry who was sitting with his elbows resting on his knees, his face in his hands. "Is it all right with you for me to be your guardian, Harry?"

Harry nodded and lowered his hands. "I'm glad it's you. Please, I-I want you to live at Grimmauld Place with me." Harry lifted his eyes hesitantly to see Remus' answer.

Remus nodded. "Of course. Why don't we go downstairs and finish breakfast," he said wondering if Harry would come down with them. He stood up and to his surprise; Harry stood too, but had cast his eyes back to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Remus," Harry's voice trembled.

"What?"

"For Sirius...you've lost your best friend." Harry's voice broke and he squeezed his eyes shut against his tears.

"Harry…" Remus hugged him fiercely.

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

They sat around the kitchen table. Harry was slowly munching on a piece of toast, the first food he'd had in several days. His eyes were still red and swollen but he appeared to be a little better.

Remus finished his bacon and looked across the table. "Harry what do you think about going to Grimmauld Place this Saturday?"

Everything inside Harry clenched and his mind wanted him to yell, "No!" and run but he swallowed his toast and shrugged. "I guess that's okay." He hoped he would be able to handle being in that place with all the reminders it would add to him daily of Sirius' loss not to mention the miserable condition of the house itself. It had been bad enough even when Sirius was there. Still, it would be better than staying here with the Dursleys and he would get to see members of the Order as they dropped by or came to meetings. "Will Ron and Hermione stay there, too?" Harry looked at Remus then at the others.

"Certainly, if it's all right with their parents."

"I'd like that," Ron answered through a piece of toast. "I'm sure mum wouldn't mind."

"Actually, she and Ginny are also coming to stay when its time for the full moon." Remus said.

Harry turned to Hermione. "How long will you be able to stay?"

"I think I can stay some of next week but my mum and dad have planned a holiday to Austria for us. I should be back right before the end of the month, though. I need to ring my mum this morning and let her know of my plans."

"You'll be gone for two weeks, then?" Harry tried not to let the forlorn feeling that was seeping through him show in his voice. `Hermione has hardly seen her parents this year because of you, so just deal with it,' he chastised himself.

"About that long. And I really would like to run home for a bit on Saturday and get some other clothes."

"Yeah, me too." Ron added pushing his chair back from the table.

"That sounds fine. I'm sure we can arrange it," Remus nodded and stood up as Dobby came to clear the table. "Thanks, Dobby. Good breakfast."

"Would it be all right with Harry Potter if Dobby went to Grimmauld Place, too?" The house-elf twisted his hands together nervously as he waited for his answer.

"Of course, Dobby, if it's all right with Dumbledore."

"He said it was fine with him," Dobby smiled happily as he began to clear off the table.

The group moved to the living room and Ron sank down on the couch in front of the telly. Hermione and Harry also took places on the couch as Remus sat in the armchair.

"What about Kreacher?" Hermione asked in a low voice. "Will he be angry at having Dobby there?"

"Who cares what Kreacher thinks?" Harry's expression had gone stony.

"Actually, Kreacher is no longer alive," Remus said quietly.

"What?" asked Hermione, frowning. "What happened?"

"No one's sure but we think he got too close to Buckbeak trying to get things from Sirius' mother's bedroom. Apparently Buckbeak remembered his injury from Kreacher and attacked him." Hermione gasped and covered her mouth as Remus continued, "There wasn't much left."

Hermione shook her head. "Poor Kreacher."

Harry didn't want to say so in front of Hermione, but he was glad to hear this news. It had occurred to him that he would have to endure Kreacher if he were going to live at Grimmauld Place given the house-elf's knowledge of the Order. Harry had wondered if he'd be able to live in the same house with him. He was thankful he wouldn't have to deal with that problem now.

"Who's been taking care of Buckbeak?" Harry wanted to know.

"Several of us have taken turns over the past weeks. I know he'll be glad to see you three." Remus said and then stood up. "Er, I have an errand to run. I'll be gone until early afternoon. Think you all can manage for a bit?"

Harry asked. "Where are you going?"

"Just something to do with the Order. I'm meeting Tonks and Mad Eye." Remus went to the entryway, took a look in the mirror on the wall next to him then smoothed his hair and straightened his robes a bit. "Be back soon." And with a swish of his cloak, he Disapparated.

Harry saw Hermione smile to herself and, catching her eye, looked at her inquisitively. She responded, "Is there something you would like to do, Harry? Remus brought a chess set and Ron's mum sent an Exploding Snap game, if you're interested." Hermione nudged Ron who had once again become engrossed in the telly.

"What…oh, yeah, Harry. Fancy a game of chess? I might even let you win," Ron grinned.

Harry shrugged, not unaware that his friends were trying to entertain him, "Sure…"

Later, Hermione coaxed them outside for a picnic out on the back lawn. Dobby had prepared sandwiches with crisps and pumpkin juice with rhubarb crumble for dessert. Ron and Hermione covertly exchanged small smiles when they noticed that Harry was eating a little of everything. When they had finished eating, they lay in the grass and contentedly watched the thick clouds drifting across the sky. The back door squeaked opened and they turned to see Remus walking towards them now dressed in muggle clothing. He sat on the ground next to them and looked up. "Seen anything interesting?"

Hermione sat up and smiled. "Not particularly, but it's such a nice day, who cares? Did your errand go well?"

"Yes, fine." Remus nodded.

Ron propped himself up on his elbows. "Any news from the Order?"

"Things have been pretty quiet lately. It's been a lot easier to recruit people now that the Ministry is admitting that Voldemort is back. People like your father and the other members of the Order don't have to be so covert anymore. On the other hand, although we know Voldemort has followers placed throughout the Ministry, we don't know who they are so that's a worry. I'm sure Voldemort would love it if one of his own was asked to join the Order. It's quite possible that that's already happened." Harry felt a shiver go through him as he remembered the traitorous Wormtail. "But, other things are easier too, like getting Portkeys issued that we need and so on."

"How are Tonks and Moody?" Harry sat up now, too.

"Fine…they were asking about you as a matter of fact. I told them we were coming to Grimmauld Place in two days. They said to tell you `Hello' and `See you soon'."

"Harry, I was thinking." Ron said hesitantly. "If you're feeling up to it on Saturday, why don't we go to Diagon Alley for a quick visit in the afternoon? We could floo there from Grimmauld Place and see Fred and George's joke shop."

"That'd be all right, I guess. Remus?"

"It's fine with me but let me check with Dumbledore first."

Harry nodded. "Is that all right with you, Hermione?"

"Sure, I've been wanting to see the joke shop myself," she smiled settling back to the ground and returning her eyes to the sky.

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