Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter Seven

Later that day, Remus left to run an errand for the Order and the three were sitting on the floor of Harry's bedroom. Hermione was going through Harry's trunk straightening and getting ready to pack the clothes. Harry was polishing his Firebolt with polish from the broom servicing kit that Hermione had given him as a birthday present almost three years ago and Ron was looking through one of Harry's Quidditch books. Hermione was stacking the other books neatly when she noticed some pictures of the three near the bottom of the trunk and gathered them up to look at them. Colin had apparently taken all of them at points during the past four years.

"Oh dear, here's one of Harry in our second year after he got hit by that Bludger that broke his arm. And there's Professor Lockhart," Hermione said. "Wonder if he's still in St. Mungo's?" The picture Harry was grimacing and shaking his head trying to scoot away from Lockhart.

"Here's a good one…" Ron held up a picture of the three of them eating and laughing together in the Great Hall. "I don't remember him taking that one…"

"What's this?" Hermione lifted the album that Hagrid had made for him at the end of his first year and looked at Harry whose hands had gone suddenly still on his broomstick. "Do you mind if I have a look?"

Harry shook his head.

Hermione opened the cover and looked at the first page. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to the people moving in the pictures…" her voice trailed off and her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at the people. Hermione's head snapped around to look at Harry and then back at the picture. "This has to be your dad…"

Harry nodded.

"And is the girl with red hair your mum?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yes."

"She was quite beautiful…" Hermione smiled sadly at Lily Potter who was laughing and waving next to James on their wedding day.

Ron leaned over to see. "I didn't know you had this…wow, you could be your dad's twin!"

"Hagrid made it for me at the end of first year. He owled my parent's friends to send him pictures."

Hermione turned the page and there, smiling and waving, were his parents…and Sirius. "Oh, Harry, I'm sorry…"

"No, it's all right, really," Harry reassured Hermione quietly.

The three friends looked into the faces of the three in the picture who were so happy, thankfully ignorant of their futures. An uncomfortable silence settled in the room.

"I wonder what will become of us…" Ron said unexpectedly.

Harry lifted his eyes to his friends and they met his gaze silently.

Hermione closed the album slowly and changed the subject. "Harry, do have a special place for this? I think it's getting a little damaged just being loose in your trunk." She examined some bent and scuffed corners.

"No," Harry shrugged. "My trunk is all I have."

Hermione nodded. "I'll just pack it carefully, then."

After they had packed Harry's clothes, they went down and plopped on the couch. Hermione reached for the books that Dumbledore had brought that morning. "These are going to be very helpful. Care to help me practice?" She asked hopefully.

"You don't mean you can already read minds, do you?" Ron asked incredulously. "It usually takes wizards a long time to learn that!"

"No, I can't read minds yet but I might be able to communicate a thought to one of you-so who's willing to try?"

"This isn't going to get us in trouble for being underage and doing magic outside of school, is it?"

"Not this-it's not the same thing, really. I asked Dumbledore," Hermione assured them.

"All right, Hermione, go ahead." Harry turned his eyes to hers.

Hermione concentrated her eyes on Harry's and much to his surprise, he heard Hermione's voice inside his head say, `Hi!'

"What the…how did you do that?"

"What!" said Ron. "What did she say to you?"

"Just `hi'," Hermione smiled. "That's about all I can manage right now. I'll have to keep reading and practicing."

"Try it on me," Ron said.

"All right, but you have to look at my eyes-don't look away."

Hermione concentrated on Ron's eyes as she had done with Harry.

"Blimey! That was weird…" Ron said shaking his head.

"So how did you do that?" Harry asked again. "Snape and I only ever saw each other's memories. Voldemort was able to project thoughts and visions into my head, as you well know. I wondered how he was doing that-besides the scar connection."

"It's mostly focusing your thoughts to someone's mind…kind of what Muggles call telepathy. I know it a bit silly-I'm not sure how to explain it. You guys were probably easier for me than anyone else would be because I know you so well and you were willing and open to allow my thoughts in. True Legilimency appears to be much more difficult and I have loads more to learn."

"Let me try…" Harry turned to Hermione and focused on her eyes for a moment.

`Hi, Hermione. Fancy meeting you here…'

Hermione gasped. "Harry! You did it!"

"Well, I guess I've had some experience with something like it. I did break into Snape's memories once during our Occlumency lessons. But I don't really know how I did it…I don't remember even saying, "Legilimens!" and I ended up against his shelves after he pushed me out."

"Good Heavens," Hermione said. "You never told us that…so what did you see in Snape's mind?"

"Er…well, his childhood was about as happy as mine." Harry felt uncomfortable sharing this information even though he hated Snape.

Remus appeared by the front door with a crack! "So, what's going on?" he greeted them.

"Harry and Hermione are reading each other's minds," Ron replied.

"What?" Remus said amused.

"Not really," said Hermione, "although we have been able to project some simple thoughts."

"I'm impressed…" Remus smiled.

"Remus?" Harry said with a grin and maintained steady eye contact.

Remus looked at Harry questioningly. His mouth opened slightly but he closed it just as quickly. "I'm getting hungry, too, Harry." Remus said disconcertedly. "I'll find Dobby and see what's for dinner." He headed to the kitchen.

Ron looked at Harry, agape. "Why haven't you told us you could do this before now?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't think I realized I could. I tried it with Snape when we were all in Umbridge's office trying to tell him about Sirius being held by Voldemort, but it didn't seem to work at the time. So I guess I kind of forgot about it until now."

"I remember you staring at him but it just looked like you wanted to kill him." Ron said.

"Well, I wouldn't be too fussed if…"

"Harry!" Hermione gasped.

"Hermione, you didn't hear Snape taunting Sirius…he really gave Sirius a hard time about not being very useful to the Order and he was having a hard enough time as it was. I think it made Sirius want to be even more reckless. I don't look forward to having Snape at Grimmauld Place for the meetings." Harry noticed the look on Hermione's face and sighed, "Oh, all right, I don't really want him dead or anything…maimed, maybe…I'm just kidding, Hermione-at least sort of."

"Harry, do you realize what danger Snape puts himself in for the Order?" Hermione said quietly.

"Yes, but I would really rather not talk about him right now."

Harry looked steadily at Hermione who was about to go on. `Please…' She hesitated then nodded back almost imperceptibly. "All right, then."

"Why don't we go see what's for dinner," Ron stood up and stretched, anxious to break the tension.

"Sounds like a good idea to me…ready, Hermione?" Harry stood and held out his hand in a gesture of peace. She took hold and he pulled her up from the couch. Harry waited until Ron had walked around the corner and then turned to Hermione. "I know what I said about Snape was awful. And I know that I need to find a way to get `round those feelings so that I can work with him. I just need some time with that."

"I can understand that, Harry…it's just hard for me to see you feeling that way." Hermione sighed. "Let's go get some dinner."

Ron leaned around the corner. "Are you people coming or not?"

"Hungry, are we?" Harry grinned.

"What d'you think?" Ron retorted.

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

The next morning was spent in a flurry of activity because they had overslept a bit.

Harry and Hermione were putting some last things into Harry's trunk.

Ron's voice bellowed up from below, "Oi! Has anyone seen my…oh-never mind-here it is."

"Harry," Hermione turned to him and held out her hand. "I meant to ask you about this broken mirror yesterday. Is it all right if I have Remus fix it?"

"Sure," he shrugged.

Hermione ran downstairs and after a bit Harry heard her footsteps hurrying back up. "There, good as new," she said examining it. "Remus looked at it strangely when I handed it to him…what's this?" Hermione had turned the mirror over and was reading Sirius' note.

"Sirius gave that to me right before we went back to school after Christmas. It was wrapped up and I never opened it until after…I tried to use it then but it didn't work…that's when it got broken…"

Hermione nodded and placed it safely in between some of Harry's shirts. "So, I guess the other one is still at Grimmauld Place?"

"I dunno." Harry lifted a shoulder. "Maybe."

"Hmmm." Hermione seemed to be pondering something as she scanned the room one last time to make sure nothing had been left out. "I guess you're ready, then." She closed the trunk's lid and locked it.

"Thanks, Hermione."

"Sure," she nodded. "I'll go ask Remus if he can move it downstairs for us."

When Hermione had gone, Harry got up and looked around the bedroom. Everything had been tidied and the sleeping bags and mattresses vanished by Remus. He heard a soft hoot and turned to see Hedwig looking at him.

"Hello, girl," Harry said as he walked over to her cage. "Don't worry, I'm not going to forget you." He reached his fingers inside to stroke her back and she turned and nipped at his fingers gently. "We didn't have to stay so long this time, did we? And some of that is thanks to you."

Harry heard footsteps and soon Remus appeared the doorway. "Trunk ready, Harry?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Remus pointed his wand and moved the trunk downstairs. Harry followed with Hedwig. When he reached the landing, Harry saw that all their bags and his trunk were sitting together and he put Hedwig's cage beside them.

"All right, I'm going to send our things ahead of us," Remus announced.

"Should I just let Hedwig fly there or will she be all right going this way?" Harry asked quickly.

"She'll be fine going this way and we'll be there soon." Remus looked at his watch and then waved his wand. Their luggage and Hedwig disappeared.

"Everyone ready?" Remus held out the Portkey hat. They gathered around and each touched the brim. "Should be any second, now…" And suddenly the group felt the familiar jerk and heard the wind rushing by them. Almost as suddenly, their feet hit the floor with a thud.

Harry righted himself and recognized with not a little dread the long dingy hall that was the entry to Grimmauld Place with its serpentine light fixtures. He swallowed and prepared himself to see again the rest of this house that was now his-this house that was filled with the memory of Sirius. But as he looked around, he noticed that all the Black family portraits that had once hung on the wall were now gone-save one. The canvas was currently blank but Harry recognized the frame as the one that had previously hung on his bedroom wall sometimes containing the portrait of Phineas Nigellus.

Harry looked questioningly at Remus.

"Dumbledore." He responded. "I don't know how he got that one of Sirius's mother off…we tried for ages."

"Thank goodness," Hermione said.

"When's Dobby coming?" Harry asked.

"He'll be here in a few hours, I think." Remus said. "He wanted to tidy the Dursley's house just a bit more."

Harry heard a hoot up by the table ahead and went to get Hedwig.

"You three go on upstairs. I'll move your luggage up," Remus said.

Harry, Hermione and Ron began climbing the steps.

"Look, the house-elves are gone," Ron pointed to the wall where the heads of the previous Black family servants had once hung.

"Dumbledore, again, I guess," Harry shrugged his shoulders still feeling downhearted.

They reached the landing and Hermione gasped, "Harry, look!"

The door to the drawing room was open but this wasn't at all the room they remembered. Harry walked in and sat Hedwig's cage down before he dropped it. The once green walls were now buttery yellow and the huge Black family tapestry was gone. The dusty carpet had disappeared and shiny mahogany wood floors glowed around beautiful area rugs. A graceful deep red sofa with two plump red and gold plaid armchairs had replaced the saggy old furniture around the fireplace. Throw pillows were thick in the seats and a soft golden blanket was resting over the back of the sofa. In the center of the furniture was a very large medium brown tufted leather ottoman with thick wooden feet that resembled griffin paws. The draperies were now a shiny red and gold striped material which had been swagged back to allow sunlight through the sparkling windowpanes. The glass-fronted cabinets shimmered in the sunlight. Some shelves contained books but most were waiting to be filled. In between the cabinets, the glossy wooden mantel now boasted a carved griffin over the large firebox. An expansive granite hearth gleamed and on one end were three tall iron candlesticks of varying heights with chunky deep red candles perched atop them. On the other end was a skinny iron table with a pewter jar on top.

Harry began to walk dazedly around the room running his hand along the back of the sofa. He noticed a sitting area by the window that had two smaller armchairs and a table with a wizard chess set on it. On the wall where the tapestry had been was a large burnished-gold framed mirror with lighted sconces on either side. Under the mirror was a vicar's table that had a vase of cut flowers and some framed pictures on it. When Harry bent to look at the pictures he saw some of his two best friends and himself at Hogwarts but then his eyes landed on a picture he had never seen before. It was of his father and Sirius when they were in school. They had their arms slung over each other's shoulders pulling faces and waving happily.

"Harry, look up…" Ron whispered.

When he did, tears prickled in his eyes. The ceiling had been bewitched like the Great Room ceiling at Hogwarts to look like the sky outside. Harry walked around the sofa and lay down on the soft ottoman with his face toward the ceiling. Tears were streaming gently down his cheeks. He felt his friends lie down on either side of him.

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Hermione asked softly, taking hold of Harry's hand.

Harry nodded, took off his glasses and mopped his eyes with his sleeve.

"I wonder who did all this…" As Ron spoke, Harry heard footsteps coming into the room.

"Dumbledore." Remus answered as he sat in one of the armchairs. "He wanted to surprise you, Harry. He didn't want you to have to come home to the old Grimmauld Place. We did decide to leave the entry hall mostly the same just for protection. I hope you don't mind."

Harry shook his head, unable to speak. He felt as though he were going to burst with joy. This was his…all this loveliness-never mind that it was just one room. He could rest here forever and drink this in.

"Would you like to see your bedrooms?" Remus asked.

"There's more?" Ron said excitedly.

"Some…Dumbledore didn't mean to do too much because he wanted Harry to be able to fix things like he wanted. He was a little afraid that he'd gone a bit overboard but maybe you won't mind when you see what he did. Come and see…" Remus stood up.

Harry didn't want to leave this place but curiosity won out so he got up after his friends and followed Remus around the luggage and across the hall to the bedroom that Hermione and Ginny had stayed in. Remus opened the door and Hermione gasped, "It's lovely!" The room was now periwinkle with yellow and white accents. There were twin white four-poster beds and the floors were the same mahogany with scattered floral throw rugs. A wicker armchair was in one corner by a side table with wall sconces positioned for reading. Hermione walked to the table to look at the small stack of books in a basket on the floor beside it.

Unable to wait, Harry and Ron hurried up the stairs to their room and opened the door. "Wow, mate…" Ron breathed. The walls and ceiling were now a warm café-au-lait color. The metal beds had been replaced with twin dark-wood sleigh beds with comforters that were a deep red with golden throw pillows. The dark armoire had been polished to a high shine and there were two wicker armchairs with plump cushions in a sitting area in the corner. Harry turned around to see his trunk and Hedwig's cage floating into the room followed by Remus.

"What d`you think?" Asked Remus as he put the trunk and cage by the armoire.

"This is excellent!" Ron said still looking around the room.

Harry turned to Remus. "Thank you so much…" he couldn't continue.

"I didn't do this…it was Dumbledore. And there's one more room you might want to see." Remus tilted his head to the door across the hall that had been Sirius' room.

Harry hesitantly followed Ron and Remus to the door and Remus opened it then stepped back.

"Harry…" Ron breathed. "Look."

Harry stepped into the room and gaped. The walls and ceiling were a deep red and on the ceiling were scattered eight-pointed gold stars of various sizes. A large golden griffin proudly graced one wall. Harry saw a huge wooden four-poster bed angling out from the far corner with a comforter that looked like a large red and navy tapestry decorated with golden Snitches. There were red, gold and navy-colored throw pillows scattered at the top of the bed and two squishy armchairs were positioned on a large area rug with a small table in between them. A handsome mirrored antique armoire gleamed against the other wall.

Harry went over and sat on the bed running his hand over the fine material. Ron sat down in one of the armchairs and Remus sat in the other. Harry didn't know what to say. He heard Hermione coming up the stairs and turned to see her walking in the door to his room. She stopped in her tracks and he watched with delight as her eyes widened and her mouth opened in surprise. Hermione's eyes found Harry's. She ran to him and nearly knocked him backward on his bed with the force of her hug.

"I'm so happy for you, Harry!" She exclaimed. When she drew back there were tears in both their eyes.

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said and looked into her shining eyes. `This is definitely a long way from the cupboard, huh?'

She smiled and nodded.

"So do you want to bring your trunk in here?" Remus asked.

Harry turned and said, "Not right now, thanks. This is really great but I think I'll room with Ron as long as he's here."

"That's fine, then." Remus looked at his watch. "Hermione, it's almost time for you to leave."

"Oh," she looked at her watch. "I'll need to get my things from my room."

They trooped back down the stairs. Hermione ran to get her bag and met them in the drawing room where Harry was standing, still trying to take in the changes in the room. Remus handed Hermione the napkin ring Portkey. "Should be any minute, now." He said.

Hermione hugged Ron and then Harry. "I'll be back here at two o'clock. See you then!" And she was gone.

"Ron, your mother's expecting you about now, too." Remus pointed his wand at the fireplace and said "Incendio!" and a fire crackled to life. Ron retrieved his bag from the doorway and stood ready by the mantel.

"The floo powder is in that pewter jar on the little table beside you." Remus said.

Ron took the lid off, reached in and got a small handful then turned to Harry. "I'll be back at two, mate. Then we'll go see Fred and George if you're feeling up to it."

"Sounds good." Harry smiled. "See you then."

Ron tossed the powder in the fire and stepped in as green flames shot up. "The Burrow!" Ron said and he was gone.

"Well, looks like it's just you and me for a bit, Harry." Remus said. "Hungry? We didn't really have time for breakfast this morning."

"A little…" Harry shrugged.

"Tell you what, let me go and make some sandwiches and we can eat them up here. Sound good?"

"Sure, thanks," Harry nodded.

After Remus had left, Harry wandered back over to the pictures. He was already missing Ron and Hermione as he looked at their pictures making silly faces at him. He saw one that he had missed before. It was a picture of his mum and dad. Lily was smiling and showing off what looked like an engagement ring as James kissed her cheek.

Remus walked back into the room with a tray of sandwiches and pumpkin juice, which he sat on the ottoman.

"Where did these pictures come from?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore got some from Colin Creevy and the others were mine."

Harry went and sat on the sofa by Remus. "I can't thank everyone enough for what they've done for me this week. I'm not sure I would have made it through these past few days…"

Remus clasped his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You gave us a scare…I'm glad you're doing better."

Harry nodded reaching for a glass of pumpkin juice. "Can't wait to see the joke shop this afternoon."

Remus smiled. "They seem to be doing rather well. I hear you're their silent partner of a sort."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Does Mrs. Weasley know?"

"I don't think so…Mundungus let it slip to me but he doesn't usually have conversations with Molly, at least not two-sided ones."

Harry shook his head. "Here's hoping she doesn't find out any time soon…"

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