CHAPTER EIGHT
Where it All Started
The three moved back to the kitchen table, and Harry carefully placed the locket on the surface. It was dull, aged, but still amazing to see. Over one thousand years old, and still with its original chain. The three stared at it for what seemed hours before anyone talked.
`I can't believe it was here all this time' breathed Harry. Dumbledore had been looking for it for what seemed so long, and it ended up being here, in Grimmauld Place. The uselessness of that journey to the cave seemed total now. There was no chance the locket would have been there. Why hadn't Dumbledore seen it in Grimmauld?
`Regulus must've stashed it here before he died' said Ron, still gawking at the locket. Harry of course agreed, since it was obvious. He questioned what caused Regulus to leave Grimmauld, and ultimately be murdered. Hermione seemed to be wondering the same thing.
`Why would he have left Grimmauld? I mean, if Voldemort- oh come off it Ron!' she said angrily, giving Ron a slap on his shoulder as he cringed slightly. `If Voldemort knew Regulus stole his Horcrux, why would he leave?'
Harry couldn't understand it either. The last thing he would have wanted was to go out into the open. Harry remembered Sirius talking about how Regulus was deep in with the Death Eaters, and how much he hated him for it. Harry wondered if it might have been Sirius that kicked him out of the house, but Harry remembered that Sirius left to live with Harry's father when he was young. Since Regulus was younger, it was doubtful he was a Death Eater by that time.
`Well, lets not worry about how Regulus was killed. More important is that we have a Horcrux' stated Harry. `Now,' he continued dolefully, `we need to figure out how to destroy it.'
`I can't imagine that will be an easy feat' Hermione said precariously. Harry thought finding the Horcruxes would be hard enough, but now realized finding them was the easy part. Destroying them would prove to be much more difficult.
They decided for the time being, to put the locket up in Harry's room, locked away in his trunk. Putting it back in Kreacher's cupboard would have worked, since it had been hidden there for two years, however they figured there was a chance that Kreacher could return and take the it.
After that day, Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent all their time pouring over books in the library, and in Harry's room, trying desperately to find information on Horcruxes, and now, how to destroy them. Before they found the Locket, it was impossible to find any information on Horcruxes themselves. The information on how to destroy them, was, if possible, even more scarce. After over one week of non-stop reading, the three were showing visible frustration, especially Ron.
`We're never going to find even a definition of a Horcrux in these ruddy books' moped Ron heatedly, taking one of his books and unceremoniously lobbing it onto the floor. Harry more than understood his disappointment in their search. He was still holding out for books at Hogwarts, however he had hoped to find something here at Grimmauld.
`We can't give up Ron, we just need to keep searching' said Hermione insistently, while reading `Dark Arts of the 12th Century.' Ron gave her a startling look.
`Hermione, we've been searching for a week! We've looked at all these books, and there's nothing' he ranted. He stood up quickly, and made his way to the doorway.
`I'm sorry, I need to get away for a bit' he stated, walking out and leaving Hermione and Harry alone in the library, books strune about everywhere.
`Sorry Harry. He's been a bit frustrated lately' mumbled Hermione, giving Harry a sorrowful look.
`We all are. Finding that Horcrux so early, and now it's taking a while to figure out how to destroy it. I mean, it might be years until we find out' said Harry consolingly, as he gathered some books on one of the tables, and restacking them using his wand. Hermione gave a sigh, and Harry turned to see her holding her head in her hands.
`Are you alright?' he asked, approaching the side of the chair she sat in, and crouching down. He placed a comforting hand on her back, and she placed her hand on top, giving him an appreciative smile. She looked back down at the floor, and the smile was lost.
`I'm fine. I'm just tired, that's all. I think I'll head off to bed' she said, taking her hand off of Harry's, and putting the books lying on her lap on the nearest table. Harry stood up, and helped her up. She thanked him, and left for her room.
Harry cleaned a bit of the library up, stacking some of the books, and extinguished the lamps and fireplace. As he made his way to his room, he heard whispers coming from Ron's room.
`Ron, please, you need to show more support to Harry. I know this is aggravating not finding any information, but we can't give up. I promise, when we get the chance, we'll go on a date, alright?' whispered Hermione. There was a pause, then Harry could hear footsteps. Harry moved quickly, but quietly, up the staircase, and into his room.
He felt bad about eavesdropping on the two of them, but even more so over what they were talking about. Ron was upset because he wanted a date with Hermione. Harry understood why, since the two of them really had no alone time. Even at Hogwarts, students could find time to be by themselves. He decided that the next day, he would tell them to go on a date to wherever they wanted to.
`Besides' he thought to himself, as he climbed into his bed, `there's somewhere I need to go alone.'
The next morning, the three where sitting in the kitchen eating their breakfast again. Harry realized that soon he would need to go and get more food, as they where finishing the bread, and had run out of peanut butter the day before. He told Ron and Hermione his plans to go to the nearby muggle grocery store, however Ron laughed at the idea.
`Harry, you're a wizard! Didn't you ever wonder where my family got all the food? You either conjure it, or, better yet, we could go to The Undry! Com'on, I'll show you' he propounded excitedly. Harry looked to question Ron about it, however Ron was already up at the fireplace, waiting with the Floo Powder. Harry gave a considering glance, and decided to follow. The three of them stood at the fireplace, and Ron happily threw the powder into the fireplace.
`Can't we just Apperate there?' asked Harry.
`No, because we don't know where it is, except Ron' stated Hermione.
`Well, I've never been there, but I know it'll be great. Alright, The Undry, OK? Make sure you have some money too' said Ron, as he stepped into the emerald flames, and yelled `The Undry!' A flash of green flames, and he was gone.
Harry was less confident now, knowing that Ron had never really been to The Undry, but they did need good. He went up to his room, got his money, and came back down to find Hermione waiting for him. He left a note for the Order, and the two of them Flooed their way to The Undry.
Harry was caught by surprise at the shear size of the place. It was huge, at least ten times bigger than any muggle grocery store he had been too. It reminded Harry of airplane hangars he saw on television while Dudley watched a show about airplanes when he was younger. Hermione also seemed to be astonished by the size of the building. One thing Harry could tell, was that it was underground, much like the Ministry, making the sight all the more wonderous.
As the three walked from the dozens of fireplaces in an offset room, a large set of open doors led to a vast hall, full of isles and tellers. The first thing Harry noticed in The Undry, was a huge cauldron filled with food at the entranceway, which had engravings marked on it.
The Undry
Food for all, to have and to eat
Some of it bland, and some of it sweet
But remember take not, what you do not need
For food shall not be given, to those of greed
The three of them moved along, and bought the various items they needed. Hermione seemed to go for more sugar free items, while Ron seemed more than happy to replace them with food that had ample amounts of sugar.
Harry was surprised by some of the isles he went down or passed by. The most notable ones included isle 57, which contained live spiders. Harry assumed they were for potions, until an old and rather ragged looking witch took a small black spider out of a jar, and ate it, making Harry cringe and look away as he heard the crunching. As they walked up the isle, Harry and Hermione suddenly noticed that Ron had mysteriously disappeared. Only after searching four isles did they find him. He told them he got lost. Hermione smirked, knowing full well the reason he left an isle full of spiders.
Isle 104 was completely dark, almost like night. They decided to skip that isle, when a few dozen bats surprised them at the entrance. The last isle, isle 304, was filled with many odd looking meats. Harry looked at one, which resembled steak, however backed away quickly when the `steak' moved slightly, and gave, what Harry could only call, a yawn.
The three of them left The Undry, with at least three weeks worth of food. They had to shrink it all in order to get it back in one trip.
`So all wizards and witches get their food there?' asked Harry, as they ate their lunches back at Grimmauld. Ron was in the middle of eating his chicken, however replied with a full mouth of food anyways.
`No, there are other places. You know, more local for some people. Best place is The Undry though, by far. But most people conjure food. Since we don't know how to yet, and the best food is at The Undry, thought it would make a good reason to go' he finished, swallowing his food.
The three finished lunch, and spent the afternoon hammering over more books in the library. Harry could see Ron trying to focus more this time, getting through at least three books this time. As supper neared, he decided to tell them to go on their date. It was hard trying to do it, without them finding out he was eavesdropping the night before.
`Well, I'm going to have supper, but I need to leave for a while tonight. I've got to go somewhere, and I've got to go alone. You guys should go and have dinner somewhere or go out' he said calmly, putting the books he had been searching through away. He had tried to pass the comment off casually, but it didn't work. Hermione looked up at Harry with an astonished look.
`Harry, no way. You can't go anywhere alone, especially now. What happens if Death Eaters get you? And besides, where do you need to go alone?' she asked harshly. Harry knew this would be coming. He was glad that she and Ron worried about him, but sometimes it was bothersome. He was of age, and should be able to do what he wants. He sometimes wondered if they thought he would just go walk up to the Riddle house without a wand, and knock on the door. He was going to retort with an aggravated response, when an obvious crack could be heard coming from the kitchen.
The three of them immediately looked at the open doorway of the room, not moving a muscle. Hermione and Ron slowly stood up, pulling out their wands, and carefully placing the books they had on their laps on the chairs. Harry put his finger to his lips as they looked back at him, and slowly made his way to the doorway.
There was someone downstairs. They had not moved out of the kitchen yet, but were creating quite a bit of noise. Harry heard the clinking of cutlery and plates. The three slowly moved out the doorway, and down the stairwell. As they turned the corner, Harry made a glance inside, just as the man within the room stood and called out loud.
`Harry! Ron! Hermione!' yelled Lupin. The three outside lowered their wands, looking at each other with a mixed feeling of relief and embarrassment. They all calmly walked into the kitchen, letting out a collective sigh of relief.
`There you are. I wondered for a moment-, why do you have your wands out?' Lupin asked quizzically, as the three sat down at the table across from Lupin.
`Sorry. We heard a crack, and worried it could be someone' said Harry. He placed his wand back in his pocket, and looked to Ron and Hermione, both looking even more embarrassed that they thought Lupin might have been a Death Eater.
`Well, there's no need to be that jumpy, especially in here. Don't forget, only people you tell can get in here. Anyways, how have you been doing?' asked Lupin. Harry looked, and found Lupin had gotten some food for himself, and was eating at a very fast pace. He had just been with Werewolves, so of course, he looked terrible. His robes where showing new tears, and the man looked like he had not slept in years.
`Just cleaning up the house, and doing some research for our summer projects' replied Hermione simply. Harry was glad she didn't mention the Horcruxes. He still had not told anyone except Ron and Hermione. Hermione gave a smile to Harry as Lupin attacked his food again, and asked how Lupin was.
`I've been better, but I'm alright. A little hungry, as you can see. I see you went and got some food. Have you three ate yet?' he asked, as he filled his mouth with a turkey sandwich. Ron looked to answer, but Harry cut him off.
`No, we haven't. But, I'm going somewhere tonight, and I thought it would give time for Ron and Hermione to go out to dinner' he stated. He knew Ron wanted it, and Hermione did too. She was still however, hesitant to accept the notion.
`Harry, I already told you, you can't go by yourself. We'll go with you. Me and Ron can go another night' she said. Ron did not look to happy, considering he had wanted to go on a date with Hermione alone for a while. Harry, on the other hand, found a solution. It was sitting right in front of him.
`How about if Remus comes with me, if that's alright?' he asked, looking hopeful. Lupin finished chewing, and nodded.
`Sure Harry. As long as you tell me where, and it's not anywhere odd, we can go. You two should go, have some fun. There's not much left in the summer, so you should take advantage of it' he gestured to Ron and Hermione. Ron was pleased, and Hermione gave a smile, but still had concern on her face.
`Alright, but be careful Harry, please' she insisted. Harry nodded, and got up to get some food for himself. Ron was already bounding upstairs, getting cloaks just incase it got chilly. The sun was still hours from setting, but the nights where cool and generally required a coat or cloak. Ron returned just as Harry finished making himself a turkey sandwich, and sat back down.
`So, where do you want to go?' Ron asked Hermione. Lupin cleared his throat, and turned around to the fireplace, where the two where standing.
`Might I suggest the Leaf and the Lowell, a very nice spot in Hogsmede at the end of Garden Street. Small, and quaint, but very good food' he finished. Ron and Hermione thanked Lupin for the suggestion, and Apperated to Hogsmede.
`So Harry, where is this mysterious place we're going tonight' Lupin asked, as he put both their dishes in the sink, and bewitched the sponge and cloth to wash them.
`Godric's Hollow.'
*
With a crack, Ron and Hermione appeared in front of Three Broomsticks, much like they did with Harry a few weeks earlier. The two of them moved up High Street until they reached Garden. It was a short, tucked away street neither of them had seen before. At the end of it, stood a small, one storey building.
Hermione agreed with Lupin, it was very quaint. A large window allowed the two to see inside the restaurant as they walked closer.
There were about a dozen tables inside, with booths arranged along the side walls. The whole dining area was lit with oil lamps hanging above the tables, allowing for the perfect amount of light. As the two of them entered, a nice looking woman approached the two of them. She carried her wand, with a notepad following her.
`Welcome to The Leaf and the Lowell. Table for two? Let me take those' she gestured, flicking her wand. Their cloaks flew quickly out of Ron's arm, and hung themselves on the coat rack on the wall next to the door. The lady smiled at the two of them, and motioned Ron and Hermione to follow her. She lead them to a table near the window, gave another flick, and two wooden chairs, and two menus appeared.
`My name is Lauren. Just tap the table with your wand when you're ready to order' she smiled, leaving the two to consider the menu. Ron quickly moved over and pulled out the chair for Hermione. She laughed a little as she sat down.
`What?' Ron asked oddly, as he took his seat across the table.
`You, pulling out my chair for me. It's sweet, but not a normal Ron thing' she admitted, giving another smile. Ron smiled as well, and glanced at the menu.
Hermione looked at the menu, and debated the various items. Lupin was right, there was a lot of good food here. She had just started looking at the appetizers, when she was surprised to see Ron putting his menu down, and taking out his wand. She hadn't even gotten to the entrees.
`You know what you want already?' she asked disbelievingly.
`Yeah, well, there's only two things I know how to pronounce on the menu anyways. It's either bread, or Roast Beef and Potatoes' he said giving a smile, trying to sound amusing. Hermione, on the other hand, was not too excited over his choice.
`Ron, when you go out, you should try something different. We could have Roast Beef back at Grimmauld anytime. I know a lot of this stuff is foreign, but some of it's very good.' She picked up her menu, and showed it to Ron.
`See, I had some of these when I was in France. This is Rabbit Sauté Chasseur. It's Rabbit cooked with white wine. Poulet Creme Fraiche, that's very good. I had it in a breathtaking restaurant in Lyon. It's chicken in the most wonderful sauce' she finished. She hoped her enthusiasm would work into Ron, and he would trust her and try something new. She was disappointed when he leaned back against his chair, and gave a smile Hermione knew meant `thanks, but no.' She put down her menu, and gave a sigh, just loud enough for Ron to hear.
`Sorry Hermione. I'm sure it all tastes great, but I honestly just want the Roast Beef. Sorry' he added, as Hermione continued to look upset. He had wanted this date for a while, and did not want to mess it up. He was going to change his mind, when she flashed a smiled, took out her wand, and tapped the table. The light above flickered for a moment, and Lauren appeared next to the table, notepad in tail.
`All set? Excellent, now, what can I get you twos to drink?' she asked cheerfully. Hermione asked for tried and true pumpkin juice, while Ron went for more simplistic water.
`Would you like to start with appetizers, or right on to the main course?' she asked happily. Hermione looked to Ron. She knew Ron had, of course, not looked at the appetizers. She was going to order one, but decided to let Ron decide.
`We'll just have out meals thanks. I'll have the Roast Beef and Potatoes' he said. Lauren nodded, and turned to Hermione.
`I'll have the Chicken Cordon Bleu please, with mixed vegetables.' Lauren smiled, and flicked her wand to the notepad. Writing appeared, and the notepad zoomed through a door that, Hermione thought, must lead to the kitchens. Hermione started to wonder, and as Lauren made two glasses, and siphoned the water and pumpkin juice into them, she couldn't hold out her question.
`You don't have house elves working in your kitchen, do you?' she asked, Ron rolling his eyes and looking out the window in response. Lauren seemed not to mind the question however.
`No. The owner, Mr. Brevamire, doesn't use house elves. He doesn't believe in slavery, so if he did had house elves here, they'd be paid, and free. None of them want to be free though, not that I'm complaining. This is a well paying job, and I don't want to loose it. There you go. I'll be back with you meals in a few minutes' she finished, turning around and checking on a couple in one of the booths.
Hermione was happy with the answer. She wished more people would be like Mr. Brevamire. Lauren didn't seem to mind house elves either. Hermione made a mental note to tell more people about this restaurant.
`How did I know you'd ask about house elves. Why can't you just relax Hermione?' asked Ron quietly a few moments later. Hermione had wanted this date to go argument free, however that hope was going down the drain.
`I am relaxed Ron, I just wanted to know, that's all' she said, trying not to show her growing dismay.
The meal continued much like this, even though neither of them wanted it to. After they started on their meals, conversation became sporadic, and usually mundane in its topics. Ron mentioned the weather three times over the course of the meal. Hermione tried to start more interesting topics, such as subjects they would be taking at Hogwarts this year, however Ron usually ended the conversations abruptly.
As they left later on that night, the stars glowing in the sky with the 3/4 moon, Hermione was trying to bring the conversation to a good point, however felt she was fighting a loosing battle. She was glad to have talking about Hogwarts behind them as they left the restaurant, when Ron brought up the one topic Hermione had avoided on purpose.
`Well, hopefully when we're back at Hogwarts, we'll have time to spend with each other. I mean, you'll have all your Head duties, and I'll have Prefect duties. I can't imagine there will be a lot of time for us' he said with a touch of misery. By this time, Hermione was ready to go back to her room.
She thought when the three of them went to Three Broomsticks that this issue was resolved, but she should have known better. She knew Ron was trying to still get reassurance that there would be time for the two of them. She honestly could not see that happening, just with trying to destroy the Horcruxes alone. She stopped and turned in front of Ron, trying very hard to make Ron understand what they had already discussed.
`Ron, lets get back to Grimmauld and we can talk about it. I'm hoping Harry is alright' she said. Ron nodded, and the two Apperated back to Grimmauld, to find it empty.
*
Harry and Remus finished putting away the dishes, and got their traveling cloaks. Harry left a note for the Order and Ron and Hermione, letting them know where the two of them went to. He hoped Ron and Hermione wouldn't be too upset at him going without them.
When Harry told he was going to Godric's Hollow, he expected Lupin to protest, and tell him to wait until it could be protected well enough. He was surprised when Lupin simply nodded, and sat back down across the table from Harry, a blank expression on his face.
`I knew this day would come. I know you want to go alone, and you are of age, so I make it up to you whether I go with you or not' he said thoughtfully.
Harry had planned to go alone, however seeing Lupin made him remember something very important. Lupin was the last true Marauder left, his father's only real friend still alive. He remembered Lupin trying to help him after the wedding night, and trying to be there for him. Harry knew going to Godric's Hollow would maybe be dangerous, and that if anyone had to go with him, Lupin would be his first choice. Of course, his next choices would be Hermione and Ron.
`Remus, if anyone should go with me, it's you. Do you want to go with me?' asked Harry consolingly. Lupin smiled at Harry's response.
`Thank you Harry. I haven't been to the Hollow since that night. I think it will do us both good to go' he said. The two of them got up, and put their cloaks one in silence.
Lupin knew where Godric's Hollow was, so Harry side along Apperated with him. After the usual siphoning and tube like experience that is Apperating, Harry's feet hit hard ground. As he looked up, he found himself on a paved road.
The sun was still in the sky, seeming ready to set in the next few hours. The road the two men stood on was in the country, slow rolling hills all around them. Brush and the several trees littered both sides of the road. Looking back, Harry could see the paved road stretch into the distance. He could see it at least a kilometer of the road behind him, before it turned and vanished.
`It's just up here' motioned Lupin, pointing ahead of the two of them. Harry nodded, and they started to walk. The road in front began to move upwards on a slow incline. After two minutes of walking, Harry wondered if they came to the right place.
`Remus, are you sure this is where it is?' Harry asked, trying not to sound worried. Lupin made a glance behind them, and continued on.
`Yes Harry, don't worry. You father wanted the house to be remote, however settled to having it on this road. This is Smarts Green. We're just outside North Nibley. It's a small muggle town, just north of Bristol, I think. You mother, being a muggleborn, wanted their house to be accessible by car, incase any of her relatives wanted to come. Although, usually it was James and Lily who went to see her parents' he said, as the road started to level out, and turn angle to the right. Harry noticed how Lupin only mentioned his mother's parents, and not Petunia.
`So why is it called Godric's Hollow?' asked Harry.
`Well, it's much like Grimmauld Place. The street Grimmauld Place is on isn't called that to the muggles. For wizards, your parents house is called Godric's Hollow. I'll tell you another time why it's named that specific name though' said Lupin, giving Harry a reassuring look.
As the road started to straighten out again, and the trees thinned out, Harry saw it. An old, but normal looking house. This was it, his first home, where everything started.
It had a small paved drive, cracked at numerous places. The small yard in front was green, but wild, with bushes and weeds growing here and there. The house itself was not what Harry was expecting.
It was an old, stony, two storey house. The stone on the outside was almost black due to age and wear. The dark black shingled roof carried the weight of a few fallen leaves, and the windows were all covered from the inside by pale white drapes.
Harry stopped a moment to take in the sight of his parents house, and continued to the door. Harry worried a bit at what could be waiting inside for him. Lupin waited at the door for Harry, and pulled out his wand.
`Go ahead Harry' he said, motioning Harry to take out his wand. Harry took a guess, and waved his wand at the locks. They clicked, and the dark wooden door opened.
`How did you know?' asked Harry, as Lupin entered the house, Harry still with his wand pointed out.
`This house has more connection to you than you know' he smiled, waiting for Harry to enter. Harry still did not understand, but entered the house none the less.
The house was dark, the curtains not allowing sunlight into the old house. Harry slowly stepped in, and jumped suddenly when the door slammed shut behind him. He could barely make out Lupin, who was standing only a few meters in front of him.
`Harry, can you please give some light?' asked Lupin.
`Lumos' said Harry, his wandtip lighting up, bathing the room in white light. Harry looked, and found the floor was made of wood, creaking slightly with each step. The walls were wood on the bottom, stone on top, with old paintings hanging here and there. At least an inch of dust was set on everything, including the floor. Harry quickly looked back at Lupin, to find him looking around the entry way as well.
`Very good Harry, however can you do that again, except adding the word "domus" to the end?' inquired Lupin. Harry gave him a peculiar look, but obliged. He lowered his wand, the light dying out.
`Lumos Domus' articulated Harry. The house immediately lit up. The lamps sparked, and the window drapes opened up, allowing sunlight to splash into the old house, and sending up huge amounts of dust in the air. Harry had to put one hand to his eyes to adjust to the light, and another to his mouth as he coughed, the dust settling back down, almost too quickly.
`Alright. Now, I guess I should show you around' said Lupin uneasily. He turned to his left, and motioned Harry to follow. Harry looked around the entry quickly, then followed.
They entered a large sitting room, with two red leather couches, and one sitting chair arranged around a large stone fireplace, sitting on an old maroon decorated rug. The painting above the fireplace depicted a scene most likely from Scotland, with high rolling hills, and a deep blue loch in the middle. A desk stood in the far corner, with old rolls of parchment and quills arranged on top.
`This is the sitting room. Your mother used to do a lot of her work there at that desk' said Lupin. Harry looked through the room as he walked towards the desk, the floor still creaking slightly.
`What did my mom and dad do for work?' asked Harry, as he reached the desk. He used a Cleaning Spell he read in the book from Mrs. Weasley from his birthday, and the dust vanished, leaving the desk clean and polished.
`You never knew? Well, you father didn't really have to work. His family had more than enough money, however, as you must know, he was never one to sit down and do nothing. So, after Hogwarts, he went and became an Auror. I suspect that's where you get your defence skills' explained Lupin. Harry was speechless. His father, an Auror, something he himself wanted to become.
`Your mother, on the other hand, was very skilled with potions. Our NEWT potions master, Professor Slughorn, always said she was the best potions student he ever taught. He encouraged her immensely, and helped her find a position in the ministry, in the Experimental Magic Department.' Lupin was now looking around the room himself, taking a closer look at the painting on the wall, while glancing at Harry every few moments.
`She worked in the ministry?' Harry questioned. His full attention was now on Lupin. Why hadn't he been told about this before?
`Yes actually, and I was very fortunate that she did too. You see' he continued, moving closer to the desk Harry was standing over, `she was one of the potions masters that created the Wolfsbane Potion, along with Damocles Belby.' Harry this time fell into the chair behind the desk, a look of total bewilderment on his face.
`She helped make the Woldsbane Potion?' he said aporetically. He had only heard of the potion a few times, but he knew it was very difficult to make. It made sense that Lupin was glad she did this, since it allowed him to maintain some control on full moons.
`Yes, she did. I think James encouraged her to figure out a potion. I was going through some tough times, and believe me, that potion helped out enormously' he added, as he moved into the next room. Harry stood up, and walked over through the doorway as well, to find himself in the kitchen.
`Of course, the kitchen. Your mother was not one for cooking. She did try once, and' he muffled a laugh, `lets just say it didn't go down that well. James, on the other hand, proved rather surprisingly, to be a good cook. He always hassled Lily for not being able to chop onions without crying' grinned Lupin, as they moved through. It was a spacious room, with wood cabinets, and a wooden island in the middle, probably used for such things as yes, chopping onions. Harry opened one of the cupboards to find it was full of clean, white plates. He closed it, and followed Lupin out of the kitchen.
They proceeded to see the dinning room, which had a very large oak table, that could easily sit twenty people, and the tea room, which looked like it could be very cozy, if not sitting under a thick layer of dust. By time they reached the front of the house again, the sun had set, and the oil lamps covered the inside of the house in an orange glow. It was when Lupin turned to go up the staircase, that Harry stopped for a moment.
`Harry? Are you alright? We don't have to go up there now. We can come back another time' expressed Lupin worriedly, as he descended the few stairs he climbed back down to Harry, who was still at the bottom.
Harry's mind was trying to comprehend what he was doing. He hadn't been in this house since his parents died. The bottom floor was not that worried him when he was walking along the road, it was what would be waiting for him on the second floor, where his parents actually died, and where Voldemort once stood, pointing his wand at Harry.
Harry mustered his courage, and started up the stairwell, not even looking at Lupin to give a response. The old wooden stairwell creaked on every step as he climbed. When he reached the top, he waited for Lupin, who was a few steps behind.
`Your parents bedroom' put Lupin simply, motioning Harry to the right, where a doorway stood. Harry entered first, and saw a large bedroom, not much bigger than Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's room. It had two windows, on the walls to the left, and in front of Harry. The bed sat on the far wall, next to a wardrobe. Harry walked around the room slowly, and his eyes landed on a vanity, sitting against the wall close to the door. It had pictures, wizard's pictures, of people. Harry picked some of them up one at a time, and saw members of the Order, some unknown people, and lastly, his parents, young and happy, on a beach in the summer, waving back at him.
Harry was lost in his emotions. There was so much about his parents he did not know. What was this picture of? How where they so happy? He could imagine them walking around the house, beaming at each other, and living a happy life.
He had missed this house, even though he had little to no memories of it. Somehow, walking through it made him realize that much more, how the Dursley's was never his real home. It was here.
Tears welled him Harry's eyes as he looked at the picture in his hand. Remus had remained silent for Harry, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Harry looked to him, and smiled, a single tear leaking onto his cheek. Harry turned back to the picture, seeing his smiling parents again, and more tears began to fall. He felt he should restrain himself, however Remus' rubbed his shoulder in support.
`It's alright to cry Harry. Know that they would be proud of you, both as the man you are, and the man you will become' he affirmed sincerely, moving to the doorway somberly. Harry wiped his tears away, pocketed the picture of his parents, and moved back into the hallway.
`Now, you are sure you want to do this Harry?' asked Remus, looking very worried at Harry as they stood in front of the last room. Harry nodded, looking determinately at the door opposite them. He slowly walked to the door, and turned the knob.
Harry's bedroom. The walls, the paint now faded to pale blue, had gold stars and moons plastered all over. A trunk, and dresser stood against one wall, and a rocking chair next to the other, right next to the window. Harry saw the chair, and could remember his mother sitting in it with him, rocking him to sleep. It was a memory that he had not had before, yet he could picture his mother there with him. Harry's eyes became watered again as he moved farther into the room. No odd marks were in the room, left by the horrible incident that happened so many years ago. Everything was like it was.
Harry moved closer to the crib, which was in the corner of the room. He looked back to see Lupin giving a supportive smile from the doorway. Harry was glad he came. He still had many questions about his parents, however those could wait until they were back at Grimmauld.
When Harry reached the crib, the reality of the situation came to him. This was where his mother died, where Voldemort tried to kill him, Harry. Harry placed a hand on the crib, and immense pain shot through his scar, causing him to double over, and fall to the ground.
`Harry!' yelled Lupin, although Harry barely heard him. His mother's screams where ripping through his mind, and the high toned laugh that followed made his scar burn even more. Harry grasped his head, trying hard to focus, however was swamped by the tremendous pain. He could feel Lupin's hands on his shoulders, however the pain coursing through his scar was just too intense to hear outside his mind. A short, snakelike sentence played in his head.
`Now, young Harry, our souls shall become intertwined.'
And with a final flash of pain, Harry was overcome, and passed out.
Spell / Name Meanings -
The Undry - From Irish myth, a cauldron that belonged to the god Daghda. The cauldron would grant food
to a man, based on his merit. The idea of a wizard's version of a grocery store I thought would be neat to name
after a mythical cauldron that gave out food.
Leaf and the Lowell - No real meaning, just thought it up (though the name Lowell belonged to two US
poets, an astronomer, and a president of Harvard)
Lauren - L. laurus: the laurel, bay tree.
Brevamire - L. brevis: small, mire: uncommonly (Brevamire = uncommonly small)
(In respect to his views on house elves. He wishes to have them free, which means he is part of an uncommonly small
amount of people).
Domus - L. domus: house
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