First and foremore I do not own Harry Potter in any way shape or form. It all belongs to the wonderful genius named J.K. Rowling. I only dwell happily within her world of magic.

Chapter 1

Brooding at the Dursley's

Wind rustled the worn sheets of the bed softly, yet the young man that laid upon it did not heed it any thought. He was too busy brooding over the events that had happened. He sighed and ran a hand through his jet black hair, his emerald green eyes peered through the darkness of the night to the bird cage that lay empty. Hedwig was out doing her normal hunting routine. His eyes turned to the other cage that resided near his bed, a brown barn owl sat perched upon its little swing, peering at him. Dumbledore had insisted that the school owl go home with him until he was able to come back to head quarters. He had been thankful for Dumbledore's insight, but he just couldn't bring himself to be happy about the situation.

Remus Lupin was with him every single day now, as a guard and as a friend. It had helped to just talk to him about what was going on in his mind, but every night he went home and some one else guarded outside. That was when Harry's hell began.

Either he dreamed of the events of that day or he brooded over them. There was not a moment during the night when he did not dream or think about Sirius. He knew that it was his fault. If only Snape hadn't been the teacher for Occulemency, but then he would think about how he didn't practice enough how should never have believed what Voldemort had to say and he would realize that he was the murder. He was responsible for Sirius' death. That was when he would bury his face in his pillow and sob uncontrollably and fall into a fitful dream.

That is where he found himself right now, in that tumbling whirlpool of thought that seemed to suck him in like a dementor. He wasn't sure he would ever be happy fully again.

A blur of something half flying half tumbling through the window caught Harry's attention. He sat up and saw that it was Errol in a heap on the floor. He sighed and laughed softly as he walked over to the bird. He picked it up and placed him in Hedwig's cage before taking the attached letter off of him. Hedwig flew through the window and into her cage, instantly taking care of Errol.

"You knew it was him, didn't you?" He asked her softly. She hooted in response. He sat down upon his bed and held the letter up so the moonlight that was streaming into the room would hit the parchment. His eyes drank in each word desperately.

Dear Harry,

I know you are probably hoping to hear from Ron, but it's me Ginny instead. You'll just have to make do. I just wanted to write you because I couldn't sleep. I realized you probably couldn't sleep either, for the events of a certain day must be playing in your mind like a broken record.

But I wanted to write you to tell you that you are not a murder. I know that you said that you feel that Sirius' death is your fault, but let me point out the reasons that it isn't.

First and foremost you were going there to save HIM, Harry. Yes yes yes I know what you are thinking: but if I hadn't believed what I saw then I would never have gone and gotten him killed. New flash: If you HADN'T gone then the wizarding world would still not believe that he was back and in power! He may have tried to trick you to try to kill you, but you made me go under cover again! You are the reason that the Daily Prophet is reporting on it now.

Second, Sirius went to save YOU. Yeah yeah yeah, i know if i hadn't have gone blah blah blah... Listen to me! Sirius would have died for you at any time. Now or later. It is inevitable. Everyone that has ever loved you knows that they would lay down their lives for you. Besides, Dumbledore knew that Sirius wasn't the type of man that would just sit around for long. He was too adventurous. How do I know? Did you ever notice that glint in his eye at the battle? He WANTED to be there, Harry. Not only for you, but because he was back in the action.

Third, you did not directly kill him. You didn't touch him with any curse. That was Bella's fault. She is the murderer, not you.

Now, beyond that I would like to say that I am going to be petition Dumbledore for you to join us here. I can't stand not seeing you and I know that you need us. And we need you, Harry.

Keep up your spirits and know that everyone here is thinking of you and is loving you!

Love,

Ginny

Harry smiled for the first time in days and lay back down upon his bed. He clutched the piece of parchement to his chest and sighed, breathing in a soft lilac smell. He raised the parchment to his nose and inhaled deeply finding that she had sprayed the parchment with perfume before she had sent it to him. His heart raced wildly in a way that he had never felt before. He jolted up right.

Could it be, Harry thought, that I am in love with Ginny? He shook away the thought and lay back down, falling instantly into sweet dreams.

Remus stood upon the Dursley's front stoop that morning, waiting for Harry to come down the stairs. It was their new routine. He would come over and then they would go for a walk, just the two of them in the early morning light. The door swung open to reveal a bright eyed young man.

"Morning Remus," Harry said as he closed the door behind him. Remus shot him a smile, deeply thankful to Dumbledore for arranging this. It had been hard for both of them. Sirius had been Remus' friend and the last living Maurader that knew he was a werewolf. Sirius had also been Harry's godfather, which was an irreplaceable thing.

They walked silently until they reached their bench. They had talked about Sirius extensively the last couple of days and Remus was fully prepared to talk about it Sirius more, until Harry blurted out something that stopped Remus cold.

"Did I kill him? Did I kill my parents? Tell me the truth, Remus. I'm not a little boy anymore." He looked at him, shocked to the core. The boy wasn't even sixteen yet! How could he possibly even believe that he had killed Sirius and his parents.

"No! This is the truth, Harry. No matter what, Sirius was already talking to me about getting out. He was never one to sit around. As for your parents that wasn't your fault! You didn't kill them! Voldemort did! How could you ever believe that your parents death was your fault?"

Remus watched as Harry shrugged softly.

"Tell me about my parents. The real story," Harry said softly. Remus took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair.

"Well, James was James. He was a silly, ignorant prat sometimes. I'm not going to sugar coat it for you, Harry because I don't think that is what you wanted to hear. Yet, there are somethings that I do believe that you should know now. Your father was a great man. He loved a good joke or prank. In our day we could have given the Weasley twins a run for their money. Or rather they would give us a run. I digress. Your father was our leader. We always looked to him for inspiration. At the time we were allowed to children and stupid teenaged boys. The thing that James adored the most was your mother and Quidditch. He was the best flyer that anyone had ever seen, but I have seen you fly and you top his abilities and that is saying something, Harry. James was loved by every girl in school, no matter what age. He had charisma, charm, spunk, and personality. He always could make someone laugh. And he was always getting in trouble."

"Your mother on the other hand was entirely different. She was the brightest soul I ever had the chance to meet. She was studious, like your friend Hermione, yet Hermione is more so then Lily was. Lily was very social, but could be very shy. She always was the kindest hearted. Whenever something had happened she was there. She was the only witch that knew that I was a werewolf. I remember the day I told her. She didn't even flinch. She just placed a hand upon my the stitches on my face and said to me, 'Remus it doesn't matter what you are. You are the best person that I know and that is all that matters to me.' Only a truly wonderful person could say that without fear, without loathing. Lily was a remarkable woman."

"Beyond that Lily had such amazing magical skills. More often then not many of us forgot her parentage. She was better then most pure blood wizards and witches. There wasn't a spell that woman couldn't do. And sometimes that fact made James go crazy."

"Thing was, Harry, James loved her the moment he saw her. We were eleven. I had just met James and we had been sitting around just talking to each other when she had come into our compartment. He could barely breath at first and then he had been cocky and she had hated him right off the bat. They were always battling from that moment on. Mostly about how James treated Severus Snape. If only dear Lily knew how good old Sev had hated her. James had defended her. Snape had said that she was a horrid little mudblood and James from that moment on declared war against him. I don't think James ever told her that."

"I don't condone what we did to that man and I am not saying that your father was a saint. Neither was your mother. They both had their bad points, Harry. Every person does. But they were my friends, my family and I loved them. It seems so unfair that I got to spend so much time with them and you so little. I would gladly give you the amount of time that I had with them, for you are far more deserving then I."

Harry looked down at his hands that were wringing each other in a nervous type fashion. Remus watched the boy, unsure of what he had said. He had only told Harry the James and Lily that he knew.

"How did they fall in love if Mum hated Dad?" Harry asked. Remus chuckled as the memories flooded back to him.

"James made a bet with your mother."

"A bet?" Remus laughed wholeheartedly at Harry's disbelief.

"James bet Lily that for a full year he could go without asking her out. She said that it would never happen. It was our sixth year, mind. James had countered saying, if I do will you date me for a full year? Lily, not really believing that James would do it, said yes she would. Then they placed a spell on James to show when he asked. It was to appear on his forehead. I don't recall Lily's end of it because she lost. He didn't ask one. He even hung around her and was able not to ask her. So at the start of the next year they dated and Lily fell incredibly in love with James. "

Harry laughed brightly.

"Why would Mum believe that Dad wouldn't be able to keep his side of the bet?"

"Because your father asked your mother eighty times a day, that's why." They sat on the bench and laughed together.

After several minutes of laughter they fell into a comfortable silence.

"I miss them, Remus. I miss all of them," Harry said softly.

"I miss them too, but they all gave their lives for yours. There is no greater love then that." Harry nodded softly.

"I guess you're right."

"Come come, let us celebrate them by having one of those funny things they call a hot dog!" Remus exclaimed as he went over to the hot dog vender. Harry smiled and joined him.

Two fists stood planted upon the hips of one very angry Ginny Weasley. She stood, opposing Dumbledore with her mother looking on.

"Professor it isn't fair to him. Last year you left him there to fend for himself! Yes I know that he has Lupin to be with, but he needs us! You can't expect him to get over what has happened correctly without his friends! Why does he have to go back to a place where he is hated!"

Professor Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling from behind his half moon glasses.

"Ms. Weasley, he has to go for a specific reason. It is Harry's story to tell the reason why, not me. I am going to bring him here in two days. Is that all right with you?"

"Why two days? Why can't he be here now?"

"For safety reasons."

"Order reasons."

"You are getting much too perceptive, Ms. Weasley."

"No, I'm starting to actually pay attention to what goes on around here!"

"Which is perception. Two days, I promise."

"And if it is longer?"

"Then I will personally make it up to you."

"When is Hermione coming? You know she isn't safe at home!"

"She should be arriving tomorrow. Anything else?"

"Yes, why can't we join the Order? We fought Voldemort and we should be allowed."

"You are all too young."

"Harry at least! He has fought Voldemort the last five years in a row!"

"He doesn't need the Order on his shoulders."

"Maybe he needs it, to finally defeat that evil git!"

"This discussion is closed. I must go now and attend the school."

Ginny sighed and sat down in one of the kitchen chairs. Her hands rubbed over her face tiredly.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine," Dumbledore tried to soothe her as he turned towards the door.

"No one can ensure that any more," Ginny mumbled as Dumbledore walked out the door.

Molly Weasley stood outside, her arms tight across her chest.

"I'm sorry, Albus. I promise that it will never happen again," Molly started before Dumbledore raised his hand.

"No need, Molly. She is growing up and protecting the people she loves. It was to be expected considering she is your daughter." Molly blushed slightly and gave a small laugh.

"It doesn't excuse the way she spoke to you."

"Harry has spoken much worse," he reassured. He gave her a smile and walked out the door

Dear Ginny,

Actually, I have to thank you for writing to me. If you hadn't I never would have realized fully that it wasn't my fault. Well, it is slightly, but I am not the murder I once believed. I talked with Remus and he said that Sirius had been planning on getting back in the action anyway. It was just the event that he wanted to be a part of.

Petitioning Dumbledore! Wow that should be one scary meeting! I'm just teasing you.

Whatever you can do. I am grateful for Remus but I need you guys.

Love,

Harry

P.S. Stay safe will you? For me.

Ginny held the letter and cried softly in the darkness of the night. She had always loved Harry, but at first it had been with the legendary boy that had saved them all the first time. She could still remember that love, she had had it for him when she was a first year. Then he had saved her and changed the way she looked at him forever.

He had risked everything for her, but she knew that he would never see her as anything but the forceful younger sister of Ronald Weasley. However, she knew that she would be the only person that understood him completely. She had been possesed by the dark lord and knew what he could do and what he wanted to do to her Harry. Only a woman that had gone through that could ever understand what Harry went through each day.

She wanted to be his girlfriend, his life. She wanted to be everything for him, yet she wasn't. She knew that the only way she would be able to have Harry was to show him that she wasn't a little girl anymore. She was the new fifteen year old girl that just happened to be on the outskirts of his life, but not for much longer. Soon she would be his life, mark her words.

Her eyes looked up at the ceiling and she tried to imagine the stars as her heart whispered to him her love, hoping in vain that somehow he could feel it.

"Hermione!" Ron's voice exclaimed as the young bushy brown haired woman came through the door. He allowed her to come in a ways before capturing her in a large hug.

"Hey Ron!" She replied just as brightly.

"Come on, Ron! She has loads more people to hug!" Ginny exclaimed with mock impatience in her voice. Ron sighed and pulled away allowing Hermione to be hugged by everyone else in the place.

"Is Harry here?" Hermione asked as she looked around the room. Ginny shook her head.

"Professor Dumbledore said that he would be brought here tomorrow. Come on, let's go upstairs! We have to catch up!" Ginny said as she grabbed Hermione's hand enthusiastically. Molly chuckled brightly as Ron followed after muttering GIRLS under his breath.

They ran up the stairs in record time, crashing into Ginny's room together.

"I talked to Harry," Ginny blurted out as Ron closed the oak door behind him. Hermione looked at her hard.

"Is he okay?" They asked together. She nodded and watched as the defenses fell from Hermione and Ron's face.

"He no longer believes that he is Sirius' murderer," Ginny reported happily as she found a place on the floor for her to sit. Hermione and Ron followed suit.

"He doesn't! That is wonderful news!" Hermione exclaimed happily as she sat a down, slightly closer to Ron then normal. Ginny had to keep herself from laughing out loud. Since the battle Hermione and Ron had been sitting uncharacteristically close to one another. Then again, Ginny knew that Hermione and Ron were head over heels for each other and that it was just their subconsciousness coming to the conclusion that they should be closer because they loved each other. What amused Ginny the most was that neither one of them recognized what was going on between them.

"Who convinced him that it wasn't?" Ron asked as he shifted slightly closer to Hermione.

"Remus and myself. I think that he will be better once he arrives though. Being with those horrible muggles can't really be helping him much."

"No, I certainly agree. I don't understand why he has to be there really," Ron said.

"Harry never talks about them with any kind of love. He never says he has a good time there, why would Dumbledore send him there?" Hermione asked Ginny.

"He wouldn't tell me. He would only say that it was Harry's story and not his to tell."

"Well he should still tell us anyway I think," Ron mumbled angrily.

"You are such a git! It's Harry's story and Dumbledore is right in not sharing it because it isn't his story!" Hermione reprimanded.

"So!"

"You are so infurating, Ron!"

"So are you, Hermione!"

"I'm not as infurating as you!"

"You are more infurating then me!"

"You don't even know what infurating means!"

"I do to Miss Know It All."

"Do not."

"Too."

"Not."

"GUYS!" Ginny yelled, bringing them both out of the fight immediately. They looked at each other then down at the ground, their cheeks were flaming.

"We have a war going on and all you guys can do is argue over what Dumbledore decided to do! There are far more important things, like staying alive!" Ginny reprimanded.

"Sorry," they said together.

"You should be. There are far more important topics to discuss or things to do then watch you two bicker like three year olds," Ginny huffed. She sighed and sat back against the frame of the bed. Today was going to be a long day.