A/n—ok guys. This is my first try at fanfic. Please let me know what you think about the story. I am looking forward to all of my replies. Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1: Surprise Gifts

Harry Potter sat at his window, lost in memory. He was reminiscing on the past year, and all the events that took place. He couldn't believe that his godfather was dead. He hadn't stopped dreaming of that dreadful night since it happened. Every night that he closed his eyes, visions of the Department of Mysteries filled his mind. He saw himself fighting off Death Eaters, members of the Order coming to his aid, Sirius fighting with Bellatrix. He wasn't worried; he knew that Sirius was a great wizard, that he wouldn't lose the battle. Then he slipped behind the veil. Harry called and called for his godfather, but all was lost.

Now, three weeks later, he was shut up in the house while the Dursley's were out at some company picnic. He had kept his promise to the Order and written to them once every three days. He always got daily responses from his friends; it was nothing compared to last year. Although they weren't allowed to write about anything that happened at Grimmauld Place, he still got a lot of information from them. He knew that people were still watching him, making sure that he kept out of trouble.

Every three days, he got a letter from someone in the Order in response to the letter he sent. They informed him that he shouldn't worry about what was going on outside of the Dursley's house. We are taking care of everything, Lupin had written in his last letter. They knew that Harry didn't like being left out of everything, and they kept him informed as much as they could. They still couldn't say a lot in case the owls were intercepted, but they were a little more lenient now that the truth was finally out to the Wizarding world.

Ever since the end of term, there had been numerous articles in the Daily Prophet about Lord Voldemort and what to look out for. True to his word, Fudge had sent information packets out to the Wizarding community. They included information about different defense spells, as well as protection spells against Death Eaters. Harry snorted when he saw that article. Seeing some of Voldemorts strength, he didn't think that Fudge's defense spells were going to do much good.

Harry got up from the window and headed downstairs to find something to eat. The Dursley's hadn't left much –a two-day-old meat loaf and some rotten carrots were all that he had to hold him until they returned. Harry took one look at the meatloaf and closed the fridge. There was no way he was going to eat that. He headed back upstairs, wishing for Hedwig to return. He had told his friends of his dilemma and knew they would come to his rescue. All he had to do was wait.

He sat on his bed and looked at the photo album that Hagrid had given to him in his first year at Hogwarts. He quickly flipped past the pictures of his parents and found the one he was looking for. This was the picture he had referred to when he found out that Sirius was his godfather. It was the picture of his parents' wedding day, and Sirius was smiling cheerfully beside James. His face was very handsome, every line in it from laughter. There were no gaunt features; he had not yet been to Azkaban. This was the only picture Harry had of his godfather. He assumed that Hagrid hadn't included anymore because, at the time that he gave him the album, he thought Sirius was a murderer.

Harry was so absorbed in his recollection of his godfather that he didn't hear the soft tapping at the window. Hedwig had to tap furiously before Harry noticed that she was there. He jumped and quickly let her in.

"I'm so sorry girl," he whispered, stroking her soft coat of feathers. She clipped his finger, then held out her leg to show him her findings. Harry was surprised at everything that she had. In his distraction, he hadn't noticed that another bird had followed her into the room. The second owl was a light tawny color and looked to be around Hedwig's age. He had a rather large package with him. Harry untied his package first, and then offered the owl a drink from Hedwig's water dish. The owl drank thankfully, and then flew back to his owner. Harry then turned to the several letters that Hedwig had brought him, along with a smaller package.

"You really outdid yourself this time, girl." He said. She hooted and flew to her perch, where she fell asleep instantly, exhausted after her long journey. Harry petted her once more, then turned to the articles that he had received. He knew instinctively that one of the packages held the food that he had asked for from his friends. He opened the smaller package that Hedwig brought, and saw that he was right. He received some sugar-free treats from Hermione, and loads of wizarding sweets from Ron and the rest of the Weasley's. Mrs. Weasley also included some baked hams. He recognized the handwriting on the letters, so he tore them open. The first one he opened was from Hermione. She wrote:

"Dear Harry,

Received your letter. It's a shame that the muggles didn't leave you anything to eat. As you can guess, everyone here rose to the occasion to help you out. We talked to Dumbledore and he said that we would get you here as soon as possible. I'm sorry that I can't say much more, but at least you know why this time. Hope the summer's not too much of a waste for you. Will see you soon.

With love,

Hermione"

Ron's letter was pretty similar. He also received a letter from Ginny, which said how much she missed him and how she couldn't wait to see him when he comes to headquarters. Finished with the letters, Harry turned to the larger package that the unfamiliar owl had brought. He thought that he recognized the handwriting, but he wasn't sure. He tore open the wrapping, and the first thing he saw was a letter. He opened it and saw that it was from Lupin. This letter read:

"Dear Harry,

I am glad to hear that everything is going good at home. I felt really bad leaving you like I did at the end of term. I knew how much grief you were going through. While I was going through some of Sirius' old things, I found something that I knew he would want you to have. After a more thorough search, I found a box dedicated especially to you. There was a letter on top of it, and after reading the first few lines, I knew that he only wanted you to have that stuff. That is what is enclosed in the box –the things that Sirius left for you. I went through a few things and I know that you would enjoy them. He did a lot for you, and died in your defense. It's not your fault that he died, Harry. Don't think that it is. He died with you in his mind, and I know that was exactly how he wanted to go. Hopefully these things would help you get over his grief.

Remus Lupin"

Harry was surprised at what Lupin had said, but he also felt a comfort in his words. He had been thinking a lot about his godfather's death, and he had slowly begun to realize that it wasn't his fault. The thought still didn't ease his mind, however. He still wanted Sirius to be there for him when he went to Grimmauld Place. Harry opened the box and the first thing he saw was a picture. It was of a smiling Sirius, one that had to be taken before Azkaban. Harry's eyes began to water, but he pushed back his tears. There was still the letter that he had to read, and from what Lupin said, it was going to be a hard one to get through. He opened the letter and read:

"Dear Harry

If you're reading this then that means that something has happened to me. Whatever it was, know that it wasn't your fault. Ever since I got out of Azkaban, I knew that Voldemort would return and that he would go after you with more force than before. I have hope in believing that my demise was in order to protect you. You were my world and I wasn't afraid to risk my life for you.

When I got back to Grimmauld Place, I started going through all of my old things that my mum didn't manage to get rid of. I found a lot of my old school things that I am sure you and your friends would enjoy. There are also some more personal items that I am sure you would love to have, as they are of your mum and dad. Your parents did a lot to help me when we were growing up, and I owe them everything. It was my duty to protect you, and I am glad that I got the chance to do that.

Well, enough of my mindless babbling. Have a good time going through the items in this box. I trust that you got everything I wanted you to get. Lupin and Dumbledore promised that you would get these things if something happened, and I know that they wouldn't go back on their words. Good luck in everything, Harry, and don't worry too much about what you are to do.

Sirius"

Harry wiped away his tears and looked into the box. He slowly started emptying the contents onto his bed. Most of the things were different photos of Sirius, as well as Lily, James and their friends. He put these in a pile, making a mental note to put these in the photo album with the others. There were also a few trinkets that he didn't know what to do with. Harry assumed that these were devices that Sirius had used to keep in contact with his friends while on different detentions, or during the summer when they couldn't see each other all the time. He had to make sure that he asked Lupin how these things worked.

He looked back into the box and saw that the only things left were an envelope and a small box. He opened the box first, and saw a set of keys in it. He wondered what these went to. He decided tat the contents of the envelope would answer his questions. He tore it open and saw another letter from Sirius:

"Harry, one of the keys in the box belongs to my vault at Gringotts. The other is the key to my house at Grimmauld Place. The house is yours. Dumbledore has all the paperwork for it, and he is to keep possession of it until you are of age, but then it is yours. I figure that it is the least I could do, since I lost my chance to give you a real house three years ago. The only condition is that it is to remain as Headquarters until the Order is no longer needed. Use it well, Harry."

Harry couldn't believe it. He was now the owner of Grimmauld Place, or almost. Harry's day had just gotten better.

A/n—hope you guys enjoyed it. Please leave me a review. Will ud asap, but I'm not going to be near a computer this weekend, so the update will have to wait until next week.