Well, this is it. My rewrite. I was quite surprised to see that a lot of the original work didn't need that much updating, so I'm elated that some of the best paragraphs are untouched. I hope you enjoy this version more than the first. And this one won't be quite so fast. With that said, it will take a bit longer for updates as I need to make sure I convey the right plot. This particular plot bunny has held me hostage for quite some time and if I don't do exactly what he says, I'm afraid I won't get to finish this at all.. eek! Enjoy!
It just wasn't the same at Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Now that Kreacher was at Hogwarts and Sirius gone, there wasn't a sound. The pictures seemed to have fallen silent as well. Harry looked around as he laid his trunk at the bottom of the stairs. He didn't quite think he would return here. He honestly thought he would stay at Hogwarts and find some kind of work helping Professor McGonagall run the school, but finding the Horcruxes was first on Harry's list. Spiders silently balanced their twitching legs on the webs they made, scurrying up and down and sideways as if the new found absence of life made the whole house their own private domain in which to build their nests. Harry could hardly distinguish between the books that lined shelves as he entered the study. Finding his favorite chair he had had moved from Gryffindor Tower, he sat down and began to think about his future. Leaving the Dursleys' last week wasn't hard for him to do at all, but now to be left alone without so much as a rude comment, or Dudley's arrogant antagonizing remarks, was beginning to settle over him. He came to think this must have been how Sirius felt, quiet and alone. It was so quiet Harry was almost asleep, tired and worn from his journey. Then, a loud crack came from the kitchen, so loud, in fact, that Harry sprang to his feet with little effort and shot a bolt from his wand through the wall across from him. He heard the shattering of glass and a small squeal.
"Who's there?" Harry shouted.
"It's just me, Harry. Didn't expect you would be home quite so soon," Remus Lupin replied. Harry trotted off to the kitchen to greet his old friend, reaching out to shake his hand when he approached him.
"Good to see you, Lupin!"
"And it's good to see you, Harry. How long have you been home?"
"I've only been here a few minutes. I was just sitting in the study," said Harry, his face changing from happy to sullen.
"You look as if you could use this," Lupin said as he handed Harry a small box. Harry opened it find chunks of chocolate buried under some fine confection tissue.
"Thanks," Harry softly muttered through a bleak smile, and began back to the study. Lupin followed his lead, and found a seat next to Harry's armchair.
"Ah, the Gryffindor chairs. I wondered if you would be able to persuade Minerva into giving you one. I honestly did not think she would approve. She would say you were depriving the future students of Hogwarts the comfort," Lupin said, rolling his eyes at the thought.
"She did, actually, but I insisted."
"Well, we have a meeting of the Order in a few days, so I thought it best to come and clean this place back up a bit before the--"
Lupin's words were stopped short by another loud crack, this time coming from the hall. Harry and Lupin both smiled as they heard her voice.
"Harry, dear! Are you home?" Mrs. Weasley called out.
"In the study, Mrs. Weasley," Harry called back. Her plump face and broad smile bounced happily through the doorway. She directly proceeded over to Harry, whom she picked straight up off the chair and squeezed tight. Harry was sure he heard his ribs crack under the pressure.
"Oh so good to see you, Harry. I was hoping you would come straight to the Burrow, and then I remembered you said you needed to come here and get a few things first. I came to Apparate you back so you wouldn't have such a long journey. And how are you, Remus?" Mrs. Weasley reached her hand out to Lupin, whom took it into his, and he softly kissed the back of it out of the deepest respect.
"I am doing quite well, thank you, Molly. It's a pleasure to see you again. How are Arthur and the children?"
"Fine, fine," Mrs. Weasley replied nodding her head slightly and sighing from exhaustion. "I would have been here sooner if Fred hadn't tested one of his contraptions in my living room. Or was it George? Well, no bother. All I know is they had better have the house as clean as it was before I get home. Speaking of which, Harry," she turned to face Harry, now sitting back in the chair. "We must get a move on, this is your last year at Hogwarts, and you mustn't be late. I'll be waiting here while you pack your things."
"I never unpacked. I'd just arrived before you came. I do need to get Sirius's picture from upstairs." And with that, Harry went up the steps and proceeded to his old room. The dust had obscured the colors of the room. The darkness enveloped everything in sight. Grime and filth covered every inch of the bedroom Harry once shared with Ron. He reached the dresser and grabbed the picture he was looking for, and then sat for a moment reflecting on his brief life with Sirius.
Remus was in a long discussion with Mrs. Weasley when the doorbell rang, thus waking Mrs. Black and allowing her the chance to bellow through the hallway. Mrs. Weasley gave the tapestry a dirty look as if the old woman could see her through the fabric, then proceeded to the door and opened it.
"Yes, dear?" She asked.
"I'm sorry; I'm looking for the Black residence." The woman on the stoop was average height with long dark hair. Her tresses were sullied and mangled. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her expression was almost blank from exhaustion. Her tattered robes were hanging lifelessly off her shoulders. She had a look of someone that had been through hell. She looked again at Mrs. Weasley, sizing her up. "I didn't know there were new residents here. Please forgive me. I'll be on my way." With those words she turned on her heels and began back down the steps.
"This is the Black residence," Mrs. Weasley called back to her. The woman came back to the door and stepped inside. "May I take your coat, dear?"
"No, that won't be necessary, madam."
"My name is Molly Weasley."
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley, but I can manage," the young lady said, removing her cloak and walking down the hall to the closet. She opened the cupboard and hung her cloak up. Mrs. Weasley was sure this woman had been in the house before by the looks of her knowledge of the floor plan. Mrs. Weasley was almost ashamed of the phrases the Black matriarch was pursing through her lips.
"Forgive Mrs. Black, please. She doesn't like the doorbell."
"Never has," the woman spoke lightly, heading towards the curtain that draped the portrait of Mrs. Black. She pulled the drapes back with rage. "Now, listen here, you great nag. I am back in this house and there is nothing you can do to stop me or any guest of mine from entering. You will shut up right this instant or I will get that potion you hate so much and jerk you from this wall before you can say Slytherin!"
Mrs. Weasley took a few steps back, astonished at how this young stranger not only knew Mrs. Black but also how to control her. "I'm sorry, but who are you?" Mrs. Weasley asked, her eyes narrowed and staring through the woman.
"I beg your pardon, madam. My name is Rosemary, Rosemary Peans. I came about a recent invitation to join the staff at Hogwarts. Dumbledore interviewed me a few months ago.Professor McGonagall assures me that the position is still mine if I want it. This is the only residence I knew to take while I am under her employ. I hope you don't mind my unannounced arrival."
"Oh, yes, nothing to worry 'bout, Ms. Peans. Come to the kitchen. I'll put on a spot of tea," Mrs. Weasley said as she passed by. Before they reached the kitchen, they heard moans, and soft pleas for help.
Rose saw Mrs. Weasley bolt straight ahead. When she reached the doorway to the kitchen, Rose saw Remus Lupin at the table doubled over in agony. Harry had his arms under Remus's shoulders as to support him. Rose looked up at the calendar and gasped.
"How could you have forgotten?" Harry asked, quite dumbfounded, yet rhetorically. "Mrs. Weasley can you help me get him to the shed?" Mrs. Weasley began to walk over, but was stopped when she felt a gentle hand on her arm holding her back.
"I'll help." Rose was now very concerned. She knew they only had a matter of minutes before he changed right on the middle of the kitchen table. She took hold of his right side while Harry took his left. They heaved him up, and headed out the door Mrs. Weasley was holding open for them. They dragged him to the shed, all the while Harry took second glances at Rose trying to figure out who she was and realizing that she must knew about Remus's "furry little problem".
They went inside the quaint little house that Arthur Weasley and his boys built for Remus to stay in at the time of the full moon. Everything was in its place. A dresser full of clothes to change into after ripping his own during transformation. A chair to sit and regain his composure the morning after. And a bed, in case the chair wasn't enough. On the opposite wall, there were chains. Though kind was their offer to give Remus a place to release himself to the full moon, Lupin was a little apprehensive to be so close to the Weasley children in such a frightening disposition, and insisted that he be locked up with manacles for their safety, just in case they were ever at Grimmauld this time of the month. Harry and Rose began to place the metal links around Remus's wrists and ankles. Harry stood back to make sure the bonds would hold. He turned around to see Rosemary conjuring a chair and taking a seat.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Harry asked, startled, confused. "He will kill you if you are in here!"
"Remus and I have a history, Harry. Trust me, I will be fine. Here give him this." She reached into her pocket and handed him a vial of a dark viscous liquid.
Harry looked up at her eyes. He felt that he didn't need to question her further.
He went over to Lupin and lifted his head. His face was beginning to contort. Harry did his best to give him the drink, and then stammered back as the wolf began to growl through his friends face. He ran. As fast as he could, back to theManor house. He was suddenly halted by the piercing sound of a werewolf's howl.
Harry went inside. Mrs. Weasley took hold of him.
"Let's get you to the Burrow tonight. We'll come check on them in the morning." With that, they Apparated. Before he knew it, they had landed safely outside the house in the Burrow. It was still drab but splendid in Harry's eyes. He could feel the warmth and love emanating from it. His confused state subdued.