Chapter 1--The Beginning of Things
Harry shifted on his bed as he unsuccessfully tried to read about the pitfalls of basic human transfigurations. Due to the friendly warning of Tonks, Lupin and Moody, Harry no longer had to hide his studies. It was nine in the evening and the Dursleys were downstairs watching television—Harry could faintly hear the game show they were watching. He would much rather be alone in his room trying to muddle through the dense text than with them, even if they were being extra nice to him.
Harry continued to read. If incomplete concentration is used during human transfiguration the consequences… Harry looked up, startled, as a soft popping noise interrupted his studies. Remus Lupin stood in his room looking slightly ruffled.
"Hello Harry," Remus said with a grin.
"P-professor Lupin, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry to startle you, Harry. I'm here on business for the Order. We would have owled you, but we were scared it would be intercepted."
Harry nodded. Communications with Ron and Hermione had been better than last summer's, but Harry still only had the sketchiest idea of what was happening with the Order. Lupin sat down on Harry's bed and began to explain.
"You see, Harry, when Sirius died…well, he didn't have a will. We've searched the whole house but can't find anything that might help. That's a problem because his closest living relatives are Bellatrix Lestrange, Narcissa Malfoy, and Andromeda Tonks. Andromeda has been removed from the Black family tapestry, and Bellatrix is a fugitive, but Narcissa Malfoy stands a good chance of inheriting Grimmauld Place."
Harry's eyes grew wider behind his glasses.
"But Lucius is in Azkaban-"
"Narcissa was never implicated in the break-in at the Ministry of Magic. She's entirely innocent as far as the Ministry is concerned. Plus, with the dementors under Voldemort's control there's no saying how long Lucius will remain in Azkaban. We've hidden everything of a sensitive nature, but chances are that we'll lose Grimmauld Place as headquarters for the Order. We do have a possible solution. As I said, it could be argued that Andromeda or Tonks should inherit the house. It also could be argued that-"
"I should inherit the house," Harry said softly.
Lupin nodded.
"Andromeda and Tonks were cut off from the Black family. You are arguably Sirius's closest relative."
"I can't believe he didn't have a will," Harry said. He felt a pang of anger at his late godfather, then guilt for feeling angry.
"We discussed it several times but he never actually did anything. I don't think he was expecting to die."
Harry tried to swallow the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat and blinked furiously. Of course he didn't expect to die, thought Harry.
Remus caught Harry's expression and gently touched his shoulder.
"I didn't mean it like that, Harry. It's not your fault. Sirius was a vital man and would have done anything to save you-"
"That's it!" said Harry. "He shouldn't have had to save me. If I'd worked harder at occlumency, if I'd convinced Snape to keep teaching-"
Remus's face suddenly looked much older than he really was and his eyes were full of pain.
"It's healthy to mourn, Harry, but it's not healthy to dwell on 'what ifs.' I'm not sure what else to say, other than I genuinely don't think that what happened was your fault."
Harry swallowed hard. "What do I have to do? To save the house, I mean."
Remus sighed. "There's going to be a hearing with a wizardingsolicitor next week. Narcissa, Andromeda, and Tonks will all be there. We'd like you to be there, too. With your permission, we'd like to argue that you should inherit the house. We'll understand if you don't want to do this but you're our best hope."
Harry thought hard. He hated Grimmauld Place. He hated the time that Sirius had to spend cooped up there when he should have been free. But the Order needed the house.
"Where else would they be able to meet?"
"Dumbledore was considering using Hogwarts, at least over the summer. There's also the Hog's Head. Since Dumbledore's brother owns it he could have it cleared out for our meetings. But Grimmauld Place would be the best—Dumbledore would prefer to keep Hogwarts out of Order business. Grimmauld already has the necessary spells to make it secure."
Harry nodded. "Ok, I'll help."
"That's excellent Harry, I can't thank you enough. Dumbledore said that he thinks it should be ok if you leave your aunt and uncle's house-"
"When? Can I go now?" Harry jumped up.
"-With their permission."
"They won't care," Harry said.
Lupin stood up. "I'll just ask your aunt and uncle permission and we can leave as soon as possible."
"Excellent," Harry said.
"What do you want, boy?" said Uncle Vernon as Harry and Lupin entered the television room.
Aunt Petunia and Dudley turned around to watch Harry. It was funny watching their eyes widen as they realized that Lupin was with Harry.
"You!" said Vernon. "What do you want? How'd you get into my house?"
"I apparated," Lupin said coolly.
Vernon eyed Lupin suspiciously. Vernon was even more suspicious of wizards in his house ever since Arthur Weasley had destroyed half of the Dursley's living room two summers ago.
"You appa-whated?" Vernon said.
"It's like teleporting," Lupin said. "Anyway, I'm here to ask your permission if Harry can leave early and spend time with me and some of his friends."
"Wait a minute!" Vernon said. "You think you can just teleport here and—and-" Vernon trailed off sputtering.
"You won't have to feed me or look at me or buy anything for me," Harry interjected, trying to be helpful. He grinned at Lupin.
Petunia looked at Vernon importantly. "He has a point."
Vernon snorted. "Fine. But we're not taking you anywhere."
Lupin nodded diplomatically. "Thank you, Mr. Dursley. You won't have to worry about that."
"Wait," Vernon said, "You're not going to, what's it called, vloo out of here?" Vernon frowned, probably remembering the state of his living room before Mr. Weasley fixed it.
"You mean floo? No, Dumbledore's arranged a portkey-"
"Fine, fine, whatever, I don't want to know," Vernon said and turned back to his television.
Harry couldn't help letting out an excited shout as he bounded up the stairs. Even if he had to stay at Grimmauld Place, he got to leave early and see his friends.
"Are Ron and Hermione there?"
"Ron and Ginny are there but Hermione isn't there yet. Why don't you start packing while I contact the other members of the Order?"
Harry nodded excitedly. This was the start of a most unusual summer for Harry Potter and for Remus Lupin.