Chapter 1 Return to Number 12 Grimmuald Place
Harry packed his bags.
"Good riddance" Said Dudley as Harry walked down the steps.
"I was going to say the same to you." Harry said, smiling at him.
"And . . . that man said that it was okay for you to go?" in quired Anut Petunia. The Dursley's still didn't like
Harry all that much but Petunia Dursley knew, most of all, the importance of all that had gone on last year. Lord Voldemort was back in the open and with that came a fear that touche all households with a wzard in it.
"Professor Dumbledore said I could go. Number 12 Grimmauld Place is probably the safest place in the world right now. He also wants me to remind you that he put a lot of enchantments and spells on this place when I first arrived here, so you guys are pretty well protected."
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia both had an expression that was between horror and relief. Horror that there had been magic right under their noses this whole time, and relief that they were protected.
"Well," said Harry, ready to leave, "I guess I'll see you next summer."
The Dursleys all nodded, relieved to be rid of him. It was the third week of summer vacation and Professor Lupin had sent word two days ago that he was to take the Knight Bus to Wolf Hill Dr., which was the next street over from Grimmuald Place (actually, I don't know that. Wolf Hill is where I live! haha!) He waved good bye to the Dursleys, took his trunk out to the sidewalk and threw out his hand.
The Knight Bus crashed in front of him, flying onto the curb and making him jump out of the way.
Stan came out. "Welcome to the Knight Bus. Hello Harry, are you ready to go?"
"Hi Stan. I'm headed for Wolf Hill Drive."
"Funny, a girl got on just before you asking to go to the same street. We're headed there now.
Harry gave Stan the money and walked up the steps while Stan dragged his trunk up and as Harry sat down (carrying Hedwig of course) he saw a good friend.
"Hermione!" He said excitedly sitting on the bed next to hers as Erbie took off and threw them back on their beds.
Hermione gained her balance and sat next to Harry.
"Are you going to be alright? Going back"
The Order of the Pheonix were having a funeral for Sirius. Although they could not find a body, they had taken a few of Sirius' things and put it into a coffin to be buried. Harry figured that was one of the reasons he was supposed to leave the Dursleys so early.
"I'll be fine." He answered, turning to look at her. "It's been a month"
Harry cared about Sirius a lot, but he figured that Sirius would want him to be happy and move on from the fact that he was dead. Harry wore a little black each day. Besides that, though, Harry generally tried to act as though everything was the same.
Hermione put a comforting arm around him while Stan stared.
"Did you 'ear? Sirius Black was murdered!" Stan said after a few minutes passed. "And 'e was proven innocent and everythin'. The Minister set out a publice 'pology, 'o course, to Sirius' memory and the people tha' knew 'im best."
Harry smiled. "Fudge never was a smart man. He thinks apologizing is going to make everything better? I beg to differ"
Hermione laughed. Ernie slammed on the breaks, throwing Harry and Hermione to the floor and Hedwig's cage was sent rolling down the aisle, with her screeching and annoying some of the beds sleeping occupants.
"Wolf Hill Drive"
Harry got to his feet, helped Hermione up, and then walked down the aisle to retrieve Hedwig, who was hooting very loudly.
"Sorry Hedwig." He murmured while Hermione retrieved Crookshanks and her trunk while Harry got his as well.
Professor Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody were waiting for them as they walked out and the bus took off again.
"Hello Harry, Hermione." Lupin said, giving both of them a hug. "How are you"
"Pretty good" Harry replied.
"Your Aunt and Uncle treat you alright?" questioned Moody.
"I think you guys scared them enough, yes." Harry said, smiling. When they arrived at Grimmuald Place, Harry and Hermione left their trunks in the front hallway, to be moved quietly upstairs later, and Hermione took Crookshanks to the bedroom she shared with Ginny, while Harry went to his and Ron's room.
"Hi Harry." Ron said, looking up from where he was writing something on the table.
"Hi Ron. What is that"
"Just writing Professor McGonagall's essay"
"This early"
"Yes, well, she was here yesterday, and she kind of scared me into working on it"
"She's a very persuasive teacher"
"How's your summer been"
"Pretty quiet, actually. The Dursleys basically left me to my own devices, which was a nice change. Dudley left me alone because he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his gang. You?" "Well, most of the cleaning's done on this place, mum has been working on it since last summer. The place seems almost cheerful now, especially since Kreacher's gone. I visited Fred and George's joke shop it's really impressive. Ginny broke up with Dean by the way." Ron gave Harry the most pointed look ever.
"Already? Why"
"Because he's a git." Harry turned and saw Ginny and Hermione standing in the doorway. "I visited him, and he just seemed to get on my nerves. Remind me not to fall in love until I'm twenty. Why do you have to bother Harry about that anyway"
"I just figured he had a right anyone to know"
"I don't think he cares"
"I just thought"
"Ron! Ginny!" Harry yelled, making them both jump and turn to him wide-eyed. "Don't worry about it, okay? Ginny, I'm sorry you and Dean broke up so soon, choose better next time. Ron, I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell me things about Ginny unless she wants you to tell me so she doesn't get upset. Was there something you or Hermione wanted to tell us"
Before they could answer, there was a loud clanging downstairs, followed by Mrs. Black's screaming.
"FILTH! SCUM! HALF-BREEDS, MUTANTS, FREAKS! HOW DARE YOU BEFOUL THE HOUSE OF MY FATHERS"
Harry rubbed his eyes. It was, certainly, too late for this.
"Let me guess, Tonks has arrived"
Hermione opened the door and listened. "Yes," she responded. "I think she knocked over the umbrella stand again"
She closed the door and looked at Harry. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? The funeral is tomorrow, but everyone would understand if you didn't go"
Harry fell back onto his bed. "I know that it's right to go. I know that I'm expected to go, and I also feel like I want to go, but it's . . . it's . . "
Ginny sat in the chair beside him. "It's hard to let him go, and the funeral's kind of saying that you are"
Harry sat up and stared at her. "Yes, that's exactly how I feel. How could you know that"
Ginny smiled, but shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's kind of obvious, I guess. I'm pretty good at telling what people are feeling"
"It gets to be a real pain in the butt when you're feeling guilty or mischievous." Added Fred, as he and George walked in. "When she was little she used to feel it was her duty to inform mum. She got us into a lot of trouble, this one"
"Isn't it kind of your fault anyway," interjected Hermione. "Since you did the bad thing to begin with"
The twins stared at her. "You really are too smart, Hermione. Watch it, you might turn into Percy." Retorted George. "Speaking of which, he's coming tomorrow"
'He's coming? Does that mean"
"He knows everything? Yeah"
Harry stared. The last time Ron had written, Percy was still Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magic. He was pompous, self-centered, and had spent the better part of the last year ignoring his family and bad-mouthing Dumbledore. Now that the Ministry was behind him, however, Percy had apparently now changed his colors.
"He's part of the Order now, along with us." Fred said in response to Harry's blank stare.
"He gave us each a full apology when he learned, and excepted, the truth. I'm sure he'll be giving you one as well tomorrow." Ron added.
"Wow, Percy apologizing? Am I dreaming?" Harry asked, and the others chortled appreciatively. "How many people are coming tomorrow"
Mrs. Weasley came in with Harry's trunk floating in front of her and Hermione's could be seen sitting in the hallway.
"Well," she answered, "all of us Weasleys of course. Tonks and her mother, Andromeda. Remus and most of the Order, including you professors, and Dumbledore"
Harry nodded then climbed off his bed and started picking through his stuff to occupy himself. He started putting stuff in drawers and Mrs. Weasley looked around then walked out.
Ginny, unexpectedly, bent down to help him, putting his school books on the table opposite the one that had Ron's Homework piled on top of it. She folded a few of his shirts and robes neater than what Harry had and put them in the bureau.
"So," Hermione said after a few minutes of silence. "Harry, are we still doing D.A. lessons?"
Harry's back stiffened and Ginny paused in mid-fold. After a few seconds, however, he just picked up the particularly wrinkled t-shirt he had been going after and tossed it at Ginny who started folding and putting away again.
Harry watched Ginny for a moment as though realizing, "hey, this girl has been going through my stuff," but then just shook his head and turned to the others.
"I don't know. I mean, we might not need it this year. The positions have changed, Fudge knows everything now. If needed, though, I will continue it"
Hermione looked at her watch. "It's 11:30. We had better get to bed so we can be ready for the funeral tomorrow"
They all nodded, and Fred and George Apparated to their room. Ginny finished folding two of Harry's Weasley sweaters, said good night, and she and Hermione carried Hermione's trunk up the rest of the stairs to their room.
Harry and Ron changed without saying a word. Ron tossed owl treats up to Pig and Hedwig and turned out the light. Harry fell into an uneasy sleep.