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A Family

Three weeks into the summer holiday, Harry Potter was staring unseeingly out the window of the smallest bedroom of number four Privet Drive. His mind endlessly going over the events of his fourth year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry; he was constantly trying to figure out how things had ended the way did. Why on earth did he think it was a good idea for them to grab the trophy, why didn't he see that the DADA teacher was what he said, why wasn't he more suspicious after the incident with Krum in the maze. Something ALWAYS happened at the end of year, he should have been prepared! Suddenly, Harry realized that Albus Dumbledore was standing in the doorway waiting for his presence to be acknowledged.

"Headmaster!"

"Hello, my boy," Dumbledore began, eyes twinkling in that way that only his can. "I have received some interesting news recently that leads me to believe it would be best for you to spend the rest of the holidays elsewhere."

"Where?"

"A safe house far from the reaches of those who seek to harm."

By now Harry was more than slightly confused. "What happened? Was any one hurt?"

Giving Harry a soft, slightly patronizing, smile, the headmaster responded, "I have been given reason to believe that Voldemort is looking for this residence. However, if he were to learn you were no longer here, he would have very little reason to attack the town of Little Whinging."

"How are we getting to the safe house?"

"Portkey. Pack your stuff and we'll be off."

As soon as Harry threw all of meager belongings in his trunk, he grabbed hold of the rag that the headmaster held out for him, and they were off.

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The safe house turned out to be an old Manor hidden amongst the Alps. (a.n/ since i'm ignoring ootp, i'm going to ignore the notion of grimauld place) The Manor had been in the Dumbledore family for many generations, and had often been used as a home base for those who fought against the dark. The house was called Maison de Soleil. There were also rumors that the manor house was but a guest house; that there was a castle somewhere on the property, but no one had seen it for all the generations that the lands had belonged to the Dumbledore family.

When Harry arrived with Dumbledore, the manor was far from empty: all of the Weasleys were there, as well Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. There were also a few other witches and wizards that Harry was certain he had never met.

"Professor, who are all these other people? I mean, obviously I recognize the Weasleys and Professor Lupin, and SIRIUS..." Harry cut himself off as ran towards his godfather as soon as his brain processed the fact that he was actually in the same room as Sirius. The old man just chuckled to himself at his favorite student reaction; not that he would ever admit to having a favorite, of course.

"Hey, kid!" Sirius said as soon as Harry let go of him and allowed him to breath.

"Sirius, how have you been, where have been, how long are you staying here?"

"Easy there, one question at a time," Padfoot said with a laugh. "I've actually been pretty decent, meals on a semi-regular basis will do that. I've been all sorts of places, found myself here about a month ago; and unless something come up, I plan on being here for at least the rest of the summer!"

"That's great! How long on you staying Professor Lupin?"

"Please, Harry, it's Remus. Or Moony if you prefer. I, too, plan on staying for the rest of the holidays."

"Wow, I think this is gonna be my best summer vacation yet! So...ah...where are we exactly? The headmaster didn't really explain..."

The three continued to talk about nothing and everything, catching up and getting to know each other the way they should. For the first time on his life Harry actually felt like he had a family.