Disclaimer that should be at the very beginning: The Potterverse belongs to JKRowling (and Warner Bros., too, I suppose). JKR made it; I'm just playing in it for a while. Thanks, Jo.

Chapter 2: News for everyone

Two days later, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were working in the garden after breakfast, not getting much done because of the warm weather, when Molly called out, "Harry's here!"

Mum must have called as soon as he got in, Ginny figured, because she hadn't gotten done with her evaluation of him yet. "Well, Harry dear, I'm so glad to see that you've been eating better, and have you grown?"

"A little, Mrs. Weasley. Hi, guys," he said turning to them. He smiled for them, but his eyes were still a little sad.

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione enveloped him a big hug and didn't let go while she added, "we're so glad you're here!"

Harry's smile was little wider when she let go, but he still seemed sad as he replied, "It's good to see you all, too." He sighed a little. "You don't know how good."

"Hi, mate," was all Ron said, then he did that handshake pulled into a half hug thing that guys did, patting each other on the back. Guys could be so dumb about things.

Ginny still hadn't mad up her mind to hug Harry or not, when he turned to her and stepped close with his arms open. "Hi, Ginny," he said before hugging her.

Of course she hugged back. Ginny noticed he was little taller. A little bit broader, too. Not too thin, like some of the summers he came. Just a little wiry. And oh Merlin she better let go now! She could feel her blush, but she was not, NOT going back to being shy Ginny around Harry.

"Hi, Harry." Her voice was good, she thought. Not too quiet, not overcompensated. She looked him in the eye. Why did she have to think so hard again to get it right?

"Harry, dear, where are all your things?"

"Oh, Albus said he'd send them all right to Ron's room."

Mum said, "'Albus,' Harry?" Just as Ron said, "Well, that's really convenient!"

Harry seemed to ignore Mum, and just grinned at Ron and said, "Yeah. Were you all out for another degnoming?"

"Arthur's too soft with them, I'm afraid," said Mum. "We weren't expecting you until later today, Harry. Not we're not thrilled to see you now, of course," Mum beamed.

"Well, after Al—after learning I'd be leaving today, I didn't really want to wait around Surrey any longer," said Harry.

"Don't blame you mate," said Ron. "Want to come help us finish the gnomes?" Ron turned back to go out, but just then there small whoosh and Professor Dumbledore appeared in the doorway.

"What a pleasant surprise, Professor! Would you care for tea?"

"I would, Molly, but I cannot, I'm afraid. Harry, could you come with me immediately?"

Harry looked a little bit confused, and a little bit put out. Ginny couldn't imagine anyone else who wouldn't immediately accept Dumbledore's invitation as a matter of course. His tone was a little hard as he said, "Albus, what's going on?"

"Harry! Show some respect!" exclaimed her mother.

"Ah, now now, Molly." the Headmaster's eyes twinkled and he gave Harry a small smile. "Forgive me Harry, we do have the time for a brief explanation, and one is certainly in order. After seeing you off, I headed to Gringott's for some Hogwarts business. The goblins' behavior was distinctly odd. They do not ever discuss their dealings with those not directly involved in the business, but after some very convoluted and circumspect conversation I came to understand that they have a copy of Sirius' will. It is of great importance to the Order to learn the status of 12 Grimmauld Place, and so I'd like you to come back to Gringott's directly with me, and perhaps to 12 Grimmauld Place afterwards."

Harry didn't look too thrilled about going back there. Ginny couldn't blame him; Sirius' loss was still pretty fresh and his absence would be most stark at his old house. Which was depressing enough already. But Harry looked up at the Headmaster and said, "All right. Floo?"

"Thank you, Harry. Side-along would be faster and therefore preferable, I should think."

Harry grasped Dumbledore's forearm, the Headmaster said, "Good day to you all!" and they were gone with a very soft pop.

"Whoa," said Ron, "I've never seen side-along apparition."

"It's supposedly rather difficult," said Hermione. "The Ministry pamphlets from the Apparition Test Center hardly mention it except to caution against it."

"Arthur and I have talked about doing it with the children in dire emergencies, but it's not the kind of thing you can practice, is it? Too likely you'll both get splinched."

"Will Harry be alright?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, with Professor Dumbledore I'm sure he's fine, dear," her Mum said.

"What's up with him calling the Headmaster 'Albus?'" asked Ron.

"Professor Dumbledore certainly didn't seem to mind," said Hermione.

"No, but I think Harry should show more respect to the Headmaster," said Molly. "Well! That was certainly an interesting arrival! Ron, go make sure Harry's things are all set, and then you lot can back to the garden."

Ginny and Hermione went up to Ron's attic room with him, to find Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage neatly placed. On the stairs, Hermione started trying to analyze Harry's mood from the way he looked for the few minutes they saw him. She continued discussing the possibilities, while Ron and Ginny only made acknowledging noises and exchanged amused glances, until they were called back from the garden for lunch.

They all decided to look at some schoolbooks after lunch, and it wasn't until after Ginny's Dad arrived home from work that Harry came tumbling out of the floo.

"Harry!" everyone exclaimed. Harry looked around at them all and gave a tired smile. It must have been pretty hard for him to be thinking about Sirius' will or being at his house all those hours. The first thing he said, though, was, "Ron, what saved us from Aragog?"

"Harry? What's up, mate?"

"Please Ron, I just have to make sure."

"Right, well, it was Dad's old car."

"Thanks Ron. Hermione, who cast the spell from across the lake that saved me from the Dementors third year?"

Hermione had caught on already. "Ooh, that's a good one Harry. You did. I guess we have to wait to find out why you're taking these precautions."

Harry gave her a smile and asked, "Ginny, last year, what did you say you learned from growing up with Fred and George?"

Ginny smiled at the memory, and said, "that anything was possible."

Harry gave her a bigger grin, and she felt like her insides shifted around a little. Harry then asked Ginny's Mum and Dad questions ("Mrs. Weasley, what happened the first time I saw you?" and "Mr. Weasley, what did you tell me when we were alone before I left for third year?"). After he got acceptable answers, he told them to gather 'round, and he produced a piece of parchment.

They all looked at the note with narrow looping handwriting that said:

The headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix may be found at Harry Potter's house.

"Oh!" said Hermione, "a new Secret! But Harry, I have no idea where your house is!"

"Yeah, weird, isn't it?" Harry said, "Mr. Weasley, would you do an incineratus totalus on this parchment?" As Mr. Weasley destroyed the note in a flash of light, Harry continued, "You should know, but you won't until I tell you all that my house can be found at number 12 Grimmauld Place."

"Oh!" said Hermione again, "that is strange! I mean, we should have known, or figured out. You'll have to tell me all about casting the Fidelius; that must have amazing magic to watch... and two of them! I guess layering the security makes sense after the worries we had about Grimmauld Place after Sirius was killed. This way, even if something happens to one—"

"Hermione!" Ginny hissed, then looking back at Harry's face.

Hermione followed Ginny's glance to Harry's blank face and paled a little. "Harry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to just bring it up like that."

Harry lifted the corners of his mouth slightly and said, "It's all right Hermione. I'd wonder who you were really if you didn't spout off about complicated magic." He face went blank again, and he added, "and I've had Sirius' loss in my face all day. I'm kind of numb to it right now."

Ginny wanted to hug him, but Mrs. Weasley jumped into the awkward silence with, "Well, dinner's ready! You lot all get dishes on the table and I'll set out the food."

Dinner was delicious. Ginny was glad that she liked all Harry's favorites, because that's what her Mum made of course. Conversation was pretty quiet. No one wanted to ask Harry any more about his day, so everyone mostly listened to Hermione talk to Mr. Weasley about the wonders of the Fidelius charm.

After supper, everyone helped clear, and then Harry turned to Ginny's parents and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley... could I talk to you alone for a minute?"

"Of course, Harry. What's this about?"

Harry didn't answer, but headed into the kitchen, turning his head to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, saying, "I'll catch up with you three soon."

Ron frowned and moved really slowly out of the kitchen, as Hermione started to whisper that they shouldn't eavesdrop. Ginny walked down the hall, checked to make sure that she had her extendable ear handy, and waited. It wasn't long, of course, before her Mum shooed Ron and Hermione away from the kitchen door, with a dire warning if she caught them snooping there again. As Ginny listened to Ron and Hermione tromp up around the landing to the stairs, she crept closer to the kitchen and let the extendable ear creep closer to the door.

"Harry, I'm surprised that there's something you want to tell us, but not Ron and Hermione," came the voice of her Mum. Ginny was really curious as well. She had always thought those two got to know everything. Ginny moved away a bit. She wanted to be closer to the stairs, just in case she needed to make a quick getaway, but just close enough not to miss any conversation.

"I don't think Ron would understand. I'm, er, not really sure you will either."

"Harry," said her Dad this time, "Molly and I both hope you feel like you could tell us anything. You, er, haven't had a lot of responsible adults in your life, except at school and sometimes not even there."

"Well, that's one thing I want to talk about, and what I'm going to tell the others we talked about. Al-, er, the business today was more difficult because the goblins couldn't contact me, and I don't have an adult guardian in the wizarding world."

"Harry, dear, we'd be delighted to!"

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley. But since I'll be in the care of Hogwarts soon, and I'll be seventeen soon after that, we didn't think it would be necessary unless the Ministry tries to appoint some guardian for me. I'm really glad you'd be willing, though."

"Harry, we'd be more than willing... What did you really want to talk to us about, son?" Ginny knew that her Dad didn't usually call other boys, "son." She wondered if Harry picked up on that. She was so proud that her family was part of Harry's life.

"Well. Hear me out. In his will, Sirius left me everything."

"It just said, 'everything?'"

"Pretty much. All possessions, all cash, all properties, all titles."

Ginny was wondering what titles Sirius would have as her Mum said, "Titles?"

"Yeah, I wondered about that. They supposedly matter for some formalities and rituals, but we don't know if Sirius was anything other than Head of the House of Black. We guess the title will make sure that there are no problems with me owning 12 Grimmauld Place. Anyway... Sirius left a letter explaining that he didn't want anyone challenging the will in any regard. He said thought about leaving some things to Professor Lupin and some to Tonks, and me everything else, but he was worried that if he did that some people like the Malfoys would insist that they should inherit some Black properties or titles that shouldn't be in that 'everything else.'"

"That makes some sense," said Mr. Weasley. "Magical wills are, of course, very difficult to forge or confund, but if lawyers or powerful wizards try to muck with one... yes, better to be simple."

"Right," Harry went on. "So I want to convince Professor Lupin and Tonks to take some of the inheritance."

"Do you want us to help convince them to take some?"

"Not exactly. I... want you to take some, too. Hear me out!" Harry went on in a rush. "Please don't just reject this out of hand. There are a lot of reasons. Sirius really liked you all, he was really glad when you around at Christmastime, well, not the reason for it of course, and... I just. I—"

Harry's voice sounded very shaky. Ginny didn't think she would ever see—or hear—Harry cry, but he sounded close.

"It's not charity, and I'm not trying to pay you for anything, or pay back anything, or... Look, you can use it, argh, not that you need it. You could go on another trip. See Charlie. Buy school things or, house things, or..."

Harry had seemed to recover, but was now sounding shaky again. He was almost whispering when he continued. "Please. I don't really want this inheritance, and I can't use it, and I want something good for someone to come out of this. Please. You're such a good family and I want you to have this. Please."

There was such a long silence that Ginny thought she was missing things, but then she heard her Dad's voice say, "All right, Harry," very quietly.

"Thank you." Harry was still almost whispering.

"No, thank you, Harry. Er, how much did you have in mind?" her Mum said.

"I want to give Professor Lupin and Tonks ten thousand each."

Ginny dropped the ear. She didn't need it in to hear her Mum exclaim, "Harry!" Her Mum's shout spurred her to pop the end of the ear back in and she could just picture her Dad putting a hand on her Mum's arm, as he said, "Thank you very much, Harry."

"Please don't thank me. It's from Sirius." Harry still sounded a little ragged.

Obviously Mum picked up on the tone, because she said, "Here's a cup of tea, dear. Why don't you drink that while we all settle down, then you can get the others for dinner."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. This really means a lot to me."

"To us too, Harry. You're a very dear boy."

Ginny didn't know how long Harry would take with his cup, so she crept away up the stairs. Hermione wasn't in her room, where she was staying again. Ginny didn't blame her for not wanting to stay in Fred and George's old room. Even though nearly all their stuff was now in the apartment over their store, no one considered their old room really safe. Ginny figured Hermione must be with Ron up in his room. She was pretty sure Ron hadn't tried anything with Hermione yet, but maybe today was the day, so she started making more noise as she got closer and then knocked.

"Come in," said Ron. Then, "Where've you been, then?" once she stepped in. Hermione was at Ron's desk with a book, while Ron had a quidditch magazine lying open in front of him on the bed.

"I was just downstairs."

"Hear anything?"

Hermione looked up from her book; it seemed she was trying for a an expression to show her disapproval of eavesdropping, but she couldn't hide her curiosity about whatever Ginny might know.

"Maybe." Ginny managed to keep her voice even, but couldn't hide her grin as she teased her brother. "Mum would have you cleaning the attic all day every day 'til we leave if you were down there, but she didn't say anything to me."

"Arg! Yes, you're very clever! There! Will you now spill what you know?"

Ginny relented, like she planned too. She wasn't about to say that Harry had just managed to convince their parents to take a small fortune. Harry was right that Ron wouldn't understand. Ginny was pretty sure that she wouldn't understand herself if she hadn't heard Harry's reasons and the emotion in his voice. But she knew what she was going to say.

"I didn't get a lot, but it is so fun to tease you."

"Go on then, Ginny!" Ron practically groaned. Hermione still hadn't said anything, but she wasn't bothering to hide her interest now, as she leaned forward to listen.

"Well, apparently Dumbledore and Harry talked about him maybe needing guardians in the wizarding world. The goblins weren't able to reach Harry, and didn't want to talk to anyone else."

"So he asked Mum and Dad? I bet they were thrilled!"

"They were, but it's just a contingency, since Harry will be at Hogwarts for most of the year. They'll only need to do it if the Ministry tries to appoint someone."

"Uhg," said Ron, "knowing Fudge he'd appoint Umbridge."

Hermione finally spoke up, "That woman is just vile. I can't believe she wasn't given the sack. Of course, Fudge would have to admit he was wrong if we were going to fire her, and that'll never happen."

Ron looked like he wanted to head off Hermione's rant, as he interjected another question to Ginny. "Did you find out anything else?"

"Not really, except that it sounds like Harry got everything from Sirius, not just Grimmauld Place."

"Everything?" said Ron. "Everything? But... Sirius was the last Black... there must have been a fortune! Merlin. Of course, it's not like Harry needs any more money."

"Jealous, Ron?" The cold, quiet voice was the first sign that Harry had come up and was in the doorway. Ginny was surprised at this voice. She thought he'd explode.

"Let me tell you my secret then," Harry said, coming closer to Ron, but still speaking softly. Uh-oh. Ginny realized he was just building up. "EVERY TIME I GET SOMEONE KILLED I GET BLOODY PAID FOR IT!"

Ron paled as Harry shouted in his face, but Harry kept going. "BIOLOGICAL PARENTS ARE A SMALL FORTUNE, FELLOW STUDENTS A MERE THOUSAND, AND THE ONLY KIND OF PARENT I'VE EVER KNOWN IS A BLOODY GREAT FORTUNE!"

Ron tried to speak then, but Harry wasn't done. He was quiet again, as looked right in Ron's eyes. "Maybe I'll make you my sole inheritor, Ron, then when Voldemort finally finishes me off, you'll get it all. Be happy with me then, would you?"

Hermione gasped, Ron tried a weak, "Mate..." but Harry turned and strode out, making a point of slamming the door.

They were all stunned for a moment, then Ron said, "Bloody hell, I guess I'd better go after him."

Hermione nodded, but Ginny said, "Wait, Ron. I don't think you know why Harry is so bothered by your jealousy... Do you know who Harry is jealous of?"

"Huh? Harry?"

"He's jealous of you, Ron." Ginny explained. "Sure, Harry has fame and fortune, but, well, you can tell what he thinks of the cost of it." Ginny gestured at the scene of Harry's tirade. Ron still looked confused. "Haven't you ever seen the way he looks at our family, Ron? Or looks at the Burrow? Do you remember what he said about it the first time he was here? I like to think he's really part of the family, you know Mum and Dad do, but I don't know if Harry ever lets himself think that way. Too close to his deepest desire, you know? Maybe he started to realize we really think of him like that when Mum and Dad said they'd be his guardians, and then you go and do something stupid like that."

Ron couldn't look Ginny in the eye, but she wasn't done. Sweet Merlin, she thought, I can give a guilt trip as good as Mum! She wasn't quite done. "He'd give you any or all of it, you know, if he thought you'd take it." Ginny was thinking again about what Harry just gave her parents, but she would never tell Ron. She went on, "And you know he'd die for you, Ron. He almost died for me when he didn't even know me." Ginny made a mistake saying that; she didn't want to get lost in her feelings for Harry. She got back onto Ron, "Don't go giving him any reason to think that dying for us is what we want."

"Oh, bloody hell, you don't think he thinks that, do you? I just... I just hate being poor. It's hard not being jealous, but Harry's the best mate a guy could have. Bollocks, I'd better get all girly and go tell him something like that."

They all heard a snort of laughter, and Harry appeared again, pushing the door open. "Don't do that Ron, I might think you want a hug."

Ron didn't follow the joke, but still started his apology, "Harry, mate, I'm—"

"I know Ron. I didn't get far before I realized I went a little overboard."

Ginny narrowed her eyes at Harry. "How much did you hear?" And are you mad about me analyzing you?

Harry looked down and gave another half smile, "Uh, pretty much everything. I guess you know me pretty well."

Ginny figured she knew Harry better than he did himself, but she wasn't about to say anything more to that. Hermione spoke up, though, "I guess I don't. I thought you'd be mad for days. Or weeks. Last year you would have"

Harry gave another little snort. "Yeah. Well. Last year sucked."

"Too right, it did," said Ron.

It was sign of how seriously Hermione thought the boys' conversation was that she hadn't complained about language from either of them throughout. Now she just said brightly, "Well, we'll just have to make sure this year is better!" Maybe she realized how fake the cheer sounded, because she turned seriously toward Harry and added, "Harry, we're all sorry about Sirius, you know."

"Yeah, I know," said Harry. "Look, I'm not still mad, but I am going to go outside alone for a bit."

They all said okay, and Harry gave another sad smile and walked out. Ginny swore that she would do something to make him smile for real.