Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not mine. It's all JKR's. The idea of the secret Owl Pal is mine, though.
Chapter Two- The Last Letter
Harry woke to the sounds of people downstairs in the kitchen. He rolled over onto his back and grabbed his glasses from the night stand. Pushing them onto his nose, he squinted around the door. The first thing he saw was a small plate with two pieces of stale bread and some cheese and a glass of milk. His stomach rumbled as he picked up the food. As he turned to the desk, he noticed for the first time that Hedwig was back. Harry set the food on the desk and quickly relieved her of her letter from his mysterious friend. It had only been three days since Uncle Vernon's company had come and three days since he sent the letter to this person. He began reading the letter as he idly ate his dismal breakfast.
Harry,
I know you want a name to call me by. For now, you can call me Ginger. It's the name of a cat I had when I was younger. I always ask Mum for a new cat, but she refuses to let me have one. One of my brothers is (sadly) allergic to cats, not to mention Dad. I want to get a kneazle, since they are such interesting creatures. But, unfortunately, they are too similar to cats for me to have one.
I was in the D.A. I enjoyed it immensely. I hope you will continue it this year, even though the toad Umbridge is gone. I was hoping that you would continue it, though. I learned a lot of helpful spells from being in the group. I still can't make a full patronus. And I can't work on it over the summer because of the restrictions on underage magic. It bothers me that we cannot even use magic outside of school! Mum won't even go easy on us with chores because of it.
Thank you for your help on my homework. I will have to write to Hermione and ask her for help. I'll also have to ask her to keep my identity a secret, though. That might be a little tricky. Luckily, I don't think I'll have to worry about it; I'm nearly through with my homework now. When you have nothing to do but be bored, you can get your homework done easily.
So, do you know who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will be? I have been wondering since Umbridge left the school. I loved watching Peeves follow her with Prof. McGonagall's cane at the feast! I only wished I could've done something like that myself! Didn't you love what the Weasley brothers did with the swamp? I thought it was hilarious, especially since they didn't leave any instructions on how to get rid of it! I wanted to become the next school prankster, but I knew it would infuriate my older brothers, not to mention Mum and Dad. I don't think Dad would have minded too much, but Mum probably would have sent me a howler! I wouldn't want to face her wrath in front of the school like that.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Ginger
Harry read over the letter with a smile on his face, wondering who "Ginger" really was. But he had to admit that it was nice to get a letter from someone other than a member of the Order or from Ron or Hermione. All they wanted to do was talk about his godfather and what happened at the Ministry. At least this person didn't ask about it, if they even knew. Suddenly, Harry found himself wishing that this person would know about what happened. About the prophecy. Then, he would be able to tell them more. Maybe this person could help him more than his friends. Harry wasn't completely sure that he wanted to tell them just yet for fear that they would stop writing him.
Dear Ginger,
My friend, Hermione, has a part-kneazle and part-cat mix. Her "cat" is named Crookshanks. His face is so flat; I swear he has spent too many years running into brick walls. My friend, Ron, doesn't like Crookshanks too much, and he has told Hermione that several times. I have enough sense to keep quiet my feelings about Hermione's…creature.
I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the D.A. I don't know if it will continue this year. It just depends on who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is and if they are any good. I know what you mean about a corporeal patronus. It took me almost a full year to produce one. And it is harder to do with dementors around.
I did enjoy watching Umbridge being chased out of the school by Peeves with the cane! I have to admit, though, that Umbridge got everything she deserved! Although we students can be cruel, she deserved everything that we threw at her. Although I liked Fred and George's swamp in the Great Hall, I enjoyed their fireworks more! I loved watching Umbridge and Filch struggle to get them all out on her first day as the headmaster. I can't wait to see their shop in Diagon Alley. I want to get some of their items for the coming school year.
I know what you mean by wanting to fill the Weasley's prankster's shoes. My friend, Ron, is their youngest brother and he felt the same way after they left. Although Ron is probably my best friend, I think the youngest Weasley, Ginny, is more like the twins. She has the ability to lie to her mother without batting an eye! If anyone is going to be like the Weasley twins, it will definitely be her!
Like you, I fear ever getting a howler! Ron's mum, Mrs. Weasley, sent him one our second year at Hogwarts because we drove their flying car to school. It wasn't really our fault, though. The barrier to Platform 9 3/4 closed before we could get through and onto the train. Her howler was horrible that year! I have heard her yell in person, but her voice was definitely magnified tenfold that day! I still feel guilty just thinking about it, even after all these years!
Like you, I wonder who we will have this year for the Defense Against the Dark Arts. I hope Professor Lupin comes back! I thought he was the best teacher we ever had for the class! As long as it's not Professor Lockhart or someone like him, I'm not too worried.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Harry
He stood from the desk and walked to the door, wondering if anyone was home. Listening at the door, he heard no noise. He sighed with relief, wanting to take a shower and wander around a little. He turned the door knob and quietly eased the door open. No one was in the house. He quickly raced to the window to see if Uncle Vernon's car was in the driveway. No car was visible. He left his room and headed to the bathroom, wanting to hurry lest they came back.
As he showered, he thought of his new friend. He wondered what house they played Quidditch for and what position they played. He wondered if he knew them or of them, even though they had said he wouldn't. He turned off the water and looked at himself in the mirror. A scrawny young boy of fifteen stared back at him, his green eyes illuminated with pain and frustration. His dark hair, wet with new drops of water from the shower, stuck up as it normally did. He shrugged as he opened the door.
A car door slammed as he walked back to his room, signaling the return of his aunt and uncle and their guests. Harry closed his bedroom door and dressed as quickly as possible in case they discovered that he had left the confines of his room. As he sat back on his bed, he heard someone walking up the stairs and toward his room. He waited with bated breath as they stopped outside his bedroom door. Slowly the door knob turned. Uncle Vernon's outline encased the doorframe. Harry looked at his uncle, wondering what his uncle wanted with him.
"Did you leave your room while we were gone?" he whispered to Harry. Harry nodded.
"I took a shower," he answered. Uncle Vernon's face turned red before deepening in color to purple.
"Vernon!" Petunia called out from the kitchen, "Tea is ready." Vernon turned from the room to the stairs.
"One moment, dear," he remarked kindly before turning back to Harry. He glared at Harry, who stared unemotionally back at him, and closed the door again. Harry sighed with relief as he leaned against the headboard of his small bed, knowing that he had been lucky. Knowing that he had been saved by his Aunt Petunia. He looked back at his desk where the letter sat, waiting for him to send it back to "Ginger." He crossed the room to where the letter was. Looking at Hedwig, he wondered if he should send it right away or if he should wait until that night. Hedwig must have known what he was thinking, for she stared at him with reproachful eyes. After much debate, Harry decided to wait until that night to send the letter off. Aside from not wanting to upset his uncle anymore than he had that day, he wanted to give Hedwig a break. He sat back on his bed and waited for the day to be over so he could send his letter.
o-o-o-o-o
As twilight approached, Harry decided he couldn't wait any longer to send his letter off. He stopped pacing the small room and looked at the letter as he had looked at it so many times that day. He picked up the letter and looked at Hedwig with guilt-ridden eyes.
"Hedwig," he whispered to her, "Do you think you could take this letter right now?" She looked at him before turning her back on him. He understood what she meant by her actions. He nodded and sighed again, walking over to his owl.
"Okay, you don't have to send it yet," he remarked as he stroked her, "I understand if you are tired right now. But, I need you to send this tonight." She kept herself turned from him as he absent-mindedly stroked her and stared out at the fading light from the window. Suddenly, Harry heard dishes crash against the kitchen floor and his aunt scream. He whipped around to the door, brought out of his thoughts by the possibility that an intruder had come in. A Death Eater, or Voldemort himself, Harry thought. He grabbed his wand from his trunk and left his room. As gingerly as a cat, he crept to the top of the stairs and listened for signs that all was not right in the kitchen.
"BOY!" his uncle screamed as he raced down the stairs and toward the kitchen. Keeping his wand out he entered the room, ready to face whoever was there. As he looked at the familiar face, he gasped with surprise.
"Professor," he announced as he looked at the aged face, "I didn't expect you." His mentor smiled, a twinkle in his eye, and looked at him with determination.
"As well you shouldn't have," Professor Dumbledore replied, "We didn't feel it safe to notify you of our intentions to get you. We just received some upsetting news and had no time to notify you before coming to collect you."
"We being the Order," Harry guessed, still trying to recover from the surprise visit.
"Yes," Dumbledore remarked, "As you can see, I have come to collect you. There is no need for your wand, unless you plan to hex me for what happened last year." Harry dropped his arm to his side and dropped his gaze to the floor, suddenly remembering what he had done to the headmaster's office just weeks before.
"I'm sorry about that, Professor," he said in a quiet voice.
"It is unnecessary for you to apologize, Harry," Dumbledore stated, "It is water under the bridge, as the Muggles say." Harry smiled slightly at him as he said this.
"Wait just one minute!" Uncle Vernon yelled. Harry had forgotten that they were still in the room. He looked over at the Sanders, who gawked at Harry and the new guest as though they were something from a horror movie.
"Who are you? What is going on in my house?" Vernon Dursley screamed to the wizened wizard.
"Yes," Dumbledore began, "I apologize for not introducing myself. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I would have notified you that I would be here, but I had no time to warn you of my visit. Harry, if you will gather your trunk and your items, we will be leaving shortly."
"For the Burrow?" Harry asked hopefully. Dumbledore smiled at him with sadness in his eyes.
"No, we will be returning to the headquarters," he answered, "But worry not. You will meet with your friends there soon. I'm afraid you will have to spend your time at headquarters. It will not be safe to return to the Burrow until the war is over. Best get your things now. We haven't much time." Harry turned on his heel and raced back to his room. Nearly everything was in his trunk already. He wrenched open the loose floorboard and threw its contents into his trunk. He then turned to the waiting letter. He pulled out his quill to add something to his letter before sending it off.
P.S. I am about to leave for a while. If I don't respond right away, you'll know why. I would tell you where I am going to, but I cannot tell you. It's secret information.
Harry
He quickly finished the letter and looked at Hedwig.
"Hedwig," he started, "I need you to take this letter now. I know you don't want to go, but I have to go soon. I'll be at the headquarters when you get back, and I promise that you can take a long rest then." She held out her leg for him and he tied the letter to it. Nibbling his finger gently, she got off her perch and flew out of the window. He finished packing everything into his trunk and carried it down the stairs.
"Ready to go?" the headmaster asked as Harry walked back into the kitchen. Harry nodded. Dumbledore tapped Harry's trunk and said "Portus." He looked at Harry and nodded. Harry touched the trunk and immediately felt the pull at his navel from the portkey. He swayed around as they traveled to the dismal headquarters for the Order. Soon, Harry's feet touched the steady floors of the House of Black. He gathered his balance only to nearly lose it again as Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a tight hug.
"Harry!" she announced cheerfully, "Welcome home!" Harry smiled at Mrs. Weasley as she stepped back from him, holding him at arms length and beaming at him. They were silent as they shared this moment together, just the two of them for the time.
"Harry, please sit down and we'll have a bite to eat," Dumbledore sincerely offered. Harry broke his gaze with Mrs. Weasley, his second mother, and looked at his mentor.
"Can I take my trunk and Hedwig's cage upstairs first?" Harry asked, wanting to see Ron. Dumbledore smiled at him and shook his head.
"Not to worry, Harry," he answered, "I will make sure that your items are taken upstairs for you. And no one else is in the house right now, save Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I daresay your friends should be arriving soon, but not quite yet. So, the house will be yours for quite awhile. Before you go to bed, though, we need to discuss some matters with you." Harry nodded as he walked to the table and sat in one of the chairs. Dumbledore sat across from him and remained silent until Mrs. Weasley set out a plate of sandwiches and a jug of butterbeer. Harry took one of the sandwiches and quietly chewed on it, noticing for the first time how hungry he was. Dumbledore watched him intently as Molly Weasley fussed over him, like she normally did.
"Harry," Dumbledore started after several quiet minutes, "I'm sure you are wondering why only the three—four, counting Arthur—of us are here and not your friends." Harry nodded as he looked at the wise wizard. Dumbledore smiled at him while pulling out a piece of yellowed parchment from his robes.
"This will explain everything to you. Please don't ask questions until I am done reading this letter to you," Dumbledore continued, "I have already read this and feel that you have the right to hear the letter yourself. 'Last will and testament of Sirius Black. I, Sirius Black, hereby bequeath the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, located at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and the possessions within said house to Mr. Harry J. Potter." Harry looked at Dumbledore in surprise, tears falling down his cheeks, as his mentor continued to read Sirius's will.
"I hereby bequeath the funds in the Black Family Vault to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weasley. I also bequeath my rights as guardian of Harry James Potter to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley until such time as he comes of age. They will be placed in charge of his inheritance—the above-named House of Black, along with its possessions, and his school account at Gringotts until said time," Professor Dumbledore finished before folding the letter and looking at the people present at the table. Both Harry and Molly had tears falling from their glistening eyes.
"I have one more thing for each of you before I go," Albus announced sadly as he handed Harry and Molly a letter, "I promised Sirius I would give these to you after he had passed on. I hope that they will comfort you with his last words to you." Harry and Molly nodded, staring at their letters intently, as Professor Dumbledore rose from the table. As he reached the doorway of the kitchen, he stopped and turned back to them.
"Harry," he called out as Harry looked up, "I wanted to ask your permission to continue using your new place as the Order's headquarters."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied, surprised to be asked for permission, "But, shouldn't you ask Mrs. Weasley instead?"
"No, Harry," Molly remarked in her comforting tone, "It's your house now. It isn't mine." Harry shook his head as he looked at Mrs. Weasley and forced a smile on his face.
"But Sirius said that you and Mr. Weasley are my new guardians until I come of age," Harry reminded, "Until then, you hold the rights to the house and my account." Molly smiled at Harry and took his hand in hers.
"Molly?" Albus responded, "May we continue to use this place for the Order?" Molly nodded, never taking her eyes off of Harry.
"Then it is settled," Dumbledore responded, "I shall see you both soon. There are plans that need to be made and things to discuss. Good night!" With that, Albus Dumbledore left the two inhabitants staring at each other at the kitchen table.
"Harry, about Sirius's will," Mrs. Weasley asked, "Are you comfortable with his decisions? I mean, how do you feel about Arthur and I being named your guardians?" Harry looked down at a knot in the table before him while he thought about what Mrs. Weasley had just asked.
"I'm alright with it," he responded while looking back at her, "Are you okay with it?" Molly smiled at him and nodded. Sighing, he looked back at the knot on the table.
"Harry, dear, is everything alright?"
"Mrs. Weasley," he started solemnly, "I need to tell you something before you agree to be my guardian. I would like you to think about it and discuss it with Mr. Weasley before accepting the rights to being my guardian."
"What is the matter?" Harry sighed and kept his eyes on the knot, knowing the truth would be harder to tell if he looked at her.
"It's about the prophecy," he began, "I heard it the night Sir-the night at the Ministry. Dumbledore was the witness of the prophecy when it was given. It says…It says that I am the one who has to kill Voldemort or I will be killed by him. 'Neither can live while the other is alive,' I think those are the correct words. He marked me as his equal and I know he will not stop until I kill him or he kills me. No one can stop him from getting to me, and he won't stop killing those who are close to me until he gets me." Finally, he looked up at her. She had tears in her eyes, although she was wearing a smile. He sighed again and looked back at the knot in the table.
"I'll understand if you don't want to take that risk," Harry continued, "I certainly don't want to see anyone in your family gone just because of me. It would kill me to know that I was the reason why they were killed. Please, think over the decision before telling me what you choose. I'll understand either way." Molly nodded and sniffed. They sat silently for a few minutes before Molly rose from the table.
"Harry, dear," she broke, "I think it's time for bed. Why don't you go to sleep now? I'll wake you in the morning for breakfast. I believe that Professor Dumbledore is scheduled to be here tomorrow afternoon. And I distinctly remember some of the members saying they would like to see you as well." He nodded and stood from the table, never looking at Mrs. Weasley. As he turned to the door, he realized his trunk was no longer in the room.
"Mrs. Weasley," he began with his back turned to her, "do you know where my trunk might be?"
"I believe Professor Dumbledore sent it to your room," she responded as he nodded and headed out of the room, "Oh, and try to be quiet when you go to your room, as Mr. Weasley is already asleep and has to be up early in the morning. It's the same room that you shared with Ron last summer. I thought, since you would be arriving so late, you might like to be in the room again." He quickly walked through the hallway and up the two flights of stairs, eager to fall asleep. As he reached the landing, he heard nothing but silence. He realized then that he and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were the only people in the house. He snorted as he tiptoed down the hall and into his room.
He closed the door and looked around the dismal room, remembering it too well from the summer before. Like the rest of the house, the room had a musty and mildew smell to it. Dark colors on the wall added to the dreary décor of the furniture. Harry flopped onto the bed and leaned against the headboard, closing his eyes and forcing the tears back. He clenched his fists before he realized something was in his right hand. He looked at the yellowed parchment and remembered it was from Sirius. The last letter he would receive from his godfather. With trembling hands, Harry opened the letter and read.
Harry,
If you're reading this, well, it means I'm no longer there. I'd rather put it this way that what it really means because it depresses me to think that I will someday be forced to leave you. Please tell me that my passing was done in an exciting way. I would hate to admit to your father that I died of boredom!
Since I am gone, you know what my wishes are. Please believe that I have your best interest in mind. I know that you are sad I am gone. Don't worry! Although I regret not getting to know you better and not having more time with you, Molly was right: you are not your father. This means that I am with my best friend again, and we are still watching over you.
Harry, dear friend, do not believe that my death was caused by you or that it is your fault I can no longer be there for you. I knew what I was facing when I rejoined the Order. Just as your mother and father knew what they were doing when we joined the Order so long ago. Remember: I would rather die for my friends than hide from Voldemort. This is a war, and these are the consequences of a war. Soldiers die but the war continues, just as life does. Promise me you will continue with your life even after I am gone. I don't believe I would be able to watch you from wherever the next step is and not feel guilt-ridden myself if you didn't live your life. Remember, too, that there are things worth dying for. If I died doing something for the Order, then I died for your freedom and the freedom of the magical community. This is something I hope you will always feel is worth dying for.
Remember your greatest gift and your greatest weapon. You have a large heart, Harry. I realized how much you were like your mother when you kept Moony and I from killing the traitor all those years ago. Don't forget to share your love with others, and don't push them away. The more love you have and the more love you share, the stronger you will be.
As you heard in my will, I have not left you anything from my family's vault. Please understand my reasons for this. I left the Weasleys the contents of the Black Family vault because I knew they would care for you correctly. Besides, can you think of a more deserving family? I hope you will understand my reasons for asking them to look out for you. You know they consider you as another son, and you should see them as your family.
I know you are not keen on the house on Grimmauld Place, and personally I cannot blame you, but I believe you will find other uses for it in the future. Please take special care of the house and open it up to your family. I daresay it will be useful for them in the future as well as for you.
I wish you the best in life, Harry. You remind me so of your father, and I would hate to see you not enjoy life as he did. And your mother's love would waste away inside you if you did not share it with those around you. Remember, we will always be with you in your heart, and we will watch over you from where we are.
Sirius
Harry wiped the tears from his cheeks as he read over Sirius's letter again, finding some comfort in his godfather's words. He leaned his head against the headboard again and closed his eyes, wishing that his godfather were still with him. Thinking of Sirius and his wishes, Harry wondered if it were possible to live after what had happened. He had watched his godfather fall before his very own eyes. He had tried to forget how to live after that night. For two years, he had experienced the joys of having a parent in his life—the only thing he had ever wanted—only to have it taken away when Sirius had been killed.
Tired, Harry got off the bed and rummaged through his trunk for a pair of pajamas. He quickly changed and turned off the light, deciding to sleep on his choices. He didn't want to move on with his life without Sirius; he would've given everything he owned to have his parents and Sirius back. But a part of him agreed with what Sirius had written. He needed to live life again; he needed to love again before it was too late.
He tossed and turned as he thought of his predicament. Either way, he would be pushing away someone. If he chose to dwell on Sirius's passing, he would be pushing the living away. If he chose to move on and live his life, he would be pushing away the memories of his mother, his father, and his godfather. For a long time, he pondered what the future would bring with each of his choices. Long after the light had been extinguished, Harry fell into a fitful sleep.
o-o-o-o-o
"Up you get, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley called from the doorway. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he turned to her.
"What time is it?" Harry asked groggily, putting his glasses on.
"It's nearly time for lunch," she answered as she smiled at him.
"I slept in?" She nodded at him as she entered his room. She sat down on the edge of his bed, still smiling at him.
"I knew you needed your sleep," she revealed softly, "So I let you have a bit of a lay-in this morning. You were dead to the world when I came in shortly before breakfast!" He nodded as he looked at his hands. She stood from the bed and started for the door.
"Mrs. Weasley?" he called to her, looking at her again. She turned to him and smiled.
"Yes dear."
"Did you-have you read your letter from Sirius yet?" She sat back on his bed and sighed.
"Yes," she stated, "I read if after you went to bed. I am guessing that you read your letter last night when you came to bed." Harry nodded.
"What did he say?" he questioned before shaking his head and looking at his hands again, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." Mrs. Weasley placed her hand on his and he looked at her face.
"It's alright, dear," she gave with a smile, "He explained his reasons for granting Arthur and I guardianship over you and his reasons for not leaving the vault to you." Harry nodded and sighed, already knowing the reason behind the letter to Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry, I know you have had a very difficult life already," she continued in her comforting tone, "Goodness knows how hard your childhood was. And I know you feel like you constantly lose those that are important to you. I think that was why Sirius wanted us to be your guardians. I already feel like you are my son, Harry. Both Mr. Weasley and I feel that way. We have loved you for so long, and we want to keep loving you like a son." Harry smiled meekly at his best friend's mother.
"Have you spoken to Mr. Weasley yet about what I told you last night?" he inquired.
"Yes, Harry," she answered, "We discussed the prophecy after you went to bed. And it hasn't changed our plans at all. We still want to be your guardians as long as you will let us care for you."
Harry nodded and looked at his hands, not wanting to look at her at that moment, "I thought a lot about it last night, especially after reading his letter. I wasn't sure if I could allow anyone to love me since everyone who loves me ends up dying. I wanted to push everyone away and I didn't want to live anymore. But, Sirius reminded me that my greatest weapon is love. He said that I shouldn't forget to share my love with others and I shouldn't push others away. And now, I think he is right. Even Dumbledore said that my greatest secret is my love and my mother's love, since it lives in me. And I realized that I need to share my love with others." He looked to her eyes, finding them glassy and red from the tears that fell down her cheeks. She smiled at him and pulled him into a hug like the one she had given him after the Final Task of the Triwizard Championship when he had been in the hospital. Harry held tight to her, feeling a mother's love for the second time in his life. Soon they broke away and smiled at one another.
"Well, Harry," she announced, "welcome to the family. I better go downstairs and start lunch. Why don't you shower and get ready. Albus should be here soon to discuss some last minute things with us." He nodded and watched her leave the room, realizing that he now had a family. A family that loved him and that he loved back.
A/N: Thank you for reading this! I hope it wasn't too bad! As for the reviewer, the link didn't show up. Sorry!