Chapter 2- The Letter
The Weasley home was filled with preparations; Ginny and Hermione were busy folding sheets and making beds, the twins were busy creating as much chaos as possible, Bill and Fleur were tidying up the house, and Mrs. Weasley was busy yelling at everyone.
Harry crouched over the chicken coup with Ron. They had been cleaning it for what felt like hours, when Mr. Weasley came running across the lawn.
"Harry!" he called, "Lupin has just arrived, and he would like a word."
Harry glanced at Ron, whose face mirrored Harry's confusion. "It's probably nothing" Ron said. Harry set down his cleaning tools, and made his way inside.
He found Lupin, hands in his pockets, admiring the Weasley clock. The clock showed where all the Weasley's were; at the moment, all the hands were pointed to 'home', except Percy's, which said 'work'.
At that moment, the twins passed by, on their way outside.
"Of course he wouldn't come home for his own brother's wedding… he's far too busy." George said sarcastically.
"The fowl git" replied Fred, a disgruntled look on his face.
With a sigh, they both left the room, leaving Harry and Lupin alone.
"Hello, Lupin." Harry said brightly. Lupin had been in and out of the Burrow for days now, ever since he had been relocated here. He wondered what was so important…
"Well Harry, I wanted to talk about you and your sister's birthday, since it is only a few days away." He paused.
"Of course!" Harry yelled. Had he really been that thick that he didn't even remember it wasn't only his birthday, but Bella's as well? Or maybe it was because he had so much on his mind these days. "Do you think she could come to the wedding?"
"Well, that's what I was thinking. If you sent her a letter by owl, I could go to her location in the next few days and bring her here. That way she would have time to prepare."
Harry loved the idea of seeing his twin again. They had no contact for more than a year in a half now, and Harry didn't even know where she was. Lupin was her secret keeper. He said it was the best way to keep her and everyone else safe.
They both had green eyes like their mother Lily, but while Harry had his father's hair, Bella had lighter brown color, borderline red. What they had most in common was their scars; Harry had a lightning bolt above his forehead, and Bella had one on her forearm.
He had one question, one that had been in the back reaches of his mind ever since he learned about Horcruxes.
He looked up to Lupin. "I know I encouraged her to go into hiding, but I need her now. So do Hermione and Ron."
"This wouldn't have to do with the quest you three have been devising since you got here, would it?" Lupin replied, curiously.
Harry's forehead suddenly grew hot. Had it been that obvious that he, Ron, and Hermione were not planning on going back to Hogwarts that year? He would have to make sure he was more careful around Mrs. Weasley from now on.
But he trusted Lupin. "It has everything to do with it."
"Then let me help you!" he persisted. "Wherever you go, whatever you are planning, I can help protect you!"
Harry trusted Lupin, but he couldn't tell him about the Horcruxes. "I'm sorry Lupin. I'm sure you could help us, but Dumbledore gave me a job to do, and he instructed me to only tell Bella, Hermione and Ron." Harry hated not letting anyone else know, but it was better this way. He didn't want anyone else sacrificing their lives for him.
Lupin let out a big sigh. "Well, I can tell you aren't going to be saying anything." He changed the subject. "Why don't you write the letter to Bella now?" he said.
Harry took out a paper and pen. He would make the letter short and precise; once Bella arrived, he would explain everything. Once he finished, he let Lupin examine it. After Lupin approved, he stood up from the couch where he and Lupin sat.
"Harry, I want to let you know I will always be here for you and Bella. I know I'm not your real godfather, but I'm as good as. And I promised myself I would look after you two after Sirius died." He paused, his dark eyes matching his look of concern. "If anything ever happened to you… or Bella…"
Harry weakly smiled. "I know Lupin. I know."
A male figure stood more than 100 yards from the Burrow. Underneath his penetrable invisibility cloak was a broomstick, a long dark wand, and a foul odor.
He was watching. He was waiting.
At last, the moment had come. A white snowy owl appeared outside of the magical barrier surrounding the house. He watched the skies as the bird flew west.
Where it flew, he did not yet know. But he would soon find out.
With a sweep of his hands, the broom was placed carefully underneath him. He did not like flying on broomsticks, but in this case, he had no choice. His master ordered that this would be the best way to follow the boy's owl when the time came. He had the invisibility cloak to shield himself while flying, so the bird would not sense him.
He may not know where he was flying, but he knew his target. And he was hungry.