AN: I really hated this chapter in its original form. Hopefully this is less wooden and contrived.

Disclaimer: Up in the description.

Harry rubbed his eyes and yawned. School shopping had taken up the entire day with very few breaks. He wasn't complaining; it had been a lot of fun seeing the sheer variety of things in the alley with Ted Tonks, a wizard and Gringotts Human Liaison Officer and a good friend of Gornuk. He'd taken Harry home last night, bringing a letter from Gornuk to the Dursley's with him. They'd gone very pale on reading it and looked absolutely furious, but had nodded in agreement after rereading the letter in the kitchen for the fourth time.

"You look tired. I think it's time for dinner." Ted gestured Harry forwards. "Come on. I know this great Indian place, all this weird magical food. It's a real experience." He glanced at Harry's face. "Oh don't look at me like that. It's not going to kill you. Have you never had Indian food before?"

"No," said Harry, feeling a little nervous. "I've never really eaten out at all."

Ted looked at him sadly. "No, I don't suppose you have." Ted had heard most of the details from Gornuk and was very sensitive, but Harry still caught the occasional look. "Well anyway, like I said it'll be an experience. I know the Patils. Its an extremely nice place."

Harry followed Ted's lead nervously. 'Nice' sounded an awful lot like 'expensive'. Stepping into a small door in a side alley off the main street, he suddenly assaulted by a wave of noise and smell. He stared around in wonder at the large restaurant. The walls were covered with Indian artwork and there was soft music playing in the background. "How did they fit this place in here?" Harry asked, staring.

"Oh come now Harry, you know the answer," said Ted, shaking his head and smirking.

Harry smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Magic, right? That's the answer to everything here isn't it?" "A frown crossed his face. "Don't they now how to do without it?"

"Many wizards don't," said Ted as he guided harry through the crowded room to an empty table. "It's just lucky that you realise there are other ways around your problems. It certainly makes life easier. Most wouldn't think of life without magic, just like most muggles wouldn't think of living without technology." Ted scooped up the menu sitting in front of him, leafing through the pages. "Okay Harry, it's time to order. You see those little numbers left of the meal names?" Harry nodded. "Good. When you decide which meal you want, say 'I wish to order number four', for example. The meal will appear in front of you directly from the kitchen." Ted looked up and gestured around. "It saves on the cost of staff, as you can see, and means the food stays hot. Hogwarts does the same."

"Okay," said Harry feebly, looking at the incomprehensible names on the menu. "So, what's the least spicy meal?"

Ted smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I'll let you work that out for yourself."

HPHPHP

Contrary to what Harry had feared, the food was nowhere near as hot as he'd thought it would be. While it was true that steam gushed from his ears every time he took a bite, other parts of meal seemed to be added purely to prevent overheating. He was actually having a lot of fun with his first dinner out, even if it was with a complete stranger. That is, until Andromeda Tonks walked in of course.

Harry saw her before Ted did but didn't make any connection, merely noting her as an exceptionally pretty woman in her late thirties. It wasn't until her eyes lighted on Ted and a wide smile spread across her face that he realised they might know one another.

"Ted!" she called, swiftly moving through the crowd to grab him from behind in a fierce hug. "I didn't realise you'd be taking an important client here."

"Andy!" Ted's face mirrored hers as he twisted round in his seat to return the hug. "Harry, I'd like to introduce my wife, Andromeda. Andromeda, this is Harry Potter. I've been taking Harry shopping for Gornuk, after that incident at the bank left him without a chaperone."

Harry stood up politely, extending his hand, but felt his smile wither as he caught the change on her face. Andromeda's face didn't exactly fall, but the smile became slightly forced and her eyes held a painful look. "Its a pleasure to meet you Harry," she said in slightly pained voice.

"Likewise," he said, shaking her hand. What had he done wrong? Had he somehow insulted her, broken some important wizarding taboo? Harry glance at Ted, who looked as mystified at Andromeda's sudden mood swing as he did. "Well Ted, I'd better be off," she said, steeping back from the table.

"Are you sure?" Her husband looked a little bewildered when she nodded. "Well, okay. Can I have a word before you go? Harry, do you mind?"

Harry shook his head and watched as Ted stood up and he and his wife walked over to a quiet corner of the room. Whatever they were discussing took what felt like a very long time, leaving Harry feeling more awkward by the second. It didn't seem like an argument and there were no signs of anger, something Harry was very good at picking up on, but it still seemed very heated. It ended with Ted pulling Andromeda into a tight hug, which lasted a few moments before she kissed him on the cheek, gave Harry a half hearted wave and walked out. Ted walked back over to their table, looking sad.

"Did I do something wrong?" asked Harry concerned.

Ted waved him off. "No no Harry, nothing of the sort. You just..." Ted paused for a moment, considering his next sentence. "Look, I'm not certain I should be telling you this Harry, but you sort of have a right to know. Andromeda's cousin, Sirius Black, was your godfather." Harry stared at Ted uncertainly, waiting for him to finish the story. "Look, I don't know how to put this gently, so I'm just going to say it. He's currently in prison for the murder of thirteen people and unofficially betraying your parents' location to You-Know-Who." Ted ran a hand over his face. "I'm sorry to tell you this Harry."

Harry sat stock still, feeling sick. After a few moments, he managed to find his voice. "So why-" The lump forming in his throat made it difficult to talk and he came to a sudden halt.

"My wife just couldn't cope with the reminder of what he did, that's all Harry," said Ted, clearly out of his depths but still trying to soothe the boy's feeling. "Thing is, she never really accepted that he did any of it Harry. It just seemed so out of character for Sirius; even I thought so and I knew Sirius for far less time than Andromeda. For years after she kept trying to find a way to explain away his guilt, but the evidence seemed overwhelming. She even tried to blame it on Peter for a while." He caught the look on Harry's face and quickly clarified. "Peter Pettigrew. One of the people Sirius killed. There was evidence, but his body was... well it doesn't really dwell to think on." Ted looked conflicted. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you all this. It's just that-"

"No," said Harry, cutting Ted off. "I'm glad you did. It's just unexpected, that's all." Harry stared at his hands for a moment before looking up. "Can we leave now?"

Ted smiled weakly at him. "Sure Harry. I'll take you home."

HPHPHP

Ted picked Harry up from the Dursley's several times over the following weeks to take him to visit Gornuk, supposedly for account business. It was still a little awkward between them after the conversation at the restaurant. Harry knew Ted was worried about how he was coping with the revelations about his past, but Harry wasn't certain he could say anything that would comfort Ted.

At least the visits to Gornuk were fun. Harry knew they were nominally to talk about his finances, but in truth the topics ranged onto a wide range of topics and were a lot of fun. Gornuk, despite his slightly intimidating manner, was an amazing teacher and an even better listener. It was odd. He never seemed to judge Harry, despite the fact he was constantly giving him suggestions. The best thing though was that Gornuk never seemed to want anything for it. Ted was nice, but it was really just his job. The financial part of it was Gornuk's domain, to be true, but it wasn't what it was really about at all. This gave Harry the courage to ask an awkward question.

"Um, sir?" Harry said, clearing his throat. They were sitting in yet another high domed room a little outside the small temple hidden away in the back of Gringotts and Harry could feel the eyes of passers by on him, curious.

"What is it Mr Potter?" asked Gornuk. "Oh don't worry about them." He gestured at a small group of goblins passing, carrying a large chest between them. "You've done nothing to offend anyone."

"That's not it sir," said Harry nervously. "Its just... do you think you could find out some details about my parents' friends? I mean, I know nothing about them." He looked at the older man hopefully.

Gornuk sighed, his eyes shifting over to look at Harry. "Of course Mr Potter. Not meaning to pry, but this is about your conversation with Ted Tonks, isn't it?" Harry nodded, looking at the ground. "Tough thing to find out like that. I'll provide a good deal more than just details about Sirius Black. Maybe seeing how everyone connects might make things clearer to you."

"Thank you sir," said Harry gratefully.

"Now," Gornuk stood up from the bench and stretched. "How would you feel about learning a little on goblin theology and ethics Mr Potter? It's not as dull as it sounds."

Harry he'd rather take Gornuk's word for it, but followed him into the temple all the same. It was a little thing to do for a friend.