Step one, you say we need to talk

He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through

Some sort of window to your right

As he goes left, and you stay right

Between the lines of fear and blame

You begin to wonder why you came

Song: How to Save a Life by Lifehouse

Apparating had never been Harry's preferred method of travel. The pinching and pulling in every direction left him feeling ill and stretched like an over used rubber band.

"We're here," Sirius said solemnly.

Harry looked up. They were at Grimmauld Place, headquarter of the Order of the Phoenix.

"Oh, I thought maybe we were going to The Burrow," Harry wondered out loud. Sirius was already heading inside. Mumbling to himself, Harry followed.

As soon as they entered Sirius grabbed Harry but the scruff of his shirt and pushed him against the wall.

"What did you think you were doing?" Sirius bellowed through the building.

"I- sorry! She - we -" Harry sputtered.

"You could have been caught by Death Eaters! You could have been -" Sirius's face turned white as he dropped Harry and grasped at his chest in pain.

"Sirius! Sirius!" Harry called helping him to his feet.

Suddenly Mrs Weasley appeared. "Come on Sirius, you over did it again."

Harry and Mrs Weasley helped him up the stairs and into his bed. Sirius's face was white as a ghost and drained of almost all life.

"Mrs Weasley, is he going to be alright?" Harry asked nervously.

Mrs Weasley grabbed a wet cloth and placed it on Sirius's brow. "Yes, I think so. He just got a bit overexcited today."

She turned to him and tilted her eyebrows disapprovingly. "You really had him worried Harry."

Harry averted her gaze. "I didn't mean to, I just -"

Suddenly Sirius coughed violently. Mrs Weasley shook her head. "You stay here Harry, I'm going to go get his medicine from the kitchen."

Harry nodded, laying his hand on top of Sirius's.

"You really worried about me, didn't you Sirius?" He said quietly.

Sirius groaned. "Shouldn't have done that to you Harry, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be thick," Harry smiled. "You were completely right. I'm sorry we ran off like that."

"I couldn't lose you, not again," Sirius said weakly.

"We're never going to lose each other. We're a real family now Sirius, forever," Harry said as he saw Sirius's eyes closed.

"You're really like her," Sirius whispered smiling.

"Who Caitlin?" Harry laughed nervously. "No, I just met her."

Sirius chuckled, feeling the last of his energy push him into sleep. "No, like Lily, always worried for others...but also so much like James...so blind to what is right in front of you."

"Harry?" Mrs Weasley called from the doorway. "Harry let him sleep. He's still got a long recovery ahead."

Harry nodded and walked down the hallway towards the main kitchen. He was immediately greeted by the hug of a rather bushy haired girl.

"Harry! Oh Harry I'm so glad you made it here in one piece." Hermione pulled him back smiling.

"Wocher Harry," called Ron from the entry. "Let him breathe Hermione."

Harry grasped his best mates smiling. It had been a long few weeks without them. So much had happened.

"So who's the girl?" Called Ron pulling up a Daily Prophet from the counter top and putting it into Harry's hand.

Harry groaned. The evening post had arrived and the headline featured him and Caitlin on the front page.

"She's Lupin's goddaughter," He said shortly. "She's going to be transferring to Hogwarts this term."

Harry studied Ron who was looking hungrily at the paper, like a dog who had not eaten in several weeks.

"She's...pretty," Ron whistled lowly.

Instinctually Harry felt a knot tightened in his stomach. Why did he think he had the right to feel this way - about a girl who only a few hours ago he had never seen or heard of before.

"Hi Harry," said another voice from the opposite side of the kitchen.

It was Ginny. She was wearing her hair down straight to her shoulders with a deep red V-neck shirt and even lower riding jeans. She offered Harry a seductive smile as she worked her way towards him.

Harry gulped. In the past he had found Ginny to be quite beautiful, but remained firm in his belief of keeping their relationship strictly platonic.

She's Ron's sister, he told himself over and over again.

"GINNY WEASLEY! WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?" Shouted Mrs Weasley.

Ginny snapped her head angrily at Mrs Weasley. "Clothes mum. Harry doesn't seem to mind, do you Harry?"

"Erm," Harry said looking panicked.

"No daughter of mine is going to strut around like a half baked - go upstairs at once and change!" Mrs Weasley and Ginny headed up the stairs, their voices continuing to shout at one another.

Hermione coughed. "Well, perhaps we should go upstairs too and get Harry settled."

Harry, who had gone back to staring at Ron who continued to stare at the Daily Prophet, unaware of the events that just took place nodded. Hermione pulled Ron out of the kitchen, and with one final glance at the Daily Prophet and Caitlin's smiling face, followed.

"Harry you'll be staying in here," Hermione said urging him into one of the larger rooms in the house. "We've been clearing the space all summer so now everyone can have their own rooms."

Harry looked around impressed. The room still smelled lightly of mothballs and mold, but as a whole was warm and inviting. The walls that had once been green with black tapestries now stood a neutral grey with red curtains and gold string. Light sprung into the room, showing off the fading sunset from the outside world. Hedwig was already inside, waiting for him. She clicked her beak eagerly at him as if saying how excited she was to see him again.

"I'm going to get some shut eye if that's alright with you two," Harry said after the last bit of his trunk had been unpacked. It was now close to midnight and the trio had spent the past few hours discussing their holiday activities, carefully avoiding the topic of the Ministry of Magic that had happened that June.

"Me too," yawned Hermione. "We got a long day tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow?" Asked Harry.

"Don't be thick mate," laughed Ron. "It's your birthday and - ow! Watch your elbow Hermione!"

Harry formed a small smile. In his years with the Dursley his birthday was spent like any other day, usually consisting of a long list of chores from Aunt Petunia and and even longer list from Uncle Vernon. His friends did not know this, or if they theorized Harry did not know. But by Hermione's actions Harry was sure tomorrow would be a day he would not soon forget.

As they said goodnight once more Harry took to laying with his arms behind his head. Harry's thoughts soon went back to Caitlin, wondering what she was up to at this very moment.

Harry must have fallen asleep without realizing it. He soon dreamt he was at an old house on an island surrounded by a raging storm. When he entered the hut he saw piles of spell books and chocolate frog wrappers. There was a small bed and rocking chair next to the fire place.

Harry saw what looked like a very tired Lupin petting the hair of someone who lay asleep in the bed. As Harry moved closer he saw pictures of a muggle man and woman (Harry assumed they were muggles by the fact that they were not moving in their picture) on the floor next to the bed. The bed had a pile of Quidditch magazines along the edge, some of which had begun to fall to the floor.

This woke Lupin out of his gaze. He stood and gathered them quietly. As he turned to face the sleeping body once more Harry could see unmistakable affection.

Who is in the bed? Harry walked slowly closer and closer. He went to rise the blanket when -

"Harry! Wake up! It's your birthday!" Ron bounced on Harry's bed excitedly.

Harry suppressed a large groan as he reached blindly for his glasses. As he shoved them on his face he yelped in surprise. In his room were Ron, Hermione, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Sirius.

"Erm, morning everyone," muttered Harry.

The group took turns singing happy birthday and presented Harry with small gifts. Hermione gave Harry new quills, Mrs Weasley knitted him a new pair of socks and Ron handed him a dozen chocolate frogs.

Ginny who was wearing a highly buttoned and laced topped looked very upset but waited patiently for her gift for Harry. When Mrs Weasley headed back down the stairs she went over and gave Harry a kiss on the forehead and followed her exit.

"We'll see you downstairs Harry," Ron said smiling fully. "We've got quite the celebration planned for tonight."

"Honestly Ron, can't you see he still hasn't full woken up? Let him get some breakfast in him before you start bothering him." Hermione said, nostrils flaring angrily.

Harry and Sirius chuckled to themselves as the pair took off as well down the stairs. There was an uncomfortable silence that followed. Harry played nervously with a chocolate frog box.

"I'm sorry, again, I saw the Daily Prophet," Harry said quietly.

Sirius shook his head as he walked over to the edge of Harry's bed. "I can't blame you for what happened Harry. I know all about trying to convince a Potter to stay out of trouble."

Harry hung his head shamefully.

"It usually just falls on deaf ears," Sirius said half smiling.

Harry stared out the window, he knew Sirius was getting ready with his final points. Sirius scooted closer to him and sighed.

"We need to talk. Harry, this year at Hogwarts will be far different than any year you've had before," Sirius stared at him intently. Harry slowly turned his head to make his gaze. "There will be hundreds of new witches and wizards transferring to Hogwarts. It is one of the few places that is safe in this world now."

"Like Caitlin?" Harry asked. "Is she a target of sort?"

Sirius paused. "We are all targets of Lord Voldemort's. Harry, you must promise me you won't try anything too reckless this year...these transferred students...some of them may not be your friend."

Harry caught his meaning immediately. "You want me to avoid these students?"

Sirius held his hands in front of him shaking intensely. "Goodness no...just...use judgement and caution. You're going to learn some things this year that might...confuse you. But understand that it is necessary. Trust Dumbledore's judgment. He knows what he is doing."

Harry nodded as Sirius clapped the side of his hand to Harry's head affectionately tossing his hair from side to side. "Now! Presents from me!"

"Sirius you didn't have to get me anything -" Harry began but Sirius stopped him.

"I promise you all that I have are not things I purchased, but rather old items from your parents." Sirius pulled out a few small boxes from his pockets and one long skinny package that had been tucked away behind the chair.

Harry opened the first one carefully. It contained a small pocket watch. It was gold with several handles pointed to the hand labeled 'safe.' Upon closer inspection Harry saw hands labeled with his, Ron, Hermione, Sirius and Lupin's names and photos attached to them.

"It was your dad's," Sirius said slowly. "I had it redone with some new faces. I thought it would help you keep track of us before running off to the ministry."

"It's just like Mrs Weasleys clock," Harry said excitedly turning it over in his hand.

Sirius nodded. "The next box has the tools necessary to add anyone you want to it. All you need is a piece of their hair, wrap it around the arm and you'll be able to see their activity by the next full moon."

"Thank you Sirius!" Harry hastily put the clock in his breast pocket and moved onto the next equally small package.

Harry pulled at the string and felt a small gold ball fall in his hand. It was snitch but it was half the size of a regular one with rather unusual chain like markings around the edges.

"It's your dads old snitch," Sirius said proudly. "He charmed it himself to be smaller and more unique looking. I think he thought it made him look more daring."

Harry remembered last spring seeing his father play with the very same snitch and harassing Snape. The memory brought a knot to his stomach and Harry hastily placed it on the nightstand next to the tools for the watch.

"You don't have to keep it," shrugged Sirius. "Give it to another quidditch player."

Lastly Sirius handed him the booklike gift. Opening it Harry was greeted by pictures of his family and younger ones of the Mauraders. Harry who had received a large collection of photos like this from Hagrid turned to thank Sirius politely only to pause and study one photo more carefully.

"These were all taken our 7th year," Sirius said smiling fondly at the photos. "Your mum put it together for me."

Harry picked up the picture in question. Beaming from one side to the other was Sirius, Peter, Lily and James. The other half of the photo was mysteriously missing.

"What happened here?" Harry asked.

Sirius studied the photo for a moment. "Who knows? It's been so long..."

"Breakfast is getting cold!" Shouted Mr Weasley from the staircase.

Carefully, Harry placed the photo album on the night stand with the other gifts.

"I'll let you change," called Sirius, hobbling on a cane down the stairs. "Happy birthday again."

Harry took a quick shower and changed into a clean pair of jeans and green T-shirt Mrs Weasley had laid out for him. He tucked the watch in his pocket and sighed. He was 16 today. What would this next year hold for him. Harry paused back at the nightstand and put the snitch in his other pocket and headed down the stairs to join the others.

Mrs Weasley held nothing back for his birthday party. Balloons streamed every room. 2 cakes, both shaped like snitches flew around offering pieces of itself to anyone with an empty place. Fred and George waved to him from the living room as numerous members of the Order came by to drop off a gift or two and shake Harry's hand.

At around 7 o'clock the party was in full swing with around 20 guests gathering around the groaning tables from the weight of Mrs Weasleys excellent cooking.

"Sorry I'm late Molly!" Called Tonks from the entry. "Harry - this is for you!" She offered him a small package and a kiss on the cheek while she made her way to the empty side of the table.

"No trouble Tonks now that's everyone except -" Mrs Weasley started.

"I'm here too, sorry Molly," called Lupin crossing the room to sit next to Tonks.

Harry's heart beat furiously turning his head to see if Remus had brought -

"Now that's everyone," boomed Mad Eye Moody. Let's eat!"

Numerous conversations burst at once. Harry carefully avoided Ginny's eye who kept staring at him from across the room. Briefly, he listened to Fred and George talk to Mr Weasley about their joke shop before settling on Remus and Tonks.

Harry contributed to their discussion about the new quidditch drafts with Tonks only half paying attention. Harry, who was quite familiar with Tonks ability to change her appearance at will found himself staring with increase intensity as she turned redder and redder the more Remus spoke with her.

"And that's why I think the Irish have a fighting chance next year," Remus concluded. "What do you think Tonks?"

"W-we'll," Tonks started, her face now as red as any Weasley's hair. But before she could speak, she accidentally turned over a heavy plate containing pork chops, knocking knives and gravy in every direction.

"Sorry! Sorry Molly!" Tonks cried as she went to clean up the mess.

"It's quite alright," Remus said chuckling slightly. "I better be going to my next engagement."

Remus stood and cleaned up the mess with a wave of his wand. With a tip of his hat, he stood to leave.

"Be right back," Harry muttered to Hermione.

He stood and chased after Remus who was at the door. "Remus, where are you going?"

Remus smiles. "It's Caitlin's birthday as well today. I'm off to go celebrate with her."

Harry's heart sank. "You could have brought her here, I wouldn't have minded to celebrate with her together -"

"That's very kind of you Harry," said Remus. "But Caitlin isn't allowed in Grimmuald Place."

Harry felt as if his heart had hit the floor. "Is it because of what we did at Diagon Alley? If so, I'm really really sorry -"

"No, no Harry, it's not that," Remus said clicking the door handle to unlock it. "But I'm afraid I must be going."

"Wait!" He said suddenly sticking his hand in his pocket.

He felt the small stitch and placed it in the palm of his hand. Harry remembered what Sirius had told him. Give it to another Quidditch player if you don't want it.

"Wait here, five minutes," Harry said as he ran up the stairs to get a piece of parchment and a quill.

He was suddenly very grateful for Hermione's birthday present that morning. Nervously, he dipped the quill and wrote a short letter:

Caitlin,

Happy birthday! See you at Hogwarts next month.

Can't wait to see you again,

Harry

Before he could question his nerve, Harry thrusted the letter and the snitch in an envelope and ran down the stairs. Panting, he handed it to Remus, who stood their half smiling to himself and the other half to Harry.

"Give this to Caitlin," He said nervously. "Tell her, um, happy birthday for me."

Remus nodded and headed out the door. Harry reached to shut the door behind him. In an instant, Remus was gone.

"We best be going too Harry," said Fred from behind him.

"We gotta open up the shop early tomorrow," continued George.

"Ok, thanks for coming guys," Harry said holding up his hand for them to shake.

Fred and George pushed their heads close to Harry's giving them the unmistakable resemblance to jackolanterns on Halloween.

"We left you a present in your room," muttered George.

"Don't open it til mums asleep or it'll be hell to pay," said Fred.

Nodding the twins followed Remus out the door.

"Not a bad party," clapped Ron rubbing his now full stomach absentmindedly.

"Listen, we should go upstairs," Harry said nervously eyeing Mrs Weasley. "Fred and George said they got me something."

Hermione snorted as the trio made their way up the stairs.

"Honestly, it's probably something completely unsafe," Hermione concluded as Harry opened his door.

In the center of Harry's bed stood a tall skinny package poorly wrapped and smoking. Harry walked over to it and unwrapped it with a gentle tug.

"Oh they didn't," Hermione gasped.

"Wicked," smiled Ron.

In the center of the room stood a small bottle of fire whiskey and a few empty glasses.

"Harry," moaned Hermione pulling at his sleeve nervously while he attempted to open the bottle. "We shouldn't. Ron's mum would absolutely lose it if -"

The door opened suddenly and instinctively the trio stood in front of the bottle blocking it from you. It was Ginny.

"It's only me," she said looking at Ron and Hermione . "I thought Harry would be alone. What do you got there?"

She walked over and pulled herself between Harry and Hermione.

"Fire whiskey?" She said, eyes gleaming mischievously. "I want some."

"Like hell I'm going to give my little sister fire whiskey," snarled Ron.

Ron started to push Ginny to the door angrily when she stuck her foot out in protest.

"Lock me out and I'll go straight to mum," she declared starting at Harry seductively. "Besides, it's Harry's present. He can decide if I can have some."

Despite Ron's stern expression Harry through up his hands to admit defeat. The group sat in a circle on Harry's bed. Harry handed out the glasses and opened the bottle with a final tug. Smoke erupted in the shape of a dragon before purging back into the bottle to hide.

"Come on pour it Harry," Ron said eagerly.

"I don't know about this," Hermione said looking back on the door.

Ginny, who had been tugging at her button and lace top for the past few minutes threw it over her head at last, revealing a lace tank top underneath. She winked at Harry.

"Sometimes you just have to learn to set loose," she said staring hungrily at Harry still.

"Alright, cheers everyone," Harry said pouring small amounts of the liquid to everyone's glass.

Everyone gasped as their cups turned different colors immediately.

"I know what they are!" Hermione said excitedly examining her now blue glass. "They're fortune telling glasses!"

"What does that mean?" Harry asked examining his scarlet glass cautiously.

"It means mate they're sort of like the sorting hat," said Ron sulking at his green glass absently.

"It means that we get a small look into our future!" Hermione scrunched her head as if trying to remember something hidden in the back of her mind. "That's right - blue means your knowledge will be true, oh I wonder if that means I'll do well this term!"

Ron snorted as Hermione continued ignoring him. "Harry yours is red which means bravery and courage. No surprise there."

Harry stared down at his cup. What would he have to be brave about this term?

"And what about yellow?" Sulked Ginny staring at her glass mournfully.

"Yellow means," Hermione thought, "that you will try to be helpful to a cause you believe in. Don't sulk Ginny, at least it's not -"

"Green," said Ron darkly thrusting his glass in the air. Everyone stared at it not sure as to what to say.

"It means I'll be doing something I'm not supposed to this year," He said daringly to the group. "What say we drink already?"

"They're only glasses, you can't put so much faith in them," Hermione tried to say but Ron rolled his eyes.

"Erm, right, lets drink," said Harry raising his glass to his lips.

"To Harry!" Called the group and followed him suit.

Harry felt a warmth run through his entire body after a single sip. It burned his throat slightly but left him with an overwhelming feeling of confidence in the end.

"What say we play a game of truth or dare?" Said Ginny staring around the group.

"Not bad!" Said Ron smacking his lips. "Count me in!"

Harry poured round after round of fire whiskey to the group. He no longer cared what was said by the others or that he himself admitted to in the process. It was soon very late and Hermione had curled into a ball with her head in Rons lap.

"One more round," she said yawning, "then we should call it a night."

"Very well Hermione, I believe it's my turn," Ron said his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Truth I'd dare?"

"Truth," she mumbled.

"How far did you go with Victor Krum our fourth year?" Ron asked laughing drunkenly.

"All the way," she said finally falling asleep in Ron's lap. "But only once. I didn't very much care for it."

Ron stared at Harry like a fish out of water. Harry picked up Hermione in his arms. She had had enough to drink and it was time for them to call it a night.

"I'm going to take her upstairs," He slurred. Standing made him realize how much whiskey he had consumed. "Clean up you two, I'll be back in a moment."

Harry pushed open the door with his free arm and continued to carry Hermione up two flights of stairs and into her room. There were books piled in all direction with piles of unopened letters in another stack. Harry pushed the stack aside to make room for Hermione on her bed.

"Is it bed time already?" She asked yawning.

"Yeah, sleep well Hermione," He said reaching over and kissing her on the forehead.

She nodded and rolled into her side to watch him leave. "You're a good friend Harry."

Harry nodded and headed down the stairs. Groaning he saw that Ron had simply left to go to bed and left him with a pile of cups and empty bottle.

"I was wondering when you'd be back," said a seductive voice from behind him.

Harry turned and saw Ginny shutting the door to his room couldn't help but be excited. She strutted over to him, swaying slightly from the alcohol and kissed Harry on the lips deeply.

"You're drunk," He said slurring trying unsuccessfully to push her off of him. "This is a terrible idea."

Ginny pushed Harry onto the bed and climbed on top of him. "Or maybe it finally gave me the courage to do what I've been wanting to do for a long time."

She kissed him again deeply, pushing off his shirt with one hand and putting her others to her waist. Harry gulped at her boldness but did not stop her. As she came down to strip him of his pants Harry looked to side of the nightstand where a copy of yesterday's Daily Prophet stood absently showing the picture of the day of Diagon Alley.

Ginny aggressively pulled off her laced top revealing a black bra underneath. She grabbed Harry's face and kissed him deeper than before. Harry pulled her underneath him and deepened the kiss.

Harry looked at Ginny's hair tossed in all directions. She was so beautiful. He could feel the courage of the fire whiskey urging him to continue.

But he could not. He turned and gave the Daily Prophet one final look. This time instead of running in the opposite direction Harry saw that him and Caitlin stood perfectly still and holding hands.

"Caitlin," He said happily.

Ginny's face grew red with anger but Harry didn't see or remember what came next. He closed his eyes and was instantly asleep dreaming of chasing the girl with the long blonde hair.