"Remus, can I sleep over at Ron's? He just asked," Harry said, walking downstairs to the living room.
"Yeah, sure. Just tonight or the weekend?" Remus nodded.
"Is the weekend all right?"
"It's fine. Go pack your bag and you can head over to the Burrow. Are you sure you want to leave home for that long?"
Harry groaned. "Remus, don't. You know I'll be fine. There are wards around the Burrow and if I have nightmares, Mrs. Weasley will be there. I'll be careful and I won't wander off. You know all that."
"I know, but—"
"Remus. Please don't get too over-protective. I've always gone to the Burrow. I'll be fine. Please don't worry. Please," Harry looked into his uncle's eyes. They looked back.
"All right. Go. Have fun," he smiled and Harry ran to his room. Remus sighed and went back to his work. It had been several weeks since Harry had been saved. They didn't talk about the kidnapping. Everyone tried not to think about it, not wanting to relive the couple weeks. It had also been two weeks since Sirius had left for his mission. Harry had, of course, been worrying over the long absence of his godfather.
"Ready," Harry descended the stairs, carrying his over-night bag. Remus went to him. "I'll see you on Monday."
"See you, pup. Be good. Have fun. Love you," Remus hugged the boy.
"Love you too. Bye," Harry stepped in the fireplace. "The Burrow!" he shouted and disappeared. Remus took his place on the sofa again and continued with his work on the werewolf case. It was nearing five months and there had been no progress with the werewolf case. It was irritating Remus. He didn't know what to do yet. Just as he began working again, an owl flew through the open kitchen window and landed beside Remus' files.
"Can I have some time to work? Please?" he groaned, irritated. "Who're you from?" he muttered and removed the letter, the owl taking off. Opening the letter, Remus immediately recognized Dumbledore's scrawl. "Now what?" he had been getting letters from the headmaster almost every day since Sirius left two weeks before.
Remus,
Please come to Hogwarts right away. It's important. Please don't bring Harry.
-A.D.
Couldn't bring the kid even if I wanted to, Remus sighed and Flooed away to the castle.
"What's going on, Albus?" Remus asked as he sat down, trying to keep his tone polite and keep the irritation out.
"As you know, Sirius is in California," the older man started.
"Last we knew, yes."
"Just last night, his tracking device stopped. We don't know where he is or what happened. We only know he was last known to be in California. Also, we know that this tracking device only stops working if the wearer—" he stopped. Remus had gone white and rigid. He knew the end of the sentence. He wished he didn't, but he did.
"He can't be. It had to have stopped working for another reason because he's not dead. I know he's not," Remus shook his head, not believing his own words.
"We will search for him, but until he's found, he's considered dead.I'm sorry. We will be starting the searches tomorrow."
"Do Kingsley, Moody, and Tonks know about this?" Remus asked.
"Yes," the headmaster nodded.
"We can't tell Harry. He can't know. Not yet," Remus stated.
"I know That's why I didn't want Harry to come," Dumbledore agreed.
"He's staying at the Burrow for the weekend. Does Bill know? What about Arthur? Andromeda?" Remus asked quickly.
"Calm yourself. Yes, they all know. Arthur said he would tell Molly tonight."
"Tonight? No, he can't. Harry's staying at the Burrow for the weekend. If Arthur tells Molly while Harry's there, he'll find out. You know Harry. He's too smart. He'll find out."
"Calm yourself, Remus," Dumbledore repeated. "Arthur said he'll make sure to tell Molly at a time when Harry can't find out."
"How many searches will there be?" Remus wondered, finally calming slightly.
"Three. They will be starting at nine tomorrow morning," Dumbledore replied.
"I want to look myself. Just for a couple days," Remus said suddenly.
"You can't, Remus. You have Harry."
"He can stay with the Weasleys. Just for two days. Two days only, I swear. He'll be fine with the Weasleys," Remus answered.
"No. If you leave, Harry will know there's something going on. You can't leave. You have to stay with Harry," Dumbledore told him.
"If I don't try, who's to say the others will find Sirius? I have to at least try. If not for myself then for Harry," Remus responded.
"You have to stay with Harry. You can't leave him. The two of you need to just stay home and I'll keep you filled in," Dumbledore stated and Remus could hear in his voice that the discussion was over. There was no point arguing.
"All right. Thank you, Albus. I'll talk to you soon. Bye," Remus stood, stepped in the fire, and Flooed home.
Remus went to the kitchen and grabbed a butterbeer, sitting at the table. He couldn't believe what was happening. The exact thing Harry was worried about happening, was happening. Remus gulped his drink. He wasn't going to sit and wait like he had when they were looking for Harry. He was going to look for Sirius himself for a couple days. He grabbed parchment and a quill.
Molly,
Could Harry stay with you for a couple more days? I'm doing something and it would be better if Harry stayed with you. Thanks.
-Remus
Remus sealed the letter then went to Harry's room for Hedwig. He tied the letter to the owl's leg and sent her off. He then went to his bedroom and started packing a bag. He pulled out his pocket watch and saw Sirius' hand was actually sitting in between 'lost' and 'dead'.
"That doesn't help!" Remus shouted and shoved the watch back into his pocket. He finished packing quickly and ran down the stairs. He grabbed and wrapped some food and put it in his bag. Then Hedwig flew through the kitchen window again.
Remus,
Of course Harry can stay. Just call and tell me when you want him home.
-Molly
"Good," Remus said to himself. He then wrote a note for Dumbledore.
Albus,
I know you said I shouldn't go, but I had to. I'm doing this mostly for Harry. Molly's allowing him to stay at the Burrow for a couple more days. I swear it'll only be a couple days. I'm going straight to California. I'm sorry, sir. I'll be back soon.
-Remus
He put the note on the table, walked outside to the park, then Apparated away.
"I'm home!" Mr. Weasley called as he entered the house.
"Welcome home, dear. Harry's staying over for a bit. He's staying a couple more days because Remus is busy. Remus'll be back on Tuesday," Mrs. Weasley told her husband.
"Are the kids around?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"No, Fred and George are at Lee Jordan's for the night and Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Harry are up in Ron's room. Why do you ask?" Molly replied.
"I talked to Dumbledore today. So did Bill. You remember Sirius went on that mission for the Order a couple weeks ago?" Mr. Weasley began.
"Yes, of course," Mrs. Weasley nodded.
"Just last night, Sirius' tracking device stopped. It only stops when the wearer is dead."
"Oh my!" Mrs. Weasley gasped.
"Dumbledore is starting about three search parties to look for Sirius. Remus and Dumbledore don't want Harry to know," Mr. Weasley finished.
"Poor Harry and Remus. I do hope they find Sirius," Mrs. Weasley sighed.
"They'll find him. We won't tell Ron, Hermione, Ginny, or the twins."
"Is Bill going to be helping in the search?"
"Yes, he will be."
"Hopefully Sirius is all right."
"Glad you could come over, mate," Ron said to Harry as he watched Harry take his bishop.
"Same. It's nice to be out of the house," Harry nodded. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny jumped when there was a crash followed by screaming downstairs.
"Fred and George," they said together and ran downstairs.
"Just because you are able to Apparate, does not mean you have to pop up everywhere instead of walking!" Mrs. Weasley was yelling at the twins as she cleaned up a broken plate and cup. The twins were smiling guiltily at their mother. She repaired the dish and cup and turned to her sons. "Just because you can Apparate and are now of age does not mean you have to use magic for everything! Both of you go put the hens away!"
"Yes, Mum," they mumbled and dragged their feet outside.
"Oh, I didn't know the four of you were there," Mrs. Weasley smiled at the kids standing at the foot of the stairs.
"Fred and George use magic again, Mum?" Ginny asked, sitting at the table.
"They decided to Apparate from the doorway to the kitchen. Appeared right behind me. I dropped a plate and cup. Boys are too careless with their magic," Mrs. Weasley sighed as the others sat as well. "Oh, Harry, dear. You'll be staying a couple more days," she added to Harry who frowned.
"Why?"
"Remus said he's busy with something and needs you to stay here. He'll be back on Tuesday."
"Back? Where's he going?" Harry was confused. What was so important that had Remus leaving Harry at the Burrow and not saying what was going on?
"I don't know where he's going, dear. Now, that's enough questions. Eat your dinner," the kids could hear the final tone in the woman's voice. They all looked at each other wondering what was going on. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Harry finished eating in silence then went back to Ron's room.
"Where would Remus go without telling me? Why wouldn't he tell me? Why wouldn't your mum tell me? What's going on?" Harry asked quickly, pacing the bedroom. His friends didn't answer, knowing they were rhetorical questions. They just watched their friend pace.
"Harry, if you keep up this pacing, you're going to fall through into the living room," Ron stated. He put his hands up in defence when Harry stared at him. Harry pulled out his pocket watch.
"Weird. Remus is in between 'traveling' and 'lost' and Sirius is in between 'lost' and 'dead'. Dead?" Harry yelled, his eyes growing wide.
"Harry? Harry, you're white. Harry. You all right?" Ginny stated. Harry fell to his knees.
"He's dead? How is he dead?"
"You don't know he's dead, Harry. You said Sirius' hand is in between 'lost' and 'dead.' he might just be lost," Hermione told Harry.
"Dumbledore. Dumbledore will know. I have to see Dumbledore," Harry stood and ran down the stairs again. "Mrs. Weasley, I have to see Professor Dumbledore. I have to go to Hogwarts," Mrs. Weasley was about to speak when the door opened.
"There will be no need to go to Hogwarts, my dear boy," Dumbledore said as he walked in.
"Professor, what's going on?" Harry asked.
"Ah, Harry. I do know but I cannot tell you," the headmaster sighed.
"Where's Remus?" Harry tried again.
"This I cannot tell you either, though I know."
Harry was getting mad. "Where's Sirius?"
"Harry, I know these things and I wish to tell you, but I cannot."
"Because Remus told you not to tell me," Harry guessed.
"I'm afraid so."
"Ugh!" Harry groaned loudly and angrily. "There's something going on with my uncles and I want to know! I should know! They're my uncles!" Harry said loudly, very angry.
"Dear, you will know. Just not yet. There's always a reason why your uncles don't tell you things right away. You know that," Mrs. Weasley stated.
"Yeah, I know. I'm going to go help Fred and George," Harry stalked out of the house to join the twins.
"Kids, go upstairs. Professor Dumbledore and I need to talk. Go," she shooed away the other children then sat down with Dumbledore. They started talking immediately, not knowing Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were listening through some of Fred and George's Extendable Ears.
Harry made his way over to where the twins were. Instead of putting the hens in the chicken coop, they were lounging in the grass, chatting.
"Hey, guys," Harry sighed, flopping on the ground with them as they sat up.
"What's up, mate?"
"I'm having things kept from me again. Dumbledore, Remus, and your mum all know the same thing and won't tell me."
"Hate it when that happens. Adults seem to think we can't handle knowing things," George stated and Harry nodded, sighing.
"You, Harry, should know more than most," Fred added.
"Why?" Harry frowned, understanding only a little.
"Because it's you. You need to know these things because of You-Know-Who. If you don't know this stuff, you're not going to know what to do when the time calls for it," George explained. He had a point.
"It's not like that'll make anyone tell me anything," Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Good point," George and Fred responded.
"Thanks," Harry said sarcastically.
The twins shrugged. "We tried," they said together. Harry rolled his eyes.
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat in Ron's room, stunned. They hadn't spoken for almost fifteen minutes. They couldn't believe it. They had just heard Dumbledore tell Mrs. Weasley that Sirius was missing and assumed dead. They also heard that Remus had gone to California to search for a couple days while Dumbledore got the bigger search parties ready. Dumbledore, Remus, and Mrs. Weasley, along with the others, didn't want Harry or the other kids to know yet.
"That's why Harry has to stay longer. Remus is gone," Hermione finally spoke.
"What do you think will happen when Harry finds out?" Ron stated.
"He'll be so sad and probably mad as well," Ginny answered.
"Should we tell Mum we know?" Ron wondered.
"I think so," Hermione nodded.
"But won't we get in trouble for eavesdropping?" Ginny frowned.
"We shouldn't, but if we do, oh well. She needs to know we know," Hermione replied. The others nodded and they went down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley had her back to the staircase as she finished up the dishes. Dumbledore had left about ten minutes earlier or more.
"'Mione, go. Go tell her."
"Why me?"
"Just go," they hissed at each other quietly on the stairs before pushing Hermione forward, the two red heads following.
"Umm, Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione started timidly.
"Yes, dear?" the woman turned and smiled at the young witch.
"We—we—we have to—uh—tell you something," Ron finally finished.
"What is it?"
"Mum, we overheard you and Professor Dumbledore talking. We know about Sirius, where Remus is, why Harry has to stay longer. We know it was wrong to listen to the conversation since you didn't want any of us kids to know. We're sorry for listening, but we're not sorry for finding out something we should have been told straight out," Ginny explained to her mother.
"Yes, it was indeed wrong for you three to listen but I'm also sort of relieved you three know. Now we just have to keep it from Harry because we can tell the twins."
"So what exactly happened?" Hermione asked and they sat at the table.
"Well, you know Sirius went on a mission for the Order. When he left, Professor Dumbledore had put a tracking device on him so they knew where he was. Well, just last night, it stopped working. He was last known to be in California. The device only stops working is—" Hermione finished for her.
"If the wearer dies," Mrs. Weasley nodded gravely. The kids stared at her and sighed.
"Remus has gone off for a couple days to see if he can find anything before the big search parties start picking up," Mrs. Weasley added.
"Oh no," Ginny said quietly. Then they heard the voices of Fred, George, and Harry growing closer to the house.
"Hey. Wanna play some Quidditch, Ron? Ginny?" George asked his siblings.
"Sure. Can we, Mum?" Ron asked his mother.
"Go ahead, but be careful," she nodded and they all ran to get their Quidditch gear. The lot charged down the stairs again and out the door.
"All right, the teams will be me and Ron, George and Ginny, and Harry, Seeker. We've got a Quaffle, one Bludger, and the Snitch. Let's get this game going," Fred explained, smiling. All the balls were released and they began the game. Ginny scored on Ron four times. Harry watched as Ron went for a goal, but missed by inches. Harry flew down to Ginny, still searching for the tiny, golden ball.
"Brilliant saves, Ginny. You're a great Keeper," Harry grinned at her and she beamed.
"Thanks, Harry. Oh, watch out. Ron's coming back," Harry pulled up a bit and watched Ron advance on Ginny's goal posts. After a few seconds, Ron threw the ball and scored his first goal.
"Fantastic, mate!" Harry called to Ron who grinned. He looked around then saw a glint of gold. "Gotcha," he muttered and sped towards the golden ball. He grabbed at it and felt the ball enclose in his hand. The game stopped and he held the Snitch up, grinning, cheering, and laughing. He was so distracted by his triumph that he didn't hear, nor see, the Bludger heading straight for him.
Hermione gasped. So did Ginny.
Ron's and the twins' eyes were wide as they stared at the Bludger.
"Harry! Look out!" Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Fred, and George all yelled at Harry. It was too late. The Bludger had hit Harry in the back of his head, knocking his glasses off, knocking him out, and sending him to the ground. They all flew to the ground and huddled around the motionless form of Harry.