A/N: several chapters ago the idea for the Potter Manor came to mind. I had quite a bit written but had to edit and find chapter points. I would like to send a special thank you to Tala Prince. You are the best friend I could have. Not only have you been my sounding board but also with your help the Potter Manor was not lost. I sent you my ideas, thoughts and a general idea of what I wanted and you came through for me by helping me piece together the Potter Manor. I can't thank you enough.

CHAPTER 56:

Harry and Sirius cautiously walked through the open gates. As they passed the edges the gates swung shut with a clang and a flash of bright white light. This indicated that the protective warding enchantments had re-established themselves against intruders and all other unwanted guests.

Though it was freezing Harry felt really warm walking through the grounds. It wasn't so much from the climb up, it was different kind of warmth, one he could not explain. He took off his traveling cloak and felt a little better. He didn't bother with looking around. It was too dark to be able to truly take it all in and appreciate it. Harry concentrated on every step he took, as well as what was right in front of him.

Harry and Sirius were walking along a dirt and gravel path for most of the way. After a few minutes they stepped on to a cobbled walkway that led all the way to the front steps. Dim lighting splashed the immediate area with just enough light to see what was in front of them. The steps were made of imported Italian Bianca Trani marble. Each step was flanked on both sides by tall pillars that came up to Sirius's shoulders, they were made of Imported Italian Black Golden Portoro Marble topped with large bowls made out of crushed Red Jasper stones Imported from India. Harry could also see that there was a light dusting of snow on the grounds.

Sirius couldn't stop himself from laughing. Harry's mouth was hanging open and his eyes looked as though about to pop out of their sockets. He had a surprised expression mixed with a dumbfounded look in his eyes. Harry's reaction reminded Sirius of the first time he saw the Manor with James.

"Do you need a few more minutes? Or do you want to continue on?"

Harry swallowed and took several deep breaths before speaking.

"Is this real? Or am I dreaming?"

"It's real. Trust me Harry. Shall we go on?"

Harry nodded as he stepped up on to the first step with Sirius. Harry flinched when golden flames erupted out of the bowls on top of the pillars. Harry expected this to happen when he took the next step. The flames erupted out of the bowls as each step was reached. Once they reached the last (7th) step there was a bright glow giving enough light to see what was near them.

The exterior of the house was made of a creamy white stone. A hawthorn door with a triangular shape that was outlined with Elder wood inlayed with Cherry wood. The inside of the triangular shape was filled with a plate of gold. At the top of the gold plate was and Old English P made of crushed rubies. In the middle of the plate was etched with the head of a Griffin. On either side was a stag facing the Griffin, rearing.

As Harry followed Sirius up to the door it swung open for them to pass. The door swung shut with a soft, echoing boom. Harry had barely noticed that the flooring in the entry was made of Tigerwood when half a dozen house elves converged on himself and Sirius.

Most of the elves were glaring at them; one was looking at Sirius with curiosity and knowing. This elf was old and had a Kreacher like look about him but older.

"I knows you. You dog-boy. No see for long time. Who you bring?"

"This here, is Harry James Potter. The heir to the House of Potter."

Harry watched the elves go from glaring at him to being nervous and excited. Their faces were light up, some bounced, others had tears streaming down his or her face. A few left but returned with several more.

Harry was feeling extremely overwhelmed and it was obvious to Sirius.

"Sparky."

"Yes dog-boy" Said the old Kreacher like looking elf.

"Um…Harry is just discovering that he is the heir, it's a lot to process. He is really overwhelmed. Could you ask the other elves to not crowed Harry and could you or another elf bring Harry a calming drink and tea for me? I'll take Harry to the living room."

"The drinks will be brought to you and Harry." Sparky said excitedly before instructing the rest of the elves to go to bed.

Harry watched Sparky walk off to the left and realized there was a hallway. Harry looked back in front of him to see the large group of elves heading to a hallway on the right. Sirius nudged Harry to get his attention.

"Harry come on. I'll show you to the living room."

Harry nodded in response. He gave the entry one last look. Since all the elves were gone he was able to see two grand staircases, one on each side of the room. The one on the right curved to the right all the way up to the second floor. The one on the right curved to the left all the way up to the second floor. Harry could see that the staircases were made of the same marble as the front steps. He could see another staircase on the second floor that seemed to lead to another floor. Harry could see that the second floor, in part, was made of the material as the pillars out front. Harry's eyes wondered back down to see French doors made of a blend of Elder and Cherry woods. The French doors were about four feet from the bottom step of each staircase. Harry assumed that the room on the other side of the doors led to a parlor. From what he could tell, it looked like the floor was made from a blend of Alder Colonial and Apple woods.

Harry really thought he was dreaming. Everything looked new, as though hours old not over hundreds of years old. Suddenly he could hear Sirius clear his throat.

"I'm coming." Harry managed to hoarsely whisper out.

Harry followed Sirius to the right into a hallway. There was a door on the right, Harry assumed it would lead to the elves quarters. He continued to follow Sirius along the hall as it curved to the left. A short distance ahead on the right Harry could see dim light flickering, as he followed Sirius they turned right into a very short hallway that lead them into the living room.

Harry walked all the way into the room. On his left against the wall was a plush, light golden brown suede couch that could easily seat six. In front of the couch stood a coffee table that looked made out of oak and stained to compliment the room. The back wall had a fireplace of the Black Golden Portoro. In each corner on either side of the fireplace sat a large armchair that matched the couch. A small end table in the same style as the coffee stood next to each chair. Against the wall on the right sat another matching couch and coffee table. Against the wall behind Harry sat another couch, but much larger than the other two and another coffee table.

"Harry, I think that maybe you should sit down and relax."

"I don't know. The couches are..."

"Meant to be sat on."

Harry slowly walked over to the couch nearest where he had been standing. Sirius chuckled as he watched Harry sit on the couch. Harry was being careful and was a bit tense.

"Harry, relax. It is okay to do so. Sit back, put your feet up and let it soak in."

"Put my feet up? If I did that I'd scuff up the coffee table or get dirt on the couch."

"That's given and natural." Sparky said as he carried the drinks on a sterling silver tray.

Harry gingerly took the crystal goblet that was smoking.

"No worry if you spill. I's can clean it."

Sparky made his way over to Sirius, who was standing in front of the fireplace while resting and elbow on top of the mantle.

"Mr. Dog-boy, here is your Long Island iced tea."

Sirius looked at Sparky with a perplexed expression as he picked up the crystal goblet.

Sparky grinned at Sirius and winked. Sparky turned and strutted out of the room.

"Drink up Harry. You'll feel better. I'd suggest one of these for you but you're too young and one of us has to be able to get us back to Grimmuald Place safely."

Harry nodded and drank his calming potion.

Sparky returned to the living room, took Harry's empty goblet, walked over to Sirius to get his empty goblet and to give Sirius another drink. Sirius gave Sparky a nod of his head with a smile on his face. On Sparky's way out he stopped in front of Harry.

"Would you like another?'

"I'm good thank you." Said a subdued Harry.

After Sirius's fourth drink Harry thought it best to leave so he would be able to help Sirius back to Grimmuald Place.

"Well, I'm ready to head out now. Sparky it was nice meeting you. We'll be back sometime tomorrow, or at least I will be. Would I be able to apparate inside the house from..?"

"Yes sir. Any new person not able."

"So once you've been here you can apparate back?"

"Yes. You go now. Dog-boy no look good."

"I just hope I'll be able to get both of us back all right. Hey is this house connected to the floo network."

"At one time but no more."

"See you tomorrow."

Harry walked over to Sirius, hugged him tightly and thought with all he had about Grimmuald Place and turned on the spot.

Harry felt his feet hit solid ground and toppled over with Sirius.

"Masters finally return. Kreacher was worried."

"Harry shoved Sirius off of his left arm, sat up and looked at Kreacher.

"Sorry Kreacher. We were at Potter Manor. It seems the house is mine but I don't know if I'm ready for that responsibility. Head of House at thirteen."

"How many did he have?"

"What?"

"Long Island iced teas?"

"Oh. Four, why?"

"He never could stop. Always had to have as many as possible. Some one else always had to stop them."

"Are you talking about my dad and Sirius?"

"Oh, yes."

"But they would have only been about sixteen."

"Them boys did not care about that."

"Huh, interesting. Sirius did say that I was too young for that drink."

"I guess the boy grew up after all."

"I don't know about that Kreacher. Maybe a little common sense grew."

Kreacher smiled as a little laugh escaped his mouth. He quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and his eyes bulged.

"Kreacher it is okay. I meant for it to be funny. You don't have to…I forbid you to punish yourself…ever."

"You are too kind to Kreacher. Kreacher will never forget it."

"Harry smiled as he watched Kreacher leave the living room. Harry got up on his feet and went up to bed. He figured Sirius could stay on the floor and thought that maybe Sirius would get the hint not to drink so much.

"Kreacher!"

'crack'

"Yes Master Harry."

"Could you please make sure that Sirius is on his side? Or at least not on his back in any way?"

"Kreacher will make sure that Master Sirius is sleeping in a safe position."

"Thank you."

'crack'

Harry woke up at 11am. He stretched and thought he'd had a weird dream as he crawled out of bed. Harry grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom to shower.

Once dressed Harry made his way down to the kitchen.

"Morning Kreacher. Sorry I wasn't up earlier. I don't know why I slept so late for."

"Kreacher understand. You and Master Sirius got home late. Are you planning on going back?"

"Going back? What do you mean?"

"Are you going back to Potter Manor today?"

Harry choked on the mouth full of food he had just taken.

"Master Harry. You okay?"

"I'm fine." Gasped Harry.

Harry didn't eat any more, he was afraid of choking again.

"Kreacher is Sirius up yet?"

"No sir. He still out could on the floor."

"When he wakes up could you please let him know that I went back to Potter Manor?"

"Yes Master Harry."

"Also, let him know that he can apparate there since we've already been there."

"Kreacher will let Master Sirius know."

"I'm not sure when I'll be back."

"When you return let Kreacher know what to fix for you."

"I will. Oh, Kreacher no tiptoeing around Sirius or being courteously quiet. Maybe he will learn not to drink so much."

Kreacher smiled evilly.

Harry stood up, closed his eyes and tried to remember anything clear about the night before. The image of Italian Bianca Trani marble steps with Italian Black Golden Portoro marble pillars topped with large bowl made of Red Jasper ablaze with golden fire. Harry concentrated with everything he had on the image. Once he felt confident enough he turned on the spot.

Harry stood completely still with his eyes held tightly shut. As he felt the first few drops of icy rain his eyes flew open to see the steps, pillars and bowls speckled with a few icy raindrops. A chill went through his body making him run up the steps to the porch. Harry wasn't sure what to do. Even though he was the only heir would it be rude to just walk in?

While Harry thought about how to proceed he reached out to run his fingers over the crest on the door. The moment his fingers touched the crest the door swung open.

As Harry walked into the house he was met with a blast of warm air. He glanced around the entry and looked up stairs. No house elf was to be seen.

"Sparky."

'crack'

"You return sir. Where is dog-boy?"

"Passed out still. I don't know if he will be returning today or not. It just might only be me."

"You hungry? Thirsty?"

"I'm good right now."

"You let Sparky know if you's need anything."

"I will. Actually there is something Sparky. Where is the big study?"

"Up stairs, left side."

"Thank you Sparky."

Sparky bowed and left to return to his duties.

Harry slowly walked up to the staircase on his left. His heart was racing in anticipation of what he might find. He was also nervous, excited and a little scared of what he might find. Harry took a few deep breaths before climbing the stairs.

As Harry reached the second floor the first thing he saw was the staircase leading to the third floor. He looked to his left, his eyes roamed along the wall and settled on a door. Harry took several more deep breaths and made his way to the door.

Out of the corner of Harry's right eye he noticed two archways. He looked to his right and could see what looked like a pillar and bowl that matched the one flanking the front steps but not as tall. Being curious, Harry headed towards the archway. Once close enough he could see shelves of books past what drew him there. When he stepped through the archway he could see shelves lining every wall and full of books. Each shelf had about two maybe three feet of space in between them, on the wall between the shelves were French Bronze and Crystal sconces. It was obvious to Harry that he was standing in the library.

"Hermione will probably fall in love with this place." Harry whispered.

Harry went back to the door that led into the study. He turned the knob, gently pushed the door and walked into the dark room. He pulled out his wand and said 'Lumos Maxima.' There were several chairs, tables and a couch all piled on one side. The rest of the room was full of boxes. There was a small path in between the massive stacks of boxes. On one side the boxes were labeled Potter, the other side Evens.

"Sparky."

'crack'

"What can Sparky do?"

"I need more light so I actually see what I am doing and looking at."

"Illuminate." Said Sparky as he snapped his fingers.

Bright light splashed through out the room as candles in French Bronze and Crystal Sconces erupted with small flames.

"Thank you Sparky." Harry said barely above a whisper.

"I send Muri up with food and pumpkin juice soon."

Harry nodded as he exhaled loudly. He remained in the same spot staring at all the boxes for quite some time. Harry had not noticed that Sparky had left.

Harry finally walked towards the boxes. He did not know which side to start with. The more he thought about it he realized that since he is at Potter Manor he should go through the Potter boxes first. Harry felt it would be best to go through the Evens boxes with Petunia and Dudley.

Harry grasped a box and tried to move it with out much luck. The box was a bit too heavy for him. Harry pulled out his wand, pointed it at the box and with a swish and flick eh said 'Wingardium Leviosa.' The box rose up and Harry moved it down to the floor so he could look through it. He put away his wand and opened the box to find a wooden box on top. He lifted the wooden box with a little effort, as it was heavier than it looked. He managed to carry the box over to a fairly near by table.

Once the box was on the table Harry could see a golden clasp on the front of it keeping it securely closed. He reached out to undo the clasp, as his fingers touched the clasp he felt a sharp prick on the tip of a finger and pulled his hand back to his face quickly. He looked at his fingers to find one bleeding a little. As Harry sucked on the bleeding finger the lid of the box opened. There were several vials that appeared to be memories. At a closer look he recognized several to be memories. But the other vials he had no clue as to what they were.

Harry was about to pull out one of the vials he had no clue as to what they were when he spotted a piece of parchment sticking out from between several of the vials. He carefully pulled out the parchment, unfolded it and read:

Dearest Harry,

Your Mother and I are so sorry you have to go through all of this without us. We hope that you are not alone when viewing these. I personally hope that Sirius is with you and helping you.

I am sure you recognize the vials containing memories. The other vials are messages from us as well as advice we thought you might need or want. We did this incase we didn't make it through. The memories are from several peoples point of view including your mum, Padfoot, Moony, my dad, me and more.

Your mother and I strongly recommend that you are not alone when you begin going through these vials. One last thing, to view both sets of vials all you need is a pensive.

With all our love,

Mum and Dad.

Harry wiped tears away from his face as he folded the letter and put it back from where he took it. He closed the lid of the box and left it on the table. He decided, for now, not to view the vials alone.

"Mas…sir…Harry…Mr. Potter sir. I is Muri and have food and juice. You's still here?"

"I'm over here." Harry said a little choked up.

"You's okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Why you cry?"

"I keep finding notes from my parents. I never knew them. I was only fifteen months old when they were murdered."

"I's sorry. You's have food and juice."

"Thank you Muri."

Muri stood still and watched Harry take the tray, find a spot on the floor to sit and start to eat and drink.

"Muri you know you don't have to stay with me. Really I'm okay, you can go if you like."

"You's so kind to Muri. Just like Master Harrison."

"Muri is that you talking about me?"

Harry jumped up and pulled out his wand while clutching his chest and looking around.

"Sir…s'okay. Just portrait of Harrison Potter the last master of the most Ancient and Noble House of Potter."

Harry relaxed only a fraction but kept his wand out. He looked around and found a portrait of a man with hazel eyes and gray hair as messy as his and his fathers grinning.

"I did not mean to frighten you Harry. You are wise beyond you years. You are right to keep your wand out. One never knows who or what could be lurking around regardless of security measures and precautions. I am Harrison J. Potter. Might I get your full name?'

"Harry James Potter."

"Oooh. You are James and lovely Lily's son. And oh my you have grown. You are now what thirteen or fourteen?"

"Thirteen sir."

"Oh please, call me Grandfather or Granddad. I prefer you use one of the two. You are the first to call me sir, dead or alive."

"Grandfather." Harry said awkwardly.

"I am sure it is strange for you. In time you will feel comfortable calling me Grandfather. It is only right that you do, after all I will always be your Grandfather. I am surprised that Sirius is not with you."

"He was yesterday. He has a hangover and I am sure sill passed out."

"He doesn't…"

"No. Last night was the first time he drank. That I am aware of any way."

"Good to know he hasn't been drinking all theses years. Not much I could do about if he had been, it would not have been right, taking care of you as my son and daughter-in-law wanted."

"Actually, I've only been living with Sirius for a short time. I've spent a lot more time with him than most thought…"

"What do you mean you've only been living with Sirius for a short time?"

"Well, as you know I'm sure that Peter Pettigrew was Secret Keeper for my parents. Well, he betrayed my parents and sold them out to Vol…you-know-who. Sirius realized this and went after Peter. Everyone thought that Sirius was Secret Keeper; it was Sirius's idea to change it to Peter only a few people knew that there had been a change. So with everyone under the impression that Sirius was till Secret Keeper they thought that he had been the one to betray my parents. When the Ministry found Sirius they thought that not only had betrayed my parents but that he had obliterated Peter only leaving a finger behind. Sirius was sent to Azkaban without a trial or being questioned. I was sent to live with my Aunt and Uncle Dursley and their son."

"No! Your mother and father made it very clear that you were to never be raised by them."

"Well it happened. My Uncle was abusive to his son, his wife and me. My Uncle recently died. My Aunt, cousin, Sirius and I are working it out."

"Obviously Sirius has been found innocent and released, how did that come about?"

"It's a long story."

"I'd still like to hear it. I have nothing but time on my hands."

Harry smiled and chuckled along with the portrait of his Grandfather. Even thought they were chuckling, Harry could hear hurried foot steps in the distance and getting closer. As Harry looked at the doorway, Sirius was jogging in.

"Harry James Potter don't you ever…don't take off alone. I don't care if you are coming here or to the Burrow. At least make sure that I am up and know exactly what you are doing and where you will be. I couldn't find you…I was terrified…I…and it doesn't matter that I could have asked Kreacher where you were right off."

"I'm sorry. As you can see I am just fine."

"I so want to punish you. I just can't think of anything right now." Sirius said while grimacing at every word.

"Muri, could you please bring a hangover remedy potion for my Godfather? As fast as possible."

"Yes sir."

'crack'