CH8: Worried
It had been just over two weeks since Harry had gone home to the Dursleys for the summer and the inhabitants of Grimmauld place had become increasingly worried about him.
No-one had heard from Harry since he had left the Hogwarts Express. He wasn't responding to anyone's letters, not even Sirius'. Sirius was beside himself with worry, since becoming a part of his godson's life again a year ago, he thought that they had grown close, and their relationship was finally mending after all the years spent apart.
The only thing that had stopped Sirius disapparating to the Dursley's front doorstep and demanding Harry come with him, was the reports from the order, on their 'Potter watch' shifts.
There was constantly an order member posted outside the Dursley's house. Although the wards around the house were unbreakable (according to Dumbledore anyway), the extra measure of protection from possible death eaters, and Voldemort himself was deemed necessary.
The order had a meeting the previous evening, where those who had been stationed outside the Dursley's house had reported that Harry had been seen, and that he looked mostly unharmed, though Tonks had reported that he had a black eye a few days previously.
'Must have been that awful cousin of his' Mrs Weasley had said, 'Ron told he me he has always picked on poor Harry'.
Other members had reported that there had been a few days where Harry had not made an appearance, but mostly he was seen around the house and gardens doing chores and such.
'This doesn't mean he is okay, what reason would he have for not responding to us?' Sirius had made his feelings very well known throughout the meeting.
'Perhaps he has just not got around to it Sirius, you know what teenagers are like' Dumbledore had said, trying to placate the nervous man.
'I'm not sure why no one else seems to care, but I am going to properly check on my godson, and you can't stop me' Sirius had shouted and made a move to walk out of the room.
'Sirius' Dumbledore's voice had enough warning in it to make Sirius stopped in his tracks, he had been his teacher after all, and Sirius knew when Dumbledore's tone of voice meant he had crossed a line.
'You cannot turn up at Harry's house, you know the ministry will have their own watchers, you are currently on the run and we do not need you back in Azkaban. And Harry does not need to lose his godfather AGAIN on top of everything'.
'I need to know if he's okay' Sirius said sadly.
Dumbledore gave him a searching look then sent him a sad smile. 'I understand Sirius, and I have to admit I am also a little concerned about Harry's welfare, but the situation is complex. The order has reported that Harry is okay, and we have no reason to think otherwise besides the missing letters'
Sirius made to disagree, but Dumbledore cut him off.
'It may be that Harry has simply forgot to reply to your messages' Sirius scoffed at this, but Dumbledore continued 'however if he has not responded by the end of the week, we will send a senior order member to make a house visit and check on Harry's welfare'.
Sirius looked at Dumbledore in the eyes, trying to decide if he could trust him, eventually he sighed 'okay... but if we don't hear from him by Sunday, I get to choose who goes.'
'Of course, Sirius' Dumbledore replied.