Chapter 19
Harry and Sirius had to part all too quickly, but thankfully it would only be a few days until he would be able to see him again, Sirius promising to pick him up from the Hogwarts Express. So for the final few days he settled back into the lethargic days leading up to the end of year feast.
Gryffindor had another party when the winning of the Quidditch Cup was officially confirmed and announced following the final match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff needed to have won by almost 400 points to have taken it from the house of the brave, an impossible feat given Hufflepuff's chaser line-up.
He had played pickup games with Dean, Ron and the rest of the Weasleys, even little Ginny, though she had fallen off her broom when Harry went to high-five her for a great pass. They even drew something of a crowd and Harry had almost fallen off his own broom when he noticed a pretty redhead watching with a cross looking friend.
After much pestering he had even acquiesced to a tutoring session with Hermione, who was reading ahead in his own Runes textbook. It had almost led to a fight however, when Harry had apparently said "I don't know, it just does." one too many times. Apparently Babbling was right, he made an awful Runes teacher. He had also spent a few hours with Professor Babbling discussing his apprenticeship, explaining that it was predominantly self driven study but that she would test him on occasion, but largely she would be assessing him based on his projects, which he would clear with her before beginning. She did make it clear, however, that OWLs and NEWTs were still required and he would be taking his OWLs next year, and depending how he progressed the NEWTs as early as the year after.
At nights he lost himself in the books Dumbledore had loaned him. He didn't understand large parts of the information, requiring a more advanced knowledge of various branches of magic, but he took notes. The details of various runes for the protection of places was fascinating, as was the glass enchanting in the book he had loaned him till the end of term. He hadn't told Hermione about any of the books, mostly due to the deadline to return the book, but he thought she would be green with envy.
He tended to avoid the general student body of Hogwarts, however. The talk of the school was all Sirius Black, and more precisely Harry Potter, a fellow student, appearing at the trial and telling of the story of meeting the former convict. The whole thing had been on the front page for days. Whether it was his use of the patronus, the story of his parents, or the attack of the dementors, the students appeared to have plenty to discuss and even more to cause them to stare. Dumbledore should teach Divination. Some of the students were charitable, giving him friendly smiles or otherwise, others, mostly Draco, had been mocking, but the staring never stopped.
Ron had been horrified to discover that Scabbers had been human, let alone a grown man, and had promptly apologised to both Hermione and Crookshanks. Thankfully that put an end to the bickering for the rest of the year.
Eventually the closing feast was had and Ravenclaw won the House Cup. Then it was time to pack, which Ron left till the last minute, and find a cabin for the trip back to London where Sirius, not the Dursleys, would be picking him up. The trip home was certainly less gloomy this year.
"Dad said he thinks we can get tickets to a game of the Cup." Ron bragged, stretching his legs out to rest on the seat opposite him. Right next to Hermione, who sighed in disgust and pushed them off. "Oi!" Squawked Ron in annoyance.
"A good excuse to get your homework done early then?" She asked pointedly, clearly hoping to avoid the redhead pleading for help a few days before the end of summer.
"Hermione, we aren't even out of school for an hour and you're already talking about it." Ron groaned. "You'll come won't you Harry? I'm sure we can get an extra."
Harry smiled slightly at his friend, pleased to be invited, but shrugged noncommittally. "I don't see why not, but I guess the decision will be up to Sirius now."
"Right, right." Ron nodded. His friend had been strangely reticent on the topic of Sirius. Harry wasn't sure if it was just a new situation that Ron wasn't sure how to broach, a remnant feeling from having been scared by Harry's godfather or something else, as though he had been left out of something. Which was odd as he was Harry's godfather.
"What will you be doing in the holidays Harry, where are you going to be living? You will write won't you, I feel like we barely hear from each other during summers." Hermione asked. "And what about you Neville?" She added, smiling at the Longbottom.
"Oh, um." Neville jumped, clearly not anticipating the inclusion. "Just working in the greenhouses I expect." He said with a shrug. "Gran said she had a surprise for me though, cause of my better grades."
"What do you think it is, Nev?" Harry asked, only too happy to avoid the spotlight Hermione had sought to push to him.
"Who knows." The boy sighed. "Probably tutoring for the holidays. So that's probably what I am doing for the summer too."
There was a knock at the cabin door and Harry looked up to see Daphne standing nervously on the other side of the glass. She had already changed out of the Hogwarts uniform and was wearing a white sundress with sunflowers on it.
"What does the snake want?" Ron asked, eyes narrowing. Harry kicked his legs as he stood up.
"Ronald!" Hermione chastised. "Don't be so rude."
"What?" Ron defended. "She's in the house of the snake aint she? Your indignation is the only thing suggesting it's an insult!"
"Your tone was what made it an insult!" Hermione rebuffed.
"Oh big word!" Neville said at the same time, to which Ron elbowed him.
Harry frowned and left the compartment. He knew Ron didn't like people from Slytherin. They also hadn't given him much cause to feel differently, the Weasley's were the butt of many jokes, and Ron's short temper and Percy's officiousness did not help matters, to say nothing of the twins.
However Harry worried that in this case it went to something deeper. Harry had noticed his friend making small remarks whenever Daphne specifically was raised, more so than even Malfoy, and also when nobody was talking about her at all. It had become particularly bad since the dementor attack. Harry wondered if it was some misplaced jealousy.
"What's their problem?" Asked one of the objects of Harry's thoughts, peering past him into the train compartment. Hermione and Ron could still be heard bickering in muffled frustrated tones.
"It rarely matters, they will always find a reason." Harry shrugged. "Good morning."
"Good morning." She responded, still distractedly looking past him.
"Should we find somewhere less…" Two first years, who had shot up and looked decidedly less first year, pushed between them. "...in the way?" Harry nodded and they made their way down the train, Harry leading, with students whispering as he passed. Daphne was behind him so he assumed it was just the normal Boy-Who-Lived mutterings.
There was always a few empty carriages at the end of the train and the two third years stole one in an abandoned hallway.
"I'm glad to be able to see you before Kings Cross." The Slytherin started, though she then paused again, clearly unsure what to say.
"Me too." Harry agreed awkwardly, not sure what to say, words seemingly caught in his throat.
"I needed to give you this, our floo address." She took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. Harry smiled and pocketed it without looking. "My father was hoping you might come on the first of July, for dinner perhaps, maybe two in the afternoon?" She was wringing her hands, clearly nervous.
"I'd love to." Harry replied. He was engulfed then, a greeting of dark red hair, as Daphne Greengrass shot forward and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you." He heard her mumble into his chest. Then she was gone again, escaping out of the carriage door, before his brain even caught up enough to return the hug.
"You're welcome?" The Boy-Who-Lived said to the empty carriage.
He found Sirius easily on the platform. He wished it was only because the other parents had made the most ridiculous ring of distance between him and them, as though he had an infectious disease. But it was also in no small part due to the man's fashion choice.
His godfather was looking significantly better again, having filled out further and put on some colour, having the opportunity for sun now. He had also gotten a shave and haircut and his hair was tied back in a ponytail, which was likely a part of his plan.
For upon Sirius Black's face was a pair of giant thick round spectacles. He had drawn a pronounced red lighting bolt shaped line on his forehead. And he was wearing a t-shirt with Man-Who-Lived-In-Azkaban written in thick red letters across his chest.
"I guess I will see you guys later." Harry said with a sigh, standing on the steps to the train.
"Have a fun summer!" Ron said with a grin, clearly revelling in Harry's misery.
"Right, thanks." He replied, and descended to the platform, hefting his trunk and Hedwig's cage off the train. He helped Ron and Hermione get their luggage down also, Ron's Trunk significantly lighter than his bookish friend's. Harry would have to do something about that next year.
"Thanks Harry!" She smiled at him as he strained with the trunk. "Don't forget to write!"
"I won't." He replied with a wave and went to find his godfather.
The man was grinning like a loon and Harry, for the first time, grew worried for his summer holidays.
"Hey kid, like my getup?" Sirius greeted, throwing his arm over his godson's shoulder. Harry frowned at him, and then at everyone staring and whispering.
"Very funny." Harry shrugged his arm off his shoulder. "Is this going to be common behaviour?"
"Only if you're lucky! Have you said goodbye to your friends?" Harry nodded.
"Great!" The former convict enthused, taking Harry's trunk off him. Harry gave it over with some discomfort, he wasn't used to people doing anything for him or letting go of what was a large portion of his worldly possessions.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked, as they made their way through the crowd not to the barrier but the wall close by.
"Moony is waiting for us at the Leaky Cauldron, where we have been staying. It was so close to the end of term when I got out of Mungo's that we thought we might as well decide with you about what's next." Harry's breath hitched in surprise. He had never really been included in decisions on his future or given any choices. He had assumed that he would just go along with whatever Sirius chose, it couldn't have been worse than the Dursleys so he had been okay with it. But being included, that was a surprise he wasn't sure how to feel about.
"You okay there kid?" Sirius asked, clearly sensing Harry's conflict.
"Yeah, yeah I'm okay." He reassured his godfather, holding back his tears and giving the man a strained smile. He received a pat on the back and Sirius guided them through the crowd to some fire places at the end of the platform. They both took a handful of the provided floo powder and said. "Diagon Alley."
Sirius had booked one of the largest rooms, suite really, that the old wizarding pub had to offer. Harry only realised now how truly large the place was, it likely had spacial enlargement, similar to his trunk. The suite had four rooms plus a shared bathroom, with a cosy lounge and fireplace. There was also a small round dining table in a corner that they were seated around. The central room had two rickety windows that rattled if a large truck drove by.
Remus, as he insisted on being called now, had left Hogwarts a few days before the final feast, not wishing to remain after his secret was exposed in the Daily Prophet. The full moon was apparently a little over two weeks off so that wouldn't be an issue, though it was strange to Harry that he was going to have to track that from now on. His Astronomy homework was not going to go wanting, it seemed.
Once Harry's luggage was away the three occupants of the room crowded around the small dining table. Remus had prepared some tea and he handed Harry an old white porcelain tea cup full of earl grey.
"Thank you for coming." Sirius began with his best impression of an officious Ministry employee. "I have gathered you all here today-"
"It's too early for this Padfoot." Remus interrupted him quickly, before he truly got going and became excruciatingly obnoxious. This seemed like an old routine to the friends and Harry smiled at it.
"It's two in the afternoon!" The dog animagus protested.
But all he got in replay was an. "Exactly."
"As I am sure you can guess, this isn't exactly a permanent housing situation." The werewolf said, turning to the youngest member of the group. "What we are wanting to work out is, where are we going to live?"
"We only really have two options." Sirius interrupted. "My old family home, Grimmauld Place, or renting or buying a new house. Grimmauld Place was a foul place before I went to Azkaban, they are probably about the same now."
"Before we start, someone else needs to be involved also." Harry smiled slightly at their confused looks. "Dobby, could you join us please?" The excitable elf sprang into existence next to Harry, bouncing from one foot to the other.
"Harry Potter sir calls for Dobby, did Harry potter sir have a good train ride home with his Weasey and Granger?" His ears flounced merrily as he stared up at the Boy-Who-Lived, the admiration thick in his giant eyes. The subject of his attention squirmed in discomfort, which only grew as he saw the predatory grin on his godfather's face.
"And who is this then?"
"This is Dobby, he is as much a part of this family as everyone else, and has as much say to where we go as anyone else. Though I do have another option to present."
"Dobby goes wherever Harry Potter sir goes!" The little elf exclaimed. Harry groaned at the chuckles of the two men.
"We are still working on some things." Harry explained.
"Well if we are making this a party then I guess we should invite everyone. Kreacher!" Sirius called. A leathery old elf appeared next to Dobby. He had many folds of skin, like overflowing wrinkles, and a large bulbous hooked nose. He was dressed in a pillowcase not dissimilar to what Dobby was wearing when Harry had first met him.
"Blood traitor master calles for Kreacher?" The creature muttered. Dobby gasped in shock and looked ready to hit his fellow elf.
"Hello Kreacher." Sirius turned to Harry, seemingly already dismissing their new guest. "Kreacher here is a loyal and faithful servant of House Black, as you can tell he therefore has the personality to match."
"Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black." The elf replied with a hint of a sneer.
"Hello Kreacher, thank you for joining us. I am Harry Potter, your master's godson." Harry greeted the old elf kindly, crouching down to his level.
"Kreacher knows the Potters, Kreacher does, dirty blood traitors." Kreacher muttered under his breath. "Mistress hates the Potters for corrupting her…son." The elf sneered at Sirius meanly. Dobby did hit him then, striking the old elf with his little fists.
"Bad elf, you is a bad elf, will not call great Harry Potter names!" The elf in clothing cried, Kreacher threw his thin arms up to defend himself.
"Dobby! Stop, he doesn't know any better!" Harry ordered firmly, grabbing his friend. Thankfully Dobby did stop, going lax in Harry's arms, but fixed the old elf with a strong dirty list.
"I dunno Harry, maybe it will teach him some manners." The Black elf's master called but Harry ignored him.
"Kreacher, have you been alone since Sirius was sent away?" Kreacher looked at him with a glare to match Dobby's from behind his arms.
"Kreacher has been looking after Mistress' house since Mistress passed. Kreacher should be there now."
"Would you like to come and live with us Kreacher? Have a family again?" Harry asked softly.
"Kreacher won't take orders from blood traitors." The elf muttered in response then disappeared.
"We are better off without him anyway, vile little cretin he is." Sirius said from the table, Remus frowning at him. Harry sighed and joined them again. "You said you had another suggestion?"
Harry nodded. "Laurel's Peak, my family home. I spent last summer there in a tent." Remus frowned at him, clearly confused, but it was Sirius again who spoke first. Harry could tell who was the talker of their school group.
"I thought it was burnt to the ground?" The man had a far away look of memories long past. "Your grandparents took me in when I was sixteen, after running away from home. It was like night and day compared to where I grew up, it was the closest place to home I have ever known." Harry smiled slightly, glad to hear something actually nice, even happy, out of the former convict.
"I had been planning on rebuilding it, before…well…" Harry trailed off.
"That's a great idea!" Sirius exclaimed suddenly. "I have more gold than I know what to do with and rebuilding Fleamont and Euphemia's home seems just the thing to correct that!" Harry grinned though he would definitely not be letting his godfather spend all his money on Harry's family home.
"There is a place for you too Remus." Harry offered, seeing the trepidation on the man's face.
"We would be in a tent, it wouldn't be strong enough and if something happens…" A sad, tired, and seemingly familiar expression overcame the man. Harry had never seen a grown man more resemble a whipped dog before.
"We have a month, we can work something out to make it safe. Dumbledore lent me a book that I suspect will have exactly what we need." Both men chuckled at that, though Remus's was much more melancholy.
"That does sound like Albus." The werewolf agreed.
"Brilliant, it's sorted then." Sirius grinned. "Dobby, would you also like to go to Laurel's Peak?"
"Dobby goes where the great Harry Potter goes!" The little elf repeated and Harry sighed. At least he wasn't calling him master.
"Before anything else though, we are going shopping."
The next day the three wizards and elf bid Tom and his bland porridge a good morning and went to explore Diagon Alley. Sirius was in a mood it seemed. He kept insisting that anything Harry half looked at he would buy. After the third jacket, fifth book, full set of quidditch balls and a quick quotes quill, Harry had to put a stop to it.
He also bought Remus a wizarding chess set, two full sets of robes and a bunch of books. By midday Harry and Remus had to agree to let them buy ice cream just so he would stop.
Once Harry found out when the man's birthday was he would get his revenge.
With shopping over they packed up their belongings, bid Tom good afternoon and Harry got to experience apparition for the first time. His ice cream did not stay down.
Sorry all, a bit of a shorter chapter but it seemed about the right place to end it. Next time we will be doing all the things in Harry's home now he has two full grown wizards to help out! There is probably going to be a lot of telling and moments of showing. Writing this chapter made me realise if I didn't do that i was never going to get through it all otherwise.
Thank you all for such kind words regarding my Dumbledore characterisation. The thing I am really trying to do with this is make sure all the characters have their own voice. Basically all of this story will be from Harry's perspective (as I am sure you are very aware right now) and I am always worried that maybe some of the characters speak the same etc so anyway, I am glad that my reviewers suggest I am getting it right.