Chapter two: The arrival

The next day passed uneventfully. The other letters turned out to be a list of school supplies, a letter from Hagrid and a letter from Ginny Weasley that had been delivered separately by Hedwig

Hello Harry,

            My brother has specifically asked that if I talk to you not to mention the department of mysteries or Sirius which I think is the most stupid thing anyone could possibly do under the circumstances. I always manage to deal with grief by getting it out in the open. Making hushed whispers behind your back is just going to make it even worse then it already is. Sorry if this seems harsh but I needed to say it. I have enclosed a birthday present and a present from good old Gred and Forge. Their joke shop has really taken off. We should go see it while in Diagon alley.

            On an unrelated topic, Hermione is absolutely gob smacked by the present that Luna gave me. A photo of the Crumple Horned snorkack. I'd better give it to Hagrid when I get the chance. Also I've been thinking about the prophecy. It had SPT to APWBD on it. Sybil P-something Trelawney to Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore perhaps? You spent an awful long time talking to him that night. Ron hasn't cottoned on but anytime you feel like trusting us I'm always here.

Ginny

'She always was smart.' Harry thought as Ian slithered round his toes. Harry opened the large box that Hedwig had been carrying and pulled out a small necklace and a box of what looked like sweets. The necklace was appropriately of a snake.

"You are a ssssstupendously emotional young lad," Ian remarked as Harry turned. "Sssssssnakes can ssssssence emotionsssssss and thoughtsssss in people and you kept me awake all night with your emotionsssss!" he hissed. It was at this point that Remus Lupin decided to appear at the window. Harry opened it and Lupin floated in.

"Hello Harry." He said as Harry smiled for the first time in ages. Ian slithered up Harry's arm and hissed angrily.

"MINE!" Harry smirked at his friend's protectiveness.

"A snake?" Lupin said questioningly

"A snake." Harry replied "His name is Ian and he thinks you are trying to kill me." Lupin snorted and pulled out his wand. He waved his wand and a suitcase appeared and Harry's things flew out of various nooks and crannies and went into the suitcase. The last to go in was the snorkack egg which seemed to struggle to get in before disappearing with a pop."

"TONKS! CATCH!" Lupin threw the magically lightened suitcase and chucked it out the window.

"Tonks?"

"Wotcha Harry!" came her voice floating through the open window. There was a loud crack and Lupin grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him onto the broomstick hovering outside the window.

"My firebolt!" Harry exclaimed.

"Happy birthday Harry."

It was much later at number twelve Grimmaud place that Harry and Lupin finally arrived. As soon as he went through the front door Harry was pounced on by a red headed boy.

"George?" Harry said questioningly

"Oh sorry," George blushed furiously "I meant to get Lupin." He said and pounced on Lupin who pulled him into a tight bear hug.

"Umm?"

"Don't ask." Said Ginny appearing at the bottom of the stairs. "Honestly it's embarrassing the amount of affection my brother bestows upon that man."

"You mean…"

"Yes," she sighed "The last of the Marauders is in a relationship with my brother." Lupin blushed under Harry's stare.

"So when you were saying 'mine' you meant he was…" Harry hissed to Ian

"Yessss." Ian said

"Right… that's disturbing he's way too old for me." Ginny raised an eyebrow and Harry raised his sleeve to reveal Ian wrapped around his arm.

"Oh he's so CUTE!" she said running towards Harry. Lupin glanced in his direction. "Not Harry you idiot! His snake." Lupin stared pointedly at Harry.

"Mind. Gutter. Out!" the two chorused as George grinned at the innuendo.

"So you are fine with this?"

"Wizards are above such muggle prejudices." She whispered back "What with difference in species, race and sexuality hardly matter. Of course I don't like bigots at all." She said pointedly

"I'm not a homophobe!" Harry said as the two walked up the stairs. He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper "Why would I be bigoted against myself." Ginny's eyes widened.

"Typical, the one boy I know who isn't a total idiot is gay."

"Bisexual. I only really figured it out over the summer." Harry replied "And as for the first part what about your dad, Ron, Bill, Fred or Charlie?"

"I repeat, the one boy I know who isn't an idiot… Well I guess Fred's okay" Harry burst into chuckles as Ron walked out of the next room pulling a t-shirt over his head.

"Did I hear my name?"

"Never mind dear brother." Ginny said as Ron ruffled her hair.

"Harry! Good to see you again." He said shaking Harry's hand. Harry pulled his wand out.

"You're acting civilised and mature. Who are you and what have you done with our Ron?" he said grinning.

"It's Hermione's bad influence." Ginny said in a very loud stage whisper "She's trying to make him mature enough to take out in public."

"That's enough out of you." Ron said

"So you and Hermione hey?" Harry said as Hermione exited the same room Ron walked out of. "It's about time you two worked it out." The duo blushed slightly as Harry picked up his bags again and heaved them over his shoulder. "So which one is my room?"

"Second on the right. Your rooming with Fred and George and Lupin to try and keep them out of each others bed until school."

"And I'm with these two for pretty much the same reason." Ginny said grinning as Hermione turned bright crimson. Ian dropped from Harry's arm and slithered down the corridor as Lupin and George bounded up the stairs.

"We'll show him to the room." Ian slithered back and wrapped himself around George's foot.

"I like thisssss one. He at leassssst has a sssssencccce of humour." George picked up the snake and looked him in the eye.

"Beautiful creature this." He said admiringly

"He likes you too." Harry replied

"Yep, definitely an intelligent creature thisss one." Ian said approvingly at George's comment

"At least he's modest." Harry retorted in Parsletounge as George walked down with Ian slithering around George's hand.

"Watch out, Lupin will be jealous with Harry's snake all over your hand." Fred said walking up behind the trio. "Hi Harry."

"Issss it jussssst me Harry Potter or is everyone in this houssssse lussssssssting after you excccept the two we ssssspoke to before and the young girl."

"What?" Harry hissed.

"The one you call Lupin is wishing you were just a few years older and The nice boy I'm curled around thinks you have a nice body! I hate to feed your ego but you seem to be the closet fantasy of every man in the house!"

"Why do I get the feeling that this is going to be a long two weeks?"

"Becausssse you are dreading the advancesssss people are going to make on you." Ian said reading Harry's mind. "You need to practiccce your occulmencccccy."