Chapter 3 - A NEW GUARDIAN
Almost everything was the same as Harry had remembered it. As he wakled through the front door, he noticed several gas lamps flickering. The old ripped, and gloomy wallpaper that had once covered the walls were now plastered with bright sky blue wallpaper. Harry's eyes gazed up, where there were two crystal chandeliers glimmering. The various portraits on the wall were staring at Harry, some with strange looks on their faces, other with utter disgust. Obviously, they did not welcome Harry at all.
Getting distracted, Harry pivoted his head towards Lupin, "Can you tell me now why you'll be seeing Aunt Petunia soon?"
Lupin glanced shortly at Harry as they walked. "You must really despise your aunt and uncle, Harry. We, I mean Moody and I have invited her here tomorrow."
Astonished, Harry put his bag down and sat on a wooden chair next to a small sone water fountain, shooting green sparks of light, along with bright yellow purple striped fish. Why was his aunt going to come here at Grimmuald Place? Harry thought. It was more impossible for Aunt Petunia to meddle with magic than for Dudley to starve for one whole day. But, Harry remembered a little sentence that had slipped out of his aunt's face last year, about the dementors...
Before Harry had a chance to speak, Lupin said, "We have invited her for two reasongs. One is for," Lupin paused, with a little bit of hesitation, "Sirius's memorial tomorrow morning."
Harry's eyebrows rose as Lupin went to the kitchen to get some food.
"What would you like for breakfast, Harry? Molly just left to- she left some bacon and eggs, and toast, so I could..." Lupin kept on gibbering as if he hadn't said anything serious...What kind of memorial? If this was like a funeral, they you actually would need his body there. Harry wasn't really hungry.
He asked Lupin, "Where is everyone?"
Pots and dishes made loud shattering noises. Harry got up and sat at the cair to the far left of the dinner table. On the white silky table cloth was milk, bacon, scrambled egs, and brown toast. Harry grabbed some bacon and milk, and ate the bacon without making any noise.
Lupin replied, "They are all out, but don't worry, people will starting showing in about a half an hour. Oh, and the second reason your aunt will be here is that I want to ask her, and you, if I can be your full-time guardian."
At this sentence, Harry coughed out chews and bits of bacon back on his plate. He couldn't stop coughing because his throat felt soar.
Lupin was surprised, but it was hid as he got a glass of water for Harry. Harry tried to smile, but only a weak grin came out. It wasn't the fact that he didn't want Lupin to be his guardian, but what had alarmed him was that it was so forward...
"I'm sorry." Lupin apologized. "I suppose I should've given you wore time to think about-"
Harry quickly interrupted, not wanting to hurt Lupin, "No, no. It was like a shot in the dark, that's all. It's all right with me if you want to be my guardian." He didn't know if he was lying or not, he did not know what he felt.
Lupin's face, that had suddenly tightened, loosened now.
For a couple of minutes, both ate in silence, and Harry couldn't stand it. If Lupin was going to be his guardian, he might as well be open with him.
"But, Lupin, Dumbledore told me that I had to live with Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon for the summer because of the protection..."
Lupin loked at him for about a second, and then answered, "Professor Dumbledore, Harry. Yes, you were well protected there, but not anymore. You were being watched, Harry."
Harry's green eyes widened. The oval black shape that he had seen last night floated back into his mind. Now that he thought about it, it had looked like a hood on a person.
"That's what I saw last night, Lupin. That was what Hedwig was racketing about." Harry crouched over so he could see Hedwig in her cage resting on the side of the entrace hallway. She seemed extremely happy, and Harry kept in mind that he had to let her fly around later.
"Yes, Harry. Now that they cannot get their hands on that prophecy-yes, Proffessor Dumbledore told me that he had informed you about it- they have to get their hands on you." Now that Harry glanced at Lupin, his face seemed weary and overworked,
He continued, "But, as long as I am here, as well as the order of the phoenix, they won't be able to even touch you." He smiled with full courage.
Harry's heart felt strangely warm. Changing the subject, Lupin said, "Well, you'll be happy when you hear who is coming tomorrow, well mostly happy, anyways. Hagrid, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora, Moody, the Weasley family, except for Percy, unfortunately. Also, Mundungus, Arabella Figg, Hermione..."
Lupin stared into the ceiling, thinking intensely, "Ah, yes, the rest of the members of the Pheonix, including, Snape. Oh, and new guests, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood..."
Harry was alarmed once again. Neville was certainly a surprise, but Harry was glad he was going to be here. He felt glad that he could share his feelings with Neville, and to think that even Neville could've had that scar upon his forehead. Why Luna Lovegood would be here, he had no idea. But then, it could be because Harry had almost been responsible for getting her killed last year at their trip to the Department of Mysteries...
"...Sturgis Podmore, yes, he got out of Azkaban a few weeks ago, just in case you didn't hear. Ahh, and last but not least, Proffessor Dumbledore." Lupin glanced at Harry as if this was going to be cheerful.
Harry snorted. "So? I'll be considered a house-elf if he even looks at me for a half a second." As soon as these words came out, he regretted them. This was not true. He knew why Dumbledore had avoided his eyes, but Harry was upset, or rather mad at him. Why couldn't he have told Harry everything sooner, than maybe Sirius would...
Lupin replied in a stern voice, "Harry, you know why Proffessor Dumbledore was aboiding you last year, as well as this year. He was afraid that Voldemort would use you to get to him. Sirius had told me earlier this year that you had felt like attacking Dumbledore when he looked at you." His voice was firm, but more like the voice coming out of a father.
Harry was annoyed. When he had told this bit of information to Sirius, he had said that it was an aftermath of his dream about Mr.Weasley. harry was annoyed that he was treathed like a mere child when he could be knowing much more."
Lupin seemed to know what was going inside Harry's head. "Look, Harry, do not get upset with us. I know you have the right to, but we were just looking out for you. Proffessor Dumbledore had told us not to reveal too much to you. Obviously, Sirius wanted to tell you everything, but Molly and I refused-"
"If you hadn't, Sirius would still be alive." Harry retorted. He glared at Lupin, right in his eyes. All of this ager he had kept bottled inside, was spilling out slowly.
Unexpectedly, the front door opened, and small voices started to come in Number Twelve, Grimmuald Palace. The tension between Harry and Lupin had broken like a glass, and Lupin got up to see who it was. In a second, this wasn't need, since Fred had just Apparated about a half an inch away from Harry. Fred, who had a thin yellow stick in his hand, highered it into his ear. He tapped the stick twice, and a roaring sound of about a hundred elephants rag extremely defaning in his ear. Harry's ears shook madly, and he shrieked out of shock.
"FRED, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO BRING YOUR RIDICULOUS MERCHANDISE INTO-"
Fred took a few steps back, almost looking intimidated, said, "Sorry Mum, just a way of showing Harry the success of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes! They're called Ultimate Ear Shockers, theyre only-"
The elephant roaring had stopped, but the roaring of a befuddled Mrs.Weasly had entered his ears.
"I DON'T CARE! HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THOSE THINGS ARE SAFE?" Mrs.Weasley was fuming.
The other Weasley twin appeared next to Fred, a purple stick in his tight hand.
"George, don't even think about going near Harry with that THING." Mrs,Weasley pointed at the little stick.
"Of-course, Mum." George said, smirking, and eyeing Harry with mischief.
In a moment, a cheerful Ron walked in. His flaming red hair had gotten longer, making his face look a little more mature. He reminded Harry of Charlie.
"Hey Harry!" Ron said, grinning a bit. "How have you been?" Harry knew what he meant by that question.
"I'm fine, but how did your hair grow that much in four days?" Harry asked, amazed.
Ron laughed lightly, sitting down on a chair next to Harry, and grabbing some toast. "No, George bewitched my hair yesterday, and it grew a bit. I got really annoyed, but I kept it. It doesn't look bad."
Harry half expected for a voice of disapproval to ring out, but Mrs. Weasley didn't say anything as she got some dishes from one of the wooden cabinets.
Ginny and Charlie walked in, sitting down around the dinner table.
"Hello, Harry." Ginny greeted him.
"Hi." Was all that came out.
"Hey Harry." Charlie said in the same friendly tone. "It seems that these days, you are"the boy who lived", and not some crazy scarface parserlmouth who faints and goes beserk everwhere." Charlie chuckled.
Almost everything was the same as Harry had remembered it. As he wakled through the front door, he noticed several gas lamps flickering. The old ripped, and gloomy wallpaper that had once covered the walls were now plastered with bright sky blue wallpaper. Harry's eyes gazed up, where there were two crystal chandeliers glimmering. The various portraits on the wall were staring at Harry, some with strange looks on their faces, other with utter disgust. Obviously, they did not welcome Harry at all.
Getting distracted, Harry pivoted his head towards Lupin, "Can you tell me now why you'll be seeing Aunt Petunia soon?"
Lupin glanced shortly at Harry as they walked. "You must really despise your aunt and uncle, Harry. We, I mean Moody and I have invited her here tomorrow."
Astonished, Harry put his bag down and sat on a wooden chair next to a small sone water fountain, shooting green sparks of light, along with bright yellow purple striped fish. Why was his aunt going to come here at Grimmuald Place? Harry thought. It was more impossible for Aunt Petunia to meddle with magic than for Dudley to starve for one whole day. But, Harry remembered a little sentence that had slipped out of his aunt's face last year, about the dementors...
Before Harry had a chance to speak, Lupin said, "We have invited her for two reasongs. One is for," Lupin paused, with a little bit of hesitation, "Sirius's memorial tomorrow morning."
Harry's eyebrows rose as Lupin went to the kitchen to get some food.
"What would you like for breakfast, Harry? Molly just left to- she left some bacon and eggs, and toast, so I could..." Lupin kept on gibbering as if he hadn't said anything serious...What kind of memorial? If this was like a funeral, they you actually would need his body there. Harry wasn't really hungry.
He asked Lupin, "Where is everyone?"
Pots and dishes made loud shattering noises. Harry got up and sat at the cair to the far left of the dinner table. On the white silky table cloth was milk, bacon, scrambled egs, and brown toast. Harry grabbed some bacon and milk, and ate the bacon without making any noise.
Lupin replied, "They are all out, but don't worry, people will starting showing in about a half an hour. Oh, and the second reason your aunt will be here is that I want to ask her, and you, if I can be your full-time guardian."
At this sentence, Harry coughed out chews and bits of bacon back on his plate. He couldn't stop coughing because his throat felt soar.
Lupin was surprised, but it was hid as he got a glass of water for Harry. Harry tried to smile, but only a weak grin came out. It wasn't the fact that he didn't want Lupin to be his guardian, but what had alarmed him was that it was so forward...
"I'm sorry." Lupin apologized. "I suppose I should've given you wore time to think about-"
Harry quickly interrupted, not wanting to hurt Lupin, "No, no. It was like a shot in the dark, that's all. It's all right with me if you want to be my guardian." He didn't know if he was lying or not, he did not know what he felt.
Lupin's face, that had suddenly tightened, loosened now.
For a couple of minutes, both ate in silence, and Harry couldn't stand it. If Lupin was going to be his guardian, he might as well be open with him.
"But, Lupin, Dumbledore told me that I had to live with Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon for the summer because of the protection..."
Lupin loked at him for about a second, and then answered, "Professor Dumbledore, Harry. Yes, you were well protected there, but not anymore. You were being watched, Harry."
Harry's green eyes widened. The oval black shape that he had seen last night floated back into his mind. Now that he thought about it, it had looked like a hood on a person.
"That's what I saw last night, Lupin. That was what Hedwig was racketing about." Harry crouched over so he could see Hedwig in her cage resting on the side of the entrace hallway. She seemed extremely happy, and Harry kept in mind that he had to let her fly around later.
"Yes, Harry. Now that they cannot get their hands on that prophecy-yes, Proffessor Dumbledore told me that he had informed you about it- they have to get their hands on you." Now that Harry glanced at Lupin, his face seemed weary and overworked,
He continued, "But, as long as I am here, as well as the order of the phoenix, they won't be able to even touch you." He smiled with full courage.
Harry's heart felt strangely warm. Changing the subject, Lupin said, "Well, you'll be happy when you hear who is coming tomorrow, well mostly happy, anyways. Hagrid, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora, Moody, the Weasley family, except for Percy, unfortunately. Also, Mundungus, Arabella Figg, Hermione..."
Lupin stared into the ceiling, thinking intensely, "Ah, yes, the rest of the members of the Pheonix, including, Snape. Oh, and new guests, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood..."
Harry was alarmed once again. Neville was certainly a surprise, but Harry was glad he was going to be here. He felt glad that he could share his feelings with Neville, and to think that even Neville could've had that scar upon his forehead. Why Luna Lovegood would be here, he had no idea. But then, it could be because Harry had almost been responsible for getting her killed last year at their trip to the Department of Mysteries...
"...Sturgis Podmore, yes, he got out of Azkaban a few weeks ago, just in case you didn't hear. Ahh, and last but not least, Proffessor Dumbledore." Lupin glanced at Harry as if this was going to be cheerful.
Harry snorted. "So? I'll be considered a house-elf if he even looks at me for a half a second." As soon as these words came out, he regretted them. This was not true. He knew why Dumbledore had avoided his eyes, but Harry was upset, or rather mad at him. Why couldn't he have told Harry everything sooner, than maybe Sirius would...
Lupin replied in a stern voice, "Harry, you know why Proffessor Dumbledore was aboiding you last year, as well as this year. He was afraid that Voldemort would use you to get to him. Sirius had told me earlier this year that you had felt like attacking Dumbledore when he looked at you." His voice was firm, but more like the voice coming out of a father.
Harry was annoyed. When he had told this bit of information to Sirius, he had said that it was an aftermath of his dream about Mr.Weasley. harry was annoyed that he was treathed like a mere child when he could be knowing much more."
Lupin seemed to know what was going inside Harry's head. "Look, Harry, do not get upset with us. I know you have the right to, but we were just looking out for you. Proffessor Dumbledore had told us not to reveal too much to you. Obviously, Sirius wanted to tell you everything, but Molly and I refused-"
"If you hadn't, Sirius would still be alive." Harry retorted. He glared at Lupin, right in his eyes. All of this ager he had kept bottled inside, was spilling out slowly.
Unexpectedly, the front door opened, and small voices started to come in Number Twelve, Grimmuald Palace. The tension between Harry and Lupin had broken like a glass, and Lupin got up to see who it was. In a second, this wasn't need, since Fred had just Apparated about a half an inch away from Harry. Fred, who had a thin yellow stick in his hand, highered it into his ear. He tapped the stick twice, and a roaring sound of about a hundred elephants rag extremely defaning in his ear. Harry's ears shook madly, and he shrieked out of shock.
"FRED, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO BRING YOUR RIDICULOUS MERCHANDISE INTO-"
Fred took a few steps back, almost looking intimidated, said, "Sorry Mum, just a way of showing Harry the success of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes! They're called Ultimate Ear Shockers, theyre only-"
The elephant roaring had stopped, but the roaring of a befuddled Mrs.Weasly had entered his ears.
"I DON'T CARE! HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THOSE THINGS ARE SAFE?" Mrs.Weasley was fuming.
The other Weasley twin appeared next to Fred, a purple stick in his tight hand.
"George, don't even think about going near Harry with that THING." Mrs,Weasley pointed at the little stick.
"Of-course, Mum." George said, smirking, and eyeing Harry with mischief.
In a moment, a cheerful Ron walked in. His flaming red hair had gotten longer, making his face look a little more mature. He reminded Harry of Charlie.
"Hey Harry!" Ron said, grinning a bit. "How have you been?" Harry knew what he meant by that question.
"I'm fine, but how did your hair grow that much in four days?" Harry asked, amazed.
Ron laughed lightly, sitting down on a chair next to Harry, and grabbing some toast. "No, George bewitched my hair yesterday, and it grew a bit. I got really annoyed, but I kept it. It doesn't look bad."
Harry half expected for a voice of disapproval to ring out, but Mrs. Weasley didn't say anything as she got some dishes from one of the wooden cabinets.
Ginny and Charlie walked in, sitting down around the dinner table.
"Hello, Harry." Ginny greeted him.
"Hi." Was all that came out.
"Hey Harry." Charlie said in the same friendly tone. "It seems that these days, you are"the boy who lived", and not some crazy scarface parserlmouth who faints and goes beserk everwhere." Charlie chuckled.