After Ron and Hermione were safely gone, and Sirius and Melissa had settled down, there was finally time to talk. BR
"Harry, you know what Pettigrew did to your parents? Or, rather, let Voldemort do to you parents? Those were bad times, and I know you understand that. But things are getting worse. Soon, if Voldemort's not stopped, he'll have more power than even in the darkest of times. And you'll be one of the first he'll come after. And, I don't care what Dumbledore thinks, if Voldemort can get to the Dursley's, you certainly won't be safe there in the summers. You're lucky that you survived the summer. And this is the first thing I want to talk to you about. I'm sure you already know this, but Melissa here was your mom's best friend. And since I can't take care of you yet, over this coming up summer I want you to stay with her. Your parents would have wanted that, if you couldn't be with me. I know you're safe with her, she was one of the best witches in our year," Sirius said. BR
"But what makes you think we aren't going to clear you before this summer?" Harry asked. BR
"Well, that's just in case things don't work out. But if I am cleared, and things go according to plan, well, let's just say it'll be the next best thing to having your parents back." BR
"What is that supposed to mean?" BR
"Harry............." BR
"I'll explain," Remus offered. BR
"Thank you, Remus," Melissa said. BR
"Harry, your parents were very close. Er, Sirius and Melissa were always very close also. In fact, they became engaged the day after your parents were married, and their wedding was scheduled for Thanksgiving. But, of course, your parents died, and Sirius went to Azkaban, so it was, er, very much postponed." BR
"Fourteen plus years," Sirius said. BR
"And I never was told any of this. Man!" Harry said. BR
"It's not your fault that you had those damn Muggles raise you! There's so much you've only just learned, and so much you still don't know! All because of me!" Sirius said. BR
"Sirius, it's not your fault!" Melissa said. BR
"I suggested Peter!" BR
"Sirius, it wasn't just you. Lily got the same suggestion from me." BR
"You never told me that, Liss." BR
"It slipped my mind. I never got the chance. I mean, you went after Pete. I never exactly got a chance to talk to you." BR
"Of course." BR
"I'm kind of tired," Harry said, "You all don't mind me going up to the tower, do you?" BR
"No, we don't mind. I'll see you in the morning, Harry." BR
"Yes, see you then," Remus said. BR
"And you still need to write to me every time something weird happens. And I'll see you soon, that's a promise," Sirius said.
"Okay, Sirius. G'night." So Harry walked up to Gryffindor Tower, his mind filled with confused thoughts. Sirius and Melissa? In love? Wait 'till Ron and Hermione heard this! BR
"Harry, you know what Pettigrew did to your parents? Or, rather, let Voldemort do to you parents? Those were bad times, and I know you understand that. But things are getting worse. Soon, if Voldemort's not stopped, he'll have more power than even in the darkest of times. And you'll be one of the first he'll come after. And, I don't care what Dumbledore thinks, if Voldemort can get to the Dursley's, you certainly won't be safe there in the summers. You're lucky that you survived the summer. And this is the first thing I want to talk to you about. I'm sure you already know this, but Melissa here was your mom's best friend. And since I can't take care of you yet, over this coming up summer I want you to stay with her. Your parents would have wanted that, if you couldn't be with me. I know you're safe with her, she was one of the best witches in our year," Sirius said. BR
"But what makes you think we aren't going to clear you before this summer?" Harry asked. BR
"Well, that's just in case things don't work out. But if I am cleared, and things go according to plan, well, let's just say it'll be the next best thing to having your parents back." BR
"What is that supposed to mean?" BR
"Harry............." BR
"I'll explain," Remus offered. BR
"Thank you, Remus," Melissa said. BR
"Harry, your parents were very close. Er, Sirius and Melissa were always very close also. In fact, they became engaged the day after your parents were married, and their wedding was scheduled for Thanksgiving. But, of course, your parents died, and Sirius went to Azkaban, so it was, er, very much postponed." BR
"Fourteen plus years," Sirius said. BR
"And I never was told any of this. Man!" Harry said. BR
"It's not your fault that you had those damn Muggles raise you! There's so much you've only just learned, and so much you still don't know! All because of me!" Sirius said. BR
"Sirius, it's not your fault!" Melissa said. BR
"I suggested Peter!" BR
"Sirius, it wasn't just you. Lily got the same suggestion from me." BR
"You never told me that, Liss." BR
"It slipped my mind. I never got the chance. I mean, you went after Pete. I never exactly got a chance to talk to you." BR
"Of course." BR
"I'm kind of tired," Harry said, "You all don't mind me going up to the tower, do you?" BR
"No, we don't mind. I'll see you in the morning, Harry." BR
"Yes, see you then," Remus said. BR
"And you still need to write to me every time something weird happens. And I'll see you soon, that's a promise," Sirius said.
"Okay, Sirius. G'night." So Harry walked up to Gryffindor Tower, his mind filled with confused thoughts. Sirius and Melissa? In love? Wait 'till Ron and Hermione heard this! BR