Chapter Two; Breakfast at Mrs Figg's

The following morning Harry woke up early. He dressed quickly and left the house before any of the Dursleys were likely to wake up. After yesterday's 'accident' Harry thought it would be best to stay out of their way for as long as possible.

Wandering aimlessly down the street, Harry cast his mind back to that night when Voldemort had returned. Sirius had revealed himself in front of Snape and Mrs Weasley. Harry wondered if Ron had explained the situation to his mum by now, about Sirius being innocent and everything.

Dumbledore had had instructions for both Sirius and Snape, but what he had asked Snape to do was completely unknown to Harry. Snape had seemed almost scared when Dumbledore said that he knew what he was going to ask of him. But Snape appeared determined all the same.

Harry hadn't really given much thought as to what Snape might be up to or exactly why Dumbledore even trusted an ex-Death Eater. Harry was much more concerned about his godfather.

Where was he now? Was he okay? He hadn't been caught, had he? Of course not! Harry shook his head disbelievingly. Sirius was much too smart to get caught. He was an Animagus after all. But the unsettled feeling continued to pester Harry. He dearly wished he could get hold of a Daily Prophet, just to be sure. If Sirius had been caught, the Daily Prophet would know about it.

'Harry!'

Harry looked up from the pavement, jerking out of his thoughts. Mrs Figg, an elderly lady who lived a few streets away from the Dursleys', was waving merrily at him from her front garden.

'Good morning, Mrs Figg.' Harry waved back politely.

Mrs Figg smiled and beckoned him over. Harry crossed the road and walked up the garden path, stepping carefully over one of Mrs Figg's many cats.

'Well, young Potter, what are you doing out and about so early?' she asked as she bent over to pick up her milk bottles.

'Oh, I was just walking around.' Harry replied evasively.

He wasn't exactly fond of his neighbour. Until he had started at Hogwarts, he had often been shunted into Mrs Figg's care whenever the Dursleys went out somewhere. She wasn't a bad person, but she owned numerous cats and always made Harry sit in her cabbage-smelling living room and look at photo albums of all the cats she had ever owned.

'Why don't you come inside?' She smiled kindly at him. 'I'm just about to have breakfast. I'd appreciate the company.'

Harry accepted her offer. He didn't particularly fancy going back to the Dursleys any time soon.

Mrs Figg led Harry through to her kitchen. Harry found a seat that wasn't occupied by a cat and sat down.

'Would you like a cup of tea, Harry dear?'

'Yes please.'

Harry watched as a fat black and white cat jumped up onto the side and promptly snatched up a flowery tea cosy in its mouth.

'Why, thank you, Tibbles!' Mrs Figg took the tea cosy from the cat's mouth and slipped it over the teapot. She turned to Harry. 'He's normally such a nuisance in the kitchen, getting under my feet and tripping me up, you know.'

Harry nodded. He always though Mrs Figg was a little off in the head and especially weird about her beloved feline companions.

Harry suddenly became aware of a noise upstairs. Soft, haunting music was playing just overhead. Mrs Figg stopped to listen.

'Beautiful.' she murmured, closing her eyes.

Harry cocked his head to one side, listening intently. He had rarely heard anyone play music like that. Whoever it was, was certainly quite talented.

'Who is that?' he asked curiously.

'My lodger, dear.' Mrs Figg turned back to the teapot. 'He plays every morning before breakfast. Very talented young man, I must say!'

She brought over a plate of toast for Harry and sat down. She jumped up again extremely quickly, having just sat on another of her cats.

'Wellington! What were you doing there? Go on now, shoo!'

A disgruntled looking silver tabby leapt off the chair and streaked out of the kitchen. Mrs Figg settled back down again.

'Now then Harry, how's school?' she asked.

'It's fine.' he said, munching on a slightly burnt piece of toast.

'Been enjoying yourself there, have you?'

Harry looked at her, puzzled.

The Dursleys had told anyone who asked that Harry attended St Brutus' Secure Centre for Incurably Criminal Boys. It did seem rather far-fetched that even Mrs Figg would think that anyone could have fun in a place with a name like that.

'Um, yes,' he said after a moment. 'It's been all right.'

'That's good to hear.' Mrs Figg stood up to pour the tea. 'I really enjoyed my time at school, you know. Had lots of friends, did well in my lessons and I was made a Prefect as well!' She sighed. 'But I was never any good at sports. Just didn't have the balance. Wasn't too fond of heights either come to that!'

Harry slowly looked up from his toast. What sport was she talking about? She couldn't possibly be talking about -

At that moment someone entered the kitchen.

'Good morning, Bella.' he said.

Harry froze in shock, dropping his toast.

The young man in the doorway was tall and thin with light brown hair, flecked with grey. His pale face split into a kind smile as he spotted Harry. Even in Muggle clothing, he was impossible not to recognise.

'Harry! How nice to see you again!'

It was Remus Lupin.

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To Be Continued

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Please review.

All comments and constructive criticism are appreciated.

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Mi – Yay!  My first reviewer!  Thanks for that, and yes I will be posting more, very regularly I might add.  Twice a week as long as the site doesn't go down for whatever reason.

Christy – Don't worry, Sirius is not ignoring Harry for no good reason.  There is a very good reason actually but I am glad that you aren't going to read the first edition, for one it'll spoil this one, and two, quite frankly, it's a mess!  There's a reason why I'm re-posting this.  ;)

MorganD -  Glad you approve Morgan!  *hugs back*  You're the reason why this underwent a major reconstruction of plot.  All plot holes have now been filled in (I hope!)  See you around!