Chapter 4

Harry and Remus spent a fun filled morning in the drawing room. They were discussing what Harry had covered in the D.A. meetings the past year. Remus had pulled out one of Sirius's old rucksacks and his copies of, Practical Defense Magic and Its use Against the Dark arts. He flipped through it and gave Harry some tips. He bookmarked several places in them for Harry to cover in future meetings.

Harry looked through the books fondly. They were riddled with notes that Remus, Sirius and his father had written back in their school days. He was looking forward to going through it to see what kinds of silly things they were writing about. He and Ron had done this sort of thing all over their own books, when they were bored.

Then they poured over the Marauders Map trying to decide on a new place for the D.A. to hold its meetings; as Malfoy had found their old meeting place it wasn't wise to hold them there any more. They finally decided upon an unused classroom on the seventh floor. It was labeled, The Music Hall. Remus assured Harry that the room hadn't been used in years.

Having taken care of D.A. business they began picking up the mess they had made. Harry had taken a lot of notes.

"Remus, why don't you come back and teach us this year?" Harry asked. He noticed Remus flinch.

"Harry, I could have killed you, Ron and Hermione that night.", Remus answered gravely.

"But we can be more careful this time-" Harry started.

"Parents don't want their children being taught by werewolves." Remus said in an uncharacteristically bitter tone.

"Voldemorts back, Remus! We need a decent teacher." Harry argued thrusting the books and notes into his rucksack.

Remus grinned. "That's your job now, Harry."

"But look at what we had for a teacher last year! We need you! I don't teach all of the Hogwarts students. Besides, what if Voldemort sends a death eater to take the job? Dumbledore can't trust just anyone anymore! If you had taken the job last year Umbridge never would have-" Harry stopped when he noticed the look of absolute horror on Remus' face. "I'm sorry. I know it isn't your fault."

Remus looked down at his hands. "Dumbledore asked me to take the position.", he said quietly.

Harry grinned. "Great! So you'll do it then?"

Remus shook his head. "I've already told you Harry, parents of Hogwarts students do not want a werewolf teaching their children."

Harry groaned was just about to tell Remus that the parents of Hogwarts students most certainly wanted their children to be taught by a decent defense teacher. Especially now that everyone knew Voldemort was back, but the door bell rang and interrupted him.

Remus looked relieved to have a reason to end the conversation. He went to answer the door leaving Harry to think on the couch.

He could hear Tonk's voice in the hall, "I need to talk to you, privately Remus.", she said.

"Is something wrong?" Remus asked.

"Well. sort of.", she said.

Tonks entered the living room levitating Harry's trunk with her wand and carrying Hedwig's cage in the other arm. "Here you are Harry. Dumbledore sent a message for the both of you as well. He says he will be by with guests for dinner."

Harry smiled. "Thanks Tonks. I better get everything up to my room then." He threw the rucksack over his shoulder and took Hedwig's cage gently from Tonk's. "I'll be back down for my trunk." He added dismissively.

"Don't worry about it Harry. I'll help." Remus said taking the trunk from Tank's and levitating it behind Harry; who was practically running up the stairs to his room.

When they reached Harry's room Remus set down Harry's trunk and left without saying a word. That was just fine by Harry, he had a lot of work to do.

"You'd better rest up Hedwig." Harry said opening her cage. "I need you to deliver twenty eight important letters for me."

"Twenty eight letters! Good Merlin boy use some sense!" The voice of Phineas Nigellus cried from his portrait.

"I have to send an important letter to all of my friends." Harry said feeling even more guilty. "How else can I do it?"

"Well," Phineas said appearing visibly in the portrait for the first time. "are you sending the exact same letter to each person?"

"Yeah." Harry said wondering what Phineas was thinking. "But I can't use magic."

"Of curse you can't" Phineas snapped looking offended. "I was the Head Master of Hogwarts you know."

"Sorry, I forgot." Harry said hoping Phineas had some better idea.

Phineas crossed his arms and snorted reproachfully. "Write your letter, include a list of the people that are to receive it, and give it to me when you've finished."

"What?" Harry cried. No way was he giving the letter to him.

"I will give it to Dumbledore. He can place protective charms on it, duplicate it, and use the Hogwarts owls to deliver them. Hogwarts owls are rarely intercepted. I placed a rather good protective charm on them myself when I was Head Master." Phineas said.

"Hmm. That is a good idea." Harry said.

Phineas unfolded his arms, "Well, of course it is.", he said pompously.

Hedwig didn't seem to like the idea at all. She nipped Harry's finger harshly and flew up to the top of the wardrobe. She ruffled her feather irritably and turned her back on him.

"I'm sorry Hedwig, but twenty eight letters is a lot, even for you. Besides, I don't want you to get hurt again." Harry said apologetically.

He pulled out his parchment, ink and quill. "I will need to buy more school supplies.", he said absent mindedly.

He sat at the dark desk by the window. He began with the list of people and then began his letter.

I have an important assignment for you all..

When he was finished he folded the letter and list in half, and turned to hand it to Phineas.

"Er, Phineas How do I give you the letter? You are a painting." Harry asked feeling quite stupid.

Phineas rolled his eyes, "Just slip it between the frame of the picture, of course."

Harry did as he was told and watched as Phineas reached forward and took the letter into his hand. He opened the letter and began reading it.

"Hey!" Harry yelled, "That isn't for you to read!"

Phineas waved his hand irritably and continued to read the letter. "Hmm. Do you really think this will work?"

"Of course I do!" Harry said angrily.

"You know.. it must might." Phineas said walking out of the portrait.

Harry grinned and his stomach gave a rumble. He decided to go on downstairs to see if he could help with lunch.

On the stairs down to the kitchen he heard Remus and Tonk's talking.

"You know that I will help, and Molly will be thrilled." Remus was saying.

"I've never been very good at these house hold sort of things. I don't know what I am going to do." Tonk's said.

Feeling he wasn't walking in on any secret Order business Harry walked into the kitchen. Tank's looked as though she were going to say more but shut her mouth abruptly when she noticed Harry. Remus had his back to them. He was cutting up some potatoes.

"Can I help?" Harry asked.

Remus turned around looking startled. "Yes, er, cut up these onions for me."

"Dumbledore, Snape and Kristina should be here shortly." Tank's said.

Harry cut himself with the knife he was holding. "Snapes coming here?"

Remus pulled out his wand and cleaned Harry's cut. It healed instantly. "Yes, I thought Dumbledore made that clear last night."

Harry groaned. "I was hoping it was a night mare."

Tonk's laughed. "Oh come on Harry. Snape isn't so bad, and he is bringing his mum. She is awesome. She paints."

Harry rolled his eyes.

Remus tutted him. "Harry, Severus is going to resume your Occlumency lessons, and I think you realize how important they are.

"Great, yeah. Snape gets to see all my worst memories. I am really looking forward to it." Harry said bitterly. "Remus, why don't you teach me!" He said excitedly.

"I am going to be leaving soon. I have a lot of work to do." Remus said levitating the potatoes into a large pan.

"What?" Harry asked disappointedly.

"Don't worry. I will still be staying here, but I am going to be out most of the day." Remus said smiling.

Remus took the onions from Harry and added them to the pot. He began swirling his wand around the pan and a white creamy sort of sauce started coming out into the pan. Tonk's was watching him intently.

"You are going to teach me how you do all this, house hold, stuff Remus." She said.

Remus grinned. "Anything." He said.

The door bell rang, and Sirius' mother began screeching. "That'll be them." Remus said.

"I'll get it." Tonk's said standing up.

Harry shuddered. Living with Snape and his mother. Suddenly the Dursleys didn't seem so bad after all.