Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Fate.

Blinking slightly, Harry looked around, trying to determine where exactly he had apparated. He could tell he was in a dark alley, so he slowly walked out of it, and he found himself face to face with the building of the Three Broomsticks. Smiling slightly, he entered the place. It was still as full and busy as it had been when he attended Hogwarts. He headed towards Madam Rosmerta, who was serving a few clients. The woman noticed him before he even had the chance to reach her and grabbed his arm, dragging him away from the other customers.

"Is there something wrong, Madam?"

The woman turned lightly to face him. "They are waiting for you. The Headmaster told me that should you or one of your friends appear, I had to lead them to the back room at once."

Harry nodded in understanding, grateful to Dumbledore for thinking ahead and ensuring a bit of privacy. He had a feeling he would have to explain a lot, and he wasn't sure he wanted to tell them the whole truth. The Great Phoenix and their nightmares were very useful, but he didn't wish for anyone to know of them. Knowing Dumbledore as he did, the old man would probably manipulate him to get information and that was one thing Harry didn't wish to have to go through. He was abruptly shaken out of his thoughts when Madam Rosmerta opened a door and quickly shoved him into the room behind it. He barely had the time to hear the door click shut behind him when he had arms around his neck. Blinking in surprise, he looked down and saw his mother's red hair resting against his shoulder. His first reaction was to pull away, but when he was about to move, he felt his mother trembling and a soft sob reached his ears. Cursing at himself, he knew he would not be able to pull away. No matter how much they had hurt him, he wouldn't be able to keep his distance for much longer. This was what he had longed for all his life, to be hugged and loved by his parents. Sure, he had Sirius, and in most ways, he was more of a father to him than James and Lily ever would, but somehow, he knew it was different. Now that Sirius was free, Harry assumed he would like to build a life on his own, finding someone to marry and have kids. After all, he was still young enough to do so. Even if Harry knew that his godfather wouldn't abandon him, he knew he would stand in his way, and that was the last thing the teen wished.

Hesitantly, the young man put his arms around his mother and squeezed her waist tightly before pulling back. Getting the hint, Lily let go of him, but Harry could see the happiness glowing in her eyes. Sure, he hadn't done much, but the little hug he had just given her was enough to reassured her that things would be okay with time. Dragon looked around, and after nodding slightly to his father, he moved into his godfather's arms. Sirius readily hugged him, and started to whisper in his ear, telling him how worried he had been and how Harry would be grounded if he ever did something like that again.

His quiet tirade was interrupted by Dumbledore's voice. "I'm happy to see you're unharmed, Harry. Where are your friends?"

The boy looked up from his godfather's shoulder and looked around the room. "They are at Doctor Matt's house, we needed to get to the doctor's home, and then explain to them what had happened."

Remus looked at him sharply. "Now there's something I would like to know too."

Harry grimaced a bit. "We got a... warning... it said Death Eaters were about to blow up the house. I apologise for any rude comment Phoenix may have made, but we needed to get you out of there."

Harry felt the arms around him tighten. Looking up, he saw that Sirius had paled, and he was shaking a bit. Everyone in the room was distraught by the news; most of them were very pale. Dumbledore looked at him with a frown. He probably knew there was something he wasn't telling them. "What kind of warning, Harry?"

The boy turned to him and pursed his lips; he didn't want to tell them. The old headmaster seemingly got the hint and decided to leave it alone. "Very well, what are you planning to do now, Harry?"

Dragon shrugged slightly; they hadn't had the chance to discuss it yet, they had been too tired and weary to talk about the future. Everyone seemed to notice it and Sirius tightened his grip on the boy. "You shouldn't be up and about, you're still tired."

Harry didn't argue with him, knowing it was true; instead he leaned against his broad chest. "I know, but I still need to get back to the others."

Sirius sighed and scoped him up in his arms, making Harry's eyes widen. "Come on, I'll bring you there."

Harry didn't even have the chance to argue with him, because with a soft pop, they apparated away.

The other adults stayed where they were, each lost in thought. Finally, Lily turned to Dumbledore. "What do you think they are going to do, Headmaster?"

The old man shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I have no idea, Lily. I hope they will finally accept my offer to return to Hogwarts, but it's completely up to them, we have no right to pressure them into it."

The woman nodded and slumped in her chair, knowing there was nothing she could do.

To be continued...

A/N: Thanks for all reviews. Thanks to my beta-reader, Vinnie.