"Harry!" shouted the woman who looked like his babysitter, as she stood up, nearly knocking the chair she was sitting on over, and causing everyone to turn and look at the boy. She came running up and hugged the very confused boy. "Oh Harry its so good to see you well, and finally away from those Horrid muggles, I always said that no good could come of you living with them." Bill in the meantime had gotten up as well and strode over to where Harry was. Professor Flitwick was jumping in his seat and had to be calmed before he spilt pumpkin juice all over Remus and then shot some fireworks in the air that spelt out "Welcome Home Harry". "You had us so worried, when I found Hedwig, I knew something was up, but that Professor Snape, he got there long before I could even help." She continued babbling. Harry all of a sudden felt terrible. Hedwig, he had been so wrapped up in his own drama that he had forgotten entirely about her. Bill put a hand on the woman's sholder and whispered something in her ear. At which point she let Harry out of her embrace and took a step back. "Forgive me, Bill had just reminded me. You probably wouldn't know who I am." She then tapped herself with her wand and became the old woman Harry remembered. Then back to her original state. "I am Arabella Figg" she said gently. "Proud Owl Savior" she added, while glancing at Sirius. "Your owl is fine dear, she is up in the owlry, being social." She added and smiled. Harry grinned, relieved that Hedwig was alright. He then turned to Bill, who then grabbed him in a big brotherly hug.
"We've been so worried! I had an excuse to drop by and see Dumbledore, and managed to stick around for dinner on the off chance that I'd get to see you. Ginny worried the whole family after we hadn't heard anything from you all summer, and then with the newspapers… but I wrote her telling her that you were here and fine. I didn't give any explanation, and I'm sure they are curious, but I leave that to you." He said by way of explanation. "Mum was so relieved she almost sent you a howler for not writing back, but I told her you didn't need a headache." Harry laughed, remembering the one Ron got after crashing the car. "Ron wanted me to kidnap you for your birthday, and then he settled on asking me to bring your birthday present to you, because it is too heavy for an owl, but he wasn't finished with it, and thus again I was unable to perform that duty, so now he thinks I suck as a big brother." Harry laughed, knowing Bill was Ron and Ginny's favorite sibling.
Just then Harry's stomach growled, and everyone took that as a sign to begin dinner. Harry was introduced to the rest of the table's occupants. Most of their names were familiar, though Harry wasn't sure where he had heard them before. Professor Flitwik was still quite overjoyed at seeing Harry moving around. Then again he had a tendency to be overjoyed at just about anything. Remus had managed to calm him slightly. The initial quietness that had begun after Arabella brought everyone's attention to Harry quickly diminished and fell into a comfortable banter, reflecting that this was not the first time they had thus dined.
"Mrs. Figg, how did you find Hedwig?" Harry asked as the conversations flew around him, not noticing that it stopped.
"She was on my doorstep, I…when I found her I was worried, so I picked her up and ran into the house to fire-call Dumbledore. Then after putting her down safely and I ran out of the house to check on you but Severus was already there. We needed a bit of assistance removing the spell you placed on your Uncle, so I went back to the house to get Dumbledore, another of my post owl seemed to be taking care of her, but left when the vet arrived."
"Oh, thank you so much for everything, I'll reimburse you for your costs."
"Nonsense. I feel privileged getting to spend time with your owl. Magnificent creature, and very loyal. She wouldn't calm down or let the vet see her until I re-assured her that you were taken care of. As soon as I said that she settled immediately. The vet and I were both stunned." She said with a warm smile and a glint of memory in her eyes. Bill nodded having heard Ron's stories of Hedwig miraculously arriving before Harry's birthday, or other times when she was needed. Dumbledore twinkled. Harry finally noticed the silence and blushed returning to his plate and the conversation picked up once more.
When the meal was over Harry was quite tired and was about to nod off when Remus stood behind him to help him up from his chair. Dumbledore and Severus seemed deep in conversation but when Harry stood they broke off. Remus knowing what they stopped for said simply "I need to talk to him for a little bit, then I'll take him to his room, don't worry." Severus nodded, looking a tiny bit disappointed, and they resumed their conversation while Harry looked confused but nonetheless followed Remus.
In the hall Bill stopped them. "I don't know when I'll see you, I'm on my way back to Egypt tonight, so I wanted to say bye!" He said as he gave Harry another hug. "Try not to give Mum too many more heart-attacks. Fred and George do plenty well at that" He said with a grin as he waved. Harry looked around for Sirius, wanting to say goodnight to him, but he was no where to be seen.
"Harry Sirius wants to know what to get you for your birthday. He's terrified that you think he's a bad god-father because you have to go live with Severus." Remus said pulling Harry's attention back. Harry just laughed. "He's also worried that you'll end up liking Snape better than him, and then… well he doesn't like Snape much, childhood rivalry and all…" Harry rolled his eyes.
"Tell Sirius that he's being a catastrophist. He's not a bad godfather, he should know that, and just because Professor Snape has been a little… oddly behaved… doesn't mean he could ever be cooler than Sirius. Besides, does he not remember who he is jealous of? Its Snape, honestly I don't know why he is so worried." Harry said at just the wrong time, Severus was walking by, and appeared to have heard every word. Harry looked up at him and sighed. "Professor, I do not mean to offend you, it is just that Sirius was a bit worried." Professor Snape nodded and turned on his heel. Harry thought 'oh now I have done it. He has done nothing but help me this summer, ever really, he even stopped that hex on my broom in first year, and this is what I do to repay him. If he could have he would have slapped himself on the forehead, but as his left elbow didn't work properly, and his right hand was busy holding himself upright with the staff he was helpless. Remus saw the expression and nodded. He knew he had gotten Harry in trouble, and that Harry had been treading a thin line to begin with. "Remus, next time we have a chat, remind me to make you put up a sound-proofing charm." Harry said and lightened the mood.
"Perhaps I should teach you so I don't have to remember, you know I am as old as Sirius" replied Remus, and they walked to a hall Harry hadn't ever been in with Remus explaining the sound-proofing charm to Harry. They stopped at a portrait of the Hogwarts founders. Dumbledore didn't tell me what the password was, he seemed to think you would know. If not, his room is three portraits down, it is a portrait of medieval bee keepers. If you want to see me or Sirius, we'll be behind the portrait of Robin Goodfellow, which you can get to if you go to the end of the hallway and turn right. Severus' room is between your's and Dumbledore's and is behind a really dismal Paraclesius,. You have to…" he was about to say when someone cut him off
"State your name and business, and then I might come to the door" Severus finished for Remus. "Your stuff has been moved to your room, and It will be your quarters all summer." He said icely and stalked towards his room his robes billowing. Harry was slightly hurt by his tone, but resolved with himself that a, this was the dreaded potions master, he would try and make friends with him. It would make the summer far more bearable.
"Goodnight and Thank You!" Harry called out to Severus before the portrait shut. "Remus, Thank you, goodnight, and tell Sirius that anything he gets me will be wonderful, because it came from him." Harry finished and gave Remus a hug. "I'll see you both tomorrow." Harry looked at the portrait, he smiled as he saw Slytherin sulking in the corner while Helga was bustiling around like a house wife, Gryffindor simply stood holding Rowina's hand looking regal. Harry swallowed. He actually had no clue what he was supposed to do to open the portrait. "canary creams?" he said and all the figures in the portrait stopped and analyzed the boy "fizzing whizbees?" he tried again, when Godric began laughing.
"No son, but I would be tempted to hear you try again." Said Godric still looking over the boy. "One would think you would have inherited some of Rowina's intelligence…You know for a warrior you are quite small" he added at which Harry looked a bit perturbed. Rowina playfully punched Godric.
"Godric dear, can't you see he is tired, let him go to bed, there is plenty of time for you to tease him later" said the Lady Rowina. "Not to mention after his birthday." She said giving Godric a meaningful look that Harry didn't understand. Salazar had stopped sulking and had walked to the front of the portrait and was peering over at the boy, looked at Rowina and nodded his agreement. Helga poked Godric in the ribs.
"You can be so unfeeling sometimes." She said. Harry was just looking at the portrait, wondering if the Hogwarts founders always acted this way.
"Harry are you alright, dear? You're looking at us like we're insane." Rowina said.
"No, sorry, it's not you" Harry replied. The occupants of the portrait looked at him.
"No, your not certifiable, yet, and I foresee many more odd occurrences. Don't be alarmed darling" said Rowina carefully. "But now to bed with you!" She finished with a motherly shooing motion and the portrait swung open to reveal a beautifully furnished main room, which appeared to have many different corridors leading off of it. 'oh great, I need a new map' thought Harry to himself.
Under normal circumstances Harry would have jumped at the opportunity to explore them all, but he was tired. Besides, under normal circumstances he would have had Ron and Hermione to help. He nearly slept on the big sofa that stood before a large fireplace when he decided it was best to find a bed. He found that there were five main corridors and then some smaller ones. He decided that the larger corridors were more promising. He walked towards the rightmost corridor, and opened the first door, to find a weapon room. He hobbled to the second door that was quite long and had a dueling stage set up, much like the one he remembered from the club in his third year. Shutting that door he went to the next room, when he found that this was most likely yet another training room. 'Alright', he reasoned, 'this is a fighting corridor'.
He went back to the common room and tried the hallway that was most left. He found in it a store room, stocked with potions ingredients, a potions lab, another store room, and gave up 'potions lab even Snape would be envious of'. Harry retreated, the sofa looking better all the time. Trying one more time he chose the hallway just to the left of the center, he found a room that had within it a reflecting pool, another with divination supplies. That didn't appear to be the correct hallway either, but as he opened another door he found an enormous library, rivaling the main Hogwarts library. He then tried the hallway immediately to the east of the entryway and found a room that reminded him of a forest, but as he looked around he found an enormous bathroom. It was larger than the Prefect's bathroom, and had a steaming hot tub, and a bath that rivaled. There was a large shower, and huge fluffy towels on the towel racks. He retreated, and opened the next door on the corridor and found himself in a Sauna. He reveled in the warmth, and then left this room too. He continued up the hallway stepping into a steam room. Tired he decided to retreat to the sofa, not caring what was down the seventh hallway. He caught sight of a Hogwarts Crest on the fireplace just in the centre, and for some reason was compelled to touch it. He got up from the sofa and put his hand on the Crest. The fireplace disappeared.