Chapter 2
They used Floo Powder to get away, as that was the quickest option. When they arrived at Lupin's Harry was more than half expecting to go to Grimauld Place and when they hadn't arrived there he was a little sad. Lupin showed Harry his room and Harry got settled in. After his things were put away he headed downstairs to see Lupin. "You all settled in?" Lupin asked. "Yep," Harry replied. "I'm going to go out back if you don't mind. Get some fresh air and do some thinking." "Yeah, sure." Lupin answered, "Dinner is at six."
Harry walked outside and saw that there was a beautiful garden in one corner of the yard. He walked over to it and noticed that in this patch of flowers there was a concrete slab. It had the Black family crest on it and the initials "SB" carved into it. Harry ran his hand over the carvings and a handle appeared. He grabbed it and lifted the slab up revealing a set of stairs. Harry descended the steps and found himself in a room. The room was quite large and had concrete walls. There was a bed in the corner and a desk at one side of the room. There were pictures of Sirius and his father, some of Lupin and Sirius and others of Harry as a baby. The one picture that stood out the most to him was a picture of Sirius and his mother and Sirius was holding him in the picture. Harry knew that it was he who Sirius was holding because above them a banner was hung that read, "Welcome Home Harry."
Harry noticed a night stand in the corner and that there was something on top. He crossed the small space and picked up the book that lay there. He was about to open it when he heard his name. "Harry diner, "Lupin called. Lupin went inside and then Harry left this room. He would come back later and look at things more closely. Harry entered the kitchen and went to wash his hands. After he sat down at the table. Lupin was there but there was also a girl seated at the table. Lupin must have understood Harry's questioning look because after a few seconds he spoke. "Harry, this is Rilie my daughter." "It's nice to meet you Rilie, "Harry said. "And I you," Rilie said.
Dinner was a pleasant affair. Rilie was very beautiful but Harry didn't take much notice. In fact he was hardly paying attention. One thing he did notice is that she looked nothing like Lupin. There was much talking a few laughs, though when Lupin brought up a memory involving Sirius and James Harry found himself grief stricken again and before Lupin or Rilie really knew what happened Harry had left the table. It still hurt too much to talk about Sirius and then the subject of his father was a sore spot as well. Harry was overcome with emotion and as soon as he was in his bedroom tears flowed from his eyes as they had the night Sirius was killed. Harry was mad at himself for making Sirius come and being killed. "Harry, umm are you all right, "It was Rilie who spoke. "Yes, I'm fine," Harry replied but his voice wavered and gave away how he really felt. The door was unlocked and Rilie just came in. There were still tears streaming down Harry's face. He was ashamed of the tears and kept his back to Rilie.
"Harry are you sure you don't want to talk about it. I mean it might help if you do," Rilie said. "No, I don't need to talk, I, I need to be alone right now," Harry replied. Rilie left without another word. She went back down to her father. "Is he all right?" Lupin asked as he cleared the table.
"He's a mess. He was just crying and wanted to be alone," Rilie replied." To some degree I know how he feels. I mean I loved Sirius. He was like an uncle to me and now that he's gone it's not the same." "No, Rilie you have no idea. He blames himself for Sirius' death. He holds on to him even though he is gone. He'll eventually be all right but it will take a long time." Lupin explained.
Being in this house with Lupin almost made Harry feel worse. There
were so many memories that he had of Sirius and Lupin was always
telling new stories of him. Harry had no idea how Lupin could have
gotten over Sirius' death so fast. Then again Ron and Hermione had
seemed to do the same. No one, except the people who truly knew him,
cared that he was dead. "This is going to be the worst year of my
life," Harry thought as he sat in silence. He had no doubt in his mind
that Lupin would want to help him but no one could help him because
there would always be a great hole in his heart where Sirius' love and
caring had been.
Harry slept uneasily as he always did these days. He was the first to rise the next morning and went outside to watch the sun rise. "I wonder where Ron and Hermione are and what they're doing?" Harry questioned to himself. "Probably off having a great time not thinking about me," Was what came to his mind in answer to the question.
Harry sat there a long time just looking at the beauty of the landscape. He heard the door open behind him and looked back to see who was there. It was Rilie. "Morning," Harry said sleepily as Rilie sat down next to him.
"Morning. So, ugh, how did you sleep last night?" She asked but the moment she said she wished she had not." Forget that question. You hungry?" Rilie asked. "Yeah a little," Was Harry's answer. "Do you want to go inside and I'll make you some breakfast?" Rilie questioned. "Sure breakfast sounds great," Harry said and as he did a smile spread across Rilie's face.
They crossed the yard together and went into the kitchen. Harry sat himself at the breakfast bar while Rilie began breakfast. "So your dad never mentioned you before when did you get here?" Harry asked interestedly.
"Well I only ever spend summers out here. I live with my mom, in Italy, and it's nice there and I do miss it, mostly my little sister Anna. I have an older brother too, Ian. It's really hard being away this summer because well, Anna she has Leukemia and it got pretty bad this year and when I left to come here she was fine, but now I'm worried. I basically raised her because my mom wouldn't and it hurts so badly because my mom could pay for her treatment and help her get over this misery but she won't. For the past two years I've spent a lot of time at home with her and had one of my professors from school come and tutor me every night. I sacrifice a lot for her and yet there is nothing I can really do. Anna is more my daughter than my mom's and I hate to leave her but you know neither my mom nor my father were planning on having her and my father doesn't like her too much. Maybe it's because she's always so sick and he doesn't know how to deal with it or maybe it's something entirely different. Being here fits, but I don't know if I want to stay here or not, Anna needs me back home and here I don't do much. This year it's my choice if I want to go back or not. I don't know what to do I mean Anna needs me back home and I hardly spent any time with my dad the whole time I was here. He's always gone now, I mean I spent most of my time at Grimauld place with Sirius. At least before he died I did and then I was just alone," Rilie replied and thinking about Sirius and of Anna was just too overwhelming and brought a few tears to her eyes. She sniffed and wiped them away." So you knew Sirius?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. He was a great person. I remember at the beginning of the summer after he died I wouldn't eat, I could hardly sleep, and my dad couldn't get me out my room. It was hard on him too and I know he wanted to talk about it but I could never bring myself to think about it because it hurt to much," Rilie explained and at this she just broke down into tears. Instinctively Harry got up, went into the kitchen and hugged Rilie." Rilie, I know how it feels because I'm going through the same thing. I know that it hurts and I know that it feels like no one cares but I promise you that if you need to talk about it I will be here for you." Harry meant every word that he told her. He felt an overwhelming passion for her. He didn't want to let her go but a beautiful girl like her was bound to have a boyfriend. Remus stood in the doorway watching this seen. He didn't like what he saw so he decided to break it up. "Morning, Harry, Rilie," Remus called as he entered the room. Instantly Harry and Rilie separated." Are you cooking Rilie? You never cook." "Oh, yeah you weren't up and Harry and I were hungry so I decided to make breakfast for the both of us," Rilie replied. "How long have you been up?" Lupin asked first looking at Harry then at Rilie. "I've been up since dawn," Harry said in a laid back way. "I only got up an hour ago," Rilie said. "I see well if you're cooking Rilie then I'll just go and shower," Lupin said. So Remus left and Harry and Rilie were alone again." Harry it's really good to know that I have someone to talk to," Rilie said," and I want you to know that I'm here for you too." After this she went back to the breakfast and it was finished in about twenty minutes. Harry and Rilie ate together and then each went to change and clean up.
Rilie was thinking about what had just happened. She remembered how it felt to have Harry's strong arms around her and how she knew she could tell him anything. The thing of it was she had a boyfriend and it felt weird. Harry was thinking much the same things. About how good it felt to hold and comfort Rilie and how he had felt towards her. Both knew how they felt but neither knew how to deal with it.
They used Floo Powder to get away, as that was the quickest option. When they arrived at Lupin's Harry was more than half expecting to go to Grimauld Place and when they hadn't arrived there he was a little sad. Lupin showed Harry his room and Harry got settled in. After his things were put away he headed downstairs to see Lupin. "You all settled in?" Lupin asked. "Yep," Harry replied. "I'm going to go out back if you don't mind. Get some fresh air and do some thinking." "Yeah, sure." Lupin answered, "Dinner is at six."
Harry walked outside and saw that there was a beautiful garden in one corner of the yard. He walked over to it and noticed that in this patch of flowers there was a concrete slab. It had the Black family crest on it and the initials "SB" carved into it. Harry ran his hand over the carvings and a handle appeared. He grabbed it and lifted the slab up revealing a set of stairs. Harry descended the steps and found himself in a room. The room was quite large and had concrete walls. There was a bed in the corner and a desk at one side of the room. There were pictures of Sirius and his father, some of Lupin and Sirius and others of Harry as a baby. The one picture that stood out the most to him was a picture of Sirius and his mother and Sirius was holding him in the picture. Harry knew that it was he who Sirius was holding because above them a banner was hung that read, "Welcome Home Harry."
Harry noticed a night stand in the corner and that there was something on top. He crossed the small space and picked up the book that lay there. He was about to open it when he heard his name. "Harry diner, "Lupin called. Lupin went inside and then Harry left this room. He would come back later and look at things more closely. Harry entered the kitchen and went to wash his hands. After he sat down at the table. Lupin was there but there was also a girl seated at the table. Lupin must have understood Harry's questioning look because after a few seconds he spoke. "Harry, this is Rilie my daughter." "It's nice to meet you Rilie, "Harry said. "And I you," Rilie said.
Dinner was a pleasant affair. Rilie was very beautiful but Harry didn't take much notice. In fact he was hardly paying attention. One thing he did notice is that she looked nothing like Lupin. There was much talking a few laughs, though when Lupin brought up a memory involving Sirius and James Harry found himself grief stricken again and before Lupin or Rilie really knew what happened Harry had left the table. It still hurt too much to talk about Sirius and then the subject of his father was a sore spot as well. Harry was overcome with emotion and as soon as he was in his bedroom tears flowed from his eyes as they had the night Sirius was killed. Harry was mad at himself for making Sirius come and being killed. "Harry, umm are you all right, "It was Rilie who spoke. "Yes, I'm fine," Harry replied but his voice wavered and gave away how he really felt. The door was unlocked and Rilie just came in. There were still tears streaming down Harry's face. He was ashamed of the tears and kept his back to Rilie.
"Harry are you sure you don't want to talk about it. I mean it might help if you do," Rilie said. "No, I don't need to talk, I, I need to be alone right now," Harry replied. Rilie left without another word. She went back down to her father. "Is he all right?" Lupin asked as he cleared the table.
"He's a mess. He was just crying and wanted to be alone," Rilie replied." To some degree I know how he feels. I mean I loved Sirius. He was like an uncle to me and now that he's gone it's not the same." "No, Rilie you have no idea. He blames himself for Sirius' death. He holds on to him even though he is gone. He'll eventually be all right but it will take a long time." Lupin explained.
Being in this house with Lupin almost made Harry feel worse. There
were so many memories that he had of Sirius and Lupin was always
telling new stories of him. Harry had no idea how Lupin could have
gotten over Sirius' death so fast. Then again Ron and Hermione had
seemed to do the same. No one, except the people who truly knew him,
cared that he was dead. "This is going to be the worst year of my
life," Harry thought as he sat in silence. He had no doubt in his mind
that Lupin would want to help him but no one could help him because
there would always be a great hole in his heart where Sirius' love and
caring had been.
Harry slept uneasily as he always did these days. He was the first to rise the next morning and went outside to watch the sun rise. "I wonder where Ron and Hermione are and what they're doing?" Harry questioned to himself. "Probably off having a great time not thinking about me," Was what came to his mind in answer to the question.
Harry sat there a long time just looking at the beauty of the landscape. He heard the door open behind him and looked back to see who was there. It was Rilie. "Morning," Harry said sleepily as Rilie sat down next to him.
"Morning. So, ugh, how did you sleep last night?" She asked but the moment she said she wished she had not." Forget that question. You hungry?" Rilie asked. "Yeah a little," Was Harry's answer. "Do you want to go inside and I'll make you some breakfast?" Rilie questioned. "Sure breakfast sounds great," Harry said and as he did a smile spread across Rilie's face.
They crossed the yard together and went into the kitchen. Harry sat himself at the breakfast bar while Rilie began breakfast. "So your dad never mentioned you before when did you get here?" Harry asked interestedly.
"Well I only ever spend summers out here. I live with my mom, in Italy, and it's nice there and I do miss it, mostly my little sister Anna. I have an older brother too, Ian. It's really hard being away this summer because well, Anna she has Leukemia and it got pretty bad this year and when I left to come here she was fine, but now I'm worried. I basically raised her because my mom wouldn't and it hurts so badly because my mom could pay for her treatment and help her get over this misery but she won't. For the past two years I've spent a lot of time at home with her and had one of my professors from school come and tutor me every night. I sacrifice a lot for her and yet there is nothing I can really do. Anna is more my daughter than my mom's and I hate to leave her but you know neither my mom nor my father were planning on having her and my father doesn't like her too much. Maybe it's because she's always so sick and he doesn't know how to deal with it or maybe it's something entirely different. Being here fits, but I don't know if I want to stay here or not, Anna needs me back home and here I don't do much. This year it's my choice if I want to go back or not. I don't know what to do I mean Anna needs me back home and I hardly spent any time with my dad the whole time I was here. He's always gone now, I mean I spent most of my time at Grimauld place with Sirius. At least before he died I did and then I was just alone," Rilie replied and thinking about Sirius and of Anna was just too overwhelming and brought a few tears to her eyes. She sniffed and wiped them away." So you knew Sirius?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. He was a great person. I remember at the beginning of the summer after he died I wouldn't eat, I could hardly sleep, and my dad couldn't get me out my room. It was hard on him too and I know he wanted to talk about it but I could never bring myself to think about it because it hurt to much," Rilie explained and at this she just broke down into tears. Instinctively Harry got up, went into the kitchen and hugged Rilie." Rilie, I know how it feels because I'm going through the same thing. I know that it hurts and I know that it feels like no one cares but I promise you that if you need to talk about it I will be here for you." Harry meant every word that he told her. He felt an overwhelming passion for her. He didn't want to let her go but a beautiful girl like her was bound to have a boyfriend. Remus stood in the doorway watching this seen. He didn't like what he saw so he decided to break it up. "Morning, Harry, Rilie," Remus called as he entered the room. Instantly Harry and Rilie separated." Are you cooking Rilie? You never cook." "Oh, yeah you weren't up and Harry and I were hungry so I decided to make breakfast for the both of us," Rilie replied. "How long have you been up?" Lupin asked first looking at Harry then at Rilie. "I've been up since dawn," Harry said in a laid back way. "I only got up an hour ago," Rilie said. "I see well if you're cooking Rilie then I'll just go and shower," Lupin said. So Remus left and Harry and Rilie were alone again." Harry it's really good to know that I have someone to talk to," Rilie said," and I want you to know that I'm here for you too." After this she went back to the breakfast and it was finished in about twenty minutes. Harry and Rilie ate together and then each went to change and clean up.
Rilie was thinking about what had just happened. She remembered how it felt to have Harry's strong arms around her and how she knew she could tell him anything. The thing of it was she had a boyfriend and it felt weird. Harry was thinking much the same things. About how good it felt to hold and comfort Rilie and how he had felt towards her. Both knew how they felt but neither knew how to deal with it.