Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this chapter, or in the Harry Potter series.. All of the characters are property of J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, her managers, publishers, etc. I do not claim any credit for this wonderful series of books, nor do I make any profit out of this fiction that I write. It is all for personal enjoyment.

Departures

Harry felt a jolt run through his body. He didn't know what to feel or to think. His whole life Harry had just wanted to belong, to be accepted and loved. And as Lupin finished telling his story, Harry finally felt complete. Sirius had loved him.

Sirius had loved him and that was all that mattered. That was all that would ever matter. There had been so much pain and loss in Harry's young life, that he had never truly understood the power of love until now. And even now it was too late. Sirius was gone.

But still, Sirius had loved him.

Harry's tears stopped falling. He was able to feel his arms and his legs. He could lift his head easily, the pressure had been removed from it. For the first time in a very long time, Harry felt as though he was seeing things clearly.

"Lupin," he said after a pause, his voice now strong and under control. "I'm sorry that you lost your best friends."

His former professor's eyes widened. Clearly, he had been surprised at what Harry had just said. "Harry?" he asked.

A tight smile came over Harry's lips. "I am so sorry that you lost your friends."

"No, Harry," Lupin's voice was still wavering, "this talk was not meant for me. I needed to tell you everything so you would learn to accept your father's, mother's, and Sirius' death. Don't be sorry for me."

"I am sorry for anyone who suffers," Harry said simply. I never knew my parents, but I think that everything I do, I do for them. I fight for them, and now for Sirius."

Lupin stared at Harry. His hands were by his sides, and his crying had ceased. He seemed to be in amazement at what this young boy of 16 had said. "To have known all of the pain you have in your life, and to look upon the world and see things that are still worth fighting for, is something I often have to force myself to do. You have grown."

Harry nodded, but was suddenly feeling the strength that had taken him by such surprise failing. He had said what he said out of nowhere, the words just came running out of his mouth. Not knowing where else to look, he looked towards the bedside table and noticed for the first time that a picture frame sat atop it.

"What's in that frame?" Harry asked Lupin, nodding toward the bedside table.

Lupin was taken aback at the sudden turn of questioning and quickly turned to the table to see what Harry was talking about. His bony hands slowly reached out for the frame and picked it up clutching the sides. A smile crept over his face still wet with the remnants of tears. "This is a picture of the four of us. James, Lily, Sirius and I. It was taken our last day at Hogwarts. How odd, I haven't seen this in nearly 18 years." He looked at the picture a little longer, and then held it towards Harry. Harry took the frame and examined its contents.

The picture was set against a background of the Forbidden Forest. Harry could tell because the tress that grew there were the only ones that looked so old. Harry saw Lupin, his face young and unwrinkled, his hair still completely light brown, smiling towards the camera. In one hand was a book, "Werewolves and Their Anarchist Ways," the other hand was draped over a young Sirius' shoulder. Sirius had the same black hair, which fell around his face perfectly, his broad smile shared with a twinkle in each eye. He was looking directly at the camera and laughing. Right next to him was James, almost a carbon copy of Harry, except taller, broader, and his eyes were brown. James' hair was everywhere, and his glasses were close to falling off of his nose. His smile was contagious, and Harry found himself smiling along with him. James' arm was clutching on to a girl, Harry's mother. Lily had unmistakable features, bright green eyes and long red hair that flowed around her shoulders as she tried to escape from the picture. She too was smiling. The Lupin, Sirius, James and Lily in the picture were all so happy and full of life. Harry envied them.

A thought crossed Harry's mind, "Where's Peter?"

"Oh," Lupin smiled, "he's the one taking the picture. James had asked him to, of course."

"Right," Harry said continuing to look at the picture. This was how he wanted to remember his parents, happy and carefree.

"Harry, there's one last thing I need to tell you," Lupin said quietly. "It can wait until tomorrow, if you'd prefer that."

Harry looked up He had thought he had heard the last of Lupin's story. What else was there to tell? "That's okay, I can hear it now."

Lupin nodded. "Okay then. Well, each wizard who joins the Order of the Phoenix has always been required to make a list of assets. A will. We all know that we run the risk of dying when we are part of the Order, so it is required that we write what we wish to happen to our things in case the worst happens to us, or if we die." Harry was thoroughly confused by this statement, but didn't ask what Lupin meant. "Naturally, when Sirius joined the Order again, he was asked to make a new will. He did, and in it he divided up his possessions. Well, those he had remaining, anyway."

Harry didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.

"In short, Harry. Sirius considered you his heir, even though you weren't related to him. He had no one closer to pass his most precious things to, so the natural choice was you."
            Harry's eyes widened. He hadn't even thought about Sirius having a will. He should have though, it would have been the natural thing for wizards who put themselves in harms way to do. "He left me something?" Harry asked.

"Don't sound so surprised, Harry. Of course he did. When Sirius died, he only had three things within his possession (everything else had been confiscated and destroyed by the Dementors). He had his house, his bank account, and one other thing (which had been returned to him after his innocence was proved to a certain person). Now, he left his house and bank account to the Order of the Phoenix. Goodness knows Harry, your own account at Gringotts doesn't need any more filling, and the house…well, let's just say you don't need the house. So, he left you the one last thing he had." Lupin paused and Harry waited. "Unfortunately, he said that if he should die before he could give it to you himself - before you were of-age - than you would have to wait to receive it."

Harry's face lowered immediately, and Lupin laughed aloud. Was this a joke? His godfather had left him something, but he wouldn't be able to have it? "What do you mean?" Harry asked, not meaning to sound greedy, but he wanted every piece of Sirius that he could get.

"I just mean that Sirius made it known in his will, that if you were under-age you would have to wait. Sorry, Harry."

"Was it some sort of joke to tell me all of this then? If so, it was unrightfully cruel."

"Not at all," Lupin said. "Although I dare say that Sirius wrote that rule just to make you squirm. That's how he was."

"I know."

There was a brief pause and then Lupin slowly got up from the head of the bed, where he had been sitting for the past hour, explaining everything to Harry. "I think it's time for bed, Harry. Good night." He made a move to leave the room, but Harry suddenly stood as well, walked over to Lupin, and put his arms around his father's friend – his friend – in the most manly of ways, of course.

"Thank you," Harry said.

Lupin was surprised at Harry's gesture, but quickly relaxed and wrapped his arms around the boy, as well. "You are welcome, Harry Potter."

Then, they parted – again, in the manliest of ways – and Lupin left the room, while Harry changed into pajamas and climbed into bed. His thoughts were on his parents until he slowly drifted off to sleep.

The remaining twelve days went by quickly for Harry. He spent his time exploring the land, reading various books around the house, and writing to Hermione and Ron. He didn't mention any of his conversation with Lupin, however. He wasn't sure if he would tell them, it seemed too private and personal.

During his fifth day at Lupin's house, an owl came for Harry. Even before the owl dropped the envelope it was carrying in it's beak to Harry, he knew what it was. His Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L) results. The O.W.L.s were tests that every wizard attending Hogwarts was required to take at the end of their fifth year. The results of this test determined whether or not you could be in any N.E.W.T classes, which where only for the highly advanced students.

The owl lowered to the ground, then hovered above Harry and opened his beak. The envelope fell from the bird into Harry's outstretched hand. It felt heavier than most of his mail. He lowered his arm, and slowly examined the envelope. One the front said it read:

Harry Potter

Remus Lupin's house

2325

Harry didn't understand what "2325" meant, but assumed that it was some sort of address. He slowly turned the envelope over and saw the Hogwarts insignia and seal. Slowly, while taking deep breaths he opened the small envelope and pulled out a very long sheet of paper that read:

Ordinary Wizarding Level results

For

Harry Potter

Trying to contain his eagerness to look down the page frantically, he slowly lowered his gaze to the lines below.

Mr. Potter's results are as written below.

O- Outstanding

E- Exceeds Expectations

A- Average

D- You did not pass, don't even bother caring.

Astronomy- D.

Comments: Unfortunately you did not finish your star chart.

Comments: Charms- E.

Comments: none.

Care of Magical Creatures- E.

Comments: Very good job with the knarl.

Defense Against the Dark Arts- O.

Comments: Professor Tofty would once again like to express his enthusiasm regarding your Patronous.

Divination- D.

Comments: The examiner, Professor Marchbanks, would like to inform  you that she is indeed still alive, and has yet to meet a round, dark, soggy stranger.

History of Magic- D.

Comments: Your examiner wondered if it was drool she found on your exam.

Herbology- A.

Comments: none.

Potions- A. E. O.

Comments: none.

Transfiguration- E.

Comments: Very impressive practical work.

Total: 6 O.W.L.s

Harry read and reread the paper. He had gotten six O.W.L.s! This was nothing up to Hermione's standards, but Harry was very surprised at how well he had done. His potions answer was a little confusing. Was it an A, E, or O? He needed an O to get into Professor Snape's N.E.W.T level class, but why was his letter crossed out and replaced so many times?

When he showed his marks to Lupin, he expected he'd have a few of the same questions, but instead Lupin just laughed.

"Professor McGonagall didn't do a very good job at concealing her handiwork, did she?"

"What?" Harry had asked, having no clue what Lupin meant. But Lupin didn't answer, instead he just congratulated Harry on his good work and got back to reading The Daily Prophet.

The next day, Harry's book list came by owl. He opened the letter and two parchments came out. One, as usual, reminded Harry that school started on the first of September. The other listed the books that Harry would need to buy for his new school term.

"I'll need three new books," he told Lupin, then handed Lupin the sheet. Harry didn't feel like going to Diagon Alley this year to buy his supplies, so Lupin said he'd take care of the books for him. Harry had no clue how that would work.

"Are you ready Harry?" Lupin yelled through the wall into Harry's now clean and nearly vacant room.

"Yes!" Harry yelled back, picking up his trunk and Hedwig's (still empty) cage. He walked out through the hall into the main room of Lupin's house.

"You're going to be late, Harry." Lupin said, frantically gesturing Harry over to the kitchen table where a small paperweight was now sitting.

Harry had thought the very same thing. The Hogwarts Express was leaving in a matter of minutes, and he wasn't anywhere near Platform 9 and 3/4 . "Lupin, how come you made me wait this long to leave? There's no way we're going to make it to the platform in time."

"Sure there is Harry. I just need to tell you that it was very fun spending these past weeks with you. You are a wonderful young man. You remind me a lot of a young boy I used to know."

Harry's father.

"Thank you," Harry said. 'But maybe we can have the touching talk in the car, or on the broom, or whatever…we need to get to the platform now!"

"Of course," Lupin said, then made to head for the door. Harry started to follow, but Lupin turned around and said one more thing. "Harry, can you please get that paperweight for me, I need it."

Harry, annoyed with another distraction, quickly turned back to the table and picked up the paperweight. Suddenly there was a shake in his body, and he turned back towards Lupin just in time to see the bright smile on his face. "Bye," he mouthed, and then everything went black.

What about my books? Harry thought, and then he knew. The paperweight was a portkey.

Harry was jerked and pulled, spun and twisted. He held on tight to his luggage through the whole process of being transported via a portkey. Suddenly the jerking and twisting stopped and Harry was surrounded by light. A loud horn sounded near him, and Harry looked up to see a beautiful, crimson train, The Hogwarts Express.

Leave it to wizards to pull a trick like that, Harry thought, smiling. He missed Lupin already.

"HARRY!" came a loud cry from behind him. Harry turned and saw his two best friends in the world running towards him. Hermione and Ron, smiles covering their faces. Both were closely followed by Ginny, Ron's little sister, a fifth year. Harry smiled back…his friends were here!

"Ron! Hermione!" Harry said, receiving a warm hug from Hermione who had reached him first.

Ron pat Harry on the back, "You look exactly the same, mate," he said.

"Oh, no he doesn't," Ginny said sweetly, coming up and holding her arms out for a hug once Hermione had let go of her death grip upon him. Surprised, Harry moved in and gave her a hug as well. "He looks much more mature and manly."

"Uh…thanks," Harry said taken aback, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks.

"Your welcome," Ginny managed with a smile, before Hermione broke out talking.

"Oh, Harry! We missed you so much! You have no idea how great things are going over at" and now she lowered her voice, "the Order."

"Well, I know, and I honestly bet Harry doesn't care," Ron said while looking at Hedwig's empty cage. "You, er, do know that there isn't an owl in that cage, Harry," he said.

Harry was busy nodding at Hermione and he turned to look at Ron was talking about. Before he could answer, however, his eyes caught on Draco Malfoy, who's white hair was glinting annoyingly in the sunlight. Malfoy was Harry's least favorite schoolmate. He was part of Slytherin house, which was widely believed to be the most evil of the four school houses. He was leaning against the Hogwarts Express, with his large empty-headed friends, Crabbe and Goyle, by his side talking to a girl Harry had never seen before. She looked about Harry's age, had long brown hair, and dark sparkling eyes that could be seen from a distance.

Hermione caught Harry staring and said, "Malfoy's probably going to be just as awful this year, Harry. Don't think too much about him, he's a waste of your time."

Ron and Ginny nodded in agreement.

"Huh?" Harry asked confused, then understood. "Oh, right, well, after what I did to his father, I'd expect him to be five times as awful, but I can handle it."

"Sure you can, Harry," Ron said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "You can handle anything."

"Oh, stop." Ginny said, hitting her brother. "What do you say we get on the train before all of the first-years take the good seats?"

"Sounds good to me," Hermione said, turning towards the train. Harry, Ron, and Ginny followed. On his way into the train, Harry saw Malfoy nodding toward him and the new girl turn his way. He was in the train before he could read the expression on her face, though he was sure, if she was a friend of Malfoy, it wasn't going to be a pleasant one.