I can't believe the response I've gotten from the story......Well, I only have one pre-written chapter left before I have to start writing again, but I'm working on that....Well, enjoy!!!! And thank-you I love my reviewers!!!!

By the Way Nothing is my Own

Thanks again Anamarie for betaing this chapter....Isn't she wonderful!!!

****
A Present for Harry



The summer passed quickly at Grimmauld place. The term began on September 1st and it was already, [no comma] July 31st. One month left to go.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Ron exclaimed as she jumped up in bed.

"What's so happy about it?" Harry snorted.

"Look, presents," Ron said pointing to the stack of presents at the end of Harry's bed. Normally Harry would jump us with surprise and amazement in his eyes, but he was getting too old for that. He slowly made his way to the stack of unopened packages and began to open them.

Ron and gotten him a make it yourself dung bomb kit from Fred and George's store. Hermione got Harry a homework planner and a playbook for Quidditch. Mrs.Weasley made Harry an array of baked goods and Hagrid sent Harry a small egg of some sort.

"I hope that thing doesn't hatch," Ron said nervously.

Suddenly Harry's eyes settled on a package with the name he wasn't expecting on it.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.

Harry held up a small package with a tag written in Sirius's handwriting.

"He had it for you awhile ago, he was waiting till your birthday to give it to you," Lupin said from the doorway.

"I don't want it," Harry said putting it down.

"Harry, just because he's gone doesn't mean you have to forget him," Lupin said softy.

"HE'S DEAD, LETS LEAVE IT AT THAT," Harry yelled.

"Harry, open it," Lupin urged.

"Not now," Harry choked. He got up and walked out of the room.

"He just needs time," Lupin said softly as he Harry passed.

Harry stormed down the stairs into the living room. He smashed his fists on the table in front of him, and tried to hold back the tears that were stinging his eyes.

"I hate him, he doesn't owe me anything," Harry cried.

"You can't blame yourself, you know," Lupin said from behind.

"I don't want to talk about it," Harry snapped back.

Lupin shook his head and cracked a smile, "Oh, but you haven't got a choice, it doesn't get any better if you don't face it."

"He's dead, end of the story, he's dead and it's my fault," Harry muttered, "if I had only listened to what everyone was telling me, if I had only been strong enough to resist Voldemort, if I wasn't such a idiot."

"Harry, it has nothing to do with what if, it happened, there is no blame assigned," Lupin said, "Sirius knew what was at stake. I know what you're going through I miss him too. He wouldn't want us to drive ourselves mad because of him," Lupin urged.

"No, you don't understand what I'm going through! Your destiny isn't to kill or be killed," Harry said coldly.

"Dumbledore told you," Lupin said weakly.

"Yeah, he told me about the whole stupid prophecy, and how my parents and Sirius are all dead because of me," Harry spat.

"Your parents and Sirius are dead because they stood up for what's right, this is a war, they gave their life for that cause, there is no shame it that," Lupin stated.

"That is the most selfish thing I've every heard you say, Potter," Lupin said shaking his head. "Your parents died because they loved you, you didn't ask them to give their lives up. Sirius died because he loved you too, and couldn't bare the thought of not being there to help you. The least you can do to honor their memory is be proud of who they were and look forward to a time when you can thank them for their sacrifice!"

Harry stared deeply into the fire. He glanced up at Lupin who had tears burning in his eyes as well.

"I never got to tell him goodbye," Harry muttered.

"That's the best way to let somebody go," Lupin replied. "There is no such thing as goodbye if you love somebody."

They sat there next to each other for what seemed an eternity. The sun slowly began to glow warmly on the living room floor. Harry watched it inch closer and closer until it finally reached the tips of his toes. He felt a burden lighten and his heart ached a little less.

"I think Buckbeak is getting lonely," Lupin said softly.

"Thanks, Remus," Harry said with a smile.

"Tell him hello for me," Lupin said as he stood to leave the room.

Harry watched Lupin disappear towards the kitchen, after a moment he finally got up and started to head back up stairs. A couple of second years dashed in front of him and playfully ran down the stairs. Harry reflected back to his second year when his biggest worry was going back to Hogwarts, and Dobby had begged him not to return. "My life has never been simple," Harry thought bitterly.

The bedrooms were now empty, he figured Ron and Hermione had gone down stairs to grab a bit to eat. A small parcel lay at the foot of Harry's bed. Harry's pulse raced and his eyes filled with tears. He sat down on the bed and picked up the parcel. He slowly tore the paper off the package. He opened the box and a grin cracked on his face.

"Thanks Sirius," Harry said.

He stared at the picture of his father and his two best friends, he noticed the third group member was cut out for obvious reasons. There was a letter from Sirius under the photograph.


Harry,

Hope you enjoy the picture. Boy, don't we look silly. I found this upstairs in my old room after our talk in the fire last term. It was taken the end of our fifth year, see, your dad doesn't look like all that bad of a guy, now does he? He'd be proud of you I know I am.

Sirius


Harry carefully closed the box and placed it into his chest.