A Talk With Sirius
Without a second thought Harry slammed the door in Sirius's face and locked it. He knew that locking the door was pointless since Sirius could get in with a simple charm but still…..
As Harry ran up the stairs he heard the front door open followed by Uncle Vernon bellowing, "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU FREAK!"
There was a bit of scuffling and then everything was silent. Harry knew that there wasn't anywhere else to run so he went and sat on his windowpane. Soon he heard Sirius's sure strong strides walking up the stairs. The bed room door flew open and Harry chose to keep looking out the window instead of facing Sirius. After a moment of uncomfortable silence Harry finally cracked, "I knew I couldn't avoid you guys for much longer."
With that Harry heard Sirius come over and sit on his bed. Harry looked over at Sirius and the angry look on his face was gone and replaced with worry. "Harry, what's wrong?" asked Sirius.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie. You haven't sent a letter to anyone who has written you. Ron, Hermione, Remus, Hagrid, even Dumbledore and I have all sent you many letters and from what I see you haven't even opened them. Everyone is worried sick."
"Maybe," sighed Harry, "I don't want to do it any more."
"Do what?"
"Anything involving your world. I want no more school or wands or dragons or witches and wizards. All I want to do is stay here and go to public school in Dudley's dyed clothes. I want to melt into the background and go around without people noticing me. I want to fade into the back people's memories and never be remembered."
There, he had finally said it. Harry simply didn't want to go through the pain anymore. Harry watched Sirius eventually regain his composure and he motioned to his godson to come and sit next to him. "Harry, it is not your fault," Sirius said making Harry look into his eyes.
Yes it is though Harry to himself while he continued to look into Sirius's eyes.
"Don't give me that look." replied Sirius.
"What look?"
"I have seen that exact look from both of your parents when they decided not to listen to me and go on blaming all the worlds' problems on themselves. Cedric died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He died because of Peter and Voldemort and all the other evil things out there. He did not die because he knew you."
"How do you know that?" Harry replied bitterly holding back his tears, "If I had never gone to Hogwarts he would still be alive and the world would be safe. It is all because I was around him that he died!"
Sirius suddenly pulled a surprised Harry into a hug and held him tight. "Harry I know it hurts but from what I have heard Cedric wouldn't be alive today with out your help" whispered Sirius, "Together you got through the that God awful tournament and in the final stretch Cedric basically ran out of luck. From what Professor Sprout has told me, Cedric would have willingly died knowing that you would live. Cedric was not dumb Harry, he watched you compete and it was clear to him that you would one day become a valuable wizard for the light. He saw it, I see it, everyone sees it except you. To top it off we all knew the You Know Who was going to rise again, he had to because if he never really was alive then we could never kill him and finally have a moment of peace. But the underlying truth is that Cedric would want you to move on, to move on because he can't."
At this point Harry shamefully burst out into tears. Of course it had to be when Sirius was around so he could see what a baby I really am thought Harry.
As much as Harry wanted to deny the facts, Sirius was right. He needed to move on for Cedric and for his parents, but he was not sure if he could. "I don't know if I can." sobbed Harry.
"Shh," Whispered Sirius as he rocked Harry back and forth, "Yes you can and I will be here right behind you the whole time nagging you so that you have no choice."
Harry stifled a laugh and Sirius smiled. "Are you ready to escape this muggle prison that Dumbledore calls your Uncle and Aunt's house?" asked Sirius.
"I don't want to go." replied Harry sternly.
"Tough luck Harry, we have a dinner party to attend with Lupin and some other associates," he stated, "And no arguing".
Harry opened his mouth to protest. He was not ready to go back, he didn't know if he would ever be but there was something in Sirius's tone that made him think that it would be wise to play along. Harry grabbed Hedwig and Sirius got his trunk as they headed down stairs. When he walked towards the door he saw the Dursleys eating dinner like nothing had happened. With a sigh and one last glance Harry walked out the door.
"How are we getting there?" asked Harry dully.
"Portkey," replied Sirius pulling out a green ball and throwing it at him.
When Harry caught it he felt the familiar pulling sensation and landed in front of a giant mansion. As Harry landed he threw down the portkey in disgust. When Harry looked up he saw that they were standing in front of a very nice and cheerful mansion. "Whose house is this?"
"It's Remus's house," replied Sirius, "He has fixed it up to look nice and welcoming tonight if I don't say so myself."
"Professor Lupin lives here!"
Sirius smiled, "Remus doesn't enjoy strutting around his money. He has always been very modest about his finances. The Lupins are an old and honorable pureblood family, kind of like the Malfoy's of Gryffindor."
Harry stood there in shock trying to process the information that his defense against the dark arts teacher whom had always look so shabby was extremely well off. "Well you learn something new every day," whispered Harry.
Sirius smiled and pushed Harry forward, "Lupin is waiting for us, it is best that we don't keep him waiting."
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