Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any of J.K. Rowling's characters, places, items...ect. The only thing I do claim rightfully as mine is my character, Silver Riddle. :)

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Chapter 17 – Going Home

Students were in a complete uproar the last week at Hogwarts. The fact that they were getting out a week early was reason for celebration, which meant many dungbombs, fireworks, and the like. Filch could be seen giving out detentions for things like "looking suspicious" or "whispering too quietly". Hardly anybody showed up for their detentions, however, and there was nothing he could do about it. Harry and Ron had already been presented with two detention slips for "laughing suspiciously" when they looked at Filch, and Silver was quick to present to them the fact that she hadn't gotten one yet ("See, I am good!") Hermione had even received one for looking curiously at Filch one day when a lot of dungbombs had been set off near him and he smelt rather bad.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in the common room playing Exploding Snap.

"Where's Silver?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"Uh," said Ron, concentrating on the game, "She said she was going down to the Owlry like an hour ago, didn't she?"

"An hour ago?" Hermione and Harry echoed in unison.

They exchanged worried glances.

"Let's go look for her," Harry suggested.

"Yeah, I'm thinking it takes less than an hour to deliver a letter," Hermione agreed.

"Maybe," Ron admitted. They crawled out of the portrait hole and began to walk towards the Owlry. No sooner had they turned a corner than they came across a happy-looking Silver. She immediately attempted to hide a bag behind her back.

"Hi, guys," she said innocently.

"What's that?" Harry answered suspiciously.

"Nothing," she said evasively, attempting to squeeze past them. They stood in her way, however, and she frowned at them.

"Well, let's see it then," Ron prompted.

She reluctantly took the bag out from behind her back.

"How'd you get a Hogsmeade bag?" Ron asked curiously.

"Well...it was kinda just handed to me..." she said, doing her best to tell the truth.

"Over the counter when you went shopping?" Harry inquired.

"Maybe..."

"You went to Hogsmeade!" Hermione exclaimed, "Silver!"

"Just really quick," she said hurriedly, "I had to get Christmas presents for everybody!"

"Oh, so you got some for us?" Ron asked, as if that made it all right.

"Yep," she replied, smiling, "So will you let me through now?"

"No," Harry answered, "I don't care about any dumb presents when you just risked your life!"

"No I didn't, Harry, this time I really did go disguised!" she protested, "I put a scarf around my face so only my eyes were showing, and I wore my dress robes so nobody would know I was from Hogwarts!"

"How'd you find out how to get there?" Harry replied, "You didn't steal the Marauder's Map, did you?"

"Of course not!" she replied, "I just sent a letter to Fred and George asking them how to get in."

Ron snorted. "What a bunch of idiots," he commented, shaking his head.

Hermione giggled. "What were they thinking?" she asked.

Harry scowled. "They wanted to get her killed," he replied.

"I'm sure they weren't thinking of that, Harry," Silver said, "Now please move so I can go put your presents away."

Reluctantly Harry stepped aside and followed her back to the common room with Ron and Hermione.

"Drop the attitude, Harry," Hermione told him, "She's fine."

"Yeah, but that was a dangerous thing to do, not to mention stupid," Harry answered once Silver had disappeared into the girl's dorms.

"She's probably never had a proper Christmas before, Harry," Ron told him, "You can't blame her for wanting to go get presents."

Harry wondered what Christmas with Death Eaters was like. "I suppose," he relented.

"Put on a happy face for her, Harry, we're going home tomorrow," Hermione urged.

"Alright, alright,' he grumbled.

It wasn't that hard to smile when he saw her coming down the stairs, her face alight with happiness. She sat down on the couch beside him, smiling.

"Harry, I think this is going to be a really good Christmas," she said wistfully.

"Ya think?" he replied, tugging at her hair.

She grinned at him.

"Yes," she replied, "It'll be my first real Christmas, you know. But I've heard all about what it's supposed to be like – you put a tree in the house and decorate it, and then you put presents underneath it, and on Christmas morning, you open them...right?"

"I suppose that about sums it up," Harry answered. He wondered if Snape was going to actually get a Christmas tree. Somehow, he could not imagine him doing so.

"How's your Occlumency going?" he asked curiously.

"Well...okay I suppose. Snape says I'm doing really well, but I don't know if I really am," she answered.

He nodded and leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, same here," he replied. The memory of Sirius always brought him a fresh wave of grief, but also a new wave of determination. He was able to withstand it most of the time, but it drained the energy completely out of him so that he was nearly unable to move.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing, and, in the end, packing. He was very excited about seeing Lupin the following day, and found it hard to clear his mind. Once he had, he wasted no time falling asleep.

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The next morning he awoke early and excited. He jumped out of bed and woke Ron up.

"Wassamatter?" Ron mumbled.

"We're going home, come on!" Harry replied, nearly pushing him out of bed.

"I'm comin, I'm comin," Ron answered sleepily.

Harry vaulted down the stairs and into the common room, where Hermione and Silver were already chatting on the couch. He sat down next to Silver and gave her hair a playful tug.

"You ready for Christmas?" he asked.

She smiled. "I think so – you?"

"Very ready," he answered, grinning.

Breakfast in the Great Hall was a riot. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had a food fight, Ron was convinced that the Slytherins were drinking firewhisky, and the Gryffindors were the loudest bunch of the lot. Soon the whole school had taken up the chant, "Ex-tra week, ex-tra week!"

Harry managed to steer Silver to the exit without getting either of them pelted by scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, or the like.

She burst out laughing when they arrived in the hallway. "Wow, I didn't get any food on me!"

He grinned. "Thanks to my expert steering," he reminded her.

They regarded each other silently for a moment. Then, unexpectedly, she threw her arms around his neck and enveloped him in a hug. He slid his arms around her, wondering what had inspired this sudden wave of emotion.

"I'm really going to miss you, Harry," she murmured.

"I'll miss you, too," he replied, realizing that it was the truth.

"Will you come and visit me?" she asked hopefully.

"Course I will," he answered.

She didn't release or tighten her hold on him, she simply stayed right there, much to his delight. He tugged on her hair and she released him, smiling up at him. He grinned back down at her and bent down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. As he pulled away, he looked down at her – her eyes stayed closed for a moment, but when she opened them, they were dancing happily. He heard Dumbledore calling everyone to order back in the Great Hall.

"Well," she said, "I won't be taking the train with you."

He nodded. He had expected as much – Snape would never want to be trapped in a small box with students all around him.

"But I can walk out with you," she continued.

"Please do," he encouraged.

Smiling, she walked with him out to the threstral-pulled carriages that were ready to take them to the Hogwarts Express. Harry noted that Snape was keeping a very close eye on them. Ron and Hermione said goodbye to Silver, and then left the two of them outside the carriage they had chosen.

"Bye, Harry," she said, as if she weren't going to see him for a year.

"Bye," he replied, looking down at her and wondering whether to kiss her again or not.

She put her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and placed a sweet, although short, kiss on his lips, answering his question for him. He was grinning uncontrollably as he got into the carriage.

"Harry," Ron crowed, "You should have seen the look on Snape's face when she kissed you!"

"He definitely wasn't happy," Hermione agreed.

"Ah well, he'll get over it," Harry replied.

He looked from Ron to Hermione. Ron had filled him in on their relationship just as Harry had filled him in on his and Silver's. Harry thought they made a good couple when they weren't bickering – of course, he figured that arguing was just their way of showing that they liked each other. He noted that Ron had somehow slipped his hand into Hermione's without her objecting in the slightest. As they boarded the train, Ron and Hermione didn't let go of each other's hands, and Harry caught them sending each other mushy looks. He sighed, supposing that he would have to watch them the whole train ride in that manner.

He managed to get Ron to participate halfheartedly in a Quidditch conversation once they had found an empty compartment, but it was obvious that Ron was more focused on Hermione.

"Wow, it's really beautiful outside, isn't it?" Hermione commented.

Immediately Ron dropped the conversation about Quidditch to look out the window and witness the beauty for himself.

"Yeah, it is," he agreed.

Hermione smiled warmly at him, and he blushed.

Harry squirmed in his seat. It was kind of weird watching his two best friends gush over each other. He lay down on his seat and closed his eyes. Sleep didn't come, but he was able to successfully block out most of Ron and Hermione's conversation...which had to do with how much they would miss each other...

He suddenly jumped up at the sound of a familiar snicker echoing through the hallway. Hermione and Ron finally quit their mush, having heard it as well. Just as Harry had suspected, their compartment door slid open to reveal a smirking Draco, whom amazingly didn't seem to have Crabbe and Goyle with him...although Harry was sure they weren't far.

"So, Potter, bet you think you're hot stuff, don't you?" Draco asked.

"Uh, sure," Harry answered, confused.

"Don't be dense, Potter. She kissed you," Draco said impatiently.

"Oh, right, that," Harry said, realization passing over his face. After a moment he added "You came here just to let me know that she kissed me?"

Ron sniggered.

Draco sneered at him sarcastically. "Very funny. I just wanted to let you know that next time, she'll be kissing me."

Harry snorted. "Yeah, sure she will."

"Harry, Harry, Harry," Draco said in mock thoughtful tones, "You're forgetting that I have something you don't. While you may have a scar on your forehead..."

"That's not why she kissed me!" Harry exclaimed indignantly.

"Sure it isn't," Draco smirked, "Anyway, while you may have a scar on your forehead, I have a piece of information that seems to be very valuable to her...her father's identity."

"Shove off, Malfoy," Harry told him angrily, "The day she kisses you is the day Crabbe and Goyle pass a class."

Ron sniggered again, and even Hermione giggled.

Draco sneered at them. "Just you wait, Potter," he said, "Just you wait."

He turned and left, and Harry mimicked, "Just you wait, Potter," in a high falsetto.

"What a load of hogwash," Ron said, shaking his head.

Harry felt slightly uncomfortable. What if Draco was right? Silver did seem to really want to know her father's identity...

"Harry, you don't believe him, do you?" Hermione asked, having been observing him.

"No," Harry replied in a very unconvincing tone.

"Silver wants him to shove off as much as you do, Harry," Ron chimed in, "Don't let him get to you."

"He's not getting to me!" Harry replied angrily, turning and facing out the window. They didn't dare argue with him.

Ron and Hermione were silent for the rest of the way, and Harry was thankful for it. When the train finally stopped, neither of them got up, but Harry gave them a quick "Bye!" and practically ran off the train. The first person he saw when he stepped off was Lupin. He smiled and began to walk toward him, but Mrs. Weasley ran forward and enveloped him in a hug.

"How are you, dear boy? You look so nice! Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"Uh, saying goodbye to each other, I think," Harry answered, straining to see Lupin over her shoulder.

"Oh, how sweet!" Mrs. Weasley replied, beaming, "You have a good break now, alright?"

"Okay," Harry replied as he stepped past her to meet Lupin.

"Harry," Lupin greeted as Harry walked up to him.

"Hi," Harry replied happily.

Lupin smiled down at him, as if he wanted to hug him, but not there. Harry was glad...he could only imagine the comments Malfoy would make if he saw Harry hugging their former professor.

"Let's go get your luggage," Lupin suggested.

Harry nodded. "Uh, how are we getting home?" he asked as they walked to a deserted corner.

"How else?" Lupin replied, "The good old Knight Bus. Of course, you may be disappointed now that Silver isn't here..."

Lupin's eyes twinkled amusedly, and Harry blushed.

Lupin raised his wand and in the blink of an eye, the purple bus was in front of them.

"Hey, Neville...'Arry, whoever you are...where's your girlfriend?" Stan asked, peering hopefully over Harry's shoulder.

"Calm down," Harry replied dryly, "She's not coming."

Stan looked disappointed as he took their tickets. Seats that looked somewhat like bus seats on regular Muggle buses adorned the first floor. It was almost full, but Harry and Lupin managed to find an empty seat. Hedwig hooted concernedly – the Knight Bus was definitely not her favorite way to travel.

The bus lurched into motion, pressing Harry back against his seat and then throwing him forward as the speed settled. He reached out and caught himself before he hit the back of the seat in front of him.

"You okay?" Lupin asked as he braced himself with one leg.

"Uh, I think so," Harry answered. The bus turned and he would have fallen off the end of the seat if Lupin hadn't grabbed his arm and yanked him back up.

"Thanks," he said sheepishly.

"Anytime," Lupin replied, smiling.

After a few stops, the bus pulled up in front of Grimmauld Place. Harry and Lupin gratefully got off.

"Wait until you see what we've done with the house," Lupin said rather excitedly as he and Harry walked up to the front door. Lupin pushed it open, and Harry could see the difference the moment he walked in. The walls had been painted a pleasant-looking tan-ish color, and they seemed to sparkle. The heads that used to line the walls were gone, although Sirius' mother's portrait still hung, covered up, a bit further down. Most of the furniture had been replaced, and the hardwood floor was now cleaned and shiny.

"Wow," Harry said, impressed, as he saw that the staircase had also been fixed up. The stairs were now sporting brand new beige carpet and mahogany wooden railing.

"We've only done the hallways, the staircase, the living room, and the kitchen," Lupin explained, "But when you go back to school we're going to start on the study and all the upstairs rooms."

"It looks great," Harry said honestly. The upstairs was carpeted, and the walls had also been painted a sparkly tan. All of the pictures that had been upstairs were gone.

Harry opened the door to his and Ron's room, and the change was remarkable. The walls were dirty and grayish, and the carpet of the floor was black, adding to the gloom. The beds looked old and worn down, and the whole room looked rather gloomy.

"Makes a big difference, doesn't it?" Lupin asked, surveying the room distastefully.

"Yeah," Harry replied, looking around the room with the same dislike.

"Well, you must be hungry after your trip," Lupin said hopefully.

Harry grinned. "Yeah, I am," he agreed.

It turned out Mrs. Weasley had made sandwiches for them in the morning, and left them on the counter with a Freshness Charm to wait until they got home.

"So, Harry," Lupin said after he swallowed his first mouthful, "How are things?"

Harry told Lupin about everything that had happened, including Draco, Ron and Hermione, Silver, Snape, and his disturbing dream about Draco and Silver.

Lupin grinned at his dream. "Well, Harry, at least it was a normal dream and not one about Voldemort," he said, "I'm sure it was just your teenage mind working up a tall tale – nothing that would happen in real life."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't pleasant," Harry answered, "I would almost rather have the Voldemort dreams."

Lupin chuckled. "She's that important to you, is she?"

Harry didn't answer. He supposed so, which only made him feel worse about the dream.

"Do you get lonely here all by yourself?" Harry asked, changing the subject.

"Well, not really," Lupin replied, "I have company very often, and I'm at the Weasley's a lot, so when I stay here on weekends it's a pretty good relaxation time. When I do get lonely, I have plenty of people to go visit."

Harry nodded. He was glad that Lupin wasn't bored out of his mind.

"How're you doing in your classes?" Lupin asked, "Gotten an O in Potions yet?"

"No," Harry grumbled, "Snape'll never give me an O, no matter if I deserve it or not. And I know I've earned it lots of times! Well, a few times, at least."

Lupin chuckled. "Well, maybe he'll come around by the end of the school year."

"Doubt it," was Harry's dubious reply.

Lupin looked highly amused.

"So, feel like going shopping for a Christmas tree this week?" Lupin asked.

Harry grinned. "I'd like that," he answered.

"Good," Lupin said, "I was thinking maybe we'd go on Sunday or Monday."

"What about tomorrow?" Harry asked.

"We have plans tomorrow," Lupin replied, "They're having an Open Market at Hogsmeade."

At Harry's blank look, he quickly explained.

"It's where people are free to market anything they want on the streets of Hogsmeade, from food to magical creatures they breed. There are stands and booths set up everywhere – it's really very interesting."

"Sounds fun," Harry replied.

"Yes, but you do have to be careful around the magical creatures...I once picked up a friendly-looking kitten who proceeded to breathe fire on me. The breeder said it was what it was supposed to do, and I must say I lost interest in cats completely afterwards."

Harry laughed. "I'll be careful around the cats," he promised teasingly.

Lupin laughed. "Good," he replied.

"Um, do you think we could invite Silver with us tomorrow?" Harry asked, "She wanted me to visit her..."

"Already taken care of, Harry," Lupin replied, "Snape and I have been in touch as of late, and they will both be joining us tomorrow."

"Both of them?" Harry groaned.

"Be nice to Snape, Harry," Lupin warned, "He's already promised to be nice to you."

"Yeah, that probably means he'll refrain from punching me when I look at Silver," Harry answered sarcastically.

Lupin laughed. "Harry, I know it doesn't seem like it to you...or really to me, but Dumbledore is convinced that Snape is changing, and I trust Dumbledore."

"Yeah, me too," Harry said, "But he can be wrong sometimes."

"Yes, he can," Lupin agreed, "But I don't think he is in this case. Do you have any reason to believe so?"

"Guess not," Harry replied, "He still shoots me death looks all the time, though."

"Yes, well, I'm afraid that can't be helped, seeing as you bear such an uncanny resemblance to James," Lupin answered, his eyes sparkling with pride, "But he has been a bit more decent to you, hasn't he?"

"I suppose," Harry sighed, "It's just hard to be nice to him when he looks at me like he wants me dead, you know?"

Lupin chuckled. "I know, Harry," he said, "Just remember that Silver loves him, and she would want you to be decent to him, at the very least."

"Yeah," Harry responded, "I'll try."

"Good, then," Lupin answered.

They sat in silence for a while, Harry aware of Lupin's stare the whole time.

"Harry," Lupin said at last, "I'm very proud of you."

Harry glanced up in surprise.

"Very proud," Lupin repeated.

"Why?" Harry asked, wondering if he had done anything particularly good lately.

"Well, it's a bit complicated. I'm not sure if I could explain it," Lupin answered, "I just wanted you to know that I'm proud."

"Well...thanks," Harry replied, feeling special for no particular reason.

There was another comfortable silence, but Lupin broke it once more.

"Come see what we've done with the living room, Harry."

Harry followed Lupin into the living room – the change was astounding. The fireplace gleamed, it's bricks no longer covered in soot and grime. The walls were the sparkly tan of the hallways and the kitchen, and the floor was the beige carpet that lined the stairs. The old, tattered couches and armchairs had been replaced with comfortable-looking ones that were a deep shade of brown. There were a few of the old pictures on the walls, but also newer ones which included a waterfall, in which a unicorn was currently drinking out of the small pond at the bottom, and a picture of a peaceful old farmhouse.

"I like the new pictures," Harry commented, watching as the horses in the pasture of the farm began to gallop around, causing the cows to look up in surprise.

"Me, too," Lupin said, "They're really very interesting. New animals walk into the waterfall one all the time, and occasionally the farmer comes out of the house to feed the animals."

Harry watched as the unicorn pranced out of the waterfall picture, and the horses returned to grazing in the farmhouse one. He felt he could watch either of them for a very long time and not get bored in the least.

"So, Harry..." Lupin said suddenly, "I never really got to say hi...well, I did, but..."

Harry turned and grinned at Lupin, and accepted the hug he felt he had been deserving since they arrived home.

Lupin tousled his hair as he released him. "You're something, Harry," he informed him, "Yes, you are..."

Harry smiled. He liked how Lupin could make him feel special for no reason at all. He liked the fact that Grimmauld Place was starting to feel more...his. His and Lupin's. He felt very content and happy for no reason other than these.

Exactly the way Sirius would have wanted it to be.