Chapter Two: Who's Child is This?
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Hi. I'm back. Enjoy. :)
Harry didn't know why he followed Jenny into her house. He wasn't sure what made him eat the sandwich she made for him, or enjoy the glass of orange juice. But he did know that there was something about her eyes that made him trust her, and he did know that he had had the best afternoon he had ever had while living at Privet Drive.
His good mood lasted his entire walk home, through dinner (where Uncle Vernon yelled about "freaks" moving into the area) and through writing two letters, one to Ron and one to Hermione. He almost wished he had homework to do, but since his O.W.L. results were not back yet, he didn't know which subjects he was to study next term. As much as he didn't want to sit through another Potion class with Snape breathing down his neck, he really hoped he had done well enough on his O.W.L.s to continue with Potions, as it was needed to be an Auror.
A tapping on his window brought him out of his thoughts of Snape, and he moved to allow the owl in.
"Hello," he said to the owl, not recognizing him. The owl dropped the parchment onto the table and hopped back across to the window sill. It paused a bit before taking flight and leaving Harry completely dumbstruck.
He eyed the letter, wondering if he should open an unknown letter from an unknown sender delivered by an unfamiliar owl. His name was written on the front, above his address, and there was an official looking stamp on the back of it. Upon closer examination, he could make out the words Wizarding Exam Authority across the seal, and his heart skipped a beat.
His O.W.L. results.
He held the unopened letter in his trembling hands, just staring at his name.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Congratulations on completing your Ordinary wizarding LEvel exams this past June....
Harry scanned the letter, which was a bunch of formal sounding rubbish, then flipped to the next page.
Your Ordinary Wizarding Level exam results are as follows...
Harry grinned, reading his exam results. Making a rash decision, he jumped off his bed, threw on a sweat-jacket, and left his room, his result letter, clenched tightly in his hand.
"Where are you going, boy?" Uncle Vernon grunted at him as Harry pushed by him.
"I forgot something at the park," Harry lied. "I'll be right back."
Uncle Vernon eyed him, but didn't say anything or make to stop him. Harry left the house and set off towards the park. But he wasn't going to the park, he was going to a house directly across from the park.
He jogged up the path to Jenny's house, and knocked on the door.
"May I help you?" a woman asked, opening the door enough for her to look out. She had soft brown hair, and looked like an older version of Jenny, with the exemption of their eyes. Jenny's were a deep brown, and her mum's were a soft blue. And Ms. O'Connor's were red and swollen, like she had been crying.
"Ms. O'Connor?" Harry asked, hopefully.
"Yes," she replied.
"My name is Harry Potter, and I know Jenny from school," Harry said very quickly. "And I just found out that you guys live here in Surrey, only a few blocks from me actually, and I know I don't know Jenny all that well, but I just got my O.W.L. results, and I... well, I wanted to share them with someone... someone, urm, magical. Is she here?"
Ms. O'Connor's expressions softened, but she didn't move.
"Is it possible you could see her tomorrow?" she asked. "We've got a bit of company, and we've just got some news... and well, I don't think you should be out at this time of night. Especially you, Mr. Potter."
"Emily, who is it?" a voice said from behind the door, a voice that sounded very familiar to Harry.
"Its," Ms. O'Connor glanced again at Harry, pausing as if to find the right words. "Its a friend of Jenny's, from school."
Harry could see the man's silhouette through the frosted glass on the front door, and the man seemed to deciding what to do.
"It is...?" the man asked, and Ms. O'Connor nodded.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, realizing who's voice it was. Why would Professor Lupin be here? Why wouldn't he come to see him, Harry, if he was in the area?
"Yes, Harry," Professor Lupin came into view behind Jenny's mum. "I think it would be best for you to come inside. He shouldn't be outside, Emily."
Harry nodded, and stepped inside, tucking his result letter into his pocket. Something about the look on both adults faces told him that something was wrong, and that it was not the time for celebrations.
"Is everything okay?" Harry asked cautiously, following Jenny's mum and Professor Lupin into the living room. Jenny was curled up on the chair, clutching a black stuffed dog. Her eyes and cheeks were glistening with tears, and she didn't seem to see him when he walked into the room.
"Have a seat Harry," Lupin said and Harry sat on the couch, across from Jenny. Lupin stood for a moment looking from Jenny to Harry, before taking a seat next to Harry.
"Jenny," Lupin said to her and she looked at him.
"Oh, Harry," she said and wiped her eyes. "I didn't see you come in."
"You'll have to forgive us, Harry," Emily said, coming into the room with a tray of tea. "We've just had some news that is very upsetting for us."
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I can go, if thats better."
"Stay Harry," Lupin said. "Besides, you all need to be let on to some things, and there are some things to be done that effect you all. I was on my way to see you after I was finished here. This just makes my stop tonight one less."
Harry took a cup of tea but didn't drink it. He started at Lupin. He had not seen him since the train dropped him off at King's Cross. He looked tired, and worn out, like he hadn't been sleeping well. He looked like Harry felt, and Harry looked down at his tea, careful to not let thoughts of Sirius show on his face.
"I have just given Jenny and her mother some bad news," Lupin continued. "They have lost someone close to them."
"I'm sorry for your loss," Harry said, looking up and meeting Jenny's eyes. "I recently lost someone close to me as well, and I know it can be hard."
"Jenny's father was a good man," Emily said, taking a seat beside Jenny. "We didn't see as much of him as we would have liked, but we are grateful for what we had."
"Yes he was a good man," Lupin said.
"Was it your godfather?" Jenny asked. "The person you lost."
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "How'd you know?"
"I heard Ginny Weasley say something about it last term. She said you had watched him die."
Harry swallowed and held his breath, willing himself not to cry, not to pull that image from his memory.
"Now this may come as a shock," Lupin said. "But Harry, you knew Jenny's father. And Jenny, you know Harry's godfather."
"I did?" Harry and Jenny replied at the same time.
Lupin nodded. "Jenny, if you don't mind, could you tell me what the name of your stuffed dog is?"
Jenny glanced down at the toy she was holding and then back up at Harry. "You must find me awfully silly. I'm almost fifteen and I'm clutching a stuffed toy."
"Not at all," Harry replied.
"Mum gave it to me, when I was little. She told me his name was Padfoot and that he would protect me."
"Pa-Padfoot?" Harry asked. "Where did she get the name Padfoot?"
"It was her father's nickname at school," Emily replied.
Harry glanced at Lupin who's eyes were grinning. Harry glanced at Jenny again, and then back at Lupin.
"You've got to be kidding me," Harry said to Lupin.
"Not at all, Harry," Lupin said.
"Why didn't he tell me?!" Harry exclaimed.
"No one knew," Lupin explained. "I've been the Secret Keeper for all these years, and I couldn't tell anyone. You know how powerful of a spell that is, Harry."
"But Sirius could have told me!" Harry cried.
"You did know him?" Jenny asked. "You knew my father?"
"Your father, was Sirius Black, correct?" Harry asked.
Jenny nodded.
"Sirius Black was my dad's best friend at school, and they made him my godfather and guardian if anything were to happen to them. Well we all know what happened to my parents. Sirius was the next thing I had. He was my godfather."
"I can't believe this," Emily said. "And you knew, Remus?"
Lupin nodded. "I couldn't exactly tell him, though Emily. You made sure of that when you cast that charm."
"But Remus, you could have told me!" Emily cried. "All this time Sirius Black had a daughter and a godson, Remus, he could have to me and you could have told me! You should have told me about Harry!"
"So no one knows your Sirius's daughter?" Harry asked.
Jenny shook her head. "Mum said that Dumbledore just found out recently. Thats why we had to move here, so that your guard could keep an eye on both of us."
"I'm still being followed?" Harry asked, rounding on Remus.
"Of course you are, Harry," Remus said. "You are still at a very large risk."
"But I came back to my aunt's house this summer, isn't that good enough?"
"We don't want to take any chances," Lupin said. "Its better if we are safe then sorry."
"Of course, keep Precious Potter safe so he can save the world for us," Harry cried, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"What?" Jenny asked.
"Well let me give you something to take back to Dumbledore," Harry continued. "If he expects me to 'vanquish the dark lord' then I suggest he back off and let me breath! How am I suppose to defeat Voldemort if I'm being tagged twenty four seven?"
"How are you going to do it if you're caught off guard and killed my one of his lackeys?" Lupin asked. "And I will not deliver a message to Dumbledore for you, you can tell him yourself tomorrow when you and Jenny go to Grimmauld Place."
"Oh no, I am not going back there!" Harry cried. "How can you expect me to go back there?! After everything that happened? Sirius is dead and you want me to go back to his house?"
"You've been to Dad's house?" Jenny asked.
"Its not a pretty sight," Harry replied. "Consider yourself lucky that you've never been there. There is a portrait of his mum that screams at everyone who walks by, and a house elf who is better off dead."
"Which is exactly the reason we need Jenny to come to Grimmauld Place," Lupin said. "Kreacher will only answer to the last of the Black line, and Jenny needs to give him some orders before he goes off to the Malfoys and tells old Narsissa everything he knows."
"I have to give orders?" Jenny asked. "To a house elf?"
"You should just order him to drown himself," Harry said. "He's useless alive."
"Harry, I know that you have your issues with Kreacher, but he is a magical creature and deserves a little bit of your respect," Lupin said.
"I'm not giving that filthy elf anything!" Harry stood up. "And I'm not going back there. I lost Sirius and you're going to make me go back there?!"
"You lost Sirius?!" Jenny cried, throwing her blanket off her and standing up. "He was my father! And I barely even knew him! What gives you any right to just assume that you were the only one who his death has effected?"
"I'm not saying that!" Harry yelled back. "But you have your mum! Who do I have? Some Muggle relatives who treat me like I'm scum taking up their breathable air! Being back at Sirius' house will only make it more obvious that he's gone and that I have no one else, and I'd rather stay at the Dursley's doing chores all summer then be reminded that the reason Sirius is dead is because of me!"
"What?"
"He didn't tell you, did he?" Harry asked, pointing at Lupin. "He didn't tell you that the reason that Sirius is dead is because I got tricked into going to the Ministry thinking he had been captured, when he really hadn't! He came after me! To save me! If I had stopped and thought for even a second I would have realized how stupid it was! Instead, I stormed off head strong to the Ministry putting five of my friends in danger, and almost getting them and myself killed!" Tears were flowing down Harry's face now, but he made no notice of them. He and Jenny were inches from each other, screaming at each other, both sobbing at they yelled.
"So what?" she asked. "You made a mistake! That doesn't mean that its your fault he went. At least you know he cared enough about you to do that! You know how many times I've seen my father? Five times. Five times! I can count that on one hand!"
"You know how many times I've seen my father?" Harry asked. "Or my mum? None. Not since I was an infant, and I can't even remember that. You see your mum every day. My mum died to save my life. Sirius died to save my life too!"
"Sirius didn't die to save your life, don't be so egotistical, Harry, Not everything is about you," Jenny replied. "He died because Bellatrix hit him with a curse that made his fall through the Veil. How is that your fault?"
"Because he was there to save me!" Harry yelled. "He wouldn't have been there if I hadn't gone off without thinking."
"If thats your fault, then its your fault he went to Azkaban in the first place!"
"What?"
"If your parents wouldn't have had you, then they wouldn't have had to go into hiding, making Dad their Secret Keeper, and then he wouldn't have had to change with Pettigrew and then Pettigrew wouldn't have given them to Voldemort and then he wouldn't have corned Dad on the street, blowing up that street and framing Dad for it. So its your fault he had to go to Azkaban as an innocent man. Its your fault that my dad didn't know I existed till a few summers ago!"
"You can't be serious!" Harry cried, almost laughing. "There is no way that is all my fault, how could I control any of that?"
"You couldn't," Jenny said, her voice calmer. "Just like you couldn't control what happened last month at the Ministry. Dad's death is not your fault, as much as it is that he went to Azkaban for crimes he didn't commit."
Harry opened his mouth to say something but stopped. She was right. It had made so much sense to blame himself for things that happened. He had never stopped to think about it if was logical at all. Everyone had been trying to tell him this for years. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Lupin, Dumbledore and even Sirius. Harry blinked a few times, wondering why he was suddenly getting it.
"You know I'm right," Jenny said. "Its okay to admit it."
Before he could stop himself, Harry grinned.
"Well, do you two feel better?" Lupin asked.
Harry glanced at an amused looking Lupin and Emily, having forgotten that they were there.
"I should get going," Harry said.
"Not so fast, Harry," Lupin said. "We need to get you packed up, as you will be leaving your aunt and uncle's house tonight."
"Tonight?!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes, Harry," Lupin replied. "At Dumbledore's request, you are to accompany Jenny to Grummauld Place."
"Mum, you're not coming?" Jenny asked.
Emily shook her head. "Not tonight, sweetie. I'll be there in a few days."
"Is Moody coming with us?" Harry asked.
Lupin laughed. "No, he's not this time. Tonks and a few other Aurors are meeting us at your house, in an hour."
"Will Ron and Hermione be at Grimmauld Place?"
Lupin shook his head. "Sorry, Harry. They won't be there for a while. The Weasley's will be there after your birthday and we don't know when Hermione is coming. It will just be you and Jenny for the first couple weeks."
Harry glanced at Jenny and nodded.
"At least you can help me study for my O.W.L.'s without having people looking at us funny," Jenny said.
"Yeah," Harry nodded, fumbling something in his pocket. "Oh!" His O.W.L. results! He had forgotten.
"What is it, Harry?" Lupin asked.
"My results," Harry said, pulling the letter from his pocket. "That was the reason I came over here. I got my exam results and I wanted to tell someone, someone that would understand what they meant and someone that would, I dunno, care."
"Well, lets see 'em," Lupin said, and took the letter from Harry. A smile spread across his professor's face as he read through the results.
"Eight," Harry said proudly.
"This is incredible, Harry!" Lupin said. "Eight, O.W.L.'s! A in Astronomy, Divination and Herbology; E in Charms and Transfiguration; O in Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, well that one was a given."
"And an O in Potions," Harry said proudly. "I got a good enough grade to see Snape's ugly git face in N.E.W.T. Potions."
"Its Professor Snape Ugly Git Face," Lupin replied in a Dumbledore like way. "Congratulations, Harry! Eight O.W.L.'s! Thats the same that your dad got!"
Harry beamed.
A/N: Read and review please!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: Hi. I'm back. Enjoy. :)
Harry didn't know why he followed Jenny into her house. He wasn't sure what made him eat the sandwich she made for him, or enjoy the glass of orange juice. But he did know that there was something about her eyes that made him trust her, and he did know that he had had the best afternoon he had ever had while living at Privet Drive.
His good mood lasted his entire walk home, through dinner (where Uncle Vernon yelled about "freaks" moving into the area) and through writing two letters, one to Ron and one to Hermione. He almost wished he had homework to do, but since his O.W.L. results were not back yet, he didn't know which subjects he was to study next term. As much as he didn't want to sit through another Potion class with Snape breathing down his neck, he really hoped he had done well enough on his O.W.L.s to continue with Potions, as it was needed to be an Auror.
A tapping on his window brought him out of his thoughts of Snape, and he moved to allow the owl in.
"Hello," he said to the owl, not recognizing him. The owl dropped the parchment onto the table and hopped back across to the window sill. It paused a bit before taking flight and leaving Harry completely dumbstruck.
He eyed the letter, wondering if he should open an unknown letter from an unknown sender delivered by an unfamiliar owl. His name was written on the front, above his address, and there was an official looking stamp on the back of it. Upon closer examination, he could make out the words Wizarding Exam Authority across the seal, and his heart skipped a beat.
His O.W.L. results.
He held the unopened letter in his trembling hands, just staring at his name.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Congratulations on completing your Ordinary wizarding LEvel exams this past June....
Harry scanned the letter, which was a bunch of formal sounding rubbish, then flipped to the next page.
Your Ordinary Wizarding Level exam results are as follows...
Harry grinned, reading his exam results. Making a rash decision, he jumped off his bed, threw on a sweat-jacket, and left his room, his result letter, clenched tightly in his hand.
"Where are you going, boy?" Uncle Vernon grunted at him as Harry pushed by him.
"I forgot something at the park," Harry lied. "I'll be right back."
Uncle Vernon eyed him, but didn't say anything or make to stop him. Harry left the house and set off towards the park. But he wasn't going to the park, he was going to a house directly across from the park.
He jogged up the path to Jenny's house, and knocked on the door.
"May I help you?" a woman asked, opening the door enough for her to look out. She had soft brown hair, and looked like an older version of Jenny, with the exemption of their eyes. Jenny's were a deep brown, and her mum's were a soft blue. And Ms. O'Connor's were red and swollen, like she had been crying.
"Ms. O'Connor?" Harry asked, hopefully.
"Yes," she replied.
"My name is Harry Potter, and I know Jenny from school," Harry said very quickly. "And I just found out that you guys live here in Surrey, only a few blocks from me actually, and I know I don't know Jenny all that well, but I just got my O.W.L. results, and I... well, I wanted to share them with someone... someone, urm, magical. Is she here?"
Ms. O'Connor's expressions softened, but she didn't move.
"Is it possible you could see her tomorrow?" she asked. "We've got a bit of company, and we've just got some news... and well, I don't think you should be out at this time of night. Especially you, Mr. Potter."
"Emily, who is it?" a voice said from behind the door, a voice that sounded very familiar to Harry.
"Its," Ms. O'Connor glanced again at Harry, pausing as if to find the right words. "Its a friend of Jenny's, from school."
Harry could see the man's silhouette through the frosted glass on the front door, and the man seemed to deciding what to do.
"It is...?" the man asked, and Ms. O'Connor nodded.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, realizing who's voice it was. Why would Professor Lupin be here? Why wouldn't he come to see him, Harry, if he was in the area?
"Yes, Harry," Professor Lupin came into view behind Jenny's mum. "I think it would be best for you to come inside. He shouldn't be outside, Emily."
Harry nodded, and stepped inside, tucking his result letter into his pocket. Something about the look on both adults faces told him that something was wrong, and that it was not the time for celebrations.
"Is everything okay?" Harry asked cautiously, following Jenny's mum and Professor Lupin into the living room. Jenny was curled up on the chair, clutching a black stuffed dog. Her eyes and cheeks were glistening with tears, and she didn't seem to see him when he walked into the room.
"Have a seat Harry," Lupin said and Harry sat on the couch, across from Jenny. Lupin stood for a moment looking from Jenny to Harry, before taking a seat next to Harry.
"Jenny," Lupin said to her and she looked at him.
"Oh, Harry," she said and wiped her eyes. "I didn't see you come in."
"You'll have to forgive us, Harry," Emily said, coming into the room with a tray of tea. "We've just had some news that is very upsetting for us."
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I can go, if thats better."
"Stay Harry," Lupin said. "Besides, you all need to be let on to some things, and there are some things to be done that effect you all. I was on my way to see you after I was finished here. This just makes my stop tonight one less."
Harry took a cup of tea but didn't drink it. He started at Lupin. He had not seen him since the train dropped him off at King's Cross. He looked tired, and worn out, like he hadn't been sleeping well. He looked like Harry felt, and Harry looked down at his tea, careful to not let thoughts of Sirius show on his face.
"I have just given Jenny and her mother some bad news," Lupin continued. "They have lost someone close to them."
"I'm sorry for your loss," Harry said, looking up and meeting Jenny's eyes. "I recently lost someone close to me as well, and I know it can be hard."
"Jenny's father was a good man," Emily said, taking a seat beside Jenny. "We didn't see as much of him as we would have liked, but we are grateful for what we had."
"Yes he was a good man," Lupin said.
"Was it your godfather?" Jenny asked. "The person you lost."
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "How'd you know?"
"I heard Ginny Weasley say something about it last term. She said you had watched him die."
Harry swallowed and held his breath, willing himself not to cry, not to pull that image from his memory.
"Now this may come as a shock," Lupin said. "But Harry, you knew Jenny's father. And Jenny, you know Harry's godfather."
"I did?" Harry and Jenny replied at the same time.
Lupin nodded. "Jenny, if you don't mind, could you tell me what the name of your stuffed dog is?"
Jenny glanced down at the toy she was holding and then back up at Harry. "You must find me awfully silly. I'm almost fifteen and I'm clutching a stuffed toy."
"Not at all," Harry replied.
"Mum gave it to me, when I was little. She told me his name was Padfoot and that he would protect me."
"Pa-Padfoot?" Harry asked. "Where did she get the name Padfoot?"
"It was her father's nickname at school," Emily replied.
Harry glanced at Lupin who's eyes were grinning. Harry glanced at Jenny again, and then back at Lupin.
"You've got to be kidding me," Harry said to Lupin.
"Not at all, Harry," Lupin said.
"Why didn't he tell me?!" Harry exclaimed.
"No one knew," Lupin explained. "I've been the Secret Keeper for all these years, and I couldn't tell anyone. You know how powerful of a spell that is, Harry."
"But Sirius could have told me!" Harry cried.
"You did know him?" Jenny asked. "You knew my father?"
"Your father, was Sirius Black, correct?" Harry asked.
Jenny nodded.
"Sirius Black was my dad's best friend at school, and they made him my godfather and guardian if anything were to happen to them. Well we all know what happened to my parents. Sirius was the next thing I had. He was my godfather."
"I can't believe this," Emily said. "And you knew, Remus?"
Lupin nodded. "I couldn't exactly tell him, though Emily. You made sure of that when you cast that charm."
"But Remus, you could have told me!" Emily cried. "All this time Sirius Black had a daughter and a godson, Remus, he could have to me and you could have told me! You should have told me about Harry!"
"So no one knows your Sirius's daughter?" Harry asked.
Jenny shook her head. "Mum said that Dumbledore just found out recently. Thats why we had to move here, so that your guard could keep an eye on both of us."
"I'm still being followed?" Harry asked, rounding on Remus.
"Of course you are, Harry," Remus said. "You are still at a very large risk."
"But I came back to my aunt's house this summer, isn't that good enough?"
"We don't want to take any chances," Lupin said. "Its better if we are safe then sorry."
"Of course, keep Precious Potter safe so he can save the world for us," Harry cried, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"What?" Jenny asked.
"Well let me give you something to take back to Dumbledore," Harry continued. "If he expects me to 'vanquish the dark lord' then I suggest he back off and let me breath! How am I suppose to defeat Voldemort if I'm being tagged twenty four seven?"
"How are you going to do it if you're caught off guard and killed my one of his lackeys?" Lupin asked. "And I will not deliver a message to Dumbledore for you, you can tell him yourself tomorrow when you and Jenny go to Grimmauld Place."
"Oh no, I am not going back there!" Harry cried. "How can you expect me to go back there?! After everything that happened? Sirius is dead and you want me to go back to his house?"
"You've been to Dad's house?" Jenny asked.
"Its not a pretty sight," Harry replied. "Consider yourself lucky that you've never been there. There is a portrait of his mum that screams at everyone who walks by, and a house elf who is better off dead."
"Which is exactly the reason we need Jenny to come to Grimmauld Place," Lupin said. "Kreacher will only answer to the last of the Black line, and Jenny needs to give him some orders before he goes off to the Malfoys and tells old Narsissa everything he knows."
"I have to give orders?" Jenny asked. "To a house elf?"
"You should just order him to drown himself," Harry said. "He's useless alive."
"Harry, I know that you have your issues with Kreacher, but he is a magical creature and deserves a little bit of your respect," Lupin said.
"I'm not giving that filthy elf anything!" Harry stood up. "And I'm not going back there. I lost Sirius and you're going to make me go back there?!"
"You lost Sirius?!" Jenny cried, throwing her blanket off her and standing up. "He was my father! And I barely even knew him! What gives you any right to just assume that you were the only one who his death has effected?"
"I'm not saying that!" Harry yelled back. "But you have your mum! Who do I have? Some Muggle relatives who treat me like I'm scum taking up their breathable air! Being back at Sirius' house will only make it more obvious that he's gone and that I have no one else, and I'd rather stay at the Dursley's doing chores all summer then be reminded that the reason Sirius is dead is because of me!"
"What?"
"He didn't tell you, did he?" Harry asked, pointing at Lupin. "He didn't tell you that the reason that Sirius is dead is because I got tricked into going to the Ministry thinking he had been captured, when he really hadn't! He came after me! To save me! If I had stopped and thought for even a second I would have realized how stupid it was! Instead, I stormed off head strong to the Ministry putting five of my friends in danger, and almost getting them and myself killed!" Tears were flowing down Harry's face now, but he made no notice of them. He and Jenny were inches from each other, screaming at each other, both sobbing at they yelled.
"So what?" she asked. "You made a mistake! That doesn't mean that its your fault he went. At least you know he cared enough about you to do that! You know how many times I've seen my father? Five times. Five times! I can count that on one hand!"
"You know how many times I've seen my father?" Harry asked. "Or my mum? None. Not since I was an infant, and I can't even remember that. You see your mum every day. My mum died to save my life. Sirius died to save my life too!"
"Sirius didn't die to save your life, don't be so egotistical, Harry, Not everything is about you," Jenny replied. "He died because Bellatrix hit him with a curse that made his fall through the Veil. How is that your fault?"
"Because he was there to save me!" Harry yelled. "He wouldn't have been there if I hadn't gone off without thinking."
"If thats your fault, then its your fault he went to Azkaban in the first place!"
"What?"
"If your parents wouldn't have had you, then they wouldn't have had to go into hiding, making Dad their Secret Keeper, and then he wouldn't have had to change with Pettigrew and then Pettigrew wouldn't have given them to Voldemort and then he wouldn't have corned Dad on the street, blowing up that street and framing Dad for it. So its your fault he had to go to Azkaban as an innocent man. Its your fault that my dad didn't know I existed till a few summers ago!"
"You can't be serious!" Harry cried, almost laughing. "There is no way that is all my fault, how could I control any of that?"
"You couldn't," Jenny said, her voice calmer. "Just like you couldn't control what happened last month at the Ministry. Dad's death is not your fault, as much as it is that he went to Azkaban for crimes he didn't commit."
Harry opened his mouth to say something but stopped. She was right. It had made so much sense to blame himself for things that happened. He had never stopped to think about it if was logical at all. Everyone had been trying to tell him this for years. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Lupin, Dumbledore and even Sirius. Harry blinked a few times, wondering why he was suddenly getting it.
"You know I'm right," Jenny said. "Its okay to admit it."
Before he could stop himself, Harry grinned.
"Well, do you two feel better?" Lupin asked.
Harry glanced at an amused looking Lupin and Emily, having forgotten that they were there.
"I should get going," Harry said.
"Not so fast, Harry," Lupin said. "We need to get you packed up, as you will be leaving your aunt and uncle's house tonight."
"Tonight?!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes, Harry," Lupin replied. "At Dumbledore's request, you are to accompany Jenny to Grummauld Place."
"Mum, you're not coming?" Jenny asked.
Emily shook her head. "Not tonight, sweetie. I'll be there in a few days."
"Is Moody coming with us?" Harry asked.
Lupin laughed. "No, he's not this time. Tonks and a few other Aurors are meeting us at your house, in an hour."
"Will Ron and Hermione be at Grimmauld Place?"
Lupin shook his head. "Sorry, Harry. They won't be there for a while. The Weasley's will be there after your birthday and we don't know when Hermione is coming. It will just be you and Jenny for the first couple weeks."
Harry glanced at Jenny and nodded.
"At least you can help me study for my O.W.L.'s without having people looking at us funny," Jenny said.
"Yeah," Harry nodded, fumbling something in his pocket. "Oh!" His O.W.L. results! He had forgotten.
"What is it, Harry?" Lupin asked.
"My results," Harry said, pulling the letter from his pocket. "That was the reason I came over here. I got my exam results and I wanted to tell someone, someone that would understand what they meant and someone that would, I dunno, care."
"Well, lets see 'em," Lupin said, and took the letter from Harry. A smile spread across his professor's face as he read through the results.
"Eight," Harry said proudly.
"This is incredible, Harry!" Lupin said. "Eight, O.W.L.'s! A in Astronomy, Divination and Herbology; E in Charms and Transfiguration; O in Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, well that one was a given."
"And an O in Potions," Harry said proudly. "I got a good enough grade to see Snape's ugly git face in N.E.W.T. Potions."
"Its Professor Snape Ugly Git Face," Lupin replied in a Dumbledore like way. "Congratulations, Harry! Eight O.W.L.'s! Thats the same that your dad got!"
Harry beamed.
A/N: Read and review please!