After unpacking, Harry laid down on his bed. He would be sharing a bedroom with Ron and from the looks of things, Bill too. Ron sat in silence trying not to stare at Harry. He had no idea how to go about starting this conversation.
"Alright there Harry?" Ron asked as nonchalantly as possible. "You're not acting like your usual self."
"What did you expect Ron?" Harry returned sharply. "I was expecting to be playing a game of Quidditch with you this afternoon. If I had known I was coming here..."
"It's not my fault Harry. Mom and Dad just packed us up last night and we came here. I don't think any of us had a choice." Ron was trying to be apologetic.
Harry didn't say anything at first but instead just walked over to one of the windows and stared outside for a while. Ron walked over beside Harry and looked out the window too. "I know I haven't said it before mate...I'm sorry about Sirius and all." Ron closed his eyes, half expecting Harry to punch him in the face.
Harry continued to stare out the window. "Thanks Ron. But, I'm not in much of a mood to talk about that right now."
"Okay then. I was going to go look for Ginny, you want to come along?" Ron was relieved.
"No. No, I think I'll just stay here awhile. Maybe I'll find the two of you later." Harry was sitting in the windowsill now.
Ron left the room without another word. Harry got up from the window and pulled his photo album from his trunk. This time he opened up to pictures from last Christmas' celebration. There were pictures of Ron and Hermione smiling as they hung tinsel and bobbles off the chandeliers. Harry actually laughed as he passed by a picture of a fairy tangled up in Moody's hair. There was a picture of Sirius singing beside Buckbeak. A chorus of "God Rest You, Merrye Hippogriffs" played in Harry's mind. It seemed as if the happy memories of Grimmauld Place overshadowed the sadness of being in this place for the moment.
There was a knock at the door and Bill entered. "Hey there Harry! Good to see you again! Just came looking for some clean clothes." Bill was dressed in nothing more than a towel with his long hair tied in a dripping wet ponytail and as always, his signature fang earring. "Mom will have dinner ready in a little bit. Best you get down there before it's all gone, I hear Fred and George are joining us for dinner." Harry laughed and got up from his bed. He nodded to Bill before heading downstairs.
Dinner was rather uneventful, except for Fred and George's sudden apparition directly in front of Mrs. Weasley who nearly spilled an entire terrine of soup on to Mr. Weasley's lap. Bill shared some stories of his most recent dealings with the Goblins of Gringotts and the plan that they had developed to prevent funding of Death Eater cells throughout Europe. Harry did not have much to say at all. He was simply enjoying the first good meal he had the opportunity to have since leaving Hogwarts. If he did not know better he would have swore that Mrs. Weasley had spiked his pumpkin juice with a cheering draft.
After dinner Fred, George, Ginny and Harry enjoyed a game of exploding snap, while Molly and Bill helped Arthur with some Ministry work. Arthur had very recently received a promotion. With the ousting of Cornelius Fudge just a few weeks ago, Arthur was asked to fill in as assistant to Xavier Deerfield, the acting Minister of Magic. In the meantime, Fudge was now working in Arthur's old position in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office.
Shortly after 10, Fred and George said their good-byes and apparated to their new flat in Diagon Alley. Ginny went off to get her room straightened out for Hermione's arrival tomorrow, leaving Ron and Harry sitting in the parlor together.
"You know, you never told me...How'd your O.W.Ls go?" Ron asked as he swigged some butterbeer.
"Good enough to get accepted in to Potions." Harry snickered.
"YOU GOT AN O IN POTIONS?" Ron was astounded.
"No...but I managed an E. McGonagall says I have "probationary acceptance", I'm not sure I really want to deal with Snape anymore, but I'm going to have to if I want to be an Auror."
"Dumbledore and McGonagall must have had to curse Snape to get him to accept you!" Ron laughed.
"Suppose you're right there." Harry yawned. "I'm going up to bed Ron; I'll see you in the morning."
"G'night Harry."
Both Harry and Ron were sleeping in dreadfully late when Ginny stormed in to their room screaming.
Harry fell out of bed; his hand clutching his wand. Ron just snored and rolled over.
"Ginny! What's wrong? What's happened?" Harry yelled.
"Look what I've got!" Ginny was waving a letter in one hand and held out a shiny prefect's badge with the other.
Harry's heart had finally stopped racing and he just sighed. "Oh Ginny...That's great."
She lunged forward and gave Harry a quick hug. Ginny looked in Ron's direction and gave him an evil stare. She made a dive for his bed and jumped on to his legs. "Get up you lazy git!"
"Wha-Oh Ginny...go away!" He pulled a pillow over his head.
"Ron, will you just look for a second?" She ripped the pillow off the bed and held the badge about an inch from Ron's nose.
"What's that?" Ron rubbed at his eyes. "Prefect? Well done Gin." He gave her a hug. "Now if you don't mind, I've got some more sleep to work on."
Ginny punched Ron in the shoulder and ran out of the room. Harry heard her singing as she descended the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. He tucked his wand into his shorts and yawned as he stretched. "I think I smell breakfast. You coming Ron?"
"I suppose." Ron groaned. He rolled off the bed and tripped over his feet as he attempted to untangle himself from the blankets.
Harry entered the kitchen and was surprised to find Moody, Lupin and Tonks sitting at the table along with the Weasleys. "Hiya Harry!" Tonks called. This morning her hair was jet black and sticking out in all directions, much like Harry's was at the moment.
"What're you all doing here?" Harry asked cheerfully.
Lupin was the first to speak up. "There's an Order meeting tonight, but we thought we'd stop by and visit with you for a while."
"Didn't I tell you it was a bad idea to tuck your wand in your pants?" Moody chuckled.
"Oh will you get off that losing your buttocks thing!" Tonks squealed.
Harry sat down across from Professor Lupin and between Tonks and Ginny. Mrs. Weasley rushed over with two giant stacks of pancakes for him and Ron. "Tuck in you two. And here, your letters came as well."
Ginny was still beaming, her badge pinned to her nightgown. She was reading the letter repeatedly to herself. "Should I get my own owl? Or a cat? Maybe some dress robes. I can get something special, can't I mum?"
"Of course dear, but it will have to wait a few days. I think we'll go to Diagon Alley later this week, once Hermione's here." Mrs. Weasley leaned over to kiss her daughter on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you Ginny."
"Harry, how have things been?" Lupin asked.
"Okay I suppose." Harry was trying to be convincing, he could tell Lupin could see right through him. "I've been keeping myself busy studying up on Defense against the Dark Arts. I can't imagine what kind of a nutter will be teaching this year."
"I know what you mean Harry." Lupin smiled rather widely.
"Oh will you get off it!" Tonks yelled.
"Huh?" asked Ron.
"I wasn't going to say anything." Lupin paused. "Dumbledore asked me to teach again."
A giant smile played across Harry and Ron's faces, Ginny too.
"I can't believe it!" Ginny screeched.
"I think we're due for a celebration tonight," said Mrs. Weasley.
"I'd love to help. What can I cook?" Tonks asked.
Mrs. Weasley looked terrified. "You dear...why you can go with Moody to pick Hermione up. I'll take care of all the cooking."
Everyone around the table stifled a laugh. "Sure, sure...so I'm a bad cook. There you've all had your fun." Tonks pouted as the table roared with laughter. She then pointed her wand towards a grapefruit that squirted itself in Moody's non-magical eye.
Harry and Ron nearly choked on their pancakes as Moody shouted off a flood of very colorful words.
When breakfast was finished Lupin pulled Harry aside in to the parlor. "Harry. This is yours." He pulled a letter from his pocket. "Don't feel you have to read it now, it's from Sirius." Harry's eyes widened at the sight of Sirius' handwriting on the envelope. "He wrote it about a month before..." Lupin's voice trailed off.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"A good-bye I expect. We've all written them." Lupin looked older than ever. "It's part of the risk of being in the Order." Harry sighed as he took the envelope from Lupin. It seemed as if every time he was able to put the sorrow of Sirius' death to the back of his mind someone had to come along and push it to the forefront again. "I've got a few errands to run Harry, I'll see you this evening then?" Harry nodded and Lupin left without another word.
Later that afternoon before the celebration was to start, Harry hid himself in the attic. No one else had to be around for this. He settled himself beside a pile of old bed linens and broke the seal on the envelope.
Dear Harry,
It is understood that if you are reading this I'm dead and you're royally pissed at me. No, you are too much like your father, so that means you are pissed at yourself. I'm sorry for leaving you Harry. You did not deserve to lose another so close to you. No matter what you think, no matter how it happened, nothing could have prevented it.
First, working with the Order is risky enough. Add to that my fugitive status and my penchant for avenging those I love...you have a time bomb on your hands. Unfortunately, I see you headed in the same direction, and it has scared me. I am glad you're too young to be fighting Death Eaters full time. You have too much love in your heart to let your friends get hurt, I just fear for your safety.
I know I can't ask you to sit idle when the world as you know it is crumbling around you. All I ask is that you think of me. Remember the price I paid and remember how important you are. I know the contents of the prophecy Harry. Dumbledore and I agreed that it would be best for you to not know right away. We did agree that if either one of us were to die, the other would have to tell you straight away.
If anything happens to you Harry, I don't know what will become of the wizarding world. That's why you've got to keep on living! Don't stop! I know you miss me, but you have to move on. Dwelling on the past doesn't bring me back. It only keeps you from living.
I have asked Remus to take care of my will. Seeing, as my family has disowned me, I have taken the liberty to provide Grimmauld Place as a permanent haven for the Order of the Phoenix. There is a sizable amount of Galleons hidden in the basement vault. This money is to be yours once you have graduated from Hogwarts. I have made some provisions for a few things to be left to Ron and Hermione too.
I don't know what else to say Harry, just be strong. I love you Harry, you are the son I never had and the godson I never had enough time with. We will win this war and we will meet again someday far far in the future. As I told you the first day I met you, you are truly your father's son.
Your loving Godfather,
Sirius
Harry spent the entire afternoon reading and re-reading that letter. It was nearly getting dark before he emerged from the attic. Harry had sequestered himself in the dim light of the front parlor. He could hear the celebrations of the Weasley's in the kitchen. Everyone was cheering for Ginny, the new Gryffindor prefect. He wanted to join them, to be happy for her, but he could not lose the emptiness inside him. So many thoughts were swimming through his head. He was far away from the Dursley's, surrounded by those that cared most about him and still he felt like there were a hundred dementors breathing down his neck.
Lupin poked his head in the room, "Harry? Mind if I come in?"
Harry shook his head. "No, that's fine." He said softly.
Lupin walked toward Harry and stood next to the fireplace. "I know how you're feeling Harry. It is alright you know."
Harry looked toward Lupin furiously. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA – HOW CAN YOU...! YOU'RE NOT THE ONE WHO VOLDEMORT'S TRIED TO KILL FOUR TIMES. YOU DON'T HEAR MY MOTHER'S VOICE SCREAMING! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" Harry threw himself on to the sofa clenching his hair in his fists.
Lupin walked over to the couch and sat beside him. "No, I suppose you're right Harry, I don't know exactly what you're feeling. I can guess...and I know it doesn't feel very good." He paused and cleared his throat. "I remember when your parents died. In a matter of two days James and Lily were gone, I assumed Peter dead and Sirius was taken to Azkaban prison. My entire world fell apart. Ever since we found out that Sirius was innocent, part of that big hole in my heart was filled again. Sirius and I...well, back in the day we were quite like you and Ron are now. You must know that these past few months have been awful difficult for me too. Look Harry, I know I can never replace Sirius, but I just want you to know that if you ever need to talk – for whatever reason – I'll always be around."
Harry was still staring at the floor, feeling ashamed that he acted so rudely towards Lupin. He muttered very quietly "Thanks."
Lupin placed his arm around Harry's shoulder giving him a light squeeze. Harry put his hands into his face and quietly sobbed. Lupin squeezed a little harder and said, "It's alright, there Harry. Just let it out." Harry, who had pretended to be so strong these past few months, finally gave in. The tears flowed like a stream as he sat there with Lupin for a few minutes.
Ron then walked into the parlor "Oi, Supper's ready and Hermione should be here any minute." Harry slightly startled by Ron's presence looked up, neglecting to remember how red his eyes were. Ron appeared flustered at the sight of Harry in tears. "Oh....I...uh...come in when you can." He quickly left the parlor.
Harry sighed deeply and rubbed his eyes. "I wish he hadn't seen me like this."
Lupin smiled at Harry. "There are far worse things he could have caught you doing Harry." Harry managed a partial smile as Lupin rose from the couch. "Remember what I said Harry, anytime you want to talk."
Lupin was about to leave the parlor to join the party when Dumbledore apparated with a loud crack in the doorway. "Harry. Remus. Come with me." Dumbledore quickly turned around and headed for the dining room. The last time Harry saw Dumbledore look this upset was right after Harry and Cedric reappeared in the maze. Harry and Lupin exchanged concerned looks and followed Dumbledore.
"Albus! What a surprise! Pull up a chair will you, we're about to toast Ginny, the new Prefect!" Mrs. Weasley was beaming.
"Molly. Everyone, I'm sorry to interrupt the celebration...all of you need to hear this." He paused. "Death Eaters have attacked the Grangers."
Mrs. Weasley grabbed on to Mr. Weasley. Ron and Ginny turned the same shade of sickly pale.
"Are they...did they..." Mrs. Weasley couldn't get much else out.
"I'm afraid both Mr. and Mrs. Granger were killed." Albus said gravely.
Ron didn't give him a chance to finish. "W-What about Hermione?" The tables were turned; Harry had never seen Ron cry.
"Hermione is at St. Mungo's. Tonks and Moody took her there. Had Moody and Tonks not arrived to pick her up when they did..."Albus stopped as Harry ran from the dining room. Lupin chased after him.
"Harry...Harry! Stop right now!" Lupin yelled.
"It's my fault. Everything is my fault! Hermione's parents are dead because she's my friend!" Harry screamed. "No one I care about is safe. You'd all be better off without me!"
"That is hardly the case Harry." Albus appeared behind Lupin. "Voldemort is a merciless killer. He would love to see you separate yourself from the ones that love you. You forget Harry; you are a much stronger person when you are with your friends." He looked into Harry's eyes. "And right now your friends need you more than ever."
"Professor...I...can't handle this anymore! I don't want the responsibility. Everyone wants me to be strong but I can't do it. I just can't save the world." Harry looked to Dumbledore for some advice.
"Harry. No one ever said you had to do this alone." Lupin said reassuringly.
"But the prophecy..."Harry slipped. He was sure Lupin did not know what Dumbledore had revealed to him last year.
"What do you mean Harry?" Lupin looked worried. "What does he mean Albus?"
"We can't discuss this now, Harry. I want to get you and Ron to St. Mungo's as soon as possible. At this point I am not even sure that Hermione will be able to survive the night." Dumbledore's eyes were glazed over. "I've arranged for a portkey."
Harry nodded as Lupin placed his arm around Harry's shoulder. They returned to the dining room. "Remus, Arthur...I'll ask the two of you to stay behind. We will still hold the meeting as scheduled. Molly, you'll take Harry and Ron." Dumbledore then pulled a golden instrument from his pocket. He passed it over to Harry. Molly and Ron grabbed on. "Time is of the essence."
"Send our love Molly." Arthur added as he comforted Ginny who was crying in his arms.
Without another word, the whirlwind of colors transported Molly, Harry and Ron to the front lobby of St. Mungo's.
Harry, Ron and Molly were greeted by a young mediwitch who led them to the lifts and up to the fourth floor. They entered the waiting area and found Moody trying to comfort a tearful Tonks.
"Oh, Molly!" Tonks rushed over and threw her arms around Mrs. Weasley. "It's so awful, I've never seen an attack like that!" They pulled apart and dabbed at their eyes.
"What have the healers said? How is Hermione?" Harry asked.
"No one has been able to tell us anything yet...she looked so awful when we brought her in..." Tonks added.
Ron looked to the mediwitch, "When can we see her?"
"We'll let you know." The mediwitch then turned on her heels and headed straight through the door to the spell damage wing.
Tonks sat between Moody and Mrs. Weasley as Ron and Harry paced the room, occasionally exchanging worried looks. An hour passed before a healer approached the group. His nametag read "Zorobable Rice – Head Healer".
"You're here for Hermione Granger?" He looked to the group.
"How is she?" Mrs. Weasley was the first to speak.
"Not well I'm afraid. She's extremely lucky to be alive after all she's been through." He looked very concerned. "If she can make it through the night, she should be okay."
"There's still a chance she won't l-live?" It was taking all the strength Harry had to not lose it right then and there.
"C- Can we see her?" Ron asked as he held on to his mother's side.
"Yes, but not for very long. She needs time to heal. Hermione has endured more pain and curses than anyone should ever have to. I have seen older and stronger wizards than her die instantly from less. If one thing saves her, it might just be her youth." The healer paused. "I think it is best if you see her now, just in case. I don't want to deprive you of a last good-bye."
Mrs. Weasley fought through her tears. "You two go ahead...we'll w-wait h- here." She let go of Ron, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead.
Harry and Ron followed the healer down a dark corridor to a small private room. Nothing could have prepared them for what were about to see. Hermione lay motionless; her face gashed in several places. Her eyes were closed and she breathed very shallowly. Images of Hermione petrified and her limp body in the Department of Mysteries flashed in Harry's memory. For a moment, he thought he was going to be sick.
"She won't wake at the moment, been given a special draft. She'll hear you though. I'll leave you alone." The healer left the room closing the door behind him.
Harry walked around to the left side of the bed. Ron sat at her right. The two of them instinctively reached for her hands and held them in theirs. There really was no need to hold emotion back at this point, but Ron was still trying to force it back, to keep from losing it. Harry held his other hand out to Ron who took it. Not knowing if this was the right way to go about things, Harry began to speak.
"Mum...Dad...Sirius? We need you right now, more than ever. Hermione can't leave us. P-please help her. Please...I can't lose anyone else." Tears started pooling in the corner of Harry's eyes. Ron didn't say a word, but maintained a firm grip on Harry's hand; the both of them keeping each other sane.
Several eternal minutes passed when the healer entered the room again and told Ron and Harry they would have to leave for the night. Harry gave Hermione a kiss on the hand. "We're not leaving you Hermione. We'll always be with you."
Ron then did something unexpected, he leaned in and kissed Hermione. Ron whispered into her ear, "I love you 'Mione." Harry, still reeling in pain from the weight of the situation, suddenly felt a little happy. He had been waiting for Ron to finally come out and admit his love to Hermione. This of course was the most awful way for it to have happened. The gleam of happiness he had felt quickly vanished when he realized Ron was not just losing a friend, he was losing a girlfriend and quite possibly a life mate.
They both returned to the waiting area to find Mrs. Weasley alone. "Tonks and Moody had to go back to headquarters. Dumbledore called the whole Order in."
"Do you have to go too mum?" Ron asked.
"No dears. Dumbledore said I was to stay with you. Even if he had wanted me to go back, I would have refused."
The mediwitch that had originally greeted them in the lobby approached holding two vials. "Drink these up gentlemen. Dumbledore's orders." Harry and Ron took the vials and looked at each other. "They'll help you relax, and sleep. It's sort of a weak version of the Dreamless Sleep Draft."
Harry and Ron both drank down the potion then sat themselves on either side of Mrs. Weasley. Within minutes, Ron and Harry were asleep and Mrs. Weasley had her arms wrapped around their shoulders. Both boys were resting their heads on her shoulders.
"Alright there Harry?" Ron asked as nonchalantly as possible. "You're not acting like your usual self."
"What did you expect Ron?" Harry returned sharply. "I was expecting to be playing a game of Quidditch with you this afternoon. If I had known I was coming here..."
"It's not my fault Harry. Mom and Dad just packed us up last night and we came here. I don't think any of us had a choice." Ron was trying to be apologetic.
Harry didn't say anything at first but instead just walked over to one of the windows and stared outside for a while. Ron walked over beside Harry and looked out the window too. "I know I haven't said it before mate...I'm sorry about Sirius and all." Ron closed his eyes, half expecting Harry to punch him in the face.
Harry continued to stare out the window. "Thanks Ron. But, I'm not in much of a mood to talk about that right now."
"Okay then. I was going to go look for Ginny, you want to come along?" Ron was relieved.
"No. No, I think I'll just stay here awhile. Maybe I'll find the two of you later." Harry was sitting in the windowsill now.
Ron left the room without another word. Harry got up from the window and pulled his photo album from his trunk. This time he opened up to pictures from last Christmas' celebration. There were pictures of Ron and Hermione smiling as they hung tinsel and bobbles off the chandeliers. Harry actually laughed as he passed by a picture of a fairy tangled up in Moody's hair. There was a picture of Sirius singing beside Buckbeak. A chorus of "God Rest You, Merrye Hippogriffs" played in Harry's mind. It seemed as if the happy memories of Grimmauld Place overshadowed the sadness of being in this place for the moment.
There was a knock at the door and Bill entered. "Hey there Harry! Good to see you again! Just came looking for some clean clothes." Bill was dressed in nothing more than a towel with his long hair tied in a dripping wet ponytail and as always, his signature fang earring. "Mom will have dinner ready in a little bit. Best you get down there before it's all gone, I hear Fred and George are joining us for dinner." Harry laughed and got up from his bed. He nodded to Bill before heading downstairs.
Dinner was rather uneventful, except for Fred and George's sudden apparition directly in front of Mrs. Weasley who nearly spilled an entire terrine of soup on to Mr. Weasley's lap. Bill shared some stories of his most recent dealings with the Goblins of Gringotts and the plan that they had developed to prevent funding of Death Eater cells throughout Europe. Harry did not have much to say at all. He was simply enjoying the first good meal he had the opportunity to have since leaving Hogwarts. If he did not know better he would have swore that Mrs. Weasley had spiked his pumpkin juice with a cheering draft.
After dinner Fred, George, Ginny and Harry enjoyed a game of exploding snap, while Molly and Bill helped Arthur with some Ministry work. Arthur had very recently received a promotion. With the ousting of Cornelius Fudge just a few weeks ago, Arthur was asked to fill in as assistant to Xavier Deerfield, the acting Minister of Magic. In the meantime, Fudge was now working in Arthur's old position in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office.
Shortly after 10, Fred and George said their good-byes and apparated to their new flat in Diagon Alley. Ginny went off to get her room straightened out for Hermione's arrival tomorrow, leaving Ron and Harry sitting in the parlor together.
"You know, you never told me...How'd your O.W.Ls go?" Ron asked as he swigged some butterbeer.
"Good enough to get accepted in to Potions." Harry snickered.
"YOU GOT AN O IN POTIONS?" Ron was astounded.
"No...but I managed an E. McGonagall says I have "probationary acceptance", I'm not sure I really want to deal with Snape anymore, but I'm going to have to if I want to be an Auror."
"Dumbledore and McGonagall must have had to curse Snape to get him to accept you!" Ron laughed.
"Suppose you're right there." Harry yawned. "I'm going up to bed Ron; I'll see you in the morning."
"G'night Harry."
Both Harry and Ron were sleeping in dreadfully late when Ginny stormed in to their room screaming.
Harry fell out of bed; his hand clutching his wand. Ron just snored and rolled over.
"Ginny! What's wrong? What's happened?" Harry yelled.
"Look what I've got!" Ginny was waving a letter in one hand and held out a shiny prefect's badge with the other.
Harry's heart had finally stopped racing and he just sighed. "Oh Ginny...That's great."
She lunged forward and gave Harry a quick hug. Ginny looked in Ron's direction and gave him an evil stare. She made a dive for his bed and jumped on to his legs. "Get up you lazy git!"
"Wha-Oh Ginny...go away!" He pulled a pillow over his head.
"Ron, will you just look for a second?" She ripped the pillow off the bed and held the badge about an inch from Ron's nose.
"What's that?" Ron rubbed at his eyes. "Prefect? Well done Gin." He gave her a hug. "Now if you don't mind, I've got some more sleep to work on."
Ginny punched Ron in the shoulder and ran out of the room. Harry heard her singing as she descended the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. He tucked his wand into his shorts and yawned as he stretched. "I think I smell breakfast. You coming Ron?"
"I suppose." Ron groaned. He rolled off the bed and tripped over his feet as he attempted to untangle himself from the blankets.
Harry entered the kitchen and was surprised to find Moody, Lupin and Tonks sitting at the table along with the Weasleys. "Hiya Harry!" Tonks called. This morning her hair was jet black and sticking out in all directions, much like Harry's was at the moment.
"What're you all doing here?" Harry asked cheerfully.
Lupin was the first to speak up. "There's an Order meeting tonight, but we thought we'd stop by and visit with you for a while."
"Didn't I tell you it was a bad idea to tuck your wand in your pants?" Moody chuckled.
"Oh will you get off that losing your buttocks thing!" Tonks squealed.
Harry sat down across from Professor Lupin and between Tonks and Ginny. Mrs. Weasley rushed over with two giant stacks of pancakes for him and Ron. "Tuck in you two. And here, your letters came as well."
Ginny was still beaming, her badge pinned to her nightgown. She was reading the letter repeatedly to herself. "Should I get my own owl? Or a cat? Maybe some dress robes. I can get something special, can't I mum?"
"Of course dear, but it will have to wait a few days. I think we'll go to Diagon Alley later this week, once Hermione's here." Mrs. Weasley leaned over to kiss her daughter on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you Ginny."
"Harry, how have things been?" Lupin asked.
"Okay I suppose." Harry was trying to be convincing, he could tell Lupin could see right through him. "I've been keeping myself busy studying up on Defense against the Dark Arts. I can't imagine what kind of a nutter will be teaching this year."
"I know what you mean Harry." Lupin smiled rather widely.
"Oh will you get off it!" Tonks yelled.
"Huh?" asked Ron.
"I wasn't going to say anything." Lupin paused. "Dumbledore asked me to teach again."
A giant smile played across Harry and Ron's faces, Ginny too.
"I can't believe it!" Ginny screeched.
"I think we're due for a celebration tonight," said Mrs. Weasley.
"I'd love to help. What can I cook?" Tonks asked.
Mrs. Weasley looked terrified. "You dear...why you can go with Moody to pick Hermione up. I'll take care of all the cooking."
Everyone around the table stifled a laugh. "Sure, sure...so I'm a bad cook. There you've all had your fun." Tonks pouted as the table roared with laughter. She then pointed her wand towards a grapefruit that squirted itself in Moody's non-magical eye.
Harry and Ron nearly choked on their pancakes as Moody shouted off a flood of very colorful words.
When breakfast was finished Lupin pulled Harry aside in to the parlor. "Harry. This is yours." He pulled a letter from his pocket. "Don't feel you have to read it now, it's from Sirius." Harry's eyes widened at the sight of Sirius' handwriting on the envelope. "He wrote it about a month before..." Lupin's voice trailed off.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"A good-bye I expect. We've all written them." Lupin looked older than ever. "It's part of the risk of being in the Order." Harry sighed as he took the envelope from Lupin. It seemed as if every time he was able to put the sorrow of Sirius' death to the back of his mind someone had to come along and push it to the forefront again. "I've got a few errands to run Harry, I'll see you this evening then?" Harry nodded and Lupin left without another word.
Later that afternoon before the celebration was to start, Harry hid himself in the attic. No one else had to be around for this. He settled himself beside a pile of old bed linens and broke the seal on the envelope.
Dear Harry,
It is understood that if you are reading this I'm dead and you're royally pissed at me. No, you are too much like your father, so that means you are pissed at yourself. I'm sorry for leaving you Harry. You did not deserve to lose another so close to you. No matter what you think, no matter how it happened, nothing could have prevented it.
First, working with the Order is risky enough. Add to that my fugitive status and my penchant for avenging those I love...you have a time bomb on your hands. Unfortunately, I see you headed in the same direction, and it has scared me. I am glad you're too young to be fighting Death Eaters full time. You have too much love in your heart to let your friends get hurt, I just fear for your safety.
I know I can't ask you to sit idle when the world as you know it is crumbling around you. All I ask is that you think of me. Remember the price I paid and remember how important you are. I know the contents of the prophecy Harry. Dumbledore and I agreed that it would be best for you to not know right away. We did agree that if either one of us were to die, the other would have to tell you straight away.
If anything happens to you Harry, I don't know what will become of the wizarding world. That's why you've got to keep on living! Don't stop! I know you miss me, but you have to move on. Dwelling on the past doesn't bring me back. It only keeps you from living.
I have asked Remus to take care of my will. Seeing, as my family has disowned me, I have taken the liberty to provide Grimmauld Place as a permanent haven for the Order of the Phoenix. There is a sizable amount of Galleons hidden in the basement vault. This money is to be yours once you have graduated from Hogwarts. I have made some provisions for a few things to be left to Ron and Hermione too.
I don't know what else to say Harry, just be strong. I love you Harry, you are the son I never had and the godson I never had enough time with. We will win this war and we will meet again someday far far in the future. As I told you the first day I met you, you are truly your father's son.
Your loving Godfather,
Sirius
Harry spent the entire afternoon reading and re-reading that letter. It was nearly getting dark before he emerged from the attic. Harry had sequestered himself in the dim light of the front parlor. He could hear the celebrations of the Weasley's in the kitchen. Everyone was cheering for Ginny, the new Gryffindor prefect. He wanted to join them, to be happy for her, but he could not lose the emptiness inside him. So many thoughts were swimming through his head. He was far away from the Dursley's, surrounded by those that cared most about him and still he felt like there were a hundred dementors breathing down his neck.
Lupin poked his head in the room, "Harry? Mind if I come in?"
Harry shook his head. "No, that's fine." He said softly.
Lupin walked toward Harry and stood next to the fireplace. "I know how you're feeling Harry. It is alright you know."
Harry looked toward Lupin furiously. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA – HOW CAN YOU...! YOU'RE NOT THE ONE WHO VOLDEMORT'S TRIED TO KILL FOUR TIMES. YOU DON'T HEAR MY MOTHER'S VOICE SCREAMING! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" Harry threw himself on to the sofa clenching his hair in his fists.
Lupin walked over to the couch and sat beside him. "No, I suppose you're right Harry, I don't know exactly what you're feeling. I can guess...and I know it doesn't feel very good." He paused and cleared his throat. "I remember when your parents died. In a matter of two days James and Lily were gone, I assumed Peter dead and Sirius was taken to Azkaban prison. My entire world fell apart. Ever since we found out that Sirius was innocent, part of that big hole in my heart was filled again. Sirius and I...well, back in the day we were quite like you and Ron are now. You must know that these past few months have been awful difficult for me too. Look Harry, I know I can never replace Sirius, but I just want you to know that if you ever need to talk – for whatever reason – I'll always be around."
Harry was still staring at the floor, feeling ashamed that he acted so rudely towards Lupin. He muttered very quietly "Thanks."
Lupin placed his arm around Harry's shoulder giving him a light squeeze. Harry put his hands into his face and quietly sobbed. Lupin squeezed a little harder and said, "It's alright, there Harry. Just let it out." Harry, who had pretended to be so strong these past few months, finally gave in. The tears flowed like a stream as he sat there with Lupin for a few minutes.
Ron then walked into the parlor "Oi, Supper's ready and Hermione should be here any minute." Harry slightly startled by Ron's presence looked up, neglecting to remember how red his eyes were. Ron appeared flustered at the sight of Harry in tears. "Oh....I...uh...come in when you can." He quickly left the parlor.
Harry sighed deeply and rubbed his eyes. "I wish he hadn't seen me like this."
Lupin smiled at Harry. "There are far worse things he could have caught you doing Harry." Harry managed a partial smile as Lupin rose from the couch. "Remember what I said Harry, anytime you want to talk."
Lupin was about to leave the parlor to join the party when Dumbledore apparated with a loud crack in the doorway. "Harry. Remus. Come with me." Dumbledore quickly turned around and headed for the dining room. The last time Harry saw Dumbledore look this upset was right after Harry and Cedric reappeared in the maze. Harry and Lupin exchanged concerned looks and followed Dumbledore.
"Albus! What a surprise! Pull up a chair will you, we're about to toast Ginny, the new Prefect!" Mrs. Weasley was beaming.
"Molly. Everyone, I'm sorry to interrupt the celebration...all of you need to hear this." He paused. "Death Eaters have attacked the Grangers."
Mrs. Weasley grabbed on to Mr. Weasley. Ron and Ginny turned the same shade of sickly pale.
"Are they...did they..." Mrs. Weasley couldn't get much else out.
"I'm afraid both Mr. and Mrs. Granger were killed." Albus said gravely.
Ron didn't give him a chance to finish. "W-What about Hermione?" The tables were turned; Harry had never seen Ron cry.
"Hermione is at St. Mungo's. Tonks and Moody took her there. Had Moody and Tonks not arrived to pick her up when they did..."Albus stopped as Harry ran from the dining room. Lupin chased after him.
"Harry...Harry! Stop right now!" Lupin yelled.
"It's my fault. Everything is my fault! Hermione's parents are dead because she's my friend!" Harry screamed. "No one I care about is safe. You'd all be better off without me!"
"That is hardly the case Harry." Albus appeared behind Lupin. "Voldemort is a merciless killer. He would love to see you separate yourself from the ones that love you. You forget Harry; you are a much stronger person when you are with your friends." He looked into Harry's eyes. "And right now your friends need you more than ever."
"Professor...I...can't handle this anymore! I don't want the responsibility. Everyone wants me to be strong but I can't do it. I just can't save the world." Harry looked to Dumbledore for some advice.
"Harry. No one ever said you had to do this alone." Lupin said reassuringly.
"But the prophecy..."Harry slipped. He was sure Lupin did not know what Dumbledore had revealed to him last year.
"What do you mean Harry?" Lupin looked worried. "What does he mean Albus?"
"We can't discuss this now, Harry. I want to get you and Ron to St. Mungo's as soon as possible. At this point I am not even sure that Hermione will be able to survive the night." Dumbledore's eyes were glazed over. "I've arranged for a portkey."
Harry nodded as Lupin placed his arm around Harry's shoulder. They returned to the dining room. "Remus, Arthur...I'll ask the two of you to stay behind. We will still hold the meeting as scheduled. Molly, you'll take Harry and Ron." Dumbledore then pulled a golden instrument from his pocket. He passed it over to Harry. Molly and Ron grabbed on. "Time is of the essence."
"Send our love Molly." Arthur added as he comforted Ginny who was crying in his arms.
Without another word, the whirlwind of colors transported Molly, Harry and Ron to the front lobby of St. Mungo's.
Harry, Ron and Molly were greeted by a young mediwitch who led them to the lifts and up to the fourth floor. They entered the waiting area and found Moody trying to comfort a tearful Tonks.
"Oh, Molly!" Tonks rushed over and threw her arms around Mrs. Weasley. "It's so awful, I've never seen an attack like that!" They pulled apart and dabbed at their eyes.
"What have the healers said? How is Hermione?" Harry asked.
"No one has been able to tell us anything yet...she looked so awful when we brought her in..." Tonks added.
Ron looked to the mediwitch, "When can we see her?"
"We'll let you know." The mediwitch then turned on her heels and headed straight through the door to the spell damage wing.
Tonks sat between Moody and Mrs. Weasley as Ron and Harry paced the room, occasionally exchanging worried looks. An hour passed before a healer approached the group. His nametag read "Zorobable Rice – Head Healer".
"You're here for Hermione Granger?" He looked to the group.
"How is she?" Mrs. Weasley was the first to speak.
"Not well I'm afraid. She's extremely lucky to be alive after all she's been through." He looked very concerned. "If she can make it through the night, she should be okay."
"There's still a chance she won't l-live?" It was taking all the strength Harry had to not lose it right then and there.
"C- Can we see her?" Ron asked as he held on to his mother's side.
"Yes, but not for very long. She needs time to heal. Hermione has endured more pain and curses than anyone should ever have to. I have seen older and stronger wizards than her die instantly from less. If one thing saves her, it might just be her youth." The healer paused. "I think it is best if you see her now, just in case. I don't want to deprive you of a last good-bye."
Mrs. Weasley fought through her tears. "You two go ahead...we'll w-wait h- here." She let go of Ron, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead.
Harry and Ron followed the healer down a dark corridor to a small private room. Nothing could have prepared them for what were about to see. Hermione lay motionless; her face gashed in several places. Her eyes were closed and she breathed very shallowly. Images of Hermione petrified and her limp body in the Department of Mysteries flashed in Harry's memory. For a moment, he thought he was going to be sick.
"She won't wake at the moment, been given a special draft. She'll hear you though. I'll leave you alone." The healer left the room closing the door behind him.
Harry walked around to the left side of the bed. Ron sat at her right. The two of them instinctively reached for her hands and held them in theirs. There really was no need to hold emotion back at this point, but Ron was still trying to force it back, to keep from losing it. Harry held his other hand out to Ron who took it. Not knowing if this was the right way to go about things, Harry began to speak.
"Mum...Dad...Sirius? We need you right now, more than ever. Hermione can't leave us. P-please help her. Please...I can't lose anyone else." Tears started pooling in the corner of Harry's eyes. Ron didn't say a word, but maintained a firm grip on Harry's hand; the both of them keeping each other sane.
Several eternal minutes passed when the healer entered the room again and told Ron and Harry they would have to leave for the night. Harry gave Hermione a kiss on the hand. "We're not leaving you Hermione. We'll always be with you."
Ron then did something unexpected, he leaned in and kissed Hermione. Ron whispered into her ear, "I love you 'Mione." Harry, still reeling in pain from the weight of the situation, suddenly felt a little happy. He had been waiting for Ron to finally come out and admit his love to Hermione. This of course was the most awful way for it to have happened. The gleam of happiness he had felt quickly vanished when he realized Ron was not just losing a friend, he was losing a girlfriend and quite possibly a life mate.
They both returned to the waiting area to find Mrs. Weasley alone. "Tonks and Moody had to go back to headquarters. Dumbledore called the whole Order in."
"Do you have to go too mum?" Ron asked.
"No dears. Dumbledore said I was to stay with you. Even if he had wanted me to go back, I would have refused."
The mediwitch that had originally greeted them in the lobby approached holding two vials. "Drink these up gentlemen. Dumbledore's orders." Harry and Ron took the vials and looked at each other. "They'll help you relax, and sleep. It's sort of a weak version of the Dreamless Sleep Draft."
Harry and Ron both drank down the potion then sat themselves on either side of Mrs. Weasley. Within minutes, Ron and Harry were asleep and Mrs. Weasley had her arms wrapped around their shoulders. Both boys were resting their heads on her shoulders.
