Chapter Two: Back To Headquarters
Harry woke up at nine and got dressed. He put on on a pair of jeans and a tight fitting green shit. Finally, he had clothes that fit. A week into summer holidays, Harry and his guard for the day, Remus Lupin, went to Muggle London to go shopping. Thinking of his parents' and Sirius' best friend brought a small smile to Harry's face. The werewolf had some pretty funny stories.
Remus had become Harry's guardian at the beginning of the summer, and, even though Harry still had to live with the Dursley's, Remus came by every other day so that they could sit and talk or play games.
After getting dressed, Harry went outside and into the front yard. He was wondering who his guard was for his birthday, when a young woman with bubble gum pink hair stepped out from behind the bushes.
"Whotcher, Harry! Happy Birthday!"
Harry grinned. "Hey, Tonks. You my baby sitter for the day?"
Tonks laughed. "You bet. Asked for it specially. I won't be able to come with you to HQ today, so I wanted to give you your present now."
"You didn't have to, but thanks." Harry took the package that Tonks had pulled out of her back pocket. Tonks then did a counter charm to put it back to its original size. By the size, shape and weight, Harry knew it was a book. But coming from Tonks, it was bound to be good. Opening it, Harry found that he was right. 'Charms for Concealment' looked to be very promising. Thanking her, Harry sat with the Auror, talking about whatever came to mind until ten, when five wizards and witches, dressed in Muggle clothes, walked up.
Remus, Ron, Ginny, Charlie and Hermione came up to where Harry and Tonks were sitting on the front lawn.
Harry jumped up and hugged Hermione and Ginny, catching her by surprise, then shook hands with Remus, Ron and Charlie. Harry grinned and felt that he couldn't be happier.
"Hiya, Harry. Having a good Birthday?" Charlie asked, grinning down at him.
"Sure am. I get to spend it with my friends." Harry replied.
"Good, good. Ready to go? We need to head out now."
Harry nodded, and then ran into the house and up to his room, Charlie following closely behind. Grabbing his trunk, Charlie let Hedwig out of her cage, then shrinking it and putting it in his pocket, they headed back downstairs, Harry calling a quick goodbye to the Dursley's, and heading back outside. Once there, Harry put Tonks' present into his trunk, then Remus pulled out an old boot-turned-portkey.
The six called goodbye to Tonks just before the familiar pull came from Harry's navel, signaling the portkey's activation. Harry hated traveling by portkey almost as mush as by floo. As his vision refocused, Harry saw that they were in the front hall of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. Thinking of Sirius, he felt the now familiar tug at his heart. He pushed it aside. He didn't want to think about it at all today.
All at once, the five remaining Weasley's came into the hall. Molly Weasley immediately pulled Harry into one of her famous bone crushing hugs. Harry just laughed and hugged her back, though not as fiercely. As soon as Mrs Weasley let him go, the other Weasley's were grasping his hand and clapping him on the back.
"Charlie took your things upstairs already. Now, the others will be here soon, so I've got to finish up in the kitchen. Remus, care to take Harry up to his room?" Without waiting for a reply, Mrs Weasley headed back into the kitchen.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all followed Remus up the stairs. Harry figured he'd be in the same room as last summer, so when Remus kept going up the staircase, Harry was confused. Up on the third floor, Remus opened a door and walked in, waiting for the 'fearsome foursome' to follow.
When they did, Harry got a shock. He was standing in the Master Bedroom. Directly in front of him was a King size bed and a nightstand on either side of it. On the right side of the bed was a bookcase. Further past that was two doors. Most likely to the closet and a bathroom. On the left side of the room was a dresser and a desk. In the corner was a perch and Hedwig's cage sat on the floor. And, as Mrs Weasley had said, his school trunk was at the end of the bed.
Harry looked at Remus with a confused look on his face.
"Sirius left the house to you, Harry," Remus replied, as if it explained everything. "I'm going to head downstairs to see if Molly needs help. We'll talk later, Harry." Remus gave Harry a smile and headed for the door.
"I guess that's our cue as well. See you downstairs?" Ron asked, after receiving a glare from Hermione.
Harry nodded in reply, smiling at his best friends. Ron and Hermione left, expecting Ginny to follow. But she didn't. She stood there studying him.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, fine."
"I know you didn't read any of our letters." Harry heard the hurt in her voice. "Anyway, I just wanted you to know that we're all here for you, Harry, if you ever wanted to talk."
Harry gave her a small smile. "I know you guys are. I appreciate it, Gin, I really do."
"I should head downstairs, too. Just come down when you're ready."
Harry nodded, and then watched the redhead walk away. She's gotten beautiful, Harry thought. The he shook his head as if to dislodge the thought. Not going there. She doesn't need someone like me. She'll just get hurt. Harry sighed, then walked to his trunk and started putting his things away. Then he grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom for a shower.
