Ch 2:- From Prison to Prison

The next morning, Harry woke to find he was feeling cold. The window was still open after the heat of the previous night and the morning was cool and clear. The last words of a dream were still echoing through his head as he sat up' something about keeping going -that 'they' were almost there, whoever 'they' were. Vague images were fading fast, - a mountain? - snow? - they were gone.

Weird, he thought. Even weirder was the voice; for the first time in one of his dreams, it had been Ginny's voice.

Double weird.

Harry shook his head to clear it. Noises from downstairs suggested that the Dursleys were already breakfasting. Harry leaped out of bed and looked in the mirror. Shave? he wondered. Nah, another couple of days at least.

Wash, clothes, shoes, and comb were applied in record time and Harry headed off downstairs.

Harry rushed back upstairs, threw some owl treats into Hedwig's cage, closed the cage door and rushed back downstairs, muttering.

- o -

Uncle Vernon was finishing his cup of coffee as Harry sauntered into the kitchen. Dudley was on his second plate of cereal and Aunt Petunia was quivering quietly by the sink. They all looked at him. Uncle Vernon looked away immediately.

'Right. I have an announcement to make ' Harry began. 'With a bit of luck I should be out of here tonight.'

'Good' muttered Uncle Vernon venomously. Aunt Petunia seemed to slump down slightly, while Dudley looked nervously at him. 'Harry?' he whispered' before you go could we have a talk about - well - you know'

Harry nodded reluctantly. Dudley looked relieved.

'So, don't panic if the gang arrive late tonight, OK?' he finished. There was silence. 'I'll take that as an OK.' More silence.

Harry shook his head in disgust and helped himself to cereals.

- o -

That day couldn't go quickly enough for Harry. Checking his books, clothes and equipment, carefully packing his trunk and cleaning out Hedwig's cage took all of two hours. Apart from dreaming up a few more things for Dudley to try out on Rebecca, Harry spent the rest of the day quivering with anticipation.

Slowly the sun oozed across the sky and sank behind the roofs of Little Whinging.

Slowly the sky darkened to indigo and the stars made their appearance, whilst Harry waited, lying on his bed.

Waiting

Waiti...

- o -

Harry woke to the sound of the doorbell. What? What time was it? 1.30 am! He crammed on his glasses and rushed downstairs.

The bell rang again. Harry stopped. Was it really the gang? He took out his wand. 'Who is it?' he whispered.

'It's us' came the whispered reply.

'Who's us?' he whispered back -

The letterbox was pushed open and the unmistakable tones of Madeye Moody growled 'If you don't open this bloody door right now, Potter, I swear we'll leave you here for the rest of the summer!!'

Harry jumped to open the door, and was intensely pleased to see Moody and Tonks on the doorstep, with not a lit streetlamp in sight.

Moody looked faintly approving. 'You're learning then, a bit' he muttered. 'Got your stuff? The team are all in place.'

'Its here, in the hall'

'I'll get it' volunteered Tonks and she levitated Harry's luggage and Hedwig's cage out onto the darkened lawn and attached it to her broom. Harry had let Hedwig out earlier, knowing she could follow anywhere he went.

'Right,' growled Moody 'same drill as last time. Follow Tonks, and don't stop for anything. Oh yeah, we'll be landing on the roof. The enemy can't see the building, or get in, but they know that's where HQ is, thanks to Kreacher! The ground approach MAY be watched. So don't forget the information you were given last year.'

Harry nodded just as the take off signal burst into the sky - and they were off.

The flight was uneventful, with the exception of a fairly close encounter with a muggle helicopter over the city. Fortunately the occupants were involved in following a car chase on the ground. Harry had worn a coat and gloves, remembering the cold of the previous year, so he was only slightly chilled by the time they were hovering over the rooftops of Grimmauld Place. Tonks suddenly dropped out of sight, leaving Harry panicking until he remembered the words, whereupon the flat roof of number 12 expanded below him to show a large letter B inside a circle, painted in the centre.

Harry landed on the letter B, jumped off his broom and moved aside. Once the last person had landed, Moody applied two spells to the roof access door, opened it, and they all trooped into the building. Hedwig had arrived at the same time as Harry and was back in her cage.

As they all walked quietly down the stairs Harry could see that the house looked even more forlorn than ever. Cobwebs were rife, and a musty smell permeated everything. It seemed Kreacher was gone, for which Harry was exceptionally grateful, but the whole house had an abandoned air, an emptiness that hadn't been there before, a counterpoint to the feeling of loss growing in his heart.

In the kitchen, a weak fire burned in the stove. Moody rapidly issued orders and various members of the order disappeared about their tasks. Moody left as well, muttering about security. Tonks had left Harry's luggage upstairs and now put a kettle on the stove and stirred up the fire.

'Tea all right, Harry?, we've no butterbeer in at the moment?'

Harry nodded and sat quietly, recovering from the flight, and the sudden sense of loss. After a cup of tea and several rather dry biscuits, he revived somewhat. 'Where are they all then?' he asked, looking round for evidence of his friends.

'Oh, they're not coming until tomorrow morning.' replied Tonks 'There's just you, me, Madeye and Remus for the next 24 hours or so.'

Harry obviously looked so desperately disappointed that Tonks laughed. 'Hey! we're not that bad!' she said consolingly, then dropped her disguise to become her slimmer blonde self. 'You can even call me Dora, if it'll cheer you up!

Harry looked at her and grinned ruefully, regretting, yet again, the missed opportunity of the day before. He was about to move over to sit beside her, when Moody came back.

'Harry second floor, Tonks first floor, Remus's in the attic and I'm in the sitting room. Spreads us about in case of attack.

Tonks rolled her eyes upward and Harry had trouble not laughing. 'OK Madeye.' she yawned,' see you later this morning, Harry'

'Yeah, sleep well Dora' he chuckled and went upstairs, leaving Moody looking rather puzzled.

- o -

It was lunchtime before Harry woke, in the gloom of the bedroom that he and Ron had occupied last year. The picture of Phineas Nigellus was, as usual, empty. Its occupant was probably in his Hogwart's painting, gossiping with all the other dead headmasters. The silence was a welcome change, No Dursleys shouting at each other, no traffic noise, nothing. The silence was promptly broken by Harry's stomach complaining about being empty. He dressed and went down to the kitchen.

'It's pizza or pizza' mumbled Tonks through a mouthfull of Four Seasons. She was her blonde self today

'I didn't feel like cooking'

'You can cook?' exclaimed Lupin. Tonks threw a crust at him.

'Morning Dora, Morning Professor' Harry said, smiling and choosing a slice of Hawaiian.

'Dora? who's Dora?' Lupin sounded puzzled 'and Harry, It's Remus now, I'm not your teacher - and don't you forget it.'

'I'm Dora,' giggled Tonks 'Harry thinks it's better than Tonks. Actually, I'm beginning to like it myself,' she paused, 'at least for my natural form.'

Lupin looked impressed. 'So that's your natural form? Hmm. I always wondered.' He grinned at Harry. 'Nice one Harry, none of us could get that information, - and we really tried.' He turned to Tonks again, 'So if you look like that, you're Dora, otherwise it's Tonks, alright?'

She laughed 'Right! Now then are you going to feed Buckbeak, or must I handle those dead rats myself?'

'Buckbeak!' exclaimed Harry 'He's still here, Remus?'

'Where would he go?' replied Lupin. 'I'll feed him. Best you stay away, he's been cooped up too long. Professor Dumbledore should be here soon. Harry, please help Ton- Dora to clear up, as soon as you've finished.' He picked up a covered bucket and left quietly.

Half an hour later, a loud knock on the front door was followed immediately by a screech from the portrait of Sirius's mother, and a stream of curses, which tailed off into a continuous background grumbling.

Harry was, as instructed, in the study at the back of the house when Lupin entered, with Professor Dumbledore, Madeye Moody and two well dressed individuals.

One of them had pointed ears, suspiciously large canine teeth and was wearing dark glasses. Vampire? wondered Harry. The second wore a deep cowl, completely obscuring his face.

'Harry. How good to see you. I trust you have been well?' asked Dumbledore, in an exceptionally formal manner.

'Indeed Professor, my health has been excellent, thank you.' he replied in an equally formal manner, wondering what on earth was going on. He looked into Dumbledore's eyes, which were twinkling. Harry was pleased to see that the Professor was at least prepared to look him in the eye now. Dumbledore nodded and smiled. Harry smiled cautiously back; he hadn't forgiven the Professor yet.

'Harry, may I introduce Mr Hymo Glowbyne, the lawyer administering the estate of Sirius Black, and his assistant Mr Lyvyn De'Adde. Mr Harry Potter, gentlemen'

Harry shook hands with the pair. The first gentleman appeared to have blood red fingernails. The second offered a hand which, though the correct shape, was of a colour and texture suggesting its owner had spent several months underground - in a box. Harry shook the hand very, very, gently.

'Mr Potter. I'll come straight to the point.' began the lawyer. 'The will of Sirius Black was read three days ago, at my offices. You will be pleased to know that you are a beneficiary of the will.' He smiled, a disturbing sight. 'This must be carried out in a formal manner. Mr De'Adde is my witness, who will be yours?' Harry looked nonplussed.

'That will be me' declared Professor Dumbledore.

'Very well' continued the lawyer. 'Are you Harry James Potter, godson of the late Mr Sirius Black of 12 Grimmauld Place, London?'

'Yes.' whispered Harry.

'Do you confirm this statement, Professor?'

'I do'

'Very well. Mr Harry James Potter, you are the sole beneficiary of the last will and testament of Mr Sirius Black. Here is a schedule of the contents of the estate, a quite considerable sum, I must say, including this house and all the items within it. If you would care to sign these papers, the deeds of ownership of the property and funds will be transferred into your name, although as a minor you will of course need to nominate an adult as cosignatory.

Mr Potter?

MrPotter?'

Harry swayed on his feet, trying to take in the enormity of what he had just heard. Him? Harry Potter? Own this property? Merlins Bits!' Slowly he realised that Professor Dumbledore was talking to him, and steering him towards the chair at the desk. Numbly, he signed the papers, then watched as Professor Dumbledore signed beside his name.

'Thank you, Mr Potter' said the lawyer formally. 'Should you need any advice regarding your new property, we would be only too pleased to help. Good day to you.' They shook hands all round again and Professor Dumbledore escorted the gentlemen out of the house, after assuring Harry he would return later that day. The screeches from the hallway reached another crescendo and returned to a background mutter.

Tonks entered the room almost immediately, and saw Harry sitting stunned at the desk.

'Bit of a shock then, Harry?'

Harry nodded slowly, still staring ahead. 'You knew!' he whispered, 'you all knew!'

Tonks laughed gently 'Yep, couldn't resist not telling you, sorry' she bent and kissed his cheek. Harry looked even more stunned.

'Leave him be Dora,' chuckled Lupin, 'his heart's had enough shocks for today!'

Tonks stuck her tongue out at him.

A glass appeared on the desk. A smoking fluid appeared inside it. 'Best firewhisky Harry, drink it!' growled Moody.

Harry drank it in one gulp.

- o -

Once he could speak again -and had carefully downed another firewhisky, Harry began to recover from the shock and start asking questions.

The first question was - 'How did those two lawyers get in here? I though this house was shielded?'

It was Madeye Moody who answered. 'That's why Professor Dumbledore had to accompany them, Harry. As secret keeper, he can bring anyone into the house without telling them the secret. They won't be able to get in here again, though, without him.'

'But won't they tell the enemy where I am?'

Lupin laughed, 'Do you seriously think your godfather would have entrusted any of his business to a firm of lawyers which supported the rest of the Black family? or Lord Voldemort?

But they were a Vampire and a Zombie!' exclaimed Harry.

'Yes, and Voldemort hates the undead!' growled Moody, 'He wants to ensure the only being which can live forever is himself!'

'So the undead are on our side then?' asked Harry eagerly.

'Not so much with us, as against Voldemort' replied Tonks, as she perched on the desk in front of Harry, 'and there aren't many of them. The spells for creating the undead have been banned for hundreds of years, so any you see around have been undead for along time. They try to fit in, doing work that benefits from experience, such as the legal profession, or work that would otherwise be described as suicidal. Broom development test pilot is a favourite among the zombies, I've heard. Vampires aren't too keen on that line of work, there's always a chance of a sliver of wood through the heart in a crash.'

Harry was about to ask more, when a renewed bout of screamed imprecations from the hall heralded the return of Professor Dumbledore, who entered the study beaming.

'Well done, Harry, a masterful response to all that formal nonsense.' He said. 'Nymphadora, would you please be good enough to make some tea, Harry and I have a few things to discuss.' Tonks bravely kept a straight face at the use of her despised first name, and left the room. Moody and Lupin followed, smiling.

'Well Harry, ' continued the professor, 'How do you like your new status?'

'I think I could get to like it, Professor' Harry replied cautiously.

'Yes, it may take a little time, but I am sure you will be fine. There are a few questions, that need answers right now though, I am afraid.'

Dumbledore sat down. 'Harry, this is now your house, do I have your permission to continue to use it as the Heaquarters of the Order?'

'Of course you do, Professor.'

'Thank you, Harry.' Dumbledore hesitated. 'There is also the matter of the house elf Kreacher –'

'I never want to see that little traitor again!' exclaimed Harry' He-'

Dumbledore raised a restraining hand. 'He is gone, Harry, he will not return; indeed he cannot return, now the house is no longer owned by the Black family. The question is; how do you intend to maintain this property? You need a house elf.'

Harry considered. Hermione would not be pleased, but he had to admit the Professor was right. House elves. Hmmm. The face of Dobby came immediately to mind, but Dobby was at Hogwarts - at the moment!

'How about Dobby, Professor?' Harry suggested, 'and maybe Winky to keep him company. She doesn't like being at Hogwarts at all.'

'Excellent idea, Harry, I agree absolutely. I shall send a message to Hogwarts immediately, for them to make ready. I must return to the school tonight, so I will see them before they set out.'

Dumbledore made to leave but a further thought struck Harry. 'Professor, I've just thought of a problem. None of the other house elves in Hogwarts will clean Gryffindor Tower, since Hermione started to try giving them clothes to set them free.'

Dumbledore smiled. 'Ah yes, - the determined Miss Granger. I think it would take more than that to free the house elves, Harry'

'But the house elves don't seem to know that, Professor.'

'No. House elves are a remarkable species, but at Hogwarts, it is not always so easy to understand who the master really is. Hermione is not their master, and neither am I. A thousand years or more of being soaked in magic has altered the very nature of the castle itself, Harry. Hogwarts School is aware, in a manner I barely understand. The school itself is the house elves' master.

Harry sat very still, trying to accept this incredible idea. He was totally lost for words.

'As for evidence, Harry, consider the Room of Requirement, which you made such good use of last year. I only realised it myself recently, but it would certainly explain how an entire classroom can be brought into existence at a simple request.'

Harry just nodded.

'I might also ask who knows how to get into the room, Harry, apart from Dobby and Mr Filch'

'Myself, Hermione, Ron and maybe Ginny, Professor. We always tried to open the room before the others arrived.'

'Good. I think it best that the fewer who are aware of that information, the better. Please tell them when they get here, - even I do not know.'

'Well Professor, you-'

Dumbledore held up a hand. 'No Harry, I do not wish to know - at this time. I would be interested to know where the room is located though.'

'On the seventh floor Professor, betwe-'

'Enough, Harry. It is as I thought. You may be interested to know that I once stumbled upon a similar room, but it was not on the seventh floor.'

'There's two of them?'

'Possibly - maybe more, who knows. Maybe they appear wherever sufficient need arises. Interesting, isn't it? Perhaps you should keep that notion to yourself, however.'

Harry had an even wilder thought. 'Professor, can you – talk – to the castle?'

'Very good, Harry, you begin to see the possibilities. I have tried. It is not conversation as you and I know it, but there is a sort of communication. I cannot really describe it though, and the after effects are most odd. I spend the rest of the day suffering from corridors.'

The professor stood up. Harry stopped him again. 'There's one more thing, Professor. Buckbeak is still here. Why can't he go back to Hogwarts? Hagrid would be overjoyed to see him.'

'Indeed, Harry. You are absolutely right. Another message, if I am not mistaken.' The professor stopped, 'Perhaps not, - I wonder. –The weather is good, with little wind. – I haven't done such a thing in so many years, but why not? Like riding a bicycle, you never forget'

Harry was struggling now. 'Ride a bicycle Professor? Can you do that?'

'No Harry – but I can ride a Hippogriff! – Yes, a perfect answer. I will take Buckbeak to Hogwarts myself!

As Harry expected, Moody, Lupin and Tonks were horrified at the prospect, but the Professor refused to reconsider. Lupin maintained that Buckbeak was too long confined to be safe, however Dumbledore visited the hippogriff in his attic space, and, after one tremendous screech, Buckbeak had submitted gracefully.

The Professor left the room with a satisfied smile on his face. 'As you see, there will be no problem at all, and no one will possibly expect me to use this mode of transport. Now, if perhaps one of you could organise an evening meal, I will leave as soon as it is dark.'

There was one more, less pleasant, surprise for Harry, late that afternoon. Professor Dumbledore produced a letter for Harry, from the Department of Education. OWLS - Oh dear.

'I took the liberty of having your results delivered to the school Harry, so I could give them to you myself, once you had recovered from this afternoon's shock.

Harry opened the letter slowly, trying to put off the evil moment, but eventually the facts had to be faced.

An O for Defence Against the Dark Arts! Yes!

Three Es - for Charms. Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology!

Three As - for Potions, Transfigurations and Astronomy;

A P for History of Magic;

and the expected D for Divination.

Professor Dumbledore watched Harry carefully.

'Well Harry, what do you think' he enquired, still watching.

'Actually they're better than I expected' said Harry slowly 'but not good enough to go on to be an auror.' He looked up at Tonks, sadly 'Not as good as you, Dora.'

Tonks put an arm round his shoulder and gave him a slight squeeze. 'Not too far off though, Harry. Didn't Professor McGonagall say she would coach you?'

'Yeah, she did.' he said, brightening slightly, 'Maybe, just maybe – but I can't see Professor Snape agreeing to continue teaching me potions, even with coaching'

'Perhaps I might put your mind at rest, Harry' interrupted the professor. 'I have every faith in your ability, so much so that I may be asking you to carry out some extracurricular activities which would greatly improve your chances. I haven't finalised the details with Professor Moody or various other members of staff so I can say no more, but do not worry about the future just yet.'

'Professor, I –'

'No, I can tell you no more, Harry. Now, I must find some warm clothing for my trip northwards.' So saying, the professor went upstairs.

Harry looked at Tonks. Tonks looked at Harry. They shrugged their shoulders, and turned to the question of which 'take away' Tonks would raid to get the evening meal.

- o -

It was getting late when the five of them gathered on the rooftop. Buckbeak was pawing the ground and hissing, pleased to be in the open air again. Harry bowed to the hippogriff and received a bow in return, so he reached up and patted Buckbeak's head. Buckbeak peered at Harry with one huge eye.

'Good flight' Harry whispered and stepped back.

Wrapped in several cloaks and wearing a woollen wizard's hat, Professor Dumbledore looked less like a headmaster and more like a tramp - but his huge smile said everything as he climbed onto Buckbeak's back.

'Be careful, all of you. I will be back in a week or so. When Arthur and Molly arrive, Madeye, Nymphadora had better return to working full time at the Ministry and you or Remus can maintain a presence here - at least during the day. I will have some news for you, Harry, when I return. I will sent a message when I arrive at the school'

'When's that likely to be, Professor?' asked Lupin 'Buckbeak isn't going to get you there before dawn. Won't you be seen?'

'If I can't get Buckbeak and myself to Hogwarts before dawn, Remus, I will be thoroughly ashamed of myself!' spluttered the Professor indignantly, but he then he smiled. 'Actually, I have plenty of extra concealment charms, Remus, for when daylight arrives. Look for a message around lunchtime.' The Professor's voice took on a wistful tone. 'I am looking forward to flying over the mountains in the morning sunlight. It has been so long, - so long – '

The four of them stepped back as Buckbeak spread his wings and then braced them selves against the wind of his take off. The hippogriff grew rapidly smaller then disappeared as the concealment charm hid him.

'Right, said Moody, briskly, 'same places as last night, get to it!' then he stumped over to the roof door and went back down into the house. Lupin followed him, leaving Harry and a blonde haired Tonks standing, looking at the stars.

'That has got to be the strangest thing I've ever seen, Dora. The Professor on a hippogriff! I didn't believe he'd go through with it!'

Harry stopped and looked at Tonks. She was standing close beside him, and in the light from the open roof door Harry could see tears on her face. He turned to her. 'What's wrong?'

Tonks wiped her face with her sleeve and sniffed. 'Sorry, Harry, it was just the longing in the Professor's voice. I just had this sense of time passing by, and a wish to do something wonderful again, for the last time –'

Harry had an unbearable urge to put his arms round Tonks and give her a hug. He was just working up the courage to give in to the urge when Remus Lupin shouted up through the roof door for them to get inside, because he wanted to set the roof locking charms.

Tonks gave Harry a wan smile and headed for the door. Harry followed, feeling both relieved – and extremely put out.

- o -

Once back inside, Tonks became her cheerful self.

'Right then Harry, better hit the hay, all the Weasleys will be here in the morning, fairly early, so I'll be getting you up at the crack of dawn! G'night' she smiled at him and blew him a kiss, then headed down stairs

Harry smiled ruefully to himself as he got into bed. It looked like none of them realised it was his birthday tomorrow. Still, he could hardly blame them, there were more important things than birthdays at the present. He settled to sleep, trying to put all the occurrences of the day out of his mind.

The Professor on a hippogriff!

Hogwarts, alive!

House elves!

OWLS!

Home Owner!

Sirius's house

Sirius

sadness