Ch. 2

Happy Sixteenth Birthday

"How are we getting to Headquarters?" Harry asked Professor Lupin. They had just left the kitchen and the very stunned Dursleys at the table. Explaining the past five years of Harry's life to the Dursleys had taken a couple of hours and Harry was quite tired and emotionally drained. His voice had cracked when he had talked about Cedric and the graveyard. When it came time to talk about the veil and Sirius, Lupin had to take over. The Dursleys had sat in complete silence as he talked, but as soon as he was done, they immediately broke out in questions. They seemed in awe of everything Harry had accomplished and they had not known about. For the last half hour Harry and Lupin had answered the questions the Dursleys had, which had ended up being quite a few.

"We're going by portkey."

"I thought you have to go through the ministry in order to get authorization for a portkey?"

"Well that's true, but in light of what has happened, the ministry has given Dumbledore all access. Mainly for your safety Harry. We better get going, everyone is probably worrying about us. We should have been there hours ago." With that, Lupin pulled out what looked like a wristwatch, grabbed hold of Hedgwig and a handle of Harry's trunk, instructed Harry to grab his broom and the other handle, whispered 'portus' and Harry felt the familiar pull around his naval. They began traveling at top speed with the trunk banging painfully against his leg. A few moments later, Harry felt his feet crash to the floor, and surprisingly, he remained standing, although with some difficulty.

"HARRY!" He heard many voices cry and only caught a glimpse of a few faces before he was pulled into a hug by many people at once.

"Let him breathe, let him breathe!" It was Mr. Weasley who spoke this and Harry was immensely grateful to him.

After being let loose and explaining why they had taken so long, Harry stood aside to see who had come. There was of course, Hermione and all of the Weasleys, minus Percy (who was apparently still being a prat) and Charlie (who was still in Romania), Tonks, Kinsley Shaklebolt, Mundungus Fletcher, Moody, and to his surprise, Neville and Luna.

"Hi Harry!" Neville said with a large smile.

"Hi Neville, I wasn't expecting to see you here." replied Harry, who returned his smile. Neville smiled wider at Harry's statement and said,

"I didn't either, but Professor Dumbledore came to our house about a week ago and talked with my Gran," Neville nodded his head towards an elder woman with a vulture hat. Harry immediately recognized her from St. Mungos. "And so here we are. I hope that's alright?" Neville added, looking unsure.

"Of course!" Harry smiled widely at him and had sincerely meant it. Harry turned his attention to Luna who had been watching him through their entire conversation. "Hi Luna."

"Hello" she replied in her singsong voice.

"Er-did Dumbledore go to your house as well?" Harry asked.

"Oh yes, he came and talked with my father before we left to look for the Cromple-horned Snorkack."

"Did you find any?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.

"Oh no, not yet, but we are taking a break for this little gathering and then we are heading right back out again. Crumple-Horned Snorkacks are very difficult creatures to find, that they are." Her voice was as dreamy as ever, but now held a note of seriousness while talking of these made-believe creatures. Harry glanced at Neville who raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes. Harry had to stifle the laugh that was threatening to escape. He talked a few more minutes longer with the two of them before he was pulled away by Lupin.

"Harry, I was wondering if I could have a word with you privately?"

"Sure" Harry followed Lupin into the drawing room.

"Listen Harry, I know you don't want to talk about Sirius right now, especially on your birthday, but we really don't have an option. See, before Sirius died, he wrote a Will-"

"He did what?" Harry interrupted. He knew he didn't want this conversation to continue, but knew he had no choice.

Sirius

"A Will, Harry. I know this is difficult, but it has to be done. Tomorrow we are suppose to meet with a Ministry Representative for the reading and division of property-"

"I don't want anything." Harry interrupted again. His heart was pounding so hard he thought for sure it was going to bounce right out of his chest.

Sirius

Lupin was quiet for a moment as he watched Harry.

"I don't like this anymore than you do Harry."

"I know you-" Lupin held up a hand to silence him,

"Harry, Sirius was a brother to me, so was your father, and for a time, Peter was as well. Now they are all gone from me, in one way or another. I lost 12 years with Sirius, as you have, but these past two years we've become like brothers again. We've talked about everything that has happened and everything that is to come." Lupin paused and heaved a deep, shuddering breath. Harry was stunned into silence as Lupin spoke of the friendship he had once shared with his three best friends and of the loss he had suffered with each in turn. When he finished, he simply looked at his hands as if waiting for something final to happen. Harry's loss over Sirius had been a painful one, but it was nothing compared to the losses that Lupin had suffered.

"Professor-" Lupin looked quickly up at Harry as if startled by his presence, "er-Remus, I'm sorry, I had forgotten just how much this affected you."

"Harry, I know that you understand what I am telling you, I have no doubt in that. What I need from you know is for you to take the next step in putting Sirius to rest, at least just for tomorrow. He wanted this very much and he made sure that those he loved would be looked after." Harry nodded to Lupin. He didn't feel ready to take the next step in moving on in his grief over Sirius, but Lupin had been very open with him and Harry felt that he owed him at least that much. As Harry turned to go, Lupin called out to him, "Harry, Sirius was named your Godfather 16 years ago, but now that he is gone-er-I was hoping that you would allow me to be your Guardian. However, if you wish for someone else, like the Weasleys, I'll understand completely." He added hastily. Harry could only gape at him. This hadn't been what he was expecting. Lupin seemed to take Harry's silence as a meaning of Harry not liking the idea and began to apologize for even suggesting it.

"I think it's a great idea." Harry said, catching Lupin off guard, "I would love for you to be my Guardian."

"Re-really?" Lupin stuttered. Harry smiled and nodded his head. "Well, okay, that's great!" Lupin looked extremely relieved, "We should get back to your party before you're missed."

The party lasted well into the night. Many of the order members made appearances, including Dumbledore. Harry's anger towards Dumbledore wasn't as strong as it was when he had left Hogwarts. Since Voldemort was revealed, Harry was able to obtain proper information from his friends. Although, Harry still felt that a lot of the blame still and will forever lie with Snape.

Later that night, Harry lay on his bed listening to Ron's snores coming from the bed across the room. Harry smiled to himself, all those people had come to see him on his birthday. Harry fell into a dreamless sleep, the first in many months, happy to know just how many people really do care for him.