Chapter Seven

Meeting Family

After they finished eating, Mrs. Weasley spoke, "I'll clean up, and Ron you can take Harry up to where he will be sleeping." Ron left the room with Harry and Hermione following, and they left the room.

After they left Harry spoke to them, "Any news on the Death Eaters that were captured."

Ron broke into a huge grin as they climbed a flight of stairs, "They were all sent to Azkaban, which is now under the control of the Ministry, and there have been no escapes. I also can't wait until the term starts so that we can get back at Malfoy for all the trouble he has caused us."

"Do you think that it is wise? He is still a prefect, and he can get us, especially Harry, into trouble for putting his father into prison," Hermione said to Ron.

"You worry too much Hermione," Ron said.

"That does not mean that he will try to get back at Harry for revenge."

"Will you two stop bickering?" Harry asked trying to stop another argument between them.

"Just think that you can get back at them after this year," Ron said as they turned the corner after the flight of stairs they climbed.

"I think not, my aunt should know and she will be too scared to tell Uncle Vernon; if he doesn't know," Harry said suppressing a grin.

"Good Harry, I think it is a wise idea since you won't get into trouble," Hermione said. Ron was about to say something but didn't.

They made their way toward a door where Harry and Ron will be sleeping for the night. On one of the bedpost was a snowy-white owl.

"Hello Hedwig," Harry greeted her and she landed on his shoulder with a hoot for a greeting. A small owl was zooming around the room when they entered.

"Shut up, Pig!" Ron shouted at the owl trying to catch but to no avail. Harry caught Pig and put him in his cage which was on a counter and Ron put one of his school robes on the cage to muffle Pig's screeching.

Harry just realized something, "We're not at-" before Hermione broke him off.

"I don't know either but we were told that it was given to Malfoy's mother after Sirius died."

"It hasn't occurred to me that we were still at the old headquarters but we can find out later. Shall we open our letters now," Harry said.

They opened their letter to see what jobs they can go into in the future. Harry saw a full roll of parchment of at least one hundred jobs including Auror. Harry still wanted to be an Auror, but lately he didn't care what he went into after he finished Hogwarts. No one spoke for several seconds until Hermione spoke.

"So have you two decided which job you would like to go into?"

"I don't know, but I think I would still like to be an Auror," Ron said.

"I don't just yet," Harry said.

"You don't know--" Ron began until he was cut off by Hermione.

"Harry, this is not over the prophecy that was shattered about you and Voldemort?" Hermione said ignoring Ron's shudder at the mention of Voldemort's name.

"Stop saying his name, Hermione," Ron said furiously.

"Ron, have I told you that fear of a name only increase the fear of the thing itself," Hermione said in her bossy tone.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that fear of a name increases the fear of saying that name."

"Stop it both of you!" Harry shouted at both of them. "Why must both of you argue so much?"

"She started it," Ron trying to blame Hermione.

"That was so childish Ron." Hermione told Ron resentfully.

Ron left the room muttering under his breath; most likely blaming Hermione. Neither Harry nor Hermione spoke for several seconds.

"Hermione, why must you two argue now?" Harry asked Hermione breaking the silence.

"I don't know. Maybe until he stops contradicting me on everything I say or do," Hermione said to Harry.

Harry looked at his options then noticed another message he didn't see:

Dear Mr. Potter,

Please enclose your selected classes by no later than August 15.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Harry, don't you think that you should teach Defense Against the Dark Arts instead of becoming an Auror?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Why?" Harry asked her.

"Well, not to long ago, I heard Mr. Weasley talking with the members of the Order that he heard that the majority of the students at Hogwarts earned an Outstanding on their exams for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Of that majority, most were members of the D.A."

"Hermione, I am not a professor, those spells come easy to me."

"Exactly, it would be beneficial for future generations at Hogwarts if you teach it to them. Look at it this way; we learned how to conjure up a Patronus."

"Hermione, it is easy without having to face a dementor or even hundreds of them."

"Harry--" Hermione began until Harry put up his hand to quiet her.

"Hermione, I have more important things on my mind now and I am going to bed."

Hermione didn't say anything and let the room leaving Harry alone with two owls. Harry lay on the bed. Harry though to himself, "Maybe Hermione is right, I should teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. I know each spell and know how to use them properly. I have faced many dangers than any known professor has ever faced in their lives." Harry laid there for several minutes and remembering to clear his mind and finally falling asleep without any dreams or nightmares.

Harry slept well through the night and even didn't wake with the sun in his eyes. Something furry and soft rubbed against his head. He moaned and turned his head away from it. Then he felt something licking his face. He opened his eyes to see a large, ginger cat on his chest and facing him.

"Get off Crookshanks," Harry told the cat. Crookshanks jumped off Harry and landed on the floor. He gave Harry a "meow" and left the room. Harry rose out of his bed and walk to a window. He looked outside and realized that it was morning.

Harry walked out of the room and made his way to the kitchen. He walked towards the stairs to find Crookshanks waiting for him. He walked past the feline and it followed Harry. Harry didn't bother as he made it to the landing. Harry entered the kitchen to find everyone present and eating breakfast.

"Morning Harry," Lupin greeted him.

"Morning," Harry said and took an empty seat between Ron and Hermione.

Harry took a piece of toast and put jam on it and began eating his porridge.

"Have you three decided on which classes you will be taking yet?" Lupin asked them.

"Well I was thinking of becoming a teacher for Transfiguration instead of an Auror," Hermione said.

"From what I have heard, you are an excellent student in your Transfiguration, Hermione," Lupin said. "How about you Ron, what have you decided on?"

"Well right now I may go into the Ministry," Ron said.

"Well Ron, don't forget that you need top grades on your N.E.W.T. exams," Lupin said.

"I know and I can do it if I set my mind to it," Ron said.

"And you Harry?" Lupin asked.

"I still want to be an Auror," Harry said after swallowing down his porridge.

"Harry you might want to consider to be a professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts because that would sound like an excellent job for you since you have taught many students defense spells when an incompetent teacher wouldn't, and risking expulsion for a secret club to learn those spell at this present time of danger. On top of that, all of your members have received "Outstanding" on their exams," Lupin said.

"I thought the exam results were kept confidential?" Ginny asked Lupin.

"You are correct Ginny, but there are times when the exam results are not kept confidential. After hearing what Cornelius Fudge tried to do at Hogwarts; he made a terrible mistake. Not allowing a competent teacher teaching defensive spells for Defense Against the Dark Arts is not a good idea even in this time of danger; even though he thought Professor Dumbledore was trying to take his place as the new Minister. Harry's exploit for leading a secret club and earning all of its members an "Outstanding" made him eligible for teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts," Lupin said to Harry putting a hand on his shoulder.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked Lupin.

"Let's just say that Harry may get multiple job offers from other wizarding schools for the position of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts after leaving Hogwarts," Lupin said to Ron.

"Wow!" Ron said.

"If you three have decided on which jobs you want; we can send them off so we can get your list of supplies for the coming year," Lupin told them. Harry handed his choice along with Ron's and Hermione's and continued to eat his breakfast.

"Lupin we are not at Sirius's house?" Harry asked.

Lupin gave out a sigh, "No, we are not since it now belongs to the only surviving Black member. We are at (giving another sigh) your grandparent's home." After Remus said this Harry dropped his spoon in his porridge and spoke to him.

"I'll explain Harry, your father inherited this place from his parents but since Lord Voldemort (ignoring the Weasleys shudder) was after your parents they left since this house has been in your family for centuries. They went to live in Godric's Hollow until it was safe until-" he broke off and Harry knew that was until his parents died.

"You were supposed to inherit this place when you leave Hogwarts in the event your parents died, but since we have lost our previous headquarters, this was our safest bet. It has been cast with all the protection needed to keep out Lord Voldemort and his followers. Harry after breakfast, why don't you come with me so you can see some of your parents belongings."

"Okay and what happened to Buckbeak," Harry replied.

"He is currently being cared for by Hagrid in a pen near his hut," Lupin replied.

After Harry had finished breakfast, he (along with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny) followed Remus up several flights of stairs ending at a door. Remus opened the door and they saw that there was furniture that appeared to be covered with cloth.

"This is where your family has saved their things for generations," Remus said noticing Harry's awed expression.

Harry and his friends took off in different directions looking at what has been covered up over the years. Harry found a trunk and just about as he was going to open it.

"Harry! Come and have a look at this," It was Hermione and he went to look to find where she was. He found her and she was holding what appeared to be a brides dress.

"I think you found Lily's old wedding dress Hermione," Remus said with a smile and with tears in his eyes.

"Hey, Hermione look in this mirror and see how it would looks on you," Ginny said pointing to a mirror that she was looking at.

Hermione did so and Harry could tell that by the reflection that she looked beautiful if she had worn it (although that it was a few inches too long for her). "I think I look beautiful in it; if I had worn it," Hermione said trying to suppress a blush.

"I think so too Hermione," Remus answered.

"I agree too," Ginny answered.

Harry was about to answer until Ron spoke, "Harry, have a look at this!"

Ron was carrying what appeared to be a very ancient broomstick.

"Ron, be careful with that, since that is one of the first Oakshalf 79's ever produced," Remus said in a warning tone.

"You're kidding!" Ron answered.

"I am not Ron, and please put that away since it is not meant to be flown anymore," Ron did as Remus told him to do and Harry saw Hermione put his mother's wedding dress away.

"Lupin, how far does Harry's family history go back?" Hermione asked.

"It is unknown, but we, that is the Order, believe it goes back to early as the year 1200," Remus answered Hermione's question.

Over the next few days, Harry spent much of his time in the attic looking at around at all of the heirlooms that he would gain. He found a family tree that had all of his family on it, but since most of the names had become unreadable; Harry couldn't read it. Harry made his way down from the attic for dinner one day, "Happy Birthday!"

The kitchen was decorated with Gryffindor colors of scarlet red and gold. Harry was speechless since this would be the first real birthday he ever had. He, his friends, and the Order celebrated his birthday and had a fun time. Harry opened his gifts and he received a wand polishing kit from Hermione, a book of defense spell from the Order, and a book about Quidditch from Ron. This was the best birthday he ever had since he received his first real birthday gifts from his friends before the start of his third year.