Chapter 5

Breakfast on Wednesday was interrupted by a tap on the window. Ginny looked out in amazement. "Harry, there must be five hundred post owls outside."

Harry asked Dobby to let the birds in, collect the mail, and give them each an owl treat. Anticipating that this was just the beginning, Harry asked Winky to go to Eylops Owl Emporium and purchase a dozen bags of owl treats. Harry transfigured a large box and asked Dobby to put the letters into the box, and that Harry would look at them later. Harry had anticipated that they would come, and did not want to get distracted from the task of renovating the home. Tonks offered to sort them for Harry. She spent most of the afternoon doing that while Harry carried down goods to be sold or given away from the second floor.

At the end of the day Harry and Remus looked over the piles of goods that had filled the great-room.

The pile to be sold included the artwork, Mrs. Black's things, some museum quality jewelry, furniture that while obviously valuable and beautiful did not fit Harry's taste, and the formal dinnerware along with the silver and gold serving pieces.

The pile to be given away included the contents of the wine room, a dozen cases of hundred and fifty year old brandy, the potions equipment, the Black family tapestry, a piano, and Sirius' things.

The undecided pile included a cache of muggle weapons, magical weapons, and three dozen loose diamonds.

The pile to be thrown away included most of the old carpets, wall coverings, window treatments, the disgusting house elf heads, and a considerable amount of worn out furniture, including almost everything from the guest bedrooms.

Harry had decided to keep the library, the furniture in the kitchen, the furniture in the study, and a few of the pieces in the library. He also decided to keep the pensive, and Sirius' photo album.

Along the way, they had found 50,000 Pounds Sterling that Sirius had maintained for emergency travel money and 200,000 galleons that had been stored in a shrunken magical trunk under the floorboards exactly as Phineas had suggested. Inside the trunk had been a note to Harry.

Dear Harry,

A part of me wishes that you never find this letter, because it means that I wasn't able to give you the things that you deserve myself in my own time. If you found this, it is my hope that I died helping you, even if only in a small way. It is my hope that if you choose to stay here, you are clearing everything out, and starting fresh. Sell everything that you choose. I didn't buy any of these things, so they hold no value to me.

Please consider using some of the proceeds of the estate sale to help out those that we know who could really be benefited by a bit of money. Please set up accounts, or add to the accounts of each of the Weasleys (except for that worthless prat, Percy), Tonks, your friend Hermione, any others as you see fit, and of course our friend Remus.

Understand, Harry, no matter what happened, I hold no blame whatever on you. I do hope that Dumbledore will forever be cursed with bad dreams and guilt. With sufficient effort, he could have discovered my innocence fifteen years ago. Finding one worthless rat could not have been an effort beyond his skill. Keeping me under house arrest here for the last year was eating me alive. My only happy memory here was the time that you spent over Christmas. For that I truly thank you.

I am certain that the contents of the prophecy are eating at you, most likely because it was hidden from you, and I doubt that anyone has given you a clue regarding how to successfully carry it out. I would ask that you consider having a long talk with Remus this evening. Please hand him his letter and show him this one too if he is not standing at your side as you are reading this. Based on your discussion, I would ask that you read one of the two letters that you will find in the bottom of this trunk, and destroy the other.

Harry, I don't know if people ever really told you, but your mother and father loved you so very much. You meant the world to them. Please find the person who loves you and after you have done the things that you need to do, make your own family. Start a clan of beautiful little Potters. You can find your career later.

Harry, I wish you the very best.

Love,

Sirius

It was too late to start a serious discussion, and Remus wanted time to study the letter that he had been given. Harry sent an owl to Mundungus and asked that he come over the next day to collect the items to be sold.

Remus sat in the empty guestroom reading his letter.

Remus,

First, I'm sorry that I let you down. I had constantly regretted that I had not set up an account for you seventeen years ago when I had the chance. I have asked Harry to consider dividing the proceeds from the sale of the estate into several piles, and that he find one for you. He probably already thought of it himself. He's a great young man.

Remus felt a tear in his eye. Harry had indeed had those ideas on his own. He continued to read the letter from his old friend.

I have significant doubts that Harry will be given the skills and training to meet his destiny by staying at Hogwarts. I would ask that you consider directing his personal studies for the next few years. After you consider this yourself (as I would trust no one other direct such an effort) and have discussed this with Harry, please ask him to read either the enveloped marked school or the one marked studies. Even after giving away half of the cash raised from the sale of those disgusting paintings, the silver, and my mother's jewelry there should be more than plenty to hire the best tutors in the subjects that he really would need to acquire skills in.

Remus, I simply lack the conviction to believe that Dumbledore will put himself in a position where he could devote the time to give Harry what he needs. If he were of a mind to do it, he would have started a year ago.

If Harry selects the (stay at) school note, I have suggested a list of tutors that he could engage over the summer. I have suggested that he contact Dumbledore after contacting the skilled members of the Order to see what he could be given in terms of evening training. It is a poor choice in my opinion, but it is his right to go to school and be sixteen.

If he elects to go the (home) studies route, I have assembled a list of the finest tutors in a dozen fields, and had listed several alternates in the event of availability conflicts. 150,000 Galleons should cover all of the expenses for two years.

If Harry doesn't see the wisdom of either plan, please talk with Dumbledore and see if he would consider an apprenticeship program for him.

Remus, I am sorry to have to discuss this with you in a letter. Please realize that I value your judgment, and especially in this case. As of the time that I had written this (early June) Dumbledore had not told Harry about the Prophecy. I told him that the risk of Harry's not having the knowledge far outweighed the risk that Voldemort would find out, but he always believes that he knows what needs to be done.

I wish you the best.

Sirius

Remus put the letter down. The idea of providing Harry with a one of a kind education was both exciting and terrifying to him. It was exciting from the perspective that it might provide Harry with the best opportunity to survive and defeat Voldemort. It was terrifying from the perspective of what it would cost Harry personally – not in money, but giving up his youth, his friends, and running him headlong to meet his destiny. Remus felt that he owed Dumbledore the opportunity to provide his input before he went his own way. He would go see Dumbledore immediately. He would talk with Harry the next afternoon. Then he would spend a few days at his cottage in Nott County over the full moon.

Remus entered the castle just before midnight. Filch scowled at him, but let him pass without saying anything. He gave the password to the gargoyle and gently knocked on the door. The voices inside stopped, and Dumbledore opened the door. "Come in Remus. This is a pleasant surprise. Please sit down. Can I offer you a tea, or a brandy, or perhaps some cocoa?"

"Tea please. Thank you." He watched as one of the elves appeared, with a tray with a tea serving, set it down, and then popped away. "Professor, I have come to talk with you regarding Harry's education."

Dumbledore was a bit surprised at the topic, but did not show it. "That indeed is a subject that has recently been on my mind as well. What are your thoughts?"

"I believe that we are of a like mind in thinking that Harry will not be well served by playing Quidditch, and sitting in history class with Mr. Malfoy." Remus paused a moment to see if Dumbledore would respond. When he didn't Remus continued. "I received a suggestion today that Harry procure the services of several qualified private tutors and pursue a curriculum that may allow him to be better equipped to prevail when he faces Voldemort."

"That is indeed an interesting idea, one I have considered myself. If I may ask, who made the suggestion?"

"Sirius. He left a series of letters for Harry and me to read. Without changing the subject, what do you see as the best course for Harry?"

"Before I answer that, allow me to tell you the alternatives that I have considered. The choice is of course Harry's to make. As much as we may believe we have his best interest at heart, the choice is ultimately his. I originally looked at providing him with additional defensive training last year, then Fudge disrupted my plans with his insistence of hiring Delores, and the disaster that followed. The practical group that Harry started was the sort of thing that Harry needed. I had of course planned that Harry would be taking rather than leading the lessons."

Dumbledore had carefully been considering his options. He had considered resigning from the school to teach Harry himself, but realized that he lacked the stamina to do the fitness training personally. He could try it for most of the next month, and see of they worked well together. He could formally appoint Harry as his apprentice. He could hire Harry as an assistant instructor, tutor him in the morning, allow him to work in the afternoon, and back fill his existing coursework evenings. He recalled that Harry had worked well with Remus in the past, and had made significant improvements in his skills.

Dumbledore recognized that Sirius' idea also had merit. In the short term, Harry needed to have world-class skills in defense, attack, Occlumency, Legilimency, transfiguration, and charms, all well beyond NEWT level. There was something else. Harry needed to have love in his heart. In the end, Dumbledore believed that love would be what would help Harry defeat Riddle. He wasn't certain how well Harry and Ginny were bonding together. Neither was he certain that Ginny, Arthur or Molly would approve of the idea that he was developing.

Dumbledore decided to remove Tonks as a distraction from that budding romance, at least on a temporary basis. She certainly was a willing guard, but she might be something of a distraction to a teenager, and if the truth be known, probably wasn't even Harry's current equal in a street fight. Harry needed a big sister, not another young woman trying to seduce the boy-who-lived over his wealth or fame. He would ask Amelia to have her reassigned to do surveillance on Draco. He would ask Phineas if he had noticed anything between Harry and Ginny. He made up his mind and said, "Remus, thank you for bringing these excellent ideas to my attention. Please allow me to consider them for a few hours. You are more than welcome to stay the evening. I will go and visit with you and Harry no later than ten AM tomorrow. Please do not mention anything to Harry or Tonks in the mean while."

Remus nodded, and left to go back to his cottage in Nott. He would collect his training things and plan on spending at least the next month with Harry.

Tonks and Ginny were helping Harry go through the pile of letters, cards and packages that he had received. Harry had received 390 cards and letters from witches and wizards that he knew from school, many of which included notes from their parents offering to help Harry in any way that they could. He received 83 letters from witches offering to do what they could to help Harry ease his pain. Many of those included photos or pieces of string that Tonks recognized as thong knickers. He also received letters from each of the Order members, many of the Aurors, and other Ministry workers offering their sympathy.

---------- ---------- ----------

Dumbledore arrived at Amelia's office the next morning at 7:45 and was finishing reading the London Times when she arrived. He explained that Tonks was needed to perform surveillance on Draco Malfoy, and that in the short-term, Harry would instead be watched by Remus. Amelia read between the lines, and asked if Tonks had done anything wrong. Dumbledore assured her that she had done an outstanding job, but others would be a better fit in the near term. She would ask Auror Tonks to come in and provide a report and make the reassignment at that time.

---------- ---------- ----------

While Dumbledore was conversing with Director Bones, Mundungus had arrived at Grimmauld place. After mentioning to Harry that there were a number of owls outside, he reviewed the instructions from Harry and loaded all of the items to be sold into a Lorry that he had parked out behind the brownstone. The old scoundrel felt honored that Harry had placed his trust in him to handle the estate sale. He had not forgotten failing Harry badly last summer, and vowed that this time he would make it up to him. He told Harry that he would return with the proceeds by Friday morning. They removed the items to be delivered to Hogwarts, and told Harry that he would pick up the rest when he returned.

When Remus returned, Harry asked him if he could take him to Gringotts on Friday morning and Harrods on Friday afternoon. Remus agreed, and Harry sent an owl to Hermione asking if she and her mother could meet them at Harrods at one to help him with some furniture selections. Without being derogatory, he doubted that Remus, Mrs. Weasley, or Tonks had done much home decorating.

Dumbledore arrived a few minutes later, and as they were discussing the various ideas and options for Harry. Six months ago, Harry would have gone along with any suggestion that Dumbledore had given him, sight unseen. Today things were different. Harry wanted until Sunday morning to decide his path for the next year. All he really wanted to do on Friday and Saturday was get some banking business done and furnish his home.

The two places to train would logically be either the room of requirement or the third floor that Dobby had prepared.

Regardless of Harry's eventual decision he knew that he needed to get started immediately. He committed to having read his sixth year materials in Charms and Transfiguration in the next two weeks. He had been given several apparation books from Minerva. Since he was a legal adult, he could test anytime that he was ready.

Dumbledore kidded Harry that he could always become a women's undergarment merchant, as it appeared that he had collected a sizeable inventory. After Dumbledore left, Remus said that he had to go to Kent and check on something. He would be back the next morning.

Ginny and Tonks spent the day looking through the library. Remus and Harry went through the pile of give away items. Remus had previously asked Harry if he could have the baby grand piano. It would be big for his cottage, but was an exceptional quality instrument, and Remus could have never afforded one anything like it. They had decided to split the two thousand bottle wine cellar ten ways. They arranged to give a portion to Moody, one for the Hogwarts staff to split, one for Dr. Dan Granger, one for the Aurors, and one for the Order, and to keep half for disposition at a later date. Harry gave two cases of the Brandy to Mundungus for the help that he provided, three cases to split among the members of the order, a case for Dr. Granger, a case for Mr. Weasley, and a case for Remus. He had insisted that Harry keep the remainder for future use.

Remus had reluctantly accepted Sirius' cloaks and wizardwear. Admittedly they were much better than his own, and quite a few of the items had never been worn, as they had been purchased for him by the Order members while the Order had been using his house for meetings.

Harry had given Mundungus most of the loose diamonds and asked that he have them set as diamond stud ear rings to give as gifts.

Unexpectedly an owl from Mundungus arrived about nine that evening. Harry took it and went to his study.

Dear Mr. Potter,

The sale of the items that you gave me concluded in considerably less time than I had anticipated. The results are as follows:

Mrs. Black's belongings and the jewelry that you asked me to sell were well received on the market. The total proceed was about 800,000 Galleons for the lot. The artwork was also easy to sell. The total from the sale was just over 350,000 Galleons. The china and silver service sold for 82,000 Galleons. The pieces of furniture netted 22,000 galleons. The total of 1,254,000 Galleons, net of my 1 seller fee was deposited into your account at Gringotts.

At your service,

Mundungus Fletcher

Harry decided that the Black estate fortune should be split as follows;

Remus – 200,000 Galleons

Tonks – 100,000

Hermione – 100,000

Ron – 100,000

Molly, Arthur – 50,000 each

Fred, George, Bill and Charlie – 20,000 each

Ginny – 100,000

Sirius Black victims fund – 350,000

DA group – 20,000

Harry – 104,000

Harry had considered the distribution carefully. Remus would have enough money to last him the rest of his life. The others would have enough money to make a material difference in their lives. They could use it to purchase a home, or get just about anything that they wished. In the case of Fred, George, Charlie and Bill, it would offer them a good start on a home. Harry had decided to start a war victims fund, hoping that somehow the war would end before the money was exhausted. He didn't want anyone to not be able to go to school or not have proper clothing to wear. Harry believed that the distribution was consistent with Sirius' wishes.

That evening Tonks was taking a shower in the bathroom that they had been using. She went to borrow Harry's razor and noticed that he did not have one. She borrowed Ginny's instead. Harry certainly had his share of facial hair, but for some reason it didn't seem to grow. Turning off the shower, she dried herself off. Deciding on what she wanted to test, she got dressed in white silk pajamas and went to find Harry. He was in the library studying with Ginny. "Harry, I need to borrow you for an hour. She looked at Ginny and whispered, "I'll give him back. I promise."

Tonks took him up to the study with three butterbeers in hand and she conjured two soft cushions for them to sit on the floor, and directed Harry to sit. "Harry, when was the last time that you had a haircut?"

"Beginning of fifth year, I guess. I think Ginny cut it."

Tonks nodded. She was certain that she was right about this. "When did you start shaving your face?"

"Beginning of fourth year, I guess. Why?"

"Just wondering. Harry, when was the last time that you shaved your face?"

"Beginning of fifth year, I guess. Why?"

Her crystal blue eyes met his emerald ones. "Harry, I think your hair is something that you can control. I want you to think about having longer hair, OK? Really try and concentrate on what it would feel like to have longer hair. If you do, I have a treat for you." She picked up a book, and started reading it. After a page, she glanced over to really look at Harry. Nothing had happened. "Keep trying Harry. Think about having hair that would reach your shoulders." She undid one of the buttons on her nightshirt, and went back to reading, noticing him glance at her. After a few more pages, she looked at Harry. His hair had grown two inches! She undid the rest of the buttons on her nightshirt. "Shoulder length, Harry, shoulder length. After another page, she saw Harry with shoulder length hair. She took her nightshirt off, revealing a white lacy bra. Harry seemed very interested in it. "Why don't you see if you can change your hair back to its original length," she said. Toying with the drawstring on her pajama bottoms, she said, "Feel yourself with regular length hair." Within a minute, Harry's hair was its usual length. "Very good Harry." The pajama bottoms fell to the floor, and she stepped out of them. "If you'd like to see the rest, grow your hair again, and then shrink it back after I have asked you." Within a minute, Harry had long hair again. Tonks undid her bra, and stood a few feet away from him, facing him. Harry's eyes were fixed on hers. He seemed to be trembling. "OK, now change it back to normal." Nothing happened.

Harry was obviously embarrassed. "Tonks, that is a fantastic offer, but I just don't feel right about it. I'm sorry." His eyes had never left hers.

She understood. She had taken the tease way too far. Harry had more moral rudder than any man that she had ever met. He needed a big sister, not another girlfriend. "OK, you set your hair back to normal, while I get dressed again. We'll continue this downstairs. OK?"

By the time she had picked up her things from the floor, Harry looked like he always had.

Tonks put her hands on his shoulders and softly said, "Harry, I didn't do that to embarrass you, just give you a bit of extra encouragement that McGonagall probably wouldn't have." She gave him a little kiss in the nose. "Let's go find Ginny. You did really great." Harry nodded, thinking a really terrible thought about his Transfiguration professor. Everything was OK between them again. They walked into the library. Tonks said, "Ginny, don't you think that Harry would look fantastic with longer hair?"

Harry was looking at Ginny, who was looking at Tonks, who was mouthing YES.

Ginny replied, "I think you always look fantastic, but I would be very interested to see what you would look like with longer hair. Can you show me?" Harry thought about having shoulder length hair. He felt warm for a few seconds, and then saw the amazed smile on Ginny's face. "Harry, that's fantastic. You look gorgeous!!!"

Tonks said, "Harry, that's really fantastic progress. I was a few months before I could grow my hair that fast."

Harry turned around to look at Tonks. "It must have been the encouragement," winked Harry. He turned around to look at Ginny, whose face had turned flame red.

It was getting late. Tonks said that she was going to sleep. Harry stayed up to do some reading. He found a book that had a section on Metamorphmagus. It was an exceptionally rare ability, only somewhat more common than speaking Parseltongue. After an hour he went up the stairs. There were the usual three sleeping bags. Ginny was in hers, and Tonks was in hers. It was a warm evening. Harry lay down on top of his listening to the soft breathing of the women and fell asleep immediately. For once, he had very pleasant dreams.

---------- ---------- ----------