Chapter 3: -Summer at the Burrow

The days after Harry's arrival at the burrow where uneventful, the family carried on with its usual activities, Everyone ate breakfast together in the large kitchen and then Mr Weasley, Bill, Fred and George would all apparate to work every morning while Ron and Ginny used floo powder to reach the shop as they like Harry where still under aged and so where not legally allowed to do magic out side of school.

There wasn't much fun to be had at the Burrow on his own while Ron, Ginny and the twins where at work, as Harry wasn't allowed to visit the store as Mrs Weasley explained that Dumbledore could only assure his safety if he remained inside that burrow, Mrs Weasley however did try her best to entertain him and Harry suspected that Mrs Weasley liked the company during the day as she did her usual house chores which Harry insisted on helping her. At first Mrs Weasley had insisted that Harry was a guest and therefore didn't have to help clean or tidy but Harry liked it, and he liked helping Mrs Weasley. The work made him feel useful and it took Harry's mind away from the dark thoughts that had plagued him all summer.

After the chores were completed Harry would sit at the kitchen table doing his summer homework while Mrs Weasley lent a helping hand.

"The boys never let me help with their homework" She had commented once "I think they think I'm only good for washing and cleaning, but I used to get very good grades at Hogwarts"

And so the days progressed much the same, in the evenings, when the family returned, Dinner was waiting on the kitchen table and everyone sat and ate together everyone that was apart from Mr Weasley and Bill. It hadn't taken long for Harry to figure out why on his arrival to the Burrow Mr Weasley and Bill had taken so long to enter the kitchen. At the time it hadn't been obvious, Harry had had other things on his mind. But now after several weeks with the Weasley's it had become extremely obvious. At Privet drive Harry's safety was assured from attacks by Voldemort by special charms and magic spells that Dumbledore had placed on the house many years ago. The Burrow, however magical the place was, had only been placed with magical protection spells that summer. Ron had told Harry how Dumbledore had turned up at the house the evening before Harry had been brought there by his uncle, asking if Harry would be welcome. And it was that evening that magical spells and charms where placed over the Burrow. Each evening Mr Weasley and Bill took it in turns to ensure that all the charms where in place and that Harry and the family would be safe and secure as they slept.

Harry still didn't fully understand why he had been brought to the Burrow, especially when Lupin had insisted during his visits at Privet drive that no place other then Hogwarts or Privet drive would ever be safe enough for Harry to stay at. Harry knew that the reason lay with Sirius' ring even though Mr Weasley had never mentioned the subject since Harry's first evening. In fact none of the Weasley's had mentioned Harry's ring apart from Mr Weasley. Harry had on occasion caught members of the family looking at it, but as soon as they had realised Harry had seen they had turned away as though nothing had happened. This made Harry think that maybe Dumbledore and Lupin where right in being concerned, maybe there was something wrong with Sirius' ring, but Harry shrugged those thoughts off as soon as they emerged, Sirius had never done anything to hurt Harry and Harry knew that wherever Sirius was hiding nothing that Sirius had once owned would ever hurt him. For Harry vehemently believed that Sirius was still alive, he knew his godfather was and the rings appearance was proof of that. No matter what Lupin and Dumbledore had said.

Summer at the Burrow progressed slowly, and the Weasley family's daily routes continued as usual. Everyday the twins, Ron and Ginny went to the shop, they when even on Sundays and stayed late into the evenings as the twins insisted that they needed to make as much money out of the holiday peak as they could so that their plans for after the summer could be put in to motion. No one not even Harry was told what the twins where planning, in the evenings after supper the twins would sit in the corner of the living room around a small table that was strewn with paper covered in figures as they talked in hushed voices and jotted notes onto the corners of the parchments and talked even more, their heads barely inches apart. Harry was reminded of a similar scene two summers ago when the twins had first had the idea of opening a magical joke store.

Back then the twins' idea was regarded as crazy by most of the Weasley family but now, Now the twins where left in peace and even Mrs Weasley who, up until a few months ago still disliked the idea of her children running a joke store, was very proud of the twins.

"Their definitely planning something big" She commented to Harry one day as they tidied the living room. "Ginny say that even when they're at the store they just hide in the back room planning and scheming, she says they say their working on a new product line. But Ginny says their talking about this expansion project, apparently they haven't even told Lee what they've got planned!" Mrs Weasley had said conspiringly as though the twins' plans were a treasured secret, but nonetheless it made Harry smiled.

He was very glad that the twins' hard work had paid off, and not just for Fred and George's benefit. The shop and its success had been a blessing to the Weasley family, who though good natured where extremely poor. Weasley' Wizarding Wheezers was taking over the whole family. The store had given Ron and Ginny jobs and money, made Mrs Weasley proud and had made Fred and George quite rich, Mr Weasley had sadly lost his old barn where his collection of Muggle artefacts and plugs where kept as Mrs Weasley still refused to have the twins trying out their new ideas in the house but it was a very small price to pay.

Lee Jordan who was twin's best friend and who had helped Fred and George form many of the ideas for the store and had helped them product test the prototype products on willing first years throughout their final year at Hogwarts was also employed at the twins' store. Harry was glad to hear that the three friends had stayed together and he remembered how Lee had been extremely withdrawn when the twins had runaway from school. But knowing that three of Hogwarts' best pranksters where together in one place made Harry want to visit the store even more, He imagined the place to be a cornucopia of crazy and fun things, Ron and Ginny certainly enjoyed working there and neither of them minded that the twins hardly helped out in the shop front with the customers. Everyone was happy for Lee to manage and run the store and Ron and Ginny loved working there. Harry loved listening to the tales that Ron brought home with him each evening, they where his only real connection to the world outside of the Burrow, as Lupin hadn't visited since Harry had left privet Drive. Hermione hadn't written as she was on holiday with her parents in America and Mrs Weasley still refused to subscribe to 'The Daily Prophet' newspaper after they had tried to make Harry sound disturbed the previous year. The only thing that came close to a link to the wizarding world was Mrs Weasley's radio but the station only seemed to play jointy music and the presenters never talked about current affairs, not if they didn't involve preserves or magical puff pastry that is.

"Fifteen sales I made today!" Ron had yelled cheerfully one evening as he entered the kitchen covered in soot after flooing in "Fifteen! That's three more then Lee or Ginny! And Colin and Dennis Creevey bought a pack of canary creams so don't eat anything they give you when we get back Harry" Now that the summer was finally drawing to a close business at the store was beginning to become even more hectic. But no one, not even Ron could moan about the work. In fact Ron boasted that he even had his own personal vault at Gringotts the wizarding bank which was located in Diagon ally.

"I know that there's not a fortune in there but it's more money then I've ever had" Ron said beaming as he and Harry sat playing wizarding chess in the living room while Ginny sat doing her homework, Mrs Weasley knitted, Mr Weasley read and the twins sat in their corner, planning and scheming, while Bill tended to the protection charms.

The days progressed and soon letters arrived from Hogwarts confirming the choices of subjects that Harry and Ron had chosen to take for the following year and listing the equipment and books that they would require.

Dear Mr H Potter

Harry's letter read:

I herby confirm your chosen subjects to be studied at Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests (NEWTs) level over the following two years at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry:

Transfiguration,

Herbology,

Defence against the dark arts,

Charms,

Care of magical creatures,

Potions,

We look forward to seeing you return to Hogwarts this September.

Start of term begins September 1st the Hogwarts express will leave platform 9 1/3 at 10 o'clock exactly. Please find enclosed your recommended book and equipment list.

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

"I don't understand" Harry said as he and the Weasleys sat at the breakfast table,

"Neither do I" Ron said as he looked over Harry's shoulder "Half your subjects are missing mate! Even I've got more then that!"

"No it's not that" Harry said shaking his head "There all that I chose, well all but potions that is, but that's what I don't understand. I didn't want to sit potions?"

"You didn't want to sit potions?" Bill asked shocked from the other end of the table,

"Can't say I blame you mate" Fred called "who really wants to subject themselves to a further two years of Snape?"

"Fred!" Mrs Weasley chastised her son "don't be disrespectful of the professor"

"He might not even be there when you get back" Bill said mildly

"What do you mean?" Harry asked eagerly

"I mean take a look at this" Bill said pulling a copy of the daily prophet of his robes

"William!" Mrs Weasley reproached as he handed the illicit paper over to Harry who eager for news unfolded the paper with relish as Ron, Ginny and the twins crowded round him.

Shake up at Hogwarts

The ministry of magic has announced today the introduction of a new educational decree that demands for revision in teaching and all resident staff of magical learning institutions.

Plans have already been undertaken by the ministry to ensure the all teaching staff are able to safety basic teaching requirements, staff members of the prestigious School of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardy where recently subjected to rigorous training activities in order that they show an adequate understanding of both their chosen subject and correct teaching abilities as well as an understanding of how to treat and deal with their pupils both during classes and in the students free time.

But in light of you-know-who's return the ministry calls for another decree demanding the removal of certain teaching and resident staff.

The minister's confidential secretary Percival Weasley commented "In light of you-know-who's return the ministry is trying it's hardest to ensure students safety at all residential schools, It is the ministers main concern that all students at Hogwarts are properly cared for and protected and that members of staff who are of questionable natures are not placed in a position of trust. I of course refer to the incident where a werewolf was placed in charge of defence classes"

Despite being controversial the ministry remains adamant that the new educational decree will be enforced, this is a new move made by the ministry as the new legislation will mean that no person defined or registered under the dangerous creatures act of 1777 can be accepted as a teacher or as a resident staff member unless mitigating circumstances exonerates the individual.

This new legislation is thought to be enforced as early as this September ensuring the safety of students as they return to the school, when asked to comment on this new decree Professor Albus Dumbledore headteacher of Hogwarts had this to say "I have no comment to make on the subject."

"I don't understand?" Harry said as he looked down at the paper

"It means that the ministry's trying to get rid of Hagrid" George said angrily as he looked over Harry shoulder at the article

"But now?"

"The article says that the ministry's enforcing a new law" Bill explained "Their trying to use you-know-who's return as a reason to get rid of Hogwarts' staff"

"Why?" Ron asked sounding as confused as Harry felt

"The Ministry still wants control of Hogwarts" Mr Weasley spoke "Dumbledore's been trying to protest against the decrees all summer but to no avail."

"Most wizards still haven't come to terms with the fact that you-know-who is back and most of the people that are listening to Fudge where the ones that so easily turned against Dumbledore last summer" Bill told them

"The ministry thinks that if it can purge Hogwarts of those teachers loyal to Dumbledore then they will be able to supply their own teachers and perhaps take control that way" Mr Weasley told them

"Like Umbridge?" Harry said in horror as he remembered the torture she inflicted on him night after night in detention.

"Sort of" Bill said "But I think that Fudge realised that one person wouldn't be enough"

"That's why they demanded teachers must have licences" Fred said in awe

"Yes" Mr Weasley nodded "Fudge hoped he could dismiss most of the staff on grounds on incompetence. But Dumbledore was already wise to it and Hogwarts staff have always been highly skilled in their fields"

"But what's this got to do with Hagrid?" Harry asked, concerned for his friend and favourite teacher.

"Don't you see Harry if this new decree is passed then Hagrid will be instantly out, as would Flitwick" Bill said darkly "Hagrid's part giant, and Giants are classed as dangerous creatures!"

Harry stared at Bill in disbelief, the thought that Hagrid might be thrown out of Hogwarts was unthinkable.

"But Hagrid is Hogwarts" Ron said softly

"Bloody Percy" Harry heard Fred growl under his breath as he took hold of the paper and read the article through.

Percy Weasley, the twins older brother and Bill and Charlie's younger, was a very taboo subject in the Weasley household, at the start of the previous summer Percy had left the burrow forever and the circumstance of Percy's leaving wasn't a happy one. Harry didn't fully know the truth behind it and he had never pressed the matter as none of the Weasley's ever mentioned it but Harry had always found it hard to believe that a family that where so close and so caring for one another could just instantly change their feelings against one of their members. Percy had never been Harry's favourite Weasley, but Percy had been a Weasley nonetheless.

Soon after Mr Weasley, Bill, and Fred and George apparated to work, quickly followed by Ron and Ginny, Mrs Weasley headed upstairs to make the beds and Harry noticed that Mrs Weasley's eye had grown slightly moist. He knew that Mrs Weasley missed her son and that any mention of Percy's name would usually start her crying and so Harry was left alone in the kitchen he sighed, maybe Percy's absence was the reason the Burrow felt so strange? Harry thought as he looked down at his Hogwarts letter and wondered if Hagrid would be there when September came and Harry wondered why someone had insisted he learn potions this year? And he finally realised that he would soon be returning to Hogwarts and Harry smiled.

At the end of June, the start of his sixth year had felt like an eternity away, Harry hadn't even considered the idea of getting through the first week of the holidays let alone returning to Hogwarts. But finally he would be returning, and Harry counted the school as more of a home then anywhere else. He would be returning and it would be soon. But weather the place and the people would be the same as he remembered still remained to be seen.

Harry spent the rest of the morning cleaning; he made his and Ron's beds, tidied their room and sorted out this trunk which hadn't really been packed properly in the first place. The prospect of returning to Hogwarts had put Harry in a good mood and he tried hard not to think about Hagrid's predicament but by mid day Harry couldn't not think about Hagrid any longer. Images of the huge hairy gamekeeper flashed through his head, they were the ones from Harry's fourth year when the Daily Prophet had announced to the world that Hagrid was a half giant and tried to portray the gentle man as a blood thirsty beast. Hagrid had felt so alone then, he had locked himself in his small wooden cabin on the outskirts of the school grounds and refused to talk to anyone. Harry pictured his friend now, crying with only fang his pet bore hound for company.

Harry felt miserable now and he sank onto his bed cuffing away the tears as they formed, he knew how it felt to be alone in the world. Hagrid like Harry hadn't any parents; his father had died when Hagrid was just a boy and Tom Riddle, Voldemort's real name, had managed to get Hagrid expelled when they both where at school together. Hogwarts, just like for Harry was the only real home that Hagrid knew.

Harry had to let Hagrid know that he wasn't alone, that at least he, Harry, still cared. Hagrid had been a good friend to Harry over the years; he had been the first person to tell Harry the truth about his parents and had been the person who had first introduced him to the wizarding world, Harry's real world. And if all Harry could do in return was to tell Hagrid that he was needed and wanted at Hogwarts and that at least someone care then so be it. Harry pulled parchment and Remus' present of his trunk and set to writing about writing the letter.

It took longer then Harry had thought to tell Hagrid how he felt when he had read the newspaper article that morning, and trying to describe his feelings towards his favourite teacher was also hard. In the end Harry just settled on a simple letter that expressed his distress at the prospect of the newest Educational Decree and told Hagrid that Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without him. Harry knew that Dumbledore would be trying his best to block the decree but if Bill was right about Dumbledore's lack of support then there was no hope of stopping it as Umbridge's presence last year at the school showed. Once Cornelius Fudge the minister of Magic had set his mind to something he wasn't easily dissuaded. And so Harry wanted Hagrid to know that no matter what he, Harry still believed and supported him.

With the letter finished Harry folded and sealed it, tired it to Hedwig's legs and headed out into the garden so that she would have room to stretch her wings. Hedwig screeched as he Harry carried her to the back of the Weasley's garden and she struggled freeing herself from Harry grasp and took off into the late afternoon sky,

"Leave her alone" Harry called as he noticed the same old cat that had scared Hedwig on his arrival at the burrow, sitting in the darkness of the hedgerow it's eyes shone brightly as it regarded Harry then licked at it's paws indifferently as it thumped it's strange lion shaped tail on the ground.

Movement in the large beech tree near the hedge made Harry look upwards where he saw a large grey bird standing regally in the upper branchers, its hooked beak sharp and its eyes glistening.

Harry knew by the shape of the beak and the curved deadly looking yellow talons that it was a bird of pray, in size it was smaller then Hedwig but only by an inch or so, it's back and wings where coloured blueish grey and it's under body was a creamy white with black bars marked throughout the feathers. But its head was the most distinguishing part of the bird large black marks ran from the bird eyes and the crown of its head was entirely black, like it was wearing a tiny black skull cap.

The bird looked at Harry as he stood looking at it and Harry wondered how it would feel to be a bird soaring over cliffs and fields, the wind pulling at you. Harry guessed how flying felt, he was seeker on his houses Quidditch team, or at least he had been until Umbridge had banned him and Harry wondered if the life time ban would still stand this year? His Hogwarts letter hadn't mentioned it and Harry prayed that the ban had been quashed, because without Quidditch his year at Hogwarts wouldn't have any alleviation.

"HARRY!" Mrs Weasley called franticly as she hurried across the lawn scattering chickens in her wake as she pulled her wand out and looked nervously around her "What are you doing outside? You know your not allowed to leave the house the protection charms aren't strong enough to extend to all the garden, quickly back inside" She called as she pulled Harry close and hurried him back inside the house.

Reluctantly Harry allowed himself to go with her, but he turned to look once more at the bird but it was gone and so was the old cat, but out of the corner of his eye Harry saw the cloaked figure once more just behind the tree. Harry tried to turn but as he struggled against Mrs Weasley's hold the figure moved beyond his view and had vanished. Struggling, Harry scanned the garden and hedgerows but her couldn't see the figure anywhere, the grey hawk was now soaring over head. And Harry smiled.

'He's here' Harry told himself, Harry knew he was and Harry closed his ringed hand into a tight fist its weight was reassuring and it reflected the last rays of the sun shining as the suns rays danced off the gold and diamonds.

'He was here' Harry told himself again 'Sirius had come', Harry could feel it. And he burned to tell someone, but he knew that Mrs Weasley would react the same as her husband, Dumbledore and Lupin had. They would all say that it was the ring playing tricks on him and so Harry waited, watching through the small kitchen windows as the sun faded Harry searched, looking to see if he could see any signs of Sirius as the sky darkened and large clock in the living room chimed signalling the return of Mrs Weasley's children.

"How was your day dears?" Mrs Weasley enquired as Ron and Ginny stepped out of the kitchens fire place covered in soot,

"Oliver wood came into the store today" Ginny called happily "He's made it to the first team!"

"Ron we need to talk!" Harry hissed as he dashed forwards grabbing his friends arm and pulling him towards the stairs,

"Harry- What?- hay what's going on?" Ron blurted in surprise as Harry led him towards their room "Harry what's going on, what's the rush?" Ron asked as Harry finally pulled Ron into the bedroom and closed the door.

"Sirius isn't dead!" Harry exclaimed scarcely able to contain himself

"He isn't? But harry…" Ron began

"I know what you're thinking but your wrong… I've seen him, I know that now. He's been at Privet Drive and he's been here. He's keeping an eye on me making sure I'm alright." Harry said happily

"You've seen him?" Ron asked sceptically "Here at the Burrow?"

"At first I didn't know who it was or even if they were real but now, Now I know it's him. First Privet Drive and then here, who else would it be? Who else would know where I'd be?" Harry said excitedly convincing himself that what he thought was the truth

"Are you saying someone's been following you? Because Harry if they have we have to tell mum and dad!" Ron said in alarm as he made to move to the door

"Haven't you been listening? It isn't a someone it's Sirius!" Harry called as he grabbed hold of his friends arm to stop him moving, Ron's face looked pained and he stared at Harry as though he feared for his friends sanity.

"Harry, Sirius is dead" Ron said pointedly

"No, No he isn't!" Harry sighed as he repeated himself once more "I don't know how I know and I know it sounds mad but Sirius is alive. This ring-" Harry said holding his hand out so Ron could see the ring "-it's Sirius' ring, he left it for me on the table in privet drive, he's been hiding out and watching me just like he did in our third year"

"That ring was Sirius'?" Ron asked looking unbelieving at the beautiful object on Harry's figure "That's the reason Dumbledore removed you from your uncles, Harry. Dumbledore, Dad and Lupin are all concerned for you and it's all because of that ring, they say that it could contain dark magics no one knows how you got it but Lupin said he knew who the last owner was and I'm positive it wasn't Sirius"

"It's Sirius' ring! SB, stands for Sirius Black" Harry growled "And he's alive I know he is!"

"Harry! Think about it, if Sirius was alive why wouldn't he tell anyone? Why didn't he tell you?"

"Because…because he's trying to keep low, he doesn't want the ministry to know he's alive, or…or he's working for Dumbledore doing something! I don't know but I know he's alive!"

"Harry, Dumbledore says Sirius is dead, so does Lupin! Out of all the people in the world why would those two still claim that he's dead if he isn't?" Ron said softly as though speaking these words had coursed him pain

"Because their covering for him!" Harry growled, his temper slowly rising as he began to loose his patients

"But Harry he fell through that archway-"

"So? No one knows what that archway was, or why else would it be in the department of mysteries?"

"Dumbledore and Lupin seemed very certain that Sirius was-"

"Because their covering for him!" Harry yelled "Sirius isn't dead he's here I've seen him!"

"That's impossible Harry" said a voice from the bedroom door as it slowly opened, Ron and Harry both turned to see Hermione Granger standing in the doorway,

"Hermione when did you get-?" Ron began but she cut him off,

"Mum and Dad just drop me off their downstairs talking to your parents now" She said lightly as she turned to look at Harry "I'm sorry Harry but…Sirius is dead"

"NO! No he isn't!" Harry yelled

"Harry listen to yourself" Hermione pleaded "Listen to what your saying, I know that Sirius' loss is painful to you but you must know that by now Sirius wouldn't let you suffer like this if he knew that one word, one meeting or anything would help"

"He gave me his ring!" Harry said as he tired of repeating himself,

"No Harry, Someone gave you that ring Mr Weasley told me" Hermione continued in her even tone "I assume there was a note, was it in Sirius' handwriting?" Harry shook his head sadly

"Was it signed Sirius? Padfoot? Snuffles?" She enquired as though she knew the answers before Harry gave them

"No" Harry said sadly as he sank to his bed tears forming in his eyes the room was silent for a very long time until finally Harry spoke "He's dead isn't he?" tears fell from Harry's eyes as he drew his legs up and buried his face into his knees,

"Harry I'm so sorry" Hermione said softly as she sat on the bed next to him and wrapped her arms around him "I'm so sorry, I wanted to be here for you. But mum and dad insisted we go on holiday and then we met Viktor-"

"Krum!" Ron called angrily "You went on holiday with Viktor Krum?"

"I never said that Ron" Hermione replied tartly "But that's neither her nor there, I'm so sorry Harry"

"Thanks" Harry said softly as Hermione held him

"I know you don't what to hear this now" she said softly "But we'd better tell Mr Weasley about this figure that you keep seeing"

"I suppose" Harry replied, he felt dead again, the appearance of the ring had made Harry cling to the only hope that he had that maybe Sirius was still alive. But Harry knew, deep inside, that Hermione was right, Sirius would never have waited so long to have told Harry that he was still alive. In truth Harry had always know that Sirius was gone. Harry knew that, he just couldn't admit that fact to himself. He didn't want to be on his own but as Hermione held him tightly and Ron sank to the bed near his feet Harry knew, that just like Hagrid he wasn't truly alone.

"Thank you" Harry said softly as he kissed Hermione on the cheek making her grin and squeezed Ron's arm "Thank you, both of you"

"Come on" Hermione said climbing off the bed and taking Harry's ringed hand in hers "Lets give this to Mr Weasley-" She tapped the ring with her fingers "-and then you can tell them about this figure you've been seeing"

"Yeah" Harry said as he looked down at his ringed hand in hers

"Harry?" Ron's voice said, sounding strange and distant "Is that the cloaked figure you where talking about?"

Harry turned to see that Ron was looking out into the dark fields that surrounded the Burrow, all three friends crowed round the small window squinting into the darkness Harry could barely make out the dark shape that Ron had indicated, he squinted, trying to make out what was moving beyond the hedge. Realisation made Harry's eyes widen in fear.

"That's not no cloaked figure, Ron" Hermione said her voice quivering "That's a-"

"DEMENTORS!" Ron yelled