The whole of Diagon Alley spread out beyond the window, a delightful jumble of various shops, each converging turning and jutting out at odd angles. It was one of the hearts of the wizarding world, hidden beneath the very skin of muggle London. Here you could find and purchase almost everything you might need or want from some of most prominent shops known to witches and wizards. Over at Madam Malkin's you could find robes for any occasion; Ollivander's has been supplying the magick community with the highest quality wands since 382 B.C.; and located there is a quidditch shop that has everything for the devoted player and obsessed fan. It was an oddly comforting sight, not even the foreboding white structure of Gringotts Wizard Bank could dampen the pleasant feeling it gave off.

Harry loved it. Sitting there at the window of his room in 'The Leaky Cauldron' he marveled at the sight before him.


Harry had arrived four days ago; ever since the attack on house #4 on Privet Drive. It had been a close call for Harry and he couldn't help but feel responsible for the injury Aunt Petunia had received from it. She was currently being held at a muggle hospital, having refused all offers to treat her more quickly and efficiently through a wizard physician. She would live with the scar across her abdomen for the rest of her life and Harry couldn't help but feel guilty for the pain she had endured. Luckily there had been warning enough that no one else had suffered.

Harry's brow furrowed as he continued to scratch the ears of a large black dog beside him.

'Who had sent the warning? And why?', those questions continued to run laps around his mind. It had been sent by owl; however, the owl could not be used to reply to the sender or identify him or her. Breaking the seal on the letter had tripped a memory spell; the owl's memory had been erased of all things related to the letter and the one who sent it. It had seemed confused and disoriented after that; Harry had to feel sorry for the creature. Even Dumbledore had been unable to sense the spell and was unable to retrieve any of the owl's memory.

Harry had been allowed to read it after his rescue, in hopes that he knew who might have sent it. His eyes strayed from the scene below over to the pocket of his robes, idly tossed over his trunk, and to the letter within. He could remember it by heart now...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Order of the Phoenix
Headmaster Dumbledore and Company,

Do not try tracing the origin of this letter, fore just as it concerns the life of one of you, so too does the secrecy of this transaction concern my life. If my identity were made known my life would be in danger and my assistance would not be available to you. I trust you will respect my wishes.

Touch of the rose...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The last phrase had been cryptic and Harry had sat there puzzling over the phrase, but Dumbledore had simply smiled and placed his finger against the red rose in the corner of the letter. It had appeared, to Harry, to only be a decoration on the parchment, but as the Headmaster's finger covered the flower ink had seemed to blossom from the bottom of the page, forming a single, perfect rose before seeming to burst apart, leaving words in its black wake...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I thought you would understand that. It will only respond you your hand, Headmaster. Anyway… onto the matter of my correspondence:

-A week before the Hogwarts' school term begins the Serpent will seek the Phoenix's blood, attacking it in its nest. Sundown comes early and it is not time for the Phoenix's light to dim. The darkness grows in strength.-

I wish that I could give you more; however, I believe the message was conveyed adequately. Please, hurry sir! I fear this may have arrived too late.

----
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Harry had been unable to understand the letter and Dumbledore had kindly explained its message. The answer had been locked in the italicized words: 'Serpent' had been a reference to Voldemort, the 'Phoenix' represented Harry, 'nest' was Harry's home at #4, and 'Sundown' had given the time of the attack. It was quite ingenious Harry had to admit. There had been no evidence of the sender, no name and the owl was certainly of no use.

The letter had arrive on the morning of the attack. It had only been thanks to Dumbledore's quick thinking that Harry was here at all, looking out on another day, waiting for his friends to join him, with his godfather sitting beside him.

Closing his eyes he let the memories play out...

*************Privet Drive, 4 days ago*************

The first thing that he remembered was Aunt Petunia's piercing scream coming from downstairs. Harry hadn't paid much mind to it at first, she screamed at the slightest thing. Suddenly an explosion shook the walls and Harry leapt up from his desk to the thud of something hitting the floor, the stench of burning wood filtering up to his room. Harry had reached for his wand and was walking toward his door when he had heard hurried footstep ascending the stairs. Bracing himself he pointed his wand at the door, every spell he had learned in his five years at Hogwarts crowding his mind.

Suddenly the door burst open and Arthur Weasley ran into the room, wand pointed toward Harry.

Numb with shock, Harry's arm sagged and he stuttered, "M-Mr. Weasley?"

Suddenly something moved near Harry, he could feel it as it shifted the sleeve of Harry's shirt. As he turned in its direction he heard Mr. Weasley shout, "Petrificus Totalus."

Shielding himself with his arms, Harry could only see the flash of light that filled the room before a dull thud echoed through the room. Looking up, he saw Mr. Weasley standing beside him, watching something on the floor. Turning Harry noticed a pair of legs protruding from thin air, a dull and faint iridescence shimmering above them.

"Invisibility cloak." Mr. Weasley said matter-of-factly. Harry could only nod numbly as Mr. Weasley's face broke out into a relieved and strained smile. "So, it's good to see you again Harry. How have you been this summer?"

"I-I've been better." Harry had managed to choke out looking back down at the floor, letting out a strangled cry.

The legs were gone and so was the body as Mr. Weasley tested the area with his foot. Nothing.

"Shit! Bloody Hell!"

Harry stared up in shock at Mr. Weasley trying to determine if he was more shocked at what had just happened or at Mr.Weasley's choice phrase. Deciding the former was of more significance Harry found his tongue and slowly forcing it into action asked, "Do you mind telling me what just happened, Mr. Weasley?"

Mr. Weasley had smiled warmly, hoping to reassure and comfort; however, it only succeeded in arousing Harry's fear. The smile was all he managed to extract, except the assurance that Professor Dumbledore would explain everything in time.

He had. The moment Harry, Remus, and Mr. Weasley had entered the Headmaster's office, Harry had burst out with a seemingly unending list of questions. Dumbledore had simply sat behind his desk, his eyes sparkling with warmth above his patient smile as he let Harry empty himself of curiosity. Templing his fingers before his face he closed his eyes as Harry finished; when they opened Harry could see the sadness of an old man who had seen too many dark years in his life.

It was quite change, but it faded quickly and Dumbledore leaned back into his large chair, beginning the explanation. Starting with the letter and ending with Harry's arrival in his office. During the middle, Arthur Weasley and Remus filled in the brief battle, explaining to Dumbledore, in the process, the disappearance of the cloaked assailant.

"I assume that you had only sensed one person in the room with Harry?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Yes, sir" Remus offered.

"Well then, it would appear that he cared a charm or summoning stone with him for just such a chance." At Harry's uncertain look Dumbledore explained, "Such a charm or stone is created so that if the bearer is harmed, becomes unconscious, or is assailed with magick it will transport that person to a designated location." Smiling supportively he added, "I suppose you could associated it with a portkey."

After receiving Harry's nod of understanding, Dumbledore and the other two began to discuss the plans for Harry's lodging and they had all agreed that Diagon Alley would be appropriate.

**************************************************

Harry looked down at his godfather's animagus form and smiled before looking back out over the crowds of people, continuing his search for the Weasleys and Hermione. Even with his godfather beside him he had felt lonely; not that he didn't enjoy spending time with him, but Ron and Hermione had been his anchor and sail two years before he even knew he had a godfather. He needed them now.

Harry sighed as he leaned back into the chair he had moved to the window. Sirius' head moved into the palm of Harry's hand, comforting in the only way he could in canine form. Harry couldn't help but laugh and ruffle Sirius' ears. There were times that Harry almost forgot that the dog was his godfather, but then he looked into his eyes, no dog could have those eyes. They were filled with the sorrow and sadness of years that no dog would ever see, in a place that wizard could survive with his sanity, let alone ever escape. Sirius had done both and was haunted by those years still. Looking into Sirius' face Harry was glad that the pain that use to haunt them had almost vanished and that joy and hope were slowly eroding away the years leaving them, if not bright then at least not dim.

Would the past ever let him and those he loved alone?

Standing up Harry was about to walk to his chest to take out a few coins and head into town when a loud knock startled him into jumping. Sirius was already alert and ready, hair on end and teeth bared as he stared at the door. Recovering himself Harry patted Sirius, as much to sooth Sirius as to comfort himself, as he headed over to the door.

"Yes?" He asked. "Who is it?"

A low and throaty voice answered, "It is I, You-Know-Who…" The voice would almost have been believable if it hadn't cracked in laughter at the end.

A loud crack issued from behind the door and a woman's voice could be heard, "George Weasley! That is not funny! How dare you! In times like this… And after what happened four days ago!" Harry could hardly keep his laughter controlled as the voices continued beyond the door.

"I was just having a bit of fun, mum…" said a voice that Harry recognized as George.

"It wasn't at all funny and totally inappropriate!" countered Mrs. Weasley and Harry could just see her plump and kind face contorted in righteous ire. If he had ever had a mother figure in his life he would have claimed Mrs. Weasley.

"But in times as dire as this shouldn't we try to keep our spirits up and not let fear cloud our lives." Fred added in his most dignified voice, coming to his twin's aid.

"Oh, come on Harry! Let us in before Mum actually kills them." Ron's voice spoke through the door, trying to overcome the statements and accusations of the twins and Mrs. Weasley.

"How do I know you aren't actually Death Eaters who have disguised your voices as my friends." Harry answered, finding this rather amusing and having to fight to keep the laughter out of his voice.

"Harry if you don't let us in I will tell the Weasleys about that time last year when I caught you in the Astronomy Tower with your arms around Se…" Hermione's threat was cut short by Harry's response.

Fear overwhelmed him as his cheeks heated. "Alright! Alright!" Harry managed to strangle from his throat, casting Sirius a glance and frowning when he caught him lying on the floor his sides heaving with laughter and a curious spark in his eye, before he opened the door. "Sheesh 'Mione, can't keep a secr…. Ah!"

Harry fell backwards as arms wrapping tightly around his neck, the force of the others body causing him to crash to the floor. It took Harry a moment to realize that it hadn't actually been a Death Eater. Only when he realized that it wasn't the arms that were suffocating him but a full mass of brown hair.

"Her-Hermione," Harry managed to choke out.

Blushing, Hermione raised herself onto her knees, "Oh.. Uh, sorry Harry."

Harry tried to push air into his lungs as he sat up, "No problem, 'Mione." Smiling he glanced from her to the members of the Weasley family, pausing on Ron for a moment. Ron's face was almost as red and Hermione's, but the look he was giving was caught between humor and another hidden emotion. Raising an eyebrow Harry turned back to Hermione, her face flaming bright red when he caught her glancing at Ron. "It's good to see you all."

Arthur Weasley shut the door behind his family. Raising his wand he mumbled an incantation before turning back to the group in the room, "There, we will be undisturbed and the windows have already been enchanted to allow the occupant to look out but no one outside to look in." Turning to Sirius he grinned, "I believe it is safe for you to take human form."

Harry watched as the dog nodded before its shape began to shift. Fur was replaced with clothing and skin as his godfather took form before him. Stepping forward, Sirius took Arthur's hand shaking it in greeting, "Good to see you again, Arthur. Molly," he added nodding toward her.

"Likewise Sirius." commented Arthur.

Meanwhile Harry and Hermione were picking themselves up from the floor, much to the humor of the twins. Harry had a feeling that he and Hermione were not going to live this one down for a while. Once on his feet Harry felt strong arms wrap around his shoulders and he leaned into the embrace of his godfather. Having Sirius in human form was comforting and solid. Smiles lit the faces of everyone and Harry felt the dread and the weight of the past few days pass away.

"Well!" everyone started and looked toward the twins and Fred continued. "Harry appears to be well and all in one piece and since I didn't come all this way just to look at his pretty face lets order up some food and get out into the alley for some browsing before dark."

Laughter broke out among the group.

"I will be right back with our food," Mrs. Weasley commented as she headed toward the door.

"Wait a moment," Mr. Weasley hurried after her, "let me undo the spell for you." Pointing his wand toward the door he spoke, "Finite Incantatem."

As they left the room the others made themselves comfortable as they waited for them to return. The dreariness that had filled the room earlier was soon overcome by laughter and warmth of his friends. Smiling at Hermione's expectation of school and Ron's tactics for the Gryffindor quidditch team this year, Harry let everything unpleasant fade away, leaving only one thought in his mind.

Finally… I am home