Chapter two: "marshmallow tea."
The next morning Harry offered to help Hagrid gather and chop fire wood. They had already gone through the last pile in only three days. Since the house was so large no one was really surprised by this.
"Excited for school to start again?" asked Hagrid as he placed a huge piece of wood on the chopping block.
"For the first time in my life, no." replied Harry handing Hagrid the ax, " I really like it here. It's relaxing and far away from the hectic things at Hogwarts."
"Yeah," began Hagrid slicing the wood in two, " well, let me tell you this place is anythin' but far from hectic. Everyone's in a tizzy and terrified of you-know-who findin' this place."
"Really?" asked Harry.
"Shouldn't have said that," muttered Hagrid, " Um, so, Harry, anythin' new with you at all?"
Harry shrugged, "not really, but I did discover a woman in that picture of the order. Mad eye told me about her and I asked Sirius but he didn't say much. I was thinking Sirius and her might have been married or engaged before he went to Azkaban."
Hagrid stopped chopping wood and stared at Harry, "it's really not my place to talk."
"Was she my godmother?" Asked Harry ignoring Hagrid's remark.
Hagrid sighed, " I told you it's not my place to talk, Harry."
" But I have a right to know if she was don't I?"
"Harry," began Hagrid becoming annoyed, "I'm not gonna give in 'cause every time I do you get yourself in more trouble."
Harry and Hagrid didn't speak until all the wood had been chopped and put neatly into a pile on the side of the house.
"You should go on in, Harry. It's quite cold out," Said Hagrid, " and no more noisy questions, you hear me?"
Harry nodded, "Yes, Hagrid."
Harry made his way inside hoping Mrs. Weasley wouldn't force him to do anymore chores for the day. Walking passed the kitchen Harry noticed Kreacher sitting in the shadows mumbling about the disgrace Sirius had brought the family and how his name should have never been cleared.
"Stupid, filthy, traitor of a son. Poor mistress. Poor Mrs. Black. Oh, poor Kreacher! Evil little murderer and his friends. Horrible Order. Mudbloods, werewolves, traitors, thieves, and murderers! All of them polluting my mistress' house."
Harry rolled his eyes at the house elf's daily rant as he walked on by.
"Oh and there goes that Harry Potter snooping around in other people's business. How dare he bring up 'poor' Ms. Hecate. Oh what a 'sad' story!" mocked Kreacher.
Harry turned to the elf, " How did you know about that?"
"Kreacher heard Harry and Sirius-that good for nothing murderer-talking in this room last night thinking no one heard them."
" What do you know about her?" asked Harry moving toward Kreacher.
" Nothing." Kreacher responded quickly.
"Oh really? You too, huh?" asked Harry as he began to take out his wand.
Kreacher shielded his head; "Kreacher knows nothing! Kreacher knows nothing!"
Harry put away his wand and Kreacher looked up at him with narrowed eyes. He snorted angrily and toddled back into the shadows muttering to himself once more.
"Stupid girl. Serves her right for loving a irresponsible little fiend."
Harry made his way upstairs without running into Mrs. Weasley. He found himself wondering into a room where Tonks and Lupin sat playing a game of chess. Tonks looked up to see Harry and smiled.
"Hi, Harry!" she greeted, "Want some tea?"
"Not really." Responded Harry as he made his way to the bookshelf.
"You sure? It's marshmallow tea." Said Tonks as she went a head and poured him a cup.
Harry took it thinking it would be warm and sweet since its name suggested so. He took one small sip and winced. It tasted awful. He set it down by the windowsill and began looking through the books as Tonks and Lupin continued to play chess. Harry recognized most of the books as Hogwarts yearbooks from past years. Some of them dated back to the 1600's and even the 1400's. Harry picked up the one labeled 1980 and opened it. He flipped through to the Slytherin seventh years and found the person he was looking for. Her hair was still the same as it was in the picture of the order. Her eyes still twinkled, her skin just as pale, and her smile just as timid. She didn't look like any of the other proud and boastful students in her house.
" Why are you looking in that yearbook?" asked Tonks, " James graduated in '79."
"I-I thought it was in 1980." Harry lied although not very convincingly.
"It was '79." Corrected Lupin his voice having a hint of irritation in it.
Harry placed the book back on the shelf and picked up the yearbook from 1979. He flipped through it and found the pictures of all the marauders. Each of them looking so hopeful and full of life. Even Professor Lupin's weary eyes showed a young man who believed his future to be blissful and bright.
"Remus! Oh, please hurry! I've just found another boggart! Oh, please do hurry!" cried Mrs. Weasley as she ran into the room frantically.
" I'm coming, Molly." Lupin stood up and followed Mrs. Wesley out of the room.
Tonks looked over at Harry, " how's the tea?"
"Great." Harry lied again as he placed the book on the shelf.
"Looking for your parents?" asked Tonks.
"Yeah," Harry sat down where Lupin had been sitting. He felt the urge to ask Tonks about Hecate, but decided she might not know much. And if Hagrid wouldn't admit anything it might be just as hard to get any information from Tonks. If Hecate really was in a relationship with Sirius, Tonks would only tell Harry to ask him personally. With that thought Harry decided that it would be more effective to ask Sirius again later that night.