A/N: Well, I did not receive ten reviews, as I had hoped, but only three. Oh well, I will keep my smile on and post again. Hopefully I'll get more reviews! Anyway, thanks to Jerrygirl, tennisaddict107 and LiLy MaLfOy13. Please, keep reviewing!

Chapter Two

Refuge

Harry had sincerely hoped that after the letter Hermione had so kindly sent him, all of his problems would be fixed. He would stop blaming himself, he would stop being apathetic, he would stop thinking of that day and the events that followed. But Harry soon found out it wasn't going to be that easy of a recovery. He woke up midday, with the same sort of thoughts swirling through his head as he had been having before Hermione's letter. Everything seemed the same.

He walked down to the Dursleys' kitchen. Luckily, this time when Dudley saw him, he ran as quickly as he could to where Uncle Vernon was sitting, reading the newspaper. Uncle Vernon looked up at the cause of this sudden disturbance, and flushed when his eyes met Harry's. Harry stood there for several seconds, daring Vernon to do something about his presence. It seemed that Dudley had gotten his cowardliness from his father, for Vernon finally looked down at his newspaper again and let Harry pass without confrontation. Harry continued his walk towards the kitchen and pushed open the door. Aunt Petunia, who was humming to herself while cleaning up the kitchen, jumped and turned around. She pursed her lips and, like her husband, avoided confrontation with Harry, although she made it in no way easy for Harry to make himself breakfast. He took out a bowl; she promptly put it back in its place while Harry was getting milk out of the refrigerator, under the guise of tidying the kitchen. Finally, Harry somehow managed to make himself a bowl of cereal, and he sat down at the table to eat it.

"What day is it?" he asked Aunt Petunia, much to her shock.

"Saturday, July 2," replied Aunt Petunia, sharply. Harry continued to eat his cereal.

"May I have a calendar for my room?" he asked. Aunt Petunia looked extremely annoyed by his persistent questions. She obviously believed that after what had happened yesterday, Harry was supposed to melt out of existence.

"Yes," Aunt Petunia forced out. Clearly, Uncle Vernon had informed his wife to give Harry whatever he wanted, as to avoid a meeting with his wizard friends. Aunt Petunia went into the next room and retrieved a calendar for Harry. Harry was not surprised when it had a countdown to Dudley's birthday on it, and was tempted to complain, but decided he didn't especially want to talk to Aunt Petunia or cause a fuss.

Harry nodded at her, not able to force out a 'thank you.' She was, after all, only doing this because she was scared. Harry exited the kitchen and walked back up to his room. Opening the door, he scanned his prison cell and jumped. There, sitting on his bed, was a hawk. He had left the window open, and this bird must have flown in. Looking at the hawk's leg, he noticed the piece of parchment tied around it. Since he was unsure of the bird's owner, he reached for the letter cautiously. The hawk didn't move, and after Harry had taken the paper, it promptly flew off. Obviously, whoever had sent this letter had not wanted an answer. He opened the parchment and began to read.

Dear Harry,

Due to recent events, we have decided that the Dursleys' home isn't the best place for you to stay. I will be coming to your house by Floo tonight at eight o'clock. Please be ready with your trunks. We can talk then.

-Remus

So, the hawk must have been one of the Order's birds. As soon as Harry finished reading the parchment, it dissolved into the air. Well, it didn't seem like he had much of a choice. Harry suspected they wanted him to be around other people, so they could help him with his grief. Assuming, of course, that the "recent events" Remus was referring to was Sirius' death. Harry grimaced. For the first time ever, he wasn't sure that he wanted to leave the isolation in the Dursleys' home. He sighed wearily and began to pack his up his room.

At seven forty-five, Harry picked up his trunks and Hedwig's cage and awkwardly trudged downstairs. He set everything in front of the fireplace in the living room.

"What's this?" asked Uncle Vernon as he walked into the room. "Leaving, are you?" he added, gleefully.

"Yes," replied Harry. "One of my friends will be coming here to pick me up in about fifteen minutes." Uncle Vernon looked a little less happy.

"One of your…your magic people is coming here?"

"Yes, through the fireplace." Uncle Vernon obviously remembered the last time someone had come through the fireplace, because he immediately yelled for Dudley and Aunt Petunia to get their hats and coats.

"Everything had better look the same when I get back, boy," Uncle Vernon wagged a pudgy finger at Harry. "And you had better not be here." And with that, Uncle Vernon waddled out of the room. Harry could hear him telling his wife and son that they were going out for ice cream.

"Whatever for, Vernon?" asked Aunt Petunia.

"I'm hungry!" bellowed Uncle Vernon in response. Then, a few seconds later, Harry heard the front door slam closed. He flopped down on a floral couch and picked up a magazine lying on the coffee table.

Several minutes later, he heard a loud thump and some ragged coughing from behind the boards that were blocking the fireplace. Someone muttered a spell, and the boards came out from the wall, allowing Remus Lupin to come in to the room.

"Hello, Harry," said Remus, brushing off his robes. Harry looked at him. If Remus' appearance had once been called "haggard" there wasn't an adjective strong enough to describe him now. He was unnaturally thin, and his face was as pale as the moon that brought on his transformation each month. Dull eyes stared at Harry from deeply shadowed bags. His cheekbones protruded noticeably, and the cheeks were hollowed underneath them. Scars and nicks decorated his face, and it looked as though he hadn't bothered to shave in several days. A cough racked his body, and afterwards he gasped for breath. It was the worst sound Harry had ever heard in his life.

"Do you need a glass of water?" asked Harry, concerned.

"No…no, I'm fine, just a little cold I have," replied Remus. Harry was so tired of adults lying to him, but he didn't comment. "I see you're all ready…that's good." Harry nodded. "Well, let's go, shall we?"

Harry picked up his luggage and Lupin carried Hedwig's cage. Remus looked around suspiciously before whispering into Harry's ear, "You remember Grimmauld Place, right? Well, picture it in your head, as exactly as you can. Hold that picture while I throw the Floo powder in the fireplace." Harry remembered Grimmauld Place and tried very hard not to think of Sirius. Lupin threw the handful of Floo powder he had retrieved from his pocket into the fireplace. They stepped in. When Harry opened his eyes again, he saw a familiar dark, damp living room.

"Welcome home," said Remus, stepping out of the fireplace.

It wasn't home with Sirius gone. Harry remembered a conversation between him and Sirius in Harry's third year at Hogwarts.

"I'll understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle, but…well…think about it. Once my name's cleared…if you want a…different home…" fumbled Sirius, looking at the sky.

"What – live with you? Leave the Dursleys?" asked Harry, beginning to feel a warm, tingly feeling in his stomach.

"Of course, I though you wouldn't want to," Sirius answered quickly. "I understand, I just thought I'd—"

"Are you insane?" croaked Harry. "Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! Have you got a house? When can I move in?"

"You want to? You mean it?" Sirius asked eagerly.

"Yeah, I mean it!"

Harry could still remember the complete transformation of Sirius' face—suddenly he saw the man that Sirius used to be, back when he was able to laugh. And for a few fleeting moments, Harry was completely happy. He wanted to live in that moment forever. How could he have known that it would never happen…how could he have guessed Sirius' fate…?

Harry's thoughts were broken by Remus' voice asking him if he wanted a butterbeer. Harry nodded.

"Accio butterbeers!" chanted Remus. The aforementioned butterbeers flew into the room. Harry took one from Remus and sat down in a large, uncomfortable wooden chair. Remus did the same. Taking a sip from his butterbeer, Harry looked at Lupin.

"Why am I here?" Harry asked. He hadn't figured out yet why a place that Dumbledore had deemed so safe for him wouldn't be safe so suddenly. Fearing that it was some bad news about the war, Harry made eye contact with Remus.

"The Dursleys was no longer the safest place for you to be," replied Remus, obviously choosing his words carefully.

"Remus, I'm not unfamiliar with pain and death. I've certainly had my share of it these past few months. I think it would be best if you just told me the truth. I can handle it."

"Of course, Harry. You're absolutely right," replied Lupin, wearily. "As you know, the Second War is here. Voldemort has gained more power than we ever would have imagined fifteen years ago. All the members of the Order and many active members of the wizarding community are doing everything they can to help.

"Therefore, we had no one to spare to check up on you regularly. Arabella Figg is constantly away from her home. With all the attacks on Muggles, Voldemort would have no problem attacking the Dursley home, especially with you in it. That's why you've come here, where you will always be under supervision and are in a house that we believe to be unknown to Voldemort and his minions." Harry nodded along with Lupin, understanding the situation more clearly now. The upcoming war was no surprise to him. Bringing his butterbeer up to his lips, Harry took a big sip. "And, there is a delicate matter we have to attend to – Sirius' will." Harry choked on the hot liquid.

Spluttering and wheezing, Harry tried to regain control. Finally, he began breathing normally enough to say, "Sirius' will?"

"Yes. All of us, upon entering the Order, made a will because of the danger we'd be exposed to on a regular basis." Harry could tell Remus was struggling a little, and for the first time in several weeks, Harry realized that Sirius' death had been hard for more people than himself. He squirmed a little in his seat, realizing how selfish he had been.

"We'll probably begin on that tonight, Harry," continued Lupin. "We want to get it out of the way so we can focus on…other things."

"Yeah," replied Harry, halfheartedly.

"Harry," said Remus, leaning forward. He said the next part very cautiously, "How have you been?"

"Oh, me? Just fine. The only family I've ever known just died, but other than that I'm just peachy," he snapped automatically. Remus' face fell. He sighed heavily and rubbed his worn face with his hands.

"Harry," he said, softly. "Don't make the mistake of thinking you were the only one who cared for Sirius."

"Remus, I didn't mean…"

"No, Harry, you need to hear this. Sirius was the best friend that I had in the whole world. After James died, he was the only one I had. Without him…without him everything is different for me. Without Sirius, I've forgotten…I've forgotten what hope feels like. I..." Remus voice cracked. "I miss him so much," he finished, barely whispering.

Suddenly, a wave of emotion engulfed Harry. He felt again, felt like he hadn't in weeks. For once his mind wasn't filled with his own pain, but with another's. Harry got out of his chair and hugged Remus. They stayed that way for several minutes, each finding the healing they needed in the refuge that only friends can provide.

Afterwards, Harry dragged his trunk into the same moldy bedroom he had occupied during his last visit to Grimmauld Place. He began unpacking his trunks after letting Hedwig out into the fresh air. Finally, after about a half an hour of putting away his things, Harry had successfully moved into his new room. Looking at the bottom of his trunk, Harry spied a small piece of glass. Harry picked it up and cut his hand in the process. Sticking the wounded digit into his mouth, he looked at the shard in his hand. A small part of his nose was reflected in the glass, and Harry remembered. It was a piece from the two way mirror Sirius had given him. Since he had smashed it, Harry had not given it one thought. He was glad that a piece of it had stayed with him. He set it on the worn end table next to his bed and left the room to find Remus.