Here's a nice long chapter, still getting a lot of the exposition out of the way. Please leave a review if you like it! Or if you hate it. Either way.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the Wizarding World described therein belong to J.K. Rowling. The overall idea of Dawn belongs to Joss Whedon.
The next few weeks at the Weasleys went by very quickly. Harry and Dawn kept themselves occupied, what with helping Mrs. Weasley with the housework, de-gnoming the garden, and teaching Mr. Weasley about the various Muggle things. Harry hadn't told Dawn about his chat with Remus. He found himself seeking solitude where his mind often turned to the veil at the Department of Mysteries. His Godfather was on his mind all day, and haunted his dreams at night. Harry wasn't getting along well, and his face showed it.
Early in the first week Harry got his first letter from Hermione. It described her holiday with her parents, they had seen much of continental Europe, and ended by badgering Harry to talk about his feelings. He hadn't expected any less, and while he had written a lengthy reply, he conveniently ignored her bullying about Sirius. Ron had apparently been bullied as well because he had approached the subject a couple of times, but after five years Harry was skilled at turning the line of questioning and Ron didn't really try all that hard.
Dawn and Ginny spent most of their time together and had apparently been having a great time of it. They had been in contact with Luna who had just returned from Sweden. She was even going to come out to The Burrow for the last week of the summer holiday. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about that. He knew Ron didn't like the unusual girl, but Harry had found some solace when he had last seen her at the end of term. She was quite unusual, but was that such a bad thing? Harry found himself nervous at the prospect of seeing her and wasn't sure why, but the third week of August he got some news that pushed Luna out of his mind.
It was Wednesday morning of the third week. Mr. Weasley was just about to leave the breakfast table when he stopped and directed himself to Harry. "Oh, Harry," he began. "Tomorrow I need you to come to London with me. Dawn, too. It's about the estate."
Dawn was confused. "What's this about?"
"Sirius' estate. I'm sure Harry has told you. He willed everything to the two of you." Mr. Weasley caught Dawn's look of surprised and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Dawn turned on Harry.
"When were you going to tell me this!" It wasn't a question. "Little Dawn, can't know anything. He was my godfather, too, you know." Harry looked to Ron for help, but Ron was no longer there. He and Ginny were slipping out the door. Harry turned back to his irate sister. He kept a calm voice to try and defuse Dawn's temper.
"I just found out myself, Dawnie." Harry used his sister's nickname; it usually helped to calm her down. "Lupin told me about it, and I didn't think you'd need to be involved."
"I want to be involved!" Dawn countered. "You can't protect me from this stuff."
Harry scoffed at this, only raising Dawn's ire. She continued.
"You don't even think about me. You just do whatever is best for Harry Potter. Well what about Dawn Potter!"
"I tried to protect you. I was thinking of you the whole time, Dawn."
"Nobody ever thinks about me! It's Harry this and Harry that. Just because you're the freakin' 'Boy-Who-Lived' doesn't mean you're better than me you know."
"I never said that."
"Well everyone else says it for you." Dawn slumped in her chair, dejection obvious in her voice and posture. Harry stood up and walked around the table, kneeling in front of her chair. She wasn't crying, but holding it inside, the same thing he was so good at. Harry looked his sister in the eye.
"Everyone else is wrong." There was conviction in his voice. "Everyone thinks Harry Potter is so special because he stopped the Dark Lord. My second year, your first, everyone thought I opened the chamber of secrets, but I didn't. Everyone thought I was lying about Voldemort last year, but I wasn't. I can't tell you not to let it bother you, because I know that it does. But I will tell you that it doesn't matter what they think, because they don't matter. The only thing that matters is you. That you're the girl you want to be; not the girl 'they' want you to be." Dawn continued staring coolly at Harry, but he thought he could see a hint of forgiveness behind her blue stare.
"When did you get to be so mature?" Dawn tried to be forceful, but her voice betrayed her. "And I'm not a girl, you know. I'm a woman."
"Sorry, Dawnie, but my little sister will never be a woman." He laughed, she just rolled her eyes. "And you're right. I should have told about it." Harry gave his sister a brief hug and again apologized before they both ran off to tell the Weasleys they could have their kitchen back.
When Harry thought about it later he realized he had done to her the same thing Dumbledore had done to him at the end of last year. They both had tried to protect somebody they loved from something immensely hurtful. Harry suddenly understood Dumbledore's logic and what led him to keep his secret for so many years. That moment was when Harry decided to allow himself to forgive the old headmaster.
The Potter children were up early the next morning. Dawn had been adamant that she accompany Harry to settle the estate. Harry wasn't enthusiastic about the idea, but remembering their tiff from the day before he didn't raise any objections. Mrs. Weasley prepared them a large breakfast, saying "You need your strength on a day like today." Harry found he couldn't eat. He tried forcing down a bit of egg and toast, but his mouth and throat were dry and swallowing was an ordeal. Dawn did a little better, but neither was much in the mood for eating. Mr. Weasley joined them in the kitchen, but did not sit, and took only one piece of toast before announcing it was time to leave. Harry and Dawn followed him to the fireplace where he handed them each a bit of floo powder.
"Where are we going? The Ministry?" Harry asked. Mr. Weasley looked nervous.
"Umm… Grimmauld Place, actually." He glanced at Harry who had paled at the idea. "It's a wizard law, Harry. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." said Harry, with more confidence than he felt. "It's just… I haven't been there since before Sirius died." He had said it aloud. He didn't like to do that. Saying it out loud made it seem too final and was much too painful. Harry had always preferred to say "Sirius went away" or "Sirius left" because the words implied Sirius might come back. It was silly, he knew, but it made him feel a little bit better somehow. Harry felt Dawn take his hand.
"It's okay, Harry," she told him. "We'll be here." Just like Dawn, delightfully trite and cliché. Harry smiled at her.
"Thanks." He took a deep breath and walked toward the fire. Mr. Weasley held him back.
"There's one more thing before we go," Mr. Weasley told him. "Dumbledore told me about the house elf. He's to be transferred to you as well. I don't expect it to be easy for you, but you need to decide what to do with him. It doesn't have to be done today, but a decision must be made soon."
"Can we give him to somebody else," Dawn asked.
"Perhaps. I don't know much about this sort of thing, but will look into what I can. Anyway, we best be going. We're late as it is." And with that Mr. Weasley threw the floo powder into the fireplace and disappeared.
Harry and Dawn went in together. Neither enjoyed traveling by floo and found it easier to bear if they knew they wouldn't be separated from each other. After a quick, swirling, sickening ride they landed in front of the fire at 12 Grimmauld Place, Harry falling flat on his back and dragging Dawn down with him. He looked up to see Mad-Eye Moody grinning over him.
"Do you always make an entrance on your back, Mr. Potter?" Moody said. Dawn giggled, but Harry didn't find the comment funny. Tonks was standing behind Moody and gave him a light cuff on the arm.
"Leave him alone," she said and walked over to help Harry stand. Dawn had stood up on her own. Harry turned his attention to Mr. Weasley.
"Is Madame Bones here, yet?" Mr. Weasley asked Moody. Moody shook his head in response.
"She's running late, too, I suppose." The name struck a chord and Harry recognized from his expulsion hearing last year.
"Is that Susan Bones' aunt? I thought she dealt with underage magic and things like that?"
"She does," Mr. Weasley told him, "but she's a member of the Order, so she asked to be assigned this case. She's fully qualified to handle it. No need to worry." Harry was mildly surprised, he thought he knew everyone in the order, but didn't think long on it. Now that Voldemort's return was common knowledge he expected there would be lots of new members to the Order.
Tonks started Mr. Weasley in polite conversation and Harry took the time to look the house over. It was the same as he remembered it, layers of dust everywhere, the Black family crest embroidered and engraved on everything. He didn't like looking at it. Sirius spent the last year of his life cooped up in this house and like Sirius Harry didn't have any fond feelings toward the place. He turned out of the living room and walked into the hallway.
Mrs. Black's painting was still here, hidden behind her curtains. Harry hoped that when he took control of the house he could find a way to get rid of her and maybe put a picture of Sirius there instead. Not even that happy thought could lift his mood, though. Just then, something touched Harry's hand and rested there.
Dawn had followed her older brother through the living room and into the hallway. She didn't want him to be alone in this house; she knew being here upset him and didn't want him to do anything rash. She didn't like it much herself, but then she had always had an older brother to look up to. Harry parented her much the same way Sirius had parented him. She couldn't imagine a life without her brother and couldn't fathom what he was going through. It hurt too much to think of it. She watched as Harry paused in front of Mrs. Black's portrait, staring at the closed curtains. Slowly, she had walked her way over to him and grasped his hand.
Harry started slightly at Dawn's touch, but the familiarity was reassuring. He whispered into her ear, "I was thinking about how we should try to get rid of this thing, maybe put Sirius there instead?" She nodded in agreement and pulled him out of the hallway into a sitting room where they could talk openly without waking the painting.
"Do you have any ideas how to remove it," Dawn said. "Moody said there might be a permanent sticking charm on it and there isn't a counter-charm."
"We'll think of some way," Harry told her just as Mr. Weasley poked his head around the door.
"Think of some way to what?" he asked. Harry wasted no time.
"Get rid of Sirius' mother," he said. "I don't want that here if I'm to own this house."
"Oh! We'll think of something," Mr. Weasley reassured him. "Madame Bones is ready for you, come this way."
Harry and Dawn followed Mr. Weasley into the kitchen, but as she walked by the portrait of Mrs. Black Dawn's shoulder grazed the edge of the fabric. Just that slight movement was enough to wake the occupant and the curtains flew open. Mrs. Black went into a rage.
"HALF-BLOODS. TRAITORS! FILTH. ABOMINATIONS!", she began, her high pitched screeching drowning out everything else. "YOU DARE TO DEFILE THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK! TRAITORS! CRETINS! ABOMI"
Dawn cut her off mid-scream by yelling "SHUT UP!" Mrs. Black turned to Dawn for the first time since waking and suddenly began shaking in fear, her eyes widened, and she sank into the canvas. "I-I-I'm s-sorry, dear. W-won't happen a-again. I assure you. I-I'll just be g-g-going now. No harm m-meant." With that the curtains drew shut and the hallway was left in silence.
Harry and Mr. Weasley stared at Dawn, surprise evident on their faces. Dawn was no less stunned, and hadn't removed her eyes from the wall, the curtains now blocking the offending painting. Harry spoke first.
"That was weird…" he said lamely. "And awesome!" He gave Dawn a big smile, the first she had seen since they arrived. Mr. Weasley hadn't yet shaken off his surprise and stood gaping at the wall.
"How extraordinary!" He shook his head and repeated it. "How extraordinary!" Just then someone called from downstairs.
"You all right up there?" It was Tonks. "Madame Bones is waiting."
"Yes, we'll be right there." Mr. Weasley called back. Usually that would have been enough to start Sirius' mother's portrait going again, but this time the curtain's only response was a light trembling. The three walked slowly down the stairs, through the living room, and into the kitchen where Madame Bones was waiting. Harry smiled politely as he was introduced and Dawn shook her hand.
"Hello, Harry. It's nice to see you again." Madame Bones was a tall, plump woman, matronly in a way, and her smell was a mixture of flowery perfume and hand lotion. She was wearing a white dress with a floral print, and unlike Umbridge, who had surrounded herself with kittens and flowery things to hide her sinister side, Madame Bones seemed sincere and wore these things because she actually liked them. Harry took an immediate liking to her; she was the perfect grandmother figure and it was hard not to. "Don't worry, dear, this won't take long. We just require a few signatures from you and your sister."
Harry nodded his head in understanding and started looking over the paperwork. Madam Bones began by explaining the procedure and then going over what the children would receive. Harry would then sign the papers, pass the paperwork to Dawn, who would also sign, and then return the paperwork to Madam Bones, who then signed as witness. As promised it didn't take very long, though there was a lot of papers and things. There was the deed to the house, Sirius' Gringott's vault, and then the miscellaneous items which included all the furnishings and knick-knacks and such that were in the house. Harry suddenly pondered something. "Er. Excuse me, Madame Bones."
She looked up from her paperwork and gave Harry a polite smile. "Yes, dear."
"Sirius left things to other people, too, right?" He didn't want to mention it to the kind old woman, but he felt guilty taking these things. He didn't need the gold, didn't want the house, and he somehow felt wrong profiting off of Sirius' accident. He'd give it all back just to be able to talk to Sirius again. As this thought entered his mind Harry chanced a glance at Dawn, hoping for reassurance. She looked just as miserable as he felt.
"Yes, dear. He did," Madam Bones said. "But everything else has already been taken care of. You're the last."
She spotted the look on Harry's face and continued. "I'm sorry. I know this must be hard on you. We can come back to it another day if you like."
Harry shook his head no. "We're almost done. I'll be okay."
Madam Bones looked warily at the last sheet of paper. She took a deep breath before speaking. Harry's heart beat loudly, fearing the worst. "This is for the house elf. The paper's been enchanted so he will serve you as the master of his house. I hear he's been very difficult lately and we hope he will listen to you once you take control of him."
Harry took the last piece of paper and stared. He didn't read it, he didn't even take in the words. He stared at it blankly, trying to block his anger for the elf. Bracing himself he put his name to the paper. Dawn did the same, followed by Madam Bones, and when all the signatures were finished the ink swelled with a vibrant blue light before fading to black. Madame Bones began gathering her things and stood up, motioning to the others to do so. She then gave Harry and Dawn each a large envelope. "These are duplicate copies of the paperwork," she explained. "The deed to the house, keys to the vault, and that sort of thing. If you have any more questions later on you can come to me. Mr. Weasley knows where to find me, as does Headmaster Dumbledore, of course."
She began to leave, but turned to him a moment and looked him over carefully before addressing him not as a client, but as a person. "I want to thank you, Harry. Susan told me how you taught them Defense Against the Dark Arts last year and you can't believe how much that meant to all of us. That was why I joined the Order, you know. I saw a fifteen year old boy helping people defend themselves and wondered why I wasn't doing the same." She trailed off at the last sentence and lowered her voice to a whisper.
"I shouldn't tell you this, but Fudge won't be Minister much longer." Harry brightened at the news. "The Wizengamot weren't happy with his educational decrees, which have all been repealed, and when it came out that Umbridge sent the Dementors after you the Wizengamot was quite angry. There are rumors that Fudge knew of it all along. And then when Voldemort revealed himself and we were so unprepared… well, I wouldn't want to be him right now."
Harry only hoped the minister would be somebody better, but Dawn asked the question before Harry got a chance to. "Ma'am, Who will be the new Minister?"
"Well, there's quite a process involved and we won't know anything until then. There's nominations and an election and such… And Fudge isn't gone yet. None of that will start until after that happens. Now, don't tell anyone about this yet, there will be an announcement in The Daily Prophet soon enough." Harry and Dawn nodded their assent, but Harry didn't know how long he could keep this news to himself. It was very exciting and he wanted to share it right away. At least he could talk to Dawn.
"Well, I best be going. I'm sure my desk is full of work already." Madame Bones waved at the children before apparating away. They then went to find Mr. Weasley to tell him they were finished and could go back to The Burrow.
Mr. Weasley was in the sitting room talking with Moody and Tonks. He turned to them as they came through the doorway. "How'd it go," he said. Harry thought for a second. It hadn't been as bad as he thought it would and there was even a pleasant afterglow as he thought about getting a new Minister of Magic.
"Not too bad," he answered truthfully before noticing three white envelopes in Mr. Weasley's hand. Pointing to them he asked "What are those?"
"Your Hogwarts letters. They just arrived" He gave one to Dawn and two to Harry. "The extra is your OWL results." Harry's heart looped again. He had been waiting for these. He needed an O in Potions or he couldn't be an Auror. The euphoria Harry had been feeling quickly plummeted when he imagined getting a D or a T instead. He shoved them in his back pocket and decided to open them later.
Dawn, however, opened hers as soon as it was in her hand. There wasn't anything unusual for a fifth year, just the normal list of books and supplies. Defense Against the Dark Arts was still listed so Dumbledore must have found a new teacher. She showed the list to Harry who was relieved at the news. He had briefly imagined DADA classes would be cancelled, but realized Dumbledore would teach it himself before he let that happen. Mr. Weasley had walked over to them and was beckoning to them for attention.
"So I have something to talk to you about. You know about all the wards on this house and how the Order has been using it for headquarters. Well, since it has a new owner now I was wondering what you planned to do"
"This will be continue to be headquarters," Dawn interrupted him and Harry nodded his head vigorously in agreement. "We don't have any plans to change anything."
"I was telling everyone there wasn't anything to worry about," Mr. Weasley said, although despite his words he looked relieved just the same. "Well, are we ready to go?"
The Potter children nodded their heads in agreement before taking a pinch of floo powder and heading back to The Burrow.
Harry expected Ron to still be in bed. It was his habit to sleep as late as possible while on holiday, so when Harry opened the door to the bedroom he was surprised to find Ron awake and dressed. Ron was sitting cross-legged on the bed when Harry entered and by the looks of things he had gotten his O.W.L. results as well. Ron was staring blankly at the thick envelope as if the longer he waited the better his grades would be.
Harry broke the silence. "Have you opened them yet?" Ron started at the sound, he apparently hadn't noticed Harry come in. He showed Harry the underside of the envelope with its wax seal still intact.
"Not yet. Have you?" Harry smiled sheepishly and shook his head. "Mum doesn't know they're here, yet. You should have seen her a few years ago when Fred and George got theirs. It was horrible."
"Hermione must be happy." Harry said. Ron continued staring at the envelope as if he hadn't heard. He seemed to be more worried than Harry was. Finally he spoke.
"Maybe if you opened mine and I opened yours, it won't be so bad."
"All right," Harry said, fishing the envelope out of his pocket. He also took his Hogwarts letter and set it aside. Harry's heart was threatening to burst as they traded their O.W.L. letters and, on the count of three, each opened the other's results.
Harry began. "Astronomy- You got an A. Well, it's a pass. How about me?"
"You got an A too," Ron said. "They should have given us extra points because of how they tried to arrest Hagrid during the practical." Harry couldn't help but wonder if they actually had. "What's next," Ron asked.
"Care of Magical Creatures," Harry answered. "Hey! You got an E!"
"So did you, excellent." Ron gave him a quick thumbs up and then continued with the next course. "Charms- O. Wicked! They must have forgotten about your cheering charm. How'd I do?"
"An E," Harry said, hoping Ron wouldn't be too upset.
"That's all right. I expected worse after I blew up that rat. At least it wasn't my aunt." Harry let the pointed joke slide. "No surprise on this one. The great Harry Potter gets an Outstanding in Defense Against the Dark Arts." Ron announced the last one like an announcer at a ball park. Harry punched him in the arm.
"You got an Outstanding, too," Harry said, happy that both of them had achieved at least one Outstanding together, and proud of the DA club. Even though they had had a teacher as horrible as Umbridge Harry expected many of the DA members to do well on their owls.
"Divination's next." Ron snorted, but Harry continued anyway. "Sorry, mate, but you got a D in that." Ron didn't seem perturbed.
"Well, I was actually hoping to get a T. Find out if Fred and George were telling the truth." Ron did his best Troll imitation. "Uh… Today is Thursday, so I predict… Uh… tomorrow will be… Uh… what was the question?" Harry laughed and did his Trelawny impression, grabbing one of Ron's Chudley Cannon robes as a makeshift shawl.
"On any day the sun rises in the east, Harry Potter will die a miserable and grisly death." The boys were laughing by now and Harry realized his anxiety was lessening. As soon as the thought came to him, though, his fear came back in force.
"History of Magic," Ron continued, but was interrupted.
"Hey, what about my Divinations score?"
"What? Oh, right," Ron glanced to the paper for a moment before finding his place. "A. How'd you do that? How'd you do better than me?" Ron seemed hurt that Harry had done better than he had. Neither of them had ever seen anything in a crystal ball, and they always worked together. They should have got the same grade.
"I don't know. I just made it up like I always do. It doesn't matter anyway; I'm never taking Divination again," Harry wisely changed the subject. "Moving on, History of Magic you got an O. Wonderful! How did I do?"
"Um… you had that dream about Sirius during the test, remember?" Harry hadn't remembered, but now that he did he knew the score wouldn't be good. Ron continued, "So you got a D on that one. Sorry, mate." Harry couldn't help but feel disappointed to do so poorly on an exam- especially when Ron did so well. At least Ron seemed to feel better about his Divination grade.
"You have to thank Hermione for your O you know." Harry watched as Ron's ears turned red, then gave him a light push to keep the mood light. So far they had done better than they expected and were in a good mood for it.
"Potions," Ron began. Harry's heart was beating loudly now and he could feel his face starting to heat up. He needed an Outstanding in Potions or he could never become an Auror. Professor Snape absolutely refused to take any student into his N.E.W.T. class who didn't get an O on their O.W.L. Harry crossed his fingers and held his breath as he waited for his result.
"You got an E, mate," Ron said. Harry's heart sank. An E? That's so close, but just not good enough. What would he do if he didn't become an Auror? He felt a lump in his throat, but quickly swallowed it down. Ron's voice brought him out of the stupor. "What'd I get?" Ron asked. Harry looked down to the paper in his hand and barely managed to croak out the result.
"O." How could Ron get an O when it was Harry who needed one? He felt his world ending and he didn't even register his surprise that both of them had done so well. The only thing he wanted to do after Hogwarts was become an Auror and now he would never get that chance. He didn't feel like going on, but there was one grade left to read off. "Transfiguration- you got an A."
"You too." Ron didn't say much. He could tell Harry was bothered and didn't want to push it. He'd been on the explosive side of Harry's temper before and knew better than to upset him further. They switched grade sheets so that each person had his own results and sat silently.
Harry was crestfallen. He looked at the parchment in his hand and stared at the Potions grade. An E. Harry decided that E was the ugliest letter in the alphabet. He threw the parchment aside and dropped backwards onto the bed, stretching his legs out and staring at the ceiling, feeling darker than he had all day. A year ago, Harry never would have imagined being this upset over a Potions grade. Deep in his thoughts, he barely noticed Ron opening the Hogwarts letters.
"Lot of stuff this year. Hope we can afford it all. Of course you won't have a problem." Harry knew Ron didn't like that the Weasleys were poor, but was too upset to say anything. Ron was still reading the letters. "We have to get Platinum Cauldrons this year for Potions. Do you know how many Galleons they are! Expensive, mate."
Harry answered Ron roughly, "You'll have to tell me since I won't be taking it."
"Why not?" Ron asked, dumbfounded. Harry didn't want to deal with Ron's obliviousness, but sighed deeply and answered him anyway.
"I won't be taking it. You have to get an O in Potions or you can't take the class. I only got an E." Harry felt his sadness being overtaken by anger. Who came up with this stupid rule anyway? Snape! It was all Snape's fault! Not only is he ruining Hogwart's, but he's ruining the future as well. Harry was interrupted from his thoughts by Ron talking.
"I don't know who told you that, mate, but you're definitely taking it. You're down to buy all the supplies and everything. Look."
Confusion replaced his anger and Harry snapped upright. He snatched the parchment out of Ron's hand and looked at it in amazement. "A Platinum Cauldron, a N.E.W.T. level potions kit, and 'The Advanced User's Guide to Powerful Potions.' How can this be?" Harry felt relief spread throughout his body. The despair that had overwhelmed him was lifting and he stood up as the full realization hit him! He was going to be an Auror!
Ron shook his head. "I don't know how it happened, mate, but I'm not looking forward to seeing Snape again." Harry didn't care about that. At that moment he cared about one thing and one thing only, he was taking N.E.W.T. level potions and he was on his way to being Auror!