Chapter 4: Goodbye to the Burrow

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were now back at the Burrow. They had just finished debriefing the members of the Order of what Dumbledore's portrait had told them in Professor McGonagall's office. Harry looked at his friends, his glance pausing over each of the shocked faces as he talked. When he finished, he realized, there would be many questions. He was right. Lupin was the first one.

"So Dumbledore…er…Dumbledore's Portrait is going to give you Occlumency lessons…and he wants me to help you practice? Excellent!" Lupin seemed to be genuinely looking forward to the idea. He wasn't the only one. Harry himself was very excited.

"Bah!" growled Moody. "I think Dumbledore's lost his marbles. I don't think it's a very good idea for Harry to stay at Hogwarts, even if it only temporarily. Hogwarts isn't as safe as it was when Albus was around!"

"Hogwarts is still much safer than the ordinary place," replied Lupin, calmly. "Remember, Dumbledore had protected it with many enchantments and charms. I think Harry will be quite safe. Besides," added Lupin, "he will be protected by most of the Order."

At that moment, the door to Number Four, Grimmauld Place swung open. As Harry looked to see who it was, he could not hide his surprise. It was Professor Slughorn, followed closely behind by one of the threesome's best friends, the gigantic Rubius Hagrid.

"Hiya, 'Arry. Good ter see yeh agin!" Harry smiled to himself; Hagrid's funny manner of speech was enough to brighten anybody's day.

"Harry, m'body. Good to see you, good to see you!" Professor Slughorn exclaimed. Harry was getting used to the sucking up from Slughorn by now. Before, Harry had not been sure if he liked Slughorn or not; after he and Slughorn visited Hagrid for Aragog's funeral last year, though, he discovered that he had come to like the eccentric, elderly wizard. "I suppose you have one more year of N.E.W.T. Potions before you take your examinations, however, I am also aware that you will not be maintaining a regular schedule this year?"

Harry nodded.

"That's O.K., Harry m'lad, that's O.K. You can take the test whenever you're ready. I would be happy to teach you one-on-one if you want!"

Harry didn't know what to say. Between Lupin's Dark Art's class, Dumbledore's Occlumency lessons, and Slughorn's Potions, he was going to be busy. And here he thought that he was going to have it easy this year, and not be doing any schoolwork!

"Oh, Harry, I think it's wonderful. I wish I could take private lessons!"

Harry spun around. He had not heard Hermione come downstairs. How like Hermione—even having completed her sixth year of studies, she had still not lost her appetite for academics.

"Harry, when you get a chance, can I see you for a moment?" This was another voice that surprised him. He turned around. It was Ginny Weasley, the youngest of the Weasley children. Harry's stomach leapt. He had never gotten over Ginny. Harry followed her into the next room so that the others would be out of earshot.

"Harry," she began, "I know that we agreed that it would be best for us not to see each other anymore—with you going out to face V-Voldemort and everything, but…"

"I know, me neither." Harry knew what she was thinking. "I…erm…"

He had trouble finishing the sentence. Finally, Harry managed to get his guts into the right place, to say what really mattered—to say what he was feeling, what he now knew was true.

"I love you, Ginny."

"Oh, Harry!" Ginny cried, running at him and catching him in a tight embrace. She was crying. "I-I'm not scared, it's just that…well…I love you too. I'm going to miss you. I'm not worried or anything—well, maybe a little—but I'll miss you. A lot." Harry looked at her. Her face was red and tear-stained. "I wish I could come with you."

Harry knew that this was impossible. "No, Ginny. You still have two years left of school. You wouldn't be prepared… and besides, your mum and dad need someone to keep them company, right?"

Ginny seemed to ponder this for a minute. "Yeah, you're right, I know. But…you'll write, won't you?"

"Once a week, promise," Harry said.

Harry and Ginny walked back to the table. Harry was trying to maintain his composure, fighting back tears as he took his seat. He relaxed himself a little before posing his question to Professor Lupin.

"Professor, I was wondering. Why…well…why doesn't Sirius have a portrait?" The words had come with great difficulty.

Lupin knew exactly why Harry would ask such a question. "You wish to be able to communicate with Sirius, do you Harry? Well, I'll tell you the reason why he doesn't have a portrait. Traditionally, portraits are only granted to wizards with some notoriety. Sirius doesn't have a portrait, because there was nobody in his life that esteemed him enough to put him in one. You saw that he had been removed from the Black family portrait?"

Harry nodded.

"Well, continued Professor Lupin, "I recall that he explained to you that the reason why he was taken out of the Portrait was because the Blacks had believed him to be a disgrace to the family name. Which, in a way, he was." Lupin smiled. The memory of his old friend was bringing him comfort. "Of course, Harry, since you now have complete ownership of the house, feel free to put a portrait in."

"Really?" Harry was somewhat taken aback. He had not thought about this before, and the idea of communicating with his deceased godfather was comforting, indeed.

"Certainly," chimed in Mr. Weasley, who had until this point remained silent. "I'll get in touch with one of my artist friends at the Ministry. I'm sure someone would be able to help out in this matter."

Harry was elated. Soon, he would be able to talk to Sirius again!

"There is one more thing, Harry," said Lupin cautiously. "We have decided," he gestured to everyone sitting around the table, "that it is best to move the Headquarters back to its former location. Since you are now a member of the Order, it is not a problem—in fact, it is encouraged—that you sit in on our meetings whenever possible. Especially after you complete your training, which from what I understand now consists of more than just Dark Arts classes, you will find that your role in the order will be…significant." Lupin seemed to hesitate for a moment before choosing the final words.

Now it was Tonks's turn to speak, picking up where her fiancée had left off. "Well, off you go, kiddies. To Hogsmeade with you! Upon your arrival, you are to go immediately to Griffyndor tower, do you understand?"

The three of them nodded.

"Good! Then, Hermione, lead the Apparition!"

The three young wizards lined up as before, with Harry taking center, and Hermione standing on Harry's right. Ron got on Harry's other side.

"Three…two…one…" Hermione led. The usual pulling sensation happened again, and the next minute, they were just outside the Hogwarts grounds. It was not long before they each had reached their beds—they all realized that they had a long day ahead.