Chapter Five- Conti
Remus drew forward and placed a hand on his arm. "Welcome back, Harry."
In short order, the wizards occupying the still office had moved and made use of the overstuffed chairs, the silence playing awkwardly around them. Still watching Harry as though he was an apparition desperate to disappear at a moment's notice, Sirius seemed to wish to break the quiet, but was unknowing of how to accomplish such an arduous task. He finally turned his gaze to the others in the room, first towards Remus who had regained his usual mild expression but seemed singularly unwilling to assist him in this matter, than towards Dumbledore who sat, as was also commonplace, with the twinkle present in his eye.
Finally the headmaster broke the silence, "Lemon Drop?" The ever-present benign set of features smiled amicably at the younger men. When the response was only the general shaking of heads from the three before him, Albus conjured extra cups to the tea set and poured for each of the other wizards without bothering to inquire whether they actually waited any. For their parts, each took a cup when it was handed over to them, though both Sirius and Remus did look oddly at the moving pattern. Harry, his being a replacement of the one he must of vanished, just took to drinking quietly.
"Harry," Sirius ultimately decided to stop hedging, never being the most patient of men. "What happened?" Well, that was vague, he thought to himself, but nonetheless looked to see what his godson would do with the question.
Harry seemed to understand his godfather's nonexistent eloquence, and answered accordingly. "During my vassalage by, well, I suppose we are all well acquainted with the one that held me, but for purposes of my story I may as well state it- Tom Riddle. As well, I suppose, the duration of my imprisonment is not in question," Harry's voice fair trailed off in seeming thought, but allowed no time for anyone else to speak before recommencing, "But at the end of it, I was ordered killed. That much I recall, though most of the remainder is hazy and indistinct. As for what occurred next, that as well is ambiguous, I am just uncertain. I was told later that through a vague process, I was taken to a safe haven, after being spirited away from the place where I was being held."
Pausing, Harry looked at his godfather and old mentors. All appeared rapt in attention. Even Dumbledore seemed as though he had not a hand in the creation of the yarn that Harry was currently weaving. Not wishing for the others to interrupt his narrative, Harry continued. "I was taken into a community of magical persons, whom for their safety I must not speak of, and rehabilitated, then taught, until such time as I could return. With their assistance, I was able to work through any remaining complications," A wry twist of the lips, "of my time captured, and continued my magical education. I'm afraid, beyond that I must not orate, again for security."
The silence was still for a moment, then Albus sat back with a private smile, thinking on how the tale spoken gave none but vague facts, yet seemed to satisfy much more. Manipulation of persons, situations, and what's more, words, was something the headmaster was well familiar with. Harry's "education" instructed him on more than magic, noted Dumbledore. Turning his thoughts from his ever growing list of behaviors of Harry's he had noted, Albus watched as both Sirius and Remus allowed the story to register.
"That's it?" While satisfying some curiosity, Sirius didn't seem to think the account was quite enough.
"Sirius, I explained, I can't say anymore." Harry answered his impetuous godfather steadily. For the good it did him.
"You've been gone for two years, Two years, and that is all you will tell us? Me, your godfather?" Sirius didn't leave time for an answer. "Harry, do have any idea what you did, disappearing? How upset we all were? How upset, hell, the wizarding world was? Your friends, family? We thought you were dead! . . ."
"I am not, but should I speak perhaps others would end up that way. I would not that I would have their deaths on my conscience. And on yours."
Sirius stopped dead, mid rant as his godson spoke. His words effectively killed Sirius's hasty and hurt argument. He glanced down into his teacup, from which he hadn't yet drank. He watched the dregs swirl as his hand shook slightly; in anger, hurt, confusion, he didn't know. He couldn't figure how to respond to the younger wizard he considered like a son, so he didn't. Glancing sideways, Sirius watched as the sunlight still spilling in through the windows danced infallibly upon the oddly still portraits. The office dimmed, then brightened once more as an unseen, (from the room's occupants' positions), obstruction moved past the sun. Sirius turned back towards his long-lost godson.
"How did you, I assume you, freeze the portraits?"
If Harry was at all startled by the quietly spoken question abruptly changing the subject of their conversation, he did not deign to show it. In more fact, he seemed pleased, an emotion presented in the light smile he bestowed on his godfather.
"An obscure stasis spell, meant for animate inanimate objects. Fairly unknown, though I found it useful."
"Wonder if it would work on that hag at the house." Sirius muttered to himself, eliciting a quick smile from both his partner and his leader. Harry blinked, but judged it not prudent to compromise the precarious peace by asking for clarification of that seemingly unfathomable statement.
Returning to sentences understood by all in the room, Sirius turned the conversation once more near the one before, though this only ran parallel to the previous.
"Er, Harry, I do understand, I guess," A quick smile. "Why you can't say more. But you know, I just want to know what happened, why you didn't come back sooner, or at least let us know you were alive." Sirius spoke earnestly, trying to will his godson to answer.
Harry was quiet for a moment, seemingly lost in thought as his gaze was slightly unfocused. Reestablishing himself in the present, Harry met his godfather's blue gaze sharply with his intense green one. He was slow in answering, but he did after a moment.
"Padfoot, you don't know how hard it was not to return sooner. I wished above all else to contact someone, to know what was happening here." Harry still intently gazed into the other's eyes, showing the truth and wistfulness in his own. Emotions he consciously allowed presence, when usually his mask kept them hidden. "I could not. Not through plan of my own, but for many reasons. I had to stay hidden, however much I wanted to return. Eventually it was for the best, as I learned things I needed there, that I may not have learned here. Those I was with helped me greatly." Harry broke off his keen stare, smiling gently in remembrance. He glanced at the silent other members of the room, both of which seemed content to allow the interaction between the god-fellows to reveal that which they were interested in.
"Harry," Sirius said after a moment, "I still don't understand."
"You don't have to, Sirius. Perhaps one day, when other danger transcends this. Don't think on it, even I took a long while to grasp it all, while I was gone. Just accept it. Allow me to just be back."
Gazing at him, Sirius finally nodded, and offered a small smile. Harry responded in kind, then looked to the headmaster.
"Professor Dumbledore. As I am back, I would like to return to school, if you would allow it?" Harry had returned to continuing his act for the others. "I would be willing to test in my subjects to make sure I fit in my year. As I know you are unable to speak to anyone or have any indication about that which I studied."
"Well, Harry." Dumbledore's eyes glinted amused. "I am not certain. The school board doesn't like students to transfer without records and all of that. Not to mention most of the world thinks you deceased . . ."
"Honestly, Albus! Of course you have to let him back!" Sirius was indignant, and apparently perfectly accepting of Harry returning without further questioning for the time being.
"Now, Sirius, if you will let me finish." A slightly chiding tone garnered a small sheepish smile from Sirius. He tried not to feel as though he were in school again, but Albus sometimes had that effect. The headmaster continued, now attempting to contain a smile himself, though his was born of mischievousness. "As I was saying, I have rarely allowed myself to be governed by others, even those of the board," A couple of quirked grins were brought by that statement. "And ergo, I believe that Harry is more than welcome to rejoin his class. Should he prove his education worthy, of course." Glancing around, Albus than mumbled to himself, "I suppose I'll have to call a staff meeting. I'm going to have a time with all these extra occurrences."
"Harry," Remus finally spoke after all of this time, causing Sirius to start next to him. With a slight snicker, he went on, "Harry, do you have any belongings or anything? I see you have your wand," That was still hanging on Harry's waist, shown by the open outer robe. "But what about other things? Your trunk and things from two years ago are at Sirius's home, but I daresay your old clothes won't fit very well."
"Oh, I don't know, Dudley's hand-me-downs may still. Not that I really want to try." Harry grinned at the werewolf, who shook his head slightly. "As for things now, I didn't bring clothes more than these. Where I was, well, we all wore the same apparel, a uniform of sorts. So . . ."
"So you'll need supplies. Well, I suppose that Albus will need a bit of time to gather the other professors to form those placement tests for you," Remus glanced at Albus, and receiving a nod, continued, "so you will be able to get some things. Perhaps from Diagon Alley?"
"Not without me." Sirius interrupted, glancing at Harry. "I'm not letting you go by your self."
"Sirius, I am an adult and . . ." Harry trailed off at the glare that his godfather gave him. He realized that those that cared for him would be reluctant to see him away, so he smiled and let Sirius continue being overprotective, at least for now.
"Yes, yes, that probably would be good." Albus said, gazing at them. "I would think that both you, Sirius, and you, Remus, could stand to have a break. And a little time getting reacquainted," he gestured to Harry with a nod. "As to that, why don't you all take yourselves off to Diagon Alley? You can stop at Grimmauld Place, Sirius, to get your Gringotts keys, and then enjoy a day out. We can discuss your positions when you return later. Meanwhile, I'll gather and talk to the other professors. Sound well?"
Both Remus and Sirius gazed at the headmaster a moment, then nodded. Harry thought for a minute longer, then addressed Dumbledore.
"I'll be recognized. It may, no, it will cause a stir."
"Yes, an excellent way to announce your return, think you not?" Albus's eyes glinted with mirth.
Harry didn't seem to think so, and with little mirth, he finally agreed. Well, at least it will be an even more interesting day than I had planned, Harry thought sardonically.
As all of the wizards in the still quiet office rose to take their leave, Remus and Sirius moving to the Floo, Harry had to ask. "What is Grimmauld Place?"