A/N: For all those people who read but don't review, PLEASE REVIEW! I used to do that until I started writing. Reviews keep a writer
going!
Harry braced himself for the ride aboard the Knight Bus. The bus jerked forward violently and his chair sped to the rear of the bus
along with the others. After a few stops, the neon purple bus arrived at Privet Drive. Stan was bout to announce their location before
Mad-Eye Moody cast a Silencio spell his way. As he walked by he said, "You need to learn when to keep your mouth shut." Moody
undid the spell as he got off and Stan was still surprisingly quiet. When they arrived at the house, it appeared that the Dursleys were not
home. The lights were off and the curtains were closed. Sure enough, when Harry and the Advance Guard got inside, they found a note
that said they had left for Aunt Marge's for much of the summer. Harry practically leapt for joy. He only had to stay here for a day, and
he didn't even have to deal with the Dursleys. Tonks helped him put his things upstairs.
The two retreated downstairs to find the rest of the guard in intent discussion. "We can't tell him until he's of age," said Professor McGonagall.
"He's been through more than most of us damn it, we have to tell him," said Moody.
"Aye, 'e deserves to know," said Hagrid. However, he and the rest of them fell silent when Harry turned into the dining room. Harry
realized that he was famished after the emotional toll that had been wearing on him. He walked over to the refrigerator and found a slice
of red velvet cake that had survived the purge of all sweets.
"What do I 'eserve to 'ow?" asked Harry through a mouth full of cake.
"Harry," Professor Lupin began despite Professor McGonagall's protests, "Professor Dumbledore's will was found in his office."
Hagrid pulled out a neatly folded piece of parchment. He slid it across Aunt Petunia's perfectly immaculate table. Harry picked it up and
immediately recognized Dumbledore's writing. He read aloud, "Because I have no offspring and no wife, I leave all my worldly
possessions to the boy who seemed like a son to me, Harry Potter." Tears leaked from Harry's eyes, but he continued reading, "In my
final days I do not know whether I have completed the task I must complete, I bequeath to Harry to complete this task in my absence."
Harry cast the will aside and run upstairs. He slammed his door shut and shouted, "Colloportus Infragilis!" The door sealed and
despite the attempts of the members of the Order to unlock it, it would not budge. He fell on his bed again and rolled onto his back. After
many minutes of crying, Harry rolled onto his side and saw his album on his bedside table. He opened it up and flipped through the pages
until one picture caught his eye. It was a picture of himself and Hermione. They were on the bank of the lake and both were asleep. Her
head was resting on his stomach and his hands were enclosing her loosely. He wondered who had taken this picture, and when it had
been taken. From the color of the leaves it was probably early fall. Colin probably took this he said. He smiled. The world had been
simpler last fall, before Dumbledore's death.
"Harry," said Lupin while pounding on the door, "it's just me, please let me in."
"Alohomora laxo," Harry muttered. A soft click emitted from the door and his third-year professor sat on the side of his bed. Harry
rolled over so he couldn't see his old teacher's weathered face.
"Harry," Lupin put a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder, but he shrugged it off. "Harry, I know it's hard to accept, but…" his voice
trailed off.
"What do you know? You haven't dealt with half of the things I have!" You're just some retarded werewolf!" Remus Lupin was a
moderately level-headed person. He took the insults from Harry, knowing they were hollow affronts. Harry slammed his head into his
already damp pillow and let the tears flow freely. "Why can't I just die? Just kill me!"
"Harry, don't ever let me hear you say that again! Imagine what Sirius or Albus would say if they heard you." He rolled Harry so that
he faced him. "Imagine what Hermione would say."
"Wha-What?" Harry asked, taken aback.
"I can see it Harry, the way she looks at you is the same way Nymphadora and I look at each other. Even if you do not realize it, she
cares for you more than you can possibly fathom." Lupin stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. Harry sat and pondered
the meaning of Lupin's words. He was confused. He was very, very confused.
A/N: Please read and review people, I'm considering dropping this fanfic because I'm not getting very many reviews. I apologize for the
spastic updates, school is so sporadic. I can only write when I have a little homework.
