Once again I don't own anything. The plot is my own idea. This is also my first attempt at Fan Fiction and in actuality the first time since high school that I have even tried to write anything like this. I have rated this "R" because later in the story I am expecting to have some potentially graphic violence. When the time comes I will make sure to warn you. I hope you continue reading and enjoy. The story I really want to write is for the 7th year but I need to set it up with 6th year first.
Thank you to my wife for being my proofreader.
Dark-PhoenixX1988 – Thanks for the review.
Wiley73 – I had forgotten about the mirror myself but am planning to bring it up later. Thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 2-Mourning at Grimmauld Place
After a quiet, yet tense, walk to Mrs. Figg's house the trio of wizards stood in the living room discussing the situation. Professor Dumbledore continued to try to change Remus's mind and get Harry back to his relative's house to no avail. After several rather heated exchanges, Dumbledore finally agreed to set up a portkey to take them to an alley near Number 12 Grimmauld Place. They Portkeyed over and quickly made their way to the front door and quietly slipped inside. Once inside, Professor Dumbledore made sure that Harry was settled in his room and bid his goodbyes leaving Harry and Remus to continue their conversation from Privet Drive.
The house was still dark and depressing, with memories of Sirius everywhere Harry looked. It brought back a completely new feeling of guilt to him. Memories of his godfather's infectious laugh at Christmas, his joyous demeanor whenever Harry was with him, and his obvious depression at being left alone here, contained like an animal at the zoo. Harry started to feel like this was not going to be much better than Privet Drive. The only positive was no Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley. Maybe once Harry's friends arrived things would be better, and Professor Lupin was here so at least there was someone who he could talk with and help him keep informed about the wizarding world.
They headed into the drawing room and got a fire going in the grate. They each settled into their own chair and just stared in silence for a few minutes, alternating between the fire, the floor, and each other. After what seemed like an eternity, Harry finally spoke.
"Professor, Thanks for standing up to Professor Dumbledore for me."
"Your welcome Harry, but I haven't been your Professor for a few years now. Please don't be so formal. You can call me Remus or Moony if you like. I couldn't let you continue being in that loveless environment. That would have been enough to make anyone loose their sanity."
Harry paused for a few moments contemplating what he wanted to say next. "What is that veil exactly and why is it in that place?"
Of the many things Remus was expecting to talk about, this was not one. "Well Harry, it is believed to be a gateway to the beyond, and it is in that place so that wizards can try to study it so as to understand what waiting for us after life."
"If it is a gateway, do you think there is a way to come back?"
"No Harry, I am quite sure there is no way to come back. I would love nothing more than to find a way for someone on the other side to come back, but there is none. That has been studied for many, many years and no one has found a way yet. It does not do you any good to dwell on something that will never be."
"I know Remus; I just miss him so much. I only got to know him for a couple of years and was starting to feel like I was actually getting to kind of know my parents through him." Harry's could feel tears starting to form in his eyes again.
"I can help you to learn more about your parents too. I'm not trying to take Sirius's place as godfather but I do care about you very much and I did know your parents as well as Sirius."
"I didn't mean to say that I couldn't find out about them from anyone else, I just meant that being around Sirius made me feel like my father was still around. No offense Remus, but you aren't quite the troublemaker that dad and Sirius were. I mean, yes, you were one of the marauders but you seem like you didn't want to push the rules too much while they not only pushed them they flat out passed them."
"Oh, I wouldn't say I didn't push the rules too much, but you are right, they had no qualms about flying right over them just for a good laugh." Remus paused for a moment then said, "Wait here for a moment; I have something that I think you might find interesting." With that, he got up and left the room. He was only gone a couple of minutes, when he returned he was carrying a small tattered black leather box that was slightly smaller than a briefcase.
"What's in the box?" Harry questioned with a puzzled look on his face.
"This box contains some things from my days at Hogwarts." Remus carefully opened the box to reveal a couple of small books. "This book is a guide that James, Sirius, and Peter wrote to help describe what they did to become an animagus. I think you should have this, not that I am saying that I think you should try, but it is full of useful information," Remus said with a smirk. He picked up the other book and smiled a big smile. "This book is a description of almost every prank that the Marauders pulled at Hogwarts, once again I am not saying that you should attempt to do any of these things but there is some useful information in here," Remus said with a wink handing the book to Harry. "I do believe that James and Sirius would have wanted you to have those."
A large grin started to cross Harry's face, which delighted Remus to no end. It felt good to see Harry smile and Remus could already see the wheels in Harry's head turning as if he was already planning pranks for the upcoming school year. This caused Remus's grin to grow even larger.
Remus then closed the box and slid a small catch to the side then reopened the box to reveal another book and a couple of smaller black velvet boxes. "This book is a compilation of various charms that Lily found to be rather useful." As Remus looked down at the remaining boxes he started to feel a bit misty eyed himself. Harry noticed the change in his demeanor wondering what could have caused it. Remus picked up the boxes and handed them to Harry, "these belonged to your mother."
Harry took the longer rectangular box first and opened it. His eyes grew wide with shock. Inside this box was a pendant of an ornately styled golden Griffen with two small rubies for eyes and a pair of small ruby earrings. "Th-th-these are b-beautiful," Harry stammered. He carefully set the first box down and picked up the smaller square box. He held it for a moment before opening it to find an exquisite gold ring encrusted with a ½-carat diamond surrounded by a ring of small rubies. Harry's breath caught and tears started to flow from his eyes as he realized that this was his mum's wedding ring.
They both sat in silence once more tears flowing freely from both of them for their lost friends and family. After a few more minutes passed Remus stood up to leave, preparing to give Harry some space. He managed to get halfway across the room before Harry stopped him. As Remus turned around, he was embraced in a hug that was one of the warmest he had had in many years. They both just stood there for several minutes comforting each other, before Harry finally whispered, "Thank you for everything. This means more to me than you can possibly know."
They hugged for a while longer and spent more time talking about a great many things, giving Harry a chance to learn a lot more about his parents and Sirius. Some things made him cry some more and others made him laugh with a mirth he hadn't had in years, but no matter what emotions came out he slowly began to feel better. Harry began to realize that Remus was right; talking about things did help ease the pain and allowed him to begin to move on.
After several hours passed, they began to realize that they were both getting hungry, so they headed down to the kitchen to grab some food. They scrounged together a few sandwiches and some butterbeer. Remus continued to tell various stories about his days at Hogwarts causing ever-increasing waves of laughter from them both. After a particularly funny story that had Harry laughing so hard he had rolled off the chair onto the floor clutching his sides, they became aware that they were no longer alone in the room. They both looked over at the door to see an open-mouthed Ron and stunned looking Ginny staring at them with looks of utter confusion on their faces.
"Hello Ginny. Ron, good to see you mate. When did you guys get here?" Asked a still giggling Harry.
Ron and Ginny just stared for a few minutes before Mrs. Weasley stepped into the room. "Well Harry you seem to be feeling better. Remus if this is your definition of someone feeling distraught, I would hate to see what someone feeling happy would be like," she said with a warm smile.
"Thanks Mrs. Weasley, I am feeling much better. It has been really good to be able to talk with Remus about things."
"Yes, we were just reminiscing about the days of the marauders and the fun we used to have, would you all care to join us?"
They all sat down and began to share their stories together continuing to laugh with uncontrollable mirth. This was exactly what they all needed. To be able to laugh in the middle of this very trying time was priceless. As they all continued to laugh and visit, Ron informed Harry that Hermione would be coming to join them in a few weeks, and that the rest of Ron's family was planning to pop in often to visit and help brighten up the house.
Mrs. Weasley was very pleased with the way the afternoon was progressing. It made her heart soar to see Harry smiling and laughing again. It had been so long and so much had happened over the last couple of years that she had begun to feel that Harry was beginning to forget how to be happy. It had been such a shock to have breakfast at the Burrow interrupted by Hedwig with a note from Remus saying that Harry was extremely distraught and needed his friends, and asking them to get to headquarters ASAP. Then to get her children to pack quickly and get there as fast as they could, worrying about what condition they would find Harry in when they got there, only to walk in on an extremely jovial pair in the kitchen. It was extremely unexpected, but made her feel wonderful and warm. Yes, things were starting to look up.
This carrying on continued as Molly got up and started to prepare dinner. Soon they were joined by Tonks, Arthur and Bill Weasley, and eventually the twins, all of whom delighted in continuing the conversation and expanding on the span of the stories being told. This continued right on through dinner and into the late hours of the evening, only being stopped by Molly saying it was time for Harry, Ron, and Ginny to head up to bed. Harry realized that Remus was right again, it did feel good to be around people who cared about him, and he did have a lot of people who did care about him
Harry, Ron, and Ginny made their way upstairs to their rooms, stopping long enough to bid Ginny goodnight, Harry and Ron made their way to their room. Once inside they quickly changed into their pajamas and got into bed still sniggering about the conversations of the day. Harry felt more relaxed than he had felt in months allowing him to easily fall asleep.
Later that night Harry was once again haunted by his recurring nightmare of the summer. He awoke with a startled cry of "NOOO" which in turn woke up Ron.
"You alright mate?" Questioned a bleary-eyed startled Ron.
Harry took a moment to get his bearings, looking around the room only vaguely aware that he was covered in cold sweat and shivering. As he continued to survey his surroundings, he finally noticed his roommate and it dawned on him of where he was and that it had in fact only been a dream. He let out a sigh and began to try to breathe normally again.
"Harry? You alright?" Questioned Ron again.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Just had a nightmare is all," Harry responded hesitantly.
Ron looked at him skeptically, "You sure it was just a nightmare? You don't think he's trying to mess with you again do you?"
"No, it was just a nightmare. Same one I've been having for the last week." Harry paused looking at Ron. "Hey Ron, I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry I put you guys in danger again."
Ron stared for a moment, "Hey don't worry about it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You're my best mate; I couldn't let you go alone."
"Thanks, for forgiving me and not letting me go alone. I don't think I could have made it if I had."
"Just try not to let it happen again, OK. I don't know how many more of your adventures I can handle. That doesn't mean to try not to include me though; I meant what I said I'd do it again if it would help. You're stuck with me as your best mate; I won't let you get rid of me that easily."
Harry just nodded, his heart already feeling lighter. If he kept this up, he was going to have to admit to Remus that he was right; talking to his friends about things was definitely helping. Both boys lay back down and returned to sleep until they were woken the next morning by Ginny telling them that breakfast was almost ready.
They got up and dressed and were about to head downstairs when Ginny popped her head back in to rouse them some more. Ron grumbled something unintelligible before heading out the door. Harry stopped Ginny from running off to quickly, he wanted to apologize to her as well.
"Ginny, wait up. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for getting you into that trouble and thanks for going along. I don't think I could have made it out without you guys helping me."
Ginny took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It's OK Harry. We couldn't let you go alone 'cause I think you're right, you wouldn't have made it out without us," she said with a smile before turning and heading down to breakfast.
That smile and gentle touch made Harry's heart lighten considerably. Harry had never really noticed how infectious her smile could be. One couldn't help but feel better and smile right along with her, and with that thought, he followed the other two down for breakfast. Harry walked into the kitchen to see everyone seated around the table. He hesitated for a moment contemplating what to do, then decide to go ahead with it.
"Excuse me everyone. I have something I would like to say to all of you." Everyone was now looking expectantly at Harry. "First, I'd like to say thank you to all of you especially Remus and Tonks, you guys among others put your lives in danger to come rescue me and my friends, and you all have been so kind to me, and showed me that there really are people who care about me. This means a lot to me and I just wanted you all to know that I really appreciate it. Secondly, I would like to say I'm sorry. My actions last month put many people in danger and could have caused more deaths than it did, and for that, I apologize. I especially want to apologize to the Weasley family; I led two of your children into terrible danger and was terrified that I had caused them to die. I lost my godfather and I know how much it hurts and can only imagine how much it would hurt to lose a child or sibling. I promise you here and now that I will do, everything in my power to make sure that something like this NEVER happens again. I care too much about you all to lose any of you because of a misunderstanding."
Harry looked around the table and saw many slightly teared eyes looking back at him. He also saw a few smiles and nod of acceptance, then Molly stood up and walked over to Harry enveloping him in one of her trademark Weasley hugs. "Harry dear, you don't have to apologize for anything. You are as much a son to me as any one of my own. Losing you would have hurt just as badly as losing one of them. I'm sure that the children think of you as their seventh brother and would hate to lose you as well. You-Know-Who has fooled older and wiser wizards than yourself, so you have nothing to be sorry for. Now come and sit down son, your breakfast is getting cold." At this, every face in the room was now smiling and tear streaked, so Harry sat down to have breakfast with his family.