Chapter Nineteen
Holidays and Horrors
Harry was shocked, yet at the same time could not pull himself away. He felt so many conflicting emotions he could no longer think, his body seemed to act on instinct. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer. Serena wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him deeper into the kiss, opening her mouth to allow his tongue in. He began running his hand through her hair, no longer thinking at all, only acting impulsively. It wasn't until Serena's hands went under his shirt, running up his back that his mind returned to him suddenly. He pulled away from her, breathless, staring at her in shock.
"We shouldn't do this." Harry said, though his voice lacked conviction.
"I know, it's wrong." Serena said, equally weak.
"How did that happen?" Harry asked softly.
"Well I got close to you, and then I sort of lost control." Serena said quietly. "I'm sorry Harry." She said while standing to leave. Harry grabbed her hand to stop her and stood next to her.
"No, it was my fault." Harry said softly, suddenly realizing how close he was to her.
Her mouth was only inches away from his, allowing him to feel her warm, quick breathe. Suddenly, he began to kiss her again, losing all control. They instantly started from where they left off. Her hands running across his back, nails lightly brushing against his back while they kissed. Suddenly thought no longer controlled either person as they fell on the bed.
The next morning, Harry awoke feeling a calmness like never before. He knew what happened the night before, but could not bring himself to think about it. He quickly moved from the bed, showered and dressed. Harry went downstairs to the kitchen where he was immediately faced with the thought of everything that happened the night before. He just stood there frozen, unable to move.
Serena sat at the table eating eggs and bacon, staring off into space until Harry entered the room. She couldn't bring herself to look at him and was quickly flushing just from seeing him. Remus seemed to notice a change in the two of them. He looked from one to the other, then a smell caught his nose and he stood gaping at both of them. The cup of coffee he was holding dropped to the floor causing them both to jump slightly.
"Tell me I'm wrong." Remus said quickly.
"Wrong?" Serena asked quicker than Remus.
"Moony, what are you talking about? You said nothing to be wrong about." Harry said in a shaking voice.
"Harry, what happened last night?" Remus asked suddenly. "Remember before you answer, I can smell a lot better than you can."
"What happened?" Harry asked too quickly, looking at Serena. Serena's eyes were wide with horror.
"Oh god!" Remus said. "What the hell were you two thinking?"
"I don't think there was much thinking." Serena said softly.
"I stopped thinking after the first few seconds." said Harry sheepishly. He didn't look at Remus or Serena as he said this, instead he became fascinated at the tiles on the floor.
"Oh god!" Remus repeated.
"Sorry, Remus, it wasn't like we planned it!" Serena said quickly. "I didn't even mean to kiss him."
"And I didn't mean to kiss her again." Harry said defensively.
"But then, once it happened, I couldn't even think, much less stop." Serena said softly. "I knew I should have stopped after the second time happened, but it just felt so..."
"Oh god!" Remus repeated. Harry and Serena started giggling, neither being able to stop. This only fueled Remus' anger.
"You think this is funny!" He shouted, causing the walls to shake.
"No Remus, not what happened. You." Harry said, holding his stomach.
"A true parent, Remus." Serena said between laughing fits. "Got us to admit it, then so shocked it happened!"
"No, I'm not shocked. I just didn't expect to hear so much." Remus said carefully. "A simple 'something happened' would have done it for me." This sobered them both up quickly.
"I'm sorry, Moony. I really tried to stop everything from happening." Harry said. "I just couldn't control myself."
"I kept thinking 'this should stop, its not right' but I couldn't get my body to listen." Serena said, then suddenly put her hand to her mouth. "Oh my god!"
"Ginny!" Harry said, his eyes widening. Harry fell into the chair behind him, feeling like a ball of lead was dropped in his stomach.
"That is why I have been so upset, you two." Remus said calmly. "Neither of you two thought about your best friend," He nodded at Serena, "or your girlfriend." He nodded at Harry. "This is not something you can shrug off either is it?"
Harry looked at Serena, eyes saddened. He shook his head. Serena dropped her gaze to the table and shook her head as well.
"I'm going to go out for a few minutes, while you two figure out what you're going to do." Remus said, then looking at them sternly, "I assume I can trust that nothing else will happen while I'm gone?" They both nodded, not looking at him. Remus walked out of the kitchen leaving the two in shocked silence.
"What are we going to do?" Serena asked.
"I don't know. I don't even know why I did what I did." Harry said, "But I never felt like that before."
Serena smiled a little at this. "Are you complimenting me Potter?" She said jokingly.
"This is serious." Harry said, frustrated. "What are we going to do about Ginny?"
"I suppose we have to tell her." Serena said, "I just don't know what we are going to tell her."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, quite confused.
"Well I can't promise her this was a mistake that will never happen again." Serena said, shyly. "I cant even say I didn't want it to happen."
Harry sighed loudly and said "I can't either. That is why I don't know what to do. Why did you have to kiss me last night? I was finally happy with the way my life was going."
"Oh now you blame me?" Serena yelled. "I didn't force you to kiss me last night, now did I? I was going to go back to my room and go to sleep! Why did you kiss me?"
"I don't know!" Harry shouted. Then he said quietly. "I don't know, Serena. I was just doing what I felt like doing for a long time. I didn't know everything was going to happen this way. I didn't even know that when I kissed you, you weren't going to push me away. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry to me, Harry. Its Ginny you have to be sorry to." Serena said wisely.
"You know, even now you still remind me that you are Tonks at times." Harry said, shuddering suddenly. "Sorry, just thinking of you as my godmother kind of freaks me out now."
Serena started laughing again. "I would hope so! If you ever said I was like your sister again, I might be sick!" She said.
This caused Harry to smile, brief as it was. "I think we should wait until after Christmas to say anything to Ginny." He said softly. "It doesn't seem right to ruin her holiday."
"I think we should just use memory charms and forget it ever happened." Serena said seriously. "But since we can't, I agree with you."
They didn't talk much the rest of the day. Words were only passed between the two when they were decorating the house. Remus talked to them as little as possible as well, it seemed. They all just seemed too embarrassed to speak to each other, which made Dumbledore a much more welcome guest than he was. Harry apologized for the night before, but managed to only speak about things that seemed irrelevant.
Serena even talked to Dumbledore quite a lot. She also apologized for the night before. Remus however still seemed to be unable to talk for fear of mentioning what he knew of last night. Fighting the urge to explain to Dumbledore why the two teenagers were no longer angry at him, he decided to bring up more serious issues.
"Albus, have you told them what we talked about today?" Remus asked, knowing he had not.
"Oh right, right, I forgot what Molly said." Dumbledore said smiling. "I keep forgetting they are not all as you, Sirius, and James were." He smiled over his half-moon glasses at Remus. Looking to the children he said. "I believe that you should both be welcomed into the Order. Serena, I know you were once, which means that you know what has to be done. Harry, I offer this to you now because Remus assures me you are strong enough to do whatever is needed, though I did not need his knowledge to know this." He smiled at them both.
"You are finally letting me into the Order?" Harry asked, excited.
"About time." Serena said bitterly. "I've been telling him since last year. Takes Remus for it to be a good idea."
"Now, now. I told you then I had every reason to not want him around the Order until his occlumency improved. Now he has improved remarkably. I hold no fear that Tom will be able to see what we do not wish him to." Dumbledore said calmly.
"What about the others?" Harry asked.
"Well, Harry that's what he meant about talking to Molly today." Remus said shortly. "She feels, though her children are strong and as powerful as Serena, that they are too young to be involved. We have not had the opportunity to talk with Hermione's parents yet."
"Maybe I should talk to them, Moony." Harry said calmly. "Call it my first mission. I can talk to them and see if they agree." He looked at Dumbledore. "No offense sir, but to a muggle you might seem a bit too old to be talking of fighting evil. They will think you an old man off his trolley, so too speak."
"No offense taken, Harry. I believe you may be right about this, though I do not know how you will get there. We were hoping this would be settled tonight of course." Dumbledore said, still smiling.
"Serena, go get our wands, just in case. We'll leave as soon as you get back here." Harry said. Serena nodded and ran upstairs. "Professor, I must ask you not to mention what I am about to do to anyone. Also please don't ask me to explain, as I don't know how too. I will give Hermione the book I learned this from and see if she can explain."
"Alright, Harry I will do as you ask." Dumbledore said, suddenly confused.
Serena returned a minute later, carrying two cases. Harry slid them under the sleeves of his sweater. He grinned at Remus quickly, then looked at Dumbledore and nodded respectfully. He grabbed Serena's arm suddenly, and they both disappeared. Remus and Dumbledore looked at each other in shock.
"Apparition?" Remus asked.
"Remus, you cannot take someone else with you when you apparate. Also he would have been able to explain that to us." Dumbledore said, his eyes started twinkling again. "That boy is becoming most impressive. Even more than usual."
"Wow, that was amazing." Serena said smiling.
"I will never need to apparate! It really works!" Harry said grinning broadly.
"Well, Potter, time to get to work. Order business and all that." Serena said cheerfully.
"Alright Black, lets do it." Harry said seriously and they walked up to the door. They rang the bell twice before someone came to the door.
"Hello, can I help you?" A man said to them.
"Mr. Granger?" Serena asked. The man nodded happily.
"We are friends of your daughter. We need to speak to you and Mrs. Granger, as well as Hermione if that is possible." Harry said, sounding cheerful, yet businesslike.
"Please come in then." Mr. Granger said. He ushered the two to the living room and called his wife and daughter. Mrs. Granger appeared first, followed shortly by Hermione.
"What are you guys doing here? Is something wrong?" Hermione said quickly. "Tell me nothing happened to Ron and Ginny!"
"Relax, Hermione, we're here on Order business." Serena said calmly. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, would you please take a seat? First I would like to introduce us. I am Serena Black, and I am a friend of Hermione's, though we have only met just before school started. This is Harry Potter, a friend of your daughter's since first year at Hogwarts. He will explain everything, as I'm still a bit confused on muggles."
"Muggles?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"Sorry ma'am, she means people who don't have magic like witches and wizards." Harry said calmly. "I will explain quickly before your daughter interrupts me, as I can see that the wheels in her head are turning already. There is a powerful dark wizard called Voldemort, who wants to control the world, I suppose that's all anyway. Never can tell with him.
"I have been sent by an Order who are determined to vanquish him once and for all. He cannot be allowed to win this battle, or witches, wizards, muggles, and every other creature on this planet will be destroyed or turned into slaves. The Order, which I can assure is run by someone who is wise and knowledgeable, has sent me and Serena to talk to you. You daughter is being asked to join the order, and as she is underage, she would need your blessing."
"You want us to allow our daughter to fight, against a dark wizard who wants to destroy the world?" Mrs. Granger asked angrily. Mr. Granger suddenly glared at both children, causing Harry to sigh and continue his speech.
"No ma'am, I am the only one who can fight against him. I know this is not easy for you too understand, just as I knew that it would sound even more ludicrous had our headmaster came without you knowing how long wizards live. Hermione is the smartest witch Hogwarts has ever seen in almost a thousand years. That is saying a lot really, as only the brightest witches and wizards in all Britain are invited to attend Hogwarts.
"I will tell you, sadly, that your family is already targeted by Death Eaters, loyal servants to Voldemort, just because your daughter is my friend. If she has not told you, I will now. She has been helping me in things far more dangerous than most would expect, since first year. The Order would not request her to join if they did not have faith that she could handle any job they gave her. Dumbledore wouldn't allow it."
"In any case, we were also going to invite you to our house for Christmas. So you could gather some clothes now, come with us, and speak to Dumbledore yourself." Serena offered smiling politely. "It might help you understand, though you do have to realize that wizards can live hundreds of years, and not think of Dumbledore as just an old man. If you want to go, I should think we do it quickly, as I saw three Death Eaters when we popped up here."
Harry looked at her, shocked. Then he ran to the window. Swearing quite loudly, shocking Mr. and Mrs. Granger, he pointed to the necklace on Hermione's chest.
"Activate it. Say send help a lot of Death Eaters." Harry said, and looked down shocked as his necklace grew cold. Looking down he saw red. "Never mind. Serena, pack them up quickly, Hermione, help her. Send them a message saying we will be there as quickly as we can. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I must ask that you to stay with them at all times so they can protect you. If today is my day, Serena, remember to tell them all I went as Sirius did." He said quickly before running out of the house, both wands firmly in hands.
The battle took a lot out of Harry, being alone against what seemed hundreds, but in reality was fifty. Harry began shielding himself quickly, sending any offensive spells he could towards his enemies. When they began shielding themselves, Harry ran to them. He began punching, kicking, sending spells, shielding, and using any means to stop them from entering the house. Soon after Harry began to hear popping sounds and knew either they were leaving or more were coming. He looked to see Remus and Dumbledore standing behind him, Dumbledore using spells he had never heard of before. Harry nodded to them and ran into the house, where all the Grangers were packed and nervous.
"No time to explain anything to you right now." Harry said quickly. "Grab you luggage with one hand me with the other." Rolling up his sleeves, he held his arms out. "Make sure you touch my skin, not my clothes. NOW!" suddenly he felt four hands on him and they all disappeared, landing in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.
"Ok, Serena we have to go. Ginny and Ron need us." Harry said, grabbing her arm. Just as they were about to disappear, Hermione grabbed his arm. When they appeared at the burrow, it was anarchy. Death Eaters and Order members were fighting, seemingly in a stalemate. They were in the living room. All three ran upstairs to find Ginny fighting off Death Eaters as they came through her door. The three made quick work of the Death Eaters upstairs and went into Ginny's room.
"Where's Ron?" Harry asked. She pointed to the floor.
"He got stunned trying to save me. I couldn't wake him up while fighting though. Enervate!" She said, and Ron's eyes flew open.
"Ron, we have to get you and Hermione out of here now!" Serena yelled at him. "You two protect Hermione's parents."
"What the bloody hell are you three going to do then?" Ron asked angrily.
"Revenge." Harry said, as he, Ginny, and Serena ran from the room and into the battle.
When they got outside, Serena and Ginny began as they always did, protecting everyone, especially Harry, allowing Harry to attack quickly and with both wands. Quickly the battle was becoming more intense as more Death Eaters began to appear everywhere. These bastards are trying to kill my friends! Harry thought suddenly. This thought seemed to fuel his power in a way he had never felt before. Holding one hand up and whispering a shield began to form around him. He walked calmly into the center of the army of Death Eaters, and then he smiled evilly.
"NO ONE WILL HURT MY FRIENDS AGAIN!" He shouted, and his shield seemed to explode, causing everyone in its path to be thrown into the air violently. When the wave of anger passed, he looked to see that the Order members were staring at Harry in shock, while Serena and Ginny just beamed at him. He walked to them and grabbed their arms, then looked at Mrs. Weasley.
"Pack up everyone's things. Presents, clothes, everything. The Order can help you move them. Come to Grimmauld Place, it's the only safe place right now." He said, as all three of them disappeared.
"I see now why you left. Good work Harry." Dumbledore said. It had been two hours since the battle at the Burrow. Dumbledore and Remus appeared shortly after Harry. Dumbledore talked to Hermione's parents, attempting to calm them. Then he spoke to Harry, telling him of what happened at the Granger's and learning what happened at the Burrow.
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry I left like that, but I know you are much stronger than me, and you had Remus' help." Harry said. "I couldn't let them hurt the Weasley's sir. I know Order members are supposed to help each other-"
"And that is exactly what you did Harry. You saw two Order members, and knew they would be safe. So you turned your attention to another problem, a situation that you had no idea what had happened. You also managed to rescue three people from an imminent attack, one who was being requested to join the Order. You helped stop a battle that could have had many casualties for the Order, without anyone from our side actually being hurt, aside from a few cuts and bruises." Dumbledore said, smiling warmly at Harry. "You proved today that you are ready for all the responsibility given to you by the Order. I am more than pleased to see this. I have never been more proud of you Harry."
Harry beamed at hearing this. "Wow. I never thought of it that way. I was worried you would think I was abandoning you and Remus." He said quietly.
"Harry in all the time I have known you, you have never been a coward. If you had only saved the Grangers, that in itself would be worthy of praise, as I could not have done it as quickly as you. Do not worry yourself, Harry. I know that you left meaning to do well, I only did not know what." Dumbledore said calmly. "Now you should go to sleep. I am afraid that there is only one room available to you right now, however. I apologize as I know this is your house, but I felt that only you should enter Sirius' room."
"I understand sir. I haven't went in there since..." Harry began, his voice shaking. "Would it be possible to sleep in my trunk sir? I don't think I'm ready to face that room yet."
"You could do that Harry, but I feel you should stay in Sirius' room. I can get all of your friends to accompany you if that would make it easier for you. I'm sure they are not yet asleep." Dumbledore said in a calming voice.
"I'll stay there sir, if that is what you think best. Could I ask Serena to come, as she understands what I feel better than the rest of my friends right now?" Harry asked.
"Of course Harry." Dumbledore said smiling. "It is your house, and anyone you wish could come with you."
"Sir, how are we going to feed all these people? It seems that every Order member who was at the Burrow is here, as well as the Weasley's, and the Granger's." Harry asked, trying not to think of where he would be sleeping.
"Ah, yes Harry, I have a request for you, and a Christmas present for someone else, should you permit it." Dumbledore said warmly.
"I will permit anything you ask, as well as agree to any request." Harry said sincerely.
"Alright, Harry. Dobby! Winky!" Dumbledore said loudly. When the two appeared Dumbledore looked at them. "Dobby, young Mr. Potter has agreed that you can work for him as a free elf. He will pay you what you were paid in Hogwarts, more if you feel you deserve it, and receive as many days off a month as you see fit."
"Dobby is only needing one day off, sir, just like at Hogwarts." Dobby said to Dumbledore, then turned to Harry. "Does Harry Potter really wish for Dobby to work for him?"
"Well Dobby, I suppose that would depend on whether you would have a problem with Remus and Serena. If not then I would be honored to have such an honorable house elf in my home. But you must call me Harry." Harry said smiling broadly.
"Yes Harry, sir, Dobby is liking Miss Serena and Mr. Remus very much. I is looking forward to working for you Harry sir." Dobby said smiling.
"Winky, would you like to work for Harry too?" Dumbledore said softly. "You could choose not to be free if you did not want to be, though I think Harry might prefer it if you were paid."
"Is you in need of two house elves sir? You is saying there are only three of you." Winky asked Harry carefully.
"Well we are a very messy three people, and we have many guests coming to the house. Even when we are in school. Many of the rooms here are in need of repair and cleaning, and I haven't even seen the whole house as one door in the hall refuses to open, which I was told led to another part of the house. So I believe I could use two house elves. Dumbledore is right, I would prefer if you were a free house elf and I could pay you, but I will respect your wishes if you choose not too." Harry said happily.
"Is Winky allowed to choose work with pay later, should I choose sir?" Winky asked.
"Of course, Winky, whenever you choose. You can also wear clothes if you like them better, I will not force you to wear anything you feel is not proper for you." Harry said, quite cheerful now.
"Winky is happy to work for you Harry Potter sir." Winky said smiling brightly.
"Alright then Winky. You both shall be given rooms here, as soon as there are not so many people, but as there are many, I don't think they will give you much time to rest. I ask that you leave the room I am staying in for now alone, never enter it. It is to stay in the same way it was left." Harry said softly. "It is important that that rule is followed always, unless I say otherwise. Only me, okay?" Harry asked. Both house elves nodded quickly. "Also, while Remus is here, during the full moon you are not to enter the basement for any reason, because of his problem. You understand what I mean?" Harry asked, and the elves quickly nodded again. "Okay, I will ask that you two try to find a way to open that door in the hallway as we will probably need the rooms soon enough. Also make sure everyone here treats you with respect. Anyone who treats you badly may be thrown from the house if they do not apologize for it. Everyone makes a mistake at times, and deserves a chance to say they are sorry. That is all I know for now. Dumbledore knows how many people are here I'm sure, so he can tell you how many people breakfast is needed for. Goodnight you two." Looking at Dumbledore "Goodnight sir."
He walked from the room slowly, dreading what was going to happen when he got upstairs. Harry first asked for Serena to follow him. On their way up the stairs, he began to cry, tears freely flowing from his eyes. Serena took his hand and held it firmly. She looked at him and smiled slightly.
"You have to go to his room don't you?" She asked.
"Yeah, Dumbledore said I should stay in there. He was nice enough not to give anyone else the room, saying it seemed wrong to let another person stay in there." Harry said softly. He didn't speak again, just walked to the room and put his hand on the doorknob. Sighing, he opened the door slowly.
Nothing had changed since the last time he had entered, everything was still in its same place. He walked to the desk slowly, seeing something on it that was new. He looked to see a large package, with a letter attached to it. Both of them were marked to him. Harry sat at the chair and opened the letter.
Harry,
I suppose you reading this means I didn't make it. I'm writing this while
Albus is trying to find out where you went. I have written many letter's
like this, one for every mission I have went on actually. I want to make
sure if something happens you know that I'm sorry I cant be there to
watch you grow up. I see you growing into a man that can handle the
problems life has given you, and handle them well. I wish I could see
the man you will become, as I know he will be a great man to know.
Don't beat yourself up over me, I have to fight. If I don't then I am no
better than Wormtail. I cannot hide from a fight, because I could not
face the shame. I hope you understand this someday. In the box with
this card are a few things to remember me and your parents by. Take
care kid. I love you as much as if you were my own son.
Sirius
After Harry read the letter he quickly opened the box in front of him. Inside were two photo albums, and four journals. He looked at every picture in the first album. It seemed to be pictures of the marauders while they were still in school. Picture after picture, all four of them seemed happy and carefree. They were always laughing, and Harry wasn't even upset that Wormtail was in the pictures.
He looked at the second album and stopped on the first page. He sat on the bed next to Serena and began showing her the pictures too. At the beginning, there were pictures of his parents with him, Sirius and Remus also doting over Harry as a baby. Then as he progressed he began to see himself at school, Sirius around Grimmauld Place, both in dog and human form, pictures of them during Christmas last year. He started crying as he looked at the pictures and Serena hugged him tightly.
"It's okay to cry Harry. It's okay to miss him. He wouldn't have wanted you to keep all this inside." Serena whispered softly. "You cry, Harry. I'll stay right here, I won't move. You just cry."
They sat there for what seemed like hours while Harry continued to cry, holding onto Serena. Serena had seen many people come to check on them as the door was open. She merely shook her head, looking at them as if daring them to enter. When Harry had stopped crying they stayed locked together like that, neither talking, just being comforted by the other's company.
"Thank you." Harry whispered.
"I'm always here, Harry. You should get some sleep now though. Its really late." Serena said softly. As she stood to leave he stopped her.
"Please don't go." Harry said. "I don't want to be in here alone. Not yet."
Serena nodded. "Ok, lay down. I'll stay with you till you fall asleep." She said calmly.
Harry laid on the bed, Serena sat next to him. She held his hand affectionately and smoothed his hair. He laid there for quite some time just starring at the ceiling. He didn't know when she had fallen asleep but he seemed to follow shortly after, both exhausted from the day and the emotions that finally escaped them both over Sirius' death.
"What the hell is going on here!"
Harry jumped as he heard the scream. He grabbed for his wand quickly. Looking up he saw Ginny standing there, looking furiously at him.
"Gin, what are you doing screaming like that? I thought Death Eaters found this place." Harry said, falling back on the bed. "Don't do that to me."
"Why am I screaming? Why was Serena all over you in bed?" Ginny asked still screaming. Remus soon appeared behind her.
"Oh god you didn't! Not again!" Remus said, thinking the worst. Harry's eyes widened as he saw Ginny's face drop from anger to pain.
"What are you talking about Remus?" She asked softly.
"Wait you didn't- I mean they didn't- Oh god!" Remus said quickly, seeing his mistake.
"Great job Moony, there's that intelligence we were all told about." Harry said sarcastically, glaring at Remus.
"What are you talking about Remus?" Ginny asked, more conviction in her voice this time.
"Well, they- I mean I- I don't think I am the one to talk about this." Remus said exiting the room. Harry bolted from the bed and grabbed him.
"Come on, Moony, you were the one who put your foot in it." Harry said angrily.
"Come with me, NOW" Remus said through gritted teeth, half dragging Harry from the room.
"Is someone going to tell me what happened!" Ginny screamed.
"I guess I have too Gin." Serena said softly. "Close the door and sit down. Put your wand away, cause I think Harry would curse you if you destroyed this room. This is not easy to tell you..."
"What did you think you were doing talking to me like that?" Remus said angrily, glaring at Harry.
"Getting myself away from a situation I didn't know how to confront at the time." Harry said simply.
"Why did you two decide to do this again?" Remus asked annoyed.
"We didn't, Remus. I asked her to stay for a while because I didn't want to be there alone. She just fell asleep before me. We didn't do anything." Harry said softly.
"You seem almost as different as you did yesterday, Harry. What happened last night?" Remus asked, confused.
"First of all, you should be able to smell that we didn't do anything." Harry stated. "Last night, I found a letter and package from Sirius to me. The box had a couple of photo albums. After looking through them I couldn't stop crying. Serena just sat there with me the whole time I cried, and when I was through, I just couldn't bare to be alone in there. That's all that happened Remus."
Remus nodded at Harry solemnly. "Do you feel better now, Harry? Having finally let out all that out." He asked. Harry nodded. "Well at least some good came from all this." Suddenly they heard shouting from down the hall.
"Looks like I'm out of the frying pan, into the fire." Harry said grimly. Remus nodded as they listened to what was being said.
"You slut! I cant believe you!" Ginny shouted, alerting the whole house to the argument. "You were his GODMOTHER! How sick can you be?"
"Ginny it was an accident! Keep your voice down not everyone knows who I am remember?" Serena shouted back.
"Fine I'll tell the whole house who you are! Serena Black is really-" Ginny shouted suddenly stopped.
"Silencio!" Serena shouted. Remus and Harry ran to Sirius' room quickly, shutting the door and putting a silencing charm on the room.
"Ginny no one can know who she is aside from those who already know!" Remus said, then took the silencing charm off her.
"You knew about this, didn't you! You probably helped her sleep with Harry didn't you!" Ginny shouted at Remus.
"Enough!" Harry shouted as loud as he could. "If anyone is to blame, it should be me. I should have stopped but couldn't. It's my fault. I'm sorry Ginny." He said softly, a tear falling from his eye.
"Why, Harry?" Ginny said, her voice shaking, tears falling from her eyes.
"I don't know, Gin. I really don't. I wish I had an answer, even one that made no sense. I just don't know." Harry said softly.
Ginny looked at him, hurt. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable. She took off the necklace he had given her on his birthday and handed it to Serena, who stood utterly still.
"Here, you take it. You two go off and be the Marauders all you want, just stay out of my life." She said softly then walked out of the room.
No one in the room moved. Remus was looking at Harry, sadness on his face. Harry looked only at the necklace in Serena's hand. Serena's eyes moved from Harry to Remus, not knowing what to do. Then Harry walked to the bedside table, grabbed his wands and disappeared, leaving Remus and Serena looking at each other.
"This is a big problem." Serena said in monotone.
"I think we need to talk to Albus." Remus said. Serena nodded and followed Remus out of the room.
Almost the entire day had passed and Harry still hadn't returned. Dumbledore was there now, waiting with the rest of the people who were still in the house. No one really spoke much, choosing to stay near the fire in case Harry used more conventional methods of returning. Also in case one of the other operatives found Harry, they would be close to be able to leave immediately.
"That boy is reckless. All this over a girl." Snape said angrily, glaring at the two girls involved in the situation.
"Sod off Snivellus." Serena said quickly.
"I do not believe that Harry left because of either of these girls." Dumbledore said, worried. "I believe he left because he was afraid that he would loose control of his power. He knows that they are connected to any strong feeling, and this is a very strong emotion he is battling."
"But aren't these two," Remus said pointing to the two girls, "able to stop his emotions from breaking out like that?"
"Remus, these emotions are because of these two girls." Dumbledore said, his voice calming. "I think Harry left because he didn't want to be calmed, but to let these emotions out in a place where no one will be hurt by the result."
"Where no one will be hurt...where he can let these emotions out. Albus I know where he is, but I don't know how he could get there he doesn't know where it is." Remus said.
"Knowing where a place is doesn't matter with what he does." Serena said softly.
"All he has to do is know it exists. That is enough to take him there." Ginny said, her voice still shaking with the sadness inside her.
"I'll get him Albus. It would be better if it were me." Remus said. With a loud crack he was gone.
Harry was using his powers in ways he had never thought before. Feeling better being able to let it out completely, instead of always holding it in. He didn't know how long he had been here, but it was already getting dark and he still felt no better about what happened.
"Why did you let it happen!" He shouted waving his hand at a small tree watching it explode as he shielded himself from harm.
He had been in Godric's Hollow for hours, he knew. He looked around at the destruction he had caused. Trees had fallen, some exploded, like the last one. Fires erupted around him. Yet the house stood as it did when he arrived. He could not bring himself to do anything to his parent's home. Suddenly, he fell to his knees, his head in his hands, he began to cry. When he heard the familiar crack of someone apparating he didn't even face the person.
"If you are a going to kill me go ahead. I won't stop you." He said, controlling his emotions again.
"I'm not here to kill you. Just talk, if that's ok Harry." Remus said calmly.
"Why did I do it Remus? Why did I do the one thing I knew I shouldn't have done?" Harry asked, still not looking up. He waved his hand watching another tree explode, while he threw a shield around Remus.
"I wish I could tell you, Harry." Remus said sitting beside him. "Maybe you and Ginny weren't meant to be. Maybe Serena is more important to you than you thought. Maybe you are just a teenage boy, and screwed up. Even the greatest of men screw up."
"My Dad didn't screw up like I did. Neither did you or Sirius." Harry said simply.
Remus began to laugh at this. "Is that what you think, Harry? Sirius never told you then, that he made his own mistakes. Much the same as you, except that Sirius was caught in the act by his girlfriend at the time. Anyone who knew him would tell you he could not be faithful to any girl. He actually loved the girl who caught him, but too much firewhiskey can cloud anyone's mind."
"I don't have that as an excuse though, Remus." Harry said sadly. "I was perfectly sober. No alcohol, no drugs, no reason behind it."
"I have done that, as did your father." Remus said. "Let me tell you a story. Your mother and father had just gotten together about a month before this happened. One night, we decided to leave the castle. Just for a bit of fun of course. We went to the Three Broomsticks, me, Sirius, and James. Wormtail was a bit scared of getting in trouble. We sat there for hours laughing, talking about things that seem so random now I can't even remember them.
"A beautiful witch walked in, and it caused a bit of a commotion among us three. Sirius made a bet with us. He said he could get the woman before she gave either of us the time of day. James, still having a bit of an ego at this point, immediately accepted the bet. Me and Sirius knew this was a problem immediately and tried to call it all off. Your father would have none of it though, always stubborn he was.
"He walked up to the woman and began talking to her, laying the charm on a bit thick at times. Not only did she talk to him but invited him home with her. He had no intention to do what he did, he was only thinking of winding me and Sirius up a bit. Well he ended up sleeping with her. That may not have been as bad, if she hadn't started showing up at the castle asking for him every weekend.
"Eventually she found Lily while asking for James. They had a nice long talk about what had happened. Lily immediately took her directly to James. When he saw the two of them together, his jaw dropped to the floor. Lily hexed him immediately, had him laid up in the hospital wing for a week. It took all of us to get her to talk to him again, Harry. So you see, even your father made mistakes."
"What about you, Remus? Did you ever make a mistake like that?" Harry asked, more curious than nosy.
"Not really, Harry. I did something much worse." Remus said sadly. "I turned away from the one person who loved me even though I was a werewolf."
"Tonks?" Harry asked quietly.
Remus laughed again. "No, Harry, not Tonks." He said smiling. "I can't honestly say that I loved her. She always seemed much too young for me to think about, even though Sirius always tried. She was a good friend though."
"So who was she?" Harry asked.
"One of Lily's friends. Samantha Powell. She was a muggle, knew your mother from before Hogwarts. Well, after we got out of school James, Sirius and I went to visit her. She had a few friends over, as a welcome home party. Me and Samantha got on very well. Spending most of that summer together, we fell in love quickly.
"Eventually she started asking questions about why I would disappear for three days of the month. I didn't want to tell her, so I asked your mother to. She told her and Sam didn't even bat an eyelash, as your mother said. One night, she came searching for me during the full moon. She heard that James and Sirius still stayed with me, though she didn't know about them being animagi. She thought she would stay with me as well. She found out where I was hiding and walked right into the room.
"Sirius and James saved her that night. Fighting me with everything they had. James held me off while Sirius got her out of there. He transformed into his human form after he got her out and told her to get far away from there and that I would see her when the full moon was gone. After that, I told her I couldn't see her anymore. She swore that she didn't know and that she would never come near me during the full moon. I wouldn't listen." Remus finished, with tears falling from his eyes. "You see, Harry. Every person you said didn't make mistakes has. So know that you are not alone."
"I'm sorry Remus." Harry said. "I just never thought that you three would have had the same problems as me."
"No teenager does Harry. We each thought we were unique, only to learn we each faced the same things." Remus said.
"What do I do?" Harry asked.
"Well, you have options, of course." Remus said, smiling at him. "You can follow in your father's footsteps and beg Ginny to forgive you. That will take a lot of time, and more than a few presents." He said the last laughing. "You can see if there are feelings between you and Serena that you never looked at before. That will also take a lot of time. You can ask Ginny to forgive you and be your friend. I can't tell you what to do in this situation though."
"What would you do, Remus? Or Dad, or Sirius?" Harry asked.
"Well, James begged forgiveness, and eventually got it. Sirius went on to find that women were his area of expertise." Remus said, smiling at the memory of his friends. "I would try to figure out which girl I wanted. It does no good to beg forgiveness, only to find you aren't happy. For your father it worked well, he always loved Lily. For Sirius it would have been a mistake. Don't make a decision based on either of them, because you are not either one of them. Make a decision based on what you feel is best."
Harry smiled at Remus. "You know, you are pretty good at this fatherly advice stuff. I guess you're right. I have to figure out which one would make me happy." He said, his smile fading. "Do you think she'll forgive me, whether I find it's her or just to be my friend?"
"Only time will tell Harry. Come on now, we should go back home." Remus said. Harry nodded, then grabbed his arm.
"You'll love this." Harry said smiling. In the next second they appeared in the middle of the parlor in front of the fireplace.
"Welcome back, Harry. Do you feel better now?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Not really, but I don't want to blow things up anymore." He replied honestly.
"Well, for that I am grateful. We must have our meeting now. If you would come with us." Dumbledore said standing. "Miss Black, Miss Granger, if you would come as well."
Harry, Serena, and Hermione followed Dumbledore, and were closely followed by the rest of the order. When they were in the kitchen they all sat and waited for Dumbledore to begin speaking. Harry looked around the room and saw that no one looked happy to see him. Snape glared at him, an unmistakable look of loathing. All members of the Weasley family looked as if they were ready to kill him on the spot. All the rest of them merely seemed annoyed at having to wait so long.
"I am sorry for making you all wait, but sometimes situations occur that we cannot expect." Dumbledore began. "Now I will ask you all to welcome our newest members to the Order. Harry Potter, Serena Black, and Hermione Granger." Nods of approval and acceptance went around the room.
"You are going to let these children into the Order!" Mrs. Weasley asked shocked. "Today's events should have shown you that they are not ready for this type of responsibility. Harry can't even manage his own life, and Serena can't manage to control her emotions."
"Too deal with the problems of teenagers is what it is to be one, Molly. You saw and heard last night how well all three of these children act under pressure. They are strong in many ways, even if they are still growing." Dumbledore said, smiling at the three children.
"I don't believe you would allow this Albus! You know very well that they will not be able to help us at all-" Mrs. Weasley started but was quickly cut off.
"Fine, Mrs. Weasley. I get your point." Harry said calmly. "You don't want us in the Order. Fine. You go and fight Voldemort in my place then. You take my place in the prophecy, and you live with the fact that it is either kill or be killed between him and you. I'm sorry, Professor, but it appears that I am not wanted. Have a good day, all of you." Harry then walked out of the kitchen, Serena on his heels. Hermione looked at all of them stunned.
"I can't believe you. He has bent over backwards to help everyone. He's given up his own happiness time and again to make sure that Voldemort doesn't become as strong as he was." Hermione said, glaring at the Weasley's "He makes one mistake in his life and suddenly he's irresponsible and untrustworthy! If that is what you think than I'm ashamed to even know you! I'm sorry too Professor, but I'm leaving now." She said, turning on her heals and walking out of the kitchen.
"Molly, they were right." Remus said calmly.
"Of course you agree. Two of them are in your care. The two that have problems controlling themselves at that!" Molly said, still furious.
"Molly, you didn't talk to Harry at Godric's Hollow. I did. You didn't see what he did there, the destruction he caused was massive. When I apparated there he told me if I wanted to kill he to go ahead, that he wouldn't stop me. He is more hurt by this than Ginny, I believe." Remus said firmly.
"How would you know Remus! Have you bothered to consider the poor girl at all!" Molly shouted at him. Remus stood very calmly and walked out as well.
"Well, it seems this meeting is already being ended." Dumbledore said with a sigh. "Molly, I understand that you are upset about what happened, as well as your daughter's feelings. Blaming and insulting Harry will solve nothing, aside from making him draw away from people even more than he has already. Every mistake he makes, he feels it a hundred fold, because he feels he has to be blamed for everything around him. You were not right in this. Until everyone can control themselves, there will not be another meeting. You may all go."