Chapter 5: The Manor of Potters
"Harry," Hermione whispered, "I'm so sorry."
Harry was speechless. He wanted to find Voldemort right that second and cause him any and every sort of pain imaginable.
"Don't want to spend too much time here," Moody growled, "Could be Death Eaters around."
Harry nodded, "Where are we staying?" he asked.
No one answered him.
He turned to the group, "Where are we staying?" he repeated.
Lupin looked at him, "At your mum and dad's old place," he answered.
Harry's mouth hung open, "But…but I thought…"
"Their house was destroyed, yes, Harry, but it wasn't anything magic couldn't fix up," Lupin answered.
Harry could barely breath. He was going home. For the first time in his life he was actually going home!
He wasn't sure of how to feel. He wanted to jump with joy and run into the house, examining every nook-and-cranny, but at the same time he wanted to collapse in tears and tell them it was a horrible idea, that he didn't want to disturb the place in which his parents once trod.
"Harry," Lupin said, laying his hand on his shoulder, "It's alright. Albus wanted you to visit your parents old home incase there was anything the Auror's had missed."
"Has it…has it been, you know…" Harry began.
"Kept up? Of course it has. I know this is huge emotional torment for you, Harry; it is for me as well. But your parents house is the safest place; there are many spells and enchantments…"
Harry angrily cut him off, "Yeah, why didn't you tell them that sixteen years ago when Voldemort pranced into their house and didn't exactly expect just a cup of tea?" he asked.
Lupin remained calm, cool and collected, "Times have changed, Harry," he continued, "We have more advanced spells and enchantments placed around your house today than we did on this very day sixteen years ago.
Harry didn't know what to say as they headed down the dirt path, out of the cemetery and into the warmth of the sunlight.
Everyone was silent as they walked down the road, kicking up dust as they went along, Moody carrying Harry and Ron's trunk while Lupin carried Hermione's.
"Harry," Lupin said, looking behind them at the others, "Albus said that once you were in your parents old house that you'd have vision of past history in the house and you would hear things that were going on."
Harry's heart sped up, "Does that mean I'll…you know…" he couldn't finish his sentence.
"Yes, Harry, and it is very important, no matter how much you want to lave the house, to stay put not only because the spells and enchantments will keep you safe, but also because your may hear or see something very important."
"But I don't want…"
"Not to worry, Harry, you may not even witness you parents deaths. I'm just warning you that if you should to stay put. And these visions will not happen all the time, only once in a while."
"Is that why we're here?" Harry asked.
"We think you might see or hear of a horcruxe unfound by the Order that may be somewhere close. So yes, Harry, that is why we are here."
A few minutes later they came up on what looked like an ordinary, two-story white house with a garden fence around the yard.
"This is where my parents lived?" Harry asked in a whisper.
"Welcome home, Harry," Lupin said, smiling at him.
Harry's heart lifted as the other four also said, "Welcome home."
"Thanks," he choked as he felt tears stinging his eyes. He quickly wiped them away before anyone could see as he led them through the gate and up the pathway to the door.
When he got there, he stood in front of it and stared at the doorknob as if it might open by its self.
"Harry?" Hermione questioned from somewhere behind him.
Harry sighed, "I just…just can't help but think that the last person through this door was…was Voldemort."
He waited, hoping someone would correct him, that someone might tell him it wasn't true; that loads of people had passed through the door since then…but no one did.
He inhaled and exhaled, closed his eyes and laid his hand on the knob.
I can do it, he told himself, I can do it.
He turned the door knob, opened he door, and opened his eyes.
His breath stopped for the second time in two days.
"Welcome home," Lupin repeated, more quietly.
It may have looked like a house on the outside but…
Ron, beside him, gasped as Hermione exclaimed, "Merlin's beard!"
