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Chapter 4

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Harry's POV

I'm in London, but I'm nowhere Platform Nine and Three Quarters - yet how I wish I was.

I turn the map in my hands around, confused. Where is Godric's Hollow? I found it just a minute ago, but a second later it's lost to sight amidst the yellow and pink squiggles marking A-Roads and what have you. I don't think I'll ever bother with these; broomsticks and apparition are SO much easier than driving.

I know I've missed the Hogwarts Express but I can't help feeling that maybe, just maybe, I'd be allowed to come back - but I know that I can't do that. I need to know things - things only Dumbledore would've been able to tell me. Like, where the hell is Godric's Hollow? And doesn't he have any idea where these frickin Horcruxes are? And why aren't Ron and Hermione with me, helping me through this? They said they would.

But that's before they started flirting.

I don't think either of them are even aware of it - but they must be blind not to notice that they're constantly both eyeing each other up!

I hope they OWL me.

Just think. This year, I might be taking my NEWTS, if this is over and done with quickly. If the school will have me back, seeing as, strictly speaking, I am truanting.

I've never done that before.

Oh, for god's sake! Why couldn't Dumbledore have filled me in with his theories? He must've had them, talked about them, in his office. But here I am, in a busy Underground Station in London, reading a map I can't make sense of, and scanning the skies for any sign of communication from Ron or Hermione. But there's nothing, and I've begun to get funny looks. I guess I look too much like I'm skipping work or school - after all, I still look young enough to still be attending school.

It's clicked. I've got it.

Dumbledore's office - I don't know why I didn't think of it before! The Order's Headquarters are mine - and I'm betting Phineas is still hanging around. I'll have to ask him where Godric's Hollow is. Phew. I'm glad that's out of the way.

I climb from the steps of the underground, and through the packed streets of London until I go through an alley and out into a deserted street - perhaps because there's no shops down here. All the houses windows are boarded up and there's a sign saying with a newspaper cutting that reads: Houses Demolished to Make Way for Motorway.

Ah well, I think. Bad stuff happens. And with that thought, I stick my wand arm out. With a purple streak, the Knight Bus comes into view. Wow - quickest time yet. I wonder how close it was?

"Name?" Comes the familiar voice of Stan Shunpike. He looks up, and a grin splits his face in two. "Well, what 'ave we 'ere? It en't Harry again? I've seen you in the paper's again! They sure 'ave changed their tune, eh, Ern?"

"Hey, Stan," I say automatically. "They let you out of Azkaban, then."

"Oh, yeah!" Stan says happily. "All on account of a certain person called, er, Rufus Scrimgeour. Well, I don't believe that for one sekkind. That guy had it in for me from the start. Anyways, Ern said he'll have me back for the time being. So where are you goin'?"

"Er, can you go to Grimmauld Place?"

"Sure," says a wickedly maniacal Stan. "Why yous wanna go there, though, I can't fathom. Horrid place, it is."

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I clamber out of the Knight Bus feeling that familiar urge to retch. I still can't stomach it's speed or jerkiness. It feels like someone just made me eat my insides…

But here I am - Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. My property now. That scares me slightly. I haven't been here since… since, well, it doesn't matter. It's not relevant. Anyhow, I walk through the door without shaking. All is well. As long as no one is here, and I don't for one minute believe that. I shut the door quietly, knowing full well that Lupin, Hagrid, Mrs Weasley… they could all be aware of my presence. With that in mind, I leg it up the stairs and go up onto the first floor, leaning over the banister.

"That's strange," mutters a voice - Lupin's? - from down below. "I could've sworn someone just came in. I heard the door close."

"What?" Well, I known that voice. Tonks. "I didn't hear anything. Want me to check upstairs, Remus?"

"I'll do it."

Oh dear.

I leg it up the second set of stairs, begging silently to myself that I won't be seen. I'm not sure why. Because they'll want to know what I'm doing? Because they'll want to know why? Because they'll tell me off for not going back to Hogwarts? I don't know. I keep running, until I come to the familiar door that used to be mine and Ron's room. I fling open the door, hitch myself up on my bed, and look closely at the portrait.

"Phineas?"

No response.

"Phineas Nigellus?"

No response.

I sigh. "Phineas Nigellus Sir, O greatest Headmaster who ever did live?"

"Yes?"

Phineas' image swims into view. He looks rather disgruntled.

"I need to know some things, and I think you might know them."

Phineas glares at me, examining me closely. "Aren't you supposed to be at school? Professor McGonagall's very worried, you know. Thinks you've gone off to fight the Great Lord or do something of the like. I have to admit, it's the kind of senseless thing a teenager would do. So, what do you need to know, and why shouldn't I tell McGonagall where you really are?"

I look at him sourly. "First, I don't care whether Professor McGonagall knows where I am. I've come of age now and whether I've passed my Apparition test or not, I'll be gone as soon as she gets here. But secondly, Sir, I'd like to know where Godric's Hollow is. Can't find it on the map. And also, I'd like to know if you heard any of Dumbledore's plans concerning Voldemort while he was still alive."

Phineas looks at me, as though weighing me up. "I could always ask Albus' portrait. But for now, I'll agree to be your correspondent if you keep the same amount of manners you possess now. As to your second point, I don't know where Godric's Hollow is. If you'll remember, I'm a portrait. Portraits don't exactly get the opportunity to travel around as much as the living. And as to your third, I believe the thing you are looking for, according to some of the late Headmaster's mutterings, might well be at Godric's Hollow. It'll be on the map. You just might have to get a wizard's map." Phineas rolls his eyes. "It was too well protected to be kept on a muggle map. And seeing as you appear to be at Headquarters, I'd say this is the perfect opportunity to get one."

"And where do they keep them?" I don't expect an answer, but Phineas seems to have been lonely over summer or something. Poor guy. I'd get a bit lonely, too.

"Drawing room. They'll definitely have one of Godric's Hollow, believe you me. My… Sirius used… to be their Secret Keeper. And now… leave."

I do as I am bid, but I can't help noticing that Phineas seems to be more than a little remorseful at the loss of Sirius. So am I.

I come out of the room, forgetting about Professor Lupin's search for me.

I bump straight into him.

For a moment, neither of us can speak. Then:

"Harry? What are you doing here?"

Author's Note: Eek! The plot thickens. Please R&R ASAP, otherwise I will explode in anticipation.