Chapter 7-Godric's Hollow

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny got in the back of the car that Mr. Weasley had sent from the Ministry to take them on the trip. Mrs. Weasley, Moody, and Lupin got in the front. Lupin was driving, and as they passed outside Bristol, Harry saw a sign saying, "Welcome to Godric's Hollow."

Lupin stopped at the gate, and the wizard standing at the gatehouse said, "May I have some reason why you're here visitng Godric's Hollow today?"

Lupin leaned over, and whispered to the wizard, and the wizard nodded, then Lupin drove on, and stopped on a road.

Lupin said, "We stop here, and walk the rest of the way on foot. Follow me."

Harry was in the front with Lupin, while Hermione and Ginny were with Moody, and Ron and Mrs. Weasley followed in the rear.

Lupin stopped suddenly, and started sniffling. Harry turned to look at what Lupin was looking at. Lupin was staring at a dilapidated house, which was in ruins. It seemed to be a huge house, once in its lifetime.

Mrs. Weasley gasped, "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry! I didn't know you lived in this ruined house!" Harry didn't know what Mrs. Weasley was talking about, and turned to look at Lupin.

Lupin said, "This is where your parents lived, Harry. Professor McGonagall arranged the trip, because she felt you had the right to know about your parents, and where they lived."

Harry was shocked, so were Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.

Ginny said, "Professor, why didn't Dumbledore ever take Harry here, when he was alive in the first place?"

Lupin was about to reply, when Moody interrupted, "Let me answer this question, Remus. Dumbledore had been arranging this trip for years, but he wanted Potter to wait until when he was of age, then Dumbledore was going to bring him here. But since Dumbledore passed on, Professor McGonagall's following Dumbledore's wishes, by letting you come here, Potter. Professor McGonagall knew of this trip way ahead before Dumbledore died, and she even begged Dumbledore to let you come here earlier, but Dumbledore had his reasons."

Harry nodded to show the others that he understood.

Lupin led them to a door, which was still intact on the ruined house, and then they were in a room, with charred black walls, but Harry could see dishes, a sink, a burned table, and Harry assumed this room had to be the kitchen.

Lupin said, "I remember sitting here with Lily, James, Sirius, and Peter several times, just eating and visiting. That was before Peter betrayed us to Voldemort."

Mrs. Weasley burst into tears, and Hermione said, "What's wrong, Mrs. Weasley?"

Mrs. Weasley sniffled, "I just feel sorry for Harry, having to see his parents' house in this shape, and I just know what it's like to lose family members. I lost my brothers, Gideon and Fabian, in the first war."

Ron said, "Stop the whining! Why did you choose to come here?"
Mrs. Weasley said, "RONALD! Can't I come here to show moral support for Harry?"

Harry, who had overheard everything said, "I appreciate you being here, Mrs. Weasley." He hugged her tightly, and Mrs. Weasley's face broke in a grin.

Lupin continued on leading them into the house, and then finally when Harry entered his bedroom, he broke down, sobbing on the charred floor.

Lupin came over to comfort Harry, and said, "Harry, I know it's hard for you to be here right now. Would you like me and the others to leave you alone for a few minutes?"

Harry nodded and said, "Yes, please." Lupin nodded, then gestured for everyone else to follow him out the hall. Hermione and Ron looked concernedly at Harry, then followed the others out.

Harry was sobbing, "Why? Why did it have to be me, Why did Voldemort kill my parents? I wish I was the one who wished that I had died instead."

Suddenly a voice said, "I wouldn't think that, Harry."
Harry perked up and said, "Who said that? Where are you?"

The voice said, "I'm in your head, and who do you think this is, speaking to you right this moment?"
Harry said surprised, "Dumbledore? How can that be?"

Dumbledore's voice chuckled and said, "I have my ways of communicating to other people, even when I have passed on."

Harry said, "Professor, how come you never brought me here?"
Dumbledore's voice said, "You have been through so much, Harry. I didn't want to burden you any more. I was waiting on when you became older, when you're of age. I'm just sorry that I couldn't be here to see you grow up in a young man."

Harry said, "Yes, but you could have sent Professor McGonagall to bring me here."

Dumbledore's voice said, "I would rather take you myself, than risk Minerva's life. Harry, I know it's hard being here at Godric's Hollow, but you will learn why I decided to wait all this time at a later time."
Harry imagined Dumbledore smiling at him, and Harry felt better at that moment.
After a moment, Dumbledore's voice said, "It's time our conversation ended here right now. You should go join the others." The voice disappeared.
Harry got up, then when he looked up, he saw an empty portrait frame right above his bed. He assumed Dumbledore must have walked through his portrait at Hogwarts to this portrait, and talked to him through that, pretending that he was in Harry's head.

Harry joined the others in the hallway, and Lupin said, "Are you okay, Harry?"

Harry nodded and said, "I was comforted by someone who's in the great beyond."
Mrs. Weasley gasped, "You talked to Dumbledore?"

Harry said, "That's right. Dumbledore was telling me that I would learn later why he waited all this time to bring me here."

Hermione hugged Harry, and said, "Oh, Harry, I can't imagine how hard it must be for you being here, and seeing where your parents lived."

Ginny came up to Harry and said, "Harry, you know I'm here for you, if you want to talk. Even if we're not going out anymore, we still have something in common. We were both attacked by Voldemort." She gave a smile, and kissed Harry on the cheek.

As Harry walked by a cupboard in the hallway, he could see a torn picture in a silver frame, with Lily and James holding a baby Harry. Lily and James seemed to be looking at Harry, and smiling. Lupin came up behind Harry, and said, "You were a beautiful baby. Lily and James were so proud of you."

Harry reached for the picture, and said, "Lupin, do you think it will be okay if I took this picture?"
Lupin smiled and said, "I'm sure Lily and James would have wanted you to have it."

Harry said, "it's the only memory I have left of me as a baby, and my parents." He started crying, but then Lupin said, "Come here, I want to show you something else." Harry took the picture, and followed Lupin to the drawing room. The others were waiting at the front entrance for Harry and Lupin. In the drawing room, Lupin opened a desk drawer on an old charred desk.

Lupin took out a big album book, and said, "Harry, turn to Page 1."
Harry turned to page 1, and he saw himself with Lily and James, the Potters grandparents, and the Evans grandparents, and Aunt Petunia all huddled together in the group picture.

Harry was surprised to see Aunt Petunia beaming when she was holding baby Harry in her arms, and the grandparents were cooing on how cute baby Harry was. Lupin said, "This book is my gift for you on your birthday. Now, let's join the others, and get back to Grimmauld Place."