"I believe you know Arabella Figg?" Dumbledore asked pointing to an elderly lady sitting down on the chair opposite his desk.
James nodded his head in her direction and sat down in the chair besides her, Harry asleep on his lap.
"Yeah," he said as Dumbledore settled down in his chair behind the desk. "Aren't you a new member of the Order?"
"That's right," she said in a low voice.
"Arabella here is a squib," Dumbledore explained and James peered closely at a disgruntled Arabella. "I have given her a proposition and she has generously accepted."
"What proposition?" James asked carefully.
"I have asked her to stay with you and Harry in your new house," Dumbledore said slowly, watching James' reaction. "She would do all the things a housewife is expected to do."
"Which is?" James asked.
"Cooking, cleaning, taking care of Harry while you're at work…"
"Okay, let's get some things straight," James replied curtly. "Lily was never going to be a housewife. We would share the responsibilities. Cooking and cleaning was left to the house elves and taking care of Harry was something we'd do together."
"Even so, Lily is not here for that plan to work," Dumbledore replied. "You will need some help. You will be living as muggles. House elves are not required anymore. This is why I have enlisted the help of Arabella. While you are at work-"
"I'm not going to work until Harry has left for Hogwarts," James interrupted. "I have more than enough money to supply Harry with what he needs until he receives the letter. Until then he's stuck with me," he paused and then considered Arabella. "So you want to clean, do you?" he asked.
Arabella seemed quite affronted by this question. "Where did you learn your manners, my boy?" she asked.
James grinned. "Nowhere you'll approve of," he said.
Arabella frowned as she studied James, and then quite suddenly broke into a warm smile.
"You're a cheeky one, aren't you?" she said. "We are going to have a lot of fun, now aren't we?"
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
"This is the house?" Sirius asked, awestruck as they approached the house. "It looks more like a mansion."
"A manor actually," Remus corrected. "This is quite an old village," he said, earning a sigh from both James and Sirius when they realised he was about to explain it's origin. "I believe it was established in the time of the Great Founders of Hogwarts," Remus continued. "There are many manors around here, but I believe this is the oldest."
"Thankyou, mister tour guide," Sirius grumbled as they stood outside the manor glancing up at it with awe.
"What do you think, shortie?" James asked Harry who was sitting uncomfortably on the curve of James' hip.
Harry looked up at the house, his green eyes filling with a new sense of excitement. He giggled somewhat happily and James grinned.
"I think he likes it," he said. "Why do you think Dumbledore chose this house?" James wondered.
"Maybe because this is one hell of a house," Sirius gawked up at it. "You reckon it has a Quidditch pitch?"
"Unlikely," Remus said. "Dumbledore would make sure it is a muggle house through and through. I expect he checked with the residents of this village to see if they were muggles or not."
"Yeah," James confirmed, running a hand through Harry's hair. "There used to be an old witch in that house over there," he pointed to another large house down the street. "But she was found dead. The killing curse."
Remus shifted uncomfortably. "Is it safe, then, to be here?" he asked nervously.
"Dumbledore said it should be," James said casually. "Besides, I have the right Secret Keeper this time and a trustworthy second. I should be right."
"Who do you think she is?" Sirius asked, pointing to an elderly lady hurrying up the pathway towards them.
"Neighbour?" Remus guessed.
They stood on the sidewalk in front of the house watching the old lady hurry up to them. Harry giggled at her strange appearance. She wore a large hat, with her wispy grey hair peeking out from underneath. She wore a fluffy green scarf that clashed horribly with her orange jumper and brown pants that gave the impression that she was wearing a jumpsuit. James, himself, had to stop from laughing out loud at the sight of this old lady, but once she stopped in front of them, smiling broadly, he was biting his lip to the point where it started to bleed.
"Hello," Remus said, smiling down at the lady all the while elbowing James and a chuckling Sirius in the ribs. "How are you today?"
The old lady smiled up at Remus, taking in his shabby appearance and then directed her attention to James and Harry. "So, you must be the single father that's moving in today?" she asked in a sort of sing-song voice that made James want to just burst out laughing on the spot.
"That's me," James said instead, swallowing his laughter. "I'm James Potter and this little one is Harry."
"I'm Bernice dear, but you can call me Mrs. Strout," she said curtly. Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? James thought. "I live in that manor two houses down."
"So where's the cake or pudding?" Sirius interrupted, grinning at Mrs. Strout. "I thought that's what happens when someone new moves in. You bring them something to eat."
Mrs. Strout glared at Sirius for a minute before turning back to James.
"I certainly hope you don't plan to have frequent, eh, guests?" she said. "I have extremely sharp ears and can hear loud noises from all the way down at my house and Mr. Strout is extremely sick these days."
"I assure you Bernice," James said, staring down at Mrs. Strout with new found hate. "That I will not be having any parties any time soon, if that's what you mean. But yes, I will be having frequent guests for visits."
"Hmm, well I can already tell that you have frequent guests," Mrs. Strout clucked. "With that large man just waltzing into your house uninvited. I had a right mind to call the authorities before I saw you four arrive."
"What large man?" James asked quickly.
"Heavens knows," Mrs. Strout said as she turned around and started making her way back down the road. "It's for you to deal with now. And remember, dear, it's Mrs. Strout."
James watched her walk down the road and then handed Harry to Sirius who took him instantly.
"I'm going to see who it is," he said, whipping out his wand. "Stay here."
Without waiting for an answer, he ran up the front stairs and slowly turned the knob to the front door. He could already hear two voices, one deep and one with a hint of amusement. He heard footsteps behind him as he was about to swing the door open. He turned around and found Remus, his wand at the ready, and Sirius, bouncing Harry on his hip.
"What are you doing?" James hissed.
"Did you honestly think we'd let you do this by yourself?" Sirius whispered.
"Probably not," James admitted. "But Harry could…"
"Harry will be fine," Remus said, stepping forwards and pushing the door slowly open.
The house was more magnificent from the inside then it was from the outside. There were no lights on and because of this it made it increasingly difficult to tell where the two owners of the voices were coming from. The opening hall was nearly as grand as the entrance hall at Hogwarts. Nearly. The walls and carpet were crimson and long chandeliers hung from the ceilings casting eerie shadows on the walls. A large staircase was recognisable at the end of the hall and two doorways one on either side of the staircase. The voices were coming from the doorway on the right, where a small beam of light filtered through. Harry made a small excited noise before Sirius gently put a hand over his mouth, stifling his would-be laugh.
James made a small shushing noise before quietly approaching the doorway; Remus followed closely, his wand out in front of him and lastly Sirius and Harry. Pausing just outside the doorway, he listened carefully to the voices coming from inside.
"…and I trust Arabella is ready, Hagrid?" Dumbledore calm voice floated to James' ear and James let out a sigh of relief, motioning to his two friends that everything was safe.
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore, sir," Hagrid's deep voice rumbled.
Sirius set Harry down on the floor and Harry instantly ran towards the room Dumbledore and Hagrid were in. James, Sirius and Remus heard Dumbledore chuckle contentedly as Harry made his entrance.
"Hello Harry," he said. "And where is your dear father?" he paused in which time Hagrid seemed to coo Harry. "Come now, James. No need for hiding."
James grinned and stepped forwards into the doorway, followed by Sirius and Remus.
"Hello, Albus," he said pleasantly, glancing around the small den in awe. A desk and chair was sitting by a fireplace. A couch was set by the end wall and a coffee table in front of it. Harry could see two doors leading to different parts of the house. Like the hall, the den was crimson with large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was all too proper for a den. James made a small pact with himself that he would take down those chandeliers.
James saw that Dumbledore was standing near the fireplace, watching the trio's reactions. James noticed, with increasing discomfort, that Hagrid was seated on the couch (taking up all of it) with Harry seated on his lap.
"Glad you decided to join us, James," Dumbledore said. "And Sirius and Remus of course," he added nodding to Sirius and Remus in turn. "How do you like your new home?" he asked James.
"It's…uh…big," he said looking around.
"Yes, it is," Dumbledore agreed. "It is much bigger upstairs. You have four floors, an attic and a basement. Although by wizarding standards, it is a small house lengthwise, it makes up by width. It is quite large and the backyard is just as big. All expenses are cared for of course."
"Right," James muttered staring about.
"Oy," Sirius suddenly cried out loudly to Hagrid. "Where's my bike?"
"Oh, right," Hagrid looked up from playing with Harry and looked at Sirius. "It's in the backyard."
"You sure about that?" Sirius barked. "If there's even a scratch…"
"There's no ruddy scratch," Hagrid said. "I know 'ow ter ride a ruddy bike."
Sirius glared at him for a minute before turning towards Dumbledore, trying to ignore Hagrid's presence, while Dumbledore turned to Hagrid.
"Please collect Arabella," he said. "She has been informed that she is to be picked up in half an hour."
Hagrid nodded, stood up, with Harry in his arms and walked over to James. He gave Harry to James and started towards the door, but before he could get out, Sirius put on a cheeky grin and called out to him.
"Jumped off any bridges lately, Hagrid?" he asked.
Hagrid grew red and stopped in the doorway. He glared at a beaming Sirius for a moment before drawing himself up and raising his head proudly. "With pride," he said, before stalking out, his head still raised high.
"Is there something I should know?" Dumbledore asked, an amused smile playing on his lips. Remus turned to Sirius and James with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing, Albus," James said. "Is there anything else you need to talk to us about?"
"Your luggage has been taken care of," Albus informed him. "Harry's room has been made, as has yours."
"But Harry's crib and most of our possessions were destroyed," James interrupted.
"New items have been bought," Dumbledore assured James.
"You didn't need to do that," James said, harsher than he had intended. "I can provide for myself."
"I have no doubt of that," Dumbledore answered calmly. "It is more of a house warming gift."
James glared at Dumbledore for a minute before forcing a smile on his face and stretching out his free hand, while the other clutched Harry firmly.
"Thankyou, Lily would have appreciated it," James said honestly.
Dumbledore walked forward and took James' hand warmly, smiling gently.
oOoOoOoOoOoO
Author's Note: I'm being lazy…How long has it been since I've updated? Anyway, just thought I'd let people know that this story will turn into a spoiler for the sixth HP book. I've planned it and I will warn you at the start of the chapter and I will definitely put it in my summary. It will also become an action/adventure as well as a drama…just to let you know.
Hpreviewer: I actually got your review right now…lolz…I thought you were right and I should update preferably this century…anyway thanks for the push in the right direction.
Fenderbender: James has plans for that…Harry starts noticing that strange things happen around him and it will become increasingly difficult for James to explain to Harry the reason why these things are happening. Thanks for the review…always appreciated.
imissNCL: I know…I like my stories to have some sad scenes in them. I think it makes it more dramatic…lolz…thanks for the review. :D
athenakitty: James and Harry don't see a counselor. I don't think they require one. But James does have a hard time trying to keep his son in line and Harry has a hard time trying to understand why he doesn't have a mother. Thanks for the review!
CrimsonReality: Thanks! Lolz…I hope you like this chapter too!
Kay05: Thanks for that! It's been a long wait for this chapter. It's been a mixture of laziness and getting my computer fixed…but enough with my excuses! Thanks for the review!
EmotionlessNightmare: Yeah, some people have said the same thing…about this chapter and last. But I think it's enough with the tear jerkers for now…lolz…Thanks for the review!