Return to Godric's Hollow
Harry POV
Grabbing his journal, he flipped it open seeing a quick message from Ron who rambled on about how dreadful his summer was and wished that Harry wasn't leaving in a few days. Scribbling him back quickly, Harry was most eager to tell Hermione about heading to Godric's Hollow.
Hermione
In the next few days, Alyssa, Sirius, Remus and I will head to Godric's Hollow to see our parents. I want to do this but I am unsure about it. I don't know what I will find and I don't know how I will handle it. I really wish I could remember my parents as Alyssa does, but she's given me plenty of stories but it's not the same, you know?
I just want you to know this in case I don't write to you for a day or two. I miss you like mad and I can't wait to see you in August.
Love
Harry
It was three days before they would leave for America and as Harry looked around the room; he realized he would miss it. Spending time alone was a precious commodity that he had grown used too. Now he would spend it with several others for a few weeks, though, it shouldn't be any different from living with four other boys at Hogwarts.
Stomping down the stairs after writing back and forth with Hermione, a grin plastered on his face, he jumped off the last step and headed toward the dining room for lunch. He walked into the dining room seeing his Godfather and quasi-Uncle in there already digging into the assortment of food.
Taking his usual seat, he reached for the jug of juice and poured a large glass before setting it down. Surveying the food, he grabbed two different sandwiches and a fresh vegetable mix. He completely ignored the rest of his family, still smiling about his latest talk with Hermione. Ron had written him several times, but Harry had kept it cordial and the usual talk between teen boys. He still didn't trust that the Headmaster wasn't reading it.
He was halfway through his second sandwich when he finally looked up and saw his Godfather and his uncle staring at him. "What?" he asked, setting the sandwich down feeling paranoid.
"Nothing pup," Sirius remarked.
"Nothing at all…." Remus added.
"What did you two do?" Harry narrowed his eyes at them.
"Oh, nothing…"
"I really don't believe you, you realize this?" Harry said, sitting back in his chair.
"You wound us cub," Remus spoke up, sipping from his glass.
"No, I don't. You two are Marauders, so there's no telling what's going on or who you are pranking."
"Ya hungry?" Sirius chuckled quietly.
Harry knew instantly something was up. Looking to his plate, he noticed his sandwich had tripled and were still growing. Before too long, the stack of sandwiches was halfway to the ceiling. Turning to his family, he rolled his eyes and glared at them. Reaching for a sandwich, he was thrown back in his chair when the sandwich started screaming profanities at him.
"Where's Alyssa?" Harry asked gruffly, once he recovered from the stack of screaming sandwiches.
His Godfather and Uncle looked at each other and grimaced. Sirius gave Harry a pointed look which brokered no argument. "She's in London until tomorrow morning."
Harry instantly knew what he was talking about. There was only one reason Alyssa would travel to London, Henry. Shaking his head at the male counterparts of his family, Harry pushed his chair back and left the room. He wasn't angry that Alyssa left to see her boyfriend. It was just that he wanted to spend more time with her before they parted for the summer.
Strolling through the kitchen, Harry narrowly missed colliding with the rampant house-elves and escaped unscathed to the backyard where his broom was located. Grabbing it, he mounted it and lifted off high into the sky. The sky above him was a pretty blue with barely a cloud in the sky.
Below him, he could see the massive forest that expanded as far as his bespectacled eyes could see. Weaving around the Manor, he leisurely flew for a while before landing. Harry had picked out the spot he wanted the Quidditch Pitch to be located and noticed the elves had cleared out the area already. He wasn't banking on a large Pitch, just big enough for pickup games.
He walked through the Manor after depositing his broom outside in the closet that housed some outdoor gardening tools. Harry knew each tool intimately thanks to his Aunt Petunia. He briefly let his mind wander about her and how she was doing without him there. He realized that he never left a note for his Muggle family.
Despite how they treated him since his toddler years, he felt guilty.
When a house-elf popped into his room a few hours later, announcing dinner, Harry set aside his Potions homework. He cursed Snape and grumbled quietly to himself about having to stop in the middle of the horrendous homework. Pushing his feet into his shoes, he marched into the dining room a few minutes later.
There sat his sister looking like a bright ray of sunshine. She was chatting quietly with the male counterparts of his family and they seemed as if they were having a swell time. Taking a seat across from her, he hesitated to ask her about her trip to London. He knew it would be impossible to have Hermione visit him on such short notice.
"Can we duel tomorrow?" Harry asked suddenly, interrupting the 'adults' in the room.
"Sure we can," his said smiling at him. "Do you want these two troublemakers to join us?"
Harry looked warily at his family, but nodded anyway, "That would make things interesting. What would I be learning?"
He watched as she pursed her lips and though it over, "Probably Fourth Year spells."
"Why not Auror spells or Potter spells?" he asked, twirling his fork into his pasta.
"Because they will teach the Auror spells over the course of the summer and I suppose we can throw in Potter spells," she paused, taking a bite of her pasta and chewed before swallowing. "I haven't finished reading the Grimoire either."
"When will I get to read the books?"
She shrugged at him. "I should finish them this summer and you can read them over the school year if you like?"
"You sure about that Lyssa?" Sirius questioned his goddaughter.
"Yeah, I mean it's not like anyone but Potters can read the books," she told him.
"While this is true," Sirius started, taking a sip of his wine. "Are you sure you want them at Hogwarts?"
"I can take care of them!" Harry defended himself. All the adults nodded at him and Harry felt this was a small victory.
"You can, but…"
"When do the two of you want to go to Godric's Hollow?" Sirius interrupted the incoming spat he had no interest in hearing. This question stopped the two teens and he could have smirked if the situation wasn't so serious.
"I, uh, well…" his godson stammered, looking anxiously at everyone.
"What about the 18th?" Alyssa quipped.
"As in the day before we leave?" Harry asked, his mouth gaping over.
"I know it's not ideal for us to do it the day before we leave, but when are we going to get the time to do it this summer?" she pointed out. Remus nodded at Harry.
Crossing his arms, Harry contemplated her words. He would be gone till August 10th, Alyssa would be in London that weekend, and then Ron and Hermione would spend the last two weeks with him. "Why not go tomorrow and do the dueling the next day?"
"We could do that," Sirius said, eyeing the two teens. "We'll need a portkey to get us there."
"I can make a portkey, but I don't have the foggiest idea where Godric's Hollow is. The last time I was there, I was five, " Alyssa whispered.
"I'll make it," Remus spoke up, catching Sirius's eye. "I remember where it's at."
"You know, Godric's Hollow is the name of the town," Sirius said, looking into his wineglass. The dark red liquid stared back at him and he felt that he needed something stronger to drink. "The house is called Potter Cottage. It's been in the family for centuries. Just like this place."
He watched as Harry and Alyssa nod. Both of them seemed contemplative about the whole ordeal. He should have done something about it years ago before he lost his mind and raced off to get his revenge on Pettigrew. Never in a million years did he ever suspect Peter for his ultimate betrayal. All the years in Azkaban, he wondered what we wrong. How he could have changed things, but he knew that it was nearly impossible to go back in time.
If he could, would he be able to spot the treachery? Help his best friend turned brother escape or raise the two teens who were sitting at the table with him? Even to this day, the former prisoner knew that he'd been a fool that one day he hoped they would forgive him for his idiocy.
"And now it's in ruins, isn't it?" Harry asked, pulling Sirius from his thoughts.
He nodded sadly. "It is. I haven't been back since that night, but I know that it's ruined."
"Then it's settled," Harry said. "We'll go tomorrow."
The next morning Harry rose with dread in his heart. He had longed to see the last place their parents had been alive. Even to see their graves for years and now today was the day. Fear and nervousness clenched his heart, and he had to breathe heavily to keep his lungs working. He wasn't nearly as ready as he thought he was.
Lying in bed, he could hear the gentle tapping of the rain that pelted the large window in his room. The greying clouds outside reflected his mood, and he was fairly sure that everyone in the Manor and cottages was feeling it. Rolling over, Harry grabbed his blankets and pulled them over his head and hid. Burying himself under the warmth of the blankets, he closed his eyes and soon fell back asleep.
When he awoke later, there was a shimmer of sunlight streaming into his room. The rain must have moved out of the area, but he knew that today would not be sunny. Throwing the covers off him, he laid there for a moment before reaching for his glasses on the bedside table. Slipping them on as the world came into focus, he realized two problems: one; he was hungry and two; he didn't want to interact with anyone.
Sitting up in bed, he ran his fingers through his already messy hair and sighed, "Dobby!" he called out quietly.
A subtle pop sounded in the room and the house-elf that had declared that Harry Potter was the best thing besides socks stood there staring at him with large eyes. Dobby was clothed in what looked like dark trousers and a red shirt with the Potter crest on it.
"Master Harry Potter calls for Dobby?"
Harry nodded at the elf. "I did. Can I have breakfast in my room today? I don't feel like seeing everyone."
Dobby nodded his head profusely. "Oh yes, Master Harry Potter, sir! Dobby can do that for you." Disappearing from his sight, Harry scooted off the bed and waited patiently. In a matter of minutes, Dobby returned bringing a full English breakfast. Harry's stomach clenched and grumbled loudly smelling the delicious food. With a snap of his fingers, Dobby cleared off the messy desk and set the food on it before giving Harry a wide smile.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No thank you, Dobby. This looks great." Harry said smiling back at his friend. With a nod, Dobby disappeared from his sight and Harry hurried over to the desk and put everything on a plate and sat back down on his bed. Sitting in a lotus position, Harry dug into his breakfast with gusto. He finished the first plate and went back for seconds before he finally felt full.
Half an hour later, he was showered and dressed. A knock on the door paused his shoe tying, and he looked up, seeing the door open slowly revealing a tired Sirius. Harry wondered if his Godfather had gotten any sleep the night before. Lacing up his trainers, Harry stood and walked over to Sirius and embraced him. They stood there for a moment, then released each other.
"You ready to go?"
"Not really," the young wizard replied. "But I am going."
Following his Godfather down the stairs, he noted that Alyssa and Remus were waiting on them. In his hands, Remus had an old book that Harry figured was a portkey. When they reached the bottom step, he forced himself to keep walking. Where were this fear and trepidation coming from? Harry knew something was amiss because normally he was fairly courageous.
"Everyone touch the book. It will take us to the center of the village," Remus instructed, looking everyone in the eye. All nodded, and each person reached out and placed a finger on the book. In an instant, Harry was jerked by his naval and spun viciously in the air.
As the spinning stopped, Harry could see the ground approaching as he fell from the sky. Landing roughly on his back, he groaned rolling over onto his stomach and peered through his glasses. It appeared they were in the center of the village. The surrounding air was deathly still and Harry wondered if that was a good thing.
Coming to his feet, he noticed that the rest of his family had landed gracefully on their feet. Scowling at them, Harry turned back toward the village. From his vantage, he could easily spot a post office, a small pub, and a church. From where he was standing he could vaguely smell sea salt from where they were located—which meant a body of water was a few miles away.
The village looked deserted, but Harry knew that had to be impossible regardless of what happened here that fateful night. He looked over toward the others and saw they were surveying the village. None of them looked comfortable that it was quiet.
Sirius cleared his throat, his eyes alert to the uncommonly quiet village, and he looked toward everyone. It seemed as if they were doing the same thing he was. Watching. They were prepared to attack. He hadn't been back here in years. "It will be this way." Everyone nodded and followed him. Sirius led the group while Remus covered the back. Even if they were here, it still wasn't fully safe. Any Death Eater could find them and attack. Sirius walked with a purpose.
Harry followed behind his Godfather. His eyes wandered as he tried to see everything in the village before they would arrive at Potter Cottage. He knew the Fidelius Charm was broken as soon as Pettigrew betrayed his family. The wards around the cottage must have shattered the second the Killing Curse rebounded back to Voldemort.
Walking down a long winding paved road, there was a slight breeze that cooled them in the damp heat of summer. The trees were overgrown, and the grass seemed to be as high as his ankles as they walked away from the village and further into the countryside. Did Sirius really remember or was he avoiding?
As they walked, they passed an old church that seemed to be even quieter. It was beside a large field with a kissing gate that led into a cemetery. Harry's heart clenched, knowing it was not only full of Potters but his own parents. Averting his eyes, he heard a small gasp from beside him. Looking at his sister, she grasped his hand tightly tears already welling in her eyes.
Giving her hand a small squeeze, they ventured on past the church and the cemetery. The long winding road led them further away from the village, and they passed a long row of houses that were situated on each side of the road. Taking their time, they knew it was only a matter of time until they came upon Potter Cottage.
Harry was lost in his own thoughts that he ran into the back of Sirius. Grumbling about how he plowed into his Godfather, Harry looked around him and he felt a cold dread seep through his bones. Before him stood the partial destruction of Potter Cottage.
The rock fence that surrounded the property seemed untouched. The hedge and flora grew wild and unruly. The grass was knee-high, which meant it had been taken care of previously but so far not this year. Harry wondered who had stepped through the fence and taken care of the yard? They all stood there looking at what used to be a cottage, much like the ones they had seen. Harry noticed that Voldemort demolished the second floor, and he figured that was his room where the spell backfired decimating Voldemort.
A hand laid upon his shoulder and he reveled in the comfort he was receiving. He didn't have to turn around to know it was Sirius. Alyssa still gripped in his hand and painfully squeezed it. Placing his free hand on the gate, he nudged it open, and it swung open with a small creaking sound. Stepping through the fence, he felt Alyssa drop his hand, and he ignored the emotions coming from the surrounding people.
It surprised him he could tune everyone out. It had been a wile since he had concentrated this much. Alyssa had stressed to him during the school year that he could slowly pick up more of the emotions around him as he aged. The walkway was cracked and weeds were spitting out from the Earth below it. Harry could only imagine what it was like that fateful Halloween night when Voldemort walked this same path that led to the light blue front door. He could feel Sirius behind him as they walked closer to the front door.
Stopping in front of the blue door, he peeked in through the large window that was split into four sections. Inside the house was dark, but he could see streams of light shining in from the windows. Placing his hand on the black doorknob, Harry twisted it and it didn't turn. Frowning, he tried again until Remus stepped forward and used his wand to unlock it.
He stepped back and took his place by Alyssa, who was barely keeping herself composed, and Harry tried again and the knob twisted and he pushed the door open. Harry tiptoed carefully inside and didn't like how silent it was. Behind him, the rest of the group tiptoed inside and they all stood in the home's foyer.
To his right, Harry peered into the sitting room. It had a red couch and two red matching chairs. In the far end of the room stood a fireplace with a large landscape portrait above it. There was a flight of stairs in front of him and a long hallway that must lead to the back of the house. Harry wasn't sure where he wanted to go. Everything looked untouched.
As if no one had lived here in over a decade.
There was still a blanket thrown haphazardly on the couch and an open book on the coffee table. The fireplace still had ashes in it. Taking a step toward the stairs, he stepped on something. Peering down, he saw it was a stuffed gold and pink griffin. Alyssa gasped from behind him and she pushed him aside to retrieve it. He watched as a tear slid down her face as she hugged it close to her.
He knew this trip would be emotional for everyone—especially the ones that could remember the days and nights before. Grasping her hand again, he led them slowly toward the back of the house. Walking into the kitchen, he could see an outside conservatory that still had plants in it. The kitchen was a wreck. Broken glass and cutlery everywhere. Dishes in the sink and he was sure there was food still in the cupboards.
Sirius and Remus left them to explore the conservatory, and he and Alyssa stood there in the middle of the kitchen in awe. There had been a fight in the kitchen. Looking around, Harry could see scorch marks from spells mark the walls. Paintings that once were held up by sticking charms had fallen on the floor and shattered.
Harry turned to look at his sister, who was pale as a ghost. "Alyssa, are you all right?"
"N—No," she whispered. "I can hear the fighting."
It stunned Harry. How could she remember that? She was about five when it happened. Harry watched her carefully, in case she fainted on him. He was dreading going up the stairs to the second floor. He knew their rooms would be up there. Looking away from her, he watched as Remus and Sirius stood in the conservatory talking.
Turning back to her, he sighed. He needed to know, "Where did you find dad?"
She paled even further—if possible, and her hands shook. Not only could Harry see the fear in her eyes but he could feel it coming off her in waves. She turned her head back toward where the kitchen table had once sat at stood still. Harry whipped his head around and saw a dark scorch mark on the floor. The table had been removed, but Harry knew that this was where James Potter had fallen to Voldemort.
He suddenly felt sick. Stepping away, as if he was standing on his father's corpse, Harry felt his hands shake. He needed to get out of the kitchen. Jerking Alyssa roughly, he pulled them into the hall and leaned against the wall breathing heavily.
"Th—that's where you found him, wasn't it?" he asked hoarsely.
She nodded mutely, her eyes red from her crying.
"I want, no I need to go upstairs." he looked back at her. "Are you coming with me?"
He watched as she craned her neck to look up at the ceiling and shudder. Their combined emotions rolled through him like the Hogwarts Express. Looking back at him, she shook her head. "I can't Harry. I just can't."
He nodded in defeat. He should have known that she would decline. If the roles had been reversed, he didn't think he could do it either. The soft shoes on tile interrupted them as Sirius and Remus walked through the kitchen. Neither of them looked toward where the kitchen table had been at.
He looked carefully at his uncle and Godfather. They seemed to struggle to cope with the overwhelming emotions that were associated with this trip. "I'm going upstairs," he murmured quietly.
"I'll go with you," Remus said, nodding his head solemnly.
Harry turned and walked away without another word. He could hear his uncle's footsteps pad softly behind him. Placing his hand on the railing of the stairs, Harry hesitated but took the first step, anyway. One small step at a time he traveled till he reached the very top. He stopped and looked around. To his right, there were two doors. One down the hall that must have led to a bedroom and the other he assumed was a lavatory.
The walls were a cream color with gold and red in the paint. The rug was a maroon color that ran the length of the hallway. Ceramic pots that probably once held beautiful flowers were empty. In the middle of the hallway was a large portrait of his parents, his sister, and himself. They were smiling. You could see the love and the magic in the picture. His heart clenched, seeing his parents in their youth.
Harry felt a strong breeze pass his legs, and he turned his head slowly toward the room on the left. He walked toward the doorframe and nearly crumpled at the sight of the destroyed nursery. Inside was a mural of a Quidditch Pitch and flying athletes on brooms on the wall opposite of the destroyed half. Harry saw his bed and a dresser. Those were the only two pieces of furniture that seemed to have survived the blast.
Staggering inside, he didn't even feel Remus's hand on his shoulder, guiding him and holding him steady in case he faltered. His eyes searching the room for anything that might help him remember that night. There were no scorch marks on the walls, but he noticed a blackened spot on the carpet in front of his bed. This is where he vanquished Voldemort's body that night. Lying beside the bed was an athame.
Crossing the room slowly, Harry crouched down and investigated the athame. It was ancient, he could tell because it had a black handle with rune engravings. They made the blade out of stone. Harry feared to touch lest he conjured something he wasn't prepared to face. Rising to his feet, Harry surveyed the room again seeing nothing that he could remember.
"Harry, are you all right?" Remus asked softly.
Walking through the door of Potter Cottage earlier had Remus all in knots. He remembered the last time he was here. It was the last Christmas the Potters were ever to celebrate and after that Remus had a hard time coming back to the Cottage. The guilt the old werewolf carried nearly destroyed him once he found out his family-his pack, had been murdered. He didn't even try to help Sirius when they had him arrested.
Following Sirius and the teens into the cottage, he looked around and could sense where James had died though no one had told him. As he stood in the conservatory with Sirius, he said nothing as his best friend wept silently for their loss and ultimate betrayal. And now, in the same room where Lily had been killed, he stood silently with Harry as he watched his nephew wander through the room that was the last memory he had of his mother.
"Remus," he heard Harry whisper hoarsely, "please get me out of here…"
Hurrying toward his nephew, he gently tugged on the boy's arm and pulled him from the room. It shattered the werewolf's heart to witness this, but he knew it needed to be done. Keeping a gentle grip on Harry, he pulled the door shut with an audible click. He stood and watched as his nephew struggled to keep his composure. Remus did the one thing he knew best, he pulled Harry into an embrace and refused to let him go.
Remus stood there, holding Harry, as the young wizard sobbed into his robes. His frame shook against his own body. He could feel the depth of Harry's sorrow as they stood there on the second floor. Closing his eyes, he wished and prayed that things were different, but when the werewolf opened his eyes; things were still the same.
It had shocked Harry when Remus pulled him close and the tears unleashed on him. Burying his face into his pseudo-uncle's robes he sobbed for the life that had been denied of him. For never knowing his parents. For living in hell for over ten years with people who despised him. For wishing that things had been different. Gripping Remus's robes, they stood there on the silent second floor and he sobbed.
Harry didn't know how long they had been standing there when he could finally calm himself down. Pulling his head away from the werewolf well-worn robes, he averted his eyes. He couldn't even pull himself together enough to look into the eyes of a family member who understood where he was coming from.
"I—I'm ready to go…" he whispered, seeing Remus nod.
Turning away from him, Harry gripped the staircase railing and slowly, with heavy feet and heart, walked down the flight of stairs. When he reached the bottom, he turned his head to find Sirius and Alyssa sitting in the parlor. They were sitting close together and Sirius had his arm wrapped around Alyssa, who was still sobbing.
He must have heard them because his Godfather looked up and gave Harry a pained smile. This wasn't easy for the former prisoner. It wasn't easy for any of them. Especially those that remembered. "We're ready to go…" Harry mumbled, knowing his eyes were red behind his glasses.
Sirius nodded and helped Alyssa come to her feet. When Harry had wanted to go upstairs, Sirius knew it wouldn't be pleasant. He couldn't refuse or demand that his Godson stay with them. Nodding at him, he watched as Harry and Remus slowly trek up the flight of stairs and disappear. Taking a shaking Alyssa, he steered her into the parlor and directed her toward the red sofa.
They sat there in silence while she sobbed. Sirius closed his eyes and wrapped an arm around her and held her. His mind raced back to that night when he showed up seeing the cottage on fire and a little girl running out of the house toward him. Her black hair in a braided tangled mess holding the same stuffed hippogriff she was holding now.
He remembered chasing her back into the cottage and found her shaking her deceased father begging him to wake up. He pulled her away but hadn't the heart to leave her alone and grab Harry. Something he knew he should have done before Dumbledore arrived and separated the two children.
The only difference that night and now was there were sunlight and no bodies. With his canine sense of his animagus form, he heard his Godson sob on the second floor outside his old nursery. Guilt and sorrow clung to his heart like a vice and squeezed until he couldn't breathe. When they finally came back down, Sirius was more than happy to leave the cottage.
Harry stood back as Remus opened the front door and stepped aside to let everyone out before him. Stepping into the sunlight, Harry sighed internally as the bright orb bathed him in its warmth. He debated on whether they should stop in the cemetery and see their parents before they left Godric's Hollow completely or wait until emotions weren't so raw.
Turning back to his family, he looked them over. None of them seemed capable enough to visit the cemetery. "Do you want to see them?" he asked Alyssa, who was still clutching the stuffed hippogriff.
He watched as she froze beside their Godfather, but nodded anyway. It was as if this trip had caused her to be mute. Waiting on Remus, who was locking up the cottage, he walked back down the worn path toward the open gate and waited for everyone to catch up. A few minutes later, the quartet wandered aimlessly down the lane until they reached the cemetery.
Stopping in front of the kissing gate, Harry pushed it open as quietly as he could. It swung open with the tiniest of creaks and Harry could have sworn it sighed. Letting Sirius take the lead, they followed him toward the back of the cemetery and past the church. Harry was too overcome with emotion to not fully realize all the Potters that had been buried here. Alyssa walked beside him, clutching his hand tightly, while Remus trailed behind them.
Before too long, Sirius came to a stop in front of the white tombstone that was inscribed with their parent's name.
James & Lily Potter
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
Harry stood there in silence. There weren't any words that needed to be spoken. Gripping his sister's hand, he felt her lay her head on his shoulder and her shoulders began to shake. Overcome with the swirling emotions around him, Harry felt tears prickle at his eyes and using his free hand, slipped it under his glasses and wiped his eyes.
After a few minutes, with no dry eye in the cemetery, Harry decided he wanted to leave. The rest of the day would be just as hard. Maybe one day when his future wasn't so undecided, he would come back here and properly restore Potter Cottage. Tugging on Alyssa's hand, she understood the hint and with one last wave. They turned away from the gravesite and started back toward the gates.
Arriving back in the center of the village, it was just as quiet as it was when they arrived. Pulling out the portkey, Remus held it out for everyone to touch. In seconds, Harry felt the sharp tug and whirlwind of the portkey activating.
Landing in the arriving room of Potter Manor, Harry stood and dusted himself off. After a trying and emotional day, he really wished for solitude. Scurrying out of the arriving room he quickly made his way up the stairs, bypassing a concerned Henry, and escaped inside his room. Closing the door quietly, he noticed his journal glowing blue showing that he had a message.
Opening it, he saw it was from Hermione. He bypassed what she wrote and found a pen and wrote back to her:
Hermione
Went to Godric's Hollow today. Saw my parents. I will talk to you later.
Harry
Closing the journal, he knew there would be further questions from his ever-learning nosy bookworm of a girlfriend, but tonight he wanted to spend it alone. Chucking his trainers, he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. Setting his glasses on the nightstand, he closed his eyes and never noticed the journal glowed blue again.
The next time Harry opened his eyes it was early morning daylight. Frowning, he sat up in bed and looked around the room. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, Harry realized that he must have slept the afternoon and night away. He closed his eyes, sighed, and flopped back onto the bed. Yesterday had been horrible.
Harry knew it would be an emotional day seeing his parents' graves and finally seeing Potter Cottage. What he didn't realize was how draining it truly was. The surrounding emotions suffocated him, but he tried to ignore it and continue on the harrowing journey. While he had escaped fairly quickly to his room yesterday, he relished in knowing that he was home safe.
Realizing, after ten minutes of laying here, Harry knew he wasn't going back to sleep. Sighing, he reached for his glasses and threw the covers off. Walking over to the open window, Harry gazed outside and watched the sunrise for another day. Today was his last day in Britain. Tomorrow, he would well on his way to America.
Dressing quickly Harry shoved his feet into his trainers and pocketed his wand. Leaving the room, he stomped down the flight of stairs and hurried toward the dining room. Having skipped lunch and dinner yesterday, he was ravenous. Sliding into his chair a minute later, Harry filled his plate with a traditional English breakfast and for one meager second in his short life, he finally realized what it was like to be Ron.
Harry shook his head and dug in. Halfway through his breakfast, Harry finally slowed down enough to realize that there were people sitting at the table. Slowly he looked up, seeing Sirius and Remus staring at him. Sirius was hiding a smile behind his cup of tea while Remus openly gaped at him.
"What?" Harry asked, setting his fork down carefully.
"Hungry?"
Harry pinked, "Yeah,…. I skipped lunch and dinner yesterday."
Both men nodded at him. Getting a good look at them, Harry could tell they were worse off than usual. Yesterday's trip had taken a toll on everyone. Neither man looked as if they had slept at all last night. Harry noticed the chair across from him was empty. Alyssa couldn't still be asleep, could she?
"Where's Alyssa?" Harry asked, sensing deja vu. Didn't he just ask this a few days ago?
"Henry portkeyed in half an hour after you stomped up to your room. They haven't come out since. Neither of us can hear anything so we're assuming they have Silencing Charms up." Remus explained, reaching for a crumpet and butter. Harry watched as his uncle smeared softened butter over the hot crumpet and took a bite.
"I wanted to duel today, but if she's busy…"
"We can still do that," Sirius voiced, picking up a copy of the Prophet and flipping through the pages.
"Are you two sure?" Harry asked with uncertainty.
"Are you telling me I'm old?" gasped his Godfather, clasping a hand over his heart.
"Be serious!"
"But I am Sirius!" he exclaimed, earning him two glares.
"Yes, Harry, we are sure," Remus affirmed, giving his long-time friend a death glare which Sirius promptly ignored.
Harry nodded at the two older men and realized that each was lethal in their own right. Picking up his fork again Harry felt confident that dueling with them would be favorable. This time he ate much slower since he now knew that there were people sitting at the table. Yesterday had been bad, but today was a new day and things would be better.
Finishing his breakfast, he leaned back into his chair and wiped his mouth before tossing the napkin on his plate, "I need to write Hermione back, I will see you two outside?" Harry confirmed as he pushed his chair back and stood up.
"We will be there. Take your time." Remus mumbled giving him a short nod. Waving to the both of them, Harry hurried back up to his room where his journal was glowing blue. Grabbing it as he plopped down on the bed, he flipped it open.
Harry
I am sorry about yesterday. I wish I could have been there for you or even been there last night when you returned. I realize that today is your last day in Britain and tomorrow you will head off to Camp. I want you to know that whatever happens; I am proud of you! I will miss you terribly, but Mr. Potter, you best be teaching me the spells you learn come September!
You know I can't pass up an opportunity to learn.
My parents have taken us on a trip to Paris this year. We haven't been since before I started Hogwarts and though I am dreading the distance between us; I am excited to go. I will bring my journal. Please write? Even if it's once a week?
Love
Hermione
Hermione
I wish I could say that things were OK yesterday, but they weren't. I think out of all of us, Remus was the one that was holding up the best. Though he looked horrible this morning. Alyssa and Henry (who arrived yesterday) haven't come out of her room. She was the most distraught having remembering and barely survived that night.
Thank you, Hermione, that means everything to me and yes, I will teach you what I will learn at Camp. I am eager to learn. It's daunting though. I will be away doing this alone. Normally, I have you and Ron with me for these kinds of adventures.
That's great! Paris sounds like fun. Maybe next summer, if I am not at Camp, we should plan a trip together. All of us, including Ron. If the Ministry exonerates Sirius, it would be even more fun because then we will have a half adult with us!
I will write to you. I will have to vent and moan and cry about how much I hurt and maybe be excited about what I have learned.
Love
Harry
Closing his journal, Harry climbed off the bed and set the journal on top of his trunk. There was nothing in the paperwork stating what sort of luggage he could bring. There would be teens from all over the world coming to this camp.
Exiting the room, Harry bypassed Alyssa's and thought about stopping to check on her when he decided against it. Shaking his head, he headed down and out toward the kitchens to enter the open patio area where Sirius and Remus were waiting on him.
"Now I know you're going to Camp tomorrow, but we can help you work on your Fourth and possibly Fifth-year spells. I don't know what they will teach you there, so neither of us can help." Remus spoke up, rising to his feet from one of the lawn chairs.
"I was... was an Auror training to be a Hit Wizard before your parents died. Then the whole Azkaban thing happened. The Brits and the Yanks run their Auror schools differently." Sirius added. "If you are ready….?"
Hours later, Harry was lying on his back in the hot grass panting and covered in sweat. When they said they could help him, he didn't think they would work him like this! Squinting against the hot summer sky, Harry hovered his hand over his eyes to block out the sun. Every inch of him hurt.
Rolling his head to the side, he saw Sirius and Remus sitting on conjured chairs and talking quietly. Neither of them seemed to be in any discomfort. Leaning up on his elbows, Harry slowly rose to his feet and limped over to his family. Remus, he noted, took pity on him and conjured a chair for him while Dobby popped in and handed him a water bottle.
"I would ask you how I did…" Harry started to say as he twisted the bottle cap off.
"You did well considering that you have no training at all," Sirius replied, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.
"Alyssa showed me a few things last year."
"And it shows, it really does Harry." Remus praised.
"What's going on?" they heard a quiet female voice ask.
All heads turned to see an exhausted looking Alyssa step out of the kitchen and onto the patio. She was carrying a mug and leaning heavily against an equally tired looking Henry. Harry watched as Henry sat down in a chair and pulled Alyssa onto his lap.
"Dueling…." Harry mumbled tiredly, closing the cap on his water bottle.
"We didn't want to disturb you, 'Lyssa," their Godfather said lowering his eyes at her.
"You could have knocked at least," she said huffily at the men who looked thoroughly embarrassed. "I'm not some weakling. Yes, I had a bad day yesterday, but I am not fragile."
Harry noted that Henry resisted the urge to chuckle at her words. They sat there in silence for a few minutes until everyone heard Harry's stomach grumble. Blushing, he looked down at his stomach and tried to shush it much to his embarrassment at everyone's amusement. Before they could tease him more, Dobby showed up and saved his wonderful "Master Harry Potter" and left a large platter of sandwiches, crisps, and snacks for everyone.
Later on, once they were finished, Harry stood up and bid everyone a good afternoon. Telling everyone he would head upstairs to shower and work on more summer homework because tomorrow morning, they were leaving for Paris and Harry wouldn't see Potter Manor till August.