Ye Ol' Author's Note: A thousand pardons, dear readers, I realize I did not thoroughly proof chapter IV before publishing it last night. This is the edited version of the chapter. 10/Oct/AD 2018.
-A.R. Templar

Harry spent the day continuing the work he and Tonks had begun the previous day. He finished up the main floor list before he decided to move upstairs. He realized there were more bedrooms upstairs than he had been in last summer. He had only ever seen the room he shared with Ron, Hermione and Ginny's, Fred and George's, and Sirius's or now His room. Ignoring Lupin's and Tonk's rooms, Harry opened the one other room in which he had yet been.

This must have been the master bedroom. It was easily the largest in the house, with an ancient iron framed bed in the middle of the room. A large mahogany wardrobe stood against the far wall, and dark, velvet drapes covered the window. Across from the bed stood a large bureau with a mirror with an assortment of what must have been expensive silver heirlooms and trinkets. Harry made a note to get rid of everything on the dresser. The giant, iron chandler hanging above the bed would need to go too, along with the curtains, and maybe even the bedding. He didn't care if they were expensive, or antique, they reminded him too much of how Sirius hated this house, everything in it from his mother's portrait, to the mounted house elf heads, to the carpet. If Harry was going to live in this house, all of it was going to go. He decided to check and see if there was anything he could throw away.

The first drawer held nothing but some old mothballs and two inches of dust. The second, third and fourth drawers were the same. Haphazardly he opened the last drawer, expecting to see more of the same and was caught completely unawares. A dementor pushed him away as it sprang from the dresser's confines. Harry hit his head against the bed as he fell, and stars filled his vision. He reached for his wand only to find he had left it on his nightstand. The dementor came closer to him, the room dropping in temperature, his breath visible in the dark room. He heard his mother's screams, her pleads, he heard his father's final moments defending him and his mother, he heard a whisper as Sirius fell through the veil, "Harry."

"Harry, Harry!"

Harry sat up to see Lupin bending over him.

"I'm fine," he straightened his glasses, "I thought I was over doing that."

"We're never 'over' something, Harry. That bogart obviously caught you by surprise, and unarmed."

Lupin handed Harry a piece of chocolate, which he ate without question, "I told you before, your susceptibility to dementors is not a sign of weakness, and you can't expect to be able to withstand even a bogart without a wand."

Harry swallowed his chocolate. Lupin had refuted what he was going to say, and while he respected his old professor's input on the matter, he couldn't help but feel that it wasn't true.

"I…I heard Sirius this time."

Lupin looked shaken by this revelation, "I guess that's to be expected," he murmured.

"Remus," Lupin looked down at Harry, "Is there any way for me to learn wandless magic?"

Lupin inhaled deeply, "Possibly. Wandless magic is not something easily performed, Harry, only a few wizards ever learn it."

"You can do it. You did it at the Dursley's and that night on the train in my third year, and—"

"I can only do simpler spells, Harry," Lupin interrupted, "even basic defense spells are more than I can do." The grey-haired wizard rubbed his hand across his face, "I know what you're thinking, Harry, but casting a wandless Patronus Charm is impossible."

"Not a Patronus, but the Riddikulus, or a disarming spell."

"Harry, those may seem like simple spells, but wandless complicates spells exponentially."

Harry stood up irritated at his mentor, "Sirius would have encouraged me to learn it," he mumbled.

Lupin looked as if Harry had just stabbed him with a knife. Harry admitted, it was a low blow, but he wasn't going to take it back. The older man looked at Harry with a mix of hurt and anger and said, "Sirius, couldn't do wandless magic, and he was an animagus. If you think you're more of a wizard then him, then be my guest and learn it yourself."

Harry did not speak with Lupin the rest of the day. He retreated into his bedroom where he stayed sulking through the afternoon. He rationalized that his anger was directed more towards himself than at Lupin. Anger at his inability to withstand the bogart, for not thinking to take his wand with him while moving through the house. He could hear Mad-Eye scolding him, "Constant vigilance, Potter!" He was not sure what he had expected Lupin to say when he brought up wandless magic, did he think Lupin would just offer to teach him wandless magic the same way he had offered to teach the Patronus Charm? He could not understand why his old professor had seemed so adamant against it.

A knock pulled him from his thoughts, "Harry," Tonks said as she poked her head into his room, "Are you alright? Remus said you've been in here all afternoon."

"Yeah, I'm fine."

She sat down on the foot of his bed, "He said you two had a row."

"Yeah well—"

"I don't need to know details, Harry, it's not really my place. I just hope you realize that Remus cares about you, probably more than anything else in the world, so whatever he said, his heart's in the right place."

"Thanks, Tonks, I know he cares."

"And for the record, I care too."

Harry smiled at the metamorphagus sitting at his feet. She patted his leg, "There's an Order meeting tonight, I don't know if Molly's bringing the kids or not."

"I take it I'm still not invited to the meeting," Harry stated bitterly.

"Unfortunately, no. Remus did say you'd want to be a part of it, especially since it's technically in your house, but Dumbledore stood by his decision last year."

"That's bullocks and you know it. It is my house, and Dumbledore better well remember that if I wanted to, I could kick the Order out!"

Tonks shook her head with a pained smile, "That's exactly what Sirius said last year after they denied his request to be allowed on missions," she shook her head and changed her hair, which had started to fade to a dull mousy colour at the tips, to a turquoise, "supper won't be till after the meeting."

"Okay."

"See you around, Potter," she said as she closed the door.

Harry flopped back onto his bed and sighed, how was he supposed to be "The Chosen One" if Dumbledore refused to let him be a part of anything? He would have thought that after last year the old wizard would have learned to keep Harry in the know. He heard people start to arrive downstairs, the murmur of their voices making their way up to him; he thought he could go down and greet them, but he ultimately decided he didn't want to deal with the majority of the Order. He partially hoped that Ron would come, but at the same time was content to be left alone. He realized he hadn't written or received a letter from either of his best friends since before he left the Dursley's and he wondered if they even knew he was living at Grimmuald Place. He determined to write to both Ron and Hermione, just to let them know of his change of address, if nothing else. Walking over to the desk in his room, Harry took out a pen and paper and wrote quick letters to his friends. They were brief, even by his standards, but he wasn't sure what else to say. He had taken over possession of Grimmuald Place after the reading of Sirius' Will, moved in with Lupin and Tonks. He wasn't going to talk about his emotional state, or how he was dealing with Sirius' death, or any of that. He just wanted to let his friends know that he wasn't at Dursley's and that if they wanted to visit they were welcome.

Sealing the letters, he took them to Hedwig, petted her feathers a few times, and sent her on her way. Watching the snowy owl fly away into the summer evening sky, he heard commotion down stairs. Voices were raised and carried upward from the kitchen. Harry crept toward his door and tried to listen, the noise grew louder briefly, as the kitchen door opened, then the voices stopped, and footsteps stormed out of the house, the front door slammed shut, and Mrs. Black's screams filled the house. Harry sighed, he ran down the stairs to shut the curtains and curtail the portrait's verbal assault. Lupin met him in the foyer and helped him. Harry was about to ask what happened, when Lupin gave him a look that said, 'we'll talk later.' Harry nodded and was just about to go back upstairs when the kitchen door opened once more, and people began shuffling out. Some of the Order members who Harry recognized but didn't know simply left. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Bill Weasley, Hagrid, Professor McGonagall and others said goodnight or shook Harry's hand before exiting. Harry followed Lupin back to the kitchen where Dumbledore, Tonks, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Mad-Eye Moody, and a wizard Harry didn't knows stood talking around the table.

"Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley said crushing him in an embrace that could only be described as motherly, "had I known you were here, I would have brought Ron and Ginny."

"Next time, I guess."

"Of course, dear. Are things alright for you? I know this house must be lonely, and not to mention all the memories." She scrutinized him at arm's length, "if you ever want, you're always welcome to come stay at the Burrow."

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley, but it's not that bad here. Remus and Tonks have actually been great company and kept me busy."

"Don't sound so surprised, Potter," Tonks spat from the corner, "Remus will agree with me that my company is superb."

Mrs. Weasley ignored Tonks' interruption and patted Harry's shoulders, "I'll just make sure to cook enough for there to be left-overs for you tomorrow, dear."

"Thanks."

Mrs. Weasley got busy cooking supper Tonks offered to help but the redheaded matriarch kindly declined, as usual. Harry wondered over to where the men in the room were discussing something and listened in.

"…and I'm saying he's hiding something, Dumbledore," the wizard Harry didn't know said.

"I'm agree, Albus, I've seen it before he's holding back," Mad-Eye added.

"Come now, Alastor," Mr. Weasley said, "we've already been over the fact that trust is crucial in this war."

"And look where that got us last time! Pettigrew pulled the wool over our eyes so thick that it took us twelve years to figure out we were wrong."

"Severus is not Peter Pettigrew, Alastor," Dumbledore spoke up, "and if we learned anything from the last war it should be that suspecting an innocent person can lead to death. I believe Remus can attest to that better than anyone."

"Professor, I told you before, your trust is what matters to me. If you trust him and so do I, but I believe Hawk and Mad-Eye are right to be watchful."

"He's a double agent, Albus, anytime he's not forthcoming with information we should be suspicious."

"Alastor, I will hear no more of it tonight. I cannot remove your suspicions, but I do ask everyone refrain from voicing them during our general meetings. If you have concerns bring them to me privately," Dumbledore turned towards Harry and smiled, "Harry, pleasure to see you again, as always."

"Thank you, Professor, you as well."

"I was delighted to see you're starting to change the décor in the house. The new color for the drapes in the drawing room is a pleasant change."

"Erm, thanks, I guess? It was Tonks' idea."

"A wonderful one at that. Perhaps someday you can give us all a tour, once you've finished the renovations."

"Um, sure."

"Splendid. Well gentlemen, it is getting late and I'm afraid that this old man is growing weary. Good evening."

"Good evening," they all chorused.

"I might as well be off, too, "Moody growled, "Arthur, Lupin, Davis, Potter," he nodded to each of the men gathered, then exited after Dumbledore, his wooden leg clanking down the hall.

Mr. Weasley greeted Harry warmly then excused himself to go and help his wife with supper, leaving Harry standing with Lupin, and the Wizard he hadn't met. Tonks came up behind him and Lupin, "well that could have gone better," she said.

"What could have?" Harry asked.

"We'll tell you after Molly and Arthur leave, Harry," Lupin said.

"Are you staying for supper, Hawk?" Tonks asked the wizard next to Lupin.

"I'm afraid I need to be leaving soon," he drawled in reply, he turned to Harry and extended his hand, "Hawkshaw Davis."

"Harry," he replied shaking the man's hand.

"I met Hawk in America a few years before I taught at Hogwarts, Harry," Lupin said, "I helped him with a couple cases he was dealing with there."

"You're an Auror?" Harry asked.

"Dark Creature Control Agent," Hawk replied, his drawl still sounding funny to Harry's ears, "Lupin is an expert on non-corporeal apparitions and helped apprehend a particular Appalachian Ghoul that proved to be most difficult."

Harry was just about to ask for more details when Mrs. Weasley called out that supper was ready. Davis excused himself and left. Mrs. Weasley served up the casserole to Lupin, Tonks, and Harry, then said, "Harry dear, do eat up. Arthur and I need to get home to the kids. Stay safe and we'll see you next meeting."

"Good-bye, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, "thank you for dinner, you really didn't need to make it just for us."

"Oh, it's my pleasure, Harry, I just want to make sure you're eating right."

"Good-bye, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, "Tonks, Remus, you too."

After the Weasleys left, Tonks looked at Harry and Lupin, "Wow Molly must seriously doubt our ability to provide our own meals." She took a bite of her casserole, "not that I'm complaining, it's delicious."

"In all fairness, Tonks, I doubt your ability to cook for yourself," Harry said with a smirk.

"Oh, shush it, Potter, or I might just decide to hex your toilet seat. Or, better yet," her voice taking on a more malicious tone, "I'll take you shopping for me again."

Harry groaned, and the two adults chuckled.

Half way through dinner, Harry asked Lupin, "What did Hawk mean when he said Snape was hiding something?"

Tonks and Lupin exchanged glances before his old professor sighed and answered, "Harry, anything we tell you about what goes on in an Order meeting stays between the three of us. You need to promise me that you won't share this information with Ron or Hermione."

"But—"

"Your word, Harry. By all accounts I shouldn't even share it with you, but I feel that we owe you some form of transparency as owner of the house. If you cannot keep this absolutely confidential, I have no qualms not telling you."

Harry nodded his head in acquiescence. He'd decide later if he should tell his friends.

"All I can say, Harry, is that there is doubt amongst members of the Order, a lack of trust similar to the last time. Tonight, unfounded accusations were made which led to a heated argument about loyalty between Severus and Hawk."

"You think Snape is actually Voldemort's spy?"

"NO! Dumbledore trusts, Snape, therefore so do I. Harry, if we can't trust each other then we have already lost the war. Last time, once the accusations of a traitor surfaced, it nearly tore the Order apart. No one was willing to trust anyone, except you father, James stayed loyal to his friends to his death."

"And it led to his death."

"Harry, the point is that we need to trust each other. Severus is risking his life every day, he has continued to supply the Order with crucial information that has saved many lives already and will continue to do so."

Harry looked at Lupin, "But what if Snape really is a spy?"

"We can't think that way, Harry, trust is one of the only things we have, and we mustn't lose it."

"I don't trust Snape."

"Do you trust me, Harry?"

Harry paused, "yes."

"I trust Dumbledore, do you?"

"Yes."

"Then please trust him to trust the right man."

Lupin wiped his mouth on his napkin, "Now, Harry, I'm going on a mission for the Order, I'm not entirely sure when I'll be back."

Harry looked from Lupin to Tonks, who looked worried, then back to Lupin, "Where are you going?"

"It's better I not say, now while I'm gone, Tonks will be here as often as she can, and other members of the Order will alternate in and out of Grimmuald Place."

"I don't need a babysitter."

"Then consider it friendly company." Lupin stood up, "on that note, I'll retire. Goodnight, Harry, goodnight, Tonks."

"Goodnight, Remus."