A/N: Nothing much to say, folks. It's been a tough week.
Please remember my up-coming surgery, August 25th, and remember it may upset the posting timetable a bit.
And as always,
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: All characters of the Harry Potter series (hereafter known as 'legal property') are the sole ownership of J.K. Rowling (hereafter known as 'owner of said legal property'). No infringement on any copyright of owner of said legal property of the legal property is knowing intended. Published by author (hereafter known as 'other') for entertainment purposes only. No monetary or personal gain was knowingly made by other with the publication of this story, which was based on ideas and characters created by owner of said legal property as they pertain to legal property. No plagiarism of legal property or of any ideas of the owner of said legal property was knowingly intended by other. This statement is fully transferable and is legally held binding for all chapters of the story Family Relations as they are presented under different chapter headings and titles for individual chapters.
Chapter Eight: At The Time It Seemed Like A Good Idea
Ron and Harry stood on the top landing f the stairs and listened for the door downstairs to close, signaling the Unspeakable's departure from the foyer.
"I'm really sorry about getting you in trouble, Harry." Ron apologized as soon a the door closed.
"It's O.K., Ron." Harry said. "Just, let's forget about looking for anything more about Sirius right now, O.K.?"
"Sure, Harry." Ron agreed readily. "Hey, you still haven't shown me around the house. I mean, all I've seen so far is the cellar."
Harry smiled slightly at the joke. "O.K.. Just no looking at papers or rooting through desks."
Ron nodded quickly as he followed Harry back down the stairs.
All in all, Harry wasn't nearly as interested in showing Ron the house as he was in showing his friend Orion's small roadster out in the garage. And so fifteen minutes later, that was where the two teenagers found themselves, happily peering over the interior of the small car.
"Where'd he ever get something like this, Harry?" Ron asked as he looked over the instrument panel.
Harry shrugged. "Don't know. I just know he loves it like it was a child. So don't scratch anything."
"So I guess a ride is right out?" Ron asked with a good natured grin.
Harry returned it. "Yeah. Right out."
After a few more minutes the two headed back for the door to the house. But before they reached it Ron suddenly pulled to a stop.
"Hey, Harry, what's that?" Ron asked, heading for the back of the garage where a large tarp lay, forming a less than inconspicuous mound.
Harry followed his friend's lead. "Don't know." Harry replied. "Never really noticed it before."
Ron walked over to the tarp and looked it over a bit closer.
"Ron, I don't think we should be bothering it, whatever it is." Harry suggested.
"Just looking, Harry. Maybe he's got another car under here."
"Why would he need two cars?"
"Maybe it's his wife's? In the cellar he mentioned a Mrs. Black."
Harry had to admit that his own curiosity was getting the better of him as he walked over to where Ron was already carefully lifting one corner of the tarp.
"Oh! No way!" Ron exclaimed excitedly.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Oh, Harry, you're not going to believe this!"
"What?" Harry nearly shouted this time.
Ron grabbed a corner of the tarp and threw it over to the side. Underneath the cloth cover sat a large black motorcycle and next to it, a smaller one with green trim.
"Ohmagosh!" Harry exclaimed. "That's...that's my motorcycle! And Sirius'!"
Harry quickly ran over and hugged the silver motorcycle as Ron watched.
"I never expected to see this thing again!" Harry cried happily. "I thought maybe it was burned or damaged or something when it wasn't at Arabella's when we got back since the garage had been damaged in the fire. I can't believe Orion had it all this time and never said anything!"
Harry rambled on for a few minutes while Ron simply stood watching him with a strange look on his face. Finally Harry pulled back from his bike, giving it a satisfied pat when he suddenly caught the look on Ron's face.
"What?"
"You know, Harry," Ron said slowly, "Orion and Dad are gonna probably be occupied for at least another half hour."
Harry thought for a moment about what Ron was getting at. But suddenly his eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh no!" He stated sharply. "No way!"
"Why not, Harry?" Ron was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Because I'm only fifteen. And I'd like to see sixteen. I've heard it's a lot of fun. And whereas Sirius would be mad, Orion will kill me. He knows ways to do that!"
"Harry, he'll never even know!"
"The engine'll be warm."
"Which he'll only know if he even comes out here. Come on, Harry." Ron pressed. "This is opportunity knocking."
"More like temptation leaning on the doorbell if you ask me." Harry replied forlornly, staring at his bike.
"Harry, how many times have you even gotten to ride it? Ever?"
"Once." Harry replied sullenly.
"Then you're more than due." Ron coaxed. "Come on. It's yours!"
Harry looked around the garage. "We don't have any helmets."
Ron quickly pointed to two hanging on the back wall.
"I don't have the key, Ron."
"Fred and George showed me a spell that started Dad's car without the key. I bet it'll work on your motorbike as well."
A few minutes later the roar of the motorcycle engine proceeded the garage door opening. Seconds after that it was overshadowed by two muffled but excited screams as Ron and Harry sped off down the drive.
Thirty minutes later Ron and Harry came speeding back up the drive. But Harry nearly threw them both off as he came to an abrupt stop in front of the garage.
Standing there with fixed expressions were Orion and Mr. Weasley.
"Ron," Orion spoke in a cold, level tone, never once taking his eyes off Harry, "I believe your father is ready to take you home now."
"Come along, Ron." Mr. Weasley said as he held out a rolled up newspaper that they were using as a portkey.
Ron quickly hopped off the back of the bike and headed over to his father. He turned once more to his friend, still seated on the motorcycle.
"I'll see you at King's Cross, Harry." Ron called to him.
"Yeah. I hope so." Harry replied.
Harry watched as Ron and his father disapparated. But he never let Orion completely out of his sight. He quickly jumped off the bike as Orion finally walked over to him.
"Well?" Orion asked, staring down at the teenager.
"We just went for a short ride." Harry defended quickly. "And not very fast."
"Oh. I see." Orion replied, glancing down the lane before he turned a very stern look back to his would-be nephew. "We didn't go very far, or very fast, so that makes it all right then."
"Well, at the time it seemed like a good idea."
"And was it?"
Harry turned quickly to the ground, trying his level best to look sorry. "No, Sir."
"The only thing that is keeping you from going to your room for the endurance of your time here is that you at least showed some sense by wearing helmets. But in the meantime you can spend the rest of the day there."
"Yes, Sir." Harry replied quietly as he quickly headed for the house. Happy if for nothing else than to be out of Orion's threatening presence.
Hurrying up the stairs, Harry headed straight for his room. The prospect wasn't so bad really. Orion had fitted his room with every conceivable comfort. He would certainly have plenty to entertain himself with for the rest of the day.
But as soon as Harry opened the door to his room, he realized Orion was way ahead of him.
The room had been utterly stripped. Gone were the chest of drawers, the armoire, and the desk. Gone was the closet full of cloths. Gone were the bookcases with their shelves of books and wizard games and endless knickknacks. Gone was the talking mirror. Even the carpeting was gone, along with any wall decorations. And worst of all, gone was the four poster bed. Left behind was a plain white floor and dull white walls, with a small bed set in the corner.
"Hysterical." Harry muttered to himself, thinking suddenly how much the room in fact resembled a jail cell.
Q&A
Family Relations
Hug-me:
I'm pleased you are enjoying the story, Dear. Updates are almost exclusively on Sundays between 6-10PM EST, barring hurricanes and such.
MasterLupin:
Oh no, Dear! Predictions are half my fun, as well as my compass on the story. It shows me if I'm being too convoluted, or leading you more along the right path. Feel free to keep them coming. I enjoy them immensely.
Fever
1derland pixie:
Thank you, Dear. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Family Life
Hug-me:
Again, I'm pleased you enjoyed the story, Dear. Glad to see you found the sequel all right.
Siriusly Bored
sirius-black-4eva:
Thank you, Dear. I'm very glad you enjoyed it.
All reviews are as of 08132005.
And remember;
A very un-happy anniversary to Charly, the first of Florida's 2004 hurricanes (08/13/2004).