The Two Left

Harry woke up in Sirius' old bedroom, the light filtering through the shades; it had been three days since he left St. Mungo's and today was the day he was going to give Ginny "The Gift". Harry smiled as he hopped out of bed and made his way over to his trunk. After a few seconds of feeling around, he found the locket his aunt had given him. He stared at the locket for the first time since he left Number Four Privet Drive. Harry slowly opened it and saw a picture of his parents on one side, and a picture of himself as a baby on the other. They were all three smiling and happy. He flipped closed the golden heart staring at the inscription on the back. L.E.P."Ginny will love this," he quietly murmured to himself.

Hearing some commotion at the window, he slipped the locket in a dresser drawer and went to let Hedwig inside. She was certainly happier here; Harry himself knew that after hunting Horcruxes, he would feel the same. He untied the small letter from her leg as she gave an affectionate screech and flew to her cage. Harry knew from the writing on the envelope it was from Hermione.

Harry,

Hope you are feeling well. I need to talk to you in private, but I knew that would be nearly impossible with everyone coming over tonight.

Harry almost forgot everyone was coming to Grimmauld place for a dinner and the Order meeting tonight.

I will be coming over around noon. That should give us an hour or two to talk. Make sure you are dressed as I am taking you to lunch at a Muggle place.

Hugs,

Hermione

Harry read the note twice, wondering what she wanted. If it were about Horcruxes, she would have included Ron and Ginny. "Oh well" he shrugged and headed to shower.

"Morning Remus" Harry said entering the kitchen nearly thirty minutes later.

Remus smiled watching his new roommate magic some coffee. "Morning Harry, how we feeling this morning?"

"I am feeling pretty good actually. For the first time in a while I can honestly say that, and it feels pretty good." Harry stirred some sugar in his coffee. "Remus, I have some things to do at noon, but we should be back before everyone arrives."

"We?" Remus questioned looking

"Hermione and I have some plans. She wants to take me to a Muggle place for lunch."



"Well I don't think anyone will be here until about three, so have fun." Remus was eying Harry with slight suspicion.

Harry chuckled "I have a feeling she wants me to tell her what happened the night I uh, the night Voldemort died."

"Harry we all decided to wait for you to tell us what happened." Remus smiled "If and when you are ready that is"

Harry looked down into his mug "I can't tell you or anybody because, don't really remember much. All I do remember is seeing Voldemort and all his followers' bodies lying there motionless and dead." Harry paused as he thought in silence "His bones were broken and he had sheer terror on his face Remus. I remember reading his thoughts and that's about it. Before that, all I remember was being here and getting upset while talking to Ron. I feel bad about a few things Remus."

"And what is that Harry?"

"I feel bad because, I have become a murderer. It's hard to explain I feel bad knowing I did it, but not bad about actually doing it because I can't remember."

"Harry I think that is due to the fact you were under the influence of such powerful magic that it kept you from feeling bad about what is wrong and what needed to be done."

Harry looked at Remus not fully understanding.

"It was bad for them to die Harry, they were people too. On the other hand, they had to go; they were too dangerous to live. Your magic kept you safe, helped you out, and blocked your mind from remembering what happened so your guilt wouldn't eat you alive." Remus patted Harry's shoulder. "You have done a great job and should be proud of yourself for making us all safe. You have fought and won in saving innocent lives and you did it alone, with speed and effectiveness."

"I went about things all wrong. I went after Voldemort before I finished the task Dumbledore left me to do."

Remus was smiling at Harry now. "Harry you need to understand, the only reason you did things this way are because it is the right way. There can be no other explanation."

Harry began to smile again, "I need to tell you something Remus"

"Anything Harry"

"He can come back and will if I don't stop him." Harry knew it was time for him to confide in the now closest thing he had to a parent. "I have to break the promise I made to Dumbledore. I-"

Remus cut him off "Harry if it is about the horcruxes, we already know"



Harry looked at him "H-how do you know?"

"When you asked for help from the Order we started looking into the life of Riddle and found out about them. Dumbledore left clues for us to find. He wanted you to destroy them and us to keep you safe without you knowing."

"Leave it to Dumbledore" Harry snorted, "I think that man loves riddles." Harry paused, something snapped "Remus can we keep this conversation to ourselves?"

"Consider it our secret."

"Thank you Remus." Harry finished his coffee and looked back to his roommate. "Can I ask you something personal Remus?"

"I guess so"

"Are you and Tonks, you know, together?"

Remus laughed "Harry I wonder about that myself. We have not made anything official, but I have a feeling we are about to take things to the next level. This old werewolf needs to find some Gryffindor courage and ask her. I don't doubt she will accept though."

Harry was smiling again, "I don't think even Gryffindor courage can prepare a guy to ask a woman things" he elbowed Remus.

"I think you are right Harry, I think you are right."

--

Harry had just finished getting ready for Hermione when he heard her voice hollering from down the hall "Harry are you ready?"

"No Hermy" he smiled knowing that would piss her off.

He could hear her voice was now at his closed bedroom door, "I swear, I give you several hours notice and you lolly-gag all morning, and don't call me Hermy"

Harry opened his door smiling at her, "Calm down Hermione, I am ready. Let's go"

The two friends left and headed into downtown Muggle London to a little place called Wong Fu's Oriental Palace. Harry had never eaten Chinese food before and was quite looking forward to it. As they walked in Harry noticed the red and gold that dominated the place. There was a pond in the middle of the place with a small water fountain its center. There was artwork on the walls with Dragons (not like the ones Harry was use to), Bamboo forests, and other things of their culture. A short woman with long black hair smiled at the two as they mad their way further inside. "Just two?" she asked



"Yes" Hermione confirmed, and then the two were seated in a quiet booth in the corner. A few minutes later Hermione ordered for both her and Harry in half English half Chinese.

"What did you want to talk about Hermione?"

"Well Harry," she began "I wanted to tell you there is something Dumbledore wanted me to keep safe. He wanted me to give it to you after You-Know-Who was gone."

Harry sat there watching her dig in her purse. "Hermione wait. Don't you think we should wait until after the Horcruxes are gone?"

"No Harry I think you may need this now." She pulled out a small ring box and opened it. Inside the box was a red marble looking ball. "It's a phoenix egg Harry, and it's the only one known in existence. Dumbledore said you are the only one who can use it."

Harry ran his fingers through his hair looking at the small glassy orb. "How am I supposed to use the thing? did he say?"

"He said you would know how to do it when the time was right." She closed the box handing it to Harry. He took it and slipped it into his pocket as their food arrived.

"One more thing Harry."

"What's that?"

"You have to keep this a secret."

"Done"

Harry eyed his food, it smelled good, and then he tasted it "Hermione what is this?"

She giggled, "It's called Phoenix and Dragon. I know the name is ironic. Do you like it its actually chicken and shrimp. My father's favorite"

He smiled at her shoving another bite in his mouth "iss gwood" He sounded like Ron with food in his mouth. The two friends enjoyed their food and each other's company. When their meal ended, Hermione paid the server, but Harry was weary about opening his fortune cookie. "Just open it Harry and read it, if you don't like the fortune, don't eat the cookie. Remember this is a Muggle place."

Harry chuckled at himself.

"Well what does it say?" Hermione asked

Harry read the little white slip to her "Your future will have unbounded success." He snickered "About time I got some good news." She playfully backhanded his arm while rolling her eyes, and the two left.



To Be Continued

Bummer, I know!

Thank you for reading and thanks for the reviews, Both of them ;)