Chapter 2

Harry gazed at his new home. They had moved several hours away where no one knew of his parents. Sighing he walked up the drive way, some of his art supplies in a pack slung over his shoulder. He wandered around the house in search of the perfect room for him. The house was two stories and placed in the middle of a mountain. It was surrounded by woods, which Harry made a mental note to explore at a later date. The money his parents had left him had made it easy to not only purchase the lavish house, but for Sirius, Remus, and himself to have a comfortable lifestyle. Harry bypassed the first and second floors in favor of the attic both Sirius and Remus had said was the room for him. Finally getting to the top of the staircase, Harry saw they were right. There was enough light for him to draw, and access to the roof for the nights he wished to gaze up at the stars. Remus had the foresight to furnish the room for him and Harry dropped his bag onto his bed and collapsed next to it.

"So, do you like it?" Remus wandered into the room.

Harry picked his head up, "yeah, I do. Thanks."

"Good, I'm glad. Sirius and I are ordering food for dinner, is there anything in particular you want?"

Harry shook his head, "no. Whatever you guys want is fine with me."

Remus nodded and backed out of the room. Harry sighed. He stood to better examine his new room. Walking around he noticed he had an attached bathroom and a medium sized closet. Harry pulled some of his drawings out of his bag and started to tack them up on the walls. Just as he was starting to see a hint of personality beginning to show Sirius knocked on his door.

"Hey, bud, dinner's here. Coming down?"

"Yeah."

Harry gave one last glance around his room before following Sirius down to the kitchen. Remus was busy setting the food out. Harry shuffled over to the counter, reached around Remus and snagged a piece of chicken from the carton, he loved Chinese food. Remus batted good-naturedly at his hand. "You're plate's almost ready, can't you wait?"

Harry laughed, "not when Chinese food is involved."

Together the three of them sat down to eat their first meal of their new lives. Harry, suddenly feeling mischievous, flung a noodle at Sirius. He laughed as it landed square in the middle of Sirius' face. Remus failingly tried to cover up his laughter as Sirius angrily swiped the noodle away. Sirius glared at both Harry and Remus. Harry noticed the glint in his eye too late and soon had a spoonful of rice in his jet-black hair. His eyes went wide.

"Sirius!" Harry whined. "Why my hair?"

Sirius shrugged, "you started it."

"That doesn't mean you had to throw rice into my hair! It's going to take forever to get out," Harry pouted.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. I'm sure Remus will help you out, Drama Queen."

Remus smiled, "don't tease, Sirius. Leave the poor kid alone. Harry I'll help you out after dinner."

"Thanks, Remus," Harry sniffled.

After dinner Remus and Harry sat in his bathroom while Remus slowly picked the rice out of his hair. To make sure that Harry's hair was rice free, Remus ran his hands through it. Harry leaned into the gesture, remembering times when his mother used to do the very same thing when he was upset. A rush of memories flooded Harry's senses. He could still smell his mother's perfume and his father's cologne as if they were standing right beside him. Harry felt the prickle of tears behind his eyes and angrily batted them away. Remus, taking notice of both Harry's teary reminiscing and comfort, continued to run his fingers through the unruly black locks that Harry was so proud of.

"Are you okay, Harry?"

"I'm fine, Remus. It's just, it still hurts to know I'll never see them again. I never got to say goodbye. It isn't fair that I had my family ripped away from because of one idiot!"

"I know, Harry, I know. It'll get better in time, the pain will eventually lessen, it won't go away completely, but it will diminish slightly. You do know that Sirius and I are always here for you, right?"

Harry nodded, "I know. Thanks, Remus. That means a lot."

Remus gave Harry a brief hug before leaving him to his shower. Harry let the warm water run over back, soothing his tired and aching muscles. He shampooed his hair and let the suds run over his body. Harry leaned up against the wall, and hung his head. Dealing with his parent's deaths was harder than anything he had ever had to endure. The whole thing had taken its toll on him, but the next day he started at his new school and could reinvent himself without all the tragedies. Climbing out of the tub Harry wrapped a towel around his waist and entered his bedroom. He dried off and pulled on his favorite flannel pajama bottoms and went to say goodnight to Sirius and Remus.

After a couple quick hugs Harry headed back to his room and threw himself down onto his bed. It wasn't long before the tears came. Harry was used to this routine by now. Shower, say goodnight, and cry himself to sleep. His body shook with sobs as he allowed himself a few moments to mourn the loss of the two people he would never see again, but would always be reminded of. Harry brought a hand up to his forehead where the lightning bolt shaped scar resided. The wound had long since healed and only white scar tissue remained. Harry hated how every time he looked in the mirror he was forced to relive the fact that he had been the only one to survive the crash that had killed his parents. Pulling the blanket up to his shoulders Harry turned over and succumbed to sleep.