A/N: First off...MAKE SURE YOU READ CHAPTER SIX. I've posted both of these at the same time, and you're likely to be VERY confused if you try to jump ahead to read this one. In other news...I AM RENAMING THIS FANFIC. As of right now, the title is unknown, but I know I want to change it. So there that is. SAVE THIS TO YOUR FAVORITES. OR YOUR ALERTS. ONE OF THE FOLLOWING. Because you might not find it through a search if you don't. Anyway, look forward to lots of lovely chapters to come!

DISCLAIMER: Potter is grand, but it's not mine.

Chapter Seven – Letters and Meetings

Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent much of the next day fiddling with the key, trying to reveal any powers it may hold. Their efforts went without success, though, as all that occurred was a glow when Harry held it.

"It's just so odd," said Hermione. "Where exactly did you find it, again?"

"I've already told you!" Harry replied, a bit put off. "It was in the back of the picture frame, in the rubble."

Ron spoke, "Do you think it belonged to your parents, then?"

"I don't know what to think!" came Harry's angry reply.

Hermione's spoke lightly, "You could always ask Professor Lupin about it. He was good friends with your parents."

"Yeah," Harry sighed, "Maybe."

"You ever think," Ron paused, "that maybe it's a horcrux?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, all we know is that it glows! Besides, don't you think that if Voldemort had made it a horcrux, he would have hidden it better?"

"It was just a passing thought…" Ron muttered, disheartened.

Hermione intoned, "I still think you should ask Lupin about it."

Harry let out a sighed, "Yeah, alright." He pulled out a quill and spare piece of parchment and wrote a quick note:

Remus,

Could you meet me at the Three Broomsticks for lunch tomorrow, say 1:00? I need to talk to you about something.

-Harry

Harry received his response later that night.

I'll see you there. Hope you're well.

-Remus

Harry received another letter from Errol a few minutes later. He sighed, knowing immediately who it was from by the tidy scrawl on the parchment. The letter was from Ginny.

Harry.

I'm starting my sixth year at Hogwarts in a few days. It's going to be so odd without you, Ron, and Hermione there. It's going to feel so…empty. I miss you. Are the three of you well? I hope so. Where are you, anyway? I know you probably can't tell me that in a letter, but I'm allowed to wonder. I'm really, really dreading going to Hogwarts this year. I miss the three of you. Ron is my closest brother, and Hermione is my best friend. And well, you're…I can't even begin to explain what are to me. You probably already know. I know I'm not your girlfriend anymore, but I do know you still have feelings for me. So I'm just hoping they'll stick around long enough for me to keep them tangible. I'm not leaving, Harry. I'll be here waiting quite impatiently for you to return. If it were up to me, I'd be there with you right now. But I let you decide, because I felt it was your choice to make. You shouldn't take decisions like those lightly, though. Next time, I might not listen. Just because I'm not with you now doesn't mean I won't do what I want with my life. Weasley women are known to be rather stubborn on points they really believe in…Who else do you know that can harbor a crush for six years? Ron and Hermione excluded, of course. I also expect to see you this Christmas, so show up, or there will be hell to pay for the three of you! I asked McGonagall when she was here when the first Hogsmeade weekend would be. She said it was September 20th. Meet me there? Please? If you're in the area, that is. I'd really like to see you.

-Ginny

Harry sighed and lay against his pillow. He could almost sense Ginny's flowery scent from the letter, but not quite. He wanted to write her back, but he didn't know what to say. How would he explain why he left with things the way they were? How would he explain why he couldn't bare the thought of her coming with them? How would he explain how much he wanted to be with her, but just couldn't? Reaching up and ruffling his hair out of habit, he decided the reply would have to wait until he could get his thoughts straight. Instead, Harry shifted his thoughts to his meeting with Lupin the next day.

Ron and Hermione left Harry to be at the Three Broomsticks the next day, saying they needed to get some shopping done (though Harry suspected they were actually going off to find some place private to snog). So Harry arrived at the pub alone, eager to meet Lupin. Harry ordered a firewhiskey, smiling at how nice it was to finally be of age. As Harry received his drink, Lupin walked in the door, hair slightly wind-blown.

"Harry!" Lupin exclaimed jovially, greeting him with a pat on the back. "How are you?"

"Alright, I suppose. Why don't we sit down?" The pair found themselves a rather secluded table towards the back.

The server arrived, placing a small basket of chips on the table, and Lupin ordered a gillywater. "Firewhisky?" He noted Harry's beverage of choice, "How brave of you. I'm afraid I can't handle it anymore. I had a bit too much at a party once…scarred me for life, I'm afraid."

Harry chuckled and took a large gulp of his drink, then let out several consecutive sputtering coughs. "How can anyone drink this?" He cringed and put the beverage down. "I think I'll stick with Butterbeer next time."

"A very wise choice," Lupin acknowledged. "So what is that you wanted to discuss, Harry?"

Harry took the key out of his pocket and laid it on the table quickly, so as to prevent the golden shimmer from appearing in front of prying eyes. Harry went on to explain the story of how the key came into his possession.

"Hmm," Lupin examined the key. Nothing happened when he held it in his palm, as was expected. "Your parents made no such mention of such a key," he spoke thoughtful, tracing the rubies with his thumb. "This key holds a great amount of magical power, from what I can tell. I'm tempted to think it was some sort of Potter heirloom."

"Why's that?" Harry questioned.

"You know very well that the Potter family is very wealthy, and it goes as far back as the Malfoy's. It's always been held in very high esteem, quite well-known for producing magically-powerful wizards. I believe – you'd have to check the bloodlines for confirmation – but, I believe the Potter's are actually descendants of Great Merlin." Lupin watched as Harry's jaw dropped open in shock. "It's something you might want to check into," Lupin remarked.

Harry simply nodded in response.

"Whatever the case is with this key, Harry, I think it's important. Think hard on the possibilities, will you? I'll do my best, as well. If you come up with anything, be sure to let me know. And stay safe. Keep your head down. The usual," he added with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah, I know the routine," Harry smiled.

Lupin stood. "I'll see you at the next Order meeting," he said with a wink. He ruffled Harry's hair lightly and left Harry to think.

I know, I know. Intriguing plot twist. Dun dun dun. But you never know what's true and what's not, now do you? Review, kids. Please.