Harry woke suddenly. He looked around, still not used to his new bedroom at Grimmauld Place. His door was ajar, yet Harry was sure he'd closed it last night. He got up and glanced out the hall. Ginny's bedroom door, just across the hall from his, was wide open. Harry went across the hall and peeked in. Ginny's bed was empty. He frowned, and decided to go and find her.
He went down the stairs, seeing a light on in the kitchen. He had quickly leaned that Sirius was a night owl, and hated the dark. He was about to burst into the kitchen when he heard the sounds of crying. It was Ginny.
Harry peeked around the corner, seeing Sirius comforting her as best he could. He knew Ginny had visited the Burrow earlier, to pack up the last of her clothes. She had been quiet when she returned.
"-Mum was so horrid to me, and Dad just stood behind her, letting her say all those things. Ron and Percy were sneering at me, it was horrible. Why are they like that, Sirius?" she cried.
Sirius put his arms around her. "I wish I knew what to tell you, Gin. Some people have...expectations of things, and when things don't go that way, they feel out of control, so they lash out."
"But I'm not a thing, I'm their daughter. It's like their love is conditional," said Ginny, leaning on his shoulder.
"I know, it was the same with me," sighed Sirius.
Harry decided to join the conversation. "The Sorting Hat nearly put me in Slytherin, but I begged to go to Gryffindor. Ron and I had become friends on the train, and Draco Malfoy was a prat." He sat down in a chair beside Sirius.
"Have you heard from your older brothers?" asked Sirius.
Ginny shook her head. "No, but I only sent their letters off a couple of days ago. Bill's doing something for Gringott's and Charlie, well, sometimes I don't hear back for a couple of weeks. I would like to go see Aunt Muriel again, though. See where I stand with her."
"I'll go with you, Ginny," smiled Harry. She smiled gratefully back.
Sirius smiled at the two. "Us misfits, we'll make our own family. No matter what, you'll always have a home here." Harry nodded.
"Thanks Sirius, thanks Harry," whispered Ginny, yawning.
"Right now, off to bed with you," said Sirius, helping her stand up. "What time are you meeting Neville at Diagon Alley tomorrow?"
"Lunch time," said Harry, putting his arm around Ginny, who was nearly asleep.
"Good. I have an appointment at Gringott's, so I'll accompany you, and catch up with you later," said Sirius.
"Okay. Night. Come on, Gin," said Harry gently, helping her up the stairs.
Sirius watched them go, so much like James and Lily. He shook his head, and went to make another coffee. He needed to go over everything he wanted to ask the goblins tomorrow. It could change Harry's life.
XXXX
"Hey guys," greeted Neville.
"Hi Neville," greeted Harry and Ginny. "How's your summer been?"
"Not bad. Gran was pleased with my results, particularly in Herbology and DADA. She's let me have my own section in her greenhouse, so that's been fun," grinned Neville.
"Nev, I know your birthday is still a few days away, but Harry and I want to get you a present. Come on," said Ginny, grabbing his arm and dragging him off.
Neville glanced back to Harry, who shrugged. "Best to go along with her, mate."
"For a little thing, she's quite strong," grimaced Neville. Harry laughed and followed them.
Ginny dragged them to one of the main shops in the Alley. Neville looked up and frowned. "Ollivanders? I don't understand."
"We," said Ginny, pointing to Harry and herself, "are buying you a new wand for your birthday."
"My own wand!" gasped Neville. Then he shook his head. "No, I can't let you do that, it's too much."
"Neville, every witch and wizard needs their own wand. I had my grandmothers, and it was okay, but once I got my own, magic was easier. You'll see. Come on," said Ginny, dragging him inside.
"Ah, Mr Longbottom, I've been expecting you for some time," said Mr Ollivander. "Please, come forward."
Harry gave Nev a little push, then he and Ginny sank into some seats to watch.
Neville took a gulp, and stepped forward.
XXXX
Harry, Ginny and Neville decided to get some lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. They heard snippets of other people's conversations, saying that dark activitity had increased lately. Ginny snagged a copy of the Daily Prophet, and paled when she read the front page.
"Oh Harry, look. Isn't this where you used to live?" she asked him.
Harry paled as he read the story. "Mrs Figg attacked by Dementors in Little Whingeing? She's just an old lady with a million cats who lived next door to the Dursley's."
"Arabella Figg?" asked Neville. Harry shrugged, he'd never heard her first name before.
"My gran knew a Mrs Figg, but she's a Squib," said Neville, twirling his new wand. "Merlin, it's amazing, it just feels so...right, you know." Harry and Ginny nodded, then went back to the paper.
"It's too much of a coincidence that she was your neighbour. They must have been looking for you," said Ginny to Harry.
"Which means someone knows that I used to return there in the summer. I thought Dementors protected Azkaban. What would they be doing in Little Whinging?" asked Harry.
"Ginny? Harry?"
Ginny turned to see Daphne and Astoria Greengrass enter the Leaky Cauldron, their arms loaded with bags.
"Hi, Tori. Looks like you've been busy," said Ginny. "Hi Daphne."
"Can we join you for lunch? All this shopping has made me hungry. Hi Harry," said Astoria, plopping her bags on one chair and falling into another.
"Sure. Um, Daphne, you know Neville Longbottom, I'm sure, and Harry," said Ginny.
Daphne nodded, and sat in the chair next to Neville. "New wand?"
"Yeah, I had my uncle's before. Harry and Ginny bought it for my birthday,"grinned Neville.
"Nice. Having your own wand is so much better," agreed Daphne. "How's your holidays been, Harry?"
"Good, although I'm missing Snape and his potions lessons so much," drawled Harry. Daphne laughed.
"Yeah, you're his favourite student. We have potions together," explained Daphne to Astoria and Ginny.
"Oh, we have our classes with Ravenclaw, and of course, they all think they're so much smarter than us," groaned Astoria.
"Is it your birthday today?" asked Daphne to Neville. "We could make this a party lunch."
"No, it's not for a couple of days yet. Harry's is the day after mine," he said, flushing at the pretty girl's attention.
"Well, Happy Birthday for a couple of days time," said Daphne, kissing his cheek. Neville was so flustered he dropped his wand on the floor. "Shit, er sorry, damn," he said, embarassed. He leaned down to pick it up, but the wand flew off the ground into his hand. "Woah!"
"Wow, that was impressive," said Daphne. "Wandless magic. Can you do that too, Harry?"
Harry shrugged. "I've never tried."
"How about we order," said Ginny, opening her menu. She winked at Neville behind it, and he flushed.
They had a pleasant lunch, exchanging news of their holiday plans, although Harry and Ginny didn't have any idea what Sirius had planned for them. They tentatively agreed to meet in Diagon Alley in mid August when it was time to get their school books for the coming year. Neville seemed relieved to hear that Harry was planning to return to Hogwarts.
Sirius came in a couple of hours later. Harry could see that he was ready to head home, so reluctantly, he told their friends it was time to go. Astoria and Ginny hugged goodbye, and Daphne hugged Neville, again wishing him a Happy Birthday.
Then Daphne hugged Harry and kissed his cheek. "I hope you have a Happy Birthday too, Harry," she said.
"Um, thanks," said Harry blushing.
"Write to me, Ginny," cried Astoria, looking between Daphne and Harry. She and her sister left.
"Well now, that was fun, wasn't it," grinned Ginny. "See, us Slytherins aren't all as bad as Draco Malfoy."
"She's really nice," said Neville, watching as Daphne turned around to wave goodbye to them. He goofily lifted a hand to wave back.
"Looks to me like she really likes Gryffindors too. Especially two handsome Gryffindors who shall remain nameless," quipped Ginny.
Harry and Neville flushed, and Sirius laughingly patted them on the back.
"Of course, I meant Seamus and Dean," teased Ginny. Sirius howled with laughter at Harry and Neville's expressions. They stood up and Neville picked up his wand.
"Do you really think Seamus and Dean are good looking?" Harry asked Ginny as they left the Leaky Cauldron.
Ginny shrugged. "I haven't really given it much thought."
"Have you heard from Michael?" asked Neville, hurrying to catch up with them.
"No. I guess I should write him a letter," said Ginny, half heartedly. Harry looked at her.
"Neville, do you want to come back to ours? I have a lot to go through with these two, and it affects you too. Maybe you could even stay for tea?" asked Sirius.
"May I fire call my Gran when I get to yours to let her know where I am? I don't want her to worry," said Neville.
"Of course. I'll have to side-Apparate with you. Our home is under the Fidelias charm. Ready? Let's go."
XXXX
Harry showed Neville around 12 Grimmauld Place after Neville had firecalled his gran and got the okay to stay for tea. There wasn't much to show, as Harry, Ginny and Sirius had only just started to clean up the old house, and only showed Neville the rooms they'd already done. He did meet Kreacher, who mumbled things under his breath, before slinking back to the kitchen.
"Right then. Let's get started," said Sirius, sitting in front of Neville and Harry.
"What about Gin?" asked Harry.
"This doesn't affect her. She'll join us later. Now, I don't know if you both know this, but your parents were good friends. Your mothers worked together and both your parents were members of the Original Order of the Phoenix. It was a group of us that Dumbledore put together, to fight off Voldemort the first time he came to power."
"Who else was in the group?" asked Neville.
"Edgar Bones, Caradoc Dearborn, Marlene McKinnon-" Sirius's voice trailed off. Harry could see that the last name meant something to him.
Sirius took a breath and continued. "A couple of Ginny's uncles, Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Dorcas Meadows, Benji Fenwick. Remus, of course. Dumbledore's brother, Abe."
Harry hadn't heard most of those names before.
Sirius looked at both of them. "Both your families are old magical families. You two, as the surviving members of those families, are the heirs and heads house of the Most Ancient and Noble houses of Potter" to Harry, "and Longbottom,"-to Neville.
"What does that mean?" asked Neville, looking as clueless as Harry felt.
"As the heads of these houses, you have some political power in the magical world. You have the right to sit in on the Wizenmagot hearings and vote, or bring up topics. You would both need to go to Gringott's, and they will need to verify your identity, but of course, that won't be a problem. Then they'll take you to your vaults," said Sirius.
"Vaults?" asked Neville and Harry together. Sirius nodded.
"I know for a fact that you, Harry, have a basic vault and a family vault. Your parents stored a lot of your grandparents furniture inside it, waiting till they got a bigger house than the one in Godric's Hollow. They were hoping to have more children,"he said, sadly.
"Why didn't Dumbledore tell me any of this?" Harry asked angrily.
Sirius shook his head angrily. "You should have been made aware of it. It's just one more thing we need to ask him why he's kept it secret."
"What about my Gran? Why didn't she tell me?" asked Neville.
"Unfortunately, I have no idea on that either. You'll have to ask her about that," said Sirius. Neville looked gloomy at that idea.
"The goblins at Gringott's have been made aware that you both have not been told of your inheritance. They are preparing a list of things for you to look over and then we can go and see them, and put your own plans into action. You know, how you want to handle your money, that sort of thing," said Sirius.
Both Neville and Harry looked uncomfortable. "Er, can you help us, advise us?" asked Harry.
"I wouldn't have a clue," said Neville, nodding eagerly at Harry's suggestion.
"I'd be happy to help, but it might be better in the long run to get someone who's not so close to you," said Sirius.
"Ginny mentioned her brother Bill works for Gringott's," said Harry, remembering their conversation last night.
Sirius nodded. "Albus is reforming the Order of the Phoenix, and Bill, Molly and Arthur have joined. Why don't we send him an owl, see what exactly he does for Gringott's and if he can be of any help?" asked Sirius.
"Only if he accepts Ginny's decision about her family. If he sides with Mr and Mrs Weasley, then no," said Harry, firmly. "I don't want anyone like that handling my personal affairs."
"Understood. Now, I want to talk to you all about Voldemort. Harry, go and find Ginny, please. She needs to hear this as well."
Harry stood up and left the other two to go and find Ginny. Neville waited nervously. "Thanks for telling me all this, Sirius. I think Gran thinks she's protecting me, after, well, what happened to my parents and all. I'm all she has left."
Sirius nodded. "No-one is forcing you to do anything. If you want to leave things the way they are, you can. I'm just letting you know all the facts and giving you options, that's all."
Harry found Ginny curled up on her bed, reading a book. "Hey, can you come down? Sirius wants to talk to all of us."
"Okay," agreed Ginny. To his surprise, she brought the book with her. As she sat down, Sirius glanced at the book, sure he'd seen it before somewhere. He waited for Harry and Ginny to get comfortable before he started again.
"I just told the boys about the Order of the Phoenix. It's a group that Dumbleodore founded back in the 70's. Both the boys parents were members, and they went up against Voldemort."
"My Mum's brother's were members and they were killed by Death Eaters. Fred and George have their names for their middle name," said Ginny sadly.
Sirius nodded. "Yes, Gideon and Fabian Prewett. Good men. You can be proud of them, Ginny."
Sirius continued. "Dumbledore is reforming the Order. Your parents have already joined, as has your eldest two brothers. Hagrid, Mcgonagall and my cousin Tonks, who's an Auror. The numbers are growing every day. Then again, I'm sure so is Voldemort's."
"I want to join," said Harry. "Me too," said Neville and Ginny.
Sirius held up his hand. "That's not what this is about. We'll discuss this later," he said, looking at Harry and Ginny. "I intend to keep you fully in the loop, whether you join or not."
"About time," said Harry, grumpily. He crossed his arms moodily.
"Fudge is refusing to believe Voldemort is back. He's frightened of the power that Dumbledore has, thinks that Dumbledore is plotting to overthrow him, you see."
"What, he thinks Dumbledore wants to be Minister for Magic?" asked Harry. He thought for a second. "Does he?"
"Of course not. Fudge just doesn't want to, or even know, how to cope. He knows that Dumbledore is more cleverer, and more powerful than he is. He used to always ask Dumbldore for advice in his early days as Minister for Magic. So now, they're trying to keep everything all hush hush. The Ministry is even coming down on what the Daily Prophet prints," said Sirius, grimly.
That reminded Ginny of the headlines they'd read in the paper at the Leaky Cauldron. "What about this Dementor attack in Little Whinging. A nice coincidence that it happened to be Harry's ex neighbour?"
"Yeah, right," scoffed Sirius. "Apparantly Arablla Figg has been watching over you for years, under Dumbledore's orders. This was leaked to someone, and unfortunately she paid the price."
"But isn't she a Squib? She couldn't even have defended herself. Why would you put someone like her to watch over Harry?" asked Neville. Sirius nodded, looking grim.
"What I don't understand is how Voldemort was able to come back. How did he survive after-that Halloween night?" asked Ginny, with an apologetic look at Harry. "How did he survive after what happened with Professor Quirrel? Can he be defeated? Ever?"
"Somehow he's found a way to stay alive, even barely. It took him a long time, ten years to regain a body after the first time. This time, well, he had Wormtail and Barty Crouch Jnr to help him, didn't he?" asked Sirius, sighing heavily. He still couldn't believe that his old school friend had turned so blindly to the dark side.
"What's a Horcrux?" asked Ginny, suddenly. Harry and Neville looked at her, then Sirius, who had paled.
"Where did you hear that word?" he asked.
Ginny pulled out the book she'd been reading when Harry had found her. "I found this diary while I was cleaning the room next to yours, Sirius."
"That's my brother Reg's," said Sirius.
"Oh! R.A.B?" asked Ginny, looking at the embossed initials on the cover.
Sirius nodded. "Regulus Arcturus Black."
" , listen to the last entry- 'After all this time, I realise the Dark Lord is only interested in the power and glory for himself. I have made a terrible mistake and caused pain for many people. Sirius, my brother, I ask one thing and beg you to honour my request. Take care of Kreacher. He has proven himself loyal above all to me and knows all my secrets. He has, in his possession, a locket. I have instructed him, if I were to die, to give it to you and you alone. Take it, destroy it. It is a Horcrux, a dark magic that is keeping the Dark Lord alive. It is one of several that he has made. I am keeping close to the Dark Lord, in the hope of learning where more of his Horcruxes are so I can destroy them. Then, and only then, will the Dark Lord be mortal again. He must be destroyed if our world is to continue. Sirius, if you should ever read this, please know how sorry I am for our estrangement. I truly believed I was fighting for a better world. Your brother-Reg.'
Ginny looked up from the page she was reading and saw tears in Sirius' eyes. "Oh Sirius, I'm sorry," she said, going over to hug him.
"May I see the book?" he asked shakily. He re-read the page and flicked back over the last couple of entry's. "I can't believe it. He realised...too late."
Harry and Neville looked sadly at Sirius. "It sounds like he tried to do the right thing in the end,"said Neville.
"He could have come to me, if I wasn't locked up. I could have helped him. Damn Pettigrew!" He slammed the book shut so hard, all three children jumped. "Damn Voldemort. All he's done is ruin lives, ruin families. Fuck!"
He got up and stormed off, taking the book with him.
"I think it's time for me to go," said Neville, nervously.
Harry and Ginny nodded. They had never seen Sirius so upset before. They saw Neville through the floo and went into the kitchen.
"I hope Sirius is okay," sighed Ginny. "I hope that now he knows his brother tried to go against Voldemort, it will help in some small way."
"What else do you think he could have made a Horcrux of?" asked Harry, grabbing some butter and milk out of the fridge.
CRASH Harry and Ginny spun around to see Kreacher standing there, shaking.
"What do you know of the Horcux?" rasped Kreacher, looking scared.
"We know you have one. A locket, given to you by Regulus Black," said Harry.
Kreacher moaned. "Kreacher tried to destroy it. Kreacher tried but there was many dark curses on it. My Mistress was grief stricken, for Master Regulus was missing. Kreacher -could not tell what happened to Master Regulus, f-f-for Master Regulus had forbidden Kreacher to tell anyone but his b-brother." Kreacher began to sob.
Ginny had tears in her eyes, while Harry was trying to process everything.
"Kreacher."
Harry, Ginny and Kreacher turned to see Sirius in the doorway. "I think we need to talk, and you have something for me, don't you?"
Kreacher slowly nodded, his eyes never leaving Sirius's face. "Get it please, and come to the library." Sirius left the doorway.
Kreacher gulped, then looked at Harry and Ginny. "You will help Master Sirius destroy it?"
Harry and Ginny nodded. He shuffled into the kitchen, to a cupboard where he slept. He reached in and pulled out a box. He picked something up then returned the box to the cupboard. He shuffled back past Harry and Ginny.
"May we see it, please Kreacher?" asked Harry.
Kreacher shook his head vehemently, clutching it to his chest as he went past them. Harry could feel it's evil; was somehow drawn to it. He wanted to touch it, and even reached out. He dropped his hand quickly once he realised what he'd done.
"Harry, are you okay?" asked Ginny, suddenly. Kreacher looked at him shrewdly.
"I'm fine," said a shaky Harry. He sat down at the table.
"I'll make you something for tea. Omelette okay?" asked Ginny.
"Kreacher made a cottage pie, if Miss would like to put it in the oven," said Kreacher.
"Thank you, Kreacher, that sounds good," said Ginny.
Kreacher stared at her, then Harry for a few seconds, then turned away to seek out Sirius. He hoped by finally telling Master Sirius all he knew, Master Regulus would finally be at peace.