A/N: Wooooo! Loving my prizes! :P So I'm weak, sue me. LOL. :P Anyways, sadly, this may be all I can update today despite any gifts. I have to go to town in a couple hours. *sigh* :P Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter. While you all read, I'm going to enjoy my new gifts. :P I have some plans for them. LOL. :P

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" Remus yelled when he finally got home the next morning.

"Hey, Moony. What's going on?" Sirius said, slowly walking down the stairs.

"Sirius, why did you bring Harry to a crime scene and why did I not know about the murder?" Remus asked.

"He wanted to come and I never even thought of telling you until it was later and it wasn't new news."

"To you."

"To me."

"Why did Harry want to go and why did you let him?"

"Because he watched the murder. I don't know why he wanted to go but I let him because he needed to fill me in," Sirius replied.

"What do you mean? How did he watch the murder? Who was killed anyways?" Remus frowned.

"Lee Jordan. You should ask Harry about it. I don't know what happened very well," Sirius told him.

"Yeah. I'll be back in a bit," Remus went up the stairs and Sirius nodded. Remus stopped at Harry's door and knocked. "Pup? You awake?"

"Yeah, I'm awake. Relatively, anyways," Harry answered and Remus entered the room. Harry was lying on his bed, still under the covers. He looked very tired and his hair was extremely messy.

"How'd you sleep, pup?" Remus sat on the bed.

"All right, I guess. Had a nightmare all night. Never woke up though," Harry shrugged.

"Didn't you have a Dreamless Sleep Potion?"

"Umm…well, not exactly."

"But, Sirius said you told Tonks that you took it."

"I didn't. I didn't think I needed it," the teen admitted.

"You should have taken it. You just witnessed your friend being killed. You should have known you needed it. Sirius and I always have you take the potion if something's happened."

"I know, I know. Sorry," Harry apologized. Remus sounded a little angry.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"You're mad," Harry said simply, avoiding his uncle's eyes. "I know I should have taken the potion and I shouldn't have lied about taking it, but…" he trailed off. "I'm sorry. Don't be mad."

"Harry, I am a little upset, I'll admit, but not at you. How could I be mad at you over something so silly?" Remus said softly.

"Why are you upset?"

"Mainly towards Sirius. It's nothing bad. He should have told me about the murder right away and he should not have brought you to the scene."

"I asked to go."

"That doesn't mean he had to bring you."

"It was all right. I just needed to tell him what happened. I didn't mind going."

"But I do," Remus stated. "Isn't it bad enough that you saw it as it happened, but then you had to see it again? So irresponsible." Remus fumed.

"Listen to me. I can handle it. Believe me, I've seen worse. I wanted to go. You know if Sirius said no, I would have begged to go. Really, Remus. Calm down. It was fine," Harry answered.

"Yeah. So what happened?" Remus sighed.

"I kept getting phone calls. I got three. The first one there was no noise, no answer, no nothing. The second one, I could hear breathing. The third one, the person spoke. Long story short, he 'teased' me a bit then had Lee killed because I didn't answer a question that could have probably saved his life."

"What was the question?"

"What are the Horcruxes and where are they?" Harry said. "I don't know though. Dumbledore didn't even know. This caller knows everything about me though." Harry replied.

Remus frowned. "Odd. We'll figure it out. Come have breakfast," he ruffled Harry's hair, to the boy's irritation, then went downstairs. Harry sighed and got out of bed. Without changing out of his pyjamas or fixing his hair, he went to the kitchen.

"Hey, kiddo. You look dead on your feet," Sirius raised an eyebrow at his godson who sat at the table.

"I feel like it too," Sirius and Remus grinned at their nephew.

"So your birthday is tomorrow. Excited?" Sirius remarked as Remus placed the food on the table, sitting down.

Harry had completely forgotten about his birthday the next day. In twenty-four hours or less he would be seventeen. He would be of age. He found it amazing. He had made it to seventeen, but it was time to put a stop to Voldemort. Would he live past that? Would he live to be able to finish growing up with his uncles?

"Harry?" Remus said after a couple minutes.

"Yeah?"

"You okay, kid? You zoned out for a bit," Sirius looked worried like Remus. The last time Harry kept zoning out, it was due to Summer possessing him which, in turn, almost caused him to kill Ron and Hermione.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just thinking. I had actually forgotten it was my birthday tomorrow," Harry answered. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to be of age," he shrugged.

"Well, at least enjoy the party tomorrow," Remus told him.

"Yeah. When will everyone be coming?" Harry wondered.

"Everyone will be arriving at different times. The Weasleys and Hermione will be coming first. Around noon or one. Tonks and Andy will be by around one, and Kingsley will come around two. He's really busy with something for a bit tomorrow. Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom might stop by, they didn't know if they could make it or not," Remus explained.

"Okay. I'll try to have fun," Harry sighed. His uncles looked at him sadly. They knew it would be hard for him to really enjoy himself when so many of his friends were gone. The rest of breakfast was quiet, no one talking.

"We're here! Anyone home?" Arthur Weasley called when he and his family arrived at Harry's house.

"Be there in a minute, Arthur!" they heard Remus call. The Weasley family settled into the living room to wait. Upstairs, Sirius and Remus were sitting on Harry's bed, watching the teen pace.

"I don't want to do this. I don't want to be seventeen. I don't want to have this party," Harry was venting.

"Why are you so against being seventeen?" Sirius asked.

"Because it means I'm of age. It means I can leave. It means you two don't have to want me or raise me anymore. It means I'm alone…again," Harry answered sadly. He collapsed into his chair at his desk, his back to his uncles. He put his arms on the desk and buried his face in them, trying to hide the tears that had risen in his eyes. Remus and Sirius rose and went to Harry. They knelt beside him but he didn't lift his head.

"Harry, are you going to look at us?" Sirius asked.

"No. I'll stay like this."

"All right. Be sure to listen," they saw Harry nod.

Remus continued for Sirius. "Pup, you know that's not true. Yes, you are of age. Yes, you can leave, but just because you're seventeen it doesn't mean we don't want you anymore. We'll always want you. True, we don't have to raise you much anymore but that doesn't mean we won't try. You'll never be alone like you were before you were five. You have the Weasleys and Hermione. Tonks and Andromeda. You'll always have Sirius and I. You know that. I know turning seventeen is a big deal, but that doesn't mean everything you have disappears. We love you, pup, and you should know that there's nothing in the world that will change that."

"Moony's right. You know we love you more than anything."

"Doesn't change the fact that I'm an 'adult'. you don't exactly want me here now that I'm an 'adult'," Harry muttered.

"Harry, you could be a wolf or a mouse and we'd still want you here. Just because you're seventeen, it doesn't mean we automatically stop loving you and want to get rid of you. We never will. We'll always love you," Sirius answered. Harry shrugged, still not looking up. Remus and Sirius sighed.

"We should go to the Weasleys, Padfoot," Remus said. His friend agreed. "We'll be downstairs when you're ready," Remus gave Harry's hair a stroke, kissed his temple, then left the room.

"We'll never stop loving you, kiddo. Happy birthday," Sirius kissed Harry's head as well, then went downstairs. A bit after they were gone, Harry raised his head, his eyes and face finally dry of tears. He sighed and looked at the picture on his wall directly in front of him. He was twelve years old and Remus and Sirius were holding him close. He watched as his uncles kissed the sides of his head at the same time. He didn't know what he wanted to do.

Downstairs, Remus and Sirius were in the living room with the Weasleys.

"So, what's going on with Harry?" Hermione asked.

"He doesn't want to be seventeen. He thinks that because he's of age now, Remus and I don't want him and don't love him anymore. Crazy, but he's convinced. He thinks he's going to be alone again like he was at the Dursleys'. we told him otherwise, but he's convinced that he's right," Sirius told the family.

"Maybe we could try. Maybe he'll believe us," Ron and Hermione said.

"We could try it. Go ahead. He's in his bedroom," Remus nodded. The kids jumped up and ran to their friend's room.

"Harry? You all right?" Hermione stated as they walked in.

"Sirius and Remus told us what's going on," Ron replied.

"Things fly fast around here," Harry muttered.

"Harry, you're crazy for thinking everything you said is true. We'll always be with you. You'll never be alone. Remus and Sirius will never stop loving you, especially not because you're turning seventeen," Hermione protested.

"It's ridiculous, mate. You're their son, Harry. Just because you're of age doesn't mean they're going to throw you out the window. They love you. You mean everything to them. That's not going to change just because a law states you're of age today," Ron added. Harry didn't speak, but he did turn around to face them. They looked at him, waiting.

"Thanks. You're right," Harry spoke. Hermione smiled and hugged him.

"Let's get downstairs. Tonks and Andromeda should be here soon," Ron suggested when Hermione finally released Harry. They agreed and went to the living room. Before he sat down and was noticed by his guardians, he went in between them where they were standing and hugged them.

"Sorry," he said as he let them go.

"Don't worry about it, pup," Remus smiled, stroking Harry's hair.

"Hello, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley smiled and hugged the boy.

"Hi. Umm…where's Charlie? Did he have to go back to Romania?"

"Yes, he got called to deal with a serious problem. He tried to get back but he couldn't," Mrs. Weasley told him.

"That's okay," Harry stated.

"I think Tonks and Andy are here," Sirius said and went to the door. He opened it and voices floated into the house.

"Good to see you, Sirius. It's been too long," Andromeda Tonks nee Black hugged her cousin.

"You too, Andy. Come in," he let the pair in and Harry automatically ran to hug Andromeda.

"Hi, Harry. My, you've grown. Already seventeen. Amazing how the time flies," she said as she looked at Harry.

"That it does. Flies too fast for my liking," Remus agreed, coming up behind Harry.

"Remus. You look even better than the last time I saw you. Four years it's been, has it? So good to see you without that dreadful curse holding you down." The two hugged.

"All thanks to Harry, here," Remus smiled at his nephew.

"Wotcher, Harry. Remus," Tonks said, stepping around her mother.

"Hi, Tonks," Harry and Remus smiled.

"Do you know when Kingsley's gonna be here?" Sirius asked as everyone sat down.

"Shortly. In about twenty minutes. He changed it because he didn't want to be late," she answered.

"Great," Remus smiled.

So the party started. For a bit, everyone stayed in the living room, talking and catching up. Like Tonks had said, Kingsley arrived twenty minutes later and joined the group in the living room. For another fifteen minutes, they continued talking then moved the party outside for fresh air and so the kids could run around. They levitated the kitchen table outside and put the presents on it, conjuring more tables for the food. When Harry went off with his friends, Sirius and Remus were going to tell him to be careful, but Kingsley and Tonks silenced them with looks.

For half an hour, the adults chatted while watching the trio run around. Then it was time for gifts.

"Harry! Come on!" Sirius called and the trio ran over to them. Harry opened all his gifts for ten minutes, then it was time for the cake. As soon as he was done his cake, Kingsley declared that he had to leave.

"Happy birthday, Harry. Wish I could have stayed longer. Catch you later. See you at work, Tonks and Sirius. See you, everyone," Kingsley kissed Tonks' cheek then went to the apparation point and disappeared.

"Uh oh," Sirius whispered to Remus.

"What?" he whispered back.

"I think we're going to be leaving."

"What do you mean?" Sirius pointed to two owls flying towards them. They were indeed Ministry owls. They glanced at Harry. Thankfully, he hadn't noticed the owls yet. Instead of landing, the owls flew over Remus and Sirius, dropping letters in their hands, then continued flying. Remus opened his letter first as Sirius went to Tonks.

Remus,
I think you should get down here. We have new information on Greyback and his pack.
Seth Ledger

"Yes! Finally!" he read and re-read his letter several times as Sirius opened his.

Mr. Black,
You need to get down here…fast. There's been a muggle murdered and we've gotten new information on the Malfoy case.
Hope Leiland

"Awesome. Tonks, we have to go. You go to the Ministry now, I'll be there in a minute," Sirius instructed and she nodded. Sirius went to Remus. He noticed Harry watching them as he talked with Ron and Hermione. "Moony, I have to go. I can't stay."

"I can't either. What about Harry?"

"Maybe he could go with the Weasleys," Sirius suggested. "Molly!"

"Yes, dear?"

"Could Harry stay with you tonight? We both have to work," Remus said.

"Of course he can, dear."

"Thank you. One of us will get him tomorrow," Remus smiled. "Harry, could you come here?"

"Yeah?"

"Harry, Remus and I have to work tonight. You'll be spending the night at the Burrow," Sirius told his nephew.

"Oh. Okay," Harry nodded. Remus and Sirius felt bad. Harry sounded so sad that they were leaving.

"We're so sorry, pup, but we can't miss this," Remus apologized.

"It's okay."

"We'll see you later, Harry. One of us will come and get you tomorrow. Bye, kiddo. Sorry. Happy birthday. Love you," Sirius hugged Harry tightly.

"You too, Sirius. Bye."

"Happy birthday, pup. Bye. Love you," Remus also hugged Harry.

"I love you too. Bye," Harry watched as his guardians went to the apparation point and disappeared.

"Come on, mate. We're leaving," Ron said as he and Hermione came up behind him.

"Okay," he walked with his friends. "You know, I've been thinking."

"About what?" Hermione asked.

"I think we should leave earlier than September. I think we should leave in mid-August."

"It would be easier," Hermione said.

"So we'll be leaving in two weeks?" Ron confirmed.

"If we all agree, yes," Harry nodded.

"I think it's a good idea," Hermione replied.

"Ditto," Ron stated.

"Okay. We leave in two weeks. How about the second Saturday of the month? August fifteenth," Harry suggested.

"Yeah, definitely," they agreed.

"Kids, hurry up! It's time to go home!" Mrs. Weasley called and the trio ran to her at the apparation point. "Good. Come on. Time to go," the Weasleys all disappeared. The trio followed quickly after.

"Mum, we're just going to go up to my room," Ron told his mother and the trio ran up to his bedroom. "So what do we have to bring?"

"All the obvious things, of course. Clothes, food, bathroom things, etcetera," Harry started.

"One of the tents we used at the Quidditch World Cup. We'll definitely need it," Hermione added. The trio stayed up until twelve-thirty in the morning planning their journey, then they went to sleep.

A/N: Okay, yes, Harry acted stupid about turning of age but, come on. Can you blame him? After everything he's been through? Even if he's been with Sirius and Remus since he was 5, he still had five years of feeling like he wasn't wanted or loved and thought he could never be happy or wanted. He's bound to have some insecurities. I think lots of people could feel like he did, thinking that now they're of age, their parents or guardians might not want them around anymore. Anyways, I hope you liked it. :] Review please and thank you. :]