Harry cleared out the last of his clothing throwing it haphazardly into the duffle on the bed. Lily was stood in the doorway watching his every move, she hadn't said a word to him the whole time but she could feel her eyes on him. He knew she was angry could feel it like a spark in the air, but knew she wouldn't say anything to him. Kneeling down in front of his wardrobe he taped the false bottom which rolled back to reveal some of his most precious possessions. Grabbing the bag that was tucked to the side off the wardrobe he slipped the piles of books inside along with a few of his magical instruments, some of his own design.

When he closed the bag is sealed with magic and only he or someone he nominated would be able to open it. Thanks to the undetectable extension charm he was able to fit everything in a bag no bigger that a laptop case. He stuffed this into the duffle along with everything else and finally zipped the bag up.

"Are you going to say anything or are you just going to stare at me," he finally said as he knelt down in front of the bed to pull out a box he had there.

Lily sighed and uncrossing her arms moved into the room, "I'm sorry Harry, but you know how I feel about this."

Looking up he could see the fear plain in her eyes and swallowing the lump in his throat swallowed unable to find the words to take it away. Looking down because he could take the sight of his mothers pain, Harry flipped the lid of the box and pulled out the full length coat that was inside. As he shook it out it rippled with ultraviolet light, the black scales turning purple for a moment. The coat was made from dragon hide, from one of the rarest and hardest to kill dragons in the world. Lily smiled as she watched Harry stand and slip it on. She remembered the day that he had killed the dragon himself, needless to say she had not known what he was doing before hand, and he had been reamed out for sure, but she could also feel the pride from that day. She knew today was another dragon day; Harry would never ever back down from a challenge, and definitely not from a fight.

Lily moved up and placed her hand on Harry's arm, her fingers tingling where they made contact with the hide. Even now years later it still had a magical spark that she was sure would never disappear.

"I'm coming with you, I can sit here and worry," she said and she knew she would start crying any moment.

With a smile Harry pulled her into a hug, wrapping her carefully in his arms, and pressed his lips to her hair. Sighing Lily tried not to let the worry that was gnawing at her stomach ruin the moment.

Before she could say anything else she slipped from his arms and headed down to her bedroom to pack. Harry let her go knowing she needed a moment, and tried very hard not to hear the sobs of her crying behind the closed door. He threw his duffle over his back and headed down the stairs to find Sirius waiting patiently in the front room.

"Are you ready to go pup?" he asked and Harry frowned at him.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" he said his voice devoid of any sign of emotion.

Sirius frowned scrubbing his hand over his face, "sorry Harry, that's what you were to me," he paused searching for the right words, "when you were little, when they made me your godfather, I would come and visit. Even when you were in hiding I'd come in my animagus form and lay with you. I don't know I spent more time with you as a dog, and somehow you just became my pup."

Harry simply nodded at the story and Sirius found that he couldn't look at the man anymore not when his mind was full of the happy laughter of a baby unburdened by the world. When he closed his eyes he could see Harry's little hand reaching out to him, a bright smile breaking across his face. He could feel his little body pressed against his stomach as he slept with him wrapped safely around him. He could see the love in his father's eyes when he held a brand new little bundle.

James had never been happier than the day Harry had been born. Sirius had never seen his friend filled with more love, he hadn't thought it would be possible after James and Lily's wedding day, but he was happier that day than any other. Sirius wanted nothing more than to live in that moment again, to be with his best friend and his wife, to hold their child and laugh with joy. Opening his eyes he looked at Harry who was now stood next to the fireplace staring into the flames. Looking at Harry hurt Sirius' heart and he didn't know if it was a pain that would ever ease.

Before he could find himself doing anything though Lily arrived. She was wearing a full length black cloak, the hood tipped back for the time being.

"If we're going to do this, then I want to make sure that Harry will be safe for as long as I can," she looked at Sirius who nodded and then at Harry who didn't even twitch.

"Sirius and I will go first Harry, I still have a few tricks left up my sleeve, you can follow once I know it's safe."

Harry did look at her then and Sirius could see the power simmering in the depths of his eyes.

"I'm sorry but I can't do that, and you know I would never agree to it," he didn't even know why his mother would suggest something like it she knew him better than that.

Sighing Lily nodded then smiled weakly, "I figured that's why I had a backup," reaching inside her cloak she pulled out a bundle of shinny material and held it out for Harry.

Walking forwards slowly he took the bundle from his mothers hands and shook it out. The cloak rippled with magic as it fell to the floor, the material feeling like liquid in Harry's hand.

"Dad's cloak," he whispered running his fingers along the material.

Lily smiled warmly reaching out to enclose Harry's hand in hers, "wear this ok, you can be at my back at all times but please just wear this for me, until I give the ok."

Looking up Harry gave a quick nod and it was decided. They would be travelling by floo since Harry didn't know where they were going so he couldn't aparate. Sirius checked the fire place one more time making sure his instructions had been followed and their destination had been added to the floo network for just this once.

Looking down at his watch Sirius nodded and with a smile to Lily waved his wand dampening the fire that had burned a moment ago. Stepping in the fire he turned to look at the other two expectantly. Lily turned to look at Harry her eyes begging him one last time to reconsider but she knew from the set of Harry's jaw it was an argument she was never going to win. Unable to look at him anymore she turned and walked into the fire place. Harry took one last look around the room before slipping the cloak around his shoulders and then he too stepped into the fireplace taking his mother's hand.

A little reluctantly Sirius reached down and took Lily's smaller hand in his own. The heat of her palm seared into his own and he shivered. She turned to look at him then her face a blank mask, but he could read her, he had always been able to read her better than anyone. He knew she was terrified but from this moment onwards she would be nothing but a pillar of strength. Delving his hands into his pocket Sirius pulled out a sachet of powder and before his worries could get the better of him he tipped the contents out.

"Grimmauld Place!" he called in a sure voice and with a flash of green the trio were gone.


Ginny sat at the table with Hermione next to her on one side and Bill on the other. She was trying very hard to concentrate on what report they were going over, but it was terribly boring. They had been talking for over an hour and so far all that things had amounted to were a load of nothing. Sure there had been one or two isolated attacks since they last met, but nothing huge, plus the fact that no one seemed to have any new Intel to add and yet they were still going through the motions.

Sighing she leant forwards on her elbow turning to study Tonks. The other woman was obviously bored as well, but she was doing a better job of hiding it. She was sat next to Lupin and every now and then the man would jump and turn to glare at her. Ginny had to stifle a laugh as she watched the couple, knowing that Tonks hands were very busy under the table.

"Alright does anyone have anything else to add," Shacklebolt said breaking into Ginny's daydreaming.

The tall Auror had been running the meeting so far but now he was opening up the floor to everyone. Before Ginny's nerves could get the better of her she rose to her feet and all eyes turned to her. She didn't miss the little gasp Molly let out, or the way Hermione tensed next to her.

"I have something," she said and looked to the Auror who nodded and took his seat.

"I've unofficially been part of the order since I was barely fourteen, but now I'm of age I want to officially petition to be a full member," she looked pointedly at her mother who had gone very pale," with all the responsibilities that that entails," sitting back down Ginny was proud of herself that her voice hadn't wavered and that the shaking in her hands didn't start until they were safely tucked under the table.

As she retook her seat the room fell deathly silent, no one daring to be the first to say anything. Ginny didn't look at anyone, instead her eyes stayed firmly on the grain of the wood under her fingertips as she spread her hands flat onto the table trying to steady them and her nerves. Kingsley rose to his feet then pulling the attention of the room to him.

"I believe that Miss Weasley has a point, she has proved on more than one occasion what a valuable asset she can be," turning he smiled at Ginny when he caught her eye, "I second the petition; let's put it to a vote."

Slowly but surely people began raising their hands, and with every one Ginny felt the weight lift from her chest. She had worried that no one would want her to participate. She didn't fail to see that her mother didn't raise his hand, and neither did Bill or Charlie. She glared at her two brothers but didn't say anything. Fleur hit Bill in the arm as she lifted her hand and Ginny couldn't help but smile at her sister in law.

Soon most of the room had their hands up, "then it's settled Ginny is a full member," Kingsley said and the twins cheered.

With a laugh Ginny thanked everyone trying hard to keep the blush that was threatening to spread across her cheeks from manifesting. She was brimming with happiness until the door banged open breaking into everyone's chatting.

Everyone turned to look at the doorway to find Sirius stood there a slightly sheepish look on his face. Instantly Lupin bounded from his chair and headed across the room to great his friend. Sirius pulled the other man into a hug, and then they were furiously whispering to themselves. Lupin pulled back suddenly shock obvious on his face; he looked over Sirius' shoulder his face suddenly going blank. Ginny strained to try and see what he was seeing but it was a dark hallway to her.

"I'm sorry that I'm late," he said stepping into the room with Lupin at his side.

Kingsley smiled and walked forwards to shake the other man's hand, "that is fine; we all know how you like to make an entrance."

For a moment there was a lot of posturing as the older members of the order greeted Sirius. Soon things calmed but everyone had abandoned the formal meeting and most were now stood in a group talking. Ginny had pulled herself up onto the table her legs crossed as she watched everyone. Fleur was whispering madly in Bill's ear and she knew he was being reamed for before and it sent a little shiver of evil glee through her mind, serves him right.

Suddenly Sirius cleared his throat and everyone turned to look back at him, "before we go any further I want to say that I set out with a mission that most of you don't actually know about," he looked to Lupin who was stood with Tonks, her arms wrapped around his, "I just want to say that I brought something back with me from my travels."

Turning he held his hand out to the still open doorway and a cloaked figure materialised walking into the room. Instantly everyone was on alert, some of the men pushing their women behind them, others running forwards with their wands drawn. Ginny stayed where she was on the table, able to see everything unfolding easily.

"Whoa!" Sirius said throwing his hands up and everyone faltered, some even lowered their wands completely.

Sirius turned his attention to the figure and nodded, small hands appeared from the folds of the cloth and the person reached up and pushed the hood down. Instantly Ginny saw a flash of pale skin and brilliant bright red hair to rival her own. Gasps rocked through the room as everyone spotted exactly who it was

"Lily," Remus gasped and flew forwards pulling his lost friend into his arms.

She laughed lightly as he held her and she clutched at him just as tightly. Remus couldn't believe his eyes, or his senses, everything was screaming at him that this was definitely Lily. There was no smell of magic, no tell tale sign of polyjuice, nothing to say this wasn't a woman he had grieved back from the dead.

Remus' movements seemed to snap everyone out of their shock and suddenly people were moving forwards and Lily was being passed from person to person, each pulling her into a hug. The only people not running forwards were the younger members, while all moved to stand near Ginny.

"Lily, as in Lily Potter," Ron said looking to Ginny who only shrugged.

So Sirius had managed it, he had found the lost Potter, but it seemed as if she was all he had found. Ginny searched the shadows behind Lily trying to pick out any other shapes but it was hopeless she couldn't see anything. Her heart flipped over at the thought that her family had a friend they had grieved back, but where was the hope she had been wishing for.


A/N thank you to everyone that has read this story so far I was very pleased to find my inbox bombarded with fanfic emails telling me 13 ppl had added to story alert, 11 ppl had added it to the favs and four ppl had reviewed.

a special thank you to the four who reviewed, keep them coming they make my day. Hope you all enjoyed this chap!