05 Bring on the Summer

A moment later Harry alighted in Professor Dumbledore's office with Lily perched on his shoulder only to find everyone gone. Only the portrait of Phineas Nigellus was inhabited for the moment. And that man said : "There you are, Harry. Albus said he'd be back shortly and would you please wait. Now who do you have there ?"

"Ah Professor, please meet Lilly, she used to be Sirius Harold Black's phoenix and now I'm the one honored with her presence."

Phineas was looking very surprised when he'd mentioned this name. "A Black you say, when was he around again ?"

Harry obliged him by retelling him the details he'd seen on the tapestry at Grimmauld Place and asked Phineas a question. "Professor, can you still go to Grimmauld Place please ?"

Phineas grumbled "Why would I not be able to go there, it's my ancestral home."

Harry replied with "Please humor me, did you try at all today ? Would you mind going there now please ?" when he saw Phineas shake his head.

Soon enough Phineas stormed back into his portrait and yelled "The audacity ! What is the meaning of this ? How dare you ban me from my home ?"

"My apologies, Professor, I have inherited the Black estate today, and the wards have reset themselves to allow the new heir to grant his own access. I'll be able to restore your entry tomorrow, as soon as I've been back to Black Manor."

It was the wrong thing to say, as once again Phineas exploded in rage. "Black Manor, what are you talking about. That place never existed, it was only a fairy tale location."

"Phineas calm down", came suddenly the voice of Professor Dumbledore, who, together with Remus had entered the office without Harry noticing. "The young man is correct. Black Manor does exist. Sirius' father was able to go there. We will discuss this later Phineas. There is something Harry has to do urgently first."

With this Professor Dumbledore turned to Harry and said : "It seems Mrs Malfoy and her cronies were not happy with us snatching the Black estate away from them. With Mr Malfoy Sr still in a Ministry holding cell, they have no access to their usual pile of funds and were getting desperate by my guess. They tried to attack Privet Drive about an hour ago, but they were very clumsy in their attempt and we were able to scare them off. No harm was done to your relatives, but I think it would be best to move you out of Privet Drive tonight. Remus will come along and help you pack and I'm sure that Fawkes will be only too happy to oblige to do two more trips with you, Harry."

At this, Professor Dumbledore turned to look at Fawkes and suddenly realized a second phoenix sat on his perch. "Harry you keep surprising me today. Who is this then ?"

Lilly flew to Harry's shoulder and he introduced her "Lilly meet Remus Lupin and Professor Albus Dumbledore. Gentlemen, please meet Lilly, erstwhile phoenix of Sirius Harold Black. I have now been honored with her presence."

And without allowing the men to regain their composure Harry continued : "Professor Dumbledore could I stay at Hogwarts for tonight please ? I was hoping you would see the possibility to join me at Black Manor tomorrow. I would very much like to introduce you to someone. And maybe I could stay there for the rest of the summer. The place is better warded than Hogwarts, Grimmauld Place and Privet Drive combined and there would be ample room for my friends too."

Professor Dumbledore didn't immediately reply but after a few moments said: "We'll talk more after you've packed up your things at Privet Drive. Remus, you too can stay here tonight. That was a very good suggestion Harry."

So Remus and Harry, with Lilly's help, returned to Privet Drive. Only some eight hours ago Harry had felt bored and now he'd spent one of the most fascinating days since entering the wizard world. Oh yes, his summer looked to become a good one.

While Remus magic-ed Harry's belongings into his trunk, Harry himself went downstairs to say goodbye to his aunt and tell her he was leaving for the summer. When he returned to the smallest bedroom in the house Remus had just finished packing. Harry checked under the loose floorboards and managed to rescue a few more bits and bobs. Less than 15 minutes after their arrival at Privet Drive the two were back in Hogwarts.

After a hearty meal in the kitchens they found themselves, with steaming mugs of tea in their hands, sitting in Professor Dumbledore's sofa and Fawkes and Lilly looked like they were chattering like a pair of lovebirds.

So Harry explained his plans for the summer and hoped fervently they met with their approval.

"Professor Dumbledore, this is what I wanted to suggest for my summer. As you've already experienced first hand, nobody can get into any of the Black residences as long as I have not allowed them entry. From the little I've seen of the manor it is huge and could probably house half the Order members with ease. Now I have it from a good source that no magic, underage or not can be detected there. What I thought to do was simple really. I'd explore the place for a few days and after that I invite the usual crowd out there. We could have a little practice and lots of fun for the rest of the time. We'd need adult supervision of course, so maybe Remus could come and chaperon us and both Mr and Mrs Weasley could stay there. You too Professor would be welcome at any time. I believe the gentleman I'd like you both to meet could throw some light on the Black family charm and wards.

There is one house elf called Blythe, but she's elderly, so maybe if you don't mind Professor I could ask a certain house elf here if he would join me for the summer. And maybe if Winky still prefers a family above Hogwarts, she could come too, and divide her time between Black Manor and Headquarters throughout the school year. I'll have to see what I can do about Kreacher though. I'm sorry but he cannot stay after what he did.

Now the usual communication may be a bit dodgy, but I'm sure with Lilly's and Fawkes' help we'd have no problems.

Do either of you think this would be acceptable ?"

As usual Professor Dumbledore seemed to be able to gather his wits together the fastest and spoke as first "I cannot find faults with your plan Harry, but I'd like to reserve judgment until tomorrow, after the visit to Black Manor. I'd prefer to find out more about those wards just to be on the safe side."

"As for me Harry, I'd love to spend the summer holidays with you, no matter where you are. I could teach you a bit of defense and tell you about your parents and our Hogwarts days."

"Ooh that reminds me," said Harry "Sirius mentioned a box in his letter. I can ask for it no matter where I am. I don't know what's going to happen though but can I ask for it now Professor ?" And as Professor Dumbledore nodded his head Harry said the incantation Sirius had written out for him "I Harry James Potter, rightful heir of Sirius Black, claim the Black Box." And with a whoosh of air Harry suddenly held a box, much like a muggle jewellery box with the Black family crest and the "Toujours Pur" motto underneath. For a moment Harry was disappointed. Such a small box would not hold that much…" until he recalled this was a wizard's box. He looked up and saw both men trying to hold in their laughter. Not sure what was wrong he now also noticed that the few headmasters back in their paintings were looking very amused.

"What ? What happened ? Remus, why are laughing at me ?"

"Where … where is Colin Creevey and his camera when you need him ? " Remus hardly managed to utter, "Sirius left you a little prank as well Harry. Just imagine Tonks' hair. Yours is now bright pink too."

Harry smiled "Oh I hope it will last till tomorrow. I can't wait to show them at Black Manor. I'd like them to know Sirius better and this is so like him ! Professor, do you have a mirror handy ?"

Professor Dumbledore obliged and with a swish and a flick he held out a hand mirror for Harry to see Sirius' prank in all its glory.

Still grinning Harry returned his attention to the box. Not knowing what to expect he opened the lid and there was a letter addressed to him.

Dear Harry,

A last prank from your godfather to introduce you to the wonders of this box. Close the box, think of a mirror and reopen the box and see for yourself how useful it can be.

Harry obligingly closed the lid, thought of a mirror and reopened the box to find a hand held mirror ready for his use. Pure habit made Harry look into it and he let out a guffaw as the mirror said "Wotcher Harry. Looking good !" in Tonks voice. He passed the mirror on to a laughing Remus, who promptly blushed as the mirror said "Hello gorgeous, you free tonight ?" Both Harry and Remus were now waiting to see what would happen when the professor looked in the mirror and they couldn't stop their laughter when the mirror said "I honestly didn't do it Professor. It was the pink haired lady."

Harry decided to test the box, closed the lid, thought of three bottles of butterbeer and opened the box and indeed there beside another note were the requested bottles at just the temperature Harry loved it best.

Hope you liked the little surprise, and yes it can come up with most things you might want (very handy at Hogwarts). You can also store almost anything in it (sorry Snivellus won't fit): just open the box, place the object in it and close the lid. When you open the box again it will be gone and all you have to do to get it back out is to do as per the above.

To get out the letters for Remus just think "letters for Remus" when you do as above. If you want your letters from Remus it'll be "Remus' letters". If you want to return the letters to the box, just think of whoever wrote the letters and they will be returned to the right place.

Just a note of warning Harry : the box can sometimes pick up on thoughts that were not meant for it, so you might end up with nasty surprises. My father told me about my grandfather who was talking to someone about a griffin he'd encountered on his trips, and the next thing, the box standing next to him let out a huge roar.

Have fun with it Harry, that's the only advice I can give you and remember you will be the only one able to open it up.

With all my love

Sirius

Harry tried for the letters for Remus and came up with a decent sized pile of notes. Remus, knowing what to expect but unaware of the distinction looked a little crestfallen seeing the smallish pile of paper. Harry understood when, upon calling for Remus' letters the pile was huge. Harry realized that Remus must have kept writing him notes throughout the years, even when Harry wasn't at Hogwarts yet.

"Remus, these are for you. From Sirius. He wrote in his letter that he'd made you a compartment too." Harry explained, as he handed Remus the first pile of notes.

Harry noticed Professor Dumbledore looked interested and explained what the box did and what the four had come up with. "So that's why Sirius kept coming up with all these strange and sometimes rare ingredients and tools for his pranks. He just had to imagine it and the box would supply."

After agreeing to leave for Black Manor the next morning at nine, Remus and Harry crashed out at the quarters they would spend the night at.

Remus obviously wanted to talk a little more, so they sat in the sofa's in the common room and the older man asked "Harry, are you really OK with my guardianship over you ? I could understand if you'd rather not be associated with a known werewolf."

"Remus, don't talk such nonsense please. Even with a large margin on either side, out of every 28 days, there will be three bad days for you. That still leaves me with the other 25 days that you are a normal bloke. A nice guy, who knows about this magical world, that even after five years still manages to baffle me most of the time. You can tell me about my parents and Sirius and guide me when I'm lost. And you treat me as Harry, son of your friends James and Lilly and not as that Potter boy-who-lived. I couldn't think of a better man to have as my guardian."

"Harry, you say you dream about Sirius and you talk with him right ? Next time you see him, tell him thanks from me."

Hoping the gesture wouldn't be too over the top, Harry grabbed Remus' shoulder and said : "I just wish you could be there too. He looks so much better and every time I see him he looks healthier than the time before."

Remus sighed and said : "I'll go to my room now, I've a few letters I'd like to read. Sweet dreams Harry."

"Goodnight Remus and happy dreams to you too."

Harry too looked forward to reading his letters, but he just couldn't choose whose he'd start reading, and so tried to think of the first three letters from Sirius, Lilly, James and Remus as he opened his box. And it worked. Twelve parchments lay there for him to read. It was bittersweet to read the notes. All of them written within a week of his birth, the hormonal high of his mum, the gushing and uncertainty of a new young dad, the exuberance of his besotted godfather and the joyous calm of Remus. All four people reflecting on the same occasion : his birth. All four of them in their own way expressing the same thing : their love and devotion to this newborn baby.

Harry lay in bed thinking of his future as he fell asleep and soon enough found himself in the well-known Room of Mysteries where the Veil stood. Much to his surprise Remus was in the room too and as soon as he saw Harry he said "Harry, thank Merlin you're here, I called for Sirius but he doesn't respond. Will you call him ?"

So once again Harry stood in front of the Veil, called out to Sirius and there he was, looking as fit as a fiddle and with a healthy happy glow. Harry could hear Remus next to him gasp when Sirius appeared, and Sirius himself let out a joyous whoop when he saw both Harry and Remus standing there. "Moony, you made it ! It's so good to see you. And I'm sorry for dieing on you. Now that I'd found your friendship back it is so hard without you but our boy – eh sorry Harry – our young man here needs you more than ever. James, Lilly and I count on you to guide him for all of us." Sirius too had grabbed Remus' shoulder and while still maintaining their contact, Sirius asked "Harry tell me how did things go today ?

Harry chuckled as he said "Well yeah it was OK thanks for the blue hair …"

"Oh no" Sirius' plaintive reply came "it was supposed to be pink !"

"Yeah Sirius, and does Tonks know you've enchanted that mirror in that way ? Remus here was quite embarrassed when she had him in her view !

And off Harry went on a monologue that lasted a good ten minutes about all he'd found out today and the surprises that had awaited him at almost every turn. Sirius and Remus gasped or chuckled in all the right places and asked questions that left Harry elaborating even further on the day's adventures.

And after, for a long time it seemed, Remus and Sirius talked about all kinds of things, the two older men reminding the other of this prank or that stunt. Harry was happy just listening to them.

Soon enough however morning came and Harry woke up, refreshed after yet again a restful night. He had just finished getting ready when there came a knock on the door. "Come in" Harry called, looking forward to the day's happenings.

Remus stepped into the room with a question written all over his face. Had Harry experienced the same ?

So Harry asked it first "And Remus, did I exaggerate saying he's looking better than ever ?"

"Oh Harry, I don't know how you pulled that off, but I can never thank you enough. I needed that so much."

"Remus, you know I needed it just as much as you. It helped both of us. And I particularly wanted to tell you ahead of the other Sirius you'll meet at Black Manor. Maybe as you've known our Sirius so much better you'll be able to see the differences more but to me the resemblance is uncanny."

They heard a knocking sound coming from the common room and Remus called out to come in. Professor Dumbledore entered and said : "Do you mind if we eat here ? The Great Hall is so big for just the three of us. This will be much cosier."

So the three sat around a conjured table and one of the house elves served them a breakfast fit for kings. Well-watered and fed and eager to go, Harry asked them to give him a minute and then to use the "Harry's Haven" incantation that would bring them to the Black Manor Hall.