Chapter twelve

Albus showed Harry some quarters that he will use once he begins his apprenticeship but if he wished to leave during holidays he could, so having the house would be useful. Albus told Harry he did not have to live at Hogwarts until two weeks before term, then Filius would take him through what he would be doing.

After the last classes that day Albus took Harry to Filius' private quarters to introduce Brian as the charms apprentice so they could get to know each other. To Harry it was easy as he already knew Filius Flitwick and always liked him, so he was comfortable with the little charms teacher and after a few minutes Filius was comfortable with Brian. At first he was only nervous about having Albus Dumbledore's grandson as his apprentice but as Albus explained Brian would be his apprentice and he would not interfere with anything to do with charms or the classes.

The following day Harry went into Flourish and Blotts and grabbed a heap of charms books, from first year up to seventh year, but he also got some advanced charm books as well. Another lot of books Harry got were on sex education and some other books on how the magical world works. He knew there would be a lot of things that both worlds had that he knew nothing about. So after he finished paying he stepped out onto the cobbled street, looked around then thought he might buy a broom so he headed over to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

'So far it's the same,' Harry ran his fingers along the brand new Firebolt and he realised it was only slightly different to the one he lost. Harry took it to the counter then dug into his pouch for the money and paid for the broom, when someone stepped up behind him. Harry didn't really care who it was but something made his spine tingle, so he glanced around and quickly turned back, his father and Sirius were standing there. Harry tried to control his breathing and concentrate on his purchase and to remember that this man was not his father.

'They're a great broom, do you play professionally?' James Potter asked.

'Um, no, I just like to fly, do you fly?' Harry asked trying to keep his voice from showing his nerves.

'I did at Hogwarts, but I don't get a lot of time now, especially with a young baby. But I figured now he has his first child's broom I might get myself another one to fly with him instead of running after him all the time. I'm James Potter by the way, this is my friend Sirius Black,' James stuck his hand out.

'Nice to meet you, I'm Brian Dumbledore,' Harry shook both man's hand and was pleased when they showed surprise but Harry knew it was at the name, not because they recognised him, 'Yep, Albus is my grandfather.'

'Blimey, what's it like having the greatest wizard alive as your grandfather?' Sirius asked.

'Actually granddad's great, but it helps when I needed extra lessons if I was having a problem. He's been a great mentor over the years.'

'I'm sure he has. I never knew Dumbledore to have kids,' James said.

'A daughter, my mother, anyway, I have to go, it was nice meeting both of you,' Harry took his broom and hurried from the shop. He needed to get away before they asked what his mother's name was, Harry had no idea and better talk to Dumbledore about that, 'At least they didn't recognise me, so my disguise works,' Harry said softly to himself as he left Diagon Alley to head home.

Harry sat down in the office and read the diary again, then he made copies of the names of death eaters or supporters of Voldemort he had written. He figured Dumbledore needed to know who they were so he could check them out. As Harry was writing the list his thoughts drifted to Sirius, seeing him standing there, alive, those thoughts brought other thoughts, the family tree, the Black family tree and how Sirius was related to Bellatrix and the Malfoy's. Harry quickly wrote down what he remembered about that family, which wasn't a lot. At that time when Sirius was explaining about his family Harry had those strange feelings and didn't want to leave Sirius. That was the last time Harry saw Sirius alive until he turned up at the ministry, right before Bellatrix killed him.

'Even though this is not my Sirius, I could see him occasionally, I just have to remember that he doesn't know me here, I'm not Harry Potter, I'm Brian Dumbledore.'

Ron stepped into the kitchen and sat next to his father, 'Dad, I was hoping you might speak with Hermione for me.'

'Yes, I could, what about?'

'She's still so upset about Harry, we all are, but her parents, she hasn't even thought about them. They are safe, we know that, but if she finds them it might help.'

'Alright son, I'll speak with her after breakfast. You've been staying so strong for her, but you are grieving as well. Sometimes it's good to cry or talk to someone about Harry.'

'I don't want to cry while Hermione's around, it would just set her off again.'

'She loved Harry,' Arthur raised his eyebrows.

'As a brother dad, she explained to both me and Harry while we were away. I always thought she liked him, Harry knew that, but he said he always thought of her as a sister, a big bossy know it all sister,' Ron and Arthur gave a small chuckle. 'So it's like how we feel about Fred, but with us there's so many of us, she feels like she's lost her only sibling and not having her parents here is making that harder. I'm only worried about one thing.'

'Explain then.'

'Okay, if we go and find them, what if they stay and Hermione wants to stay with them?'

'Then you and Hermione will need to discuss that. You are both adults now Ron and Harry did leave you a lot of money, so if you both wished to stay there, you could make a nice life for yourselves in Australia.'

'I did think about that, but after Fred, I don't think mum would like that.'

'No, she would miss you like she does when Charlie always returns home. So if you did and came for visits expect a lot of attention, hugs and yelling about something you're not doing right,' Arthur smiled making Ron laugh.

'Yeah, I would rather stay here, but I love Hermione. It's taken us so long to finally admit how we feel about each other that I won't risk losing her and if that means living here or living there, then that's what I'll do. About Ginny, she hasn't left her room since the other day.'

'She will Ron, she has liked Harry for a long time. Your mother told me that Ginny had dreams of marrying Harry one day, of having his children. So you see, her whole life up to this point has been based around Harry, her thoughts, her hopes, her dreams, now they're gone. It might take her longer but eventually she will realise she can't stop living just because Harry died. He wouldn't want that, she knows he wouldn't. So let's just be here for her and if she wants some time to herself, let her have that as well.'

Ron smiled, 'Harry always said he liked talking to you, getting advice when he needed it, now I know what he meant. Thanks dad,' Ron got up and hugged his father before heading back upstairs, but he missed the tears that had fallen from Arthur's eyes at those words, words Harry had said about him. To Arthur it was like he had lost two sons, but he knew Fred and Harry were together now, together with the Potters, with Sirius, with Dumbledore, with people they cared about. Knowing that made Arthur feel a little better but how he wished they were all still here to share in this safe new world.