A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or any character thereof.

Chapter 60

"When I crossed the property barrier, I felt no wards."

"That's not possible. I cast that spell myself."

"I could be wrong. Merlin knows that it wouldn't be the first time."

"But you don't think you are?"

"No. I do not think that I am. With all that I have seen tonight, I have enough proof to bring them in for questioning."

Albus sighed. If Severus and / or Sirius find out about this, he imagined they would both kill him and then go after them. "No. I know that the Weasley's were planning on taking Harry to the Quidditch World Cup. Molly told me that they managed to get a couple extra tickets. I'll talk to them tomorrow about collecting him early."

"A month early?"

"I'm sure that they won't mind. I'll see about talking to Harry but I doubt that he will tell me anything."

"Albus, the Dursley's are not nice people. Surely he would want out of there."

"Oh, I imagine that he does but he's also a bit cross with me at the moment because I wouldn't tell him something that he wanted to know." At Kingsley's questioning look, he waved him off. "It's a long story."

Albus watched his elf clear away the tea set. "I'll send an owl to Cornelius when you leave telling him that I'm going to check the wards around Harry's house that way his underage magic detector doesn't go off. We wouldn't have to be so careful with that if he wasn't the only wizard or witch living for miles around."

"What do you want me to do?"

Albus sighed. "Nothing for now. Thank you for doing this for me."

"It's not a problem." Kingsley got up to leave. "Let me know if you need anything else. I told the Dursley's that I needed to consult with my partner in regards to the business deal. That should allow me a reason to go back if I need to."

Albus nodded and walked Kingsley to the door. After the man left, he went back to his library and sat down.

'Severus being Harry's father shouldn't have affected the wards because it was based on his mother's sacrifice. That also ruled out the blood adoption that James used,' he thought.

Albus could only think of two reasons that the wards would fail. Harry had quit thinking of the Dursley's house as home or his aunt had kicked him out of the house. He sincerely hoped it was the first because if it was the latter, there wouldn't be anything left of the Dursley's for Severus or Sirius to deal with.

Deciding that an owl would take too long, he headed to the fireplace. He would floo the minister instead.

Harry was running, trying to get away from something. Suddenly he was in a stone room. It looked like someplace he had been before. On the left hand side of the room were two doors. He knew that if he could just get to them, he would be safe.

A noise caused him to jump. He screamed when he saw a jet of green light come at him.

"POTTER!"

"Crap," muttered Harry. He had woken up his uncle for the third time that week. "Sorry Uncle Vernon!" yelled Harry through the wall. His uncle had threatened to withhold food from him when he woke him up accidently the first time but his aunt had reminded his uncle about Sirius. She said that they definitely didn't want him to show up because the neighbors would talk.

He got up to shake the effects of the dream off. A glance out of the window showed that it was nearing dawn. He would be leaving for the Weasley's that afternoon.

Harry had been thrilled to learn that he would be leaving the Dursley's a month early. His uncle had debated on letting him leave at all. On one hand, he would be rid of Harry after only 2 ½ weeks. On the other, it would be granting him something he wanted.

In the end, Harry played his godfather card. He was through taking his uncle's crap. After a couple of minutes, he sat on his bed and meditated until it was time to be let out of the room for his shower.

"Severus, please sit down. Your pacing is driving me up the wall."

"Will Harry be safe?"

"He'll be up in the Minister's box."

"That doesn't make me feel much better. How did Arthur get tickets for the minister's box?"

"When Cornelius realized that Harry was indeed going and with whom, he upgraded Arthur's tickets. Naturally Arthur realized that it was just a ploy to show off Harry to the foreign dignitaries but he couldn't say no."

"When is he going to the Weasley's?"

"He'll be leaving today. Have you heard anything from your contacts yet?"

"They're coming by the fireplace," exclaimed Harry.

"What? I've never heard such nonsense," replied his uncle.

"Harry. If you can hear us, stand back!"

Harry blinked as the dust settled in the room. Mr. Weasley had unblocked the fireplace by blowing it up.

Then he squinted. All of the Weasley's had a glowy thing at the base of their feet. Figuring he would worry about that later, he focused on the fact that Dudley had a big tongue that was growing larger by the second.

"That was brilliant Fred," Ron said as Harry emerged from the fireplace at the Weasley's.

Harry saw who he assumed was Charlie and Bill, Ron's older brothers, sitting at a table. They also had a glowy thing around their feet. "What did you drop?" asked Harry curiously.

"Ton Tongue Toffee," said Fred. "George and I invented them."

Mr. Weasley popped into the living room by apparating at that moment.

"How big did his tongue get?" asked George eagerly.

"It got to be 6 feet before his parents would let me fix it. You two should know better. Just wait until I tell your mother."

"Hello Harry. Tell me what?" asked Mrs. Weasley as she came out from in the kitchen.

"Hi Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for inviting me over," said Harry.

"It's no problem at all Harry. Ron, take Harry up to your room. Tell me what Arthur?"

"Let's go Harry. You don't want to witness this," whispered Ron.

"We'll help," volunteered Bill and Charlie.

"So will we!" offered the twins.

"Oh no you don't," exclaimed Mrs. Weasley.

As Harry walked up the stairs, they walked by Percy's room. "Where's Percy?"

Bill grimaced. "He's at work. Please, whatever you do, do not mention Crouch or cauldron bottoms around him."

"Oh yea. Ron told me that in his letter."

"Want to get your broom and fly some?" asked Ron as they entered his room. "Bill and Charlie have theirs as well."

"Sure!" said Harry. He opened his trunk, grabbed his Firebolt, and then headed down to the backyard.

July 17, 1994

Harry,

How is your summer going? You and your cousin aren't out causing trouble I hope. How is his diet coming along?

Buckbeak and I are doing alright. We're still in hiding.

I included the latest Quidditch Monthly magazine with this letter. You could have given your dad a run for his money with your flying skills and that's saying something. You would have made him so proud and your mother as well.

If you ever need me, just send your owl. She'll find me.

Love,

Padfoot

Harry couldn't help but smile. He glanced at the calendar on Ron's wall. It was the twenty-fifth. That meant that Sirius must be far away and judging by the bird that was perched in Ron's window looking at him expectantly, some place warm.

Harry quietly got up and retrieved a quill and parchment from his trunk. Ron was still asleep since it was only 4am and he didn't want to wake him. (He was afraid to sleep much because he didn't want to wake the Weasley's up since they were being so nice to him.)

July 25, 1994

Dear Padfoot,

Thanks for the magazine. I'm glad for something non school related to read. Don't worry though. I've actually finished all of my summer homework.

I'm at the Weasley's now. We're going to the World Cup next month. I'm so excited. They picked me up last week. The twins are big into inventing stuff and they knew that Dudley was on a diet so they dropped some candy that made his tongue huge. It was pretty funny.

The twins have invented all sorts of things. Fake wands, babble bubble gum, and lots of other stuff. They have to hide it from Mrs. Weasley though.

Please stay safe and tell Buckbeak that I said hi.

Love,

Harry

Harry looked over the letter and gave it to the bird, who then flew away. That done he crawled back into bed to stare at the ceiling some more.

Severus was staring at the photo album, something he seemed to do a lot of lately. Harry's birthday was coming up in a couple of days and he wanted to get the boy something but obviously couldn't say who it was from. Of course, he didn't have the slightest ides what to get either. He knew so little about his son and that thought depressed him.

Severus turned the page and smiled down at the picture. James must have taken it because it had Lily reading a book to a seven month old Harry Potter.

He eyed the book. Sam and the Seven Faeries.

'Hmm ... Potter likes to read. I could always get him a book,' he thought.

Flipping the page showed James holding onto Harry. He was on a starter broom. Even though James never let Harry go, Severus could see that Harry was having fun.

'Something broom related maybe?' he wondered. He sighed and put the photo album away. It was time to check on his potions.

"Happy Birthday Harry!"

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley," Harry said as he sat down.

"We'll be having you a small party this evening," she said as she put breakfast on the table.

"You don't have to do that Mrs. Weasley. I'm not worth the trouble."

"Nonsense. I also had an owl this morning saying that Remus is coming."

Harry perked up even more. "He is?"

Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"Come on Harry. After breakfast we can help set up the yard."

Harry nodded. He was excited. He never had a birthday party before and Lupin was coming. He had probably talked to Sirius.

"This has been the best day ever," Harry said to Remus as he watched the twins turn Ron's hair purple.

"The best is yet to come. Presents," he said smiling as he pointed to a nearby table.

Harry grinned. When Remus whistled, everyone brought Harry his presents. He made short work of them.

The Weasleys got him some treats and some clothes, most of which were homemade by Mrs. Weasley. Ron, Ginny, and the twins had pooled their money and got him some gloves designed for a seeker, which Harry was thrilled over. Hermione had sent him a wizarding book of puzzles and refill supplies for the broom servicing kit she got for him last year. (She was coming in a couple of weeks.) Neville had sent him a couple of books. One on Ancient Defense and another on Elemental Magic.

"These are good books Harry," said Remus as he looked through them. "What did you send him?"

"I had Hedwig take him a book I saw in one of the Flourish and Blotts catalogues. It had to do with plants. He's a whiz at Herbology."

Remus smiled. "Why couldn't he be here?"

"His grandmother was taking him to visit some family members. I floo'd him to ask this morning after Mrs. Weasley told me that I could."

Remus then handed over 3 presents. Harry looked at him shocked.

"Two of those aren't from me," he whispered. Harry grinned. They must be from Sirius.

He opened Remus' first. "A new cloak!"

Remus nodded. "You're too tall for your other one now." Harry stood up and tried it on.

"Very nice Harry," commented Ginny.

He then reached for the next package. It was a new wand holster for his forearm and a practice snitch. "Wicked," he exclaimed. He immediately put the holster on and placed his wand in it. He tore into the last package eagerly. There was a book and a photo album.

"What book is that?" asked Ron through a mouthful of Harry's cake, causing Ginny to scold him.

"It's a book on seeker techniques." Harry flipped through the book. "It tells and shows how to do the moves." Harry grinned. "I can't wait to start practicing some of these."

He then opened the photo album. It made him suck in a breath. "Remus, what kind of pictures are these?" He had seen wizarding photo's before but not like this.

"These are pictures taken of a memory."

"I don't understand."

"A memory has a way of being viewed and using a special technique, it can be turned into a photograph before being replaced into the mind."

Harry flipped through the album. There were pictures of his mom, his dad, even Remus and Sirius. "Uh ... Remus ... Is that who I think it is?"

Remus chuckled. "It is. They were best friends for many, many years."

"Really?"

Remus nodded.

"I'm surprised that he would put this in here. He seemed to hate him."

"I think that it was his way of saying that your mom stayed open minded about everyone."

Harry closed the album. He would look closer at it later. "Tell him I said thank you."

Remus nodded.

"Come on Harry. Let's practice some of those moves in that book!" exclaimed Ron.

Harry carefully set the album aside and rushed off with Ron.

"It was good of you to come Remus," Molly said as she went to pick up Harry's empty plate.

"I've missed too many of his birthdays as he grew up. I'm going to see what I can do to fix that now."

She nodded. "He told me this morning that he wasn't worth the trouble of a birthday party and from the way he acted today, I don't think he's ever had one."

Remus watched as Harry zoomed around in the air. "He seems happy now."

"He doesn't seem to harbor any hate at all."

"He's a remarkable kid," Remus said.

"Enter."

Remus entered into Albus' office and took a seat beside of Severus.

"How was the party?" asked Albus.

"It was good. Harry had the time of his life."

"May we view the memory?" asked the Headmaster.

Remus looked at Severus. He saw that the man wanted to see it but didn't want to ask. He nodded. They viewed it above the pensieve instead of diving in.

Afterwards Severus asked, "Do you think it's true? That's he's never had a birthday party before?"

"I didn't ask him but yes. He kept thanking everyone over and over like he couldn't believe they would do this for him."

He saw Severus ball his hands into a fist.

"He was pleased with what you got him, as you saw."

Severus simply nodded.

Albus sighed. It seemed that Severus had clammed back up.

After chatting for a while, Remus took his leave.

"Severus, what's wrong?" asked Albus once Remus had left.

"I couldn't even tell him who it was from. He thinks it was from the mutt."

"He'll know different when you tell him."

"Should I really do that Albus? You saw him in Lupin's memory. The boy is happy."

"But he would be happier with a real family."

"And you think I can be a father to him?" Severus scoffed. "Even if I do tell him, we'll have to hide it. He wouldn't even be able to tell his friends, not while the Dark Lord yet lives."

"Severus, Harry will not be able to return to the Dursley's. I don't say this to threaten you into telling him. I tell you because you need to know."

"Why can he not return to the Dursley's?" snarled Severus.

"Because there were no wards up around the house."

"What?"

"I suspect that Harry has considered Hogwarts his home for a couple of years now. My belief is that they failed because of that."

"Those wards were based on Lily's blood sacrifice. They would have had to been weak in order to fail over something like that."

Albus stood and tinkered with an instrument, opting to stay silent, while silently praying that Severus didn't press the issue about the wards. He still didn't know much as of yet.

"What if he rejects me?"

"Oh, I'm sure he will, at first, but he'll come around, especially when he realizes that he can have a family."

"And the fact that he won't be able to tell anyone?"

"That is something that you will have to work out on your own with him."

"Do you think he's really happy?"

Albus smiled. "I do. He retains an innocence about him. Nothing seems to keep him down, which is remarkable given what he's been through."

Severus sighed. "I'll tell him when school starts." With that said, he left the Headmaster's office.

A/N: Up next, the Quidditch World Cup. If I keep up with this pace, it should be up tomorrow ... but you never know. hehe. I know that I do have one major thing to fix in the next chapter. I'm about to go do that now, so if all goes well, it should be up tomorrow.

Oh, and before anyone asks, the reason Harry's underage magic detector would go off is because he is the only witch/wizard around for miles. Any magic done in that area, especially close to the Dursley house, would be blamed on Harry (case in point ... Dobby). Now when Mr. Weasley comes and obviously uses magic to get into the Dursley house, it doesn't go off because he had informed the ministry that he was going to pick Harry up. Technically, Harry could get away with magic at the Weasley house because everyone could say one of the adults did it, but the thought never really crosses his mind. The poor muggleborns are all like this. Hermione has the same problem. Those that grow up in a wizarding household do not have the same issue. Of course, if the ministry really wanted to push the issue, all they'd have to do is test their wands, but at the moment, their preparing for other things, like the world cup and the TWT. hehe

*wanders off to fix the next chapter*