Chapter 16: One Step at a Time

However much Harry complained to Ron and Hermione about it, he couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of having someone so intent on looking after him. He, Harry Potter, the Dursleys' slave, Dudley's punching bag and alleged delinquent of Little Whinging actually had someone who gave a fig about him.

In stark contrast to the Dursleys, Sirius had been taking Harry's care very seriously, ensuring he got enough rest, or keeping him occupied by bringing in the chessboard or dropping by to talk. He made a point of checking on Harry every few hours; it was on one such occasion that he found his stubborn godson in the process of coming downstairs.

"What are you doing out of bed?"

At the sound of his godfather's worried voice, Harry glanced up guiltily from where he sat partway down the stairs, slumped wearily against the banister. He had begun his descent ten minutes before but had been forced to stop and rest when his legs threatened to give out halfway down.

Sirius stepped up to Harry and started helping him up. "Come on, let's get you back upstairs."

"Can't I come downstairs for a bit?" Harry asked as he shakily got to his feet.

"You're supposed to be resting," said Sirius doubtfully, pulling Harry's arm around his neck.

"I can rest downstairs just as well," Harry reasoned. "I was hoping for a change of scenery. I've been up here for three days."

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Sirius asked, eyeing him critically as he swayed slightly on his feet. "You can wait another week or two."

"In another week I'd have gone stir crazy."

Sirius gave in. "Alright, just for a few hours."

"Thanks." They began walking downstairs slowly. "Is Remus still here?" Harry asked. "I thought I heard his voice before."

"Yeah, he and Tonks have been helping with the kids. I daresay Molly will hear about it soon, then she'll be here too."

"Kids?"

"Oh, right, I haven't told you yet. Sorry, you were sleeping when I heard. Yesterday the Order found the baby the Death Eaters were looking for. We've kept her here because our wards are so strong."

Harry frowned. "You said kids."

"I'm getting to that. The couple had two children. Before Voldemort cornered her, the mother managed to Disillusion the girls and get them out through the window. The older girl carried the baby and hid in the woods near their house. Tonks literally stumbled upon them."

"Are they alright?"

"Physically speaking, yes, although obviously still upset about the attack. They've both been unnaturally quiet."

Harry was relieved when they reached the living room; the short walk had cost him a surprising amount of energy and he was anxious to rest. Sirius led him to one of the pillow-covered couches and summoned a light blanket from the upstairs cupboard.

"You hungry? I think lunch is almost ready."

"Starving," said Harry around a shuddering yawn.

"Excellent," Sirius beamed. "No, no, stay there. I'll bring it in here," he added hastily as Harry made to get up. "You look done in."

Harry must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew, he was blinking up at an unfamiliar face that was inches from his own. He quickly scrambled back as far as the couch would allow. Feeling around for his glasses, he put them on, bringing a child's somber face into focus. She was obviously the older girl Sirius had mentioned; she looked remarkably similar to her mother, with the same wavy nut-brown hair and slight build. Her hazel eyes too, were hauntingly familiar to those Harry had seen wild with fear. The girl couldn't be any older than six or seven.

"Er, hello," he said awkwardly.

She didn't reply, but continued to stare at him as though he had two heads, which would be quite odd, even in the Wizarding world.

He tried again. "What's your name? I'm Harry."

No response. Her expressionless face was slightly unnerving.

Harry suddenly noticed a plate of sandwiches on the table beside him. His stomach complained loudly, reminding him he'd missed lunch. He grabbed a sandwich and began eating, watched all the while by the brown-haired girl.

"Have you had lunch yet?" he asked.

Silence.

"If you're hungry you can have a sandwich. They're really good," he said, holding out the plate to her.

Her eyes finally left his face to glance at the food as she timidly reached out to take half a sandwich. Her eyes snapped back to him as she chewed slowly.

"Do you want any pillows?" Harry asked, grabbing a few off the other couch. "Sirius conjured them. You've got lots of colours to choose from. Which do you want?"

She pointed to the purple, and when Harry handed it to her, she hugged it to herself and perched tentatively on the couch. Once the first sandwich was gone, she stared at the plate hungrily.

"D'you want any more?"

Once again her big brown eyes bore into him. Slowly, she edged closer, extending her arm to take the offering.

"You know, we've got a river in the front yard," Harry told her as she ate. "You can see it if you look out that window. Right there, see?"

She clambered onto the couch beside him, standing up to peer over the top. The ghost of smile appeared on her strained face as she gazed at the tranquil stream that snaked through the broad meadow and veered off into the forest.

"If you want we can go outside and see it, but not until tomorrow."

She looked crestfallen.

Harry laughed. "We can't go now, it's raining."

"So?" her expression clearly said.

"If we wait until tomorrow, the puddles will be bigger," Harry reminded.

That seemed to do the trick, because she smiled shyly and shuffled a bit closer to him, nibbling on the last pieces of her sandwich.

"How are you doing that?"

Turning toward the voice, Harry saw Sirius and Remus standing in the doorway watching the interaction.

"Doing what?"

"Getting her to eat."

Harry shrugged. "I just asked her. Why?"

"We've been trying to get her to eat something since she got here yesterday morning," Remus told him.

Harry glanced at the girl as she scooted closer again, wide eyes still fixated on him as though he held all the answers in the universe.

"She won't talk. Is she okay?"

"It's not entirely unexpected owing what she's been through," said Remus. "Just be patient, keep talking to her and she'll gradually come out of it."

"She seems to have taken a liking to you," Sirius commented, plonking gracelessly onto the opposite couch.

"Gently, you bonehead!' it shouted crossly. "Why must I put up with you all the time? Mort always gets the little one. How is that fair?"

"Quit your whining, Ralph," snapped the couch Harry was on. "You think you've got the raw end of the deal, you should try having a sack of bones digging into your upholstery!"

Harry bristled. He wasn't that thin.

Sirius gave a long-suffering sigh and leaned back. "Moony, you really need to get yourself a hobby. You've got too much time on your hands."

"I didn't charm them," Remus protested. "It was your cousin!"

"Course it was," replied Sirius with a roll of his eyes.

"No, really. Tonks asked me to teach her."

Sirius grinned in a conspiring way. "Been spending quality time together have you?"

"What are you – ?"

"Well, I've finally got the baby to sleep," announced Tonks tiredly as she walked into the room and collapsed onto a beanbag. "Wotcher, Harry. How are you feeling?"

"Much better thanks," said Harry. "I was planning on going flying later this afternoon so I could try some stunts."

"Flying? Stunts?" Sirius looked stressed at the very thought.

The others laughed.

"He's teasing you, Sirius," Remus informed him with a grin. "Go easy on him, Harry. He's liable to have a heart attack."

"I'm perfectly calm, thank you," Sirius said with dignity.

Remus nodded sagely. "That would explain why your hands are shaking."

"They are not," insisted Sirius, sneaking a look just in case.

As the two continued to bicker, Harry suddenly became aware of a small weight against his side. Looking down, he was surprised to see the silent girl curled up beside him, sleeping peacefully.