In the morning Ron arrived with Bill.
"Good morning. Have either of you had breakfast yet?" Asked Sirius.
"No. Ron insisted on coming over as soon as he woke up."
"Well we have plenty. Help yourselves."
Ron and Bill walked into the kitchen to find the twins, Petunia, Dudley and Hermione. Sirius had followed Bill and Ron into the kitchen. Shortly after entering the kitchen Sirius gave a yell.
"Sorry Sirius."
"Remus…wait, are you just arriving? When did you leave?"
"A while ago. I had to tend to something important, but nothing to with my furry little problem."
"You know you could have let me know that you were leaving and that you'd be back. It would have preventing scaring someone nearly to death."
"I will keep that in mind for next time. Where's Harry?"
"And where's my sister?" Asked Ron.
"They're still asleep." Said George.
"It would seem that Harry had a rough night." Said Fred.
Before anyone could stop Ron he ran out of the kitchen, up the stairs and to Harry's room. He had to check on his best friend.
"Ha…" Ron trailed off as he saw Harry and Ginny on the bed together.
Ginny's head was on Harry's chest, her arm was draped over Harry's waist, one of Ginny's legs was draped over one of Harry's legs. Harry had both arms wrapped around Ginny. Harry's face was pale with a slight pained expression on his face. Ron turned around and slowly made his was back down to the kitchen to finish his breakfast.
"You alright Ron?" Asked George.
"You look a little pale." Said Fred.
"You didn't do anything stupid did you?" Asked George.
"Or say anything stupid, did you?" Asked Fred.
Ron said nothing as he shook his head.
"That's good that you didn't Ron. Although, I really don't think that anything you do or say could be anywhere near what Percy said and did." Said Hermione.
Fred and George looked at Hermione with curious expressions, causing Hermione to lightly blush and look away.
"Shouldn't someone get them for breakfast?" Asked Remus.
"Hasn't been sleeping well." Replied Sirius.
"Okay. What about Ginny?"
"I think it would be better if someone brought food up to them." Said Fred.
"They are in the same room after all." Mumbled George.
"What?" Choked out Sirius.
"Ginny promised Harry that she'd be there when he opened his eyes." Fred explained.
"Harry evidently had a nightmare. From what we heard, everyone he cares about were brutally murdered." George said.
"He didn't want to be alone." Added Fred.
"Ginny was there and we thought that it would be alright if she stayed. Harry was pretty shaken up." George added.
"Did either of you hear what exactly happened in this nightmare?" Asked Sirius.
"No. He wouldn't go into any details. Ginny was there after all." Replied the twins.
-crack-
"Master Sirius."
"Yes Kreacher."
"Kreacher has prepared a try of food for young master and his friend. Should Kreacher bring it up to them? Or …"
"Thank you Kreacher. I'll bring it up to them."
Kreacher bowed and left the kitchen.
Sirius picked up the tray of food and headed for the stairs.
As Sirius reached Harry's room and looked through the open door he saw the same scene as Ron had earlier. Sirius cleared his throat and knocked on the doorframe. Neither stirred so Sirius walked into the room and set the tray of food on a bedside table and left the room.
Shortly after Sirius leaving the room, Ginny began to stir. She tried to move so she could stretch and get up to use the bathroom but felt Harry's arms around her. Harry's arms were tight enough around Ginny that she couldn't really move, but not enough to hurt her.
"Harry. Harry wake up." Ginny said she rubbed his chest.
"What?" Harry asked softly as his eyes fluttered open.
"Could you please let go of me? I have to use the bathroom. I'll come right back, I promise."
Harry smiled before saying, "You stayed."
"I said I would. Um…Harry."
"Oh sorry." Harry said as he let go of Ginny.
When Ginny returned to Harry's room she could see a tray of food on the bedside table.
"I see breakfast was brought up to us."
"It would seem so." Harry said when he looked at the table.
Harry and Ginny ate their breakfast in silence.
"Harry, I know you don't want to take about it and want to forget it. I just have to say that you do know that it can't come true. The nightmare I mean."
"I know it can't. My parents are already dead." Harry said sadly.
"That and the rest of us are too stubborn to go out like that."
"I know that, really I do. I also know that nearly everyone would be able to protect and defend all of us."
"Nearly everyone?"
"No offense Ginny, but you're only in your second year. I know you know a lot more than most second years, hell you probably know more a few things that Percy doesn't know. It's just what happened, what I saw in the nightmare, I'm not even sure that I would have been able to do much good if it were to have been real. In the nightmare I froze, I didn't…I couldn't seem to do anything to help."
"I'm sorry. Harry, why not help us. With everything you know, you could teach us. By 'us' I mean Fred, George, Ron, Hermione and myself. And anyone else that you'd want to know how to properly protect and defend themselves as well as who he or she cares about."
"Maybe I will. And soon."
"We should probably go downstairs."
"Yeah we should, but I don't want to."
"I know what you mean."
"I want to talk to you about something."
"What?"
"When I messed up in potions class and the potion exploded, I realized something and wanted to talk to you about it but didn't get the chance to."
"What did you realize?"
"I realized that I had fallen in love with you and that feeling hasn't changed. I just thought that you should know."
Ginny just sat there on the bed saying nothing.
"Ginny, I hope that you're not scared off. I wanted you to know so that if I have or should I in the future act strange or if it seems like I'm being distant or pulling away, you know why and maybe be able to understand. It's difficult at times to remember our ages and I want to do this right."
"I'm not scared off, just kind of surprised. It does make sense and you're right. Knowing how you feel and if to me it seems like you're being distant or pulling away I'll know why and could understand. Plus now my feelings won't get hurt. I wish more people could see that I can handle things like you do."
"Well, to be honest, I wasn't sure about telling you this. I was afraid that you'd be scared off and run as far away from me as you could. Sirius said that you wouldn't run off and that you could handle this."
"I'm not going anywhere Harry. I'll always be here, even if I'm not physically around."
Harry hugged Ginny, feeling happier than he had in a while.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Ginny's parents will be here shortly. They're bringing a change of clothes for their children and to take care of something with Sirius. It might be better for the two of you to not be in the same bedroom." Remus said kindly.
"We'll be down shortly. I promise." Ginny said smiling.
Harry and Ginny joined everyone in the living room seconds before Molly and Arthur arrived.
"Kids here's a change of clothes." Said Arthur.
"All of you better be on your best behavior while your father and I are with Sirius." Molly said sternly to her children.
"Morning Arthur, Molly. There's a slight change in plans. Petunia and I will meet both of you at Gringotts. She would like to acquire a vault at Gringotts, but first we have to go to her bank and pull out some Muggle money. I don't see it taking too long."
"The bank I use is not real big nor is it busy, so it should be really quick."
"Alright then. Arthur and I will head over now. It will give us a chance to…uh…shall I say look around."
"Mum, you and dad have been to Diagon Alley dozens of times. Why would you and dad need or want to look around?" Asked Ron.
"Mind your own business Ronald. I was thinking of maybe purchasing something for you and your siblings that are behaving. Now I am not so sure about getting you something."
"Sorry mum. I was just curious."
Arthur and Molly left for Diagon Alley as Sirius and Petunia left for her bank.
"Hermione, when did you get here?" Asked Harry.
"Hours before Ron."
"Granger was here and about to finish her breakfast when we came down." Said George.
"She must have arrived at a horrible early hour." Added Fred.
"If you must know, my parents had to be on their way to a conference that started at eight this morning. I didn't exactly have a choice in the matter."
"Don't mind them Hermione. They feel that being up before noon should be illegal. So Hermione, has anyone told you about what Percy said and did?"
"Yes I have. What a git. Pro..Rem…Moony said that you and Harry have a feeling or suspicion as to the whereabouts of Sirius's daughter."
"It's a possibility. We aren't completely sure about this person. But what harm could there be in finding out more information. Hermione at the beginning of the year, during the sorting did a name sound …for lack of a better word, curious to you? Other than my cousin that is." Harry said.
"You think that the 'Violet Black' at school is the same one as Sirius's daughter?"
"It's a possibility, isn't it?"
"I suppose. But how are you going to find out?"
"I'm going to talk to here when we get back to school." Ginny answered.
"What if she's not who you think she might be?"
"No harm done really. I might look stupid but no harm done."
"And if she is who you think she is, what are you going to do about it?"
"We go to Moony and tell him. He said that he'd inform Sirius for us."
"If only it could be that easier to find Sirius's daughter. Oh, speaking of school has anyone heard anything about…you know…?"
"No we haven't." Harry answered.
"I've been pretty worried. It has been hard not let it show. My parents just think that I have been missing my friends."
"We will find out soon enough. It won't be too long until we are back at school. While Ginny is talking to Violet, you and I can go and check on D…"
Once they settled the Violet situation and the Draco situation they all talked about what they had received for Christmas. Harry explained to Hermione about the inheritance that Arthur was supposed to have received and that was what Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Sirius were taking care of.
-crack-
"Lunch is ready." Kreacher said as he brought food into the living room on a tray. He quickly left the living room and returned with pumpkin juice.
"Anyone need anything else?"
"No. Thank you Kreacher."
Kreacher bowed and left the living room.
"Wow. Kreacher really has changed since the last time I was here." Hermione said as she sputtered out pumpkin juice.
"Oh, yeah. When Sirius declared himself Head of House, Kreacher showered and put on a new uniform. He has changed a lot towards Sirius. Kreacher is ecstatic to be able to serve the Head of House. On Christmas Sirius offered to pay Kreacher for his services, but Kreacher flipped out. Sirius then told Kreacher that he is to choose one day a week off of work. Kreacher somewhat unwillingly accepted that. He only agreed because he could still work anyway. Sirius made it very clear that if Kreacher were to still work on his day off it's because he wants to. Sirius went as far as to tell Kreacher that on his day off he can tell anyone 'no' to any request. Kreacher still has yet to tell Sirius what day of the week he wants for his day off."
"That was very nice of Sirius."
Just as they finished lunch Sirius, Petunia, Arthur and Molly returned.
"So, you check out the house yet?" Asked Ron.
"No, not yet. Your father and I thought that all of us as a family should take a look at it together." Molly replied.
"Can we go now?" Asked the twins.
"I suppose so."
"You all can go, I'm staying here." Ginny said as she stepped closer to Harry.
"Ginny, it's fine. You go with your family to look at the house. You don't have to stay here with me."
"But, I promised."
"Just be cause you're not physically…"
"Oh. I still don't want to go. Mum said all of us as a family. Percy will probably be going as well."
"Not this time he won't Ginny, he can find out about the house this summer. I am still really upset with him."
"I still want to say." Ginny said smiling.
"Harry can come along if he would like to. Same goes for Hermione."
"I'm okay with that. I know the house somewhat. It's really nice. I am sure you will like the house a lot. All I will tell you is that there is plenty of space." Sirius said.
"It's fine Harry, you go on. I'm sure one day I'll get the opportunity to see this house. You'll have to tell me all bout it when you get back." Dudley said.
Harry and Hermione followed the Weasley's through the floo network to the Burrow. Once they were all there they headed out side to climb into Mr. Weasley's enchanted car. The house that had been passed down to Arthur was not all that far from the Burrow. Mr. Weasley felt that it would look too strange if they walked, so he decided to drive.
Mr. Weasley slowed down as they reached a slightly narrow, graveled road that was lined on either side with fairly large shrubs.
"Slow down a little more dear, I think I see a break in the shrubs up ahead."
"Yes dear."
A short distance later they came on a large break in the shrubs. Mr. Weasley turned left into the break.
"I think I see something. Dad can you go a little faster?"
"Fred and George shut it!" Mrs. Weasley yelled.
They could see several trees, a nice huge front yard and several small bushes outlining the circular driveway. As they approached and could see a part of the house, Mr. Weasley slowed down even more. They were barely coasting as the whole house came into view. The car slowly rolled to a stop. Mr. Weasley managed to turn the car off.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other with bright, happy and excited expressions on their faces. All the Weasley's stared, gaping at the house.
"Someone wake me up. This is too cruel." Muttered Ron.
"What?" Asked the twins.
"I must be dreaming."
"You think that you must be dreaming…" Started Fred.
"Because why? You think we can't gave a bit of good luck?" Finished George.
"Oh, come on! Look at this house! Only a wealthy family could own this place."
"What, you think our family can't get a break twice?" Asked Fred.
"Going to Egypt and now this house…well I'd say out luck is finally going good." Said George.
"Now I know I must be dreaming! Look, a house elf."
"Wicked." Muttered the twins.
"This isn't real. It can't be. In the name of Merlin, let me wake up or let it be that I died in my sleep."
"You still think you are dreaming?" Asked Ginny.
"Yeah…Ow…What was that for?" Ron said while he looked from side to side to glare at the twins.
"Well, you thought you were dreaming. We just thought that we would assure you that you're wide a wake." Said Fred.
"That hurt! Both of you didn't have to pinch me!"
"If it hurt, how could you be dreaming? Wouldn't we be a lot nicer to you if you dreaming?" Asked George.
"True. So it's really real. Still, both of you didn't have to pinch me!"
"Quit complaining and trying to convince yourself that you're dreaming. I don't know about all of you but I want to check out the house." Ginny said as she opened the door and climbed out.
Harry climbed out after Ginny and was followed by Hermione. The three of them let their eyes wander to attempt to try and soak it all in. After several minutes, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley climbed out of the car followed by the twins and Ron.
"Kids, stay together and stay close." Said Mrs. Weasley.
Standing before all of them was a Victorian style house. It seemed to be a two-story with an attic. There were a few steps leading up to the porch and front door. The porch went from one side of the house to other side. The outside of the house, porch and steps were the color of Antique off white. The front door, from their distance, looked to be made of solid oak and newer than the rest of the house. There was a crest on the door that would be at about eye level for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The crest was a round bronze plate that was embedded into the door, in the middle of the plate a weasel was etched into it and a capital W was on either side of the weasel.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley started walking towards the steps, all six kids quickly caught up. As Mr. Weasley stepped up on the first step the house elf Ron had seen earlier appeared causing Mr. Weasley to nearly fall backwards.
"Who is all you?" Asked the elf frowning.
"H-hello. I am Arthur Septimus Weasley, this is my wife Molly and the rest are some of our children and two of their friends. We just found out about this house. It is an inheritance from my parents. I had two older brother's but the died and so the house was then passed down to me."
"You say you is Arthur 'Septimus' Weasley. What your parents names?"
"Septimus Weasley and Cedrella. Cedrella Black before she married my father. Sirius Black changed what his mother, Walburga Black, had done with my inheritance. Sirius recently declared himself to be the Head of the House of Black."
"Very well. I is Moran. Birk inside house. We only one's stay. We only bound to house, not to wizard or witch. We will assist you. Not do for you or serve you as a servant would. Kindly ask, no order around."
"We understand Moran. It is a pleasure to meet you." Said Mr. Weasley
Moran led them into the house. As they entered the house Moran trotted off to the right through an archway. They could see a table and thought the room to be the dinning area and kitchen. In the middle of the entry stood a grand staircase. On their left were two rooms, further exploration of the room revealed the rooms to be the master suite and nursery. The wall behind and under the staircase was blank. On either side they could see a hallway and an archway leading into two separate rooms. The archway on the right showed a couch, a few chairs and what seemed to be a magical fire pit. The Archway on the left showed shelves several books, a few arm chairs and a part of a couch or loveseat.
Molly and Arthur made further exploration of the first floor as the kids headed up to the second floor.
The second floor had a seven bedrooms and a storage closet. On inspection of each room they found private bathrooms in each one. There were three magical fire pits in the main part of the second floor. To the right a small hallway could be seen, further exploration of the hallway revealed a small staircase that led to the attic.
"Fred, George, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny." Called Mrs. Weasley.
"Coming." They all answered.
"Come look." Mrs. Weasley said as the six of them reached the first floor.
Mrs. Weasley led them through the hallway on the left and out to the back yard. The yard was huge. There was a garden at least twice the size of the one at the Burrow. The chicken coupe and animal pins were also larger than the one's at the Burrow. There was still enough room to put in a decent sized Quidditch Pitch and still have plenty of room for a number of things. The kids were all at a loss for words as they tried to soak in the back yard. All six kids stood in the same spot only moving their eyes as their bodies only moved due to breathing. The kids did not move even when the sun began to set starting cast a shadow over the yard.
"Molly dear, we should get going. It's getting late."
"Yes dear." Molly replied as she checked her watch. "Good grief! It is getting late. Alright everyone, back to the car."
"Do we have to go?" Asked the twins.
"Yes we do."
"When do we move in?" Asked Ron.
"No need for you to think about that right now. I do assure you that we will not be at the Burrow this summer."
"That's so far off. Oh, mum we all could move everything from the Burrow to this house. Wouldn't that make it better? It would make it a lot easier on you and it would take less time right?" Asked Ron.
"I will not keep you and your siblings home from school just to move! Any way it wouldn't help or make anything go faster. None of you can apparate. Enough talk get a move on. Now!
The ride back to the Burrow was full of chatter about the house. As Mr. Weasley parked the car at the Burrow, Ron could be heard softly grumbling about having to wait until summer to live in the new house.
"Oh, Ron quit it. You'll be back at school in a week. And I expect you to keep up with your studies Ronald Weasley. If your marks fall at all, I'll convert the nursery into your new bedroom."
Ron shut right up. He did not want his mother to follow through with her threat.
Everyone climbed out of the car and walked to the Burrow. Once inside, each grabbed a handful of floo powder and whisked off to Grimmuald Place. This was possible due to the last time Arthur went to work he had the underage restriction removed.
Over the next several days the kids, Molly and Arthur talked about the house. Molly and Arthur also talked about their future plans for the house.
A few days before all the kids were to head back to school a head appeared in the fireplace.
"Oh good, Molly you're here." Said Muriel before pulling her head back.
A minute later Muriel and Percy stepped out of the fireplace. Percy seemed to be excited and was waving several documents in his hand.
"Mum, while I was cleaning Aunt Muriel's I found these." Percy said as he thrust the documents into his mother's hand.
As Molly began to read over the documents, Kreacher was leaving the room with a few empty goblets.
"Oh good Kreacher, I would like some Pumpkin juice or some water. I'd appreciate it if you could get it quickly."
"No! Kreacher will not! Get it yourself. You not lazy. You know where the kitchen is." Kreacher barked out as he stopped out of the living room.
Sirius and Petunia did their best to keep a straight face. Harry, Hermione, Dudley, Ron, Ginny and the twins could not help it and burst out laughing. Arthur and Remus smiled and Molly chuckled.
"Sirius you really need to do something about your house elf. He was out of line, rude and disrespectful."
"You did not just tell me what to do! What do you expect me to do, punish Kreacher? Well I will do no such thing. Kreacher was in the right he was not out of line, rude or disrespectful. Today is his day off to do as he pleases. And yes that includes telling witches and wizards 'no', to any request unless he wants to do it."
"You can't be serious."
"Oh I am Percy. You have a problem with me as well as a problem with Harry and Kreacher. As I recall you were rude and disrespectful to my Godson and my house elf. I believe you threw a tray of food at my house elf for no reason, so even if it wasn't Kreacher's day he had every right to refuse services to you. Kreacher would still have been within his rights to tell you 'no'. I will not interfere in your problems or issues no matter who they are with. You are of age Percy, try to act like it."
"Look who's talking." Mumbled Percy.
"Excuse me! What did you say?"
"You heard…Ow!"
Everyone in the room was thoroughly shocked Muriel smacking the back of Percy's head.
"Watch what you say, boy."
"Since when can't person speak his or her mind? And what about Sirius?"
"What about him, Percy? You are in his house. He can say whatever he wants to whomever is in his house."
"Alright now everyone. Percy what are the documents you brought with you about?" Asked Remus.
"Oh…um…yes…right. The…um…documents are inheritances to my mum, my siblings and me. Bill and Charlie are able to access theirs now and I'll be able to access mine once I finish with school. All that has to be done is for mum and Aunt Muriel to go to the inheritance department of Gringotts and claim or sort it all out or whatever. Though Bill and Charlie are well of age, mum still has to do it. It's all through mum."
"So all you have to do is be done with school?" Fred and George asked.
"Basically. But to be more clear, you have to complete all seven years of school." Muriel elaborated.
"Do you have to go all seven years? Say one finished all seven years in less than seven years?" Asked the twins
"No you don't have to go all seven years at school, if you finish all seven in years in say six, you'd be done with all seven years so you would be able to access you inheritance at that time." Replied Muriel.
"How much is each inheritance?" Ron asked.
"You'll have to wait for that information Ronald. I will say this if you manage your gold right you could live comfortably for quite a while. Oh, Molly dear, my apologies I've had these documents for a quite a while. I meant to give them to you when Ginny was born. My place has been so cluttered for so…"
"It's fine Aunt Muriel. I understand. Oh, that reminds me, how much more cleaning does Percy have left?" Said Molly.
"A bit. Which, Percy we should go. You just might finish before you return to school, as long as you keep up the pace you have cleaning at."
"Oh right. So Aunt Muriel, can I use magic to finish up? You said that you would think about it."
"No you may not use magic. Yes, I know I said I would think about. I would have let you but you were rude and disrespectful to Sirius again."
Percy grumbled something before stepping into the fireplace, grabbing a handful of floor powder and clearly saying, 'Aunt Muriel's'.
"I see it on all of your faces that you want to know how much each of you get. As Aunt Muriel said, you'll have to wait for that information. But, not to worry each of you children received the same amount. Your mother and Muriel will take of it once you all are back at school." Said Arthur.
The next few days went by quickly. Sirius escorted Hermione home; most of the Weasleys went home. Percy Weasley remained at Muriel's finishing his cleaning.
The following day, Harry met up with his friends at Platform 9 ¾.
