I finally updated! I will try to start updating more often, I have more time now because of the quarantine.

Summary of the past chapters for those who have forgotten because it has been so long:

-Harry s trip is coming to an end.

-Harry and Anto have decided to try a long-distance relationship instead of breaking up and they confessed their love for each other, deciding to meet after Harry s psychology sessions twice a week.

-Harry bought a cell phone to talk to Anto, and also bought one for Sirius so they can communicate.

-Sirius is free and just got custody of Harry. Sirius and Remus are loving their new home.

I hope you like the chapter!

*The writing in cursive are quotes from the book, and thus those dialogues belong to JK Rowling

*The Harry Potter universe belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter 17

On Thursday evening, Harry morosely climbed into the car, making sure to pack the fragile bags on top of the other ones. On an ordinary year, he would have been ecstatic that there were only three days left to go to Hogwarts, but now he wasn't looking forward to leaving Spain at all. How had he never realized how happy he could be, how much freedom he had been missing? He was infinitely glad he had gone to therapy and realized how many traumas he actually had. He knew they weren't all resolved, but he did feel like he was on a good path. He had already much better control of his emotions and was much more comfortable with showing who he was and what he wanted. Also, he had stopped feeling guilty for Cedric's death, something he would have never before thought possible.

He hugged Anto tightly, no longer caring if it seemed too friendly in front of her parents. Even if Anto decided to tell them, which she wasn't sure about yet, they would think it was simply a long distance relationship, so they wouldn't be worrying about their future physical contact. She grabbed his hand under the seat. She seemed to be just as morose as he was feeling.

"Hey, I left a goodbye present in your room" he whispered, trying to cheer her up. She looked up at him smiling tearily.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's a surprise, but I think you'll like it" he told her smiling mysteriously. He hoped she did, because he had made a lot of effort to finish it on time, and it had been quite a stretch from his usual artistic abilities. It was a collage with photos of them shaped like a heart, and a letter in the middle. He wasn't so used to doing romantic things like this, but then he had never had a girlfriend before, and it flowed naturally to him. Sometimes he surprised himself with how much he had changed in two months.

"We have a present for you" Tía Ana announced at the airport when they were saying their goodbyes. Harry opened it after thanking them, and found the book, workbook and CD for the level A2 in Spanish.

"Thank you, I will definitely use it" Harry said sincerely. He had been proud yesterday when finding out he had passed the A1 exam with a high grade, and had wondered how to continue learning. He definitely wanted to know more of Anto's language and he had really liked it. With all the work from Hogwarts he would probably go much slower, but as long as he was practising and learning he wasn't really in a rush, so he wasn't worried. Thank Merlin he had bought a walkman, or he could never have used the CD for the listening practice.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye then" Harry said to everyone, his throat tight. He hugged Anto's parents and sisters, and then hugged Anto tightly. Even though he would see her on Tuesday, it felt like an eternity. He had gotten used to seeing her every day.

"Call me tonight" she whispered to him, kissing him on the cheek. He nodded, kissing her cheek too. The urge to kiss her on the lips was strong, but he refrained. They had already had their private goodbye kiss in the morning, and he didn't want their last one in days to be an uncomfortable one in an airport with her whole family watching. He hoped it worked for them seeing each other only twice a week. Their relationship would definitely change, and that made him a little worried, but he was still thankful for all they had lived together and he thought they would be happy together nonetheless.

The flight to London went without incident, the only sour point being to see the Dursleys again on the stopover in Madrid. He tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in his gut, and the anguish he felt at going back home with them. At least it was much less than usual. By now he had realized that none of their treatment had been his fault, that they were simply bad people, a doubt he hadn't known he had in the first place. His fear of them was gone, and it had been replaced with anger, and frustration, because he finally knew that he deserved better. Why couldn't he have had a normal family? No child deserved to be so traumatized because of them, but he had been, and still was to a certain degree.

Harry calmed himself slowly. He would only have to endure them for a few more days until he went to Hogwarts. It was a welcome change from enduring their company for two whole months. This thought cheered him up, and he decided not to fret about them any longer. He ignored them, having already his own ticket, and started to read the book about finance. It was complex and he didn't understand all of it, but it was something that would probably be greatly useful given what he had found out about his fortune. Plus it had the added bonus of letting him ignore the Dursleys' existence for a few extra hours, until he had to go to Privet Drive with them. He highlighted some things that he needed to clarify, wondering how Hermione would screech at him for defiling a book.

"Harry!" he heard a familiar voice shout as soon as he left the baggage claim exit, and he turned in disbelief. Sirius was there, with Remus, waving furiously at him. He walked to them as fast as he could, ignoring Uncle Vernon's complaints of "what are you doing, boy" and asking what they were doing here. He hadn't expected them at all.

"We've come to take you home, of course!" Sirius told him animatedly "I'm Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. He will be living with me from now on" he told his relatives calmly, who were looking confused at the commotion. Harry's heart soared. He knew Sirius was trying to get his custody, but he had never expected it would be ready so soon. He would never need to see the Dursleys again. It felt even better than he had imagined during the summer.

"Good riddance" said Uncle Vernon, looking at Harry distastefully. Harry waved cheerily at him, hardly believing his luck. He had nothing he wanted to say to them, and wondered how to say goodbye to people that he was happy to never see again. Dudley solved his problem by rolling his eyes at him and followed his father, but Aunt Petunia seemed like she wanted to say something to him. For once, she wasn't looking at him with a disagreeable expression, just an unsure one, like she didn't know what to do or say. In the end, she seemed to think it over and she just turned to follow her family, though he noticed she turned and gave him a long glance after she left. Harry wondered what that was about, but she shouldn't matter to him anymore. All he felt for her was anger and pain, and he would have to work through that on his own. She had never loved him or cared for him as a member of his family should have, so she didn't deserve for Harry to wonder about her.

Harry sighed in relief. Sirius and Remus were his new family, and no matter how it went, it would definitely be better than the last one. Still, he hoped the three would get along. He had a good feeling about it, but he had to recognize he hardly knew them. Still, he knew Sirius loved him and wanted him to have a good life, and that was more than he had ever received from the Dursleys. So Harry would do his best to make Sirius happy too.

"Have you ever side-along apparated before?" Sirius asked Harry once they were in a secluded place. Harry shook his head, hoping it was better than the floo. Magical transport methods, save brooms, were not the most comfortable, judging by the floo or the Knight Bus.

"Ok, this is going to feel strange, but all you have to do is hold to my arm and not let go" Sirius told him and Harry agreed. He suddenly felt like he had been squished through a tube. He barely had time to process the fact that it was not more comfortable than the floo when they were suddenly in a deserted field. At least it was quicker.

"Marauder's Lair is located on 456, Peel Park View, Bradford" Sirius whispered to Harry, and to the teen's shock, a huge house with a beautiful front yard materialized in front of him.

"This is your new home" Sirius said grinning, and Harry felt his heart skip a beat.

"It looks amazing" he replied, grinning back at Sirius. They entered, and Sirius introduced him to Flippy and Sassy, who showered him with compliments just for holding out his hand and saying "hello, nice to meet you". At least they didn't break into tears or blubber like Dobby, they seemed very put together.

The Marauders gave him a tour of the house, while mentioning weird decorating mishaps, and Harry marveled at it all. He couldn't stop smiling. This was his first home, and the well-lighted, airy house by far surpassed his expectations. They finally made it to his room, and he noticed that the bed was already made with the linen he had chosen, and the bathroom already decorated. The rest of the things that he had asked Sirius to buy were scattered throughout the room, who apologetically mentioned he hadn't known where Harry wanted them. Harry didn't mind in the least.

"It's ok, I have the design here, will you help me decorate it?" He asked, wondering after he said it if he was asking for too much. But both adults smiled and happily agreed, and Harry internally sighed in relief. He really needed to stop thinking he was a bother all the time.

He showed them the design, and twenty minutes and many charms later, it was all in place. Harry sheepishly unpacked and laid out his yoga mat, and asked Sirius to enlarge his TV and game console. Both Sirius and Remus marvelled at the wonderful creations they had never seen. Harry promised them they would play this weekend and that they could use them when he was gone.

"Wow, Lily mentioned the TV quite often, but I never imagined it so realistic" Sirius mentioned, stunned, once Harry turned it on for them. Remus echoed the thought and Harry laughed inwardly. It was amazing how ignorant even pro-muggleborn wizards were about muggle technology. If everyone reacted like this, Anto's idea of bringing it to his country was not a bad one at all. He would definitely become a millionaire. Though he already was one, he reflected frowning. He would have to talk to Sirius about it later today. He didn't have the heart to interrupt his stories right now, and anyway, the one he was telling him was interesting. Apparently, Harry's mom had taught Sirius how to ride a bicycle, so the marauder could feel comfortable using his motorcycle. Harry liked having one more story about his mother, and he quickly committed it to memory. Now that he was living with Sirius and Remus, he would surely hear a lot more about his parents. This thought filled his body with a warm feeling.

"Speaking of muggle technology, I got you a cell phone" Harry told Sirius after he finished his story "It's a muggle thing that lets us speak at any time we want for as long as we want when we are far away, like when I'm at Hogwarts. I thought it would be better than owls" he explained at the adults' confused stares.

"Really? It's like your mirrors!" Remus exclaimed looking at Sirius "I didn't know muggles had something like that". Now it was Harry's turn to be confused, and Sirius told him about the mirrors he used with James when they were in separate detentions.

"It's the same as that but it doesn't only work for a pair. You can talk to anyone that also has a cell phone" Harry explained, feeling proud that his father had created such a device.

"Really? but that would be an amazing tool for the order!" Remus cried. "Not everyone can create patronuses and they can only send short messages. It would make communication between us so much more efficient!"

"You're right, we'll suggest it in the next meeting" Sirius said pensively.

"Er, what's the order?" asked Harry confused. The marauders looked at him seriously for the first time in the day.

"Well, I assume you would like to know what has been going on" Sirius told him "I'm sorry you were kept in the dark, but it was a matter of safety. Some adults would not like me to tell you anything, but you are in my care and I think it's safer for you to know what's happening to some extent. It's time to tell you some things". They went to the informal living room and Sirius asked the house elves for tea. Harry suddenly realized he was nervous. He had put the thought away during his holidays, but now that he was here, he really wanted to know what Voldemort had been up to. What was the state of wizarding Britain? How many people had he killed already? He was glad Sirius wanted to include him. Who wanted to leave him out? He had as much right as anyone else to know what Voldemort was up to.

"Okay, Harry … what do you want to know?"

"Where's Voldemort? What's he doing?" He asked, after debating briefly which question would be more approppriate "in the Spanish news there hasn't been anything about disasters in England".

"That's because there haven't been any big attacks yet" Sirius replied "not even any suspicious deaths, it probably hasn't even reached the British muggle news".

"Except …Harry there is something you should know" Remus trailed off looking at Sirius uncomfortably. Harry tensed. Remus had the tone of someone about to deliver bad news.

"Mrs. Figg, your neighbour, was kissed by a dementor. We think Voldemort must have sent them looking for you" Sirius said gently. Harry didn't know what to think. His mind was reeling. He wasn't at all surprised that Voldemort was actively trying to kill him. But now, because of Harry, the old lady had died. How was that supposed to make him feel? How many people would Voldemort kill trying to get to him? First Cedric and now Mrs. Figg. He tried to calm himself, trying to think of what Carmen would say, of what they had talked about to stop his guilt for Cedric. This wasn't Harry's fault. He hadn't sent a dementor after his neighbour, or even chosen to live near her. This was Voldemort's fault. He had sent a dementor to kiss Harry, not caring if it kissed someone else. Harry knew this reasoning should convince him, and it calmed him to some extent. He knew rationally that he hadn't done anything wrong, but he still felt guilty. If he hadn't existed, this wouldn't have happened to Mrs. Figg. He would have to talk about it with Carmen on Tuesday. He hated Voldemort even more, which he hadn't thought possible.

"How did you realize that? Where is she now?" he asked.

"Dumbledore visited her to find out when you would be back and realized it" Remus replied "she was a squib, you see, and her task was to keep an eye on you. She's in St. Mungo's now". Harry didn't know what to say to that, and he didn't have the energy to be offended at being spied on. He had never imagined the old cat lady to have any connection whatsoever to the wizarding world. Now that she was worse than dead at the magical hospital (he knew what St. Mungo's was because of the books he had read during the summer), the connection had become completely irrelevant anyway.

"Who else has he killed?" Harry asked morosely.

"No one" said Sirius, "not as far as we know anyway … and we know quite a lot."

"More than he thinks we do anyway," said Lupin.

"How come he's stopped killing people?" Harry asked. he knew that Voldemort had murdered more than once in the last year alone.

"Because he doesn't want to draw attention to himself at the moment," said Sirius. "It would be dangerous for him. His comeback didn't come off quite the way he wanted it to, you see. He messed it up."

"Or rather, you messed it up for him," said Lupin with a satisfied smile.

"How?" Harry asked perplexedly.

"You weren't supposed to survive!" said Sirius. "Nobody apart from his Death Eaters was supposed to know he'd come back. But you survived to bear witness."

"And the very last person he wanted alerted to his return the moment he was back was Dumbledore," said Lupin. "And you made sure Dumbledore knew at once."

"How has that helped?"

"Thanks to you, Dumbledore was able to recall the Order of the Phoenix about an hour after Voldmort returned," explained Sirius. "The order is an organization that fought Voldemort in the first war. Dumbledore led it, and we were both part of it, so were your parents. Albus organized us again after you told him about Voldemort's return." Harry nodded in understanding.

"So what's the order been doing?" asked Harry.

"Working as hard as we can to make sure Voldemort can't carry out his plans," said Sirius.

"How d'you know what his plans are?" Harry asked quickly.

"Dumbledore's got a shrewd idea," said Lupin, "and Dumbledore's shrewd ideas normally turn out to be accurate."

"So what does Dumbledore reckon he's planning?"

"Well, firstly, he wants to build up his army again," said Sirius. "In the old days he had huge numbers at his command; witches and wizards he'd bullied or bewitched into following him, his faithful Death Eaters, a great variety of Dark creatures. He's planning to recruit giants, werewolves, and many other groups of humans and other races. He's certainly not going to try and take on the Ministry of Magic with only a dozen Death Eaters."

"So you're trying to stop him getting more followers?"

"We're doing our best,"said Lupin.

"How?"

"Trying to convince as many people as we can that he has returned and that it's important to fight," Lupin explained, "but it's been difficult. Cornelius Fudge still refuses to believe that Voldemort has returned".

"But why?" said Harry desperately. "Why's he being so stupid? If Dumbledore - "

"The Minister has managed to convince himself that Dumbledore's simply stirring up trouble to take his job," Lupin said rolling his eyes.

"How can he think that?" said Harry angrily. "How can he think Dumbledore would just make it all up - that I'd make it all up?"

"Because accepting that Voldemort is back would mean trouble like the Ministry hasn't had to cope with for nearly fourteen years," said Sirius bitterly. "Fudge just can't bring himself to face it. It's so much more comfortable to convince himself Dumbledore's lying to destabilize him."

"So with the Ministry trying to pretend there's nothing to be worried about, it's hard to convince people, but we've managed a little progress," said Remus.

"In fact, we need some help from you tomorrow" Sirius told Harry "Dumbledore let Amelia Bones know about Mrs. Figg, and she's investigating the loose dementors. She's come around to the idea that there's more going on than Cornelius wants to admit. She asked to watch your memory of his return. It would be very helpful to have the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement on our side. And she doesn't really pay much attention to the discrediting stuff about you and Dumbledore, so we have a good chance of convincing her".

"Of course, I'll do whatever's necessary" Harry replied. He was anxious to help. "What discrediting lies about me and Dumbledore?" he asked suddenly.

"The Prophet, following Ministry's orders of course, has started printing stories that paint Dumbledore as a senile overworked man, and you as an attention seeking liar," sighed Remus, "that way they ensure both of you have less credibility when you try to tell people about Voldermort's return".

"They've been printing stories about me? How long has this been going on?" asked Harry frowning. What were they saying about him? Would his classmates believe it? From what he had seen with the chamber ordeal and the tournament last year, his classmates believed everything they read. Would he have another year of people constantly talking as if he was dangerous and bullying him? Just when he had decided to branch out and meet more new people … well, maybe this way he would know who was worth talking to.

"It's not stories, really, more like comments, based on Rita's Skeeter stuff from last year. Like if there's an outrageous story they'll say 'worthy of a tale from Harry Potter' and things like that," replied Remus. Harry sighed, frustrated. He wasn't a stranger to people thinking awful things about it without asking him about the truth, or about the press printing lies.

"Are they allowed to print lies?" He had asked about that to Anto's parents, and he knew in muggle Spain it was considered a crime. It was called a "Calumnia" and you could sue the person who wrote about you.

"I don't know" Sirius replied, "you could ask Amelia Bones tomorrow. She should know."

"Ok...so what can I do to help?" Harry asked.

"You should keep out of trouble in school, and let the order deal with Voldemort and his followers. You should focus on learning as much defensive magic as possible, because he will keep coming after you, and you need to be ready," Sirius told him "and if we ever need something more from you, we will tell you". Harry agreed, he had already realized he needed to get better at magic. He was sure that before his therapy, he would have wanted to solve everything himself, and been frustrated at not being able to do more. But he had learned to listen and think more rationally, and he thought Sirius was right. Unfortunately, he was still a teenager, and he didn't know enough magic to be really useful in a fight. He needed to get better if he wanted to help bring Voldemort down. And for that, he needed to focus on learning.

"You're being very mature about this, Harry" Remus observed approvingly.

"Thank you. I do have some questions that I thought of during the summer, and knowing the answer would be useful against Voldemort. If you already know it, I would like you to tell me," said Harry, and showed them the questions he had come up with. The one about the war he had already answered his summer reading, but to his surprise, the other two caught Sirius' and Remus' interest.

"I don't know why his soul hasn't died, Dumbledore just said something about him not being human enough … but what does that mean?" Sirius asked pensively "and it's obviously key to know how to kill him … and you're saying you remember Voldemort offering Lily not to die? Why? He had no problem killing James."

"I don't know, that's why I came up with the questions" Harry replied impatiently "And how does Dumbledore know that her sacrifice is the reason I'm alive? Is it because she had a choice? Or is it something else?"

"We will bring your questions to Dumbledore's attention, don't worry Harry. They could be useful in the fight," said Remus. Harry nodded, mollified. He finally felt like he was doing something to stop Voldemort.

I hope you liked it! I will try to update soon! Please read & review!