Forging Alliances

Chapter 3

The day started early for Harry, his alarm went off at five and he was ready to go at half past. Bill arrived just as he was going downstairs; Remus answered the door. They all set out to meet Tonks and Kingsley so they could be briefed. They took the Knight Bus and ended up at the Ministry at six in the morning. There were a few early birds wandering around so they were not paid much attention once they arrived via the guest entrance. Tonks was there to meet them and led them to a small, secure conference room for the brief.

"Alright the plan is this: I will set the port key to trigger when he breaks the seal which will take him to a warded cell at the ministry. There are spells that will render him unable to transform and will also bind him. We will then question him under truth serum about the night Sirius was framed as well as the current plans of You-Know-Who. I will leak it to the press before the morning paper goes out while Kingsley will get the pardon for Sirius signed by Madam Bones. Pettigrew will be held under twenty-four hour surveillance by Order member Aurors until we can administer the kiss but during that time we will leak it that he is being kept at Azkaban. There have been rumblings of a break in to rescue the other Death Eaters and we have reason to believe this will bring that to fruition. We will have a whole squad of Hit Wizards there to be the meet and greet committee."

"You three will be meeting with that bloke down at the DoM, O'Malley's the name right?"

"Yeah Kingsley, that's the plan. He said he'd be in at seven."

"Okay Bill, what we'll do is alert you to any goings on then once the story is leaked to the Prophet and been published I'll meet you down there. Before I do that though Kingsley will get the signed pardon so it will be out that he's free and if you are spotted there won't be any risk to him. After that's all done with I'll go with you to the Death Chamber."

"Wait Tonks we're waiting till night fall for that." Remus looked at her critically.

"To hell you are! We're getting my cousin back if I have to stun everyone who comes within wand range of that chamber and we're doing it right away!"

"Okay fine but you will have to be our look out; we don't know how many people will be in and out of that area."

"I'll put a Confundus charm on the door for good measure."

"Fine, it's time to get started, do you have the story you're feeding to the press and the other aurors ready?"

"Yes." Tonks was a tad bit annoyed with the werewolf at that point but Harry could see that most of it was just nerves.

They filed into the cell and waited while Kingsley set the portkey and tied it to an owl that was almost identical to Snape's. It was not long before Kingsley returned and shortly after him Pettigrew arrived. The two aurors forced the Vieratiserum down his throat. They waited for it took affect then began the interrogation.

"What is your name?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"What happened the night you were allegedly murdered by Sirius Black?"

"I was running; I knew that Black would be after me once I told the Dark Lord where the Potter's were. He was the only one who knew I was there secret keeper. He found me on a busy muggle street. I knew he was going to kill me so I screamed that he was the traitor; that is when he started laughing. I was thrilled. He made it so easy for me to look the martyr and him the psychotic killer that everyone eventually believed him to be. I cut off my finger and reducted the street behind me before transforming and escaping."

"What is your animagus form?"

"A rat."

"How did you escape and stay hidden for so long?"

"I hid in the sewer with the other rats then was taken in as a pet by the Weasley family. They believed me to be an ordinary garden rat until Black escaped and he and Lupin caught me and forced me out of hiding."

"What else happened that night?"

"They led me out of the Shrieking Shack and into the Hogwarts' grounds. They were all going to turn me in and get Black pardoned but Lupin forgot about the full moon and transformed. I was able to get away at that point.

"How did you acquire this silver hand?"

"I cut my own off so that the Dark Lord could get his body back. This was my reward for doing so willfully. Voldemort himself gave it to me."

"Were there any others involved in assisting him that night?"

"Why Potter of course, without his blood it never would have worked but of course he had to be forced to cooperate."

"What happened to Cedric Diggory?"

"I killed him; my master ordered that I do so."

"Which other Death Eaters were there that night?"

"I know Lucius Malfoy was there, Nott Sr. the others I can't remember. There were so many and my master has gained so many more since that I cannot keep track."

"When did you take the dark mark?"

"A year after I graduated Hogwarts."

"Why?"

"I was tired of being the tag along. I wanted glory, fame and power. That was all promised to me. Please I'll do anything! Please I'll give you more names but I need protection. I'll renounce him I just can't go back now they'll kill me!" The truth serum had started wearing off.

The group left the cell after Tonks took the wand that had been protruding from Pettigrew's pocket the whole time and broke it.

"Okay that's enough. Kingsley, go take this to Madam Bones and get the pardon signed. You three head down to the DoM while I wait here till he gets back then I'm off to the Prophet with the write up of what "officially" went down."

With that Kingsley took the signed confession to Madam Bones, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. She was appalled that Sirius Black was not only framed by one of his so called best friends but that he'd never received a fair trial even with Albus Dumbledore presiding over the Wizengamot. She signed the pardon that declared Sirius Black cleared of all charges posthumously. Once the paper was signed Kingsley contacted Tonks via a two-way mirror and gave her the go ahead to leak the information to the press.

She Apparated to the Daily Prophet printing office and gave the editor the tip. Rita Skeeter was on hand and wrote a quick blurb for the front page of that morning's paper. Fortunately there was little that needed to be added to the write up Tonks gave them so it was all done in very short space of time.

It felt like hours until Tonks showed up when in reality it was much less; merely minutes actually. She reported that the editor stopped the presses and inserted the story on the front page before she had even left the building and gave her a complimentary copy that they all sat and read until Keegan met them. Everything was going as planned thus far.

Sirius Black Innocent! Peter Pettigrew Alive and In Custody!

In a stake out last night Aurors apprehended a Death Eater who was unable to elude our magical law enforcement officers and was questioned under truth serum. He confessed to being Peter Pettigrew, long thought to be dead.

He apparently was the Potter's secret keeper and sold out the former Auror-in-training and his wife. The result of this travesty was the death of aforementioned couple and the attempted murder of their son Harry, who miraculously lived and as a result bought the Wizarding world fourteen years of relative peace.

Unfortunately He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was sighted not less then a week ago in a battle that took place in the Ministry of Magic. Details of said battle are sketchy at best but several Death Eaters were captured and are currently being held in custody.

As a result of Pettigrew's confession Sirius Black has been cleared of all charges and been declared a free man. No one has reported a sighting of the former escaped felon but the Daily Prophet will be the first to bring our readers an exclusive interview with the wizard.

Rita Skeeter

Special News Correspondent

Harry was not sure if he should be thrilled at the fact that Skeeter was actually reporting things the way everyone needed her to or to cringe at the fact that he was in another article featured in the Daily Prophet. He decided that it was better to know and somewhat dictate what was being written about him rather then have it come as a surprise and be totally false.

They made there way to the Death Chamber. Once there Harry and Remus started the ritual by laying the gifts that they had chosen from Sirius at the dais, the repaired two way mirror he'd given Harry and the biography he gave Remus their first Christmas at Hogwarts. They chanted the first lines they had memorized and then took turns cutting their palms, Harry first then Remus. They let the blood drip onto the dais and the gifts then continued the ritual chanting. Bill then started with the summoning spell and O'Malley, who had joined them right before they went into the chamber and had little time for introductions, called out Sirius' name and told him to follow the voices.

Harry could not tell if Sirius had heard the summons via the two way mirror but kept up with the chanting. He started to sway and loose track of time. It felt as if he were floating. The magic they were calling on was getting more powerful by the minute. Finally the veil started to billow about and a great wind howled through the chamber. Harry could feel himself becoming lightheaded and could no longer hear Remus' or Bill's voices. He didn't realize that the ritual was taking quite a bit of magical power from both he and Remus. The last thing they saw was a great black dog stumble from the arch and then everything went black.

He woke up to someone smacking his cheek lightly and calling his name. "Did it work?" He mumbled before he could open his eyes.

"Yes Harry it worked we got Padfoot back. He doesn't remember anything from beyond the veil but he's fine and he's back. They had a bit of a scare; we both passed out from the exertion but once we rest everything will be just fine. Here let's get back to Privet Drive, Tonks has a portkey for us, just give me your hand."

"Okay. Moony?"

"Yes pup?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome but I think we should be the one thanking you." With that Harry felt the familiar tug behind his navel and then felt plush carpet underneath him. Bill picked him up and hauled him to the room he and Ron used the summer before so he could rest; he was asleep before they even reached the top of the stairs.

He woke up and from the angle of the sun shining through the window he could tell it was late afternoon. He pulled himself out of bed and made his way down to the kitchen. He was greeted by a very angry set of Marauders and a stern looking Headmaster who was lecturing them both.

Remus looked as tired as if it were just after a full moon. The ritual did take a lot out of him, Harry observed. Sirius didn't look much better. His hair was long and wild and was sporting a very unkempt beard that he had not got the chance to shave off. For some reason he looked more rested though, as if his time beyond the veil had removed the haunted look he so often displayed after escaping Azkaban. Harry thought that maybe it was a place of rest. Sirius had been with his parents in all of his dreams so that must have done something to relieve the burden he'd seemed to carry since Harry had met him. He vaguely remembered Remus telling him that Sirius didn't remember anything from his time there and wondered if he ever would. Harry was interrupted from his silent musings by the conversation in front of him that was becoming very heated.

"How could you be so irresponsible as to get the boy involved in such dark magic?"

"It was not dark magic, it was blood magic."

"Don't make this a mater of semantics no matter what that ritual was it was a form of necromancy and I'll not have anyone involving one of my students in such a thing."

"Don't you mean your weapon? And how can it be necromancy if I was not dead, tell me that Dumbledore."

"Do not use that tone with me Sirius or so help me..."

"What you'll hex me, push me back through the veil, what?"

"Harry needs structure and discipline and you are in no position to give him either. If I had let you, you would have told the boy every little detail about the goings on of the order."

"To hell I would! I know what needs to be kept confidential but if it involved him he had a right to know. Is that why you kept the ritual from Remus? You didn't want me around to inform on you to your weapon. That is how you see him you just won't admit it! With me around his loyalties were divided weren't they! Admit it!"

"Maybe I thought if you had less influence over the boy things would be easier but I would have brought you back eventually, when the time was right."

"To hell you would! That was a time dependant ritual and you know it. If we had waited much more then we did Harry and I would have never been able to get him back."

"Is that true?" Harry glared at Dumbledore accusingly.

"Harry you're up. We did not see you there," Dumbledore said, skillfully evading Harry's inquiry, as he often was known to do.

"Don't avoid my question. Would you have waited until it was too late?" Dumbledore did not answer so Harry continued. "Why did you never tell me of my family home or the vaults I inherited? Why did you keep that from me, you had no reason that I can logically think of."

"I did not think it wise to expose you to so much wealth at such a young age."

"That was not your right to decide Dumbledore! You are not his legal guardian in the magical world I am. I am his godfather and as such I am entitled to make the decisions for Harry not you!"

"Well until today you were a fugitive?"

"Whose fault was that? You could have insisted I get a fair trial with questioning under truth serum; you're the bloody head of the Wizengamot. You could have demanded it any time since my escape. Hell you could have captured Peter yourself but no you have to have control of everything and I was a wild card so you had to keep me hidden. Well it's over now old man, you have no more say in my life or in Harry's while he's away from school."

"Sirius, be rational."

"Oh I'm being rational! I don't want some manipulative bastard ruling Harry's life or mine! Screw your effin Order I quit and I'll be taking Harry someplace safe because Merlin knows that he's been abused enough for the last fifteen years in that hell hole only you call his home!"

"You can't. He's not safe anywhere else; the blood protection must not falter, if he leaves now it will."

"WOULD YOU TWO JUST BLOODY QUIT!" They stopped arguing and turned back to Harry. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't act as if I'm not standing in the room with both of you. Now as far as those blood protections, it's only a matter of time before Voldemort figures out how to break them seeing as how he's got my blood running through his veins so I honestly don't think I am safe there."

"Fine then you will stay at headquarters," Dumbledore conceded after a few moments of silence when he knew he could not win that argument.

"No I won't be staying here. I have a few different properties that are livable and I will be staying in one of them. Remus will stay with me and it's up to Sirius where he stays. Seeing as he is a free man he can go anywhere he wants and seeing as how he's just quit the Order you might want to vacate his home."

"The pup has a point I'm not a member anymore. I want you out of Grimmauld Place in twenty-four hours and take Kreacher with you since you love the little bastard so much!"

With that Albus Dumbledore left the former headquarters for his Order of the Phoenix and Sirius pulled Harry into a bone crushing hug that rivaled Molly Weasley's motherly hugs. Harry just melted into it and reeled at the thought that he had Sirius back.

"Okay pup tell me what's been going on. Looks like you got some new clothes and you were finally told about your inheritance."

Harry told Sirius all about what happened the day of the battle and how Voldemort had tricked him. He told him about finally hearing the prophesy after Sirius had fallen through the veil, and about the destruction of Dumbledore's office. He explained how he had the dreams and snuck out with the intention of getting the books about the veil and the subsequent shopping trip with Bill and finding out about Potter Manor, which he wanted all three of them to move into that day. Remus had already told Sirius about Pettigrew's capture and the ritual so Harry skipped that part.

Bill stopped by with news that Dumbledore had informed the Order that they would be moving to a new location and that he had told his parents about what had happened. Molly was planning on coming by to make dinner for all of them and had invited Keegan O'Malley in thanks for his kindness to Harry. Bill said that she indicated that though she did not always agree with Sirius she knew Harry needed him and the fact that Dumbledore didn't take the initiative to get him back was unpardonable and insisted they all come stay at the Burrow.

"Bill as much as I love you all I think I want to stay at Potter Manor."

"I told her as much but she insisted I convey the invitation anyways for good measure. You know how she is."

"Yeah. Maybe we could have dinner there, let the house elves do it and give her a rest for once."

"That is a splendid idea Harry we could have Ron and Ginny and the Twins too as well as Tonks when she gets off shift, Kingsley will be watching Pettigrew tonight but we could send a plate over after via Tonks," Remus suggested.

"Yeah then I could just move in tonight and be done with the Dursleys."

"Sounds like a plan, lets go get your stuff packed. I'll shrink your trunk after you're packed and Sirius can compose a note to your aunt and uncle."

Sirius, Harry and Remus took the floo to Mrs. Figg's house and set out for Privet Drive. Harry thought he should feel a bit nostalgic at the thought that he would never be coming back to the place he'd called home for fifteen years if he could help it but he didn't. When they arrived Sirius set to composing a note to the Dursleys letting them know that Harry was moving in with his godfather and former professor and would not bother them ever again.

Harry had most of his old school things scattered about his room and his new clothes in his wardrobe. He'd disposed of most of Dudley's old clothes but still had some lying around. Remus expanded the inside of Harry's trunk to accommodate all his new purchases from his shopping trip and his school supplies as well as all his past birthday and Christmas presents and an old ratty blanket he'd come wrapped in when left with the Dursleys as a baby. He was much better at packing spells then Tonks had been the previous summer so all his belongings were neatly tucked away in a very short time.

Harry didn't as much as look back as they walked toward a quiet part of the estate to call the Knight Bus. He knew that the door to that part of his life was now closed and he would be starting a new journey with Sirius and Remus and all the other people in his life that loved and wanted to look after him. His dream was finally coming true.

Bill headed back to The Burrow to get his parents, Ron, Ginny and the twins as well as send an owl off to Keegan O'Malley about the change in venue. They met back after an hour Weasleys in tow with Tonks and Keegan on their way. It promised to be a relaxing and entertaining evening.

Harry was more then excited to finally see his ancestral home and spend the evening with his friends and those he considered family to him. Once Tonks and O'Malley arrived everyone was given the grand tour by the head house elf Denny. Harry had never been to a house as big as his own and was quite shocked at how large everything was.

The ground floor contained a formal and informal set of dining rooms and sitting rooms as well as the kitchen, Library, music room and a billiards room that had several tables as well as other games housed there for general entertainment. The second floor had several living quarters with attached bathrooms and walk in closets. The third floor was home to the master suite and several more guest suites. The basement housed a wine cellar, potions lab, house elf living quarters as well as quarters for any wizards or witches that might be employed to care for the grounds and manor house.

There was a magical lake on the grounds to the north of the manor which was home to a colony of merpeople that resembled the one at Hogwarts but not nearly as large. The east side was home to a Quidditch pitch with outdoor showers and changing rooms nearby; much like the pitch at Hogwarts without the stands. To the south and west there were a number of walking gardens and green houses as well as a small vegetable garden and orchard. Indoors Harry didn't bother counting all the rooms after a while, as there were just too many. He did reckon that he could house all of the members of the D.A. and thought he might just do that for his birthday.

Dinner was a grand affair. It was held in the formal dining room. On more then one occasion Ron commented to Harry about how he should say nothing of him having house elves to Hermione unless he wanted to become persona non grata the instant the words left his mouth; no matter that they were paid and given time off if they wanted.

Tonks caught everyone up on the information garnered from Pettigrew by the other Aurors that day. Apparently Voldemort was planning something pretty substantial but since Pettigrew was little more then a lackey they got no details. They did, however, get quite a few names of Death Eaters and the DMLE would be busy rounding them all up. There was still debate as to whether or not Azkaban would hold them as the Dementors were starting to switch loyalties.

Sirius and Remus caught up with Keegan O'Malley; finding out what he'd done with his life since Hogwarts. He, Bill and Remus all got into a very long winded conversation about ancient Egypt and the artifacts that had recently been recovered by Gringott's. Harry just listened, contented that they were all together with him in his new home. He'd asked the Weasley's if they wanted to stay the night.

"Oh Harry dear I think it best if Arthur and I go back home but Ron, Ginny and the twins are more then welcome to if they want. We know you'll be safe with Sirius and Remus. Just promise me Ron that you won't stay up all night tonight and floo in the morning if you are all going to stay for the day tomorrow."

"Yes mum," Ron replied, trying to suppress his thrill at the prospect of flying out in Harry's pitch all the next day and swimming in the lake during the hottest part of the day.

"You can all pick your own room and it will be yours every time you come to stay, how does that sound?" Harry asked his house guests. Ginny let out, what Harry suspected was, a squeal of delight at the thought of having an immense room of her own. Even though she had her own at The Burrow and one at Grimmauld Place she usually had to share with Hermione. The twins didn't know if they should share a room as they did everything else or get one of the house elves to add a doorway between two separate rooms. Ron already had a room next to Harry's reserved and Remus and Sirius took up the rooms they had occupied while visiting during school holidays.

Desert was served and everyone moved to one of the sitting rooms to take there tea. The twins seemed to be in a very intense conversation with Tonks that, Harry believed, had Mrs. Weasley more than a little worried. Ron flippantly suggested that they were most likely betting on something along the vein of Quidditch League finals or who would end up being hired as the DADA professor at Hogwarts this upcoming term.

Sirius came over to sit with the teens and asked Harry how his Occlumency was coming along and if Snape was still being a greasy git about it.

"Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I haven't had any tutorial on it since he went off the sessions with me last term. I got the impression that Dumbledore decided to teach me but I'm not so sure I want him poking about up here either." Harry put a finger to his temple. Keegan had overheard the conversation and joined in.

"If you're willing Harry I can teach you. I'm actually a bit more skilled then Severus Snape and have a few evenings a week I could spare."

"Would you really?" Harry queried, shocked at another show of generosity from his mother's old study partner.

"Certainly Harry it's the least I can do. Lily meant a great deal to me; anything I can do to help her son I'm willing to do. How does Tuesday and Thursday sound, around half past seven?"

"Perfect." Harry was smiling at the prospect of having an Occlumency teacher he was not at odds with all the time.

After everyone had their tea they took their leave with promises to visit again soon. Sirius motioned to the younger men and Ginny to follow him.

"I have a bit of a surprise for you Harry and I'd been planning it for this summer before I metaphorically started pushing up daisies. I was thinking the rest of you might be interested as well."

He had their curiosity peaked. "Okay Padfoot what crazy idea have you thought up now?" Remus asked.

"I was thinking that the next generation of Marauders needed to be initiated but before they do they need to learn how to become animagi."

There was no argument from the teens and Remus just shook his head in mock disapproval and laughed.

"Alright this calls for a trip to the library to retrieve the Official Book of Marauder Rules and Regulations. It contains all of our hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Everything we ever learned about the art of mischief making is within as is the directions for becoming an animagus," Sirius declared in an official sounding voice and stood before the teens, posture stiff as a plank.

They all laughed at Sirius' antics and followed him while he retrieved the book. They sat together and read through the procedure; deciding that they would start first thing the next morning. They then convened in the game room on the main floor so Remus and Sirius could teach them how to play billiards then they had a dart tournament which Ginny won hands down claiming that it was her advanced chaser skills that helped her aim for and hit the bulls eye a majority of the time.

Eventually the teens were ready to get settled in for the evening so they made there way to the second floor to pick out rooms. Denny had assigned a house elf to manage each room and informed Harry and his guests that they would be willing to help decorate the rooms to their own tastes. This included the transfiguration of furniture, charming wall colours and making any architectural changes they might want.

The twins were assigned Pan as their house elf, who lived up to his namesake as being very different from most his peers; he liked to partake in revelry and butterbeer often and also sported a slight resemblance to the troublemaking Greek god. They asked that their neighboring rooms to be connected by a door. The walls were changed to a garish neon green with lemon yellow trim. All of the furniture was transfigured to a modern black style and instead of proper drapes they had gaudy plastic beads in all shapes, sizes and colours hanging in front of their windows. The four poster beds were transfigured to water beds and the candles were spelled to let off black light which made the walls that more shocking. They each had a few magical lava lamps through out their rooms and their bathrooms were black with a magical strobe light and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. The disco balls were spelled to broadcast muggle disco music and rotate sending little squares of light everywhere. Harry thought the whole endeavor quite unpractical but figured it was to be expected because when were the twins ever practical?

Ron didn't shock anyone with his decision to emulate his room at Harry's after the shrine he'd set up to the Chudley Cannons at The Burrow. He had the twins enlarge a few pictures from the Quidditch magazines he'd brought to share with Harry and tacked them to the walls. The walls were painted white and the carpet was black as was his furniture. The linens and curtains in the room were transfigured to a bright orange with black piping for trim. His quilt sported the double 'C' emblem seen on the team robes and black throw pillows littered the head of the bed. The bathroom was transfigured to match the bedroom which was anything if not consistent with Ron's obsession. Overall he was quite proud of what he and the house elf Apollo, who was assigned to him, had accomplished.

Ginny surprised them all with her decision to decorate the room in sage violet and a soft orange. None of the boys thought it would look remotely appealing and her brothers said as much. She just shrugged her petite shoulders and led her house elf Erato to the room on the other side of Harry's. When they were finished the others were shocked to see the walls painted a light sage green with lavender bed curtains and linens with a floral scrollwork pattern in sage with soft orange tinted blossoms. The curtains matched the linens and her bathroom incorporated the same colours. It was very feminine and not at all childish. The room had a cheerful, playful quality that emulated Ginny's personality. The furniture stayed the same because Ginny thought the deep Walnut and Burch woods gave the room a warm feeling. The rug resembled the bed linens in color scheme but the pattern was unique and geometric. Overall the boys were impressed that she had made it all work together.

Harry was a bit more subdued in his choice of décor. His furniture was minimalist and fresh all in Burch wood. He chose light blue, almost white for the walls with navy carpet. The linens were only a few shades darker then his walls and were accented by a hemp colour that was set off the different shades of blue. His bed hangings were navy as well with hemp coloured accents and his curtains were the same hemp with navy tiebacks. He repeated the same theme in the bathroom with navy floors and light blue walls. He felt it was one of the most relaxing, peaceful places he'd ever been in and was glad he was there to stay.

After they were done decorating their rooms Harry brought up the idea of having a birthday party and having the D.A. sleep over. They all thought that was a fantastic idea and promised to help him with the plans. They picked out rooms for Hermione, Neville and Luna and decided they would invite them and all spend next weekend together again.

The twins wanted to know what they would be doing the next day and Harry told them he had no time to explore the grounds and wanted to test out the pitch in the morning before it got too late in the day. After a good fly and a pickup game of Quidditch he wanted to go swimming. This was all after they had there first Animagus training session with Sirius and Lupin. They all agreed that that was a brilliant plan.

It was late by the time they went to bed but Harry had felt the best he could ever remember feeling. He had his family with him for that is what they all were to him, more so then the Dursley's ever could have been. He'd been thinking these thoughts for merely minutes then slipped into what should have been his first night of uninterrupted sleep but he was, once again, faced with the dark corridor and the calls of his long dead parents.

Harry found himself in a small estate. It was late and the street lamps were out. All that lit his way was the moon and stars. He walked down the path to the end of the road. He saw what most likely used to be a modest house with a small yard but it had been destroyed by what Harry thought to be a massive fire or gas explosion.

He could feel an inexplicable draw to the house, like he'd been there before but he just could not place it. He sat on the walk cross-legged looking at the destruction until he heard someone approach from behind. He went for his wand as he turned his head to see who was behind.

"Harry it's okay, it's just me, Lily, your mother."

"Mum?"

"Yes Harry."

"I'm dreaming again aren't I?"

"Yes Harry this is a dream."

"I thought once I saved Sirius I wouldn't see you again, or hear you rather."

"No Harry we will be visiting you again, regularly until we've achieved what we're meant to."

"What's that?"

"You'll know in time."

Harry groaned. "What is it with adults giving me riddles and half information?"

Lily laughed a melodious laugh that Harry thought he would never hear the equal to. "Oh my sweet Harry, I know you feel left out and rightfully so seeing as how you've been kept in the dark about things that affect you but I am under obligation to guide you not give you answers as is your father. We are here for you Harry. Like Sirius told you 'those who love us never truly leave us.'"

"What is this place mum?"

"This is a mental projection of our home in Godric's Hollow."

"You mean Voldemort did all this?"

"Yes Harry, he did," Lily answered with a touch of sorrow in her voice.

"I miss you mum, you and dad. I wish I could be with you all the time not just in these dreams."

"I know Harry but you have been chosen and despite the hardship it has caused you it is also a great blessing. It is proof that you are a person of strength and true integrity; you have a pure heart Harry, never forget that."

Lily started fading out of Harry's vision after that. Harry, never having had such a long conversation with his mother called out to her not to go.

"Mum. Please don't go! Mum, please!"

"Harry, wake up."

Harry shot up in bed at being shaken by the shoulder gasping and tears threatening to fall.

"Mum?" He questioned meekly as he touched the cheek of the redhead before him.

"No Harry it's me Ginny." She leaned slightly into the touch before she caught herself and pulled away slightly. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Oh Ginny... No it was just a dream. Did I wake you?" Harry asked, startled that he'd done something so intimate to her before he'd gained his senses. Now that he really looked he realized that it was Ginny, her dark chocolate eyes shining in the moonlight rather then the emerald green of his mothers.

"No Harry I was up getting some water and I heard you talking. I was worried it was Voldemort or something so I came in. I hope you don't mind, I don't want to intrude it's just that Ron's mentioned your dreams and..."

"'S okay Ginny. I've just been having dreams of my parents since holiday started," he answered lamely then as an after thought said, "It's nothing."

"If you're sure Harry." She paused, looking as if she were contemplating something. Eventually the look faded. "Well, I'll go back to bed now. Harry, if you need anything; promise you'll come get one of us."

"Yeah Ginny, sure thing."

She got up to leave but turned back. Leaning over him she brushed her lips over the corner of his mouth and whispered, "Sweet dreams Harry."

He laid in shock until she closed his door and whispered, "You too Ginny, you too."