Harry Potter and the Third Party

Chapter 2: Remus Lupin Returns

Beep! Beep! Beep! The blaring of the alarm woke Harry with a start. He turned his head to see the time: six am. Stretching his arms above his head, he let out a loud yawn. Then, remembering what the day's events would bring, he became somber.

He jumped into the shower to wake himself up. Under the hot water, he reflected on why Dumbledore had said it had taken so long to find the body of his godfather, Sirius Black. Dumbledore had said the curtains that Sirius had fallen behind were some kind of portal that the living could not pass through, and special means had had to be taken to bring the body back through. It had taken a while, but at long last, by saying the proper incantations and using a bewitched rope, they were able to bring the body back across the portal. Dumbledore had told Harry that he could not explain the meaning of the curtains, although Harry sometimes wondered if he just wouldn't explain it. Dumbledore seemed to like keeping Harry in the dark. Harry scowled.

After his shower, Harry made his way into the kitchen, and saw Dudley waiting with his plate of eggs, toast, and jam. As he sat down, he looked over at the fearful expression of anticipation on Dudley's face. Often, Harry would find something wrong with the plate and have Dudley remake the entire meal. But not today. Today, he was not in the mood to torment anyone, and even managed a vague, "Thanks."

Dudley's face flushed with relief, and he sat down to eat his own meal. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had not yet entered the kitchen and were not likely to until well after eight, especially with the prospect of an Order member coming through the Floo Network to fetch Harry for the funeral of his godfather.

At around seven thirty, Harry sat down to read the Muggle news in a chair on the side of the cleared out living room. He looked over at Dudley in the kitchen. Dudley was fidgeting in his seat nervously. Harry decided to cut him some slack.

"You can go upstairs if you want, Dudley. My friends will be here soon," he said casually.

"Thanks, Harry!" exclaimed Dudley, who was only happy to take the stairs three at a time to escape being present for any arrival of a wizard coming through the fireplace.

Harry went back to the paper, and wondered whom the Order would be sending to pick him up. Most likely Mr. Weasley he thought.

At three minutes to eight, a rush of green flames lit up the Dursleys' fireplace. A well-dressed but somber-looking man with light brown hair stepped through the fireplace, and Harry recognized him at once.

"Lupin!" Harry ran to hug his former Defense against Dark Arts teacher.

"Hello, Harry, how have you been holding up?" he asked weakly.

"Oh, as well as can be expected, I suppose," Harry replied.

Patting Harry on the back, Lupin put his hands on Harry's shoulders and looked down into Harry's eyes. "Listen, Harry." Lupin had the beginnings of tears in his eyes, but he wiped them away before they had time to develop. "I... I just wanted to say again that Sirius... he was my best friend. My very best friend and I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in how you're feeling today. If you need to talk to me about anything, I'm here for you." A single tear escaped his right eye.

Harry looked at Lupin's somber face. He knew that Lupin was truly feeling as grieved as he was. Lupin was the one person that Harry could write to from time to time about Sirius' death. He'd been the only one close enough to Sirius to know how Harry felt.

"Thanks," said Harry. "It really means a lot to me that you're here for me."

Lupin forced a small smile, stood up, and looked around the room. "Where are your relatives? Didn't they want to see you off?" Lupin asked, slightly puzzled.

"Ha! No, they wanted to avoid meeting an Order member at all cost,'" Harry replied, slightly amused at the idea of the Dursleys giving him a warm send off.

"Why?" asked Lupin, a little suspicious. "They haven't been mistreating you, have they?"

Harry smiled to himself. Oh, if you only knew, he thought to himself. "No, they've been okay. They just don't like wizards," he replied.

"I see," Lupin replied, mildly offended. "Well, are you ready, Harry?" he continued.

"Okay, sure, just one question. Where did you get the nice robes?" Harry asked with wonder.

Remus Lupin looked himself over, embarrassed. "Oh... I... Sirius had some money that he left me, as well as you, in his will. I just wanted to look good on the day we honor him. You'll find out about your inheritance later, too."

"Oh," said Harry, not really caring about the money, but a bit curious to know why he hadn't been told of the reading. "I guess I'm ready."

"Good, I'll lead the way." Lupin handed Harry a handful of Floo Powder from his pocket. He then took out some more and threw it into the fireplace, which lit up with emerald flames.

"Now, repeat after me, Harry, clearly: Benedictions Georgious, Funeral Home!" Lupin shouted as he stepped into the emerald fire, and was swept away.

Harry threw his own Floo Powder in and was transported out of the Dursleys' living room and into another fireplace that opened into a large study, where Lupin, Tonks, and Mundungus were waiting for him.