Harry Potter and the House of Meditation

Chapter One: Privet Drive

Harry Potter sat outside the back door of number four Privet Drive watching a bee buzzing around Aunt Petunia's hydrangea bushes. It was only a few weeks into the summer vacation and he was already longing to be back at Hogwarts, which was rather unusual, since his last year at Hogwarts had been the worst ever and things had actually improved a bit on Privet Drive.

After finding out about the prophecy Sibyll Trelawney had made about him and Lord Voldemort, Harry had cut himself off from almost everyone. Knowing that someday he would be force to kill or be killed by the Dark Lord was every bit as much a burden as Albus Dumbledore had thought it would be.

His closest friends, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Neville and Luna supported him as much as ever, but he had not told them about the prophecy. They only knew that Harry, as a special target of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, was bound to be under considerable strain.

He had spent the most time with Neville and Luna. Ginny was still going with Dean Thomas and they seemed very happy. Ron and Hermione had finally admitted their feelings for each other, which was a tremendous relief after the way they had danced around the issue for so long, but it rather made Harry feel like a third wheel around them.

Yes, it had been a hard year. Even the welcomed disappearance of Draco Malfoy had not helped. Lucius Malfoy had escaped from Azkaban, as Draco had warned Harry he would, and gone into hiding with his wife and son. As a hunted man, he was probably of very little use to the Dark Lord, and Harry sometimes wondered how his former enemy and the family were faring.

At Privet Drive things had improved to a certain extent, and that helped. Once Uncle Vernon had discovered Harry was not a danger to his family, he had started to relax more around Harry. Aunt Petunia, having admitted that she knew more about Harry's world than she had ever done before, was talking to him a bit more, and had even mentioned her sister, Harry's mother, several times. Harry's father remained "that awful boy" but that didn't bother Harry as much anymore. He knew now that his father had been awful at times, until Harry's mother had turned James Potter's life around.

Even Dudley had a new respect for magic. He had been as much in the dark as Harry when it came to what Petunia had know, and now that things were more out in the open, he had developed a grudging respect for wizardry.

Dudley had been brought home by the Muggle police too many times for his parents to believe his stories of tea with friends any more, which also helped. Uncle Vernon, realizing that no son of his was going to get anywhere with a police record, had cracked down a bit on Dudley.

Yes, things were better in Little Whinging, but Harry still longed for Hogwarts. It felt more like home than the Dursley house, even if it was lonelier than it had been in other years.

Harry looked up suddenly, as he heard someone coming around the side of the house. He held up a warning hand to Aunt Petunia, who had appeared in the doorway a moment after she too had heard the noise. Harry tensed, ready to draw his wand, then relaxed, smiling.

"Hello, Harry!" said Luna Lovegood. "I hope you don't mind me popping in. My dad gave me a Portkey so I could see how your summer is going."

"It's all right," said Harry, both to Luna and to his Aunt Petunia, who was eyeing Luna suspiciously. "This is Luna Lovegood. She's a friend of mine from school. Luna, this is my aunt, Petunia Dursley," said Harry, trying to be as correct as possible.

"How do you do, Mrs. Dursley. I really must compliment you on your garden. It's exquisite."

"Well, thank you, Miss..."

"Lovegood," Harry repeated.

"Miss Lovegood. And where exactly did you pop in from?"

"Ottery St. Catchpole, Ma'am."

"Oh, that's a long way. Would you like...that is, do you drink lemonade?"

"That would be most kind of you, Mrs. Dursley."

Harry stared amazed as Aunt Petunia held the door open for Luna. He'd never had a friend in the house in all of his years there. Of course, Luna was behaving beautifully. Harry listened to her complimenting Aunt Petunia on the kitchen curtains.

"I wish we had some like them. But my dad doesn't care about things like that, and my mum passed on when I was nine."

"Was she a...well, one of..." Petunia looked flustered.

"A witch? Yes, she was. Dad works for a magazine, and the hours are quite long. I'm afraid the last thing he notices when he gets home are the curtains. "

What a clever girl, thought Harry. She didn't lie, but she didn't tell Petunia her dad's a wizard, either. Petunia obviously didn't know what a Portkey was, and she was bound to be more comfortable not knowing. Luna had even done an excellent job of Muggle dressing. She was wearing a neatly pressed, rose-colored summer dress, and simple white sandals. The dress showed off her pale coloring and her blonde hair, which was finely textured and usually a bit stringy. Today it was pulled back into a neat ponytail. Luna had filled out a bit in the face since Harry had first met her and he was surprised to realize she was looking almost pretty.

Having poured lemonade for Luna and Harry, Petunia excused herself to go do the ironing.

Luna watched her go. "How did I do?"

"That was wonderful. You had her smoothed over in two minutes."

"I thought it would be harder. Ron said she was horrid," said Luna, in her old, vague, way.

"She's mellowed a bit since Ron saw her last." Harry sipped lemonade. "It's wonderful to see you, Luna. I wasn't expecting to see anyone this summer."

"I wanted to give you this." Luna, held out a small package. Opening it, Harry found a luxury, eagle feather quill. "Happy birthday, Harry."

"Hey, thanks! This is great. You didn't have to do this! I mean, I'm glad you did, and all, but still!"

"I was thinking about how hard it would be to have a summer birthday and not be with your friends. Mine is the first week of February, so I get a cake from the other girls in Ravenclaw. We always do cakes for everyone. It's nice. With so many girls, there's at least one a week."

"I don't know how I'd feel about cake every week, but the quill is great, and I am glad to see you." Harry leaned over and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"Oooh, who's your girlfriend, Potter?" An unwelcome voice came from the doorway to the lounge. Crossing his arms before him, Dudley surveyed the scene.

"Luna Lovegood, this is my cousin, Dudley Dursley." Harry looked at Dudley and sighed. This was going to be a problem.

"How do you do, Dudley? Harry's told me so much about you. I hear you're quite a boxer."

"That's right. I am." Dudley puffed up slightly. "Junior heavyweight Inter-School champ three years in a row! Want to see my trophies?'

"Some other time, perhaps." Luna was obviously amused. "I just dropped by to give Harry his birthday present. Please give my regards to your mother." Luna stood up, and taking Harry's hand led him to the back door.

"Huh? Oh, yeah!" Dudley watched them go.

Luna led Harry around the side of the house and giggled. "Your cousin looks just like Ron said he would."

Harry laughed too, and then realized Luna was preparing to leave. "Do you really have to go? I'll bet if you tried hard enough, Aunt Petunia would give you dinner."

"I can't, Harry. I wish I could, but I mustn't push my luck! I'll see you soon."

Luna then kissed Harry's cheek and with a cheery, "Goodbye! Happy birthday!"

she vanished.

Chapter Two: A Few Fateful Days

When Vernon Dursley arrived home, he picked up the mail and began flipping through it. "Nothing but bills. Is anything new around here, dear?'

Before Petunia could answer, Dudley blurted out, "Harry's got a girlfriend!"

"A what?" Vernon looked at Harry, amazed. "You met her?" He asked, looking from his wife to his son. "We had one of them here?"

"She was quite respectable looking, actually. Her mother was one of them. She said her father is a newspaper man," said Petunia defensively.

"He's a magazine editor," said Harry, "and she's not my girlfriend. She's just a friend who stopped by to wish me a happy birthday."

"If she's not your girlfriend, then why were you kissing her?" Dudley sat down to dinner, grinning nastily.

"Kissing her? In my kitchen?" Aunt Petunia was outraged.

"I was thanking her for my birthday present." Harry answered with as much dignity as he could muster.

"I could think of more to do with her than that!" Dudley leered as he said this, and Harry blushed.

"Aunt Petunia, please!"

"Dudley!" said Aunt Petunia severely. "When a young lady acts like a young lady, you must treat her like one."

"Yeah, right." Dudley smirked and dug into the potatoes.

Harry was shocked. He had never considered how much he could do or not do with Luna. "You're sick, Dudders. Really sick."

"Pass the peas." Petunia clearly considered the subject closed.

Harry hadn't had any hope of seeing Luna again before the start of term, but an owl he got a week before school started changed his mind.

Harry-

Dad has to go on a business trip for the Quibbler. He's going to have me stay at the Leaky Cauldron for a couple of days since he doesn't want me home alone. I have to get some things for school in Diagon Alley anyway. I'd love some company. Can you possibly meet me there two days before we have to catch the train?

Let me know.

Fondly,

Luna

Harry took the letter down to his uncle. "Would it be all right if I went to London a few days early? I have to get some things for school and I want to see my friends."

"Leaving early? Wonderful idea!" Uncle Vernon seemed thrilled.

"Will you be safe, Harry?" Petunia looked worried. "I don't want to be hearing from that headmaster of yours again."

"Where I'm going I will be," Harry assured her.

"How do you buy your school things anyway?" asked Dudley. "You haven't any money."

"Wizard money isn't like ordinary money."

"Worthless claptrap," said Uncle Vernon. "Slugs and weeds most likely. Strange stuff that lot handle. But if the boy wants to go, let him. It's on his head."

Laughing to himself, Harry went to pack. If Vernon Dursley could have seen Gringotts, he'd have been amazed.

Harry sent Hedwig to Luna, telling her he could come, and also gave Hedwig a note for Tom, the proprietor of the Leaky Cauldron, asking for a room to be reserved. "Tom will take care of you until I get there," he told Hedwig softly. "That should make Uncle Vernon happy."

Vernon had never gotten used to owls.

When Harry arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, he was surprised to find it packed with people. He was not entirely surprised, but quite distressed to find everyone went dead silent as he entered, dragging his trunk behind him. This often happened to Harry, but he'd never gotten used to it.

Tom, the innkeeper, recovered first. "Welcome, Mr. Potter! I got your message. Room eleven's free Your usual, eh? I'll help you up with your things. Your owl's already here."

As they carried Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage up the stairs, Harry smiled at Tom. "Business looks good."

"When people are worried, they tend to fancy a drink, and people are worried now. Did you hear about old Hazel Meliflua?"

"No. Who's that?"

"Last member of a very old family. Most of the others went bad during the first war, but Hazel was all right. Found dead. Looked like a powerful evil curse what done it."

Tom's eyes flicked up to Harry's forehead and Harry nervously smoothed down his hair.

"Third death this month. Makes no sense. They all happened in different parts of the country, and there doesn't seem to be any connection between them what was killed. Bad business, it is. You'd be wise to keep to Diagon Alley, and not go wandering off into Muggle London, Mr. Potter."

"I never do, Tom. Has Miss Lovegood arrived yet?"

"Indeed, yes. Arrived this morning and went straight out after she unpacked. Said something about going to Madam Malkin's. Nice girl, that Miss Lovegood is. Was a funny thing as a child. That's to be expected, though. Pearl Lovegood was eccentric, too. Died too young, she did. Emmitt and his girl went through some hard times. But the young miss filled out nicely and seems to be getting along all right. Will you be needing anything else, Sir?"

"Not now, Tom." Harry put Hedwig into her cage as Tom bowed his way out of the room.

Harry headed to Gringotts as soon as he'd arranged his things in his room. He needed to refill his moneybag, and a trip on the Gringotts carts was always fun. He was just leaving the bank when he ran into Neville Longbottom and his grandmother, who were in to do a bit of shopping.

After exchanging greetings, Harry asked Neville how his summer had gone.

"We lost my great-uncle Algie this summer," Neville said mournfully. "So it was sad."

"I'm sorry, Neville. You have my sympathy. Had he been ill long?"

"It was murder," hissed Neville's grandmother. "Cold blooded murder! And poor Algie just as harmless as could be. Oh, I know who's behind it...make no mistake." She wiped her nose with a handkerchief from her large handbag. "Hard times are coming. I don't know how much a body's supposed to be able to stand. But we'll get through somehow, and we'll win in the end. Dumbledore thinks so, and Dumbledore's a great man."

"Yes, he is." Harry couldn't argue with that. There was an awkward silence, and Mrs. Longbottom sighed.

"Well, we'd best be off. Lots to buy. Take care of yourself, Harry."

"See you at school, Harry." Neville followed his grandmother down the street.

"Yeah, see you around." Harry watched them head down the street, and his heart felt heavy. How many good people were going to be lost before the end?

He started to walk, wondering where he should have lunch,, when suddenly he heard his name called, and saw a familiar blonde head weaving through the crowd toward him.

"You came!" Luna gave him a warm hug.

"Diagon Alley beats staying at Privet Drive any day!" Harry, hugged her back. In her robes and radish earrings, she was good old Loony Lovegood again, not the elegant young woman who had charmed his aunt, and Harry didn't know whether to be glad or sad. He had to admit she'd looked sensational in her Muggle clothes.

"I was just about to get an ice cream. It's hot, isn't it?" Luna fanned herself with her hand.

"Ice cream sounds great. My treat." Whenever Harry had a full moneybag, it always seemed to clamor to be spent. They chose sundaes at Florean Fortescue's, and took them to an empty table outside.

"I can't wait to get back to school," said Luna. "We're going to do so many important things this year. "

"I hope one of the important things that happens this year is finding a way to stop these random murders I've been hearing about."

Luna looked at him over her spoon, which she was holding halfway between her sundae dish and her mouth. "Oh, Harry, I know how upsetting this must be for you, but you mustn't do anything rash. Have you discussed them with Dumbledore?"

"No, but when I get back to school I intend to."

After they had finished their ice cream, they went to Flourish and Blott's for new books, and then headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. "Let's put these things away," suggested Harry, "and then we can decide what we want to do about dinner."

"I'm in room nine, Harry. Come and get me in an hour."

"Will do," said Harry, letting go of her hand they reached the top of the stairs, He went to his room and opened his trunk to put away his new books. Tucked into a corner he saw a small package, which he took out with a lump in his throat. It was a small mirror, with several large cracks running through it.

"Sirius." Harry spoke out loud, his throat feeling tight. He should have thrown the mirror away, long ago, but somehow he could never bring himself to do it. Idly, Harry pointed his wand at it. "Reparo!" said Harry softly. The cracks mended. He felt a little better. He had so few keepsakes of his family. Looking into the mended mirror, Harry felt anguish. "Where are you? I wish I knew! I need you so much!"

Harry closed his eyes, which stung with unshed tears. Then a voice came back, startling him.

"Harry?"

It was not Sirius's barking voice. This one was hoarse, but gentle.

"Professor Lupin?" Harry hardly dared to breathe.

"Harry, I couldn't believe it when I heard your voice. Where did you get that mirror?"

"Sirius gave it to me, years ago. Where are you?" Harry looked into the mirror at the careworn face within.

"I'm still at the House of Black. Dumbledore said even though Sirius left it to you, you, we could still use it for the order."

"Of course you can. I'm so glad to see you."

"I'm glad to see you, too. When I was packing his things away, I almost packed up the mirror. I'm so glad I didn't. But where are you, Harry? That doesn't look like Privet Drive."

"I'm at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Harry, when we promised to stop following you, you promised to let us know when you were leaving the Dursleys'."

"I know." Harry began to feel a bit guilty. "I was going to. I just came down to get my school things and see some friends. It's safe here, isn't it?"

"Yes, Diagon Alley should be safe, but I wish you would have told us."

Harry changed the subject quickly. "How is everyone? I haven't heard much from Ron or Hermione this summer."

"They've been busy. Hermione's been to stay at the Weasleys' several times, and Ron went to visit her. I think staying with Muggles was a real experience for him. Arthur was wildly jealous."

"So they're still together? How are the rest of the Weasleys handling that?"

Lupin laughed. "Molly has considered Hermione a daughter for years. I think she'd like to have her as a daughter-in-law some day. Ginny's also been jealous this summer, if you ask me. They aren't nearly as nice to Dean Thomas when he comes. Molly keeps telling Ginny he'll never make any real money as an artist and that Ginny will be poor all her life."

"But that's not fair!" exclaimed Harry. "Dean's really good. Didn't he win five hundred Galleons last year in that contest to replace the Statue of Magical Bretheren?"

"I agree, Harry, but it's no use worrying about it now. You're all much too young to get serious. By the way, you said you were visiting friends. Are you sure you're with people you can trust?"

"Yes," said Harry firmly. "I'm with Luna Lovegood. Remember the blonde girl that went with us to the Ministry of Magic?"

"Lovegood...yes." Lupin seemed to be thinking hard.. "I knew her father years ago...Emmitt Lovegood. I haven't seen him since he lost his wife. Luna was little then. I hope you two aren't getting serious!"

"Oh, no, we're just friends." Harry changed the subject again. "I wanted to ask you something. I heard about some unexplained murders, and it reminded me of something you said once to Mrs. Weasley, about the Death Eaters picking off members of the order one by one. Tell me the truth. Is that what's happening here?"

"None of these people were in the order." Lupin spoke firmly, and Harry believed him. "They were all old people, living alone. It's random cruelty, probably done to stir up fear."

"It's horrible. It's got to be stopped. Does Dumbledore have a plan yet? Because I feel so useless sitting around waiting for people to die."

"When he does, he'll tell you. Just sit tight and enjoy the rest of your vacation. Now that I know you have the other mirror, I'll be able to keep better in touch. "

"All right, then," said Harry. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye for now." Lupin's image vanished from the mirror, leaving Harry looking at his own face, which he just realized had a smear of chocolate on it.