The Aftermath

Title: The Aftermath

CHAPTER 3: He's Never Forgotten

Harry had waited a whole week for this. He was leaving for Grimmauld Place today. It was also his birthday so he was pretty excited. Hermione had told him that Tonks and Remus would be fetching her and she would be with them to pick him up.

Harry got up early and prepared all the things he needed for the trip. Hedwig was resting inside her cage. Harry couldn't believe that a whole month had actually passed. He couldn't believe that today he had turned 16. He was no longer a little boy, but was considered a young man.

Harry went down to prepare breakfast. He had to make sure that he had everything done so he wouldn't have to deal with his uncle, his aunt or even Dudley's complaints. He took a bite of his toast when Dudley came in the kitchen.

"Were you that hungry? You actually had the urge to wake up early?" Harry joked at his round-faced cousin. He had everything prepared on the table and he was eating his share of breakfast.

"You're all set to leave today, aren't you? I expect your girlfriend is picking you up," Dudley smirked.

"Actually Hermione isn't my girlfriend but if you like to put it that way well, she's is coming here with a few of our older friends. We're off to someplace, how should I say this? A place so cool you would want to come along with us," Harry stated. Grimmauld wasn't actually a theme park but it surely held a warm spot in Harry's heart.

"That's rubbish!" Dudley said in disbelief. "You're just going off to see your friends and stay in their ugly house."

"Think what you like. I will be having the time of my life while you sulk here with your parents," Harry sniggered. He was enjoying the little exchange with Dudley. His cousin wasn't as persistent as he used to be maybe partly because he owed Harry his life.

"Dudders my poor baby why are you up so early? Didn't you like the feel of your new bed?" Petunia came in the kitchen and planted a big wet kiss on Dudley's bulky cheek.

"The bed was fine mum. I was just hungry that's all," Dudley said trying to free himself from his skinny mum's clutches. Harry had to stop himself from breaking into a fit of laughter.

"Harry, are those people getting you today?" his aunt asked him in a sort of business manner.

Harry continued eating his toast. "They'll be here at nine. They have to get Hermione first," he said.

"Is it safe? Does your headmaster know about this and isn't that girl Hermione, the one calling you every so often on the phone?" Aunt Petunia asked in undignified tone.

"Well, Hermione convinced Dumbledore it was safe to go to where we are going. And yes, she's the one I always talk to on the phone. She's my best friend in school," Harry replied.

"Your best friend is a girl?" Dudley smirked.

"Actually I really don't see why any girl would want to be friends with you. I on the other hand was lucky enough to find a female best friend and mind you she is very pretty and the smartest in our year," Harry mused. It was the first time he ever said that. It felt odd actually talking about his best friend like that. 'Did I really think Hermione was pretty? I mean she really is smart and all,' he asked himself. He then thought he never really had the heart to ever think of her as someone ugly and in some way she really was pretty. At least he thought. He would see her soon and maybe he'll be the judge of what he'll see. He had seen Hermione in his dreams but only in the images of how he last saw her.

"Well, don't worry Dudders. I think you'd find a decent girl. Someone who won't call in the middle of the night," Petunia said reassuringly but Dudley really hated what Harry just said to him and Harry could see that his cousin was pissed.

After his uncle Vernon ate his breakfast he stayed in the living room with Dudley and watched cartoons. Harry on the other hand, went up to his room, after he had washed dishes, to make sure all his things were ready.

Harry paced around his room. His trunk all packed and Hedwig's cage on top of it, with the Snowy white owl peacefully sleeping inside. 'What's taking them so long? It was five past nine. What could have happened?' he was starting to get all worried. When suddenly he heard the doorbell ring.

Harry got all his things and dragged them down the stairs, startling the sleeping Hedwig in the process.

"Open the door boy!" yelled his uncle. Harry left his trunk by the foot of the stairs and went to answer the door. He was delighted to see the beaming face of his best friend.

"Harry!" cried Hermione as she threw her arms around him. Harry for one second felt like he was being chocked but later on found himself enjoying the embrace.

"Ahem," Remus cleared his throat and Harry and Hermione broke apart. Tonks was right behind him with a knowing look on her face.

"It's so nice to see you Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.

Harry looked at her for the first time after a whole month had passed. 'She really is pretty,' he thought to himself as if seeing his best friend for the first time.

"Harry, say good bye to your relatives and then get your stuff and we'll leave," Hermione said excitedly.

"Hey you guys should get inside first," Harry said as he led Hermione, Remus and Tonks. "Hermione where are your things by the way?"

"It's inside my pocket. We traveled by portkey. Tonks shrunk it. She'll do the same with your stuff. Crookshanks is inside Tonks' cloak sleeping," Hermione said.

Harry realized that they weren't alone in the living room. His uncle Vernon and Dudley were after all watching TV.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Uncle Vernon my friend Hermione and these are Tonks and Remus Lupin," Harry introduced his visitor to his uncle. "And this is my Uncle Vernon and my cousin Dudley but you know them already. Aunt Petunia is in the kitchen," Harry said to his guests.

"Well, I see you've finally come to take the boy?" asked his uncle Vernon. He stood up from the couch and went towards Lupin, Tonks and Hermione as if trying to inspect them.

"Say, the whole lot of you are his kind?" he said pointing at Harry.

"Yes, we are sir. We have magic but Hermione here is muggle born but she's the smartest in her class," Tonks said.

"What do you mean by muggletorn?" Dudley asked.

"It's muggleborn sir. It is a witch or wizard born to non-wizard parents for example Harry's mum," Hermione replied. Dudley was staring at her as if awestruck.

"Your parents are normal?" Dudley asked in amazement.

"Of course her parents are normal. They just don't have magic like her and me," Harry said as he got his trunk and Hedwig's cage on the foot of the stairs. "We'd better be going now. Remus took Harry's stuff and shrunk it using his wand.

"We're ready to go," Harry said as he pocketed his tiny trunk. He still had Hedwig's cage. "We'll be going now. Bye Dudley have a nice summer," Harry teased as he placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder before heading out.

"Hey, wait a minute, how are you people going to travel without a car? You can't do your silly magic tricks on my lawn. The neighbors might see you," Vernon said in a hushed voice as if scared someone might hear him as he followed after them.

"Come inside you lot," Petunia said from inside as she motioned Harry and his companions inside.

Harry and his friends went back inside. "Your Headmaster sent this bag of green powder and a note," she said handing Remus the note and the small bag of powder.

"Dumbledore said we could take the Floo network. The Ministry gave us a secure connection but we'll drop by the Burrow first then we'll use a Portkey from there," Remus explained to them.

"Aunt Petunia can we use the fireplace?" Harry asked his aunt.

Vernon had a disgruntled look on his face but he could not argue with his wife who said yes.

"Go on be off now," Petunia, said she didn't seem to show any emotions. She didn't sound as mean as she was that morning.

"I'll go first, Hermione then Harry would follow. Remus would go last," Tonks said as she took Hedwig's cage from Harry.

She crouched down a little to fit into the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder. She threw the powder to her feet and cried 'The Burrow,' then she was gone. Dudley had seen it before, but he had his tongue sticking out of his mouth reaching the floor that time; and this time, he was dumb struck by what took place in front of him. Harry found Dudley's reaction very amusing.

"See you at the Burrow Harry," Hermione said before she left the same way Tonks did. Harry followed but waved goodbye to Dudley whose mouth was hanging open.

Harry landed in the Burrow's living room where Hermione and Ginny were hugging each other. Ginny had grown taller and her flaming red hair was a little longer than before. 'Ginny surely has grown, but she isn't as pretty as Hermione,' he thought. He paused for a while recollecting the last things that went through his mind. 'I can't believe this is happening to me,' he told himself.

"Hi Harry!" Ginny beamed. "It's so nice to see you."

"Nice to see you too Gin," Harry said and he moved to join them when Remus came out of the Fireplace.

"Where is your mum Ginny?" Remus asked.

"Oh she's up stairs talking to Percy," Ginny said but from the look on her face Harry and Hermione could sense that she wasn't pleased.

"So your brother has returned," Hermione said in a neutral manner.

"Yes and no. He's just here to visit. Ron, the twins and I still don't want to talk to him but mum is fussing about him a lot," Ginny retorted.

"I don't expect you to be all nice to him after what he did," Harry commented. "I hope your mum comes down soon so we can say hi before we head off to Grimmauld Place,"

"Don't worry I'll call her down," Ginny said and she went up the stairs calling out to her mother.

"I wonder what Ron will do when he sees Percy here. I mean he was deranged after reading that letter," Harry asked Hermione as he remembered the time Ron received a letter from Percy telling him to stay away from Harry because he's a bit disturbed.

"You know how Ron is. He'll be very mad but let's hope he'll get over it soon. Percy is still his brother after all," Hermione said. Somehow Harry found the whole ordeal odd. Hermione was upset about Percy's letter before but she seemed calmer and actually pleasant about the idea of Percy being on their side again.

Hermione probably sensed what Harry was thinking took him to sit on the couch and said, "Harry, remember what Dumbledore said? He said we're stronger when we're together than we are divided. I know it will be difficult at first but wouldn't it be good to know that at least we had our old ones back?" Hermione seemed to plead to him.

"All right, you may have a point. Truth is I personally don't have anything against Percy. I'm more upset with how he treated his family," Harry muttered.

Tonks and Remus were in the other side of the Burrow by the stairs talking quietly as if trying to avoid being heard.

"Harry! Hermione! I'm so glad to see you dears," Mrs. Weasley said as she went down the stairs walking past Remus and Tonks. She went straight to Harry and Hermione and gave each of them a hug.

"It's so nice to see you too Mrs. Weasley," Harry said between deep breathes.

"Ron is with Fred and George working on their joke shop. Harry, I want to personally thank you for what you've done for the twins. They told me about your prize money..." Mrs. Weasley tried to finish.

"It's nothing. I knew they would put the money to good use," Harry beamed.

Ginny followed Percy down the stairs. Ginny asked Hermione to go upstairs with her. Percy went to talk with his mother and Harry.

"Harry, how have you been?" Percy said in an aloof manner.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you dear. Percy is finally here with us. Well, he's paying us a visit," Mrs. Weasley said joyfully.

"I'm doing okay I guess." Harry answered not really knowing whether he should be talking to someone who had deliberately turned his back on his wonderful family and told his younger brother to keep away from his best friend because he thinks he's a wacko.

"Molly, I think we should be going now," Remus said to Molly then he turned his attention to Harry. "Go get Hermione. We should get a move on."

Harry went up the stairs and found his way in front of Ginny's door. He was about to go inside when he heard the two girls burst into giggles.

"You like him don't you?" he heard Ginny's voice squeak from inside. "I can't believe it. I knew it. I was so right!" he heard her exclaim.

Harry pressed his ears to the door.

"Promise you won't tell anyone," he heard Hermione's familiar voice say.

"Okay, you got yourself a deal as long as you keep what I told you before we left Hogwarts a secret," he heard Ginny say.

"Of course I'll keep that very deep secret. Your brothers would go mental if they find out," Hermione started giggling. "Honestly Gin how could you possibly see that git as someone attractive?" he heard Hermione ask.

Harry realized he had been standing there for quite a while and had actually been eaves dropping on his friends' girly conversations. He knocked lightly on the door. The giggling automatically stopped.

Ginny peered outside from the door, which opened slightly. "Oh, Harry it's you. How long have you been standing out here?" Ginny said with a panicked tone.

Hermione showed up behind her almost flushed red. "Are we leaving now Harry?" she asked looking at him but not quite meeting his eyes as if preventing any further inquiries.

"Well, I just came here to say we have to go now. Don't worry I just got here," Harry said. 'I think I sound to obvious,' he thought.

"Okay let's go," Hermione said and she grabbed Harry's hand and went dashing down the stairs. "Bye Ginny," she said as she turned to say goodbye to her.

"Bye Ginny!" Harry cooed. "I guess we'll see you in about a month," Hermione added.

Ginny followed them down the stairs. Harry noticed a smug look on her face. Hermione must have realized the same thing because she suddenly let go of his hand.

"Harry Hermione we have to go now," Tonks said.

Hermione gave Ginny one last hug. She and Harry turned to Mrs. Weasley who gave them each a big hug. Hermione calmly shook hands with Percy and Harry did the same but with deep uncertainty in his head.

Remus, Tonks, Harry and Hermione went out to the lawn of the Burrow. Remus got out an old torn umbrella. They all took hold of it and with a familiar tug on the navel Harry found himself inside 12 Grimmauld Place.

"We're here!" Remus said and Bill and Mad Eye Moody welcomed them.

"Hi Harry, Hermione," Bill greeted them while Moody seemed to have started inspecting the both of them with his detachable eye.

"Hello Bill. What are you doing here? Don't you have work at Gringotts?" Harry said as he shook hands with him.

"I have the day off. I came here rather early we have a meeting tonight. I see you guys came from our house. Did you by any chance see Percy there?" Bill asked.

"Yes, he's at your house why do you even ask? Don't you live there?" Hermione said as she put out her trunk from her pocket so Tonks can change it back to its original size.

"Well, we just don't feel like talking to him yet. I know this may sound a bit childish but I think he owes all of us an apology and he hasn't done that yet. Mum is the only one who is ecstatic about having him visit the Burrow. We on the other hand need to hear him say that he is sorry first. Why are we talking about him anyway?" Bill muttered. "Harry get your trunk out so I can return it to its normal size," he ordered.

Harry got his trunk out and placed it on the floor Bill made it grow back to its old size. Moody sent both trunks to their separate rooms in the second floor.

"Harry, you'll be staying at Sirius' old bedroom. He'd want no one but you to stay in it," Remus said.

Harry finally realized that he was back in the place were his godfather grew up. He was back in the house where he kept himself hidden. Harry felt his eyes blurring and he had to stop himself from bursting into tears.

"Harry what's wrong?" Hermione asked with deep concern. She tried to look him straight in the eyes but Harry kept his face hidden in one hand.

"I think I'm getting a headache. If you'll excuse me," he said. He turned his back on them and run up the stairs.

Somehow Hermione didn't need Legilimens to figure what Harry was going through although she knew that she didn't know half of what it felt like to be in Harry's shoes. He was back in a house that held the last memories of his godfather. Hermione felt her heart sink at the thought of what Harry must be going through.

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Sirius' room was a nice comfortable place. It wasn't filled with elegant things but mostly of necessity. He found no pictures or fancy displays. The room only had a bed, a dresser a mirror and a chest. Harry marveled at the room that was once inhabited by his beloved godfather.

Somehow it felt like having Sirius with him in that same room. It felt wonderful, it felt safe but it caused him emotional pain as well. His godfather was gone and he would never come back. Remus said it himself. Somehow Harry thought Remus didn't seem to care but he knew better. Remus was probably just putting a brave face so he wouldn't lose hope.

Harry felt hot tears streaming down his face. He had his mind busy with his homework and his Occlumency training that he had never really had the chance to grieve his godfather's death. He thought about him a lot and how he had fallen through the veil but Harry never accepted the fact that he was really gone and now that he was in this room it all made sense. Sirius was no longer with them.

Harry felt weak in his knees and he fell by his godfather's bed. He felt vulnerable and useless. He couldn't save him. If he only listened to Hermione then none of those terrible things would have happened. He cried. It wasn't the first time he cried, but crying in that room made him feel connected with his godfather again. He stayed like that for what seemed like a few long hours. He was buried in his quiet sobs.

The door in Sirius' room squeaked open. "Harry? Are you still in here?" Hermione said as she quietly went inside the room. "The door was open," she tried to reason to no one in particular but she stopped as she found Harry slumped by his godfather's bedside sobbing.

"Harry? Harry, what's wrong?" she asked as she ran to his side. She instinctively placed her arms around him.

"I want to be alone!" Harry said stubbornly.

"No I won't leave you here! If you're going to deal with this I'll be here by your side," Hermione said with conviction. She had enough of Harry shutting her off when it came down to his coping problems.

"It's my entire fault you see. If I had listened to you, if I hadn't wanted to play the hero then Sirius could still be with us now. Don't you get it? I killed him. It's my fault that he's dead," Harry said and he sobbed even more but this time he was holding on to Hermione.

"Harry, it's alright. It wasn't your fault. None of this is your doing. It's Voldemort's fault. He's the one who brought all this evil and it's not your fault that Sirius is dead. He's your godfather and if you were in his place you'd have done the same thing. You would have gone and rescued him," Hermione explained.

"But I should have stayed. How can I be so stupid falling into Voldemort's trap? Why was I so stupid?" Harry muttered.

"No you're not! You hear me. You're one of the smartest people I know. You always figure out a way to get out of trouble," Hermione tried to reassure him.

"I'm just plain lucky but I'm not smart. The people close to me on the other hand end up with bad luck. The people I love are slowly being taken away from me. Don't you see if anyone gets too close to me they die," Harry said. He was angry and upset. Somehow he felt that what he just said was true. All the people he cared about are in danger and it's all because of him.

"You're worth the risk Harry. You're a good person and people like Ron and me can't help but get close to you. We care about you a lot and I don't care if it cost me my life," Hermione said and Harry was taken a back.

"I would never forgive myself if that were to happen," Harry muttered. "You and Ron are the closest thing I've got to a family. I can't afford to lose any of you even if I have to sacrifice myself," Harry added.

"That's exactly my point, Harry. You'll do anything for us and we're willing to do the same. I am willing to sacrifice my life for you if I must. That's how true friendship works. We won't leave you just because some psycho evil wizard wants you dead," Hermione said in her most convincing American accent.

Harry couldn't help but give a weak smile. "I didn't think you'd laugh at that impression. I mean I'm not exactly as funny as Ron," Hermione said as she gave Harry a meek smile.

Somehow Harry felt guilty. Hermione had always been by his side. She never doubted him, and never betrayed his trust. He realized that she would really keep her word and somehow Harry felt that that he hadn't been able to treat her right. She had done too much for him without anything in return and all he did to her last year was to burst out like some raving lunatic.

Harry did what he thought was the only way to show her how thankful he was. He hugged her tightly as if hanging on to her for dear life. He hadn't hugged her like that since their second year when she got petrified. She had hugged him so many times in the past but he barely returned the affection and now all he wanted to do was to show her that he cared for her just the same. He wanted her to know how thankful he was. How she's a really special person in his life. 'Hermione is really special. Why didn't I see that before?' he asked himself.

Hermione was hugging him back but she pulled away and looked him straight in the eyes. Her brown eyes, which were full of tears, were both warm and comforting. "Harry, promise me this okay? You won't keep your problems to yourself. We're here. I'm here to help. I'll always be here for you and Sirius didn't die in vain because he wanted to save you. He died for love, Harry. He died a hero not all the world may know it but he is my hero because he came to save you. He will never be forgotten," Hermione said and she kissed Harry on the cheek. Harry smiled for the first time since he got inside Sirius' room. A genuine smile showed on his face. Hermione stood up and she held out her hand to Harry. He took hold of her hand and stood up.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Harry whispered in her ear as he stood only inches from her.

"Well, there would be one less person to boss you around but come to think of it, you need me more than you will admit," Hermione said jokingly but somehow Harry knew she was being serious. He did need her. Sirius may not be with them but he would always be watching him. Harry knew it and felt it. He now understood that he still had his friends and the Order to always be with him no matter what.

They went down stairs still holding each other's hand. Harry found comfort in his best friend and he felt that there might be more to it than just friendship.

To be continued....