Harry Potter and the Moonless Sky

The whole week was gloomy. It had been raining and storming the past seven days and no one seemed to be in a worse position. Most were stuck inside with nothing to do while others who had jobs dreaded going at all. It wasn't driving weather and with the rain down-pouring made it almost impossible to see two steps in front of you much less the road or cars that were going opposite directions. Of course, one of the only people who were eager to go outside was none other than Harry Potter.

Even though in the previous year his wizarding elders had made sure that if his non-magic relatives did any slip-ups and treated him badly that they would have to answer to them, the Dursley's still treated him like His and Her son. Maybe Aunt Petunia and Dudley were slightly nicer to Harry, but Uncle Vernon was far from sucking up to him, especially his kind.

So, Harry sat out on the steps that extended out before the door under the awning and watched the rain plummet down on the road and smirked as some cars tried to go through this. Not to mention the rain sounded like rice spilling out over the gutters so it was hard to concentrate with that noise filling the air.

Of course, concentrating was the very last thing Harry was going to do. He wanted to be distracted, at any cost, just so he could free his mind. He missed Sirius, but he knew that he would never see him again. He missed his parents and wondered what his life would be like if he wasn't the Boy-Who-Lived. Last year, his 5th year in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he stopped at nothing to get the word out that Lord Voldemort was indeed back so that everyone could prepare, but now he just sat there and wondered if it was worth it. People needed to be ready if Voldemort suddenly attacked out of nowhere, but was it worth the fact that people were going to be scared to sleep at night.

Harry was scared to sleep at night. He and Voldemort had a prophecy that he wasn't proud of, and he was terrified. What happens if the prophecy was true? Even though this thought was a regular, distracted or not, he knew the answer to it. Yes, Harry knew the fact and trembled at the knowledge of it. His life would end by either being the murderer or the victim. Was that fair?

Before Harry could continue with his distant thoughts the rain lightened and Aunt Petunia opened the door. She glared down at him, at the sky, then back at him. "We're leaving."

"Alright, are you going to lock me in my room and make sure I don't eat any of your food?" Harry asked, picking up a moist rock and chucking it out at the driveway. It bounced off the asphalt but rolled to a stop on the curb. Before he was forced to stay at home before going to Sirius' house, he was ordered to stay in his room while the Dursley's went out. That's when everything happened...

Petunia snapped him out of his flashback with the shocking reply of, "No, you're coming with us."

"What?" Harry gaped, brushing his hand through his ruffled black hair. His stunning emerald green eyes narrowed at his aunt then opened wide. "You're not joking. Where are we going?"

"Hair Salon. Duddykins is getting his hair styled and we might as well get control of that mob. Not to mention we're having a guest over and there is no way you're -"

Harry got the idea. "Yeah, yeah." He mumbled, standing up. "Are we going now?"

Petunia nodded, her hair pulled back in a bun. Dudley, whom lost about 5 pounds this week, appeared behind his mother. "I'm ready, Mum." He shot a look at Harry who didn't seem to be at all afraid and added, "Is he coming?"

"Yes. Let's go, shall we?" Petunia said, walking past Harry and running to the car. She quickly opened the car door and hopped in. Dudley followed her and sat in the passenger's seat while Harry walked casually to the back seat and leaned his head on his palm. He was tired and hadn't got much sleep that night.

While they drove out of Privet Drive, Harry felt his stomach do a back flip and he slightly panicked. He wasn't the only one. The car swayed and even with the Brights on he had no way of seeing in front of him.

"My Dudley is big 16 now!" Petunia breathed, leaning over her steering wheel and squinting to make out the road. "Um, I can't see the street."

That's when Dudley made out a gasp and he pressed his forehead against the window. "Please rain," he mumbled, "Oh, please, please, please stop..."

At the word 'stop', the rain ceased to fall and the road was now very visible. Dudley turned around and looked at Harry, his expression full of astonishment. Harry was thinking the totally opposite thing and he almost regretted it. He had the words: I don't want an accident. Please, let it be a safe journey.

"Did you --?" Dudley began but stopped as Harry looked up at him and smiled. "Mum," he whined, looking back at his mother. "Mum, he did it again. He did that frightening magic!"

Petunia didn't reply but Harry had the good feeling that she was thankful for Harry's sudden magic. He didn't mean to, but with Harry Potter things like that happened.

Finally, after about half an hour, the car rolled to a stop in front of a Beauty Salon and all three of them jumped out of the Jeep and made their way into the air conditioned business. Many heads turned but went back to what they were doing.

A tall, slender woman greeted them at the door. She had long black hair, bright maroon eyes, and a grin that made Harry's insides melt. The woman eyed Dudley momentarily with disgust then looked at Petunia. "Welcome, um, we have two open spots over there" -she pointed to the corner of the room--"and I'll get Miss Grey to do this young man" -she referred to Dudley--"and I'll do this one." She gestured to Harry and winked. "Come this way."

When they got to the seats, Dudley had trouble fitting between the armrests. Harry, on the other hand, fit perfectly and he crossed his legs as if the most comfortable person in the world. The woman returned with another woman with blonde hair who must've been Miss Grey.

Even before Petunia could speak, the black haired woman suggested to Harry happily, "Spikes. You'd look marvelous with spiked hair! What do you think Traci?"

Miss Grey nodded, spraying Dudley's blonde hair with a spray bottle while examining Harry. "Uh-huh! Definitely!" She exclaimed in a Boston accent.

"Great," The black haired woman said, taking a spray bottle and moistening Harry's hair as well. "This shouldn't take long, dear. I'll just trim your hair slightly and then we'll get down to business."

Petunia wasn't looking at Harry; she was looking at Dudley's reflection in the mirror. "What about for Dudley?"

"A buzz." Miss Grey said simply and very much less enthusiastic about Dudley's hair compared to Harry's. "I can't see anything else that would look nice on him except for a buzz."

Harry was only paying attention slightly, but he was watching his reflection carefully as the woman trimmed his hair professionally. She took an electric razor, buzzed some of the hair in the back, and then got to styling. She took gel and just as easy as that managed to spike Harry's hair without any problems. While she did this, she pushed back his bangs and seemed to hesitate. The lightning bolt scar shown like ink on white parchment on his forehead. Shaking her head, the woman continued and then looked at Harry in the mirror.

He was handsome. Harry loved it, much better then his mess. He turned his head a couple times to get every angle of his magnificence. Suddenly, he heard a groan next to him and he saw that Dudley was getting frustrated with his hair.

"I hate it..."

Miss Grey looked disappointed. "I think it looks really stylish!"

Petunia's focus turned to Harry and she looked stung. Harry looked so much more handsome then Dudley who was still large right around the middle. She sniffed then turned to Dudley. "I like it."

"Um...thanks." Harry said to the woman.

"Oh!" The woman shrieked, more heads turned. "I almost forgot!" She ran her hand over Harry's hair and mumbled something under her breath. "Good luck, hopefully it stays spiked instead of that messy hair before, alright?"

Harry nodded. "Doubtful, but I hope so too."

The woman shook Harry's hand but then released it and turned it over to she could look at the back of it. "What does that say?"

Harry bit his lip and noticed that the scar from Professor Umbridge's quill was still on his hand. I must not tell lies. He sucked in a breath as the woman read it over and frowned.

"Well, alright, I hope you have a nice evening."

+~+~+

Harry returned home, his spirits raised, and his smile bigger then it had been all summer. He rushed into the house, his stomach growling, and roamed through the refrigerator. "Don't we have anything good to eat?"

Petunia looked like she was going to pop when she saw her nephew in the fridge, but she held her anger down and pushed Harry aside. "Would you like to cook dinner if you are so hungry? Huh? Well, would you?" She spat, her voice full of venom.

Harry took this to his advantage. "Honest?"

"No! Sit down and wait!" Petunia snapped, looking very flustered.

Harry sighed and slumped down in his seat. He still had a couple days until his 16th birthday and then he was going to see what sort of presents he'd get from Ron, Hermione, and... He frowned and shut his eyes. Sirius would write to him if he were still alive. Hagrid and Lupin would probably write, he had no doubt about that. He had already received tons of letters from Moody and Lupin all summer to see how he was and to keep up with the news.

"Dudley! Vernon! Get ready for dinner soon!"

Dudley ran into the room...okay, well, Dudley waddled into the room and leaned over Harry who was running his hand over the chunked spiked hair that poked his fingers while doing so. Harry looked up at his cousin and raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

"Yes you very well can!" Dudley snapped, sounding more like Vernon everyday. Petunia turned to watch her son yell at Harry. "I know you did it! I know you made that lady buzz my hair! You did it so you could look cool with you're spiky hair! Oho, you really think you're cool now, don't you!"

Harry couldn't believe his ears. "Me? Why would I do that? Not to mention you look just fine with buzzed hair." He gave a wink then pillowed his head on his arms. "Are we going to eat soon?"

"Oh my, will you be more patient?" Petunia can just added noodles into the boiling pot on the stove and began to stir.

"Is it okay if I stay in my bedroom until dinner is done?" Harry asked, sitting up straight and ignoring the fuming Dudley. At Petunia's nod he got up and stumbled up the stairs. Once he was in his small bedroom, now painted black with black covers and the wooden floor, he flopped down on his bed and froze. "Oh." He said casually. "Hey, Hedwig."

Hedwig, the snowy owl, sat on her cage and Harry just noticed the many letters he was sitting on. He pulled them from underneath him and noticed the first letter was the O.W.L.S. results. He ripped it open, yawned, and looked at it.

Dear Mr. Harry Potter,

I am proud to announce that you have received three Outstanding O.W.L.S in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures. In Potions, Transfiguration, and Astronomy you received Acceptable O.W.L.S. In Divination you received an Exceeding Expectations O.W.L. You passed each O.W.L. and we are pleased. Along with this letter you should be receiving your book list and your introduction to Hogwarts 6th Year.

Deputy Headmistress,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Harry threw the O.W.L.S. results aside and picked up the Hogwarts Entrance Letter.

Dear Mr. Harry Potter,

It is the 6th year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year and you're lucky to have made it this far. Anyway, Hogwarts will start September 1st and you are to be at Platform 9 ¾ at 12:00 noon exactly before the train leaves. Quidditch will start on October 14th and you are our Seeker once again. Your lifelong-ban from Quidditch is off and you will be starting. Since the next oldest player there would be you, you'll be rewarded of Gryffindor Team Captain. You will assign tryouts October 7th for the positions of Chaser and Beaters.

Besides Quidditch you must also know the safety procedures that have been put up ever since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned. We have a professional Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and a Care of Magical Creatures professor. Professor Rubeus Hagrid was willing to take full time as Game Keeper and was willing to give up teaching.

Attached onto this will be the O.W.L.S. results and the list of books. Please take note that you will have full responsibility to getting all your books and not getting in any detentions in this school year. We will win the House Cup, yes we will.

I hope to see you at Hogwarts this year, no more slip-ups, Mr. Potter, or bad things will happen. Enjoy your Holiday! And Happy 16th Birthday.

Deputy Headmistress,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Harry was surprised; maybe more surprised then the usual letters. For one thing Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor, never wished Harry a birthday before. However, the most surprising thing that made Harry happier was the fact that he was made Gryffindor Quidditch Captain.

"Dinner!" Petunia called up the steps. Harry would have to finish the letters after dinner, or... He scooped up his letters and went to the steps. He noticed his big plate of spaghetti and plopped down across from Vernon.

"You aren't reading those bloody letters at the table." Vernon snapped, his little eyes narrowing. "Boy! Did you hear me?" He added as Harry ripped it open.

Harry didn't look up.

Advanced Book of Spells, Grade 6

By Miranda Goshawk

What to do when Vines Lose Their Temper

By Donald Princeman

Transfiguration, Grade 6

By Robert Greymond

Advanced Care of Magical Creatures

By Madame Lilian Sinilan

Dueling vs. Defense: The Pro's and Con's about Magic and Defense

By Danielle and Daniel Smithson

Vernon cleared his throat loudly, his face growing purple. He drummed his fingers on the table as Harry spun his spaghetti around his fork and put it in his mouth without sauce going all over his mouth like how Dudley managed to eat.

Finally, Harry looked up and smiled. "Don't you worry about a thing, Uncle Vernon," he insisted. "It's just some school mail." He flipped through the many letters and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, hey, Lupin and Tonks wrote me a little something as well. I haven't wrote them in a week because of the storms, they must be worried." He ripped it open and felt all three pairs of eyes land on Harry.

Dear Harry,

We understand it had been raining there and you couldn't get through to us. So when the rain suddenly stopped we decided to take the chance and send it. School will start soon; I hope you have a nice summer. Oh, and don't forget to write when you get the chance. Mrs. Weasley might write to you about staying the rest of the summer with them, but who knows.

Moony

Harry opened the next one from Tonks.

Harry,

Are your Aunt and Uncle treating you well? Are they? Because if they're not I have a house in Hogsmeade that you can stay at. It's been raining all over London, but don't you worry, we understand it would be hard for Hedwig to get through. Write back as soon as possible about this week, okay?

Tonks

"Well?" Vernon asked, obviously nervous.

Harry smirked but raised his eyebrows and swallowed the next bite of spaghetti easily. "Oh boy, are they angry."

The color in Petunia's face washed away and Harry felt a pang of guilt.

"No, they understand that I couldn't write to them because of the storm but they are giving me the chance to go to the Weasley's and stuff." Harry said truthfully.

Dudley sniffed and Harry's head spun toward his direction. "Harry, I was just wondering..." Harry sat back, his spaghetti gone, and he watched Dudley intently. "Mum told me about those Dementors, but they didn't tell me about what you did..."

Harry looked at the table.

"And," Dudley continued, "--look at me--when you came back, you looked worse then when you came back from that school at age fourteen. What's going on, Harry?"

This was the first time Dudley had ever been nice about something and he was sure that this was the first time they even spoke of the events that happened last year. The only thing he could think about that made him feel worse then last year, was probably the fact about Sirius. The whole 'Voldemort returned' thing was usual, his feelings almost the same.

When Harry was silent with no reply, he was about to get up to go play his usual basketball by the garage but then his cousin cleared his throat.

"I, uh, saved you from the Dementors with a Patronus Curse that only works on them and then I carried you back home." Harry breathed, not looking at anyone but instead at the oddly clear night through the window. "At school...well, I guess you can say that my Godfather was murdered..."

Dudley nodded and replied, "I can relate, when Grandpa died I -"

"You don't understand," Harry looked at Dudley now and he could feel the tears in his eyes. "You do not understand...I lost my mother and my father at age one, I only knew I had a Godfather for about three years and then he gets murdered. Everyone that gets close to be gets killed and it sucks. It. Sucks."

Dudley looked taken aback but he stood up again and croaked, "I see, well, I'm going to go play basketball. Perie is probably out there." He walked out the kitchen door with a little peck to Petunia and disappeared outside.

Harry got up too, gathered everyone's plates, and put them in the sink to wash. His head sagged and he felt the tear fall down his soft cheek. He let it out. The Dursley's still wouldn't understand, no, they would just think of it as a mad outburst or something.

"Boy," Vernon growled forcefully, walking up next to Harry, and froze. He must have seen the tears trickling down Harry's face and the odd hitching in his chest. "I...when you're done...well..." He looked to Petunia for some help.

Petunia pushed back her chair and walked up to Harry. "I'll finish the dishes, you go and get some fresh air." Harry didn't move. "I said--!"

Harry pushed away from the counter and walked out of the kitchen. He stalked across the living room, drying the tears off with his sleeve, and went out the front door.

"Shoot again, Big D!" Perie insisted, chucking the ball toward Dudley and smiling. "You are the Man at basketball and boxing!"

Dudley made a lousy shot for the hoop and instead of at least hitting the rim it hit the garage door. "That was at least closer this time."

Harry let out a cough to hide his laughter.

Dudley turned to Harry and gave the ball to him. "Oh yeah? You can do better?"

Harry had never played basketball before and wasn't so keen to start. He walked to where Dudley was standing, dribbled it twice, and looked at the hoop. He aimed and threw it. Swoosh! It went right through the net and rolled right back at Harry.

"That was a lucky throw," Perie said, even though his tone was very doubtful. "I bet you can't do it again from the end of the driveway."

Harry picked up the ball and walked to the end of the short driveway. He dribbled it twice again and looked up the hoop. It was further then before and he didn't know how he was going to make it. Perie sniggered and started mumbling things like, "Oho, so now he is weak further away!" and "He won't make it."

Harry would love to just clam up Perie's mouth but he knew better. If he missed it Dudley would probably get Perie to beat him up just for fun and he would probably get threatened to be beat up even if he did make it. So, he shrugged, aimed, and shot. Swoosh! It went through again and rolled toward Dudley this time.

"Eh, are you going to let this guy beat you at basketball? Want me to break his arm?" Perie snarled, cracking his fingers and pushing back his long brown hair.

Dudley looked as though he was about to agree because he walked up to Harry with Perie, but then stopped. He looked at Harry whose eyes were still red from crying and then turned to Perie. "I don't want any part of this. He's my cousin, Mum would kill me."

Perie's eyes narrowed and he laughed. "Fine, I'll do it myself, just for you Big D." He brought his fist back, aiming for Harry's stomach and then brought it through with full power and got Harry in the exact aiming spot. Harry backed up, his hand on his stomach, and his eyes closed. "Oh! So he's even weaker when he gets punched!"

Harry felt himself fall as Perie released more and more punches toward Harry's stomach and then landed a punch at his jaw. Blood trickled down the side of his mouth and his head lay limply back. Then, Harry heard a yelp and Perie said in a horse voice, "Big D, what was that for?"

Dudley pushed Perie out of the way and picked Harry up behind the knees and neck and carried him into the house.

Petunia screamed. "Dudley, what happened?"

Harry felt his body being laid on the ground but he couldn't find the strength to open his eyes. His hand was resting on his chest and he coughed up some blood that seemed to flow down his aching jaw, down his neck, and past his shirt.

"He was beat up, Mum." He heard Dudley say.

"By who?"

"Perie, Dad."

Vernon replied, "Perie? Did you take him out?"

Dudley must have nodded because Vernon mumbled "Good."

Harry felt his body being lifted again and then he was brought up the stairs and into Harry's bedroom. He was set on his bed and he opened his eyes into slits. He could see the new black painted walls and the black sheets on his bed. He could make out his desk covered with schoolbooks and his quill. Then he could see Vernon and Petunia leaning over him and Dudley sitting on his desk chair. He shut his eyes and went off into darkness.

+~+~+

"Harry?" Came a voice. "Yes, I think he's coming to."

Harry sucked in a breath and opened his eyes to see Professor Lupin dabbing at his forehead. His hair was cut again, still very young of course, with gray and brownish hair. He smiled at Harry and turned to Petunia who was by the door.

"It was good for you to send me that owl." Lupin said. "It wasn't too serious but in all cases it just might as well had been."

Petunia just nodded.

"Does your scar hurt, Harry?" Lupin asked, looking back at Harry.

Harry shook his head and whispered, "No..."

"I see." Lupin said, looking out the window. "It's almost morning, and I'm here to take you to the Burrow." He helped Harry sit up and smiled. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'm fine, just a little sore." Harry replied, reaching for his new oval silver rimmed glasses. He stood up, swayed, and then began to pack his things. Lupin and Petunia left him alone.

Harry was almost confused. Dudley had stood up for him that night and Petunia knew how to reach Lupin. As he shoved his books into his trunk and some clothes he heard a knock at the door. It opened and in trotted Dudley.

"I'm glad to see you," Harry said, snapping his trunk shut and pushing it to the side. "Thank you, for last night."

Dudley shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I didn't want to see him kill you, that's all."

"Right." Harry said, tried to pick up his trunk but yelped in pain as the trunk collided with his stomach. "I don't suppose--?"

Dudley walked up to the trunk and picked it up without a problem. He and Harry walked down the stairs and paused as Dudley let the trunk drop slowly at the bottom of the steps.

Dudley held out his hand. Harry hesitated but took Dudley's pudgy hand and shook it. Harry's long slender fingers compared to Dudley's stubby ones felt funny in a handshake.

"Lets go, Harry."

Harry nodded and made a movement to go pick up his trunk but Dudley already had it in his hands and was following Lupin outside to a nice car. Tonks was inside, her spiked hair now a forest green and her eyes a brilliant blue. Harry ran up to the car, opened the back door and Dudley tossed the trunk inside. Lupin got in the front seat and Harry gave a goodbye to Dudley, Petunia, and Vernon. He hopped in, slammed the door, and felt the car immediately disappear and begin to lift into the sky.

"Have a nap, Harry, you look exhausted!" Tonks urged, flying carefully above the houses. "We'll be at the Burrow once you awake, alright?"

+~+~+

The car came to a halt and Lupin looked in the back seat to see Harry fast asleep. He whispered to Tonks, "Maybe we should carry him in?"

"I'll take the trunk." Tonks offered, getting out of the car. "Locomotive Trunk." She mumbled, giving a flick with her wand. She walked slowly with the trunk while the door to the Burrow opened up and Mrs. Weasley rushed out, about to exclaim "Harry!" but kept her mouth shut as Lupin carried him out of the car in his arms.

Ron Weasley was awake too, his shocking red hair all ruffled since he had just awoken. He looked young for a sixteen-year-old but that didn't matter now. He just looked at Harry and his jaw dropped. Even though Harry wouldn't turn sixteen for a couple more days, he looked so handsome and older, especially when he slept.

"He can sleep on my bed." Ron suggested, getting out of the way as Lupin carried him in.

Harry's lips parted in his sleep and he gave in a big breath. Lupin shook his head. "No, um, can he sleep on the couch?"

Mrs. Weasley nodded and ran off to find some pillows and blankets. Harry was set down on the couch and the fire immediately started in the fireplace. Moody's head appeared and he growled, "Ah, so Harry made it?"

"Ssh!" Tonks shushed him as Mrs. Weasley came back, lifted Harry's head, set a pillow under it, and then covered him with a thick blanket.

Moody disappeared into the fire and Ron sighed. "Well what do you know?"

Harry turned his head to the side and sniffed. He gave a shaky breath but slept on. There was a loud Crack! Fred and George had appeared by Harry and then as they opened their mouths they fell silent.

"Would you let the boy sleep?" Mrs. Weasley snapped.

+~+~+

Harry's eyes fluttered a little and he slowly awoke as the sun filled the room. He was sprawled out on the Weasley's couch under the soft, warm blankets. His head was resting on a nice comfy pillow and his hand was automatically lifting to his stomach as it tingled with pain from being punched. He sat up and then got up. He yawned and limped into the kitchen where the Weasley's, Lupin, and Tonks were sitting and eating breakfast.

"Harry!" Ron gasped, running up to him and giving him a hug. Harry moaned in pain as his stomach burned and he gently pushed Ron away.

"Don't hug Harry," Lupin said, sipping at his coffee. "He was beat up before he came."

Ron backed up and looked frightened. "I'm so sorry. Um, so..." He turned to the table and handed Harry the letters that he hadn't opened that night. "I noticed there was one from Hermione. I think you should open that one first."

Harry nodded, sat down, and ripped it open. Out came a nice pink paper that was soft and delicate. He ran his finger over the paper and raised his eyebrows.

Dear Harry,

How is your summer so far? I know it took the longest time to send this to you because I'm in China right now with Cho because our parents got together. It's fun here but I don't know any Chinese, I only know Japanese. So, that's hard. I hope your scar hasn't been hurting or anything but it's normal now, right? I'll see you at Diagon Ally and if not there I'll see you on the train. We have a lot of Hogsmeade trips this year so you better have a signed signature! Anyway, tell Ron I said Hi because I don't have time to send him a letter. Don't write back; just tell me about your summer on the train or at Diagon Ally. Bye!

Love Always,

Hermione

Harry put the letter aside and sighed. "I have to write to the Dursley's."

"What? Why?" Ron asked, reading over the letter.

"I need a new letter and signature thing. If you haven't noticed Sirius' must be useless now!" Harry said quietly, taking some parchment from Mrs. Weasley who handed it to him. "They'll sign it, I know they will."

Dear Aunt Petunia,

It's me, Harry. I was wondering if you could give me permission to go to Hogsmeade because I haven't got a signature anymore with Sirius gone and all. All I need is a piece of parchment with it saying you give me permission to go to Hogsmeade and then sign your name and your relationship to me. I'm sending Hedwig, my owl, and all you have to do it give it to her and tell it is for me. She'll know where to go. Thanks.

Harry

Harry gave the letter to Hedwig who quickly flew out the front window. He opened the rest of the letters that were just happy birthdays and things.

"Harry," Lupin said once he was done. "I never had time to look over what that boy did to you. I only washed off the blood."

Ron tensed. "Blood?"

Harry looked away and stood up with Lupin and followed him back into the living room. He sat down on the couch and watched as Lupin knelt in front of him. Lupin let Harry lie down again and then slowly pushed his shirt up. Harry had a nice shaped body as he neared age 16. You could no longer see his ribs but instead nice muscle. However, right now his whole stomach was bruised and swollen. A bruise was also on his jaw but that didn't matter much, his jaw was still very functional.

It tickled when Lupin drew up his shirt. He never had someone do that for him before while he was conscious.

Mrs. Weasley walked in with some white bandages. "Here."

Lupin wrapped Harry's stomach with them and sighed. "Yes, well, you should be fine now." He looked at Harry warily and looked him over: his spiked jet-black hair, his emerald green eyes, his oval glasses, his nice nose, his tan face, and his long fingers. "You know, Harry, you are like your father in many ways, but then again you are more like Lily."

"Uh..." Harry said, his eyes lowering. "Thanks, I guess."

Fred and George, both wearing smirks, pushed Ron into the room. "Harry," Fred said, walking past Ron and sitting next to Harry on the couch. "Did you hear about the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher?"

"No, I've been wondering about it though. Malfoy will be happy." Harry added miserably. He ran his hand over his spiked hair again and sniffed. "So, who is it?"

"Well, Lupin should tell you." George insisted, taking a seat on the other side of Harry.

Harry looked at Lupin who still sat in front of him. "Is it you?"

"No," Lupin exclaimed, shaking his head, but a smile twitched upon his face. "It's my girlfriend Felicity Cain. I met her after the events last year with the Order of the Phoenix when she was helping Dumbledore with my werewolf outbursts. We came close and it turns out that she knows a lot about different creatures and she was eager to take the job."

Harry was happy. "Really? That's great! What about Defense Against the Dark Arts? Please tell me Umbridge is gone!"

Lupin nodded and sat his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Another female professor that is a friend with Felicity. Her name is Melody Phoenix and she just happens to be a breeder of the Phoenix. Personally, when I met her, she was a very nice woman and she knew a lot more then I did."

"No more books?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Yes, of course, there will be books. However, most of the class is about physically learning with the magic and defense." Lupin explained while standing up. "So, Harry. Are you going to be alright?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I was just vulnerable at that moment and I wasn't able to do anything about it." He stood up too and noticed that his and Lupin's chests were touching. Lupin's heart beat slowly and steady, each breath taken normally. Harry couldn't help but notice his own heart thumping quickly and his breath shallow. Lupin backed up and then smiled.

"I want you to have something to eat and to relax today." He said thoughtfully, clapping Harry on the shoulder. He walked away from him and into the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley.

"So," Fred perked up, standing up beside Harry and nudging him the side playfully. "What happened to your hair? Very stylish!"

Ron agreed. "Yeah, when I saw Lupin carry you in I was just like, 'No way! That can't be Harry!'" He made his way up to Harry and smiled.

Ron was about 3 inches taller then Harry. His red hair looked almost like how Harry's used to and that was funny to see. His eyes shone with a bright blue and his freckles barely stood out on his nice tan skin.

The twins chuckled and left the room, still dressed in their pajamas. As they opened the door, Ginny passed them up. Ginny looked very attractive now with her long red pulled in a ponytail and her long eye lashes fluttering dreamily as she entered.

"Harry!" She cried, pushing Ron away and hugging Harry gently around the shoulders. "I heard what happened! Are you alright?"

"He probably would be okay if you weren't suffocating him," Ron mumbled, pulling Ginny away. "Ginny, tell Harry what you got though."

Ginny giggled, put her hands behind her back, stood up straight and tall, and looked Harry deep in the eyes. "I am a Prefect." She said seriously and it was Harry's turn to hug Ginny.

"That's great, Ginny!" Harry exclaimed running a hand over her back while the other held his own stomach.

Ron blushed and turned away. "Harry, come on, lets go to my room."

Harry released Ginny and nodded. "Yeah okay. Is there another bed up there for me?"

"No," Ron replied, ignoring the amused stare from Ginny. "No, we have to share a bed. Mom is using all the other beds for the people who will be stopping by later. She volunteered that our house was the new Order of the Phoenix meeting place."

Harry nodded in understanding and followed Ron up the stairs, Ginny's glare following them. The steps creaked at each thing that brought weight to it but Ron and Harry took no notice. They soon reached the top and passed Fred and George's, Ginny's, and Percy's old room as they made their way to Ron's. As they entered, it was no different from how it always had been. Posters of quidditch teams zooming from each poster on the walls and the maroon sheets on his bed didn't change at all. It smelt like vanilla and cinnamon, Harry loved it.

Ron shut the door behind him and watched as Harry flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He let out another blush and he couldn't stop himself from walking up to Harry and sitting next to him. Harry patted him on the leg and whispered, closing his eyes, "It's good to be back." His chest lowered and rose in a significant rhythm that made Ron suck in a breath.

"So," Ron said, "Tell me about your summer."

+~+~+

Their conversation lasted until noon. Each sharing thoughts and their boring summers. They mostly talked about how the Order of the Phoenix was now using the Burrow instead of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Sometimes they mentioned Perie beating up Harry but that was rare because Harry always replied with how he would rather not talk about it.

"Harry!" Lupin called from downstairs. "Your aunt replied!"

Harry's head shot up and he exchanged glances with Ron before both of them bolted down the stairs. Harry skidded to a stop in front of the kitchen table where two letters sat, both from Aunt Petunia.

"Hedwig just came," Mrs. Weasley said, making some sandwiches on the counter. "Ron, why not get some owl treats from the cabinet."

While Ron walked past Harry, Harry sat down and ripped open the first letter.

I, Petunia Dursley, Harry Potter's aunt, give him permission to go to Hogsmeade trips.

Harry let out a sigh of relief and breathed, "I can go." Ron gave Hedwig some owl treats and took a seat across from Harry.

"What's the next letter?"

"This one is also from her." Harry replied, ripping this one open as well.

Harry,

I know you left quickly for your friend's house but you need to know that on August 12th you must return back here. Vernon's cousin's daughter is getting married and we were all invited. You will be missing the company today when Jon comes over, Vernon's cousin. Make sure your hair stays the way it is or I'll make sure that you hear from Vernon and Dudley! Remember, August 12th, right in the morning! We will go shopping, get you the suit you'll be wearing, and then we will go to the party afterwards. Do Not Forget! We'll see you the 12th then.

Petunia

"A wedding?" Ron said in disbelief as he read the letter as well. Mrs. Weasley turned around with a big smile on her face. "Are you going to go?"

Harry was leaning on his palms with his elbows on the table. "I kind of have to, don't I?"

"Harry, you'll have fun!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, snatching the letter from Ron. "August 12th, huh? That's okay! We'll get Tonks to take you back!"

Ginny was in there too, leaning back in her seat so she was only on two legs. She had been handed the letter and she looked it over, reading it twice and then smirked. "Harry in a suit. That's a first." She began giggling as Harry shot her an amused look.

"A suit is better then those dresses we had to wear in our fourth year." Harry noted, drumming his fingers on the table.

"Now, now, Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley said loudly over Ron who said, "Hear, hear". She set the plate of sandwiches on the table and took a seat. "Dress robes are very nice for Wizarding things. Suits are much better for Muggle things."

Ginny smiled. "Mum, did you and Dad wear dress robes at your wedding?"

"Of course not!" Mrs. Weasley said, taking a sandwich and biting into it. She swallowed the piece and continued, "Weddings do not require dress robes. Arthur wore his suit while I wore my gown."

Harry sighed. He remembered the wedding picture of Lily, James, and Sirius. It was beautiful. Lily was in a magnificent wedding gown with her veil over her red hair. James, his hair still untidy, wore a nice black suit and next to him was Sirius with his hair short and wearing the identical suit as James wore. "I've never been to a wedding before."

Mrs. Weasley looked at Lupin who had been quiet for that time. "Remus, how are you and Felicity? Do you think you'll ever get married?"

Lupin looked up and laughed. "Me and Felicity? Doubtful. I don't think she'd want to marry a werewolf..." As he said this his face lightened.

"Is Felicity nice?" Harry asked, stretching his arms and watching Lupin with an interested smile.

"Oh yes!" Lupin nodded and took a seat next to Mrs. Weasley. "She is very nice and gorgeous, and I love her a lot." He seemed to be gazing off into the distance but snapped back to reality. "Harry, eat something."

Harry jumped. He took the sandwich that was closest to him and brought it up to his mouth and ate it in a couple bites. Something hit him as he finished the sandwich. His birthday was tomorrow. He would be 16 years old.

"Do you have a picture of Professor Cain?" Ginny asked, pillowing her head on her arms.

Lupin shook his head. "No, not with me anyway."

"It would be cool," Harry said, looking down at the table, "having Lupin and Cain married."

Lupin chuckled. "Yeah, we'll get married when the sky is moonless, then she'll be safe." He leaned back and stared at Harry. "Is there something on your mind, Harry?"

"If you did get married, and you and Cain had your own house, I was thinking...maybe I could live with you, you know?"

Lupin looked taken aback. "I was your father's next closest friend...and if James died and Sirius died I would be accounted your Godfather..."

"Really?" Harry asked, surprised. "Who was my Godmother?"

Ron seemed interested in this conversation and leaned in to listen more. "Yeah, who is Harry's Godmother?"

"Lily, Felicity, and Alice were best friends. Alice Longbottom and Felicity were even on who was Lily's bestest friend. So, your Godmother would either be Felicity or Alice, but since Alice is in the hospital, Felicity would come next."

"No way," Ginny, Ron, and Harry whispered at the same time. Mrs. Weasley was just as surprised.

"Felicity Cain and you are my Godparents now that Alice and Sirius are unavailable to do so?" Harry asked, his jaw still dropped. "Why didn't I know this before?"

Lupin sighed. "It was meant to be kept secret, but since you are almost old enough..."

Ginny giggled again, "That is so awesome!"

Ron nodded in agreement but Harry was still stunned. His short temper had been gone for weeks and if it hadn't been suddenly gone, Harry might've blown up right there. Instead, Harry just smiled and felt Lupin's hand squeeze his knee.

"I'm sorry for not telling you sooner." Lupin said thoughtfully. Harry looked away but then turned back to Lupin and let out a shaky breath. Lupin outstretched his arms and Harry collapsed in them.

"Um, Ron, Ginny, will you help me in the garden?" Mrs. Weasley asked, pulled Ron and Ginny out of the kitchen to leave Lupin and Harry alone.

Lupin moved to the floor and leaned up against the cabinet with Harry still in his arms. Harry was crying and nuzzling his head in Lupin's chest. It was odd to know that all these years he hadn't know that Lupin was more of the godfather then Sirius. Now since Sirius was gone, it was plain to see that Lupin loved Harry just the same. Lupin rubbed Harry's back and smiled.

"Please, don't die," Harry whispered.. "Don't you leave me either..."

Lupin shook his head. "I won't. Sirius would be proud of you right now, you know?"

"I know."

+~+~+

The afternoon sky slowly turned darker and darker until the sunset was in the sky and when Mrs. Weasley returned into the kitchen she found Lupin still on the floor with Harry sleeping on his lap. "Remus, is he okay?"

"Just tired," Lupin replied.

"Um, we found a boggart outside in a flower pot, we want you to take care of it because I keep seeing my children dead and Ron sees gigantic spiders, and Ginny sees Tom Riddle." Mrs. Weasley said quickly.

Lupin picked Harry up, set him on the couch in the living room, and followed Mrs. Weasley outside. The boggart was playing as Tom Riddle still, watching Ginny with an evil eye. Suddenly, once Mrs. Weasley approached it, the boggart turned into Percy with a knife through his head, and then once Lupin came up it turned into something that wasn't a silver orb at all.

It was Harry. He was lying on the ground, on his side, with blood trickling from his mouth. His emerald green eyes were glowing a pale green and then the eyelids shut and he let out a yell of pain as his scar suddenly burst open and blood trickled down his forehead. Lupin was speechless. He held up his wand and yelled, "Riddikulus!" He bellowed and the body turned back into a silver orb and then disappeared.

"I'm not the only one who sees Harry dead then?" Mrs. Weasley whispered, looking at Lupin who seemed to be just as surprised. "Well, I don't see Harry's scar bleeding or his eyes glowing green but I see him dead, lifeless."

"Professor Lupin, you don't suppose--?" Ginny let out a squeak.

"No," Lupin said quickly, backing up. "No, I don't think Harry will die."

+~+~+

Ron, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Lupin walked into the house and checked on Harry who was still fast asleep on the couch. Lupin lifted shoulders, sat where his head lay, and then set Harry back down so his head was resting on his lap again.

"Lupin, was that the first time you saw Harry dead in a boggart?" Ron asked, sitting on the floor in front of the couch and in front of the fire. Ginny joined him and Mrs. Weasley walked back into the kitchen.

Lupin nodded. "Yes...I guess since I told Harry I was now his Godfather he broke down and accepted it better then I'd have thought." He sighed. "I don't want anything to happen to him. Not to mention that Sirius had that same form with his boggart..."

Harry turned his head toward the fire, heating his face, but continued to sleep on. Lupin ran his hand through Harry's hair and closed his eyes.

+~+~+

Ron and Ginny left for dinner and once dinner was done Mrs. Weasley went into the living room to tell Lupin and Harry that she saved them some when she hesitated. Lupin had his head resting on the back of the couch, asleep, with one hand resting on the couch arm and the other on Harry's stomach. Harry still was asleep on Lupin's lap and was breathing so steadily. Both looked so adorable when they slept that Mrs. Weasley was afraid to wake them. So, she decided it was better to leave them sleep.

Fred and George walked through the room, ignoring the two sleeping on the couch, and went up to bed with Ginny, Ron, and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley.

+~+~+

"This needs to stop!" Mrs. Weasley cried out, her hands on her hips and her expression screaming, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" She was glaring at the twins, Fred and George, who had just taken their Giggling Gringotts Chocolate Galleons, couldn't stop giggling. "You'll wake up Harry and today is his sixteenth birthday!"

Fred giggled, "Sorry, Mum, we couldn't help ourselves."

"Yeah," George agreed, "It was just so tempting!"

Lupin sat the kitchen table and looked over the cake they had just baked and turned to Mrs. Weasley. "Molly, where is your frosting?"

Mrs. Weasley went to her cabinet, opened it, and pulled out a package of frosting. She handed it to Lupin who quickly frosted the cake and with a flick of his wand green, thin, fine frosting wrote out Happy 16^th Birthday, Harry. "There, do you think he'll like that?"

Fred and George replied with a fit of giggles. Ron entered the room suddenly and he said, "Harry woke up and Ginny is taking him outside for a walk, okay? We have time to decorate the house and to wrap his presents."

"What did you get him?" Mrs. Weasley asked Ron.

"Fred, George, and I put our money together and we bought him the Firebolt X2. Since he is our new Gryffindor Captain, right?" Ron said, watching Lupin as he put a spell on the cake to make it sparkle. He turned back to his mother who looked as though she was going to faint. "Don't worry, Mum! It wasn't that expensive since we told the clerk who the broom was for!"

+~+~+

Meanwhile, Ginny and Harry walked toward the pond near the end of the driveway. Ginny wore khaki pants and a white blouse, her hair pulled back into a French Braid. She, however, couldn't keep her eyes off Harry. His spiked black hair looked as handsome as ever with his khaki pants as well. He wore a gray shirt with red letters on the back that spelt Potter and under the shirt he wore a long sleeved black shirt.

"So, can't wait until Hogwarts starts up again, huh?" Ginny said, eyeing the house for any sign to come back in.

Harry shrugged; unaware of the whole surprise party they were cooking up for him. "It's going to be different now that everyone knows that Voldemort has returned." Ginny nodded, not even flinching. She had gotten used to that name now. Everyone except Ron had. "So, you want to become Chaser?"

Ginny nodded. "Oh yes! Seeker isn't my thing, Chaser is so much more fun!" She was happy to be on the subject and it seemed like Harry was too. "Seamus Finnegan and Trisha Mandor want to sign up as Beaters, they're really good, and some of my friends are eager to take the other Chaser spots."

"No kidding? That's cool." Harry said casually.

"Betsy and Becky Derrick, twins, my year, are the other Chasers that want to try out. Lissian May is also a great Keeper, she's my year too." Ginny quickly said.

"But, Ron is our Keeper," Harry noted, sitting himself on a rock near the pond. Ginny kept standing just so she could look back at the house without Harry noticing.

Ginny cleared her throat. "Oh, I know. It's just, if Ron still wants to quit and stuff, Lissian would be willing to take his spot."

"Seamus and I would be the boys, huh? Then the rest would be girls from fifth year." Harry whispered chucking a rock into the pond. "We'll have to wait until tryouts, you know?"

A head poked out of the Burrow door and waved at Ginny. There was the sign. Ginny turned to Harry and giggled. "Say, would you like to come into the house? I'm getting hungry for breakfast."

Harry nodded and stood up. Both walked to the Burrow and Ginny let Harry enter the kitchen first.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone shouted. Harry jumped and began laughing. The whole house was decorated with streamers and confetti and things like that. A pile of presents were on the table and a couple of new people were in there that must have Apparated. Tonks sat next to Lupin, Moody next to Mrs. Weasley, Arthur next to Fred, Bill and Charlie near Ron, and Luna Lovegood sitting in front of the presents doing her horrific fit of giggles and laughter.

Harry shook his head skeptically as he examined the pile of presents. "I don't know how I can thank you enough," he began, but Fred and George booed him.

"Come on drama queen! Open the presents and then lets have cake!"

Harry sat down and opened the one from Tonks first. It was a -"Pensieve?" Harry asked aloud, looking at Tonks sheepishly.

"Uh huh. It has my memory of when I knew your parents. It's really great, you can look at it after you're done with the cake." Tonks replied.

He opened the next one from Lupin who had gotten him a bunch of pictures of his parents, Sirius, himself, Harry, and one of Harry, Hermione, and Ron at the Yule Ball together. Then came Moody's gift, which was an odd gizmo that cleaned brooms and hexed anyone who tried to steal his broom. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley got him new parchment and a familiar black quill that he'd seen somewhere before. Ginny got him some hair gel for his hair although he didn't seem to need it and Bill and Charlie got him an overcoat made of black dragon hide.

"Is that it?"

Luna shook her head. "I didn't get you a present, Harry, but I thought I might as well tell you Happy Birthday."

"Fine by me."

"Wait!" Fred said, his giggling charm worn off. "Ron, George, and I have something for you!"

Harry turned to the three red heads and smiled. Whatever it was it must've been special because even they looked excited about it.

"Behold!" George announced, pulling something out from behind him.

Harry's jaw dropped. Firebolt X2. It sparkled and looked exactly like the Firebolt except for the color of the broom bristles. They were silver strands mixed with red and yellow.

"It turns invisible when someone is searching for it besides the owner itself." Ron explained.

Harry took the broom into his hands and felt the surge of power.

"Now, all you have to say is, 'I am your master,' to the broom and it will obey you and you alone." Fred whispered, in Harry's ear.

"Err..." Harry smirked at the thought of 'I am your master' but said it anyway in a nice soothing voice. Suddenly, a golden and red strand mixed together and on the handle of the broom it wrote clearly, Harry Potter - Firebolt X2. "Thanks you guys!"

Ron smiled and suggested, "Hey, before we have cake can we have a game of quidditch?"

"Ginny, Charlie, and Bill will be Chasers; I'll be Seeker; Ron will be Keeper, Fred and George will be beaters; and then if some of you other grown-ups want to play you can be on the other team." Harry explained, smiling proudly.

"I will!" Tonks rose her hand smiling. "So will Lupin, won't you?"

"Us two against those seven? Are you insane, Tonks?" Lupin said, laughing.

Luna cleared her throat. "I'll be Seeker on this team."

"I'll be Keeper," Lupin said casually.

"I'll be Beater!" Tonks cheered.

Crack! Crack! Lee Jordan, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie appeared, smiling happily. "Did we miss anything?"

They greeted Harry with a Happy Birthday and the teams immediately changed. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were now the Chasers, Harry the Seeker, Fred and George the Beaters, and Ron the Keeper. On the other team was Charlie, Bill, and Ginny as Chasers, Luna as Seeker, Tonks and Lee Jordan as Beaters, and Lupin as Keeper. The all grabbed a broom, Ginny using Harry's Firebolt, and head out for the yard. It was definitely large enough for a Quidditch field and with a simple Accio charm; Moody got the goalposts in the yard. Mrs. Weasley pulled out a Snitch, two Bludgers, and the Quaffle. The Snitch immediately disappeared into the air and the bludgers went off in two directions. All of them mounted their brooms and kicked off the ground.

The Firebolt X2 felt wonderful. If he thought the Firebolt was smooth, the Firebolt X2 went so smooth it felt like he were flying without a broom. It also went much fast then the Firebolt, but that was okay. He hovered for moment in the air and when the Quaffle was thrown up into the air, the match began.

Lupin guarded one side of the field while Ron guarded the other side. Angelina was the one who caught the Quaffle and she immediately sped off toward the goalposts and passed it to Katie who passed it to Alicia who made the first goal. Lee was about to yell, "Gryffindor 10 points, Slytherin 0", but he kept his jaw shut as Mrs. Weasley was the Score Keeper and gave Harry's team 10 points and gave Luna's team 0.

Harry looked around for the Snitch but saw nothing but the nice blue morning. Ginny had now grabbed the Quaffle and scored. 10 to 10. Alicia took the Quaffle this time, dodged the Bludger sent by Tonks, and passed it to Angelina who threw the Quaffle at the goalpost again but Lupin saved it.

The game continued for an hour until Harry finally spotted the glimmering gold Snitch by Ron's foot. He went zooming toward it, Luna on his tail, and reached out, reached, reached...

"I got it!" Harry cried out, lowering to the ground and looked at the score. 200 to 80.

Lupin lowered next to him and patted him on the shoulder. "Good job, Harry, you're ready for Quidditch, aren't you?"

Harry nodded and heard Ron yell from the goalposts, "Can we have some cake, now?"

+~+~+

After cake everyone had only stayed for a while to talk with Harry some, but then they left and Harry felt extremely exhausted. Lupin decided he'd stay the night again and then he'd go to the nice house in Hogsmeade where he lived with Felicity. Lupin would sleep on the couch and Harry would sleep with Ron on his bed. After he brushed his teeth he feel asleep almost immediately as his head hit the pillow. Ron snuggled in next to Harry and fell asleep as well.

That morning, when Ron woke up, he turned and saw Harry asleep next to him. He seemed more peaceful when he was asleep, and he certainly was handsome. He awoke Harry, smiling deeply, and both of them went to breakfast.

"Harry, we were just talking," Mrs. Weasley said as they came in. Lupin was sitting at the table drinking some of his werewolf potion and eating some waffles. "You'll be going with Lupin to Hogsmeade, then on August 12^th you'll go to the Dursley's, and then you'll go back to Hogsmeade and such."

"Really?" Harry asked, exchanging glances with Ron. "I only just got here..."

Lupin smiled. "You don't have to come if you don't want to."

Harry pondered on this. So far he's almost always came to the Burrow over the summer, he really wanted to see Professor Cain and go to Hogsmeade with his new Godfather too. "I'll go..."

Ron laughed. "Cool! I get to sleep in my own room again and then we'll see you Harry at Diagon Ally and at Hogwarts, okay?"

Harry was surprised by Ron's enthusiasm. "Okay."

"We'll be going now, actually." Lupin said, looking at his watch. "Tonks will be here any second with the car."

Harry nodded, "Okay, I'll get my stuff."

Mrs. Weasley snapped her fingers and a bowl of cereal appeared on the table. "Eat first, then you can get ready!" With another snap of her fingers another bowl appeared. Ron and Harry sat down, ate quickly, and then Harry rushed upstairs to get his things. When he returned, ready to go, all the Weasley's said farewell. Ginny gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, Ron gave Harry a playful kiss on the cheek too, Fred and George waved goodbye, giggling again, and Mrs. Weasley gave Harry an enormous hug.

"See you at Diagon Ally!" They called as Tonks pulled up in the car and Harry and Lupin hopped in.

"Bye!" Harry cried out, waving. The car pulled away, turned invisible, and then began to fly over the trees and on its way to Hogsmeade. Harry was still extremely tired, so he fell asleep with his head arched back on the back of the seat. Lupin was sitting next to him and jumped in surprise and Harry's head slowly slipped from the seat and landed on his open lap.

Tonks said, not noticing Harry was asleep but still referring to Lupin, "How was your two days there?"

"Fine, but Harry seems extra exhausted lately..." Lupin replied. Tonks looked back and stared at the sleeping Harry. "He sleeps in and goes to bed early, it's like this all the time."

Tonks shrugged and looked back ahead of her. "Ever since his last fight with Lord Voldemort, maybe that's when he started getting sleepier." Her spiked hair was now bubble-gum pink again and her long fingers drummed against the steering wheel. "Say, did you tell him about you -?"

"Being his Godfather? Yes," Lupin replied, looking down at Harry who moaned in his sleep momentarily and then turning his head toward Lupin's naval. "I wish I knew what he dreams about."

"Sirius, Voldemort, Cho Chang, you..." Tonks said, lowering the car slightly. "Of course he dreams about you, I mean, he's so close to you."

Lupin nodded and laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sure I treat him more like a son then James would ever treat him. And Felicity would treat him just like Lily would treat him. No doubt about that."

"Don't tell Harry about how James was. He'd probably just bully Harry around if he were still alive." Tonks mumbled.

After hours of driving, taking about the whole day to get to Hogsmeade, the car landed in the village part of Hogsmeade by a nice house identical to all the other houses. It was almost like Privet Drive except that these houses were much more cozy looking and it was a wizard town. Harry had awoken a few times to eat lunch or for a snack, and he talked to Lupin and Tonks about little things, but then he fell asleep again. These days when he stayed asleep for hours, he was filling in for the days that he stayed up in the middle of the night with the storms and such on Privet Drive. So, Tonks took Harry's trunk into the house while Lupin took the honors of taking Harry in, carrying him the same way Dudley did and the time Lupin had to carry Harry into the Burrow once before.

A woman with long wheat-blonde hair that was pulled back into a bun with hair sticking out as if she'd been cleaning all day greeted them by the door. Her eyes were a dazzling hazel and she wore blue jean shorts and a white, sleeveless t-shirt. The woman must've been Felicity Cain because once Lupin made it into the room; she kissed him on the lips and looked down at Harry. "This is Harry?"

Lupin nodded, shifting the weight on his arms. The first room where the entrance door stood was a nice entrance hall with a small table near the door with letters and a bouquet of flowers. As they continued to walk, they ran into a flight of stairs and walked up that. This was the main house. The first thing there was the living room that held a nice comfortable sofa with a glass coffee table and a burning brick fireplace. On the coffee table was another bouquet of flowers and a small picture frame with Lupin and Felicity hugging. Harry was set on the couch, still sleeping away, and Lupin hugged Felicity.

"He's been on and off sleeping for hours," Lupin breathed in her hair. "I hope he's all right."

Felicity looked over at Harry and said in a caring voice, "Does he know that I'm his Godmother?" She looked at Lupin with a pained expression. "Does he?"

Lupin nodded and she let out a sigh of relief. "Do you have dinner ready?"

"Not only that but I also have a room just for Harry." Felicity said, pulling away from Lupin and leading him through another hallway and into a large room with a four-poster bed with light green, thin fabric scarves hanging across the top instead of having curtains around the bed. The walls were white; there was a computer desk, a bookshelf, and Harry's trunk where Tonks had put it earlier. Speaking of which, Tonks sat on Harry's dark green covers and was looking out the window. "Tonks," Felicity whispered.

Tonks turned, her hair turning into a bright red with a crack. "Are you going to bring him in here?"

Lupin nodded, and left the room to go retrieve Harry and bring him into his new room. When he picked up Harry once again, brought him into the room, and set him on the bed, Harry squeezed Lupin's hand and turned his head away.

Once Tonks was gone, Felicity said softly, "He dreams about Sirius and his parents and you, doesn't he?"

Lupin nodded and both of them left Harry's room. It was final. Harry would be staying with his Godparents.

+~+~+

Harry had the oddest dream. He was walking in a huge garden with a fountain flowing in the distance. He stopped walking after a while to admire the fountain. Behind him, Lupin and Sirius were walking up to him, both looking younger and healthier. Lupin hugged Harry in a Godfather action and he heard someone yell Sirius's name. It was Draco Malfoy, skipping up to Sirius and Sirius kissed him on the forehead. Lupin whispered in Harry's ear, "Sirius is Draco's Godfather, and I am yours." The scene fell away like sand in an hourglass and Harry awoke with a start.

He was still wearing his glasses so it was very visible about what he was seeing in the room. He felt almost as if he really belonged in this room, and he knew he did. He looked out the window and noticed the sun in the sky and other houses all identical. It was obvious. He was in Hogsmeade. He checked the digital clock on his bedside table and saw it was 7:00 in the morning.

Before he got up, he wondered the same thing Lupin wondered. Why on the Earth was he so drowsy lately? Was it really because he was filling in for all the other times when he didn't sleep at all through the night? He knew that was probably the answer, not wanting to believe that it had something to do with Voldemort.

"Knock, knock." Came a female's voice from the door. It was Felicity, her hair down and fallen over her shoulders. "'Morning. Did you sleep well?"

Harry nodded and sat up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and looked up at Felicity. "You're Professor Cain, right?"

"Call me Felicity!" She urged, folding her arms behind her head and leaning her hip on the doorframe. "So, you know about how I'm your Godmother, right? And you know that you're in Hogsmeade?" Harry nodded. "Good, good! Lupin is making eggs and toast and bacon and sausages. You must be hungry! You didn't even eat dinner!"

This was true. Harry was starving and he had not once eaten dinner yesterday because he was sleeping. "Of course," he exclaimed, standing up and walking up to Felicity. "Sounds delicious."

"It is!" Felicity said, giving Harry a hug, more motherly then the hugs Mrs. Weasley gave him. "You'll be living here, you know."

Harry froze, a smile itching across his face. "Really? Never going to the Dursley's ever again."

Felicity nodded. "That is, if you want to live here with your Godparents."

"No! I'd love to live here!" Harry laughed and skipped past Felicity and straight into the kitchen. It was a big kitchen with nice, stained wooden cabinets, a black tile counter top, a black metal table, a silver metal refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher, and a nice window over the metal sink. "Oh. My. God."

Lupin turned from the stove where he was making bacon and smiled. "Oh my God what?"

"This is so much more electronic then the Dursley's! This is awesome!" Harry explained, noticing the Crystal prisms in the window casting rainbows on the white walls. "Need help with anything?"

Lupin examined the stove and nodded. "Yeah, I need you to mix the orange juice." He pointed to the refrigerator and turned back to the bacon. Harry walked over to it, opened it, and felt his jaw drop. It was packed with delicious food, butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and then a frozen package of orange juice that could use of a good thawing. So, Harry pulled it out, set it on the counter and it quickly thawed in about 2 seconds. Harry was smart enough not to question this because they were in a wizarding house and strange things could happen. Felicity handed him a pitcher and Harry dumped the orange juice hunk out and into the pitcher. It quickly filled automatically with some water and then was a nice pulp-less orange juice.

"Cool," Harry whispered, sliding the pitcher toward Lupin.

"Are you excited about the wedding party with your uncle's cousin's daughter and her groom? It sounds like fun," Lupin said, putting the bacon on a plate and eyeing Harry who was looking out the window.

Harry shrugged. "I'm sure it'd be fun if they weren't in any relationship with the Dursley's. I mean, come on. It's a shock the Dursley's are willing to bring me to the wedding."

"You're going to a wedding?" Felicity asked, opening the Daily Prophet. "I'm sure it'll be a blast."

"I haven't worn a suit my whole life, and now I'm going to a wedding?" Harry said, taking a seat across from Felicity. "This'll probably be the worst thing in my entire life!"

Felicity shrugged, turning the page, "I don't know, you might think differently after that." She looked down the page and smiled. "O.W.L. results! They put down all the students in 5^th year who got more then one Outstanding O.W.L."

Lupin left the eggs to sizzle for a moment on the pan to look at the paper. The whole page was full of students and underneath each name were the subjects they got Outstanding O.W.L.S. in.

"Harry, there you are. Care of Magical Creatures, D.A.D.A, and Charms! That's wonderful!" Felicity said, poking the paper.

"What did Hermione Granger get?" Harry asked.

Felicity looked down the page and then back up and frowned. "She doesn't seem to be on here..."

Harry's eyes widened. "No way! She had to have gotten at least nine Outstanding O.W.L.S.!" He snatched the paper and looked down the list of students. He flipped the page to see more on the back and thankfully Hermione's name was there. "There, see, there it is." Harry said, laying the paper down and reading off her subjects. "Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy, Arithmancy, Potions, and History of Magic."

"Really now? Six Outstanding O.W.L.S? Three is good too."

+~+~+

The whole afternoon was slightly boring but at the same time very enjoyable. He didn't have friends to mess around with but he had endless conversations with Felicity and Lupin on and off. Other then that, he tried to stay awake by roaming the house and rooms since he would be living with them now. There was the Library with each wall covered in books mainly about creatures and historic things. It was a small room compared to Lupin and Felicity's room next to it; which surprised Harry as well as disturbed him.

On the walls there were claw marks and on the bed frame and bedposts. The bed covers were dead black, like Harry's at home, and the black dresser was completely spotless except for an empty vase sitting upon it. They also had a bay window with black cushions on it and yellow pillows.

He receded from that room and went into the bathroom that held a nice shower and bathtub mixed with blue shower curtains with little yellow rubber duckies on it. There were two sinks, two different soups, two different toothbrushes, and two different towels: one black for Lupin and one yellow for Felicity.

There were many other rooms such as a guest room, drawing room, den, and a couple offices. Finally, when the moon rose into the night sky, and Felicity was asleep in Lupin and her bedroom, Harry departed for his bedroom. Like usual, he flopped on his bed and stared at the ceiling for a while, but this time Hedwig started pecking at the window with letters in her talons. Harry opened the window, let Hedwig fly in, and then took the letters from her.

Dear Harry,

Hello, Harry. I know I treated you very badly the previous year about You-Know-Who and how you lied about him being back, but please take this into consideration. If You-Know-Who is really after you and no one else at the moment, stay away from my family. I know I disagree with them very much but that doesn't mean you can get them killed. Do not write me back, do not talk to me, and do not do anything with my family and if -

Harry ripped the letter from Percy straight down the middle and sighed. He tossed it in the trash and looked down and noticed that each letter was from Percy.

Stay away from them!

Each letter said something running along those lines, and Harry threw them all away. He sat on the edge of the bed, looked out the window, and sighed. Percy cared about his family, and maybe he was right. He rubbed his face into the palms of his hands and shook his head. Voldemort wouldn't come after them, would he? He'd know. So far he hadn't had any dreams about him killing anyone or him in general. He only dreamt about how stupid he was for leading Sirius into the Department of Mysteries last year.

He gave Hedwig an owl treat and lay down, the candlelight burning out almost immediately. He shut his eyes and fell asleep.

Harry was standing on the lawn of Hogwarts in his dream. He was cold but it was actually quite humid around him. His head hurt, his back hurt, and he seemed to be sore pretty much all over. He collapsed on the ground and leaned over on both hands. Blood ran from his mouth and he squeezed his eyes shut. Suddenly, a hand appeared above him and he automatically reached up and took it.

"Harry," Draco whispered as he felt Harry's hand shake in his own. "It's okay, Harry." He helped Harry up to his feet and hugged him. "He did that to you, he wanted to believe that you did something you didn't. I would never do that..."

"I know..." Harry breathed, the blood from his mouth running onto Draco's neck, his body slightly shaking. "He did it, but the others who gave it to me left it alone. He wanted to kill me."

Draco squeezed Harry in a tighter hug then released him. "And you thought Ron was your friend."

Harry awoke. The dream seemed so short, but the sun was up again and his breath was fast. How would Ron try to kill him? Why did Draco hug him? Why was he so sore?

+~+~+

August 12^th neared by each day and Harry found himself dreading every moment of it. So far, Felicity, Lupin, and him walked to the shops in Hogsmeade and had a few butterbeers in the Three Broomsticks. He also bought new robes; new clothes and he managed to find Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Joke Shop next to the Three Broomsticks.

Once August 11^th hit and it almost reached noon, Felicity and Lupin drove Harry to Surrey and reached the house by 9:00 p.m.

"Now," Lupin said, shaking Harry's hand as Vernon opened the front door. "Tomorrow, you will be coming home, understood? Then you can walk to Hogwarts because Hogsmeade isn't really that far away. Alright?"

Harry nodded and turned to Vernon. "Well, I'm back again."

Vernon hmphed and mumbled some kind of thanks to Lupin and Felicity. He obviously had received the letter that Harry would be living with Lupin for the rest of the summer because even though Vernon looked disappointed, he would have never thanked Lupin in the first place.

So, the following day, when Harry woke up and went for breakfast downstairs, Dudley smiled and took a seat next to Harry. "I didn't even know you came back! What time did you get here?"

"Late last night."

"Ah," Dudley said, gobbling up his eggs, "I went to bed at eight. You must've gotten here after that." He leaned into Harry, "Are you excited?"

Harry felt shocked. Dudley had never been so friendly to him before and it felt good. Maybe Dudley really wasn't a pig that was trained to stand on his hind legs. "Yeah, I suppose."

Petunia entered the room, looking tired, and took a seat across from the boys. "Morning..."

"Uh, 'morning Aunt Petunia." Harry greeted, finishing off his toast and looking away. "When will we be going shopping?"

Petunia shrugged and looked Harry over. His black hair was still spiked, his face still tan, his scar still appearing on his face so amazingly striking. If Harry didn't know better he'd think that Petunia thought Harry was much more attractive than Dudley. That wasn't too far from the truth either. Even though Dudley lost a lot of pounds lately and was the size of a skinny Hagrid, he was still amazingly more hideous then any other boy that Harry had seen.

Harry took his glasses off and cleaned them on his Potter shirt that he was wearing again. He heard Vernon clear his throat and his startling emerald green eyes looked up at him. Vernon gulped and then growled, "Take you stuff from your bedroom that you need to take to your new house and leave what you don't need. Do that after the wedding."

Petunia ate some of Dudley's toast and got up, looking revived. "Okay! Let's go shopping, get the suits and we'll leave for the wedding!"

+~+~+

"Don't look," Dudley whispered through the changing room door. Petunia stood closely to it, dressed in a nice white gown. Vernon was in his white tuxedo looking suit already but Harry was waiting, sitting and leaning against the wall to the changing room. Dudley opened the door and was in a dark blue suit, his face bright red as he walked out for Petunia and Vernon to see.

"It looks so gorgeous on you!" Petunia lied, clapping Dudley on the back. "Harry, your turn."

Harry stood up, holding a nice black suit, and walked into the dressing room. When he came back out Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley's jaws dropped. The black pants, black shoes, white shirt, black tie, and long black jacket over it looked amazing and absolutely handsome. The smirking smile on Harry's face as he ran his finger around his collar to the twinkle of Harry's silver glasses, he looked spectacular.

"We'll get them all, now, change back," Petunia mumbled, each of them going into their own changing room. Everyone came out then with their regular clothes on and left immediately. "Now," Petunia said, speeding down a back road, "We'll quick go home, change into the suits, get your hair all nice, and we'll be leaving!"

They didn't need telling twice. Once they pulled back into Number 4, Privet Drive, they scrambled into the house and snapped over who got the bathroom first, that is, except for Harry, who had taken a shower that morning and put on his wedding suit slowly, cleaning and adjusting his glasses, and spiking his hair nicely so that his scar was very much visible. He was happy with himself, especially the look on their faces when he came out of the changing room.

"Are you ready?" Petunia called through the house. Harry walked out of the room, smiling, and saw Dudley and Vernon walk out too. They looked alike except for Dudley was skinnier then Vernon and had blonde hair while Vernon has thick gray. "Right, then. Lets go!"

+~+~+

The ride to the party was long. It was about two hours before they pulled to a stop in front of a nice hall. Petunia got out first, her hair down on her shoulders, and then Vernon, Dudley, and Harry followed closely behind.

"You made it just in time for dinner! You'll get the table closest to the bride and groom." A man at the door greeted them. He opened the door, and let them in.

Harry could've sworn that the hall looked the same as the Yule Ball. The same decorations except there were no Christmas Trees because it wasn't Christmas it was August. There was a long table facing the other tables and the dance floor where the bride, groom, and mates sat. The bride, thankfully, didn't take any characteristics of Uncle Vernon or his cousin Jon. She had nice, long, blonde hair with blue eyes and a ski slope nose. She was in a deep conversation with the groom but looked up as the Dursley's entered.

"Vernon! Petunia! Dudley! And..." The bride stood up and hesitated as she looked at Harry who was still looking around the room. "You must be Harry, Harry Potter. Vernon's nephew?"

Harry looked at her and nodded. The bride looked surprised at how his eyes seemed to sparkle and his smile was so breathtaking on his face.

"Well," the bride said, "I'm Dillon, and this is Terrance." She gestured to her groom. "Please, sit down! The violinist should be coming soon!"

She sat back down and continued her conversation with Terrance. Petunia looked around, and whispered, "Before we sit down, lets sign the guest book." There was a white book on a small table near the head table. Unfortunately there wasn't a quill or anything. Harry remembered putting his black quill in his pocket because he had the odd feeling he'd need it.

Harry handed Petunia his black quill and she wrote her name quickly in an unreadable signature. Then Vernon signed it, and then Dudley. Once it was Harry's turn, he took the quill in his hand and then when he touched the paper the back on his hand punctured. He gave a yelp and switched hands. Why had Mrs. Weasley given him the quill that tortured him in detention? He wrote his name fairly well with his left hand but Petunia watched as his hand bled and healed.

"It's nothing..." Harry whispered, putting the quill back into his pocket.

They walked back to the table, sat down, and waited as the violinist made his way over to their table. As Petunia sat back and relaxed at the sound of the music, Dudley, Vernon, and Harry watched the violinist with great interest.

There was a loud clanking noise and the room went quiet. The hall, by now, was very full and almost cramped. Terrance stood up, smiling. "Thank you for something to the party! I'd like to introduce my new wife Dillon and we'll be dancing the first dance." There was applause but it died down as the soft music trailed into the air. It was very smooth and played mostly by the harp, violin, and piano. Harry was watching carefully at Dillon's steps while others looked in envy at their happy faces. Dillon knew each step she wanted to take, memorizing it very thoroughly, while Terrance stumbled every other step.

At the middle of the song, others went to the floor to dance with them, including Vernon and Petunia. Harry looked away. Dudley stood up and went to ask some girls if they'd like to dance with him, but Harry would rather much stay invisible.

Suddenly, in the song as it neared the end, a flute did a beautiful solo and Harry looked up. Dillon who left the floor not too long ago played the flute. Another applause but someone went on the microphone.

"Who wants to see some fun?" The announcer asked. Some people nodded while others sat silently. "Right then, we'll have Jesse and Bill come up here along with Dillon." Two men joined Dillon in the middle of the dance floor. "Ok, now, Terrance, come over here." Terrance stood next to the announcer. "Very good, now, Jesse, go on your hands and knees, Bill go next to him and bring your arms out so it looks like a chair."

A bunch of people laughed, including Harry and Dudley. It was a perfect human chair.

"Alright," the announcer said, "Dillon, sit down on the 'chair' and make yourself comfortable. You all right there, Jesse?" Jesse game a nod and he coughed sarcastically as Dillon took a seat, her dress out before him. "Now, Terrance, your job is to crawl on your hands and knees to your lovely wife and get her girdle from underneath her skirt...with your teeth."

An "Oooo!" came from the guests and some people whistled.

Terrance's expression was seriously skeptical. He looked around and gave a hearty laugh. The announcer pushed him down and the guests laughed again. Someone started to play a funny song on the piano as Terrance crawled over to Dillon, lifted up dress, put his hands behind his back, and disappeared as his head lifted. Dillon started laughing but soon enough Terrance appeared again with a white girdle in his teeth.

"We're not finished yet, people!" The announcer bellowed as Terrance walked around with his fists in the air and waving his head around with the girdle still in his teeth. "Will all the single men come on the floor? All the men who are not married please!"

Dudley got up and made his way to the floor. Harry didn't want any part of this shrewd game so he stayed seated in his spot. Dillon walked around in the middle, Terrance close beside her. She poked her head out between Dudley and Bill and cried out, "Harry! Get out here!"

Harry looked around, hoping he could run out of the hall quickly, but decided that it would be better just to go in there and get it over with. So, he stood up, and strode to the circle beginning to create around the couple.

"Is that all?" The announcer asked Dillon who gave a nod. "Ok! Dillon, cover Terrance's eyes. Terrance your job is to fling the girdle out to one of the men, and singles," he gestures to the circle of men, "you will be spinning in a clockwise motion! When I say 3, Terrance, you will fling it out and whoever catches the girdle gets a prize."

The music started again and Harry felt himself moving toward the left while Terrance was moving to the right.

"1!"

Terrance passed a man about six people away from Dudley.

"2!"

Terrance passed Dudley.

"3!"

The girdle flung and it just happened to land in Harry's hands, which extended out so he could catch it. Dudley looked furious, but not as furious as Vernon and Petunia. He ignored their fumes and went into the middle where the announcer, Dillon, and Terrance waited. The other men went to their seats and Harry felt all eyes on him.

"Terrance," the announcer said in a low and mysterious voice in the microphone. "Terrance, will you be so mad if this young boy here was to dance with your charming wife?"

Harry blushed. He was going to dance with Dillon? The bride?

Terrance took Harry's hands and smiled. "Harry's a good kid. I can trust him." He gave Harry a wink and then sat at the main table.

"Did you hear that people?" The announcer yelled over the cheers. "This young man will be dancing with Dillon, our bride!" Applause roared off the walls but died again as the lights dimmed and the slow music from before started to play.

Watching Dillon's footsteps was probably the smartest thing he had ever done. He had danced at the Yule Ball pretty good for his first time, but now he had gotten even better at it. His moves landed in step with Dillon's and Dillon was clearly surprised. They moved across the floor, not just in a circle like with Terrance, but they actually moved and the people stared in awe.

Not only was Harry happy with his mystical dancing, he was taller then Dillon by about 3 inches and he couldn't help but blush when Dillon looked up at him.

The music came to an end and, without warning; Dillon went on her tiptoes and kissed Harry square on the mouth. More cheers and whistles, but Harry couldn't hear that. All he could hear was his heart thumping and his teenage hormones kicking in. Harry kissed lightly back but not anything like he'd do if Cho would kiss him. Dillon was married, so all he would do was be polite and give her a small kiss back.

"Oh my!" The announcer said over the cheers, "Even Terrance is cheering! Anyway, since this young boy, Harry was it? Well, since Harry made it this far even with the extra kiss at the end, he deserves something else. Do you still have the girdle?"

Harry hadn't noticed it, but he slipped it around his wrist while dancing. So, he took it off, and showed the announcer it. "Yeah."

"Good boy, now, here's the best part! Harry, you have to put the girdle back on Dillon's leg."

Harry's jaw dropped and he side glanced at Dillon who seemed excited.

"Jesse, Bill, human chair again!"

Jesse and Bill skipped onto the dance floor and went back into their positions. Dillon sat back down and fluttered her eyes at Harry who was looked at her as if she were mad. More funny music came and once Harry was about to walk up to her, the announcer stopped her.

"Wait! Crawl!"

It was Harry's turn to laugh. He dropped to his hands and knees, and began to crawl up to Dillon, smirking. Dudley kept making huffing noises in the distance but Harry didn't seem to notice. Once he made it up to Dillon, he hesitated. He would have to lift up her dress, but did he want to? He lifted it up slowly, noticed Dillon's outstretched bare foot, and slipped it on the ankle, shin, knee, and then thigh. He stood up, flexed his fingers and smiled.

Terrance began clapping and then the whole hall cheered louder then Harry had ever noticed it before. He outstretched his hand, helped Dillon up, then both of them bowed to the 'audience'. Once Harry returned to his seat, Dudley wasn't huffing, instead, he was smiling. Vernon was the one who was huffing.

"You, boy! The girdle was for Dudley!" He growled.

Harry shrugged and looked at Dudley who gave Harry a low five under the table. "Sorry, Dudley, it just sort of landed in my hands."

"I forgive you. Plus, that was great dancing." Dudley said, leaning on the table. Petunia was nodding at that but looked away to watch the people on the dance floor.

+~+~+

"That was the first and best wedding I've ever been to," Harry said as they drove home. He was rewarded with no reply but that was fine with Harry. He leaned the side of his head on the window and shut his eyes.

His vision was fuzzy and it mostly came in different sections in his dream. First he felt like he was flying. Then he saw Draco, his face worried. Then he saw Ron look over his shoulder and flee the scene. Then he noticed Hermione. Then he felt himself lifting. What was going on?

"Harry, wake up, we're back."

Harry popped his head up and looked around. The car was stopped and he saw the Dursley house in front of him. He hopped out of the car, stretched and gave a yelp. His hands went straight to his stomach. It hurt, the bandages pulled at his skin, and his whole body seemed to sway.

"Get inside, boy. Get!" Vernon snapped, pushing Harry ahead. Harry managed to keep his legs stationed to the ground, but barely. He stumbled into the house, walked up the stairs, into his old bedroom, and saw a trunk on his bed. Guessing that Petunia put it up there for Harry to pack, he grabbed some things such as his clothes and his picture album and such, and then stuffed it all in the trunk.

Petunia appeared at his door, her eyes looking him over with a pained expression. Harry looked over his shoulder and just stood still for a second. "So, you'll be living with your Godfather and Godmother?"

Harry nodded.

"I just wanted to say, while Vernon is outside examining his precious car, that I'm sorry. I never liked Vernon beating on you or Dudley beating on you but if I said anything, Vernon might hurt me." Petunia said in a teary voice.

Harry's eyes narrowed slightly, "A little late for that now, ain't it?"

Petunia sighed. "I just though you should know." She turned to leave but Harry stopped her.

"I'm sorry, I just...you don't understand what it's like to lose everything that's close to you. My parents died, my actual Godfather died, Arthur Weasley could have died..." Harry whispered, closing the trunk and pushing the trunk off his bed. "I think it was better for you not to treat me nicely. At least nothing will happen to you."

Petunia gave Harry a hug and left Harry in his room who stripped off his suit and pulled the covers over his head.

+~+~+

"Rise and shine!" Lupin said, prodding Harry with his wand in the back of his head. "Come on, sleepy head. We have to go!"

Harry jumped, and looked up at his Godfather. "Eh...am I..."

"No, you're not dreaming. I came to pick you up, come on!" Lupin continued prodding Harry in the head until he was in a sitting position and pulling on some blue jean pants and a sleeveless shirt that read: My Goal is to wreck yours on the back of it.

Harry sighed while he stood up and looked over at Lupin. He was over excited to get away from this house, but then again disappointed. He grew up in this house and he was never going to see it again.

"Have something to eat and then we'll leave." Lupin said loudly, interrupting Harry's thoughts.

Home. His new home in Hogsmeade was more of a home then it was here. It was an easy thing to admit. So, he took one last look in his bedroom and then followed Lupin out to the kitchen where the Dursley's were busy eating away.

Petunia pushed a plate forward with pancakes on it and looked back down at her plate. She was probably still vulnerable after Harry and her last conversation.

Harry sat down, went to eat his pancakes when, for the first time that whole summer, his scar burst with pain, a tired feeling growing in his eyes and the feeling of definite defeat in his stomach. Lupin clutched his shoulder and pulled him back toward his seat while he inched forward. It was probably best not to ask questions then so Harry finished his breakfast and looked at his relatives.

"You'd be moving out soon, anyway." Uncle Vernon said, his eyes boring into Harry's. "You'd be turning 18 soon and you'd be gone, right?" He took a sip of his vanilla flavored tea that sat in front of him. "Oh, Dudley, I have to go to work but the car is as Mrs. Figg's house because her son was going to fix it. Go walk over there and drive it back."

Dudley, of course, had his driver's license now and Harry was slightly jealous. He longed to drive a car his whole life but it wouldn't happen. Plus, Apparating sounded so much more reliable.

Dudley looked at Harry, cleared his throat, held out his hand, and said thoughtfully, "I'll miss you, Harry. Have a nice life." With that sentence, 'Have a nice life', it brought Harry out of his tiredness and he shot his head up. He took Dudley's hand and nodded in thanks.

Petunia was next. "Yes, now, remember to take care of yourself." She patted Harry on the shoulder and then looked at Vernon who didn't say a word.

"Right. Well, bye then. Thanks for letting me stay with you for all those years and stuff." Harry said, getting up. He hugged Petunia and then Lupin and he was out the door.

The car was parked outside and Lupin hopped in the driver's seat and waited for Harry to get in the back seat. That's when Lupin spoke up as the car disappeared for Muggle eyes and rose into the sky.

"What happened back there?" He asked, driving ahead and glancing back at Harry who rubbed at his face. "Well?"

Harry hesitated to answer. He felt Voldemort's emotions. Was Voldemort defeated? No, that couldn't be. "Nothing," he mumbled. "It was just the first time this summer that my scar hurt."

Lupin didn't look convinced but he continued to drive without a word. When he looked back at Harry again, he was lying across the seats, asleep.

+~+~+

Felicity was outside, gardening the beautiful Forget-Me-Nots outside the window. Her hair was over her shoulders and her back was facing Lupin and Harry as they returned back. She gave a short hello once they passed her to enter the house and then walked across the street and began to knock on the people's door. Harry didn't know what happened after that, he was in the house and sitting at the kitchen table, staring at it like it held the secrets on the universe. It had been exceptionally humid that afternoon and evening and droplets of sweat formed above Harry's lip and on his forehead.

"Would you like some lemonade?" Lupin asked, digging through the refrigerator and pulling out a pitcher of pink lemonade. Harry replied with a groan and Lupin poured two glasses. He gave Harry the cool beverage and let out a laugh as Harry brought the glass up and set it on his forehead. "Say, do you want a job over the rest of the summer?"

Harry eyed Lupin, an eyebrow raised. "A job? Where will I get a job?"

Lupin shrugged calmly. "You could work at the Three Broomsticks, they're looking for 16 and up. Or, you can work at that tea place -"

"Don't even mention that place." Harry mumbled, taking a gulp of his lemonade but setting the glass back on his forehead. "I would never want to work there." Images of Cho blowing up at him flooded in his head.

"Okay," Lupin said, taking Harry's idea and setting the cup on his neck. "Three Broomsticks then?"

Harry shrugged but he really considered the idea. Working at the Three Broomsticks over the rest of the summer, getting free butterbeers and getting paid and bussing tables. "Yeah," he finally said, finishing his lemonade in a long swig. "Yeah," he repeated. "I'll do it."

"Great," Lupin replied. "We'll start you up tomorrow."

+~+~+

The job wasn't hard. He started out with bussing tables for a week, meeting interesting people and getting paid three silver Sickles an hour. The second week was when he started taking orders from people and was the waiter. Near August 30^th was when it was really busy with people quickly stopping in for something and then leaving because they only had two days until the summer vacation was over. So, by August 30^th he had made 40 Galleons and was pleased with himself. He could take this job up again next year and maybe after classes and stuff.

For August 31^st he had off because he had to go to school that day with Felicity. He was looking forward to it, but noticed that when he was off on August 23^rd that he hadn't seen Ron or Hermione at Diagon Ally like they said. So, he was really looking forward to seeing them at school.

"Harry!" Felicity called from the kitchen. It was noon and the sun was high in the sky. Harry ran into the kitchen from sitting at his desk finishing a report from school that he hadn't gotten close to finishing. He had his quill behind his ear and his glasses at the tip of his nose.

"Yes?"

Felicity wore a long black skirt, a black blouse, black robes, and over that a black cloak. Her hair was back in another ponytail and she was putting her wand in a pocket of her robes. "Harry, I'll be going to Hogwarts late tonight and you'll be coming with me because...well, just because." She patted Harry on the shoulder and walked past him. "Rosetta stopped by when you were sleeping and asked if you could fill in for Kendal because he seemed to have accidentally transfigured his foot into a toilet seat. It's only until 5:00 tonight and since you're up and ready you can quick do that favor, right?"

Harry was surprised. "I have school tomorrow, though. I thought they said I could have off."

"They did, but just this quick favor. Then when you get back we'll leave for school." Felicity said firmly, brushing past Harry and going down the hallway and into her bedroom.

Harry watched her as she disappeared into the bedroom and sighed. Lately this whole week she'd been slightly bossier. So far, after he was done with work, he was brought down with chores and he only had about twenty minutes to finish his homework at the end of the day. Of course, he didn't argue once because he had only just met Felicity and was trying to make the best out of it. So, he returned back to his room, threw on some shoes, and left.

To get to the shops and such in Hogsmeade, he had to cut through lawns and walk through ally ways and then hop the fence that was the entrance to the little village of houses. Once he made it to the cozy pub he walked in and jumped to see all the people in there: mainly professors.

Professor Snape, professor of Potions, looked up from his pint and scowled. His greasy black hair was longer than Harry had last seen it and his eyes darker. Without making much eye contact, he walked behind the counter, put on a black apron, and went in the back to find Rosetta.

"Harry!" She greeted, digging through some boxes of new shiny glasses. "Thanks for coming in on such short notice. Minerva just came in so could you take her order and then you can wait at the counter for more customers."

"Uh," Harry said, rolling up his sleeves, "Why are all the professors in? Aren't the supposed to be getting ready for classes?"

Rosetta looked up, her earrings glittering. "What do you think they do all summer? They mostly come in for their last drink before school starts. They do this every year."

Harry shrugged and left Rosetta to continue unpacking. It felt weird walking up to Professor McGonagall at a pub but he did it anyway.

McGonagall looked at Harry, her hair covered with her witch's hat. She was obviously thinking the same thing: How odd it was having a student asking her what she would like to have!

"Good afternoon, Professor." Harry said, pulling out a pad and quill from the apron's pocket. "Is there anything you'd like?"

"Evening, Potter." McGonagall said, leaning back in her seat and looking Harry over. It had been the first time this summer that she'd seen him and he did really change. "I'll have a Merlot." She drummed her fingers on the table and watched as Harry walked away to get the wine.

Harry searched the cabinets in the counter for the Merlot wine but couldn't find it. "Rosetta! Where is the Merlot?" He called, still searching.

"Oh!" She called back, "We have some back here, hold on." She appeared from the back and handed him a bottle and a wine glass. "Here." Harry took them and set the wine glass on the counter while he poured the Merlot into it. He carried the glass over to McGonagall, set it down in front of her and turned to leave when she suddenly stopped him.

"Potter, sit down." She ordered him, taking a sip of her wine.

"But, Professor. I'm on shift." Harry protested.

McGonagall shot a glare at Harry and said coldly, "I said to sit down. Would you like me to give you detention the first day of school?" She smiled and Harry hastily pulled the chair out and sat down. "Good. I heard you weren't supposed to be working today."

"It's a favor."

McGonagall nodded again and her expression softened. "Yes, you always were polite. So, tell me, has anything abnormal happened this summer?"

Somehow Harry knew she was going to ask that question. He shifted in his seat and looked at the door to see if anyone new had walked in. He sighed and replied, "No."

"No? No? Mr. Potter, I doubt that." McGonagall stared at Harry and noticed that he didn't seem to be lying. "Are you telling me that nothing's happened since Lord Voldemort came back into power?"

Harry looked at McGonagall squarely and said a little more clearly, "Nothing." He looked at the door any noticed two witches walk in. "I have to get going. I'll see you at school, Professor."

"Yes."

He got up and followed the witches to their table. "Can I get you anything?"

+~+~+

Rosetta handed Harry one Galleon once 7:00 hit and smiled at him sweetly. "Thank you for coming in today. You can go home now." Harry nodded and turned to leave when Rosetta cleared her throat. "Harry, I was wondering...on your Hogsmeade trips here, could you work on those days? It'll get crowded and we'll need some more people."

Harry brightened. "Yeah, of course." With that, he shook Rosetta's hand and then left. Once he walked through the door, he saw Felicity run across the living room hurriedly. He quickly ran up the stairs and watched Felicity who looked at him with full horror. "What's wrong?"

"Harry, you're late. Get your things quick!" Felicity said hastily, running past him.

With confusion, Harry slowly turned his head to the window and stared at the darkening sky. Sure enough, a full moon was slowly rising from behind the clouds. Lupin was surely turning into a werewolf and they both needed to leave quickly. So, he made a sprint to his bedroom, his trunk packed up tight, and pulled the trunk out of the room. Felicity picked it up with a spell and ran for the door.

There was a growl behind Harry and he couldn't help but turn around. Next thing he knew he was pinned down by the werewolf unmistaken to be Lupin.

"Harry!" Felicity cried out from the bottom of the steps. She stepped up the steps and cupped her hands over her mouth to see Harry on the ground with Lupin on top of him.

Harry looked up at Lupin, tears forming in his eyes as pain burst in his arms. His claw nails were punctured in his forearms. He let out a strangled moan and he let his head tip back on the ground. "Get off me." He managed.

Lupin glared into his eyes. He lifted his clawed hand from his now bleeding arm and slashed Harry right across the cheek. Harry went rolling to the side, but Lupin couldn't help but see the sparkles in Harry's dark eyes. They weren't in shapes of full moons, they were in shapes of nice waning crescent moons, glittering and beautiful. Suddenly, Lupin felt his body transform back into his human body.

"Remus," Felicity rasped, walking up to him and hugging his shaking body. "Remus, it's okay. It's okay."

However, Lupin wasn't okay. He pulled away from Felicity and fell to the ground next to Harry who was now on his side and shaking slightly as well. "Harry!" He rolled Harry over so he was on his back and on his left cheek were four, deep, nasty-looking scratches. "Harry, are you okay?"

Harry looked at Lupin and tried to smile but his cheek cried with agony. "I'm fine," he replied, standing up and examining his arms, ignoring the blood trying to pry its way past his lips. "Are you okay?"

"I don't understand," Lupin whispered, looking at the floor. "Why did I turn back?"

Felicity tugged on Harry's shirt and said, "We have to go. Quickly clean your cuts and we'll be on our way before Remus hurts someone." She turned to Lupin and hugged him. "Stay in your bedroom with the curtains closed. I put some of your potion in there. Take that and get some sleep."

Harry backed away and then went into the bathroom. He walked to Lupin's sink and splashed water upon his face. The blood was washed away and the cuts refused to bleed afterwards. It seemed that werewolf cuts acted differently. So, he walked out of the bathroom and followed Felicity out the door with a quick goodbye to Lupin. The goodbye had to be short; there was no telling what could happen next. Questions flooded Harry's brain with how Lupin changed back. Did he do it? Just the thought of it brought the tingling back into his scar and into his cheek.