Chapter 5 – Settling in

The majority of the Order had left 12 Grimmauld Place; all that remained was Harry, Ron, Hermione, Molly Weasley, Ginny, and Remus Lupin.

Molly was tidying up in the kitchen when she motioned towards them.

“Now come along dears, it is time for you to unpack your things, and before you go to your rooms, take these with you, Professor Dumbledore brought them along personally this evening, they are your Hogwarts supply lists and I was thinking that maybe tomorrow we could take a trip to Diagon Alley, I’m sure we could all do with the fresh air, is that alright with you Harry?”

Harry looked up at Molly, he could tell she was trying to keep his mind away from what happened at the end of last term, he smiled politely at her and couldn’t help but notice how much older she was looking, she looked tired.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Very good, well up you go now, me and Remus will get things tidied up down here.”

Molly gave each of them a big hug and kissed them on the cheek. “Have a restful night’s sleep and we will visit Diagon Alley after breakfast.”

Remus took hold of Harry by the shoulders and pulled him to one side.

“I’m staying here Harry, I hope you don’t mind but Professor Dumbledore assured me it was alright, I know it must be hard for you but I want you to know that I am here when you need me, we have plenty of time to talk things through, but you hold in there mate alright!”

“Thanks Remus, but I will be OK, Sirius wouldn’t have wanted me to mope around, I have done that since the end of term, I now know what I have to do, I can’t let him down.”

“You could never let him down, he was proud of you Harry, like we all are.”

Harry tried to fight back a tear; Remus felt he may have been too forthcoming and released his shoulders. “Now you lot go upstairs to bed, get plenty of rest as it will be a big day tomorrow.”

“Goodnight to you all”

Many goodnights and sweet dreams were exchanged as the four of them exited the kitchen.

Harry, Ron Hermione and Ginny slowly dragged their heavy trunks up the stairs, Harry opened the bedroom door to Sirius’ old room, a flood of emotion took its hold and a small gasp escaped from his throat. “Get yourself together Harry, he would not have wanted this.” he said quietly to himself.

Harry walked over to the low single bed where Sirius once lay and put down his trunk, after a few minutes he heard footsteps come from behind him, they entered the room.

Ron and Hermione both walked towards him, Hermione put a gentle hand on Harry’s shoulder while giving him an apologetic yet friendly smile.

Ron looked a little awkward, “You all right Harry?” asked Ron while fidgeting with his hands in his trouser pockets.

Yes, I’m fine, it’s just a little weird being here without him, but I have to get used to it, I have to keep a clear head right now.”

“You know we are always here if you need to talk.” said Hermione

“Thanks, but I’m fine, really.”

They thought it best to change the subject; Harry gestured for the both of them to sit on the bed.

“Did you see Snape’s face when he was wobbling all over the kitchen, it was bloody hilarious.” said a very excited Ron

Harry started laughing, “Please remind me to thank Fred and George when we next see them.”

“You do realise Snape saw us laughing, he is going to make our lives hell at Hogwarts this year, I really wish Fred and George didn’t do that to Snape, even though I admit it was rather amusing.”

“Could have been worse Mione, could have been one of us.” chuckled Ron

Hermione giggled “Well, yes that’s true.”

“Talking of Snape, what in the world’s name was that all about with him and Karis hugging like that, you don’t think they are together do you? What would she ever see in that slimy old git anyway?” said Ron

“I don’t know, but I have a feeling Harry will try and find out.” Hermione replied

“Why do you say that?” asked Harry

“Because I saw the way you looked at her, Snape noticed too, you have to be careful Harry, Dumbledore would not allow his Granddaughter to join the Order unless he had a very good reason, something big is coming and the Order knows it, Karis would have been last on his list to be here, think about it.”

“Hermione is right Harry, and after all we still don’t know why Snape is in the Order in the first place, what could he have done so important that Dumbledore trusts him, it’s a question that still hasn’t been answered, why are they protecting him?”

“I don’t know Ron, I will find out, I have to, maybe something will come up in occlumency I don’t know, but either way I will find the answer, and as for Karis, yes she’s nice but she is Dumbledore’s Grand daughter and maybe a little too old for me anyway and besides, after what happened with Cho, women are the last thing on my mind right now.”

Hermione burst out laughing, “Harry, you’re sixteen years old, don’t tell me women are the last thing on your mind, and you as well Ron for that matter because I know you both too well.”

Ron raised his eyebrows “I have no idea what you’re talking about Mione.”

“Oh you have no idea what I am talking about, well OK then, what about the letters you and Loony Luna Lovegood have been sending each-other over the holidays?”

“You have been going through my stuff!” shot Ron, looking very agitated and turning a deep shade of rose.

“No, actually Ginny told me.”

“I’m going to kill that sister of mine. Anyway nothing is going on with me and Luna, nothing at all, in fact she kept talking about Harry.”

Harry turned to Ron. “She’s been talking about me? What has she been saying?”

“Well she asked if you and Cho were really over and she kept going on about the DA, oh and how she wants to thank you for making the Quibbler so popular again after your exclusive interview. She kept saying how her Father is so elated because he was making Galleons, and that he may start another side project.”

“What, like how to find the abonable snowman?” shot Hermione

Ron chuckled, Harry rolled his eyes.

“That’s good, I’m pleased for her family, I like Luna, and she really helped us in the Department of Mysteries.

“You really like Loony Lovegood?” asked Hermione, quite incredulously.

“Don’t call her that, she’s not Loony, she’s just different, she feels like an outsider and I know that because she told me, it’s not her fault, and in ways I can relate to that.”

“Oh my, Harry and Luna, Malfoy would have a field day winding you up about that one.” said Ron.

Harry frowned, his eyes narrowed “Malfoy, wonder how his summer holiday break has been now his Death eater of a Father is behind Azkaban bars, I hope Lucius rots.”

“I just hope they stay behind bars Harry, now the Dementors have regained their position behind Voldemort, I don’t know how long Azkaban will remain standing, he is going to want to release his Death Eaters, more the merrier in his little reign of terror.” said Hermione

Ron piped up “The Order are working hard along with the Ministry of Magic, Fudge has many aurors on different shifts covering the prison. I heard Mum and Dad talking about it the other night, they thought I was asleep but instead I borrowed some of Fred and George’s extendable ears.”

“When Azkaban is targeted, I guess that is when we will really know.” said Hermione

Ron looked confused. “Know what?”

Harry knew what she meant and answered on her behalf. “That the war has started.”

“I thought the war was already here.” said Ron

“No it isn’t, if you think this is war now, you haven’t seen anything yet.” replied Harry.

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a short while, Hermione decided to break it.

“Anyway boys, I’m off to bed, I will be next door with Ginny, I will see you both at breakfast. Ron are you staying in here?”

Ron gave Harry a questioning look, Harry looked down at his feet.

“No, I will be in the other room where I used to share with Fred and George, I think Harry would like to be alone in here tonight.”

Harry gave Ron a thankful expression. “Goodnight, see you both in the morning.”

“Goodnight Harry” and they both left the room.

Harry lay down on his back and stared up at the ceiling, he was pleased he was alone in Sirius’ room, but he felt sad and there was a bitter emptiness in the pit of his stomach. “Why did you have to leave me Sirius?” he said aloud, hoping he would get an answer, but none

came.

Slowly after three agonising hours of tossing and turning, Harry finally drifted off to sleep.