I own nothing related Harry Potter. Pity really. The only things I own are Tala, and the story.
Chapter 1: Dream Catcher
It was a dull, gray summer day on Privet Drive. And it also happened to be Harry's sixteenth birthday. He was sitting in Mrs. Figg's cat-smelling parlor, sharing with her and what appeared to be a middle aged man with a buzz-cut, a cake that had been sent to him by Mrs. Weasley.
"She's such a good cook." Mrs. Figg sighed, feeding a small piece to one of her cats. "My cakes always taste like they've been in the refrigerator for a year."
"Now, now, Bella. You're a fine cook." The man said, patting her arm.
"That's nice of you to say, Tonks. My cats don't complain and that's all I worry about." She patted the head of the large, striped tabby on her lap. Tonks giggled, a surprisingly girlish giggle from such a masculine looking man.
"Stop that, it gives me the willies." Mrs. Figg shuddered. "It's bad enough that you come here looking like that in the first place."
"You don't like it?" Tonks asked playfully, running a hand over her bristly scalp. "I wore it just for you, you know. Then your neighbors can just think you have a gentleman caller."
Arabella Figg turned bright red, and Harry fought not to choke over laughing with cake in his mouth. She looked relieved when someone knocked on the door and she was able to escape the snickering duo.
As he helped himself to another piece of cake, Harry ruminated over how different this summer had been from the ones in the previous five years. He was able to keep in constant touch with the others in the wizarding world, and they let him know, as much as was safe, what was happening. And for the first time, he thought as he took a swig of cool milk to wash down his cake, he was almost having an actual birthday party. The closest he had had before was when he was eleven and Hagrid had come to collect him and take him to London.
"Sorry I'm late," Harry heard a light, pleasant voice say behind him and he turned to see Professor Lupin enter the room, removing his cloak. In his free hand he carried a small box. A moment later a woman that Harry did not recognize entered. She was followed by Mrs. Figg, who looked non-plussed to have so many guests at once. "Happy birthday, Harry," He said as Harry stood and took his hand. The witch behind him looked at Harry a bit shyly.
She was a fairly tall woman, with long dark brown hair falling down her back and coppery colored skin. Her high cheek-boned face was not exactly pretty, with a strong nose and tilted brilliantly green eyes, but attractive in its own way. Lupin noticed his scrutiny and stepped aside so he could introduce them. "Harry, this is Tala Snowfoot. She's...well..."
"I'm his girlfriend." She said suddenly. She stepped forward and took Harry's hands in her own. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Harry. Remus has told me so much about you."
Lupin looked a little out of sorts. He coughed uncomfortably as Harry gave him an incredulous look. "I met Tala during the holidays, and well, she was visiting from North America."
"And after I met Remus, I decided to stay." She finished, still looking a little shy. She moved to take Lupin's arm. "I can't visit long, though. That's why we're late. I wasn't sure if I would be able to come at all." She looked past Harry and smiled. "Hi Tonks." They had obviously met before.
"Wotcher, Tala." Tonks grinned back.
"She wanted to meet you, Harry." Lupin supplied. He glanced at the coppery-skinned woman, and she nodded, releasing his arm.
"I have to go now, I can't leave her for long. Happy birthday Harry." She said, and with a crack she dissapparated.
"Leave who for long?" Harry asked curiously.
"A woman, someone who I knew from school. She's staying at my house for a while." Remus said, not quite meeting Harry's eyes. The box in his hands gave a little twitch and he looked down, seemingly relieved. "Here, Harry. The two of us got this for your birthday." He handed Harry, who was stammering his thanks, the box, and moved to sit at the table, watching raptly.
The box proved to have two parts, one of which was a book, wrapped in plain paper. Harry set that aside for a moment, for the box had given another interesting twitch.
"Open it, Harry." Tonks urged, leaning forward eagerly.
He cautiously lifted the lid and peered in to see enormous golden eyes that glowed at him from within. "What...?" He pulled the lid off the rest of the way to reveal a small creature that looked like a cross between an owl and a koala. It was also bright violet in color. It chittered in interest as it looked up in Harry, its wings fluttering, then suddenly it jumped out of the box and skittered up Harry's arm, turning dark blue as it settled on his shoulder, its little paws curled around his neck. Harry twisted his head to look down on it in astonishment. "What...what is it?" He asked in a hushed voice.
"It's a chronogryffon." Lupin said, as Tonks and Mrs. Figg peered at it in fascination, cooing. It chittered at them and its color shifted to bright blue. It seemed to enjoy the attention, but didn't want to let go of Harry to enjoy their caresses.
"It's so cute." Tonks breathed.
Lupin continued. "They're creatures that change color according to their moods. They're great pets, intelligent and intensely loyal, they are also fiercely protective of their owners. The book," He gestured towards the thin package lying on the table. "Will tell you what colors coincide to what moods. I can tell you a few of the more common ones. Blue, is happiness, red is anger, yellow is fear, and black is when it senses intense danger to its owner."
Harry looked at the furry little creature hugging his neck, and smiled. It looked up at him and almost seemed to smile back, the blue color intensifying. "It seems he likes you, Harry." Lupin grinned.
"What's his name?" Harry asked, cautiously patting the furry little creature, amazed at how soft his fur was.
"That's up to you, Harry. But he'll only answer to the name you give him." He leaned back in his chair, thanking Mrs. Figg as she placed a plate of cake and a glass of milk before him. "He's very young, a pup really, but chronos mature slowly. In about fifty years he'll reach full size and weigh about thirty pounds."
The little creature was purring and Harry found the sound comforting. "Thank you Professor." He said with feeling. "He's great." He thought for a moment, "I remember reading a name somewhere, I think it was in 'History of Magic.' What do you think of the name Durriken?" He asked Lupin.
"Ask the little fellow." Lupin smiled.
"Do you want to be called Durriken?" Harry good-humoredly asked the little creature. It squeaked, and flashed like a rainbow for a second before settling into a bright blue. "I'm thinking that that is a yes." He grinned. "Will he respond to Durry, too?"
Lupin smiled from where he was finishing his cake. "Fink so." He muttered around a mouthful.
"Professor," Harry started, then paused. Lupin looked at him questioningly. "Is...is it..." He stumbled to a halt, "Where did you meet Tala?" He finished lamely.
Lupin wiped his mouth on his napkin, looking about at the interested faces. "Well, I ran into her one day, literally. And we had lunch."
"Er...is she a werewolf too?" Lupin shook his head negatively. "Does she know?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Lupin raised his eyebrows, his face mild. "She knew even before we met. She's a researcher in werewolf studies." His eyes blazed with something Harry didn't quite recognize. "An amazing woman, really. Marvelous at potion brewing, have to be in her line of work."
"Sounds serious." Tonks remarked cheerfully.
"Yes, yes it is." Lupin said, blushing faintly.
Harry tried to see if Durry liked chocolate cake. "Professor," He said finally. "Is it safe?" He asked, avoiding Lupin's gaze.
"She says it is, and she should know. I guess I still haven't outgrown taking risks, but we're taking them together." Lupin looked mildly embarrassed at this line of discussion.
"Oh, Harry..." He said off-handedly, and Harry looked up from where Durry was licking chocolate off his round black nose. "Want to visit America for a couple of weeks before the holidays end? We're going to visit Tala's parents and take some important information to the American Session. I asked Dumbledore, and he said it would be all right if we took you, Ron and Hermione. Moody will be coming too, doesn't want you traipsing around a foreign country without his security." Lupin grimaced good-naturedly as Tonks giggled.
"When do we leave?" Harry asked eagerly, as Durry settled on top of his head, purring sleepily.
"How does tomorrow night sound?"
"Wonderful." Harry breathed, the sooner he could leave the Dursley's house the better.
Harry persuaded Durry to get back into his box as he left Mrs. Figg's house, and he walked to the Dursley's trying hard not to joggle it. Durry was squeaking softly, obviously wanting to be allowed back out and Harry tried to soothe him, thinking the quieter they could get into the house and up to his room the better. Unfortunately he had no such luck. Uncle Vernon was waiting for him as he walked in the door, bellowing something about owls and cats and Harry couldn't understand a word of it. The box in his hands jumped as Vernon told Harry off, and that set him onto something else.
"And what the DEVIL is THAT?!" He yelled, his face turning purple.
"It's a birthday present." Harry said calmly. He didn't let Uncle Vernon bother him any more. He knew that if he was punished unfairly, and he was quite sure Uncle Vernon knew it too, then a whole bunch of his friends in the wizarding world would swoop down to make sure it didn't happen again. And that, Harry knew, was something his Uncle would want to avoid more than the plague. The box jiggled again. "I don't think he likes you yelling, Uncle Vernon."
Uncle Vernon backed away a few steps before he could help himself. "You better, you better keep it under control, boy." He said harshly, probably expecting that the box contained a giant cobra, though it was far too small, or something of the sort. Harry knew that even if his Uncle saw how unavoidably cute it was he would treat it like a venomous snake.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I think he will be alright, just doesn't like loud noises." Harry grinned as his Uncle turned pale. "Oh, by the way," He said as he moved up the stairs, his Uncle backing into the wall to give the box in Harry's hands a wide berth, "I'll be leaving for the Americas tomorrow."
"And why should I let you -- ?!," Uncle Vernon said, staring at the box as it gave another little quiver, obviously considering that Harry's plane might crash or his boat sink in the middle of the Pacific ocean, taking his new pet with him.
"A couple of wizards will be coming to pick me up tomorrow," Harry said quietly, "I believe you've met them before." Then he moved up the stairs, ignoring the way his Uncle's mouth was opening and closing like that of a large fish behind him.
Finally he heard Uncle Vernon's voice echoing up the stairs. "I don't expect to see you again until after the holidays and don't expect us to see you off either."
"I wasn't." Harry murmured, closing the door behind him. Hedwig was waiting for him, hooting softly, as he entered. A letter lay near her feet. "Hey, Hedwig." He placed the box on the bed and lay the book beside it. "This is Durry," He said, lifting off the lid and watching as the little chronogryffon soared out and circled the room, he was a pale purple at the moment. Hedwig watched with her head tilted to the side. Finally Durry seemed to notice her and he landed, a bit ungainly, before her, stepping forward cautiously. She looked down at the little creature regally. Finally she hooted softly and Durry brightened to a sky blue, squeaking at her. Harry watched this with much interest, curious about how the two of them would get along. Apparently Hedwig thought she had been greeted with the proper deference, for she nibbled one of Durry's ears gently, causing the little creature to chitter contentedly.
Harry, content that the two of them were getting along, sat down and opened the book. As the cover opened a small piece of parchment fell out,
Dear Harry,
As I know I would not have told you this in person, I'm including this note to let you know that your new pet is not just from Tala and I, but was procured by Sirius last spring before he had even hatched. So please consider this a present from the three of us.
Regards,
Remus
Harry let the note fall into his lap, and he watched Durry soar around the room, as graceful in flight as he was ungainly on the ground. His vision was strangely blurred, and he reached up a hand to wipe at his eyes, amazed to find tears there. That Sirius had been thinking of his next birthday so long before...
How he missed his godfather, the one he had regarded as a father and a brother, even though he had only known of his existence for a short while before he lost him. Often he dreamed of Sirius, falling backwards, slowly, behind the veil. He always woke from those dreams shuddering, with his face damp.
Durry flew down and landed lightly on his shoulder, his color flushed with pale rose. He put his tiny arms around Harry's neck, touching his jaw with his cold nose, before settling down and purring his way to sleep. Harry stroked Durry's back gently as he picked up the book, titled 'Chronogryffons: You and your Lifelong companion.'
"Thank you Sirius." Harry murmured as he settled back to read, listening to Hedwig settling down with her head beneath her wing and Durry breathing on his shoulder.
The next morning Harry began to pack, piling his books and his robes into his trunk along with all the rest of his school things. Durry hopped around the room, chittering excitedly. The night before, he had learned that chronogryffons were very sensitive to their master's emotion, and apparently his excitement was rubbing off on his new pet. Hedwig watched this impassively, settled on the windowsill. Though as Harry passed she hooted at him, scuffling over to reveal the letter he had forgotten about from the night before. It was his Hogwarts letter, and looked a bit thicker than usual. He looked fondly at the familiar green ink and broke the seal, revealing his new book list, and the results of his O.W.L. examinations. He looked at the list with excitement and some trepidation. This was it. Whatever the results of his exams would determine whether or not he could become an Auror.
He slowly read it out-loud, as though this would make the results real.
"Practical Examination results: Care of Magical Creatures, Outstanding. Divination," He grimaced. "Poor." Harry considered that acceptable, since he hadn't even finished the exam, nor the following one. "Astronomy, Poor." He had been hoping that they had made an exception, considering the circumstances surrounding the exam. Unfortunately, as he now saw, they hadn't. "Transfiguration, Outstanding." That was particularly in thanks to Professor McGonagall's intensive help, and her vow to see him become an Auror. "Charms, Outstanding. Defense against the Dark Arts, Outstanding." He grinned, even though he had expected that one. "Herbology, Exceeds Expectations." And finally, Potions. He squeezed his eyes shut, afraid to look, but he knew he had to. One eye opened a crack, and found the result. "I don't believe it," He muttered. "Potions, Exceeds Expectations." He was elated for one moment, then his face fell. He recalled that Professor McGonagall had told him Snape didn't accept any students who didn't receive an Outstanding on their Potions exams. He looked down, seeing his dream of becoming an Auror slipping away from him.
A moment later he sighed and read the rest of the list. "Written Examinations: Care of Magical Creatures, Outstanding; Astronomy, Acceptable; Transfiguration, Exceeds Expectations; Charms, Outstanding; Defense Against the Dark Arts; Outstanding." He had been expecting that one, but seeing it in writing still gave him a warm flush. "Herbology, Exceeds Expectations; Potions, Outstanding." Well that was something. He supposed that thirteen OWLs was nothing to sneeze at.
As night fell Harry sat at his window looking out at the rapidly appearing stars. He watched as a particularly bright one appeared and recognized it from his studies in Astronomy. It was Sirius, the dog star. Unbidden, tears started in his eyes and his chest felt so tight that he was sure if he tried to breath he would explode. He needed to get out of the house. He took his wand and stuck it inside his t-shirt then left the room, walking past the Dursleys, who were sitting in the living room ignoring him. Well, almost ignoring him. "You had better hope those friends of yours come here looking normal." Uncle Vernon called after him as he stomped his way out the door. Once outside he stood on the lawn and looked up, closing his eyes and letting the cool breeze dry his face.
Sometimes on nights like these, he could feel the emptiness like a black hole in his soul. For a short, blissful while it was almost as though he had had a family. Someone who he could talk to and who would actually listen. Someone he loved like he could never love the Dursleys. And in one moment that had been taken from him. He had lost Sirius.
His shoulders slumped as though the heavy load he bore was a tangible thing. He had never asked for the responsibility that he had been given before he was even born. But now he knew, he must not shirk it, no matter how hard or terrible the task may be. He had decided, in the silence of his room, looking at a copy of the order picture that Moody had sent him, looking at those smiling faces, most of which had lost their lives, that he would not fail. He couldn't. And if he were to die he would do his best to take Voldemort down with him. He did not want anyone, in another decade or two, to have to look at a picture like the one he held, and to know the grief that he felt. He felt in his pocket for the picture, smiling most grimly. He kept it with him as a reminder.
He was sitting on the garden bench, his elbows on his knees, when they started arriving. The first was Lupin, he walked up and clasped Harry on the shoulder before sitting next to him. "The rest will be coming shortly." He said quietly. Then he, too, lapsed into silence. Harry glanced at him surreptitiously, wondering what his former Professor was thinking. Sirius had been Lupin's and Harry's father's best friend from school. He knew that Lupin had loved him as least as much as Harry had, having been like a brother to the animagus. Harry knew he wasn't the only one suffering from the loss of Sirius, but Lupin didn't also carry the guilt that Harry felt. Harry was glad that Lupin didn't feel the need to fill the silence with words.
The next to arrive was Moody, towing behind him Hermione, Ron, and, surprisingly, Ginny. They smiled nervously at Harry as he and Lupin stood up to greet them. "I'll go up and help you grab your things then, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Sure, come on." He said, grabbing his best friend's shoulder in a friendly clasp before heading inside. They moved past the suddenly still living room, where the Dursleys froze as though small rodents in the presence of a large hawk.
"I had to resist the urge to say 'Boo!'" Ron whispered to Harry as they moved up the stairs. Harry chuckled.
He and Ron heaved the trunk downstairs before Harry returned for Hedwig and the small box containing Durry. "What's that?" Ron asked curiously.
"New pet." Harry grinned. "Professor Lupin and his girlfriend gave him to me for my birthday." He still didn't feel up to discussing his godfather.
"Lupin has a girlfriend?" Ron whispered, as they passed the living room. Harry nodded. "Weird." Ron looked positively stunned. "I guess I never thought of Professors having girlfriends, but then I never thought of werewolves having girlfriends either." The couch twitched at the sound of the word werewolf uttered in the sleepy normality of Privet Drive. "Can I have a look?" He asked eagerly. They were now on the front lawn.
"Er." Harry said, "This may not be a good place."
"No worries." Ron said, still looking eagerly at the box, "We're leaving from Mrs. Figg's house. You can show me there?"
"Sure." Harry said.
They gathered Harry's things and Lupin bewitched Harry's trunk so it was easier to carry. Then they moved off down the street, where they were met by Mrs. Figg, clutching her carpetbag and with a cat winding around her ankles. "Hi again Harry," She smiled. As they moved inside, Harry wondered how they were going to get to wherever they were going. He gulped at the thought of the Knight Bus. And he knew he wasn't yet old enough to Apparate. And his broom, as far as he knew, was still chained up in one of Snape's dungeons. The broom that Sirius had given to him. His hands tightened on the box, and he heard Durry give a little chirp.
They entered the kitchen and Harry saw a most welcome sight. It was his Firebolt, he would have recognized it anywhere. He set Durry's box on the table and rushed over to it with an exclamation, taking it in his hands and examining it. It looked none the worse for wear for being locked up for several months. "Dumbledore liberated it from the dungeons," Ron supplied. Ron, Lupin and Ginny grinned at him understandingly, but Hermione was more intrigued by the small box than by Harry's attention to his long missed broom.
"What's this Harry?" She asked. Harry turned at looked at her, his hands still clutching his beloved broom. He blinked, she looked different, older, more mature. He hadn't noticed before.
"Yeah Harry, what is it?" Ginny asked, her brown eyes sparkling with curiosity. Her hair was longer, he thought. He wondered if she was still going out with Dean.
He glanced between the two of them, then smiled, "Go ahead and open it."
"It's not something dangerous, is it?" Ginny asked. Harry shook his head. And, satisfied, she turned and peeled back the lid to reveal the little chronogryffon. "It's so...CUTE!" She almost squealed.
"His name's Durriken." Harry supplied.
"Is it a chronogryffon?" Hermoine asked, her own eyes sparkling as she moved forward to pet the little creature's head.
"Indeed, it is." Lupin remarked, smiling at her, "What can you tell me about them?" He asked, much as he used to when he taught Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Well," She thought for a moment. "They're very rare and they're color-shifters. Their colors change according to their moods, and sometimes according to the moods of their owners. They are extremely loyal, and can be protective. Oh, and one more thing. They're sometimes called Dream Catchers because they help guard their owners from bad dreams. " She stated. Harry looked over at the little creature, he had known of the dual purpose that Lupin and Sirius had intended in giving him Durry when he had read that in his book on chronogryffons the night before.
"Very good, ten points Gryffindor." Lupin laughed.
"Now that we've finished cooing over broomsticks and small furry creatures," Moody rumbled suddenly, "We really need to be on our way. Harry, you remember the drill from last time. Only this time we're going to have to be more careful because we don't have quite as big an escort as I would like." He frowned over that ferociously. "We will be first going to Remus' house to pick up the last one in our party. Then," He pulled a map out of one of his pockets and smoothed it on the table. His large gnarled finger traced a route, "We will be going to a wizarding port on the coast, where we will catch out ship." Harry had been wondering how they were going to get across the ocean. "Ready! Let's go!" He bellowed, shoving the map back in his coat and grabbing his broom.
"See you, Arabella!" Lupin called as they secured Harry's trunk to his broom and Harry attached Durry's box to his Firebolt and they kicked off. Harry looked back once as they zoomed off and he thought he saw a small blonde woman standing next to Mrs. Figg. A moment later the two of them had disappeared. She had had, Harry thought, as they rose above the clouds, heading off to their next destination, the saddest face that he had ever seen. He was unable to ask about her, though, or why no one had told him she was there.
Lupin's house was a small brick cottage in the English countryside. They touched down on his lawn as the first rays of sunlight touched the horizon. "Right." Moody called. "We'll be staying here until tomorrow night, then, after a stop at Diagon Alley to pick up some supplies, we're heading off."
Professor Lupin escorted them around to his front door, where Tala was waiting. "Hi dear," She said, hugging him and kissing his cheek. Then she hugged Harry and, surprisingly, Moody, who flushed lightly on his scarred face as she kissed his cheek. Lupin slung his arm around her shoulders as he turned to introduce the rest of them. "Tala, this is Ronald Weasley, and his sister Ginny."
"Arthur and Molly's children." She said warmly, as she shook their hands, "Or at least two of them."
"And this is Hermione Granger." Lupin continued. "Top student at Hogwarts."
Hermione blushed at the compliment as she also shook Tala's hand. "Pleased to meet you." She murmured.
"Why don't you all come inside and have a bit of breakfast. Then you may want to catch some sleep, we'll have a long journey night after this." Lupin said and he led them indoors.
The cottage was somewhat larger on the inside than it was from without, but it still had a homey, cozy feel to it. Tala settled them all down along a well worn oak table that had been polished to a honey glow and busied herself with serving breakfast. Between mouthfuls, Harry looked around the house. It was filled with furniture that, like Lupin's robes, was somewhat shabby but well cared for. As in all the wizard houses he had been in so far, this one had its share of odd accoutrements, including a clock that had no numbers, but instead showed the phases of the moon. Harry supposed that was useful in the home of a werewolf. He saw stairs leading up to a second floor, but he would have sworn, when he had seen the house from the outside, that it was only one story. Harry turned back from his examination to find that his plate was empty and he had to stifle a yawn as the rest of them were finishing up. When they were all full and content, Tala shooed the younger ones out of the kitchen, telling them that their rooms were at the top of the stairs in case they were tired.
"Oh, and if you go outside y'all would do better to stay clear of the woods." This was said with a glance at Remus, and they understood immediately. The young witches and wizards exchanged glances.
"Okay, Tala." Hermione agreed for them. And the tall, coppery witch left with a final smile, assumedly to return to the kitchen and talks they could not yet be privy to. With that, their tiredness aside, they set off to do a bit of exploring, making sure their wands were kept close at hand. Durry perched on Harry's shoulder as they walked.
"Professor Lupin lives in a nice house." Ginny commented as they walked a short way into the gardens. They were a strange mixture of rigid flowerbeds and wild tangles with, incongruously, a cactus here and there. Suspended from the large branches of a great oak in what seemed to be the center, was a large swing, long enough to accommodate all of them provided they didn't mind a bit of a squeeze. They didn't and soon the four of them were rocking gently in the crisply scented breeze. The combination of the wind and the gentle movement soon set all four of them off to sleep.
Harry at first didn't realize that he had, in fact, succumbed to slumber. He was still on the swing, but now he was alone. For a moment he thought that they had gone off and left him to his nap, but then the surrealism of a dream presented itself in the form of a large black dog sitting in the midst of a patch of violent red flowers.
"Sirius?" Harry whispered, though he knew that it couldn't be. The sky darkened above him, and he saw the dog roll his eyes to the sky. There the moon hung heavy and silver among rushing pewter clouds. Harry looked back down and saw that it was indeed his godfather, standing there in his human form, looking young and healthy, both in fact, more so than Harry ever remembered him being. And behind him, there was now a doorway, ancient stone, containing a rippling veil. It looked doubly strange, standing there unsupported in the midst of a patch of bright flowers.
"Sirius!" Harry cried, standing and starting to run towards the tall, black haired man. He stopped when Sirius held up a hand, grinning his broad grin. And at last he spoke.
"You must do what she cannot." He said, and his eyes looked over Harry's shoulder and there was an expression that Harry couldn't quite decipher in them. Harry turned, and behind him he saw a small blond woman, beckoning to his godfather. She was swathed in gray and seemed to be hiding something beneath a fold of her robes. Her face was the saddest that Harry had ever seen.
"What do you mean, Sirius?" Harry said, turning around, but his godfather was gone, leaving only the thinly rippling veil in the windless air. "No!" Harry yelled.
"I'll see you again." Came a hushed murmur from behind the veil, "We'll wait for you."
"Sirius, come back, come back!"
"Harry. Harry?" Someone said softly, and he jerked back from the depths of slumber. He was aware of someone's hand stroking his messy hair back from his forehead, someone pressing against his side. His eyes flew open and met the warm brown ones belonging to Ginny. It was she pressing against him. He looked past her and saw Hermione and Ron still sleeping, Hermione's head lolling onto Ron's shoulder.
"Are you all right, Harry?" She asked quietly. "It seemed like you were having a bad dream."
"No," He said. "I'm fine." He looked away from her, uneasy over how deep her eyes were. There he saw Durry, perched on a low branch and watching him intently. The little creature spun through several different colors before settling on gray.
'Gray' Harry wondered, 'What exactly did that color, or lack of, mean?'
"Harry," His attention was drawn back to the red-head crushed in next to him. "Maybe we should wake the others and go inside." She seemed really concerned about him, and he wondered if he had said anything while he was sleeping. "It's alright, Harry." Ginny said as though she could read his thoughts. "I know you miss him terribly. I do too, he was a great friend and a great person."
Harry wasn't sure he wanted to talk about this right now, so he only nodded and stood up. The swing jogged as he did so. Ron snorted sleepily and opened his eyes.
"What?" He asked, confused. He looked down at Hermione's head on his shoulder and blushed as red as his hair. He looked astounded, but also rather pleased.
"Why don't you wake up Hermione, Ron? We're going to head back." Ginny suggested.
Ron stared at her, then back at Hermione, who snuggled closer to him. "You know..." He cleared his throat. "I think that we will...er...just stay here for a while. Be a shame to wake her up, right?" He looked pleadingly at Harry, who had to stifle a laugh behind his hand.
"Yeah, I think you're right, Ron." He agreed. "C'mon Ginny, let's go see if we can overhear something."
She shot a smile a him, a very lovely smile, he thought, and he nervously reached a hand up to helplessly smooth his untamable hair. "Sure," She said, and they walked down across the garden paths, shooting glances back over their shoulders occasionally, then breaking into laughter when they caught each other's eyes.
"I hope there is a POSITIVE reaction from her when she does wake up." Ginny commented through her chuckles.
"With the two of them, you never know."
Thus ends Chapter one. Please, please, please Read and Review.
Chapter 1: Dream Catcher
It was a dull, gray summer day on Privet Drive. And it also happened to be Harry's sixteenth birthday. He was sitting in Mrs. Figg's cat-smelling parlor, sharing with her and what appeared to be a middle aged man with a buzz-cut, a cake that had been sent to him by Mrs. Weasley.
"She's such a good cook." Mrs. Figg sighed, feeding a small piece to one of her cats. "My cakes always taste like they've been in the refrigerator for a year."
"Now, now, Bella. You're a fine cook." The man said, patting her arm.
"That's nice of you to say, Tonks. My cats don't complain and that's all I worry about." She patted the head of the large, striped tabby on her lap. Tonks giggled, a surprisingly girlish giggle from such a masculine looking man.
"Stop that, it gives me the willies." Mrs. Figg shuddered. "It's bad enough that you come here looking like that in the first place."
"You don't like it?" Tonks asked playfully, running a hand over her bristly scalp. "I wore it just for you, you know. Then your neighbors can just think you have a gentleman caller."
Arabella Figg turned bright red, and Harry fought not to choke over laughing with cake in his mouth. She looked relieved when someone knocked on the door and she was able to escape the snickering duo.
As he helped himself to another piece of cake, Harry ruminated over how different this summer had been from the ones in the previous five years. He was able to keep in constant touch with the others in the wizarding world, and they let him know, as much as was safe, what was happening. And for the first time, he thought as he took a swig of cool milk to wash down his cake, he was almost having an actual birthday party. The closest he had had before was when he was eleven and Hagrid had come to collect him and take him to London.
"Sorry I'm late," Harry heard a light, pleasant voice say behind him and he turned to see Professor Lupin enter the room, removing his cloak. In his free hand he carried a small box. A moment later a woman that Harry did not recognize entered. She was followed by Mrs. Figg, who looked non-plussed to have so many guests at once. "Happy birthday, Harry," He said as Harry stood and took his hand. The witch behind him looked at Harry a bit shyly.
She was a fairly tall woman, with long dark brown hair falling down her back and coppery colored skin. Her high cheek-boned face was not exactly pretty, with a strong nose and tilted brilliantly green eyes, but attractive in its own way. Lupin noticed his scrutiny and stepped aside so he could introduce them. "Harry, this is Tala Snowfoot. She's...well..."
"I'm his girlfriend." She said suddenly. She stepped forward and took Harry's hands in her own. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Harry. Remus has told me so much about you."
Lupin looked a little out of sorts. He coughed uncomfortably as Harry gave him an incredulous look. "I met Tala during the holidays, and well, she was visiting from North America."
"And after I met Remus, I decided to stay." She finished, still looking a little shy. She moved to take Lupin's arm. "I can't visit long, though. That's why we're late. I wasn't sure if I would be able to come at all." She looked past Harry and smiled. "Hi Tonks." They had obviously met before.
"Wotcher, Tala." Tonks grinned back.
"She wanted to meet you, Harry." Lupin supplied. He glanced at the coppery-skinned woman, and she nodded, releasing his arm.
"I have to go now, I can't leave her for long. Happy birthday Harry." She said, and with a crack she dissapparated.
"Leave who for long?" Harry asked curiously.
"A woman, someone who I knew from school. She's staying at my house for a while." Remus said, not quite meeting Harry's eyes. The box in his hands gave a little twitch and he looked down, seemingly relieved. "Here, Harry. The two of us got this for your birthday." He handed Harry, who was stammering his thanks, the box, and moved to sit at the table, watching raptly.
The box proved to have two parts, one of which was a book, wrapped in plain paper. Harry set that aside for a moment, for the box had given another interesting twitch.
"Open it, Harry." Tonks urged, leaning forward eagerly.
He cautiously lifted the lid and peered in to see enormous golden eyes that glowed at him from within. "What...?" He pulled the lid off the rest of the way to reveal a small creature that looked like a cross between an owl and a koala. It was also bright violet in color. It chittered in interest as it looked up in Harry, its wings fluttering, then suddenly it jumped out of the box and skittered up Harry's arm, turning dark blue as it settled on his shoulder, its little paws curled around his neck. Harry twisted his head to look down on it in astonishment. "What...what is it?" He asked in a hushed voice.
"It's a chronogryffon." Lupin said, as Tonks and Mrs. Figg peered at it in fascination, cooing. It chittered at them and its color shifted to bright blue. It seemed to enjoy the attention, but didn't want to let go of Harry to enjoy their caresses.
"It's so cute." Tonks breathed.
Lupin continued. "They're creatures that change color according to their moods. They're great pets, intelligent and intensely loyal, they are also fiercely protective of their owners. The book," He gestured towards the thin package lying on the table. "Will tell you what colors coincide to what moods. I can tell you a few of the more common ones. Blue, is happiness, red is anger, yellow is fear, and black is when it senses intense danger to its owner."
Harry looked at the furry little creature hugging his neck, and smiled. It looked up at him and almost seemed to smile back, the blue color intensifying. "It seems he likes you, Harry." Lupin grinned.
"What's his name?" Harry asked, cautiously patting the furry little creature, amazed at how soft his fur was.
"That's up to you, Harry. But he'll only answer to the name you give him." He leaned back in his chair, thanking Mrs. Figg as she placed a plate of cake and a glass of milk before him. "He's very young, a pup really, but chronos mature slowly. In about fifty years he'll reach full size and weigh about thirty pounds."
The little creature was purring and Harry found the sound comforting. "Thank you Professor." He said with feeling. "He's great." He thought for a moment, "I remember reading a name somewhere, I think it was in 'History of Magic.' What do you think of the name Durriken?" He asked Lupin.
"Ask the little fellow." Lupin smiled.
"Do you want to be called Durriken?" Harry good-humoredly asked the little creature. It squeaked, and flashed like a rainbow for a second before settling into a bright blue. "I'm thinking that that is a yes." He grinned. "Will he respond to Durry, too?"
Lupin smiled from where he was finishing his cake. "Fink so." He muttered around a mouthful.
"Professor," Harry started, then paused. Lupin looked at him questioningly. "Is...is it..." He stumbled to a halt, "Where did you meet Tala?" He finished lamely.
Lupin wiped his mouth on his napkin, looking about at the interested faces. "Well, I ran into her one day, literally. And we had lunch."
"Er...is she a werewolf too?" Lupin shook his head negatively. "Does she know?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Lupin raised his eyebrows, his face mild. "She knew even before we met. She's a researcher in werewolf studies." His eyes blazed with something Harry didn't quite recognize. "An amazing woman, really. Marvelous at potion brewing, have to be in her line of work."
"Sounds serious." Tonks remarked cheerfully.
"Yes, yes it is." Lupin said, blushing faintly.
Harry tried to see if Durry liked chocolate cake. "Professor," He said finally. "Is it safe?" He asked, avoiding Lupin's gaze.
"She says it is, and she should know. I guess I still haven't outgrown taking risks, but we're taking them together." Lupin looked mildly embarrassed at this line of discussion.
"Oh, Harry..." He said off-handedly, and Harry looked up from where Durry was licking chocolate off his round black nose. "Want to visit America for a couple of weeks before the holidays end? We're going to visit Tala's parents and take some important information to the American Session. I asked Dumbledore, and he said it would be all right if we took you, Ron and Hermione. Moody will be coming too, doesn't want you traipsing around a foreign country without his security." Lupin grimaced good-naturedly as Tonks giggled.
"When do we leave?" Harry asked eagerly, as Durry settled on top of his head, purring sleepily.
"How does tomorrow night sound?"
"Wonderful." Harry breathed, the sooner he could leave the Dursley's house the better.
Harry persuaded Durry to get back into his box as he left Mrs. Figg's house, and he walked to the Dursley's trying hard not to joggle it. Durry was squeaking softly, obviously wanting to be allowed back out and Harry tried to soothe him, thinking the quieter they could get into the house and up to his room the better. Unfortunately he had no such luck. Uncle Vernon was waiting for him as he walked in the door, bellowing something about owls and cats and Harry couldn't understand a word of it. The box in his hands jumped as Vernon told Harry off, and that set him onto something else.
"And what the DEVIL is THAT?!" He yelled, his face turning purple.
"It's a birthday present." Harry said calmly. He didn't let Uncle Vernon bother him any more. He knew that if he was punished unfairly, and he was quite sure Uncle Vernon knew it too, then a whole bunch of his friends in the wizarding world would swoop down to make sure it didn't happen again. And that, Harry knew, was something his Uncle would want to avoid more than the plague. The box jiggled again. "I don't think he likes you yelling, Uncle Vernon."
Uncle Vernon backed away a few steps before he could help himself. "You better, you better keep it under control, boy." He said harshly, probably expecting that the box contained a giant cobra, though it was far too small, or something of the sort. Harry knew that even if his Uncle saw how unavoidably cute it was he would treat it like a venomous snake.
"Don't worry, Uncle. I think he will be alright, just doesn't like loud noises." Harry grinned as his Uncle turned pale. "Oh, by the way," He said as he moved up the stairs, his Uncle backing into the wall to give the box in Harry's hands a wide berth, "I'll be leaving for the Americas tomorrow."
"And why should I let you -- ?!," Uncle Vernon said, staring at the box as it gave another little quiver, obviously considering that Harry's plane might crash or his boat sink in the middle of the Pacific ocean, taking his new pet with him.
"A couple of wizards will be coming to pick me up tomorrow," Harry said quietly, "I believe you've met them before." Then he moved up the stairs, ignoring the way his Uncle's mouth was opening and closing like that of a large fish behind him.
Finally he heard Uncle Vernon's voice echoing up the stairs. "I don't expect to see you again until after the holidays and don't expect us to see you off either."
"I wasn't." Harry murmured, closing the door behind him. Hedwig was waiting for him, hooting softly, as he entered. A letter lay near her feet. "Hey, Hedwig." He placed the box on the bed and lay the book beside it. "This is Durry," He said, lifting off the lid and watching as the little chronogryffon soared out and circled the room, he was a pale purple at the moment. Hedwig watched with her head tilted to the side. Finally Durry seemed to notice her and he landed, a bit ungainly, before her, stepping forward cautiously. She looked down at the little creature regally. Finally she hooted softly and Durry brightened to a sky blue, squeaking at her. Harry watched this with much interest, curious about how the two of them would get along. Apparently Hedwig thought she had been greeted with the proper deference, for she nibbled one of Durry's ears gently, causing the little creature to chitter contentedly.
Harry, content that the two of them were getting along, sat down and opened the book. As the cover opened a small piece of parchment fell out,
Dear Harry,
As I know I would not have told you this in person, I'm including this note to let you know that your new pet is not just from Tala and I, but was procured by Sirius last spring before he had even hatched. So please consider this a present from the three of us.
Regards,
Remus
Harry let the note fall into his lap, and he watched Durry soar around the room, as graceful in flight as he was ungainly on the ground. His vision was strangely blurred, and he reached up a hand to wipe at his eyes, amazed to find tears there. That Sirius had been thinking of his next birthday so long before...
How he missed his godfather, the one he had regarded as a father and a brother, even though he had only known of his existence for a short while before he lost him. Often he dreamed of Sirius, falling backwards, slowly, behind the veil. He always woke from those dreams shuddering, with his face damp.
Durry flew down and landed lightly on his shoulder, his color flushed with pale rose. He put his tiny arms around Harry's neck, touching his jaw with his cold nose, before settling down and purring his way to sleep. Harry stroked Durry's back gently as he picked up the book, titled 'Chronogryffons: You and your Lifelong companion.'
"Thank you Sirius." Harry murmured as he settled back to read, listening to Hedwig settling down with her head beneath her wing and Durry breathing on his shoulder.
The next morning Harry began to pack, piling his books and his robes into his trunk along with all the rest of his school things. Durry hopped around the room, chittering excitedly. The night before, he had learned that chronogryffons were very sensitive to their master's emotion, and apparently his excitement was rubbing off on his new pet. Hedwig watched this impassively, settled on the windowsill. Though as Harry passed she hooted at him, scuffling over to reveal the letter he had forgotten about from the night before. It was his Hogwarts letter, and looked a bit thicker than usual. He looked fondly at the familiar green ink and broke the seal, revealing his new book list, and the results of his O.W.L. examinations. He looked at the list with excitement and some trepidation. This was it. Whatever the results of his exams would determine whether or not he could become an Auror.
He slowly read it out-loud, as though this would make the results real.
"Practical Examination results: Care of Magical Creatures, Outstanding. Divination," He grimaced. "Poor." Harry considered that acceptable, since he hadn't even finished the exam, nor the following one. "Astronomy, Poor." He had been hoping that they had made an exception, considering the circumstances surrounding the exam. Unfortunately, as he now saw, they hadn't. "Transfiguration, Outstanding." That was particularly in thanks to Professor McGonagall's intensive help, and her vow to see him become an Auror. "Charms, Outstanding. Defense against the Dark Arts, Outstanding." He grinned, even though he had expected that one. "Herbology, Exceeds Expectations." And finally, Potions. He squeezed his eyes shut, afraid to look, but he knew he had to. One eye opened a crack, and found the result. "I don't believe it," He muttered. "Potions, Exceeds Expectations." He was elated for one moment, then his face fell. He recalled that Professor McGonagall had told him Snape didn't accept any students who didn't receive an Outstanding on their Potions exams. He looked down, seeing his dream of becoming an Auror slipping away from him.
A moment later he sighed and read the rest of the list. "Written Examinations: Care of Magical Creatures, Outstanding; Astronomy, Acceptable; Transfiguration, Exceeds Expectations; Charms, Outstanding; Defense Against the Dark Arts; Outstanding." He had been expecting that one, but seeing it in writing still gave him a warm flush. "Herbology, Exceeds Expectations; Potions, Outstanding." Well that was something. He supposed that thirteen OWLs was nothing to sneeze at.
As night fell Harry sat at his window looking out at the rapidly appearing stars. He watched as a particularly bright one appeared and recognized it from his studies in Astronomy. It was Sirius, the dog star. Unbidden, tears started in his eyes and his chest felt so tight that he was sure if he tried to breath he would explode. He needed to get out of the house. He took his wand and stuck it inside his t-shirt then left the room, walking past the Dursleys, who were sitting in the living room ignoring him. Well, almost ignoring him. "You had better hope those friends of yours come here looking normal." Uncle Vernon called after him as he stomped his way out the door. Once outside he stood on the lawn and looked up, closing his eyes and letting the cool breeze dry his face.
Sometimes on nights like these, he could feel the emptiness like a black hole in his soul. For a short, blissful while it was almost as though he had had a family. Someone who he could talk to and who would actually listen. Someone he loved like he could never love the Dursleys. And in one moment that had been taken from him. He had lost Sirius.
His shoulders slumped as though the heavy load he bore was a tangible thing. He had never asked for the responsibility that he had been given before he was even born. But now he knew, he must not shirk it, no matter how hard or terrible the task may be. He had decided, in the silence of his room, looking at a copy of the order picture that Moody had sent him, looking at those smiling faces, most of which had lost their lives, that he would not fail. He couldn't. And if he were to die he would do his best to take Voldemort down with him. He did not want anyone, in another decade or two, to have to look at a picture like the one he held, and to know the grief that he felt. He felt in his pocket for the picture, smiling most grimly. He kept it with him as a reminder.
He was sitting on the garden bench, his elbows on his knees, when they started arriving. The first was Lupin, he walked up and clasped Harry on the shoulder before sitting next to him. "The rest will be coming shortly." He said quietly. Then he, too, lapsed into silence. Harry glanced at him surreptitiously, wondering what his former Professor was thinking. Sirius had been Lupin's and Harry's father's best friend from school. He knew that Lupin had loved him as least as much as Harry had, having been like a brother to the animagus. Harry knew he wasn't the only one suffering from the loss of Sirius, but Lupin didn't also carry the guilt that Harry felt. Harry was glad that Lupin didn't feel the need to fill the silence with words.
The next to arrive was Moody, towing behind him Hermione, Ron, and, surprisingly, Ginny. They smiled nervously at Harry as he and Lupin stood up to greet them. "I'll go up and help you grab your things then, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Sure, come on." He said, grabbing his best friend's shoulder in a friendly clasp before heading inside. They moved past the suddenly still living room, where the Dursleys froze as though small rodents in the presence of a large hawk.
"I had to resist the urge to say 'Boo!'" Ron whispered to Harry as they moved up the stairs. Harry chuckled.
He and Ron heaved the trunk downstairs before Harry returned for Hedwig and the small box containing Durry. "What's that?" Ron asked curiously.
"New pet." Harry grinned. "Professor Lupin and his girlfriend gave him to me for my birthday." He still didn't feel up to discussing his godfather.
"Lupin has a girlfriend?" Ron whispered, as they passed the living room. Harry nodded. "Weird." Ron looked positively stunned. "I guess I never thought of Professors having girlfriends, but then I never thought of werewolves having girlfriends either." The couch twitched at the sound of the word werewolf uttered in the sleepy normality of Privet Drive. "Can I have a look?" He asked eagerly. They were now on the front lawn.
"Er." Harry said, "This may not be a good place."
"No worries." Ron said, still looking eagerly at the box, "We're leaving from Mrs. Figg's house. You can show me there?"
"Sure." Harry said.
They gathered Harry's things and Lupin bewitched Harry's trunk so it was easier to carry. Then they moved off down the street, where they were met by Mrs. Figg, clutching her carpetbag and with a cat winding around her ankles. "Hi again Harry," She smiled. As they moved inside, Harry wondered how they were going to get to wherever they were going. He gulped at the thought of the Knight Bus. And he knew he wasn't yet old enough to Apparate. And his broom, as far as he knew, was still chained up in one of Snape's dungeons. The broom that Sirius had given to him. His hands tightened on the box, and he heard Durry give a little chirp.
They entered the kitchen and Harry saw a most welcome sight. It was his Firebolt, he would have recognized it anywhere. He set Durry's box on the table and rushed over to it with an exclamation, taking it in his hands and examining it. It looked none the worse for wear for being locked up for several months. "Dumbledore liberated it from the dungeons," Ron supplied. Ron, Lupin and Ginny grinned at him understandingly, but Hermione was more intrigued by the small box than by Harry's attention to his long missed broom.
"What's this Harry?" She asked. Harry turned at looked at her, his hands still clutching his beloved broom. He blinked, she looked different, older, more mature. He hadn't noticed before.
"Yeah Harry, what is it?" Ginny asked, her brown eyes sparkling with curiosity. Her hair was longer, he thought. He wondered if she was still going out with Dean.
He glanced between the two of them, then smiled, "Go ahead and open it."
"It's not something dangerous, is it?" Ginny asked. Harry shook his head. And, satisfied, she turned and peeled back the lid to reveal the little chronogryffon. "It's so...CUTE!" She almost squealed.
"His name's Durriken." Harry supplied.
"Is it a chronogryffon?" Hermoine asked, her own eyes sparkling as she moved forward to pet the little creature's head.
"Indeed, it is." Lupin remarked, smiling at her, "What can you tell me about them?" He asked, much as he used to when he taught Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Well," She thought for a moment. "They're very rare and they're color-shifters. Their colors change according to their moods, and sometimes according to the moods of their owners. They are extremely loyal, and can be protective. Oh, and one more thing. They're sometimes called Dream Catchers because they help guard their owners from bad dreams. " She stated. Harry looked over at the little creature, he had known of the dual purpose that Lupin and Sirius had intended in giving him Durry when he had read that in his book on chronogryffons the night before.
"Very good, ten points Gryffindor." Lupin laughed.
"Now that we've finished cooing over broomsticks and small furry creatures," Moody rumbled suddenly, "We really need to be on our way. Harry, you remember the drill from last time. Only this time we're going to have to be more careful because we don't have quite as big an escort as I would like." He frowned over that ferociously. "We will be first going to Remus' house to pick up the last one in our party. Then," He pulled a map out of one of his pockets and smoothed it on the table. His large gnarled finger traced a route, "We will be going to a wizarding port on the coast, where we will catch out ship." Harry had been wondering how they were going to get across the ocean. "Ready! Let's go!" He bellowed, shoving the map back in his coat and grabbing his broom.
"See you, Arabella!" Lupin called as they secured Harry's trunk to his broom and Harry attached Durry's box to his Firebolt and they kicked off. Harry looked back once as they zoomed off and he thought he saw a small blonde woman standing next to Mrs. Figg. A moment later the two of them had disappeared. She had had, Harry thought, as they rose above the clouds, heading off to their next destination, the saddest face that he had ever seen. He was unable to ask about her, though, or why no one had told him she was there.
Lupin's house was a small brick cottage in the English countryside. They touched down on his lawn as the first rays of sunlight touched the horizon. "Right." Moody called. "We'll be staying here until tomorrow night, then, after a stop at Diagon Alley to pick up some supplies, we're heading off."
Professor Lupin escorted them around to his front door, where Tala was waiting. "Hi dear," She said, hugging him and kissing his cheek. Then she hugged Harry and, surprisingly, Moody, who flushed lightly on his scarred face as she kissed his cheek. Lupin slung his arm around her shoulders as he turned to introduce the rest of them. "Tala, this is Ronald Weasley, and his sister Ginny."
"Arthur and Molly's children." She said warmly, as she shook their hands, "Or at least two of them."
"And this is Hermione Granger." Lupin continued. "Top student at Hogwarts."
Hermione blushed at the compliment as she also shook Tala's hand. "Pleased to meet you." She murmured.
"Why don't you all come inside and have a bit of breakfast. Then you may want to catch some sleep, we'll have a long journey night after this." Lupin said and he led them indoors.
The cottage was somewhat larger on the inside than it was from without, but it still had a homey, cozy feel to it. Tala settled them all down along a well worn oak table that had been polished to a honey glow and busied herself with serving breakfast. Between mouthfuls, Harry looked around the house. It was filled with furniture that, like Lupin's robes, was somewhat shabby but well cared for. As in all the wizard houses he had been in so far, this one had its share of odd accoutrements, including a clock that had no numbers, but instead showed the phases of the moon. Harry supposed that was useful in the home of a werewolf. He saw stairs leading up to a second floor, but he would have sworn, when he had seen the house from the outside, that it was only one story. Harry turned back from his examination to find that his plate was empty and he had to stifle a yawn as the rest of them were finishing up. When they were all full and content, Tala shooed the younger ones out of the kitchen, telling them that their rooms were at the top of the stairs in case they were tired.
"Oh, and if you go outside y'all would do better to stay clear of the woods." This was said with a glance at Remus, and they understood immediately. The young witches and wizards exchanged glances.
"Okay, Tala." Hermione agreed for them. And the tall, coppery witch left with a final smile, assumedly to return to the kitchen and talks they could not yet be privy to. With that, their tiredness aside, they set off to do a bit of exploring, making sure their wands were kept close at hand. Durry perched on Harry's shoulder as they walked.
"Professor Lupin lives in a nice house." Ginny commented as they walked a short way into the gardens. They were a strange mixture of rigid flowerbeds and wild tangles with, incongruously, a cactus here and there. Suspended from the large branches of a great oak in what seemed to be the center, was a large swing, long enough to accommodate all of them provided they didn't mind a bit of a squeeze. They didn't and soon the four of them were rocking gently in the crisply scented breeze. The combination of the wind and the gentle movement soon set all four of them off to sleep.
Harry at first didn't realize that he had, in fact, succumbed to slumber. He was still on the swing, but now he was alone. For a moment he thought that they had gone off and left him to his nap, but then the surrealism of a dream presented itself in the form of a large black dog sitting in the midst of a patch of violent red flowers.
"Sirius?" Harry whispered, though he knew that it couldn't be. The sky darkened above him, and he saw the dog roll his eyes to the sky. There the moon hung heavy and silver among rushing pewter clouds. Harry looked back down and saw that it was indeed his godfather, standing there in his human form, looking young and healthy, both in fact, more so than Harry ever remembered him being. And behind him, there was now a doorway, ancient stone, containing a rippling veil. It looked doubly strange, standing there unsupported in the midst of a patch of bright flowers.
"Sirius!" Harry cried, standing and starting to run towards the tall, black haired man. He stopped when Sirius held up a hand, grinning his broad grin. And at last he spoke.
"You must do what she cannot." He said, and his eyes looked over Harry's shoulder and there was an expression that Harry couldn't quite decipher in them. Harry turned, and behind him he saw a small blond woman, beckoning to his godfather. She was swathed in gray and seemed to be hiding something beneath a fold of her robes. Her face was the saddest that Harry had ever seen.
"What do you mean, Sirius?" Harry said, turning around, but his godfather was gone, leaving only the thinly rippling veil in the windless air. "No!" Harry yelled.
"I'll see you again." Came a hushed murmur from behind the veil, "We'll wait for you."
"Sirius, come back, come back!"
"Harry. Harry?" Someone said softly, and he jerked back from the depths of slumber. He was aware of someone's hand stroking his messy hair back from his forehead, someone pressing against his side. His eyes flew open and met the warm brown ones belonging to Ginny. It was she pressing against him. He looked past her and saw Hermione and Ron still sleeping, Hermione's head lolling onto Ron's shoulder.
"Are you all right, Harry?" She asked quietly. "It seemed like you were having a bad dream."
"No," He said. "I'm fine." He looked away from her, uneasy over how deep her eyes were. There he saw Durry, perched on a low branch and watching him intently. The little creature spun through several different colors before settling on gray.
'Gray' Harry wondered, 'What exactly did that color, or lack of, mean?'
"Harry," His attention was drawn back to the red-head crushed in next to him. "Maybe we should wake the others and go inside." She seemed really concerned about him, and he wondered if he had said anything while he was sleeping. "It's alright, Harry." Ginny said as though she could read his thoughts. "I know you miss him terribly. I do too, he was a great friend and a great person."
Harry wasn't sure he wanted to talk about this right now, so he only nodded and stood up. The swing jogged as he did so. Ron snorted sleepily and opened his eyes.
"What?" He asked, confused. He looked down at Hermione's head on his shoulder and blushed as red as his hair. He looked astounded, but also rather pleased.
"Why don't you wake up Hermione, Ron? We're going to head back." Ginny suggested.
Ron stared at her, then back at Hermione, who snuggled closer to him. "You know..." He cleared his throat. "I think that we will...er...just stay here for a while. Be a shame to wake her up, right?" He looked pleadingly at Harry, who had to stifle a laugh behind his hand.
"Yeah, I think you're right, Ron." He agreed. "C'mon Ginny, let's go see if we can overhear something."
She shot a smile a him, a very lovely smile, he thought, and he nervously reached a hand up to helplessly smooth his untamable hair. "Sure," She said, and they walked down across the garden paths, shooting glances back over their shoulders occasionally, then breaking into laughter when they caught each other's eyes.
"I hope there is a POSITIVE reaction from her when she does wake up." Ginny commented through her chuckles.
"With the two of them, you never know."
Thus ends Chapter one. Please, please, please Read and Review.