The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 117: Long Overdue

Harry followed McGonagall up the stairs to the Headmaster's office.  He long since gave up trying to wonder why he would be summoned.  He figured there was little sense in stressing out over what he did not know, simply deciding to wait until he learned the reason.  As far as he knew, he had not done anything noteworthy one way or another so he really had no idea why he was summoned.

He blinked in surprise seeing Sirius standing in the office with Dumbledore.  "Hey Harry," Sirius said warmly.

"Hey Sirius," Harry replied smiling.  He nodded respectfully at Dumbledore.  "Headmaster, Sir."

Dumbledore returned the nod.  "Harry, good to see you.  How have you been?"

"Well Sir, thank you for asking."  He looked at his godfather.  "Is Sirius in trouble?"

Dumbledore chuckled.  "As far as I know, no he is not.  If he was, I would have asked for Andromeda to join us."

"Haha, very funny you two."  Sirius rolled his eyes at them.  "You three," he amended when he saw McGonagall chuckling.  "No, I'm here 'cause I wanted to ask Dumbledore something and he agreed to it."  He hesitated for a moment.  "How would you like to skip the Halloween Feast and come with me to Godric's Hollow?"

Harry stared at him.  "You mean..."

"Yeah, to visit James and Lily's..." he gulped, "visit their grave.  I finally realized the other day that you've probably never been so...I was wondering if you wanted to.  You don't have to of course and you don't have to go to the feast either.  Just wanted to give you some options."

Harry stared off into the distance for a long moment.  "I...yeah.  I guess I would like to go...to see them."  His voice was almost inaudible.  "How come I've never thought about going before?"

"It probably never occurred to you," McGonagall said gently.  "No child should think about visiting their parents' resting place so early.  You've been rather busy up till now and well," she gently touched his shoulder.

He nodded jerkily.  "Thanks.  Will it just be us?" he asked Sirius.

"Remus is going to come with us.  Andromeda has offered to come too if you want."

Dumbledore spoke softly.  "I will allow one other student to go with you Harry.  They just need their parents' permission and can leave with you."

"Thank you, Sir."  Harry swallowed thickly.  "When will we go?"

"I figured we should go during the day," Sirius said sadly.  "The night might be a bit...much.  At least for the first time."

"You will be excused from your classes and if someone wishes to go with you, so will they," Dumbledore said gently.

Harry nodded.  "Thank you," he repeated.  "Uhm, yeah.  I'll ask and see if someone will want to and if you don't mind, I'd really like Auntie Andi to come too."

Sirius nodded.  He was proud of Harry's composure, proud and sad in equal measure.  "You got it.  I'll come mid-morning and we'll walk to Hogsmeade and apparate there."

Harry nodded mechanically.  He excused himself from the office and walked away.

McGonagall's heart ached.  "Could you bring something to them for me?  I'd like to come myself but it will be a busy day, especially with Remus gone."

"Of course," Sirius said.  "Thanks for allowing him to go, and with someone," he said to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore waved the thanks away.  "It's long overdue," he said softly.

-0-

"Harry?"

Harry looked up.  Katie, Hermione, and Ron stood over him.  "Hmm?"