Dark Memories

Book 3 - Part 4: Salandra's Master

It was September first. Sirius and Lupin had taken Harry to the Burrow, because they had Custosae business to take care of at Gringotts due to some more funds that had come in.

Harry didn't mind, and was happy to stay over with the Weasley's, Teddy riding on his foot the entire time.

It was early in the morning, and Harry couldn't sleep (Ron's snores aside), so he quietly went downstairs, a sleeping Teddy in his arms.

He just wanted to be in a quiet place to think. Think about the coming year, and the plans of the Custosae and of what Voldemort might be planning.

Sitting on the couch in the living room, he didn't notice Molly and Arthur in the kitchen at first, until he heard their voices.

"How do you think he is, really?" Molly asked.

"I don't know, Molly. He seems to be doing much better, I mean, from what Sirius and Remus had told us how he was earlier...." Arthur said.

Molly sighed.

"I just hope his magic continues to settle. We were lucky the thing during his birthday turned out to be a good thing, as well as that nightmare at Diagon Alley with the dementors. I just hope nothing happens at Hogwarts, the lad has enough on his shoulders, no need to add guilt," Arthur continued.

"I agree, but I also wish others wouldn't add to what he feels may or may not be his responsibility," Molly muttered.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." she sighed. "I mean, I know Albus means well, but... should he be so honest with Harry? Harry is just a boy."

"Albus knows what he's doing," Arthur stated. "Besides, I think Harry has a right to know about things concerning You-Know-Who."

"Arthur, he knew more about the attack on Diagon Alley than we did!" Molly snapped.

Harry couldn't take it any longer. He hadn't meant to overhear, he just wanted to get away from Ron's snores to be able to think, since he couldn't get to sleep. He hadn't meant to overhear what was quickly sounding like a fight about him. He got up, intending to just ignore and forget what he had just heard, and sneak back upstairs.

Well, that just wasn't to be.

"I still don't think it's right. That poor boy has been through more than all of us, I dare say put together! Why is Albus adding to it by informing him of details he ought not to know. Harry knew more about Severus' injuries than we did, and I have no doubt that has as much to do with Sirius and Remus as it does Dumbledore," she said, her back to the living room.

"I'm sure Harry was just worried, so they told him to put his mind at ease," Arthur said. "It's better than keeping him in the dark."

"That's not keeping him in the dark. All he needed to know was that Severus would be alright, not a list of the injuries he is now recovering from."

"He is not our son."

"He is as good as."

"Albus has his reasons."

"He is still just a boy!" her voice going up a few notches, just barely below what would be heard upstairs.

Arthur's eyes suddenly focused onto what was beyond his wife, movement having caught his attention.

"Harry?" he asked.

Harry cringed. He had really hoped he wouldn't get caught....

He heaved a heavy sigh, slowly turning and facing him, though still fairly hidden in the darkness.