285 Bad News

Mr Weasley doesn't waste any time and hurried gets everyone through the Floo and back to his home, the Burrow. Harry takes one last glance at the almost catatonic looking Vernon Dursley before shrugging and stepping through while speaking aloud \"The Burrow!\".

Arthur bows to the owners of the property and apologises before leaving, ignoring the indignant screams and shouts from Petunia and Dudley. The damage didn't look that bad, any magical intervention would easily fix the problem he thinks to himself as he leaves.

Harry arrives to the Burrow and immediately spots two of the eldest Weasleys, Bill and Charlie, he'd met the latter briefly when they'd had to hand pass off the dragon \"Norbert\" to him. He had a good impression of him, and from what he's heard about Bill, he already thinks pretty highly of him.

They greet him and he nods back, \"Ah, hello.\" he says as he notices some new comers walking into the room, Hermione and Ginny. They stand aside as Ron leaves the room for some reason or another, one thing Harry notices is Hermione's downtrodden face. Miss Weasley comes in from the Kitchen and smothers him in a quick hug while asking how he's doing, he gives a noncommittal \"Fine\" and turns around as Arthur Weasley arrives, \"Ah, I'm back Mollywobbles\" he says giving her a quick peck on the lips... \"We may have caused some trouble for your family Harry...\"

Harry shakes his head, \"Don't worry about it...\" he says and whisper \"They deserved it.\"

Molly \"Alright, RON! Come and show Harry where he'll be sleeping!\" she shouts up the stairs to her youngest boy. \"Dinner will be done soon so quickly get unpacked\" she says to Harry.

He nods and is taken upstairs to Ron's room that has a vacant bed. He starts unpacking but is interrupted when Hermione comes in.

Noticing her he nods, \"Thanks for the food you sent me Hermione, with Dudley's diet I would probably be skin and bones by now...\" He's surprised when she jumps on his back and hugs him, \"Oh Harry! I'm so sorry!\"

Ron who's sitting at the side leans he head slightly, a flash of jealousy crosses his face but he rapidly muffles it and asks \"Er, do you two need some time alone?\"

Hermione turns to him, \"Ron! Did you not hear what has happened?\" she asks him as tears start to moisten her eyes. Her words bring Harry out of his momentary daze from having her rather soft breasts pressed against his back... \"Sorry, can you repeat that Hermione?\" he asks, himself not really knowing what he's referring to.

Hermione \"It's Sirius...\" the hard look on her face causing his heart to stop for a moment...

Harry \"What do you mean? Has something happened?\" he asks hesitantly.

She chokes up as she's trying to say it, Harry unconsciously returns the hug from early to comfort her as she tries to get out the words.

Hermione \"Sirius, Harry, He's dead.\"

...

Harry \"W-what... No, there must be some mistake... We saved him, remember?\" he stutters out, the shock not fully sinking in yet.

Ron \"Sirius Black? I thought he'd be out of the country by now...\" he says confused.

Hermione shakes her head, \"It was plastered all over the prophet, someone called Ciri Rivia had killed him with a sword.\" she says within Harry's arms.

...

Harry himself can barely listen to this, were the information not coming from Hermione he'd think it some sort of prank. But when had Hermione ever been wrong? With the exception of the Polyjuice potion in second year, she'd always steered him right. \"No, it must be the ministry making things up... It wouldn't be the first time.\" he says, his hold on his friend only getting tighter.

Suddenly a huge bird flies in and launches a package at Harry before flying away again...

Reluctantly letting go of Hermione he bends down and picks it up, he glances at his curious friends before opening it... It's from Gringotts? He reads aloud, \"Mr Potter, we writing to inform you of the late Heir Blacks unfortunate demise. As is directed in Sirius Black's will, you are now deemed Heir of the black family. As a result, all holdings and property will be locked until you come of age or are emancipated, your magical guardian will be unable to access these assets as per the Wills i-in-instructions.\"... his hands tremble as he lets the letter escape from his grasp, his legs gives out from under him as he drops to his knees, the world feels as if it's crumbling all around him. His hopes of a family, his dreams of escaping the Dursley's, his wish to spent more time with Sirius. All gone. He lets out a choked sob as tears start falling from his face, wetting his baggy shirt.

Ron looks on in uncomfortable confusion at his friends apparent breakdown, unsure of what to do. Hermione seeing Harry's like this can't help herself and throws herself on him again, the feeling of losing someone for the first time finally kicking in as she sees her distraught friend. They both cry in each others arms, Hermione barely maintaining her composure enough to try and comfort Harry, who's seemingly lost all perception of the things around him, only focused in grieving for his lost God Father.

Ron looks to the door and sees His mother, father and brothers all crowding around it and looking in, confused and unsure of what brought on this sudden bout of sadness from the duo on the floor. Molly looks to Arthur, \"Do you know what's wrong?\" she asks. He shakes his head, \"I don't know... But if what Ron had told us is correct, then it's likely Harry had only just found out of his demise.\"

Molly's eyes soften as she looks at the duo she attempts to get closer and comfort them but Arthur holds her back, \"Leave them, this is natural... Let's let them work through it.\" she reluctantly nods and leaves to prepare dinner.