"Oh, the question came up whether we had anti-portkey wards or not the other day."
"Is there a way to detect them?" Harry asked. "To know what wards are up?"
"Of course," Remus replied. "How else could you tell if you put up the wards correctly?"
"Could you show me how to do it?"
"You need to learn the basis of wards first," Remus replied. "It doesn't do any good to see and not understand what you are seeing."
"But if I can detect it, couldn't Fleur interpret it for me?" Harry asked. "At least until I can catch up to that point?"
Remus nodded. "That's a good point. I keep forgetting about that ability of yours," He turned to Fleur. "Do you know how to detect wards?"
"Just some of ze basic ones," Fleur replied."I only know how to detect what I can put up, mostly muggle repelling and such."
"I read a book on detecting them, but I've never tried to," Hermione added.
"All of you should work on ward creation both rune based and spell based," Remus stated in the same voice he used to use in class. "Being able to put up wards, even if they are just warning wards could help you immensely. But yes," He said to Harry. "I'll try to find time this summer to show you how to detect them."
Fleur and Hermione were already looking at each other. Harry knew that they were already deciding where they would start.
A few minutes later in a deserted alleyway Sirius transformed back to his human form. "Fleur do you know how to apparate?"
"I 'ad ze training class last year, but never tested since I turned seventeen so close to school starting and zen ze trip to 'ogwarts."
"You know what to expect then. Hermione you side apparated when we went to the staging area before the graveyard."
Hermione nodded as she remembered the experience. The feeling of being compressed into a narrow passage wasn't one she enjoyed.
"Gabrielle..."
"My Papa has taken me places before where zere were no floos," Gabrielle replied. "I know what to expect."
"That leaves you Harry," Sirius said. "I'll take you and Gabrielle, while Moony can take Hermione and Fleur."
"Where?"
"Bad as James," Moony said."He never could stand being surprised."
"You'll find out very shortly," Sirius told his godson. "It is your birthday present from us."
After grabbing the appropriate arms they turned and disappeared. When they appeared again they found themselves in a secluded area of a small town. Ahead of them was a small narrow road lined with cottages.
"Welcome to Godric's Hollow Harry," Sirius said softly.
"This...this is where I was born?" Harry asked as he realized the gift he was being given.
"Yes. We'll be walking there soon," Remus said.
"Isn't it dangerous?" Fleur asked. "Wouldn't Voldemort surely expect 'Arry to come 'ere?"
"Maybe, but we took care of that. Though you won't see them, almost every member of the Order is around right now," Sirius replied. "We've been sweeping the village all morning to make sure no Death Eaters were around," He put his arm around his godson. "With Peter's trial this afternoon we thought it would be a good day for you to put your past behind you and start your new future."
Harry looked up at his godfather with tears in his eyes. He was afraid to speak because he knew his voice would crack so he just nodded.
"Remus will be guiding you," Sirius said. "And oh, Dumbledore planned a gift for Hermione as well. You'll find out about that later."
Hermione was already moving to give Harry a hug when she looked at Sirius. "What kind of gift?"
"You'll find out," Remus answered with a grin as Sirius was already shifting to his animagus form. Though once he was a dog he started wagging his tail vigorously.
Remus led them out onto the lane. The warm July sun was countered by the shade of the large trees lining the street. As they walked, they passed cottages with children out playing in the gardens while parents tended to the lawns. A young lady was digging in the soil around her rose bushes while a young toddler sat beside her digging dirt on its own with pudgy little fingers. Harry instantly liked the place. It was nothing like Privet Drive. Here there was a sense of calm and peacefulness, of happiness and friendliness. They had been walking a little while when it turned to the left and they found themselves in the heart of the village. A small square with a war memorial could be seen along with stores and shops. A Post Office and a church could also be seen. Doors to the shops were standing open and people were walking between them doing their daily shopping.
"This way," Remus said and guided them into the square and toward the obelisk shaped war memorial. As they neared it, it transformed before their eyes. Instead of what had been there, they now could see a statute of a man, a woman and their child. The man had untidy hair and glasses, while the woman had long hair and a kind pretty face. In her arms was a small baby boy.
"Why?" Harry asked as he ran his fingers over the cold stone of his own baby forehead that didn't have a scar upon it.
Remus shrugged. "You and your family represent something special to the people here and everywhere. It was the end of the darkness."
Harry nodded as he stared at his parents.
They'd only been there a short time when another family walked up. It was a middle aged man and woman who was probably his wife and two teen-aged kids. "Lost someone too?" The woman asked.
"Pardon?" Harry responded.
"In a war?" The lady nodded at the statue which Harry remembered was something different to the muggles.
"Yes." He replied. "My..."
"His Father died in the Falkland war," Remus spoke up.
....
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