Chapter 4
At the Burrow, Harry’s snowy owl Hedwig, who like all domesticated owls in the Wizarding world was used by her owner to deliver mail, perched on an open window; Mrs Weasley took her inside and took Harry’s letter off of her. Mrs Weasley was shocked to read the contents, which detailed how werewolves, including Remus, could now lose far more than any chance they had at employment due to the Ministry’s new anti-werewolf legislation. Mrs Weasley did not know Sirius and Remus except through an organization called the Order of the Phoenix, of which the entire purpose was to fight the Dark wizard Voldemort who had been vanquished but who could possibly come back. Mrs Weasley herself had not been in the Order of the Phoenix, which had been founded and led by the one-time Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore who was later disgraced; but Mrs Weasley’s brothers, Gideon and Fabian, had been in the Order, along with Remus and Sirius; the parents of Harry and Ron’s classmate Neville Longbottom, who were tortured into insanity by Sirius’ cousin Bellatrix Lestrange and other followers of Voldemort; Harry’s late parents who were later killed by Voldemort himself; and many other people.
What shocked Mrs Weasley the most, who thought Harry would always have a healthy relationship with both Sirius and Remus, was that Sirius had started to express regret at having adopted Harry, as it was mostly (ostensibly) for Harry’s safety that he and Sirius were forced out of Remus’ house by the Ministry. (“Sirius is saying that he might dissolve his adoption of me if my parents hadn’t specifically wanted him to take care of me if anything happened to them.”) A somewhat conflicting reaction shown by Sirius, however, was that he wanted Harry to stay in the house at all times—because if Harry stayed at Grimmauld Place with Sirius, he (Sirius) would at least be somewhat happier than if Sirius was alone in the house.
Mrs Weasley knew that this could not stop her family from inviting Harry (and also Hermione) to watch the Quidditch World Cup with them. She also knew that she would need to go to Grimmauld Place and talk to Sirius in person as soon as her husband got home from work—so that’s what she did.
When Mrs Weasley arrived at Grimmauld Place, she told Sirius that he shouldn’t take his resentment out on Harry; Sirius replied, “How would you feel if you and all your children were forcibly separated from Arthur? I know you two have as healthy a relationship as my parents had with each other at least, and a much healthier relationship with your children than my parents ever had with me.” “I wouldn’t take my resentment out on my children. But don’t get me wrong, Sirius. My brothers, as you know, were in the Order with you, Remus, James, Lily, and many others. They weren’t at all prejudiced against Remus because he was a werewolf, and neither am I. But it is not Harry’s fault that you’re in this situation.”
“But it is because of Harry!” Sirius protested, “Remus isn’t allowed near him anymore! The Ministry thinks werewolves are most notably dangerous to those they live with. They didn’t feel the need to make any laws preventing werewolves from having children, though, because they never do anyway—even Harry was only adopted by me and Remus, we don’t need any more children—and who would agree to be a surrogate mother for a werewolf anyway? I’m almost regretting my decision to adopt Harry, because if we weren’t a family, then Remus and I would still be together!” “I never thought you’d talk about Harry this way, Sirius!” Mrs Weasley protested. “The point is that Arthur and I would like to invite Harry to our house for the rest of the summer, and that includes watching the Quidditch World Cup.” “All right, I suppose Harry can go,” Sirius said. “Maybe I can move back in with Remus while Harry’s not around. I’ll have plenty of time for that, with Harry going off to school after he stays with your family.” “Then you are allowing Harry to stay with us?” Mrs Weasley clarified. “Harry said that you wanted him in the house as much as possible.” “Yes, Molly. Harry can go with you,” said Sirius. Harry gladly ran over to the fireplace; once Mrs Weasley joined him, and threw Floo powder into it, Harry said, “The Burrow!” and disappeared into the fire.