Spending the summer at Grimmauld Place was a wonderful experience unlike anything Harry had ever known.
Although the month he had spent at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's home during last year's Quidditch World Cup had also been perfect, it had ultimately been Ron's home. He could not help feeling somewhat like a guest in someone else's house.
But at Grimmauld Place, there was no need for such concerns. It was his godfather's ancestral home, and he belonged there by right.
After several days of living in fear, Harry's life began to get back on track.
Every morning, Harry got up a little earlier than Ron, Hermione, and the others, going down to the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley.
There were simply too many people living in the house, and preparing three meals a day for all of them was more than Mrs. Weasley could handle. Harry was one of the few people there who could actually offer her some help rather than make things worse.
Though it was a leisurely summer holiday, breakfast was always conducted in a hurried atmosphere.
Remus and Amelia never remained at the table until the end.
They were the two busiest people of all. More often than not, breakfast was the only time Harry saw them during the day.
Sirius could not stay at home for long either. Even on weekends, he could not remain in the house.
When Harry questioned him about it, hesitation flashed through Sirius's grey eyes.
"I'm carrying out a mission, Harry. Amosta gave it to me."
"What is it?"
The children at the table were all intensely interested, but after Mrs. Weasley gave a loud cough, the hesitation vanished from Sirius's eyes. Avoiding Harry's probing gaze, he said,
"Just some ordinary surveillance. It's boring, but someone has to do it."