Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, any of the characters, etc. I'm just a (practically) lifelong fan who is starting to dabble in HP fanfiction.
A/N: This idea has probably been done before, but I haven't come across it. This is my first HP fanfiction, so the first chapter or so might be a little rough. I will find my niche though! I'm someone who enjoys heartwarming, sentimental stories and one of the things that made me really sad in the series is that Harry never got to live with Sirius and experience what it felt like to belong in a family...as cheesy as that may sound. So this is my way of dabbling in that idea. For reference, I'm going with the idea that Pettigrew never escaped and he was caught and put in Azkaban...obviously this is totally AU. Enjoy, leave reviews if you like. Breaks will be ******.
It was all over. Wormtail had been captured and taken by the dementors to Azkaban. Sirius had had a chance to tell his whole story, and Harry, Ron and Hermione had backed him up. With Wormtail alive, healthy and well, there was no choice but to believe Sirius's story. He was free.
Cornelius Fudge had wanted a few moments alone with Sirius, so Dumbledore, who had a small smile on his face, had lead Harry and Hermione to a room across the hall. Ron had already been taken to the hospital wing. He conjured up two armchairs in the empty room, and a fire in the fireplace.
"Wait here. I'll be back in a few moments." Dumbledore went to leave, but turned with his hand on the door. "You have proven to be incredibly brave and mischievous yet again tonight. I can't tell you how proud I am of you. You saved an innocent man's life, and there is no greater feeling."
They were alone, and Harry couldn't help but smile. "Do you know what this means?" he asked Hermione.
"What?" she yawned, utterly exhausted by the night's occurences and vaguely wishing she was in bed, despite how important this entire evening had been.
"That I'm finally going to get a family." Harry said, a grin appearing on his face. He thought of Sirius's offer to have him live with him, and how happy it made him. "I never have to see the Dursley's again if I don't want to."
"Harry, I know they haven't been the nicest to you, but they're still your aunt and uncle, and cousin. I'm sure you'll miss them." Hermioned said sensibly.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione, they've locked me in a cupboard, starved me, treated me terribly, and tell people I'm in a school for incurably criminal boys. I am not going to miss them."
Hermione laughed. "I'm happy for you, Harry."
A few minutes later, Hermione had passed out in the chair by the warm fire, and Harry was close to the same point, too. The chair was so comfortable and surely he could just nap for a minute...
Suddenly the door burst open and there was Sirius, a broad grin on his face. "Harry!" He said joyfully, and the boy snapped out of his half-unconscious state.
"Sirius?" He said, meaning it as a question.
"I'm free." Sirius said, and Harry went over and hugged his godfather.
The end of the year came swiftly after the events of that fateful night. Ron's leg had been expertly mended by Madame Pomfrey, and all was as it should be. But things were slightly different in the boys dormitory of Gryffindor tower. Harry was packing his items happily, knowing that he could take out things from his trunk whenever he chose that summer; his magical life wouldn't be locked in a cupboard beneath the stairs anymore.
A few days before, Harry had penned a letter to his aunt and uncle, with a bit of prodding from Hermione. Harry would have been content to tell them goodbye forever at King's Cross when the train came in, but Hermione said that was rude and he'd regret it eventually. He knew in his mind that he wouldn't, but decided to send the letter anyways.
Dear Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia:
This letter will probably make you very happy, maybe even happier than it makes me. You don't have to come get me at King's Cross Station at the end of this term. I won't be coming back to live with you.
A few days ago, I met my godfather. His name is Sirius Black, also known as the convicted murderer you saw on TV last summer. Well, turns out he was innocent and he is my godfather, my Dad's best friend. He's invited me to come live with him and I've told him yeah. So I won't be with you anymore.
The last almost 13 years have been very difficult for all of us. I hope you all have a good life, I guess.
Harry
With that, he'd sent the letter off with Hedwig, who had returned with a short response.
Good about your godfather, he can deal with all your craziness now.
Good luck with your life.
The Dursleys
It had been very strange, but Harry knew nothing had ever been ordinary when it came to the Dursley's. He was just glad it was over, and glad that Sirius would be waiting for him at the other end.
For once, Harry couldn't wait to get off the train.
"Chill out, mate, you're practically bouncing off the seats," Ron said thickly through a mouthful of cauldron cakes. "We'll get there soon enough."
"Ron, don't be insensitive, for once Harry has a summer he actually look forward to!" Hermione said, paging through one of their spellbooks again.
"Hey, do you guys think maybe Sirius will let you come and stay for a little in the summer? I hope he does. That'd be cool." Harry couldn't help but sound like a little kid. He'd never had, at least that he could remember, someone who wanted him to be there. Someone who wanted him to live there. And he'd never lived with an adult wizard before. He was excited beyond belief.
The train came to a stop in the station, and the trio grabbed the rest of their candy and stuffed it into their pockets. They dragged their feet, wading through the queue of people madly trying to push their way to their families. Eventually they hopped off and scanned the full station for their parents.
Hermione spotted her family first, her parents dressed impeccably in Muggle clothing (as they were muggles) and she waved at them frantically. Then she turned and threw her arms around Harry, and then Ron. "Both of you better write this summer! Have a fantastic time with Sirius, Harry!" and then she ran off and hugged her parents, too.
Ron was next to find his family, though it came in the form of Mrs. Weasley crushing him in a hug, and then Harry.
"We heard the wonderful news about Sirius, Harry-we're thrilled for you!" Molly Weasley said, and Harry smiled up at her.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." He said. He gave his farewells to Ron and Ginny and the rest of the Weasley's, who were busy trying to find their trunks and get everyone situated to get back to the Burrow.
Harry looked for a moment before finding Sirius. He was being given a wide berth by the rest of the people in the station, who were still somewhat scared of him, it seemed. He was far cleaner than the last time, with just scruff for a beard, a lot of his hair chopped off, and clean robes. "Harry!", Sirius called, and Harry took off to meet him.
A/N: Hope you liked it. I haven't written in a long time, so it might not be perfect. But I am excited about this story lol. R&R please!
