Author's note: Voldemort is dead, Sirius is alive. Harry's living with Sirius in Grimmauld Place. Sirius is a free man.
It was the 31st of July. Harry woke up with a smile on his face and looked at the ceiling of his room in Grimmauld place. It was his birthday and Harry had no intention of getting up yet. Sirius had promised to bring him breakfast to bed and since Harry was still alone, he decided to take advantage of the situation and decided to ponder on what Sirius might give him. He didn't get very far, as Sirius walked in with a tray in his hands and a smile on his face.
"Mornin' birthday boy", he said and walked over to the bed.
"Mornin' ", Harry answered and continued. "That smells good."
"Scrambled eggs, just the way you like them, toast and a cup of coffee", Sirius said and placed the tray on the bed.
Harry had sat up and Sirius gave him a hug and wished Harry a happy birthday and then Harry dug in. He finished eating quickly and Sirius moved the tray to the floor, next to the bed. Harry tapped the spot next to him and Sirius sat next to him with his back against the wall.
"You know…after today..you're gonna be able to do what you want and no one can do anything about it", Sirius said with a crooked smile and Harry smiled back.
They talked for like an hour about…well, a lot of things. They laughed and joked and at some point they moved from sitting on the bed to lying on the bed. Suddenly there was a small pop and Kreatcher was standing next to the bed.
"I'm sorry for disturbing the Master's, but Ms. Hermione and Mr. Weasley are here, sir's", it said with an apologetic look. It knew Harry and Sirius didn't like to disturbed when they were talking.
"Tell them we'll be down right away", Harry said.
Kreatcher bowed and disappeared with a small crack. Harry turned to look at Sirius, who had sat up and was looking at Harry. He gently poked Harry on the side,
"Come on, get up. They're your guests."
Harry let a small groan and got up. Harry got dressed and they headed down. On the stairs Sirius tickled Harry from the sides making Harry laugh and run away from him.
Downstairs, in the living room, Ron and Hermione sat on the couch, as Kreatcher had asked them, and waited as Kreatcher was getting their drinks.
"What is taking them so long?" Hermione wondered. "I mean it's rude to let your guests wait."
Ron was wise enough not to say anything, 'cause he knew where it would lead. Kreatcher returned with their drinks and Hermione tried to get some information out of it but it refused to say anything. After another long wait, as Hermione would put it, they heard Harry laughter and hurried steps from the hall and soon the two ran into the living room. Harry first and Sirius right behind him.
Harry tried to hide behind Hermione (who had stood as the two ran in) and Sirius just settled with sticking out his tongue.
"Really mature, Sirius", Hermione said and Harry chuckled.
"Hi, mate. Happy birthday", Ron said and smiled.
"Thanks", Harry replied with a little laughter still present in his voice and sat on the armchair next to the fireplace.
Sirius sat down next to him (after enlarging the chair a bit) and put his arm around Harry's shoulders (this didn't surprise Hermione or Ron, they were used to the two being close). The second Harry and Sirius sat down Kreatcher appeared with two butterbeers and announced that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would be arriving in ten minutes. Sirius thanked it and it disappeared with a small crack muttering something about finishing the cake before 'that awful lady would arrive.' Harry and Sirius smiled at this and Ron looked a little hurt.
"What were you doing upstairs? Kreacher wouldn't tell me", Hermione asked.
'Trust Hermione to be suspicious.' Harry thought.
"We were having a Godfather-Godson conversation", Sirius said innocently and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"Like I would believe that", Hermione said and continued as she saw the looks on Harry and Sirius' face's. "Sirius you act like an eager five year old sometimes. And you and Harry never act like Godfather and Godson anyways."
"I do not act like an eager five year old!" Sirius said looking hurt.
Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron chuckled slightly.
"So, anyway…Happy birthday Harry", Hermione said and levitated a gift onto Harry's lap.
"Thanks", Harry said and started to unwrap the gift with Sirius looking eagerly over his shoulder (not being an eager five year old at all).
There was a book about 'How to become a good Auror' and some candy.
"Thanks, Hermione", Harry said and smiled at her.
They heard some noise from the kitchen and soon Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared to the living room with Kreacher right behind them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley", it said and bowed a bit.
Sirius nodded. "When are the others coming?" he asked.
"In fifteen minutes, Master", Kreatcher answered and Sirius nodded.
After that Kreatcher disappeared and Mrs. Weasley demanded that Harry had to give her a hug. Harry reluctantly stood up and gave Molly a hug.
"Happy birthday, dear", she said and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek.
"Happy birthday Harry", Mr. Weasley said and shook Harry's hand.
"Thank you", Harry said and motioned them to sit down.
"Who else is coming?" Mrs. Weasley asked when she had sat down.
"Well…um…Remus is coming, I think Fred and George are coming as well…" Harry said.
"I think Dumbledore will drop by as well", Sirius continued.
"Good. Good", Mrs. Weasley said. "So how are you Harry? Everything okay? You eating well?"
"I'm fine. Everything's okay. And yes I'm eating well", Harry answered with a little edge on his voice. So little only Sirius noticed it. 'What is wrong with her? Does she think Sirius is starving me to death?!' Harry thought and Sirius noticed the little tension and started to rub his upper arm calmingly.
"Well, that's good. But I still don't understand why you wanted to move in here. Why wouldn't you come and stay with us? It's much cosier there."
'Here we go again.' Sirius thought angrily. Lucky for Harry and Sirius Mrs. Weasley didn't get any further than that as Remus stepped out of the flames spongeing himself off the ashes. Harry stood up and gave Remus a hug.
"Happy birthday Harry", Remus said and gave Harry a small present.
Harry walked back to the armchair and Remus sat down on the couch next to Ron. Sirius pulled Harry little closer and rested his chin on Harry's shoulder.
"Bit eager are we?" Harry asked teasingly and Sirius settled for sticking out his tongue.
Harry chuckled and unwrapped the gift and his jaw dropped. It was a gift token to Wilder's optician. Harry looked at Remus with a questioning look.
"I figured you might wanna get rid off your glasses."
"Thanks, Rem", Harry said with a big smile.
"You can use it whenever you like. There's no date on it."
"You wanna go stat tomorrow?" Sirius asked.
Harry smiled. "Yes. I could do something to my hair too while I'm at it."
Sirius smiled and gave Harry a hug (everyone except Remus found this little odd, considering it was Remus who gave the gift not Sirius). There was two loud cracks as Fred and George apparated to the living room.
"Happy birthday Harry", Fred and George said and waved their hands and a box appeared onto Harry's lap.
"Hi guys. Thanks", Harry said and started opening the box.
Harry lifted the cover a bit and then a really faint blush made its way to his cheeks. Sirius saw this and immediately peaked into the box. When he saw what was in it, he looked at Fred and George with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Harry was now looking at Fred and George too and the boys just winked at them and said, 'We thought they might come handy.' Harry was just about to shoot something back when Kreacher appeared and announced that the cake and coffee were ready and on the table. Sirius thanked it and it asked them to follow it. Everyone stood up and followed Kreacher to the backyard where it had put up a table in the middle of the yard. All the food and drinks were already on the table with cooling charms on them so that they wouldn't melt (ice cream and cake) or cool off (coffee and tea) and Kreacher looked pretty pleased with itself. Harry thanked Kreacher and it bowed and disappeared. Sirius asked everyone to take a seat and he and Harry sat down next to each other on the head of the table. Everyone took something to drink and piled some cake and ice cream on their plates. They sang Harry 'Happy Birthday' and dug in. Kreacher had really outdone itself. Everything was delicious and even Mrs. Weasley praised the food.
When everybody was done eating they insisted on Harry making a little speech, now that he had come of age. Harry looked at Sirius, who nodded in approval, and stood up.
"Well, first of all, thank you everyone for coming. It means a lot to me", Harry started when a loud crack was heard and Dumbledore appeared to the yard.
"Hello everyone", he said and smiled.
Everyone greeted him and Harry looked at Dumbledore.
"Thanks for coming", he said.
"My pleasure dear boy. Please, continue your speech."
Harry nodded and continued. "Coming of age is a big thing, 'specially for me", he said and looked at Sirius.
Sirius smiled encouragingly and Harry continued. "Um… I don't know how to say this…um…"
Sirius came to Harry's rescue. "Harry and I have something we want to tell you", he said.
"We're thinking about leaving England for a while. We're gonna travel around Europe and probably go to Australia and America s well", Harry said finally.
Dumbledore and Remus smiled and everyone else looked a little shocked.
"Good for you", Fred said and George nodded.
"Are you sure about this Harry?" Hermione asked and Harry nodded and Hermione nodded back.
"Bloody hell, mate", Ron said. "How long have you been planning this?"
"Since last summer", Harry said.
"Bloody hell! You could've told me earlier!" Ron said looking little hurt.
"SIRIUS BLACK!" Mrs. Weasley shouted and had obviously gotten over the initial shock. "I have never liked you but this… Taking Harry away from his friends for a year!!"
"It was his idea!" Sirius shouted back. "And I think it's a bloody good idea!"
"You are his Godfather! You should be thinking about, what's best for him!" Mrs. Weasley shouted.
"He is!" this time it was Harry who shouted at Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry dear, I don't know how he convinced you…"
"He didn't convince me. It was my idea."
"But Harry, you should be here with your friends and family! Not travel around the world with an ex-convict!"
"I don't have to listen to this", Harry said and headed towards the house.
"Harry don't you turn your back on me when I'm talking to you!" Mrs. Weasley said and followed Harry.
Harry turned around and faced Mrs. Weasley. "You are NOT my mother! You can't tell me what I can or can't do! Besides, Sirius is my family!" Harry shouted.
Ron ran to Harry's side and pulled him a little further away from his mother while Remus was trying to hold Sirius. Suddenly there was a bright light that surrounded Harry and Ron and in a blink they disappeared.
"What the fuck?!" Sirius said and Dumbledore hurried to his side.
"Oh dear", he said. "Sirius I think you and I should go to my office", he continued and when Sirius nodded he apparated them to Hogwards and into his office.
Ron woke up first. He looked around and wondered what in Merlin's name had just happened. He saw Harry lying next to him and started shaking him.
"Harry! Wake up mate!"
Harry woke up slowly and opened his eyes.
"What the bloody hell just happened?!" Ron asked as soon as Harry was awake.
"I don't know", Harry said.
He sat up and started to look around. Then he froze and Ron followed his gaze and froze too.
"What…" Harry started but couldn't finish.
"Hello boys", came Dumbledore's familiar voice from behind the desk.
"Hello", the boys answered still stunned.
They slowly stood up and Dumbledore motioned them to sit down on the chairs in front of the table. The boys sat down and a silence fell into the room. Dumbledore looked at the boys over his crescent shaped glasses and the boys looked everywhere else except straight at Dumbledore. Suddenly one of the paintings moved and called Dumbledore. Dumbledore walked to the painting and had a long chat with the man in it. Harry recognised the painting, he had seen it before couple of times. Both Harry and Ron were still confused and exchanged a questioning look.
Dumbledore nodded and the man in the painting disappeared and Dumbledore walked back to his chair and sat down.
"Do you know what just happened to you?" Dumbledore asked and the boys shook their heads.
"What is the last thing you remember? Tell me every detail", Dumbledore asked and the boys looked at each other.
Harry sighed and started explaining. "We were at my and Sirius' house, Grimmauld Place, and me and Sirius told everyone that we're leaving for a while. Mrs. Weasley got upset and me and her started arguing. Ron came to hold me back from his mother and then there was this bright light and then we were here."
"That's all?" Dumbledore asked and the boys nodded. "What were you and Mrs. Weasley arguing about?"
"She blamed everything on Sirius and said something about… that I should be home with my friends and family and not abroad with an ex-convict and…" Harry trailed off.
"And?" Dumbledore asked softly but Harry shook his head. "Are you sure there's nothing else?" Dumbledore tried one more time.
Harry was about to nod when suddenly his face went all pale.
"No…it can't be…" Harry said little bit of panic in his voice.
"Harry, you okay mate?" Ron asked.
"What is it m'boy?" Dumbledore asked with worry in his voice.
"Before the bright light came…" Harry said, "I was so angry and frustrated… Mrs. Weasley was yelling about it being Sirius' idea and I could see the pain in Sirius's eyes and I just…" Harry trailed off looking a little more pale.
"Yes?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"I just wished that I was somewhere else. Away from Mrs. Weasley, somewhere where she wouldn't be able to say those things about Sirius", Harry said.
Dumbledore gave Harry a comforting look. "That explains it", he said.
"Explains what?" Ron asked confused.
I know, I know... I'm just feeling kinda mean ;) Rewiew please!!