Chapter 1-Uh Oh
"Ronald Weasley in the kitchen now!", bellowed Mrs. Weasley. The portly woman was standing at the bottom of the stairs at Headquarters. "You too, Harry.", she added.
"Filthy Mudblo..." Mrs. Black began to shout. "Oh shut it you.", Mrs. Weasley shot a silencing spell at the portrait and then all was quiet.
"Ron, Harry. I said NOW!" she shouted again. She turned to the two men standing near her. "Sirius, this is serious", she said ignoring the play on words. "Harry will have to be punished for this. He cannot be allowed to wander around outside anymore. Especially at night. Now if you'd like I will deal with him the same way I'll be dealing with Ron. What do you think?" They moved into the kitchen and sat down.
Sirius looked down, he did not want to have to punish his Godson nor did he want anyone else do it. He thought that Harry might not like him or want to stay with him if he did or allowed any such thing. But the boy did deserve to be punished for his actions. He just wished that he hadn't been caught by that greasy git of a Potions Master that was sitting so near him. He glared at Snape. He knew full well what punishment Mrs. Weasley had in mind for her son and for Harry if he allowed. If only Snivellus weren't here. He knew that the man tormented Harry in school. He was the man that had turned the two in, and he looked positively gleeful that he was going to see the boys punished. Or so he thought.
"Go on Snape get out of here, you've caused enough trouble." Sirius snapped. He saw the anger flash in Snape's face, but the man held his tongue for once.
Snape was livid but decided against saying anything. He did not tell Sirius or Molly that he had saved the boys lives or how close they had actually come to dying. He knew the boys did however and was sincerely hoping they would explain everything that had happened. Partly because he really was tired of Ron calling him a greasy git, or an overgrown bat behind his back, and also because he wanted those urchins to be at least a little grateful. No the real reason was that last night he saw Harry for the first time not as his hated enemy, James, but as Lily. He wasn't sure why this was so and he was definitely confused by the new thoughts he had for the boy. All he knew was that the boy had been reckless yet again and he would definitely love to see him get his 'just desserts'. He wasn't sure what Molly had in mind but he knew she was a strict disciplinarian and maybe just maybe she would get through to the boy. "I have not told you everything that happened." he said, "I would prefer to hear the boys explain their version and I will put in the details they will undoubtedly leave out." He really did not want to leave.
"I am sure that Harry will tell us everything that happened last night!", Sirius said hotly. "Right Molly?" he queried looking at the woman. He had a sudden feeling of unease when he saw the look of doubt on Molly's face.
"I think Professor Snape should stay Sirius, after all he was involved. And if I know my son the whole story will not be told. Besides from what I understand this is not the first time that Harry has been caught out at night. And I know he wasn't really punished for that, not in a way that really made a difference anyway."
Sirius grumbled, he knew she was right but why did it have to be Snape. He couldn't stand the man and he knew that Snape did not like Harry. Harry had said that the man had always treated him with the utmost contempt.
Almost as if Molly knew what Sirius was thinking she said, "Whether you believe it or not Sirius, Professor Snape does have Harry's best interest at heart and I think he should stay and be witness."
Sirius glared at Molly. "Fine!", he growled. Then he turned to Snape, "If you so much as breathe a word of anything that is about to happen to anyone I swear I'll rip your throat out!"
"I wouldn't dream of it." Snape said coolly. Yes, he thought to himself. I know the boys will get what they deserve. "I don't wish to talk about Potter at any time so that won't be a problem.", he finished indifferently.
"So you agree then that Harry will receive the same punishment as Ron?" asked Molly.
Sirius' shoulders slumped. "Yes, Molly that's fine."
Unknown to the adults Ron and Harry were standing right outside the door and had heard the last part of what Molly was saying. Harry whispered to Ron "Er... how does your Mum punish you Ron?" At that Ron's face turned redder than his hair and he would not look at Harry. "Ron? Ron are you OK?" he asked.
Ron looked at his best mate. "You're not going to like this Harry." was all he said. And he pushed the kitchen door open and walked in.