Summary:

Harry's new year at Hogwarts is filled with living with an escaped prisoner during the summer, sneaking around with the Weasley twins, and a surprising revelation about family. And yes, this story will get increasingly AU as I go along.

The Summer on the Streets

James was currently living in London's worst neighborhoods by the railroad tracks. He did odd jobs like clean cars, do yard work, clean a house, and cook for about nine pounds a day. That was enough to get him a box of cereal each week and a meal at a fast food restaurant each day. Compared to his previous summers, he was in heaven, if you ignored the occasion fight in the street. He was fed like a normal person and not hungry at all.

The fights in the street were bad. He now had the habit of not only carrying a wand with him, but several knifes as well. His aim with them was getting good, but he really didn't want to use them. Every time he had to use them against some violent drunk in the street freaked him out.

He was currently camped out in a abandoned warehouse. He had a couple of blankets on the floor for a bed, and beside that was where he put his glasses down when he went to sleep. He also had a pantry of sorts for the cereal he ate each day along with the single bowl he had and the single water bottle he had (he filled it up at the water fountain at the park). His knapsack was in the corner with all his clothes in it. It may not be much, but it was home until some cops figured out there was a twelve year old kid camping in a warehouse. Then, he would have to move.

However, things were going on outside his little world. Fred, George, and Ginny were going to Egypt on money that they got from a draw along with the rest of their family. Luna and her father were looking for crumple-horned snorkacts in Sweden, and Neville was on a trip with his Grandmother to visit various relatives and to attend several balls (James pited him...it was tough being a rich pureblood).

It was also his birthday, but none of his friends knew it. He told them his birthday was on August fifth, not July thirty first. He blew out the candles he drew on the ground when his clock struck midnight (a cheap wristwatch he got from Dudley). He wasn't expecting to get any presents until he heard a noise outside the warehouse. It was probably just another drunk bum. All he had to do was scare the guy off by any means necessary. He slowly got out pocket knifes and approached the entrance to the warehouse.

When he looked out the door, his eyes widened. Collasped on the ground was Sirius Black! "How did you get out of prison? Can you hear me?" James asked. "He's out cold. Don't worry; I'll take care of you." He slowly dragged his body into his makeshift bedroom.

Then the man began to stir. "Who are you?" He asked.

"James Evans, Sirius Black, right?" James asked. Sirius began to look panicked. "Don't worry; I think you are innocent. Why did you think I helped you out? Here, have some water." James handed him a half empty water bottle.

"Thanks." Sirius said as he took a sip. "Why do you think I'm innocent?"

"Innocent till proven guilty in the court of law. You have never had a trial, so you are innocent by that statement. Anyway, I think it is a cover up. Someone wants you in prison to get you out of the way." James said. "Feel free to settle in. I don't have much but I can share. Oh, yes, I know you are a wizard and so am I."

"What are you doing all alone by yourself?" Sirius asked. "You should be with parents or something."

"My parents are dead." James said.

"Sorry; I know what it feels like to lose someone who you love." Sirius said. "So, what happened?"

"My Aunt and Uncle kicked me out as soon as I decided to go to Hogwarts. They didn't like a wizard in the family I guess." James said.

"My family disowned me as well. I didn't buy into the pureblood nonsense they were selling. I had to live with my best friend when I ran away at sixteen. How old are you anyway?" Sirius asked.

"Twelve. I guess I shouldn't ask your age. I've heard its rude." James said.

Sirius laughed. "Yes, women hate it when you ask them their age. I like you kid; you have a sense of humor. Since we both are on the run from the aurors," James looked blankly at him, "wizarding cops or muggle cops for you I guess, do want to do it together? I have a house we can camp out in for the time being. No one besides me can enter it. I hate the place."

"Let me guess; your darling family used to live there." James said.

"How did you guess? But my paranoid father was good for something. No one can enter the house unless the Lord, in this case me, wishes it. My Mother probably has spare wands in that house as well. Then I could put up the Fidelius Charm with me as the secret keeper and no one could get in." Sirius said. "I need to get to Hogwarts when the school year begins though."

"Why? I can tell you; Harry Potter isn't there. He never showed up two years ago to be sorted." James said smoothly. He really was getting too used to lying all the time.

"No, Peter's there." Sirius growled.

"What do you mean Peter's there? I thought he died." James was interested. "Explain."

"We used Peter for the secret keeper instead of me, because I was the obvious choice, being James's best friend and all. That little rat betrayed us to Voldemort. Then I chased after him to kill me when he goes off about 'Lily and James Sirius! How could you?' Then he cuts off his figure, and becomes a rat after he blows up the entire street. Then I saw the daily prophet with the Weasley's winning it, and see little Peter on one of the kids shoulders."

"Scabbers! He was always missing a toe and living way too long for a ordinary rat!" James exclaimed.

"You know, you ask a lot of questions." Sirius said.

"Ravenclaw." James said.

"That would explain much. I was a Gryffindor." Sirius said.

"That would explain rashly going after Pettigrew." James replied and they both laughed.