Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is JKR's universe; I'm just borrowing it. Everthing belongs to her, with the exception of my characters, which are my property.

Harry Potter and the Skull of Grindelwald

A story by JuliusCaesar489

CHAPTER ONE: SIRIUS BLACK... IS BACK?

Harry lay in his bed in the house at Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging. His thoughts, as was so commom as of late, were chaotic. No dreams were to be had- they had been so painful for him, that his mind had temporarily blocked it's ability to dream. I guess it's better this way, thought Harry.

Harry Potter's godfather, one Sirius Black, had been killed in the Department of Mysteries two months prior. Ever since then, Harry had been in a deep depression. Not even the constant nagging of his aunt and uncle could distract him. His cousin Dudley was too scared to try anything with him; a most welcome change.

Harry's hands went to his scar- nothing out of the ordinary there. Relaxing slightly, Harry lay back down in bed, thinking of a subject that had been another cause of his depression- Hermione Granger. The notorious Gryffindor bookworm and prefect, she had been his friend since their first year at Hogwarts. He had watched her grow- who'd have thought that the akward little girl he'd met way back in 1st year would have grown so much? And in all the right places, too. Harry mentally added. No! You're not supposed to think of her that way! She's your best friend, and besides, she's probably already hooked up with Ron.

Harry sighed. At the rate things were going, he'd never get a girlfriend. Given Ron's new status as the star player of House Gryffindor, and his ban from the game last year, he had very little chance. This, of course, did nothing to improve his mood. Rather, it had quite the opposite effect.

Harry was nearly asleep again, when an image rose in his mind- the sight of Sirius Black's death. He reached into his drawer, and took a sleeping potion he had bought in Diagon Alley- and fell immidiately into a dreamless, peaceful sleep...

Miles away, in the house known as the Burrow, Hermione Granger tossed and turned in bed. She had been having trouble sleeping since the incident in the Department of Mysteries. She kept thinking of how the battle had gone- though a victory over Voldemort, is was, in her opinion, a Pyrric victory. They had captured many Death Eaters, true- but they lost Sirius.

She could feel how sad Harry was- which, in turn, made her sad. She had, over the course of their years at Hogwarts, fallen quite hard for him. She didn't dare admit it- he was probably still pining away for Cho Chang.

Oh well she thought, the now-familiar tears returning for their nighlty visit, I had the oh-so-good sense to fall for the most attractive Gryffindor... what should I expect!?!

Hermione Granger cried herself to sleep that night.

In Diagon Alley, two wizards landed their brooms and walked down the street. Father and son, they were; recent arrivals from America.

"Dad," the younger said, while yawning, "next time, take the Wizard Express. It's faster, and a hell of a lot more comfortable than these damnable brooms!"

The elder laughed in amusement. "Come now, Gaius, you know I was ordered here. The Board doesn't exactly allow for 'Auror travel expenses' the way the British Ministry of Magic does. We had no choice... else I'd run out of galleons for your schoolbooks!"

"Ok, ok, I surrender. So, what exaclty is this- this Hogwarts school like?"

"You'll find out," the elder said, a small smile playing about his face.

Then, there was a small flash of light about 10 meters in front of them. After the light died down, a pale man dressed in rags with a beard tumbled to the ground. Gaius's father rushed forward to assist him. "My name's Sextus Maxwell, Auror. Who are you, sir, and what is your business here?" The reply shocked Sextus. "The name's Sirius Black. Take me to Dumbledore, he'll know what to do...." was all Sirius managed to say before passing out.

Harry was awakened by an owl at his window. He recognized it as a school owl- and it seemed in a hurry. Harry let the owl in, took the message, and fed the bird-of-prey a couple of snacks. He then opened the letter, and began to read.

Harry,

Sirius is alive. An Auror spotted him in Diagon Alley nearly an hour ago. He is safe at Hogwarts, and Madam Pomfrey is tending to his wounds. He expects to see you, in his words, "As soon as bloody well possible!" Given that school starts in a month, I have decided to let you come to Hogwarts to visit him. When you buy your school supplies, I will send someone for you.

Best Wishes and Congratulations,

Albus Dumbledore

At reading this, Harry gave a shout of joy. He was about to start writing to Hermione, when a yell of "SHUT UP, YOU BLASTED FREAK!" came through the wall. Thinking the better of things, Harry decided to go back to sleep. It came easy for him.

Meanwhile, the Maxwells set up in a small apartment in London. Sextus Maxwell was a veteran Auror of the American Bureau of Magic. With well over 30 years of service under his belt, he had been ordered to England to help in their battle against the Death Eaters. This was hardly his first time on an overseas assignment- he had come here during the First War, and had helped in Japan during the Otamai Crisis.

For his son Gaius, however, this was a new experiance. He was changing schools. A grade-A student in the American Institute of Applied Magics, Gaius had spent more time with his books than with his peers. The school was, as he put it, boring. The teachers were lousy, and the food was horrible. The only redeeming value it had was that it was close to The Maxwells' house in New Orleans.

Thank God for school transfers... and for beds! Gaius thought as he laid down. He was out cold before his head his the pillow... as was his father.

Well? Was that a good first chapter? R&R, s'il vous plait.