Chapter-1: Send-off
A/N: This is the first fanfiction that I'm publishing so please excuse any ignorance on my part. Constructive criticism will be nice but if you've come here to just rant then bye - bye. Anyway I'll try to upload every two weeks or so and my chapter lengths haven't been decided so enjoy!
Disclaimer- NOTHING you recognize belongs to me. Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling but the plot is mine.
Summary- So basically this is another 'what-if' story. What if Remus had stunned Peter that fateful night and the children had managed to bring him back to Hogwarts to clear Sirius' name? Will Harry finally get the home he deserves?
On a sunny, bright morning in late June, several daily commuters went about following their usual routine. It was just another day for them but in a hidden platform at King's Cross, a dark haired young man paced to and fro, his brown haired friend trying to calm him while a motherly looking redheaded lady silently observed them trying in vain to keep the smile off her face
"They're late Moony! Could something have happened?"
"Padfoot it's just been 5 minutes"
"Exactly! The Hogwarts Express is never late!"
"It has been late before Pads. You just never noticed"
Sirius grumbled a bit more before resuming his pacing, while Remus shook his head. Sirius looked ready to pop! Gazing absentmindedly at the rails, he wondered if Harry would get off the train to find Sirius had exploded.
Maybe I should stun him. Remus thought as he idly flicked his wand in his hands. It will be beneficial for everybody I think.
…..
A few miles away a certain Harry Potter was happily munching a chocolate frog, oblivious to the fact that he was the reason his godfather was about to blow up with stress. The entire train journey had been uneventful, save for Malfoy storming into their compartment and trying to aggravate Harry and Ron before being hexed.
Beside Harry, Ron was carefully scrutinizing his chocolate frog card and Hermione was sitting across them chewing on a cauldron cake and reading a book. Ron suddenly turned to face him. "Are you sure you don't want to stay over to the Burrow until Sirius gets your guardianship?"
Harry sighed and shook his head. It wasn't the first time Ron had asked him. More like the three hundredth time or so and while Harry really did want to go to the Burrow, he knew he'd just be an inconvenience. Ron had gotten a letter from Mrs. Weasley which informed him that Bill and Charlie were going to stay over that summer and Harry knew, magical or not, no home the size of the Burrow could hold 10 people. Nine was the limit. And besides Headmaster Dumbledore had also broadly hinted that he should stay at Privet Drive.
"I can't Ron you know that. Professor Dumbledore said it himself"
Hermione abruptly looked up from her book, "it's a shame you can't move in with him immediately." She said, carefully setting her book down after marking the page, "He really cares for you, I could tell!"
Harry smiled brightly, remembering the weekend he had spent with Sirius. It had bonded them and Harry now admired Sirius to no end. He seemed to be everything Harry aspired to be - Tall, handsome, athletic and above all an ex-auror. Just remembering the casual way Sirius had slung an arm around him was enough to make him sing for joy.
Suddenly the train screeched to a halt almost throwing the three Gryffindors on the floor. Hermione was the first to gain her bearings and quickly dusted off her muggle clothes before grabbing her trunk and vanishing out with a call to the other two. Ron and Harry quickly stood up and began to stuff as many cauldron cakes as they could in their pockets before grabbing their trunks and running out, somehow managing to trip Malfoy and laughing at the top of their voices.
…..
Back at the station Sirius and Remus almost collapsed with relief as the Hogwarts Express rolled in. Molly smiled at them sympathetically, "It is a bit of a pain waiting for the Express. I expect you two are here to pick up Harry?"
Sirius shook his head ruefully, "No Molly, we can't pick him up yet. I still have to sign some guardianship papers and get a job. We're just to meet him one last time before he goes to his uncles". Sirius almost snarled out the word 'uncle'. Harry had told him quite a bit about the Dursleys and they definitely did not seem to be the loving, caring type.
Suddenly Remus' enhanced werewolf hearing caught a familiar laugh mingled with another and he nudged Sirius before gesturing to where the sound came from. Sirius squinted at the distance before smiling as he noticed a head of bushy brown hair. And he knew Hermione was never too far from her two best friends. Sure enough, a familiar set of red hair and gangly limbs announced the arrival of Ron Weasley and the figure behind him almost made Sirius leap for joy as Harry Potter, with his trademark Potter hair and blinding green eyes, descended the train.
As if sensing eyes on him, Harry looked up at Sirius and Remus and let his jaw drop as he blinked owlishly a few times before catching himself and making a beeline for Sirius. They actually came! He thought as he maneuvered his way to follow his friends who were also heading in the same direction. I didn't think they'd have time for me. They're adults after all. They must have better things to do than meet a teenager.
Harry came to a stop and hesitantly smiled up at Sirius who immediately surprised him by pulling him into a one-armed hug and resting his chin on Harry's head before straightening up again and smiling fondly as he felt Harry relax against him.
"How was the journey, kiddo?" Sirius asked as Remus reached out to ruffle Harry's hair
Harry smiled up at Remus before answering, "Oh the usual, Malfoy trying to hex us into oblivion, Neville losing his toad three times, you know" causing the three adults to chuckle though Molly had frowned disapprovingly at the Malfoy part.
"Well we'll best be leaving then" Mrs. Weasley said firmly, ushering the twins, Ginny, Ron and Hermione with Percy trailing behind, "Hermione's parents must be waiting outside. The train has been quite late". And with a flurry of goodbyes the redheaded troop plus Hermione vanished into the magical barrier serving as the entrance and exit to platform 9¾ leaving the two men and their future charge alone.
Harry continued staring at the wall for a few seconds before turning to Sirius and his ex-professor, excitement clear in his eyes, "Did you come to pick me up? Can I come to stay with you right now?"
Looking into those bright green eyes, Sirius felt like a monster for slowly shaking his head, "I'm really sorry bud" he said ruefully, "we just wanted to see you one last time before you go to your uncles'". Remus squeezed Harry's shoulder, "Sorry if we got your hopes up Harry" he said quietly.
Harry, whose face had fallen at Sirius' words, made an effort to smile as he said, "Oh no it's all right. I didn't even think you'd come to meet me here. Just seeing you is enough, Sirius". After giving Sirius a final hug Harry sighed, "I guess I'd better go meet Uncle Vernon then" he said dispiritedly picking up his trunk. But Sirius stopped him, "Not so fast Harry, we need to meet him too so let us escort you my Lord" he said as he mock-bowed making Harry giggle
While they made their way over to the muggle part of the station, Remus noticed that Harry seemed to deflate a little with each step they took. Now concerned, Remus quickly touched one of his shoulders before asking, "Cub, are you alright?" Sirius and Harry stopped in their tracks, Sirius looking curiously at Remus while Harry shuffled bit before smiling up at him, but both men noticed it was a ghost of his usual smiles, "Of course Professor, I'm just a little tired is all" he said reassuringly.
Remus opened his to reply when a booming voice shocked them all
"BOY, are you coming?"
The three swiveled their heads for the source of the voice and Sirius and Remus nearly let their jaws drop as they beheld the monstrous man that was charging towards them angrily. The wolf inside of Remus seemed to warn him so he protectively stood in front of Harry, "He's coming, Vernon, no need to shout" he said evenly, noticing that Vernon was eyeing him with a mixture of wariness and disgust.
"And who are you?" he asked, disgust evident in his voice making Sirius snarl his reply, "I'm his godfather, Sirius Black" he replied resolutely, "we'll come to pick him up after we get guardianship"
In a different situation it would have been amusing to see how quickly Vernon's face lost its colour, "S-Si-Sirius Black? But you-you're a murderer! You should be in prison!"
Harry quickly intervened when he saw that Sirius' face had gone deathly pale as memories of Azkaban came flooding back to him, "He's name has been cleared, Uncle Vernon, you don't have to make a scene here" he said boldly but instantly regretted it as he saw the cold, hard glare that was being sent his way. He would get 'punished' for this. That much was clear.
As if sensing his discomfort, Remus quickly suggested that they make their way to the car and Vernon, definitely not wanting to but forced to nevertheless, spun on his heel and started to walk, leaving the three to trail behind him.
Reaching the car, Remus gave a discreet nod to Sirius before helping Harry load his trunk. Meanwhile, Sirius quickly grabbed Vernon's arm, none too gently and after casting a quick Notice-Me-Not charm he snarled menacingly at him, "listen up you whale of a man, I'll come to pick up Harry in two weeks' time and if a single hair on his head is harmed, you're in for a world of pain".
Vernon eyed him with something akin to horror and disbelief before making a squeaking sound of acknowledgement so Sirius quickly canceled the charm and inconspicuously dusted his muggle attire before shoving Vernon towards the car and whispering, "Remember that threat" before he strode over to car and ruffled Harry's hair one last time and ensuring he was comfortable in the car.
As the car drove off, Sirius couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong, as Remus quickly led to a deserted alleyway where they apparated with a quick crack.
Back in the car, Uncle Vernon caught Harry's eye in the rearview mirror, "We have to talk when we get home you freak" he snarled making Harry shiver at the venom in his voice.
This is not good, he thought as he fought the urge to curl into a ball, this is definitely not good.
…..
A/N: So there it is! My first chapter. I really hope you like it so please review and tell me what you think. The next chapter should be uploaded in two weeks or so. Until then bye!