Padfoot Returns

Harry woke with a start. He had once again dreamt of that night he had witnessed the death of Sirius. Lately he had been seeing it with a twist, instead of Bellatrix firing a curse at Sirius and then him falling through the veil, Harry would see himself push Sirius through. He wasn't sure if this was Voldemort playing with his mind or whether it was the fact that he felt responsible for Sirius' death. Then he recalled what had happened last night. He remembered seeing the shaggy black dog which could only have been one person.

As he sat up using his elbows he saw that Serena was sat in an armchair next to his bed. He looked around the room and discovered he was in a place he had never been in before. He would have to investigate this. He quietly crept out of his bed and slipped on some clothes. He walked to the bedside table and picked up his wand, as he neared the door he turned and saw Serena again. He noticed that she had dark circles around her eyes. He tiptoed back to her and picked her up carefully. With the utmost care he placed her on the bed and after tucking her in, he departed the room.

The corridor outside of the room was huge. The place could rival Hogwarts for size and that was saying something. How was he supposed to find someone in this place? The question was answered when he saw a flicker of light coming from a nearby room. As quietly as he could he manoeuvred himself so that he could see through the crack in the door. He could make out a top of a persons head sticking out of the top of an armchair that was placed near to the lit fireplace facing away from him. Harry decided to proceed and to confront he person. He withdrew his wand. Better safe than sorry, he thought to himself. As Harry jumped into the doorway the figure got up and spoke.

'Harry, it's great to see you again. Come on then aren't you going to give your Godfather a hug?' Upon sensing Harry's hesitation he added 'Don't worry, this is no dream. Do you honestly think that you can dream up a creature as handsome as me? Hurry up, you wouldn't want to make me upset; especially since you are going out with my daughter.'

Before Harry could restrain himself he had jumped on to Sirius and enveloped him in a back – breaking hug that was worthy of Mrs Weasley. He started to sob uncontrollably on Sirius shoulder. He didn't know how long he just stood there weeping on Sirius' shoulder. A soft sob from behind him made him turn. Serena was stood in the doorway with tears falling freely down her face. Harry found himself breaking free of off Sirius to console Serena. He gave her a warm hug and rubbed her back whilst letting her cry on his shoulder. No doubt this was probably about seeing her father for the first time. When she had regained her composure she looked up at Sirius. Harry stood behind her as she approached Sirius, giving her sense comfort.

'D…Dad.' Serena spoke quietly as she stared into the face of her father.

'Come here then; aren't you going to give your old man a hug?' Saying this Sirius wrapped his arms around his daughter. This time even Sirius was unable to withhold his tears. Watching this Harry felt a pang of jealousy in his heart. He knew that Serena deserved a father and Sirius deserved a child of his own so then why was he feeling like this. He felt a dull ache inside of him and he realised why. He missed his parents. Not only did he miss his parents but the closest thing he had to a parent figure was now preoccupied with his own child. He silently exited the room leaving the family to themselves. He found his way downstairs and in twenty minutes he had successfully located the kitchen. Inside the kitchen he found another surprise in the shape of a small creature with large, bat – like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls.

'Dobby?' Harry asked quietly.

'Harry Potter sir! How do you like your house? Dobby spent all day and night cleaning it with your other house elves.' Dobby was holding Harry in an awkward embrace. 'When Mr Black came to Hogwarts and asked me if I would come and work for you I immediately agreed. It would be an honour for Dobby to work for the great Harry Potter.'

'Whoa! Dobby what have I told you? Call me Harry, please! You are my friend not a slave and what do you mean other house elves?' At the last word Harry heard five pops and around him were five house elves. One of them stepped forward and pulled Harry into an uncomfortable embrace, the rest followed. The last one gave an explanation after giving Harry a hug.

'Sorry, sir. We couldn't stop ourselves. We haven't seen you since you were a one year old. We used to help Lily look after you. We shall iron our ears immediately.'

'No. No punishments and like I told Dobby please call me Harry. Now why are you two laughing?' Harry asked two of the house elves that were grinning at the other three.

'Well we had a little bet that you would tell us to call you Harry. Me and Dave knew that you would do exactly what Lily did. It's because of her we have money to bet in the first place.'

'So what are your names?' Harry asked curiously.

'This is Dave, this is Pete, he is Brian, she is Mel and I am Sarah.'

'Wait a minute Dobby, did you say this was my house and these are my elves?' Harry asked tentatively.

'Yes si – Harry. This is Potter Manor. These elves are the elves that have been in service to the Potter's for generations?'

'Why am I here and how did I get here?' Harry asked Dobby not really expecting an answer.

'I think I can answer that.' Sirius was stood in the doorway along with Serena and Remus Lupin. 'I think I should start with how I got here. I mean why I am not dead. It is actually hard to explain but Moony here came to the conclusion that the veil is a bit like a test and apparently I am not a dark wizard and it decided to spit me out. I awoke about a week ago, found Remus, he explained your predicament, we got this house, sorry, I mean your house ready. I was about to ask you if you wanted to live here until the start of school but I overheard your disagreement with Dumbledore and I also overheard you say that you wished you could go somewhere else. I think I also heard something about your favourite person in the world. He was called Sirius, and here I am. After you passed out I brought you and Serena here. I just told her that I was a friend and to wake me if your condition changed.'

Harry looked at him as he explained this. It was quite a bit to take in. Suddenly Harry's stomach growled breaking the awkward silence. In less than five minutes the four of them were sat round a small table which was laden with double the amount of breakfast that was needed, courtesy of the house elves. Harry and Serena sat on one side with Remus and Sirius facing them. They made it through breakfast with only one embarrassing moment when Serena and Harry had gone for the same piece of toast and had ended up with them holding hands blushing until Sirius had snatched the toast away and devoured it whilst Remus watched with a bemused expression on his face.

After breakfast they made their way to the lounge where they reclined on the comfortable sofas. For some reason Sirius decided to sit between Harry and Serena to Remus' amusement. They spent some time talking before Sirius and Remus decided that Harry and Serena needed a tour. After finding out how many rooms there was Harry asked Sirius if they couldn't just make a Marauder's Map of the place.

'Why didn't I think of that earlier? I'll take you outside and you can talk to the animals whilst I get started.' Upon seeing Harry's confused face Sirius explained further. 'You expect your father to leave you something expensive and exotic, don't you?'

Harry and Serena followed him as Remus was called into an Order meeting. This was one of the things that they had discussed after breakfast. Harry had told them all, the prophecy and had also told them all of the things he had been made to do in his years in Hogwarts with the aid of a pensieve he had found in his father's old room. The four of them had agreed that they were not going to fight alongside Dumbledore or the Ministry. This left one option. They would have to make their own group. After a while of trying to agree on a name unanimously Harry was outvoted and the name of the group was given as Potter's Army or the PA as short. Now they would have to recruit members as well as train them. Remus and Sirius decided that first they should train Harry and Serena.

Remus went out the next day and returned with a sack full of gold, £50 notes and some other objects. When he had got Harry and Serena's attention he dot Sirius to explain what the objects were and what they did.

'First thing has to be these glasses. Here put them on instead. The description in the book said that the frames of the glass are made of platinum. The lenses were made by Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. These lenses are specialized so that they are light weight and damage proof. The lenses automatically adjusts to accommodates the necessary prescription level with the added benefit of seeing through objects, spotting those hidden by invisibility cloaks, those charmed to be hidden from sight, the ability to see in the night as if it was day time, telescoping ability of seeing twice the distance of normal human eyes, and to protect the eyes from bright lights.'

Harry took off his glasses and put on the new, stylish silver glasses and immediately he was able to see much better. It was than that Harry remembered that he hadn't been to the eye doctor for years and his prescription was out of date.

'This red pin is a permanent portkey, you just think of being in a place and you are there. This pink pin has the ability to follow your portkey. They belonged to your parents. It is up to you who you give the second pin too. These pins also can not be stolen or taken without the owner's approval like the glasses.'

Harry put the red pin on himself and with a smirk at Sirius handed the pink pin to Serena. Serena blushed and after a quick glance at Harry put it on.

Then Sirius handed Harry a box which contained two wands and two wand holsters. The description of the wands said, these are 12" fire polished rose wood brother wands with the entwined core with a string from the heart of a phoenix, a griffin, and a Chinese fireball dragon. The wands individually double the strength and accuracy of the caster but when combined makes the casting five times more effective along with additional abilities that only develop with the casters ability. The holsters magically bind to the person and can deliver the wands to the casters hand in less than a hundredth of a second. These four items can not be stolen or taken without the approval of the owner.

Harry immediately put one of the holsters along with the wand on the inside of his right arm, for easy withdrawal. Then he once again made the short trip to Serena to give her the other wand and holster.

'Harry I can't take this. You've already given me that pin this…' Harry silenced her with a kiss. Then, remembering that Serena's father was in the room, he blushed and said 'I already have one good wand. I can't really use three. Another thing is I love you. Because of this feeling you are probably number two on Voldie's list. This should make you a bit safer.'

Serena hugged Harry and put the holster and wand on her right wrist as well. Harry once again looked at Sirius, who was pulling something else out of the sack.

It was a gold and red necklace of a phoenix with its wings open looking like it was screaming. 'This necklace was forged by Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw. This necklace blocks all minor hexes and jinxes and reduces the effects of all other spells. It also allows the person to read at a rate of five times their current speed while also increasing the person's ability to understand something at five times the rate that they currently are able to learn new material. This necklace cannot be stolen or taken without the owner's approval as well.'

Harry wore the necklace around his neck. He tucked the necklace inside his clothes wondering how many more priceless objects he was going to receive.

The last object to come out of the sack was a red ring that had the Hogwarts Coat of Arms etched into the ring. Remus told Harry that this ring when worn becomes hidden. The ring increases the wearer's level senses, perception, agility, and reflexes. This ring was forged by the four founders of Hogwarts. This ring also can not be stolen or taken without the owner's approval. Harry after arguing with Serena about who should wear it, was forced to don the ring and it instantly disappeared. Almost immediately, Harry became aware of the environment he was in. He could hear the quiet intake of breath from Serena when she saw the ring disappear.

Harry looked up and grinned. He now had a fighting chance. Suddenly things didn't look too bad.