StillerSchmerz, marcroutledge, Lolerator, Simevra Lestrange, Skyler Night – Thanks a lot! I'm glad you liked it.

KatherineSpice – Oops, didn't think of that one! Sorry about it... Well, I have no reasonable explanation for it, so please just bear with me... Anyway, thanks for the review!

The Bird of Hermes77 – To be honest, I was planning on having the canon pairing Tonks/Remus and I haven't planned anything for Harry yet. So, their relationship will be completely platonic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter One: The Convict of Britain

Ten years later, a boy of average height, with shoulder-length black hair, emerald green eyes and pale skin was sitting in a large house Buckinghamshire with his father, Sirius Black, and cousin, Dora. Sirius had blood adopted him long ago, meaning he was the legitimate son of Sirius Black III. Sirius had waited until Harry was old enough to decide whether he wanted the adoption or not – he hadn't wanted to give his godson the name Black without consent.

"So Charlie and I convinced Peeves to run straight into Filch's office!" said Tonks.

She had been telling Harry a story of her Hogwarts days with Charlie Weasley, the second eldest Weasley son, who had just been offered a job at a dragon reserve in Romania. He and Dora had been in the same year, but in different houses.

Sirius let out his famous bark-like laughter. "Good old Peeves! If your mum knew, Dora..."

She made a face at him. "You wouldn't dare tell her!"

"And why wouldn't I?" asked Sirius, grinning.

"Because I'm going to tell Remus who's been stealing his chocolate," said Tonks, confident with her blackmailing abilities.

Sirius sobered up. Remus was dangerous when it came to his chocolate.

"So, Harry, your Hogwarts letter should be arriving soon," he said, trying to change the subject.

The young boy looked up from his Charms textbook. "But my birthday isn't for another week," he said, looking confused.

"True," agreed Remus, who had just entered the room with Andromeda and Ted, "but it sometimes comes earlier. Lily got it two months before her birthday."

Harry smiled. Remus, Sirius and Even his Aunt Andy had told him a lot about his parents, but he could never know enough about them.

"Just imagine everyone's reaction," said Tonks, mirth colouring her voice, "when Sirius Black's son has a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. They'll go mad!"

"Especially Dumbledore's men," agreed Ted. "After all, Harry's still presumed dead."

Suddenly, a horrible thought struck Harry. "What if I don't get my Hogwarts letter? I mean – they think I'm dead!"

"It doesn't work that way," said Andromeda. "It doesn't matter what they think – the moment magical children start doing accidental magic, their names are written down by a magical quill. When they turn eleven, their Hogwarts letters immediately find them."

"How does the quill know when each student turns eleven?" asked Tonks curiously.

"Underage witches and wizards have a Trace on them. That means their magic can be tracked at any moment," supplied Remus.

"Of course you would know that," muttered Sirius to himself, twirling a glass of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey in his hand.

Andromeda looked at him disapprovingly. She didn't approve of her cousin's drinking habits. "Come, Harry, it's time for your Occlumency lesson."

Harry obediently stood up and exited the room. They always used the study for Occlumency. Andromeda had been training him since his ninth birthday. Sirius had argued and protested, claiming Harry was too young, but Andromeda knew it took years to master the art of blocking one's thoughts.

They practised for about an hour, when an owl flew through the open window. It landed on the oak desk and waited for the letter to be untied from its leg. Andromeda carefully removed the string and read the envelope. Her eyes sparkled when she saw it.

"I believe this is yours," she said, handing it to Harry.

The young boy's eyes widened. "Is this –?"

"Open it," urged Andromeda.

Harry ripped the envelope and unfolded the letter, completely bewildered.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr Potter-Black,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry stared at the letter for a couple of seconds. Finally, he seemed to register what he had read and jumped up, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He ran down to the drawing room excitedly.

"I got my letter!" he exclaimed, still disbelieving.

Tonks winked at him, while Sirius grinned wickedly. Ted clapped him on the back.

"Then I believe it's time," said Sirius.

"Time?" asked Harry. "Time for what?"

"You know the 1971-1978 Gryffindors were the biggest pranksters in Hogwarts history. James, Remus and I would often compete with Lily, Marlene McKinnon, Dorcas Meadowes and Emmeline Vance."

Harry nodded silently. He recognised all of those names – Marlene McKinnon had been the most celebrated Hit Witch of her age and Sirius's fiancée, but had died in the war. Dorcas Meadowes had been a celebrated Herbology Mistress. Emmeline Vance had been McGonagall's apprentice, together with James, until the two of them had quit in order to join Sirius in the Auror Department.

"I want you to carry on the tradition," said Sirius. "Just find a group of jokesters. It doesn't matter which house they're in, as long as they're respectable."

"Sirius!" exclaimed Andromeda. "I swear, if Harry gets in trouble because of you... How many detentions had you got in your Hogwarts days?"

"One thousand seven hundred eighty-four," said Sirius proudly.

Tonks's eyes widened. "I only got six hundred!" she said.

Andromeda turned to stare at her. "You got how many?" she asked in a deadly voice.

"Uh, I don't know, mum," mumbled Tonks, her hair turning green.

"Come on, Andy, it was seven years! There are two thousand five hundred fifty-six days in seven years. Six hundred really isn't that much when you think about it," said Sirius hopefully.

Andromeda gave him her best glare. "Whose idea was it to let you raise a child?" she asked with mock haughtiness.

Sirius shrugged. "No one's. I'm still a convict, remember?"

Andromeda sighed. It was but the sad, cold truth. Sirius would never be accepted in magical Britain. Even if, miraculously, his name was cleared, the Prophet would still slander him because of his statuses of Lord Black and former Prisoner of Azkaban. The people would still fear him and Dumbledore would still be out for his blood. There was no escape.

"I should get going," she said quietly. "I have work to do at St Mungo's."

Harry marvelled at how quickly the mood had changed. Sirius was placing glamour charms on himself, giving himself a triangular face, brown eyes and blond hair. He cast the same charms on Harry, giving him an almost identical look. The only things that remained the same were his eyes – Lily's beautiful, emerald eyes.

"Come, Harry, we're going to Diagon Alley for your supplies. Have you got your list?"

Harry nodded, stuffing the list in his pocket.

"Good," said Sirius. "Let's go. Remember, I will be Henry Evans and you will be my son Emrys. We come from a Welsh, half-blood family and are on a trip to see magical England."

He took his godson's hand and they Apparated into Diagon Alley.