Harry woke up the next morning to a very annoying tapping sound. He looked to the window to see an owl. He opened the window to let it in and get the letter. He looked at the writing to find that it was from Hermione. He relieved the owl of its letter and watched the owl fly through the open window. He opened the letter and began to read,
Harry,
Hi Harry! My family has just arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is so beautiful here with the valleys, forests, and ocean! The people are all very friendly too! There is so much amazing history here. Especially on the wizarding population! Tomorrow my parents are letting me look for the 'wizarding area'. I can't wait.
Well, it is July the fifteenth today, we are arriving back home on the twenty-seventh of July, and I am going to stay at The Burrow on the twenty-eighth. Will you be going to The Burrow? I hope so. I'm not sure how long it will take this owl to deliver my letter. I'm guessing around five or six days.
How are you? I hope you're holding up with the Dursleys. I hope they aren't giving you too much trouble.
I'm really worried about you Harry. I hope you aren't locking yourself in your room and refusing to eat after the Ministry fiasco. I'm really sorry about Sirius Harry. I know you probably hate me right now for bringing him up, but you need to know that I'm here for you to talk to. So is Ron, although, I don't know how much help he would be. And don't forget about Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, or even Remus. Sirius was one of Remus' best friends. He's probably feeling just as bad as you are right now. So please, Harry, don't tune yourself out from everyone else. Don't think that you are the only one who feels Sirius' death. Yes, you may be feeling it worse than anyone else, but talk to someone. It helps tremendously. Trust me. According to Ron and yourself, I am the bossy know-it-all after all.
Well, take care, and I hope to see you at The Burrow for your birthday!
Yours,
Hermione
Harry stared at the letter.
'Today is the twenty-sixth,' he thought. 'She'll be getting back tomorrow. 'I wonder when Ron will owl me about coming to stay at The Burrow. Probably any day now if Hermione's visiting in two days…'
Harry lay back down on his bed as his thoughts drifted to Sirius for the hundredth time that week. He got up and rubbed his eyes as tears threatened to fall once more. His eyes were already red enough. He didn't need to make them more noticeable.
He got up and headed down the stairs and out the front door. It was still fairly early in the morning, so the Dursleys were not a problem. He let his feet carry him, not paying attention to their destination. A few minutes later he found himself at the park. He walked over to the swings where he sat down.
He didn't notice that someone was watching him. He didn't hear anyone approach him from behind, as he was busy hiding his face, which had tears flowing freely down it. Behind him, a man with long black hair was watching the boy with concern.
'Harry?' the man asked. Concern evident in his voice. As soon as he spoke though, the boy jumped up and pulled out his wand, wiping his face as he did so. Harry gasped when he saw the person.
'Who are you? What do you want?' Harry asked stepping back. 'Don't move or I'll stun you!' he yelled as the man took a step towards him. The man put his hands up in surrender and said,
'Harry, it's me, Sirius. Sirius Black.'
'No you're not this is some sick joke! Go away! If you're a Death Eater I swear I will kill you!' Sirius looked at the boy in shock.
'Harry, how, how can I convince you that it's me?' Sirius asked quietly. Harry's blazing eyes never left Sirius, nor his angered expression as he said,
'What do you have to say to activate The Marauders Map?' Sirius smiled. This was easy.
'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good, and when you're done you say mischief managed.' Harry thought. Anyone could have found out.
'I don't believe you.' He thought for a moment. What could only the realy person know…
'Animagus! If you're really Sirius, you'll be able to transform into an animagus.' Sirius stared at him before shrugging his shoulders and transforming into a large black dog for a minute, and then turned back to a human.
Harry stared at him for a moment before flying into Sirius' arms, giving him such a hard hug, Sirius was losing oxygen quickly. He was about to comment on this, but stopped himself when Harry loosened his grip and started to sob.
'Harry,' Sirius started, 'why are you crying?' Harry didn't answer but continued to sob. Sirius led him over to a bench where he sat down and let Harry sob into his shirt. He had no idea how to soothe the boy. Ten minutes later, Harry stopped sobbing.
'Harry, what's wrong?' Sirius said, trying to find a reason for his godson's strange behavior. Harry looked up at Sirius, his eyes red, his face tearstained and said three simple words,
'You were dead.'