Chapter 2 – Distant Memories

Well, hopefully, the new story has been well received. Here's the next chapter up. It's a new endeavor, so please don't flame. But constructive criticisms are always welcome.

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Sirius Black felt like he was drowning. There was a rushing sound in his ears like he was sitting too close to a waterfall. All white noise and static. Like a badly tuned radio. He shook his head trying to clear it. Nothing worked.

Black spots swam before his eyes. He tried to pick them out, slowly, patiently, but they just kept shifting, floating away just as he was about to pin them down. And then they got bigger and bigger until they filled his vision. And after that nothing.

When he returned to consciousness, he didn't know how long he'd been out. Only the worried looks directed at him told him that he had really shaken his family this time. But what had he done? He couldn't think through his headache.

"Sirius, are you alright?"

That was Harry. A good boy if he ever knew one. So much like his parents. He shook away his wandering thoughts and looked at the young man. "Fine Harry. 'M just fine."

"I saw the letter Sirius. You … you didn't know?"

"Hadn't a clue." He huffed a humorless laugh. "Lily always said she knew something like this would happen to me."

"So did we all," announced a new voice.

"Remus," the resting man welcomed one of his oldest friends.

"We used to place bets on which girls would slap him in the Great Hall at the end of every year."

"Not sure if I should be listening to this,"muttered Harry, red tinting his cheeks.

"Cub, you and me. Out on the town to meet the girls. Tonight."

Harry blanched. "R-really Sirius. I think I'm fine without expert guidance."

Remus placed a comforting hand on the young man's shoulders. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you have fun. Not get sloshed courtesy the Black party beast." He looked over at his friend. "Besides, he has something else to take care of now."

"I remember Remus. I do. I just don't know what to do about it." He sighed heavily. "I missed Lizzy when she left, but I never thought she'd left because of this. To keep her … our … daughter safe. She never owled, never flooed, nothing. What was I supposed to think!" he yelled. "How do I even know if she's telling the truth!?"

"I know how it looks Siri. But Elizabeth was never one to lie. And certain not about something like this." He sat on the bed and patted one sheet covered leg. "Let's at least look into this. You'll regret it later if you don't check this out now."

"Not to mention, you have an heir to the Black name if this is true," mumbled Harry quietly.

Sirius exhaled slowly, reining in the famous Black temper. "Fine. If you all say so, I'll do this. But only if you come with me."

"Sirius Black, you have no hope of leaving us behind," Remus declared, with Harry nodding along enthusiastically.

Sirius smirked, "Well at least with Harry there, we'll have a distraction ready."

"It'll be better distraction if your hair's green, Padfoot," retorted the boy, before breaking into contagious laughter, pulling in the two men, their happiness echoing out of the room and down the stairs, brightening up the dour atmosphere of old Grimmauld Place.

Sirius smiled in his heart. It was good to have friend and family around. Maybe now he would be able to add one more to the list.