Chapter 3: Surprises

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

When Harry opened his eyes, they were at the edge of a small town.

"What are we doing here, Mr. Weasley?"

"Oh, sorry, Harry, we'll have to walk from here. I forgot that Dumbledore had to put some barriers up so that no one can apparate straight to the house."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be such a bother," Harry said.

"No, Harry, it's quite alright. Let's start walking."

They were about half way down the road when Harry heard something following them. He saw a great black dog and knew immediately who it was. Forgetting that Mr. Weasley was there, he ran up and hugged it.

He was half way there when the dog turned into a man. The man hugged Harry tightly and swung him around in his arms.

"Sirius!" Harry screamed.

"Hey, pup," Sirius greeted. He put Harry down and bent down in front of him. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Harry replied. "I thought you said you'd come see me for my birthday? Remus came and rescued me from the Dursley's and now Mr. Weasley is taking me to live with him until I can find proof that you are innocent because I want to live with you."

"I know, pup, but I had to go deeper into hiding than I thought on your birthday. I promise I'll bring your present and we'll find some proof while we're at it, but until then, will you be good for Arthur?"

"Yes, Sirius," Harry promised. "But only if you come and see me again."

"I'll try, pup, but that will be up to Molly and Arthur."

Harry turned to look at Mr. Weasley for the first time since he saw Sirius and asked, "Mr. Weasley, I promise to you that I know Sirius is innocent and Professor Dumbledore believes me too, do you think he can come and visit me sometimes? He's the only family I have besides Remus."

Arthur was staring at Sirius in anger and amazement, but when Harry had started talking, he'd given him his undivided attention.

"I'll have to discuss it with Molly, but I don't see it to be problem."

Harry jumped up and down and screamed, "Yay! Now you have to come see me."

Sirius smiled at him and said, "I wouldn't miss it for the world, pup." Harry smiled at him and Sirius hugged him tightly. Sirius looked at Arthur and mouthed, "Thank you."

Arthur only nodded and said, "Harry, we need to get going. Molly will start worrying because I didn't tell her that I was coming to get you today."

Harry nodded and said, "Bye, Sirius, I'll see soon."

"Of course, pup," Sirius said and transformed into his black dog. He went back into the woods that trailed the path.

Harry followed Mr. Weasley and said, "I'm sorry, Arthur, I didn't mean to spring that on you, but I didn't think I'd Uncle Siri so soon."

Arthur said, "That's fine, Harry and I believe you when you say he's innocent. You never know we might find something in that suitcase to help you figure this out."

Harry nodded in joy and followed him the rest of the way to the Burrow.

When they walked up to the door and into the house, a plump woman came and hugged Arthur.

"Welcome home and who is this?" she asked as she saw Harry.

"Molly, this is Harry Potter. Harry, this is my wife, Molly."

"Hi, Mrs. Weasley. It's nice of you guys to let me stay here and I promise not to intrude or do anything to get in the way."

Mrs. Weasley was looking at him in amazement and said, "Of course, dear, why don't you come inside? You look like you could use a good meal."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

"Molly, I think we need to talk first. There are a couple of things you need to know about Harry."

"Well, let's go to the family room. Ginny is upstairs and Fred, George, Percy, Charlie, and Ron went out to the Quidditch Pitch."

Mr. Weasley nodded and they led Harry to the family room. Harry sat in one of the arm chairs and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat on the couch.

"Now, what do we need to know?" Molly asked.

"Well, first, you need to read this," Harry said and handed them Madame Pomfrey's evaluation.

Arthur read over and then, Molly and when she finished, she had tears and anger in his eyes.

"You poor boy," Molly said and Arthur shook his head.

Harry tried to ignore it, but it made him feel bad.

"Next, is this list of medicines Madame Pomfrey has asked me to take. One is a growth potion so my body can catch up, one is a, I think Madame Pomfrey said, salve for my chest and back, and the other is a potion so my energy will return."

"What do you need the salve for?" Molly asked.

Harry sighed and stood up. He unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off gingerly because they had started hurting. He turned around so they could see both his back and chest. He put his shirt on and sat back down.

Molly looked ready to cry and Arthur looked ready to kill.

"How did you survive that?"

"I don't know," Harry replied. "Madame Pomfrey said my magical core healed me."

Molly nodded and said, "Well, I'll make sure you can take your medicines when you need them and if you want, I can help you put on your salve."

"That would be nice, thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

She smiled and Arthur said, "There's one more thing, Molly." Arthur looked at Harry and nodded for him to tell her.

"Mrs. Weasley, I would like to know if someone can come and visit me, but you have to understand that Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore, and I believe he is innocent."

"Who is it, dear?"

"My godfather, Sirius," He replied.

Mrs. Weasley gasped and looked Arthur to see if it was true. When he nodded, she took a deep breath.

"I don't see why that would be a problem, dear, did Dumbledore say it was alright?"

"I'll send him a letter, but he said if I proved Uncle Siri innocent that I can go live with him."

Molly nodded and said, "You don't need to bother Dumbledore, dear. I believe you. Why don't you go sit at the table? I have to start dinner and you seem like you'd be nice company."

"Okay, Mrs. Weasley. Do you need any help cooking?" Harry asked politely.

"Oh, no, dear," Mrs. Weasley said and Harry followed her into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

"I'm going to go upstairs, Molly, and expand Ron's room so that Harry can sleep in there."

"Alright, dear."

Harry sat quietly while Mrs. Weasley worked and he was surprised when what he thought was a few minutes later, Mrs. Weasley woke him up.

"Sorry, dear, but you need to take both your medicines and I figured it'd be easier to take them before you ate."

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said and down both of them. They both tasted icky, but Mrs. Weasley smiled at him.

"Don't worry, the food will wash it down."

Harry nodded and all the sudden, kids poured in from all directions and sat down at the table. Arthur walked in last and sat at the head of the table. Harry was on the chair to his right and was grateful that he had someone familiar near him.

Arthur smiled at Harry and Harry attempted to smile back, but it was more of grimace.

Once the food was set and everyone was sitting down, Arthur called attention to him at the table.

"Everyone, this is Harry Potter." Everyone at the table, except Molly and Arthur gasped. "He's coming to live with us for a little while so I want everyone to be on their best behavior. He's had a hard time and he's recovering from a couple of things, so no ruff housing until we say so, understand?"

"Yes, dad," said all the boys and the girl.

"Now why don't you guys introduce yourselves?"

"Hello, Harry, my name is Charlie and I'm the oldest right now besides Bill, but he's in Egypt," the guy named Charlie said.

Harry nodded and the next one said, "Hello, Harry, my name is Percy and it's really nice to meet you."

"Hello there, Harry," said two identical boys. "I'm Fred," said one and the other said. "I'm George."

Harry nodded and the youngest boy said, "Hi, Harry, my name's Ron and I'm guessing I'm the one you're sharing a room with."

"Yeah, if that's alright with you, Ron," Harry said.

Ron nodded and the girl looked up at him. Harry blushed and looked down. He'd never talked to a girl before and he wasn't sure how to.

"Hi, Harry," came a soft voice. "My name is Ginny and it's really nice to meet you."

Harry looked up and smiled at her.

"It's n-nice to meet you too, everyone," Harry mumbled and Ginny blushed when he talked to her. It was nice to not be the only one embarrassed, Harry thought.

"Well, now that that's done, let's eat."

Bowls were passed around and soon everyone was eating, but Harry kept sneaking glances at Ginny. Her eyes were a really pretty brown and he couldn't help, but smile when she looked at him. He didn't know what this feeling was either, so he decided to send a letter to Siri and ask him.

After dinner, Ron led Harry upstairs to their room. Arthur had put his clothes and shoes up there and there was a bed and dresser for him to use.

"So everything's over there for you and-," he didn't get to finish because Mrs. Weasley came in.

"Ron, dear, would you mind going downstairs until I come down? I have to talk to Harry about something."

Ron nodded and Mrs. Weasley shut the door and muttered something at it.

"Sorry, my sons, and I love them dearly though, but they are sneaks," she said and Harry nodded. "No need to be afraid, dear, I just thought you might want your salve before you go to bed."

"That would be great, Mrs. Weasley. It's been hurting pretty bad today," he said and Mrs. Weasley nodded.

"Well, I imagine you've been doing a lot more traveling than you're used to, am I right?"

"Yes," Harry said as he took his shirt off. He laid down on his stomach on his bed and Mrs. Weasley started to rub the salve in. Harry felt his muscles loosen until he felt like his whole back was relaxed.

"Here you go, just do what I did," Mrs. Weasley said as she handed him the salve to put on his chest. Harry nodded and started to rub it in. When he finished, he felt like he could run a hundred miles. "Do you feel better, dear?"

"Loads," Harry replied. "Mrs. Weasley, if you don't mind, can we not tell any of the others just yet? I don't want to scare them with how I look."

"Harry, dear, you wouldn't scare them or are you afraid of the looks they'd give you if they knew?" Harry nodded and Mrs. Weasley patted him shoulder. "It's up to you when we tell them, but just know this, my sons and daughter think more about others than themselves."

Harry nodded and Mrs. Weasley turned around so he could put on his pajamas. She left after she was sure his back and chest were covered and Ron came back in a few minutes later.

"So what was that about?" Ron asked.

"Oh, nothing," Harry said. "She was just telling me to take it easy for the next couple of days."

Ron nodded and said, "Lucky you, we have loads of chores to do."

Harry nodded and they went to sleep.

When Harry woke up the next morning, he had almost forgotten where he was, but then he looked over and saw Ron. Harry smiled at the thought having new friends and dressed quickly so that Ron didn't wake up and see him.

He then walked downstairs quietly and into the kitchen to find Mr. Weasley having a cup of coffee.

"Oh, good morning, Harry."

"Good morning," Harry said. "Is there any way I could send a letter to Sirius?"

"Of course, Harry, why don't you write and then I'll help you send it off?"

Harry nodded and Mr. Weasley grabbed some parchment and a quill. Harry wrote a short letter and handed it to Mr. Weasley. He brought an owl into the room and handed the letter to it. It flew away and Harry stared at it in awe.

"How does it know where to go?"

"It will find him if it can, Harry," Mr. Weasley said and Mrs. Weasley walked into the room.

"Good morning, Harry, would you like a spot of breakfast?" she asked.

"That would be nice, Mrs. Weasley and I'll take my medicine before, please," Harry said and Mrs. Weasley nodded.

They all sat together in silence until Mrs. Weasley served them breakfast after giving Harry his medicine.

Mr. Weasley ate semi-quickly, gave Mrs. Weasley a quick peck on the cheek and left for work, but what had caught Harry off guard was when Mrs. and Mr. Weasley were close they seemed to almost glow with happiness. Harry decided not to mention it and kept eating his breakfast.

"Now, Harry, I don't mind what you do today, but try to take it easy. I think you need to relax."

Harry nodded and went back upstairs. When he got up to the second landing, he bumped into someone. He fell and so did the other person. He stood up fast and helped Ginny up.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's alright," Ginny whispered. They looked at each other for a second and then they both blushed and Harry continued upstairs to his and Ron's room. Ron was coming downstairs so when Harry walked into the room, he was alone.

He sat on the bed and was drifting off when he remembered his parents suitcase. He took it's miniature form out of his pants pocket from yesterday and said, "Grow."

It increased in size until Harry had to set it down because it was normal size.

"Open," Harry said. It opened and Harry looked inside. The inside of it was huge, not huge. It had a whole room inside it. He closed the trunk and said, "Lock." He could hear a clicking noise and he said, "Shrink." It shrank and he put in his pocket. He'd ask Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley about it later or maybe he'd just walk around by himself first, but he still wanted to tell them so they didn't think he'd disappeared.

He walked back downstairs and Mrs. Weasley said, "Harry, you have a letter."

Harry went over to the owl and took his letter. It had Sirius's print on it.

He went to the family room and opened it.

Dear Harry,

I'm glad to hear you're doing good and see if Molly and Arthur mind if I drop by before dinner. Like I said, I'm sorry I couldn't make it for your birthday, but I plan to get your present as soon as possible. As for your problem with the girl, well, pup, we all have that problem, but if it's really bothering you, we can talk about it when I get there.

Love ya, pup

Sirius

Harry closed the letter and put it in his pocket. He went into the kitchen and saw everyone eating.

"Mrs. Weasley, can I talk to you for a minute?" Harry asked.

Mrs. Weasley nodded and led Harry to the family room. She muttered the same words she had last night and asked, "What do you need, Harry, dear?"

"I needed two things. One, I wanted to know if Sirius could come see me before dinner?"

Mrs. Weasley swallowed a little hard, but nodded. "That's fine, Harry, but let him know that he's welcome to stay for dinner if he wants."

"Okay, Mrs. Weasley and second, I wanted to let you know that I found a trunk in my vault at Gringott's that was my parent's and if you don't see me around, inside the trunk was what looked like a room."

"Alright, Harry, just let me or Arthur know before you go in," she said.

"Okay," Harry replied. "Can I use your owl to send one more letter to Uncle Siri?"

"Of course, Harry," she said and left. Harry wrote a letter saying yes and gave it to the owl. It flew away and Harry practically jumped with joy. He was about to go outside when he bumped into someone again.

"Oh, sorry," Harry said and looked down to see Ginny. She was about the same height as him and she was eight and he was nine. He sighed and held out his hand to help her up. She took it and stood up, but not before they both gasped. Where their hands touch, they tingled. She let go quickly and he coughed.

"Thanks, sorry I ran into you again," she said quietly.

"It's alright, I was just getting ready to go for a walk," he said and before he could stop himself, he asked, "Would you like to come with me? I'm still getting used to this place and I really don't know where to go."

She smiled and nodded. "Let me go tell mum." Harry nodded and she walked away. She came back a few minutes later and led him outside. "Now, we can go several places." Harry was surprised she was talking so much. She was usually quiet around him. He nodded and she started listing them off. "We can go to the meadow, down the road, over the hill, through the garden, or down to the Quidditch pitch."

"What's quidditch?" he asked.

She looked at him like he joking with her and when she figured out he wasn't joking, she replied, "It's a game played on broomsticks and you fly around tossing a ball around to get goals or you try to catch this thing that moves really fast to win the game."

Harry nodded and said, "It sounds fun." She nodded and he continued, "Let's go to the meadow."

She nodded and started toward it. He followed her, but every now and then, he had to stop. She looked at him weirdly, but didn't say anything until the fourth time they stopped.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm just not used to moving so much," he replied.

She nodded and they continued their walk. By the time they made it to the meadow, Harry was exhausted, but he was trying not to show it. It didn't help though because she seemed to know exactly what he was feeling. They sat down on the soft grass and she closed her eyes.

"Thanks," he said.

"For what?" she asked.

"For bringing me out here, I don't have anyone to talk to, but you and Ron have been really nice to me, so thanks."

She smiled a little and said, "You're welcome, but I want to know something."

He felt fear crawl up his spine and he asked, "What?"

"What's wrong that you have to take those medicines because I know one is a growth potion and the other is a healing solution. The other one I don't recognize, so you don't have to tell me, but I'd like it if you would."

He laughed a little and whispered, "I'm not perfect."

"No one is, silly," she said.

"No, umm, I'll tell you, but you have to pinkie swear on our new friendship not to tell anyone. You're parents already know." She nodded and they locked pinkies. Where they touched, the tingling happened again. They let go and Harry said quietly, "I was beaten and tortured by the people I used to live with. I have scars that might go away with that medicine, but some never will. That's why I had to stop a lot on the way here. I'm underweight from not eating for weeks or months in a row and then from dehydration. I'm also not growing properly because of it, but it's getting better. I feel stronger now than I did before and your mom's cooking is amazing."

Ginny smiled and said, "I'm not going to run away in fear, Harry, but I want you to know that I'm glad you told me." She hugged him and Harry was caught off guard, but then he hugged her back. They let go and she said, "We might want to start heading back. Mum will be starting dinner soon."

He hadn't realized it had gotten that late. Being here with her made him forget about time and everything else, he felt normal.

They walked back and Harry almost broke into a run when he remembered Sirius might be there already. They walked inside and Harry saw who he'd been wanting see all day.

He ran up and hugged him and Sirius swung him around.

"Sirius," Harry breathed. "I'm having so much fun and I have so much to tell you."

"Alright, pup, but it might have to wait until after dinner."

"Okay," Harry said and Sirius sat down with Harry in his lap.

"Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Siri asked amused.

"Oh, yeah. Ginny, this is my uncle Sirius. Siri, this is Ginny."

Sirius smiled at Ginny and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ginny, and happy late birthday to you and Harry. Lily was better with birthdays than I was, but I remember her talking about your first birthday with your mom."

Ginny smiled and helped her mum with dinner. Mrs. Weasley was watching Harry and Sirius with a close eye and couldn't help, but smile at the smile on the boy's face.

"Siri, I missed you," Harry whispered. "Do you have to go away again?"

Sirius looked at him, pained and Molly said, "Sirius, would you like to stay tonight? I'm sure Harry would love it."

"Please, Siri, please," Harry begged. Sirius smiled at the pup's antics and Harry kept going.

Finally, Sirius had enough and said, "Alright, pup. Thank you, Molly for the offer." Molly only nodded and looked at the grin on Harry's face. Sirius saw how much it made her happy to see him smile and he smiled too.

"Does that mean we can talk all night?"

"No, that means we can talk and then sleep and then talk some more in the morning," Sirius said.

Harry sighed because he knew Siri had to go in the morning and said, "Okay, Siri."

Sirius smiled and kissed Harry's forehead. Harry put his head in the crook of his neck. He fell asleep.

Sirius watched Harry sleep and sighed contentedly.

"So how have you been, Sirius?" Molly asked.

"I've been living, but I'm only doing it for him, Molly. If I had it my way, I would have gone with Lily and James."

"Yes, but then Harry wouldn't have anyone," Ginny said as she watched Harry sleep. He looked kinda cute with his hair all over the place and his glasses askew.

Sirius looked at her and nodded.

Molly looked at her daughter and saw how she was looking at Harry. She sighed and hoped she wouldn't have to keep them apart, but then again, they were only children they wouldn't do anything that she need to worry about.

Harry started twitching in his sleep and moaned. Sirius shook him gently and said, "Pup."

Harry jerked awake and looked around frantically. He found Ginny and saw she was okay and then found Molly and Sirius and relaxed.

"Are you alright, pup?"

Harry nodded, but he still looked scared.

"You wanna tell me what happened?"

"Later," Harry mumbled as he put his head in the crook of Sirius's neck, but didn't fall asleep.

Sirius nodded and Molly had Ginny set the table.

Ginny tried to not touch Harry when she put his plate down, but she couldn't avoid it and they both jumped when their skin touched.

Sirius looked at them weirdly, but didn't say anything. Ginny blushed and finished setting the plates. She took her seat and the rest of the kids came in.

"Harry, would you like me to conjure you up another chair?"

Harry looked at Sirius to see if he minded if he stayed where he was and shook his head no. He was finally content to stay in Sirius's arms the rest of the night. Sirius smiled at him and Harry smiled back.

Molly set the food on the table, but looked at a clock that showed several names, but Arthur's said traveling.

"Alright, guys, we can eat in just a minute." Everyone sighed in relief and Arthur walked through the door and sat in his seat.

"Good evening," he said and everyone said hi or said good evening. "Ah, hello, Sirius."

Sirius smiled at Arthur and said, "Good evening, Arthur, if you don't mind, Molly asked me if I could stay the night."

Arthur nodded and said, "That's fine." Arthur looked at the smile on Harry's face and seemed to relax.

Everyone ate and held up a steady conversation.

After dinner, Molly said, "Everyone is to stay out of the family room tonight, I'll put a privacy ward up, but that's where Sirius is staying." Everyone nodded and went upstairs. Sirius carried Harry to the family room because he didn't want to let go of Sirius and was slowly falling asleep.

"Siri," Harry said, tiredly. "Can we still talk?"

Sirius nodded and Molly put up the privacy ward and said, "Good night."

"What do you want to talk about, son?"

"I don't know what to do, do you think they'd mind if I called you 'dad' cause that's what I'm used to calling you," Harry said.

"I don't think anyone would notice, pup, but what else did you wanna talk about?"

"Well, I found my parents' trunk," Harry said. "I want to look through it on my own and then maybe next time you can stay in there because I think there's a bedroom."

Sirius smiled at him and nodded.

"Also, I have these feelings for Ginny that I don't understand."

"Like what?"

"Well, when our skin touches, it tingles and I feel like I can tell her anything. I trust her completely and I just met her."

"Harry, I think we need to talk to Molly about this and Arthur because I think they noticed too, but I think you guys just have a strong bond."

Harry nodded and said, "Daddy, I'm tired."

Sirius smiled at 'daddy' and asked, "You ready to go to bed, pup?"

Harry nodded and Sirius conjured a bed. They laid down and Harry cuddled close to Sirius like any son would to their dad and promptly fell asleep. Sirius smiled at him and felt a pang in his heart. It was going to kill him to leave him tomorrow.