Disclaimer – I do not own the Harry Potter characters or settings and do not profit from their use.

Sirius headed back to the entrance of the Leaky. This time he didn't bother waiting for someone to enter or exit. He pushed the door open that led back to muggle London. He walked the few steps to the alley and disapparated to outside Hogsmeade - specifically near the base of the hill that held the cave which had been his refuge during Harry's fourth year.

The other bit of information he gleaned from the paper was that there was a curfew for the residents of the village. Sirius decided that the easiest way to reach the Hog's Head was to walk straight in. He rejected apparating into the pub because of the risk of there being wards in place. The animagus shifted into the big black dog that the residents had seen around a few years ago. With luck, any security charms in place would be for people not animals and would dismiss him outright. If not, he'd figure something out when it happened.

Kreacher's words still played in his mind. "You made it so when you died."

Sirius jogged down the hillside anxious to get to the Hog's Head to speak with Aberforth. Obviously, reports of his own death had been premature, so maybe the ones about Albus' were also incorrect. He needed to know what was happening in the Order and why the Ministry was after Harry. Hell, he had lost almost 2 years falling through that fucking archway, he needed information period.

The large black dog trotted brazenly across the open field that acted as one border of the small village. Sirius felt a tingle of magic as broke the boundary of Hogsmeade. It seemed as though he had gotten that much right. Animals wouldn't set off whatever detection charm was present. He decided to stick to the shadows as he worked his way to the pub. The first building he came to was the post office. He crept past the potion supply shop and Rosemerta's tavern. He crossed over the main path that divided the various businesses and barely managed to hide in the shrubs next to the tea shop as a dementor glided past. He stayed completely motionless until the creature was out of sight.

Sirius quickly padded by the next two buildings and then turned right. On his left was the Hog's Head. Halfway down the dilapidated structure was a door. The animagus scratched on it a few times. He listened as footsteps approached, but they were too light to be Aberforth's. He heard a dead bolt being moved out of place and saw the knob turn. Sirius threw his weight against the door and shot inside as it opened just wide enough for his slender frame.

"Hey," exclaimed a familiar male voice.

Sirius stopped a few feet inside the door and turned to see a tall, graying man in a shabby jacket and corduroys swiftly close the door and return the bolt to its place securing the door.

Remus! The animagus wasted no time in shifting back to his human form.

Lupin stared and started shaking his head. "That's not possible. I saw you fall." He drew his wand before Sirius could say anything. "Who are you?" He demanded.

Despite the situation, he couldn't help smiling. "I am Sirius Black. One of the four creators of the Marauder's Map. Also known as Padfoot to my werewolf best friend, Remus John Lupin, because I am an unregistered animagus. I am godfather to Harry James Potter."

"Not good enough."

"I bought Harry a broom for his first birthday and within 30 minutes he was terrorizing their marmalade colored cat chasing it around the living room. One of the best pranks ever played was by Lily in our 4th year the time she turned all four of the Marauder's hair a different color every day for a week. We never did figure out how she managed it. You kept a secret stash of chocolate in your trunk for after the full moon which you hexed me repeatedly for snitching from and I will never forgive myself for losing faith in you and making Peter Pettigrew James and Lily's secret keeper." Sirius watched Remus slowly lower his wand.

"Good to see you Moony." Sirius held open his arms. In three long strides, Remus had reached his old friend and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"How is this possible? You fell into the Veil of Death. I had to hold Harry back from following you." Remus's voice was thick with unshed tears. He clapped him hard on the back and stepped away to take a good look at him. It was then he noticed that Sirius was wearing the exact clothing he'd had on when he disappeared that night. As often as he had replayed that fight in his mind and seen the fall repeated in his nightmares, he'd never forget.

"I honestly don't know. I felt Bella's stunner hit me. I knew I was headed for the Veil. Things got a little distorted for a moment and the next thing I knew I was waking up alone on the dais in the Department of Mysteries."

"When was this?" Remus asked grabbing onto his arm after silently lighting his wand. He maneuvered Sirius behind the bar and down the hall toward the narrow staircase leading to the second floor.

"About two hours ago." Black replied allowing himself to be pulled along. The pair climbed the steep rickety stairs. Lupin positioned himself in front of his resurrected friend.

"I don't know how they are going to take this?" Lupin confided softly.

"How who is going to take this? Who's up there? And why are you here? I was expecting to find Aberforth not you." His words trailed off as they stepped into the crowded sitting room.

"Remus, what took you so long? Did someone else arrive?" Molly's inquiry ended on a gasp as she saw who was behind Tonks' husband.

"You could say that." Lupin continued to place himself between his oldest and dearest friend and the rest of room's occupants. He threw up a shield as saw Kingsley go for his wand. "He is exactly who he appears to be, Kings." Lupin stated calmly. "I know you won't believe it until you ask your own questions, but let's make it quick as we're running out of time."

"Allow me." Sirius drew a breath and went around the room. "Molly, shortly after the Order started using Grimmauld Place as headquarters, Remus here had to dispatch a boggart for you because it kept taking the form of your husband and children dead. Arthur, you and I spent several hours during your convalescence from Nagini's attack discussing the muggle motorcycle I had. You had wanted to get one from a muggle junk yard a restore it. Shacklebolt, I remember my first Order meeting in 1978. I overheard Moody, who wasn't nicknamed Mad Eye yet, telling you that I was too undisciplined and I was liable to end up dead before Christmas. As soon as he walked away, I came up to you and asked if there were any openings in the Auror program."

There were stunned nods between the three and Remus dropped his shield. Molly smacked Arthur on the arm as she passed him to get to Sirius and enveloped him in one of her trademark hugs. Smile still in place, she then stepped back and punched him in the chest. "That's for what you've put Harry through whether or not you meant to."

"That's enough of that Molly. Bill," called out Arthur, "help your Mother and Fleur get up to the mantle- piece. We do need to get on our way."

A previous group had placed a chair at the end of the fireplace to help make the climb easier. Bill transfigured it into a stepladder and offered each of them in turn his hand for balance. The eldest Weasley child followed quickly after them with Arthur right behind him.

The dark skinned Auror held out his hand to Sirius and shook it. "Good to have you back." He followed the Weasleys up the steps through the opening.

The two old friends stood smiling at each other for a moment. "That went better than I expected," commented Lupin. The pair crossed to the fireplace. "I know you've got questions and evidently there is a bit of a trek to reach the castle, so we'll put the walk to good use."

No sooner had they stepped into the passageway, Sirius asked the question that had been utmost in his mind since his return. "How's Harry?"

Remus had been bracing for this. Trying to organize his thoughts to give him the best answer he could. "I'm not going to lie to you, Harry's had a difficult two years starting with your death. He still blames himself for not realizing it was a trap and leading you into danger. Shortly thereafter, Albus started sharing with Harry information on how to get rid of You Know Who. Harry was with him when Death Eaters breached Hogwarts with the help of Draco Malfoy. Snape proved himself to be the traitor Harry always suspected him to be by killing Dumbledore right in front of him."

"SNAPE! That fucking worthless snake!" Sirius took a couple of deep breaths and clamped down on his rage. "So Albus really is dead? I'd been hoping it was a lie."

"I'm sorry, Padfoot, he really is gone. It wasn't three months later that the Ministry fell and puppets of You Know Who took over running it. Harry, Ron and Hermione went on the run trying to complete some mission Dumbledore gave them. The reason we are all here tonight is that word went out that Harry had shown up at Hogwart's and that this war is going to be decided tonight."

The pair walked in silence for a minute before Remus began speaking again. "Harry has become quite the young man. I almost did something foolish last fall and Harry lit into me like only Lily could. I swear I could see her in his eyes. I think he was deliberately goading me when he said James would have been disappointed me for considering leaving my wife. I blasted him across the room before I stormed out."

"Wait a minute. What?! You're married? You hurt my godson!" Sirius drew back and landed a solid right hook to Remus' jaw. Caught completely off guard, the man went down hard.

"Dammit, Sirius!" He said rubbing the side of his face. "Harry was fine. Everything worked out. Harry's words sunk in after an hour or so and I went home to Nymphadora and begged her forgiveness. I didn't leave her side the rest of the pregnancy. I happened to run into Harry the night my son was born at Bill and Fleur's home. Harry is Teddy's godfather."

Sirius sank to the ground next his friend. He shook his head in disbelief. "You married Andie's daughter, my baby cousin, Dora? And you have a son?! Another future Marauder. Well done, mate."

He managed to keep a smile on his face, but he couldn't help but think that he'd missed so much. His boy was now a godfather in his own right. Harry wouldn't even need him.

Remus instinctively knew where Sirius mind was heading. "Come on, old man, our boy needs us." Sirius sprang to his feet before Remus got to his.

"Who are you calling old, Moony?" As they stood there, four former students of Remus and teammates of Harry's jogged past.

"Excuse us, Sir." Said the young man in the Puddlemere United jersey with a hint of a brogue.

The thirty something men watched the group speed on their way. "Us." Remus replied with a laugh.

A/N – Thank you all for the votes of confidence by taking the time to read my story. I appreciate more than I can express the favorites and follows. If you have time, I would love to hear what you think about this chapter and the story in general.