Tears of an Angel Chapter 10

A/N: I am so so so sorry for not posting in such a long time! I have been way more involved in my art than my literature, but I hope this makes up for it!

Harry woke up tired, which didn't surprise him. It seemed as if he could never get a good night sleep anymore. It was the end of July, and Harry was beginning to wonder how he was going to be able to go to school. What if he needed Sirius or got really sick? These questions rolled around in his head as he made his way down stairs. Sirius and Remus were at the kitchen table eating breakfast.

Sirius looked up when Harry walked in. "Hey, kiddo. Hungry?"

Harry shook his head, but Sirius was used to that. He and Remus were used to Harry's neglect with eating and sleeping properly.

Harry sat down and looked outside the window. It was such a nice day, and Harry was itching to get out of the house. He wanted to go for a walk through the woods behind Sirius' house. He knew he got lost before at Mrs. Weasley's, but that was when he wasn't paying attention. Harry knew this path very well, so decided to go for it.

After explaining this to Sirius, Sirius looked at Remus before agreeing.

"You must be back by lunch, or I will be upset Harry."

"Yeah, and don't leave the path, no exceptions." Remus added.

Harry felt like such a baby. "I know, I just want to go for a walk, nothing more, nothing less."

Harry soon made his way along the old dirt path that led into the woods. He loved seeing the green leaves on the trees and the sun shining down through them, making a variety of shadows. For once in his life, Harry felt pretty happy.

Harry walked all the way to where the path came out into a whole different neighborhood and turned back. He wasn't walking for long before he heard birds. They were cawing and flying in the opposite direction than he was heading. 'Nature is unpredictable' Harry thought. Harry decided he shouldn't worry about it, until he heard the horrible sound of a gunshot. He was no longer scared, but angry. How dare someone hunt on Sirius' property?

Harry started to walk a little faster until he came to a small clearing. Harry looked around, half expecting to see a man with a rifle. Instead, he saw a flash of orange out of the corner of his eye. Harry walked a little closer and realized it was a fox. If it wasn't dead, Harry would have thought it was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He reached out and touched the soft fur. It almost looked like it had socks on with its black paws.

Harry turned around and looked around again. All he saw was the grass and trees, nothing unusual. Harry stood up to leave when another shade of orange caught his eye. He turned around and saw a complete copy of the other fox before him, except smaller. 'That fox had a baby' Harry determined. It looked like it was too young to feed and defend for itself. Harry picked up the small bundle and cradled it in his arms. He giggled as it nipped at his fingers playfully.

Harry realized he was probably past his curfew, and knew Sirius would be mad. However, Harry knew in his heart that he could not just leave the pup to die. He tucked it into his jacket and continued down the path towards home.

When Harry got home, his prediction was right, Sirius was beyond upset. It wasn't until the fox moved around in his jacket that Sirius stopped yelling.

"What in the bloody Hell is that?!" Sirius yelled.

"It's a fox baby...I found it."

Remus heard this and chimed in. "Harry, its mother is going to be enraged when she finds her pup gone. You must take it back."

"Yeah, Harry. That's a wild animal."

Tears welled up in Harry's eyes. "I can't, the mother was shot."

Sirius looked up at him and the pup. "Harry, it isn't safe for you...What if it bites?"

Harry held onto the fox tighter as it played with his bangs. "I can't take him back, he will die!"

Sirius sighed. "One night, then I will decide what to do with him."

Harry was glad Sirius had calmed down, but couldn't imagine giving the pup up. Harry watched as Sirius sat down on the couch beside Remus. He sat down as well, cradling the fox. It closed its eyes and yawned, and soon they both were fast asleep.

Sirius knew that Harry would not want to give the fox up. Remus had pointed out to him how happy Harry seemed around it, which made them both smile. As much as Sirius hated to say it, he wanted Harry happy, even if it meant spoiling him. They both decided it could stay, but Harry needed to be cautious around it to ensure his safety.

Harry woke up and noticed his fox was gone. He panicked and ran into the kitchen, only to find Sirius sitting on the floor, using an old shoelace as a toy for the pup.

"Playful little guy, isn't he? He is going to need a name, you know."

Harry ran over and hugged Sirius. "Thank you, Sirius. I promise I will care for him, I will."

Remus grinned. "We know you will."

Harry sat on the floor beside Sirius and fox ran over to him, tugging on his pants. "He may be a troublemaker."

Sirius didn't care, he just liked to see his Prongslet happy.