So, yes. I couldn't kill Sirius, I just couldn't.

"What do you mean 'she's not dead'?" Bellatrix demanded, advancing on Narcissa.

Narcissa held out the Daily Prophet. "Bella, I though you knew- no one died-"

Bellatrix grabbed the Daily Prophet, examining the front page, where only two headlines jumped out:

SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT?

and

CORNELIUS FUDGE RESIGNS!

Bellatrix threw the newspaper into the fireplace, screaming in anger.

"Harry! There you are!" Hermione said from her bed. "Have you seen the article yet?"

Harry glanced at them as he sat on the end of her bed. "What article?"

"About Sirius." Neville said from the next bed.

"He's been sent back to Azkaban, hasn't he? It's all my fault-"

"No, mate." Ron said, shoving a newspaper into Harry's hand. "He's free."

"I bet the Ministry's livid right now." Tonks said to Sirius, who was perched on the end of her bed in St Mungo's.

"Scrimgeour is, but because Fudge declared my innocence before resigning, they can't do anything." Sirius said with a grin.

"What'll you do now?" She asked.

"Move out of my parents' house, that's for one." Sirius said. "Kingsley offered Remus and I a place to stay with them. Since they're leaving their place behind and you're all taking your parents' place- except you, I suppose, you're leaving at the end of summer."

"It'll be safer, the Ministry won't have that address on file so the Death Eaters won't know it."

"Besides Bellatrix." Sirius said.

"We've taken care of that. But are you sure you want to stick around? You've spent nearly 15 years imprisoned, don't you want to enjoy freedom?"

"I can enjoy it. Once we finish this war."

"You're doing what?" Sirius demanded.

"I'll be joining Greyback's pack." Remus said. At the look on Sirius' face, he spoke again. "Temporarily. Albus needs a spy."

"Remus, that's foolish-"

"Someone needs to do it, and I'm the only werewolf in the Order."

"I mean, he lives with us, but he's been purposefully avoiding me, Molly. I just don't understand."

Molly patted her hand. "There's a lot going on right now, dear. He'll come around, I'm sure. I've seen him a few times this summer, he seems to be struggling."

"He's going underground with the werewolves come September, he's not exactly pleased." Tonks explained. "But he could still talk to me."

There was a knock at the back door and Molly looked panicked. "But, I wasn't expecting anyone-" She said, heading for the door.

"Who's there?" She called, her hand twitching nervously. "Declare yourself!"

"It is I, Dumbledore, bringing Harry."

Molly sighed, opening the door. "Good gracious, Albus, you gave me a fright! You said not to expect you until morning! Oh, Harry, dear!" She grabbed Harry into a hug.

"We were lucky," said Dumbledore. "Slughorn proved much more persuadable than I had expected. Harry's doing, of course. Ah, hello, Nymphadora!"

"Hello, Professor. Wotcher, Harry." She said, standing. "Molly, I should go-"

"No need to leave on my account, Nymphadora, I can't stay myself. I have urgent matters to discuss with Rufus Scrimgeour."

"No, no, I need to go anyway. Have to pack- Thanks for the tea and sympathy, Molly."

"Dear, why not come to dinner next weekend? I've invited Remus, Sirius and Alastor-"

"No, no, I'll be busy. Thank you, Molly." She gave the older witch a gentle pat on the shoulder, slipping by Dumbledore and Harry and heading through the yard.

So, yeah, jumping through part of summer. Next chapter will be Harry's birthday, and August/September.