Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, but the good news is I have the next two chapters almost entirely written, so they should come quickly. This part has been kind of slow, but I promise some excitement is coming.

February 26, 1994

As promised, Harry and Sirius ate together as if Harry's outburst had never happened. They had just about finished their meal when the floo chimed. They exchanged curious looks as Sirius stood up to see who it was. Harry continued to eat, and a few moments later Sirius returned to the dining room followed by Amelia Bones.

"We were just about to have dessert. Care to join us?" Sirius offered.

"Thank you but I just wanted to pass on the good news and then get home. I've been working enough overtime this week, and my bed is calling my name."

Under normal circumstances, Sirius Black might have made a suggestion that he could call out her name from her bed, but with his son sitting a few feet from him, he kept it to himself. Instead he questioned, "Good news?"

Amelia smiled brightly. "Yes, I've spent my day interviewing our rat. You know, it's strange his animagus form is a rodent because he sure sang like a canary today."

Harry and Sirius both looked intrigued.

"He waived his trial with the promise of life in Azkaban rather than the dementor's kiss," Amelia continued.

"Sounds like Peter," Sirius inserted.

"Yes, well he told us everything. Of course he confirmed what we already knew about being the secret keeper for your mum and dad, Harry. And he told us that he had indeed been in touch with Voldemort, and that the man is just a wraith of his former self now. He also told us where we can find him, so I began organizing a team before I came here. They are to leave first thing in the morning."

"Where is he?" Sirius asked.

"A muggle home in Little Hangleton. We have to be very careful, although if Voldemort is there, I'm afraid I doubt the muggles are still alive. Still, we are taking every precaution," she explained.

"Did he know of any horcruxes?" Sirius asked.

She shook her head. "Unfortunately, no. I do not believe his master trusted him with much information." She glanced at her watch. "I really should be going. I will let you know what happens tomorrow." She walked over to Harry and squeezed his shoulder. "I hope this will all be over soon, Harry."

Harry offered up a sad smile. "Me too," he answered honestly.

Amelia smiled. "You know, I didn't really expect you to be here. I guess your detentions messed up your Tuesday plans?"

Harry blushed. "How did you know I had detention?"

Amelia chuckled. "Susan might have mentioned it. I think you will find, Harry, that quite a few girls at Hogwarts are quite aware of what's going on in your life." She and Sirius both chuckled at Harry's red face.

"Good night, you two," she said as she walked toward the floo.

Harry pondered over her last words. He wondered if a certain Ravenclaw seeker was included in that list of girls.

February 27, 1994

Sirius Black was a lot of things. Timid was not one of them. In fact, he was often quite the opposite. He was confident to the point of being conceited. He was stubborn and resilient. He rarely ever backed down from a challenge. He had pulled off some elaborate schemes in his lifetime, and no look from McGonagall or Dumbledore had ever made his stomach twist into knots quite like it was this afternoon as his son sat in his room being punished. Was this how all parents felt?

The previous night, as soon as Remus had returned to his quarters, Harry had automatically apologized without any further prompting from Sirius. Then they enjoyed a nice, late supper together before Amelia arrived. They finished up soon after she left and he sent Harry to work on his apology letter for Healer Williams, and around nine he had put the boy to bed. He had woken Harry early that morning and had the boy eat breakfast down in the dining room with him before sending him to his room for the day. He ate lunch with Harry in his room, and Harry did not seem upset at all, given the circumstances. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He was second guessing every decision he had made.

Was an apology letter too harsh? Surely Healer Williams had dealt with resistant clients before.

Did he send him to bed too early? He had no idea what time Harry usually went to bed, but the boy looked tired and didn't protest.

Would he be mad about staying in his room all day? It was such a nice day outside. Harry might like to fly. He reminded himself that Harry's broom was still tucked away from his escapade to Hogsmeade where he was nearly kidnapped.

At 4:30, Sirius decided he couldn't take it any longer. He had about an hour and a half until dinner, and he wanted to talk to his son.

Harry shook out his hand again. He had been writing basically all day. He started his morning writing 200 lines Sirius had set about being respectful. Then he had worked on his homework until Sirius brought lunch in. They enjoyed eating together for about an hour until Sirius left him to his homework again. He had finished all the work due immediately and had moved on to preparing work due in the future. He tried reading ahead, but boredom overtook him and the words started to blur together, so he stuck with working on future assignments. He figured Hermione would be quite proud of him.

Padfoot trotted in, sat down beside Harry's desk chair, and barked when Harry didn't immediately look at him.

"Heard from Amelia?" Harry asked, not bothering to look up from his work.

Padfoot gave a soft whine. Harry looked up with a raised eyebrow and then, noticing the dog fully, burst into laughter. Padfoot was wearing the sweater Mrs. Weasley had knitted.

"How did you get that on?" Harry asked in amusement.

Padfoot transformed. "I've been working on how to transform with it on. I finally got it," Sirius explained, smiling proudly. "And no, no word from Amelia yet."

Harry put his quill down and leaned back in his desk chair. "So that's what you do all day when I'm not here," he said cheekily.

Sirius chuckled. "Well, I have to find something to occupy my time between looking after you and taking over the wizarding world." He winked at Harry.

Harry smiled and put his hands behind his head. "So, what do you have to do first to become an animagus?" he asked curiously.

Sirius eyed him suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"

Harry rolled his eyes and put his chair down on four legs again. "Don't worry. I remember our agreement. I'm just curious."

Sirius nodded in acceptance. "Believe it or not, the first step is to keep a Mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month."

"You're joking," Harry retorted.

Sirius shook his head. "I'm not. That's what you have to do. And there's a whole lot more to be done after that. Before I teach you, you'll need to do lots of research to get ready."

Harry's eyes were wide. "That's insane."

Sirius laughed. "It is complicated. You can always change your mind, you know."

Harry scoffed. "I'm doing it now just because you said that."

Sirius laughed even harder and threw one of Harry's pillows at him. "Let's change the subject. How is your homework coming?"

Harry turned back to his books and the Astronomy homework he had just been completing. "I've done everything due in the next three days, and now I'm working on Astronomy that isn't due until Thursday." He threw pleading eyes at Sirius. "Can I please stop?"

Even though he knew Harry was likely being dramatic, Sirius couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt hit him right in the stomach. "You may," he said evenly.

"Do you know what Remus is going to have me do tonight for detention?" Harry asked.

Sirius shook his head. "He didn't mention it. I suspect lines of some sort. Why?"

Harry groaned. "If he has me doing lines, I think my hand is going to fall off."

Sirius smiled. "Well, Remus has some healer training. He can probably spell it back on." He chuckled while Harry glared at him. Despite all the lines of punishment he had to write as a student without losing a limb, he once again found himself feeling bad for the boy. "Don't worry. I'm sure Remus will go easy on you."

Harry didn't look at his father while he smirked. He knew the man was probably right. Then he thought of something else. His cheeks colored as he looked up at Sirius. "I can't believe he gave me detention. I don't think I've seen him give it to anyone all year."

Sirius couldn't help but laugh softly at him again. "Well trust me, he has. You didn't really leave him with much of a choice. You cursed at him, loudly. It's possible others heard you. As a teacher, he couldn't ignore that."

Harry went a deeper shade of red but didn't respond. Sirius took the opportunity to discuss what he had been thinking about. "Harry, are we ok?"

Harry looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Sirius sat down on Harry's bed. "I mean, you're not angry with me?"

Harry looked even more confused. "Why would I be?"

Sirius gestured around the room. "You know, because I made you stay in here all day."

Harry stared at him a moment before a humorless laugh escaped him. "Sirius, my uncle used to literally lock me in my room for days and would barely feed me for accidental magic or some other stupid stuff. You've made sure I've eaten all my meals, and I haven't even been in here all day. And this room is incredible. If I had a broom, I could fly in here, it's so big. It's a much better place to spend a grounding than a cupboard under the stairs." He cringed at the last phrase.

Sirius felt that familiar sense of outrage he often felt when discussing Harry's relatives, but he fought hard to keep his temper at bay. Remus had repeatedly reminded him that any attempt at revenge on Petunia and Vernon would only result in him facing a prison stay again and would ultimately harm Harry. So instead of being angry at them, he got angry with himself.

"Oh Merlin," he said while rubbing his face, "they did that to you and now I've made you stay in here all day. I'm sorry Harry…"

"Really, Sirius, it's…" Harry began but Sirius cut him off as he threw up his hands.

"And you told me they used to treat you like a house elf, and here I have you helping our actual house elves as punishment. My god I'm an idiot," he finished, shaking his head.

"Sirius!" Harry quickly interrupted, "It's really ok. I get it. I did something wrong. I'm not angry at you for punishing me."

Sirius stared at him for a few moments before finally saying quietly, "You're not?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I'm not particularly fond of being punished, but isn't that kind of your job?" He was sure Sirius had gone daft.

Sirius sighed and shrugged. "I guess so, it's just, Harry I've gotta be completely honest with you. I don't really know what I'm doing here, if that wasn't already obvious." Harry continued to stare at him in bewilderment, so he continued. "You know my parents were awful. Most people learn how to parent from their parents, but I certainly am not going to follow their example. I know what a cruel punishment is, I just don't know where the line is. Does that make any sense?"

Harry nodded. "I guess so. But you didn't seem to have a problem taking my broom when I got caught in Hogsmeade. Why is this different?"

Sirius sighed. "I was terrified, Harry. Absolutely scared out of my mind. It just felt more natural then. You put your life at risk. I couldn't let you get away with that. But now, this time you were just acting like a teenager. I guess I punished you more because I felt like it would be something your mum would've punished you for."

Harry looked at him curiously. "You think so?"

Sirius nodded. "I'm quite sure of it. She wouldn't have tolerated you stomping off or being late, and definitely not the cursing. She probably would've made you hold a bar of soap in your mouth," he finished with a chuckle, "although, to be fair, you probably get that temper of yours from her."

Harry laughed briefly but then looked seriously at Sirius. "I don't really get where this is going, Sirius."

Sirius looked up at him. "I just want to raise you the way your mum and dad would've wanted me to, and, since I can't undo the last twelve years, I want to be sensitive to your past. I just don't always know how best to do that."

Harry thought about Sirius's words. "Well, you do know what my mum and dad would've done, really."

Sirius lifted an eyebrow. "I do?"

Harry nodded and walked over to his bed, taking a seat beside his father. "They named you my godfather, so they would've left the decision to you. I don't think they intended for you to be an exact copy of them. They trusted you."

Sirius stared at Harry while he thought over those words. "You're pretty wise, you know it?" he said playfully as he ruffled Harry's hair.

"Well, I have spent a lot of time with Remus," Harry answered, smirking. "And please don't compare yourself to the Dursleys again. You're nothing like them, I promise."

Sirius smiled sadly at Harry. "Ok, pup. But you'll tell me if you feel like I am?"

"Absolutely," Harry responded confidently. "Although, in the future, if you're going to regret punishing me, can you do it before I've written 200 lines," he added, raising his eyebrows at Sirius.

Sirius barked out his trademark jovial laugh. "I suppose so, but," he thought hard for a moment before continuing, "honestly, I don't regret punishing you. You were pretty disrespectful, and while I've said before I want you to express your opinion, I want you to learn to control your emotions too. I just didn't want it to cause a problem between us."

Harry nodded in understanding.

"But," Sirius continued, "I felt like a prat with that whole 'you'll do what I say because I said it' bit. That sounded way too much like Orion Black for my liking. So, I think you and I need to sit down together and come up with a list of rules and a list of consequences for when you break those rules."

"'When' I break them? Do you have no faith in me?" Harry asked, pretending to be offended.

Sirius smirked. "I have a ton of faith in you, but I also know you," he teased. "Ok, sorry. If you break them. Anyway, what do you think about that?"

Harry thought it over and shrugged. "I guess that seems fair."

Sirius nodded, "Good. That way you have a chance to veto any punishments that remind you too much of your relatives, and I'm not just making all of this up as I go." He looked back at Harry and waited for his reply. Realizing Sirius was looking for a verbal answer, Harry offered an "ok," and Sirius continued. "Now, I have a couple of other things to discuss with you before dinner."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"I heard back from Healer Williams. She confirmed that Tuesday evenings would be fine. She also sent over some homework we are supposed to complete together."

"Homework?" Harry asked.

"Yep, she wants us to come up with some goals together of what you hope to achieve from your mind healer sessions."

"Oh well, that's easy. I want to get you off my back," Harry answered quickly.

Sirius looked at him sideways.

"What? You said that you want me to be honest," Harry defended.

Sirius sighed heavily. "Fair enough, but I want you to think some more and see if you can come up with anything else."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "I don't mean to be rude, but why are you doing this with me? Aren't my sessions supposed to be confidential?"

Sirius nodded, "They are, so you will need to come up with some on your own. But that's the other things I needed to discuss with you. It is her opinion that we should have a session together at least once a month. Are you ok with that?"

Harry scrunched up his face in thought. Finally he answered, "I guess so. I mean, I don't really plan on telling her anything I wouldn't tell you anyway."

They finished up their discussion and headed down to dinner. Once they were done eating, Sirius sent Harry to pack up his things. Just before they entered the floo, Sirius stopped him.

"One more thing before you go."

Harry just turned to him in anticipation. Sirius walked to their coat closet, reached in, and pulled out Harry's firebolt. Harry's eyes grew wide.

"You're giving it back?"

"I am. It's been two weeks. That seems sufficient." He pulled the broom close to him. "No more putting yourself in danger?" Sirius asked him sternly.

"Promise," Harry answered quickly.

Sirius smiled at his beaming son and handed over the broom.

Remus was waiting in his office when the two of them arrived.

"Good evening you two. Everything ok?" he asked curiously.

Sirius and Harry both nodded.

Harry looked pleadingly at Remus. "What am I doing for detention tonight?"

Remus flicked his wand and the phrase I will use appropriate language when addressing a professor appeared on his board.

Harry groaned. "Is there anything else I can do? Sirius had me writing all day. My hand is killing me. I need this hand for catching the snitch, you know," he finished, sending an accusatory look at Sirius while he held up his supposedly injured hand.

Remus chuckled while Sirius rolled his eyes.

"I see Padfoot's flare for the dramatics are rubbing off on you," Remus answered with amusement.

Sirius pretended to look offended before turning back to Harry. "Good thing Gryffindor doesn't play again until April." He patted Harry's shoulder and headed back towards the floo. "I'm going to get out of here before you two can attack me anymore. Love you, Pup. Behave. See you Tuesday."

Harry told him bye and then turned to Remus, pleading again, "Please, Remus. Anything else?"

Remus shook his finger playfully at Harry. "You are in detention, young man. It's Professor Lupin for the next hour." He watched Harry's dejected face and took pity on him. He leaned back in his chair and pointed at a desk, gesturing for Harry to sit.

"Let's talk," he said, slightly sternly.

Harry sat and raised his eyebrows. "About?"

"Why are you in detention?"

Harry sighed. "Because I cursed in front of you, and you're a teacher, so you had to give me detention."

Remus smiled slyly. "And you've learned your lesson?"

Harry looked confused but nodded.

Remus sat up. "Ok then, I suppose for detention tonight, we could continue your defense lessons." He flicked his wand, causing the desks in the classroom to slide against the walls. "Let's duel," he said as he stood and smiled at Harry.

"Dueling for detention?" Harry asked as he stood up.

"Oh yes, normally I would go easy on you, but since you're in detention, you better be on your toes."

Harry laughed as he pulled out his wand. "Ok, bring it on."

The two of them dueled for over an hour. Harry was sweaty and exhausted. He had found himself overconfident going into their duel, but Remus was incredibly skilled. He managed to disarm Harry on multiple occasions, in addition to hitting him with a tickling charm three times, a jelly leg curse twice, and one particularly embarrassing spell in which Harry couldn't stop himself from singing Mary Had a Little Lamb. Still, to Remus's immense pleasure, Harry was able to get a few spells to hit him as well and successfully disarmed him a handful of times. As they sat, Remus pulled two bottles of butterbeer from his briefcase and slid one over to Harry.

"Thanks," Harry stated between breaths.

Before either of them could speak further, Sirius came through the floo.

"Harry, I'm glad you're still here," Sirius began before pausing, seeing the sight of his son, "What in Merlin's name have you two been doing?"

Remus and Harry exchanged guilty looks. "I had detention is all," Harry answered, smirking.

Remus snickered and Sirius threw up his hands. "I don't want to know." He put his arms down and leaned against Remus's desk. "As I was saying, I'm glad you're still here, Harry. I heard from Amelia."

Harry and Remus both sat up, eager to hear what Sirius was about to say.

"They didn't find him," Sirius finally said solemnly.

"What?" Harry exclaimed, standing up. Remus cursed.

Sirius sighed. "They went to where Peter told them he was, but he wasn't there."

"So either Peter lied or…" Remus began. Sirius looked at him knowingly and muttered, "Yeah."

"Wait, what? Either Peter lied or what?" Harry asked, eyeing the two of them worriedly.

"Someone else is helping Voldemort," Sirius told him gently.

Harry threw his head back and groaned. He could not just have a normal life, not even for once.