Chapter 14: Home again

From the border Sirius merely guided Harry to their next Aparition point, the Den.

'You said I would get used to the sensation?' the tanned teen asked

'After the 2000th time. Hm, one minute after we left. Not bad timing.' Sirius looked at the clock.

'Can we go to headquarters? I can't wait to see Ron and Hermione and tell them everything.' Harry grinned

'You've seen them a few days ago. Remember?'

'Does that mean I can't say anything about our time leap?'

'No, just not Margot and what happened at the Clinique.'

'Horcrux included I imagine.'

'It would be best, until we find out how many he made, what they are and dispose of them we can't risk drawing too many people into this and let the information leak.'

'OK. I'm just glad I'm Voldemort free.'

'You didn't have any headaches or weird dreams?'

'Nothing, and I let my defences down the past two nights just to see what happens. Not even a tingle.'

'That's good. I guess I should return the time turner to Croaker.'

'Do you have to?'

'We shouldn't use it for another year anyway, Harry.'

'I know, but…'

'I'll ask him if we can use it next year too. He might agree seeing as we were on our best behaviour.'

Harry grinned and they stepped into the fire to first let the ones at the Manor know they were back before the floo network took them to London.

'Harry!' Hermione exclaimed as he dusted the soot off himself.

'Hello.'

'Blimey mate, what did you do? Use a tanning spell? Hello Sirius' Ron asked seeing as Harry's skin was darker than they had ever seen it.

'Hello Ron, Hermione. Well, you kids catch up. I'll pick you up after lunch.' Sirius told Harry after ruffling his hair. Harry tried to duck but failed and resolved to just glare at Sirius as he went on his way.

'He really picked up a bad habit.' Harry sighed trying to tame his hair, and failing.

'In three, no four days?' asked Hermione with a knowing look on her face.

'Actually we've been on vacation for the past three months. Come on, I've got loads to tell you.' They decided to use Sirius's old room since Mrs. Weasley never went in there or so Fred and George claimed. Harry had to agree that the room wouldn't be to Mrs. Weasley's taste, what with the muggle girls in bikinis stuck to the wall.

'So let me get this straight.' Ron said as Harry finished his story 'You got permission to use magic out of school. Sirius got a time turner that allowed you three months more holiday and you went backpacking through France, Italy, Spain, Japan and New Zealand?'

'We would have done Australia too but we kind of lost track of time in Japan.' Harry added trying hard not to blush thinking of his birthday in Kyoto.

'And you travelled Muggle style?' added Hermione

'Only from one country to the next. International Aparition is monitored strictly.'

'And you learnt how to Aparate, that's got to be cool.' Ron added

'It's not that fun actually and I've done it myself but only for short distances. I've always had Sirius guide me for the bigger leaps.'

'Still, with what he has been teaching you you're bound to be top of the class.' Hermione added.

'Doubt it. I mean he has been teaching me mainly defence and some useful charms. I'm still not very good at Transfiguration and let's not talk about Potions.'

'I wish we could have gone with you.' Hermione said. 'But I guess you and Sirius needed time to know each other.'

'Yeah, I'm just glad I finally have a real parent that actually cares about me.' Harry admitted. Not to mention he didn't know what he would have done had Sirius not been there when the Horcrux information surfaced. Probably sacrificed himself. He shuddered and Hermione eyed him with concern.

'Well, he's bound to be loads better than mum. She would never have permitted magic outside school or any of the things you guys did on vacation.' Definitely not Kyoto, Harry's thoughts turned to nicer things before returning to the present, he didn't want them to ask questions about that.

'Well, there are rules I still need to follow. And I did have to finish my homework before we left.'

'Really? I still have to do my Transfigurations essay.' Hermione said.

'Sirius helped me with that. He has some useful books in the library at the Manor.'

'Oh, now you're making me wish I could come there.' Hermione huffed.

'I don't think that's going to be a problem. At least not from Sirius's side.'

'You mean we can come to your house?' asked Ron

'Not where we live, that's somewhere else. But Black Manor I think it's OK. I'll ask Sirius and see what he says.'

'Well, he might say yes, but mum sure as hell won't let me.' Ron huffed.

'Your mum probably won't want me to go either. But if I ask my parents and they say yes…' Hermione got up and hurried to write a letter to get permission.

'Ah, we thought we heard a familiar voice.' Said Fred coming in.

'Hello Harry, you've gained some weight.' Added George

'And you're tanned.' Added Ginny

'Hi guys, I've been on vacation.' And Harry had to retell the story only this time the shorter version since they were asked by Mrs. Weasley to bring Ron and Hermione down to the kitchen to help with cooking for lunch now that the house was spotless.

'Harry! When did you arrive?' Molly beamed when he saw him. Then frowned. 'What on earth happened to you?'

'Er, I was on vacation. How have you been Mrs. Weasley?'

'Oh, good, good, fine. What about you? Is your new home any good?'

'Yes actually the new place is great. The security on it is a bit over the top so I can't really say much just that it's a lot different from this place.'

'You've been eating well? It's not lunch yet but I could whip you up something if you're hungry.'

'No, it's OK. Sirius and I ate a huge breakfast at a restaurant in Denver when we came back.'

'Well, restaurant food isn't like a home cooked meal, now is it? You'll be staying for lunch I hope.'

'Yes, if it's not a bother. I can always go back to the Manor if not.'

'No bother at all.'

It was just as they were settling in for lunch when Remus showed up.

'Harry!'

'Remus!'

'Good to see you, did Sirius put you on a nutri-potions diet? You look taller and fuller.'

'Yeah, I still have to take that awful thing until the end of summer.'

'You shouldn't take potions if they are not approved by a medi-witch.'

'It's approved. Sirius took me for a check-up right before our vacation.'

'Two days ago?'

'Er, actually, he got a time turner and we've been away for 3 months…technically it was one minute.'

'A time turner? That's dangerous!' Molly said 'What if you'd been injured or couldn't return on time?'

'We weren't doing anything dangerous. And we went Muggle style. Airplanes and partial transfigurations to not attract attention to ourselves. It was all well thought out.'

'I'm glad you had fun then.' Smiled Remus. 'Which beaches did you visit?'

'That obvious huh? We first went to the beach in Spain, then Italy, but there we didn't sit around in the sun much what with Toscana being such a beautiful place. And then some swimming time in Japan and New Zealand. Oh yeah, we swam with dauphins and we saw some merpeople from far away but they weren't really friendly.'

'Sounds like a big adventure.'

'I think I needed it. Just to be normal, no attacks, no Voldemort.'

'I dare say you were lucky then. Going off only the two of you. What was that man thinking?' Molly huffed.

'Which country did you like best Harry?' Ginny asked

'Er, before New Zealand I would have said Japan, but New Zealand is beautiful. I could have easily stayed there for another two months if we had had the time.'

'Did you eat anything weird? The Japanese have this very weird fetish with raw fish.' Asked Fred

'I tried sushi and it's really good. Not with the amount of wasabi Sirius eats it but it's probably in my top 5 right now, just below Sirius's pork chops.' Molly almost dropped her plate as she was took it to the sink to clean it.

'Ah, yes, the legendary pad-chops your dad called them. We used to beg for them every time we could.' Remus grinned. 'They are the reason your mom didn't turn vegetarian.'

'You're kidding?'

'No, Lily rarely ate meat, but when Sirius cooked those delicious pork chops the animal lover in her was tossed aside.'

'How come he knows how to cook? I mean the guy doesn't seem like the type.' Asked Ron

'Well, after he turned 17 and inherited his part from his uncle, Sirius lived alone in a flat on London Street before James joined him there after school. He had to learn how to cook.'

'He told me one of his Muggle girlfriends told him he looked good in an apron.' Harry frowned.

'That is too much information Harry!' Ron said as the girls blushed and the twins sniggered.

'That might have been true.' Remus said 'Of course, Sirius had too many of those for me to keep count who said what to him.'

'I had too many of what Remy? Hello everyone.' of course Sirius chose that particular moment to arrive.

'Girlfriends.' George said grinning.

'I don't think my personal life is a good subject for conversation at meal times, Lupin.'

'You're one to talk. You almost always slide in a remark about some girl who said something.' Harry snorted.

'That's because you ask me, pup.'

Harry rolled his eyes, 'It can't possibly all be about some girl or other.'

'No, there are some guys too.' Sirius chuckled when Ron almost choked on his pumpkin juice and Molly stood up angrily.

'That's enough! I won't let you poison these children's minds with your perverted ways!'

'Molly calm down, Sirius was just having fun.' Said Remus.

'And Harry usually asks me about how I know a recipe at dinner time. There are some male cooks out there who gave me tips.'

'That was not what was implied!' Molly said indignantly.

'I'm definitely not to blame for where your own thoughts lead you, Molly.'

She went beat red and she looked ready to explode.

'Let's just calm down here. Kids, if you're done eating why don't you go upstairs.' Chairs were quickly pushed aside and everyone all but ran out of the kitchen. They didn't speak until they were in the drawing room.

'I really don't want to be Sirius right now.' Said Ginny

'I really want to be you though, Harry.' Snickered Fred

'What? Why?' Harry frowned.

'He seems fun.' Fred shrugged.

'He is. I've never felt more like a normal person than after he took me in.'

'How come?'

'I don't know, just doing normal stuff. Literally having to clean my room, but only my room not the whole house. Having someone nag me about doing homework, although he didn't have to nag too much. Actually speaking with a parent figure not hiding from them all summer. Actually wanting my summer holiday not to end, that never happened before with me staying at the Dursleys. Not having to cook breakfast every morning for the Dursleys and aside from the pork chops he makes a pretty good omelette.' Harry sighed when he realized he went too far. 'Sorry, it's just, I never had that before.' He stiffened when he realized they weren't looking at him but at someone behind him. Obviously it was Sirius. Harry groaned and blushed a bit.

'Want to head back home?' the older man said but it wasn't in his normal voice.

'Sure…erm, see you guys later.'

'Bye Harry.' Or versions of it came from everyone there as Sirius waved at them and Harry and him flued to the Manor first.

'About what I said…' Harry started.

'Thank you.' Sirius said as he pulled Harry in a tight embrace, the teen stiffened before relaxing but still confused.

'Why?'

'Just, for being you.' Sirius said after releasing him and clearing his voice.

While Harry was busy telling Hermione and the Weasleys about their holiday, Sirius had finished his short visit at the DOM and was now in the audience with madam Longbottom.

'Thank you for granting me this audience madam Longbottom.'

'Let's cut through the formalities. You wish to right the wrong your cousin Bellatrix has done to my son and his wife 14 years ago.'

'I do.'

'How? My son and daughter in law are beyond healing. Do you plan to offer yourself to have their fate?'

'That would not benefit your house, nor mine. There are two things I can offer you. One is to pass judgement on Bellatrix and in doing so strip her of all the magic she ever learnt under the house of Black's roof. She might not become a squib, but her capacity to do harm would be considerably diminished should she be freed from Azkaban.'

'Judgement would not kill her?'

'Only if she were to attempt to kill a member of my family would judgement turn lethal. If you wish for her death, I could formally ask the Wizengamot to execute her. As the head of the house I have that option, but if you choose to ask that, then my next proposition would no longer be valid.'

'Proposition?'

'I would like to take Frank and Alice to the medi-witch that sorted the damage the Dementors did on my mind.'

'Who?'

'I can't tell you. The person is under a Fidelius charm and I am under oath.'

'Would it make a difference? Dementors are one thing, the Cruciatus curse is completely different.'

'I don't know, what I do know, is that she is willing to help and she has dealt with Cruciatus victims before.'

'Why would this be negated by Bellatrix's death?'

'Because you have a choice. You can choose revenge and looking back, or you can choose to forgive and looking towards the future.'

'Why are you protecting your cousin if you say you're not like your grandfather?'

'I'm not protecting her. I will pass judgement and she will be stripped of most of her magic, that part won't change. However, if you choose her execution, even if it will be me doing the killing, you would have lowered yourself to her level.'

'How dare you!'

'I speak the truth madam Longbottom. I myself killed in battle, granted it was self-defence or in defence of others, but it doesn't make it any less true that I have taken lives.'

'And the life of Bellatrix would be such a burden to you now that it would condition the potential healing of my son and daughter in law?' she asked angrily

'No, it wouldn't be a burden on my soul. In fact I am sure that if Bella were freed she would choose to come after me, and then I would be more than happy to end her. But it would be a burden on your soul.'

Augusta was angry, but she could see Sirius's point.

'When would you be able to take Frank and Alice to this healer?'

'After school starts. I can't guarantee success, which is why I thought it best that this be kept for the moment from Neville.'

'I agree, the boy shouldn't be told. What about judgement?'

'That will also happen after school starts. It takes its toll on the one passing it and I don't want to worry Harry.'

'What do you mean toll?'

'Slight magical exhaustion is what I expect.'

'Your house is at war, can you afford that?'

'I will be in a place that no one could get to me while recovering.'

'Should you be telling me this?'

'Are you going to go to Voldemort with this information?'

Augusta waved her hand in dismissal.

'Our houses are not on good terms.'

'But we could be.'

'We'll see, after you bring my son back to me healed.'

'It might not be 100%.'

'If that healer of yours can bring even a sliver of the old Frank back, I'll ally our houses in the war.'

'That is not why I am doing this.'

'I know.' she got up. 'We'll speak again after the boys are off to school.'

'Thank you again for this audience.'

Augusta nodded and showed Sirius the way out. They met Neville along the way.

'Neville, come here.' his grandmother said sternly. 'Lord Black, this is my grandson, Neville.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you Neville. I owe you an apology for what happened in your third year.'

Neville frowned as he withdrew his hand from the handshake with the older man. This was Sirius Black.

'What on earth do you mean?' Augusta asked

'Hermione's kneazle, Crookshanks stole Neville's passwords to the Gryffindor tower for me. As I understood that caused a bit of trouble for him.'

'You mean I didn't lose them?' Neville asked with big eyes.

'No, Crookshanks stole them from your nightstand.'

'Why were you trying to get in the tower?' asked Augusta

'Peter Pettigrew was hiding as Ron Weasley's rat and I was trying to get to him, as he was the true traitor.'

'Scabbers was...' Neville grew white

'Yes, Peter is an Animagus. In any case, it was all for naught since he had already fled from the tower by then, but I had no way of knowing that.'

'You will have to explain all this next we meet.' Augusta said sternly.

'I will. It was nice to meet you Neville.'

'Good bye sir.'

And with that Sirius was off to Grimmauld Place to get Harry.

A/N: Long chapter. Yes I know. Let me know what you think and have a nice weekend.