It had been a week at the Dursley's residence. Harry spent his days shivering in his room, wand in hand, ready to blast them away if they got any more insane.
Aunt Petunia awoke him every morning with a hug, making sure he was fed before everyone else. At the kitchen table, Uncle Vernon beamed at him. "I was thinking of inviting the Weasleys over tomorrow night. Think it will only take them a day to be able to sue our fireplace?" he asked, concerned. "Mr. Weasley said that he had to get special permission..."
Harry bit back a laugh. *Relax, and enjoy this while it lasts.* he thought to himself. "It should be enough."
Petunia dug out her best cookbook, and Dudley helped his father dig out the table extenders, having the four of them polish the silverware. Actually, harry had to impose himself to help, Aunt Petunia wanted to set him up in the dining room with a bowl of ice cream.
Tomorrow night came soon, and exactly at two, the newly cleaned fireplace filled with nine red-heads. Arthur Weasley shook Vernon's hand, and Petunia asked how she could get blue robes - in silk - even though she was not a witch. Even Dudley got in the act, joking with the bewildered twins about having some more Ton Tongue Toffee to give to 'that jerk Piers.'
Ron sat with Harry on the couch, then Ginny joined in. "How are you?" Ron asked.
"Scared, but never been this well fed," Harry admitted, smiling at Ginny, who promptly spilled her can of Coke. Petunia came to cleam it up, fussing over the tiny dots that had appeared on Ginny's skirt, until Molly Weasley took them out with the wave of her wand, causing Petunia to carry on with jealously.
"If only I had been a witch like my sister," she sighed, envy on her face.
Charlie spent half of dinner speaking about training dragons, the Dursleys gaspeing at all the right places. Bill explained about ancient Egyptian charms, making the twins roll their eyes, then they rolled them again as Percy talked about being a diplomat between countries. Vernon questioned Percy endlessly about trades and stocks.
At the end of the evening the two families said good-night, after a heated debate between Charlie and Ron about the better Quidditch team - Puddlemure United or the Chudley Cannons. Ron gave Harry a good-bye wave, and whispered 'Enjoy it while you can."
============================================================================================
It had been three weeks since school had ended. Harry was getting used to his time with the sugary-sweet Dursleys. it was almost sickening, like a bad love letter, but it was better than being starved and glared at.
His issue of the 'Daily Prophet' arrived, and the story on the front comver caught his eye. 'Black Aquitted - Ex-Death Eater tells Truth.' "That is your Godfather, isn't it Harry?" Vernon asked. "Read it." Harry read aloud:
'Mr. Conrad Fortuna, caught after fifteen years has told the truth about what happened the night the Potters were killed. A Mr. Peter Pettigrew had been charged by the Potters to be their Secret Keeper, for a very complex charm to hide them from You-Know-Who. Pettigrew was chosen by none other than Sirius Black, for the purpose that Pettigrew was not as closely related to the Potters and therefore had a good chance of not being suspected.
But, as the 'Prophet' quotes Mr. Black, "I might as well have killed them by suggesting Peter, but at school we were best friends - James, Remus, Peter and I. I never would have thought he was capable of such action then, but I see now my folly."
Black, appointed Godfather of Harry Potter, only known wizard to survive the Killing Curse, will soon have a piece of his father's past in his life.
The Ministry of Magic refused comment.'
"Excuse me, Aunt Petunia," Harry said. "I must owl him..."
Hegwig sat in his roon, and gave his fingers a playfil nip as he patted her. She shoved a piece of parchment into his hand.
'Dear Harry,
Amazing! After so long, I am officially free! No more hiding. Moony says hello, by the way. I managed to convince him to let me live in his basement during most of the month, except when he transforms. There is something I would like to discuss with you, if your aunt and uncle will let me come over.
By the way, I received and interesting letter from your friend Ron. Have your aunt and uncle turned nice?
-Sirius'
Harry ran to the landing. "Aunt Petunia, may I invite my Godfahter for dinner. He wants to ask me something important."
Petunia's face appeared. "Silly boy, you might scare your owl yelling like that." She thought for a moment. "Vernon wants to take us out for a family outing to the zoo tomorrow, but we should be home by five. Can he come over at Six?"
"I'm sure he has all the time in the world, now that he's not running from Dementors. Thanks, Aunt Petunia." Harry ran up to his room, almsot tripping over Dudley.
"Sorry, Harry," Dudley panted, catching himself on the wall.
"No, my fault entirely. All the magic in the world and I cannot see right in front of me." Dudley laughed, as Harry walked more sedately back to his room.
'Sirius -
My uncle has some family thing planned for tomorrow, but my aunt says be here by six. Hope you ca make it.
I also hope you can find out why they have been so nice to me. Not that I liked them being mean, it is just scary.
-Harry'
============================================================================================
The zoo was a grand trip, as the reptile house was empty and Harry was the mediator between a corn snake and Dudley, who wanted to know about tis life and habits for his school project. The snake was very happy to help out, as long as she was given credit.
When they arrived home, the Dursleys dressed in their finest garments, Harry attempting to tame his hair. Promptly at Six there was a small pop in the living room, and there stood Sirius.
He had gained lots of weight since Azkaban, but much was muscle. His black hair was short and slicked back, In good taste he had worn Muggle clothing - a polo shirt with a sweater over, and slacks with...Harry squinted...combat boots. He stifled a giggle.
Petunia ran over nad hugged him, causing Sirius to step back in alarm. "I am so happy to finally meet you! Harry has told me so much about you. I remember your face from the pictures Lily sent me."
"She was very dissapointed you could not make it on her wedding day, but she understood. Things come up," Sirius shrugged.
Petunia's eyes leaked tears. "I regret it every day." Vernon put an arm around his wife.
"I am sorry too, but this is a happy time. Now let us eat that wonderful meal Petunia prepared." She wiped her eyes and smiled. Dudley sat on Sirius's other side, asking what it was like to be on the run. Harry was about to try and change the subject when Sirius, grinning, talked about his time of travelling, one step ahead of authorities.
"How's Buckbeak?" Harry asked halfway through the meal.
"Fine. I set him free on the island of Crete. I think he'll like it there," Sirius said. They ate, chatting about simple topics.
After dinner, Petunia pointedly chased Dudley and Vernon out of the living room.
"So, what is it that you wanted to discuss?" Harry asked. Sirius cleared his throat nervously.
"Before I was captured, I had a significant amount of gold in the bank. It stayed there, collecting interest, and only what was used to buy your Firebolt was ever removed. Remus got a job in Hogsmeade, with an old friend who doesn't care if he was one of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts, as long as he can help catch boggarts, grindyglows and hinkypucks to be sold. I bought a house there, and promised to let Remus crash, until he gets entirely on his feet. That means I can visit you more often during the year. I also got a job with the Ministry, I am amost thinking that is an apology by Fudge." Sirius stopped talking.
Harry was confused. "I mean, it's not like I am not happy that I'll see you more often or anything, but why did you need to discuss it with me?"
Sirius recleared his throat. "I am financailly stable now, and have a home, and a job. The one thing I regret was giving you up to Hagrid to come here. I want to fix my mistake now."
"Harry, I talked it over with the right people, and I want to adopt you." Sirius looked into his eyes.
Harry was stunned. "A...adopt me? My father's best friend?"
"I knew you'd hate the idea." Sirius's eyes were downcast.
"N...no, I love it!" Harry hugged his godfather, now adopted father tightly.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aww! Time to gag yourself ;)
Next chapter - birthdays and the World Cup, five reviews until chapter #3!
Aunt Petunia awoke him every morning with a hug, making sure he was fed before everyone else. At the kitchen table, Uncle Vernon beamed at him. "I was thinking of inviting the Weasleys over tomorrow night. Think it will only take them a day to be able to sue our fireplace?" he asked, concerned. "Mr. Weasley said that he had to get special permission..."
Harry bit back a laugh. *Relax, and enjoy this while it lasts.* he thought to himself. "It should be enough."
Petunia dug out her best cookbook, and Dudley helped his father dig out the table extenders, having the four of them polish the silverware. Actually, harry had to impose himself to help, Aunt Petunia wanted to set him up in the dining room with a bowl of ice cream.
Tomorrow night came soon, and exactly at two, the newly cleaned fireplace filled with nine red-heads. Arthur Weasley shook Vernon's hand, and Petunia asked how she could get blue robes - in silk - even though she was not a witch. Even Dudley got in the act, joking with the bewildered twins about having some more Ton Tongue Toffee to give to 'that jerk Piers.'
Ron sat with Harry on the couch, then Ginny joined in. "How are you?" Ron asked.
"Scared, but never been this well fed," Harry admitted, smiling at Ginny, who promptly spilled her can of Coke. Petunia came to cleam it up, fussing over the tiny dots that had appeared on Ginny's skirt, until Molly Weasley took them out with the wave of her wand, causing Petunia to carry on with jealously.
"If only I had been a witch like my sister," she sighed, envy on her face.
Charlie spent half of dinner speaking about training dragons, the Dursleys gaspeing at all the right places. Bill explained about ancient Egyptian charms, making the twins roll their eyes, then they rolled them again as Percy talked about being a diplomat between countries. Vernon questioned Percy endlessly about trades and stocks.
At the end of the evening the two families said good-night, after a heated debate between Charlie and Ron about the better Quidditch team - Puddlemure United or the Chudley Cannons. Ron gave Harry a good-bye wave, and whispered 'Enjoy it while you can."
============================================================================================
It had been three weeks since school had ended. Harry was getting used to his time with the sugary-sweet Dursleys. it was almost sickening, like a bad love letter, but it was better than being starved and glared at.
His issue of the 'Daily Prophet' arrived, and the story on the front comver caught his eye. 'Black Aquitted - Ex-Death Eater tells Truth.' "That is your Godfather, isn't it Harry?" Vernon asked. "Read it." Harry read aloud:
'Mr. Conrad Fortuna, caught after fifteen years has told the truth about what happened the night the Potters were killed. A Mr. Peter Pettigrew had been charged by the Potters to be their Secret Keeper, for a very complex charm to hide them from You-Know-Who. Pettigrew was chosen by none other than Sirius Black, for the purpose that Pettigrew was not as closely related to the Potters and therefore had a good chance of not being suspected.
But, as the 'Prophet' quotes Mr. Black, "I might as well have killed them by suggesting Peter, but at school we were best friends - James, Remus, Peter and I. I never would have thought he was capable of such action then, but I see now my folly."
Black, appointed Godfather of Harry Potter, only known wizard to survive the Killing Curse, will soon have a piece of his father's past in his life.
The Ministry of Magic refused comment.'
"Excuse me, Aunt Petunia," Harry said. "I must owl him..."
Hegwig sat in his roon, and gave his fingers a playfil nip as he patted her. She shoved a piece of parchment into his hand.
'Dear Harry,
Amazing! After so long, I am officially free! No more hiding. Moony says hello, by the way. I managed to convince him to let me live in his basement during most of the month, except when he transforms. There is something I would like to discuss with you, if your aunt and uncle will let me come over.
By the way, I received and interesting letter from your friend Ron. Have your aunt and uncle turned nice?
-Sirius'
Harry ran to the landing. "Aunt Petunia, may I invite my Godfahter for dinner. He wants to ask me something important."
Petunia's face appeared. "Silly boy, you might scare your owl yelling like that." She thought for a moment. "Vernon wants to take us out for a family outing to the zoo tomorrow, but we should be home by five. Can he come over at Six?"
"I'm sure he has all the time in the world, now that he's not running from Dementors. Thanks, Aunt Petunia." Harry ran up to his room, almsot tripping over Dudley.
"Sorry, Harry," Dudley panted, catching himself on the wall.
"No, my fault entirely. All the magic in the world and I cannot see right in front of me." Dudley laughed, as Harry walked more sedately back to his room.
'Sirius -
My uncle has some family thing planned for tomorrow, but my aunt says be here by six. Hope you ca make it.
I also hope you can find out why they have been so nice to me. Not that I liked them being mean, it is just scary.
-Harry'
============================================================================================
The zoo was a grand trip, as the reptile house was empty and Harry was the mediator between a corn snake and Dudley, who wanted to know about tis life and habits for his school project. The snake was very happy to help out, as long as she was given credit.
When they arrived home, the Dursleys dressed in their finest garments, Harry attempting to tame his hair. Promptly at Six there was a small pop in the living room, and there stood Sirius.
He had gained lots of weight since Azkaban, but much was muscle. His black hair was short and slicked back, In good taste he had worn Muggle clothing - a polo shirt with a sweater over, and slacks with...Harry squinted...combat boots. He stifled a giggle.
Petunia ran over nad hugged him, causing Sirius to step back in alarm. "I am so happy to finally meet you! Harry has told me so much about you. I remember your face from the pictures Lily sent me."
"She was very dissapointed you could not make it on her wedding day, but she understood. Things come up," Sirius shrugged.
Petunia's eyes leaked tears. "I regret it every day." Vernon put an arm around his wife.
"I am sorry too, but this is a happy time. Now let us eat that wonderful meal Petunia prepared." She wiped her eyes and smiled. Dudley sat on Sirius's other side, asking what it was like to be on the run. Harry was about to try and change the subject when Sirius, grinning, talked about his time of travelling, one step ahead of authorities.
"How's Buckbeak?" Harry asked halfway through the meal.
"Fine. I set him free on the island of Crete. I think he'll like it there," Sirius said. They ate, chatting about simple topics.
After dinner, Petunia pointedly chased Dudley and Vernon out of the living room.
"So, what is it that you wanted to discuss?" Harry asked. Sirius cleared his throat nervously.
"Before I was captured, I had a significant amount of gold in the bank. It stayed there, collecting interest, and only what was used to buy your Firebolt was ever removed. Remus got a job in Hogsmeade, with an old friend who doesn't care if he was one of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts, as long as he can help catch boggarts, grindyglows and hinkypucks to be sold. I bought a house there, and promised to let Remus crash, until he gets entirely on his feet. That means I can visit you more often during the year. I also got a job with the Ministry, I am amost thinking that is an apology by Fudge." Sirius stopped talking.
Harry was confused. "I mean, it's not like I am not happy that I'll see you more often or anything, but why did you need to discuss it with me?"
Sirius recleared his throat. "I am financailly stable now, and have a home, and a job. The one thing I regret was giving you up to Hagrid to come here. I want to fix my mistake now."
"Harry, I talked it over with the right people, and I want to adopt you." Sirius looked into his eyes.
Harry was stunned. "A...adopt me? My father's best friend?"
"I knew you'd hate the idea." Sirius's eyes were downcast.
"N...no, I love it!" Harry hugged his godfather, now adopted father tightly.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aww! Time to gag yourself ;)
Next chapter - birthdays and the World Cup, five reviews until chapter #3!