The Return
by S. L
Hannah awoke to find herself in a bright orange room. At first she thought the house had somehow caught fire, but remembered where she was now. It had been quite strange to see the room for the first time, and she still wasn't used to it, but when she had come to be last night, she hadn't the energy to care.
They had stayed up talking all night. Mostly about things Hannah didn't understand. Sirius she had soon found, was a wonderful man. He had amused her to no end with frightful and hilarious stories about his past adventures. Also he was a major kidder. He had threatened Harry numerous times that he was going to steal his wife just because Harry wasn't as pretty as him. Hannah loved him.
Arthur had had to be dragged off to bed by his infuriated wife, which Hannah had been thankful for. She had liked Arthur, but he wouldn't stop asking her about the muggle world. She must have explained to him everything in her house from the microwave to the telephone. It had been exhausting and she had been quite glad to reach her bed.
Harry was still asleep next to her, so she decided not to wake him. He had stayed up even later than her, talking to Sirius no doubt. She dressed quickly and quietly and left to go find her own way back to the kitchen.
She thought about checking up on Jane, but her daughter was not in the small room she had been taken to last night. Hannah decided to shrug it off. Molly had probably taken her downstairs.
Slightly worried, nonetheless, Hannah began to wring her hands slightly as she headed down the stairs. She even jumped as the last one squeaked. Feeling like a scared teenager sneaking out of her room for a midnight snack she slunk into the kitchen. She sighed in relief when she saw Jane sitting on the floor laughing. Old breakfast dishes sat on the table and Jane was surrounded in magical toys. So someone had been taking care of her, but that someone wasn't here now.
Hannah looked about the room, but saw nothing. Then just when she was about to reach down for her baby a large black blur stuck it's head from beneath the table and barked. Hannah grabbed Jane and backed away from the monstrous dog. Jane was laughing madly.
The thing padded from beneath the table with a wide grin on it's face, but dogs couldn't grin, could they? He didn't seem dangerous... then again Hannah didn't remember anyone saying anything about a dog.
The dog sat down and cocked it's head at Hannah, who blinked. Then in an instant the dog was gone and Sirius sat in it's place chuckling. "Oh your face... that was great. Wonderful! Classic!"
Feeling confused and frightened Hannah clutched at her daughter. "What are you?" Was all she could think to say, in a very dazed voice.
"A Sirius, a very rare and unusual breed whom are blessed with particularly bad names." When he saw that Hannah looked frightened Sirius dropped the joke. "No really, I'm an Animungus (A/N: Sorry if that's spelled wrong. I'm a horrible speller). You do know what that is don't you?"
She shook her head. "Well it's something that some wizards and witches can do, though it's usual rare." Then he winked. "Though when you become an animungus (A/N: Spelling once again...) you are really supposed to tell the Ministry- something I happened to do... so don't tell anyone about this. Well, okay Harry knows, and Dumbledore, and the Weasleys- or most of them- and the Marauders- what's left of them- and... oh I can't really think of the others right now." He ended with a wide grin.
Hannah blinked. "You can change into an animal? Any animal?"
"Nah, you only change into one thing. I'm always a dog thank-you-very- much." He smiled again. "Sorry if I scared you, but Jane seemed to think I was quite amusing."
She began to answer as she usual would when her daughter was complimented, but paused. Jane and Sirius hadn't been introduced, so how did he... "Do you know who she is?" She asked almost frightfully. What if Harry didn't want him to know?
A look of understanding and irritation crossed the man's face. "Oh yes I found out quite easily that she is the daughter of my beloved godson. Something my beloved godson just happened to leave out." He fluttered his eyelashes, looking very ridiculous indeed. "I'm sure you were going to tell me though."
"You're not angry though are you?" She asked timidly. Jane giggled at Sirius' face.
Looking at her daughter Sirius laughed. "Not at all. Takes a lot to get me angry!" A look of darkness crossed his face, but the man shook it away. "Wonderful girl. Looks remarkably like you. He's got Lily's eyes though. Harry's eyes," he shook his head again. "And the standard Potter hair, poor girl."
This time Hannah laughed and set Jane back on the floor. Deciding that Sirius could take care of her for another few minutes, she went to get herself something to eat. By the time she turned around the big black dog was dancing around the floor again, shaking his head at Jane. He looked up and gave Hannah that grin again. Yes, Hannah thought, that is definitely Sirius.
Harry awoke, feeling for the first time in years, completely whole. He'd been pushing away magic for so many years, he had almost forgotten what it was like. Right now he didn't care about anything else, he was home, and it felt wonderful.
Ron's old pictures of the Chudley Cannon's waved at him as he got dressed and left the room. Feeling quite content Harry hummed to himself as he ran down the stairs, half expecting to see all the Weasley children at the bottom, waiting for him to join them for breakfast. He almost wished they would be.
Instead he found Hannah sitting at the table laughing madly, and Jane rolling about on the floor in hysterics. The reason was a large black dog that was prancing around making very comical faces. Harry stopped dead. He was going to tell Sirius about Jane himself, once things calmed down.
The room's occupants noticed his pressence. Jane demanded that she be held, Hannah kissed him quickly on the cheek and the dog that was his godfather bound between them all and jumped. Harry ended up flat on the floor, his glasses knocked off, with all of his godfather's very heavy puppy fat weighted against his chest. He barked loudly in his face, to tell him that he knew perfectly well what he'd just done.
After another warning the dog jumped off and began his dance again. Hannah moved to Harry's side and handed him his glasses, she was grinning wildly.
"You deserve it Harry," she said wisely. "Not telling Sirius, really."
Sirius barked in approval and pranced about Hannah happily. Jane clapped her hands and giggled. Hannah laughed and made a show out of patting him on the head. Then the dog was gone and Hannah was patting a very ruffled, but happy looking Sirius.
Adopting an air, Sirius rose from his seat on the floor and very clearly snubbed Harry. Harry couldn't help but laughing though. Sirius was one of those people who could not act to save their lives. Lie yes, act no. Huffing Sirius continued on with his over-the-top performance of slighting Harry, until he too began to laugh.
"Sorry Sirius," Harry said, picking up Jane. "I guess the thought just- slipped my mind."
Sirius made his lip quaver, he sniffed as if tears were coming on. "I'm hurt Harry." Then he closed his eyes and forced his chin up. After a second he ventured to open one eye and glare at Harry. Seeing his godson was laughing he turned in his chair and continued on with the act.
It all seemed to strike Jane as very funny. She couldn't stop laughing, even her little fists were pounding the table. Sirius stopped and grinned. "Well, at least someone thinks I'm funny."
Hannah cocked her head. "But you're Sirius."
As if that proved a point, Sirius raised his head and smiled at Harry. "I love that woman," was all he said.
Laughing again Harry explained to a confused Hannah. Sirius' name sake joke had always been sort of a private joke. The Marauder always took every chance to use his 'Sirius, serious' joke, and all who knew him, always made a point to never laugh. Harry thought his father had started it back in Hogwarts, but no one knew anymore. It was just something that had stuck around.
Hannah smiled after having the story explained. "Whoops," she said smiling. "Guess I'm as batty as him then. I thought it was funny." She shrugged and Sirius smiled at Harry again.
Then the matters got sober once more. No one was laughing except Jane, who was giggling at a magical book with moving pictures.
"Sorry Sirius," Harry said meaning it. "I would have told you forever ago, but..."
Looking truly sad since the first time Harry had seen him again Sirius nodded. "I understand."
They had had a long talk last night, and everything seemed to be straightened out between them. Yet everything wasn't right yet and Harry didn't think it would be for a long time. After all Harry had left only right after Sirius gained his freedom. They had never had the chance to spend any real time together. Harry felt terrible for that.
"Who're you telling today?" Sirius asked, regaining some of his usual demeanor. "Ron and Hermoine will have kittens once they see you, you know their engaged?"
Harry smiled. "Yup, it's so strange though," he sighed then looked at Hannah carefully. "We're going to have to get to work with the plan I told you about last night." Sirius nodded. "You're still up for it?"
Another nod. "Wouldn't miss it, though now that you factor in the kid... I dunno Harry."
"Molly agreed to it as well. Talked to her last night," Harry said knowing Hannah was very much in the dark. He turned to look at her. "You see, while I'm dealing with this business you have to be protected. I won't have you targeted."
Sirius butted in. "You see, Harry says you've been a teacher before, so you can do it again right?" Hannah nodded slowly.
"Only magical teaching is a little different," Harry said. The shock was clear on his wife's face. "I've spoken to Dumbledore, and we're to see him today. Hogwarts is the safest place in the wizarding world, so that's where you'll stay. You can decide what you'd like to teach though."
"Of course you won't be teaching on your own," Sirius took his turn. "The teaching job is really just a front so no one gets suspicious about you being at Hogwarts. More than likely you won't have much to do, but Harry says you love to read and Hogwarts has a wonderful library."
Harry smiled. "All magical, but I think you'll like that." He shook his head. "You see you mustn't let it be known that you're a muggle. No offence darling. So we'll have to get you a fake wand, and teach you some back round spells and nonsense to keep the front up."
"And Jane?" Hannah said speaking for the first time.
Sirius licked his lips. "She's coming too, with Molly, you and I. You need magical protection, so I was the logical one for the job, and Molly agreed to watch Jane. It's all perfect!"
"Yes well, Sirius will be working for Dumbledore a bit too, but protecting you will be his first job."
"Indeed!"
It looked as if Hannah was trying to process all this. "And you Harry? Where will you be?"
Felling guilty Harry answered. "Well, no one must know you're my wife. So things will be difficult. I'll be back and forth between my old house, Hogwarts and- other business."
Hannah looked hurt. "I thought you- you were going to stay?"
Swallowing the lump in his throat Harry forced himself to answer. "I can't. If anyone were to find out any kind of a connection between us, then you could be taken as prisoners of war. That-will-not-happen."
Sirius leaned over and whispered something to Hannah that Harry just barely caught. "And trust me even if it ever did Harry would bring down entire armies to find you."
At last, a sad look of understanding crossed Hannah's face. "I'll do it."
Erm, I hope you like this chapter and thank you to everyone who reads. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think. Though I'm going to continue no matter what, so I really don't care what you say. And Thanks sooooo much to those who reviewed!!!
~Lady FoxFire
~hi
~Abby
~Sophie W.
~Bon
by S. L
Hannah awoke to find herself in a bright orange room. At first she thought the house had somehow caught fire, but remembered where she was now. It had been quite strange to see the room for the first time, and she still wasn't used to it, but when she had come to be last night, she hadn't the energy to care.
They had stayed up talking all night. Mostly about things Hannah didn't understand. Sirius she had soon found, was a wonderful man. He had amused her to no end with frightful and hilarious stories about his past adventures. Also he was a major kidder. He had threatened Harry numerous times that he was going to steal his wife just because Harry wasn't as pretty as him. Hannah loved him.
Arthur had had to be dragged off to bed by his infuriated wife, which Hannah had been thankful for. She had liked Arthur, but he wouldn't stop asking her about the muggle world. She must have explained to him everything in her house from the microwave to the telephone. It had been exhausting and she had been quite glad to reach her bed.
Harry was still asleep next to her, so she decided not to wake him. He had stayed up even later than her, talking to Sirius no doubt. She dressed quickly and quietly and left to go find her own way back to the kitchen.
She thought about checking up on Jane, but her daughter was not in the small room she had been taken to last night. Hannah decided to shrug it off. Molly had probably taken her downstairs.
Slightly worried, nonetheless, Hannah began to wring her hands slightly as she headed down the stairs. She even jumped as the last one squeaked. Feeling like a scared teenager sneaking out of her room for a midnight snack she slunk into the kitchen. She sighed in relief when she saw Jane sitting on the floor laughing. Old breakfast dishes sat on the table and Jane was surrounded in magical toys. So someone had been taking care of her, but that someone wasn't here now.
Hannah looked about the room, but saw nothing. Then just when she was about to reach down for her baby a large black blur stuck it's head from beneath the table and barked. Hannah grabbed Jane and backed away from the monstrous dog. Jane was laughing madly.
The thing padded from beneath the table with a wide grin on it's face, but dogs couldn't grin, could they? He didn't seem dangerous... then again Hannah didn't remember anyone saying anything about a dog.
The dog sat down and cocked it's head at Hannah, who blinked. Then in an instant the dog was gone and Sirius sat in it's place chuckling. "Oh your face... that was great. Wonderful! Classic!"
Feeling confused and frightened Hannah clutched at her daughter. "What are you?" Was all she could think to say, in a very dazed voice.
"A Sirius, a very rare and unusual breed whom are blessed with particularly bad names." When he saw that Hannah looked frightened Sirius dropped the joke. "No really, I'm an Animungus (A/N: Sorry if that's spelled wrong. I'm a horrible speller). You do know what that is don't you?"
She shook her head. "Well it's something that some wizards and witches can do, though it's usual rare." Then he winked. "Though when you become an animungus (A/N: Spelling once again...) you are really supposed to tell the Ministry- something I happened to do... so don't tell anyone about this. Well, okay Harry knows, and Dumbledore, and the Weasleys- or most of them- and the Marauders- what's left of them- and... oh I can't really think of the others right now." He ended with a wide grin.
Hannah blinked. "You can change into an animal? Any animal?"
"Nah, you only change into one thing. I'm always a dog thank-you-very- much." He smiled again. "Sorry if I scared you, but Jane seemed to think I was quite amusing."
She began to answer as she usual would when her daughter was complimented, but paused. Jane and Sirius hadn't been introduced, so how did he... "Do you know who she is?" She asked almost frightfully. What if Harry didn't want him to know?
A look of understanding and irritation crossed the man's face. "Oh yes I found out quite easily that she is the daughter of my beloved godson. Something my beloved godson just happened to leave out." He fluttered his eyelashes, looking very ridiculous indeed. "I'm sure you were going to tell me though."
"You're not angry though are you?" She asked timidly. Jane giggled at Sirius' face.
Looking at her daughter Sirius laughed. "Not at all. Takes a lot to get me angry!" A look of darkness crossed his face, but the man shook it away. "Wonderful girl. Looks remarkably like you. He's got Lily's eyes though. Harry's eyes," he shook his head again. "And the standard Potter hair, poor girl."
This time Hannah laughed and set Jane back on the floor. Deciding that Sirius could take care of her for another few minutes, she went to get herself something to eat. By the time she turned around the big black dog was dancing around the floor again, shaking his head at Jane. He looked up and gave Hannah that grin again. Yes, Hannah thought, that is definitely Sirius.
Harry awoke, feeling for the first time in years, completely whole. He'd been pushing away magic for so many years, he had almost forgotten what it was like. Right now he didn't care about anything else, he was home, and it felt wonderful.
Ron's old pictures of the Chudley Cannon's waved at him as he got dressed and left the room. Feeling quite content Harry hummed to himself as he ran down the stairs, half expecting to see all the Weasley children at the bottom, waiting for him to join them for breakfast. He almost wished they would be.
Instead he found Hannah sitting at the table laughing madly, and Jane rolling about on the floor in hysterics. The reason was a large black dog that was prancing around making very comical faces. Harry stopped dead. He was going to tell Sirius about Jane himself, once things calmed down.
The room's occupants noticed his pressence. Jane demanded that she be held, Hannah kissed him quickly on the cheek and the dog that was his godfather bound between them all and jumped. Harry ended up flat on the floor, his glasses knocked off, with all of his godfather's very heavy puppy fat weighted against his chest. He barked loudly in his face, to tell him that he knew perfectly well what he'd just done.
After another warning the dog jumped off and began his dance again. Hannah moved to Harry's side and handed him his glasses, she was grinning wildly.
"You deserve it Harry," she said wisely. "Not telling Sirius, really."
Sirius barked in approval and pranced about Hannah happily. Jane clapped her hands and giggled. Hannah laughed and made a show out of patting him on the head. Then the dog was gone and Hannah was patting a very ruffled, but happy looking Sirius.
Adopting an air, Sirius rose from his seat on the floor and very clearly snubbed Harry. Harry couldn't help but laughing though. Sirius was one of those people who could not act to save their lives. Lie yes, act no. Huffing Sirius continued on with his over-the-top performance of slighting Harry, until he too began to laugh.
"Sorry Sirius," Harry said, picking up Jane. "I guess the thought just- slipped my mind."
Sirius made his lip quaver, he sniffed as if tears were coming on. "I'm hurt Harry." Then he closed his eyes and forced his chin up. After a second he ventured to open one eye and glare at Harry. Seeing his godson was laughing he turned in his chair and continued on with the act.
It all seemed to strike Jane as very funny. She couldn't stop laughing, even her little fists were pounding the table. Sirius stopped and grinned. "Well, at least someone thinks I'm funny."
Hannah cocked her head. "But you're Sirius."
As if that proved a point, Sirius raised his head and smiled at Harry. "I love that woman," was all he said.
Laughing again Harry explained to a confused Hannah. Sirius' name sake joke had always been sort of a private joke. The Marauder always took every chance to use his 'Sirius, serious' joke, and all who knew him, always made a point to never laugh. Harry thought his father had started it back in Hogwarts, but no one knew anymore. It was just something that had stuck around.
Hannah smiled after having the story explained. "Whoops," she said smiling. "Guess I'm as batty as him then. I thought it was funny." She shrugged and Sirius smiled at Harry again.
Then the matters got sober once more. No one was laughing except Jane, who was giggling at a magical book with moving pictures.
"Sorry Sirius," Harry said meaning it. "I would have told you forever ago, but..."
Looking truly sad since the first time Harry had seen him again Sirius nodded. "I understand."
They had had a long talk last night, and everything seemed to be straightened out between them. Yet everything wasn't right yet and Harry didn't think it would be for a long time. After all Harry had left only right after Sirius gained his freedom. They had never had the chance to spend any real time together. Harry felt terrible for that.
"Who're you telling today?" Sirius asked, regaining some of his usual demeanor. "Ron and Hermoine will have kittens once they see you, you know their engaged?"
Harry smiled. "Yup, it's so strange though," he sighed then looked at Hannah carefully. "We're going to have to get to work with the plan I told you about last night." Sirius nodded. "You're still up for it?"
Another nod. "Wouldn't miss it, though now that you factor in the kid... I dunno Harry."
"Molly agreed to it as well. Talked to her last night," Harry said knowing Hannah was very much in the dark. He turned to look at her. "You see, while I'm dealing with this business you have to be protected. I won't have you targeted."
Sirius butted in. "You see, Harry says you've been a teacher before, so you can do it again right?" Hannah nodded slowly.
"Only magical teaching is a little different," Harry said. The shock was clear on his wife's face. "I've spoken to Dumbledore, and we're to see him today. Hogwarts is the safest place in the wizarding world, so that's where you'll stay. You can decide what you'd like to teach though."
"Of course you won't be teaching on your own," Sirius took his turn. "The teaching job is really just a front so no one gets suspicious about you being at Hogwarts. More than likely you won't have much to do, but Harry says you love to read and Hogwarts has a wonderful library."
Harry smiled. "All magical, but I think you'll like that." He shook his head. "You see you mustn't let it be known that you're a muggle. No offence darling. So we'll have to get you a fake wand, and teach you some back round spells and nonsense to keep the front up."
"And Jane?" Hannah said speaking for the first time.
Sirius licked his lips. "She's coming too, with Molly, you and I. You need magical protection, so I was the logical one for the job, and Molly agreed to watch Jane. It's all perfect!"
"Yes well, Sirius will be working for Dumbledore a bit too, but protecting you will be his first job."
"Indeed!"
It looked as if Hannah was trying to process all this. "And you Harry? Where will you be?"
Felling guilty Harry answered. "Well, no one must know you're my wife. So things will be difficult. I'll be back and forth between my old house, Hogwarts and- other business."
Hannah looked hurt. "I thought you- you were going to stay?"
Swallowing the lump in his throat Harry forced himself to answer. "I can't. If anyone were to find out any kind of a connection between us, then you could be taken as prisoners of war. That-will-not-happen."
Sirius leaned over and whispered something to Hannah that Harry just barely caught. "And trust me even if it ever did Harry would bring down entire armies to find you."
At last, a sad look of understanding crossed Hannah's face. "I'll do it."
Erm, I hope you like this chapter and thank you to everyone who reads. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think. Though I'm going to continue no matter what, so I really don't care what you say. And Thanks sooooo much to those who reviewed!!!
~Lady FoxFire
~hi
~Abby
~Sophie W.
~Bon