{Disclaimer: The Harry Potter World was created by J.K. Rowling and rights are owned by, but not limited to Warner Brothers and Scholastic Books. I, therefore, own no parts of this, save for the characters that are parts of my own imagination, mostly including Andromeda McGee and Wyvern}
Chapter 17
Pillows, Potions, and Problems
**I'm a survivor/ I'm not going to give up/ I'm not going to stop/ I'm going to work harder/ I'm a survivor/ I'm going to make it/ I will survive/ To keep on surviving "Survivor" Destiny's Child**
Thud! A pillow landed promptly on Sirius's dozing head. He moaned as the projectile raised itself off of his face.
"Sirius! Rise and shine! We're free!"
Sirius allowed his eyes to crack open. Andy stood over him, one hand on her hip, the other holding the wand responsible for the hovering pillow. "I forgot how much of a morning person you were," he mumbled.
Andy cracked a wide grin. "You've got to get up, anyhow. Dumbledore sent us word that he wants both of us at breakfast no matter what." She brandished the note in front of his nose. Sirius could make out that it was Dumbledore's handwriting and had the word 'must,' 'attend,' and 'breakfast' in the same sentence.
"That's not good."
"No, it's not. We can't refuse though. He has given us so much already."
Sirius sat up, looking at her intently. "You know what their reactions will be with the two of us walking into the Great Hall? Our pictures are guaranteed to be on the front page of the Daily Prophet. People will recognize me at least. You don't have to worry about it as much. People don't know you, Andy. They know me. They know who I am and what I was convicted of doing. They're terrified of me. Do you know how many people were ready to kill me?"
"Too many to count? Some of us know the truth now. The rest will know soon enough. If anything, you have me, Remus, and Dumbledore for you, and the godson of yours."
"Harry?"
"Yes, him. Who in their right mind would have made you a godparent?"
"James and Lily," he whispered, hoping that she would learn eventually.
Andy paused. "They had a son?"
Sirius nodded. "Even Voldemort couldn't kill Harry Potter. James's son caused the destruction of a Dark Lord before he could talk."
"Figures. We ought to get going unless you want to be late," Andy stormed out of his room, leaving Sirius to find a pair of robes to pull over his Gryffindor colored boxers. At least she hadn't made any comments about them.
Andy looked up as he entered her room. She had been furiously scribbling in a small book.
"Shall we go, milady?" He offered her his arm.
"Certainly, milord," Andy took his arm as they left the Potions Dungeon. "Though we shouldn't be seen like this. Rumors grow faster than a Firebolt flies."
Sirius let her arm drop, albeit reluctantly. She was right. What a tale that would be: two Azkaban escapees… He chuckled grimly to himself, feeling butterflies of nervousness flutter in his stomach. He could predict the reactions easily. There were less people than he could count on all ten of his fingers that would not purposely steer away from seeing him at Hogwarts. Dumbledore, Remus, Andy, Harry, Ron, Hermione… He wasn't certain about the rest of the teachers. Though if Snape was still intact, he might be personally killed. Six, it made a grand total of six. That was rather pathetic. They reached the doors to the great Hall and paused. "This is our last chance to run away."
"We have to do it, Sirius. The Gryffindor stubbornness would make us do it, if nothing else would. Eventually we will have to open all the doors."
Sirius cast a side long glance at his teaching counterpart. "Here goes nothing." He pushed open the doors, striding inside, Andy only a step behind him.
A hush blanketed the entire hall. Dumbledore stood up. "Ah, yes. Right on time. I would like to announce two new additions to our teaching staff: Sirius Black and Andromeda McGee. Professor Snape will be out for the rest of the year due to rather extenuating circumstances. As most of you know, before any questions are asked or rumors go amiss, both Mr. Black and Ms. McGee were wrongly accused of crimes they did not commit. Please welcome them."
There was a smattering of applause, mostly from the Gryffindor table for the fact that there would be no more Snape for the entire year, and from those twisted enough to savor the idea of being taught by people who escaped from a high security prison.
Sirius and Andy approached the staff table without slowing. Two seats on the end were open. Sirius was glad that was over. Soon conversation had climbed back to its normal roaring state and people began to relax.
Change of perspective: Gryffindor table
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table, stunned.
"Harry? Harry, snap out of it," Hermione hit him on his shoulder.
"Huh? What?"
"I told you to snap out of it. You were looking rather dazed."
"I just can't believe that Sirius was freed and here and teaching."
"That means Snape's going for the rest of the year!" Ron exuberantly proclaimed. "No more Slytherins being favored! No more losing points for doing nothing wrong at all! No more…"
"We get the picture already!"
"But there's no more Snape! Do you know how many months that is that we don't have to put up with him?"
"Around eight," Hermione answered absently. "Calm down, Ron. We get your point."
Back to the teachers' table
"Y'know they don't seem to trust us must, Andy," Sirius said in an undertone.
"I know. Remus is across the table so that doesn't help and McGonagall's been glaring at us since we got here."
Sirius snorted. "That doesn't surprise me. She hasn't forgiven us yet."
"Probably not. I don't suppose she ever will, though we did apologize for it."
People were beginning to leave in order to prepare for the upcoming classes. Andy stood up. "I'm going. We have a class first thing." Sirius followed her out. He wasn't going to stay at the staff table alone. Remus caught up with them.
"Good luck. You're going to need it." He clasped Sirius on the arm.
"You make it sound ominous."
"Potions are ominous."
"That makes me feel so much better."
"You'll do fine. You were always one of the best even though you did choose to explode the potions' lab most of the time."
"Thanks, Remus." Sirius noticed that Andy had already disappeared down the hall to the Potions Dungeon. The butterflies had yet to leave. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.
Andy looked up from where she sat at her desk. "Oh, it's you. I was wondering when you were going to show up. Want to try brewing Luck today?"
"What year level?"
"The fifth years are on first."
"That's highly encouraging."
"What do you mean?"
"Harry's in the class."
"Oh," Andy nodded, understanding his train of thought for the moment. "So, do we try Luck?"
"Sure. Why not?" Sirius took a seat at the other desk, placing his feet on top.
"Snape would have your head as a wall ornament if he saw you doing that to his desk."
"It's not his desk anymore. It's mine now. He's going to be a while recuperating."
"I know that. He'd still love to kill you."
"Yes, he would. He probably wants all the Marauders' heads on labeled plaques in his trophy room."
"I don't think he has a trophy room."
"It's the thought that counts."
Students began to file into the classroom. Most of them either apprehensive or down right terrified to be there. After a few moments the class was full.
Sirius swung his long legs off the desk top. He could hear his footsteps echo as he approached the front of the class. Andy gave him a nod to go ahead. She wanted to see what would happen. Sirius cleared his throat to quiet the class though they were already dead silent. "Welcome to Potions. I, for those of you who do not know me, am Sirius Black. This," he gestured to Andy. "Is Andromeda McGee. The two of us will be responsible for teaching the lot of you until the end of the year. Today we will begin by brewing Luck. Who can tell me any ingredients that might be useful in making a successful Luck potion?"
After a pause, a few hands ventured into the air. Sirius chose a random Slytherin. "You there, Zambini."
"Four leaf clover," the girl drawled, still filing her perfectly manicured fingernails.
"That is correct. Five point to Slytherin."
There were some mumbles from the Gryffindor side of the classroom. "Yet again the Potions professor favors Slytherin."
"I do not favor any one right now. I am a professor. I am not a Head of House. If anything, I was a Gryffindor when I attended this school. A professor's job is to teach equally and fairly to all students that wish to learn. When any of your enter my classroom, you will all be equal. No one will be picked on for their lack of talent, nor for their abundance of talent. Understand?"
The class stared, uncertain of what to do.
"When I ask you a question, I want an answer. Passive silence will not do. Just nod your head yes. All I want is to see that you are paying attention. I need to know if you are alive. Do you understand?"
Every head in the room nodded yes. Even a few verbal affirmations were given.
"Much better. Now what else would we add to a potion creating Luck?"
In her corner, Andy sat, shaking her head to herself and grinning. Sirius was certainly getting into his role of teaching. She supposed they might have a chance.
All the ingredients were determined and written down. Sirius ordered the class to split up into pairs and begin working on the potion. Luck took a relatively short time to brew, but needed to set for a week in order to gain its full potency. The class bottled their potions and left the room when finished.
Harry approached Sirius's desk holding a letter in his hand.
"Hello, Harry. I want your honest opinion. How was the class?"
"It was fine. It'll take a while for the students to get used to you, but after they warm up, this is going to be much better than Snape teaching. Uncle Vernon wanted me to give this to you," Harry handed Sirius the letter. "I got it this morning. Your note is the one on the bottom."
Sirius read it out loud. "Harry, we heard that you godfather, Sirius Black, has been released and is no longer considered a criminal. I am passing the custody of you to him. I never want to see your face in this house again, signed Vernon Dursley. Dear Mr. Black, since you have been released, I am passing Harry's custody to you, making you his legal guardian. I never want to see you or him again. Do not write back, signed, Vernon Dursley." He laughed. "Well, then, Harry, I suppose this gives us reason to celebrate. No more having to put up with that elephantine of a cousin anymore. Not that this improves your situation very much."
"It does. I no longer have to sleep in a cupboard over summer vacation."
"You're right. Go on with you. I know you have a class next and who ever is teaching will not be too thrilled if you are late because of me, especially because of me. Oh, and Harry? I wouldn't go around letting too many people know that I'm your godfather. It might start a few things."
"Bye, Sirius." Harry left the room, leaving Sirius to sit in shock. His life had been turned upside down and inside out. Only yesterday, he had still been a convict, running from the law. Now he was free. Until a few minutes ago, he had no responsibilities. Harry was his now.
Sirius leaned back in his chair, hands laced behind his head. "James, I have him now. He's safe with me. You don't have to worry about him having to live with those horrible Muggles anymore. I don't just how, but we will work everything out." He could almost see James and Lily standing nearby smiling upon him.
{Author's Note: Well, that was interesting. I don't think it had any point what so ever, but it was another chapter just the same. Just a quick note. I have written up to chapter 26 so far. There will be more after 26 and eventually they all will be posted, but until then, hang in there. Hope you enjoyed it and please review. Peace, Love, and Ice Cream, Nataly Ravenlock}
