Sooner or Later

By: AngelDusterBuster

Disclaimer: Let's face it. We all know I don't own any of the characters from the Harry Potter books. So if you see something here that was ever mentioned in the books remember that I was only given the material I didn't create it!

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Chapter Two: Punishment

For the first few minutes Harry and Ron almost thought Sirius was speechless. But Sirius was never speechless these days. His job kept him away from home at all hours of the day and night, and when he came home he was never in the greatest mood.

Sirius had been staring at Harry as if he expected him to say something, "Well what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Um…I'm sorry and it'll never happen again?", Harry croaked out causing Ron to burst out in laugher.

"Ron perhaps you should go wait for Harry upstairs. He'll be up shortly, and since it doesn't seem like you were involved too much I'm not going to call your parents", Sirius turned his attention to the boy sitting next to his godson.

"I'll see you tomorrow Sirius", Remus poked his head in the room, "Good night Ron….Harry"

"Well I'm waiting? How long am I grounded for this time? How long to I have to listen to you yell and lecture at me? It's partly your fault what happened you know", Harry let slip out without thinking.

"You get in a fight with a boy and it's my fault? I know I haven't been in your life that long Harry but I…I just assumed you knew fighting was wrong. How could you let this happen? You were the first to throw a punch from what I gathered", Sirius stood up and went inside the kitchen.

As much as he'd do anything to just get out of the room Harry knew better. Sirius would track him down and he'd be even worse off. So instead he yelled to Sirius in the next room, "It was Malfoy you know. Didn't Remus tell you that?"

"That is no excuse", Sirius snapped walking back inside the room, "Here aspirin…and some water to take it with. It'll help your head"

"I didn't think you cared", Harry frowned gladly accepting the offer, "You know Malfoy's dad didn't seem to care what he did"

"Well am I Malfoy's dad?", Sirius through his hands in the air, "and to top it all off Harry you got in after curfew"

"Oh who cares about the dam curfew Sirius! I'm sorry for what I did but…I was so angry with you. And then listening to Malfoy's usual comments…it was just to much you know?", Harry asked hoping Sirius could agree with him for once.

"You need to control your behavior Harry. You can't just go around punching people because your mad at me. And you'll have plenty of time to think this through while your grounded", Sirius concluded, "For the rest of this week and the first month of next summer it's full works grounding. And you won't be leaving this house without adult supervision"

"The first month of summer? Heck who knows if I'm even coming back here", Harry grew angry slamming down the glass of water down on the table.

"Go to your room Harry", Sirius yawned obviously already tired from a long days work, "we'll talk about this tomorrow. When we've both got some rest"

"Whatever", Harry stood up, "Ground me as much as you want but remember I'm only yours for another week"

"Harry…"

"No! I'm really sick of all this Sirius. Just because your taking on to much at work doesn't mean I should have to suffer. You take everything out on me and I'm pretty darn sick of it", Harry felt his anger from the past summer slowly dripping out with every word he spoke, "Do you want me to hate you or something?"

Shaking his head Sirius spoke, "Of course I don't want you to hate me…what do you expect it to be a picnic when I get a call at work saying I need to come pick my godson up? You pushed the limit last time but this time you've blown right over it. Act like that in a few years and you'll find yourself in jail Harry. You were lucky you got off the way you did. You say I treat you like a thirteen year old kid but…how can I treat you like an adult when you don't act like one?"

"I wish Remus was my godfather", Harry suddenly muttered surprising Sirius.

"Is that so? Well then why don't you go live with him Harry? Go on I'm not stopping you!", Sirius yelled making Harry jump.

Feeling more horrible then he ever had in his life Harry managed to continue, "Look I'm sorry I'm not straight A student Hermione…I'm sorry I'm not the perfect person you want me to be. But it doesn't help that every time I do something right you tell me I could've done better. When I got my exams back they were my best results ever and what did you say Sirius? You said I could've done better. Do you know how hard I try to please you?"

Sirius stared at Harry not knowing what to say, "Harry I…"

"No I don't even want to hear it! I'll spend the rest of the week with Ron that way we never have to talk to each other ever again", Harry tried to say calmly as he stormed down the hall before Sirius could respond.

He ran immediately to his bed forgetting Ron was there, "Hey are you alright?"

"Do you think I could spend the rest of the week at your house?"

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Harry had to admit his bags were packed that night. He wanted more than anything to leave and put Sirius in his place. But something was holding him back. So when Ron left early the next morning Harry remained.

"I thought you were leaving", Sirius seemed satisfied to see Harry sitting at the kitchen table the next morning.

"If you don't mind I'm trying to finish my potions essay and I'm not in the mood to argue with you", Harry pointed to the books he had scattered all over the table.

"Well do you want some help?", Sirius offered sitting down at across from Harry.

"No thanks I think I'll manage. I have every other year", Harry refused to look up at Sirius.

"You know I really think we should talk about what you said last night", Sirius started glancing through Harry's notes he'd thrown carelessly way across the table, "how can you even read these?"

Frustrated Harry slammed his book closed, "Fine I'll just go finish it in my room"

"Harry you have all week to finish that. I think we should--"

"There's nothing else to talk about!", Harry exclaimed quickly gathering all his school work together.

"Would you just listen to me for five minutes?", Sirius jumped up from his chair pulling Harry's books out of easy reach.

"Look I have to go so--"

"Go? You think your going out after what you did yesterday?", the topic quickly changed.

Glancing at the clock on the wall Harry knew he'd was going to be late, "Hermione said she'd help me with something. I have to go over to her house…I figured since it was for school…"

"Well you figured wrong. If you need help with something I'll help you after work", Sirius suggested, "Don't roll your eyes at me I will!"

"Oh yeah so then I should stay up till what three in the morning?", Harry shook his head with laughter.

"Hey just because I have to work a lot doesn't mean I don't care about you Harry", Sirius defended himself.

"When's the last time we had a conversation without an argument? It's probably a good thing I'm leaving in a week. And I mean a good thing for both of us"

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"Harry it's not that hard…you just have to concentrate", Hermione explained to her friend, "Snape's going to kill you if you don't understand this stuff this year Harry-- Harry is there something bothering you?"

Shaking his head Harry responded, "Just the usual"

"I used to get pretty scared when you said that", Hermione laughed, "Thank god your problems are smaller these days"

"Yeah", Harry thought about all he'd been through the past two years. He hadn't had a Voldemort encounter since his fourth year. Now this may sound like a good thing but when you don't hear anything from someone like Voldemort in over two years you begin to wonder.

"Hey I know you don't like talking about that but…sometimes its easier to get past things if you talk about them you know", Hermione put her arm around her friend, "besides it's been two years if he was going to do something he wouldn't have waited this long.

"Hey your not the one who's got people thinking your psycho making up stories about the rebirth of Voldemort and then nothing happens for two years", Harry reminded her.

"You may be psycho but…you didn't make those up", Hermione laughed turning back to her potions book, "Now come on lets try to memorize this stuff okay? I'm not going to be able to whisper instructions to you after last year"

Harry laughed. Last year Hermione had to help him every five seconds. Of course one day they got caught. Lately it seemed the only class that came easy to Harry was defense class. Potions had become something he dreaded even more then talking to Sirius. Professor Snape wasn't any help either criticizing everything he did.

"I must have the lowest grade point average in our year Hermione…", Harry got up from the ground throwing himself into a recliner, "Face it I'm never going to be a be able to do any of this stuff"

"Your at the top of the class in defense isn't that an accomplishment? Your above me!", Hermione teased Harry handing him a piece of parchment, "now come on just to see what you know right down all the ingredients okay? Then we'll see what you need to know yet"

Reluctantly accepting the paper Harry spoke again, "did I ever tell you Dumbledore put my name down for the tutoring program? You know how embarrassing it is to have your headmaster think your stupid?"

"It doesn't mean your stupid", Hermione laughed, "It just means you could use some extra help. If you and Ron would just concentrate on your studies a little more…oh who am I kidding why do I even bother? Your never going to listen…"

"Hermione I'm being forced to concentrate on my studies…if I drop anymore I'm off the Quidditch team", Harry winced at the thought. Gryffindor didn't have much of a Quidditch time without him. He knew it and so did everyone else.

"You can't be serious? Who said that?", Hermione suddenly seemed less interested in school work.

"Sirius and Dumbledore had a conference with me at the end of the year. That's what they decided", Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"Harry we'll lose without you…I'll help you with your homework anytime you need it", Hermione added.

Harry grinned at her, "Since when does Hermione Granger care about Quidditch?"

"Hey how often do I miss one of your games?", Hermione reminded him, "Mostly just to make sure you don't hurt yourself but…did you hear something?"

"Oh shoot…", Harry turned pale, "Go up to my bedroom now!"

"Harry what--"

"Just go", Harry whispered rushing her out of the room.

"Harry?", Sirius' voice rang through the room, "Guess what? I'm done for the day"

"OH", Harry said a little loudly, "That's…that's great"

"So where's your homework I told you I'd help you with it", Sirius walked toward the living room when his mood quickly changed, "Harry why is it that you have two sets of books…"

"OH you know me just trying to--", Harry froze when Sirius picked up the book that belonged to Hermione.

"Write Hermione Granger in all your books then Harry?", Sirius stared at Harry, "You aren't supposed to have girls over when I'm not home to begin with Harry. And your grounded so that makes things even worse"

"But you said that I couldn't go to her house…you didn't say she couldn't come here!", Harry tried to block Sirius' pathway to his room, "It was my idea not hers…all we did was study Sirius…"

"Hello Hermione", Sirius sighed when he opened the door to Harry's room, "I think it's time you go home. I need to talk to Harry"

"Okay", Hermione blushed, "I'm really sorry Sirius…I was just trying to help.."

"Have a good afternoon Hermione", Sirius nodded watching her scatter to grab her things.

"I'll see you later Harry", Hermione gave him a sympathetic look.

"Bye", Harry muttered suddenly feeling a lot smaller than he really way, "I'm sorry…"

"Sorry? You know how many rules you broke today?", Sirius asked.

"You always said that I just couldn't have a girl in my room", Harry reminded him, "and for gods sake this is Hermione! She's my best friend!"

"I don't care who it is", Sirius shook his head with anger, "Just go to your room Harry okay?"

"I hate this…why do you always have to treat me like I'm five? In five ten years I could be married you know. Why do you always have to scare my friends off like that!", Harry exclaimed.

"When you have kids Harry then you'll understand", was all Sirius said.

"You never had kids either!", Harry let slip out.

"Go to your room Harry", Sirius watched Harry carefully to make sure he did, "Remus and Jodie are coming over for dinner. And I don't want a word of this said to them…"

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Author's Note:

Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you seemed to have enjoyed the last. I have to tell you I'm in shock from how many reviews I received. Usually it takes me at least five or six chapters to get that many! So thanks for that…it's really cool.

As many of you know I usually try to include as section where I respond to your reviews. Just my little way to say thanks for reviewing and how much I appreciate it. See how this works? You write me a review…and I write you one back in return!

Have a great day!

~^~AngelDusterBuster~^~

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Emmy: My first reviewer! I'm glad you liked the story. And I usually try to update at least once a week.

WeasleyGirl2345: Hey! I hope your story is going well by the way. No this isn't a sequel to anything thanks for reminding me to address that. This fic stands alone as is. Well anyway glad you liked it!

Mrs. Moony: Cute name…I've always liked Remus. But anyway no this isn't a sequel to anything. This fic stands alone as it is. I've only ever done one sequel and I have to admit sequels are really hard. So nope this isn't a sequel to anything.

Princess Potter: Well I'm glad that you love it already!

Essence of Magic: Thanks for the complement! I have to say I was surprised to see your name in the review line! I've read your stuff its really good!

Anie: Hey your back! It always makes me smile reading your reviews because you've been reading my stuff since the very beginning. And I think you'll admit I have gotten better since then!

Evil Spapple Pie: Interesting name! Anyway here's the thing between Sirius and Harry. Everyone always pictures them as having the perfect life together and all. But we all know we don't have anything close to a "perfect" relationship with our own parents. I've just never pictured them acting to fairytale. But I'm glad you liked the story!

Indiana jones: We may not think of him this way because of all he's been though but Harry is a teenager. He will have moments where he acts stupid. It's only human after all. I'm glad you'll still read it though, because I'd love to hear your point of view on other things I might have happen. Constructive criticism is what makes you a better writer after all. Right? Well thanks for reviewing!

Black Dreamz: I'm really glad that you like it! I was pretty proud of it myself. I was looking at the first chapter to Abandoned Hero the other day…this is so much better. I didn't think you could improve so much in five months time! Well thanks for reviewing, hope to hear from you again soon!

GiggleGurl15: Ha I think everyone's dad acts like that sometimes! Like I had said to someone else…I just can't picture the fairy tale relationship between Harry and Sirius that others can. Thanks for reviewing and I'm glad you liked it!

Harrystwin : Well I'm very glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing!

PatheticInvader Even though I'm really kind of angry with you right now, if I don't talk to you anytime soon I did start chapter five for our story. I'll have to show it to you later I have two or three pages down.

Dark Luna Angel: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope you don't mind that I left out the little stars and slashes in your name. It's easier to just put the plain name. Well thanks for reviewing!

Fickle: One of the best fic you've ever read? *Stars at you with awe* Well don't I feel pretty special right now! Thanks for reviewing! And whoa…I mean really thanks!

Princess Kattera: Sure I intended on emailing the people on my lists that this one is out anyway! And your right about Harry it must be hard. Sorry if I'm not writing much to you but…see above and I still have three more reviews to write! Thanks for reviewing!

Bookworm2000: You know I was surprised. You were the only one to ask about Harry and Ron's "spot of trouble" But I'll have to tell you to wait…it'll come up sometime I'm sure. And I never knew that about Malfoy's last name! Ha that's hilarious! Thanks for reviewing I always look forward to your reviews!

Ginny5: Ha that's alright. Yeah I feel the exact way you do. That's exactly why I've portrayed them this way. I'm really glad you like it! Hope to hear form you soon!

-_-: My last review…ha. I'm glad you like it! It really amazed me how many of my Pathways readers loved this one too. I'm pretty sure you read Pathways…boy I'll feel pretty dumb if I have the wrong story. Ha well thanks for reviewing!

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