Black is Back
Harry stared dumbly at the door as if he expected it to dance. Sirius came to his house in broad daylight? It didn't make sense. He was a wanted criminal I both the wizarding and muggle world. Why would he openly come with so much risk involved? As Harry stood lost for an explanation, Uncle Vernon stood much the same way, completely overcome with fear. Vernon remembered the name of Harry's godfather well. It was the one thing he actually feared about Harry, short of him loosing his temper and blowing him up. Harry had said that his godfather was a wanted criminal and even if Vernon really believed in magic, he was still smart enough to know that criminals are dangerous. even when they iARE/i sane. That wasn't the end of his anxieties though, as soon as he heard the name he attached it to the face of the escaped criminal that had never been caught.
Sirius cleared his throat "excuse me?"
Harry rushed down the stairs and to the front door. "Sirius? What? How? Why. why're you here?"
"I'll explain it all-" Sirius began, but that was as far as he got, because suddenly Uncle Vernon snapped to attention as Aunt Marge made her way heavily down the stairs, finally finished in the bathroom.
"Well, Vernon. I feel better. When's dinner?"
Vernon quickly responded to Sirius, "I'm sorry, there is no Harry here!" then slammed the door in Sirius' face. To Aunt Marge, Uncle Vernon responded, "Why don't you ask Petunia? She's getting dinner together right now." The moment Aunt Marge was in the kitchen, Uncle Vernon turned to Harry and hissed through clenched teeth "get rid of him, boy. I don't want people to think we're into anything odd! Criminals! Wizards, phooey!"
Harry watched his uncle walk down the hall and into the kitchen before yanking the door open again. "Sirius! Why're you here?"
"Well, I'd really like to just tell the story once, seeing as it's so complicated."
"Meaning.?"
"I'd like to tell you and your Aunt and Uncle at the same time."
"This really isn't the best time, Sirius. Aunt Marge is here. She's. well, she's the epitome of a Muggle."
"I'm quite sure that your Aunt and Uncle will want to hear this. It really won't take very long. I'm sure you'll like it too. Perhaps, I can speak to just you and your uncle, for a moment?"
Just then Dudley came to the door in search of Harry, Aunt Marge always liked to be sure of Harry's location at all times. "Harry, Mummy and Aunty say-" upon noticing Sirius, Dudley let out a blood curdling scram and ran (as best he could) to hide behind his mother.
The ever-curious Aunt Marge came waddling down the hall. Before Harry or Uncle Vernon could stop her she spotted Sirius. "Vernon! Vernon! The boy's talking with an escaped convict! Petunia! Call 4-1-1!"
Vernon stepped in front of Aunt Marge (which is no easy feat when she stands in a hallway) and told her "Get back Marge, and don't make a scene. You don't know what a madman like him'll do."
"Madman?" Sirius interjected indignantly. "How can you call me mad? Look at her!" He indicated Mage, who was flubbering incoherently now.
Harry whispered to Sirius "Let's go outside and talk. Marge is already going to need a good memory charm." He inwardly noted that Marge may just forget the earlier incident. He sure hoped so; it'd save him one big stain on his mind.
Uncle Vernon showed Sirius the door and walked him outside, Harry in tow. "What do you bloody want, Black? Have I mistreated the boy? Do you need something?"
"I don't really need anything."
"Then off with you! I don't want you on my property."
"Wait! Wait, please let me explain.. It really would be a bit more comfortable if we were inside, sitting down."
"Oh no! Don't think you're going to be invited to dinner. You'll say it while we're out here"
"Fine. I'm here to take Harry-"
"YES!"
Uncle Vernon glared Harry into silence. Sirius smiled at Harry before continuing. "As I was saying. I'm here to take Harry back to my flat in London proper. Recently, my name was cleared by the Ministry of Magic and thereby cleared with the Muggle ministers. I'll spare you the details, Dursley."
"Wait just a moment. You're telling me that after fifteen years you're going to take this boy out of our house for good? You're going to pay for his schooling. You're going to feed him and clothe him. We'll never have to see him again. Our name won't be associated with that strange stuff any longer?"
"Yes, that's right. You'll never have to see Harry, or myself, again. I've already gotten the leave of the Headmaster to take him to my place."
"His headmaster? What has that bloody frumpy old man have to do with anything?"
Surprised, Sirius responded "didn't anyone tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Oh. well. it's not important anyway. Harry and I'll be gone shortly."
"Wait just a moment. You can't take the boy yet. What'll Marge think? You, a criminal, taking Harry someplace? You'll just have to wait for her to leave."
"I thought I had made myself clear: I am not a criminal. My name has been cleared. I have never done anything illegal-well, never anything that would classify me as a criminal anyway." Vernon ignored this short interjection.
Harry groaned and looked pleadingly at his uncle. "Don't you want me gone? Aren't you sick of paying for my upkeep? Aunt Mare doesn't care about me one bit! Just let me go with Sirius, please, Uncle Vernon."
"You, boy, this has nothing to do with you. Get in the house and go sit down to dinner, tell your aunt Petunia that I'll be in shortly."
"Uncle Vernon."
Sirius looking at Harry apologetically and said "go on Harry, I'll be in contact with you shortly."
Harry nodded and walked to the house. As Harry opened the door, Shartouse came running out of the house and directly to Sirius. Hackles up, and growling, Shartouse challenged Sirius. For a moment Sirius contemplated turning into a dog and answering the challenge but before he could come to a decision Harry ran over and tried to pull Shartouse back. When Shartouse lunged forward, Harry went flying backwards and landed in the mud. Sheepishly Harry looked up to see Shartouse licking Sirius' face. Uncle Vernon glared at Harry and growled "Get in the house and get cleaned up while I get rid of this man."
Harry got up and ran to bathroom. He couldn't believe that he'd embarrassed himself so thoroughly in front of his Godfather. But, oh to live with Sirius. To never see the Dursleys again, what he wouldn't do for that. His uncle had no right to tell him that he couldn't go live with the one person who should be his guardian. He knew that his aunt would never allow him to eat at the table when he was as muddy as he was, so he figured he'd better take a shower. Again. While the water was warming he carefully pealed the muddy clothing off and folded the mud in on itself. There really was no point in saving too big clothing, it was just about shot anyway.
Clothing removed and glasses on the counter near the sink Harry got in the shower for the second time that day. After cleaning himself off, Harry turned off the water and wrapped a towel securely around his waist. Slowly he opened the door and looked around, making sure there were no large, bumbling whale sized women in sight. With care he made his way to his bedroom, slammed the door shut behind him and locked it, twice. Harry leaned back against the door and let the towel drop.
When he heard a low "woof" come from his bed, his eyes snapped open. He scrambled to grab the towel and cover himself. Harry looked at his bed from a crouching position, clutching the towel in a bundle in front of his crotch, and searched for whoever was in his room, watching (pervert). He looked from his bed, to his dresser, to the broken TV in the corner which were all along the same wall, and he didn't see anyone, or thing, for that matter. Perhaps he imagined it. However, it took his body another minute to believe his mind, and let himself slowly stand up, letting go of the towel (it stayed at his waist). He went and took his clothes out of his dresser before putting the towel back on the ground. This time he heard a catcall, which shattered any and all remaining thoughts that he just heard Shartouse outside, and that he was alone in his room.
"Who's there?" Harry called out suspiciously, and rather annoyed.
As Sirius clamored out from under the bed he commented "not half bad, Harry. Not even half mast, come to think of it."
Harry turned red and turned around to pull on a pair of red flannel boxers, with tiny golden snitches fluttering around on them. When he had pulled on the boxers he turned to face his Godfather. "Did you HAVE to comment like that? I'll admit, it boosts my confidence, but really. Was it called for? I'm your godson, for god's sake!"
Sirius laughed good-naturedly. "It was meant as a compliment actually."
"Honestly, it's rather unsettling to hear that from another guy, let alone your guardian. Now if it were Cho, I wouldn't mind so much." After shaking his head to clear the thought from his mind he continued, "It doesn't matter. What're you doing in here?"
"I came to take you back with me. I don't want to lose anymore time with you. I feel bad enough as it is, a few more months and I would go insane. Your uncle and aunt obviously don't want you here and I don't want you to be here any more than they do."
"You heard Uncle Vernon, he said that I could leave just as soon as Aunt Marge does." Sirius inquired "and when, pray-tell, will that be? Tomorrow, next week, the day after you go back to school. You don't understand, I want you out of here NOW. It's not safe for you to not be near the wizarding community any longer. You need to be around people who understand how vital your safety is."
Harry shook his head and reached to grab his shirt. "If you're going to take me I should pack, and probably leave a note for my Aunt and Uncle."
"That a boy! Finish getting dressed and we can leave." Harry quickly threw on his clothes. With mild disgust Sirius commented, "We're going to have to get you some new clothes, some that fit properly. Some that don't appear as if they were designed to be worn by a moose."
Harry laughed and began to pack. Quickly he opened his trunk and began to pack. Just before he closed it he slithered under the bed, pried open the floor board and pulled out all of his gifts and everything else he'd stashed under there. When he came out Sirius was giving him a quizzical look. "I had to hide things, from the Dursleys. they didn't exactly approve of me receiving letters, or gifts, form those "strange people" they didn't exactly believe in me having friends."
"Well, that's going to change as soon as we get to my flat. You get your own bedroom, which we have to decorate and furnish, by the way. You can put anything and everything in there. short of a dragon."
From the foot of the stairs his Aunt Petunia screeched "Harry! You missed dinner, you can do with out for tonight! Get down here and do the dishes!"
Harry looked to Sirius "I can't exactly apparate yet. I'll get the dishes done and I'll meet you on the corner?"
Sirius nodded and turned his wand to the trunk spoke an incantation and the trunk shrank to the size of a thimble. After sticking the thimble sized trunk in his pocket he walked to the window and calmly jumped out. Harry ran to the window and looked down, just in time to see Sirius floating softly to the ground. Before turning into a dog and lopping down the street, Sirius looked up and waved farewell to Harry.
With a resigned sigh Harry walked to the door of his bedroom and unlocked both locks. Slowly he made his way down the stairs and to the kitchen, where Aunt Marge and Uncle Vernon were each drinking a glass of brandy and having a rather large slice of raspberry pie. Aunt Petunia sat near by, knitting what looked like a large orange bowl, but was probably a new sweater for Dudley.
Whistling, Harry set to work on the dishes. Vernon's mustache visibly twitched and he barked for Harry to shut up. Harry tried, he really did. He wasn't trying to make his uncle upset, but he couldn't help it. He was just too happy to be leaving this awful place that he had to smile and whistle, which only made Aunt Marge very suspicious. "What're you up to boy? What've you got planned? Or have you already done it? Did you steal from your aunt and uncle? I keep telling you Vernon, the only way to cure him will be to shoot the poor boy. He's bad to the bone, you can see it on his face. The messy hair, the calculating eyes. It's almost as if he knows something that you don't. Take him out of the gene pool I say. I wouldn't let him date my daughter! In fact, I wouldn't let him date one of my dogs. He's just not good enough for them. Castrate him, that's the answer to all problems generated by a male criminal, I always say." At the last remark Vernon, Harry, and even Dudley (who'd never be able to have a partner without killing them) cringed. "I bet you he stole something, better count your silverware Petunia."
Harry rolled his eyes and continued to do the dishes. As soon as he had washed, dried and put away the last dish he turned to his Aunt and Uncle "I'm going for a run before I go to bed. See you in an hour or so." With those last couple of words, Harry headed to the door. The moment it was shut behind him he began walking, with an unintentional bounce to his step, towards the corner, and hopefully to freedom.
Harry stared dumbly at the door as if he expected it to dance. Sirius came to his house in broad daylight? It didn't make sense. He was a wanted criminal I both the wizarding and muggle world. Why would he openly come with so much risk involved? As Harry stood lost for an explanation, Uncle Vernon stood much the same way, completely overcome with fear. Vernon remembered the name of Harry's godfather well. It was the one thing he actually feared about Harry, short of him loosing his temper and blowing him up. Harry had said that his godfather was a wanted criminal and even if Vernon really believed in magic, he was still smart enough to know that criminals are dangerous. even when they iARE/i sane. That wasn't the end of his anxieties though, as soon as he heard the name he attached it to the face of the escaped criminal that had never been caught.
Sirius cleared his throat "excuse me?"
Harry rushed down the stairs and to the front door. "Sirius? What? How? Why. why're you here?"
"I'll explain it all-" Sirius began, but that was as far as he got, because suddenly Uncle Vernon snapped to attention as Aunt Marge made her way heavily down the stairs, finally finished in the bathroom.
"Well, Vernon. I feel better. When's dinner?"
Vernon quickly responded to Sirius, "I'm sorry, there is no Harry here!" then slammed the door in Sirius' face. To Aunt Marge, Uncle Vernon responded, "Why don't you ask Petunia? She's getting dinner together right now." The moment Aunt Marge was in the kitchen, Uncle Vernon turned to Harry and hissed through clenched teeth "get rid of him, boy. I don't want people to think we're into anything odd! Criminals! Wizards, phooey!"
Harry watched his uncle walk down the hall and into the kitchen before yanking the door open again. "Sirius! Why're you here?"
"Well, I'd really like to just tell the story once, seeing as it's so complicated."
"Meaning.?"
"I'd like to tell you and your Aunt and Uncle at the same time."
"This really isn't the best time, Sirius. Aunt Marge is here. She's. well, she's the epitome of a Muggle."
"I'm quite sure that your Aunt and Uncle will want to hear this. It really won't take very long. I'm sure you'll like it too. Perhaps, I can speak to just you and your uncle, for a moment?"
Just then Dudley came to the door in search of Harry, Aunt Marge always liked to be sure of Harry's location at all times. "Harry, Mummy and Aunty say-" upon noticing Sirius, Dudley let out a blood curdling scram and ran (as best he could) to hide behind his mother.
The ever-curious Aunt Marge came waddling down the hall. Before Harry or Uncle Vernon could stop her she spotted Sirius. "Vernon! Vernon! The boy's talking with an escaped convict! Petunia! Call 4-1-1!"
Vernon stepped in front of Aunt Marge (which is no easy feat when she stands in a hallway) and told her "Get back Marge, and don't make a scene. You don't know what a madman like him'll do."
"Madman?" Sirius interjected indignantly. "How can you call me mad? Look at her!" He indicated Mage, who was flubbering incoherently now.
Harry whispered to Sirius "Let's go outside and talk. Marge is already going to need a good memory charm." He inwardly noted that Marge may just forget the earlier incident. He sure hoped so; it'd save him one big stain on his mind.
Uncle Vernon showed Sirius the door and walked him outside, Harry in tow. "What do you bloody want, Black? Have I mistreated the boy? Do you need something?"
"I don't really need anything."
"Then off with you! I don't want you on my property."
"Wait! Wait, please let me explain.. It really would be a bit more comfortable if we were inside, sitting down."
"Oh no! Don't think you're going to be invited to dinner. You'll say it while we're out here"
"Fine. I'm here to take Harry-"
"YES!"
Uncle Vernon glared Harry into silence. Sirius smiled at Harry before continuing. "As I was saying. I'm here to take Harry back to my flat in London proper. Recently, my name was cleared by the Ministry of Magic and thereby cleared with the Muggle ministers. I'll spare you the details, Dursley."
"Wait just a moment. You're telling me that after fifteen years you're going to take this boy out of our house for good? You're going to pay for his schooling. You're going to feed him and clothe him. We'll never have to see him again. Our name won't be associated with that strange stuff any longer?"
"Yes, that's right. You'll never have to see Harry, or myself, again. I've already gotten the leave of the Headmaster to take him to my place."
"His headmaster? What has that bloody frumpy old man have to do with anything?"
Surprised, Sirius responded "didn't anyone tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Oh. well. it's not important anyway. Harry and I'll be gone shortly."
"Wait just a moment. You can't take the boy yet. What'll Marge think? You, a criminal, taking Harry someplace? You'll just have to wait for her to leave."
"I thought I had made myself clear: I am not a criminal. My name has been cleared. I have never done anything illegal-well, never anything that would classify me as a criminal anyway." Vernon ignored this short interjection.
Harry groaned and looked pleadingly at his uncle. "Don't you want me gone? Aren't you sick of paying for my upkeep? Aunt Mare doesn't care about me one bit! Just let me go with Sirius, please, Uncle Vernon."
"You, boy, this has nothing to do with you. Get in the house and go sit down to dinner, tell your aunt Petunia that I'll be in shortly."
"Uncle Vernon."
Sirius looking at Harry apologetically and said "go on Harry, I'll be in contact with you shortly."
Harry nodded and walked to the house. As Harry opened the door, Shartouse came running out of the house and directly to Sirius. Hackles up, and growling, Shartouse challenged Sirius. For a moment Sirius contemplated turning into a dog and answering the challenge but before he could come to a decision Harry ran over and tried to pull Shartouse back. When Shartouse lunged forward, Harry went flying backwards and landed in the mud. Sheepishly Harry looked up to see Shartouse licking Sirius' face. Uncle Vernon glared at Harry and growled "Get in the house and get cleaned up while I get rid of this man."
Harry got up and ran to bathroom. He couldn't believe that he'd embarrassed himself so thoroughly in front of his Godfather. But, oh to live with Sirius. To never see the Dursleys again, what he wouldn't do for that. His uncle had no right to tell him that he couldn't go live with the one person who should be his guardian. He knew that his aunt would never allow him to eat at the table when he was as muddy as he was, so he figured he'd better take a shower. Again. While the water was warming he carefully pealed the muddy clothing off and folded the mud in on itself. There really was no point in saving too big clothing, it was just about shot anyway.
Clothing removed and glasses on the counter near the sink Harry got in the shower for the second time that day. After cleaning himself off, Harry turned off the water and wrapped a towel securely around his waist. Slowly he opened the door and looked around, making sure there were no large, bumbling whale sized women in sight. With care he made his way to his bedroom, slammed the door shut behind him and locked it, twice. Harry leaned back against the door and let the towel drop.
When he heard a low "woof" come from his bed, his eyes snapped open. He scrambled to grab the towel and cover himself. Harry looked at his bed from a crouching position, clutching the towel in a bundle in front of his crotch, and searched for whoever was in his room, watching (pervert). He looked from his bed, to his dresser, to the broken TV in the corner which were all along the same wall, and he didn't see anyone, or thing, for that matter. Perhaps he imagined it. However, it took his body another minute to believe his mind, and let himself slowly stand up, letting go of the towel (it stayed at his waist). He went and took his clothes out of his dresser before putting the towel back on the ground. This time he heard a catcall, which shattered any and all remaining thoughts that he just heard Shartouse outside, and that he was alone in his room.
"Who's there?" Harry called out suspiciously, and rather annoyed.
As Sirius clamored out from under the bed he commented "not half bad, Harry. Not even half mast, come to think of it."
Harry turned red and turned around to pull on a pair of red flannel boxers, with tiny golden snitches fluttering around on them. When he had pulled on the boxers he turned to face his Godfather. "Did you HAVE to comment like that? I'll admit, it boosts my confidence, but really. Was it called for? I'm your godson, for god's sake!"
Sirius laughed good-naturedly. "It was meant as a compliment actually."
"Honestly, it's rather unsettling to hear that from another guy, let alone your guardian. Now if it were Cho, I wouldn't mind so much." After shaking his head to clear the thought from his mind he continued, "It doesn't matter. What're you doing in here?"
"I came to take you back with me. I don't want to lose anymore time with you. I feel bad enough as it is, a few more months and I would go insane. Your uncle and aunt obviously don't want you here and I don't want you to be here any more than they do."
"You heard Uncle Vernon, he said that I could leave just as soon as Aunt Marge does." Sirius inquired "and when, pray-tell, will that be? Tomorrow, next week, the day after you go back to school. You don't understand, I want you out of here NOW. It's not safe for you to not be near the wizarding community any longer. You need to be around people who understand how vital your safety is."
Harry shook his head and reached to grab his shirt. "If you're going to take me I should pack, and probably leave a note for my Aunt and Uncle."
"That a boy! Finish getting dressed and we can leave." Harry quickly threw on his clothes. With mild disgust Sirius commented, "We're going to have to get you some new clothes, some that fit properly. Some that don't appear as if they were designed to be worn by a moose."
Harry laughed and began to pack. Quickly he opened his trunk and began to pack. Just before he closed it he slithered under the bed, pried open the floor board and pulled out all of his gifts and everything else he'd stashed under there. When he came out Sirius was giving him a quizzical look. "I had to hide things, from the Dursleys. they didn't exactly approve of me receiving letters, or gifts, form those "strange people" they didn't exactly believe in me having friends."
"Well, that's going to change as soon as we get to my flat. You get your own bedroom, which we have to decorate and furnish, by the way. You can put anything and everything in there. short of a dragon."
From the foot of the stairs his Aunt Petunia screeched "Harry! You missed dinner, you can do with out for tonight! Get down here and do the dishes!"
Harry looked to Sirius "I can't exactly apparate yet. I'll get the dishes done and I'll meet you on the corner?"
Sirius nodded and turned his wand to the trunk spoke an incantation and the trunk shrank to the size of a thimble. After sticking the thimble sized trunk in his pocket he walked to the window and calmly jumped out. Harry ran to the window and looked down, just in time to see Sirius floating softly to the ground. Before turning into a dog and lopping down the street, Sirius looked up and waved farewell to Harry.
With a resigned sigh Harry walked to the door of his bedroom and unlocked both locks. Slowly he made his way down the stairs and to the kitchen, where Aunt Marge and Uncle Vernon were each drinking a glass of brandy and having a rather large slice of raspberry pie. Aunt Petunia sat near by, knitting what looked like a large orange bowl, but was probably a new sweater for Dudley.
Whistling, Harry set to work on the dishes. Vernon's mustache visibly twitched and he barked for Harry to shut up. Harry tried, he really did. He wasn't trying to make his uncle upset, but he couldn't help it. He was just too happy to be leaving this awful place that he had to smile and whistle, which only made Aunt Marge very suspicious. "What're you up to boy? What've you got planned? Or have you already done it? Did you steal from your aunt and uncle? I keep telling you Vernon, the only way to cure him will be to shoot the poor boy. He's bad to the bone, you can see it on his face. The messy hair, the calculating eyes. It's almost as if he knows something that you don't. Take him out of the gene pool I say. I wouldn't let him date my daughter! In fact, I wouldn't let him date one of my dogs. He's just not good enough for them. Castrate him, that's the answer to all problems generated by a male criminal, I always say." At the last remark Vernon, Harry, and even Dudley (who'd never be able to have a partner without killing them) cringed. "I bet you he stole something, better count your silverware Petunia."
Harry rolled his eyes and continued to do the dishes. As soon as he had washed, dried and put away the last dish he turned to his Aunt and Uncle "I'm going for a run before I go to bed. See you in an hour or so." With those last couple of words, Harry headed to the door. The moment it was shut behind him he began walking, with an unintentional bounce to his step, towards the corner, and hopefully to freedom.