Chapter Three: Daybreak

Moving as quietly as he could, Sirius left the bedroom. They still had ten minutes until they had to be up and, knowing Remus, he wouldn't be out of bed a second sooner than he had to be. As Sirius slipped through the door, Remus's breathing was still deep and peaceful.

Sirius walked silently up the staircase to Harry's room and knocked on the door. "Harry," he called softly, "it's Sirius."

Harry stuck his head out the door. "Is it time to get up already?" he asked groggily.

"Well, not quite, but I wanted to ask you for the – "

"Oh!"

" – before Remus wakes up."

"One second," said Harry as his head vanished back into his room. He reemerged a second later with a small brown box in hand. "Here it is."

"Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome. Good luck."

"Sirius!" came a voice from downstairs. "Is he up yet?"

Sirius walked over to the edge of the banister. "He's up," he called back. He turned to Harry, slipping the box into his pocket. "Well, I'd better go get ready."

~~*~~

Half an hour later, all three of them were washed, dressed, packed, and ready to leave. However, Sirius had a few last-minute things to say before he transformed.

"Harry," he said solemnly, "we all know you've got a knack for breaking rules, and usually I wouldn't care."

"God knows he broke enough of them himself when he was your age," Remus interjected.

"But the circumstances are very different. No one was trying to kill me. I want you to promise me that you'll avoid getting into any trouble this year."

"I don't try to get into trouble, it just seems to happen," said Harry emphatically.

"I know, I know. Just make a conscious effort not to do anything even remotely dangerous. Now, I'm not trying to limit your life. Have fun with Ron and Hermione, go to classes, play Quidditch, go to Hogsmeade. Just watch out for yourself."

Harry appeared to be thinking hard. "I will," he said at last.

"Oh, and write to me about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Remus. "I'm curious to see who it is this year."

"Try to stay away from Draco Malfoy too," said Sirius. Harry opened his mouth in protest, but before he could speak, Sirius added, "I know. You don't try to get into fights with him, it just seems to happen."

"Dumbledore said he's giving you the Marauder's Map back when you arrive," said Remus. "Use it well."

"Oh, and about Snape," said Sirius. "If he gives you problems, you have my permission and blessing to use a Severing Charm on his – "

"Sirius!"

" – hair. Hair, Remus, I was going to say hair."

"Oh, I'm so sure you were."

"I was! Now get in the car and stop corrupting Harry with your hyper-sexualized mind."

"I have a hyper-sexualized mind?! I'm not the one who – "

"We really should get going," Sirius interrupted quickly.

"One moment," said Harry, grinning widely. "I think Remus was going to say something."

"Yes, I was," said Remus, trying to suppress a smile as he watched Sirius squirm. He decided to let him off the hook. "But maybe it wasn't that important."

Sirius rolled his eyes and rested his hands on Remus's shoulders. "You are so terrible," he said, leaning close.

"I know," said Remus, kissing Sirius quickly before he walked out to the car.