Chapter Twenty-Two-Snuffles Returns
By the end of the week, just before the kids returned Harry and Snape were both up and around. Harry on crutches, while Snape was limping. They returned to their own quarters and school was soon to be underway again.
Harry was in the Great Hall one day playing chess with Emily when Remus came in.
"Harry, there's someone outside who wants to speak to you, Emily how about you and I go down and talk for awhile?" She nodded and watched her brother leave the school.
Harry was surprised to see Sirius Black sitting just outside the school entrance.
"What are you doing here?" His voice wasn't angry, but unsure.
"I'm here to talk to you. My charges have been dropped, Arthur helped me. I'm free now. I know your probably don't want to live with me after all of what I put you through, but, well I just wanted to make sure you were all right."
"Thanks for that," Harry whispered.
"Harry, um, I realize that technically I'm not your God-father any longer but."
"What are you talking about, just because Severus is my dad doesn't mean you aren't my god-father. I saw you save my father."
"You saw that huh," Sirius whispered.
"Can I ask why you did that, after you tried to um."
"Harry, I was angry, I was sure that he had to be lying to you. I couldn't let that happen. I'm sorry for what I did. Harry I saved your father because, truth is I saw the way you acted around him, I could tell he loved you. I couldn't let you lose him. You don't belong with me, you belong with him, where you will always be looked after and loved. I can't give you wait Snape can. I can't give you a warm home, a mother, or a sister. I do love you Harry, and that's why I want you to live with your father."
"You're not angry?"
"No, Harry the truth is, that I need to get over this stupid bull that I went through when we were kids. It's time to grow up, and it is and would be in your very best interest to remain in Leanne and Severus' care. I wouldn't have to worry about you being safe."
"Will I ever talk to you again?"
"If your father allows it, I'll visit, and you can visit me anytime you want. Harry I'm not leaving, I'm just ensuring you're safe. That's all that's important to me."
"Why did you hate Severus?" Harry asked. Sirius sighed and stood up, Harry followed as they slowly began to walk around the lake.
"I guess a lot of it really had to do with your mom, both past and present. Truth is I didn't feel Severus was worthy of them. It wasn't that he was a bad person or even a mean person. Everyone has their moments I suppose, but it was as though your father dated Lily to spite me, and honestly I thought he had. I really did. Sometimes I thought maybe it had something to do with being in different houses. There were times when both James and Remus would get angry at me for telling them how wrong I was. Even Lily and Lea tried to get it across to me that he was a good guy. But no matter what I did I couldn't get past what we had said or done."
"Do you trust him now?"
"Harry, I may never truly trust Severus, but I'm willing to let go of the past."
"For me?" Harry asked.
"For you, and that sister of yours. Truth is I made a real bad first impression on her, and I'm not proud of that. I'm not proud of hurting you, or your mother for that matter. I can't take back what I did, but I can sure try to make up for it."
"Would you be willing to stick around for the rest of the school year, maybe even try to get a job here? Dumbledore is low couple teachers now, and since your name has been cleared, well you know, I've heard Lupin say how good you were at some subjects. Please Sirius," he said slightly.
"You want me around? After what I did to you?"
"And for me, Sirius." Sirius looked at his god-son and sighed.
"All right, I'll stick around for you, but Harry, I'm not guaranteeing any job, your grandfather wasn't exactly pleased last time he saw me, and on top of that it would be far too much like being in school again."
~~~~~~~
Harry slowly walked into the Great Hall the next evening and blushed when everyone began to clap for him. He glanced around and saw all four houses had banners up. He slowly made his way over to his table and sat down, receiving pats on the back, smiles, and even hugs. Emily smiled at him, he shrugged and looked up at Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Welcome back everyone, I hope you have all returned with a better knowing of what happened three weeks ago and are ready to finish this year off. As you can plainly see Harry is awake and doing well it seems. I am however sad to say that we lost several teachers over the course of time. However, many of those teachers were able to be replaced, although not in our hearts. Charms will be cancelled until the start of next year, as Mr. Flitwick was forced to return to his family. We also have word that Mr. Lupin will be remaining here with us. Now for the feast, and a grand feast it shall be! For the Dark Lord is defeated and we shall win." He said. Everyone raised their glasses into the air and smiled.
By the end of the week, just before the kids returned Harry and Snape were both up and around. Harry on crutches, while Snape was limping. They returned to their own quarters and school was soon to be underway again.
Harry was in the Great Hall one day playing chess with Emily when Remus came in.
"Harry, there's someone outside who wants to speak to you, Emily how about you and I go down and talk for awhile?" She nodded and watched her brother leave the school.
Harry was surprised to see Sirius Black sitting just outside the school entrance.
"What are you doing here?" His voice wasn't angry, but unsure.
"I'm here to talk to you. My charges have been dropped, Arthur helped me. I'm free now. I know your probably don't want to live with me after all of what I put you through, but, well I just wanted to make sure you were all right."
"Thanks for that," Harry whispered.
"Harry, um, I realize that technically I'm not your God-father any longer but."
"What are you talking about, just because Severus is my dad doesn't mean you aren't my god-father. I saw you save my father."
"You saw that huh," Sirius whispered.
"Can I ask why you did that, after you tried to um."
"Harry, I was angry, I was sure that he had to be lying to you. I couldn't let that happen. I'm sorry for what I did. Harry I saved your father because, truth is I saw the way you acted around him, I could tell he loved you. I couldn't let you lose him. You don't belong with me, you belong with him, where you will always be looked after and loved. I can't give you wait Snape can. I can't give you a warm home, a mother, or a sister. I do love you Harry, and that's why I want you to live with your father."
"You're not angry?"
"No, Harry the truth is, that I need to get over this stupid bull that I went through when we were kids. It's time to grow up, and it is and would be in your very best interest to remain in Leanne and Severus' care. I wouldn't have to worry about you being safe."
"Will I ever talk to you again?"
"If your father allows it, I'll visit, and you can visit me anytime you want. Harry I'm not leaving, I'm just ensuring you're safe. That's all that's important to me."
"Why did you hate Severus?" Harry asked. Sirius sighed and stood up, Harry followed as they slowly began to walk around the lake.
"I guess a lot of it really had to do with your mom, both past and present. Truth is I didn't feel Severus was worthy of them. It wasn't that he was a bad person or even a mean person. Everyone has their moments I suppose, but it was as though your father dated Lily to spite me, and honestly I thought he had. I really did. Sometimes I thought maybe it had something to do with being in different houses. There were times when both James and Remus would get angry at me for telling them how wrong I was. Even Lily and Lea tried to get it across to me that he was a good guy. But no matter what I did I couldn't get past what we had said or done."
"Do you trust him now?"
"Harry, I may never truly trust Severus, but I'm willing to let go of the past."
"For me?" Harry asked.
"For you, and that sister of yours. Truth is I made a real bad first impression on her, and I'm not proud of that. I'm not proud of hurting you, or your mother for that matter. I can't take back what I did, but I can sure try to make up for it."
"Would you be willing to stick around for the rest of the school year, maybe even try to get a job here? Dumbledore is low couple teachers now, and since your name has been cleared, well you know, I've heard Lupin say how good you were at some subjects. Please Sirius," he said slightly.
"You want me around? After what I did to you?"
"And for me, Sirius." Sirius looked at his god-son and sighed.
"All right, I'll stick around for you, but Harry, I'm not guaranteeing any job, your grandfather wasn't exactly pleased last time he saw me, and on top of that it would be far too much like being in school again."
~~~~~~~
Harry slowly walked into the Great Hall the next evening and blushed when everyone began to clap for him. He glanced around and saw all four houses had banners up. He slowly made his way over to his table and sat down, receiving pats on the back, smiles, and even hugs. Emily smiled at him, he shrugged and looked up at Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Welcome back everyone, I hope you have all returned with a better knowing of what happened three weeks ago and are ready to finish this year off. As you can plainly see Harry is awake and doing well it seems. I am however sad to say that we lost several teachers over the course of time. However, many of those teachers were able to be replaced, although not in our hearts. Charms will be cancelled until the start of next year, as Mr. Flitwick was forced to return to his family. We also have word that Mr. Lupin will be remaining here with us. Now for the feast, and a grand feast it shall be! For the Dark Lord is defeated and we shall win." He said. Everyone raised their glasses into the air and smiled.