A/N: I didn't get to see Mr. N (Remus) off today. . . How disappointing!
I can't believe I won't be seeing him everyday from now on : (
Sirius: So you want to know why you're crying, huh? Well here it is. . .
Ella: Who doesn't like squirrel's? My friend and I have a squirrel fetish too. . . One day we were driving through town and she's like, "Is that a squirrel or a chipmunk?" and ever since we can't help but laugh when we see them.
Celeste Black: Ummm. . . Thanks for the review? Did something happen there?
Lucretio-del-alba: Don't worry, I didn't think you were a guy. . .I took Spanish, but I really wouldn't have been able to figure out what you were by that, I didn't learn too much, did I? Neway I'm glad you don't think this story is too sappy, but I'd like to know if you think the same after this chapter. . .
Katie: What's a Mary Sue writer? Yah. . . I thought the squirrel was pretty funny myself. . . I hope I didn't over do them in the following chapter though. . . And it's good to know that you think I'm funny. I'm the kind of person who usually can only make other people laugh when I laugh. I have this really uncontrollable laughter that gets everyone around me either laughing, or giving me funny looks. . . Are you slightly embarrassed by your obsession? I am terribly, and my family often likes to use it against me. I will literally die if people at school find out, they only know that I like the books, not all this other stuff. . . And I love Eminem as well. . .I hated his movie, though, the only thing that kept me there was his gorgeous face!
Hermionebelch: Well. . . My first mean review. See, you're probably never going to read this, but I'd just like you to know that I did not appreciate that. It's one thing to not like my story, but it's another to bash it after reading only one chapter, and then not even tell me what you didn't like about it. . . Ever hear of constructive criticism???
"Sirius?" Remus started in a much calmer voice. Sirius shook his head, sobbing and flopped down on the couch, burying his face in his hands. His shoulders were shaking hard with the sobs. "Sirius, what's wrong?" Remus asked, sitting next to his friend and putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Sirius sat up and pulled Remus into a very tight hug, burying his head into Remus's neck, still sobbing, and catching Remus completely off guard. "I can't handle this Remus! I can't! I don't know what to do anymore!"
Remus tried to think of the right thing to say. Of course, he had known that Sirius was having trouble with Wormtail in the house, but didn't know it was getting to him like this. "Sirius, first tell me what happened earlier, okay?"
He felt more than saw Sirius nod. Sirius pulled out of the hug, tried to dry his eyes, which didn't work, and started to tell what had happened. "I heard him Moony, when I was going to get Harry's broom, I heard him scratching at his jar. I went in to see, and I just couldn't- couldn't get away from the jar. I wanted to kill him Moony, and I would have! I was opening the jar so I could get him out of there and kill him. . . I knew I shouldn't, that it would spell disaster for me, but I couldn't stay away. If Harry hadn't yelled wondering where I was, I would have done it. When I'm around that rat, all I can think about is him, you know? I can't help it! And now you say he almost escaped! All because of me, because I can't control myself!" Sirius broke down again, this time into harder sobs. "I'm. . . So sorry Moony, but-I don't know what to do!"
"Shhh Padfoot, it's going to be okay. We should have Wormtail out by tonight, and you'll never have to see his traitorous face again! You just have to make it through the rest of the day. And I'll help you. Don't worry about it. We still have Wormtail, I made it home in time. You're going to get your freedom!" Remus was rubbing his friends back when he said this. Sirius just kept shaking his head.
"I'm a failure Moony! Just look at me. . . My only job in life was to take care of Harry. That's it. And what do I do? I get his parents killed, and then I get myself arrested so that he has to live with his horrid relatives. Then I finally get the opportunity to be there for him, for the rest of his life, and I put that in jeopardy too! Lily and James should have made you Harry's guardian, you would have done a much better job."
Remus sighed. He had known that James and Lily probably would have made him Harry's guardian if it hadn't been for one thing, his lycanthropy. James and Lily had no problems with the werewolf themselves, but knew that if anything happened to them people would have problems letting Remus raise Harry. "Sirius, you know I could never have been Harry's godfather. You were and are the best man for the job. And you haven't ruined it yet. Harry still has a few years left where he needs a parent figure, and you still have a chance to fill that spot."
"But, Moony, how can I be a good parent to Harry, when I can't even control myself?" Sirius sobbed.
"Sirius, you can control yourself. . .just not around the rat, and the rats on his way out. You have nothing to worry about anymore, okay? Now stop moping."
Sirius looked up with his tear stained eyes. He shook his head. "I do have something to worry about Moony. What if they don't give me my freedom? What if they don't care that Wormtail is still alive? They might still think that it was me who killed all those muggles, and that Wormtail. . . I don't know. . . Just, what if it doesn't go the way we think it will?"
"That's a risk we're going to have to take. We NEED to turn Wormtail in, and we need to have you proven innocent as soon as we can! If you get caught Padfoot, you're not going back to Azkaban, you're just going to get a kiss. A kiss you're not going to want to get. So, we can't risk you getting caught. Harry really needs you, and if you're free, you can help him so much more."
Sirius nodded sadly. Ever since they had caught Wormtail, Sirius feared what the outcome would be. Potentially, he could be sent back to Azkaban even though the ministry knew he hadn't killed Pettigrew, and the idea of returning to that place terrified him. He tried to put on a strong face for Remus, but couldn't, so he continued to cry. Remus wrapped his arms around his friend again and just hugged him while he cried in anguish. He muttered words of encouragement, but it seemed nothing was seeping through to Sirius.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you Sirius. I will fight tooth and nail to get you your freedom, which should never have been taken away in the first place." Remus was near tears now, too. He felt Sirius relax slightly after his little speech. "Sirius, I know you're scared. I'm scared too, but we're going to get through this. And in order to do that, we need to see Dumbledore. I've already called for him, and he should be here in a half an hour. Think you can cheer up a bit by then?"
Sirius nodded through his tears. Remus stood up. "Why don't you try to sleep it off, Sirius. . ." Sirius again nodded. Remus left for the kitchen to make some sandwiches for everyone. When he returned he found Sirius dead asleep on the couch, his face still wet from his tears. He shook his head thinking, "Poor Sirius, he's been through so much more than he deserves. I really hope everything works out, he really needs it to."
Remus left to bring some food to Harry and Ron. He found them playing chess, happy as could be. "Hungry boys?"
Harry and Ron nodded, followed by a rumble from Ron's stomach. Harry laughed and Ron turned bright red. "Well I guess so," Remus said grinning. He set down the tray on the bedside table. "Dumbledore will be over in about twenty minutes, Harry. He might come up to see you, but I'd appreciate it if you would stay up here."
"Remus, how would I get downstairs if I wanted to?"
"Trust me, Harry, you could find a way." Remus said and then left the room.
"Why's Dumbledore coming over, Harry?" Ron asked curiously through a mouthful of his sandwich.
"Oh, I can't believe I forgot to tell you. We found Wormtail."
Ron nearly choked on his food. "You what?!"
Harry laughed, "We found him last night, actually Remus stepped on him. We're keeping him in a jar for now, until Dumbledore comes and helps Sirius and Remus take it to the next step. Sirius is going to be free!" Harry was so happy about it all, he really couldn't believe he had forgotten to tell Ron.
"Wait a minute. . . Professor Lupin stepped on him?" Ron asked skeptically.
"Yeah, it's really kind of funny, although it wasn't last night."
"You're really kind of lucky you know Harry, everyday gets to be an adventure. You must never get bored."
Harry smiled sadly. "Yeah, every day is an adventure, but I really wish it wasn't. I-I just wish I could have a normal life, you know?"
"Yeah, I know," Ron said. They ate their sandwiches in silence for a while, and then resumed their games of chess.
Downstairs, Remus was pacing around the living room, waiting for Dumbledore to arrive. "What if Sirius was right?" he thought, "What if they don't believe him? What if things go completely opposite of what they think it will?"
Remus was torn from his thoughts when he heard the fire place ringing. "Name please?" he said.
"Albus Dumbledore," said a voice from within the fireplace.
"Enter," Remus replied standing back so Dumbledore could come through.
"Hello Remus, I trust you are well," Dumbledore greeted.
"Yes, Albus, I'm alright, but I have news. Last night Harry, Sirius, and I caught Peter."
Whatever Albus thought the meeting was to be about, it wasn't this. His mouth dropped open, and he just stared at Remus, who nodded with a grin.
"You-you did? But how? Where is he?" Dumbledore said, looking amazed.
Remus grinned. "He's upstairs in a jar in my closet."
"And you're sure it's him?"
"Yes, he's even got that silver hand-paw-that Harry was telling us about."
"Bless my soul. . . May I see him?"
Remus looked pensive for a moment. "I'd rather leave him where he is for now. Sirius is a little sensitive about him, and I think it would be a bad idea to bring him out again until it's absolutely necessary."
Dumbledore nodded, looking at the sleeping Sirius on the couch. "He looks upset, even in sleep. I take it he's not dealing with the capture very well."
"No, he is not. He just had a break down a while ago. I think we need to take action as soon as possible, or Sirius is going to drive himself insane."
"Yes, perhaps I could talk to him?" Dumbledore inquired. Remus nodded his head and walked over to the couch. He sat on the edge and began to shake his friend gently.
"Padfoot," he said gently. "Dumbledore's here, he needs to talk to you, time to wake up."
Sirius didn't move. Remus sighed, "He's the hardest person in the world to wake up."
He started shaking Sirius even harder, "Sirius! Up now! Don't make me resort to the water!"
Dumbledore laughed good-naturedly behind him, "The water?"
Remus turned to him, "Sometimes the only way to wake him is to throw ice water on him. I hate resorting to that, though. It really scares him."
"SIRIUS!" he bellowed directly in his ear. Sirius jumped awake, nearly butting heads with Remus as he did so.
"Shit Remus! You scared the Hell out of me."
"Sorry Padfoot, but I almost had to resort to water, and I know you wouldn't have liked that."
Sirius looked up and saw Dumbledore standing in the background. "Oh, hi Albus, good to see you," Sirius said, trying to slow his heart and breathing down a bit.
Dumbledore laughed at him, "It's nice to see you too, Sirius. Remus has told me you have found Mr. Pettigrew."
Sirius's eyes darkened at the name, he nodded.
"And I trust, that you want to take action against him?"
Sirius nodded his head, but looked a bit unsure of himself.
"Mr. Black?"
Sirius looked down a moment, collecting his thoughts. "I'm afraid, Albus, that turning Wormtail in, and asking for a trial might not work. I may still be sent back to Azkaban, or worse get that kiss that I was supposed to get almost two years ago."
"Indeed, a definite possibility, but I think that it is more likely that the outcome will be good. You see, Sirius, you can not go on like this forever. Eventually, I believe you will be caught. You need to try every way possible to get your name cleared. I will help you with that. Now, I can't stay long, but I will tell you my plan. Today, I will take Wormtail. I will keep him with me until tomorrow," Sirius sighed with relief, and Dumbledore continued, "Tomorrow, I will bring him to the ministry, and show the Minister that Peter Pettigrew is indeed still alive. My hope is that they ministry will give him veritaserum, and question him about everything. We'll see what happens from there. Sirius, I will not take you to the ministry, or disclose your location, until I am certain that the ministry accepts your innocence. However, Wormtail knows that you are here, and I can not prevent him from saying anything. Do you understand?"
Sirius nodded his head apprehensively.
"Right then, Remus, would you please bring me the rat?"
"Of course, Albus." Remus said before heading up the stairs.
"Albus," Sirius began, "what do you think the odds are that I'll get my freedom?"
Dumbledore looked at Sirius calculatingly. "I think the odds are in your favor Sirius, and I will do everything in my power to make sure the outcome is positive. As I'm sure Remus and Harry will do as well."
Sirius nodded his head as Remus came back down the stairs. Sirius turned away when he saw the jar in his friends hands.
Dumbledore took the jar and prepared to leave. "Before I go, how's Harry?"
Sirius broke into a grin and was able to ignore the rat. "He's doing great! He even managed to move his feet this morning. He has Ron over now."
Dumbledore nodded, "The fact that he can move his feet is a very good sign that he will make a full recovery. I will send Poppy over tomorrow to re-examine him, and she should be able to tell you how long it will take for Harry to improve. Now, I bid you good day,"
"Goodbye Albus," Sirius and Remus said simultaneously. With that, he left through the fireplace.
Remus turned to Sirius, "How are you doing?"
Sirius shrugged, "Well, I'm pretty nervous, but I'm glad he's out of here. I'm pretty bored right about now, though. I wish I could get out of this house too. As more than just a dog."
"Soon, Padfoot, you'll be out and about soon. Why don't you go hang out with Harry and Ron though. I'm going to go get some things at Diagon Alley, do you need anything?"
"No, but you might want to pick Harry up some more clothes, you can take some money out of my account for that."
Remus nodded. "I'll be back." He then threw some floo powder into the fireplace and stepped in. He was gone in no time.
Sirius sighed and sat back down on the couch. His fear was beginning to take over. He didn't know what he would do if the turn out was bad. He could get Remus, Dumbledore, and Harry in big trouble, as they knew where he was the whole time. He didn't even want to think of the repercussions, so he took Remus's advice and went upstairs to see what Harry and Ron were up to.
"Sirius, how'd it go?" Harry said when he saw him.
"Dumbledore took Wormtail," he said, shooting a worried glance at Ron, unsure of what he already knew.
"I told him about it," Harry said. Sirius nodded.
"He thinks there's a good chance I'll get my name cleared. . . But enough about this depressing stuff, what are you two doing?"
"Well, we've been playing chess all day so far, getting kind of bored. Any ideas?"
Sirius's eyes lit up, "Ideas! I've got plenty of ideas. What would you prefer. . . pranks on Moony, truth or dare wizard style, or scaring some more scaring squirrels?"
"Sirius, truth or dare is a girl thing," Ron said indignantly.
"No it's not!" Sirius retorted
"Yes it is!" Ron replied
"No it's not!"
"Yeah it is!"
"Harry?" they both said.
Harry laughed and shrugged. "Lets go scare some squirrel's I want to get out of this bed again!"
"Sounds good," Sirius said, "And truth or dare is not a girl thing!"
"Yah, okay Sirius," Ron said sarcastically.
"Shut up you two," Harry said, receiving a glare from both of them. Sirius started tickling Harry again. "Ahhh! Stop! This is so unfair! I can't move!" Sirius stopped tickling, and lifted Harry off the bed, leaving the room, Ron followed close behind. Sirius walked downstairs and set Harry on the couch. "You need shoes!" He went and found the pair Harry had used earlier and slid them on his feet. "You may not be walking, but you just can't go outside without shoes."
Ron and Sirius slid some on their own feet. Sirius picked Harry back up and they walked out the door. He sat Harry down on a lounge on the patio, and Ron took one next to him. "Got your wands boys?"
"It's summer, we aren't allowed to do magic," Ron said.
"You are here, know why?"
Harry and Ron shook their heads. "The wards Dumbledore put up made it so that the ministry couldn't trace who was and wasn't doing magic. Namely so I can do magic."
"Mine's upstairs. Ron? Did you bring yours?" Harry replied.
Ron shook his head, "but I can just watch."
"Nonsense!" Sirius said. "Remus has a few spares, all go get Harry's and one of them." With that, he went back in the house.
"Harry, I know you haven't had the best life, but you're bloody lucky to be living here. You don't even know how much I envy you!"
Harry grinned. "Yeah, I'm so happy that I get to stay here now! It's another world compared to the Dursley's."
Sirius came back out a few minutes later. "Okay boys, the aim here is not to hurt the squirrels, we're just going to have a little fun with them, okay?"
The boys nodded. "Now keep an eye out for one and make sure you only shoot one spell at a time, otherwise you may hurt them."
Sirius was the first to spot a squirrel. He shot a spell at it, and it began to do a little dance. They all roared with laughter. Another squirrel came down to see what the other was doing, and Harry sent a spell at it that made him bounce up and down like a kangaroo. They all laughed yet again. They spent nearly an hour playing with the squirrels. (I hope no animal rights people hate me for writing this!). Ron had one standing on his head, when Remus returned and came outside to see what they were up to.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" He said, shocked.
"Just playing with the squirrel's Moony. It's fun." Sirius replied nonchalantly.
"You really need to grow up Padfoot." He said.
"Watch this Moony," Sirius said, and then made a squirrel do the Macarena. Remus did find it rather amusing to see a squirrel doing the Macarena, but didn't want to show it. He was trying with all his might not to laugh like the others, who were staring at him, knowing full well that he wanted to laugh.
"Come on Moony-I know you think it's funny," Sirius said. Remus shook his head, then allowed himself to grin. Soon he was sitting next to Harry laughing his head off. He even sent a couple spells at the squirrel's.
After a while, playing with the squirrels got old, and it was beginning to get dark.
Before going into the house, Remus said, "Harry, I got something for you when I was in Diagon Alley today. I think it's going to be pretty helpful for you."
Harry looked up bewildered, "What is it?"
"Let me show you," he responded, picking Harry up and carrying him inside. He brought him into the living room where a large cardboard box sat. He gently put Harry on the couch and went over to open the box. He pulled out a large metal chair. "What exactly is it?" Harry asked politely.
"It's a wizard wheel chair. Just till you're on your feet again. I know how much you hate being carried around, so I thought I'd get you one of these. It's magic powered, and can go up stairs, anywhere you want to go. You'll be able to get out of bed yourself now, and do everything." Remus said, smiling.
Harry looked at Remus in awe. "Thank you so much! I can't believe you got me this-- thanks." Harry was almost crying with joy. Not really over the wheelchair, but over how thoughtful of Remus it was to get him it. Remus walked over and gave Harry a hug.
"You're welcome Harry," Remus said, "But let's just hope you don't need it at Hogwarts."
Harry nodded seriously. Remus asked, "Do you want to take it for a spin Harry?"
"Yeah!" Harry replied exuberantly. Remus pushed the chair towards him.
"Okay, we're going to test your strength a bit here okay?" Harry nodded. "First, before you ever try to get in this thing, make sure that the wheels are locked. . ." Remus went on for a while about safety in the wheelchair, thoroughly boring everyone else in the room.
Finally, Remus started telling him exactly what to do. Harry followed Remus's instructions to the mark and easily got himself into the chair. "Well done, Harry, I don't think strength is going to be a problem here," Remus said.
"Now, see those buttons on the arm rest? They're pretty easy to figure out. Move yourself towards the stairs, and we'll try to figure out how to get you up there. Harry smoothly brought himself to the foot of the stairs. He looked down at the buttons on the arm rest trying to figure out which one would move him up the stairs. Quickly he found one and was cruising up the stairs. The others gathered at the foot of the stairs, watching him. He turned at the top and found the button to bring him down. He was grinning the whole way. "Do you like it Harry?" Remus asked.
"I love it, thank you so much Remus," Harry said ecstatically.
"Don't just thank me, Sirius paid half, he just couldn't come with me." Harry grinned at his godfather, who beamed back. Anything that made Harry happy made Sirius just as happy, if not more.
"And that's not all," Sirius said, sounding like a game show host. "Moony has also purchased bars, to go in the bathroom, so you'll be able to bathe, and whatever else, with the utmost privacy." He winked as he said this. "And. . . The most fashionable clothes in all of Diagon Alley!"
For a few minutes, Harry sat in his wheelchair, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. Finally recovering he said, "Thanks so much, you guys are the best!"
With that, Sirius bent down and gave Harry a big hug, murmuring, "I love you Harry."
"Love you too, Sirius," Harry replied.
Remus then bent down and gave Harry an equally big hug and also told Harry that he loved him.
"Love you too, Remus."
Ron was standing around looking thoroughly choked up Harry grinned at him, trying hard not to laugh. "Love you too, Ron," Harry said.
Ron blushed, he clearly didn't feel completely comfortable with having his best friend tell him he loved him. But the feeling was mutual. He stepped up to Harry, gave him a man hug and said, "I love you man."
Harry grinned. "Think Hermione loves us?"
Ron blushed ten times redder. "I d-don't know."
Harry laughed, "How could she not?"
Ron just shrugged.
They all went back into the living room and sat around. Talking about light topics for a while. They decided to turn on the television for a bit, as Ron had never seen one before. They were all having a really good time when seven o'clock came around.
"What do you say Ron, want to spend the night?" Remus asked.
Ron looked around at Harry, then back to Remus, "If you all don't mind, I'd love to."
"I'd love that, maybe Sirius will stay away from me with you here," Harry said smirking. Sirius blushed crimson.
"I swear I don't mean to! I don't even realize I do it. And it is my bed you know! I'm just attached to it!"
"Sure you are Sirius," Remus smirked. "I'm going to tell Ron's parents via the head thing." He stepped up to the fireplace and took out a different kind of powder. He Threw it in and stepped inside. Only this time he stayed where he was.
"Hello Molly, how are you?" they heard Remus say.
They didn't hear the response, but Remus obviously did. "I'm well, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me keeping your son until tomorrow afternoon. We're having a good time, and I think we'd all be sad to see him go." Ron blushed at hearing this, even though he was quite sure that Remus was just milking it.
"Good, good. Oh yeah, he probably will need some clean clothes, do you want me to send him back to get some. . . No. . . Okay, well there are certain wards up here, so it won't be like normal floo, but you'll figure it out." With that, Remus stepped out of the fireplace. He turned to Ron and said, "You're mother will be here shortly with some of your things."
"Wonderful," Ron muttered. He was quite worried that she was going to do some serious embarrassing.
Nearly 10 minutes later the fireplace began to ring. "Name please," Remus said dully.
"Molly Weasley," she said.
"Enter," Remus called and waited for her to come through.
First thing she did was walk over to Ron and give him a big hug. "Did you have a good time Ronald?"
"Mum, please, I've been gone five hours tops, I'm not 7 anymore, okay?"
"Oh nonsense, Ron you're never to old to be mothered."
She then turned her sights to Harry in his wheelchair.
"Oh, Harry! You poor dear! What have those awful people done to you?" She asked, completely shocked to see him in a wheelchair. Harry had been surprised that word of his paralysis hadn't spread throughout the wizarding world.
"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley, really. The Dursley's hurt me pretty bad, but I never have to worry about them again. So, I'm fine."
"Well, Harry I'm glad. Now, I must be off. Ronald, I have clean clothes and a toothbrush in hear for you. Use them." Ron blushed at this. He did NOT need to be told to use clean clothes and a toothbrush. He couldn't wait for her to leave.
"Tomorrow, Fred and George would like to personally pick up Ron, if that's okay with you. . . They seem eager to see Harry, why though, I don't know."
"It'll be fine for them to come get him, just make sure they know how this is going to work. And tell them not to play around with our fireplace, okay?" Remus replied.
"Of course Remus, they'll be over around 3:00 if that's alright with you."
"Sounds good, Molly, take care."
"Same to you all. And Ronald Weasley, you be good!"
With that, she left through the fireplace. Ron was muttering under his breath. Sirius couldn't help himself. He put on a high pitched voice and started going off about clean clothes and brushing his teeth. Ron play punched him, clearly embarrassed by his mother in every way possible.
"What shall we do now?" Harry asked.
"Movie?" Sirius suggested.
"Which one?" Remus said.
"What's a movie?" Ron asked innocently. Harry laughed and tried to explain what a movie was.
When all else failed, he said, "It's like a really long television show."
"Oh," Ron said.
"Lets watch Notting Hill," Sirius suggested. Harry laughed into his hand.
"And what is your problem, Mr. Potter?"
"Notting Hill is a total chick flick," Harry responded. Remus laughed.
"He has a point their Padfoot." Remus shot in, Sirius glared at him. "Lets just watch Con-Air again," he suggested.
"Alright," Sirius agreed.
Remus got up and put Con-Air in. Harry lay sprawled on the couch, his head in Sirius's lap. Remus was in a recliner near the fireplace, and Ron was sprawled on the floor on his stomach, intrigued by Con-Air. Not only was the movie the coolest thing he ever saw, but he was also learning a lot about the muggle world. Airplanes, guns, telephones, and muggle jails.
When the movie ended, everyone was exhausted.
"I'm going to sleep down here tonight," Sirius yawned, standing and stretching. He went to a closet and pulled out a blanket and pillow. Harry pulled himself into his chair and said goodnight to Remus and Sirius, as did Ron, before they went upstairs.
Before heading up himself, Remus said to Sirius, "You going to be okay?"
Sirius looked at him intensely and nodded his head.
"It's going to be a big day tomorrow."
"I know."
"Are you worried?"
Sirius bit his lip and nodded.
"Don't worry too much, okay, Sir?" Remus said, throwing an arm over his tense shoulder comfortingly.
"I'll try not to," Sirius replied.
"'Night, Padfoot."
"'Night, Moony," Sirius said, watching his friend climb the stairs. He threw the blanket over himself and lay back on the couch, a million 'what ifs' going through his head.
Upstairs, Harry and Ron had just gotten into bed as well.
"Harry, do you think Sirius will be okay?"
Harry looked at Ron and sighed, "I hope so. If he's not, I don't know what I'll do. Remus will still be around, but he can't be there like Sirius can, you know?"
Ron nodded. "Well, you can always stay at my house, everyone likes you in my family."
Harry grinned, "Thanks." Deep down, though, he didn't want to have to stay with Ron. He wanted his own family, not somebody else's.
Harry yawned, "Goodnight, Ron."
"'Night Harry."
About three hours later, Ron awoke to hear Harry yelling in his sleep. "NO!! No, he's innocent. No, don't do it!"
Ron got up and walked over to Harry's side. He gently shook him, saying, "Harry, wake up! You're having a nightmare." This had happened several times at Hogwarts, but never had Harry looked as scared as he did just then. Even after Ron tried to wake him, Harry yelled. "No, please! I need him, don't send him back."
"Harry. . . Harry!. . . HARRY!" Ron yelled, shaking him harder. Harry woke with a start and sat straight up in his bed. He was gasping for air, and flailing his arms, like he was drowning. Ron grabbed hold of Harry's arms and tried to make him stay still. Harry finally snapped out of it. He stopped moving and tried to breath regularly.
"You okay, mate?" Ron asked tentatively.
Harry shook his head, no.
"What was it?" he asked.
Harry breathed deeply. "Sirius isn't going to get his freedom. . . They're going to send him back to Azkaban."
"No, Harry that was just a dream." Ron said comfortingly.
"No Ron, it was so real. . . And everything that happened is just like the ministry. Wormtail told them that he hid all those years so that Sirius wouldn't come out and get him. Said that he was so scared after Sirius had killed all those muggles, that he couldn't bring himself to go back into society. And the ministry believed him Ron. You know he'll use that defense! He tried it on us. . . And the ministry people are so thick, that they'll listen to him, I know it!"
"Harry, no. Dumbledore will be there, and so will Lupin. They'll make sure that Sirius makes it out alright. It's going to be okay."
Harry just shook his head. Ron sighed, "Do you want me to go get Sirius?"
Harry gave Ron an indecisive look, but then nodded his head, "Good luck waking him, though."
Ron hopped up and walked out of the room. He stepped soundlessly down the stairs and peered at the couch through the darkness. "Sirius. . ." he whispered.
Sirius jumped up, Ron had just scared the hell out of him. "Oh my God! What are you doing up?"
"Sorry, umm. . . Harry just had a pretty bad nightmare. . .about you, and he wants to talk to you. Were you already up?"
"Yeah, couldn't sleep," Sirius said, standing up. Truth was, he couldn't sleep because he was too worried about what tomorrow would bring; he needed a distraction.
"Why don't you stay down here for a while, Ron, while I talk to Harry. Want me to try and turn the television on?"
Ron shrugged, then nodded.
Sirius walked over to the television and pressed the on button. The screen sprung to life, and Sirius said, "Nice, I'm getting good at this. I don't know how to change it though, so you're going to have to watch this. It was an infomercial for a wonder-mop. Ron shrugged, and made himself comfortable on Sirius's makeshift bed.
Sirius ran up the stairs to talk to Harry. He found his godson sitting pensively on his bed, biting his lip. "What's eating you, Harry?"
Harry jumped at being addressed, then sighed. "I just dreamt about what's going to happen with Wormtail. . . And the outcome wasn't very good. I'm really worried Sirius."
Sirius sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. He walked over and sat down next to Harry, wrapping his arm around him. "I'm worried about it too, Harry."
"What happened in the dream?" he asked
Harry told him and he sighed again, deeper this time. "Yeah, that could happen. . .but we just need to hope it doesn't. Your guess is as good as mine as to what's going to happen tomorrow. I'll tell you this though, I'm going to try anything I can think of to win that trial. . .if I get one. Dumbledore and Moony are going to help me. . .what will come will come."
Harry looked down. "This really sucks."
Sirius smiled sadly, "Yeah it does."
"I finally have what I want, and now I might just lose it all," Harry muttered, his voice cracking. "I'm so scared."
Sirius pulled Harry into a hug. "Me too, Harry, me too." Sirius felt Harry begin to cry, and hugged him tighter. He soon started to cry as well. He buried his face in Harry's hair and just rocked him back and forth like he was a small child. "I'm sorry Harry."
Harry pulled back a little, "Why?"
"I've put you through so much. I mean it's my fault you never had your parents, and it's my fault that you had to live with the Dursley's. Then I finally get you here, and I might have to leave you again. I'm so sorry," he was sobbing now.
Harry started crying harder as well. "No, Sirius it's not your fault. It's Wormtail's fault. . . all of it. Don't be sorry."
"But it is my fault, Harry," he muttered. Harry shook his head, but couldn't speak anymore. "I promise you Harry, I'll never leave you again. . . If they try to lock me up again. . . I'll escape, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you anymore!"
Harry nodded, and clung to Sirius even tighter. "I love you Sirius. . . Thank you so much. . .for everything."
"I love you too, Harry." Downstairs Ron had fallen asleep, a good thing because Harry and Sirius fell asleep as well, both forgetting their worries for a while, taking comfort in that they had each other.
A/N: Kind of a dull end, huh? Well please review anyway. And I would like to remind everyone that this is not, nor will it ever be a slash story! I know it often looks like it may be going that way. This is my second day home sick, so I'm getting a lot done on this story. Perhaps if I have pneumonia (I'll see tomorrow) I'll get two more chapters out by the end of the week. . . OH the perks of being sick. . .BTW, I'd really like more reviews, good or bad, tell me what you think!
Next Chapter you can expect to see some twins! Madam Pomfrey! And much much more!
Sirius: So you want to know why you're crying, huh? Well here it is. . .
Ella: Who doesn't like squirrel's? My friend and I have a squirrel fetish too. . . One day we were driving through town and she's like, "Is that a squirrel or a chipmunk?" and ever since we can't help but laugh when we see them.
Celeste Black: Ummm. . . Thanks for the review? Did something happen there?
Lucretio-del-alba: Don't worry, I didn't think you were a guy. . .I took Spanish, but I really wouldn't have been able to figure out what you were by that, I didn't learn too much, did I? Neway I'm glad you don't think this story is too sappy, but I'd like to know if you think the same after this chapter. . .
Katie: What's a Mary Sue writer? Yah. . . I thought the squirrel was pretty funny myself. . . I hope I didn't over do them in the following chapter though. . . And it's good to know that you think I'm funny. I'm the kind of person who usually can only make other people laugh when I laugh. I have this really uncontrollable laughter that gets everyone around me either laughing, or giving me funny looks. . . Are you slightly embarrassed by your obsession? I am terribly, and my family often likes to use it against me. I will literally die if people at school find out, they only know that I like the books, not all this other stuff. . . And I love Eminem as well. . .I hated his movie, though, the only thing that kept me there was his gorgeous face!
Hermionebelch: Well. . . My first mean review. See, you're probably never going to read this, but I'd just like you to know that I did not appreciate that. It's one thing to not like my story, but it's another to bash it after reading only one chapter, and then not even tell me what you didn't like about it. . . Ever hear of constructive criticism???
"Sirius?" Remus started in a much calmer voice. Sirius shook his head, sobbing and flopped down on the couch, burying his face in his hands. His shoulders were shaking hard with the sobs. "Sirius, what's wrong?" Remus asked, sitting next to his friend and putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Sirius sat up and pulled Remus into a very tight hug, burying his head into Remus's neck, still sobbing, and catching Remus completely off guard. "I can't handle this Remus! I can't! I don't know what to do anymore!"
Remus tried to think of the right thing to say. Of course, he had known that Sirius was having trouble with Wormtail in the house, but didn't know it was getting to him like this. "Sirius, first tell me what happened earlier, okay?"
He felt more than saw Sirius nod. Sirius pulled out of the hug, tried to dry his eyes, which didn't work, and started to tell what had happened. "I heard him Moony, when I was going to get Harry's broom, I heard him scratching at his jar. I went in to see, and I just couldn't- couldn't get away from the jar. I wanted to kill him Moony, and I would have! I was opening the jar so I could get him out of there and kill him. . . I knew I shouldn't, that it would spell disaster for me, but I couldn't stay away. If Harry hadn't yelled wondering where I was, I would have done it. When I'm around that rat, all I can think about is him, you know? I can't help it! And now you say he almost escaped! All because of me, because I can't control myself!" Sirius broke down again, this time into harder sobs. "I'm. . . So sorry Moony, but-I don't know what to do!"
"Shhh Padfoot, it's going to be okay. We should have Wormtail out by tonight, and you'll never have to see his traitorous face again! You just have to make it through the rest of the day. And I'll help you. Don't worry about it. We still have Wormtail, I made it home in time. You're going to get your freedom!" Remus was rubbing his friends back when he said this. Sirius just kept shaking his head.
"I'm a failure Moony! Just look at me. . . My only job in life was to take care of Harry. That's it. And what do I do? I get his parents killed, and then I get myself arrested so that he has to live with his horrid relatives. Then I finally get the opportunity to be there for him, for the rest of his life, and I put that in jeopardy too! Lily and James should have made you Harry's guardian, you would have done a much better job."
Remus sighed. He had known that James and Lily probably would have made him Harry's guardian if it hadn't been for one thing, his lycanthropy. James and Lily had no problems with the werewolf themselves, but knew that if anything happened to them people would have problems letting Remus raise Harry. "Sirius, you know I could never have been Harry's godfather. You were and are the best man for the job. And you haven't ruined it yet. Harry still has a few years left where he needs a parent figure, and you still have a chance to fill that spot."
"But, Moony, how can I be a good parent to Harry, when I can't even control myself?" Sirius sobbed.
"Sirius, you can control yourself. . .just not around the rat, and the rats on his way out. You have nothing to worry about anymore, okay? Now stop moping."
Sirius looked up with his tear stained eyes. He shook his head. "I do have something to worry about Moony. What if they don't give me my freedom? What if they don't care that Wormtail is still alive? They might still think that it was me who killed all those muggles, and that Wormtail. . . I don't know. . . Just, what if it doesn't go the way we think it will?"
"That's a risk we're going to have to take. We NEED to turn Wormtail in, and we need to have you proven innocent as soon as we can! If you get caught Padfoot, you're not going back to Azkaban, you're just going to get a kiss. A kiss you're not going to want to get. So, we can't risk you getting caught. Harry really needs you, and if you're free, you can help him so much more."
Sirius nodded sadly. Ever since they had caught Wormtail, Sirius feared what the outcome would be. Potentially, he could be sent back to Azkaban even though the ministry knew he hadn't killed Pettigrew, and the idea of returning to that place terrified him. He tried to put on a strong face for Remus, but couldn't, so he continued to cry. Remus wrapped his arms around his friend again and just hugged him while he cried in anguish. He muttered words of encouragement, but it seemed nothing was seeping through to Sirius.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you Sirius. I will fight tooth and nail to get you your freedom, which should never have been taken away in the first place." Remus was near tears now, too. He felt Sirius relax slightly after his little speech. "Sirius, I know you're scared. I'm scared too, but we're going to get through this. And in order to do that, we need to see Dumbledore. I've already called for him, and he should be here in a half an hour. Think you can cheer up a bit by then?"
Sirius nodded through his tears. Remus stood up. "Why don't you try to sleep it off, Sirius. . ." Sirius again nodded. Remus left for the kitchen to make some sandwiches for everyone. When he returned he found Sirius dead asleep on the couch, his face still wet from his tears. He shook his head thinking, "Poor Sirius, he's been through so much more than he deserves. I really hope everything works out, he really needs it to."
Remus left to bring some food to Harry and Ron. He found them playing chess, happy as could be. "Hungry boys?"
Harry and Ron nodded, followed by a rumble from Ron's stomach. Harry laughed and Ron turned bright red. "Well I guess so," Remus said grinning. He set down the tray on the bedside table. "Dumbledore will be over in about twenty minutes, Harry. He might come up to see you, but I'd appreciate it if you would stay up here."
"Remus, how would I get downstairs if I wanted to?"
"Trust me, Harry, you could find a way." Remus said and then left the room.
"Why's Dumbledore coming over, Harry?" Ron asked curiously through a mouthful of his sandwich.
"Oh, I can't believe I forgot to tell you. We found Wormtail."
Ron nearly choked on his food. "You what?!"
Harry laughed, "We found him last night, actually Remus stepped on him. We're keeping him in a jar for now, until Dumbledore comes and helps Sirius and Remus take it to the next step. Sirius is going to be free!" Harry was so happy about it all, he really couldn't believe he had forgotten to tell Ron.
"Wait a minute. . . Professor Lupin stepped on him?" Ron asked skeptically.
"Yeah, it's really kind of funny, although it wasn't last night."
"You're really kind of lucky you know Harry, everyday gets to be an adventure. You must never get bored."
Harry smiled sadly. "Yeah, every day is an adventure, but I really wish it wasn't. I-I just wish I could have a normal life, you know?"
"Yeah, I know," Ron said. They ate their sandwiches in silence for a while, and then resumed their games of chess.
Downstairs, Remus was pacing around the living room, waiting for Dumbledore to arrive. "What if Sirius was right?" he thought, "What if they don't believe him? What if things go completely opposite of what they think it will?"
Remus was torn from his thoughts when he heard the fire place ringing. "Name please?" he said.
"Albus Dumbledore," said a voice from within the fireplace.
"Enter," Remus replied standing back so Dumbledore could come through.
"Hello Remus, I trust you are well," Dumbledore greeted.
"Yes, Albus, I'm alright, but I have news. Last night Harry, Sirius, and I caught Peter."
Whatever Albus thought the meeting was to be about, it wasn't this. His mouth dropped open, and he just stared at Remus, who nodded with a grin.
"You-you did? But how? Where is he?" Dumbledore said, looking amazed.
Remus grinned. "He's upstairs in a jar in my closet."
"And you're sure it's him?"
"Yes, he's even got that silver hand-paw-that Harry was telling us about."
"Bless my soul. . . May I see him?"
Remus looked pensive for a moment. "I'd rather leave him where he is for now. Sirius is a little sensitive about him, and I think it would be a bad idea to bring him out again until it's absolutely necessary."
Dumbledore nodded, looking at the sleeping Sirius on the couch. "He looks upset, even in sleep. I take it he's not dealing with the capture very well."
"No, he is not. He just had a break down a while ago. I think we need to take action as soon as possible, or Sirius is going to drive himself insane."
"Yes, perhaps I could talk to him?" Dumbledore inquired. Remus nodded his head and walked over to the couch. He sat on the edge and began to shake his friend gently.
"Padfoot," he said gently. "Dumbledore's here, he needs to talk to you, time to wake up."
Sirius didn't move. Remus sighed, "He's the hardest person in the world to wake up."
He started shaking Sirius even harder, "Sirius! Up now! Don't make me resort to the water!"
Dumbledore laughed good-naturedly behind him, "The water?"
Remus turned to him, "Sometimes the only way to wake him is to throw ice water on him. I hate resorting to that, though. It really scares him."
"SIRIUS!" he bellowed directly in his ear. Sirius jumped awake, nearly butting heads with Remus as he did so.
"Shit Remus! You scared the Hell out of me."
"Sorry Padfoot, but I almost had to resort to water, and I know you wouldn't have liked that."
Sirius looked up and saw Dumbledore standing in the background. "Oh, hi Albus, good to see you," Sirius said, trying to slow his heart and breathing down a bit.
Dumbledore laughed at him, "It's nice to see you too, Sirius. Remus has told me you have found Mr. Pettigrew."
Sirius's eyes darkened at the name, he nodded.
"And I trust, that you want to take action against him?"
Sirius nodded his head, but looked a bit unsure of himself.
"Mr. Black?"
Sirius looked down a moment, collecting his thoughts. "I'm afraid, Albus, that turning Wormtail in, and asking for a trial might not work. I may still be sent back to Azkaban, or worse get that kiss that I was supposed to get almost two years ago."
"Indeed, a definite possibility, but I think that it is more likely that the outcome will be good. You see, Sirius, you can not go on like this forever. Eventually, I believe you will be caught. You need to try every way possible to get your name cleared. I will help you with that. Now, I can't stay long, but I will tell you my plan. Today, I will take Wormtail. I will keep him with me until tomorrow," Sirius sighed with relief, and Dumbledore continued, "Tomorrow, I will bring him to the ministry, and show the Minister that Peter Pettigrew is indeed still alive. My hope is that they ministry will give him veritaserum, and question him about everything. We'll see what happens from there. Sirius, I will not take you to the ministry, or disclose your location, until I am certain that the ministry accepts your innocence. However, Wormtail knows that you are here, and I can not prevent him from saying anything. Do you understand?"
Sirius nodded his head apprehensively.
"Right then, Remus, would you please bring me the rat?"
"Of course, Albus." Remus said before heading up the stairs.
"Albus," Sirius began, "what do you think the odds are that I'll get my freedom?"
Dumbledore looked at Sirius calculatingly. "I think the odds are in your favor Sirius, and I will do everything in my power to make sure the outcome is positive. As I'm sure Remus and Harry will do as well."
Sirius nodded his head as Remus came back down the stairs. Sirius turned away when he saw the jar in his friends hands.
Dumbledore took the jar and prepared to leave. "Before I go, how's Harry?"
Sirius broke into a grin and was able to ignore the rat. "He's doing great! He even managed to move his feet this morning. He has Ron over now."
Dumbledore nodded, "The fact that he can move his feet is a very good sign that he will make a full recovery. I will send Poppy over tomorrow to re-examine him, and she should be able to tell you how long it will take for Harry to improve. Now, I bid you good day,"
"Goodbye Albus," Sirius and Remus said simultaneously. With that, he left through the fireplace.
Remus turned to Sirius, "How are you doing?"
Sirius shrugged, "Well, I'm pretty nervous, but I'm glad he's out of here. I'm pretty bored right about now, though. I wish I could get out of this house too. As more than just a dog."
"Soon, Padfoot, you'll be out and about soon. Why don't you go hang out with Harry and Ron though. I'm going to go get some things at Diagon Alley, do you need anything?"
"No, but you might want to pick Harry up some more clothes, you can take some money out of my account for that."
Remus nodded. "I'll be back." He then threw some floo powder into the fireplace and stepped in. He was gone in no time.
Sirius sighed and sat back down on the couch. His fear was beginning to take over. He didn't know what he would do if the turn out was bad. He could get Remus, Dumbledore, and Harry in big trouble, as they knew where he was the whole time. He didn't even want to think of the repercussions, so he took Remus's advice and went upstairs to see what Harry and Ron were up to.
"Sirius, how'd it go?" Harry said when he saw him.
"Dumbledore took Wormtail," he said, shooting a worried glance at Ron, unsure of what he already knew.
"I told him about it," Harry said. Sirius nodded.
"He thinks there's a good chance I'll get my name cleared. . . But enough about this depressing stuff, what are you two doing?"
"Well, we've been playing chess all day so far, getting kind of bored. Any ideas?"
Sirius's eyes lit up, "Ideas! I've got plenty of ideas. What would you prefer. . . pranks on Moony, truth or dare wizard style, or scaring some more scaring squirrels?"
"Sirius, truth or dare is a girl thing," Ron said indignantly.
"No it's not!" Sirius retorted
"Yes it is!" Ron replied
"No it's not!"
"Yeah it is!"
"Harry?" they both said.
Harry laughed and shrugged. "Lets go scare some squirrel's I want to get out of this bed again!"
"Sounds good," Sirius said, "And truth or dare is not a girl thing!"
"Yah, okay Sirius," Ron said sarcastically.
"Shut up you two," Harry said, receiving a glare from both of them. Sirius started tickling Harry again. "Ahhh! Stop! This is so unfair! I can't move!" Sirius stopped tickling, and lifted Harry off the bed, leaving the room, Ron followed close behind. Sirius walked downstairs and set Harry on the couch. "You need shoes!" He went and found the pair Harry had used earlier and slid them on his feet. "You may not be walking, but you just can't go outside without shoes."
Ron and Sirius slid some on their own feet. Sirius picked Harry back up and they walked out the door. He sat Harry down on a lounge on the patio, and Ron took one next to him. "Got your wands boys?"
"It's summer, we aren't allowed to do magic," Ron said.
"You are here, know why?"
Harry and Ron shook their heads. "The wards Dumbledore put up made it so that the ministry couldn't trace who was and wasn't doing magic. Namely so I can do magic."
"Mine's upstairs. Ron? Did you bring yours?" Harry replied.
Ron shook his head, "but I can just watch."
"Nonsense!" Sirius said. "Remus has a few spares, all go get Harry's and one of them." With that, he went back in the house.
"Harry, I know you haven't had the best life, but you're bloody lucky to be living here. You don't even know how much I envy you!"
Harry grinned. "Yeah, I'm so happy that I get to stay here now! It's another world compared to the Dursley's."
Sirius came back out a few minutes later. "Okay boys, the aim here is not to hurt the squirrels, we're just going to have a little fun with them, okay?"
The boys nodded. "Now keep an eye out for one and make sure you only shoot one spell at a time, otherwise you may hurt them."
Sirius was the first to spot a squirrel. He shot a spell at it, and it began to do a little dance. They all roared with laughter. Another squirrel came down to see what the other was doing, and Harry sent a spell at it that made him bounce up and down like a kangaroo. They all laughed yet again. They spent nearly an hour playing with the squirrels. (I hope no animal rights people hate me for writing this!). Ron had one standing on his head, when Remus returned and came outside to see what they were up to.
"What the hell are you guys doing?" He said, shocked.
"Just playing with the squirrel's Moony. It's fun." Sirius replied nonchalantly.
"You really need to grow up Padfoot." He said.
"Watch this Moony," Sirius said, and then made a squirrel do the Macarena. Remus did find it rather amusing to see a squirrel doing the Macarena, but didn't want to show it. He was trying with all his might not to laugh like the others, who were staring at him, knowing full well that he wanted to laugh.
"Come on Moony-I know you think it's funny," Sirius said. Remus shook his head, then allowed himself to grin. Soon he was sitting next to Harry laughing his head off. He even sent a couple spells at the squirrel's.
After a while, playing with the squirrels got old, and it was beginning to get dark.
Before going into the house, Remus said, "Harry, I got something for you when I was in Diagon Alley today. I think it's going to be pretty helpful for you."
Harry looked up bewildered, "What is it?"
"Let me show you," he responded, picking Harry up and carrying him inside. He brought him into the living room where a large cardboard box sat. He gently put Harry on the couch and went over to open the box. He pulled out a large metal chair. "What exactly is it?" Harry asked politely.
"It's a wizard wheel chair. Just till you're on your feet again. I know how much you hate being carried around, so I thought I'd get you one of these. It's magic powered, and can go up stairs, anywhere you want to go. You'll be able to get out of bed yourself now, and do everything." Remus said, smiling.
Harry looked at Remus in awe. "Thank you so much! I can't believe you got me this-- thanks." Harry was almost crying with joy. Not really over the wheelchair, but over how thoughtful of Remus it was to get him it. Remus walked over and gave Harry a hug.
"You're welcome Harry," Remus said, "But let's just hope you don't need it at Hogwarts."
Harry nodded seriously. Remus asked, "Do you want to take it for a spin Harry?"
"Yeah!" Harry replied exuberantly. Remus pushed the chair towards him.
"Okay, we're going to test your strength a bit here okay?" Harry nodded. "First, before you ever try to get in this thing, make sure that the wheels are locked. . ." Remus went on for a while about safety in the wheelchair, thoroughly boring everyone else in the room.
Finally, Remus started telling him exactly what to do. Harry followed Remus's instructions to the mark and easily got himself into the chair. "Well done, Harry, I don't think strength is going to be a problem here," Remus said.
"Now, see those buttons on the arm rest? They're pretty easy to figure out. Move yourself towards the stairs, and we'll try to figure out how to get you up there. Harry smoothly brought himself to the foot of the stairs. He looked down at the buttons on the arm rest trying to figure out which one would move him up the stairs. Quickly he found one and was cruising up the stairs. The others gathered at the foot of the stairs, watching him. He turned at the top and found the button to bring him down. He was grinning the whole way. "Do you like it Harry?" Remus asked.
"I love it, thank you so much Remus," Harry said ecstatically.
"Don't just thank me, Sirius paid half, he just couldn't come with me." Harry grinned at his godfather, who beamed back. Anything that made Harry happy made Sirius just as happy, if not more.
"And that's not all," Sirius said, sounding like a game show host. "Moony has also purchased bars, to go in the bathroom, so you'll be able to bathe, and whatever else, with the utmost privacy." He winked as he said this. "And. . . The most fashionable clothes in all of Diagon Alley!"
For a few minutes, Harry sat in his wheelchair, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. Finally recovering he said, "Thanks so much, you guys are the best!"
With that, Sirius bent down and gave Harry a big hug, murmuring, "I love you Harry."
"Love you too, Sirius," Harry replied.
Remus then bent down and gave Harry an equally big hug and also told Harry that he loved him.
"Love you too, Remus."
Ron was standing around looking thoroughly choked up Harry grinned at him, trying hard not to laugh. "Love you too, Ron," Harry said.
Ron blushed, he clearly didn't feel completely comfortable with having his best friend tell him he loved him. But the feeling was mutual. He stepped up to Harry, gave him a man hug and said, "I love you man."
Harry grinned. "Think Hermione loves us?"
Ron blushed ten times redder. "I d-don't know."
Harry laughed, "How could she not?"
Ron just shrugged.
They all went back into the living room and sat around. Talking about light topics for a while. They decided to turn on the television for a bit, as Ron had never seen one before. They were all having a really good time when seven o'clock came around.
"What do you say Ron, want to spend the night?" Remus asked.
Ron looked around at Harry, then back to Remus, "If you all don't mind, I'd love to."
"I'd love that, maybe Sirius will stay away from me with you here," Harry said smirking. Sirius blushed crimson.
"I swear I don't mean to! I don't even realize I do it. And it is my bed you know! I'm just attached to it!"
"Sure you are Sirius," Remus smirked. "I'm going to tell Ron's parents via the head thing." He stepped up to the fireplace and took out a different kind of powder. He Threw it in and stepped inside. Only this time he stayed where he was.
"Hello Molly, how are you?" they heard Remus say.
They didn't hear the response, but Remus obviously did. "I'm well, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind me keeping your son until tomorrow afternoon. We're having a good time, and I think we'd all be sad to see him go." Ron blushed at hearing this, even though he was quite sure that Remus was just milking it.
"Good, good. Oh yeah, he probably will need some clean clothes, do you want me to send him back to get some. . . No. . . Okay, well there are certain wards up here, so it won't be like normal floo, but you'll figure it out." With that, Remus stepped out of the fireplace. He turned to Ron and said, "You're mother will be here shortly with some of your things."
"Wonderful," Ron muttered. He was quite worried that she was going to do some serious embarrassing.
Nearly 10 minutes later the fireplace began to ring. "Name please," Remus said dully.
"Molly Weasley," she said.
"Enter," Remus called and waited for her to come through.
First thing she did was walk over to Ron and give him a big hug. "Did you have a good time Ronald?"
"Mum, please, I've been gone five hours tops, I'm not 7 anymore, okay?"
"Oh nonsense, Ron you're never to old to be mothered."
She then turned her sights to Harry in his wheelchair.
"Oh, Harry! You poor dear! What have those awful people done to you?" She asked, completely shocked to see him in a wheelchair. Harry had been surprised that word of his paralysis hadn't spread throughout the wizarding world.
"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley, really. The Dursley's hurt me pretty bad, but I never have to worry about them again. So, I'm fine."
"Well, Harry I'm glad. Now, I must be off. Ronald, I have clean clothes and a toothbrush in hear for you. Use them." Ron blushed at this. He did NOT need to be told to use clean clothes and a toothbrush. He couldn't wait for her to leave.
"Tomorrow, Fred and George would like to personally pick up Ron, if that's okay with you. . . They seem eager to see Harry, why though, I don't know."
"It'll be fine for them to come get him, just make sure they know how this is going to work. And tell them not to play around with our fireplace, okay?" Remus replied.
"Of course Remus, they'll be over around 3:00 if that's alright with you."
"Sounds good, Molly, take care."
"Same to you all. And Ronald Weasley, you be good!"
With that, she left through the fireplace. Ron was muttering under his breath. Sirius couldn't help himself. He put on a high pitched voice and started going off about clean clothes and brushing his teeth. Ron play punched him, clearly embarrassed by his mother in every way possible.
"What shall we do now?" Harry asked.
"Movie?" Sirius suggested.
"Which one?" Remus said.
"What's a movie?" Ron asked innocently. Harry laughed and tried to explain what a movie was.
When all else failed, he said, "It's like a really long television show."
"Oh," Ron said.
"Lets watch Notting Hill," Sirius suggested. Harry laughed into his hand.
"And what is your problem, Mr. Potter?"
"Notting Hill is a total chick flick," Harry responded. Remus laughed.
"He has a point their Padfoot." Remus shot in, Sirius glared at him. "Lets just watch Con-Air again," he suggested.
"Alright," Sirius agreed.
Remus got up and put Con-Air in. Harry lay sprawled on the couch, his head in Sirius's lap. Remus was in a recliner near the fireplace, and Ron was sprawled on the floor on his stomach, intrigued by Con-Air. Not only was the movie the coolest thing he ever saw, but he was also learning a lot about the muggle world. Airplanes, guns, telephones, and muggle jails.
When the movie ended, everyone was exhausted.
"I'm going to sleep down here tonight," Sirius yawned, standing and stretching. He went to a closet and pulled out a blanket and pillow. Harry pulled himself into his chair and said goodnight to Remus and Sirius, as did Ron, before they went upstairs.
Before heading up himself, Remus said to Sirius, "You going to be okay?"
Sirius looked at him intensely and nodded his head.
"It's going to be a big day tomorrow."
"I know."
"Are you worried?"
Sirius bit his lip and nodded.
"Don't worry too much, okay, Sir?" Remus said, throwing an arm over his tense shoulder comfortingly.
"I'll try not to," Sirius replied.
"'Night, Padfoot."
"'Night, Moony," Sirius said, watching his friend climb the stairs. He threw the blanket over himself and lay back on the couch, a million 'what ifs' going through his head.
Upstairs, Harry and Ron had just gotten into bed as well.
"Harry, do you think Sirius will be okay?"
Harry looked at Ron and sighed, "I hope so. If he's not, I don't know what I'll do. Remus will still be around, but he can't be there like Sirius can, you know?"
Ron nodded. "Well, you can always stay at my house, everyone likes you in my family."
Harry grinned, "Thanks." Deep down, though, he didn't want to have to stay with Ron. He wanted his own family, not somebody else's.
Harry yawned, "Goodnight, Ron."
"'Night Harry."
About three hours later, Ron awoke to hear Harry yelling in his sleep. "NO!! No, he's innocent. No, don't do it!"
Ron got up and walked over to Harry's side. He gently shook him, saying, "Harry, wake up! You're having a nightmare." This had happened several times at Hogwarts, but never had Harry looked as scared as he did just then. Even after Ron tried to wake him, Harry yelled. "No, please! I need him, don't send him back."
"Harry. . . Harry!. . . HARRY!" Ron yelled, shaking him harder. Harry woke with a start and sat straight up in his bed. He was gasping for air, and flailing his arms, like he was drowning. Ron grabbed hold of Harry's arms and tried to make him stay still. Harry finally snapped out of it. He stopped moving and tried to breath regularly.
"You okay, mate?" Ron asked tentatively.
Harry shook his head, no.
"What was it?" he asked.
Harry breathed deeply. "Sirius isn't going to get his freedom. . . They're going to send him back to Azkaban."
"No, Harry that was just a dream." Ron said comfortingly.
"No Ron, it was so real. . . And everything that happened is just like the ministry. Wormtail told them that he hid all those years so that Sirius wouldn't come out and get him. Said that he was so scared after Sirius had killed all those muggles, that he couldn't bring himself to go back into society. And the ministry believed him Ron. You know he'll use that defense! He tried it on us. . . And the ministry people are so thick, that they'll listen to him, I know it!"
"Harry, no. Dumbledore will be there, and so will Lupin. They'll make sure that Sirius makes it out alright. It's going to be okay."
Harry just shook his head. Ron sighed, "Do you want me to go get Sirius?"
Harry gave Ron an indecisive look, but then nodded his head, "Good luck waking him, though."
Ron hopped up and walked out of the room. He stepped soundlessly down the stairs and peered at the couch through the darkness. "Sirius. . ." he whispered.
Sirius jumped up, Ron had just scared the hell out of him. "Oh my God! What are you doing up?"
"Sorry, umm. . . Harry just had a pretty bad nightmare. . .about you, and he wants to talk to you. Were you already up?"
"Yeah, couldn't sleep," Sirius said, standing up. Truth was, he couldn't sleep because he was too worried about what tomorrow would bring; he needed a distraction.
"Why don't you stay down here for a while, Ron, while I talk to Harry. Want me to try and turn the television on?"
Ron shrugged, then nodded.
Sirius walked over to the television and pressed the on button. The screen sprung to life, and Sirius said, "Nice, I'm getting good at this. I don't know how to change it though, so you're going to have to watch this. It was an infomercial for a wonder-mop. Ron shrugged, and made himself comfortable on Sirius's makeshift bed.
Sirius ran up the stairs to talk to Harry. He found his godson sitting pensively on his bed, biting his lip. "What's eating you, Harry?"
Harry jumped at being addressed, then sighed. "I just dreamt about what's going to happen with Wormtail. . . And the outcome wasn't very good. I'm really worried Sirius."
Sirius sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. He walked over and sat down next to Harry, wrapping his arm around him. "I'm worried about it too, Harry."
"What happened in the dream?" he asked
Harry told him and he sighed again, deeper this time. "Yeah, that could happen. . .but we just need to hope it doesn't. Your guess is as good as mine as to what's going to happen tomorrow. I'll tell you this though, I'm going to try anything I can think of to win that trial. . .if I get one. Dumbledore and Moony are going to help me. . .what will come will come."
Harry looked down. "This really sucks."
Sirius smiled sadly, "Yeah it does."
"I finally have what I want, and now I might just lose it all," Harry muttered, his voice cracking. "I'm so scared."
Sirius pulled Harry into a hug. "Me too, Harry, me too." Sirius felt Harry begin to cry, and hugged him tighter. He soon started to cry as well. He buried his face in Harry's hair and just rocked him back and forth like he was a small child. "I'm sorry Harry."
Harry pulled back a little, "Why?"
"I've put you through so much. I mean it's my fault you never had your parents, and it's my fault that you had to live with the Dursley's. Then I finally get you here, and I might have to leave you again. I'm so sorry," he was sobbing now.
Harry started crying harder as well. "No, Sirius it's not your fault. It's Wormtail's fault. . . all of it. Don't be sorry."
"But it is my fault, Harry," he muttered. Harry shook his head, but couldn't speak anymore. "I promise you Harry, I'll never leave you again. . . If they try to lock me up again. . . I'll escape, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you anymore!"
Harry nodded, and clung to Sirius even tighter. "I love you Sirius. . . Thank you so much. . .for everything."
"I love you too, Harry." Downstairs Ron had fallen asleep, a good thing because Harry and Sirius fell asleep as well, both forgetting their worries for a while, taking comfort in that they had each other.
A/N: Kind of a dull end, huh? Well please review anyway. And I would like to remind everyone that this is not, nor will it ever be a slash story! I know it often looks like it may be going that way. This is my second day home sick, so I'm getting a lot done on this story. Perhaps if I have pneumonia (I'll see tomorrow) I'll get two more chapters out by the end of the week. . . OH the perks of being sick. . .BTW, I'd really like more reviews, good or bad, tell me what you think!
Next Chapter you can expect to see some twins! Madam Pomfrey! And much much more!