~Approaching Danger~

Harry was awake well before most that morning, seeing only Sirius sitting at the breakfast table.

'Good morning.' Harry greeted.

'Morning.' Sirius replied. 'Hungry?'

'Not really.' he sat across from Sirius, looking slightly tired.

'Sleep well?'

'Err, yeah.' he stated, rubbing his eyes. Then smiled. 'What sleep I got anyway.'

'Oh?'

'Why was Dumbeldore here last night?'

Sirius smiled. Nothing ever got past the kid.

'He wanted to talk to me.'

At this Harry perked up.

'What's going on?' Sirius sighed, drumming his fingers on the table casually. Harry raised his eyebrow, awaiting a response. When he didn't get one, he cleared his throat. 'Is the Ministry on to you?'

'Hmm? Oh, no.' Sirius was rather startled. A look of relief swept over Harry's face.

'Then what?'

'He'll be coming back later to talk to the both of us.' Sirius nodded his head as he spoke, though he wasn't sure why. He'd tempted himself to take down a few shots of bourbon later last night, now he was wishing he had.

Harry shook his head in an attempt to wake himself up more, but it didn't work. He only succeeded in making the room spin slightly. 'You're up early.' Sirius stated after a while.

'Yeah, maybe.' Harry muttered.

'It's half past five.' his godfather reminded him.

'You're up.' Harry reminded him.

'Yeah...well...' Sirius trailed off, looking away. A soft knock on the door upstairs nearly caused him to spill his tea. 'Be right back.' he stated. He looked slightly worried as made his way to the door, but Harry brushed it off as being lack of sleep. Harry knew why Dumbeldore had come, but he'd wanted to see if Sirius would tell him anything.

A few moments later, Albus Dumbeldore and Sirius were entering the basement kitchen again. Harry stood and shook his old Headmaster's hand.

'Congratulations on making the Auror position, Harry.' Dumbeldore smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling.

'Thank you, sir.' Harry smiled back, feeling very awkward.

'Can I get you anything, Dumbeldore?' Sirius asked, shuffling nervously around the kitchen.

'No, Sirius. Thank you. Please, sit down. I need to talk to the both of you before the others wake up.'

Harry sat, Sirius taking the seat next to him. Dumbeldore sat across from the both of them, his face looking worry worn and tired.

'Harry, how much did you hear last night?' Dumbeldore started immediately.

'That you want to send me into hiding.'

The old man nodded. 'That's right. What do you think?'

Harry raised an eyebrow. His eyes never left Dumbeldore's. 'Personally sir, I don't care for the idea too much.' he was surprised to see the old man smile.

'I know you don't Harry. I would not like to take you from here anymore than you would want to leave. But I fear it is your safety that must come first.'

'What exactly am I in danger of, sir, that I wasn't before?'

He heard Sirius snort at his side, though it was well contained. Dumbeldore was also seemingly entertained by the question. He smiled kindly.

'Well, Harry. I fear that Voldemort has come to know how powerful you are becoming. He has regarded you as a threat, almost equal to myself if I might say so.' Harry nodded, beckoning Dumbeldore to continue. 'He knows where you are, and-'

'Wait!' Harry interjected. 'He knows I'm here?' Dumbeldore nodded. 'Then wouldn't that be a danger to everyone else?' His old headmaster shook his head.

'Not if you are the only one he's after.'

'But, to-'

'He would know I would not risk anyone here as a Secret Keeper.'

'To bring me out of hiding, he'd know to get someone here.' Harry stated at last. At this, Dumbeldore raised his eyebrows. They remembered well what had nearly cost many of them their lives in Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, and what in the end had lead them out there. Dumbeldore sighed. Sirius could only rest his head on his palm and watch as the topic was debated from side to side. 'He knew last time, sir.'

Dumbeldore nodded.

'A risk, Harry, I fear we would have to take.'

'You mean I would have to take.'

Dumbeldore sighed, looking suddenly very weary. 'Harry, you do not realize exactly what he has coming for you. All the Death Eaters bent to his will, giants, trolls, goblins, and other things of a less than savory nature that I would not name with my own tongue. You are in terrible danger, Harry. And though it despairs your godfather to see you off, I know he would have you safe first.'

Harry looked to Sirius, he appeared as equally weary as Dumbeldore.

'He's right Harry. I trust Dumbeldore, and I would not see you harmed. You should go.'

Harry sighed. After everything, looking forward to training as an Auror, being a member of the Order, and now he would have to throw it all away. He was angry, but would not be so selfish as to disappoint his godfather.

'Very well. But as long as I can still have contact with Sirius and everyone else here.'

Dumbeldore nodded.

'I would not be so unkind as to take that away from you.'

* * *

It was all too soon that Harry found himself packing to leave the family he had. He hated Dumbeldore for dragging him away from everything that was so strong and secure to him. And there was a feeling of dread that he carried in his stomach, especially as he said goodbye to Remus and Sirius. They'd done this before, he knew. Saying goodbye to a friend of there's, who was going into hiding from Voldemort and his followers.

'Take care of yourself Harry.' Remus whispered, pulling Harry into a strong embrace. 'Be careful.'

'I will. Take care. Keep Sirius in line.' Remus laughed.

'You will write to us, won't you?' Hermione begged as she wrapped her arms around him, unwilling to let go.

'Of course.' Harry stated.

'Be careful.'

He turned to Ron, who raised an eyebrow and a crooked smile at the same time.

'You'll be fine.' He said, embracing Harry casually.

'See you soon!' he laughed. Mrs. Weasley gave him a tearful embrace, and Mr. Weasley shook his hand.

'If you need something Harry, let us know.'

'Oh, thank you.'

Lastly, he turned to Sirius. They embraced for what felt like forever, and yet at the same time wasn't long enough.

'I'll write often.' Harry promised.

'Just be careful. Any sign of danger, tell either me or Dumbeldore.' he leaned in closer. 'You still have my mirror too.' Harry nodded. He'd packed it, just in case. 'I might run up and check on you sometimes too. Look for a big black dog.'

Harry smiled brightly. The sound of company was a pleasing one, though he doubted Dumbeldore would permit it.

'I will. See you soon.'

Sirius smiled. 'See you.'

With that, Harry stepped into Dumbeldore's shadow, and together they disappeared, tearful faces waving back at him.

* * *

The house was small, yet rather cozy, with a slight sense of familiarity to it. All his things had a place, and for that he was glad. Dumbeldore had left him alone at the door, disapparating in a quick flash and an audible snap. Sighing, Harry had stepped inside to see a very nice room, decorated modestly. It was, in truth, more than he had expected. Hedwig hooted on his shoulder, and sailed away to a perch that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Collapsing comfortably onto the soft green couch, Harry breathed a sigh. For a fleeting moment, he believed everything would be all right. As he started to unpack, the first thing Harry took care of was Sirius' mirror. He placed it lovingly beside his bed, on a small stand. Then he second guessed and slipped it cozily into the little drawer.

'Well, there's one thing.' he mumbled. He turned to unpack his clothes next, finding that he had just enough space for everything, including a closet where his trunk fit just right. He placed his wand beside his bed, then lie down. When he closed his eyes, he dreamt of tomorrow.

* * *

Sirius awoke the next morning to find it unusually sunny. Rather unbefitting, knowing that Harry was no longer here. With a sigh, he rose, and was slightly startled to see Hedwig sitting on one of the masts of the footboard. She hooted casually and nestled herself at his side, showing him her leg. A letter was packed tightly in her foot. He smiled and pat her head while sitting back and reading.

Dear Sirius,

So far its quite nice here. Pretty boring though, and unusually quiet. It's amazing how much you start to miss Mrs. Weasley yelling at someone, or Fred and George's explosions upstairs, or the occasional wailing of your mum's picture even. I think the silence will probably drive me mad.

Anyway, tell everyone I said hello please? I miss everyone already. I look forward to getting back as soon as possible, and doing a little more than sitting around. I have a fireplace here, I might decided to contact everyone via that later if its possible. If not, then of course expect a lot of letters.

Well, I guess you'll be hearing from me soon.

Love, Harry.

Sirius lay back, rereading the letter to himself with a soft smile. Hedwig hooted at his side.

'You can wait here. I'll write Harry tonight, let him know how things are going.'

Sure enough, Sirius was true to his word. As everyone else shifted off to bed, Sirius scribbled a letter to his godson by candlelight, not leaving out a single detail about the day.

* * *

Harry was pouring over an old book when Hedwig fluttered into the room. She looked tired, a mouse in her beak and a letter in her foot. He scratched her head as a reward for her catch, and she flew cheerily to her perch. Harry, however, decided to dig into the letter he'd received. It was from Sirius.

Dear Harry,

I'm sorry you're so bored. If its an consolation to you, I know just how you feel. Perhaps I could come and visit you this weekend? I'll have to talk to Dumbeldore obviously, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Maybe I could bring Ron and Hermione over as well?

Mrs. Weasley sends her love, and hopes that you'll stay safe. She's still going around bellowing at innocent bystanders now and again, but since you're not here to sneak out anymore she's calmed down a bit. She cares for you, I can tell.

Fred and George set their room afire today, if you'd like to know. I'm not quite sure what they were doing, but no one was hurt and it wasn't anything a few of us couldn't handle. Which is good. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all send their best wishes and concerns. I must say, I think Ron's little sister likes you. (at this Harry went slightly red in the face) But I'll stay out of it. Hagrid came by for a visit today, he said he was sorry he missed you, but hopes you'll be all right. He left something for you, its as heavy as a rock, but he claimed it was food. I do hope you soften it with something before you take a bite of it, George nearly chipped a tooth sneaking a bite of it.

Other than that, nothing much happened. A visit from Snape, but that's less than joyous news. I'm glad to hear from you, and I hope to hear more in the future. Stay safe and be careful. I'll talk to Dumbeldore about a visit.

Love, Sirius.

Harry sat back and sighed. Maybe this hiding thing wouldn't be so bad after all.

Then again, this was just his first day in hiding.