Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, though I really wish I did.

Author's note: this is my first fanfic so please R&R! Thanks!

The Good News

Harry Potter sighed as he stared out his window. This summer at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley's house had been just as boring as all that had gone before. The only thing that kept 15-year-old Harry from dying of dullness was the memory of the fact that he would be spending the whole month of August with his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, at Hermione's house.

Usually the end-of-the-summer visits took place at the Weasley's humble abode, but this year Mr. and Mrs. Granger had insisted that they wanted to host the kids, saying that the Weasleys had been only too kind the past few years, and it was their own turn. Harry sighed again, wishing he had a place to invite his friends to. He had a sneaking suspicion, however, that even if the Dursleys would allow him to have guests, which was highly unlikely, that the trio of friends would have more fun at a month-long janitor's training camp.

Harry drifted off into dreams of his best friends, but especially Hermione. Ever since she had kissed him good-bye at the end of last year, she had been in his thought more than anyone else, and he was beginning to think that his crush on Cho Chang could be considered over.

He kept remembering Hermione's dancing chocolate-coloured eyes and perfect smile, improved by the fact that, not only were her parents dentists, but she had finally been able to shrink her over-large front teeth after Malfoy had attacked her the previous year. Her hair, tawny-brown, that was starting to become less frizzy and more the kind of wavy hair that girls like Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown wanted. Hermione constantly invaded Harry's thoughts now.

Harry's thoughts were broken by a loud screech as Hedwig, his snowy-white owl, flew into the open window. It was a good thing the Dursleys were out buying Dudley new (un-needed) toys, because a noise that loud would have caused bad-tempered Vernon Dursley to fly into a rage and insist that Hedwig be locked up for the rest of the summer.

Harry untied the envelope from Hedwig's leg, hoping that it was from Hermione. As he opened the parchment envelope, a newspaper clipping and a small note fell out. Harry read the note first.

Dear Harry,
I thought this newspaper clipping might excite you. you might want to think about subscribing to the Daily Prophet so Ron and I don't have to send you every article that pertains to you.
I wish I had time to write a longer letter, but since I don't, I'll just say ' I miss you and can't wait to see you later this summer.'

Loads of Love,
Hermione

Harry's heart skipped a beat. Loads of Love? How could a newspaper article be more interesting than Hermione? He quickly picked it up off the floor and read the headline. SIRIUS BLACK FOUND INNOCENT! It shouted. Of course Harry had already known that, but the rest of the world. Harry read the rest of the article.

Sirius Black, thought to be a murderer, has been found innocent. Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has testified in a court of law that the man believed to have been responsible for killing Peter Pettigrew and twelve others, is indeed innocent. As proof, Professor Dumbledore retrieved a paper bearing the signatures of James and Lily Potter, stating that their secret-keeper was indeed Peter Pettigrew and not Sirius Black. Upon closer examination of the finger of Peter Pettigrew that was found on the street where he was supposedly murdered, officials have declared that the finger was cut off and not hexed.

A note, written by Pettigrew to Mr. Remus Lupin in their fifth year, was also found. It stated that Peter had decided to become a rat for the illegal Animagus transformation that he, James Potter, and Black were to complete later the following year. This along with a photograph of "Scabbers," a rat now known to have been Pettigrew, formerly belonging to Arthur Weasley, head of the Department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts, resolved the case in the favor of Black. He will to be set free from all charges formerly given to him and paid the amount of 1,000,000 galleons to make up for the years he has already spent in Azkaban.
"We are unspeakably sorry for the damage we have done to this innocent man's life," an official said in a press conference yesterday evening. "We know that we can not completely make up for what we have done, but we hope to make some kind of repayment."
A grinning Black was also interviewed, and when asked what he planned to do now that he is free, he stated that he would take custody of his godson, Harry Potter, as soon as he could find a place to live. The best of luck to Black in his new life.

Harry trembled with excitement. He was going to go and live with Sirius? He was thrilled with enthusiasm.

Harry jumped at a sudden knock at the door. He wondered if he should open it, thinking the Dursleys might be angry if he did. But then he comprehended the fact that he wouldn't be living with the Dursleys much longer, so with a grin on his face, Harry Potter went to the front hall and flung the door of number four, privet drive, wide open.