Special thanks to my beta-reader, Kayleigh

Friend or Foe

Chapter 1 – Padfoot and Moony Return

Harry quickened his pace, his hand still clutching the note tightly. He did not know why Dumbledore wanted to see him. It was several hours after the Welcoming Feast and he was dead tired. Harry just hoped that it had nothing to do with Voldemort. He did not have many dreams about the Dark Lord since the third task of the Triwizard Tournament, which was a good thing. At least he could have a few more days of dreamless sleep. Dumbledore's urgent summon made him suspect there was something wrong in the link between Voldemort and himself. Maybe it was the reason why he could not feel anything.

He was so deep in thought that he nearly bumped his head on the gargoyle, which was guarding the entrance of Dumbledore's office. Harry gave the password, and the gargoyle slid aside, revealing the staircase. He climbed the stairs quickly and knocked on the door.

"Come in," the Headmaster said gently.

Harry opened the door and stepped inside. He was about to ask what was the matter, when someone tackled him from behind.

"Oof!" He fell onto the floor with a crash. He tried to free himself from the attacker's tight embrace but failed pathetically. The attacker was much stronger than him.

"Harry! I miss you so much!" cried the unknown attacker.

Harry recognized the voice at once. It was Sirius. The boy even struggled harder.

"Hey! Geroff me!" Harry cried in an undignified manner.

Sirius grinned ear from ear while he released his godson from his tight grip. Harry scrambled to his feet and tried to straighten his robe. He looked quite baffled, but he blushed as he saw the Headmaster beaming at him.

"Don't you miss me too?" Sirius asked in a mock hurt tone. He gave his best puppyish look. However, Harry's reply was out of his expectation.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? TURNING UP LIKE THIS? YOU COULD HAVE BEEN SEEN! DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO AZKABAN, SIRIUS BLACK?" Harry practically screeched at the top of his lungs.

Sirius seemed to shrink and wince every time Harry started a new sentence. He had never seen a scolding Harry before.

"Oh sweet Merlin! You're starting to sound like Lily," sounded a horrified voice from the door.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry cried in surprise as he turned around.

"Hello Har-" Remus never finished his sentence as he was cut off by Harry's ranting.

"YOU LET SIRIUS COME WITH YOU, PROFESSOR? DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS? SIRIUS' NAME HAS NOT YET BEEN CLEARED YET! YOU'RE GIVING ME A HEART ATTACK!"

Harry inhaled deeply, preparing for another ranting. Remus grabbed the chance and spoke loudly, "Sirius and I are okay! We come here using a Portkey!"

Harry swallowed his next sentence, looking rather sheepish.

"Oh," was all he said.

"I assure you that Sirius is perfectly safe here, Harry. I made the Portkey myself. Sirius and Remus arrived at my office an hour ago. They have not left ever since," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling behind the half-moon spectacles. Then he added, "I didn't know you could be so protective sometimes, my dear boy."

Harry flushed a brighter red this time. Remus chuckled.

"Hearing Lily's screeching from James' mouth is traumatizing enough," Sirius muttered. He earned a deadly glare from Harry. He squeaked and went to hide behind Remus.

Dumbledore watched them in amusement. It was like in old times, watching his mischievous students bicker at each other. He cleared his throat to catch the attention of his students.

"Harry, I called Sirius and Remus to Hogwarts because you need more protection. Voldemort is back, and you will be the first person he wants to get rid of," said Dumbledore seriously.

"But sir, I don't have any dreams about Voldemort-" Harry argued. He hated being watched and followed around. More importantly, he did not want to put Sirius and Remus in danger.

"Exactly," Dumbledore sighed. "Since you don't have any visions, we don't know what he is plotting. Even Severus has not been called to a meeting yet. I guess Voldemort is recuperating his strength. Once he comes to full power, he'll strike. We'd better be prepared."

Harry nodded numbly. It was true. If he had not given his blood to Voldemort…

"Harry!" Sirius' voice jerked him out of his guilty thoughts.

"Yes?" he said absentmindedly.

"Well, I'm not going to follow you as Snuffles. It's difficult to fight in my Animagus form. But I'm still going to accompany you whenever and wherever you go… as a human," Sirius emphasized at the last few words.

Harry's eyes were as wide as saucers.

"H-how?" he stuttered.

"We're going to use a De-Aging Charm. Sirius will be de-aged to his fifteen-year-old self and attend the lessons with you," Remus explained.

Harry's brows furrowed. He shook his head.

"This won't work! Sirius' mind will be de-aged to fifteen-years-old too."

"That will not be a problem, Harry. Albus has found a charm that would de-age Sirius physically, but not mentally," Remus replied and looked at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore rubbed his temples as he talked, "Yes, it is indeed a very ancient charm. To perform it successfully, the wizard or witch must put a lot of magical energy and concentration on the spell."

"What will happen if the charm is not performed correctly?" asked Harry warily.

"The victim's mind would be probably de-aged to."

Harry eyed Sirius cautiously. Sirius, however, gave him a big smile.

"Don't worry. I trust Albus' skill and talent with my soul," he assured the boy. Remus nodded his head to show his agreement as well.

"Actually, I don't mind if Sirius' brain remains at the level of a kid's. You know, seeing an ickle Sirius would be priceless," Remus joked, but yelped in pain when Sirius elbowed his ribs with an extraordinary force. Harry just smiled at the two.

"I see that you've made your decision," Dumbledore interrupted, "Do you want to perform the charm now?"

Sirius nodded his head vigorously, while Remus rolled his eyes at his friend's childish behavior. Harry looked pensively at them. He was dying to know how a mini-Sirius would look like.

"I'd take that as a yes," the Headmaster chuckled as he rose from his comfortable chair. He took out his wand and walked towards Sirius. He waved it once to move the furniture aside, and leaned against the chair nearby for support.

"Ready?"

At Sirius' resolute nod, Dumbledore pointed his wand at Sirius and said, "Præter

Ætas!"

Praeter Aetas: Past age

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