Chapter Four: Back To Privet Drive

Summary: Fourth chapter. Forty-five to go. That about sums it up.

Harry fell out of the fireplace amid a cloud of dust and ash. He hated traveling by Floo powder almost as much as he disliked traveling by portkey and firmly resolved to ask Sirius if he couldn't help him learn how to apparate during the summer.

"Well now," a kindly voice snapped Harry out of his thoughts. "You're about the last person I expected to see falling out of my fireplace this summer, Harry."

Harry turned quickly to the voice.

Remus Lupin stood next to the fireplace, offering Harry a hand as he struggled to his feet.

"Professor Lupin!" Harry cried happily as he hugged his former teacher.

Like Sirius, Lupin looked a good deal healthier than the last time Harry had seen him. But with Lupin, it seemed almost anything was an improvement. He didn't harbor the constant tired look that had almost seemed to characterize him while he was teaching at Hogwarts. His hair, Harry noted, was it's usual brown, specked with gray, but now it looked fuller, as did his face. His whole posture seemed more alive and at ease than Harry had ever seen him.

"Good to see you, Harry." Lupin replied, giving Harry a warm hug. When Harry pulled back, Lupin noticed the large, darkening bruise on his cheek.

"Harry!" Lupin exclaimed, "What happened?"

Harry quickly turned to the carpet. "It's nothing," He mumbled, looking for a quick distraction. He found it in something he's nearly forgotten. Harry turned back to the fireplace. "Sirius should be coming soon."

But Lupin shook his head and waved off the comment. "Don't worry about getting in your godfather's way when he lands, Harry," Lupin stated. "That could be days from now."

"Days? What do you mean?"

"You left him at Arabella's?"

"Yeah."

Lupin shook his head again. "Could be a fortnight."

Before Harry could ask any further questions, a second cloud of dust rose from the fireplace, which Sirius emerged from, grumbling to himself.

"Or not," Lupin stated under his breath as he watched his friend stalk out of the room towards the kitchen, completely ignoring Harry and Lupin a he passed them.

"Hungry, Harry?" He asked, looking down at his former student.

Sirius was pacing about the kitchen when they walked in.

"Honestly, the arrogance of the woman!" he fumed.

"Now what has she done?" Lupin asked in a bored tone that sounded very much to Harry like he wasn't really interested in the answer. Nor did he seem to have need for any elaboration on who 'the woman' was."

"She had the audacity to offer to sit down with us when she gets back from seeing Dumbledore and brief us on what's been going on with Harry."

"Sounds to me like she's just interested in Harry's welfare, Sirius."

"Does the woman think I don't know what's going on in my godson's life?"

"Did you know about this then?" Lupin asked, turning Harry's cheek to Sirius.

Sirius paused in mid-step, eyeing the bruise again. But this time Harry saw something different in his godfather's eyes besides the cold anger. He saw regret, and pain for not having been able to have been there. For not having been able to stop it.

"Sirius," Lupin offered kindly, "it's one thing to be watching over the boy from a distance. Arabella is practically next door. She's bound to know things faster. And you can't fault the job she's done. She's looked after Harry as well as she could without raising suspicion"

"That's true," Harry stated, suddenly starting to call to mind all the times elderly Ms. Figg seemed to show up at exactly the right moment to rescue him from something that was either outright punishment or something close enough for Harry. Like the time she had rung the bell just as Uncle Vernon was starting into Harry for having inadvertently said 'Hogwarts' in front of him, asking if Harry might help her with moving a pot in her garden. When she had finished she had offered him a piece of cake, delaying his return home until Uncle Vernon had cooled off a bit. Or the summer the Dursley's were taking a trip up to see Aunt Marge. Ms. Figg had eagerly agreed to take Harry for the week, allowing him to stay with her.

Sirius shook his head and went back to his pacing, although there was a lot less anger in his posture now.

"It should never have happened, Remus." Sirius mumble. "This should have been stopped years ago. Arabella warned Dumbledore over and over that she saw the strong possibility of just such a thing happening. But Dumbledore refused to take Harry out of that house."

"I'm sure he had his reasons." Remus replied calmly, as always, trying to be the voice of reason.

"I should have been able to stop it." Sirius lamented to his friend.

"And what were you going to do? Apparate right in the middle of it? Expose yourself to the ministry? Get caught? Get sent back to Azkaban? That would have done Harry a lot of good, Sirius."

Sirius stared back at Lupin, then went back to his pacing, a touch of his recently dispelled anger coming back with each step. What good was he to Harry if he got caught? What good was he now? He couldn't be there for Harry. He couldn't so much as show his face without worrying about the ministry being alerted to his presence. 'Useless' was not a feeling he was comfortable with.

"Well, I think we should at least spend our time waiting for Arabella's return constructively." Remus stated with a smile. "Have all your school work done, Harry?" He asked.

Harry started to protest. How could Professor Lupin even think about school work after everything that had happened? But as soon as he opened his mouth, a sudden thought struck Harry.

"Ohmagosh!" He stated. "My books....my wand...my Firebolt! They're all still at the Dursley's!" Harry turned quickly to his godfather. "Sirius! They'll destroy all of it. We gotta save my Firebolt! Please!"

Sirius turned to Remus, raising one eyebrow with a mischievous grin. "How about it, Moony? Feel up to a rescue mission?"

Remus frowned at the suggestion. "Arabella won't like it, Sirius. And I'm not up to facing her anger today. I'm voting to wait for her return. Then I can go with her to get Harry's things and you can stay here with Harry."

Harry turned abruptly back to his godfather. "Sirius.....!" He pleaded. "My Firebolt...."

Sirius stared down at his godson's anguished face then turned back to Remus. "How can you say 'no' to him so easily?" He asked in a pitiful, defeated sounding voice.

"Because I'm his teacher, not his godfather. I'm well versed in the art of saying 'no'. Whereas you on the other hand," Lupin added with a slight smile at Sirius tone, "I doubt know the meaning of the word."

"So I'll look it up when we get back."

"I'm sure Arabella will be waiting for you with dictionary in hand." Lupin warned.

Sirius turned a pleased smile to his godson. "All right then, fellow marauder," he stated. "a rescue mission for two. Ready to return to Privet Drive?"

Harry nodded happily.

Getting back to Privet Drive was no easy task. Since Harry couldn't apparate, they were forced to first return to Arabella's house. A small argument ensued over using the portkey to get to Privet Drive, but Harry won out finally, feeling a second sudden appearance inside the house might likely be all the Dursley's could stand for one day. He felt coming in the front door might put Uncle Vernon in a better mood. Sirius wasn't much for the idea until Harry pointed out to him that the Dursley's had, one; never met Sirius, and two; still thought he was a deranged killer.

Sirius positively beamed at the possibilities. Maybe there was a way to make up for his not being there for Harry that morning.

Arriving at the Dursley's, Harry had to quicken his steps just to keep up with Sirius.

"Now nothing too drastic." Harry warned as he watched his godfather's smile spread further and further as Harry led him up the drive. "She's still my mum's sister and all."

Sirius made some brief sound of acknowledgement as they approached the front door.

Harry shook his head, then reached up and rang the doorbell. After a few minutes Aunt Petunia came to the door. She wrinkled up her nose when she saw who it was.

"So, decided to come back have you?" She stated in sharp, cut-off words. "Well, there'll be no lunch and no dinner, so you can..." But Aunt Petunia stopped suddenly as the figure behind Harry stepped into view.

"Why, hello, Petunia." Sirius stated, the smile across his face now reaching as far as it would go. "It has been a long time."

Aunt Petunia pulled back with a hand pressed over her heart. "Sirius Black!" She squeaked. "They...they have your picture on the television...for murder. I always knew it!" She stated, her voice suddenly growing much steadier as she gave him a hard stare. "You were always no good. Running around with that gang of yours."

"Excuse me!" Harry put in suddenly, turning to his godfather. "You know Aunt Petunia?"

"Oh yes." Aunt Petunia answered, nearly spitting it at them. "And a retched boy he was. Always came hanging around our house with that gang of his."

Sirius turned to Harry. "While your dad was dating your mum, James, Remus, Peter, and I used to visit at her parents house during the summers. Naturally I would run into your charming aunt here. And you're still as charming as ever, Petunia, really."

"Nothing good will ever come of your kind." Aunt Petunia stated, shaking a finger in Sirius' face. "That boy is just one example, and you're another. A free-loader and a murderer."

Harry had expected some sort of retaliation by his godfather long before this. But when he glanced up at Sirius, he saw nothing more than a bemused sort of expression playing across his face, which was suddenly making Harry very nervous.

"Honestly, Petunia," Sirius replied cordially, "did you ever give thought to the possibility that you just never got to know any of us?"

"Know any of you?" Aunt Petunia stated. "I've been living with that boy for fourteen years. And he's never been anything but trouble. Always weird things happening around here. And you can bet he was always at the bottom of it."

Uncle Vernon's voice abruptly called from inside the house. "Petunia? Who's at the door?"

Aunt Petunia seemed to give the question a few seconds thought. "It's no one, Vernon." She replied, taking Harry completely by surprise. All the while he noticed that her gaze never left his godfather. "Just someone asking directions." She leaned a little further out the door, practically in Sirius' face. "And I'm going to give you some right now. Get out of my yard and as far from here as you can and I'll forget I ever saw you. Now leave!"

Aunt Petunia almost closed the door on them when Sirius held up his hand and stopped her.

"Why, Petunia," He stated with his characteristic charming smile, "I wouldn't dream of leaving without meeting your charming husband."

Aunt Petunia paled. "You wouldn't dare!"

Just then Uncle Vernon stepped up behind Aunt Petunia. "Petunia? Is anything wrong?"

Sirius took advantage of the momentary distraction to push past Aunt Petunia into the house, with Harry following quickly behind him.

"Vernon Dursley!" Sirius stated with a smile that was equal to the one he had greeted Aunt Petunia with. "Sirius Black. Harry's godfather. I don't believe we've met, but I've been meaning to have a little chat with you."

Sirius draped a firm arm over the shoulders of a stunned, speechless, and rapidly paling Uncle Vernon and directed him back into the house. Harry followed behind, closing the door after them as Aunt Petunia ran down the hallway after her husband.

"And this must be Dudley!" Harry heard Sirius call from the livingroom as he steered Uncle Vernon into it. "How are you, Dudley?"

Harry started for the livingroom when his godfather's voice stopped him.

"Harry?" Sirius called. "Go and get your things. We won't be a minute here. Be sure your ready to leave."

Harry nervously looked down the hallway, then turned and headed up the stairs to get his things. He had no doubt that Sirius wouldn't really go to far and actually hurt the Dursley's, but his godfather's views of what was and wasn't 'too far' were a bit hazy sometimes in Harry's opinion.

A few minutes later Harry came trudging back down the stairs, his trunk in tow as it thumped down the stairs after him.

"Sirius, I'm ready." he called anxiously to the unnatural quiet that suddenly had settled on the house.

But within seconds his godfather came out of the livingroom. Harry couldn't help but notice he had his wand in his hand.

"All ready then?" He asked, directing Harry to the door. "We should get back to Remus house. He's really a horrible worrier."

Harry gave a nervous glance back down the hallway toward the livingroom, but then followed Sirius out of the house.

Stepping outside, Harry quickly abandoned his concerns for the Dursley's as he began instead to worry about the return trip home. They still had to walk to Arabella's house. What if the Dursley's called the police? They might arrive before Harry and Sirius could get to a fire and return to Lupin's house.

But when he stepped out of the house he was absolutely shocked to see a large black motorcycle sitting in the drive. He was even more delight when Sirius led him right up to it.

"Like it?" Sirius asked as he shifted Harry's trunk onto the back.

"This is yours?" Harry exclaimed, giving the bike an admiring look.

"Whose else?" Sirius acknowledged with a wide grin. "Seeing as you were so uncomfortable with the other forms of travel, I had Remus send it here after I left his house. The perfect way to travel back to his house." Sirius suddenly looked about nervously. "And I think it's well past time we were headed there. Up you go, Harry."

Sirius helped Harry settle himself onto the motorcycle's seat, then climbed on behind him and started the engine. Harry could feel the powerful engine roar to life under him, then settle into a contented purring sound. Within seconds they were skirting over the clouds, headed back to Remus Lupin's house.

As the bike gained altitude at a surprising rate, Harry turned his face back to Sirius.

"Ah, Sirius," He began slowly, "you didn't...do anything...really bad back there, did you?"
Sirius looked shocked. "You mean hurt them?" He asked. "Harry, what sort of man do you think I am?"

"Then what did you do?"
"Just made sure I let your aunt and uncle know what I thought of their kind treatment of you over the past fourteen years."

"Which was...?"

"Oh....something I think it'll take the magic reversal squad quite a while to sort out." Sirius replied, barely containing his delight.

"What did you do to them?" Harry repeated.

"Well, your uncle was stammering around the room like some kind of stupid bull, trying to sound threatening, your aunt was sitting there squawking like some idiot parrot, and your cousin was sitting there like the fat little pig he is. Now, what would you have done?"

Harry sat for a few seconds with his mouth open. "Sirius! You didn't!"

"Yup!"

Harry buried his face in his hands and shook his head. But with a sudden thought he turned back to his godfather.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked.

Sirius shrugged. "You never asked."

"And what was the deal with her letting you go? I'd have thought she's have been on the phone to the police the first chance she got?"

"Ah..., well, Harry, you see," Sirius stated quietly, "you remember your aunt rambling about all those times your dad, Remus, Peter, and I came over to the house?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, you see, your aunt sort of....well, liked me."

Harry's eyes grew wide. "Aunt Petunia?"
"Well, that was before she knew what I was. 'One of those kind'." Sirius said, doing a halfway good imitation, Harry thought, of his aunt. "I guess her trying to get us to leave before anyone else realized we were there was sort of 'for old times sake'." Sirius shrugged. "Or maybe she just didn't want the publicity?"

Harry laughed. "That would have been the highlight of her year, getting her picture in the paper for capturing you." Harry stated.

Sirius shrugged again. "Hard to know what motivates people sometimes. You cold?" He asked.

Harry shook his head and settled back in the seat. Leaning back against his godfather, Harry could easily wrap himself in the loose material of Sirius' robe, which served to keep him quite warm.

The ride back to the house ended far to soon for Harry's liking. But he had to admit he had been getting tired and several times had found Sirius grabbing his arm as he teetered on the motorcycle's seat. Finally Sirius had resorted to wrapping one arm about him to make sure he didn't fall off. A gesture that had left Harry feeling as secure and protected as he could ever remember in his life.

When Sirius and Harry arrived back a Remus' house, they were met by a very timid looking Remus and a very angry looking Arabella. In her hands she held a large book, which was opened about half way through the pages. Her finger sat poised over an entry in the book. As Sirius stepped closer he saw that the book was a dictionary, which was opened to the 'N's'. Her finger sat perched above the word 'NO'.

Sirius turned a sheepish grin to Arabella. "Now, 'Bella...." He started quietly, trying his level best to sound charming.

But Arabella cut him off sharply as she snapped the book shut under his nose.

"Learn to use the word, Sirius!" She practically yelled at him. "What did you two think you were playing at, hey? Harry's actions are almost excusable, Sirius. He doesn't fully understand the danger. But you! I'm shock! That is your godson! You are suppose to be taking care of him. Not running off to have some stupid game!"

"'Bella..."

Arabella looked as though she were somewhere between a full blown rage and complete hysterics. "How could you!" She yelled. "How could you do something so completely irresponsible! Dammit, you're not sixteen anymore, Sirius. And you're not just going to get detention if you get caught this time!"

Sirius looked stunned. "I'm sorry, 'Bella." He replied sincerely. "We didn't mean to frighten you. But it was necessary to get Harry's things."

"Then you should have waited for me to come back. I would have gone. Do you even remotely understand how dangerous it was for you to leave here? Do you have any concept of it?"

"No, 'Bella." Sirius replied, his whole mood darkening suddenly. "I hid in a cave and ate rats for months because I have no idea the danger I'm in. I just did that for 'fun'."

"Well," Arabella breathed softly, though none of the anger had left her tone or her expression, "that's exactly how you're acting."

And with that Arabella turned sharply on her heel and stormed off.

Harry stared up at his godfather. "I'm sorry, Sirius." He said quietly.

Sirius laid a hand on Harry's shoulder, giving him a slight smile. "It's all right, Harry," he reassured him. "Arabella is just a little tense. She'll calm down. You'll see."