HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.

New character: Mimi, a house-elf.

Chapter 28 – Harry sixth year – New Life

            Although blood flowed through his veins and air penetrated his lungs Sirius didn't open his open. He was still unconscious and Harry felt afraid. What if he couldn't wake up? They had to take him somewhere to make sure he survived. Before he could even say anything a familiar voice came from the door to that room.

" I see you have succeeded. Now we shall take him to the Hospital Wing. There he can rest and recover his strength." Said Dumbledore.

 He was standing in the door with Tonks and Kingsley right beside him. The two Aurors and Lupin picked Sirius's up and left the Department. Iris took the box back from Hermione then she and the kids followed Dumbledore. While the carrying group Disapparated to Hogwarts, the others went by Floo Network. The Thestrals were no longer outside so they really had no choice.

 Sirius was immediately taken to the Hospital Wing where a very concerned Madam Pomfrey awaited. She beckoned them to place him on one of the empty beds and rushed to get some potions. Iris stopped her.

" I have here what he needs. These five potions are the only ones necessary." She said holding the box.

 Madam Pomfrey was not happy about being told how to take care of her patient but she took the box non-the less.

" Just follow the order, one per day. In five days he'll be up and running." Iris explained.

 Harry beamed when he heard her say that. In five days he would be talking to Sirius again. Then he remembered something.

" Wait a minute. Before he fell through the veil he was stunned. Maybe that's why he doesn't wake up." he said.

 Dumbledore approached the unconscious Sirius and muttered the counter-curse. He moved but didn't open his eyes.

" That didn't seem to work." Said Ron.

" Apparently not, Mr Weasley, but he will wake up eventually." Said Dumbledore.

 After that everyone left because Dumbledore made the kids go to bed and Madam Pomfrey didn't want anyone disturbing the rest of her patient. Iris went to her room and Lupin left with Tonks and Kingsley. Before separating the two friends hugged and Lupin thanked Iris for bringing his best friend back. He left with the promise to return the next day.

 Lupin kept his promise and returned the next day and the days that followed. He found Harry and Iris sitting by Sirius's side talking or sometimes just in silence. On the fifth day after Sirius's arrival Lupin found Iris at the entrance to the Hospital Wing.

" Why are you outside?" he asked her.

" I want him to see Harry first." She answered with a clearly fake smile on her face.

" That's not the only reason, is it?" he asked.

" Maybe not. Remus I'm afraid. What if doesn't accept me? What if he doesn't believe it's me? I don't think I can deal with his rejection."

" Rejection? I hardly believe that Sirius would ever reject you. Maybe he won't believe it's you just like I didn't believe, but you can make him change his mind like you made me. Don't give up. Go in there and show yourself."

" I can't. I need time, he needs time."
" All right. Tomorrow at his welcome back 'party' we'll see what happens."
" Ok. But you are not to introduce me as Iris. I want to see if he recognises me for who I am."
" We have an understanding. Tomorrow all will be settled. Now I'm going in."

  Lupin kissed Iris in her forehead and entered the Hospital Wing. He saw Harry laughing and heard the bark like laugh that only Sirius could achieve. He closed his eyes to make sure that the sound was real before making his way to his friend.

" Moony. Great to see you mate." Sirius said when he saw his friend.

" Hello, Padfoot, you bastard. Welcome back." Lupin said.

 The two friends hugged heartily. Sirius was different. He looked younger and much thinner. His beard and his hair were pitch black and not a single white hair was visible. Lupin was going to comment this change when Madam Pomfrey approached with food.

" Food! Great, I haven't eaten in ages. I could eat every plate in the Great Hall. Of all the four tables." Sirius said happily.
" Always exaggerating. But then again you were always the biggest eater." Commented Lupin.

" Whatever. I'm starving." Sirius said with his mouth full.

 Lupin shook his head and sat down next to Harry.

" It's great to see you like this Sirius."

" You lie like my mother. You were all glad to get rid of me. You think I don't know that?"
" What are you talking about?"

" Oh come on. Don't come with that crap. You probably threw a party to celebrate my disappearance. 'Thank God we got rid of that good for nothing wizard.'"

" You are amazing. We didn't do or say any of that. You may have not been of use to the Order but you are still my best friend. I couldn't possibly be happy about losing you. But as usual you are to thick to accept that." Lupin protested.

" Stop that both of you. No one celebrated your disappearance. We were all sad to lose you Sirius. Let's not fight over this." Harry cutted.

 Sirius returned to his eating and Lupin began to appreciate the beauty of the Wing's floor tiles.

" So when are you going home?" Harry asked.

" According to Madam Pomfrey tomorrow. All I need is a good night sleep and I'll be fresh to go." Sirius answered between spoons full of food.

 After Sirius finished eating Dumbledore appeared.

" I see you are fully awake and enjoying the pleasures of life. When do you intend on leaving?"

" Tomorrow."
" Very well. Enjoy your stay here."

 He left with a smile and a wince towards Harry. He wasn't sure he understood the reason for that wince but he shrugged it off. When he looked back at his godfather he was surprised to see that he was sleeping peacefully. Harry and Lupin left him to sleep.

            On the next day everything was ready for Sirius's return to #12 Grimmauld Place. He however was not very inclined to go.

" Do I really have to?" he asked Lupin in a very childish way.

" Sirius I have a lot to do. Don't waste my time. Now let's go."
" I don't wanna. And you can't make me."

" Honestly Sirius. I'm lead to believe that you have gone back in time and are becoming more childish every day. Now move your lazy butt."
" You're a meanie. I don't like you." Sirius said and pouted.

" If this is a joke it's not funny. Grow up Sirius."

 Sirius sighed and scratched his beard.

" Why do I have a beard? I'm too young for a beard. Right?" he asked, acting like a child.

 Lupin was scared. Very scared. Terrified in fact. This was not happening.

" Who are you and what did you do with my friend?" he asked frightened.

" I'm Sirius Black and I'm screwing with you." Sirius answered laughing.

 Then he gave Lupin another reason to be terrified. He continued laughing, the thing was: it was an insane laughter and didn't seem to stop anytime soon.

" Sirius cut that out. I have work to do. And it was not that funny."

 Sirius eventually stopped laughing like a maniac and made to follow his friend. He was going home, even though he really didn't want to. The mere prospective of seeing Kreacher was enough to make him sick. This thought was enough for him to not notice that he was now in front of #12 Grimmauld Place.

                 The house was silent when they entered. Not a soul was moving when the lights were turned on by Lupin's wand. Sirius looked for the figure of Kreacher standing in front of his mother's portrait but he saw nothing.

" Hungry, Sirius?" Lupin asked.

" Yes. A bit."
" Come to the kitchen and I'll make you something."

" Remus Lupin cooking for me? There must be something wrong with the world." Sirius commented.

" I like you too, Sirius. Come on." Lupin said while making his way to the kitchen.

" Where's that bloody creature, Kreacher? (no pun intended)"

" He's gone. A person got rid of him."

" Seriously?" Sirius asked incredulous.

" Yes, seriously."
" Brilliant. Doesn't this place look great?" he asked with a huge grin on his face.

 Lupin shook his head and continued his walk to the kitchen. Sirius was following unaware of what he was going to find. Or to be more precise whom he was going to find. The moment he stepped into the kitchen he saw them. The Weasleys, 'Mad-Eye', Tonks, Kingsley and every other member of the Order were there ready to greet him.

" Welcome back Sirius." Mrs Weasley said and she hugged.

" You are one lucky bastard, Black. Not everyone can escape from two inescapable places. You're my hero." Said 'Mad-Eye'.

" Join us for a snack, cousin." Tonks said brightly.

 Sirius was speechless. He willingly joined the celebration but he felt someone was missing. Harry. As to stop him from thinking about that he felt something tugging his robe. He looked down and saw the cutest house-elf he had ever seen. It looked young and its eyes were big and green.

" Hello, Master. My name is Mimi and I now serve the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Mimi hopes that she can do a better job than your previous elf, sir." The house-elf said. Her voice was a bit high pitched but it was sweet.

 Sirius smiled at the house-elf and said.

" I'm sure you'll be loads better. Where did you come from, Mimi?"
" Mimi is a former servant to Professor Dumbledore and a cleaner at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, sir."

" Very well. Welcome to my home. Do you know your job?"
" Yes, sir. Mimi's job is to make sure this house is presentable and fit to live in, and to serve my Master Sirius Black in anything he wishes."

" All right then. Off you go."

 Little Mimi bowed deeply and then started to ask the guests if they wanted something. Sirius was happy with his new house-elf. But he had the impression that maybe Hermione wasn't going to be so fond of her.

 Once again his thoughts were ripped from his head by a new arrival. He looked at the kitchen door and his mouth fell. Placed against the blackness of the wall and framed by the doorframe was someone he knew. And it wasn't just Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. He could be mistaken but the woman near them was sure to be Iris, the woman he had once loved and possibly still loved.

TBC

            Tchan, tchan, tchan, tchan. Another one all done. Hope you liked it. (I'm becoming repetitive at this right?)

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            To harryofkorea, Achilles4, Achilles (not sure if these two are the same person), hpcrazy, sheepie (the story is mainly a Sirius/Iris story but it will include Sirius/Harry. I mean they are godfather and godson. They have a relationship. Hope I got rid of your confusion), laffytaffygirl, The One Who Doesn't Exsist (thanks for the info, but my books aren't in english so I don't know the real 'measures'. But thanks anyway.), ANNE( v )79, zdanz, radarPLO, Safeworld, a1s2d3f4, I lov Redheads w/ Fangs, Captain Oblivious, SiobhanBlack2, DavidCamp, lovevanillacreme, Colorful Snake Plants, Laterose, BBOO, The Lady Wolfshead and Geminia, you guys rule. You are the best of the best. I love you all. I'm so happy that you like my story and that you have reviewed. Thanks, it means a lot to me.

 Stay tuned for more chapters.

 Cheers.

This is out of context but I just have to tell someone fast. I can't stop listening to the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King soundtrack. I'm addicted. Can someone suggest a remedy for this? Thanks.