Chapter 63

An impudent ray of sunlight woke Sirius up earlier than he wanted to. He yawned heartily and stretched as all of a sudden he recognized something next to him.

He poked his finger into the little heap next to him. A part of his mind expected a prank from James or Remus, but the reality was even more disturbing.

He heard a grunting noise from underneath the sheets, which moved slightly.

"Who ever you are, you bloody bastard, you better get out of my bed or you will regret the day your mother brought you into this world" Sirius shouted and reached for his wand.

Then the sheets moved down a little and a shock of dark hair appeared followed by a set of sparkling eyes.

"No need to be so unkindly, my dear Sirius" Lady Tanya said cheekily. "It was a little bit chilly in my painting and I was afraid I would get sick. I thought you wouldn't mind to share the warm covers with me. I was a good girl, I promise."

Sirius just pointed his wand at her, opening and closing his mouth like a fish on dry land

So much insolence put even a marauder to shame.

"Next time you feel cold my lady, I would be delighted to provide you with a blanket to keep you warm in your painting. However, if you ever sneak into my bed like that, I cannot guarantee for anything. You are dead already, my dear and this morning you almost had me just as far."

"Oh that wouldn't be such a bad thing, but I would prefer the living Sirius nevertheless"

The marauder could do nothing but grin. He got out of the bed and put his black satin dressing gown over his pyjamas.

"Now would you care to explain how you got out of that bloody painting?"

Lady Tanya looked quite uncomfortable and started to stutter "I-I-I'd rather not"

Sirius raised his eyebrows at her and tapped his foot impatiently.

"You're going to tell me now, or I will go straight to Albus and we'll see if he can make you talk"

"Ruddy squealer" she growled and left the bed. "Alright, but you have to promise me that you're not talking to Albus about it. You know how it is to be locked up although haven't done anything wrong. You've spent 12 years in Azkaban for a crime you didn't commit and two more years on the run. I spent 800 years locked up in that bloody painting just because I wanted to survive."

She paced back and forth in front of Sirius, her hands clenched to fists between the folds of her red dress and a grim expression on her face as she continued.

"From all of my descendants only Albus ever found out the spell to get me out of my painting and he only does it on special occasions. I am so tired of being imprisoned and I want to come and go as I please at least among friends. So I followed you to your grandfather's lab last night unnoticed and created a saving crystal. It can store every spell and you can use it as you like without a wand. As Albus cast the return spell on me last night, I captured it with the crystal. This is how I got out of the painting."

Sirius had listened very diligently and he could feel her pain

He walked up to her and hugged her tightly.

"I'm not going to tell anyone as long as you swear to me that you're not using your ability for anything that could harm my friends or anyone close to me"

She looked up at him and said in a slightly hurt voice "I'd never do such a thing"

He smiled at her and stroked her cheek, before he left for the bathroom.

Kimberly had decided to stay at headquarters. Kayla and Kelsey's parents were expected for today, but the children had no idea. It was supposed to be a surprise.

Molly and Arthur had planned a short trip to Hogwarts to meet their son Charlie and had left already when she entered the kitchen,

Quickly she prepared some eggs, bacon and toast along with some tea as Sirius came downstairs still chuckling quietly.

Kimberly smiled at him warmly as he settled down at the kitchen table. "Care to have breakfast with me?" she said and filled a plate for him.

Sirius took it gratefully and beamed at her.

"Did you enjoy yourself yesterday?" she asked.

"Immensely! This has been the best Christmas I had since I left Hogwarts."

"It was really joyful... maybe the last one before the great blast"

Sirius expression darkened immediately as the thoughts what they all most likely had to face soon re-entered his mind.

"Do you have a date for your trial yet?" Kimberly inquired.

"No... not yet. Albus hopes that it won't be before we had a chance to have our go on Voldemort. To prove my innocence, we either need Pettigrew dead or alive or James has to witness. This however could jeopardize everything. Voldemort is not supposed to know yet that the Potters have survived. Lily is researching an ancient spell which might defeat Voldemort forever"

Kimberly had listened curiously while she sipped her tea.

"I trust if Voldemort would find out now that Lily and James are still alive, he would try to correct this 'mistake' immediately. I hope it's not going to take much longer until Lily has all the details, because I don't know how long we can keep it a secret"

"I know" Sirius said calmly. The food in front of him was cold now, so he just absentmindedly tipped the plate with his wand and muttered a warming spell.

They both ate in silence as all of a sudden they heard someone banging against the front door.

Sirius flinched terribly and his face paled several shades.

"Who's making such hell of a noise? Has nobody taught them any manners?" Kimberly ranted and hurried towards the kitchen door.

Sirius decided that he would not let her go alone and followed her into the hallway.

His mother's screams were echoing in the entrance hall and they pulled the curtains back before Sirius stepped to the door.

That would have been very welcoming to hear an old hag scream profanities from the top of her lungs as soon as you enter the house.

As soon as Mrs Black's screams had ended, Sirius opened the door and just seconds later, auburn curls almost suffocated him.

Kimberly stared at the woman, who was hugging Sirius as if her life was depending on it, for a split second before she knew what was going on.

"Nicole?"

"Yes my dear Kimberly... we finally arrived here safe and sound. Let us in quickly now; I'm not sure, but I had the feeling someone was following us."

The red-haired witch finally let go of Sirius and hugged her friend fiercely, kissing her on both cheeks, while Sirius peeked out of the door, but couldn't see anyone suspicious.

A tall black wizard followed her inside and was immediately greeted by Kimberly and Sirius.

"Come in the kitchen and have a cup of tea. The kids are still sleeping so you can catch your breath first before they will attack you" Kim said and led the way into the kitchen while Sirius had to tame his mother's portrait once again.

"A very charming person, isn't she?" Floyd said sarcastically and pointed at the screaming painting.

"Yes she's such a dear" Kimberly replied and they both started laughing heartily, what send Mrs Black in another tirade about blood-traitors, scum, filth and other pleasantries.

They sat down at the kitchen table and Sirius offered them tea and breakfast.

Nicole declined the food politely and conjured herself a cup of coffee while her husband piled eggs and bacon on his plate.

"I'm so glad you could take this break and visit" Sirius said happily. "We haven't seen each other since Lily's and James' wedding.

"Where are they by the way?" Floyd asked curiously.

"Lily went to see Alice Longbottom at St Mungo's and James seems to still be sleeping"

"No he's not" said a grumbling voice behind them.

James had just entered the kitchen. His hair, which wasn't tidy on the best of days, was now worse than ever. It looked like he had been struck by lightning.

Still in his dressing gown he scuffled over to the table, sat down and buried his head in his hands.

"I'm never... never ever in my whole entire life... going to play a drinking game with a half giant again" he said regretfully.

"Headache?" Kim said pitifully. Sirius chuckled and said "Isn't that obvious?"

"Oh I might have something here to help you. It's a muggle medicine and they call it APSERIN" Floyd said enthusiastically and searched his pockets. "You need to try it. You find no better potion than that in the whole wizarding world"

"It's called A-S-P-erin my dear" his wife corrected him and conjured a biscuit to go with her coffee.

"You're right... I know I had some with me when I left"

"You better not let the Slytherin git hear what you said about the muggle potion" Sirius snorted.

"Slytherin git? Who would that be?" the black wizard asked.

"Severus Snape, the potion master at Hogwarts" Kimberly explained. "And you know you shouldn't call him that" she scolded Sirius.

"Oh old Snivellus...yes... I need to have a word with him about Kelsey's accident" Nicole growled. "I can't believe he let that Malfoy boy get away with it"

At this moment they heard a scream followed of a painful yelp.

"MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM"

James groaned and pressed his hands over his ears. This was exactly what he needed with this terrible headache... a screaming teenager.

Kelsey was all but flying down the steps and through the open kitchen door, not giving a second thought about the screams of Sirius mother, which had started over again due to the disturbance.

Sirius sighed heavily and went to shut her up once more.

Kelsey was hugging his mother tightly and had already started to tell her everything that had happened while Kayla was hanging on her fathers' arm, beaming at him happily.

"Hey son, give your old dad a hug" Floyd said and Kelsey greeted his father with a cheeky grin.

Floyd and Nicole told their children, what they had been doing since they had parted at the beginning of term, or at least that part of information they were allowed to pass on.

Right in the middle of their conversation, the flames in the fireplace turned green and Lily entered the kitchen followed by Tonks.

Nicole let out a squeak of delight as she recognized her cousin.

Lily's mood lightened up immediately and she enfolded the other woman in a warm embrace.

Back at the table James peeked through his hands at his wife and sighed.

Then Floyd remembered that he still hadn't given him the pain reliever and rummaged through his pockets once more.

He handed James a small white pill and ordered him to swallow it with some water.

"It might be better if you go to bed until your headache is better, my dear" Lily said and smiled mischievously.

Her husband nodded mutely, only to regret it immediately as a new wave of pain rushed through his head.

"I hope this muggle stuff is working soon" he mumbled before he withdrew to the bedroom.

The Warrens were using the time to catch up on all the news. Tonight would be a big meeting with all the Order members and tomorrow Floyd and Nicole would have to leave for their next assignment.

Kimberly asked Sirius if he would show her his grandfathers' private lab and he was more than happy to do so.

Harry had just entered the kitchen and greeted his mom with a peck on the cheek.

After he had been introduced to the twins' parents, Lily called him over to have some breakfast.

"Would you like to go to the Dursleys and get the rest of your belongings?"

"Today?" Harry said surprised.

"Of course today. We could leave right after you finished your breakfast."

Harry beamed at the thought of how the Dursleys would react if they would show up so soon again.

"Do you think Hermione could come with us?" Harry asked his mother. "She's muggle born and she could help carrying. It might be easier on them as when we show up with the whole wizarding community again"

"You might be right, Harry" Lily replied and ruffled her son's hair.

As on cue Hermione joined them in the kitchen.

The Warrens had left for a trip to the "Wizarding Museum of Science" so the three were alone.

Harry filled her in on the plan and as soon as Hermione had had a bit of toast they were ready to go.

"There's just one problem, mom...how are we going to get there?"

"The floo network of course"

"The fireplace of the Dursleys is not connected to it. Mr Weasley tried it before and it was a disaster. They have an electrical substitute that blocks the fireplace so that's not an option."

"Oh Harry, we're not going directly to 4 Privet Drive. We're going to visit an old friend of mine first"

Harry gave her a questioning look.

"Arabella Figg... I trust you know her"

"Isn't that he neighbor that used to baby-sit you?" Hermione questioned.

They both looked flabbergasted at Harry's mom, who just chuckled.

"What? Do you think we have left you all alone with my crazy sister?"

"So who exactly is Mrs Figg?"

"She is a friend of Dumbledore, who has agreed to watch over you while you live at Privet Drive, Harry"

The boy stilled looked thunderstruck. This Christmas break has been like a never ending riddle. Every time he thought he had figured out everything, there was something new.

Just like now.

"You will hear everything when we get there" Lily said airily and shooed them to the fireplace.

A few moments later they reached the house of Arabella Figg.

Harry almost didn't recognize it. It was clean and smelled like fresh laundry and not like cats and old cabbage as he remembered.

"Lily! How wonderful to see you, my dear" Mrs Figg cheered as she welcomed them warmly.

Harry gaped at her but Arabella just laughed.

"I know Harry; it's quite different than the last time you've been here"

Harry just nodded and continued gaping.

His old babysitter wasn't wearing her regular dressing gown and slippers, but a pretty dress with flower pattern and white high heels.

Several cats were lying on the couch, in front of the window and few of them were pacing through the room elegantly.

"How about you stay for some tea and we talk about the good old days" Arabella suggested.

"When we get back from Petunia we will, dear. I want to get that over with first and I'm sure after another encounter with my darling sister, I can use some good tea"

Hermione looked around at the snow covered gardens in front of the houses as they turned into Privet Drive. It looked a lot like her own muggle neighbourhood but the few people, they passed on their way to number 4, were unfriendly and shooting them nasty glances.

She knew that, thanks to the Dursleys, Harry had a horrible reputation and most of the neighbors considered him weird or downright dangerous, but she would have never expected this open hostility.

When they arrived at the house with the number 4, Lily rang the doorbell.

Petunia opened and actually managed a genuine smile, which was definitely an improvement to her horse-like face.

She invited them in and they proceeded into the dining room.

"I would like you to meet Harry's friend Hermione" Lily said as she introduced the Gryffindor perfect.

"I'm very pleased to meet you, Mrs Dursley" Hermione said politely as she shook the hand of Harry's aunt.

Petunia eyed the girl suspiciously, but relaxed immediately as Hermione inquired about the new espresso maker on the kitchen counter.

This girl has obviously been raised in the normal world and knew how to behave around non-magical people.

She offered her guests some tea and biscuits and excused her husband's absence, who already had left for work.

Then they heard somebody stomping down the steps and Dudley entered a few seconds later. Without giving the visitors a second glance, he proceeded to the refrigerator.

"Good morning Dudley. You're still too overweighed, so it's just celery for you my dear" the friendly female voice of the refrigerator cheered and the door popped open.

Dudley stared at the content disbelievingly and whined "MOOOM", before he slammed the door shut furiously.

Petunia looked pitifully at her son and said to Hermione "May I introduce you to my son Dudley"

"Be a good lad and say hello to Hermione"

Dudley scuffled over to the Gryffindor girl and then for the first time he actually looked at her.

"H-Hello" he mumbled and his pig-like face turned crimson.

Harry choked on his tea as he watched his cousin's odd behavior.

"Very nice to meet you, Dudley. Harry has told me a lot about you" Hermione said friendly.

Dudley chanced a glance at his cousin who was grinning mischievously and stared down at his feet.

The desperate attempt to pull in his large belly made his face turn the color of a ripe tomato.

"Dudley, be a dear and sit down here with mommy"

He obeyed his mother's wish and sat down opposite of Hermione.

"I hope you and your family had pleasant holidays Mrs Dursley" the Gryffindor perfect asked, turning a giggle into a cough at the last moment when she recognized Dudley glaring daggers at the refrigerator.

"Oh it was quite enjoyable my dear" Petunia muttered. "So what is the reason for your early return to my humble home, dear sister?"

"Oh we just stopped by to pick up Harry's things. I trust you will be pleased to hear, that he's not going to be a burden to you and your family"

Petunia flinched slightly, but didn't reply. She could here the unspoken criticism and anger in her sisters' voice.

"We're not going to occupy your precious time for long, Petunia. Hermione can stay here with Dudley and you, Harry and I can pack everything"

Petunia led the way to the smaller bedroom, which had been occupied by Harry for the last few years.

"So you go to the same school as him?" Dudley asked Hermione excitedly.

This girl was so pretty and she looked smart. He wondered how close his cousin and she really were.

"Yes, I'm in his year and house at Hogwarts" the Gryffindor replied.

"You said that Harry has told you about me...what exactly did he tell you?"

"Oh, quite a bit. Mostly about how you and your cronies made his life miserable."

Dudley flinched and stared at Hermione's tea cup.

"You know, you should learn about the wizarding world. Some of your relatives are wizards after all. I'm muggle born and I also had no idea that I was a witch, but when I received my letter I started reading everything I could find about magic. Hogwarts: A History was very informative."

"You never made any strange things happen before you knew you could do magic?"

"Oh yes, unwillingly. My parents are dentists and they never allowed me any sweets. So the last Halloween before I started Hogwarts, I transfigured my tooth brush into a candy cane because I was so upset."

"Oh I see. How do these people at this school know you are a witch, when your parents are normal?"

Hermione wondered where all of a sudden Dudley's interest in magic came from. He was as un-dursley-ish as he could be at the moment and that was weird. She doubted that just one encounter with his magical relatives would have changed his whole attitude about the wizarding world.

"Has it ever happened before that they didn't recognize someone was... you know...uhm"