Disclaimer: If I owned any of this, would I be here right now? No. I'd be sitting on a beach in Thailand by an extremely expensive resort sipping on one of those cocktails with the funky little umbrella things and writing the Half Blood Prince. Comprendere?

Chapter Ten: Temporary Asylum

Why do we never know enough of happy ends?

Why do they never show?

All the times that we have been so good and caring

How many times we'll never know.

From 'Think Twice…" by Groove Armada

The next few days were spent in a dreamy haze of bliss, Sirius and Anna locked up in their room, emerging only to peruse the kitchen and toilet, while the rest of the household, namely Harry, Remus, Hermione, Ron and Ginny (the last three of which who were only staying for the first week of holidays) recovered from the wedding.

But a harsh reality check came on Monday.

As Anna poured their morning coffee into numerous chipped mugs, lightly discussing the Arithmatic elements of Occlumency with Hermione, a small brown owl flew into the room to deliver the Daily Prophet.

"So when do you think we'll start the Animagi training?" Harry asked his godfather.

"Soon," Sirius answered. "I talked to Dumbledore about it briefly at the wedding and he said – "

But Harry never found out what it was that Dumbledore had said, as at that moment Remus let out a surprised gasp, and not even a microsecond later, Anna dropped the coffee pot she was carrying onto the floor, a hand immediately shooting up to clutch at her heart.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her urgent voice portraying a chilling ambience of dread.

In answer, he unfolded the paper and laid it flat on the table, where the bold headline hit the others like a cold wave of water.

BRUTAL MASSACRE ROCKS MUGGLE WORLD

The colossal massacre that shook the Muggle World late last night was confirmed early this morning as work of He Who Must Not Be Named and his Death Eater tangent.

At eleven o'clock last night, hordes of Death Eaters and Dark Creatures flooded the streets of Surrey, where they began to brutally murder and wound countless Muggles. The death toll reaching well above 70, the Muggle government, after close discussion with newly appointed Amelia Bones as Ministress of Magic and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Arthur Weasley told the public the attack was instated by an unknown terrorist group.

This mass destruction at the hands of He Who Must Not Be Named bears a close resemblance to the attacks instigated by the very same organization many years ago, during his first reign of power in the 1970's.

The Ministry has assured us that they are doing all that they can discover and punish those that committed this crime, but understand that much worse can be expected as the Wizarding World struggles to bring He Who Must Not Be Named to justice.

"We are doing all that we can to find the culprits who took part in this heinous act," the Ministress said late last night at a press conference. "An attack of this magnitude can not go ignored, but if history is any judge we must be prepared and help the Muggle public be prepared for much worse."

Harry exhaled sharply as he read the last words of the article and looked up to survey the aghast faces of his friends. Sirius and Anna, their hands clasped tightly together, were standing over Remus, equal expressions of worry swathed on all three faces. Ginny and Ron were huddled together at the oak table, their gazes drifting often to Hermione, who was, by far, the worst. Her hands were clenched firmly on the tabletop, her face white and the breath gone from her chest. Harry hated to think about how frightened she must've been for her parents.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" Ron asked, displaying a seldom seen sentiment of sensitivity.

She nodded, blinking rapidly, and forced a small smile onto her face. "Yeah. Just a bit worried about Mum and Dad."

They nodded in understanding, before Remus broke the awkward silence. "Well, I might get in touch with Professor Dumbledore, see if there's anything I can do to help him out with this." He gestured unnecessarily to the open newspaper.

Sirius gave a swift nod. "I'll come with you. If nothing else, I can speak with the Ministry about the kids doing the Animagi transformation. Dumbledore will be there anyway…"

Remus and Sirius said their farewells to those in the kitchen before leaving the room hurriedly, talking in low, concerned voices on their way out.

They left the kitchen in a sombre silence, each wrapped up in their own thoughts of what the newspaper had imparted.

"How did you know?" Ginny suddenly asked in a quiet, careful tone.

Anna's brow furrowed in confusion for a moment before she realised what Ginny was talking about. "I've been a lot more… open since the wedding, which I realise now probably wasn't such a smart idea." She paused for a moment, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "Guys, I think I'm going to go upstairs for a moment. I'm not feeling to good and I think I should lie down.

Harry stopped her with a hand on her elbow as she went to exit the room. "Are you sure you're okay?" he wanted to know.

She smiled at him, ruffling his raven hair. "Sure, kiddo. I just need to lie down. And don't forget, we have Occlumency tonight. I'll see you kids later." And with that she walked out of the room, leaving Ron, Ginny and Harry all crowded around an ashen Hermione.

"Are you sure you're all right, 'Mione?" Harry asked, slinging an arm around his friend.

She nodded meekly.

"I'm sure everything will be okay, 'Mione. Don't worry about it."

Ginny briefly scrunched her eyes together, seemingly in cringe on the lack of tact in Ron's somewhat deficient comforting skills.

"How is it going to be 'okay,' Ron?" Hermione burst. "Look where I'm sitting! I'm in the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, sitting beside my three best friends, one of which is the Boy Who Lived, Lord Voldemort's bane of existence, the other two are the youngest children of one of the most senior men in the Ministry. Just left the house is Sirius Black, godfather to the Boy Who Lived and, excluding Moody and your father, Harry, the most feared Auror of his time. And upstairs is his wife who, though we're not entirely sure why, cannot leave this house, and I'm sure it's not because she sunburns easily. On top of that, discarding all modesty, I'm one of the top students, if not the top, at a school under Albus Dumbledore, a man that Voldemort loathes immensely, Muggle-born, and sure to be the next Head Girl. Tell me Ron, how is it going to be okay?"

At their stunned expressions, Hermione drew in a deep breath.

"It's going to be far from okay," she said, with a touch of resignation. "And you know what the worst part is?"

Collectively, Ron, Ginny and Harry shook their heads.

"I wouldn't change it for the world."

And, for a brief moment, Harry thought that perhaps Hermione was the bravest person he had ever met.

(&&&)…

That evening, just as Anna and Ginny were dishing up dinner, Remus and Sirius wearily trudged into the room.

"I swear to Merlin," Anna's husband said wearily, "If I hear one more person say 'Obliviate' I'm going to transfigure myself into a radish."

Anna winced as she magicked the plates over to the table. "That bad?"

Remus nodded. "Worse. More were injured than killed, so of course when we whipped out our wands to heal and modify the memories of the poor folks, they went near hysterical, thinking we were going to start cursing them. I'd… forgotten what it was like."

Anna nodded. "Were you able to speak to Dumbledore?"

Sirius smiled briefly. "Yes, and Amelia Bones. The Ministry agreed for the kids to do the transformation."

"Why did you have to get the Ministry's permission?" Harry asked.

"We needed consent for you to use magic during these holidays to do it, and then again during the summer," Sirius replied. "And while Dumbledore agreed it was a good idea, he wasn't about to let you do it illegally."

"But what about Mum?" Ginny asked. "Don't we have to talk her into it?"

Anna shook her head. "Remus and Dumbledore are going to handle that. There's no way she would listen to Sirius, but she takes Albus and Remus's opinion to heart. They're going to work on it at the Order meeting tomorrow night."

"What are we going to do when we go back to school?" Ron inquired.

"Same thing we do for Harry's Occlumency lessons," she answered. "Sirius and I will portkey to Hogwarts twice a week."

Harry looked pensive for a short moment. "How exactly do you become an Animagus?"

"With a lot of concentration and hard work," Sirius replied with a smile.

(&&&)…

"Okay, so we'll start with the usual," Anna instructed Harry, using her wand to send all the furniture in the large rumpus room flying to the side. "Get comfortable."

Nodding, Harry quickly removed his jacket and lay on the floor, fidgeting slightly into comfort.

"Right, you know the deal. Take a few deep breaths. Relax."

When Anna had first begun instructing Harry in the careful art of Occlumency, he had found her to be a much more adept teacher than Professor Snape. She had begun training him in a few different meditation-like relaxation methods, ensuring him that such things were essential to control the mind, cutting off all thoughts and emotions. Although at first Harry had found it immensely difficult to allow himself to relax, being much to tense from the previous year, Anna had been able to soothe him with her Empathic abilities, and it had proved to help him greatly in mastering Occlumency. Sometimes he wished that Snape had thought it prudent to teach him these techniques, but he supposed the trust he and Anna shared would never had been possible in his relationship with the dark Potions Professor.

After another twenty minutes in deep concentration, forcing all thoughts, memories and feelings out of his mind, Harry was roused by Anna and stood to face her, wand drawn.

"You know, this will help you in the Animagus transformation. It also requires a heavy concentration, like Occlumency." Before drawing her wand, Anna performed the ritual of closing her eyes, her brow furrowed, as she checked to make sure her student was completely free of thought and feeling. "Good. Now, Legilimens!"

Memories flooded his mind; unwrapping a brand new Firebolt and seeing Ron's astounded expression… brewing Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom… spending hours sitting in front of the Mirror of Erised, gazing longingly at his parents' reflections… explaining to his Aunt that he didn't know how Dudley's hair had turned green… spending weeks locked under his cupboard with no food… "Iacio!"

Anna went hurtling across the room, but with a muttered "Caesia," righted herself. "Good job, Harry," she said proudly. "You're getting much better. I could barely make things out then, everything's getting very hazy. Legilimens!"

Unprepared, Harry fought to throw the curse off. Memories of his childhood were again slipping into his mind, and with an almighty push, he managed to throw Anna off completely.

Staggering slightly, she looked up, her eyes sparkling brilliantly. "That was brilliant, Harry! You didn't even use your wand!"

Shaking off her compliment, Harry shook his head. "Just a stroke of luck."

"No need to be modest, Harry," she smiled. "That was a big breakthrough. You're doing great. Now all we have to do is practice!"

(&&&)…

With a tired yawn, Harry closed the bathroom door behind him with a snap and tramped back to his room, only to be accosted by his godfather who slipped sneakily out of his bedroom.

"Harry, could I have a word?"

"Sure, Sirius, what's up?"

"I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow, you, Remus and I are going to visit the Dursley's."

Harry blanched. "What! Why?"

Sirius noted Harry's expression with a furrowed brow. "Just to let them know you'll be staying with me from now on, and to pick up anything of yours there. Why are you so worried?"

Harry cringed. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon weren't the sort of people he was comfortable subjecting those he cared for to.

"Nothing," he answered. "Just… my Aunt and Uncle aren't the nicest people in the world."

Sirius laughed. "They couldn't possibly be that bad."

Harry sighed resignedly. "I have a feeling you're going to be unpleasantly surprised."

(&&&)…

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Harry asked for the fifth time that afternoon as he, Sirius and Remus strode purposefully down Wisteria Walk from Arabella Figg's house. "I mean, just turning up like this?"

"Certainly," Sirius deadpanned. "Honestly, Harry, I don't know why you're so nervous."

Sirius caught Harry grimace silently as they turned into Privet Drive, crossing the carefully cut lawns to the front door of number 4.

"Okay," Remus said, straightening his Muggle clothing. "Are we ready?"

Sirius gave a firm nod and pressed his finger to the doorbell. He could make out someone shuffling towards them through the rippled glass on the door, before a large, porky boy of around Harry's age opened it.

The teen's face turned stark white as his gaze alighted on Harry and swept hurriedly across Sirius and Remus. "Mum! Dad!" he shrieked, turning from the door and waddling down the hallway, "It's HIM and he's brought more freaks with him!"

Exchanging perplexed looks, Remus and Sirius strode into the hall, grudgingly followed by a reluctant Harry. Shaking his head ruefully, the bespectacled teen addressed his friends. "Quick, I don't want to be here too long. Come upstairs."

Swiftly, Harry ushered them up the stairs and into his room.

Sirius looked around. It was dismal. The room was a boring whitish colour with one window, which was barred with thick metal. The only furniture in the room was a bed with only a threadbare blanket, and a chipped desk, along with a small chest of drawers, and the rest of the room was filled with broken toys and games with a small cat flap on the door.

"This is your room?"

Harry nodded.

"Forgive me, Harry," Remus said, "but from what I've seen of the rest of this house, it doesn't seem like the Dursley's didn't have the means to provide for you. Why is your room so… bare?"

"It's not like they can't provide for me," Harry answered. "It's more like they won't."

He quickly dived under the bed and wrestled with a loose plank, digging up a few odds and ends. "Well, that's it," he said, nodding towards the miniscule pile of belongings in his arms.

Remus and Sirius stared.

"That's all? You live here for sixteen years and that's all you have?"

Harry shrugged meekly. "There might be a little more in my cupboard. Come on, then."

Leading them back down, Harry motioned them over to the cupboard under the stairs, drawing it open with a flourish.

"There you go, the living space of the famous Harry Potter, Boy Who Lived, for ten years of his life. The Cupboard Under the Stairs. Flashy, isn't it?"

Sirius's face darkened. "You lived here for ten years?" he demanded.

Harry nodded.

"Ten years? Harry, my cell in Azkaban was bigger than this!"

The teen shrugged again. Sirius could feel the beginnings of fury radiating from his very core.

"And why the Hell did they make you stay here?"

"I dunno," Harry answered. "They didn't like Mum, didn't like Dad, didn't like me. Look," he said, almost with touch of anger, "I know it's not normal, but it's what I grew up with. I realised that when I was five-years old and broke my ankle climbing a tree; that was the last time I ever tried to get comfort from Aunt Petunia." He sighed. "This is why I didn't want you to come here. I didn't want you to… see."

Fuming, Sirius spun from the room and walked straight into Vernon Dursley.

"What on Earth is going on here? How dare you just stride into MY house like that!"

"Shut it, Dursley," Sirius growled, silencing the beefy man. "I've just learned that my godson, one of the most loving people I have ever known, spent ten years in a cupboard! So don't you push my patience, mate."

"That boy got nothing he didn't deserve," Vernon sneered. "He's a good-for-nothing freak, just like his parents."

In a flash, Sirius's fist had collided painfully with Dursley's face.

There was a loud shriek as Aunt Petunia came hurtling into the room, gasping in horror at her husband, who was now lying bloody on the floor, and Sirius's wand, which was now pointing directly at his heart.

"You disgust me," Sirius said, his voice deadly calm. "If I had known how Harry was being treated here, something would've been done about it a long time ago. But as it was, I didn't know, and it's only now that I can take Harry to live with me. You won't be seeing him anymore. He won't be coming back here again. He's going to go on and forget you. But in four months time, Harry, who I might add is one of the most powerful wizards of his age I've ever seen, will turn seventeen, and with that will be able to use magic outside of school. And I hope, for your sake, that he has more self control than I do."

And with that, he flicked his wand, and a horse's tail was protruding from Aunt Petunia's bottom, the matching ears on Vernon's head.

(&&&)…

Three days later, and the thought 'the Dursley incident' still brought tears to Sirius's eyes. But for now, he had more important things to occupy his eyes with, one of these being the house hunting he and Remus were partaking in.

"This one's not bad," his friend remarked as they surveyed the small cottage nestled in a Scottish glade.

Sirius shrugged, running his hands over the white paint in one of the empty rooms. "I dunno. It doesn't look right. Doesn't feel right."

"Well, what exactly are you looking for?" Remus asked, cutting bluntly to the point.

"I don't really know, Moony," Sirius answered thoughtfully. "Somewhere Harry can go to get away from it all. A refuge, a haven, a sanctuary. Somewhere where he knows he can come to relax, where he is safe. A home. A temporary asylum from all the chaos."

A/N: Argh! Finally! Tis finished! Sorry it took so long, had my formal, recovered from my formal, saw my dad off to Melbourne, got severely sunburnt and rediscovered my obsession for Hermione/Sirius fics and reread every single one every written that I could find.

Please review, I'm insecure.