A.N./ Who finished her paper? Who will probably get a bad grade on it anyway? Yeah, that's me. Now I can resume writing this piece of crap for you guys! Many, many thanks to Elizabeth Tears for proofreading this for me! She has become a dear person for me, and I enjoy talking with her very much.

So, everything applies. Not mine; never will be. Also, I thrive on your loverly reviews so please don't be shy!

Chapter 8: Visiting London

Harry felt as if he had melted, mouth wide as he breathed in fresh air. All he could see was green as he opened his eyes, long blades of grass intricate in the blowing wind. A warm summer breeze ruffled his hair and he closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of being lifted up in the swirl.

When he opened his eyes again he saw two people in the distance. They were so far away he could not tell exactly who they were. With curiosity taking hold of him, he wandered to the edge of the horizon. He started to build his speed as he saw the blurring figures become clearer.

The two were connected, hands clasped and leaning into each other. His chest burned with exertion, but the overriding feeling of comfort washed over him. He felt as if he could run for miles and miles and he would be fine: just as long as he made it to the couple.

The sky, once bright and pleasant, started to purple around the edges, the sun a large flaming orange sphere sinking at an alarming rate. It became darker, and the pale moon cast its cruel light along side the bright twinkling stars. A howl in the distance alarmed him, but he continued on. He couldn't stop now, not when he was so close.

He closed his eyes for a split second and he suddenly found himself stopped in his tracks. A face clouded his vision, bright green eyes shining with tears and flaming red eyebrows stitched with concern. Broad fingers were on his face, stroking his cheeks and Harry could see bright hazel eyes smiling with pride.

Harry knew that these people, these beautiful and sad people, who loved him with all their hearts, were-

Two pairs of hands clapped onto his shoulders and pulled him back. He winced and closed his eyes in fear of his impending rough fall to the hard earth beneath him, but he felt none. Instead of hitting the ground he seeped through it, his entire body feeling fluid and relaxed. This was odd, considering he was still falling. He closed his eyes, not caring about anything but the whooshing sound of air pressure building in his ears and the racing feeling of the atmosphere. It wasn't until he heard another abrupt sound of howling in the distance till that he opened his eyes.
He recognized the poster-covered walls of his room. His room. He had only been in this house two days and already it felt more like home than Privet Drive had felt in sixteen years. Lifting his head groggily, he felt the soft sheets ruffle around him. He was still in his jeans and tee shirt, which had now become quite disheveled and uncomfortable. He knew that he must have fallen asleep in the sitting room and one of the couple had brought him into his own room without changing him.

Harry opened his mouth to find that it felt like he hadn't had a decent drink in a week Pushing the covers aside, he lifted his way out of his bed, stomach flopping with the unpleasant feeling that it was very early in the morning.

He padded quietly down the hall to the edge of the sitting room, making as little sound as possible. Whispering voices caused him to stop and he moved back a bit to avoid being seen. Apparently it hadn't been as late as he had thought.

"… Ministry. Sirius, they're starting to kill out the clans. When I walked into the apothecary, two blokes were talking about it as if it were as important as the weather. The Ministry is setting these new policies so that not one of us will survive. All about new restrictions, and new procedures.

"They're lowering the years for the Registry, so now checks are made every year! And the newest procedure is directly on packs. One slip up and the entire pack pays for it. All of them are being slaughtered! In the Bisclavenet pack, they used silver to prolong inquiry sessions. Merlin, Sirius, and that included the cubs! This is as close as the Poligny clan in Rennes. In France, Sirius, god."

Harry could see his former professor shaking so hard that his godfather had to lean in close and hold him still, whispering something to him. Lupin jerked up and away from the embrace.

"No," he said, distraught. "It will never be over. Not so long as Voldemort is around. Don't you see? The Ministry is so afraid that these packs are going to join him, and they know how much power they have. So, they're coming up with new, legal, ways to eliminate them."

Remus was pacing now, moving from the couch to the fireplace to the bookshelf in long strides. Sirius still sat on the couch, frozen in place. He seemed to be calculating something in his head, staring at the rug on the dark hardwood floor. Growing tired, Remus walked over to him, standing very close.

Remus stepped between Sirius' spread legs, calves hitting the couch edge. He gave a defeated sigh, running his fingers through the ebony locks below him. Sirius buried his face in his shirt, pressing his cheek against the werewolf's flat stomach. Remus lowered his head so that strands of tawny and silver hair covered his face. He rubbed his long fingers right behind Sirius ear, eliciting a soft whimper from the other man.

"Maybe … something could happen. Voldemort may be getting stronger, but we are also. I just …" Remus' voice was cut short, something like a sob catching in his throat. Sirius reached up and held Remus' hips in his broad hands.

"I love you …" Harry heard Sirius' voice, muffled and quiet.

Remus sank to the floor in front of him, their faces soon level. He took his face his hands and placed a soft kiss to his brow. Resting their foreheads against the others', Remus whispered something too.

Harry then felt as if he were intruding rather rudely and found that he wasn't as thirsty as he thought he was. Tip-toeing across the hall, he slipped back into his room. The two troubled men were none the wiser.

The next day was spent doing daily chores and ambling around the house. Harry hadn't felt the satisfaction of a lazy day in a good while. The constant fear of Voldemort put a strain on everyone, but here it felt different. Everything was coated with a film of calm over the panic, and it had to do for the time being until everything could be sorted out. This calm exterior did not lack ignorance, though. It was just something soothing to help them cope.

After they had lunch, as Remus was putting the dishes away, Sirius asked if Harry would like to go flying out on the bike. And, of course, he accepted.

They walked back out to a tin broom shed at the back of the house as Remus watched from the porch. With a flourish, Sirius opened the doors wide to show a huge mass of blankets shrouding a large object. Sirius cooed softly, gently slipping off the cover to expose the shiny black motorbike. He kicked the stand up and steered it out into the sun.

Harry had to note that it really was a beautiful bike with it's polished chrome and cracked leather seat. Sirius set it out and asked Harry to retrieve the helmets in the backs. After venturing into the depths of the tiny shack, Harry immerged with two sturdy helmets with thick, clear cover visors in hand. Quiet ideal for flying, especially if you were to fall off and crack your head on the asphalt below.

Sirius took one, sweeping his hair back to place it on his head and motioned for Harry to do the same. The interior was stuffy and he knew that the back of his neck and forehead would be covered in sweat, but he did as he was told. Sirius was already astride the massive bike and patting the seat behind him. Mounting it with some difficulty, Harry got on and held to the ridge of the end seat.

Remus had walked over to them, standing between them. He knocked twice on the hard exterior of the helmet on Sirius' head.

"You two be careful. Be home in time for dinner, right," he commanded.

Sirius flipped his visor up, giving him a cheeky grin.

"Of course, Moony. You sure you don't want to come?" he asked, kicking the bike to life and revving up the engine. The entire bike vibrated below Harry, and it sent him buzzing. His nerves were on edge, seeing as that this was his first time flying on the bike since he was a baby.

"You know I can't. When I finish my work, I can make you a some Yorkshire pudding for dinner. How's that?"

Sirius made a long, content sound and leaned forward with his lips pouting in a kissing face. Remus laughed and flicked his nose. Harry couldn't help but laugh at Sirius face, scrunched up from the pain. Sirius revved up the engine again loudly, and caused the werewolf to cover his sensitive ears and jump back. With that, the two on the bike sped ahead and Harry clutched Sirius shoulders for support as his body leaned back from the sheer force.

They were travelling at an alarming rate into the clear field left of the house. Harry wondered when they would lift from the ground, and suddenly they were. The front tire lifted from the grass, soon followed by the back and they were being elevated completely. Harry felt as if his entire body was being pulled up into the sky and he held tighter to Sirius' broad shoulders.

Harry could hear the whoosh of air go across his helmet and sweat started to trickle down his brow. Aside from that, the view was gorgeous. The two had flown so high up, that the towns below seemed like tiny ant farms. Clouds gathered around them and everything went hazy as Sirius pulled up to the sky.

Letting go of one of the handlebars, Sirius reached into his jacket and pulled out his wand. Pointing it once at his helmet and once at Harry's, the hard coverings disappeared. Hard wind gusted in his face, whipping his hair from his face and his glasses almost fell off. The exhilarating rush flooded Harry and he grinned broadly. Sirius crowed loudly, barking with laughter.

After what seemed like ten minutes moments of flying Sirius lowered altitude, craning his head to survey the ground below. They were just above a city, oddly familiar but not too crowded. Spotting an area where no one was around, Sirius gently lowered the bike until they bumped to the ground and skidded to a stop.

Sirius cut the engine and placed the gear pedal to a stand still. Swinging his long leg off of the padded seat, Sirius helped Harry down.

"That was amazing, Sirius!" Harry exclaimed, smoothing his hair down from the wind lashing it took and centering his glasses. Sirius chuckled and pulled out his wand once again, pointing it to the bike. In an instant, it moved over to an abandoned alleyway and disappeared all together.

Harry looked around him, suddenly noticing where they were. The street was filled with grimy looking houses with broken windows. Yes, this was very familiar. Between two houses, there was a huge space with a large pile of rubble and soot scattered the ground.

Sirius crossed his arms and smirked smugly.

"Merlin, it's so nice to see that place like this. Never would have imagined it in all my years."

They were standing in front of the ruins of what was once Grimmauld Place.

Sirius gave a heavy sigh, sweeping his hair out of his face. He kicked a strewn piece of rubble into the yard and gave a sort of weak laugh.

"Remus still hasn't found Pettigrew. Or Bella, for that matter. He's trying so hard to do what he can for the Order. But, Harry, it'll be so nice to get my hands on that rat once and for all."

Sirius faced him, face solemn.

"I'm so sorry, Harry. For everything. If it weren't for me, this-"

A feeling of hot anger filled Harry's chest and he cut Sirius short.

"No, Sirius. None of this is your fault. It's Pettigrew's fault. And Voldemort. And Bellatr-" Harry couldn't bring himself to utter her foul name.

Sirius grabbed Harry into a tight embrace.

"You're such a good kid, Harry. I'm so proud of you. And I know that James and Lily would be proud of you, too. Soon, we'll get to him. He'll pay for your parents, pay for Remus and me. He'll pay for you. He'll pay for all the things he ever did to us."

Harry held on as tight as he possibly could, savouring one of the last moments that he would be able to ever do this.

They arrived back at the house when the sun set, the sky still pink from the setting orange sun. Remus was bent over papers at the den desk and the entire house smelled of wonderful food. The meal was delicious and the three of them were filled to the brim.

After cleaning up the rest of the kitchen, Harry felt the drowsy pull of sleep and he excused himself for bed. When he closed his door, he shed his clothes and climbed into the soft, inviting sheets of his bed and he nearly fell asleep at that moment.

Just when the darkness finally settled over in his mind, there was a shift in the room. Opening his eyes slightly, Harry could see Sirius and Remus quietly make their way through the door. Pretending to be asleep, Harry lay very still and wondered what was going on.

A strong hand rested on his brow and brushed his hair back. It was very comforting, and he soon was drifting off to sleep again. He didn't hear the soft whispers from the two men, or the door closing quietly as they left. He didn't hear them clamber into their own bed where they fell asleep leaning into one another lovingly, but he did feel the heavy love that only parents have for their child.