He looked healthy. His eyes were bright, and his hair was brushed back into a short, neat ponytail, and he was clean-shaven.

"Hello, Harry! Sorry I'm late," said Sirius. He caught sight of Uncle Vernon, who was staring open-mouthed at Sirius. Sirius figured out who Uncle Vernon was, and held out his hand, saying, "You're Harry's uncle, Vernon Dursley, right? I'm Sirius Black."

Sirius did not receive a polite answer from Uncle Vernon. Instead, Uncle Vernon just stared, and then said, "What are you doing here?"

Sirius looked confused. "Haven't you heard the news? I was sure they were telling the Muggles, and Harry should have told you anyway: I'm innocent. I was just proven to be innocent. I'm here to take Harry home with me."

Uncle Vernon's face became even redder. Harry hadn't told the Dursleys that Sirius was innocent. At first, he had forgotten, but when he had remembered, he had figured that it was best not to let the Dursleys know, as they were treating him remarkably better thinking Sirius was a homicidal maniac.

"Did you know about this? Did you know that your — godfather was picking you up?" asked Uncle Vernon. Harry nodded, and Uncle Vernon roared, "You did? You made me drive here all the way from Surrey for nothing, boy?"

"Harry!"

Harry and Uncle Vernon's head snapped towards Sirius, who looked agitated. He was looking straight at Uncle Vernon. "His name is Harry, and, may I remind you, he is your nephew. Surrey isn't too far to drive, and even if you didn't have to come, you should say goodbye. But, there is one last thing before I can take Harry. You have to sign this," said Sirius, pulling a piece of parchment out of his back pocket.

"I'm not signing anything!" bellowed Uncle Vernon. He grabbed Harry's trunk. "Come on, boy. We're going home!"

"Mr. Dursley please," said Sirius, stepping in front of Uncle Vernon. "All I need is one signature. This is from the Minister — "

"I don't care who it's from!" shouted Uncle Vernon. "I'm not signing anything for you or your kind!"

Mrs. Weasley then piped up, "Come on, Mr. Dursley. Harry has fought hard to prove Sirius innocent…"

"You stay out of this!" said Uncle Vernon angrily.

Harry then said quietly, "Uncle Vernon?"

Uncle Vernon turned and faced Harry. "What?"

Harry took a deep breath. "Haven't you always said that I'm expensive to care for? Don't you always wish that I didn't live with you, and that you didn't have to worry about me seeming abnormal around everyone?"

"Yes. What about it?" snapped Uncle Vernon bitterly. "I haven't got time for games, boy!"

"So," Harry said, thinking hard, "if you just sign the form, I'm gone. You don't have to pay for food or clothes for me, or have me live with you. Dudley could even have his bedroom back. I don't even have to go back to the house now. I've got everything I need with me. And then, you won't have to worry about anyone finding out what I am."

Uncle Vernon looked suspiciously at Harry. "I won't see you again?"

"No, I swear," Harry assured Uncle Vernon.

Uncle Vernon thought hard for a moment or two, and then asked Sirius, "Will people know what you are? I mean, will anyone be able to find out that I gave Harry to one of your kind?"

Sirius shook his head. "No, unless they're a wizard. I'll just show up as a Muggle in any records Muggles could use."

Uncle Vernon sighed heavily and said, "All right, fine. Give me that ruddy form, and I'll sign it."

Harry could have danced for joy as he saw Sirius pull out the piece of parchment. Uncle Vernon refused to use Sirius' quill, pulling out his own pen. He quickly signed his name and thrust the parchment back at Sirius.

"There. Goodbye," Uncle Vernon said bitterly, and he left hurriedly. Everyone stared after him, and watched him go farther and farther away before disappearing completely.

"Well, I think we should go," said Sirius.

"Have a great summer," said Mrs. Weasley, shaking Sirius' hand. "You two will have to come over some time."

"Thanks, Molly. We'll be sure to take you up on that offer," said Sirius politely. He grabbed one end of Harry's trunk, and helped Harry drag it toward the exit.

"Bye!" called Ron and Ginny.

"See you, Harry!" said Fred and George together.

"See you next year," said Jessica.

"Bye," Harry called back. He sighed, and smiled. He couldn't wait to get to Sirius house.

Sirius looked nervous though. "Well, I hope you like the house," he said after he and Harry had been walking in silence for a few minutes. "You can see the whole city from a window in your room. It's got a huge window, and a windowsill that I think you could fit on. It's beautiful."

Harry smiled. "I know it'll be great, Sirius. It'll be much better than the Dursleys, believe me." Harry had gotten over his nervousness about Sirius. Now he was worried about what Dumbledore had said about a war. Harry didn't really believe that he could win a war against Voldemort. How could a fifteen-year-old have that kind of power? Dumbledore seemed to think that Harry had that power, but Harry wondered if Dumbledore wasn't wrong.

Sirius seemed to sense that something was on Harry's mind, and he said, "What's wrong, Harry? You seemed troubled."

Harry sighed. "It's nothing." After a minute or two of silence, Harry thought about how to phrase what his concern was and decided it was best to just say it. "Dumbledore mentioned a war between Voldemort and me, and I just don't think I'm up to it."

"What are you talking about? Dumbledore told me the same thing, and I have no doubt that you can win it. Why don't you think you can?" asked Sirius.

"It's just that Dumbledore seems to think I've got all this power, and I don't think he's right," Harry explained. Sirius stopped abruptly, and turned to face Harry.

"You don't think he's right? Harry, I think that you're misunderstanding what Dumbledore means by power," said Sirius.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

Sirius sighed. "Harry — power isn't what one person can do alone. It's not how strong you are, or what you yourself can do."

"It's not?"

"No. Power is the impact you have on others, the influence you have on the rest of the world, what you can do with the right help. None of us can do anything without anyone else. We're all hopeless alone," explained Sirius.

Harry still was confused. "But, even if that's true… how have I really impacted the world? I mean, I'm famous and everything, but I haven't really changed the world."
Sirius looked shocked. "You haven't changed the world? Harry, you've completely changed the world! People will always remember you. You — you've shown people Voldemort doesn't have all the power, and you give people hope."

"Why? I mean, Voldemort's nearly killed me."

"Yes, but he hasn't. Also, your mother died for you out of love, and that seems to be stopping Voldemort. Can't you see? You're living, breathing proof that even evil can't overcome love."

Harry wasn't so sure he liked that analogy, but he liked Sirius' definition of power. "But, he can make anyone work for him," Harry said. "And he's got so many supporters…"

"So do you, Harry! More than half the wizarding world is one your side! They will fight for you when the time comes," said Sirius. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "And you won't let them down. I know it." He then began walking again.

Harry walked along with him, thinking about everything Sirius had just said.

It was true. Harry believed Dumbledore that war would come. And Harry would just have to be brave. But he could do that.

Harry Potter, determined to fulfill his destiny, walked alongside his godfather. He followed Sirius, beginning a new life, hoping that maybe one day he wouldn't have to be so different from the rest of the world.

However, Harry felt his scar tingle, and in the distance he saw a tall man wearing a cloak. He could've sworn he heard this man whisper in a high, cold voice inaudible to everyone else, "Almost… almost…"