A/N: I have reread the first chapter and made a few changes. I hope you like them. Please read and review, let me know which one you like better.
Chapter One
It Can't Be?
There was never any question about how the three of them felt about each other. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been friends since their first year at Hogwarts. They were now in their sixth year, each of them knew everything about each other, but something seemed to happen to them during the last summer break.
Harry of course at the end of the school year had to go back to the Dursley's. 'I almost got away from them,' he thought to himself as he was riding back to the house he hated. Harry hated the house and the Dursley's just as much if not more then he hated Malfoy. 'I was almost rid of them I would have never had to have seen them ever again if you hadn't gotten yourself killed trying to protect me.'
He was thinking about his godfather Sirius. Until his third year he thought that the Dursley's were the only family he had. When he found out that he had other family he was so happy, he wasn't going to have live this horrible family any more. It had been decided that Harry was going to go and live with Sirius at the end of the school year. Sirius had escaped from Azkaban when he found out that Harry was in danger. Peter Petigrew the person that could prove that Sirius was innocent was plotting against Harry. He had him cornered but Peter Petigrew got away. Sirius never got the chance to prove that he was indeed innocent so he was still on the run.
As Harry sat in the back seat of Uncle Vernon's brand new car he started thinking about what had happened during the last year. It all had happened so fast that it really hadn't sunk in or maybe everyone was intentionally keeping him busy that way he wouldn't have time to think about what had happened. If that was the case then he was thankful that they did that. But now that the summer holidays had started how were they going to keep him from thinking about it now. There was no way. Harry knew immediately that this summer was going to be the worst.
It wasn't long after the summer holidays had begun Harry started hearing from Ron and Hermione. They kept him up to date with what was going on in the wizarding world, but there was never any news of Voldemort. He had written to Dumbledore once but he was only reassured that if something happened he would find out. Harry was not too comforted about this but there was nothing that he could do. He hated being stuck in Privet Drive without any news of what was happening with Voldemort. No news is good news I guess. He thought to himself. He was stuck here where no one could find him. There was one small plus to this summer; the Dursley's seem to be less obnoxious than before. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they very afraid of Harry but he didn't know for sure but he also didn't do anything that might have upset this new balance. Harry was even allowed to talk to Ron and Hermione on the telephone. He had made arrangements to go and visit Hermione and then they would both go and visit Ron for the rest of the summer.
The night before Harry was to leave to go and see Hermione something happened that Harry could not believe. Harry was sitting in his room finishing packing for school when he heard something coming from the living room. It sounded like Aunt Petunia but there was a hushed tone in her voice.
"I can't believe that you would show up in this house uninvited. He has already made plans so that way we would be rid of him for the rest of the summer" said Aunt Petunia.
Then there was a very familiar voice.
"I mean no disrespect to your family showing up unannounced but there is something that I must speak to Harry about. It is of the most importance. Will you please either call him down or direct me to his room."
'Dumbledore' thought Harry.
"No this cannot be. Why would Dumbledore be at my house in the middle of June?" Harry said aloud without thinking. 'Why on earth would Dumbledore be here on Privite Drive? There is no reason for him to be here. I haven't done any type of magic.'
"Tell me why you want to see him" demanded Aunt Petunia.
"I am his headmaster. There were many events that happened this past year. I don't know if Harry has told you, if he hasn't I suspect that he has his reasons. It is very important that I talk to him; if you would kindly show me to his room then I can be on my way. I have many other students that I need to talk to; you can be assured that I will not be long
There was a brief silence and then Harry heard footsteps coming up the stairs. He ran to his bed and picked up the closest book and pretended to read. There was an abrupt knock on the door and then Aunt Petunia entered and muttered something about someone here to see him. She let the headmaster in and then she quickly left the room, as she did she shut the door with a surprising amount of force. 'I am going to pay for this later. I know it.'
"Hello Harry. How is your summer going?" Dumbledore said as if there was nothing at all strange about him being there.
"Well, I guess that it is going ok." Harry said.
"I suspect you are wondering why I am here."
"Well... yes sir."
"I didn't get the chance to talk to you about what happened at the end of last year. I know that it must be difficult. I was hoping to see how you were and how you are taking this."
Harry just stared at the empty closet. He knew that he wasn't handling this very well but he didn't want Dumbledore to worry about it. This was some thing that he had to deal with in his own way. Dumbledore didn't say anything while he was waiting for Harry to answer.
"It's just not fair." He said finally. "I mean I never really got to know or spend any time with him. What little time that I did spend with him I can't stop thinking about. In fact that is all that I think about. You must know what it is like to have someone that you really cared about ripped away from you. How did you handle it? You know I actually thought that it would be easier because I didn't know and spend that much time with him but I was completely wrong...I guess not very well at all." Harry said becoming quickly aware that he was indeed very angry. He was finished. He had finally said what he had wanted to say every time that someone asked him how he was doing. He didn't mean to take it out on Dumbledore but he was sick of people asking him the same questions over and over.
"I'm sorry Professor, I didn't mean to take it out on you it's just that I am tired of peo..."
"I know Harry. That is one reason that I thought that I would come and see you. Well I am glad that you got that out. Do you have anything more that you would like to say?"
Harry looked at his feet and shook his head. He really didn't have anything more to say but he had a million questions that he wanted the answers to. Harry seemed to think that Dumbledore knew this and was waiting to answer them if he could.
When Harry had not asked any question Dumbledore decided to tell Harry the other reason that he was there. "Well then the second reason I am here is to tell you something about Sirius."
"Why did he have to do what he did? I was not in danger there was no reason for him to even be there." Harry blurted out.
"Ah, Harry I think you already know the answer to that question. Sirius was there because he wanted to protect you. He loved you. He wanted to show you that you could depend on him. He sacrificed himself so that way you would live. Do not hate him for that Harry."
"I did hate him; I know I wanted to hate him at first. But then as I seemed to get more used to the idea that he wasn't going to around anymore I realized that I was being stupid and childish. I guess I got my hopes up about having a real family that it clouded my senses. I wish that I could just see him one more time and say good-bye and tell him how much he meant to me."
"You do know that he is not dead, he is stuck. The veil that he fell into does not kill you it only traps your soul."
"So you're saying that Sirius is not dead. Then where is he? How can he be trapped inside of a veil?" Harry was starting to get angry again. 'I was had been told for two months that my godfather was dead. Dumbledore himself told me that Sirius was dead and now all of a sudden he is alive. But I still can't see him because he is trapped in a veil and he can't get out. This is getting really stupid. I don't believe him. Why didn't Dumbledore tell me all of this last year when it happened.
"Why didn't you tell me this last year? Why tell me now?" Harry asked trying to keep his anger in check.
"I didn't tell you this at the end of the school year because I didn't want to get your hopes up. We didn't think it was possible that there was a way of getting him out of the veil, we have found a way. He had no intention of falling into the veil. It was purely an accident. As it turns out everyone thinking that he is dead will be a great advantage for the Order. The Ministry has stopped looking for him and the death eaters have stopped as well," Dumbledore said.
Harry didn't say anything; he was too shocked. Finally he asked:
"So is he actually out of the veil or is he still trapped."
"He is not trapped in the curtain. He is somewhere no one will find him."
Dumbledore said matter-of-factly. He seemed to notice that Harry was about to ask why he hadn't contacted him. "He has not been out long. Right now he is off doing something for the Order. He is very pleased to be able to do more for the Order."
Harry looked down at his feet. This is way too much to take in all at once. I was lead to believe that my godfather was dead and then he was trapped inside of a veil and then he is out and alive. I need some time to think about all of this.
"Harry you can still talk to Sirius all you have to do is send your owl and she will find him. When he finished with what he is doing he was going to go back to Grimmauld Place and he was hoping that you would be able to go and live with him there. That is if you wanted to."
Dumbledore said this with a slight twinkle in his eyes. He looked at Harry through his half moon spectacles as if he was reading Harry's mind. Harry got the distinct feeling that Dumbledore already knew the answer to then half question half statement. Harry knew the answer as well, no matter how mad at Sirius he would never refuse spending as much time as he possibly could with him.
"Harry I hope that you can forgive me."
Harry said nothing to Dumbledore's last comment. "So when do I get to move out of this house? They have been acting so weird since I came back. I wonder if that's has anything to do with Professor Mooney told them when they brought me back at the beginning of the summer?"
"That may very well be true and may be the reason that your Aunt and Uncle are being so nice to you. Mooney can be a very intimidating person when he wants to be. " Said Dumbledore with a noticeable twinkle in his eyes.
'Right like you had nothing to do with that. I bet that you told Professor Mooney so do something to scare Uncle Vernon so that they would treat me better.' Harry thought to himself.
"I wouldn't exactly say nice to me I would call it more like being civil. They still try to make my life horrible at times." Harry said with a slight smile on his face. It was the first time that Harry had really smiled since that night at the ministry.
"Well I must be getting back. I hope that you are able to have a good summer break. Again Harry I am very sorry."
"Wait Professor when do I get to go and live with Sirius?"
"As soon as he finishes his task either he will contact you or I will inform you at either Miss Granger's house or at Mr. Weasley's house. Please be patient it will be soon I am sure. Now I really must be going. It was good to see you Harry, and have fun and do not try to worry about Sirius I assure you that he is fine and dandy. Good-bye Harry."
And with that Dumbledore was gone just like that. Harry pinched himself to see if he had been dreaming. 'Was Dumbledore really just here? And am I really not going to get in trouble for this? Usually by now Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would up here yelling and screaming at me. "How dare you invite someone like you into this house? Do you know what would have happened if one of the neighbors stopped over and seen that man here dressed the way that he was? I am warning you this is the last time something like this ever happens again. Do you understand?"
Harry laughed to himself. That is exactly what uncle Vernon would say to. 'Oh well, they haven't come up yet so I am not going to worry about it.' "I need to finish packing." Harry said to himself and Hedwig as he grabbed the rest of the clothing on the bed and shoved it into his trunk.
Just as he was about to shut his trunk he heard something hit his window, but when he turned and looked to see; he saw nothing. He turned back to his trunk and shut it and was about to lock it when something hit the window again. This time Harry went over to the window and looked out. There was no one in the streets so he had no idea what was hitting his window. He thought that maybe it was all a part of his imagination. He was still disoriented. He had just talked to the Headmaster and learned that his godfather was indeed alive. He went and sat on the bed. He was considering writing a letter to Sirius but once again there was a thump on the window. This is getting tiring. Harry thought. He went over to the window and opened it. Just has he stuck his head out to look around something small and fluffy flew right into Harry's head. Harry's hands shot out to catch what had just hit him. It was Ron's owl Pigwidgeon! He chirped thankfully and gave the parcel to Harry and went to get something to drink. (Hedwig and Pig are finally getting along). Harry opened the parcel and read what Ron had written.
Dear Harry,
I can't wait to see you and Hermione in a couple of weeks. The rest of the summer is going to be so much fun considering the situation that we are in. Mum and Dad are not in the greatest of moods lately, but can you blame them. I mean having one of your own sons tell you that he does not want to be part of the family anymore because of the "company that they keep." Can you try not to mention him while you're here? It would be good for all of us. Dad will start yelling and Mum will start crying and you don't want to see that.
How are you doing? I hope that you are not being treated as bad as you used to. At least they let you write to us now. Anyway I wanted to tell you that we won't be staying at my house for the rest of the summer. About two weeks before we start school we are moving to Grimmauld Place again. Mum thinks that it will be closer to Diagon Alley and to King's Cross Station.
When Harry read this his heart sank. He was going to live at Sirius's house and he wasn't even going to be there. It was going to be very odd. He was not sure that he liked the idea but he really didn't have a choice. The plans had already been made, and there was no way that Harry was going to change Mrs. Weasley's mind no matter what.
I don't know I wish that we could stay at my house for the whole summer but I guess that is not going to happen. Anyway you are staying at Hermione's for a week right and then you both are coming to stay with me for the rest of the summer. You know, I hope that you don't take any offense by this but I hope that I can get some time alone with Hermione. There are a couple of things that I would like to talk to her about. (If you know what I mean) Well I guess that I have babbled enough. Can't wait to see you and Hermione. Have fun. Talk to you soon,
Your best mate,
Ron
Harry grinned, reading trying to read his friends very sloppy handwriting. What exactly did Ron mean when he said that he hoped to get some time alone with Hermione? Did Ron... No he can't really... Well maybe... he has been acting a little odd around her lately. Who would have thought that Ron would ever admit that he liked Hermione? Harry had suspected that Ron had liked her since their second year when Hermione had been petrified by the Basilisk. But Ron never said anything to Harry and Harry never asked. But now that he was thinking about he thought that maybe he had actually liked Hermione. But the more that he thought about it the more he realized that he didn't feel that way about her. So Harry finished packing and sat down to write a letter to Ron. He wasn't sure how he was going to start the letter, there was so much to tell him but he didn't want to write it in the letter because it might be intercepted.
Dear Ron
I got your letter. I am doing well considering what happened. I just saw Dumbledore and I will tell you all about it when I get to your house. I can't wait to get out of this house. It is so weird being here. I almost wish that they were treating me like they used to. Notice I said almost. I guess it is okay living here. Uncle Vernon doesn't yell at me anymore. I guess they just kind of ignore me, which is fine with me. I hope that everything is better with your family. I think that Percy needs to grow up some. He didn't have a problem with Dumbledore while he attended Hogwarts and now that he is working at the Ministry of Magic, he thinks that Dumbledore has slid off his rocker. I will do my best to not say anything that would upset your family. How are Ginny and your brothers dealing with it?
So you want some time all alone with Hermione? Are you actually going to tell her that you like her? Don't tell me that you don't. I think that you have since our second year. You guys can't even give each other a hug without acting awkward. Do I let you struggle through this all on you own? Mind you I wouldn't have the courage to ask her out even if I liked her. I mean who am I to talk I couldn't even ask Cho out our fourth year. Maybe between the two of us we might be able to make what you have to say sound intelligent. Well anyway you know that I am just joking with you. Really can't wait to see both of you. You are going to flip when I tell you what Dumbledore told me.
Anyway I will see you soon.
Your best mate,
Harry
Harry folded up the letter and got Hedwig ready. He gave her the parcel and told her that he would be at Hermione's by the time that she had delivered the parcel to Ron. He told her to be careful and he would miss her. She gave him a loving nip to let him know that she understood what he was saying. He didn't want someone to get to that letter. Even though he hadn't written anything of any importance he still didn't want anyone to get a hold of it. And with that she took off to deliver the letter to its owner. Harry watched Hedwig fly out of sight and then turned around to get her cage ready to go, but suddenly he stopped. There was something in the cage. Then Harry saw that Pig had fallen asleep. He went over to the cage and picked up the small puffball. It gave a small hoot of annoyance but Harry gave him one of Hedwig's owl treats. He flew out of Harry's hand and zoomed around the room; he gave a hoot to Harry saying thanks and then took off out the open window.
Just as Harry was getting ready to go to bed Harry heard soft talking outside his door. He went over to the door and pressed his ear against it to see if he could hear who was talking.
"What should we do Petunia, should we punish him for inviting that crazy man here?" Uncle Vernon asked.
"He didn't invite him, he showed up on his own. Besides if we punish him then we will have to keep him here. Is that what you want?" asked Aunt Petunia.
Harry felt the urge to quietly open the door and jump out at them but that wouldn't be very smart for sure. So he quietly opened the door and went down to the living room. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were talking in a hushed manor. Neither of them saw Harry walk in so he cleared his throat to let them know that someone was in the room.
"What do you want boy?" barked Uncle Vernon.
"I was just curious if I was still allowed to leave and go to my friends' houses?" Harry asked.
"We were just discussing that very matter. We are glad to see that you realize that you were no doubt going to be in trouble. But as far as that goes I guess that we have no choice but to let you go. I am looking forward to you being gone for the rest of the summer." Said Aunt Petunia
"You better make sure that you are all packed and ready to go. I don't want them here any longer than they have to be." Snapped Uncle Vernon
"Hermione is different than the Weasley's; you see she was born into a family like you. So she knows how to act around mug-I mean people like you. She won't do anything to any of you. She gave me her word that nothing would happen." Said Harry
"Well no matter I still don't want her here." Said Uncle Vernon
"Fine! She won't be here long."
"What time is she going to be picking you up?" asked Aunt Petunia
"Nine o'clock in the morning."
"She better not be late"
"Hermione is never late."
Harry went back up to his room with the intention of going to bed. But he had so much on his mind that he was not going to be able to sleep for a while. Can Sirius really actually be alive? Am I sure that I am not dreaming? This is so hard to believe. Wait...now that Sirius is out there somewhere, what happens if he gets hurt and no one will ever know. Harry was so immersed in his thoughts that he wasn't even aware of the light that was flashing outside his window.
Harry woke suddenly. He rolled over to look at his clock and read 1:45 a.m. I guess that I did actually fall asleep. While Harry was lying there in bed he looked out the window. It was dark out and then there was light. What! Why is there a light outside my window? Hang on... that isn't a normal street light. Harry got out of bed and went over to the window. He opened it and looked outside. There was a man in the street holding something in the air. The man had long hair that hung in his face, making it hard to see who it was. The man moved his hair out of his face and Harry saw that his features were sunken in. At first Harry thought that is was Snape his potions teacher at Hogwarts. Why would Snape be on Privet Drive in the middle of the night? But that didn't seem to fit. Snape would not come to visit Harry. The man was waving for Harry to come down. But did Harry really want to go down there and if so how was he supposed to get down.
As Harry was trying to make up his mind about what he was going to do, the man on the street did something very, very unexpected. He changed from a man into a dog that was the size of a small black bear. When Harry saw this he found himself wondering how he was going out of the window, and before he knew it he there was a rope ladder hanging from his window. Harry climbed down the ladder and ran over to the man. Harry couldn't believe that he was here. His godfather was back. He didn't realize it at first but he was actually crying. He couldn't believe it; he was in his godfather's arms.
"Are you really here? I mean this is not some sort of dream or something?" Harry asked hoping that he wasn't going to be disappointed.
"Yes I am really here. I am alive and I have been since I fell through that veil."
Harry didn't say anything. He was angry that Sirius hadn't contacted him and it didn't help that he had been led to believe that he was dead for two months.
"Look I know that you are angry with me but I was only doing what I felt was necessary to protect you from Voldemort. I had no intention of falling through the veil. As I was sitting there trapped in the veil I was thinking that this was the worst thing that could happen. I knew that you would want revenge for killing me, and I knew that you would try to go after the one that caused me to fall into the veil. I thought that I was trapped in there forever. I was never going to be able to see you again. I was pretty sure that there was no way that I could get out of the veil, at least on my own. I thought that there might be a small chance that if there was help from the other side then maybe. Obviously Dumbledore thought along the same lines. I am glad to be out of there, now that everyone believes that I am dead I can be more of a help to the Order."
Harry did not know what to do. He had already been told this by Dumbledore but it really sunk in when he heard it from Sirius himself. He just stood there looking at him and then wrapped his arms around Sirius.
He stood there and looked at Harry wondering how he could have done that to him. It did keep him marginally safe so maybe it was worth it. It really hurt knowing that he was going to hate me for it but I love him. People always try to protect the ones that they love. I am not a bad person.
Harry seemed to notice that his godfather was thinking to himself so he didn't do anything to bother him. I hope that I am not dreaming. I can't believe that he is actually alive. Hermione and Ron are going to flip when they hear this. I wonder if I will have to go back to the Dursley's next summer or will I be able to go and live with him. Why am I even thinking about this right now, I have the entire year to ask him. I won't do it now.
"Look Harry it is getting very late and if I am not mistaken you have to be up bright and early tomorrow so you can go to stay with Hermione right." said Sirius.
"How did you know about that?"
Sirius just stood there smiling and said nothing. Harry didn't need him to answer he already knew. Dumbledore. Dumbledore knew that Harry missed Sirius very much. He may have thought that Harry would have liked to see Sirius before he left to go to his friends' houses.
"Yeah, anyway, I guess that it is pretty late so I think I should get to bed so I can get up tomorrow." Harry said awkwardly.
He couldn't believe that he didn't know what to say to his godfather. He had never had trouble talking to him before. He gave his godfather another long hug and then turned to go back into the house. Just as he got to the door he felt something very wet and slobbery. He looked around and found there was a dog standing by his side. The dog turned into a man yet again.
"I meant to ask you if you wanted to live with me after the school year ends, you know instead if coming back here?
Harry just stood there. He suddenly had a flashback to his third year when he first met his godfather and he had asked him the same question. He did the same thing too, just standing there, not knowing what to say.
"But I understand if you don't want to, I mean I have asked you before and it never happened but this time I am back for good. I mean I may be doing stuff for the order but that is different."
Harry continued to look and stare at his godfather. Then without warning Harry launched himself into another hug.
"Of course I will live with you. I hate it here; I mean they have been better since Moody threatened them but still their pretty rotten. Does that mean that I can come and stay with you over Christmas break as well?" Harry asked hopefully.
Sirius nodded and smiled. Harry once again jumped Sirius in a hug and then turned and went inside. He made his was quietly up the stairs to his room. He was just about to open his door when he heard a noise, he turned to see if it was Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia or maybe even Dudley. But there was no one there so he figured that he had just heard someone turning over in bed. Then he thought about what would happen if he got caught outside of his room at three in the morning. Dudley would gladly wake up his mother and father to tell them that Harry was out of bed. Dudley loved trying to get Harry in trouble. So he hurried back to his room and shut the door very quietly so it wouldn't wake anyone up.
Harry looked around the room; this may be the very last time that he was ever going to be in here again. Inside he felt happy and excited, and something else. He didn't want to believe it but it was true. He was actually going to miss this room, he wasn't going to miss the Dursley's and Privet Drive, but he was going to miss this room. So many things had happened in this room. Like when Ron, Fred, and George came to rescue him in his second year at Hogwarts. Or, when Dobby came to visit him for the first time. There were so many good times that he didn't want to admit while he was there but now that there was a distinct possibility that he wasn't coming back he couldn't help but feel this way. He looked at his clock; it was almost four o'clock in the morning. I have to be up by seven at least so that way I can take and shower and get ready to go. I don't want to smell like this tomorrow when I met Hermione. I can't believe that I am only going to get three hours of sleep. I can't believe it. Sirius is actually alive and I am going to go and live with him and I will never have to come back to this place. Thank God.
Just as Harry was getting into bed there was another owl in Hedwig's cage. So Harry got up to see what the owl wanted. There was a letter tied to the leg and so he started to read letter and then realized that the handwriting was Hermione's. It wasn't a very long letter so he thought that it wouldn't hurt to read it now. Who knows maybe it says that I can't go over to her house after all. It might have something important to say. Harry thought to himself. So he opened the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
I can't believe that you are really coming tomorrow to visit me. I am so excited that I told my parents that I wanted to come and pick you up earlier. But they said that it would be a bad idea if we changed the plans now. I wanted us to have as much time together before we have to go to Ron's. You know I just got a letter from him the other day. It didn't sound like him at all. He said that when we got there he wanted to talk to me about something important. I hope that it is nothing like he likes me and was hoping that we could try having a relationship. That would be horrible. I mean I would never have considered dating him. He is almost like my brother. Anyway I like someone else, but I don't think that he likes me so there is no point to go into that. Anyway thank you again for coming over, I thought that I was going to board out of my mind like last summer.
Thanks again,
Love,
Hermione
Harry stared at the letter; she was picking him up at 9:00 in the morning. He wasn't going to get much sleep. He got a piece of paper and scratched a response that said:
Dear Hermione,
I just got your letter and it is four o'clock in the morning. What are you doing up this early? Anyway just writing back to say that everything is ok and I can't wait to see you. I have some amazing news to tell you. But I have been up all night and I am going to bed now so maybe I can get some sleep before you get here. I will see you bright and early tomorrow.
Your friend,
Harry
P.S. is it ok if I sleep on the way to your house for a few minutes. Thanks.
And with that Harry sent Hedwig out with the letter and then flopped into bed and was fast asleep.
