Harry Potter and The Time For War

by RBlack

Chapter two a Sirius Return

Morning came much too quickly for Harry, he had never been much for mornings to begin with, but they had to leave early to get to the Ministry for their planned rescue that morning. As he got himself ready to bring Sirius home, memories of the last few weeks flooded to him. Remembering the fight for life at the Dursley's, then waking up with the girls surrounding him, remembering his talk with Dumbledore about the spell they had used to keep him alive, finding out that Dudley was with him, and that his aunt and uncle had been arrested, then his move to the family estate, and finding out about his parents portraits.

That was the hardest for him; he had always believed that he would never get to know his parents, now he had more of a chance to do that, but could he take it? He could and would take advantage of it, but not now, he had to bring his godfather back o the living. Harry decided that he would let his emotions loose once they had Sirius back and safe.

Harry was just finished getting dressed when his door creaked open, like lightening he had his wand pointed at the door ready to curse the intruder. He relaxed when he saw the smiling faces of Tonks, Hermione and Ginny come through the door.

"Wotcher, Harry" Tonks greeted, she was sporting a flashing head of light purple hair today, wearing a form fitting t-shirt and just covered to her mid-section, with skin tight jeans to show the figure she was so proud of.

"Heya Harry" Ginny greeted, she was dressed in a slightly worn jumper and slacks.

"Ohh Harry" Hermione greeted as well, however instead of standing there she launched herself to Harry smothering him in a bone crushing hug.

Pulling back from the hug she was blushing quite madly.

"Erm, hello. What are you all doing?" Harry asked. It was obvious that he was confused that all three girls were once again with him. He did not know what to think of this arrangement. Dumbledore had explained in detail of what the spell he used required from each participant. Each was required to confess their love of Harry; however it did not have to be a single type of love. He wondered for a minute which of the girls loved him for a friend, a lover, or a brother. The odds were one to three. He would just have to wait it out and see.

Before he could finish his thoughts, Tonks spoke up "Luv, we need to get downstairs everyone is waiting on you."

Not waiting for an answer the group left the room with Harry trailing behind. His thoughts turned to Sirius again. 'I wonder what shape he will be in' he mused to himself.

"Ah good morning Harry" Dumbledore noted. His eyes were in full twinkle this morning. "This should be a most excellent day, not only will we get your godfather back, but his named will no be cleared as well."

This announcement was more than Harry could handle, he simple fainted away on the spot. A few minutes later he was awoken, lying on the sofa. All he could get out was "free?" with a huge grin on his face.

The old Headmaster smirked and nodded. "How?" Harry asked still groggy.

"Well Harry it seems that a small girl found an interesting looking rat under her bed a night ago, and captured it to show her parents, with turn out to be members of the Order and had all been informed of a rat on the loose with a silver paw." Dumbledore continued. "So he was brought to the Aurors, and was interrogated under veritsurm and confessed to every wrong doing he committed. He was taken to trial late last night by an emergency session of the council. He was given the kiss for his deeds this morning." He finished.

Everyone grimaced at the vision of Pettigrew getting kissed by living death, loosing his soul. In any case Harry and most everyone he thought that the man deserved more of a punishment but it was enough as he was getting Sirius back.

"Now" The Headmaster rose from his chair. "Lets be off we have much to do and little time to do it. We will be transporting directly into the Department of Mysteries, so that our presence is not known." Pulling out an old worn dish towel and holding it out in front of him. "Everyone grab hold we will portkey on three." Albus finished.

"one"

"two"

"three"

Harry felt the familiar pull on his navel and a moment later he felt sold ground under his feet again, Tonks stumbled and near fell, He moved quickly to catch her. Holding her in his arms, she looked back at him blushing a deep shade of red simply said "Thanks".

Moving quickly Harry instinctively knew what he had to do, he asked Dumbledore for a long rope, and tied it off to a corner post in on a side of the room, he tossed the rest of the rope into the veil watching it disappear. He tied himself to the rope and moved the veil to one side feeling an unnatural wind trying to suck him into the seeming endless chasm.

As loudly as he could he called for Sirius, he called for many minutes before he finally got any response. It was a cold response that was not altogether human. Simply repeating

"Come and get him if you dare".

Harry slacked the rope knowing what he would have to do; he looked back at the girls, Dumbledore and Remus and nodded. He then dove into the veil with the rope flying behind him. What he did not account for was that he landed quickly and hard. Looking up he saw the veil blowing around, he turned to look around and saw skeletons of the veils victims. He walked around them noting many other dead or barely living huddled against the walls. He called out for Sirius again, yet this time he got a single response in a very weak voice, "Harry?" the voice answered. Harry raced to where he had heard the voice to find a very tired and ill looking Sirius. He looped the rope around himself and Sirius and gave it a giant tug; soon they were being pulled from the room and out of the veil.

Once out the girls and Remus were all crying openly. It was such a sight Harry hovering over his godfather making sure that he would live to see the next sunrise.

"We need to get him home Harry" Remus said.

"Let go home" Harry said looking very tired, his eyes met Dumbledore's and once again they were all gripping the old towel, with Harry and Remus supporting Sirius's limp body between them. Moments later they landed in the "Healing Room" of Harry's home.

"Call for Poppy Remus" Dumbledore spoke.

Wasting no time Remus was in a dash to the nearest fireplace a few minutes later Remus returned groaning under the weight of many items that Madam Pompfry had him bring back. The school's nurse shooed everyone out of the room except Remus and began the task of bring Sirius back to health.

Tired, hungry and in complete bliss Harry walked the halls of his home, waiting to hear word on Sirius's condition. He sat on a sofa in the sitting room a few doors down from the "Healing Room" trying to sort out his feelings, he was so conflicted, again everything from the last few days came rushing back to him, he realized at least one of the girls was in love with him, which though he did not know yet. Then there were his parent's portraits, he could speak to them now, he wanted to know everything but knew he could not lock himself up just taking to portraits even if they were of his parents.

And now to top it all off he had Sirius back, it felt as if a large hole within his heart was filling itself with the return of his godfather.

Slowing drifting off from the activity of the day Harry felt someone sit next to him and then two arms wrapped themselves around him, he stiffened a bit but soon relaxed he knew it was one of the girls, he kept his eyes closed and leaned into her and was soon fast asleep.

It was late evening when Harry woke from his nap the girl that had been holding him was gone. He stretched his legs and got up walking purposefully over to the "Healing Room" and knocked lightly. A moment later Remus answered.

"Hello Harry, I expect you are here to see how the old dog is?" He asked.

"Well I would like to know if he is going to be alight Remus, I mean after all he went through he did not look well when we got him back, and I am worried it was all for nothing." Harry replied nearly breaking down right there.

Remus chuckled, and then Harry heard the voice he was waiting to hear.

"Moony leave Harry alone, he cannot help it if he is worried about me, now get your arse in here and give me a hug Harry before I go Spar on you" Sirius growled.

Harry took a running start the moment he saw Sirius sitting up in bed. He had been cleaned up, shaven, and his hair cut, leaving a quite younger looking Sirius Black.

Harry nearly knocked a hole through the wall as hard as he hit the bed to hug his godfather.

When he impacted with Sirius they both grunted from the impact. It was at least twenty minutes before either man let go. Teary eyed from crying they both let go totally and utterly happy.

Remus sat in a chair just off to the right of the bed watching the whole scene play out, when there was a rush of fire in mid air now floating down was a single phoenix feather and a note from the Headmaster. It was address to Remus, Harry and Sirius.

"What you got there" Sirius asked

"It's a note to all three of us from Albus" Remus replied.

"Well go on open it" Harry noted.

Remus broke the seal on the back and first read the note to himself hoping it was not bad news. To his relief it was more than good news it was the best news he had heard in nearly 16 years.

He read the note aloud.

Dear Remus, Harry, and Sirius

I just received the most wonderful news; Aurors have captured Bellatrix and Lucius this evening while trying to murder a family of muggles. She is injured badly not expecting to live through the night, however Lucius died shortly after capture. As well I have just received Sirius's formal pardon from the Minister. This has been a most wonderful day.

Sirius, when you are able if you look in the third drawer of the dresser to your right you will find something you have been missing for a many year.

Yours truly,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Sirius staggered up went to the dresser opened the third drawer and grinned so wildly that one might have thought he really was crazy. Slowly and gently he pulled out what was lying in the drawer, turned and showed Remus and Harry.

"My wand!" was all Sirius could say. He was now as complete as he could be.

The three talked long into the night catching up on the happenings of the last month.

Sirius's recovery was going quickly as it seemed the "Healing room" did just that on its' own. They talked about the spell that was used to keep Harry from death, as well as the house, and other little things.

One thing that was remembered for a long time afterwards was that the rest of the occupants in the castle could hear the laughter from the three men and it was a good thing to hear.

As the next few weeks flew by, Harry spent a lot of time with Sirius, playing around and learning from his godfather and Remus. A few days before his birthday Sirius called Harry into the study nearest his room.

"Harry, what do you know of relationships?" Sirius asked most seriously.

Harry not at all prepared for this question, sat in the cushy arm chair looking to be deep in thought.

Finally he responded. "Well, I know that kids my age date, and get to know what a relationship is, they possibly get to know love, but I do not know much more than that. Why do you ask?" Harry replied.

"Harry you must understand, there are three very loving girls in this house, you are going to have to choose one, if you do not the protection of the spell Dumbledore used will wear off." Sirius said. Before Harry could speak up again he continued. "I've spoken to Albus and he says you have some time to decide but before this time next year you MUST choose one of the girls to live your life out with."

This revelation was far too much for Harry to deal with, he did not even know if he cared for the girls like that, he knew that they were all friends, and all were very attractive. But could he choose one to be his wife? And what would the others think if he did choose"

As if expecting what Harry thought Sirius spoke "You may be worried about the other two girls but not to worry, they will be ok" He moved closer to Harry and in a whisper said "If you do not want just one it's not looked down on in our world to take more than one, you can however only marry one." Sirius finished.

"Erm" Was all Harry could say, he had thought about the girls a lot since they had saved him, but now the possibility of having a wife at only seventeen years old would be not only weird, but how would the other students look at it?

"I guess I should spend time with each of the girls to get to know them better, I mean I know all three pretty well, but not Erm... in that way." Harry noted quietly.

"That's my boy" Sirius replied proud of the man Harry was becoming.

"Lets go get some dinner I am starved" Sirius added.

Harry nodded and they left to the kitchen to grab some food. About halfway to the kitchen, Sirius decided that he wanted something else for food.

"Lets floo to the Three Broomsticks!" Sirius noted with a grin.

"You sure it's safe?" Harry replied.

"Of course it is, I am free remember!" Sirius chuckled

"Ok lets grab out cloaks, and I shall meet you in the drawing room to floo" Harry replied.

Harry was excited; he had only seen the castle walls for the last many weeks and wanted to go out badly.

A few minutes later Sirius and Harry sat at a table in the Three Broomsticks waiting for their orders to be brought to them. Harry and Sirius both sipped on his butterbeer, not making much conversation while waiting. For Harry it was anticipation of something going wrong, for Sirius it was the constant stares of the others in the bar.

Harry's scar began to prickle, he knew what that meant.

"We have to get out of here, they know we are here." Harry said quickly while holding his head.

Sirius knew all to well that when the scar hurt it meant trouble. He grabbed hold of Harry and a moment later they had apperated to the gates of Hogwarts. Quickly Sirius ran with Harry in his arms to the castle doors. Once the doors where in sight, he noted Albus standing in the doorway.

"What happened Sirius?" Albus asked in a most concerned tone.

"His scar began to hurt while we were at the Three Broomsticks trying to get some dinner, I apperated him to the gates and where he collapsed and I ran with him here. He said that "THEY" knew his was there. And that they were coming. So I got us out of there as fast as I could." Sirius explained.

Harry began to stir, "Harry you with us?" Sirius asked.

"Yea, just the stupid scar, someone's gona is in big trouble tonight as they got there too late, He's furious." Harry said weakly.

"Lets get you back home Harry" the Headmaster suggested, then with a wave of his wand he made a branch on the ground into a portkey to take them home.

The next few days before Harry's birthday were consumed with resting and Dumbledore had decided that he would personally give Harry Occlumency lessons, however it a much different matter.

The day before Harry's birthday, Dumbledore decided on giving Harry a present that Harry would definitely love to have, the ability to block Voldemort from his mind and effectively cutting off his scar link from him.

The Headmaster and Harry were sitting just feet apart, ready to give Harry his present

Dumbledore told Harry "Harry, I feel that I should have thought of this long before now, and before I begin I want to tell you how very sorry I am for not thinking of it, as it would have prevented you from feeling so much pain, and from a certain day not long ago." He continued. "What I am going to do is use Legilimency on you to feed you my training on Occlumency. It will appear jumbled when you receive it but I will sort it out in your head for you. I warn you though this will not be a pleasant experience." He finished.

Harry knowing how important this was, and was willing to go through the discomfort if it would help him and give him piece of mind and a good night sleep for once.

"I'm ready" Harry replied.

"Very well" Dumbledore spoke "Legilimens!" he shouted pointing his wand at Harry.

Many hours later Harry had a very bad headache, but he knew everything on Occlumency and how to use it. He was given a potion to cure the headache, and was sent to bed.

He had never had such a good sleep in his life.

Thank you all for reviewing and reading my story. Please review more, I love the responses. Also be sure to chat about the fic on my forum located the RBlack Category.

Thanks everyone and look for Chapter three in a week or just after.