Summery: Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban when Harry was five years old. They lived hidden from the wizarding world. Now Harry is fifteen.

On the Run

Chapter Eleven

Talking With the Headmaster

Darn. Sirius thought as he wearily eyed the stone gargoyle. I don't have a password.

Sirius spent the next ten minutes guessing muggle candies until he finally guessed the right one. M&M's. Entering the doorway behind the gargoyle he slowly walked up the staircase. He wasn't too excited to speak with Dumbledore. 'No turning back now.' Slowly he knocked on the door, half hoping Dumbledore didn't hear him.

No such luck. The door slowly opened and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore stood there wearing a colorful pair of light and dark blue robes.

"Mr. Black." Dumbledore said in surprise.

"Headmaster." Sirius said in greeting tilting his head a little.

"Come in." Dumbledore said standing aside to allow Sirius to enter. "Have a seat Mr. Black."

After a moment Sirius noticed Dumbledore was waiting for him to begin. Sirius sighed. "I saw yesterday's paper."

Dumbledore nodded. "I had hoped you would. I noticed you didn't bring Harry with you."

"No, Headmaster, I did not."

"Why not, Sirius?" Sirius noticed his switch from calling him 'Mr. Black' to 'Sirius.' "He's needs to be kept safe."

"He is safe at the moment." Sirius said vaguely. He wasn't going to give any information he didn't have to.

"Why did you take him, Sirius?" Dumbledore asked steeping his fingers and looking intently at Sirius.

"He wasn't safe with his relatives." Sirius answered bluntly.

"What do you mean, Sirius? He was safe. No one from the wizarding world could find him. The death eaters could not fin him…" Dumbledore tried to explain.

Sirius shook his head angrily. "He may have been safe from death eaters, but not from his relatives."

Dumbledore was silent a moment contemplating what Sirius had just told him. "We had someone living in the Dursleys neighborhood keeping an eye on Mr. Potter."

"Well they didn't do a very good job." Sirius said heatedly. "He was in bad shape when I found him."

"So you decided to just take him?" Dumbledore asked.

"He needed to be safe. He wasn't safe there. Nor was he remotely happy."

"Why didn't you bring him today?" Dumbledore asked after a moment. He hoped he was misjudging Sirius. He sincerely hoped Sirius did not use Harry as a pawn to get out of his kidnapping charges and going back to Azkaban. The old Sirius he knew would not have ever thought of doing that. But one never knew how being falsely charged and in Azkaban for four years changed someone.

Sirius apparently seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Dumbledore.

"I am not using Harry to keep from going to Azkaban again. I would never do that. I hope I don't have to go back. But I know it's a likely possibility. I took Harry to keep him safe. I do not regret that decision. I would do it again in a heart beat. I did not bring Harry here because I do not want him back at the Dursleys. I know I will be arrested, probably today. But I want to know that Harry will be safe. I do not want him taken back to the Dursleys."

"And why, may I ask, do you not want him at the Dursleys. We had wards protecting the house. No one with a dark mark could enter."

"Those wards may have made sure he was protected from death eaters. But they did not tell you if he was being hurt by that 'family.'" Sirius spat.

"That is a serious accusation, Sirius." Dumbledore said, none of the normal twinkle in his eyes.

"I know, Headmaster." Sirius said wearily. "But he was not happy there. He was not healthy there. They were neglectful and abusive toward him throughout his time there."

"How do you know this, Sirius?"

"I found him in a cupboard under the stairs. He was bruised all over. He had a broken arm. He was underfed."

Dumbledore was silent a few moments. "Would you be willing to use veritaserum or a pensive to verify your claims?"

Sirius nodded without hesitation. "Yes. I would."

Dumbledore nodded.

"Will you tell me where Mr. Potter is?"

"Not until I have a promise from you and the minister of magic that he will not be sent back to the Dursleys."

Dumbledore nodded. If Sirius' claims on the Dursleys treatment of Mr. Potter were true, it would not do well to send him back there.

"You have my word. But I can not guarantee the Ministers."

Sirius nodded. "I know. And I will wait until I have it before I tell anyone of his location."

"I'm going to floo the Aurors." Dumbledore said as he stood up.

Sirius didn't say anything. He knew this was coming. He wasn't looking forward to being arrested again. But if it helped getting his name cleared, and Harry safe and in his custody it was worth it.

A moment later green flames burst in the fire place and two Aurors stepped out.

"Sirius Black, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Harry James Potter." One of them said as they looked him over for weapons and took his wand.

As they began to portkey to the Ministry, Dumbledore stopped them.

"I'll see you shortly, Sirius."

"I look forward to it Headmaster."

And with that they touched the portkey and feeling a pulling sensation around their navel's were transported to the Ministry.

End of Chapter Eleven

A/N: Yeah! Another chapter done! Please read and review! I hope you liked the new chapter. An update will be posted soon.