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 Thirteen
Retrieving Harry
Dumbledore looked around the new surroundings. He had just apparated to the location Sirius had told him Harry was at. He noticed he was in a small neighborhood. There were many houses, all looked pretty small, but comfortable. He could smell salt in the air and assumed he was near the ocean. 'Time to look for the house.' Dumbledore began to look at the addresses to the houses. Finally he found the right one.
Walking up to the door he paused to knock. Would Harry even answer? Only one way to find out.
Knock! Knock!
Waiting a moment, the door slowly opened, but just barely. Only enough for Dumbledore to see a head of black hear, and bright green eye's staring cautiously at him.
"Hello, may I come in?" Dumbledore began, not wanting to have this conversation on the door step.
"No." Came the one worded answer.
"Sirius sent me here." Dumbledore began to go through his robes to find the letter Sirius had written. Finally he found it and handed it out, but Harry didn't take it. "It's a letter Sirius wrote. He said to give it to you."
Dumbledore could see Harry give a short nod and reach for the letter. Harry closed the door on him after getting the letter. Dumbledore assumed Harry was reading the letter.
Dear Harry,
Hey, Kiddo. The man giving you this letter is Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster I went to see. I am doing okay, so don't worry about me, okay? I am currently at the Ministry of Magic. There is going to be a trial on the kidnapping charge, but don't worry. Dumbledore has agreed to take care of you until other arrangements are made. You will be sorted at the school your parents and I went to and begin classes soon. Please don't worry too much. I'm okay, and I will see you soon.
I love you,
Sirius Black
Harry opened the door wider this time to allow Dumbledore to come in.
"Come on in."
After Dumbledore entered he closed and locked the door behind him.
"So, what now?" Harry asked.
"I have signed papers to be your temporary guardian. Sirius also signed these papers. You will be enrolled in a school called Hogwarts. I imagine you've been told of it before?" At Harry's nod he continued. "You'll take classes like any other student there."
"And with Sirius?" Harry asked obviously concerned.
"Sirius was arrested by Ministry Aurors this morning. There will be a trial. If he is found guilty, he may go to Azkaban, but I doubt the sentence will be for long. After he's out, then he will undoubtedly try getting custody of you permanently."
"Is he okay?"
Dumbledore smiled. It was obvious that Sirius had taken good care of him. He looked healthy, and obviously cared for Sirius. "Yes, Harry. Sirius is well. I just finished speaking with him, actually."
"Can I see him?" Harry asked.
"Sometime soon."
"When are we leaving?" Harry asked.
"As soon as you gather your things. Whatever you don't take to the school will be placed in storage."
Harry nodded. "Okay. I also need to tell the neighbor. Sirius asked them to watch over me, and they'd freak if they came over and couldn't find me."
"After you finish packing I'll escort you over there."
Harry nodded. "Can I offer you anything while you wait?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "No, that's okay. Thank you for the offer."
"If you need anything to eat or drink just get it."
Dumbledore nodded and watched as Harry left the room to get his things packed.
An hour later Harry came in carrying a book bag and two suit cases of clothes.
"Is that what you'll take with you?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry nodded.
"May I shrink them?"
"Sure." Harry watched interestedly as Dumbledore shrank them small enough for them to fit in your hand and placed them in his pocket.
"Ready to talk with your neighbor?"
"Yes."
Harry closed the door and locked it behind them after they left. After telling the Wilson's that Sirius had made other arrangements and he'd be going with Mr. Dumbledore they walk to the back yard.
"I'm going to create a portkey to Hogwarts. Do you know how a portkey works?"
"Yes, Sirius and I have used them before."
After touching the portkey Dumbledore made out of a rock they felt the tug around their navel and landed in Dumbledore's office. Harry fell to the ground having lost his balance.
After helping him stand Dumbledore explained where they were. "This is my office, Harry."
"Who is that?" Harry asked eyeing the golden bird standing on the perch.
"That's Fawks. He's my Phoenix." Dumbledore said smiling.
"He's beautiful." Harry commented.
"Yes, he is."
"How about we head to the infirmary?" Dumbledore suggested.
"Why?" Harry asked. "I'm fine. I'm not hurt."
"The ministry needs a record of that." Dumbledore explained.
"Why?"
"Sirius made some claims that your relatives were not very kind to you." Dumbledore noted Harry wasn't surprised by his comment. "We need it on record that Sirius treated you well."
"Sirius has treated me very well." Harry countered.
"I can see that Harry." Dumbledore said patiently. "We just need a record of it."
"Okay."
Dumbledore explained Hogwarts history as they walked to the infirmary.
Entering the infirmary Harry noticed it looked a lot like the nurses offices at school. Just bigger. It had more beds, while his old schools had just one.
"Poppy!" Dumbledore called.
Harry assumed 'Poppy' was the school nurse.
A moment later an older woman came out of a back room that looked like an office.
"Good morning Headmaster." Poppy said as she came closer to them.
"Good morning Poppy." Dumbledore said cheerfully. "This is Harry Potter." Poppy looked back at Harry stunned. "Harry this Is Madam Pomfree our resident nurse."
"Hello, Madam Pomfree." Harry said in greeting.
"Good morning, Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfree said after a moment.
"Poppy, Harry here needs an examination. I need a copy to send to the ministry as well." Dumbledore explained.
"Of course, Headmaster." Madam Pomfree said as she directed Harry to a bed.
"Harry, I'm going to get a room in my quarters set up for you. I'll be back shortly."
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After Albus got his guest room situated for Harry he enlarged Harry's belongings and placed them on the floor by the bed. A loud 'POP' caught his attention.
"Hello Casey." Dumbledore greeted the small house elf.
"Headmaster. I is here to tell you of Professor Lupin entering your office." The elf said shyly.
"Thank you, Casey."
With another 'POP' Casey disappeared.
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Entering his office he could see the previously said professor sitting in one of the over stuffed chairs.
"Hello, Remus. What can I do for you?"
Remus greeted Dumbledore accordingly noticing the brightly twinkling eyes. "I just came for an update on Sirius and Harry."
Dumbledore smiled. "I assumed as much. Sirius was arrested here early this morning."
Remus immediately perked up. "And Harry?"
"Harry is getting an examination by Poppy."
"Is he okay?" Remus asked suddenly concerned Sirius had possibly hurt him.
"He seems fine. Though I shall get a report shortly." Dumbledore explained.
"And Sirius? How is he? What did he say?" Remus asked in a rush.
"Sirius seemed to be well. He is very concerned for Harry though. He was adamant Harry not be sent back to the Dursleys. I had to agree to take temporary custody of Harry before he told me Harry's location."
"Why did Sirius kidnap Harry from his relatives?" Remus asked.
Dumbledore frowned a little. "He says that he found Harry in bad shape. He has even agreed to give a pensive memory."
"Sirius says the Dursley's abused Harry?" Remus asked to clear things up.
"Unfortunately."
"He could have just told Harry what to say." Remus hated to think this way of Sirius, his one time best friend. But he couldn't help it. He'd believed Sirius to be a criminal for so long that it was difficult not to think of him differently until he had facts telling him otherwise.
"A memory can't be altered. Not a pensive memory. Considering Harry was so young when Sirius took him, yes, he could have been told a story and over time believed it as the truth. False memory, if you will. But Sirius will not allow the ministry to question Harry. Sirius has agreed to give his own memories. And his can't be altered."
"Can I see Harry?" Remus asked after a moment.
Dumbledore nodded. "Later this evening. I'd like him to settle in a bit before if that's okay."
"Of course. Will he start school here? Is he going to be sorted tonight?"
"Yes, he will start school here. He shall be sorted tonight. But, I would like him to settle in a bit before he moves into a dorm room."
Remus nodded in understanding.
End of Chapter Thirteen
A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you for reading! Please review!