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 Eighteen

Seeing Sirius

Harry was really excited. Today he was going to be allowed to see Sirius. Headmaster Dumbledore was taking him to the Ministry of Magic himself. When Harry had asked why Dumbledore was escorting him there he had been told it was because the Minister was very interested in questioning Harry, and Sirius had entrusted him to take care of Harry. That also meant keeping the Ministry from questioning him.

"Are you ready?" Dumbledore asked as he stood from his desk and came over to the fire place.

Harry nodded eagerly. "Yes!"

"This time, when you throw the floo powder in the fire, yell 'Ministry of Magic Room 125.'" Dumbledore informed Harry.

Harry nodded. All he wanted to do was get there. He didn't particularly like traveling by floo, he always landed on the floor, but he didn't care today. He just wanted to see Sirius. Harry watched as Dumbledore yelled 'Ministry of Magic Room 125' and disappeared in the green flames. Taking a pinch of floo powder he followed Dumbledore's example. Twisting through the fireplaces he caught glimpses of grates and rooms. But they weren't long enough to distinguish anything. Finally he felt as though he was pushed by some invisible force, and he fell to his hands and knees on the floor.

Looking up he saw his Headmaster standing there. Dumbledore bent down to help him stand.

"Are you alright, Harry?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Thanks." Looking around Harry saw a man standing by the doorway.

"Follow me." The man said. Harry took a few steps and noticed Dumbledore wasn't following. Turning back he saw his headmaster smiling.

"Aren't you coming?"

"No. I'll speak with you're godfather when you're finished."

Harry nodded and followed the Auror out of the room. They arrived at this doorway and the Auror stopped. "He's inside." The Auror told Harry.

"Thanks." Harry said before him pushed the door open.

Entering the room he saw a table and two chairs. The room was rather bare other than that. Sitting in the chair was the man he'd been looking forward to seeing the whole week. He smiled brightly and ran up to Sirius. Sirius, who had stood up as Harry entered pulled Harry into a hug.

"Hey, Kiddo!" Sirius said smiling as he hugged his godson.

"Hey, Siri!" Harry said smiling brightly.

Their hug lasted for a minute more before Sirius finally, begrudgingly let go. "How are you doing?" He asked looking Harry over with a critical eye.

"I'm good." Harry said still smiling. "Are you okay?" He asked also looking Sirius over.

Sirius nodded. "I'm good, Kiddo."

"Are you getting along in school and everything?" Sirius asked. He wanted to know everything that had happened the past week.

"It was good. I'm enjoying the classes."

"Remus told me you made some friends?"

Harry nodded. "Seems that way. Their names are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Hermione is a muggle born witch."

"Have any of you pulled any pranks?" Sirius asked mischievously.

Harry shook his head still smiling. "Only you would think of pranks!" Harry said rolling his eyes. "And no, I have not done any pranks yet. Though, I'm told Ron has two older brothers, twins, who love pranks. Their trying to create a joke shop. Some of their products sound interesting."

Sirius grinned. He had never gotten Harry into pranks. Sometimes, when it was just himself and Harry or a close friend, Harry would get into a prank war with him. But he avoided them in school, unless he felt someone deserved to be pranked. Harry had good ideas for pranks, though. Sirius believed the reason Harry wasn't really interested in playing pranks was because of his cousin Dudley, who had been a bully.

Most of their visit was spent with Harry telling Sirius about his week at school. Sirius was happy to hear how Harry was getting along. One of his biggest fears was that Harry would not make any friends at school. But Harry had, and Sirius was very happy to hear it.

"Sirius?" Harry asked after a moment. "How long are you going to be here?"

Sirius sighed. He knew this was hard on Harry. And he hated that it was. He would love nothing more than to be with Harry right now. But if he was going to get his name cleared he needed to go through this trial. Hopefully, the end result would be him getting custody of Harry legally. And them not living on the run anymore.

"I don't know, Harry. The trial will probably be one or two months. From there, it depends on the verdict and sentence."

"Will I come back to live with you after this is over?" Harry asked. Sirius could tell he was rather upset.

"I hope so, Kiddo." Sirius said sighing again. He knew Harry would ask these questions. "I'm hoping to legally get custody of you when this is over."

"And if they don't give you custody?" Harry asked. "What then?"

"Let's not think about that now." Sirius said. The last thing he wanted was Harry to worry about any of that. "We'll worry about that when we come to it."

"Are you okay in here?" Harry asked after a moment.

Sirius nodded. "Yeah. I'd much more prefer to be with you. But in order to do that, without anything hanging over us, this needs to be done." Harry nodded in reply.

"When can I come see you again?"

"Hopefully this next week." Sirius said. He really wished he could have visitors more often then that. Especially if it was Harry. But the Minister didn't want him to have too many visits with him. There was a sensor in the room tell if he were coaching Harry on what to say during the trial. As long as they didn't start talking about what to say in the trial they were fine. The Minister didn't want any possible testimony to be tampered.

"Harry." Sirius said after a moment. "Be careful around snakes." Sirius watched as Harry nodded. Sirius had learned of Harry's ability to speak to snakes when Harry was six. He'd rushed outside at Harry's frantic call. Harry had gone out side just to get a toy he'd left. Sirius had found Harry speaking to the snake. Leter, when Sirius asked Harry about it Harry had said he'd been fearful at first from the snake, that was when he'd called for Sirius, then he heard the snake talk and found the snake understood him when he talked. Sirius had been weirded out at first, but he'd learned to accept it. Sirius was fearful that someone from the wizarding world would find out about his godsons ability. Sirius knew very wellwhat the Wizarding world thought of Parseltoungue. Sirius and Harry had kind of come up with a code for when they were around people. When Sirius said 'Be careful around snakes,' it really meant don't talk to a snake if you see one.

A knock at the door told them someone was entering. It was the same Auror who had been waiting outside.

"Sorry but the time is over." And this time, the Auror did look regretful in sending Sirius' visitor away. But he had a job to do.

Instead of leaving the room Harry went over to Sirius and hugged him again.

"I love you, Harry." Sirius said hugging Harry. "Take care okay?" He felt Harry nod.

"I love you too, Siri." Sirius kissed the top of Harry's head before he finally released him.

Harry begrudgingly left the room.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Entering the waiting room, where Dumbledore was seating in a transfigured chair Harry told Dumbledore that his visit was over and he'd wait for Dumbledore to finish speaking with Sirius.

Entering the detaining room Dumbledore immediately noticed Sirius.

"Hello, Professor." Sirius said.

"Hello Sirius. How are you?" Dumbledore asked taking a seat.

"I'm okay." Sirius said. Though he sound upset. Dumbledore wasn't surprised. He knew that Sirius really cared for Harry and he knew it had to hurt him being separated from Harry and only being allowed short monitored visits.

"Harry's doing well in school." Dumbledore informed Sirius.

Sirius smiled. "Harry's told me."

"I'd better get Harry back to school." Dumbledore said. He couldn't visit long.

Sirius nodded. "Look after him, please."

Dumbledore nodded and left the room.

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Flooing back to Hogwarts was a somber event. Both Headmaster Dumbledore and Harry were lost in their thoughts.

Harry was upset at having to leave Sirius, and not being able to see him sooner than a week.

And Dumbledore was upset that both Sirius and Harry were going through this. He hoped it was cleared up soon, for both their sakes.

End of Chapter Eighteen

A/N: Well, sorry for the sad ending to the chapter. I was almost in tears writing it! Anyway, I hope you are like the story so far. Please continue to read and REVIEW!

To those who celebrate Thanksgiving, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I will post another chapter after thanksgiving. I am currently busy typing the trial chapters, which are taking a while. I don't want it to be long and drawn out, just to the point. So the trials probably going to span out vaugly within 1 1/2 to 2 months.

Life Changed: I am still working out what I want to happen in the chapter with Harry and Terri in school, then their decision on what they want for future schooling. I have no other excuse other then I am having some dificulty on what I want to happen in Harry and Terri's day at school. I appologise for the long weight.