On the Run

Chapter Thirty

Pensive Memories

Sirius bit his lip nervously. Today was the day everyone in the court room would see him memories. Appearantly, they had some spell to place on the pensive to allow the memories to show above the pensive, as opposed to entering the pensive. He only hoped it would help.

"Mr. Black." Minister Fudge called to gain his attention. "Do you agree to allow all those in this room to view you memories from a pensive?"

Sirius nodded in comfirmation. "Yes, Minister."

Minister Fudge motioned for a man off to the side to place the pensive in the middle of the room. A spell was muttered and the screen showed above it. It had a frosen image of a big black unhealthy looking dog hiding in the bushes to the side of a house. The dog appeared to be watching a boy who next to the house.

Pensive Memory

Padfoot lifted his head as he saw a small boy with messy black hair and wire rimmed glasses walking up the drive way. A younger version of Harry Potter.

Harry was dressed in overly large clothes, and had an old worn out book bag slung over his shoulder. Slowly Harry walked up the drive way and disappeared through the door to Number Four Privet Drive. Padfoot laid his head down again and began his wait again.

The door opened and the same small boy with wire rimmed glasses and messy black hair stepped out. Padfoot watched intently as Harry went to the garden shed in the back yard and disappeared only to emerge a moment later with some yard tools. Harry carried the yard tools to the front of the house and kneeled down at the garden of flowers and began to dig.

Harry had been working at the flower bed almost an hour before the door opened again to reveal a boy that was very overweight, and resembled a baby whale. The boy smiled as he spotted Harry kneeling in the flower bed and began to step closer to him. Padfoot watched as the two boy's interacted for a few minutes. Padfoot's eyes widened as the garden hose snaked itself, seemingly invisible - though Sirius believed it to be accidental magic - across the lawn. Harry's cousin turned around and began to march back into the house, but tripped over the hose. His eyes widened comically as he fell.

Harry's eyes also widened in surprise. He knew he had not left the hose there. Harry was abruptly brought out of his thoughts by a loud cry mixed with whining. "Daddy!" Dudley called as tears began to fall from his face, even though there was no obvious injury.

The door opened seconds later and another large man - who Padfoot believed to be Harry's cousin's father - stepped out the door and rushed to his son. The man - Sirius remembered his name being Vernon - helped his son up and began to check for injuries, all the while Dudley continued to whine. "Daddy! That freak left the hose out and made me trip!" Dudley sobbed.

By this time a long necked woman stepped though the door and rushed to the overweight boy's side. She led Dudley inside while trying to sooth him.

Vernon stood from where he had kneeled and marched over to Harry menacingly. Padfoot tried to listen to what he said, but they were too far away. Harry stood up after Vernon said something and Vernon grabbed Harry by the arm and dragged him inside. Padfoot desperately wanted to know what was happening. Why was Harry in trouble. He had done nothing wrong! His cousin wasn't hurt.

End of pensive memory.

The memory froze at the last scene. "Mr. Black," Minister Fudge addressed Sirius. "Can you explain this memory?"

Sirius nodded and obeniantly began his explination. "That was a few day's after I escaped. I had decided to visit Harry, to see how he was. I asked him about it after I'd taken him; he told me he had been fixing his aunt's flower bed. She had a garden party coming up and needed it fixed up. Dudley, Harry's cousin, alway caused trouble for Harry. That particular day he went out there to get Harry into trouble. Harry must have preformed accidental magic on the hose which caused it to move. Dudley tripped and fell and overexadurated his injuries, which got Harry into trouble."

The minister nodded and motioned for the next memory.

Second pensive memory.

It was late at night. The only source of light around Privet Drive were coming from the porch lights and street lamps. Padfoot slowly and carefully went to the back yard of Number Four and went to the back door. Changing back to his human form, Sirius Black, he looked around carefully to make sure he wasn't spotted.

Sirius had looked bad in his animagus form. But he looked awful in his human form. He was very underweight. His face has a sunken in and gaunt look to it. He had dark circles under his eyes, and the clothes he wore seemed to just be clinging to him.

Slowly he reached his arm out and tried the back door to see if it was locked. Turning the knob he sighed as he confirmed that it was indeed locked. He knew he had very little of a chance of the door being unlocked, but you never knew, some people left their doors unlocked at night. Looking around the house he finally found a possible way to enter. There was a window to the left side of the house that was not closed fully. Slowly he slid the window open further and slipped in as quietly as possible.

Once inside he looked around the darkened room. It was an office, he assumed, because it had a large desk and file cabinets and book shelves. Slowly he opened the door to the rest of the house and began to walk as quietly as he could up the steps.

Slowly he opened each door to find out where his godson might be. The first door revealed a neatly made bed and dresser of draws and a small Muggle television.

The second revealed Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. Vernon's loud snores echoed through the room. The third door revealed his son Dudley's room. The room was filled with Muggle toys, and electronics. Sirius shook his head as he closed the door as silently as possible. Dursley Jr. was obviously very spoilt. He wondered if Harry was treated that way.

He really had no intention's of taking Harry. He just wanted to see him. To see if he was okay. And if he was being well cared for. Or if he was happy. The event's earlier in the day may just be a once-in-a-while thing. Harry may have been working in the garden because of some prank he'd pulled at school.

Opening the last door he looked inside. The room was filled with toys. Silently he crept through the room, careful not to trip on anything. After a few minutes of searching the small room he saw no Harry.

Slowly Sirius crept back downstairs and began to look around. Entering the hallway leading to the kitchen he heard a cough he turned around. Slowly, dreading what he might find, he unlocked the clasp to the broom cupboard and opened it. It opened with a slight creek of the hinges.

Peeking insider the dark cupboard Sirius gasped. Harry was laying on a small mattress that looked like it belonged to a baby's crib. There were dirty blankets that were frayed at the edges, and had holes in them. Harry was awake looking at him wide eyed. Sirius couldn't make out much more then that in the darkened cupboard. Noticing a string that he recognized as being a switch for a light he pulled and the light came on.

Sirius gasped again at the sight before him. Harry had several bruises on his face, and his arm was cradled to his chest.

"Harry?" Sirius asked in a low whisper, and in what he hoped to be a gentle voice.

Harry didn't answer, but continued to stare at him wide eyed, and fearful.

"Harry, its okay." Sirius crooned. "I won't hurt you. My name's Sirius." Sirius moved so he was illuminated by the light better so Harry could see him. He hoped he didn't look too horrible because he didn't want to frighten Harry further. "Can you come here for me?" Sirius asked gesturing for Harry to come closer; Harry shook his head adamantly. "Do you know who I am?" Sirius sighed. He hadn't really expected Harry to, but he figured it was worth a try.

"Your said your names Sirius." Harry answered in a small nervous voice.

"That's right." Sirius answered with a small smile. "I used to know your parents."

"You did?" Harry asked in a interested voice.

"Yup." Sirius said as he looked Harry in the eyes. He wanted to get Harry out of here. It was obvious he was not being properly cared for. Sirius really didn't even know that he'd be able to properly care for Harry, but it would be much better then where he was at now. "And you know what?"

"What?" Harry asked curiously.

"Your mum and dad made me your Godfather." Sirius answered with a small mischievous grin.

Harry's face scrunched up a little in confusion. "What's a Godfather?" Harry asked.

"Well a Godparent is someone who your parents name as your guardian should anything happen to them." Sirius answered, trying to put it as simply as possible, not wanting to confuse Harry. Harry sat up and faced Sirius better, though his back was still to the wall of the cupboard. Harry seemed to be stewing over something Sirius had said and after a few moments finally voiced his thoughts.

"Why are you coming now?" Harry asked in a slightly accusing voice.

Sirius winced inwardly. Obviously Harry was quick on his feet. "I've been unable to care for you." He answered truthfully. "Do you want to come live with me now?" He asked hopefully, not wanting to leave Harry here with these Muggles, who obviously had no problems hurting him.

After a moment Harry hesitantly nodded. Sirius opened his arms and motioned for Harry to come closer to him, which, after some hesitation, he did. Sirius scooped the five year old up in his arms and gave him a gentle hug. "Where will we go?" Harry asked in a timid and unsure voice.

"We'll see." Sirius said thoughtfully. He knew he needed to go get some money out of his Muggle account. He was really grateful now that Lily had convinced him to open a Muggle account so he could access some money in an emergency. There wasn't a whole lot in there, but it was enough to build a start. He also knew he needed to get somewhere where he was least likely to be recognized. And he needed to change his appearance and their names.

Noticing that Harry still continued to cradle his arm to his chest he pulled back from Harry to get a closer look. "Is your arm hurt?" Sirius asked concerned. Harry nodded. "Can I see it?" Hesitantly Harry allowed Sirius to touch his arm; a moment later, Harry winced in pain and pulled it back. Sirius knew it was broken from how it felt. He had had enough broken bones in his time to be able to detect one. "I'll get that fixed up soon, okay?" Sirius said soothingly to Harry, who nodded in return.

Slowly Sirius stood and cradled Harry to his chest. "Is there anything you want to take with you?" Sirius saw the messy black mop of hair shake and heard a muffled "No." Sirius frowned; surely there was something Harry owned and wanted to keep. "Are you sure?" This time there was a nod. Sirius didn't comment further and carefully made his way outside.

End second pensive memory.

The minister cleared his throat. The whole court room was very quiet. Very few had seen any of the memories Sirius had submitted to the pensive. Those who had not seen it before were shocked beyond words. There was no mistaking Harry had been hurt in most peoples minds.

"Mr. Black, do you admit this is your memory, and has not been altered?" Minister Fudge asked.

"It is mine and has not been changed in any way." Sirius confirmed.

"There is one last memory, correct?" The minister questioned.

"Yes," Sirius answered. "It's about two month's after I took Harry."

Pensive memory three.

Sirius smiled as he watched his Godson from the doorway. Harry was currently sitting at the table in the living room with coloring books around him and colorful crayons all over the place.

Sirius and Harry had changed their appearances a little. Harry had a different Hair cut now, it was slightly longer then it had been, but it was well groomed. Harry also had new clothes, which fit him comfortably, and weren't oversized like his cousins hand-me-downs had been. And Sirius had been surprised be the difference in his Godsons appearance, just by a slightly different hair cut, and new clothes.

"Sirius," Harry said effectively breaking Sirius from his thoughts. "This is for you." Harry said smiling brightly as he handed out a picture to his Godfather. Sirius smiled and took the picture from him and looked at it. It was a very colorful drawing of himself and Harry standing next to each other and holding hands. In the background there was a large snake. Sirius assumed this to be because he had taken Harry to the zoo after learning he had never been there before. Harry had fallen in love with the place and talked about it non-stop for almost a week. Sirius planed on taking the kid there again sometime soon.

"Thank you Harry!" Sirius said smiling brightly as he bent down and picked Harry up and ruffled his messy hair. Harry gave a small cry of 'Hey!' but otherwise didn't protest. "How about we hang this up?"

Harry nodded and Sirius placed him gently back on his feet handing the picture back to him. He watched as Harry rushed into the kitchen, undoubtedly to add it to the collection already on the fridge. Shaking his head he followed, a wide grin on his face.

End pensive memory three.

"How long was this after you took Harry?" Minister Fudge asked.

"About two months." Sirius answered.

"I noticed Mr. Potter had a Muggle plaster cast around his wrist." Maddam Bones spoke for the first time. "How did you aquire that from a medical healer? I assume they would report and oddities in your story and check records."

"They did." Sirius answered. "I had paid for false documents. That gave us different names, medical records, birth cirtificates and everything else."

"How did you manage to gain these?" Minister Fudge asked.

"I paid for them. I had a small Muggle account." Sirius answered.

"Any more questions?" After there was no answer he continued. "Thank you Mr. Black. That will be all for today." Minister Fudge announced bringing the attention back to himself.

End of Chapter Thirty.

A/N: I hope you like the newest chapter of On the Run! Those of you who have read Escape will recognise most of this chapter. If you have not yet read it and you want to read the complete chapters then check out my story Escape. It had mini stories of Harry's childhood with Sirius. Please REVIEW!

I will try to update another chapter in a few days. I am sorry I didn't update last Tuesday as I said I would. I was having trouble figuring out how I wanted it to go. Thank you for your patience!

Next Chapter: Harry.