Chapter Three

Sirius

I woke up, still in the arms of my godfather, who was asleep with his back to the wall. I snuggled closer, wanting to stay there for as long as I could, bathing in the warmth and comfort that he emitted.

Too soon he stirred, blearily opening his eyes. 'What time is it?' he muttered sleepily, and retracted an arm to rub at his face.

'Eleven. Moony's going to be here in an hour, so I should get packed soon…' With a resigned sigh I dragged myself up from my bed and pulled a suitcase out from under it. Everything that I was going to need for the school year got thrown into it: Broom, clothing, quills, parchment, textbooks, owl treats and random odds and ends. Ten minutes later it was full, latched and at the foot of the stairs.

Sirius and I walked into the kitchen, stomachs grumbling at the want of food.

'There you two are!' said Aunt Petunia at the sight of us. Vernon and Dudley were still asleep, which gave the three of us leeway to eat as much as we wanted without interference from the ones most prone to kill us at a moment's notice.

Petunia bit at her lip as if wanting to ask a question, but not knowing how I'd respond. 'D-do you think I'd be able to come with you back to Hogwarts? If Vernon sees that I'm not treating you horribly anymore, I might not be around to greet you once you come back home for the summer. Besides, I always wanted to see Hogwarts, and I never got the chance to spoil you properly.'

I smiled. 'Of course you can come with me.'

My aunt burst into a grin and ran up to me to hug me tightly. 'Thank you, thank you so much!' she exclaimed, and then added in a whisper, 'I wish you the best of luck with him.'

A blush burst over my face. 'Aunt!'

The doorbell rang just as Dudley and Vernon were walking downstairs, and lunch was being served.

'That must be Remus!' I jumped up and ran to open the door. My older friend stood there, ragged and unkempt. Gray was the prominent color in his hair, and wrinkles adorned his face. 'You look like shit, mate!' I said, tears prickling my eyes at the state of the ex-Defense teacher. He smiled sadly and enveloped me in a hug. 'Come on, there's somebody who wants to see you.' I led him into where everyone was sitting, my uncle and cousin glaring daggers at the shaggy, black dog who sat on the linoleum.

Remus gasped and a hand flew to his mouth.

'Yes, it's really him. He's come back from behind the veil.' I gently pushed his back towards his best friend. 'Go on. I know you missed him just as much, or more than, me.'

Lupin slowly stepped towards Sirius, who was now back in human form, scared that it was a dream or illusion, openly crying. 'How?' he asked. Padfoot shrugged, which seemed to convince Remus of the true reality, who threw himself on him. 'I can't believe it. Dear lord, thank you so much!' he muttered into his ragged jacket.

I watched from the side, glad that two of the most important people in my life were reunited. 'Would you like to stay for a bit to eat before we leave?' I asked.

'That would be lovely.' ( I love it when people say that! ) He sat down, wiped tears from his eyes and took a plate to heap with beans, vegetables, rice and beef. ( Ew. Meat. Yuck. (Vegetarian, here) )

'When did you get here?' Remus asked of Sirius once everyone was done. (Vernon and Dudley had gone to watch TV).

'Yesterday, around five. I don't know how I got through the veil, but it hurt like hell. Immediately after, once I somehow got out of the Ministry of Magic without anyone noticing, I came here.' He threw his hands up in the air. 'Maybe Dumbledore'll have an idea.'

'Speaking of that, we should be leaving soon.' Remus stood up from the table and brought his dishes to the sink.

'Oh yeah, Petunia's coming too.' At his questioning expression, I elaborated. 'She helped me out a couple days back, and doesn't want to be hurt by Vernon.'

'I'm going go raid the safe so I'll have some money and they'll be broke,' she said in a whisper quiet enough for Dudley and Vernon to not hear. 'Be back in a moment.'

I took this as an opportune chance to get my suitcase, which lay a few meters away. 'I'm all ready. Everyone else, once Petunia's back?'

'Yep.'

'Uh-huh.'

'Yes.' My mother's sister calmly walked up, a large bundle of cash tucked in a purse that hung over her shoulder. Remus placed the disillusionment charm on all four of us and took out a black shirt as a portkey. My laughter as we disappeared brought upon my uncle and cousin's attention. They watched with wide eyes as barely visible beings vanished before them.

The wind was knocked out of me when I landed hard on my back in a pile of trash down a back alley. Sirius lay directly on top of me, staring into my eyes. The breath caught in my throat, and, involuntarily, my hand found his and I slowly entwined our fingers. The world froze around us for a couple moments before my godfather blushed and climbed off, muttering a soft apology.

My aunt offered me a hand to help me up, which I accepted. 'You're getting there,' she quietly said to me, amusement thickly lacing her voice.

'How do I know, though?' I whispered back.

She wrapped a single arm around my shoulder and leaned in to my ear. 'You might not, but I do!'

'Can we please go?' Remus asked impatiently.

'Oh, be quiet!' Petunia admonished. 'We're having a girl-to-girl talk here!'

I laughed and ducked her head out of her semi-embrace. 'How far is Grimmauld Place from where we are?'

Finally, an update! I'm so sorry that it took so long, but I have so many stories going on and I just never got around to typing this up. I hope you enjoy, and I'll try to post the next one quicker! (Hint, it might help if you review!)  Love you all!