yes! chapter three at last! sorry for the long wait...I just was doing a lot of things...but anyway! So, Sirius returns! still no slash (sorry sorry) but there will probably be some next chapter. oh, and sorry for the unoriginal title. I couldn't think of anything else...

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters. boohoo.

ok, on to the story! hope you like it...

Reflections

Chapter Three: Together Again

Harry stared blankly off into the distance at the sunrise, still struggling to process all that had happened in the past 10 minutes. It was hard to believe. For the last year, his dreams had been plagued by death, the department of mysteries, and someone he thought he'd never see again. Now that his reality had been turned upside-down yet again, he wasn't sure what to do. Now that his godfather was with him again, Harry didn't even know what to think or feel. His brain was still numb with shock.

However, he had bigger problems than sorting out his feelings at the moment. No matter how Sirius had come back, he was still unconscious and in need of help. Harry shifted under Sirius's weight and frantically wondered where to take him. Certainly not to the Dursley's--he doubted that they'd be much help or even let him bring Sirius in the house, being that he was an ex-convict who was supposed to be dead. They definitely couldn't just stay sitting there in the middle of the street either. It was too dangerous, and besides that, morning was approaching and Harry didn't like to think of what the owners of nearby houses would say if they opened their curtains to see Harry laying outside with another man sprawled on top of him. But where could they go?

The Burrow! Harry breathed a sigh of relief as this idea came to him. He couldn't think of anywhere else, and they would be safe there. He wouldn't be able to get there by Floo Powder, and the Knight Bus was out of the question…He'd have to apparate. It was the fastest, and pretty much only, way. Harry hadn't passed his test yet, but he'd done it before, and this was an emergency. Harry moved to a kneeling position and lifted Sirius's limp form into his arms, and with a great effort stood up. Sirius was really quite heavy, so it took Harry a few moments to be able to stand steadily. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and concentrated wholly on his destination. Clutching Sirius tightly, he spun around and into the suffocating darkness.

A couple of long uncomfortable seconds later, the darkness lifted and Harry was able to breathe again. He opened his eyes and saw that they were standing in the growing light outside of the Burrow. Harry was greatly relieved to find that he'd done it correctly; he couldn't really afford to leave any body parts behind at the moment. He anxiously looked down at Sirius to see if he was all right. His godfather's face was pale, his eyes closed, but he was still breathing, though faintly. Harry tightened his hold on him and walked unsteadily towards the house. The Weasleys were still sleeping, apparently; all the lights were out, save for one in the kitchen. At least one person was awake. Harry knocked on the door with some difficulty, still maintaining his grip on Sirius.

There was a sound of footsteps, then Mrs.Weasley's voice, "Who is it?"

"It's me. Harry," he panted

"Harry?" She opened the door a crack, peeked out, then opened it fully. "Come in, dear, is everything all-" She gasped as her eyes fell on the man Harry was carrying. "Sirius! What--how-"

"I'll explain later, but now we need to get him inside," Harry said. Mrs.Weasley stepped aside to let Harry in, her hands over her mouth and her eyes wide with shock. "I don't know what's wrong with him. Maybe he just needs rest," Harry said worriedly.

"I--yes--of course," Mrs.Weasley replied. It was apparent that she was still shaken and didn't fully grasp what was happening, but her desire to help was temporarily overcoming those feelings. She drew out her wand. "I'll just--"

"Mum, what's all the noise about?" Ron came stumbling into view, rubbing his eyes. He stopped short in the doorway. His mouth fell open. "Harry! What--"

"What's going on?" Ginny appeared at Ron's side. "Sirius!"

"I'd like to ask the same thing," Mr.Weasley entered the room. "Harry! And--but--" Now all of the Weasleys stood crowded in the room gaping at Harry. He understood their confusion, but Sirius needed help now.

"I'll explain everything later, but Sirius needs help!" Harry said slightly desperately.

"We can take him to the guest room upstairs," Mrs.Weasley said at last, taking charge of the situation. She waved her wand and a stretcher appeared out of thin air. Harry gently lowered Sirius onto it. Mrs.Weasly waved her wand again and the stretcher began to float towards the stairs in front of her. Harry followed her past the Weasleys, who were still staring wordlessly at him, and out of the kitchen. They ascended the rickety staircase to a guest room across the hall from Ginny's. The door opened by itself to let them in. Mrs.Weasley pulled back the thick blanket and clean white sheets. Harry lifted Sirius from the stretcher and onto the bed.

"Let's have a look at him…" Harry hovered nervously in the background as Mrs.Weasley felt Sirius's forehead and checked his pulse. She produced a red potion with her wand and poured it into his mouth. "I think he just needs rest." Harry looked up at her. She smiled warmly. "He'll be fine." Harry smiled too and looked down at his godfather. He looked a little bit better already. "Do you need anything? You can sleep in Ron's room if you'd like."

"No, I want to stay here with Sirius," Harry replied, still looking down at him.

"All right, then. Call if you need anything." Mrs.Weasley walked out of the room and closed the door quietly behind her. Harry heard her go down the stairs, and a babble of voices breaking out. They were soon silenced, presumably by Mrs.Weasley.

Harry pulled a chair next to the bed and sank down into it. He studied his godfather's face and was glad to see that he was now breathing evenly and deeply. Now that Harry had gotten Sirius to safety, he had time to sort out his feelings, but found that he was too tired to even try. His emotions were far too tangled and complicated for him to contemplate at the moment, but one thing was simple. Sirius was here now and that's all that mattered. Harry reached out and covered Sirius's warm hand with his own. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep, and for the first time in months, peaceful sleep.

Some time later, Sirius blearily opened his eyes. It took a couple of seconds for his vision to come into focus, especially since it was so bright. He took in his surroundings. Nothing was familiar. He was laying on a bed in a small room. Blinking in the sunlight, he vaguely wondered why everything wasn't dark. Everything had been completely black for a long time. Now it seemed as though he'd woken up from a very long dream. He looked down and saw that someone was holding his hand. There was a boy hunched over in a chair next to the bed, finally something familiar. "Harry…" Sirius murmured. He squeezed Harry's hand gently and fell back asleep.

Harry jerked awake. The sun had set and the room was dark. He put on his glasses and peered at Sirius. His face was contorted in pain and his grip on Harry's hand was tight. "Sirius?" Harry leaned over and touched his face.

"No!" Sirius turned his head from side to side and gasped. "Nonononono, please, don't go…Harry!"

"Sirius, I'm right here! It's ok!" Harry shook the other man's shoulder with his free hand. Sirius exhaled and opened his eyes. "Sirius? Are you all right?"

"Yes…Sorry…bad dream." Sirius sat up.

"Sirius. I--you--" Harry let go of his hand and stared at him for a moment before wrapping his arms around him. Sirius hugged him back. "How did you…?"

"I don't really know. I just remember that I could sometimes see what was happening outside…and then I saw you. Every day, I saw you suffering, and I couldn't take that. I had to come back."

"I'm glad you did," Harry said in a slightly muffled voice. Tears pricked in his eyes. "I didn't want to live without you." Suddenly he drew back, feeling rather embarrassed. Sirius looked at him with understanding. "Um. Do you want me to get you anything?"

"No, I just want to rest a bit more," Sirius replied, laying back down and closing his eyes.

"All right." Harry sat gazing at him for a few moments before reaching out hesitantly and taking Sirius's hand again. Sirius opened his eyes and looked at him. "Don't ever leave me again."

"I won't. I promise."

heeeee! was it too mushy at the end? too bad! well anyway, now that you've read it, review! I'll get the next chapter out in a more timely fashion if I get enough reviews... :)