Oops. Sorry about that title people. Thanks very much to "a Sirius Fan" for pointing that little tidbit out. Anyway... Here's chapter 7. We rather like this chapter (at least Emm does). Oh! And we must introduce you to our cousins!!!!!!!!!!! (And KCB's sister, who happens to be a cousin of Emms). Hi! I'm on the internet! YAY! (KCB-sorry, that was my sister. she's hyper today Emm-she's always hyper!!!!!!!) (This is now Katna, who is technically not our cousin but she's close enough) Hi, I am a big fan and i love this Chapter! (Emm-you've never even read this chapter!!!!) Oh well. Here's the chapter!

Oh. Wait. Disclaimer-We do not own these characters. We are simply brushing up on our forceful dictatorship by controlling their every move.

Chapter 7

Out of the Desert and into a Birthday Present

Hermione awoke that morning with a sense of peace, and was lying in bed, daydreaming, when Krum knocked on her door. She quickly put on her robe and opened the door to let him in.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Vell, it's just that, I can get your friend back, but, isn't he a convicted mass murderer?"

"That's what everyone thinks, but he was framed. Do you know about Peter Pettigrew?" Krum nodded. "Well, he's actually not dead. He was a Death Eater, and he shot a curse behind his back, turned into his Animagus form, a rat, and went down into the sewers."

"But the Ministry found his finger."

"He cut it off before changing. That left Sirius in a street full of dead Muggles with his wand out."

"So, he vent to Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit?"

"Yep. Then, when he got out, he found Peter, who was in a position to deliver Harry to You-know-who, because Sirius and one of his friends were the only ones who knew Pettigrew was an Animagus; he never registered. He wasn't able to catch Wormtail..." Krum her gave a look of confusion. "Oh, sorry, Peter, but he did convince me, Harry, Ron, and our friend Remus Lupin that he was innocent."

"I'm sorry for doubting you, Herm-own-ninny."

"That's okay, anybody would have. But, how are you going to get him back?"

"I vill apparate to him vith a Portkey."

"Won't you get in trouble for making a Portkey without permission?"

"In Bulgaria, as long as you are out of school, you don't need permission to make a Portkey. But, if you don't mind, I'd like to eat breakfast vith you first."

"That's fine Viktor, just let me get ready."

After breakfast in the greenhouse, which consisted of pancakes, eggs, muffins, sausage, and orange juice, Krum repaired the mirror, which was still in pieces on the table and floor, so Hermione could tell Sirius that help was on the way.

"Sirius! Viktor's about to apparate over to you!" she told him.

"Thank goodness," he replied. He looked terrible, noticed Hermione. He was breathing heavily and looked like he was about to collapse right then and there.

"Are you okay?" asked Hermione. "You look awful!"

"Well, that would be expected," he panted. "I've been sitting in the desert for 4 days, I haven't had a decent meal since June, and the sun keeps shining in my eyes!"

"Don't worry, Viktor's going to apparate soon, you'll be out of that desert in just a few minutes," she assured him.

"Yeah, but how is he going to get me back? I still can't apparate, and I doubt I could manage it even if it was possible."

"He's bringing a Portkey; it'll bring you back over here. I've sent an owl to Remus, so he'll be waiting for you when we get back to Grimmauld Place. We didn't think it would be too good for you to suddenly come out of the fireplace. And Dumbledore will be waiting for you too. They'll make sure there's no one else in the room when we come. He's leaving now, could you shoot a few sparks into the air so he knows where you are?"

"I can try." He pulled out his wand, but only managed a couple of little flickers.

"Oh Sirius, I'm so sorry, I was so tied up with Viktor last night that I didn't even notice how weak you were."

"It's alright Hermione, as long as he gets here before I die of thirst, everything'll be okay." Hermione gave a weak smile. "So, how was that date last night besides my rude little interruption?"

"Oh it was great, we walked through the yard holding hands and talking about things..."

"Hermione? Yoohoo, earth to Hermione!" She shook herself out of another trance.

"Sorry Sirius, I'm just thinking about something."

"Krum!"

"Yeah, that's it."

"No, I mean I can see him. Bye Hermione."

"Why do we have to stop talking?"

"The mirrors go crazy when they're both activated too close to each other." He told her as his face faded from the mirror once again. However, he didn't need to stop the conversation so soon because of the mirrors, he was actually focusing all of his remaining energy on staying conscious. But he didn't want Hermione worrying more about him; he was already ruining her romantic stay with Krum. And speaking of Krum, he was now practically running full out towards Sirius.

"Mr. Black!" he panted as he handed Sirius a vial of some liquid. "Here, drink this. It vill help you regain your energy." Sirius took it, but it seemed to have just the opposite effect, or maybe it was just the fact that he was so tired, but Sirius instantly collapsed onto the sand. "Hmm, that is odd. Oh vell, he can recover back home." He took the unconscious Sirius by the arm and grabbed the Portkey out of his pocket, and they were swept back to Bulgaria.

"Oh, Sirius!!" Hermione screamed as she saw Viktor magic Sirius onto a stretcher.

"Don't vorry Herm-own-ninny, he is just weak. Give him a few hours to regain his strength and energy." However, it took more than just a few hours. Hermione was having a great time with Krum, but he could see how worried she was. After having another dinner (this time in the dining room with Krum's family, who were very nice) Viktor put a chair in Sirius's room so Hermione could stay with him. He finally woke up around 2 in the morning, to find he was in a strange room in a house he didn't know and that Hermione was half in a chair, half on the bed. It took him a few minutes to remember what had happened, but then it came back. He looked at the clock and realized that Krum had gotten him out of the desert about 15 hours ago. Fifteen hours?? He had been asleep for fifteen hours?! He looked at Hermione-she must be worried sick about him. He thought about waking her up, but changed his mind and let her sleep as he slipped off to find the kitchens-he was starving!

He came back with three chicken sandwiches, a piece of fudge, and a glass of juice, all hovering by his side, and went outside to eat them in the COOL air. Not hot, not freezing. He felt much better after his early morning snack when he saw Hermione running through the house with the mirror, shouting his name into it. He walked into the house, took out the mirror, and tiptoed behind Hermione, who had stopped and was currently shouting his name at the top of her lungs to the mirror, and said,

"Hello." His face appeared in Hermione's mirror and she looked thoroughly relieved.

"Sirius, where are you?!"

"Right behind you." She turned around, screamed, and dropped the mirror once again. "You have some issues holding onto that thing, don't you?"

"Oh Sirius!" she cried as she hugged him. "You're okay!!" Sirius staggered a little, surprised at Hermione's reaction.

"Of course I am! After all, I'm the great Padfoot aren't I?" Hermione let go of him and started scolding him about leaving without waking her up. "I figured since it's only two in the morning I should let you sleep!"

"Yeah, and you scared me half to death! I thought some Death Eater had captured you or something!"

"You worry too much! No Death Eater can capture Sirius Black!"

"They did a pretty good job of sending you to the Sahara!"

"Ah, but they didn't capture me, now did they?"

"Whatever. I'm going back to bed, and you ought to do the same."

"Why? I've been asleep for fifteen hours!"

"Yeah, but yesterday you were collapsing in the desert!"

"I had something to eat, I'm perfectly fine now!" he yawned. Hermione raised her eyebrows skeptically. "Okay, fine, I'll go back to bed. Are you happy now?"

"Yep." Sirius rolled his eyes, but fell asleep almost instantly.

Back at Grimmauld Place, Remus was being awoken by an owl he didn't recognize. He did, however, see Hermione's handwriting and figured it was one of Krum's owls. He opened it up and, as the owl flew back out the window, almost fell back onto the bed in shock.

Dear Professor Lupin,

I know this will come as a shock to you, but Sirius isn't dead after all. I accidentally contacted him with a two-way mirror. He's in the Sahara right now; Viktor is going to apparate over there and get him back. Somebody switched veils, I think it was the Death Eaters. I don't know what purpose that had, but anyway, once I come back to Grimmauld Place I need your help, along with Dumbledore. I just need you to confirm that it is really him and not an imposter, and then he'll be my birthday present to Harry, so don't tell anyone else. We'll be coming around 1:00 on the 30th, so make sure that no one else is by the fireplace then.

Love,

Hermione

Remus didn't have time to gape at the letter, because Dumbledore had just arrived, probably with a letter much like his own, and Mrs. Weasley was calling him downstairs to get some breakfast. Remus put Hermione's letter in his dresser and walked down the stairs.

At Krum Manor, now that everyone was awake (Hermione was very surprised that she hadn't woken anyone by shouting for Sirius at the top of her lungs), they were having another good breakfast, and Sirius and Viktor were getting along just fine. Hermione was almost packed when Krum showed up at the door, wanting to take a walk with her. Sirius finished packing her suitcase (he had to use magic to get everything to fit).

"How much stuff did she take?? She was here for less than three days!" And finally, to Hermione and Krum's disappointment, it was time to go. Hermione decided that she would go first, just in case anyone was there that shouldn't be. She said goodbye to Krum, they shared a kiss, and then she was back at Grimmauld Place, happy to find that only Remus was in the room.

"Sirius," she told him through the mirror, "you can come now."

"Well, I guess I owe you some gratitude and an apology for basically ruining your time with Hermione."

"Don't vorry about it, I vas happy to help. Goodbye, Mr. Black." And with that Sirius disappeared into the flames. Remus was there to help him with Hermione's trunk, and to see whether he really was Sirius. He levitated Hermione's trunk so she could take it to her room (he didn't want anyone else to see Sirius). Sirius and Remus stood looking at each other for a few seconds before going upstairs where Dumbledore was waiting for them. But Remus was already sure that this really was Sirius.

"Hello Remus. Are you ready?" Remus nodded at the Headmaster. "Sirius, I am going to give you Veritaserum, and then we'll ask you some questions, Okay?" Sirius was going to say "yes", but didn't have the chance to, as at that point Dumbledore put three drops of the clear liquid into his mouth. He instantly felt a strange sensation, like having no control over himself. "Can you hear me?" he heard Dumbledore ask, and felt and heard himself say,

"Yes."

"Are you Sirius Black?"

"Yes, I am."

"What happened the night you went to the Ministry and fell through the veil?"

"The veils were switched by someone. The veil that I fell through acted somewhat like a Portkey, only it took a month to work and I didn't take the veil with me. It transported me to the Sahara. Then Hermione was able to contact me with a two-way mirror, and Viktor Krum took me back to Bulgaria."

"Why didn't you just apparate?"

"I couldn't."

"Why?"

"I don't know, Hermione thinks it was another thing the veil did to me."

"So how did Krum get you back?"

"He used a Portkey and gave me some potion that helped me regain my energy."

"Okay Remus, your turn." Dumbledore stepped aside and let Remus question Sirius.

"What is your nickname?"

"Padfoot."

"Why Padfoot?"

"My Animagus form is a dog."

"What happened when James and Lily died?"

"I went after Wormtail, but then the little git used his wand behind his back and blew up the street, killing twelve Muggles. I got blamed for it."

"What do you think of your parents?"

"They were a bunch a evil dark wizards who delighted in torturing me and making fun of Muggles."

"Who is your worst enemy?"

"Snivellus, that slimy haired loser who calls himself a wizard."

"What is my nickname?"

"Moony."

"Why?"

"Because you're a werewolf!" Sirius screamed.

"Shut up, I don't want the whole world to know! What was James's nickname?"

"Prongs."

"Okay Dumbledore, it's really him." Dumbledore got Sirius out of his trance, and, to all of their surprises, Remus hugged him and started crying uncontrollably onto his friend's shoulder. At this point Hermione came into the room with some sandwiches, and Sirius and Remus quickly broke apart. In addition to the sandwiches, Hermione also had a box with her.

"What's that for?" Sirius asked hesitantly. Hermione gave him a mischievous smile and asked Remus to enlarge the box to fit Sirius. "What?! After all I've been through, you're going to stuff me in a box?!"

"Don't worry, we won't put you in it until right before Harry opens his presents," Hermione told him. Sirius looked at her with an expression of disbelief, anger, and fear. "And we'll put holes in it so you can breathe." Sirius put his head into his hands and shook his head slowly.

"Come on Padfoot, it'll be fun!"

"Moony, you're siding with her too?"

"Don't worry, we'll get Harry to open his presents quickly tomorrow."

"I still think you're crazy. You're all crazy."

"What color should we wrap it?" asked Hermione.

"How about black!" Remus replied. Hermione and Sirius stared at him.

"Not funny."

"You're not wrapping it any color, because I'm not getting in that box!"

"C'mon Padfoot, it's for Harry!"

"Can't I just walk into the room or something?"

"Sirius, you can't be my birthday present if you're not wrapped!"

"I'll think about it."

This is the longest chapter in this whole story so far. Hope you liked it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read Review