Chapter Eighteen
A\N: Just for clarification, even though you know that Remus is Polyjuced as Harry, I will be using Harry's name for that meeting, just to avoid confusion (from me or you, not sure which :D) Thanks to everyone who pointed out my mistakes, I'm fixing them as fast as I can. Enjoy!
Vernon grumbled under his breath that Saturday as they headed for the car. Stopping by the cupboard, he banged the door loudly.
"Get out here, boy!" he yelled, "we'll be late!"
"Coming, Uncle Vernon," said Harry (Remus).
"Get a move on, then!" barked Vernon.
As Harry followed him out to the garage, Vernon whirled and grabbed for his collar, but Harry dodged away quickly, "now listen here, you little freak! If you tell those - those other freaks about this I'll whip you raw."
"You can't," said Harry, keeping well away from him, "Uncle Padfoot would blast you."
Vernon growled, "I - will - find - a - way. You think now those other freaks are here I can't punish you? Wait 'til you come home from school, then. Or when they're away. They can't protect you all the time. And then we'll see about all this rubbish!"
"I'll just tell them what you said and we'll leave!" exclaimed Harry, "then you won't have anything. No money, no protection, and Uncle Padfoot will magic your big butt into a cockroach!"
Vernon lunged, but Harry just dodged again.
"I thought you said we were late?" asked Harry.
"Just get in the damn car then," groused Vernon.
"After you," said Harry.
Vernon stomped over to the car, got in and slammed the door, "happy?" he snapped.
Harry's only answer was to get in and sit as far from Vernon as possible.
…..
"Hello, Harry dear," said Mrs. Figg as she answered the door, "I haven't seen you since before your trip! How is school going?"
"I love it!" said Harry happily, "I really like to learn, and my teacher is great."
"That's wonderful," she said, guiding him into the house, "I have a visitor today. Someone very special, he's here to see you."
"Aunt Petunia told me," said Harry.
"Good, good," said Mrs. Figg as she continued to guide him into the living room, "here he is. Harry Potter, this is Sirius Black."
"Hi," said Harry nervously.
"Hi Harry," said Sirius, "how are you?"
"I'm OK," said Harry, as Sirius motioned him to the couch.
Harry sat a bit stiffly, "are you a friend of Mrs. Figg's?" he asked politely.
"No, Harry," said Sirius, "I was a friend of your parents."
"Oh,"
"In fact," Sirius said, leaning forward, "I'm your godfather."
Harry's eyebrows went up, "really?"
"Let me get you boys some tea," said Mrs. Figg, "I'll be back in a moment."
"Thank you," said Sirius, as she bustled off to the kitchen.
After she left, Sirius turned and was about to say something when Harry waved his hand.
Sirius thought back to his school days, and the signs the Marauders had used when they needed to communicate silently. A method Remus had gotten from a book given to him by a Muggleborn he'd dated who had a parent - Sirius couldn't remember which one - who was deaf. Remus had found it interesting, but James and Sirius had been interested only in its uses for pranking. Needless to say, by the time they'd finished school, they could communicate almost exclusively in signs if they wanted. It drove Lily nuts.
How was the ride over? He signed, did the walrus behave?
No, signed Harry, I'll tell you later.
We should talk more, signed Sirius, I think she's coming back.
OK signed Harry, I hear her too.
"All right boys," said Mrs. Figg, balancing a tea tray, "I've got tea and cookies for you."
"Thank you Mrs. Figg," said Harry as she placed a cup in front of him.
"Yes, thank you," echoed Sirius as she handed him his cup and set the plate of cookies in front of them.
…..
Harry walked to the Dursleys' car, saw the purple blotched face of Uncle Vernon, and sighed inwardly.
Sirius came to the door, "goodbye Harry, thank you for meeting with me."
Harry turned and smiled, "thank you for coming to visit me."
"Anytime," said Sirius as he walked back toward the house. See you at home, Moony he signed surreptitiously.
See you, Harry signed back, holding his hands low so Vernon wouldn't notice, glad you thought of this. Trying to act like a five-year-old was driving me crazy!
Just sorry we didn't think of it earlier, Sirius signed.
Me too, signed Harry as he turned toward the car, we should teach Harry this.
True Sirius signed quickly, we'll talk when I get home.
Sirius went in to say his goodbyes to Mrs. Figg as the car drove away.
"Thanks again for letting me visit Harry here," he said, smiling.
"Not at all," replied Mrs. Figg, "anything I can do to help the boy. I haven't been able to do more than babysit since Albus asked me to stay here."
Sirius' smile wavered a tiny bit, "well," he said, "I hope there will be more visits, but that will depend, of course, on whether or not Harry wants to see me."
Mrs. Figg patted his shoulder confortingly, "of course he will. Don't you worry about that, Sirius."
Sirius sighed, "it's hard. I mean, how can I tell him stories about his parents without telling him about magic? How am I supposed to tell him anything without telling him about magic?"
Mrs. Figg sighed, "I know it's hard, dear. I have the same problem. I have to clean out everything before he comes over. I can't even leave a newspaper clipping, because all I get is the Daily Prophet."
"Why is it we can't tell him about magic again?" he asked.
"Albus said he wants Harry to have a normal childhood."
Sirius frowned, "wizard kids have normal childhoods. Normal for wizards." he said, "James did, I - well I sort of did. Hell, even Harry did for the first year."
"I know," said Mrs. Figg, patting his shoulder again, "I often thought about maybe telling him a few things, once he's older and can keep a secret."
"Really? That's great! Can I help? When you're ready, I mean? Maybe Remus, too."
"Of course! I think that would be a lovely idea." said Mrs. Figg.
"Thanks, Mrs. Figg," said Sirius, "maybe we could talk some more once I arrange another visit with Harry."
"Of course, and bring Remus with you. Once Harry goes home, we can have some tea and talk. And call me Arabella."
Sirius smiled and headed for an Apparition point in the backyard, "thanks M- I mean Arabella."
"Anytime," she said waving him off.
Sirius smiled as he Apparated away, directly to the trunk, directly home.
A/N: Merry Christmas to all my wonderful readers! I had some time, and more importantly, some inspiration. So I thought I'd give you a lovely new chapter to unwrap. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited. Enjoy!
