This is the answer to the challenge Padfoot Returns by pennypink75.

Chapter 1- The Letter, the return, and the awakening

Harry opened his eyes groggily and slipped on his glasses. He rose slowly and swayed toward the closed window, in which a gray owl was currently tapping at. He opened it and after dropping a torn piece of parchment into Harrys' opened hand, it flew off.

Harry walked back over to his bed in complete puzzlement. He flipped the lamp on and opened the note. There was only one sentence on there, but it caused Harrys' face to pale and his heart to skip some beats.

It said: Harry, Be ready someone's coming to get you. Sirius is alive. -Remus

Remus strode down the street relieved when 4 Privet Drive came into view. He walked even more quickly and as he neared the yard he saw Harry sitting on the front steps with his trunk. Hedwig was perched upon his shoulder. The boy looked highstrung. Remus stopped right in front of him.

"Ready, Harry?" Remus said softly.

Harry stood up but didn't move to get his stuff. He just simply looked at Remus.

Remus pulled Harry into a comforting hug, and was immensly relieved when Harry fully returned it. After a couple seconds Remus pulled away and patted Harrys' shoulder.

"Let's go."

Harry nodded and picked up his trunk. Hedwig flew off and soon disappeared out of sight. Remus gently grabbed Harrys' arm and guided him along the road. There they grabbed an old newspaper and whisked out of the muggle world.

Albus Dumbledore was standing placidly at the gate of Hogwarts. He stood placidly, yes, but on the inside it was anything but calm. Sirius coming back from the veil was something next to extraordinary. It was unthinkable and not even the Unspeakables had heard of such a thing, yet the old marauder was here.

As here as he can be anyway, Albus thought sullenly.

Just then Remus and Harry appeared and Albus smiled softly at the two. Harry gave Albus a small forced smile and Remus gave a nod.

Albus opened the gate and the three walked quietly up to the castle. As they passed through the doors Harry couldn't help but to feel a bit at peace and he smiled inside. He was home.

"Now Harry, you will be staying with Remus," Albus informed stopping near the Hospital doors.

Harry nodded looking at the doors. Remus looked at the ground.

"You don't have to do this tonight if you don't wish it."

Harry looked at Albus and stepped away from the doors. Remus, however stayed put.

"I can't do this...not right now..." Harry stammered softly. He turned around and Albus layed a hand on the boys' shoulder.

"Come Harry, I'll show you to your room."

Harry began walking up the stairs and Albus turned and opened the doors. Remus looked up long enough to walk through the doors and when he did he turned around to face Albus. The old headmaster gave the werewolf a pat to the shoulder and closed the doors.

Remus walked slowly. He was surprised to find the wing reletively quiet. He had expected moaning and other chilling noises coming from the last bed on the right.

Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen and Remus was glad. He inched nearer to the bed until he was standing at least two feet from it. Remus felt tears prickling at his eyes as he stared at the lump under the blankets.

Remus kneeled where he thought Sirius would facing and reached a hand up. He shakily brought the cover down to reveal a pale face. Remus put a hand over his mouth as a sob wrenched itself forth. He sat for a few moments shaking in silent tears.

Remus stroked Sirius' head, running his fingers through the matted hair. He ran his fingers softly down the side of the worn face. Just as he pulled away Harry appeared. Remus tried to give a comforting smile but failed. Harry pulled a chair and sat on the opposite side of Remus. Remus watched as the boy opened his mouth several times to say something but nothing came out. He watched as a single tear fell down the Harrys' cheek.

"Harry."

Harry looked away toward the window.

"It is so impossilbe. Months and months I had been hoping that it had all been a bad dream, a nightmare. That I had never recklessly put Hermione and Ron and the others in such danger. That I never had heard the prophecy, that Sirius..never fell."

Remus kept silent, he felt Harry wasn't through so he let the boy rant on.

"I actually kinda got use to the idea. I was doing so much better. It didn't quite hurt with every breath, every new day..but then..when you wrote me telling me he was alive...it..it all came back. Every single bit of it."

Harry stopped, taking a deep, ragged breath. He looked down at Sirius' still form.

"Now that all the pain is here again...I'm not sure I can handle it. Everything is now, once again messed up. What's going to happen now? Sirius is here, he's alive..but does he remember? Is he really okay?"

Remus shook his head. "I dunno Harry. Poppy said he hasn't even woken up. This is how they found him, in this trance sort of sleep state."

Harry nodded. He reached out a hand as if to put it on Sirius' shoulder then jerked back. Harry balled his fists up then forcfully put them by his side. Without a word he angrily stood up and stormed out. Remus watched the teen sadly then turned his attention back.

"You've done it once more Siri, you've defied everything. In the meantime you've turned the life of everyone around into hell."

Remus leaned over and planted a small kiss on Sirius' forhead. With that he left the wing and headed up to his bedroom.

Carrying a black bag, Severus Snape stalked down the hall with an aura of annoyance. Black had returned and now everything was in shambles. Instead of getting ready for the new school term, getting ready to teach stupid brats he was to spend his valuable time making potions for Black.

Severus sighed as he made his way into the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey was leaning over Black waving her wand this way and that. Severus made his way beside her and gently set the bag on a chair. As if things weren't bad enough merely seconds later Lupin came strolling in. Severus used every fiber in his being to not roll his eyes.

"Severus, how are you?"

Severus lifted an eyebrow. "Spectacular."

Lupin shook his head slightly and walked around him. Lupin pulled a chair up beside Blacks' bed and turned his attention to Poppy.

"How is he this morning?"

Poppy gave a small smile. "Nothing has changed, if you would like to take that in a positive manner."

Lupin nodded. "That I would."

Severus groaned softly. "Well, as much as I like standing around and gawking at the wondrous Black, I have more importent things to get done."

Severus stalked off, his black cloak billowing behind him in a dramatic fashion.

Remus watched after him. He shook his head again and looked back up. He gave a slight start when he didn't see Poppy any where. He turned his gaze back to Sirius. Remus put his hand over Sirius'.

Remus looked out the window. He felt a slight itch on his ankle and went to move his hand from Sirius' when he felt a weak grip from the latters' hand. Remus felt a shock go through him.

"Sirius? Sirius are you awake! Sirius can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can!"

For the first few long moments he got no response but then the same weak grip came. Remus nearly laughed out loud.

"Can you open your eyes Siri?"

There came a groan but slowly the eye lids revealed the blue eyes Remus had missed. Remus smiled and stroked Sirius' head as the latter just lay there. Remus felt tears pricking his eyes and he forced them away.

The muscles near Sirius' mouth twitched, forming a crooked smile. Remus smiled back and gave a soft laugh.

"You always surprise Sirius Black."

Remus watched as Sirius closed his eyes and was about to wake him back up but decided that he was probably exhausted. Remus gave Sirius a small kiss on the lips and procedded out of the hospital wing.

He had to find Harry.

Harry sat in the library staring at the shelves of books. He was feeling a bit guilty about the other day, stalking out like a five year old. He wasn't angry or sad or happy that Sirius was back. He didn't know what to feel or what to say. Though Dumbledore had told him that this was okay, Harry wasn't so sure. Shouldn't he be happy that his godfather was back?

Harry closed the book with a little more force than was needed. Maybe Sirius should've stayed gone, or maybe he should have never gone behind the veil. Maybe..maybe..

Suddenly tired Harry stood up and exited the library. All he wanted was a good night's sleep. To sleep long and deep and when he woke up for everything to be better. He went around the corner and nearly ran into Remus.

"Harry! I was just looking for you."

"Oh, I was in the library."

"That's great, that's fantastic but Harry Sirius woke up!"

"He..he did, did he?"

Remus smiled. "Yes, he grasped my hand. Oh but he's asleep right now, but isn't it great Harry."

Harry wanted to give Remus a smile, a positive look. Remus was so exicted and Harry didn't want to spoil the feeling but he couldn't bring forth even the most unfooling smile. Remus cleared his throat.

"Harry, I don't know how you're feeling. Maybe I do a bit though."

Remus looked around and walked toward the stairs. He patted the spot next to him and Harry went and sat down by the werewolf. Remus didn't look at him but stared straight ahead.

"I suspect you're feeling angry, sad, happy or in one word lost. At first when Sirius fell you were, of course, devestated. I know I was. As time went on you grew angry and probably depressed. I did also. I couldn't believe he had left, just after he finally came back."

Harry nodded and swallowed. "Yeah, yeah you got it exactly."

Remus gave a sad smile. "But as time went on, even you said it yourself, it didn't hurt so bad. It would, as you knew, always sting but time heals all wounds Harry. Now, time will just have to work again. Sirius is alive, he's here. He's fighting and it's not just for me you know."

Harry looked down at his feet. "I know."

Remus looked over at James' replica. He stood and Harry copied him. They headed to their rooms, walking in comfortable silence.

As Harry said goodnight he couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before time would start healing.

Hope you enjoyed it so far.