Author's Note:

Harry does know that he was in the wrong and so does Sirius. But Zee doesn't want to make a scene in front of Harry's birthday celebrations — so don't worry, they will be having a talk.

Reviews and Comments: To E-Dett: Aw, I'm sad that you like Althea more than Zee. I am still hoping to change your mind. As to Harry rectifying his mistake, yes, I think he needed to know that he was wrong and selfish. Sirius also needs to realize that he was needlessly cruel and thoughtless and Zee didn't deserve that from him. To Brainarius: I'm sorry you think this drama with Zee is stupid and that Remus is an idiot. I think Harry being jealous and causing drama is justified. To coloredwords: I think Harry coming clean is important as well. His reaction was normal but how he went about it was wrong. Zee will definitely be surprised when she finds out that Sirius is Padfoot lol.

To a guy1013: Thank you and I am updating as often as I can. To alix33: Thank you for saying your cool with Zee, I appreciate that. Harry should definitely feel very guilty for his actions. To cha-chris: Thank you! I think Harry learning a lesson in this situation was important. Sirius was definitely an idiot and his apology will be better when they actually get a chance to talk. To Sleepyhawk502: Thank you very much! I think Remus was very wise in his parenting here. To Guest: I don't know what to tell you, it literally says Harry/Ginny pairing in the character list and I said it would be Hinny from the beginning. If you don't like Harry with Ginny and you think Zee is awful, this story is clearly not for you.

Thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you!

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN:

The One Where Zee Meets Minnie

Sirius smiled at McGonagall when she stepped out of the fireplace and into his living room the day of Harry's birthday party. "Hi, Minnie," he said, bending to kiss her cheek.

McGonagall smiled at him. "Hi, Sirius. How's Harry doing?"

"Pretty well. You wouldn't even know that he faced a dark wizard in June. The kid is resilient. We had a rocky start this year because of Zee, but… I think we're good now."

McGonagall's eyebrow rose. "Zee?"

Sirius nodded, biting his bottom lip. "Zahira Zacarias and yes, Minnie, you will finally get to meet her tonight."

McGonagall smiled. The thought of meeting the woman who had kept Sirius Black's attention the last few months was interesting to her. "Why did Harry have a rocky start?"

Sirius dragged his fingers through is hair. "I… I never told him about her. He was angry, as he should have been, and we… we argued, but we worked it out — I think. He seems okay with everything now. He's even the one who insisted that Zee attend his birthday today."

McGonagall nodded, smiling at him. "I'm looking forward to meeting this woman."

"I can't wait for you to meet her either… I mean, we still have to work some stuff out between us, I said some pretty terrible things to her before after Harry and I… I broke up with her because of how Harry felt, but we've made up, I think, and… well, she's coming today on Harry's request, but we haven't really had a chance to talk yet, the two of us, that is, but I really want you to meet her, Minnie. She's fantastic." Sirius rambled on, making McGonagall smile.

The thought that Sirius Black wanted her to meet his girlfriend was interesting to her. She hoped that the woman met her expectations of the kind of person he deserved in his life. In her opinion, no one deserved a chance at happiness more than Sirius Black.

"I'm sure that I'll like her then. Sirius, I wanted to talk to you about that position on the board before the party gets underway."

Sirius wrinkled his nose in distaste. "I still don't know if that's for me, Minnie, I mean, can you really picture me sitting on a board of governors?"

"Yes, I can," she insisted stubbornly. "I submitted your name already so, you can do more than think about it, and consider actually taking the job. Ferryweather is stepping down come mid-October. He decided to stay on and get the new school year up and running before he leaves. But the job is yours come the thirty-first of August. They need twelve governors and I think that you would be a great replacement for him in that twelfth spot. You're young, your son is only a second year, and you know what to do about the school. Dumbledore only just finally found a new Defence Against the Arts professor as it is and the board only approved him yesterday."

"That job is cursed," Sirius said bitterly as he glared at her. "Me in politics? I don't know."

"Sirius in politics?" Remus said as he stepped out of the fire. "I don't know about that either."

McGonagall nodded at him. "Not politics, Remus, though I think do he'd do quite well with that given the chance, but I want him to take the post on the Hogwarts Board of Governors."

"Oh," Remus said in understanding. "He'd be great at that."

"You think?" he asked, looking at his friend in surprise. "I don't know if that's really my thing."

"Just do it, Sirius. Besides, Lucius Malfoy is on the board and think of how much you could annoy him by ignoring any motion he tries to pass," Remus suggested making his friend's grin widen.

"There is that," he said with a grin as McGonagall rolled her eyes. "No, honestly. I'll think about it and get back to you."

"I need to know by the end of the week, Sirius," McGonagall told him sternly. "But I think you'd be wonderful at it."

He nodded, smiling at her. "Thanks, Minnie."

"Professor!" Harry exclaimed, coming in from outside with Marauder.

McGonagall smiled warmly at him. "Hello, Harry, how is your summer treating you?"

"Good," he said with a grin. "Can I call you auntie now?"

She laughed and nodded. "Oh, I suppose!"

Sirius grinned. "She loves it."

McGonagall only glared at him. "Shut it, Sirius." She turned back to Harry with a smile. "Happy Birthday, Harry," she said handing him a package wrapped in brown paper.

"Thanks, Auntie Minnie!"

Sirius smiled at her. "Come on out into the gazebo, Minnie. You want a glass of wine?"

"That would be wonderful, white if you have it, please," she said with a smile.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Minnie, as if I would invite you over without first stocking up on your favourite Italian sauvignon blanc. I do also have that French rosé you liked the last time you were here as well."

She smiled gratefully at him as she followed Remus out into the backyard.

Harry stood next to Sirius in his birthday cape while the Beatles sang Birthday on repeat from the wireless in the kitchen. "When is everyone else going to get here?"

"Soon," Sirius said with a smile.

He and Harry had spent all of yesterday afternoon decorating the yard and the treehouse. They had the wireless set up to play the local WWN station, snacks and drinks set up, a huge bucket of water balloons, containers of silly string, and the bonfire set up for later. According to Harry, he and his friends were just going to 'hang out,' which was fine with Sirius. He had invited Minerva, Remus, Hagrid, Andromeda, Tonks, and Ted as well for himself and because they came to every birthday. Dumbledore had also been invited, but he had something going on at the Ministry and wouldn't be able to attend. He had also invited Zee at Harry's insistence, but she hadn't arrived yet herself.

If he was honest, Sirius found that he was a little nervous for Zee to attend as she would not only be meeting Andromeda and Ted for the first time, but Minerva as well. No one's opinion mattered more to him than the Gryffindor matriarch.

The doorbell rang and Harry yipped as Marauder barked in excitement. Sirius pushed Harry sideways so that he fell over the couch, making Harry laugh as Sirius went to answer the door. He opened the door, smiling at the man who stood there. The man had salt and pepper hair, but his face was young with bright hazel eyes and he nodded politely. That's when Sirius noticed the tiny girl next to him. She was short and had bushy brown hair, rather large front teeth, and big brown eyes.

"Er, hello, is this Harry Potter's house?" The man said kindly, glancing at the address on the side.

Sirius nodded and smiled, extending his hand. "It is. I'm Sirius."

"Greg Granger and this is my daughter, Hermione."

Sirius smiled at her, his wand tapping the wall on the other side of the door to allow them through the privacy charms. "Right, Hermione, the witch my son got caught with up in the Astronomy Tower."

"Uncle Sirius!" Harry exclaimed from behind him, flushing red.

Hermione blushed as well as Sirius chuckled.

"I'm just teasing, come on inside," his eyes fell on the red Ford Escort in the drive. "Nice car."

Mr Granger smiled. "I like it."

Hermione smiled at Harry and hugged him. "Happy Birthday Harry!"

"Thanks, Hermione.

"It took us over three hours to drive here. I had to beg Dad to let me even come at all," she said, turning to glare in annoyance at her father.

Harry's eyes widened. "Three hours? Hermione, why didn't you send an owl? We could have just picked you up much faster!"

"I was going to," Hermione said in annoyance. "But Dad insisted that he had to meet your father first."

Mr Granger nodded at his daughter. "That's right. I don't want my little girl going off to someone's house that I don't know."

Sirius chuckled. "That makes sense. Well, come on back then, Greg, you can have a drink and some snacks. Relax a little before you drive back home."

"Thanks," Mr Granger said, kindly, as he followed Sirius outside.

"I like the cape," Hermione said with amusement. "Though twelve seems a little old to be wearing one, don't you think?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope. It's a Potter tradition. You wear the cape every year. All Potters do it. Uncle Sirius says that my dad made my mum wear it every year too and when she turned twenty-one, I apparently spit up on it. My dad thought it was hilarious."

Hermione laughed at the image. "That's kind of wonderful, actually. I'm glad you're carrying on that cheesy tradition. Who else is here?"

"No one else yet," Harry said. "Except for Auntie Minnie and of course Uncle Remus."

"Auntie Minnie?"

"McGonagall," Harry said with a grin as the fireplace flashed and he hurried forward, catching Ginny as she stumbled out. "Ginny!"

Ginny laughed and hugged him tight, kissing his cheek. "Happy Birthday, Harry!"

"Thanks!" he said, smiling at her as Ron came out a few seconds later.

"Hey, Hermione," Ron said grinning. "Did you just get here, too?"

She nodded. "Yes. Dad and I drove. Hi, you must be Ron's little sister, Ginny, right?"

Ginny nodded, smiling brightly. "Hi."

The fireplace lit up again and Neville came through, tripping over the stone ledge and Ron reached out to steady him. "Whoa there!"

"Thanks, Ron," Neville said gratefully as he placed the present in his hands on the ground. "That would have been bad."

Harry grinned. "Hey, Nev. Ginny, is Luna coming?"

Ginny smiled at him. "I think so. Her and her dad were supposed to have gotten back from Majorca last week."

Luna stepped out of the fireplace a minute later, a dreamy smile on her face. Since she had lost her mother, Luna had let herself become very attached to Mr Lovegood, to his beliefs, and to her imagination. But Harry was still glad to see her even though he'd only seen her twice since her mother had passed.

"Hi, Luna!" he said brightly.

She grinned. "Hi, Harry. Happy Birthday. Hello, Ginny, and Ronald. I don't know you," she said staring at Hermione blankly.

"I'm Hermione Granger."

"Luna Lovegood," she said, taking a seat next to Ginny on the sofa. "Is the party going to be in here?"

Harry grinned at her. "No, it's going to be in the treehouse. We're just waiting on a few more people."

"Who else did you invite, Harry?" Ron asked, scratching his nose.

"Seamus and Dean."

As if on cue, the fireplace lit up again and Dean and Seamus both stumbled out, laughing.

"Harry!" Seamus said with a laugh. "You just missed it! Our next door neighbour just found out her husband was cheating on her! Mum had her face pressed against the window trying to listen in as they made a huge scene right in the front yard! Mrs Danvers was chucking all of his stuff in the rubbish bins right in the yard!"

Dean chuckled. "Hilarious for those of us watching."

Seamus nodded. "We decided to book it out of there as soon as possible." He glanced around the living room with a smile. "So, this is where the famous Harry Potter lives… nice space."

Harry grinned at him. "We like it. Come on outside."

The eight of them headed out into the back and Harry showed them the treehouse. Hermione, Seamus, and Dean all stared at it in surprise. Harry loved it when people saw how incredible it was for the first time. He led them all up to the top where the pirate ship was so that they could sit in the sun, listen to the wireless, and talk away from the prying eyes of the parents.

Harry noticed that everyone else had arrived as well and were all making their way into the gazebo to sit with Sirius, including Zee.

"Is that McGonagall down there with Hagrid?" Dean asked, as he looked down into the garden.

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

"Wow, mate, they come to your birthday?" he asked in amazement.

Harry nodded. "Uncle Sirius considers McGonagall to be part of his family, loves her like a mum and invites her to everything. Remember when I lost points the first month of school because I kept calling her Auntie Minnie in class? It's because I've known her my entire life. Hagrid is friends with Uncle Sirius as well so he invites him over all of the time. The other people is my dad's cousin and her husband and then their daughter, our neighbour, my Uncle Remus, and Hermione's dad."

Ron's eyebrow rose at that news. "Your dad is here?"

Hermione nodded. "He insisted that I couldn't come unless he met Harry's father first, but it was a three hour drive and he wouldn't let me send Harry an owl about getting a magical ride or anything. He's still kind of nervous about magic and doesn't understand much about it, you know?"

"No," they all said and she blushed.

"Imagine only just finding out that magic exists. It's hard sometimes," she insisted.

Harry smiled at her. "I guess it would be."

Seamus clapped his hands together. "Who wants to play 'Would You Rather?'"

Dean groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I'd rather not."

Harry chuckled and leaned back against the steering wheel of the ship. "I don't know, Dean, it sounds fun."

Seamus grinned. "Excellent! Birthday Boy can go first. Would you rather spend an entire day alone with Snape or shave Hagrid?"

Ron busted into laughter. "I'm sorry but — shave Hagrid?"

Harry grinned back. He couldn't even imagine Hagrid without his copious amounts of facial hair. "Shave Hagrid obviously, who would want to spend any time with Snape?" He shuddered.

"Wait, wait, wait," Ginny said, holding her hands up as her eyes twinkled in mischief. "Maybe I'm just too used to Fred and George but — shave Hagrid… where exactly?"

Seamus laughed, grinning widely at her. "I was just thinking his face, Weasley, but if you were thinking somewhere else…"

Ginny flushed. "No! I just wanted to clarify."

"Appreciated," Harry said, grinning at her. "I choose to shave Hagrid's face over spending any time with Snape."

Seamus laughed. "Right, so Harry, now you pick the person sitting next to you on the left or the right and the game continues."

"All right," Harry said. On his right was Ron, but on his left was Ginny. He smiled at her. Her brown eyes were twinkling in laughter and he nodded. "Ginny, would you rather never be allowed to go to Hogwarts or go not knowing a single person there?"

"Go no matter what," Ginny said with a smile. "Having an abundance of big brothers probably only makes it worse."

"Oi!" Ron protested this.

Ginny grinned and turned to Neville. "Neville, would you rather fly on a broom or on Sirius' motorbike?"

Neville paled. "Neither, but if I had to choose I guess the bike, I feel like it has less of a chance of me tumbling to my imminent death or more cushion for when I fall." He grinned and turned to Dean. "Dean, would you rather play football or Quidditch?"

Dean thought hard for a moment and then grinned right at Ron. "Football."

Ron scowled. "Hey, I went to a Manchester United game and it was all right, but it's definitely not better than Quidditch!"

Dean shrugged and grinned at Seamus. "Seam, would you rather snog Millicent Bulstrode or Snape?"

Seamus made a face of disgust. "I think I'd choose Snape."

"Oh, come on," Hermione protested. "Millicent isn't that awful, is she?"

Harry grimaced. "I don't think she cleans her teeth and her breath smells something terrible."

"Snape has rather yellowish teeth himself," Hermione said, indignantly.

Seamus nodded. "Yeah, but I bet he at least knows how to snog well."

This solicited laughter among the group as Seamus turned to Hermione. "Hermione, would you rather be forced to be year long Potions partners with Malfoy or Goyle?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Malfoy. He's second in the class only to me and despite his ignorance and rude demeanour, at least he's extremely intelligent, not to mention that Potions is his best subject. Goyle on the other hand, is a buffoon."

Harry laughed at that. "Fair point."

Hermione smiled and turned to Ron. "Ron, would you rather fail all of your classes and become a Quidditch star or would you rather be completely ordinary, but a genius?"

"Quidditch star," Ron said, his eyes looking at her like she was stupid. "Who would want to be ordinary?" He turned at Luna. "Luna, would you rather be a Slytherin or a Hufflepuff?"

Luna stared dreamily as if she was still lost in another world and then she smiled. "I think Slytherin would be a nice change for me."

They all chuckled a bit at that and then started the game over.

~ ASC ~

While Harry was enjoying himself with his friends, Sirius was biting his lip nervously. His leg was fidgety, which Remus noticed, because his friend kept giving him an amused glance. McGonagall was sipping her white wine and talking to Zee quietly and Sirius really couldn't tell if the two of them liked each other or not. It was making him much more nervous than he wanted to admit.

"Have you always wanted to be a magizoologist?"

"Yes," Zee said. "I've always loved working with animals. Did you always want to teach?"

"Goodness, no," McGonagall said. "I actually used to work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but when the position for Transfiguration professor opened up, it was hard to turn it down for many reasons. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. So, how did you and Sirius meet?"

"I moved in next door," Zee told her. "We went for a walk and my panther ran into his garden. He didn't find her as charming as I do."

"She tried to eat me," Sirius interrupted.

"That's a tad dramatic," Zee said. "She was inspecting the lay of the land."

"She wasn't inspecting anything," Sirius argued. "She was ready to pounce!"

"Because you stunned her," Zee replied.

"No, she was trying something," Sirius insisted.

Zee rolled her eyes. "Anyway, once he stopped freaking out over the panther, we got to talking about motorbikes."

"I wasn't freaking out," Sirius exclaimed.

"I noticed he's a bit dramatic at times," Zee continued, her eyes twinkling. "But he makes me smile. It helps that he's dead sexy as well."

McGonagall chuckled. "That never hurts. His problem is that he knows it."

"I am sitting right here," Sirius said.

"Minerva," Remus said, making McGonagall turn to look over at him. "Did Sirius ever tell you about the time in sixth year when he missed those three days of class because of the stomach flu?"

"I seem to recall him refusing to see the healer," McGonagall said. "He claimed he was unable to see a healer due to the nature of his illness. He wouldn't even let me see him."

"That's because he wasn't actually sick," Remus said, grinning widely. "You think he's dramatic now? Imagine him at seventeen waking up with a bad hair day. He somehow got bubblegum in his hair and missed three days of class with his 'stomach flu' excuse because his hair was a disaster."

"Remus!" Sirius exclaimed. "That was a real emergency! I couldn't let anyone see me in that state!"

Zee snorted. "Over your hair? Seriously?"

"Yes, I am Sirius, always."

Remus rolled his eyes. "And yet that joke gets worse every time you tell it."

McGonagall was shaking her head. "Never a dull moment with you, is there, Sirius?"

"You love me, Minnie."

When McGonagall's eyes met his, he grinned back at her and thought not for the first time, that Minerva McGonagall was one hell of a woman. He was thankful to know that he had someone like her in his corner.

~ ASC ~

By the time that Sirius called them down for dinner, they were all still laughing and chuckling to each other. Harry opened presents, thanking his friends and family and then they used up the silly string and the water balloons, chasing each other and laughing before having cake and ice cream and setting up the bonfire.

Sirius, Remus, Zee, and Tonks sat at the kitchen table while the kids were outside by the fire. Tonks helped herself to a beer, bringing three more over for the others.

"Harry really is growing up! He's out there without supervision and everything!" she said, making Remus chuckle.

"He really is. It's nice to see him getting along with all of his dorm mates as well."

Sirius nodded. "As long as he enjoys his birthday he can do whatever he wants." He smiled at Zee, kissing her fingers when her hand touched his. "Thanks again for coming. I know that we still need to talk about some things."

Zee smiled warmly at him. "Of course, after all I was invited by Harry to keep you company, so I could hardly say no." She opened her beer and took a drink. "And we will talk, Sirius. Tomorrow, after the celebrations." She turned back to Remus and Tonks. "I'm leaving again soon for a few weeks, so I'm glad to stop by now."

"Where are you going this time?" Tonks asked in interest.

Zee smiled at her. "A new mission for work. We got a tip that there's a blood-sucking bugbear somewhere outside of Belfast. I've been assigned there first, to find out if it's actually there, and if so, find it — and remove it — from the Muggle population. If I do remove it, I will have to find a safe place for it to live."

"And that takes weeks?" Tonks asked.

Zee nodded. "Sometimes. It really depends on what I find. I'm leaving Monday after I check in with the DRCMC and we'll go from there. The locals are getting the facts and files for me first plus I have to decipher what the Muggles think is going on as well. Sometimes what they dream up is more entertaining than the creature."

"Did Sirius tell you that he's contemplating working for the Hogwarts Board of Governors?" Remus asked, drinking his own beer.

Sirius shrugged as Zee looked at him in surprise. "I haven't decided yet."

"You're doing it, Sirius," Remus insisted. "It's less than three hours a week and McGonagall wants you personally on the board. What is your reasoning not to?"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Plus McGonagall was telling me that they only just found a new Defence Against the Darks teacher, two days ago! As if the job wasn't cursed before, finding out your predecessor was killed is bound to make anyone want to take it even less than before."

"Who is it this year?" Remus asked.

Sirius chuckled now. "Do you remember Gilderoy Lockhart?"

Remus shook his head before his eyebrow rose. "Wait… that fifth year Ravenclaw bloke who carved his initials six metres high into the Quidditch pitch when we were sevens?"

Sirius nodded. "That would be him. I don't know much about him except that he was rather full of himself. Minnie thinks that he's an awful choice, but she says that Dumbledore always has his reasons. We'll see. Anyway, the Hogwarts letters are late because Dumbledore was waiting on the hire, but they should be out tomorrow or the day after."

Tonks smiled, sipping her beer and leaning back in her seat. "Isn't Lockhart that good looking blond fellow who won Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award?"

Zee nodded, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "I think he was. He's pretty famous and he's done a lot according to his books. He sounds like he would be someone the students can really learn quite a lot from actually."

Tonks' eyebrow rose. "I suppose. We'll see. I think it's great that McGonagall chose you personally for the job on the board, Sirius."

Sirius smiled. "Minnie loves me like a son."

"Which is why meeting her today was so nerve-wrecking," Zee said as she sipped her beer.

Sirius grinned at her. "You were nervous to meet Minnie?"

She shrugged. "Not nervous, but a little anxious, yeah. Sirius, other than Harry and Remus, she is probably the most important person in your life. The way you speak about her, she's like a mother to you. I want her to like me."

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "She said that you were smart, sassy, and beautiful — and that she likes that you make me smile."

Zee smiled at him. "She did?"

Tonks chuckled. "You two are actually adorable." She glanced at the clock and then at Remus before she stood up and stretched her arms up, her shirt sliding up her stomach a little to reveal her belly button ring, which she had replaced that morning with the little crystal wolf pendant. "I should really head home. I've had my own flat for almost six months now and I'm never there to really appreciate it. Plus, I have a breakfast date early tomorrow morning."

Remus' head shot up from where his attention had been focused on her naval. "A breakfast date?"

Tonks smiled at him as his gaze immediately went back to the dangling wolf. "Yes. He's my new partner for work and we decided that we should get to know each other a bit first. His name is Hugh Arnett."

"So, it's just work related then?" Remus asked, his voice a little tense.

Tonks thought about what Harry had told her concerning Remus liking her at the beginning of the summer and she grinned.

"For now. He is rather handsome and charming though so one never knows where something might go."

Sirius grinned at her. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Tonks rolled her eyes. "What does that include? Not having sex in public?"

"Well, actually, there was this one time — ow!" he said as Remus kicked him.

Tonks laughed. "I'll behave." She kissed Sirius' cheek. "Tell Harry I said bye. Goodnight." She kissed Remus' cheek too and then she sauntered off as Remus' eyes watched her go.

Remus cleared his throat and stood up. "Dating someone she works with is a bad idea."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "She can date whomever she wants, Rem."

Zee stood up as well. "I'm going to head home too," she leaned down and kissed Sirius' cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you." Once the door closed behind her, Sirius turned to Remus. "Are you heading out as well?"

Remus glared at the door where Tonks had gone to Apparate home. "Don't you think that dating someone she works with is a bad idea?"

"I'm not going to answer that. But if he's handsome, charming, and wants to shag her senseless and she's interested — she's going to let him. She's a grown woman."

Remus' eyes darkened and his hands fisted at his sides. "She wouldn't… it doesn't matter," he whispered. "She can do what she wants. She's a grown woman."

Sirius snorted. "Yeah, she is. Merlin, you are so fucking stupid, Rem. I'm going to go round up the kids and get them home."

Remus nodded as he watched Sirius march outside.

The thought of his Nymphadora in bed with another man made his blood run hot and he bit his bottom lip angrily.

She's not for you, he told himself.

She's not for you.

But for the first time in over three years, he started to wonder: Why couldn't she be?

~ ASC ~

Twenty minutes later, Sirius had sent everyone home through the Floo network, with the exception of Hermione, who he was going to Apparate home. Mr Granger had left after his drink to start the long drive back to Heathgate as Sirius had reassured him that he would get his daughter home safely and quickly. He instructed her to hold tightly to his hand and to not let go. She shrieked and almost fell over when they landed in her yard.

"It's rather unpleasant the first few times, I know," he said, sympathetically. He followed her to the backdoor, smiling at Mr Granger. "Home safe as promised, Greg."

Mr Granger smiled back. "Thank you, Sirius. This is my wife Jean."

"It's nice to meet you," Sirius said with a smile, nodding at the woman with the same bushy hair as her daughter, though hers was a blondish brown. "I have to get back. But I'm sure we'll see you in Diagon Alley next week."

Mrs Granger smiled back at him. "Sounds good. Did you thank Mr Potter for bringing you home, Hermione?"

"Thank you, Sirius," she said with a smile.

"Of course and it's Black, not Potter. Everyone just calls me Sirius. See you."

When he Apparated back into his own yard, he grinned at Harry who was throwing the frisbee with Marauder.

"Not tired?"

Harry shrugged. "Guess not."

Sirius grinned at him. "There's more birthday cake?"

Harry grinned back and followed his godfather into the kitchen as Sirius sliced them each a piece of cake. "Thanks for my party," he said as he accepted the cake.

Sirius smiled at him. "Of course. Your new friends seem nice. Hermione especially."

Harry rolled his eyes. "For the last time — I don't like Hermione like that!"

Sirius chuckled. "Nothing wrong if you did." He got up to pour them each a glass of a milk and sat back down. "Harry, there's something that I want to talk to you about."

"What?" Harry asked, hoping that it wasn't going to be about if he had ever snogged Hermione again.

Sirius sighed as he spoke. "Minnie asked me to work on the Hogwarts Board of Governors."

"What's that?" Harry asked, drinking his milk to wash down the delicious chocolate birthday cake that Andromeda had made him.

"It's a group of individuals who govern and help make decisions about Hogwarts and stuff like that."

"Would you be at school with me?"

Sirius shook his head. "No. I mean, maybe you might see me once or twice, but it's only an hour or so a week."

"Are you going to do it?"

"Do you think that I should?"

Harry smiled at him. "You're asking me to decide for you? I thought that you didn't want the advice of a twelve-year-old?"

"No, I said I didn't want the advice of a sullen eleven-year-old, but twelve, well, you're obviously wise in your years now."

Harry smirked at him. "I learned from you."

Sirius chuckled as he finished his cake. "I think I'm going to do it."

Harry nodded. "Good. If it's what you want, then you should."

"Zee is heading out on Monday as well for a job. She's probably going to be gone for the rest of the summer. I'd like to spend some time with her before she goes. And well, we need to talk about some stuff — namely, I need to make it up to her for the terrible things that I said when I broke up with her. Would you mind hanging out with Uncle Rem tomorrow while I do that?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "I think that I'm old enough to stay home alone, Uncle Sirius."

Sirius merely stared him down. "I think maybe Voldemort tried to kill you a little over a month ago and I don't want you home alone."

Harry sighed. He could agree that was a fair reason. "Fine. But only because snogging Zee makes you happy for some unknown reason."

Sirius wiggled his eyebrows. "That it does, my young man, and trust me, one day you will understand."

Harry just grinned back at him. It was great to see Sirius so happy again. They were back to normal and nothing else mattered to him.