Chapter 12

Don't Take Him Away

Sirius had turned back towards the apartment building, where he had left Rachel alone with a werewolf.

When Sirius had reached the parking lot, the werewolf was scratching on the doors and windows, trying to enter the car.

Sirius took out his wand and took a careful aim at the werewolf's head.

"Stupefy!"

The werewolf turned around at the sound of Sirius's voice, only to get hit in the face with a blast of red light hit him in the face. The werewolf let out a howl, then fell to the floor, stunned.

Rachel slowly got out of the car, walked around it, and stood besides Sirius. She examined the werewolf before speaking.

"I-Is it dead?" she asked in a shaky voice.

"No." he answered. "Just stunned." he took a glance down the alley where he had saw his ex friend, then he turned back to Rachel. "Let's get upstairs before the spell wear off."

Rachel nodded and turned towards the stairs. Sirius took another glance down the alley, and then he turned to follow Rachel.

"Close shave, wasn't it, Black?"

Sirius turned around. He saw Albus Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge walking towards him.

Had they heard about the werewolves that were in close proximity to Harry? Was he in trouble? He knew he was. The question was: would Dumbledore be able to bell him out?

"It's nice to see you so well, Sirius." Dumbledore said, once he and Fudge reached him.

"Leaving a child home alone on a full moon where a werewolf could get him." Fudge said shaking his head.

"Fudge, I—"

"Save it for when we get upstairs."

Sirius, Dumbledore, Rachel, and Fudge all walked up the stairs to Sirius's apartment. When Sirius entered, he looked around the house and saw that it was quiet. Too quiet.

"We'll?" said Fudge. And when Sirius didn't answer, he added in an annoyed voice, "Where is Harry?"

Sirius laughed nervously. "He must be in the bathroom. Rachel, do you mind taking them to the kitchen and making some tea?"

"Not at all." she replied.

She knew that he needed time to look for Harry, and was willing to stall his guest. She knew that Harry had meant a lot to Sirius, and if he lost him, he would be lost himself. Besides, he had already helped her out more than once. It was time to return the favor.

Rachel led Dumbledore and Fudge to the back of the house. Sirius had waited until they were out of view to start his frantic search for Harry.

Dumbledore sat quietly at the table while Rachel bustled around making tea. Fudge, however, was examining every detail of the kitchen. Probably making sure it was clean and sanitary.

"Would you like some sugar with your tea?" she asked, as she placed lovely black-glassed mugs in front of them.

"Yes, please." said Dumbledore.

"Who are you, by the way?" Fudge asked rather rudely.

"Oh. . . I'm Sirius's colleague."

"You look like a slut."

"So, what kind of job do you have?" Dumbledore said hastily.

"I run my own daycare." Rachel answered, pouring hot water into four cups. "Sirius and I are teachers."

"Are you quite aware that Sirius doesn't qualify to be a real teacher. He doesn't even have a high school diploma."

"I think he's a wonderful teacher." she replied hotly.

Fudge didn't touch on the subject anymore. He just merely surveyed Rachel. Dumbledore took this opportunity to speak.

"I'm the principal of a muggle sch—you know what a muggle is, right?"

"Yes." said Rachel. "Isn't it great that wizards and muggles can live in such a peaceful world. I don't care how much power a wizard have. They're still beings."

"Were you once a stripper?" Fudge asked.

"Here he is." said Sirius.

He came into the kitchen, followed by two shaken children.

"How are you, Harry?" Dumbledore said kindly. "Do you remember me?"

"Who is this girl?" Fudge interrupted. "Black, are you kidnapping children?"

"Of course not. Harry's having a sleepover."

"With a girl? Are you teaching him how to sleep with females already?"

"No, I—"

"I'm sorry, Black, but you can't keep Harry. You are not eligible to take care of a child."

"I'm sure Sirius is." said Dumbledore.

"You're only saying that because you believe there's good in everybody. Mark my words, Dumbledore. That flaw will be the death of you."

"I believe there are good in everyone. I know there is good in Sirius."

"There is no good bone in his body. He's as evil as You-Know-Who."

"I am not." spat Sirius. "Fudge, I'm trying my best."

"Trying your best? The boy was home alone with on a full moon. No telling how long you been out with this. . . this trash."

"We weren't home alone." spoke a meek voice.

Everyone turned around at Harry's words. When he spoke he sounded shy, but his words were strong.

"Sirius had left us with a baby sitter."

"Come now, Harry." said Fudge with a hint of amusement in his voice. "You need not lie for this idiot."

"He's not lying." Cho said. "Sure Mr. Black's not perfect, but you're forgetting that he is human. There is no perfect person in the world. But, he is trying."

"How would you know? You don't live here."

"I can tell from the way he talks to Sirius. The way he talks about him. With love."

"Plus, he put a roof over his head," Rachel spoke. "keeps food in his stomach, and found him a school."

"A daycare is not a school."

"A school is a place to learn. Harry learns there."

"Fudge," Sirius said in a low sincere voice. "Please don't take Harry away. He means a lot to me. I love him."

Fudge looked as if he was going to say 'no'. But, with no valid reason, Sirius was still in custody of Harry.

"Alright, Black. You got off this easy, but next time you won't be so lucky."

"It sounds as if you're trying to purposely take Harry away." Dumbledore said in a calm voice.

"Of—of course not." He said. "Best be off. Good night." He said before he left.

"I have a feeling he'll be back." With that, Dumbledore also left.

Sirius was so relieved that Cho and Rachel had stuck up for him.

"Thank you, Cho. Now you and Harry go off to bed."

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night, Sirius."

They both went inside Harry's room and closed the door. Sirius wasn't worried. What do young people like them know about sex.

"I think we should turn in too."

"You can sleep in my room to—" but Rachel cut him off.

"Let's go to bed. . .together."

"Thank you." Harry and Sirius said in a unison.

Cho and Rachel leaned over to kiss their friends. Sirius, however, got more.

Took me long enough, but the chapter is up. So sweet. So now we heard from Lupin, Rachel's living with Sirius, and Fudge is trying to take Harry away. Please read and review. And check out short sequel stories to this fan fic, Harry's Tales. They're variety of short stories.