I expanded how some things work in the wizarding world in this chapter. Things need limits… hope it works.

"Dobby what are you going on about? What's a not-dog?" Harry hollered.

The elf bounced from one foot to the other while pulling on his ears. It looked like Dobby thought he was making perfect sense, but Harry was lost. Harry's past experiences with the elf made him know something was truly wrong. His mother said more brains the better, maybe it would help him make something of Dobby's rants. His parents portraits were tapped and Harry went about getting changed for whatever needed to be done.

Lily was the first to arrive, "Harry that elf thinks it can't do what's being asked."

"I only asked Dobby to clarify why he came.

"Harry, house elves aren't known for their verbal skills. Try a different question." Lily requested.

"Dobby where is the not-dog?" Harry asked.

James' eyes went large before he interrupted, "Not-dog do you mean Sirius?"

Dobby went back to dancing when he answered, "Muggles, the not-dog with muggles."

"Dobby why does the not dog need help?"

"The muggles are going to kill the not-dog."

James tried again, "Who is the not-dog to Harry?"

Dobby smiled at the question and answered, "Not-dog, Harry Potter family."

"Son, I'm sure Dobby is speaking about Siri." James explained. "Is Harry going to be able to solve this without help?"

Dobby nodded yes as he spoke, "Dobby can't do lock and muggles watching everything."

"Dobby is there time?"

"They start with the sun," answered the little elf.

Harry felt out of the loop, his parents were plotting. What he understood was his godfather life was threatened. They had a few hours till dawn. He collected his father's cloak to counteract the muggle problem. He didn't know how long it would take his parents, but he was getting hungry. The potions must be working, Harry felt like he hadn't eaten in days. He sent Dobby for food and a hamper for Sirius.

"Alright Son, Sirius might look like a dog and act like a puppy but you can't keep him. The Aurors want him and he'll be lucky if he's half way sane right now. We think it would be best if you get his cousin involved, Andromeda Black, no I mean Tonks. She has a level head and will do right by Sirius. He needs a chance to get his head on straight before he turns himself in." James explained.

"I think it would be best if you inform her first before bringing Sirius," Lily stated.

"Andy won't care sweetheart," James complained.

"Are you sure she hasn't changed since… well you know when?" Harry asked.

"Dad's kept tabs on some in our circles," James answered. "You need…"

Harry interrupted, "Dad, I think this is one of those times we talked about. I need to make my own decisions. The goal is the same get Sirius to Mrs. Tonks."

"Right, son," James nodded with approval. Harry's parents bid him good luck and retired from their frames.

Harry gathered his provisions and located a charm. He decided his new shoes were too squeaky. He laughed at the problem, he never thought he would have. He let his common sense dictate his path. He didn't want to meet a stranger with a half crazy dog. That didn't include that it was the middle of the night. Harry was happy that Dobby knew the way.

The elf transported them away with a large pop. Harry wished he hadn't filled his stomach. Wizard transportation left plenty to be desired. Flying and phoenix transport were the exceptions.

Harry noticed where they were and started, "Dobby it's rude to enter a wizards house unannounced."

"Dobby no harm. Dobby want to keep Harry Potter safe," apologized the ashamed elf.

Harry turned to a man that started a full belly laugh. Another wizard with a crazy eye had him at wand point. The witch that Harry presumed was Mrs. Tonks was trying to restore order.

"If that elf didn't bring you in, you would have been seen. Those worthless aurors," stated the crazy eyed wizard. Harry opened his mouth to talk. "No, don't say anything I can't know. They're watching this house like they tried to watch you, Mr. Potter. The names Moody and I'll see all of you later." The senior auror left the house.

Harry mumbled to himself, "Sheer dumb luck."

"Andromeda Tonks, but you can call me Andy. This is my husband Ted. Madeye assumed you're here about Sirius." Andromeda stated.

"That's right, my parents… portraits thought you would help," Harry explained.

"Sweetheart, we don't know how or where to find him," Andy stated.

"No, all I need is some place safe to bring him. My Dad thinks he is going to need some care and might not be sane," Harry said.

"Oh, did he find you?" Andy asked. "I've worried the wrong sort would get to him first. The minister of magic still has a price for his head. You'll need to come the same way you have done this time."

"No, but Dobby found him," Harry stated. "Is it going to be any trouble?"

"You are too young to need to worry about such things. You do have the starts of a very fine wizard," Ted Tonks said. "Andy, we better let them go. The sooner they leave, the quicker you get to see your cousin."

Dobby took Harry's hand and popped to a back alley. The elf lead him to an old industrial building. The building looked forlorn with its tiny high windows and disrepaired stacks. There was a new plaque stating that the building was overflow for the humane society, a pound. How did Sirius end up here? Harry listened as security workers emerged from the building.

"It's got to be done Charlie. The district has the worst numbers. No one will find out since no one cares. They're all going down in the morning."

"I don't like it. None of them had a chance."

"Well, life never fair. At least this will make it easier."

Harry knew that doing the easy thing did not make it the right thing.

Harry pulled Dobby into the cloak he was now wearing. Alohomora opened the door and they slipped in. Only the emergency lights were lit, but Harry was nervous about all the security cameras he saw. The dogs must smell him because they were going wild. Dobby was clingy.

"What's wrong Dobby?" Harry asked.

"Dobby no like," said the elf as he pointed to different electronic devices. A stereo, video cameras, large box television and floor lamps were giving Dobby the creeps.

"Dobby do technologies affect you?" Harry questioned. The little elf agreed. "Dobby hide outside and wait for us."

How strange… the pound was filled with electronics unlike his aunts and uncles. House elves were only found in old wizarding families. Technology didn't work with too much magic. Maybe no one realized that house elves don't get along with muggle electronics.

Isles were lined with large variety of grungy dogs stored in cages. Harry was looking for a large black dog. It seemed like half of the dogs matched that description. Getting him to bark wouldn't work. The place was already barking central. It dawned on Harry that Sirius wouldn't act like that. Loud dogs were passed over and others were ruled out because they weren't completely black. Harry found a bone skinny dog that looked like the one he saw before he boarded the knight bus. He couldn't tell its back was turned. Harry was hopeful and whispered, "Sirius." The dog turned but its silver eyes focused on nothing. Harry continued, "Sirius, I'm going to get you out. I'm under my dad's cloak." At that the dog's tail started to wag.

No wonder Dobby had issues with the "lock". He knew nothing of muggle ingenuity. The cages had one way doors and a gate at the other end. There weren't any locks just everyday muggle tricks. "Don't change here we don't want a muggle security breach," Harry said as he slides open the gate. He gently guided the dog to the door. They slipped into the night unnoticed.

Dobby started whistling for them in the alley. Sirius had transformed and had his godson in a bear hug. "Pup, I thought I was a goner. Have you a wand?"

"What do you want one for?" Harry demanded.

"Sorry Harry, I forget you don't know me. I want to confound that door so they won't kill all those dogs." Sirius answered.

"Won't they starve?"

"Nope, the only people who use those doors don't like dogs. The care givers use a side entrance. The adoption doors around on the other side. " Harry handed over his family wand to the talking wizard. Sirius finished his deed and quickly handed the wand back.

"Your cousin is expecting us," Harry stated.

"Finally, I get close to you and your pawning me off," Sirius joked.

"You need a chance to recover and I have nowhere to keep you."

"Don't fret, pup. I'm only giving you a hard time. Now how did you find me… How did you know?" Sirius asked. Harry pointed to Dobby. Dobby hid behind Harry when Sirius tried to give him a good look. "How did you find me?" Sirius directed the question to the elf.

"Dobby wanted to do nice stuff for Harry Potter," Sirius started whistling at the answer.

"Some elf you have there," Sirius stated.

"Dobby's a free house elf," Harry pointed out.

Sirius spied the food hamper. "Tell you what, take me to my cousins after your planned picnic."

Harry laughed and consented. The group found their way to a wooded green space. Harry retold his story. How he found out he was a wizard to finding his parents' portrait this summer. They laughed and cried. It was these moments that made Harry understand why his parent's portraits said they weren't enough. Why did he think that it would be easy to hand Sirius off to his cousin? How did he get so attached so quickly? It was different from his friend Ron and Hermione. Sirius looked miserable, but trying to please Harry. He didn't nag or pick. Harry wasn't compared to others. What he found was unconditional acceptance. Something he'd never known. Harry found that he was comfortable enough to complain. He explained how blowing up his aunt ended any chance he had at going to Hogsmeade. Sirius smiled, "That is something I can help with. I only need that permission slip."

Dobby interrupted, "Dobby can get." Harry agreed.

"He is some elf, Harry, strange but good. Take good care of him," Sirius said. They both grinned when they realized the elf had already returned.

"If only we knew when that rat was returning to England?" Sirius complained. Harry stared Dobby down.

"Dumbee got the rat back," answered the shy elf. "Dobby found not-dog right after."

"What do you want Dobby to call you?" Harry asked.

"I'm kinda attached to not-dog… but not for outside company. Dobby, Sirius is fine."

"We got to get you back to bed, pup," Sirius commanded at Harry's yawns. He ended discussions of future plans.

The party arrived at the Tonks home in low spirits. Sirius promised to write and have him for the holidays. He declared he was going to do away with the Dursley's guardianship. Harry barely stayed composed through the goodbyes. And Dobby whisked him away. Harry cried into his pillow, falling to sleep to his mother's singing. A song he thought was only found in dreams.

Room eleven was bright with natural light when Harry stirred. Dobby had a spread of food and the Daily Prophet laid out. The newspaper articles seemed like wizards were mad at logic. The presumed innocent man was marked. And the one condemned as guilty was not. There were people calling for Sirius to be found guilty of escape. Others cried foul because he never got a trial. What bugged Harry was most of the paper was filled with propaganda articles. No wonder pureblood ideology was allowed to fester.

Dobby walked in when Harry sat down his finished plate. He looks meek swaying side to side. "Dobby sorry, Dobby didn't want to hurt Harry," he cried.

"Oh, Dobby you didn't hurt me. It was nice, but it's hard sometimes," Harry stated as Dobby nodded his head in agreement.

"Dobby has Harry Potter's letters" Said the elf as he handed over 3 letters. Harry thought how much had changed since last year when the elf was keeping them.

Harry,

Egypt is great! Bill's grown his hair out and it's driving mum crazy. She can't say anything since he was Head boy and he's got a great job. He's taken us to all sorts of sites. It's amazing, but I don't know how the muggles do it without cooling charms. I'm not allowed to write about Scabbers but I'll tell you when I get back.

Dad was going to read my letter but Bill told him that he would, claiming we deserve some privacy. He's really cool. He talked to me about our electives. He explained that I had nothing to be embarrassed about and that I should tell you the truth.

The great Uncle that taught us math died when I was seven. Mum's horrible at it so I fudged my way through. I don't think I know enough to keep up in class. Bill also made me promise that I wouldn't use him as an excuse. He's fabulous at Rune, protections and anything like that. I don't want Hermione to think the worst. I'm switching to Runes and would you tutor me in math?

The privacy charm is great the twins have tried for the last 2 hours to break it.

Ron

It was strange for Harry to think about wizards not having uniform education before Hogwarts.

Professor Babbling's letter included a year's worth of Ancient Runes assignments along with notes on what she thought was important. She set a conference for the first week of class, but already approved the self-study without a plan.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Your interest in Arithmancy pleases me, but I do not approve students for self-study until we have an initial conference. I will be available in Diagon Alley on the 28th of August. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely yours,

Professor Septima Vector

Harry conversed with his mother about his letter. She had expected that kind of response from the professor. Vector was a planner and wanted reassurance that her time would not be wasted. That is why they had him start on the exercises.

A thank you and an acceptance letter were sent to Harry's professors. He mulled around with his school work for a bit. Then he had enough, he would not spend the rest of the day sulking.

"Finished with your moping?" Lily asked. Harry blushed, but nodded. "If I was interrupted before I was finished, I'd continue just to spite the person."

"I don't think I'm like that," Harry replied.

"I don't think you are, but you have the rights to your emotions. You're blessed to have a good dose of your father's temperament. The problem is he doesn't know what it's like to be isolated." Lily continued, "Your father could talk to anyone. He was doted on since he came late in your grandparent's lives. James knew how to interact with adults and loved kids as a child. He was a fast favorite of many. My point is he had better venting habits. Oh, these habits annoyed me until I understood."

"Mum, is this a lecture," Harry interrupted.

"That's not what I intended, Harry. I wish I was there with you," Lily answered. "I want you to have options and skills… Your Dad would say I'm avoiding… I know what it's like to be alone."

Harry's voice shook when he asked, "Will you explain."

"I was the only witch in a muggle family and Petunia…"

"hated you," Harry interrupted.

"Harry, when it comes to people, I don't like to face the facts even if they are staring me in the face. You're right, but I love her and it hurts. She resented me because of my magic and a large chunk of the budget went to my education. Petunia also resented being poor. Mum returned to work once I left for school. It's not like we were little, but Tuney blamed me for that too. I'd do things to try to buy her affection…"

"I did too… I wanted her…"Harry added.

"To love you," Lily finished. "Your Dad didn't fall into those kind of traps. But he never lived our kind of situations. I'm sorry about Severus too. I've got the same sort of blind spot for him. He was my first wizarding friend and we were both so desperate… Harry if I continue this I will make you mopey. Have you gone to the quidditch store yet?"

"No, that's my weak spot. I don't want to be tempted. It doesn't help that I know how wealthy we are."

"Harry, how wealthy you are," Lily corrected. "Sirius loves giving presents go get some ideas."

Harry laughed, "I'm not going to take advantage of him."

"That's not a worry," Lily explained. "If Sirius gets the chance he will spoil you, Harry. He was as bad as James when I was pregnant. He'd use every excuse in the book to get to babysit you. Harry, Sirius won't mind if you use him as an excuse to enjoy yourself."

"Mum the quidditch shop won't take all day," Harry commented.

Lily giggled, "Your father figure out how to do that one day. It's not worth repeating. Ask him if you want to know. Now, the Potters had a love for humor and you can find it in their book selections. Those books conflict with what I once thought a book should be, so I hated them. The Potters were right, their information did stick around when you could laugh about it."

"You mean books like How Not to Start a Goblin War," Harry asked.

"That sounds like one," Lily answered. "Your father would read them in the strangest spots. He was always changing his reading location. I didn't figure out he actually spent time reading until 6th year. Your father was a creature of unnoticeable habits."

"It sounds like he drove you nuts until you loved him," Harry commented. Lily nodded in agreement.

"Do the old guys still hang out playing in the Leaky Cauldron?" Lily asked. She continued with an answer. "Get them to teach you to play Ludoipsum. Wait read the general principles first."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Harry questioned.

"You're the famous Harry Potter. As long as you're polite, they will be honored to play with you."

"I don't like the celebrity stuff."

"Harry, you're not using it, nor need to. I was trying to get you out of your shell. They'd let anyone play. It changes up the game and it's better than boredom. Do your best to learn everyone's name. Oh, get Ron to teach you to play wizard poker. Don't let his mum find out," Lily carried on.

Harry entered the library with a new goal in mind. James had given him a fast way to find books that met the new interest. The selection was larger than what the one wall bookcase could display. Harry picked a few volumes at random to add to his goblin book. Why not have choices if something did not suit his mood? He set an alarm so he'd have enough time to wear his brace and left.

Quality Quidditch Supplies had a mountain of children peering in the windows at the latest professional racing broom. The Firebolt, it boosted a 3% improvement over other leading models. Harry knew he was right when he thought he'd find holes in his pockets if he stayed around the shop. Why did he need a professional level broom? They proved brooms didn't win games last year against Slytheran. No his nimbus 2000 was good.

Harry observed Diagon Alley differently, he was looking out for reading spots. It concerned him that there was a bench right outside of Ollivandars. Those poor muggle parents that use it before the window would blow due to the latest bad match. He noticed 2 courts, he hadn't ventured down. A nest of pixies was noted to avoid. This closer look made him realize different ages of the buildings. Diagon Alley had the same cycle the new overpowering the old with some tried and true gems between. Door wells that lead to apartments he never cared about popped into view. The Alley had more spots than he could sit before school started.

How Not to Start a Goblin War and Harry found a quiet ledge to read. Harry was hooked, line and sinker. Historic persons were given antics like the twins and criticized in what momma would say rants. It brought forward issues like the Wandbares War. The only reason goblin weren't permitted wands was they hadn't carried them like most of the wizarding world at the time. The goblins never stated they wanted wands, they fought on the principle of being told no. Harry was amazed the book wasn't fiction. Professor Binn's assignment needed work. He'd double check other sources, but he thought he had some errors.

Harry was in the middle of Harron the Great wizard's rule when he was interrupted. A lanky old shop wizard had approached him. "I'm in need of a hand, son. A kneazle wreaked a few barrels and the stones need sorted by hand. I can give you some store credit," the man asked.

When Harry stood the man noticed his scar. "Mr. Potter, I should not have dragged you from your book." The man panicked.

"Sir, its fine. It's refreshing to be treated normally and you still have barrels that need sorting," Harry stated.

The little shop carried amulet and talisman supplies. Four different types of stones were scattered across the floor. The wizard explained if magic was used on the stones, it would mess with their properties. His aunt had trained him so well that he didn't even think about the amount of work. The man was thankful when the work was complete. He gave Harry a first talisman kit and an old guide book that he claimed was better than the new print. Harry was told that his credit could wait till he had more knowledge of what he might want.

It was too early for dinner so Harry skipped his mother's advice and joined a game without reading. Ludoipsum reminded Harry of balancing games. The player had to work together to create hoping they weren't the one with an unplayable piece. His mother was right about the game changing due to who was playing. He couldn't compare the game pieces or cards to muggle games due to the magic. Harry liked the game better than chess and it didn't have the amount of chance you'd find with exploding snap.

Harry enjoyed the company of the 3 old wizards. The eldest was a dozen years younger than Professor Dumbledore. He claims Hogwarts was still singing the professor's praises. It was years before Dumbledore would teach. The youngest claimed to be sweet on Professor McGonagall, but she wouldn't give him the time of day. They shared stories of old Hogwarts professors and stated that Binns hadn't changed. The group enjoyed a few playing rounds before Harry had to retire for his neck brace.

Dinner was ordered and the family went over the day's events. James was pleased that Sirius still had a sense of humor and justice. He bulked knowing the Tonks house was being watched. Harry's parents addressed his house elves theories. James was curious as to how Padfoot ended up with muggles. Lily explained to him what a pound was and why muggles didn't like free roaming animals. James joked about what they didn't know.

James asked more questions than Harry could answer on the new racing broom. Lily giggled at their antics, her boys and their brooms. James teased Harry about asking Sirius for one.

Lily was delighted with Harry's enthusiasm for his history book. She quizzed him to see if it was accurate. After her approval the family debated wizard's lack of logic at length.

They were interrupted when a hyper little owl flew in. Hedwig was not pleased. She pecked the bird because it hadn't stayed still to have its letter removed. Harry had to jump on the bed to catch it.

Harry,

I promised to write and decided why not start today. Plus that owl was driving Andy crazy. Her daughter has a thing for strange cases. She's always bringing home strays. Anyway, for Andy's sanity this one needs to be rehomed. I think the little guy should make a trip to Egypt. Your friend should have a real pet.

I'll write soon

Not dog

Harry wrote a quick not to Ron and sent the bird on its way. Its life was in danger if it stayed. Maybe Hedwig would like the owl better if it had an owner.

James finished out the night with a story about Sirius' metamorphmagus cousin and how she hated her name. Harry didn't know why you'd call it a bedtime story when you couldn't fall asleep due to giggling.

Hope you don't mind my bad names pulled from Latin

Ludoipsum - Latin for fancy game