A/N: For later reference when Madam Pomfrey removes Harry's bandages in front of Ron and Hermione she is just changing the dressing. When he goes to the feast he has the glasses AND the glasses on. She removed them for the train ride though. This will become relevant later...

So here's the next chapter, once again without being 'beta'ed, (sorry Tali!) so I apologize for my horrible grammar.

Feedback is always good help ^_^

Tali: *pfft* i'm too lazy to chase you

Phoenix: I know, that's why I ran

Tali: *glares*

Phoenix: Guess what? I found the break page line thingy :D

Tali: *facepalm* it took you this long?

Chapter Five:

Harry could feel that it was a beautiful summer's day as he boarded the train with Ron's help after saying goodbye to Fleur and Krum. They found an empty compartment and he felt relieved about being able to sit down. It was more disconcerting than one would imagine; bumping into people that you can't even see.

The trolley came past and Hermione bought a copy of the Daily Prophet, reading the main headlines out for him; 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Back!', 'The Boy-Who-Lived Has Done It Again!', 'Triwizard Champion Murdered', 'Imprisoned For Twelve Years On False Charges; Sirius Black Pardoned', 'Envoy to the Giants, Dismissal of Azkaban Guards; Fudge's Precautions Against You-Know-Who!'

Harry was silent for a moment. 'Anything from Skeeter?' he asked, dreading the answer.

'No,' Hermione answered, glee obvious in her voice. 'As a matter of fact, Rita Skeeter isn't going to be writing anything at all for a while. Not unless she wants me to spill the beans on her.'

'What are you talking about?' said Ron.

'I found out how she was listening in on private conversations when she wasn't supposed to be coming into the grounds,' Hermione said in rush. 'She's an unregistered Animagus. She can turn into a beetle.'

'You're kidding!' Harry exclaimed.

'Nope,' said Hermione, pride evident in her tone. 'I caught her on the window-sill of the common room the night of the Third Task. She was trying to listen in on Ron and my conversation. I've told her she's to keep her quill to herself for a whole year. See if she can't break the habit of writing horrible lies about people.'

'Bloody brilliant!' breathed Ron amazed.

Harry felt happy for the first time in a while. No more Rita Skeeter! He thought gleefully. But his good mood evaporated as fast as it had descended as the compartment door slid open.

'Is there nothing you can do wrong, Potter?' Malfoy sneered. 'You're blind and you're still Dumbledore's favourite boy.'

Harry sighed. He hadn't faced Malfoy since his comment at the Farewell Feast, and he didn't really want to.

'Go away, Malfoy,' he said, heavily.

'You're pathetic, Potter, absolutely helpless. I'll be surprised if you last the holidays,' Malfoy laughed cruelly.

Harry growled, Malfoy's comment cutting a little too close to home and pulled out his wand. Malfoy laughed again.

'What are you going to do?' he asked. Harry clenched his teeth and fired a curse in Malfoy's direction. He heard Malfoy laugh again and he knew he'd missed him.

'Over here, Potter,' he sang from Harry's left. He turned his sightless face towards the sound and let another curse loose. He heard Hermione growl but he shook his head and stood up.

'Ooh, bringing out the big guns now, boys,' he laughed and Harry lunged in his direction. He just managed to catch his sleeve, with the few seconds surprise had granted him. He grabbed Malfoy by his collar and raised his wand to the Slytherin's throat.

'Naw, poor Malfoy,' he sneered, giving a good impression of the boy. 'Did the blind boy get you?' he spat the word into his rival's face, letting the arrogant boy go.

'What are you scared of, Potter? Curse me!'

He didn't have to. He heard multiple bangs that came from more than one place.

'Hello,' a voice said from the door. Harry turned around, pointing his face in the direction of the door. The voice sounded familiar.

'We saw these three head down here. Didn't think it could be for anything good,' said another similar voice.

'Fred? George?' he asked, unsure.

'Yep,' the boys chorused and Harry smiled. He felt the vibrations and sounds of the seemingly unconscious Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle being pushed out of the compartment.

'So, who's up for a game of Exploding Snap?' Fred asked casually.

As the train pulled into Platform 9¾ everyone started collecting their things. Just as Hermione, himself and the twins were about to leave the compartment, Harry told Hermione to go on ahead and asked the twins to stay for a minute. All three complied and he pulled out his winnings from his trunk. After a small argument which ended with him threatening the twins with hexes, they accepted the money for their joke shop. They helped him off the train where Hermione took over.

A/N: I know that Ron has been incredibly quiet all through the train ride but he's REALLY struggling with how to treat Harry atm. I'm not gonna have their friendship fall through but just now it's a bit shaky.

'Ron and I are going to be staying with you at your house until you're allowed to leave. Dumbledore said you'll be spending the holidays from your birthday onwards at number twelve Grimmauld Place,' she said quietly so no one else could hear.

Suddenly he heard a familiar voice shout 'Harry!' and then he was enveloped in the arms of his godfather. He held onto the other man tightly and he could hear some people muttering, obviously not sure that Sirius was entirely innocent.

'Full pardon, I hear,' said Harry pulling back with a huge grin on his face.

'Yep, with a formal apology from the Minister himself,' Sirius laughed. 'Now Dumbledore has said that I'm not allowed to have you straight away, but as soon as I can you're coming to live with me, alright?' he asked, slightly uncertain about whether or not Harry held the same enthusiasm as the last time he'd asked.

'Brilliant,' he said, beaming at his godfather. He heard a sigh of relief and Sirius took Harry's arm to guide him through the gateway.

'Dumbledore said he'll be meeting your relatives at their house later tonight and that I'll be giving them a brief overview until then,' Sirius explained and Harry nodded.

Sirius, Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way over to the Dursleys. He heard Vernon make a noise of disapproval.

'These glasses better not be a new fashion statement,' he grunted threateningly.

'They're not,' Sirius growled menacingly. 'Professor Dumbledore will be meeting with you later tonight to explain the consequences of recent events to you,' Sirius continued through gritted teeth in a voice that sounded horribly rehearsed. 'I am here to tell you that I'm Harry's godfather and that I have been recently given a full pardon. Also that Harry's friends, Ron Wealsey and Hermione Granger will be staying with Harry until two days after his birthday, on which they will all be moved to my house.'

'They will do no such thing,' Vernon growled.

Harry snorted. 'Wait until you've talked to Professor Dumbledore before you make that decision,' he said.

Harry could almost hear Vernon going purple. 'Take those glasses off,' he snarled, obviously trying hard not to be too violent in front of Harry's, although recently pardoned, criminal godfather.

'Not until we get in the car,' Harry said coolly, taking Hermione's hand and pushing his trolley in the direction of the exit. The Dursley's begrudgingly followed suit.

At the car Sirius told the Dursleys that he would be taking Ron and Hermione to number four Privet Drive as there wasn't enough room for them all to travel together. Once they'd managed to all fit in the car, Vernon turned to Harry and said menacingly 'Now take those ruddy glasses off.'

'Okay,' Harry said cheerfully and removed his glasses. The reaction was immediate. Dudley yelled and Harry guessed he'd begun frantically pushing himself up against the opposite door, trying to get as far away from Harry as possible judging by the swaying of the car. Petunia let out a scream which she quickly stifled. And Vernon was shouting something that Harry presumed was 'put them back on! Back on!' to which Harry quickly complied. 'Professor Dumbledore will explain everything at the house,' he said dryly and waited for Vernon to regain enough of his composure to start the car.