Just after breakfast the next day, they left Kero behind and Sirius apparated them to Godrics Hollow. They appeared on the outskirts of a quaint little village. Sirius took them down a small dirt track.

"It was just before Christmas the year after you were born, when Dumbledore told us the prophesy. Well, he told James and Lily and the Longbottoms, but James told us."

"Why would he tell Neville's parents?"

"Because Neville also fit the conditions of the prophesy. It said, 'Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.' It could have been either of you. We didn't know which, not until Voldemort attacked. Neville was born just a day before you, you know."

"No, I didn't."

"They could have gone to the Castle but decided that would have been obvious. Lily had been doing some research into different wards and things for the Order and she found the Fidelis Charm. That's when they decided to move here," he indicated the old house before them, tucked away in the trees. "I was the Secret Keeper until the end of September. But then I was attacked while on a mission. That was when I started to suspect Remus because I had only told him, James and Peter." He snorted. "Fool that I was, I never even thought it might be Peter. So I suggested we switch. It would have been a great prank. The Death Eaters putting so much effort in to catching me only to get nothing. Peter held out for only a month."

Harry said nothing as he listened to the story of his parents final months. The house a poignant reminder of the tragedy that had occurred. It was a small cottage made of red bricks. The front door had been blown off and lay resting in two pieces on the floor inside. All the glass from the upper floor was gone.

"When I got here that night, it looked like this. I was keyed into the alarm wards, same as Dumbledore, but Hagrid got here first. I wanted to take you but he insisted. He's not a person you want to argue with. I let him take my bike that night because I thought I could track it, find out where you were. I never expected to get thrown into Azkaban without a trial."

Both men stood in silence, thinking about the lives and the deaths of good friends and beloved parents.

"Would you like to see inside?" Sirius asked, forcibly shaking off his melancholy.

"Is it safe to go in?" Harry asked eyeing the building with distrust.

"Sure, this place was built by wizards. It'll stand as long as there are members of the Potter blood." Sirius let the way inside. The house hadn't stood the test of time well. With the door open and the windows blown out it was open to the elements and all of natures creatures. There was evidence of rats. The carpet was rotting away under the windows and the wallpaper was peeling.

"Okay," Sirius said, looking around. "I know it looks like a dump now, but it wasn't always like this."

"What did they do? What did my parents do?"

"James and I trained to be aurors, but they decided to go into hiding before he could finish his training." Sirius paused, eyes seeing a room fifteen years in the past. "There were pictures on these walls. Photos of us, the school. James had this big family photo from just after he graduated hanging over the fire place. His parents even asked me to sit in with them. Said I was a part of the family too." He blinked, clearing away tears that gathered in his eyes. "James's and Lily's wedding photos were hanging over there. We had all your baby pictures lines up along the mantle. James went a little nuts with the camera when you where born. Probably a good thing they were destroyed. You don't want those showing up at your coming of age party."

Harry looked around the room, trying to picture it as Sirius described. "It was supposed to be only temporary so they didn't do a lot of redecorating but it felt like home. Every time I came over I could hear you laugh. You laughed a lot back then."

"I wish I could remember." Harry whispered.

"I wish you could too." Sirius looked so sad.

Harry wandered out of the room, giving Sirius some time alone to remember. He looked around the rest of the house.

Most of it was as bad as the first room. Someone had obviously cleared things out. The study was empty of books, it's shelves hanging precariously to the walls and scattered over the floors. The kitchen had been left, perishables either removed or eaten. Sirius found him at the base of the stairs debating whether or not to go up.

"Their bedroom, mine and Remus's, and your nursery are up there. Remus told me he salvaged what he could. He has most of it stored away at his place. I'll get him to bring it over some time."

Harry nodded. "Can I... I'd like... Can we visit their graves? I don't know where they are buried. Aunt Petunia never said."

Sirius shook his head. "Every time you mention your relatives I find myself hating them more and more. James and Lily are buried not too far from here. I visited them before I came to see you before your third year. We can go now if you want."

The graveyard was located behind a small church in the middle of town. Sirius transformed into Padfoot and trotted alongside Harry as they walked through the streets. It being the middle of the day, there were people out and about. No one really seemed too interested in Harry as they bustled around, doing their shopping, running errands and generally just living, but Harry kept his head down and his scar covered just in case.

The village was a strange one. It was clearly a muggle town, with cars parked along the street, and a cell phone shop over by the florists. Wizarding presence was strong though, and Harry could see an apothecary down the lane.

Padfoot led the way to the church and used his nose to push open the small gate that led to the back. Harry followed, into the graveyard and up the rows to a single headstone, made from solid white marble. There was a simple inscription.

Here lie treasured friends, beloved parents and true heroes.

James Augustus Potter

and

Lily Evans Potter.

You are missed.

Harry stared down at his parents final resting place. He didn't really know how he should be feeling right now. He had never thought of his parents as being buried. He knew they would have been, of course, but when he thought about them this was not what came to mind.

"Remus told me the Ministry arranged a state funeral a few days after they... you know... died." Sirius changed back, keeping his head down, he knelt before the headstone and pulled a weed out from around it. "He couldn't go because it was a full moon the night before, but he was told by friends that it was a farce. Minister Bagnold made this huge fuss about how great they were and everyone was really sorry they were dead and all, but no one was there to celebrate their life. James would have hated it. He would have pranked the lot of the poncy sods."

Tears now ran down Sirius's cheeks unchecked. Harry didn't know what he should do. He debated with himself before tentatively putting an arm around Sirius's shoulder. Sirius leaned into the touch. "When James's parents died, we through this huge party. There was loads of drinking and laughter. Everyone was telling stories about what they were like. I swear, I learnt more about Mum and Da Potter in that one afternoon then in the whole time I knew them. That's how they should have been remembered."

Sirius pulled another weed out of the grave site. He reached out and patted the head stone. "That's how you should have been remembered, Jamie. Surrounded by family and friends. I'd have told everyone about the time McGonagall found you and Lily in the cupboard. Remus could have told about the time the four of us..." He cut off. "The three of us-"

Harry listened as Sirius talked to the headstone. It was fascinating to listen to Sirius reminisce, but it bothered him. It was like Sirius wasn't with him any more, he was so focused on the stone sitting on his parents final resting place.

"Sirius." Harry interrupted. Sirius looked up, the far away look still in his eyes. "They're not there, Sirius."

"Harry, what..."

"They're not there. What's in the ground, it's not them. They're gone Sirius."

"I know that, Harry. It's just..."

"You miss them."

"Yeah. They were my family. My true family. More than my own ever were."

"Like you're mine."

Sirius looked up at Harry and gave him a sad little smile. "Yeah, like us. Sorry to say it seems like you got a pretty poor deal out of this."

Harry shock his head. "I don't think so."

They both looked up as they heard a noise come from the direction of the church. Sirius quickly changed back to Padfoot just as a priest walked out of the back door of the church. They were far enough away that the old man took a few minutes to notice them.

Padfoot stepped in front of Harry. "Easy there boy. Easy." Padfoot must have known the man though because his tail started to wag.

"Hello, sir."

"Oh, hello young man. What brings you to the Hollow?"

"I... er." He looked from the old priest down to the headstone.

"Ah. Visiting relatives then?"

"Yeah, my parents."

The priest looked down at the gravestone and did a double take. "The Potters? Why you must be Harry then. I was wondering when you would make the trip."

"Well I..."

"It's alright, young man, I understand. It's not exactly a thrilling holiday destination. I am surprised though, that you came alone."

"Well I'm staying with friends this summer, and they're just letting me have some er... privacy."

"I understand. I am Father Timms. I have been the father here for over thirty years. A muggle actually but you can't live in a place like Godric's Hollow and not pick up a few things. I've known about the Wizarding world for some time. I'll leave you to it then, shall I?"

"Oh, no that's okay. I was done anyway." Harry looked down at Padfoot, who gave a sad sort of wuff of agreement.

"Well then young wizard. If it's not too much trouble, might I request your assistance? I have had some trouble reported to me, that I believe might be magical in nature. I was going to ask Mr Johnson, down the way but since you're here..."

"Sure." Harry nodded. "I guess I can help."

"Excellent."

Father Timms led them to a small stand of trees that separated the graveyard from a small playground. Some of the newer graves were in this area.

"I have been having some reports of ghosts in the area. I thought it was strange because ghosts don't usually like visiting graveyards, I'm told. Being a muggle I can't see ghosts, I was hoping you might talking with who ever it is and find out what he's doing here."

Harry scanned the area for any sign of a ghost. Padfoot was looking too, trotting through the trees. Harry was taking a few steps into the trees when he felt something that was becoming disturbingly familiar. He pulled out of his the Clow key.

"Er, Father Timms, can you give us a few minutes, please? I need to er… talk to the ghost alone."

"Oh," Father Timms blinked. "Well, certainly, I'll come back later then." The father turned back to the church. "Do come and see me before you leave, Mr Potter, I'd love to talk to you further."

"Sure, when I'm done here, I'll come."

As soon as the priest was out of sight Harry began the incantation. "Power of Darkness, power of Light, surrender the wand, the force ignite. Release." Padfoot changed back.

"You think there's a card here?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I can feel it. I don't know which one though."

"So, how do we find him?"

"I suggest start looking over there." He pointed toward the trees where a ball was floating about three feet above the ground.

"Yep, that'd be a good place."

Harry pointed the sealing wand. "Accio ball."

As the ball pulled away from where it was floating a small hot air balloon shimmered into view. It was a large colourful striped ball, like a beach ball Harry had seen Dudley take to the beach, with a smaller basket with a pair of wings hanging beneath it.

"It doesn't seem to be very dangerous. What do you think this one is?"

"I don't know. I have the Fly, maybe the Float, do you think?"

"Looks like it. Well, at least this one should be easy enough to capture."

The Float must have taken offence to Sirius's statement because as they watched, the balloon moved toward them and hovered above Sirius.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" He asked rhetorically, watching the floating avatar wearily. As if in answer, the basket under the balloon faded away and the strings holding it shot out and grabbed Sirius.

"Harry!" Sirius yelled. The Float pulled him up, seemingly weightless. Sirius struggled but the string were intangible, he couldn't touch any part of it. "Get me down!"

"Accio Sirius!"

This time, the card seemed to be fighting him as he tried to pull Sirius away. He put more power in to the spell, and had to dodge quickly, as Sirius came flying toward him. Not wasting any time, Harry raised the wand again. "Return to your power confined. Float Card."

Caught in the power of the Clow circle, the Float avatar seemed to deflate as it was pulled into card form. Harry snagged the card out of the air and spun to face Sirius. His godfather scowled up at him from the ground.

"Why do these things always go after me?"

When Harry and Padfoot returned to the church Father Timms was sitting in his office. Padfoot sprawled out on Harry's feet.

"So young Harry, did our resident ghost give you any trouble?"

Harry had been thinking what to tell the man while they walked back from capturing it. "No, no. Everything was fine. It was just a minor poltergeist. Easy compared to the one we have at school. I just convinced him he would have more fun somewhere else."

"Well done, Mr Potter. Very well done. I must say, that is a very unusual pet you have there." Timms said, peering over his desk at Padfoot. "I've never seen a breed quite like it. It does rather remind me, somewhat, of the description of a grim. They are supposed to haunt graveyards, you know. A portent of death some say."

"This is Padfoot. You don't need to worry, he's perfectly safe."

"Oh I wasn't worried. I've lived in this church twenty nine years and I've never seen a grim. I always thought it was a shame. It would be ironic if he was, though."

"Why's that?"

"Well, the Boy-Who-Lived with an omen of death for a pet? A little off beat don't you think?"

"People would probably run away screaming." Harry looked thoughtful. "Come to think of it, that might come in handy sometime."

Timms chuckled. "I'm sure. Your father would have thought it was a great prank. He was like that you know. Always with a joke to tell and never minding to make one at his own expense."

"Did you know them well?" Harry asked, always eager for information on his parents.

"I knew your father from when he was a boy. The family sometimes spent some time here during the summer. A troublemaker to the core, your grandparents had such a time running herd on him, but so likeable. No one could stay mad at him for long." Harry smiled, liking the image of his father as a young boy.

"I did not get to know Lily as well as I would have liked. They were not here every long before they died and only rarely came into the village. I only spoke to Lily just after her parents had died. She had had a terrible fight with her sister, over what, I couldn't say, and was very upset. You were too. I sat with her for a while and we talked. I don't remember now what we talked about, it wasn't anything important. What impressed me most about your mother was her quiet strength. Even when she was tried and grieving you could see it. She and your father were a very good match."

Harry was quiet as he and Padfoot made their way back to his parent house. As soon as they were out of sight Padfoot switched back to Sirius. "Timms is right you know. Your parents were a good match. McGonagall once called them the irresistible force meeting the immoveable object. I always wondered which one was which. They were both strong stubborn people."

"People don't tell me much about… about Mum. I hear about Dad but not so much about Mum."

Sirius blinked and looked sad. "No, I guess you don't. We didn't get to know Lily too well until the middle of sixth year. Until then she was just a girl James worshiped from afar. We knew she was smart, beautiful, muggleborn and had a muggle sister, which is actually very unusual. Usually when one sibling is a magical they all are. During Christmas that year James was still pining over her so I dared him to go see her, at home. Apparently he was a big hit with her parents. He would never tell me what he said but after that she didn't avoid us as much as she used too."

"Who did she usually hang out with? Who was she friends with?"

"Well, she didn't have too many friends. Mostly she hung around with Selene Spring. She was a Ravenclaw in our year. They were smart and they were girls. We usually avoided them when James wasn't pining. Last I heard, Selene was dating some reporter. I was busy with auror training and didn't get a chance to catch up with people much after graduation."

They entered the house. Harry looked around, trying to imagine his parents here, in this house. It was hard. Although he knew they had lived here, even had some faint memory of them here, the Castle in Wales felt more like home.

"What happened to all their stuff? Books and clothes and things?"

"I don't know. I think Moony came by and picked some things up. We should probably ask him."

Harry began wandering around the rooms. There were little things he wondered about. Were the plates in the sink from his parents last meal? Was that vase a family heirloom? How did they spent their time here? Wandering upstairs he began to see signs of the destruction of that Halloween night. Sirius followed behind him. Most of the destruction was centred around the east end of the house where the nursery was. Harry ignored that end, not wanting to see the sight of his mothers murder. He never knew where his father fell.

The other doors in the hall were open save the one right next door to the nursery. He moved toward the door and turned the handle. The door jiggled a bit but didn't open.

"It's locked."

Sirius frowned. "That's strange. It shouldn't be." He pulled his wand and flicked it at the door. "Alohamora."

Harry tried the door again but as his hand got near the handle, it was thrown back from the door.

"What…" He moved his hand back to the door. There was a strange magic covering the door. Harry summoned the sealing wand.

"Oh god, don't tell me there's another one of those things." Sirius complained. "Where is this thing?"

"I don't know. I can feel it all over the door." He moved his hand over the door. As long as he kept his hand away from the door nothing happened. When his hand moved closer to the handle, the magic solidified. A green and gold lock appeared over the handle. Silver wings straddled the front mounted drum.

"The Lock card. It has to be." Harry said.

"Great. Capture it already."

"Return to your power confined. Lock card." The power of the Clow circle spun out and attempted to draw the Lock in but couldn't get a hold of it.

"Now what?"

"We have to unlock it."

"What?"

"In order to capture the cards I have to beat them, right? I have to unlock it."

"I don't know about you, Harry, but my lock-picking skills are a little rusty."

Harry smirked at his godfather over his shoulder. "And you call yourself an escaped convict."

"Hey I did one better. I didn't open the door, I went through it. They never could figure out how I got out."

"Fred and George taught me how to pick locks while I stayed with them before second year. Hold on a second."

Harry used the sealing wand to transfigure some of the wooden debris into a set of lock picks. He pushed the longest needle into the lock and was feeling around with the other when the picks began to glow red hot. "Yeouch!" Harry dropped the picks and stuck his slightly singed fingers in his mouth.

"Well that didn't work." Sirius commented, unhelpfully. Harry glared at him. "What? Maybe we have to find a key of some sort. Locks have keys, right?"

Harry blinked at his godfather and slapped himself on the forehead. Clutching the sealing wand in his hand, he held it out and said, "release!" The wand shrunk down on itself and returned to it's key form. He held it up.

"Think this'll work?"

"Worth a shot."

There was no reaction from the magic of the Clow card as Harry pushed the key into it's barrel. "Here goes nothing." The lock sprang open as he turned and the magic on the door dissipated. Pulling the key from the now open lock, Harry summoned his wand. "Power of Darkness, power of Light, surrender the wand, the force ignite. Release. Return to your power confined. Lock card."

This time when the Clow circle's magic spun out, it latched onto the Lock avatar pulled it inward. The card settled into Harry's hand with a faint click.

I don't know how to feel about this chapter. On one hand I was quite please about how the emotional parts turned out. And the capture scenes weren't bad either. Neither parts are really things I'm good at. What I wasn't sure about was the switching between the two. It seems disjointed. But what can I do? Capturing the cards is the point, but I wanted to show some of Harry and Sirius's past as well.

What do you think about Father Timms? He was another part I was iffy about. He has no other role to play, he was entirely the product of the image in my head of an old graveyard and a priest. I know nothing about how the clergy works so forgive me for any mistakes. No offence was intended.

I also need suggestions. How do I get rid of Sirius? I love the guy and he is a main character but I don't want him there all the time. The trouble is, he really has nothing else to do, except look after Harry. Once Harry get's back to Hogwarts it'll be fine but until then, what do I do with him?