A/N: As always this is dedicated to my wonderful beta reader witherwings1972 who is computerless for a while so updates might be slow, luckily I have some chapters in reserve. Chapter three
An Answered Prayer
"Sirius!" Harry called as soon as he and Dumbledore arrived at wherever they were.
"Harry," his Godfather called, hurrying through a door at the end of the room.
"It's true, you're alive," Harry cried, throwing his arms around Sirius and holding him as if he wouldn't ever let go, "I never thought I would see you again and it was all my fault."
" "You didn't think you'd get rid of me that easily did you?" Sirius asked, patting Harry's shoulder.
"I thought ... they all told me ... you were d-d-dead," Harry said, not trying to stop the tears. His Godfather hesitated and then hugged Harry tight. Harry was so relieved to have his godfather back, he had prayed that somehow Sirius might not be dead, and now he was here and Sirius was here, Harry had never felt so happy in his life. The thought crossed his mind that the next time he had to cast a patronus he wouldn't have any trouble finding his happiest memory. Even though he was so happy he was also very confused, it had all happened so suddenly. Was it really only a few hours ago he had been talking to Dudley at Privet Drive? He looked up From Sirius's shoulder then and saw Dumbledore had turned away to give them time alone.
"I need to get back to headquarters now Sirius, Harry, and I know you two have a lot to talk about. I will see you both later" the headmaster said after a moment.
"Thank you, sir, for letting me know and bringing me here to Sirius," Harry said sincerely.
"Yes thank you, we appreciate this," Sirius said, letting go of Harry and shaking Dumbledore's hand. Dumbledore smiled kindly at each of them before turning and disapparating. Sirius led Harry into the next room which was obviously the kitchen. There were 2 plates and cups in the sink and Harry wondered about that, maybe Dumbledore had eaten dinner with Sirius before going to get Harry.
You look like you could use a drink," Sirius commented, pulling his wand out of his pocket, "Accio butterbeer!" The door of the pantry opened and two bottles of butterbeer came out, landing on the table in front of Sirius and Harry.
"Thanks," said Harry, opening his bottle and taking a big gulp, "so ... er ... who's place is this?"
"It's mine for the time being, until Amelia comes of age, and even then she might let me stay here, I don't fancy returning to Grimmauld place," Sirius shuddered. Harry didn't blame him, he remembered how much his Godfather had hated being stuck in that horrible old house.
"Who's Amelia?" he asked, "I don't think I've ever heard you talking about her before,"
"She's a distant cousin of mine. Her parents were killed by Death Eaters just a few days ago, her mother was a Muggle and you know what Voldemort's followers think of them. Amelia doesn't have anyone else so I'm her legal guardian," Sirius explained, "This house belonged to her family and she'll be staying here with us, it's as safe as Dumbledore can make it".
"O that's sad about her parents," Harry knew how it was to have no parents or close family, he only had Sirius and he had almost lost him. He had so many questions to ask, how was Sirius still alive? Where had he been since that day in the ministry? But instead he asked about Amelia, there was plenty of time to ask Sirius his questions and he was curious about the girl who would be spending the summer with them..
"how old is she?"
"Sixteen, she'll be going into your year at Hogwarts. Up until now she was tutored by her father, and she's a bit nervous of going to Hogwarts."
"I guess that's understandable," Harry replied, "Where is she now?"
"She wanted to give us some time alone, she went up to her room just before you came," Sirius explained. Harry thought about that for a moment before something occured to him.
"uh sirius? uh how did she escape the death eaters? They wouldn't have exactly let her live!"
"Her father was in the Order. Dumbledore heard a rumour that the Death Eaters were after him so he sent Amelia to Dumbledore for safe keeping. I don't know why he and his wife didn't get out of there. Amelia doesn't have any other family except some relatives on her mother's side and they won't have anything to do with her because she's a witch, so Dumbledore brought her here and made this house unplottable. I didnt' fancy going back to Grimmauld place, I figured if I went back there I was likely to murder Kreacher, so I was glad when Dumbledore suggested I should come here and stay with Amelia."
Harry could sympathise with Sirius' desire to get rid of Kreacher, it was he who told Harry that Sirius had been taken to the ministry.
"Don't you mind being away from headquarters?" he asked.
"I wasn't much use there, and I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do, and of course that git Snape had to keep rubbing it in that I was useless to the ause. If I never see that house again it will be too soon for me," Sirius said bitterly.
Abruptly he stood up and motioned for Harry to follow him. "It's late and I guess we should be getting to sleep. You and I will be sharing a room by the way,"
Harry didn't mind sharing with his Godfather. Actually he was rather pleased about the prospect. When he had first heard about Amelia he felt slightly put out, he wanted to have plenty of talks with Sirius alone. Now it didn't seem so bad. The girl has just lost her parents after all have a little heart Harry. He almost screamed at himself. He followed Sirius up the winding stair case and stood looking at their room. Harry didn't look around much however as he was dead tired .
"I'm going to have a shower and then I'll be in Harry. Get some sleep, you look all done in. I'm sorry I had to wait to let you know harry." Sirius said looking back from the doorway.
Just as Harry was climbing into the bed he heard a voice coming from the room down the hallway. It was the most beautiful voice Harry had ever heard and he lay there listening although he didn't recognise the song.
"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."
Harry didn't understand what it was all about but he liked the sound of her voice and the words were somehow soothing. He drifted into a peaceful sleep.
His prayers were answered, Sirius wasn't dead and he would be able to spend the rest of the summer with him.
A/N: I decided to use the hymn "it is well with my soul" because it seemed appropriate, the writer of the hymn had lost family members not long before he wrote those words.
Thanks to those who reviewed my last chapter reviews are much appreciated and encourage me to keep going, a pack of chocolate frogs to each of you!