A/N: I am so sorry for the long wait you guys. I was busy with school, then once that ended I had a major writers block and couldn't figure out what I should do. I really am sorry you guys and I hope you'll forgive me. I will try to update more now that it's summer, but we'll see how it goes. I'm going to camp Sunday through Thursday so there will definitely be no other updates this week. Now, without further delay, I present to you the eighth chapter.
Disclaimer: Ok you guys, I don't own Harry Potter, I'm not Jo, Heck I'm not even English. LEAVE ME ALONE! JK
Silence, it surrounded the boat as Harry's father hugged the man, still blocking him from Harry's view. The man made no move towards returning the hug, nor did he try to move away. He only stood there, stiff as a board, un-moving, un-responding, and almost un-human. He seemed to cast a dead aura, like his very life had been drained from him, leaving only a body standing.
Harry's father let go of the man, gripped his shoulders and looked at him seriously.
"Sirius," Said James, "it's me, don't you recognize me? It's James; James Potter"
Sirius looked at James, for the first time Harry managed to get a good look at him. He looked as dead as his aura. His skin was pale and shallow, with heavy bags underneath the eyes. He was skinny enough that you could see the outline of his ribs. His prison robes were tattered and worn, and seemed to be far too big for the little body that they covered. He stood as tall as his father, which made him look even skinnier, and an untrimmed beard graced his face and only seemed to magnify his long, greasy, untidy hair. Though all of these things were slightly unnerving to look at, his eyes were the worst. They were cold, lifeless, they looked at James Potter, but they seemed to not be seeing him. They had a haunted look to them, a guilty look. Harry thought the man looked like he would be a criminal, but then the glint of something else in Sirius' eyes aught Harry's attention. It was a glint of innocence, the sign of an innocent man forced to endure a terrible fate.
"Sirius," James tried again, sounding slightly frantic, "Padfoot look at me, come on say something, anything."
Sirius stared for a while, then opened his mouth and whispered, "I'm innocent," before passing out in James' arms, unconscious.
Lily rushed over and helped James lift Sirius up and into the boat, then lightly laid him down on one of the benches.
"What happened to him? Is he alright?" She asked, looking over at Kingsley.
"Why are you asking me?" He responded kindly, "you're the healer after all."
Harry's mother blushed slightly and turned back to Sirius, mumbling something that sounded to Harry like, "Right, I knew that."
She knelt down by Sirius and began examining him; she started out just like a muggle doctor would. She checked his eyes and pulse and once she was finished with the physical check up on him, she pulled out her wand and began waving it around his body. After a couple of more minutes, she stood up and sighed.
"Sirius is going to be fine." She said with relief. James, who had been gripping Harry's shoulder as if it were an anchor for him, sighed with relief as well and went over to Sirius.
"What's wrong with him?" He asked, staring at Sirius shallow face.
"He's exhausted and weak, not to mention that seeing us stressed him to breaking point."
"Why would it do that?"
"James, we are supposed to be dead, remember?"
Harry winced slightly. He's only just got his parents back, he didn't want to think about them being dead ever again.
"Uh, Lil, I think that might be a tad of a touchy subject." James said, looking at Harry with concern.
Lily looked over at Harry and immediately felt bad.
"Harry, honey I'm sorry."
"It's ok mum," Harry said, "honestly."
Lily smiled then turned to face Kingsley.
"Let's get out of here; we all need our rest after today." She said.
Kingsley nodded and started the boat up again, taking them back to the main land. Harry sat next to his mother and shivered slightly. Lily took notice of this and immediately put her arm around Harry to warm him up.
The ride back seemed quicker than the ride to the ride to the prison to Harry, so in no time flat the Potters and company were once again on the main coast of England. James took hold of Sirius' arm and draped it over his shoulder so as to carry (more like drag) Sirius to the nearest fire.
"Thank you for everything Kingsley." Lily said, giving Kingsley a friendly hug.
"Not a problem Lily," He replied, returning the hug fiercely, "It's good to have you two back with us."
"It's good to be back."
"Kingsley, I would shake your hand, but mine are a bit full." James said with a slight laugh and a head bob in the direction of the unconscious Sirius Black.
"Not to worry Jim," Kingsley laughed, "Keep in touch and tell me when you are ready to come back to the department."
"Will do King."
"Harry," Kingsley said turning to face Harry with an outstretched hand, "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"It was wonderful to meet you too sir." Harry replied, shaking the large hand firmly.
With one last round of goodbyes, the Potter (plus Sirius) were off to the ministry owned house not too far from the dock in order to floo back to Potter Manor. Harry, wanting to help his father, slung Sirius' other arm around his shoulders (though with his size he doubted it really helped much), and walked in step with his father, his mother walking beside him smiling.
When they had made it to the house, James pulled out the key that Kingsley had given him and opened up the front door. The house was bear except for one fireplace against the farthest wall, and a shelf full of pots that were filled to the brim with floo powder.
"Alright Harry, I'll go through with Sirius, you go with your mother, ok?" James said, smiling at Harry.
"Alright dad." Harry responded, dropping the arm he held and walking over to Lily.
James grabbed a handful of powder, threw it into the flames, said his destination and disappeared with Sirius.
"Mum?" Harry asked.
"Yes sweetheart?"
"Can I throw in the powder?"
"Of course Harry."
Lily handed him the pot, and Harry took a handful before throwing it into the fire and saying Potter Manor. He and his mother stepped into the emerald flames together and disappeared, leaving the house empty once again.
A/N: Once again guys I am so sorry for the delay of this chapter. I hoped you liked it. Leave a review telling me what you think, also give me ideas for future chapters; I could really use the help. Favorite the story and if you're not already go ahead and follow it as well. Thank you guys for being patient and sticking with me. I love you all (except you Draco I can't F**kin stand you) Cookie to anyone who knows the reference.
Malfoy Out!
