Chapter 3

After a few long days of cleaning had passed, and the day of Harry's trial had arrived. Sirius had laid awake in bed all night worrying about the outcome of the trial. Sure the law was on his godson's side, but he worried anyway. With Fudge in power, there were bound to be a few roadblocks during the trial. Not to mention, Harry was determined to stay with him if he was expelled from Hogwarts.

Dawn had broken, and Sirius decided he would get up. He wasn't getting to sleep anytime soon, and he really didn't have anything important to do today. He stood from the bed and got dressed before leaving the room and walking down the large staircase.

Sirius tiptoed past his mother's portrait on the landing and finished stepping quietly down the rest of the stairs. He sighed in relief and entered the kitchen. He needed something to calm his nerves. He had thought of Firewhiskey first, but knew that Remus would scold him for that. Instead he put a tea kettle on the stove for tea.

Sirius sat down heavily in a chair at the table waiting for the water to boil. He put his head in his hands and took a deep breath. He heard soft footsteps come into the room and immediately thought it was Kreacher.

"Sirius?" He heard a woman's voice.

Sirius was confused; that definitely wasn't Kreacher. He lifted his head and turned in his seat to see who was behind him.

"Tonks? What are you doing here so early?" Sirius asked in confusion.

"I w-was doing some recruiting during the night while I was on duty. Kingsley sent me here a few m-minutes ago." She explained trying to stifle her yawn.

"Were you able to convince anybody to join?" Sirius asked.

Tonks walked to the table trying to be careful, but tripped on the leg of a chair and caught herself hard on the table. She and Sirius's eyes darted to the portrait of his mother praying she wouldn't wake up. Tonks let out the breath she was holding and sat down across from Sirius.

"I did. It's someone Remus suggested," Tonks told him.

Sirius was very curious now, "Who is it?"

"Do you remember a w-woman named Simone Du-Dupoint?" Tonks asked yawning again.

"Hmm…the name sounds familiar," Sirius said standing up to turn off the burner on the stove.

"According to Remus, she was two years behind you at Hogwarts. I think he said she was in Ravenclaw," Tonks said trying to remember.

"Ah…it figures Remus would know her; he used to hang around with the Ravenclaws when he wasn't with me or James," Sirius said stirring his steaming tea.

"Remus also told me that at one time you fancied her," Tonks said slyly.

Sirius stopped what he was doing and thought about that.

"Yeah, well I fancied a lot of girls while I was at school. I can't put a face to that name," Sirius said beginning to get irritated.

"Remus seemed to think she fancied you quite a bit as well. He thought it would be good for you to be around someone that you actually find interesting while you're stuck here in this house." Tonks said standing from the table. "I have to check in with Remus. We'll be by later for breakfast."

Sirius was quiet while she left the room.

"Wait, so you're saying that Remus is trying to set me up while I'm stuck here?" He asked incredulous.

Tonks didn't answer. She reached the front door and left the dark house.

"Damn werewolf," Sirius muttered under his breath. Sirius took his tea to the table and slumped down into the chair again.

The sun had risen some more and the morning light was peaking in through the kitchen windows. He sighed again and sipped the tea. The warmth running through his body did eventually calm him down, but not enough. He still felt irritated.

Sirius heard Arthur walking down the hallway. The red haired man entered the kitchen and paused seeing Sirius there.

"Oh, good morning Sirius. I didn't think you'd be awake this early," Arthur commented.

"I couldn't sleep last night. Harry's trial has been weighing on my mind lately," Sirius told him taking another sip of tea.

"Yes, well, I have to go wake Harry up now. He needs to start getting ready for the hearing," Arthur said leaving the room.

Sirius felt his shoulders drop as if more weight had been added. He put his head in his hands again and tried to steady his breathing. He hated being here, in this house, surrounded by so many who were contributing so much and risking their lives for the Order's cause. He felt useless and so much like a child.

Sirius finished his tea and placed it at the bottom of the sink. He left the kitchen and went to the drawing room to take a seat in one of the armchairs. He heard Molly enter the kitchen and begin fussing with the pots and pans for breakfast.

Sirius closed his eyes and steadied his breathing trying to get a little bit of rest. Fifteen minutes later, he heard Harry descending the stairs. Sirius got up from the chair and entered the kitchen again.

It seemed, that in the time he had been asleep Tonks had returned. Remus was also in the kitchen, as well as Arthur and Molly. He took a seat next to Remus and sighed. Remus clasped him on the shoulder and gave him a small smile.

"Everything will be fine, Sirius," Remus said.

"Yeah, like you setting me up with some woman while I'm stuck in this old house," Sirius said giving his dearest friend a look of contempt.

"What are you talking about?" Molly asked.

"S-Simone," Tonks said from across the table.

"Oh, yes, you were able to recruit her, weren't you, Tonks?" Molly addressed her.

"Yeah, Dumbledore is meeting with her later today," Tonks explained. "She might be around for dinner tonight."

"Lovely," Molly said just before Harry stepped into the room.

Harry looked very pale and tired.

"Breakfast," Molly said when she saw him.

Tonks looked over. "M-m-morning, Harry," She yawned. "Sleep all right?"

"Yeah," said Harry. Although Sirius didn't believe him.

"I've b-b-been up all night," Tonks said with another shuddering yawn. "Come and sit down…"

Tonks pulled out a chair, knocking down the one beside it in the process.

"What do you want, Harry?" Moll called from the other side of the kitchen. "Porridge? Muffins? Kippers? Bacon and eggs? Toast?"

"Just— just toast, thanks," said Harry.

Remus glanced at Harry, then said to Tonks, "What were you saying about Scrimgeour?"

"Oh…yeah…well, we need to be a bit more careful, he's been asking Kingsley and me funny questions…" She answered his question.

Sirius listened to their conversation, but was also keeping an eye on his godson, who was steadily looking like he was going to be sick. Harry had only taken a couple bites of his toast; Sirius could feel his unease. Molly moved to Harry's side and began fussing with his hair and clothes. Arthur was talking to Tonks about the shifts just before he stood up. He turned to Harry.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

Harry shrugged.

"It'll all be over soon," Arthur said bracingly. "In a few hours' time you'll be cleared."

Harry said nothing. Sirius' suspicions were proven at that moment; it was obvious Harry had doubts about the outcome of the hearing. He sighed within himself as he watched his nervous almost fifteen year old godson.

"The hearing's on my floor, in Amelia Bones' office. She's Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she's the one who'll be questioning you," Arthur explained to Harry.

"Amelia Bones is okay, Harry," Tonks said earnestly. "She's fair, she'll hear you out."

Harry nodded, still not speaking a word.

"Don't lose your temper," Sirius chimed in. "Be polite and stick to the facts."

Harry nodded looking at him. Sirius noticed he looked overwhelmed and didn't blame the poor boy.

"The law's on your side," Remus told him quietly. "Even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations."

Molly continued fussing with Harry's hair commenting on how it never stays flat on his head. Sirius smirked to himself remembering James; his mother always commented about how messy his hair was, but nothing could ever be done with it.

"I think we'll go now." Arthur said looking at Harry. "We're a bit early, but I think you'll be better off there than hanging around here."

"Okay," said Harry automatically. He dropped his barely eaten toast and got to his feet.

"You'll be all right, Harry," Tonks said patting him on the arm.

"Good luck," said Remus. "I'm sure it will be fine."

"And if it's not," said Sirius grimly, "I'll see to Amelia Bones for you…"

Harry smiled weakly at him. Sirius worried at that moment; if Harry wasn't strong enough the smile back at something like that, he was going to have a hard time at the hearing. Molly hugged Harry before he left with Arthur.

"We've got our fingers crossed," She said to him.

"Right, well…see you later then," Harry said as he left the room with Arthur.

Sirius leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply.

"Oh, he'll be fine, Sirius," Molly said to him, still obviously angry with him.

"She's right, Sirius" Remus said putting his hand on his forearm.

Sirius nodded and took a deep breath. He got up from the table and made his way up the stairs to his bedroom where he kept Buckbeak. Just as he made it to the landing, he heard a yell, fortunately it wasn't loud enough to wake his mother's portrait. He ran back to the kitchen.

"What is it? What's happened?" Sirius asked furiously.

"Harry's hearing has been changed," Molly began. "It's now at eight o'clock in courtroom ten."

"What? Why did they change the time and place?" Sirius asked confused.

"If it's in courtroom ten…" Tonks said thinking. "But no, they wouldn't."

"What is it, Tonks?" Sirius asked.

"The Ministry uses that courtroom for hearings in which they use a full Wizengamot," Tonks said facing Sirius.

"Why would they use a full Wizengamot to try a fifteen year old boy?" Sirius asked incredulous.

"Because he's Harry Potter," Remus answered his question.

"Right," Sirius groaned. "I'm going to try to get some rest; I didn't sleep at all last night."

Sirius got up from the table and left the kitchen. He felt Molly's eyes on his back with every step he took. He didn't care what she had to say at the moment. Sirius dragged his feet up the stairs to his bedroom.

He closed the door quietly and slipped back into bed, still in his daily clothes. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he drifted to sleep.

-xxxxx-

Sirius awoke suddenly when he felt his shoulder being shaken. His eyes shot open and he clasped his fingers around the person's wrist.

"Sirius, it's just me," Remus said.

"Oh, sorry," Sirius said releasing his wrist.

"Did you get enough sleep?" Remus asked.

"I feel better. Is Harry back yet?" He asked curiously.

"Yes, the hearing went well. Dumbledore went to aid Harry. All charges against Harry were dropped," Remus smiled.

Sirius hopped out of bed, feeling very much awake.

"Well, that's just wonderful! We should celebrate," Sirius said brightly.

"Yes, well, it seems they've already started."

"Without me?"

Sirius opened the door and stepped out of the bedroom and began his descent. He entered the kitchen and saw Ginny, Fred and George dancing around chanting "He got off." Arthur looked a little on edge.

"That's enough, settle down!" shouted Arthur, though he too was smiling. "Listen, Sirius, Lucius Malfoy was at the Ministry—"

"What?" Sirius asked sharply. This was very bad. A new sinking feeling began to settle itself in his chest.

"Be quiet you three!" Arthur yelled again as Ginny, Fred and George continued to dance and chant. "Yes, we saw him talking to Fudge on level nine, then they went up to Fudge's office together. Dumbledore ought to know."

"Absolutely," said Sirius. "We'll tell him, don't worry."

"Well, I'd better be going, there's a vomiting toilet in Bethnal Green waiting for me. Molly, I'll be late, I'm covering for Tonks, but Kingsley might be dropping in for dinner—"

Sirius thought over what Arthur had just told him about Lucius Malfoy being involved with the Minister of Magic. He pushed it to the back of his mind, though, and put on a face for celebration.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with celebration to congratulate Harry. Sirius felt more at ease now that he knew his godson was happy and would be going back to Hogwarts in a little over a month.

By the early evening, Kingsley arrived with a woman in tow. The two entered the kitchen where Molly and Remus greeted them both. Sirius watched from afar trying to gauge who the woman was. Her long, thick black hair was pulled into a loose ponytail that draped over her left shoulder. Sirius noticed that her large dark brown eyes were bright with happiness and excitement; it was something Sirius had been lacking from his own for nearly fourteen years. Sirius looked her over a couple of times and noticed how long her creamy legs looked stretching out from the black dress she was wearing. That was when he really looked at her; she was gorgeous. The dimples in her cheeks showed as she smiled brightly at everyone in the kitchen. Sirius' eyes moved lower and stopped at the neckline of the black dress giving him a little show of her cleavage.

"Sirius, you remember Simone, don't you?" Remus asked looked at his friend in delight.

Sirius remembered now; she was a bookworm during their school years together. According to Remus, she had a sense of humor similar to James and Sirius'; something Sirius had never witnessed himself.

"Yes, yes I do. You were a couple years behind than Remus and myself, correct?" Sirius asked looking at her.

"That's right," Simone answered with a light French accent. "Hm…Sirius Black…I've always wondered where you went once you escaped Azkaban."

She definitely had an effect on him; Sirius felt his throat go dry and he tried to think of something to say.

"Sirius was on the run for a while, but he's here now. This is the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix," Remus saved him.

"Yes, Dumbledore already explained that," Simone said giving Remus a look.

"Well, dinner will be ready in a few moments," Molly announced. "Ron, Harry, Hermione, why don't you start setting the table."

The three of them left the room, followed by the other Weasley children and Molly. Kingsley also left the room. This left Sirius, Remus, and Simone.

"It really is good to see you again, both of you," Simone said looking between Sirius and Remus.

Sirius didn't know what came over him; he just blurted out a stupid embarrassing question.

"Simone, are you married?" Remus looked at Sirius like he had lost his mind.

Simone didn't let the question faze her. "No, I'm not married. I'm not seeing anyone either, if you were wondering." A small smirk formed at the corner of her lips.

"We should head into the other room for dinner," Remus said trying to diffuse the situation.

Simone nodded and left the room. Remus followed, but not before looking back at Sirius who was confused by what had just happened. Sirius looked at Remus and mouthed a quick sentence.

"What is wrong with me?" He mouthed.

Remus just shrugged and left the room. Sirius followed behind.

-xxxxx-

After dinner, the children, excluding Harry, helped clear the table. Sirius sat next to his godson the entire night. Simone sat across from him watching Harry.

Kingsley got up from the table.

"I must be going," Kingsley announced. "Thank you for dinner, Molly, it was wonderful as usual."

"See you later, Kingsley," Sirius said goodbye.

The tall man left the room and they heard the front door close as he left the house.

"Harry, how old are you now?" Simone asked suddenly.

Harry looked at her, surprised that he was being addressed.

"Oh, I'm almost fifteen," Harry said clearing his throat.

"Hmm…fifth year, O.W.L.s are this year huh?" She asked rhetorically.

"Yeah, not looking forward to that." Harry said.

Simone smiled at him, "You'll do fine; besides, you have an entire year to prepare."

Harry nodded and stood, "I'm just going to help, Ron and Hermione."

Remus, Sirius, and Simone were left in the room alone again.

"He reminds me so much of James," Simone commented.

"Yes, and he has the same personality as James. Loyal to his friends, always thinking of others, and beyond all else, always getting into trouble," Remus said chuckling.

Simone laughed with Remus and Sirius was enchanted by the sound. It made him smile. For the first time in so long, he felt content. Simone made him feel better, just by being around her. He looked up to see Simone watching him.

"I'll be back in a moment," Remus said leaving the two alone.

"You know, I never believed you were guilty," Simone said looking at him with sad eyes. "You and James were so close; I knew you would never be the type to rat them out."

"Thanks," Sirius said quietly.

Simone blushed, "I actually fancied you during school, despite the fact that you constantly teased me."

Sirius smirked, "I was a bit of a git during school."

"I can agree with that statement," Simone said taking a sip of her wine with a smirk. "But I feel now, that your charm hasn't waned. I'm still quite affected by your presence."

Sirius found her statement bold. He watched her, entranced by her beauty and confidence.

"What did you do after school?" He asked her.

"I worked in the field for a few years. I'm a mediwitch. I spent a lot of time treating quidditch injuries during games. I'm still a healing others, but I'm working at St. Mungo's now," Simone told him.

"Didn't you play quidditch?" Sirius asked, recalling more memories from his school days.

"I did. I was the seeker for Ravenclaw my third through sixth years" Simone said. "You were a beater for a couple of years, right?"

"Yeah, the year after James got on the team as a chaser, I joined as a beater. Fourth through sixth year was a blast. Especially when I could beat up the Slytherins," Sirius gave his bark-like laugh.

Simone laughed with him. She took another sip of wine and watched him with half-lidded eyes. Sirius found it quite sexy.

"You're beautiful, Simone. I don't know how I ever forgot who you were," Sirius said suddenly.

"Yes, well, I was quite forgettable while I was in school. I hid behind books most of the time. I always felt invisible." Simone said, her lips turning down.

"Well, none of that matters now, does it?" Sirius said trying to pull her out of the bad mood.

"You're right. Although there are times I still wish I was invisible," Simone stated.

"Why would you want to be invisible?" Sirius asked.

Simone watched him as if deciding if she should tell him something. After a moment she spoke, "We all have a past we want to run from. I'm no different." She shook her head and smiled, "I'm sorry, I've brought the mood down."

"Don't be," Sirius smiled back, but tucked away her comments to ponder them later.

They sat at the table, quiet for a while. She looked at the small watch on her slim wrist and frowned.

"I have to get going. I'm scheduled for an early shift tomorrow," Simone stood up. She walked to the kitchen where Molly was cleaning up. "Thank you for dinner, Molly. It was wonderful," Sirius heard her say.

"Oh, of course, Dear. Will we be seeing you more often at meetings now?" Molly asked.

"Yes, I'll be here when I can. Although, I do enjoy taking the late shifts at St. Mungo's," Simone said, her French accent thicker now that she was tired and had been drinking.

Sirius heard her enter the room again and looked up to see her. She walked to him where he was sitting and bent down. She closed her eyes lightly and kissed his cheek.

"I'll see you in a few days, Sirius," She said in a whisper.

"Good night, Simone," Sirius said in an equal whisper.

Simone pulled back and left the room. He heard the front door close, indicating that she had left the house.

Sirius leaned back in his chair and lifted his fingers to his cheek. It had been so long since he had been with a woman; it was enlightening to know he still held charm over at least one of them. He smiled to himself and stood from the table. He heard snickering and turned to see Remus at the entrance to the room.

"What are you laughing at, Moony?" He asked using the nickname.

"You're quite taken with her, aren't you, Padfoot?" Remus asked a smirk on his lips.

"She's very different from when she was in school."

"Aren't we all?"

"I guess so," Sirius walked past his friend and toward the stairs. As he reached Remus' spot he spoke again. "Thank you, Remus."

Remus smiled, "I figured if you're forced to be holed up here, might as well have someone worthwhile to converse with. You'll get bored with me eventually." Remus laughed at Sirius's stunned expression.

Sirius chuckled as he ascended the stairs toward his bedroom feeling lighter than he had in so long.