Chapter Eight: Reflections:

Severus sat in the sitting room at Godric's Hallow deep in thought. He liked Sirius Black as a boy, the boy at this age was a good kind boy who was nothing like the git he had been in school. Severus had not become fast friends with the adult form of Sirius, they got along and Sirius had apologized to him a few years ago. Severus was not sure how to deal with an adult Black back, would he be the same or changed? These few weeks with the boy had changed him, in viewing Sirius. For one he had not been aware that Sirius was so badly abused by his parents in school, that part of his bullying was learned.

Severus had not had an ideal childhood himself, oh he was not hated by his parents or really beaten, he did not call his father using a strap on his back (the leather only of course) as abuse. His father cared about him and only punished him when he was bad. They were poor, but so were everyone else in their neighborhood. Severus had not met a kid in well fitting clothes that were not second hand until he met Lily and her sister. He still felt pangs of guilt at how he had turned to the dark lord and forsake any friendship with her and he still, still felt he had got her killed. No matter he had two young boys to take care of. Both of which who were playing marbles before the fire.

"The potion is ready." Harry said from the doorway.

"I see." Severus said, "well I guess this is it then."

"Hey he will still be Sirius." Harry said, "I know you have gotten close to him, but well Rita will want an adult Sirius back."

"I know, I like him at this age." Severus said, "never knew what he went through as a kid."

"Well you helped him, and yourself sir." Harry said, "both of you needed it, come on, let's get him to Poppy."

"Right." Severus replied. "Sirius I have to take you to Hogwarts now."

"Okay Severus." Sirius said, "can Max come?"

"Of course." Severus replied.

Sirius helped Max clear up the marbles and then got up and followed Severus to the floo. He had lots of fun this last month, he had made lots of friends and he was not beat or hated. He knew there was a potion to make him an adult and he was not sure he would have fun taking that. Still he trusted Severus and hoped he would remember this time. Once more Severus went through the floo then the boys and finally Harry who once more had to be picked up off the floor. Sirius changed back into the clothing he had been wearing when he was de-aged and he sat down on a bed while Poppy came with the potion.

"Will he remember anything?" Harry asked.

"He might." Poppy replied.

"Good because I got lots of photos." Harry smirked.

"Sirius you will need to take this." Poppy said handing him a goblet that contained a bright blue potion. "You need to drink that all up."

Sirius eyed the potion and then did as he was told not stopping until he drank down the last drop. Once he was done everyone waited until he started to grow at once. Severus privately mourned, he had liked the boy Sirius and now, before him a very adult Sirius was back with them. He looked around confused for a moment then he had a puzzled look on his face and he turned to Severus a look of respect in his eyes.

"You took care of me." Sirius said slowly, "when I was de-aged."

"I could not leave you on your own." Severus said.

"You were good to me." Sirius said.

"I do not believe in being cruel to young children, I am sorry you were treated badly as you were." Severus said.

"Yea well, thank you." Sirius said.

He remained serious for a moment then he grinned and got up and hugged Severus. Severus stiffened as he was not used to this at all then he shoved Sirius back who looked at him wide-eyed. Then Severus grabbed him in a hug and drug him out the door. Harry wondered where they would go but he had nothing to worry about. Two days later as he was resting with his godfather he opened up the Daily Prophet there on the front page was a picture of Hogwarts. He blinked and looked at it and saw it was pink, so very pink and Sirius grinned at him.

"Severus's idea, said he had to get Dumbledore back." Sirius said, "I might have helped."

"That is devious." Harry said.

"I know, thank you." Severus said coming in and taking the bottle of Firewhisky from Sirius, pouring himself a shot and giving the bottle back, "the headmaster is flustered to say the least."

Harry grinned, it was fun to see these two getting along, even if it meant that they would continue to do things like this. After all a pink Hogwarts was better than these two fighting. He headed out and home only to stop and stare at his house, the outside was a very bright green. His green eyes flashed with annoyance, fine if these two wanted a prank war, then a prank war they would get. Harry James Potter did not get pranked and not retaliate, with that resolve he went and called Fred and George. Sirius might be back to being an adult but his troubles were far from over.

The End