Standard Disclaimer Applies.

A/N: Here it is! The end. I hope you enjoyed it and I apologize for the very late posting.

Un-Betad! If anyone would like to volunteer I'd be very pleased, just send me a PM.

Evolving Padfoot: Chapter 13

All Around the World

Now that Mudungus Fletcher, Hestia Jones, Absalom Whitney, the Tonks' and most others were already on the Order brigade, there were only two more stops to make and these were the hardest.

Surrey hadn't changed much in the roughly two years that had passed. It was still the perfect picture of suburbia. Privet Drive hadn't changed in its annoying perfection.

"This is not normal. Such rigidity should land you in a psych ward." He mumbled, shrugging his black jacket tighter. It was far too warm for a "hoodie", whatever that meant, but Dumbledore had insisted on muggle wear that concealed.

"Well, you'd know all about psych wards, wouldn't you, Paddy?'

Sirius grinned doggishly at Remus, glad that he didn't have to come here by himself. His willpower would have given out the minute he'd reached the tiny suburb.

For while they were updating Arabella Figg, the old coot had forbidden any visits to Harry. He'd pretty much forbidden any contact for the time being.

Remus spoke at length with Mrs. Figg, but Sirius couldn't recall any of it. After she had plied him liberally with lemonade and stale biscuits, she had sat patiently while Remus explained things. Of course, part of the distraction was all the cats wandering to and fro. But what Sirius really wanted was to check on his godson.

Summer break had started a mere three weeks ago, but the poor kid already sounded depressed. The letters were getting more and more morose sounding and Sirius's heart ached for Harry, he knew what it was like to be locked up with people who didn't like him much.

Padfoot crept towards number four, trying to be a quiet as possible. He checked all around the house but couldn't see or smell Harry. That was worrying, if he was already slipping out of the house what would happen when the Order guards got posted?

The dog found a faint trail and followed it, hoping that it would lead him to the M.I.A. teen. Twenty minutes and a nose full of dirt later, Harry was found. Or as found as Remus would let him get. For just as Sirius started to bound forward a slim hand grabbed him by the scruff.

"Look, but don't touch, remember? This is as close as we're getting." Remus muttered, holding Padfoot 'round the neck.

"I know you don't like it, but that's what is going to happen. I want to see him too, Pads, but we can't." Remus said as the Animagus whined and strained toward the sad looking boy on the swing.

"Soon."

/page break/

The second visit would take much longer, Sirius knew, although Remus's optimism was nice. He, however, had no doubt in his mind that Molly Weasley would not be happy to see them. In fact, it was for that very reason that Padfoot was hiding under the front stoop, while Remus laughed at him.

"You big chicken! You made it through Auror training, survived twelve years in Azkaban, and thwarted a bunch of Dementors twice! Yet, you're afraid of Molly Weasley?"

If dogs could speak, Padfoot would be giving Remus a great big "DUH!" He eventually crawled out when he heard Arthur's voice, maybe this wouldn't be so bad, with both Remus and Arthur to buffer.

He was so very wrong. In fact, he was so wrong that he wanted a time turner to go back and warn himself. Sirius was aware of the fact that the fiery matriarch didn't like him much, but screaming and throwing things in protest was a bit much.

Remus kept trying to sooth the woman, but Sirius was no dummy, he was curled up as Padfoot under the werewolf's chair and wouldn't budge. No matter how many times Remus kicked him.

"Wow. Who do you think got Mum so angry?"

"Dunno, but I'd like to congratulate them."

Snicker's came from the hall. Padfoot perked up, he knew one of those laughs. He plodded quietly to the door and turned the knob. Seconds later three Weasley boys and one Weasley girl tumbled into the kitchen.

"Well, look who decided to join us."

"Professor Lupin!" came four excited yells. Hugs galore for the werewolf, but none for the puppy. It was a sad state of affairs. Padfoot plopped down behind Ron and waited.

"What are you…OOF!" Ron landed on his bum and came nose to nose with Padfoot.

"We really gotta stop meeting like this." The boy said with a grin.

"What's that supposed to mean, Ronald?"

"Erm, nothing, Mum." Ron grinned sheepishly, obviously not wanting to tell her about the events of his third year.

At that moment, Sirius sensed a disturbance in the Force ("Really, Sirius? Really?') and decided that human honesty might not go amiss. Startled yelps from the other three kids welcomed his change. He stood, pulling Ron to his feet, saying, "Ron helped me out of a tight spot, you should be proud of this one, especially with what Harry's told me."

Remus grinned at Sirius, before smothering a snicker at the very red Weasley boy. Molly couldn't keep the proud look off her face long enough to reprimand them.

/page break/

"Hey, Moony! Check it out…" Sirius was cut off by two very surprised sounding "Oooohs".

"Oi, now you've done it." Ron flopped his head onto the table in front of him.

Remus looked at a confused Animagus and shrugged. Then he looked a tad panicked as the twins closed rank on him, which was a dangerous spot for anyone to be.

"Yes?"

"You're Moony? As in Moony of the Marauders fame?"

"Yes?" The affirmative came out as ore of a question, as if Remus were pondering the sanity of sanity of saying it.

"Well, duh, he's Moony, I'm Padfoot and…why are you looking at me like that?"

Needless to say, Remus never did see what Sirius thought was so neat.

/page break/

Sirius crept up the stairs, trying not to wake any of the kids. He couldn't believe that such an awful thing had happened to Arthur, especially this close to Christmas, but he was glad for the company. Remus was still out on assignment and he was starting to drink again, which was decidedly bad considering his track record.

A sniffle startled Sirius into action; he peered around the banister and nearly cried himself.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Harry lifted his head and gave his godfather a rueful grin. "Nothing."

"Hmph. You're not all teary eyed for 'nothing'. Come on, what's wrong?"

"It's my fault."

"What is?"

"That Mr. Weasley's hurt."

"Bah, he knew what he was getting into when he entered that building."

"No! I mean, I was there, I was the snake, I couldn't…I couldn't stop it."

"Shh, kiddo, c'mere," Sirius sat next to Harry and pulled him close, "It's not your fault, no Harry, it's not. You were asleep, it is not your fault, besides, I told you earlier, Arthur knew there was a possibility that he could be hurt."

Harry gave one more small sniff before curling further into his godfather's side. Sirius sighed, he knew that Harry didn't believe him, but figured that maybe, with Harry curled up next him, maybe it didn't matter tonight.

/page break/

Sirius stared in shock at Harry's horrified face as he fell backwards, his grin fading as the air was knocked out of him. He tried to move forward but the thin web-like veil kept moving him closer to the darkness. As the silky threads roped him in, Sirius Black closed his eyes and knew no more.

/page break/

"Taking forever…yeesh…I'm so bored!" Sirius cried as he paced back and forth across the living room. He kicked the red couch once and immediately regretted it. He hopped around on one foot, cursing something fierce.

"What is taking so long?"

"I mean it's not like I want him to die, but I don't want to be here by myself either…"

"GAH! You think he'd be here by now."

"Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored."

"Ugh…."

He perked up when a faint light started to sparkle on the red couch that he had just abused. Sirius grinned as he caught sight of the sandy blond hair. It was time.

THE END

A/N: So there it is. The end of Evolving Padfoot. I'm not entirely pleased with it, but that's how it is.

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Keep watch for the sequel to Something Sweet!