A/N: Ah, been worn down again. :P I've been promised a good gift for posting this chapter, so here it is. LOL. Hope you like it. :]

"Okay, come on, Harry. This is ridiculous. I know it's summer and you're sixteen and a half, but that doesn't mean you can stay in bed until two in the afternoon. Get up," Remus pulled the covers off Harry. It had been extremely hot that night, so Harry only had shorts on.

"What're you talking about? It's only," he put on his glasses and looked at his digital clock, "one forty-five. That's not two o'clock. Two o'clock is in fifteen minutes so give me fifteen more minutes," Harry groaned and collapsed onto his bed.

"Harry, get your lazy arse out of bed. No more staying up past eleven with Sirius. This is mental. Now. Get up!" Remus shouted.

"Ugh! Fine! I'm not even staying up late," Harry crawled out of his bed.

"You were still awake at three in the morning last night when I got up to make Hedwig shut up. You can't be up past eleven until you can be responsible. That means go to bed at a reasonable hour and get up at a reasonable hour. Now, out of bed and downstairs by two. You have ten minutes. Move," Remus ordered then went downstairs.

"Ugh!" Harry fell on his bed.

"Get up!" Remus yelled. Harry glared at his doorway like Remus was there.

"Oh my God," Harry got dressed in light clothing for it was still very hot out, then went downstairs. "Happy?"

"Not the slightest bit," Remus didn't even put his paper down. Harry rolled his eyes, sat down, grabbed some breakfast, well, lunch now, and dug in. while eating, Harry was grumbling to himself but Remus ignored him. He finished eating and put his dish away.

"I'm going outside for a bit," Harry opened the door.

"Don't go far, pup."

"I know. I'm just going on the lawn a few steps from the house. If you look out the living room window, you'll be able to see me. I'll come in later." Before he went out, Harry went to his room then went outside. He laid in the lawn right in front of the living room window so he could be seen by Remus.

Harry set something on the ground beside him and pressed a button.

"Name please," a holographic voice said.

"Sirius Black," Harry answered. While working the item, Harry was throwing a baseball into the air and catching it.

For a Christmas present, Remus and Sirius had gotten Harry a new item 'The Communicator'. When he learned what it was called, Harry laughed and said the name wasn't very creative. They got it so he could always have it in his pocket. It was handy when he didn't have the mirror. Remus and Sirius had a Communicator as well.

It made it so there was a holograph picture of the person you were talking to. It grew when needed. You could set it at your feet and the picture would grow so it would show the whole person. All you had to do was press a button, say the name of the person you want to call when asked, and wait for the receiver to accept the call.

When being called, it would vibrate and beep. Harry sighed as he waited for Sirius to accept. Finally he did and Sirius' holograph picture appeared.

"Hey, kiddo. What's up?" Sirius looked at Harry who was still tossing the baseball to himself.

"Hey. Not much. Remus is annoying me again," Harry shrugged.

"Why? If you slept in until two again, I can understand him getting irritated. That would be the fourth time this week."

"Hey! It was one forty-five. Whatever. I have a bedtime and a wake up time now. I have to be asleep by eleven and up by ten-thirty."

"Harry, I know it's summer and you're almost seventeen but you can't sleep that late."

"Remus said that exact same thing. Unbelievable," Harry stopped throwing the ball and looked at his uncle. "Why is Remus being like that lately?"

"Like what?"

"Annoying. He won't lay off me for anything. It's like when you got me back after the kidnapping. I couldn't do anything."

"Harry, you're practically seventeen. You can't blame us for being like that after the kidnapping. He's acting like that because I've hardly been home and because he loves you. I agree that you shouldn't be staying up so late or sleeping so late. It's ridiculous."

"Whatever," Harry shrugged. "How's work? When're you coming home?"

"Insane. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I'll try get there tonight but I can't make any guarantees," Sirius answered.

"All right."

"Have you been thinking about what job you want yet? I've got a lot of spots to fill and I know Remus has a couple."

"Not really. Hasn't come to mind, but I'll talk it over with Hermione and Ron."

"They together yet?"

"Yep. Two months now. Finally."

"How's it going with Ginny?"

"All right, I guess. We don't see each other much or talk much lately."

"Too bad," Sirius said. Harry nodded. "You excited for your last year of school?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure. Definitely. Can't wait," Harry lied. Sirius saw right through him.

"What's up, kid?"

"I don't want to go back. No one believes that Voldemort is still there. He's running the school now."

"No, he's not. Many saw him leave. McGonagall is the headmistress. Voldemort's not there. He left. It'll be fine. You'll have fun."

"Yeah, sure."

"Look, I have to go. I'll see you later. I'll try to get home tonight. Bye, kiddo."

"Bye," Sirius disappeared.

"Connection broken. Would you like to try reconnecting or make another call?" the holographic voice said.

"No."

"Goodbye," Harry pressed another button and it shut off. He sighed and resumed throwing the baseball.

Remus had been watching and listening through the living room window the whole time. He sat on the sofa. Since the attack on Hogwarts in Harry's sixth year, Harry kept saying Voldemort was at the school still. Harry was irritated because no one believed him because many saw Voldemort leave. Remus couldn't help but wonder though. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all kept insisting Voldemort was at Hogwarts. Remus knew Harry wouldn't lie about something like that but it seemed so unlikely that it was true. Remus didn't know. It was highly unlikely but he knew Harry and his friends wouldn't make it up. His thoughts were put on halt when Harry walked in the house.

"Hey. I'm gonna grab a snack then work on some of my summer work," Harry said and went to the kitchen.

"Have you thought about what you want to do for your birthday? It's in a month," Remus said, walking into the kitchen as well.

"Nothing big. Small party. Family and close friends. Nothing like last year. Have it here, I guess. Just nothing big and not a surprise party this time. I wanna help plan this time," Harry answered.

"I sort of thought you wouldn't want anything big or a surprise party, considering," Remus nodded. He tried not to steer the conversation to the deaths that had happened at the last party.

"Yeah. I think I'm gonna try cut back on the funerals. I just went to four more. I'm not planning another one just yet," Harry stated. In the Hogwarts attack, four more people close to Harry had been murdered. Cho Chang, Parvati Patil, Seamus Finnegan, and Professor Flitwick. Harry had been devastated and had to attend yet another four funerals. Sirius and Remus had expected Harry to go silent again, but, luckily, he didn't.

"Yeah. Anyways, don't worry. Nothing big and no surprise party."

"Thanks. I'm gonna do that homework now," Harry went up the stairs.

"Call if you need help or anything," Remus stated. Harry nodded and went through the first door on the left into his room. Harry's door could easily be seen from the stairs. Remus and Sirius' rooms were down the hall a bit from Harry's.

Remus went to the living room, sat down, and turned the TV on. Remus settled on a show and got comfortable just as soon as an owl flew in the open living room window. Remus recognized the owl to be a Ministry owl and he groaned.

Don't make me go down there. Please, please, please, Remus silently begged as he opened the letter.

Remus,
We have a problem. The werewolf cub, I guess you could say, that Sam Phelps brought in last night is loose. It's stuck in our part of the department. It can't get out. We've tried everything. Stunning doesn't work. It seems to make everything worse. Please, come down here. We need you. Thanks.
Hilary Lezak

"Ugh! How did the bloody thing get loose? And do they not remember being told that stunning doesn't work on newborn werewolves? I mean, really! Come on, people. Work with me!" Remus groaned angrily. He sighed, stood up, and went to Harry's room. He knocked on the door out of habit.

"Yeah? Come in," he heard Harry call. Harry was laying in his stomach on his bed, doing his Transfiguration homework and listening to his Wizarding Wireless System. "What's up?"

"Something's come up at work. I have to go. I don't know how long I'll be gone. Stay here, lock the doors, blah, blah, blah. You know the rules. Be good and see you soon hopefully," Remus ruffled Harry's hair.

"Bye, Remus," Harry smiled and Remus left, locking the front door. It was eerily quiet, so Harry turned his music back on.

Sirius couldn't stop thinking about how Harry was so convinced Voldemort was still at Hogwarts. He was sitting in his office at the Ministry. He was trying to work on one of his cases, but he couldn't concentrate. Instead of working, Sirius was staring blankly at the pictures on his desk. How could Voldemort still be at the school? It was impossible. Well, not impossible, per say. Just very unlikely. He knew Harry would never lie about something like this, but it wasn't easy to believe. It's not something anyone would think would happen.

"Sirius. Sirius? Sirius!" Kingsley pulled Sirius from his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"Auror Tom Nelson has been killed. He was killed by Lucius Malfoy."

"God damn it, Malfoy! You're an ass! When and where?"

"Yesterday sometime and he was in Philadelphia for an assignment. I guess he was close to figuring something out. Voldemort and friends found out somehow and had him killed. I'm sorry, boss."

"This is starting to get ridiculous."

"Starting?" Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "It's been way past ridiculous for months. Five people have been killed in the course of three months. Four of them at once."

"I know. This is out of hand. It needs to stop. There's not going to be anyone left after this ends…whenever it ends," Sirius sighed. The worst part. His own nephew had to be the one to end it.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine. I have to go. Tonks is waiting for me. We're going out to dinner. See you, boss. You should go home, by the way. You know I'll take over."

"Thanks. I was thinking of going home to see Remus and Harry," Sirius stated. Kingsley nodded and left.

"Incoming message from Remus John Lupin. Accept or decline message?" a holographic voice said from his Communicator.

"What's up with the calls?" Sirius sighed. "Accept. Hey, Moony. What's up?" Sirius said when Remus' holographic picture appeared.

"Not much. I need you to go home with Harry for tonight. I'm stuck at work right now for an emergency. I won't be home until early in the morning," Remus explained.

"Yeah, I'll go. I was probably leaving anyways. See you tomorrow maybe. We'll see. Bye, Moony."

"Thanks. Bye, Padfoot. Oh, say night to Harry for me."

"You have a Communicator. Use it," Sirius crossed his arms.

"I can't. As soon as this call is done, I have to go. I hardly got a chance to make this call."

"All right. I'll tell him. See you, Moony."

"Bye."

"Connection broken. Would you like to try the call again or make another call?" the holographic voice said.

"No."

"Goodbye," Sirius turned it off.

"Kingsley!" Sirius called from his doorway.

"Yeah?"

"I'm leaving. Remus is stuck at work so I have to go home with Harry. You're in charge. I'll see you tomorrow."

"No prob. See you, boss," Kingsley nodded and Sirius left.

Harry jumped when he heard a crash and curse downstairs. He chuckled when he realized the voice to be Sirius'.

"Hi, Sirius!" Harry shouted.

"Hi, kiddo. What're you doing?" Sirius asked, walking into the room.

"Not much. Finishing a Transfiguration essay. What about you? Besides falling out of the fire anyways. Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Yes, Mum," Sirius grinned. Harry scowled. "I came home because I need a night off."

Harry raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Remus is stuck at work, isn't he?"

"Why do you assume that?" Sirius frowned.

"Because you haven't been able to just take a night off in months," Harry smiled a bit at Sirius who sat on what he could of the bed.

"I know I haven't been home much."

"You've been home once in the last three and a half weeks," Harry said.

"I know. Work has been—" Harry cut home off.

"Hectic for both you and Remus. You really want to be home more but it's too busy but you'll try," Harry recited what Remus and Sirius kept telling him.

Sirius stared at him. "Yeah. So when did you stop listening to that?"

"About the fourth time you said it. I memorized it after the third time you said it," Harry shrugged.

"Have you had dinner?"

"Sirius. Remus left at three-thirty. It's only ten after four. It's kind of early for dinner," Harry grinned.

"Just asking," Sirius put his hands up in defence.

"Can you help me?"

"You know I was the Charms and Astronomy person. Remus was History of Magic and Arithmancy. James was Defence, like you. Lily was the Transfiguration and Potions person."

"Thanks for the help, Sirius," Harry said sarcastically. Sirius rolled his eyes and ruffled the teen's hair.

"I'm gonna be downstairs. I need to call Kingsley for a minute. Call if you need anything," Harry nodded and Sirius left the room. Harry went back to his homework but couldn't seem to concentrate anymore. Harry sighed. He closed book, his ink, and placed everything on his desk. Then he ran downstairs. Sirius was in the living room, talking to the picture of Kingsley coming from the Communicator. Harry went to the kitchen.

"We just got a report that a Death Eater was found dead in a wizarding family's home. Family dead except the seven year old girl. Name is Mercedes Hayden," Kingsley informed. "Hey, Harry. Mother and father were Carolyn and Rick."

"Hey, kid. Who's the Death Eater?" Sirius asked after turning to see Harry with a glass of water.

"You'll never believe it."

"Try me."

"Okay. It was Peter Pettigrew."

"No way," Sirius whispered.

"I told you you wouldn't believe it, boss."

"Okay. Thanks. Just get Aurors and get down to the house. Find out what you can then call back. I'd come but I'm stuck here with Harry," Sirius joked.

"Hey!" Harry glared. Sirius smiled at him and put an arm around Harry.

"No problem, boss. See you. Bye, Harry," Kingsley laughed then disappeared.

"Finished that essay?" Sirius asked, sitting down, Harry beside him on the sofa.

"No. Gave up for the time being. I'll get Remus to help me on it," Harry shook his head. "Sirius?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you and Remus be mad if I didn't go back to Hogwarts this year?" Harry wondered, not looking at his uncle.

"A little and I guess it would depend."

"On what?"

"Your reasoning. If you'd ever go back. Why do you ask?" Sirius furrowed his eyebrows.

"No reason. Just—just wondering, I guess," Harry sighed. Sirius looked at him curiously but didn't push it. He would talk to Remus about it. For about an hour or a little over, they were quiet as they watched TV. At five-thirty, Sirius decided it was time for dinner.

"Remus left something for dinner, right?" Sirius said.

Harry laughed. "No, Sirius, he said you could cook for us," Sirius glowered at his godson. "He said there was something in the fridge. Should be near the bottom. Something like that anyways," Harry told him.

"Thanks. You're loads of help," Sirius said sarcastically. Harry rolled his eyes, still grinning. Sirius pulled the food Remus had left out of the fridge and started heating it up. After fifteen minutes, the food was ready and they started eating. "So, you excited for your seventeenth birthday? You'll finally be of age. We can stop getting a warning from the Ministry every day," Sirius smirked.

"That was once time and it wasn't even me, you and Remus know that. It was in second year and Dobby performed the stupid levitation charm when muggles were around. Not my fault."

"What about when you and Ron decided to fly Mr. Weasley's car to Hogwarts and you were seen by nine Muggles?" Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Hey! It was seven Muggles. Besides, that was part Dobby's fault and part Ron's fault. Dobby closed the barrier and made us miss the train to keep me from school. I suggested we wait by the car for Ron's parents and he said we should fly to school. He forgot to make us invisible when we took off," Harry explained.

"You were almost expelled."

"I've almost been expelled loads of times. Once in first year for going down the trapdoor. Twice in second year. First for flying and crashing into the damn Whomping Willow, then for going into the Chamber of Secrets. Once in fourth year when Ron and I got into a fight with Malfoy and we started sending curses in the corridor. Wouldn't have been that bad if one of the curses hadn't hit Pansy Parkinson right when Snape showed up," Harry recalled.

"Ridiculous."

"And how many times did you, Remus, and Dad almost get expelled? How many detentions did you have?" Harry countered.

"All right. You win. We had many close calls to being expelled and an insane amount of detentions. You took after us too much on that part."

"I take that as a compliment."

"You're rubbing off on Ron and Hermione."

"You and Remus are still rubbing off on me. You more so, but not the point."

"Who's the one who finds and gets into trouble every year even though he's told not to?" Sirius grinned.

"What's the answer I give you every year that you know is true?" Harry challenged.

"Yes, but when you get started on something you know is going to lead to trouble, you can't stop. You just have to keep investigating."

"I have no idea what you mean," Harry said innocently.

Sirius laughed. "The Philosopher's Stone. Hagrid's dragon, Norbert. The Chamber of Secrets. The heir of Slytherin," Sirius gave examples.

"All right, all right. I get it. I got—okay, get—into loads of trouble with Hermione and Ron. You guys got into loads of trouble too."

"Name one thing worse than making a Polyjuice Potion, going into the Chamber of Secrets, and fighting a great, dirty snake. Almost dying from the venom, I might add," Sirius smiled.

"It sounds so horrible when you say it like that. Anyways, what about the time in your sixth year when you, Remus, Mum, Dad, Michelle, and Summer all got trapped in that room for a week after running from Filch? You had to help those six people who had died in the room and were trapped? You almost didn't make it. You figured everything out with three minutes left before you all died," Harry said.

"At least we didn't break one hundred and fifty school rules in one go."

"That's house many points we lost in first year. We only broke about fifty school rules using the Polyjuice Potion."

"You broke over one hundred rules when you went into the Chamber."

"Yeah, but then we got Special Awards for Services to the School. Now I know none of you did that."

"No, but you almost got expelled instead."

"Note the word 'almost'," Harry pointed out. They laughed. They finished eating, continuing their conversation slash argument. Even after they finished eating, they still kept their conversation going. Finally at quarter to six, Sirius gave in.

"All right, okay. How about this. It's a tie. Neither got into more trouble. It's a tie."

"Okay," Harry laughed and Sirius shook his head, smiling. For the rest of the night, they sat in the living room, laughing, talking, and watching a bit of TV. Soon it was ten to eleven and Sirius sent Harry to bed.

"Time for bed. Go."

"But, Sirius," Harry whined.

"Nope. I'm not giving. I'm not going to let Remus tear me to shreds by letting you break curfew. Bed. Good night. Love you, kiddo," Sirius gave Harry a one-armed hug and kissed his head.

"Fine. Night, Sirius. Love you too. See you tomorrow," Harry sighed, stood, and went to his room. Sirius chuckled and turned back to the TV. He stayed up for another hour then went to bed. He checked on Harry who was fast asleep then went down the hall and to his bedroom.

By the time Remus got home, it was four-thirty in the morning. He went to the living room and fell asleep on the sofa.