Speculation

His eyes were trying to map out the darkness in which he stood. It seemed that it had rained heavily in Surrey beforehand because his boots were sinking into the muddy grass that glimmered slightly in the light that the adjacent street's lamps brought into the park. Above him the night was pitch black with clouds that promised to bring more rain later on in the evening. The only sounds were those of the distant cars and the shallow breathing of the Potter brat someone behind him near the big tree that towered above him unclothed and shivering. It was a nasty wind that winter always brought to the mainland.

Haden breathed out slowly. It had been nearly ten minutes. If there were any more in the current surroundings they would have made a move their move on him by now. In his fist he held a set of dog tags. He couldn't make much out of them in the semi darkness. There was no use of them anymore; he had listened as the last living man drowned in his own blood. They were all long dead by now.

Things were moving along quickly all of a sudden. Rufus was beginning to play rough.

Haden paced around the dead bodies, his eyes darting in all directions. He wasn't sure if he had gotten all of them, four trained assassins seemed like a lot of men to hire just to capture a little eight year old. Mad-eye might have been the greatest auror in the history of Britain but he wasn't an auror any more. Moody was an old man now, and four Russian mercenaries would be able to keep Mad-eye occupied long enough to kidnap Potter. Perhaps this was why Mad-eye talked Haden into bringing Potter home.

The older man never specified how long he was going to visit Rufus. If Rufus had expected to find Potter with a different escort, which he probably did, then he would have hired more than four mercenaries for the job. Rufus knew very well not to underestimate someone he did not know. Which meant that there were probably others like them hanging around the village, or watching them at this very moment.

He had the feeling that something was going on in the village. He had the feeling that something wasn't quite right. He could understand why Rufus would send these goons but he couldn't understand why there were only four of them. It wasn't like Rufus to send so few on such an important mission. Another thing that bothered him was the quality of help he ended up hiring. None of the dead men around him had a lot of skill with this sort of job. They were all horrible duelers and clumsy men. It wasn't like Rufus to hire sell swords that weren't the best. A rookie auror could easily best these dead men.

Something wasn't right.

Haden knelt down, flinching as the flesh wound in his back strained, and pulled his belt knife out of his dead victim's lifeless body. The blade slid effortlessly out of the long curving slit in the mercenaries front that started below his navel and ended somewhere below the sternum. He brought the knife up to his knee and wiped the worst of the blood onto the fabric of his old jean. He carefully sheathed the knife and pulled his shirt over it so that the boy wouldn't be staring at the bloody handle and asking questions about it later. Carefully, Haden pushed the gutted man onto his front.

He couldn't see much of their faces in the dim light that shone into the park from the distant street lamps. There were four dead Russian wizards lying in the middle of a park in a muggle village. It wouldn't be long until someone discovered them. Haden wasn't even going to try and get rid of the corpses. He had done everything that was necessary; he had removed their wands and any magical item that they carried on their person. The muggle police could deal with the remains.

Haden stood up and backed away from the bodies. He was still unsure of the surroundings and expected someone else to leap out at any moment. He couldn't risk taking the boy home now. He couldn't risk walking out of the dark park and into the lit streets. They could be anywhere, most probably looking for him. He would have to take the boy back to Azkaban. It was the only place Haden was comfortable with at the moment. It would also be the safest. Haden would know if someone tried sneaking into the fortress. He knew the fortress' layout; he knew all entrances and exits. Haden wasn't at all familiar with this village. He didn't know where he was, how far away from the boy's house he was or how quickly he would be able to get the boy to his house. Haden looked down to the base of the tree he stopped at and with his foot he prodded the small figure that lay there. The boy flinched and pulled his head even further into his arms.

Haden sighed, they really didn't have time waist. He bent down once again and with his bloody hand Haden gently shook the brats arm.

"Potter, it's okay, they are gone." Haden whispered he pulled the boy's shoulder out and uncurled him, "It's okay, you can uncover your ears and eyes now."

He felt the little boy's muscles relax slightly and saw the slow movement of the boy's arms falling away from his face. Out of the darkness two green eyes glowed at him; scared and nervous. Haden saw Potter's teeth chewing on the lower lip again. He could feel Potter's body move up and down rapidly as Harry tried to steady his breaths. The kid was hysterical and probably hurt too. Potter had received a nasty kick in the rib cage from one of the mercenary's boots. That would have broken something at least. Harry needed to get out of here quickly. It wasn't doing him any good to linger here in the dark.

Haden easily shifted his grasp on the boy and lifted the kid as he stood up. They would apparate to the shore. The boat man would have already gone home; which meant that Haden would have to navigate to ocean alone. It wouldn't be a problem. His main concern was Potter. He didn't really think the boy would be up for a boat ride. The alternative would be to make a portkey. Which he would probably get into trouble for; something told him that this time Rufus wouldn't be so lenient with him making illegal portkeys. Haden would probably be asked to attend another disciplinary hearing about his disregard for wizarding law. He wouldn't put it past Rufus to be that petty.

Haden looked downwards as Potter made a sudden movement in his arms, shifting his weight and turning his body slightly, a small hand reached up and curled around a fistful of Haden's shirt. It was a sign of trust; it was a gesture that symbolized dependence. A smile floated onto Haden's face. Potter had a knack for doing the sweetest things. He really wasn't such a bad kid after all.

Haden didn't really know a lot of people who trusted him out right. It was a risky business to trust someone. You would always be let down; you would always be left alone in the end. He couldn't really trust his family when he was younger. His mother was always off with some other guy. She was also a terrible drunk and she would rather let both her sons starve than live a day with an empty liquor cabinet. He couldn't trust her for shit. He hated his mother. She always seemed to forget that there were other people in the world besides her. She always used to forget his brother and him at school. Haden and his brother would usually have to find their way home themselves. They would make their own dinner because nobody was ever there to feed them. He used to go days without seeing either of his parents. His father was always so wrapped up in his work. He worked in the department of mysteries. He wasn't at home much. All his aunts and uncles hated his parents. So naturally they hated him. He couldn't really trust anyone except his brother.

After his brother died, he never really got around to placing any trust in anyone he worked with. So nobody ever really placed any trust in him.

It was odd to know that another living human was currently seeking refuge by trusting him. Harry Potter was a sweet kid.

Haden let go of the trash can lid and it fell noisily onto the floor. He let Harry slip slowly out of his arms and felt the fist that still held onto his shirt uncurl. As soon as Potter's feet were both firmly on the ground, Harry stepped away from Haden. His face still very scared and his eyes glowing with confusion as they took in the familiar surroundings. It had only been a couple of minutes ago that Harry had been here. After his visit with his godfather Haden had sat Harry down and explained to him very clearly that he never wanted Harry to bring in any presents to give to his godfather again. After which Haden used the Portkey Mad-eye had used to get here and took Potter back to his village. A couple of minutes after walking down the road and taking a shortcut through the park, they were attacked. Haden knew that Potter probably wouldn't remember things this way. The kid probably recalled the conversation and then the dark park followed by the pain of the kick he had gotten there.

He watched as Harry backed away into the wall and then silently shrunk down to the floor where he sat hugging his knees. Haden didn't know much about dealing with this sort of thing. His brother never tolerated such behavior. He didn't know what to do. The kid wasn't all right. The kid was in shock. The kid was having a hard time. Harry needed someone who knew how to comfort. He needed a healer to look at his ribcage. He needed a mother to cuddle him. He needed the comfort of a home. Harry wouldn't be able to find any of that here. Haden couldn't give that to him… but his godfather could.

Potter would be staying the entire night. Until Haden felt that it was safe to take him home. Here he could keep an eye on the boy and make sure nobody tried to do Harry in. He couldn't let the boy leave the office. The dementors would make an easy meal out of him. Haden would have to do something which could defiantly cost him his job, if anyone ever found out.

The office was already dark. Lazily Haden flicked his wand in the direction of the fire place and ignited a healthy blaze that instantly lit the room with a comforting light. It softened the rooms appearance and made it seem like so much more than just the office he worked in. He then proceeded towards the door. He remembered when he was younger; he used to hate it when his mother locked him in his dark room alone while she was off doing something else. The least he could do, was give the boy the comfort of light while he was gone fetching his godfather. Haden closed the door.

He used to love wandering through Azkaban at night. There was something about the plain stone walls that made him feel safe. There was something about the dark rooms and cold hallways that made him feel powerful. There was something about the muttering and shouts of prisoners in their sleep that made him feel as if he was doing some good for a change. He used to love wandering through Azkaban at night. Recently, however, that had all changed.

It always came back to Sirius Black. He always went back to Sirius Black. It seemed as if the man completely spoiled Azkaban for him. Haden didn't feel good when he looked at the suffering form of Sirius Black. He didn't feel satisfaction at knowing that a murderer like Black was stuck in this endless hell. Somehow, just looking at the man ruined the high he usually got from watching his captives suffer. He was struggling to sleep again and wouldn't dare go back to St. Mungoes for some more sleeping medication. He had already tried every potion and herb that encouraged sleep. The healer he always went too had been suggesting therapy for years now and he didn't want to give her more reason to do so. She was a very hard woman to say no to.

He stopped, his feet standing in front of the cell that belonged to Sirius. He used to like this part of the Azkaban the most. The sea could be heard clearly and you could almost feel the waves beating against the building. The endless flow of cool wind rushing in and out of the cells windows connected everything in a way that no other part of the prison was connected.

He didn't pay much attention at Sirius's lean figure sitting upright in the darkness. Haden didn't think that Black slept much. He was probably thinking about his godson and wondering what the boy was doing at the moment. Haden had been observing him for a couple of day's now.

Haden slowly moved his wand over the lock and cursed as it bolted open causing a loud noise to rise shortly above the continuous roar of the sea. He slowly slid the bars open and motioned at Black's dark figure to stand up and follow him quietly. They couldn't really afford to talk at the moment. Black was just going to have to trust him like Potter did. If Black tried to do anything funny, Haden supposed he had enough reason to just kill the man on the spot. He would just have to keep things under control. He would just have to keep an eye on Black. In the morning, he would bring the man back to his cell and nobody would ever have to know about it.

Haden didn't really get to see Black's figure until they closed the door behind them and were standing in the main corridor. Haden lit his wand point and blinked away tears as his eyes adjusted to the sudden light. "Black, while I was taking Potter home, we encountered some trouble." He started saying looking at the man steadily. "we were attacked by several men hell bent on killing us. I took care of the little problem."

Black was rather dirty; his hair long and greasy, his beard wild and wiry. His eyebrows were knitted together in concern, "Is he alright?" Sirius asked quietly.

Haden shook his head, "he isn't hurt but I very much doubt that he is alright. He is in my office now. You will forgive me for pulling you away from your nights rest but I believe that you are best qualified to take care of him."

Black nodded slowly. Haden could understand that the man had many questions to ask about this. A flame of hope flickered within his eyes. It would be something Haden could squash out later. For the time being he would continue treating Black like he would treat any other human because, for the time being Black had a use. He turned to lead the way to his office, "Try me Black and the sea will have you tonight still."

Haden made sure his one hand was on the slippery hilt of his belt knife and the other was glued to his wand. It was wrong to have your back turned on someone you didn't trust.

A lot of things about Black made Haden uneasy. There was too much of his story that didn't make sense.

Why would someone like Sirius Black, betray his best friend to Voldermort? Why would Black swear his allegiance to the dark lord anyway? From what Haden remembered about the man he always seemed to have a hatred of the dark arts; a great disliking of dark witches and wizards. He came from a family that was very shady, and it seemed that the kid had turned away from all of that. Black was such good friends with Potter. It didn't feel right for such a friendship to fail. It never sat right with Haden. Black was an auror, he killed and captured many death eaters; was quite the promising auror back in the day. Would his Lord really have approved of all the things Black had done against him and his followers while working in the ministry ranks? It didn't make sense.

Haden sighed as he opened the door and walked into his office. He checked around to locate Potter and saw the boy sitting in front of the fire scratching Kaci behind the ears. The old dog seemed to like the little boy a lot. The boy's head turned backwards and he looked at the two of them with a puzzled frown. "Sirius?" he asked softly.

Black walked silently past him taking in the room with an odd look in his eye. Haden's grasp on his wand tightened. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea after all. He wasn't sure how this meeting would go. It could have all been an act up to now. Sirius slowly sank down next to Harry and stared at the fire for a while. The change in temperature between Black's cell and the office was huge. "Hello again Harry." He said in a soft voice.

Sirius glanced down at the boy then backwards towards Haden. He seemed to be remarkably uncomfortable with the entire situation. "You okay kid?" he asked as his eyes darted back to Harry.

Haden closed the door behind him and walked over to his desk. It wasn't as if he was going to be much help in a situation like this. The best thing he could do at the moment was to try and stay out of it as much as possible. The boy seemed fine. A few minutes alone seemed to have done him wonders; but even if he actually was fine now, it would be good for Harry to have some familiar company. Haden wasn't much of a conversationalist and he didn't know a thing about looking after children. He would have to keep an eye on Black. If Black did anything funny, Haden would simply kill him.

At least with Black and Potter in the same room it would be easier keeping them both safe. From his meeting with Rufus the other night, Haden got the impression that the head auror was going about this his way. Haden doubted that the man was looking for a peaceful solution.

He leaned back in his chair, his wand balancing lazily on his fingers and he watched the scene. Harry was currently looking into the flames his lip trembling between his teeth as if he were trying his best not to cry. The boy was always trying to hold everything back when he was in front of his godfather. He always tried to hide the upsetting truth. To Potter's great misfortune, the boy was a terrible liar. The truth dripped out of him. In the way he spoke, what he said, how he sat and most noticeably; his eyes. Those green orbs couldn't hide anything.

Sirius looked over at him again. The frown he had seen in the main corridor still etched into his face. Haden simply nodded over at the boy. Sirius was brought here for a purpose. If he was going to be of no help, then he might as well have stayed in his cell.

Black awkwardly wrapped his arm around the little boy's shoulder and pulled him into a uncomfortable hug. Potter melted into Black's side and his face burrowed its way into the filthy rags his godfather was wearing. The boy's body shook silently as the first soundless sob escaped him.

Haden averted his eyes. He pulled a book off of his table and opened it to the bookmark. He thought that he could afford to get some reading done.

A sharp object plunged into his side and Sirius's eyes jerked open.

A dim light lit the carpeted floor, showing the many stains and scorch marks. The fire had burned down so that only the embers remained; huddled together in dark fire place. Tiny pulsing red veins were etched into black ash that lined the warden's fire place; they radiated warmth that gently beat against his face. He hadn't woken up to such pleasant temperatures in years. Usually he woke up to the sound of the sea running up the rock wall of his cell and hurling itself through the barred window. He usually woke up wet; his lips tasting like sea water and his entire body numb with the cold air that usually drifted through the prison.

There was something warm curled up against his stomach; Sirius shifted his eyes downwards to see the black mop of hair that belonged to his godson. Sirius felt another smile break out on his face and absently reached towards the boys head. He gently supported Harry's body while he shifted away so that he could sit up right and slowly turned Harry's body so that he was curled up on his side. He didn't want to wake Harry up. If Harry was anything like James, he wouldn't be much of a morning person and by the looks of the faint light fighting its way through the windows it was very early in the morning. The kid had been through a lot the previous day; Harry could do with some rest.

Sirius pulled one knee up and hugged it with his arm; he leaned back on the other hand and turned his head away from the fire to search for the thing that woke him. His eyes landed on the silent figure of Haden standing above him. Haden had a very odd expression on his face; the gray morning light warped it so that it looked sad. He was standing with a glass of whiskey in his one hand; Sirius could see the dark liquid reflecting the dying embers of the fire within it. When Sirius was younger, he remembered never seeing Haden without one. The man really liked his whiskey. You couldn't really hate him for being a drunk. He was too bloody brilliant to disapprove of. Sirius still couldn't believe how any of this had happened. He still couldn't believe that he had been trying to fall asleep in his cell a couple of hours ago, and somehow ended up in the warden's office with his godson.

Sirius couldn't help feeling his good mood vanish. He would be back in his cell in a couple of minutes and this would probably never happen again. This was a once in a life time occurrence. Tomorrow it would be back to the usual routine. Sirius wondered when he would see Harry again. If he would see Harry again. Someone clearly didn't like that fact that Harry was visiting him. There had been an attempt on both their lives so far and Sirius knew for a fact that Rufus Scrimgoeur was behind it. Haden had saved both his and Harry's ass now. Sirius didn't think he could ever return the favor.

"You really didn't do it." Haden's whispered, his voice was as faint as the morning light. Haden's eyes were drilling into his. His face still arranged in a very odd way. "You really didn't kill all those men. You really didn't betray Potter. You really are innocent." His voice concluded. Haden raised the glass to his lips and slowly closed his eyes. "Innocent." He muttered before he allowed the whiskey to flood into his mouth.

Sirius felt his heart leap. When Harry said that he believed him, it was all done in childish faith. Harry didn't know the facts. He didn't know what really happened. Harry didn't really care. Haden on the other hand was an adult. A very clever adult who knew most of the facts, who had been present as his sentencing and had been keeping his locked up for seven years. To head those words come out of his mouth, shocked him. Unlike Harry, Haden could actually do something about it. Haden could actually get him a retrial. He was the warden of Azkaban, he had some weight to throw around at the ministry.

The glass was lowered away from the man's face and shifted onto the messy table on which he leaned. Haden's face frowned and then smoothed out again, "You don't act like a murderer at all Black. You don't have the look of a guilty man about you. I don't feel like you deserve Azkaban. I don't feel any hatred towards you at all. I never really have. I don't think I have every truly believed you were capable of murdering those people, betraying James and taking Voldermort of as you Lord. It never really felt right to me. I even let you stay the night in my office; which I would never trust myself to do with a murderer or thief."

"You bother me. You always have. Lately I haven't been able to stomach the fact that you were in my prison. You don't belong here. It doesn't feel right. There is no really evidence to keep you here. Nobody has any real proof that you committed the crimes you were charged for. In fact, after checking your wand for spells used straight after your capture, no such spell was recorded. The only solid evidence we actually had proved your innocence. You didn't have a trial. You were sentenced ass an innocent man in the eyes of the law. I wonder what really happened that day." Haden asked tilting his head.

Sirius took a deep breath, he pushed himself off of the carpet, "I cornered Peter, and then-"

"It was a rhetorical question Black. I don't want to ever know the answer." Haden interrupted. "I am not saying that you are innocent." He pushed himself away from the desk and walked forwards, "What I am saying is that you were never proven guilty. In this country, and under our law, you are innocent until proven guilty." He came to stop in front of Sirius's face. The smell of alcohol attached Sirius's nostrils. Haden tilted his head to the other side, "I do not want innocent men in my prison. So here is what you are going to do Black. You are going to take this wand," his hand came up slowly and the fist uncurled around the wooden wand that lay there, "You are going to shave off your beard and cut your damn hair. You are going to use my bathroom and take a damn shower. You are going to put on some clean clothes. You are then going to take your godson and leave Azkaban. You smell like shit, and you look like hell. You will probably end up giving the boy fleas unless you clean up a bit…" Haden shrugged his shoulders and shoved the wand into Sirius's hand. "I am going out for the day. I never want to see you are him again." He finished jerking his head in Harry's direction.

With a wolfish grin Haden turned on the spot and walked towards the door. Sirius just stood there in the semi darkness listening to the sound of the door opening and closing. This had to be a dream.

Hot clean water was running down his back. Sirius moaned with pleasure. He hadn't had one of there in seven years. His hand reached for bottle of shampoo and emptied it onto his head. The empty bottle feel towards the floor, the clatter it made was drowned out by the sound of rushing water falling from the shower head and hitting the tiled floor beneath his bare feet. His fingers began rubbing the cold shampoo into his head. It was an action that felt so very foreign to him. His hands seemed to have forgotten how to do.

He rinsed his hair, and reluctantly turned off the water. He would fully appreciate it some other time. At the moment he had a lot to do. Sirius reached up and pulled off a fuzzy towel. His fingers mesmerized by the soft feel of it. He had been so used to cold rock and iron bars. The towel was soft and warm. He dried off his body and wrapped it around him before he slid the shower door open and stepped out onto the cold stone floor. He walked over to the sink were a stolen pair of Haden's clothes lay waiting for him. Clean close. He wouldn't ever have to wear those rags again. These ones weren't hardened by sea water and dirt. They were clean and smelled good.

His hand reached for the wand Haden had given him. The man probably had a collection of wands. He was after all an auror. You could never have too many wands if you were an auror. With his free hand, Sirius wiped the mist off of the mirror. A scrawny face starred back at him. Beard and long black hair sticking to his neck. Sirius flinched at the sight of him. He hadn't really thought about his appearance. It hadn't been that important to him in years. There were no mirrors in the cells. He did look like shit. If Sirius went on the run looking like this he would draw a lot of attention towards himself. Haden had been right. He did need to get rid of the beard.

Sirius hadn't shaved in years. It was odd therefore to move the wand over his face and muttering a spell to cut the hair off. It was odd holding a wand again. It was very weird using magic. It was as if his body had been craving to use magic and now that it finally got to do that, it seized up. It was very difficult for Sirius to remember most of the spells he had learned at Hogwarts. Even more difficult to use them.

His free hand pulled the strands of beard away and deposited them in the sink.

"Sirius." A small voice whispered.

Sirius turned his head towards the door. He relaxed a little when he saw that it was only Harry. The boy had obviously woken up. Sirius frowned when he saw his godson slowly turning away with a sorry frown on his face. "Harry, where are you going? What's wrong?"

The boy stopped his hand just visible on the door knob. Harry spoke from behind the door, his voice sounding very hesitant. "I – I am sorry. I – I – I didn't know you were…"

Sirius shook his head; it wasn't as if he was totally naked. It was odd because he couldn't ever recall James having a problem with nudity. Then again Prongs was always a bit too open about everything. "If it makes you feel uncomfortable then I suppose I could get dressed yeah? Just, hold on a moment." He dropped the towel and reached for the boxer shorts and jeans.

Underwear, now there was something he hadn't thought he would ever see again. They were nice boxer shorts too. Broomsticks and snitches. Quiditch. James used to have a couple of pairs of them. The jeans were a bit too big for him. He really had lost a lot a weight. When Sirius was done buttoning up the front he picked up his wand again, "okay Harry you can come in now."

He started cutting the rest of his beard off. It was a while before he heard the door creak open timidly. He could see Harry reflected in the mirror as he walked quietly into the room. "I – I woke up and you weren't there." He started saying, his voice sounding sad. "Haden wasn't there either." He added on. "So I – so then I heard the shower."

Sirius smiled slightly. Harry's stammering was getting better. "I am sorry I didn't wake you up kiddo. It was a bit early." Sirius pulled the last of the hair off of his face and smeared it off onto the sink's edge.

Another face appeared in the bottom of the mirror. Harry was biting his lip again and looking up at Sirius, "Sirius, why aren't you in your – in your cell? Did Haden forget to take you back?"

Sirius sighed. Now came the hard part. He put the wand down on the sink and stared down at Harry, "I am not going back to the cell again Harry. Haden set me free."

The little boy screwed up his face, "Free?" he asked softly. "Like – as if – like you can leave?"

Sirius nodded. A smile building itself on his face. He picked up the shirt on the sink and pulled it over his head, "As in, we can leave now and never come back. Haden believed me. He also believes me to be innocent. Harry," he said pulling the jumper over his head and straitening it out, "We are leaving Azkaban."

A light was glowing in Harry's eyes. His mouth fell open. A smile matching his own stretched across his face. However, just as fast as the smile came onto Harry's face, it faded. Harry went back to biting his lip. "Are you – am I – going back to the Dursleys?" he asked in a dead voice. "Can't I come with you? I don't – I don't want to go back to the Dursleys." He carried on before Sirius could talk. "I don't like it there." Harry's voice cracked and his eyes squinted with memories, "I don't like them. I like you. I want to – live with – I want to come with you. Please." He pleaded looking up into Sirius's eyes. There were tears forming in the emerald orbs. Out of the corner of his eye Sirius could see Harry's fist curling around the sink, "Please," he pleaded again, "please take – take me with you."

Harry paused there. Bracing himself for the answer.

"You are coming with me Harry. Surrey is the last place I thought about going to." Sirius answered softly. He placed one hand on Harry's shoulder and frowned as he felt the tensed up muscles beneath his fingers. "We are going to visit Uncle Moony. Remember I told you about him? We are going to go live with him for a bit. He still thinks I am a murderer but we are going to convince him. Then he is going to let us stay there with him. It's very beautiful were he stays Harry. He stays in a cottage near a village. Open fields and blue skies." Sirius kneeled down pulled Harry away from the sink turning him so that they were facing each other. "Would you like that Harry?"

A tear rolled down his young face and he slowly dragged open his eyes, blinking furiously and biting his lip. He tried opening his mouth to speak but all that came out was a muffled cry. Sirius didn't like the way Harry went about crying. It wasn't healthy. It wasn't right. He didn't know what his godson had lived through at the Dursleys but from what Harry told him it wasn't all fun and games. Harry's broken arm had already told Sirius a lot about the way Vermon treated him, even thought Harry would never admit it. The way Harry spoke also screamed neglect and abuse at Sirius. He couldn't let James's son go back there. He wouldn't.

When Harry had forced himself to calm down he finally looked up through his glistening eyes. "How are we getting to the uncle moony's?" he asked in a strangled voice.

Sirius frowned again. He hadn't really thought about getting over the ocean yet. He couldn't get onto the boat. The boatman would surely notice. However, he thought with a small smile, he could give the vintage silver arrow hanging on Haden's office wall a go. Harry would enjoy that. It would be his first broom ride.

If anything could put a smile on a Potter's face, it was flying.