Chapter Four: Home

Friday 17th June 1994

SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT!

AWARDED CUSTODY OF HARRY POTTER!

By Eric Larkin

For the last four days the Wizarding World has waited with baited breath for the fate of Sirius Black. After a gruelling trial Black was found innocent of all charges made against him in 1981. Peter Pettigrew, the man who was believed killed by Black twelve years ago, has been convicted of aiding You-Know-Who; the murder of twelve Muggles; framing a person for murder; and betrayal of James and Lily Potter's whereabouts to You-Know-Who, which resulted in their deaths.

Pettigrew has been sentenced to a life sentence in Azkaban prison.

In compensation for his unjust prison sentence, Sirius Black was awarded custody of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived as well as a large sum of gold which the Ministry rewarded to him due to loss of earnings and the prison sentence he was forced to serve. It also emerged that Sirius Black is the rightful guardian of Harry Potter, as requested by his parents if they died. Harry Potter is currently in his third year at Hogwarts Scholl of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is due to join Black at an undisclosed location at the end of term.

"Hey, Moony."

Remus jumped as he walked into his quarters. He pulled out his wand, only to scowl in relief when he noticed Sirius sitting on his rotating chair, spinning round and round. For a moment he could recall an incident back in fourth year when Sirius had been doing the exact same thing, but the chair had broken, shattering under the weight of a fourteen year old boy. They had been in the Room of Requirement, working on the Animagus transformations, when the chair had collapsed and broken. It turned out James had asked for it to happen. Sirius had not been pleased.

The result of James' trickery had been a pillow fight. The evening they had planned to study the transformations turned into a fun night where Sirius and James constantly hit each other with feather pillows while Remus and Peter had mostly sat on the sidelines.

Still, mused Remus, Sirius and James could never act their age. He shook his head, running a hand through his greying hair. The last week had been a long one for him. He was glad to be back in his room. Pulling up another chair, Remus plonked himself down upon it, leaning back against it, studying his friend's face.

Since Sirius had stayed at Hogwarts leading up to his trial, it had enabled him to put on a bit of weight that he had lost during his years in Azkaban and the last few months on the run. He looked much healthier and some colour graced his cheeks, and Remus found himself being pulled back into the past as he pictured a twenty-two year old Sirius. Though his friend still had a long way to go before he would have put on sufficient enough weight, Remus was confident Sirius would manage the pressure that he was being put under. Sirius' decision to adopt Harry had surprised Remus, though he couldn't fault the logic.

When Harry had been born Remus had seen how close they had been. He knew James and Lily had wanted Sirius to look after Harry if anything ever happened to them…but it had not crossed his mind that when Sirius was found innocent he would ask for the custody of Harry Potter, and what had surprised him even more was that the Minister actually granted it.

For years Remus had believed a lie, honouring a friend he had thought had died facing up to a traitor, but really the real traitor had been on the run and had outsmarted them all, shattering their friendship completely. Only now was his life coming back together.

A hand waved in front of his face. Jogging out of his reverie, Remus scowled at Sirius who was standing in front of him.

"Are you okay?" his friend asked.

Remus grinned. "Just remembering and thinking the future."

"Oh…" Sirius trailed off.

"So, where are you and Harry going to live?" Remus questioned.

"My first thought was Grimmauld Place… my childhood home, but the only way Harry will ever see that place is if he has no choice. Fortunately Dumbledore informed me that the house in Godric's Hollow has been reserved under Harry's name. It was rebuilt in 1982 after the investigation had been completed - but no one has used it since. Harry doesn't know it is his. I thought it might be a nice house for us to live in." Sirius held his head in his hands, as he lowered himself back onto the chair. "I thought it might help Harry remember his parents."

Remus was about to open his mouth to ask something when Sirius answered it anyway guessing the question in advance.

"I know there's a chance it could cause Harry to remember that night, but its home. It's his home," explained Sirius. "And Grimmauld Place is certainly not home."

Remus had to concede the logic in it. He had not seen Sirius' family home, but he had heard enough to know that it probably wasn't the ideal place to raise a child. The house in Godric's Hollow was good enough. Plus it was out of the way, hopefully giving Sirius and Harry the privacy they needed to get to know one another better.

"I'll make sure that I come to visit when I can," said Remus. "I'm sure Dumbledore will want someone to check up on you two - just to make sure you're not doing anything too foolish."

"Foolish? Since when have I been foolish?" laughed Sirius.

"Since you were born, Padfoot," deadpanned Remus.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks. I'm thrilled you have so much confidence in my parenting abilities."

Remus couldn't help but burst out laughing. He hadn't laughed like this in a long time. For the first time in a long while it felt good and right to do so.

Saturday 18th June 1994

The end of the school year had drawn to a close and Harry had watched as the horseless carriages took the students to the train station. He had said farewell to Ron and Hermione, promising them he would write to them. Harry would've gone on the train but Professor Dumbledore had kindly allowed Sirius to use a Portkey to take them to their new home. Everyone in the whole school knew that Harry was going to live with the infamous Sirius Black: there had been a lot of whispers about it since the article proclaiming that Harry was his Godson.

Harry was nervous - not because he was going to live with his Godfather - but because he didn't know where he was going. He didn't know what he was expecting yet he was rather happy that he would never have to see the Dursley's again. Sirius, it turned out, had, along with Remus, gone to the Dursley's to collect the few belongings Harry had owned.

Despite the fact Harry would have enjoyed the reactions of his aunt and uncle, he was quite pleased he hadn't had to be there. He was certain blowing up his aunt last year would have left a sore mark on their relationship. From what Remus had told him, the Dursely's had been terrified of Sirius, which was understandable, considering they had believed him to be a convicted murderer – and probably still did think that – as Remus had explained they hadn't bothered to explain his innocence, just that he was Harry's Godfather and that Harry would never have to set foot in Privet Drive again.

"You ready to go?" Sirius' voice knocked him out of his memories.

"Yeah," nodded Harry, clutching the handle of his trunk. "How are we getting there?"

"With this," said Sirius holding up a small Muggle trainer.

Harry stared at it incredulously. What am I meant to do with that?

"Hold it. Don't let go," his Godfather instructed.

Harry grasped hold of the sole, keeping his other hand on his trunk. Suddenly he felt a tug behind his navel as he was jerked irresistibly forwards. His feet had left the ground and he blinked dizzily. He and Sirius were speeding forwards in a howl of wind and swirling colour. He couldn't let go of the trainer - and then he hit the ground with a thud.

Picking himself off the ground, Harry dusted himself down before lifting his eyes to stare at the cottage in front of him. It was small and quaint, but homely. A fence surrounded the property and on the gate a sign read: "Potter-Black".

Harry knew Sirius had officially adopted him, but he didn't have to take the name 'Black', but Harry had. At Hogwarts he would always be a Potter, but in the outside world, Harry would introduce himself as 'Harry Potter-Black'. He wanted to prove that he wasn't afraid of associating himself with a dark family.

Tearing his gaze away from the sign, Harry cast his green eyes at the road they stood in. The cottage was situated in a small close which led out onto a quiet street which seemed to lead to a village.

"Sirius, where are we exactly?"

"This, Harry," began Sirius, a wide grin on his face, "is the village of Godric's Hollow. The cottage is rightfully yours."

I own a cottage?

"Mine?" gasped Harry.

His Godfather nodded. "It was left to you by your parents, if anything ever happened to them." He seemed to hesitate before continuing. "This house was also where you lived as a baby."

Shock ran through his body. This is where my parents died…where Voldemort fell…His mind suddenly went blank. He saw a flash of green light…a body falling to the floor…cold laughter ringing in his ears. He shivered, momentarily caught up in the moment.

"Harry?" Sirius sounded worried as Harry pulled himself out of his reverie.

"I'm fine…just remembering," swallowed Harry.

"I'm sorry." Sirius shuffled his feet, clearly feeling uncomfortable. "I shouldn't have brought you here."

Harry shook his head. "No, don't be sorry." He racked his brain, trying to find the right thing to say. "I guess I didn't expect to own a house."

"Do you want to live somewhere else?" Sirius asked gently.

"No. This place…" he swept an arm out at the cottage situated in front of them, "is the last thing on earth that belonged to my parents. I want to be close to them. Here, their memories will live on through me and you. This place is perfect," said Harry, and he meant every word.

Laying flat on his back, Harry stared at the ceiling of his room. The bed he lay in was quite comfy, much better than the one at the Dursley's. His room was quite large despite the smallness of the cottage. Harry had found stepping inside made it bigger. He had a feeling that magic was being used to maintain that effect. Sirius had explained that Lily had used charms to make the house look bigger on the inside then the outside.

Pinned to the walls were a few Quidditch posters as well as moving photographs of his mum and dad. He had a new wardrobe, all ready filled with Wizard's and Muggle clothes, as well as a few good reading books stacked on shelves. He had a desk and the shelves he filled with his school books. His wand lay on his bedside cabinet.

The first day at Godric's Hollow had been quite hectic. He and Sirius had spent the day re-arranging rooms to their preference. Sirius had gone on a huge spending spree (ordering stuff from catalogues) on the night after the end of his trial. All the stuff had been delivered the day they had moved in. The cottage itself had already got furniture that had been provided by the Ministry of Magic after its reconstruction in 1982, but Harry had agreed with Sirius that it was nice starting anew.

It felt like home.

It is home.

The smell of bacon woke him. Sirius climbed out of bed, pulled on a dressing gown before making his way down the stairs. He walked into the kitchen, only to stop short when he saw Harry standing at the stove, frying bacon, eggs and tomatoes.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Harry turned, his face flashing red. "Oh, I'm sorry…I didn't think you'd be mad - Uncle Vernon always was when I didn't cook breakfast - I thought you might like it." His Godson shrugged apologetically.

Harry had to cook breakfast?

"I'm not mad," Sirius replied. "I didn't realise you could cook."

Harry smiled sheepishly. "Uncle Vernon made me cook from when I was about six. He said I had to learn if I wanted to continue living at their home."

Anger rushed through him. How dare they treat Harry like he is some sort of slave! Sirius was mad but he pushed down his anger, shaking his head. "You don't have to do that anymore, Harry. That's my job. Not yours."

"Okay..."

Sirius strode forward. "Here. Sit down. I'll finish for you."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked warily.

"I'm certain." Before Harry could object further, Sirius had gently pried away the handle of the frying pan from him. "Go on, sit down."

Still looking reluctant, Harry sat down.

What the hell was Dumbledore thinking when he sent Harry to the Dursley's? Sirius felt the urge to scream that thought aloud.

Once the bacons, eggs and tomatoes were done, Sirius placed one egg on each plate, along with two rashers of bacon and two tomatoes each. Picking up the ketchup he squirted some on the side of the plate and carried one plate over to Harry, placing it in front of him. His Godson still looked worried.

"It's alright. I'm not mad. I'm just surprised that was how you were brought up," said Sirius conversationally. He had to know. Needed to know what life for his Godson had been like.

Harry shrugged. He picked at his food, slowly eating. Sirius could tell he was finding it difficult to find what to say. He knew Harry trusted him, but his Godson didn't know him that well, so he would have to wait till Harry felt that he could tell him. The relationship that he was trying to build was forming, but not fast enough for Harry to tell him everything upon request.

So he waited.

When Harry had finished his meal he sat back, biting his lip. Then he began to speak, his voice soft, explaining about his upbringing with the Dursleys.

"What the hell possessed you to send Harry to the Dursleys? They hate magic!" Sirius bellowed as he stormed into the Headmaster's office. Placing his hands on the desk, he sent a chilling glare at Dumbledore who had abandoned his paperwork to meet Sirius' gaze.

"Didn't you know Lily's sister hated her? Didn't you stop to think that that was the one place that Harry wouldn't be happy at all? He didn't even have a childhood! He was forced to do chores! Cook at six, housework, and gardening, something that no child should have to do at that age! That was no life for Harry! That was slavery! What were you thinking?" Sirius stopped to breathe, his shoulders heaving.

Dumbledore held up his hand to prevent Sirius' from continuing his tirade. "I had no idea about Harry's home life until he arrived here at Hogwarts. I foolishly believed they would treat Harry as their son, not as a slave."

Sirius huffed. "It was against James and Lily's wishes too. How could you?"

"Harry would've gone to you, Sirius, but the circumstances dictated that he didn't. Lily left a protection upon her son, so that while he dwells at Privet Drive no dark wizard could attack him. The only reason that he can live with you now is because you can protect him. The ancient magic that Lily evoked upon her death is still in place at Godric's Hollow, but not as strong as it would be at Privet Drive."

Sirius nodded, reluctantly accepting Dumbledore's argument. Softly he asked: "Do you know why I went off to kill Peter?"

Dumbledore shook his head.

"I was ready to raise Harry, but Hagrid refused to give him to me. If he had have done, Pettigrew would've been in Azkaban years ago. But you thought you were doing the right thing…you believed I was the traitor - should have expected it really when we didn't tell you we'd swapped Secret Keepers. James and I both thought you would realise, would know that I would never betray James, Lily or Harry." Sirius snorted; his anger abating. He ran a hand through his hair. "If I couldn't have Harry, I could have revenge…that's why."

Dumbledore was silent and then he spoke: "The only thing I can do Sirius, is say I'm sorry for doubting your loyalty. We should have looked at your history instead of assuming the worst of you, but you have to admit the evidence was not in your favour."

Sirius sighed. "No, it wasn't."

To be continued...