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Sirius wandered around the English countryside, slowly figuring out where he was. His first goal was to find some food, so he milled about behind a restaurant, acting the part of a poor stray, until someone took pity on him and brought him a steak. This was the most food Sirius had eaten since he was taken to Azkaban, and as much as he wanted to savor it, he just couldn't stop himself from practically devouring the steak whole.
Once he had some food in his stomach, he started working his way towards Little Winging. Last he heard, the Dursley's were still at Privet Drive and since it still felt like summer outside, Harry would still be there.
There were lights still on in all of the homes on Privet Drive, so Sirius assumed it was still relatively early, though it was dark outside.
Sirius padded up to the Dursley's home, trying to see if he could hear anything. He walked around the house to another window and found himself looking in on a dinner table.
A skinny woman, Petunia, a fat man Sirius assumed was her husband, and an equally fat boy, Dudley, and someone Sirius couldn't recognize were sitting down at the table. But where was Harry?
As if he could hear his thoughts, a skinny young boy trudged into the dining room, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. A young boy with a lightning bolt scar and green eyes. Harry, Sirius thought, suddenly wanting nothing more than to take Harry away from the Dursley's once and for all. But he had to wait.
And wait he did. Sirius sat in an alleyway, watching the Dursley's door, willing Harry to come outside.
Sirius didn't have to wait long, however. Yelling and shocked screaming could be heard from the Dursley home before the door flew open and a 13 year old Harry Potter marched out of the house, trunk in one hand, wand in the other. Sirius caught a glimpse of the large woman from before inflated like a balloon, floating against the ceiling. Sirius laughed internally. Like father, like son, he thought, fond memories of his and James' school years surfacing.
Harry didn't notice Sirius' presence and kept walking, a look of mixed anger and determination on his face. Sirius followed behind, his dog form allowing him to be stealthier than if he'd been a human. Padfoot's black fur and padded paws made it much easier for him to follow behind Harry without worrying him.
Sirius had realized that he couldn't turn into his human form, not even in an entirely Muggle-populated area, after hearing his name on the radio through the window of a home on the outskirts of London. It would seem the Minister had spoken to the Muggle Prime Minister and told him that Sirius was a fugitive and considered armed and dangerous. So he could say goodbye to a normal life, at least until he was able to clear his name.
After a bit of walking, Harry stopped suddenly, as if he knew Sirius was there. He turned to look at the alleyway where Sirius was watching rom.
Sirius remained as still as possible, all at once wanting Harry to see him and wanting him to think nothing was there.
"Lumos." Harry whispered, then gasped and staggered backwards, throwing out his right arm as if he expected to fall.
Suddenly, a bright purple bus appeared in front of Harry and Sirius would have laughed, had he been able to. The Knight Bus was the same mode of transportation Sirius had used when he ran away from home all those years ago.
The conductor hopped out of the swinging doors and started excitedly reciting his introduction.
Sirius turned and walked away from where Harry was getting on the Knight Bus. He'd just have to wait and meet up with Harry when he got to Hogwarts.
Hogsmeade, Sirius decided. I'll go to Hogsmeade and wait there for the students to arrive at Hogwarts. As I recall, there's a certain empty, supposedly haunted house that could do with a visit.
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