A few days later Sirius regained consciousness. However, Madam Pompfrey still insisted on him staying where he was until the end of the week. Even though he was a little bit groggy from the medication and his strength wasn't back completely, Sirius was still growing impatient to get back to normal and more importantly get out of hospital. He had plenty of visitors from his family and friends and even Harry and Rob`s friends who had grown to love Sirius for his spontaneity and unpredictability, Harry was the one who dreaded seeing his godfather in what he saw as a vulnerable position. The Saturday before the second task Harry, Ron and Hermione were on their way to see Hagrid. Regulus was standing outside the great hall when he saw them come along the corridor. He held both of his hands low so Harry could slap them in a greeting. Harry smiled back at Regulus as he slapped his palms.
"I`m glad that you are going to see Sirius, Harry. He has been asking about you."
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other blankly. Regulus noticed this.
"You aren`t going to see him are you?"
"I just want to wait until he is fully recovered. I don't like seeing him like that."
"You don't like seeing like what Harry? You don't want to see him unwell? It`s natural that sometimes we fall but the worse thing someone can do is turn their back on a loved one during these times. Harry, Sirius is your godfather. The one person in the world who thinks you can do no wrong. Why are you doing this to him?"
"Sirius is one of the strongest people I know. Seeing him like that just makes me realise he is human at the end of the day and there are things that can hurt him. He has always seemed invincible to me."
"Well that is quite touching Harry but it does not excuse you avoiding him. Do you honestly believe if things were reversed that Sirius would be standing here? He most certainly would not Harry. Now I don't care if I have to drag you but you are going to go down to the hospital wing and see your godfather right now do you understand?"
Harry nodded and looked over at his friends who were standing at the door.
"Harry will meet you later wherever you are going." Regulus said firmly.
"Are you sure that you don't want us to go with you Harry?" Hermione asked as she and Ron approached him.
"No you`re ok babes. You and Ron go and see Hagrid. I`ll follow you down."
He caught her hand and kissed the back of it. She smiled as he winked at her.
"See you later mate. Give Sirius our regards." Ron said as he and Hermione headed outside.
"Yes, and tell Sirius we miss him so get better soon." Hermione shouted back.
Down in the hospital wing Sirius was sitting up on the bed reading the daily prophet. Harry took a deep breath before he walked in.
"You know Prongslet it`s not contagious so please feel free to come closer if you want."
Harry smiled broadly at his godfather who discarded the paper.
"I am so sorry Padfoot that I didn't come to see you sooner. I just...."
"You just got scared after you saw me collapse that day. It`s ok Harry I get it."
"So you`re not mad? Or feel that I let you down?"
"No of course not mate. Why would I think that? I was the one who scared you remember?" Sirius said winking at Harry. Harry smiled a little at him as Sirius stroked his godson's cheek.
"Why don't you sit down? I have something I want to tell you."
"What is it Sirius? You will be ok wont you?" Harry asked as he sat on the chair beside the bed.
"Harry I am going to be fine. Now stop fretting like an old woman and listen to me." Harry smirked pleased that he was able to talk to Sirius again. There was a time when he thought he never would again.
"My problem has always been my temper but you know that by now."
Harry nodded as Sirius continued.
"However, more than that I know I tend to let things that upset me bottle up and then suddenly everything just explodes like a big mess. This time though because so many things have been bothering me; most of those things aren`t even important but anyway the reason I collapsed was because I suffered from an anxiety attack."
"That means so that you didn't have a heart attack Sirius."
"Yes, to a point. I was worked up over things as you saw the last day so my body was tense and rigid. I collapsed because my heart couldn't take any more stress so it was a mixture of both. According to Poppy I can`t in future let things get that far because it`s not good for the body as you can imagine."
"Well I guess it's good that you got a wakeup call Padfoot." Harry said flatly.
Sirius sensed that there was something going on but said nothing for now.
"So anyway how are things with you and Hermione?"
"Yeah, we`re doing fine Sirius. She was asking about you actually. She says she missed you."
"Did she really say that Harry? That`s very nice of her. I miss her too tell her. She is a sweet kid." Sirius replied pensively.
"Yes, she is." Harry said staring at the ground.
"All right Harry now what is going on here?"
"How do you mean?"
"I hope I`m wrong but....you don`t seem too happy with Hermione. Now what is up with that?"
"I am happy. Hermione means everything to me Sirius. I don't want to destroy that by moving too fast."
"Well you don't seem to be moving at all from where I`m sitting. You have been together two months now is it?"
"Yes, almost two months. Why do you ask?"
"Well from my experience the first six months is usually called the honey moon stage. During those months in particular you usually can`t keep your hands off each other. You always want to kiss, hug, and touch the other person as much as possible. You want to know everything about that person. You want to get to know their body and I`m not talking sexual here. Is there something you want to tell me? You can`t be sick of her already. I know if I was twenty years younger I`d love to be with Hermione." Sirius said with a slight smirk and Harry reciprocated before saying
"There is no way I am sick of her Sirius. I can`t get enough of her. It`s just that this tournament has really got her worried. It has me worried too and most of the other Gryffindors. I guess that we are so worked up about it that it's hard to be intimate when you have other things on your mind."
"I see what you mean Prongslet but you cannot let anyone or anything interfere in your relationship. You are both young, in love so embrace that. It isn`t that often you find someone or something worth holding on to Harry."
"Yeah I know Sirius....."
"So tell me what did the egg say?"
"Oh.....something that matters to me can be found at the bottom of the black lake."
"You have no idea what that is then?"
"No I don`t but I guess I will find out soon enough."
Sirius laughed lightly and said....
"Spoken like a true marauder." Harry smiled up at his godfather who winked at him.
"How much longer are you going to be in here for?"
"Madam Pompfrey is going to discharge me tomorrow. Unfortunately I won`t be able to come back here though for a while."
"You have to be here next Saturday Sirius." Harry exclaimed anxiously.
"Harry there isn't a snowballs chance in hell that I won`t be here next Saturday. We got to keep up the family support."
"You won`t be working here or even at Zonkos will you?"
Sirius smiled sadly at Harry. He was going to miss seeing him practically every day just as Harry was.
"I`m on strict orders to be a stay at home dad for the next few weeks. That does mean that I will have to put some hours in at Zonkos though."
"I`m sure you are not going to obey those orders though are you?" Sirius smiled weakly at Harry but said nothing so Harry pressed him.
"Sirius........you are going to be around here aren't you?"
Sirius sighed deeply and shook his head as he smiled sadly and said
"Harry I am sorry but I won`t be working here for a while."
"You can`t be serious? There is nobody around here anymore to talk to. Dad and Kingsley are always at the ministry these days, Tonks is too heavily pregnant to work and now you won`t be here either. It sucks."
"Prongslet try to be reasonable here. In order to be working on security here I need to be on top form. I need to go home, get some rest without any stress ok? There are plenty other aurors guarding the place and besides you still have Remus and Moody is here too as well as your own friends. You won`t even miss me kid." Sirius said as he ruffled his hair.
"I guess I have just gotten used to having all of you around again. It felt like it was before. Now you are all scattered again. Don`t get me wrong Sirius. Remus is cool. I have love for him but....."
"He isn`t as reckless as me. It's ok kid you can say it." Harry and Sirius laughed.
"Dad and Remus tend to want to protect me. Remus more than dad though but you Sirius. You have always let me involved and kept me in the loop and told me stuff that you probably shouldn`t have. It was good having you around for the last few months."
"I will be back again though you know? I am not going away forever. I just need to get a month's rest byte ok? You can manage without me for a month I`m sure."
That night up in the Gryffindor common most of Harry`s friends were trying to establish what it was he had to recover from the black lake. Fred and George thought it was going to be Hermione, Neville and Seamus said it was possibly his broomstick but Rob said it would be Sirius. Over at the fireplace Ron was pacing up and down trying to think as well but coming up with nothing in his friends eyes. Harry was sitting on the couch with Hermione`s head resting against his chest, Harry had his arm across her shoulder and they were playing with each other's fingers. Dean was sitting on the arm chair with Arielle in his lap. She rested her head against his chest also as she stroked his hand while he played with her hair.
"The egg said it was something important so that does not mean it is a person does it?"
"The first thing we need to establish Ron is how Harry is going to breathe under water for an hour. Any ideas?" Hermione asked her friends.
"Sirius did say something about gilly weed but I never heard of it."
"Sirius is right Harry. It's a rare herb that lets you breathe under water for an hour at least." Neville said coming over to the couch. Hermione sat upright to turn around and face Neville who was standing behind the couch with his two hands resting on it. Harry sat sideways and faced him also.
"Are you serious Neville? If that were true then that would be brilliant."
"All of your worries are out of the way somewhat now babe." Hermione said smiling broadly at Harry who smiled softly back.
"Yes but now we need to figure out where we can get it from."
"I imagine Snape should have it in his storage cupboard."
"Yes, but Hermione, Snape is not going to give it to me now is he?"
"Now that Sirius and James are no longer around there is nobody to threaten him."
"Yes there is Ron." Everyone eyed him quizzically.
"Regulus is still here. He could threaten Snape if he doesn't oblige which I imagine he won`t."
"Sirius is much scarier than Regulus is though Harry. I have seen him in action and it's not a pretty sight."
Harry and company laughed lightly at Ron. He was right though they had to admit.
"Awww but underneath it all Sirius is a real sweetheart." Hermione said.
Harry grinned at her and she stared at him quizzically.
"Oh my god! Fred and George were right. You did have a crush on Sirius!"
"Harry.....I did not."
"Awww come on Hermi you can admit it to me. He was quite a catch with the ladies when he was here and he still reckons he is. He will be flattered when he finds out. I think I will go and tell him." Harry said humorously as he got off the couch and walked towards the portrait hole. Hermione stared aghast at him before jumping off the couch and running after him.
"Harry please don't tell Sirius." She pleaded as she caught up with him. Harry smirked and turned around to face her.
"Why don't you want him to know Hermi?"
Hermione sighed as she dug her hands into her back pockets of her jeans and began biting her lip a little. A few seconds later she stopped and looked at as she said in a whispered tone of voice.
"There was a time ages ago back in the summer when I did kind of like him but it was just some stupid crush and it didn't mean anything Harry I promise."
"You can`t seriously think that I`d be jealous or offended that you had a crush on Sirius, Hermione. Every woman he meets has a crush on him. It`s his roguish charm. No woman can resist." He smiled softly at her as she smirked still feeling a little uneasy. Harry stepped forward and brought her into a tight embrace which she reciprocated. After a minute or so they broke apart. Harry looked deep into her eyes and smiled. He brushed away a stray strand of her hair and said....
"You are too funny Hermi. Do you know that? I can`t believe you really thought I was going to tell Sirius."
"Yes, I know it was dumb to believe that you would do that but if it got us to be like this then it was worth it." She replied smiling at him. Harry reciprocated.
"I will never let us be any different babe I promise." He brought her body closer to his.
"I`m glad to hear that." She said before Harry leaned in and kissed her slowly but passionately.
The night before the second task everyone was in a good mood. They were all excited about what the next task would hold. Harry and his fellow contestants though were a small bit anxious. Sirius stopped by with James to see Dumbledore in order to ensure Harry was going to be ok for tomorrow. Harry was emerging from the great hall with Hermione, Ron and Rob as Sirius and James entered the castle.
"Hey how are you Prongslet?" Sirius bellowed at him.
Harry smiled as Sirius approached him.
"How are you Rob?"
"I`m good thanks. How are things at home?"
"Oh don't even go there kid! Shari is driving me insane she is. It took a lot of persuasion for her to let me come here tonight."
"Harry are you all right for tomorrow?" James asked.
"Yes, dad why do you ask?"
"Did you get the gilly weed?"
Harry stared around at all his friends who gazed at him blankly.
"Oh Harry please tell me you got the dam gilly weed mate!" James exclaimed anxiously.
"James cool down mate." Sirius said calmly.
James turned to Sirius abruptly as he said
"Sirius don't tell me to cool down here. Harry is facing god knows what tomorrow and he hasn't gotten the one small requirement he needs to survive it."
"I did try to get it but Snape refused to give it to me."
"Did you ask Regulus?" James asked
"No because I didn't really see him much these days."
"Regulus is out further James. He is covering the grounds with a few people and he comes back home every few hours."
James rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Harry I am sorry for shouting at you mate. You didn't deserve it. I need to see Albus right now though so Sirius will you please go with Harry and get the gilly weed from Snivelus. If you have any problems then let me know and I will be straight down. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Rob...I will see you all in the morning. I want to see you Prongslet before the task all right?"
"Yeah, no problem dad."
"Ok well you have a good night and try to get to bed early."
Harry nodded as James smiled and hurried off to see Albus. Ron and Rob said they would meet Harry back in the common room. Hermione kissed him lightly on the lips and hurried after them leaving Harry and Sirius to face Snape.
"I`m pleased to see that you took my advice Prongslet with having more time with Hermione." Sirius said smirking at Harry as they walked down towards the dungeons.
"Yes, you were right Padfoot. We are in a good place now I think so thank you."
"You`re welcome Harry. Oh look who we got here." Snape was walking towards them.
"Oi Snivelus! I thought you would be down below playing with your chemistry set." Sirius exclaimed making Harry laugh and Snape scowl.
"What brings you here Black? I thought you would be at home resting after your traumatic ordeal." Snape said coldly.
"I am here for my godson and what is this I hear about you refusing to give him gilly weed?"
"I didn't care for the way he spoke to me." Snape said eying Harry callously.
"Is that so? Well you are going to think a lot less of me when I string you up by the short and curlies unless you give me that gilly weed. Do you I make myself clear?" Snape stared somewhat fearfully at Sirius who had a contemptuous look in his eyes. Harry couldn't help smirking.
"Fine. Come with me Potter."
Snape walked past them and led the way to his storage cupboard. Sirius winked at Harry who smiled as they followed him.
As they reached Snape`s storage cupboard Sirius put his index finger against his lips and winked signalling Harry to keep quiet.
Snape turned to face them as he gave Harry the gilly weed.
"This is an extremely rare herb Potter so use it only before you enter the lake and not a moment before. You have an hour in the water. If you spend any longer then you are on your own. Do you understand?"
Harry looked at Sirius who had his arms folded and was focusing on Snape gravely. Harry nodded and said
"Yes, I understand sir."
"Good. I expect I will see you in the morning then. Goodnight."
Snape closed and locked the cupboard as he walked away.
"Are you all right Harry?" Sirius asked placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry who was starring down at the gilly weed in his hand. He looked up and said
"I am ok Sirius. I just can`t help but feel this task is going to be bigger than the first one."
"We are all going to be right there Harry. No harm will come to you I promise."
Harry smiled a little at Sirius before he was brought into a tight embrace for a moment. Sirius then walked him back to the Gryffindor common room before heading up to James who was in Dumbledore`s office.