Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing and only two chapters to go after this one!
Enjoy!
For three days Jamie and Harry stayed in the hospital ward recovering with daily visits from the guardians and their friends. Their treatment was mostly rest and Madam Pomfrey had them eat three huge bars of chocolate a day, which the boys didn't complain about too much. Sandy had also visited daily for daily check ups to remove all traces of any black sand in Harry, and had also gone over his Firebolt in case, when it was declared all clear he gave it back to a deeply grateful and ecstatic Harry. In that time the yetis had gone home shortly after Pitch had been defeated as they missed their home and with so many toys to make for Christmas they had to catch up.
From Hermione and Ron's constant visits Harry and Jamie also heard how Hermione had given back her time turner to Professor McGonagall as she had cut back on her subjects and it was getting too stressful to manage for her, at that Harry and Ron cried "Amen!" Some sad news which Harry and Jamie were shocked and angry to hear was Professor Lupin had resigned, as Professor Snape had not so subtly revealed he was a werewolf to his Slytherin students and many parents had written to Dumbledore wanting Lupin gone. But Lupin before leaving gave Ron the Marauder's Map to give to Harry saying it's Harry's now.
The tale of the battle with Pitch had, unsurprisingly, spread like wildfire and soon the whole school knew. Jamie was now regarded as a hero for saving Jack Frost and earned a new title; 'The Guardian Kid' from his connections to the guardians and from the silvery 'G' mark they had heard of on Jamie's right temple. The only part of the battle that hadn't got out was of when Harry was about to kill Sirius and Dumbledore agreed with the guardians and Sirius it was better no one knew of it. Speaking of Sirius he was now officially a free man and Peter Pettigrew had been sentenced for life imprisonment in Azkaban, Harry for the first time since knowing who betrayed his parents felt at peace knowing their betrayer was serving his time in Azkaban with the dementors. Buckbeak had also been released from his death sentence for saving Harry's life from the dementor and stopping Pitch from escaping but wasn't allowed to stay on Hogwarts grounds near the students so Sirius Black had taken him in to live at Black Manor where he would be able to roam around free in the surrounding forests and have Hagrid visit him at anytime.
Meanwhile Pitch had been taken care off. Finding him still bound by Sandy's dream sand and sat on by Buckbeak, Sandy, North and Dumbledore took Pitch back to Burgess where his lair was. Seeing Pitch's fear at being trapped with his nightmares that had tormented him Sandy took pity on Pitch and swiftly destroyed them before shutting Pitch in. Sandy, Dumbledore and Man in Moon then (with a combination of Sandy's dream sand, Dumbledore's magic and Man in Moon's powers) created a powerful seal to keep Pitch trapped there forever. Nobody more than Jack and Jamie were relieved to hear that.
As Harry and Jamie exited the hospital ward their friends and other classmates streaming out to the grounds quickly swept them up.
"Guys what's going on?" Jamie asked
One of the first years excitedly explained, "It's Easter and the Easter Bunny has hidden eggs around the whole school!"
Harry and Jamie looked at each other, "We have been eating three bars of chocolate a day," Harry said thoughtfully
Jamie laughed, "Yeah but you can never have too much chocolate and Bunny's is the best. Let's go!"
And the boys ran out with their schoolmates to join in the hunt and they were pleasantly surprised to see even the Slytherins joined in as well and happily mingling with the other houses.
After the eventful egg hunt everyone had plenty and it was hilarious watching the students chase down their eggs which tried to run away from them. The best part was when the eggs ran into Snape's office and when Bunny arrived to clear them out back outside they found Snape sitting stiffly and grimly with colourful eggs all around him, Bunny, as a way of apology, gave Snape a beautifully painted grey, black and silver egg which Snape ignored at first but Dumbledore saw he was happily eating it later. Jamie ran off with Lauren and the other first years while Harry told his friends he needed to see Professor Dumbledore and left for the Headmaster's office. Meeting the gargoyle guarding it outside Harry groaned mentally hitting himself for forgetting he needed a password. The gargoyle then moved aside and, though confused, Harry didn't miss the chance and made his way up the stairs. Knocking on the door he heard Dumbledore's voice saying, "Come in."
Entering Harry saw not only Dumbledore was there but also he now officially free godfather. Sirius was looking much better and healthier in a now fine black suit and was beaming at the sight of his godson.
"I had a feeling as soon as you were let out of hospital you would want to see me," Dumbledore said, "So I instructed the gargoyle to let you in without a password. Please sit down."
Harry sat down, "Professor I'm sorry to disturb you but…"
"No need to feel sorry Harry. Since my school is now safe I have found myself suddenly with a lot of free time on my hands. What would you like to ask?"
"Well sir. Since Sirius is innocent and is my Godfather that makes him my guardian. So I was hoping maybe I could live with Sirius instead of my uncle and aunt's, if Sirius would have me."
Sirius beamed but then shook his head, "I would accept you in a heartbeat cub and I was here to ask Professor Dumbledore if I could adopt you but I'm afraid I can't at the moment."
"Why not?"
"Harry," Dumbledore said, "When your mother died sacrificing herself protecting you she left a powerful shield forged by the most powerful magic of all, love. To ensure her shield would keep protecting you I had to place you in a home with relatives related to your mother, creating what we call blood wards. Which is why you have to go back to the Dursleys."
"You mean I have to live with them till I die or Voldemort's dead?" Harry cried in horror.
"No, No!" Dumbledore chuckled, "The wards will collapse when you become an adult in the wizarding world, which is 17. And you don't have to spend all your time there; only about a month will keep the blood wards up. After a month you can live with whoever you desire."
Harry looked at his godfather, "Then can I live with you?"
"I would love for you to cub but as I said before, not at the moment. I have to get my home in order and take care of a few things before I can let you live with me so I can take care of you properly. So for this summer I think it would be best if you went to the Weasleys. But you can bet we'll keep in contact cub."
Harry hugged his godfather tightly, "It's great to have another family member."
Sirius hugged his godson tightly in response.
A knock was heard and Professor McGonagall looking very flustered rushed in, "I'm sorry to bother you Headmaster, but Jack has covered the hallways with ice and all the students and teachers are slipping and sliding all over the place. Peeves and the Weasley twins on their brooms are also pelting water bombs at them while Jack is throwing snowballs all around and making it snow!"
Dumbledore chuckled heartily and left with McGonagall asking Harry to shut the door on their way out. Sirius looked at Harry.
"Jack's a very mischievous fellow isn't he?"
Harry grinned replying, "You have no idea."
Please review and do know that I'm planning to get the last two chapters up by Friday as I'm going overseas on Saturday morning. So the next chapter will be up soon. You can 'Bet on it! Bet on it!' (song's been stuck in my head all day).