Chapter 3: Sirius Much
Harry looked left and right before crossing the road, over to where the over-sized black dog resided. Harry had to admit, now that he saw Padfoot up close, he looked a lot less fearsome than the first time around. Maybe it was because he was conscious of his relative height? Or maybe because he had seen much worse in his life time than a scary dog. Or maybe it was that he didn't mind the dark and gloomy atmosphere anymore. Either way, Harry reached down and the pet the dog on the head, before speaking softly, almost as if he was afraid he found the wrong dog.
"Your a cool looking dog. Guess you don't have an owner. Mind if I talk to you for a bit?" Harry said in a whisper. Sirius barked in acknowledgment. "Well, you see," Harry started, choosing his words carefully, "I just found out that my dad had a really good friend, whom he entrusted with his life. Then everybody told me that he betrayed them, leading towards their death." Padfoot was now whining with his head on the ground. "But I'm not sure I believe them at all."
Padfoot barked and licked Harry's face. Harry laughed and pushed him off. Padfoot ran circles around him a couple of times before running from the park into a set of trees over the side. Harry grinned and followed him. Two minutes later, the two were in a clearing. Then Padfoot jumped up and transformed back into Sirius Black.
"Harry, don't be alarmed! Its just me Sirius..." began Sirius, exclaiming wildly in an effect to do damage control.
Harry just fell over laughing very hard. Sirius looked very confused as he walked over towards Harry. Harry took his hand and got up, before gasping out, "You should have seen the look on your face!"
Sirius stopped for a second, before whispering out, "You don't think I'm out to get you or something?"
Harry let out a chuckle again, before replying, "Of course not, most of what the newspapers write is garbage anyway. Or maybe I'm insane and randomly started talking to a dog"
"How did you know it was me?" Sirius asked, intrigued.
Harry had to think quickly, before answering, "I asked around to get to know about my dad a little, and some bartender said that a man named Remus Lupin mentioned something about his adventures with a dog and a stag. I kinda did a little snooping around and found out what you looked like and stuff." Harry said sheepishly.
Sirius raised his eyebrow. Harry grimaced. That was the best cover up he could come up with? The Weasley twins would have been ashamed. He had shamed his bloodline, he wasn't worthy to inherit the title of the Marauders. Okay maybe that was a bit of a stretch. None the less, Sirius was too caught up in the moment to care. He hugged Harry tightly, and the two discussed random things about Harry's parents for hours into the night. Harry feigned ignorance and asked a lot of questions and also asked what really happened that fateful night. Upon hearing Sirius's tale again, Harry promised he would keep a look out for the rat whom Sirius believed to be with the Weasley's.
It took Harry a while, but in the end he convinced Sirius to remain hidden while he got Peter and brought him to public attention. Sirius begged Harry to come with him, but Harry told him off, stating it would be much to dangerous for a wanted man. In the end, the two had to part once more. Sirius promised Harry and told him that they would see each other soon, while Harry told him not to do anything stupid. Hopefully when they met again, Sirius would be on his way to being a free man.
As he watched Sirius take his leave, Harry walked back across the street and reached into his pocket for his wand. He felt the warm wood from the wand, but there was something else in his pocket. Harry pulled it out to find his chocolate frog card from only a day before. Somehow it had made the time jump with him. Harry laughed at the absurdity of the situation, "Of all things that could have come with me... A chocolate frog card!" Harry put it into his trunk, noting to put it some where safe later, as it was the only proof he had right now.
Fate must have been drunk to send him back in time with a chocolate frog card to keep him sane.
Harry thought about apparating, but casts the thought aside, fearing someone might have seen him when he got to the other end of his travel. That aside, Harry pulled out his wand and stuck it in air, similar to how a muggle would call a taxi. Seconds later, a giant triple decker bus appeared from seemingly thing air, and came to jerky stop, almost flipping over. There was a familiar hissing noise, when the door opened, and none other than Stan Shunpike stepped out, walked over to him, and said, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand..." and he went on. Harry stood there patiently, rather happy he did not fall over this time.
"So where do you want to go?" asked Shunpike.
"The Leaky Cauldron" replied Harry, remembering his last venture.
"That'll be eleven sickles" said Shunpike as Harry handed over the money and hopped aboard.
Harry noticed the talking head hanging from the rear view mirror, and the old man who drove the bus, who surprisingly had specs bigger than he did. He slowly developed an elaborate plan in his mind. He heard Stan yell, "Take it away Ernie!" then the Jamacan bobble head thing repeated it.
Harry searched through his trunk really quickly for some kind of candy. In the end, he found some spearmint gum. Harry pulled out his wand and tapped it, using some amateur transfiguration along with some knowledge of gum to make it a super spicy version. It would be a funny prank, especially if that floating head thing actually controlled the bus.
"Whats your name kid?" asked Shunpike
"Ah, uh... Pasport Tu. Yeah... that's my name" Harry said cooly, quoting a movie he once saw.
Stan looked a little confused at the strange name, but eventually ignored it. This was the wizarding world, so they were bound to have some queer titles. He's had stranger people on the bus before. He pulled out his newspaper and began reading. Harry just sat back, relaxed, and made sure he wouldn't be thrown clean to the other side of the bus.
Soon enough, they reached their destination. The bus came to a rough stop, and no matter how hard he had held on, Harry was sent smack into the front windshield. Harry groaned a while the dismembered head laughed at him. He would pay for that. Harry gathered his stuff and started to make his way off of the bus. On his way off the bus, however, Harry stopped by the mirror ornament and asked politely, "Want some gum?"
"Yeeeessss, Course I want some of that stuff. Gimme gimme gimme!" Harry unwrapped the gum that was now red in color and stuck it in the head's mouth. Harry tip toed off the bus, while the head began talking again, "Ahh, thats the stuff. Oh yeah... Whew it has a little kick to it. Whah, that is spicy stuff... Blah! Arghh! What the-"
The doors to the bus slid shut, just as the head began a long string of curses that would make a sailor blush. Then the bus made a complete U-turn into on coming traffic, when through several street lights, and disappeared in a flash of light leaving a trail of fire behind. Harry chuckled, but looked a little confused at the trail of fire. Those flaming lines reminded him about something though, but Harry couldn't remember what. Maybe some old car of some kind?
Harry got himself under control from his little comical fit. He would have to be more careful with his pranks. Maybe severed heads that talked were allergic to super spicy gum? Harry shrugged it off and walked into the inn, rented a small room, and got into bed. He was quickly asleep, safe and soundly.