Disclaimer: I do not own anything of this story. Harry Potter and all of the notable characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Magnolia Crescent

Chapter Seventeen

Year's End Celebration

Harry was sitting in the Great Hall, digging into the end of the year feast. He glanced up to the Slytherin colors, scowling. The Hall was a little quiet overall, but after two wins from Gryffindor, the other two houses weren't complaining too much. He sighed as he looked at the Daily Prophet, seeing Sirius and the Minister shaking hands on the cover. Sirius had sent him a letter that morning, along with a new owl for Ron.

Dear Harry,

I recently talked with Professor Dumbledore and we are going to have a chat in his office before your journey on the train. I talked with him already, but neither one of us are satisfied. However, I have convinced him, like the hat, to take your desires into account. Also, tell Ron I am sorry about his pet, even if it wasn't entirely my fault. He is more than welcome to keep the owl.

Your godfather,

Sirius

P.S. The owl got into some sugar. Keep him away from it.

"Bloody bird," Ron frowned, trying to keep the owl from the sugar cubes on the table. Harry smirked, watching the bird fly circles around Ron's head. The owl, recently named Pigwidgeon or Pig for short, finally got tired and flew over to the Slytherin table and began to hassle Malfoy. "I spoke too soon," Ron smirked. The Gryffindors around him chuckled as well.

The end of the year feast was just clearing out when Professor McGonagall approached the three. She frowned as she ducked under Ron's low flying owl. "What in the world?" she asked as the owl flew back to the table and pecked at sugar cubes.

"My new pet," Ron admitted with a weak grin on his face. McGonagall suppressed a smirk as the creature returned, landing on Ron's shoulder.

"I see," she said, turning her attention to Harry. "If you don't mind, I would like to talk to you alone, Mr. Potter," she stated. Harry glanced at his two friends, they simply smiled. Hermione gave a curt nod to the Professor before she and Ron walked off, Pig flying circles around them before crashing into a suit of armor.

"Ouch," Harry winced.

"For a moment I had hoped Weasley had found an owl that wasn't going to crash into anything. Poor boy has bad luck when it comes to pets," she sighed. Harry silently agreed as he followed her out of the Great Hall. The two took the familiar path to Dumbledore's office before she abruptly stopped.

"I would like to talk to you before we go see the Headmaster," she said, answering Harry's unspoken question. Harry glanced up at her with a bit of confusion. She raised her wand, causing the sound around them to become muffled. Harry couldn't hear so much as a footstep from another student.

"Is there something wrong, Professor?" Harry asked, genuinely concerned but from the twist of his lips, it wasn't for himself.

"Something's been brought to my attention as of late," she admitted. "And as much as I would like to keep names a secret, it's not possible if I want to bring any of this up. Miss Granger has brought it to my attention about your recent family situation. I have waited, hoping you would talk to me yourself about it. While I admire your desire to handle your own problems, Mr. Potter, you would do well to remember that Dumbledore would have a hard time running this school alone." Harry frowned slightly; he was definitely going to have a talk with Hermione. "Don't blame her, but I am worried, what with the events of this year and previous. Potter, I don't want you to get the feeling that you have to do everything on your own. We are here to help you, all of the professors are. While I'll be the first to admit that if you had told me about Black, I would have been up in arms. I want you to know we're here for you when you need us," she explained. Harry nodded in agreement. She sighed, giving him a defeated smirk, not really believing what she had said had sunk in.

"I know that, but when I came to you before, you didn't believe me. The teacher you sent last year to help Ginny, well, he was a coward. If I had said anything this year, an innocent man would have been back in Azkaban. I just don't see how anyone can help me sometimes. McGonagall frowned but it wasn't a harsh one.

"I understand, Potter. I can't say that I would be too much help myself. But whatever happens up there, will you at least hear some advice?" she asked. Harry nodded almost immediately. "Now, Dumbledore and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things. Where you are staying is one of them. However, Dumbledore has his reason for everything – no matter how uncomfortable they are for other people." Harry kept silent. "Now then, I knew Black and he may be innocent, but Azkaban does leave its marks all the same. Whatever you decide, I wish you well," she finished. "Now come along, we don't want to keep the Headmaster waiting." Harry nodded, not sure if he believed what she had to say or not.

They paused at the statue protecting the staircase as it slowly moved aside to reveal the stairs. Harry took a few steps before glancing back, realizing that he wasn't being followed. He sighed as he continued up.

"Dumbledore, why can't you see reason? My father put every protection known to man on that house. Harry would be perfectly safe," Sirius explained. Harry moved up the stairs, almost feeling his godfather's frustration.

"Why would Dumbledore be so against me moving out of my aunt and uncle's home?" Harry wondered to himself as he pushed open the door. Dumbledore raised his hand, stopping Sirius as they took noticed of Harry's arrival.

"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore greeted neutrally. Harry nodded causally as he walked up to the desk. Sirius was leaning against the wall, his face just as neutral.

"Hello, Professor," Harry smiled. He could almost feel the tension in the air between the two men. "I take it this time we will be talking about my living conditions?" Harry asked calmly but he couldn't help but feel uneasy about the situation.

"Yes, and while I am against it, I will admit that Sirius has a few good points. Mainly for the fact that your aunt and uncle have not been taking care of you per the standard of children," Dumbledore admitted.

"What gave it away: the running away or the fact that he was sleeping under the stairs?" Sirius muttered to himself.

"While unfair, I have had my reasons. Harry, your mother created a very powerful magic when she sacrificed herself. One that, when you were taken in by your aunt, gave you a magical protection unlike any other. And so long as you call it home, Voldemort will not be able to touch you," the Headmaster explained.

"Okay, then that explains why you wanted to keep me safe," Harry said, nodding. He kind of got it, even if he didn't care for all of the trouble it caused him.

"However, your parents named me godfather in their will, and I was supposed to be your caregiver," Sirius added, glancing at Dumbledore. "Convenient," he thought to himself. "And with my slate wiped clean, and Peter's Merlin award revoked, I am now able to take over those duties," he explained with a small smile.

"Yes, but that would make you vulnerable to attack," Dumbledore countered, keeping his gaze on Sirius. Harry nodded.

"Wouldn't you be able to put up other spells and wards? I would rather not live under their roof if I can help it," Harry said with a frown. Dumbledore sighed, realizing that Harry wanted out.

"It's not like my own family hasn't put protections spells on it already. My father was a very paranoid man – even if he supported less than ideal people," Sirius replied. "And if you wanted to, you could put the Fidelius Charm on it," he added. Dumbledore's frown deepened. Sirius was just adding more and more reasons to his side.

"Fidelius Charm?" Harry asked.

"It's what your parents used to keep hidden and the reason that Peter is responsible for your parent's death. It's a spell that creates a place known only to the secret keeper. Anyone else can't see it, even if they know it is there. However, when one tells, that place becomes open to that person, essentially making them a secret keeper as well." Sirius swallowed a lump before he continued. "I was originally the secret keeper. However, they knew I was your father's best friend and I was constantly under fire. I had a moment of weakness and begged your father to give it to someone else. I admit, I had my suspicions of Lupin, a good friend who didn't deserve them. So, I figured Peter would be the best bet. Nobody would ever suspect Peter, or so I thought. We didn't tell anyone and when Peter spilled the beans, I figured it out first and well, you know the rest."

"Well, if Dumbledore is the keeper, we should have no problems," Harry said, flashing a smile up at the aging wizard. Dumbledore sighed; he really didn't have much of an argument anymore, and with Harry's smile, it was too much.

"Fine," Dumbledore relented, his shoulders sagging a bit in defeat. "I really can't argue against the both of you and it is a sound defense. Fine, head back home and get your things together," Dumbledore replied.

"I will be waiting for you back at your old home," Sirius said. "So you can spend some time with your friends on the train ride home." Harry smiled, glancing back at Dumbledore and Sirius.

"See you then," Harry smiled as he ran out of the room. Sirius glanced over at Dumbledore.

"This is going to get complicated," Dumbledore frowned, closing his eyes. Sirius glanced again before taking a deep breath and walking out of the office.

"Well, if you weren't so secretive, things would be a little easier for you. Harry may be young and at times acts his age, but after the events of the past three years, Harry has more Dark Arts experience than most adult wizards," Sirius muttered to himself, disappearing down the stairs.

Harry walked onto the platform, glancing back as Ron appeared behind him. Harry smiled as he spotted Mrs. Weasley. Ginny appeared behind them as Mrs. Weasley rushed over, grabbing her two kids in a group hug.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," Harry smiled and she returned it.

"Hello, Harry. So good to see you as well," she greeted with a good natured smile on her face.

"Hello, Molly," Sirius greeted. The poor woman about jumped out of her skin.

"Sirius?" she realized, turned to face him. He waved at her as she fought the urge to go for her wand. "It's good to see you. I have to admit I was happily surprised when we found out it was really Peter," she admitted after regaining her composure. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he realized someone was hiding behind him again. He glanced back to see Ginny watching Sirius from behind him.

"Um, Ginny, are you okay?" Harry asked. She froze as she glanced up at him.

"Um, yeah?" she replied, quickly looking down but she didn't move. Harry frowned a bit.

"Relax, he's my father's best friend and my godfather. Nothing to worry about," Harry smiled back at her. She nodded as she slowly walked back into plain sight.

"Another one, Molly? I am shocked," Sirius said in mock surprise. Ginny tried to inch behind Harry again as attention was drawn to her. Molly wasn't able to find her tongue either.

"So, that's where she gets it," Ron realized as both women glanced over at him with a hard look. Sirius chuckled at the whole thing while Harry glanced between everyone. Mrs. Weasley kept fidgeting while Sirius didn't seem bothered at all. Harry noticed Uncle Vernon shifting impatiently in the train station.

"Um, Sirius, I think we should get going," Harry interrupted as he pointed out his uncle. Sirius frowned while he glanced over at the man.

"Impatient Muggle," Sirius said with a frown, glancing back at Molly. "Good to see you again, um, Molly. I don't know much about all this new parenting stuff but if it's no trouble, could I bring Harry over from time to time? Not unannounced, of course, but in case something happens and I can't bring him along?"

"Of course, Harry is always welcome," she replied very quickly. "I am sure Ron would love the company." She smiled kindly before Sirius and Harry walked away to see Uncle Vernon.

"Sorry about that," Sirius smiled to the pudgy man. His face contorted into what could be called a grin but said nothing as they got into the car and drove to Privet Dr. for the last time.

Dudley and Aunt Petunia were white as a sheet when Sirius entered the house. They recognized him instantly. Sirius pulled out some papers and handed them to Vernon. Harry rushed upstairs to pack up his things.

"Harry," Sirius called, causing his godson to stop dead. He tossed up a small bag, which Harry caught it. "Use that for packing," he ordered as Harry glanced over the change bag sized item.

"What in the bloody hell good will that do him?" Vernon asked, frowning at Sirius and clearly wanting to say more.

"Magic," Sirius said, winking. "Now then, sign here and here and Harry will be out of your hair for good. Vernon couldn't move through the papers fast enough.

Harry went through all his drawers, pulling out his clothes as fast as he could before look back at the bag. He pulled it open and tossed in one of his knight figures. He smiled as it vanished into the bag. He realized that the bag was limitless. He tossed in his clothes and began pouring everything in, with a few exceptions, and raced down the stairs to see Sirius waiting for him at the door.

"Got everything?" Sirius asked, smiling at Harry. He nodded as he held up the bag. The Dursleys seemed confused but nobody questioned it. "Well then, it's nice to see everything went so smoothly. Petunia, I have to admit you look rather nice. You know, your sister loved talking about you and your family. I never imagined you to be so stiff," Sirius frowned, glancing at the thin woman.

"Whatever, you got what you came for. Now be off with you," Vernon frowned, clearly wanting to be rid of Harry as much as Harry wanted to be gone.

"She talked about me?" Petunia asked, looking over at Sirius. He calmly nodded.

"Very fond of you. She was really lonely the first couple of years and from what I remember, she missed you and the family. A lot of respect for you, I can see, however, that it was not returned," Sirius said, frowning while he glanced over the staircase. She had the decency to look ashamed at that one. "Shall we be off, Harry?" Sirius asked. Harry nodded as Sirius opened the door. He glanced back at his aunt and uncle, feeling a little sad. It was almost as if something was happening that wasn't really supposed to.

"For what it's worth, I am going to miss you," Harry smiled, waving at them. They seemed surprised to hear this as Sirius's motorcycle pulled up in front of them. They proceeded to shut the door as Sirius climbed on, handing Harry a helmet. He strapped himself in, holding onto Hedwig's cage.

Sirius pressed a button, causing the bike to shoot up into the sky. They flew through the sky, the air tasting like sweat against their lips as they entered London. As they landed, Harry watched a house pop into existence between two others.

"Welcome to your new home," Sirius smiled, glancing over at his godson.

"And it couldn't look any better," Harry replied with a smile as he looked over Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

End of Book Three

Yes, PoA is complete in our fic. I hope you guys enjoyed reading Harry's adventures during his third year. SWD and I are going to take a temporary hiatus before we come back for the summer chapter(s). We hope you guys will stick around for Year Four, it's going to be a fun ride! By the way, Year Four will take place right here under the title Magnolia Crescent. We came to a consensus, with the help of your reviews (which we love reading 3), and decided to keep them all under one title. That way, you don't have to search for the next year!

~LE