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Enjoy!

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Chapter 17. Better options.

3rd May 1986.

Administrator Ripclaw's office.

Gringotts,

London UK.

9 AM.

Remus Lupin was sat waiting in the office chair, drinking tea and sampling the sweets, when Ripclaw walked in.

Remus left the plate and stood up. Ripclaw nodded and welcomed the gesture of respect, a rare thing, from a wizard. "Oh, sit down Mr. Lupin, I only want to pass a letter to you, here," Remus received the parchment and wondered about the reason behind so much mystery, still, he gave his thanks. "Thank you, I'm still at a loss at all the cloak and dagger, but I guess your client wanted to be discreet."

Ripclaw nodded and said, "Yes, my client is quite particular, he wanted to hire you as a tutor for a heiress who just received news she is magical, he is interested in your profile too because you have a degree in Magical Defense. It's a shame that magical Britain is so prejudiced against your malady. The client though is aware of your history and exemplary work and asked not only for you but two more tutors. One is Andromeda Tonks for potions and wizarding etiquette and whoever is capable of teaching non magical subjects as a squib or a muggleborn. This heiress is quite the little genius, so be ready for a spitfire. What's wrong?"

"Room and board, and on top of that, this salary. Why? Is she a nightmare?" Asked Remus.

"Quite the opposite, really, she is a sweet child and loves books. But she is quite powerful, and she needs guidance, your profile did mention you work well with children did it not?"

"Ah, yes, yes, I just never thought I was going to get a chance to be a teacher, but this is a really decent opportunity, and well, when can I meet her parents?"

"As soon as you get a complete physical, a new wardrobe, and a better wand, these are educated individuals and we at Gringotts pride ourselves in recommending the best."

"Really? I should have come here to Gringotts ever since I got out of Hogwarts." Said a thoughtful Remus. Ripclaw smiled and said, "Perhaps, but, it would have spoiled the surprise, don't you agree?"

Remus nodded and was sent to the Goblin Medical and Healing center.

Meanwhile,

13 Grimmauld Place,

London, UK.

10 AM.

Sirius Black was free, he could not believe it. His life was his again, after going through hell for years, it took magic and his godson, and his soulmate, to bring him out of the dark. His childhood home was gone, and instead, this place that was relaxing from top to bottom had replaced it. He had lifted the Fidelius charm, he was a free man no longer needing to hide. Kreacher appeared and said, "Master has visitors." Sirius nodded and walked down to meet the people at the door.

It was the Grangers and their little girl. Tiny Dynamite Hermione, and her faithful teddy bear.

Sirius wanted to hug the stuffing out of the family, but instead, he smiled, and for once Charlotte and Hermione remained quiet. Which made Jake take the lead.

"Sorry to interrupt sir, but are you Sirius Black?" Asked Jake,

"Yes, sorry, please excuse my horrible manners, please come in," said Sirius, jovially, which made Charlotte blush deeper than a beet.

"You'll have to excuse my wife and daughter, they are quite shy around new people, I promise they are quite used to the city life," said Jake with a hint of humor.

Charlie and Hermione turned and said almost at the same time, "Jake," "Daddy!"

Jake Granger continued, "Hi, my name is Jake Hector Dagworth-Granger, and this is my wife Doctor Charlotte Granger, and our daughter, Hermione. Hermione here has been keeping some secrets, hasn't she?"

Hermione bit her lip and said, "Maybe,"

"Princess, we talked about this," said Jake.

Sirius smiled and invited them to the living room. Kreacher, who was behind the doors, realized these were not just any muggles, that girl was a powerful witch, and she was holding a transfigured boy in the shape of a teddy bear. Oh, this was big, he may be standing in front of the next dark lady. He had to keep up with tradition and be helpful.

The ancient house-elf prepared a pot of fresh tea and some scones. Just as the guests were sitting, the tray appeared next to the coffee table.

"Well, I guess that explains part of our dilemma, this household is magical too," said Charlotte.

Hermione had big fat tears on her face, and said, "I'm sorry Mr. Black, I took your dog and didn't want to give him back, but when he came to stay with us, he had this collar with the address and I kept it from my parents. I'm sorry we didn't send you a letter before," said a contrite Hermione.

Sirius took the collar, and behind the name, Snuffles, was his current address, he was at a loss for words, Charlotte took over the explanation and added, "Hermione kept the collar hidden from us, we only found out about you, but according to Amelia Bones, the dog is in good health and about to be released from the veterinary clinic. We apologize, he seemed so frail and hungry when we took him in," added Charlotte with concern.

Sirius, still a little confused, nodded, and said, "Please, have some tea. My dog, I was about to put some flyers up, but this changes everything. You say he is with Amelia Bones then?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," said Hermione as she sniffed and added, "I know he misses his toys." She brought a shrunken box, and took off the shrinking charm off with a snap of her fingers, and brought the blankets, the stuffed dog with a cap that had black and white stripes, and then she added. "I know I was a meanie to you, Mr. Black. I miss Snuffles, he was quite fond of my Teddy, could you tuck him in next to Snuffles?" She said giving the Teddy to Sirius.

Sirius could not believe what Hermione was doing. He began shedding tears, as it was so difficult to breathe, she was entrusting him with Harry's life.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I'm sure Snuffles is going to be fine. I'm sorry mommy, I'm sorry daddy, I can see that Snuffles has more than enough room to play and sleep and a good house-elf to make him keep his dirty paws from the living room."

"Little heiress is kind," said Kreacher as popped into view, he then bowed to Hermione,

"Thank you, kind elf, you serve your family well," said Hermione.

"Kreacher does, is there anything more young heiress or her parents need?" Asked Kreacher, surprising the daylights out of Sirius.

"Why, yes, there is, here kind elf. Tell Snuffles that I got him a new bow, he would do well to remember that Miss Bones favores this combination and to stop resisting and play nice with her, so she can play nice with him too," said Hermione giving Kreacher a bow with the colors of Hufflepuff house.

Kreacher nodded solemnly and popped away with a new mission, to match his master to the fearsome lady Bones.

Sirius blushed crimson at the message in between the lines, which made Charlotte smile, at the whole scene, figuring out that Sirius was quite smitten with Amelia Bones. "Why Hermione dear, that's very thoughtful of you, but I'm sure mister Black will be more than willing to wear the bow too,"

"Would you look at the time? We have to go. Princess, are you sure about your Teddy bear?" Asked Jake.

Sirius nodded as he held the Teddy Bear. Hermione nodded, and said, "Yes, I'm sure Snuffles will keep a close eye, now that he has returned to him."

Sirius cleared his throat and added, "I have an idea, when Snuffles is back, why don't you send me a message and you can take him on a playdate and check on your teddy too? That is if your parents agree too?"

"That's very decent of you, Mr. Black, I'm sure Charlie or I would love to see the old mutt too, so agreed," said Jake. "Now, we have some errands to run, Gringotts sent a letter stating that they found proper teachers for Hermione, and I did love the tapas last time in El Caldero," said Charlotte as she got up.

After the Grangers were gone, the teddy shifted to Harry Potter.

"Welcome home Harry, welcome home," said Sirius as he knelt down on the floor watching his godson take on his new home. Harry turned to him and said, "Thank you."