Chapter 3

It had been about a week since Sirius was declared innocent. A week since Harry knew for sure he didn't have to go back to the Dursleys, and a week since Harry and Hermione's visit to the library…but he didn't want to think about that right now.

The Golden Trio were walking down to the carriages now. It was the end of term and the train was waiting.

"Now that you don't have to spend the summer isolated we should all get together this summer. Mum always loves having you over, Harry, and I'm sure she'd like to meet your godfather. Hermione, do you think your parents would want to come too?" Ron was already planning out the summer.

"I'm sure I can come over but there was something I wanted to offer you guys first."

Both Ron and Hermione looked at Harry, wondering what it could be that Harry was offering.

"You see, I'm going to be made Lord Potter in just over a year and I need to learn everything I can in such a short time frame. Sirius is confident he can teach me but he wanted to extend the invite to my friends too….so, would you guys want to learn how to be all prim and proper with me?" Harry asked the last bit in an exaggerated posh accent while the two others laughed.

"And give up a summer of sleeping and quidditch? As if! Thanks Harry but I'll never have to know that stuff. We can still hang out outside the lessons though, right?" Ron was horrified at the thought of extra lessons during the summer.

"Of course, Sirius assured me I'd have plenty of time to spend with you guys as well. Hermione, would you like to join?"

"I would love to, Harry. It could be useful once I start working in the ministry." Hermione had been talking about working in the Ministry since second year.

While Harry was upset that he wouldn't be seeing Ron as much during the summer, he was secretly happy that it would be more alone time with Hermione….or as alone as they can get with Sirius around.

After a short carriage ride down to the Express, their things loaded, and seats found, the train took off for London.

The train ride was anticlimactic, which was a relief for Harry as he always seemed to be in some sort of trouble. Once the train reached London, Harry was straining his neck trying to find Sirius on the platform. Once seen, Harry waved eagerly, and was even happier to see that he was standing next to, and seemed to be chatting with, Mrs. Weasley.

After deboarding, the trio met up with Sirius and Mrs. Weasley, though Hermione's parents were on the muggle side of King's Cross.

"Harry James Potter, as he lives and breathes! My pup!" Sirius exclaimed.

"No, no, no, no, not in a million years. No pup, no prongslet, not even Har or Harrison. My name is Harry James Potter and I refuse to be called anything else." Harry had a nightmare the other night that he was called pup and prongslet and he could not let that happen.

"Oh Harry. So great to see you again. Hermione! It's been ages, how are you?" Mrs. Weasley greeted Harry and Hermione. Seemingly ignoring Harry's outburst. Ron had drifted off to say goodbye to his dorm mates.

"Alright, Harry. No pup, no prongslet. Cub it is then!" Sirius had a mischievous look on his face as Harry's darkened. "Kidding, kidding." Sirius said, reassuring Harry as they embraced. Harry couldn't remember the last time someone other than Mrs. Weasley had hugged him.

"Where is my brood? I swear, they always seem to wander off on this platform. It was nice to see you two, dears. And Sirius, I think I may just take you up on that offer. You had a fantastic idea." Mrs. Weasley began to wander off to round up all the other redheads on the platform.

"I'll tell you later." Sirius murmured to Harry.

"Alright, it was great to see you again Mr. Black, I'm going to go find my parents." Hermione said her goodbye and started to walk away.

"Wait, Hermione, let me walk you over to the muggle side. Just in case Malfoy wants to try to cause some last minute trouble." Harry found a quick excuse to spend just a few more moments with her.

Hermione blushed but agreed.

Right before the duo were to pass through the magical barrier that separated the two worlds, Hermione gave Harry a quick peck on the cheek. She squeaked out a quick "thank you!" and walked as quickly as she could through the barrier. Harry was a bit dazed at what just happened.

"Do all the girls at school kiss you?" Harry couldn't help but blush as Sirius asked him this. "C'mon. Let me show you our new home." and the pair disapparated to Harry's new life.

"Welcome home, Harry!" Sirius exclaimed.

Harry was half expecting some ginormous manor. A gorgeous Victorian home with many rooms, wings, potions lab, training room, indoor pool, and everything else that he figured Draco Malfoy had in his home. This was not the case.

They were in a home. A beautiful, modern, 4 bedroom home. As Sirius gave Harry the tour, he couldn't help but be amazed. The main bedroom was for Sirius. It had a large attached bathroom. It was the same for Harry's room. The other two bedrooms were smaller and one was a guest room while the other was converted to an office.

"Sirius, this is…normal." Harry couldn't help but laugh.

"Well of course it is! I grew up in the pureblood culture and hated every minute of it. I've always wanted to live in a muggle-ish house."

"Muggle-ish?" Harry wasn't sure what he meant by that.

"Well, the fireplace is hooked up to the Floo, Kreacher is around here somewhere, we have all the standard wards, the taps are magical similar to Hogwarts, but no mounted house elf heads, no gas lamps, we even have a TV. Oh, and you can do magic here. Since it's a registered wizarding address, the Trace won't trigger here!" Sirius was so excited to be living in his dream home, even though it was still considered modest by muggle and magical standards.

"Thank you, Sirius. Seriously, thank you." The pair embraced for a long overdue hug. Twelve years overdue, in fact.

It was about a week before the letters started. The first came from Hermione. It was oddly short.

Harry,

We need to talk. When can I come over?

Your friend,

Hermione

He quickly wrote back.

Hermione,

Can you come today?

Harry

Harry gave the reply to the owl that originally brought his letter. Hedwig was out hunting. The owl took off and not ten minutes later did Hermione show up at his doorstep.

"Hermione, how did you get my reply so fast? How did you show up here so quickly? You can't apparate yet…wait can you?" He really wouldn't have put it past her to learn how to apparate and then apply for some sort of exemption from the Trace from the Ministry.

"No, silly! Though I have tried…Anyways, Sirius told me where he bought the house and wanted to surprise you. I live down the road!" Hermione hugged Harry out of excitement and he couldn't help but to hug back. This was going to be an amazing summer!

A/N: Wow, this chapter was hard to write. It's shorter than the others and honestly I'm not a fan of it but I need the transition so we can start getting to the good stuff. As always, feel free to leave your thoughts and opinions!