See Chapter 1 for summary

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`Parseltongue speech`
-Hedwig speech-

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Chapter 8

Something was bothering Harry. He had been mulling things over in his mind for a couple of days after Sirius returned and he needed clarification. He found his godfather in the workout room. Sirius had been spending a lot of time there, building up his endurance after spending so many years locked away. He had nightmares some nights and Harry was always there to break him out of them.

He smiled when he saw Harry enter the room, setting down the weights he was working with and moving over to the side wall to grab a towel.

"Hey kiddo."

"Hey Sirius." Harry mumbled. Sirius looked at him closely and sat down on the bench, straddling it. He draped the towel over his shoulders.

"Uh oh. What's wrong?"

"Nothing really. Something you said the other day is bothering me."

"What's that?"

"I got a letter from Ron saying that he and his family were staying somewhere secret. He didn't know where and I got the impression he couldn't talk about it. He mentioned how dingy the place was and about how he thought that the house elf that lived there was creepy. But then you got here after that business in America and told us you kicked Dumbledore out of your house. Is it the same place?"

"Yes." Sirius nodded, impressed with Harry's intelligence. "When the first war started, a lot of people were killed because of spies giving away the locations of their safe-houses. I wasn't using the house at the time because it brought up nothing but bad memories of growing up in that place and first chance I got, I ran away from it. I gave permission to Dumbledore to use it for a safe-house for his group. He placed a spell over the house that would hide its existence from any spies that might have infiltrated the group and he held the secret within himself. He could share it to let people into the house when needed. It's the same spell that hid your parents for a time." They both grew sad thinking of Harry's parents. "Anyway, once I got out of prison, I found out he was still using the house and I told him he needed to find somewhere else to go. Because I'm the legal owner of the house and revoked my permission for him to use it, the spell broke. He moved his people out immediately afterward. The house elf, Kreacher, was old and insane, living alone for as long as he did, so I had to..." his voice trailed off, but Harry understood anyway.

"What are you going to do with it?" Harry wondered, changing the subject slightly.

"Tear it down and start all over. Make it a house to be proud of. That you would be proud of." At that, Harry smiled.

"Are you going to let Sara and Ian live with us too?"

"If they want to. That's up to them. I know they are tutoring you. They could make it a temporary arrangement. It'll have plenty of room for whomever you want."

"Thanks, Sirius. It's nice to have adults in my life who care. It's refreshing." Harry smiled.

"That's what we're here for, kid. Now get out of here. I need to finish my workout."

"Okay." Harry laughed. He started to leave the room, but on impulse, turned back toward Sirius and gave him a fierce hug. Before Sirius had time to react, Harry released him and quickly left. But it left a large smile on Sirius's face and forgetting his workout, he went in search of Sara. She had more or less become the therapist in their little group and had been helping Harry work through some of his childhood traumas. Sirius knew he had to tell her about Harry initiating a hug on himself.

He closed his trunk with a quick snap of metal and a sigh. It was the day he was headed back to Hogwarts for his fourth year of study and he wasn't really looking forward to it. But he had made a promise to himself and his parents that he would see it through to the end. Hedwig glided in on silent wings and landed on his shoulder, affectionately running her beak through his hair. Bruce leaned against his side in silent support and Harry wrapped an arm over his back.

"I'm fine guys. Just a little nervous."

-After everything you've been through, you have a right to be nervous.- Hedwig stated.

'No one will mess with you, not while I'm still breathing.' Bruce growled.

"Thanks." Harry smiled, just as Sirius poked his head in the door.

"Ready?" he asked. Harry waved his hand at his trunk, shrinking it.

"As I'll ever be," he nodded, pocketing his trunk.

"Let's get this show on the road then," Sirius grinned, pulling Harry into a one-armed hug, "McGonagall was kind enough to give us a portkey that'll drop us off at the gates...unless you wanted to take the train, see your friends?"

"I do need to talk to Ron and Hermione," Harry sighed.

"Want me to come with you? Moral support?"

"No...thanks though. This is something that I need to do myself."

"Harry, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

"Yeah, I know. And I appreciate it, more than I could ever say. You, the other dinos, Bruce, Hedwig, Sara and Ian have been my rocks this past year and I love you guys for it. We may not be blood, but we're family." That made Sirius grin and he gave Harry an even bigger hug while Hedwig preened and Bruce stood just a bit taller at Harry's side. It was then that Ian poked his head in the door.

"Portkey goes off in 5 minutes. You ready, Harry?"

"All set, Uncle Ian." Harry grinned, shocking Ian with the new appellation. Sirius chuckled as he followed Harry out of the room, slapping Ian on the shoulder as he walked past.

Sara was giving Harry a big hug when they joined them.

"We will see you at Christmas, then?" Sara asked as Harry stepped back.

"Yeah, Sirius had his house remodeled so we all have a place to live," Harry nodded.

"Will the Headmaster try and stop him from leaving?" Ian wondered, angry at the unhealthy interest this Dumbledore person had in their young charge.

"He can try, but Harry knows more ways in and out of the castle then even I do," Sirius shrugged, unconcerned, "Plus I gave Harry one of my family portkeys that will break through any wards the Headmaster may try and put up. I take Harry's safety very seriously." Ian nodded, satisfied. With a final look at his new family, Harry, Sirius, Bruce and Hedwig all disappeared in flash of color and light.

"If Dumbledore tries anything..." Ian growled after they were gone. Sara rubbed his shoulders in comfort.

"Harry has all the protection he needs and then some," she smiled, kissing his cheek, "Let's get our things and head to Sirius's townhouse. Dobby's waiting for us."

Up next...Hogwarts!

I'm also taking suggestions of what you'd like to see happen.