A Better Ending, A New Beginning

Despite Dumbledore's assurances that everything would work out fine, Sirius was still feeling anxious about being questioned by Ministry officials. He was sitting up in his hospital bed. It was lunchtime, but Sirius didn't feel like eating. He nervously unbuttoned and buttoned the top of his pajamas. Harry was sitting at the nearby table eating a ham sandwich. He noticed that Sirius hadn't eaten anything from his plate.

"Sirius, where are we going to live after the Ministry clears the charges against you?" asked Harry. He was trying to distracted Sirius from his obvious distress.

"I haven't really given it much thought," replied Sirius. Sirius wouldn't allow himself to think about the future until the Ministry no longer recognized him as a murderer.

Harry knew that Sirius was feeling nervous about his upcoming interrogation. "Sirius, it's going to be okay. By six o'clock tonight, you'll be a free man," Harry assured him.

"I've been a free man from almost three years," said Sirius.

"You've been free from Azkaban, but not from being stalked by the Ministry and even the Muggle authorities," said Harry.

"Yeah, it will feel good to just take a walk outside without having to transform into Padfoot," said Sirius with a small smile. He felt very elated at the aspect of finally having a normal life and being able to give Harry a proper home.

The good and optimistic feelings that Sirius got from his conversation with Harry stayed with him. He was no longer worried about his interview. He was ready to get it over with and move on with his life.

At 4:30, Harry rushed into the Hospital Wing. He was carrying his Firebolt. He face was flushed and he was sweating from his two hour flying session.

"Did you have fun flying?" asked Sirius with a smile.

"Yeah, it was great!" replied Harry happily.

"Were you out there alone?" asked Sirius.

"Yeah. All the other Qudditch players have gone home for Summer holidays," replied Harry.

"Wasn't there a teacher there to supervise?" asked Sirius. He was worried about Harry flying alone. He could have had an accident. What if something had gone terribly wrong and Harry had fallen off his broom?

"Why would I need to be supervised?" asked Harry.

"Something bad could have happened. I've seen the kind of dangerous moves you do on your broom. You could have fallen, gotten hurt..."

"Sirius, I'm a great flyer. I'm not a an amteur. I've been flying for nearly five years," said Harry.

"Well, even if you're a good as a professional, I don't want you flying unless someone else is with you," said Sirius.

Harry looked at Sirius in disbelief.

"Why?!" asked Harry. 'He's treating me like a kid!' thought Harry.

"I think that should be obvious. I'm worried you might get hurt. If something happens, you'll have someone there to help you," said Sirius.

"I'm not going to get hurt," assured Harry. "Don't you think I'm a good enough flyer to avoid an accident?"

"Harry, you're a great flyer, but even the best flyers can have accidents. Remember when you broke your arm?"

"That wasn't my fault! I was hit by a cursed bludger! It was a long time ago!" cried Harry as if the event had taken place centuries ago.

"Harry, I've made up my mind. That's final. Let's end this conversation about flying," said Sirius sternly.

Harry slumped in his chair and looked at the floor.

"You're acting over-protective like Mrs. Weasley," Harry retorted. He meant it as an insult and was surprised when Sirius smiled.

"I'm going to become your new parent very soon, Harry. Did you expect me to just let you run wild without any rules to follow?"

"Wellll.....you are a Marauder." said Harry.

"I may be a Marauder, but I've broken enough rules and been in enough trouble to know that kids needs rules and consequences if they're going to become law abiding citizens," said Sirius.

"I'm not used to hearing you talk like this, Sirius. You're sounding...parental," said Harry feeling surprised that his cool, rule-breaking, Marauder Godfather was actually sounding more like a typical father. He usually had the attitude of a thirty-five-year-old teenager.

"Yeah, I know. I can hardly believe it myself," said Sirius. "Harry, you do understand why I have to take a more authoritative role in your life now that I'm going to be your father, right?"

"Yeah, I know," replied Harry. It hadn't occured to Harry that having Sirius as a father would mean that Sirius would actually act like a father. It suddenly occurred to Hary that the Dursleys never cared enough about him to give him rules that would guard against him getting hurt. He clearly remembered an incident that took place when he and Dudley were six years old. They were both playing on Privet Drive in front of the house. Mr. Dursley saw his son and nephew in the middle of the road. He said: "Dudley get out of the road, son. It's dangerous!" He had clearly seen Harry standing in the road, but chose to ignore him. Even though he was only six, he already knew that his family didn't love him, and that event firmly proved that they didn't care about his well-being.

"Harry, are you alright?" asked Sirius. He had noticed that Harry seemed to zone out.

"I'm fine. I was just thinking how different you are from the Dursleys," replied Harry.

"Different in a good way?" asked Sirius.

"Yes, of course! You're ten times better than the Dursleys," Harry assured him. "They let me play in the road and they didn't care! I could have gotten hit by a car!" Harry blurted out.

"When did this happen!?" asked Sirius.

"When I was six years old," replied Harry. "I wish the Dursleys had cared as much about me as you do."

Sirius placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. He gave his shoulder a light squeeze.

"I'm sorry you had to live there, Harry. You'll never have to go back there again," said Sirius firmly.

At that moment, Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing followed by two strangers who were obviously Aurors. Sirius look at the clock and saw that it was exactly five o'clock.

"May I introduce Trevor Boot," said Dumbledore indicating the wizard to his right. Trevor Boot looked to be in his late thirties, with dark brown hair, brown eyes and black robes.

"And this is Henry McLean," said Dumbledore. Henry McLean was the older wizard standing to Dumbledore's left. The 52-year-old wizard had salt and pepper hair with blue eyes and navy blue robes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Black," said Henry McLean as he stepped forward to shake his hand.

"I've read you case file, Mr. Black," said Trevor Boot. "What happened to you was a serious miscarriage to justice."

The Aurors and Dumbledore seated themselves in the chairs on to Sirius' right while Harry sat on the on the other side of the bed.

"Severus should be here in a minute," said Dumbledore.

"What? Why did you invite him?" asked Sirius. He didn't want Snape to be present here for the questioning.

"Severus isn't going to stay for the questioning. He's just going to bring the Veritaserum," replied Dumbledore.

"Snape brewed the Veritaserum?" asked Sirius. Sirius knew Snape didn't like him. He wasn't sure he trusted Snape not to screw up the potion on purpose just because he didn't like Sirius.

"Of course, Sirius. He's the best Potions Master in Britian-probably the world," said Dumbledore.

The door to the Hospital Wing opened and Severus stalked into the room.

"I brought you the two potions you requested, Albus," said Severus. He sneered at Sirius with obvious loathing, but he ignored Harry's presence. Ever since Harry had seen Professor Snape's painful boyhood memory, he had wanted to apologize and explain that he didn't condone his father's actions. He doubted that Professor Snape would believe him or even care how bad Harry felt about the memory he had witnessed.

"Thank you very much, Severus," said Dumbledore said with a grateful smile as Severus handed him the vial of Veritaserum and another potion.

Auror Trevor Boot handed Severus a parchment and he quickly signed it.

"I've wasted enough of my time here. I must go back to my lab to perpare more healing potions since this mutt [pointing to Sirius] used up much of Poppy's supply." Severus left the Hospital Wing without another word.

"What's that second potion?" asked Harry.

"It's the antidote for the Veritaserum," answered Dumbledore.

"Sirius, are you ready to answer the Auror's questions?" asked Dumbledore.

"Of course, I'm ready," said Sirius feeling excited.

"Harry, would you like to wait outside?" asked Dumbledore.

"What!? NO! I'm not leaving! I've waited almost two years for this moment and you're not going to make me leave!" Harry roared. 'Doesn't he realize that I need to be here to support Sirius?!' thought Harry.

"Harry it was just a suggestion. You're welcome to say if you wish," said Dumbledore trying to placate the teenager.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore," said Harry. He felt self-conscious about his outburst. 'Why did I snap at him like that?' thought Harry. He could feel himself blushing with embarrassment.

"It's okay, Harry," said Dumbledore reassuringly. He gave Harry an encouraging smile.

Dumbledore gave the vial of potion to Sirius and he drank it. He immediately began to feel the effects of the potion. His mind went completely blank.

Henry McLean took out a piece of parchment and a quill. "This quill is charmed to write down everything that is we say," McLean explained. He started the questioning.

"What is your name?"

"Sirius Black," answered Sirius in a flat, emotionless voice.

"Have you ever provided services for Voldemort?"

"No," replied Sirius.

"Were you the Secret Keeper for the Potter family?"

"No," replied Sirius.

"Who was the Secret Keeper for the Potter family?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

Harry noticed that this was the first time that he had heard Sirius say Peter's name without showing any anger. 'The Veritaserum must have dulled his emotions,' thought Harry.

"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?"

"No," replied Sirius.

"How did Peter Pettigrew fake his own death?"

"He cut off his own finger and transformed into a rat," said Sirius.

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

"I have killed in self defense," replied Sirius.

"Who have you killed?"

"I killed Death Eater Marcus Malfoy in a dual during my employment as an Auror, and Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange in a dual as a member of the Order of the Pheonix," Sirius replied.

Harry thought he detected a note of sadness in Sirius' voice, but quickly dismissed it. Sirius couldn't have emotions under the effect of the potion.

"I'm done with my questioning, Mr. Black," said Henry McLean.

Dumbledore handed Sirius the antidote for the Veritaserum, and Sirius drank it.

"You will be fully exonerated, Mr. Black. I just need Dumbledore to sign this parchment to verify that he witnessed the questioning. I already have Severus Snape's signature verifying that the Veritaserum is genuine," said Auror McLean.

Dumbledore signed the parchment.

"We really must be on our way," said Henry McLean as Dumbledore handed him the parchment.

"It was really an honor to finally meet you, Mr. Black," said Trevor Boot as she shoke Sirius' hand.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to do this," said Sirius with a happy grin. He couldn't believe it. He was finally getting his normal life back.

The Aurors took their leave.

"Sirius you're finally free!" exclaimed Harry happily.

"Yeah, it feels great!" said Sirius.

"This is definitely an event that was long overdue," said Dumbledore with a delighted smile. "I suggest that you wait until your exoneration is official before you take advantage of your freedom."

"When will it be official?" asked Sirius.

"You should receive an owl in tomorrow's post with the official parchment that declares you innocent of any crimes," replied Dumbledore.

"I can't wait to tell Remus about this!" said Sirius excitedly. He could just picture how pleased Remus would be for him. "Wait, I almost forgot-tonight's a full moon."

"Are you going to spend the night at the Shrieking Shack as Padfoot?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, I would like to do that if you don't mind Harry," said Sirius.

"I don't mind at all. I wish I were an animgus so I could join you," said Harry.

Harry noticed that Sirius had a thoughtful look on his face. It was the kind of look Sirius got when he had a great idea.

"Would you like to become an animagus?" asked Sirius.

"That would be great! Would you teach me?" asked Harry. He felt excited at the thought of being able to spend the full moons with Moony and Padfoot.

"Sure, I'll teach you. It will take some time to learn, but if you're really determined, you shouldn't have a problem learning how to transform," said Sirius.

Sirius climbed out of bed. He winced as he stood up. He was feeling a little sore.

"Sirius, do you feel well enough to leave the Hospital Wing?" asked Harry.

"I feel fine Harry. I feel like a million galleons! My broken bones are healed so it's safe for me to transform. Madam Pomfrey was just being over-protective by wanting to keep me here for so long."

Sirius started to walk towards the exit.

"Uh, Sirius, shouldn't you change into robes before you go outside?" asked Harry.

"Oh, yeah," said Sirius as he realized that he was still wearing pajamas.

"Thanks for reminding me, Harry."

He grabbed the freshly washed robes that was drapped over the headboard of his bed and found his trousers, shirt and undergarments on the table next to the bed. He disappeared into the bathroom.

When Sirius came out of the bathroom ten minutes later, Harry remembered something he wanted to ask.

"When are you going to adopt me?" Harry asked.

"After I'm officially cleared, I'll owl the Ministry and asked them for the paperwork," replied Sirius.

"All we have to do is sign a paper?" asked Harry.

When Harry had heard about Magical Godparent Adoption, he assumed that it would involve some kind of charm or enchantment.

"The adoption papers are charmed so that when they are signed, you will become my son both legally and biologically," explained Sirius.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Harry," said Sirius as he ruffled Harry's hair.

"Good night, Sirius. Say 'hi' to Remus for me," said Harry.

After Sirius had left Harry decided to so back to his dorm and try to get some of his summer homework done. As he walked towards his domatory, he thought about how different his life would be now that he was going to have a father.

'I wonder if Sirius would like it if I called him 'Dad' or 'Father.'

Harry couldn't remember James so he didn't have any memories of what it was like to have a father. The idea of referring to Sirius as 'Dad' gave Harry a wonderful sense of belonging.

Harry settled in his favorite arm chair in the Common Room. He worked on his Divination essay. It was his easiest homework assignment. He just had to predict his future career and write about it. Harry didn't have to take a guess. He knew he was going to become an Auror. He then started on his Potions essay which was a little more difficult. He had to write about the properties of a list of potions ingredients and list at least five different potions that could be created from the ingredients. He finally decided that it could wait until a later date. He would have to visit the library to get more details about the dragon tongue. Harry didn't officially have homework for Defense Against the Dark Arts (unless you count reading his useless fifth year text), but he decided that for the sake of his future career, he needed to keep his defense skills fresh. He was working on an essay on what he considered to be the most important defensive hexes and curses.

Harry went to bed that night eagerly anticipating his adoption. As he lay in bed, he thought back to when he used to wish that a mysterious person would come and take him away from his uncaring relatives. He had been a little kid back then and had long ago stopped having that fanasy. Harry cleared his mind and fell into a dreamless sleep.

Harry awoke the following morning when he heard someone shouting. Since the dormatories had emptied from the Summer holidays, the last thing he had expected was to hear shouting at 6:30 am.

"I'm FREE!! "I'm FREE!!" shouted Sirius with a goofy smile on his face. He was dancing around the room waving a parchment in his right hand. He saw that Harry was no longer asleep.

"Harry, I got my official exoneration from the Ministry!" said Sirius as he wrapped his arms around Harry and lifted him out of bed. He spun around in circles with a half-asleep Harry in his arms. Sirius finally set Harry down. Harry, who was feeling a bit dizzy grasped onto his bedpost as he watched his Godfather dance around the room. He had never seen Sirius act so carefree and he couldn't remember ever seeing him as happy as he was now. He appeared more youthful as if he had taken a deaging potion. Sirius stopped his 'happy dance' and turned to Harry.

"I already sent the request for the adoption papers. A Ministry official will be coming to Hogwarts with the papers later today," said Sirius.

"I can't wait," said Harry. He felt as happy as Sirius looked. "I was wondering what I should call you. Do you want me to call you 'Dad' or 'Father'?"

Sirius was suprised by Harry's question. He loved Harry as much as any father would love a son, but he hadn't expected Harry to express a desire to call him by a name like 'Dad'. He briefly wondered what James would think about his son calling him by a parental name. He concluded that James wouldn't mind at all. If James had minded, he wouldn't have appointed him as Harry's Godfather. The sole purpose of appointing a child a Godparent was to insure that the child would have a alternate parent if something happened to the child's birth parents.

The idea of Harry calling him 'Dad' or 'Father' gave Sirius a warm feeling inside. Harry misinterpreted Sirius' hesitation to give an answer as disaproval of the the name idea.

"Uh, Sirius, if you don't want me to call you 'Dad', I understand. I just thought..."

"No, Harry! You just caught me off guard. I care about you just as much as I would if you were my own son-you will be my own son by the end of today! Whichever name you want to call me, as long has it isn't Pops, I would be honored to have."

"Hmmm, Pops," said Harry thoughtfully stroking his chin as if he were really considering calling Sirius by that name.

"Harry, you can't be serious," said Sirius.

"No, you're Sirius!" said Harry.

"Oh, very funny," retorted Sirius. "James and Remus used to use the tired old pun a lot!"

"Are you sure you don't like 'Pops'?" asked Harry with a smirk.

"I'm warning you, Harry," said Sirius in a mock stern voice. "If you call me that, I'll punish you severely."

Harry suppressed the urge to laugh. He knew Sirius was joking.

"Whatever you say, Pops," said Harry with an innocent smile.

"Alright, young man, you asked for it!" said Sirius in his mock stern voice.

Sirius drew out his wand from his pocket and cast a tickling charm on Harry. It happened so fast that Harry was caught off guard. Harry's laughter fille the room as he dropped lightly to the floor. It felt like invisible fingers were tickling his ribcage and under his arms. Harry gasped for breath as Sirius put an end to the charm.

"Is that your idea of punishment, Dad?" asked Harry as he stood.

"Well, it worked didn't it?" replied Sirius. "You didn't call me 'Pops'; instread you called me...you called me 'Dad'!"

"That's okay, isn't it?" asked Harry apprehensively.

"Of course, Harry!" said Sirius as he hugged him tightly. Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around Sirius.

They ate breakfast in the Great Hall before Harry went to the library to work on his Potions essay. After lunch, Sirius and Harry spent the afternoon flying around the Quidditich pitch. They raced from one end of the pitch to the other. Harry's Firebolt was newer and more advanced than Sirius' Swiftstick, but Sirius managed to win a race much to Harry's surprise.

"It's not always the most advanced broom that wins. Experience is a major factor," explained Sirius as they were walking back to the castle. "It also helps not be be over-confident," said Sirius with a smirk.

Harry conceded that Sirius was right on both counts. He had felt rather over-confident because his broom was more advanced and it didn't occur to him that Sirius had many more years worth of experience than he did.

They ate supper in the Great Hall with Dumbledore and the rest of the professors. Harry was glad to see that Professor McGonagall had recovered from the curse and she was looking healthy. Minerva had spent most of the day resting in her quarters.

At six o'clock Sirius, Harry and Dumbledore were seated in Dumbledore's office with a Ministry official by the name of Beth Janon. Sirius and Harry were both feeling elated that they were finally going to get to be a real family.

"I just need the signatures of the adoptive parent and a witness," explained Beth Janon.

"Do I have to sign it too?" asked Harry.

"No," replied Beth. "Your signature would only be required if you were at least seventeen years old."

She retreived a parchment from a briefcase and placed it on Dumbledore's desk. Sirius took the quill that Beth handed him and signed the adoption papers. Sirius then handed the quill to Dumbledore and he signed it. The parchment glowed a light blue after the last signature was added. The parchment stopped glowing within seconds.

"The Magical Godparent Adoption is now official," said Beth.

"Alright!" exclaimed Sirius. "Welcome to the family, Harry Potter Back!" He hugged Harry. Harry smiled happily. This was the best day of his life!

"Do I look any different?" asked Harry.

Sirius took a good look at Harry. He still had James' face and Lily's eyes and of course the scar on his forehead was still there. His hair had changed. It was still black but it wasn't as wildly unmanagable as it had been before. Sirisu also noticed that Harry's shoulders were slightly broader and his body was as thin. His skin was a shade darker.

"You still look like Harry Potter, but there's a bit of Black in you," replied Sirius.

Sirius transfigured a quill into a full length mirror. Harry look at his new self. He liked what he saw.

"Wow, wicked! My hair doesn't look like a permanent mess anymore!" exclaimed Harry.

Harry turned away from the mirror to face Sirius.

"Thanks for adopting me, Dad," said Harry with a smile.

"My pleasure, son," said Sirius as he placed his hands on his son's shoulders.

"Thanks for your hair as well," Harry added.

End of Chapter 3 - Freedom and Adoption