Come Back to Us

************CHAPTER ONE************

Harry sat in his upstairs room at 4 Pivot Drive staring at the letter he had just completed.

July 31^st

Dear Sirius,

Just wanted to say bye. Thanks for all that you've done for me that past few years. No godson could ask for a better godfather than you. I hope you can get your name cleared soon so that you can live the life your meant to live.

Tell Ron and Hermione bye for me and please give Hedwig to Hermione. They always did get along smashingly.

Please take care of yourself. I'll miss you tons.

Love,

Harry

The past year had been particularly hard on Harry. After the Triwizard tournament, Voldemort had increased his attacks and some had come very close at heart to Harry. During Christmas, the Burrow, along with all nine Weasleys was attacked. All of them surprising got out alive, but each of them sustained major injuries and Mrs. Weasley, the only person who Harry could connect to as a mother, had endured a three-month coma. Countless people told Harry that this wasn't his fault, however the message written on the outside wall of the Burrow reading "Potter, you're next" made Harry a bit reluctant to agree.

Hermione also flooded Harry's mind regularly. Under normal circumstances, Harry would have expressed the undying love that he had discovered the fall of his 5^th year. With Ron dating Lavender, the two should have been free together without feeling any remorse of leaving out their third musketeer. However, circumstances were not normal and he could not fathom what he would do is Voldemort decided to come after her.

Harry had possible never felt more depressed in his life. Anyone he knew, anyone he cared about, was in danger. Well this was going to change right now. Harry was leaving his friends, leaving those he loved, leaving everything he knew behind.

With a flick of his wand (he had been allowed to use magic as a defense mechanism since danger was lurking around every corner) he changed his long shaggy raven hair to look short and blonde, turned his greed emerald eyes to blue and transfigured his lightning bolt scar, which had been his life and legacy, to match the skin that surrounded it. Then he grabbed some blank parchment and transformed it to a passport and identification specifying his new looks and his new age, 21.

Looking in the mirror, Harry shuddered to think what the future brought for him. Yes, it is true he looked like a completely different person, but he hoped that would not keep his archrival from following or at least search for him after he left. He hoped this would be enough to keep him away from those whom he cared about.

After tying his letter to Hedwig and saying his goodbyes to his friend of years, Harry grabbed his cloak, the money he had gotten from Gringotts earlier that week, and his shrunken luggage and then sped off on his Firebolt. This, his 16^th birthday was going to the beginning of his new life. His new life, without a name, and without a scar.

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~~December 27, 2005, One and a half years later~~

Sirius couldn't sleep. Every since that fateful day a year and a half ago, his life changed dramatically. Not but a week after he received the letter, a small rat with a silver paw had been captured after being seen lurking around the ministry. The next day Sirius had been cleared of all charges. He couldn't help but think if Harry had just stayed a bit longer, things would have turned out so much different.

He had searched high and low for his godson. Being who he was, Dumbledore had not let him put out any missing persons reports. "It would just be too dangerous," he had said. "We won't give up looking for him until he's found." Sirius finally conceded, but wouldn't give up his own quest to locate him. Life just didn't seem complete without Harry around.

'If I could just find him, then I could talk to him, and things would be alright,' he thought.

Finally giving into his insomnia, Sirius walked down stairs, only to find out he wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep.

"What are you doing up Remus?"

Remus Lupin, longtime friend of Sirius's, had decided to take off for the holidays. He loved his teaching career at Hogwarts, but sometimes the stress could just come back to you with out you realizing it. The fact that he went out almost every weekend to check on a new lead about Harry didn't help.

"Just thinking. What about you?"

Just as Sirius was about to answer, a familiar voice shot out of the fireplace.

"Sirius, Remus, are you there?!?!?!?"

"Yes Albus, we're right here. What' wrong?"

"I think we've found him."

~*^*~

Timothy Portney had found the love of his life. When he was out in the middle of a river with tall trees surrounding him and a beautiful blue sky to cover his head, he felt a calming and a peace that he had never known before. As he cast out what he promised himself would be his last time he felt a jerk. 'Finally,' he thought. He had been out for three hours and this was the first bite he had had. After setting the hook, he brought in his line.

'Not bad,' he thought as he picked up the fish. It was quite possibly the biggest rainbow trout he had ever caught. His person best being 4lbs. 3 oz, he felt that this was a big accomplishment.

"Not bad at all."

Timothy was had to admit for the first time in a while he was genuinely enjoying his life. When he first started out his trek a year and a half ago, he found things to be a bit tougher than he expected. He couldn't find a place that suited him. But, after he heard some people talking about a place called West Yellowstone, Montana in the states, he decided that one more try at relocating couldn't hurt. When he first arrived, he was a bit overwhelmed by the beauty of the place. It was then that he decided that this was the place for him.

He bought a house by the river, and before long found the urge to try fishing to great to ignore. His first try had been monstrous. He stepped in to the quickly rushing water and fell in. After that attempt, he was reluctant to try again. But after a day of staring at the river, he decided he could beat the demon that was water. His second go was much more successful. He even caught his first fish. He couldn't have been more proud of himself than he was at that moment.

Several months later, Timothy had found his place in the town. He had gotten a job at one of the many fly shops in the area as a guide. He didn't need the money, but he found this job immensely fun. He had even made a few close friends with whom he went out with every week. Life couldn't be better.

After stringing the fish, he pulled apart his pole and headed back to his house. Walking slowly and quietly, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched. He could have sworn he heard a twig breaking, but he knew that there were many wild animals in this area and it was probably just his imagination. However, he thought he might at least try.

"Hello... Is anyone there?" he shouted out.

'Oh well,' he thought as only the wind whistling through the trees answered him back. As he walked into his house, he pulled off all his gear and cleaned the fish. Looking at the clock, he decided it was time for him to go upstairs and get ready to go out with the guys. When he headed back down the stairs, he heard a knock on the door.

'That's odd... I thought I was going to meet them there.'

He went to the door and opened it up slowly. He immediately recognized the person who he was looking at. Nervously Timothy greeted his visitor.

"Erm, can I help you?"

"Harry!" the middle-aged man exclaimed as he tried to walk through the door. However, when he picked his foot up to set it across the threshold, he felt an odd barrio holding him back.

The man looked a bit startled, but he picked up his foot and tried again, however the same obstacle remained in his way.

"Harry, why can't I come in?"

"Sorry, I don't know anyone named Harry Potter, my name is Timothy. Timothy Portney."

"So you say.... But if you aren't Harry, then how did you know what his last name was?"

Timothy felt outraged with himself. How could he make such an obvious mistake? Thinking quick on his feet he answered. "Because you mentioned it when I answered the door."

"No, I didn't. Harry, I'm not stupid. You may have changed your appearances, which I have to have, you look much better with you mother's eyes, but I know my own godson when I see him."

"Look, please just go away. I don't want to see you."

"Sorry Harry. I can't do that. Just let me in."

Just then a thought occurred to Harry. "Sirius, what the hell do you think that you are doing?!? People could see you! Change back into a dog right this instant. I won't have you getting caught because of me!"

Sirius just chuckled. He had forgotten that Harry didn't know. "Oh so know you don't deny who you are. Calm down boy. I was cleared a week after you left. Peter was found poking around the Ministry."

Harry couldn't help but feel a bit of relief coming off his shoulders. But he wasn't prepared to give in.

"That's great. But please, go away. I like my life here. People don't treat me like I'm a zebra in a cage. Their eyes don't flicker to my forehead when I introduce myself. I can be myself. I don't want to leave."

Sirius thought a few moments before he responded. This was not the Harry Potter he knew. Something had happened. Something had changed him. "Harry, you can deny yourself all you want, and you can deny me, but I will not deny you. Like it or not, I care about you and nothing you say or do will ever change that."

Harry watched as the grown man sat down Indian style on his outside welcome mat. Feeling frustrated and defeated he spoke. "Fine you may come in, but I have to meet some friends. We will talk when I return. Please hand me you wand."

"My wand?" Sirius felt a little strange just handing over his wand, even if it was to Harry.

"You heard me right. I place defense charms on this house a long time ago. It prevents any one with a wand from entering, unless that wand is under my possession. You really didn't think I was stupid enough not to protect myself, did you?"

Sirius couldn't help but feel a little confused. "But Harry, we've been tracing your wand's magic. How on Earth did you manage to use it without us knowing?"

"A lot has changed this past year and a half. A lot has changed."

Accepting this answer Sirius passed his wand to Harry who then laid it in what looked like an inside mailbox.

"It will be safe in here while I'm gone. However, I must tell you that I'm the only one who can access that box." Harry then bid a farewell and walked out of his house leaving behind a shocked, wide-eyed godfather.

~*^*~

Harry hadn't been able to enjoy his time with his friends like usual, so he had left the bar after only an hour and walked around the streets lost in thought.

After three hours later, a tired Harry arrived home. He looked at his house. He loved everything about his home. If there was a heaven on Earth, he knew that it couldn't get much better than this. He was determined not to leave. Unenthusiastically, he walked into his home though, for he knew what the night had in store for him. At least, he thought he knew. As he entered his den his eyes immediately shot to the already lit fireplace. As he turned to the couch though, he couldn't help but feel a little shock as he noticed not one, but two people sitting on his couch staring at him.

"Sirius, what is she doing here?"

"Harold James Potter, do not talk to me about me like I'm not here. If you have a question, then ask me."

"Alright Hermione, what are you doing here?"

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"Sirius, what is she doing here?"

"Harold James Potter, do not talk to me about me like I'm not here. If you have a question, then ask me."

"Alright Hermione, what are you doing here?"

Harry noticed the coldness of his words effect Hermione's eyes. After staring into them for what seemed like an eternity, he felt like he could no longer take it, and he looked away. Finally he received his answer.

"Harry, I'm here because you're here."

Harry was beyond fury. He had sacrificed all he knew to keep those he loved safe. But instead of staying away, they had to come and bring danger back into their lives.

"Please leave. I don't want you here."

"This is nonsense Harry-"

"My name is not Harry. It is Timothy."

"Like I was saying, this is nonsense Harry. Sirius, why don't you go into town and get some dinner. You haven't eaten properly in months. I want to have a talk here with Harry."

"But Hermione-"

"Harry, please get Sirius's wand for him in case he needs it while he's out."

Harry knew by the look in Hermione's eyes that it would not be a good idea to mess with her right now, so reluctantly he walked over, pulled out Sirius's wand and handed it to him.

"Good Luck," he heard as he watched his godfather walk towards town.

As he turned around, he felt a sharp jolt of pain in his cheek as Hermione slapped him across the face.

"That is for leaving you stupid prat! And this, this is for finally finding you."

And as quickly as she slapped him, she pulled him in and planted her lips upon his.

Harry tried to pull away, but found that this task would be harder than he thought. He could not deny that he had wanted this for a long time, but he just couldn't. Finally, his consciousness returned to him and he quickly pulled away.

"Hermione, we can't... I can't lose you."

He knew that that probably made no sense, but thankfully, Hermione asked no questions. Instead, she sat on the couch and motioned for him to come sit by her. He decided to comply, but instead of sitting next to her, he opted for the other side of the couch. For several minutes there was silence as they both stared into the fire.

Harry finally couldn't take the peace any longer.

"Hermione, aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"It's Christmas holidays you git."

"How did you get here?"

"I flooed to the nearest house connected, then I took a taxi."

"No, I meant how did you get in my house."

"Don't worry, I didn't break your precious protection spell. I hid my wand outside."

"How did you know I was here?"

"You may have changed your appearance, but your accent is still the same. When you went to Orion Alley a few weeks ago, someone noticed your accent, and mentioned it to Dumbledore-"

"I might have thought he had something to do with this."

"Harry! What wrong with you? Dumbledore cares about you. Sirius cares about you. I care about you. We've been worried out of our minds for the past year and a half."

Hermione was taken aback with the way Harry was acting. In all the years that she knew him, she had gotten use to his selfless behavior. But something had changed him. His eyes seemed cold when she looked into them. He acted like the world no longer mattered, that he no longer mattered. It tore her apart inside to see him like this. During her time away from Harry, she had discovered one of her inner most secrets. Somewhere along the way, she had fallen in love with Harry. For days after she heard of him leaving, she didn't eat or sleep. She insisted on helping in the search for him. It wasn't until her parents forced fed her a sleeping potion from Professor Dumbledore that she started to take better care of herself. The one thought that always lingered in her mind was 'He's still out there.'

They both sat there for a few more minutes. It was Hermione who broke the silence this time.

"Harry, I don't think I can take your new looks for much longer. Can you please change them back for right now?"

Harry thought very seriously about this. He hadn't one reverted back to his old rugged look since he arrived. But this was Hermione, and he always had found it hard to say no to her. He closed his eyes and passed his hand over his face, revealing his true self. Hermione gasped.

"Harry... how did you do that."

"How did I do what?"

"How did you do wandless magic?"

"Well, I didn't just sit around the past year and a half and do nothing. I knew that my wand could be traced, so I taught myself to do magic without it. It's not that bid of a deal."

Harry didn't know why Hermione was so shocked about what he had done. From the books he had read, It wasn't that uncommon to do magic by waving your hand. In fact, the book he read said that if every witch or warlock tried, they would find that they too could do a bit of wandless magic. If that was true, then why was Hermione acting like this?

"Harry, it's not a big deal to do wandless magic. The big deal is that first, it usually takes a person at least 15 years to learn it, and second, when you finally do learn it, you can only do the simplest spells, like levitation. Are you telling me you did the protection spell on this house and every other magic that you've used here not doing a wand?"

"Great. Just another little power to add to my super hero outfit."

Hermione felt like now would be a great time to change the subject.

"Harry, why did you leave us?"

"I didn't leave you, I left my world."

"But why did you leave?"

"I left so that everyone I knew would be out of danger. I left so that Voldemort would chase after me and leave England alone."

"Harry, just because you left didn't mean we were out of danger."

"Really? Then where has Voldemort been? I haven't heard of one attack since I left. Not one person I love has been touched. If my plan didn't work then where is Voldemort?"

Hermione couldn't help but think of Harry's words. He was right. Since that fateful day a year an a half ago, not a word had been heard from Voldemort. She always just assumed that he was out there still killing, but to be honest, she had always been a bit more worried about where Harry was.

"Harry, please come back. One of these days, he won't be so quiet. If he has been quiet all this time, you know that means he's just building up his power and his following. You also know that here will be one of his first places to attack. If we found you, then it can't be that hard for him to find you."

"I won't leave, Hermione. I like it here. I have friends here. I have a home here. People don't gape at my forehead every time I walk by or whisper behind my back. If he comes here, I can handle my own, and if I can't, then let someone else deal with him. I'm tired of fighting."

Hermione couldn't take this defeatist attitude much longer. So, as quickly as she changed to this topic, she changed again.

"So what have you been doing here? What make this place seem home more then Hogwarts?"

He told her about his whole life there. About how he loved the snow, how he loved the sun when it came over the mountains in the morning, how the bears like to come into his backyard during the spring and how there was nothing that could give him more joy then stepping into a stream and fishing.

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at his life. All she could think was 'Man! He's become a hick!'

When Harry felt he had talked all he could about him, he then asked Hermione about what all was knew at Hogwarts.

"I'm head girl, Ron and Lavender are still going out. Ron's going to propose to her after graduation. He's so excited. Snape's still a mindless git. We've actually had a Defense Against Dark Arts teacher that's lasted more than one year-"

"Really! Who?"

"Professor Lupin. He's worried about you to. Sirius has been at the school a lot recently, too."

Almost as if he had heard his name, a knock came at the door. When Harry opened it, he saw Sirius outside.

"Well, it looks like its time for you to go Hermione, Sirius is back."

"Why do I have to go? Why can't I stay and talk some more?

"Because no matter what you say, I'm not leaving. You might as well just save your breath. It was nice to see you both again though. "

Next thing Hermione knew, she was being pushed out the door.

"Harry, let me just tell you two things, then I'll go. First is that no matter how long you try to hide, and no matter how much you try to get people to hate you, it not going to work. You will still be found and like it or not, people will still care about you.

Secondly, I'm in love with you Harry Potter."

And before he could respond, both she and Sirius were gone. They had disappeared in front of him.

To be continued...

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