A Dark Companion

11: Finally Free

Title from a song because I'm unoriginal and don't have any other idea

Summary: Now that Sirius is free, time for part 2 of his original plan

Warm air brushed over Sirius as he made his way up the steps. For the first time in years, he did not have to look over his shoulder, checking and double checking for dementors. They had been removed from Hogwarts — and good riddance, too. Harry and Ron had been lucky not to encounter them when they snuck out, but that could easily have turned ugly.

He reached Remus' quarters and was about to knock when the door opened.

"Hello, Padfoot," said Remus, smiling. "You look much better now that you don't reflect the madness within."

In the week since his overdue trial, Sirius had been busy getting himself back to some semblance of normal. His hair fell just past his shoulders now instead of brushing his elbows and his teeth already felt much better after proper brushing.

"Well, you would know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Moony?" Sirius stepped inside. "Anyway, how did you know I was coming?"

"Magic," answered Remus in a superior tone.

"He means the map," piped up Harry, who was leaning against Remus' desk.

Remus sniffed, giving him an unimpressed look. "It's a magical map, isn't it?"

Sirius couldn't stop the bark of laughter escaping him. "Good to see you two again. So, uh, what brings us all together on this fine morning?"

"We need to talk about Harry's... living arrangements," said Remus, a hint of bitterness leeching into his voice at his choice of words.

Harry shifted his feet. "What's to tell? My aunt and uncle don't like me that much, but they let me sleep in Dudley's second bedroom now."

"Second bedroom?" Sirius repeated while Remus froze. "You're telling me this... Dudley has two bedrooms?"

"It used to be for his broken toys and stuff," Harry explained with a shrug as though that settled it.

It certainly did not settle Sirius' growing anger. He pressed his fingers to his eyes to fight back the headache that was threatening to form. "And where, pray tell, did you used to sleep?"

There was a beat of silence. "In a cupboard under the stairs."

That did it. "Okay, I've heard enough. You're moving in with me, Harry." Not that he had had any doubts, of course, but knowing even the little bit he did made him want to break something. Like Petunia's arm. Her husband's leg. All of their bones.

"I am?" said Harry. "You're okay with that?"

He sounded so hopeful, so like he had resigned himself to rejection before it had even been discussed, and Sirius suddenly had an idea how he must have looked when he appeared at James' doorstep all those years ago, not knowing where else to go.

"Of course I'm okay with that," said Sirius, voice softening. "More than okay."

Harry was sitting up straighter now, eyes bright. "When do I move in? Where do you live? Professor Lupin said you bought a new place —"

Sirius laughed. "I did." There was no way in hell he was moving back into Grimmauld Place with all those horrible memories and associations. Kreacher was welcome to it. "It still needs some tidying before summer, but it's a lot more manageable than my old place."

"I can help with that," said Harry, all too eager to prove himself. "I've been doing the chores since I was four years old."

If he thought Sirius would find pride in that, he was dreadfully mistaken.

"That's it. We're going to see Dumbledore. Come on!"

He bounded for the door. Behind him, he heard Harry's plaintive cry of "What was that all about?" but didn't hear Remus' answer.

Aren't you glad it's canon Harry moved in with Sirius after third year and they lived happily ever after?

Anywho, just the epilogue to go