Harry Potter and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 14: Summer of Magic Part 1

How I learned to Negotiate
Godric's Hollow, (May 25th)...

"... and you see, Harry," James said, looking particularly tired and weary, "I just can't be leaving the country. Not while Peter is still active."

"I understand. I guess I'll write Viktor and tell him I can't use the tickets," Harry said. "I don't want to be away if something happe –"

"Wait. Just wait, Harry," James said quickly. "While your mother and I can't go to the match, we've talked about it, and we've decided that you shouldn't be stuck here thinking about Nathan at Hogwarts. The last thing we want is for you to spend the first few weeks of your holiday worrying."

"So, I can go alone?" Harry asked curiously. While it would be fun to travel by himself, he didn't think his parents would let him.

"Absolutely not," Lily said, looking at her son as if he was crazy. "You are far too young to go by yourself."

"So who will I be going with?"

James smiled, a little life re-entering his eyes. "Sirius will be escorting you."

As if on cue, Harry's godfather entered the living room with a slightly forced smile on his face. It was the sight of Sirius, not quite his typical self that made Harry realize just how much the situation with Peter was affecting his family.

"Did someone say my name?"

"Sirius," James said, "don't act like you weren't listening on the other side of the door waiting for us to mention you."

"Was not," Sirius muttered unconvincingly.

Lily looked sternly at Sirius. "You remember those rules that we talked about, right?"

"Of course. Don't worry, Lily. Harry and I are going to have a blast. Won't we, Harry? Me, you, and a player box in Paris! I can't believe the Viktor you told us about all these years is the Viktor Krum. Merlin kiddo, when you make a friend, you make a friend!" Sirius slung an arm on Harry's shoulder and grinned down at his godson. "I was just telling Andromeda about it, boy was she shocked. Oh, that reminds me, Nymphadora absolutely begged me to ask you for Viktor's autograph. I think she was half torn whether she should blow off her morning lessons at the Academy today to come ask you herself."

Harry laughed, the earlier tension about Peter quickly lessening. The thought of asking Viktor for his autograph just seemed... bizarre to him. Viktor was his friend, who just happened to play Quidditch. To everyone else though, he was Viktor Krum, Quidditch God. "I'll see what I can do, but no promises, Sirius."

"Come on, Harry. The poor girl is going through Auror training. I hear old Mad-Eye Moody is her trainer, the girl needs a break."

"I suppose I can get her an autograph," Harry said, "but what's in it for me?"

Sirius barked out a laugh. "Lily, James please excuse us while I try to bribe my own godson for his best friend's autograph."

Lily and James kissed Harry's cheeks and made sure to give him an especially long welcome back hug before leaving Sirius and Harry alone in the living room to discuss their trip.

Once they were alone, Sirius motioned for Harry to be silent as he cast some privacy and silencing spells. When he was done, he smirked proudly at his godson. "Now, your mum ordered me not to, but I figure if you're old enough to befriend a Quidditch star, you're old enough to drink. So, how about I let you have your first ever taste of Firewhiskey on this trip in exchange for that autograph?"

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Harry, don't keep me in suspense. What do you say?"

"I think you would probably let me take a drink of Firewhiskey regardless," Harry said knowingly. "You are, after all, the best godfather ever."