Home.

(3.6) Harry

I was packing my bags to head to the station. I would be back at Hogwarts soon. They told us a few days ago that Percy could see me off before he was transported back to America; however, Sirius wasn't allowed to go since he was still a wanted man. You can imagine how that went over.

***

'I can go as my animagus. They won't know if I'm not registered.'

'Say you get caught, Sirius,' Professor Lupin had tried to reason, 'then what?'

'Well, I want to see my godson off to Hogwarts. What's so wrong with that? What good am I if I just sit here all day long?'

'What good are you if you're dead?' Percy had added a bit tactlessly.

'They wouldn't outright kill me. That's not how our world works.'

'You're right,' Percy had seemingly conceded, 'they would simply throw you back into Azkaban without trial for the dementors to eat your soul. Much better.'

'You have no say in this!' Sirius was yelling at this point. You could argue he'd been yelling the entire time.

'And neither do you', Professor Lupin had decided with finality. 'This was Dumbledore's choice anyway.'

Percy couldn't help himself from saying, 'And you wouldn't question his judgment, would you?' in a slightly mocking tone.

***

The two hadn't spoken a word to each other since. So when Percy came up to Sirius asking to speak in private, there was no bloody way I wouldn't eavesdrop on their conversation.

'I don't think there's anything more we need to say to each other', Sirius snapped.

Despite being on the other side of the closed door, his voice came through clearly. Percy's was a little harder to make out, but I think I heard his pretty well too.

'Just shut up and listen for five minutes.'

A beat of silence.

'Fine', Sirius huffed in answer.

What Percy told him next made my heart leap from my chest.

'I have an offer for you. If you stay here and don't put yourself in unnecessary danger, for Harry's sake, then I can offer you a safe house—technically apartment—in the building we live in for over the summer.'

I can only imagine the shocked face my godfather must've worn.

'My family has a lot of money. We don't use most of it, but we have plenty to pay for your own place. And I have a... friend who can put up protective wards. The government—both the magic and muggle ones—won't know you're there. Dumbledore agreed already. We spoke last night.

'And because it's in the same building, Harry can visit or stay with you whenever he wants. You could even go out into the city as long as you were discreet.'

I owed lady Hecate—it had to have been her that agreed to put up the wards—the biggest offering, more than I could ever muster.

'All this time...' Sirius said quietly, 'I've been cursing your name, and all this time you've been helping me.'

I can see Percy's smile in my head. The one he always gave to pretend he wasn't as selfless as people know him to be.

'I will not be the reason Harry is separated from his godfather. He deserves to know you, and you have a right to be with him. So my conditions are that you stay here, stay safe for this year. And then you'll have the summers with us in America. What do you say?'

I could hear the clasping of hands meaning they shook on it.

'I accept. I so gratefully accept. And I'm sorry for being an arse.'

Percy laughed lightly. 'I have a habit of pissing off others. No worries.'

They both laughed together as if they were old pals. Until Percy's voice cut it off abruptly.

'You can come in now, Harry. No need to pretend you weren't listening the whole time.'

I nervously opened the door with a sheepish grin. Percy was giving me one of those 'I don't approve, but there's nothing to be done now' looks. Sirius was smirking and sent me a wink.

I couldn't hold back any longer. I ran into them and pulled both into an embrace. My family could be together. We would have a place to call home together. And nothing could stand in our way.

***

The train whistled its last warning. I had to get on or I'd miss it. Again.

'Harry, before you go,' Percy said to me, 'just know I'm very proud of you. Forget the prefect's badge. Forget your studies. You're a good person with a kind heart. You look out for others. You're courageous. And I love you. So stay safe, ok?'

I mutely nodded, pushing back a tear. We hugged one last time, something I've been doing more lately. And I can't say I don't enjoy the physical act of affection.

Then I got onto the train, found the cart with some friends, and waved out the window as we pulled out of the station to my cousin with his dishevelled hair, soft sea-green eyes, playful smirk, and loving expression. No matter what I had to face this year, I knew I could always rely on Percy. He was a constant in my life that I clung to now. He was what I looked forward to at the end of the year. He was the beacon of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. I only had to make my way to him on the other side.

***

A/N: This is the end of part 3! I'm writing part 4, which will take place the summer before the Half-Blood Prince (Harry's 6th year); thus, you are to assume everything (more or less) that happened in the Order of the Phoenix (Harry's 5th year) occurred before part 4 begins. Updates will be on pause until I finish part 4, so stay tuned! Thank you for reading and voting and commenting!