The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 97: Present Prefect

Sirius snored on the couch, drooling slightly, his leg kicking.  Harry watched, deeply amused, for a few moments before he set a cup of tea on the table.  The warm scent made Sirius sniff the air and he woke.  "Wuzzat?" he grunted as he shook his head.  "Tea?"

"Yep, your second favorite kind."

"Why not my favorite kind?"

"It's early for firewhiskey."

Sirius snorted and sat up.  "Guess that's fair.  Thanks Harry."  He accepted the letters from his godson.  "Let's see, junk, junk, something with an official seal so that means official junk.  I never get anything good.  How about you?"

Harry held up the large envelope addressed to him.  "Got my Hogwarts letter."

"Hey, about time.  We can go to Diagon Alley tomorrow or the weekend.  Floo the Grangers and see if they want to come with."

Harry nodded.  His eyebrows creased as he opened the envelope, feeling something inside.  As he pulled out the letter, something gold and heavy fell onto the carpet.  He picked it up and his eyes popped open at the badge in his hands.  It was gold and heavy, the P on the front also gold, emblazoned on a crimson field.  It looked very familiar and he never thought he would get one.

Sirius noticed Harry's silence and he looked at the badge with astonishment.  "Whoa, is that what I think it is?!"

"It looks like a Prefect badge," Harry said with wonder.

Sirius clapped him on the shoulder but then looked especially serious.  "Listen Harry, I am very proud and happy.  Being selected as Prefect is no small thing.  However, I need to do something and so I am preemptively asking for forgiveness."

"Okay..." Harry dragged the word out, having no idea what Sirius was talking about.

The older man dropped to his knees and threw his arms up and out.  "James!" he howled.  "Forgive me!  I have failed you!  Our boy is a Prefect!"

Harry stared down at his godfather.

"Have mercy on me James!  I did not encourage this.  Forgive meeeeeeeeeeee!"

"Really?  This is really happening now?" Harry asked, a smile fighting through his scowl.  On the one hand, he was a little miffed at his guardian yelling like this.  On the other hand, he was not surprised and it was kind of funny.

Sirius collapsed on the ground and beat his clenched fists on the ground.  "Oh what have I done, how could this happen?  A son of the Marauders, a rule enforcer!  James, take pity on your best friend's soul and try not to Curse me from the after!"

Kreacher appeared and he looked down at Sirius with disgust.  "Kreacher heard Bad Master's wails.  Kreacher was hoping he was dying or grievously injured.  Kreacher is disappointed."

Harry snorted.  "So is Sirius.  Over this," he showed Kreacher the badge.

Kreacher smiled.  "Congratulations Master Harry!  Prefect is position of authority, good for proper wizard.  Master Regulus was Prefect.  Kreacher will make Master Harry's favorite dessert for pudding tonight."  He popped away after a deep bow.

Sirius had rolled onto his back and was alternating wailing and holding his hand to his brow in a deep faint.

The fire in the hearth turned bright green and Hermione's head appeared with a pop.  "Harry!  Are you-oh my goodness is Sirius okay?!"

"Yes," Harry said.

"No!" Sirius yelled.

Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.  "He's being dramatic.  What's up Hermione?"