The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 98: A Sense of Duty

Sirius yawned, only holding his hand to his mouth after Andromeda smacked him in the stomach.  "Why are we here so early?" he grumbled.

"Because Harry and Hermione needed to arrive early since they are Prefects," Andromeda said, rolling her eyes at her cousin.

"Oh right," he yawned again.  "Are you sure you want to be Prefect?  You could sleep in," he asked Harry.

"I think I'll survive," Harry replied dryly, his smile lessening the sting.

"Sure but would living be worth it?"

Andromeda, Tonks, Hermione, and Jean all huffed in the same way.

"Okay, I'll be less dramatic," Sirius grinned.  "I learned my lesson."

"No, you didn't," Andromeda and Tonks said together.

"It's moments like this that show you two are mother and daughter."  He yelped, sent scurrying by two Stinging Jinxes.  "Okay okay!  I'm going!"  He ran and Harry's and Hermione's trunks, Hedwig's cage, and Crookshanks' basket floated after him.

"I swear, he likes the attention," Jean said with a smile.

"He always has," Andromeda sighed wearily.  "Positive and negative, he likes all kinds of attention."  She smiled at Harry.  "I'm glad you don't share that personality trait."

Harry snorted.  "Nope, I've had more than enough attention.  I'm fine with obscurity."

"Same," Tonks said.  "I'm the picture of modesty."

They looked at her bright pink hair, currently in the shape of a mohawk.

Sirius returned, eyebrows raised at seeing them laughing.  "Clearly I missed something funny so I'll assume you were laughing at something I did or said.  Your trunks are in a middle compartment as are your pets.  I let the beasties out and your other friends should see them and can sit inside."

"Thanks Sirius."  Harry hugged his godfather.

"Hey, I know you're thinking about what's coming," Sirius whispered as they embraced, "but try to enjoy yourself some before then, okay?"

Harry nodded, trying to appear less concerned than he was.  "I'll try."

"Good," Sirius replied and squeezed him tightly for a moment before releasing him.

Harry hugged Tonks, who licked him much to Andromeda's annoyance and Sirius' glee.  "I'm glad you're doing okay," she said.  "Send me letters often and maybe I'll try to come see you a Hogsmeade weekend."

"I'd like that," he said sincerely and rubbed his wet cheek against her.

"Thanks for everything," he said to Andromeda as he hugged her next.

"Don't you even mention it," she replied as she squeezed him.  "It was my pleasure.  Remember dear, tools and intent.  You are a good person, Medic Potter."

Harry hugged her again before reluctantly letting her go.  He then hugged Jean and he and Hermione waved before getting on the Express.  The pair watched their loved ones leave the platform, Andromeda walking with Jean through the barrier while Tonks and Sirius took the Floo.

"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked Harry before they entered the train proper.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"You seemed rather distracted today."

Harry smiled wanly.  "Just nervous.  Prefect duties and going back to school and all."

Hermione did not look entirely convinced.  "Well, that is understandable.  You will tell me if I can help, yes?"

"Of course," Harry said.  You can't help me with this though, not this time.  "Let's go see the Prefect Compartment, shall we?"  He smiled softly as Hermione nodded eagerly, running ahead of him.  He followed sedately until she came back and grabbed his hand, pulling him after her.