Harry Potter: A Different Sirius

"Actually not really maybe we should schedule the jump before the vacation so I get to relax afterward. Sirius, I may not want to process those memories but I'm not sure we have a choice. What if those memories can tell us about the rest of the horcruxes."

"I don't like it but you're right. We do need the intelligence. Any ideas where you'd like to go?"

"Somewhere relaxing and private. Chicago will be cold so someplace warm, someplace I can surf."

"I'll look into it. I'll plan on-"

"Sirius I love you but Beth, James, Lila and Elizabeth need you more."

"If we both jump they won't even know I'm gone."

"So you're saying we'll have for lack of a better description real time and Jump one and Jump two? When we do the jump to do the occlumency could we take Sheba with us?"

"I… I'll look into it." Sirius thought having Sheba along might be a good thing because it might help Harry stay calm.

The next week Sirius escorted Harry and his friends back to school on Sunday afternoon. Before that however Beth had cheerfully plated hostess at a Sunday morning brunch that included Michael's father, Steve's mother sister grandmother and twin little brothers, and Dominic's whole family. All the families had been regaled with details of the theater performance the previous Friday. Michael's father left early to catch a flight to New York. Steve's family seemed to find the wealth displayed in the Black home so casually intimidating and left shortly after Michael's father the boys talked about their courses, and helped Harry double check he had everything.

Dominic started the teasing "Harry has anyone every told you you're crazy."

"I'm not crazy."

"What do you call it then?" Michael asked.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked totally bewildered as he packed his Boy Scout uniform.

"I think they mean you Boy Scouts, astronomy club, sports team,…" Steve started.

"never the same sport twice mind you, yearbook, debate team,.." Michael continued.

"Not to mention your extra curricular studies, martial arts, the other humanities section. Don't think I haven't noticed. I'm your roommate for heaven's sake." Dominic cut in.

"I don't like to be bored and I read fast, and I'm organized."

"You pinch your time the way my Nana used to pinch her liras, till they squeak for mercy." Dominic said.

"Is this some hold over from your illness, trying to squeeze in as much of everything as you can in your life so you don't miss anything because your scared it may get ripped away?" Michael asked.

Harry thought about it. "Maybe."

"Hey guys, someone out of the loop here. What illness?" Steve cut in.

"I had heart surgery last summer they had to stop and restart my heart."

"Where do you think that scar on his chest came from?" Dominic asked.

"I never thought about it," Steve answered.

Harry had been quiet for several minutes. "I guess I do try to squeeze as much life out of every minute as I can because I know how quickly life can be snuffed out, and I want to have no regrets if it's my life that's gone. I think sometimes if I know enough or train enough I can somehow buy extra time. I try to make sure I have time for the important stuff like friends and family. I want to be strong enough that I can be my own person not someone else's puppet and that I can protect my loved ones."

Michael noticed the unwanted somber tone that had overtaken the conversation. "Like I said crazy. You need spontaneity my friend. Which is why I'm gonna.." He tackled Harry and started tickling him. The other boys joined in but it wasn't long before Harry had turned the tables.

When Sirius came to get them Harry was on top of the pile of laughing boys on the floor and his things weren't packed. "Am I interrupting something. Harry I thought I told you to get packed."

"Sorry Mr. Black we distracted Harry." the other boys intoned.

"I can see that, would you let him finish please? You boys need to get settled back in the dorms."

"Yes sir."

Thirty minutes later Harry gave Beth and the babies hugs and kisses goodbye. He tries to give Sheba a goodbye pet but instead she ignored him and when he persisted Sheba jumped onto the top of Sirius' shoulders and hissed at Harry.

"Sorry girl school rules no pets in the dorm." Harry apologized to his cat. Beth retrieved her from Sirius' shoulder and they got into the van with the other boys.

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