Disclaimer: All recognisable sentences are taken from JK Rowling's works and are in no way intended as my own.

Summary: Sirius is cleared and finally gets to give Harry the home he had always wanted. Rebuilding his life with a war brewing in their world isn't simple. It's a good thing he has a family that he can fall back on this time. What he didn't realise is that good things don't last too long. Not for him anyway.

Focuses mainly on the familial relationship of Sirius and Harry as I absolutely adore them.

Pairings: Mostly background as the godfather and godson take the stage here. Ron/Hermione (background), Remus/Tonks (background). Theremight be other romantic interests too which I won't list out for sake of not spoiling it for you.

This chapter takes place the first night Harry arrives in Grimmauld Place, after Molly and Sirius have a shouting match. But the next chapter is where the story starts with my version of events in DoM.

oOo

Prologue

Chapter 1

Remus knocked once and without waiting for an answer entered Sirius' room. The lone occupant was sitting on the chair, his elbows propped up on the desk and his face buried in his hands.

"What are you doing here, Moony?" Sirius spoke from under his hands morosely. Remus wasn't surprised Sirius had guessed who he was. He was the only one who entered Sirius' room beside himself.

"I'm just checking up on you, Padfoot," he muttered quietly as he sat on the bed facing Sirius.

"Well, I'm fine, so you can go away!" Sirius ground out harshly.

Remus sighed. "I'm sorry about Molly. She doesn't know how much Harry means to you."

Sirius looked up from his hands and Remus was saddened to see the despair in his already haunted eyes. "If it wasn't for Harry, I don't even know why I would live anymore," his voice broke as he whispered.

"Don't say that!" said Remus quickly.

"You don't know what it's like for me, Moony. I loved Harry from the moment I held him. I would do anything for him! Hell, I would give myself up in Azkaban if it means he can be safe and happy. And for her to just throw it in my face about what an irresponsible godfather I was, that's just…" Sirius broke off shaking his head, lost for words

Remus sighed as he put an arm on Sirius' shoulder for comfort. He understood where Molly was coming from. She had given Harry some semblance of family and love when he was neglected by those miserable excuses of a family. But Sirius was the one who was appointed by James and Lily as their replacement, if ever anything happened to them. And even though Sirius had neglected that duty for more than twelve years, Remus did not have it in him to hold it against Sirius. One need only look at Sirius to understand his love for Harry.

God knew Sirius still blamed himself for what happened to Lily and James and for abandoning Harry. Sirius thought he deserved Azkaban, which in Remus' opinion, nobody did — least of all someone as innocent as him.

Sirius did not need Molly to be blaming him when he did that perfectly well himself.

"I'll talk to Molly. Don't get yourself worked up over this Padfoot," Remus said consolingly.

Sirius looked up at him sharply. "Don't, Remus! She's not half-wrong now, is she? And besides—," Sirius hurried when Remus looked like he wanted to retort. "—I wouldn't want to make it awkward between the two of us when she graciously feeds us and helps us clean this vile place. I am thankful for that and for having Harry all these years. She is right about that. She has done more for Harry than I have."

Remus felt his heart ache at his best friend's suffering. Sirius had escaped Azkaban for Merlin's sake, just because he knew Wormtail was living very close to Harry. He had left his freedom and had come back as soon as Harry had said 'his scar had twinged a bit' and lived off of rats of all things. He had agreed to a life of being locked up in this nightmare of his house, just so he could be close to Harry. If that didn't speak of how much he loved Harry, he didn't know what did.

Remus shook his head. "That's not true and you know it. She has given Harry acceptance and affection, but you are giving up your life every day for him. Don't sell yourself short, Sirius."

Sirius still looked dejected, but he nodded.

Remus clapped him on the back as he stood up. "Sleep well, Padfoot. Harry's here just like you wished for. Enjoy it."

"Night," came his hoarse whisper as Remus left the room and Sirius to his own thoughts.

oOo

The next night, after Harry, Hermione, Sirius and the Weasleys had tired themselves for the entire day cleaning out the drawing room, they congregated in the dining room for dinner. They were all pleasantly chattering when Harry felt ready to go to bed. He had a throbbing headache and was wondering how he could make his leave when he saw Sirius getting up saying, "Well, I'll best be off to my room. Good night, everyone."

Quickly, Harry got up too, abandoning his almost empty dinner to follow suit. The occupants of Number 12 Grimmauld Place waved or murmured their goodbyes to Sirius and Harry's retreating forms.

Sirius turned towards Harry when they were going up the staircase. He looked at Harry and nodded upwards before walking upstairs. Intrigued and wishing to be alone with Sirius, Harry followed him to the topmost landing. There was a room with a plaque bearing simply the name, SIRIUS. He pushed open the door and led Harry in before shutting the door.

Harry watched in fascination at his godfather's childhood room. It was large and spacious with a carved headboard, a tall window framed with long velvet curtains. A candle-lit chandelier hung from the ceiling and the walls were so full of pictures that Harry could hardly make out the wallpaper. The Gryffindor banners stood out valiantly from the rest of the house, no doubt in rebellion to show how different he was to them.

Harry smiled when he saw the pictures of the four Marauders; there were also many pictures of motorcycles and bikini-clad muggle girls. Harry raised an eyebrow at that and was surprised when Sirius laughed.

"Drove my mother nuts to see that! I put a Permanent Sticking Charm just so she couldn't take it out even after I was gone," said Sirius mischievously. He gestured for Harry to sit when he spoke, "I wanted to speak to you last night, but… well, I didn't have the chance. So how are you doing, Harry?"

Harry wondered what Sirius meant when he said he didn't have the chance last night. Was it because of his disagreement with Mrs. Weasley? Seemed like it as nothing else of note had happened yesterday.

"I'm doing alright — I guess. Other than not getting any news all summer, I mean," said Harry shrugging before sitting on the foot of the bed. Sirius sat down, leaning against the headboard and faced him with a thoughtful look in his deadened eyes.

"I meant, how are you doing after the tournament, Harry?" said Sirius softly. Harry froze and looked away from Sirius.

Sirius sighed. "Are you having any nightmares?"

Harry contemplated saying 'No' but figuring Sirius deserved the truth from him, decided to be honest. "Yeah," he nodded, feeling a dull flush creeping up his cheeks.

Sirius leaned forward and put a hand on Harry's shoulder comfortingly. "That's nothing to be ashamed of, Harry. Everybody has their own nightmares."

Harry looked up at Sirius, wondering if he should tell him about the dreams he was having almost every week about dark corridors, but then decided against it. He chose to instead tell him about the nightmares that made sense to him. "It's just — Seeing their faces, talking to them — It's bad enough seeing Cedric dying every night. Why do I have to see them too?"

Sirius' eyes widened a fraction before he leaned forward and pulled Harry into his embrace. Startled, Harry felt himself stiffen but then relaxed into him, soaking in the comfort that Harry had never been privy to. Sirius' hand was on Harry's neck and he was stroking the back of his head gently.

"I'm so sorry. If I could, I would douse you in Dreamless Sleep Potion, but you know that doesn't help," said Sirius softly, his voice echoing as a rumble from Harry's position with his head on Sirius' chest.

"I know," whispered Harry, his heart racing with affection for his godfather. He gently leaned back from Sirius whose eyes were filled with sadness, yet unmistakeably fond.

Harry wondered if it was okay for him to tell Sirius how nervous he was for his hearing. Harry didn't want to bother Sirius with his petty anxiety but he didn't have anyone else who he could go to. While he battled within himself, Sirius had already noticed Harry's expression.

"What's wrong?" asked Sirius, ducking his head lower to look at Harry properly.

"If I'm expelled, can I come live with you?" said Harry, looking at Sirius hopefully.

Sirius looked pained. "You won't be expelled, Harry. You didn't do anything wrong."

"But, just say—"

"Then I will gladly take you in," said Sirius firmly. "If you're alright with staying in this foul place," he added looking around him with a grimace.

Harry felt some of his anxiety ebb away. He would have a home to go to even if Hogwarts was taken away from him.

"I'm so sorry you have to be stuck here," said Harry apologetically. He hated that Sirius was stuck in a house he had loathed growing up, but secretly Harry was very glad that he was here or Harry could never had gotten to see him.

"Not as much as I would be if you thought I'd turn down the chance to be with you though," chided Sirius half-heartedly.

Harry felt his lips tug into a smile but broke off in a yawn. Sirius clapped him on the back. "Off to bed then. Or Molly will have my head."

oOo

Sirius watched Harry leave his room, his dour mood ever since he had gotten here lifting at the mere sight of Harry. He could handle staying in this wretched home if it meant Harry could be with him.

Briefly, Sirius remembered that night more than a year ago when Harry had finally trusted and believed in him.

That one glorious moment, when he'd jumped at the idea of staying with Sirius. And then, everything went downhill a minute later because of Wormtail.

He sighed. Would he ever get to give Harry the home he deserved?

oOo