In the days leading up to the end of term, Harry spent some time getting to know his godfather. Madame Pomfrey was insisting that he stay in the hospital wing and while Sirius wasn't particularly happy about not being able to leave, no one could deny that the now free man looked a lot better. The scars that had previously marred his frail body had faded. His face looked fuller, his hair looked shinier and he had gained a lot of weight back. Overall he looked healthier. Only the eyes betrayed how much the horrors of Azkaban still haunted him.

They never talked about that; Azkaban. It was almost like a silent agreement between them; don't ask, don't tell. Instead they traded stories. Sirius told Harry about James and in turn, Harry told Sirius about his childhood and school years. Well, he told him the toned down version. There was no way on this earth that he would ever divulge to Sirius that he slept in a cupboard for ten years. Nor would he tell him that he had almost died from basilisk venom the year before.

They also spoke about Harry's recollections.

"So you really remember me?" Sirius asked amazed.

"Yeah," Harry replied.

"Did you know that Padfoot was your first word?" Sirius said. "You wouldn't believe the look on your father's face when you did it," he continued, laughing.

All of a sudden, Harry was overwhelmed by yet another flashback.

Flashback -

A young man with round glasses, hazel eyes and messy black hair, was sitting on the floor in front of his son.

"Come on, Harry, just one little word. Dada, say it, Dada," the man begged. "Please, Harry."

"Oh for goodness sake, James, he'll talk when he's ready," said Lily as she came into view.

"But I don't understand why he won't-"

James was cut off by the sound of the front door opening and closing. A minute later, Sirius was walking into the living room.

"Hey Lils, hey Prongs," he greeted, going to sit on the floor next to his friend and godson.

Lily scowled before looking in the direction of the front door. "Who is it?" she began sarcastically. "Oh hello, Sirius, it's open. Come in."

Turning around, Sirius was about to reply but stopped in his tracks when he heard a small squeaky voice say his name. Whipping around like lightning, the dog animagus stared at his godson in shock.

"What did you say?" he asked disbelievingly.

"Padfoo'!" Harry repeated.

Although he couldn't quite pronounce the 't' there was no denying what he had said.

Sirius looked at James, who was currently sporting a comical expression of shock. Sirius laughed.

End of Flashback -

When Harry got a hold on himself again, it was to find his godfather hovering in front of him looking very worried indeed.

"Harry, are you ok" Sirius began. "You're eyes just glazed over and you were all rigid."

"I just," Harry started, unsure how to word it. "I remember it. The day I said my first word. You just let yourself into the house while dad was trying to make me say his name. But I said yours."

Sirius looked a little shocked. Well, more than a little shocked, but cracked a small, sad smile.

"Yeah, you did," he agreed. "We really have to do some more research on this Potens Memoria thing."

The last day of term was spent in a panic. Students were running around the school, picking up marked essays, returning books to the library, begging Filch to return their confiscated items. All in all; just end of term packing panic.

Harry only had a few things to do before he went back to the Dursleys. After picking up a couple of essays and giving Hermione back a few books he had borrowed from her, Harry was packed. He took to strolling the corridors, occasionally stopping to help a first year student or two that had gotten lost, but apart from that he was left to his thoughts.

After a while Harry found himself at the door to Remus's old classroom. Pushing the door open and going inside, Harry went to sit down.

Looking around the room, Harry realised just how much his life had changed that year. Just how much he had changed. He had two people that he cared for more than anything. And although he though he knew that the next fortnight would be spent in his room being ignored, Harry didn't complain.

Even though Professor Trelawney's prediction was still playing heavily on his mind, Harry didn't regret his actions that night. No matter the consequences of his choice, no matter the repercussions, Harry knew that Sirius and Remus would support him. He knew that they would stand by his side through it all. Through the wind and the rain, Harry knew they'd be there.

Only at that moment did Harry realise that he had been waiting. Waiting for them.

He had his family back. And now he had them back, he wasn't about to let them go.

… Mischief Managed