Invenio Veritas
By penpunk
Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own Harry Potter.
Epilogue
The sun was warm on the Hogwarts grounds. Harry unbuttoned his robe and swung it over his shoulder while undoing his tie. He sat with his back against a large tree that rested next to the lake. As exams finished, more and more students flooded outside to soak in some of the sun.
With the weight of OWLs finally off, Harry could really start to look forward to the summer holidays. It was a feeling he genuinely thought he would never experience. His father had been running back and forth between teaching and his home in Northern England, getting things ready for his son's arrival. According to Severus, the house hadn't been lived in in a few years and was far from habitable at the present time. The last trip involved finding a ghoul that had taken refuge in the kitchen, harassing and throwing food at Smudge, the one house elf that took care of the giant house.
The students had been a bit uneasy around Harry after the truth of his identity had been revealed. The only reaction he had been interested in, though, was Draco's, and that had been a bit of a let down, since Draco didn't come back to Hogwarts after leaving for his father's funeral. He decided to transfer to Drumstrang, along with many Slytherins found to be involved with Voldemort.
Harry didn't mind though. After the opposing students had left, inter-house unity was easier to achieve. Students from other houses interacted freely with each other, and that, according to Dumbledore, was the first step towards unity in the wizarding world. Issues of blood still made up the majority of the problems, as it always did and always would. Pureblood didn't hold as much honor as it once did after the destroying of Voldemort. So many pure blood families were found to be involved with Voldemort afterwards.
After having his assets restored, Sirius decided he would live out the remainder of the year at Hogwarts. Everyone was leery around him and he expected that. It just made him work harder to win the students over, convincing them that he was not a serial killer. The Weasley twins finally got to meet the makers of their tool of success. Remus and Sirius often recalled pranks and feats they pulled off during their time at Hogwarts, the twins soaking in every word. Fred was even seen taking notes.
Severus, without the Slytherin influence, was still as stern in his lessons. The only thing that changed was the fact that he no longer favored his own house over the others. No, he treated them all the same, scolding and demeaning every last student. Except for Harry, of course. It wouldn't be Severus' style if he couldn't favor someone. No one despised Harry for it, however. After years of ill-treatment in his potion's lesson, it was finally nice to be treated almost equally. Ron and Hermione benefited from their connection with Harry as well. Severus hardly yelled at Ron for being slow and didn't make a single comment about Hermione being a know-it-all.
"There you are, Harry. We've been looking all over for you."
Harry looked up to see Ron and Hermione walking towards him.
"Hey, Ron. How did your defense OWL go?" asked Harry as Ron and Hermione sat next to him.
"Not to bad," said Ron as he took off his robe. "I think I passed. You?"
"I got extra points," explained Harry with a grin. "I did a part of the test wandless."
"Well, it's not like you needed the extra points," said Hermione. "There's no way you would get anything lower than an outstanding."
The three continued to talk about their OWLs. Hermione was nervous about her charms work, thinking she may have gotten points off for not speaking loud enough when casting the spells. Ron hoped he would still be able to pass Divination after cracking the crystal ball he was working with and having to make predictions with it. The spider cracks skewed the shapes he saw in the ball and he was sure he predicted that the examiner would be a beautiful bride. The examiner, a man about 60, looked strangely happy to hear the prediction.
After the end of the year feast the in Great Hall, Harry went down to his father's chambers. Gryffindor had won the House Cup and Harry's spirits were the highest they had been all week. The exams were over, they got the cup and he would be going home tomorrow. A real home.
"How's it feel to be done?" asked Severus as Harry walked into his father's chambers. Harry plopped down onto the leather sofa.
"I thought that, compared to the rest of the year, OWLS would have been a breeze," said Harry. "Was I wrong."
"Well, you did fine on my exam," said Severus with a reassuring smile. "If all else fails, you could become a potions professor."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts went fine," said Harry as he rested his head on the back of the couch. "But frankly, I don't want anything to do with the Dark Arts anymore. I'd rather muck out dragon cages."
"Congratulations on the Cup," said Severus as he sat next to Harry.
"Thanks," said Harry with a yawn. "We're going to have a big party in Gryffindor tonight. Sirius is going to come."
"I can already imagine the chaos," said Severus with a sneer.
"The Gryffindors have really warmed up to him," said Harry. "It makes him feel a lot better."
"Good for him," said Severus, though his tone wasn't as venomous. "Speaking of Black, he has a surprise for you. It involves us meeting him at King's Cross when the Hogwarts Express comes in."
"Why there?"
Severus shrugged.
"He just insisted that we arrive five minutes before the train arrives on the muggle side of the platform."
Harry tried to think of any reason Sirius would want them to meet him there, but he couldn't think of anything.
"Are you packed and ready to go tomorrow?" asked Severus.
"Almost," said Harry.
"By almost, do you mean you haven't started yet?" asked Severus with a smirk.
Harry nodded with a smile.
"Well, have your trunk in here in the morning so we can send our luggage ahead of us before going to King's Cross."
"I will," said Harry as he rolled his eyes playfully.
Both sat in silence for a while before Severus stood up.
"Well, what are you still doing in here? You have a party to go to," he said as he pulled Harry to his feet.
"I'll see you in the morning," said Harry as he ran out of his father's chambers.
Severus and Harry stood between platform 9 and platform 10 at King's Cross train station, waiting for the train to arrive from Hogwarts. Harry had tried to get what Sirius was going to do out of him at the party the night before, but he didn't spill a word. He just explained that it would be a satisfying surprise.
"Harry dear? What are you doing here?"
Harry turned to see Mrs. Weasley walking towards him. Mr. Weasley followed and gave him a smile and a nod.
"Oh, hello, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry as he gave the woman a hug. "Sirius wanted me to meet him here. He has a surprise for me."
"Oh, I wonder what it could be?" said Mrs. Weasley. "Anyway, I'm glad I get to see you before you go home. It must be so exciting for you, to go to a real home for the holiday."
Mrs. Weasley nodded towards Severus, who returned the gesture.
"It is," said Harry with a smile.
"Well, even though you have a place to stay, don't be a stranger. You and your father are welcome to our home anytime you like. The summer wouldn't be the same without you."
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry.
"You really should come by," said Mr. Weasley. "Being Minister of Magic has its advantages. We've made many improvements to the Burrow."
"I can't wait," said Harry with a smile.
Suddenly, students started to make their way from Platform 9¾. Harry and Severus watched for Sirius as students started to stream out one by one. Hermione and Ron didn't take long to make their way out, each greeting Harry.
"Where's Sirius?" asked Harry as they both walked up to him.
"Oh, he's coming," said Ron with a grin.
"What's so funny about this? Why isn't anyone telling me anything?" asked Harry as he looked back and forth between Ron and Hermione. Instead of answering, Hermione pointed past Harry. Harry turned to look at what she was pointing at. Behind him, the Dursleys had just arrived and were waiting for their nephew to arrive.
"Wait a minute," said Harry as he turned back around. "I thought…Dad, I thought you let the Dursleys know about everything that had happened?"
Severus looked at Harry for a moment before starting to whistle.
"Dad?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Harry," said Severus. "I didn't let them know anything."
"Well, someone has to go tell them," said Harry. "They'll be happy to know I won't be coming back with them."
"I'll let them know."
Harry turned and was met with the reflection of his former self.
"Sirius?"
The old Harry nodded and came over.
"Sirius? Why are you charmed as me…well, the old me?" asked Harry.
"We don't want the Dursleys to miss out on a summer with their favorite nephew. So I though I'd go with them and stay there for a little while."
Harry stared at Sirius for a moment before laughing.
"Brilliant," said Harry. "Whose idea was this?"
"Amazingly enough, it was your good ol dad's idea," said Sirius as he pointed to Severus. "Anyway, I need to get back to my 'family'. I'll see you all later."
"Bye Harry," chorused Ron, Hermione, Harry, Severus, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as Sirius made his way towards the Dursleys, who were not looking happy at all to see that their nephew would be returning. Sirius gave them all a wave before turning and following the three unhappy muggles.
"Ready to go home?" asked Severus as Sirius disappeared from sight.
"Yeah," answered Harry. "Let's go."
THE END
(a/n)
Well, that's it. That's the end of this fic. It was a short epilouge but it helped set up the sequel and tie together some loose ends. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me til the end. This was my first fan fiction piece ever and I had so much fun with it. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm glad people actually read this.
Stay tuned! I'm going to have a short sequel to this fic, featuring Sirius' summer with the Dursleys and some more of Harry and Severus.
Sirius' Revenge: Coming soon!