Sirius walked out of the Ministry of magic a free man. Oh Merlin it felt good.

Cameras flashed on his face; he didn't answer many of the questions. He just told everyone he was eager to get home and see his friend Remus again; He didn't mention Harry yet. Just as Jason Andy had told him to. The young Lawyer only graduated from Hogwarts last year but Harry was confident he was the best choice. Harry was right; He was a bloody good lawyer.

Sirius could feel his blood was boiling as he waited for the rat to be apprehended. He needed to trust James and Lily's son. He needed to trust Harry; he was a seer after all.

He had almost gotten an extra five years in Azkaban for being an unregistered Animagus. Luckily the ministry ruled that he had already served his time and then some.

He registered with the animagus department and was free to go. Much to his great relief.

Now he was heading home.

Well he would never really be able to consider number 12 a true home. His real home was with James, Lily and Remus. His true home was in his memories and he would never return to them. There were so many things he had wanted to Tell James, Tell Lily, Tell Remus. And even tell Peter. He didn't have the strength any more.

For now he was going to focus on Remus, Harry and probably Draco. That was his future. His future as a free man; he was going to make it count for every second it was worth.

Sirius got quite a shock when he walked into number 12. The place was tidy. He had never seen it this tidy. Who the hell was cleaning it up for him? Not that retched house elf.

Sirius pointed his wand in front of him as he moved. He checked every room; but found the sitting room locked.

"SIRIUS." A female voice came from behind him.

"Cissy?"

"You're out. I was waiting for the paper." The woman told him looking down at his wand.

Sirius slipped his wand away. "Yeah I'm a free man. I've umm seen your son- he's a good kid."

"I know. I hope you don't mind us moving back in."

"No, No of course not." This was actually a relief; being here alone may have proved to be too much. "Make your selves at home. Don't worry Cissy, really."

"I'll make you some tea Sirius."

"Thanks Cissy. You look good cousin."

She shook her head. "I've just had my bond dissolved, became a single parent and had to move in to this place. It was a mess." She took a breath. "I'm tired."

"I'll get changed and we can talk."

Sirius sat down at the dining table with his cousin. As per his request she told him about her bonding break up. About her son and what she knew about his friends and the state of the world since the war.

"So are you dealing- umm with the break up and everything."

"I'm fine Sirius. I haven't told Draco yet but Lucius is getting rebonded."

"Oh I'm sorry."

"He just wants an heir now that he doesn't have Draco." She looked sad.

"Do you know who it is?"

"Tatiana Westward."

"Didn't she marry- ah what was his name?"

"No they were engaged but broke it off. She courted a few men but never settled."

"Well it's his loss. I mean Draco's a great kid."

"Yeah I'm proud of him." Narcissa smiled and nodded. "I've seen Andromeda a lot since I broke from Lucius. Nymphadora too."

"How are they? I suppose Little Dora isn't as little as she used to be?"

"No she's not. She's training to become an Auora. Andromeda is ever so proud of her."

"I see why. Annie was always my favourite cousin."

"Thanks Sirius."

"I guess you're not bad either Cissy."

"Better than Bella."

"Of course but anything better than Bellatix."

"You should really go and see them, Andromeda I mean." Narcissa suggested.

"Yeah. I think I will. It'll be nice to see her again."

"You don't call her Ann to her face though do you?"

"I like my Limbs attached very much thank you Narcissa."

"So is that abysmal house elf still here?"

It was the last week or so of School for the year. Harry hadn't seen Sirius since the trial day. He had written and Harry saw the paper.

"Attention students." Dumbledore stood at his place at the head table. "I have some worrying news." Dumbledore pointed to a man and two woman standing to his right. "These people are from the ministry of magic. There has been a tragic deadly rodent sickness sweeping the country."

Harry recognised the man as Gawain Robards; he was a fairly senior Auora. He also recognised the deputy head of the Animagus registry department as she had visited Arthur's funeral. Arelettie Swan; the other woman he didn't recognise at all.

People around him looked confused or worried. Realisation hit Harry. Pettigrew was getting his comeuppance. It was really uncomfortable to have that rat in the next bed.

"Now I would like anyone with Rodents to bring their pets here to the ministry officials for testing. Do not worry your pets will not be harmed. I have been told older rats are more at risk than younger rats however still bring your pets no matter the age."

"Scabbers…" Ron looked worried.

"Ron how old is Scabbers?" Hermione asked. "You did say he was a bit under the weather."

"I don't know; he was Percy's. He's old…"

"Ron." Harry soothed as much as he could. This was something he couldn't tell Ron. "Take him to them. If he does have this sickness they're the best people to cure him."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go get him now." Ron rushed up leaving his desert in front of him. It would be cruel to tell Ron what his rat really was.

"Harry what is it?"

"God you are too perceptive sometimes."

Hermione smiled at him. "It's a gift."

"I can't tell you this time Hermione. I'm sorry. But Ron's about to lose his pet."

"He does have the-"

"He might as well have. You should go with him; to comfort him." Harry told her. "I can't be their right now."

"Poor Ron."

"Don't tell him; things will be worse for everyone if he doesn't give the rat away."

Ron didn't cry but he looked close to it as he sat in the common room. Fred sat beside his brother and put his arm around the younger Weasley.

"Look wouldn't it have been worse for him if he'd have suffered. He was an old rat. We all gave him a great life didn't we. He was a garden rat; he would have died years ago if he wasn't with our family."

"Fred's right Ron." Hermione told her. "He must have been in pain for a while. Not being able to move. You did a great thing taking him in. He knows you loved him."

Percy didn't seem to care; he loved his owl more than he had ever loved that rat.

"He's a good rat."

"Of course; he's a great rat." Fred insisted. "When you're ready George and I will buy you a new rat. Or something else; just not an owl. 'Kay."

Harry smiled at Fred; he was a good brother when he had to be. All the Weasleys were. Well Ginny was a sister but the sentiment was there.

"Harry. Did you see this?"

"No Ron I'm sorry. I told you I'm not a seer I don't know everything."

"Well what use a-" He wanted to explode but just sighed and rubbed threatening tears.

"I'm sorry Ron."

"I know I- just."

"Miss your friend. Feel bad because of what he's going through." This was Neville speaking. Harry spoke to him all the time in DAC club he was gaining so much confidence.

"Yeah that."

"It'll be okay Ron. The pain will fade. It'll hurt for a while but it will get easier."

Ron nodded slightly. "Thanks Neville."