Harry Potter and the Flying Squad (01) - Sahits

* * *
Wednesday evening, Harry strolled down Privet Drive. Earlier that day, he had checked the
location to figure out where Sirius would wait. There was a corner with bushes high enough to
provide cover for a dog even as large as his godfather. And this was exactly where he found
him.
The dog gave no sign, nor did Harry.
They walked past the last building, reached a spot under trees. Checking around, Harry saw
they were alone. When he turned back, Sirius stood there.
They hugged each other.
"Harry," said Sirius, "it's good to see you ... How is life with the Dursleys?"
"Better than ever. I found a few arguments to convince them that it's better for all of us if they
stop treating me like a retarded slave."
"Really? ... Like what, for example?"
Harry pointed at his pocket. "Like my wand, for example. I told them not to hold their breath
until some wizard cop came running to stop my unlawful magic ... As it turned out, I didn't
need much of it."
Sirius' laugh was short and bitter. "So the mess in the Ministry of Magic is at least good for
that, if nothing else."
"What's up, Sirius? Why are you here?"
"To give you a present." Sirius reached in his pocket, came up with something. "Here - it
comes from a good old friend."
What Harry saw was a heavy medal on a chain, made to wear around the neck. It looked like
gold. He glanced up. "A present? For me? ... Why? Is it from ..."
Sirius' hand was on Harry's mouth. "Yes."
His godfather's voice, not loud before, was barely audible. "It's an invitation, and this is your
travelling ticket, if you know what I mean. Use it ten o'clock straight - to meet where we can
speak safely."
Harry was staring, at the medal, at Sirius, and back. If he had understood correctly, he was
expected in two hours' time in Hogwarts. But this was impossible - portkeys didn't work in the
school area.
Sirius' next words answered the unspoken question. "How is your homework? Although that's
not the issue right now ... By the way, do you like walking around lakes?"
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