It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 21

"Don't be so down on yourself, Sirius.  This is all happening for a reason and we will live through it this time  . . .  all of us.  I think you will have a harder time getting used to dealing with him than Severus will, dealing with you  . . . you're able to openly help, he's still a spy and his life, second only to Harry's, is the one most likely to be in danger from Voldemort," Remus reassured him.

"Don't forget Albus, he's in the crosshairs, too."  Sirius reminded his friend.

"AH, true, but I think our new, young Muggle friends have a few tricks up their sleeves that might keep our esteemed Headmaster alive, too."

Laughter from the room behind them drew their attention and they turned to see Tom being dragged forward to meet Buckbeak, Emma and Rupert having already been introduced.

"Oh, dear, I hope Buckbeak will be able to tell the difference," Sirius stood, as did Remus, ready to come to Tom's aid, if the Hippogriff didn't react favorably to the tall blond standing before him.  However, leaning forward and sniffing, Buckbeak nodded his head and seemed to accept the stranger.

"Let's join the party, shall we?" Remus asked, as he opened the door."

"Why not?!?!" replied Sirius, as he stepped through the door, to be heartily greeted by the occupants of the room.

* * * *

"I'm going to be popping over to The Burrow this morning to show Winky her new home, so I want you all to . . . "

"Come with you?" piped up Fred.

"Show the Muggles the old place?" suggested George.

"Take all our Christmas loot home and store it away?"  Ginny offered.

"Get out of Sirius' hair for a bit?" Ron added.

"Quiet! All of you!"  Molly raised her voice over the din that threatened to drown out her instructions for the day. "Actually . . . yes, to all of those suggestions.  I'll be going to see your father this afternoon and he's due to be released on Friday, if he's sufficiently healed.  I'll try to explain to him what's going on . . . ."

"Perhaps seeing and hearing all about it in person would be better, Mum," suggested Ron.  "You know how he is with all things Muggle; for him to know there are Muggle thing-a-ma-bobs from seventeen years in the future sitting here to be investigated would have him running out of St. Mungo's in his hospital gown."

"Back panels flapping  . . . " George added, grinning.

"Witches fainting in the halls . . . " Fred described, to growing laughter from the others.

"Merlin help us, we can't have that!"  Molly agreed, covering her mouth with her napkin to smother her own giggles.

"Best just spring it on him, like you all experienced yesterday,"  Dan nodded.

"Was it just yesterday?"  Ginny shook her head and then looked at Hermione. "How did you not go loopy when you used the Time Turner in your third year?"

"Oh, I had to keep very close watch on where I was going at what time, and believe me, it did nearly drive me to distraction."  Hermione replied.

"If you'll pardon the pun in that sentence," injected Tom, as he reached for the toast rack.  "Close watch - Time Turner?"

"Oh, goodness, you're right,"  snickered Hermione, as Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Why can't Sirius come with us to The Burrow," Dan asked.  "He's no more in danger there than we will be, is he?  You don't have Aurors popping in regularly, looking for him, do you?"