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

Chapter 8

"A lot do, but not everyone has upgraded yet, if their old set works just fine.  But more and more are like this, some are way bigger, almost a theater in your home, so to speak!" Rupert explained.

"I'm sure everyone will be thrilled with the movies, as they are so realistic,"  Emma enthused. "We even brought extra DVDs with a whole lot of information about how the effects of the movies were done.  It's as much 'magic' to Muggles as it will be to all of you; most people have no idea how we get some of the effects done." 

"Could I see that one while we wait for the others to get back?"  asked Sirius, a bit of 'kid in a candy store' look in his eyes.

"I suppose so, but we need to talk to you first, while we're alone, if you don't mind," Dan replied, a serious look on his face, indicating to Sirius to have a seat on one of the sofas.

"I just had a flashback,"  Sirius mumbled.  "That's the same tone I used to hear when I was being sent to the Headmaster's office."

"It's not all that bad," Emma reassured him.  "It's  just that in retrospect, we can see all of the mistakes people made, trying to shield each other, but actually having the opposite effect.  All of those noble intentions did more harm than good."

"I take it I am doing something wrong, already."  Sirius asked, looking around at the four visitors.

"Yes, and no." Rupert answered.  "You're happy to be out of Azkaban and in Harry's life, but you're frustrated being stuck here in Grimmauld place."

"And Severus doesn't help your frustration factor when he takes every chance he gets to insinuate you're hiding here instead of doing something 'useful'," Tom informed him.

Sirius snarled. "Snivilus, that greasy git.   Sticking his big nose in my business, as usual."

"That's one thing, right there!" Dan spoke up, pointing at him, stopping Sirius in his tracks.  "Severus Snape gave his life in the Battle at Hogwarts and he does more to protect Harry than anyone, including you!  That's the first thing I want you to absorb, remember and be thankful for, as far as the story went the first time!"

"SNAPE!?!?"  Sirius was flabbergasted.  "Then why doesn't he act like he gives a damn about Harry?"

"He's been playing his part for so long, it's ingrained in him to be the 'snarky bat'," Tom injected. "He scares hell out of most of the Slytherins, never mind the rest of the school and a few of the teachers," he added, shaking his head. "He cares more than anyone will ever know."

"Point of fact, Sirius, with his dying breath Severus gave Harry his memories, which Harry took to Albus' 'Pensieve' and reviewed.   It's not for me to tell them to you, but know that the Marauders were totally wrong about him," Emma told him, with a small smile.

"You owe him a heartfelt thank you, at the very least, for doing all he has done for Harry. . . things you couldn't know of, or do, because of your imprisonment and then your death.  Severus didn't deserve to die the way he did, either and we're determined to see that he doesn't, this time around." Rupert added.

"Oh, so my death doesn't get as much consideration as Severus Snape's?" Sirius snapped.

"SIRIUS!" Dan yelled. "STOP THINKING OF YOURSELF ALL THE DAMN TIME! THE PITY PARTY STOPS NOW!!"

Sirius' mouth hung open, then his eyes narrowed. "And who the bloody hell are you to talk to me that way?"

"I'm the bloody Muggle who is going to save your selfish arse, that's who I am!"  Dan got right in his face.  "Now, I'm going to show you just how wrong you are and MAYBE, if your stiff necked pride will back off a bit, you'll get it!"