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Disclaimer: I do not own Sirius Black, Azkaban, Lily, James and Harry Potter or Remus Lupin. They are all the wonderful work of JK Rowling, I’m just taking them out for a little bit of a spin.

Summary: After 12 years in Azkaban prison, Sirius finally returns home to those he left behind.

Pairing: Sirius/OFC

Rating: FRT

Notes: I always wondered where Sirius went after he left Harry and Hermione in the court yard when he took off with Buckbeak. And, well, what better way to do this then with a new Fan Fic? Also, seeing as I love SB/RL slash, this hints to a rather adult relationship between SB/RL and my OFC. So, if that in any way, doesn't sit well with you, then don’t bother reading this. Simple.

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Isabella Skye had just finished drawing the curtains to her room closed when the sound of something hitting the pavement and toppling the rubbish bins over made her reach for her wand. Ever since the previous summer, she’d always had it on hand, terrified of what and who may show up at her home. Holding her breath, she stood completely still, waiting for another sound, for something that would tell her to take up guard on the other side of the room. When nothing more came of it, she turned her back and prepared to get ready for bed. It had been ten years since anyone had visited the small cottage just on the outskirts of Worcester; and then it had been Remus, telling her he was going to try and build a new life for himself. Somewhere away from the memories that haunted them both, the last letter she had received from him had been a year and a half ago, telling her how much her friendship was missed while he travelled the outback of Australia.

It had only been a few months later when an owl arrived bearing the Daily Prophet with news of Sirius’ escape and a note from Remus saying that he would be returning to Britain to teach at Hogwarts and to keep an eye out for their former friend turned traitor. Isabella had been forced to mourn again that day, for the friends and love she had lost due to the last war. She’d spent the better half of two years pleading with the werewolf that his friend was a great many things, but he was neither a liar nor murderer. In the end, she had eventually given up as Remus proved to be more and more stubborn then James and Sirius put together. By winter, she had given up hope that either one would contact her, and resumed her life once more.

Slipping her nightgown on, she pulled back the covers when another sound drew her attention. Someone was knocking at her back door. Moving swiftly, she scooped up her wand from her bedside table and made her way silently towards the kitchen, her arm never wavering as she mentally prepared herself for an attack. Slowly, Isabella reached for the door knob, almost jumping out of her skin as the knock came again. “It could be Remus,” she muttered softly, “He could need help.” Pulling the door open, her heart stopped. He was standing there, his face sallow and his hair a little longer then he normally kept it, his blue-grey eyes sparkling a little in the light from the kitchen.

“S-Sirius?” Isabella’s voice wavered; she didn’t dare blink in case he disappeared.

It only took that same, charming smile and she snapped. Her wand clattered to the floor as her arms flew up around his neck, laughing and crying because it was him… really him. After a few moments, she stepped back, pulling him inside and away from the prying eyes of suspicious neighbours, only sparing a quick glance at the hippogriff now clawing at her vegetable garden.

Once the door was closed, she took the proper time to drink in his appearance. His hair longer then she last saw it, but it suited him – added to that roguish charm he’d always had – his face was thinner, his skin pale from too much time out of the sun. Her gaze travelled back up, taking in every last detail, when she came to rest back on his face, she finally noticed the look of fear in his eyes, as though he was waiting for her to tell him he was too late, that she’d moved on.

A strangled sob managed to escape Isabella’s throat as she fell back into his arms. The tears she had been holding back for twelve years finally breaking free as she sobbed into Sirius’ chest, her hands clutching at his back as though he would fade away any moment.

“Shhh, Bella, its okay. I’ve come home.” Sirius’ soft voice wavered slightly, his face buried in her hair. He continued to whisper softly, his own voice thick with tears, telling her how much she had been missed and loved. “I’ve been so terrified, not just for myself, but for you and Remus and Harry. It was murder not being able to come here when I got away. But I had to make sure it would be safe… for all of us.”

She nodded slightly, it had been a risk when he’d escaped, it would have been an even bigger risk to come straight here. Slowly however, everything that Sirius said filtered through and she turned her tear stained face upwards to look at him, “You’ve seen him then?” Her voice trembled as though terrified of what he might tell her.

“I have. Looks every bit like his father, except for his eyes; those are Lily’s.” His grin softened as he led Isabella out of the kitchen and into the living room.

Isabella’s heart stopped, she hadn’t seen her Godson in twelve years, when news of Lily and James’ death, and Sirius’ arrest had reached her, it had been too late. The boy was gone, and no matter how she had pleaded with Albus Dumbledore, he would not give up the boy’s location. “Is he… is he safe?” She had stopped just short of the sofa, her eyes following Sirius’ slow prowl of the room, “Is he happy?”

“Quite safe, he’s not only had Dumbledore’s protection this year, but Remus’ as well. But, as for his happiness, I’m not sure anyone could be happy knowing that in a few weeks he’ll be returning to Petunia’s home.”

The colour drained from Isabella’s face at the news. Petunia Dursley, formerly Petunia Evans, Lily’s only living relative was a sad and pathetic excuse for a muggle. “How did you…”

“Locator charm,” he turned his head and gave her a tiny smile. “And of course, Padfoot.” Turning away, he eyed the mantle warily, looking at the pictures lined neatly along the shelf. “It seems so long ago… another life time.” His voice had dropped to a whisper as he lifted a long, silver frame, studying the strip of pictures behind the glass. “I remember the day this was taken, trying to fit all five of us into that damnable booth.” He smirked as the people in the long strip of film bustled about, trying to get in the shot. He smirked as he held it up for Isabella to see, Lily was there, scowling at James who was making faces at the camera, and there was Remus as sedate as ever, sitting in the middle of the two couples – a tiny smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as his hand snuck up and tugged on Lily’s long, auburn braid, resulting in her turning and slapping Sirius while James and Isabella opened their mouths in silent laughter.

Isabella giggled softly as she came and stood beside him, “I remember the trouble we got in when Arthur Weasley found out you’d bewitched the booth so the film would be magic instead of muggle.”

“A small price to pay, I am sure, especially seeing as in exchange for a slap on the wrist, he learnt how muggle photo booths worked.” Sirius set the frame back down in its rightful place before wrapping his arms around the tiny body next to him. “Things have changed so much since then. Lily and James…” He closed his eyes for a brief moment before continuing, “And Remus… He looks much older then his thirty-four years, and I. I must look like death warmed over, not to mention I am desperately in need of a decent haircut and shave. The only one who hasn’t changed at all is you.”

A tiny chuckle escaped Isabella’s throat, “Remus’ old age can be accounted to the fact that he worries far too much, and I… well, I have changed, a little… a lot. But you… you still look like my Sirius. Same sparkling blue eyes, same roguish smile. You’re a little thin, but nothing that a few decent meals won’t fix. You’re still as handsome as they day I met you.” Stepping back, she grabbed his hand and led Sirius over to the sofa. “After Lily and James…” She swallowed down the lump in her throat at the mention of her best friends, “after the Ministry took you away to Azkaban, I made Remus help me search for Peter. I guess those first two years of scouring the globe for him; we forgot to look after ourselves properly.” She gave Sirius a sad smile, “When we couldn’t find him, we went our separate ways. We came back here, but after a while, Remus left to travel. I must have over a hundred different stamps.” Isabella gave a small chuckle, “But, you’re here now, with me. My star has finally come home.”

Sirius sat down on the sofa, puling Bella with him so she was sitting on his lap. “Am I?” His voice barely audible.

Tilting her head, Isabella’s eyes locked with his, understanding the question quite clearly, “Very much so. Twelve years and I still love you just as much as I ever did. There has been no one else, I can’t very well hand my heart to someone when it’s not mine to give.”

Sirius looked at her, and she saw for the first time, just how vulnerable Sirius could really be. Underneath all that confidence, all that bravado of stealing away from Azkaban was a man who was terrified of the things he had endured, things he had seen and above all else the possibility of what may happen.

“You own my heart Sirius; you always have, ever since our second year at Hogwarts. Twelve years apart is not going to change that.”

His smile was sad, “I would have thought Remus to be with you by now, for you two to have continued on without me.”

“No,” her voice was soft, “While I do love him, what we had… it could never continue without you, we both knew that. Besides, in one of his last letters he told me of a young witch that has caught his eye. An auror named ‘Tonks’.” She beamed at the look of surprise on Sirius’ face, “Yes, ‘Tonks’ is Andromeda’s girl… must be something about you Blacks that makes us half-breeds and muggle-borns fall in love with you. But, it seems that our days as a trio are no more.”

Sirius nodded slowly, the long standing relationship between himself, Isabella and Remus was something that he had latched onto while in Azkaban, that one day he would be reunited with both of his lovers. But the fact that Remus had fallen for his own cousin was not lost on Sirius as a laugh worked its way out of his chest. “Nymphadora Tonks and our Remus…” he shook his head, “She must be incredibly pleased, she’s had a crush on him since she first saw him.” He smirked, “So long as she keeps him happy, that is all that matters.”

Isabella nodded in agreement. They sat there for long moments, just relishing in each others company, a thousand questions burning inside of her, how had he escaped? Where had he been hiding? Questions about Remus and Harry and about the rat Pettigrew, but they went unsaid; no doubt Sirius would tell her when he was ready so there was no need to push.

Cupping his cheek, she tilted his head slightly, his beard tickling her fingertips. Her eyes locked with his once more for what felt like an eternity. “Welcome home Sirius,” she whispered before pressing her lips to his in a soft, sensuous kiss.

~Fini~