The Escape to Safety

A large black dog was curled up trying to stay warm in a chilly cave overlooking the village of Hogsmead. He was passing the time dreaming of a hot bath, large meal and a soft bed when his enhanced senses screamed red alert as realisation that he had uninvited company hit home.

...

Albus couldn't remember ever having a day this bad, first Fawkes had a burning day just as he needed him then the floo system broke down and now the bloody stairs were playing silly buggers. If those Weasley twins had pranked the stairs then Argus Filch would get to use his thumbscrews as an early Christmas present.

He eventually made it out the main doors and hurried down to the gates before passing through them and the protective wards immediately apparating to the cave he placed Sirius in.

....

"Sirius, it's me! You need to transform."

The black dog suddenly became a man with all the obvious signs of living rough, "What the hell are you doing here? Merlin's beard, you frightened the life out of me"

"Sorry Sirius but we haven't got time for this, you're coming with me now."

The cave was now empty!

...

At the Gryffindor apartment Hermione had found some robes that should fit Sirius while Winky had a hot meal on the table as they waited for their men returning.

Harry, Dobby and Sirius apparated into the apartment but before Sirius could vent his anger at the situation he was bowled over by the bushy haired missile that targeted his godson leaping at Harry and enveloping him in limbs while kissing him senseless. Sirius was beyond shocked, just what the hell was going on? He made 'clearing the throat' noises to try and get the young couples attention.

When Godric said "I don't think that's going to be enough, I think you're going to have to try something louder than that."

Sirius nodded his head in agreement before placing two fingers into his mouth and producing an ear splitting whistle.

Harry and Hermione slowly parted although still wrapped in each other's arms, "Oh hi Sirius, good to see you again," said Hermione "there's a meal on the table, plenty of hot water and clean robes left out for you. We need to leave now to collect my parents but we won't be long."

"Yea need to go and collect the in-laws so best behaviour from the godfather as we're trying to make a good impression here," said Harry.

The two couples joined hands and left a bewildered animagus wondering what was in that last bit of grub he scavenged because this couldn't be real. Then the scent of the food reached his nostrils and hunger dispelled all doubts as he prepared to eat his first real meal in years.

....

Dumbledore found the cave empty but knew Sirius couldn't be far away, sitting down on a boulder he decided to give him ten minutes to show up.

.....

At the Granger Dental Practice in Kensington both doctors were drinking coffee while completing paperwork and looking forward to heading home for the weekend when they were disturbed by a very familiar voice that had no business being here.

"Mum. Dad are you still here?"

"We're in the office dear," said Emma.

The door opened and Hermione burst through and raced to embrace her parents while Harry and the elves entered at a more sedate pace.

Dan Granger hugged his daughter while his mind raced trying to find a reason for this visit. He noticed that the boy and Hermione were still wearing Hogwarts school robes in Kensington and what the other two visitors were he had no idea. Taking into account the speed she came through the door and the ferocity of the embrace Dan knew something was seriously wrong with his studious daughter.

"Well darling I think we should have the introductions and then the explanation, don't you?" said a worried Emma Granger who was every bit as smart as her husband and had came to the same conclusion about the seriousness of the situation.

"Oh sorry, I was so worried I forgot my manners. Mum, Dad meet Harry Potter."

"So finally we get to meet the boy mentioned in all your letters and who you never stop talking about," said Emma shaking an embarrassed Harry's hand.

"Pleased to meet you," said Harry as he shook hands with his as yet unaware in-laws.

"This is Winky and Dobby who are elves," as Hermione introduced the bowing couple to distract her parents attention away from Harry. She knew they had to get away as quickly as possible so had decided that all explanations would need to wait for a more secure location.

Hermione took a deep breath and prayed that she could convince her parents to leave without delay, "Mum, Dad, something happened today which will affect all our lives but at the moment we don't have all the facts. The one thing that's definite is that we are in great danger if we remain here. I need you both to trust me and come with us to a safe location where we can hopefully answer all of the questions that I can see in you eyes. Please believe me that we need to leave NOW!"

The urgency in her voice and the pleading of her eyes convinced Dan and Emma who understood they were out of their depth in the magical world so had to trust that Hermione knew what she was doing.

"Let us get our coats though I don't think the six of us will fit in the car dear," said Emma as she moved to collect them from the combined store and cloakroom in the corridor.

Relief flooded through Hermione as Harry released a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding, "Don't worry Mum we won't be taking the car," smiled Hermione.