The car ride to the Potter estate was not an exceptionally long one. James, Sirius and Remus sat in the back talking. Remus began to wonder where Sirius and his dad lived. James was very open about his home, but Sirius said not a word. James went on about the mansion, the quidditch pitch, the grounds, the lake etc. Remus couldn't figure out if Sirius was ashamed of his home of just couldn't get a word in edge wise because of James.

"So, Sirius, where do you live?" asked Remus.

" ,"

"He lives in the gate house, don't you Sirius," said James.

"Did you have to open your big mouth?" asked Sirius.

"Sirius you shouldn't be ashamed of where you live," said Remus. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"And you shouldn't be ashamed of being a werewolf," said Sirius.

"I'm not ashamed of being a werewolf," said Remus. "I just don't want people frightened of me. Not everyone is so understanding."

"Who wants to play quidditch," said James. "We need to practice so we can make the team next year."

When they got there they unloaded their stuff. James got his snowy owl Athena. Remus picked up his barn owl Cassandra. The house elves took their luggage to their rooms. Sirius' puffskien, Frodo came out to greet him.

"Oh look it's the boogie eater," said James.

"Be nice to Frodo," said Sirius as he picked up Frodo. "Awe look, he missed me."

"He missed your boogies," said James.

Sirius ignored James as he cuddled Frodo.

"I can't believe you still have a puffskien for a pet," said Remus dissolving into laughter.

"My dad's been trying to get him an owl, but he's too attached to the boogey eater," said James. "Frodo's the last thing my mum gave me," said Sirius.

"That is one old puffskien," said Remus.

"Yeah, I know," said Sirius. "That's why I've got to keep Kit away from him."

"If he doesn't, she'll squeeze the life out of it," said James.

"Puffy! Puffy! Give me Puffy," said Kit pointing to the puffskien.

"No!" said Sirius sternly.

"Yeah Siri, give her puffy," said James.

"Go play with Jamey's toy broom," said Sirius.

"No! Touch it and I'll hex you," said James. "No one touches Jamey's toy broom except for Jamey."

"Aren't you a little old for a toy broom?" asked Remus.

"It was my first broom, besides I'll get rid of it when sentimental boy gets rid of his puffskien."

"That night Sirius spent the night with the Potters. Later that night, Remus, James and Sirius snuck down to the kitchen to nick some cookies. They heard Mr. Potter and Mr. Black talking.

"I don't know Ray," said Cameron Black. "I don't like the idea of Sirius hanging out with Leon Snape's son. The boy has future death eater written all over him."

"Maybe hanging with Sirius will have a good influence on him," said Rayford as they laughed at the idea of Sirius being a good influence on anyone. "Don't assume every Slytherin is a death eater or dark wizard in training."

"Good grief, Ray, you of all people should know I don't think that. Caroline was a Slytherin," said Cameron referring to his late wife.

"Then stop assuming the boy will be a death eater. You remember what the Spencers were like," said Rayford. "Buck, you've got to learn to trust people more. Do you want to end up like Moody?"

"Point taken," said Cameron. "So what did Crouch want to talk about?"

"About moving you to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department."

"Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against working with Arthur Weasley. I like the chap, but working under him is a different issue. I have more seniority in the Ministry than he does. Furthermore Misuse of Muggle Artifacts is a misuse of my training and experience."

"Wasn't my call, Buck."

"We both know it's because I pissed Crouch off. What lame excuse did he give you and Alastor?"

"He said something about you being a single parent."

"That's bull *censored*. If that was the case I would have been moved when Caroline died."

Sirius gasped at his father swearing.

"Would you be quiet? You're going to get us caught!" said James.

"Shh, I think children are listening," whispered Rayford.

Rayford walked quietly to the door and opened it to find Sirius, Remus and James standing there.

"Gotcha!" he said.

"I told you, you were going to get us caught," said James.

"No it was your big mouth that got us caught," said Sirius.

"Yes it was your rather big mouth, Jamey," said Mr. Potter. "Did you boys want anything other that to spy on us?"

"Cookies and milk," was the unanimous reply.

"Good then all of you can go back to bed, because it's late," said Mr. Black.

"Way to go big mouth," said Remus on the way back to bed.

(A/N: my co-writer and I got the names Rayford and Cameron from the Left behind series. Tim Lay Haye and Jerry B. Jenkins own the nickname Buck. There are the Characters Rayford Steele and Cameron Williams. Cameron is nicknamed Buck because he bucks tradition and authority.)