4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.
Outside the two-story house belonging to Harry's aunt, Shawn stood quietly in the summer breeze, dressed in black formal robes.
He had chosen not to go inside with the "young Duke," Draco, to fetch Harry.
His gaze happened to sweep over a nearby house of the same design, where Sirius stood on the balcony, looking back at him.
Dressed in black, Sirius leaned against the railing with a glass of red wine in hand. He looked much healthier now.
Some of his handsome, elegant air had gradually returned, and his shoulder-length, slightly curly black hair and mustache were well groomed. When he was not being wild and reckless, he carried himself quite convincingly as an aristocrat.
Shawn's gaze remained indifferent. After that brief glance, he paid him no further attention.
Before long, Harry and Draco came out in high spirits, with Vernon offering some "kindly" advice behind them.
"Harry, make sure you mind your manners. Important people like the young Duke and young Mr. Black are the friends you should be making. You ought to stay well away from murderers and the like."
Harry felt a headache coming on and did not respond.
Ever since Shawn and Draco's visit last year, Harry's circumstances and treatment in Vernon's home had improved dramatically.
But he still disliked his aunt's family.
He had thought that once Sirius was free, he could build a warm new home with his godfather.
But Dumbledore had stepped in to object, saying that the protective magic his mother had left behind required him to spend a full month with his blood relatives every year to replenish its special magical energy.
Harry did not really care. The Chief had already sent Voldemort fleeing in panic. With the Chief and the headmaster around, Voldemort