"There was something I wanted to talk with you about."
"What is it?" Sirius asked, flipping a page.
"Where were you hiding before you came back for the tournament?"
"Brazil, they don't have an extradition treaty on the magical side and the beaches have . . ." He shuddered. "It's not something I can describe, it's something you have to see for yourself."
"Why not go back?"
"Can't leave you alone here with Voldemort, wouldn't be right," Sirius said, closing the magazine and looking the boy in the eyes. "So long as that bugger is drawing breath, I'll be here watching your back so long as I'm drawing breath. The beach birds 'll have to wait."
"Noble," Harry said, forming an argument. "But maybe not as productive setting up a bolt hole and keeping the escape route open."
"What do you mean?" Sirius put the magazine back onto the stack.
"How'd the Ministry do against the Death Eaters last time?" Harry asked.
"Not so well," Sirius admitted. "Truth is, we were losing badly when you got the bugger the first time."
"How well do you suppose they'll do now, after Lucius bloody Malfoy has had a few years to get things ready?"
"Voldemort'll have the place in an afternoon," Sirius said, turning pale.
"Which is why I need someplace safe to run to," Harry finished.