Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Time

Disclaimers: I don't own anything, not even a Time-turner.

AN: NOT PART OF MY "Legacy" SERIES! THIS IS A STAND-ALONE/SEPARATE STORY!

Based upon "Prisoner Of Azkaban" but with a change of events. An AU, part of this is also set back in the Marauder's time. Based on an idea that's been nagging me for years since I first saw the movie but had to work out one major problem. Thanks to the final book, I know now how to work out that problem! Glad I waited.

Summary: POA as an AU: "Go for the girl, not the Rat!" When Sirius escapes Azkaban & heads for Hogwarts to kill Peter, he is shocked by a message of a way out of Peter's mess...from the most unlikely messenger.

(1) The Messenger

Padfoot thought he had never run so fast as he dodged through the great trees of the Forbidden Dark Forest by his old school, Hogwarts Castle. Twelve years. He had waited twelve years for this! Peter was so close, he would not escape this time.

Assuming Moony would EVER leave him alone. Curse the blessed werewolf's heart; but Remus was really starting to get on Padfoot's nerves. Merlin he was fast in human form! Padfoot tripped & went spinning nose over tail down a hill. He landed with a loud splat in a stream. Perhaps it was fortunate since Remus had fired yet another hex at the black dog & only by tripping was Padfoot saved.

Sirius had not planned on meeting his werewolf like this. Damn Dumbledore! Of all years to give that werewolf a job; he just HAD to pick this year. The moment Padfoot noticed Remus who was now a Dark Arts Defence Professor of Hogwarts; he had been overjoyed. The next moment, he had crashed into a depression. Facing the wrath of Moony on top of trying to catch Peter while at the same time dodging Dementors was just too much to handle. His strength had already been siphoned off through years at the horrid prison.

His first thought was to confront the Wolf, show him the picture, let Remus know—it is Peter, not he, who was to blame. But a single accidental encounter had changed that. Sirius was shattered to see that look in his werewolf's eyes. Hate. Pure & evil from hell itself. Remus hated him. Sirius couldn't blame him. Peter had spun his lies perfectly. But the unplanned run-in had put the Moon Dog on edge ever since. There was no getting near Remus without having Aveda Kedavra shoved up his arse.

Padfoot picked himself out of the water & ran again. He stayed in the stream, running along, following its course winding through the Dark Forest towards the lake. Remus skidded to a stop by the edge & glanced up & down but Padfoot was gone, black fur blended into the constant night that settled into the forest.

"Black?" Remus sniffed on both sides but couldn't pick up the scent. "If I see you again I'll kill you! You hear me? I'll bloody KILL you!"

The voice echoed through the woods. Padfoot stopped cantering downstream & paused to look back, one front paw raised in mid-step. He couldn't stand the hate even though it was to be expected. Merlin knew that Padfoot should have expected the hate. But it was still a kick in the gut. Padfoot hurried on his way once more.

The stream came out into a bog, which then emptied into the side of the Black Lake by Hogwarts. Padfoot stopped running & collapsed on a patch of hard ground at the edge of the bog. He lay, panting. He had run hard for a long time & it nearly killed him. As his breath slowed down, Padfoot curled up in a more comfortable position & put nose down onto his front paws. Harry. Think of Harry. His Godson was so big now. Sirius had missed so much of his life, while Peter had been right there for a few years. It wasn't fair. The dog whimpered softly, crying. His mission was starting to seem impossible. Dementors everywhere. Moony's ever watchful protection over Harry. Padfoot was grateful for that much. If Peter tried anything against Harry Potter now, Remus would notice. Then—finally—perhaps Moony would shut up & listen. Hopefully it wouldn't be too late. Everything could go so wrong, so fast.

Something like the twang of a spring being pulled sounded out to his left. Then another twang. Soon, a few more twangs could be heard, along with squelching as if something was hopping around in the mud of the bog. Slightly annoyed, Padfoot raised his head, only to stare through a smoky haze no matter which way he looked. He could see several tiny lanterns swing back & forth, making a circle around his bed. The lanterns were held up by the fog itself.

Great! Bloody hinkypunks! Fantastic. Padfoot sighed, wishing he had a wand right now. The best way to get rid of the beasts was a well-placed Lumos & a few choice words. They weren't overly dangerous unless one followed them into the bogs. They liked to lead one astray to be stuck & possible drown out there. But as Padfoot had no plans to enter the bog, he had no worry. They were nothing more than pests at the moment. The 'twang-twang' of their hops. The squeaks. The lanterns flickering. Oh well. Padfoot stood up then lay back on his forelegs while sticking his haunches in the air. He stretched & yawned widely. The hinkypunks became excited. Was this fake-dog going to follow them to his death? Oh yes! They could sense the wizarding power oozing from the beast.

Padfoot looked bored. He stood up on all fours then suddenly whirled around & barked viciously. They twanged backwards a few times. With an arrogant snort, Padfoot disappointed them by heading back up the stream a bit. He then cut to his right & trotted at an easy pace towards the castle again, keeping a wary eye out for Remus.

Remus was actually ahead of him. Padfoot dove into the bushes as he watched Remus pass through the Circle Of Stones to cross the long covered bridge on his way back to the castle. Remus disappeared behind a few tall trees beyond the far end of the bridge. Though the sun shone brightly, the Dementors left a chill everywhere they went. Padfoot sighed & began his decent down into the gorge far below that bridge. He had watched Remus & Harry standing halfway across it several weeks ago. They seemed to be striking up a close companionship. Back then, Padfoot had high hopes that perhaps the three of them could work together. Now he realised more than ever just how so very alone he was at the moment. Padfoot headed down the steep narrow stairs to the boathouse. He slipped into one of the little boats, under the cover & curled up, nose tip under tail tip. He had to sleep. Moony had worn him out so much it was a wonder he didn't have a heart attack. Crying softly, Padfoot fell into a doze. The hate from Moony was a living nightmare. His heart was pounding too hard to be healthy. Moony really had stressed him out. Padfoot tried desperately to sleep, ignoring the thudding in his chest.

"Hello Messr Padfoot."

Padfoot's eyes snapped open. Had he been discovered? He had only been here a moment or two. Rolling his eyes upward, he noticed he was still under covers. He tried to get up without rocking the boat.

"There's no need for stealth, Padfoot. I know you're in the second boat from the left."

Padfoot gulped. How the hell did he manage to betray himself? That voice was not Remus. Peter? Had Peter found him? But would Peter be so stupid as to expose himself now, knowing Sirius was here to kill him? The arrogance! Padfoot burst out of the boat, fangs bared & claws protruding.

Nothing. No one!

Padfoot whirled around, scanning the little dock & the great lake beyond. Tentacles lazily flared about. He stopped growling & sat on his tail. Now unless the Giant Squid suddenly spoke English, there was no one there to say anything. Or had he dreamed it?

"Good. You're finally out & about."

Guess not. Padfoot bit his paw until it hurt. Nope. Definitely not a dream.

"You're going for the wrong thing, old friend."

This could only be Peter. Padfoot transformed. "I am no friend of yours you murderer! Come out Peter! Time to play."

"Peter? Oh. I forgot about him. It's been so long. I'm not Peter."

"Well you're not Remus & you're not Harry!" Sirius shot back, quickly glancing around for the Dementors. He could see a few floating around the grounds between Hagrid's hut & the castle. "I know their voices. I've always known Moony's voice."

"If you'd stop being so defensive, I can come out."

"Oh you think I'm stupid?"

"Definitely."

Sirius blanched at the honesty. Was that a snicker he heard? "How will it be? The Death Curse?"

"No."

"How many Dementors do you have with you?"

"None."

"Like I can believe that," Sirius huffed. "It wasn't me, you kn—who told you my name was Padf—oh Remus!" Another betrayal, this time from his very own werewolf. It hurt. Merlin how it hurt. Must he always be in pain?

"Nope, you did. Long long time ago."

"Who are you then?" Sirius shouted, spinning around trying to see who was talking to him.

"Can I come out now? Don't hurt me. I won't hurt you, ok?"

"Just show yourself!"

"Alright. I'll come out in a moment but first I must tell you, this is the ONLY day we can connect, so please listen to me."

Sirius crossed his arms. "You're trying my patience."

"I'm sorry Padfoot, but this is very important."

"Fine. Hurry up!" Sirius huffed. He waited. There was a silence broken only by a soft clicking of something hitting the stone floor of the boathouse. Sirius had the growing sensation that something large & in charge was breathing down his neck. He turned around. "Wha...?" He could only stare. "Who...how...what?"

The great Stag lowered his head. A thirty-point spread all but touched either side of the boathouse. Both hands clasped over his heart, Sirius fell to his knees as the Stag changed. "Forgive the fright old friend."

"...James..." Sirius croaked.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. I killed you both. I'm so sorry!" Sirius pressed his face to the floor unable to halt the tears. "Sweet Merlin forgive me! I never meant to kill you!"

James reached down & petted his friend's head. That hand. It felt...solid. Sirius slowly raised his head, wiping tears only to replace them with new ones. "On your side I am dead. On my side, I am not."

"Ah yes, when we cross over. It's different over there...isn't it?"

"Very," James agreed.

Sirius bowed his head as he burst into tears again. "Moony hates me so much! Please! Prongs! Tell him. Peter is here."

"On your side, Moony hates you. On my side he does not."

Sirius stopped crying & stared at James. "Is Remus dead? Did Peter kill him?"

"Padfoot, look at me!" James held out his hands. "I'm not dead. Neither is Remus. Or Lily."

Sirius felt the hands. Solid. Flesh! "Now just what in the fuck is going on?"

James smiled his evil wicked grin. "The Marauders are nearly done pulling their greatest trick yet. You however, have to start it off," He sighed dramatically. "Then of course, finish it."

"What?" Sirius glared. Polyjuice potion. It had to be Polyjuice. "Wormtail! How DARE you take the form of James! I can't believe you'd use Polyjuice."

James shrugged exasperatedly. "That can change my human form but never my Animagus. Padfoot it's me. Prongs. Peter could never do Prongs. He was Wormtail the Rat. Polyjuice can't affect that."

"You're making that up! James is dead!"

"On your side but not here on my side."

"What does that mean then?" Sirius demanded.

"Remember what I just said? This is the only day we can connect."

"Yeah...ok."

"When I'm talking about sides, I'm not talking about death but time."

"Time?"

"You're going for the wrong thing Padfoot," James insisted. "Go for the girl, not the Rat."

"What girl? What are you talking about? THAT RAT IS A MONSTER!"

"I know," James rubbed his brow. "Look we don't have a lot of time. The girl Harry & his friend Ron hang out with. Go for her."

"I don't want to kill some girl! James would NEV—"

"Not kill her," James cut in, exasperated. "She has something very special around her neck. Get that & you can save Lily & I. You did. I'm here, aren't I?"

Sirius gritted his teeth. "What is going on?"

"The two timelines merge on this day, Padfoot."

"Timelines? Timelines!"

"Yes, since this is the day our biggest trick was initiated & had better be finished," James went on. "Right now, we are all here." He held up the map. "There are in fact, two of you at the moment. You from your half of the time loop & the Sirius Black from my half."

"Right. Ok. I'm not talking to you any more," Sirius made as if to leave.

"Padfoot, I've got the damn map! Look," James showed him.

Sirius glanced around & noticed Dementors over the lake at the far end. "The Dementors are going to find me soon. I should go."

"Hmm they're the reason it's a cold day today," James mused. "See, we don't have Dementors on this side. You do. But the coldness is there on both sides. We're calling it bad weather. Even though I know about them, none of us here can see the Dementors. Not my timeline. You & I know the most of what's truly going on. "

"I don't know anything about what's going on!" Sirius shot back. He snatched the map.

"Your other self is in the Great Hall," James said.

Sirius looked at the place & sure enough, another Sirius Black showed up. He checked the boathouse & saw his name. Again. "This is mad. This is absolutely madding!"

"Awful things happen to wizards who meddle with time," James said.

"MEDDLE WITH TIME?!"

"Yes, but as Marauders, it's our job to break every rule," James sighed. "I've told you all I can. Get the girl not the Rat. Oh & once you're on the other side, be sure to give me two letters," James handed over an envelope. "That one's from me now to my younger self, explaining what to do. You also need to write me a letter explaining exactly how I died here. Every detail Padfoot. It's important."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to meddle with time, Padfoot," James said. "I want you to fix it. Same events, different results."

"Why?"

"Voldemort."

"What does he have to do with anything?"

"Harry."

"Prongs!" Sirius moaned.

"What did Harry do to Voldemort Padfoot? 'Siriusly' can you not figure it out?"

"NO!"

James rubbed his brow & huffed. "Look, the world is at peace right now since my son destroyed Voldemort as a baby."

"You & Lily paid for that with your lives."

"I have no intention of letting her or myself die the second time around," James said. "I have a plan to get us all out safely AND destroy Voldemort again but it won't work unless you give me details of that night right down to the last blood drop spilled on the carpet. I know you remember it."

"Like yesterday," Sirius sniffed.

"Good," James said. "Now go get the girl. I'll see you shortly. Well from my point of view. Remember, you can NOT be seen by anyone. Not all Marauders know what's going on just yet. We've tried to keep Time as pure as possible so it was on a need-to-know basis. So be careful." At that, he took the map back & stuffed an old familiar looking cloak inside his jacket. So that's how a voice was heard but not seen. Then Prongs appeared & the great Stag bounded away.

"You've got to be kidding me!"