I clung to the shadows and felt time stop as I looked again at the very being that kept my world turning through years in Azkaban. He looked so much like James it hurt. How could I ever have loved James? How could I have loved anyone when this boy was meant to exist? My breath caught as he and the girl turned to look at me - the infuriating redhead alerting them to my presence. Those eyes... Harry's eyes... Suddenly it all made perfect sense.

I closed the rickety wooden door as I saw the eyes of the children widen in fear. I knew I was grinning like a madman - but forgive me the powertrip I get from striking fear into someone's heart simply by existing. I wasn't proud that I enjoyed it, but couldn't stop myself nonetheless.

Then, suddenly, Harry was speaking. Yelling. He was yelling at Moony for helping me. Merlin... his voice... it was even soft as he screamed at Moony. Perfect. He was perfect just like I knew he was the first moment I laid eyes on him. What a sick man to fall so deeply in love with a newborn upon first glance, but I could not stop myself. It was not in my nature. The dark magic of my family kept me alive, but it was the knowledge that someone would eventually come along and force himself to the center of my heart with a simple glance that kept me going.

I'd thought it was James. Honestly, I had. The very night I met James, the dreams began - dreams of a black haired boy with skin so pale it glowed, and he belonged to me. But James married Lily, and I thought my heart would break. It wasn't possible. The magic ran so much deeper than even James could avoid. How was it possible?

But Harry. My sweet little Harry. I knew I'd never leave the boy's side. I never would have if Voldemort wasn't a murderous bastard.

Harry raised his wand at me, and I could tell Moony was trying to reason with him. The girl was shouting something about werewolves, the redhead was whimpering in pain, and Peter was curling tightly into the boy's hands to keep from being seen. All this, I knew, was around me - but I couldn't feel it. There was only Harry.

His eyes locked with mine, and I knew he remembered me. There was confusion there as well. He didn't know why he was rooted to the floor, but he wasn't afraid. He was never afraid. And he could finally be mine.

"Put the wand down, Harry," I said. "I didn't betray your father."

"You sold them out to Voldemort!" Harry yelled. There was so much pain in his voice. "WHY? WHY DID YOU DO IT?"

"I didn't," I reassured him calmly. I began taking slow, deliberate steps forward. His eyes flicked down to my feet for just a moment before returning to my eyes.

"Yes, you did," Harry hissed. "You're the reason they're dead."

My heart skipped a beat. I would never have hurt them. I would never have done that to Harry.

"No, Harry, it wasn't me," I assured him. "It was Peter. He sold them out. I tried to stop him but it was too late. I'm so sorry, Harry."

With one final step my chest was pressed against the wand in Harry's hand. I wanted to be closer, but I knew that Harry wouldn't understand yet.

"Padfoot," Moony warned me, "what on earth do you think you're doing?"

I smiled. "Don't worry, old friend, Harry wouldn't hurt me, would you Harry?"

Harry stared blankly back at me. I laughed gently.

"I thought not." I held my hands up in mock surrender. "Would you feed me to the dementors, Harry? Me, of all people? Do you remember that when you were a baby, you never cried when I held you? You smiled first at me. Even Lily had to admit you liked me best. Your first word was my name."

"Sirius, what are you playing at?" Moony hissed. "He's just a child!"

I winced. A beautiful child, my thoughts immediately added. No. I chastized myself. I knew this would happen. He has to be seventeen. I have to wait for him to be seventeen.

"Harry, you can't know how I've missed you," I said softly. My words were like a promise - one that we'd had for a very long time. "I know you remember. I can see it in your eyes. You know you feel close to me, even without knowing why. You would never hurt me as I would never hurt you."

"Why?" Harry asked softly, seemingly unaware the words were even leaving his mouth. "Why? Why. Why. Why. How could you?"

"How could I what, Harry?" I asked firmly.

Harry opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He looked so conflicted. I knew the feeling. I'd felt it when I found myself madly in love with a newborn.

Suddenly, Harry was screaming. "YOU JUST LEFT ME!"

Then, quickly as it came, the moment passed. Harry looked dead confused again. He stared at me, eyes so full of awe. He'd always looked at me like that. James used to say I was Harry's favorite game in the world.

My heart twisted. Harry's words were true. I should never have gone after Peter. I should have stayed with Harry. Things would have been different...

"I never wanted to leave you, Harry," I swore to him. "But I couldn't let Peter get away with it. I was stupid and I went to Azkaban for it."

A soft "No" escaped Harry's lips. He was so beautiful. Thirteen and already more beautiful than anyone I'd ever seen.

"Give me the wand, Harry," I smiled softly. He pressed it into my hand with so much trust in his touch. It obviously came from the bond. Even as he did it, Harry looked at his hand as though it was betraying him.

With the wand in my hand, I turrned to the redhead. Both he and the girl were yelling now, but I barely heard them. Harry didn't listen either.

"Now, Ron," I warned, "it would be very wise of you not to move - even a little."

Ron froze as I pointed my wand at him. The girl screamed at Harry to do something, but he was too lost in the haze of confusion.

"SIRIUS! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU-"

"Avada kedavra," I whispered coldly. Green light flashed and hit it's mark.

Ron howled. "SCABBERS! YOU KILLED SCABBERS!"

I snatched the now dead rat from his hands and suffered a few punches from a hysterical Ron before stepping back.

"Did I?" I asked. I dropped the rat on a rather large expanse of dusty hardwood, ignoring the whimper Ron loosed as the rat hit the ground with a dull thump. I pulled out my own wand and pointed it down, wordlessly casting the spell that had Peter morphing back into the squat, dirty little man he truly was. Five people gasped.

"That's... not possible," drawled a dark voice from behind me. Snivellus.

I turned and flashed him a smile. "Why hello, Snape," I said. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Black," Snape's eyes darted from Peter's body to me, then flicked over to Moony for some sort of explanation. I knew it. I knew they were fucking.

"It's true, Severus," Moony sighed. "It was all Peter. Sirius is innocent... even if he is a half mad fool. How dare you point your wand at a child!"

"I didn't miss," I reminded him.

"But you could have!" the girl yelled. Hermione. That was her name. "You almost killed him!"

"No, he didn't," Harry whispered, confusion thick in his tone. "He would never hurt Ron. He couldn't."

"Harry, you don't even know him!" Hermione yelled.

"Yes, I do," Harry responded softly.

"Sirius, he's only a boy," Moony pleaded with me. "You can't take him yet. He's thirteen, for Merlin's sakes!"

Harry's eyes darted to mine and locked, pleading even more than Moony was capable of. "Please, don't leave me."

"Harry, what's gotten into you, mate?" Ron asked warily.

"He must b-be under some kind of spell," Hermione reasoned. "Professor, please, you have to help him!"

Snape looked confused. "Remus, do you know what's wrong with the boy?"

Moony grimaced. I nodded softly, telling him I didn't mind if he told. It wasn't really a secret. I should've been ashamed of myself, but how could I ever be ashamed of loving him?

"Hermione, are you familiar with the idea of a promised soul?" Moony asked carefully.

Hermione's eyes widened. "You can't mean... no. Not Harry. He's been through so much..."

"I would never hurt him, you silly girl," I fumed.

She stared back at me. "But, how? Why you?"

"My family is very old and very dark," I said bitterly. "If there is a rare bit of magic anywhere, it has probably occured in my family. This honestly doesn't surprise me."

"H-Hang on!" Ron interrupted. "What is it? This promised soul thing?"

"From birth, or perhaps even before, one wizard can be magically promised to another," Hrmione said, emotionless. "No one knows why it happens, but some people are born with the ability to love only one person they are set to search for from birth. It's a bit like Veela and their soul mates - but neither person has to be a creature. The magic is ancient and rare. When it occurs, neither person can die so long as the other l-loves them." She tripped over the word 'love,' probably realizing that Harry had been able to survive Voldemort's attack because of my love for him.

Hermione took a deep breath and continued. "They can't live with normal people. When they bond to each other, their very souls fuse together. They become unbelievably powerful, and being near them for too long can cause your magic to fail. There have only been a handful of these bonds in the history of time - but every time, the pair becomes a sort of superpower - almost as if you could have God settle your arguments. That is, if you can find them. They are notoriously secretive. I-If he takes Harry... we probably won't ever see him again."

"Very good," I smiled. "You really are the cleverest witch of your year."

Hermione smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. Somewhere inside she must've known she was close to losing one of her best friends to magic even she didn't fully understand.

"I always thought you were odd," Snape concluded.

"The feeling was mutual," I quipped without turning to look at him. Harry had caught my eyes again. He couldn't stop staring. I knew that he was battling with his soul. He wanted to stay - wanted to be normal. I'd wanted that once too. I smiled sadly at him, because we both knew he was going to lose.

"Please, Sirius," Moony begged. "He's just a child. He has to finish school. He deserves to be normal-"

"And how, exactly, is he supposed to do that?" I barked. "That infernal murderer decided a long time ago that normal wasn't going to be an option for Harry. And what am I to do, Remus? Should I simply go back to Azkaban and wait?"

"No," Harry said, more forcefully now. He took a half step forward, but froze again.

It wouldn't be long.

So I decided that it was no longer necessary to wear my glamour. Harry could see through it anyway.

Even Moony gasped as the magic fell away to reveal me - exactly seventeen years old. I hadn't aged a day since. I was waiting for Harry.

My hair was cut short and my face clean-shaven. I was still very thin from malnutrition, but I looked much healthier. The glamour had made me seem like a skeleton with skin, but in reality I had muscles from hours of exercise, my skin was naturally tan, and with the glow I'm sure my eyes had gained at the sight of Harry, I must have been a real sight.

"Bloody hell..." Ron breathed at the sight of me.

"I'll take that as a compliment," I laughed. Even my voice was different - younger and not nearly as course.

I stared diliberately at Harry, watching the magic swirl behind his eyes. There! my whole body exclaimed. There it is!

Finally, Harry's magic shifted into place and his green eyes glowed with his decision.

"Hello," I smiled.

"Hello," he replied, smiling back.

Moony just had to ruin it by doubling over and growling.

"Remus!" Snape cried. "Did you take your potion tonight?"

The only response Moony could give was growling. We didn't have long.

"Harry, grab the boy," I commanded. "Everyone out! Sorry to leave you behind, Moony, but it seems you won't be good company in about five minutes."

I swear Moony whimpered "I know."

Harry did as he was told. He fetched his wand, returned Hermione hers, and with a flick of his wrist Ron was soaring out the door to the shrieking shack. Hermione followed close behind, but Harry didn't need to follow for the magic to hold and I knew he wouldn't anyway.

I flicked my wrist and sent the dead body of Pettigrew out after the children. Without a word, Harry and I each grabbed one of Snape's arms and pulled him away from Moony's rapidly morphing form.

"REMUS!" Snape shouted. "LET ME GO! HE NEEDS ME!"

"He needs you right now like a hole in the head," I hissed as we dragged him along in the tunnel. "I don't think Moony would take too kindly to waking up tomorrow to find he'd attacked and killed his boyfriend."

Snape looked as if he were about to argue, but thought better of it. The git didn't help us carry him though.

We finally reached the Hogwarts grounds and Snape stood on his feet.

"T-Thank you, Sirius," he stammered weakly. "I don't know what got into me."

"You don't want me to say what I'm thinking," I smiled sweetly.

"Sirius," Harry said firmly. I looked to see him pointing at the two bodies floating towards the castle with Hermione running along beside them.

I nodded and we ran for the castle. Only a little winded, we reached the Hospital Wing only five minutes after Hermione and the others. She was halfway through a rambling explanation to Dumbledore, Minerva, Fudge, and Madame Pomfrey when we let ourselves in.

"Out!" Minerva yelled at me, obviously thinking I was a student. Then she noticed Harry and Snape and her eyes went wide.

"Well, well," Dumbledore cut off Hermione's explanation. "It seems the rumors are true. Sirius, I must admit, you look good for having been in Azkaban so long."

"Sirius Black?" Fudge stared in disbelief. "But that's just a boy!"

"It's him, Minister!" Hermione promised. "He was wearing a glamour."

Dumbledore smiled. "Brilliant, Sirius, really," he said. "An aging glamour? You are far cleverer than you're given credit for."

"Thank you, sir," I nodded.

"And Harry, my boy," Dumbledore turned to the boy standing quietly at my side. "I always knew we would see greatness from you. I can't say that I thought this was the most likely option, however. I should hope that if I don't happen to see you after this, you know that should either of you ever need me I shan't hesitate."

Harry eyed him warily. "So naturally you expect us to return the sentiment?" Harry challenged.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Naturally."

"Clever old man," I smiled.

"We make no promises," Harry said, but a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.

"B-But, Harry can't go!" Fudge stuttered. "Think of the PR nightmare! I'll be the minister that lost Harry Potter!"

I scowled at the sad little man. He was obviously stressed. He didn't like his job, I could tell. He did it for appearances. Then again, most did.

"Too bad," Harry said before I could respond. "You'll just have to get over it."

I'm certain that Fudge said something after that, but I didn't care because Harry slipped his hand in mine and it fit so perfectly. I turned just my head to look at him. He was still staring at me, but his gaze was calmer. He knew who we were to be, and he'd accepted it far quicker than I had.

So beautiful, I thought as I took in his smouldering green eyes. They looked as if fire had been lit behind an emerald-colored shade. Those eyes had been haunting me for years.

He reached up and brushed a finger along my neck. "Mine," he whispered so quietly that I felt the word more than I heard it. But damn, did I feel it.

And I was thinking: Fuck seventeen! What's four years? He's gorgeous and perfect and I can finally have him. He's mine. Forever, he's mine. Fuck seventeen. Thirteen is just as good.

I almost convinced myself of it too.

"Harry," I sighed, pulling his hand away from me. "Not yet."

Harry blinked twice. I could tell he'd hoped I wouldn't say that. He wouldn't argue. He knew that he couldn't leave with me - not yet.

Harry took a step back and crossed his arms. "I expect you there promptly at the moment I turn seventeen," he demanded.

I laughed. "As you wish," I nodded. "I will be close, Harry. Remember always that I love you."

He smiled. "I love you too."

I almost lost it. I almost fucking shoved him against the wall and kissed us both straight into ecstasy. Almost.

Instead I grabbed his hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. I'm certain that I got dirty looks, but I didn't care.

"I will see you soon, love," I promised. He nodded.

I apparated away before I could change my mind. If I wasn't so hurt from having to leave my Harry yet again, I would have laughed at what I'm certain was Fudge's shout of "Impossible! You can't apparate on Hogwarts grounds!"