Very pleased with all the support so far. As always, reviews are much appreciated.

Chapter ii.

"Please sign here. Initial here. And there. There as well. Now this one. And you'll need to sign this is well. This one, too. And four drops of blood to magically seal it."

Sirius was gradually losing patience with the ministry witch. While he was eternally grateful to finally be signing the release papers from Azkaban, the last thing he wanted to be doing was standing there in his rags and signing on a million and one dotted lines.

The Hogwarts' professors had hurriedly rushed the children out of the courtroom- he'd have to ask someone why they were there in the first place- and among them was his godson. He was extremely surprised- a little miffed- to see Snivellus in the courtroom as well. He thought Dumbledore must truly be losing his mind to let that monster instruct students. The lot of them probably had nightmares about his greasy hair. Sirius shuddered thinking about it.

The witch finally collected one final signature from him and rushed away to process them. Sirius all but sprinted out of the doors into the semi-crowded corridor. Almost immediately reporters began shoving towards him and shouting questions at him but he ignored him. He saw the first years being led away and dashed after them.

"I want to see my godson!" he barked at a reporter as he hurried to catch the group. "Harry!" Harry turned around and Sirius felt his heart stop. It was like seeing his best friend all over again. "Harry."

There was a tense moment in the corridor where time seemed to stand still, and then suddenly the raven haired boy was running towards him. Sirius braced himself for the impact of the eleven year old launching himself at him and gripping him in a tight hug.

When he finally released him, Sirius crouched down in front of him and held him at arm's length to get a good look at him. "You know who I am?" he asked him.

Harry nodded. "You're my godfather. I have picture of you with my parents."

"Excellent," Sirius laughed. "I know you hear this all the time, but you look so like your father. Except for the eyes-"

"They're my mother's." Harry finished with a smile. "People tell me all the time."

"They didn't deserve such a horrible ending," Sirius said sadly and there were tears in both of their eyes. Neither of them paid any mind to the reporters busily snapping photos of them. "But now that everyone knows the truth, maybe we can finally begin the healing process."

To his surprise, Harry's eyes went hard as steel and he spoke through grit teeth. "Not until that bastard Riddle is in a grave."

"Potter."

Sirius broke his gaze away from Harry and stood to his feet, placing a hand protectively on his godson's shoulder as he came level with one of the people he loathed the most.

"Is there something you need...professor?" Sirius asked, not bothering to keep the disdain out of his voice.

"Actually yes," Snape replied just as coolly. "We are preparing to leave and Harry is expected to return to school as he came- with his classmates."

Neither of the men saw the boy in question rolling his eyes as they were too busy staring each other down. Harry hoped that it didn't come to blows; they had too much at stake for their childish remarks.

"Yes, professor Snape." Harry replied easily. He turned to Sirius. "I guess I can't skip school to hang out with you?" he joked.

Sirius chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. "Not quite, pup. But I suppose your professor is correct. You have to get back and I have much to do...new clothes and a bath for starters."

Snape curled his lip and sneered. "Oh that is you? I thought I smelled a wet dog in here..."

"How clever," Sirius bit back. "Did you think of that on your own, Snivellus?"

"You arrogant-"

"Sirius, I'll owl you." Harry interrupted with a clearing of his throat. "I know you'll be really busy finding your place in society again, but you're my godfather. I want to know you."

Sirius relaxed immediately as he gave his full attention to his godson once more. "Of course, Harry. And you're right, there is much for me to do but there is always time for a letter and if your Headmaster is generous, perhaps he'll allow a floo call."

"Excellent." Harry smiled widely and squeezed him tight around the middle in a hug. Snape gave him one final loathing glance and hurried off with Harry following him.

Sirius watched at the first years were ushered onto the lift and soon they were out of sight. Sirius turned to see the new DMLE, Amelia Bones, the minister, Cornelius Fudge, and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Albus Dumbledore emerging from the courtroom and his diverted his attention to them. A familiar dread settled over him accompanied by something he hadn't felt in years...anger.

It was time to get some answers.

RaDiOaCtIvE

Sirius,

Let me start by saying I'm so excited that you've got your freedom at last. I'll admit, I believed you guilty at one point but I've since learned better. You're a better man than Pettigrew could ever hope to be. I'm proud of you and proud to be your godson. I've been the perfect student to my professors and they all agreed that I should be allowed rare visits to Hogsmeade so that I can get to know you. Of course Dumbledore caved so I can meet you on this Saturday at noon if you're not too busy? There's a lot we need to discuss. I really look forward to seeing you, Padfoot.

Harry.

Ps. Yes, I know you're also Padfoot. And your secret is safe with me.

Sirius anxiously waited in the Hog's Head, per the boy's request. He wasn't a fan of the grimy and dingy atmosphere and Aberforth was weird to say the least. Nevertheless, he nursed a butterbeer out of a questionably clean glass. He hadn't been waiting long when Harry finally arrived. He rushed to hug his godson and held him at arm's length to get another long, good look at him.

"Hogwarts is treating you well," Sirius said proudly as Harry took a seat across from him.

Oh the irony, Harry thought.

He had met with Hermione, Neville and Draco shortly after breakfast and they decided that telling Sirius about their mission as soon as possible was absolutely necessary.

"So Harry," Sirius began. "I must say, your letter surprised me. Especially that bit at the end." he gave Harry a knowing look.

Harry grinned but it didn't quite reach his eyes. It would be extremely difficult explaining everything to Sirius. "It's pretty complicated, Sirius."

Sirius looked worried. "What is it?"

"I"ll explain everything but first I need you to place a very powerful silencing charm around us."

Sirius looked confused but took out his wand carefully and murmured, "Silencio," he put his wand away. "Now what's so serious? Besides me?"

Harry actually let out a laugh at the horrible pun. "Clever. I'm about to reveal some very dangerous information and I want your word that you won't do anything...irrational once I tell you."

Sirius scoffed and chuckled. "Harry, what could possibly-"

"Your word, please?" Harry repeated quietly. Sirius sobered up immediately and regarded the boy carefully. He wasn't prepared for such seriousness from the eleven year old. He nodded his head once.

Harry took a deep breath. Here goes nothing... "I, along with four others are from a different timeline. I was sent back on a mission and I need your help. In the other timeline, you wouldn't have been granted a trial ever. In fact, you broke out of jail during my third year when you saw a picture of the rat with his missing finger in the Daily Prophet."

Sirius's jaw fell open. "What? I'm sorry Harry, what exactly do you mean 'different timeline'? And no one's every broken out of Azkaban."

Harry bit his lip. "You changed into your animagus form because it's harder for the dementors to detect animals. And you were the first to break out of Azkaban, although during my fifth year there was a mass breakout. As for the different timeline, I've experienced all of this before. I was sent back on a mission."

"Lots of bad things happen to wizards who meddle in time," Sirius said seriously. "I've been in prison a fair amount of time, but before that I was an auror and you must understand why this would be quite difficult for me to accept. At least without proof?"

"You're an unregistered animagus." Harry replied. "Remus Lupin is a werewolf and my dad was a stag. You called him Prongs and Remus was Moony. I have your map also."

Sirius leaned forward and crossed his hands. He studied the his godson carefully. "You're slowly gaining the benefit of the doubt, godson."

Harry continued. That was better than what he had hoped for. In the other timeline Sirius was anxious and even a bit moody in his later years. Maybe gaining his freedom and independence- an a hefty settlement from the Ministry- had made him a bit more relaxed. That would be good for the next piece of information Harry was going to reveal. "Well, this may not be entirely pleasant to hear but...during my fifth year, Voldemort manipulated me and as a result- as a result of my stubbornness a good man was killed. A good man who had spent hell in prison and doomed to spend his last days on the run." Harry would probably never forgive himself for that. Even if he could prevent it this time around.

Sirius didn't react but asked calmly. "Who?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange."

Sirius swore and his fist clenched on the table. "I take it she was a part of the breakout during your fifth year?" Harry nodded. "And how does You-Know-Who fit into all of this? And Dumbledore?"

Harry grimaced. He wished Sirius would break that terrible habit most members of wizarding Britain had an call the man by his name. "I had a few run-ins with Voldemort before he officially made his comeback during my fourth year. Dumbledore kept some vital information from me which ultimately resulted in my death. As such, I'm back here to prevent myself and about a hundred others from dying."

Sirius's jaw fell open. He recovered quickly. "DUMBLEDORE DID WHAT?!" Harry was grateful for the silencing charm. "And The Dark Lord returns? Er..returned?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah the past/present tense thing is weird. But yes." He pulled a piece of folded parchment from his pocket and gave it to Sirius. "The same phrase for the map unlocks it."

"I could kill Dumbledore for allowing that bastard to harm you. When I see him-"

"NO!" Harry all but shouted.

"Harry, listen to me-" Sirius started but Harry shook his head violently.

"No." He repeated. "This is to be kept from Dumbledore at any means possible. He'll only get too involved and I really don't have time to play around this time. Sirius, I DIED because of his inaction. I don't want to go through all that again."

"But-"

"You gave your word."

Sirius sputtered. "That I wouldn't act irrational! You're telling me that a man is all but responsible for your death and I shouldn't be upset?"

Harry sighed. "Trust me, you're not the only one who's upset. But...I'm here now. And we've got a plan to fix this but we need your help and with that comes your full agreement to not clue people in on what's happening. Sirius, we are deliberately changing history and that is way bigger than me or Voldemort or even Dumbledore. We're talking about an entire generation. We can't do this without you, but if you take that parchment, then it has to be done our way."

Sirius locked gazes with Harry for a long moment. Harry knew that this was a lot to take in and Sirius had every reason to doubt him but eventually Sirius pulled out his wand and mumbled, "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."

Ink began spilling over the paper and turned into a list.

"Excellent." Harry smiled a bit. "This makes things so much easier. Now that you're on the team, there's quite a bit you need to know..."

For the next fifteen minutes, Harry explained about the horcruxes, his encounters with Voldemort, the ritual used to create him a new body, Dumbledore's death, the Ministry's shortcomings and life on the run. Sirius's reactions ranged from pride at his guts to ride a Gringotts' dragon, to anger at Ron's betrayal.

"So who else is from the other timeline?" Sirius asked as he went over the list. There was a list of all the horcruxes and their locations and key events that would happen.

"My best friend Hermione," Harry responded. "When the Minister demanded that you be kissed by the dementors, we used her time-turner to go back in time to save an executed hippogriff and then you both escaped to London on its back."

"Sounds like a keeper," Sirius winked. Harry turned red.

"There's also Neville Longbottom."

"Frank and Alice's son?" Sirius asked and Harry nodded. "You know he's your godbrother? Lily had Alice to be your godmother. How is she?"

"Brain-dead." Harry replied sadly. "That's how Bellatrix wound up in Azkaban. She used the Cruciatus on her and Neville's dad. They've been in St. Mungo's ever since. I- I didn't go back far enough in time to save them."

"It's alright, Harry." Sirius said. "We'll make sure their suffering wasn't in vain."

Harry nodded. "And then Draco Malfoy. I know his dad is a death eater, and he was too in the other timeline but now he's a double agent for us. It was hard for Hermione and Neville to accept him at first, but he's got considerable influence over his father who has the Minister in his pocket. He's a valuable asset."

Sirius looked skeptical but didn't reply. Harry took a deep breath and chose his next words carefully. "Also, you need to know that the person who sent me back in the first place is Severus Snape."

A shadow immediately passed over Sirius's face. "That greasy haired bastard-"

"Is the only one brave enough to tell me that I had to die for the horcrux in me to be killed." Harry defended him. "Even Dumbledore, the 'leader of the light' didn't show me that much respect. He also kind of taught me occlumency and he was a double agent as well."

"Yes but who; the Order or You-Know-Who?" Sirius challenged.

Harry scratched his head and sighed. "Sirius, call the man by his name. Either Riddle or Voldemort. He's a half-blood with daddy issues that spouts pure-blood propaganda and has people afraid to say his name even after a tiny baby put him down like the dog he is. Plus, it always pissed him off when I didn't address him as Voldemort. As for Snape, he was an asshole, no doubt about it. But he also recognized that his made the biggest mistake of his life. He was selfish in that aspect when he asked for Voldemort to spare my mom because he loved her, but he was also young and stupid enough to want to be in Voldemort's circle anyway. He'll gladly admit to you that he made horrible choices and is paying for them everyday. It's also a huge slice of humble pie for him considering he was murdered by Voldemort in the end anyway."

Sirius looked thoroughly put out that Harry seemed to be sticking to his guns on this one but nodded tersely and said no more about.

"What's the plan so far?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Well, the Sorcerer's stone is hidden beneath Hogwarts as a trap for Voldemort." Harry pointed to the parchment. The words transformed to form a detailed drawing of all of the obstacles 'protecting' the stone. "In a few days, Quirrell- possessed by Voldemort- is going to bring a troll into the school as a distraction while he tries to get the stone. Our plan was to retrieve the stone ourselves before that happens."

"How long will it take to get past the obstacles?"

Harry snorted. "The first time around three first years with hardly any magical training were able to get it with reasonable effort. This time it'll be no more than child's play. You can assist us by getting a safe place for us to keep it. Maybe acquiring a magical container or something of that sort?"

"Very easily done." Sirius said. He took out a pocket watch and glanced at it, frowning a bit. "Looks like we're running out of time. You should probably get back to the castle, although that's the last place I want you."

"Trust me, doing all of this all over again was not something I anticipated." Harry shrugged. "I'm really happy you took this all so well. It was difficult for all of us. Hermione and Neville remembered dying...Draco remembered all of the horrible things he did to receive the dark mark..."

Sirius placed a hand comfortingly on Harry's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Worry no more. You're right, it is a bit disconcerting but I'll do everything in my power to help. I suppose I should refrain from such an early death this time around?"

Harry appreciated his attempt at humor. "There's one more thing; there's a horcrux inside of Grimmauld Place."

…...

Grimmauld Place was just as he'd left it; cold, unwelcome, and brimming to the edge with dark magic. For a long moment, Sirius stood in front of the house watching it.

It had been so long.

Finally he grit his teeth and walked up the steps. His hand hovered over the snake doorknob initially, but he was surprised when it accepted his touch and allowed him entry. His father must not have gotten around to properly banishing him from the family.

He flicked his wand and the entrance way flickered to life. He stepped around the disgusting old troll umbrella stand and stunned his mother's portrait before she could make a peep. He was glad Harry had warned him about that.

To say he was surprised by his godson's revelations was probably the understatement of the century. He was shocked, appalled, angered, and although he would never admit, ashamed. He still felt unbelievably guilty that he had decided to go after the rat instead of tending to his freshly orphaned godson all those years ago. He was embarrassed because even after he had managed to break out of prison, he was forced into hiding because they had apparently let the rat escape and the fact that two thirteen year olds had to rescue him from dementors only added salt to the wounds.

Sure, he was proud of Harry for suffering so much and making it as far as he did. Sometimes life dealt horrible cards and Harry's hand was certainly not one to envy. However, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that something horrible was going to happen. He wasn't sure Harry understood just how dangerous time-travel was. They were probably breaking a plethora of laws just by existing. Although if Sirius had to be honest with himself, he could give two piles of dragon shit about the Ministry at the moment. They had given him a very, very generous compensation, access to all of his vaults and reinstated his title as Lord Black but they had yet to give him back the eleven years he had lost in that hellhole. Some things money couldn't buy.

However, that was just one aspect of several facets. There was also Dumbledore's role in all of this. Apparently he had set the boy up to be killed intentionally. How could he do that to James and Lily? They were two of his most avid supporters. And Snape being thrust into all of this just completely rubbed him the wrong way. He had all but loathed the Slytherin while they were in school and those feelings had done nothing but fester in his time locked away. Harry had explained how the greaseball had overheard the prophecy that signed Lily and James' death certificates and he was feeling very bitter about that. He also hated that his godson seemed to have unwaivering trust in the man. The castle definitely wasn't safe for Harry.

But against his better judgement, he was going to allow Harry to take the lead on this one. He had barely known the lad a week and had no desire to come off as overbearing, lest he lose a chance to reconnect with his best friends' only son. He would do everything he could to keep him alive this time.

The locket was exactly where Harry had said it would be. Sirius was amazing that literally nothing about his childhood home had changed. The glass display case was locked and coated in dust but Sirius could sense the dark magic radiating from the various objects. He pulled a pair of dragon hide gloves out of his pockets and slipped them on. He also pulled a miniature trunk out of his pocket and placed it on the floor besides him. He performed a complicated set of movements and the trunk expanded into full sized. It had seven keyholes on it and Sirius used his wand as a key and turned it in the third keyhole. It made an unlocking sound and the lid popped open. He used his wand again to vanish the dust and unlock the display case. There sitting proudly was a huge golden locket with an inlaid S. He felt shudders along his spine.

"Wingardium leviosa," he muttered. The necklace hovered and Sirius directed it inside of the trunk. When he heard it hit the bottom with a soft clunk, he closed the lid and magically locked it. He shrunk it again and placed it back in his pocket before removing his gloves. There was only one thing left to do.

"Kreacher," he called.

A moment later there was a loud pop and the old elf appeared across the room from him. Sirius didn't hide the disgust on his face. The elf was shriveled as ever and had an expression of loathing on his face as he regarded Sirius.

"They have released Master Sirius from Azkaban," Kreacher croaked. "Kreacher thinks they should have let the little blood traiter rot in there with the dementors, but Kreacher never gets what he wants, not since his Mistress has died."

"And good riddance to the old bat," Sirius growled. Kreacher glowered at him. "You are a poor excuse of an elf, Kreacher. I have half of the mind to give you clothes and be done with you, rotten elf."

Kreacher shrunk back as if he had been struck but the fierce expression of hatred contradicted his pose. "Master Sirius threatens Kreacher with clothes...if only Mistress were here...Mistress would put the ungrateful murderer in his place."

"I'm not a murderer...yet." Sirius threatened and the elf didn't miss his implication. "However, I promised my godson that I wouldn't harm you but there's no question, you can't live here. Kreacher, I'm ordering you away from this house. My late mother owned a plot of land in Cairo. You will go there and take care of the home that's there. You are not to communicate with anyone unless I grant you permission to do so. You are not to leave the home unless I call for you and you are not to answer anyone's call but my own." he could see the elf struggling to find some loophole out of the situation but not finding any. "If you even think about breaking any of the rules I set, you are to punish yourself and you will die. Do you understand me?"

Kreacher nodded reproachfully.

"Good," Sirius said pleased. "And remove that awful portrait of my mother from the wall. It's got a sticking charm on it but I know for a fact that you know how to get it down. bring it in here when you're done and then go to Cairo."

The elf didn't even complain as he set off on his task. Sirius breathed a sigh of relief when moments later his mother's portrait was laying at his feet and Kreacher popped away. Harry had warned him about setting the elf free and instead suggested that he send him somewhere else and order him not to leave. Sirius would have probably enjoyed killing him but he decided to save his rage for a more deserving person.

He pointed his wand at the frozen face of his mother. "Incendio."

RaDiOaCtIvE

"That's it?"

The little red stone sat innocently on the counter as the four students stared at it.

"All the traps were the same," Harry told them. "Hermione was wicked with her spell work."

"It was nothing really..." she blushed and looked away.

"So that's the key to immortality?" Draco said, not sounding impressed at all. "A little stone barely the size of my hand."

"A whole lot of hoopla about nothing really," Neville added. "You guys were barely gone half an hour."

"We need to get this to Sirius as soon as possible," Harry told them, checking off an item off the the magical parchment. "Snape is meeting him at Grimmauld Place this weekend to start brewing the Elixir."

"Will it be done in time to save the Flamels?" Hermione asked worriedly.

Harry nodded. "In the original timeline they passed away shortly after I went after the stone and that wasn't until the end of second term. They should be fine."

"Great." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and flipped the parchment over where a list of names that had been struck through were. She tapped her wand against the paper and the line that went through the Flamel's name erased itself.

That was the ultimate goal after all; defeat Voldemort and save as many people as they could.

They had failed once already. It was no longer an option.

I appreciate all reviews. The first chapter was a bit of a stretch concerning length. Unless it's a special circumstance, the remaining chapters will be closer to this length. Thanks.