What if Harry's response to learning about Sirius Black in Third Year was to learn more?
OoOoOoOo
Harry Potter was having the best summer he could remember. After accidentally inflating Uncle Vernon's sister, Marge, he had run away to the Leaky Cauldron. As he arrived, he met a portly little man who stood out from the other pub patrons in a bottle-green striped suit with a very unfortunate lime green bowler. Harry was surprised to learn that this was the "Minister of Magic". Why would such an important man come just to assure a Hogwarts student that he wasn't in trouble for the accident with his aunt? On the plus side, he was able to rent a room at the Leaky Cauldron for the remaining weeks of the summer and not have to worry about the Dursleys.
Instead of spending twelve hours a day trying to complete an impossibly long list of chores from his relatives with limited food, he was able to eat his fill with the meals that Tom, the Leaky Cauldron's owner, provided. He spent his days completing his summer homework and exploring all of the shops in Diagon Alley. It was there he saw posters with the picture of a wild-eyed man asking "Have you seen this man? Approach with extreme caution! Do not attempt to use magic against this man!" In the picture, the man was holding a placard with "Azkaban Prison" on it.
When Harry returned to the Leaky Cauldron that afternoon, he stopped to chat with the pub owner. "Tom," the boy said slowly, "who is Sirius Black?"
"Oh my, you saw those posters, I suppose," replied the balding man with obvious discomfort.
"Well, yeah," Harry responded. "They are all over the Alley. But they don't say why they're looking for him."
"He's a mass murderer, Harry," Tom responded. "Don't even think of looking for him!"
Harry stared at the man in shock. "Why would I look for a mass murderer," he asked with astonishment. He may have been a bit reckless at school occasionally, but he wasn't suicidal!
"Well...oh...you don't know..." Tom's voice trailed off and he looked around the pub as if looking for an escape route or at least help. Unfortunately for him, it was after breakfast and before the lunch crowd arrived.
"Tom?" Harry frowned at the older man. The man was usually happy to talk about any subject. Why was he acting so odd? "Tom, what is the problem?"
"Harry, did anyone ever talk to you about how your parents died," the balding man said slowly.
"My relatives always told me they were unemployed drunks who died in a car crash," the teen replied. As Tom's eyes widened in shock, he hastily added, "But Hagrid said they were killed by Voldemort." He ignored the same shudder the pub owner gave that the terrorist's name seemed to invoke in everyone in the magical world. "I've been told I look like my father, but have my mother's eyes. Hagrid put a photo album together for me, so I at least know what they look like. My Dad was good at Transfiguration and my Mum was good with Charms. That's about all I've ever learned about them. No one ever wants to talk about them," he finished sadly.
"Aw, lad," Tom exclaimed, "I'll be happy to tell you everything I know." Harry perked up and sat down on a bar stool and looked hopefully at the older man.
"OK, let me think. Firstly, your dad was an outgoing chap. He was a bit spoiled, but many purebloods are, as most families only have one child. Always treated me nicely, though," he added. "The thing is, he was great friends with Sirius Black. Met at Hogwarts, they did. Both in Gryffindor. Were thick as thieves from what everyone said, practically brothers. But it was all a lie. Sirius Black was from a dark family, and he joined up with You-Know-Who secretly. The bastard actually led him to your parents the night they died. He was caught, though, and shipped off to Azkaban."
Harry stared at the man. "You're saying that he lied for years," he asked quietly. "I...I can't imagine pretending to be Ron Weasley's friend for seven years only to turn him over to be murdered once we were out of school."
"Of course you couldn't, lad," exclaimed Tom. "No right thinking person could! The Blacks had a lot of insanity in their background from what I heard. You-Know-Who's cruelest follower was Bellatrix Lestrange, who was born a Black. She was as mad as they come. No, it was that family. Not normal at all."
Harry thought about what Tom had told him for several long seconds. "So if Black was caught, why are there posters for him?"
"Well, he escaped, didn't he," said Tom. "First person to ever escape from Azkaban. And if'n he wasn't insane before, he would be after twelve years with dementors! He's bound to be incredibly dangerous now."
Harry blinked several times. "How did he escape? And what are dementors?"
Tom shook his head. "No one knows how he escaped. He just wasn't in his cell one morning from what I've read and overheard. And dementors…" Here he gave a visible shudder. "Dementors are what guard the prisoners in Azkaban. Some say they are tamed demons. Others say they are dark creatures. Can't say I know what they are, myself. All I know is that they don't eat and drink like us. They feed on feelings! It's said that they will draw all of the happiness out of a person, leaving only despair behind. It's why Black is considered so dangerous. They fed on him for twelve years."
Harry's face twisted into shocked disgust the more Tom explained. "That's…that's just awful! Wouldn't it be better to just execute them?"
"The dementors do that too, lad," Tom answered. "There's a punishment called the 'dementor kiss'. The things can actually suck the soul out of your body, leaving only an empty husk behind that dies shortly afterwards. There's no way to recover; the criminal's soul is lost forever."
Harry shuddered at the idea. "What's to stop these things from killing everyone," he asked.
"The Ministry has them under their control," Tom assured him. "They don't leave Azkaban. And don't you worry about Sirius Black. Once they find him, he'll get the Kiss for sure."
OoOoOoOo
The September train ride back to Hogwarts was a disaster. Apparently dementors had been ordered to track down the escaped criminal. They somehow caused the train to stop and boarded it to search for their prisoner. For some reason, all the lights went out when the dementors came aboard. Tom hadn't shared everything about the dementors, or perhaps he didn't know that they brought a cold with them that dropped the temperature so low the students could see their breath. Overwhelming fear poured over the children, and then something horrible stood in the doorway of Harry's compartment. Very tall, cloaked in black, but the hand that grasped the door frame was gray, slimy looking and scabbed. Harry heard a woman screaming before blackness overcame him.
Their Head of House, stood in the doorway of Hogwarts, watching the children as they arrived. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, come with me," Professor McGonagall commanded. She led the children to her office, where the school matron, Madame Pomfrey was waiting.
"Already having troubles before school begins, eh Mr. Potter," she said, casting a diagnostic spell over him.
Harry shook his head. Malfoy had already heard he had passed out, and he wondered who in the compartment had shared that tidbit. He wasn't a happy teen.
"I'm fine," he assured the Matron, hoping to escape her clutches.
"I'll be the judge of that," she replied firmly. "Stand still, Mr. Potter."
Harry sighed and then looked over at his Head of House. Here was a chance to follow up on a question that had been bothering him since Tom had first mentioned it. "Professor," he began, gaining her attention. "I heard a lot about Sirius Black in Diagon Alley and know the dementors are looking for him. Can you tell me if it's true that Sirius Black and my father were friends their entire time at Hogwarts?"
Surprise showed on the severe teacher's countenance for a moment. "That's neither here nor there, Mr. Potter," she stated severely, her lips thinning. "Is he fit for the feast," she asked the Matron.
Harry frowned at the obvious cold-shoulder. Every time he needed his Head of House for something, whether it was help with Snape's prejudices, the Philosopher's Stone, or the whole school shunning him for speaking Parseltongue, she provided no help. She was his father's Head of House for seven years, and never once shared information about James Potter with his orphaned son. Now he sought specific information from her and she refused to reply or even set up an appropriate time to discuss him. He had to admit that his respect for her eroded year by year.
"You are fit enough, Mr. Potter," Madame Pomfrey stated with a final wave of her wand. "I've ordered the kitchen to send up hot chocolate to all of the tables, and to include chocolate in the afters. Be sure you have some."
"Yes ma'am. Although Professor Lupin already gave us some on the train," Harry admitted.
"Did he now? It's a relief to finally have someone who knows that subject well," she stated in a pleased tone.
"Thank you, Madame Pomfrey," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "Off you go, Mr. Potter. Do as Madame Pomfrey said. Miss Granger, stay a moment."
Harry paused, intending to walk back with Hermione, but was shooed away by the Transfiguration professor, leaving his friend behind.
OoOoOoOo
Harry continued to look for more details about his father's Hogwarts years. He asked Hagrid, who told him about the four friends – James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. He told Harry that Black showed up at the Potter house the night his parents died when Hagrid was there and tried to take Harry. When Hagrid refused, Black gave him his motorcycle and said he was going after Pettigrew. Hagrid was horrified to learn that he not only killed Pettigrew, but a dozen Muggles as well. Only Pettigrew's finger was left after the fight. Harry was confused and asked what spell could have destroyed all but a single finger, but Hagrid didn't know.
Harry learned from Hermione that the police agency for the magical world was called the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, also known as the DMLE, and that their police officers were called Aurors. She told him that Susan Bones was the niece of the currently head of the department, Amelia Bones. On the way to Charms, Harry gathered his courage and made an effort to walk beside the red-headed Hufflepuff.
"Excuse me, Susan," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
The girl looked at the embarrassed teen and smiled. Boys were so funny sometimes. "Sure, Harry. What is it?"
"Well, I understand that your aunt is with the DMLE. I was wondering if you had any advice on how to find out about Sirius Black." At the girl's shocked look, he hurried to add, "I want to know if he ever gave a reason in his trial for his betrayal of my parents. I also wanted to know when he became a Death Eater. I mean, they were friends and dorm mates for seven years! I just don't understand how that could be." His voice was so filled with confusion that Susan felt sorry for his pain.
"Harry, why don't you send my Aunt a letter? Explain who you are and what information you're looking for. If you want, I'll write her myself and let her know to expect your letter."
The dark-haired teen gave her a brilliant smile. "Thank you, Susan. You're the best!" She couldn't help the blush that spread over her cheeks. When they arrived at the class room, she quickly wrote down her Aunt's address for him.
Later that night, Harry pulled out fresh parchment and tried to write with his best handwriting. He wished the Wizarding world used biros; he still struggled with a quill and ink even after two years.
Dear Madame Bones,
My name is Harry Potter and I go to Hogwarts with your niece, Susan. She suggested that I write you to see if there is information you could share from Sirius Black's trial.
Firstly, I wondered whether Black said when he became a Death Eater, as I've learned he was friends with my father for all seven years at Hogwarts. Was he just pretending for all those years? Or did he join after they graduated?
I'm also confused about what spell Black could have used on Peter Pettigrew after my parents died. I've been told that only a finger was left of the man, but I've never heard of any spell that could do that. Surely there would be other "pieces" found than a single finger?
Lastly, the dementors somehow stopped the Hogwarts Express and came aboard. Only the fact that a teacher was on board who could cast the Patronus charm kept the students from being kissed. Dementors are now stationed all around Hogwarts, but what guarantee do we have that they won't enter the grounds to attack students, just as they did the train?
Thank you for any information you can share.
Harry J. Potter
Amelia Bones put down the letter with a frown. This was the first that she had heard about dementors almost kissing a student and she was concerned for her niece's safety along with the rest of the school. However, after reading Susan's letter the day before, she felt badly at how little Harry Potter knew about his parents and could understand trying to understand the motives of the murderer.
"Penelope," Amelia called out to her secretary. The young woman entered immediately. "Please go down to the Records Clerk and requisition the transcripts from Sirius Black's trial, as well as any interview notes."
"Yes ma'am," her secretary replied with a little surprise. However, she immediately left on her errand without questioning her superior, causing Amelia to smile. The young woman was a first-class assistant, and the older woman was pleased to have her.
In the Records office, Penelope requested the transcripts and any notes from the investigation and interviews. The clerk went to his files and pulled out a remarkably thin folder. The only thing it contained was a transfer order from the DMLE holding cells to Azkaban. The clerk withdrew his wand and tried, "Accio Sirius Black records", expecting the documents to come from another folder after having been misfiled. To his surprise, nothing came. "I'll keep looking," he said with confusion evident in his voice to Penelope, "but that should have found anything that was there." Penelope signed for the thin folder and returned to her boss.
Amelia was shocked at the lack of information, but she wasn't easily dissuaded. The former head of the DMLE who served at the time of Black's trial was Bartemius Crouch. He had been demoted to the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation when his own son was discovered to be a Death Eater. She decided to go to his office rather than summoning him to hers, hoping to make the tetchy man more relaxed.
Bartemius Crouch sat ramrod straight in his chair when Amelia knocked on his door. His rapidly graying hair was parted down the middle and he wore a precisely trimmed "toothbrush" mustache, which twitched a little when he saw his visitor.
"Amelia," he nodded at the woman. "What a surprise. Please come in." The invitation was offered with only a slight pause.
"Thank you, Barty," she responded, taking a seat although he hadn't offered one. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm hoping that you will be able to recall a specific instance from the end of the last war." At the man's shocked expression, she related the letter she had received from Harry Potter. "Of course, I requisitioned the transcripts from Black's trial, but the Clerk couldn't find anything. I wondered what you could remember of the investigation and trial that I could share with Mr. Potter."
"Yes, I can understand the lad's desire to know more," Crouch nodded. "I'm not surprised there isn't much there. The man confessed at the scene. His wand was snapped and he was sent directly to Azkaban because of his confession."
Amelia blinked. This wasn't what she expected at all; the man before her had basically confessed to dereliction of duty and subverting the judicial process!
"I see," she said slowly, trying to appear calm. "I'm surprised though. Bellatrix Lestrange was caught in the act and proudly confessed to her crimes as well, but she was tried for her crimes. What was different about Sirius Black's case that he was sent to Azkaban without a trial?"
"Minister Bagnold agreed that a trial of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's right hand would likely cause a near-riot. Because of his confession, his guilt wasn't in question. The Minister wanted to try to focus on recovery, not on delaying justice for an obviously guilty criminal."
"And the Minister wasn't concerned that the Heir of an Ancient and Noble House was imprisoned without a guilty verdict?"
Bartemius waved his hand dismissively. "Pureblood politics be damned. The man was a Death Eater. Justice was served with his imprisonment."
Several hours later, Amelia sat in Minister Fudge's office and explained the problem, trying to ignore her pounding headache. Fudge was horrified, not that a man was imprisoned without a trial, but that the Ministry would look bad. Amelia kept her face impassive and promised herself a stiff drink later for not losing her temper.
"What you should remember, Minister, is that any error was made by the previous administration. By ordering a trial, you will be seen as the defender of justice. If he's found guilty, he will be sent back to Azkaban. If for some unknown reason he is somehow proven innocent, you will be seen as the man who ensured justice prevailed. And of course, you would then have the gratitude of the Ancient and Noble House of Black."
Cornelius Fudge was a fickle man, who responded to the flattery and bribes of the last person with whom he spoke. As he considered Madame Bones argument, he agreed that he couldn't lose. He would either prove himself better than the previous administration or he would fix their errors. Either way, he came out ahead.
"There is one other item to consider, Minister," Amelia added. "The dementors stopped and boarded the Hogwarts Express on September 1st. One almost kissed Harry Potter. If a teacher hadn't been aboard the train, he might have died, and that would have been our fault. If any heirs of Wizengamot members are harmed, the recriminations would fall on us."
"Oh Merlin," the portly man whispered. "I would never survive if Harry Potter had been kissed. What can we do?"
"My suggestion would be to return the dementors to Azkaban, where they are better controlled," she replied. "Then we change the 'kiss on sight' order to 'capture unharmed'. We'll place an article in the Daily Prophet about how the previous administration failed in their duty, and state that once apprehended, Black would be immediately tried before the Wizengamot."
"Yes, yes, do that," the man exclaimed. "Make sure everyone understands that this administration isn't at fault!"
OoOoOoOo
Several days later, a gaunt and filthy dog looking for anything edible in a trash bin, pulled out a newspaper. He carried it into the nearby forest and stopped in a hidden glade. The dog transformed into a gaunt and filthy man who stared at the headline "Black to be Tried When Apprehended". He read through the article. "Trying to trick me," he muttered. But what if it wasn't a trick? Amelia Bones was the Head of the DMLE, and he remembered her as a fair and honest woman.
He snuck into a house at the edge of Hogsmeade when everyone was out, and took parchment, ink and a quill. He quickly wrote a letter to Amelia Bones, asking for an unbreakable oath that he would survive to a trial and that he would be given Veritaserum. He summoned Kreacher, the remaining Black house elf. The elf was mostly insane, but would follow specific orders.
"Give this to Amelia Bones and wait for a reply," he ordered. "Do not tell her where I am. Do not allow any tracking charms on a response, on yourself, or on anything you wear or carry. Return here with her response when you have it, and do not bring anyone or anything else."
"Kreacher will do what nasty master orders. Poor mistress, how she would hate having the House of Black fall to such disgrace!" After disparaging his new master some more, he popped away to follow his instructions. An hour later, he returned with her answer on the same parchment that Black used and offered him her oath.
Within two days, Black surrendered to Amelia Bones. She allowed him a shower and a change of clothes, but he was then brought immediately before the Wizengamot on multiple counts of murder. To everyone's surprise, he willing submitted to three drops of Veritaserum and in full view of the Wizengamot as well as scores of spectators, he answered the questions posed by the Head of the DMLE.
"What is your full name and affiliations?"
"Sirius Orion Arcturus Black. I am the Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Black and will be the Pater Familias when I am recognized as the Head of House."
"Are you now or have you ever been a Death Eater or follower of V..Voldemort?" Amelia was pleased that she only stuttered once on the name. The others in the room shifted uncomfortably as the name was stated.
"No, my family might have followed the Dark Wanker, but I never did." There were gasps as well as chuckles at the man's casual denunciation and insult.
"Were you the Secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter?"
"No, that was Peter Pettigrew." More gasps could be heard from those in attendance.
"What happened the night that the Potters died?"
"I went to see them, but the house had been attacked. James was dead in the living room. Lily was dead upstairs in the nursery, and it looked like a small explosion had gone off in there. Rubeus Hagrid from Hogwarts was there and had already picked up Harry, who thank Merlin was alive, but bleeding from his head. I asked Hagrid for Harry, since he was my godson and my responsibility, but he refused. Said that Dumbledore had sent him. I knew Dumbledore could protect him, so I gave Hagrid my motorcycle to get back to Hogwarts, and went looking for Pettigrew. As the Secret Keeper, he was the only one who could have led the Dark Wanker there."
Amelia looked at the Chief Wizard, who was staring at the Black Heir with some surprise.
"How did you kill Pettigrew?" The answer to this could still see the man back in Azkaban, unless the Wizengamot gave him leniency for his vengeance. She never expected his response and nearly staggered at the implications.
"I didn't kill him. I wanted to capture him and caught up with him in a Muggle neighborhood after two days of searching. He accused me of being the betrayer and cast lethal spells at me. I only cast shields, disarming spells and an incarcerous charm at him. He ultimately cast a blasting spell that must have hit one of those Muggle gas line things, because there was a huge explosion. I was knocked off my feet, but before I could recover, I saw him cut off his finger and then he transformed into his animagus form, a common brown rat, and escaped down the sewer."
"But…why did you confess to the Aurors that you were responsible for the Potters' deaths?"
"Because I should have been the Secret Keeper! James asked me to, but I said I would be a decoy. I thought I could protect them better that way. Any Death Eaters could chase after me, and no one would expect meek little Peter of being the Secret Keeper. So it was all my fault!" A tear ran down the man's cheek.
Amelia paused before asking trying to resolve all unanswered questions. "You claim Peter Pettigrew changed into an animagus form. He is not registered as an animagus."
"Of course not," Sirius scoffed, even though his voice was mostly monotone from the Veritaserum. "We were at war and needed every advantage we could get. What's a fine for not registering in comparison to that? All of us became animagi secretly while we were at Hogwarts. James was a stag, I'm a dog, and Peter was a rat. We started studying in our First Year and we all completed our transformations by our Fifth Year at Hogwarts. We wanted to keep the forms secret in case they could be used for the war against the Dark Wanker." Amelia noticed many of the Wizengamot members and those in the gallery nodding at the motivation.
"Dementors were posted around Hogwarts because of your comments, 'he's at Hogwarts' while you were in Azkaban. What did you mean?"
"Fudge let me have his newspaper when he was on his annual tour of the prison. It showed a picture of a family, and the youngest boy had a rat on his shoulder. The rat was Peter in animagus form! I recognized him immediately, plus the rat was missing a toe that corresponded to the finger that Peter cut off. That meant he was at Hogwarts and no one knew! I had to do what I could to protect my godson and the other children."
"You said you needed to protect your godson. Who is your godson," Amelia asked, already afraid that she knew the answer. She was already sick to her stomach that an innocent man had spent twelve years in hell without so much as an interview, but if what she thought was true…
"Harry Potter, of course," the man responded instantly, and only her iron will kept her face impassive. "I'm his oath-sworn godfather. That's why I couldn't believe that everyone thought I had betrayed the Potters. Not only was James closer than a brother, but I would have lost at least my magic and more likely my life if I had violated my oath to protect and care for Harry or attempted to cause him any harm. I expected it to come out at my trial, but I never got one until today."
Amelia saw that both Albus Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge looked as ill as she felt. Her eyes drifted over to Bartemius Crouch, who was staring at Black in horror.
"Minister Fudge, Chief Warlock Dumbledore, honored members of the Wizengamot, the Department of Law Enforcement withdraws all charges against Sirius Orion Arcturus Black and recommends that he be released to medical care immediately."
She raised an eyebrow at Fudge, who gave a jerky nod of compliance. Dumbledore gravely intoned, "So ordered. Mr. Black will be sent immediately to St. Mungo's for medical care. Reparations will reviewed by a Wizengamot tribunal."
"Chief Warlock," Amelia interrupted before he could end the session. "The DMLE would like to convene a tribunal to discover whether any laws were violated…" At Fudge's frown, she added, "By the previous administration," and the Minister relaxed, "for the incarceration of Mr. Black and to report back to Wizengamot in the next thirty days."
To her surprise, most of the Wizengamot volunteered to be part of that tribunal, but Dumbledore succeeded in naming two members of the Light side and one moderate. That should ensure that members of the Dark couldn't subvert the process.
The next day, a picture of an emaciated and slightly confused Sirius Black graced the cover of the Daily Prophet with the title of "EXONERATED!" The details of the trial made it clear that it was the previous Minister and DMLE Director that subverted the process and imprisoned what was now known to be an innocent man who loved the Potters and was the oath-sworn Godfather to one Harry Potter. No reporters were allowed to interview the man, so they speculated on his physical and mental health, as well as his intentions towards his godson, Harry Potter.
The same morning that the newspaper was delivered to Hogwarts, Aurors arrived in the Gryffindor common room and quickly converged on the Third Year boys' dormitory. A few spells later, and they floated a bound, dirty man down the stairs and out of the school. Ron Weasley spent hours in the showers after learning that he had shared a bed with a grown man in animagus form.
"Mr. Potter," announced Professor McGonagall, surprising the boy as he poured over the Daily Prophet with Hermione. He turned to look at the stern woman.
"Yes, Professor," he asked politely, wanting to read more.
"The Headmaster would like to see you immediately after breakfast. I will accompany you."
"Um…okay Professor," he replied and watched as the woman strode to the staff table. "What do you think that's about, Hermione," he asked.
"Probably about Sirius Black," she responded.
"Well, yeah, but why would the Headmaster have anything to say?" Harry ran his hand through his hair trying to figure out what was coming.
"As the Chief Warlock, he was at the trial, Harry," his friend replied. "Perhaps he wants to give you additional information?"
"Guess I'll see shortly," the teen shrugged. When the plates had been vanished from the tables, he followed Professor McGonagall to the Headmaster's office. He was surprised to see Professor Lupin there as well. They climbed the stairs to the Headmaster's office and entered through the open door. Harry was surprised to see the man looked tired and sorrowful.
"Harry, please sit down, my boy," the Headmaster said with a slight smile. "I'm sure you've read about Sirius Black being found innocent of all charges against him." He looked at the boy across his desk, his eyes despondent.
"Yes sir," the dark-haired teen responded. "Is he really my Godfather? In his testimony, he said he was responsible for me. Does that mean I don't have to go back to the Dursleys?"
Dumbledore rubbed his nose at the cautious hope in the boy's voice. The willingness to leave the home where he spent the last twelve years made him wonder just what had happened there. Surely he hadn't condemned both of the boys to isolation and despair?
At the delay in his response, Remus Lupin spoke up. "Yes, Harry, Sirius is your Godfather, but more than just being named, he swore an oath on his magic and his life to do his best to protect you from harm and raise you should something happen to James and Lily. I wasn't there for the swearing of the oath, and thought he was just named as your Godfather. If anyone had known, he would never have been sent to Azkaban."
Harry looked at the tired and somewhat shabby Defense teacher. "Your name was in the paper as one of my Dad's friends, wasn't it, Professor Lupin?"
The older man cleared his throat before saying, "Yes, the four of us were very good friends throughout our years at Hogwarts. I believed the worst about Sirius in my grief over the loss of your parents and supposedly Pettigrew as well."
Harry didn't know how to respond to that. The graying man was obviously feeling guilty and miserable, almost as much as the Headmaster was. A quick glance at his own Head of House showed that she was looking at the Defense instructor with more compassion than he was used to seeing on her face. Not knowing what to do, he looked back at the Headmaster.
The elderly wizard realized the teen had no idea why he had been brought to see him. "Yes, well, Harry, Mr. Black will be hospitalized for some time to recover from his unfortunate imprisonment. I thought you might want to start a correspondence with him. Professor Lupin," he nodded at the Defense instructor, "is planning to see him over the weekend, and I thought he might deliver a letter for you. Perhaps just a hello and what classes your enjoy, something about your friends?"
"Sirius would love to know about your Quidditch experiences," Professor Lupin added with a smile. "He would be very proud to know you were the youngest seeker in a century."
Harry smiled at the idea of an adult being proud of him, someone who broke out of prison just because he thought Harry and the other students were in danger from a disguised Pettigrew. "I would like that," he said softly.
"Excellent," Professor Lupin smiled. "I would be happy to bring a letter to him. I don't know if he'll be able to write back right away, but I know he'll be eager to write as soon as he's able."
OoOoOoOo
Remus Lupin was uncomfortable when he entered Sirius Black's room at St. Mungo's. The guilt he felt for believing the worst of his friend and abandoning him to the hell of Azkaban weighed heavily on his shoulders. He was stunned to be greeted by the gaunt man who opened his arms from his hospital bed. Many tears and apologies later, he remembered to give Sirius the letter from Harry.
Sirius opened the parchment reverently, his hands shaking.
Dear Mr. Black,
I was happy to learn that I had a Godfather. My friend, Ron Weasley explained about the oaths a Godfather swears and I am very sorry that you were thrown into prison without a trial after my parents died. I read about your trial this week in the Daily Prophet and can't believe what happened to you. I hope you are on the road to a speedy recovery.
Professor Lupin thought you might like to know about my classes, friends, and Quidditch. My best friends are Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. All three of us are in Gryffindor. My favorite class is Defense against the Dark Arts, although I like Charms and Transfiguration as well. I'm not very good at Potions and fall asleep in History of Magic. I'm okay in Herbology and Astronomy. I just started Divination and Care of Magical Creatures this year, but am thinking that perhaps I should have taken Ancient Runes or Arithmancy with Hermione.
In my first year, I was made the Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I haven't missed the Snitch in the last two years.
I would like to get to know you, if that's okay with you. When you're feeling better, perhaps you could write me?
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
"He called me 'Mr. Black'," Sirius frowned. "I remember when he used to call me 'Siri' or 'Pafood'. But he was made the Gryffindor Seeker in his first year! James would have been so proud of him! And he likes Transfiguration and Charms, just like James and Lily." He smiled at his old friend, with slightly teary eyes.
"Tell me about him," he asked softly.
"He's a bit quiet," Moony started. "He doesn't like attention much, unlike his father." Both men smiled at the memory of their friend. "He's very close friends to the youngest of the Weasley boys and a Muggleborn girl. The three of them are pretty much inseparable. He's a genius on a broom; it's like a part of his body. If he was an animagus, it would probably be something like a falcon the way that he can fly. He has James messy bedhead hair and Lily's bright green eyes."
The scarred man talked quietly until his friend fell asleep, exhausted from their emotional reunion as well as his damaged health. Remus was worried about his old friend, and still carried a great deal of guilt for believing him possible of betraying James and Lily. He couldn't believe how quickly the man forgave him.
He didn't dare express his concerns about Harry to the man, yet. The boy was short for his age, underweight and his Muggle clothes were shabby and threadbare. Even Remus had better clothing, and he had been living in poverty before taking the position at Hogwarts this year. He was horrified to learn that Dumbledore had left the toddler with Lily's sister; the Marauders all knew how the sister had turned on Lily once she was invited to Hogwarts. If she treated Lily's son with the same hatred she treated her own sister, Sirius would be both furious and heartbroken.
After watching the emaciated man sleep for an hour, he quietly left parchment, a quill, and an ink pot on the bedside table where Sirius could easily see it before slipping out of the room. He sincerely hoped that Sirius and Harry would find a way to become a family. He thought they needed on another. And maybe, just maybe, they would find room in their little family for an old wolf as well.
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