AN Disclaimer Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling I own nothing. This is fanfiction, I make no money out of this whatsoever. Now that's out of the way...

Chapter 20 – On the train to Hogwarts

The last week of the summer holiday went by quickly, Harry had recovered from the ritual by the next morning and they had filled the following mornings with training. To both Harry and Sirius's great surprise they had discovered all his spells had received a power boost, it wasn't massive but it had resulted in several over powered spells in his duelling practice and he had managed to transform his hand for the first time in his animagus training.

But the main difference was in his mind, all his occulmency barriers were stronger and he found it a bit easier to remember spells and theory. He was nowhere close to rivalling Hermione in the theory front, he might manage all E's and above with quite a bit of effort on his part but he had made massive improvements on the practical side, the extra magical power from removing the block around his core and the leech of the horcrux, combined with a sharper mind meant that Hermione would have a bit of trouble keeping her top spot in practical exams and classes.

Soon his trunk was packed and the last day of the summer holidays arrived. It had been the best summer of his life and the first time he hadn't been longing to return to Hogwarts, a fact that Sirius was completely responsible for and Harry couldn't have been happier, he owed so much to his godfather. Tomorrow he would be heading back to Hogwarts, the first place he had ever called home and Sirius would be there in the castle with him.

That thought filled him with both happiness and a bit of trepidation. His Hogwarts years hadn't exactly been the most trouble free, in fact he had managed to get into dangerous situations with alarming regularity and he didn't want to think of Sirius's reaction if he ended up in the hospital wing because of some danger or another, although at the same time it felt wonderful to know that somebody cared if he got hurt, the Dursleys certainly hadn't. But the fact his godfather would also be at Hogwarts made him feel a lot more secure, it meant he would have somebody he could go to with any problem, who understood him, who loved him. He knew that he would have had trouble going back if Sirius hadn't been going too, he hadn't wanted to leave the first parent he could remember, particularly as he had only been there for just over a month. He would have worried that by next summer Sirius would have become bored with him and moved on, but with his godfather with him, he didn't have that worry.

Sirius's hand came down gently on his shoulder, dragging his attention back to the present, "Bed Harry," his godfather said firmly. Sighing Harry put down the photo album he had been flicking through and clambered to his feet. As he headed for the door he spotted the sheaf of paper hanging in his godfather's hand and the slightly disgruntled expression Sirius wore. "Still working on the lesson plans?" he asked and the animagus sighed.

"They're virtually done, it's just reviewing them now. I don't understand how Moony managed it alone, I'd be lost without his help." Harry laughed, Remus had been helping Sirius with his lesson plans for nearly two weeks now and he still thought that all Sirius had done was copy the basics of Remus's course and spiced it up a little, adding dodging and duelling practice for all years for example.

"I still can't quite believe I took the job, I'm a Marauder and becoming a professor, I'll have to give out detentions and set exams," Sirius's voice showed his amusement with the whole idea, "And I doubt I'm that good a teacher anyway."

"You can't be worse than Quirrel or Lockhart," Harry pointed out, "They were awful, I hardly learnt anything in DADA until Moony taught us last year. Plus you've been good when you've taught me this summer and as a Marauder I'm sure you'll make lessons fun." He grinned as he remembered Remus's first lesson, the sight of Professor Snape in a dress was always going to be one of his funnier memories. "Remus's practical lessons were particularly interesting, especially the ones with boggarts," he continued. Sirius grinned as well; he had heard the story of the boggart and had found it hilarious.

"There are some definite advantages to the job though," Sirius continued, but then he turned serious and his face softened. "The first one being that I get to stay near you for the whole year and I will be there if you need me and can protect you." Harry smiled and then walked over and hugged his godfather. He was well aware that was the main reason Sirius had taken the job and he was extremely thankful that the animagus had done so. There was a short pause then Sirius returned the hug, Harry still didn't initiate much contact so it was a little surprising when he actually did. "What's this for pup?" he asked softly.

"For being a professor and staying with me," came the murmured response. Sirius smiled tenderly down at the boy he was embracing.

"I'm glad you want me to come to Hogwarts, I was fairly worried about it until you told me you liked the idea, most teenagers would have been horrified by the prospect."

"Most teenagers don't have a scar on their forehead and a target on their back, or relatives like mine," Harry interrupted bitterly. In response Sirius tightened his grip,

"No pup, being the Boy-Who-Lived or any other nonsense the Wizarding World comes up with doesn't matter to me and neither does your past, it isn't what is important. What is important is the fact you are my godson and the fact that I love you. You are not 'most teenagers' and I love you for being who you are. And I know that you have been denied love for most of your life and this is the first time you can remember being loved, but I promise you that it will continue at Hogwarts. I believe there is an extra bedroom in my chambers, to be used whenever necessary, and my door will always be open to you no matter what time it is. Now off to bed with you,"

The last remark earned a chuckle from Harry, and Sirius ruffled his hair before releasing him although Harry didn't let go, "Thanks Sirius," he murmured from his position resting against his godfather's chest. The animagus hugged him once more, and then he pressed a kiss into his godson's messy hair before releasing him and giving Harry a light push in the direction of the stairs. "Bed Harry," he said, smiling softly although a light of mischief entered his eyes, "And let me finish my lesson plans in peace without you young rascal hanging about."

Harry paused in the doorway and turned back towards his godfather, the slight apprehension and worry in his gaze melting away as he saw that the animagus was teasing him, "'Night Sirius,"

"Goodnight pup," his godfather's voice was gentle and floated up the stairs behind him as Harry headed to bed for his last night on Black Island for several months.

Albus Dumbledore was frowning as he looked over the papers for the coming year. He had been pleased earlier in the summer when Black had accepted his offer of the Defence position, not only had it brought the man and by extension Harry back under his direct influence, it also ensured that the students would get a competent professor this year. Sirius's teaching methods were likely to be unorthodox and he could not picture the man handing out many essays but he definitely had the practical qualifications, a decorated auror with experience fighting death eaters and with a war looming on the horizon, practical defence skills would be invaluable. It was with that thought in mind he had approved Sirius's request to start a duelling club with Professor Flitwick.

No, that had all gone according to plan, in fact it was already reaping rewards, and so was getting Alastor involved in the Tournament as security, all he had done was mention Karkarof's name and the old auror had been jumping at the bit to be involved. If there was anything he loathed it was a Death Eater who had escaped or evaded justice in any way. He was aware it was a deep ambition of the man to see every Death Eater behind bars, permanently, well that and getting an entire generation to adopt Constant Vigilance as their motto. But he was digressing, the issue that was really troubling him was the tournament.

A brainchild of Fudge's, to try and increase his political clout with the people before the next Ministerial Elections it had been nothing but hassle and work ever since it had been approved. The minister really was an idiot if he thought a tournament with such high fatality rates would ever raise his standing, but it was nearly here and he was resigned to it by now.

Harry would be able to have a year off from his training, for that was how he perceived the Philosopher Stone and Chamber incidents, and to a certain extent, Black's escape, although the Chamber had interfered with his plans for Harry it had certainly proved to be advantageous in the end, proving that the boy was certainly capable of fulfilling his destiny and it had also confirmed his suspicions about horcruxes. The damage to the student population had been unfortunate but nobody was seriously hurt so he could easily place it in the greater good category.

It would have been nice to test Harry in the tournament however he knew the tasks were highly dangerous and he did not want to risk the boy dying before he could defeat Voldemort, that scenario would be disastrous. No, the age line would keep Harry safe and the boy could be afforded one rest, to be frank it was nothing to do with affording Harry anything, he simply wouldn't have time to test the boy with the tournament hanging over him and being forced to play host to the other schools. Harry would just have a year off and his training could resume the following year.

Tomorrow evening the students would return and he would just have to wait and manipulate, although it was quite vexing that so much of his attention would be given to that blasted Tournament!

Together godfather and godson approached the barrier leading to Platform 9¾, Sirius wasn't going to be taking the train, he would floo to the castle once he had seen his godson off but he had wanted to see Harry off properly, despite the fact that he would see his godson at Hogwarts. Harry hadn't minded. He had never had anyone see him off to Hogwarts before, well he had gone with the Weasleys onto the platform once but that didn't count, they hadn't been his family and he hadn't been one of their children. But Sirius was different, Sirius was his family, his godfather, his parent, his father and he was Sirius's son in all but blood. That thought sent a pulse of warmth through him, he was finally learning what it felt like to be loved and getting to experience all the things normal children did.

His godfather helped him to lift his trunk onto the train and once that was done Harry half turned as Sirius wrapped him in a fierce embrace. "I know I'm going to see you this evening," his godfather murmured against his hair, "But I'm not about to let you get on that train without a proper goodbye." Harry just smiled as he returned the embrace with one just as fierce. Nearly everyone his age would be mortified at such an action on the part of their guardian, especially Ron but Harry didn't care, he could deal with any teasing, it mattered far more that he had Sirius.

The sharp tones of a bell alerted the wizards milling around on the platform that the train would leave in one minute. Somewhat reluctantly Sirius released him, "The password to my quarters is Prongs and Lily-flower," he said softly before brushing a kiss into his godson's messy hair.

"I'll come by often," Harry promised and his godfather merely smiled gently at him. Harry started to get onto the train but then an impulse made him turn and he almost flung himself into Sirius's arms. His godfather returned the hug for a brief moment before he pushed Harry lightly in the direction of the train, "You don't want to miss it," he said as he saw his godson hesitate slightly. Harry smiled up at him before clambering on, just in time as with a great groan the train started to move, pulling slowly out of the station. Sirius saw his godson call something but the words were swallowed in the rush of wind and the noise engulfing the platform so he just mouthed, "Love you," and raised his hand in farewell, even though it was a short one.

Harry continued to watch until the Platform and Sirius were completely out of sight. There was a slight hollowness inside him and he couldn't quite understand why. It wasn't as if he was leaving his godfather for very long, he would see him in a few hours at the opening feast but nonetheless an emptiness gnawed at his insides. Mentally he knew the separation would not be for very long but that didn't stop the ache inside him or prevent a small quiet voice in the back of his brain whispering what if he never saw Sirius again, what if his godfather abandoned him?

Ron and Hermione found him there, still staring out of the window, almost as if he was willing the platform to appear once more. "There you are mate," Ron exclaimed, "We were looking everywhere for you," he jerked a thumb in the direction of Hermione, "She was fretting, she thought you'd missed the train."

A smile flickered onto Harry's face, "I almost did," he told them, "I didn't want to say goodbye."

Understanding dawned in Hermione's face but Ron wore a puzzled look on his face, "But you didn't need to," he pointed out, "You'll see him again as soon as we get to Hogwarts."

"Tact Ron," Hermione hissed as Harry's expression became a little more reflective and pensive,

"I know it's silly but..."

"It's the first home you've had and Sirius is the only parent you can remember and you're scared of losing that." Hermione finished for him. He saw Ron's eyes widen as realisation struck home and he awkwardly patted Harry's back, "It'll be fine mate, we all have that trouble when we first go to Hogwarts, yours has just been delayed."

That said they both settled down and started up a light conversation talking about the various classes and the strange hints they had been picking up about something happening at Hogwarts this year, "It's getting annoying, Percy is being so damn superior all the time." That was from Ron,

"You mean he isn't regardless?" They burst out laughing, even Hermione who had to admit, as much as she believed rules should be followed except in emergencies such as the open Chamber of Secrets, that Percy was far to pompous when it came to rules. Yes you need to get your homework done and in on time and you really shouldn't cheek a teacher and break curfew but you didn't need to do everything with a smug attitude and follow the miniscule rules such as having to sign your homework in green ink.

Eventually their laughter subsided, then Harry couldn't help but adding, "As long as I'm not involved for once, I'll be happy!" Their laughter started up once more, even though this time it contained a rueful quality, both Ron and Hermione had a very good idea of the trouble Harry was able to get into as they had been there with him for most of his adventures and implicated in them more often than not. They were only just regaining their composure when Susan Bones entered their compartment accompanied by Hannah Abbot, followed soon after by Neville. She quirked an eyebrow at the sight of the three Gryffindors struggling with hysterics. "Do we really want to know?"

That comment of course delayed their recovery yet again, and as they gasped out the story of the previous conversation, Neville joined in the laughter and after a few moments the Hufflepuff's did to. Harry adventures or misadventures as they were perhaps more accurately called, were the stuff of legend in Hogwarts. Therefore it was a few minutes before the two Hufflepuffs and one Gryffindor were seated and a meaningful conversation had been started. "I do hope we have a decent teacher this year," Susan said, "Professor Lupin was very good and if we have someone who is half as good I will be happy."

Harry couldn't help but grin as everyone else agreed. Whilst Ron and Hermione knew Sirius was going to be at Hogwarts this year, he hadn't actually told them that Sirius was going to be teaching, instead leading them to believe he was there as security.

"I think you'll like DADA this year," he said, getting their attention immediately, although Hermione's eyes narrowed "I believe that we are going to be taught duelling and other fun stuff."

Hermione's eyes narrowed further as she considered that statement, "It's Sirius isn't it?" she asked, a trace of accusation in her voice. Harry merely whistled, trying and failing to look innocent, an act which was completely ruined by Hannah's exclamation, "Sirius Black?!" Harry nodded, a wariness creeping into his expression, what would people at Hogwarts make of the fact Sirius was his guardian? He could remember clearly what had happened when the school had believed he was the heir of Slytherin - the fact he was now was immaterial - and he definitely didn't want to be shunned by the vast majority of the population, and he could remember the scene and the accusations Sirius had faced in Diagon Alley very clearly.

He looked carefully at Hannah and Susan but the shock was not giving way into disgust thankfully, instead Susan looked thoughtful and Hannah seemed to be following her lead, "He'll probably be a decent teacher," she mused, "My Aunt told me he was one of the best auror's in the war so even if he can't teach very well, he'll know what he's talking about,"

"Unlike that idiot Lockhart," Ron interrupted and there were nods across the compartment. There are a few faint flickers of doubt on Hannah's features, a fact which irked Harry, but if he could convince her now that Sirius was a good person it would save trouble later on, because he would have two people in Hufflepuff who wouldn't believe Sirius was a mass murderer out to get everyone. "He's actually taught me a bit this summer," he put in, "He's quite a good teacher and I've had the best summer of my life since I went to stay with him." He finished, a bit defiantly. Hannah nodded but Susan was looking thoughtful,

"So the rumours are true then?" That comment immediately got Harry's back up and he became very wary, rumour was never very good, particularly when it came to him and he was determined to try to quash any of them as soon as possible.

"What rumours?" He asked, voice strained as a nasty thought occurred to him. If people believed that Sirius was abusing him they would try and take him away and he didn't think he could stand losing his godfather. Susan, Hannah and Neville looked at him curiously, slightly confused about the defensive nature of his reaction although he could also see Hermione and Ron sending him reassuring smiles, but Susan answered the question,

"The Prophet has been saying Sirius Black has taken over your guardianship. I'd have asked Aunt Amelia but she hates rumour in any way, shape or form and that's basically what the Prophet contains."

"Yes Sirius is my guardian now, he is my godfather and my parents wanted me to go to him if anything happened to them and since I went to live with him I have never been happier." The light that shone in his eyes with that statement showed clearly to everyone in the carriage that Harry meant every word he said and the conversation moved to more light hearted topics.

Waves of nostalgia hit Sirius as he stepped out of the floo into the entrance hall. There were so many memories accosiated with this place, meeting James and Remus, his friendship with the Marauders, the way it had become his home until he ran away, all the pranks they had played, the midnight wandering in animagus forms and then later, the year before, finally seeing Harry and convincing his godson of his innocence. After a few moments he shook them off, as much as he was tempted to wallow in memory it would not be a good idea to do so, he was here for Harry and he was not going to let anything get in the way of that duty.

Quickly he headed up the familiar stairways and corridors to the DADA classroom and his quarters, he needed to set up his classroom for the lessons, it wasn't that hard with magic however there was a lot he needed to do and he was only just finishing when lunch came around. With a sigh he sorted out the last few items before heading down to the Great Hall, it was certainly going to be strange interacting with the professors, many of whom had taught him, as equals.

As he entered the Great Hall virtually all eyes swivelled to him, from the looks, abject loathing and horror from Snape, compared with shock and disbelief from McGonagall he guessed that Dumbledore had neglected to inform them of who precisely had taken the Defence post. A grin broke out on his face as he saw the transfiguration teacher bury her face in her hands and as he got closer he heard her say, "He had to invite back the worst of the Marauders, and make him a professor! It'll be a miracle if Hogwarts remains standing."

"It won't be so bad Minnie," Sirius replied as he took his seat, "I have no intention of destroying the castle,"

"You'll just get your students to do it for you," she retorted dryly.

"I don't intend to do that either, although I can't vouch for what they will do once they start learning to duel and from what I've heard, the Weasley Twins are well on their way to destroying the castle, and I have to say I'm looking forward to teaching the sixth year Gryffindors." He saw her eyes widen and there was a muttered 'Merlin help us' which caused Sirius to chuckle as he started on his lunch, of course it had to be at that precise moment that Snape had to add in his two knuts worth,

"Of course you would favour the Gryffindor brats and pamper that arrogant godson of yours," he said snidely. Sirius's eyes darkened, Snape was perhaps the most prejudiced bastard to walk the earth and here he was accusing Sirius of being biased. But it was the slur against Harry that angered him the most. His godson was the most wonderful child he had ever met and despite everything that he had endured, all the abuse, neglect and suffering, he was still a brilliant, loving boy and to hear Snape sit there and insult him was more than the animagus could bear.

"Do not insult Harry," he ground out, rage flashing in his eyes. Snape merely glared in response,

"He's an arrogant, stuck up, mediocre brat! A carbon copy of his father." His voice, filled with vitriol echoed in the now silent Great Hall as the rest of the teachers abandoned their conversations to watch the developing argument. However for Sirius the spiel showed him precisely why Snape was so bitter, precisely why he was targeting Harry.

"And that's all you see him as," he said sharply, "As James, as his father. Never did you stop to consider that he's Lily's son too," The bite in his voice caused several teachers to flinch but Snape stayed put, although there was a flicker of emotion in the normally expressionless black eyes, "Never did you think that there might be a possibility that he was neither of his parents, that he could perhaps just be Harry! A boy who came here knowing nothing about them, not even being able to remember them, with his own ideas, his own personality!"

"Be that as it may he is still a spoiled, selfish brat, enamoured by his own fame," Snape said, his voice silky. Sirius saw red. He knew just how badly Harry had been hurt, how he was still healing, what those monsters had done to him. He had been there night after night when the nightmares came, he had sat through that trial listing as his child recounted the awful injuries they had inflicted on him, he had seen how difficult it was for Harry to believe that he could be loved and Snape sat there, judging his godson, ignoring any sign something was wrong, victimising him, hurting him, insulting him.

"How. Dare. You." Every syllable trembled with anger, "How dare you say such things about Harry." Snape's eyes widened, but he kept the sneer on his face,

"It's the truth Black." His tone was mocking but Sirius was beyond caring,

"Damn you Severus! Can't you ever see that he isn't James? I know we were awful to you but you gave as good as you got and Harry has done nothing to you! He isn't James, he's more like Lily, just forget who he looks like for once and actually look at him! And the last thing he is, is spoilt. He never had that opportunity." He had shouted the first part but his voice had grown quieter towards the end, and it was filled with sorrow as he thought of everything that Harry had gone through, everything that those bastards had done.

Snape looked to be on the verge of launching into a scathing tirade but on hearing the tone in Sirius's voice he paused and a strange expression crossed his face. Several of the other professors had also picked up on the strange note in his voice and now McGonagall turned to him, a questioning look on her face, "What did you mean by that Sirius?" She asked, voicing the question that was in everybody's mind.

Sirius frowned to himself, considering his options. He knew that Harry was afraid of people finding out about the abuse and he also knew it wasn't something he would want the professors to know. However when he considered the situation objectively he thought that it would be useful if they knew the bare bones of what had happened, basically just that he had been hurt by those bastards and that he was still healing. The more he thought about it the more he liked that idea, there was a fairly large chance that something could happen, be it accidental magic or a flashback if the wrong things were done or said, and looking at Snape's treatment of Harry it was very likely that something would happen in potions and if they knew something was wrong they would be less likely to make the situation worse.

He sucked in a deep breath, "Firstly what I am about to reveal has got to remain confidential, under healers and professor oath." Several shocked glances were exchanged as that statement sunk in, the oaths were hardly ever evoked, and with that one statement they knew that this was extremely serious.

Every eye was fixed on him and he knew he had to come right out and say it, there was no way to soften the blow, "Harry was abused by his relatives." The Great Hall was suddenly filled with noise and that revelation crashed down on the Professors. Sirius held up his hand and was rewarded with instant silence. "I am not going to go into detail, I will not betray his trust or hurt him by revealing that information but I will warn you that he was badly hurt and he is still recovering, physically and mentally and I will not stand for anything that hurts him further." His gaze lingered on Snape for a minute before his eyes swept over the gathered professors.

He saw shock, revulsion, anger and sadness on the faces of virtually all the professors and several, including McGonagall and Hagrid were crying. As his eyes met Snape's he saw utter shock on the face of his childhood rival, all the man's perceptions of Harry James Potter had been broken in a few seconds. But as his gaze moved to Dumbledore he felt rage well up inside him, for the was not a single hint of shock on Dumbledore's face, instead there was just resignation. The anger swelled up, racing through his veins. HE HAD KNOWN! Dumbledore had known and yet he had done nothing, instead he had sent his pup back to abusive relatives year after year.

His attention was distracted by the Mediwitch, "No Poppy," he said tiredly, "Harry is already being seen by a Healer and she has prescribed the necessary potions. He does not need or want an additional check up, particularly as he would realise why he is getting one. The only fact you need to know is that he is on daily nutrient potions for the next two months, and that is only so you do not accidentally give him something that will not work with those if he ends up in the Wing for anything else during that period." Grumbling the Mediwitch retreated and Sirius turned his attention back to the others.

"I request that none of you mention this to Harry, or do anything that makes it obvious that you know," his gaze lingered on the Mediwitch, "He's scared about people finding out and the only reason I mentioned this is because if certain people," his eyes flashed to Snape, "continue to act in certain ways he is almost certain to react badly, up to and including outbursts of accidental magic and if something does occur you won't make the situation worse."

"Accidental magic?" Flitwick questioned, "It is very strange for a child of his age to still have outbursts."

"Due to the circumstances," Sirius was being deliberately vague, they did not need to know about the binding or the extent of the abuse. That was something that would be kept between him, Harry and whoever else his godson decided to share the information with, "Harry has poor control over his magic and if he feels scared, angry or threatened it will lash out."

"I take it that something has already happened this summer?"

Sirius grimaced and nodded, "The first outburst destroyed the office we were in and threw me across the room," Whispers broke out across the table, "And the second one had the ground in Diagon Alley shaking before I managed to calm him down enough to ensure that it never reached full power. I still dread to think what would have happened if it had." There were exclamations of shock all across the table but Sirius was not going to say any more. The professors, with the possible exception of McGonagall knew everything they needed to and he thought he had managed to make the point to a certain greasy haired bat, hopefully Snape's bullying behaviour would be curbed and if something happened they would be able to deal with it, or at least, know enough to bring Harry to him and not make the situation worse.

Eventually the rest of the professors started up their own conversations once more, although the rest of the lunch was subdued and when Sirius glanced over at Snape he could see a contemplative expression on the man's features. Noticing his scrutiny, Snape raised a single eyebrow, a sneer still firmly fixed on his features. Sirius nodded shortly, turning back to his own meal and finished eating as soon as possible. As he started to rise, Minerva caught his eye, "Could I have a word with you in my office in a few minutes?" she asked quietly and Sirius nodded in the affirmative before quickly leaving the room.

BOOM! Cursing under his breath Harry snatched back his hand, his fingers already starting to redden. That was the problem with Exploding Snap, he mused, your fingers got hurt if you didn't move them away in time when the cards decided it was time to explode. However, he grinned to himself as he saw that the explosion had destroyed virtually all of Ron's cards, it was one of the few wizarding games he could actually beat his best friend at.

The girls were engaged in a discussion about Wizarding Tourist attractions and having beaten Ron (for the third time in a row) Harry started to listen to the conversation. Susan and Hannah were both raised in the Wizarding World and as such they knew a lot about how the world worked, not to mention they were both funny and seemed to be smart, although Susan was most definitely the leader of the pair and Hannah was much shyer, although watching them he could see that as she became more comfortable she started to enjoy the conversation and contribute more to the discussion.

The pleasant atmosphere was shattered by the arrival of a blonde, sneering Slytherin. "Go away Malfoy," Harry said tiredly not even bothering to look up, the last thing he wanted was to be annoyed by the arrogant bullying toerag that called itself the Malfoy Heir. "Nobody asked your opinion Potter," he sniped, before turning his attention to the rest of the compartment, "So this is where all the Blood Traitors and Mudbloods have ended up," he drawled, then his attention turned to Harry, "Are you enjoying life with the Blood Traitor Potter? I heard he beats you regularly," The sentence was spoken with relish. Anger welled up inside Harry,

"He has never touched me," he ground out, his wand already in his hand but Malfoy ignored him,

"People are saying he hits you..."

"Shut up!" He was on his feet,

"...locks you in the cellar..."

"Shut up!" Anger was blazing in his eyes, rage sweeping through him, raw and powerful.

"...starves you..."

"SHUT UP!"

"Is it true Potter? Does the Blood Traitor abuse you?" But Malfoy got no further. Rage had caught Harry and his eyes had darkened as he stared at the boy who had dared to utter such things in his hearing. Magic pulsed around him, whipping into a storm. With an ear-splitting groan a crack appeared in the compartment ceiling, racing towards the Malfoy Heir. Seeing the crack speeding towards him and the almost unearthly glow in Harry's eyes Draco Malfoy turned tail and fled, his two thugs following him.

Harry sat down suddenly, his breath coming in gasps. He hadn't meant to do accidental magic, but Malfoy had made him so angry that he had just lost control. As his heartbeat slowed and his temper cooled he became aware of the looks he was receiving from the other people in the compartment. Both Ron and Hermione looked ready to murder Malfoy but there was also a hint of calculation in Hermione's eyes, and he felt a sudden flash of fear, if anyone was going to put the pieces together it would be Hermione. Susan, Hannah and Neville on the other hand just looked shocked and a little anxious and he flashed a weak smile in their direction.

"I'm alright guys," he said quietly, "Malfoy just knows how to get on my nerves, I promise you that Sirius has never touched me, he wouldn't hurt me in any way." They looked mollified although Hermione sent him a look which clearly said we'll talk later and he tried not to flinch. That conversation was one he did not want to have, he had concealed the truth from them for three years now and he was worried that they would push him away once they knew, at least though, they knew that it was not Sirius who had hurt him. Sirius hadn't but then again Sirius had also been hurt by his family and he had promised that he would not judge him and he had kept that promise and neither of his friends had shown that they would not abandon him and he knew that if they did he would have no friends left and he didn't want to be alone. He had been alone enough when he was at the Dursleys.

"You wanted to see me Minerva?"

The stern professor nodded and Sirius noticed that her normally calm exterior was cracking, "I feel that I owe you...and Harry...an apology." Whatever he had been expecting her to say it certainly had not been that, but looking closer he could see the tears in her eyes, but he could see no reason why she should be upset or apologising.

"Minerva?" He asked quietly. It was a huge shock to see his old head of house and transfiguration professor like this. He had seen her anger, usually when one prank or another had crossed the line into bullying and he had also seen her happy, James and Lily's wedding sprang to mind but he had never ever seen the Professor so old, so broken. All the Marauders had regarded her as being as tough as nails and with the fieriest temper aside from Lily Evans.

She sucked in a deep breath, "Firstly I owe you an apology for believing that you would betray James and Lily,"

Sirius just waved it away, "That doesn't matter anymore but thank you for the apology," his voice turned bitter, "It's a lot more than I got from most of the Wizarding population. They still seem to believe I'm a mass murderer." He waved it away but his eyes betrayed the hurt that his incarceration had caused him.

McGonagall nodded before speaking again, although this time her voice was laced with guilt, "And I need to apologise to Harry too I think." Her eyes grew distant, "I was there when Albus placed Harry with them," Sirius couldn't hide his shock at the statement, "I told him that they were the worst sort of muggles, I tried to stop him but in the end I let him leave Harry there, I should have done more, and when he came here I should have seen that something was wrong." There was a quaver in her voice, "I didn't and I can't say anything more than that I'm sorry."

Sirius felt anger bubble up inside him at the confession, she should have tried harder, she should have seen but he realised now that there was nothing she could have done. Dumbledore had decided where Harry would go and he doubted anyone would have managed to change his mind once it was made up and Minerva had at least tried, she hadn't succeeded but it was a lot more than the rest of the Wizarding World had ever done. Yes he was angry that she had played any part in letting Harry go there but he also recognised that she had done her best. He nodded stiffly, his anger still there but not as fierce as it had been.

"It wasn't your fault Minerva, although I think it best if you don't mention any of this to Harry. He just wants to forget what happened."

He watched as she pulled herself back together, managing to return to her normally unruffled appearance. Only then did he ask, "Was there anything else?"

"Yes Sirius. Is Mr Potter going to be residing in Gryffindor Tower this year?"

"He is supposed to be, however it is highly likely he will spend a lot of his free time in my quarters, possibly joined by his friends and he will probably sleep there regularly as well. I expect most of his belongings to stay in the dorm though." He saw she was about to say something and he continued to speak, "I am not going to favour him in lessons, you don't need to worry about that, but outside of class he will always be welcome there."

The Deputy Head pursed her lips and nodded slowly, "I was going to caution you about showing favouritism and having too much contact outside of lessons but I suppose as long as you do not favour him in class and treat him differently in front of the other students it should be alright and from what you implied earlier I think that trying to prevent him from seeing you would not be in his best interest."

"I do not intend to make it more difficult for him by showing favouritism in lessons Minerva," he assured the older woman "But you were right about it not being in his best interest, I know that he needs the option of coming to me whenever he needs to." His eyes grew pensive, "He is still recovering from what happened, and there is a lot that still needs to be healed and I intend to support him. It is well known that I am his guardian so I don't foresee many problems outside lessons, and he isn't the first student to have had a close relative or even a parent who was a professor and there have not been problems in those cases," he pointed out.

She conceded the point then the conversation moved to lighter topics as they chatted about various inconsequential matters for a few more minutes, lesson plans, uses of transfiguration in a combat scenario, etc before Sirius nodded politely to his old teacher and headed off to finish setting up his classroom and quarters in preparation for the new term.

Hi all, hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for the reviews.

I feel I need to warn you that updates are likely to get slower over the coming weeks. I'm starting sixth form this week and I'm taking an extra A-Level so I won't have as much time to write, so I will be updating every one to two weeks instead of the regular schedule I have now.

Anyway, hope you liked it, and don't worry the confrontation with Dumbles is coming up in a chapter or so. Please review!