Chapter 25

The Marauder's Christmas

The twins showed Harry a secret passage that led right to the basement of Honeydukes, and Harry decided to leave straight away. "I'll buy something for you guys and Cedric!" He said leaving. Harry decided that before he uses the secret passage, he better have his Invisibility Cloak just in case Filch or a teacher catches him. He made a quick stop to Slytherin Tower and grabbed his cloak. He returned to the first floor and opened the map again. He studied it and found the map and made his way to the third floor where the secret passage was. He opened it as the twins instructed and walked down to Hogsmeade, a sense of trill coursing through him. The passage was dark, yet clean. The walls made of stone, but as he took another step he fell and slid down until he hit a low, earthly ground. He pulled out his wand and said "Lumos."

The tunnel was small and Harry looked at the map. He saw that his marker was out of the school and he said "Mischief managed." The ink of the map began to disappear, Harry pocketing the old parchment paper. Harry walked the secret passage and, invisible, arrived in the cellar of Honeydukes where a worker was piling packages. Harry snuck through the open door and into the main building where a large crowd of students were eating chocolates that Harry never saw. He saw Neville in a corner, talking with Seamus and Dean who were holding hands. A bit hungry himself, Harry made his way through the students, grabbing a colorful popsicle near Neville and pulled it under the cloak. Harry licked his sweet as he exited the shop, stepping foot in Hogsmeade for the first time.

The road was covered with snow as houses and shops packed together. Harry looked up and down the road, seeing shop signs and recognizing some of them from the tales his friends told him. Harry walked down the street aimlessly, looking at the village buildings and out for his friends. He looked down a path that looked as though it was barely walked and saw a pub. He shrugged his shoulders, guessing that there wouldn't be any chance of him finding Draco there. Cold, and his sweet already eaten, Harry was hungrier than he thought, he saw a pub called The Three Broomsticks and a group of students walking out laughing. Harry decided that he'll go there after he finds Draco, and continued on his way down the street. In the far distance, he saw a dilapidated shack, and a familiar red head and girl standing near a chained fence.

"It's called the Shrieking Shack." Hermione said, "It's meant to be the most haunted building in Britain. Did I mention that?"

"Twice." Ron said.

"Oh. Do you want to go closer? To the shack I mean." Hermione said.

"I'm fine here thanks."

Harry thought of something funny, so while the two were busy, he bent down and made two snowballs. They were still looking at the shack when Harry threw them, the first hitting Ron's back and the second one hitting Hermione's shoulder. They both turned around frightened and Ron said "What was that?"

"I don't know, I don't see anyone." Hermione said. They both took out their wands and looked around. Harry could barely contain a laughter as he bent down to get more snow. He stepped forward and snow crunched under his shoe. Harry stopped immediately and Hermione and Ron looked around. "Wait…" Hermione said. She looked around and saw Harry's footprint. "Harry! Come on out I know you're here." She said.

Harry stood up and threw the cloak off, throwing the snow at Ron and Hermione. "Harry!" Hermione laughed as she avoided the snow.

"Bloody hell mate, what are you doing here?" Ron asked chuckling. Harry pulled out the map and explained to them how Fred and George gave it to them. "What?" Ron said when he was done. "They never told me about it and I'm their brother!"

"But Harry isn't going to keep it." Hermione said, as if the idea was insane. "He is going to give it either to Professor Snape or Professor McGonagall."

"What? Of course I'm not." Harry said.

"Hand in something this good? Are you mad Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Besides, if I handed it in, I'll have to explain how I got it and get Fred and George in trouble. And I especially don't want to do that." Harry said. Besides, he thought, he had a lot of ideas he could do with this.

Hermione looked between them and huffed. "Fine, but I still think Harry should return it." She thought for a moment and said "But what if Sirius Black knows about the secret passages on your map? The teachers have got to know!"

"Black won't know about the passages." Harry said. "There are seven passages into and out of Hogwarts. Fred and George told me that Filch most likely knows about four of them, one of them is caved in, another is below the Whomping Willow, and the one I used is in the cellar of Honeydukes."

Hermione still seemed nervous about the map and secret passages, but didn't voice it as they all decided to head off to the Three Broomsticks. "They have great Butterbeer here," Ron whispered as they entered the homey pub Harry under the invisibility cloak. Harry nodded, but they couldn't see it, and looked around the packed place. Ron and Hermione led the way to an empty booth and Harry sat on one side, taking off the cloak Ron sat next to him and Hermione on her own. "Right," Ron said, "I'll go get us our butterbeers." He dug into his pocket and looked at Hermione bashfully. "Err Hermione… you don't happen to have a sickle to spare?"

"Here Ronald, honestly." Hermione said rolling her eyes as she gave him the sickle. Ron left and Hermione turned her attention to Harry. "You sure that thing is safe? We have no idea who made it."

"Of course we do." Harry said. "Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs." Harry bit the inside of his lip as he thought about them. Two of the four were familiar to him, but only because of Sirius Black's ravings in the cave. "Tell Lupin! Tell him, tell him that Padfoot had told you alright?" Black's voice rang in his head. What does Black have to do with the Marauder's Map? Did he have a hand in making it? If so… Harry didn't want to think about it. He decided that if given the chance, he'll get more information either from Black himself or Professor Lupin.

"Harry? Are you alright?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine Hermione." Harry said. Hermione frowned and said "You're lying…"

But she didn't have any chance to ask why because Ron came back with three butterbeers. "Here you guys are." He said, serving Hermione and Harry. He sat down next to Harry and looked between them. "Did I miss something?"

"No." Harry said, "We were just talking about Lupin."

"Really?" Ron asked, "What about him?"

"He's going to give me and Draco private lessons." Harry said.

"Really?" both Hermione and Ron said. "'Bout what mate?" Ron asked.

"How to fight back dementors." Harry said. "We don't want what happened during the match to happen again. Not only did we lose the match, but I could have been seriously hurt."

"Yeah mate. You fell over a hundred meters." Ron said.

"A hundred meters that I hoped would never happen again." Draco said walking up to them. Harry smiled and stood up to kiss his boyfriend. Draco hugged his Potter and looked at Ron expectedly as the Weasley blushed and moved to sit next to Hermione. The couple sat down next to each other and Draco said "I won't ask how you are here now, but I expect a full explanation later."

"Of course Draco." Harry said, sharing his butterbeer with Draco, who took a large sip. "Anyway, I was telling them about how Professor Lupin is going to give us those lessons."

"Ah yes." Draco said, "the dementor lessons."

"That sounds very interesting Harry." Hermione said, sounding actually interesting. "How did you two convince him? I read up on dementors and the spells are highly difficult."

"When did you have the time to do that!?" Ron demanded. "Every time I see you you're doing homework for some class! I'm not even sure you're actually taking them."

"Of course I am Ronald. You see me in class all the time. And I see Dra—Malfoy too." Hermione said.

"But it's still impossible Granger." Draco said. "There is no way you can be with me and Theo in Arithmancy and with Harry in Divination. Both classes are at the same time."

"Don't be obnoxious, of course I can Malfoy." Hermione said, trying to scoff Draco off. Draco simply raised a perfect eyebrow and said "Really? Then please explain. I'm sure we are all dying to hear it." Draco had a small smirk and Hermione shifted her eyes back and forth.

"I cannot. I promised Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore that I would not tell." Hermione said.

Draco chuckled at this and said "Then you are using something."

"Lay off her Malfoy. If she can't tell you, then she won't." Ron said.

Draco looked at Ron and his smirk lightened softly, shrugging his shoulders and said "I'm simply curious Weasley. Anyway Weasley, I heard that your Quidditch team is doing well. You will obviously lose to our team, but I'm sure it'll be nice being second place again."

"No way Malfoy! Gryffindor's Quidditch Team will easily beat you! Fred and George will make sure to knock you off your broom. And I'm sure our new Seeker will get the snitch before Harry! No offense mate." Ron said.

"None taken," Harry said still hurt a bit about the destruction of his broom. "Since when did you get a new Seeker?" Harry asked. He couldn't remember the seeker Gryffindor had, but he guessed that the seeker was either replaced or graduated.

"Just joined." Ron said.

"So your seeker is a second year?" Draco laughed. "I'm sure that he'll be a great challenge against Harry! Even on the slowest broom the school has to offer, I'm sure Harry will fly circles around him, right Harry?"

"Umm right Draco." Harry blushed.

Ron tried, and failed, to hold back a smirk as he said "You'll see Malfoy. Gryffindor and Slytherin are going up against each other the first week of January yeah? You'll see how good out seeker is."

The group of four continued to talk, the trio talking about whatever they thought about and Draco adding in every now and then. They each had another butterbeer and Harry put on the Invisibility Cloak as they left, having to avoid Professor McGonagall and Hagrid as they came in with the Minister of all people. He wondered what they were going to talk about, but didn't have time to follow them. He returned to Hogwarts through the same secret passage and quickly ran to his dormitory before taking off the Invisibility Cloak. He opened the Marauder's Map and smiled when he saw Draco's dot, along with Blaise's and Theo coming into the entrance hall.

Harry watched their dots as they went to the dungeons. Surprisingly, Harry saw three dots that he didn't guess to see. In a classroom he knew was barely used, Cedric and the Weasley Twins were there, Fred's dot in between George's and Cedric's. Harry wondered what they were doing as the dots seemed to move together, forward and backwards over and over again. Harry didn't know why but he started to blush as he watched the dots, his mind wondering.

The door opened and Draco, Theo, and Blaise sauntered in. "Harry! I hope you weren't too bored without us." Blaise smirked at him. Harry gulped as his eyes met the Fourth-Veela's, the blush on his cheeks growing.

"Zabini, stop it." Draco ordered as he sat down next to Harry, "hello again, my troublemaker." He whispered as they kissed. "Ready to tell me how exactly you got to Hogsmeade?" he asked.

"What? Harry was in Hogsmeade!?" Blaise asked shocked.

"Err, well…" Harry said. He looked at Draco and pulled out the map. "Maybe… this is a map that Fred and George gave me." Harry said showing Draco the map. "It shows me where everyone is at any moment in any day. See?" He pointed to the common room, There was four dots all with their names on it. Blaise's dot turned into a line of footsteps as he came to see. "Wow, this is awesome Harry!" he said. "Baby, come see this!" he ordered Theo.

Theo looked at the map and said "This is extraordinary Harry… how did the twins get this?"

"They nicked it from Filch's office in their first year." Harry said. "It was made by these four students who called themselves the Marauders. They called themselves Mooney, Padfoot, Wormtail, and Prongs." Harry looked at Draco when he said the names, his eyes shifted to the bed and Draco understood it.

"And these guys made the map?" Blaise asked. Harry nodded and showed him the message. "Wow, wonder who they are…"

"I don't know, but obviously they graduated by now." Harry said as he pocketed the map.

"Anyway, on more important things… what did you two do there?" Blaise grinned.

"Just went to the Three Broomsticks." Harry said shrugged, telling Theo and Blaise how he spent his free day at Hogsmeade. Later that night, Harry and Draco closed the curtains on their bed and Draco said "What's the matter Harry?"

"Padfoot." Harry said. "The name on the map. I heard it before."

"Where?"

"Sirius Black." Harry said. "He called himself that. When we were in the cave he had me against the wall and called himself that. He also mentioned Lupin."

"What? Professor Lupin?" Draco said shocked.

"Yeah…" Harry said, biting his lip. "I just remembered today, when I looked at the map."

"Merlin… what are we going to do?" Draco asked, concern.

Harry thought for a moment before saying "There's only one thing. I have to ask Lupin about this."

"Are you sure? I can stay here if you want to just to make sure—"

"I'll be fine Draco. You go see your family. Spend a nice Christmas with them and then I'll tell you everything I learn when you come back. Alright?" Harry asked.

Draco didn't seem like he wanted to agree, but he did nodding. "Fine. But this summer, you will come visit me at Malfoy Manor. I don't care what father has to say about it." Draco stated. Harry giggled and agreed, sealing the promise with a kiss before going to bed.

The next day, Harry said goodbye to Draco and his friends who were leaving; somewhat relieved that Ron, Hermione, and the Weasleys were staying in the Castle. Dumbledore once again removed the four tables, instead having one grand table for the Great Hall, where the teachers and students sat for their meals. Harry looked down at the teacher's end and saw Professor Lupin sitting there, looking a bit healthier, but still gaunt in his shabby robes. Harry bit his lip as he watched the professor, looking for any sign that would say 'I work with Sirius Black' or 'I knew Black as a kid.'

"Harry?"

His train of thought stopped immediately as he turned to see Cedric sitting next to him. "I'm sorry what did you say Cedric?" Harry asked.

"I asked if you wanted to go out and play Quidditch with us after lunch." Cedric said. "Fred and George and most of the Gryffindor Quidditch team who are here are going to play."

"Sure, sounds fun." Harry smiled. "Oh Cedric, you heard that Gryffindor has a new Seeker right?"

"Of course Harry." Cedric smiled.

"Well… do you know who he is?" Harry asked, he was slightly curious about the new seeker after Hermione and Ron mentioned him.

"I do. But Fred and George made me promise not to say." Cedric chuckled. "They said it would be 'A surprise that would shock the slimy Slytherins and our innocent little snake.' Or something like that." Cedric chuckled. Harry opened his mouth and Cedric interrupted saying "No, the new Seeker won't be there playing. It will be the rest of the Gryffindor team, me, and you. We're just going to split the team in half I guess."

"Alright, I'll still go." Harry said. "Though Cedric… it would be really nice if you give me just one hint? Please? From boyfriend to Personal Test Subject?"

Cedric laughed and shook his head. "Sorry Harry. But I made a promise."

"Fine." Harry said shrugging. "I'll just find out through other means." He looked down the table and he almost had to hold in a gasp when he saw that Pansy Parkinson was there, along with her gang of females. He thought that they all went home for the holidays, unfortunately he was wrong. Pansy looked at him and smiled at him smugly, rising a hand and waving at him. Harry raised his glass and sipped from it, his mind wondering why she was here. He kept an eye on her for the rest of lunch, talking with his friends and laughing with them as Fred teased Cedric, making the sixth year blush.

"Stop it Fred!" Cedric said, "Don't you have O.W.L.s to study for?"

"Who studies during the holidays?" Fred asked.

"Yeah Cedie, Christmas is tomorrow!" George said. "There's no thinking about classwork now!"

"Yeah! Come on Cedie let's go play some Quidditch!" Fred said. He grabbed Cedric's arm and pulled him up and out of the Great Hall, George laughing as he followed them.

Harry watched them confused and turned to Ron. "Are those two always like that around Cedric?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's annoying." Ron said. He grunted as he stood. "Well Harry? Coming along to Quidditch?"

"Coming." Harry said. He followed Ron and Hermione as Oliver Wood and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team who were there stood up and went. Harry felt like an odd man out as he followed the group into the Gryffindor Quidditch locker. "Harry! Nice to finally talk with you." Oliver Wood said, clasping Harry's hand. "You are the second best Seeker I ever seen."

"Second best?" Harry asked.

"Yup, our brother's the first." Fred said.

"No one could beat Charlie on a broom." George said.

"Well almost no one, I'm sure our newest member can easily beat him." Wood smirked. He turned to Harry and said "You'll have a tough match in January Harry. Better be ready for it."

"I will." Harry said smirking at Wood. He took a school's broom and the group split into two teams, playing game after game of Quidditch until the sun started setting. Hagrid came to watch, he called it "Professor's supervision," and he cheered for both teams with Hermione as the Quidditch players and Ron flew around. After supper they each said goodnight and went to their separate Common Rooms. Harry relaxed in an armchair by the fireplace, enjoying the silence of the empty Slytherin Common Room as the fire warmed him up. He decided to open the marauder's map and study it for awhile. He saw Ron's footprints and Hermione's in the Gryffindor Tower, along with George's and Fred's. He watched a set of footsteps that led away from Gryffindor Tower and frowned. It was a name that he never saw or heard before. "Peter Pettigrew?" he said to himself as he watched Peter Pettigrew's footsteps walk away from the tower and down the stairs. He thought and gasped when he remembered that he heard that name before. He was a friend of Lupin and his father!

"How is Peter Pettigrew here?" Harry wondered out loud. He watched Pettigrew roam about the castle for an hour before deciding to go to bed. The next day he awoke to a pile of presents at his bed. The first was a box of exotic sweets from Italy from Blaise, with a card saying that he handpicked each one himself. Harry sampled one and gave a small moan at the taste. The next was a couple of books from Theo, one being on the history of Spell-Making and the other on great Seekers of Britain. Hermione also got him books, but they were mostly on Quidditch and a few academic. Mrs. Weasley has sent Harry her annual Christmas present, a scarlet sweater and mince pies. He then noticed a long, thin package lying underneath the presents.

Curious, he reached for it and looked for a note. There was none to be found, so cautiously he opened the package and gasped at the magnificent broomstick rolled out. "No way!" Harry said. "A Firebolt!?"

The Firebolt shimmered in the early morning light. It looked just as Harry remembered when he saw it in Diagon Alley. He picked it up and felt the weight on his hands. It felt right and comfortable as he decided to test the broom out. He got on the Firebolt and hovered two feet in the air. The broom listened to the slightest of handling and Harry grinned as he slowly moved around the room, getting a feel of it. He then got an idea and opened a large window. He made sure that he could fit through it and took a test flight around the castle, he could barely hold his excitement as he flew, the broom obeying every command perfectly as he did tight turns and stopping right after a dive five feet above the ground. Harry laughed and returned to the Slytherin tower, landing perfectly on the floor in his dormitory. Harry smiled brilliantly at the broom, he couldn't wait to show it to Ron and the others. He had a feeling he knew who sent it, though he wondered why Draco didn't send a letter like usual.

He was surprised however when he saw a package wrapped in elegant paper with trimmings and a note from Draco. He read the note and was confused when it didn't mention the broom at once, only the robes that were in the present and how he and his mother had them made personally for him. Harry looked at the beautiful robes, each fitting him perfectly and smiled. He opened the rest of the presents and dressed in Mrs. Weasley's sweater. He walked downstairs with his Firebolt to see Pansy waiting for him.

"Potter!" she said.

"What do you want Parkinson?" he asked, not wanting to waste any time with her.

"I want you to keep away from Draco." She said. "He is mine! And I won't let you sink your grubby claws in him."

"How?" Harry asked.

"Wha—"

"How is he yours Parkinson?" Harry asked. "Because I've known him since first year, and we've been together ever since. How exactly do you have a claim on him, when Draco and I are not only dating, but basically betrothed?"

"Well it's obvious Potter." Pansy said.

"Tell me." Harry said. "Parkinson, I am hungry and would like to enjoy a Christmas breakfast with my friends. So please be quick about it."

"Draco and I are Pure-bloods Potter. You are just a lowly Half-Blood." Parkinson stated. "It's as simple as that. Draco and my relationship will always be more agreeable then yours. You filthy—"

"Goodbye Pansy. If you can't think of a reason without insults, I really don't want to talk with you. Happy Christmas. One more thing, remember who has the necklace." Harry said, leaving the Slytherin Common Room and into the Great Hall where his friends were.

"Happy Christmas Harry!" Ron said as Harry sat next to him. "What's that?"

Harry placed the Firebolt on the table with a grin and said "A present from someone."

"Woah!" Ron said, not believing his eyes. "That can't be what I think it is, can it?"

"It is!" Harry said excitedly. "I don't know who sent it though…"

"Probably Malfoy." Ron said.

"No, Draco always write letters with his gifts, but there wasn't a note or anything. And besides, Draco got me handmade robes." Harry said.

"Is that a new broomstick?" Hermione asked as she sat down with them. Ron stared at her and said flatly. "A new broomstick? Just a new broomstick? Hermione! This is the Firebolt! The fastest broom in the world!"

"Really? Did Malfoy sent you it?" Hermione asked.

"No, I don't know who did." Harry said. Word spread fast and the Gryffindor Team flocked Harry as they wanted to see the Slytherin's new broom, each handing it off to the next as they admire the handiwork.

"And what seems to be the commotion here?" Snape's drawl, icy voice asked, breaking the excitement over the broom.

"Harry has gotten a Firebolt as a Christmas present sir." Oliver Wood said, showing Professor Snape the broom.

"Really? And Mr. Potter, who decided to send you this broom?" Snape asked, taking the broom from Wood.

"I don't know sir. There wasn't a note on it, or anything." Harry said truthfully.

"I see…" Snape said. He studied the broom, as if he was considering something, and said "Then Mr. Potter, I'm afraid I must confiscate this broom from you. With Sirius Black on the loose, there is always the chance that he sent the broom cursed. We will have to dismantle it to check. Not to worry Mr. Potter, if there aren't any curses on it, you'll have your broomstick back to win Slytherin the Quidditch Cup." Snape then left with the Firebolt, much to Harry's frustrations. "That isn't fair!" he exclaimed. "I just got the broom! And now they're going to destroy it!?"

"But he's right, what if Black sent it to you? You could be flying it and next thing you know, the broom throws you off." Hermione said.

"But it's not cursed." Harry said, "I've already rode it."

"You what!?"

"I already rode the Firebolt." Harry said. "I was excited so I just opened the window and took it for a spin."

"Harry! Don't you know how dangerous that was! You're a Slytherin for God's sake!" Hermione said. "I thought you guys were supposed to be better than that."

"Well some yeah, but it wasn't my fault. It was a Firebolt Hermione! The fastest broomstick in the entire world! What was I supposed to do? Just give it to Professor Snape and say 'Oh, I got this broomstick but it might be cursed'?" Harry said.

"But still Harry, that was dangerous of you. …What would Draco think if you hurt yourself just because of that broom?" Hermione asked. That stopped Harry as he slunk in his seat and frowned.

"He would yell at me." Harry said, "but he would still be ecstatic about the broom!"

"Yeah, well I'm more worried about your life than a bloody broom Harry." Hermione said. She huffed and said in a calmer voice, "Thank you, by the way, for your gift."

"You're welcome." Harry said, trying to calm down too. Word of his Firebolt spread, as well as Snape taking it away, and Harry heard by the afternoon that Snape had Professor Flitwick and Madam Hooch strip down the broom, starting to check each individual piece for jinxes and curses. Though saddened by that, Harry did have an enjoyable Christmas, spending it with the Gryffindors and Cedric as they hung out outside, playing in the snow.

After a Christmas Feast, Harry saw Professor Lupin leaving and he remembered that he needed to talk with him about Black. Harry followed Lupin and said "Professor Lupin!"

Lupin stopped and turned around. "Ah Harry. A Happy Christmas to you, can I help you?" he asked.

"It's about Sirius Black." Harry said, deciding to get to the point. "I know that you two know each other."

"Wha—how… What are you implying Mr. Potter?" Lupin asked, trying to keep calm.

"That Black was your friend, as was my father. Look Professor Lupin, I am not accusing you of anything. I just want to know more about my father and why Black would be after me or something. In the cave, Sirius Black said that I have to tell you that 'Padfoot told me.' And that he and my dad were best of friends." Harry said.

Lupin looked as if he was deep in thought, the books in his hands shifting. Finally he gave a sigh and said "Very well, but I think this should be better if we were in my office." Harry agreed and followed Lupin to his office, where Lupin made tea for Harry. "Back when I was at Hogwarts, there were always the four of us. Me, your father, Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius Black. I was surprised when I heard the news, I just couldn't believe it."

"You mean about Black killing the Muggles?" Harry asked.

"Yes and no." Lupin said. He took a deep breath and said "Black…Sirius was the reason why Voldemort killed your parents. He—he sold them out." Lupin said with a heavy heart, as if he still couldn't believe it all these years later.

"He what!?" Harry said shocked. He stared at Lupin, hoping that the professor wasn't serious. But Lupin didn't smile or anything. He just looked at Harry, waiting for a reaction. "Sirius Black was your parent's Secret-Keeper, and he told Voldemort where he could find your parents." Lupin repeated, frowning.

Harry was shocked into silence so Lupin continued. "Next day, Peter Pettigrew went after Sirius. He confronted Sirius and was killed, along with thirteen muggles. Blew them all to smithereens." Lupin looked as though he had conflicting emotions about the issue, but didn't bring it up. Harry didn't want to tell the professor that he noticed, so he stayed quiet. "I heard that all they found of Peter was a few fragments of his body, and Sirius laughing in front of the crater…" Lupin sighed and said "Sorry, Harry this is hard for me…"

"It's alright Professor." Harry said, he too was deep in thought, his anger towards Black growing as well as his frustration. "I should have killed him." He said to himself.

"What?"

"I should have killed him!" Harry yelled, banging his fist on the table. "In the cave I should have killed him! Instead I ran away…" Tears started to form as Harry vented his frustration out. Professor Lupin allowed Harry to vent, muttering curses he heard from Quidditch as tears shed from his eyes. When he was done, Lupin handed him a box of tissues, which Harry used to clean his face.

"Better Harry?" he asked. Harry nodded and frowned. He moved his hand into his pocket and felt the map. "Good, now if there isn't anything else I can help you with, I'm afraid I'm still a bit busy—"

"Professor, there is still one more thing." Harry said, sounding oddly calm. "I'm not trying to defend Black when I say this, but I saw something."

"What is it Harry?" Lupin asked. Harry took a deep breath and pulled out the map. "This is a map to Hogwarts," Harry said missing the shock on Lupin's face. "It shows where anyone is at any moment and last night… I saw a person moving around named Peter Pettigrew. The map doesn't lie professor." He added quickly.

"Let me see that map." Lupin said. Harry was hesitant. He already lost one possession to a Professor, he didn't really want to lose two. "I just want to look at it for a bit Harry. I promise I'll give it back." Lupin said. Harry finally nodded and gave Lupin the Marauder's Map. "Thank you Harry. I will check this out when I have the time. You may go now."

"Yes Professor." Harry said. He stood up and stopped at the doorway, he turned around and said "Thank you Professor Lupin, for telling me."

"You're welcome Harry." Lupin said. "For what's it's worth, Happy Christmas Harry."

"Happy Christmas Professor." Harry said. He walked out of Professor Lupin's office and classroom, returning to the Slytherin Tower, ignoring Pansy and her friends as they laughed together over something.

On the last day of Christmas Break, Harry was bored looking out the window. It was too cold to play outside, and the Gryffindors and Cedric were in Gryffindor Tower hanging out. Harry tired to join, but the new portrait guarding the entrance wouldn't let Harry in. The old knight calling him a "conniving, scurvy, braggart!" Ron argued with the knight, but Sir Cadogan stayed adamant, saying that no Slytherins were allowed in the "pit of the bold lions." After twenty minutes of arguing, Harry had to stop himself before he destroyed the portrait himself, and just told Ron that they would see each other later. So now, Harry was in Slytherin Tower, bored and watching the snow as it fell. Harry watched the Black Lake and saw the Giant Squid's tentacles coming out, disturbing the water as it tried to freeze. Harry remembered his promise with Draco and smiled. Then, something caught his eye. An orange animal that looked vaguely familiar dashed across the snow covered ground, the orange animal ran towards the Forbidden Forest where it met a huge black dog. Harry gasped when he saw the dog and orange animal, Harry could swear it was a cat, seemed to converse as the orange cat gave the grim something. Sirius Black! Harry's mind went as the cat and dog went their separate ways. Rage filled the Slytherin's mind as he grabbed his wand and winter robe. With ill intent, Harry rushed out of the Tower and down to the entrance hall where he pushed open the doors. Crookshanks walked in, and simply glanced at Harry.

Harry paid the cat no mind as he walked out into the snow and quickly followed the path to the Forbidden Forest. His feet seemed to guide Harry as he walked, his mind too busy thinking about Black. Sirius Black was his parents' trusted friend. Sirius Black betrayed their trust and told Voldemort, who then went and killed his parents. Sirius Black betrayed his parents and caused their murder. To Harry, his parent's blood were on Black's hands, as well as the thirteen muggles he killed. Harry followed the footprints Sirius left back to the cave beside the hill and steeled himself, talking a deep breath before entering. "I knew you'll be back Harry." Sirius Black said, grinning at Harry. He was sitting by a fire, eating scraps of food. "Will you promise that you'll listen to me this time?"

Harry immediately raised his wand and said "No! I'm here to listen to you. You're a murderer Black!"

Black looked up to Harry and frowned, his eyes full of regret and melancholia. "I did not kill those Muggles Harry, you have to believe me."

"Shut up!" Harry said, slashing his wand in anger. A terrible wind gusted through the small cave, putting out the fire. "You killed them! You killed my parents!" Harry cried out. "They trusted you!"

Sirius Black moved faster than Harry ever saw him move, and in a second he had Harry pinned down, his wand rolling across the floor. "I would never betray James and Lily!" Black roared. Harry tried to struggle but Sirius held him. "Listen to me Harry. I would never betray your parents. They were my friends! My best friends! Why would I want them dead!?"

"Because you work for Voldemort." Harry grunted out.

"I am not a Death Eater!" Black yelled. "Listen to me Harry. I was not your parent's Secret-Keeper, Pettigrew was that lying rat! He was the one betrayed your parents!"

"But that's impossible." Harry said, his anger and rage quickly filtering out as exhaustion settled in. "Lupin said that all they found of him was—"

"A finger! A finger that the bastard cut off before I could kill him myself!" Sirius said. "It was my fault Harry. I told Lily and James," tears started to well up in the madman's eyes, "I told them to make Peter their Secret-Keeper! If I haven't—if I haven't persuaded them—Oh forgive me James!" Sirius then begun to cry. Harry tried to free himself, but Black wouldn't let him go, holding the Slytherin in a death like grip. "You have to believe me Harry! Please, I'm your godfather! I wouldn't betray them." Sirius cried out.

Harry looked at the man in front of him, crying and looking pathetic as he bare his heart. Harry couldn't help himself but feel sorry for the man. He thought back to the Marauder's Map, and how he saw Peter Pettigrew's name on it. The map doesn't lie, he knows that. But, according to Professor Lupin and the Ministry of Magic, Peter Pettigrew was dead. But, that can't be right. "He isn't dead, is he? Peter Pettigrew."

"No Harry, he is not." Sirius said, still trying to control his emotions. Harry thought for a moment, not noticing Sirius Black as he let go of him and moved to the fire. Sirius lit the fire with Harry's wand and sat down as the Slytherin thought. Harry thought about the map, how it showed Peter Pettigrew going from the Gryffindor Tower down into the dungeons. He thought about what Lupin told him and tried to make sense of it. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Harry looked at Sirius and said "I believe you."

Sirius looked as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders as he slumped against the cave floor. "Thank goodness. You don't know how happy it makes me to hear that Harry." Sirius said, grinning at Harry. He threw Harry back his wand and Harry caught it. He looked between Sirius and his wand for a moment before pocketing it. "Well, come close to the fire Harry. It's warmer than in the corner there." Sirius said.

Harry did and sat across from Sirius. "So," Sirius smiled. "Twelve years since we saw each other eh? Let's see how you've grown!" He looked at Harry and said "You're… a Slytherin?" Sirius asked, noticing the Green and silver trimmings on Harry's robes.

"Yeah… so?" Harry said.

Sirius then started to laugh, doubling over himself as he did so. "Ha! Why didn't I notice this the first time!? Oh to see the look on James' face." Sirius chuckled and shook his head. "So Harry the Slytherin. How did that happen?"

"Wha—I was just sorted into Slytherin." Harry said.

"Really? Don't believe it. There must have been a reason." Sirius said. "Was it a girl? Don't tell me it was a girl! I would be a very disappointed if it was just a girl."

"No! It's not a girl… it's just because I was sorted into Slytherin. Besides! I've made friends there, and in Gryffindor." Harry said.

"A Slytherin being friends with Gryffindors!" Sirius gasped wholeheartedly, "May Harry you're just full of wonders! So tell me mighty Slytherin who befriended Gryffindors. I've missed two years of your education. Tell me everything there is to know."

Harry bit his lip, honestly not knowing where to start and if he should share everything with this stranger that he was about to kill just moments ago. His hand unconsciously went to his necklace, feeling the outline of the Malfoy crest hidden in his shirt and decided to start from the very beginning, when he met his Draco in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. He told of their promise and his train ride where he met his best friend Ron. From there, he summarized his first and second years, adding his confrontations with Voldemort, and all the time he spent with his friends and Draco. When he was done Sirius was smirking and said "So, you and Draco."

"What? What do you mean?" Harry blushed.

Sirius laughed and said "Don't test me Harry! I can see right through you! Why, the way you talked about the boy, it reminds me of Mooney. Good ol' Mooney. He probably hates my guts now, but still, what we had… wouldn't trade it in for the world!"

"You mean you're—"

"Of course I am Harry!" Sirius laughed. "What? You think a man as handsomely arrogant as I be anything else? Though, you are looking me at my worst." Sirius smiled at Harry and said "Thank you Harry Potter. You've made a man who hadn't smiled for years feel happiness for the first time. You should probably go back to the castle now, surely your Draco must be wondering where you are. But please, don't forgot to visit me whenever you can. It gets lonely here…"

"O-Okay Sirius." Harry said, not believing what he was saying. He was agreeing to meet again with Sirius Black, the man the world believed to be a madman and a serial killer. Harry couldn't shake the tiniest of suspicion and fear he has against Sirius, but yet he still agreed because he felt that somehow he could trust the man. Sirius smiled at Harry as he waved him goodbye, Harry making his way back to Hogwarts, and the second term.

A/N: Rightio, first things first: News! With school starting I'll be updating this less frequently, but my goal will be once a week (hopefully) or once every ten days. Thank you all for your continued support, and now replies!

Blackcurrent: Thank you for enjoying my story and taking the time to review! As for seventh year… the Horcrux hunting isn't happening. Instead, we'll most likely skip to the big battle! That is if Harry and Lucius doesn't succeed in their mission. If they do though, well other things will happen.

Yukino76: Thank you for your support

BrotherofBasilisks: Yes! The fix! I hope you enjoy your Drarry fix! Lol If you have ANY questions, post them in the review, and I hoped you enjoy!

Tay: here ya go

Simbarella: Yes! How dare they misspell their own group on their map! Totally not the author's fault for not checking! Lol. Granpappy Lucius will still be dying of the curse, sorry to say and please note that there will not be any Harry MPreg on screen lol. The potion is still being made at the time, and… well you'll see. Until then, the pace is set and we are on course for a head on collision!

MaginficentFern: thanks! Glad you enjoyed

Kiera Jones: HERE! Also, we'll see more of Cedric/Fred/George action. The story does take place from Harry's point of view….mostly. You'll see, but I can promise you this: there will be some nice scenes soon.

Angelcataanna: Thanks!

Ern: Thank you for your continued support

Geetac: I like the review.