Harry was perplexed.

Not only had his suicide plot been foiled, but he'd been interrupted by a man, whom he'd thought to be a dog, who turned out to be the famous murderer, Sirius Black. And Sirius Black had wanted to save his life, not end it.

Why must his life be so complicated?

None of the pieces seemed to fit together inside his head. If Sirius wanted him dead, then why hadn't he killed him? There had been numerous opportunities for the man to kill him late at night, when Harry had believed him to be a harmless, stray dog, but the dog had never harmed him. On the contrary, the dog had comforted him.

He'd shared his thoughts and feelings with the canine, believing that the animal could not understand him. All the while, the man had been listening. That thought unnerved him a bit. He didn't appreciate being eavesdropped on. But still, the man had never harmed him.

Even if Sirius hadn't wanted to murder him directly, he could have just allowed Harry to finish the job himself. The boy had been so close to pulling the trigger when the man had burst in the room, looking frantic.

But everyone claimed Sirius Black was after Harry. They insisted that he needed more protection in the castle. The headmaster and teachers seemed worried for his safety. They believed that Harry was in danger, but he wasn't. Well, at least not from Sirius Black.

Sirius had said that he loved him, and Harry wasn't sure if it was the look in the man's eyes, the sincerity of his words, or the utter desperation for the escaped prisoner to keep the boy alive, but Harry believed him.

He could only come to one conclusion: The wizarding world was wrong about Sirius Black.

Perhaps it was a bit like his second year, when the entire school had believed him to be the heir of Slytherin. Being a parselmouth was enough to make his classmates turn on him, believing Harry to be an evil wizard intent on purging the school of muggleborns. It hadn't taken many rumors for the school to believe that. Was the whole of wizarding society just as easy to jump to conclusions?

Harry suspected that they were, but he didn't want to be like them. He wanted to know the truth.

Though he hadn't managed to kill himself, Harry was content not to act again until he knew if Sirius had been truthful. He would meet Sirius Black again, and he hoped that the man would be able to answer all his questions. If the escaped prisoner had been honest that night in the tower, then Harry was hopeful the man's offer to run away could become a reality. Life wouldn't be so terrible anymore.

And if the man had been lying and he wanted to see Harry dead, then that was that.

Harry laid back into his bed, staring at the ceiling, his breathing even and his body calm. He felt hope sprouting somewhere deep within him. For the first time since he was a small child, he imagined what it would be like having someone who cared. A dreary smile settled onto his face as his mind explored the possibilities.

A few hours later, after waking up from a short but satisfying nap, Harry clambered toward the common room, feeling tired of lying in the silence. He was bombarded by voices, shrieks, and giggles, as he made his way down the stairs. Most of the Gryffindors seemed to be waiting in there, though Harry wasn't sure why. Most of the time, students were out around the castle during the afternoons.

At his entrance, nearly every face turned up to meet his, and they started whispering. He made out the name Sirius Black from several different conversations and realized that the students did not have any idea what really happened last night. They must have known that Harry was involved though, judging by their curious stares.

Surprisingly, no one asked him about it. He wondered if McGonagill had forbidden them to assault Harry with questions. Or maybe they were just used to him ignoring them by now. Either way, Harry searched for an empty seat in the crowd of people, finally sitting down at a table near the door. He saw Ron a few chairs down, speaking to Seamus. At first, Harry thought he too was gossiping about Black, but instead he heard his old friend mention his pet rat, Scabbers.

"And you're sure you haven't seen him? I know he was in my pocket before lunch yesterday, but then he just disappeared." Ron told him, sounding concerned.

"No, Weasley. I haven't seen your rat. Aren't you more concerned about Sirius Black? I mean he nearly killed us all last night!" Seamus exclaimed impatiently.

"I know," Ron huffed, scrunching his freckled face in disappointment. "That's all anyone has been talking about all day. I just thought maybe you'd seen Scabbers."

Harry knew that even though Ron complained about his pet often, he cared about his rat. It wasn't often that Ron had gotten special things or new possessions growing up, so he tended to treasure the things he was offered. The rat may have been a fat, useless lump, but he was Rons.

"Scabbers is missing?" Harry chimed in, feeling a little awkward.

Ron turned toward him, looking shocked that Harry had said anything.

"Erm… Yeah. I haven't seen him since yesterday. I think Malfoy might have taken him." Ron said slowly, as if waiting for Harry to go back to ignoring him.

"Why would Malfoy take him?" Harry questioned.

Ron got up from his chair by Seamus and moved it several feet over, so it sat next to Harry.

"Well, he's been even more of a git than usual, and yesterday, I had Scabbers out in the courtyard with Hermione. She was helping me with transfiguration because lately our lessons make absolutely no sense." Ron said energetically, seeming excited to be talking to Harry. Then, getting back to his original topic, he continued. "Anyway, Malfoy came up to us, spewing nonsense about my family again, and then, he insulted Scabbers. I hardly think it's a coincidence that he would go missing right after Malfoy went on about him."

"Yeah. That is suspicious," Harry replied. "Malfoy's probably just mad because Snape gave him detention with Filch."

"WHAT?" Ron bellowed animatedly. "Snape gave Malfoy detention? What for?"

Talking to Ron again, Harry was surprised how normal he felt. The tension and awkwardness had faded quickly, and now, it was almost as if he hadn't been distant all year. It was nice.

"Well," Harry started, feeling excited to fill Ron in about Malfoy, "The git attacked me in the hallway yesterday with Crabbe and Goyle after class."

"That bastard! I'll hex him for you, mate," Ron interrupted, a dark expression on his face.

"It's alright. Just listen to what happened next," Harry told him. "He hit me with the knockback jinx when I was right on the edge of the staircase and-"

"What? Is he insane?" The ginger roared.

"Just listen," Harry insisted, smiling. "I almost smacked into the wall, but Snape saved me. Don't interrupt!" He laughed, seeing Ron open his mouth to speak again. "Snape was really mad at Malfoy. Said I could have been really hurt, and then he shouted about how he could have had them suspended and gave them detention with Filch for a month! It was brilliant!"

"Snape did that?" Ron inquired, gaping at him. "Has he been possessed or something?"

"No. He's actually been pretty decent to me lately. Not sure why."

"Wow… I still can't believe Malfoy. I mean, dueling is one thing, but…" his voice trailed off.

"Yeah, I know. I think he was a little surprised too. I guess he thought I would dodge it." Harry explained.

"Well, why didn't you?" Ron asked, his tone serious again.

"I just wasn't expecting it, I guess," Harry lied. "My reflexes just weren't fast enough."

"Huh… Well, we'll get Malfoy. There's no way I'm letting him get away with taking Scabbers and attacking you. Detention with Filch isn't enough." Determination glinting in his blue eyes, Ron continued. "Fred and George have been cooking up something for a while. I bet if I told them, they would help us."

"Okay," Harry said, feeling excited at the prospect of thwarting Malfoy.

"They're in class right now. Charms, I think, but I'll tell them right after."

"Alright," Harry told him. "So, what else have I missed?"

Ron beamed.

He went on to tell Harry all about the Quidditch match that was supposed to have been that morning. It had gotten cancelled due to "the incident" but was rescheduled for a week from today. Ron seemed to enjoy filling Harry in on everything. After the topic of quidditch was done, he went on to relay the events from the first Hogsmeade visit, which Harry had been unable to attend due to his lack of permission form, and then to each of their classes which were, according to Ron, "trying to drive them all mad." Harry listened with rapt attention, finding himself interested in the goings on at Hogwarts. He'd missed so much.

Eventually, Ron ran out of things to tell him, and their conversation moved toward Sirius Black. Ron's face went a shade paler as he spoke.

"I woke up, and he was standing over your bed, with a crazed look on his face. And he had a knife, Harry. If I hadn't woken up, he'd probably have killed us all." He paused for a moment, looking pensive.

Harry was even more confused now. Why would Sirius have gone to his dormitory. And why would he have a knife. Was he really planning to hurt him?

"It's a good thing you were gone, mate. When I saw your bed was empty, I assumed you were wondering the castle again." Ron said slowly.

Harry shot him a look of surprise.

"Yeah. I knew what you were doing. I woke up about every night and noticed you were gone, but you were always back the next morning, so I figured you just wanted some space… But last night, I was so worried he would find you."

"He did," Harry whispered.

"He did? McGonagill didn't tell us that! But how are-"

"How am I still alive?" Harry guessed. "Well, I don't really think he wanted to kill me."

Harry saw an image of the sobbing man, pleading for him to keep living.

"What?" Ron sounded flabbergasted.

"He could have, but he didn't. A lot happened last night, Ron. And I can't tell you all of it right now, but I think people are wrong about him. I don't think he wanted to hurt me…"

They sat in silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say.

"Don't tell anyone what I said. I couldn't even tell Dumbledore," Harry pleaded.

"But why?" Ron whispered, sounding intrigued.

"I really can't say right now. Just promise me."

"Okay… I promise."

Harry smiled softly at the red-haired boy. Ron truly was an amazing friend. He was suddenly glad that he hadn't said goodbye to him in a note. Ron didn't deserve to find out that way.

"So, are you ready to go to lunch?" Ron asked in a lighter tone.

Harry looked up and realized that most of the common room was empty.

"Sure," Harry told him. "But first I have to get a prefect to come with me. I'm not allowed to go anywhere alone. Dumbledore's orders." He muttered glumly.

"Well Percy's over there," Ron said, gesturing to his older brother. "I'm sure he'd walk with us."

The lanky-looking red head was perched in a chair near the fire with an enormous textbook spread over his lap. He appeared to be in a rather bad mood.

"Percy!" Ron called.

The head Boy's eyes darted over to look at Ron.

"What, Ronald? I'm rather busy," he insisted, giving his brother an irritated look.

When Ron told Percy that Harry needed an escort because Dumbledore had requested it, the older boy was suddenly much happier to assist them. He seemed to think that he was fulfilling an important duty for the headmaster, and it was just another way for him to display his power and superiority.

In the Great Hall, the stares and whispers were even more noticeable. In fact, most people didn't even bother to whisper. They talked about Harry as if they didn't care that he could hear them. Harry ignored them as he was used to it by now.

Hermione joined them several minutes later and looked shocked to see Harry sitting with Ron instead of by himself. When Harry greeted her as she sat down, her face broke into an elated grin and she embraced him in a hug.

"Oh, Harry! I was so worried about you! No one knew where you were last night! How could you just disappear like that? I thought you might be…" The girl let out a sob, and Harry patted her back awkwardly. He wasn't exactly comfortable with the physical contact, but he knew Hermione meant well.

"It's okay, Hermione. I'm alright," he told her, shooting a look at Ron that said 'what am I supposed to do?'

Ron shrugged, and then came to Harry's rescue. "Maybe you should get off of him and let him speak, Hermione," he told her, chuckling and shoving a meat-filled sandwich into his mouth.

Hermione lurched away from him abruptly. "Sorry, Harry. I was just so worried." She said, in an embarrassed voice.

"I know. It's okay." He told her.

She stared at him, as if waiting for him to give an explanation of last night. He was getting rather tired of answering questions, but he didn't want to upset her.

"Um… Like I told Ron earlier, there are some things I can't tell you right now," he said to Hermione, thinking over his words carefully. "I have some things I need to find out, and I can't tell you why, but I really need your help, Hermione."

"You need my help?" She asked, sounding slightly suspicious.

"Yes. I need to find out more about Sirius Black. You're the best at finding information. You think you could go to the library and find out as much as you can about him?"

"I don't understand," Hermione replied. "You've barely spoken to us this year. Last night, Black breaks into the castle, and no one has any idea where you are. And now, you're acting better, but something is still off, and you want to know about Black. Can I have a little more information? Can you please just tell me why?"

"I just… I can't right now. I promise, I'll tell you eventually, but this is really important. I don't think Sirius Black is who they say he is, and I need you to help me. Please," he pleaded.

"Alright," she said after a moment, sounding hesitant. "But you'll tell me soon?"

"Yes," Harry agreed.

"And you're back now, right. You're not just gonna shut us out again?" Ron asked warily.

"Yes."

Harry hoped that he would keep his promises, but he wasn't sure. There were so many things that he didn't want his friends to find out about. They'd think of him differently if they knew; he didn't want that.

If Sirius wasn't who he claimed to be, then Harry would still want to follow through with his original plan, so it was imperative that no one find out what he'd almost done last night. He just had to keep his secrets a little longer.

They spent the rest of the afternoon searching around for Scabbers, reluctantly dragging the head boy along with them, but they found no trace of the rat. Later that evening, after saying goodbye to Ron and Hermione, Percy ushered Harry down to the dungeons for his meeting with Snape. He'd received a note at supper that the man wished to meet with him, and he wasn't looking forward to it.

Harry wasn't sure what to expect from the Potion Master, but he hoped that he wouldn't be interrogated for the next two hours.

Percy led him down the staircase, yelling at a group of rowdy second years as they passed. Harry spotted Malfoy sprawled on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor while Filch stood over him shouting orders. Draco snarled furiously at Harry as he passed, and Harry offered him a slight smirk, remembering Ron's plan.

Waiting in front of Snape's door, Harry thanked Percy, who assured him he would be back in two hours to take him back to Gryffindor tower. Lovely, he thought. Harry was already very tired of the head boy.

He knocked three times upon the door, and pulled it open when he heard a murmured, "enter."

Inside, Snape was perched behind his desk, and he motioned for Harry to take a seat at a table in the front row.

"Do not look so miserable, Mr. Pot- I mean Harry. This is not a detention. You won't be scrubbing cauldrons," Snape said, in a light-hearted tone.

Harry attempted to wipe the grimace off his face, but he still felt as though Snape would dig into him at any moment, asking questions and demanding answers. Snape and Dumbledore had asked him plenty last night, and he hadn't answered much. He didn't plan to do anything different tonight. Snape could question him, but his responses would be the same.

"You're probably wondering why you're here," Snape stated impassively.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. It was nothing new for him to be forced into situations for no reason. He already had to deal with pointless meetings enough. First with Madame Pomfrey, second with the headmaster, and now, with Snape.

He expected Snape to be angry with his lack of responses by now, but the man still seemed composed. The Professor was staring at him with a calculating look, and Harry felt slightly unnerved.

He was angry at Snape for interrupting him last night. Just as Harry had begun to connect with Sirius, Snape had burst into the room, shooting spells. If he hadn't come, Harry could have learned the whole story from his godfather, and then maybe they'd have gone on the run together. Now, because of Snape, he was left without any way to contact the man.

"Well, what's this about then?" He asked, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"I had mentioned yesterday at your detention that I would be requesting regular meetings with you," Snape explained.

"And what am I supposed to be doing at these meetings?"

"Well, I thought that we would talk for a while, and then you could finish some of your classwork. The headmaster has informed me that you've fallen behind in most of your classes. Hopefully, I'll be able to help you with any material that you haven't understood."

Snape appeared to be sincere, but Harry still didn't feel like cooperating. Out of all his teachers, why had Snape been the one to intervene? The man had seemed to be lurking around every corner lately, as if waiting for Harry. It was getting old.

"Alright, let's get on with the questions then," Harry declared. He wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.

"Questions?" Snape asked, sounding puzzled.

"You said you wanted to talk. I assume that means you're going to ask me about last night again. Even though I already told you what happened about a dozen times."

"I assure you that interrogating you was not my intention when I requested this meeting," Snape muttered, wiping a bit of greasy hair out of his eyes. "I intended to try and help you, not inconvenience you."

"Well, I don't feel much like talking right now," Harry said in a quieter voice.

"Very well," Snape told him. "I suggest you get to work on some of your essays. If you need assistance, I'll be over here."

Harry went to work right away, pleased that Snape had possessed the decency to leave him alone. He pulled his transfiguration book from his bag, deciding to start on the essay he'd listened to Ron complain about earlier.

He read over the chapter once. Then, still not sure what to write, he read over the same passage again. He was stumped. Scrunching his face in consternation, he fumbled through several pages of his book, trying to understand the method and implications of transforming objects into rabbits with the Lapifors charm.

He understood the basics of the spell. The problem was, he wasn't sure how the spell would be very useful. McGonagill wanted two feet of parchment on possible uses for the charm, possible dangers associated with it, and how the caster can control the rabbit. Nothing in the textbook answered any of his questions though.

Deciding that rereading the chapter would be useless, he shut his book and rested his head on his hands, pondering the questions. Nothing was really coming to him though. Why the hell would anyone need to transfigure an object into a rabbit. That's useless! His thoughts soon turned into daydreams again, and he saw himself and Sirius running from the law and living on the run.

Sirius would help Harry escape from the castle, and then they'd run to the muggle world. Harry still had all his muggle money from the summer. They could stay in hotels or rent a house. They'd tell each other everything, and Sirius could teach him about his Mum and Dad. If anyone ever came for them, Sirius could transform into a dog, and Harry could hide under the invisibility cloak. It would be like one big adventure.

Harry was lost in his imagination, when Snape shuffled over to his desk.

"Harry, I did not bring you here to waste time. Is there a reason you're staring off into space?"

"Sorry. I just didn't know what to write, and then I kinda zoned out," Harry explained, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Did I not inform you that I was here to help if you had questions," Snape scoffed. "What are you stuck on?"

Slowly, Harry explained his problem to the professor. He expected Snape to snarl at him for being stupid, but instead, he clearly explained the solution to Harry.

"Suppose you had something to hide," Snape said. "In that situation, the charm would be helpful because you could conceal the object. Anyone who saw it would believe it to be a rabbit. Or if you needed to create a diversion, you could use any object to make a rabbit that would distract someone. Can you see how that would be useful?"

"I guess so," Harry said slowly.

"Now, what would be some issues when using the charm?"

"Well… I guess if you made something important into a rabbit and it hopped away," Harry guessed.

"Exactly. The rabbits created by the charm are often difficult to control. They can be maneuvered, but you have to use a slightly different wand movement when casting the spell. It is more difficult and time consuming. Does that help?" Snape asked him, staring down at him intently.

"Erm. Yeah. Thanks," Harry said, feeling bad for being rude to the man earlier. Snape was genuinely trying to help him, and Harry had been acting like a brat.

"No problem. Anything else?"

"Well, you said we could talk earlier," Harry began.

"And?"

"I had a question," Harry said. Snape shot a look at him that said to continue. "Well you were in school with my Dad, so you must have been in school with Sirius Black too."

"I was," Snape replied slowly.

"Was Sirius friends with my mum and dad? I mean, before he…." Harry trailed off not wanting to say that he killed them. For all he knew, Black had not done anything of the sort.

"During their years at Hogwarts, many would say that your father and Sirius Black," He said, snarling at their names. "were close. They ran around in a little gang, tormenting other students."

Harry knew that Snape was biased against his father. Even if they had been adversaries, Harry doubted his Dad had been that terrible. No one else had ever had a bad thing to say about the man.

"And after Hogwarts?"

"From what I've heard, they kept in touch after school," Snape explained.

"Then why would he turn on them? It doesn't make any sense."

"I won't pretend to understand the mind of Sirius Black." Snape sneered. Then, softening his expression, he asked, "did Black say something about your parents?"

Harry wanted more than anything to tell Snape that Sirius hadn't wanted to harm him. He needed to prove that Sirius wasn't dangerous, that everyone was wrong about the man. But then, how would he explain the gun?

"No, sir." Harry replied sullenly.

He had to keep quiet about what he knew; he had no other options. Harry sighed as Snape turned and moved back behind his desk. For the remainder of his meeting, he worked silently.

Harry returned to Gryffindor tower about an hour before curfew. He fled up to his dormitory, telling Ron he was tired and wanted to get some extra sleep. Ron hadn't questioned him.

He had just changed into his night clothes when a sharp "clink" broke through the silence, making him jump. His head darted to the side and he recognized Hedwig lightly tapping her beak against the window. Jumping to his feet, Harry slid the heavy window open, and the magnificent snowy owl soared inside, clutching a note within her sharp talons. Harry stared at her dumbly for a moment. He hadn't been expecting a letter.

It took him a moment of contemplation, trying to come up with a reason that anyone would have sent him a letter at this time of night before he finally reached over and snatched the note from Hedwig.

Harry stared down at the small piece of parchment, not recognizing the messy handwriting.

I know you must be confused, but I need you to know that I was being honest with you. I do care for you, and I want you to be safe and happy. I can't tell you where I am right now, but know that I have found a place to hide for the time being. There are so many things that I need you to understand, but unfortunately, I don't think it would be safe to send those things in a letter. I want to explain everything to you in person.

I read the note you left on your bed. I know it wasn't for me, and I'm sorry. Please don't do anything to harm yourself. I know you're hurting and feel like things won't get better, but please allow me to try and help.

I urge you not to send a reply as it might reveal my hiding place. Keep your eyes open for another letter soon.

Just have faith and hold on a little longer.

The letter wasn't signed, but Harry knew it was from his godfather. He beamed, laying down in his bed and clutching the letter to his chest. He fell asleep with the piece of parchment still tucked tightly within his closed fist.

Thanks for reading! Please leave me a review, and let me know what you think!