Chapter 36

"Harry, why me and Hermione never know about this?"

The DADA class had ended. True to what everyone said, the class had become too boring. Moody was no longer as super charged as he 'used' to be. He was more contented to follow the syllabus outlined by the school rigidly rather than introducing some of his own persona to the teaching which meant that there were more talking, less action. But of course, this Moody was an ex-auror who mostly let his wand do the talking when he was still under the Ministry employment and had zero teaching experience. Unlike the other Moody who was in fact an impostor.

Everyone was beginning to talk about how far more enjoyable Professor Lupin's classes were despite knowing that he was a werewolf.

The Beauxbaton also no longer attended Moody's classes after that incident with Harry.

The trio was on their way back to the Gryffindor Tower when Harry told them about his plan for Saturday. He purposely waited for everyone else to leave before he talked.

"I was going to," lied Harry. Once again he felt bad about it but circumstances dictated that he had no other choices. He did not want to tell them at first but after realizing that both Hermione and Ron would expected him to join them for the whole duration of the visit, it would make things a lot difficult for him. Also, telling them that he did not intend to tell them his plan would produce even more questions, something that he keenly wanted to avoid. "It just slipped out of my mind," he continued.

"It doesn't matter," said Hermione. "Don't worry about it. The problem is how are you going to meet him given that you were barred from going to Hogsmeade?"

"When there is a will, there is a way."

"Knew you would say that," said Hermione, shaking her head. "Well in that case, we're coming with you."

Harry abruptly stopped walking.

"What is it, Harry?" asked Hermione, mirroring him.

"No, you guys can't," said Harry.

Perplexed, Hermione asked, "But why not?"

The truth was, he really did not want them to accompany him to see Sirius, given his true intention on meeting his godfather. He won't be able to talk as freely if Ron and Hermione were there. He had plans and he much rather his two friends not know about it. Lucky for him, a strong excuse was already at hand.

"Sirius is a fugitive, in case you both forgot about that," he said. "And that incident with Wormtail happened just a few months ago. The Ministry is still hot on his trail. What they didn't know is that he's somewhere near here. Now Hogsmeade will be packed with students, visitors, spectators, journalists and the likes. Security will be tightened. People will ask question if they saw three students walked out into the woods when they shouldn't. He will be exposed and when that happens, it would be Azkaban all over again for him. I can't let that happen. I hope you both understand."

"But Harry, they will notice you too. It's still the same thing. Besides, you're not allowed anywhere outside the school compound, remember?" said Hermione. "If they find out-"

"I know my way in and out if you've forgotten about that," Harry cut her off. "And I know how to make myself invisible. You worried too much, Hermione. Besides, I'm just going to send him some food and a few stuffs that will make his life a bit more comfortable. Nothing fancy."

Hermione bit her lips. It took some time before she finally nodded.

"Alright Harry, if that what's you say," she said. "Are there anything we could help?"

Harry pondered for a moment.

"Well, you could start by acting normally the whole day tomorrow," he said. "If anyone asks, just tell them I'm stuck at the castle and couldn't get out. I'll be brooding inside the dormitory lamenting my fate for not being able to spend the day visiting Hogsmeade. Just buy a few things for me just in case. I'll pay you back later. If I manage to get back early, I'll find you two at Hogsmeade."

But Hermione shook her head.

"No, you better not," she said. "I think you should just go back straight to the castle after your meeting with Sirius ends. I'm still uncomfortable knowing that someone might see you where they shouldn't. Remember last year? I'll buy something for you before me and Ron goes back."

Harry just shrugged.

"Suit yourself," he said. "Come on. Let's go back to our dormitory. There's something else I need to do before this day ends. Say, do you both want to follow me to the kitchen?"

"Harry, we're not allowed inside the kitchen!" said Hermione.

"I want to go to the kitchen," said Ron. "Who knows what we'll find in there."

"I know what else you'll find in there. More food," said Hermione.

Harry gave an odd look at Hermione. How ironic it was when in fact back in the old timeline, she was the one who urged Harry to follow her to the kitchen. She was the one who broke the rule before he and Ron did.

"I already got the permission, Hermione," said Harry.

"From who?"

"Dumbledore. He knows about Sirius and he wants to help. He gave me permission to raid the kitchen anytime I want. He even provided sleeping bags for Sirius. Now do you want to tag along or not?" said Harry.

Hermione hesitated.

"I don't know, Harry," she said. "I got things to do too this afternoon."

"Like going to the Beauxbaton carriage, perhaps?" guessed Harry, smirking.

Hermione immediately went silent.

"It's okay, Hermione. Whatever it is, I'm glad that you became their friends and of Daphne. But I must impress the importance of keeping what we just talk about a secret. Can I count on you on that?" asked Harry.

Hermione thought for a moment. Harry could almost see the gears grinding inside her head. He knew she was hesitating. Or maybe she was planning a work around, who knows? Girls were so complicated, at least to him.

"I won't tell," Hermione gave a short reply.

Harry nodded. He'll just have to accept that for now and hope that Hermione would stick to her words.

"Come on," he said.

Harry and Ron quickly changed their uniforms. Once done, Harry opened up his trunk and grabbed the beaded bag Dumbledore gave him. Before he left, he looked around.

The rest of his dorm mate had yet to return.

"What's that?" asked Ron, pointing to the beaded bag Harry was carrying with him as they walked through and out of the portrait hole. Hermione did not accompany them this time.

"Something Dumbledore gave me many nights ago," said Harry as they both walked towards the Great Hall. "It'll help me to store all the things I'm going to bring to Sirius."

"That small?"

Harry stared at Ron in disbelief.

"Magic, Ron. Magic," he said.

"Oh, right."

They reached the entrance of the Great Hall but they did not go in. Instead Harry turned right towards the marble staircase that led down and into the Entrance Hall. They walked down the staircase and Harry immediately turned left once they reached the bottom with Ron following him. They then hurried towards a door. Harry opened it and they found a flight of stone steps that went further down in front of them.

"Where are we, Harry?" asked Ron as they walked down the steps.

"Somewhere beneath the Great Hall," answered Harry, his voice echoed through the passage as they made their descent. "This is the same path Hufflepuffs use to return to their common room. Come on."

Once they reached at the bottom, they found themselves in a brightly lit stone corridor. Cheerful paintings of foods decorated the wall on both sides of the corridor.

"Hufflepuff's common room entrance is dead ahead," explained Harry as they both walked along the corridor. "But that's not where we're going to. Ah, here it is."

They stopped in front of a painting of a green pear inside a gigantic silver fruit bowl.

"So now what?" asked Ron.

Harry did not answer. Instead he stretched out his forefinger to the painting and began tickling the huge green pear. The pear squirmed, chuckled and all of a sudden turned into a large green door handle. Harry grabbed it and began pulling the door opened. They both then made their entrance.

"Blimey!" marveled Ron.

They both found themselves inside an enormous, high ceiling room, as large as the Great Hall above it. Lots of glittering brass pots and pans heaped around the stone walls and right at the farthest end of room was a great big fire place.

Harry however could only briefly appreciated the view in front of him when all of a sudden something small and fast knocked the wind out of him.

"Harry Potter, Sir! Harry Potter!"

Harry looked down and saw a small elf hugging him hard at his midriff, so tightly that he thought his ribs would break. He recognized who that elf was.

"Dobby?" he gasped.

"It is Dobby, sir! It is!" squealed the voice from somewhere around his navel. "Dobby has been hoping and hoping to see you, sir, and today he got his wish granted. Oh, this is the happiest day of his life, Harry Potter!"

Dobby then let go of him and took a few steps back. He beamed up at Harry, his enormous, green, tennis ball shaped eyes were brimming with tears.

Dobby looked almost exactly as the last time Harry saw him. That pencil shaped long nose, that bat like ears, that long and thin fingers and legs. Except for the clothes he currently wore. It remained a strange mixture of garments, socks, singlets, underwears, but it was definitely a lot better than what he wore when he was still under the Malfoy's servitude.

And also better than when he died in Harry's arm.

Harry remembered Dobby's death really well. The loyal house elf died by Bellatrix's silver dagger in the midst of a rescue effort. Harry, Ron, Hermione and several others including Ollivander. They all survived Malfoy Manor except for Dobby.

That incident had a profound effect on Harry. His respect for the house elves would only grow from there. Their loyalties were second to none, something that Harry found lacking even among the human wizards and muggles alike. He ended up treating his own house elves including Kreacher really well because of that. He even arranged for a proper burial when Kreacher died.

Dobby did not only save his life. He changed him. And he would keep on thinking about Dobby for the rest of his life.

Harry knelt down on one knee in front of Dobby.

"How are you, Dobby?" he asked, smiling.

"Dobby is fine, sir Harry Potter," said the house elf excitedly. But he then suddenly paused. "You did not look surprised to see him, sir."

Harry chuckled. "Actually I am kind of expecting you here. When did you arrived, Dobby?"

"Many weeks ago," answered Dobby. "Dobby came to Hogwarts to see Professor Dumbledore. He gave Dobby and Winky jobs, sir."

"Winky? She's here?" said Ron.

Winky was Bartemius Crouch former house elf. Both Harry and Ron remembered the incident at the Quidditch World Cup clearly like it just happened yesterday. In a fit of rage, Bartemius expelled Winky from his household despite the house elf's pleas.

"Yes sir, yes!" said Dobby. He then pulled Harry's hand and pulled him off into the kitchen between the four long wooden tables that were somehow positioned exactly beneath the four House Tables within the Great Hall above. At the moment, half of the tables were already laden with food. Dinnertime would arrive within an hour or so. Some of the elves were busy with the cooking and preparing foods. But even when busy working, they would still bowing and curtsying when Harry and Ron walked past them. They were all wearing the same uniform consisted of a tea towel stamped with Hogwarts crest and tied like a toga.

Dobby stopped in front of the big fireplace and pointed.

"Winky, sir!" said Dobby.

Winky was sitting on a stool close by the fire. Her eyes were close, in her hand there was a bottle. She was still wearing the same garment the night Bartemius disowned her. It was filthy. Soup stains covered all of her blouse. And there was a burnt hole on her skirt.

The female house elf must have drank herself to sleep.

Harry, knowing that there would be nothing he could do for her at this point, decided that it would better to leave Winky alone.

"I think we should just leave her alone," he said to Dobby. "But you could keep an eye on her just in case, could you, Dobby?"

"Of course, Harry Potter," replied Dobby. "Would Harry Potter and his friend like a cup of tea?" he offered.

Harry glanced at Ron.

The ginger head boy nodded at him.

"Sure," said Harry.

Almost instantly, about six house elves came trotting up behind them carrying a tray laden with a teapot, cups and a large plate of biscuits.

Dobby whisked them towards a small table not far from the fireplace. The house elves placed the fully laden tray on the table and Harry and Ron took their seats

"Good service!" said Ron, impressed.

The house elves look delighted. They bowed very low and retreated, returning to their chores.

"Lucky Hermione isn't here," said Ron as Dobby passed a cup of piping hot tea to him. "She's going to burst a blood vessel in her brain if she finds out what it's like being here."

Harry just nodded. He muttered thanks to Dobby when he received his own cup of tea.

Dobby then just stood there expectantly, beaming at him. "Would there be anything else, sir?" he asked.

Harry knew that the next logical thing to do was to ask Dobby about his adventure after being freed from Malfoy. But the thing was, he already knew those and he was not keen on repeating the question. Besides, it was not that Ron would even bother with it. The boy was busy with his biscuits to concentrate on anything else.

"Actually there is," he said. "That is, if you can help."

"Of course, sir! Dobby can help! Just tell him anything! He will do it!" squeaked Dobby in delight.

"Alright. Calm down, Dobby," said Harry, smiling at the overexcited elf. He took out the beaded bag out of his pocket and handed it over to Dobby, who received it gladly. "I need you to fill this up with food," he said. He paused a moment before continuing, "Maybe some soap and shampoo while you're at it. I will need it on Saturday morning. Can you do it?"

Dobby gave Harry a salute. "Of course, Harry Potter! Dobby will have it ready for you, sir, on Saturday morning. He could also send it to Harry Potter's dormitory if sir Harry Potter wants him to."

"Well if you could do that, yeah why not," said Harry, thinking that it would make his job a lot easier.

"Then Dobby shall do it!"

They both stayed inside the kitchen for the whole afternoon, watching the house elves doing their chores.

"Come on, Ron," said Harry, looking at the wall clock. "It's nearly dinner."

"Alright."

They both stood up. Dobby, knowing that the boys were about to leave, came hurriedly back to them, carrying assorted snacks, cake and pies for them to take back upstairs. Ron took them but Harry declined, much to Dobby's disappointment. But he told Dobby that he will be having dinner in the Great Hall. That somehow perked the little elf a bit.

The four long tables creaked under heavy load foods on top of them as they walked past by. Harry suddenly stopped and turned to Ron.

"Want to see something cool, Ron? Take a look."

They then stood there, watching the tables intently. Seconds ticking by. And right on schedule, all the foods turned into really bright pillars of white light that shoot up through the ceiling, leaving the table completely empty.

"Wicked," said Ron, grinning.

They made their exit, only to be greeted by someone else who apparently, was waiting outside the kitchen for them.

Professor Dumbledore.

Ron's face ashen, thinking that he had broken the rule or something. Harry though remained calm. Putting his hand on Ron's shoulder, he said, "Professor Dumbledore, I didn't expect you to be here. Were you waiting for us? You did give me your permission, remember?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled.

"Of course I remember, Harry," said Dumbledore. "You can tell Mr. Weasley here that he's not exactly in trouble."

"Not exactly?"

"The permission is given only to you, Harry. But I am willing to forgive Mr. Weasley. For now. I must impress that Hogwarts kitchen remains as one of the highest security area for reasons that I think you understand. Don't let other students let you to believe otherwise," said Dumbledore seriously.

Harry nodded. "Understood, professor."

Dumbledore's smile returned. "So, do you have everything?" he asked.

"Not yet but Dobby will take care of it," replied Harry. "He will have it ready by Saturday morning. While we are on the subject, I would like to thank you for accepting Dobby as part of your staff."

"You're welcome," said Dumbledore. He then turned towards Ron and spoke, "Now, Mr. Weasley. Harry and I have some important matter to discuss. Will you please excuse us?"

"Yes, sir," said Ron. "Of course, sir."

"I'll see you at dinner, Ron," said Harry.

"See ya, Harry."

Ron immediately departed.

Harry spoke after Ron walked up the stone steps and disappeared out of sight, "What is it, professor?"

Dumbledore's smile immediately disappeared; the initial expression was replaced by a grim looking concern.

"Kingsley, together with a few members of the Order raided Lestrange Manor two nights ago," he began. "They found nothing, Harry."

"Are you sure?" asked Harry. "Have they check everything? Do they know how the cup looks like?"

"They left no stone unturned," said Dumbledore. "And yes they know what the cup looks like. They also went to the house once owned by Hepzibah Smith. Her granddaughter now lived there. They found nothing as well."

Harry deflated. He sighed and said, "So now Gringotts is all that is left."

"Just for the sake of satisfying my own curiosity, Harry, but what really happened the last time? I guess that you manage to get your hands on the cup," said Dumbledore.

"Yes, I manage to obtain the cup," admitted Harry. "Half of Gringotts building destroyed in the process. It wasn't pretty, professor."

Dumbledore nodded. "I see. Well I hope it would not come to that."

But Harry shook his head. "I can't guarantee that, professor. All I know that as long as one horcrux exists, Tom can never die. I think you of all the people understand that fact the most. But of course if there is another way to get that cup out without dealing Gringotts too much damage, I'll take it."

"We shall see about that, Harry. We shall find a way, I promise. Now it's already dinner time. Let's get you to the Great Hall," said Dumbledore.

Together, they walked towards the stone steps.

"You do know that I was banned from visiting Hogsmeade," stated Harry.

"Yes," said Dumbledore casually. "Professor McGonagall informed me everything about the incident regarding you and Mr. Finnigan. She was extremely embarrassed by Mr. Finnigan's action that she considered much sterner actions to both of you. Lucky for you, she backed down eventually and considered the current punishments were more than enough. She did lodge a complaint to Professor Karkaroff though."

"So Seamus is also being punished as well as me?"

"Yes. Another twenty points deducted from Gryffindor and he won't be allowed to visit Hogsmeade this weekend," said Dumbledore.

"You know I'm going to break the rules and yet you will do nothing," stated Harry.

Dumbledore somehow smiled widely at this.

"My dear boy, I am merely suspicious of what you're going to do," he said. "And I cannot act merely on suspicions. I have to see the crime being committed before any action can be taken which is why on this Saturday, I shall lock myself inside the headmaster office with all the curtains close, have the food and drink be sent to me while I sit on my chair plucking lemon drops into my mouth, blissfully unaware of the comings and goings inside the castle. Ah, I think we had just arrived."

They both indeed had arrived at the entrance into the Great Hall.

"I shall leave you here, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Give my regards to Padfoot, would you?"

"Of course, sir," replied Harry.

Dumbledore then took leave, heading towards the headmaster office.

"So what does he want?" asked Ron, watching Harry took the seat in front of him.

"He just wants me to send Padfoot his regards. That's all, Ron. And a few other stuffs. Nothing important," said Harry.

"Who's Padfoot?" asked Dean, who at that time, happened to be sitting right beside Harry and can't help but to eavesdrop in Harry's conversation.

"Just-… someone I know, Dean."

Dean just shrugged and immediately returned to his meal and Ginny.

That late night with his Invisibility Cloak covering him, Harry sneaked out of the Gryffindor Tower and made his way towards the owlery.

Friday had been unkind to Seamus.

And to some extent to Harry as well.

The story of what happened on Wednesday night inside the Gryffindor Tower spread all over the school. Virtually everyone knew, both the students and the staffs. And to make matters worse, not only they knew about Seamus's antics in details that night, they also knew that Harry was behind it. Both genders reacted differently to the news though. Both Harry and Seamus got a pat on their back given by nearly every male student they met, thinking that it was the best prank they had ever seen throughout their school years.

As for the girls, shaking their heads was all they could do. Even Daphne who usually would become extremely talkative whenever Harry was around was lost for words. She did mouthed 'She will know about this' to him during Double Potions that afternoon though.

True to what Dumbledore said, Seamus was given the same punishment as Harry's. He was barred from leaving the castle on Saturday and Gryffindor lost forty points in total.

Saturday came.

Everyone woke up early that morning. They were all excited about the itinerary that day. Arrangements were made on the previous night. Friends made promise with friends. Couples made promise with each other. All of them would be going to the same destination.

Hogsmeade.

Not all of them shared the enthusiasm of course. All students below the third years were one of them. And then there were Harry and Seamus.

Harry woke early that morning along with the rest of his dorm mates. But instead of performing his morning routines, he simply lied on his bed, idly watching Ron, Dean and Neville made preparation for the outing.

"I'll see you in a bit, Harry," said Ron, while at the same time winking at Harry as he made his exit.

"Okay. Have fun you three," said Harry.

"Harry, do you want to go to breakfast?" asked Seamus after their dorm mates disappeared behind the door. He had already taken his shower and changed his clothes.

Harry however shook his head. "No. I think I'm going to have a lie in for today. You go ahead, Seamus."

Seamus sighed in frustration and shook his head as he walked out of the dormitory. Harry heard him mumbling just as he closed the door behind him.

Harry waited for a couple of minutes. After he was sure that his dorm mates won't make their return that very instance, he leaped out of his bed and made his way towards the bathroom.

Dobby was already waiting for him when he got out of the bathroom.

"Harry Potter, sir. Dobby is bringing the item as he requested," said the house elf, bowing deeply to Harry.

"Thank you, Dobby," said Harry as he received the beaded bag from Dobby.

"Is there anything else he wants Dobby to do?"

Harry shook his head.

"No. That would be all for today. You can go back to the kitchen, Dobby. I will of course call out to you if I need anything else," he said.

"Of course, Master Harry," said Dobby, once again bowed deeply to him. "Dobby is glad to be of service to sir Harry Potter."

With that, Dobby vanished, leaving Harry finally alone inside the dormitory.

Harry quickly put on his clothes. He opened his trunk and grabbed his Invisible Cloak and a bag of money. Despite what Hermione said, he intended to visit Hogsmeade after his meeting with Sirius. There was a small jewellery store where girls loved to visit in Hogsmeade. Maybe he could find something for Fleur as a token of their friendship.

He then put the items together with the beaded bag inside the pocket of his hoodies. And without further ado, he spun and dissaparated out of the dormitory.

With a pop, Harry appeared out of thin air at somewhere near the outskirt of Hogsmeade. He knew where he was. He was now within the wild countryside that surrounded Hogsmeade. There was a lane in front of him. That lane led to the foot of the mountains and to the location where Sirius will meet him. He just hoped that his godfather got the message he sent out earlier on Thursday night.

After ensuring that no one else was there but him, he pulled his hood over his head and began walking up the winding and increasingly steep lane until he reached the fork where Sirius promised to meet him.

And indeed, his godfather was there. In a shape of a big black, shaggy dog. There were newspapers inside his mouth. Harry knew what those newspapers were for.

"Hello Padfoot," said Harry as he knelt down and began petting the dog.

The dog let out a bark. It sniffed Harry's pocket hopefully, wagged his tail once, turned around and began trotting away from him along the lane the led higher towards the foot of the mountain. Harry followed him until they both reached a stile at the end of the lane. The dog jumped over the stile. Harry followed the dog by climbing over the stile.

Harry remembered that stile. It was the location where he, Hermione and Ron met Sirius back in the old timeline.

Sirius led him to the very foot of the mountain where the ground was covered with rocks and boulders. Easy for a dog but for a human, it was a difficult terrain. One slip and one could end up in the deep ravine hundreds of feet below. Luckily for Harry, his experience as an auror thought him on how to deal with such terrain. He knew where to put his foot safely and which surface offered the most grip. That and the fact that his younger body felt lighter mean that he could cruise through the boulders and rocks with minimal effort and difficulties.

After nearly an hour walking up the steep and winding path, they finally reached their destination. Sirius slipped through a narrow fissure in the rock. Harry followed him and once inside, he witnessed Sirius's transformation back into a man.

Sirius was wearing the same old ragged grey robes he wore when he escaped Azkaban. His hair was a lot longer and untidy than Harry remembered. He was also very thin. He of course looked better the last time Harry saw him at Grimmauld Place.

"Did you bring it?" asked Sirius hopefully after he removed the newspapers from his mouth.

Harry smiled at him. "Yes, I bring it."

He then dug into his hoodies pocket and handed the beaded bag over to Sirius.

Sirius received the bag gratefully and muttered thanks. He then began emptying the bag and spread it contents on the floor all around him.

"What's this?" he asked Harry when he pulled out a sleeping bag out of the bag.

"Sleeping bag," said Harry who had found a nice small boulder for him to sit on. "I brought two. Dumbledore told me to give them to you. It'll help to make your night a little bit more comfortable. He sent you his regards."

"Well, that's nice of him," said Sirius. He pulled the sleeping bags completely out of the bag and put them aside. He dived into the bag once again and this time, he pulled out several bar of soaps and bottles of shampoo. He showed them to Harry.

Sirius lifted an eyebrow. "Soaps? Shampoos?" he asked.

Harry grinned. "Let's be honest, you're not only look filthy, you smell like one. I think a wet dog smell nicer than you," he said. "Those things can help you with that."

Sirius just grumbled as he put aside those bars of soap and shampoos, making Harry's grin even wider.

"What I need is a pair of new clothes, boy," said Sirius.

"I thought of that but I don't know your size. Sorry," said Harry.

And for the next few minutes, Harry sat and watched silently as Sirius devoured the chickens, breads, cakes and pies he brought him. The way Sirius ate made him hungry. Of course in his excitement to meet his godfather, Harry forgot to take his breakfast. But he decided that he won't take anything from Sirius. He could have a full satisfying meal back in the castle. Sirius might have to start catching mice once again after this.

Even at this point, Harry had a hard time to convince himself that this man in front of him was really alive. He saw Sirius fell through veil. That episode in his life hit him really hard.

Harry suddenly heard a sound. He turned towards the source of the sound and saw a half grey horse, half giant eagle tethered firmly at the other end of Sirius's cavern. He recognized that animal. It was Buckbeak.

"Thank goodness for this," said Sirius as he dug his teeth into a large succulent drumstick. "I've been living off rats mostly. Can't steal too much from Hogsmeade. I'd draw attention to myself."

Harry did not spoke. He just continued to watch Sirius eating.

"Things aren't going too well outside of Hogwarts if you want to know," continued Sirius. He was now munching on a slice of pie. "I've been stealing newspapers every time someone throws one out and from the look of it, I'm not the only one who's getting worried. What with the incident at the Quidditch World Cup and all."

"What have you heard, Sirius?"

"Rumors regarding the Death Eaters," said Sirius. "And of Barty Crouch."

Harry's eyebrows creased.

"Barty?" he said. "What about him?"

"A couple of weeks ago he was completely absent from work. Also there were no public appearance whatsoever. Knowing Barty, that was odd. There were a lot of rumors concerning his well being and everything. Not that I'm interested in it. Then all of a sudden, he showed up a few days ago, completely healthy and all. It was like nothing ever happened," said Sirius.

"He returned to his office," stated Harry.

Sirius nodded.

"I see that Arthur's son became his personal assistant," he said. "Saw that in the Daily Prophet."

"Yeah. Percy. I think he is in love with Barty," said Harry, adjusting the way he sat. "Probably wouldn't go back to the Burrow if nobody forces him to. He could announce his engagement with Barty any day now."

Sirius sneered in disgust.

"Is that so? Huh! Never like that boy anyway. There would always be one bad apple in every family, Harry," said Sirius.

"No doubt," agreed Harry.

"Any news on Wormtail?" asked Sirius.

Harry shook his head. "No. That vermin probably found his way back to his master. But we'll find a way to get him back. He's the key to your freedom after all."

Sirius paused at this.

"Is he? I honestly don't care anymore, Harry."

"You no longer care about your freedom?" asked Harry.

"I do," said Sirius. "It just that, things aren't the same anymore."

"Not everything. You're still my godfather, Sirius," pointed out Harry. "The future is still there."

"I know. That is why I'm here. Fulfilling my duty as your godfather. If anything happens, I want to be the first to arrive at the scene."

All the foods were finally wiped clean. Sirius gathered all the chicken bones and threw it all at Buckbeak who gladly took it all up. He wiped his hands off his robes and proceeded to grab a flask containing pumpkin juice. He open it and downed it all in one go.

Wiping his mouth using the back of his hand, he asked, "Got anymore story to tell, Harry?"

"Not much."

Sirius placed the flask back into the beaded bag and hand it over back to Harry. Harry took it and put it back into his pocket.

"How's your scar? Does it still hurt?" asked Sirius as he chose another boulder not far from Harry and sat on it.

"It comes and goes," replied Harry.

He was not keen on repeating the same conversation he had in the previous timeline. He was not keen talking about Bartemius Crouch, what the old man did to Sirius, the incident at the World Cup, Winky, the Dark Mark and everything for he already knew it all. He just wanted to concentrate on the true reason he was here now with Sirius.

"But that's not the reason why I'm here," he continued.

"Oh? Then what is it?" asked Sirius.

"How much do you remember about your home, Sirius?" asked Harry.

Sirius's eyebrows creased. "You mean No. 12, Grimmauld Place? Yes I remember it. Really well. What about it?"

"Do you think you could still access it?"

Sirius's eyebrows creased even further.

"I'm not going back to that place, Harry," said Sirius sternly.

"I know you hated that place, Sirius. And I know that London is dangerous for you at this time. But Sirius, I really need to get inside your house. This is important. I won't ask you if it's not," said Harry. "You're the only one who could help me."

"Why? What's so important about that house?" asked Sirius curiously.

"It's not about the house. It's about something that being kept inside the house. I need to retrieve it. Old houses that belong to magical families will undoubtedly have protections built into them. In your house cases, you're the key to unlock those protections," explained Harry.

"What things? Can't Dumbledore help?"

"You'll see it when we get there. No, Dumbledore can't help. I could call in Curse Breakers but even then there won't be any guarantee that they will succeed. It has to be you, Sirius," said Harry in earnest.

Sirius stood up and began pacing around the cave in silence. He ran his fingers through his hair, shook his head, turned to face Harry and said, "I can't do it. Sorry."

"Sirius, you have to," said Harry, now also standing up.

"I just got out of Azkaban, Harry," said Sirius. "I'm not going back in there."

"I know that," said Harry. "It's true that the Ministry was keeping a close watch on Grimmauld Place. But Dumbledore already made his move. With Kingsley help, he had slowly replaced all the aurors tasked to patrol the area with the ones from the Order. Kingsley also had been feeding the Ministry false information on your where about. That's why they failed to catch you. It wasn't just your ingenuity that saved you, Sirius. It's the work of a lot of people."

"So Dumbledore is in as well?" asked Sirius.

Harry nodded.

"Yes. He and everyone else. We're just waiting for you."

Sirius sighed.

"I don't know, Harry," he said in hesitation.

Harry walked up to Sirius and put his hand on Sirius shoulder.

"Look, you're among the bravest man that I know, Sirius. You're a risk taker. I know you're not afraid of the Ministry. They were just your excuses. You're afraid to face your past and you refused to get over your hatred. But the thing is, if you keep doing that, there won't be any future for any of us. Face your past. Put aside your hatred. You got to do this. We all got to," said Harry.

Sirius stared at Harry for a long time.

"I need some time, Harry," he said finally.

Harry nodded.

"And you shall have it," he said. "But I hope in the end, you would agree."

Harry stayed inside Sirius's cavern for another half an hour. He met Buckbeak and proceeded to pet him. Sirius took this advantage to tell Harry his adventure after his narrow escape from Hogwarts.

"Harry?"

Sirius called out to him just as Harry was about to walk out the cavern. Harry stopped and turned around to look at him.

"You really look like James. And you have your mother's eyes," said Sirius.

Harry smiled.

"Yeah. I know."

Harry made his exit. After walking a few paces away from the cave entrance, Harry spun and dissaparated out of there.

He popped into existence within a back alley in Hogsmeade. He looked up and down the alley. After ensuring that there was no one else there but him, he pulled his hood over his head and walked into the high street, merging unnoticeably with the crowd.

It was nearly noon. Hogsmeade was jam packed with people. All accommodations including the Three Broomstick were full in anticipation of the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament. Harry slowly eased his way through the crowd until he found what he was looking for. He knew that Ron and Hermione had not gone back to the castle yet. He decided not to look for them.

The Madam Popkins Jewellery Shop was located right beside Gladrags Wizardwear, a sock shop. And as anticipated, there were a lot of Hogwarts female students in there.

Harry eased his way in. This was the first time he entered the shop. He began to look around.

Madam Popkins shop sells mostly cheap jewelleries - beads, necklaces, rings, earrings, tiaras, bracelets - the one that the students and the inhabitant of the village can afford. But it was no mean of low quality. As a matter a fact as Harry could testify as he looked around, the quality of the goods was on par with the one sold in Diagon Alley.

Rows and rows of necklace and bracelets hanged on the walls. And inside the glass display one could find rings, earrings, tiaras, beads in many shapes, sizes and forms. The shop could also create custom jewellery if a customer fancied it.

After a few minutes of looking, Harry found a really beautiful necklace with swirly pattern made out of silver. A light blue opal stone was encrusted at the center of that necklace. The necklace was kept inside a beautiful opened box of the same color as the opal. He knew that it will match perfectly with her eyes.

That necklace cost a little bit but Harry bought it anyway. Thinking that it would be odd that only Fleur receiving gift from him, Harry bought assorted jewelleries for her friends, Daphne, Tracy and Hermione.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked out of the shop, laden with a bag full of jewelleries.

Rejoining the crowd, he made his way down the street until he reached the location where the school carriages were waiting to bring back students from Hogsmeade. He jumped into one and the carriage immediately drove off.

Harry jumped off the carriage the moment they arrived. Feeling lucky that there was no one else waiting at the bottom of the marble staircase that led up to the Entrance Hall, Harry immediately walked down the school compound towards the Beauxbaton carriage.

But just as he got nearer to the carriage, his heart stopped. He quickly took cover in one of the bushes and watched.

He did not expect to see him there.

To be continued…

A/n: To those who are well verse in the GoF book, you'll know I changed a bit regarding Dobby to suit this story.