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Chapter Thirty-Seven
Friends Reunited
Draco blinked and then blinked again. Moments passed before finally he spoke just one word. "How?"
Sirius sighed, as he leaned back in his chair, "Crookshanks captured him, cornered him in the kitchen and then brought him to me. I…" Sirius shook his head as he ran his hand through his wavy hair, "I came so close to killing him then and there but, oh bloody hell," he huffed rolling his eyes, "Your annoying little voice somehow popped into my head and I just couldn't."
Draco grinned, "I'm glad you listened to my advice." He had constantly worried about what Sirius reaction would be once he finally had Pettigrew. Had it not been for Harry's intervention, he would have killed him in his past life.
"Yes well, it was in that moment that Remus, who had come to get his Wolfsbane from Snape, suddenly seemed to recognize Peter. He finally seemed to notice me as well, though why it took him so bloody long I have no idea. I thought he would have recognized my scent if anything else. Anyway, he told Snape to get Dumbledore and that's when I left."
"Well that certainly explains why Severus and the Headmaster weren't at dinner. Do you know anything else? Did they take Pettigrew to the Ministry yet?"
Sirius shook his head, "I don't know. Draco… I've been thinking, it would probably be best if I make myself scarce for a bit. Until this whole thing with Wormtail is sorted out I don't want to take the chance of getting myself chucked in Azkaban."
Draco frowned, he understood his cousin's reasoning, at least to a point, but with Pettigrew captured, he didn't see the urgency in him leaving. As long as he maintained his cover until his name was cleared everything should be fine.
"I honestly think you'll be fine. Besides don't you want to see Remus again and what about Harry?"
Sirius' brow rose at the mention of his godson. He really did want to get to know the boy better. He wanted to be able to actually talk to him, in person, maybe tell some of the tales during his old Hogwarts days with James, but…
"Draco, I'm pretty sure Harry still believes that I'm the one who betrayed his parents. It really would be best to wait until my name is cleared."
The young-in-body Slytherin's brow scrunched in annoyance. Harry had learned of his godfather's innocence during his first life, and from what Draco understood accepted it with little question. He doubted it would be any different this time around.
"I don't think you're giving Harry enough credit," Draco said evenly crossing, his arms, "If he was presented with the truth I'm sure he would believe it."
Sirius' response hadn't been at all what Draco had expected. He laughed. "I'm still amazed how the son of Lucius Malfoy could befriend the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry truly does have your confidence, doesn't he?"
Draco nodded, firmly. "He's one of my best friends. Of course he does."
Exhaling a deep breath Sirius rose from his seat. "Alright, Draco, I'll speak with Harry, though I still wish to keep my identity secret from most everyone else, at least for the time being."
Draco grinned and nodded. "I will speak with Harry in the morning. But for now, do stay in the castle, and out of trouble, if at all possible?"
Sirius smirked, "Well, I'll try my best but no promises."
Draco snorted and shook his head. "Just don't jump up on the head table and start eating from McGonagall's plate."
Sirius gave a bark of laughter, "You sure? That would be pretty hilarious. I can picture her face now… oh Merlin, I wish I would have thought up that one while I was in school."
Draco groaned and shook his head and suddenly regretted his teasing suggestion.
"Don't worry, Draco," Sirius said with a reassuring smile, "I have always behaved myself while at the castle, and I promise that won't change now."
Draco nodded but then laughed, "So, taking a shit on Flint's Quidditch uniform a half an hour before the last Quidditch game was well behaved?"
Sirius gave a quite laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck, "You heard about that, did you?"
"I did."
"I didn't think anyone saw me do it."
"No one did, I just suspected and now you confirmed it."
Sirius shook his head at the arrogant look plastered across his cousin's face. "Damn sneaky Slytherin snakes."
"No Sirius, not sneaky, cunning. And I can honestly say that having gotten to know you these past few months I can say the Sorting Hat was spot on, you don't have a cunning bone in your body. You are in fact the essence of all that is Gryffindor."
Sirius grinned as he puffed out his chest, "I know you mean that as an insult, but I'm taking it as a complement."
Draco just shook his head as Sirius transformed back into Iago. "Come on you stupid mutt, we better get back to the dorm, I'd like to get at least a few hours of sleep before I have to get up for class."
With a quick bark, the animagus trotted toward the door, his tail up and wagging happily.
XXX
Remus looked down at Draco from the Head Table as he picked at his breakfast. Pettigrew was in custody; he had been arrested and charged and was in a holding cell at the ministry awaiting trial. With Peter's confession, Remus now knew Sirius was innocent. His conscious yelled at him as the guilt pushed its way into to the forefront of his mind. He hadn't even attempted to hear his old friend's explanation of the events that faithful night. He had been so full of anger and hurt that he whole heartedly agreed that he be sent to Azkaban without a trial.
He just hoped his old friend would forgive him, even if he didn't deserve it.
Obviously there was a connection between Sirius and the boy, having been masquerading as Draco's familiar. Remus wondered if the young Slytherin had any idea about Sirius' true form, but he doubted it. He had spent half the night wondering the halls looking for him in his dog form; it was close to three in the morning when he finally gave up. He decided he would simply ask Draco if he could see his dog. Yes, he might give him an odd look, and would probably ask why, but it was the quickest and simplest way to find him, and hopefully, somehow earn his friend's forgiveness.
After breakfast the werewolf made his way to his classroom, he had the third years that morning, his plan was simply to wait until class was over and ask Mr. Malfoy to stay after momentarily.
XXX
Sirius lay in his animagus form on a patch of warm grass near the edge of the Quidditch Pitch, his eyes scanning the three gold hoops in the distance. He missed playing the game. He missed the feel of the air rushing through his hair as he raced through the air on his broom. The thrill of capturing the Quaffle and then throwing it through the air in anxious hope that he would score.
One day, hopefully soon, I'll find my way on a broom again, maybe even on a pitch. Sirius thought to himself. He had once had hopes of playing professional quidditch, but with the war going on he felt it his duty to become an Auror, just as his best friend had.
"Hey there boy."
Sirius lifted the head at the sound of Draco's voice. He was more than a little surprised to see the boy was accompanied by Remus. His old friend looked down at him, his pale blue eyes seemed sad and tired.
"Professor Lupin said he wish to meet you," Draco said with a smirk. He then leaned down and whispered in his cousin's furry ear, though Draco was smiling slightly so he figured it was nothing to worry about. "I suggest the Shrieking Shack." He then patted the dog on the head before turned back to his professor. "He's all yours," he gave a final look back at animagus before heading back toward the castle.
Remus sighed then shaking his head. "That boy knows about you doesn't?"
Sirius nodded his head before standing from the grass and heading over in the direction of the Whomping Willow.
Minutes later the two friends stood in the very room they had spent countless full moons. Sirius stayed standing in his dog form as Remus sat down on a nearby chair. The werewolf sighed as he ran his hand through his graying hair. Slowly he lifted his head, his eyes meeting his best friend's.
"I am so sorry, Sirius. Can you ever forgive me for thinking you could ever betray us?"
Sirius sighed, a breath of hot air escaping through his wet, black nose.
A second later, two grown wizards stood side by side.
Remus swallowed as he faced his friend for the first time in twelve years. A man he considered family, a brother. He had expected him to rebuke him, to call him weak and a coward because that was what he had felt like. Because of his pain he had not only abandoned his friend, but Harry as well and because of this one spent years in a soul-sucking prison, the other was emotionally and physically abused by the very people who are supposed to love him the most.
He deserved his wrath.
Instead, the pureblooded wizard opened up his arms and pulled his old friend into a tight hug.
XXX
Draco had received an owl that evening at dinner. It was from "Iago", he said that he had some things to take care of but that he would be back on Hogwarts grounds by the weekend. He also mentioned that when he did return he wished to meet with Harry. Draco was happy to hear this, the problem was he didn't want to his friend going into this meeting still thinking his Godfather was a murderer. With his Gryffindor brashness there was no telling what his reaction may have been.
The question was how could he tell Harry he knew Sirius was innocent without revealing how he knew himself? Perhaps it would be better if Remus explained it to him. Then again maybe he should just come clean with Harry, at least about some things. Sirius already knew he was aware of some of his past… perhaps he could clue Harry into some of it as well. Then again if he told Harry perhaps he should tell Hermione as well.
But how to go about it? Would his words alone be enough, would they believe him? He wanted to think they would but did he really want to take the chance. He did want two of his best friend to think he had gone around the twist.
But then he thought, if he wasn't sure they would believe his story… perhaps they would believe his memories.
A/N: Sorry about the long wait, busy summer. Hope the wait was worth it. Up next Draco tells Harry and Hermione an edited version of some facts and events that have and will take place and Harry meets his Godfather.