CHAPTER 19: The Return of the Dogfather.

About 15 miles into the woodlands to the south of Loch Morar, deep in the hills of the west Highlands of Scotland, many miles off the beaten track, there lies an ancient old lochen called Meoble. It has been there since the ice ages of many millenia ago. Small and very well hidden, on very odd occasions that there is a heatwave in that area of Britain it almost disappears through evaporation, but, with the ever-regular high rainfall of the area coupled with the late spring snow melt, it is soon replenished.

Only a hundred yards or so above its banks, on a steep hillside, there is a cave of small proportions, at best 30' deep by 25' wide, with an entrance measuring no more than 8' high by only 6' wide. The entrance was well hidden by shrubbery and silver birch trees. It had been used in the past centuries as a shelter by brigands, persons on the run from the authorities, by travellers and hikers who loved the out of the way places and needed shelter from the elements or just a sheltered, dry floor for the night. The interior of the cave was always dry, no rain penetrated through to the cave interior, the rocks outside the cave entrance being lower than the cave floor itself. However, it had been many, many years since anyone had found it or used its rough but welcoming environs. Even when persons got close to it, trying to find this elusive place that was shown on their Ordinance Survey maps, somehow or another they always got distracted and went on their way, forgetting all about the reasons they were there in the first place. It was if someone had put a spell on the place so it would not be found.

This is where the house elf Dobby apparated too, his third port of call, in search of the elusive, escaped convict and alleged mass murderer, Sirius Black, and his now ever present and sole companion, Buckbeak the Hippogryph.

The cave itself and its immediately surrounding area for hundreds of yards around was a place was soaked in magic, but very subtle, barely detectable, magic, giving the current occupants of the hidden cave plenty of warning of approaching magicals and muggles alike. But this very subtle magic also gave signs to the occupants that it recognised the magical signature of the person or persons that had arrived outside the cave entrance, so magicals that had been there before were, for want of a better word, 'vetted' as to their good or bad intentions. In this case, Dobby the house-elf was definitely 'vetted' into the 'good guy' category.

Harry Potter's Godfather was an 'animagus', a magical that was able to turn into an animal-form alter-ego, albeit he was an unregistered one.

A large, black, rough-haired dog and the Hippogryth appeared from the trees above and to the left of the cave. They both recognised the little elf immediately. A bark and a whinny of greeting welcomed the elf and then the transformation of the animagus dog to the afore mentioned Sirius Black was virtually instant.

"Morning Dobby." Came the cheerful greeting. "What brings you here to my palatial accommodation. Harry send you, did he?"

"No, Master. Dobby be here 'cause the great Harry Potter's Miss Grangy and Proffy Cat Woman sent me to fetch Harry Potter's Dogfather. Harry Potter be in big trouble, injured and much pain, sir. Miss Grangy say you should come with Dobby right away. He's be needing his Dogfather."

Sirius' jolly welcoming mood vanished immediately.

"Where is he, Dobby? I will apparate to him now!"

"No sir, Dobby cannot say. But I's can take you there. You apparate with Dobby. That way you not know where I be's taking you. Proffy Cat Woman need place kept secret."

"Proffy Cat Woman! ….. Ah! McGonnagle! Good name Dobby, but the bloody witch is getting as paranoid as Mad-Eye!"

Then turning to his very large, feathered companion, he said,

"Buckbeak, I have to go. Feed where you like but keep yourself hidden. Hopefully, I will be back soon." Then, placing a hand on Dobby's arm, said, "OK little fella. Take me to my errant Godson."

HJP & HJG

Minerva McGonnagle and her niece were sitting outside the front of her cottage, enjoying, as best they could under the circumstances, the warm summer sunshine. Up here in the northern-most Hebridean islands when the sun did shine it was truly glorious but even during these very long summer days, with the unpredictability of the Atlantic winds, the weather can change in a matter of minutes. The two witches were discussing the crazy happenings of the last few days and hours, whilst awaiting the arrival of an old Marauder. Minerva, with her wand in her hand, was bringing her niece up to speed on the head of the Black house and giving her a few words of warning.

"Sirius Black is an old rogue, a prankster and an absolute charmer! He was the biggest conquerer of virgin witches at Hogwarts this side of Casanova. Whether his long years in Azkhaban have changed him, well, time will tell. But he never could resist a pretty face and you, my dear niece, definitely fall into that category. So, watch yourself around Black! He can turn the charm on in an instant and you can fall for his wiles before you know it."

The younger McGonnagle raised an eyebrow.

"Aunt Minny. Black is now what? …. Forty years old? Not that old, I'll grant you that, but not young, and with all those years in prison, particularly one that makes Peterhead Prison (Scottish high security establishment) look like a Kindergarten, he is hardly going to be much of a looker or a charmer now, surely?"

"Meghan, any person who still has the 'nouse' to escape from Azkhaban after 12yrs in there and do what he has managed to do since in staying many steps ahead of the Auror Corps is one person who definitely still has his wits about him. He is a few years short of forty yet, Meghan. Thirty-five I put him, but I do not underestimate Sirius Black one bit. And neither should you. If he still has one ounce of his former char …"

"POP!"

And the arrival of one house elf with the very man they were talking about interrupted their conversation. The two figures appeared facing away from the house, looking out over the neighbouring islands. Before either of them could turn around, Minerva, making no audible incantation, made a quick movement with her wand and the 'protego' charm put up a shield spell.

"Good Morning, Lord Black. I never thought for one minute that I would see you here on my island."

Sirius spun around, his wand springing out of an arm holster into his hand, but, before he was even full way around or even had a chance to properly grip it, two 'faster-than-the-eye-could-see' wand swishes lowered the shield, pulled the wand from his hand in a silent joint 'expelliarmus/accio' spell, and his wand came sailing from him and into the hands of his old Gryffindor Professor.

"Bit slow, Sirius. Ten points from Gryffindor! And again, good morning Lord Black."

The afore mentioned Lord Black had a look of shocked surprise on his face at being bested so easily but smiled, nonetheless. He went to step forward but came up against the shield charm that he had not even noticed being put on again.

"Quick as ever, I see, Minerva. Lost none of your skills in your advancing years."

"Another ten points from Gryffindor and a detention for your cheek. My skills have diminished not one bit, but you seem to have lost that suave charm you once had in abundance, Sirius. Insulting your host, particularly one who has bested you so easily, is not the way to go."

A bark of a laugh came from the Lord Black.

"Touche, Minerva, … sorry, … Professor. You are probably right, but I have not been around anyone for quite some time that would have kept my wit, charm and reflexes as sharp as your magic. I have, as yet, actually had little reason to brandish my new wand in anger at all. I have practised on trees, rocks and various other inanimate objects with only the occasional animal to kill for food. My magic is still intact, remarkably, just not with the expertise of my younger years. But, with practise, I hope to at least give myself a chance in a fight. Now, to the formalities. Let's see if I can, at least, rescue some of my reputation as a Lord of these magical British Isles. Good Morning, Lady McGonnagle. And, …. Minerva ….. it IS good to see you! And to the lovely young lady standing next to you, …" as he turned his eyes to Meghan, …. "and a sight for starved eyes she surely is, a good morning to you too." And he took a small bow towards her but never taking his eyes from her face.

"HAH! Out of practise, my arse, Sirius! Once learned, never forgotten, you old rogue. Well, you are out of luck with this one, my Lord Black, she has been well warned about your charms. Lord Sirius Black, meet my niece, Doctor and Healer Meghan McGonnagle. Meghan, the one I warned you about, Harry's 'Godfather' apparently, Sirius Orion Black."

"Miss McGonnagle, and I surely do hope it is Miss, very pleased to meet you indeed. I would kiss your hand but somehow I am being prevented from doing so by a bit of magical shielding."

Meghan had been watching and listening closely to the interaction between her Aunt and former pupil. Despite the cautious demeanour her Aunt was displaying, she could see that with the sparkle in her eyes and the wordy fencing between them, the old witch was thoroughly enjoying herself and the same seemed to be true of this Lord Black.

"Good morning and pleased to meet you, Lord Black. I have been … informed …. About some of your previous … 'misdemeanours' I think would be the correct word, .. in a past life and I think my Aunt is purely protecting my reputation from such a charming man as yourself. No slight intended, I'm sure."

Another 'bark' of a laugh came from the man.

" 'Misdemeanours' they are being called now! Minerva, what have you been telling the girl! Only 'misdemeanours'! You used to call me and my actions much worse. I am sorely slighted that you have raised your opinion of me!"

Now Minerva laughed.

"Sirius, I have misjudged you. Your reactions may be crap, but your tongue and wit are as sharp as ever." Then she became very serious … about Sirius! "Now, formalities over. I have your wand, Sirius, and you are going nowhere. I need to confirm a few things first. That old coat of yours, take it off, then roll up your left sleeve. I am hoping I see nothing but dirt. Anything else, I will not be impressed. I think you will get my meaning."

Now this time, Sirius Black was shocked … to the core.

"What?! You want to check if I'm a Death Eater! You must be fucking joking!"

"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS" The old witch showed her mettle by paralysing Black immediately. Meghan McGonnagle was agog, never before seeing her Aunt treat anyone this way.

"Aunt Minny, what are …."

"Until I confirm matters one way or the other, Meghan, please shut up and do not butt in again. The last I heard of this man, he had escaped Azkhaban where he had been incarcerated for life for multiple murders and other serious offences. I am not about to trust two of my students, who may or may not be correct in what they say but who are in my care, who unfortunately have been let down badly by adults they should have been able to trust, including me and Lord Black, here. So, yes, Lord Black, I am checking to see if you are a Death Eater. My island, my home, my rules. If you don't like it you can, in your language, fuck off! .. Now, do you understand? Blink once for yes, two for no? …. Ah. Good. You do understand. Now, up you get! Levicorpus! …. Good. Well, now that you are hanging upside down, pulling your coat off is an easy option."

With a quick flick and small swish of her wand downwards and a ''Descendo coat" incantation, Black's coat was on the ground. He had, in fact, a short sleeve shirt on which made the viewing of his un-branded left arm forearm as clear as day. A muttered "Revelio death Mark" and a spell to reveal anything hidden on the forearm revealed nothing. Minerva's eyebrows raised.

"Well, contrary to everything I and many others have heard about you, Sirius, you definitely are not a branded Death Eater. 'Liberacorpus'."

Sirius was turned back to head up and lowered to the ground.

"Sirius, I have charge of two students here on my island and until I am certain you offer them no threat, I have some questions I need to ask. The reasons I have had Dobby bring you here are relating to Harry Potter. Now I am going to release the spell on you but head only. You can speak but not move. You threaten me, my niece or my charges and you will be obliviated and out of here quicker than you can spit. Now blink once for yes, twice for no. My island, my rules. Do you understand? … Ah, Good."

And with a small movement of her wand Black's head was freed.

"Minerva! Have you gone fu…guh!" His speech was silenced.

"My rules Sirius. You agreed. Answer only my questions. You can bawl and shout all you like later. Now, first question: Who are you in relations to Harry Potter?"

A furious Sirius Black wanted to tell his former Head of House Gryffindor where to shove her questions, but with her in this mood and frame of mind and him wandless and helpless he deigned to answer. He would have it out with her later.

"I am his Godfather. Was made so on magical oath by James and Lilly Potter the day after he was born."

"If that is true, you could not have betrayed the Potters and Harry in particular. Were you their secret keeper of Potter Cottage?

"No, I was not. It was changed on the 24th October, 1981, to Peter Pettigrew."

Minerva's eyebrows raised again. "Pettigrew was killed, along with 12 muggles, allegedly by you, not long after the Potters were murdered. Did you do these crimes?"

"No, Minerva, I did not. Pettigrew murdered the muggles, turned into his animagus rat form, and disappeared."

"Why were you arrested, tried and convicted and sent to Azkhaban?"

Black's barking laugh came forth.

"That, Minerva, is where you are mostly wrong. Let me speak. Yes, I was arrested at the scene of those murders. I was insane with grief about what had happened to the Potters. I thought Harry was dead as well. You see, Minerva, I was the first to arrive at Potter Cottage, not Snape or anyone else. I saw James and Lily dead, Harry in his cot with blood streaming from his head and 'dead', or so I thought. I knew that only Pettigrew could have betrayed them to his 'Dark Lord'! I was sick with sorrow. I had not protected them, Minerva. Me, their closest friend and trained Auror, had not protected them. I would have died for any and all of them. I went after Pettigrew to kill him, but he framed his own death by cutting off a finger, killed the muggles himself and left me implicated as the culprit for all of it. For betraying the Potters, for killing him, for killing the muggles. So, as I confirmed to you, I was arrested, but as regards the rest, that is where you are wrong. There was no investigation, no charges, no trial, nothing. I was thrown straight into Azkhaban on the orders of the then Head of the DMLE, Barty Crouch Snr, and the Minister of Magic Milllicent Bagnold. I am an innocent man, Minerva. I could have no more betrayed and harmed the Potters than have betrayed myself. I would be dead even if I had tried."

McGonnagle was astounded. She knew what her two students had told her but to hear all of it and more directly from Black himself was a revelation.

"No trial! Sirius, this is unbelievable. How come everyone believes you guilty? Why have you not done anything about it before now? Why did Harry not say som … Oh, Merlin! He didn't know!"

"Very few knew, Minerva. Very few. But I will tell you who did …. Albus fucking Dumbledore!"

"What? Albus knew all of this? But why did he do nothing all these years?"

"That is a question I would like to ask him personally. His 'for the greater good' will not wash with me, Minerva. Not anymore. That devious old bastard hides far too much. My Godson has been put in danger his whole life because of that conniving old coot. It is time he was called out for it!"

"Sirius, how do you know that Albus knew all this information?"

"The night that they changed the secret keeper from me to Pettigrew. It was my idea to my deep regret. I thought I was too obvious a choice, but Peter? You know what he was like Minerva, you were his head of house for Merlin's sake. He would be the last choice anyone would take to be a secret Keeper of anything! He was a coward. But against James and Lily's wish for me to remain their Secret Keeper, Dumbledore agreed with me. He backed my idea. He persuaded James and Lily. He was there the night it was done. He was there when James and Lily made their Last will and Testament, giving Harry to me to be his guardian if something happened to them. If not me, then the Longbottoms, then the Bones', then Amelia Bones herself. Our close- knit community of friends. But what Lily was adamant about was that Harry was not to go to the Dursleys, to her sister. Lily knew what they were like. Minerva, Dumbledore was there when all this was discussed and not only that, he signed the document as their witness and as Head of the Wizengamot. He knows I could not have betrayed them, he knows it had to be Pettigrew, he knows I was imprisoned without trial as an innocent man. He was the Head of the Wizengamot, Minerva. He would have conducted the trial if there had been one!"

Minerva McGonnagle was shocked to her very core.

"Sirius, if you are correct, there has been a grave miscarriage of justice carried out here against a Magical Lord of the Realm, of one of the Ancient Houses. And against a child, an orphaned boy! I was one of those who took Harry to his relatives, who allowed him to be handed over, but I did so in good faith although against my own thoughts on the matter. But, all this by persons of high authority and position. But Dumbledore! I … I cannot understand it. Why?"

"Because he is Albus bloody Dumbledore and he thinks he is always right! Or even when he isn't, he just does it anyway to suit his own plans! I said it earlier, Minerva, he is a conniving, manipulating old bastard and he has never stopped his plans for Harry and Voldemort! Whatever he is up too it is putting my Godson in grave danger time and again. He has to be stopped."

Minerva McGonnagle turned to her niece and asked,

"Meghan, I am inclined to believe him. What about you?"

The younger with nodded.

"Me too. Lord Black's story has the ring of truth to it, Aunt Minny. It also has similarities with what Harry told me when he was upset. There are too many coincidences for some of it not to be true."

The senior McGonnagle nodded the turning back to Sirius, said'

"Sirius, I am going to release you, but I will be keeping your wand …. for the time being, anyway. I hope I am in a position to return it to you fairly soon. Agreed?"

A nod from him. "Agreed."

"Very well. 'Finite Petrificus Totalis' ", and a wand swish later and Sirius staggered forward a couple of steps before regaining his balance.

"Merlin, Minny, you are getting as bad as old Mad Eye. Suspicious of everything and everyone .." and as McGonnagle went to say something, Sirius held up his hand and continued " … but, as I was answering your questions, I had a chance to think. Yes, my old Professor, this old Marauder can do that, on occasions. I can't say I blame you overmuch for your reactions to me. You, and pretty much everyone else for that matter, have little reason to believe any other story about me other than the one you have been fed the last 13 years or so. Well, I hope I can prove my story to you. But first, where is my Godson? Where is Harry?"