It's been way to long, again. I apologise, but I'm afraid it's going to continue like this until the summer holidays start in July. Uni's been a madhouse, pandemic or no pandemic. Second reason I'm late is that, when I was writing this, I went one way, but I couldn't continue it. It's kind of hard to explain… But it took a while until I'd found a way around it, without too much plot holes. On to the chapter itself!

Harry stared at professor McGonagall with surprise on his face. He sighed, got up from his chair and walked to the window. Finally, finally she had told him about Black.

"Do you remember what you told the first year before the Sorting, professor?", he asked tonelessly.

She frowned in confusion.

"You said 'your house will be something like a family within Hogwarts'." *

He turned around. "You know professor, as head of House, you're family, too. And yet you withheld important information."

"The prime minister decided it was best to keep you in the dark."

"Indeed. And what right did he have to do that? He is in no way related to me, nor is he my guardian as he himself pointed out. So, who is he to say, what I'm to know and what not?"

"Mister Potter- "

"Professor", he interrupted, "I understand why you did it. But you should have told me. What would have happened, if he had come to my house, saying professor Dumbledore had asked to collect me? I would've gone. My death would be on the minister. But at least he is a stranger, I can forgive him for thinking I might not be able to handle the truth. But you know me, you should know I can handle this."

She stayed silent for a while. "You are well hidden-"

"He was my father's friend. Have you considered that he knows where my aunt lives?" She frowned, but continued her original message.

"Now you know the danger, you understand that you cannot train with the Quidditch team anymore."

He frowned. "Because the Quidditch field is so open?", he asked.

"I'm sorry, mister Potter."

He nodded. "I understand, professor. But if I had a security team, a reliable team, without bothering the staff, would I be able to keep training then?"

She looked thoughtful. "Yes, I believe so, mister Potter. But where would you be able to find a security team?"

"If I can find one, and present them to you around eight in the evening, would that be all right?"

"If you can, yes. But I don't see how- "

"Until tonight then, professor.", he replied, leaving.

He immediately left for Jane's house.

"You don't know per chance where I could find a security team, don't you?", he asked, sighing.

"Depends on why you need one", she replied, smiling faintly.

"They won't let me train otherwise.", Harry said.

"Hm. If you don't mind me watching, then my team can watch both of us?", she proposed.

Harry smiled. "Excellent idea."

"Wait, you mean you're coming?"

"Officially to test my boundaries. Unofficially to find out how Black entered."

"Thanks, Jane.", he said, leaving for the castle.

"Thank you for having me, professor."

"Of course, of course!", professor Dumbledore replied smiling. "It rarely happens we have a true diplomat among the student body, how could I not?"

"I'm still in training, professor.", Jane replied, smiling, looking to the stones next to his head. She didn't want him to read her mind.

"I must admit, I am surprised you want to attend Hogwarts. Mostly, one chose either home-schooling or Hogwarts."

"I was unfortunately not fit to attend Hogwarts the previous years. I hope you received my exam results of those years?"

"Indeed, I have, miss Davids. So, you want to follow lessons for a week?"

"Indeed, professor."

"If you don't mind me asking, why?"

"I can sense emotions. As you can imagine, with big crowds comes a lot of information. I had to learn how to block it. However, if I were to attend Hogwarts, I would need to be certain I'm capable of that control in this environment. I'm a careful person, and I want to be certain of that before I chose to attend."

"Well then, I give you permission. Perhaps it is best if you had some student guiding you. Do you know someone?", professor Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, I know Hermione Granger." Professor Dumbledore looked doubtful. "Apart from that, my government insists that I have some personal guards discreetly watching. I'm told Hermione is often with Harry Potter. And we both know why he would need protection, don't we?"

"Indeed, miss Davidson." He remained thoughtful for a while. "I'll allow it."

"Thank you, professor."

Jane looked to the scene in front of her and declared them officially barking mad. It was a lightning storm, for Merlin's sake, but of course Quidditch couldn't be cancelled! She saw from the looks Ron and Hermione were giving each other before the match, they didn't like it either. She hoped Harry had more and faster luck in finding the Snitch than she had had finding the place were Black had entered. She had followed the confusing trail of his emotions until halfway the third corridor, but had no idea where he went from there. She had sought out the entire third floor, but found no trace of him. Jane sighed, concentrating back on the match, which had just begun.

When Gryffindor was leading by fifty point, their captain called a time out. She nudged Hermione.

"He doesn't stand a chance with his glasses, can't see anything in this rain…"

Hermione turned to her excitedly. "I've an idea!", storming of.

She and Ron exchanged a glance, shrugging. Neither had an idea what she was thinking off.

"I made them waterproof!", Hermione announced happily as soon as she came back.

Jane smiled. "Great idea. The captain's looking way happier."

And indeed, with new determination, the match was resumed. Jane focussed on Harry.

She frowned when she saw him hanging still, wondering what he was thinking. She was distracted by the team's captain, grimacing when she saw the opposing Seeker sprinting towards something. She shivered – and groaned. For the pitch had just filled with Dementors. This wouldn't be good…

The air got caught up in her throat when she noticed Harry was falling, falling from how high was it even, it didn't matter, nothing mattered… But thankfully, Dumbledore had kept his head. He conjured a Patronus and slowed Harry down. Jane, Ron and Hermione looked at each other, before running on the pitch. Dumbledore was levitating Harry carefully on a stretcher, walking fast towards the castle. The entire Gryffindor team, Ron, Hermione and Jane followed him.

Waiting outside when the nurse checked Harry was the worst feeling, she thought. Especially with the flashbacks to first year…

But finally, the nurse emerged, telling them Harry was just knocked out. Wood left immediately after that, as did Dumbledore, to announce the news to the school. It took another fifteen minutes before Harry woke.

Jane sat back and relaxed a bit, while the team was talking. She would have to talk to her security team, as they clearly didn't do a very good job…

After the team left and she finally had managed to convince Ron and Hermione to go to the dinner, she asked: "What's wrong, Harry?", sitting on the bedside.

He stayed silent for a while. "I heard my mother. That night…"

She looked at him. "Come here.", and they simply sad there, holding each other, while she waited until his sobs subsided.

"Thanks.", he murmured.

"What else is on your mind?"

"The Dementors. Why do they affect me so much?"

"Because you've seen so much, at such a young age.", she replied softly.

They stayed silent for a while.

"I'm going to ask professor Lupin to teach me to defend myself."

She stared at him thoughtfully. "I can't change your mind, can I?" He shook his head. "You have to realise; this is going to be hard. That magic is complex, and you'll have to relive it more than once to learn."

"I thought so. I need to do this."

"Yeah…", she said distractedly, "but… what about…"

"Jane?", Harry asked softly. She didn't respond, as darkness closed around her.

Harry's POV

"Jane", he asked softly. He felt her go limp in his arms. "Jane?!"

Getting no response, he yelled: "Madame Pomfrey!"

The nurse came out of her office immediately. From the corner of his eyes, he saw two guys standing in the corners of the room. Jane's guards had cancelled their disillusionment charms.

The nurse had seen them, too. "Give me a hand, here!"

They pulled her on a nearby bed. Madame Pomfrey waved her wand a bit, before tutting. "Has she experienced any dizziness?"

"Yes.", Harry replied. "Hermione told me about a few times, were she has seen her nearly falling over. And stumbling. She was worried, and wanted to know if she should inform someone."

"For how long?", the nurse asked.

"Several months.", Harry replied, thinking back.

"She's extremely exhausted. Exerted to much magic. That on top of the Dementors knocked her out, but she ought to be good to go when she wakes. Just being a bit careful the coming days."

Harry sighed, knowing his friend well enough to know she would hate to take a break.

When he woke the next morning, Jane was already gone.

"Where did she go?", he asked Hermione.

"Her minister wanted a report.", she replied. "Jane was none too happy, especially since she couldn't even stay until you woke."

He frowned. He had hoped to talk to her about the Grim.

"You know Harry, this was predicted in Divination!", Ron said excitedly. "She said she had seen the Grim in relation to you in my teacup!"

"Nonsense, Ron!", Hermione replied heatedly. "It's impossible to say something about someone else! She's just an old fraud."

"You just don't like her because she said you didn't have talent for Divination.", Ron snapped back.

"Well if it means I have to pretend to see death omens everywhere, then I think I'll drop that course really quick!", she snapped back.

They continued bickering, but Harry tuned out. So, someone else had seen the Grim… This was getting ridiculous. He couldn't live looking for that beast everywhere!

Noticing their suspicious looks toward him, he quickly changed subject.

"Did Jane say anything before leaving?"

"She left you a note.", Hermione replied quietly, after checking that Madame Pomfrey was still in her office.

Harry nodded, and they chattered until the nurse kicked Ron and Hermione out. He quickly started reading.

Harry

I found some intel. There's no record of a trial against Sirius Black. I even searched old newspapers, but didn't find a thing, except some reports on the events. They're on the table in my library. It's probably shielded from view for those not involved. Second thing, Remus Lupin has been filing reports yearly for a retrial. Nothing came of it, the minister withheld it. Officially because there was no new evidence and he's too involved, but as a werewolf, he hasn't got a lot of credit in the Ministry. Also, elections were coming up. Even the Wizengamot has tried, to no avail since the minister and his friends voted against a re-opening of the case. Said it would be to damaging to those involved. The problem is, if I ask for a re-opening, I need to have evidence of some kind.

I hope you feel better soon. Try not to dwell on what you've heard; I know saying that is easy… I'm here for you, just like Ron and Hermione, okay?

JD

It wasn't until the first day of Christmas holidays Harry saw Jane again.

"Now wo do we have here?", she asked cheerfully.

Harry sighed, knowing she wanted an update. "How much time do you have?"

"Sounds promising", she remarked dryly. "All day."

"Well… Professor Lupin promised to teach me the Patronus charm after the holidays. The Weasley twins gave me a map of Hogwarts yesterday, with some tunnels to Hogsmeade. One of them I was already using, of course. But I can also see where everyone is."

"That's some good enchantments.", she said thoughtfully.

"I used it to come to Hogsmeade, since your guards are standing watch anyway."

She nodded. "They reported that, indeed." She saw him looking and added: "I'm not going to lecture here Harry, it's not up to me to decide what you should and shouldn't do. You clearly gave thought to your safety and that is all I can ask."

"So unfortunately, the teachers and the Prime Minister came to the Three Broomsticks when we were there."

She groaned.

"They said…", his voice was trembling now and he hated it, "they said Sirius Black is my godfather. That he betrayed my parents, and that's how Voldemort knew where they were hiding."

"Merlin.", she whispered, shocked.

"That was what mister Weasley was referring too."

She nodded. "I didn't know."

"I thought so. But I need to look up Hippogriff baiting cases. Hagrid needs to defend himself."

"I feared it would come to that. I'll help.", she volunteered.

And as such, they both went to the Library.

Harry and Ron raced upstairs to the Gryffindor tower. It was Christmas, and Harry had received – among other presents – a Firebolt. He did wonder, however, why someone would send it without a card. Perhaps he should talk to Jane about it… Maybe she had sent it?

Ron and Harry had just made the Common Room when professor McGonagall showed up, followed by Hermione.

"So that's it, is it?", said professor McGonagall beadily, walking over to the fireside and staring at the Firebolt. "Miss Granger has just informed me that you have been sent a broomstick, Potter." **

Ron and Harry looked around at Hermione. They could see her forehead reddening over the top of her book, which was upside-down. **

Harry looked her in the eye, and said: "Yes, professor."

"No card with it?", she asked.

"No, professor.", he replied. He thought he knew what was coming.

"I'll have to take this, mister Potter.", she said, moving to take the broomstick.

But Harry rose from his chair. "Do you, professor? And why is that, exactly?"

"Don't be childish, Potter! We both know why. Give me that broomstick.", she ordered.

"As long as you insist on treating me like a child, I'll behave like one, professor.", he retorted, only a hint of anger in his voice. "Why do you think you should take it?", he repeated.

"It might be cursed by Sirius Black. -"

"You mean to say he can just walk into a shop to buy brooms?", Harry replied, feigning surprise.

"There is such a thing as owl-ordering, Potter.", she replied, nostrils flaring.

Harry nodded. "You make good sense there, professor."

"Then you'll see reason why it has to be stripped down. I'm sure professor Flitwick and madame Hooch will lend their expertise."

"That won't be necessary. After all, who better to check over a broom for curses then the broom company that manufactured it?", he replied easily.

"There's no need- ", she started.

But Harry interrupted her. "I don't deny your right to take this broom from me, as it is possibly dangerous. But I think, as it was gifted to me, I have the right the choose where I'm having it checked out." Professor McGonagall stood there, in shock. "I'll owl them right away.", he said, opening the window. A whole bunch of owls flew in, and professor McGonagall was surprised. Noticing this, he said: "you are not the only one who thought it might be cursed, professor. Merry Christmas." He turned around and sent the owls of with their package.

As soon as she left, Ron lashed out. "Why did you have to rat us out?", he shouted.

"I thought it might be cursed- "

"Yeah, well Hermione that's not the point. You could've told us what you thought, but you went behind our backs. - ", Harry started.

"You wouldn't have listened- "

"That's not the point! How could you know that, when you didn't even give us a chance?!"

Harry saw her open her mouth, but he'd had enough.

"I thought our friendship would've meant more to you. But clearly I was mistaken.", he whispered, storming up the stairs to his dorm.

The upcoming weeks didn't make him feel better. He had trouble facing the Dementor – or actually Boggart – since he secretly wanted to hear the voices of his parents. Jane was away on business, and he just couldn't convey his feelings in a letter. Hermione avoided them at all cost, and Harry couldn't think of a way to make up to her, but also tell her that she had hurt his feelings. Ron was equally angry. As if that wasn't enough, he sneaked out each night to search Jane's library to help Buckbeak's case, as during the day he couldn't find the time to do it. He'd never been so tired and stressed.

His misery was forgotten when both Jane and his Firebolt returned, allowing him to play the match on his new broom. Harry had had a good laugh when he saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle tangled in a cloak. Obviously, they had no idea what they were doing – was he supposed to just fall of his broom because a Dementor was there, without the effects? – but the good times only lasted too short. The final fight of Ron and Hermione about Scabbers had escalated, since Ron believed her cat had finally managed to eat Scabbers, and Hermione refused to admit her cat might have done that. When he had tried to make peace, all he got was a snap; after that, he stopped trying. But she kept looking worse, and he was thinking about contacting Jane. The only thing stopping him was that that was the exact reason they had first been mad with Hermione.

He sighed, and tried to sleep.

It wasn't long before he woke from a yell. Jumping out of bed and snatching his wand and glasses of the table, he looked around. He heard a door slamming. Ron's curtains were flapping and he sat up in bed, looking terrified.

"What happened?", Harry asked urgently.

"Sirius Black- "

It was all Harry had to hear.

"Barricade the doors.", he said shortly, making to leave.

"Maybe it was a nightmare?", Dean suggested.

"I don't want to find out with Black lurking over me.", he replied. "I'll knock three times fast and then two more times. Any other person except Percy you just hex."

"But- "

He left before they finished the sentence. He could hear the rumble of students waking up, coming down the stairs. Harry checked the Common Room – no one. He was just about to ask the portrait, when he heard Percy shouting to go back to bed. He went up the stairs to explain.

"Now it's enough!", professor McGonagall said.

"Professor, Ron was attacked by Sirius Black.", he interjected.

"It was a nightmare!", Percy replied.

"A nightmare that cut his curtains?", Harry shot back. "Those are not turn, look at the edges, they are too sharp to be torn."

"Ask him!", Ron said, gesturing to the portrait. Professor McGonagall sighed, but went outside.

"Have you let someone enter?"

"Yes indeed, he was reading the passwords from a card- "

She didn't wait until he finished. "What idiot has written the passwords and has lost them?", the professor asked, coming back in the tower.

Neville raised a shaking hand.

Harry had never felt for Neville like this. He was locked out of the tower; he had been yelled at by his grandmother and professor McGonagall and he was forbidden from entering Hogsmeade.

But today, Ron was going to Hogsmeade, and he was secretly following under the Invisibility cloak. He had hoped to have a peaceful day for once, but it was not to be. As Malfoy and his cronies had shown up, he'd been unable to resist the urge to pay them back for what they did to Hagrid and Buckbeak. Harry had thrown mud at them, and Ron and he had had the greatest fun – until the Invisibility cloaks was partly pulled of and his head was seemingly floating in the air. He'd made his way back as fast as he could, but he was only just out the tunnel when Snape found him. Luckily, he had left the Invisibility cloak behind.

"My office, Potter.", he said curtly.

"Why?", Harry asked, trying to act surprised.

"Now!", Snape snapped.

He followed without a word.

Snape spoke softly as soon as they were in his office. "Mister Malfoy was in Hogsmeade today, mister Potter. You know what he saw there?"

Harry simply waited.

"He saw your head there."

"I was not in Hogsmeade."

"Then where were you?", Snape asked coldly.

"I first went to the Gryffindor tower, but then I wondered if I had forgotten my work in the library. Halfway back there I realised I didn't, and then I went up to the owlery. I stayed there and then went wandering a bit. Then you found me." It would hopefully unfeasible to check all that.

Snape just shook his head. "You are lying, and I know it. Well, well. The great Harry Potter… never follows the rules, not even those put in place for his safety. Everyone, including the prime minister tries to keep him safe. -"

"Funny thing, that. How exactly did he do that, I wonder? He never told me Black wanted to kill me. He never told me Black escaped either. So, what did he do? Forbid me from going to Hogsmeade?" He put on a thoughtful expression. "No, I believe my guardians didn't sign. Hm… So, what did he do, professor?"

"You're an arrogant little snot, Potter! Just like your father, always strutting around- "

"As fascinating as your story is, professor, what exactly is your point?", he said, staring angrily at the wall.

"Empty your pockets!", Snape shouted.

He had gone too far, Harry thought to himself. Ah well, it was always going to come down to this…

He emptied his pockets, with the most interesting things some products from Zonko's and the Maurader's Map.

"And were does this come from, Potter?", Snape said, smiling in triumph.

"It's a gift.", he replied.

"From who?", the professor pressed on.

"I don't see how that is any of your business.", he replied evenly, in control once more.

"Listen up here, Potter! You've been seen out of bounds. There's no denying, you have the evidence in your pockets!"

"Evidence? You only have a testimony of my school enemy and a bag of Zonko's. For all you know, these can be a gift or even owl-ordered", he replied, sensing he had the upper hand.

Professor Snape glared, then looked at the table once again. "And what is this?", while holding the now whipped Maurader's Map.

"A piece of parchment, I believe."

Snape raised his eyebrows. "Then I can just… Destroy it?"

"No professor. I thought it's obvious that no professor can destroy a student's property.", he said sarcastically. He wasn't getting out of this without detention anyway, he realised.

"Or does it carry a secret message?", Snape said softly, not listening.

"Show your secrets!", he said, tapping the map with his wand.

Nothing happened. "I, professor Severus Snape, command you to show your secrets!"

Harry sat there, shocked, while the map insulted professor Snape. This was not likely to improve the situation, he thought solemnly.

"Well, well…", professor Snape said. He turned to the fire and called professor Lupin.

"See here, Lupin. This parchment found on mister Potter is clearly full of Dark Magic!", he said softly, eyes burning with anger.

Lupin looked at the map, and in that split second, Harry saw a flash of recognition. For a while it was silent, then-

"I don't think so, Severus."

"Don't you?! Don't you think he got it from the makers?", he said, glancing at Lupin. Harry frowned, feeling like he was missing out on something.

Lupin looked at Harry. "I don't know them!", Harry exclaimed before someone could say something.

"See there, Severus? I think those are Zonko's products-."

On that moment, Ron came bursting in. "These are mine. They are a present for Harry!"

"See? Come, Harry, Ron, we need to have a word.", and they went for the exit.

Harry was amazed at his luck.

"I've got to confiscate this map, Harry.", Lupin said. Harry nodded, having expected this.

"I need to apologise, professor. I… Wanted to be normal so much, that's why I went to Hogsmeade. I… Never considered the risks, as I should have", he said, trying to catch professor Lupin's eye, "It won't happen again.", he stated decisively.

Professor Lupin stared at him for a long time.

"Then I trust the message has sunk in, Harry. It was quite dangerous, what you did."

They nodded, and he and Ron returned to their tower.

"You're right. This… Hogsmeade is not worth your life, Harry.", Ron said, looking at him with a severe expression on his face.

They rounded a corner and saw Hermione, in front of the Fat Lady. They looked at each other and silently agreed they should have a little talk.

"Hermione?", Harry asked softly when they came a little closer. She looked very distraught.

"Hagrid has lost Buckbeak's case.", she said in a trembling voice.

* quote from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. All credit to JKR.

** quote from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. All credit to JKR.

*** loosely based on the same scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. All credit to JKR.

I've put a line instead of an enter, as I've noted they don't convert when I'm uploading. I hope it's better now.

I'm leaving it in the middle if Harry was in the right in professor Snape's office. On one hand, Snape is accusing him without evidence and insulting his late parents. On the other hand, Snape has a point when he says Harry hasn't been following the rules – more than once. Though who can claim they have never broken a rule? I'm more on Harry's side, I personally don't understand why he was never angry with the professors and the minister for keeping him in the dark like that. It was his life, and with all the things he has been through, I think the argument "he's too young" doesn't make sense. Especially from his professors… Though he has gone a little far in Snape's office. That was done on purpose, to show you that Harry still is a human with a temper. Though I would've lost it, too. I also think what professor Lupin said in the books quite harsh. He wanted to make Harry realise that he made a dangerous mistake, but in my opinion, he went all wrong about it. I also didn't like how he seemingly disappeared in the books, and in the following chapters I will try to give an explication to that.

I was hoping to wrap up third year after two more chapters, that's why this one is so long. Perhaps it wasn't my best idea.

For next update: I hope I can bring up another chapter before June, but if not, I'm afraid it will be coming in July. I have exams coming up, unfortunately. On the bright side: I can upload more after that.