End of Year 3
Stepping forward
Harry looked into Remus' eyes. Given the circumstances he felt rather relaxed about his adopted uncle's sudden appearance, despite having a wand pointing directly in his face. They took each other in for a moment, then without speaking, Remus flicked his wand in the direct of a bed where sat Draco and Neville, both un-harmed and both watching Harry and Remus with anticipation, as if expecting Harry to turn angry and rage at Remus. The circumstances would suggest that Remus was now helping Sirius, who was knelt over his sister, checking for sign of injury. Harry without response, walked over to the bed and sat between Draco and Neville. He admired the scene for a moment, Remus was watching Harry with slight apprehension, Sirius when pleased that Erica was not truly hurt, stood and turned his empty stare on Harry. For a moment only, Harry met the eyes of Sirius Black and noticed, the same apprehension, that also belonged to Remus. Silence permeated the air like a thick cloud, giving a slight awkward feel to the room, it was no simple act of casualness that Harry turned his gaze from Remus and Sirius, and instantly engaged in light conversation with his friends, starting with Neville.
"So, how did the resit go?" Harry asked, as if it were just a typical day in the common room.
"Went well, Professor Burbage gave me a pass," Neville replied almost as casually, "I was going to celebrate by cheering you on, but well," Neville rolled his eyes, "I only went and got kidnapped,"
"No kidding!" Harry said, his voice filled with mock surprise as he pointed to Draco, "So did Draco, isn't that right mate?"
"Yeah, you'll never guess by who Neville?" Draco replied, a slight grin on his face, "Erica Black,"
"No!" Neville gasped, then looked passed Remus and Sirius and gasped again, "Isn't that her there, lying on the floor?"
"The very same," Harry nodded, "She's been brainwashing people all year,"
"That old chestnut eh?" Neville chuckled lightly, "Isn't she supposed to be extremely powerful?"
"Yeah, I'd heard that as well," Draco said thoughtfully, "But, Harry's stunned her twice, go figure,"
"To be fair, I did surprise her both times," Harry said modestly.
"Now don't be modest," Draco said, patting Harry on the knee.
"Yeah, not you're fault that you're so talented and clever," Neville grinned, "Shame that she doesn't live up to such words,"
"Now, we shouldn't judge," Harry said modestly, "But Neville, however, did you end up getting kidnapped?"
"Well, I was minding my own business, helping Colin with some homework, you remember Colin?" Neville asked casually.
"Oh, yes, that nice young man you help to study," Harry chuckled fondly, "He came into the Great Hall and had the final match cancelled, when he mentioned your kidnapping, the little devil,"
"Oh dear, will that mean no championship this year?" Neville asked with mock sadness, "Ah well, there is always next year,"
"There is indeed," Draco agreed, then patted Harry's arm, "But he was telling us how he got kidnapped,"
"Oh right," Harry chuckled, as if he were being silly, "My apologies Neville, do continue,"
"Thank you, Harry," Neville nodded with an easy smile, "I was minding my own business, helping Colin as it were, when you'll never guess who came crashing through the portrait hole?"
"Who?!" Harry and Draco asked, with mock excitement.
"Sirius, Black," Neville said, saying the words with huge emphasis.
"Never?!" Harry gasped, looking at Draco, "Sirius Black, imagine that, eh Draco?"
"I know right, but," Draco gasped, then looked towards Sirius and Remus, "Hey, isn't that him over there?"
Harry looked round to see Sirius with the most perplexed look on his gaunt face, then gasped and said, "Well slash me in the face and call me Hippogriff bait, it is him!"
"Goodness," Draco said theatrically, "Big, bad, scary, skinny, very hairy, smelly, Sirius Black?" He gasped, "The one who betrayed your family to Voldemort?"
"The very same," Harry said, giving one loud "HA!" then saying, "And you'll never guess who he is standing next to,"
"Who Harry, who?!" Neville asked excitedly, and thoroughly enjoying this little play they were putting on.
Harry leaned towards Neville and whispered, "Remus, Lupin,"
"No!" Neville gasped in mock horror, leaning back and taking a closer look as if only just noticing Remus standing there, "The werewolf? Works for the Ministry? Tonks' boyfriend? Life-long friend to your mother Lily? The only man you trust as much as Severus Snape?"
"Nah," Draco said, shaking his head, "Can't be, this bloke looks like he's helping Sirius,"
"It does seem that way, doesn't it," Harry said, shaking his head with mock shame, "The man I trust, the man I've seen as a surrogate father for the last 12 years, is standing next to a man who kidnapped my friends, fakes being a dog for a whole summer, oh and did I mention?"
"The whole betraying your family to Voldemort thing?" Draco asked, "I think you've mentioned it before, in fact, it's a well recorded fact,"
"Which has to make you wonder," Neville said thoughtfully, "Why would Remus be helping a low life scumbag like that?"
"Unless, after all this time, Remus was indeed, a low life scumbag?" Draco suggested, "But Harry, that surely isn't the case, is it?"
"Who knows, but by the end of tonight, it looks like he could be dead," Harry said, giving a cheerful chuckle, then looking directly at Remus.
"Are you three finished?" Remus asked, amused by the little act.
"Almost," Harry said, raising his finger for quiet and looking at Neville and Draco, "Anyone seen Peter?"
"Peter?" Neville asked, genuinely confused now.
"Yeah, see I've got this magical map that I think, and it's a bit of a stretch, were made by a bunch of idiots who thought they were clever," Harry said, giving Sirius and Remus a sly wink, "And it shows you the whole school and everyone in it,"
"And it showed you that Peter was here?" Neville asked curiously, "How strange,"
"Strange indeed," Draco agreed, "But Harry, I don't see him here,"
"Maybe, we should ask them?" Harry whispered, pointing towards Sirius and Remus.
"But Harry, they kidnapped us!" Draco exclaimed, "Including you,"
"Whoa!" Harry said, instantly breaking character, "I didn't get kidnapped, I came to save you chumps,"
"You're not doing a very good job, I mean, you're kidnapped," Neville said, grinning.
"No, I'm not, I'm simply biding my time until Hermione gets Dumbledore," Harry said, then gasped and covered his mouth.
"Harry, you gave away your plan!" Draco said, mock disappointment showing, "That's a silly move, you're silly, stop being so silly, you silly-billy,"
"Oh no," Harry sighed, then looked at Sirius, "I'm sorry, now you'll know to escape the second your creepy sister wakes up, I can only apologise, can you ever forgive me?"
"Forgive you?" Neville asked, "Harry, he's the one who betrayed your parents,"
"And if you're forgetting, Remus is standing next to him," Draco added, "Look, right there, see him with his old man cardigan on,"
"I do mates, I really do," Harry sighed, "It truly is confusing times, But like my old mum always said, it doesn't do to dwell on the mistakes of the past, even if it's the mistakes of back-stabbing,"
"No good," Neville said.
"Traitorous," Draco added.
"Piece of,"
"ENOUGH!"
Harry simply smiled at Sirius, admiring the outburst from a man who looked far too weak to shout so aggressively. For a moment Sirius just stared at Harry, his expression bordering on irate and impressed. The moment itself only lasted a few seconds, before Sirius stepped towards Remus and whispered, "You're right, he is like James, and those two are,"
"Like us," Remus said fondly, "But we've not got a lot of time, he'll be here soon, and I can't imagine he'll be alone now that they know Peter is here,"
"Ever get the feeling that we're missing something?" Draco asked Harry, "Or do you know something we don't?"
"I don't know yet, let them pretend we can't hear them from 5 feet away," Harry said with a roll of his eyes.
"Alright, enough," Remus said, reaching down to pick up Harry's wand, then toss it across the room for Harry to catch, then did the same with Draco and Neville's wands.
"He's not very good at this kidnap and betrayal stuff, is he?" Neville whispered, as if trying not to offend Remus.
"I have to admit, this is a strange move," Harry chuckled, glancing at Remus, "Well?"
"I've not betrayed you," Remus said patiently.
"That's exactly what someone who would betray you, would say Harry!" Draco said, grinning wide at Remus' frustration.
"Will you shut-up!" Sirius snapped at Draco.
"Rude," Draco snorted, grinning when Sirius looked as though he wanted to strangle Draco.
"Draco, don't antagonise the dangerous criminal," Harry said gently, "We'll kill him in a minute if Remus' story stinks, sorry Remus, you were saying about not stabbing me and my mother and all the people you love in the back?"
Remus took a deep breath and looked at Sirius, "You see what I've been dealing with all these years?"
"Get on with it, Remus, I want to kill something!" Sirius growled, walking over and leaning against the wall.
"Very well, Harry, what have you figured out so far?" Remus asked him, waiting for the reply patiently.
"Well, best I can guess is that you're helping him because there is a slight chance that everything I ever learned about Sirius, isn't actually true," Harry said, drawing in a breath and continuing, "If that is the case, he isn't the one who betrayed my family to Voldemort, granted I have to admit that the stalking me as dog thing is a bit weird, what was with that?"
"I wanted to know who you were," Sirius said, his voice soft for a moment, some light in his eyes when he gazed at Harry, "You're very like your father, if not extremely reckless, if it weren't for me, you'd have been stuck fighting that old hag and her cronies,"
"Yes, you're very brave," Harry said, rolling his eyes, "saving me from 4 squibs, oh no, what would I have done without you,"
"So modest," Sirius said, giving a light chuckle, then acting surprised as if the sound was unusual to him.
"Anything else, Harry?" Remus asked, pleased that things were going well and quite quickly.
"Well, I assume the conversation I overhead before I burst into the room and stunned Erica, again," He grinned, "wasn't about killing me, I'd go as far to guess that someone else was on their way here,"
"You'd be right, but for the moment we have some business to attend to," Remus told him, "You understand by now, who the Marauders are?"
"I had my guesses," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders, "You got all offended last year when I wouldn't let Draco name us that, the nickname Mooney was a bit obvious, then when I realised that Sirius is an Animagus, Padfoot sort of went with it, does that mean my dad was as well?"
"Yes, he was a stag," Remus replied gently, "And Wormtail?"
"A rat, I'm assuming Peter?"
"You assume correctly," Sirius whispered, "Though how you went this long in life without knowing that he was able to turn into a Rat is beyond me,"
"Seriously?" Neville asked him, "You spent all summer with Harry and didn't know why is mum wouldn't let one of the people closest to him, know that he was an Animagus?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked, feeling affronted.
"That you're an adorable idiot who would want to try turning into your own animal," Draco said with a happy grin.
"Adorable?" Harry frowned, then gasped, "YOU LIKE BOYS!"
"Merlin give us strength," Neville sighed, "A year, a whole year,"
"More specifically I like, A, boy," Draco chuckled, "But Hermione has her claws in him too deep,"
"Not going to lie," Harry said gently, "Makes me feel awkward,"
"You'll get over it," Draco chuckled, "Still, it's nice to,"
"Are you 3 capable of having a conversation without getting off point?" Sirius suddenly demanded.
"You should see us when Hermione is here," Neville said with a pleasant chuckle.
"Speaking of, she should have been here with Dumbledore by now," Harry frowned, not enjoying the length of time it was taking for them to arrive.
"We better hurry," Remus sighed, "If Albus is taking too long it means the Minister is here," He then headed over to the old piano that sat in the corner, just as Erica began to stir.
"Uh oh," Harry muttered, when Erica looked up and gave Harry a death-stare.
"Are you alright?" Sirius asked her, helping Erica to her feet.
"I will be, so long as someone stops stunning me," She said, glaring at Harry.
"Not my fault you taught me so well," He said, grinning when Erica instantly softened, "That or you're not as dangerous as the stories say,"
"And what do the stories say about my sister?" Sirius asked him, a curious smile on his pale lips.
"Neville," Harry said, as if shooting a starter pistol.
"Erica Black, infamous secret daughter of the Black family, research suggested that she doesn't have the same mother as Sirius and his younger brother, Regulas Black, that she might have been part Veela and because of this, was forced to live in hiding, she studied in a home that focused on dark magic, but with the influence of an unknown source, I'm going to suggest it was you Mr Black," Neville said, smiling when Sirius acted as though he wasn't used to being addressed as Mr Black, "Taught her the lighter side of magic, she was able to make informed decisions about what side she was on, when the war broke out she fought against her step-mother, who I would imagine hated her, and joined Sirius and his friends against the war on You-Know-Who, but I can't imagine someone like Erica agreeing with Dumbledore as well, so when she met Grindelwald, she met a wizard she could relate to," He then paused to draw breath, "During the war against You-know-who, Erica fought for the rights of wizards to be free, in Grindelwald's name, she started her own group of fanatics devoted to his ways and worked to protect wizards from the destruction caused on both sides of the war, eventually, she got too powerful, even fighting Dumbledore and Voldemort on two occasions, before Voldemort tricked and sent her to the Ministry, the thing I don't get is why he didn't just kill you, and I'm assuming you want to free Grindelwald,"
Harry, Draco, Sirius and Erica, all stared at Neville with wide eyes, each of them impressed with the level of information he had just dished out with immense ease. Noticing this attention, Neville blushed brightly and felt the need to hide.
"How on earth did you know all of that?" Erica asked, somewhere between amazed and astounded.
"He's got an unhealthy obsession with former Dark Lords," Draco said with a roll of his eyes, "Thinks Grindelwald is great,"
"It depends on what side of the argument you're on," Sirius told him.
"What about you?" Harry asked him, Sirius was surprised when Harry spoke to him directly, "The thing I don't get is why she broke you out of Azkaban if she thought you were a death-eater,"
"Because I knew he wasn't," Erica answered softly, "Harry, you may not think it now, but Sirius was never guilty of the crimes he committed, it's the reason I escaped Azkaban in the first place,"
"Here comes another story," Draco sighed theatrically, and put his head on Harry's shoulder.
"A year or so ago, I was sitting in my cell contemplating what it would take to get to Grindelwald," She said, "I know what you and others may think of him, but the world is going to need him very soon, if the death-eaters bring Voldemort back, that is when they did their first inspection of the prison, and Fudge passed by my cell, he's always been easy to manipulate, so I asked him for his newspaper,"
"And he just gave you it?" Neville asked curiously, "Why?"
"Neville be a dear and blow Remus a kiss," Erica told him, her voice sounding so sweet and alluring suddenly. Much to Harry and Draco's amusement, Neville had done it without protest, then instantly regretted it when Harry and Draco burst into laughter.
"Make him do other stuff!" Draco demanded.
"The story!" Sirius snapped, clearly impatient.
"Yes," Eric smiled, lightly rubbing Sirius' back to sooth him, "Well, that's when I saw the story about the Philosophers stone, it was old news but the picture showed you Harry, standing next to your mother, Remus, Severus and Peter, I knew the truth from Sirius and decided that I needed to act, so I worked on rebuilding my strength and well, you know how I escaped,"
"That was two months before Sirius escaped," Harry said thoughtfully, "With your help,"
"I knew I couldn't just get him out, I needed it to be done in a way that would keep not only the Ministry, but the Order off my back as well, I knew that when they found my empty cell they would suspect me, but by then I'd already bewitched Isabella Riff, and was posing as her,"
"So, you really weren't working for the death-eaters?" Harry asked her.
"No, I was using their desire to bring back Voldemort, gathering all the information that I could, even passing it onto Remus, without him knowing it of course,"
"I thought it was you sending me the messages," Remus told Harry, now tapping the top of a wooden box.
"Well, after I got Sirius out, he insisted on coming to see you, I'd fought against it, but no one knew he could turn into a dog, but I kept a close, eye," She said, closing one eye and smiling when Harry realised.
"You were the one-eyed witch in knock-turn alley!" Neville burst out, covering his mouth instantly.
"Sirius and I have a way of keeping in contact and he mentioned that you were heading to Avery's shop," Erica explained, "so I posed as the witch just so I could be close, Avery knows it was you in the meeting last year, he was close to contacting Yaxley, but Sirius wiped his memory of ever seeing you, which led to him getting caught,"
"Thanks," Harry said, feeling odd thanking a man who had betrayed his family.
"My pleasure," Sirius said, as if it was indeed his genuine pleasure to help Harry.
"Anyway, Dawlish caught Sirius and he had to flee, eventually ending up here, he's spent the last year trying to get into the school," Erica said, "with my help,"
"Why?" Draco asked, lifting his head from Harry's shoulder, "Why were you trying to get to Harry?"
"Not Harry," Remus said, lifting the box and carrying it to the middle of the room.
There was something inside the box squeaking loudly in protest, and when Remus placed it on the floor and opened the lid, Scabbers ran out and headed for the door, the others reacted but there was no need when Crookshanks, pounced out of nowhere and grabbed the rat in his teeth and carried him back to Remus.
"Thank you," Remus told the cat, grabbing the rat by the tail and showing it to Harry, "Notice the paw,"
Harry, Draco and Neville all leaned in close and noticed the rat was missing a toe, Harry knew the story of how Peter had lost his finger in duel. It was the day that Sirius had been arrested and taken to Azkaban.
"Peter?" Harry guessed.
"I never meant to betray your parents Harry," Sirius said, taking his wand out and stepping forward, "I swear to you, but Peter made such a good argument, no one would have suspected him and I thought I could keep Peter safe, but I'd trusted him, I let him slip away to Voldemort and it is because of me, that James is dead,"
"Show me," Harry said, turning his gaze from Sirius' devastated face to focus all his attention on the rat.
Remus nodded and there was a business like feel to the room as Erica stood by the door, watching Sirius and Remus take position. Remus dropped the rat and with a quick movement of his wand, flicked it and shot the spell at the rat that was trying to scurry for the nearest hole. Only, when it leapt and dived head first, its body grew bigger, paws turned to legs and arms, fur disappeared and it wasn't long before Remus and Sirius, were dragging Peter Pettigrew to his feet. Peter looked terrified. He stood in the middle of the room shaking with fear, looking from Remus to Sirius, that fear growing when he turned and saw Harry standing up. Draco and Neville had gripped their wands tightly and moved towards the door to stand next to Erica, barring any passage out of the room. Harry only needed to see the fearful and trembling mess that Peter currently was, to know that every word spoken thus far, was indeed true.
"H-harry, th-they, l-lying, please, you wouldn't believe them over me, not your uncle Peter, I, I am."
Harry raised his wand, focusing all his energy on not attacking, enjoying the quick silence that his actions had brought to the begging man. If all that was said was true, then Peter had slept in Harry's home, eaten Harry's food, allowed Lily to take care of him, took advantage of the protection that Remus and Severus provided all those years, and he had done so, being the soul reason that Harry had no father.
"Is it true?" Harry asked, his voice calm and even.
"H-Harry, p-please, just,"
"Is, it, true?" Harry asked one more time, hoping that Peter recognised the threat in his voice.
"I, I didn't mean to!" Peter shouted, turning to point to Sirius and Remus, "they would have done the same, they don't know the weapons the dark lord possesses, ask yourselves, what would you have done!"
"I would have died!" Sirius yelled, stepping forward to grab Peter by the throat, "I would have died rather than betray my friends!"
"After all these years Peter," Remus growled, the sign of the wolf glowing heavily in his eyes, "That once we were united, once the truth was out, that if Voldemort and his people didn't kill you, we would, together!"
Harry could have stopped it, part of him wanted to. But all he could do was step back and watch what was as about to happen to the man who betrayed his family. The man who used the kindness of his family again and again. Harry knew Peter was a coward and he deserved nothing more than the swift end that was coming for him, and part of him liked that it was coming.
"PLEASE, I BEG YOU!"
"Goodbye Peter!" Sirius snarled.
BANG!
The explosion came but not from Sirius or Remus. The side of the shack had blown apart and everyone was thrown over onto their sides. Crookshanks had ran from the room in a hurry to escape, while Harry scrambled around, trying to see through the smoke. He could hear two people struggling and then a loud thud that hit the ground.
"Harry!" Neville shouted, "Draco!"
"I'm here!" Draco called out.
"I'm alive," Harry huffed, trying to make it through the smoke, when suddenly something hit him on the back of the head, he fell to the ground in time to hear more struggling and fighting. There was a bright flash and the sound of Peter hitting the ground, when Harry looked up, the smoke cleared, and Erica was the only left standing.
"Is everyone alright?" She asked, her voice harder, as if preparing.
"Yes, but Peter knocked out Sirius," Remus replied, taking one disgusted look at Peter on the floor, then to Harry, "are you alright?"
"yes," He said, going straight to Draco and Neville, who were fine for the most part.
"What was that?" Draco demanded.
As if in answer to his question, there was a strange rushing noise coming from outside of the shack. Harry saw the dark spirals of black cloud falling from the sky to the ground. He went to the large hole in the wall with Remus at his side, the two of them looking down into the garden, where stood 4, cloaked and masked figures.
"Erica Black!" A familiar voice shouted, "Traitor to our cause and sister to Sirius Black, we'll give you 5 minutes to present Pettigrew to us, or we will come inside and take him from you, killing anyone that gets in our way,"
"He must have called for them," Erica hissed, looking to Remus and Harry when they pulled away from the window, "We can't let them take him, if they do, Sirius will go back to Azkaban, Fudge won't listen,"
"We can't let them take Peter and Sirius isn't going back to jail!" Harry said, discovering a new fierce loyalty to Black that he didn't know existed.
"Agreed," Remus frowned, "Harry, Erica and I will distract them, once we are fighting, wait a moment and try to get Sirius and Peter to the school,"
"You can't expect him to do this alone," Erica said, a new protective edge to her voice.
"He won't be alone," Draco said, stepping forward and pointing his wand at Peter.
"That's right, he won't," Neville added, going to Sirius and attempting to wake the man up.
Harry felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Draco and Neville, then looked to Remus and Erica as they both nodded and headed for the door.
"We'll buy you as much time as possible," Remus told him.
Harry had gone straight to the hole in the wall, listening as Erica and Remus headed down the stairs and a few moments later, appearing in the garden, facing the 4 death-eaters. There was only a single moment of silence, before one of the masked people stepped forward, and removed his mask to reveal his face.
"Yaxley, what a pleasantly unwelcome surprise," Erica said, her voice taking on a seductive tone, "As handsome as,"
"Silence woman!" Yaxley snarled, "I won't allow your word-craft to influence us anymore, give us Pettigrew and you'll be allowed to live a little longer,"
"That's no way to speak to a lady," Remus said, giving a light chuckle.
"The werewolf scum, nice to be reunited with your best friend?" Yaxley sneered.
"More than you know," Remus said, his voice soft.
"Well, it won't be for long, now move or,"
"NOW!"
At Erica's command, she and Remus both launched spells that Harry had never seen before. Remus' missed, but Erica had hit her target, Yaxley dodged and launched himself at Remus, knocking him backwards, then forcing him to fight one of the other Death-Eaters while Erica fought her own opponent. The fight itself was vicious and fast, Harry had never seen such movement before, it was all to quickly that he realised he wasn't a match for any of them, the realisation itself inspiring a new goal without him even knowing it. He was so lost in the fighting that he barely noticed when Yaxley formed into a cloud of black smoke, and in a single leap, flew at the open hole towards Harry. Harry leapt back and tripped, he hit his head on the floor. Dazed and confused, he heard the shouting, the spells and soon, felt the rope tying around his neck. He was dragged across the floor and thrown against the wall, Yaxley focused his eyes on him, Harry saw Draco and Neville laying unmoving on the floor. Harry struggled against the hold, but he could feel the air beginning to leave him, he choked and gagged, his eyes were fluttering shut, he was losing the fight.
"Deja-vu, but this time the ending will be different," Yaxley grinned, "I'm tired of you getting in our way boy, it's time you died, alone, with no one to save you,"
Yaxley smiled with evil delight, twisting his wand around slowly to tighten his grip on Harry's neck. Choking, gasping, struggling as best he could, Harry felt his end coming, felt the pain of his neck beginning to break under the enormous power of the ropes that bound him. His eyes grew wide and in the darkness of the little room, so close to death he was.
Then suddenly, the room filled with a bright light, Harry dropped to the floor coughing and gasping for air. He struggled against the floor, pulling himself up when he felt two hands grabbing him, his eyes focused and he saw Sirius looking down at him, a wide grin on his face. Harry couldn't imagine what Sirius was smiling about, until he heard a voice, a voice Harry had not heard in nearly 2 years. That same voice, who showed such rage, such love, speaking again and filling him with joy, he knew they were saved.
"Get, the, hell, away, from, my, son!"
"You!"
Sirius dragged Harry to his feet and pulled him across the room towards the bed, the two of them looked up to see Lily, standing with her wand in hand, a black cloak draped over her shoulders a look of rage the like of which, Harry had never seen before.
"Die you disgusting Mudblood!" Yaxley Roared.
Harry felt the urge to jump and save his mother, but Sirius held him in place, when he looked up, Sirius was smiling, watching when Lily vanished from the spot, Yaxley tumbled forward, tripped over Peter's lifeless body and slammed into the wall. Lily appeared behind him, the same look of rage on hers, Yaxley turned around and twirled his wand, sending a wide beam of energy towards Lily, who raised her wand and sent her own. The two beams connected, and Lily stood her ground, Yaxley roared with the effort he put in to battle her, but Lily stayed standing perfectly still, as if Yaxley weren't trying to knock her back. A moment later, Yaxley flicked the beam into the air, the ceiling collapsed, but Lily was too quick, she twirled her wand and stopped the debris from hitting her, then tossed the rubble right at Yaxley who leapt out of the way.
"I really missed watching this," Sirius said, his voice alive with energy, sounding almost like a teenager as he watched Lily's every movement.
Yaxley looked up at Sirius, the realisation that he was beaten, clear on his face. In a desperate move he threw the killing curse at Peter's unconscious body but missed when Lily waved her wand and sent the piano flying across the room to block the spell, the piano exploded, and Sirius threw up a shield to protect Harry, Draco and Neville from the damage. Yaxley let out another roar, there were several flashes of light and when the smoke cleared, Yaxley was pinned to the wall by several bits of debris, his mouth covered to prevent him talking, and there stood Lily, untouched and perfect. She looked around the room at the mess that had been made, and with a subtle swish of her wand repaired it all, without letting Yaxley down. She then looked at Sirius, and for a moment, Harry wondered if she was going to kill him, instead she turned when Peter began to stir, and cast silver ropes around him, binding him to the floor. Harry stared at his mother for only a second, then stood and approached her, when he stopped at her side, she raised a hand to clear his hair of the dust and dirt, her eyes appraising her boy. Harry had but one question for his dear mother, asking it with a grin.
"Wasn't this a little reckless?"
O
It was some moments later that Dumbledore, Severus, a contingent of Aurors and a very irate Hermione, arrived at the shack. It was quite a story to be told when Dumbledore arrived, having been delayed when it turned out that Cornelius Fudge was bewitched into using the Aurors to attack and arrest Dumbledore, for conspiring to overthrow the Ministry. The Dementors were gone from the school and with them, Peter Pettigrew, who after avoiding a near death experience at the hands of Severus, was to be taken to Azkaban.
Given the destruction and damage that was caused, Harry, Draco, Neville and Hermione, found themselves sitting alone in the hospital wing, all of them standing around Erica's bedside. The fight in the garden had not gone well, Remus and Erica weren't prepared for such an onslaught and it was Erica who had been injured in the fight. Harry was sitting on the bed next to hers, with Hermione, who had taken to clinging to Harry's arm as tightly as possible, while they discussed what was going to happen next.
"So, Sirius will be set free?" Neville asked curiously.
"Looks like it," Harry said, feeling oddly joyful about it.
"I still can't believe Peter, after all those years," Draco sighed, shaking his head.
"Explains why he was always afraid of Severus," Hermione said knowingly, "He was afraid that Severus would find out,"
"Yeah, I still can't believe it took 4 Aurors to stop him killing Peter," Draco grinned, looking as though he wanted to witness that fight all over again.
"If Peter had died, the truth would have gone with him," Harry said wisely, "this way, Sirius is free,"
"But what about Erica?" Neville asked gently, "She still won't be able to go free,"
"They can't send her back," Draco said passionately, "She helped fight those scumbags,"
"I don't think Fudge is going to be content with…" Harry was about to say, just before they heard the yelling.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE ESCAPED!"
The doors to the hospital wing burst open and Fudge came charging into the room, quickly being followed by Dumbledore and Severus. Fudge charged towards the little group around Erica, each of them looking thoroughly confused.
"She's right here Dumbledore!" Fudge shouted, "or do you think I'm bewitched again?!"
"Cornelius, my old friend Gellert, has indeed trained his followers well, do you not think it strange that a witch as powerful as Erica, could be beaten by a mere death-eater?" Dumbledore asked of him, he then pulled out his wand and pointed it at Erica's sleeping form.
"Wicked," Harry, Neville and Draco all said, watching as Erica began to transform from herself, to the still sleeping figure of a very familiar looking man.
"Avery," Hermione whispered, instantly giggling when she realised what was happening.
"YOU FIND THIS FUNNY!" Fudge demanded, noticing the quickness that Harry, Draco and Neville took to defending Hermione from his wrath.
"It would appear, that during the fight, Miss Black switched places, an unfortunate thing to happen indeed," Dumbledore said with amusement.
"She must be found!" Fudge snarled, "I will alert the Aurors, the Dementors, I want her FOUND!"
"My dear Minister, I fear you may not be able to, even I couldn't fathom where she might go now,"
But when Fudge charged out of the room and Harry locked eyes with Dumbledore, the two of them could easily guess where Erica was going to go now. Harry wondered if in just a few days, weeks or even months from now, that another prison somewhere far from here, would soon have an inmate missing from it.
O
The night had passed with very few things happening except that when midnight came and Harry was still sitting in the hospital wing, with Hermione asleep in his arms, Draco and Neville sleeping in separate beds, did the door open and Lily stepped through. She wasn't wearing the black cloak she had worn when she came to fight Yaxley. She didn't look angry or upset, but was in fact, simply Harry's mother, who gave him a small smile, and signalled for him to come with her. once away from the Hospital wing, they walked in silence, finding themselves in an empty classroom that overlooked the black lake, standing at the window watching the full-moon hovering above the sky. Harry knew by now that Remus would be roaming the dark forest, possibly enjoying a mass amount of freedom that he rarely got at home whenever he changed.
"So, how long have you known it was me that saved your butt 2 years ago?" was the first thing that Lily asked him.
"I didn't actually," Harry said honestly, "I was still trying to figure it out, but when you came, I couldn't deny it was you,"
"I thought about telling you, but I didn't really think you'd believe it was me," She said with a warm smile, "I've been training for a very long time, with Albus' help, I was never much of a fighter during the war, I knew that when your father had died, I needed to be strong, strong enough to protect you,"
"All those times you told me to behave, to not be reckless,"
"Was so that you didn't make our mistakes," She told him, placing her hand on his shoulder, "But I think I failed there,"
"Just a little," Harry chuckled, "But hey, this means I have another duelling partner,"
"I'm sure there is a thing or two I could teach you," She giggled, pulling him into a gentle hug.
Just then, the door opened, and Harry looked round to see Sirius walking towards them. He looked healthier now that he was clean and wearing a fresh pair of clothes. He looked like a man who was 10 years younger, breathing in the free air around him as he approached Harry and Lily.
"And what about the criminal?" Harry asked, grinning at Sirius.
"The criminal," Lily said sternly, "Should have been let free years ago," She added, sitting against the window-ledge.
"It wasn't so bad, but the Dementors weren't the best with conversation," Sirius chuckled lightly, "I did rely on Erica for that, but she escaped,"
"So, you're free, just like that?" Harry asked, smiling brightly.
"Just like that," Sirius grinned, "They took Peter's evidence and when your mother stepped in, well, no Minister for magic in the world is going to argue with her,"
"And what exactly, are your plans now Padfoot?" Lily asked curiously.
"I've got a few things I need to put right, before I can try and get back to my old life, and find a place to live," Sirius chuckled, looking down at Harry, "I can't thank you enough,"
"For what?" Harry asked confused, "I never really did anything, which," Harry frowned, thinking of what Erica had said about how he would regret not paying attention this year.
"Harry," Sirius said, stepping forward and placing his hands-on Harry's shoulders, "It is not your place to solve all the worlds problems, how you behaved this year, is how someone your age is supposed to behave,"
"I've tried telling him that for years," Lily sighed, smiling at the two of them.
"Come now, what's like without a little risk?" Sirius grinned, instantly earning himself a glare from Lily.
"Can't we just kick Tonks out and Sirius can have her room?" Harry asked brightly.
"No," Lily said sternly, "I'm not having him in my house all the time, you've got enough bad influences,"
"We'll see each other again soon Harry," Sirius promised, "For now, I need to go,"
"Ok," Harry nodded, feeling a strange sense of loss.
"It's a crime that I knew your father so well and you so little," Sirius said, kneeling down to look into Harry's eyes, "I plan to change that, James trusted me with the most important thing in his life, and I won't let him down, because, after all, the ones that love us never really leave us,"
"And you can always find them again," Lily whispered, reaching out and pulling Harry close to her, "Right here," She said, touching his chest.
"Exactly," Sirius grinned, standing up and looking at them both, "You'll hear from me soon enough, I've got to a dangerous mission to attend to,"
"What mission?" Harry frowned, wondering why he wasn't allowed to be part of the danger.
"I've got to wrestle my old motor-bike away from Hagrid,"
O
When the end of term had come, it had been far more enjoyable than Harry predicted it was going to be a few days ago. Somehow, fighting death-eaters, freeing Sirius, hashing out painful truths and discovering that his mother was a death-eater killing machine, made the whole thing feel that much more special. Gryffindor had won the house-cup again, prizes were given, and Harry had been given joint first place with Cho Chang, because the duelling competition had been cancelled abruptly. Harry hadn't heard from Sirius since he'd left the school a week ago, wondering what his godfather had been up to, made Harry wonder if Sirius was ever coming back. There had also been no word from Erica, but she was now one of the most wanted witches in Britain, but Harry knew that she wasn't in Britain anymore. Draco and Harry had taken the time to discuss their new-found situation, when Draco came out to Harry. It had been a quick conversation that ended with Harry making Draco apologise to Hermione, for having been so rude to her this year. Harry wasn't sure what to do with Draco's crush, but was just happy that he and Draco could remain friends. Neville had dropped his obsession with Grindelwald, conceding that no matter how much he liked Erica, couldn't be content knowing that she was wanting to set the dark wizard free. It was the morning of their time to return home, when Harry received a letter from Sirius.
Dear Harry.
Sorry I haven't been in touch, I've taken a job working along side Remus and using my influence to keep track on the Death-Eater situation, I've missed way too much and it's time we started working on ending this war before it begins again. The good news is, that both Yaxley and Avery will be joining Peter in Azkaban. I know you and I will have time to get to know each other soon, as that is my one true wish. I don't know when I'll see you again, but I have a feeling it will be very soon.
Your Godfather, Sirius.
P.S, I feel bad that Draco no longer has a pet, so I've sent him a cat.
Harry had only felt slightly better when he received the letter. What made things not so good, was it suggested that Harry wouldn't get to see his Godfather for some time and wondered why this was the case. He hadn't told anyone about these odd feelings, and that he was worried that Sirius wouldn't want to spend time with him. So, when they were on the train and heading back to London, Harry had only mentioned hearing about Yaxley and Avery, and explained Draco's gift.
"And I shall call her, Pawfoot," Draco had announced, holding the pitch-black kitten in his hands and stroking her gently.
"Cute," Hermione had said, spending the whole journey quite happily wrapped in Harry's arms, while reading her book.
There was no denying that they were a couple now, after the events that had taken place a few nights ago, Harry had concluded that life was too short to waste it hiding your feelings and denying yourself what you want. Neville and Draco had been quite accepting of the openness of Harry and Hermione's relationship, Lily had gushed repeatedly, and Tonks and Hestia told their jokes, only to be silenced by Lily. Harry felt a sense of calm in his life, now that he could fully accept that he and Hermione were together. He truly felt like he could do anything.
"You know, I've just realised something," Neville had said, after a long time of silence.
"What's that then?" Draco asked, who was playing with Pawfoot.
"Well, because of all that meddling and getting involved with Sirius and Erica, technically, Hermione is the one who won the competition, she is the only one with points left," He chuckled.
"Oh yeah," Harry chuckled, looking down at Hermione, "That means you get to pick a penalty for the one who lost,"
"Which would be you," She giggled, "You're the one that stunned Erica, fought Yaxley and ultimately has a one-man army for a mother,"
"Best make it a good one," Harry said, leaning down and kissing her forehead.
For the rest of the journey they had all simply enjoyed the their last few hours together, before later in the summer when they would all go to see the Quidditch cup. It wasn't until they had arrived in Kings Cross, and Neville and Draco had gone on ahead, did Hermione stop and turn to Harry.
"Me," She whispered, leaning in close to him.
"You what?" Harry asked, confused at first.
"I'm your penalty," she whispered deeper, leaning up towards his lips, "Never leave, always be there and if you truly can't live without me like Erica said, never deny yourself my company,"
Thrown back a little by the conviction of her words, Harry scrambled his thoughts to think of the right thing to say. The good thing was, that Hermione rarely needed to hear what Harry was thinking, to know what was on his mind. So, it was a kiss, a different kind of kiss that Harry knew was special, that he used to seal his promise to her that he would indeed, be hers.
A few days into the summer, Harry found himself at peace, alone in his mother's garden enjoying the warm weather that had graced the village. He hadn't spoken to anyone except Neville, Hermione and Draco, feeling like he was missing something important. For once his books didn't bring him comfort, Dobby couldn't find a game fun enough to entertain him, Hestia and Tonks had both conceded that Harry was something of a misery guts now, and so he found himself quite alone indeed. This feeling however only lasted a few seconds, when a beam of light cut through the tall grass leading to the right side of his garden. The hedge cleared and a new path led up to tall house that Harry had never seen before. He stood, gazing down at it with his wand in hand preparing for danger, only for his face to light up with joy. The front door of the new house opened, and Harry's new neighbour appeared, pitching a sign into the ground that read.
The Black Residence.
Harry watched as the man stood straight, his hair shorter, his beard trimmed into a moustache, his clothes fancier than they were when Harry first saw him, and a wide grin on his face, when he noticed Harry staring at him. Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, had come to stay.