Harry felt his throat close up, felt his own anger and disgust climb up and stay there.

"But… He was their friend?"

He couldn't understand it. This man- this man that no one had ever told him about- had been his father's best friend. Had been his best man in his wedding, and he had been his own bloody godfather.

And his parents were dead because of him.

He tried to understand how someone could be so cruel. So uncaring. To betray a friend. He tried to think if Ron or Hermione letting him die. Inconceivable. Impossible.

But had his own father thought the same thing once? Had he thought of how he could count on this man too?

A warm hand settled over his, the one that had taken the Prophet and crumbled it once he had taken one look at the man on the cover- a handsome man of twenty-something with striking grey eyes. He looked up, trying to swallow, at Cedric's mum. Her face was careful, and her gaze was sympathetic.

"Now. I don't understand all of it," she said softly, "He was my year-mate, a handsome, popular boy with a chip on his shoulder for being the black-sheep in a pure-blood family. He seemed to be alright if a bit cruel with his jokes at times. Last I heard of him before your parents passed, he was working as an Auror, a law-enforcement officer, with your father. This came as a shock to all of us who ever knew him. But knowing that he supported You-Know-Who could mean he has ill intentions with you, Harry. And I knew you needed to know."

"LET HIM FIND ME!"

A crumpled expression. Worry. From an adult, it was near an alien to understand.

"... No, please don't go looking for trouble. He killed at least thirteen people just before he was captured, including another friend of your father's. He's dangerous. I told you to be aware and to know that people will do their utmost to do so. And for you to be patient with whatever must be done to keep you and those around you safe."

"You're probably going to be on lock-down mate," said Steve, face serious and quiet, "Whole of Hogwarts too."

"They're already providing security to the Cottage. And I put in a request by the minister himself to station some Aurors to stay local and in disguise. Nothing too obvious, otherwise Black might figure it out. But we will try Harry."

"I don't-" he could barely breathe, "I can handle myself."

Mrs. Diggory frowned, lifted the hand that wasn't on his to cup his face. Harry both flinched and stilled at the contact. She smiled at him. Warm and sad.

Harry wondered if his mum would've made the same expression. Because of Sirius Black, he would never know.

"I have no doubt. You saved little Ginny's life. You killed a basilisk. But you're only going to be thirteen years old, Harry Potter. And you shouldn't have to take care of yourself."

"Yeah, Harry. You'll have us," said Cedric, hotly.

Harry felt something warm trickle down in his heart. Past the rage and grief, warmth pushed past.

"And the Weasleys and me! Not to mention Hermione!" said Steve, firmly, slinging an arm around his shoulders, "So please reframing from chasing after murders, especially one clever and mad enough to be the first bastard to escape Askaban."

Harry blinked.

"The first?"

Cedric slung an arm around his waist.

"He must be desperate."

Harry swallowed thickly.

"I'll be ready. I won't go looking for him... But if he finds me, I'll be ready."

"We'll be ready," said Cedric firmly, eyes steely.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm sorry to say that I have to cut down on my updating schedule! I'm working full time now, (YAY!), and it just isn't feasible to write four drabble chapters a week around it. So, a chapter a week, on Sunday now.

This is a general update note too, on the current status of my fanfics, as my last big note across my fics was in January of this year!

As of this Sunday, 13th of June 2021, I will be moving my EDIT updates to every Sunday. My schedule has changed quite a bit since my last note, so I figured giving myself some breathing room would be prudent. Whether or not this will actually help, I don't know, as I still haven't had much luck with my initial goal. I will be TRYING, though.

Send me productive vibes, my lovelies.

Or curse me in the name of my muse?

Whichever works.

Current UPDATE SCHEDULE:

A Study of Lions & Badgers, Harry Potter Fic: Every SUN.

Coming Home, Harry Potter Fic: Not Set. (Whenever I finish the next chapter)

Hold My Hand, Glass Mask Fic: Every 3rd Sunday of the month. (GONNA TRY)

Lion-Heart, A Song of Ice and Fire/ Game of Thrones Fic: Every 2nd Sunday of the month. (GONNA TRY)

She Is But The Wind, Jupiter Ascending Fic: Every SUN

~ Be Safe and Be Well,

Moon Witch '96