A/N: Thanks to those who left behind a review. And for the continued support you've shown this story.

The Slytherin Reformation

By Spectre4hire

7: A Sirius Misunderstanding

"Can you stop pacing?"

Harry didn't need to look up from his textbook to know his friend hadn't.

"I'm not trying to," grumbled Theo.

He gave his fellow Slytherin a sympathetic look. "Don't overthink it," he offered, thinking it was good advice, its not as if I'm acting on it, or have any experience in this. A voice was quick to point out. A certain dark haired friend flickered across his vision with a soft smile.

"It's all I can think about," His friend sounded panicked. Theodore ran his hands over his face, but the move didn't replace the miserable look that marred his features.

Theodore had surprised Harry that afternoon with the spontaneous decision that he was to ask out Hermione before their weekly study session. Harry was impressed. He knew Theo had been wrestling with his feelings for her for weeks, but had been anxious to act on them. Theo feared the future of their friendship if she did not return his feelings. He also feared his father's reaction if he were to discover that his only son was dating a Muggleborn witch.

The two Slytherins had arrived early to the library, knowing that Hermione was usually the first to arrive to their sessions. Theodore had wanted to beat her there and then hoped to ask her when there wasn't an audience in the form of the rest of their friends.

Since arriving, Harry watched his friend's confidence slowly crumble despite his efforts to stop it. It seemed nothing he said was having any good effect on him. Of course not, a voice was happy to note, What would you know what to say or do?

Theodore took the seat across from Harry, looking more nauseous than courageous.

"Remember what Neville said," Harry tried a different approach, wishing their Gryffindor friend was here with them now. He was the one who had been the first of them to be bold enough to ask out the girl he fancied, even in rejection, he proved his heart and courage.

"Yes," That seemed to calm him a little, "Thanks," He managed a weak smile, and let loose a tired breath, and leaned his head back against the chair and close his eyes. "I know it sounds silly, but its the wait," he complained. "It just gives me," he waved his hand in frustration, "all this time to worry and think of all the ways it could go wrong."

"It's not going to go wrong."

Theodore opened one eye, and his lips crooked in dry amusement. "Easier to say, harder to get it to stick." He tapped his finger to his head.

"You went up against a cave troll." He was pleased at seeing the words were seemingly taking hold of his friend. "It's just Hermione. Your friend, just don't overthink this."

"Hey guys," Hermione appeared, smiling cheerfully at the both of them.

"Hey," Harry turned to the Gryffindor, but not before sparing a look in Theo's direction, who handled her sudden appearance better than he would've predicted given the Slytherin's nervous state.

Oblivious to their earlier conversation, Hermione slung her bag across the chair next to Theo's.

Harry gave his friend a pointed look at that. See! He mouthed, trying to show his friend that he had nothing to worry about. Harry and others had their own silent suspicions that Hermione shared similar feelings towards Theodore.

Theo's eyes widened, but did nothing to add to the conversation, deciding on looking down at his Potions parchment.

Harry suppressed a groan, but knew his judgment should be mute given his own inaction.

"I thought I'd be the first one here," She admitted.

"Disappointed?" Theo somehow found his voice and managed to make the question come out as a tease.

Harry was impressed.

It worked since it got Hermione to smile, and turn away from him. "No," she answered quickly.

And she seemed to sound...flustered? Harry guessed, not knowing that was the right word to describe her current state. It's all so confusing.

"Glad to hear it," Theodore's confidence appeared to be ascending.

"I came a little early today because I needed to look for a book," She confessed suddenly, and moved to stand up.

"What book?" Theodore asked.

"It's for Runes."

"Do you need help?"

Harry hid his surprise as he looked on at how well his friend was doing.

"That'd be great."

Her answer nearly had him tripping out of his chair to get up to join her. Thankfully for Theodore, she wasn't looking at him at that precise moment when his face nearly collided with the table.

Harry chuckled, but managed to turn it into a cough when Hermione turned in their direction.

Theodore sent him a frown without any heat.

Harry gave him a subtle thumb's up carefully blocking it from Hermione.

His Slytherin friend responded with a smile and nod.

Harry was relieved and happy to note that Theodore didn't look the least bit nervous when he joined her. The two then disappeared behind a stack of books, conversing quietly.

So what's your excuse? The voice was blunt, and Harry wanted to ignore it despite the stinging truth to its question. He didn't want to think about her even if it led down a very tempting path of other thoughts that were more interesting than his current homework.

Can face Voldemort, but you can't face her. Harry was saved from further self-heckling at the arrival of Neville.

"Hey," The gryffindor was quick to greet and smile at him. His eyes then turned to the two empty seats where Hermione and Theodore had left their stuff. A flickering of suspicion passed over his face, and his smile became a bit more of a smirk when he sat down at the end of the table. "Interesting."

Harry laughed. "It always is around here."

Neville agreed with that. "I'm just happy to be out of the Gryffindor dorm room." He pulled out his outrageously outdated muggle studies book that had unwisely predicted the future triumph of the zeppelin over this other flimsy muggle contraption called an aeroplane.

"Why? What happened?"

"It's Ron," he opened up his textbook, "He's distraught about his rat."

"His rat?" Harry had heard about this creature from Neville over the years, and how he had found it in the oddest places during that time.

"Yeah," Neville confirmed, "Ron's afraid Scabbers is dying." He sounded contrite for his fellow Gryffindor and his current plight. "The rat's been awfully sick this year."

"How can you tell?" Harry didn't know a lot about rats, but he doubted they were as obvious in expressing their ailments and feelings unlike dogs or cats or a very particular owl.

Neville shrugged. "I like plants, Harry, not animals."

"How can you tell with plants?" Harry thought that would be more challenging to discern unless the plant had turned brown. He immediately regretted voicing that question since it launched his herbology enthused friend into a lecture about the various clues, histories, and theories.

Harry thought he was patient and quiet long enough after a few long winded minutes and decided to intervene when he noticed a slight lull in his friend's speech. Neville was no doubt preparing to start an entirely new train of thought unless Harry stopped him.

"Thank you, Neville." He tried to inject some enthusiasm and gratitude into his voice, but he wasn't sure it was convincing or worse it may have sounded sarcastic.

Thankfully, his friend got the message. "You're welcome, Harry." He responded in kind, a knowing smile on his face. This soon sent the friends into chuckling but the mirth didn't last as they were wary of attracting the attention of the unliked and very mean librarian-Madam Pince.

"They're still not back yet."

"Nope," Harry wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. What if they got into a fight? What if she rejected him? Would that send one or both of them back to their common rooms out of embarrassment?

Any further conversation about their absent friends was stopped when their table received an unexpected visitor.

"Moony?" Harry had never seen him in the library before. He didn't think he had to since Remus had access to so many books in both his classroom and his office. His Uncle smiled in greeting, and his blue eyes were bright in a way that Harry had rarely seen from him. He didn't look the least bit tired on the contrary, he seemed full of life…

"Harry," Their professor returned the greeting in a feigning stiff manner, "Mister Longbottom."

Neville snorted, and Moony's eyes seemed to twinkle. His smile still firmly in place.

"Were you looking for us?" There was another question that had taken root in his mind, but one that he dared not ask out in the open. Had they made contact with Sirius?

"I was looking for you," He sent Neville an apologetic look. In his hands he was holding a rolled up piece of parchment that looked ratty and worn. "But you were easy to find with the right friends."

"What is it?" Harry dared not get hopeful, but it didn't stop it from spreading nonetheless.

"Professor Dumbledore requires your presence," He answered softly, "I volunteered to escort you." He made it sound uninteresting and something mundane for school.

Harry quickly gathered his things and slipped them into his bag. Again trying to tell himself not to get his hopes up, but his excitement could not be contained at the possibility that his hunch was indeed correct.

"Sorry, Nev," He turned to his friend.

"It's fine," Neville was understanding. "I'm sure the others will be coming along shortly."

He knew he meant their other friends, Daphne and Tracey, but it also reminded him of Hermione and Theodore, who were still somewhere in the library together. He wondered if his friend had asked her out, or if they were still wandering about oblivious to each other's feelings and looking for some boring Runes book. In his mind, either scenario seemed very possible.

"Can you let them know?"

"Certainly," Neville replied.

Harry thanked his friend with a grateful nod before slinging his bag over his shoulder and followed a still smiling Moony out of the library.

It has to be. Harry found himself hoping. Sirius has contacted them.

It's finally here.

Harry waited patiently beneath his invisibility cloak which he had retrieved from his dorm room. While there he noted no sign of his friends which meant they must have still been at the library. He also hoped that meant things with Hermione and Theodore had gone well.

When Moony came to collect him from the library, they hadn't gone very far when he confirmed the hope that was bubbling within Harry those last few minutes.

"Sirius has made contact," Moony's tone was thrumming with a mixture of emotions that were difficult to describe.

"Is that where we're going?" Harry had asked immediately.

"Yes," Moony confirmed, sharing a smile with him. "You'll be going to Dumbledore first."

"And you?"

"I'll be going to speak with him."

Harry had understood and thought it fair that Moony be allowed to see his dear friend before them, and to speak privately with him. He knew Remus had a lot to say to Sirius and he was certain so did his godfather. Harry hoped that the reunion would lead to reconciliation between the two close friends.

Now, Harry was waiting for the headmaster. Him and Dumbledore had spoken briefly in his office. There, the headmaster had explained the directions that Harry needed to follow which he quickly agreed to. In that time, Dumbledore had first sent a message to Roxanne, a healer at St. Mungos, knowing Sirius would need treatment and help to undo the toils that Azkaban put on him.

He then reached out to a few of his friends within certain areas of the Ministry to help smooth things along and to insure Sirius is fairly treated without prejudice in the case of him needing to come in to verify his innocence.

Sirius' protection is of the utmost importance, Dumbledore had said. If I feel the Ministry cannot provide it then Sirius may need to remain in hiding a bit longer.

That made sense to Harry and he said as much to Dumbledore who gave him a grateful smile. 'What we really need is Peter,' Dumbledore noted, 'With him in custody then Sirius' defense cannot be so easily dismissed.' The Headmaster looked thoughtful, 'But Cornelius may prove difficult. He will not like this drudged up especially if it paints the Ministry in a poor light. He'll fear it will make him look bad.'

Harry didn't care two sickles what Fudge thought or wanted. He wasn't going to let his godfather further languish or worse continued to be punished for a crime he didn't commit. Despite his annoyance for the Minister of Magic an idea did come to him that prompted him to speak up, while hoping he didn't sound like a fool.

'I can talk to Fudge.'

You? Dumbledore's eyebrows had shot up, but his blue eyes searched his face with unveiled interest.

'Yes,' Harry answered, 'I understand the value my support could have if I gave it.' He had had countless lessons with Cyrus about politics, and though he didn't entirely understand everything especially the part about him continuing to be so important, he didn't argue.

To him, he was just a thirteen year old kid, but if the public considered him having some influential clout, who was he to tell them he didn't. 'I will openly support Fudge, its not as if Fudge was anyway involved in Sirius' arrest or case.'

'He was not,' Dumbledore ran a hand through his beard, 'There was no trial. He went right to Azkaban.'

An injustice, Harry still couldn't believe when he had been told. For the government to just condemn him in an instant and imprison him in the worst place on earth for the remainder of his life. It was unsettling.

'Fudge would welcome any support you'd give him,' Dumbledore observed, 'it could smooth things over.'

'Then I'll do it.' To Harry it was an easy decision to make if it would help his godfather.

His memory of his conversation with the headmaster slipped away when he spotted Dumbledore walking towards him.

It was time.

The school grounds were dark and empty, but Harry didn't dare remove his cloak without Dumbledore's permission. The headmaster was walking at his side to any observer it would look like he was out taking an evening stroll.

"I've heard that Professor Lupin's classes have become many students' favorites."

"They are," Harry quickly confirmed, "He's the best!"

That got a smile out of Dumbledore. "I'm pleased to hear."

"Much better than Lockhart."

"So I've been told," Dumbledore replied dryly. "I had a suspicion about him last year."

"Really?" This was the first Harry was hearing about it.

Dumbledore nodded, "It did not take me long to confirm it," He glanced towards the spot where Harry was at his side. It was unsettling how his blue eyes could find Harry even when under the invisibility cloak. "So I needed to make arrangements and look for a replacement."

"Arrangements?" Harry didn't understand. He remembered the very public falling out of Lockhart, it had delighted him, Theo, and Neville without end. They still enjoyed talking and laughing about it and reveled in the part they played in it.

"Yes, I may have suggested that we'd need a way to take control of the story," Dumbledore said simply, "A public face we could rally around that would pull us past the tragedy that had haunted the last semester." Dumbledore's eyes seemed to gleam in the night. "Professor Lockhart had agreed readily with my approach and when I suggested it should be him, he happily approved when I assured him he'd have the full support and backing of the school."

Harry had always found it strange that neither Dumbledore or Lupin had stepped forward when Lockhart had called his press conference. Why the Headmaster had chosen to stay quiet and not call him out for those shameless lies, but now it all made sense. It had been Dumbledore's hand all along, guiding Lockhart to his own fall with him none the wiser.

He did not act alone, Harry remembered Snape helping by informing them of the conference and then of the truth serum that could be used to oust Lockhart and to prove to the world that he was a fraud.

It was as if Harry could suddenly see that it had been a puzzle and now all the pieces were falling into place. It was spooky how neat and organized it was and how quickly it had come together. Professor Snape had been a piece, he realized, as were we.

"There is an old adage," Dumbledore looked pensive when he added softly. "You reap what you sow."

"You could've been a Slytherin," Harry eventually said, quietly marveling at the headmaster's cunning and planning that insured Lockhart's fall from grace. He felt no pity for the man who'd steal the spotlight of many talented wizards for his own glory and to enrich himself.

Dumbledore laughed. "The hat may have made that suggestion," He turned to Harry, and his blue eyes twinkled.

Before Harry could press the Headmaster on that or get more details about Lockhart. They had arrived.

The Whomping Willow was a fearsome sight. A very violent tree with branches that swung angrily and powerfully at any who approach it: bird, animal, student, teacher. It did not care, anyone who dared to trespass within its reach faced the willow's wrath.

Lupin had told him of the tree's true purpose when he revealed he was a werewolf to Harry. And how it was used to hide and protect him before he went through his transformation. As well as the hidden passageway they were about to take. It led Moony to the Shrieking Shack so could transform in peace.

Harry and Dumbledore were just outside the willow's reach. The tree bristled as if sensing an intruder and was poised to defend its position with the swift and brutal lashing of its branches.

"Are you ready, Harry?" Dumbledore was unconcerned by the tree or the threat it posed.

"I am," Harry gathered the cloak tightly to himself knowing he'd need to move fast, and he couldn't trip on it.

Dumbledore's wand was already out and he made the incantation. The effect was instantaneous. The tree immediately froze when the knot on the trunk had been pressed.

Harry followed Dumbledore swiftly through the still branches around the calm willow. The Headmaster moving quite well for a man of his age. They slipped into the concealed passageway and into the dank, dark corridor that would lead them to the Shack and to Sirius.

"You will no longer need your cloak, Harry," Dumbledore said without sounding out of breath from their sprinting.

Harry removed the cloak and put it in his bag.

Dumbledore had already used a spell to illuminate the path. On both sides of them a streak of light went as far as the eye could see, illuminating the way for them. "Let us be off."

Dust, dirt, broken furniture.

The Shrieking Shack was a cold place.

Harry shuffled in quietly. He felt a build up of emotions crackling in his stomach. He had been thinking about this very minute these last few months. He had been hoping for it ever since his parents revealed the shocking truth to him.

Sirius was innocent.

He had only seen a few pictures of him, most of them having been burned, cut, darkened, when everyone believed he was a traitor and a murderer. The majority of the glimpses he had seen of him since were from the newspapers showing a deranged and angry Sirius Black.

Harry tried not to pay that image any mind. This isn't him. He'd say. This isn't my father's best friend. The man who his parents trusted first with their life and then of their son's. In the former they eventually relented and agreed to go with Pettigrew, a mistake that had cost the three of them dearly. His parents were killed and Sirius was thrown in prison, a condemned man without a trial, sentenced to rot in Azkaban for the rest of his life.

The sound of voices broke Harry from his thoughts. Looking ahead he could see two figures coming out of one of the adjoining rooms, Moony and him.

Sirius Black was dirty, haggard, pale, and thin. When their eyes met, he looked to be in a daze. His expression shifting instantly, "James," the name was said quietly, coated in disbelief before his eyes blinked. "Harry," He corrected himself, his voice as soft as spider's silk.

"Sirius," He replied awkwardly. He wanted to approach his godfather, but now he found his feet suddenly glued to their spot.

The sound of his name made the man smile. "You look just like him," He murmored, he took a hesitant step forward, but stopped when he saw Dumbledore was standing behind Harry.

"I know," Harry had heard it so many times, but it had never bothered him. Especially when it came from the people who loved and respected his parents. It made him pleased and proud to know that he was part of that legacy that got to live on even when Voldemort cruelly took them away too soon.

"Sirius," Dumbledore intoned politely. "We come as friends, as allies. We know the truth about Pettigrew."

That relaxed him. He gave the headmaster a tight nod. "Moony was telling me much the same," He then shook his head. "It's hard to believe, so forgive me my caution."

Dumbledore did not seem bothered and said as much. "A great injustice was done to you, and we will do everything in our power to set things right."

A small smile came to Sirius' dirty face. His eyes flashed with an energy that his body did not seem capable of mimicking due to all those grueling years a prisoner of Azkaban.

Harry who had been standing still and quietly, made up his mind when the two were talking and closed the distance between himself and his godfather. Startling him when he put his arms around him, and Sirius stiffened at first, but soon Harry felt his godfather's arms and the tight embrace that he put him in.

He felt Sirius' body shake, and Harry suspected it to be a stifled sob. In hugging him, he was amazed at just how thin he was, feeling bones. He blinked back tears at all the suffering his godfather had gone through. He'll never go back.

The embrace lasted for a few seconds, and when it was finally over, Harry felt something thick in his throat. His eyes were itching and he rubbed at them to feel more wetness swelling in them.

"Look at you," Sirius' tone croaked. His hands resting on Harry's shoulders. His gray eyes looking him over, a smile on his chapped lips. His attention soon fell on the Slytherin emblem, and his smile dipped.

"A Slytherin."

"Yes," Harry said proudly. However, he was aware of his godfather's well deserved animosity towards the house.

"Moony warned me of this," Sirius let out a dry chuckle, "But still," something flickered across his face and it dimmed his smile, but it did not stay, and his levity soon returned. "It's like I'm seeing James in Slytherin robes," He said lightly, "Which reminds me of a prank we once did." His eyes glazed wistfully, and the laugh that followed was filled with more life than anything Sirius had shown since they arrived.

Remus chuckled, clearly remembering said prank.

"You'll have to tell me it," Harry wanted to hear it, but he knew this probably wasn't the best time for it.

"Anything you want to know about them," Sirius assured him, "Anything."

"Thanks," Harry meant it.

Sirius squeezed his shoulders before dropping his hands to his side and turning to Remus. "I was just telling Moony about Pettigrew," His face darkened.

"If we are to get you exonerated than we'll need to find and catch him," Dumbledore pointed out.

Harry did not miss the exchange of smirks that passed between the two school friends.

"That's just it," Moony began, "Sirius knows where he is."

Dumbledore's white eyebrows rose, "Where?"

"He's at Hogwarts," Sirius pulled out an old Daily Prophet out of his pocket and handed it to the Headmaster. "He's a pet to a wizard family, the Weasleys."

"Scabbers?" Harry said in disbelief, receiving varying looks from the adults. "Neville was just telling me about him. He said that he's sick."

"Interesting," Dumbledore's eyes were on the newspaper while Moony filled Sirius in on who Neville was. "It would be quite challenging to maintain such a form for so many years. It would appear to those who were not looking closely that the rat was just sick and dying."

"He won't be that lucky," Sirius growled.

Moony put a calming hand on his friend's shoulder who accepted it.

Harry was silently pleased to see that the friendship between the two men was still as strong despite what had happened.

"No, he won't." Dumbledore agreed, "Our first priority is to capture him without him becoming suspicious."

"Neville can help," Harry suggested.

"Can you trust this Neville?" Sirius asked skeptically.

"With my life," Harry said at once.

Sirius was not convinced. "I once thought the same about him."

"Harry's right," Moony interjected, "Neville's not like Peter. He can help us."

Sirius gave a tight nod, but made no effort to take back his claim or his previous mistrust.

"I'll have a box enchanted where Neville can put him in without Peter being able to transform," Dumbledore explained. "Neville can stun him and then bring him to my office."

"And then?" Sirius didn't look convinced.

"The Ministry will be informed," Dumbledore answered, and raised his hand to stop Sirius from interrupting, "Amelia Bones will not look the other way, Sirius. There will be others who cannot deny not just Pettigrew being alive but his crimes. He will be made to be held accountable for all that he's done."

"What of Fudge?" Moony asked.

That was when Dumbledore turned to Harry.

"I can talk to the Minister," Harry answered, "Tell him how much I'd appreciate my godfather getting a thorough look and make sure he knows that I won't hold him responsible for the travesty that happened all those years ago."

Sirius barked out a laugh, "Listen to him," He shook his head. "You'll play Fudge like a fiddle. James would've loved to see that."

Moony looked at him with quiet respect. A smile played at his lips.

"Then it is settled," Dumbledore decided, "By tomorrow morning, Pettigrew will be brought to the Ministry and hopefully within a few days, Sirius will be exonerated."

A/N: Some things are just bound to be 'easier' given the course this AU is taking.

This is the part where I ask you to please leave a review. Why? Because it would mean a lot to me. Thank you.

This is the last update for 2019. I hope you all have a safe and happy holidays and see ya next year.

-Spectre4hire