Chapter Forty-Nine – The Shrieking Shack

Hogsmeade lay under several feet of snow and the entire town had been swept up in holiday cheer. Though the dementors still patrolled the perimeter of the town, even their oppressive presence couldn't dispel the happy atmosphere. There were little twinkling lights strung up in every storefront. Large, busy pine trees dotted the streets and alleyways after seemingly growing overnight. Small glass orbs hung from their branches with tiny fairies flitting around inside. They sang Christmas Carols to Harry and his friends as they walked past.

It was the final Hogsmeade weekend before the start of their winter holiday, and Harry was glad they had come. He needed to find Sirius and tell him what he'd learned, but in all the chaos of Quidditch practice, studying, and keeping an eye out for a rat that might be Petter Pettigrew, Harry had almost forgotten what it was like to have fun. Now that their exams were finally over, Harry felt that he had earned a short break.

They stopped at the Three Broomsticks first, and Harry even managed forget about Sirius for a moment as he enjoyed a pint of warmed butterbeer.

"Get us another round, Millie?" Blaise asked after finishing the first serving.

Millie glared at him in response. Blaise, sensing her ire, quickly tossed a few shining silver sickles on the table in front of him.

"Relax. It'll be my treat. Just see if you can flag down Rosemerta."

Millie, still scowling, reluctantly gathered the coins and made her way toward the bar. Blaise leaned closer to Harry when she was safety out of earshot.

"I've figured it out," he whispered, though it was completely unnecessary. In the loud, crowded bar, they weren't likely to be overheard. Harry had to lean even closer to Blaise just to make out what he was saying. He looked at Blaise questioningly, and his friend rolled his eyes.

"Millie's been giving us the silent treatment, or haven't you noticed?"

Harry glanced again toward Millie, who was busy holding three fingers up to Madame Rosemerta while gesturing toward the butterbeer tap with her other hand. Madame Rosemerta seemed to think the hand motions were rude, until Millie slapped Blaise's money on the counter in front of her.

"Millie's always been quiet," Harry replied, hating to admit that once again he may have neglected to notice something was wrong with their friend.

"I know that, but this is different. I haven't heard her say a word for... Well, I'm not sure how long. But if I had to guess, I'd say she's been mute since the day we failed at our little experiment."

"Quiet!" Harry urged him. Millie was returning to their table, carefully balancing three tankards of butterbeer in her arms. He wasn't sure Blaise wanted Millie to overhear their conversation.

They both thanked her for their drinks and proceeded to chat noisily about their plans for the break. Meanwhile, they continued to keep an eye on Millie, watching her carefully. She gave nothing away, and merely sipped her butterbeer in silence.

"We've all got shopping lists, haven't we?" Harry asked, forcing a change in subject, "There's a few things I wanted to check out, and then we probably need to meet up with you-know... No, wait. That's the other guy. Er... We need to meet up with Padfoot."

His friends agreed, each in their own way. Blaise complained loudly of never knowing what to get his mother for Christmas, as she already had everything she needed, and anything she wanted she could buy for herself. Millie said nothing, but pulled a short list from the pocket of her long winter coat, and preceded the boys as they continued through the streets of Hogsmeade.

Harry wanted a new broomstick more than anything else, though he knew he hadn't come to shop for himself. In spite of his resolve to be responsible with his money, his feet inevitably lead him to the one Quidditch supply store in town, where he could ogle the Firebolt in the front window display. Several months after first seeing it in Diagon Alley, the racing broom was still the most beautiful Harry had ever laid eyes on. He tried to imagine what it would be like to ride one, and wondered if the shop keeper would let him take it for a test flight. He was sure the broom would outstrip even the Nimbus 2001. If he bought it, his place on the Slytherin team would be forever secure from Draco.

But Harry still balked at the expense, which only seemed to grow along with the broom's reputation as the fastest in the world. Several famous Quidditch players, among them a renowned Seeker from Bulgaria, had spoken in favor of the Firebolt. Harry knew it would irresponsible of him to use the money his parents left him on such a frivolous purchase, and it was too much to hope that Mrs. Zabini would get him another broomstick for Christmas that year.

He was still staring at the broom with longing when he heard a deep bark. It was Sirius, in dog form, trotting toward him over the packed snow. Harry could feel Blaise and Millie move closer toward him, their wands partially drawn. He had expected to meet Sirius near the Shrieking Shack, but perhaps he'd grown tired of waiting. It was startling to have him appear so suddenly, and out in the open, among a large crowd.

Sirius seemed to sense their hesitation, and he paused before getting too close to their group. Turning away, he began to stalk down another street. When he reached a bend at the end of the road, he turned to look back at him and barked once more.

"Put you wands away!" Harry warned his friends. He wasn't afraid of Sirius, only startled by his sudden appearance. He didn't want to give passerby any ideas if the saw his friends stalking behind him with their wands drawn and menacing looks on their faces.

They followed the dog's paw-prints to the Shrieking Shack. By the time they reached the old, split-rail fence encircling the property, with its signs warning everyone to KEEP OUT, Sirius had already slipped to the other side. He waited, looking at them while he rested his large paws on the top rail of the fence.

"Blaise, can you get rid of our footprints?" Harry asked.

Blaise gave it some thought, running through the various charms and spells he had in his repertoire.

"Erado," he said, and with a soft gush of wind, their footprints were covered all the way back down the path toward the village.

Harry led the way, jumping the fence and strolling along the rocky path toward the Shack. He wasn't frightened of the building, and cared little about the stories of it being haunted. Instead, he watched as the dog, now seated a few yards away on the home's front step, slipped inside the crooked, open door.

"Here, Harry!" called a raspy voice from within.

Harry made certain he had Blaise and Millie at his side, then he too went through the door. Together, they made their way down a narrow hall, the wooden floorboards creaking under them with every step. Sirius, returned to his ragged human form, waited for them in what had once been a fine back parlor. The windows were cracked, letting the cold air disturb a few tattered curtains. This room faced a side of the house that wasn't visible from the path or the village, and they were not likely to be spotted here.

"This is where you've been hiding?" Harry asked.

"There's a room upstairs that's still mostly intact," Sirius said, nodding at the ceiling above their heads, "I'll grant you, it's not the most comfortable. But I've had to make due, given the circumstances."

"What about the ghosts?" Blaise asked him, "Don't they bother you?"

Sirius gazed at him oddly before he burst into laughter.

"Merlin's Beard! I forgot about the old stories! It's no wonder the place is still deserted," he wiped a tear from his eye and grinned at them with all of his yellow teeth, "The Shrieking Shack was never haunted," he explained, "Not unless you count a bunch of teenage boys making a racket."

"You and my dad used to come here?" Harry asked, looking around the remains of broken furniture, peeling wallpaper, and sagging floors. He had a hard time understanding the appeal.

Sirius nodded, "Fond memories... But they'll have to wait another time. Harry, have you found the map?"

"Actually, I have bad news," Harry said. He had thought it over long before coming to Hogsmeade, and decided it would be best not to mince words, but to tell Sirius directly, "The map was stolen. Filch doesn't have it anymore."

"Stolen!" Sirius echoed, but Harry didn't give him any time to say more.

"We have a suspect!" he continued, "Two of them, actually. Filch thinks the Weasley twins may have pinched it, and I think he's right. They have a bit of a reputation. And even if they don't have it, the fact that Filch thinks it was them means the map must have gone missing in the last couple years. The culprit may still attend Hogwarts. We'll find it."

"I hope so, Harry. But without the map... No, it's fine. We can find Peter without it. It may be more difficult that I expected but..."

"We have another problem," interrupted Harry. "I think... I think Professor Lupin is looking for the map too."

Sirius, who had been gazing at the floor in thought, suddenly snapped his head up and stared at Harry with wide eyes.

"Remus... Remus is here?"

"He's our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

What little color there had been in Sirius's pale face drained away. He was so white, Harry was afraid he might faint on the spot. Instead, he suddenly cried out, "He's going to kill me!"

"What? Why would Professor Lupin want to kill you?"

"Harry, Remus has spent the last twelve years thinking I've been in Azkaban for the murder of of our closest friend! He thinks I'm the one who handed Lilly and James over to you-know-who! What do you think he'd do if he found me now?"

"Your friend!" Harry exclaimed, "Then Remus... Professor Lupin was a Marauder, too! That's how he knows about the map!"

Sirius scoffed, "Know about it? He made the bloody thing! Oh sure, James and I used to say we helped, but it never would have worked without Remus. He must be looking for me. If he had the map again, he'd know when I was on school grounds..."

Harry didn't know what to say. He thought of the way he felt, back when Draco told him Sirius had been responsible for the murder of his parents. He'd felt angry then, but did he consider killing Black? No. In truth, he didn't really trust Draco. He hadn't wanted to believe that such a betrayal was possible. But Professor Lupin? If he really had been one of his father's best friends, what must he think of Sirius now?

"What was he?" Blaise interjected, breaking Harry's train of thought. Both Sirius and Harry turned to look at him in confusion, and Blaise continued, "Well, he was a Marauder. Like you. You were all animagi, right? Stag, dog, and rat. What was Professor Lupin?"

Sirius continued to stare at him blankly. His mouth fell open, then shut again. He looked away, and muttered something about Remus not being like the rest of them. It was curious, but Blaise's question about animagi had jogged Harry's memory.

"Sirius..." he began, already feeling a little queasy, "Does he... Does Professor Lupin know you're an animagus?"

To his surprise, Sirius uttered a sharp, barking laugh.

"Does he know?" he repeated, still laughing, "Harry, he may not have been an animagus like the rest of us, but he was still a Marauder. Of course he knows."

Harry attempted to swallow the lump in his throat, and almost gagged instead. "In that case, I think you probably are in danger."

The ironical smile on Sirius's face faded, and he looked at Harry expectantly, awaiting the worst.

"I sort of... Told Professor Lupin that I'd been seeing a big, black dog around Hogsmeade."

Sirius stared at Harry with an expression of horror.

"I didn't know it was you!" Harry said quickly, "I thought you were just a dog that had followed me to school!"

"We aren't safe here," Sirius said, not blaming Harry, but looking worried all the same. "Remus knows about this spot. It's a miracle he hasn't found me out yet."

"It might not be too late!" said Harry, trying to raise the poor man's spirits, "There's still the map. If we can find it first, then we can capture Pettigrew and prove your innocence before Professor Lupin can..."

He faltered with his words, and Sirius finished his thought despondently, "Kill me."

Harry said nothing. He had a hard time imagining kind and gentle Professor Lupin killing anyone. But he could do worse than that by turning Sirius over to the dementors.

It was Blaise who first broke the silence.

"How hard can it be to break into the Gryffindor common room? We have Harry's cloak. We can just slip in, search through the Weasley's things, and take the map if it's there."

"Don't forget, we have to get it before Professor Lupin does," Harry reminded him.

"And now he knows I'm here," said Sirius with a sad smile. "You shouldn't underestimate Remus. He's clever. More clever than most people give him credit for. He'll have already thought of a way to weasel the map out from under the twins, I'm sure of it."

"We'll get it first. I have connections in Gryffindor house that can help us," Harry said, thinking of Hermione and Neville.

"But where will I go until then?" Sirius asked, "The Shack doesn't appear on the map, it's true. But it's only a matter of time before Remus thinks to check here."

Harry glanced around wildly, as if something in the room would give him an idea of where Sirius could hide. There was the Forbidden Forest, of course. But with centaurs, giant spiders, and no shelter to speak of, Sirius wouldn't last long alone in the woods. And a giant dog hiding out in his dorm was bound to draw attention. There was Hagrid's hut, but Hagrid already had Fang and Buckbeak to care for. Suddenly, Harry's eyes fell on Blaise, and he noted Noodle's head, peaking out over the top of Blaise's coat where he had bundled her against the cold.

"The Chamber of Secrets isn't on the map, is it?" Harry asked, "It can't be. No one knew where it was until I found it last year."

"The chamber of what?" asked Sirius, and Harry knew they had a solution.

"I know a place where you can hide."

There was no time to waste. The other students would be returning to Hogwarts soon, and Harry had to find a way to get Sirius back to the school without the dementors noticing.

It was Sirius who thought of the passage. He led them back down the hall of the Shrieking Shack, pausing only to make sure no one was around to mark their movement behind the front windows. Kneeling down, he lifted an old, moth-eaten carpet off the floor. Harry could see marks in the dust where the rug had already been disturbed recently. Underneath there was a trap door, which opened when Sirius pushed against one of the floorboards.

"This leads to a tunnel that runs underground. It will take us directly to Hogwarts."

"This is how you've been getting in!" said Harry, feeling excited by the discovery more than intimidated. "But I thought that Filch knew of all the passages in and out of Hogwarts?"

"This one has been out of use since I was a student," Sirius explained, "On the other side, you come out directly under the Whomping Willow. It's been unguarded for that reason."

"But how are we supposed to get in or out of the passage with that tree blocking the way?" Blaise asked.

Black smiled and explained, "The tree has a weak spot. If you press a certain knot on the trunk, it stills the tree's branches, just for a moment. Just enough time to get away unharmed. I can show you, but it's tricky. That was Peter's... Well, that's why we kept a rat with us. Useful for darting up to the tree, you see?"

Harry was glad he'd taken to carrying the invisibility cloak with him again. Sirius smiled sadly when he pulled it into view, remarking that he wished he could use it again under different circumstances.

First, they had Sirius lead them down the passageway. The walk was long, dark, and damp under the earth. Harry was starting to feel claustrophobic, when Sirius announced that they were nearly there. The path took a sharp turn upward, so that they were nearly climbing toward the entrance. Harry could see a sort of door just ahead. Sirius, with practiced movements, quickly transformed back into a dog. He pushed the entrance open with his front paws, and without hesitation jumped out toward the trashing arms of the Willow. The tree seemed to have sensed their presence from the tremors among its roots, and it was already trying to defend itself from invaders. Sirius dodged the tree easily, and planted his paws against the base of the trunk.

The branches of the tree swayed to a stop, their only movement the natural result of a slight winter breeze. Harry and his friends scrambled out of the passage, knowing the tree would only remain still for a short time. Tossing his father's cloak over Sirius, Harry watched with fascination as the set of four paw-prints was disturbed by a pair of men's shoes, visible for only an instant as Sirius resumed his human form under the cloak.

Millie nudged Harry's side and pointed to the footprints in the snow. Sirius was completely covered by the cloak, but the three of them leaving a set of four prints would look suspicious if they were observed while walking across the grounds. Harry instructed Sirius to walk in the marks left by Blaise to avoid suspicion.

He felt very lucky that the entrance to the Chamber was located on the first floor. They wouldn't have far to go, and he wanted to reach their destination as quickly as possible. In fact, he marveled at the ease with which they were able to sneak Sirius into the school. As they crossed the threshold without the least impediment, Harry imagined the look the Minister for Magic might have on his face if he knew how useless all of his additional security turned out to be. Indeed, it seemed as if they weren't going to have any trouble creeping through the school at all, until Harry took a sudden turn around the corner, and nearly collided with Professor Lupin.

"Remus!" Harry gasped in surprise, forgetting himself for a moment. Sirius had used the professor's first name, and the habit was starting to rub off on Harry.

"Remus?" Professor Lupin repeated, raising an eyebrow that was split in the middle by a thin scar. Harry couldn't be sure, but he hadn't remembered that particular mark before. He wondered if it was new.

"Forgive me, sir," Harry said, "You just surprised me, is all."

"So I see..." said Professor Lupin, as he scanned the frightened faces of Blaise and Millie, flanking Harry's sides.

Harry was painfully conscious of Sirius's presence right behind him. They couldn't have run into the professor at a worse time.

"Have you just returned from your Hogsmeade trip? All finished with your holiday shopping?"

"Oh yeah," said Harry hastily, "Blaise promised we'd do some extra flying practice together before break starts. We were just going to grab our brooms now."

He tried to step around the professor, but Lupin blocked his path.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Slytherin common room is located in the dungeons, isn't it? Aren't you going the wrong way?"

"Oh... right..." Harry said, casting his eyes at Millie and Blaise to help him.

Blaise was usually the clever liar, and would come to his aid when dealing with any teacher. But in this case he merely stared back at Harry with wide eyes. Harry cursed him internally. He was certain that Blaise wanted them to be found out, so Lupin would discover Sirius right away, and they would be done with him forever. But Harry wasn't going to go down without a fight, and thinking quickly, he said, "Actually, we were on our way to get the brooms, but I remembered a book on flying techniques I wanted to check out. We're headed to the library first."

"I see..." Lupin said slowly, "And what might the title of this amazing book be that can tear you away from an afternoon of flying?

He knows... Harry thought, when in fact their plan was so audacious that even Lupin would never suspect the whole truth.

"I can't remember the title," Harry said, still trying to play it cool, "But I bet I'll remember once I see the cover again."

Lupin continued to stare at him for a moment, then Harry saw his eyes quickly flicker at the empty space behind him, as if he could see Sirius, even under the invisibility cloak. Harry knew that was impossible, but he shifted uncomfortably all the same, as if to put himself between Lupin and the invisible man.

The whole scenario was deeply suspicious, but when it came to Harry and his friends, they ccould be up to any number of things. To Harry's relief, Lupin shrugged his shoulders and said, "I hope you haven't forgotten about the patronus lessons, Harry. We'll start after the break."

"That would be great!" Harry said, smiling wide while faking more exuberance than he really felt. It's true he liked Professor Lupin, and the extra lessons were necessary to his success on the Quidditch team. But in that moment, all he really wanted to do was go running into the girls' lavatory at the end of the hall.

Lupin allowed Harry and his friends to shuffle awkwardly around him, before he suddenly asked, "By the way, Harry. Have you seen that dog again?"

Harry felt his heart skip a beat. But when he turned back to Lupin, his face was a mask of casual disinterest.

"No," he replied, "Actually, I haven't seen him since we talked about it, professor. Perhaps he's run away?"

"Perhaps..." said Lupin thoughtfully.

Harry didn't bother to say goodbye a third time. He took a turn that would lead them toward the library, knowing that Lupin was watching them go. It was a path that took them out of the way of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, but he didn't not want to raise more suspicion. Circling around by way of the moving staircases, Harry eventually led them back to the corridor where the entrance to the chamber lay hidden, and he motioned them all to wait while he poked his head around the corner.

He half expected Lupin to be there still, waiting to see if he returned. But that would be excessively paranoid, even for the professor, and their path was clear.

Harry gave a silent signal to the others and made his way quickly to the door of the girls' lavatory without being seen. He slipped inside, followed first by Millie and then by Blaise. He held the door open a second longer than necessary, hoping Sirius had followed them through as well. Because of the danger, they were afraid to address him aloud, or have him say anything in response. Harry was acting on faith that Sirius was still following him, and hadn't fled at the first sight of Professor Lupin.

"Myrtle?" Harry called as he shut the door.

This bathroom was notoriously haunted by the ghost of a young girl who had died there over fifty years ago. Harry called for her to see if she was still lurking about one of the stalls, or if she had gone to hide in a u-bend, as was her want if she was sulky.

A pearly, transparent head poked out of one of the stall doors, the frown turning quickly into a blank stare.

"Oh, it's just you again, Harry," Myrtle said, floating fully into view. "I haven't seen you around this year. Thought you'd forgotten about me, like everyone else."

"I could never forget you, Myrtle," said Harry, laying the flattery on thick. It was true he was never likely to forget the ghostly girl, one of Voldemort's first victims back when he'd been a student at Hogwarts, but it was not for the reasons Harry meant to imply.

Myrtle looked less than impressed, and she directed her attention to the figures beside him.

"See you've brought friends," she said.

Harry noticed immediately that her attention was on Blaise. She had something of a fancy for Harry's taller, more attractive friend, and Harry couldn't say he was the least bit jealous. Grinning at Blaise, he beckoned him forward. Blaise shot him a dirty look, but he quickly offered Myrtle a charming smile as he greeted her.

"Hello, Myrtle. Been a long time. How've you been?"

"Dead," Myrtle replied bluntly, "Thanks for asking."

"Myrtle, listen," Harry interjected, worried they had already wasted enough time. He was anxious to see Sirius safely into the Chamber. "Do you remember last year when I went down that passage? Do you know if any of the teachers sealed the entrance?"

"I never saw anyone," said Myrtle with a slight sniff, "What does it matter?"

"Because I have to get down there again."

"Why?"

Harry paused. He knew the ghost of the girls' lavatory was moody, but he hadn't expected her to be nosy. He thought perhaps he could get her to leave by insulting her, which shouldn't be difficult to do, as she was extremely sensitive. But if he did that, she might run off and tell a teacher what they were doing. But fortunately, Blaise was a faster thinker than him, and he came up with an explanation.

"I never got to see the Chamber last year," he said, "Both Harry and Millie have been, but not me. Harry promised he'd show me too."

He smiled broadly at Myrtle again, and she looked at him before turning away and floating back through the stall door.

"Do whatever you want! But don't have me running around delivering messages again!"

"Thanks, Myrtle!" Harry called after her, before nudging Blaise to do the same.

Harry turned toward the sink, and noted again the small serpent carved along the side of one of the knobs. He turned to Millie.

"Are you sure you want to to this?" Harry asked her, knowing the Chamber would only bring up terrible memories for his friend, "You could always wait here until we get back."

Millie stared at him, then glanced pointedly toward the row of stall doors. Her meaning was perfectly clear. She wasn't staying behind to keep Moaning Myrtle company.

Harry didn't ask her for more of an explanation. Giving her a nod, Harry turned toward the sink and hissed, "Open."

There was a slight rattling sound, then the sink sank down into the floor. The slick tunnel descending beneath the school seemed exactly the same as it had before. The teachers hasn't closed the entrance after all.

"Padfoot," Harry muttered, using the nickname in case he was overheard by the ghost a few stalls away, "Are you still here?"

He felt a slight pressure on his shoulder, a hand squeezing him, and he sighed in relief.

"Good, I'll go first."

He had worried it would be difficult to find the entrance to the Chamber again, but he remembered more of the path than he realized he would. There were still skeletal remains of rats and other small animals to lead much of their way, and after that, the crumbling remains of the giant snake skin that had pointed Harry in the direction of the Chamber entrance last year.

Sirius pulled the cloak from his head as they walked by the shell of the snake. With only their wands to light his features, his face took on a sickly blue hue.

"Um, Harry? Are you sure this is safe?"

"I told you, didn't I? I defeated the basilisk last year. You won't have anything to fear."

Sirius gave a nervous chuckle as they continued forward, "Right... The basilisk. You know, Harry, I fancied you would be like your father and I when we were in school... Getting into all kinds of trouble with your friends..."

"And?" Harry asked, pausing outside the Chamber entrance.

Sirius looked at him, then glanced back at the trailing snakeskin once more.

"Well, we certainly never killed a basilisk..."

Harry might have corrected him, letting him know the snake was alive and well and likely hidden in some cave in the Forbidden Forest. But he kept that knowledge to himself for now, and instead turned to open the doors.

To Harry's surprise, Millie led the way. She walked down the length of columns, stopping only a few yards away from the gigantic statue of Salazar Slytherin. Each step she took ignited one of the enchanted sconces on the wall, illuminating the chamber in a shifting, green-tinged light. Harry wasn't surprised that the magic of the chamber still worked. It had been in place since Salazar Slytherin created it however many centuries ago. But he was surprised by Millie's bravery, entering the chamber so boldly after her last experience there. He jogged to her side, and saw that she was staring up at the face of Salazar Slytherin, a deep frown on her face.

"It's not much," Harry said, turning to Sirius, "A bit damp. Cold. But we can make a fire for you, and bring along some blankets and food."

Blaise had other ideas.

"This... is... brilliant!" he said, strolling along the path behind Sirius, "How tall do you think those pillars are? Harry, I can't believe you've never brought us down here before!"

"Will it be OK?" Harry asked, ignoring Blaise's comments as he sought Sirius's approval, "I can leave the doors open so you can come and go as you like. Getting back up the pipe can be tricky, but we might be able to find a way..."

He was looking hopefully toward Blaise, the best among them at charms. Sirius's wand had been broken in two when he'd been sent to Azkaban, and he would need some help if he was going to reach the entrance on his own. But Blaise was distracted by the carved serpents coiling around the pillars. Harry had to clear his throat obnoxiously to get his attention.

"Oh sure, that won't be a problem. A simple sticking charm is all you need, then you'll be able to walk back up that pipe."

Sirius was looking around the gloomy atmosphere with a look of apprehension. For a moment, Harry was afraid he would say no, that they had to find another way. But to his relief, Sirius sighed and said, "Well, it's not very cozy, but it's still a lot better than Azkaban."

He sat down on the ground, resting his back against one of the pillars. He had taken off the invisibility cloak entirely, and smiled at it as it ran through his hands before offering it to Harry again.

"I don't know how to thank you... for trusting me..." he said.

"Yes, well... We still need the map," Harry said awkwardly. He turned his face slightly toward Blaise, expecting him to remind Sirius that he hadn't proved his innocence just yet.

But Blaise merely waved his hand and said, "I suppose if you were really trying to murder Harry, you're doing a pretty shite job of it."

Sirius smiled again, and asked Harry, "What was Remus saying about private lessons?"

Harry wanted to ask him how it felt, running into his old friend again, but he wasn't sure it was right to pry, so instead he answered directly, "It's the Patronus he's teaching me. Because the dementors... Well, they seem to affect me more than everyone else."

Sirius reflected a moment before saying, "I think I can understand that. You were just a year old when it happened, but I'm sure witnessing something so horrible... well, it's bound to leave an impression."

"I heard... Well, I heard that they feed on happy memories. That they take away everything good so there's only misery left."

Sirius said nothing, and his silence was more a confirmation of Harry's statement than a denial. Harry judged from his silence that it was okay to continue, so he asked one of the questions that had been on his mind.

"They say most people go mad within the first year of going to Azkaban. How... How did you make it? I mean, how is it you aren't mad?"

"I think I did go mad, a little..." Sirius said quietly, "I had just lost my best friend, his wife... and I was locked up. Shut away without a trial... It's just as you said, Harry. That first year, I think I lost part of myself. I screamed myself to sleep most nights, consumed with thoughts of vengeance. But after a while, I learned that the dementors seemed to have less of an effect on me when I transformed. I think it confused them. They can't sense animals like they can people, and so they couldn't feed off my happiness as well."

"I don't understand. Couldn't they see you?"

"Dementors don't really see the way you or I do, Harry."

"So that's how you escaped? You transformed and slipped past them?"

Sirius laughed, "If it was that easy, Harry, I would have escaped ten years ago. But yes, that is the basic idea."

"And that's what stopped you from going mad."

"That was part of it. But another part was having a happy memory. You'll need that as well, Harry, for the charm Remus will teach you. A happy memory so strong that even a dementor can't take it away."

"What was yours? Your happy memory, I mean."

"You, Harry."

Harry froze. Sirius was smiling up at him, his expression kind. In the distance, he could hear Blaise running about the cavernous hall, calling for Millie to come look at some murals he found painted on the far walls. They weren't paying them the slightest attention.

"Me?" Harry repeated, slightly shocked.

"Yes," Sirius said lowering his face as if he were embarrassed, "James and Lily's son. The Boy Who Lived... I don't know if anyone ever told you, Harry, but your parents made me your godfather. If things had been different maybe... Maybe you and I..."

"Could live together," Harry said in a rush.

Sirius looked up at him, his expression hopeful as he asked, "Would you want to?"

Harry didn't know what to say. He barely knew the man in rags sitting before him. Only a few weeks ago, he'd believed Sirius had turned his parents over to Lord Voldemort. And there was Mrs. Zabini to consider. She had been the first to open her home to Harry, willingly, and with as much devotion as any mother he could wish for. But a father figure... That was something Harry never had.

"I'm not sure..." Harry said finally.

"Oh, I'm not asking you to make me any promises now," Sirius said quickly, "Besides, we should be focusing on Peter and getting that map. Of course, this Chamber isn't on there, so I should be safe for the moment. But Harry, be careful around Remus. He may look like a rumpled jumper given human form, but he can be very crafty. He might try to test you during your lessons. I think he may already suspect..."

"I'm sure that he does," said Harry, "But don't worry. I'll keep an eye on him."