Hey there.

It's been a long time. To be honest with you all, life got really busy. Ultimately, my goal is to write my own fiction novel and I've started that. I'm also in graduate school and really trying to prioritize working out and pursuing my passions. However, writing and Harry Potter are two things that bring me happiness. In the midst of this global pandemic, I want to bring people happiness. A lot of you have messaged me asking me to finish my stories. I don't want to make any promises, but for now, I can try and add to them! I hate leaving things unfinished so this is definitely fulfilling to me.

However, I gotta say, this story is hard for me to get motivated to add to… it was my first fanfiction and I started writing it just after I finished re-reading Harry Potter. To me, this story is on the dramatic side and is not my best content-wise. I started writing 'A Minor Detail' and enjoy it much more. BUT, I know a lot of people have been following this story and liked the relationship between Harry and Sirius. I was getting close to the end anyway, so like I said, I'll try and finish it up! The next few chapters were written literally over a year ago, so I kept the general plot the same and added to it. Sticking with the drama here lol.

I wish you all health, safety, and happiness in the midst of these crazy times. Enjoy this next chapter! Sorry it's a short one - I just wanted to put something out and let you know I'm back. :)

The next few days were extremely busy for Harry - when he wasn't finishing homework, attending quidditch practice, or working with the defense club, he was training hard with Sirius in the Room of Requirement.

Truth be told, he was getting more and more frustrated. His entire life, he had to be brave. His childhood was full of nothing but neglect at the hands of the Dursley's. His last four years of school had been filled with fear that the man who killed his parents was after him. Now, it was a reality and he was tired of being brave. He tried to stay positive, but as Monday night crept closer, he struggled to find the motivation to do anything.

"Harry," Hermione said, peeking over at his charms essay. "You have barely written an inch of your essay. It's due on Tuesday."

"Hermione, can't you mind your own business?" Ron said, exasperatedly. "I've only got four inches written, he's not that far behind. Besides, wouldn't you be distracted too if you were hunting hor-"

"Shh!" Harry snapped, looking in the direction of Sirius's room. "I'm not supposed to tell you guys until Tuesday. Sirius will be furious if he finds out I've jeopardized the mission in any way."

Hermione and Ron nodded, dropping the subject. Harry waited a moment to see if Sirius would come storming out. When nothing happened, he pulled the strange black stick Dumbledore had given him out of his pocket. "Ron, Dumbledore wanted me to give you this. I don't think I'm supposed to do this before Tuesday either, but I want to go ahead and give it to you just in case."

"Huh," Ron said, eyeing the weird gift. "What do you think it does?"

"Why don't you try clicking that button on it?" Hermione suggested, sounding a little bitter that she didn't get a gift from Dumbledore.

Ron pressed it and, in the blink of an eye, all the lights were sucked into it.

"Ron!" Harry hissed, his heart racing. Sirius couldn't know Ron had received his gift yet. "Press it again!"

As quickly as they disappeared, the lights flew back into their respective spots. Harry could still feel his heart racing. Ron and Hermione looked tense, all of them listening for Sirius to come storming in the room.

When he didn't come out, they let out a collective breath. "What's he doing in there anyway?" Hermione whispered, looking toward the door.

"Good question," Harry mumbled. "He hasn't been the same this past week. Actually, he hasn't been the same since the Ministry."

"He's probably just scared," Hermione reasoned. "Your life is being put on the line tomorrow and there's not much he can do about it. Anyone would be scared."

"Yeah," Harry mumbled, looking back down at his essay. "Let's… get back to this assignment then."


Monday passed far quicker than Sirius or Harry would have liked, and before they knew it, they were standing in the entrance hall waiting for Dumbledore.

Sirius and Harry hadn't talked much that day. In fact, they hadn't seen much of each other at all, despite living in the same quarters. They trained together before dinner every night, but Harry had a slight feeling Sirius was avoiding him. A year ago, this behavior would have bothered him significantly. Now, Harry knew this was Sirius's way of coping. He was a thoughtful man and didn't like to let his fear show often.

Harry himself was fearful. If Dumbledore's lead tonight is correct, then there's only two horcruxes left to destroy, one of them being him. As the time to face Voldemort ticked nearer, Harry still hadn't found a solution to sacrificing himself. Though it frightened him, he tried not to voice these concerns - it would only upset Sirius and his friends.

Dumbledore appeared at the top of the staircase, scrutinizing them. Harry wondered how the headmaster was feeling; Dumbledore knew for certain that his death was approaching, yet he remained calm and collected.

"Harry, Sirius. The time has come. I am confident in the location of the last horcrux." Dumbledore said, striding down the stairs with the agility of a man half his age.

"Confident?" Sirius said slowly, eyeing the headmaster. "How can you be confident?"

"I was able to obtain records from Gringotts this past week. The horcrux was originally placed in a vault - Bellatrix's vault, to be precise." Dumbledore began, walking past them and moving swiftly to the castle doors. Sirius met his stride, but Harry had to jog to catch up. "It was removed about six months ago - around the time of Voldemort's return. This tells me that it was likely done on his orders. Maybe he didn't trust Bellatrix any longer or maybe he felt the need to switch up the location. Regardless, I'm sure we'll either find the cup or a clue to lead us there this evening."

Dumbledore stopped abruptly and turned around. "This is going to be a dangerous task. Harry. Promise me that you will do as I say. Even if I tell you to leave me to die, you must do it. Understand?"

"But professor-" Harry started, being cut off.

"Promise me, Harry," Dumbledore said, leaving no room to compromise.

"I promise," Harry said, looking to Sirius to see if he was going to request something so dire.

"Sirius," Dumbledore said, turning to him. "You are to ensure Harry keeps this promise."

Sirius nodded curtly.

"Right then," Dumbledore said. "Then let's go."