Harry Potter and The Herald of New Tomorrow

by Arren Bradley

"Judgement is upon them." A choice is a powerful thing, you chose one not knowing its outcome which either leads to your ruin or brings you the gift. A change is a force brought by individuals with strong enough will to overcome their hurdle that comes with making that choice. A dawn of new beginning is on the horizon and it'll take choices of one green eyed person to bring change.

4. Conversation with Sirius

CHAPTER 3

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

HARRY POTTER

It all begins with the nightmare. The same dream every night.

The same day that changed everything for him.

It begins with him crouching by his small bed, shrouded in darkness, trying to shut himself from the world. His five-year-old self clutched his legs to his chest as he rocked back and forth, murmuring the same thing.

It is all a dream

He would repeat it again and again, praying and hoping he would wake up from this hell he was living in. His world descended into chaos and madness, into fire and storm, into blood and bones a year ago, on his fourth birthday when his uncle surprised him with the gift he never wanted.

The gift of pain, torture and cruelty.

From the day since then, he would be dragged occasionally to the basement where his uncle would begin his lessons.

On that day as well, he understood what it meant and what he would experience again. So, he had prayed to any gods above to rescue him. He tightly shut his eyes and cried for someone to help. No one would come, he knew. He experienced this day every night and he knew no one would come rescue him. No person and no gods. He was all alone at the mercy of the demon.

He would then hear the heavy thuds of his uncle's fat feet hitting the stairs as his uncle would make his way towards his room and then slam it open with a big maniacal smile on his face.

"Let's begin with the lessons, Harry." his meaty hands would tightly clutch his forearm and would drag him downstairs into the dingy basement, illuminated by the single yellow bulb in the middle and the walls would be painted red by the blood. The metallic smell of blood permanently suspended in the basement. The rotting stench of the pain and suffering of innocents would suffocate the basement.

The dream would cut forward to his hulking figure of his uncle looming over him with a twisted smile and malevolent intent. His 5-year-old self would tremble in fear as he would listen to his uncle preach. There wasn't much light except for a small bulb overhead them. His heart would threaten to jump out of his chest, his senses were overloaded with everything he had seen unfold before him.

"The Dead tell no Lies", his uncle would tell him.

It was at that moment; he finally came to realized that the world was too cruel, and he was all alone. No one would save him. No one would come for him. With his hope shattering into pieces, the numbness would settle in his heart.

Why? He had asked himself countless times. He had asked himself that day as well, why him? It was the question he would not get answered until his second year at Hogwarts school of magic.

For the greater good. Lockhart would give him the answer he was desperately seeking.

Nine years ago, he would accept his fate and finally let go of the hope he stubbornly held for a year, since the day it all began.

It was his fate to suffer alone.

And he had accepted it.

There would be the person hung by the ceiling, swinging to and fro, behind his uncle, who had been begging for mercy and plea from his uncle but Harry had watched helplessly, unable to even look away in fear, as his uncle carved the person's skin gleefully. The scream would delight him further and inciting further gut-wrenching screams from the person. He would continue to do so until there's nothing left of a person. His screams silenced, his skin barely hanging to its bone and his eyes? They would be empty pits.

"That's why they must be silenced." His uncle would yell. No amount of begging and getting away from him would amount to anything, it would antagonize him more, his state would worsen.

"You will help me right, Harry? We will make this world a better place."

A better place? It was an idea which was foreign to him. What better place, He would ask himself. He never went past the walls of that house, so, he didn't understand what his uncle meant by that. What could be a better place? What's the definition of better place? Was that a place like the one he was living or worse than this? If it was, he never wants to go there. These thoughts would run through his head four-year-old brain when he would wake up in his bed much later.

The numbness would slowly reach his brain by then and everything would get blurry before going dark. He would wake up in his own sweat. He never went past this point. He doesn't even remember what happened after this. The next he could remember would be him waking up, back in his bed, a week later.

It didn't end the same this time. Instead, it got weirder. He was back in his current thirteen-year-old body, his uncle nowhere to be seen. He was alone in the basement with no-one but the corpse hanging by the ceiling.

It suddenly got more suffocating, and the chill ran down his back. His stomach plunged in dread. The air around him got colder. He couldn't move his body, his feet felt like a slab of stone.

He was panicking.

The hollow eyes lit up red, as it lifted its head which was barely hanging to his body, towards him. If a corpse could smile, it was the most twisted and convoluted smile he had ever seen. He didn't understand what was happening, he should have woken up by now.

The feeling he was getting felt very familiar.

Harry…Potter It said in a harsh, raspy whisper but his mouth didn't move. It was coming from everywhere.

His jaws were stuck and no matter how much he tried; he couldn't move them.

Let's play the game just you and me. The Game of Truth and No Lies!

He felt a violent shove and then he was falling into darkness. His screams lost into darkness, the malevolent feeling intensified and dark chuckle chilled his bone.

It was then he jerked awake, heaving heavy breaths.

—x—

Weekend passed by like a breeze and it was time for the new term to begin. Harry was eager to learn more about magic. This time around they got to choose two additional subjects which he was excited for. Arithmancy and Runes sounded like a fascinating subject to him. Also, he read a few books from his godfather's library that used concepts from these two subjects, so that added to his thirst to learn about them. He was looking forward to it.

Sunlight began to filter through the clouds that Harry deemed it the perfect time to go on his morning run. Chilly yet slightly warm weather felt like perfect conditions to completely wake him up from drowsiness and freshen him up as cool gentle wind caressed his face when he ran. It helps him clear his mind and organize his thoughts. This is also the only time where he got to be with himself with no-one to disturb.

He needed this since his nightmare last night. He was too disturb to sleep properly after that. Madam Pomphrey came by soon after hearing him scream and informed him he was brought in here by his friends because he was convulsing in his sleep.

He was going to be questioned, he knew.

This was his second nightmare in three days. The last time this specific nightmare happened was in his first year at Hogwarts, around November. After that when it stopped occurring, he believed he had moved past it, that he was healing from his trauma that caused those nightmares.

Now that it returned, he was confused.

Since the time he stepped on Hogwarts Express, he has had two nightmares.

First, that lady, in his dream asked, no, begging to help her...

And second, the very nightmare that used to haunt him returned with something more. He didn't understand why it was happening to him again, but he wanted to know, he wanted to find out so he could find a way to stop this too.

He could go to Dumbledore, but should he disturb him with something trivial such as his nightmares? He wondered.

The best option for him would be to write to Andromeda or Sirius, he deduced. She cared about him but is clinical when it comes to nightmare-related issues with him, and Sirius understands him about his nightmares. He himself had them. He just hoped they won't make this a big deal.

With that, he made a mental note to write to his godfather as soon as he gets back.

He ran circles around the lake in a black tracksuit he bought this summer when he and his godfather ventured to 'muggle' shopping district which his godfather also calls 'hot-chicks center'.

Deep in his thought, he didn't hear someone approaching him from behind.

"What are you thinking?" Voice suddenly came from beside him. Like any man in the world, in display of his masculinity, he screamed in a high-pitched voice in surprise which got the person jogging besides him to squawk in surprise too.

"You scared me!" He hissed at her as he stopped jogging and rubbed his hand over his heart to calm it down.

"Hey, your girly scream scared me too." Daphne Greengrass fired back as she clutched her heart.

"What are you doing up, so early in the morning?" He asked as soon as he caught his breath.

"Same as you." She told him.

"Since when?" He asked with confusion and disbelief. Indeed, she herself was in her green color tracksuit with silver stripes and appeared to come for a run as well. But this early in the morning? She never woke up to do anything this early, that was why it was surprising to him that she woke up this early to jog.

He didn't like it. It was his alone time.

"Since today. Now, let's go!" With that she ran ahead. He followed her and soon caught up with her easily.

"You've got permission from Snape to get out early?"

"Yup!"

He narrowed his eyes on her.

"Are you sure?" He asked her again.

"What do you take me for? Of course!" She still didn't look at him when she spoke. Harry rolled his eyes at her obvious lies.

"You never answered." She told him after a few minutes of running in silence. He looked at her confused.

"What answered?"

"What were you thinking so hard about?"

"Oh…well, I was planning my revenge on those Weasley twins." He lied to her and forced a mischievous smile. She furrowed her brow and regarded him silently.

After a few moments she looked ahead and spoke.

"Funny you mentioned it. I was planning to do the same."

"Is that right? Well, want to join forces with me?" He continued with the topic. He felt a little relieved that she didn't ask the question about last night.

"No." She replied immediately. That stumped him.

"Why?" he asked, feeling hurt.

She must have heard his voice too as she quickly assured him, "Don't get me wrong. I just want to get back at them on my own. I have planned something that they will never forget for the rest of their lives." She said, with an evil glint in her eyes that made him gulp in fear. He unconsciously put a little distance between them.

"Remind me to never mess with you." He muttered. He felt a little sympathy for Fred and George, but it was gone as soon as he remembered their prank.

Rest of their morning run went by discussing their revenge plans with each other, talking about the electives amongst other things. He was a little down when she invaded his alone time, but he didn't mind much. She was delightful company but hoped that this wouldn't become a regular thing. It was still his personal time.

They stopped their morning run to catch their breath. He stopped by her, little out of breath but not as much as Daphne, who appeared to be very much winded.

"I don't know how you do this every day."

"Perks of being fit." He said with a superior smirk. Daphne scoffed.

"Ugh. Damn it. My chest hurts." She whined.

Harry chuckled at her complaint which promptly got stinky eyes from him. When she got control of her breaths, they started making their way towards the dungeon. They could now see a few students loitering around who threw them curious looks at their outfits.

Before they could get into their dungeon, she held him back.

"We need to talk about what happened last night."

He stiffened, "There's nothing to talk about." He told her.

"I highly doubt that. I believe others would have their questions too. You are going to tell us what happened, and you are not going to run away, otherwise you would regret it, understood?" She told him sternly.

He hesitated but soon nodded.

They went to their respective dorms to get ready for the day. There were few people up when they reached the common room and by the time, they got ready, the common area was bustling with people.

They were all bustling to talk to him, he could feel through their gaze, but he resolutely looked ahead and almost seemed to fly out of the common room as fast as possible. His friends increased their pace, to not lose him.

They decided not to ask about his nightmare that morning. Which meant he was going to be questioned before going to bed at night. He hoped he could get through the interrogation soundly.

Harry and his friends were soon done with breakfast, and it was time for the classes to begin. Their first class for the term was Transfiguration, followed by potions, charms and finally Herbology. No elective classes for the first day which disappointed him because he was looking forward to it. No Defense class that day either which gave him a little relief. He found it odd because his favorite subject was defense and he had always looked forward to it.

Him and his friends made their way to Transfiguration class chatting with each other. They soon reached the hall to their classroom and discovered that few Gryffindors were already present there. They were standing by the door waiting for Professor McGonagall.

"Look, my favorite humans!" Harry exclaimed as soon as he recognized them and rushed to greet them with a big hug.

"Get off me!" Hermione punched him at his stomach. He immediately clutched his stomach and grimaced in pain.

"Abusive woman! I was just showing my love." He grunted with pain.

"Maybe too much love. People will get the wrong idea." She huffed and gave him a glare.

"Since when did you care what people think?"

"Since the day you got involved in my life." Hermione fired back.

"Aww, I love you too." He cooed. He went to give another hug, but Hermione stuck her wand towards him.

"I'll hex you." She threatened. Harry put his hands upward in surrender. He then noticed Neville giving them an amused look.

"I am so glad I decided to be friends with her. This is fun." Neville chuckled which immediately got him elbow to his ribs, courtesy of Hermione Granger.

"See! You are corrupting him!" She accused, pointing her finger at Harry. Neville smirked at Harry, but it soon vanished when Hermione's narrow eyes fell on him.

"Don't try, Granger, he is too far gone now. Merlin how many times I tried to get through his thick head." Daphne told her when they reached them by the door.

"That's true, he is a menace to deal with." Mallory commented from beside Daphne.

"Alas, we still have to put up with him, you know, because he is essential for the revival of our Dark Lord." Draco drolled.

It promptly got him a kick to his shin from Mallory. He yelped and glared at her.

"That is why nobody wants to be friends with you," Mallory snapped.

"That is correct." Tracey quipped.

Hermione greeted them cheerfully. Since the day Harry introduced her to them, they all had developed quite close friendship with her. She remembered the incident back by the end of their first year when Harry had injured himself after his nightly excursion. She was so scared that they were going to blame her for not preventing him from being reckless, but Daphne had been very understanding and reassured her, same with Tracey. Mallory, Draco and Theo took some time to get used to her but by the start of second year they were good with her.

Harry must have pushed them to accept her, she thought, still she enjoyed their friendship very much. Since then, they have only gotten closer, especially by the end of second year, she had gotten much closer with Draco and Mallory.

Well, it's natural, she had analyzed. The victims do get closer to their savior after all. She doesn't classify herself a heroine, but she did save them from a pretty nasty situation which might have destroyed their minds.

"But I have to say I mostly see him like this mostly when he is around you. Is something going on between you two?" Theo asked, giving them a sly look and wiggled his eyebrows in suggestive manner. Hermione choked on air and her face felt hot. She gave him a surprised look. Draco gave him surprised look at him as well.

"What!?" She exclaimed.

"Look, you've broken her. I told you she is very sensitive like a porcelain doll. You've got to treat her with caution." Harry chided Theo like a disappointed adult disciplining a child.

As soon as she heard what he said she immediately responded with a well-placed and powerful punch to his abdomen, but Harry was prepared for it this time and dragged Theo between them so that punch would land on him.

Which it did and very hard that caused Theo to collapse on the ground.

"Harry, you bastard!" Theo groaned from the ground. Harry and the rest broke into laughter, except Hermione who was profusely apologizing to Theo.

"Hey, you can't blame me for looking out for my own self-interest." Harry reasoned. Mal and Tracey giggled beside them whereas Malfoy smirked.

"What friend puts the other in line of fire to protect his own hide." Theo yelled back.

"My convening brain couldn't help it, Theo. You, of all people, should understand that." Harry very sagely threw Theo's words, that he gave him two days ago, back at him.

"This was not what I meant." Theo groused.

Hermione soon got fed up with his grousing and crying.

"Oh, stop your crying Theodore, I didn't even hit that hard." Hermione rolled her eyes at their antics. "And you!" She turned to Harry with a wand pointed at him, "will get your due."

"That sounded like a threat, Ms. Granger." Harry imitated McGonagall's tone.

"Sure." She replied, giving him stinky eyes. Hermione couldn't maintain her persona for quite long and ended up chuckling. They all chuckled in amusement.

It was then McGonagall opened the door to her classroom and ushered everyone inside.

"Alright children, settle down fast." McGonagall said, as she scrambled to her desk to begin her third-year batch. Harry and his friends settled down at the back. Harry sat down with Daphne to his right and Draco to the right of Daphne. Theo, Tracey and Mallory sat ahead of them.

"Welcome to Third year. This year we'll be learning about various magical applications in transfiguration which will be very useful in future such as switching spell, turning inanimate objects into animals and the Animagus process but that will be theoretical as of now. As Animagus is an advanced transfiguration topic, you'll learn more about it in your NEWTs classes if you wish to pursue it in your sixth year."

Harry found himself intrigued about the last part the professor mentioned. Animagus process, his godfather mentioned about it in passing and how they managed to become an Animagus by the turn of fourth year. Sirius did tell him they were, especially his father, were exceptional in Transfiguration and if they figured out becoming an Animagus by their fourth year, even though they weren't taught until their sixth year, then there might be some truth to his claim. Sirius exaggerate most things; he could still be exaggerating. Harry thought. He will have to confirm it in the future.

He should ask Sirius about the Animagus Process. It might be very useful to become an Animagus.

"So can anyone tell me how switching spell could be very useful in duels?." He heard McGonagall ask. He immediately focused back and saw various hands raised. He himself raised his hand quickly.

Soon the first class of their term started, followed by potions which was harrowing even for Slytherins, then Charms which he enjoyed very much because Professor Flitwick always amused him to no end and finally the day finished off with the boring lecture in Herbology.

By the time he reached their dorm after the dinner, Harry was a little exhausted. Although he loved learning about magic, it can be quite tiring and boring when it comes to listening to long, thorough explanations in classes. He enjoyed practicing magic, it brings joy and wonder to his life. He was very amazed and awestruck when he first witnessed the impossible brought by magic. It left an impression and a hunger to experience more bouts of impossibility. Still learning theory could be exhausting, especially the history class. He had never seen more mind-numbing lackluster class than history class, taught by the resident ghost of Hogwarts. Even Snape teaches with more passion than the ghost.

"I almost forgot how dull the first day of class could be." Harry voiced his thoughts as he settled on their couch.

"It wasn't that bad." Daphne said. All of them slowly turned their heads and looked at her in disbelief.

"Merlin, you are such a nerd." Tracey grumbled from other side of her.

"Have you not seen Snape being nastier than before? He even snapped at Draco, his pet student!" Mallory threw her hands up. Draco in turn glared at her for calling him a pet student. He wasn't!

"Yeah, I swear Draco almost cried." Theo said, chuckling. Everyone chuckled except for 'HEY!' from irate Draco.

"She just likes studying very much." Harry cooed at Daphne and rubbed her head affectionately as one would rub their cat. Daphne slapped his hand away and glared at him.

"This year hasn't even started yet and she's already competing with Granger." Draco quipped. Everyone chuckled at that except for the obvious.

"Oh, shut up! At least I didn't cry!" Daphne fired back at Draco.

"I did not!" Everyone else laughed harder at that.

"So, Harry…you are going to talk about what happened last night or you are going to ignore it?" Draco asked, as soon as there was lull in their conversation. Harry knew they were just waiting for the opportunity to bring it up and bring it up they did.

Harry sighed heavily, playfulness disappeared from his face and a grim look materialized. Tension rolled over his shoulders.

"I would prefer to ignore it." Harry told them. Harry noticed the glare Daphne was giving him and it brought forth the warning she gave him this morning. He made point to not look in her eyes.

"You were having a bad seizure. It was only because of my timely silencing charm that nobody else heard you screaming." Theo told him, with avid concern for him.

"I appreciate what you did. I really do. I know you are all worried, but it is nothing to make a big concern over. I do get nightmares now and then." He tried reassuring them.

"Yeah, we wouldn't be that worried if you were just moaning but having a seizure and screaming like your whole body was on fire? That's something to be concerned over. Very much." Theo rebutted.

"And it was not the first time you had one of those. Back on the train you were thrashing, then by the carriage you collapsed and now you were having seizures. Something is wrong with you, and you need to get it checked!" Draco firmly told him.

Theo, Mallory, Daphne and Tracey, all whipped their heads towards Draco in shock over what he told them.

"He already had one?" Mallory voiced their thoughts.

Daphne turned her head towards him sharply with her glare intensified, "You were going to keep that quiet?" She hissed.

"I thought it wasn't that big of a deal."

"Harry, you numb-nut! Not a big deal? When was, you having a nightmare, ever not a big deal? Merlin's balls, you are impossible!" Daphne whisper-yelled at him.

"What is wrong with you? When it again starts affecting your health is when you are going to realize how bad it is for you? Do we need to remind you again of your history with nightmares?" Mallory told him, looking incredulous.

"I am confused myself, alright!" He ran his hands through his hair in frustration, "I don't know why it is happening again, I was baffled myself. I was trying to make sense of it, that's why I didn't want to make it a big deal. I realize now that was stupid of me, so if it makes you all feel better, I was going to ask for counsel from Sirius or Andromeda."

That quelled their ire at him a little.

"At least tell us about your nightmare?" Tracey asked, with understanding and compassion. Of all his friends, Tracey has always been most understanding. He gave her a little smile and decided to explain it to them.

He told them what he experienced through those nightmares except the part of walking corpses and his uncle's teachings. They don't know about them, and it should remain that way. He told them about a strange woman asking to help her and seek her and about his uncle's nightmarish beating he received. He didn't tell them about that strange part that wasn't present in his dream before. He decided to keep that to himself in order to not worry them more.

He has to find out what that was about first himself.

Maybe with little help.

By the time he finished, he received a crushing hug from Daphne and a supporting look from the rest. To be honest he did feel little light after talking to them about it even if it was a heavily abridged version.

They went to bed soon after. Harry felt more tired than ever after all that enquiring, so he surrendered himself to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

This time he didn't have any nightmares. Instead, he had a dream about his trip to Spain three years ago, with Sirius and Tonks' family. It was the most fun he ever had.

.

—-x—-

Remus Lupin was like any other professors, Harry deduced. There was nothing special about him except for his moustache. To be honest, it made him look like a child predator. Other than that, he was a cheerful and happy-to-go type of person. He enjoyed teaching the class and made it fun for students as well. Whoever took his class would not tell you that something is wrong with him.

Harry had a hard time understanding why his godfather told him to maintain the distance. Harry finally got a reply from his godfather about his enquiry which was very vague. It didn't satisfy his curiosity, instead made it worse.

Maintain your distance. I'll meet you later this week. The note had said.

Harry enjoyed DADA class, it's not the most fun he had but the pleasant ambiance environment of the class and the entertainment he received while practicing the riddikulus spell to banish bogarts, made it one of most enjoyable classes of Hogwarts.

Although he had his fun, he could still sense the professor's lingering gaze on him. He ignored it but the look he saw on the face was quite contradictory. Professor's whole personality contradicted the conjured image of him inside Harry's mind. He had thought he would be cruel to him, would try to belittle him or single him out in front of class to humiliate him.

That didn't happen.

Though it could be his over-analyzing brain that overthinks everything, he was still nervous to take his class.

The professor had looked at him with…sadness? It could be his mind playing games with him, but he did look kind of sad. He smiled and even laughed on a few occasions throughout the class, but it never reached his eyes.

What could be he sad about? Or is it just a ruse? Could it be a mask to hide true intentions?

Remus didn't seem like a threat to him but the lesson he learnt from last year was you could never really trust the person just by their looks they are projecting. It could be a lie to create a false sense of comfort and draw him in.

After what transpired last year, Harry was going to be extra cautious and maintain his distance as of now.

"I think I say this for all of us, he is a really good, if not the best, DADA teacher we have." Tracey told them, as they made their way towards Great Hall for lunch.

"Speak for yourself. I did not enjoy the class at all." Draco grumbled. Mallory giggled beside him. Theo outright laughed at him.

Draco promptly tried kicking him, but Theo dodged.

The reason why Draco didn't like the class was because he was embarrassed in front of the entire class. The boggart took the shape of his worst fear, but it did not take the shape that was expected to be Draco's worst fear.

Like many others, Harry thought his worst fear would be his father. He had heard stories about Lucious Malfoy from Sirius, Andromeda and some others that painted him as a vile, cruel and dangerous individual. He had seen the man and even interacted with him briefly last year; he seemed so intimidating that perfectly inhabited the looks of an ex-Death Eater.

Although Draco never casted his father in a bad light. It could be his love for his father, but he still expected Draco to fear him the most.

It was not the case.

It was far from what he presumed. Far from what they all presumed.

Thing that he fear the most was…peacocks.

Talk about unexpected.

Draco, son of Lucious Malfoy, the heir to Malfoy house, feared Peacocks the most.

The whole class erupted into uncontrollable laughter, even Professor Lupin was amused. Draco with as much dignity left in him, had banished the Bogart back to its cupboard. He did not participate after that. Honestly, Harry felt a little bad, but it was still very amusing to him. Theo and Mallory were trying very hard to not laugh at his face. Daphne and Tracey had some control over their laughter, but their eyes were shinning with mirth and amusement.

"Hey, you can't blame us. We never would have thought that Peacocks would be your biggest fear. Peacocks." Mallory said, barely containing her laughter. "I am your twin, and I didn't even know that. When did that happen?". Draco scowled at her and increased his pace, getting ahead of them.

They all followed him as well, teasing him constantly.

As they got near the hall, Harry had tingling feeling at the back of his neck and immediately his hackles were raised. Daphne and Theo who were beside him felt him stiffen and looked at him questioningly.

They soon realized the reason.

"Harry Potter, the boy who screams." A voice mocked him from behind. Few gave a condescending laugh at the mockery. Harry recognized it immediately and sighed annoyingly. He knew he had to deal with them soon, they were in the same house after all. Well, he enjoyed his peace as it last.

Harry was not very optimistic about his future at Hogwarts when got his letter two years ago. His godfather and his aunt were excited for him, but he was scared. Since the time he started living with his godfather and Tonks's family, he, for the first time in his life, felt warmth, comfort, and love. He finally had a home, and he was terrified to leave the nest.

When he got to Hogwarts, met many people, some were welcoming, warm, caring but many were awestruck, dumbstruck and were lennoning undying gratitude to him. Then there were few who were hostile. These were the ones who had personal loss because of him, because of what he did as a baby and got their family in trouble.

Because of these individuals, back in his first year, he wasn't very keen to be there. Although he was mesmerized by the magic and the place and felt motivated to learn everything.

That didn't last very long, especially when these individuals would sneer at him, mock him and corner him at every chance they got. They would throw spells at him, to scare him. If it wasn't for his friends he made, he couldn't imagine what would have happened back then.

It's ironic because Theo, Draco and Mallory's family faced misfortune as well because of the Dark Lord's fall, but they become one of his best friends. Well, not immediately, but they did come around finally by the end of his first year.

He looked at the source of his scorn, finding them standing just a few feet behind him smirking down at them.

"I was wondering when you guys would show up." Harry said, giving them thin and not at all 'fuck-you' smile.

"Aw, we missed you too, Potter." Yaxley said. "Did you have a good night sleep yesterday?"

Harry clenched his teeth, but he managed to not show any emotions that was churning inside him. That would be bad, and it would give them power over him. Last thing Harry would want is someone like Yaxley, Parkinson and Avery to hold power over him.

"I had a wonderful sleep. Thank you for your concern." Harry was eager to ignore them and be on his way and give his mind some peace, but these bastards were not done yet.

"Did you dream about your Daddy and Mommy again? Perhaps you were dreaming of that night?" It was Parkinson this time who mocked with childish tone. Their cronies laughed, except for Avery who had amused glint in his eyes and smirked at him.

Harry stiffened. Fury was building inside him at incredible rate and threaten to burst any time. He clenched his fist as he glared at them with as much hate as he could muster. Parkinson and rest of his cronies except Avery flinched a little under his gaze. Avery looked even more amused as he took in his glare.

He felt someone put hand over his shoulder and pressed gently to calm him down. He looked at the source and found Daphne giving him the look of comfort. Harry then understood that it was not the time to lose his temper at them. They were hoping for it anyways and he would fall right in their trap if he lashes out.

Harry took a deep breath and forced himself to compose himself.

"At least my parents loved me before their demise. I can't say same for any of you." Harry told them with calmness but there was an edge to it which made them uneasy. "I actually feel sorry for you. It must be a hell living with them. You all must be starving for their attention, no wonder you turned out to be like this."

The smiles had long been gone and was replaced by sneers and scowls. Except Avery. Although he wasn't smirking anymore, he seemed cool as cucumber.

Before Pollux Parkinson could say anything and make a fool of himself, Avery stopped him. He slowly made his way towards Harry until he was close enough to talk without anyone else hearing them.

"It seems like your nightmares have returned, huh, Potter. From the sound of your screaming, it seemed like it is worse than before." Avery said to him. Harry glared at him but that didn't deter him at all. Instead, it amused him even more as he let out a chuckle. "You should take care of it before someone decides to take advantage of it."

"Someone as in you?"

"Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I am just here to warn you. You have pissed off someone much higher to you station." Avery told him.

"Someone or the other is always after me. I don't care if they are powerful than me. I will take care of them as I did all of you before." Harry felt satisfaction to see emotion other than his haughty, condescending look. Avery had small scowl and it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"You were just lucky, Potter. You won't be that lucky anymore when they come after you." Avery said. There was sharpness in his tone. Harry must have finally got under his skin. It pleasured him immensely.

"I still don't care. Let them come after me." Harry said, shrugging his shoulder.

Avery gauzed for something as he gazed at him before nodding and let out a chuckle.

"You have gotten even more fearless. I believe you. You don't care about them coming after you and I applaud you for bravery." Avery said, "But you should worry about your friends, the would be in danger because of their association with you."

"No one is going to harm them. Not you or whoever is coming after me." Harry told him fiercely.

Avery again gave him condescending smile, "I like your attitude. It seems like this year is going to be so much fun. My toes are already tingling with anticipation, I can't wait." He said.

Hate and anger swirled inside his chest, coiling and twisting painfully. He glared at Avery with so much intensity that if he could make him explode with that glare, he would. Harry treasures his friends very much. He doesn't take well when someone threatens to harm them.

What Avery sad had also made him a lot uncomfortable. He could take in whatever harm that may befall him but not on his friends. The fact that his friends may come under the line of fire because of him had made his blood freeze with fear.

No one would harm them. Harry vowed to himself; I will make that sure personally if he must.

"My, my, what is going over here." A familiar new voice sang from behind Parkinson and group.

Harry felt Avery stiffen at the voice. He felt relieved when he heard that voice and he was glad that she came at the correct moment. If any moment late, then he didn't know what he would have done but he can imagine teachers won't appreciate blood on walls.

"It seems like these goons are bothering your favorite minion." Another voice said. Two new figures came into view. The female one came up to Pollux and gazed at what looked like thoughtful expression.

Harry knew her very well; she was probably thinking of ways to torture Pollux.

Pollux seemed to think of same as he violently flinched when she raised her hand and gently pet his head with a sweet smile.

"Are you bothering, Harry?" Scarlet Rosier asked sweetly, too sweetly.

Scarlet Rosier is the second child to Reginald Rosier, the head of Rosier Family, who himself is the second child and brother to infamous Death Eater Evan Rosier, currently behind bars, snacking with dementors at Azkaban. She is the fifth year Slytherin with a penchant for playing mind games and has a sadistic side to her that enjoys messing with whoever she seemed interested at that moment.

Harry met her back when he was first year at Hogwarts, and she was a third-year student. They had a hilarious encounter back then when they both hid behind armory to escape from Fitch and his damned cat. Since then, she has taken him under her wing and taught him the ways of Slytherin as she likes to put it.

"Rosier, I see you are as much of a bitch as before if not more." Avery told her.

Scarlet then turned towards Avery and her smile widened even more, "Coming from you I will take that as a compliment." Behind her stood Jonathan Fawley her cousin, who smirked at Scarlet Rosier's antics.

"I expect nothing else."

"So, are you threatening Harry? You know I don't take it well when you decide to mess with him." Scarlet said, her tone childish but there was underlying threat to it that promised world of pain.

"Oh not at all. We were just having a pleasant chat, that's all."

"Is that so?"

"You can ask him."

Scarlet glanced at Harry who waved at her with good-humored smile. She raised her eyebrow as if to ask 'was this guy bothering you?'

Harry just shook his head. Scarlet must not have been convinced because she gave Avery a look that would have froze the hell.

"Avery, Parkinson you do remember your promise from last year right?" She asked them.

"Yes of course." His tone was cool but Harry saw him clenching his fight so tight that it was turning pale.

"And you know what happens if you break that promise?" At that question her gaze turned towards Pollux who turned even more pale.

"We are aware of the consequences, yes." Avery said, and Parkinson jerked his head up and down.

"Good. Remember that before you decide to do anything that would violate that promise. Now be on your way." She told them. Parkinson and gang immediately scrambled away as fast as they could.

Before Avery walked away as well, he had last thing to say to Harry. "Have a great year, Potter."

Scarlet and Jonathan came to stand by Harry and his friends as soon as they were gone.

"Are you good?" Scarlet asked him, looking him up and down. Harry nodded and gave her a thankful smile.

"What did he say this time." She asked.

"You know the usual." He told her and hoped she didn't find the distress he felt the moment ago in his voice. He must not have done a good job suppressing it because she didn't look convinced.

"Hey guys! I don't know about you all but I am very hungry. Let's eat before the break is over" Jonathan greeted them brightly and hoped to distract them. Harry was thankful that he was there. His friends immediately agreed. Thankfully Scarlet agreed too and didn't prod further.

They then made their way into Great Hall.

"What is it I am hearing about you getting lost in France?" Scarlet asked.

Harry groaned at that, "Did Daphne tell you that?"

"You got lost in France?" Mallory asked, her voice full of mischief. He didn't want her to know, she will make the point to never let him forget about it. That's why he asked not to tell anybody, especially Mallory. "Oh, I want to know more."

Harry threw betrayed look at Daphne. "Look what you did." He told her. In reply, she stuck out her tongue back at him.

"First of all, I did not get lost, I was out exploring-"

He tried to explain to her on their way to their table that he did not get lost. His efforts were negligible as Daphne kept interrupting him to refute everything he said. Scarlet and Mallory laughed at his expense, Theo, Draco, Jonathan and the rest looked amused.

Scarlet dragged him with her to sit with them citing 'She needed her minions with her'. Harry gave an apologetic look to his friends who waved him off without any concern.

He sat beside Scarlet. To his other side sat Reginald Flint, younger brother of Marcus Flint. He is in Fifth year as well with Scarlet. Opposite to him sat Jonathan, beside him was Benjamin Burke and Christopher Carrow. The rest that was with Jonathan, he forgot their names, sat a little ahead of them.

"How did summer treat you, Potter?" Ben asked, picking food and putting it on his plate.

"Exciting. The tournament was fun." Harry told him.

"Met any French babes?" Chris asked, smirking lecherously.

"Ugh, you are disgusting." She threw him a repulsive look.

"No, I didn't." Harry lied. In fact, he did and one of them in particular, he would remember her for the rest of his life. She was very beautiful, almost like an ethereal beauty, someone who doesn't belong to this plane. On top of that, she was a fighter.

"Don't listen to them Harry, they just woke up horny today." Scarlet told him, giving them a disgusted look.

"We always wake up horny."

"How did my dear old brother perform in his tournament?" Reginald Flint asked from beside him. Harry glanced at him, a little surprised. He remembered that Reginald couldn't come to France for some reason which he found odd. Marcus was quite sad because he was looking forward to his brother seeing him in the finals.

Before they departed from Hogwarts before vacation, Reginald was quite excited as well, to go to France and watch his brother compete.

"He did well. Sadly, he lost in the finals, but he outperformed the rest. That was more than what was expected from him" Harry informed him, "I am sure Marcus told you, right?"

"Haven't heard from him since his last letter, which was the day before his finals." Reginald informed him, quietly picking on his food but not eating them. He looked sad.

Harry was taken by surprise and confusion. Did something happen during the summer? Before he could ask him, he heard the fluttering of wings and he saw a couple of owls delivering mail. He recognized one of them. High and regal looking brown owl, with high horned shaped brows, as it glided over their table and stopped in front of Theo, at the end of table where he sat with the rest of his friends.

Theo looked confused at the unexpected arrival of the letter. When he noticed his family mark on the letter, he immediately got serious. It could only mean that his father wrote him the letter. He carefully opened the letter and turned pale as he read the content. Theo straight away put the letter in his pocket. Harry saw Draco and others asking about him, but Theo just shook his head at them. Harry caught Daphne's eyes; he gave her inquiring look, but she just shrugged her shoulders.

Did he get that letter from his father? Harry wondered.

"That looked serious." Scarlet commented beside him.

"Did you notice that sigil? It's his family crest. It's definitely from the head of his house, his father." Benjamin Burke told them.

"I would be upset too if I had a dad like him. Must be hell dealing with the guy." Chris commented. He grimaced imagining life with the said person and felt a shudder go through his body.

"Must be something bad." Scarlet muttered beside him.

Like any other Death Eaters, especially the 'rumored' inner circle of the dark lord, have a very colorful history and their reputation at one point of time preceded every expectation one could imagine. They were the most feared among the masses. People would cower to even speak their names but not to as much as the dark lord's.

Mr. Nott, Theo's dad, was one of them. He was known as the 'Butcher' during the dark lord's terror a decade ago. He is huge and buff in person, his arm is thick like a log and his face has a scar that runs from his eyebrow to nose and ends at the beginning of his neck. It truly gives an impression of someone who would kill you very slowly and enjoy it.

To Harry, he reminds him of his uncle, equally as mad and messed up as him.

"-he used to visit our house every now and then. I remember my father would be a nervous wreck. Dealing with any of them is like a deal with the demon." Harry snapped back on the conversation.

"You mean the Devil." Benjamin said.

"No, they are the demons. The Devil would be their ex-master and he was a whole another level of worse. My mother still trembles when she recalls the time of war." Jonathan said, looking down at his food and his mind far away, reminiscing something in his past.

"Anyway, guys let's not ruin the mood guys."

They ate food in silence for few minutes before Scarlet decided to break it.

As Harry focused ate his food, he felt her eyes on him. He looked up and she was intently staring at him.

"What?" He asked.

"You had nightmares again?" Scarlet asked looking concerned.

"Where did you hear that?"

"Parkinson wasn't exactly subtle in his taunt to you."

"So you were listening everything."

"Indeed."

"Then why didn't you come sooner?"

"I though you could handle then on your own." She said shrugging her shoulder, "Anyways, your nightmare?"

"It's complicated" Harry muttered, tiredly.

"Then make it less complicated."

Harry regarded her silently before answering her. He understood he won't be able to back out of this.

"Alright but not here."

—-x—-

Soon a week passed by without any nightmares or any drama. His classes went by smoothly with no issues. Professor Lupin taught his class with same eager, and enthusiasm and it was reflected by how students enjoyed his classes, him included. But his gaze would still linger on him, same sadness would fill his eyes and it was confusing Harry.

Was he feeling guilty? Harry wondered.

Anyways, Scarlet and Jonathan started hanging around him more and dragged him around Hogwarts with them which was nothing new.

Avery, elder Parkinson and their cronies were strangely silent since their talk during lunch on Monday. He expected to them to retaliate in some way, but they maintained their distance with him whole week. It didn't sound like them. It had put Harry on edge whole week.

Quidditch also resumed, which meant he spent some significant time on pitch as well. He had missed flying in open space a lot and nothing could beat Hogwarts ground. He had also visited Hagrid on Wednesday, who was quite upset with him that he didn't take his subject, so, he offered him deal to regularly meet him for tea every other week. It placated him a little.

Most importantly he resumed his nightly excursion from Wednesday onwards

Sirius mentioned a legend during Holidays. He said at the heart of Hogwarts, there is said to be a room full of old relics that belonged to Founders. It is said that those relics hold power so strong that they can change the facet and understanding of magic as we do now.

Sirius said they never found such room and that this legend may be just one of the many lies. Naturally, Harry wanted to find that about it himself, so he vowed to find the room even if it took his whole academic years.

But he hadn't been going on those walks alone as he preferred. One of his friends always seemed to accompany him citing that they were looking out for him. Harry tried to throw them off by pretending to sleep and going a little late, but they always seemed to know about his attempts which was very frustrating for him.

He was about to go out on Saturday night as well but for different reason. This time he had to up his game and had slipped some sleeping potion in their drinks that he nicked from Snape's lab. Harry understood he was going to get from Snape the next day, but he didn't care.

So, he covertly made his way downstairs to the common room. It was dark in the dungeon, he looked behind to check if someone was following him and tip-toed his way towards the door. As soon as he reached the door, he heard a sound, it was very minimal. If silence wasn't this thick in the common room, he wouldn't have heard it.

"Going somewhere, Potter." A voice very familiar to him droned.

His head fell in defeat. He looked behind him, on the sofa where seventh year usually sat and found the silhouette of a person in the shadows sitting there, looking at him.

"Slipping sleeping potions to your friend's drink just so you could go on walk? Man, you are getting desperate."

"Of course, I am getting desperate. I don't need anyone breathing down my neck every single hour of the day."

"You do know we are just looking out for you, right?"

Harry sighed and ran his hand through his messy hair.

"I know but it still doesn't make it easy. I like my personal time and you all are getting on it. It is making me feel much worse, it is making me mad."

The person stood up from his seat and strolled towards him slowly until he was just before him.

"Still slipping us that potion wasn't cool." Draco Malfoy told him.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Harry apologized, feeling guilty. He did realize it wasn't probably wrong of him to get rid of his friends that way when they were just looking out for him. He should have talked to them.

Oh shit. Daphne would be pissed. Harry groaned internally.

"How did you find out anyway?" Harry was confused, because he saw him getting into bed and dozing off.

"You forget where I come from," Draco told him.

Oh yeah, Harry realized the error of his way. He forgot to take that into account. He was just too desperate.

"So that means..."

"Don't worry, only me, Mallory and Theo knew. Daphne and Tracey trust you enough to never think you would slip something to their drinks." He rubbed salt on already opened wound.

His stomach turned in guiltiness over his action. He wanted to punch himself.

"You don't have to watch over me this time. I didn't have nightmares for whole week now."

"It didn't occur doesn't mean it won't again. We though you got rid of it two years ago right, but that isn't the case, is it? But I am not going so I could watch over you, so don't worry. I just couldn't sleep." Draco reasoned, shrugging his shoulders.

Harry regarded him silently before sighing in defeat.

"Whatever. Let's go." Harry didn't believe his reason, but it was getting late, and he needed to reach Whomping Willow fast.

They went out the door and into the corridor. It was calm that night. Wind blew lightly and tranquility blanketed the corridors. They disillusioned themselves as they made their way.

Harry took out his marauder's map as they made their way to the entrance as quietly as possible. When he saw the name who was waiting for them by the entrance, he glared at Draco beside him.

"What? I didn't know she was there." Harry didn't buy his innocent act. "Ok, fine I needed her for something."

"To watch over me?"

"Get over yourself. Not everything revolves around you."

They continued waking in science, occasionally checking the map so they wouldn't run into the grouchy caretaker and his blasted cat. They came by the entrance and if you looked carefully, you would notice a slight shimmer by the door. Her disillusionment charm was good for her year but not good enough for someone with sharp eyes.

"Hermione. What a pleasant surprise." His voice is as flat as a pancake.

"Oh, Harry didn't see you there-"

"I know Draco called you. For some reason he needed you for something at midnight. I would have asked for a reason, but I am already late. So just tag along." He told her as they made their way out the door and towards the Whomping Willow.

"Why are we going to Shrieking Shack?" Hermione asked Draco in a hushed tone.

"To meet his infamous godfather." He replied.

Hermione nodded, "So, why did you need me to go along?"

"Well…you will know soon." Draco said, irritating Hermione by giving vague answers.

Hermione looked at him, giving him a frustrated look. Draco glanced briefly at her and gave her a small smirk. They were brewing something up again and she did not like that at all. Although Harry looked genuinely frustrated when he saw her, that could only mean her being here was purely because of Draco.

What is he thinking? She wondered. For some reason she got chills running down her spine

They soon reached the magical and very deadly tree with its massive branches ready to crush anything that encroached on its territory. Harry found the branches already frozen in their pace which could only mean Sirius was already waiting for him inside.

He had written to his godfather the week before asking about a certain professor and for a particular book that is hard to come by. The first reply he got was to warn him and the next he got was earlier that day.

'Meet me at the Shack at midnight tonight.' It said, in a dirty handwriting which could only be his godfather's.

They made their way inside the tree, through the passage and to the infamous Shrieking Shack. From outside the shack might look old and haunted but from inside it was renovated with a new couch, cleaned floors and fireplace. Inside it looks as posh as his bedroom in Grimmauld Place.

His godfather was sitting comfortably, flicking through the muggle newspaper. When he heard them getting in, he put down the paper and smiled at his godson. He got up and tightly embraced Harry.

"Get off me! You just sent me a week ago!" Harry grumbled, struggling to breath from his godfather's crushing hug.

"That was from Andromeda. She asked me to do it since she couldn't do it herself." Sirius told him as he let him go. Harry just huffed and glared at him which slowly turned to smile as Sirius laughed.

Sirius, then, saw Harry's two companions standing behind him awkwardly. Hermione waved at him when she noticed him looking at them. Sirius cheerfully waved her back. Then his smile dropped just as quickly as it came when he looked at Draco standing little behind Hermione.

"What's ferret doing here?" Sirius asked Harry, scowling.

"Just looking out for your godson, you mutt." Draco matched his intensity and mood with his own scowl.

Harry rolled his eyes at their theatrics. He sat down by the sofa and signaled Hermione, who was looking very uncomfortable between Sirius and Draco arguing. She diligently sat down beside him and gave him a worried look.

Harry didn't notice or ignored her look, remained nonchalant as ever. He made himself comfortable on the sofa, he picked up the muggle newspaper that Sirius was reading and started browsing through himself.

Hermione, after getting fed up with the shouting match and getting ignored by Harry, decided to take matters into her own hands. She shot a stinging jinx at both Sirius and Draco who both leaped in the air, letting out girlish scream. They both turned and glared hatefully at Hermione who looked very annoyed at both.

"I told you it would be a bad idea to annoy her but you both never listen." Harry muttered, never once looking up from the newspaper.

"And must you always put up such an act when you see each other every single time?" He continued, now looking up and giving them an unimpressed look.

"Well, he started." Draco accused, pointing at Sirius.

"It's not my fault that you look like a second coming to Snivellus with that hair. I feel obliged to put you in place."

"You look no better than a starving pathetic mutt!"

"Oh, you, sniveling little bastard, I'll permanently transfigure you into a ferret now!"

"No, you won't because you care too much about Narcissa." Harry interrupted. Sirius looked dejected at Harry.

"You are supposed to take my side!" Sirius whined.

"Yeah yeah, now sit." Harry said, pointing at the sofa in front of him.

"You are a disgrace of a godson." Sirius muttered. Harry just gave him an amusing smirk at his pouting.

"You too, Draco." He told his other friend. Draco sat by his side and crossed his arms. He gave a superior look at Sirius which Sirius returned with hateful glare.

"Do I have to playhouse every time you two meet each other?" Harry spoke exasperatedly. Hermione just looked incredulously at Sirius and then Draco.

"Every time?" She asked Harry.

"Every time." He confirmed.

"You really are a child." Hermione told Sirius. Sirius spluttered at her words. Draco just outright laughed to see Sirius get knocked down by her words.

"You are no better, Draco." At that his laughter subsided quickly, "I am still not happy with you for disturbing my sleep." Draco looked uncomfortable at his words, so he looked away.

Sirius, noticing how uncomfortable he got, decided to add fuel to the fire but Harry interrupted him.

"Anyways, before we get distracted from what we actually came to do, have you brought that book?" Harry asked Sirius, who immediately sobered up. Hermione marveled at how quickly Sirius changes personality, from an attention seeking child to an adult who is head of his family, in an instant.

But her attention caught up to what Harry said, something about a book. She was intrigued by what book he meant and why Sirius would get grave over a book. Did Harry ask for something dangerous?

"Why would you need such a book, Harry? You know how dangerous that practice is? You could permanently alter your mind for the worse." Sirius asked, looking sternly at his godson.

Sirius understood something must have gone wrong if the first thing he mentioned it in his letter and asked for is that book. He didn't give any context as to why leaving it to Sirius to wonder.

"Yes, I understand that, but I wouldn't have asked you if it wasn't serious." Harry told him earnestly, "I want to learn it."

Sirius slowly nodded his head, not taking his eyes away from him. Sirius had a notion about why Harry would ask for him that book, but he needed him to confirm.

"What happened?" He asked.

Harry took a deep breath before telling him, "My nightmares are back."

Hermione turned and looked at him in confusion. She was about to ask what he meant by that when she saw Draco shaking his head, signaling her 'not now.' It bugged her not knowing what was happening with her friend, but she was intelligent enough to sense the room and curb her curiosity.

"When and for how long? Don't tell me it's been going for a while, and you kept it a secret because of your stupid-"

"No, no it didn't start long ago, it started almost a week ago. It was bad, that nightmare. I suspect they'll continue, now that they have resurfaced. That's why I asked you for your help."

"So that's why you need the book on Occlumency."

"Yes. I thought I would learn it enough to be able to suppress those dreams. Clearing my mind isn't enough to keep them down anymore." Harry told him.

"It isn't a healthy way to deal with your traumatic nightmares, Harry. It will make things worst if not done correctly. You could slip into catatonic state. It isn't for some thirteen-year-old." Sirius told him seriously.

"They have returned, Sirius, and for worst." Harry told him in all seriousness, "I-I believe this time it's different."

"Different? How?"

Harry looked him in eyes with intensity that made Sirius nervous.

"It feels more real. There's something un-natural about these nightmares."

The nightmares had been a recurring phenomenon when he started living with Sirius since that unfaithful day. It got worse and worse as months went by. It got to the point that there wasn't any day that he wasn't convulsing or having a seizure because of it. Sirius was stuck in a hard rock place to either save his godson from his demons or risk exposing himself.

He chose the latter option.

The healer, under severe oath, so as not to reveal the information about Harry even accidently, diagnosed him having Post Traumatic Disorder (PTSD). The nightmares and blackouts were the results of the purgatory experience he went through from the last eight years.

Harry went through a few years of therapy sessions and mental exercises with Sirius and Andromeda to move past his traumatic experience. He started showing positive returns after two years but sometimes nightmares would still spill over in his dreams. By the time he started Hogwarts, the nightmares stopped occurring.

Sirius thought the nightmares were now the thing of the past but as he recently realized that the past is never gone, they always catch up to you no matter what.

"We should get you checked with the healers then." Sirius said urgently.

"No, no, I can't, I won't."

Hermione looked at him sharply, she opened her mouth to object, but Draco pressed her hands and shook his head to prevent her from making things worst.

"Those nightmares will only go worse and if you are telling me they-"

"I know what I said Sirius, but I can't go to healer, you have got to understand that." Harry widened his eyes his little and looked at his godfather with more intensity to make him understand why that is the case.

Sirius, finally, understood what his godson was trying to tell. He still looked reluctant and worried, but he reigned in his urge to whisk him straight to healers. He had to trust Harry in this regard.

"Alright. But I can't give this book to you for now, Harry."

"But-"

"No, I understand what you are saying, and I am not denying you the help of this book. I am saying I can't trust you giving unrestricted access to this book just yet."

Harry pouted.

"You are far too curious, and it makes you dangerous with this book alone."

Draco nodded his head in agreement.

"But" Sirius held his one hand up to stop him from speaking, "I will ask Emily for help; she will owl you and you can set time for it with which you both are both comfortable."

"You don't have to ask her for help-"

"She is the best person I know and trust that can help you with Occlumency Shield. I know you won't just stop at getting rid of your nightmares. I am aware of your curious mind, and it would want more, learn more. She will help you with it and keep you safe as well. It is for my peace of mind as well. I'll be less worried." Harry nodded and gave him a small smile of gratitude.

Emily Vance is the nurse who had helped him through his nightmares before. She is aware of some of his pasts, so she understands him much better. Although he had a different candidate in mind, Emily is also the best person that could help him in Occlumency.

"Thank you." He told Sirius, sincerely.

"But if things go south…"

"I know and I promise I'll try to be careful."

Sirius nodded, feeling a little pleased.

Harry meaningfully glanced at Draco. Draco understood and gestured towards Hermione to follow him upstairs. Hermione looked at him in confusion. Draco didn't wait for her to get up and already made his way to the stairs. He expected her to follow soon.

Hermione glanced at Harry with questions in her eyes.

"Must be something he wants to show you. He called you here for a reason." Harry reasoned, tilting his head towards the stairs, where Draco went through.

Hermione nodded her head slowly, looking at Harry suspiciously. She looked at Harry then back at Sirius, then again back at Harry. She got the sense Harry wanted her gone from the room. She wasn't off the mark completely.

Frankly, Harry didn't want her to be here for next part of conversation. He respects authority too much for that.

"Alright." She spoke. She got up and went up the stairs, to the room where Draco was patiently waiting for her.

As soon as she was out of their range, Sirius turned to Harry with a question.

"Is something going on between them?"

"Maybe." Harry said, shrugging his shoulders as if it isn't worth a thought.

"Really? That would be a sight to see. I want to see a look on sweet Lucius's face when he realizes his son's entanglement if there's something really going on between them." Sirius said, cackling in between, imagining the horrified look on Lucius Malfoy.

They went silent, both in their own thoughts. After a few moments, Harry broke the silence.

"Why do you keep reading muggle newspapers? I thought you didn't want anything to do with muggles."

"It's good to be aware of what goes on in the muggle world. After all, it was because of the muggle newspaper that I first became aware of you." Sirius told him, thinking about that guard who was foolish enough to leave the muggle newspaper by his cell.

What became of him? Sirius wondered, was he fired? He hoped he did. That bastard deserved every ounce of misfortune he could get.

Harry remembered the day when his godfather first visited him. It shocked him to his core would be an understatement. How would you describe the feeling, seeing a large, starved dog who you sneaked into the backyard of your house because you felt bad for it, turned out to be a person? Surprise would be a mild word.

He chucked internally. Thinking about it now seems amusing to him but then he was flabbergasted. He never imagined a dog turning into a living breathing person. He never looked at dogs the same since then until he learned the truth. Since he stepped into the wizarding world and has seen miracles that have completely altered the way he understood everything. Nothing seems to surprise him now.

Harry glanced at the newspaper. The headlines of the first page were of the massacre that happened more than decade ago. They are reporting on that day that remained a mystery. A whole block just went up in flames all of sudden with no evidence as to how. They termed that day as the ghost massacre.

That block of town is now completely abandoned because no one is willing enough to buy property there. They fear misfortune would also befall them as like thirteen years before.

He remembered reading about it when he was living with his uncle. The whole block went up in flames out of nowhere, the streets were drenched in blood and no-one was spared. Not even kids.

It was around the same week when he was given to his uncle.

"You know, I feel sad for muggles every time I read about the massacre." Harry confided to Sirius, "That attack took many lives, and their family is never going to know the reason why they lost their loved ones. They are never going to get the justice they deserve."

Sirius looked grim. He nodded his head slowly.

"It was a cowardly act to go after the muggles just because they were angry their 'Lord' offed himself because he was too arrogant. "Sirius said bitterly.

"Some say it was a planned attack. They say it was a distraction to go after high profile target like Longbottom and Hogwarts." Harry told him, "Even if it was a distraction, it was too bloody."

"Those damn death eaters and darned werewolves are filth on this planet." Sirius groused. Harry looked at him curiously. "They shouldn't be allowed to live." Sirius glared hatefully at the newspaper where a picture of the flaming house was shown.

"I don't think all of them were the cause. There are some who choose peace despite their dark nature." Harry said, watching Sirius carefully. He saw the left brow on Sirius's forehead twitch.

"They are all beasts. They will act on their instinct and their instinct always tells them to pound on the weak." There was so much bitterness in his words that Harry at one moment wondered if Sirius had personal stakes in that massacre. That stakes that he lost in the night of unimaginable cruelty.

Harry silently mused looking at Sirius who was looking out the window to his side. Now that he looked at him, he seemed kind of haggard and tired. There were bags forming under his eyes.

Is he not getting his sleep? Harry thought.

"I remember reading about it before I even met you. The whole London was put under lockdown. There was so much blood that it took weeks to clear the whole block and even after few weeks of crackdown of authorities, they never found any evidence or traces of killers."

"Of course they didn't." Muttered Sirius

"Even years after they would try to find the clues or pieces they might have missed, and they came empty handed. Every single time. But the people remembered hearing howls of wolves, there were so many accounts of them hearing it which had baffled the government. Some even claimed they saw wolves. This couldn't be the work of wolves, authorities had said, it was impossible. Yet people heard it, they still claim that.

"Then there were bodies full of bite marks. That could only be the work of an animal. No human could do that. If it wasn't the wolves, then what did it? The question remained, who did that?"

"I only came to know about the real truth only after when I came to know about this world."

"I remember that night clearly," spoke Sirius, "I was on the hunt for Pettigrew at the time when the incident occurred. The night had lit up in huge fire and I remember hearing howls of those creatures echoing into the night. I wanted to go there immediately but it was at that time, very conveniently, that bastard decided to show himself. I made a choice then, driven by anger and betrayal. The one I would regret for the rest of my life." That pain and agony still hurt his heart immensely.

"Did you lose someone that night?" Harry asked, softly. There was pain in those grey eyes of his as he looked outside into the dark night. He thought he saw his eyes shining for the moment before Sirius blinked and looked back at him.

"Yes." He spoke.

"Who?"

"Someone very close to me."

Harry nodded. He didn't prod further. He understood Sirius didn't want to talk about it anymore, so he didn't ask. He could understand losing people close to his heart suddenly. One moment they are joking with you and next they are blasted to pieces. It could make anyone lose their mind. You feel alone and very depressed in this cruel world.

"Is Professor Lupin somehow connected to all of this?" He asked after a few moments of silence. Harry didn't know why he asked that. He isn't connected to all of this, but question was immediate when he looked at Sirius.

He didn't answer immediately, instead choosing to ponder for a few minutes.

"No." Harry waited for him to elaborate but he didn't.

"Not directly, right?" He prodded further.

Sirius looked at Harry, with dark look behind those eyes.

"Not directly, no."

The unanswered answer was as clear as day. Lupin was indirectly involved, and he had played a bigger role if the emotions displaying on his godfather's face was taken into consideration. There was hate and anger behind those eyes when he mentioned his former friend, the one he didn't even see for Pettigrew.

"Mallory told me, he and Dumbledore were championing the rights for werewolves. She said they were going to vote in the same week when that bloodshed occurred." said Harry.

"That's true." Sirius clutching the arm of sofa tightly.

"You were one, if not biggest supporters before he attacked me." It was a statement.

"Where you are going with this?"

"I am just trying to understand. You hate werewolves so much. I have seen you speak strongly against them at Wizengamot. How come, at one point of time, you were supporting their rights?"

"I was fooled and had followed blindly someone that costed me everything, that costed you your family. Lily was the only one who wasn't." He muttered the last part.

Dumbledore? He will wonder about that later.

"Wasn't Remus Lupin, your best friends growing up?" Harry asked.

Sirius clenched arms of sofa so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. He took deep breaths to calm down.

"That is correct. My naivety and foolishness had been major causes to most of my regrets from past. If I could travel back in time and tell myself to distance from those bastards. I would've." He said, angrily. "Well, except your father." He added.

"Why is it I am hearing about him now, for the first time?" Harry asked, "I have heard you all were inseparable throughout your Hogwarts years. You told me various stories of your exploits with my father, and you didn't mention you weren't the only ones in those adventures. You never even once mentioned his name. I had to learn it from my friends. Why?"

"It's simple. I never meant to tell you about him. Ever. Can we just drop it now?" Sirius told him bluntly.

Harry looked him, pondering.

"You know he is teaching at Hogwarts now, don't you?"

Sirius grinded his teeth.

"I am aware of that, yes."

Harry looked at him, straight in his eyes and let himself feel the vulnerability, the weakness he had been hiding for most of his summer.

"I am going to be safe, right?" Harry asked with small voice. He let Sirius see how scared he was which he never let someone else see. Sirius's eyes softened at his godson, the one he had vowed to protect and had led him down so many times. He was scared, he could see them in his eyes. He hates to see that. He clenched his fist tightly. So many people had led him down since he was a kid. It hurts him physically to see him so down.

They were silent, each in their own thought. Finally, Harry put a brave face and decided to confide in his godfather that has been bothering him for some time now.

"When I first got into Hogwarts, I was in awe, I felt warm and for the first time I was genuinely happy to be part of something." Harry confided.

Sirius can recall that day as clearly as it was yesterday. Sirius had come to pick him from the station. That day was the brightest it had ever been in London. There were parents who were eagerly waiting for their own children. But his presence did distract them for few minutes. He could hear them whispering but he didn't care. It had always been like that since the day he was proven innocent.

Soon the train had arrived at station and children started coming out. There was the usual hustling that one would expect, nothing out of ordinary.

Except for one thing. When Sirius saw it, his heart swelled with so much pride and love. He had wished that James and Lily could be here to see that.

It was Harry, that caused him such emotions. For as long as he started living with his godson again, he never once saw him smile or laugh so freely. It had always been reserved and constraint by the demons of his past.

Now seeing him smiling and laughing with his friends, freed the heaviness in his heart and for the first time since that unfaithful day where he lost his best friends, he let himself to heal.

Sirius noticed positive development in his godson after that. Harry would smile more and even laugh occasionally. Before Hogwarts, Harry preferred to remain quiet during dinner but after his first year, he talked about his friends and the magic he learned in Hogwarts.

It was for the first time Sirius saw genuine happiness and warmth beneath those eyes. Sirius after a long time, felt hope for his godson.

"I started to trust in people," Harry continued, "I felt hope that I could finally move on from my past, from my pain. I thought I finally found a place that accepted me. But then I was shown the reality, I finally understood, no matter where I move, there are always going to be people who would want to harm me just because of who I am. There are always going to be people who want to hurt me or those around me for their own gain."

Things changed again by the end of second year. Harry was retreating to his shell. He would still laugh and joke around, but it felt forced as if he was wearing a persona.

"Me living a normal life was a foolish wish. I need to be prepared for whatever that would come my way. I can't feel helpless every time they attack me. I don't want to be useless because the ones we thought are supposed to protect you, turns on you, betrays you." Harry finished speaking. There was desperation in his tone. His eyes bore on Sirius, shinning with pain and hurt he was inflicted with, making Sirius seriously consider his reluctance to tell him about that bastard.

Sirius looked inquisitively at Harry. When Sirius learnt that his godson was in infirmary after the debacle last year, he felt so helpless. That made him so angry, he couldn't do anything to help his godson. The effort Harry put to open, came undone. Sirius watched hopelessly as Harry put the walls around him again.

Harry would still act as if nothing happened but those who know him would understand that he has put on the mask.

Last year had more profound impact on Harry then he thought it would. It must have struck deep within him when the person who thought would protect you, are the ones who are actively hunting you. Sirius can understand how that must have affected his psyche and made him question things. Again.

That's the last thing Sirius wanted but he couldn't prevent these things from happening and shield Harry from it at the same time.

The only thing left was to train him, train him to handle things till help reach them, teach him so that no harm can befall on his godson, teach him to survive. He reluctantly came to that realization.

It took him quite some time to apprehend that because he wanted to Harry not worry about these things. He wanted his godson to enjoy his childhood.

But things don't go the way they are supposed to, he accepted that now after hearing his godson. Even Dumbledore failed to protect his godson.

Reality is often disappointing. His grandfather used to tell him

Disappointing, indeed.

"I get it. I get you." Sirius spoke after few moments, "The world isn't black and white. People turn on each other all the time. It's a vicious cycle and you cannot prevent it from happening." Sirius sighed heavily.

"I understand you now, but I still can't tell you about him." He said after few moments of silence.

Harry went from looking hopeful to stumped and confused.

"Why not?" Harry asked, little enraged, "If you understand me, then why can't you tell me about him?"

"It's not that I don't want to, I can't." Sirius said, little reluctantly. He looked Harry in the eye when he said that.

Harry looked him with uncertainty for few moments, his brow creased as he tried to make sense what Sirius said, until it suddenly clicked.

"You took Unbreakable Vow." Harry said, bewildered. A lot of things were running through his head at this revelation. Who in hell is Remus Lupin?

"I can only give you advice. Keep him at arm's distance. Many members of Wizengamot are not happy with his appointment and something is brewing in the background. It feels like a calm before the storm and Lupin seems to be in the middle of it. Dumbledore called him back after all these years for a reason, not just for teaching. He is keeping tight lid on it, so, that means he is preparing for something. I don't like it at all." Sirius told him.

"And Harry, never fall for his innocent act. You will only get hurt if you do. Trust me."

Harry, a little dazed, nodded. There were strong concerns evident behind those eyes.

"Keep yourself and your friends out of the mess, until I get back."

"Did something happen?" Harry asked.

"Kind of." Harry looked alarmed but Sirius quickly added to reassure him, "We are all safe and sound, don't worry about us. It's something else, it doesn't concern you, so you focus on school, Harry. I have to go somewhere for a while, but I'll be back soon."

'Where?"

"Somewhere far from here."

-X-

Yesterday's talk with Sirius gave him a lot think about. He had even more question than before and was answered frustratingly little. He didn't even get good night sleep after that. He felt drained the next morning but forced himself to get ready and go to Great hall for breakfast.

As he found himself thinking about last night's conversation again, he was interrupted by fluttering of wings as owls came with Daily Prophet. Hedwig gently glided over to him smoothly and came to stop by him.

Harry gently pets his pet and gave him a piece of bacon before untying the newspaper. Hedwig nibbled his fingers affectionately before flying away.

Just as he was about to read newspaper, he heard several gasps filled the hall. He jerked his head around as he saw the look of disbelief and horror on their face.

He then decided to read what got everybody to gasp a loud, was when he had a biggest shock of that day.

There was biggest headline on first page with the moving photo of two individuals who were laughing deliriously. As he read it, blood rushed from his head, and he felt a little woozy.

"Oh no…" Harry muttered. He looked at his friends who were in state of disbelief as well.

The Headline read:

LESTRANGE BROTHERS ESCAPES AZKABAN!

-X-

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