A/N: I hope you all took a moment today to remember the thousands who were killed in the 9-11 attacks. And especially to remember the brave people on the plane that went down in Pennsylvania who gave their own lives rather than allow the terrorist cowards to kill many more people by crashing it into yet another building.

I had several Muslim friends at that time. I still do. Some of them were surprised the next day when I came up and talked to them. They believed I would no longer want to be friends with them, much less talk to them or be seen with them. But it was not the Muslim people did not carry out those attacks. From what I know of their religion, they are a very peaceful people who believe in many of the same basic doctrines my own religion teaches. Throughout the world there are many religions, but we all basically believe in one God, no matter what we call him.

The acts of 9-11 were carried out by terrorist extremists. And they do not represent the vast majority of the Muslim people.

Ummmm, that's pretty much all I have to say.

Tried And Convicted

Chapter Ten: In The Clear

Sooner than anyone in the room could react, the Dementor grabbed hold of Harry and pulled the child to him.

But before he could do more, the Dementor found itself suddenly set upon by a large, black dog that was all furious snapping jaws and teeth.

Sirius had reacted first to the Dementor grabbing his godson. He transformed even as he launched himself at the Dementor, driven on by his godson's renewed howls.

Sirius didn't care what part of the Dementor he got a hold of, as long as he managed to grab something. He drove on into the black robes until he hit something solid.

His godson's body safely under his chin, the dog opened it's mouth and bit down for all it was worth.

A scream of fear echoed through the corridor beyond as the Dementor dropped the child it was holding and tried to free itself from the creature attacking it. It twisted and shoved against the animal. But to no avail. The mass of black fur refused to let go.

The dog began to shake it's head. Twisting this way and that as it held onto it's prey, trying to tear at the flesh and open a wound. But to it's sudden disappointment, the dog realized there was no flesh to tear at. All he had was a mouth full of bunched up cloth.

A sharp, abrupt pain in his back caused Padfoot to open his mouth with a yelp.

The Dementor took the opportunity to put at least some distance between it and it's attacker as it backed once again into the corner.

The large, black dog hit the ground, turning to face its new threat. But instead found itself facing a familiar friend, holding a wand pointed at him.

"Padfoot!" Remus yelled. "Sit! Stay!"

The dog gave Remus a very good rendition of a shocked look, which quickly turned to one of utter indignation. But another cry of distress caused the dog to turn its attention once more to the crying child. Harry was once more in Dumbledore's arms, although the child seemed to take no comfort from the fact at all and continued to cry louder and harder each time he opened his mouth.

The dog's ears quickly dropped at the wailing sound. Almost immediately, in its place a man in black robes suddenly appeared.

As soon as Sirius had transformed back into himself, Harry fought his way once more out of Dumbledore's arms and made a beeline for his godfather. Still howling for all he was worth, he plunged into the safe cocoon of Sirius' robes and buried himself as deeply in the material as he could.

A tight embrace and a few soft reassurances later the howling faded into heart-wrenching sobs as Sirius quickly began digging through the material for his godson.

"All right, Harry." He tried to sooth the small child as he pulled him free of his robes and into his arms. "Everything's all right now."

"Well, I'm not so sure about the Dementor." Remus commented.

The others turned to where the creature was laying on the floor near the corner, curled into a ball as it whimpered and moaned softly.

"What happened to it?" Snape asked as they watched several guards come in and take the Dementor out of the room.

Dumbledore waited until the guards had left the room before he answered Snape's question.

"Dementors generally only have contact with adults." He explained. "They rarely, if, in fact, ever, have contact with a child. Least of all one as young as Harry. Children can't really dwell on unpleasant memories in their lives because they don't view things the same as adults do. For a child of Harry's age, they generally tend to forget unpleasant events and simply move on with their lives. Dementors powers are much like spells. They rely on a certain grade of magic to force people to relive the worst moments of their lives. When the 'spell', if you like, had no where else to go, it backfired on the Dementor. My guess would be that he got a bit of a taste of his own work."

"But why did it attack Harry?" Remus asked, watching Sirius still trying to comfort his crying godson.

"It didn't." Dumbledore replied. "Dementors are blind. They attack their victims by feeling their emotions. All the Dementor could feel was happy emotions. It probably thought it was feeling the person it had had before. Sirius. It likely didn't even know Harry was inbetween them until it was too late."

"Is he going to be all right?" Sirius asked worriedly as he looked up from trying to comfort his still whimpering godson.

"He should be." Dumbledore replied. "Being touched by a Dementor isn't pleasant for adult or child. I suspect he's simply frightened. But we'll have Madam Pomfrey have a look at him when we get back to Hogwarts just the same."

Sirius looked up at the old wizard, his expression a mixture of hope and pleading.

"What's to happen to me?" He asked. "Do I have to stay here?"

Dumbledore smiled at the man, still protectively embracing the child in his arms. "Since I'm sure the ministry would want to avoid certain bits of information about your trial getting into the hands of any 'overzealous' Daily Prophet reporters, I believe that arrangements can be made for you to return to Hogwarts for the time being, Mr. Black." He said. "Until such time as the judges have had time to review your case."

The first genuine smile Sirius had felt in days lighted across his face. "I can leave?"

"As soon as you're ready."

Sirius looked back at the small cell with a slight shudder, then turned back to Dumbledore. "I've never been so ready to leave a place in my life."

A week later Sirius was in the infirmary at Hogwarts with a ministry justice worker and a judge standing at the foot of his bed.

Sirius had insisted that he be allowed to take Veritaserum despite the effect it would have on him. He stated it was the only way to clear his name once and for all and, in part, for his own peace of mind.

Due to the sudden resignation of its potions brewer, the members of the ministry had stipulated to Snape's brewing the Veritaserum and vouching for it's authenticity this time around.

Sirius swore the man had made it 'extra strength' based on the intensity reaction.

The ministry worker ask Sirius a series of questions as the judge stood silently listening. Each question Sirus answered with the same dulled expression he had had when he answered the questions under the affects of the Cortulous Potion. But this time he didn't hesitate even once as he gave his answers. But his voice was more tired and unsteady than it had been the last time.

Once the ministry justice members had left, Madam Pomfrey immediately ushered everyone out of the infirmary and gave Sirius a sleeping potion, stating she would keep him under it's effects until the worst of the Veritaserum wore off.

Sirius didn't much seem to care what the school nurse was giving him. He swore if she had held out a cup and told him it was poison, he would have snatched it out of her hands and drained it to the past drop if it just made him feel better. And presently, to Sirius, 'dead' was equivalent to 'better'.

A week later Sirius was again beginning to take notice of the things around him. The first thing he was keenly aware of in his memory was his godson, who Remus was bringing for regular visits. The second thing he committed to memory was that he was never, as long as he lived, ever going to take Veritaserum again. Aside from how bad he felt even after a week under sedatives, it treated him to several days of regular visits from Snape as well, who ran constant checks alongside Madam Pomfrey's to make sure Sirius was recovering as expected from the Veritaserum.

But what got Sirius through the whole ordeal the most was good old Remus faithfully bringing Harry several times a day for a good long play session. After a few days Sirius was allowed out of his bed, which he immediately took advantage of when Remus next brought Harry, settling in for an extended play period on the floor with his godson.

As Sirius' condition improved steadily, Remus finally took to leaving Harry in his playpen next to Sirius' bed at night. Something he claimed did wonders for the child's sleeping through the night, not to mention his own ability to do so.

Finally, two weeks later Sirius was given a clean bill of health and allowed to leave the infirmary. With his name cleared, Sirius now turned his attention to other matters. No the least of which was, aside from raising his godson, what he was going to do with himself. Dumbledore quickly stepped in to offer a suggestion. Mentioning to Sirius that Professor McGonagall, in devoting more time to her Deputy-Headmistress duties, was looking for an assistant in teaching her Transfiguration classes. And with Sirius' background, Dumbledore thought he was the perfect choice, and Sirius promised to think about it.

His 'background' was another matter Sirius found himself having to now deal with. With his transformation in Azkaban when he attacked the Dementor, word of his animagi ability was no longer secret. And Sirius did little himself to keep them that way as that the officials at the ministry seemed all to happy to accept that as the explanation as to how he had managed to escape the jail in the first place, thereby effectively clearing Remus of any involvement. But it also meant that Sirius was now a 'registered' animagi, and the secret of his Padfoot persona was gone for good. Sirius soon found himself longing for those days as students who had never given the black dog a second look before, had now taken to patting him on the head and greeting him whenever he went about in his animagi form. Even Ms. Norris, who had seen him transform once by accident, no longer even paid him any mind. After a few weeks of that, Sirius was grateful for finally making the last transition back to a normal life. Moving back to Remus' with Harry.

Remus had been on a one track mind with parties since Sirius' release. He had arranged one the night Sirius came back to Hogwart's. Another when he was declared innocent after his answering the ministry questions under Veritaserum (though Sirius didn't remember that one very well), another when he left the hospital wing, and finally when he moved back into Remus' little cottage with Harry.

But despite Remus' constant happy praise that things were finally back to normal, Sirius knew things weren't completely settled for him. And that they wouldn't be until he took care of one last score.

And so with a firm resolve, Sirius found himself one night making his way down to the dungeons underneath the castle. He almost swore he could hear some sort of happy humming sound coming from Snape's private lab as he approached the large wooden door. But the sound stopped abruptly as soon as Sirius pounded on the door.

A very irritated looking Severus Snape yanked the door open, apparently ready to verbally abuse to tears whatever student had been foolish enough to disturb him outside of school hours. And the look didn't alter in the least when he realized his mistake.

"Black." Snape stated in a flat, curt tone. "What do you want? I'd have though you'd be at Lupin's at this time of night, playing with that abysmal little child."

"There's nothing 'abysmal' about Harry." Sirius replied following after the Potions Master as Snape stepped back into the room.

"I was referring to Lupin."

Sirius frowned slightly. When was the man going to stop taking shots at his one-time friend and simply admit that he missed him?

"Well?" Snape broke into Sirius' thoughts abruptly as he turned back to face him. "What is it you want, Black?"

Sirius paused as he stood facing the man. He had actually practiced what he wanted to say to him a hundred different times. But he never remembered it being so difficult. He quickly cleared his throat as he turned momentarily to the floor.

"Remus......told me what you did for me. All of it." Sirius answered in a voice that sounded still a little too formal. "And I realize, given our past, that there wasn't one reason in the world for you to help me. And yet still you did."

"Get to the point, Black." Snape stated impatiently. "There's a very strict time period to the simmering of the potion I'm working on and I won't have you destroying three hours worth of work."

Sirius sighed. So much for cordial gratitude. "I just wanted to say, 'Thank you'. For helping me." Sirius stated. "For.....for saving my life." He added quickly.

Snape stood perfectly still staring at the man before him. For a few moments Sirius wasn't sure if Snape was going to say anything at all.

"Is that it then?" Snape finally stated flatly in reply.

Sirius frowned slightly. Leave it to Snape to be a prat to the end. "Actually," Sirius added suddenly, "there was one more thing." If Snape was going to be less than gracious about accepting his thanks, he was going to get a question answered that was puzzling him for days now.

"The clock is ticking, Black. Get on with it." Snape answered, his tone growing more irritable by the moment.

"Remus said you told him that you knew for a fact I wasn't a Deatheater." Sirius ask.

"Yes?" Snape replied shortly.

"How did you know for sure?" Sirius questioned the man. "I mean, I admitted to it under Veritaserum before you all knew the truth about what I had been given. As far as anyone knew, Veritaserum was what I had been given. And yet Remus said you stated you knew for sure without any question. How?"

Snape gave the man standing before him a very tight, secretive, knowing smile. He then slowly reached down and carefully pulled the sleeve up from his robe, revealing the Dark Mark burned into his lower arm.

"Because I never see you at any of the meetings." Snape replied with the same knowing smile as he held the mark up for Sirius to see.

Sirius pulled back inadvertently at the sight of the mark on Snape's arm.

Snape was a Deatheater!?

But that couldn't be right. Dumbledore obviously trusted Snape. The man had, no matter how painful it was to admit it, saved his life. Why would he have bothered if he was a Deatheater? Sirius was an Auror. He had put a great many Deatheaters in Azkaban. To Snape, it would have seemed to have likely been a very satisfying revenge.

Or maybe the man was likely doing as he was told by Dumbledore. And seeing no way out, had simply complied when Dumbledore had asked for his help.

No, that wasn't right. Remus had said Snape had refused outright at first to help.

Maybe he was a spy for Voldemort, acting the part of the reformed Deatheater. Or maybe, like so many others, he was simply bidding his time, seeing what the dark lord's next move was.

Sirius slowly backed to the door, not missing the small smile on Snape's lips as he let the material slide back down over his arm.

"Was there anything else, Black?" Snape said suddenly, as though they had just finished discussing some trivial matter. "I do need to get back to my work."

Sirius paused, but finally just shook his head. For the life of him, he couldn't think of one thing to say to the man.

"Then do see yourself out." Snape stated.

Sirius turned towards the door. He stopped long enough to turn back to see Snape once again standing over a small smoking cauldron on the table, his attention fixed solely on the object before him and completely ignoring now the other occupant of the room.

Sirius paused briefly at the door, then hurried out it, shutting it behind him. Quickly ascending the stairs, Sirius turned his thoughts to more pleasant things. The fact that he was free. That his name was cleared. And that he had his godson with him.

And he believed Remus had said something about making stew for dinner.

Q&A

And so we come to the end of another P.A.R. story. I hope you enjoyed it. You, my readers, were, after all, responsible for it.

My next story will be Enemies, which should appear sometime in October. P.A.R. is a little pressed on time and so I'm sorry, but there will be no more posts in September. *P.A.R. just manages to dodge a piece of fruit.* I SAID I WAS SORRY!

Geez!

And has anyone else heard anything in relation to the rumor Karla mentioned that the site is removing the Harry Potter category? I would like to hear if you know anything. I would be very surprised and very disappointed.

O.K., back to the Q&A.

Fever

Fairytale: Of course, Dear! I check my reviews on all my stories quite regularly.

Thank you for liking my little twist on the Severus-Remus thing. And no, P.A.R. does not write the slashy stories. Yet. But yes, poor Remus is in a very difficult position. But as Snape said, they both made their decisions. And if you like the relationship, good news. One, it's a constant running theme in all my stories. And two, I'm currently working on a story that lays out the whole foundation of their rather tenuous little relationship, as well as what ended(?) it. The story is called Proper Friends and should be out around Spring or Summer, 2003.

Actually, I'll tell you a little secret about that scene. I did originally write it as Sirius talking 'to' Dumbledore. But halfway through I took another look at it and thought it would be funny if he was just rehearsing it instead and was only talking to an empty chair. Hence, the final cut.

Dear, everyone seems to like Orion. And I don't know why either. That was, at least, until he showed up in the preview of Family Relations and took custody of Harry away from Sirius. Now I think he's sort of Public Enemy Number One. But Sirius has a very different opinion of his older brother in the story preceding that one, called Family Life, to which Family Relations is the sequel.

Ah, grammar and spelling errors. Yes, see the Bio page.

There's more to Harry's calling Remus 'Professor Lupin' still then just his being distant to him. You see, in almost every story I read where Remus shows up, he inevitably makes the comment, "Oh, please, Harry, call me Remus." If I see it one more time I swear sometimes I'll scream. So I swore never to use it in my stories unless I have no way around it.

Afraid? Dear, write them as long as you want! I love long reviews. Gives me something to read for a change.

As for your review of Tried And Convicted, I hope you don't mind my just adding it on here.

I think in an earlier review I mentioned my feelings on time-turners. Basically, it's been done. I hate to repeat. With so many entries being made every day to this category, I'm sure eventually I will repeat someone. But until then I will continue to strive to be as original as possible. Pretty good trick over-all when you're writing fan-fictions.

Actually, I rarely write cliffhangers. My chapters use to end pretty much on a level playing field, so to speak. Only recently did I learn about cliffhangers and how much 'fun' they were. And yes, I agree whole-heartedly, they are a wonderful tool for writers.

GERMANY! I'm being read in Germany? Heavens! Imagine.

Well, as you know by now, Fanfiction.net closed for 9/11 and did not come back up until late on 9/12. So I am trying to post today and we'll see what happens.

Don't O.D. on the coffee thing, Dear, O.K.? Too many of my readers seem to have a slight caffeine problem. Something about staying up late at night reading fan-fictions.

This story is ten chapters long, so this is the last chapter.

Tried And Convicted

Nagini: Well, Nagini, what can I say. First for the last chapter. Good for you!

Glad you liked the star. But know that I do not award for repeat performances.

I deserve not less but more? Thank you, Dear!

SOrry, P.A.R. is not currently writing the slashy stories. Yet. However, I would like to say, that if I ever do write one, I would like to very clearly state that I do NOT sail on the HP/DM ship. Sorry, Nagini. (But I'm a crew member in good standing on the other ship!)

2013? Giving yourself a bit of time there, aren't you, Dear?

I always wondered what the third line to the Meow Mix song was.

Drunken Sailor. P.A.R. was in the SCA. P.A.R. knows this song. P.A.R. knows MANY variations to this song as well.

Story sounds interesting, Dear. Any release date?

Congratulations again on being first last!

Nicky: Well, this is the last chapter. So, no more cliffhangers.

I kinda go with the breathing corpses philosophy. I mean, basically you have a body with no personality. (P.A.R. has dated a few of those.) It doesn't think, move, or do anything of it's own accord anymore. Basically, your brain dead. Your body just keeps going.

No. There was no reason why Harry got a field trip to Azkaban except to say that they didn't exactly have time to arrange for a babysitter. So pack the kid up and drag him along.

By the way, you came into my story looking for LOGIC? *P.A.R. laughs.* Silly, Nicky. Plots, yes, Dear. Not necessarily logical ones.

Sandrine Black: Well, actually, I don't have to love cliffhangers, just write 'em. But by heavens, I hope you guys do!!!!

I'll see if I can take a look at Bliss' stories.

RavenLady: Ohhhhh! Thank you for approving of my chapter division. And I do apologize for 'double cliffhanging' you guys.

Meesa Happy Java Mahn: Yeah. That now dat sound better, mahn.

Ohhhh! We be sorry, mahn! No. You not be forst. But doon worry. Be happy!

(Read de next line.) Oh! O.K.. We be vary pleased to tell you, YES, mahn! You be forst! Be happy! Have a Red Strip! Yay, beer!

Oh, mahn! Thank you for liking de title, mahn.

No. Not geev Sirius de Dementor Kiss. Dat be vary bad, mahn.

Oh, mahn! CANADA? Et cold der, mahn. P.A.R. has been to Canada, mahn. Know dis for a fact! (By de way, et be 96 degrees here today, mahn!)

O.K., you seet back, drink you Red Strip, watch sun go down, have nice day. O.K.? Dat's good, mahn.

Mayleesa: Good Girl! Back in your body and all!

Bad P.A.R.? Ohhhhh, come on. *Smiles.* You know you like the cliffhangers. Come on. Admit it. You like them. I know you do.

Hurt Harry? How can I do that? I need the kid to grow up and be in my sequels to Family Life.

Zimmy Russell: Breathe, Zim! BREATHE! Thank goodness!

P.A.R. works for an over-burdened, under-staffed government entity. Don't tell me about busy weeks, kiddo!

Never heard of the characters, Zim. But the last Star Wars anything P.A.R. saw was Return Of The Jedi.

OH, GREAT! Someone else threatening to kill me!? Wonderful! Oh. If I killed Sirius off. Ha! Fat chance of that, Whisp! (Go kick Zim a few times. You'll feel better.).

sweets: Naw. Bring the Citronella on down. Like I said, the mosquitoes love it and I'm almost out.

You'll take you're chances, huh? I have just three little words for you, sweets. West. Nile. Virus.

Glad you were pleased with Sirius' rescue. And although SNape did have his wand 'pointed' at the Dementor, he was busy talking to Sirius, Lupin, and Dumbledore. All of who were to his right and behind him, therefore putting the Dementor out of his line of sight.

The question of what happens when a Dementor touches a child under a certain age is answered in this chapter. Dementors rely on a conscious participation to be effective on their victim. Children simply don't have that level of memory developed. Or, as Dumbledore explained, they don't dwell on bad memories.

Storyspindler: Good heavens! Sorry about that!

Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!

Sorry, voting polls are closed. Poor little Dementor went hungry this time.

UnrepentantReader: I don't know that Severus was suffering by being there to help Sirius. But it was definitely interfering with his day-planner, I'm sure.

Trennerson will likely be back. He's a good side character for Snape, I think. One of the main reasons he wasn't killed off outright in this story.

Actually, if you don't mind a little return reviewing, your reviews are very well thought out and structured and written in such a way that I would very much enjoy reading a story from you. I can only imagine it would be worth the read. Just from your reviews, you already seem to have a very strong 'voice' which has remained very consistent. Your writing style seems structurally very good and you do tend to get right to the point. I think you are doing yourself a dis-service by not giving writing a try. Although I would think that would require you to change your name from Unrepentant'Reader'.

purple water: Ya' know, purple water, I do hope you are going to give Enemies a read. And I say that with a certain amount of trepidation. But if nothing else, I could be sure if nothing else, the review was completely honest.

Apples? *P.A.R. cringes.* Try to repair one! That's truly frightening.

Did Sirius answer any of the questions truthfully? To my knowledge, he didn't. At least not in the courtroom. And he was fighting it at the time. So it wasn't completely effective. Oh, look! A loophole! *P.A.R. quickly jumps through it.* But it was nine chapters ago. Memories a bit rusty. (And I wrote the thing, for heaven's sake!)

Yeah, I could use operating in Snape's time zone a few days a week myself.

Poor Katlin. I did say she was operating on a short report budget. I mean, she did get her information from the other Deatheaters, after all. Had she gotten the information from the Elites, things would probably have gone better.

Wand. Wand. Wand. *P.A.R. thinks for a minute.* By Heavens! You're right.

Most guys aren't that shallow? Where, Dear? P.A.R. sure ain't dating them. Can't find them either. And it's not so much that she was relying on seduction to make her plan work. That was just icing on the cake. Her main focus was to get Sirius thinking along the lines that he could keep Harry and raise him, which she eluded the ministry would never let him do. She was on the right train. She just didn't get to ride it all the way into the station.

What can I say? Characters. You either like 'em or you don't. But I do think you're basing your opinion on some rather scant evidence as well.

Why, WHY did I know you of all people would bring this up!? O.K., let me start by saying I am the first person to stick my hand up in the air and say this was poorly worded. I freely admit that. Now, try seeing it this way;

The spell (Veritaserum-for potions are spells in a way) is countered by something (the Cortulous Potion) that is suppose to make the person do (lie) what they are already being compelled to do (lie).

In other words, they're being asked, under a supposed truth serum to lie, when they are actually under another potion that already is making them lie. You're being asked to lie about a lie. Think about it.

But, granted, I should have said 'potion' instead of 'spell'.

Sailor Sol: I...........I MISSED you!?

P.A.R. is most seriously sorry!

Sure enough! I did! How did that happen? And such a nice review too. Bad P.A.R.! Bad, bad, bad.

Well, Dumbledore didn't show up with a Patronus. Didn't honestly even think of that. Not a bad idea, though.

I hope things without your friend around aren't too bad. Although I'm not sure about calling at 3AM.

I'm glad I kept your mind busy for a little while. Unfortunately, last chapter.

Again, sorry, sorry, sorry.

vmr: Thank you.

Dark Whispers; Glad you liked the cliffhanger. Thanks for the reviews.

summersun: I may do cliffhangers, but look on the bright side of life, Brian (Little Monty Python there), I update regularly.

Have you ever had a kid crawling around you? After even a few hours of this, you tend not to worry too much where they are or what they're doing. As long as you can feel them still. And Harry never let go of Sirius' robe. So Sirius assumed he was still near him and safe.

Now would I let the Dementor have poor little Harry?

Eva Phoenix Potter: Oh, great. Now I'm accused of being evil. Really, people, I'm a nice author. I think the last chapter proves that.

Don't be so hard on yourself with the writing thing, Dear. I've been at it for nearly three decades. Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of practice. And my editor still insists I could use a little more.

Unicorn Whisperer: Loff? Loff. Loff Loff. Yeah. P.A.R. thinks she likes that word. Will use it somewhere.

You want something to ponder? P.A.R. does not like children at all.

No. No sacrifice. (Or in this case, 'animal' sacrifice. (Oh! Look! P.A.R. made a little funny!)

Padfoot plushie? *Wah!* P.A.R. wants a padfoot plushie!!!!!! Where are you guys getting these things?

No, Dear. I have not lost all respect for you. For to do so would be to have to lose all respect for myself. 'nough said.

In closing, good old Sirius (Padfoot).

Silverfox: I'm not saying Fudge didn't care about the case, just not it's outcome past what he was told it would be. I mean, he is Minister of Magic. He would likely be kept well appraised of something like this.

I just assumed that there would have to be some human guards in Azkaban to watch the Dementors. If not, wouldn't the Dementors tend to decide one day to have a soul-sucking party and just be done with it?

Why have the effect turned on while searching a train full of children? I'm not sure what your asking here? If just a straight out 'why are they doing that?' - what can I say? Smorgasbord! If why keep the effect turned on when on board a train full of children if they aren't suppose to effect children? The kids on the train were all older than Harry in Tried And Convicted and could be effected by the Dementors. And as I recall, it did get them into trouble.

I don't think Dementors are the brightest color in the crayon box.

Arania: No, Dear. One more chapter.

AU. OOC. Same thing.

The answer to why Harry isn't effected so much by the presence of the Dementor is two fold. One, the Dementor has his power turned 'off' at the moment. If you'll recall in Chapter Nine, Harry 'mentioned' the dementor was starting to 'give him a strange, unsettled feeling'. That was 'the engine warming up', so to speak. Everyone else in the room was either confused, shocked, or neutral. (Well, except Remus. But happy is sort of his 'norm', isn't it?). Harry is 'happy' and the Dementor smells lunch. Two is answered in this chapter.

Oh, I do 'ship', Dear. I proudly sail on the good ship 'Sirius and Arabella'. But true, not in this story.

Oh, dear heavens! You know Zim?

Karla: KARLA! Where did you hear that awful rumor, girl!? Surely that can not be true. Fanfiction.net put up their changes today and they did not mention anything about removing the Harry Potter category in it. However, should this horrible rumor come to pass, I will be moving to Sugarquill (as soon as they find a new home) and FictionAlley straight away and continuing under those sites. And regardless, you may see me there soon anyway.

And although we all know I 'never' read in the NC-17 category, and though I will miss any category the site chooses to take out, here I must applaud the decision. This category (Harry Potter, not NC-17) is highly visited by kids looking for stories about Harry Potter to read. Some of those were so inappropriate even I was utterly shocked at what people can come up with. I have a young niece who is, as far as I'm concerned, the Harry Potter champion of the world in trivia. This kid can answer any question on Harry Potter. I would love to show her this site and say 'Looky at what your Auntie P.A.R. does in her spare time.' But for all the NC-17 entries, I don't dare. I felt that her reading anything of that nature would spoil the joyful innocence in which she views this wonderful series of stories. *Climbs down off soapbox.* O.K., I'm done.

My e-mail, Dear, was blitzed off by the site keepers for some unknown reason. I have not yet set it back up under a new type. (I was using the experimental one, which was removed.) Unfortunately, anything e-mailed to me goes heaven only knows where. So, very sadly for P.A.R., no, I did not see your review. Can you try again and post it here?

Reviews are as of 09122002. Sorry if you were missed. See you guys in October, hopefully.

Remember...........9-11-2001.