Another chapter is done! My excuse for it taking so long is that I'm not able to use the computer for long enough periods. However, in about 2-3 weeks I will have my very own laptop to write on, all night if I want to. Expect more frequent updates...I have some new plot bunnies floating around in my head!

No review reviews this time, or else this story wouldn't be ready for another three days because I'm really slow at them. I really only have the time for them when people don't review a lot. That doesn't mean you should stop, of course, because the reviews mean a lot to me, and almost always make me smile!

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"No, Dumbledore, you don't understand!" Remus choked out as he tried to crawl in between Dumbledore and Sirius.

"I understand all too well Mr. Lupin. Mr. Black has already kidnapped one child. It looks like he's trying to find Mr. Potter a friend. I know you put trust in this man, Remus, but I assure you that it is not wise!"

"What do you mean I'm trying to find Harry a friend? We found that Weasley kid and were going to bring him home."

"Don't feed me any more of your lies Black. Like Lily and James, I trusted you. I once thought that you were on our side, but you have proven me wrong. I will NOT put my faith in you again. It's time for you to go to Azkaban, where you should have been sent years ago!"

Dumbledore pointed his wand at Sirius but Remus dove at him before he got a chance to utter the first syllable of any spell.

"Mr. Lupin, you are injured stand aside. It's not you I'm after!"

"Albus, please listen-Sirius-is-innocent! Please give him a chance to tell you the truth. Please just give him a chance!"

Remus was clinging tightly to the front of Dumbledore's robes. It was hard to tell if he was doing this to stop Dumbledore from doing anything to Sirius, or to stop himself from passing out.

Dumbledore looked down at Sirius. For a moment it looked as though he was going to do as Remus asked but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry Remus. This is for the ministry to deal with."

"Albus-please!" Remus muttered, tears of frustration and pain in his eyes. "You know the ministry won't give him a chance. They'll send him straight to prison without any trial at all!"

"Perhaps that's what he deserves."

Sirius couldn't believe this was happening. He came to England to rescue Harry, and now, he was caught. He had been in a monopoly and got the shorter end of the stick. No matter what he did he was going to lose Harry.

He gazed down at the little boy who was clinging tightly to his hand. Harry was leaning as far into Sirius's leg as was possible and buried his face into the soft fabric of his robes.

He could try to make a run for it with Harry, but chances are he'd be caught. If that were to happen he'd be in even more trouble, and who knows what could happen to Harry.

Sirius put his free hand on Harry's head and knelt down to eye level. "Harry, I have to leave you now. I have to go with this man...and I don't know when I'll be able to see you again."

Harry looked up horrified. "No...no! You're staying with me!"

Sirius's heart caught in his throat. "I wish I could, Harry, but I can't. I have to go with this man."

"But Sirius..." Harry yelled as tears began to course down his face. "You can't leave me! You said you wouldn't leave me!"

"I know I did, buddy...but I have to."

"What's going to happen to me?" Harry sobbed as he buried his face into Sirius's chest.

Sirius looked sharply at Remus and without a word Sirius knew that Remus would take care of him.

"Remus will take care of you...you'll never be alone."

"Without you I will be alone."

Sirius let tears stream down his own face as he wrapped his arms tightly around Harry. He buried his face into the boy's messy hair and wept.

He tried to compose himself and pull away from Harry, but only managed to pull away. "I love you Harry," he choked and then left Harry's side and walked towards Dumbledore.

He looked sadly up into Dumbledore's eyes and nodded his head. "Take me away Dumbledore! That'll really help the world, what with Wormtail still on the loose. Just promise me one thing. Don't let Wormtail get Harry. Please just let Remus take care of him...Remus will know what to do. Don't send him to the muggles. Promise me!"

Dumbledore looked at him calculatingly and then nodded his head. "Now that he knows of the magical world it would be unsuitable to leave him with a family of muggles."

"Sirius! Why are you giving up so easily? Talk to him! Reason with him!"

"What's the point Moony? If I fight I'm guilty, if I don't I'm guilty. There's no way out of this. It would be pointless to run, I'd still lose him Rem. I'm going to lose him," Sirius yelled, fiercely. Harry got up from where he had been sitting on the ground, sobbing, and ran towards him again. Sirius dropped to his knees and hugged him tightly once more.

He then stood back up and said, "How are you planning on getting me to the ministry? Ron home, and Harry and Remus where they need to go. Remus needs help, you can't leave him like that for too long or he's going to die."

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Dumbledore said sardonically.

Sirius just shook his head, not believing the person Albus Dumbledore had turned in to. There was a time when he would give anyone a chance, no matter what they had done in the past. Sirius had a strong feeling that it was his taking Harry that had changed Dumbledore's old outlook on life. It was another example of the endless circle that was Sirius's life.

"What are you going to do?!" Sirius asked again, getting nearly hysterical.

"I'm going to apparate you to the ministry and then take these three to Hogwarts. Mr. Lupin needs medical attention and these children need rest."

Sirius nodded his head acceptingly.

"Let's go then," Sirius choked out. He turned once more to Harry and said, "Bye, Harry. I love you, never forget that I love you."

Harry wasn't going to take this fate as easily as Sirius was. He grabbed Sirius's leg in a death grip and sat on his foot. Sirius let out a choked sob and said, "Harry, you have to let me go, bud. You have to."

Grabbing tighter to Sirius's leg, Harry shook his head firmly.

"Please Harry."

"Why don't you want me anymore?!" Harry sobbed.

Sirius didn't think it was possible for the situation to get any harder.

"Harry, I do want you. More than anything I want to just go home, but we can't. I'm sorry we can't."

Remus who had remained silent due to the sharp pain in his side finally spoke up. "Look what you're-doing to him! To them! How is this good-for anyone? If Sirius really wanted-to hurt Harry-if he had-wanted to hurt James-and Lily would he have really been so-kind to Harry-that Harry would- be so upset that Sirius was-leaving him?"

Dumbledore considered this for a moment. "Perhaps he was waiting for the right time to hurt the boy. Perhaps he just wanted to gain the young boys trust so he could in the future cause him harm."

"You-know that's not true-Dumbledore. You know it."

"No, Mr. Lupin I do not."

"How-can you-do this to them! I-used to respect you-so much. But now..."

"Remus, stop...it's okay," Sirius said.

Remus just shook his head in disgust.

Dumbledore looked at the two of them and sighed. "This is your last chance Black. I'll take you to the castle, but I will only take you under the tightest of security."

Sirius looked up at him, clearly shocked. He gave an amazed laugh and said, "Thank you so much. You won't regret this."

"I had better not, Mr. Black. I had better not."

"Thank you, Albus," Remus breathed, and then proceeded to pass out.

"Oh my God!" Sirius said and made to rush to his friend, but was restricted by the little boy attached to his leg, still sobbing away.

"He'll be fine. We're leaving now." Dumbledore then shot a spell at Sirius that bound him in tight cords. Harry jumped off him in fright as the cords wove themselves under his grip.

"It's okay, Harry. Everything's going to be okay," Sirius said with a small smile.

"You always say that...and it hasn't been."

"This time, I'm pretty sure it will be."

Harry gave him a small smile and nodded.

"Where's Ronald Weasley?"

"Over in those bushes. Remus froze him."

Dumbledore walked over to the bushes and undid the curse on Ron. The red- haired boy sprung up and started shouting. "Sirius Black! He got me! And they put a spell on me! Arrest him! Arrest him! He's evil!"

Harry ran over to where they were and shouted, "Don't you say that about Sirius!" He then proceeded to sock Ron in the face with his tiny four-year- old fist.

"Harry Potter!" Sirius yelled. Harry came trotting over to him. "What have I told you about hitting?"

"Not to do it ever. But Sirius, he was saying-!"

"I don't care what he was saying, Harry. You don't hit people, okay?"

Harry nodded.

"Now I want you to go apologize."

"But Sirius!" Harry whined.

"Apologize."

Harry trudged over. "I'm sorry I hit you." He then turned back to Sirius and said, "There."

Ron just looked at Harry angrily for a few moments and then shrugged.

"We must go now. Everyone, hold on to some part of me." Each of the little boys did. Dumbledore then put a hand on Remus and one on Sirius. Then with every bit of energy he could muster he apparated the five of them to the front gates of Hogwarts.

Quite drained, Dumbledore told the boys to let go and levitated both Remus and Sirius into the air and pointed them towards the castle. As an afterthought, he conjured a sheet and draped it over Sirius. He was ready to give Sirius a chance but knew others would be less willing.

Once they were all within the walls of the castle Dumbledore headed in the direction of the hospital wing. It was late at night so he really needn't worry about kids roaming the school but he took great precautions anyway. After all, there usually was a rule breaker or two weekly, if not daily.

Dumbledore led the two men ahead with such an air of power that the two little boys trailing behind him looked absolutely terrified. They followed close despite this, as the huge castle was just as ominous to them as Dumbledore himself.

When they reached the hospital wing Dumbledore set Remus down on the hospital bed furthest from the door. He then set Sirius on another and hurriedly flung the curtains shut around him.

"Poppy!" he called and waited for the woman to bustle in.

"Yes?" she asked inquisitively.

"You remember Remus Lupin, I'm sure?"

"Indeed. Such a sweet boy he was. Such a shame his life was so tough."

"Yes it was, and it just got tougher."

"He got in a mess with something and I have him here. He's quite injured and seeks immediate medical attention."

"I'll get right on that." She walked towards the bed where she could see Remus's feet but stopped short as she saw the closed curtain. "Why's this closed?"

"That's not your concern Poppy. I just beg you not to open that curtain. I will deal with that issue myself."

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"Of course Dumbledore," she said looking at him suspiciously. She then bustled to Remus and immediately set to work. Dumbledore then turned to the two little boys standing fearfully behind him.

"You'll both be staying here for the evening. Ron, I've notified your parents that you are well. If it hadn't been for you getting lost this afternoon I would never have found Harry here or those men with them. They needed to be found. But, I must impress on you the seriousness of what you've done. You are never to walk alone into the forest like that again, is that clear? The dark times appear to have ended, but no one knows if they shall return. You need to be more careful. I'm sure your parents will tell you the same."

Ron nodded his little red head.

"And Mr. Potter, you've clearly been through a lot this evening. I want you to sit back and relax. We'll make sure nothing happens to you."

"Please make sure nothing happens to Sirius either," Harry mumbled, biting his lip after.

Dumbledore turned sharply to Pomfrey to make sure she hadn't heard mention of the outlaw. It appeared she had not. Dumbledore bent down to get close to Harry's ear and whispered, "I'll try, but I need you to not say his name. He'll be in big trouble if someone hears his name."

Harry nodded and pressed his lips together, tight.

"Good boy. Now you two, go settle into those two beds, over there. I'll wake you when the time comes."

They tottered off together. At the time they were showing complete ambiguity towards each other. They didn't particularly like each other, but they didn't dislike each other either.

Dumbledore sighed to himself and joined Madam Pomfrey at Remus's side.

"Will he be alright?"

Pomfrey nodded her head. "I believe so. He lost a great deal of blood, but I gave him some potions that should help him out. He'll have quite a scar though."

"I'm sure he won't mind as long as he's alive."

"Albus, what on earth were those little boys doing here? I meant to ask you before. It hardly seems the place for them to be."

"They were lost in the woods. I found them about the same time I found Remus, here. They'll be fine here for the evening."

"If you say so."

"Now, if you're sure Mr. Lupin will be alright. I'd like to ask you to leave the wing."

"What?!" Pomfrey yelled. "I have an injured man here."

"I know this Poppy, I know. But as you just told me he'll be alright. I need about an hour or two and then you can come back and do what you do."

"Albus, this is highly--"

"Unusual, yes, but necessary."

She looked at him defiantly for a moment and then gave in. She left the hospital wing in a huff and slammed the door.

"That woman..." Dumbledore said, chuckling to himself. He then stepped up to the curtain he had shut around Sirius and ripped it open. Sirius's eyes zoomed to his face.

"Finally."

"Yes, well, things take time when there's an outlaw in the hospital wing."

"Haha, funny, can you untie me please?"

"No I can not."

Sirius looked up at him with confusion.

"As far as I know, Mr. Black, you really did betray James and Lily Potter, you really are a deatheater, and you really did kidnap Harry Potter."

"How can you kidnap your own godson?! And you know how much I loved James and Lily...I'd never betray them! And do you see the dark mark on my wrist?! No!"

"That's enough Sirius. I'd like to question you under veritaserum, if you don't mind."

"Not at all."

Dumbledore left his bedside and disappeared into a closet. He came back a few minutes later with a small vial of clear liquid.

"Drink it all."

Sirius nodded and downed the hatch.

Dumbledore began the questions, first testing the waters.

"Is your name Sirius Black?"

"Yes."

"In you're fifth year you accidentally screwed up a potion which resulted in your hair flashing two different colors, what were they?"

Sirius gritted his teeth, "Bubble gum pink and sunshine yellow."

"That's right. Now, on to the important matters. Tell me exactly what you think happened on the night James and Lily died."

Sirius first explained how they had decided last minute to switch to Peter. He also gave his reasons for making that switch. Then, he went on to tell his reasons for taking Harry. He told about how he knew the Dursley's were no good.

Dumbledore almost didn't want to believe it. It would be so much easier had he really done what he had been accused of.

"So why did you come back? Why were you in the woods this evening?"

"Deatheaters took Harry."

"What? Where'd they take them to?"

"They took him to a cave, just outside where you found us. I don't know what they wanted to do with him...Wormtail was behind it."

"So you came back to England, risking it all to find him?"

Sirius nodded. "And I got him."

Dumbledore smiled at him genuinely.

"I believe you Sirius."

"So you're not going to take him away?"

"No...I'll do my best to leave him with you."

"Where were you staying when Harry was taken?"

"Newport, Rhode Island."

"I figured it was America."

Sirius just nodded.

"I'll be right back Sirius."

Dumbledore left for the closet again and came out carrying a vial of green fluid.

"Drink this, it'll get the veritaserum out of you. It's not healthy to leave it in the system too long."

Sirius drank every drop.

"Where's Harry?"

"Across the room. Hopefully sleeping."

"He's not...he's crying."

"What?"

"I can hear him, you can't hear him?"

"No, he's clear across the room. Perhaps you've forgotten how big the hospital wing is."

"I just have an ear for it. Can you untie me so I can go to him."

"Yes, but promise you'll not leave this room. I can't risk having you out and about."

"Of course."

Dumbledore muttered a spell and the ropes around him disappeared. He hopped off the bed and Dumbledore pointed him in the right direction.

He walked over and found Harry lying face down on the bed sobbing into the pillow. In the next bed over Ron was lying sound asleep. Sirius shut the curtain around them anyway. The noise of it startled Harry and he turned to look for the source.

"Sirius!" he yelled and jumped to his feet.

"Hey, bud, what's wrong?"

"I missed you."

"I missed you too, but I wasn't away that long."

"I was scared," Harry said leaning himself against Sirius's chest.

Sirius picked him up and sat on the bed. He then set Harry down on his lap and put his arms around him.

"You're not going to leave me, right Sirius?"

"Not right now. And I'll fight as hard as I can to make sure that no one ever takes you away."

Harry nodded and curled up around Sirius.

"Where's that other man?"

"Which one? Remus or the old one?"

"Both."

Sirius smiled knowing he didn't care about both of them a moment before. "Remus is in another bed, trying to get better. The old one, Dumbledore, is trying to help us get back home."

"When are we going home?"

"When Dumbledore finds us a safe way."

"Will that be tomorrow?"

Sirius laughed. "I don't know, hopefully."

"Will we ever see them again?"

"Probably."

"Good. That Wemus, seemed nice."

Sirius laughed at the mispronunciation of his friends name and said, "He's my best friend."

"Can he come live with us?!" Harry asked excitedly.

"I don't think so bud, but maybe if he wants to."

"I want him to."

"Earlier today you were afraid of him."

"But you said he was nice, so he must be nice."

Sirius smiled and messed up Harry's already messy hair.

"Love you Harry, but I think you should go to sleep now."

"Okay, g'night."

"Night."

They both fell asleep moments later. A perfect end to the hellish day they had shared.

No cliffie this time. What did you think of that chapter? I'll tell you this, it's not over yet, trust me. Please review, it'll make me very happy!