Never Alone, Never Again

by Bored Beyond Belief

Harry's holiday reaches it's lowest point. Will Harry finally be able to have the kind of love everyone else seems to take for granted? Complete

31. The Trail

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine. All I can do is worship him from afar. Alack.

Author's Note: Thank you very much to all of you who checked in to make sure I hadn't dropped off the face of the earth. Sorry for the delay in posting. Moving absolutely sucks, but hopefully I'm beginning to get settled. I promise to endeavor to return as closely to my old posting routine as possible. In the meantime, I greatly appreciate all the terrific reviews! If you haven't seen the new Harry Potter movie, by all means Go See It! It's great fun, and just in time to put me back in the Harry Potter spirit! Well, on with the show…

Chapter 31

Sirius wasn't sure when other memories began to surface. It could have been days or even weeks ago for all he knew. But once he realized they'd begun to materialize, he'd clutched to them greedily like a starved man to food. They were precious jewels, faded thoughts and moments of happiness, mischievousness, joy, camaraderie. They were brief moments in time where things were *right*, when life felt worth living and friendship was more important than breathing. He wasn't sure why now, in the midst of such profound sorrow and loss, these memories burbled up, but it made him come to some strange revelations.

He'd been running for days after Crookshanks. Yesterday they'd entered a forest he could see no end to, its thick underbrush forcing burs into his fur, knotting his coat so tightly it pinched his skin as he chased after the ever elusive Kneazle.

Each evening, just after twilight, Crookshanks would no longer move. It was as if he decided Sirius could travel no further, and forced him to rest for the night. Rest was the furthest thing from Sirius' mind, but as he had no idea what the Kneazle was tracking… there was no scent or trail he could discern… he was forced to acquiesce.

His body had long ago stopped protesting. He'd pushed himself far beyond normal limits, and it was by will alone that he followed Crookshanks. His pads were bruised and split, and jabs of pain shot up his legs as he ran, threatening worse injury than just wear and tear. It had begun to rain last night, and the soaked thick forest floor felt soothing to his aching paws, the cool squishy sensation welcomed and relished even. Today he realized that he'd begun to whimper as he ran, his tongue lolling ridiculously, coated with a thick film; a sure sign of dehydration that indicated he couldn't even take the time to take a drink even with puddles of fresh rain water all around him.

When he'd first set out after Crookshanks, memories of just *after* that fateful Halloween began to drift into his mind. The brutal handling by the Aurors as they escorted him directly to Azkaban. It was clear from the start there would be *no* trial. They'd forced him to Apparate to the departure point at the mouth of the bay. It was the dead of night, and his shouts of insane laughter had long ago turned to sobs of despair. He'd longed for death… even the Dementor's kiss, and had been profoundly disappointed not to get it. It had been all *his* fault, and baby Harry's lonely, frightened wails from the midst of the rubble of Godric's Hollow haunted Sirius even before the Dementors got a hold of him.

It was a sound that Sirius had known would never be answered. Harry's cries for his parents would no longer be responded to by laughter and kisses, by arms sweeping him up and lifting him high, holding him close to ease his fears. Of course, only Sirius' worst fears would show the pain, abuse and neglect that the loss of his parents truly did bring Harry.

Sirius *knew* that Harry had been abused more than just that one year. It was evident in everything from the scars he bore to the pain and guilt he accepted so readily. At first, Sirius couldn't understand why Harry refused to admit the abuse. It seemed absurd, really, with all the evidence to the contrary. Harry had just shrugged and referenced strange Muggle accidents, obvious lies his relatives themselves undoubtedly told Harry to tell anyone who asked. It maddened Sirius until Remus finally pulled him aside.

"Why won't he admit it?" Sirius had asked, frustrated and exasperated.

"He would, if he thought you would let it be, Sirius. Now that his secret is out, I don't think that's the problem," Remus had replied.

"Then what's the problem?" Sirius had asked. Personally, he'd wanted to shake Harry silly. It seemed so alien of Harry to lie like that, and it bothered Sirius far more than he understood why.

"You."

"And why, pray tell, is that?" Sirius growled.

"What good is it going to do? It won't change his past, and it'll just serve to make you feel worse than you already do. He'd rather move on from there. It's you who are dwelling," Remus said solemnly. Sirius couldn't believe his friend was advocating Harry *not* telling the truth.

"I may be slightly crazy, Moony, but just accepting lies never did anyone any favors," Sirius had said.

"You're right. There will come a time when he'll need to talk about it, and you'll need to curb your instincts to tear his relatives limb from limb. The home reeked of abuse, Sirius. I understand your need to pursue this. But he's going through so much already. Let him leave this for another time, another day. He's choosing his battles, Sirius. Let him," Remus had said.

Looking back, Sirius realized which battle Harry wanted most to win. Sirius' freedom. The realization made him want to crawl into a hole and cry until sanity fled. Harry had wanted the truth of Voldemort's return to be heard, but he'd also wanted to exonerate Sirius, and the thought was nearly too much to bear.

This precious time he'd had since being reunited with Moony had opened Sirius' eyes to several profoundly frightening qualities he had. Sirius was well acquainted with pain and regret, but as far as life lessons went… in twelve years time he'd only learned one. Don't trust Wormtail. He couldn't even claim that the lesson was to have more faith in himself due to how badly he'd botched trying to capture Peter afterwards.

Moony had always been naturally reclusive, so he didn't count in Sirius' calculations, but most people by Sirius' age had had a whole plethora of life experiences and profound moments of growth. Loves gained and lost, decisions that should have been more thought out… Friendships both old and new, possible career changes and the ever present chance to grow and learn. Sirius was rather… stunted in this area, and he'd begun to become more and more painfully aware of this as he began to differentiate his true feelings from the induced flashbacks of Azkaban.

When he'd lost Harry and imagined what it must be like for him… first the interrogation and then later the grim boat ride to Azkaban… Sirius had had to acknowledge the howling pain in his chest was not just love but *need*. He needed Harry, with ever fiber of his being, and he hadn't even realized it until Harry was gone.

Harry needed Sirius. He *wanted* to live with him. He'd been rescued by Sirius away from those awful relatives. And during those grim moments in the witching hours when Harry would wake up, terrified he was back with the Dursleys or so shaken by the horrific visions Voldemort forced him to witness that he couldn't even speak, he'd let Sirius hold him in his arms and rock him back to sleep. He'd made Sirius feel like a human being again… and the feeling was heady indeed. Sirius had been cared for and even loved in his life… but never needed.

Sirius spent so long loathing himself in that awful cell, with the memory of Harry's heartbreaking cries a bitter lullaby to visions of James and Lily's bodies, strewn about the yard like casually tossed garbage. When he'd discovered that becoming Padfoot eased the effects of the Dementors… Sirius had resisted changing at first. He didn't deserve peace or a respite from his grief. He didn't care about not having a trial, and had tried on more than one occasion to provoke the Dementors into giving him the Kiss anyway.

In later years, he'd bitterly resented his cellmates who'd gone mad. It was odd to listen to, albeit from afar. In madness, sometimes happiness could be gained. It drew the Dementors like moths to a flame, for as they drained the unbalanced happiness, the terror that madness could bring with it drew their punishments to entirely new levels. Sirius had seen the Dementors on more than one occasion cradle their victims like children in their arms as the inmates' babbled gibberish dissolved to gasps and gurgles. In the end they didn't even need the Kiss to leave only a husk behind.

*Why* did he remain sane? Sirius understood the ramifications, but couldn't understand *why*. He had thought it yet another way life could punish him for his failures. *If only* he'd had more confidence in himself. *If only* he'd trusted Remus instead of Peter. Sirius had understood James' argument about Moony, but in retrospect he didn't see how it could work. It wasn't like Moony could talk as a werewolf anyway, even if technically he was a Dark Creature and therefore susceptible to Voldemort's power.

Sirius had eventually given in to the occasional need to transform into Padfoot to stay alive. It wasn't until the newspaper article, that beautiful fluke of fate that put Wormtail *right* in his lap, that he'd realized why he was still sane. Although his life was forfeit, the need for justice, for revenge was not. *This* was the blinding reason why he was alive and intact, and the possibility to even the score had nearly made the Dementors cradle *him*.

But Harry… Harry changed all that. It wasn't about revenge anymore… although there was no way Sirius would say killing Peter still wouldn't be like achieving one of his all time life goals. But the promise of a future… with Harry in it…

Sirius knew it would take a long time for Harry to heal from this. He had barely been coping with the dreams as it was. He tried to suppress Remus' words as he described Harry's bewildered face the first time he'd encountered a Dementor.

"Did you hear the screaming?" Harry had asked. His parents. He relived his own parents' deaths. Don't think about it, Sirius. Don't think about what he's reliving now. Focus. Wet trails, cold drizzle, Crookshanks up ahead. Catch him, you dolt. Sirius forced himself out of his reverie, looking around him in surprise. He appeared to be in a churchyard. When did the forest end? Rather frightening he hadn't noticed that. Sirius glared at Crookshanks, who looked no more winded than if he'd simply scampered through the Hogwarts halls for the afternoon. Disgusting.

As Sirius loped across the clearing, he realized that he was in a graveyard. Very old tombstones were scattered in little clumps, testimony to the families buried together. He looked around curiously. Most of the headstones were quite old and weathered, with overgrown rose bushes and vines scattered around them, deliberately planted by the bereaved years ago. Slowly the overgrowth cleared away, and Sirius realized that he must now be in the more recently used section of the yard. A familiar scent caught his attention with the intensity of a lightening bolt.

That smell! That's Peter. Sirius' bloody paws scratched at the wet earth as he skidded to a halt, eager for another whiff. Is this what you've been following, Crookshanks? If so, I should have caught the scent long before now. But this isn't recent at all. What's going on? Sirius sniffed deeply of the turf, allowing his Animagus form to decipher the puzzle his mind tried to understand.

This is Peter, but it isn't fresh. It's months old. This doesn't make any sense. A trail this old gave Sirius no hope of finding Pettigrew anytime soon. Alarm bells in his mind began to go off as Crookshanks stood on the other end of the graveyard, clearly wanting him to follow. You're telling me this isn't what you're tracking? Okay, that's good… But a trail *that I can smell* goes this way, Sirius thought towards the cat, although he knew Crookshanks wouldn't have understood him even if he'd barked.

Sirius began to follow the path Wormtail had taken and choked as the hackles on the back of his neck raised. He wasn't even aware of the deep rumbling growl he made as his nose picked up the scent of someone else… In the distance, Crookshanks hissed, but Sirius didn't notice. He'd just caught the familiar whiff of Hogwarts earth, a teenage boy Sirius didn't recognize the scent of… and Harry.

What? Harry? Sirius froze for a moment as he tried to keep his mind from racing out of control. He gathered his shattered concentration to try to focus on the task at hand. The scent is several months old. This is evident. In all this rain, he was surprised it hadn't disappeared already. Only the fact that high emotions left a far more indelible mark allowed Sirius to find it at all. Sirius could smell easily the sweat and pain of both boys, but especially Harry's. Peter's odor was of raw terror. Sirius closed his eyes as he tried to concentrate on what his nose was telling him.

Harry was here, stressed and bleeding. Sirius looked closely around him. He said the Portkey took him to a graveyard. Riddle, Sirius squinted to read the tombstones in the fading light, looking for the name. That's right. There should be a Riddle tombstone around here somewhere. That would be where they tied him up. Sirius snuffed in shock. He'd found where Voldemort had risen. This had to be where Harry had been brought after the Third Task. Sirius looked towards where Crookshanks had been previously. Now he was gone.

Damn it! Where've you gone off to, now, you bloody Kneazle? I found where he was reborn… Not that I'm sure what good it does me now. It's not like I can tell what was in the cauldron Harry talked about. Harry, Sirius said, but instead it came out a whimper as he smelled death. The other boy's scent abruptly changed… with a taint animals knew instantly. There was no masking it. This is where Cedric died, then, Sirius thought as the stress and pain in Harry's smell, even months old, nearly overwhelmed him. Shock. He'd nearly gone into shock. Sirius never told Harry, nor, if they both survived this, did he ever intend to do so, but as an Animagus dog he could clearly read people's emotions through their smell. Things people normally hid quite adeptly. It helped insure that Sirius didn't miss anything, considering how good Harry was at hiding his feelings.

Wormtail's terror left a tang in Sirius' mouth. Are you terrified *of* him? He absently asked the one man he hated nearly worse than Voldemort. You just killed an innocent boy, and I don't smell a hint of remorse, you bastard. It's all about you, isn't it? No one else enters into that little mind of yours. Those brilliant, quirky eccentricities of yours. You weren't absentminded, you simply didn't care. Skipped birthdays, promises you conveniently forgot about…

"That's alright, Sirius. Peter will make a brilliant Secret Keeper. Heck, *he'll* forget where we are, and no one will find us ever again. We're set for life!" James' cheerful voice echoed in Sirius' head.

The memory made Sirius nauseous, but with a morbid compulsion he followed Wormtail's trail. Harry's fear and… resignation was a bitter taste on Sirius' tongue as he stared in shock at the tombstone. This is it. Where Peter cut Harry's arm. Will that bloody cut ever heal? It tore so easily and never properly mended.

Sirius winced at the memory of taking Harry's arm, trying to keep him from turning away and hiding his face. Harry hated showing pain. He swallowed it up within himself until only his eyes betrayed how much he felt but rarely revealed. Sirius instinctively knew it was eating Harry up inside. Yell, damnit. Rail, scream, holler, wail at the bloody injustice of it all. It's unfair! Why me? All those things Sirius had absolutely *no* problem expressing, he'd desperately wanted to see a flicker of in Harry.

Sirius' emotions were rarely a mystery, as Moony could more than attest to. Only in the later years, since Azkaban, had the pain morphed into something more. Once the Dementor induced memories subsided, the memories of Azkaban itself began to haunt his dreams.

The way the waves lapped against the rocks, a constant scraping sound of sand and salt against stone. Sometimes it seemed to Sirius as if nature itself was desperately trying to wear the tiny island into oblivion. Do us all a favor. The smell of decayed wood, of dead fish rotting on the shores. The occasional carcasses of *bigger* sea life simply decomposing where they lay, washed ashore with the larger storms that assaulted the island in the winter. Sirius knew exactly how long it took for a seal's flesh to melt away, diminished by flies and the elements, before it stopped smelling. How long until only bone remained, bleached and brittle.

Only in Sirius' dreams, instead of a seal's carcass, it was Harry's body that washed ashore. The remainder of the dream was of Sirius being forced to watch the boy's lifeless eyes staring at him as raindrops filled them up, almost as if they were silent tears sliding down Harry's face. Sirius forced himself away from that reoccurring dream. Enough!

So, you've found where he rose, and you've got Peter's scent. Crookshanks has disappeared… What now? Sirius pondered. The smell of blood filled his nostrils, a great deal of blood. Peter's blood. You cut off your own hand for that monster. I just don't understand, Sirius thought, shaking his head. With just a few more steps, he could see the scorch marks.

This is where the cauldron was. Flattened sod with a slight indent, Sirius noted. It was hot, too. Turning his attention to just what his nose was telling him, he closed his eyes. What strange smells these are. There is no way I'll even be able to hint at a list of ingredients to whatever was in that cauldron… What is this? Sirius's eyes snapped open again. Oh… This couldn't be what he thought it was. What is this?! Sirius felt alarm as he followed Peter's trail to the edge of the burn marks.

Abruptly, Peter's scent had changed. Pain doesn't do that. Pain and duress are only temporary modifications… and the foundational scent remains the same. Only death alters it permanently. Sirius felt panic threaten to cloud his thoughts and he couldn't even trace the source of it. There was something about this smell that he should know, and the knowledge was already frightening him, making his heart hammer in his chest. What was it? Bloody hell. This is a permanent change to *him*… Peter. He doesn't even smell like Peter. He's different and… *I've smelled this before*!

Sirius abruptly changed back into a man, gasping for breath as he collapsed to his knees. His hands were bloodied and cracked, smeared with mud and grass stains. He *had* smelled this before. At the Burrow. While Harry was there. Oh my God. He was there. He was there, spying, and we didn't know it. Of course he could get there. Stupid, Sirius, he *lived* there, for Merlin's sake. Wards are only for those who aren't welcome. At one time, *Scabbers* was practically part of the bloody family.

Wearily, Sirius stumbled to his feet, fighting the nausea long enough to step away from the Riddle tombstone towards a cluster of overgrown bushes and dry heaved. Here he'd been trying to protect Harry all this time, and Wormtail had still managed to be at the Burrow.

How long? How much does Pettigrew know? He *has* to know about the dreams. And he *has* to know about the connection to Voldemort. How much has Peter figured out? Was he there when Harry actually intervened in a dream? Does he already know the Ministry of Magic has Harry? Do they know Harry's in Azkaban? If Voldemort *knows* about the dreams, can he use them to harm Harry even more than he already has?

The questions whirled around in Sirius' mind, overwhelming him with a sense of complete and utter failure. He'd failed *again* to protect Harry. It was simply too much. He fell once again to his knees and the moan of despair he uttered sounded alien even to his ears.

*Crack*

Sirius stilled at the sound of a branch breaking. Someone was in the graveyard with him. Immediately he morphed once again into his Animagus form, abruptly energized by adrenaline. Who's here? I hope it's you, you son of a…

The scent that hit him was filled with exotic aromas, sweat and pain. Only one man smelled like a walking apothecary, and with a snarl Sirius leapt forward. Severus Snape. Fancy meeting you here. So were *you* here that night as well?

The rage and helplessness allowed Sirius to ignore the obvious holes in his theory. There was *no* way Harry would have ever let Snape near him had he been there, and Harry *would* have told Dumbledore if Snape had. But Sirius didn't care. What were the odds that the supposed *spy* for Dumbledore happened to be in the very same place where Voldemort was reborn? The fact he was still a *spy* was entirely beside the point.

The figure cloaked in black weaved dangerously as he made his way across the churchyard. Snape stumbled frequently, and was distracted enough that he didn't even hear Sirius crashing towards him. He didn't look Sirius' way until he was upon him, his bulk airborne and slamming heavily into Snape's chest.

"Ooooof," Snape said as he hit the ground hard and skidded a few feet, his head thumping the ground as he landed. That sounded painful, Sirius thought with satisfaction. Good. I hope that hurt. Snape's wand was out in an instant, but Sirius was already ducking it, biting Snape's hand and forearm, keeping it pointed away from his body.

"What the..?!" Snape exclaimed, his surprise tinged with pain and exhaustion. Snape's cowl flew back, and his black eyes narrowed in anger as he recognized Sirius. Sirius realized Snape's other hand appeared to be reaching in his belt for something. Sirius shook Snape's arm violently, trying to force him to drop his wand.

"Black!" Snape hissed. "What are you doing? Let go of my arm, you pathetic mongrel. Don't make me have to kill you," he said, although his tone clearly indicated he wouldn't *really* mind if he had to.

Sirius' Animagus form didn't allow him to scoff, but the *shuffing* breath of doubt conveyed his message clear enough. The sharp prick of a knifepoint at his neck caught Sirius completely by surprise.

Of course, it would have to be Snape who wouldn't rely on just wands, using Muggle weapons as well. Sirius had been so focused on keeping Snape's wand pointed elsewhere he hadn't worried about the other hand. Sirius froze, his blind rage abating a bit as he looked closely at Snape's condition.

The Potion Master's skin was waxy white, soaked with sweat. Strands of black hair stuck to his forehead, and the veins on his neck seemed to stand out with strain. As Sirius allowed his jaw muscles to relax he caught the faintest whiff of Pettigrew. In fact, Snape's wand reeked of Wormtail. It seemed permeated with the strange was it Dark Magic? scent of Peter. Each breath Snape took seemed to be a bit of a struggle, but Sirius wasn't sure if that was from an earlier injury or because of his tackle.

Snape had been near Wormtail… Recently. Just a few minutes ago. Where did you come from, you slimy bastard? Is that where Crookshanks was trying to lead me? To wherever you were? I'm wasting time here. Sirius needed to extract himself from this confrontation and follow Snape's trail. He's close. Look at you. You can't have come far, Sirius realized as he looked intently at Snape. Even though his eyes were black, Sirius could still see that Snape's pupils were tiny pinpricks themselves. He appeared to be in a great deal of pain.

Sirius sniffed deeply. What else can you tell me? Pain, exhaustion, Pettigrew, resignation, *cheerfulness*? What? Not something he'd *ever* smelled on Snape before. And faintly, I could almost swear you smell a bit of… Harry? Why would you smell like Harry? Had he seen him? Had Voldemort already gone to Azkaban and gotten Harry?

Sirius had to struggle to keep from whimpering as a whole *new* set of fears overwhelmed him. Snape took the opportunity of Sirius' distraction to look around him, using his wand with a whispered spell to detect if anyone was nearby. Was Snape checking to see if he'd been followed?

"Well, all is right with the universe again. *Of course* I'd run into you. But perhaps this can go my way…" Snape said introspectively. All Sirius could think was, Why do you smell like Harry? What is going on? "It's my karmic right to kill you, you know," Snape said and pressed hard the knife in Sirius' neck, drawing blood, forcing him to back off Snape's torso. Snape pushed himself upright wearily. Sirius wanted to ask his questions aloud, but knew there was every possibility he could transform right into Snape's knife.

Snape looked at his bloodied sleeve and shook his head. "You stupid fool. What were you trying to do? Kill me? The universe has such an enormous sense of irony that it humbles me," Snape said, his lips tight. He turned his attention back to Sirius. "Kill me, you half-wit, and you'd have killed your Godson as well," he said. Sirius' eyes widened in shock. Was that a threat? Sirius growled even as Snape let the knife slip slightly away from Sirius' neck.

"For Merlin's sake, change already. I don't have time for you, and clearly this needs to be resolved," Snape spat. His hands trembled, but the wand was still steady in his hand. Sirius changed. Snape's eyes took in his state with a glance, noting his bloody hands and the state of his clothes and hair. He slipped the red tipped knife back in his belt and pressed his good hand against his torn forearm.

"Now listen close, and listen good. Potter is alive. He is an Animagus. Voldemort is heading to Azkaban to retrieve him. He knows about the dreams. I'm going to tell Albus. I have no idea how you got here, but if you're thinking of going where I've come from, you'll be taking on Voldemort and nearly twenty Death Eaters by yourself. Since you're pathetic even against one, I'd suggest you rethink your options," Snape said.

"You smell like Harry," Sirius stated in a near croak. How long since he'd last spoken aloud? Snape's eyes widened.

"Really?" Snape replied, genuinely intrigued, then his eyes narrowed as he regrouped from his surprise. "Obviously, you were sent on a fool's errand to keep from being underfoot. How you actually succeeded in tracking down Pettigrew is beyond me. Now, though, you're a menace. Leave the decisions to those of us who know what's going on. If you really want to feel useful, why don't you go to Azkaban and see if you can break out that Godson of yours? *That* is something you've done right, although I still contend it's a fluke. Keep messing in matters that are none of your concern, though, and you'll have Potter's death on your hands as well as his parents due to your lack of judgement."

Sirius felt the rage boil inside him until the sides of his vision swam with red. "Back to this, are we? We can make this real," Sirius said, his voice quiet. Make the fight real, his insides screamed. End this. He's evil. You've always known he's evil. You knew it even then, years ago, when you'd hoped to scare some humility into that arrogant sneer. Then why does he smell of Harry? What was he talking about? Kill him and I kill Harry? Is he threatening me? Harry's scent is exhausted, and in pain, but not *because* of Snape. Sirius wasn't even sure *why* he knew this truth, but he did nonetheless.

"We don't, because it's time to grow up, Black. This isn't about you, and this isn't even about me. This is about Harry," Snape said, and the way Snape said Harry's given name caused Sirius' mind to still. "Albus found a spell… I've been feeding Potter with my strength. Don't ask why it was me and not you," Snape said with a raised hand, shaking his head. Sirius' jaw clicked shut, the question unasked. "This is Azkaban we're talking about. The spell was based on our mutual dislike of each other," he explained quickly. "We've managed to keep Potter alive, but… He just saved my life. Through his dreams," he said, and laughed bitterly, shaking his head again, this time in amazement. "Even in Azkaban, his connection to Voldemort is in full force. He's too weak to transform into his Animagus form, and I'm too weak to help him. Voldemort is on his way to kill Harry once and for all, and You. Are. Wasting. Precious. Time."

Sirius internalized all that Snape said. It rang true. Every word of it. He reigned in his emotions and forced himself to look at things more calmly. *This* certainly explained why Snape would smell faintly of Harry. And it could even explain Pettigrew. Snape's physical state, the fact that he reeked of Dark Magic… the victim of it, not the giver.

"Alright. It's too insane not to be true, and you are simply not that creative a liar. Will Dumbledore send anyone else to Azkaban?" Sirius asked. Snape raised an eyebrow.

"How should I know? I do know he's also working the legal channels to free Potter, but… It won't be in time. Potter is three cells down from your old home, so he'll be easy to find. The Dementor shifts remain the same. You know the timetable. Potter still carries the Portkey Dumbledore gave him. I've been thinking… Voldemort may have to disable the wards to take control of Azkaban. The Portkey would work then. All you need to do is get to him," Snape said, his manner brisk. Of course, he also never lowered his wand either.

"Snape…" Sirius said, the words reluctant. Damnit, he *knew* Snape cared for Harry. Snape may be in denial about it, but scents didn't lie. As Snuffles, he'd smelled the concern and pity Snape felt for Harry. What Snape was saying made sense, and yet it was Sirius that *still* couldn't seem to move beyond his own animosity. It was stupid. He knew that. And Sirius also knew if he tried to be nice, he'd simply be mocked for it anyway. But this was enough. They were on the same side. Dumbledore was right. This was interfering with the bigger picture: Harry's safety. "How long do I have to get there?" Sirius asked.

"Voldemort was already stirring as I left. They won't pursue me… Voldemort doesn't need me to be close to him to torture me," Snape said, absently glancing at his left forearm. "He knows about Potter's dreams now, so Potter has become the biggest threat. Overtures have already been made, and the Dementors evidently are receptive. I'd say three hours at the most if you want to beat them, but that means you have to arrive by boat, because until those wards are down, you won't be able to Apparate directly to the island," Snape said.

Sirius nodded and turned to walk away. Even the shoreline had alarm wards, so the closest Sirius could come undetected would be several kilometers away from the charmed boats. He'd need to find a boat of his own, preferably with a Muggle engine, as rowing would be too slow. What he'd give for a wand of his own again.

"Black," Snape said, his voice calm. Sirius knew he had taken a risk by turning his back on Snape, but it was one final chance, the risk taken *just* to make sure that what Sirius' instincts were screaming were indeed true.

"Snape," Sirius replied, pausing but not turning around. He did, however, glance over his shoulder.

"This gets put on hold…" Snape said, raising his bloody forearm to be clearly seen. Sirius had indeed done quite a number on the Potions Master. Robe sleeve and skin were shredded, and the material itself hung damply, saturated with blood, "But you *will* answer to me for what you've done here today," Snape promised with deadly sincerity.

"As it should be. For what it's worth… If you *have* done all you say you've done for Harry, then… I owe you a Wizard's Debt *for* him. Meet out whatever punishment you see fit," Sirius said, and meant. Snape's face slackened in surprise, then his eyes narrowed seconds before he Apparated back to Hogwarts. Sirius transformed into a dog once more, inhaling deeply the faint scent Snape still carried of Harry.

Harry's scent had changed as well. You forgot to ask what his Animagus was. Sirius shook his head to keep focused. Okay, so the new Animagus form Harry has could be why his scent is slightly different. Three cells from me. Easy to find. Boy, Sirius, you got lucky there.

"Sirius?" A calm voice asked from behind him. Sirius gave a brief bark of joy as the wolf's scent arrived just as he caught sight of Remus heading towards him across the churchyard clearing. Twilight was finally fading into night. Only the street lamps that had begun to flicker lazily on illuminated his dearest friend. What a bizzare, fickle thing hope is, Sirius thought. What are the odds Moony would show up *just* as I'm about to leave for Azkaban? Sirius transformed back into a man and walked eagerly towards Remus. Moony halted, his eyes widening in concern, noting Sirius' hands and the physical state he was in.

"Moony! What are you doing here? No, wait, don't answer that. Snape, right?" Sirius asked after just a second's reflection. Remus nodded.

"He arrived as I was leaving. Good thing, too," Remus said as he looked around him. "It would have taken four times as long to find you. I have some news," Remus said, his eyes eerily glowing in the street lamp, just as a wolf's would.

"Voldemort is about to storm Azkaban. He's after Harry. I was just about to Apparate," Sirius interrupted. No sense wasting any more time than he already had.

"Forget my news," Remus joked, then lowered his head to look at his friend more intently. "Tell me where you're Apparating to," he continued. Sirius shook his head.

"No. You're not coming. You've got little defense against Dementors unless you're holding them off directly. Your Patronus will cause too much attention, yet you'll need it against so many. Snape indicated the Dementors have already gone to Voldemort's side," Sirius stated. Remus shook his head.

"My Patronus is strong, but I can also handle not using it if I have to. You *know* what I experience around Dementors, Padfoot. I go through it every month. I am ideal to take with you, because I handle my worst fears and pain all the time," Moony said, and Sirius stilled. Merlin, Sirius swore to himself. You're going to get yourself killed, Moony. But he was right, and Sirius knew Harry stood a better chance with *both* of them trying to rescue him than if he tried alone. He had no intention of making this a suicide mission. Sirius nodded.

"I'm glad you're here," Sirius said. Remus nodded and put an arm around Sirius affectionately, shaking him warmly.

"I am, too, Padfoot. Let's go."

And they did.

TBC…..

Kouji: I know, but cliff hangers are actually considered a good thing. I *want* readers to come back to the story. Thanks!

Aniwda: Hope I don't disappoint. More Pettigrew to come!

Naia: Here you go! Next installment.

Mistri: Glad you like it! 8-)

SilverWolf: Man, the whole thing in two nights? Gads. Glad you felt you had to! g Thanks for adding me to your favorites!

Heather: Not sure. The last two chapters I thought would be one, so just when I think I've got a clear destination in mind, the length increases. Not that I mind!

Jarvey: I intend to! g

Elizabeth Bathory: Thank you very much! 8-)

VaderDWP: I hear you. Hope this chapter fills the bill! Thanks!

Dilandra: Yes, it is nice to see Harry take more action, isn't it?

LaminaCourt: hehehehe… Hope Sirius doesn't disappoint!

Lady FoxFire: Hmmm, within the next couple of chapters… All in good time… 8-)

WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Okay.

Moonlight: You'll see. Yes, what about that? Quite peculiar, isn't it? 8-) … I agree. I think Percy's next, then Snape and Harry again. Also the article… (hopefully g).

PurePsychicEspeon: Thanks.

Buff200020002002: Okay. 8-)

Lisawescott: Well, I'm glad I'm your first (so to speak)! Thanks for reviewing, and hope the story continues not to disappoint!

Mara Arwen Black-McGregor: hehehehe… I'm rather proud of Percy's growth myself. Oh, glad I was able to convey that! I wanted to get the right feel. Any bookworm worth their salt would have! g Well, I don't see Snape and Pettigrew close at any point. That's definitely more Lucius' domain. Oooh, good! Yippee! I wanted to find a way to convey just what kind of a villian would inspire the kind of loyalty he has… The key ingredient is for him to draw you into his world long enough so that you see things the same way his does… judgement gets warped and distorted, and you've sold yourself before you even realize what's happened. I know. I always think of him as 'Poor Harry' too! Thanks! And thank you very much for that as well! I think what they were trying to convey was that using third person and first person in the same story… especially with present tense and past tense, makes things complicated for the reader. And that is why I posted! I do want people to read it! So this is why I've been trying, these last couple of chapters, to keep the POV skips down to a minimum. It won't last, because of what I have planned… but for now I'm trying to be good!

Celebony: Me too! Sorry it took so long to post! You'll see! I'm not sure yet, but the climax is coming relatively soon… I totally agree with that assessment. Snape is just too set in his ways and the way he responds to things. It's him. To try to change that is to simply transplant him with someone you want him to be, not who he is. Not that he's not coming around… He's just rusty… And he's subtle. No overtly emotional displays for him.

X-woman: Fanfiction changed my perception of Snape as well. In the books, I hated him! Not sure… Can't quite estimate it, but the climax is coming soon! Hmmm… In the next couple of chapters I think. Hmmm.. Hermione won't pop up too soon, but more Sirius and Remus! You'll see! Hopefully, some of those questions will be answered soon.

Kaydee: First of all…. Holy cow! G I'm glad you liked the pre-Harry Voldemort! He is intriguing, isn't he? I kind of see Voldemort as a hunter. Death is a means to an end, and if it's sporty as well, who is he to not take the time to enjoy it? He doesn't see his victims as anything other than a means to an end. Not in a detached "I don't want to know your name, because then I might care" way. More in a sociopathic way. He has absolutely no empathy, and other people's feelings just don't enter into the equation. Only his own, and how they pertain to him. Hehehe. Yes he is. The better villians do generally have something about them that either you so completely don't understand and never want to… to the point that it terrifies you (such as serial killers), or they have some human qualities. Enough, at least, to scare you with the realization that even if they are terrifying murderers, they have an innocent face, or a wry sense of humor, or something that makes you see how they drew people to them… even their victims. I think of Ted Bundy as I write this: a relatively handsome guy who used to wear a fake cast on his arm, pretending to be having a hard time loading groceries. He'd play on his victims' seeing someone in distress, and his own innocent looks lured them to take action in a circumstance they might not otherwise have done so… I know. Harry's not doing so well, is he? We hope Pettigrew redeemed himself. We'll see. 8-) Ironic, isn't it? It's more a matter of facing what he's done, I think, than facing Sirius himself. Look what Sirius said in the Shrieking Shack. If Peter would have died if he'd not told, then he should have died. But if he's with Voldemort, he can pretend he still didn't have a choice, that there wasn't a moment where he did play a part. So, yes, your assessment is very much in line. Goody! I caught you off guard again! I agree. Pettigrew's been hard to flesh out, but once I understood how he could have told, the rest fell into place. No, I understand what you're talking about. Unfortunately, you really don't get much of a sense of Peter in the HPuniverse. You don't hear about the positive, only what he's done… so in that sense I've kind of taken Peter as my own. Even Percy had a better defined set of values and personality than Peter. All you see is that he's been a pet for years and you're not quite sure why, that he begs for his life and seemingly kills Cedric without much remorse. He did try to say they could have used anyone's blood, that it didn't have to be Harry, but that was the extent of his trying to help out. Because everyone always seems to not quite have a grasp on who Peter was, I thought I'd interpret people's impressions. If they didn't know what to think about him… perhaps he was a bit strange. How would he have fit in? What would James, Remus and Sirius have seen in him? I don't think he was like Neville, where his own ineptness makes you feel sorry for him. I just don't hear that he was incompetent, just not exceptional. So, that led me to look at what areas he might excel at. Everyone usually has at least one, it's just a matter of finding it. And voila! (before I babble forever about how I came to these conclusions, I'll step away from the keyboard! g) I agree with that. Pettigrew is a part of the Marauder's past, and just because you don't like him doesn't mean he wasn't there. Someone else's quote. In fact, here's the full quote:

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come."

from Julius Caesar to Calphurnia in Julius Caesar, act 2, sc. 2, l. 37-41 (1623). Caesar disregards objections to his departure on the Ides of March for the Capitol, where he is to be assassinated. Oh… And that's William Shakespeare, by the way. 8-)

Hmmm… You know, I was going to answer that question, then realized I probably shouldn't. Hmmm… I don't necessarily think so, but… Good questions :: author gets thoughtful and ponders this:: Okay. Moving on. Glad Snapes' changes don't feel forced. That's the trick, isn't it? For a character to have growth so that you accept the new facets of their personality as real and believable. I agree, though, that Harry does change those around him, and usually for the better. Ooooh, you liked my metaphors! Goody! 8-) Hmm. Haven't read that story. I hate when that happens, especially if the story isn't finished. I feel bereft. Incomplete. I need closure. 50-100 pages? Good grief? 8x11 pages? Holy cow! Nope, never read it. Nor Frankenstein either. Pretty sad, isn't it? Well, thanks for the great review, and good luck with that class! Hope to hear from you again soon!

Lothey: I am SO SORRY that I didn't get a chance to respond to your email! My home email isn't working (I find this out now). I kept getting my responses to your emails sent back undeliverable, but didn't think to see if I could send to anyone else, either. Duh! What's the link to that terrific pic again? I have it on my background at home, but as I'm… ahem… not home… ahem… and not willing to disclose where I'm responding from ::cough::work::cough, I don't have it handy. I'm still getting the emails, and I can respond before I've downloaded them to my home computer, but not after. Sooo… to make a long story short… Next chapter I'll put the link for your pic up top for people to see… (Um, I think it's fantastic and really love for people to see your stuff, but you know, I've never actually asked. Is it okay that I do this? ::yeah, yeah… a little late to ask… blush:: ). I don't have the link right now. Needless to say, I thought it was terrific. It was a really nice way to get reacquainted with the story as well. It gets hard when you spend time away from something you're working on… you lose momentum. Your pic was a nice reminder of what I love about this story. Hence the title. 8-) Thanks again, and keep 'em coming, okay? I certainly enjoy your art, and it's amazing to see someone take care to actually put something I've written into a different medium. Hmmm. Angst. I'm all about the angst. g I've got a scene coming I'd really like you to do, but it hasn't happened yet, and I don't want to give anything away. Saw the movie, by the way. Have you? I loved it. Le sigh! 8-) Well, I'll try to point out the scene after it happens, but if not, just keep anything else you're inspired with coming! 8-) --- As for your additional review: That sounds really cool! I am totally intrigued! I've written it down, so now it's a matter of remembering to look for it when I enter the music store. I always seem to develop amnesia for whatever it was I intended to buy, and generally come out with something completely different. I will also print this page so as the music plays, I can follow your detailed description blow by blow. Actually, it interests me a great deal. I love music for the sake of how it applies to stories. I generally take movie soundtracks and place them to stories I have rolling 'round in my head. Red Planet, To Live and Die in L.A., City of Angels, etc… I love classical, but generally don't know enough about it to have the courage to buy much. Each year at Christmas time, NPR does a day's worth of the most amazing choral classical music. Now, if the announcers who are supposed to tell you who performed didn't talk so darn quietly, maybe I'd have more stuff to buy! You'll laugh at this, but I've actually been listening to some Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush when I roll this story plot around in my head. Mercy Street, Don't Give Up, This Woman's Work, Secret Garden… stuff like that. Anyway, I look forward to finding the music you're describing, and thanks for the review. I'm really glad you could relate it like that. It's quite a compliment! … I know, I know! Here's your shot of fanfic! G

Anti Pasta: That question will be addressed later, I think. Thank you very much! 8-)

Laterose: Harry's going to be up again in the next couple of chapters. After all, we need to flesh out Peter's cryptic message. Not sure just how soon though. Really darn soon. How's that? But not the next one… I don't think…

Sakura Blossom: So, was this enough Sirius for you? 12 pages of Sirius goodness… hehehehe.

Lilybee2003: Cool! Hmmm, I think I'm up to… 271. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! 8-)

Black Panther: Thank you very much for putting me on your favorites list! 8-) I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to read your story. I've been in the process of moving, and sadly enough will be moving again in a couple of months… I certainly promise to try though!

Kapies: Okay.

Wonder: Me too! Thanks very much!

Summersun: Me too! g

Nimisha: Oh, thank you very much for giving me your review! I've really had fun trying to get into the HP character's heads, and have been a bit surprised myself. And to think, it's all because I was going absolutely nuts waiting for Book 5! Hope I continue to surprise you! Thanks again for your kind words!

AngelQuill: I apparently scared a lot of people about Snape. 8-)

Doom Song: Well, you realize that he's still done some pretty bad things, right? He's not like Snape, where he's trying to repay his debts… But thanks anyway. I realized that realistically, it would have to be more than just greed or jealousy or desire or any of those basic things to get Peter to betray them, because if it had been on that alone, I doubt he would have been in Gryffindor.

Moonlight Yellow: Hope this makes another sucky day better! Yep, I feel the same way. I loved him in Camelot and A Man Called Horse. Wow. The wand at the throat means Snape has no wiggle room. If he struggles even a little, the spell will be cast, and he's got absolutely no chance to dodge it. It's like a knife. There's a little room for negotiation if you can duck and dodge. But no, the damage would, I imagine, remain the same, except for things actually shot out of the wand. That might do more up close. No, Severus isn't begging on his knees… he's trying to sound reasonable to someone who's unreasonable, and as it's happening he knows that he's just taken that last, unforgivable step into something he should have known better than to have gotten himself into. Well, I wanted it to seem believable as to why this would happen. Harry isn't omnipotent, although it has been established that he is gifted. Hope it worked on the plausibility scale. Sorry there's no Malfoy here. 8-)

Lucerito-del-alba: Thanks! Okay.

Colleen: It does, doesn't it? Maybe he was waiting to see certain things, first… 8-) Or maybe he has a plan of his own? Things are on a roll, now, but it's still a little ways out to answer some of those questions. No worries about the rambling. I do like mind-boggling stuff, so I'll try to see if I can find it someday. Although lately, (you'll laugh at this) I've been preferring comedies and romance. Too much angst and not enough fluff in my life, you think? 8-) A terrific mind boggler is Usual Suspects. I really liked it. And Sixth Sense, too. 7 was good. Hmmm. I probably shouldn't get started, huh? 8-) Thanks for the review!

Sk8reagle: True. Might have solved some problems. Might create others, though. 8-)

Ratgirl: True. Sorry it took so long to post this chapter!

Lisette: Thank you very much!

Jenna: 8-) Well, it's definitely getting long enough to be a book! g I am an adult writer, but not published, although that is a goal of mine. To do this full time, I mean. I just love writing. Actually, this is the first time I've ever put work of mine out for people to read. I'm sure glad I did, though.

Fanficaholic1377: Boy, do I relate to your name! 8-) Thanks! East side?

Fleur: It's just so against his nature! g I haven't read that one. Worth the read, huh? Details… 8-)

Aura: I doubt you'll be disappointed, but I'm at least glad you'll think so! Hmm. I'm planning on doing an article by her, but wasn't sure if I'd do a POV.

Emily-nicole-05: Oh, I got a tip from someone to just do a 'Save As' to HTML, and that's solved my problems. It's cool to get the actual coding, though, too, so thank you very much! 8-)

Shattered: I did! I did! How cool is that! 8-)

Louise: Thank you very much! I do have the advantage of writing this towards an adult POV, so that allows me the freedom to flesh these characters out more than they currently are. I also really do care about them, and want to try to see how they would respond to things. It's how I get my fix waiting for book 5. I have some plans with Pettigrew… Hope you're not disappointed!

Christy: Thanks.

Sherylyn: Here's Sirius. Move is finally over for a couple of months. Four kitties, one bedroom. What I wouldn't give for SPAAAAACE! 8-) Thanks!

Michelle: Hmm. Pretty curious, isn't it? Hidden allies are more useful than dead enemies. Besides, it's not like he cares if Sirius gets exonerated. He's more intrigued by this change in Peter as well. Besides, he really was too weak to do too much more, and he was more interested in not being chased than anything else. He's got to tell Dumbeldore… I know, I know. Poor Harry! Hehehehe… Yes, I do seem to excel at Harry torture, don't I? Hehehehehe, I understand that sentiment. No need to blush, I totally understand. Even I need fluffy bunnies occasionally. But will they be in this fic? Bwah hah hah hah hah! g

Stickmarionette: lol Sure, although you might change your mind if you knew the truth! 8-) Thank you very much, and hope this chapter didn't disappoint! G

Tempest Princess: Cool.

Bree: Wow. Thank you very much! 8-) I'm glad you're enjoying it, and thank you for the kind review!

Lisa: You know, I just read one myself where they got mean with Harry. I couldn't bring myself to believe it. As for Harry being suicidal, I stated earlier why I don't see him being that way, but not because he doesn't have reason to be profoundly depressed. He's just not the type to actively run away from something because it's hard. Now, passively… Hm. That could be possible. Personally, I love the way the characters are written and feel no urge to change that basic structure. I just also take some of the lesser explored characters and expand them a bit. Glad you like it, though. Thanks!… Very true, you're assessment about him going from a baby to a man. He may be young in many ways, but he's certainly never had a childhood to speak of, has he? Nope, you didn't embarrass yourself. I am a bit fond of the Harry torture.

Sea Chelle: Well, thank you very much for taking the time to review! Oooh, I like that analysis. He's complicated, isn't he? I think that's something I really felt the need to explore with this story. Harry. I adore his character, but feel so… withheld from him. Does that make sense? He has such a tragic life, yet you very rarely get the dark deep down thoughts you know he has about what he's gone through. I think that's why I took the abuse angle to begin with. #1 is it would force him out of the Dursleys' home, because jeez! Nothing else seems to! #2 It allows for Harry to have a physical manifestation that forces people to confront what he's had to deal with growing up. Emotional abuse is just as damaging as the physical, but without the scars, who addresses it? Harry occasionally hints at how bad his childhood has been in the books, but no one comes out and says anything. They just look at him with sad eyes and say nothing. It's the pink elephant in the middle of the living room that no one will acknowledge, yet everyone knows is there. So, yep, I understand what you're trying to convey. I'm glad you like it. I like digging a little deeper into motivations. In reality, it's just the byproduct of trying to stay true to character. In order to know how someone will respond, you have to know why they respond the way they do. You have to know the reasons and intents behind it. Glad you like that as well. I've had a great deal of fun with that. I've also been occasionally delightfully surprised by it. I wanted a more complicated plot for this story, and am glad it's still flowing nicely. So, here's another chapter for you, so I look forward to more of your reviews. I enjoyed reading what you got out of the story, and look forward to how you'll elaborate on it! 8-) Thanks again for the kind review. Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!

H. Sanders: Bwah hah hah… Sorry it wasn't technically the same bat time… 8-) Ah, and famous first words of a p.o.'d DM…

Ms.Padfoot1402: Nope, sorry. Thanks. 9? Gads, that sucks.

Anonymous: Okay.

Ariana Deralte: Thanks.

Maryanne: You got an account just to review? Very cool! No, nothing dumb about it. If you haven't done it before, it's never dumb! Nope, sadly enough, I'm not in school, although I wish I was. I miss it. Yeah, yeah. I'm old enough to be able to say that without sounding weird. 8-) lol I Wish! ::giggles:: Nope, I'm not. Pretty smooth compliment, though. Yep, I did. I'm trying to finish this story before she gets done. Did she?????? She did???????? Gack! Really??????? Arrrrgh!!!!!!

Tir-synni: I know, you have, too… Here's a chapter for you… 8-)

Ernie Prang: Thanks! Me, too, actually. That's a good way to do that, isn't it? Cliffies do bring people back for more… Actually, I always intended for the Ministry to come, I just found myself selfishly enjoying all the interaction going on. You'll laugh, but it was a review that said something along the lines of: Is this story going anywhere? That kind of jangled me. So… I jumped into the plot. I was just procrastinating. I love the characters, and had so much fun, and I must admit that this is the first fully outlined story I've ever done. I was afraid the plot parts would seem forced, so I put them off for a bit. But once I got going… It's not so bad. Nope, constructive criticism is always welcome. I did set quite a few things up, though, too. Just only one thing at a time, whereas I'm definitely doing more now. I think… Yes, yes! I already got busted on that one! You are dead on. I actually meant to say Gillywater, McGonagall's drink. Details! 8-) I'll change it when I repost on FictionAlley. For now, I want to hang on to all my reviews… Thanks, I'm glad you liked that one. Thanks very much for your reviews! Hope you like this chapter as well! 8-)

Leaf: Okay. Thanks! Yes, I'm updating, I'm updating! G Thanks for the review. It just took a while to get hooked up where I'm currently living.

P.A.R.: Aaaah, there you are! ::grins madly:: Actually, he was looking at the moon through the cracks between the boards. Hmm. Did I not specify that? I'll have to peek. Hmmm. Just not as fleshed out perhaps? Lots to do there. I was rather pleased with the Percy/Arthur angle myself. Glad you liked it. Oh, thanks. Sirius is my favorite, but it is difficult to keep him real without limiting his emotional range. It's hard when the poor man has been forced to relive the same emotions for the past twelve years! g Hmm. I disagree there, but thanks anyway. I highly enjoy your writing. You are on my favorites, after all. Hmmm. I thought it flowed, but I'll look at it a couple more times. Sometines something that flows for me doesn't work for anyone else. Cool. Yep, Harry needed to be able to take action. He could only be the victim for so long before it either became too much or he had to find something to help him cope. Too long with the boat trip? I can see that. I just wanted to convey Harry's thought processes. It wasn't the Joan of Ark thing going on. He was still terrified and confused and hoping he did the right thing, and still slightly in shock that it all went so badly, even though he tried to prepare himself for it. Thanks! These last two chapters have been strictly 1 POV each, but I will switch back. I hear you about the POVs, but it's too late in the game for changes now. The climax is even dependent upon it. I'll certainly try not to mix it up in the future. I see your point. His trips down memory lane don't necessarily move the plot along. Some of them, like the story about the Dark Mark, I thought would help explain some things that will happen later, too. I felt it certainly fleshes out Snape's defection, and why so few others have done it. Some of them, though, are just because Snape's just so darn fun, so… fair enough. I'll ask the question. You know, that question is one of those things that indicate I've read too much fanfiction, and realized as soon as you asked it, that, Yes, I don't think it's addressed in canon, either. It's like Sirius being an Auror. Where did I get that? So no, you didn't miss anything. My bad. Hmmm. I did get the sense that he knew what they would be doing, or at least I tried to. I was just also trying to convey how no one alive could help them out, and that the spell they would be using had only been read about. It's like trying to describe a car. 4 wheels. Red. Kind of sleek. But there's so much more going on under the hood. I think even Dumbledore had just a slightly better notion of how the spell would work than Snape. Yeah, I see your point about how there could be holes. I should have spelled stuff out more. I felt that Azkaban was unplottable and only a select few would even know its' location. Dumbledore would undoubtedly be one of those few, but… I assumed that wards, etc. would prevent normal people from coming. The Dementors' influence would be great enough to keep human patrols to a minimum. House elves would report the missing, kind of like a daily bed check. The boats, should Harry have tried to escape, wouldn't have let him. Most people would never be able to come to Azkaban because of all the memory charms placed on them as well, even if they visited. Again, Dumbledore would be the exception. I also imagined Sirius to fall into this category, simply because by escaping he kept those memories intact. I assumed they got the cloak from Arthur, actually. All things I could have mentioned. I tried to explain about why Snape wouldn't be detected, and that it actually was a bit of a gamble, but you're right. This whole scene could have been a lot tighter in retrospect. Would magic set off alarms? Did Dumbledore do any additional cloaking spells to keep Severus undetected? It could have been a lot better explained. As for the 'Blank Slating' effect, I actually had a specific reason for that. Harry's in Azkaban, currently reliving bad memories, right? So, wouldn't Snape be a part of those? I imagined that Harry didn't look twice at Snape, because he'd already been seeing him due to the Dementors. But by telling Harry how Peter was broken, the ramifications for what Snape did for Voldemort really sunk in. I could have also mentioned that enough had gotten into Harry's system to help a bit, but I thought I did also convey that he still wasn't feeling all that much better all around. … You know what? I've thought that as well about the books! I love Harry, as we all do, but I feel the same way. There really isn't a lot of deeper exploration into his character. He and the others are very… surface. You get hints, of course, but… I come away feeling like it wasn't quite enough. Wanting more. I think that's half of why I've been so desperate for book 5. After all, this is something that will demand to be treated more in-depth, wouldn't it? Heck, that's half of why I started this story. I wanted to address how much I hated his family life, and how things just never seem to work for him the way they should. How many blows can a kid take and say, "I understand?" Okay. Got emotional there. I'm chilling out now… So, you are so totally preaching to the choir, P.A.R. Say it, sister! Nah, should have explained that better, too. I meant that they called him a freak even before then, but that he didn't know why. All he knew was that occasionally, weird things happened around him when he got excited or upset, and they always blamed him. I figured that even before the Magic word was used, he was never a part of Dursley life, he was still mocked and ostracized. So I think I was able to play that one off, but I see your point. It could well have been read another way. Others asked that question as well. Nothing specific. He just didn't want to touch him. Harry had spooked him with how he looked at him. Okay. Doh! Potions! He was filling the mattress with Potions! Really? I have a whole history, origin, and how it was used (and failed) that I'd originally put in for this spell, but felt it was way too much information, so edited it incredibly. I still thought I conveyed a lot, though. Hm.. Nope, that wasn't me. That's Lothey, who rocks! I've even gotten another pic from them, more recently, that I'll put a link to next chapter. (The link is at home, so I don't currently have access to it) Hmm. Obviously I'll have to check out the Teacher's Pet pics. Thanks! I've always wanted to be a twin, so perhaps have thought about it a bit much… 8-) Hmmm… This is where I can admit I had a hard time conveying what I wanted to. I tried several versions, and settled on this. It's where the plot begins to make it a little harder to work all that you want worked in, worked in. Hmmm. Okay. Point taken. I've been afraid of spelling things out too much, but you're absolutely right in that, as the author, of course it's obvious to me. I tried with this last chapter to spell out dialogue, explanations, etc. a bit more. Was it noticeable? I completely see where you're going with this. Because I'll always know where I'm going with this (or at least one would hope so g), I doubt I'll truly be able to read the story and see what's missing. I have to admit, though, that I hate reading stuff that's been dumbed down, so I think that's part of my aversion. Nope, what you're saying makes perfect sense. If I feel the urge to hint at something, I'll just spell it out instead. I guess I'm just also afraid that it leaves nothing for surprise. If it's obvious, then it takes some of the fun out of it. At least for me it does. Of course, I'm also the one no one asks what I think will happen next at the movies, because 9 times out of 10, I'm right. Cool! Word count is at 134,533 so far. Hmmm. Of course, that also means I'll be pushing the 150,000 I suspect before this story is done. Good info! That is really neat to know. (You never know what could also simply be a myth.) I have to admit that I'm shocked that this played as well as it did. I really had a hard time trying to convey all the sensations I wanted to go along with it. I've never really considered my strong points to be description… More like character development. As for the dialogue, I'll work on that. Perhaps it's too many years doing transcription. I say stuff aloud to make sure it plays, but maybe I should look more at the content. After all, this isn't David Mamet. Hmmm. Fair enough. Besides, dialogue is half the fun anyway. Especially when writing Snape! g Well, as always thank you SO MUCH for reviewing this story! I can't tell you how much it means to me, and I truly treasure your input. I'm actually intending, once this story is done, to go through bit by bit and edit it, tighten it, etc. and repost on Fiction Alley. I haven't fixed anything as of yet because it's still a work in progress, and as editing is actually my greatest flaw (I don't finish anything. I just start over a jillion times when something doesn't feel right until I get sick of the story and move on). Also, reposting means I lose all my reviews, and I'm really a greedy cuss. I've been saving them off. I really wish I could download them. That would be much simpler. But, I digress… I posted for two reasons: #1 To get some positive validation back that this is something I'm decent at, and #2 To lure the good authors to read my stuff, and to see what they had to say. You're really the first person who's ever gone blow by blow through something I've written in such amazing depth (other than my beta, who's amazing!) and pointed out the weak and the strong points. What am I doing right? With you, I have pages and paragraphs, moments that really worked. You've given me stuff to work on. I know I've got a long way to go to become published, but as I've finally admitted that yes this is something I really want to try to do, it's nice to have tangible things to work on. Dang. If I keep this up, my Author's Notes section will be as long as the chapter. Okay. I'll step away… Anyway, you're getting the impression I really appreciate the input, right? Just making sure! Thanks again…

Ron and Remus Lover: Thank you very much!!! … and thanks for putting me on your favorites list as well!

Ariana Deralte: Thanks! You are most welcome.

Tanya: No problem! Missed you! Oooh, sorry to hear that. I hope you're feeling better now. Yeah, I know it took a while to post this one. Hopefully the next one will come faster. Moving sucks. We'll just leave it at that. 8-) Hope you enjoy, and do feel better!

Bobbi: Thanks very much!

Sil: Thanks.

Huushiita: I agree. But they can't tip their hand too soon, or who's to say the evidence doesn't disappear? Besides, at this point, there's no article yet, either. No sense taking chances yet. Well, here's the next shot of fanfic. Enjoy!

IsabelleMalfoyPotterSnape: g Thank you very much! lol Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Callas-and-ivy: hehehehehe. Thanks! ::blushes happily:: Spell checker… Pah! We don' need no stinkin' spell checker! 8-) Well, here's some more for you. Hope you enjoy!

Sarahpeach: Here's another one for you!

Silent Angel: Thanks! Hmmm. I'll have to read that one. Too many fics, not enough time. Hehehe. It's easy to slip into, isn't it? Personally, I love The Mirror of Maybe. Intriguing stuff.

Moonriter: I have to admit, I'm having a hard time, too. I've read enough fanfic, I'm curious how Book 5 will feel to read. I never read any fanfics between the other 4 books. Thanks! Yep, you're right, too. Does it further the story? Nope. Just me indulging my Snape love. Is that wrong? g Fair enough. Nope, constructive criticism is good. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

The angelic vampire: Thanks.

Sunnycouger: No worries. Thanks for reviewing now! ::blushes:: That idea was my betas' suggestion. I'd been complaining that I needed birthday presents, and wanted a fresh approach, and this is what she suggested. Does she absolutely rock or what? You know what's funny about that? I never intended for Percy to develop the way he did. He just kind of took over, and pretty soon I realized how much he needs to grow up. I mean, it's one thing for Snape to take over a story. At least I think that's understandable. But Percy? How did that happen? 8-) Glad you like him! I hear you. I loathe Fudge as well. You are most welcome. Thank you again for reviewing! Hope you enjoy the chapter!