HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE

One thing: I have not seen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in the theatre because it only arrives on the 29th of July here in Portugal. It is the most unfair and stupid thing ever. I hate the guys who bring the movies to Portugal. I hate them. Evil bastards.

So basically I only saw a glimpse of the werewolf. I'm so depressed right now. :) (¬¬)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.

Chapter 38 – Freedom

Iris frowned every single time she saw Kat and Rosh together. The web was seriously making her nervous. But apparently no one saw it so she tried her best not to mention. She reckoned there was no need in freaking everyone out. It was enough for her to be all freaked out without involving anyone else. Once she actually tried to touch it but she only found air. Which, needless to say, only freaked her out more. What could that possibly mean? Would she ever know? She wondered. And would only realize later. Much later.

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December arrived cold and snowy as usual. Hogwarts was out for the vacations and Iris was at home with Sirius and Kat. Remus, Sarah and Rosh were also there and everyone was getting ready for their first Christmas as a whole family. It was three days before the day and Iris was sitting in the kitchen with Kat on her lap. Iris was going over some notes and she had sighed like fifty times in the last five minutes. She dropped the notes and turned to her baby.

" Do you know something girl? Mommy is getting tired of this. I don't think I was cut out to be a teacher. It's too much for me." She complained and Kat smiled at her.

" What are you smiling about? You're the one with the happy life right? Being a baby is the best." Iris said and sighed again.

" Why are you complaining?" came a voice behind her.

" Sit down Sirius. I have to talk to you."

" Oh boy. You know I heard that when a woman says that it means trouble." Sirius said while pulling a chair and sitting down.

" Maybe. It's about Hogwarts."

" What about it? Is Snape bothering you?" he asked glaring.

" It's not Snape. I don't think I was made to be a teacher. Maybe Dumbledore should find a more suited person."

" What are you talking about? You want to quit in the middle of the year? Are you out of your mind?"

" Maybe I could stay until the end of the year. But then that's it. No more teaching for me. Especially now that I have a baby girl to look after."

" Are you implying I don't do a good work with Kat?" Sirius asked pointing a finger at her.

" A child needs a mother Sirius. And I'm not implying anything. You've done a great job so far but I want to be present as much as possible during my child's growth." She said angrily.

" So you want to quit because of Kat?"

" Yes. Sirius, I want to be here when she takes her first steps and when she pronounces her first word. I want to find out what she's capable of."

" I understand. But still, leaving Hogwarts like that? You're the only teacher in years to have survived more than a year." Sirius insisted. Iris raised an eyebrow.

" Sirius, are you all right?" she asked.

" Yes, why?"

" Why are you insisting for me to stay at Hogwarts?"

" No reason. I thought you liked it."

" Were you brainwashed or something?"

" Excuse me?" he asked frowning. Kat clapped her little hands and smiled.

" Never mind." She said and noticed something a bit damp on her legs. She looked down and raised Kat to pat her on her dipper. It was wet.

" What's wrong?" Sirius asked concerned.

" Nothing. She wet her dipper. I'll go change her." Iris said and got up, raising Kat to her chest to hold her.

When she was about to leave an owl came swooping into the room. It directed itself to Iris and dropped the letter before leaving in the same fashion as it came. Kat clapped and giggled all the time it took the owl to perform this task.

" I don't understand her excitement towards owls. They just deliver the mail." Iris said shifting the letter to see whom it was from. She took a glimpse at it and winked at Sirius before making her way to her room to change her little girl's dipper.

The letter lay opened next to Kat, who lay on her mother's bed waiting for a new dipper. The baby girl was wiggling her legs like crazy and giggling at the same time. Iris smiled at her and grabbed her legs so she could put the dipper under her. Then Iris nudged her nose on Kat's tummy and then put her pretty red dress back on her. The little girl turned over so she lay on her tummy instead and snuggled on the covers.

" Sleepy are you?" Iris asked softly and rubbed Kat's little back. The girl smiled and closed her eyes. Iris smiled as well and after making sure her breathing was constant she turned her attention to the neglected letter. The handwriting was still the same as she remembered. Amazing how some things never change. And how others change so drastically. The letter said simply:

Can we meet soon? I wanted to see you again some day. Please?

Iris sneered and grabbed the letter. She would see him again. Even if it was to bite his head off. And she was planning to do it as soon and as unexpected as possible.

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The next day, after lunch, Iris left Kat with Sirius and Rosh and made her way to the place the letter specified as the sender's address. Clearly he had written it so she would know where to find him. She approached a shabby looking house outside of London. It seemed to be almost falling apart. It was in many ways similar to the Shrieking Shack. Covered up windows and almost rotten wooden walls. She opened the door slowly, trying to make as less noise as possible. Once she was in she heard voices. A deep voice followed by a squeaky one. Then his voice penetrated her ears. She walked slowly to where the voices were coming from. Suddenly silence fell and she felt magic. Two kinds of magic. A transformation and a disappearance. She stopped dead on her tracks then backed away. When she returned to the door he appeared in the corridor.

" Hey, you found it all right. Did you knock?" He asked.

" No. I was going to but when I pressed my hand to the door it opened so I got in." she lied.

" No problem. Come in. The living room is much better looking." He said and beckoned her to follow him. She did so.

" So is everything all right with you?" she asked as they entered the living room.

" Yeah, sure. Have a seat." He said pointing to a couch. A nice looking couch. She sat down and looked around the room. It was nicely decorated and like he said it was much better than the rest of the house. At least better than the outside. He sat at a big chair in front of her.

" So what do you think of the house? It's the worse thing ever isn't it?" he asked smiling.

" Yes it is. How did you find this place?"

" Walked by it once. It was free." He said and winked. Iris smirked.

" I see. Well we have to take our opportunities right?"

" Exactly. It was here, it was available so I took it."

" Nice. Is there a reason why you wanted to see me?" Iris asked.

" I need a reason to want to see my older sister?"

" I guess not." Iris said calmly.

After that silence fell. At a certain moment she noticed two things. One was he had his eyes practically glued on her hardly making a movement other than the occasional blink. The other thing she noticed was a movement on the floor. It was small and fast. She could almost bet her life that it was a rat.

" Will do you know you have rats in here?" she asked casually.

" Are you sure? I haven't seen any." He said looking at the floor around him. "Maybe it was an ant or something like that."

" A very big ant. More like a mutant ant."

" Or a cockroach. Those are common here. I saw one not long ago."

" Maybe it was a roach." She confirmed, yet her eyes caught sight of the rat again.

Then it all happened in a second. Once the rat got close to him she got up, made the freezing spell and grabbed the rat by its tail. Her brother stood frozen in his seat and the rat was not moving under her grasp. She observed the frozen rat carefully. It had one finger missing on his paws. And it looked strangely familiar. She sighed deeply, took one good look at her frozen brother and left. Soon he would defrost and wake up. But by that time she would be back at Grimmauld Place. And she would know who was that rat for sure.

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She arrived at #12 and rushed through the house. She found Sirius in the living room but there was one slight problem. He was sleeping with Kat and Rosh on top of him. The trio was sleeping so calmly that Iris didn't want to wake them up. She felt the rat starting to move under her grasp and she made a decision. She quickly made her way to the kitchen and entered the fireplace. With security she grabbed a bit of Floo Powder and said clearly: Hogwarts. The spinning started and she tightened her hold of the rat. Once she was out of the fireplace she flinched. A pain soared through her hand and she looked down to see the rat biting her. She cursed before conjuring a cage and slamming the animal inside. She then noticed she was been watched. Slowly she turned around and saw Dumbledore looking at her over his half moon spectacles with a smile on his face.

" Hello Dumbledore. Didn't see you there." She said smiling as well.

" I do hope you do not use such language in the classroom." He said calmly.

" Of course not, Professor. It was an instinctive reaction."

" I see. And why exactly did you brought a rat to my office?" he asked in his usual tone, his chin held high by his crossed hands.

" Well, if you promise not to ask me any questions about where I found the rat then I'll tell you what I came here to tell you."

" Very well. No questions will be asked." He said leaning back in his chair and pointing towards another in front of his desk.

Iris sat down and placed the cage with the rat on top of his desk. Then she took a deep breath.

" I…hum…think this rat is not what it looks like. I mean it's a rat, clearly but I think there's something else to him." She explained and pushed the cage closer to Dumbledore.

He took a good look at the currently acting insane animal and was about to comment about it when someone knocked on his door.

" Yes?" he asked calmly

" Professor Dumbledore, sir, it's me Ron Weasley. I have a report to deliver."

" Come in."

The door opened and Ron entered the office holding several pieces of parchment. He jumped a bit at the sight of Iris.

" Didn't know you were here Professor." He commented while approaching the desk.

" I just came to have a word with our Headmaster." She said smiling.

Ron handed the report to Dumbledore and his eyes fell on the cage. He too investigated its contents for a bit. Suddenly his eyes opened wide and a look of shock took over his features.

" That's…..it's…..how did you…." He babbled while looking at both Iris and Dumbledore.

" Calm down Ron. You know this rat?" Dumbledore asked.

" It's Scabbers. I mean Wormtail." He said with a shaky voice.

Both grown-ups exchange looks before focusing on the rat.

" Are you absolutely sure Ron?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

" No doubt at all. It's him."

" I knew I had seen this rat before." Iris said and grabbed the cage.

" Before we do anything I suggest we gather with the Order. This is the ticket to Sirius's freedom Iris. We must act with caution." Dumbledore said wisely.

Iris nodded and then they both got up. Dumbledore turned to Fawkes and told her something in a low voice. Then the bird disappeared in a flash of flames. Then the Headmaster pointed to the fireplace and told Ron to call Harry and Hermione. The red-haired boy obeyed and the two grown-ups made their way to #12 Grimmauld Place.

They entered the old house by the kitchen and Iris, after placing the cage on top of the table, went to look for Remus and her sister and to wake up Sirius. The couple were nowhere to be found so Iris went to wake her husband.

" Sirius, honey, wake up. It's important." She said shaking him while trying her best to make sure the babies remained sleeping.

He flinched for a while before opening his eyes.

" What's wrong?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

" There is going to be a meeting. We found something."

" We? But you're not part of the Order." He said moving a bit.

" That is irrelevant at this point. Help me take the kids upstairs. Dumbledore is waiting and soon the other members will be too."

He nodded and sat down after Iris picked up Katherine. Sirius took hold of Rosh and followed Iris to the kid's room upstairs. After putting them comfortably in their beds they went to the kitchen. Remus and Sarah were already there, as well as the staff from Hogwarts, and some other members. Remus was looking angrily at the cage on the table. Sirius rubbed his eyes and his gaze fell on the cage. He approached it slowly and almost immediately he saw the rat inside it. At first he didn't recognize it but after exchanging a look with Remus he realized who it was. Before he could do anything stupid Iris grabbed his arm and Dumbledore cleared his throat.

" Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't a normal Order meeting. We have in our presence some people that are not a part of it. Now, most of you are wondering why we are here. It's simply. Inside that cage is none other than Peter Pettigrew."

The entire room was filled with a very long gasp. Practically everyone was in shock except Iris, Remus, Sirius, the trio and Snape.

" Are you sure Dumbledore?" asked a short wizard.

" Mr Weasley claimed without a doubt that it is him. And we can prove it right now."

Everyone nodded and Dumbledore opened the cage. Wormtail tried to get out but Remus grabbed his tail and raised him. The rat wiggled trying to get released but Sirius was already removing his wand from his robes. Still holding Wormtail, Remus took out his wand and the two did the incantation to make him return to normal. In front of everyone the rat turned into the short and chubby figure of Peter Pettigrew. Another collective gasp followed suit. Wormtail looked around the room in shock and his eyes fell on Dumbledore but not before stopping at the sight of Snape. By now everyone in the room had their wands out and pointed at him.

" Now what Dumbledore? We kill him?" Sirius snared.

" Of course not Sirius. He is going to Azkaban. He gets the kiss of the dementors and you can become a free man. No one will be after you if Peter is shown alive and well." Dumbledore said wisely.

Sirius softened a bit and Iris placed her hands on his shoulders. This was it. Sirius was going to be a free man. After all he had been through he was getting something good. His freedom.

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The Minister of Magic and the entire Wizengamot stood in shock as Dumbledore presented Peter Pettigrew to them. A thick silence was in the room and no one seemed capable of uttering a single word. After ten minutes of silence Fudge cleared his throat.

" Well, this is unexpected. A man we think is dead appears in front of our eyes. Now what exactly do you want Dumbledore?"

" Simple, Cornelius. Sirius's freedom. And make sure this person receives the suited punishment. After all he is responsible for the death of the Potters and is a member of the Death Eaters."

" Yes, yes. I'll sign Black's freedom and Pettigrew will go to Azkaban."

" Very well. That is all I need. Now if you'll excuse me." Dumbledore bowed and left after he saw two strong wizards grabbing Peter.

He made his way to #12 and found Sirius and Iris sitting in the kitchen with Kat as well.

" It is done. Peter will go to Azkaban and by tomorrow you'll be a free man Sirius. No one will hunt you down anymore." Dumbledore said calmly while looking at Sirius.

Then the older man turned to Kat, who was jumping on her chair.

" You'll have a free daddy soon. Then he'll be able to take you out for a walk without having to worry about nasty dementors." He said to her while pocking softly at her tummy. The young girl giggled and tried to stop the older man. He smiled softly and stopped. Then he turned back to her parents.

" I'll be on my way then. My work is done. Do enjoy the rest of the holidays." He winced and headed to the fireplace.

The couple looked at each other and Iris got up and hugged him tightly.

" You're not my convicted murderer anymore." She said pouting after she backed away a bit.

" No. I'm a truly free convicted murderer now." He said smiling and kissed her. Kat giggled and hid her face behind her petite hands. After the kiss was broken Iris sat on his lap and they just stayed like that, in each other's arms. She sighed. He was going to be a free man. And thanks to her. There was just one thing bothering her. Why did he do that? Why was he one of them?

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The next morning Sirius entered the kitchen to take his breakfast and found it empty. It was a bit strange because Iris was already up. He sat down and poured some coffee into his mug and prepared to drink it. Suddenly a pair of hands covered his eyes and he lost sight. He placed his hands on top of the ones covering his eyes and immediately knew who it was.

" Morning." He said calmly.

" Morning to you too. I have a little surprise for my ex-wanted man." She whispered.

" Can't wait for it." he said smiling.

Slowly she removed her hands and in front of him on the table was set an edition of the Daily Prophet. On the cover was a picture of Sirius with the bold headlines: "Sirius Black, convicted for murder 16 years ago, has been proved innocent from all charges."

Iris opened the newspaper in a specific page and Sirius continued reading.

"In an unexpected action yesterday the Minister of Magic announced that new evidence had come up which made the Wizengamot to change their verdict. From this moment Black is no longer a wanted man and can enjoy his newfound freedom. The Minister of Magic has also announced that Sirius Black is not to be treated harshly since he is an honourable member of the wizard community."

" Wow. Now I'm a honourable member of the wizard community. That is nice isn't it?" Sirius asked.

" Of course it is. Why don't you go out for a walk to Hogsmead or Diagon Alley?" she suggested, her arms wrapped around his neck.

" If you come with me." He said.

" Sweety, you may be free but I'm dead."

" Do you think people will even recognize you? Here's what we'll do. Change your hair colour and come out with me. If people see you with me they won't find so strange when I leave with Kat." He said while doing puppy eyes.

" Grow up Sirius. And my hair is so not going to get a paint job. I like it the way it is. And maybe some other time. I have some things to tend to." She said and kissed him softly.

He pouted when she left him alone. Then he picked the newspaper and stared at it. He was free and he was going out without a worry. But before leaving he reminded himself to stay away from women. He had his share of problems in that area.

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Iris knocked at Sarah's room. She knew Remus had not spent the night home because of work for the Order. She waited a bit before the door opened and a sleepy looking Sarah appeared.

" What?" she grumbled.

" We need to talk."

" Now?"

" Yes now." Iris growled.

Sarah moved out of the way and Iris got in. Rosh was sleeping in his crib.

" What's up?" the older Renata asked sitting at her bed.

" Wondering where I found Peter?" Iris asked leaning against a table and crossing her arms in front of her chest.

" Not really. But you are going to tell me anyway right?"

" With him. He has a house and when I got there I found him with the rat. And we both know that Wormtail is a Death Eater. What do you think that means?"

" So it's as I feared. He's one of them. But why?" Sarah asked exasperated, now fully awake.

" That is a nice question. A question to which I don't have an answer."

" So you found out yesterday?"

" No. I had my first contact with that reality when I moved into the house. Last year. He came to visit me and brought your boxes. We discovered your book and the next day I was attacked by Death Eaters. At first I didn't want to believe it but it was confirmed yesterday." Iris explained calmly.

" God. Wait a second. You have my book?" Sarah asked looking at her sister.

" Yes. And I've read parts of it."
" Where is it?" the older Renata asked getting up.

" Come with me."

The two Renatas left the room and Iris lead the way to a room next to Buckbeak's. It was dark and Iris created light in the palm of her hand. On the floor were the three boxes. Sarah was going to look for the book inside the boxes but Iris stopped her.

" Do you really think I would leave it there? It's hidden." She whispered.

Sarah frowned at the whispering but watched as her sister made her way to a wall and pressed something on it. A brick came out of the way and a small hideout took its place. Iris placed her hand inside the hole and took out a book. Sarah smiled at her sister's genius and left with her. They made their way to the drawing room. Once inside Iris threw the book on top of a table and sat down. Sarah took one look at the tapestry still hanging on the wall and saw something odd. She approached it and left out a small laugh.

" What is it?" Iris asked.

" Come and take a look at this."

Iris got up and looked at the tapestry. Sarah pointed to where Sirius's name should be then traced with her finger the line that made it's way to the side connecting it to the name of Iris Renata. Then she traced the other line going down to connect them to the name of Katherine Black. Iris's eyes opened wide in shock.

" Would you look at that? You're married to a hole." Sarah said and laughed.

" This is not funny. I wonder if Sirius saw this."

" Who cares? You said you read my book. Which parts?"

" The journal and the parts about the potions." Iris said moving back to her chair.

Sarah went beside her and took the book.

" We have to destroy Voldemort. You know that, right?" she said.

" Of course I know that. The question is how?"

Sarah opened the book on a specific page and turned it to Iris.

" My plan." She said simply.

Iris was speechless.

Oh my God!!! I finally finished this one. At least it didn't take me three months. I'm proud. Now two doubts in store. What is the god damned web and what is Sarah's plan. Wait for the next chapters to find out. ;)

And now my notes to my reviewers:

Aria-wolfstar: Dear…. See I updated faster this time. And who knows maybe your feelings are correct….or maybe not ;) And you are definitely one crazy reviewer…and that's why you rock ;) This update is for you and your craziness. Oh and I had noooo problems with the double reviews…absolutely none. It's fine. ;)

Anne( v )79: I'm glad you like my story. Thank you. You know how much your opinion means to me. And Rosh is not that bad. I like it. Hope you liked this chapter too.

Snuffles2984: Yeah little Lupins and Blacks. Cute yet unpredictable ;) You'll see what I mean soon.

Thank you all very much for the reviews and a big thank you for everyone who reads my story. I love you all. Thank you.

Cheers.