On their way back, riding Buckbeak to the castle Harry was suddenly very excited. "You were right, Hermione. It wasn't my dad I saw earlier. It was me! I saw myself conjuring the Patronus before. I knew I could do it this time because, well, I've already done it. Does that make sense?"

Hermione held on for dear life. "No. But I don't like flying!" She squealed as Buckbeak took a rolling dive towards one tower. Of course Harry and Erin were enjoying the magnificent flight.

From within his cell, Sirius heard sound and the beating of wings and soon a familiar face appeared to free him. Erin took out her wand and waved it through the air. "BOMBARDA!" She yelled and the lock exploded.

The four of them rode down on Buckbeak to the courtyard where they dismounted and Sirius led them to an overhanging. "I'll be forever grateful for this to the three of you." Sirius said as stood under the moonlight together.

"Dad...take us with you...please...?" Erin asked.

"We want to go with you." Harry said.

Sirius sighed, leading them both over to a bench. He had them sit down. "One day perhaps. For sometime my life will be too unpredictable. And besides you're meant to be here, with each other." He said kneeling down before the both of them.

"But, Daddy..." She started to cry, which only served to irritate her wound all the more.

"But you're innocent." Harry finished for her, looking much happier with the decision.

Sirius nodded. "Yes... And you know it. And for now that will do." He glanced at Harry first. "I expect you're tired of hearing this but you look so like you're father, except your eyes. You have-"

"My mother's eyes." Harry added, already knowing what he would say.

"It's cruel that I got to spend so much time with James and Lily, and you so little. But know this: The ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them in here." Sirius told Harry and tapped the boy on the chest over his heart, smiling before he turned to his daughter. "My dear Erin." He said, picking up her chin. "Please don't cry..."

Erin wiped away the tears. "I just got you and now you have to leave me..." She threw herself into his arms. "It's not fair! It's not fair at all!"

"I know... I know it isn't." Sirius said, holding her, rocking her, and gently running his over the back of her hair. "But it's what has to be for now, otherwise I'd steal you away this instant and keep you forever. But our time...it isn't now. We will have it, but there are still things you are needed for here at Hogwarts...with Harry...and your friends." He said.

Erin drew back and took her locket off putting it into his hand. "You need her more than I do right now. You need both of us. And I have everything you don't have anything. I just wish I could have known her even a little...Remus says I am more like her than I know."

Sirius was touched that she would surrender such a precious gift to him. He closed his hand around it, holding both her small shoulders. "He is right about that. You are so much like her...one day I can tell you everything there is to know about your mother. But until then trust me, she's still with you all the time. I see her in your eyes looking out at me. She's watching over you, looking after you when I can't." He said, his eyes full of tears, a bright smile lighting up his face.

Erin nodded. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, my dear." He said stealing away one last hug for now. "So much."

The tears threaten to overflow again when he left her going over to Buckbeak. Erin took Harry's hand clasping to it as if for dear life.

Harry looked at Erin and stepped back, holding onto her tightly as Sirius mounted Buckbeak. He smiled, glancing at the locket before clasping it around his neck and then he took the lead that Hermione had been holding for him the whole time. He readied himself to leave. "You know...you really are the brightest witch of your age." He said to Hermione, which she grinned at in response.

He glanced at Harry and then Erin one last time before finally he and Buckbeak had to leave. He led the hippogriff into a running charge and took off into the night.