Possession
Chapter XXVIII - Freedom
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For the second time this year, Harry smiled as Ron and Hermione dragged him into the corner of the common room. Except last time where they had been quietly jubilant, this time there was a sombre air hanging over them. This time he'd been attacked and nothing could change that.

"Harry..?" Hermione reached out hesitantly for him. She knew one of her fellow students had raped him. She knew it had been a girl and while she hadn't had time to read up on the effects on his psyche, what with trying to find a way to wake him up but she was intelligent enough to work out what some of the effects might be - such as the fact that he may not want to be touched by a girl for a while.

"It's all right..." Harry said quietly as he reached out to take her hand. "It wasn't you."

Ron looked uncomfortable but after a moment he spoke. "I'm not trying to pry or anything... I mean, you'll tell what happened when you're ready and I know that you may not want to tell us but are you really okay, Harry?"

Harry looked at Ron. The expression on his freckled face was so earnest that he almost laughed. "I'd be lying if I said I was completely okay but I think I will be." There was a shy smile on his face as he considered what he was saying against what he knew to be the truth. Like last time he was still hiding some things.

-Oh, I'd say so.-

"Harry, if you need us for anything, we'll be here." There wasn't a lot more they could say.

"Thank you," Harry nodded towards his friends a shadow fell over their group.

"Fred!" The exclamation came from Hermione.

"George!"

"Harry, it's good to see you up and about."

"Yeah! We'd have hated to forfeit the game against Slytherin."

"What?" Hermione was incensed. "Harry just woke up from being attacked. We don't know who did it and you want to subject him to the pressures and stress of a Quidditch game?"

"Aw... Hermione, it will be good for him," George began before his brother took up the thread of conversation.

"Yeah," Fred agreed. "It will take his mind off things."

"But what about the dangers?" She shrieked.

"We'll be there. Nothing'll happen to him and both sixth and seventh years have already decided that Harry needs an escort to keep him safe."

George looked at Harry sternly. "We've already got a schedule worked out Harry so don't you dare go off without someone, you got that?"

Harry just looked at the Weasley twin with wide eyes and was saved from answering by Hermione's tirade.

"That's very good of everyone but what about this Quidditch game? I can't believe you want Harry to play with everything that's happened to him."

"Hermione," Fred tried again, keeping his voice reasonable. "It's not just a Quidditch game. It's a game against Slytherin and odds are it was a Slytherin who attacked him. The best thing for him to do is show them that he hasn't been cowed by doing his usual thing and completely slaughtering them in a game."

"Oh really! I think you're just more concerned that if Gryffindor forfeit another game then we're completely out of the running for the House Cup."

"We forfeited a game?" Harry's voice as stricken.

"We didn't have a choice," George said gently. "It was just after... that and you weren't awake and no one was willing to take your place as Seeker and no one really had the heart to play. Not even against Hufflepuff. It wasn't your fault."

"It wasn't your fault," Fred echoed his brother as he saw the crest fallen expression on Harry's face. "And the best thing for you to do is to play."

Harry nodded, not listening as Hermione continued outlining the reasons he couldn't play. "I will," he said softly. Draco had been there. He'd helped... He'd probably arranged everything for Millicent and Blaise so snatching the Golden Snitch from between his fingers would be sweet.

"I'll play," he said firmly, smiling slightly at the stunned expression on Hermione's face. "I'll be fine and it will be good exercise. I haven't gotten out in ages. When's the game?" He looked up. It was amazing how much just contemplating a Quidditch game could lighten his mood. He felt so much better already.

---

Sirius curled up under the Gryffindor table. He wasn't asleep. If it would keep Harry safe he wouldn't sleep again. Brown eyes moved restlessly as he scanned the feet he could see but the only people coming towards Harry were Gryffindors. In fact the older Gryffindors now had some sort of system for watching Harry. He'd heard them guarding the dorm the entire night, changing shifts regularly so that no one was too tired and even though Harry was going to chafe under the restrictions it would put him under, it was good that others were going to watch him.

He knew it wasn't enough to guarantee Harry's safety but it couldn't hurt. Recent events had shown he wasn't capable of protecting Harry. Students had knocked him out and then in the infirmary the smells told him that Voldemort had come to Harry again.

He wasn't quite sure what to think of that. By the time he'd woken up there was only the smell of Voldemort's passing and Harry was awake. The Dark Lord had obviously come for a reason but was it coincidence that Harry had woken up the next day or had Voldemort done something to his enemy? And if he had, why had he bothered? Surely he had enough to do with the War than sparing time to resurrect his enemy. And even though Dumbledore had his doubts about who had ordered the attack on Harry, Sirius couldn't shake the feeling Voldemort had something to do with it.

There was a screech from above - a bird but not an owl so it wasn't post. As Snuffles he poked his head out from under the table and looked up. A huge black eagle hawk was circling near the rafters. It was carrying a small package and with the odd sight of a dog he could see that there was a letter wrapped around it's leg.

Suddenly the bird flared its wings and descended, heading straight for the Gryffindor table - straight for Harry.

Harry wasn't fazed at the sight. Instead he seemed pleased at the presence of the bird, almost as if he had been expecting it. But the bird didn't land in front of Harry. It flared it's wings again and with a flourish of feathers and surprised calls from the students the bird pushed it's way down to one of the bench seats, landing directly next to Harry and in front of Snuffles. After it hopped off the small box it had been carrying it gave an odd squawk holding out its talon towards him.

He shook his head at the bird but was saved by Harry reaching around the bird, stroking it gently and making soothing noises towards it as he undid the letter. The bird looked at Harry then back to Snuffles before it spread its black wings and took off again, circling the Great Hall once before it left.

Harry looked at the letter in his hands and then to the box the bird had brought. The letter was addressed to Sirius but there was no way he could read it here. The whole school was watching. Harry looked into brown eyes and then slipped the letter into the sleeve of his robe before he turned to the box. It was tied in brown string and he was reminded somewhat stupidly of the Philosopher's Stone.

He reached out for it and pulled the string off, aware of the watching eyes of everyone in the Great Hall. Dumbledore was striding over, his wand drawn but Harry couldn't feel anything wrong with the package. There was no danger here. He ripped at the wrapping to reveal a cardboard box. There was magic on it but he didn't even need to think about it. He flexed his fingers and there was a small flash and he felt the magic enter his body. Slowly he lifted the lid on the box and gave a sudden cry, slamming the lid back down, understanding now why someone had bothered to place an unbreakable charm on cardboard.

"Harry!" Dumbledore sprung forward at the boy's cry. He reached for the box and after placing it on the floor, he motioned everyone to back away. With a flick of his wand the old wizard pushed the lid open and he understood Harry's reaction. His cry hadn't been one of revulsion, it was one of surprise.

Inside the box, now exposed for everyone to see was a small brown rat. It wasn't dead but it was stunned, it's little legs sticking out stiffly. But incongruously one of it's legs was silver. It was Peter Petrigrew.

It was Sirius Black's freedom.

There was a low growl from the circle of students and Dumbledore looked over to see Harry place one hand on Snuffles, holding his Godfather back. Nothing would be achieved if he killed the traitor now.

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes, wondering what had transpired for Tom to give up one of his servants so easily but after a moment he shook his head, the twinkle in his eyes brightening. He could think on that later. For now, he had the perfect opportunity to set Sirius free. He flicked his wand in an old and archaic pattern, one not taught and murmured the word beneath his breath. A small wave of power shot out from his wand and hit the rat.

There was an odd blurring from the rat and for an instant it seemed as if Dumbledore had simply cast an engorgio charm on it but then it began changing into a balding man. Finally the diminutive form of Peter Petrigrew lay on the cold stone floor of the Great Hall. The Headmaster cast a few more spells, blocking the traitors ability to Apparate even though he was in Hogwarts, and putting ropes around him.

"Minerva, please call in the Aurors. I believe justice has been put on hold for long enough."

---

Sirius Black sat in Dumbledore's office in somewhat of a daze. Harry was asleep next to him, his head resting in his lap. Harry was strong but he still tired easily but Sirius was more than happy to let the boy use him as a pillow.

He was free.

The knowledge was at once exhilarating and terrifying.

He was free.

Even as he sat there Dumbledore was seeing to the final arrangements. The Aurors had come and had rather disbelievingly arrested Peter. They'd cast a whole gamut of charms before they had been convinced but eventually they'd had no choice but to see that the rat was indeed the man who had been posthumously awarded the Order of Merlin for attempting to capture him. But even if Peter had been found alive after all this time, it didn't seal the case. No... It was the Dark Mark burned into Peter's arm staring up at them that had been the final nail in Peter's coffin and the final proof of everything he had maintained for the last fourteen years.

One of the younger Aurors had seen it first, whispering in a stunned voice, summing up the whole situation. "My God... What have we done? He was innocent."

Dumbledore had seized on that and had nodded his agreement. "Sirius Black is indeed innocent of the crimes he has been accused of and was wrongly imprisoned." He saw no reason to point out the difference in tenses they had used. The Aurors would work it out for themselves.

The Interim Minister of Magic had looked at the Headmaster with shrewd eyes. "A full pardon is hereby issued to Sirius Black for the crimes he was accused of. Further more there is no crime to be answered for from his escape from Azkaban and there will be no criminal charges laid against those who have aided him since his escape. I declare him to be a free man and he has the humblest apologies from the Ministry. The subject of restitution will be dealt with in future but for now I believe we should find him. You wouldn't happen to know how to contact him, would you Albus?"

Dumbledore had smiled, his eyes twinkling brightly. "As a matter of fact, I do know where to find him and will pass along your pardon."

He was free.

And the one being he hated most, after Peter and after himself was the one responsible for it. What was the Dark Lord playing at?

Sirius looked down at Harry. There was that letter. Gently, he reached out and expediated the parchment from the folds of Harry's sleeve. If the Dark Lord was playing at something then he would be gloating about it in his letter. Sirius broke the seal, not even seeing the Dark Mark.

Sirius Black,

You are a most interesting man. I do mean that. Although now is not the time for me to discuss that matter.

At the moment, I am sure you are wondering why I have chosen to give the Rat to you. Call it fate, call it whim, call it a reward, call it what you will. The Rat may have betrayed you but he lied to me... Can you believe that? All this time, he lied to me.

I know Remus Lupin is a werewolf. There is a peculiar smell about them that cannot be hidden from me and I knew James Potter was an animagus. That Rat though, assured me that you were not, that while he completed the transformation, you were blocked from achieving the same feat. As he put it, it was the only thing at which he was better.

It is an entirely plausible explanation. Many wizards may attempt the animagus transformation but very few ever succeed. There is something fundamental in being 'human' that very few can side step. The fear of changing and of being stuck in that transformation is potent. I know you do now fear anything, but such fear is not always conscious. For some wizarding lines that fear is instinctive.

The Rat of course, did not say all that. He can barely speak in my presence but what he said was enough for me to infer it and thus he lied to me.

I am far more than an animagus so I had no reason to doubt him. Indeed, it was only by accident that I learnt about your transformation ability. But it is an accident that has served me well.

You needn't worry. I do not wish to recruit you although if you wish to serve I believe I would make the rumours that you are my right hand man true however I have no desire to pull you away from Harry. Instead I wish to reassure you that I no longer desire to kill Harry. I did in the past but since my rebirth I have grown and indeed now my feelings are quite the opposite. Because of this, I wish to assure you that, like you, I will take very good care of your Godson.

You are aware of the abuse he suffered as a child, I currently have the Muggles responsible for that at my stronghold. While I know you would have extracted revenge for your Godson, you must also admit that your methods would have been somewhat crude. Mine are far more effective and I would be more than happy to give you recording of their suffering.

I trust it will meet your approval but for now enjoy your freedom. I will be coming for my prize soon enough. Do not stand in my way again for my mercy is not infinite. I have stunned you twice, I will not guarantee a third time.

Think about the future, Mr Black. Think on it long and hard and decide where your loyalties truly lie for when the time comes there will be no time to hesitate.

I trust you will make the right decision but for now, watch over him for me. He needs more protection than you know.

Lord Voldemort

Sirius looked down at the letter in his hands. There was something not right. While it was signed under the Dark Lords mark it wasn't what anyone would expect from the wizard who was on the verge of taking over the Wizarding World. One did not expect rationality from a wizard known for his insanity and one did not expect Peter to have shown any back bone.

If what He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had written was true then he wondered what else Peter may not have told him. No... Sirius shook his head. Peter would have told his Master everything and if he hadn't told about him being a animagus then that was because the rat was trying to save something. If something went wrong he could still buy his way out by revealing his final secret. That was like Peter except the Dark Lord had found out and had decided that it was the final act of betrayal. Even if it was twisted Sirius could help but smile savagely at that thought.

He was free.

"Ah, Sirius, it's good to see you smile."

Dumbledore broke him out of his reverie. "Did we learn anything from the Rat?"

The Head Master looked grim. "Unfortunately no. It appears Voldemort mind wiped him before he gave him up."

"Mind wiped?"

"It's an advanced Dark Art's technique almost like a Dementors Kiss except that it does leave the victim with their soul but nothing else. Peter has no mind, no magic and no hope to ever wake up."

Sirius wanted to say good and leave it at that but somehow he couldn't bring himself to utter the word. It was happening too fast and he'd always imagined doing it himself. He wouldn't have done what the Dark Lord had but he'd always imagined at least hexing Peter a little. Now that had been taken from him.

"There is also evidence of extensive torture before the final technique was used so if you are thinking he didn't suffer, he did and probably more so than we can ever know. Voldemort is not forgiving to those he thinks has betrayed him."

Sirius sighed and nodded. "I know," he said finally. "It just seems too easy. I keep looking for his trap and wondering why I can't see it."

Dumbledore nodded understandingly before he looked significantly at Harry. "I truly believe this is his punishment for Peter but also a peculiar form of courting. You know he desires Harry. Freeing you may be one way of trying to get on the boy's good side."

"Harry's not that stupid."

"I know but Tom can be very appealing when he wants to be."

"He can be as appealing as he wants. Harry will not turn to him."

"Just be there for him and Harry will have no need to turn to him."

Sirius stroked one hand through Harry's hair. "I will. I'll be there for him forever."

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