AN: This is literally my first fanfiction. Don't expect high quality content because I certainly don't. In the future I will probably read this and think it is a piece of garbage. But right now, I am proud of it. Therefore, advice is not only allowed but encouraged. I shall also warn you, I am going to change most canon events, so don't expect the timeline to be precise.

On a happier note, please join the Haphne server! Link: discord dot gg/pKSdvJQvhU
We do several weekly activities such as a discussion club, Care of Magical Creatures lessons and our own movie/anime club!

16th of April 1994, Gryffindor tower

They had done it. THEY HAD DONE IT. Gryffindor had finally won the Quidditch cup for the first time in almost a decade. The moment Harry caught the snitch against Hufflepuff, everyone lost it.

Wood was now drunk in Firewhiskey, praising the team's prowess to anyone that would listen to him. Fred and George had left with Angelina and Alicia a while ago, respectively. Harry suspected they were 'celebrating' in a broom closet at the moment.

The atmosphere at Gryffindor tower was one of overall happiness. Even Hermione had been forced to let go of her studies to join. Harry was glad they had managed to drag her away from that. Ron had been tasked to keep her entertained so she couldn't leave.

McGonagall had come for a visit a couple of hours ago. She had showed a lot of pride on the team, and she had complimented each of their members personally.

Harry was very proud of this achievement. For the first time in his life, Harry knew he was being praised for something he deserved.

5th of May 1994, Remus Lupin's office

"Well done, Harry, that's it!" Remus exclaimed.

Harry had finally been able to repel the boggart-dementor. He was panting on the floor, but he had succeeded.

"I don't know if you realised it Harry, but you have done something truly extraordinary!"

"What did I do?" Harry replied.

"You have successfully cast a spell the majority of adults struggle with! And you have done that at the age of thirteen! It is truly unheard of!" Remus said.

"But I can barely stand on my own…" Harry argued.

"Yeah, but most adults would have already lost their souls. If that was an actual dementor, you would have scared it away, for sure." He assured him.

"What if there were more?" Harry asked.

"Well, you would be in a pickle Harry." Remus confessed. "Dementors only do two things: they either catch a pray on their own, or hunt in packs. And when I mean packs, I mean dozens of dementors Harry." The boy deflated after hearing that.

"You shouldn't let yourself down Harry. To tackle one of these packs, you would need immense amounts of power and skill. The amount of people in this country that can do that can be counted with my hand, and I would still have some fingers left over. You have achieved something extraordinary today, and I believe it will be a first on a long list."

9th of June 1994, Divination classroom

It was now Harry's turn to do the Divination exam. To be honest, he was kind of nervous. It was the one case where you didn't have any control on how the test could go. So sitting in front of Professor Trelawney, Harry declared himself ready, and began 'predicting'.

"I see… I see something in the lake… There seems to be a strange structure floating on it, something I have never seen before. And there are people in there, waiting for something else to begin…"

Harry continued 'predicting' for a while. Eventually, Professor Trelawney told him it was enough, and he was allowed to leave. Trelawney was muttering something to herself, and Harry looked at her.

Suddenly, Professor Trelawney stopped muttering, and her eyes became glassy. Harry was about to ask if she was okay, when she began speaking with a deep voice:

"It will happen tonight.
The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been waiting for twelve years. Tonight, before midnight, the servant will set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever before. Tonight … before midnight … the servant … will set out … to rejoin … his master …"

And just as fast as it began, it ended. And Trelawney hadn't even noticed what she had done. Feeling that his presence was no longer needed, Harry apologised to the Professor and left.

Harry didn't immediately return to the common room, as he wanted to take a walk to clear his mind first. This walk must have taken longer than he expected, because just as he was starting to move towards the Great Staircase, someone called for him:

"Harry! Harry mate, are you alright?" Ron asked him worriedly.

"Yes Ron. Why shouldn't I?"

"I just saw something today, at the Divination exam… And I am worried, so I needed to ask you a question" Ron said.

"What is it Ron, that is so important?"

"Have you ever approached a giant creepy cup?" He questioned.

"A big cup? You mean like one of the cups in the trophy room?"

"No Harry." Ron denied. "I mean like a giant goblet. That somehow produces blue fire?"

Harry was now speechless. He had never heard of such an object before.

"I have never heard of such thing… Are you sure Trelawney's tea didn't affect you badly?" Harry tried.

"I am sure. But it also seemed to be at the Great Hall… Maybe it has not happened yet?"

"That may be it." Harry assured. "I would remember it if it had happened? How bad could it be?"

"Don't say that!" Ron shouted. "Maybe you don't care now, but in the vision, you didn't look very happy! You looked as if you had seen a ghost mate!"

Harry was now a little bit scared. Ron's frightened expression wasn't precisely helping… So he decided to promise him something:

"You know what Ron? Since you are so concerned, I promise to never approach any giant fire-making goblets. Good for you?"

"Yeah, good for me… But I would be careful still…" Ron warned.

An hour later…

Harry was making his way back from the kitchens. He had gone there to check on Dobby and have a mid-afternoon snack. He was checking the map now, a habit he had developed in the last month.

He saw Dumbledore at his office, McGonagall with the OWL students, Peter Pettigrew next to Hagrid's hut…

Wait a minute! PETER PETTIGREW!

Looking at the map again, Harry saw Remus walking in his office. Immediately, Harry started running towards his office, bumping into several students.

After apologising to another student, Harry finally made it to Remus' office. And barging in, he asked:

"Have you seen it?!"

Remus, who seemed to be packing his things said:

"Yes, and I was about to fetch you." After picking his jacket, he asked:" Are you ready?"

"More than ready. By the way, what is in that bottle?" Harry asked, pointing at the little bottle at Remus' desk, emitting blue vapor.

"That is something I need to take before I leave." The man answered, before taking it in one go.

"As disgusting as always… Let's go now!" And with that proclamation, both of them left the room, not looking back.

If they had bothered to look at the map for a second, they would have noticed a dot named Sirius Black, also approaching Pettigrew.

A few minutes later…

Harry and Remus had made it all the way to Hagrid's hut. They were both struggling, it needed to be said. The sprint they had taken from Remus' office had left them both breathless.

Harry was about to open the map to search for Pettigrew again, when he noticed something hiding in the bushes.

"Remus, look! On your right!" Harry whispered.

Just as the older man looked that way, a black dog came out of the bush, and it started running. But instead of going to them, the dog was going towards the grass?

It seemed as such, but when Snuffles bit, a loud squeak could be heard. Was he really trying to eat a rat?

"Snuffles, come here! Come on boy, release Scabbers!"

Despite Harry's instructions, Snuffles refused to listen to him. He started running away from them, decided to kill his prey.

"Come on Remus, we have to follow him!" Harry pried.

Remus quickly started moving, and soon enough, he realised where they were going:

"Harry, when did you get that dog?" He asked.

"Well, I found him this summer, and he has been hanging around all year…" Whatever reaction Harry expected, it was not Remus' laughter.

"Hahahaha! Sneaky bastard! Of course, he has done it!"

"Remus, what are you talking about?" Harry asked. Who had done what?

"I am talking about one of the smartest idiots ever to live in this country! Tonight, Harry, we will finally learn the truth. And I would bet an arm that we will have to go to the Shrieking Shack for that!"

Harry still didn't know why he knew that but decided to follow him anyway. If it really was that important, he would need to know.

Harry looked at the Whomping Willow with contempt. How had Snuffles managed to freeze it? And how would that lead them to the Shrieking Shack? Were they supposed to just let the tree throw them all the way there?

His questions were answered soon enough, when Remus showed him the way the trunk had to be touched to be frozen, as well as the hole they had to sneak through. Once they were in the tunnel, Remus began a different conversation:

"Harry, you remember what I am, right?"

"Yeah." The boy answered. "But what does that have anything to do with this?"

"If you had looked at the moon calendar for the month, you would have realised I will be transforming tonight." Harry became slightly paler at that statement.

"But you don't need to worry! That potion you saw me drink before is called wolfsbane. It prevents me from losing my mind and transforming into a full werewolf during the full moon. I only transform into a wolf, and I get the sudden instinct to play ball and eat raw steak, like a hyperactive dog."

"That is nice… But why are you telling me this?" The boy asked again.

"This potion is only a decade old, Harry. Back when I was a student it didn't exist, and I could be very dangerous. That is why they planted the tree, as well as excavated the tunnel. They did that so I could transform in the shack and not hurt anyone. As for the ghosts, they don't exist. It was just me on the full moon."

Harry listened with interest, but he soon realised something: that wasn't the full story.

"I know that I still haven't told you everything, but I believe there is someone that has a say in all this, and it is time we hear him out. So, let's open this trapdoor and see it shall we?"

Harry opened the door, and he entered the shack. Immediately, he could see the signs that a werewolf had inhabited the place, with ripped curtains, and marks of claws in the wood.

And at the centre of the room was Snuffles, wagging his tail at them. Just as Remus closed the trapdoor, the dog wasn't there anymore.

Instead of Snuffles, there was a middle-aged man, with black hair and grey eyes staring at them. It was a familiar sight to Harry, since he had seen him in the news. He was now looking at Sirius Black.

"Good evening, Harry and Remus! It has been a while, hasn't it?" The escapee asked, grinning madly.

"It has been a long time Padfoot… And I should greet dear old Wormtail shouldn't I?" Remus replied.

"What?! You are telling me both of them were animagi like McGonagall? And no one realised?"

"That is quite correct Harry, and it all is kind of my fault…" Remus began. "As I told you, I used to come here for my transformations every month. Eventually, my friends realised I disappeared to somewhere unknown and asked me about it." He said, looking at both Harry and Sirius.

"And they offered to help me. But since they knew they wouldn't be able to do much as humans, they decided to help me as animals!" Remus continued.

"We came here every month to help Remus ever since our fifth year… And that is how we got our nicknames: Moony for a werewolf, Padfoot for a dog, Wormtail for a rat and Prongs for a stag. And now, if you forgive me, could we get our dear old friend to join us on our chat?" Sirius finished.

A second later, Peter Pettigrew was human again, and he was tied to a chair thanks to an opportune Incarcerous.

"Hello hello Peter! How is my traitorous friend doing?"

A couple of hours later…

Peter Pettigrew had confessed everything. From being the Secret Keeper of the Potters, to being the one who killed the seventeen muggles that afternoon twelve years ago.

Harry had taken this change to take a proper look at Sirius. He didn't look healthy, and he was way too pale, but he no longer had the crazy look and he looked properly fed. 'I have to thank the house elves for that one!'

Soon enough, they started carrying Pettigrew through the tunnel towards Hogwarts, where they would be calling the aurors, and hopefully, Sirius would get his long-awaited trial. They were halfway through the tunnel, when Sirius decided to start conversation:

"Harry, I don't know if someone told you, but…" He began.

"But you are supposed to be my godfather? Yeah, Remus told me a while ago…" Harry replied.

"Oh, that is nice, yes. What I mean is that, well… You will probably say no anyway…"

"What do you mean? What do you want to ask?"

"Your parents thought I should take care of you in case something happened to either of them… So would you want to come and live with me?" He asked with hope in his eyes.

"You mean for the summers? Away from the Dursleys? Of course, I want to do that!" Harry answered happily. He would be finally free! And no one could tell him otherwise!

"Good! We will probably have to do a clean-up. I doubt anyone has lived there for years…"

At that point, they made it to the entry of the passage. Pettigrew was still trying to fight against his ties unsuccessfully. But then, it all began to go wrong.

Remus came out of the tunnel to realise it was night-time already. By the time Harry and Sirius came out of the tunnel as well, he was already transforming. And true to his word, instead of changing into the terrifying creature in Harry's books, he just became a bigger wolf.

While they were distracted looking at Remus, someone else was making his move. Peter had transformed his teeth into his rat form, and he had eaten the ropes that were binding him. Taking advantage of the situation, he scurried off and tried to leave.

But Harry saw him:

"Peter is escaping! We have to get him back!"

Soon enough, there were a dog, a wolf and a teenager chasing a rat across the forbidden forest. But Harry and Sirius couldn't follow their pace. Harry only had two legs, and he wasn't fast enough for the wolf and the rat. And he was scared of hexing Remus instead of Peter.

And while Sirius felt the best that he felt in years, he still lacked physical form, and couldn't handle a chase that long.

Because of that, he had to transform back into a human.

"Harry, we need to leave. The forest is dangerous, and we only have your wand to protect us… We can only hope that Remus manages to get him before he escapes again…"

Harry had to agree. He was very disappointed. When he was finally about to get a home, it got stolen out of his hands. He almost had it! He had even started imagining his summer holidays! But it was unlikely this would happen now… Unless Remus managed to get him, of course.

They walked together in silence, in part because they didn't want to attract unsavoury guests, but mostly because both of them were too disappointed to say anything. It was a very sad feeling, that was consuming them from within, without happiness to keep them afloat…

Harry remembered that feeling. He had been suffering under it for all year… Which could only mean one thing: Dementors!

Harry looked around, to notice a dozen of them approaching him and Sirius from the Black Lake. And there were several more at the outskirts of the forest, waiting for them to try and enter. They were cornered now! There was no escape!

Harry began feeling sad again. So this would be his end, getting his soul eaten by the most disgusting creatures on earth… And he hadn't even gotten the chance to say goodbye to anyone! Ron and Hermione, who didn't even know he was on another adventure… Daphne and Astoria, who would probably yell at him again for being reckless… And Remus, who was still trying to get Pettigrew…

It was at this point that Harry tried the only thing that could save him now. Gathering all of his happy memories, his time with his friends, his hope and his dreams… And he yelled:

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

They didn't see it immediately, but the spell was very effective. Magical waves of happiness started rolling away from Harry, and repelled several dozens of dementors away. This dementors were forced to flee, after facing such powerful memories.

But it also left Harry being exhausted. Sirius picked him up from the floor, praising his braveness and his ability. And then Sirius started carrying Harry, to bring him to the castle, where someone could assist the boy.

Meanwhile…

Hedwig was on her usual night hunt. She had found a tasty mice close to the owlery, but she wanted a little dessert. She was on her usual route above the forbidden forest, when she saw something unusual.

There were a wolf and a dog running across the forest. And behind them there was her human! What was he doing there?! Didn't he know that it was dangerous in there?

She was about to show her disappointment in him, when she realised what they were chasing. It was the disgusting rat! The rat that fire head liked so much!

They were just trying to return it to him maybe? Looking down, she noticed it was just the wolf chasing the rat now. She should just go down and help him, yeah.

In the end, if you want things properly done, you have to do them yourself!

A few hours later…

Harry was waking up. What had happened this time? He had gone to catch Peter and then… Oh. OH. The dementors had almost killed him again. Both him and Sirius.

Looking up, he saw that Sirius was looking towards the forest, still hoping.

Harry didn't know what to do. How do you tell a man, that after over a decade in prison, he would have to spend years on the run? It could break him completely.

Just at that moment though, they heard a howl coming from the edge of the forest. A second later, a wolf jumped on them, and started waggling his tail. Harry looked to see if the rat was there, but couldn't find any signs of him.

He was about to tell Sirius, when he felt it. The familiar weight on his shoulder. Hedwig was here!

Harry started petting his owl, when he realised that she was carrying something in her beak. The rat! She had caught it somehow and brought it to him!

"Amazing job Hedwig! Who is the better owl? Yes you are, yes you are! And tomorrow morning you will join me for breakfast. Someone has earned an extra ration of bacon!

Hedwig hooted happily, before releasing the traitor in his hand. He tried to escape again, but Harry cast a Stupefy to make sure he couldn't leave.

"Sirius, I believe you are going to be a free man soon enough!"

Harry didn't even bother thinking about the prophecy Trelawney had given him. They had managed to avoid it in the end. After all, they had caught Pettigrew, hadn't they?

Unbeknownst to them Igor Karkaroff had just crossed the Albanian border.

10th of June 1994, Remus' office

Harry went to see Remus at his office to see if everything was going according to plan. To his surprise, he found the man packing his things.

"Remus, what are you doing? Did anything go wrong?" He asked worriedly.

"Wrong? Everything is going well. By lunch, the Great Hall will witness the spectacle. You are wondering about me packing, right?"

At Harry's nod, he continued:

"Tell me Harry, how long did your previous DADA teachers last for?"

"Well, neither of them lasted a year, they only made it until June… What are you implying?" Harry asked.

"For the last three decades, no DADA professor has lasted more than a year. Some of them died of illness or perished in battle. A couple women became pregnant and didn't come back. And a few others had mysterious and horrible deaths. You see where I am going?"

Harry realised that Remus was doing a very smart thing. If he just left now, the curse wouldn't stand a chance against him! But why would he join in the first place?

"If you knew that, why would you teach in the first place?"

"I did it to repay a favour to Dumbledore. I signed a one year deal at the start of the year, and see if I could find a way to break the curse. I have been investigating the whole year, but I haven't even found the object such curse should reside in. Since I didn't plan to stay for longer than a year, the curse shouldn't affect me at all!"

Harry once again agreed with the man. If all went well, he would have a stable job. If all went wrong, at least he had managed to get a job for a year with good pay.

"So about the plan… Are the aurors on board?"

"The aurors? Since Sirius is involved in this, it is not only them! The head of the DMLE and even the Minister himself will be joining us today! We will be having a VIP audience!"

Harry was very happy to hear that. What they had planned was good, but this was even better.

A couple of hours later…

Hundreds of students were having lunch at the Great Hall. It was the end of the year, and they had just finished their exams. Happy faces could be seen in every table, full of relief, specially for the 5th and 7th years.

This feeling did not last for long. Because soon enough, the doors of the Great Hall opened to let in a procession of people. In front, stood two men in auror robes, a dark skinned one, and one that was missing a leg, and had a fake eye. Behind them, stood a red-haired woman, with a monocle, and an older man with a green bolder hat.

After making their entrance, the woman spoke:

"We have received news that Sirius Black has been captured by the Defence professor. Can someone direct us to Remus Lupin?"

Several looks were exchanged at the staff table. How had none of them heard about this? And how had it even happened?
Meanwhile, hushed conversation could be heard between the students. Had Professor Lupin really caught Black? Their teacher had caught the most wanted criminal in the country?

Despite all the hassle, one student remained silent. Harry Potter knew what was going on, but he wanted to see it unravel in front of him. Just as Hermione realised this, Remus Lupin entered the Hall.

"That is true, Madame Bones! I have caught the most wanted criminal in Wizarding Britain! And here he is!" At this exclamation, he took a rat out of his pocket, and started showing it to everyone in the hall.

"Mr. Lupin, that is a rat! Have you made us come here for this?" The man with the hat said.

"On the contrary Minister! This is more than a simple rat! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the one and only, Peter Pettigrew!"

Before anyone could react, he waved his wand, and a man dropped to the floor. When people realised who it actually was, several reactions were seen across the hall.

Harry Potter and Remus Lupin were feeling smug. They liked it when plans turned out well.
Minister Fudge paled considerably. This was not how things were supposed to go.
The aurors and Madame Bones looked at the man with interest. Getting Black would have been good, but this was even better.

And everyone else in the room lost their shit.

"SILENCE! SILENCE!" Dumbledore screamed, after blasting twice with his wand.

"Now, Remus. What is the meaning of this? How can Pettigrew be alive?" He asked what everyone wanted to know.

"Don't you find it suspicious, how despite being blown up, the only thing left of him was a finger? No guts, no blood, just a finger?! The bastard faked his own death! He was the one who blew up the alley, and he blamed Sirius for it!"

"That is nonsense!" The minister intervened. "You don't even have any proof! Mr. Pettigrew is a national hero!"

"Proof? You want proof? What about this?" He said, ripping Pettigrew's sleeve. He then proceeded to show the left arm to everyone, that had a tatoo of a snake revolving around a skull.

"That… that…" The minister stuttered.

"And he couldn't be under the imperious, could he? If he was, he would have become free two days before, when Voldemort died!"

Several people shuddered at the Dark Lord's name. Minister Fudge couldn't come up with anything else, so Madame Bones took her chance to speak again:

"I believe this is quite interesting Mr. Lupin. But we still need Mr. Black here so a proper trial can take place. And you said you had him am I wrong?"

"You are not wrong Madame Bones." A new voice was heard. "Because I am already here!"

13th of June 1994, shore of the Black Lake

Harry was reflecting on what had happened during his third year. He had taken up three more subjects, each of them being interesting in its own way (Finding out the gruesome ways you are supposed to die is interesting, even if it is not true).

He had visited Hogsmeade with his friends. And even if it was a little disappointing at first, he had a great time every time he visited the village. He had had a chance to explore with his friends and hang out with them outside of school.

He had won the Quidditch cup, and made Oliver Wood the happiest man of the country. The captain had been on cloud nine ever since, and nothing seemed to drag him down.

He had also encountered an escaped convict, and helped this man and a werewolf catch a rat. Which sounded weird, but in reality, it was even weirder.

And he also took his exams. Hermione had also revealed her time turner, something that had Harry and Ron annoyed. Hadn't them showed they were to be trusted? It would take a while to trust Hermione fully again. He didn't want to see her for a while, which is what drove him to sit here, below one of the trees around the Black Lake. He also wanted to see his grades himself, before sharing them around.

"Another year has finished, hasn't it Harry?" Daphne was talking to him, and considering her posture, she wanted something from him.

"Yeah… Was it just me, or has it been too fast? It is as if I just arrived yesterday!"

"No, it hasn't! Or at least for us mere mortals it hasn't. Some of us don't aid escaped convicts, do we?" She smirked.

"I suppose you don't… Why are you here though? Not that I don't appreciate the company, but I thought you would be with your friends now?"

"I am here for the same reason as you." She said, raising her envelope. "We should take a look, shouldn't we?"

Harry could only nod at that, and he opened his envelope to find:

Hogwarts School

of Witchcraft and Wizardry

END OF THIRD YEAR EXAMINATION

Pass Grades

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades

Poor(P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

Harry Potter has achieved:

Astronomy A

Charms O

Defence Against the Dark Arts O*

History of Magic A

Herbology E

Potions E

Transfiguration O

Ancient Runes O

Care of Magical Creatures O

Divination E

*Special note: Achieved perfect score

Harry was quite proud of his results. He had gotten five O's! He was clearly better than first year! And the rest of his grades weren't bad either! The only outliers were Astronomy and History, but since he didn't need them, he wasn't worried.

Looking at Daphne, who was checking her results again Harry began feeling worried. Would she have beaten him? He couldn't have done much better… The only place where he could improve was Potions, and even then, she would still be better…

Despite dreading the results, Harry asked Daphne to exchange their papers. The girl quickly agreed, and he began reading. She had gotten five O's too! She got Herbology and Potions instead of DADA and Charms, but they were still five! She had gotten four E's though… He had only three…

"Looks like I beat you at this one!" She said grinning. "This, combined with your 'prank war' have been two fine victories this year!"

"Hold on!" Harry tried remembering a part of his letter.
"I agree with the second one, but this? You may have one more E, but I got a perfect score in DADA! That amounts to something right?"

Daphne looked at him speechless. She then started reading the letter again, until she reached that part. She furrowed her eyebrows, and then said:

"You know what, Harry? I will take this one as a tie. Consider yourself lucky that I am feeling merciful towards you." She said snidely.

"Of course. How could I survive without my lady's mercy?" Harry taunted.

"Come on you idiot! Just because you managed to tie me doesn't mean you defeated me! You didn't even get that at Quidditch!"

Harry started laughing at her tone. It was nice to see that some things didn't change. He was looking forward to this summer, but first, there was Sirius' trial.