Midnight Guardian Deleted Scene (Takes Place between Chapter 19 and Chapter 20)

Facing the Grim

The sound of the door opening quickly awakened the large black dog that had been sleeping on the bed with his head resting on the chest of an extremely exhausted teenager. Raising his head, the dog looked to the door to see Remus Lupin ushering in Harry's friends: Ron and Hermione. The tall red-haired boy looked extremely pale while the bushy-haired girl had puffy eyes and tears still falling down her face. They both seemed to be in a state of shock. The dog glared at Lupin and growled, determined to protect the sleeping boy as long as needed. It was the least he could do.

Ron and Hermione instantly froze, staring at the large dog nervously. Regardless of the events that had happened the night before, the two teenagers were still afraid of the Azkaban escapee, not that they could be blamed for their fear. With everything that had happened to Harry in the past year, the dog was amazed that Ron and Hermione had waited this long to see their best friend. Unless they had only just learned to where Harry was being hidden.

Lupin quietly closed the door and shot the dog a glare. "Sirius, that's enough," he warned. "Ron and Hermione just wanted to check up on Harry. They know not to wake him." Lupin quietly approached and rested a hand on Harry's forehead. "He's still running a fever but it's not as high as before."

Hermione took a nervous step forward. "Professor, you never said Harry was sick," she whispered. "You just said he was exhausted. What's wrong with him?"

Lupin let out a sigh as he motioned for Ron and Hermione to sit down in the chairs at Harry's bedside. He sat down on the edge of Harry's bed and took hold of the sleeping teen's limp hand as they nervously complied. "Last night Harry was completely surrounded by Dementors and then overcharged his Patronus," Professor Lupin said in the same quiet voice. Ron's eyes widened and Hermione gasped in shock. "He'll be fine in a few days but at the moment, the exhaustion has left a few side affects. The fever is one of them."

Hermione moved closer to the bed and rested a hand on Harry's arm. "I'm just glad that it's over," she said softly. "This year has been really hard on Harry, emotionally more than physically. He told us about the Dursleys and what they did to him." She looked directly at the dog and smiled. "Thank you for rescuing him from that, Mr. Black."

The dog slowly stood up and jumped off the bed. With a pop, the dog was replaced with Sirius Black who was now dressed in a pair of muggle pants and a short sleeved shirt. "And thank you two for being there for him when I couldn't," he said as he sat down next to Professor Lupin. "Harry told me a lot about you two during that week. He always smiled at simply speaking your names. He thinks the world of the brightest witch in the class and the boy with an obsession for Quidditch."

Ron and Hermione blushed at the compliment. "Harry's special to us too," Ron said with a smile. "He's different from most of the people in the school." Lupin bit his lower lip as he tightened his grip on Harry's hand, remembering the talk he had with Harry before the school year even began. "He doesn't care about bloodlines, money or popularity," Ron continued. "He could be surrounded by people but he chose us."

"I really don't think Harry's different, Ron," Hermione countered matter-of-factly. "I think he just stands up for what he believes in and tries to stop matters that remind him of his life with the Dursleys. That's why Harry always stands up for Neville. Malfoy bullies Neville like Harry was bullied by his cousin."

Lupin shared a glance with Black before they returned their gazes to Ron and Hermione. "You both have a point," Professor Lupin said carefully. "Harry isn't like most children because he never had the chance to actually be a child, Ron, and a part of that is ensuring that others don't have to go through what he went through. Harry's empathy towards others is one of his strongest qualities." Lupin glanced over at Black. "I have a strong feeling that was why he befriended a certain stray dog."

"And risk his uncle's anger by stealing as much food for me as possible," Black added nervously. "You don't know how many times I wanted to reveal myself and take him away from all that."

"Why didn't you?" Hermione asked softly. "I mean, if you saw what they were doing…"

Black let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "I saw the results of a beating," he said. "Harry eventually told me the extent of what had been done to him over the years but there was still the problem that I was a wanted man by magical and muggle authorities. I did what I could for him when he was sleeping and helped out as much as a dog could during the day. When he got sick and Dursley went for him again...I just snapped. It took every ounce of self control not to kill the man. I was lucky that Harry had shown Midnight where his wand and invisibility cloak was. If he hadn't, I probably would have been caught."

"How did you manage to get Harry to the Leaky Cauldron with the state Harry was in?" Ron asked with a nervous hint to his voice.

Black rubbed the back of his neck. "It wasn't easy," he said truthfully. "Since I had used his wand against Dursley I knew it was going to be watched closely. I had to do everything the Muggle way. As soon as I was past the wards, I Apparated to Charing Cross Road and hid in an alley. I needed to keep Harry warm so I wrapped the invisibility cloak around him and held him for the rest of the night." Black shook his head sadly. "He was in so much pain but he didn't cry out once. He just grabbed my shirt and held on tightly. It was almost like he knew I was there protecting him and he needed reassurance that I wouldn't leave."

"He probably did, Padfoot," Lupin said thoughtfully. "Harry rarely instigates any sort of physical contact unless he's emotionally distraught. I think he's still afraid of being rejected. When you made the effort to embrace him that proved you wouldn't turn away from him."

Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I can't imagine growing up like that," he said softly. "So—er—Mr. Black…are you and Professor Lupin going to have custody of Harry now?"

Black and Lupin shared another glance. "It all depends on the trial, Ron," Professor Lupin said carefully. "We're going to do everything we can but we know there is a possibility that the Ministry won't allow Sirius or me custody of Harry. Sirius has spent the last twelve years in Azkaban and…well…I'm a werewolf."

Ron stared at Lupin in shock. "You're a what?" he asked fearfully.

"A werewolf, Ron," Hermione said simply. "Why do you think Professor Snape gave us that essay in the first place? Why do you think Professor Lupin's ill so much? It's pretty obvious if you ask me. Even Harry figured it out."

Ron scowled at Hermione. "Well pardon me for not bothering to look for the hidden reason why Snape makes our lives miserable!" he shot back. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't her or Harry's secret to tell, Ron," Professor Lupin said patiently. "Professor Snape provided me with a potion that would make me harmless when the full moon came but that didn't mean he approved of my being here." At Ron and Hermione's confused faces, Lupin clarified. "Severus has a rather unpleasant history with us. Sirius, James and I pranked him quite a bit when we went to school here. Severus was never one to let go of a grudge."

"Is that why Professor Snape hates Harry so much?" asked Hermione. A low growl escaped Black's lips causing Hermione's eyes to widen. "I mean, Professor Snape treats all Gryffindors badly," she said quickly. At the skeptical looks from Black and Lupin, Hermione sighed in defeat. "Well, maybe he does treat Harry a little harsher than the rest of us. We've just learned to stay away from Professor Snape at all costs."

Black looked directly at Lupin. "And you let this continue?" he asked in disbelief as he rose to his feet. "You let that greasy haired git continue to torment my godson in such a matter?"

Lupin quickly stood up and raised his hands pleadingly. "Sirius, calm down," he insisted. "You'll wake Harry. Yes, Severus can be unfair at times but having us step in will only make it worse. I've talked with Dumbledore and Harry about this. Harry knows that Severus has grudges against James. Harry understands that it's nothing he actually did. He doesn't like it but he knows that Severus will always have some animosity towards him."

"Some animosity?" Black shot back as he took a step backwards. "That is the biggest understatement I've ever heard! There is no excuse for an adult to take out a parent's mistakes on a child! I thought with you here you would have stood up for him. Harry told me all about the unfair detentions, Remus! He told Midnight everything!"

Lupin quickly moved to Black and put a hand over his mouth. "If you can't be quiet I will put a Silencing Spell on you," he whispered. "Hogwarts wasn't built in a day. I've made progress with how Severus treats Harry but it will take time."

A tired groan from the bed made everyone jump and turn their attention to the still sleeping teenager, their argument instantly forgotten. Harry's head slowly moved from left to right as his hands weakly moved around, apparently searching for something. "Midnight," he said sleepily. "Midnight…no…don't take Midnight…"

Black hurried to Harry's side and grabbed the boy's hand. "Midnight's here, Harry," he said gently as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "I'm right here." Harry mumbled something softly before settling back into a deep sleep. Black bit his lower lip as he rested a hand against Harry's face, causing Harry to lean into the touch. "I'm sorry, Remus," Black said with a sigh. "I know you had your work cut out for you this year. I just don't want him to suffer anymore. He's been through enough because of my stupidity."

Ron and Hermione looked at each other uncomfortably as Lupin approached Black and rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't blame yourself for this, Sirius," Lupin said firmly. "What's done is done. All we can do now is compensate for the time we've lost. I think Harry's well overdue for some fun."

"I think an easy summer without exhausting chores would be enough for Harry," Hermione offered quietly. "It's obvious that both of you care for him. That's certainly more than the Dursleys ever provided. I really don't believe the Ministry will deny you custody, Mr. Black. You are Harry's rightful guardian. In a way, the Ministry is partially responsible for what happened to Harry because they kept you from him. You could use that."

Black and Lupin grinned. "That is exactly what Harry said last night when he confronted Fudge," Professor Lupin said. "We plan on using whatever we can to our advantage, Hermione. No matter what, Harry will not return to the Dursleys. Dumbledore won't allow it. Harry's uncle may be in jail but his aunt and cousin are still there. Considering the way they've treated Harry in the past, I don't think they are the type of people to let something like this die."

Ron snorted. "They would probably pick up where Harry's uncle left off," he muttered in disgust then looked directly at Black and Lupin. "What can we do to help?"

Lupin smiled and gave Ron's shoulder a squeeze. "Just be there for Harry," he said truthfully. "It's all any of us can do. Regardless of what Harry may tell us, you and Hermione have experienced quite a bit with him. He will need your friendship and understanding, especially for the next week while the trial is taking place. Harry may not say anything but he knows that a lot is riding on this trial. How would you feel if your hope for a family rested on the decision of the Wizengamot?"

Ron nodded in understanding as Hermione rose to her feet. "Well, I think we should be going," she said with a smile. "We just wanted to check on Harry and actually meet you, Mr. Black. It's nice to see someone caring for Harry like this. Whatever happens, I hope you and Professor Lupin get custody. Harry could really use a parent."

Black and Lupin stared at Hermione in a stunned silence as she pulled Ron to his feet then pulled him out of the room. After a long silence, Black turned to Lupin with a raised eyebrow. "Mr. Black?" he asked. "That's just wrong. Who in their right mind would call me 'Mr. Black'?"

"Obviously someone who doesn't know you well, Padfoot," Professor Lupin said with a grin. "There is no way you are mature enough to be called such a thing."

Black grinned. "And don't you forget it," he said with a nod then turned back to Harry. "He's a great kid, Moony. What he did for me last night…I don't think I'll ever be able to repay. How can someone who came from such a horrible childhood be…"

Lupin sat down in the chair Ron had previously occupied and looked directly at Black. "Because he's Harry, Sirius," he said with a shrug. "He has a lot of Lily in him. She always tried to keep us from acting like royal prats during school. Harry has that same sense of righteousness. I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with Lily's sister. I find it too coincidental that Lily was and Harry is against bullying."

Black looked at Lupin in horror. "You don't think Lily—"

"—I don't know, Sirius," Lupin interrupted, "and I don't think we should say anything in front of Harry. He's already had to deal with the fact that his father wasn't always the great and noble person that everyone had been portraying him to be. Well, everyone except Severus, of course." Lupin ran a hand through his hair. "We better hope this trial goes our way. I don't know if I can stand disappointing him. He's already been through so much."

Black's face quickly changed to a look of determination. "Then we'll just have to make sure we don't disappoint him," he said. "How can we do any less?"

Lupin nodded. How could they do any less for a child both of them loved like their own?

A/N:I had planned on three scenes from each book so the next three chapters will be Trials of a Champion and the three after that will be Burden of a Destiny. The final chapter of this will be Sirius' reaction to Harry's departure. If you have no intrest in this, fine. I appreciate that there are so many who are eagerly awaiting the next installment. I am touched that so many enjoy my rendition as much as I enjoy writing them.