Author's Note: I don't own anything Rowling made up. The rest, I made up. Naturally. Also, I'm not explaining things HP fans are familiar with. I.E. why Sirius was sent to jail and etc;.

This story sort of… well, I know some might not like the story but that's fine. I wanted to see how far I could stretch this one spark of inspiration. I might have pushed the envelope too much, but I tried not to. I also disregarded the fifth book, so this is sort of the sixth book only with a different story plot to the fifth year of his. It'll explain what happened in this version's fifth year as you go along. The sixth book recently came out, but I have been working on this for months (I'm lazy, and my computer was broken from February to June!). And since I was already writing this, I haven't changed a single relationship due to things in the sixth book. All relationships are what they were originally written as/planned as in my fan fiction.

This entire story was plotted out BEFORE the sixth book (AND fifth!), but this is a spin-off if my own imagination--I mean come on--it's a fanFICTION.

Also, it's a rather long novel-type fanfiction. About 94,000 words. It is finished but I'm not going to put all the chapters this second. I'll update every couple of days.

Anyhoo. I tried to keep the characters within their own nature. But over the years I've speculated what the individuals are like, so my own ideas of parts of their individuality comes out. For instance: I imaged the Marauders as completely crazy, insane, arrogant idiots who followed the beat of their own instruments, none of them a drum.

Also, Aunt Petunia is different. Her character is one that my friend and I have done before, and I liked it for this story.

And though I do change Draco some, I tried to keep him fairly arrogant, mean, snobbish and jerky. But for his character, I've created a past that's been done before but I can see it being the reason behind his manner. If you don't like the way I've made him, or anyone else, don't say so in a review; just stop reading the story. I won't mind. Go ahead. Push 'back' right now. But for those of you who like this story, please I beg of thee to review! Kind sir! Gentle lady! I beseech thee to review:-)

All flames will be used to cook my food to keep my energized for ideas for other fanfics, heat up my bathwater as I soak and think about how shexy Draco is and fry ants because… well, that's fun. After this, all author's notes are at the end of the chapter.

Anyway, this story came from the simple question of: What if…

CHAPTER ONE- Don't Tell Harry

An incredible thirst woke 15-year old Harry Potter up. He glanced to the side and the illuminated numbers informed him it was just after one am.

He struggled to get out from the sheets that had somehow wrapped around his body. "Urf," He moaned, finally getting free. It was midsummer and sweltering hot as the air conditioner was broken. All he had worn to bed was boxers and he was still slightly sweaty.

"Blimey!" He threw open his window and let the cool night breeze envelope him. The breeze was hot itself but a lot cooler than inside. He was staying with Remus Lupin for a few nights, just to get away from the Dursleys. Remus, and also Harry's godfather: Sirius Black.

Harry leaned against the sill and looked up at the moon; it was beautiful and glowed down on his bare skin. Just basking in the rays made him feel cooled off.

Life this summer had been really good so far. His fifth-year at school had been his second most difficult by far. Second only to his third year when he had to figure out the truth about the death of his parents.

Harry sighed, feeling the thirst in his mouth worsen. He pulled away from the window and headed out into the hall. Harry tiptoed down the stairs and started to go into the kitchen but stopped, hearing voices.

"…tell him, Sirius."

"No. Harry doesn't need to know."

He froze, stopping to the side of the door and listening in. The first voice had been Remus and the second was Sirius. What were they talking about? Well, him obviously. But what about him?

"Yes he does. You can't just keep something like this from him."

A new voice came; "Remus is right. You should tell Harry." It was Albus Dumbledore.

Harry sat down, leaning against the wall. He knew it wasn't polite to listen in, but he didn't really care. Besides, who listened to that unwritten rule anyway?

Sirius started again. "What is the point? If there was a point in telling him, I would. But there is not."

"Yes there is," Remus said.

"No, there is not. Not telling him won't do harm, telling him wouldn't do good. The truth didn't save James, it won't save Harry. If we do tell him, there is nothing to be gained but trouble on Harry's mind."

Dumbledore gave a sigh. "Sirius, I won't make you tell him. But it is imperative. No, the truth didn't save James. But he knew the truth his whole life. He grew up with—with it preying on his mind night and day. He made his choice. And Harry—Harry is as good as his father, if not better."

"James was good," Sirius growled.

"Sirius, he was good but he did use the truth for selfish reasons sometimes," Remus said. "And you know it."

Someone—Sirius probably—pushed his chair back. "Whose side are you on, Remus?" It was Sirius. "James wasn't-"

"No, he wasn't," Remus said casually. "But if we don't tell Harry, things could get bad."

"How? Why? Why could it get bad?" Sirius demanded, doing what sounded like slamming his fist on the table.

"Sirius, please calm down," Dumbledore said firmly. "You are his… you are the closest thing he has to a father. His godfather. Only you can tell him. We won't make you—"

"But—" began Remus.

"We won't make you," Dumbledore repeated, more firm than before. "But we can suggest the best course of action. Which would, in fact, be informing him of this. If he finds out from someone else—which is entirely possible—think of what could happen. The gap that would form between the two of you. Would he trust you? I doubt it."

Harry breathed quietly as things in the kitchen went utterly silent.

"No," Sirius said finally, causing Harry's heart to seize up. "My decision is for him not to know. It will make things easier for him anyway, in the end."

Two other chairs pushed back. "Fine," Dumbledore said. "Have it your way. But don't come crying to me if Harry finds out. Remus?"

"He won't find out from me," sighed the werewolf, sounding depressed. "I promise you that. Dumbledore, I do need to talk to you. I'll be back later, Sirius."

There was the sound of Apparating and Sirius gave a slight moan. "I hate this."

Harry pressed himself into the darkness as Sirius swept past him. He watched him storm into the living room and stretch out on the couch.

Harry crept silently upstairs and got a drink from the tap in the bathroom. Wiping off his lips, he crept into his room and stretched out on his bed, wondering what Sirius was refusing to tell him.

----------

The next morning was warm and sticky. Dressing in a T-shirt and shorts, Harry went downstairs to find Sirius and Remus sipping at coffee.

"I'd offer you breakfast, but someone forgot to clean out the pan," Remus said, grinning at him. He didn't look at all like he had been up late, arguing against Sirius about something important. He did have dark circles under his eyes, but he always had those.

"And someone else burnt the toast," Sirius said, rolling his eyes.

Harry sniffed. "I smell alcohol."

"I put some in my coffee," Sirius said. "Oh stop looking so worried."

"Orange juice?" Remus offered.

Harry poured himself a glass and sat down. "I wish I could stay here the rest of the summer."

"You're protected at the Dursleys, not here," Remus said, putting a hand on his arm.

Sirius licked his lips, looking worried. "Harry—there's, um, something I need to tell you."

Harry perked up, excited. "Yes?"

"Be careful, okay? Things have—things have changed. Voldemort's itinerary has changed slightly. We don't know what he's planning but… just be careful."

He sighed but nodded. "Yes. I will be. I always am."

He knew something had changed in Voldemort. They had a meeting not long ago—where Harry figured it would end. But Voldemort didn't seem to… to want to try to kill Harry. Harry had managed to escape easier than he expected.

Remus stood up, stretching his tired limbs. "Let's go do something."

"Like what? I can't do anything," Sirius complained.

"In dog form you can," Remus reminded him.

Sirius sighed. "Okay, let's go for a walk in the woods."

----------

Sirius had bounded forward, leaving Remus and Harry alone for a few minutes. Harry decided to start trying to dig for the answer to the question: what secret was Sirius keeping from him? But he had to do it tactfully.

"Remus…?"

"Yes?"

Harry licked his lips. "I've been thinking lately of the differences between bad and good. Or rather, good and evil."

"Mm-hmm?"

"And—well I suppose bad and good would be a better one. Because someone can be bad without being evil, right?"

"Of course. During school, us Marauders were often bad," the older man said as he picked up a leaf to examine it.

"But you and Sirius and—and my father… you were all really good, right? My father was good. Really good."

Remus sighed, brushing his greying hair from his eyes. "He was a good man."

"No, there's a difference between being good and being a good man," Harry said in a low voice.

"Yes… you're right. There is a difference," said Remus, slowly and cautiously.

Harry turned to him. "So, answer me. Was he good?"

"At times," Remus answered. "But at times he was bad."

"Was he terribly… selfish?"

That question jerked Remus around so he was staring at Harry with wide, amber eyes. "What do you mean?" He asked, seeming a bit suspicious.

"Was my father selfish?"

"He died so you could live, Harry. I wouldn't call that selfish." Remus was treading lightly and that answer was a good answer; he was avoiding the real answer without not answering.

Harry picked up a stick and tossed it ahead. "Yes but otherwise. Was he selfish?"

"Why are you asking me all these questions?"

"Because I'm curious," Harry grinned. "And if you say curiosity killed the cat, I'll hit you."

Remus laughed. "I wouldn't say that. Asking questions and learning are good things. I'm proud about the fact you are curious. It's good."

Harry looked as Sirius returned to them. "Woof!" He said, wagging his tail.

Harry grinned and patted his godfather's head. "Thanks for letting me stay for a few nights.

"No problem," Remus said, his voice getting a tone as if saying he knew Harry didn't want Sirius to know what he was inquiring. Harry was a bit relieved, and also glad that Remus was smart.

----------

The evening brought clouds and some rain. Harry sat on the porch, enjoying the coolness. Remus was reading and Sirius had his dog head on Harry's lap. Harry was scratching behind the perked ears.

"Do I have to go back tomorrow?" He asked, staring at the dark clouds.

"I'm afraid so," Remus said. Sirius licked Harry's hand.

He smiled, wishing he had more time to talk to them. To try to find out 'the big secret'. But tonight he'd have time to talk to Sirius alone, and that might be enough time…

An owl flew down and dropped a letter in Remus's lap. He set his book aside and picked the letter up. "It's from Dumbledore."

"What does it say?" Harry asked.

Remus read it with a spreading grin. "Oh my God, you won't believe this. The Order of the Phoenix had a battle with some Death Eaters."

"Yes?"

"We won—well, that fight. Four Death Eaters had been killed."

"Cool," Harry said brightly, grinning.

"One of them was…" Remus trailed off, wondering how to say it. "There was…"

"Yes?" Harry asked.

"Lucius Malfoy. He was killed."