Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter

They were on consecutive days: first would be the Final of the Inter-House Quidditch Cup of Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor; the following day, a Sunday, would be the second Quarter Final match-up of the Quidditch World Cup.

It would be England against Ireland, a contest between two of the (now) most powerful sides in Europe. A couple of years prior would have seen most of the world give the match to the Emerald Isle with no contest. However, with the introduction of the new side, and especially one skilled Seeker, this perspective was metaphorically thrown away.

Harry did not care at this point, as he wanted to be the one to cheer on the Circle as they played in their most important match of the year. Some would naturally say that this was against Slytherin, however it was the determinate match for the House of Lions. If they won, then it would be proof that the whole team had advanced and were not simply riding Harry Potter's coattails. Not that many thought this, however the detractors were more than a few in this case. It would also set of his own game the next day with a spot of good luck.

"C'mon Gryffindor!" boomed Hagrid from beside him. The large groundskeeper had managed to take an early spot with the lions that morning, a large (enormous) thermos of his trademarked strong tea and several mugs for Harry and his non-Quidditch playing friends in littler hands than his own.

Exuberant claps came from an out of place Luna Lovegood from the seat to Harry's left. This act had not endeared her much to Neville and Fay, both who wished to sit beside their best friend but unable to now due to Hagrid and Luna.

"Really, Luna. Shouldn't you be supporting your own house?" shouted an almost fed-up Hermione from the other side of her, her eyes rolling as she spoke. "Possibly on the other side of the stadium?"

"I can support Ravenclaw no matter where I sit, Hermione," she responded, her dreamy looking smile causing Hermione to let out a small snort. "Besides, Ginevra is my friend too, so I'm supporting Ravenclaw and her at the same time!"

It was an almost childish outlook, but to Harry it made perfect logic. He only had his closest comrades in Gryffindor because of their constant proximity to him most of the time. It did not mean that he did not care and support others. Professors are a different sort of topic, as they were not friends as such. However, he still enjoyed the company of Cedric as they studied in the library, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot were childhood friends with Neville, so they dropped in and out of his life here and there. And of course, there was Tracey Davis, who appeared to teleport into his day much to the consternation of Katie who did not apparently like the girl on a personal level it seemed.

A small, hidden smile graced his face when he saw the three Chasers fly in a 'V' formation right beyond where he was seated, and he could have sworn that he saw all three grin brightly at him.

The good mood permeated his entire being, the hype coming out and into the material world throughout the long slog of the day. Gryffindor only narrowly managing to scrape a victory, and each player on both teams were exhausted beyond belief – their magic and stamina had been pushed to the limits. Ginny Weasley barely missing out on the 150 points, as Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker, had shown why she was skilled enough to be on the team in the first place. However, the victory had been hard fought for, and Harry was impressed with both of the girls in their determination. He knew that Ginny was not as skilled as her opponent was, time could alter that of course, but she had kept Cho at bay every time the two duelled it out over the little golden ball.

Gryffindor partied all throughout the night, Wood weeping for most of it as he cherished the cup for the third and final time. He had found Harry at the beginning of the event, pulling him to one side and clapping him on the shoulder.

"You'll do well, Potter," he said through eyes welling with water. "Aye, it's been good to know you. You're going to have to keep writing, and I'll write back of course!"

"Erm, Oliver?" Harry choked out a small laugh at the words, his breath halting as he swallowed air in his attempt to keep the noise from bubbling out. "You… do know that the school year isn't over yet, don't you? And, if you can keep a secret…"

Harry's pleading look was enough to keep Oliver Wood from screaming to the high heavens when he heard what Harry had to tell him. Like many others, Wood had a soft spot for the littlest Seeker, and not just for his aid in winning him (them) the cup so many times.

"Of course, of course! I won't tell a single soul!" Oliver's head bobbed up and down, an excitement flowing into him that had all his energy flounder about haphazardly. "You can count on me!"

"I'm saying my goodnight's now though, Oliver. I have to be at the Portkey at the Stadium ready for 8 in the morning."

Oliver shouted a good luck to him as he made his way through the party. He received twin ruffling of the hair and over-exaggerated praises from his favourite twins, a kiss on his left cheek from Alicia and a kiss on the right from Angelina. Fay gripped him in an eager hug, followed shortly by a playful headlock from Neville which left Harry laughing merrily. He had well-wishers and praises from the Gryff's still in the Common Room, even a nod and a smile from their resident Granger to whom Harry responded with a tilt of his lip and a pleasant nod. Katie snuck up behind him, bending her knees slightly to wrap her arms around his waist, pulling him right into her warm body.

Anyone who did not know the two and the relationship they shared could have thought it something akin to acts of the closest lovers. But to Harry it was a comfort. His head grew hot, and his heart burned something fierce, but his teeth shone, and eyes twinkled merrily as he turned in her grasp to meet the embrace. Her soothing kiss lingered on his brow, and he could feel the chill through the small moisture built from where her lips had been. She did not say anything, only matching his smile as he separated from her grip, moving to the stone steps to his dorm.

Ron's bed curtains were enclosing him from view, and Harry's heart sank slightly when he thought he could hear muffled sounds that he had heard a thousand times before.

"I don't blame you, Ron. Please know that. I don't blame you."

Harry pulled out a dreamless sleep potion from his chest of drawers, reminding himself that Pomfrey had given him a large collection of them for only when he believed he needed them. It was never very common when he felt like that, but he was too stressed for the next day even if he was not showing it. His brief encounter with Ron Weasley, who had now silenced himself, was already beginning to wrench at his heartstrings.

The small vial was downed in one gulp, and Harry knew from experience that even if he were to fight the potion, because he had taken it willingly it would take effect soon. So, he got himself quickly changed into his pyjamas and into bed. His glasses placed by the side of the bed, his body lying on his side so as to lay in a comfortable position. He heard a bark from his favoured owl as a scuttling came from the open window. Harry grinned innocently as he beckoned her over to him, a pleased response came from Hedwig's beak and frenzied beating of her wings.

"Hello, girl, have you come to keep me company?"

His hand gently caressed her feathers as she nestled herself under his arm, a soft hoot being her reply. His hand movement became slower and slower as he drifted off to sleep. He would not remember what his last thoughts of the night were, but he was sure it was of good things.

He awoke many hours later, rested and refreshed for the coming match. He gently moved his owl away from his body as he began his morning. Not too long after he awoke, he made his way down the stairs, only to see a bleary-eyed Katie standing before him. She had on her sleeping clothes, a pair of knee length shorts and a short top, a fact that made Harry slightly uncomfortable. This was not the first time he had seen her in such dress but was feeling awkward from looking at her in such a way.

"Goo-" a yawn interrupted her mid speech. "Good luck today." A distant looking smile blossomed upon her face. "Last time I stay up so late," she grumbled, her smile widening when she heard her favourite noise come from between Harry's lips. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up."

"Go back to bed, Katie," Harry chided softly, but retaining his joy.

"Good luck, Harry. I'll be cheering you on. Louder than all the rest!" Her words were followed by a half-hearted fist pump, but the sentiment was more than enough for Harry, who hugged her tightly, reciprocated in kind by this girl who had become someone so dear to him.

"I'll be listening for you. Always."

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Harry was seated on the stone by the lake, skimming small pebbles – something that Fred and George had taught him to do in his first year at Hogwarts – chatting amicably to Professor's McGonagall and Lupin.

"It's a pity Professor Dumbledore had to leave," sighed Lupin as he perched himself on James' old seat. "I'm sure he would have enjoyed some peace and quiet for once.

"Albus Dumbledore has many a responsibility to the Wizarding World, Mr Lupin. Sometimes it is not for that man to accept any rest." Harry enjoyed seeing this side to his Transfiguration teacher. Someone who keeps a charade of constant sternness belied by how calm she was being seated in a conjured armchair. "Although I am loathed to disagree with you on this matter, as it would have indeed been a nice occasion."

"It was still thoughtful of him to come to the match. I didn't even prepare him a ticket, but he still came."

Remus looked slyly at his student. "He wanted to watch you play. That man does what he chooses and darn the consequences." A barking laugh escaped him, a near shock to any student who could have seen him except Harry, who was used to teachers behaving differently around him than to other students. "I know you picked myself and Professor McGonagall," said woman raised a dainty teacup in salute, "and I know I speak for the two of us when I say thank you for this."

The match had gone well for Harry, Harry had caught the Snitch while the team was down by 100 points after a gruelling 3 hours of hard aerial manoeuvres and skilled play. Lynch, the Irish Seeker had complimented his flying after the match and wished him luck for the rest of the tournament.

'Why does Professor Lupin always seem so sad?'

Lupin sighed, his eyes becoming weary all of a sudden. "I really don't think you understand how much it means."

"Sir? Al- most of the Professors are people I know." He looked down at the lake, his aim striking true once more as the small round stone skimmed the lake creating tiny ripples as it went along. "Sometimes…"

"You prefer having some you know over some you do not," McGonagall finished. "Although Professor Flitwick seems to be an often choice, no?" She tittered politely at his blush. "It makes no matter to me. Filius is a good, likeable man. His words can inspire even the lowliest of us to try our best, so do not worry, Harry."

"I'm sorry, Professor."

"Don't be. I am not sad or angry because Professor Flitwick is so affable. So, lift your chin, Mr Potter. You feel and care, and that is not a bad thing."

Harry mirrored her smile, with Lupin chuckling good naturedly from his position slightly above the two of them. The light began to dim when they decided that their conversations were coming to an end, and collectively rose. Lupin holding a hand out to bring Harry up to his feet, and when done, they both did the same to the elder of the three.

"Such gentlemen. I guess true Gryffindor chivalry never dies, does it?"

"You were a Gryffindor, professor?" asked Harry, a little shocked. He had always put the man into Ravenclaw within his mind.

"Does that surprise you, Harry?" he asked bemusedly. "I was, in fact, in the same year as Professor Vector, who was also in Gryffindor." He paused, both verbally and physically. His steps halting on the grass, the castle beginning to glow as the candles and torches began to burst into life within every window. "And your mother." He turned his head back to face the Black Lake, a wistful, faraway look coming gradually to his face. McGonagall had stopped too, appearing pained and concerned; she raised her hand as if to comfort him, but refrained from touching him as she drew herself slightly closer. "And James, your father, he was with us too."

"My dad?"

Lupin had to strain his ears, superior hearing almost of negligible help with how quiet the boy was being. "Yes, Harry, your dad. He was my friend, did you know?" Harry shook his head, eyes wide and glistening. "It was always four of us. Always the four. Me, hah, I was always trying to keep them out of trouble. Your father and Sirius, I mean."

"Wait," Harry interrupted, "Sirius Black." His jaw opened slightly with shock. "My dad was friends with Black? But I thought…"

"Thought he was always evil?" Remus' chuckle turned dry. "No, Harry. Or maybe he was fooling us all. Fooling me. Fooling your dad. Fooling…"

He went quiet. As silent as the grave.

"Fooling who, sir?" There was no response. "Sir?" Harry was worried. There was a crazed look that had been born in Lupin's eyes. The pupils dilated and his teeth were beginning to make a grinding sound. "Sir, you're scaring me."

"Remus?!" McGonagall shot her head upwards. "It's only a half-moon? Remus, what's going on?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

He started walking again, however this time it was in a different direction. McGonagall and Harry exchanged a brief, slightly confused look between them at the erratic, random, behaviour.

"Professor, I don't know what's going on."

"Mr Potter, you are not the only one," sighed McGonagall. "Come, I am not leaving you out here alone. Not with those creatures about. Maybe you would be able to speak to him more candidly than I may."

He nodded his agreement, and started off after Lupin, having to almost run to keep up with the older woman as they began their pursuit.

They spotted him stood still before the Whomping Willow, a large, overactive, and unnecessarily violent tree. "Remus!" Minerva shouted as they closed near him. "What madness has overtaken you? Come! Away from that thing!"

Harry's heartbeats were speeding up. The small race he participated in to get to this place, the long, tiring day he had already had, and now a vile sense of unease surrounding him had his body fighting against his brain. "Professor," She was ranting at the still motionless Lupin and did not hear him. "Professor McGonagall?" He tentatively raised his hand, pushing gently on her left elbow to physically get her attention.

"What? What is it Potter?" Her breath halted when she saw him flinch, his feet taking him back half a pace away from her. She inhaled a deep breath through her nose, slowly exhaling out of her mouth. "I'm sorry, Harry. I did not mean for that to come out like that. Please, forgive me."

"Of- of course, Professor."

"Now, what is it?"

"I don't like this. There's something wrong here." His voice cracked a little, frustration rolling off of him as he recognised that there was something wrong but just could not understand what it was.

"Harry is right. Something bad is indeed happening here tonight."

"Remus?" Said man turned fully to see his colleague clearly. The woman blinked once, whilst her hand smoothly slid her wand out and into view. "Remus what is going on? One moment you were talking to us, the next I find you stood here acting incredibly odd." She moved so that Harry was behind her as her arms spread out as if to shield him. "Answer me. Now."

The no nonsense tone did not seem to affect the man as his features remained neutral. Harry had been wary of him when he first met Lupin, but over time he had warmed to him. Treating him with the same respect as the other staff he had regular meetings with. In a way, Harry felt pity for him, though he could not name the feeling as it was an almost novel experience for the boy.

The wind blew gently across the fields as the branches of the sole tree standing on a solitary hill creaked and groaned as if waking up.

"Did you know that your father was an Animagus?" There was silence still from the three people there, but Lupin took the confused looks as cause to continue. "He was a Stag. Majestic in appearance, and beautiful to look at. It became his Patronus too. Then when he taught Lily the charm, hers became the Doe. Such is the duality of the Charm. No one can really explain why we have those animals, or why those we love and who love us alter what they become.

"Now Sirius, he was always considered loyal, so I guess that's why his Patronus became a dog. Loyal, huh, what a strange concept to have now, in this moment." The gears were turning in Harry's head. He was not slow, but there were pieces missing. Fleeting moments and comments from Katie popping up in his mind as the words began to sink in, and the anxiety was coming back in full force. His eyes widening as bile built up in his throat. "Huge. Black as midnight. He would transform himself into that dog just to annoy anyone he could." Harry stopped breathing for but a moment. His eyes dulled. His hands were shaking. But he was thinking about what he was being told and what it was that he was starting to understand. "But Peter… Peter is and always has been one. Single. Thing."

He walked speedily to the base of the tree, and without warning or another word, he suddenly vanished as his body appeared to be swallowed by the ground.

The two wasted no time. The frustration and rush that had overtaken Minerva McGonagall caused her to forget that she was charging into the unknown with a student by her side.

Harry, however, went into battle mode. This stress was almost like a balm for him as they slid not at all gracefully down a tear into the earth and into the bowels of the Willow.

The dirt slide granted them soil upon their skin and clothes, but Harry did not care – he had endured worse.

Their destination was shown ahead of them, as the walls of the pitch-black tunnel were illuminated by two wands shining brightly. The soil and roots gave way to solid stone foundation and wooden supports.

'Why? Why does this always happen to me?' Because it is who you are. 'But why me? I just wanted to be normal. To be Just Harry.' That can never happen. The kind of person you are… is selfish. You know this. You have always known this. A wand-borne light flickered far in front of them. Harry could hear Minerva call out to his Defence Professor, but the words were muted. Distant. The walls are closing in, Harry. The time is coming. Remember what the Hat told you? Hah, do you remember what they used to tell you? How no one was ever coming for you? Unwanted. Unneeded. Uncaring. You are selfish, Harry Potter. Because you cling to them as if for one fleeting second, they will vanish. Disappear from your eyes, your heart, and your life. Is this why you run into the jaws of the dragon? Do you anticipate the flames? How they will caress you ever so sweetly? Would Remus Lupin do the same for you? Would Ginny have done it before? Would any of them? Would they come for you? Poor. Weak. Harry. Potter.

"You're wrong." The words came as a whisper, dancing on the still air and hovering there before him. "You're wrong."

You are worthless.

"No, I'm not. Not anymore."

His Lumos bit harder at the darkness, a concerned McGonagall too focused on Lupin as they closed in on him. Harry could see flashes of light hit the floor where Lupin was, causing the two of them to hurry quicker down the tunnel.

No one would care if you vanished. You believe Katie would care? You give off the aura of innocence, but you know what she wants, don't you? To use you. Abuse you.

"Katie cares. They all care. Nothing you say to me will tell me otherwise."

Oh, but Harry you poor deluded fool.

They were close to an end. He could no longer see any evidence of Lupin beyond scorch marks and holes littered below him. They came to a halt at the base of some old, rotting wooden stairs. McGonagall put a finger to her lips, finally realising that she had dragged her student along with her. There was fear in her eyes, and Harry somehow knew that it was not for herself.

I am you.

They moved as a pair. Magic quietened the creaking and groaning of the wooden steps and floorboards as they moved as one beyond a door. Harry could hear muffled words coming from a room down the corridor, two voices speaking in hushed tones.

"Harry. Mr Potter. Whatever happens now, I am sorry. I was unthinking and it may yet be the cause of your coming harm." Harry's breath trapped in his throat, his eyes bulging slightly, yet calmed down immediately after he next words. "But I will protect you! You have my word. No matter what comes next, I will be by your side. I will protect you." An almost unintelligible sentence escaped her as her already hushed voice became almost incomprehensible. But Harry's spirit soared almost unbidden as his brain attempted to understand it. "This time I won't let you down."

She ran with a speed that Harry did not know she could make. The door to the room was ajar and blasted off its hinges as she shoulder barged her way in. A single wand raised itself in defiance, yet Minerva McGonagall was quicker. So much quicker.

"Well, well," Harry crept up behind her, unable to hide his shock at seeing the man standing alongside Remus Lupin. There was a look of terror in the mans face, but sadness, rage, and desperation. McGonagall was calm as she collected her words. She was almost too calm. "Hello again, Sirius."

"C'mon Minnie, jus-just put the wand down. Let me explain."

Her glare sharpened, eyes becoming slits as the predator nature of her inner Animagus came to the forefront. "Explain? Explain!?" Harry cringed at the out of place, sardonic laughter she was emitting. "Explain this to me then, Sirius! Explain to me how your actions got Lily and James killed! Explain to me why their son suffered so much because you were the darkness that everyone thought you were. Explain to me, right now, why I shouldn't just drop you where you stand!"

Harry was dazed. There was so much to unpack all at once. The way Minerva McGonagall was acting was not something that he understood; he understood the concept of rage, but in the face of the information he had just learned… "My parents… died… because of you?"

"Yes, Harry, because of this, this… this monster. He sold out Lily and James to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He told him where they were. And because of him… they died because he was nothing more than evil!"

Harry looked, really looked at the broken shell of a man. His eyes were full of hope and wonder. Either Azkaban had broken him completely, or the dog that had become his friend had a bigger secret to tell.

"Professor, please. Let him talk."

"Harry," Black croaked in a voice unused for so long. "So much like her. So much like Lily."

McGonagall was shaking. Harry knew not whether it was fury or despair, but she nodded stiffly, still covering her charge. Lupin, standing wandless, held tight his robe in clenched fists, covering himself away from everyone, and remaining silent. "Do not think I have forgotten you either," the woman said sharply. "Do not think for a single second that I will forget this betrayal either. After everything I have ever done for you, that Albus has ever done. That James ever did."

Harry knew his teacher's secret. Of course he would. It was not difficult to grasp – once again the Wizarding World showed a distinct lack of common sense. But he did not care. And it was this logical, Harrylike thinking that was pushing passed the rage-induced mind of his other teacher.

Harry was forgiving, pure, and innocent to a fault. Some may contemplate Dumbledore's penchant for gifting second chances, but faced with what lay before him, Harry's soul became verbal. "Tell me." It was soft, gentle, and soothing to hear, and Sirius brightened at the words uttered by the son of his greatest friend. "I want to know everything."

"I told you Sirius, did I not just now tell you? The best of both of them."

The man nodded, his gaunt face breaking out into a smile filled with yellowing teeth. "I didn't do it." Remus snorted, a leg kicking out at him which led to a failed attempt at dodging. "Okay, okay, I get it Moony." He sighed long and hard, drawing a deep breath from the thin, emaciated body that became rattling and wheezing. "There was one man." Remus withdrew his hands away from his body, both cupped together as if holding on to something. "And Moony saw us tonight. He always had the best eyes. The best nose. He must have known when he saw me and saw him too. There was one man who is to blame." Remus dropped a heavy weight to the breaking floorboards, with an echoing thud coming to life as Minerva McGonagall's eyes widened and wand travelled away from Remus and Sirius and on to a new target. "I sacrificed everything, Harry. And I lost. We all lost." Tiny, wet drops hit wood and dust as his words were spoken. "Maybe I am to blame for so much, but now… Now the fire that burns in my heart can extinguish. Because he is here, right in front of me! We can do it together if you wish?"

Minerva McGonagall's wand flashed, and Sirius howled, triumphant.

"Peter! Did you miss me?"

Author's Notes:

So, some may be slightly confused why I introduced the Ron scene at the beginning. There are very few irredeemable characters in the series, and Ron is not one of these. He is selfish, lazy, probably emotionally ignorant, and I'm probably going to say cowardly too. However, he has moments where a different kind of him shines through. Honestly though, I think that the character of Ron Weasley may be a neuro-divergent of some description. And with the inability of witches and wizards of the majority to fail to look beyond what magic can bring them, muggle psychology and its developments will 100% not be a factor to their existence.

Harry will always have the trauma of his life be a part of him and that can never change. The whole design of my story is that a reader can witness Harry as he develops. This is his journey. It's one of discovery and advancement. There are going to be bumps in the road, but Harry Potter will have so many good things happen to him, however there is always something needed to balance that out. Equivalent Exchange, if you will. There will be joy, but there will also be tragedy. Life is not always a box of roses and a sweet kiss. Sometimes it is ugly. But sometimes it is beautiful.

I am aware that this isn't really a Harry-centric chapter, and next one won't really have his inner thoughts as the primary focus either I'm afraid. However, when Book 4 hits, which will begin after the next chapter, we shall return to the majority of each chapter being all about him. I just wanted to bring Sirius to the forefront and I hope I've done that well enough to stand up to scrutiny. Book 3 has been a sort of explanation to show Harry's development from an outside perspective, as well as set up some of my own juicy non-canon plots. Ah well, prepare for the future because after the next chapter, we begin to enter the story that I've been looking forward to.

Next Chapter: Sober