Following Harry awakening, the team filled him in on the match and what had happened. Much as Y/N had assumed he would, Harry took the loss badly. Fred and George attempted to reassure him, and Harry at least showed his face instead of hiding it. But Y/N knew deep down, he blamed himself.

And it got even worse when Madam Pomfrey had driven the Quidditch team out and the trio had to reveal the loss of Harry's broom. At the surface Harry seemed to take it well, but Y/N knew how much that broom meant to him.

Y/N and Hermione left Harry's bedside before Ron. Y/N believed it was best to not go anywhere near Ron until Harry had recovered. Plus, Y/N needed to hand his essay in to Snape. Following this, they headed back up to the common room where they ran into Ginny, who was sitting in a corner by herself looking as though she was a wanted criminal.

'What have you done?' asked Y/N as he slipped into the chair across from her.

Ginny jumped and looked up in alarm, but her face relaxed as she realised who it was.

'Nothing! Yet…'

'Okay, what are you going to do?' asked Hermione as she took the seat next to Y/N.

Ginny went scarlet and stared down into her lap, where Y/N could see the slightest edge of something laying there.

'I swear if that's another diary-'

'It's not! It's not!' said Ginny, quickly waving her hands at him. 'It's… oh, here.'

And she passed him over what appeared to be a get-well card. It was covered in lost of small hearts and well wishes for a speedy recovery.

'You want to give this to Harry, don't you?' asked Y/N as he slid it back across to her. Ginny nodded looking downcast.

'I remember how badly the Dementors affected him on the Hogwarts Express and after he fell so far it just made me realise… I know it's silly-'

'It's not silly to have a crush on someone, Gin,' interrupted Y/N, 'Me and Hermione did after all. Here, let us help you finish making it and then you can take it to him tomorrow yeah? Not gonna say he'll love it,' he added looking at the card, 'Harry doesn't do well with stuff like this, but he'll appreciate the gesture. Yeah?'

'Yeah… thanks Y/N,' said Ginny, and she looked genuinely relieved. 'I thought you were going to laugh at me.'

Y/N shook his head.

'The rest of your brothers may lack emotions, but I know how it feels to crush on someone. The worst thing to do is laugh at someone.'

Hermione pulled out a textbook and slid round to sit next to Ginny, walking her through lots of different enchantments they could put on it to make it special while Y/N got to work tidying up the card and changing the colours so it didn't look as bland.

Finally, once Ginny had settled on letting the card sing to Harry. She cast the spell and wrapped it carefully up in an envelope before retiring to bed. Y/N stretched out and sighed.

'Long day,' he said with his eyes closed, leaning back in his chair.

'That's what happens when you jump off of Quidditch stands,' said Hermione as she moved back around to sit next to him. He could hear the disapproval in her voice.

'Look. You know me, I don't think when it comes to stuff like that, I just do. Harry needed to be saved and that was quickest. If I'd have second guessed, who knows what would have happened.'

'I'm sure Dumbledore would have slowed him if you hadn't. I just don't like watching you risk yourself. Don't get me wrong, I love how brave you are, but don't get yourself killed. We've already had enough near misses. I don't want you dying to a Quidditch pitch.'

'I won't,' said Y/N, opening his eyes and leaning towards her 'I promise you, it's going to take more than that piece of turf to slow me down.'

'I think killing that Basilisk made you cocky,' said Hermione, her eyes narrowing.

'I think surviving the Basilisk has made me appreciate surviving. It did almost get me, remember? I just know my own limits now.'

'Your limit of a killer snake?'

'Is it going to be like this every time I jump off stuff?'

'No, cause you aren't going to do it again,' and Hermione's eyes got even narrower. But then she sighed and simply kissed his cheek. 'Who am I kidding, you're going to do it anyway. But just don't forget that I exist.'

'How could I forget that?'

'You know what I mean. Before you go charging off doing something reckless, at least remember that I'm still expecting you to come back to me.'

They spent the rest of the evening lazily flicking through textbooks and chatting, neither was really in the right mindset to focus. The day had brought to much stress. That, coupled with the fact they were now in the warm cosy common room instead of out in the storm still hammering the windows, meant it was a struggle to even stay awake.

Eventually, the two retired to their respective dormitories.

The next morning, Y/N was awoken early by a gentle, quiet voice.

'Y/N… Y/N.'

Y/N's eyes opened and he looked blearily around. A familiar face swam into view, long red hair framed around a rather scared looking face.

'Ginny?' asked Y/N.

'Yeah, can you come meet me downstairs in a minute please? I need your help with something.'

'Yeah… yeah of course…' said Y/N as he slowly got his bearings. It wasn't until Ginny slipped out the dormitory door and made her way downstairs that it clicked that she'd been in the boys' dormitory. He got dressed quickly and slipped downstairs.

'What were you doing?' he hissed as he made his way over to where she was sitting. 'What if you'd have been-'

But he fell silent at the look on her face.

'What's wrong?'

Ginny was extremely pale and her bottom lip was shaking, she looked close to tears. She pulled the card from the previous evening out and opened it. It began singing in a rather horrible shrill voice. Ginny shut it almost at once.

'He- he'll hate it…'

Y/N immediately moved around to Ginny and pulled her into a hug. She did not return it at first, she seemed to be trying to keep a straight face, but soon her tears broke free and she cried lightly into his shoulder.

'Sorry… I just wanted it to all go right for once,' she said sniffily once she'd recovered a little.

'It hasn't gone wrong. Come on, we're going to give it to him right now.' and he seized Ginny's hand and dragged her out of the common room.

'Wait… no! Hang on!' she cried in protest, but Y/N dragged her through the corridors until they were outside the Hospital Wing.

'Thinking about it won't make it easier. And he'll be better soon. Come on.'

He threw open the doors and marched across the tiled floor towards his friend, who was awake and smiling at the arriving duo.

'Not quite who I expected you to walk in with, but morning Ginny,' said Harry brightly as she approached very sheepishly behind Y/N.

'She has something to give you,' said Y/N, turning back to look at her. 'She spent a lot of last night working on it and she really hopes you like it.'

As red as her hair, Ginny stepped forward and handed the card to Harry. He smiled down at the cover, his cheeks going slightly red. Then flicked it open. He tolerated the screeching singing for longer than Y/N thought he would before he closed it and smiled at Ginny.

'Thanks Ginny, I really appreciate it.'

'You're welcome…' she replied very quietly, '…see you later Y/N.' and just like that, she was gone.

'Did I say something wrong?' asked Harry, looking at Y/N in alarm.

'Nope. She was worried you'd hate it. Think she's just overwhelmed. She's still crushing on you quite hard.'

Harry sighed and tucked the card away under his pillow.

'You staying for a little bit?'

'I can do,' said Y/N, drawing up a chair. 'Wasn't sure if you'd even be up yet to be honest.'

'I didn't sleep to well. I-' Harry stopped himself, but Y/N knew immediately that he was hiding something.

'What happened, Harry?' asked Y/N, waving his wand so that the curtains around them pulled close.

'Yesterday, at the match. I saw… I saw that dog again. The one from Little Whinging, in the stands.'

'What?' asked Y/N, eyebrows raised. 'Harry, we could barely see our hands in front of our faces. How did you see the dog?'

'I was looping around the outskirts and I just saw its shape. It was just sitting in one of the empty benches, staring straight up at me. Then the Dementors came and…please don't tell Ron and Hermione.'

'I'm not going to tell Ron anything-' began Y/N.

'Or Hermione,' interrupted Harry.

'-or 'Mione,' conceded Y/N, 'but Harry, do you genuinely think this is something to be worried about? How long did you see it for? And are you even sure it was a dog, or the same dog for that matter?'

'I know it was,' said Harry. 'I recognised it immediately, and it wasn't just the trick of the light. I looked straight at it. I panicked and almost slipped and by the time I rebalanced, it was gone.'

'And you reckon it's some sort of omen?' asked Y/N.

'I don't know! But this same dog I've now seen in two different places and on the cover of a death omen book. And you know as well as I do that things in this school don't seem to like me.'

'And why don't you want to tell the other two about this?'

'They'll just start worrying about me, and they're doing that enough already.'

'Then why tell me? You think I won't worry?'

'No, it's just better to have you on your guard. And I know you won't lecture me on something I can't control.'

'The part of me that's influenced by Hermione really wants to, Harry-' and Y/N gave a deep sigh.

'But?' asked Harry, hopefully.

'-but if something is after you or following you, dog or not, it's worth at least being ready. And it's not your fault.'

'Glad we met, Y/N,' said Harry, holding out a hand. 'It's good having someone who can keep a level head during stuff like this.'

'Only because if I don't, the rest of you will collapse,' said Y/N with a smirk as she shook Harry's hand. 'But don't get formal on me Potter. Just don't let a dog maul you before you get out of here. We still need to beat Ravenclaw.'

'Right,' said Harry with a nod, 'And thanks, Madam Pomfrey told me about your slowing charm. And apparently you jumped into the pitch to get to me?'

'The spells a lifesaver. Now, quite literally. You don't have to thank me Harry. That's what friends are for.' He watched Harry's face fall slightly, knowing the implication, but he simply sighed and nodded.

'I'll talk to him, see if I can get him to realise.'

'I'm not bothered about him being spoken to, Harry. I just want to make sure you are aware. I'll catch you later. I'll bring those two. Don't mean to put a dampener on things.'

'Think I did that with the talk of the dog, mate,' smirked Harry. 'I'll catch you later.'

()()()()()()

Harry finally got let out of the Hospital Wing on Monday morning. He arrived down to breakfast with the look of a man who'd had to fight his way out. Knowing how Madam Pomfrey was with her patients, Y/N couldn't say he was surprised. There was little time for pleasantries however as before to long, Y/N was excusing himself and Hermione and they began the wind up towards the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Y/N knocked cautiously on Remus' office door and was met by a very quiet 'Enter'. He pushed open the door, and both he and Hermione stepped inside.

Remus was sat down on a chair this time but seemed to have been waiting for them. He smiled at them as they entered, he had dark circles under his eyes and looked on deaths door.

'You okay professor?' asked Y/N immediately.

'Quite fine, Y/N. Not to worry.'

Y/N awaited elaboration, but Remus showed no indication of giving it. Instead he got to his feet, and with a wave of his wand, his chair soared backwards.

'Now, I've heard you jumped off the Quidditch stands to help Mr Potter when he fell. Is that correct?'

'It is, Professor,' said Y/N, a little unsure as to why Remus was asking.

'Good. I want you to try to remember how you felt when that happened. And this time, we're using Expelliarmus, something you've tried but aren't used to. Try to use how you felt when going for Harry. Protego!'

The wall sprang up between them as Hermione settled onto the desk behind Remus. Y/N closed his eyes and thought. He imagined the swirling pile of Dementors just out of view. The shades of black moving through the fog, and that descending spec of red, impossible speeds, deadly speed. He felt the fear he had then begin to bubble.

He encouraged it, pulled on it. Imagined the Dementors tearing through the fog towards all his friends. Luna, Neville, Ginny…

Hermione.

'Expelliarmus!'

There was so much that Y/N put behind the spell that it took him a second to even realise his voice had cast it. He'd sounded so sure, so confident, despite not feeling any of that. The spell practically exploded out of the edge of his wand and smashed clean through Remus' shield. Remus' wand went spiralling into the air and Y/N, still extremely bemused, caught it.

'Perfect, Y/N!' called Remus as Hermione burst into applause from her desk. 'Fear is just as powerful a conduit for our magic as anger is. And fear is easier to call upon, that's why I started with the boggart. I believed anger would be a better conduit for you in the long run, but it's good to know you can use fear when you need to.'

'I felt like I was disarming myself,' said Y/N, staring at his hand. 'My wand almost flew out of my hand, felt like I fired a cannon.'

'Good,' said Remus, looking very pleased, 'That is what the weight of our emotions can do, Y/N. I'm not expecting every spell you cast to be like that, but when you're in a tense situation or an overwhelming one, it will empower your spells instead of simply causing magic to burst out from you like a bomb.'

'That was insane,' said Y/N, staring down at the two wands in his hand.

'And we're about to see if you can do it again,' said Remus, flicking his wrist and causing his wand to go soaring out of Y/N's hand and back into his own.

'Show off,' muttered Y/N, but Remus merely smirked and replaced the shield between them.

'Again, summon that same feeling and this time turn it back. Instead of attacking out of instinct and fear, turn that into anger, use that to lash out.'

Y/N closed his eyes and focused again on the mental image. The black shadows, falling red, them swooping towards his friends. Then he imagined him twirling his own wand, a wreath of fire surrounding him, lashing out towards the Dementors causing the cloaks to fall empty and singed towards the floor, a large fiery bird that burst from the end of his wand to rescue Harry.

'Y/N!'

The tone in Remus' voice made his eyes snap open immediately. The vision vanished from his mind… but not from in front of him. Just as his vision clarified, he watched as the off shoot of a spell he had not meant to fire dispersed. What looked to be the outline of a flame wreathed bird falling away into smoke an inch away from the shield.

'I… what was that?'

'I was quite hoping you'd be able to tell me,' said Remus as the barrier between them dropped.

Y/N felt confused, he looked around to Hermione who was staring at him with her mouth slightly open.

'What do you mean?' asked Y/N, turning back to look at Remus. 'I didn't do that.'

'You most certainly did,' said Remus.

'You did, Y/N,' added Hermione.

'But… I was only imagining it, wasn't I?'

'I don't know what you were imagining, Y/N,' said Remus.

'The match. I saw the swirl of the Dementors, I used the fear of them coming for my friends last time, but this time I went on the aggression instead, started throwing fire at them-'

'-fire that was spinning around yourself?' asked Remus cautiously.

'-yes I… wait, how did you know?'

'You were doing that too, Y/N,' said Hermione. 'It was very faint. At first, I thought you were meaning to, then that bird sprung out of your wand.'

'If it had have hit the shield charm, it would have shattered it and hit me,' said Remus. 'That's why I called to you to stop it. You have incredible potential, Y/N, but are also incredibly dangerous.'

'So… wait, I imagined the spells happening… and they happened?'

'Sort of,' said Remus. 'Obviously you are still bound by the limitations of magic, you can't exactly drop oceans on your enemies, however in imagining how you were going to fight back you drove yourself to do so. Told yourself that was exactly how you had to fight. Subconsciously, you began casting, you didn't know you were, but you were focused so hard on it, you began to will it.'

'Just thinking can't cast spells,' said Y/N.

'On the contrary, Y/N,' said Remus, 'Wandless and non-verbal magic is a powerful branch that's taught to 6th years and higher at the school. Some are more naturally adapted to it than others. I daresay you'll get full marks during those classes.'

'So I was casting without talking?'

'Pretty much. You won't be able to recreate it consistently, not without putting yourself in cases of extreme stress, and I imagine that when it comes time to learn properly you won't be perfect. But an advantage of any part with magic like this is incredibly useful.'

'So how am I meant to stop that from happening?' asked Y/N.

'Practice. This is the first time you've been able to just call on your emotions to help you. It already shows how far you've come, however you are not accustomed to the power they can provide. It keeps overwhelming you. You need to call on less emotional memories. Something that may have frustrated you. A piece of homework or a run in with a troublemaker.'

Remus said this last part tentatively and Y/N knew exactly who he was on about. His mind did not travel to Malfoy however. He instead thought back to the night in the Common Room when he had been chasing Crookshanks around the room. He looked straight at Remus and nodded.

Remus waved his wand, and the barrier sprang back up between them. Y/N took a deep breath, focusing on the frustrations, the want to yell at his 'friend'.

'Expelliarmus!' The spell soared and clashed against the wall, the two seemed to push back against each other. A moment later however, and the disarming charm had fizzled out. Y/N was not to be deterred though.

The image of Ron dangling Scabbers by the tail about a foot away from Hermione's face swam into view. The look of mixed fear and guilt on her face as he shouted at her.

'Look at him!'

'Expelliarmus!' This one did what the previous couldn't. Whilst it didn't burst through immediately, it did collide with the shield for a few moments before piercing through and slamming into the wall behind Remus.

'Excellent work Y/N. Truly excellent. I think you may be ready for the next step up now.'

'There's another step, Professor?' asked Y/N cautiously

'Certainly, assuming you still wish to learn. We are far from done'

'Of course Professor' said Y/N taking a deep breath. He hadn't come this far to give up now

'Protego Duo!' yelled Remus.

A barrier sprung between them, but Y/N felt the vaguest pulse in his head as it formed, and already it looked much thicker than the previous barrier. Y/N closed his eye and focused before casting.

Whilst he didn't manage to pierce the stronger shield spell, Remus did not seem deterred.

'You've already made incredible progress, Y/N. Breaking even a standard shield charm is a difficult feat for many wizards, never mind someone who's only 13. Just remember not to overpower yourself with emotion. Let it balance.'

And despite the last chunk of the lesson feeling like a slog, Y/N left Remus' office with a spring in his step.

This new life lasted for much of the week, persisting even through Thursday's double potions lesson despite Malfoy's best efforts to aggravate them all. Which resulted only it getting Ron into trouble. If you count throwing a crocodile heart at the pale-blonde git and losing 50 points for Gryffindor as trouble.

After which, time was rewound and both he and Hermione returned to Remus' study. By the end of the double period, Y/N still hadn't managed to pierce Remus' upgraded shield, but was becoming more confident in many of the spells he was using. Flipendo, Expelliarmus and Depulso.

One quick lunch later and they were walking up the corridor towards their Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson.

'If Snape's teaching again, I'm skiving off,' said Ron.

'He's not, you can keep your attendance intact,' responded Y/N dryly. 'Remus is back.'

'How do you-?' but Y/N had already crossed the threshold to the classroom and was moving over to his seat. The rest of the class filtered in behind him and it wasn't long before they'd exploded into sound.

'It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?'

'We don't know anything about werewolves—'

'— two rolls of parchment!'

'Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?' Lupin asked, frowning slightly.

The babble broke out again.

'Yes, but he said we were really behind—'

'— he wouldn't listen—'

'—two rolls of parchment!'

Professor Lupin smiled bemusedly around at the class, apparently finding the outrage at the essay amusing.

'Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay.'

'But… we've already finished it,' said Hermione, sounding dejected as she glanced around at Y/N.

'Ask Remus to grade it for you, I'm sure he won't mind,' said Y/N as Professor Lupin withdrew a glass box from behind his desk.

They spent the rest of the lesson learning about Hinkypunks, a very frail looking creature with only one leg that seemed to more resemble clouds than an actual beast. But, as Lupin later explained, this was developed purposefully so the creature could go unnoticed and lure sailors out to sea.

As the class ended, they all began packing up their bags and Lupin called Harry back to have a private word with him. Ron swept from the classroom without even looking at Y/N or Hermione and was out of the corridor before they'd even left.

'You'd think he could apparate with how quickly he vanishes once I appear.'

'You can't-' began Hermione.

'-apparate or disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds, I know,' said Y/N, narrowing his eyes at her. 'Figure of speech.'

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him, then dragged him off towards their next lesson.

That evening, in the common room, Harry caught Y/N and Hermione as they sat in the same armchair reading together and told them all about the conversation he'd had with Remus after their Defence class and about Remus promising to give Harry lessons to counter Dementors.

'I may need to ask if I can tag along,' said Y/N once Harry had finished. 'It sounds dead useful. Would you be okay with me asking?'

'Yeah of course,' said Harry brightly. 'Would help having someone else there just in case.'

So, during Y/N's next one to one class with Remus, he pitched the question.

'You know what, I think that's an excellent idea,' said Remus brightly as Y/N finished his question. 'Battling Dementors is a spell that requires an emotionally driven response. If you can pull off this charm, it'll will set you on a good road to mastering the rest of what I'm trying to teach you. As I've told Harry though, it will not be until next term.'

'Of course Professor,' said Y/N at once, 'and thank you, I really appreciate it.'

'Would you care to join us Hermione?' asked Remus, turning towards her. But to Y/N's surprise, Hermione shook her head.

'Thank you for the offer, Professor Lupin, but the exams won't be far off after the holidays and I'd like to keep my evenings free to revise. The workload is beginning to pile up.'

'That may be something to consider for yourself as well then, Y/N,' said Remus, turning back to him. 'I won't accept it if you fall behind on your other studies. Ensure all work that needs to be done, is done before you come to my lessons.'

()()()()()()

The weeks rolled along as Christmas drew closer and closer. At the end of November, Ravenclaw managed to beat Hufflepuff in their Quidditch match, which lit a fire under Wood. It meant they were not out of the running yet, and Wood began pushing the team harder. They couldn't lose again.

Before long December had arrived, and Professor McGonagall swept through the Great Hall, taking down the names of all those who would be remaining at Hogwarts for the break. Y/N and Harry signed at once, but they were followed shortly after by Ron and Hermione. Y/N had known Hermione was going to stay. She'd been talking for a while about spending their first Christmas together as a couple and Y/N couldn't think of anything he wanted more. But Ron's surprised him. Not least of all because Ginny was returning to the burrow. But Y/N didn't give it too much thought, it wasn't like he'd be speaking to Ron much anyway.

Then, on the last weekend of term, it was announced that there would be another Hogsmeade weekend. This time, in the light of Harry's extremely downtrodden face once they'd read the notice, Y/N and Hermione decided to stick to the main shops instead of another date so that they could get some stuff for their friend.

'But if it turns into a date after that then…' shrugged Hermione innocently.

On the morning of the trip, they made their way out into the Entrance Hall where they ran into Filch, once again ticking off names on his list and ensuring that they were all allowed to leave the castle.

Y/N had expected to make the trip into Hogsmeade with Ron, but he was several people ahead of them in the queue, standing with Seamus and Dean. Which suited him perfectly.

'I have so much to do for Christmas shopping,' said Hermione the moment they were walking down the path out of the castle. 'Mum and Dad would love those Toothflossing Stringmints from Honeydukes-'

'You may not want to read out anymore of that,' said Y/N as he spied his own name on the list she'd made. 'We can split up part way through 'cause I need to get something for you as well. I've actually been pretty stumped this year.'

'I'm sure you'll manage, you always find incredible gifts,' said Hermione happily, wrapping herself around his arm.

They made their first stop at Zonko's Joke Shop, where they both picked up some loose tricks for Harry and Y/N snapped up a couple of top shelf items to send to Fred and George, before moving onto Dervish and Banges where Y/N spied an enchanted homework planner. It had colour coded section which flashed brighter based on which one you were due to revise and timed how long you were revising for.

He subtly swiped it up and paid for it whilst Hermione was looking at enchanted muggle statues that slowly moved when they thought they weren't being watched.

Next stop was Honeydukes, where they spied Ron over under a banner labelled 'Unusual Tastes'.

The two of them instead made their way over to the other side of the shop where they began looking at some of the flavoured creatures, such as Cockroach Cluster, Chocolate Frogs and Jelly Slugs.

They were just scooping up bags of stuff to give to Harry and Ginny when a man with a very shiny bald head shimmied past them and began unloading bags of Jelly Slugs back into the almost empty container. Y/N and Hermione shuffled off, paid for their sweets and then stepped outside.

'Shall we head to the Three Broomsticks now?' asked Hermione as she shivered. 'Getting a bit to cold for my liking.'

'Sounds like a brilliant idea,' came a voice from behind them.

Hermione gave a small shriek and Y/N span around, plunging his hands into his robes.

Harry was stood next to Ron. Ron looking mildly amused and Harry as though it was the best day of his life.

'What the f-' began Y/N.

'Harry!' hissed Hermione 'What are you doing here?'

Harry beckoned them off the main street and explained to all of them in a hushed whisper about a run in he'd had with the twins and about how they'd shown him a seemingly harmless piece of parchment.

'Oh my lord,' said Y/N at once, putting his face in his hand.

'What?' asked Hermione at once.

'That's the thing Fred and George had me help them get from Filch's office. It's a map of Hogwarts.'

'That's the one,' said Harry, 'and it's got all the secret passageways on it. The one I've just used is behind a one-eyed witch statue and it leads straight into the Honeydukes cellar.'

'I assume they told you how to activate it and work it? It requires some sort of password doesn't it?'

'Yep!' said Harry brightly, 'you just need to say, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good' and it will appear. Then 'Mischief Managed' to turn it off again.'

'Why didn't Fred and George ever give it to me!' said Ron, looking furious. 'I'm their brother!'

'And you already have permission to go to Hogsmeade,' snapped Y/N. 'They clearly think Harry needs it more.'

'You don't agree?' asked Harry, eyebrows raised.

'I think it's risky. Black's already made it inside the castle, what's to stop him being out in Hogsmeade?'

'Plus, he's not going to keep the map. Harry's going to hand it in to Professor McGonagall, aren't you Harry?'

Ron opened his mouth looking indagated, but Y/N cut across him.

'No point, mum would only question where he got it. And that would get the Weasleys in trouble. We'll have to let him keep the map, at least for now. But Harry, you need to be careful. He could be anywhere.'

Ron pointed straight past Y/N. He followed the finger and saw a ministry decree in the window of one of the nearby shops.

By order of —

THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Customers are reminded that until further notice, Dementors

will be patrolling the streets of Hogsmeade

every night after sundown. This measure has been put

in place for the safety of Hogsmeade residents and will

be lifted upon the recapture of Sirius Black. It is therefore

advisable that you complete your shopping well

before nightfall.

Merry Christmas!

'I'd like to see Black try to break into anywhere here with Dementors swarming all over the village. And anyone else would hear a break in wouldn't they? Everyone lives over their shops.'

'The Dementors didn't stop him at Azkaban,' muttered Y/N darkly. 'If he can get out of a fortress of them and sneak into Hogwarts without crossing the army that are watching the gates, I think he can make it into Hogsmeade. In fact, he'd have probably had to come through Hogsmeade to even get to the castle.'

'I don't like this, Harry. You really need to be careful. You haven't got a signed form! If you get caught, you'll get in so much trouble,' said Hermione.

'Will you two stop being such goody two shoes?' said Ron.

'Ah yes. Forgive me, lets just drag Harry outside into Sirius Black, ignoring every rule put in our way,' snapped Y/N, flaring up at once. 'Don't try and be a smart arse with me, Ronald. It doesn't suit you.'

'Now's not the time,' hissed Harry as Ron opened his mouth, looking furious, 'If we get into a shouting match, it's only going to make it more likely that we get caught. Come on.'

He slipped out of the alleyway and moved off up the street. Ron followed him at once, but Hermione and Y/N hesitated, sharing a look.

'Should we….?' She said tentatively.

'He'll get caught without us. Come on.'

Together they followed after the black- and red-haired boys. They slipped inside the Three Broomsticks and moved off over to a table whilst Y/N moved up to the bar and ordered 4 butterbeers. He'd so wanted to say 3, but thought he should at least play nice for Harry's first Hogsmeade visit.

He carried the drinks over to the table and placed them down in front of the two sitting there and the mysterious gap that had now appeared between them.

'Any reason for the cloak or?' asked Y/N, sitting as far along the bench as he could away from it whilst rubbing his forehead.

'Oh right, yeah… sorry,' came Harry's voice. 'I just thought it'd be better to make sure I don't get seen.'

Y/N was about to respond when the door to the pub opened and he heard spluttering come from where the cloak was.

Professors McGonagall and Flitwick had just entered, alongside Hagrid and Cornelius Fudge.

Y/N saw out of the corner of his eye as both Ron and Hermione pushed the invisible boy off his stool and under the desk. Y/N immediately felt the tension in his head relieve a little bit and he waved his wand, muttering 'Mobiliarbus', causing the nearby Christmas tree to shift a few inches along, hiding them all from view.

It was a good thing he did so, because a moment later and he heard four chairs being pulled out from the table closest to them and the definite sound of Hagrid being one of those to sit down. Then, a fifth set of footprints approached and the voice of Madam Rosmerta spoke.

'A small gillywater —'

'Mine,' said Professor McGonagall's voice.

'Four pints of mulled mead —'

'Ta, Rosmerta,' said Hagrid.

'A cherry syrup and soda with ice and umbrella —'

'Mmm!' said Professor Flitwick.

'So you'll be the red currant rum, Minister.'

'Thank you, Rosmerta, m'dear,' said Fudge's voice. 'Lovely to see you again, I must say. Have one yourself, won't you? Come and join us.'

'Well, thank you very much, Minister.'

The sound of the footsteps moved away and fell quiet, before returning again a few moments later and a fifth chair was withdrawn from the table.

'It's a good thing we stayed,' thought Y/N as he heard the teachers settling in.

He glanced across to Hermione who shared a similar look, though hers was mixed with apprehension at getting caught.

'So, what brings you to this neck of the woods, Minister?' came Madam Rosmerta's voice.

But Fudge's response came in a quiet voice, as though he was trying not to be overheard. However, in such a crowded pub, it meant he at least had to talk loud enough that they could hear.

'What else, m'dear, but Sirius Black? I daresay you heard what happened up at the school at Halloween?'

'I did hear a rumor,' admitted Madam Rosmerta.

'Did you tell the whole pub, Hagrid?' said Professor McGonagall, sounding exasperated.

'Do you think Black's still in the area, Minister?' whispered Madam Rosmerta.

'I'm sure of it,' said Fudge shortly.

'You know that the Dementors have searched the whole village twice?' said Madam Rosmerta, a slight edge to her voice. 'Scared all my customers away. It's very bad for business, Minister.'

'Rosmerta, m'dear, I don't like them any more than you do,' said Fudge uncomfortably. 'Necessary precaution... unfortunate, but there you are. I've just met some of them, they're in a fury against Dumbledore. He won't let them inside the castle grounds.'

'I should think not,' said Professor McGonagall sharply. 'How are we supposed to teach with those horrors floating around?'

'Hear, hear!' squeaked tiny Professor Flitwick.

'All the same,' demurred Fudge, 'they are here to protect you all from something much worse... We all know what Black's capable of.'

'Do you know, I still have trouble believing it,' said Madam Rosmerta thoughtfully. 'Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought. I mean, I remember him when he was a boy at Hogwarts. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead.'

'You don't know the half of it, Rosmerta,' said Fudge gruffly. 'The worst he did isn't widely known.'

'The worst?' said Madam Rosmerta, her voice filled with curiosity. 'Worse than murdering all those poor people, you mean?'

'I certainly do,' said Fudge.

Y/N's stomach gave a lurch. Of course this all went deeper, why wouldn't it? Can't just be a mass murderer after Harry. There's something even worse in there.

'I can't believe that. What could possibly be worse?' said Rosmerta, aghast.

'You say you remember him at Hogwarts, Rosmerta,' murmured Professor McGonagall. 'Do you remember who his best friend was?'

'Naturally,' said Madam Rosmerta, with a small laugh. 'Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here, ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!'

There was a clunk from under the table followed by a sharp intake of breath. Y/N closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. This wasn't going to be good…

'Precisely,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Black and Potter. Ringleaders of their little gang. Both very bright, of course, exceptionally bright in fact, but I don't think we've ever had such a pair of troublemakers-'

'I dunno,' chuckled Hagrid. 'Fred and George Weasley could give 'em a run fer their money.'

'You'd have thought Black and Potter were brothers!' chimed in Professor Flitwick. 'Inseparable!'

'Of course they were,' said Fudge. 'Potter trusted Black beyond all his other friends. Nothing changed when they left school. Black was best man when James married Lily. Then they named him godfather to Harry. Harry has no idea, of course. You can imagine how the idea would torment him.'

'Oh boy do I,' thought Y/N, staring at the chair Harry had been sat on previously.

'Because Black turned out to be in league with You-Know- Who?' whispered Madam Rosmerta.

'Worse even than that, m'dear...' Fudge dropped his voice and proceeded in a sort of low rumble. 'Not many people are aware that the Potters knew You-Know-Who was after them. Dumbledore, who was of course working tirelessly against You-Know-Who, had a number of useful spies. One of them tipped him off, and he alerted James and Lily at once. He advised them to go into hiding. Well, of course, You-Know-Who wasn't an easy person to hide from. Dumbledore told them that their best chance was the Fidelius Charm.'

'How does that work?' said Madam Rosmerta, breathless with interest. Professor Flitwick cleared his throat.

'An immensely complex spell,' he said squeakily, 'involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find, unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it. As long as the Secret-Keeper refused to speak, You-Know-Who could search the village where Lily and James were staying for years and never find them, not even if he had his nose pressed against their sitting room window!'

'So Black was the Potters' Secret-Keeper?' whispered Madam Rosmerta.

'Naturally,' said Professor McGonagall. 'James Potter told Dumbledore that Black would die rather than tell where they were, that Black was planning to go into hiding himself, and yet, Dumbledore remained worried. I remember him offering to be the Potters' Secret-Keeper himself.'

'He suspected Black?' gasped Madam Rosmerta.

'He was sure that somebody close to the Potters had been keeping You-Know-Who informed of their movements,' said Professor McGonagall darkly. 'Indeed, he had suspected for some time that someone on our side had turned traitor and was passing a lot of information to You-Know-Who.'

'But James Potter insisted on using Black?'

'He did,' said Fudge heavily. 'And then, barely a week after the Fidelius Charm had been performed —'

'Black betrayed them?' breathed Madam Rosmerta.

Y/N's stomach gave another lurch. So Black was coming back to finish the job was he? Two Potters weren't enough, he needed the third one as well.

'He did indeed. Black was tired of his double-agent role, he was ready to declare his support openly for You-Know-Who, and he seems to have planned this for the moment of the Potters' death. But, as we all know, You-Know-Who met his downfall in little Harry Potter. Powers gone, horribly weakened, he fled. And this left Black in a very nasty position indeed. His master had fallen at the very moment when he, Black, had shown his true colors as a traitor. He had no choice but to run for it-' said Fudge

'Filthy, stinkin' turncoat!' Hagrid said, so loudly that half the bar went quiet.

'Shh!' said Professor McGonagall.

'I met him!' growled Hagrid. 'I musta bin the last ter see him before he killed all them people! It was me what rescued Harry from Lily an' James's house after they was killed! Jus' got him outta the ruins, poor little thing, with a great slash across his forehead, an' his parents dead… an' Sirius Black turns up, on that flyin' motorbike he used ter ride. Never occurred ter me what he was doin' there. I didn' know he'd bin Lily an' James's Secret-Keeper. Thought he'd jus' heard the news o' You-Know-Who's attack an' come ter see what he could do. White an' shakin', he was. An' yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN' TRAITOR!' Hagrid roared.

Y/N felt a pang for Hagrid and turned to look at Hermione who had tears swimming in her eyes. She turned to look back at him and whispered, 'Oh… Hagrid…'

'Hagrid, please!' said Professor McGonagall. 'Keep your voice down!'

'How was I ter know he wasn' upset abou' Lily an' James? It was You-Know-Who he cared abou'! An' then he says, "Give Harry ter me, Hagrid, I'm his godfather, I'll look after him" Ha! But I'd had me orders from Dumbledore, an' I told Black no, Dumbledore said Harry was ter go ter his aunt an' uncle's. Black argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. "I won't need it anymore," he says. I shoulda known there was somethin' fishy goin' on then. He loved that motorbike, what was he givin' it ter me for? Why wouldn' he need it anymore? Fact was, it was too easy ter trace. Dumbledore knew he'd bin the Potters' Secret-Keeper. Black knew he was goin' ter have ter run fer it that night, knew it was a matter o' hours before the Ministry was after him. But what if I'd given Harry to him, eh? I bet he'd've pitched him off the bike halfway out ter sea. His bes' friends' son! But when a wizard goes over ter the Dark Side, there's nothin' and no one that matters to 'em anymore…'

A long silence followed Hagrid's story. Then Madam Rosmerta said with some satisfaction, 'But he didn't manage to disappear, did he? The Ministry of Magic caught up with him next day!'

'Alas, if only we had,' said Fudge bitterly. 'It was not we who found him. It was little Peter Pettigrew, another of the Potters' friends. Maddened by grief, no doubt, and knowing that Black had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper, he went after Black himself.'

'Pettigrew ... that fat little boy who was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?' said Madam Rosmerta.

'Hero-worshipped Black and Potter,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him. You can imagine how I- how I regret that now...' her voice shook a little as she spoke and Y/N felt another pang. He knew how much his mother took pride in her students. Feeling like she may have let one down would be a harsh blow to her.

'There, now, Minerva,' said Fudge kindly, 'Pettigrew died a hero's death. Eyewitnesses, muggles, of course, we wiped their memories later, told us how Pettigrew cornered Black. They say he was sobbing, "Lily and James, Sirius! How could you?" And then he went for his wand. Well, of course, Black was quicker. Blew Pettigrew to smithereens...'

Professor McGonagall blew her nose and said thickly, 'Stupid boy, foolish boy... he was always hopeless at duelling, should have left it to the Ministry.'

'I tell yeh, if I'd got ter Black before little Pettigrew did, I wouldn't've messed around with wands, I'd've ripped him limb. From. Limb,' Hagrid growled. Y/N felt himself shudder involuntarily. Hagrid was scary when he was furious.

'You don't know what you're talking about, Hagrid,' said Fudge sharply. 'Nobody but trained Hit Wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad would have stood a chance against Black once he was cornered. I was Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Catastrophes at the time, and I was one of the first on the scene after Black murdered all those people. I- I will never forget it. I still dream about it sometimes. A crater in the middle of the street, so deep it had cracked the sewer below. Bodies everywhere. Muggles screaming. And Black standing there laughing, with what was left of Pettigrew in front of him... a heap of bloodstained robes and a few- a few fragments…'

Y/N felt an anger bubbling in his stomach. So, he liked to mess with muggles did he? See how he likes it when he's face to face with a wizard.

Fudge's voice stopped and there was the sound of five noses being blown.

'Well, there you have it, Rosmerta,' said Fudge thickly. 'Black was taken away by twenty members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad and Pettigrew received the Order of Merlin, First Class, which I think was some comfort to his poor mother. Black's been in Azkaban ever since.'

Madam Rosmerta let out a long sigh. 'Is it true he's mad, Minister?'

'I wish I could say that he was,' said Fudge slowly. 'I certainly believe his master's defeat unhinged him for a while. The murder of Pettigrew and all those muggles was the action of a cornered and desperate man, cruel, pointless. Yet I met Black on my last inspection of Azkaban. You know, most of the prisoners in there sit muttering to themselves in the dark; there's no sense in them... but I was shocked at how normal Black seemed. He spoke quite rationally to me. It was unnerving. You'd have thought he was merely bored. Asked if I'd finished with my newspaper, cool as you please, said he missed doing the crossword. Yes, I was astounded at how little effect the dementors seemed to be having on him, and he was one of the most heavily guarded in the place, you know. Dementors outside his door day and night.'

'But what do you think he's broken out to do?' said Madam Rosmerta. 'Good gracious, Minister, he isn't trying to re-join You-Know-Who, is he?'

'I daresay that is his eventual plan,' said Fudge evasively.

'But we hope to catch Black long before that. I must say, You-Know-Who alone and friendless is one thing but give him back his most devoted servant, and I shudder to think how quickly he'll rise again...'

There was a small chink of glass on wood. Someone had set down their glass.

'You know, Cornelius, if you're dining with the headmaster, we'd better head back up to the castle,' said Professor McGonagall.

The sound of the chairs scraping rang through the room and a moment later they heard the door open and close. Y/N waved his wand and repeated the spell, sending the Christmas tree out the way.

'Harry?'

He looked around at how softly Hermione had spoken and followed her and Ron's gaze under the table where he saw Harry, cloak wrapped down around his shoulders so only his head was visible, and shaking with suppressed rage.