It was a very strange group that left the Shrieking Shack. With Crookshanks leading the way, the freshly unconscious form of Peter Pettigrew floating behind him, wrapped up once more in chains. It had taken some convincing, or rather threatening, on the part of Professor Jackson, but eventually Sirius had been talked out of killing Pettigrew, in favor of turning him in.

Professor Jackson was trailing behind the unconscious traitor, his wand clenched tightly in his hand. Lupin was helping Ron pick his way through the trail. Professor Jackson had conjured a pair of crutches, but it was proving tricky to navigate them across the trail. Hermione was hovering close to Ron, offering him a hand when he stumbled, leaving Harry to walk in silence with Sirius.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Sirius said, "Turning Pettigrew in, I mean,"

"It means you're free," Harry said,

"Well yes…" Sirius said slowly, "But, well I don't know if you know this, don't know if anyone ever told you, but I am your godfather."

"Yeah," Harry said awkwardly, "I knew that,"

"Well, before they died, your parents did legally appoint me as your guardian, should anything ever happen to them, so I was just thinking, of course you can always say no, but I was just thinking that, once I was free, maybe you'd like to come and…you know…live with me…" Sirius trailed off, and looked away, looking incredibly uncomfortable.

Harry goggled at him, unable to believe what had just been offered to him. He scarcely wanted to believe it, a chance o get away from Privet Drive? To get away from the Dursley's? A hope Harry had never felt before blossomed in his chest. A hope that he was finally going to have the chance to be a part of a real family, to be always surrounded by someone who encouraged him, and loved him. To have someone to look after him. To love him unconditionally. He felt giddy with happiness, unable to stop the enormous grin from spreading across his cheeks.

"Yes!" Harry said, with perhaps a bit more enthusiasm than Sirius had been expecting. He stopped in his tracks and looked at Harry in surprise.

"You…you mean it?" Sirius asked, and for the first time, color seemed to be returning to his hallow cheeks. "You actually want to live with me? Leave your family?"

"Family?" Harry asked, feeling slightly revolted by the suggestion, as they started walking again, "Aunt Petunia may be my mum's sister, but we aren't a family. They only barely tolerate me. Living with someone who actually wants me…It's what I've always wanted," Sirius' face broke out into the first real grin Harry had seen on him. He wrapped a small arm around Harry's shoulders, and pulled him close. Harry flushed slightly, but didn't fight the smile that made its way onto his face.

They made their way out of the caver with some difficulty, it took Lupin lifting Ron out of the tunnel magically, before Harry and Sirius were able to crawl their way out. They had been in the Shack far longer than Harry had realized, because night had truly fallen over the castle grounds. Across the grounds, he could see Lupin approach Pettigrew, his silhouette outlined as the only light came from the few lit windows in the castle, and the full-moon high in the sky over head.

Harry did a double-take, the moon! The full moon! Had Professor Lupin remembered to take his potion? Apparently Harry wasn't the only one coming to that realization as Sirius looked from the moon, to Lupin's suddenly still form. Sirius threw an arm out and stopped Harry,

"Remus!" He called out, "Remus, tell me you remembered to take your potion!"

Professor Jackson whirled around, his eyes wide as his gaze went from the moon to Lupin. Lupin had gone stiff, and his eyes were fixed on the bright orb in the sky. His limbs started to shake, and Harry heard the ever-familiar sound of bones breaking as his body shifted. His head elongated, his mouth turning into a snout, as tufts of fur began appearing along his arms, face, and head.

"Oh my-" Hermione cried out,

"Sirius! Take the kids and run!" Professor Jackson bellowed as he charged forward. His concentration slipped, and Pettigrew fell to the ground with a clatter. Harry heard the man splutter in surprise and pain as the jolt woke him up.

Lupin snarled, before he let loose a horrific howl at the moon. Harry felt his hair stand on end, as his bones started to rattle and he felt the familiar surge of adrenaline begin flooding his system. Lupin lashed out, his razor sharp claws slashing through the air. The were was a clanging of metal, as the claws tore through some of Pettigrew's chains. Lupin turned and slowly started to advance on Harry. Sirius threw his body in between Harry and Lupin, but it was for naught, as Professor Jackson soared through the air and collided with Lupin. They fell to the ground in a roll. Lupin snapped, and yelped, and scratched at Professor Jackson as they wrestled. Professor Jackson rolled them onto their back and using his feet for leverage, Professor Jackson launched Lupin through the air with strength that shouldn't have been possible. Lupin flew nearly twenty feet through the air before collapsing in a heap.

"Fight it Remus! Fight the madness! I don't want to have to hurt you!" Professor Jackson said, as he dashed after Lupin,

"I'm going to go help." Sirius said, and before Harry could stop him, he'd transformed into the large dog, and was bounding after Professor Jackson.

There was a loud flash, and bang, as Ron yelped in pain. Whirling on his heel, Harry saw that Pettigrew had picked up Lupin's dropped wand. One of his hands had come free when Lupin had transformed and slashed the chains, and he'd done something to Ron, who was laying motionless on the ground. He watched in horror as Pettigrew freed himself from the chains, and pointed the wand at his broken knees, which snapped back into place.

"Stupefy!" Harry roared, but he missed just over Pettigrew's head, which dropped as he transformed, back into a rat. Harry tried to follow him through the grass, but to no avail. Harry wanted more than anything to go after Pettigrew, but Harry was more concerned with Ron, and he was more important. Kneeling beside his friend, Harry felt his chest, and let out a relieved sigh when he felt Ron was still breathing,

"What happened to him?" Hermione asked, who was looking close to hysterics,

"No idea," Harry said, before meeting her eyes, "Get him to the castle, find Professor Dumbledore, tell him what's happening!"

"But Harry!" Hermione started to say, but Harry cut her off,

"I'll be fine! Go!" Hermione looked conflicted but she picked up Ron, and did her best to get him back to the castle.

There was a loud howl, followed by a low growl, and Harry watched as Professor Jackson cast something that hit Lupin, but the werewolf shook off the spell, and tried to tackle him, only to be intercepted by Sirius, who wrapped his enormous jaw around the leg of Lupin. Lupin howled and swiped at Sirius, catching him across the maw, and Sirius yelped and howled in pain and released Lupin, who turned to try and escape into the forest, Professor Jackson in hot pursuit behind him. Trusting Professor Jackson to take care of himself, Harry ran over to where Sirius was laying on his side, still as a dog.

"Sirius," Harry said in a panic, and was relieved to see that Sirius tuned to look at him. There were three large gashed across his muzzle, and he was bleeding from a wound at his side,

"Sirius, Pettigrew escaped, he transformed, I think he ran into the forest!" Harry panted. Immediately, Sirius got back up, and took off at a run, Harry following as best he could as Sirius disappeared into the trees. Harry tried to keep up, but he was getting lost in the trees.

To his left, he heard a yelp, followed by a human roar of sheer agony. He watched in horror, as Professor Jackson was thrown into a tree, and Lupin pounced on him, sinking his teeth into Professor Jackson's left shoulder. Blood poured down Professor Jackson's side, as he screamed, there was a flash of light, and Lupin was thrown off of Professor Jackson, collapsing in a heap on the forest floor, unmoving. Professor Jackson, somehow still conscious, raised his wand and Lupin was bound in tight chains. Without thinking, Harry raced to professor Jackson's side, as he slid down the trunk of the tree. There was a nasty gash across his face, and the blood from the terrible-looking slash across his cheeks, with the blood from the wound on his shoulder. His shoulder was a mess of blood and torn flesh, and his left arm looked slightly mangled. Harry felt himself get a little sick, and he started to panic,

"Professor," He whispered, as he desperately tried to stem the flow of blood from the wound on his shoulder, "Professor, it's ok, it's going to be ok, you're ok,"

"Harry," Professor Jackson gasped in pain, "In my left pocket, there's a little toffee-colored candy, grab it, put it in my mouth," Harry didn't know how to tell the man that candy wasn't going to help when he was bleeding to death. "Harry, trust me," Professor Jackson panted. Doing as he was told with some apprehension, Harry reached into the man's pocket, before pulling out the small candy. He ripped the wrapper off and shoved the candy into Professor Jackson's mouth. To Harry's utter astonishment, his wounds immediately began to heal. The wound across his face began to stick itself back together, and the blood stopped flowing from the wound on his shoulder.

"Really need to stop holding back," Professor Jackson grunted in pain, as he leaned back against the tree, "Getting real tired of getting my ass handed to me," Harry had no idea what that meant. If holding back for Professor Jackson meant tossing fully grown werewolves twenty feet, he hated to think of what the man could do if he took a fight seriously,

"Are you ok, Professor?" Harry asked, his racing heart finally slowing down when it became clear that the man was not about to die.

"I'll be fine, Harry," Professor Jackson said with a wave of his hand, "I've been through a lot worse than this. Where's everyone else?"

"I sent Hermione up to the castle with Ron to get Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, "Professor, Pettigrew escaped," He said, his voice becoming slightly panicked, "He transformed, Sirius is trying to find him but-"

He was cut off as someone screamed, and Harry immediately recognized it as Sirius. Harry looked down at Professor Jackson who just nodded his head,

"Go!" He insisted, "I'll be fine, go save your godfather!" Harry only hesitated for a moment before he was off and running. Soon though, the screaming stopped, and as Harry burst through the next clearing, it became clear why. Sirius had fallen to the grund, and was sprawled out on all fours, his hands covering his ears as though he were trying to drown out a loud noise. Looking up, Harry's heart froze. There, floating across the lake, had to be nearly a hundred dementors. He felt the familiar chill descend upon the lake, as the clear waters began to freeze over. Spinning around, Harry could see even more dementors descending from the tree-line; they were being encircled.

Knowing they didn't have much time, Harry ran over to his godfather, and tried to haul him to his feet, but Sirius didn't budge. Harry could hear the screaming begin, and he clamped his eyes shut, and he drew his wand as he tried to drown out the sound of his mother. He focused himself on his magic, focused on how he'd felt when Sirius had told him that he wanted Harry to live with him. The hope, love, and happiness Harry had felt. The screaming was getting louder, but Harry was used to drowning it out. He raised his wand and began chanting,

"Expecto Patronum. Expecto Patronum!" The same thin mist he always conjured shot out of his wand, and formed a small shield around him and Sirius, but it wasn't strong enough. Sirius gave a deep, shuddering gasp, and collapsed in the sand. But Harry wasn't to be deterred, gritting his teeth, he started chanting under his breath,

"It's going to be ok! I'm going to get away from the Dursley's I'm going to have a family!" His knees were starting to wobble, and his mind was starting to go blank. The cold was spreading more deeply, and Harry felt the painfully familiar sensation of drowning in cold water wash over him. The demeanors were getting closer, hammering away at the shield in front of him. One skeletal hand broke through the shield, and started gliding closer. He was failing, he was losing, he was going to lose the only family he'd ever had after only just getting him. He was never going to have a home he was never-

"Expecto Patronum!" Roared a weak voice from beside Harry. A warmth spread across Harry, and the dark thoughts washed from him, as a wolf bolted across the lake. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Professor Jackson stumble to Harry's side, before collapsing to one knee. Blood was still congealing around his shoulder, and was trickling down from his hair into his eyes. His wand arm was shaking, and he was clenching his teeth.

"Stand strong Harry!" Professor Jackson said, "And help me! I believe in you, I trust you! You can do it! Focus, and cast!"

Harry watched in awe as Professor Jackson, the man who had done so much for him, asked for Harry's help. He wasn't treating Harry as a child. Wasn't treating him as though he were weak or incapable. He wanted Harry to help him, was treating him as an equal. Just as he always had. Just as Harry knew he always would. Something struck Harry in that moment. Something so powerful, and so all-encompassing, that Harry almost didn't understand what he was feeling. Professor Jackson cared about him. Professor Jackson was his friend. Not just his student. Even if Sirius couldn't be there for Harry. Even if Pettigrew had escaped, Harry knew that Professor Jackson would always be there for him. Always care for him, and support him in everything. Power rushed through Harry, as he focused on those feelings of safety, warmth, compassion, and hope that professor Jackson's presence gave him. He raised his wand once more, and bellowed,

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Something came from the tip of Harry's wand. It wasn't mist. It wasn't a jet of vapor. It was something more. Something enormous. A giant, silver stag, burst onto the lake. It bore down on the nearest dementor, and dug its antlers into its chest. The Dementor howled in misery, before it turned around and fled form the lake. Working side by side with Professor Jackson's wolf, the two Patronuses drove dementor after dementor from the lake. Fleeing in anger and misery from the bastions of hope as they danced along the surface of the lake. The last dementor fled high into the sky, and Harry's stag turned on the lake, before cantering slowly back to him.

A stag. His father had been a stag.

Harry was struck with the sudden thought. His father's form as an Animagus had been a stag, and now Harry's patronus was a stag. It was like always having a small piece of his father with him at all times. That thought alone was more comforting than Harry could describe. He reached a hand out shakily as the patronus approached, and his hand touched the silver construct. He was overcome with a feeling of love and protection the likes of which he had never felt before. The stag regarded him for a moment, before it tilted its head in seeming acknowledgement, and it disappeared in a puff of mist. There was a soft thud, and Harry watched as Professor Jackson collapsed at his side, the wounds he'd sustained from his fight, mixed with the sheer power required to use the patronus overwhelming him.

As though struck over the head, Harry suddenly found himself falling as well. His eyes slowly rolling back into his head. He was faintly aware of the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching. He saw two slippered feet burst into the clearing, before his entire world went dark.

BREAK

Harry had spent enough time in the Hospital Wing to recognize the beds. They were soft, warm, and uncommonly comfortable. Harry slowly fell out of his sleep, as he came back to consciousness. He was dimly aware of voices arguing in the background, but he couldn't make them out. With considerable effort, Harry managed to open his eyes, squinting against the bright light of the infirmary. As his eyes came into sharper focus, he started to listen in more on the argument in the corner.

"…shouldn't be here! He's a damned criminal Dumbledore!"

"I understand that, Cornelius, but as I told you, things are not quite as we think them to be."

"Damnit Dumbledore, I am the Minister for Magic, and we will be moving him at once! For gods sake why are you making this so difficult."

"Because the circumstances have changed, Minister. I have my reasons to believe that Sirius may not be the man we think he is."

"The circumstances have changed? Of course they've changed! We have a sodding werewolf running loose on the grounds! Sirius Black has been hiding out in the castle! And apparently the dementors decided it would be appropriate to try and kiss a teenager! We are rapidly losing control of the situation, and I have to do something! He killed twelve people, he needs to face punishment!"

Craning his neck, Harry got a better look at the infirmary. In the bed across from him, Harry could see Ron, fast asleep in his bed, his foot propped up in a sling. At the far end of the infirmary, Harry could see Professors Dumbledore and Jackson talking to Cornelius Fudge, standing beside the bed of Sirius. Sirius was still unconscious, and his hands were both shackled to the bed. Professor Jackson was shirtless, and his left shoulder was heavily bandaged, but seemed otherwise fine.

"Cornelius," Professor Jackson said, placing a calming hand on Fudge's shoulder, "Listen to me, I saw it with my own eyes,"

"Percy," Fudge said in exasperation, "A trick, an illusion,"

"When have you known me to ever fall for an illusion?" Professor Jackson asked, and Fudge flinched slightly, "I'm telling you, I tore through his memories. I saw them happen with my own eyes."

"But memories can be altered," Fudge insisted,

"Not by a man who's been living with dementors for twelve years," Percy shot back, "Look, Cornelius, no listen-to-me." he stressed, when Fudge looked like he was about to leave, "Look, what could it hurt, you grab some veritaserum. We give it to him, give him the brief trial he should have gotten twelve years ago. If he's guilty, I'll take him to the dementors myself, but if he's innocent, if what I saw was real, then think about what it will do for you!"

"It'll destroy me!" Fudge shouted, throwing his hands in the air, "A man wrongfully convicted for twelve years, while I was Minister? I'd be a laughing stock,"

"No you wouldn't!" Professor Jackson exclaimed, and he was only barely covering his annoyance. "Think, Cornelius," He said, tapping his fingers to his temples, "You weren't in office when Black was captured, it wasn't your administration. It was all Bagnold and Crouch, and his crusade against the Death Eaters. But you," Professor Jackson clapped him on the shoulder, "You could be the man to fix the mistakes of the past. You could be setting yourself apart. Think about it, if Black was innocent, it doesn't make you look like a failure,"

"Quite the opposite, Cornelius, it makes you look like the leader we all know you to be," Dumbledore said, "Were it to be you, to correct the mistakes of your predecessors, your standing and star could only rise on Britain."

"They would see you for the man we all know you to be," Professor Jackson added, "A man who stands for truth, for justice. A man who will do anything to set the record straight, and who has the back for all the citizens of Britain."

"Indeed," Agreed Dumbledore, "Not only would you be potentially exonerating an innocent man, but you would be telling all the magical world that Cornelius Fudge is a man that they can count on, rely on, and believe in. You are that man, aren't you Cornelius?"

"I certainly know that you're that man," Professor Jackson said,

"Well," Fudge said, but even from a distance, Harry could tell that he was preening under the praise, "Well yes, yes I am that man. Of course, we should at least check, all men should get their day in court, I'll go make a call now, have some veritaserum sent over from the Ministry now shall I?"

"A wonderful idea, Cornelius," Dumbledore said with a smile,

"Knew you were the man for the job, my friend," Professor Jackson said with a forced laugh that Cornelius joined in on. With a considerable bounce in his step, Fudge left the Hospital Wing.

"…And people call me stupid," Professor Jackson grumbled, as he strode over to one of the beds and Harry quickly pretended to be asleep again. Professor Dumbledore didn't say anything but he did chuckle. Reaching down, Professor Jackson picked up another small candy, the same Harry had fed him in the forest, and popped it into his mouth.

"I must confess Perseus," Professor Dumbledore said, "I have always wondered, what do those taste like,"

"These things can kill mortals, so don't get any funny ideas." Said Professor Jackson, "But they're different depending on the half-blood. They taste like your favorite food," Harry was curious, he didn't know that there were types of magical food only half-bloods could eat, maybe Professor Jackson would let Harry try one some time.

"Still no sign of Pettigrew?" Professor Jackson asked,

"No, I have some trusted members of the staff searching the grounds, but I think he's bound to be long gone. Off to join his former master no doubt." Dumbledore replied, and Professor Jackson grunted,

"Did you find Remus?" Professor Jackson asked,

"Yes, he is sufficiently restrained back in the Shrieking Shack. Poppy will check in on him in the morning, are you sure you're all right?" Dumbledore asked,

"I'm fine," Professor Jackson said dismissively, "The magic behind the curse doesn't work on my kind, you know that,"

"Why is that? You were affected the Basilisk's stare, why not Lycanthropy?" queried Dumbledore,

Professor Jackson snorted, "Because magic is bull shit. Basilisk's are creatures made from magic, and magical creatures are a lot like monsters. Their abilities are far stronger, and supposedly descended from the gods in some way or another. I don't know the whole story, Lou never went into much detail, but Lycanthropy is a mortal made curse. Made for mortals, by mortals, and to be spread to mortals. That's what makes me immune. There are exceptions of course, but for the most part, I still have enough of a connection that most mortal magic is…less than effective.

Dumbledore hummed in thought for a moment, "Lou…Was she the one who told you about-"

"Yes," Professor Jackson quickly, "She-she didn't want me to…but she knew there was no stopping me. So she told me what I needed, and how to do it, but that was it. Nothing else. Told me she wouldn't have any other part in me potentially destroying the fate of the world."

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, "Are you certain that your presence-"

"I spoke to the fates, years ago, I never told you," Professor Jackson admitted quietly, and Harry propped his head on his arms so he could hear better, "It was just after you found me, they visited me in my dreams, told me what my fate was meant to be…told me what would happen if…if I tried to interfere…"

"Was it safe…for you to go back to attend Ilvermorny? Did we make a mistake?" Asked Dumbledore,

"No," Professor Jackson said, "The school is magically protected, and I never strayed far enough away to get to New York. They…they don't tend to stray too far from the mountain. And they don't mess with Hecate's domain whatsoever, and before you ask, she knows, but she won't do anything."

"Why? Inquired Dumbledore, "If we are in her Domain then surely,"

Professor Jackson just laughed bitterly, "You are grossly overestimating how much they give a damn about anyone but themselves. They may have their domains, but the level of disconnect between them and the jobs their meant to do…" He sighed, "It's what ultimately leads to everything." They fell silent for a time, and Harry just continued to lay idle in his cot, listening. Eventually, Dumbledore spoke up,

"I'm impressed with your restraint, Perseus." Dumbledore commented idly, "I know you are more than capable of handling a single werewolf without assistance, but you didn't kill Remus, despite the great risk to your own life."

"Remus didn't ask for the curse, and I'm not going to kill him over a mistake. He would have taken the potion had it not been for Pettigrew." Professor Jackson said, then sighed, "Besides, I don't like using my father's powers much, you know that. It's far too draining."

Before the discussion could go anywhere further, however, there was a sound of rapid footsteps approaching.

"Got it," Said Fudge, and through Harry's squinted eyes, he could see Fudge triumphantly holding up a small vial of something above his head.

"Let's get this over with," Fudge said quickly, and Harry turned his bed to watch as the trio approached Sirius' bed.

"Enervate," Said Professor Dumbledore softly, and Harry watched as Sirius jolted awake,

"Black," Fudge spat the man's name, "These two have convinced me to give you a chance to redeem yourself, open up, we're administering veritaserum." Harry saw Sirius look stunned for a moment, as he glanced between Professors Jackson and Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore nodded subtly, and Sirius opened his mouth. Harry watched as Fudge dropped three drops of something onto the tongue of Sirius. Sirius went kind of rigid for a moment, before his body went slightly slack.

"Are you Sirius Orion Black?" Fudge asked,

"Yes," Said Sirius, his voice a low monotone,

"Were you born on November the third, 1959?"

"Yes,"

"Are you a follower of You-Know-Who?"

"No,"

Fudge jumped slightly, and he looked quickly between Professors Jackson and Dumbledore. But when neither said anything or reacted in any way, Fudge tried to recompose himself,

"Right…" Fudge said, clearing his throat,

"Were you ever a follower of You-Know-Who?"

"No,"

Again Fudge paused, and harry watched as he pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead. His foot was tapping lightly against the floor of the infirmary.

"Were-were you the Secret-Keeper of Lily and James Potter?" Fudge asked, his voice becoming slightly more shrill,

"No,"

"Then who was?" Fudge demanded,

"Peter Pettigrew,"

"Why him?" Fudge asked, his voice growing in volume and shrillness,

"I thought no one would ever think he was the Secret-Keeper, and I convinced Lily and James to switch from me to him at the last minute,"

"Ah-ha!" Fudge said triumphantly, pointing a finger at Black, "So you admit that you convinced the Potters to switch Secret-Keepers so that Pettigrew would betray them to You-Know-Who?"

"No,"

Fudge's shoulders slumped and shook, "Then-then the street. twelve years ago, what happened on that blasted street? Who killed Peter Pettigrew?"

"Pettigrew isn't dead. He cut off his finger, shouted that I betrayed Lily and James, blew up the street, transformed into a rat, and ran away."

Fudge took a quivering step back, but Professor Jackson reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Fudge's shoulder,

"That's enough, I think Cornelius," He said softly,

"This is-this is-I can't-if it weren't you Percy," Fudge babbled,

"I know Cornelius," Professor Jackson said, "Come on, I'll give Camila a call, we need to get a head start on all of this."

"I will watch over Sirius here," Dumbledore said easily,

"Yes, yes." Fudge said, wringing his bowler hat in his hands, "Need to get ahead of this, need to be on top of it, a press conference, we'll need a press conference."

"First things first, Cornelius, let's get Sirius here exonerated, I don't think Madam Bones will be too upset for being woken up late for this, she's nearly as great a champion for justice as yourself," Professor Jackson said, gently steering Fudge away from the bed as they strode toward the exit of the infirmary,

"And Cornelius?" Dumbledore called out,

"Yes?" Fudge asked, distractedly,

"About the dementors?" Dumbledore pried,

"Oh," Fudge said, "Yes, well, they'll have to go won't they? I'll send word immediately, they'll be gone by the morning,"

"Wonderful," Said Dumbledore with a wide grin. With another gentle nudge, Professor Jackson led Fudge out of the Hospital Wing.

The doors closed to the Hospital Wing, and for a moment, nobody said anything, then Sirius spoke up, his voice somewhat hoarse, and breaking with emotion,

"It's really happening then? I won't have to go back?"

"No, Sirius, no you will not," Dumbledore waved his wand and the chains around Sirius' wrists fell. "You can stop pretending to be asleep Harry," Dumbledore called out, and Harry froze, then slowly rose from his bed. Dumbledore was staring at him, a small smile on his face, as he strode over to Harry's bed. Harry met Sirius' eyes and the man's face broke out into a grin so wide it threatened to split his face, one matched on Harry's own.

Dumbledore smiled between the pair of them, before fully turning her attention to Harry,

"How are you feeling, Harry?" He asked, "You've had quite the night."

"I'm ok, sir," Harry said,

"I'm going to have to ask, Harry, that you keep the conversation you heard between myself and Professor Jackson, to yourself. I'm sure, one day, Professor Jackson will be willing to share his story with you, but that is up to him,"

"Of course, sir," Harry agreed immediately, as confused as Harry was by the conversation, and as much as he wanted to know more about the man, Harry wasn't going to pry, Professor Jackson deserved that much.

"Wonderful," Dumbledore said with a light clap of his hands, "Now, Harry, I believe we should discuss your accommodations for the summer. I have no doubt that you wish to spend more time with your newly acquired godfather, but I'm afraid I must insist that you spend the summer with your relatives,"

Harry, who had been feeling so light, so happy, felt all his hopes and happy feeling crash and plummet into the ground.

"W-what?" Harry asked, "But why? Why do I have to go back to them?"

Dumbledore looked curiously at Harry, "I would have thought you'd welcome the opportunity to go back and spend time with your family,"

"Family?" Harry asked scornfully, "What family? They aren't my family, they hate me. I might be related to Aunt Petunia but that's as far as it goes,"

"They don't hate you Harry," Dumbledore said, taken aback, "Mistrustful of magic to be sure, but they don't hate-"

"Right," Harry said sarcastically, "Which must be why I spent the first twelve years of my life living in a cupboard, acting like a house-elf, and being treated like Dudley's personal punching bag. Because they loved me, right? Because they cared so much about me. That must be why Uncle Vernon calls me a freak, it's just a cute nickname for me, huh?"

"They did what?!" Sirius roared,

Dumbledore looked like he had been slapped.

"I may have been forced to live there, but that place has never, and never will be, my home!" There was a loud 'CRACK' and something akin to the sound of glass breaking filled the still silence of the Hospital Wing. Harry and Sirius looked around the Hospital Wing, looking for the source of the noise, but seeing nothing. Something strange came over Harry in that moment, and it felt as though something were seeping out from somewhere deep inside of him. Dumbledore was looking like all of his years were finally catching up to him.

He sighed, and folded his hands in his lap as he sat down in a chair beside Harry's bed.

"It is done then," He said simply,

"Sir?" Harry asked uncertainly,

"Harry, you may not know this, but it was I who gave you over to the Dursley's after your parents were killed." Dumbledore explained, and something inside Harry cracked a little. An overwhelming sense of rage built inside him, the familiar white-hot anger threatening to overcome him. He wanted to leap out at Dumbledore. Wanted to hurt the man who was responsible for twelve years of suffering at the hands of his relatives. The emotional abuse that had scarred and shaped Harry more than anything else in Harry's life.

"Knowing now, the full depth of what you have endured," Dumbledore explained calmly, "I regret my decision. But I stand by that it was the right decision to make."

"Why?" Harry asked, and he even surprised himself with how calm his voice sounded, in spite of the voice in the back of his head demanding him to hurt Dumbledore. The voice that told him that Dumbledore should be punished and feel all the pain Harry had felt. But Harry stamped down the voice, and tried to steady his breathing. The bed sank slightly, and Harry looked over to see that Sirius had hobbled out of his bed, and was sitting next to him, wrapping a comforting arm over Harry's shoulders.

"When your mother gave her life for yours," Dumbledore explained, "She invoked powerful, and ancient magic. She gave you protection, the likes of which a man like Voldemort could never understand. Do you remember me telling you about that?"

"Her love," Harry said, remembering the conversation Harry had with the man back in his first year.

"Indeed," Professor Dumbledore said, "Her love cast a powerful protection around you. I had thought, perhaps foolishly, that by sending you to live with her sister, Petunia's love for her family, would strengthen the protections your mother gave you. I gave my own protections to house, meaning that as long as you called Number Four Privet Drive home, you would be protected. Those protections have now failed." Dumbledore smiled sadly,

"Though perhaps it was for the best. Still, there were other reasons for you to live with them. Should you have grown up in our world, I was worried that your fame for your defeat of Lord Voldemort would prove detrimental to your development into a good man. I warned you to have as normal life as you could. In parts, I was right, but I could not have known the depths to which Vernon and Petunia would sink. For that, for the pain you have endured because of my own foolishness, Harry, I apologize."

Harry didn't know how to respond. He didn't know what hurt more, the fact that Dumbledore had so poorly misjudged the Dursley's and was directly responsible for Harry's suffering at the hands of Dursleys, or that Dumbledore had apparently thought that Harry was so weak of character, that his fame would have gone to his head.

"I will leave you, for now Harry. I know that I have betrayed your trust, that I my errs in judgement have been far more costly than I ever could have feared, but I hope, that you will not judge me too harshly. As Professor Jackson if fond of saying, it is our mistakes, that prove our mortality." Dumbledore rose to his feet, and addressed Sirius, "I will begin looking into finding you some appropriate accommodations, Sirius, take it as an apology, for the mistreatment you have suffered." And Dumbledore strode from the room.

Harry and Sirius sat in silence for a few minutes, both trapped in their own thoughts.

"Harry," Sirius said slowly, "Kid, you doing ok?"

"No," Harry said, "He didn't think I could handle growing up in the wizarding world? What does that even mean? Does he really think so lowly of me,"

Sirius was quiet, as his arm tightened around Harry,

"It doesn't have anything to do with you, Harry." Sirius said, "I don't think you understand what it was like, the days after his fall. Everyone, and I mean everyone, knew your name. You would never have had a moment of peace if you had grown up in our world. You would have lived your entire life in the spotlight, can you honestly say you would have enjoyed that? Having your every movement hounded?"

Harry shook his head, he would have hated that. Harry hated having the spotlight, outside of the quidditch pitch at any rate. He was uncomfortable with the attention.

"But more importantly, your enemies, Voldemort's followers, would have had access to you. They never wold have thought to look in the Muggle world for the savior of the wizarding world. I don't disagree with Dumbledore's idea," Sirius then growled, sounding far more like the canine he transformed into, "But his bloody execution could use some work."

Harry nodded. He could maybe understand the thought process behind Dumbledore's decision, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Sirius gave his shoulder another squeeze, and Harry gave the man a sad smile. The revelation that Dumbledore was the reason for his staying at the Dursley's hurt, it felt like a betrayal, but as Harry sat there, listening to Ron snore lightly, and in the comforting embrace of his godfather, Harry pushed the thought of Dumbledore from his mind.

BREAK

As was the case whenever something happened at Hogwarts, the entire castle soon knew everything about what had happened with Sirius Black. The Daily Prophet released an editorial the day after, detailing Sirius' innocence, and what really happened twelve years ago. Sirius was removed from the castle to receive medical attention at St. Mungos, to help battle the effects of twelve years of exposure to the dementors. Sirius only agreed after repeated assurances that he would be released in time to meet Harry at Kings Cross at the end of term. Ron's leg was healed by morning, and was walking normally again.

Harry told both him and Hermione all about what had happened, the dementors, Sirius' "trial" and what Dumbledore had revealed to him. True to his word to Dumbledore, but only out of a sense of loyalty to Professor Jackson, Harry had not told them about what he'd heard between the headmaster and their history professor. Both Ron and Hermione were aghast by what Harry told them. He had spared no details, and for the first time, actually talked to them about what he'd experienced at the hands of the Dursleys. Harry was comforted by the fact that they didn't flinch away from him, but instead offered him unwavering support and confidence. They didn't treat him as though he were fragile, nor did they walk on eggshells around him, both seemed to understand that wasn't what Harry needed, and he appreciated it immensely.

While everyone in the castle seemed to be enjoying the final days before the end of term by lounging outside, and basking in the sun, Harry remained burdened. He'd found out, courtesy of Hagrid, that Lupin had resigned. While word had not gotten out about his affliction, he was apparently so overcome with guilt for his attack on Professor Jackson, that he no longer felt it was safe to stay in the castle. Harry had tried his best to get the man to stay, he was after-all that best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher they'd ever had, but Lupin was adamant about his decision. He promised to stay in touch, and Harry was certain that he'd see the man pop in to check in on him and Sirius over the summer. However, it was Harry's strange encounter with Professor Trelawney, that was weighing the heaviest on Harry. He had heard enough from Ron and Hermione over the year to know that they were certain that the Divination professor was an utter fraud who had never made a proper prediction in her entire life. But Harry wasn't so sure.

Overcome with a need to talk to someone about it, Harry turned to his usual source, Professor Jackson. Knocking on the door to the man's office, he entered.

"Harry," Professor Jackson greeted happily from behind the desk, "I've been meaning to check in on you, how're ya doing?"

"Well enough," Harry said with a grin. Professor Jackson leaned back in his chair, and propped his feet up on his desk, his arms resting behind his head,

"That was some patronus you cast on the lake Harry," Professor Jackson said with a proud grin on his face, "That was pretty godsdamn impressive, Harry. I don't know if I tell you enough just how proud of you I am."

Harry beamed at the praise, "You're a good teacher, sir,"

Professor Jackson threw his head back and laughed, "Gods I hope so, I would hate to think you've not learned anything from me the last two years," He settled a little more comfortably in the chair and folded his arms over his chest, "So, what's up, what did you want to talk about,"

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unsure how to broach the topic. Sensing the change in atmosphere, Professor Jackson brought his feet off of the desk, and scorched closer, folding his hands on the desk-top.

"Sir," Harry began, "You-you said once, that prophecies were real…do you really believe that?" Professor Jackson stiffened in his seat, and his fingers tightened around one another.

"Yes," He said slowly, "I do…why?"

Harry shuffled awkwardly and explained his encounter with Professor Trelawney. Professor Jackson listened with rapt attention, his eyes boring unblinkingly into Harry's. When Harry finished, Professor Jackson leaned forward intently,

"Harry, this is very important, can you remember what she said, word-for-word, it could be important."

Harry nodded, and recited,

"By thirty-three years, he missed his mark.

The God's Chosen Hero, makes the future dark.

For the past twelve years, alone he lay

For the past twelve years years, the Dark Lord kept at bay.

At midnight hence, his servant stirs crisis

The rat escapes, the Dark Lord rises"

By the end, all the color had drained from Professor Jackson's face, and his eyes were wide in muted horror. He slumped back into his chair, his he dropped his face into his hands.

"No. No, no, no, no, no." He chanted under his breath,

"Sir?" Harry asked, feeling suddenly very concerned, he'd seen the professor look scared, he'd seen the man angry, but he'd never seen him look…desperate. Harry didn't like it.

"This can't be happening again. Not now, not here." Professor Jackson said, as his arms wrapped around and clung to the back of his head. Professor Jackson swept away from the desk, and started pacing behind his desk, muttering in another language under his breath. Then he roared in outright fury, the loud yell startling Harry so badly he nearly fell out of his seat. Professor Jackson whirled around and punched the stone wall behind him. Chunks or stone and mortar exploded from where his fist bade contact.

"Godsdamnit!" He roared, and punched the wall again.

"Professor!" Harry said, startled, "What's wrong? It-it's ok, right? I mean, Trelawney…she-she was just tired, or-or something, right?"

Professor Jackson was looking at him, his head was ducked and his fist was still embedded in the wall. His shoulders shook with every heavy breath he took.

"I need to see the headmaster," Professor Jackson said, "It could be nothing, or it could be something else. I thought my being here wouldn't-they told me that they couldn't-doesn't matter," Professor Jackson turned around, "I know you have questions Harry, and I'm sorry, but I can't-I just…not right now. Not here. Just, keep this to yourself, Harry, I'll explain eventually, but I have to make sure-" He was babbling so fast that Harry had no idea what he was talking about, and none of what he was saying was making sense.

"Does this have to do with the people who are after you sir?" Harry asked,

"What?" Professor Jackson snapped, whirling on Harry, "oh, right, no-well-yes but," He growled, "It's complicated, Harry, and I'm not ready to talk about it, I know that isn't fair but-"

"No, professor," Harry said hurriedly, "I get it, it's ok, I'm not upset or-or anything. It's your life, and you don't owe me anything,"

Professor Jackson's shoulders sagged, and he shook his head ruefully, "You're going to be a great man, Harry Potter, a great man." He pat Harry on the back, and in a puff of water vapor and mist, the man disappeared from the room. Leaving a thoroughly bewildered Harry alone in the man's office. For not the first time, Harry was desperate to know more about the man. With everything he learned about his odd professor, the more Harry needed to know more. He needed to unravel the mystery. But Harry was certain that, when the man felt comfortable, he would share his story with Harry. So he would wait. Professor Jackson had always been patient with Harry, so Harry would be patient with him. With that comforting thought, Harry left the office.

BREAK

"So, are you ever going to explain how you managed to get to all your classes this year, Hermione?" Ron asked from his place on the floor. They were on the Hogwarts express, hurtling through the English countryside. Ron, Harry, and Hermione were sharing a compartment to themselves. Hermione was spread out on one of the benches, a book in her lap, while Ron and Harry were in the middle of a game of exploding snap.

"Oh, that," Hermione said, idly turning the page of 'Myths of the Ancient World'

"Yes," Ron said with a roll of his eyes, "That."

"I suppose there's no point keeping it a secret, I turned it back in yesterday." Hermione said,

"Turned what in?" Ron asked in exasperation,

"A time turner," She said, as though that explained everything,

"What's a time turner?" Harry asked curiously,

"It's a device used to travel back in time." Hermione said calmly. Ron fumbled with the card in his hand, which exploded violently.

"What?" Ron yelled, looking at Hermione in utter astonishment,

"Time travel is real?" Harry choked out, his mind reeling at the implications,

"Yup," Hermione said, turning another page, ignoring her friends reactions, "I used it all year to get to my lessons. You can only do it for a few hours at a time though, no more than a day, but that worked out for reaching my lessons. But it was just too stressful, I can't possibly do that again."

"But how did you even get it?" Harry asked,

"Professor McGonagall," Hermione explained, "She petitioned the Ministry and they sent one to me. It was weird though,"

"Weirder than time travel apparently being real?" Harry asked,

"Well, no, but Professor Jackson was really against it." Hermione said, "He tried to talk me out of it. He kept telling me that nothing good ever comes from trying to meddle with time. He was surprisingly passionate about it,"

That seemed strange, Harry thought, Professor Jackson was normally so supportive of students taking the initiative. It wasn't like him to be so abstinent about something. A thought occurred to Harry and he froze. It was a ludicrous thought. One so impossible that there was no way it could be real. But the more he thought about it, the more some things seemed to fit. But that couldn't be possible. If it could only be used to go back a few hours at a time…no, Harry shook his head. He was being ridiculous. Luckily he was distracted as the train began to slow.

Disembarking the train with his trunk, Harry's face broke out into a large grin, as he spotted Sirius standing by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley halfway down the platform. He was looking far healthier than he had only a few days previously. He was no longer sickly thin, and his hair had been cut so that it was short and cropped against his head. His face had far more color, and he grinned broadly at Harry as he hurried over. Harry embraced the man, before greeting Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who were looking at Sirius apprehensively,

"Harry," Mrs. Weasley asked him worriedly, looking over at Sirius, "Are you certain that-"

"I am, Mrs. Weasley, I promise," Harry reassured her. Waving goodbye to his friends, Harry met back up with Sirius, who wrapped an arm around his shoulders,

"Ready to head home, Harry?" He asked,

Harry nodded, as a surge of happiness at the words flooded through him. For the first time since coming to Hogwarts, he felt as though he were truly going somewhere he would belong.

"Yeah," Harry grinned, "Let's go home."

AN: And we're done with Third-Year! Hope you guys have enjoined the ride so far, well I hope you're getting ready, because there's going to be some very, very big and exciting things that happen soon. For those who have been waiting for Percy to have more of an opportunity to show off…oh boy. I have things in store. Big, big plans. Percy Jackson is about to make some very big, very fun, and very violent splashes in Britain. So get hyped. Don't know when it's coming out yet, haven't written it yet, but I have break coming up soon so I'll be able to write more. Anyhoo, thanks for all the love and support this story has gotten. Glad you all enjoy it so much. Have some happy holidays, stay healthy, and stay safe.

Love,

LilDB