A/N: Thank you again to everyone who read and reviewed! I really appreciate everyone's comments, and the enthusiasm for this story has been wonderful to see! Review responses are post-chapter this time, as this is another long-ish note.

So I have more exciting (and terrifying) news… I had an appointment today (or perhaps yesterday, by the time this posts, as I am currently typing quite late into the night) because my surgeon-husband was a bit paranoid that this level of morning sickness wasn't usual… and he's maybe just a tad overprotective. So we had a scan done and were told we're having twins! It's too early to tell gender with certainty, so we don't know if they'll be girls or boys, but the doctor says it looks like they are identical, so they will be the same gender. I can't decide if having two boys would make me more anxious (what if they turn out like Fred and George?!) or two girls (what if they turn out like me?!). Multiples apparently can move up the due date timeline a bit, so we're expecting babies to be here around early March. A week of chaos if I've ever had one!

On a story note – you may have noticed that this summer has lasted a bit longer than the last (in part, because SO much has happened since end of term). Things will pick up the pace a little after this chapter… we'll see Harry's Birthday next time, and then we'll be cruising through August (with a few exciting twists and turns) in two to three chapters after that, depending on how long I decide they might be. We should be at autumn term by the time September comes round in the 'real' world, but I do not want to rush the story's progression at the expense of any of the characters' storylines. This book will likely end up around 40-45 chapters, as compared with the 30 in Part I.

In any case, enjoy Chapter 14! And please read and review!

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all familiar characters and story lines are the property of the wonderful Joanne Rowling, in whose world I am honoured and privileged to have an opportunity to play for a while.

Chapter 14: The Fine Line between Friend and Foe

'Wh – what happened?' Harry asked groggily, as he opened his eyes.

Slowly, it dawned on him that he was lying on Dumbledore's sofa in the headmaster's familiar study. The sky through the mullioned windows was dimmer than he remembered – it looked as though the sun had set while he was out. Albus and Minerva were seated in the chairs opposite, both holding cups of tea. A half-eaten spread on the low table suggested they must have taken supper up here.

'Harry, it is good to see you awake,' Albus said, smiling softly as he set his tea down and walked over to help Harry into a sitting position. 'How are you feeling?'

'Fine,' Harry replied automatically. Minerva gave a tsk of disapproval. 'No, honestly,' he said, taking stock in earnest. 'I… I'm a bit confused. But I don't feel ill.'

'You do not remember what happened in the forest?' asked Albus, his brow contracting.

'I –'

But it all came back to him then. Sirius Black… Snape… the duel…

Harry pulled back the blanket someone had laid over him, yanking up the trouser leg of his pyjamas. The skin beneath was whole and unblemished. He frowned.

'I was hit with a spell,' he said, running a hand along his calf. 'Some sort of cutting hex, I think it must have been. They were duelling – Professor Snape and Sirius Black. I think I passed out.'

'Yes,' the headmaster agreed. 'You were unconscious when Minerva and I arrived. Fawkes was able to heal the wound on your leg; you will not suffer any permanent damage. I've spelled several doses of blood replenisher and a phial of essence of dittany into your system, so you may experience some flushing or drowsiness, but it should pass shortly. We did not want to wake you until you were ready to come to on your own. Do you remember anything else about what happened?'

'I was in the forest,' Harry said, lifting confused eyes to meet Albus'. 'I know I shouldn't have been, but I went anyway. And he found me – Sirius Black. He was… strange. Not what I was expecting. He came at me, but he didn't try to kill me. At least, not at first. He didn't have a wand, and I did. Then I called for Professor Snape; I heard him, sir, shouting at someone else in the forest. Black must have charged me while I was distracted. He took my wand. Then he tried –'

But Harry broke off in his recital, as the door to Dumbledore's study burst open.

Remus tumbled into the room, still wearing his travelling cloak, his face white and wild-looking. He was sweaty and slightly breathless, as though he'd just taken the seven flights at a run. His eyes raked the room for a moment before alighting on Harry, and he took the remaining few feet in four long bounds.

'Harry, my God,' he said, throwing himself down beside Dumbledore's ottoman and cupping Harry's cheek. 'Are you alright? You look –'

'Just like him,' Harry finished in a whisper. He felt cold at the memory.

'Pardon?' Remus asked in confusion, frowning at him. 'What did you say, Harry?'

'You look just like him, your father,' Harry repeated.

Remus looked frightened. He moved the hand on Harry's cheek to his forehead, as if feeling for fever.

'He feels quite warm,' he decided, turning to address Dumbledore instead. 'Is he –'

'A side effect of blood replenishing potion,' Albus clarified. 'Nothing more.'

'I don't under–'

'That's what he told me – the first thing he said to me when he stepped out of the trees,' Harry explained, scrutinising Remus closely. 'He said, "You look just like him. Your father – James." He sounded exactly like you, Remus. You said something like that too… the first time we met at Hogwarts. You said it in almost the same tone.'

Remus' already drawn face seemed to pale further as he stared in horror at Harry.

'Harry, I swear, it wasn't me. I would never –'

'I know it wasn't,' Harry assured him. He stared deeply into his eyes for a moment. 'But, you know him, don't you? You know Sirius Black. Or you did, when you were kids. He knew Snape… said an awful lot about him, actually. And he obviously knew my dad.'

He glanced around the room: at the arrested, slightly guilty looks on all three faces. Nobody had even moved to correct him for dropping the title from Snape's name.

'What did he say to you?' Minerva asked softly.

Harry glared. 'So, it's true,' he said, crossing his arms. He shrugged out from under Remus' hand. 'They were friends, right? That's why he sounded like you, Remus, when he talked about my dad. It's why he hates Snape so much; my dad didn't like him either. Why didn't anyone tell me?'

'What did he say about your father, Harry?' Albus echoed, putting a hand out to stay Minerva.

Harry shrugged, still feeling mutinous. 'He told me I looked like him. He asked if I could remember him; remember Black,' he rounded on Remus again. 'I didn't get that at first. I was too busy worrying he might kill me. But now… now I think he must have come round when I was a baby, just like you said you did. He was disappointed that I didn't remember.'

'What happened when Severus arrived?' Albus asked quietly.

Harry's anger grew. 'I want to know why you didn't tell me about Black!' he shouted at the headmaster. 'I want to know why I'm always kept in the dark, like a toddler. Were you afraid it would scare me to know my dad's old mate was working for Voldemort? Did you just not think it was important?'

'Harry –' Remus tried to cut in.

'No!' Harry growled, pushing away the hand Remus tried to lay on his shoulder. 'You have been telling me about my parents all summer. You've told me all about your days at school, the visits you made since. How could you not even mention it?'

'I don't like to think about it,' Remus admitted, very quietly. 'I don't like to remember that Sirius – that Black, a man I admired and thought I knew, fell so far from grace. I don't like to think about just how deeply his betrayal cost –'

'Remus.'

Albus' ringing tone drowned the end of Remus' thought. Harry turned to glare at him instead.

'Sirius Black was your father's friend, Harry,' the headmaster said, in a maddeningly understanding tone. 'And he was Remus'. And Peter Pettigrew's. The day he was captured, he murdered over a dozen people, poor Peter included. None of us like to dwell on the atrocities he committed; the many lives we lost because of it. Sirius Black was my friend as well. His actions hurt us all.'

'You still should have told me,' Harry insisted.

'And I would have,' Albus promised him. 'One day, I would have. I did not think you needed the additional stress preying on your mind this summer.'

Harry continued to glower. 'I'm not a child,' he repeated.

'You are,' Albus said softly. He held up his hand again, as Harry bristled at once. 'You are not an infant,' he clarified. 'But you are not yet thirteen, Harry. It is a difficult place to be. There will be times when you cannot know everything. You are not always ready for the information.'

'You're not my father!' Harry shouted. He could feel angry tears brimming in his eyes now, and he hated himself for them.

'No,' Albus agreed, even more softly. 'I am not your father, Harry. Not in the traditional sense. But I do love you. And as hard as it is for you to believe sometimes, I do know you, and what is best for you.'

Harry brushed impatiently at the dampness, refusing to meet the eyes of anyone else in the room. He felt Remus leave his side, and then someone's arms shifting him so they could sit behind him. He realised that Albus had positioned himself behind Harry on the sofa, rubbing gently on his back.

'You need to have something to eat,' the headmaster told him quietly.

'I'm not hungry.'

'Humour me,' Albus insisted. He summoned Mina immediately, requesting sandwiches for Harry and an equally-reluctant Remus, who still looked white and tense. Harry took one with a sigh, ignoring the twinkling in Albus' eyes as he reclaimed his seat beside Minerva to give Harry space to eat.

'When you're finished, it's an early night,' Minerva told him firmly. 'We can discuss the circumstances of your leaving the castle against explicit instruction when you've recovered.'

'I told you – I feel fine,' Harry repeated.

'I know,' said Albus. 'But it has been a difficult day, physically and otherwise. Minerva is right, you need rest.'

For a few minutes, nobody spoke. Then Harry broke the silence again, as he realised what seemed off about this conversation.

'Where is Professor Snape?' he asked, looking around the room in some surprise. He hadn't really registered before that Snape wasn't with them… but now he had, his absence seemed almost odd. 'Was he hurt when Black got him?'

Minerva raised an eyebrow. 'At dinner, I presume,' she said. 'Or perhaps he chose to eat in his own quarters this evening, as we took supper up here. He was only stunned in the forest – the headmaster revived him with no complications.'

There was a tightness in her voice that Harry was unused to hearing – at least outside of term. The Potions master and Minerva were often at loggerheads while their students were at each other's throats… but they usually seemed to get on well over the summer.

'Oh,' he said, shrugging.

'Did you need him for some reason?' Albus asked.

'Not exactly,' said Harry. 'I just… I think he's probably not too happy with me right now.'

'I should say not,' said Minerva, her voice steely. 'And that conversation is not over, Mr Potter. But I think Severus, of all people, has little cause for complaint after –'

'Minerva,' said Albus, interrupting her.

'Albus, he cursed the boy!' Minerva retorted, firing up again. Harry could tell she had been bursting to start this all evening, and – from the look on Albus' face – the headmaster had been expecting it.

'And I have had words with him,' Albus assured her.

'He what?' Remus put in, looking shocked. 'Why would Severus –'

'He didn't,' Harry said quickly. 'Well, not really. It wasn't his fault, anyway. They were duelling. Black shot off a shield and it deflected Snape's spell. I was in the path – it wasn't on purpose.'

'What spell?' asked Remus at once, his jaw set.

'Not a spell that he should have been using, particularly with others in the line of fire,' said Albus, with another quelling look at Minerva. 'The situation has been handled. It will not happen again.'

'Black said that Professor Snape can't be trusted,' Harry told them. 'He said he's evil – that he's been bad ever since he was a student at Hogwarts.'

'I trust Severus Snape with my life, Harry,' Albus said seriously. 'He is not evil.'

'I know,' said Harry quickly. 'I mean, he's not always nice to me,' he clarified. 'But I know he's not a dark wizard, anyway. I just thought it was an odd thing to say. All of it, really. Why was Black concerned with trying to turn me against Snape? Why not just kill me outright, if that's what he came here to do? He stalled so long, one of the centaurs found us – Firenze. He told Black to go if he wanted to see another day, or something like that. He said you were on your way. Then I think I must have passed out…'

'Firenze told him to go?' Remus said, frowning at Albus. 'Why?'

'There are several possibilities, in my opinion,' said Dumbledore. 'As I told Minerva and Severus this afternoon, centaur magic works in strange ways. It is part of the forest's protection. Wizards with evil intent may pass through the forest, as Voldemort himself has done, but they cannot usually seek shelter in the trees with any sort of permanence.'

'And the other possibility?' Minerva asked.

'Is by far the more intriguing,' Albus said, 'And the more worrisome. Centaurs are, of course, very devoted to Divination – and much more proficient at it than wizards. It is possible they have seen some sort of greater plan for Sirius Black… something that would not be conducive to continuing a duel in the forest.'

'Divination,' Minerva scoffed, clearly disapproving. 'Preposterous. You ought to have a word with the head of their herd, Albus.'

'I could try,' Albus said doubtfully. 'But they are not usually inclined to share the secrets of their trade with any wizard. It is considered to be against their code, and the will of the stars.'

'Surely you can deduce the truth by other means?' Remus put in.

'No,' Albus disagreed. 'Legilimency does not work on a centaur, and I would not dare to bewitch one of the herd. We have managed to coexist peacefully with the centaurs of the Forest for centuries. I would not risk testing the tenets of that friendship now.'

'But… it's still odd, isn't it?' Harry asked, his mind still on the interaction with Sirius Black. 'I mean, why wouldn't Black just kill me straight away? Why warn me off Snape first?'

'As to that, I have no idea,' said Albus quietly.

'Maybe he was more unhinged by Azkaban than we imagined,' said Minerva. 'After all, he was there for more than a decade.'

'Perhaps,' Albus allowed. But Harry thought there was something off in his voice… that, perhaps, he thought more of this strange occurrence than he was telling them.

'I wish he hadn't taken my wand,' Harry said grudgingly. 'I was such a fool to let it –'

'He didn't,' Minerva said, surprised. She reached a hand into the pocket of her robes, pulling Harry's familiar holly wand from its depths. Harry stared.

'Where did you find it?' he asked, equal parts incredulous and delighted as he retrieved it from her.

Minerva smiled. 'It was lying just by your hand,' she said. 'I took it for safekeeping.'

'So, Black left it behind?' Remus said, looking sideways at Dumbledore. 'That seems rather strange.'

'Indeed,' Albus agreed, staring at the wand with a frown as Harry twirled it between his fingers. 'Very strange, indeed.'

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'Quite a to do up at the castle today, I hear,' Aberforth greeted him gruffly, as Albus entered the pub near last orders. 'Your boy recovered alright?'

'Harry is well,' Albus assured him, taking an end stool at the bar with a weary sigh. 'Though I wonder you have heard tell of the events already… I thought I would be bringing the news.'

Aberforth snorted. 'I got sources that are a bit more forthcoming, Albus. Occupational perk.'

'Ah, Hagrid has been by then, I take it?'

Aberforth merely grunted in reply, summoning up a bottle of mead and sending it to fill two rather dusty glasses. Albus took his gratefully, clinking at against his brother's. They drank in amiable silence for a time.

'So, come all the way down just to relate the tale?' Aberforth asked shrewdly as he refilled their glasses. 'Or did you have some other reason to visit?'

'Oh, I just thought it was time I paid a call,' he said lightly, taking a sip from the mead. 'And I have an appointment later in the evening outside the castle. I rather needed somewhere to pass the time. Minerva is in a bit of a temper, and Harry has gone to bed.'

'Not feeling too chummy with your pet snake at the moment?' Aberforth guessed, disapproval heavy in his expression.

'Not especially,' Albus agreed tightly. 'I dare say Severus could use an evening of quiet reflection.'

Aberforth grumbled something under his breath in reply, flicking his wand to start the washing up as he settled heavily onto the adjacent stool.

'How's the boy getting on?' Aberforth asked. 'Other than his penchant for landing himself in fatal situations?'

Albus chuckled. 'Well enough,' he said. But he sobered again on remembering the conversation that evening. 'He has been asking questions,' he confided. 'About Sirius Black. He deduced from their interaction this afternoon that his father and Black had known each other at school. He was angry that I did not disclose the connection earlier.'

'And why didn't you?' Aberforth asked, crossing his arms with a glower.

'Because I did not think it would benefit Harry to know,' Albus said honestly. 'I was intending to work up to it slowly, to get him ready for the information.'

'And did you tell him now, Albus?' Aberforth continued. 'Have you told him everything?'

'No,' said Albus quietly. 'Not yet.'

Aberforth frowned. 'You play your cards too close to your chest, Albus!' he accused, pointing a finger in his face. 'I've been saying it for years. That boy has the right to know – you should have told him the day Black broke out.'

'He is twelve, Aberforth,' Albus retorted, looking nervously around the pub even though he knew it to be empty. 'Some things –'

'Don't play those games with me, Albus,' Aberforth said, slamming a hand on the bar. 'It's no wonder the kid is angry – what did you think would happen? You haven't changed, you know that? Bits and pieces… scraps of information. Who does it benefit, eh? Keeping this to yourself? Keeping the boy under your thumb, at the mercy of your personal chess match? The Greater –'

'You will regret it if you finish that statement,' Albus interrupted in a steely voice, half-rising from his chair. 'I have been told my patience is admirably strong, but I am afraid it has been tested heavily tonight already. I have nothing left to spare; not least to entertain an argument as to whether I am not putting Harry's best interests at the forefront of everything I do – every decision I have made since taking him in.'

Aberforth relented a bit, though he still looked surly. 'Fine,' he said, grudgingly. 'We'll leave it there, I suppose. But… just consider, Albus. Consider what you're really doing, shielding him from the truth.'

'I am protecting Harry's innocence,' said Albus, more softly. 'I am protecting what semblance of a childhood he has left. He will have precious little time to enjoy it – him less than most. And he has had little childhood to speak of already. He has far too many burdens for one so young. And will shoulder far too many more in the future. You – you can have no idea what that is like, Aberforth.'

'I know all about harsh reality, Albus,' Aberforth grumbled. 'I know of the costs of war. I know the cost of your wars.'

'Aberforth,' Albus pleaded wearily. 'Don't, please. I cannot speak of it tonight.'

They sat in awkward silence for several long minutes.

'I do hope your business has not been too badly affected by the Dementors' presence,' Albus offered courteously, trying to break the tension. 'Rosmerta has been rather displeased, I'm afraid.'

Aberforth shrugged. 'Not much to complain about here,' he said. 'Rosmerta's always had a different sort of crowd, mind. Too much merriment for me. Most of my regulars have so many demons already, Dementors don't make much difference either way. And the ones that are scared off are the ones I usually spend the night keeping a watch on, so it makes things easier from that end.'

Albus raised an eyebrow. 'A novel way of looking at it, I suppose,' he said. 'I would not have labelled you for an optimist.'

'People surprise you every day, Albus,' Abe said gruffly. 'Trusting that you know 'em… that's the real mistake.'

'A man is like a novel: until the very last page you cannot know how it will end.'

'Zamyatin,' Aberforth grunted. 'I've told you before Albus, get some new quotes.'

Albus chuckled, draining the last of his mead. He chanced a glance at his watch.

'I should go,' he said, shifting himself off the stool.

'Where are you off to, so late?' Aberforth asked, watching with a frown as Albus fastened his cloak.

Albus hesitated, and Aberforth's frown grew more pronounced.

'More secrets?' he guessed.

'Not precisely,' said Albus. 'But I am not sure you truly wish to know.'

Aberforth crossed his arms, glaring. 'You're seeing him again, then?' he accused in a snarl.

'I am,' Albus admitted. 'It has proved… useful, to some degree. I have been twice now. Both visits have given me much to think about. Aid I can attribute to you, of course, as you were the one who suggested renewing the contact,' he reminded him.

Aberforth grunted, turning to pick up a discarded rag on the bar. 'Fine,' he said grudgingly. 'See your devil. But don't forget what he is, Albus. Don't forget that anything, anything, he tells you – he gets something in return. Help; information… it shan't come free from him. It never has. Someone will pay the price.'

'I know,' Albus agreed. Uncharacteristically, he reached a hand across the wooden counter, squeezing gently on Aberforth's arm. His brother looked surprised at the contact – it had been years since they'd shared any sort of embrace.

'I do not forget, Aberforth,' he promised him. 'Not ever.'

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The incessant knocking continued unabated, pounding into his very skull.

Severus groaned and turned his head determinedly into the coolness of the leather cushions of the sofa, refusing to acknowledge the summons. They were too heavy-handed for the headmaster's fist – and Severus knew with near certainly that Albus would be leaving him to stew. Minerva would have spelled the door ajar by now… and, in any case, she would be occupied for the night seeing to it that her precious Golden Boy had no lingering effects from his ordeal this afternoon. Potter would be long to bed by now. Hagrid would have given up; Filch would never dare to continue; and he had never in his life seen Trelawney below the ground floor.

That left only one possibility.

'Severus, I know you're in there!' the visitor growled from the corridor. 'Open the door.'

Severus snapped his eyes open against the dark leather, but did not move.

'Severus, if you do not open this door in the next ten seconds, I will use the floo,' the wolf threatened.

With another groan, Severus heaved himself off the sofa, stumbling a bit as he gained his feet. He threw open the door with a snarl.

'If a wizard chooses not to answer a caller,' he said through gritted teeth. 'It is common courtesy to leave that man in peace.'

'Good evening, Severus,' Lupin said, his own voice just as strained. 'Might I come in?'

The Potions master considered refusing the request, but Lupin – apparently sensing the imminent dismissal – pushed past him and into the sitting room before Severus could slam the door closed. His eyes scanned the small space disdainfully, particularly the nearly empty decanter and half-full tumbler on a corner of the table.

'What do you want, Lupin?' Severus growled. He followed the werewolf over to the sitting room, but did not retake his seat on the sofa. 'You are not due to pick up another round of potions for some days yet.'

'That is not why I am here,' Lupin said. His eyes still blazed in barely-suppressed fury.

'What then?' Severus snapped, his own temper less well-controlled. 'Why have you come here?'

'To ask you what happened this afternoon,' the wolf said bluntly. He too remained standing, and Severus could not help but notice that his hand fingered a side pocket of his robes.

'I should have thought that obvious,' Severus spat. He crossed his arms.

'Your precious Potter disobeyed instruction, again, he put himself into danger, again, and in the process ruined any chance we had to halt a murderer in his quest to continue bloodshed. Does that sum it up clearly enough for you?'

'It leaves out a few key details, I must admit,' Lupin replied coolly. He took a step closer to Severus. 'I want to know what spell you cast on him, Severus,' he said in a dangerous tone. 'I want to know why it was necessary for the headmaster to give him essence of dittany and four blood replenishing potions, in addition to phoenix tears.'

Severus snorted. 'The boy is fine,' he said impatiently. 'And I would like to know a few things too, Lupin,' he said, taking a step closer himself. 'I would like to know how Black managed to get so close to the castle today – how he was spotted lounging around in the grounds as if he owned the place. I wish to know how he's so familiar with a safe path through the forest.'

'What are you implying, Severus?' Lupin growled.

'You know perfectly well what I'm saying!' Severus railed. 'I never trusted you, you know. Never. I thought it supremely foolish of Dumbledore to bring you here… but he always had a soft spot for the downtrodden didn't he? And he always favoured you – all of you. His precious Gryffindor brats. And never mind what havoc you heaped upon the rest of us.'

'You were hardly less aggressive, Severus,' Lupin pointed out angrily. 'And we were children. I have nothing – nothing – to do with Sirius' current actions. I want him captured as badly as you do!'

'I do not want him captured, you thick-headed fool!' Severus snarled, leaning so close to Lupin now that the wizards were nearly nose to nose. He could see flecks of his own spit hit Lupin's cheeks in his rage. 'I want him destroyed! I want to KILL HIM MYSELF!'

Lupin furrowed his brow, staring at the Potions master. His face – so angry only moments before – now looked quite impassive. He sniffed.

'You are drunk,' he said, frowning at Severus.

Severus rolled his eyes. 'How astute,' he mocked sarcastically.

'Why?' the wolf asked.

Severus glared. 'As these are my rooms, and this my summer holiday, I'm not sure I owe anyone an explanation, Lupin. Least of all meddlesome, uninvited guests.'

Lupin continued to stare, as though Severus were a puzzling riddle he could not quite solve. The intensity of the scrutiny unnerved him.

'You can go,' he pressed.

'No,' said Lupin simply.

Severus growled again, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. 'Lupin, I've rather a headache,' he said icily. 'I have neither the patience nor inclination for pointless conversation this evening.'

'Tell me what you did to Harry,' Lupin repeated, 'And I will leave.'

Severus glared. 'Potter was in the way, Black deflected a cutting curse, Potter was hit,' he said in quick succession. 'Now, get out!'

'A cutting curse,' Lupin repeated, disbelief clear in his tone. 'You are telling me a common cutting curse caused that injury? You must have a remarkably powerful wand, or Harry uncannily poor luck.'

Severus stared hard at Lupin – but either he was too inebriated for the attack, or Lupin had better Occlumency shields than Severus would have thought possible.

'It was not a usual cutting curse,' he admitted finally.

He didn't know why he was telling the werewolf – he didn't owe him anything. He didn't want another lecture. But the words left him before he could stop them.

'I used Sectumsempra.'

Lupin's face paled, even as his eyes grew furious once more. 'Severus, how could you?' he breathed, horrified. 'That is dark, dangerous magic.'

Severus rolled his eyes. 'Obviously I know that,' he said dryly. 'As I invented the curse.'

'When you were a Death Eater,' Lupin pointed out. 'When you were a very different person than you are now. When you served Lord –'

'Careful, wolf!' Severus barked, as his right hand twitched convulsively toward his left arm. 'You are in my quarters, and you will not speak the Dark Lord's name.'

The wolf was also incorrect, although Severus did not alter his impression. He had developed Sectumsempra while still at Hogwarts; it was one of the curses he'd used to impress the Dark Lord into granting him a place at his side. So young, so proud, so eager… and so incredibly foolish.

'Severus – someone might have been killed!' Lupin pointed out.

'That was the intention!' Severus said, shouting again. 'I told you, Lupin. And I nearly had him… I was so close. If Potter hadn't –'

'Is a schoolboy rivalry worth that risk?' asked Lupin quietly. He was staring at Severus in horror, as though seeing a monster he had never recognised before. 'Is it worth becoming a murderer to win? Is it worth Harry's life?'

'Potter is fine,' Severus said again. 'He has made a full recovery already.'

'That is not the point,' Lupin said. 'You were knocked unconscious. Harry was alone… if Albus and Minerva hadn't arrived in time… if they hadn't had Fawkes in the forest with them… don't you see what almost came to pass? Don't you care?'

'Of course I see it!' Severus spat, turning away from the accusatory gaze. 'Potter should not have been there, as I keep telling Albus! And you – where were you?' he countered, whirling about to face the wolf again, back on the offensive. 'You missed the action, I notice. Conveniently out of the castle, weren't you? Conveniently unable to come to the Golden Boy's rescue… so I had to step in to save Potter from his own foolishness, just like I have always had to. Now you accuse me of putting him at risk? You have some nerve, wolf.'

Lupin narrowed his eyes. 'You do care,' he said.

'What?' Severus spat.

'You care that he was hurt,' Lupin clarified. 'That's why you got hit yourself, isn't it?'

'Black got lucky,' Severus said darkly. 'That is all.'

'No,' Lupin disagreed. 'It isn't. Sirius has been in Azkaban for over ten years… he's been on the run for weeks. His powers have likely atrophied – it would take months, maybe years, to recover them in full. He was using a wand which does not recognise his authority.'

'How do you know –'

'I saw it tonight, when Minerva returned the wand to Harry,' he explained. 'It received him still; it remains his own, and his alone. So, how would a weakened wizard with an uncooperative wand defeat a fitter enemy?'

He paused, examining Severus' face closely. Severus kept his expression blank.

'You were distracted,' Lupin guessed. 'You saw Harry hit, and it cost you your advantage.'

'Potter was bleeding,' Severus allowed. 'Perhaps it was a distraction, but that does not counter the fact that he should never have been in that forest to begin with. And he would not have been, if not for his own recklessness. That is not my fault!'

'No,' Lupin agreed. 'It isn't your fault that Harry disobeyed, or that he was captured. But you cast the spell that spilled his blood, and that is why you've drunk yourself into oblivion tonight.'

'Because I care that the Golden Boy was in a few minutes' distress?' Severus mocked in disgust. 'Hardly, Lupin. I drink because we missed a perfect opportunity today, all because the idiotic brat got in the way.'

'You drink because you hurt him, Severus,' the wolf disagreed. He turned for the door with a maddening expression of satisfaction on his face.

'You drink because you were in the wrong, and you know it. And you are sorry for it.'

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'I sent the missive days ago, Albus,' Grindelwald complained as the headmaster shut the door quietly behind him. 'What has delayed you so long?'

Albus frowned. 'As it would happen, I have been rather busy of late.'

'So I have heard,' Grindelwald acknowledged, a slight smile breaking over his face. 'Eventful time in Britain, isn't it?'

'Indeed,' Albus agreed coolly. 'Which is why, Gellert, I have little patience for intrigue tonight. Your message requested an urgent meeting. What is it you wished to discuss?'

'A few things, Albus,' the wizened man replied, nodding his head toward the wooden chairs. 'First, I gather you retrieved your boy from his relations' home?'

'Yes,' Albus admitted. 'He stayed a week, which should be long enough for the bond to strengthen. I would not have had him there any longer.'

'No, certainly not,' said Gellert delicately. 'Not if a mere week in their presence had already brought forth a notable display of wandless magic. They must be some pair of Muggles… to garner such reaction.'

Albus narrowed his eyes. 'How did you come by that information, Gellert?'

The old wizard smiled. 'Patience, Albus,' he said softly. 'If I reveal all my secrets, how can I know you will ever return? And I do so enjoy our conversation – it is an excellent diversion from the mundane.'

He broke off momentarily, as Lakai appeared with their customary tea. When the little elf had gone again, he fixed Albus with those vivid violet eyes over the rim of his cup.

'So,' he continued. 'An interesting development, wouldn't you say? Or did you already know the child possessed a talent for wandless casting?'

Albus hesitated a moment. 'It is… not a new phenomenon,' he said carefully.

'I thought not,' Grindelwald said, his sinister smile growing. 'An uncommon gift, especially in one so young. You should hone it straight away. These talents are best nurtured early, and dangerous if not – particularly if the child's magic is strong.'

'Yes, thank you,' said Albus curtly. 'Being a highly accomplished wizard and professor myself, I have deduced as much. He is already being trained in the skill.'

'There is no need for discourtesy, Albus,' said Grindelwald with a frown. 'Really, you are not yourself tonight.'

He stared into the headmaster's eyes, boring deeply. Albus reinforced his shields, but did not look away. The silence dragged on.

'What has happened to disturb you so, Albus?' Gellert asked quietly. If Albus were not wary of every word that came out of this man's mouth, he might have found concern in the tone.

Instead, he forced a more neutral expression. 'Nothing of particular significance,' he said airily. 'But I am afraid this business with Sirius Black's escape has left us all rather on edge. It is taking much of my time and energy of late.'

'Yes, I imagine it must be stressful,' Grindelwald said, still studying Albus' eyes. 'As, if the rumours are true, it is believed he comes for the Potter boy.'

'That is the general impression from the Azkaban guards,' Albus admitted. 'But they are searching for him, as is half the Ministry. And my own colleagues, of course.'

'They are not the only ones on the hunt,' Grindelwald said casually. He leaned back against the chair, crossing one leg over the other as he refilled his tea with a lazy flick of his wrist.

Albus frowned. 'What do you mean, Gellert?'

Grindelwald smiled. 'There are whispers in London,' he told the headmaster. 'Very intriguing rumours. Gatherings in pubs and darkened alleys… groups of men and women who generally prefer to go unnoticed, or – at least – with their associations unrecognised.'

'I am aware of the restlessness,' Albus assured him, refilling his own cup. 'It is not as uncommon an occurrence as it seems. There are always mutterings and rumours whenever those who would prefer Lord Voldemort's rule get some sort of hint that the dark side may be rising again. Sirius Black's escape may be the most ominous of signs in recent history, but it is hardly the first to stir such reaction.'

'They do not seek to aid Black,' Gellert disagreed. 'At least – not all of them, from the whispers I have heard. They seek his destruction; some more ardently than the Minister himself.'

Albus raised an eyebrow. 'Why?' he wondered aloud. 'Black is among the more talented in the remaining Death Eater contingent. He could be useful, if they sought to rekindle their power.'

Gellert shrugged. 'Perhaps they are angry,' he suggested. 'Perhaps they hold him responsible for their master's end. Voldemort went to the Potters' on Black's information, and he was ruined by their son – Black's godchild. Or, perhaps, he has further information. Information the Death Eaters and sympathisers do not wish the Ministry to obtain. They may fear he will give it up.'

'It is… possible,' Albus said slowly. 'There was never a trial, you know. Sirius Black was not interrogated. He was given straight to the Dementors. He could have been sitting on valuable information for years, though I cannot see why he would wait so long if that were the case.'

Now Gellert raised an eyebrow. 'No trial?' he said, surprised. 'That seems rather unlike you, Albus.'

'They held an evidence hearing, in absentia,' Albus clarified. 'It was rather commonplace, actually, during the days when the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was led by Bartemius Crouch and the threat from Voldemort's side was imminent. The Minister and a majority of the Wizengamot voted to grant the MLE the ability to detain prisoners without trial, and without habeas rights. I was against the decision, but I was one of the lone dissenters, and we lost the vote. In any case, Black was not present for the evidence proceeding. A number of ministry officials and witnesses gave evidence of what occurred on the first of November, and I myself testified that he had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper. The panel determined there was sufficient evidence to support a conviction, and Black was left in Azkaban. As Voldemort had vanished, there seemed to the Ministry no reason to question Black further. I myself have not seen him since several days before the Potters were killed.'

'So, there is no possibility the Death Eaters could believe Black has double-crossed them? Turned back to your Order?' Gellert pressed.

'No…' Albus said, trailing off in thought. 'Well, I suppose they might have inferred treachery from the consequences of Voldemort's visit to the Potters'… but I doubt they believe Black to have been working for me. I certainly would not have left him in Azkaban, were that the case.'

'And,' Gellert hesitated, looking closely at Albus. 'There is absolutely no chance that Sirius Black was not their spy, after all?'

'Impossible,' said Albus immediately. 'The evidence against him was incontrovertible. He was certainly the Potters' Secret-Keeper – James Potter told me so himself. And you know how the enchantment works; Black had to reveal the information willingly and without interference. He certainly did so, or Voldemort could not have attacked that night. And in any case, more than a dozen people witnessed what happened the following day. Sirius Black is not an innocent man.'

Albus' thoughts were drawn back to the strange events in the forest. There was something odd in it, to be sure; some piece he was missing. But it did not change what he knew to be true.

'He is Potter's godfather,' Gellert said pensively. 'Is there something in that? Does he have claims to the child?'

Albus shook his head. 'Not anymore. Harry's guardianship is legally with Petunia Dursley, and with myself. Black could not challenge that without a reversal of the charges against him. The title is ceremonial only, at this point.'

'Does the boy know?'

'No,' said Albus, feeling his patience wearing thin again.

'Albus, you should –'

'Please leave the decisions regarding Harry to me,' Albus said firmly. 'I shall decide if, and when, Harry needs to know such information. The time has not yet come.'

Gellert smirked again. 'I take it I am not the first to offer such suggestion,' he quipped. 'Very well, Albus. Your parenting decisions are your own.'

'I am not Harry's –'

'Let me just say this,' Gellert interrupted. 'I care not for whatever moral question there may be in sharing the information. But watching what the boy does with it… that could be quite interesting. Quite informative even, I think.'

Albus was horrified. 'Gellert, Harry is twelve,' he pointed out. 'This is not some twisted experiment. It is not a test to put him through.'

'Not yet,' Gellert acknowledged. 'But it could be, if you go about it correctly.'

'No,' Albus said icily. 'I would never –'

'Don't get on your high hippogriff, Albus,' Gellert mocked. 'You have done it before – allowed him to test his strengths; evaluated his weaknesses. It is your trademark, and I mean no insult by that. There is no shame in it.'

Albus felt his temper reaching breaking point. The room began to chill.

'I have endeavoured to teach Harry, very carefully,' he said quietly, in a tone that still rung with power. 'I will admit, at times, that has involved his being too close to dangerous situations for my comfort… and, sometimes, that has been necessary. He is of great importance, as I am sure you have guessed. He has talents that must be advanced and strengthened; lessons that must be learned. But I will not rip his heart in two and send him off into the world – just to watch which way the pieces will fall.'

'You are too close,' Gellert accused. He seemed superbly unfazed by the clearly growing danger in the headmaster's expression, calmly stirring his tea. 'You love him. It has blinded you. You forget that sometimes giving someone wings and letting them leap from the precipice is the only way to discover whether or not they can soar.'

'He is twelve, Gellert,' Albus repeated.

'And what were you like, Albus, at twelve years old? How much had you accomplished?' Grindelwald countered. 'He is young, of course, but the boy has already shown promising skill. If you wish for him to face the Dark one day, you ought to give him a chance to test his wings. Find out just how he will fly under the pressure. Tell him everything, give him the tools, and see what he does with them. It is not as though you won't be there to pick up the pieces if it goes wrong.'

'I do not intend to make Harry an Icarus,' Albus said. 'I will not craft him wings of wax, and set him to follow an unsteady path before he has learned how to navigate for himself. I will not watch him fall into the sea because he cannot plot the perilous course between complacency and hubris, Gellert. As I myself once did.'

'You did not fall, Albus,' Gellert retorted. 'You dove. You could have had everything – could have taken the sun itself. You gave it up. It was not pride or recklessness that brought you down. It was emotion. Just as it is emotion that holds you back today.'

Albus felt his heartrate accelerate… he should not have allowed discussion in such a direction. These were dangerous waters.

'It was reality,' Albus disagreed. 'And the fatal consequences of my own foolish arrogance. But I do not regret the direction my life has taken. I am a better man for it. I regret only that it came at a terrible cost. And I will not put Harry through such a test.'

Gellert shrugged. 'Suit yourself,' he said indifferently. 'But I think you are making a mistake.'

Albus stood, setting aside the now-empty cup of tea.

'Another intriguing conversation, Gellert,' he said, swinging his cloak around his shoulders. 'You have left me with much to consider, but I am afraid I must return to Hogwarts.'

'You'll be in touch, I take it?' said Gellert, standing as well and watching Albus ready his departure with an air of disappointment. 'I shall keep my eyes open, in the meantime.'

'Indeed,' said Albus drily, giving a nod as he turned to go.

To his shock, Gellert lunged suddenly forward, grasping his hand in a firm shake. He allowed it, though it gave him goose pimples – to touch this man's skin after so many decades… so much spilled blood. He was almost surprised to find them dry.

'Icarus flew too close to the sun, Albus,' Grindelwald said enigmatically, his violet eyes locked on Albus'. 'But, at least, he flew.'

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Chapter 13 Review Responses:

ChipmonkOnSpeed: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far! Harry's so fun to write when he's indignant when others are in the right… it's getting particularly interesting to get into his mind now that he is growing older.

Lollypops101 (Ch. 12): Thank you! I'm glad you liked that – it won't be the last Sirius flashback we see… chapter 15 will have at least one.

Anyeshabaner: Thank you for both your reviews! Happy you liked the Albus bit… I think, sometimes, it's easy to forget in all his 'Merlin-ness' (for both us and, sometimes, for the characters) that Albus is not an epitome of benevolence… even he has his limits.

AlsoKnownAsMatt: Thank you for reviewing again! Same comments as above, really… I see Albus as an incredibly tolerant and understanding man (years of wisdom, etc.), but there are limits involved – particularly where Harry is concerned. I think it was important for both his own and Severus's development in this story for those limits to be reached, and acknowledged. I hope you like the continuation.

AECM: Thank you! I think you've probably got your immediate answer from the above chapter… but certainly there's a way to go.

LordTicky: Thanks for reviewing! I hope you continue to like the story as we progress. I'm going to take a pass on your question, as I don't want to spoil it… but feel free to message me if you'd like my answer in private.

Wide Eyed and Curious: Thank you so much for the review and well wishes! I hope you liked the new chapter.

MotherBear: Thank you for your review! I think many of your queries have now been answered… but as for those final words from Sirius, we have still not heard Harry mention them. Does he know what was said? Does he remember? We'll find out very soon.

Psitomer: Thank you for your review, and for the link to the other fanfic! I will definitely check it out. Yes, Sirius certainly has some issues to work through… and Severus… well, I think I've put him through the ringer enough this instalment, but clearly he made some miscalculations. And he knows it. Harry – he still hasn't had his lecture yet. Or seen Snape. That should be fun… And best of luck on your projects!

A huge thank you as well to those Guests who reviewed!