Child of Hogwarts, Part II: The Marauder Legacy

by AimeretVivre

Sequel to COH, Part I. Follows Harry through Year Three at Hogwarts. See Part I for the premise... With Remus Lupin returned to Britain and Sirius Black on the move, Harry, Albus, Minerva and Severus continue to adjust to their changing realities and prepare for an uncertain future... while the ghosts of their pasts refuse to lie dormant. Mentorship; Training; Adventure.

34. Padfoot and Prongs

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A/N: Back again! I know it's been over a fortnight, and I do apologise… these last few weeks of pregnancy are super exhausting, and I haven't been up to as much writing as usual. In any case, I hope to get at least one more up before the little ones arrive.

Enjoy 'Padfoot and Prongs,' and please read and review!

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all familiar characters and/or story lines are the property of Joanne Rowling.

Chapter 34: Padfoot and Prongs

Sirius was crouched at the edge of the forest again, watching the cat's bottlebrush tail bob away into the darkness. He nosed the precious slip of parchment on the ground: the list of words displayed in a cramped, spastic hand…

This was it – the key inside. Past that wretched portrait. All he needed now was the right opening; the perfect night.

And he could do it, at last.

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It was a difficult start to February. Though Harry and Hermione were on good terms again, Ron's anger with Hermione was not as quick to fade. Harry tried to talk him round. He tried to repeat the things Snape had told him… though he wasn't sure he remembered them all right and he couldn't tell Ron that Snape had been the one to say them. Ron seemed to understand, perhaps, about the Firebolt. But he was still sore on Scabbers, and Harry could not offer much in the way of comfort.

For it did appear, truly, that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers. Even Hermione – who was still desperately asking random students to search under their beds – seemed resigned to the likelihood. She'd tried to shut the cat up in her room to keep him from Ron's wrath, but Crookshanks always seemed to find a way out again. The cat's continued untethered wanderings, meanwhile, only made Ron's moodiness worse. He had even got snippy with Harry, who he seemed to feel ought to have taken a similar stance of outrage toward both Hermione and the cat in solidarity.

Desperate for something to drag his friend from his sullenness (and hoping to avoid further temper aimed at himself), Harry reminded Ron about Gryffindor Quidditch practice the following Friday. It was the last scheduled training session before their match against Ravenclaw the next day, and Harry promised Ron the latter could test out the Firebolt's capabilities for himself after the practice. Ron brightened at the suggestion, and Madam Hooch (who had already delayed the start of drills for nearly half an hour with her appraisal of the broomstick) graciously agreed to stay out an extra fifteen minutes with them so Ron could take a couple of shots with the Quaffle.

The red-head left the pitch in an excited haze, jabbering on about the Firebolt's qualities as he and Harry made their way back up to the castle a bit behind Hooch's brisk walk. Harry was in a very good temper too. The practice had been brilliant. He didn't see how they could lose tomorrow, if they flew like that in the match. Not unless…

'– and no vibration at all with sudden swerves! I mean, even the Nimbus…. Harry?' Ron paused in his enthusiasm, realising Harry was no longer walking.

Harry wasn't listening. His heart was thumping a rapid beat against his ribcage. He squinted out into the darkened grounds, looking for the movement again. It couldn't be… not tonight…

'What is it, mate?' Ron asked warily. His fingers closed over Harry's forearm.

'I've just seen –' Harry began in a low hiss… but he stopped. The movement came again and Harry backed automatically toward Ron, drawing his wand. 'Lumos!' he whispered.

The beam of light illuminated the grass. A crouching figure was silhouetted against the trunk of the Whomping Willow. It was not the Grim.

'That bloody cat!' Ron swore. He reached down for a stone at his feet. 'She's still giving it free reign!'

'Ron, don't –' Harry said, reaching for his arm to stop him throwing the stone. Ron dodged, but it did not matter. Crookshanks vanished in a sweep of his bottlebrush tail.

'You should've let me –'

'Potter! Weasley! Why are you dawdling?'

Both boys jumped. Harry had almost forgotten about Madam Hooch. She was striding back toward them, hands on her hips as she glared.

'Sorry – we're coming, ma'am,' Harry said quickly.

He released Ron's arm, and they hurried back to the castle under Madam Hooch's chastisement.

Harry did not sleep well that night. He didn't have nightmares, exactly – not like the sort of gut-wrenching night terrors he'd been so often plagued with – but his dreams were peculiar.

He was in Magnolia Crescent again… Snape was throwing Harry behind him, snarling at him to take his arm… the dark, hulking dog was growling, stalking toward them…

He was flying…. Chasing the Snitch, Cedric Diggory hurtling toward him… the dog was alone in a high row of the stands, its grey eyes glinting as they fixed on Harry… and he was falling… down to the Dementors on the pitch below…

He was tugging Valerian root from the earth, in a meadow deep in the forest… and the grey eyes were watching him…

He was standing on a crimson hearthrug, much closer to his face than he would have thought possible… there was giant furniture all around him: a sofa, an armchair, a table that was taller than he was… He peered beneath it, where dark fur was visible… grey eyes were shining. He laughed, and snatched for it.

The fur moved. The Grim crawled out, making a run for it around the table's edge. Harry followed on unsteady legs… nearly tripping as he threw himself toward the animal. He embraced it, burying his face in the long, dark fur…

'Harry!'

Harry's eyes snapped open. His heart was pounding slightly again.

'You alright?' Ron asked, eying him weirdly as Harry pushed himself up against the bedframe.

'I… yeah,' Harry mumbled. He scrubbed at his face.

'Nightmare?' Ron asked, looking more apprehensive still.

Harry shook his head. 'Not really, just a strange… What time is it?' he asked suddenly, noting the bright sky outside. He felt as if he'd only just shut his eyes, but the sun was already well up.

'Nearly nine,' Ron confirmed. 'Wood's going a bit mental – rest of the team's gone down to the Hall already.'

'Bollocks,' Harry muttered. He jumped out of bed quickly, diving for his trunk to rummage for his Quidditch robes. Ron was sitting on the edge of his own four-poster, watching Harry with a frown as the latter emerged with a wadded heap of scarlet.

'You sure you're alright?' he asked, as Harry yanked on his boots.

Harry frowned, fumbling with the laces. 'Yeah,' he said gruffly. 'Just can't believe I've overslept. Hermione go down already?'

'How would I know?' Ron snarled. He pulled his pillow from its place, pummelling it almost absentmindedly.

'Look,' Harry said, straightening up with his Firebolt in hand. 'Can't you two just –'

'No,' Ron cut across him angrily. 'And I wish you'd just give it up, Harry.'

Harry opened his mouth to retort, but he stopped himself before the words left him. He sighed. It was too early… his reasoning hadn't caught up to him yet. And besides, they had Quidditch to worry about this morning.

'Fine,' he said curtly instead. 'Let's just… we'd better eat.'

The Great Hall seemed to have been waiting for them. Harry's teammates and form mates all rushed him at the door, walking him, Ron and the Firebolt toward the Gryffindor table as though they were escorting a pop star. Heads turned from every direction, whispers broke out at every table, and several students stood on their benches to get an aerial view of the broomstick. Harry felt a little embarrassed by all the attention. He caught a glimpse of the high table as they finally took their own seats. Dumbledore was smiling softly. McGonagall – decked out in the House colours with her magical megaphone on the table beside her – was glowing with pride and excitement. Snape, on Dumbledore's left side, fixed Harry with a steely glare.

An hour later, and Harry felt as worn out as though he'd already played the match. He nearly hugged Ginny Weasley when she finally asked Wood, in a tiny voice, whether the team ought not to be getting down to the pitch, as the hour was coming on eleven. He'd had four dozen admirers come over to evaluate the broom and wring his hand – from curious first year Gryffindors to Cedric Diggory and his Hufflepuff teammates. Even Malfoy and his cronies sauntered over for a peek, and Harry was thrilled to see the trepidation on Malfoy's face as he glowered down at the broomstick.

Wood, who had been thoroughly enjoying the reflected glory of Harry's new Firebolt, leapt up so quickly at Ginny's prompting that Harry thought he might have been electrified.

'Galloping Gorgons – I won't have time for a pep talk at this rate!' he cried in alarm, shooting a devastated glance at his wristwatch.

Fred and George gave an exaggerated high-five as the rest of the team stood, and all seven players made their way out of the Hall.

'You've got that Dementor problem sorted?' Wood asked Harry in an undertone as the team reached the locker rooms.

Harry swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of his wand where he'd strapped it to his forearm in Remus' runic holster. He really hoped he wouldn't need it. At least Remus would be in the stands, this time…

'Er – yes,' he said, trying to sound convincing. 'It'll be fine.'

'Good,' the captain said brusquely. 'Because we can't afford –'

'Oliver, the Dementors aren't going to show again,' George put in, emerging tousle-haired from his scarlet robes.

'Yeah, Dumbledore'd blow up Azkaban,' Fred said seriously as he chucked a pair of gloves at his twin.

George sniggered, pulling them on. 'Or throw Fudge in for a nice stay,' he opined.

'At Azkaban?' Fred scoffed. 'Nah. It'd be Nurmengard, if Dumbledore's got his say.'

'Nurmengard?' Harry repeated, frowning.

Fred and George rolled their eyes in unison. 'Nurmengard, Harry,' Fred repeated. 'You know – where Dumbledore chucked –'

'Five-minute warning!' A curt voice called from the pitch-side of the door.

Wood, who'd been watching the interlude with a bemused expression, jumped violently again.

'Enough chat!' he said in panic. 'I'll fetch the girls – got to make this quick.'

Wood gave them his abbreviated pep talk, and the Gryffindor team marched onto the pitch to tumultuous applause. The Ravenclaws were there already, dressed in deep blue and led by a handsome sixth year boy Harry recognised as Roger Davies. Harry considered the lot nervously. He hadn't played Ravenclaw yet at Hogwarts… they had been the opponent in the match he'd missed first year, when he had been unconscious in hospital wing. And last spring, McGonagall had cancelled the match. As Davies moved forward to shake hands with Wood, Harry caught sight of the Seeker: Cho Chang – the only girl on the Ravenclaw team.

She was small and delicate looking, with long, straight hair of a black so deep it had an almost violet sheen in the sunlight. She held her broom confidently in a textbook grip that would have done Madam Hooch proud. As Harry watched the breeze ruffle her hair, she looked up at him. He flushed at once to be caught in his staring. She gave him a small smile that set her dark eyes dancing. Harry couldn't help but notice she was very, very pretty.

'Mount your broom, Romeo,' a voice hissed at his ear.

Harry started a bit, shaken from his contemplation of the opposing players. The rest of the players were all staring at him now: unmoving with his broom hanging limply at his side. He felt his face burn as he hurriedly scrambled onto the Firebolt. Angelina straightened, shaking her head and laughing slightly as she swung a leg back over her own.

Great, now he looked like a prize idiot. And he'd delayed the start of the match…

The match. The Match!

She didn't matter… he had to beat her. Gryffindor would lose the Cup if he didn't.

Harry pushed thoughts of Cho Chang out of his head, as Madam Hooch's whistle urged them all up into the air.

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By Merlin, but he was brilliant.

Sirius had always loved Quidditch. Even now, vicariously, he felt a rush of pure joy – the high he remembered living so many times after his own triumphant matches as a student. That heady sense of invincibility, that decades ago would have had him strutting shoulder-to-shoulder back to the castle with James, punching the air and batting off admirers… wagging his eyebrows suggestively at Emma Smethley or Cassidy Biles, or whoever he'd been fancying that week. The blissful adrenalin that would have bled into an all-night party, until Minerva finally barged in to shut them down at half two…

It was even better, somehow, watching Harry instead. He flew remarkably – like he'd been born to seat a broom. The Firebolt was all Sirius had hoped it would be, but it was his godson who astounded. Sirius thought, watching the match today, he might even turn out better than his father. And James could have had his pick in the British league.

He had chosen a place under the stands today. It wasn't as conducive to a view as the empty row of seats he'd managed to perch himself in for the first match… but he could tell that Harry had been startled, when he'd seen him there that day. And it had been much more difficult to make his escape, when Dementors poured onto the pitch from every angle. In any case, the sky today was clear and bright, and he could see just fine through the gap beneath the stands. He'd been watching Harry practise from here too… and he hadn't yet been caught.

He chuckled to himself as the Gryffindor captain bellowed at his Seeker high above, angry that Harry seemed unwilling to unseat his pretty little opponent.

The commentator wasn't much help with the match, far too focused on the Firebolt's addition… but the day was clear enough to catch the action even without the megaphone's assistance. Sirius felt another pang of familiar longing, listening to McGonagall's attempts to curtail the commentary.

He watched as Gryffindor put away goal after goal, bringing the scarlet-clad players into a healthy lead. High above, the Ravenclaw Seeker seemed to be tailing Harry, who Sirius could tell was growing frustrated with the mimicry. He gave a silent cheer as the boy easily dodged a bludger, then held his breath as Harry went careening for the ground.

The crowd roared its approval and its upset in equal measure, thinking Harry had seen the Snitch below. The Ravenclaw girl hurried to follow… but Sirius saw no sign of gold among the grass…

As he'd expected, Harry straightened from the dive a few feet from the ground, shooting upward just as quickly. The girl – less skilled and on a slower mount – took longer to recover. In a flash, Harry was moving again; this time toward the far end of the pitch and the Ravenclaw posts. She rushed to copy him, gliding forward and upward… but she was so far behind… The crowd was roaring again, urging both their players onward…

And three dark shapes appeared, moving onto the pitch from between the stands. Sirius let out a growl that nobody could hear, torn between the base instinct to run and his desire to watch Harry to victory and safety.

It couldn't be…. Not again… Not when he was so close…

The crowd's enthusiasm was mixing with horror now. The Ravenclaw Seeker gave a squeal…

But fifty feet above, Harry's concentration barely wavered. His flicked his right hand – already outstretched for the Snitch – and his wand appeared from his sleeve.

'Expecto Patronum!' the boy bellowed, brandishing the wand with model precision toward the figures below.

The eruption from the crowd moments later told Sirius the match had ended; that his godson had captured the winged Snitch. But Sirius missed the catch entirely.

His gaze… his heart… all his attention was focused on the enormous silver-white figure that had burst from Harry's wand, charging down the Dementors like an avenging angel. He realised just as quickly that they weren't Dementors, as four students tumbled out of the long black cloaks in fright at the attack, the smallest falling from the shoulders of a friend. He was startled by the power behind the spell – a difficult feat for any wizard, let alone a child of thirteen. And this was no ordinary patronus… No, even among corporeal patronuses this creature was one of the largest and brightest Sirius had ever seen. But it was not even this, really, that made him feel as though he could not breathe beneath the stands.

It was the utter familiarity of the stag. But for the fact he'd seen Harry cast the spell himself… he would have thought James had returned to him.

For it was Prongs, to the letter. Great antlers set high upon a proud head… tufted chest and strong flanks. The stag bounded once around the stunned students and stopped, lifting its face to look at the crowd. And – for just the swiftest of moments – Sirius could have sworn the ghostly beast stared right at him.

But then it was gone, dissolving into shimmering mist.

The students were moving; cheering and shouting the results of the match… flooding the pitch below…

Harry was landing among a sea of scarlet, his wand and the Snitch both clutched high in a triumphant fist…

And Sirius crept backwards out of the stands… heading for the shelter of the trees again.

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'Well, it seems congratulations are in order all around, today,' Albus said quietly at Remus' ear. The Defence professor – who'd been watching over the edge of the box with wide eyes – jumped at the address.

'Pardon, headmaster?' he asked in a slightly shaking voice.

Albus smiled. 'That was an impressive achievement,' he clarified. He nodded his head toward the pitch, where Harry was surrounded by a growing group of teammates and friends. 'You have kept it under your hat, my boy. I had no idea Harry had managed the spell already. Well done.'

'He hadn't,' Remus whispered back in a rough murmur. 'Not until… I'd never seen it in its true form. Never, before today.'

Albus considered him. Remus' eyes were tearing. His gaze remained on the grass, though the stag had long since dissipated. Even over the tumult of student voices, Albus could hear Minerva's ringing chastisement of the Slytherin would-be saboteurs echoing up the stands.

'He really is so like him,' Remus said softly as Harry shook hands with the Ravenclaw captain. 'I suppose I should not be surprised…'

'He is, and he is not,' Albus opined. 'But the patronus channels that which protects us: our guardian. For some, it is a manifestation of a part of ourselves. For others, the fortification is drawn from elsewhere. Lily's protection lives in Harry's very being… I find it quite natural that James' should show itself as well, in its own way.'

'It looked just like him,' Remus whispered. His hand brushed gently through the air, as if to catch a piece of the vanished silver light.

'Just like his,' Albus corrected.

Remus started again, turning to glance at the headmaster with an expression as though he'd only just realised he was there.

'Yes, precisely,' he agreed, his voice much more its usual tone. 'I might go down and see…'

Albus nodded. 'I shall be just behind you,' he promised as they gathered their cloaks. 'I fear I shall need to intercede with Minerva…'

He watched Remus depart, frowning slightly. His own descent to the pitch was much slower. When he reached the grass, it was to find the professor with a hand on Harry's shoulder, guiding him away from the crowd toward the corner where Minerva was still in high temper. Harry was beaming. Albus, catching his eye, gave a small wink.

'– low and unworthy trick!' Minerva shouted furiously. 'Detention for every one of you – and fifty points apiece from Slytherin! When I speak to Professor Dumbledore – ah, here he is now!'

She was standing over four crumpled figures on the ground: Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle and Marcus Flint. The four boys stopped their struggle to disentangle themselves from the long, hooded robes they'd donned as the headmaster approached, all of them paling slightly. Albus kept his own face expressionless, but he knew they would feel his disapproval regardless. He flicked his wand once at the pile of limbs and faces. Draco Malfoy visibly flinched, but the headmaster's spell merely vanished the black cloaks.

'I think this conversation would be better suited to my office. What say you, Minerva?' he asked pleasantly.

The Transfiguration professor's mouth set in a grim smile. 'Oh, most assuredly, headmaster. Shall I escort them now?'

'If you would,' Albus agreed. 'I shall see if I can manage to locate Severus in all this celebration, and meet you there forthwith.'

She nodded primly, glowering while the boys got to their feet. Albus watched them off the pitch before turning to Harry. The boy was standing with Ron Weasley, both of them barely containing their laughter. Ron coloured as Albus approached them, and hurried off after the other Gryffindor players with a muttered word to his friend.

'A particularly fine capture,' Albus said with a smile. 'Your best yet, perhaps.'

Harry grinned back. 'I did it!' he burst out. 'I've never done it before – not a real one, like now. Of course…' his grin faltered slightly. 'They weren't real Dementors, so…'

'No,' Albus agreed, his own annoyance twinging again. 'They were not. But that does not negate the enormity of what you have accomplished, Harry. I am very proud of you.'

Harry flushed, eying the grass. 'Thanks,' he said gruffly.

'Tell me, what thoughts did you choose to focus the spell?' Albus asked in interest.

Harry looked up, brow furrowed. 'I'm… I don't really know,' he admitted. 'Everything was happening so quickly, and I was so focused on the match… I suppose I was happy already – I always am in the air. But mostly I was just determined not to fall again.'

Albus nodded. 'As seems to be your custom,' he teased, 'You show extraordinary ability under great pressure.

'Ron said it was a stag,' Harry said thoughtfully. 'I didn't really see… I was too busy trying to catch the Snitch. I'm a bit surprised, though. I wouldn't have thought…'

'I, on the other hand, was not surprised at all,' Albus said with twinkling eyes. 'But then… I have seen that patronus many times before, though it has been many years.'

Harry cocked his head in confusion. 'But… I thought patronuses were unique to the caster?'

Albus' smile grew. 'And so they are, Harry,' he agreed. 'And so they are.'

He gave the boy one last enigmatic smile, squeezed his shoulder, and headed off in search of his Potions Master.

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'Severus.'

Severus stopped with a sinking feeling, turning slowly to face the headmaster. He had hoped to make his escape without notice.

'Albus,' he replied, giving a short inclination of his head. 'Regards, another Gryffindor victory,' he said sarcastically.

Albus did not smile. 'Minerva has escorted your young charges up to my study already. I thought you might like to accompany me.'

Severus scowled. 'Your office, headmaster?' he repeated. 'Surely Minerva could handle this without your interceding.'

Albus frowned. 'Undoubtedly,' he agreed. 'And yet, their offence was a serious one, Severus. I should like to make my views on the matter unequivocally clear.'

'The brat is fine,' Severus pointed out tersely. 'And his team victorious. Just like his father before him, in more ways than even I would have thought.'

'Do not push me, Severus,' Albus warned. 'That Harry showed such talent today does not excuse the actions of your students.'

The professor swallowed down bile. He was angry, particularly after his own sharp words with Malfoy only the week before. But he detested when Albus – or Minerva, for that matter – interfered with discipline in his own House. And Potter had not been harmed, in the end…

'After all,' the headmaster added in a lower voice, 'Has it not been you, Severus, who has advocated all year that pranks which carry potentially lethal consequence must be treated as such?'

Severus snarled in reply. 'Do not,' he spat, 'Compare what Black, Potter and Lupin pulled all those years ago to this childish nonsense over a flying ball. Potter would not have fallen, no matter his fanciful spellwork… children in black cloaks could not possibly mimic the Dementors' effects. And you know it.'

'Perhaps,' Albus allowed, still frowning. 'Perhaps not – if they had succeeded in tricking Harry into a panic. And that is a crucial difference, Severus… whatever Black's purposes, James Potter had no intention of allowing you to face your death that day. I ask you – do you believe that your students' aims today were quite so honourable?'

Severus gave an indistinct noise in the back of his throat.

'Fine,' he ground out.

Albus swept for the doors at once, and Severus followed reluctantly. When they'd made it to the circular office, it was to find Minerva standing behind the headmaster's desk and all four of the miscreants seated before it. Crabbe and Goyle – on either end – looked vaguely sullen. Flint was eying Albus and Severus' approach warily. Draco, on the other hand, held his head high, scowling at everyone in the room.

Severus flicked his wand at the door behind him. It slammed hard, causing all four of the boys to jump. He kept his face expressionless as he followed in Albus' wake, taking the side opposite Minerva while the headmaster settled into his highbacked chair.

'I wish to impress upon all four of you the seriousness of what you attempted today,' Albus began. He was using that indefinable force again – letting the weight of his displeasure settle over the room like a chill. None of the four recipients dared to meet his eyes. 'Had your deception been successful, a student could have been grievously injured, perhaps worse.'

'You were there,' Draco pointed out insolently. 'Just like the last match. It wasn't as if Potter would have –'

'Hold your tongue, Draco!' Severus snarled.

Draco gave him a filthy glare, but he snapped his mouth shut obediently.

'And if I had stepped out, Mr Malfoy?' the headmaster asked politely. 'If neither I nor another professor had been able to get a clear aim at Harry's broom, or if he'd been hit by another player in the fall? Would you have been able to have that on your conscience; the blood of another on your soul?'

None of the boys replied, looking highly uncomfortable. Even Draco squirmed.

'It was a prank,' Marcus Flint mumbled to the polished desktop. 'We weren't looking to kill him, sir, or – or even hurt him. We just wanted Wood to kick him off before the next match. Take them out of the running for the Cup.'

Minerva made a noise like an angry tigress, but Albus held up a hand.

'Was that your intent?' he asked quietly. His gaze focused on Flint first, but moved slowly to take in the other young faces too. The students were all determinedly staring at their knees.

The headmaster sighed. 'Murder is not so easy as the innocent believe,' he opined softly. 'Nor, sadly, can we control the repercussions of malicious or reckless acts, even when we do not wish to cause bodily harm. I trust you will remember this, in future. For nothing cuts so deeply into the psyche as bitter remorse for that which we cannot take back.'

Albus waited for all four to give their muttered assent, then turned to Severus. 'Severus, I understand Minerva has already issued punishments. Should you like to add anything…'

'No, headmaster,' said Severus smoothly. 'I shall return my students to their common room, if they are through here.'

Albus nodded in assent, and Severus jerked his head for the four boys to precede him to the door. Wisely recognising his ire, none spoke as he marched them down the many flights of stairs, straight to the dormitory entrance.

'In,' he said shortly, jerking his head at the stone wall. 'Not you, Draco,' he added. He shot out a hand to stop the smallest from passing, glaring until Crabbe followed the others inside. He took Draco firmly by the upper arm, half-leading, half-dragging him down the corridor and through into an empty dungeon classroom.

'Get off!' Draco complained, yanking his arm free as Severus snapped the door behind them. 'What the –'

'Silence,' Severus commanded. He waved a hand impatiently at the wall behind him, setting the torch flames alight. Draco gulped.

'What did I tell you,' he asked silkily, 'About messing about with Potter?'

Draco rolled his eyes. 'We weren't in your classroom,' he pointed out. 'Or in the dungeons outside the classroom, or anything. The pitch is –'

'You were in front of the entire school, Potter's Head of House and the headmaster of this school, Draco,' Severus retorted scathingly. 'You are either supremely arrogant, or supremely foolish. I am not sure which I would prefer. Either, I might add, is equally likely to get you killed.'

'I'm not either,' Draco insisted stubbornly.

'Oh, but you are,' Severus sneered. 'Because either you did not think yourselves likely to get caught – believing you could outwit every teacher in this castle… or you did not think you would be punished for your actions. And knowing Albus Dumbledore's regard for Potter; knowing my explicit instruction Friday last… I would have thought the flaw in the latter would have been obvious even to Gregory Goyle. That you could overlook this, Draco, is a severe disappointment.'

The boy coloured. 'He didn't get hurt,' he repeated in a mumble.

'Immaterial,' Severus spat. 'You should thank Merlin you did not cause him injury with your feeble attempt, or I promise you tonight would be your last at this castle – no matter your father's influence in London.'

'Dumbledore wouldn't expel me,' Draco scoffed. 'Even for Potter. He's too soft! Father says Hogwarts hasn't expelled a student in almost –'

'Do not let benevolent airs fool you, boy,' Severus interrupted in a growl. 'You are too young to remember… but Lucius is most certainly not. And your father did not come out the better, when last he faced off with the headmaster. Albus Dumbledore is not a wizard to be trifled with, Draco. He makes as powerful an enemy as he does an ally. And if you continue to bait Harry Potter under his nose, you will find out precisely why.'

He opened the door to the room.

'Think with logic, Draco. Not with petulance. I will not give such warning again.'

And, leaving Draco staring after him from the doorframe, he swept away down the corridor.

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It was a raucous night in Gryffindor Tower. Harry had wandered back up to the castle with the stragglers from the pitch, still pondering Albus' odd words at the end of their interaction. But any thoughts of an evening spent in quiet contemplation were immediately dashed as he reached the portrait hole. Hands pulled him through before the portrait had entirely opened – clapping him on the back, shoving sweets and crisps into his arms, dragging him around to the rest of the team by the fire. For the entire afternoon and well past nightfall, the House celebrated and sang, toasted and ate. Fred and George Weasley slipped off after supper for a couple of hours, returning with a suspiciously small bag into which dozens of butterbeers, Honeydukes sweets and several parcels with Zonko's wrappings had managed to squeeze.

'Where'd you get all this?' Alicia Spinnet asked in wonder, taking a bottle of butterbeer from Fred with a distrustful raised eyebrow.

'Magic,' Fred quipped back with a dazzling smile. He leaned over to pop the cork for her.

George gave Harry a significant wink as he swiped a Fizzing Whizbee from the air. He shook his head, smirking.

'Harry.'

Harry turned round to find Hermione at his elbow, looking both impressed and slightly tearful. On instinct, he glanced toward Ron on the other side of the room. Ron was engaged in excited recap of the match with Neville and Dean, but his ears were tell-tale scarlet.

'You've had another row?' Harry asked, annoyed.

'Not a row, precisely,' Hermione disagreed. She twisted her fingers nervously. 'I just wanted to talk to him…'

'I know,' Harry cut in quickly. 'I'm sorry – it's not your fault. I'm just sick of being in the middle, you know?'

'Yes,' Hermione agreed quietly. 'Anyway, Harry, you played brilliantly today.' She smiled. 'And that patronus…'

'Yeah,' Harry said, 'Thanks.' He was still in slight shock. 'I dunno if I'll be able to manage it again, but –'

'You will,' Hermione assured him. She led them a bit away from the crowd, toward a corner table. Harry saw she'd spread it over already with assignments.

'It's always like that with magic, isn't it? Once you've managed to get it right once, you never really forget that feeling.'

'I… suppose,' said Harry uncertainly. 'I don't reckon it will be quite so easy with a real Dementor there though.'

'That was a nasty trick Malfoy played,' she hissed.

Harry chuckled in spite of himself. 'Yeah, well, Albus took all of them up to his office with Snape and Minerva. I can't imagine they're too chuffed about it now.'

'It's not funny!' Hermione spat, frowning as Harry continued to grin. 'They might have done you a serious injury, Harry. You could have –'

'I wasn't though, Hermione,' Harry said, sobering again. 'I mean, I'm not glad they did it, or anything… but it's nice to know I can do the spell at all, even if they weren't actually Dementors. Maybe this will be the breakthrough… maybe I can do it against the boggart at least, now I've managed this much.'

'What does Remus say?'

'Nothing, yet,' Harry said. He frowned himself now, thinking back on Remus' reaction at the pitch. 'He was pleased, mind. But he was… strange.'

'What do you –'

'Oi, Harry!'

Harry jumped, turning at the summons. He'd almost forgotten there was a common room full of students around them. Fred, George, Oliver and Angelina were by the fire, passing around a shifty bottle that looked suspiciously like Firewhisky. Fred beckoned his hand imperiously at him.

Harry raised an eyebrow.

'Chatting about you and that sweet young Ravenclaw,' Fred explained with a wicked grin. 'Feeling a bit randy out there, were you?'

Harry felt his face burn. Angelina choked so badly on her sip of the bottle that Oliver had to clap her hard on the back, shaking the whisky loose from her hand. George dived at once to catch it before it smashed to the floor. Several onlookers laughed.

'Dunno what you're on about,' Harry insisted loftily. He swiped a fresh butterbeer off a side table so hard he left shallow scrapes in the wood. 'Just because I didn't want to push her off her broom…'

'Wanted her on yours, I take it?' George added, wagging a suggestive eyebrow.

'George!'

The chastisement was so sharp, and George's cringe so deep, that Harry thought fleetingly Mrs Weasley had somehow appeared in the Gryffindor common room. But then he saw it was Ginny, who stood just a few feet away with a group of second years. She was glaring at her brother with a very Molly Weasleyish expression, hands on her hips. George sputtered into uncharacteristic silence.

Everyone within hearing range was snorting on their drinks now, except for Ginny and Hermione – who looked nearly as stern. Harry, scowling, gathered what was left of his dignity and headed across the room to stand with Ron and his form mates in their corner instead.

'Don't know why you care,' Ron said bracingly, clapping Harry on the shoulder as he joined them. 'They're always taking the mickey.'

'In front of everyone?' Harry complained in a hiss. 'Now they'll all think I fancy Cho.'

Dean shrugged. 'She's well fit, mate,' he put in seriously.

'And she's a good flier,' Seamus opined.

'And I don't even know her,' Harry pointed out. 'Just drop it, yeah? Have all the crisps gone?'

Gradually, people seemed to move on from Harry's love life as the party grew more boisterous with each passing hour. McGonagall finally turned up just after one in the morning, draped in a tartan dressing gown and with the expression of post-temper irritation that Harry recognised so well by now.

He ducked toward the spiral staircase before she even began to shout.

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Sirius prowled the forest path while he counted down the hours. Twilight was just settling over the trees, sending beams of scarlet and violet through the branches. It glistened off the few patches of snow that had survived the thaws. He sighed in contentment.

Tonight. He'd do it tonight. The thrill of the match, the knowledge that the school would be sated and peaceful by the early morning hours… the wonderful list that the cat had brought him… he had a good feeling, tonight.

By this time tomorrow, he could be ringing in twilight a free man.

His feet carried him down the old haunt automatically, to the edges of the meadow in which he'd seen his godson and Snape so many months ago. He threw himself upon the flat rock at the border, watching the moon rise.

A few hours' rest… then he would go…

Soft humming woke him. For a moment, in the bleary realm between sleep and wakefulness, he did not quite register the sound. Then his eyes popped wide at its nearness. It was still fairly light; the moon had not yet risen. He raised his head, readying to flee…

A young girl was seated next to him, sorting through a pile of odd-looking green, bulbous plants. She was banging each round root off the stone, as if performing some sort of test. Most she placed into a little basket at her side. Others she chucked over her shoulder to the earth again. She did not seem to notice her hulking companion.

This girl had to be one of the oddest children Sirius had ever witnessed. She had dirty blonde hair that hung in loose waves almost to her waist, obscuring most of her face from view. She wore Hogwarts robes with the Ravenclaw crest, though the eagle was barely visible beneath a hand-knit scarf and the tattered edge of a bohemian bag. On her feet, Sirius noted mismatched boots in lurid shades of green and pink. She looked vaguely familiar, though it could not have been possible they'd met before. Sirius was certain he would not have forgotten making this child's acquaintance… and she had to be Harry's age, or perhaps younger. He could not have known her before Azkaban. It was possible, he supposed, that he'd just seen her peripherally in the grounds; perhaps in the stands.

He was so fascinated by her strange appearance and odd little routine, he quite forgot he ought to be making himself scarce.

And then she stopped her humming.

'I wondered when you'd wake,' the girl said softly. She did not turn immediately, but Sirius could tell she was speaking to him.

He stayed still and silent, debating whether running was the safest option.

'Don't worry,' she continued, choosing another plant. 'I haven't been waiting long. I wouldn't have intruded at all, of course, but this is the best spot for weighing the gurdyroots.'

Sirius stared, utterly confused. He supposed she was referencing the bulbous plants.

As if in answer, the girl held one out toward him. 'They're quite useful,' she told him seriously. 'They ward off pests, of course. We use them at home for the Gulping Plimpies, mostly, but they don't keep well in the post. This is the first natural patch I've managed to find.'

She smiled sweetly at him. Sirius blinked. The girl took the gurdyroot back again, banging it off the stone like the others.

'Infested,' she said with a sigh, chucking that one away. She lifted another in its place.

'I'd offer you one,' the girl said, 'But of course, there's nowhere for you to hold it, now. I suppose I could leave one here for you – for when you change back to a man…'

Sirius stiffened automatically, feeling his hackles raise in alarm. The girl merely smiled vaguely again. She leaned forward toward him. Every logical part of his brain was screaming at him to flee… but something held him in place. He stared into the girl's eyes; but he could not discern what she knew.

'It's alright,' the girl whispered conspiratorially. 'You aren't bad at it, or anything… it's just your expression. The eyes; you know. People always miss the eyes, somehow, don't they?'

She shrugged, beginning the odd examination process again with the new plant.

'I wish I had another form too,' the girl mused as she banged. 'It must be so lovely not to have to wear shoes… and of course, the Blibbering Humdingers won't mate with humans too nearby. I've always wanted to watch that.'

Sirius shook himself, wondering if he'd finally cracked. The girl seemed completely unperturbed as she stowed the latest plant in the basket. Sirius supposed this one was free of infestation with… whatever it was that infested gurdyroots. She tilted her head, considering him.

'I'm not allowed to be here either, you know,' she said kindly. 'No… the forest isn't permitted, for students. But I like it here. It's quiet, and safe – if you're a friend to the ones at home here. The forest harbours only the innocent. And somehow, they can always tell, can't they?'

He stared at her. The girl did not seem to be expecting an answer.

'Yes…' she continued, nodding to herself. 'I suppose I'll get into terrible trouble, if I'm caught. But nobody seems to notice when I've come out here. It's liberating, isn't it? Anonymity… It can get lonely, sometimes, but it has its upsides too. I suppose you have your reasons.'

She stood in her odd, mismatched boots, pulling the full basket up with her.

'Well, it was lovely to chat with you,' she told him sincerely. 'I haven't had proper conversation in weeks. I'm Luna, by the way.'

She held out her hand expectantly. Sirius, at a complete loss, stared at it blankly for a moment. Then, feeling like a complete dolt, he bumped his head once under her palm. This must have been the right thing to do, for Luna smiled.

She turned her face to the sky, watching the brightening moon.

'I ought to go back, I suppose,' she said at last. 'After all – we can't stay hidden forever, can we?'

She gave one last smile in parting and whirled, skipping off toward the path with her straggly hair bouncing and her basket swinging. Sirius watched her out of sight in bemusement, contemplating the odd interaction. When the humming at last faded from view, he too turned his face skyward, taking in the waxing moon.

No…

He could not.

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He was in the forest, his broomstick clutched in one hand as he walked along the leaf-strewn path. Ahead, a bright, gleaming Stag was guiding his way, its eerie light the only illumination amidst the trees.

The stag began to move faster… cantering now, yet leaving no prints in the earth. Harry sped up. He was panting, trying to keep it in sight… Then the beast veered off behind a great oak tree. Harry hurried to the place, but he was too late. The stag had gone.

Panting, Harry clutched at the wood of the tree, his eyes desperately scanning the darkness…

A flicker.

He smiled, moving for the light…

He'd found the meadow; the one with the valerian plants… the grey eyes were here again, watching him through the edges of the forest. Harry moved for them automatically… but he blinked, and the eyes were no longer there.

It was the stag again, majestic and proud, watching Harry as the boy grew closer and closer. Harry reached out to touch him… but his hand merely passed through the light. He brought it down again, searching the silver face...

The stag looked up – up to the sky… and it morphed; became a silvery white phoenix. Harry stepped back in shock as the ghostly bird gave a mournful cry, soaring overhead. As he watched, the phoenix rose higher and higher, until its form was lost entirely – blending into a bright full moon…

He had to find it.

He mounted the broomstick, kicking off from the meadow…

And he tumbled at once to soft, warm earth. The Firebolt had thickened; it was brightly coloured with a plastic seat as it laid itself down on the grass beside him.

Harry was in a garden, surrounded by high, brick walls. The grass was smooth and lush beneath his knees; flowers of varying colours bloomed from beds set around him.

The Stag stood sentry, its head bent toward him… its silver-white form transparent in the bright sunlight.

Harry giggled. He edged closer… reaching for the light…

And something tackled him from behind.

He let out a gasp of surprise, turning his head… grey eyes were staring at him, surrounded by black fur. He reached up to touch the dog's muzzle…

'AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH!'

Harry started awake, disoriented and gasping. He fumbled clumsily for the opening in his hangings, as Ron's cry cut off with an oddly chocked gurgle.

'What's going –' Seamus Finnigan began sleepily. But he too was cut off midsentence, just as Harry found the gap and yanked the hangings open.

In the millisecond that he could take in the room, he saw Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean all frozen – stiff as logs in their respective beds. A tall, filthy man stood in the space between his four-poster and Ron's, a long silver knife clutched in one skeletal hand, Ron's new willow wand held in his left.

Sirius Black had come again.

'Expelliarmus!' he cried automatically; desperately. Ron's wand went flying out of Black's hand at the wandless spell, clattering to a rest somewhere against the far wall.

Harry did not even have time to scream.

Black whirled at once, and he had barely taken a second breath before the man was upon him. Rough hands forced him horizontal again, the one that had held the wand coming up to slam against his mouth, stifling his voice entirely. Harry bucked and struggled in vain, attempting to free himself. He felt the graze of the silver knife rip his pyjamas and tickle dangerously at his torso as he writhed. Without dropping it, Black managed to grasp Harry's wrists in an iron grip. He tried to bite the man's fingers… but the hand on his mouth was jamming his jaws in place.

'Stop!' Black rasped out in a low voice. 'Don't, Harry, I'm not going to hurt you.'

The long silver knife cut a shallow line in Harry's forearm as he spoke, where Harry was still attempting to wrench his hands free. He looked desperately toward the door to the room… but it did not seem their scuffle had awoken those in the dormitories below. Ron's eyes – just visible in the gap between Black's elbow and his robes – were wide as saucers as they tracked the pair in silence.

'Harry!' Black called again, a bit louder. 'Look at me!'

Harry did. He was not sure why. Beneath the tangle of matted hair, he found Black's eyes: curiously bright, familiar grey eyes.

He stopped his struggling momentarily, startled.

'That's it,' Black crooned. 'It's alright, Harry.'

Still, Harry was frozen.

'Wandless magic,' Black said in a whisper. 'Impressive. Your father would be –'

But the words brought reality rushing back. Harry bucked again, so unexpectedly that he was able at last to rip one hand free…

How DARE this man talk about his father… after what he'd DONE to them? HOW DARE HE…

'Harry, no!' Black cried again, as Harry's flailing wrist sliced hard against the blade of the knife in its escape. Harry felt a sharp pain that barely registered through his panic and anger… and then hot, sticky liquid began to soak the bedclothes.

'Shite,' Black muttered. He flung the knife away, farther down the bed, moved Harry's still-pinned hand to beneath his knee instead, and grasped the tousled bedsheet. He caught up the bleeding arm in the folds of the fabric, pressing hard against the gash as he kept Harry trapped. Harry let out a muffled roar at the contact. Black's eyes snapped to his face again.

'The Rat,' he said, his voice much harsher. He was bent so close that Harry could feel hot breath against his cheeks. 'The Rat, Harry! I'm here for –'

The door of the dormitory burst suddenly ajar, banging off the wall.

'Ron? I thought I heard –'

Both Black and Harry turned at once. Percy Weasley was framed in the doorway, his eyes widening in shock and horror as he spotted Black and Harry on the bed. Faster than Harry would have thought possible, the Head Boy had his wand drawn from his dressing gown.

'Stupefy!' Percy bellowed, brandishing the wand at Black.

But Black was ready for the curse. He dived off the bed in a flash. The stream of red light smashed the water jug on the window ledge instead, sending a torrent of ceramic shards over the floor. Harry struggled to sit up as Black's hand shot out, reclaiming the knife from the end of the mattress.

'Percy!' Harry called desperately as Black made for the door.

Percy had his wand raised again, but Black was quicker. He shoved Percy bodily with his shoulder, sending the boy crashing to the floor. Percy's wand bounced out of his hand on impact.

'He's getting AWAY!' Harry roared, watching the tattered hem of Black's robes slip round the end of the door. He threw himself to his feet, scrambling after the traitor.

'No, Harry!'

Percy had pulled himself up again. He caught Harry round the middle and yanked him back from the door. 'Finite,' Percy ground out, waving his wand with the other hand at the four frozen figures in their beds.

'Let… me… go!' Harry snarled, pushing frantically at Percy's restraint. Behind them, he could hear the others getting unsteadily to their own feet.

'Are you mad?' Percy hissed. He latched the other arm around Harry's waist too, grunting with the effort. 'He'll kill you! He's – Harry, you're bleeding… Merlin, it's everywhere –'

The older boy's grip loosened slightly in his shock, and Harry took the advantage. He pushed himself at last free of his second captor of the night, and hurled himself through the door before Percy or any of the others could stop him again.

He raced down the spiralling stairs, blood pumping in his ears and hatred fuelling his heart.

He'd get him… this was it… Black had stayed too long; someone had heard. Black didn't have a wand…

Doors to the other dormitories opened as he passed, the boys of other forms roused by the fight at last, or perhaps by the stomping of fleeing figures on the stairs. Bleary-eyed first years peeked out at the fourth turn, and Fred and George emerged still grinning from the evening.

'Excellent, are we – Harry?' Fred asked, his smile faltering as Harry pushed roughly past him.

He burst into the common room, ignoring the mutterings and shouts he could hear in the stairs behind him. But the room was deserted entirely.

This did not make sense… how could he not have caught him up by now? Black ought to have at least been here, if he hadn't found him on the stairs… Had he already gone through the portrait hole?

Before Harry could decide whether to search the room or leave the Tower, the flood of students erupted through the door behind him. Ten hands were suddenly on him, pulling him back toward the sofas.

'Are you MENTAL?' Ron bellowed. His face was bloodless as it came into view in front of Harry's. He pressed the bloodied sheet back on Harry's arm. Harry held it there, still fuming.

'Ron,' Percy said in semi-chastisement, 'Enough. Everyone – keep here and keep together, I ought to get –'

'What's going on?' George demanded, frowning.

'Why's Harry –' Colin Creevey cut in.

'Who's –'

There was another thunder of footsteps, and suddenly girls were streaming into the common room too.

'What's with the racket?' a seventh year with a hairnet demanded.

'Professor McGonagall told us to pack it in!'

'Harry – oh my god, what's happened?' Hermione asked in shock. She pushed through the crowd, rushing for the cluster of boys at the nearest sofa. She lifted the edge of the sheet with trembling fingers. 'How did you –'

'Sirius Black,' Ron said curtly. 'In the dormitory. Had a knife, woke me up and then went for Harry.'

The common room went utterly still. Hermione's fingers clenched so hard that Harry let out a hiss.

'Sorry! Sorry!' she wailed, pulling the sheet back over the wound and pressing to stop the blood. 'Someone needs to get –'

'Now, really, this is out of order!'

Harry felt a rush of relief. Minerva was back, slamming the portrait hole behind her as she strode angrily into the Tower.

'I am thrilled that Gryffindor won the match, but this is –'

She paused, catching sight of Harry for the first time. Her eyes flashed as she took in the bedsheet, and then roamed the crowd of pale-faced students.

'What has happened?' she demanded. She moved quickly to Harry's side, crouching down to examine his arm and the nail gauges etched in his face.

'Sirius Black!' Ron said, backing away so she could get in. 'Here, in our dormitory. He attacked us – cut Harry with a knife!'

McGonagall's face grew hard. She looked between Harry, Ron and Percy.

Percy cleared his throat. 'It's true, professor,' he said gravely. 'I don't know how he got in, but I saw him myself. He ran for it and Harry chased him, we followed…'

'You did what?!' Minerva hissed, glaring at Harry so fiercely he was vaguely surprised not to have been hexed.

'Never mind that – he's gone, professor! We have to find him! He's got to be in –'

'Mr Weasley, Mr Wood,' Minerva cut across him, 'Go together and fetch the headmaster at once. Ms Fuller, Ms Jones,' she turned to point at two seventh year girls, 'Run and wake Madam Pomfrey. Nobody else is to leave the Tower.'

The four students hurried for the portrait hole, wands out and faces tense.

'I can go down to the wing on my own,' Harry grumbled, irritated at the thought of Madam Pomfrey bustling about with the entire House watching. 'It's not even that deep a cut.'

'You are not to move from my sight,' Minerva said sharply. 'And I will not leave the Tower unprotected, when we've no idea where Black has gone. Stay seated and silent, for Merlin's sake, until Albus gets here. Ms Granger – come hold this tight.'

She waited until Hermione had taken her place, then drew her own wand from the folds of her tartan dressing gown. 'I want a word with the knight,' she explained brusquely, sweeping for the portrait. The House watched in stunned silence as Sir Cadogan boasted proudly of the man who had had all the week's passwords, written out on a little slip of parchment. He confirmed, at least, the Black had certainly left the Tower 'in high haste,' which seemed to relax Minerva just a fraction.

Poor Neville was soon receiving the sharpest chastisement Harry had ever heard Minerva impart – and that included his own reprimand after the forest this summer and the vicious tongue lashing he'd witnessed that very afternoon. He felt awful for him just watching, and was so distracted he missed Hermione and Ron's whispered conversation for several minutes. Many of the others had broken away now, chatting quietly in smaller groups or shooting fearful looks at Minerva's tirade.

'Harry?' Ron asked, closer to Harry's ear. Harry jumped back a bit.

'Wh – sorry,' he said, shaking his head a bit. 'I didn't hear…'

Ron and Hermione exchanged a worried look. He pushed himself a bit straighter against the cushions of the sofa.

'What?'

'We… we were just saying,' Hermione began tentatively. 'That it's a bit odd – don't you think?'

'What's odd?' Harry repeated dully. The adrenalin was fading now… leaving growing pain in his arm, and boiling anger in his stomach.

'That Black just up and left, mate,' Ron said in an undertone. 'You know… he put petrificus totalus on us… it would have been just as easy to kill us. And then – he stops for a nice chat with you?'

'I wouldn't call it nice,' said Harry darkly, brandishing his blood-soaked arm. Hermione yanked it back with a glare.

'Still though,' she said, 'Why did he talk to you at all? Ron had already shouted by then, hadn't he? He must have known there was a good chance someone would hear… I would have thought he'd run then, or else…'

She trailed off, looking scared again.

'Kill me, and get out?' Harry offered harshly. 'Yeah, well, that would have made more sense. Maybe he wanted to goad me – going on about my father…'

'But that's mad!' Hermione said.

'Hermione, he's a madman,' Ron said pointedly. 'Of course he –'

'He's not, though,' Harry disagreed. He frowned, trying to consider through the growing fog of pain and fatigue. 'He's not mad; not in the real sense… that was the whole point. It's why he got out in the first place… He said he didn't want to hurt me –'

'Oh yeah,' Ron said with a mirthless laugh. 'That's honesty…'

'He has these grey eyes…' Harry remembered hazily, hardly following the train of conversation as bits of the night came back to him. 'I dreamt about them, I think. Only it didn't feel like a dream, really. It was more like, a memory…'

Ron and Hermione exchanged another significant look.

'Harry, mate, you've lost a lot of blood,' Ron put in bracingly. 'You can't know what you –'

'No,' Harry said in a sharper voice. 'I saw him, Ron – he was inches from me, with that knife. And I felt –'

'He was there, Harry, remember?' Hermione said in a whisper. 'You told us yourself… he was friends with your mum and dad. You probably do remember.'

Harry shook his head. 'But that's just it,' he said. 'I don't think… in my dreams, I don't remember his face. The eyes… they're the eyes of the Grim.'

Ron went whiter still. Even Hermione looked frightened. Harry barely noticed, still musing aloud.

'But why does the Grim have Sirius Black's eyes?'

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Review Responses, Chapter 33

Me (Guest Reviewer): Thank you for your review! Oh, you and me both – nothing quite lives up to the experience of reading a fresh-off-the-press Harry Potter novel. That I am unlikely to experience the sensation again makes me both terribly sad and terribly grateful that I have the memories at all.

Though I cannot hope to replicate the feeling, I will do my best to get these chapters out promptly and am very happy you are enjoying this story so much! Great thought on Harry and Severus/Lily… I cannot answer, of course, but I will hint that I wrote this scene after a certain other interaction which takes place in what will be Part V and differs from the canon reveal… as I did not feel I would be able to bring this conversation where I wanted it without firming up what I wished to happen later on. So it is good to be thinking ahead.

I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

AECM: Thanks for reviewing! Don't worry – I think Harry has learned a lesson this past chapter. He won't be ignoring Hermione. Hope you enjoy Chapter 34!

AlsoKnownAsMatt: Thanks for reviewing! I am sorry you dislike Ron – I can see your scruples, and I think some of them are quite true… but I also think Ron is a typical young boy who takes a bit longer to mature at times and can, as Luna later points out, be rather cruel in his teenage thoughtlessness. At the same time, Scabbers was his pet… and Hermione did rather ignore his repeated attempts to eat him… so I can sort of see where he is coming from, even though I hate that it happens this way. Don't worry though – he gets a bit better in chapter 35 (as it helps that Harry's reaction is a bit more mature than in canon).

Snape! So glad you liked that bit. We don't get to see him too much as Head of House, so I was excited to explore that role a bit here. And his talk with Harry is one of the most valuable pieces of advice Harry has received yet, in my view – I thought it might be interesting to have Snape impart the wisdom, this time, as opposed to Albus. This is Snape's particular area of knowledge, after all.

Hope you like chapter 34!

Valkyrie-Sythe: Thanks for your review! Haha yes… so many nerves. But I hope it will be a satisfyingly shocking moment (or is it series of moments?) when it all comes together. Enjoy Chapter 34!

Anyeshabaner: Thank you for reviewing! Happy to hear you liked the chapter. I am well – just off my usual sleeping habits… but c'est la vie, at the moment.

Hope you enjoy Chapter 34!

MoonshineMadame: Thank you for reviewing! And, of course, welcome back :) the chapters posted very close together anyway, so I hardly blame you for not rapid-fire reviewing.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapters! The Cattermole reference – yes, there is a family relation, though Stefan is not a child of Reg and Mary Cattermole, who we meet in the seventh book. Incidentally, the little Ravenclaw girl is a Selwyn – a Pure-blood name which also gets some canon play. I agree with you on the children's fault… I find it difficult, myself, to feel much sympathy for Ron or Harry – they most definitely acted in poor judgment. Poor Hermione – she really was trying to do the right thing. Interesting query on an alternate chain of events… yes, I do believe Hermione would have realised more than Harry does if Snape had taken her upstairs. I think she may already – she certainly hints as much at Christmas in Part I.

The kids' fighting… I'm glad you approved. Too often, I feel that readers expect they will have this perfect friendship that is always sunshine and roses… and that is just not realistic, even for Harry Potter. Children argue (adults argue, for that matter); they hold each other responsible even where they shouldn't… and no friendship is without strife. Still, it is perhaps through these moments of trial that we realise what true friendships mean to us, and what we are willing to do to ensure they endure.

I think that leads us to Snape's advice. He is the last person you'd expect to care… but then again, is he? I think Snape, perhaps more than anyone else in the series, understands the value and the delicate nature of real friendship. Everything he said to Harry, here, he could have spoken to a younger version of himself about Lily. True, Snape's feelings for Lily were romantic in nature as well… but she was also his friend – his dearest friend – above all else. And, of course, his later friendship with the wrong sort led him into Lord Voldemort's service… and there are lessons to be gained from that as well. Snape cloaks his advice in the guise of ensuring Harry pulls his wandless magic up to scratch… but I think it's fairly clear from his perspective in the scene that the excuse is tangential at best (though Harry buys the excuse). Snape's true motives are a bit more complex. Perhaps it hits at the old wound – his own mistakes where Lily was concerned… perhaps he worries that pushing Hermione away will have a negative effect on Harry's ability to fulfil his destiny… perhaps he is simply looking to repair the friendship between Harry and Hermione because he cannot repair his relationship with Lily, and aiding her son is the next best thing. All valid motives, I think. I'm not sure even Snape has worked out why it is he goes there – but only that he's going to do it.

Sorry, that answer might have made more sense in my head.

Huzzah! Harry and Hermione reconciliation! I love her – and I loved writing Harry's maturity in that scene. And he, at least, is in a fairly good place with everyone right now – he's made up with Remus, he has worked through most of his anger at Albus and Minerva and pushed past their disappointment with him, and he's even in a semi-less-hostile position with Snape. Of course, the 'death' of Scabbers throws things off with Ron/Hermione… but we'll see how that plays out.

Fanmail charms! Haha, yes – this is actually something we had an allusion to way back in the early part of autumn term in Part I, when Snape finds Harry in the corridor after his detention with Lockhart. He snidely remarks that Harry must be used to answering such post, and Harry retorts that he's never received fanmail. Snape thinks about this odd fact, and makes a note to find out from Albus why that might be… but I left the answer open until now. I've always found it an interesting quandary… and this odd 'charm' is my answer to it. The charm (which is more a protection spell than the 'fanmail' way Minerva lightly describes it here) doesn't actually vanish or banish any letters from fanatics; instead, the post is 'diverted' elsewhere. Perhaps we shall get a fuller explanation if/when Harry brings the subject up with Albus.

On Albus… yes, I think there are definitely downsides to his protective instinct. They will play out, in due course. As (of course) will Harry's eventual enlightening as to the headmaster and Minerva's relationship.

And Sirius… he is more sane than the other prisoners, quite true: because, of course, his innocence protects his mind in part, and cannot be dispelled by the Dementors' innocence. Yet he is still quite damaged from his time in Azkaban – and that damage will definitely warrant more complete addressing… if/when the moment arrives. (I can't say more without spoiling my plans for him, unfortunately – but I hope you'll like it when we get there!) As to any potential pairing… well, I think that would likely fall in the possible spoilers section too, sadly. Amelia Bones is an interesting suggestion, though I think she's a good deal older than Sirius (I've always imagined her to be about fifty from her description, though I suppose it is possible she is younger.) It would certainly be lovely for him to have a living companion… perhaps we will get there, one day.

Alas, another lengthy answer. But I suspect you have realised by now that I tend to write until the thoughts run dry… in any case, I hope you enjoy Chapter 34!

SpringRoll: Thanks for your review! Yes, sadly both insomnia and morning sickness are rather par for the course in pregnancy… I wish I could tell you they're worth it – ask me again in a fortnight or so, lol. No, I tease – of course it will be worth it in the end.

Ah… Hermione's bit of altruism. Yes, it was good of Albus to try and point out she had done the right thing; but, of course, Harry and Ron are a bit too in the moment to recognise that quite yet. Don't worry – Malfoy's insult, as I saw it, was muttered for Harry alone, though Hermione (as is her wont) is listening from up the queue. Ron's state is not described pre-fight, but I envisioned he was chatting with Dean or Seamus or Neville – not ignoring Malfoy, but just not privy to the exchange. I actually did think about having Ron hear and jump in the fight as well… but I needed it to be Harry on his own with Snape for detention – that conversation would not have gone that way if Ron was there too. So, in the end, I gave Harry the sole cause for throwing punches.

Happy you enjoyed the Snape/Draco moment… it's the first real interaction with Malfoy of any substance this book, and contains a lot of bits of important information in both actual and subtext, though it is relatively short. Snape as the rather severe Head of House is also a side we don't get to explore that often… and, of course, we know precisely why he hates the term 'Mudblood.' Mmm and Snape's anger…. Yes, he is a bit too angry, quite often. But then, he's Snape. He is complex and three-dimensional, but he is also a bitter, broken, and angry man – even for all his eventually-revealed redeeming qualities. He is a character entirely in the grey – so many faults, and yet not without morals. Which is, of course, what makes him so intriguing to write and explore. How did JKR put it? That he is vindictive and bullying… but he died for the wizarding world. You are too right though – he could definitely use a spa minibreak. Perhaps Albus shall send Harry and Severus on a tropical holiday together? Thoughts?

Oh Ron… poor, sad, angry Ron. That moment when you think you've made your perfect box whole again – and then someone comes along and pulls a trap door in the floor. I think yours and Harry's feelings are in perfect harmony, at the moment. But never fear – there will be a solution to all the messiness.

Hope you enjoy Chapter 34!

Estel Ashlee Snape: Thank you for your reviews! Glad you were able to catch up and that you are enjoying the story. So many things going on right now… but we're moving toward a conclusion. Some will be tied up; some will carry over into Part III. Hopefully, the readers will all enjoy the journey as much as I'm loving the writing.

Enjoy the next chapter!

Sharek Fan – New Reviewer Responses:

Wow – first of all, I want to thank you so much for reading and reviewing! It's always wonderful when someone new discovers the COH stories, but it's particularly lovely to see the reading process and hear your reactions to the various chapters. I know that it's time-consuming to leave so many reviews, and I really cannot tell you how much I appreciate it, nor how much it really does help the writing process.

I struggled with how to respond, as your reviews were 'guest' and I wasn't able to find your fanfiction profile page (if you have one, I know some readers don't). Part II is also completed, but putting a response into where I currently am in Part III seemed like it would have you waiting too long. In the end, as you are (hopefully) seeing, I decided to post it a few chapters ahead of where you left off, with the hopes that you'd see it as you arrived. I love dialog with readers. With all this preamble… let me address your reviews the best that I currently can.

Part One – First off, no apologies for getting lengthy! As you have undoubtedly noticed, I am not well regarded for my own brevity, and I love readers' comments regardless of length. It's even more interesting that you are not usually an HP fan – so glad you've discovered COH! As you have likely seen or deduced, while I enjoy the films I am definitely a book purist, and anything borrowed in terms of characterisation or plot always will come from the novels in my work (sometimes this is the same as the film, of course… but not always, especially with the later films). I consider the films varying levels of decent adaptations and I love much of the casting (with the glaring and utterly criminal exception of Gambon's Dumbledore, who was so far off the mark it honestly soured me on the films). On a different note, it's lovely to find a Remus fan! My best friend and unofficial Beta also favours Remus. It is one of the reasons he plays a large role in this series. I'm glad you enjoyed his Part I role. And you are correct – Sirius and Remus are not a couple in COH and will not be in future. Thank you for the compliments on the writing, and I hope you continue to enjoy as you finish Part II – it is definitely a slow-burn / long slog, but so far is my personal favourite of the three instalments.

Part II, Chapter 3 – Mmm… can't make promises about the werewolf reveal without spoilers, but I will divulge that it does not occur as it does in canon (either book or film).

Part II, Chapter 4 – Haha, I agree on the name situation… though in book canon, at least in Deathly Hallows, there is actually a very good bit of plot that comes out of the taboo. Members of the Order of the Phoenix, in general, are less prone to fear of the name (Dumbledore's influence, of course), and so in COH they are usually the characters who more commonly use the name. Snape – for reasons which shall become clear in time – is a major exception to this rule. As to the revelation that is hinted when Albus and Severus are talking… I went back to attempt to determine to which portion you are referring, but I'm afraid I was unable to sort it out. Are you perhaps referencing when Albus cautions Severus that discussing the events of the evening the Potters died might involve questions that Severus does not want raised? If so, then he is inferring that Harry would learn that Voldemort was after the Potters, necessitating their hiding under the protection of the Fidelius Charm… and thus he would want to know why Voldemort wanted to murder them specifically. This would lead to revelations about the prophecy… and then, logically, to how Voldemort learned of the prophecy. In short, Dumbledore is warning Snape that informing Harry of all that went into that evening means revealing that it was Snape's folly that lead to it – Snape told Voldemort of the prophecy, inadvertently leading to the deaths of Lily and James Potter.

If that's not what you were inquiring about, please let me know and I'd be happy to supplement this answer.

Part II, Chapter 6 – Glad you enjoy the details! It does mean the pace of the story can be slower at times… but there are plenty of fast-paced fanfics out there that are scant on details and character development; it wasn't what I set out to write. It is sad that Severus holds grudges… but he is petty. It is one of the flaws that makes him a decidedly 'grey' character. He'll never be fully good or fully bad – but that, I think, makes him a more interesting figure. And yes, he certainly made foolish choices in his youth as well. He continues fighting for atonement for some of them. Ah – yes, Harry cannot always get his way… he is only twelve, after all. As to whether and/or when Sirius and Remus will share scenes… I cannot share, obviously. But I hope you'll like how that storyline plays out.

Part II, Chapter 7 – I like that you enjoyed the Ollivander bit in this chapter! It was a very small hint; you may have been the first to comment on it. and yes – Azkaban is Avalon in the COH universe. Whether that is what JKR originally intended I do not know. The story of Merlin and Arthur is embedded in the psyche of British folklore, but in such varied iterations and timelines that there is no consensus. Some of my own interpretation as depicted in COH comes from various aspects of the legend. And much, of course, is my own invention for the purposes of this story.

Part II, Chapter 9 – Ah yes, wandless magic has arrived. Snape is indeed 'fiery', as you've put it. Never more so than when he is in the wrong and unwilling to admit it. He had no right to assume Lupin would know what it was he was up to with Harry… although, of course, he had told Harry to relay the information. He realises (too late) that to trust a twelve-year-old with self-preservation is in error… and then is unwilling to admit that error. Remus, meanwhile, struggles on the opposite end of the spectrum – he is overindulgent, because he is Harry's teacher (though not formally yet) but also an uncle-like figure. He has serious guilt for his absence from Harry's life thus far, and then guilt over his presence in it given the dangers of his condition, and guilt about the Dursleys… and he loves Harry. He compensates for all this by indulging him where, sometimes, he should 'be the adult' as Severus harshly demands. He struggles vehemently with insecurity and self-reprobation, and sometimes overcompensates in ways that hurt others directly or indirectly, when he only means to protect them. Later in this book, you'll see there's a scene that heavily explores this. Remus also shows this vulnerability several times in canon – most notably in Deathly Hallows, when he and Harry have the massive row in Grimmauld Place when Remus wants to leave Tonks and his unborn child and run off with the Golden Trio to Horcrux hunt (though I think this scene was cut from the films… so if you haven't read the book that might be new). Here, anyway, neither Snape nor Lupin is entirely in the right. As to the Harry-professor time… yes, in the summer there's a bit more of a focus here, as neither Ron nor Hermione spends summer hols at Hogwarts. I do enjoy the trio, especially in book canon… so there will be more trio time once we're back at school. COH, however, focuses heavily on the adults throughout. On Snape and the Marauders… that will certainly come to a head. And Sirius' arrival, as you have already seen by the time you'll read this… is quite imminent.

Part II, Chapter 10 – People are often too hard on Remus, who I agree generally is a more than competent teacher. It always made me very sad when he left at the end of PoA. I'm glad you're enjoying the historical and medicinal bits that are woven into this portion of the story… they take up far too many pages of notes on my computer, but I love getting elbow deep in the lore.

Part II, Chapter 11 – Yes, it is Severus with the Dark Mark. And Peter Pettigrew, of course, who is indeed hiding with the Weasleys. He settled with them deliberately, cosying up to a young Percy and getting himself 'adopted' by the Wizarding family so he might keep an eye and ear out for any sign that Voldemort was rising again… and so, in the meanwhile, he would be safely hidden away from both the Order and the remaining Death Eaters – the former because he was hoping to maintain the illusion that Sirius was the traitor and he was the innocent victim; the latter because he knew those that were aware of his existence in their circle would blame him for their master's downfall.

On the Order – yes, Arthur gives Bill a soft introduction to it here. Bill is a man now, and Arthur recognises he should be given the option to join the resistance when – as is inevitable – war arrives again.

I'm sorry that the truth remains hidden… I know it is so frustrating from our perspective, when we are fully aware (from canon events of PoA) that Sirius is innocent. But it is coming, I promise!

Part II, Chapter 12 – Confrontation is coming… several, in fact. I hope you'll enjoy how it all unfolds. I'm glad you enjoy exploration of different shades of meaning. I do too, and COH therefore has a lot of that type of thing. I have always been fascinated by the 'why' behind absolutely everything. And I firmly believe that the importance of choosing the right word cannot be understated.

Part II, Chapter 13 – It is sad that Severus and Sirius – who honestly share a lot of similarities (though just as many differences) – are at such odds. Perhaps both want the best for Harry… but many times, what they think is best varies. Ah, yes… Firenze makes an appearance here with some enigmatic advice. It won't be his last in the COH series.

Part II, Chapter 14 – Haha, I knew from your first review that you would enjoy this little victory of Remus' down the line. He's utterly correct in the verbal sparring match as well… and demonstrates that he is much more emotionally mature than Snape.

As to the error that Albus hints at in his conversation with Gellert… I am not entirely sure, but I think you are alluding to the end of the scene, where Albus hints that his own hubris had fatal consequences. He is referring to several things, some of which would be spoilers for later parts of this story… but the main regret preying on his mind is the death of his sister, Ariana, and the sundering of his family forever – which, of course, Gellert had a hand in.

Incidentally, you raise the correct point on the delicate balance between caring for a child and sheltering them to the point where it becomes detrimental. This is exactly what you should be considering at this stage – and it is a debate that rages between the adults in COH, particularly as Part II reaches its conclusion and Part III begins (though we've already seen some of it at this point). In addition, you should be thinking that some of what Gellert Grindelwald says does not seem all that mad; in fact, seems quite pragmatic. That is the danger in Grindelwald (and make no mistake, he is very dangerous). He is persuasive, very clever, and always running his own agenda. Yet he is not pure evil, like Voldemort. He is much more morally grey… and he believes his own hype.

Part II, Chapter 15 – Remus has several moments in the book where he shouts, usually under great stress, at Harry. But I don't think I stated in this chapter that Remus shouted… I think I just mentioned that Albus didn't, and that Remus 'had given (Harry) hell' for his actions. I suppose that could have been interpreted as shouting, but that wasn't my intention and it's not how I personally envisioned it going. As to picturing a particular person when envisioning a character – I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I always did so with Minerva McGonagall and Maggie Smith, even when I was a small girl reading in the nineties long before the films were contemplated. I don't precisely know why… but, apparently, JKR also always saw Dame Maggie in her head as well, and it was one of the castings she insisted on. We love who we love. As a former stage actress myself, I have the utmost respect for those who are able to embody a character so perfectly.

Mmmm, Snape and his complicated relationship with Harry. Yes… in some ways he is, gradually, softening. Or at least let us say that living in such close quarters and having so much one-on-one time with young Harry has altered his perspective, perhaps without even his own conscious knowledge. Harry – yes, his reactions can sometimes seem frustrating or overdone. But, he is only aged twelve, and he still sees the world very much in black and white. He grows, gradually, even within this book.

The scene of Harry's birth is entirely my creation, as all the Marauder memories are (though some reference events that may have been referenced in the canon books). The names that are raised are the only piece of Harry's birth that we know for certain… though I think it likely he was not born in St Mungo's. As to Sirius' presence, I have no true knowledge… but I have always felt he would have been there. Glad you enjoyed the cliff-hanger!

Part II, Chapter 16 – Ah, the names (as referenced in my last comment) are the one piece we do know to be canon for Rowling's background on the Potters (at least in terms of who they belonged to… their use in the naming scene was my own). I loved writing the memory gift (and the memories themselves), and am glad you liked its inclusion.

Part II, Chapter 17 – Glad you liked the memory scenes. The Remus one is actually my favourite of these three as well. I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the story thus far and the nuances with the characters!

Part II, Chapter 18 - I'm glad you liked the incorporation of funerals, spirituality and beliefs. It is never directly addressed in the canon novels, though it is firmly established that there is an afterlife for wizards. I've always imagined that there's a variance among wizarding kind in terms of beliefs, but I have always imagined that Dumbledore would be a spiritual man. As to Snape and Black… yes, Harry is starting to realise there is more to the story than he currently knows.

Part II, Chapter 19 – Thank you for the compliment on the memories / flashbacks. As to your question, almost all of those particular scenes are entirely my own creation. Some expand upon a canon fact (e.g. we know that Harry was born on 31 July and named for his great-grandfather… and that's about it), but many I've just tried to weave in as organically as I can. This story (Part II) includes a lot of Marauder-era flashbacks, as you've undoubtedly recognised. Part III delves more into Dumbledore and Grindelwald's pasts.

As to the Quidditch… yes, it's true that men are usually physically stronger. Of course, there are always exceptions. And, as Hermione points out, playing at Keeper or Beater is also about strategy, not just brawn.

I'm not sure what you mean about mimicry of form… but I'm happy to answer that question if you can clarify it for me.

Part II, Chapter 20 - No, the boys did not truly mean to put Snape in mortal danger. Sirius was young and reckless, and all he really intended was to frighten him witless. That does not negate that Snape would have been in very real danger of death… but it was not attempted murder. Having said that, as a barrister I can promise that if Snape had died that night, Sirius would be in very real trouble with a court of law. Either way, the point remains that to each man's mind the other is entirely murderous and untrustworthy. We know, naturally, that both are making incorrect assumptions… but they, as yet, do not.

Ah… is Snape lying? I would say no. Not entirely. He is carefully bending the boundaries of truth. Harry does get in a great deal of trouble – though not always at his own design. He can be stubborn or arrogant, he can certainly be hot-headed, and he can have a hero-complex… though I'm not sure I would necessarily describe him as self-righteous. Often I am a bit on Snape's side in their quarrels. On this occasion, however, I think it's perfectly natural for Harry to demand some answers and to be wary. He was told that Snape was a Death Eater, he's personally been belittled and berated by him on countless occasions, he knows there's something fishy going on with Black and he was just kidnapped and tortured by an unknown assailant who was wearing Snape's face and countenance. And he's barely thirteen.

Part II, Chapter 21 – Ah… Harry is not a Horcrux. A common misconception even among most ardent fans. Harry does have a bit of Voldemort's soul residing in him, as we know. It gives him the connection to Voldemort's mind, among other powers and burdens. But making a Horcrux is an intense and deliberate process involving the preparation of a vessel, the actual act and the sealing of the bit of soul into its new Horcrux. It cannot happen by accident, as the incident with Harry did. Now, that does not negate that the bit in Harry still needs to be destroyed in order to end Voldemort… but he isn't a true Horcrux. That is an important distinction. I cannot comment on the questions about hard truths and preparation without spoiling future instalments of the series, unfortunately. Interesting thought that telling Harry that he is the Chosen One would perhaps kerb his more reckless tendencies. You are not the only one to have this thought – as I think you will see in later chapters.

Part II, Chapter 22 – Haha, I am not a fan of time travel as a real world concept either. I also believe it will never be possible to transport complex organic matter across both time and space… so I think we're likely safe. In terms of typos – yes, there are always a few that slip through the editing process (or which my programme autocorrects… like 'bollocks' to 'bullocks' and 'chuckled' to 'chucked'… I have no idea why). I appreciate the offer but there's no need to flag them up – I actually have spotted and corrected most on my offline document over the months, in addition to making some other minor edits and corrections. Uploading the documents to fanfiction is tedious and time-consuming, and I've not got round to a 'deep dive' doing so just yet. Perhaps it's a project I'll reach in the next few weeks, if I have time.

Part II, Chapter 24 – I really would recommend reading this chapter. It's not really about divination, with the exception of the first scene… so you could skip to the first break and miss that one out if you want. But there is an important interaction between Albus and Severus and an even more important flashback included in Chapter 24 that will have long-reaching implications.

Part II, Chapter 25 – Glad you are still enjoying the characterisations. Yes – it is important to have consequences that are real and tangible, whether wizard or Muggle. And I agree, classism is horrendous.

Marley… she is Marlene McKinnon. She is a canon character who gets a few very brief mentions in Order of the Phoenix. She is in the photograph that Mad-Eye Moody shows to Harry at Grimmauld Place (I think, though I am not positive, that in the film this scene is changed to be Sirius and that it happens at King's Cross). Mad-Eye tells Harry that she is dead, that they got her whole family in the last year of the war. And yes – we will see much more of her in COH – both in this book and in future. We know that she is dead… the rest will become clear in time.

Part II, Chapter 26 – 'Revenge is not justice' is a BIG theme for Part II, as well as for Albus' character generally. You'll see it repeated a few times in this story. And yes, the image that pains Albus at Bathilda's is a young Gellert (who is her nephew).

Part II, Chapter 27 – No, Remus is not a monster. But he has never been able to see that… and his fear that he will be the monster makes him overcompensate, at times. His entire life has been tragically affected by his sadness and abundance of caution where his condition is concerned. JKR once likened lycanthropy in the Wizarding world to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in ours, and I think it is an apt comparison and an interesting comment on social stigma and prejudice. On Snape – yes, he is obviously wrong here… partly his prejudice, of course. But partly a somewhat understandable paranoia, given what everyone believes of Sirius' treachery. Snape is often blinded by years of ingrained prejudice and childhood grudges.

Part II, Chapter 28 – Yes, Albus several times attempts to kerb Snape's attitude towards Remus (with varying levels of success). Tom did kill his father and grandparents (this is canon, of course – hinted in the first chapter of Goblet of Fire and later confirmed in Half Blood Prince by Dumbledore during Harry's lessons). His path will be heavily explored in COH. As to Morfin Gaunt – you'll see the conclusion of his story in future. Bill Weasley plays a BIG role in COH, and his arc is one of my personal favourites.

Gellert Grindelwald was, in canon, the greatest dark sorcerer before Voldemort, and some consider him much worse (myself included, as Grindelwald's reign of terror was global and Voldemort's largely focused in the UK). Grindelwald has some similarities to Voldemort but also key differences, which I won't expand upon herein as they'll be explored in the story. He has a past with Albus that is somewhat of a mystery beyond the fact that for a summer they were both residing in Godric's Hollow and quite close. In terms of his power, he was obsessed with the Deathly Hallows and justified his actions by a claim he was doing everything in furtherance of 'the greater good'. His timeline roughly mirrors the rise and fall of the Nazis. He began gathering followers in the early 1900s, and by the 1920s was both well-loved and well-feared by opposing factions across the globe. He was defeated ultimately by Dumbledore in 1945 in a famous and famously mysterious duel, after which he was imprisoned in Nurmengard – a fortress that Grindelwald himself had originally built as both a residence and a prison to hold his opponents. His character received laughably little consideration in the films (though, to be fair, he is sparsely explored in the original seven books either), so if you aren't familiar with him I'd recommend perusing the wiki or Pottermore pages for a more comprehensive overview. He plays a big role in COH. He is also a central character in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, as is a young Dumbledore. At the time of the writing of Parts I, II and about half of Part III of COH, Crimes of Grindelwald was not yet out… but, thus far, nothing from the FB franchise has contradicted the events of COH concerning Grindelwald.

As far as we know, Grindelwald and Voldemort did not meet before their encounter in Deathly Hallows, where Voldemort ultimately kills Grindelwald. Whether they ever made acquaintance before that time is unclear.

Part II, Chapter 29 – Yes, the twins gave Harry the Marauder's Map. And, predictably, he uses it for mischief. As to Remus… we are pertinent to his internal thoughts, and so we know he is distant here because he is worried for Harry and believes his presence will do him harm. Harry, on the other hand, is a child who feels abandoned and hurt and is left without explanation. This quickly comes to a head.

Part II, Chapter 30 – Ah, yes… Albus' struggles with Gellert rage on, both internal and otherwise. His motivations are very, very complicated, and he knows it. Grindelwald is useful and perhaps even necessary, but he is incredibly dangerous as well. Poor Albus.

First big 'truth dump' for Harry in some time here where Sirius is concerned. Of course, everyone is still under the impression that Sirius is guilty, so the truth is neither pure nor simple. He is too young for the 'whole truth' that he and so many other children feel they are entitled to. Albus knows this… but the tensions between child and adult and knowledge and innocence are difficult to navigate.

Yes, the reveals are quite different to the film – and the film, in turn, was quite different to the novel. COH differs somewhat from both. I did enjoy the PoA film and I loved some of the casting (especially Sirius, and also Remus)… but it was my first disappointment with some of the omissions of important canon information. The Marauders Map goes unexplained, the Marauders and their backstory on becoming animagi is unexplored (it's not even mentioned that Harry's father is Prongs), big portions of Harry's struggle to master the Patronus are eliminated and its crucial representation of his father in its form of a stag are completely dropped, the dementors are less of a presence and then fly for some odd reason. The werewolf, which is supposed to appear as a large wolf almost indistinguishable from a true wolf, is some odd sinewy creature. And of course, this is the film that had an appalling Dumbledore casting debut (who becomes marginally better in his final appearance… but who never, ever captures the character of Dumbledore correctly and whose lack of study of the source material is blatant and beyond irritating). *Sigh*. Alfonso is a skilled director and the film is visually probably the best of the series… but it, and every film that followed, made eliminating choices that not only over-simplified the lore but also left giant plot holes that either required exposition or back-tracking later, or else could only be fully resolved if the audience filled in what they already knew from the books (ESPECIALLY when the Horcruxes come into play). I was horrified the first time I saw the film. Since then, I have come to like the whole series of films… but only because I started to appreciate them as adaptations, rather than canon themselves.

Part II, Chapter 31 – Ah, Kneazles. Kneazles are magical cat-like creatures but highly intelligent and naturally suspicious. Many of the cats in the HP books have some kneazle blood, including Mrs Crookshanks (and Mrs Figg's cats). As to Marley – yes, Sirius loved her. You'll learn more about her as the series moves forward. She is a very different type of woman than someone like Lily or Hermione. And yes, their relationship was casual at least its inception, so if that is not something you enjoy you will probably not like her character very much.

Part II, Chapter 32 – Yes, the Firebolt is Sirius' gift… but, of course, Snape and most of the other adults realise it was likely Sirius, but fear his motivations. This incident has far-reaching consequence.

WHEW! I think I reached all your reviews thus far. Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I'm going to post this, temporarily, at the start of Chapter 34 in hopes that it will catch your attention as you continue (I'll skip 33 as I fear you could get through it before I get this up). I look forward to following your continued journey through the story, and I hope you'll continue to enjoy!