After counting out the money, if he remembered right from Lily teaching him muggle coins, he had about fifteen pounds. If he could hit a couple more fountains he could buy a wand. Then all he had to do was get into diagon alley, exchange the coins, buy a wand and leave without getting caught. If he could get a wand he would be set.

The next morning he was sitting in the alley making plans he heard another person appear. He leaned out to look and saw a witch straitening her robes. When she moved to leave Sirius noticed a paper on the ground at her feet. He waited until she was gone then, in his dog form, he jumped from his hiding place, grabbed the paper and ran back to hide again.

He transformed back and started to read the Daily Prophet she had dropped. First thing he saw was his own face plastered across the front page. Sirius groaned this would make it harder, a lot harder. Reading the article he laughed, he had already been spotted. They saw him in Hogsmead what a joke. That school was the last place he wanted to go, that would have way too many painful memories.

Soon there was another pop and Sirius noticed a woman in a nurse's uniform. He went back to dog form and followed. She rounded the corner and walked down a few blocks then disappeared into a store front with a manikin in the window.

Sirius lay down and watch, sure enough magical folk were going in and out of the store front. He couldn't believe it Harry was so close to people who could help. He couldn't believe the muggle hospital was this close to St. Mungos.

As he was watching Sirius recognized a man that had exited alone. Sirius ran to the alley ahead of him and found a stick lying on the ground. He waited until the man had passed and jumped out. Holding the stick like a wand he poked the man in the back .

Sirius said, "Please put your hands on your head." The man followed instructions, Sirius continued, "I promise not to hurt you I just want your attention for a few minutes. Step to the shadows in the back of the alley and we can talk."

They moved and Sirius started his story, "There is a young wizard in a muggle hospital called St. Theresa's just east of here. He is being raised by muggle relatives. But they are horrid people. They threw the boy down the stairs for punishment and he has been unconscious for five days. Every day his uncle comes into the room and threatens him. I just want someone to go to his room invisibly and listen to the threats and protect the boy."

The man asked, "Why don't you do this yourself?"

Sirius sighed, "No one would believe me. The boy is Harry Potter. And I escaped so I could rescue my godson but I can't do this alone. I'll turn myself back in as soon as he is safely away from those muggles."

The man said, "You're Sirius Black?"

Sirius replied, "Yes."

The man said, "If you tried to kill him as a baby why would you try to save him now?"

Sirius said, "I didn't. I wasn't the secret keeper. Our friend Peter was, and I didn't kill him, he blew up the street and slipped into the sewers in his rat animagus form. He's probably living in high style as a pet rat to some poor family."

The man said, "I'll check it out. How can I get back in touch with you?"

Sirius said, "There is a park across from the muggle hospital. Go sit at the picnic table near the trees. Arthur I will be in your debt forever for this, thank you."

He removed the stick and watched Arthur Weasley take a few steps and disappear. Sirius changed back into his dog and ran to the park. A few hours later he saw Arthur walking through the park towards the table, it looked like he was alone but Sirius wasn't sure.

Arthur sat down and asked, "Sirius?"

He replied, "I'm here."

Arthur said, "You were correct about Harry. Albus is getting him moved to St. Mungos as we speak."

Sirius breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank Merlin."

Arthur said, "Are you still willing to turn yourself in?"

Sirius said, "As soon as I know he's safe and won't be sent back to Petunia and Vernon."

Arthur said, "Fair enough. I told Albus everything and he is willing to put you to trial and let you give testimony to your innocence."

Sirius said, "Thanks Arthur, I never expected that of you, thank you."

Arthur asked, "One more question if you don't mind. Does the rat have any distinguishing marks?"

Sirius said, "Not really, I'd know him if I saw him. But most people wouldn't see a difference. "

Arthur thought for a moment, "Well he should be missing a finger on one hand."

Sirius was confused, "Why would he be missing a finger?"

Arthur said, "When the street was blown up all they found of Peter Petegrew was a finger."

Sirius said, "That's right I had forgotten. Is there any way we can we keep this out of the Prophet. When I prove my innocence I am going to track down Peter and I don't want him to know I coming for him."

Arthur said, "I'll see what I can do. Shall I meet you back here this afternoon?"

Sirius said, "I'll be waiting."

When Arthur left he went home. He met his family in the kitchen. He wanted to tell his wife what was happening but he had to wait until the children went off to play so he sat down for lunch. Percy walked up to him with his pet rat and showed him to Arthur, "Dad, Scabbers is sick and Mum can't do anything. I think the twins must have poisoned him."

Arthur started to examine the rat; he was losing hair and trembling, "When did this start?"

Percy replied, "Right after breakfast. Bill was reading the Prophet, I was sitting across from him trying to read the front page about that Black fellow and then Scabbers just started shaking."

Arthur thought it couldn't be, but he knew the rat was missing a toe, "I think I better take him to someone to look him over." He conjured a cage and placed the rat inside. Then he waved his wand over the cage, "I'll take him to work with me, I've put some safety spells on it so he can't get out and get lost. After work I'll take him to the Menagerie to see about getting him some help."

Percy looked relieved, "Thanks Dad.