The Slytherin colours covered most of the surfaces in the room. There was a large family crest, which Harry recognised as belonging to the Blacks, painted on the wall. Harry made his way over to the desk hoping to find something useful. He saw a text book opened on a page about animagi, moving it aside he spotted a letter.

Draco,

Thank you for your last letter. It was lovely to hear from you. I'm glad to hear you and Blaise are enjoying yourselves in Italy. Maybe your Father, you, and me can spend some time in Italy during your Christmas break.

You haven't missed much here. My cousin's escape from Azkaban still dominates the news. I hear he is quite unstable, I can't begin to guess what side he's on or what he might be planning to do. Regardless, I feel safer knowing you are out of the country.

That being said you still need to be careful. While the Zabini's are a good pure-blood family they are not to be completely trusted. I'm sure you are well aware of Mrs Zabini's past.

Do keep in touch Draco, I miss you very much.

Love

Mother.

So, Malfoy's parents thought he was in Italy? That explained why they hadn't reported him as missing. Harry put the note down and picked up an aged photo of a Slytherin quidditch player.

'My brother, Regulus,' a voice said.

Harry jumped and turned to see Sirius in the doorway.

'Sirius' Harry stuttered. 'I was just …'

'It's OK,' Sirius said. He walked over, took the photo from Harry and put it back on the table. 'I understand why you don't trust him. I wouldn't either if I was you, I know you don't get on. You should have heard him when I said we were going to Little Whinging to check on you. I see enough of Potter at school, I don't need to see him in my holidays.' Sirius imitated Malfoy.

Harry smiled. 'So, why do you trust him then?' he asked.

Sirius looked at the photo of his brother. 'When he was young, Regulus was a pure-blood obsessed little prat,' Sirius said. 'He grew up to be a Death Eater and was murdered when he tried to change his mind. After I found out, I couldn't stop thinking about what I could have done to change things, maybe if I hadn't pushed him away... Sirius looked away from the photo.

'When Draco showed up here, banging on the door, I almost sent him away but then he pushed his way past me and started going on about family loyalty … I saw so much of Regulus in him. A silly little boy, growing up surrounded by prejudice and making all the wrong choices.

'I couldn't save Regulus but maybe I can help Draco,' Sirius said.

They were silent for a moment after Sirius's story.

'Come on,' Sirius said, 'We should leave before Draco finishes his breakfast.

Sirius guided Harry out of the room and followed him back to his own room.

'Ron's dad told him about what happened. Ron asked me where I'm staying. I'm going to tell him I'm staying with some muggle friends.'

'That's a good idea.'

Sirius sat down on the spare bed where Harry's photo album was sitting. Harry watched as Sirius picked it up and opened it. Sirius's breath catch on the first picture.

'That's … how did you get these?'

'Hagrid made it for me.' Harry sat down on the bed next to Sirius. He looked over to see Sirius was looking at a picture of his parents on their wedding day. 'He said he wrote to some of their friends for the photos.'

Sirius nodded and continued flipping through the pages. He froze on a picture of two laughing boys with their arms around each other.

'Who's that?' Harry asked.

Sirius ran a gentle hand over the page. 'Remus Lupin.' He didn't say anything else for a moment. Harry waited. 'He was our friend. Before … before your parents died we knew there was a traitor. I thought it was Remus, I was so stupid, if I'd only trusted him …'

Harry could see tears gathering in Sirius's eyes. 'It's not your fault,' Harry said.

Sirius smiled. 'Thank you, Harry. You're so like much like both your parents. I really wish you'd had more time with them.

'Yeah,' Harry said. 'Me too.'


Remus couldn't believe he was allowing history to repeat itself. As a boy, Dumbledore had admitted him to Hogwarts when no other Headmaster would have done so, and Remus had betrayed his trust by leading three of his fellow students to become Animagi. Now, after Dumbledore had gone out on a limb for him again, this time by securing him a job when most people had shunned him, Remus was betraying him again by keeping Sirius's secret.

Remus banged his hands against the table. After everything Sirius had done … Peter, Lilly, James … he still couldn't bring himself to come clean, to tell Dumbledore that Sirius was an Animagus. Remus sighed and turned back to his planning. He was determined to do a good job, not only to repay Dumbledore, but also for himself. After years of being rejected Remus was finally getting his chance.

Remus pulled his class lists towards him. His eyes were drawn to a name on the third year's list. Harry Potter, Remus's last connection to James and Lilly. The last time Remus had seen Harry was before James and Lilly had gone into hiding. Harry had been a dark haired, chubby faced little baby who'd giggled at his father's spells. He wondered what Harry was like now. He wondered if he would be able to treat Harry as an ordinary student or would he see the ghosts of his dead friends every time he looked at the boy?

Deciding he probably wouldn't get anything else done today, Remus packed away his work. Between Sirius and Harry, Remus was sure he was in for a tough year.


'You're leaving?'

Harry stopped cleaning as he saw Malfoy walking down the stairs with Kreacher behind him dragging his trunk.

'I'm spending the last few days of the holidays with Mother and Father. It's not as if I can do anything more for Sirius at the moment anyway.'

'Oh.'

'Do me a favour Potter. I know you'll want to run straight to Dumbledore before the train even gets into Hogwarts but remember, Dumbledore didn't believe Sirius was innocent then, he won't believe it now. All you'll do is draw his attention to the three of us.'

Harry wanted to argue but Malfoy walked away without giving him the chance.


The last days of the holidays went too fast. With Malfoy gone, Kreacher spent most of his time locked in his room leaving Harry and Sirius with the place to themselves.

'Are you all packed and ready to go?' Sirius asked.

Harry nodded. 'What about you?' he asked. 'What are you going to do now?'

Sirius looked conflicted. 'Well … I think I know where Pettigrew is so …'

'I know Pettigrew is at Hogwarts,' Harry said.

Sirius looked up sharply. 'Draco told you?'

Harry huffed. 'Malfoy wouldn't tell me anything, he doesn't trust me, he thinks I'll go to Dumbledore. I heard you talking to Malfoy when I first got here,' Harry admitted.

'You understand that we can't go to Dumbledore, Harry, not without proof.'

Harry nodded glumly.

'Thank you. I am sorry Harry. I wasn't going to involve you in this, but when I saw you alone in Little Whinging…'

'It's OK, I understand,' Harry said.

Sirius smiled at patted Harry on the back.

'So, what about you?' Harry asked again. 'Are you coming to Hogwarts?'

'I will,' Sirius answered, 'but not straight away, I'm sure the Dementors will be searching the train.'

Harry shivered. Sirius had told him all about the Dementors.

Sirius stood up. 'Let's not worry about it now,' he said. 'Let's go do something fun.'


Harry and Sirius spent the night listening to music on the radio and playing Exploding Snap and Wizard's Chess. All to soon it was time for bed.

The next morning Sirius transformed into a dog and escorted Harry to the train station. Harry laughed as Sirius jumped through the solid wall and onto platform nine and three-quarters. He was still smiling as he followed after him. The smile fell from his face when he spotted Malfoy across the platform with his family glaring daggers at Sirius.

Harry sighed. 'You probably should go Sirius, it's too dangerous.' He rubbed the dogs head and was surprised when the dog jumped up on his back legs to give Harry a hug. Harry hugged him back tightly. 'I'll see you soon,' he said.

He watched as the dog disappeared through the wall.

'Harry! Harry!

Harry's face broke into a smile as he heard the familiar voices.

'Ron! Hermione!' he gave each of his friends a hug.

'Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?' asked Hermione in a very serious voice.

'I didn't mean to,' Harry said, while Ron roared with laughter. 'I just-lost control.'

'Harry,' Harry looked behind his friends to see the rest of Ron's family. 'Harry, can I have a word,' Mr Weasley asked.

'Sure.' Harry followed Mr Weasley behind a pillar.

'There's something I've got to tell you before you leave. It's about Sirius Black.' Mr Weasley looked uncomfortable.

Harry listened as Mr Weasley explained that the ministry believed Sirius was mad and that he'd escaped Azkaban to kill Harry as a part of a plan to somehow bring Voldemort back. Harry tried very hard to keep his face neutral.

'Harry, you must be very scared-'

'I'm not,' Harry said sincerely. 'Thank you for telling me though Mr Wealsey. I'll be careful.'

There was a loud whistle. Guards were beginning to close the train doors.

'I have to go Mr Weasley, goodbye.'

Harry jumped on the train and watched as Ron and Hermione waved goodbye to Ron's parents.

'Come on,' he said, 'let's find somewhere to sit.'