Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. However, there are some passages in this chapter taken from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (pages 302-303) + Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (pages 459, 644-645, 711-712).

Harry seemed like he was falling further and further beyond a mysterious mist that despite the displeasing sensation in his stomach, his body seemed to feel quite light full of ease and grace. He was twirling amongst this mist, as past memories seemed to appear all around him as he continued on falling further beyond to a place where concerns were nonexistent.

"Maybe, I'm dead?" he thought, with no sign of panic or distress in his words. He looked over his shoulder and saw an image of Remus Lupin holding him as he struggled to get loose from his grasp. The image of himself that he was looking at seemed like a younger version of himself. Lupin too, was younger with fewer grey hairs and lines ceased across his tired, worn out face.

"SIRIUS!" Harry yelled, "SIRIUS!"

"There's nothing you can do, Harry -"

"Get him, save him, he's only just gone through!"

"- it's too late, Harry."

"We can still reach him-" Harry struggled hard and viciously but Lupin would not let go...

"There's nothing you can do, Harry...nothing...he's gone."

"He hasn't gone!" Harry yelled! "SIRIUS!" he bellowed. "SIRIUS!"

"He can't come back, Harry." said Lupin, "He can't come back, because he's d-"

"HE-IS-NOT-DEAD!" roared Harry. "SIRIUS!"

"No, I don't want to see that!" the real Harry (or was he still real?) said closing his eyes. He did not want to relive perhaps one of his most traumatizing memories. The memory of his Godfather's death, in which was entirely his fault if it wasn't for him acting irrationally, or if it wasn't for Kreachers betrayal. A new memory appeared. It occurred to Harry that where ever he was, seemed like the familiar sensation of being in a pensieve with his own memories. The memory was of him and Hermione, both extremely young, a top Buckbeak's back, starring down at Sirius, who contained his mangy hair, and dirty Azkaban robes. His mouth dropped open in shock as he starred up at his Godson and Hermione in utter disbelief.

"Stand back!" Hermione called to him, and she took out her wand, still gripping the back of Harry's robes with her left hand.

"Alohomora!" The window sprang open. "How-how-?" said Black weakly, starring at the Hippogriff. "Get on – there's not much time." Said Harry, gripping Buckbeak firmly on either side of his sleek neck to hold him steady. "You've got to get out of here – the Dementors are coming. Macnair's gone to get them."

"Sirius, you'd better go, quick," Harry panted. "They'll reach Flitwick's office any moment, they'll find out you've gone." Buckbeak pawed the ground, tossing his sharp head. "What happened to the other boy? Ron?" said Sirius urgently. "He's okay to be OK – he's still out of it, but Madam Pomfrey says she'll be able to make him better. Quick – go!"

But Black was still starring down at Harry. "How can I ever thank-"

"GO!" Harry and Hermione shouted together.

"We'll see each other again," he said. "You are – truly your father's son, Harry..."

Another memory formed around Harry, as he starred at the last memory in awe. It was in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. There stood a figure of Snape, full of hatred on his face as he was jeering a look of disgust towards Harry, who seemed a little older than the Harry in the last memory, along with Sirius. Sirius was resembling the same way Harry remembered him, it was the only way he remembered Sirius since before he fell beyond the veil.

"Wait a moment," said Sirius, sitting up straighter in his chair. "I am in rather a hurry, Black. Unlike you, I do not have unlimited leisure time."

"I'll get to the point, then," said Sirius, standing up. "If I hear you're using these Occlumency lessons to give Harry a hard time, you'll have me to answer to."

And yet another memory came.

"Harry!" said Hermione at once, looking very frightened. "What happened? Are you all right? Are you ill?"

"Where have you been?" demanded Ron. "Come with me," Harry said quickly. "Come on, I've got to tell you something." He led them along the first-floor corridor, peering through doorways, and at last found an empty classroom into which he dived, closing the door behind Ron and Hermione the moment they were inside, and leaned against it, facing them.

"Voldemort's got Sirius."

"What?"

"How d'you-"

"Saw it. Just now. When I fell asleep in the exam."

"But – but where? How?" said Hermione whose face was white. "I dunno how," said Harry. "But I know exactly where. There's a room in the Department of Mysteries full of shelves covered in these little glass balls and they're at the end of row ninety-seven...he's trying to use Sirius to get whatever it is he wants from in there...he's torturing him...says he'll end by killing him!"

"How're we going to get there? He asked them. Then Ron said, "G-get there?"

"Go to the Department of Mysteries, so we can rescue Sirius!"

Harry continued spiralling down; further from his last memory he had just seen. He closed his eyes, and then almost instantly flinched, and looked beside him. He heard someone call his name; it felt like they were right beside him, whispering his name in his ear.

"Harry? Harry, can you hear me?" Called out a very familiar voice; to whom did it belong to? Harry couldn't put the pieces together. It required too much effort from his part. "Hermione," came another familiar voice, "You don't reckon he'll become like Neville's parents do you?"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"Well?" said Ron a little too aggressively to Hermione who just gave him a poignant look in return,

"Honestly, I don't know Ron." Ron's hands began to shake, as they were after he dropped his wand when Sirius first appeared. All of a sudden they heard a faint groan surpassing their best friend's lips. Hermione gasped loudly, and squeezed Ron's hand in delight. Ron didn't even turn his face from her to hide his blush, and just looked from her smiling at him, to Harry slowly stirring. Finally. "We should call Sirius!" Hermione said loudly. Ron shook his head,

"No don't bother; he's bound to come check up on Harry soon anyways. He comes and go's every ten minutes as it is."

Hermione nodded, as tears began to well up in her eyes as she starred down at Harry, "Oh Ron, I was so worried." Finally, Ron looked away from Harry's face whose eyes were beginning to flutter slightly.

"I was worried too...I thought maybe – I thought maybe I killed him, or made him go mental." Hermione gave his hand another squeeze, but more gently,

"Ron, Harry's not going to blame you for anything...you-you do know that right? You swore to him you'd do whatever it took. He personally asked you."

"What does it matter Hermione!" Ron said in a bitter tone, "And you...don't say anything, you can't even begin to understand how it felt torturing him; he's my best friend for crying out loud!"

"My-my head is pounding..." came a soft voice between Ron and Hermione. Hermione cried in joy,

"Oh Harry! We were so worried! If you ever become that stubborn again, I swear I'll hex you!"

Harry gave a reluctant grin, "No you wouldn't..." Hermione smiled extensively,

"You're right." Ron was looking at Harry with wide and apprehensive eyes. His palms began sweating slightly. He was unsure on how Harry would react to what he had done to bring Harry in this state. It seemed that Harry knew exactly what Ron was worrying about, because he reached out gently and took a hold of the hems of Ron's shoulder sleeve. Ron jumped slightly, and looked away.

"Ron..." but before he could say anything else, Ron stood up abruptly and walked out of the room. Harry starred at the place Ron had just been sitting, and after a few minutes gave Hermione an enquiry look. "Hermione, what happened with the..."

"Ron, where are you going?" said a distant voice from the hallway that was leading to where Hermione and Harry were. That voice was too familiar... Harry's insides began squirming with miscellaneous feelings. Without delay he glimpsed Hermione's face, who returned Harry's query look with a merry expression. Sirius Black entered the room with a tray full of what seemed to be potions. He was still looking towards the hallway, shouting in enquiry to Ron's sudden departure. Since, Ron like Sirius, refused to leave Harry's side since the incident in the basement.

Sirius deep grey eyes finally fell upon the scene before him. Harry's heart was blaring in indescribable emotions. Sirius immediately placed the tray down on the table near the door, before he dropped them in astonishment. Hermione got to her feet at once, "I'm going to check up on Ron. If you need us we'll be downstairs." She smiled at Sirius before she hurriedly went looking for Ron. Sirius approached Harry; his eyes gleamed with tears of happiness.

"Harry, I was so worried..."

"Is it really you?" Harry asked as Sirius sat down beside him. "You're really here...?" Sirius gently clutched Harry's hand. Harry looked down at his hand now in Sirius', and took notice of the warmth that extended from his Godfather's hand to his own.

"Harry, why...why did you do it?"

Harry looked confused. "What, what do you mean. Sirius, I..." but he couldn't find any words. Sirius seemed to understand, and tightened his hold on Harry's hand.

"What you did, though very noble, was incredibly dangerous Harry. How could I ever thank you?" Sirius raised his hand to silence Harry, who was about to say something, then continued on, "Hermione filled me in with what happened. It turns out my father's research came in handy." Harry rubbed his forehead, which only increased Sirius' concerns. "Harry, are you all right? Are you in pain? According to Ron, you were under the Cruciatus curse for quite some time." Sirius looked grave, his eyes full of concern trying to seek some form of relief in his Godson's response.

"I'm okay Sirius, I'm a little tired. How long have I been unconscious?"

Sirius gave him a meaningful look before answering, "It's been nearly two days kiddo. You gave us, quite a fright."

Harry snorted, "Sirius, you've been gone for nearly two years...you've given all of us more than just a fright." Sirius sighed,

"I can't believe it's been two years. Honestly, it felt like maybe a couple of months since that day we went after you." Harry held his breath, replaying what Sirius had just said over and over again in his mind, "Honestly, it felt like maybe a couple of months since that day we went after you."

"Harry, what's wrong? Sirius asked, sitting a little closer to him.

"It was my fault, Sirius. I was so stupid, I thought he had you. If I didn't run off to the Department of Mysteries none of this would have happened....I...I..."

Sirius gave him a fierce embrace, trying to maintain his Godson who started shaking. Harry tried his best to hold back a sob. All of his past frustrations, pained memories seemed to flourish his mind in great detail. "You...you died Sirius. You were gone...I..."

"Harry, it's all right. I'm here now, and I promise you I'm here for good. I am so sorry for everything you had to go through since that day." He tightened his hold, "I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for you." In silence, they remained in that position for quite some time; both of them not wanting to let go of each other. Until finally Harry, who was beginning to feel better spoke out,

"Sirius, what happened to you after you fell." He looked up to Sirius, who seemed to be in deep thought, considering what Harry had just said.

"I don't even know where to begin...I remember fighting with Bellatrix, and when she hit me with that spell, it was as if time froze. I had lost my balance because I couldn't move anything...and then I fell through the veil. Once I was able to regain control of my body, I had no recollection to where I was. It was a room full of darkness...and then, I heard you shouting my name."

"You heard me?" Harry asked, astounded. Sirius gave him a sad smile,

"It was horrible, I could hear you crying out for me, and then I heard Moony trying to console you. Hearing the pain in both of your voices was unbearable. The last thing I remember, you were shouting about killing someone..." Sirius looked down at Harry, but before he asked him Harry answered abruptly,

"It was Bellatrix, I thought she had killed you...I wanted revenge." Harry returned his Godfather's sympathetic look with a tone of bitterness.

"And then, well...I guess there's time for telling you my account later. It's not important...it wasn't even real in some sense." He seemed lost in his thoughts before shaking his head hastily, "Tell me, what happened when you ran after Bellatrix?" Harry eyes widened,

"You mean Ron and Hermione didn't fill you in with what's been going on with the Order and everything?"

Sirius shook his head, "Harry, as I said you gave us quite a fright. After I returned, I discovered you without a pulse. We've been by your side, reviving your fundamental needs to keep you alive. They told me everything about death chambers, and what you three did to accomplish my return. Ron is still shaky about his role in it. He thought I was going to kill him when he told me about the Cruciatus curse, but after my first initial outrage I knew he meant no harm. It has really played a number on his conscience though." Harry heaved a sigh,

"I'll talk to him." Looking up at his Godfather who was smiling down at him, he placed his head against his chest. "Sirius, I know for you it seemed like a couple of months...but two years. For two years I thought you were dead. I've missed you so much."

Sirius smiled, "Kiddo, even in two months I missed you. I was going crazy! I couldn't even imagine what everyone was thinking about my sudden disappearance. I tried my hardest to come back, but those damned obstacles were time consuming."

"What did you have to do?" Sirius closed his eyes,

"It's not important...hey, so why is no one else here? You three are here unprotected. Where is the rest of the Order? And why aren't you lot in school?!"

Harry looked grave, "Sirius, a lot of things have happened since you fell through the veil. A lot..."

Sirius gave him an uncertain look, "Well, why don't you start from telling me from when you chased after Bellatrix." Harry took a deep breath in before commencing,

"Well, this is going to take a while...if only we had a pensieve or something." Sirius smiled,

"We can look for one after."

Harry nodded, "After I ran after Bellatrix, her beloved Master came."

Sirius' eyes widened, "He came to the Ministry?!" Harry sniggered at his Godfather's astonishment,

"Sirius, him and his followers are pretty much running the Ministry these days, along with Hogwarts..."

"WHAT! Is that why you three aren't at school? Merlin's beard! What about Dumbledore?"

Harry's heart froze; he didn't even know where to begin conveying everything that has happened in the past two years to Sirius. It was way too much, but it had to be done. Harry gave him a significant look before carrying on, "Sirius...Dumbledore, well, he's dead."

Sirius made a vehement exclamation, as he jumped up fervently starring down at Harry in denial. "Dumbledore – dead!?" Hurried footsteps were heard coming from the staircase near Harry and Sirius. Ron and Hermione burst in the room with their wands at hand, both looking vigilant. Harry looked at the two of them powerlessly. Sirius turned around to look at the new arrivals of the room in disbelief.

"Sirius..." Harry said cautiously, "Please sit down, everything that I'm about to tell you isn't going to be easy to hear," he looked from Ron to Hermione unsure of how to continue. Hermione was about to say something when Sirius beat him to it,

"What about Remus, and Tonks? Are they okay?"

Ron chuckled, "Remus and Tonks? Oh they are more than all right. I assure you the married couple are in fine health." Sirius choked on his own saliva, "Excuse me? Married couple – Tonks and Remus?"

"Did someone call my name?" came a voice from the hallway. At the door frame stood Remus Lupin. His cloak seemed more tattered than usual. He smiled at the sight of Ron and Hermione, and cleared his throat, "I am so relieved to see you both. I've been worried about the three of you since Bill and Fleur's wedding..." His gaze fell upon Harry, and he rushed towards without thinking. Sirius was standing at an angle to where Ron and Hermione stood, and the door that Remus pushed open to walk through made Sirius even more concealed to Remus, who hadn't even set gaze upon him yet. He wouldn't have even expected to set his gaze upon Sirius, since he believed that his best friend was killed nearly two years ago.

"Harry, are you all right? What happened?" He turned around straight away to seek answers from Ron and Hermione, when he finally saw Sirius starring at him with poignant eyes. Remus gasped, standing up instantaneously as he grabbed his wand from his inner pockets and pointed it directly at Sirius' face.

"Ron, Hermione step back! Who are you...imposter!" Remus shouted shakily. Sirius cautiously took a step forward, but halted when the wand that was pointing at his face was now aimed towards his chest.

"Moony, it's me." Sirius said as if every word he said brought him pain. "I'm back."

"Silence...Sirius Black died at the Department of Mysteries two years ago." Harry struggled to sit up from where he was laying.

"Remus, it's him...we brought him back." Remus inhaled deeply as he snorted, "Harry, you should know by now that no one can bring back the dead."

"That's because he never died Remus, Sirius fell in a death chamber that held him in a limbo for nearly two years." Hermione said steadily, as she looked from Remus pointing his wand at Sirius to Ron and Harry for help.

"That's right Remus." Ron said hastily, "We only found out about it two days ago."

"Remus, please just lower your wand and we'll explain everything to you." Harry said as if he was out of breath. All of a sudden, his scar seared with pain and he cried aloud unintentionally.

"Harry!" shouted Sirius as he rushed to Harry's side, "Harry, what's wrong? Is it your scar?"

Remus who still had his wand pointing at Sirius said firmly, "This isn't real. Sirius you..."

"Oh Sirius, could you please change into Padfoot so Remus can believe you already." Hermione said impatiently. Sirius nodded swiftly, got up hastily and with a slight pop sound changed into a large black dog that had an uncanny resemblance to a grim. Remus' wand was now shaking so fervently that it nearly fell from his clutch.

Every Animagus is unique and original thus ceasing Remus' suspicions. Sirius transformed back to his human form, when less than a second later he was tackled in a strong embrace by Remus, who was still shaking slightly. "Sirius, I don't believe it! I thought you were dead! Oh Padfoot..."

They released each other, smiling broadly when Sirius let out a bark like laugh, "So, Mr. Lupin...how is Mrs. Lupin doing?" Remus laughed nervously,

"Oh, they told you about that...well, yeah it seems you've missed quite a lot my old friend." Sirius looked down at Harry, "You all right?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah, it just took me by surprise what with everything that's happened." Harry looked up at Remus, "Perfect timing Remus, we were just trying to fill Sirius in with everything that's happened."

Sirius looked solemn, "Remus, is it true about Albus?"

Remus gave him a distressing look, "I regret to say that it is Sirius. It happened not that long ago actually...three months maybe." Sirius lowered his head, "How...how did it happen?"

"Snape," Harry said in a pungent tone.

"WHAT!" Sirius' shout was so deafening it rebounded off the walls. "That slimy, piece of...I knew he was not to be trusted." Remus sighed, "Yes, well."

"Remus, how did you know where to find us?"

Remus turned directly to look at Ron before answering his question. "I had a funny feeling that you would come here, and I was right was I not? I have reason to believe that Albus left you three with a mission."

Sirius looked from Remus to Harry, who was giving Ron and Hermione uneasy looks. "What mission?" Sirius asked looking directly at Harry. "Erm, well...first I think we should fill you in with everything that's been happening Sirius."

Remus nodded, "I agree with Harry." He gave Harry a wary look before conjuring up three chairs in the room. Sirius sat down beside Harry, "Okay, let's start with you Harry...what happened when Dumbledore showed up at the Department of Mysteries."

Let me know what you think! Take care!

Love Always,

Opaque Nights.