Professor McGonagall was devastated by the truth.

To spend more than a decade believing four of your students dead, one a traitor to the others, and then learn that the so-called traitor was a hero and one survived…

Top that off with the hardships Sirius had endured, and the-to her-disagreeable choices he had made, was hard.

But Professor McGonagall was a Gryffindor, and refused to have the facts sugarcoated for her comfort before agreeing to keep their secret.

"I won't stay silent forever, Mister Black. You best have results soon, or else I'll end this farce of yours."

Nasrin found her biggest contention was Sirius' time with the Sons of Johto, since the Order of Moltres had, under the headmaster, refused to kill lest they be no better than their enemies.

"Jack had a response to that, the first time I told him about Dumbles' theory." Sirius had noted afterwards. "He looked me right in the eye and said 'There would be one key difference, boyo. We're still alive.' He also pointed out that Team Nocturne only lost when your mum decided she'd rather kill Voldemort than stand by and see if hoping really hard would save you."

The man had smiled weakly.

"I get it, I really do. And no one is asking you to run out and begin shooting Team Nocturne members in the face. Dumbledore believes that if we retaliate like that, it'll only lead to escalation. The problem is that, if you don't draw a line in the sand, then there's nothing to prevent your enemy from escalating things anyway."

Nasrin sat for a long time on their windowsill that night, watching moonlight play over the grass, and knew her line in the sand.

When Dobby woke him up late at night, Harry panicked for a moment that the traitor had made a move and they had missed their chance, or someone was hurt, before the Alakazam calmed him.

Is Kind Nasrin Universe, he explained, uneasy. Not hurt, but…worried.

Rolling out of bed and grabbing a jacket, Harry grabbed his Poke Balls and faced Dobby with a frown.

"Take me to her."

Teleportation was dizzying still, disorienting, but he caught himself on the other side, blinking away stars as a bright light filled the dark.

While the island was mostly open plains of grass and gentle hills, there were patches of trees here and there that provided some privacy, and this one circled around a clearing, the trees so closely-grown he would be surprised if any of that light was visible from the castle.

Pongo snarled, ducking sideways to avoid the Moonblast, bristling from nose to tail and golden eyes seeming to shine with red flecks as he responded with a Thunder Fang that Ariel effortlessly danced around.

For all her grace, the Brionne was serious and sharply focused, making sure her opponent's attention never wavered by firing off weak Water Guns that only served to further enrage him.

Nasrin watched quietly from the sidelines, even Meeko hiding behind her back as the battle raged, dark eyes shining wetly when Harry joined her with Dobby.

"What's going on?" He whispered, instinctively wary of drawing attention. "I thought he was tired out from training earlier."

"So did I." She agreed quietly, mouth a troubled line even when Duchess nudged her ankle. "He's been so restless lately, and his temper's gotten so bad…I thought bringing him out here for some mock battles would help…"

Snow huffed, ice rattling softly in her fur, and Nasrin offered a sympathetic glance.

"But he's only gotten worse."

This was evidenced by a piercing howl as Pongo charged at his opponent in a blind rage, Ariel's pink-starred eyes widening in surprise as she barely avoided sparking fangs.

"Hold!" Nasrin called, but the Rockruff did not seem to hear, whipping around and nearly catching Ariel's tail as he hounded her. "Pongo, STOP!"

Harry had never known the blue-furred Pokemon to disobey, even in the heat of battle, and his eyes widened when Pongo lunged instead of backing down, clamping down on Ariel's flipper, the Brionne crying out as electricity raced through her-

Then Nasrin was there, forcing his jaws open as gently as she could, Ariel reeling back in reflex when Pongo's head whipped around-

It was Harry that cried out as those fangs sank into the half-Gem's hand, blood welling up in a splash of red over white fur and pale skin, though she winced.

The sharp taste seemed to jolt Pongo from his mindless rage, gold eyes widening in horror before scrambling away, mouth red.

"It's okay." Nasrin assured, careful to reach out with her undamaged hand. "It doesn't even hurt."

But Pongo knew what he had done, realized the danger he posed not just to his alpha, but his pack-so many pups, not yet strong enough to face him-, and Harry saw the grim resolve harden that usually playful, puppyish face.

Sensing the shift, Nasrin's eyes widened with frightened tears.

"Pongo, no-"

Snow cried out as the Rockruff turned and fled into the trees, disappearing even from the moon, a sound echoed by her fellows and the jingle of Eevee's Ball on his belt.

A choked little sound escaped Nasrin then, almost a sob, and Harry stumbled forward as if breaking out of a trance, collapsing around her-

And Harin sobbed then, guilty and confused and worried, not understanding what was wrong and why he had run away, they could help him, they would if he had just stayed…

Will be back, Dobby assured them, gaze fixed in the distance where said Pokemon had disappeared. Once ready, will return and explain.

Harin nodded, one hand pressed to their Gem as it flickered in distress.

This was something he needed to do, and they would wait for him to find his way back.

That's just what family did.