Dear Harry,

I am sorry. Sorry for so many things. You may not know this but before your parents died they made me your godfather and I am sorry I haven't exactly been one but I hope that one day I can make that up to you.

When you were little, Voldemort found out where your parents were hiding; common knowledge is that I revealed their location and betrayed them: but I didn't. I thought that there was a leak in the Order and so urged James and Lily to give the job of secret keeper to Pettigrew, I always thought that if it had been him then I would be able to protect them and help get them away from Voldemort, but he was too quick and it is the biggest mistake of my life and I regret it with all my heart.

James and I have been friends since we were both sorted into Gryffindor our first year at Hogwarts. I'm slightly ashamed to say this but me and your father, along with Lupin and Pettigrew, were somewhat mischievous at school, McGonagall certainly wasn't very keen on us. But as soon as James met Lily he stopped all of that, me and the boys joked about it but really it was the best thing that could have happened to the both of them.

Now your mother may not thank me for saying this but stay away from slimy Snape. He will hate you and use his greasy hair to make you slip up at opportunity. Now the godfather in me is telling you to try and rise above it and don't drop to his levels but the child in me says for you to get your own back in whatever legal way possibly. Severus Snape will probably never like you, from what James has told me he will probably always have feelings for Lily and so seeing you will rub salt in the wounds – but he deserves that so don't feel guilty about him.

My plan with Pettigrew didn't work and for that I will be eternally sorry. I had also hoped that if your parents had...been unlucky then I would be around to raise you, but I failed with that as well. The Ministry of Magic went on what those muggles had been frightened into thinking, but I knew you were in safe hands with Hagrid. That night was the worst night of my life; the worst because I lost my friends, not just your parents but Moony as well, I also got sent to...Azkaban. But it was good because Voldemort got broken, broken almost beyond repair.

Remus Lupin is a good man and trust him, he will be good to you and tell you the truth. You need to know this sometime so I might as well tell you now – Lupin is a werewolf. He transforms every full moon, and please, for your own safety, don't go looking for him, I don't know how I would cope knowing that you had been injured. Also, I am an animagous – I can willingly transform into a black shaggy dog, James can transform into a stag and Pettigrew transforms into a mouse. If your mum lets me we might show you how to transform yourself when you're old enough, your dad will be willing enough for sure!

Harry James Potter, don't give up and please, look after yourself. Lily and James were both brave, courageous and brilliant in battle, I'm sure that when the time comes (and unfortunately I think it must), you will be just as good in battle. A part of this is trusting those around you, Lily is very trusting and I hope you have that in you – what would the world be like if there wasn't trust? The world isn't very forgiving, neither is Voldemort, but that doesn't mean that you can't be forgiving yourself. I hope that one day, when you read this or later on in your long and prosperous life, you will understand why I did what I did fourteen years ago. It pains me everytime I think of that night and it pains me even more to think that because of me you have lived your live essentially alone, without knowing what wonderful people your parents were. Lily and James were two people that were destined to be with each other, they were destined to be parents and they were truly amazing with you. Of course I filled the spot of godfather alright then, showering you with wizarding paraphernalia but if I didn't who would?

Don't ever forget that you are a wonderful person and whatever the world throws at you, know that your parents and me love you and will always be with you, even if it's not in the way that we might have dreamed of when you were first born. Look after yourself Harry,

Your Godfather

Sirius.