{Sorry but this chapter is short! I'll work on making longer ones! But to make up for the shortness, but I added some attempted fluff in there. Hope you like it.}

Chapter 12. Only Hope in the World

"Who wants to read next?" McGonagall asked. "I will!" James said before snagging the book and opening up to the next chapter. He cleared his throat dramatically before reading.

Sirius Black was tired.

Everyone stopped and looked carefully at the oldest Black brother. Sirius was wearing an unreadable expression, but he was stiffer than before.

He was tired of it all. These cold stone walls, those iron bars. He just wanted someone to believe him. He didn't kill James.

James grimaced at that.

He didn't kill Liliana. He didn't kill Shizuka. Or any of those muggles he never knew but was blamed for. He didn't. He was innocent. But no one believed him. No one who could help him.

Dorea pulled Sirius into a tight hug.

Sirius huddled into a smaller ball. He heard the echo of footsteps down the cold corridor. He peeked through his tattered and stained prison robes and saw two people standing outside the iron bars of his cell.

Charlus saw Arcturus look worriedly at his oldest grandson.

"You have a visitor." The human guard said, before walking away in disgust.

Regulus frowned.

The man standing there looked familiar. Almost like-"Remus?" Sirius asked.

Remus gave his friend a tight one armed hug.

The man gave him a sad smile. "Hello Sirius." Remus said.

The werewolf was wearing the same smile now.

Sirius uneasily walked towards the bars. He crumpled before his best friend's feet.

Andromeda looked worried. What happened to her out going, rebellious cousin?

"Sirius?" Remus asked in concern. "I'm used to it." Sirius croaked.

If Sirius could see past Dorea's arms, he would have seen the sad and concerned looks his family sent him.

Remus knelt down and reached out towards his friend. Sirius just held himself up with the bars.

"Stubborn as ever." Charlus said weakly.

"Why're you here Remus?" Sirius asked.

"To see you, you git." Remus said thickly.

Remus pulled several items out of his sleeve. "I went to see Leo." Remus said. Leo? "You saw my son?" Sirius asked.

"Didn't we just read about this in the last chapter?" Barty asked.

"I did, yes. I checked on him for several days in Hogwarts." Remus said.

Shizuka gave him a grateful smile.

"Hogwarts?" Sirius asked. "Yes, the boys are in their first year." Remus said, with a smile. "I thought Aries would start second year." Sirius said.

"Oh yeah, he's a year older than them." Lily said. "Then why's he a year behind?" Artucurs questioned.

"I thought so too, but he started first year now." Remus said confused by that as well.

"It could just be the wrackspurts." Xenophilius said. Only a few people gave him weird looks.

"Why did you go to check on Leo?" Sirius asked. Remus sighed, and ran a hand through his greying hair. You aren't going to like this." Remus said.

"I don't." Sirius said.

"What could possibly be worse?" Sirius asked. He was in fucking Azkaban. He saw dementors daily. He couldn't remember the last time he was happy.

Many people stiffened and winced.

Remus showed him an edition of the Daily Prophet. Sirius grabbed it from his friend. It was a few days old. What he read though was going to give drive him to an early death.

"Is it about the trolls?" Barty asked.

Hogwarts Students Attacked!

To my valued readers what I have to report will shock you.

"Understatement of the year." Abarax said.

On Halloween night two trolls broke into Hogwarts. Several people

Students and staff alike were seriously injured. Upon the news of the trolls, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, along with a few professors left to go deal with the trolls.

What happened was one troll was knocked out by first year Ronald Weasley, who saved two fellow first year Gryffindors, Hermione Granger, and the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter. Young Mr. Weasley used a simple levitation spell to knock the troll out, thus saving the savior of the wizarding world.

"Still can't believe it." Septimus said.

What happens next is truly horrible. The second troll broke into the Great Hall.

It smashed all four House tables and students of every house were injured to various degrees. Thanks to the spell work of the older students, the professors and the grounds keeper, Rubeus Hagrid the second troll was incapacitated.

Just after that, Headmaster Dumbledore returned and all he could say was 'I'm so sorry.' Where was the Headmaster during the whole fiasco?

"Excellent question." Moody growled.

How did the trolls break into Hogwarts?

"Another good question." Moody said.

As a special to my fans, I've gotten an interview with Harry Potter himself and found myself asking more questions than answers.

"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL!?" Sirius couldn't help screaming.

"Déjà vu." Remus said.

Trolls? Not one, but two? And Harry was almost killed by one!?

"Don't remind me." Liliana said bitterly.

"Remus, what the fuck's going on!?" Sirius growled. "I don't know, but try reading the interview." Remus said thickly. Sirius growled before turning the paper to read on.

"I feel like this will only get worse." Frank said.

Skeeter: Harry, might I have a few words with you?

Potter: Er- I suppose. I'm sorry but who are you?

Skeeter: I'm Rita Skeeter, journalist for the Daily Prophet

"Isn't she that gossip?" Barty asked. "Unfortunately." Many students whined. "She spread this rumor recently that Sirius and Remus were gay for each other." James said interrupting himself. "No that was you and Sirius." Remus said. "Shut. The hell. Up." Sirius said mortified.

Potter: Oh, pleased to meet you.

Skeeter: So, Harry, what was it like to be attacked by a mountain troll.

Harry: Er, a bit unpleasant.

"You must be joking." Abarax said in disbelief.

Skeeter: Why did you go after the troll?

Potter: I didn't. I went to go warn Hermione about the trolls. She didn't hear about them from the professors.

Skeeter: Is Hermione a good friend of yours?

Potter: She's in my year and House. She says she read books about me, but I'm not sure about that.

Skeeter: About what?

Potter: The books. I didn't find out I was a wizard until this past summer.

Skeeter: Truly!?

Potter: Me, Aries and Leo were raised by a muggle family.

Skeeter: They didn't tell you and your friends you were wizards?

Potter: No, they wanted us to be normal muggles and go to muggle school. They don't like magic much.

Many dark looks spread at the reminder of the Dursleys.

At this I had to leave due to the Headmaster coming in and asking me to leave.

Those dark looks worsened.

In case you were wondering who Harry Potter was raised with were Aries Black and Leo Black, both were attacked by the troll in the Great Hall. In fact, Harry Potter was going to visit Leo Black who was still unconscious from the troll destroying the Great Hall. Were those books about the boy who lived truly correct?

"Probably not." McGonagall said.

Who left the boys with magic hating muggles who denied them their heritage?

"Dumbledore." Many hissed.

Why were they left with these muggles?

"That's been bugging me the entire time." Bellatrix said.

Shouldn't someone have checked on them?

"Yes." All the adults growled.

More questions I am compelled to find out for us all.

Many people snorted derisively.

"Is Leo alright?" Sirius asked hoarsely. "What about Aries? Did Harry get hurt?" Sirius asked in a rush.

"Down boy." Remus joked. Sirius cracked a weak smile.

"They're all okay." Remus said. "Leo's awake and was even very energetic." Remus said. "He couldn't stand being bed ridden." Remus recalled.

"Sounds familiar." Regulus said looking at his brother.

"I'm glad." Sirius said very sadly. He missed his son. He missed a lot of people. His son. His wife. His brother. His friends. He still can't shake their deaths and suffering from his nightmares.

Shizuka somehow sneaked by and hugged Sirius.

Sirius growled and shoved the paper back at Remus. Sirius would've done more but he simply lacked the energy and strength to do more.

Andomeda looked darkly at the book.

"What the fuck is Dumbledore doing!?" Sirius rasped. "I don't know, but whatever it is has already put the entire school in danger." Remus said.

"Whatever it is, it can't be good." Augusta said angrily.

"I have a present for you Padfoot." Remus said with a smile. "What?" Sirius asked. "Peter's head on a plate?" He asked seriously.

Many people looked shocked. How much damage did Azkaban do to him?

Remus shook his head. "I get the feeling you might like this one better." Remus said passing a thick envelope to him.

Sirius smiled a bit. "Leo's letter." He said softly.

Sirius looked curiously at the envelope with his name on it. "It's a letter." Remus said. "From who?" Sirius asked. "Leo." Remus said. Sirius stiffened. When he heard the human guard come back he placed the letter against his visible ribcage under his robes.

Andromeda was going to have blood for that detail.

"Your time's up." The guard said derisively. Remus stood up and gave Sirius a farewell smile. Sirius tried to return it before the guard rudely moved Remus out of sight. When the guard double backed and left to guard some other part of Azkaban, Sirius stumbled back to his bed and opened the letter hesitantly.

Hi, this is Leo. Gosh this is awkward.

Sirius chuckled a bit. It was rather awkward.

Sirius frowned. He shouldn't have had to do this. He should have raised Leo with Shizuka.

"Oh Godric, this is some Sirius inception!" Remus said.

So, well where to start… Well I'm twelve this year. I got sorted into Hufflepuff!

Sirius was surprised. He never pegged his son as a Puff. Then again he was one the last time he saw him.

"He's loyal and hard working." Ted added with a nod. Sirius smiled at him when he felt Shizuka hug him tighter.

I grew up with Harry and Aries. The muggles who brought us up are total magic hating jerks, but we're at Hogwarts so were okay now. I think. School seems kinda dangerous.

No shit. Sirius thought.

"My thoughts exactly." Sirius added with a nod.

Anyway I hope you're doing well. I heard you'll get a trial before winter holiday!

Sirius looked surprised. He has a trial? Within the month or so?

"He should have had on at the very start." Regulus said coldly.

Well, I should probably explain more about myself huh?

Sirius thought that he should know more about his son.

Shizuka thought that she should too.

Well I heard I'm a prankster just like you! Aries is too, even if he is a bookworm. It's a no brainer that he got sorted into Ravenclaw.

Sirius was shocked. Aries. His brother's son. The brother who was the perfect pureblood heir, the perfect little Slytherin, his son is a pranking Ravenclaw.

"I don't have a lot of issue with it." Regulus said softly.

Harry's in Gryffindor and he became Gryffindor seeker!

Harry he could see as a Gryffindor. But how in Merlin's name did he get to be seeker!? He's a first year!

"Malfoy." Frank said looking at the future Mr. And Mrs. Malfoy.

Growing up with Harry and Aries was…interesting.

Sirius didn't like the sound of that at all.

"It isn't." Remus growled.

The muggles didn't like us much, and we sort of took care of ourselves.

Sirius growled. If those muggles ever hurt a hair on any of their heads…

"Oh, the Dursleys have it coming. Believe me." James said interrupting himself.

But it's cool, their son is a fat, idiotic pork for brains!

Sirius snorted. Reminded him of Peter.

"I never really thought of that, but it's true." Remus admitted.

I hate their son Dudley almost as much as Snape!

Why does his son know who Snape is!?

"Bad stroke of luck and poor teacher choices." Sirius answered his future/book self.

Snape is our Potions Professor.

And Sirius was sure Snivellous was going torment his son in his slimy Death Eater dungeon.

Moody looked piqued at the title Death Eater. Lily was giving Sirius a heated glare, but Shizuka and His friends defended him with their own steely looks.

The man is a dungeon bat. The greasy, sneering, repulsive git! I heard someone set him on fire! And I missed it!

Sirius chuckled weakly. That would've been a sight to see.

The marauders shared a look. Maybe if he did anything worse to the boys.

I made some friends in Hufflepuff. There's Cedric Diggory.

Amos's son?

"Yep." Ted said.

He's older than me, but he's pretty cool. He usually helps me when I need help getting to the common room, or need some answers. He doesn't talk much but I noticed he looks out for me often.

Sirius smiled. Sounds like this Cedric boy was acting like an older brother. Sirius frowned sadly. Regulus…

Regulus gave his brother a half smile that was returned.

My best friend in Hufflepuff is Velvela Howle.

A girl? Sirius wondered.

She's nice. We became friends after the sorting. She helped me when I got lost in the common room. From there we just became friends. My sense of direction sucks. I passed down the same hallway three times before trying to get to the Great Hall.

Sirius chuckled a bit.

Sirius copied his literary counterpart's action.

Me and Aries pull pranks when we can. We have this prank war on Fred and George Weasley.

Arthur's boys? So were they Fabian and Gideon's nephew's?

Their Ron's older brother. Ron is Harry's best friend.

Sirius wondered if Aries made some friends in his own house.

"Doesn't look like it." Regulus added.

Aries and I pranked the twins during the sorting feast!

Sirus smiled a bit more.

Then we had this prank war declared. Recently they brought us to our Heads of House gift wrapped.

"We should do that." Remus whispered to James.

He snickered before giving a loud cough.

Oh, speaking of pranks, we got Snape to slip in babbling potion! I have so many ideas to get back at the man. Maybe the twins can teach me how to shrink his nose.

Sirius though hard for a moment. He and his friends never did that.

And they shared a look that meant that now they would.

Or get Harry to do it.

Sirius wasn't following his son's train of thought.

"I'm not either." Many admitted.

He doesn't like any of us, calling me an arrogant brat. He's the arrogant brat. Please ignore my rant.

Nope. Sirius was finding some good reasons to kick the git's arse.

Kicking was mild compared to what the boys' mothers had in store from him based on their furious looks.

I met Moony today! He's pretty cool. I never would have guessed he pulled pranks with you and Harry's dad.

The teacher's didn't either. Sirius recalled.

Remus gave a look of confusion. As if he didn't know what they were talking about.

He was telling me all sorts of stories! Is it true you called Mama a princess when you first met her?

He did. And somehow he convinced her to marry him.

"It was kinda funny." Shizuka murmured.

He also mentioned what it was like for you guys at Hogwarts .I bet it never had Snape and two trolls on Halloween.

Snape yes. Trolls no. Unless you counted Snape.
"I don't think we are." "Shame."

I got a bit knocked up but I'm okay!

Sirius wasn't relieved.

"Leo could've used a different phrase than knocked up." Barty said with a scrunched up nose. Sirius blanched.

I'm tougher than what Harry says. Harry calls me a girly pretty boy. And he laughs when people mistake me or Aries get mistaken for girls.

Sirius would bet ten galleons that the boys didn't like that.

"Easy ten." Alice said.

It sucks. It royally sucks.

"Ah." Sirius said.

"Leo is pretty funny when he rambles." Liliana said.

Maybe I should cut my hair. Yeah, I can match Harry and Aries with messy hair. But I don't mind it when people mistake us for siblings. Aries is like a twin for me, even though he's a year older than me. Harry's like our little brother. Our little brother who has some of the worst luck in the world.

Mine did too. Sirius thought glumly.

"Well, I'll be more careful this time around." Regulus said.

Did you really call Professor McGonagall Minnie? That's so brave. Then again I heard you were sorted into Gryffindor. I think she'll give me two weeks detention for that. I guess I could test that out.

Sirus snickered.

McGonagall was rubbing her eyes and people weren't sure if it was in frustration, or sorrow.

Was Moony lying about how you had this flying motorcycle? Or that you and Harry's dad got in trouble with the muggle police with it? What about the story that you built it all on your own? Cause if they're true that would be so cool!

Sirius couldn't stop smiling. And he felt warm on the inside for the first time in years.

Sirius flinched at the words a bit.

I like to mess around and build little things here and there. When you get out can you teach me how?

"Of course!" Sirius said.

Sirius continued to read in shock.

That would be the best Christmas gift ever! When you get out we can do family stuff for Christmas! Decorating, talking, doing normal family stuff. Yeah, that'd probably be the best Christmas ever. That I can remember. I'm sure you remember Christmas when I was a baby. I hope you're doing fine. Can't wait for you to get out this winter. Hope to see you out soon, Papa.

Many people were smiling. That would be so sweet.

From,

Leo

Sirius couldn't stop smiling.

He really couldn't.

But he couldn't describe how happy he was. His son was an energetic young boy, and he wanted to see him. His son wanted to see him! His son wanted him back for Christmas!

"And there's the overgrown puppy we all know and love." Remus said happily.

Sirius felt the air grow colder as the dementors closed in.

The mirth died young at those dreadful words.

He shifted in to his animagus form. Dementors couldn't sense his emotions as well when he was a dog.

"Guess it's more useful than we knew." Sirius chuckled hollowly.

He curled into himself his paws over the letter. His son. He was going to get out. He had to. For Aries. For Harry. For Leo.

"That's the end of the chapter." James said. He tossed the book aside and gave his brother in all but blood a tight, bone crushing hug.