I was really itching to get out there and help.

So far, nothing had happened here. Sirius was pacing at the shore of the lake, and Evirah looked like she wanted to tell him to sit down. Regulus continuously gave us a play-by-play of the battle, and I wanted to be out there!

It wasn't long before Heartians started returning in duos: one healthy and one injured or, once or twice, worse. Several Heartian healers were bustling around helping the injured warriors. All of the humans fighting were safe as of now. At least, they were uninjured, according to Regulus.

"I wish there was something we could do," I muttered angrily, kicking up dust before plopping down onto the ground. "I feel so useless!"

"I agree," said Sirius irately. "We're wasting time! Evirah, how much longer do I have to wait?"

I had no clue what he was talking about, but Evirah evidently did. "This is a rash idea as it is; I'll only allow it in an absolute emergency, when there is no other choice."

"It is an emergency!" Sirius snapped.

"Sirius, what are you on about?" I asked, crossing my arms. Evirah raised an eyebrow and Sirius awkwardly spluttered something about me murdering him. Oh. So this was some crazy plan that I wouldn't approve of.

"I... er..." Sirius stammered. "Well, I was talking with Marcik about the Heart's defences... I knew a lot already, but he explained to me what would happen in an emergency in which the defences were about to fall. And, er, he told me something along the lines of 'don't even think about it!' as he was explaining, which was why he was yelling at me before..."

"Sirius, get on with it," I said impatiently.

"Well, you see-"

"Peter's down!" yelled Regulus suddenly, and we both looked up in horror. "I think- yeah, just injured, they're bringing him in now."

Sure enough, a Heartian warrior pulled Peter inside the Heart only moments later.

"I can walk," Peter complained. "Gerroff!"

"Wormtail!" I exclaimed, rushing over to him as the warrior laid him down by a Healer. He sat up immediately. The warrior nodded politely at me, before rushing back out to battle. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," grumbled Peter, who, indeed, was fine. "These Heartians think everything is a fatal injury! I mean, c'mon! So I might have broken a rib!"

"Lie down," snapped one of the healers, and Peter reluctantly laid back.

"I wish I could be out there," I muttered, not paying much attention as the healer fixed Peter up. "Evirah won't let me and Reg leave, says we need to be here. Probably to stop Sirius from going through with whatever crazy plan he's plotting. Yeah, and he won't leave, for whatever reason. I feel so useless."

"Well," said Peter after a moment. "Your mum's a healer- maybe you can help this lot."

A few of the healers nodded eagerly.

"I don't know all that much about healing," I admitted.

"We teach you," said the healer who had healed Peter, a young looking leopard. "We need help here. Too many injured."

Looking around at all the injured Heartians, I had to agree.

"I'm going to go back out there," said Peter after a moment. "I think it's about time I show some more of my Gryffindor daring."

"You do that, Wormtail," I grinned, patting him on the back. He smiled and ran out of the Heart. Sirius continued pacing at the lake edge.

"I am Healer Endi," said the leopard healer. "I speak most English out of other healers."

"That's encouraging," I muttered to myself. Endi led me over to an injured Heartian warrior.

"Can you tell what wrong and heal?" said Endi. I shook my head, and reached for my wand to cast a diagnostic charm. Endi grabbed my arms. "So dependent on sticks! No, no, no."

My mouth fell open, and I heard Sirius snickering behind me.

"Here," said Endi, manoeuvring my hands so they were positioned above the warrior's chest. "Now feel with your magic."

"What?" I asked, completely confused. One of the healers giggled. Sirius laughed loudly.

"Humans!" Endi scoffed, rolling her large, amber eyes. "They don't teach you how to reach out magic?"

"No," I said, very baffled. "I mean, I know you have to focus your magic into a spell and all..."

"Good, good, very good!" said Endi, clapping her hands together. "Watch- I will demonstrate, then explain."

And she did. She held out her hands (paws?) over the warrior's chest and closed her eyes. Moments later, a warm pink light spread from her hands (serious, are they paws or hands?) to the warrior's chest, then dissipated. The warrior sat up and grinned, thanking Endi in Heartian, before running off.

I gaped.

"See, easy!" said Endi. "Now you try! We do simple injury first."

She beckoned a warrior with an obviously broken arm over, and nodded eagerly at me, telling the warrior something in Heartian. He held out his arm.

"I don't know-"

"Try," said Endi, cutting me off and smiling. I hesitated before moving my hands over the warrior's arm and squeezing my eyes shut. Focus my magic... focus my magic... heal, mend, something. Endi tapped me and my eyes shot open. The warrior was grinning and flexing his now unbroken arm. He nodded at me before taking off back to battle.

"Great job, Prongs!" cheered Sirius, as Regulus clapped. I grinned triumphantly.

"Come," said Endi. "We have more to heal."

The battle continued on, and I continued to help with the healing. Once or twice, someone I recognized would enter. Amazingly, at one point, two Heartian warriors dragged in an annoyed looking McGonagall who clearly wanted to go back out and fight. The Heartians weren't having it, and I got the task of healing her.

"Ten points to each of you," she told me, smiling. "I'm giving points out there, too."

Regulus continued to update us on the battle. It was gradually getting worse for us, and Sirius was growing impatient. He still hadn't fully explained to me what he wanted to do- I hoped it wasn't too rash.

Pretty soon, there were more patients to heal than there were healers. Mum was brought in to help with the healing, since she knew this kind of stuff. It was amusing to watch Endi try to teach her Heartian healing, as well. Still, it was a full-blown disaster.

"There's so many of them," Regulus said forlornly. I frowned, biting my lip. If only we could do something! Sirius, evidently, was thinking something along the same lines.

"Evirah," he said urgently. "If this isn't an emergency, I don't know what is. Just let me help!"

"I-" Evirah seemed to be struggling to decide something. "Sirius... this is your choice. But explain it to your family first."

"What is he planning?" Mum groaned, and Dad, who had just been healed, stopped before leaving to fight again. Sirius nodded tightly, and Mum, Dad, and I walked over to him. Regulus, as well, floated over.

"So what's this emergency defence plan you had?" I asked, crossing my arms. "It better not be something crazy."

"Well... it's pretty crazy," admitted Sirius. "And you really aren't going to like it... but understand that I have to do this. It could save the whole forest, even Hogwarts!"

"You started to explain it earlier," said Regulus. "I heard some of it."

"It hasn't been used in hundreds of years," Sirius said. "And it hasn't been needed. It basically sends out shockwaves of magic that destroys the threat and heals anyone on our side."

"Well, I see nothing wrong with that," said Dad.

"Yeah," said Sirius uneasily. "But there's a bit of a catch."

I narrowed my eyes. "What catch?"

"Well, it kind of..." Sirius took a deep breath, before talking very fast. "ItrequiresasacrificeandIprobablywon'tsurvive."

We all stared at him. I raised an eyebrow. "Repeat that? I don't think I heard you right."

Sirius shuffled awkwardly. "It requires a sacrifice and I probably won't survive."

My mouth fell open. He was right; I didn't like it.

"Well, then," said Mum, who obviously felt the same as I did. "That option's out."

"I have to," said Sirius.

"It's not happening," I said stubbornly. "There's no way I'm letting it happen."

"You don't have much of a choice," said Sirius. "I have to do this. If I don't, the Death Eaters will win. They'll take the Heart. They'll destroy the forest, and then, they'll have an easy way into Hogwarts."

"Siri," said Regulus. "Please don't do this. Can't someone else?"

"Unfortunately," said Evirah, looking heavy-hearted, "a Heartian cannot. Otherwise, I would be willing."

"And there's no way I'm letting any of you," said Sirius. "And before you suggest we drag in a Death Eater and use them, it can't be someone dark like that."

He glared at us all, as if daring us to disagree.

"Sirius, please, don't do this," I said desperately. "I can't lose you."

"It's me or the Forest, Prongs," said Sirius. "You don't have a choice."

With that, he pulled Regulus and I each into a tight hug. I felt tears filling my eyes and starting to leak down my cheeks. Brave, strong Sirius...

Mum and Dad each pulled Sirius into a hug as well. Mum wiped her eyes and sniffled, and Endi walked over to comfort her. Sirius squeezed both Regulus's and my hands, before walking to the edge of the lake. He took a step, and, at first, he seemed to be walking on top of the water. Looking closer, it seemed a thin layer of magic was supporting him as he walked to the middle.

Sirius locked eyes with me and smiled, and I managed a shaky smile back. Suddenly, bright white magic started swirling from the depths of the lake to surround Sirius, raising him into the air. Regulus shot up to be level with him, and I quickly followed, looking around to see the battle we were slowly losing. I couldn't see Sirius through the magic.

Then, shockwaves of white spread all over the forest, emanating from the ball of light I knew contained my brother. The healers in the Heart backed away from their patients as they miraculously healed. Even more outside the Heart seemed to be rising and looking stronger than ever. I caught sight of Lily and Remus, both looking around in wonder. Peter seemed to be cheering, and I could see why- the Death Eaters were running, Apparating, all leaving. The dementors, too, were fleeing as if the magic burned them.

'It basically sends out shockwaves of magic that destroys the threat and heals anyone on our side.' That was how Sirius had described it. He never said it would make the entire forest more beautiful than I'd ever seen it, that it would remove any trace of darkness all around.

But then it really hit me. The magic wasn't just any magic. There was a familiarity about it. It almost reminded me of... Sirius. It reminded me of Sirius. I spun in midair to face the centre of the magic- Sirius- but had to shield my eyes at the brightness.

One last shockwave spread across the forest, before the light started to fade. Finally, I could make out Sirius's form. When the light finally dissipated, he started falling limply towards the lake. I rushed forward and caught him in my arms, lowering myself slowly to kneel on the ground. Regulus followed.

"No," I muttered, holding Sirius close. More tears streaked my face. Sirius's eyes were closed, and he was very still. Of course. Just like he'd said. I tried to hold back my sobs. I felt a small hand on my shoulder, and turned to see Regulus, fresh tears on his face as well. Moments later, Mum and Dad joined us, looking very sombre.

I managed to choke back my tears and open my mouth to say something to Sirius, whether or not he could hear me. "You did it, mate."

With that I closed my eyes and let the tears fall.

"Yeah, I guess I did," croaked a very familiar voice. My eyes snapped open to stare into Sirius's grey ones.

"Sirius!" I exclaimed, as Regulus let out an elated laugh. I let go of Sirius as he sat up, rubbing his head, bringing my attention briefly to his hair.

Then I did a double-take.

"Padfoot! Your hair!" I spluttered in shock.

"My hair? What's wrong with my hair!?" Sirius repeated, running his hands through his hair in panic. He stopped suddenly as he brought a very white streak of hair into his vision. "Oh."

How I hadn't noticed before was beyond me, but Sirius's hair now had multiple astonishingly white streaks in it. Regulus seemed to have noticed too, because he tactfully burst out: "Why is your hair white?"

"Well, it's not all white," said Mum, in a futile attempt to make the difference seem a lot less. "It's only a few streaks."

"Don't lie, he'll figure it out as soon as he gets a mirror," I said, chuckling lightly and rubbing any wetness that was left on my face away. "Pads, half your hair is white."

Sirius's mouth fell open, then closed again. "Well... I suppose the colour of my hair is a better price to pay than my life."

"Definitely," I nodded, before whacking him on the arm. "That's for scaring me!"

"Ow, Prongs!" Sirius complained.

I smiled and pulled him into a hug. "That's for everything else."

Sirius smiled warmly as he pulled away.

"Shall we go greet the brave warriors and tell them of the victory?" he asked, grinning mischievously. I grinned and stood, helping Sirius up as well. Heartians were emerging from their houses now. They all cheered as we left. Sirius turned cheerfully to wave at them, before the Heart disappeared behind us and we stood in the forest. Everyone looked bewildered, and no one seemed to notice us. I grinned, and locked eyes with Regulus. He grinned back, catching on. We each grabbed one of Sirius hands and held them up. Sirius stared at us, bewildered.

"All hail the hero!" I shouted. All heads turned. Then, every single Heartian started cheering loudly. Lily raced forward and tackled me, knocking me over and planting her lips on mine. Then she broke away and turned bright red, since all eyes were on us. She quickly climbed off me and helped me up as I sniggered.

"Mr. Black, what on Earth did you do to your hair?" exclaimed McGonagall. All eyes then focused on Sirius, who turned very red.

"Curious," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling. "But I think that is a tale to be told later. We should be off- back to the castle."

"Absolutely," said Moody, who still held a handful of Reg's cookies.

"Wait!" called a voice. We turned. Evirah came running up to us, smiling widely and holding out several bags. She handed them out to each of us (the humans). "A thank you from the Heart of the Forest. Keep in mind we will be your allies against this Voldemort and his armies."

"Thank you," said Dumbledore kindly.

"Hey, Sirius," said Regulus, grinning mischievously. "I think James owes you a parachute."

Sirius grinned. I paled.

"Alright, don't do anything until I give you the go ahead!"

"Right, Prongsie."

It had been several days since the Battle of the Heart (as it was now called). Most people had been shocked at Sirius's sudden hair change, but they got over it pretty quickly. McGonagall had ended up awarding all of us fifty points each, and Sirius sixty. We'd spent the last few days making Sirius's parachute. I still thought it was absolutely mad, but I had no choice. He did his end of the deal- time for me to do mine. Even if it went against what little common sense I had left.

"So, parachute on?" I asked. Sirius nodded eagerly. "Kay, me and Reg will be there when this inevitably fails, so don't worry."

"Do I look worried?" Sirius asked. He really didn't, actual seeming more impatient than anything else.

"Guess not," I laughed. "Alright, on the count of three, jump: one, two-"

"Three!" Sirius finished quickly, taking a running leap off the edge of the Astronomy Tower. I sighed and leapt after him, using the air to both propel and catch me. Regulus flew alongside us. "THIS IS AWESOME!"

"How long before it goes wrong?" Regulus asked, smiling bemusedly.

"Give it a minute," I said. "Right... about... now."

"Hey, James, shouldn't the parachute've opened by now?" asked Sirius, the slightest note of panic entering his voice. I chuckled, and nodded.

"Told ya," I said to Regulus.

"Aren't we gonna catch him?" asked Regulus, as Sirius continued to freefall and try to open his parachute with a panicked expression on his face.

"Let him panic for a bit," I smirked. "Maybe then he'll learn his lesson."

A/N: Done! Finally done! Fourth year: over! At long, long last! Okay, so the thing with Sirius... was it too weird? Should I rewrite the last two chapters to make up for the weirdness? Or was it pretty cool? Be honest. For those that don't get it, yes, they catch Sirius before he hits the ground. They just want to scare him a bit. :D Longest chapter yet! So excited! Almost to fifty~ can't wait! So... thanks to my reviewers, jeremiah123, sparkie926, Lady Loophole, sk8boards4ever, and all those who review after this. XP Hope you enjoyed!

I still don't own HP.