Onwards:
The night repeated itself in a blur and Harry saved Buckbeak, while Theo saved Harry and Sirius Black and himself from the dementor attack with his water deer Patronus. Harry helped, recalling how he had seen a deer running down the dementors, and as he assisted his friend he realized just how powerful and intelligent Theodore Nott was. Then they rescued Sirius from the castle, permitting him to escape on Buckbeak into the dark of the night, Black's promise hanging in the air of Harry possibly meeting his godfather again.
They returned to the infirmary and later were informed that, upon learning Black was free, Peter Pettigrew had disappeared, almost as if he had vanished, and there was no doubt in any of their minds that he had become an Animagus and slipped off. Ronald and Ginny were downright disgusted the rat had escaped and Ron was even mad at Harry for not trying harder to ensure he hadn't. Of course, neither Gryffindors were anywhere near as furious as Professor Snape when he came to and discovered what had happened and Fudge was outright ashamed he had been tricked into thinking Pettigrew was indeed innocent.
"If we ever catch Black," Fudge told them all with sincere apologies. "We'll let him know his name's been cleared. For now, we'll see about catching that rat."
They were all fairly certain the rat wouldn't be caught.
Then things, which were already weren't the brightest, got worse. Apparently, before slipping off completely, Pettigrew had painted words across the entire Entrance Hall in brilliant reds and yellows stating boldly: LUPIN IS A WEREWOLF!
Well, of course, now Lupin didn't feel he could remain a teacher and he made a hasty leave, though not before passing the Marauder's Map back to Ronald, much to Harry's disappointment, though he did get a chance to talk to Lupin before he left at the gates by the carriage to take Lupin to Hogsmeade.
"I wish you would stay." Harry murmured as he watched the man packing his things into the carriage. "It was nice to have someone good at the D.A.D.A. position...and I had hoped...we'd talk more about my dad."
Lupin sighed heavily, apparently torn now by Harry's words. "I'm sorry, Harry. I should have told you everything from the beginning. I should have spent more time talking to you about how things were. I was so ashamed of myself and of Black and how things had ended that I...well, it's all really selfish. In the end, I regret not being more...there for you."
"We'll meet again, though, right?"
"I'm sure we will." Lupin gave him a small smile, but it quickly became a frown. "I...you know, I just realized that Sirius probably doesn't know what House you're in."
"Would it matter?" Harry shot quickly, giving Lupin an apprehensive look.
Lupin hesitated and then murmured. "I'd recommend not telling him. I'll talk to him about it. I'm sure it'll be fine...once he gets over the shock of it...you know, he was supposed to be a Slytherin. His whole family was, even his little brother, but he wasn't...it didn't fit him."
"Maybe, Gryffindor doesn't fit me either." Harry pointed out. "Being a Slytherin doesn't mean I'm evil, right? I mean, look at Professor Snape. He's a good guy."
"Last night..." Lupin paused and then nodded. "Yes, last night proved that more than ever, even before with him faithfully making me my potion. Putting aside all the hate he had for Sirius and me and actually doing something for us...yes. Professor Snape is a very good person, Harry."
Harry couldn't help beaming at this, hearing that his favorite professor, his best friend, was a good person...it made him very happy.
Then Lupin got into the carriage and it started off towards Hogsmeade. It didn't take long for it to disappear from sight.
"You look rather upset, Harry." Came Dumbledore's voice and Harry turned to him. "You should be very proud of yourself after last night."
"But Pettigrew still got away."
"But you uncovered the truth and saved innocent people."
"True." Harry murmured. "I'm just...I just hope everything works out and worrying that it won't."
"Everything always works out, Harry."
The story of Pettigrew being the traitor and Sirius being innocent spread like wildfire through the school and it was the hottest topic of the Daily Prophet. People were told to, if they ever caught sight of Black, inform him of his innocence and that he was a free Wizard again. The loss of Lupin as a Professor was also a fairly big deal and several ideas for what they'd receive next as a teacher arose.
Harry ignored this babble and focused on trying to get a moment with Professor Snape, but this proved nearly impossible as the man was busy left and right these days, as was normal near the end of term. He finally got a chance on the last day of term, which was also when he got his exam results: passing all, but scraping by on a couple.
Walking into Snape's classroom, Harry spied the man brewing at a table and the boy cleared his throat to announce his arrive.
"Yes, Potter." Snape spoke coolly.
"I wanted to thank you." Harry murmured. "For that night. I don't know the details, but I know you and Sirius didn't get along and that it was probably fairly difficult to listen to him claim he was innocent and all, but thank you, sir."
"Emotions shouldn't get in the way of one's judgement." Snape murmured and then sighed. "Though even for me when it comes to Black, sometimes that is nearly impossible."
"What did he do?" Harry asked nervously.
"He played a nasty trick that nearly got me killed." The Potions Master admitted. "And we've had many exchanges...bad exchanges in the past with one another before even then. It's only natural for the two of us to dislike one another. He was in Gryffindor and I in Slytherin and he was apart of a gang. It's much like you and Weasley and his gang, which is partially the reason why I..."
"Sir?"
Professor Snape grumbled under his breath. "I related to you the moment I saw Weasley and his lackeys attack you. That's why I stopped them. That's why I...befriended you. If it hadn't been for that then I probably would have slapped a "James Potter Replica" stamp to your forehead and forever harassed and bullied you for looking like that arrog...looking like James."
Harry was quiet as he thought about this, but it didn't take him long to finally murmur, "Well, then I'm glad Ronald picked on me, sir."
Snape gave him a sideways glance and then muttered, "Don't you have a new friend...Mr. Nott...to be pestering, Potter?"
Smiling, Harry nodded. "Yes, I do, sir."
And then he left, knowing Snape wanted to be alone now since he didn't know how to handle compliments and having someone be nice to him, especially someone who looked so much like "arrogant big-headed James Potter".
On the Hogwart's express the next morning, Harry and Theo found themselves sharing a compartment with Hermione and Ginny.
"Cheer up, Harry." Theo gave him a small nudge with his elbow.
"I'm okay..." Harry mumbled. "Just thinking about the holidays."
"Yeah..." Theo mused for a moment. "You know, you should come stay at my place this summer. My dad's rarely home and we'll have it all to ourselves. Besides, it's the Quidditch World Cup this summer. I'm going, so you have to go."
"All right." Harry grinned at his friend, mostly because he was glad he actually had a friend. "I bet the Dursleys'd be pleased to let me come...especially after what I did to Aunt Marge..."
"What'd you do to Aunt Marge?"
The entire compartment shared a good laugh over what Harry had done to his aunt and then they played Exploding Snap and bought treats from the cart, though nothing with chocolate as he was rather sick of it lately.
Then Hermione asked, "Harry, what's that thing outside your window?"
Harry opened up the window to find a very small round owl carrying a letter several times bigger than it. Harry took the letter and opened it.
"It's from Sirius!" Harry gasped and Theo asked if he'd read it out loud.
Dear Harry,
I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I don't know whether they're used to owl post.
Buckbeak and I are no longer in hiding, but staying at my old home. One day you'll have to visit.
I asked Dumbledore about taking you in since I'm your godfather, but a very long explanation later and a long talk with Lupin and I was forced...mind you FORCED...to agree you are better where you are now.
Harry frowned and looked at Theo, "But...why?"
The other shrugged and Harry continued reading.
Lupin informs me you were sorted into Slytherin and I wanted to let you know that you could have been sorted into any House, or no House, and I still would be very proud of you and happy for you. I hope Slytherin is everything you need and more to help you grow up into the wizard you will become.
These words were all the reassurance Harry needed concerning Black's opinion of his House.
There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you the Firebolt. Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name but told them to take the gold from my own Gringotts vault. Please consider it as thirteen birthdays' worth of presents from your godfather.
I would also like to apologize for the fright I think I gave you that night last year when you left your uncle's house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my journey north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you.
I am enclosing something else for you, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable.
if ever you need me, send word. Your owl will find me.
I'll write again soon.
Sirius
Harry checked the envelope and gave a shout of joy at the sight of a parchment granting permission from his godfather to visit Hogsmeade on weekends.
"That'll be good enough for Dumbledore." Harry looked back at the letter. "Hang on, there's a P.S..."
I thought your friend Ron might like to keep this owl, as it's my fault he no longer has a rat.
Harry resisted scoffing at the idea of Ron as his friend, but passed the owl to Ginny who left to give it to Ron. They were surprised to have him return with her, asking for Crookshank's opinion of the animal before accepting it as his own.
Finally, they reached King's Cross station and Harry exited the platform for the first time with a friend. Uncle Vernon was standing not far from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, though it looked as if he wanted to be a good deal greater a distance. Theo gave Harry a nudge and motioned to an elder man in black look stiff and stuck up and all the bit like a distant relative of Lucius Malfoy.
"I'll write to you about the World Cup." Theodore whispered to Harry before walking over to his father.
"What's that?" Vernon growled, glaring at the envelope Harry was still holding. "If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another..."
"It's not." Harry beamed. "It's a letter from my godfather."
"Godfather?" Vernon shook his head. "You haven't got a godfather."
"Yes, I have." Harry informed him. "He was my mum and dad's best friend. He's an ex-convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's finally out of hiding. He likes to keep in touch with me, though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy."
And, feeling like he was on top of the world, Harry set off towards the exit and looking forward to a much better summer than the last.
End of Book Three. Hope you liked it. Review if you want!