The night after Harry surprised them both by wanting to talk about James, Sirius and Remus made an agreement. A compact that they shared in secret. That agreement played on both their minds when they met with the others in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. Unlike the others who hissed at Sirius to return back to Grimmauld Place, Lupin clapped his hand on his shoulder.

They shared an understanding. Harry was in danger. Their lives, their liberties, were secondary compared to the life of the boy whom they had sworn to protect.

But then the worst thing happened. They failed Harry again. As Sirius held onto Harry still form, keeping him tight against his chest, his thoughts turned to the conversation they had in front of the fire. Each one of Harry's laboured breaths made him hold the boy closer, his arms cradling him just as he once did when he was much, much smaller. The way Harry seemed to almost instinctively curl in his arms after he passed out again, his face turning into Sirius's chest, seeking the safety of his embrace… it was just too much…

Because that was the way things should have played out that Halloween night. He should have picked Harry out of the rubble, held him in his arms, and told Hagrid to shove his orders from Dumbledore up his hairy backside.

He shouldn't have let the Black temper rule over his faculties. He shouldn't have let the hatred and burning need for vengeance drive him. His selfishness took him away from the innocent child who he once swore to protect with his life if anything should happen to James and Lily. That act, that moment when he took a step back from Hagrid and the small child so fragile in the half-giant's arm, haunted him in those long nights in Azkaban.

Broken words spilled out from him as sheer desperation carried Harry across the atrium. Half-remembered lullabies that he heard James sing to Harry swirled in his mind. Harry had been such an energetic baby, never sleeping when he was supposed to. It wasn't right that he was now fifteen, critically hurt and so still.

He wasn't going to take Harry back to Hogwarts. Albus was the reason Harry charged into danger. He isolated Harry to the point he trusted no one but himself. Not only did Harry endanger himself, but his loyal friends joined him like the soldiers they had been forced to become.

No more. Sirius thought as ran with Harry in his arms. Harry was a Marauder now and they looked after their own.

His mind went to his conversation with Remus.

"This is the last straw, Moony." Sirius raged, pacing in front of the fireplace where the son of their fallen friend just vanished from. "You saw how scared Harry was when he brought up how Sniv- Severus reacted. It's completely out of order."

Just one glance over to his werewolf friend told him that he was in agreement. Remus stood from where he'd sat down after their talk with Harry.

"I tried to give Severus the benefit of the doubt but I'm struggling to rationalise with his reaction here. Maybe Harry was out of line to pry into his memories, but Severus shouldn't have to remove them in the first place. He simply can't separate Harry from James."

Sirius grimaced, painfully remembering the words he said to Harry when he compared him to James. He regretted it the moment he said them, especially when Harry appeared hurt and defensive.

"I know I'm one to talk, but this grudge is getting ridiculous. Snape has plenty of reasons to hate me and James, but not Harry. He's putting a kid's life in danger for what? To get back at James? This is much bigger than the shit we got up to at Hogwarts."

Remus nodded, looking grave.

"Isolating Harry is just making him more reckless. He's completely open to coercion and… we both know that if Voldemort exploits their link, he's not going to tell Severus. He's without anyone he trusts."

Sirius clenched his fists, furious that things had reached such a point.

"What in the bloody hell was Albus thinking? Harry is a Potter through and through. He'll never back down from a fight. Voldemort just has to dangle bait in front of him and he'll charge without any thought to his own safety. Now that… that is definitely something he got from James, the brave idiot."

"Albus has Harry's best interests at heart. I know that to be true but…" Remus rubbed at his face. "His blind faith in Severus is dangerous. Now Harry's mind is completely vulnerable and he's alone. This needs to stop."

He then dropped back down in the chair, pointing at the fireplace.

"I thought you gave Harry the mirror?" He asked Sirius. "Why is he risking the floo?"

Sirius sighed. "I… don't think he opened it. He, uh… I don't think he trusts me." He shook his head. "I can't say I really blame him. I've not exactly given him a reason to believe that I can help in anyway, not while I'm stuck in this fucking mausoleum."

"He knows it's not your fault."

"It is my fault and you know it." Sirius retorted. "I'm his godfather. James and Lily made it my responsibility to protect their son if anything ever happened to him. He's out there, alone, and I can't do anything about it."

Remus's face crumpled.

"It wasn't just on your shoulders, Pads. I was the second choice to look after Harry but I…" He then put his hands over his face, sighing.

Sirius looked away. He didn't mean to dredge up their unspoken pain and guilt. He then sighed and went to take the seat next to his only friend. He summoned a bottle of firewhiskey to the parlour, the bottle zipping to them quickly from where it was just a room away. He conjured two tumblers, not speaking as he filled both of them. With a small push of his fingers, he moved Remus's drink in front of him.

"We're Marauders, Moony." He said quietly. "The moment we started taking orders, things went tits up. I think it's time we took control back - for Harry's sake. I don't give a damn about this prophecy. Harry's just a kid and he deserves to live his life away from all this… crap."

Remus gave a low grunt in agreement, lowering his hands. He took his glass from the table.

"You want to break from the Order?" He asked in a quiet voice.

"I want to focus on what matters the most." Sirius said, meeting his gaze. "Harry. He deserves better than this."

He picked up his glass.

"If the time comes where we have to choose between following orders and Harry, he comes first. We keep him safe no matter what. Even if we have to protect him from Albus Dumbledore."

Remus nodded slowly.

"I know I owe Albus a lot. I wouldn't have even met you or James if he hadn't given me a chance at a normal life… but you're right. Harry's an innocent boy. He doesn't deserve this… any of this." He raised his glass. "He needs to know that we have his back no matter what, just like how we once had James's. Somewhere… we… I… forgot that."

Sirius dinked his glass against his.

"Then we solemnly swear to be up to no good?" He asked. In response, Moony flashed a wolfish smile that he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Absolutely."

As Sirius reached the Fountain of Magical Brethren, he slowed. Remus and Hermione weren't far behind. He looked over to Harry's closest friend, pride spiking through his fear and urgency. They would make a Marauder out of her yet.

When met Remus's gaze, he knew what had to be done. His friend gave him a small nod in response and turned to Hermione.

"Go with Sirius and Harry." He said through his heavy breaths. "I'll be with you shortly."

What Remus didn't say was that he was buying them time to slip away. Whoever pursued them, whether the Order or Voldemort, he would give them the head start to get away to safety. He'd lie to Albus and say that Sirius had taken both children to Hogwarts. He'd cover for them if the Aurors bothered to show their faces.

He'd also give his life for them if he had to.

Sirius brought himself back under control. He was responsible not just for Harry now but Hermione as well. The frightfully smart Gryffindor tore open the doors of the visitors entrance so he could bring Harry in. He went to thank her but he caught sight of Remus, waiting with his wand at the ready.

This isn't goodbye.

He tucked Harry's head in closer to his chest and punched the lift button with his elbow. They began to ascend. He became aware of Hermione's heavy breathing as she slumped against the wall, clutching at a likely stitch. He thought back to how she had been with Harry when he swooped in to save his soul on the back of a blasted Hippogriff. Sirius was starkly reminded of how he thought he'd lost his mind when he saw them outside the window. He had squeezed himself behind Hermione before they took to the skies together.

He found himself smiling at the girl.

"I think next time it's your turn to be rescued."

The joke spilled out of him. He inwardly berated himself.

Is this really the time to make jokes!?

But Hermione smiled in response, giving a faint laugh. Her amusement dwindled when her gaze went onto Harry, likely reminding herself that they were rescuing Harry this time around.

"Before we get up top, you need to know something." Sirius then said, turning stern and sombre himself. "I'm not planning on taking Harry to Hogwarts."

He saw the alarm on Hermione's face.

"But surely he's safest there?"

"I'm still the most wanted wizard in the country." He said grimly. "I'll endanger Harry if we go there. Our only choice is my miserable home."

The lift rattled to a stand-still, bringing them out into the middle of Whitehall. The drone of traffic and the general thrum of life of muggle London drowned out the sounds of their hasty exit from the phonebox.

Hermione looked around them, her eyes wide and searching.

"We arrived on thestrals… but I can't see them."

"I would be able to if there are any here." Sirius said quickly. "I can transport you with side-along apparation. Just grab hold of my arm and whatever you do, do not let go."

She grasped his arm with both hands, displaying an impressive level of trust. Her gaze was fixed on Harry's face. Sirius looked down. Harry was still unconscious. His nose twitched. The front of his robes was noticeably wet from blood. He dismissed it. He would fix Harry up as soon as he could but for now, he just had to get him to safety.

Summoning up as much focus as he could muster, he pulled the three of them into the compressing darkness. The discomfort was brief, the crushing momentary. As he stepped out, the loud crack of his arrival announcing him, Hermione immediately staggered away from him. For a moment, she retched, appearing to be sick, but she controlled the nausea.

"I know… it's rough the first time." He said gruffly. "Can you open the door?"

The street was deadly quiet but he knew better than to trust the darkness. Hermione purposefully went to do as he asked, covering her mouth with one hand. Sirius ignored the house as it shifted into reality, drawn forth from the fidelius that concealed it. He pushed down all his hatred that stirred up at the mere closeness of the place. Once Hermione had pushed open the door, he rushed into the decrepit hallway.

All the candelabras burst into life at his presence. He was the master of the House. Hermione gave a gasp when she watched the building respond to him. She shut the door quietly but Sirius didn't care about making noise. If his mother dared to scream at him from her portrait, he'd blow up the wall. Her curtain remained still.

He carried Harry at once to the parlour, the fire roaring to life.

"Should I call for Kreacher?" Hermione urgently asked.

Sirius gritted his teeth at the question, laying Harry down on the large sofa.

"No. He's part of the reason why you and Harry ended up in danger." He hissed out, making Hermione flinch at the harshness in his voice. "When Harry floo'd here to see where I was, Kreacher lied to his face. I was here the whole time of course." He looked over his shoulder, seeing Hermione look of utter shock. "Dumbledore dealt with him. I don't know where he is… but that's not important right now."

The very moment he clutched Harry against his chest, feeling Harry's blood seeping into his robes, he knew he'd need to use the Dark Arts to save his life. The curse had ripped Harry's magic out of his core, turning his own magic into a weapon against him which should have burned Harry's heart out of his chest. Hermione's silencing charm had saved Harry's life as it appeared the curse had been incomplete. The damage was life-threatening, each beat of Harry's heart weakening as his body struggled without the magic that had sustained him from birth. To combat the dark magic, he needed magic. A transfer. Sirius knew a way to give Harry his own magic to stabilise him but it was blood magic - highly illegal and very dark.

He parted Harry's blood-soaked robes, taking the sheathed knife from his hip. Sirius hated his family, but they taught him some values that helped him. A Black must always carry a blade. He didn't carry one for the same reasons, but knives were bloody useful. It was why he'd given Harry a penknife.

Hermione let out a sharp breath, moving to join him. She lowered herself onto her knees, her hand covering her mouth as took in the full extent of Harry's curse damage. Sirius used the knife to cut down Harry's shirt. Hermione let out a soft whimper as he peeled back his clothes, exposing his bloody chest. The slashes were seeping blood, marking a very vivid cross directly over Harry's heart. His skin was burned and blistered around the gashes, the dark magic still burning. His chest was also bruised. The signs that he'd been in a battle for his life.

Not waiting a moment longer, Sirius brought the blade up to his left hand. He cut into his palm, lip twitching as he sliced his skin.

" Flumina nostra unum sunt. "

Sirius lurched forwards, his hand suddenly glued to Harry's bare chest. Light glowed under his bleeding palm. Harry's back arched, his chest rising where it was fixed to Sirius's palm. He felt his magic rush down the bond he just made. It was desperate to fill the void, pouring into Harry's core like water spilling out of a vessel. Harry's eyes started to move behind his eyelids.

"Harry!" Hermione reached for his hand. Harry's fingers curled around Hermione's.

"Keep talking to him, Hermione." Sirius said the moment he noticed Harry's reaction to her touch. He let out a wild laugh. "I knew it…"

Like father like son, he thought, smirking before he reminded himself of how critical things were. He pressed his hand more firmly against the slick wounds on Harry's chest, his magic cascading down their channel. The exhaustion was starting to grip, his energy draining from his legs.

"You're safe now, Harry." Hermione began to whisper. There was a soft reverence in the way she held his hand in hers, gently holding it, curling his fingers as she cradled it. "Sirius is here. You're going to be okay." She went to brush his hair back from his face. Sirius found himself watching, unable to take his gaze away from how Hermione's fingers traced down Harry's cheek. A tear dropped from her.

When Sirius noticed the hints of pink on Harry's cheeks, he knew he'd given him enough.

" Duo sumus. " He murmured. He reached inwards, drawing his magic away from the flow, directing it back towards himself. His hand immediately came away, blood coating his palm. His blood and Harry's blood slick on his hand.

He stared down at Harry, watching his chest lifting with each breath. The rattle in his lungs was gone.

"Wh-what did you do?" Hermione then asked after a few moments.

"I gave Harry some of my magic." Sirius said heavily, lifting his hand and watching the rivulets of blood running down his arm. He looked across at Hermione. "Blood rituals like this are secret among pureblood families. You won't read it in a book, not when it's technically a Dark Art."

He rested his bleeding hand on the edge of the sofa as he grabbed his wand out from the holster. Wincing, he applied a hasty episkey just to stem the bleed.

Then there was a bang at the front door. Hermione immediately leapt to her feet, her wand out in an offensive duelling stance - one that definitely wasn't on the school curriculum. Sirius didn't respond so aggressively. Only those in the Order could enter the house. He dropped back onto his behind, hoping and wishing that the arrival was Remus. He looked over as the footsteps approached the parlour entrance.

He sagged back in relief as Remus stepped inside urgently. Remus staggered and caught the back of a chair as his eyes caught the state of Harry's torso. He then took in Hermione, his eyes going wide. He pushed himself up, lurching over to them, sagging as if he could barely stand. Sirius got to his feet, worried, grasping Remus by the arm.

"I'm fine." Remus said quickly, meeting his gaze head on. "Just not as fit as I used to be. The Aurors showed up, finally… I took my leave before I ended up grounded for questioning."

His smile was guarded, controlled. There was something he couldn't say, not with Hermione there, listening in. Sirius understood, clapping him on the shoulder. Remus's face relaxed, relieved. Their wordless communication still worked after all the years.

"I've got Harry stable but he needs healing." Sirius reported, then he gave Hermione a look. "And our lioness here needs a look over too."

Remus gave a surprised laugh. They used to call Lily 'the lioness'. Her unofficial nickname in the Marauders.

"I'll catch my breath and get to work." Remus said as he swung himself out of Sirius's grip. He looked back at him. "We're working alone?"

Sirius looked over to Harry. Still unconscious, his face was peaceful. Harry's glasses had slipped, askew on his nose. Dust and dirt limned his pores, his skin nicked in places. His scar had returned to the usual pink colour, his fringe sticking to the sweat in places.

"We are," Sirius confirmed, "because we aren't going to fail James and Lily again."

Remus sighed, making his way to the sofa. He smiled briefly up at Hermione, then he rested the back of his hand on Harry's forehead. He then gently removed Harry's glasses from his face. He brought his hand up and cupped Harry's cheek.

"Never again." He whispered.