First, he flew to the Weasley's hoping that Harry would be there. He was lucky and after greeting Molly and Arthur warmly, he sat down in the garden with his godson. Harry bent forward expectantly. "Sirius. What can I do for you?". Sirius leaned back. "Harry, I need your help. Regarding my Animagus. As you know, we weren't registered. And I would like it to stay that way". Astonished, Harry asked, "Is there any particular reason for that?". Sirius nodded. "Yes, there is. But I want to keep it to myself. Trust me". Hesitantly, Harry nodded. "What can I do?". Sirius spoke up, " Only very few of those who knew that I am an Animagus survived. I have already taken care of the remaining former Death Eaters". "What about the Malfoys?". "Lucius won't tell anyone, and he dealt with Draco". "Lucius?". "Yes, Lucius". Harry laughed. "Are you telling me that recently you've been in cahoots with Lucius Malfoy?". "Not recently". Harry looked at him, aghast. "What the hell are you talking about?". "Don't ask any more questions". "Come on, Sirius. What is that supposed to mean? I swear I won't tell anyone. And I promise that I will do anything you ask me to. But you have to tell me what's going on between you and Mr. Malfoy". Sirius closed his eyes and thought about what to do. Finally, he looked straight at Harry and said, "Remember Mercuria's birthday party? You asked me how it was possible that I was still alive. It was Malfoy who saved my life in the Department of Mysteries. Why he did so is quite a long story. And it involves several people to whom I have sworn confidences. Please be content if I tell you that Lucius already had his doubts about the Dark Lord at that point". Harry shook his head. "But we all saw you fall through the veil". "No Harry. You were the only one who saw it. And what you saw was a vision. You had many visions in those days. True ones and false ones. Do you remember? You saw the Dark Lord with Peter and Barty Crouch junior in the Riddle house, you saw Arthur being attacked in the Ministry and you saw me being tortured there as well. That's why you flew down to London with your friends. And just as that was a false vision, my death also happened only in your mind". "But the others saw it too, didn't they?". "Who did? Only Bellatrix and I were still duelling, and nobody paid attention. Everyone else was on the way up to the exit, Death Eaters and aurors alike. Remember that the room was set up like an ancient amphitheatre, and everybody present was scattered all over the room on different levels, when Dumbledore burst inside. He was standing at the very top and fighting stopped immediately. Only I still remained on the dais at the bottom. Not even Bellatrix was close. The others heard us duelling, but only when you thought that I was falling through the veil and started to scream, they turned to look and all they saw was the veil moving, as if someone had fallen through it". "But how did Malfoy do it?". "Harry, please. You promised". One thing Sirius wanted to avoid at all costs. To tell Harry about the time-turner. He felt unable to face anew the question of whether he could have saved Lily and James with the piece, after he had spent such a long time on it and had finally found a reasonably acceptable answer for himself.
Harry reflected on what he had just heard. "Then why did you never get in touch? I wouldn't have betrayed you, you know that". Sirius sighed, "Oh Harry. That was impossible, wasn't it? And you know that too. I would have got some people into serious trouble. Besides, by then there was no place for me left in the Wizarding World anymore. Since Peter had joined the Dark Lord, it was common knowledge among the Death Eaters that I was an Animagus. Therefore, when I failed to nail him down, I had become a prisoner again without any chance of ever proving my innocence. And my prison was my parents' house, the place which along with Azkaban I hated most in both worlds. When at the battle of the Ministry I was offered the chance to disappear and hide in the Muggle World with Mercuria, I grabbed it with both hands, even though I had to leave you behind. Honestly, Harry, if I had stayed, I would have either drunk myself to death or committed suicide before long. But enough of that. You said you would do anything I asked you to," Harry nodded. "As I mentioned, my Animagus is unregistered, and I want to keep it that way. I have already taken care of most of those who knew about it. Except for Hermione and the Weasleys". " They would never betray you". Sirius laughed out loud. "Harry. That's not the point. It's about the registration. I want to prevent that there is a written reference to my Animagus. The Weasleys don't care whether my Animagus is registered or not. None of them will run to the Ministry of their own accord and produce details of me there. But Hermione might make a career for herself in the Ministry one day. And she is not the kind who would let seven go straight if it is against the law". Harry thought about it. Then he chuckled. "Yeah, you're probably right about it. What do you want me to do?". "I would like you to obliviate the memory of my Animagus from their minds. You hang out with them every day. It is much easier for you than for me to do it. And I would sleep much more peaceful if you did this for me". "Ok, you can count on me. Anything else?".
"Yes, there is something else. There was a small portrait of my ancestor Phineas Nigellus in the house at Grimmauld Place. He used to be headmaster of Hogwarts and therefore there was another portrait in Dumbledore's office. When the house was still the headquarters of the Order, we used Nigellus to quickly exchange messages with Dumbledore. After Voldemort was dead and I returned to the house, the portrait was missing. Do you know where it might have ended up?". Harry thought about it. Suddenly it came back to him. "After Professor Dumbledore died, we took refuge in the house for a while. When we left it for good, Hermione took the portrait with her". "Where is it now?". Harry shook his head. "I don't know. Why is this important?". "There may be other portraits of him of which we don't nothing. Today, Regulus and I and my boys are the last ones by the name of Black. But in the time of Phineas Nigellus, there were quite a few of us. And as Headmaster of Hogwarts, he was an important personality. Furthermore, he was married to Ursula Flint. Therefore, it is possible that in one or two houses still hangs his portrait that we don't know about". "What would be the harm in that?". "It depends on where the portrait from Grimmauld Place is now. If it's in a place where Nigellus could pick up vital information, that would be rather dangerous. I beg you, Harry. You must find out if the portrait is still somewhere near you. If it is, you must destroy it. If it's lost, that's fine. The main thing is that Phineas is nowhere close to you".
Harry smiled. "I will take care of everything. By the way, I met Mercuria recently. You had broken up?". He looked at Sirius questioningly. "What did she tell you?". Harry chuckled. "Man, she was pissed. I was really worried about you. I'm glad you didn't fall into her hands. Even Voldemort wouldn't have considered the ways to kill you that she had in mind. What happened?". Sirius grinned. "Yeah, she always had a temper. She ended up breaking my nose. I got off easy there, I suppose. What happened? Even as a powerful wizard, you're helpless if someone secretly feeds you a strong Love Potion. I was under the influence of the stuff for several weeks. Only when I accidentally dropped a prepared glass and the woman in question had no means of replenishing it the effect wore off and I came to my senses again. Fortunately, your aunt believed me and I was able to set everything right again". "How did you convince her?". "She took the stuff". "She what?". "You know how crazy Muggles can become. To convince herself of the authenticity of my excuse, she took it herself". "And?". "Harry, believe me. Your aunt has always been pretty wild. But after she took it, I briefly considered running from her. But then I said to myself, 'you'll have to put up with this now'. So I stayed. At some point, fortunately, the effect wore off. And now it's like before between us again. Only even better". They laughed out loud. Finally, they stood up and hugged each other warmly. A few days later Sirius received a message from Harry: "Animagus remains unregistered. Portrait tracked down and destroyed. Love, Harry".
From the Burrows, Sirius headed North to Hogwarts, where he asked to see the Headmaster. Professor McGonagall approached him with a smile as he entered her office. "What a pleasure. Some of my students, years after graduation, still show an extraordinary affection for their old teacher and visit me from time to time. But I never expected to see you again. Excuse me, but this situation calls for a special reaction", and to his maximum surprise, she stepped in front of him, stood on tiptoe and breathed a kiss on his cheek. He raised his eyebrows as Professor McGonagall blushed and sat down behind her desk. "Why don't you have a seat, Mr Black? What can I do for you?". As he sat down, he pulled out his wand and scanned the portraits of the former headmasters. When he spotted the portrait of his ancestor, he made a small motion with his wand, from the tip of which a large black cloud emerged and settled in front of the portrait. Professor McGonagall, who had been watching him closely, asked, "I assume you have your reasons for this strange behaviour. Would you like to explain what's going on?". Sirius turned to her. "That's why I'm here. Professor, tell me honestly, do you trust me?". Professor McGonagall seemed surprised and cocked her head to the side to reflect. "I'm going to make a confession and tell you a secret now, Mr. Black. Of all the students I've ever had, I was never as proud of any of them as I have been of you. The son and heir of one of the most noble and most ancient pure-blood families became a Gryffindor. Usually, I'm not prone to euphoria, but the night you were sorted into my house, I secretly celebrated in my office. And resolved to make you one of the finest students this institution has ever seen. In this I have been exceedingly successful, I believe. As to your subsequent conduct, I must confess I had my doubts as to your loyalties. I was even more relieved when the truth came to light and your innocence was proven. A confirmation for myself that I had not been mistaken about you. You want to know if I trust you? Yes, I do. Unreservedly".
Sirius smiled amusedly, "I am glad you say so. Because unfortunately I must ask you for some information without being in a position to explain the background of it. First, I would like to tell you something about Phineas Nigellus. You know that he was a Black. There was a portrait in our family home in Grimmauld Place. This no longer exists. It is possible that there are more portraits of him of which I know nothing. Someone in possession of such a portrait might have an unhealthy interest in what is going on in your office". Professor McGonagall nodded, "I understand. I will take care of this". "In addition, I would like to know if you have been contacted or even spoken to by a young man named Cygnus Flint recently, say since spring last year". Professor McGonagall chuckled, "So it is your son who is giving you trouble, not your brother". "Regulus? Why should he give me trouble?". "Never mind. Well, well. I think, as far as your son is concerned, this was to be expected. He seemed to be the type to me". Sirius blinked in amazement. "You know about that?". "I could say now that I was completely taken aback when he showed up here and I noticed the family resemblance to you. But since I promised to trust you, I confess that I was not at all surprised. Do you still recall how you became an Animagus?".
Sirius tilted his chair against the wall and remembered. One evening James and he had manipulated the steps of the staircase to the Gryffindor Common Room so that a few disappeared abruptly when someone stepped on them. Several students had been startled when the steps suddenly slid out from under them, revealing the floor deep down below. Two or three had become trapped in the gap created and had panicked. Hidden under James' invisibility cloak, the two friends had watched the confusion, giggling, and enjoying themselves massively. Suddenly Professor McGonagall had appeared on the scene. Her bun had bobbed in indignation and her face had been flushed with anger as she had put an end to the spook. Then in a voice of thunder she had shouted, "Potter, Black, to my office. Now!". She had turned on her heels and had hurried away.
Still giggling, James and Sirius had thrown off the cloak and had made their way to McGonagall's office. The headmistress of Gryffindor House had been sitting behind her desk when they had entered. She had narrowed her eyes angrily at them. "I'm getting tired of having to fix the results of your foolishness all the time. You two are moving very close to expulsion". She had raised her hand and had formed a tiny gap between her thumb and forefinger, "This close, gentlemen. This is the very last time I will turn a blind eye". "But Professor ...". "Shut up, Potter. Detention. Today is Sunday. From tomorrow until Friday, you will show up here every afternoon at 16:00 h. Alternately, one of you will be here in the office and the other in the classroom sorting the papers in these boxes over there. They contain the homework of all my students since I started here. You will systemise them according to year, subject, etc. I will collect your wands before you start out. You may leave". With a casual wave of her hand, McGonagall had bidden them farewell and James and Sirius had shuffled off.
The next day, the two wrongdoers had showed up at Professor McGonagall's office on time. After collecting their wands and stowing them in a drawer of her desk, she had accompanied Sirius to the classroom with three of the boxes and had explained what should be done. After two hours, she had picked him up again. The next afternoon, Sirius had been allowed to stay in her office, and James had moved to the classroom. While Sirius had sorted the parchments, Professor McGonagall had sat at her desk, reading a thick old folio. Every now and then she would hum, nod in agreement or mutter softly to herself. Curious, Sirius had tried to catch a glimpse of the book, but he had been sitting just too far away to be able to discern its title. When he had met James in the Gryffindor Common Room, he had asked, " Professor McGonagall has been reading a book all the time". James had nodded. "While I was in her office, too". "Seems like interesting reading". "Yes, I think we should have a closer look at it". "That will only be possible if she leaves the room for a while. Ok, if the opportunity arises, we'll give it a try".
On Thursday, Sirius had been sitting in the office again. The teacher had again been engrossed in her book when suddenly there had been a knock on the door. Professor McGonagall had looked up in surprise and had said, "Come in". The door had opened and a first year had timidly peered inside. "Excuse me, Professor. You are kindly asked to come to the Headmaster urgently, please". Professor McGonagall had sighed, had stood up and had held her wand to the book. Then she had stowed the folio in a drawer which she had locked with her wand and had headed for the door. Before she had disappeared, she had given Sirius a suspicious look and had walked out of her office. Sirius had continued to work intently and, as he had expected, Professor McGonagall had poked her head in the door shortly afterwards. She had snorted and had disappeared again. Sirius had waited until the sound of her footsteps had died away. Then he had jumped up and had approached the desk. From his trouser pocket he had taken a mirror and a knife. Putting the mirror against an inkwell, he had called out, "James Potter". When his friend had appeared in the mirror, he said, "The time is right, she's gone. I will give it a try". With the knife he had opened the two drawers one after the other. From the first he had taken the book and had put it on the table. From the second he had retrieved his wand and had pointed it at the book. "Finite incantatem". Carefully he had opened the folio. "What is it?". "De transmutatio. Strange, why does she make such a secret of it? After all, Transfiguration is her subject. Oh, there's a bookmark here. Let's see what she is studying so intently". Sirius had scrolled to the page which Professor McGonagall had marked and from there back to the beginning of the chapter. "Oh boy, James, this really is a scoop". James had asked curiously, "What's it about?", and Sirius had answered full of enthusiasm, "Animaghi". He had watched as his friend's eyes lit up with excitement. Then he had stood up, had grabbed a sheet of parchment from a pile and had copied the text. After making sure his copy had been complete, he had pocketed it and had returned the book and his wand into the drawers. When Professor McGonagall had returned, he had been sitting by his boxes again, sorting essays. She had eyed him sceptically, had opened the drawer and had taken out her book. Sirius had pretended to be indifferent and had watched from the corner of his eye as Professor McGonagall had examined the book before holding her wand to it and muttering an incantation. Then she had opened the book. A moment later she had addressed him. "Mr. Black, you can call it a day. Here is your wand. And Potter's. Bring me his papers and you'll have the rest of the afternoon off. And I don't need you tomorrow".
Sirius had hurried to James and after they had returned the documents to Professor McGonagall, they had gone to a quiet place to study the copies Sirius had made of the book without being disturbed. After having read the text, they had looked at each other. "What do you say?", had James asked. Sirius had nodded, "It's very challenging and will take a lot of time, but it's well worth a try". That same evening, they had informed Remus and Peter, and the very next morning they had begun to put their experiment into practice. They had secured the ingredients which they needed from the Potion Master's stock and the greenhouse and had started their endeavour at the next suitable moment. Yet, it had taken them almost a year, but in the end, they had managed and with a considerable effort and after several fruitless attempts with their support even Peter had succeeded to transform.
Professor McGonagall smiled and said, "You see, I knew you would try to read my book. When I found you had opened it, I considered for a long time whether to pursue the matter. I then decided against it". "What was my mistake?". "The protective spell you used when you put the book back was different from the one, I had employed. And when I returned from the Headmaster's office, there had been such an innocent expression on your face that I knew you had done wrong". They both laughed. "To return to your question. There were these rumours about some stranger who had been visiting the ladies of Hogsmeade. Most people assumed that it was some teacher. I instead realised straight away that it was you. Potter just wasn't the kind. He was trying to impress the girls at school. You had no interest in your classmates, but in, shall we say, 'more mature encounters'? And as an Animagus it was easy for you to sneak out of school. Therefore, I was not surprised that at some point your nightly ventures produced a little Black. You didn't really know anything about him, didn't you?". Sirius denied. "I heard about Marius. The one I took in when he was two. I only found out they were twins a few months ago". "Neither of them attended Hogwarts," she said. "Marius was at Beauxbaton. I arranged that because I feared that there might be trouble if someone recognised him for who he was. After all I had abducted him from his mother. Cygnus was sent to Durmstrang by his grandparents". Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement. "That does explain a few things".
"Professor, may I ask you a personal question? If you knew that I was an Animagus, why didn't you tell anyone about it when I escaped from Azkaban?". "I didn't know what shape you could assume". "Oh, come on Professor, that's dishonest. Just the information that I was able to transform would have been more than sufficient". Professor McGonagall smiled subtly. "Well, I promised to be honest with you. When the Potters were betrayed to the Dark Lord and he murdered them, I immediately accepted the official version and was convinced that you were guilty. You must remember the situation at the time. Everything was in turmoil. And you will admit that the evidence against you was overwhelming. You were arrested at the scene of the crime with blood on your hands. The slaughtered Muggles and Pettigrew's finger sufficiently proved your guilt. That you were sent to Azkaban without a trial, I only found out much later. After you had escaped from prison, in fact. And even then, I was initially convinced that the accusations against you were justified. It was reported that you had muttered in your sleep, "He's at Hogwarts". Everyone of course related this to Harry Potter. But then I began to have second thoughts. Why should you pursue Harry Potter? For what purpose? Admittedly, by that time we already knew that the Dark Lord was not dead. But then I wondered how could you have found out that Voldemort was still alive while being imprisoned in Azkaban? That's when I started to speculate if the truth might not have been completely different from what it seemed at the outset. That you had not broken out of Azkaban to join the Dark Lord, but for a different reason altogether. I decided to wait and see. When you broke into the boys' dormitory, I was very close to reporting you". "What held you back?". "You hadn't gone for Harry Potter, but for Ron Weasley. And I admit, that really made me think. Perhaps I hoped to the end that the whole story wasn't what it seemed to be at first glance. I simply could not imagine that you would ever betray James Potter. Rarely have I seen two friends who were as close as you both were. What would you have gained by defecting to the other side? Nothing. No, I always had doubts deep inside. It didn't occur to me, though, that Mr. Weasley's pet might be an Animagus. It should have been obvious to me". Sirius raised his eyebrows questioningly. Professor McGonagall smiled. "If you and Mr Potter were Animaghi, then Mr Pettigrew almost certainly was one too. I should have known that from the very beginning. And that would have completely reshuffled the cards. I then had serious doubts and besides I knew that there were others who might have had far more reason to inform the authorities than I had, but who didn't. Haven't you ever considered that you only survived your return to Hogwarts because others supported you?". "Sure, Harry and Hermione". "Nonsense". "Who do you mean?". "Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Professor Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew". "You're kidding, right?". "Oh, jeez, Mr. Black. Think about it. First, you instantly identify Mr. Pettigrew from a photo in a newspaper. But Professor Lupin, who's been living with him at Hogwarts for a whole year, doesn't recognize him? Didn't he ever notice him while he was here? He even shared a compartment with him on the Hogwarts Express ride, didn't he? Pretty unlikely if you ask me. But Professor Lupin seems to have turned more than one blind eye on the whole affair. His dear pal Padfoot is sitting in the stands at Quidditch Stadium, and he doesn't spot him? Odd. Regardless, these four I've mentioned knew about the secret passage between the Whomping Willow and the Shacking Shack. At least one of them must have guessed where you were hiding. And what's even more important, both Professor Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew knew that you were an Animagus. Well, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Lupin may have deliberately done nothing about you. Perhaps deep down, they still believed in your innocence. But why the hell didn't Professor Snape or Mr. Pettigrew react? It would have been so damn easy for either of them to sneak into the Owlery at night and send an anonymous letter to the Ministry denouncing you. Perhaps Professor Dumbledore held back Professor Snape. But Mr. Pettigrew? Did he feel guilty about you? I really don't think so. Still, he didn't turn you in but instead faked his own death once again".
Sirius was dumbfounded, while Professor McGonagall gestured impatiently with her hand. "Enough of this. I simply didn't feel obliged to turn you in. Let's get back to Mr Flint. What do you want to know?". "What did he ask you and what did you tell him?". She leaned back and closed her eyes for a moment. "He wanted to know what you were like as a student. I told him about you and Potter. About some of the pranks you pulled. And I told him that you were as close as brothers and I could imagine that you still sorely miss him today". She paused and eyed him sharply. "As pale as you are turning, I think that was a mistake". Sirius could only shake his head. "I'm sorry if I caused you any problems, Mr Black. I didn't tell him about your Animagus, and I didn't tell him about Miss Granger's time-turner. Professor Dumbledore once told me that it saved your life when I asked him how you escaped from the tower. By the way, I knew that you had survived the battle at the Ministry". "How so?". "Some time after the events there, Professor Dumbledore came to see me. He was very concerned and asked me for a favour. I should keep a diary. Every day. And I should read it regularly in order to check if something in the timeline had changed. When I asked him the reason, he just said that an illegal time-turner had turned up and that he wanted to make sure that it had only been used once. To save you. And that you were married and hiding in the Muggle world with your wife. He asked me to keep it a secret. I swore to him that I would tell nobody. None of this I revealed to your son". Sirius nodded in relief. In a strained voice, he said, "Thank you for your candour, Professor. You have helped me a great deal". He rose. "Don't forget Phineas Nigellus. And if Cygnus contacts you again, be careful. Really careful". He took his leave, abandoning Professor McGonagall stunned.
On his return to Black Manor, Sirius found the others waiting impatiently for him. He narrated what Harry and Professor McGonagall had told him. "So, it is just like we thought. Cygnus has gathered information on you before he set out to meet you. It seems to me that he knew exactly how to approach you when he came here. And he was successful", said Lucius. Gavin added, "I should have been alarmed at a very early stage because each time he visited the house at Grimmauld Place, he spent quite some time staring at the Black family tree. I found that strange because nobody else ever showed an interest in it. What is so special about knowing your lineage?". Suddenly Sirius flinched and shouted "Kreacher". The house-elf apparated and bowed deeply. "Master Sirius". "Tell me, Kreacher. When we arrived at the house yesterday, Cygnus stepped out of the room with our family tree and disapparated when he saw us. You have been in the room with him. What were you talking about?". Kreacher looked at him uneasily. "I don't know what you mean". Sirius became suspicious. "You were in the room. Just the two of you. What happened there? When you stepped out into the corridor, you were crying". Kreacher rubbed his hands together helplessly. Regulus put an arm around his shoulder and said soothingly, "Relax, old friend. No one is accusing you of anything. But you need to tell us what happened there". Kreacher looked up. "Master Cygnus took me to the Black family tree. He said that the Black family motto was 'Toujours pur' and asked me, if I knew what it meant. When I answered yes, he said that he was the only Black left. That my poor Mistress was massively disappointed by Master Sirius and you". He sobbed. "And then he said that I had always served my poor Mistress so faithfully. And now I had to serve him because he was her heir. Her only heir. Believe me, I didn't want to hear that. And then he said he had heard that Master Sirius and Master Regulus both had died. And he asked if I knew why nevertheless they were still alive". Sirius went to his knees in front of the sobbing house-elf. "What did you tell him?". "Nothing Master Sirius. I was going to tell him what happened. But before I did, I asked him why before he met you, his name was Flint and not Black if he was my poor Mistress' last heir". Sirius burst out into a relieved laughter. "What did he say?". "He got terribly angry and called me names. He said I was stupid and useless and if he could do as he wished, I would be the first to go". Regulus nodded. "Kreacher, just tell us this. Did you say anything to him about Sirius and me. Anything at all? It's important, you hear?". The house-elf tilted his head to one side and reflected. Then he muttered something. Sirius bent forward and said, "What was that?". "Master Cygnus started ranting at Mistress Mercuria. He said it was all her fault because Master Sirius listens to her. He said mean things. And then I said that although Mistress Mercuria is not a witch, she knows things that even the Dark Lord did not". Sirius slapped his hands to his face. The others were speechless. Finally, Regulus asked, "What does that mean? I don't understand. If you can't do magic, how come you know things that even Voldemort didn't know?". He looked at his sister-in-law questioningly. Suddenly Lucius shouted, "You have read the book. The book of that devil healer. You read and memorised it before Sirius destroyed it. That's how you knew how to bring Sirius back to life after the battle of Hogwarts. The last surviving copy is enclosed in your memory. Oh, my God. You know things no wizard should ever be taught. We are very lucky that Cygnus wasn't aware of this when he attacked you in the kitchen". Regulus said, "But how is this possible? How did you do it without using magic?". Mercuria smiled. "The last text in the book wasn't written by the healer Montalenfer himself. I guess it was a script from ancient Egypt, which he translated into medieval French and added to his book. In fact, the process does not require magic. Therefore, I was perfectly able to exercise the necessary practices. With the help of Kreacher that is". Sirius said, "I don't think that Cygnus will draw the right conclusion, because he knows nothing about the book. Nevertheless, love, you should be careful when you leave the premises".