"I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the related characters. The Harry Potter series is created by JK Rowling and owned by Warner Bros. This fanfiction is intended for entertainment only. I am not making any profit from this story. All rights of the original Harry Potter story belong to Warner Bros."

Remus was locked up in his room. He heard the knock, thinking it was one of the Weasleys, he opened it only to smile tightly when he saw it was Dora.

"Hi"

"Hi, you need something?"

"You're, ok?"

"Yes"

"Bullshit"

"Dora..."

"Can I come in?"—He paused, he wanted to put as much space between him and Dora for his sake but knew Dora wouldn't leave. — "Come in, where's everyone?"

"Doing their own thing. The trio is already with Mad eye. What's wrong Remus?"—She said going to sit on the bed, Remus paused and shook his head at the images that came to his mind. He leaned again on his dresser. – "Nothing is wrong."

"Don't do that… was it Lily or Severus' comments."

Remus sighed, his entire body feeling defeated, he walked to sit next to her and took her hand so much smaller than his. – "It's everything, Dora, we haven't been here a week and I'm already exhausted. Sirius already broke and Harry is almost there. Things will only get worse once we reach the Shack incident, I can't keep fighting with Severus."

"You're not the only one, Augusta and Dumbledore are locked up in the study. I don't understand why Dumbledore has allowed him so much"

Remus shrugged— "No idea but I don't care anymore."—He really didn't, whatever Dumbledore had over Snapes would eventually come out and he didn't want to think about it just yet. It was Sirius's outburst he couldn't get out of his head.

—"It's Sirius that…I abandon him, because of…"—he took a shaky breath.

Dora turned her body towards him, both hands grabbing his—"Tell me"

Remus let out a shaky breath—"In fifth year, Sirius sent Severus to his death by telling him how to pass the passage to the willow, it was the full moon."

Dora pressed her lips—"He betrayed you"

"Yes, Sirius isn't right in the head Dora. I love him like a brother, but he's always been too impulsive and he knows it, he tried many years to keep it away from us but we didn't care, we loved each other, we were brothers. James was spoiled, I was cursed, Peter was skittish, and Sirius was volatile. But when he used me to hurt Snape I realize Sirius Black was dangerous…"

"Have you told him this…."

Remus nodded his head— "Yes, after the tournament when he went to tell me Voldemort was back, we spent days angry and yelling until we fought. We told Harry it had been a quick fight, but it was days of just being vile to each other until I couldn't handle it and I punch him, he smacked me with a bottle of fire whisky, and by the time we stopped, half my living room was destroyed, and we had a few broken bones. But that's the reason I believed everyone when they told me Sirius had murdered them"—Remus said with a broken voice.

Dora leaned into him; she had never seen him like this. Remus had always been very careful hiding his emotions. She realizes it was a big moment for both of them, Remus trusted her and she couldn't ruin that, he needed a friend. She let go of his hand and put her arm around his waist. Remus inhaled and she tried to hide her smile at the fact he was using her scent to calm down. She nudged him so he could keep talking.

"We hadn't talked much, after Marlene's death he just drink all the time, he didn't show up to work, he missed Order meetings, and when he attended I didn't. The day we fought, I threw it in his face and told him that I wasn't stupid that I knew what he was capable of, but that James was too idiotic to realize. He called me a bloody disgusting werewolf running around with my kind, after that, I just told him Marlene would be disgusted with him and left."

"It's not your fault Remus, you were as broken as him. I know that what you do can't be nice, you were as missed up by everything."

"I know but there's this nagging in my head telling me that if it would have been me, he would have fought to know the truth and I just accepted it, but I couldn't forget how easy it had been for him to betray me."

Dora moved her hand and started doing circles around his back. She bit her lip, she didn't know what to say, she didn't remember much of who Sirius had been back then, she had only met him two times. – "Does he blame you?"

"No"—Remus chuckled sourly— "He's angrier at me for leaving Harry alone. And he's right, I already apologized to Harry, he forgives me but… I don't know maybe we both might have had a better life together."—He stated

"Yeah, Harry's too noble for his own good. Not that he shouldn't have forgiven you but he's too nice"—Dorea shrugged. –"But again you don't know that. You weren't in the right state of mind to take care of a child."

"I know, the first year I spent it sleeping, drinking, and in pain, the wolf destroyed me, he could feel the broken pack bond"—Remus said stretching— "Harry is too nice, people think that's Lily but that's all James, you could yell and insult him and later apologize he would just shrug and be "that's all right," a reason why he and Sirius were so close. It hurts me to see him so on edge, I tried to tell him this house wasn't his best idea but he said we wanted to be useful."

"It's taken a toll on him."

Remus agreed and leaned back to lie on his back. Dora just sat there and sighed—"The only thing we can do is be here for all of you. Mom, dad me."

Remus didn't mean it, but he laughed.

Dora pressed her lips. —" What?"

"Nothing, but your mom doesn't like me."

"Yes, she does…"

—Remus gave her an incredulous look.

–"Ok, ok maybe she has her reservations but…"

"No, don't try, she doesn't like me. She is right, I…" -

But Dora didn't let him finish. She kissed him, a simple chaste kiss but it left him frozen and Dora giggled at his expression. He turned to her and smiled but then his face changed to a frown and Dora sighed, she had ruined it.

—"Dora"—he said in a warning tone.

"Remus"—She mimicked.

"I…do but not right now, ok"—

Dora smiled getting up to leave the room—"Very well, not right now but not far either."

Remus sighed and leaned back into the mattress—"Very well."

-Training Room.-

"Come on Granger move!"—Alastor yelled while he threw another hex. Hermione fall to her knees, Ginny and Harry throwing spells at Mad-eye who avoids them. Ron watching their back.

"Wrong, now you're all dead"—Mad-eye said and with a hit of his cane, all four of them smashed at the walls.

"Fuck"—Harry murmured, sweat falling down his face—"Again"—he said standing up.

Mad-eye agreed but put his hand up— "First tell me what you did wrong."

"Nothing, I'm trying as best as I can"—Harry said flexing his back. His muscles were starting to burn.

Alastor pressed his lips—"Wrong, think."— he hated teaching. He turned to the rest while Harry found his answer. Hermione was wheezing on the floor, Ginny was spread-eagle red face matching her hair and Ron was glaring at the floor half bend.

"Granger, what did you do wrong?"—

"I don't move fast enough. My decision and wand movement don't happen at the same time."—she said coughing. The stinging hex had hurt

"Exactly, Ginevra?"

"I leave my sides open."—She said holding her chest.

Moody turned to Weasley— "My shields are weak."—Alastor nodded and turned to Harry. – "Potter what did you do wrong?"

"My spell work, Its defense instead of Offense"

"Ah, so you do know your mistake. You are the main target and you two"—He signaled to the other half of the golden trio— "Are his backup and side. You are on the list after him, Weasley over there was possessed by Voldemort, if you think he won't be interested when he finds out, then you're wrong."

Ginny frowned she hadn't thought about it. Tom always told her she was powerful, the seventh child of the seventh generation, and she didn't like the implications of Mad-eyes' statement.

"I know you are young, but you need to learn more. I know you don't want to hurt anyone but that is no longer an option"—he said to everyone, his eyes never leaving Harry—"You are at war, that's what you all have been complaining haven't you, that we don't let you get involved enough. Well, here is the awful truth, you're going to kill, and you won't get to decide if you want to or not."

The four friends stared at each other. Harry frowned, he didn't want to kill anyone, hell he didn't want to fight he was tired of fighting.

"That's all for today. Go fresh in up for dinner"—Mad-eye dismissed him. He needed to speak with Remus and Sirius, and Potter needed to understand how war worked.

-The study-

Augusta had demanded Snape's head. — "Are you saying you won't fire him?"

"I can't Augusta, I already told you…"

"I give no damn about his role of spy. For the last fifteen years, you've had that man abusing children, humiliating them, ruining their futures. Amelia is angry at you for the lack of Aurors. You had to control him, you have allowed this behavior to go uncheck and I want answers"

Dumbledore sighed irritated. He knew that Severus's behavior wasn't adequate but he had a role to play, his friends always kept an eye on him, but he knew that he couldn't continue to ignore the behavior and he knew that Snape's hatred of Neville was not normal or justifiable. So, resigned and tired of the insults and the shouting, he answered Augusta. – "Severus has no right to treat Neville like that, I'm sorry he did, and I'll be talking to him, but I can't fire him. The fact that he's the potions master keeps him not only on our side but alive."

Augusta looked at him with disdain. - I thought he had your full confidence," –she said, laughing bitterly. –"Make him do something else Albus, look... you're not going to fire him, you'll do what you want as usual, but as soon as we get out of here, I don't want him in the position of potion master. Give him another job, invent it if you want, it's the same for me. But I want him away from my grandson because I don't make threats in vain, I'll buy my place on the board of governors and I assure you that I won't give you a chance to plan."

Dumbledore resigned and answered him with his head. –"I'll see what I can do."

"In case you haven't noticed not everyone is very happy with you"—Augusta said getting up— "treating the savior of the wizarding world like any other child... Forgetting about those who followed you, Andromeda will now dedicate herself to helping Sirius, the man is not as crazy and weak as you think. Molly is not so happy with all your decisions, much less because several put her children in danger... look very carefully at what you do, Albus, because something tells me that at the end of all this, you won't have full control of the decisions."

Dumbledore said nothing and waited until she was out of the room before sitting down and massaging his temple. He knew very well that the actions he had done weren't entirely right, but this was war; no one knew what Tom was truly capable of, and he was afraid to imagine what these books would reveal.

He would have to start amending his mistakes. He had to talk to Sirius about the prophecy and tell him all the content of it. Not that it would do him much favor, but it would prevent him from having another collapse like the one from a while ago. Harry was growing angrier, and he didn't want to imagine his reaction if that information hit him all at once.

…..Diner

Diner had been quiet, With half of the teenagers exhausted and Sirius not being there, there was not enough conversation. Once they started to get up, Mad-eye asked Remus and Minerva to stay.

"What is it Alastor?"—

"Tomorrow, I need you to teach the four I had in meditation. They are sloppy and I can see their thoughts all over the place. Potter doesn't seem to think, he just acts and as good as that is, it's dangerous, help him focus. I'll work in a study plan, might as well use the time we have"—

Minerva nodded—"I spoke to Andromeda, she, Albus, and Snape know Occulemcy. I'll have them teach them the basics."—

"Very well"—He dismissed Minerva.

"Yes Alastor?"—Remus said impatiently, he wanted to go see Sirius before he went to sleep.

"There's no nice way to say this but you need to tell Harry about the people you all killed in the first war"—

Remus' mouth opened slightly—"What!"

"The boy doesn't want to fight, I get that, but he will be forced to. He has to understand that eventually he will have to take a life. You all did it the first war, whether you wanted it or not, it happened, and times will get dark again Lupin…."

"I know"—Remus said putting his hand up.—"I know we need to talk to him but Alastor the boy isn't a killer. He …I don't think he even realizes he will have to kill Voldemort or that that is a possibility."

Alastor sighed—"I know but that's his reality. His dueling is good, but he redirects the attack and it won't always work. You must talk to him."

Remus didn't really want to. That was for sure another fight and breakdown but knew there was no way around it. He nodded at Alastor and left for his room.

….

The next morning Harry walked up the stairs to Sirius room with a tray. He heard a few voices and he knock. Remus opened the door— "Good Morning Harry"

"Good morning, umm Andy sent me with Breakfast"—

"Come in Harry"—Sirius called.

Harry put the tray down and stood there looking at his godfather not knowing what to do, but then he realized he knew what he wanted to do.

"Sorry I missed your training bu…"—Sirius speech was cut by Harry giving him a hug. Remus quietly left the room.

"Are you ok?"—Harry's muffled voice said.

"Oh, pup I'm ok, according to our healer I'm going through sleep deprivation and alcohol withdrawal. I just need to sleep more and not drink so much."

"Ok"—Harry said sniffing, he quickly cleaned his tears. He hadn't realized how much Sirius's outburst affected him. Sirius looked away also feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Andy said you might like breakfast together away from the noise."

"Yes, that sounds nice. Tell me how your training went."

Harry made a face but started telling Sirius how insane Moody was. By the time they finished, everyone was waiting for them.

"Sorry, we are late."

"Nonsense. I realize we don't need to be so strict with our schedules, we will drive ourselves mad"—Andromeda said— "That's what we were discussing actually."

"Yes now that Potter is here"—Alastor said— "I have an announcement, today Twins, Longbottom and Lovegood train with me. The rest will learn meditation with Minerva and tomorrow we start Training dueling. We can't keep going at the same pace that we are, or we are going to all have breakdowns."

"So, what are we going to do? Just keep on wasting time?"—Snape said.

Amelia spoke up.—" I know you'll have things to do. Some of us have families to go back to but Alastor is correct. Last night it was Sirius, eventually, we're all going to be overwhelmed by the information and we're going to have to take a break. So it's better if we focus our time on other things than just reading and dueling is perfect, the children will benefit from it."

"Exactly."—Andromeda stated. —" It's not going to be healthy for us if we keep this strict regimen. Doing other activities will help you not feel so overwhelmed. Also, if you're not sleeping right, please let me know so that I can give you a few sleeping Potion."

"Yes, yes, we can arrange all of that later now pay attention, Tonks you'll be training with Granger her brain and her feet don't connect at the same time. You had the same problem, teach her how to fix that. Kingsley, I know you're helping Bill in the library, but I need you with the Weasleys. Potters mine."

Harry didn't like the way that sounded.

Minerva took over. —"Regarding your meditation, I need all of you to do it before going to bed and right after you wake up, it's not only going to help you clear your mind it will focus your thoughts and level your magic. I need you to start doing this because I hope we can give you at least one or two lessons on occlumency."

"What is that?"— Ron asked.

"Occlumency is a magical defense of the mind against external penetration."— Snape said.

"That sounded dirty."— Charlie said Snape gave him an unimpressed look.

"It's the defense against mind reading."— Luna said.

"Legilimency is not mind reading."

"In a simpler way, it is mind-reading Severus."— Andromeda said. —" It's what Voldemort used on Harry during the stone incident. It works like a barrier inside your mind, for some, it comes naturally for others is a very demanding lesson of concentration."

"Is it necessary?"— Ron asked.

"You don't have to learn occlumency if you don't wish to. Not everyone can do it. It is complex magic, and it requires a lot of concentration and patience but unfortunately for Harry, It's not a choice."—Remus stated.

Harry turned to look at him in question. —"Geez, thank you, Remus."

"I'm sorry but it's for the best. It will help you with your nightmares."

Sirius decided to help Remus—"Occlumency protects your mind from being invaded."—Sirius gave Harry a pointed look and this one understood. — "Think about it like a library, each book can be a memory, and the person trying to get hold of them will get lost looking for a specific memory, you can create whatever you want and that's why it requires patience and concentration, but you can only do as much with meditation, the barrier will need to be tested."

"So, you will be going into our minds?"

"Not at first, we have to probe and push, going in directly will only hurt you."

Harry hated the idea of having someone in his head, he hated the idea of these books, even though they were still omitting many things he had thought and for that he was grateful, he turned to Remus and Sirius—"Can you do it?"

"Werewolves have slight natural occlumency. We are cursed, trying to control us mentally can hurt the wizard."

"My occlumency was good but right now it's fractured, I have to relearn it, to rebuild my barrier."

"What did you have?"— The twins asked.

"Hallways, with multiple doors"

Dumbledore realized Hermione and Luna were preparing for multiple questions and Severus and Augusta were getting impatient. –"How about we leave this conversation for lunch? Let's continue"

They all got comfortable. Harry gave Sirius a shoulder bump making him smile.

CHAPTER ELEVEN-THE FIREBOLT

Sirius prepared himself, he spoke with Andromeda last night until he fall asleep. Andromeda had suggested talking a little every day about the incident leading to his arrest, she wasn't a mind healer, but she would do it for the time being. Remus had also warned him, Harry heard James in the following lessons, and he didn't think he was prepared for that.

Why had nobody ever told him? Dumbledore, Hagrid, Mr. Weasley, Cornelius

Fudge... why hadn't anyone ever mentioned the fact that Harry's parents

had died because their best friend had betrayed them?

Minerva felt awful, she had not intended to gossip about her student's situation so in the open, but she got carried away— "I am truly Sorry Harry, but when we made the decision to keep it a secret, we thought we were protecting you."

Harry just shrugged. - "I understand but you and everyone else should have known I would find out eventually, I would have appreciated it if you would have just eased me into the truth".

He stopped on a picture of his parents' wedding day.

Sirius and Remus were smiling at the memories— "We will show you the memories we have of that day"—Sirius said making Harry beam excited

"I don't think I would ever see James Potter nervous, but we had to force a calming draught down his throat."

"You really never paid attention?"—Ron asked out loud.

"Not really, when Hagrid gave me the album I had only the hours in the train to look over it, and I was mostly focus on mom and dad, mostly everything goes into the background and most of the pictures I have are of just them."

He would never have guessed; it was Black in this old photograph. Did he realize he was facing twelve years in Azkaban, twelve years that would make him unrecognizable?

Sirius flinch, Harry felt bad—"I'm sorry, I won't be thinking nice things of you for a while…I…"

Sirius shook his head— "I understand pup, you don't need to give me an explanation."—Sirius assured him but Harry didn't look convinced.

"Will you ever look the same?"—Luna asked.

"No"—Sirius said, he was starting to realize Luna had no subtleness, he quite liked it— "I aged poorly, I'll probably look handsome again when I stop being under so much stress but now, I'll have a certain roughness."—he shrugged, he had been vain in his youth, still was but he was more understanding now, much more important things than his hair.

"You are still handsome"—Remus said giving him a wink.

A hatred such as he had never known before was coursing through Harry

like poison.

Harry tensed and Sirius hugged him, he would show his pup he really didn't mind, he understood what it was to want revenge, though it was something he didn't want Harry to act on.

"It has happened, My Lord... the Potters have made me their Secret-Keeper and then came another voice, laughing shrilly, the same laugh that Harry heard inside his head whenever the dementors drew near...

Remus and Sirius were startled, and Dumbledore sat up straight.

"Harry…"—Remus started but he saw Dumbledore shaking his head, he narrowed his eyes.

— "What?"

"That…most likely this is how Peter sounded"—Sirius said catching up to the stares, no one seemed to notice except Bill, Amelia, and Snape. The rest to lost in Harry's feelings. Those who saw were extremely confused.

"You really don' look well, you know," Hermione said, you

mustn't go doing anything stupid."

"Like trying to go after Black," said Ron sharply.

Harry could tell they had rehearsed this conversation while he had been

asleep.

Harry smiled back at his friends, he understood them now, but at that moment the anger inside him had been too much.

"Guys, it's noble you're trying to keep him safe, but I think you're going at it the wrong way"—Charlie said

"They were children themselves."

"Still are"—Molly whispered. She was hating this, if only Dumbledore would have allowed Harry to leave the castle, they would have been safe in the Burrow.

"D'you know what I see and hear every time a dementor gets too near me?" And if you'd heard your mum screaming like that, just about to be killed,

"There's nothing you can do!" said Hermione, looking stricken.

A few of the adults flinch, even Hermione realized how bad it sounded. – "I'm sorry Harry, I didn't intend to sound so Harsh."

"This is what I meant with them going at it wrong. They should have told someone that Harry already knew the truth."

"No wonder you are so angry Harry, the adults around you are making everything worse"—Fleur said to the boy.

Ron, "You want to - to kill Black or something?"

Harry didn't answer.

"You wanted to."—Augusta stated.

Harry looked up at her nodding. Molly gasped and held on to her husband.

Everyone understood now what the letter meant when it said it was Harry's most emotional year. Minerva once again felt the guilt rise up in her, she had failed her students so horribly, year three and she had seen her multiple mistakes, when had she become so detached?

Malfoy knows," he said abruptly.

"You're going to take Malfoy's advice instead of ours?" said Ron

furiously.

The twins frowned, shaking their heads, they still remember the fight of last year.

"Why are you so mad?"—Luna asked—"You know Draco has been taunting him, it couldn't come as such a surprise"
"You didn't see his face, it didn't look like Harry"

"But it was Harry, grieve changes people Ron, your just lucky you have never experienced it"—Arthur said.

"I don't understand why they gave him in Order of Merlin. What heroic act did he do?"—Neville asked.

Amelia pressed her lips, she would have to check the Order of Merlin's, she didn't even want to imagine how many had been bought. She wrote it down and sighed, she would have so much work to do.

"He was right in Voldemort's inner circle -" the Malfoys knew Black was working for Voldemort -"

"It wasn't time to think of your comfort Ron"—George said angrily, Ron looked at his brother in surprise.

Percy tried not to talk if he could, but he had so many questions at that moment. — "did they? Did his inner circle know Peter was a spy?"—

"I thought you didn't believe any of this"—

"Fred!"

Dumbledore spoke—"Like us in the Order, Voldemort had spies that not everyone knew about, for example, Crouch Jr, Ernie Stevenson who was in Obliviator he passed much information to him about Muggle-borns, he chose death over Azkaban…and so many that to this day we don't know who they were."

"Harry, please," said Hermione, her eyes now shining with tears, "

Your mum and dad wouldn't want you to get hurt, would they? They'd never want you to go looking for Black!"

"I'll never know what they'd have wanted, because thanks to Black, I've

never spoken to them," said Harry shortly.

The same silence descended in the Ballroom. Remus hold on to Dora's hand in support.

Sirius leaned his cheek in Harry's head.

let's go down and see Hagrid. I can ask him how come he

never mentioned Black when he told me all about my parents!"

"I think what you needed was a calming draught."

"He was shaking a lot, that's why I was so scared I had never seen him so angry."—Hermione said.

"Hogwarts needs a counselor; someone the students can go to talk about their problems. Like Aurors do after a difficult mission."

"Students don't like talking…"
"Times have changed…talking about your feelings and fear isn't frowned upon. How many students are grieving and so far away from home." -Amelia said forcibly

"Hagrid!" called Harry, Hagrid stood there with his eyes red and swollen,

Sirius winced for his poor godson.—"Hagrid mate throwing your weight like that could hurt someone."

Dear Mr. Hagrid, We have decided to uphold the official complaint of Mr. Lucius Malfoy, and this matter will therefore be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.

Luna looked sad—"Is Buckbeak ok?"

"Yes"—Sirius said—"He's upstairs"

Those who didn't know turned to him like he was crazy.—"There's a hippogriff in the house?"

"Yes, in my mother's room, don't go unless you're with me, he doesn't like anyone but me, Harry, and Hagrid and he barely tolerates Kreacher"

Hagrid closed his eyes, still feeling guilty about Aragog. He would have to talk to Dumbledore about relocating him before the ministry destroyed the nest.

Buckbeak was positively cute.

"He is, he likes to cuddle"—Sirius said.

"Only you Sirius"—Andromeda said

"Well I've cuddled with werewolves so…"—Sirius shrugged and Remus rolled his eyes.

"Hagrid isn't wrong, that's one of the reasons why I chose to work for a private sponsorship then with the ministry, they don't care about the creatures. If they have it cataloged as dangerous it needs to be put down, immediately."

"Tell me about it"—Remus mumbled but everyone heard. Amelia shifted in her seat; she knew what happened to werewolves that the ministry considered dangerous.

"Oh Hagrid, I would have tried to do something, unfortunately, you are right, with Lucius Malfoy in between I couldn't do much"

"Er - shall I make a cup of tea?" said Ron. "It's what my mum does whenever someone's upset," Ron muttered.

Molly nodded approvingly.

"Well at least he has some manners"—Fred whispered to George.

no one likin' me classes -" "We do like them!" lied Hermione at once.

Hagrid looked down sadly. Charlie felt bad—"It's alright Hagrid it happens, you lost your confidence, you just need to plan better"

"An' them dementors make me feel ruddy terrible an' all," said Hagrid

"Not only you, I rarely went outside"—Ginny said

"Neither did I, seeing your mom die every time you want fresh air wasn't ideal"

Everyone was horrified, McGonagall cleared her throat—"Miss Lovegood is that what…"

"Ah, yes I was there with mom when she died."

Tonks looked around—"Luna, if you wish to speak with someone, I am a good listener"

Luna turned to look at her and smiled—"Thank you that is very kind"

Amelia closed her eyes horrified, Fudge had passed over her when he made the decision, she knew Susan had been having nightmares all year, and Susan had told her of a few others that were having trouble with the Dementors but how many more students like Luna and Harry had such horrible memories and had been under stress during the school months.

Thought I was goin' mad. Kep' goin' over horrible stuff in me mind...

the day I got expelled from Hogwarts... day me dad died... day I had ter

let Norbert go..."

Sirius gave Hagrid a sad look.—"I understand I think if I see another Dementor I might freeze"

"Really Norbert is up there in horrible moments?"—Percy asked incredulously.

"You remember everything, not only the bad stuff you did but every sad, painful, depressing thought. Every little fear and insecurity whispering in your ear"—Sirius said forcefully—"Now add the cool, the dirt, the rain, and hundred of dementors looking down at you waiting for a moment to catch you off guard"

Percy couldn't handle the intensity in Sirius's voice and looked down at the floor.

Mind, the dementors weren't keen on lettin' me go."

"They don't care"—Hagrid said remembering that the Dementors tried to grab him.

"We are their food; Azkaban is a farm and we are the cattle"—

Harry couldn't brood constantly on revenge if he wanted to help Hagrid

... there was a case in 1722... in 1296.

"I know what wanting revenge feels like but I hope you never act on that feeling"—Sirius said to Harry.

"The animal control in the Ministry is disgusting."—Charlie said.

"A lot of things in the ministry are wrong"—Remus stated.

Scabbers poked his nose out of the shelter of Ron's pocket to sniff hopefully at the air.

"He was sniffing for Crookshank"—Ron said

Harry ripped the parcel open and gasped as a magnificent, gleaming

broomstick rolled out onto his bedspread. It was a Firebolt, could feel it vibrating and let go; it hung in midair, unsupported, at exactly the right height for him to mount it.

Kingsley whistled— "That's a broom."

"Anything for the pup, I wanted to buy the custom-made version with his name and you could change the color of the twigs, I wanted to add a little bit of Gryffindor red but it required a signature and it would have taken more weeks."—Sirius explained Harry who was nodding, he knew custom making a broom was even more expensive—"It would have to be for your birthday"

"Sirius for godfather!"—George toasted with his tea. Making everyone chuckle.

I bet it was Dumbledore," said Ron,

"I am afraid not; I try not to gift anything to my students. Favoritism can be dangerous"—

"Sir, not to be rude but we know Harrys is your favorite, he is the only one you call by his name"—Ginny stated.

Snape had to agree with Weasley, he had told Dumbledore multiple times to moderate his behavior with the boy or it would be too obvious but Dumbledore could be stubborn. If not the name, then his allowing Potter so many free passes immediately put him a favorite of the headmaster.

"I know who it could've been - Lupin!"

"What?" said Harry, now starting to laugh himself "Lupin? Listen, if he

had this much gold, he'd be able to buy himself some new robes."

Harry flinch at his tone, he didn't realize he had sounded so rude but Remus and Sirius laughed—"if you wanted to know how your dad talked, speak in that tone from now on."

"You mean posh drawl? "—Harry said with a small smile.

Sirius laughed— "I could give you a few classes."

"I did like him, but Harry is right, if I could afford a ten thousand galleon broom, I would have better robes."

Harry's mouth opened; he had no idea how much the firebolt cost. Hermione eyes widened and Ron tried to control his jealousy, he had been working hard on not letting that feeling take control of him.

Hermione had just come in, wearing her dressing gown and carrying

Crookshanks, "Don't bring him in here!" said Ron, hurriedly snatching Scabbers Hermione wasn't listening. She dropped Crookshanks

"Hermione!"—Luna said.

"What?"—Hermione said confused.

"Hermione dear, we are going to have a little chat"—Andromeda said.

Hermione frowned, she didn't want to have a chat with anyone, but her parents didn't raise her to be rude so she just nodded.

Hermione did not appear excited

"Of course not, Harry was being hunted by a murder and he received a very expensive gift, I was concerned"

"Granger isn't wrong, you're letting your excitement take over."

Crookshanks sprang from Seamus's bed, right at Ron's chest.

"GET - HIM - OUT - OF - HERE!" Ron seized Scabbers by the tail and aimed a misjudged kick at Crookshanks

Luna was looking at Hermione disapprovingly, Harry was trying not to laugh at Hermione's offended expression and Ron looked vindicated. – "Dear…"
"I get it!"—Hermione snapped

"Miss Granger!"—McGonagall chastised.

"I'm sorry"—Hermione apologized— "I realize it was wrong of me"—

"We still are going to have a chat"—Andromeda said in an even tone. Making Dora laugh. Hermione was in for a lecture on decorum.

Harry had seen him out of Ron's pocket, and he was unpleasantly surprised to see that Scabbers, once so fat, was now very skinny; patches of fur seemed to have fallen out too.

"Fear was eating him alive"
"You couldn't smell him?"—Tonks asked Remus who shook his head—"No, I spent many years in small groups, by this point I had three transformations within Hogwarts and they had been overwhelming, too many smell to pinpoint one specifically, plus the side effects that I was battling and we were never in close distance."

Hermione had shut Crookshanks in her dormitory, but was furious with Ron for trying to kick him; Ron was still fuming about Crookshanks's fresh attempt to eat Scabbers. Harry gave up trying to make them talk to each other and devoted himself to examining the Firebolt.

The adults shook their heads at the teenager's drama. Molly was a little put out with Hermione, she was showing no concern for Ron's feelings regarding his pet, yes she now knew what it was and it boiled her blood that her children had been so close to a death eater, that she had hosted a death eater but there was nothing she could do about that now.

"Crackers!" said Dumbledore enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape, who took it reluctantly and tugged. the cracker flew apart to reveal a large, pointed witches hat topped with a stuffed vulture.

No one could contain their laughter. Dumbledore looked amused and Remus was full-on laughing, and it caught the attention of Fleur. – "It can't be that funny, you saw it when it happened the first time"— Remus took a deep breath between laughs and spoke— "The crackers were my Christmas gift to Dumbledore, everyone knows he tries new hats for Christmas, I did it to annoy Snape when he saw it but that was even better."

"Boys"—Minerva said exasperated when she saw Snape about to answer.

Sirius high five Remus and a few of them realize that Remus was not as nice as they thought.

– "No wonder you two are friends, your both gits"—Dora mocked

"Sibyll, this is a pleasant surprise!" said Dumbledore, standing up.

"Does these women believe everything that comes out of her mouth?"

"I presume is all the fumes and sherry"—Hermione whispered but a few heard her. –"So she drinks?"—Ted asked, Hermione, blushed,-"I don't know but she did smell like alcohol a few times."

Minerva and Albus looked at each other, they would have to address some things with the professors.

I dare not, Headmaster! If I join the table, we shall be thirteen!

Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine

together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"

Hermione was one of the few who rolled her eyes, but Ron coughed— "Actually there were already thirteen"—he said. Hermione turned to look at him in disbelief,.—"You can't believe what she's saying…"

"Oh, come on Hermione, she predicted Pettigrew joining you-know-who she isn't a complete force."

"Who was the thirteen?"

"Scabbards, Ron had Pettigrew with him in his pocket."

Everyone turned to Dumbledore, and he smiled serenely – "We all must die, eventually"

"Another bad thing about the curse is it ruins holidays"—he said in a small voice to Dora who shrugged. Sirius kicked his shoe in a warning.

I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him -"

"Damn, Moony afraid of crystal balls?"

"Scared of her, she forgot to add the flirting that came with it and a sly invitation to visit her up the ladder."

Sirius was not expecting that confession and barked a laugh—"She wanted to see your…."—Harry covered his mouth while Remus hide his face in his hands.

— "Sirius for heavens"—Andromeda reprimanded him.

"Speaking to Dumbledore for the first time is intimidating as hell"—Charlie said still remembering the first time he talked to the headmaster, they ran into each other ln the kitchen after midnight, one going in and the other leaving.

"You clearly don't like that woman"—Augusta said amused at Minerva who ignored her.

"That was harsh Minnie"

Professor McGonagall beadily, walking over to the fireside and staring at the Firebolt. Harry and Ron looked around at Hermione. They could see her forehead reddening over the top of her book, which was upside-down.

"Subtle"—Kingsley laughed— "I see what you did, but as noble the intention was I'm sure it got you in trouble"
Hermione nodded remembering how hurt she felt when they stopped talking to her. Ron pressed his lips and Harry frowned, he realized it had been a pity argument, now.

"I see…" said Professor McGonagall. "Well, I'm afraid I will have to take this, Potter." "W — what?" said Harry, scrambling to his feet. "Why?"

"It will need to be checked for jinxes," said Professor McGonagall. "Of course, I'm no expert, but I daresay Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip it down —"

"STRIP IT DOWN!"—Sirius yelled making Hermione flinch. And Minerva looked at him unimpressed— "Well yes, we had to make sure it wasn't cursed"

"But it's a professional broom Minerva, hooch and Filius are not qualified to do that."—

"You defiled It"—Charlie said alarmed.

Molly rolled her eyes— "It's a broom Charlie, Professor McGonagall did the right thing."
"No, I'm angry too. It should have been handled by professionals. They could have damaged something, if everyone knew how to strip and built brooms, everyone would do it"—Dora said.

"There's nothing wrong with it!" said Harry, his voice shaking slightly.

"You can't know that, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, quite kindly,

"Oh, Harry you sound almost in tears"—Fleur said kindly but Harry still blushed in embarrassment.

Ron, however, rounded on Hermione.

"What did you go running to McGonagall for?

Hermione threw her book aside. She was still pink in the face, but stood

up and faced Ron defiantly. "Because I thought - and Professor McGonagall agrees with me – that that broom was probably sent to Harry by Sirius Black!"

"No, Hermione…"
"What did I do wrong now?"—She demanded

"First of all, the tone"—Andromeda said making Hermione blush— "Second did you consider the gift wasn't yours and you should have asked Harry first and not decided on his behalf? Your intentions were nice dear but you can't just say and do because you think is right."

CHAPTER TWELVE—The Patronus

Harry knew that Hermione had meant well, but that didn't stop him from being angry with her. Ron was furious with Hermione too.

Sirius was angry at Minerva for the defiled of the broom and decided not to comment on Hermione's behavior. But Remus decided to intervene, Hermione wasn't the only one that needed to learn how to calm down and express themselves. – "Harry, I know you're angry, but she stayed for you and…"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry Hermione"—Hermione looked at him expectant. – Harry pressed his lips together.

—"No no, I apologize for being rude to you and stop talking to you for so long, but what you did was wrong, and I support Andromeda. I know you meant well, but it's not what you did, it's how you did it. I've always done what you want. If you would have told me that you were concerned about me and you wanted me to talk to Professor McGonagall, I wouldn't have liked it but I would have done it."

Hermione lips tremble. Harry leaned forward and hugged her. He knew they would have to talk later, but expressing his feeling was difficult for him and Hermione had too many feelings for both.

"Ah Boys"—Charlie said

"Boys, are so fucking mean"—Dora said and Charlie rolled his eyes—"I said I was sorry."

Remus gave her a questioning look.—"He invited me to Hogsmeade and stood me up"

"I'm working on it," said Harry quickly. "Professor Lupin said he'd train me to ward off the Dementors. –I really didn't want to lose you as Seeker.

"This boy has to check his priorities."
"He's doing his job as captain, I'm sure he cared for Harry."

Wood said, "But Black couldn't have bought a Firebolt! He's on the run! The whole country's on the lookout for him! How could he just walk into Quality Quidditch Supplies and buy a broomstick?"

"That's actually a good question"—Amelia said curious—"how the hell did you do that?"

"Crookshank"—Sirius said with a smile.

… I'll make her see sense. A Firebolt…"

"He thinks a lot of himself"

"Ah yes," said Lupin, when Harry reminded him of his promise at the end of class. "Yes, you were," said Ron. "I said I wonder what's wrong with Lupin, and you —""Well, isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, with a look of maddening superiority.

"Why didn't you just tell them"

"It wasn't my secret to tell"

"She doesn't know," said Ron, staring resentfully after Hermione. "She's just trying to get us to talk to her again."

Hermione huffed offended—"For your information, I have more friends, Neville, Ginny now Luna and I made a good study group with Susan, Hannah, Padma, and Yesenia"

"Who the hell is Yesenia."

"Ravenclaw"—Harry, Neville, Luna, and the twins said. Ron turned to Harry in question. —"I… helped her carry some books"

Sirius and Remus shared amused looks.

Professor Lupin turned up, "Another Boggart," said Lupin,

"How are we sure it will turn into a Dementor?"—

"We weren't but if it didn't I still would have tried to teach him the spell."

I can store him in my office when we're not using him; there's a cupboard under my desk he'll like." "Okay," said Harry, trying to sound as though he wasn't apprehensive at all.

"I wouldn't want a boggart anywhere near me."

"It was normal to be nervous Harry. Many Aurors get nervous when we put them to learn it"
"Might be because they learn it in Azkaban."

"The spell I am going to try and teach you is highly advanced magic, Harry — well beyond Ordinary Wizarding Level. It is called the Patronus Charm."

A guardian that acts as a shield between you and the Dementor."

The teenagers got their wands out. They knew that everyone in the Order could do a Patronus so they were going to try and get it right.

"Each one is unique to the wizard who conjures it."

"But where do they come from?"—Ginny asked, she had no idea what hers could be.

"From your soul, it comes from inside you, your mind, happiness, desire, and so on. It's who you are."

"So, my Patronus could be my Animagus form?"—Harry asked.

Remus thought about it. — "Yes and No, for example, my Patronus is a wolf because it's been part of me since infancy, the boys became Animagus before they learn the spell, but Patronus change with high emotions like grief, love, guilt, anger… Your Patronus is a stag because James like Lily stood before death for you, both parents offered you protection but perhaps your Animagus form isn't a stag"

"So, it might change?"—

"After a drastic change of emotion, it could"

Harry cast his mind about for a happy memory. Finally, he settled on the moment when he had first ridden a broomstick.

Sirius shook his head sadly and hugged Harry to him. That shouldn't be his happiest memory, he kissed his hair. He knew Harry had a difficult time with that kind of expression, but he needed it.

"I don't think that's going to be strong enough."

"Concentrating hard on your happy memory?" "Oh — yeah —" said Harry, quickly forcing his thoughts back to that first broom ride. "expecto patronum" Something whooshed suddenly out of the end of his wand; it looked like a wisp of silvery gas.

"That's good"—Kingsley said.

"Good? that's great I got the mist after two weeks of trying"—Bill said

"I've never been able to do a full form."—Fleur pouted.

He tried to keep his mind on flying, he might hear his mother again… but he shouldn't think that, or he would hear her again, and he didn't want to… or did he?

They all turned to Harry sadly and he looked down at his hands.

"We will show you more memories"—Sirius whispered

A wave of piercing cold broke over him —

Harry tensed and held on tight to Sirius and Sirius and Remus prepared themselves for their friend's voices.

"Expecto patronum!" Harry yelled … Harry was falling again "Not Harry! Not Harry! Please — I'll do anything —" "Stand aside — stand aside, girl —"

The people in the room had different reactions to Lily's plead.

Snape closed his eyes, it hurt hearing her voice, she could have lived, he thought she could have lived if only she had moved, she could still be here.

"Why did he ask her to move?"—Neville asked in a whisper—"I thought he was unforgiven"

"Maybe he saw something in her he wanted, muggle-borns were allowed to join him under special circumstances." –Mad-eye said

Harry didn't want to think why he asked her to move, he just knew she never even considered it, she died…they both died because and for him. A chill ran over him and he trembled. Sirius just hugged him closer.

"It's getting worse," Harry muttered, biting off the Frog's head. "I could hear her louder that time — and him — Voldemort —" Lupin looked paler than usual.

"I can only imagine how you took that"—Dora said kindly.

"I knew it was expected but when I saw him faint, I realize it was a repressed memory"

What if the Dementors turn up at our match against Ravenclaw? I can't afford to fall off again. If we lose this game, we've lost the Quidditch Cup!"

"Harry, you shouldn't tax yourself for a game"—Hermione said.

"I think it was his way of challenging his grieve."

Harry thought hard and decided his feelings when Gryffindor had won the House Championship last year.

"I hate that those are your happy thoughts. You deserve so much more"—Ginny said, and Harry looked up at her and realized her eyes were shining, he looked around and the eyes of many had unshed tears.

"Go!" said Lupin,

Harry sat up straight— "Wait!"

Dumbledore paused the book alarmed. Harry turned to Sirius. – "Dad next"

Sirius just stared at Harry, his eyes immediately filling with tears. – "Ok, I… let's continue."—Remus took a deep breath and extended his hand to hold Sirius, Sirius hold on to it tightly, his other arm around Harry.

"Expecto patronum!" Harry yelled. " then came a new voice, a man's voice, shouting, panicking — "Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off.

That did it for many, they started crying. The Weasley children looked down overcome with emotions, they couldn't imagine a life without their father. Minerva could be heard sniffing, Neville and Luna looked sadly at each other; they knew what it felt like to lose a parent. Hermione was crying leaning into Ron.

Dora was doing circles around Remus who had tense and was trying to reign his emotions. Sirius was full-on crying. Dumbledore paused the book and Remus stood up pulling Sirius with him. Harry let go, Remus gestured for him to follow but Harry said no. Sirius needed to break down and he wasn't going to do it with Harry in the room. Everyone watched them leave, Harry decided to calm down in the kitchen, Molly tried to follow him, but Andromeda stopped her, she sent Ted instead.

Remus pulled Sirius into the study—"Let it go, Paddy."

Sirius's sob echoed off the walls. —"Those were his last words, Rem his last words were to warn Lily, did you hear the fear..."

Remus was crying too, it had been years since he'd cried like this, but he didn't think he'd ever hear his friend again. – "He would've died for her, He told us himself, he died for them."

Sirius laughed bitterly. –"Yes, but she died too, you know they didn't even have their wands when I found them, they didn't have a clue."

Remus wiped away his tears and sat down with Sirius on the floor. — "I had already forgotten what he sounded like."

"I would like to be able to apologize for failing him."

"He was just as impulsive as you, he would be angrier at me. Rather... Lily would be the one yelling at us."

"Why did he tell her to move?"

"I don't understand that, he never tried to recruit them, he knew they were Dumbledore people through and through…"

Sirius shrugged, taking deep breaths—"I don't know, I'm sure we'll find out, these books are revealing everything."—Sirius leaned against the wall— "Where's Harry?"

"He did not want to come, he is in the kitchen with Ted, we have to talk to him after we finish reading. He needs to know that he can cry with us, with someone…"

"I don't think he'll last long; the fourth book is going to be horrible for him."

"I know"— Remus sighed. He got up— "let's go, we must continue."

Sirius nodded, his hands shaking, Remus realized.

"Are you okay?"

"According to Andromeda I still haven't become an alcoholic but I'm on my way to, so she doesn't want me to drink while we remain here"

"I think it's for the best."

Remus returned to the Ball and Sirius went looking for Harry. Ted turned to look at him, Harry was sitting with a glass of water in his hands.

Ted—"I'm here if you need to talk"—Harry smiled gratefully and Ted left.

"You're ok pup?"

"No, but it doesn't matter."
"Of course it does"

"Are you ok?"—Harry asked

"No, I'm not. I'll probably have a rough night but ill be better."

Sirius looked at his godson—"How are your nights?"

Harry shrugged, Sirius sighed—"Ok, we will talk later, come let's get this over with"

Nobody said anything when they came back. Dumbledore activated the book again.

"I heard my dad," Harry mumbled. "That's the first time I've ever heard him — he tried to take on Voldemort himself, to give my mum time to run for it…"

Harry was once again, crying.

"You heard James?" said Lupin in a strange voice.

"Yeah…" Face dry, Harry looked up. "Why — you didn't know my dad, did you?" "I — I did, as a matter of fact," said Lupin. "We were friends at Hogwarts. Listen, Harry — perhaps we should leave it here for tonight. This charm is ridiculously advanced… I shouldn't have suggested putting you through this…"

"Why didn't you tell him something more?"—Sirius accused but he shook his head—"Sorry, didn't mean to sound like that, but he was right there Moon"

Remus sighed and looked at both of them. — "I was ashamed."

Sirius sighed and leaned back on the couch, he was ashamed too. Harry just shook his head—"We already talked about this, I understand let's move on"

"You shouldn't have let him try again"—Molly said pinched lip.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM! EXPECTO PATRONUM!" The screaming inside Harry's head had started again –then a huge, silver shadow came bursting out of the end of Harry's wand, to hover between him and the Dementor, and though Harry's legs felt like water, he was still on his feet — though for how much longer, he wasn't sure…

"I was very proud, it did take a lot of you but it was a great accomplishment"—Remus said

Neville raised his hand—"Can you teach us, professor?"

"Yes, we need to learn how to."

Remus smiled—"Sure, we will find some time in your schedules."

"No Harry, rest. We didn't see it but damn that sounded exhausting"

"Professor Lupin?" he said. "If you knew my dad, you must've known Sirius Black as well." Lupin turned very quickly. "What gives you that idea?" he said sharply. "Nothing — I mean, I just knew they were friends at Hogwarts too…" Lupin's face relaxed.

"Why did you relax?"—Fleur questioned. — "I know that it is a very delicate subject but if you were his friend, why did you leave him?"

"Fleur"—Bill chastised a little

Fleur smiled politely— "I don't mean it badly, I'm just curious, I know Mr. Lupin suffers from his condition but a few times a year or once a year visits would have worked for Harry."

Remus smiled kindly at her—"It's understanding you are all curious, the first year after their death wasn't easy for me. I spent most of it drunk and in pain. We had a pack bond all four and the wolf felt it, in all honesty, I was miserable. Through my own depression, I believed Harry was best without me and then the werewolf register happened, and I had to leave England, by the time I realize how long it had been, Harry was already in Hogwarts and Dumbledore told me Harry was having a difficult time adapting and he knew little of his family."—Remus finished out of breath, he knew people would question his behavior.

"But you said, you had sent him a few letters?"—Augusta said.

"I did, Harry, and I don't know where they actually ended, if they are in Gringotts we will find them, if they ended in Private Drive then Petunia destroyed them. Which also made me believe Harry didn't want anything to do with me or he had no intention of having any contact with me, that's why I kept my distance."

They all nodded. Grief was a horrible thing, most of them still had waves of it that came out of nowhere.

Harry's thoughts wandered back to his mother and father… these were the only times Harry had heard their voices since he was a very small child. …

"They're dead," he told himself sternly. "They're dead and listening to echoes of them won't bring them back.

"Damn, pup"—Sirius said pulling his godson closer.

Harry had just one night a week to do all his homework.

"I did tell you to take it slow"—Remus reprimanded

"I could handle it"

"That's not the point Mr. Potter, I realize I let Wood be too aggressive, I will make sure the following quidditch schedules are not so exhausting and I'll be speaking with the other professors as well."

Hermione was to be seen in a corner of the common room, several tables spread with books, Arithmancy charts, rune dictionaries, diagrams of Muggles lifting heavy objects, and file upon file of extensive notes; she barely spoke to anybody and snapped when she was interrupted.

"What is wrong with you?"—

"The time turner was messing with my head"

"I got too short with Mr. Wood? Of course, I did, he had the audacity to tell me I was making a grave mistake by taking the broom away."

"By stripping it down, yes"

"For heaven's sake Sirius."

He was now asking Professor McGonagall for news of the Firebolt after every Transfiguration lesson, Ron standing hopefully at his shoulder, Hermione rushing past with her face averted.

"Oh, boys. You really hurt her feelings"—Tonks said

"She hurt ours first"—Ron defended

"Ours?"—Hermione mocked

"Yes, at the moment I thought your cat wanted to eat my pet and you didn't care."

"Boys can be so mean"—Ginny said

Tonks said—"They suck"—Remus turned with a raised eyebrow.

– "Yes you too"—Tonks told him making Sirius laugh at Remus's expression.

his Patronus was too feeble to drive the Dementor away. All it did was hover, like a semitransparent cloud, draining Harry of energy as he fought to keep it there. Harry felt angry with himself, guilty about his secret desire to hear his parents' voices again.

"I can't wait for our session after the holiday"

"What session?"—Amelia asked

"For the D.A, Harry is going to teach us how to do it"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to hear them, Harry. Sometimes I see memories of my family"—Amelia said sadly— "But you have to be careful with it because you can get lost in them"

"The true Patronus does do that," said Lupin. "But you've achieved a great deal in a very short space of time.

"When Remus complimented your job, it made you feel smart"—Ginny smiled.

Remus fought the smile, he really missed teaching.

"Butterbeer!" said Harry, without thinking. "Yeah, I like that stuff!"

Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Oh — Ron and Hermione brought me some back from Hogsmeade," Harry lied quickly. "I see," said Lupin, though he still looked slightly suspicious.

"You suck at being subtle"

"I got excited"—Harry defended himself

"This shows how much Harry trusts Remus"—Charlie noted—"He let his guard down."

"What's under a Dementor's hood?"

Harry and Sirius shivered; Sirius actually shook at how uncomfortable the memory made him.

"They call it the Dementor's Kiss. I suppose there must be some kind of mouth they clamp their jaws upon the mouth of the victim and — and suck out his soul."

Sirius swallowed—"Some of them don't scream, they are so far gone they don't even feel but when one of them had his soul being sucked, it felt…"—Sirius shook.

"It feels like dread is swallowing you whole"—Minerva said, remembering Crouch Jr, her Patronus had been late to save the boy and Fudge had done nothing to stop it.

There's no chance at all of recovery. You'll just exist. As an empty shell. And your soul is gone forever… lost." "It's the fate that awaits Sirius Black. It was in the Daily Prophet this morning. The Ministry has given the Dementors permission to perform it if they find him."

"That decision was taken by Fudge and half of the Wizengamot"—Amelia said.

"So, they will give you problems, when you give him his trial?"—Hermione asked

"No, because Augusta is on our side, she has her allies and I have mine, it will be uncomfortable because Sirius being Innocent bring problems to a few heads of houses"

Harry let out a breath.

—"It's ok Pup"—Sirius told him.

"He deserves it," he said suddenly.

"Harry!"—Mrs. Weasley said— "You never wish death on anyone."

Harry nodded— "I know Mrs. Weasley but I was angry, and I needed to blame someone"

He would have liked to have told Lupin about the conversation he'd overheard about Black

"Do you realize that If you would have, things could have been different?"—Neville said

Harry nodded but there was nothing to do now.

Harry, his heart lighter than it had been in a month. "You know what — we should make up with Hermione… She was only trying to help…"

"Yeah, all right," said Ron. "She's in the common room now working — for a change."

Hermione frowned, she hadn't realized how much the firebolt had meant for Harry, she didn't regret telling Professor McGonagall but she was realizing that maybe she had done it the wrong way, so she frowned.

"I wrote them down!" Neville was saying tearfully. "But I must've dropped them somewhere!" "I've lost the passwords!"

Sirius snickered— "OH! They were yours"—

"Yes"—Neville said sheepishly.

"I am sorry, I needed them"—

"Yeah, just earned me a week detention no problem."

Sirius smiled tensely

"I got it back," said Harry, grinning at her and holding up the Firebolt.

"Well — there might have been!" said Hermione. "I mean, at least you know now that it's safe!" "Yeah, I suppose so," said Harry.

"Can I sit down, then?" Harry asked Hermione.

"I suppose so," said Hermione

Ginny and Fred mocked.

"Hermione I'm sorry for not talking to you for weeks…"

"Yes, Harry I'm sorry too, for not consulting you…"

"Oh, well — you know — working hard," said Hermione. Close-up, Harry saw that she looked almost as tired as Lupin. "Why don't you just drop a couple of subjects?" Harry asked, watching her lifting books as she searched for her rune dictionary. "I couldn't do that!" said Hermione, looking scandalized.

"Arithmancy looks terrible," said Harry, picking up a very complicated-looking number chart.

"Clearly the time turner was messing with her mind, why didn't you do anything."

"It was part of the experiment"—McGonagall said—"I didn't give her the time turner just because Hermione asked if she could do all assignments and a contact of mine told me about a project the unspeakable were doing regarding time turners and I realize Miss Granger was the only I could trust with such a weapon"

Hermione felt proud and squared her shoulders making Harry and Ron rolled their eyes.

"Arithmancy is hard when you don't have a base to start with, but it's really interesting."

Ron came leaping into view,

"SCABBERS! LOOK! SCABBERS!"

"BLOOD!" Ron yelled into the stunned silence. "HE'S GONE! AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE FLOOR?" "N — no," said Hermione in a trembling voice. Ron threw something down onto Hermione's rune translation. Hermione and Harry leaned forward. Lying on top of the weird, spiky shapes were several long, ginger cat hairs.

"Oh shit, more problems for the group"

"I can't believe he faked his death again."

"Let's have lunch"—Minerva said.

Hello guys, so I'm planning on making Andromeda's character a little matronly regarding Sirius, she is still battling with Dora and Remus relationship, and I have a few options for how her relationship with Harry could become. You can share your own idea in the Reviews if you wish.

Fred and Hermione sound like a good idea, either of the twins actually, for the moment she still has a crush on Ron because I can't drastically change everything.

I hope you like it, please review and remember I do this for fun.

Be Kind.