Chapter 13

Poppy had had enough of people trying to take over her domain. She went over to the headmaster and said, "Albus, if you can't be quiet, I will throw you out on your ear and don't believe I won't do that! Mr. Black, if you are going to remain in my Hospital Wing, you will march yourself over to that bathroom and clean yourself up. I'll have an elf bring you some clothes. Then you may sit next to Mr. Potter until he awakens. Mr. Lupin do you have any injuries I need to tend to?"

"No, I'm quite well physically, Madam Pomfrey. May I sit with Harry until Sirius returns?" replied the werewolf.

"You may as long as you remain quiet. My patients need their rest," she said.

Albus and Minerva had made themselves a little seating area away from the beds and talked among themselves quietly.

"Albus, we've got to do something now. He cannot return to those monsters."

"I agree," the headmaster said, "But where can he go that he is safe from Voldemort as well? I'm sure Molly and Arthur would be happy to take him in but I don't think they understand the risk they would be incurring."

"Then let him stay here at the castle. He'll be safe here! You've always said there's no safer place than Hogwarts," Minerva retorted.

"I can't, the Board of Governors…"

"The Board of Governors will never have to know, Albus, unless you tell them!" said Minerva.

"But if word got out that a student was staying over the summer, especially this student, there would be inquiries into things best not brought up," replied Professor Dumbledore.

"Inquiries you don't want to answer is what you mean!"

"Now Minerva," but the headmaster didn't get to finish his statement as Severus Snape entered the Infirmary.

"How is he, Headmaster?" Snape inquired.

"He will be fine, at least physically, by the time he wakes up," Albus replied.

"How did we miss it, Albus? How did I miss it?" asked the potions master.

"We see what we wanted to see. I saw a young man eager to start his magical studies. With his father's looks and his mother's eyes, I thought him to be the best of both of them. I never took the time to really get to know him. Oh, I thought I did, but I didn't," the older man said.

"I also thought him to be the best of his parents but failed to see the hunger in him every time someone mentioned his parents. He was eager to hear any little scrap of information he could glean. He never left for a holiday, which is something we only see in those who fear their homes more than their school. I never listened to him when he tried to alert me to possible dangers which resulted in him never trusting me when he should have," added Minerva.

"I, too, failed the boy I was sworn to protect. I am a bitter man, holding on to grievances against a man long dead. I never bothered to listen to him when there was a problem between him and Malfoy, always assuming the worst of him. If I'd bothered to look at him as one of my Slytherins, I would have seen the signs. My attitude, my pettiness, almost cost a boy his life and I'm not sure I can forgive myself, Headmaster."

A fourth voice joined them, "I failed him above all of you," said a freshly dressed and groomed Sirius Black, "Harry was my responsibility. I swore to James and Lily that I would love him and protect him as my own if anything should happen to them. Instead, I let my rage at Pettigrew take over and dumped Harry in Hagrid's arms, and went running after the rat. For that, above all, should have earned me the Dementor's kiss. Tonight, when I wanted to finally exact my revenge, Harry stopped me. He said he didn't think his parents would have wanted his best friends to be murderers. He was right."

"Now that we have all succumbed to our self-flagellation, let us now turn to what we need to do to make it right for Harry," said Minerva.

"The right thing for me to do is to turn myself into the DMLE and take my chances. Amelia Bones is an honorable woman. I think if she were to hear my story and the witness statements, she will do what is right. While Fudge may not listen to me, already having convicted me twice, Amelia will," stated Sirius.

Albus Dumbledore stood up to his full height and said, "Sirius Orion Black, I Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, offer you the sanctuary of Hogwarts castle until such time as a full and fair judgment is rendered in your case."

Sirius stood as well, "I Sirius Orion Black, accept the sanctuary of Hogwarts castle until such time as a full and fair judgment is rendered in my case."

The two men clasped hands and said together, "So mote it be." A golden light flashed briefly signifying the offer and acceptance had been sealed by magic.

"I think we need to ask Harry what he wants to do," said Sirius, "We're all sitting around here making decisions for him without considering his thoughts. He's going to need time to heal physically as well as mentally. I think we need to get a good mind healer for him too. I know I'm going to need one." There was a small snort from Severus, but otherwise, he had held his tongue.

"I shall go and consult with Madam Pomfrey and see what potions she will be needing. I'm sure a course of nutrient potions will be in order if nothing else," said Severus who then got up to leave.

"Then I will contact Madam Bones and get that ball rolling. And tell Cornelius I expect the dementors to be gone by lunchtime, or he will be gone by dinnertime," said Albus.

"I will see about the school and determine whether to restart classes after lunchtime. Idle students make for great havoc for the rest of us," said Minerva.

"I am going to take care of my godson," said Sirius.

The four adults went their separate ways, knowing that what they had done just now would make a big difference in the life of one teenager.

END FIRST STORY ARC

A/N: I'm working on more of this, but it's being difficult as to the direction it's going to take. I'll only tell you that Harry survives.