A/N

Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter; I am in my last year of university so things have gotten busy!

Enjoy :)

With their first day of school over, it quickly rolled over to the weekend. The weather was still pleasant and particularly warm for the time of year, something Harry was very much grateful for. It meant that the trio could cherish the remaining summer weather before Scotland turned back to its usual, cold and rainy days.

Harry had spent most of the morning, sitting by the lake with Ron and Hermione, talking about the previous day and the evening Harry had spent with his guardian.

Both were quick to question Harry on whether Lupin explained why he refused to let him fight the boggart. Harry replied that the man didn't want him to faint again like the last time, and Hermione rationalised that that was a very plausible reason. She also added that Harry should be thankful his guardian even thought about it.

Hermione had brought along all her books so she could sit and study in the fresh air; Harry was sure her bag was going to break any second from the immense weight of it. He couldn't understand how she could possibly handle taking so many classes, let alone how she was attending them; he also knew how much he was already struggling with the step up in workload this year.

"So, if you are taking four electives, how are you actually attending them?" Harry finally decided to question.

"Yeah, because you didn't miss divination yesterday, but Dean also reckons you were in Muggle studies at the same time?" Ron responded.

"So, you've been talking about me behind my back, have you? How nice of you Ron." Hermione retorted.

Harry, sensing a possible argument brewing, decided to reply before Ron had a chance to snap back; "We're just curious, Hermione."

The young witch paused; conflict written on her face. "Professor McGonagall made me promise not to tell anyone." She bit her lip.

"We won't" Ron reassured; shocked that she was even debating whether to tell them.

"Alright fine; but no one else, not a soul, can know about this. You've got to promise me."

"We swear we won't."

"Promise."

The witch took a deep breath as she pulled out a golden necklace from underneath her robes. "Professor McGongall managed to persuade the Ministry to authorise a -"

"Time-turner!" Ron exclaimed as he jumped up to examine it. He had heard of them countless times from both his brothers and parents; Fred and George once threatened to steal one from the ministry and let spiders in Ron's room while he was asleep.

"Yes, thanks for that Ronald."

"Sorry, I've just never seen one in real life before." The red head replied as he sat back in his original seat.

"So, you are travelling back in time for your classes?" Harry questioned.

"Only a maximum of 4 hours; any longer and you can really begin to mess with time and might not be able to return."

Ron continued to watch the time turner in Hermione's hands. "They are really cool; during the war they were practically impossible to find. People started selling fakes for money when the ministry began confiscating them all. Now the ministry has control of them."

"Professor McGonagall said it was really hard to get so I had to keep it a secret even though I really wanted to tell you both."

"No, it's okay." Harry responded.

"Let me see it again," Ron asked as he held out his hand for Hermione to place the time turner in his hand.

Harry watched the interaction in silence and thought about how he'd never really given time turners much thought. Of course, he knew they existed; any witch or wizard who grew up in the wizarding community knew of their existence and the ministries raids to try and find them.

As Ron had said, during the war they were almost impossible to find.

Almost impossible. Not impossible.

This left Harry with a question.

If time turners existed, why was his parents allowed to die and no one saved them?

After spending lunch in the Great Hall, Harry promised Lupin that he would spend some of the afternoon in their quarters together.

Forgoing the knock this time, Harry pushed the door open and headed to the sofa where he kicked his shoes off and curled his feet under himself.

"Harry?" Lupin called from down the hall.

"Yeah?"

"Oh, hey cub. I was just checking it was you." The man replied as his voice got nearer. Closing the office door, the man walked over to his armchair and took a seat, books and parchment in hand. "Been up to much?"

"Not really, I spent this morning by the lake with Ron and Hermione. Hermione was working as usual; I think she might have bitten off more than she can chew."

"Yes, Professor McGonagall told me about how many classes she's taking, far more than anyone else."

"I think she's going to burn herself out."

"Most likely but your head of house was telling me about how she has it under control."

"I know," Harry replied and instantly regretted it. Not even a couple of hours had passed since promising his best friend he would keep her secret; yet here he was practically blurting it out to no less than a professor.

"You do?" The man raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I - um"

"Professor McGonagall said it would only be a matter of time." Lupin muttered to himself.

"She only showed us it, I promise she didn't use it and she made us promise not to tell anyone"

"Hmmm, let's pretend this conversation never happened then."

Harry nodded, shifting in his seat a little.

"But I want to warn you never to meddle with it and make sure nobody else finds out, okay?"

"Yep." Harry replied, a question still lingering on his lips as his downcast eyes made contact with his knees.

"Something else?"

Harry looked at the man almost startled.

He knew he'd been thinking about his question a lot, but not enough for his face to be so easily readable.

"Well - I," he paused and took a deep breath, "I couldn't help but wonder; if time turners are a thing, why did nobody use them to help save my parents. You know, on that night"

"Oh cub," Remus spoke softly as he moved to sit next to him on the sofa, placing an arm on the back.

Harry began absentmindedly picking the skin on his finger.

"Look at me," Lupin requested.

Harry lifted his emerald eyes to lock with those of his guardian.

"I can absolutely promise you, if any one of us had access to a time tuner, we would have used it in a heartbeat."

Harry nodded. "Ron said that they were all confiscated by the ministry."

"Yes, they were; mainly to stop any of his followers from getting their hands on one and causing even more chaos. Time turners are dangerous, really dangerous, and you can't always use them to solve every problem, even simple ones. Unfortunately, as hard as it can be and as horrible as it sounds, everything happens for a reason and to go meddling with the course of history can cause a whole host of new problems."

"I understand. It's just kind of upsetting I guess."

"I'm sure it is." Lupin responded as he ruffled the boy's messy hair. "If you ever want to talk some more about things like this, remember I'm always here. I'll always listen, no matter how minor you think it may be."

"I know," Harry responded as he leaned into the man's chest. He had missed moments like this since he had started at Hogwarts, snuggling up on the sofa together. When he was younger, it was a nightly occurrence, with the fire crackling and mugs of hot chocolate but since Hogwarts, Harry had been away from Remus for most of the year.

"Hey Remus,"

"Hmm,"

"Do you think you could sign my Hogsmeade slip if you came with us next week?" Harry asked. He wasn't sure where the question had stemmed from and worried that he had ruined the nice moment they'd been having.

Lupin moved his hand so that it rested on the boy's shoulder, lightly running his hand up and down. "We've been over this before cub; I think you already know the answer."

"I know but I figured that Black hadn't been spotted near here for a while and with you there too, surely it would be much safer."

"He hasn't, you are correct, but he also hasn't been spotted anywhere as for that matter. For all we know he could be living in Hogsmeade or even on the grounds. He escaped the dementors once, there's nothing to say he wouldn't be able to do so again Harry."

"So, I can't go, even if you come too?" Harry replied, his voice thick with disappointment.

"Me being there is not going to make any huge differences, not when there's over two hundred other students also there at the same time. I could take you alone the day after when there aren't so many people, and the risk isn't as high?"

"It's not the same."

"I know it isn't and I know how unfair this may all seem but I'm only doing it to keep you safe" Lupin spoke softly.

"I guess."

"Think about it." The man encouraged. "Let me know what you decide."

"Okay." Harry sat up from leaning on the man's chest and turned himself so that his back was leaning against the arm of the sofa, his feet stretched out in front of him.

"While we are on that topic, I need you to understand just how serious this whole situation is. I can't have you running around the grounds alone and especially at night or unprotected. I want you to always have your wand in your robes. Where is it right now?"

"Err… in my dorm, I think." Harry admitted as he watched his guardian give him a rather stern look.

"What if something was to have happened at the lake this morning?"

"Ron and Hermione had their wands," Harry protested feebly.

"Are you positive about that?"

"I think so,"

The man raised his eyebrows at Harry once again. "From now on, I want you to be able to show me your wand whenever I ask otherwise there will have to be some consequences, I'm afraid. Got it?"

"Got it." Harry repeated as his face blushed slightly.

"I would also like you to swear to me that you will not go looking for Black."

"Why would I go looking for someone that has killed people? And why is no one else being forced to follow all these rules." Harry mumbled.

Lupin felt a lump form in his throat. He wanted to tell the child more than anyone could ever know; he asked that Harry always told him the truth and here he was lying to his face, the irony was not lost on him.

"You and I both know the answer to that. Death eaters and his followers want the return of you-know-who; a lot of them will do whatever the deem necessary to get that, Black is no exception. I don't mean for this to scare you Harry, but you know what makes you more at threat."

"I just want to be normal, a normal student that doesn't have to worry about all of this stuff."

"I know you do, and I'd like that more than anything but, for now, I will do everything I possibly can to keep you safe."

Harry leaned his head on the back of the sofa as once again he nodded at the man's words before slowly closing his eyes.

"Tired from the new term already? Perhaps a nap?" Lupin joked.

Harry immediately sat upright, "What? No, I'm awake."

"Only kidding" the man chuckled, "Did you really think I was going to make you take a nap?"

"Well, I had to make sure didn't I."

The pair had just finished dinner and Harry had grabbed a book from the bookshelf in the living room. The teen flicked through the pages whilst barely taking any of the information in.

"Bored, are we?"

"Huh."

"You are staring at the floor more than you are looking at my book. I'm not forcing you to be down here cub."

"Oh, no, I know." Harry responded as he sat up straight. "I might go back to the common room in a bit, if that's okay."

"That's fine; I just thought I should let you know; I will not be here in our quarters tonight if you need me."

"Another meeting?"

"No actually, I've offered to oversee a detention for Professor McGonagall so that she can attend the head of house meeting tonight."

"Sounds fun." Harry spoke sarcastically.

"I can hardly wait." Lupin responded with a raise of his eyebrows.

"I'll be going then, leave you to have some peace before you have to go."

"Hey - it is peaceful when you're here" Lupin smirked at his teen.

"I'll remind you of that when you can't wait to get rid of me." Harry responded as he rolled out of the way before Lupin could playfully tickle him.

"Less of the cheek," he winked at the boy.

Harry simply smirked as he gathered the few items, he brought down with him.

"I'll walk you back."

"Why?" Harry questioned. He was perfectly capable of walking back to the tower unattended; he was a third year now, not some silly first year.

"Well, I'm so glad you remembered the conversation we had earlier." The man replied as he gave his ward a stern, but humorous, look as he slipped a pair of shoes on.

"Oh, my wand - right."

"Or, shall we say, lack of…"

Harry followed the man as he held the door open and slipped under his arm.

He ventured out into the corridor as they walked side by side up the staircase and hallways, back to the tower.

"One day, when it's a bit safer, I'll show you where myself and your father got into mischief." Remus spoke as they neared the final staircase to the tower.

"I'd like that."

"I'm sure you would; not that you need any help for that matter, you seem to get in enough trouble by yourself.

"Well, trouble - " Harry started before his guardian cut him off

"I know, trouble usually finds you" his guardian finished.

Harry laughed awkwardly at Remus's words.

"It may as well be your catchphrase, Harry. I'm thinking of making you a sign with it on to hang in your room."

Harry gave the man a horrified look.

"I'm kidding." Lupin smirked.

They reached the top of the staircase and stood in front of the portrait as Harry instinctively turned around and gave his guardian a hug.

He blushed slightly as he instantly hoped that no one was around to see them.

"I'll see you later kiddo." Remus said as he felt his heart warm at his teen's actions.

Harry pulled himself away from the man and spoke the password, before turning around and waved goodbye "Night."

Lupin winked and smirked as Harry disappeared into the common room.

Harry walked into the centre of the room that was unusually crowded for a Saturday evening. Most of the older students normally had a place to hang out with their friends from other houses which normally left the younger years crowding in the small, but cosy room; tonight, was an exception.

Despite the amount of people, Harry could hear two voices levels above the rest: Ron and Hermione's.

It was clear to see the pair were visibly annoyed, Harry could tell it was at one another.

"What's going on?"

"Maybe you should ask her." Ron snapped.

"Ronald's rat has gone missing and he is blaming my cat for it." Hermione explained as the ginger cat wriggled in her arms.

"He hasn't gone missing; your cat ate him!"

"He did no such thing!" Hermione retorted, hurt written on her face.

"I'm sure he will turn up in a day or so Ron. Anyways, you did say yesterday that he was looking a bit off colour." Harry attempted to explain, wanting to be the mediator between the two.

"Probably because he was terrified of that - thing." Ron motioned at the ginger cat Hermione held in her arms.

"Don't listen to the mean little boy Crookshanks." Hermione spoke softly as she stroked her cats back who was wriggling, attempting to free himself. "Anyways, did you have a nice time with Professor Lupin? We thought you would have been staying the night?"

"We mostly talked about Sirius Black and how I need to keep myself safe." Harry imitated. "It's only the second night so I didn't want to miss out on anything. Lupin has a detention to oversee for McGonagall, so he won't be in our quarters toni -,"

It was then that a lightbulb went off in his mind. Lupin wasn't going to be there tonight; he could get in that draw if he wanted to!

"What mate," Ron questioned.

"So, there's this draw, in Lupin's office, that he always keeps locked. I tried to open it before, but Snape caught me."

"Snape caught you?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, he was errr - looking after me for a bit while Lupin was out." Harry hoped his friends would buy it; there was no way he could let slip of Remus's condition. Ron and Hermione had been over his house in Yorkshire many times before and had yet to find the stock of wolfsbane or extensive pain potions in the pantry.

"Anyways, besides the point; I'm gonna go down there tonight and see what's in it."

"Harry, I'm not sure that's a good idea. You just said yourself that you need to keep yourself safe!"

"Leave the man alone Hermione; just because you don't like to have a bit of fun."

Hermione seemed stung by the redheads' words as she turned and walked off to go and sit with Ginny and her second-year friends.

"You could've been a bit nicer Ron."

"She's been annoying me all day mate." Ron paused as he glanced over at Hermione talking with his younger sister. Harry noticed a hint of guilt fill his friends face before he shook it away and turned back around.

"So, what's your plan?"

Harry slipped his invisibility cloak over himself and pushed the portrait open, waving goodbye to Ron who'd promised to wait up for him to return.

Harry brushed his hand against his hip to make sure he had his wand in his robe before he ventured too far away from the tower to return and retrieve it. Thankfully it was there, and the teen descended down the staircase and to the teachers quarters.

As he was walking, he heard the quiet sound of voices coming from a classroom down the hall. Harry decided to investigate as he poked his head around the door frame.

He felt his breath hitch in his throat as his eyes locked on his guardians who sat behind a large desk at the front. Three students sat behind individual desks; quills in hand as they were frantically writing away.

The man looked quite serious; more serious than Harry had seen him look in a while, but he figured it was likely due to him overseeing students who had gotten themselves in trouble.

The teen turned around and headed back the way he'd just come, down another flight of stairs and through several corridors before arriving at his own door. He pushed the handle down as quietly as he could. The only sound to be heard was that of the large clock placed above the fireplace in the living room.

He tiptoed down the short corridor and headed into the office where he opened the door and walked to the windowsill, the last place he had seen the small key handing on a nail.

Harry felt his stomach drop as he noticed the key wasn't there and began searching on the floor and surrounding area.

It was then Harry realised his idiocy.

"Are you a wizard or not" he mumbled to himself.

He pulled out his wand from the inside of his robe and spoke the unlocking charm that he'd learnt in his first year, kicking himself for not thinking of it before. He heard a faint click as he pulled the draw open.

At first, the draw looked nothing but ordinary, a few documents, a muggle passport, some old but clearly valuable jewellery; it wasn't until Harry got to the bottom when he found an old, disheveled looking piece of parchment. He pulled it out the rest of the way and placed it on the top of the desk to investigate later.

Glancing back into the drawer, the teen noticed a small moving photograph at the very bottom.

He instantly noticed Remus alongside his father and mother who held a toddler in her arms; it was unmistakably himself, which should've come as a pleasant surprise. But it was the other two men standing either side that caused Harry's breathing to increase rapidly, his heart began to sink...

He stood up and practically ran to the living room where he knew his guardian kept the old newspapers for the open fire.

Picking up the third from the top, he opened it up fully and compared the photo on the front page that read 'DANGEROUS ESCAPED PRISONER' to that of the man in the photo.

There was no doubt in his mind. The man in the photo no other than Sirius Black; the man everyone had tried to protect him from.

Harry felt his legs give way slightly at the shock of it; he slid down the arm of the chair as he landed on the floor, tucking one leg under the other. He stared at the photo until he thought his eyes were going to close from sheer exhaustion.

He watched as the group laughed with one another, clearly enjoying themselves as he noticed the pumpkins in the background. The teen felt a tear escape his eye as he turned the photo over and saw handwriting he recognised as Lupin's labelled,

'30th October 1981; Sirius Black, James Potter, Lily Potter, Harry Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.'

Harry quickly realised that the names were written in the order they appeared. He had been correct, but he wished he wasn't.

It felt like a punch in the gut to know his guardian had been lying to him, every time he had asked whether the man knew him. He knew him and he didn't say.

Harry scanned the newspaper article to confirm his second suspicion, that Peter Pettigrew was the man Sirius Black had killed. His suspicion was quickly confirmed.

Harry struggled to believe that the man standing in the photo, looking happier than life, was a follower of Voldemort and would also go on to kill one of his best friends less than twenty-four hours later.

How could he?

Harry felt the anger, the rage, build up inside of him. Angry tears flooded his eyes as he couldn't see. He wanted to shout at Lupin and demand that the man tell him the truth, but he knew he couldn't. There was no way his guardian would excuse roaming the corridors at night, alone; not after the conversation they'd had only hours ago.

Harry wiped away the tears that had fallen as he placed the newspaper back where he'd found it and walked to the office, photo in hand. He debated whether to take the photo with him but eventually decided that he had other photos, much happier ones, that the man had given him before.

He did however pick up the old piece of parchment and shove it in an inside pocket under his cloak. He shut the drawer and spoke the locking charm before double-checking it was shut. He silently prayed the man wouldn't know it was missing, but, from what he could gather, it hadn't been used for a while, not recently anyway.

He closed the office door quietly as he took note that it was now almost eleven o'clock; curfew was over two hours ago.

Closing the large wooden door, Harry refrained from locking it as he knew his guardian never did; or, rather, did not need to.

Harry walked down the long corridor for the second time that evening when he heard approaching footsteps. Racing to plant himself firmly against a wall he watched as the figure coming towards him was that of his guardian.

Harry placed a hand over his mouth to hush his heavy breathing. The teen couldn't have been more thankful when the man walked past, not suspecting a thing.

Harry practically ran back to his common room where he planted a fake smile on his face at Ron who had been as good to his word and was waiting for him to return.

Harry blurted out all that he'd found with the picture as Ron's face looked a mixture of anger and sadness. Harry then pulled out the old parchment and the pair both attempted to figure out what it could be despite wanting to just go straight to bed and forget that it had all happened.

His disappointment began to grow as the parchment remained the same.

"Perhaps Lupin was just keeping it by accident," Harry suggested as he saw Ron's face light up.

He glanced down at the parchment that had now revealed itself, writing emerging on its front.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present the Marauder's Map to its new owner."

TBC!