Hey guys! This chapter is dedicated to Emeraldphan, who has been absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for all of your kind comments and I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione rushed over to him, not hugging him but looking as if she wanted to.

"I'm fine, Hermione." Harry sighed, "I talked with Sirius. Sorry, I overreacted."

"You didn't—" Hermione started, but Lupin cut her off.

"It's fine, Harry." Lupin seemed to remember the last time he had said that sentence.

Without warning, Harry felt his forearm burn with a fiery pain. It took all of his self-control not to grab his arm, though he could not help but tense up.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, looking from Harry to Draco.

"Nothing," Harry brushed away his question with ease, though he was not sure if any of them believed him.

"Harry, I want to talk to you about something," Draco said quietly, struggled to keep the strain out of his voice.

"Okay," Harry said quickly, "Let's go upstairs." Harry could feel everyone's eyes following them as they left the room, but he did not care.

Draco pulled up the sleeve of his shirt as soon as they reached the confines of their small bedroom.

"Again," Harry sighed, rubbing his arm to try to elevate some of the tension. "I guess there is nothing we can do about it."

"No," Draco agreed, "I don't think there is." They both fell silent, trying not to focus on the pain pulsing from their arms.

"So… you talked with Sirius?" Draco's voice sounded strained.

"Yes," Harry said, glad for the distraction.

"Are you really okay now?" Harry stopped rubbing his arm for a moment and looked up at Draco.

"Not yet, but I will be," Harry answered honestly.

"Good," Draco gave him a pained smile. Harry returned it, and they both fell silent once more.

The Dark Mark was making Harry's whole right arm clench up, making sure that he would come when called. It felt as though someone was pressing a hot metal poker to his arm again and again.

Out in the hall, they could hear hushed voices. Harry glanced at Draco and then stood, still rubbing his arm, and moved closer to the door.

"—did it again." Sirius's voice hissed from the other side of the door.

"It's not our issue." Lupin said softly, "If they need something, they will come to us."

"You and I both know that's not true," Sirius said a bit too loudly.

Harry turned back to Draco with a smirk.

"Should I open the door?" Harry asked in an undertone as Sirius and Lupin continued to argue.

"Do you really want to deal with them right now?" Draco asked. Harry looked at the door and then back to Draco.

"No," Harry sank back down onto his bed and tried not to focus on his burning forearm. Outside of the door, Sirius's and Lupin's argument was getting louder.

"I wish they would just tell us," Sirius said, clearly not worried about whispering any longer.

"Just give it a rest." Lupin said tiredly, "They will if they want to."

"But it's clear they are in pain, just like last time."

Draco suddenly stood.

"We have to do something." He said with a sigh.

He rolled down his sleeve with a flinch and fixed his face into a relaxed expression.

Harry leaned back against the wall and did the same, doing his best to unclench his arm. Draco looked at Harry for a moment before turning to the door and opening it.

Sirius and Lupin were standing right outside, one on each side of the door frame. Sirius had been mid-sentence, but he stopped abruptly as Draco looked at them.

"Can we help you?" Draco asked, looking from one to the other.

"Yes," Sirius said at the same time Lupin said, "No," Draco smirked unconcernedly. Harry marveled at his acting ability.

"Seeing as you were arguing outside of our door, I am rather inclined to believe Sirius on this one."

Lupin glared at Sirius, and the latter had the decency to look a little sheepish. There was a heartbeat's worth of pause before Sirius seemed to gather up the nerve to ask what was on his mind.

"Are you and Harry okay?" Sirius burst out, "That is… it looks like the two of you were in pain. And this wasn't the first time either."

Harry wondered briefly if Draco was going to tell him the truth, but the silence after Sirius's words told him that would not be the case.

"We are fine," Draco smiled a fake smile that was good enough to pass as a real one unless you knew him well. "I just needed to talk with Harry before the Ministry. Everything is fine, though."

Harry was impressed that he was able to keep his voice from straining. He did not know if he could have done the same. Even now, he was fighting to keep his arm from clenching again.

Sirius didn't look convinced.

"Draco, you don't have to lie to us." he said, "Both times this has happened, your faces drained of color, and your fists clenched at the same time. Then, you both hastily leave the room. I let it slide once, but I refuse to let it slide again. Tell me what's wrong."

Harry silently cursed Sirius for being so perceptive.

"Nothing is wrong." Draco said firmly. "And even if there were something wrong, it would be none of your business."

Draco went to close the door, but Sirius held it open.

"Draco, don't give me that." He said, frustrated, "Just tell the truth. Tell me what's wrong."

Harry wondered whether or not he should step in. He figured he would wait a little longer. He was confident Draco would be able to handle the other two men; he just didn't want him to lose his temper, especially since it would be so short right now.

It always was when Draco was in pain, and at this moment, Harry knew he was feeling as though the skin of his forearm was being burnt off because that was what he, himself, was feeling.

"No," Draco said firmly, "I don't have to tell you anything."

Draco turned as if to walk away, but Sirius reached out and grabbed his arm. He grabbed his right forearm, to be exact.

Draco flinched violently and wrenched his arm out of Sirius's grasp. Harry jumped to his feet, walking over and resting a hand on Draco's shoulder to stop him from saying anything he regretted.

"I'm sorry," Sirius said, not quite sure what he was apologizing for. "I didn't mean to…"

"It's fine, Sirius." Harry said as Draco's fists clenched. He was trying not to rub his forearm, which Harry knew must be hurting like torture.

"Please just go."

Suddenly, Lupin, who had been quiet throughout this whole interaction, stepped forward. "Come on, Sirius."

Lupin glanced at both of their right forearms, and Harry knew he had figured out the source of their discomfort. Lupin pulled a very confused-looking Sirius away down the hall.

Harry closed their bedroom door again. Draco immediately sunk to his knees, holding his right arm in his left.

"You good?" Harry asked, lowering himself to the floor as well.

"I'll… be fine." Draco said, struggiling to keep the pain from his voice. Already, though, Harry could see some of the tension in his arm elevating.

Then, all at once, the pain ceased. Harry and Draco let out identical gasps of relief. They both said nothing for a moment before they stood again.

"I need some fresh air." Draco said.

"Okay, I think I have to go talk to Lupin and Sirius." Harry said, "I'll straighten everything out with them."

"Do you need me to come?" Draco asked.

"No, go outside. I'll see you in a bit."

Draco didn't need to be told twice. He walked out of the room, and Harry heard a door close in the distance a few moments later.

Harry changed into a pair of robes before following Draco's lead out of the bedroom. He did not think that the Ministry would like it if he showed up in Muggle clothes, no matter if they were very nice Muggle clothes or not.

Harry could hear voices coming from the living room, and he paused in the doorway before entering. Sirius was pacing while Lupin stood watching him.

"I don't know what I did!" Sirius said, turning. It was then that he noticed Harry standing there.

"Harry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay, Sirius," Harry walked into the room and sat on the couch.

"Is Draco—"

"He's fine." Harry said softly.

Sirius sat down in a chair close to Harry. Lupin remained standing, lurking in a corner.

"What happened?" Sirius asked.

Harry looked up at him, confused. Then he glanced at Lupin.

"I would have thought you would have told him."

Sirius's head snapped up towards Lupin.

"You know what's happening?" He asked quickly.

"I have a suspicion." Lupin said, looking at Harry. Harry sighed and looked down at his forearm.

"So you are hurt or something?" Sirius asked, somehow still not catching on.

"Sort of," Harry said, "It's just— you know how I and Draco used to be Death Eaters?"

"No, I completely forgot." Sirius said sarcastically.

"Yes, well, we both still have the Dark Mark, and he was calling us before. It feels rather uncomfortable." Harry said with a small chuckle at his understatement.

"What can we do to help?" Sirius asked urgently.

"Nothing," Harry said, "We just have to wait for it to stop."

"Is it still—?" Lupin asked.

"No, he's done now." Harry rubbed subconsciously at his arm, not looking at them.

"I'm so sorry, Harry." Sirius said again.

"It's not your fault, Sirius." Harry brushed him off. "We are fine now."

"But what happens when it burns again?" Lupin asked.

"We'll just deal with it like we always do." Harry said, "It's really nothing you two should be concerned about. I wouldn't have even told you, except I didn't want you to bug us about it anymore."

Harry gave them a half smile, which neither one could return.

"But—" Sirius started, but Harry cut him off.

"Sirius, I'm telling you, just leave it alone. There is nothing any of us can do, and worrying about it isn't going to make it any better."

Sirius looked like he still wanted to argue, but a look from Lupin shut him up. Harry looked down at his watch and jumped up.

"We have to get going." Harry said quickly.

Sirius followed him back into the kitchen. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were sitting at the table. Harry looked around and sighed, turning back to Sirius and Lupin.

"Unfortunately, we will not be departing at this moment. I'm gonna call Draco; it should only take a minute."

"Okay," Sirius said reluctantly, "But we are in a hurry."

"That's fine." Harry said.

He turned away from them and rolled up his right sleeve. He was careful to keep his forearm to the ground as he pressed the mark connecting him and Draco.

He felt it burn and knew Draco could feel the same. He rolled his sleeve back down and waited.

"Are you going to do it?" Lupin asked.

"I just have." Harry said.

"How?" Lupin asked, "You barely moved." Harry turned back to the other four.

"Draco and I both have this thing. It is kind of like a Dark Mark; it just connects him and me. When one of us touches it, it burns, and it means the other one is in trouble."

"That's impressive—" Lupin said.

Harry nodded and said nothing, turning to open the door. Draco was just outside, about to wrench it open.

"I assume you're not—?" Draco started.

"No, I'm leaving now, though."

"Sii prudente e mantieni la calma!" Draco said.

"Moi? Non sono io quello di cui devi preoccuparti." Harry retorted with a half smile.

"Mi dispiace. Resterò qui e suppongo che porterò a termine il piano che avevamo l'ultima volta?"

"Ovviamente."

(Translation! "Be safe and keep your temper!" Draco said.

"Me? I am not the one who you need to worry about." Harry retorted with a half smile.

"I'm sorry. I'll stay here, and I suppose carry out the plan we had last time?"

"Of course.")

"How many languages do the two of you speak?" Hermione asked, breaking up their conversation.

"Including English, we are both fluent in four." Draco said, meeting Harry's eyes.

"Which ones?" Hermione pushed.

"Bulgarian, Italian, and French." Harry replied quickly. "I have to go now."

"Good luck, Harry," Draco said quietly.

"Thanks. I'll see you when I get back." Harry nodded once a message passed between the two boys. They both knew what to do.

With that, Sirius said, "Hogwarts," and both of them stepped into the fire.

They zoomed along together, Harry slightly ahead of Sirius. When he felt them slowing down, he made to get out; however, Sirius pulled him back, and they both tumbled out of the next grate instead.

Harry found himself on the floor of another dormitory. This one was painted a bright maroon color and had tons of cushy chairs and tables.

"Why did you do that?" Harry asked, turning to Sirius.

"Not now." Sirius hissed. Harry looked around the room and noticed every pair of eyes glued to them.

Harry stood and brushed himself off. Sirius did the same and then, grabbing Harry by the robes, once again dragged him over to what looked like a square door in the wall. He pushed it open, and Harry stumbled through.

"What the…" Harry started, but Sirius shushed him again and dragged him down a hall.

They walked for a minute, and then they came to a door. Sirius pushed it open and forced Harry through. He then entered himself and locked the door behind him.

When Sirius turned, he found Harry with his wand out, pointing at him.

"Relax." Sirius said, but Harry's hand didn't waver.

"What is going on?" Harry asked fiercely.

"I just want to talk before we go to Dumbledore's office. Undoubtedly, the Ministry employee is already there, waiting for you." Harry still didn't take his wand off of Sirius. Something was going on with him.

"Harry put down the wand. We don't have time for this."

"No," Harry said stubbornly, "You can talk, but the wand is staying."

"Fine," Sirius sighed. He didn't say anything for a moment.

"What do you want?" Harry prompted.

"Harry, you can't tell them anything; you understand that, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.

"Don't tell them about your scar or about anything that you may have done with Voldemort. Don't let them know that you can do wandless magic, and don't tell them that you can resist torture. Anything that you say is going to be used against you."

"Sirius," Harry said with a slight smile. "Do you really think I would be stupid enough to get myself locked in Azkaban? Anything that they know about me will only be what I choose to reveal to them."

"But what about your other abilities?" Sirius asked, becoming increasingly agitated. "Your torture resistance? Your Oclomency?"

Harry sighed. "There is nothing I can do about my Oclomency, but I suppose if I tried, I could control the pain which I derive from the Cruciatus curse."

"Even if you have to fake the screams, make it look believable." Sirius said. "I am not saying they will resort to that, but in my experience, the Ministry does not take kindly to Death Eaters, even if you are one no longer."

"I am prepared for whatever they do to me," Harry said, "Honestly, I deserve much worse than what they will do."

He added the last part in an undertone, but he was sure Sirius had heard him. Sirius frowned.

"What was that?" He asked.

"Nothing. Come on, we have to go." Sirius nodded as Harry touched the doorknob, unlocking it before pulling open the door and exiting the room.

Harry led the way down the hall but stopped when they reached an intersection.

"I have no clue where we are going." He said.

"Oh yeah, I forgot." Sirius said, and he turned down the hall to Harry's right. "This way." They walked in silence for a minute or two.

"Harry," Sirius said.

"Yes?"

"I've been wanting to ask you about something…" Sirius did not meet his eyes as he said this.

"What is it?" Harry asked, trying to keep impatience out of his voice.

"The first time you came to Dumbledore's office when I and Lupin brought that ring, you said something." What could he have said to upset Sirius?

"How did I screw things up this time?" Harry asked, wishing Sirius would just tell him already.

"No, you didn't." Sirius said quickly. "It's just… you know we don't see you as Voldemort's child, right?"

Harry stopped walking. This was the last thing he had expected.

"Out of everything you could have latched onto from my impromptu speech, it was that sentience?" Harry asked frustrated.

"Yes!" Sirius said, looking him in the eye now. "We don't see you as Voldemort's child. You're not Voldemort's child!"

"No," Harry said slowly, "Not literally; I merely meant that I am as good as his son. We are bonded by everything except blood. I am his heir, though that might not be the case anymore. I was his second in command. He trained me for my whole life. He raised me. So no, he is not my literal father, however that is what everyone thinks of him."

"That's not true." Sirius insisted. "We don't see you that way."

"Perhaps not," Harry sighed, "But you are unusual. That is how the rest of the world sees me. They all think of me in that way. They don't trust me; they don't care for me. All they care about is how much they can get from me. No matter what I do, at the end of the day, I will always be viewed as Voldemort's child. I will never escape my past, no matter how hard I might try."

Harry continued walking, passing Sirius, who didn't seem to know what to say.

"Which way?" Harry asked, turning back to him.

Sirius sighed and walked over to him. "We are coming back to this later. For now, though, right."

Harry nodded, knowing that he would not allow this topic to be broached again. There was no point in fighting with Sirius about it. Everything he had said was the truth. Soon enough, they arrived at the two griffin statues.

"Chocolate Frog." Sirius said confidently, and both statues leaped aside at once. Harry and Sirius climbed the steps, but both paused just outside of Dumbledore's door.

"Are you ready for this?" Sirius asked.

"Of course," Harry replied, and he reached out and pushed open the door.

As Sirius had predicted, the big black Auror, Kingsley, was standing, waiting for Harry.

"There you are. What took you so long?" Kingsley demanded as soon as they had entered the office.

"We got out the wrong grate, Kingsley." Sirius said, "Happens to everyone." Kingsley nodded but made no further inquiry.

He walked over to Harry and said, "We will be going then."

"Not so fast, Kingsley." Dumbledore said, rising from his desk. "Sirius is going with Harry."

"Why?" the Auror asked.

"Because I want to." Sirius said, "He is going nowhere without me."

"I don't think that will be a problem." Kingsley said, winking at Sirius.

This took Harry by surprise. What was going on here? Did they know each other? Instantly, all of the possibilities flashed through Harry's head.

What if this was a trick to lock him up? What if the Order had partnered with the Ministry?

However, before Harry had time to do anything else, Kingsley said, "You will not be able to come into some of the places, of course, but if you want to come, you can."

"Yes," Sirius said.

"Fine." Kingsley said, and Sirius grabbed onto Harry's robes again.

"Let's go." he said.

Kingsley grabbed Harry's robes, too, and led him to the fireplace. Harry felt like a prisoner being marched to his execution.

Kingsley threw the powder into the fire and said, "Ministry of Magic." He stepped in and pulled Harry and Sirius with him.

Just before they disappeared, Harry saw Dumbledore give him a wink. Harry didn't know why, but that small gesture drove away his nerves.