This follows on from Chapter 2 and is set during Order of the Phoenix.

Harry Potter does not belong to me.

The spell, meant for Sirius, hit Remus square in the chest, knocking him backwards.

Frantic shouts of 'MOONY' and 'LUPIN' echoed around the room, drowning out Bellatrix's cackling laugh.

Remus' fall was broken by the veil in the archway which seemed to almost pull him in; the room around him becoming darker and darker. Whispers of people he didn't recognise surrounded him and the last thing he saw was Sirius staring wide-eyed and devastated but with his arms wrapped tightly around Harry, who was fighting to be freed.

Mischief Managed, Remus thought, as he let the darkness claim him.

Beyond the Veil part I.

"Please don't make me regret this, Padfoot."

That was the last thing Remus had said to him, as he acknowledged that nothing could keep Sirius from rushing to Harry's aid.

Regret wasn't an unfamiliar emotion for Sirius. There were many things in his life that he regretted:

Aged 11, accidentally setting Regulus' bed alight as he tried to use his wand to toast marshmallows for them on Christmas Eve.

Aged 12, distancing himself from his baby brother when Regulus was sorted into Slytherin and immediately settled himself in amongst their older cousins.

Aged 16, leaving Grimmauld Place after a particularly vicious fight with his parents. He regretted waiting as long as he did to run away from home and join the loving and nurturing Potter family, but he always wondered if he should have taken Regulus with him.

Again at 16, betraying Remus by telling Snape how to pass the Whomping Willow.

He added to his list of 16-year-old regrets that summer when he attempted a perming charm on his hair; but the less said about that, the better…

Aged 17, he regretted not reaching out more to his Uncle Alphard, whose support and, later, inheritance, was a lifeline for the teenager.

Aged 21, Sirius regretted betraying Remus for a second time when he suspected his friend of being a spy for the other side. He regretted suggesting Peter as the Secret Keeper and thus securing the Potters' fate. He regretted letting his heart rule his head and, in grief and anger so strong it engulfed him whole, hunting Peter down instead of taking Harry to safety.

Harry…

Sirius wasn't sure how long he had stood there, arms wrapped around Harry's chest as much to ground himself as to stop his Godson from hurtling after Bellatrix. He didn't know how long it had been since…

"Let me go Sirius," Harry burst out, almost hoarse now. "We have to help him, we have to save him."

"Har-", Sirius' voice broke. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Harry, there's nothing we can do. He's gone.

"Remus is gone."

Hearing the pain in his Godfather's voice seemed to have made it through Harry's own horror. He stopped struggling, recognising instantly that if there was some way they could save Lupin, Sirius would have rushed in headfirst to do so. He brought his arms up to hold Sirius', but the tender moment only lasted seconds before a white hot pain shot through Harry's skull and he cried out.

Sirius had assumed his heart broken by the loss of his dear friend, but it reminded him of its existence by clenching painfully as he felt his Godson go slack in his arms.

"Harry?" he cried out, rearranging his grip to gently lower Harry to the floor, cradling his head.

Around them, the struggling Death Eaters who who had been bound by Albus Dumbledore stilled. Dumbledore had followed Bellatrix out of the chamber when Remus fell, but now he strode back to the dais, his wand pointed directly and dangerously at Harry.

"Albus," Sirius exclaimed, "what-".

Suddenly, Harry moved and lifted his head to watch Dumbledore. But it wasn't Harry's eyes that glared at the Headmaster. Nor was it Harry's voice that sounded when he began to speak.

"Kill me now, Dumbledore."

Sirius' blood ran cold, hearing Lord Voldemort's voice echo around the room. He wasn't the only one.

Doors above and around them opened and there stood Cornelius Fudge, surrounded by Ministry Officials and Aurors.

They watched, aghast, as Voldemort released his control of Harry and apparated to Bellatrix, before they both disappeared from sight.

Breathing as though he had just run a race, Harry relaxed back into Sirius' hold, pale but seemingly unharmed.

"SEIZE HIM."

Sirius' worry for his Godson was such that he didn't realise those words were aimed at him until Harry tensed. In the whirlwind of the battle, he had almost forgotten that he was a convicted murderer, wanted by the Ministry.

As Aurors made their way to the dais to surround him, Sirius watched as Harry sat up quickly and turned to face him. Suddenly, something was being pressed into his palm. A marble wand, blasted from a nearby statue, lay there.

"Hold on tight," Dumbledore quietly instructed them both. "Don't leave my office. I will be there in half an hour."

Sirius didn't hear the gasps of the Aurors or the furious shouts of Cornelius Fudge as a familiar sensation took he and Harry to safety.

—

As they landed in Professor Dumbledore's office - less gracefully than Sirius would have liked - a disinterested voice called out.

"I thought you were supposed to be on house arrest? I see you never grew out of that penchant of yours for rule-breaking… broke your parent's hearts, you know."

Sirius stood and regarded Phineas Nigellus Black with a look of such utter contempt that it silenced the former Headmaster.

"My parents didn't have hearts to break," he forced out through gritted teeth.

"Sirius?"

Harry's voice broke through Sirius' outrage and Sirius reached a hand down to help his Godson to his feet. Seconds later, Harry's arms were wrapped around Sirius, his head buried into Sirius' shoulder and sobs shaking his entire body.

"I'm so sorry Sirius, it's all my fault. I should have kn-known that Voldemort was setting a trap. Her-Hermione said so but I didn't listen."

The words poured from Harry with an urgency that frightened Sirius. He brought his arms around Harry, resting one hand at the back of the teenager's head as he cried.

"Harry, breathe. This is not your fault. You did so well."

"It is my fault," Harry pulled himself away from the embrace, tears still rolling down his cheeks. He swiped at them angrily.

"If I'd listened to Hermione, you would still be safe in Grimmauld Place.

"If I'd just worked more on Occlumency, no-one would have gotten hurt. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Tonks, Mad-Eye…"

"Harry-"

"NO, Sirius," Harry was shouting now as he paced around the office, his chest heaving with emotion.

"ALL I DO IS CAUSE HARM," he roared, picking up a Sneakoscope from a nearby desk and flinging it at the wall. Sirius flinched as it shattered.

"IF I HAD JUST STOPPED TO THINK, WE WOULD ALL BE OKAY," he cried, reaching for something else to throw or break to distract him from this pain. Sirius stopped him grasping Harry's hand tightly in his own.

"Lupin would be okay," Harry whispered through harsh, stuttered breaths.

Sirius couldn't speak. He could feel his own eyes filling with tears but he wouldn't cry. Harry was the priority, hadn't he and Remus agreed on that?

He thought on Remus' last words to him - "Don't make me regret this, Padfoot" - and his chest felt like it had been cleaved open.

But the funny thing was, Sirius knew that of all the potential outcomes of that night, this was the one - apart from everyone coming out unscathed - that Remus would least regret if such a thing were possible now. Somehow though, that made it worse. Remus had placed a higher value on Sirius' life than his own, and had made a split second decision in the heat of the battle that had saved Sirius' life and saved Harry the loss of his Godfather… but at what cost.

Remus had not begrudged Sirius the role of Harry's Godfather. Nor had he ever outwardly experienced any jealousy at Sirius and James' close friendship. Content with his place as the group's conscience and convinced, despite the other Marauders' insistence otherwise, of his unworthiness due to his lycanthropy, Remus was always happy to fade into the background. But he had loved Harry as fiercely as Sirius did.

"He probably never told you," Sirius croaked, "I don't know whether he was too bloody humble or too stupid to see what a truly wonderful person he was, but Remus… Moony… he was what your mother called a 'Harry-whisperer'".

Still holding Harry's hand, Sirius lowered himself into one of the chairs in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk. It seemed like several years had passed since he had sat in that very spot, listening in horrified silence as Dumbledore and Harry pieced together what had happened in the third task of the Triwizard Tournament. Remus had comforted him later that night when Harry had fallen into an uneasy sleep. He had coached him on how to help and support Harry.

Harry sat down next to him, his full attention on Sirius.

"He just had this way - same as he did with me and your father, I suppose," Sirius laughed, before sniffling, "of calming you down and talking you out of a tantrum.

"As close as I was to your father, Remus and Lily became thick as thieves when they were made Prefects, and Remus was the one Lily called whenever she felt overwhelmed, or if you were teething and wouldn't settle.

"He always managed it, he always made you feel safe."

Sirius didn't know when the tears had started, but he knew that they weren't going to stop now. He squeezed Harry's hand.

"'Moony' was your first word, Harry," Sirius smiled, the tears coming even faster now, "and it was the first time I'd ever seen Remus cry. He picked you up, swung you around and refused to let go until he had to leave.

"He told me that when he left, he conjured the best and brightest Patronus he had ever cast, and the first he had managed in two years.

"I know he wouldn't have wanted to leave you Harry, wouldn't have wanted to leave us. But Remus valued his family and friends above all else. He loved us very much, and given the choice, he would choose to protect us every single time."

Pulling his chair closer, Harry leaned his head on Sirius' shoulder and they cried together.

—

That was how Professor Dumbledore found them, minutes later. Sirius wiped his face and stood up to greet the Headmaster, firmly pressing a hand to Harry's shoulder to prevent him from rising.

Dumbledore gave them both a small smile, and strode around to his seat at his desk. Before sitting, he quickly addressed a small portrait to his left of a matron.

"Madam Jones, could you please ask Madam Pomfrey to have seven beds made available - she will have some guests incoming shortly."

"Professor-" Harry started.

"Your friends will be arriving back to the school shortly, Harry," Dumbledore reassured him gently, as he and Sirius took their seats. "Miss Granger regained consciousness shortly after your departure and she has rather taken charge of the situation, much to the amusement of Auror Shacklebolt.

"Aurors Tonks and Moody are recuperating in St Mungo's, where they are expected to make a full recovery but Mister Weasley and Miss Granger will merely require an overnight stay in the Hospital Wing.

"Madam Pomfrey will have Mr Longbottom, Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood's injuries fixed in a thrice, but I will be strongly recommending that all seven of you," he regarded Sirius as he said this, "take refuge in the Hospital Wing for tonight, for it has been a rather trying day.

"And yet, I must ask you to indulge an old man for a short while longer," Dumbledore added, indeed looking older than Harry had ever seen him.

"Harry. It is time for me to tell you what I should have told you a long time ago."

—

By the time Dumbledore had outlined the evening's events and the Prophecy in full, even the portraits scattered around the office had fallen into a tense silence.

Love didn't seem like a superpower, Harry thought. If anything, it was a liability, especially where he was concerned. Sirius said that Lupin had loved him, and look how that ended.

As if sensing his Godson's train of thought, Sirius removed his hand from Harry's, where it had stayed supportively throughout Dumbledore's explanation, and brought it around his shoulder instead, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Dumbledore seemed to notice it too, and he looked sadly down at his desk before speaking.

"I must of course offer my condolences to you both," he said, looking between Harry and Sirius now.

"Remus Lupin was a talented Wizard, and a singularly kind one. His loss will be keenly felt within both Hogwarts and the Order."

Harry was shocked to see a tear gliding down the Headmaster's face. This was too much, the weight of the grief too stifling.

"The last piece in the Prophecy," Harry cut in, "does that mean that one of us has to kill the other then?"

Somehow this was easier to speak about than Lupin's death.

"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed, gravely.

The only sound was a sharp exhale from Sirius, who turned to face Harry.

"Whatever happens Harry, you will not be alone. You don't have to face any of this alone."

"On that score, I do have some more positive news," Dumbledore announced, holding up a Ministry-sealed envelope that neither Harry nor Sirius had noticed until now.

"Congratulations Sirius," he smiled, passing the letter over.

Confused, Sirius opened it and began reading. After a moment, one hand flew to his mouth and he let out a choked sob.

"Sirius..?"

Sirius handed Harry the letter, his hands shaking.

"It's good news, Harry."

Harry read aloud;

Dear Mr Black,

Based on the Pensieve Witness Testimony of one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, given on this the 18th day of June, 1996, the Ministry of Magic has reconsidered your verdict.

Relating to the incidents on and around the 31st day of October, 1981, the Ministry of Magic hereby declares you cleared of all charges.

Harry couldn't read any further, the paper blurring in front of his eyes as tears fell once more. Sirius took the letter from him and continued;

The Ministry of Magic intends to publish a statement to this effect in the Daily Prophet newspaper tomorrow, the 19th day of June 1996.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Magic has reinstated you as the head of the family Black and has made arrangements with Gringotts to ensure your continued access to the relevant vault(s) henceforth.

Finally, in the Last Will and Testament of James and Lily Potter, accessed on the 30th day of November, 1981, you were named Godfather of one Harry James Potter. The Ministry of Magic has now recognised this legally-binding document and grants you permanent custody of Harry James Potter.

The Ministry of Magic would like to extend our deepest apologies for any pain or inconvenience your sentencing may have caused. As a gesture of good will, we will publicly donate the sum of 5,000 Galleons to the charity/charities of your choice.

Yours sincerely,

Cornelius Fudge

Minister for Magic

"Does this mean…" Harry tentatively began.

"We can finally live together Harry," Sirius beamed through his tears. "I can be a proper Godfather."

Harry couldn't help it. He leapt from his chair and threw himself into Sirius' arms. He couldn't believe it.

Dumbledore smiled, regarding them both over his half-moon spectacles before speaking softly.

"Now, I think it's time for you both to retire to the Hospital Wing. Sirius, if you would like to tell me the cause to which you would like your money donated, I can notify the Ministry."

Standing now, but still with one arm around Harry, Sirius smiled down at his Godson.

"I think 1,000 Galleons would go a long way for S.P.E.W., Harry. What do you think?"

Harry grinned and nodded.

"As for the other 4,000…" Sirius wondered aloud. Still in a state of elated disbelief after reading the letter from the Ministry, guilt was beginning to creep in.

How can I be feeling so happy when Remus has… when Remus is gone. None of this would be happening if not for Moony.

"With the other 4,000 Galleons I request that the Ministry set up a Foundation for Lycanthropes. I will happily stand as Patron and offer my guidance and… expertise… The sooner this is done the better, so we can start subsidising Wolfbane and, who knows, maybe we can start reversing some of those archaic laws.

"I also request the right to name the Foundation."

"It will be so," Dumbledore nodded, thoughtfully.

—

Harry and Sirius strolled in silence to the Hospital Wing; partially as they processed the evening's events, but mostly because Dumbledore had placed a Disillusionment charm on Sirius so as not to frighten any wayward students while he was still presumed guilty.

Before long, they had been treated and placed in adjoining beds by Madam Pomfrey, Harry's friends sleeping peacefully around them.

Head still reeling from the day's events, Sirius had turned to speak quietly to Harry when suddenly, Dumbledore burst into the Hospital Wing, Kingsley Shacklebolt at his side.

"Poppy," Dumbledore called softly, but urgently. "I need you to prepare the private room," he instructed as the Medi-Witch walked towards him. "We have a critical patient with unknown injuries en route and we cannot send him to St Mungo's."

"Of course, Albus," she nodded. "May I ask who it is?"

Instead of looking to Madam Pomfrey, Kingsley Shacklebolt caught Sirius' eyes as his deep voice answered:

"Remus Lupin."