Ad Astra Per Asperum: Part One

CHAPTER ONE

THE BEGINNING

If a stranger were to look upon Privet Drive they would think it was a perfectly normal place. Neat rows of houses with green grass in the front and a car parked in each driveway. If that same stranger were to go into house number four, they would probably see Vernon Dursley reading the newspaper at his spot at the breakfast table, with his son, Dudley hungrily eating a pile of food while his wife, Petunia frittered around the kitchen.

That stranger would never know of the boy just up the stairs in the smallest bedroom. A boy that was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling with his messy jet-black hair in his startling green eyes. That stranger would never know he was there, for he made not a sound.

The boy's name was Harry Potter.

His chest rose and fell as he breathed evenly, studying the ceiling with immense concentration, it seemed. His mind was wandering, even if his intense gaze was not. It was summer break, a time Harry normally dreaded now. After his eleventh birthday, when he had discovered he was a wizard, and he had attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he had wanted to spend all of his time at Hogwarts. Spending summer break at Hogwarts wasn't possible, it wasn't allowed, and thus Harry was back to spending his summer with his relatives, the Dursleys.

The Dursleys despised magic in its every form. Petunia Dursley was Harry's aunt, the sister of his late mother. His parents, Lily and James Potter had been murdered by an infamous dark lord, and once the sorcerer had turned his wand on Harry, just one year old at the time, the curse failed and rebounded on him, pushing him barely an inch from death. After being orphaned, Harry had been sent to the Dursleys, his closest living relatives. Despite trying to hide it for years, the truth about his magical abilities had finally come out on his eleventh birthday, when a half-giant, Hagrid, had come and explained it to him.

It felt like so long ago, that day. Now Harry was fifteen years old, and certainly went through things that most adult wizards did not. Just over a month and a half ago, Harry had seen Cedric Diggory murdered before his own eyes. Using Harry's blood, Lord Voldemort had been resurrected. Voldemort was the murderer of his parents, of Cedric, and of countless other innocent lives. After an unsuccessful wizards duel, Harry had escaped back to Hogwarts with Cedric's dead body.

When the summer had begun, Harry found himself doing but a few things. In the mornings, he rarely stepped out of his room before ten o' clock, something that had previously been unheard of. Harry suspected Petunia had received a letter from the school explaining his 'situation' and was frightened into treating him as if he wasn't there--which was an improvement from treating him like he was the biggest imposition in the world as she formerly had. After ten, though, he either went outside to the backyard and read his schoolbooks, or he walked around the town.

Despite Underage Wizarding Laws, Harry carried his wand with him everywhere. He was tempted to use it occasionally, but he forced himself into the state of mind that his wand was for emergencies only. He couldn't very well wander around Little Whinging unarmed, now could he? He knew there was old magic protecting him at Four Privet Drive, but Harry doubted it reached across the whole town of Little Whinging.

Harry glanced at the bedside clock on his nightstand. It was nearly ten thirty. With a groan, Harry rolled off the bed and opened his bedroom door. He quickly stepped into the bathroom to shower. When he stepped out of the bathroom five minutes later, and back into the bedroom, he was surprised to see an owl perched on the edge of his bed. A quick glance at the envelope seal told him that it was an official Hogwarts letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

As head of your house, Gryffindor, I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to be a prefect with Miss Granger. This is not a position to be treated lightly, and I trust you will be responsible with your privileges and authority.

I am also happy to move the Captaincy of the Gryffindor Quidditch team to you. This is an important leadership position, and I am trusting you to lead our team into victory. Your skills on the Quidditch pitch are quite spectacular, and I am certain your father would have been proud.

In addition, this year we are giving a mandatory exam on September the fifth to all students fourth year and above. The reason behind the testing will be disclosed upon distribution of the results. More will be explained as the fifth approaches.

Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from Kings Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o' clock.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry idly retrieved the Prefect badge from the envelope. He faintly made out the inscription on the back reading, 'Harry Potter'. He set it down on the small desk in his room as he glanced at the accompanying list of the other fifth year prefects. To his immense enjoyment, Draco Malfoy had not been named a prefect.

Harry felt a pang of guilt as he glanced upon Alden Diggory's name; he was one of the Hufflepuff prefects. He couldn't help but feel that it was his fault that Cedric was killed. There was no doubt that Cedric had died because he took the cup with Harry. He had just been another pawn alongside The-Boy-Who-Lived. Though, when it all came down to it--it was no one but Voldemort's fault.

Harry reread the letter over again and glanced at the prefect badge in astonishment. Prefect and Quidditch Captain. It felt odd, considering. Hermione was expected to be a prefect, although Harry wasn't so sure he should have been. He broke rules and served detentions all the time, and there were other boys in his year that got higher marks then him.

With a shrug, Harry set the letter down next to the badge and finished dressing himself. He walked down the stairs quietly and fixed himself a small lunch, before throwing open the front door and striding out to the sidewalk. He felt like walking, and he had a lot of energy, which was unusual. Four blocks down the sidewalk, he came across a large black dog.

Harry smirked. "Sirius," he muttered. The dog quickly led him back to the house had just left. When they were safely inside with the door closed behind them, the dog quickly transformed into a human.

Sirius Black was Harry's fugitive godfather, a man imprisoned unjustly for the murder of a wizard and thirteen Muggles. He was innocent, as Harry had found out at the end of his third year at Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic didn't believe it, and that was the important part to Sirius living out in the open. Of course, the fact that Sirius was an unregistered Animagus made all the difference. He could wander about in his dog form and the Ministry would be none the wiser.

Harry rolled his eyes. "What are you doing here, Sirius? This isn't exactly a place where wizards are the most welcome in the world."

"Considering this wizard has a nice wand that he isn't afraid to use, I'd say I'm welcome enough. Besides, I'm here on official business. Important business that I can't afford to waste time on," Sirius said, an uneasy grin crossing his lips.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "I hardly doubt that stopping in to say hello to your godson is so-called 'official business'. It'll be more of a raging fight if the Dursleys catch sight of you. Or perhaps they'll run away in fright."

"What makes you think I'm only stopping in to say hello?" Sirius asked innocently. Harry made a face that clearly, explained his answer. "Actually," Sirius continued. "I do have important, official business to do. I must speak to your aunt and uncle first--Dumbledore's orders."

Harry took a step back. "What have I done this time?"

"You haven't done anything, Harry," Sirius said, frowning slightly. "Where are your aunt and uncle?"

Harry shrugged. Suddenly Dudley walked into the room, heading for the stairs. He looked as if he was about to tease Harry, when suddenly this gaze fell upon Sirius. "W-Who are you?" he stuttered, his eyes wide.

"Sirius Black," he responded evenly. "I take it you are Dudley Dursley, the cousin of my godson? Pleased to meet you." Sirius held out his hand amiably, knowing full well that Dudley would rather shove his hand in an oven rather than shake it. Dudley took a nervous step back. Sirius arched a dark eyebrow. "Well, if it's going to be like that...At least get your parents."

Dudley let out a loud shriek. Harry winced slightly, but Sirius didn't falter. "That should work," Sirius said plainly, a hint of mockery in his tone. He smirked as he heard Vernon and Petunia come stumbling into the entrance area.

"Get over here, boy. You are not to welcome any guests of this house!" Vernon snarled at him, before turning and smiling as pleasantly as he could manage at Sirius. Harry shot an amused glance at Sirius, who was dressed impeccably in a neat, black Muggle suit. When Harry didn't move, Vernon opened his mouth to yell at him again.

Sirius held up a hand. "Actually, I am here on official business. No use trying to reprimand your nephew when he is the reason I am here," he said cordially. Harry quickly fought back the urge to laugh. Vernon's eyes grew wide. "Yes, I am magical," Sirius continued. "Oh, my name is Sirius Black." Vernon took a step back, eyes widening even further. He put an arm in front of Petunia, as if trying to shield her. Harry bitterly laughed inwardly. As if a husband's arm in front of his wife could save her from a fully-grown wizard with a wand. "Harry here might have mentioned me before. I am his godfather, the one that escaped from prison two years back. You've heard of me on the Muggle news, too, haven't you?" Besides despising all things magic, Harry was sure they were wondering what exactly a 'Muggle' was. Harry bit back the explanation that they were non-magical people, and instead continued to watch them amusedly.

When Vernon and Petunia didn't answer, only stared at him with wide eyes, Sirius went on. "No need to carry on with the introductions, then. Now, I am here because I must collect Harry and bring him elsewhere."

"What?" Harry asked loudly.

Sirius turned his head slightly to look at his godson. "Yes, Harry. I am here to collect you and bring you elsewhere. I told you I had important, official business." He smiled briefly. "I suggest we all sit down and discuss this."

Petunia look revolted at the very thought of a wizard (to which she had no obligation to take care of) sitting down on a chair in her house. The furious expression on Vernon's face clearly showed that he agreed with his wife. "Or maybe not," Harry amended quietly.

Sirius pursed his lips. "Okay, fine," he said slowly. "I'm going to lay it out straight. No use in stalling, because it will only give them more time." Sirius saw Harry's body stiffen noticeably. "Yes, Harry," he sighed. "The Death Eaters."

"The what?" Dudley asked, unable to contain his curiosity. Vernon shot a venomous glare at his son, which Dudley promptly ignored.

Sirius looked straight at Dudley. "The Death Eaters. They are supporters of the greatest dark lord ever--Lord Voldemort. He is the wizard that killed Lily and James Potter," he explained, his voice harsh. A flash of pain echoed in his eyes, but vanished as quickly as it came, leaving the black-gray eyes empty. "The same wizard is after Harry," he continued, looking back and forth between Vernon and Petunia. "He nearly got him last year. Harry's been through a terrible ordeal, a traumatizing event that most grown men and women will never even dream of experiencing. Not in a good way, of course. But he escaped, physically intact."

Vernon's expression was unreadable, something Harry felt was unexpected. Normally there would be one emotion concerning Harry: anger. Or rather, annoyance. His face was blank now, as if he was trying to think about it all, but it took up too much effort. Petunia looked slightly horrified, but kept her mouth shut for once. Dudley looked faintly interested, still, but didn't want to press it because Vernon was still there.

"However, that very same person, along with his followers, is still out to get Harry. Despite his escape last time, no one is confident he can do it again. The protective wards around Privet Drive are being breached slowly. Today Arabella, Remus, and I all Apparated in, and scared off the group of Death Eaters that were working on it," Sirius said, his face forcibly blank. "They Disapparated before we could stun any of them."

Harry stared, his mind on one single question. Finally, he asked it. "Why didn't Voldemort come?"

Sirius turned to face Harry. "We're not sure. We think it's because he's waiting until he has a direct path to you. Or at least, he doesn't want to emerge from his dark hole until he's more powerful than he was before."

"Fairy tales are nice and all, but will you get to the point?" Vernon suddenly snapped.

Sirius quickly looked back at the Dursleys. "Fairy tales?" he asked. His facial expression was harsh, but his tone suggested otherwise. "Well, we can't all be believers, I suppose. Would you believe it if he walked up to your doorstep and killed you? Or maybe your wife. Perhaps your son." He blinked, gazing fiercely at Vernon. "I, however, do not have that time to waste. Harry is my responsibility right now, and I am going to follow orders as well as act in the best interest of my godson."

"Then why haven't you kept him all these years?" Petunia shrieked, looking annoyed.

Sirius rolled his eyes slightly. "Because I've been in prison. It's quite hard to take care of a small child while you're in prison." He smirked at their deadpanned expressions and continued on. "Now, Harry, I believe you know about the magic that circulates this house, correct?"

Harry nodded slowly. "Voldemort announced it to me and the rest of the Death Eaters last June."

"Right. He told you that it would be impossible for him to come here and kidnap or kill you. But, we have reason to believe that he has found a way to get around it," Sirius said gravely. "There is much dark magic in this world, and Voldemort won't hesitate to use any of it."

Harry blinked. "Snape," he muttered, so quietly that only Sirius could hear him. "That's who it is, right? The informant?"

Sirius nodded tersely. "If Voldemort has a way to get into this house, and get you, then we can't have you being here. In fact, your relatives would be safer if they weren't here either. We all know that Voldemort does not care for non-magical folk, and they could end up being some of his first victims after his resurrection."

"So where will I go?" asked Harry.

"Hogwarts," Sirius said shortly. "As for your relatives, I suggest they leave this town, at the very least."

Vernon stepped forward. "Now wait just a minute! We're not leaving this house just because some fool like you shows up," he sneered. "This is my house and I don't have to leave it."

"Well, it won't be your house once people have shown up and killed you, will it?" Sirius shot back, a dangerous look on his face. "Would you rather die after being tortured in your home, or live somewhere else temporarily? You could come back by September the second and be relatively safe."

Vernon glared at Sirius. "He can't kill me," he said decidedly.

Sirius laughed bitterly. "You wish he couldn't. He can hold out a wand and say two words, and you'd be dead. He's done it to thousands of other people, including your wife's late sister and brother-in-law. Do you want to test it? Or would you rather escape with your life?"

Petunia grabbed Vernon's arm. "Vernon, I don't think he is lying," she said in a fearful voice, looking nervous. "L-Let's just go to Marge's house, or take a vacation somewhere. I don't want to die!"

"Don't be foolish, Petunia, he's just trying to run us out of our house so he can take it," Vernon growled, staring suspiciously at Sirius.

Sirius arched an eyebrow. "I do not want your house. The only thing I'm here to collect is Harry. Even if I did want to, I wouldn't be standing around talking to you about it, it'd be mine already." He turned to his godson. "Harry, where are your things? Do you need to go to Diagon Alley?"

"My things are upstairs, and no, I ordered them through owl post," Harry answered quickly.

Sirius nodded. "Then let's go upstairs and pack. Pack everything. I'm coming up with you." He glanced at Petunia out of the corner of his eye and quickly raised his wand. "Reducio!" he called, pointing his wand at the telephone Petunia was about to touch. The telephone shrunk to the size of the palm of Petunia's hand. She shrieked in fright and jumped back. "The police cannot save you," Sirius said calmly. He put a hand on Harry's back and gently pushed him towards the stairs.

Harry obediently walked up the stairs and into his bedroom, Sirius right behind him. When the door was closed behind the two of them, Harry grabbed his trunk and set it down on his bed. He went to his wardrobe and pulled out the clothing that fit him, as well as the robes in the back of it.

"Harry!" Sirius hissed angrily. "What is the matter with you?"

Harry turned to face his godfather. "What?" he asked, folding a shirt and placing it in the trunk.

"Do you know how many people have heard from you in the last month and a half?" Sirius asked in a low voice. "Not one! Why haven't you answered any of owls? Ron's, or Hermione's, or Ginny's, or any of the Weasleys! You haven't responded to Hagrid, Remus, or I, either. I've had half a mind to send Dumbledore out here along with a squad of Aurors!"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "You're overreacting," he said calmly, sinking to his knees and pulling up a loose floorboard. He began pulling out countless books, and other random school things. "Nothing's wrong with me. I just never felt like writing much."

"To anyone?" Sirius asked incredulously. "I'm your godfather, Remus is another one of your father's best friends, Hagrid is your friend, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are your friends. The rest of the Weasleys are practically your family. And you don't write to any of us?"

Harry blinked and looked up at Sirius. "Right."

Sirius groaned. Harry's calmness was unnerving. "We'll have a longer chat when we get to Hogwarts." He glared pointedly at Harry. "But for now, are you finished packing?"

Harry snapped the trunk shut. "Yes," he replied. "Mostly." He crossed the room and went to the owl cage. He scribbled a quick note of explanation to Ron and sent off Hedwig to go to the Weasleys for the remainder of the summer. Ron Weasley was his best friend, and Ginny was his little sister. Hermione Granger was Harry's other best friend, and Harry suspected that she was staying at the Weasleys by then.

"Can you take the cage?" Harry asked. "I got the trunk."

Sirius pointed his wand at the cage and shrunk it. He opened the trunk and dropped it into an empty spot. Harry moved forward to lift it up when Sirius shrunk the entire trunk into the size of a pebble. Harry blinked and pocketed the trunk. Sirius nodded and they walked back down the stairs.

Vernon and Petunia were still standing in the entrance hall, waiting. Dudley was nowhere to be seen, though Harry assumed he was probably in the kitchen, stuffing his face with whatever food he could get his hands on. For the entire summer so far, Dudley had been on a forced diet. It was simply too difficult for his parents to convince themselves that he was actually healthy in his enormous size.

"We're leaving now," Sirius announced.

Vernon sneered at the two of them. "Why should we care?"

"Because Harry is your nephew?"

Petunia scoffed. "He's just a worthless little ingrate that we were legally required to watch. He's no nephew of mine."

Harry saw Sirius reach for his wand and put his hand on Sirius' arm. "Don't," Harry said softly. "It doesn't matter. Don't do anything to them. They may call me an ingrate or worthless or anything else they want to--but they shouldn't be hurt. They did keep me alive for fifteen years, besides."

Sirius let his arm fall to his side. "All right, Harry," he answered. "I won't touch them. Even if I want to." He shot a menacing look at the Dursleys. "We have to go, now."

"How do we plan on getting anywhere near Hogwarts while I'm underage and you're a fugitive?" Harry asked politely, raising his eyebrows. "Far as I know, I can't Apparate into Hogsmeade, and neither can you."

"Now, Harry, who do you take me as? I always come prepared. Or at least, when Dumbledore sends me," Sirius said, a light grin on his lips. "We're taking a portkey." Sirius reached into his pocket and pulled out a scratched Muggle CD. "Harry, touch it," he ordered quietly. Harry obediently raised his hand and placed a few fingers on it. Sirius muttered a few words that Harry didn't quite catch and with a familiar jolt behind his navel and a whirl away, they were in front of Hogwarts.

Sirius strode forward and opened the large doors to the castle. "The two people I want to see most. Black and Potter, again. Precious," came a sneering voice. Snape.

Sirius looked up and saw Snape standing there. It was no secret that Sirius and Snape disliked each other immensely. It was also no secret that Snape disliked Harry immensely. "Lovely to see you, too," Sirius said sarcastically. "And while I'd love to catch up over a cup of tea, I'm rather occupied."

"With what? Standing here foolishly?"

"As a matter of fact--"

Harry took the brief pause as a moment to jump in. "Stop the mindless bantering, please? Thanks. Professor, Sirius is occupied taking me to Dumbledore. Sirius, leave Snape alone."

"He started it," Sirius grumbled. Snape glared at Sirius in response.

Harry stifled a laugh. "Honestly, you two. You'd think you were five instead of grown men. And before either of you answer to that, Sirius, let's go. Later, Professor." Harry grabbed Sirius' arm and dragged him away from Snape.

"Why'd you do that? I'd love a good chance to hex Snape," Sirius asked, an annoyed look on his face.

Harry finally laughed. "Because, Sirius, you and Snape shook hands to signify the alliance between you two. Even if the alliance is only because of Dumbledore, it's still there. You have to act civil, despite the fact that you two completely hate each other. Besides, we have to get to Dumbledore now, anyway, just like you said."

Sirius stopped walking abruptly. Harry paused and turned to look at Sirius, who was staring at him. "What?" asked Harry, feeling slightly self-conscious.

"Sorry," Sirius murmured. "You... You just sound like your dad. James always er, disliked Snape as much as the rest of us. Every time Snape and I would get into an argument, your dad always stepped in with the humor and reason." Sirius shook his head, pushing himself out of Memory Lane, and began walking again. Harry blinked slowly, and continued on ahead, his mind drifting to Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs.

They reached the gargoyle, and Sirius said the password clearly. Moments later, they were opening the door to Dumbledore's office. Sirius strode in confidently and said to Dumbledore, "Got him fine, Albus. His - er - relatives, if you'd like to call them that, were rather skeptical. I fear they will not leave their residence and Voldemort will come knocking on their door eventually." Sirius' tone plainly said that he didn't care whether or not the Dursleys lived, but both Dumbledore and Harry ignored the implication.

"Mr. Potter, I trust you are well," Dumbledore said. It was more of a statement than a question, but nonetheless Harry answered with a nod. "Very well. You will be staying at Hogwarts for the remainder of summer holidays." He smiled kindly at Harry. "I understand you may have the desire to stay the Burrow with the Weasleys. However, under the circumstances, I'm afraid I must say no. It is not safe for you to go there, with Voldemort's intentions."

Harry nodded slowly. It was great, he thought bitterly. He was too much of a target by the most evil wizard in the world, so he had to stay at Hogwarts for him summer instead of staying with his friends and people he had begun to consider his family. But he wasn't exactly sure if he even wanted to go to the Burrow. He had been avoiding everyone for the entire summer. They'd, no doubt, accost him about it upon seeing him again.

"Why am I getting the feeling that Harry isn't too disappointed?" Sirius asked wryly. Harry blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

"What?" he asked, blinking again.

Sirius let out a dry chuckle. Dumbledore stepped in. "Harry, it has come to my attention that you've not made contact with many of those who care about you for the duration of your summer break thus far." He didn't elaborate, or even ask a question, just waited for Harry to respond to the statement.

"That's true..." Harry said slowly, waiting for what Dumbledore had to say. When nothing came out of the headmaster's mouth, he continued. "I suppose I just haven't felt up to it."

Dumbledore sighed. "One of the greatest things in life is the gift of friendship. Once you are given friendship, you should never let go, for it is one of the best things you will ever receive."

Harry licked his lips. "But--"

"You think it will make them a target," Sirius interrupted. Harry nodded slowly. "Don't think that, Harry. Hermione is a Muggle-born, and the Weasleys are openly against Voldemort and the Dark Arts. That alone makes them Death Eater targets, without the fact you are closely connected to them."

"So why should I make it worse?" Harry asked, emerald eyes flashing. "If they're already going to be targeted, should I go and encourage Voldemort to attack them?"

Sirius inhaled deeply, looking conflicted. "Look, Harry, they are not going to die because of you. Don't believe that. If they happen to be attacked, it will be because of one person alone--"

"Voldemort," Harry finished gloomily. Sirius nodded. "Yes, everyone says that. They say that Cedric didn't die because of me, that he died because of Voldemort. Why does everyone keep saying that? If someone's going to talk to me about anything relating to Voldemort, they don't need to do something like lie to me. I'm not delusional, you know."

Sirius looked shocked by Harry's bitterness. Dumbledore looked mildly surprised, but also looked as if he knew something like this was coming. "Mr. Potter," he said calmly. "I understand that you might want to blame yourself for Cedric's death. However, it does not work that way. Cedric did not die because of you; he died because Voldemort ordered someone to kill him. You are not responsible for whatever orders are carried out."

"Who got him there in the first place?" Harry burst out. "I did! I'm the one that stupidly suggested that we take it together."

"No, Harry. You did something decent, and it took a turn for the worst. If you are going to blame anyone, blame Voldemort," Sirius said harshly. "Voldemort is the one that deserves all the blame and guilt."

Harry glared fiercely at Sirius. "You didn't directly kill my parents, right? Yet you still punish yourself and blame yourself for their deaths. You know exactly how I feel, and yet you still sit there, lecturing me on blaming Voldemort?" He was surprised with himself for practically yelling at his godfather. And at Dumbledore, for that matter.

Sirius opened his mouth to respond. Then closed it. Harry could clearly see the battle raging in his mind through his dark eyes. "You're right," Sirius uttered softly. He blinked slowly, and looked down at his hands, which were resting in his lap.

Dumbledore shook his head. "Harry," he said heavily. "There are some things in this world that are simply beyond anyone's control. And sometimes people blame themselves to try and make sense of it."

Dumbledore paused, letting the words sink in. Deep down, the headmaster knew that Harry would probably blame himself forever, but it was worth the argument. "You will most likely continue to blame yourself for Cedric's death. However, you should know that no one else does. I do not, nor does Sirius, your friends, the Weasleys, and even the Diggorys."

Harry licked his lips. Despite trying to push everyone away, it meant a lot to him that they all believed that he wasn't responsible for it, even if he thought so. "Now," Dumbledore said, changing the subject. "I suggest you settle yourself in Gryffindor tower. The password to enter is Norwegian Ridgeback." Harry fought back a laugh at the memory of his first year, when Hagrid had won a dragon egg, which later hatched into Norbert, a Norwegian Ridgeback.

"Am I allowed to do magic?" Harry asked suddenly. "Or do I have to wait until the first of September?"

"You may do magic as long as you are here," Dumbledore said. "No matter the time of year."

"Okay," Harry said, standing up. He turned to Sirius. "Are you coming?"

Sirius shook his head. "I have to speak with Albus for a little while longer."

Harry nodded, and turned to leave. "Wait," said Dumbledore. "One last thing before you go back to Gryffindor tower." Harry turned back around and looked at Dumbledore expectantly. Dumbledore reached below his desk and pulled out a square piece of parchment. "I do believe you've been missing this," Dumbledore said with a smile. "It was retrieved from Alastor's possessions."

"Don't you mean Crouch?"

"They are still Alastor's things," Dumbledore said, holding out the parchment.

Harry stepped forward to take the parchment. He pulled out his wand from his pocket and tapped the square. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he proclaimed quietly. Inked lines began to form, meeting in an intricate design of the Hogwarts castle. He quickly skimmed it over, seeing different little dots that symbolized the people in the castle. It was good to have the map back. The Marauder's Map.

Harry smiled. "See you later, Headmaster. Bye, Sirius." He quickly turned and left the office. As he shut the door behind him, he listened quietly for Dumbledore to begin talking to Sirius.

He hesitated slightly before eavesdropping, but as soon as Dumbledore's voice was heard clearly, he held his breath and listened. "I know he is only fifteen, Sirius, but soon he will have to face his destiny. The destiny that will weigh heavily on his shoulders. Soon he must know that the fate of the entire wizarding world lies in his hands."