They Shook Hands: Year Three (Original Version)

They Shook Hands : Year Three

An alternate (but realistic!) universe Harry Potter fic
by Dethryl

Chapter Eighteen - Setting Things To Rights

The two professors, the two students, and the escaped convict walked through the front gate of the castle escorting a floating, immobilized Death Eater. Needless to say, they were quite a sight as they came through the entrance hall.

A patrolling prefect had stopped to stare, and Snape immediately pointed his finger at her and snapped, "Brezinski!"

The sixth year Hufflepuff girl paled. "Sir?"

"Escort Weasley to the hospital wing immediately!"

"Sir!"

Snape led the strange procession directly to the gargoyle that guarded the stairwell to the headmaster's office. He spoke the password ("Treacle tart") and guided Pettigrew's body up the winding steps. He ignored the brass knocker and used Pettigrew's head instead.

"Gain admittance!" came the headmaster's cheerful voice.

Snape opened the door and walked in.

"Headmaster," he said. "There have been some rather startling developments in the past hour. Behold Peter Pettigrew."

He waved his wand and the traitor's body dropped heavily to the floor.

Dumbledore stood up slowly, his eyes wide. He stepped closer, and recognition dawned on his face. He looked at Snape, who motioned to the others with his jaw. They entered the office as well.

"Hello, Professor," Black rasped.

"Sirius!" Dumbledore looked ready to fall over.

"Yes."

"How?"

"It's a long story. There will time for it later. Summon the dementors! Peter Pettigrew must die!"

"Sirius, it can't be just like that."

"It was for me," Black spat with disgust. "My wand was snapped, and I was carted off to Azkaban without so much as a formal charge, so don't tell me we have to observe the legal niceties! If you won't call them, I'll kill him myself."

"Forgive me, Sirius. This is all happening rather quickly. I must inform the Ministry."

Black snarled at the headmaster, but Dumbledore wasn't fazed. He kept that calm, wise look directed at the ragged man, and eventually Black threw himself in a chair in the corner.

"Make your calls."

Fawkes had been sleeping on his perch. His great, glorious plumage was sparkling, casting its own light from the shadowed enclave. As the chair thumped the wall, the bird peeked his head out from under his wing. His eyes settled on Sirius.

The phoenix threw back his head and sang out a single note, pure and beautiful, deep and joyous. He leaped off the perch, fluttered his wings, and landed solidly on Black's outstretched leg. Fawkes opened his beak and sang again, different notes, and the light from his plumage seemed to grow brighter.

The effect on Black was unmistakable. The haunted look on his face vanished, replaced by an expression of peace. Tears welled up in his eyes and trickled down the wan skin of his face. He heaved a deep sigh, and all the evil humours that had built up in his soul seemed to be expelled.

"Hello, Fawkes."

Fawkes trilled at him and jumped up to his shoulder. He sat there, perfectly content, and he continued to sing quietly.

"I'd say that about proves it, Professor," Lupin said, speaking at last. "All things considered."

"So it does," Dumbledore agreed. He threw a pinch of powder into the fireplace and knelt down to stick his head into the flames. "Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Em El Eey," came a woman's voice through the Floo.

"This is Dumbledore. Let me speak with Director Bones."

"One moment."

And Harry would have sworn he heard elevator music playing through the crackling flames.

"Dumbledore?"

"Amelia, good. What I am about to tell you may sound rather strange."

"As opposed to any of the other things you've said that are perfectly normal, Professor?" There was a laugh rippling below the surface of her words.

"Believe me, Amelia, I am in most sincere earnest. I need you to listen to all I have to say before you begin reacting."

"Go ahead."

"Sirius Black just walked into my office."

"What!"

"Amelia!"

"Sorry."

"He was accompanied by Professor Snape and Professor Lupin, and the three of them have laid Peter Pettigrew on my floor."

"Pettigrew!"

"He is alive and restrained. It would appear that he has been living the life of a fugitive. I believe it highly likely that he was and or is a Death Eater."

Director Bones was silent for a moment. "This is a mess, Dumbledore. I'd better come myself."

"I shall see you shortly, then."

Dumbledore extricated himself from the fireplace and stood up. "Never fear, Sirius. We'll straighten this all out. I give you my word."

Lost in phoenix song, Black didn't answer.

"Now then, would someone please tell me what happened tonight?"

Harry spoke first. He summarized the tale, glossing certain bits over, such as how he'd gotten the map that had revealed the truth, and heaping praise on Lupin and Snape for coming to his rescue.

"Very well, Harry. That will do for now. Remus? Perhaps you would care to elaborate?"

Professor Lupin cleared his throat. "I was watching the sky, thinking about how much I hate the moon, when I chanced to look down toward the grounds where I saw a giant dog attacking Ron and Harry. I recognized Sirius immediately and ran for the gate. I encountered Professor Snape, who was bringing me the Wolfsbane Potion. I guzzled the stuff and hurried on my way."

"And then, Severus?"

"I puzzled over Professor Lupin's expeditious exit for a time. I had my suspicions as to what he was up to, but I could not follow him to confirm, as I was immediately taken up by another matter. When I was free to pursue him, I tracked him with the help of the portraits. I was fortunate enough to glimpse him ducking into the secret tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow. It took me several minutes to find the precise knot to freeze the branches, but I eventually made my way to the Shrieking Shack. The rest you know."

There came a knock on the door.

"Cross the threshold!"

The door opened to admit a tall witch wearing grey robes. Her greying hair was cut to jaw-length, and she had a stern look to her. She took in the whole room with a single gaze. Her hard and piercing eyes settled on Black, and Harry was reminded very much of Professor McGonagall. The effect was aided by her thick eyebrows and imposing monocle.

Then she noticed the phoenix perched on his shoulder and how Black had his head tipped back in seeming bliss. Director Bones suddenly didn't look so sure of herself. She glanced down to study the man immobile on the floor.

"Yes, that's Pettigrew. Cor, what a jumble. Dumbledore, do I dare ask what Harry Potter is doing here?"

"You can ask," Harry answered for himself, giving the director an insolent stare.

"Very well. Mister Potter, what are you doing here?"

"Making sure that the wizard who betrayed my parents to Voldemort," and she flinched slightly at the name, "doesn't escape justice."

"Pettigrew was working for You-Know-Who?"

"Yes. He was the secret Secret Keeper when my parents went into hiding. Sirius Black was a decoy."

"But Pettigrew was a spy," Black spoke up. Years and horrors seemed to have dropped from his face. Even his voice sounded more normal. "He sold James and Lily to Voldemort. I went after him, and I was going to kill him, but he blew up the street and faked his own demise."

"Hold up," the director said, pulling out a scroll of parchment and a quill from her pocket. "Dumbledore- ah, thank you." She dipped the quill in the proffered ink and scribbled something briefly. "Tell me the story as it happened."

Together, in bits and pieces and with many questions, Lupin and Black filled Director Bones in on the whole story. Voldemort had targeted the Potters. They went into hiding under the Fidelius Charm. Black had been the decoy; Pettigrew had been the true Secret Keeper. But Pettigrew had already turned traitor, undermining efforts to fight Voldemort -- both Lupin and Black used his name -- and had betrayed the Potters instantly.

"When I heard the news, my clever little scheme tasted like ashes." Black was stroking Fawkes as he spoke, the phoenix preening under the attention. "I got on my, er- broom, and headed for Godric's Hollow. I got there just as Hagrid was coming out of the ruins of the house with Harry in his arms. 'Give Harry to me, Hagrid. I'm his godfather. I'll look after him. It was what James and Lily wanted.'

"He said he had orders from Professor Dumbledore and that Harry was to go live with Lily's sister Petunia. I didn't have time to argue with him about it, and I knew Harry would be safe with Hagrid until I tracked down Peter. So I gave him my, er- broom and Apparated to one of Peter's usual dives.

"I found him." Black's voice was heavy. "But before I could do anything, he framed me and blew up the street. When the Aurors came to take me away, I was laughing at how very stupid we'd all been."

"The rest, I think we know," Professor Dumbledore said. "Amelia? Have you heard enough?"

Director Bones shook her head in amazement. "And I thought I knew some good fairy tales," she murmured. "Very well, Black. On my authority as Head of Magical Law Enforcement, I declare you innocent of all criminal charges."

Black gave another great sigh. "Thank you, Director."

"We'll see about proper rewards and recompense at a later time."

"Dreams of vindication kept me sane, Director."

"Yes, well," and here Director Bones seemed very uncomfortable. "As to the Death Eater, I see no reason why he should not receive the Kiss immediately. I will go collect one of the dementors."

"I told you once, Amelia, that no dementor will enter this castle while I still draw breath." Dumbledore's reminder was completely matter-of-fact. "If Pettigrew is to be Kissed, then you will have to deliver him to them."

Director Bones gave an exasperated sigh. "Very well, Headmaster. She drew her wand and pointed it at Pettigrew's prone form. He rose into the air like a marionette. Black rose instantly to his feet.

"I'll come with you."

"As will I," Lupin agreed.

"And me," Harry added fiercely.

"I will not allow a thirteen year old wizard to witness the Dementor's Kiss!" The old witch seemed shocked to the core.

"So try and stop me."

Director Bones seemed unnerved by Harry's matter-of-fact declaration. She seemingly hadn't realized that a thirteen-year-old wizard might have opinions too. She studied Harry for a moment, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

"I recommend letting Mister Potter go, Director," Snape advised. "Otherwise he's apt to do the deed himself right now just to be certain."

Snape was completely correct.

Director Bones thought about it. "I suppose it is your right," she said reluctantly. "Though it's terrible beyond description."

"I'll do my best," Harry declared.

"Be it on your own head. Let's go."

Down the stairs they proceeded again. Outside the gargoyle, they were joined by two big lads who could only be Aurors. They drew their wands immediately upon seeing Black, but Director Bones intervened.

"Stop! I have declared Black to be innocent. I now order you to guard the Death Eater Peter Pettigrew."

If the Aurors were confused, they didn't let it show. They obeyed their order at once, training their wands on Pettigrew, whose petrification was starting to wear off.

Through the hallways, down the stairs, across the entrance hall, out the front gate, and along the path they went. As they approached the entrance to the grounds, Harry heard the familiar screaming start in his head. He ignored it. Soon the screams would be gone; the traitor's punishment would avenge them -- at least a little bit.

The dementors guarding the gate turned as the party approached. The Aurors took control of Pettigrew and conjured chains to hold him against one of the great boulders that dotted the grounds. Dumbledore waved his hand at the gates, and they swung open on silent hinges.

"Dementors!" Director Bones spoke with a note of command in her voice. "Under my authority as Head of Magical Law Enforcement, I hereby rescind all orders concerning Sirius Black. His innocence has been proven. Furthermore, I release you to perform the Kiss on Peter Pettigrew."

The dementor followed her pointing finger to the pitiful wizard in chains. It glided closer. Pettigrew was awake now. The dementor raised up scabby, decaying hands and lowered its hood. Harry gave thanks to Merlin that he could only see the back of it. It grabbed Pettigrew's face with both hands, ignoring his terrified squealing, and lowered its head.

There was the most awful silence. Time seemed to stand still. It was truly as Harry had been warned, unbearable to watch. He felt like he was going to be sick, but he resolutely stood his ground. Justice, he repeated over and over in his mind, the word drowning out the screams of his mother and the shouts of his father.

Then the dementor stood back, raised its hood, and glided away. It joined its brother and they departed.

Pettigrew was no longer afraid. He wasn't anything. He stood there, chained to the boulder, staring vacantly at nothing. It was worse than looking at a dead body; the eyes saw, but there was no light in them.

"It is done," Black said with evident satisfaction.

"Done." Lupin seemed sad, but his voice was no softer than Black's.

"Done." Harry said, because everybody else had used the word. It felt right, felt complete.

Professor Dumbledore and Director Bones were talking quietly to the side. They had not watched the Kiss. Director Bones was nodding.

"Very good, then." Bones looked at Black. "Mister Black, the word of your innocence will be disseminated to the corners of the world by moonset." She took Pettigrew's arm and guided him outside the gates to the grounds. With a slight pop, she Disapparated with his empty shell.

"Moonset?" Lupin sounded suddenly panicked. "Moonrise!"

"Not for a short while yet," Dumbledore informed him. "But you'd better not wait any longer. At once to your office with you."

Black crouched down to be on Harry's level. "I've got to go with Moony right now, Harry. That's also a long story, and I promise to tell you all about it. When's the next Hogsmeade weekend?"

"Er, not til after exams."

"Well, that's a bit longer than I'd like, but I suppose I must take the time to get my affairs in order. If you're really going to come live with me, that is."

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Black?" Harry wasn't sure how he was asking the question. It just rolled over his lips.

"Hardly, Harry. And it's Sirius. Or Padfoot. But I have to go now. Find me in the Hog's Head Inn when you visit Hogsmeade. Good luck on exams!"

Lupin and Black -- er, Sirius -- headed back to the castle at a hurried pace.

"Severus, has he had your potion tonight?"

"Yes, Headmaster. As I said earlier, I delivered it shortly following dinner."

"Ah yes. I had forgotten. Well, we had best get back up to the castle, I think. There's little point in standing around. Unless, of course, anyone wants to watch the full moon rise."

"Not really up for it," Harry declined, still a little staggered. He was flush with satisfaction and wanted to share it with his friends.

"Ah. Well, on your way, then, Mister Potter. Severus, do stay a moment."

"Good night, Mister Potter."

"Good night, sirs."

Harry was alone as he headed back to the castle. It gave him plenty of time to dwell on the night's events.

He never had to even think about going back to Privet Drive! Though he'd sworn never to be dragged back, Harry felt the shadow of fear slip away from him. It was impossible for anyone to force him. He was going to live with his godfather.

Godfather! Harry had considered himself alone in the world growing up, never knowing what it was about him that made the Dursleys dislike him so. He'd wanted to be like other kids, and he'd found wizarding children whom he was like. But he still had no family, no relatives he could tell funny stories about like his friends often did.

Harry had seen the name Potter on the Black family tree, so he had very distant cousins. It wasn't the same. But a godfather, now that was immediate, concrete family. And in a way it was even better than family, because Sirius had chosen to accept that role. He'd wanted it.

Wanted. For most of his life, nobody had wanted Harry. That was over. Done. He felt like he'd had a hundred Cheering Charms cast on him. He was going to live with Sirius.

That thought buoyed Harry's spirits as he made his way through the dungeons and back to the common room where he was immediately tackled by Blaise and the others demanding to know where he'd gone.

Blaise was sobbing into his shoulder, and he put his arms awkwardly around her to try and comfort her. He didn't know what to say; in his eagerness to rush off after Weasley, he'd completely forgotten about his friends.

In a quiet corner of the common room, Harry sat with his friends and relayed his adventure. They listened with rapt attention as Harry told the story with style, talking softly in the dramatic parts and waving his arms during the exciting bits. When he was finally done, Harry shared the best of it all.

"And I found out Sirius is my godfather."

His friends all gasped in amazement.

"He's my legal guardian, and I'm going to live with him after the year is over."

"Brilliant!" Draco shouted.

"Tally!" Millie echoed.

"Bloody marvellous," Tim agreed.

"I never have to even think about those ruddy Muggles ever again."

"Truly prodigious, Harry," Blaise said.

"Nothing is going to keep us from spending lots of time together this summer."

"Quidditch every day at Malfoy Manor," Draco suggested. "Outstanding."

"You boys and your Quidditch," Jenna giggled.

"I like Quidditch!" Millie objected.

"Well you're practically one of the boys."

"Thank you."

"Then we all came back to the castle. Snape led us up to Dumbledore's office, we told him the whole story, and he called Director Bones of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She came, and her Aurors took Pettigrew down to the dementors."

Harry paused. All of his friends were leaning in eagerly to hear his words.

"Come on," Draco urged. "What happened then?"

"It did the Dementor's Kiss," Harry said softly. The memory rose up in front of him, and he choked back bile as his stomach heaved.

His friends all gasped.

"It did the Dementor's Kiss," Harry repeated, this time with more feeling. "And I watched it."

Pansy screamed. Harry jumped in his skin at the piercing cry. She fell back in her chair, her eyes unreadable as she stared at Harry.

"By Merlin," Tim swore reverently. "Harry, you've got a set of stones, mate."

Draco was watching him with a sudden calculating look in his eye. "What was it like?"

Harry shivered, though the room was warm. "The traitor got what he deserved."

"Come on, Harry," Draco cajoled. "Tell us."

"It was unbearable to watch." And he said no more.

His friends respected his silence and inquired no further. Easing the mood a bit, Crabbe cleared his throat.

"So what then?"

"They just left. Gone back to Azkaban, I suppose. Director Bones took Pettigrew to wherever it is they take people like him. Then something very strange happened." Harry took a deep breath. "Professor Lupin is a werewolf."

"What?!"

"A werewolf."

"Impossible! They're not allowed to hold important jobs!" Draco said.

"They're dangerous creatures, they are," Goyle chimed in. "My dad says they all should be wiped out."

"Mine too," Crabbe said. "They're right monsters."

"Professor Lupin isn't a monster!" Harry shouted. "He came to save me tonight, from a man he believed to be Voldemort's right hand! He risked his life. Monsters don't understand sacrifice, Goyle."

"It's a disease," Tim contributed. "My father says it's passed on through the bite, the bodily fluids."

"It's a condition," Harry said, seizing upon Tim's words. "When it's not the full moon, he's fine."

"So he's only a monster three days out of the lunar cycle?" Crabbe asked. "Oh, that makes me feel better."

"Shut up, fathead," Harry ordered. "How many times have I heard you say Lupin was fantastic? You can't suddenly say he was rubbish because he's a werewolf!"

"Well of course he knows his Dark Arts," Goyle argued. "Werewolves are Dark creatures, they are."

"You shut up, too!" Harry was incensed. Lupin was the best they'd ever had. He had helped Harry immensely this year, had been one of his dad's best friends.

"Someone had to know about this," Pansy declared. "I can't believe this has been kept a secret from us."

"Professor Snape knew. He was trying to tell us when he assigned the essay on werewolves." Harry was impressed once more with how sneaky Snape could be.

"The one he said he'd assigned as punishment to the other classes and decided to let us do for extra credit?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah."

"How come nobody figured it out?" Blaise asked. "It all makes perfect sense now. Lupin's boggart is the full moon."

"Of course!" Tim exclaimed. "And he missed a few classes every month! It must have been for the full moon!"

"There's a full moon tonight," Crabbe volunteered.

"And he went to his office, just like he must've done every full moon." Harry confirmed. "Sirius went with him and said there was a long story behind it. He promised to tell me later. Then Dumbledore suggested we head back, but he wanted to talk to Snape, so I walked back up by myself, and here we are."

Tim leaned back in his chair and whistled in admiration or amazement, Harry wasn't sure which. It amounted to the same thing.

"Incredible, Harry, truly incredible."

Draco was in agreement. "It's stranger than fiction."

"Will you two idiots stop congratulating him?" Blaise asked in a tone that could have dissolved the stone walls around them. "Harry, you could have been killed!"

"How?"

"What if Black really had been the traitor?" she demanded. "He would have killed you!"

"He would have killed me on Magnolia Crescent," Harry said, dismissing the question with a wave of his hand.

"But you didn't know that then."

"Then I would have been saved by Professor Lupin. I could have kept him talking long enough."

Blaise shook her head. "You are such a Gryffindor."

"Hey!"

"She's got a point, Harry," Jenna chimed in. "Would it have killed you to say something to one of us?"

"Fine, and then you could have gotten your leg broken being dragged into a tunnel by a dog the size of a pony instead of Weasley."

"We've faced dogs before, you and I," Draco pointed out, buffing his nails obnoxiously.

"Completely different," Tim objected.

"Going into the face of certain death?" Blaise shot back.

"I'm not a Gryffindor," Harry told her. "Take it back."

"So charging headlong into hell without heed is suddenly the intelligent, crafty, clever, Slytherin thing to do?" she scoffed.

"But it was about paying a debt," Draco said seriously, no smirk on his face. "A debt of blood. Right, Harry?"

"Right." Harry emphasized his response with a sharp nod. "I thought Black had betrayed my family, so I was going to kill him. Then it turned out to be Pettigrew, and I would have killed him if the dementors hadn't gotten him."

"I," Crabbe declared, "am very happy to hear that they are gone."

And he was not alone. As news of the dementors' departure spread through the castle, the mood improved almost palpably. The announcement of the restoration of Hogsmeade visits was no doubt the source of much of the joy.

The headline of the Daily Prophet in the morning trumpeted Sirius Black's innocence for all to read. There was a picture of Sirius shaking hands with the Minister of Magic. The whole front page was filled with stories about his wrongful conviction and Pettigrew's secret support for You-Know-Who.

The full story of what had gone on in the Shrieking Shack was full public knowledge. Professor Lupin's role in the affair could not be concealed, and the news that a werewolf was teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts sparked a public outrage. It was so ugly and severe that Lupin was forced to tender his resignation, which Harry regarded as patently unfair. Lupin had been the best Defence teacher they'd yet had -- well, except for Professor Snape; Snape was great at everything.

Exams came and went with no fuss. In Transfiguration, they had to change a teapot into a tortoise. Flitwick had them cast Cheering Charms on each other, which some of them needed after the Transfiguration practical. Professor Snape's written exam involved a lot a brain power, but the practical, brewing a Camouflage Potion, was simplicity in itself.

Arithmancy was, in Harry's opinion, a piece of cake. He grinned as his friends all complained about the sheer rote memorization they'd needed. Crabbe and Pansy were similarly smug about Astronomy when it came out that the comet they'd been asked to locate for their homework last summer had been the Perseids meteor shower. They had discussed Geminids, not Perseids, but Harry swore it was evil to put it on the exam.

When the Hogsmeade weekend finally arrived, Harry was the first student waiting in line at the castle gate to get to the village. By the time Filch arrived, sour-faced and miserable, Harry had been waiting for nearly an hour.

"I should've gone out one of the secret passages," he complained to Draco as they walked down the path. He'd seen several marked on the Marauders' Map that led to Hogsmeade.

"Why didn't you think of that an hour ago?" Draco asked moodily. He'd been woken up by Harry very early and was still grouchy.

"Nerves, I guess."

"Why? He's not really a murderer, after all."

"I know. It's just, well, he did spend twelve years in Azkaban. What do you say to someone like that?"

Draco shrugged. "I doubt he wants to talk about that. All you can do is look forward, right? Talk about the future. Just be yourself. If the rest of us can tolerate you, I think your godfather should be able to cope."

"Thanks heaps."

"Hey, it's what I'm here for."

When they reached the Hog's Head Inn, Harry stared at the door in apprehension for a long moment.

"Wish me luck."

"Good luck, mate. We'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks for tea."

A worn-out wooden sign hung over the door. A boar's severed head leaked blood onto the white cloth around it. The paint on the sign was chipped and faded.

Harry opened the door and peered into the murky dark. The windows were so grimy and dusty that only the faintest hint of sunlight was allowed to enter.

As his eyes adjusted, he could make out the small bar, which was filthy and strewn with sawdust. A rickety wooden staircase led up to what appeared to be a sitting room. The floor was so dirty he couldn't even tell if there was floor. The whole place smelled strongly of goats.

There was no bartender behind the bar, but a dirty glass floated in the air being wiped out by an even dirtier bar rag. Harry looked around and saw the lone figure stand up from the secluded corner booth.

"Harry!" Sirius Black said, his voice delighted, if still rusty.

He at last looked like a man, not a zombie. His ragged hair had been neatly trimmed, and his skin had regained some colour. It appeared he'd also eaten a few meals, because his cheeks had lost the sunken appearance. He had traded his prison rags for a smart set of plain black robes.

"Sirius," Harry greeted his godfather with a nod. He wasn't sure how demonstrative he should be.

"Please, sit, sit. Will you have anything?"

The dirty glasses fresh in his mind, Harry shook his head. Sirius retrieved a dusty bottle from behind the bar and placed it with a thump on the table. He reached into the pocket of his robes and drew out a wand.

"Brand new," Sirius said proudly. "Twelve inches, black birch, with a hair from the mane of a unicorn as the core."

"The mane?" Harry vaguely remembered Ollivander the wand maker mentioning that he used tail hairs.

"Yes, highly unusual, Ollivander said. He was determined I should have it, though. The wand chooses the wizard, you know."

"So he said."

"Scourgify!" Sirius incanted, pointing his wand at the bottle. The accumulated dust and grime of only Merlin knew how many years was scoured away in an instant. With another spell, the bottle uncorked itself.

"To us, Harry," he toasted. He took a long pull off the bottle, gasping for air when he was done. Wordlessly, he offered the bottle to Harry.

Harry generally did not approve of drinking. He'd seen Hagrid drinking and drunk a number of times. Sometimes his friends' parents would have wine with a meal, but generally they were sober. He started to refuse, but then reconsidered. It might help him bond with his new guardian.

So Harry took the bottle and raised it to his lips for a small sip. Seconds later, his throat rejected the beverage, spraying it all over the table as he coughed uncontrollably. Between spasms, all he could think was how much like a kid he must look.

But Sirius wasn't laughing at him. He whacked Harry on the back to get him breathing right again, and he summoned a glass from the bar, cleaned it, and filled it with an uttered, "Aquamenti!"

Harry sipped at the water, willing his throat to be normal. He nodded his thanks, not trusting himself to speak yet.

"Now that was a waste of some truly fine aged firewhiskey," Sirius said jokingly.

Harry laughed. He couldn't help himself. He was laughing at himself as much as at Sirius' remark. "Sorry."

"I guess it's a good thing you weren't able to just take that," Sirius said reflectively. "Never mind. I'll just drink your share. I haven't had a drink in over twelve years, and I'd say I'm entitled to a few."

That did seem only fair.

"So how did exams go?"

"Very well. I'm hoping for top marks in Arithmancy, Defence, and History of Magic."

"History?" Sirius was startled.

"I've studied hard this year."

"But History?"

"I've got a lot to learn about the wizarding world," Harry said simply. "It's my heritage, after all."

"It's a wonderful place," Sirius declared. "There's a lot of ugly, but there's a lot of beautiful as well. I'm speaking of witches, now."

Harry let out a startled laugh.

"Have you discovered witches yet, Harry?"

Do what now? "Huh?"

"You're thirteen now, nearly fourteen. Have you kissed a girl yet?"

"Are you honestly saying the first thing you want to talk about is do I have a girlfriend?" Harry was incredulous.

"Not the first thing," Sirius objected with a grin. "We talked about your exams."

Well, he had a point. "But you immediately brought up witches."

"So it's the second thing."

"If you must know, I have." Harry felt strangely more grown-up saying it.

"Good on you, Harry! The prettiest girl in school?"

"Blaise is pretty, yeah. Not the school, but definitely in Slytherin."

Sirius shook his head. "I can't believe you're in Slytherin. I saw the cloak that first night and nearly tripped over the curb. I was in Gryffindor. We all were."

"Yeah, I've heard."

I've been in communication with Dumbledore, and he tells me you've had quite a few adventures worthy of a Gryffindor," Sirius insinuated slyly. "Battling giant chess pieces? Chasing a single key out of thousands on a broom? Slaying a basilisk? Trolls?"

"It must be in my blood."

Now Sirius laughed sharply. "Yes, your mother was a Gryffindor too. I guess that's why Slytherin doesn't make sense. These things are often hereditary, though it wasn't in my case."

Harry hesitated a moment before asking, "Does it bother you that I'm in Slytherin?"

Sirius shook his head. "It did at first, and I spent hours pondering how it could have happened. My final conclusion on the matter is that it doesn't matter. Not to me. Your father joked with me about what I would do if you did get sorted to Slytherin, and I used to get hot about it, but it doesn't matter. So long as you're alive, I would be happy to see you in Hufflepuff. Just don't be one of those evil Slytherins."

"Slytherins aren't evil. We're just misunderstood. I've got a few strong ambitions," Harry said by way of answer. "Namely, seeing my parents avenged."

Sirius was silent for a long, introspective moment. "Yes, I suppose I do understand at that," he said finally. "Well, one part of it has been done. Peter is no more."

"Yes."

"How do you feel about it? Does it help?"

Harry thought for a second. "It needed to be done. It was justice. It doesn't help me miss them any less, but I haven't had a nightmare since that night. I'll accept that."

"That's very wise, Harry. And unexpected in a thirteen year old wizard."

"I'm not the average thirteen year old wizard. I'm not bragging about it, but there it is. I survived the Killing Curse and almost destroyed the most feared wizard since Grindelwald."

Sirius nodded, his eyes showing understanding. "Almost, you said."

"I'm going to finish it. I don't know how yet, but I'm going to figure it out. He tried to return two years ago, but I stopped him. I'll keep doing it, too."

Sirius leaned forward, a vicious gleam in his eye. "We'll finish it, you and I. If you're going to take on Voldemort, I'm with you. I'll always be there for you; it was my vow to James and Lily. They fought him too, as did I, in the last war. They defied him and were targeted. That's why I was going to be their Secret Keeper."

"But it was Peter."

Sirius growled in anger. "Harry, please forgive me. If I hadn't thought myself so clever, they'd still be alive. I never would have given them up. If they'd caught me, I'd probably still be being tortured right now."

Harry shivered slightly at the depth of emotion in Sirius' voice.

"And I'd do the same for you, Harry." Sirius wasn't blinking. "I would suffer unto death to protect you. I broke down in tears when James asked me to be your godfather. I was there when you were born. I stood over your cradle and swore a Vow."

Harry's vision had narrowed. All he saw was Sirius' face. His eyes were pools of darkness, pulling Harry in. "What sort of Vow?" he breathed.

"The Unbreakable Vow. It's very powerful magic, broken on pain of death. I swore to protect you, no matter the cost."

And he was still standing there. Harry felt blood rushing to his head. He was short of breath. He groped for his glass of water and took a sip.

"I wouldn't want to die, of course," Sirius said, suddenly changing his tone. He winked at Harry. "There's too much living to do!"

Harry smiled in relief as the tension vanished. "We've got a future to plan."

"Too right, we do. The papers making me your guardian were signed years ago, and are probably in your Gringotts vault. My innocence has been confirmed with a very nice letter of apology from the Minister, written by his secretary, I'm sure. What do you say I pick you up at King's Cross station?"

"Sounds good. Then where?"

"I've got a house," Sirius said, not sounding pleased with it. "It's the family manor, actually, but it's not the nicest place."

"A not nice manor?"

"It's been empty for years, but it was never nice." Sirius stared at the table intently. "Maybe you and I can give the place some happy memories, eh?"

"I hope so," Harry said sincerely.

"It's a bloody mess, but a few good charms ought to clean it up properly. I haven't had time yet. You're good at Charms, right?"

"I do okay."

"Well, you'll get lots of practice with Scourgify, I guarantee that."

"I'd rather use magic than do it by hand."

"By hand," Sirius repeated with a shudder. "Perish the thought. There are no Monitoring Charms on the house, so I fully expect you to pull your weight."

"I will. I'm used to hard work."

"What do you mean?"

Harry told Sirius about the Dursleys and how they'd mistreated him. As he progressed through each tale of abuse and neglect, Sirius grew more and more agitated.

"Bastards!" he swore. "Harry, I'm sorry. I should never have let Hagrid take you off to that fate."

"I'm alive, aren't I?" Harry asked rhetorically. "You could hardly take me with you to an execution. I only wish you'd gotten a fair trial instead of being railroaded like that."

Sirius grunted. "As a result of pending litigation against the Ministry, I will soon be adding more gross amounts of money to the family vaults at Gringotts. My father would be so proud." From his tone of voice, he sounded disgusted with the idea.

"Can it really bring back what they took away from you?" Harry asked. "Why'd you do it? Why'd you wait? What kept you from breaking out of there for twelve years? Why didn't you come-"

"Because there was no way to prove my story. Veritaserum was still experimental in those days, so it was just my word, which was not good for much thanks to public opinion. When the witnesses who heard Peter's lies repeated them for the authorities, I knew there was no chance.

"I wanted to get to you, Harry, by Merlin I did. But if I went to you, I would endanger you, and I had Vowed to protect you from harm." He laughed shortly. "It wasn't too bad. I had a meal every day, and for the rest I slept a lot. Slept like a dog, I must say."

"I can't imagine why."

"That's one of my little secrets that's out, now. Part of clearing my name required that I detail precisely how I escaped from Azkaban," Sirius said. "I was an illegal Animagus, as were your father and Peter, Wormtail. The dementors didn't affect me nearly so much when I was in my other form. That and knowing with absolute certainty that I was innocent allowed me to keep my sanity when the screams of the damned echoed around me."

"But it still must have been horrible," Harry breathed.

"Beyond description." Sirius drew a shuddering breath. "Let's talk about something else, please?"

"Did you have to register?"

"Yes. When the Director of Em El Eey knows you're not on the list, she tends to disapprove.

"I think it's really great," Harry exclaimed, suddenly feeling the urge to speak his mind. "My dad was one too? When did you figure it out? And why?"

"We figured it out so we could keep Moony company during his transformations. His curse doesn't affect animals, so we studied in secret and worked in private until Prongs and I got it at last in fifth year. After that, we were always with him."

"Maybe I'd better study my Transfiguration more," Harry suggested lightly.

"I'm sure I can answer any questions you might have," Sirius replied with a twinkle in his eye.

"I've got a gift of my own, you know." Harry needed to share something, and comparing a magical skill seemed appropriate. "One time the Dursleys got stuck taking me to the zoo. In the Reptile House, I could understand what this boa constrictor was saying. He could understand me, too."

"You were talking to a boa constrictor?"

"Yes. I'm a Parselmouth." Harry said it proudly, for his gift had let him defeat Tom Riddle and rescue Ginny Weasley.

"That gift has a Dark reputation, Harry."

"I know. But it's not true for me. I want to destroy a Dark wizard. It saved my life, actually, against the basilisk. I didn't tell Dumbledore what really happened." Harry was practically whispering now. "Riddle was ordering the basilisk around, but I started talking to her, and she turned on him. She helped me destroy the diary and get out of the Chamber of Secrets."

"It's still alive?" Sirius choked. "Harry!"

"She's gone back into hibernation. I told her she must never kill anyone ever again. Riddle made her kill a girl in my form; Hermione Granger."

"Was she your friend?" Sirius asked gently.

"No. She was a prissy, Muggleborn, know-it-all who thought it was proper to gawk at me on the train." Harry frowned as he remembered all the times he and his friends had picked on her. "But she didn't deserve what she got. If Weasley had gotten it, I might say different, but Granger was just very enthusiastic about everything magical."

"Death is seldom deserved. If you truly control this basilisk, it is your responsibility to make sure it doesn't kill anyone else." Sirius' voice was stern.

"I know. But Eithne is really nice. She doesn't kill for sport; she's just trying to eat. If she just eats deer in the forest or something, she'll be harmless."

"A harmless basilisk," Sirius iterated sardonically.

"That's right."

"Okay then."

Harry and Sirius passed the morning in the booth of the dirty tavern. The bartender came in eventually and seemed unsurprised to see two customers already drinking; Harry had relented and cleaned off a dusty bottle of butterbeer to keep his throat from getting parched.

All too quickly, it was tea time. Harry glanced down at his watch out of habit and groaned as he saw the hour.

"I told my friends I'd meet them in the Three Broomsticks for tea."

"Well, you can't keep your friends waiting," Sirius declared. "Harry, I have enjoyed this. Thank you."

"Why don't you come with me?" Harry invited. "They're very nice lads and ladies."

"Well," Sirius hesitated, "if you're sure."

"Let's go."

As they turned back onto High Street, Harry caught sight of three Ravenclaws exiting Scrivenshaft's and waved hello.

"Wotcher, Ravenclaws!"

"Wotcher, Harry!" Terry Boot called back. Padma Patil and Mandy Brocklehurst both waved. The threesome consulted for a moment then crossed the lane.

"What on earth are you doing in there? Exams are over, you know."

Terry shrugged helplessly. "I got dragged."

"I hardly call, 'Hey, let's hit the quill store' being dragged, you bally liar," Mandy said, pulling her thick black hair back into a ponytail.

"Who said she had a few things she wanted to pick up too?" Terry shot back without batting an eye. "You, wasn't it?"

"That's different. I was taking advantage of going in to do some shopping so I can save time in Diagon Alley later this summer."

"Smart," Harry said. "I'd like you all to meet my godfather, Sirius Black."

All three Ravenclaws took a half-step back. Sirius smiled widely, trying to look friendly.

"He's innocent," Harry added immediately. "Declared by the Minister."

"I apologize, Mister Black," Padma said immediately. "An instinctive response."

"It's all right, children. I've been dealing with far worse for two weeks now."

"Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Mandy Brocklehurst," Harry said, introducing each in turn. "Very tally Ravenclaws in my form."

"A pleasure," Sirius said.

Harry instantly decided to invite the trio. "We're just on to the Three Broomsticks to meet the others. Would you care to come?"

"Can't," Terry declined. "Gotta start packing. I've got too much stuff and too little luggage."

"Mandy?"

"Love to, Harry, but I told Terry I'd help him. We girls are experts at packing, you know."

"Padma?"

"I would," Padma said regretfully, "but I'm late to meet Parvati. I'd bring her, but Pansy's going to be there."

"This is true."

"Maybe another time, though."

"Good-bye, Mister Black," Terry said.

"Good-bye!"

"Good-bye, children."

"That was the prettiest girl in school," Harry observed.

"Very pretty. Why didn't you kiss her?"

"Kissing Blaise was enough." And Jenna; and Laine.

Sirius opened the door of the tavern and stepped inside. In an instant, all conversation ground to a halt. Every eye stared at the man who had so recently been the most feared wizard in the wizarding world.

He handled it well. His expression mild, he met every eye. He sauntered up to the bar to the wide-eyed Madam Rosmerta.

"Hello, Rosie. Get us a couple of butterbeers, will you, love?"

Hesitantly, Madam Rosmerta pulled two bottles from under the bar. With practised ease, she removed the caps and passed the beverages over. Sirius dropped a few coins on the bar, winked at her, and handed Harry one of the bottles.

"To your health, good people," Sirius said loudly, raising his bottle in salute to the crowd. He tipped it up, and Harry watched his Adam's apple moving up and down as he chugged the butterbeer down. He slammed the empty bottle down on the bar with a thump.

"Where are these friends of yours?"

As noise returned to the pub, Harry saw Draco waving from the far booth. He was sitting with Tim, Pansy, and Jenna. They all squeezed closer together to give Harry and Sirius room to sit.

"Hello, cousin," Draco said to Sirius. "I'm Draco Malfoy."

"Narcissa's boy?"

Draco nodded.

"Nice to meet you, cousin."

Harry made the introductions, and Sirius thought it was very nice to meet them all. His godfather asked about classes and exams, and asked about best subjects. He was pleasantly surprised when they all agreed that Professor Lupin had been the bees' knees. And of course they all lauded Professor Snape, to which Sirius made non-committal responses.

"I take it you all love Quidditch?" he asked, changing the subject with a slight smile.

"We love Quidditch!" Tim and the others said together.

"I understand Slytherin has quite a Seeker," Sirius hinted broadly. "Trotter, or something?"

Harry laughed. "I was going to mention it eventually. I got on the team in first year, youngest Seeker in a century."

"Your dad would have been proud of that," Sirius shared. "He played Chaser himself in our day. Giving Slytherin hell, I might add."

Tim loudly began to recite Slytherin Quidditch statistics from the past hundred years. Sirius punctured all of his windy pomposity with specific humiliating (for Slytherin) incidents in Quidditch matches from James Potter's and Sirius Black's "Days of Glory," as he termed them.

James and Sirius had both played Chaser, though Sirius made the team only towards the latter years of school. Tim immediately started grilling him on Chaser tactics and started arguing with him. It was Pansy, strangely enough, who told Tim to stop acting like an arse and let Sirius tell his stories.

All too soon, it was time for dinner, and Harry regretfully stood up from the booth. He winced as pins and needles shot through his legs.

"I'll be right there," Harry said to his friends as they headed to the door.

"Good night, all," Sirius said with a wave. "All of Harry's friends are welcome at Grimmauld Place this summer. I hope to see you."

Harry had wanted to say farewell to his godfather in private. Now that the blokes weren't around, he gave Sirius a strong hug. Sirius squeezed him tightly, and Harry felt a nebulous, general good feeling. With this feeling in him, Harry felt he could have cast a perfect Patronus.

"Be safe, Harry. I'll see you soon."

"Bye, Sirius. Not soon enough."

to be continued...