Twist of Time

Harry's heart was practically bursting out of his chest as he clambered up out of the passageway, helping Ron and Hermione up behind him. The Whomping Willow was frozen in please again, it's branches stiff as ice.

As they finally were able to pull Ron all the way out, the opening slid shut and they raced as fast as they could out of the aim of the Whomping Willow which was activated 30 seconds after the passageway was shut. Harry stopped instinctively and turned around, looking back at the tree and beginning to hear the first signs of anguish and terror from inside the Shrieking Shack. He turned up to look at the bright moon that was now directly over them and a chill went through his spin as he almost felt what Remus was going through at that moment.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice jolted him out of his thoughts and he turned towards her. "We should probably get going. Ron needs some help."

Harry realized that Hermione was practically carrying Ron herself because Harry had walked away a bit, and he hurriedly slung one of Ron's arms around his own. Ron, who's face was rather pale, didn't have his eyes open but was trying his best to support some of his own weight on his shaky legs. Both Harry and Hermione were groaning under the almost dead weight and felt like they were going to fall, when a voice spoke up behind them.

"Here, I can carry him. This is all myfault anyway."

Sirius Black's strong arms went under Ron's knees and shoulders and he heaved him up, Ron, immediately passed out, collapsing onto Sirius' chest, but Sirius didn't seem to mind the weight, even though his thin and battered frame would suggest otherwise. He must have been stronger than he looked.

"Oh, thanks," Harry said finally, not really still very comfortable around his Godfather yet. It was a strange feeling to think that there was actually someone in the world who still cared for him, which Sirius had insisted he did. But the new concept brought a warm feeling into Harry's heart.

"I really didn't mean to hurt him this bad," Sirius admitted. "But I needed to get your attention because I knew it would take a lot of explaining before you could trust me."

Harry looked ahead of them to where Dumbledore and Fudge were walking and talking, Pettigrew and Snapetrailing behind them, limp as dolls. Harry's eyes moved back up towards Sirius.

"They'll let you off, right/ I mean they have to, with Pettigrew as evidence and everything?"

Sirius merely shrugged and switched his grip on Ron. "You never can tell. But it's all or nothing now. If they don't' believe me, I'll get sent back to Azkaban..." Harry saw a flash of deep pain go across Sirius' eyes as he thought about his old residence.

"Actually," Hermione interjected her voice shaky with fright. "The ministry gave permission for the Dementor's to give you a kiss on sight."

A silent shiver ran through Sirius and Harry at the same time.

Harry couldn't bear it anymore and looked towards the ground, a few tears coming to his eyes.

"I'm sorry Harry, I shouldn't have brought it up," Hermione said softly to him, coming around to his side and walking beside him. Harry managed a smile and looked back up at her.

"It's okay. I just thought that loosing one set of parents was bad enough. And now that I finally have a Godfather, it's just a very depressing feeling to think I could loose him too."

Harry felt Sirius reach down and tousle his hair. "I'm not giving up without a fight, Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes, bating Sirius hand out of his hair. "I hate it when people do that, as if my hair wasn't messy enough."

Sirius stopped dead right beside him and Harry and Hermione both turned to see what was wrong. Sirius looked like he was trying hard not to cry.

"Sirius?" Harry asked tensely.

He seemed to snap out of it, and hastily began to walk again. "I'm sorry. You just sounded almost exactly like James right there..." he voice trailed off and deep emotion was heard from it. Sirius let out a small chuckle. "He always hated it when I ruffled his hair, too."

Harry had to smile. "How long did you know my dad?"

They were now climbing the stairs towards the entrance and Harry was pleased to get in from their state of semi-darkness into the candlelight that glowed off of the castle doors.

"We met on the train during our first year of Hogwarts," Sirius said. As he spoke, Harry could tell he enjoyed talking about it, even though the memories were painful to him. "Both of us tried to plant dungbombs in a SlytherinCompartment and we both got caught by the head boy." Sirius chuckled at the memory. "The head boy that year was a rather overenthusiastic 7^th year named Arthur Weasley."

Harry and Hermione grinned as Sirius looked peculiarly down at Ron. "Arthur is the father of this one, isn't he?"

"Yeah, that's right," Harry smiled.

"Mr. Black?" Sirius looked up to where Dumbledore and Fudge were now standing, right outside of Dumbledore's office where Harry, Hermione and Sirius had followed them to.

"Yes?"

"If you would be so kind as to follow Mr. Fudge and myself up into my office."

Sirius nodded, a determined look coming to his face.

"Mr. Potter, you and Miss Granger should get Mr. Weasley to the Hospital Wing and get some rest yourselves."

"But-"

Dumbledore gave Harry a piercing look. "You will be told what happens Harry, but this is not something you need to be present for. Bed rest and some chocolate will be good for now and I shall come see you in the morning."

Harry looked desperately over to Sirius who was now leaning Ron on Hermione who was trying to prop him up. Sirius looked over to Harry, sensing his distress. "Come help her," Sirius motioned to Hermione and Harry walked over, propping Ron between them.

Sirius bent down again, looking Harry in the eye. "I will see you again, Harry. If it's the last thing I do. You truly are your father's son and I promised to never let down James down again, which means," he held up a finger to silence Harry's protests, "which means that you will be my first concern." He sighed, seeing that Harry wasn't buying it. He reached out and ruffled Harry's hair again.

"I will see you again, Harry."

And he turned and strode up, following Dumbledore up the spiral staircase.

"You promise?" Harry said softly, praying that Sirius would hear him.

Sirius stopped and slightly turned to look at him. He winked again said, "I promise."