The week passed quickly and uneventfully. The only real problems were that Harry found it impossible to break away from the constant monitoring of the Hogwarts staff.

            “There are always ways for mischief young Harry,” James said in a serious voice.

            “James, don’t encourage him!” Lily scolded.

            “But Lily! He is a Junior Marauder!” James argued.

Evidently Professor Lupin had said something about Harry ‘seeing something’ reminding everyone how unsafe Hogwarts really was for Harry Potter. This drove Harry positively out of his mind. Professor McGonagall was the worst followed closely by Professor Dumbledore who had indeed called Harry to his office to ‘talk’ about the Patronus. Dumbledore really didn’t have much to say other than he was looking into it.

            “That’s nice of him and all but not informative at all,” Remus frowned.

            “That’s just going to be one of those mysteries of life,” Sirius said trying to sound deep, “Like why the sun rises every morning-“

            “Because the earth does a 360 degree rotation on its axis,” Remus explained calmly.

            “Or why it rains,” Sirius tried to continue.

            “Because the condensed water accumulated forming clouds,” Remus explained with twitching lips.

            “MOONY! I am trying to sound DEEP!” Sirius cried. The others roared in laughter.

Typical.

Professor Lupin’s mentioning of rebellion made Harry wonder if that was what he was doing. He hadn’t exactly acted out but he also hadn’t exactly followed the rules completely either. He withheld information, ventured out alone late at night (it was only once but still), kept the Marauder’s Map instead of turning it in, and was now helping the very reason all of these restrictions were placed on him. The more Harry thought about it the more he believed he was completely out of his mind. Who would help the person who betrayed their parents?

            “Someone that realizes that there is something wrong here!” Sirius said.

Harry knew he wasn’t exactly helping Black but he wasn’t exactly not helping him either. He could have easily turned him over to Professor Lupin or even told a teacher about the encounter any time this entire week. The problem was Harry’s desire to understand how a Midnight and Sirius Black could be one in the same was overruling any other possible decision. Sirius Black had been given plenty of times to finish what Voldemort had started all those years ago yet he didn’t.

            “Exactly!”

What if Hermione was right?

            “Exactly!”

What if he really was mad to some degree that he didn’t know about his betrayal?

            “Exa- Hey! No!” Sirius cried. The others tried to muffle their laughter.

The opportunity to find answers arrived in the form of a Hogsmeade weekend. Professor Lupin had canceled their Patronus lesson, claiming that he wasn’t feeling well but Harry knew better. Professor Lupin seemed to be hesitant to spend a significant amount of time alone with his charge ever since Harry found out about Prongs. Knowing better than to pry, Harry decided to give the man the time he needed. When that time came, however, Harry knew he would also have to reveal that he had known about the Midnight-Black connection.

            “Typical Moony,” James shook his head, “Remember how we kept throwing hints we knew and he just ignored and found reasons to isolate himself in the library until we cornered him?”

            Sirius nodded fondly.

Harry waited patiently for everyone to leave for the wizarding village. Ron and Hermione promised to bring back some sweets from Honeydukes while the twins grinned. Harry didn’t have the strength to tell Fred and George the truth fearing they would want the map back. He also knew if they found out who the Marauders really were the questions would never end, for Harry and Professor Lupin.

            “They’d interrogate Moony non stop to know all our secrets,” Sirius said with twinkling eyes. Remus on the other hand was grimacing.

Once those traveling to Hogsmeade had left, Harry casually returned to the Gryffindor Tower to put on a jumper and cover himself with his invisibility cloak. His wand was in his holster as it always was, just in case. Never go anywhere without your wand, Black had told him. Harry was prepared to use that little piece of advice.

He followed a group of first years out of the Gryffindor Tower then strayed to the main entrance, making certain he didn’t bump into anyone on the way. Stepping out into the courtyard, Harry couldn’t believe how nervous and thrilled he felt at the same time. He was now actively disobeying the rules and had to admit he liked it. It felt freeing.

            “I know what you mean!” James smiled reminiscently.

He wasn’t being coddled or protected like a child. He was taking matters into his own hands.

The grounds were empty for which Harry was grateful for. The temperature was pleasant and the faint breeze helped keep him alert. He now moved quickly yet quietly so not to disturb any of the creatures he could only hear. His pace turned to a crawl as he passed Hagrid’s Hut. He knew this was his last chance to turn back but paid it no mind. He needed to do this for himself and for his parents.

            “No you don’t! Harry James Potter, go back to the castle where it’s safe!” Lily said sternly.

            “Hum, Lily, from everything we read the castle is not all that safe,” Peter said, “Basilisks, You-Know-Who, and Sirius getting in whenever he wants.” She glared at Peter.

Harry entered the forest cautiously, the noises surrounding him like his cloak. He knew the dangers of the forest were still there for him even though he couldn’t be seen and took every precaution to ensure his safety. With his past experiences,

            “Past experiences? When has my son been inside the Forbidden Forest?” Lily asked horrified. The others shrugged.

            “It’s not that bad. We’ve been inside the forest loads of times,” James tried to calm her.

            “Because you do stupid things Potter doesn’t mean my son should!”

Harry figured it was best to enter only far enough so he couldn’t be seen by Hagrid or anyone else in the castle. It wouldn’t be smart just to go roaming around with unfriendly creatures waiting to make you their dinner.

It didn’t take long for Harry to find a clearing with a tree stump to sit down on. There was no point in roaming the forest until darkness arrived so Harry figured it would be best to simply wait. Midnight would come sooner or later. Harry just prayed that his patience held out until then. Well, that and no one in the school noticed his absence.

It was two hours later when Harry finally pulled off his invisibility cloak, bunched it up and put it under his head as he stretched out on a patch of dry ground. There had been no sign of Midnight and thankfully any other species who would be less than friendly. Glancing at his watch, Harry knew he only had a few more hours to waste before everyone returned from Hogsmeade. As much as he wanted to wait all night, Harry knew he couldn’t. He wasn’t stupid, well, that was really still up for debate.

            “Don’t be so harsh on yourself Harry. You are just trying to give an innocent man a chance to explain himself,” Sirius said.

The sound of a twig breaking snapped Harry out of his thoughts as he sat up quickly. Looking in the direction of the sound, Harry’s chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe. Please don’t be something that will kill me, he silently pleaded. He remained completely still as another twig broke, this one closer.

            Everyone was completely still, holding their breaths. The only sound heard was James voice reading.

The light squishes of someone walking in mud followed by the rustling of the nearby brush seemed to silence the rest of the sounds. Harry subconsciously twisted his right wrist, reminding himself of the wand hidden underneath his sleeve. He wasn’t helpless.

Slowly, a large black dog came out of the brush, looking at Harry with his pleading blue eyes. The dog let out a soft whine as it started to slowly approach, showing that he meant no harm. Harry knew he would have to act quickly. He slowly stood, never taking his eyes off of the canine. “Midnight?” he asked hesitantly. “Is it really you?”

            “Yes,” Sirius said in a whisper. The others looked at him strangely. Remus put a hand to his forehead.

The dog let out a happy bark as a confirmation. This is it, Harry realized. The dog didn’t even notice Harry flick his wrist, allowing his wand to appear in his hand. In one brisk moment, Harry pointed his wand at the dog and shouted, “Stupefy!” There was no time to react. The dog fell to the ground, unconscious.

            “Hey, your son just stunned me!” Sirius cried indignantly.

            “Well he wasn’t about to let a murderer have his way,” James said defensively.

            “I am INNOCENT!” Sirius shouted.

“HARRY DOESN’T KNOW THAT!” James shouted back.

“OK! CALM DOWN YOU TWO!” Remus shouted at both. He glared at them until both were seated back on their places.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Harry knew that he was far from finished. Picking up a rock, Harry placed it in the center of the clearing and transfigured it into a cage. He was glad that his extensive reading this summer had finally done some good. Pointing his wand over at Midnight, Harry muttered, “Wingardium Leviosa,” and levitated the dog into the cell. He quickly locked it closed before sitting back down on the tree stump. Pointing his wand to the dog one more time, Harry muttered, “Ennervate,” and saw the dog starting to stir.

Harry watched as Midnight opened his eyes and looked around, noticing his current predicament. The dog looked at Harry and let out a whine as if to ask ‘why are you doing this?’ His patience and time running thin, Harry made the first move. “I know who you are,” he said bluntly. “Sirius Black.”

The dog bowed his head in shame then transformed with a pop into a human. He looked more like the photo in the ‘Daily Prophet’ than those in the photo album except for his hair was shorter, cut just above his shoulders, and his face wasn’t so sick looking. “I’m sorry,” he said in a scratchy voice. “I saw you that day and I thought I would scare you like this. I didn’t know how much people had told you.”

            “See! I had a good reason for lying to him! I didn’t want to scare him!”

Harry could only roll his eyes in annoyance. “I didn’t know anything about you until Professor Lupin told me the wonderful story,” he said through his teeth. “You betrayed my parents! Why would you think I would want anything to do with you!”

“Harry, please listen,” Black begged. “I didn’t betray your parents. I would never do that! James was like a brother to me.

            “Yes! See! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all this time!” Sirius said pleadingly looking at James. James looked like all he wanted was to believe in Sirius.

I knew Voldemort would assume I was the Secret Keeper so I figured a decoy would be the perfect ruse. No one knew it was actually Peter. I never thought he would betray us. I never thought he would have been a spy.”

            James turned to Peter, pure fury in his eyes.

            “You, you, you can’t believe him. He’s a murderer he killed me. Of course he’s lying,” Peter stammered out.

Harry stared at Black with a raised eyebrow. This wasn’t exactly what he had expected. “Peter?” he asked. “You mean Pettigrew? The man you killed along with thirteen muggles?”

            “See, even Harry knows that’s a lie,” Peter said frightened. James kept reading and at the same time keeping an eye on Peter.

Black buried his face in his hands, clearly frustrated. “Pettigrew’s not dead!” he exclaimed. “He’s an Animagus! He can transform into a rat! He’s been living with the Weasley family for years!”

            “Scabbers,” Remus murmured sadly. He had been right. James and Sirius got up and were lunging themselves at a trembling Peter.

            “You traitorous rat!” Sirius yelled.

            “How could you?” James cried. Lily tried to restrain James while Remus held Sirius.

            “We gave Sirius a chance we have to give Peter one too,” she said.

            “She’s right. Let’s just read on,” Remus continued.

James was fuming but they were right, they had given Sirius a chance. But somehow, deep down, he’d always known Sirius was innocent. Believing Peter’s guilt was a lot easier. Sirius having betrayed them didn’t make sense. Sirius was fiercely loyal and protective of those he loved. Peter, well Peter, never did much anything. He was just a tag along. James had not forgotten that Peter had been all for deserting Remus when they found out about him and only didn’t because of the thorough dressing down he received from James and Sirius. He was with them because they could protect him. Apparently they weren’t enough of a protection against Voldemort for Peter.

            James nodded and sat down. Remus had a little more difficulty subduing Sirius but after a while he sat down too. Peter was trembling. James knew why. Remus wouldn’t have had any difficulty holding Sirius, if Sirius was almost managing to escape it was because Remus wasn’t trying very hard to hold him.

Harry fell off the tree stump in shock. “B—but that’s not possible,” he stammered. “It can’t be. Scabbers is not Peter Pettigrew! Scabbers is just a rat! He’s not a follower of Voldemort! He hasn’t done anything to me! He’s had plenty of chances.”

            “See, I’ve been with Harry for years and haven’t touched a hair of his head,” Peter stuttered.

Their eyes met. “Harry, listen to me,” Black said, suddenly protective. “Peter won’t do anything until he’s sure someone is out there who can protect him. I know you don’t trust me. I’ve given you no reason to. All I ask is for a chance to prove that Peter is indeed alive. He betrayed us and framed me. I’ve spent twelve years in Azkaban for something I did not do! It was Peter who killed those muggles! Peter cut off his own finger then transformed to escape the explosion he had caused!”

            James was griping the papers so hard that his knuckles were becoming white. Remus never let go of Sirius and both were glaring furiously at a trembling Peter. Lily wasn’t fairing any better. She kept a hand on James to restrain him but you could see that he would have the impressions of her nails on his arms for a while afterwards.

Harry let out a sigh a slowly lowered his wand. This was not happening. He was supposed to hear how Voldemort had promised power in return for the Potters. He was supposed to hate Sirius Black. “S—Scabbers is missing a toe,” he said softly. It was too much to comprehend. Could this convict really be telling the truth? Could the entire wizarding world be wrong? “Didn’t you mention any of this at your trial?” he asked in confusion.

            “Yes, Didn’t he? They would have used Veritaserum. Why didn’t he say anything then, huh? Because he is lying,” Peter said a little more boldly now that he thought he had an edge.

Black snorted in disgust. “I never got a trial,” he said bitterly. “I’m sure you’ve heard how bad it was back then. Everyone knew I was the Secret Keeper. I was the only one who survived that explosion. That was all the proof they needed. Who cares about the law when everyone’s celebrating Voldemort’s downfall?”

            “I guess we’ll have to read on to know what happened then Peter,” Remus said in an icy tone that sent shivers down Peter’s spine.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. His anger and hatred towards Black had changed towards frustration at the wizarding world. How could they lock someone up in a place like Azkaban without a trial? “I’m not saying I believe you,” Harry said in a choked voice. “I don’t blindly trust anyone anymore. I’m giving you a chance to prove yourself. If you are lying, I will personally hand you over to the Dementors.”

Black stared at Harry in amazement. “You bargain like your mother,” he said.

            “What’s that suppose to mean?” Lily said defensively.

            “That you’re a tough negotiator,” James said, “I would know. Been trying to get you on a date for years.”

Harry glanced at Black before standing up and looking away. “I guess I’ll have to take your word on that since I don’t remember her or my dad,” he said making Sirius wince.

            The others, except for Peter that was trembling, winced with him.

Rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses, Harry tried to think of some way to explain all of this madness. Black’s confessions sounded sincere but Harry couldn’t ignore everything Professor Lupin had told him. He couldn’t ignore the pain in his guardian’s eyes every time the name Sirius Black entered the conversation. It was almost like he was being torn in two. He wanted to believe his godfather was a good man and not the killer he was made out to be but doing so would force him to turn against Professor Lupin.

“So that was why you wanted to get into the Gryffindor Tower on Halloween?” Harry asked curiously. “You were after Scabbers?”

Black nodded, never taking his eyes off of Harry. “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” he said sincerely. “It was the only thing I could think of at the time. I didn’t want anyone thinking you were helping me.”

            “See! I told you I wouldn’t hurt Harry. I was trying to protect him.”

Harry started pacing back and forth. Help him? Wasn’t that what he was doing now? Professor Lupin’s going to be so angry when he finds out. “I can’t do this,” Harry said suddenly. “I can’t betray Professor Lupin. He’s my guardian. He’s done so much for me. I—I have to tell him.”

            “Yes, you can tell me and we’ll find a way to get to the bottom of this,” Remus said nodding and narrowing his eyes at Peter.

“He’s your what?” Black asked in shock. “Harry, how much do you know about Remus Lupin?”

            “Oh, not you too! Snape telling Harry was bad enough!” Remus exclaimed annoyed.

            “Maybe I just want to make sure no one can take him away from you and want to let Harry know they have to find a way around the law,” Sirius said wincing.

Glancing over at Black, Harry was surprised to see concern on the convict’s face. “I know he’s a werewolf and I know about the adoption law,” he said evenly. “Professor Lupin is my ‘temporary’ guardian. Dumbledore’s trying to find some way around the law so I won’t be sent to an orphanage or back to the Dursleys.” Harry sat back down on the tree stump and buried his face in his hands. “Professor Lupin is my family. He’s in so much pain. I can’t add to it. I won’t add to it.”

Black was up on his knees in an instant. “What’s wrong with Remus?” he asked quickly. “He looked fine last week.”

            “Aw, Padfoot. How cute, you’re worried about me,” Remus said playfully nudging Sirius who blushed.

Harry slowly looked over at Black, trying to force back the burning sensation in his eyes. “I’m his entire life,” he said bluntly. “After my dad, Pettigrew and you were gone he had no one. He’s been alone for twelve years. He’s so afraid. He knows about you being Midnight but he’s afraid to tell me. Please tell me you telling the truth, that you are innocent because he needs a friend. He needs it more than anything.”

            “Harry is always thinking of others. Instead of saying “Please be innocent so you can be my guardian” he says “please be innocent so Remus can have a friend back”,” Lily said approvingly.

            “Just like his mother,” James said and Lily blushed.

“Harry, I swear to you that I didn’t betray your parents or murder those people,” Black said firmly. “Remus has always been quiet and reclusive. If there was a way to convince him I was innocent I would have done it the moment after I took you from that fat lard of a man you call an uncle. I don’t know if anyone told you but I’m your godfather which makes you my number one priority.”

“Number one priority?” Harry asked in disbelief. “Was that what I was when my parents were murdered? If I was such a priority then why was I left with the Dursleys? Why didn’t you take me?”

            “Good question,” James said crossing his arm and narrowing his eyes at Sirius who looked lost.

Black let out a sigh as his gaze fell. “I tried,” he admitted, his voice shaking. “I was ready to take you and raise you like James and Lily wanted but Hagrid was already there with you in his arms. I pleaded and begged for him to hand you over but he refused. He said Dumbledore had it planned out. It was after I lost you that I went after Peter. I figured if I couldn’t have you then at least I could have revenge for what happened to your parents.” He ran his fingers through his hair as he shook his head. “That ended up to be one of the worst things I have ever done,” Black said softly. “Not only did Peter get away but I ended up in the one place where I could never see you. I wasn’t thinking Harry. I know that now. I can’t even begin to ask for your forgiveness. I don’t deserve it.”

            “Well, to be honest, no offense Padfoot, but thinking before you act isn’t your forte,” Remus said wincing. Sirius had to agree.

Harry really didn’t know how to react. Someone had actually wanted him? All of the pain and ridicule the Dursleys had caused could have been avoided? Rubbing his temples, Harry tried to push back the headache that was slowly coming. “What am I supposed to do?” Harry asked distantly. “You’re asking me to choose between you and the one person I can trust. I don’t know you. All I know is that you’re supposed to be the reason I don’t have parents yet you rescued me from them. It was so much easier to think of you and Midnight as two and not as one.”

“I know this must be hard for you, Harry,” Black said compassionately, “and I’m sorry. I never meant to make your life so difficult. I won’t ask for you to turn your back on Remus to help me. I won’t even ask you to help me other then releasing me from this cage. I’ll capture Peter myself so I can commit the crime I was imprisoned for.”

            “WHAT?” James said angrily.

            Sirius jumped back and stuttered, “Dunno, I mean, revenge?”

            “How can you be that selfish?” Lily glared at him, “You should be trying to prove your innocence so you can be with Harry and Remus not justify your stay in Azkaban!” Remus was nodding and glaring at Sirius at the same time.

Harry quickly rose to his feet, staring at Black coldly. “There you go again!” he said angrily. “It’s all about you! What you want! What about what I want! What about what Remus wants! Have you even thought about us!”

            “NO!” James growled. Sirius winced.

Black was taken aback by the outburst. “What do you want, Harry?” he asked trying to calm the boy down.

Harry let out a scoff. “I thought it would be obvious,” he said through his teeth. “I want a family who doesn’t think I’m a freak. I want a home where I’m welcomed, not an inconvenience. I want to know there are people who do care about me for being just me. Is that too much to ask?”

            “No!” Sirius, James, Lily and Remus said at the same time. Peter was doing his best to become invisible.

            “So if you agree with us why are you trying only to get revenge?” Remus asked.

            “You know, I am perturbed after twelve yeas with the Dementors, and all,” Sirius tried to defend his older self’s actions.

There was a long silence where neither of them moved. Finally, Black let out a sigh and sat down, his back resting against a corner of the cell. “I can’t promise I won’t kill him, Harry,” he said softly. “I’ve never really been one to be exactly logical in the heat of the moment.

            Remus snorted.

 I will do what I can to prove my innocence for you and for Remus but you have to let me out of here to do that. I give you my word that I won’t hurt you.”

Harry was caught between a rock and a hard place. “You realize I’m taking an awful lot on faith here?” he asked softly then looked directly into Black’s blue eyes. “If you betray my trust, I swear you will pray for the Dementors when I’m through with you.”

Black looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow. “Really?” he said. “Harry, no offense, but that’s a little hard to believe.”

            “Yeah,” James shrugged miserably.

“I grew up with my uncle, didn’t I?” Harry said coldly. “You be amazed how much pain one can inflict on another before they pass out.”

Black stared at Harry sympathetically for a long moment before grinning. “You’re bluffing,” he said simply.

Harry’s shoulders slumped forward as his gaze fell. He had to admit it was a little hard to appear intimidating to someone who’s survived the Dementors for twelve years. “Yeah, I am,” he admitted then looked back at Black. “But I know people who wouldn’t hesitate…like Hagrid.”

            “Nothing like having the right friends,” James beamed.

Black put his hands up to signal surrender. “Point taken,” he said.

Knowing his time was running out, Harry unlocked the cell and let Black out. He quickly turned the cell back into a rock before grabbing his invisibility cloak. He spared one final look at Black before disappearing under the cloak and hurrying back to the castle. He could only pray that he hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of his life.

            “No you didn’t,” Sirius said and eying James, Remus and Lily he added for good measure, “And I will be very patient so we can prove my innocence and be happy ever after with you and Moony.”

            They nodded pleased, Peter on the other hand was not pleased at all at the prospect.