Time and Sacrifice: Book 1

Writings

Flashbacks

Silent communication

……………………

Everyone felt the Magick wash over them. As it swept through the Great Hall, it was intense and powerful. It encompassed all of Hogwarts grounds, embracing each and every person that was present. Wrapping its touch around all. Gentle yet unrelenting. 

Immediately, Harry recognized it as his Magick. 

However, it was not just his. 

It mingled with the smell of ink, parchment, crisp fall days and nights in front of the fireplace.

Hermione. 

Ron and his eyes looked at their best friend who stared right back at them with complete shock on her face. 

However, it shouldn't come as a surprise. There was only one person who could come up with the spells and enable this to happen, and that would be Hermione. 

There's no way Harry would have been able to do any of it without her. 

Another familiar Magick then came into Harry's awareness. Sunlight in the sweet summer breeze while lying in cool fresh grass, a bed of wildflowers close by. 

Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley's shock was evident from the gasp she took upon realizing that her daughter's Magick was included in the spell. A look of worry was evident in her eyes as she reached across the table to grab her only daughter's hand. Mr. Weasley wrapped their tightly clasped hands in both of his.

Dark bitter chocolate, the scent of roses and argan oil mingling with the salty breeze of the sea. 

Harry caught movement from the Slytherin Table as Theodore Nott flinched so hard, and Blaise Zabini looked as though all the blood had drained from his dark features. Notts eyes were on his friend, wide and concerned as Zabini stared at the table. It seems those closest to the handsome, dark-skinned Slytherin were staring at him with varying emotions on their faces. 

Blaise Zabini. 

Dirigible plums and the feeling of flying at sunset swept through. 

A gasp came from next to him and Harry saw Luna’s eyes widen as she trembled slightly. 

Luna.

She always seemed to Harry to be someone who always knew more. He supposes that something of this magnitude would surprise even her. 

Sweet honey and vanilla wafted from a bed of lavender, dewy with the morning mist of springtime.

Slight commotion came from the Hufflepuff Table. Apprehension was on Susan’s face as she stared at her best friend, a death grip, gripping the other girl’s hand. Hannah Abbott was as white as a ghost, shock and trepidation in her eyes and face at what it means.

Hannah.

Thunderstorms, yet calmer, less intense. Rain on a beach of stones, the water gently lapping at the shore as the raindrops sing when they meet the lake. The smell of ozone, less noticeable than the rich wet soil and sandalwood trees, but still there.

It reminded Harry a bit of Black Magick.

A loud gasp rang out across the Great Hall. Harry's eyes took notice of where the sound had originated and came upon the Malfoy parents. Mrs. Malfoy had one hand covering her mouth as though physically trying to stop any more sounds from leaving her as the other clutched the robes of Mr. Malfoy. Both were staring at their son, terrified and panicked looks on their faces. 

Draco Malfoy.

Malfoy himself was paler than he had ever seen him. His silvery eyes bore into him, confusion, and terror evident as their eyes met. 

That's why it felt similar to Harry's Magick. Harry is Sirius' son, making him a Black. Draco's mother, Narcissa, was born a Black, and is Sirius' cousin. 

Oh Merlin, he's related to Draco Malfoy. 

Before Harry could really let that thought sink in, another pulse of Magick seemed to wash over them all. 

This one was vastly different from the others, more natural, more binding. 

Yet, it also had remnants of the Black Family Magick. 

Kreature jerked, pulling his ears. A frightened, nervous expression on his face, confusion in his eyes. 

It was Kreature's Magick.

Kreature, who was a House Elf and more connected to nature, as he was a magical creature. Bound to the House of Black. 

All the Magick coalesced and grew more powerful than it had before, until finally it snapped. 

At that moment, Harry felt nothing but blinding pain. It felt as though the Magick from the spell was burning him from the inside out. Lighting all his nerves on fire as he felt his body convulse. There was a tangy taste of copper in his mouth.

Blood.

It filled his mouth, his lungs. Breathing became impossible, unbearable. His chest burned like fire as he tried to get air into his lungs.

Drowning in his own blood as his lungs filled up. 

Copper.

All he smelled was copper and ash. 

All he felt was pain.

"Let me die. Let it end."

The pain was all-consuming, yet so far away. 

It wasn't his pain, but it was. 

It was his Magick, but not as it was now. 

He was dying, but he wasn't. 

This was from the spell. From the future. 

This was Blood Magick.

This was sacrifice. 

In the abyss where only pain existed, one thought ran through his mind. 

"Our future selves are sacrificing our lives for this."

Suddenly, as abruptly as it started, the pain stopped. 

Harry was lying on the floor, breathing in the sweet air that his lungs had been deprived of for what felt like years. There were so many hands on him, running over his back, through his hair, holding his hand. Everywhere. 

Under him, Harry could feel the cold stone floors cooling his overheated skin. It was blissful relief from the pain that had overtaken him mere seconds ago. He heard a cacophony of voices over him, whispering in his ear, but was unable to make out anything that they were saying. His head was pounding so much that all he could hear was the throb of his heartbeat. 

Sleep, he just wanted sleep. 

Merlin, he had just died. Well, technically. His future self just died.

For this. For him. 

Just like his mother. 

Ignoring, all the voices and hands Harry tried to focus between the throbbing in his head. 

This was Blood Magick.

Sacrifice. 

This was done for all of them. 

Their future selves had sacrificed their lives for this. 

Just as his mother sacrificed her life for Harry’s. 

This wasn't just Blood Magick, it was Black Magick. Their future selves had gone against the natural order, had ended their lives on their terms before their time. 

His mother's death had spared Harry’s life. 

They had both used Black Magick to save what they loved most. 

He really needed to talk about this with his father. 

Harry had a feeling that his father had known that his mother had used Black Magick to save him. He wanted to be angry at the man for not telling him but realized that Sirius would have had his reasons. It was only today that he learned Dark does not mean evil. His father probably wanted him to learn more before he talked about his mother's sacrifice so Harry would truly be able to understand. 

At that moment all the hands that were on Harry suddenly let go. Gently, Harry felt two strong hands lifting him up to be placed against a strong chest, arms wrapping around him. 

Even with the remnants of lingering pain, Harry felt safe in the arms wrapped around him. 

"Harry, please please please, open your eyes." His father's frantic voice pierced through the fog. A safety line in the middle of an ocean.

"Harry, come on, I need to know you’re alright, please. I love you." The tears in his voice made the smooth voice thick and scratchy. 

"Come on, I just got you back, Harry." Wet, slick, shaking hands were running through his hair gently. 

Harry followed the desperate sound of his father's voice. 

"Pup, I'm here, just wake up, please." Harry could feel his father's panic and despondency as he called for Harry. 

He never wanted to hear him sound like that ever again. 

With every bit of strength that Harry had left in his body, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. 

"Dad." The anguish which coated every inch of his father's face turned to relief and love as Harry looked back into storm clouds. 

"Harry." His father put so much emotion into his name that Harry felt like crying, and not from what he had just been through. 

His father pulled Harry close to him, wrapping his arms tighter as though terrified that Harry would disappear. 

"I was so worried, Harry, so worried. I can't lose you. Not you. Never again." His father clutched at him, and Harry clutched back with whatever strength he had left. 

Pulling back slightly, his father cradled his face and Harry couldn't help but lean into the touch.

"I'll take care of you. Tell me what hurts, Harry." So many times in his life Harry had wished that he had an adult, a parent to take care of him when he was sick or hurt.

He has that now.

He has Sirius. 

Right now, though, Harry didn't know how to say everything. 

"Ow." It was the only thing that seemed to make sense at the time. 

"I'll assume you mean 'everything' by that." His father attempted a weak smile, but it was barely a ghost on his face that was mounted with worry. 

Harry noticed now that his father’s hands and clothes were covered in blood. Going by the taste in his mouth, the wetness of his clothes, and the sticky slick feeling on his face and in his hair, Harry figured it was his. 

"Ow." It was meant as agreement. Lucky for Harry, his father understood. 

"Merlin, what happened? I knew this was a terrible idea." His father started to speak to himself. 

"Blood." It hurt to talk but Harry wanted to tell Sirius what he knew. Wanted to let him know that he'll be okay. That it wasn't them of now who were truly hurt, it was their future selves. 

"Yes Harry, you're bleeding." Harry felt Fred tenderly grab his hand.

He'll always know when it's Fred. 

Shaking his head, Harry had to stop immediately as even the darkness behind his eyelids seemed to be spinning.

"Magick." It came out more like a pant. 

Confusion entered his father's eyes.

"Blood Magick?" The question was whispered. Fred's voice, gentle and comforting in his ear.

"Black." It was hard to talk but he had to calm his father. 

"The Black Family? From Sirius being your father?" Fred's words are ever so quiet, barely more than breath from an exhale of air. Harry loved him even more for being so careful with his secrets.

"No. Sacrifice. Like my mom's." Harry felt as his father sucked in a breath of surprise. Peaking one eye open he saw the faces of his father and boyfriend.

Fred was confused but Sirius understood. 

"This...this was our sacrifice. Future. They're...we're gone there. For us to be here. For this. Felt it. Our sacrifice." Comprehension washed over Fred's face, as he paled over the implication of Harry's panted explanation. 

"I'm okay. Just...just felt...felt what they felt." Harry's also fairly sure that that timeline his future self was from, no longer exists anymore. Or it won't, once the readings are done. 

He's too tired to say so now. 

Plus, time is confusing, and he would rather not think about it. His head hurts enough as it is. 

"It wasn't just you." The words hit Harry like a physical blow, and he snaps his eyes open from when he had closed them from exhaustion. The face that he loves with all his heart is etched with grief and lingering fear. 

"I know my baby sister's Magick, Hermione's too. You all screamed and fell over at the same time. Luna as well. There were others too, but I don't know who else. Didn't care." There were tears gently making their way down Fred's cheeks, and all Harry wanted to do was wipe them away. 

With great effort he lifted his hand to do just that, leaving streaks of blood on the pale, freckled cheeks. 

"All I cared about was you. Watching you, not being able to do anything...I thought...I thought you were...you were going to..." Sucking in a deep breath, Fred kissed Harry's hand that he was cradling in his own, unable to say the words. 

Harry felt his father flinch as though he had been dealt a deadly blow, holding Harry impossibly close to him. 

"You can't leave me, Harry. You can't." He would never leave Fred. 

That's how Harry knew that Fred was already dead in his future. 

Harry wouldn't have done what he did without Fred if he was still alive. He knew Fred's Magick better than he knew his own. 

Fred's Magick was absent when that seal was broken. 

Harry would face this pain ten times over if it meant that Fred was here. Alive. 

Swallowing the pain at the thought of a world without Fred, Harry decided to focus on something that wouldn't leave his chest feeling as though it was an aching hollow. 

"The other's, are they okay?" Harry attempted to try to get up but barely managed to sit upright before he fell back into his father's arms. 

"If you're right, which I'm sure you are, they'll be fine, Harry. They're still out from what I can make out." His father is right, but Harry still worries. Even though he'll happily endure this pain to save Fred and make sure his father is free, it doesn't mean that he wants anyone else to suffer. 

"Lay back down, relax for a bit, catch your breath. We're here and we're not going anywhere." Fred's voice is soothing and calm, making breathing easier for Harry as the pain starts to ebb away. 

"Thank Merlin, my father and boyfriend get along." It was a random thought Harry had as he laid against his father's chest with his boyfriend whispering soothing words to him and holding his hand. 

Apparently, he had said the words out loud from the shaking of the chest his head was resting on and the quiet chuckles coming from above him. 

"It seems you picked a good one Harry." There was laughter and acceptance in his father's voice. 

Harry couldn't help the small smile that spread on his face. 

"The best." Fred kissed his hand at his words. Harry could feel the lopsided grin that adorns his boyfriend's lips at the contact. 

After what just happened, Harry's happy that he has both his boyfriend and father by his side. 

Wait. 

His boyfriend and father were with him. 

Sirius was holding him while in human form. 

In the middle of the Great Hall. 

Where the Minister, Umbridge, and the Head of the DMLE is.

With a Kiss on Sight order. 

Oh Merlin, no. 

Snapping his eyes wide open, Harry jumped off his father and ripped his hand out of Fred's soft grip, all pain immediately forgotten. His wand came instantly to his hand as he landed on his feet in a defensive stance, ready for anyone who might try to take his father away from him. 

It seems his reaction wasn't expected at all for the entire hall gasped in surprise at his quick movements after something they had all witnessed to be incredibly painful. Especially, as Harry could still feel the slick stickiness from the blood covering his face and body. 

Ready to fight every person in the Hall, Harry was quite surprised at the scene he saw.

Although, he supposes he shouldn't be. 

Remus was directly in front of where Harry, Sirius, and Fred were. He was ready to fight. His muscles taunt, ready to strike out at any perceived threat to those who are his. Amber eyes glowing fiercely, letting those know they would have to face the fires of hell before they got past him. 

Tonks had somehow ended up on Harry's side of the table, standing side by side with Remus, looking more of the Auror that she was than Harry has ever seen her before. Long dark curls, wild, showing the truth of her Black blood, fanned out around her like waving banners in the middle of the battlefield, letting all know exactly just whose side she's on. 

Two Order members, Emmeline, and Hestia, if Harry remembered correctly, had their wands digging into Kingsley neck. The dark man hands were raised in surrender, eyes calmer than anyone had any right to in such a situation. Then again, Kingsley was part of the Order and had to keep up the act of being on the Ministry's side. Especially, now that Tonks was openly protecting Sirius. 

The Minister was in much the same position as Kingsley, with Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth, holding his wand to the man. The difference being that Fudge looked absolutely terrified as Aberforth dug his wand painfully into the side of his neck.

Moody had his wand pointed at the back of Madame Bones who was kneeling on the floor next to Professor Sprout and her niece. Susan was cradling the form of her best friend, Hannah, who was in much the same condition Harry had been in. Madame Bones' eyes were darting between the girl who lay prone next to her, and the place where his father was currently occupied. An expression on her face that hurt Harry to look at. 

Umbridge had a cut that was bleeding from her temple as well as a swollen and cut lip. Blood steadily flowed from the corner of her mouth. The front of her lurid pink cardigan was burned and singed. Her toad like features were a cross between rage and absolute fear and panic. It was clear to see why the woman would be as terrified as she was. 

Andromeda Tonks née Black stood in front of the woman; the tip of her wand held to the thick throat under Umbridge's chin. A thin trail of blood slowly made its way down the short woman's throat from where the wand was pressed. 

The look on the beautiful, aristocratic features on his aunt, as well as the Magick rolling off her would terrify any who crossed her. It wasn't just fury and protectiveness that were expressed in her. It was deadliness and utter calm. It was challenging. A challenge that no one would wish to take. 

Percy, the last Ministry official who could've been a possible threat to his father was currently cradling the head of Ginny in his lap as he tried to clean the blood off her face, tears rolling down his cheeks. The forms of his father, mother, and elder brothers behind him, who seemed to be going back and forth between Ginny and Hermione, who was in the arms of their Head of House. 

Doing a quick scan of the room, Harry found the people whose Magick he had believed he had felt at the breaking of the seal. 

Neville tenderly held Luna as he heard both Professor Flitwick and Madame Pomfrey doing scans. The petite girl looked even more fragile in her motionless state. Her long dirty blonde hair clumped together in the drying blood. 

Kreature looked nearly dead as Dobby was fussing over him, Hagrid right by his side, trying to calm the easily excitable Elf, and ensure that Kreature was alright. Hagrid was the most knowledgeable person on all Magical creatures. 

Zabini was lying still, in the same condition as Harry and Hannah were in, being cradled and gently rocked by Nott, who had tears streaming down his face. Snape was frantically checking his student as the only movement that Harry could see was the rise and fall of his chest. 

The Malfoy parents were as Harry could never imagine them to be.

Lucius clutched his son in his arms, tears flowing free, unhindered. Narcissa too was crying and shaking as she scanned her son, trying to find out what was wrong. There was pure, unadulterated fear and dismay on their faces. 

The rest of the Great Hall occupants were in varying states of distress, fear, and confusion as they looked over everything going on as Dumbledore and the other professors were trying to keep the students calm. 

Seeing that all current threats to his father were being managed and secured, Harry felt a bit of adrenaline leave him and stumbled back. Luckily, he was caught in strong arms, honey skinned hands holding Harry to their chest once more and taking on much of his weight. 

Seeing the frantic actions and fear on the faces of the adults who were trying to find out what had happened to the children in their care, Harry tiredly opened his mouth to give them any assurance that he could. 

"They're going to be fine." Everyone turned to look at him. His father helped him over to the seat he had been sitting in before he fell to the floor. 

Remus had briefly left his place to run a hand through Harry’s hair to assert that Harry was truly okay as the golden eyes scanned over him, before he quickly fell back into his defensive stance. 

"Oh, Harry, Thank goodness you're okay!" Mrs. Weasley words were more like watery tears as her smile trembled when she looked at Harry from her spot next to Ginny and Hermione, still frantic from their unconscious forms.

"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley." Harry offered the woman a tired smile, trying to calm her down as best he could. 

"He says he's fine yet covered in blood." Ron had climbed over the table to pull Harry into a hug. Holding him tightly as though scared that something will happen once more if he were to let go. 

"I am, just tired." The words were quiet but with how silent the Great Hall was, Harry was sure that everyone could hear him.

"How do you know?" The furious whisper came from the other side of the room. The ice blue eyes of Lucius Malfoy stared at Harry while he clutched his son to his chest. 

"How do you know my son will be alright?!" The ice in his eyes turned to daggers as he shouted out, his voice trembling from fear for his son. 

Harry recognized that this wasn't Lucius Malfoy the Death Eater.

This was Lucius Malfoy the father.

A father who was overcome with fear for what had happened to his son. 

Narcissa, Harry could tell, was just as terrified for her son, but remained the calm one of the two.

"Because it's not your son from here that was truly hurt." Dawning realization rose in the grey eyes, so much like her sister's.

Harry couldn't help but think that all Black women must be incredibly sharp. 

"He's as he is because he was part of the spell, part of the reason we're all here right now." It was shocking because how bad must things have been in the future that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy would sacrifice their lives together?

"When the spell was activated when Professor McGonagall opened the letter and the seal, that time, the future, and our time connected. The people who were there connected with their younger selves here. We felt what they did. We felt their sacrifice." Harry could tell that Mrs. Malfoy understood but she didn't want to believe it. She didn't want to believe that her son had sacrificed his own life. She placed her body in front of his as though protecting him from the very thought. 

"Sacrifice?" There were tears in the storm cloud eyes. She wanted confirmation. 

She feared confirmation. 

She needed it. 

"They...we...they...oh I don't know, we lost people. Magick was dying. A way to fix it all was created. It required sacrifice to be made." It was hard to explain, harder with the fact that different times are involved. 

Harry really wasn't a fan of time magic. 

Time Magick seems to keep saving the people he loves most. 

He figures he'll happily deal with the headache that comes with it in that case. 

"The only payment for life..." Narcissa's voice is soft and thick as tears catch on her pale lashes.

"Is death." Andromeda's voice is strong and final.

Both sisters stare at one another until Narcissa drops her eyes and dips her head in acceptance.

Due to the one her husband calls Master, both women knew that Sacrifice was necessary.

A second later her eyes cut to her husband and Harry sees Mr. Malfoy flinch as though he had been cursed by the look in his wife's eyes.

"What are you saying, Harry?" There's grief in George's voice as he already suspects the answer.

"We died there, so people could live here." He can see the way his words affected those who held onto the ones they loved who fell from the magical backlash. The way they were all held tight as the faces above them cried and sobbed at the news. 

"How do you know?" Bill was holding on to his sister's hand, Fleur had her arms wrapped around the eldest Weasley brother in comfort.

"When we connected, I could feel it. I felt my future self die." His father and boyfriend held him tighter to them. Harry could see the way Remus flinched at his words. He rested his free hand on the back of Harry's neck, reaffirming to himself that Harry was alive here and now. 

"It is my understanding, Mr. Potter, that that is Blood Magick. Black Magick." Umbridge's high voice rang out. Andromeda stepped impossibly closer to the woman as her wand dug deeper into her neck. 

"Oh, shut up, you great pink toad." Ginny groaned out to the shock of them all. 

"Ginny!" All the Weasley's shouted, trying to reach the youngest of their members to make sure that they weren't just hearing things and that Ginny was really up. 

Eyes still closed; Ginny flinched away from the sheer volume of her family. 

Harry didn't blame her. His head was still pounding too. 

"Voices...lower...please...head hurts." The words were barely more than a whimper, but her family immediately obliged her request, lowering their voices as relief coursed through them. 

Harry had never seen a Weasley celebration that was so quiet before. 

"You dare..." It seemed Umbridge ignored the dangerous witch that had her wanted pointed to the fat throat, as a shrill voice rang out. 

Before she could finish, another voice broke through.

"Shhhh for Merlin’s sake. Just shut up." His bushy haired best friend was now up. Relief flooded through Harry, as Ron and the Weasley's checked on her.

Not far from him, he could see the slight twitch in Luna’s fingers as consciousness slowly started to come back to the younger girl. Harry could see that Neville saw it too for the blonde boy sagged in relief. 

From the exclamations of joy, it seemed the others were beginning to stir and wake up.

"Bloody hell, what happened?" The usual smooth voice of Zabini was heard, now scratchy and raw due to the screaming. 

"Congratulations, your future self thought it was a bright idea to kill yourself so we could read a bunch of books." Nott had tried to sound haunty and dismissive, but his voice was still coated with the tears that he had cried in panic for his friend. 

"Oh, is that so? I think you mean, 'Congratulations, your future self help create a way that has never been seen before to travel objects back in time and stop time altogether. You're a genius, Blaise. You put my secret Ravenclaw self to shame.'" Although the words would have made others laugh, Nott just held Zabini closer to him, his shoulders shaking. 

"You left." All Harry could see of Nott was his chestnut hair as he buried his face in Zabini's neck, clutching the dark-skinned boy.

"Only would've did it if you left first." Zabini was clutching Nott just as tightly. 

"Oh, that was more painful than I would have thought." The musical voice of Luna sounded stripped bare and tired as she relaxed against Neville.

"Luna!" Neville's kept his joyful call of her name quiet, aware from the way Ginny and Hermione had woken up that her head would be hurting her. 

"I'm so happy you're alright. I was so worried." The words were intense yet gentle as Neville wove his fingers in Luna’s hair. 

"Of course, I'm alright, Neville. You're here." Neville blushed at the younger girl's words as she gave him a sweet, tired smile. 

"Susie...Aunt Amy." Hannah said as she tried to get up and immediately fell back into Susan's lap. 

"Shhh, it's okay, sweetheart. Relax. You went through a lot just now." Madame Bones was lovingly running a hand through Hannah's hair as she had the other arm wrapped around her niece. 

"Mother." It was the softest Harry has ever heard Malfoy speak. 

"Draco, sweetheart, my love, I'm so happy you’re alright." Narcissa said as she kissed her son’s forehead reverentially, combing her fingers through the white-blonde strands. 

"My son, my boy, I've never been so relieved in all my life. You're okay, you're here." Mr. Malfoy rocked his son in his arms, holding him to his chest. 

"Master..." Kreature's voice was quiet and strained. 

"Sirius, Kreature's calling you." His father stared at him as a small smile formed over his face. 

"No, Harry. He's calling you." Harry was confused at his father's words and the loving look in his face. Never seeing him look that way when talking about Kreature.

"There's only one person I know alive that could win Kreature's loyalty and affection to sacrifice himself." Sirius placed a kissed on his forehead that seemed to make Harry's headache recede slightly. 

"You." A blush formed on his face at the love in his father's voice. 

Nodding his head as he was currently unable to fight the words, Harry gingerly got up to stagger his way to Kreature, his father and Fred behind him to steady him. He took the few steps to get to Kreature and unceremoniously plopped to his knees. 

"Master." Kreature slightly opened his eyes to look at Harry, quickly closing them again from the headache Harry knows he has. Not wanting the Elf to feel as though he's alone and unwanted, Harry gingerly picked Kreature up and put him in his lap, making sure the elderly Elf was comfortable. 

"It's okay, Kreature. I'm here." Harry ran a soothing hand over the nearly bald head. 

"Kreature heard Master's voice in the Magick." That surprised Harry because he did not hear anything. 

"Master said to Kreature that he was going to make sure Kreature got back what he loved most." Thinking about it, it only seemed fair. Harry was going to make sure Fred stayed alive and his father was freed. For Kreature to have made the Sacrifice as well, it was only right that he got back what he loved most. 

The question was, what did Kreature love most?

Merlin, he hoped it was not Walburga.

"That Kreature has been good and loyal. That Kreature had offered to do the Sacrifice to stay by Master's side. That as Kreature had done so selflessly, that he would repay Kreature." The whispery voice was filled with so much emotion, Harry felt his eyes burn from tears.

"Why was Master so kind to Kreature?" Tears filled the large eyes as the tiny Elf in his arms started sniffling.

Kreature wanted kindness.

He wanted a family. 

Harry understood that better than anyone. 

"Because you're family, Kreature. You deserve love, loyalty, and happiness too." The tears that had been filling Kreature's eyes finally spilled over like a burst dam. Harry allowed the old House Elf to cry into his shirt. As he soothingly stroked the too skinny back. 

"Did I tell you what it was." Hoping that it wasn't going to be Walburga for his father’s sake. 

"Master did not. Master said though that Master could because of another Sacrifice and the reason that Sacrifice was made. Said that before Kreature gets his reward that issues with the Mutt Master will need to be managed first." Harry heard his father let out a long breath at the title, although said without the usual disdain that Kreature had given him. 

"Master said that Kreature won't get his reward until they get to certain part in letter." At the mystery surrounding Harry's words to Kreature, Harry hated to admit that Ted may definitely be right about Black's and their dramatics. Shaking his head to remove the thoughts, Harry offered Kreature a smile. 

"Well then, I think it's about time that we get started." Harry said, gingerly standing up as now that the adrenaline was wearing off, he was feeling the soreness from before he had feared for Sirius’ life. Sirius and Fred saw Harry's struggle and the toll it took on him, and they were prepared to help, if needed, but not before then. They both knew that Harry would rather push through on his own until he could not, too used to being on his own. Yet, they wanted to make sure that he had them if needed.

Harry genuinely does not know how he was so lucky to have people like them in his life.

With that thought, Harry gently helped Kreature to his feet walking him to his seat and making sure he was comfortable. Kreature’s large eyes were filled with swirling emotions and tears.

Harry promised to do better by Kreature as well.

All around the Great Hall, those who had been most affected by the spell were being helped back to their seats by those closest to them.

Once everyone was settled, Harry looked back at Professor McGonagall and gave her a nod signaling he was ready.

"To all those present at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Professor McGonagall took a deep, shuddering breath before continuing. 

“Before anything else, I, we would like to apologize to Professor McGonagall for having to be the one to read this. We are aware of how painful parts of this will be to read for you, Professor, but it has to be you. For the Magick to be effective, a person who will most certainly be at Hogwarts in both the present and the future must read the letter. This will immediately trigger the spell from their side. The spell will only end once all books are finished, followed by the last remaining letter." The professor started off shakily before her voice gained strength.

"As you all may now be aware, we find it that it might just be good to confirm to all, that those who had such an extreme reaction to the start of the spell were the ones who had set up all this in the first place. We must apologize for what you have been made to go through and witness just now. Especially to the eight individuals who felt the effects of the spell most acutely. Just know, if you blame anyone for what you were made to experience, blame your future selves. We each assured ourselves that we would bear the pain of it, as it was more than worth it. That with the chance to ensure the safety and lives of the ones we love most; we would happily endure the pain of the Sacrifice. Our lives were of little cost for how much we had lost, and what we stood to gain." At these words both Weasley and Malfoy parents let out sobs as they clutched their children closer to them. Unable to bear the thought that their children had felt as though their lives had so little meaning.

"This is more necessary than you could ever imagine. We would not have been brought to such extremes had it not been. Every possibility was exhausted before we determined that this was the path that would need to be taken. This was the path that would save the most lives. That would save Magick itself." The reminder that Magick was dying in their future hit all of them harder than initially. To think that something so woven into their lives, their very being, would soon be gone was unimaginable.

"It all began during the second war with Voldemort." Gasps and shouts of surprise rang throughout the Great Hall. Heads were shaking in fear and disbelief, not wanting the words to be true. 

"THAT IS A LIE!" Umbridge’s face was redder than Harry had ever seen it before, rage visible in every part of her. 

"It is not." Harry stood up and stared into the cruel eyes of the woman who had spent months torturing him for only telling the truth. For merely trying to warn them all. 

"I've said it every day since I brought Cedric’s, MY FRIEND'S, body back after I was FORCED to watch him be MURDERED!" He sees the grey eyes go lifeless every time he closes his eyes. The light leaving them in a flash of green. 

"Every single day, regardless of what ANYONE had to say about me. Regardless of the ridicule, the scorn, the hostility, the smear campaign, in spite of it all, I continued to stand by my words. To warn each and every person that Voldemort was back." The time they have been denying his return, they have been allowing him to get stronger. Making it so that when they finally have to admit the truth, many more people will die.

"I was called a liar and an attention seeker because I tried to warn everyone that my parents' murderer was back. That I was forced to watch the man who made me an orphan, and had tried to kill me, return. All because I wanted to warn people, so that no more children would have to grow up as orphans. So parents wouldn't have to bury their children." There were tears and shame on the faces of those who had believed the lies about him.

"Every day I told the truth. Every day I was called a liar." Harry slammed his eyes closed as he took a deep breath, squeezing his hand closed into a fist, feeling the skin pulled around the tightened scarred words. He opened his eyes and stared at the one who had made him inflict those wounds on himself. 

"Remember Professor, I must not tell lies." Harry watched as the toadlike face paled dramatically from the rage filled red that it was colored just a moment ago. 

"And weren't you and our esteemed Minister the ones who had sworn to the truth and legitimacy of all that you were sent, and we were to be reading?" Umbridge's and the Minister's mouths were opening and closing silently, unable to form any words to rebuke Harry, for there were over a thousand witnesses to what she had said. 

"Now, if you would be kind enough not to interrupt Professor McGonagall again, we would all be happy to continue." Harry sat back down, turning his attention away from the two Ministry officials and back to his Head of House. Clearing her throat once more, the professor continued.

"It all began during the second war with Voldemort. When the Ministry finally decided that they could no longer turn a blind eye to the truth, which was June of 1996, Voldemort had already gained back much of the power base that he had in the First Wizarding War. As so, when it became public knowledge that he was back, the Ministry was unprepared and unequipped to deal with the chaos that he and his Death Eaters had wrecked fifteen years earlier. It was too much too soon. No steady build up to allow us time to prepare for any sort of counter. It became a slaughter." Professor McGonagall was cut off by Moody slamming his walking stick on the ground. 

Moody's face held more emotion than Harry would have thought possible. Harry could see the ghosts lurking in his haunted eye. The grizzled face whose reflection was a constant reminder of years of war and the price paid for surviving. A price that Harry knew Moody thought was little compared to those who had lost everything. As compared to the ghosts that inhabited his haunted eye; friends and innocents that died and were swallowed by magic, blood, and death.

"We barely managed the First War!" The power of Moody's voice was amplified by the souls the man carries with him of those he lost. 

"It became a slaughter in the end! But what is it to you?" A gnarled finger pointed accusingly at the pale-faced Minister.

"To you?!" The rustic voice trembled slightly in the otherwise furious, impenetrable visage of the war-weary Auror.

"You, who had not been forced to watch friends die! Friends who died so you wouldn't have to!" The fire in Moody's eyes was like the Gates of Hell opening up, promising to consume all who entered.

"The faces of innocents you couldn't save don't haunt your dreams. Their families' cries don't echo in your ears, if they weren't murdered along with them, as you had to tell them that their loved ones wouldn't be coming home. Now, because of you-" His eyes were fixed on the Minister, who was trembling in the face of the renowned Auror's fury as he had his walking stick pointed at him. 

"It was left to children to save us. Mark my words Fudge, when we're finished here, I will make it my personal mission that you are removed from office." There was a promise in Moody's voice that said he would die before he broke it. 

Harry believed him. 

Watching as the man took his seat once more, Professor McGonagall continued, ghosts of her own held in her eyes from Moody's outburst. 

"It didn't help that much of the Ministry was corrupt with Voldemort’s followers on the inside making moves on his behalf before his return was exposed." Harry watched as Madame Bones' eyes snapped to stare at Mr. Malfoy whose face was blank and still as a statue. 

"Once Voldemort’s return was undeniable, things immediately took a turn for the worse. That first year, many people, many families, both Magical and Muggle were killed. Most within the walls of their own homes. Fear and terror ran rampant. The only solace for any was the safety the children were afforded when within Hogwarts. Nevertheless, many of the students were affected by the violence outside the school gates. Many received news that they would no longer see their loved ones ever again." The sounds of quiet tears and sniffles could be heard from many. The thought that it was someone they loved who had been killed was too painful to think about. 

"It was a year after Voldemort’s return was acknowledged that relative safety at..." Professor McGonagall stopped abruptly. Her eyes stared at the parchment in her hand with absolute horror, shaking her head in denial, her hands trembling. 

Terror flooded Harry as he'd never seen his Head of House in such a state. 

The professor took a stumbling step back and almost fell to the ground had Snape not acted quickly and caught her. 

"I... I can't...you read it." Tears filled her eyes as she continued to shake her head as if to rid herself of the words she had read and was unable to speak. 

Harry watched as Snape's dark eyes glanced at the page and his shoulders dropped. 

"I can't read the words. It has to be you. Whatever it is, we'll make sure it doesn't happen. I promise." They all watched as the Head of Gryffindor House stared into the eyes of the Head of their rival's House, strength growing and determination setting in. She gave the man a nod and a tender pat on the cheek. 

"You're right, Severus. We will never let this happen. Thank you." The gratitude in her voice was heartfelt and genuine. 

Snape bowed his head to the older professor's words. 

"It was a year after Voldemort’s return was acknowledged that the relative safety at Hogwarts had ended. The next year, Voldemort had total control of the Ministry and Hogwarts." Loud exclamations rang out as the fear that his Head of House had initially felt, was felt by all in the room.

"Merlin, one year." Madame Bones was heard above the cacophony.

Turning to face Fudge the blonde woman had a look of loathing and disgust on her face. 

"What have you doomed us to?" The venom in her voice was more poisonous than even Snape had ever sounded. Fudge had blanched and looked as though he had swallowed his tongue.

His father let out a sigh, and Harry couldn't help but look at the man. There was a dreamy, lovesick expression on his father's face, who was staring at Madame Bones who looked as though she could kill Fudge with her eyes. 

There was a story there that Harry wasn't sure he wanted to know. 

He also had a feeling he would find out quite soon.

Banning the thought from his head, as well as the horror at the thought that his first home would be taken over by Voldemort, Harry turned his attention back to Madame Bones and a petrified Fudge. 

"You know what Voldemort did to my family. Your actions have put Susan, my niece in danger." Susan's back straightened at her aunt's words and Harry saw just why his friend could be downright terrifying sometimes. 

"You think you need to be worried about Moody? He's the least of your worries. I will be leading the charge in your removal from office. As well as your pet." There was raw viciousness in her voice as both people she had addressed looked as though they had forgotten how to breathe. 

"If you would please continue, Minerva." The request was calm as Madame Bones' anger was not directed at the professor but still coated in ice from her fury. 

"Half-Bloods and Purbloods had no choice but to return. They learned that Hogwarts would be much different under the newly installed regime. Instead of the home away from home that Hogwarts had been for over a thousand years, it had turned into a prison. A prison where Death Eaters, such as the Carrows were their professors, their guards, their torturers. The only safety within the school was in a room which was not there," All members of the DA perked up, and caught each other's eyes, knowing exactly which room that was.

"Housing a rebellion of students and offering sanctuary to all who needed it, regardless of House." Harry was happy to know that the DA was around to help people who needed it without discrimination. 

"Muggleborns were forced to go on the run as the Muggleborn Registration Act was put into effect. The act stated that all Muggleborns were to be put on trial for theft of Magick..." There was a thunderous pouring of outrage at those words, Hermione being the loudest. 

"We didn't steal Magick! We were born with it!" The rage in his best friend's voice was on display for everyone to see. Most of the room is in a similar state. 

"What is this?! NAZI GERMANY?!" The usual calm and relaxed Dean Thomas was just as furious about what they all heard. 

The shouting didn't stop. The anger of Muggleborns and their friends filled the air. 

Madame Bones stood up, her presence commanding attention without saying a word. It took a few moments before the hall was completely quiet. 

"I understand that the contents of the letters are disturbing and horrifying. I find myself just as angry as all of you over the mention of this Act. I will promise you now, that as long as I am Head of the DMLE, as long as I am alive, this Act will never come to be." The simmering anger and fear from all, cooled at the words and the promise they held. Finding relief and faith from the Head of the DMLE. 

Harry thought that Madame Bones was what a leader should be. 

"Minerva, please, continue." Madame Bones said when she saw that the students had calmed down once more and were ready to carry on. 

"The act stated that all Muggleborns were to be put on trial for theft of Magick, and once found guilty, would be Kissed." Soft screams of fear were heard, and Harry could feel his blood turn cold at the thought of the Dementors and a fate worse than death. Even Professor McGonagall turned white as a ghost and had to stop to calm herself. 

"Merlin..." Hermione's eyes were wide and horrified.

"It won't happen, Hermione. We won't let it." Even though Ron looked as though he was going to throw up, determination shone in his eyes as he stared at their friend. 

"It's not only that. The letter said, 'once found guilty' not 'if found guilty.' It means our guilt was already predetermined and the trials were only held for formality's sake. We would be kissed no matter what, for there was only one result that would occur in any trial." Harry felt sick at Hermione's words. He knew the truth of them when he saw Madame Bones close her eyes as if in pain. 

Next to him, his father started shaking. Looking at him, his face was twisted in misery. His eyes were tortured and unfocused as though locked in memories of his time in Azkaban. Still caged in mind by cold stone, colder metal bars, the icy whip of the frigid wind of the North Sea against a malnourished and poorly protected body. Amplified by the wintry despair brought on by the guards that lurked and fed off of what little happiness there was left.

"Oh, Sirius, I'm so sorry. I know how mentioning them affects you. I wasn't thinking, it's just...oh I'm so sorry." Hermione had tears in her eyes at seeing the way her words had affected his father as she grabbed his hand in comfort.

Sirius harshly shook his head as though trying to physically remove the wounds that still festered after twelve years in Azkaban. He gently squeezed her hand back. 

"Don't...don't apologize for anything, Hermione. You have nothing to apologize for. What's in that letter, that Act, that's worse than even I had faced. Guilty with a farce of a trial and forced to endure the Dementors. I understand the horror of it better than anyone." His father's voice was choked with tears as he gave a self-deprecating watery smile. 

"Sirius, you weren't even given a trial." Tears flowed freely down Hermione's face as his father tried to comfort his friend even through his own struggles. 

"What do you mean?" Madame Bones stood up. Her voice trembled slightly, which was surprising given the strength she had spoken with not so long ago. His father tensed when he heard her voice, his eyes looking anywhere but at the beautiful blonde.

"Sirius never had a trial, Madame Bones." Ron, Hermione, and he stood up and uttered the words at the same time, quickly catching each other's eyes at their unintended synchronization. 

"I'm aware that there was no Wizengamot Trial. There was utter chaos for a while after Voldemort’s defeat. Some of his most loyal Death Eaters flew into rage and rampaged throughout the Magical and Muggle Worlds. Not all the Wizengamot could get together for a trial. In that case a tribunal would be held, consisting of the Minister, Head of the DMLE, and the Chief Warlock. A tribunal is what Sirius got." Once again, Madame Bones' voice was strong as she was explaining, before it broke as she said Sirius' name, blinking her eyes rapidly, trying to keep the tears that had filled her blue eyes at bay.  

"At that time, Millicent Bagnold was the Minster, Bartemius Crouch Senior was Head of the DMLE, and Albus Dumbledore was Chief Warlock, and the ones who should have made sure that a tribunal was held." Harry's stomach dropped at the words. He knew Sirius had never had a trial, but he didn't know that a tribunal was supposed to be held in its place.

Dumbledore was one of the parties that should have made sure his father was questioned properly. Who should have wanted answers the most. His father was a part of Dumbledore's Order, and was accused of betraying them, and being the reason that many of their numbers were dead. If Harry was Dumbledore, he would have wanted to know why someone he trusted, someone who had claimed to be friends with those now dead could ever betray them. 

The tribunal would have answered so many questions. 

Moments of his earlier conversation with his father came to Harry’s mind. 

"I learned after I escaped that you were put with your aunt and Uncle. That you were left with them on the night of November 1, 1981."

"I wasn't arrested until the night of November 2, 1981. The day after you were placed with the Dursley's."

"Dumbledore never intended to give you back to me. Never intended for me to raise you. Even if I had managed to apprehend Peter, he would have fought for you to remain at your aunt's."

The tribunal would have shown without a doubt that Sirius was innocent and would have every right to raise Harry.

Except, how many times had Dumbledore told Harry that he needed to remain at his aunt's for his own safety? Even after he had begged and pleaded, Harry was always forced to go back to the place that he hated.

To the people that hate him.

Harry felt sick to his stomach at what he was thinking. 

Dumbledore was the one who had Hagrid take Harry from Sirius. He was the one who put Harry on the Dursley’s doorstep. Left him with people who would spend the next ten years making Harry's life a living hell. 

When Harry got his Hogwarts letter and thought he had finally escaped, Dumbledore sent him back to Number 4 Private Drive every summer. 

At the end of Harry’s third year when Harry and Hermione had woken up in the Hospital Wing after everything that had happened, they barely had to say anything for the Headmaster to believe them before they were given instructions to save Sirius. 

Did Dumbledore already know that Sirius was innocent?

There's a difference between damning a man to Azkaban and having him Kissed when he's innocent. 

Was it that Dumbledore could live with Sirius being imprisoned on that rock in the middle of that cruel sea, filled with crueler people, exposed to the cruelest of beings, but couldn't let his father be subjected to their most heinous punishment knowing the truth of his innocence?

Harry couldn't think about this right now. Right now, was a crucial moment for his father's potential freedom, and Harry needed to stay focused. Thinking about everything that Madame Bones had said wasn't going to help the possible betrayal that him and his father may have been subjected to. 

"Sirius?" Hermione turned to Sirius. She already knew that there was no tribunal, but it would be best if Sirius had said it to himself. 

"On November 2, 1981, I was arrested on the street that had blown up. From there I was sent straight to Azkaban. No Ministry. No holding cell. No trial. No tribunal. Just twelve years inside a cell with nothing but the screams of Death Eaters and Dementors keeping me company." His father's voice was devoid of emotion as he stared up at the ceiling, the starry sky they displayed, as if begging the heavens to take those years away from him. 

Madame Bones looked as though a Crucio would have been less painful. She had collapsed into her chair, a look of horror and grief on her face as she stared at Sirius. Closing her eyes for a moment, her face twisted in pain. A single tear streamed down her face. 

Around the Hall there were cries of dismay and horror at his father's words. That a possibly innocent man was sent to the living nightmare that is Azkaban without any legal proceeding was terrifying.

Then the outrage came. All of it was directed at Fudge, Umbridge and Dumbledore. 

Most had come from Slytherin, with the exception of a specific Hufflepuff. 

"That's against the law! It goes against our civil rights as citizens of Magical Great Britain!" Susan Bones stood up, righteous fury on her face. 

"Sirius Black is the Heir of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black! The Blacks are the Oldest family in Europe! If he's innocent, your ineptitude would have seen the end of their Line!" Daphne Greengrass' voice was filled with loathing and disdain, as though she had stepped on something particularly disgusting. 

"How is it that the Ministry ends up screwing over the ONE PERSON who may have ACTUALLY been innocent?! Yet, they let others free who weren't!" Harry was surprised to see the rage that had consumed Nott. 

Grateful but surprised with given the circumstances. Especially, as his father would have been one of them.

"The Black Family is one of the very cornerstones of the Magical community in the British Isles!" An older boy that Harry vaguely recognized stood up and shouted out. It took a moment, but Harry remembered it was Terence Higgs, the Slytherin Seeker in his first year at Hogwarts before Malfoy took the spot.

Next to Higgs, Adrian Prucey eyes were thunderous within his calm and focused face as he stood up. Unconsciously, Harry shivered involuntarily, recognizing the look from Quidditch. Next to him, both Fred and George flinched upon seeing the look on the Slytherin Seventh Year. 

Marcus Flint may have been the Slytherin Quidditch Captain during Harry's first three years, but it was Prucey who was the real power behind the team. Flint was brutish and boorish, so much so that it was nearly impossible not to expect the violent and illegal plays he would make. Prucey, on the other hand, would stay within the rules, using them to his advantage to relentlessly and ruthlessly make it as difficult as physically, mentally, and emotionally possible to gain the upper hand. 

The look on Prucey's face was one they had seen many times over the pitch when the Slytherin boy grew tired of his captain's play and took over control. 

Harry had to press both of his feet harder into the ground to remind himself that they were not on the Quidditch pitch playing a game, and he wasn't about to strain every muscle in his body being pushed to his limits. 

Looking down the table, Harry saw Fred, George, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, and the Quidditch teams at the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Tables in similar states to him. Oliver was the only one visibly vibrating with excitement.

Why doesn't that surprise Harry in the least?

"This just further compounds the idiocy and inadequacy of the Ministry!" There was a vicious and righteous fire burning in Prucey's voice.

"By not giving Heir Black a legal and fair trial or tribunal, that could have proven his innocence, which is evident based on the actions of the person who would have been most affected by his supposed crimes, jumping up while covered in blood after screaming bloody murder and seemingly having felt his future self DIE to defend Heir Black..." Which now having heard his actions put like that, Harry can only imagine what he must have looked like. 

"You could very well be guilty of trying to purposely and maliciously end the Line of a Most Ancient and Noble House! Especially considering your Kiss on Sight order!" Going by the blanched faces of the two hated Ministry officials, which had not been a thought that had occurred to them. 

It seems Prucey's verbal evisceration of those that were being held responsible, Fudge, Umbridge, and Dumbledore, by those currently in attendance, a new barrage of scorn and disdain was hurled at the three offending people. 

Most of the verbal bombardment emanated from the table of green and silver. It was both surprising and not, as the House of Slytherin was well versed in Wixen law and greatly valued tradition.

"Now, now, I know how this sounds, and had I known Mr. Black..." The Minister was sweating and jittery as he was trying to cajole everyone and was cut off by Liliya.

"It's Heir Black you bumbling fool! Just because the Ministry threw him and locked him up ILLEGALLY does not mean his title was stripped!" There was fire in her eyes as she gave the Minister a dressing down. 

"Gardner! You must speak to the Minister with respect! Ten points from..." Umbridge was cut off.

"Twenty points to Slytherin, Ms. Gardner, for basic common sense." Professor McGonagall looked giddy at Umbridge's look of contempt, while Liliya looked surprised yet pleased.

"I understand that you all are upset at this revelation and what it may possibly mean, but let me remind you, this is the fault of the last administration. Had I been aware of Heir Black's innocents, I assure you that I would have made things right." White hot rage coursed through Harry as he listened to the lies of Fudge as he tried to pass off the blame. 

"You're lying, Minister." It was more bite than words that Harry spoke. All sound around the Hall quieted immediately from his tone and the Magick that seemed to rise once more within him. 

"One must not tell lies. Isn't that right, Professor Umbridge?" He directed to Umbridge as he saw her open her mouth to once again defend the Minister and disparage him. 

Harry wasn't in the mood for it. 

He was immensely satisfied when he saw her mouth snap shut and swallow hard, her face pale. 

"My third year. We told you. We told you that Sirius was innocent. We told you it was Pettigrew that betrayed my parents to Voldemort. That Pettigrew was still alive." His attention turned back to Fudge who was looking at him, eyes wide and face pale and in fear as his deception was caught in front of everyone and he couldn't pass off the blame. 

"We told you that we saw Pettigrew. That he had managed to escape again, just as he did that night when he faked his death." If Fudge had just listened to them, how much could have been avoided? How many people would still be alive?

Cedric would still be alive.

"We told you, and instead of doing the right thing, instead of having him questioned under Veritaserum where we could have known the truth for certain, you tried to have him Kissed." If Hermione hadn't had that Time-Turner, his father would be gone. 

"Just like you had Barty Crouch Junior Kissed last June, when he could have confirmed that he had helped Voldemort return, had you done the right thing and questioned him under Veritaserum. If not for that than maybe question how a supposedly dead, convicted Death Eater managed to end up in Hogwarts?!" There were two sharp intakes of breath close to Harry. 

"Barty Crouch Junior? He died in Azkaban where he belonged! What do you mean he was at Hogwarts?!" There was cold fury in Madame Longbottom's voice. Her eyes filled with grief and tears as she clutched Neville's hand, as though getting ready to throw herself between him and any potential danger. 

Harry remembered that Barty Crouch Junior was sentenced to Azkaban because of what he did to Frank and Alice Longbottom, Neville's parents, and Augusta Longbottom's son and daughter-in-law. 

"Crouch Junior escaped from Azkaban." Harry was cut off by his father clearing his throat and saw Ginny roll her eyes.

Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at his father internally at that.

"Well, it's more like his father broke him out as Junior was in terrible condition." Even though his father was innocent, it was a point of pride that he remained the only person to actually break out of Azkaban, without any help. 

Ginny had once asked Sirius how it felt that he wasn't the first person to break free since Junior had done so years before him. 

That had prompted Remus to break out into a knowing, mischievous smile, and a look of indignation and outrage covered his father's face. 

They were all subjected to a two-hour lecture on why what Ginny said should never be said again as it is a bunch of insidious, slanderous lies, and why Sirius Black is indeed the most amazing wizard who could pull off the most incredible feats. That Sirius Black was the pinnacle of all things Gryffindor.

Until Remus informed him that breaking out was less courage and bravery and more resourcefulness, cunning, ambition, determination, and cleverness.

All Slytherin traits. 

That although Sirius can't claim to be the pinnacle of Slytherin because if he was, he would've escaped a lot earlier. 

It ended with his father moping and them learning to never say that Sirius wasn't the first person to escape an inescapable prison. 

Ted might be right about the Black Family dramatics. 

"His father held him under the Imperius after he broke Junior out, until he managed to break free from it. Junior then used Polyjuice to impersonate someone for the entire year last year. His being here was part of the plan to bring Voldemort back." Harry tried to say as gently as he could to the two people who suffered the most from Crouch Junior's crimes. 

There was also grumbling coming from where Moody was but Harry didn't turn to look at him as he was focused on the stone still Longbottoms.

"That...that...that monster...THAT MONSTER WAS IN THE SCHOOL WITH MY GRANDSON!!!" Anger, rage, fury; none of these held a candle to the emotions rolling off the Longbottom matriarch. 

Harry could only think of one word that could possibly be said about it. 

Danger. 

Augusta Longbottom was ready to attack and kill with no care of the consequences. 

Madame Longbottom whirled to look at the Minister, a rage unlike Harry had ever seen burning in her eyes, ready to light a flame and destroy anything she deemed a risk to her grandson. 

The Minister looked as though he had swallowed his tongue and would very much prefer to choke on it than face the wrath of the Dowager Longbottom. 

"The monster who tortured MY SON, who tortured MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW was in this school?! That monster had access to MY GRANDSON?! For the ENTIRE YEAR?! You didn't think it would be appropriate to tell me?! My family's suffering is the reason why that waste of Magick and Blood was in that hell in the first place!" The force of her words hit the Minster as he trembled and shook in the wake of Augusta Longbottom’s verbal lashing. 

As unsuspecting as a tornado, the rage-filled and protective grandmother turned her sights on Madame Bones.

"Did you know?" The thunderous yelling had turned to a quiet hiss. 

Madame Bones met the poisonous stare head on without a flinch. 

"I want you to look into my eyes, Augusta." The two powerful and intimidating women stared at each other for a few moments. 

"I swear on my life and Magick that had I been able to, I would have told you the moment I found out. That it killed me not to. I had no choice in the matter as I was forced to make a vow of silence before I even knew what had happened." Amelia threw a scathing look at the Minister full of venom and deep loathing.

“If I had known before that Merlin damn vow, nothing in this world would have stopped me from going to you and Neville.” The ferocity and truth of her words were visible for all to see. 

"I love Frank and Alice. I would have never dared to willingly betray them like that." Harry could see that the tense back of Madame Longbottom eased ever so slightly as she gave the Head of the DMLE a bow of her head in acknowledgement of her words and the truth of them. Madame Bones repeated the gesture to the elderly woman. 

"Who else knew and did not think it was necessary for me to know?" Eyes more focused and steadier than a hawk pierced each of the teachers. 

"Minerva?" The sharp eyes landed on the Gryffindor Head of House. 

"Your ire should not be directed at Minerva, Augusta." The calm voice of Dumbledore broke through.

"She is my son's Head of House, as well as a longtime friend. She should have immediately informed me." Her voice shook with suppressed rage and forced calm at the perceived betrayal of a friend. 

"Minerva, was the one who was in the room with Crouch Junior when the Minister arrived with the Dementors. Before she realized what was happening, the Minister had the Dementors administer the Kiss. She was forced to witness as they did so. Even with the crimes that Crouch Junior had committed, seeing anyone Kissed, even someone like him, is traumatizing to witness." It was clear to see the truth of his words as Professor McGonagall looked as though she was going to be sick. 

 "As such, I told her that it would be best if she tried to heal from witnessing something so horrible, and that I would be the one to inform you so that she did not have to relive that experience." Harry saw Madame Longbottom dip her head in apology to Professor McGonagall at Dumbledore's words, the Professor giving her a shaky smile in return. 

"So why, Albus, had I not been informed?" Her eyes turned hard again when she focused back on Dumbledore. 

"As Crouch Junior had already been given the Kiss and was no longer of any danger, I believe that I was sparring you from opening any old wounds.” Harry winced at the words that reminded him once more of something his father had said earlier. 

"I don't believe the Headmaster is a bad person. I believe he's had too much power for too long. He has gotten used to making decisions. Decisions that have enormous consequences. Consequences that he is not the subject of and do not affect him as much as they do others."

"Spare us? Spare us?!" Neville's outburst happened before his grandmother's. A foreign look of bitterness and anger on his face. 

"You didn't spare us from anything! The wounds may be old, but they're open and bleeding, Headmaster! They always are and that's never going to change! They're never going to heal because we're reminded every single time we see them what those monsters did to them! And even though it hurts, we will never stop. They may not remember us, remember me, but they're my parents and I will be there for them regardless of that!" Neville's back was straight as he stood strong, speaking with more passion than Harry had ever heard from him. He looked every bit the Gryffindor Neville always doubted he was.

"Knowing about Crouch Junior may have made things more painful, may have hurt, may have caused fear and revulsion, but that didn't give you the right to make that decision for us." Harry understood feeling as though everyone was making decisions for him without any input from him. 

"Instead of finding out in privacy, we find out here, in front of everyone. If it wasn't now, we would have found out when reading one of the books. How is that sparing us?" There was hurt and accusation in Neville’s voice. The Headmaster bowed his head as he heard it as well.

Augusta Longbottom looked at her grandson, beaming with pride. Tears noticeably gathered in her eyes. 

"You are, of course right, Mr. Longbottom. I must apologize to both you and your grandmother. I realize that I was wrong and mistaken to not inform you of something that would mean so much to your family." It was easy to see that Dumbledore truly did regret his actions and inactions. Despite his initial assumptions that he was right, he has been wrong a lot more than he had anticipated. 

"We will discuss this more later, Albus. Right now, I think it's time we get back to the matters at hand. The seemingly huge miscarriage of justice performed by our dear Minister." Sitting back down Harry saw Neville's grandmother give his hand a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted you, Mr. Potter. If you would, please continue." Everyone's attention was on him once more. 

Without his previous rage at Fudge simmering on the surface any longer, Harry just wanted to hide under the table just so he didn't feel all their eyes on him.

"Err...umm...well that was pretty much it. Just that the Minister did know but didn't do anything about it except for trying to have Siri Kissed." Harry finished lamely as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Well then, considering that we are here until everything has been read, it would be wise if we knew for certain that Sirius is innocent. I feel it would make many here a lot more comfortable if they had undeniable proof than just your word, Harry, that he is innocent. Madame Bones, I believe you were requested to bring a vial of Veritaserum with you." Dumbledore spoke the words that he should have said so many years ago but had not. 

Harry pushed the thought once more from his mind. Deciding to focus on now. 

On the fact that everyone will finally see that his father is innocent. 

Looking at Madame Bones, her face was perfectly blank, but her eyes deceived the turmoil of emotions within her. 

It was a concoction of grief, guilt, anger, fear, and so much hope that it knocked the breath out of Harry's lungs. 

His father finally looked at Madame Bones and there was so much love and hurt on his face that Harry finally understood.

His father had loved Amelia Bones before he was thrown into Azkaban.

He still did. 

Going by the look in her eyes, she felt the same. 

What did it do to someone to believe they had loved someone who was supposedly guilty of something so terrible for so many years?

To still love them regardless? 

What would it do to someone to find out that that person was actually innocent and was never given the trial that could have proven it?

It wasn't only Harry who was denied a life growing up with his father. Amelia Bones was denied building a life with the man she loved. 

More than anything, Harry hoped that once his father was seen as innocent, he could have the happiness he always deserved. Hopefully, with the woman who he still seems to love. 

Standing up, eyes trained on Sirius as though scared that if she looked away he would disappear, Madame Bones conjured a chair. 

"Although this cannot be considered as a trial nor a tribunal, we will stand witness to the innocence or guilt of the crimes charged against Sirius Black, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black." Once again, the strong voice broke as Madame Bones spoke Sirius' name. It seemed to have had an effect on his father as well for he clutched his hand into a fist, and scrunched his eyes shut. 

"If the accused would please take a seat here, we will begin." Sirius' eyes snapped open after taking a fortifying breath. A look of determination was on his face as his back straightened and his shoulders squared. Standing up gracefully, he started making his way over to the lone chair that stood center in front of the Great Hall. 

Before his father could take more than two steps, fear and paranoia overcame Harry, as he grabbed his father's hand, stopping him from moving forward. 

His actions were a complete surprise to his father as Sirius nearly fell onto Harry. 

"Harry? Is everything alright?" There was worry in his father's voice as Sirius searched his eyes, trying to find whatever may be wrong with him. 

"What if it's a trick?" Harry knows he sounds paranoid, but he can't lose his father.

He can't. 

A look of understanding rose in his father's eyes. Harry felt the large strong hands, calloused by the years of Azkaban and being on the run, gently cup his face. 

"Listen to me Harry, nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing in this world will ever take me away from you again. Do you understand?" His father tenderly stroked his cheeks as he held him. 

Harry gave a jerky nod as he couldn't form words, his throat tight with emotion.

"Then believe me when I tell you nothing bad will happen. Mia will make sure of that. I told you before your trial over the summer, if there is one person you can trust absolutely to be fair and get to the truth, it will always be Mia." His father was one of the few people Harry trusted inexplicably. 

Nodding his head in assent, his father pulled him into a fierce hug and kissed his head. Harry held back just as tightly. 

"Alright, but I want to be near you when you are questioned." He felt his father kiss his head before his father exchanged a look with Madame Bones over his head. 

"Mr. Potter, if you would like, I will conjure you and Mr. Lupin chairs a few feet behind Siriu...the accused." Harry’s eyes snapped to the woman his father seemed to love and saw that she was looking at Sirius, eyes so very blue and bright filled with tears and overwhelming emotion.

It took a moment before she looked at him and Harry could see the pain she was trying to hold back as though her life depended on it. 

It was also her that suffered his father's absence in her life.

"Thank you, Madame Bones, I would appreciate that." Harry gave the woman a small smile which she returned with a slight trembling quality to it. 

Remus had gotten up and pulled both Harry and Sirius into a hug.

"It's finally happening, Pads. You're going to be free." There was fierce love and happiness in Remus' voice. Harry felt his eyes prickle. 

His father seemed to be overcome with everything he had felt from the time he had been shut away. As a response, he hugged them both more tightly. 

Having collected themselves, Harry and Remus walked with Sirius in between them to the chairs. After taking a seat, Madame Bones spoke once more, with Kingsley by her side. 

"Sirius Black, do you agree to be willingly questioned under Veritaserum?" It seems that Madame Bones had managed to lock away all her emotions to do the job that should have been done so long ago. 

"I do agree." His father's voice was clear and strong, a look of determination on his face. 

"As is your right, before questioning begins, would you like a list of the questions that you will be asked?" Harry didn't realize this could be a concern. Thinking about it now, it makes complete sense as anyone would take advantage of someone under the effects of Veritaserum. 

"No, I do not need a list of pre-approved questions. I have nothing to hide." Of course, Sirius has nothing to hide, he's innocent and this will prove it. 

Turning her eyes and focusing them on the audience in the Great Hall, Madame Bones addressed them all.

"To all present, no one shall ask Sirius Black any questions while he is under the effects of Veritaserum. No questions shall be asked in which Sirius Black could be compelled to answer while under the effects of Veritaserum. Shall any person seventeen and older attempt to ask any questions, other than myself while Sirius Black is under the effects of Veritaserum, they will face punishment at my discretion. Shall any person under the age of seventeen attempt to ask any questions, other than myself while Sirius Black is under the effects of Veritaserum, they will face punishment discussed by myself, their Head of House, the Headmaster, and if their parent is present, then their parent as well." That was incredibly thorough Harry thought. No wonder people talk so highly about Madame Bones. 

Harry also couldn't miss the besotted expression on his father's face. 

"Do all present understand?" The question was directed to everyone in the Great Hall who all gave their agreement. 

With a sharp nod of her head, Madame Bones turned her attention back to Sirius. 

"Sirius Black, you are being questioned here today for charges pressed against you on November 2, 1981. These charges are as listed. That you knowingly and willingly served a wizard known as Lord Voldemort, the leader of the terrorist group known as the Death Eaters. That you knowingly and willingly were a member of the terrorist group known as the Death Eaters. That you knowingly and willingly participated in terrorist activities, which include destruction of private and public property, harassment, coercion, extortion, kidnapping, assault, torture, rape, assassination, murder, the use of Unforgivables, and the use of spells and curses that were illegal and banned as per Ministry ruling, to commit crimes to further Voldemort and the Death Eater agenda." The list of crimes appalled Harry who only thought that his father was charged with the betrayal of his parents and the Muggles Pettigrew had killed. 

"What in the name of Merlin?!" It seems his outrage that anyone could ever think his father could ever commit anything that was listed sickened Harry, and made his voice carry throughout the Hall. 

"Harry, calm down." Remus' soothing voice did little for Harry’s ire. 

"What do you mean by calm down? Siri was charged with all of that?! He would never do anything like that. Never! Kidnapping? Torture? Rape?! How could anyone think he would do any of that?" Harry was fuming over what it seemed people thought his father was capable of. 

"Harry, it's okay. The reason why those are listed in the charges is because Death Eaters had committed all of those crimes. They used them as tactics to instill fear and further their agenda. Whether or not they had committed one, two, three or all of them, they all needed to be included in the charges. So, when questioned, we can learn the full extent of their crimes. We wouldn't be able to question them about it if it wasn't listed, which could mean someone may have missed out on justice for one of the crimes. It was a failsafe to add a broad range of charges and possibly eliminate them during trial. It was better to charge someone with all instead of one like extortion only to miss a possible rape or murder. If someone did not commit one of the charges listed, they could be found innocent of that particular crime but guilty of the rest." Well, when it's explained like that Harry could understand it. 

He didn't like it at all. The thought of his father being lumped together with the worst of society nearly made him want to fly into a rage. The thought that he would be seen as innocent in due time was the only thing that kept his temper in check.

To stop himself from potentially going off again and delaying his father's innocence, Harry gave a sharp nod of his head. 

Sirius gave him an understanding smile before he turned back to Madame Bones. For a moment, her eyes caught his, and she seemed to have revealed to him from her usual professional demeanor that she felt the same way Harry did about the accusations. 

That made Harry feel slightly better.

Seeing that Harry was still upset, Remus dragged his chair to where Harry was now pressed against his side. The werewolf wrapped a comforting and commiserating arm around him. Harry immediately relaxed in the other man's presence. 

"That you willingly and knowingly committed and participated in acts of treason by trying to overthrow the government. That you knowingly and willingly violated your oath as a Law Enforcer as a Hit Wizard to protect and serve the Magical population of Great Britain. That you knowingly and willingly planned to use your training within the Ministry to further a terrorist extremist agenda." Just what type of person did these people think his father was? Harry felt himself getting more furious after each charge was laid out. 

"You are charged as a Betrayer of the Fidelius, as you were Secret Keeper to Lord James Potter, Lady Lily Potter, and Heir Harry Potter of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter." Wait, what? Lord? Lady? Heir? Ancient and Noble House? Was his family, the Potters, a noble family like the Blacks? How come no one thought to tell him?

Harry really needed to speak to his father and Remus after this. 

"In correlation with your Betrayal, you are charged as an accessory to the murders of James and Lily Potter." It seems that Remus was not as unaffected by the charges as Harry had initially believed for he had flinched so hard at that charge that it was as though he had been physically hit. 

"In regard to Harry Potter, as he had managed to survive the Killing Curse from Voldemort, you are charged with accessory to attempted murder." His father had been listening to the charges with a blank face until this moment. He had flinched so hard it was as though he had been hit by the Hogwarts Express. His knuckles were white from the grip he had on the arms of the chair. He looked as though he would throw up the entire contents of his stomach.

It didn't escape Madame Bones' notice as once again, her eyes flickered between Harry and his father. It was filled with questions, but one she didn't even know she had. 

"As the Secret Keeper for the Potter’s and knowing that Voldemort's wish was to kill the last three Potters living, you are charged with accessory to attempt to end a Family Line." Loud gasps were heard throughout the Great Hall, most noticeably on the side of the Slytherin Table.

"In the death of Peter Pettigrew..." Madame Bones was cut off by the sound of outrage at the Gryffindor Table. Harry saw a look of utter disgust and revulsion on Ron's red face. Hermione put a placating hand on the redhead's arm, while her face bore a hard look. Ron's family looked at the youngest Weasley boy with complete confusion at his anger. 

Harry remembered that they never told the rest of the Weasley family that Pettigrew had been hiding out as Scabbers for twelve years. 

Fred was going to kill him. 

Forget Fred, Ginny was going to kill the three of them.

At the murderous look on Ron's face, Madame Bones looked at Remus, whose mouth was twisted into a snarl, eyes glowing to match the rage burning in him at hearing the name of someone who he had believed to be family, but instead tore their family apart. A growl deep in his chest was easy for Harry to hear. 

Leaning into the man, Harry felt Remus wrap a strong, protective arm around him as he managed to calm himself down. 

Madame Bones blinked a couple of times before clearing her throat and continuing. 

"In the death of Peter Pettigrew, you are charged with First Degree Capital Murder. As well as first degree murder of the twelve Muggles who had died in the explosion. You are also charged with breaking the Statute of Secrecy and risking the reveal of the Magical World by using Magick in view of Muggles." Madame Bones took a deep breath and looked directly into Sirius' eyes. 

"How do you plead?" Harry saw the pain in her eyes that she tried so hard to hide. 

"Not guilty on all accounts." His father's voice was strong as he stared back into the bright blue eyes of Madame Bones. 

Whispers broke out over the Hall as Madame Bones' eyes searched those of his father. It was a moment before the fear that had once taken a part of those blue eyes was replaced and only hope lay within them. 

Madame Bones had to physically shake herself before she continued. However, Harry could see that her shoulders looked lighter, as though a heavy and painful burden had been lifted from her. She placed a hand inside her cloak pocket and pulled out a tiny vial of clear liquid. 

That had to be Veritaserum, Harry thought. 

Everyone will know that his father is truly innocent. 

"Auror Shacklebolt, as Lead Investigator in the case of Sirius Black, please put three drops into the accused's mouth." Madame Bones then handed the vial to Kingsley. 

It made Harry feel better knowing that it was Kingsley that was administering the Veritaserum to Sirius. 

The tall man then walked to his father, stopping in front of him. Once in front of Sirius, Kingsley opened the vial and Harry heard the seal break, indicating that it was a new vial never before used. As he twisted the top, instead of the usual stopper that corked most potions, this one had a dropper. 

Harry watched as his father leaned his head back and opened his mouth. Kingsley then administered three drops. Taking two steps to the side, Madame Bones watched as the Veritaserum took effect. Slowly, Harry could see all the muscles in his father's body relax, no longer tense as he seemed to droop into his chair.

Nodding to herself, Madame Bones saw that the Veritaserum had worked. 

"I will be asking the accused some preliminary questions before I start questioning him on the charges against him to verify the Veritaserum is in effect." Madame Bones' voice was strong once again and filled with the dignity and professionalism that she was known for. 

"Will the accused please state his name?" That was a good question to start with. 

"Sirius Orion Black III." His father's voice was monotone, with absolutely no emotion behind it. It unnerved Harry a bit. 

"When were you born?" Now that Harry thought about it, he had never thought to ask his father that. Leaning in, he hoped to remember it for the future. 

"November 3, 1959." Damn, he missed it. He'll have to get Sirius something really nice for his birthday this year. 

"What House were you sorted into when you started Hogwarts?" Gryffindor, Harry knew that one. 

"Gryffindor, but the Hat was torn between Slytherin until I said I wouldn't accept another House as Gryffindor would piss my mother off the most and get out of her clutches. He said that as I was stupid and brazen enough to go against a foul wench so blatantly, Gryffindor is perfect for me." There were surprised gasps and laughter at his father's answer. 

Even Madame Bones had lurking mirth and longtime exasperation in her eyes. 

Harry felt even more relief from knowing his father could have been put into Slytherin, just like him. Particularly, since Harry was sure his Sorting would be read. It comforted him knowing that both of them chose Gryffindor. 

"Preliminary questions have been answered. Now, we will question the accused regarding the charges leveled against him." Harry could not help but hold Remus' hand. Remus squeezed his smaller one in support, both needing the other's presence to get through this. 

"Have you ever, past or present, knowingly and willingly served the wizard known as Lord Voldemort?" People around the room screamed slightly and flinched at the sound of Voldemort’s name.

Harry thought that they would need to get over that soon because Voldemort would be mentioned by name a lot. 

"No." Harry couldn't help but look at Lucius Malfoy and think that his answer would be the opposite of his father's.

"Were you ever, past or present, knowingly and willingly a part of the group known as Death Eaters?" His father would never stand around laughing while Voldemort tortured and tried to kill a child.

"No." With each question his father answers, he gets closer and closer to freedom. The freedom that guilty people have had for so long. 

"Have you ever, past or present, knowingly and willingly participated in terrorist activities, which include destruction of private and public property, harassment, coercion, extortion, kidnapping, assault, torture, rape, assassination, murder, the use of Unforgivables, and the use of spells and curses that were illegal and banned as per Ministry ruling, to commit crimes to further Voldemort and the Death Eater agenda?" Hearing all those different crimes once again makes Harry’s blood boil. The moment Remus squeezes Harry to his side, Harry calms down. Let's the fact that his father will say no and then he will never be accused of such heinous crimes again. 

"No." Relief rippled through Harry. He never doubted his father for a moment. Always knew he was innocent from that moment in the Shrieking Shack nearly two years ago. 

Whispers spring up around the Great Hall from those who had been given proof of his father's innocence.

Lucius Malfoy notices Harry's stare and Harry can't help but smirk at the man. His eyes pierced through the poisonous steel, challenging them.

"Can't say the same, now can you?"

Mr. Malfoy sees the taunt and a sneer covers his face as his hands ball into tight fists. 

"Have you ever, past or present, knowingly and willingly planned to use your training within the Ministry to further Voldemort and the Death Eater agenda?" He couldn't help but wonder what type of training his father had done and if he would be willing to teach Harry.

"No." Although Harry could see his father using whatever he learned for pranks. 

"Have you ever, past or present, knowingly and willingly violated your oath as a Law Enforcer as a Hit Wizard to protect and serve the Magical population of Great Britain?" He wanted to know what the difference was between Auror and Hit Wizard. Maybe Harry would like to take after his father and become one.

Perhaps he could speak to Remus, as he has grown fond of teaching during DA lessons.

"No." Harry couldn't imagine his father ever betraying his word, let alone an oath. 

"Have you ever, past or present, knowingly and willingly committed, and participated in acts of treason by trying to overthrow the government?" He couldn't help but think that at the current moment, the Ministry should be overthrown. At least a little, so they could have acknowledged that Voldemort was back months ago. 

"No." Another charge against his father cleared now. 

"Did you Betray the Secret the Potter Family, James Potter, Lily Potter, and Harry Potter, you were supposed to protect as Secret Keeper of the Fidelius Charm?" Remus pulled Harry even closer to him. There was no doubt that this charge hurt the man just as much as it hurt Harry.

It's why they spent so many years alone.

It's why their family was torn apart. 

"No, I was not the Secret Keeper when they were Betrayed." The whispers grew louder. 

Everyone thought they knew this to be a fact. 

That Sirius betraying Harry's family was what made him guilty of everything else. 

His answer shows that he should've never been arrested in the first place. 

Madame Bones raised her head and swept her eyes over the Great Hall. All the students fell silent immediately under her intense gaze.

"If you were not the Secret Keeper, who Betrayed the Potters to Voldemort?" The blue eyes were sharp as they stared at Sirius. There was a need in them. A need to hear the answer where there could be no doubt.

"Peter Pettigrew." Harry watched as Fudge's head fell into his hands in defeat. This just showed that all that Harry had tried to tell the Minister in his third year was true. Fudge had refused to even check the validity of it. Instead, Fudge marked an innocent man for a Kiss on Sight order. 

There was overwhelming relief in Madame Bones' eyes as she once again held tears back.

Harry thought that this had been an emotional day for them all

Regaining her composure, she nodded to herself.

"How was Peter Pettigrew able to Betray the Potter's when everyone knew you were the Secret Keeper?" His father thought he was giving Harry and his parents the best possibility of surviving. Even if it risked himself.

"Because everyone knew I was the Secret Keeper." Confusion washed over many people's faces but understanding lightened Madame Bones' eyes.

She was an Auror, and now the Head of the DMLE. If anyone understood diversion tactics, it would be her.

"Will you explain?" Harry assumed she wanted clarification in his own words so everyone could understand what he meant. It would be better that way for people who weren’t law enforcement, or Harry and the ones who had already known of Sirius’ innocence. This way, there can be no doubt or question. Especially, as this wasn’t an actual trial, but rather so Hogwarts occupants didn’t fear for their safety while here with Sirius.

"Everyone knew I was the Secret Keeper. I had thought that would be the perfect diversion. Everyone would come after me and Peter would be safe with the Secret. Harry, James, and Lily would be safe. We never told anyone about the switch. There was a spy, and we didn't know who to trust. Remus didn't even know about the switch. James never believed that he was the traitor, but Peter had been whispering in my ear for over a year. I loved Remus, and still do. It was always the four of us, James, Remus, Peter, and myself, but Peter put doubt in me about Remus' loyalty. He kept saying things like he was surprised Remus would fight for a side that treated him less than human. He said that he would come back wilder, more feral, less like himself after infiltrating the werewolf packs on the mainland. Even though it killed me, and in my heart, I knew that Remus couldn't be the traitor, I let my fear of losing Harry, James, and Lily take precedence. So, we made the switch, and Peter became the Secret Keeper." Remus' shoulders were shaking, his body trembling. Tears flowed down his face like a rapid river current, quick and quiet. He made no sound as the painful memories from all those years ago resurfaced. Harry knew that the two men had forgiven each other, but he couldn’t help but think that pain still lurked there. That Sirius had been the first one to believe that Remus was the traitor. It must have hurt Remus to know that Sirius had doubted him from just a few whispers from Peter. Knowing though, with no doubt at all, that it tore Sirius up more than anything to doubt Remus’ loyalty, must help soothe some of those old wounds.

“See, Moony, he always loved you. He always knew deep down in his heart that you were never the traitor. That there was no way you could be what Pettigrew is.” Harry whispered to Remus as he leaned his weight into the man, reminding him that he’s not alone.

“I know, Harry, I know.” Remus whispered into his hair as he gave his head a kiss and squeezed his hand in appreciation.

"You said that it was always the four of you, James, Remus, Peter, and yourself. If that is the case, why would Peter Pettigrew Betray the Potters?" Bitterness soured Harry's mouth a bit at the question. It’s because unlike his fathers and Remus, Pettigrew was a conniving, cowardice vermin who only cared about himself.

"We called ourselves the Marauders while at Hogwarts." There was a squawk of exclamation that came from the Gryffindor Table. Harry saw Lee Jordan standing and pointing at Remus, shock, and excitement on his face. Fred and George stood up and tried to drag and push their friend down, while offering sheepish waves of apology. Remus gave Lee a small wave, which made the boy’s eyes light up in hero worship.

Professor Snape had his head in his hands as his shoulders dropped. Professor McGonagall’s head was tilted up, eyes closed, and she was pinching the bridge of her nose. Harry thought she looked like someone asking for patience. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, and she gave Remus a look, causing Remus to duck his head. 

"James, Remus, and I were some of the smartest and strongest during our time at school. When we were together, we were even more so. We were attuned with each other to a degree where we were a force to be reckoned with. James was the brainstormer, the idea creator. I was the experimenter, and the reconnaissance. Remus was the critical thinker, the mastermind, the one who put everything James and I did together and made it work, made it beautiful." Everyone was looking at Remus as if they had never seen him before. The students who he had once taught were looking at him with more appreciation than they had before, when he was just known as the best defense teacher they had. Snippets from excited whispers could be heard about the man being truly amazing.

Remus blushed as he was able to hear them.

While the students showed appreciation, the professors who had taught the Marauders looked to be in a stupor at being duped by the usually calm and mild-mannered Remus Lupin.

Professor McGonagall looked distraught, and betrayed, as though she was replaying all her interactions with the four boys.

Snape looked like it wasn't news to him. If anything, he looked annoyed that it had taken everyone this long to figure it out.

Before anyone could say anything, which was lucky seeing that Professor McGonagall looked like she was going to give Remus detention, his father continued.

"It was why when James and I joined the Hit Wizards, we had a lot of near miss calls between the two of us. Without Remus there, we were off balance. Peter saw the way we were together and knew that if he was a part of our close group, no one would mess with him. He was smaller, weaker, and not as bright. Nevertheless, he became our friend, and as such, our family. We protected him. Then we graduated, and we were no longer in school. We were at war. We were no longer the biggest, the strongest around. Voldemort was." It’s almost impossible for Harry to understand how anyone could betray their friends, their family, even if they were scared. When you’re scared, it’s the people closest to you that give you strength.

"Peter wanted to be protected so he became a spy for Voldemort. For over a year before James and Lilly were killed, Peter was feeding Voldemort information about the Order." Harry wondered just how many people had been hurt or died because Peter turned rat.

"What do you mean by Order?" It was likely Madame Bones already knew about the Order. They fought on the side of the Ministry. Harry figured she had asked for everyone else’s benefit that didn’t know.

"The Order of the Phoenix. It's a group that Dumbledore created to combat Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The Ministry was overrun and overworked, unable to completely combat what was going on. The Order was created to help with the load, offer more than what the Ministry could do at the time as they were so stretched thin." A newfound respect and admiration grew in Harry for both his fathers. They had both worked in law enforcement within the Ministry, and they had also been a part of the Order. All so they could help as many people as they could. Pride rose within him that he was both their son.

"Will you please continue your explanation from before my last question?" Madame Bones asked.

"Peter was feeding information to Voldemort for over a year about the Order. We became suspicious of a spy after the McKinnon’s were murdered. We were sure after Fabian and Gideon Prewitt were ambushed in their home and killed. They had just moved their location as they were 'Kill Onsight' targets for the Death Eaters." Harry heard commotion come again from the Gryffindor Table. He saw Mrs. Weasley, crying into her husband's chest, as he and the Weasley children tried to comfort their mother and older brothers. 

"Fabian and Gideon Prewitt were Molly's brothers. She was very close to them. Fred and George were named after them. They're very much like their uncles. I believe that's why Molly is so hard on them. She's scared she'll lose her sons like she lost her brothers." Dread pulled in Harry's stomach at Remus' whispered words to him. He couldn't stop the slight trembling in his hand at the thought that at least one of them would end up as their uncles. 

Harry pushed the thought and the emotions it brought with it from his mind to listen to his father. 

"Then Voldemort became fixated on Harry. He wanted to kill the Potter's. So, they went into hiding and used the Fidelius Charm. I was their Secret Keeper. Everyone knew I was their Secret Keeper. I made sure they knew. I wanted the attention on me so none of it would be on Peter. Then we switched, and Peter became the Secret Keeper. Everyone would still think I was so he would be safe, and in return James, Lilly, and Harry would be safe." Harry closed his eyes in the face of just how much Sirius had gone through, what he was willing to risk so Harry and his parents would be safe. 

"Less than a week later, on Samhain 1981, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. I went to check on Peter. If Peter was safe, so were the Potters. When I got to his place, Peter was gone. Everything was gone. It was as though he picked up and left, moved out in the middle of the night. I knew then. I knew I had made a terrible mistake." Even though his voice was emotionless as he spoke, Sirius' eyes welled with tears until they overflowed.

"What happened after you saw Peter Pettigrew was gone?" Madame Bones was not left unaffected by the grief in those stormy eyes. She spoke softly and gently as she asked her question, knowing it would cause his father pain as they reached the most painful point in Sirius' life. The moment that changed his life forever.

"I ran to my bike, got on, and flew as fast as I could to Godric's Hollow. I could see smoke from over a mile away. I pushed myself even faster, hoping that maybe it was James and Lily that had gotten the better of Voldemort. That hope died when I entered the home and saw James lying on the stairs." Harry slammed his eyes shut as the memories the Dementors had resurfaced and played themselves over in Harry's head.

"Lily, He's here, take Harry and run."

"My best friend, my brother, the person who brought me and made me a part of his family, was lying dead on the stairs, and I couldn't grieve for him. I had to walk over his body. I heard Harry crying, and I knew he would want his son and wife taken care of, so I hurried up the stairs, and down the hall to the nursery." An image of him walking over Ron's still body came to mind, making Harry sick. 

Ron was to him, as James was to Sirius. Ron brought him to his home and shared his family with him. 

"Avada Kedavra!" 

The room was spinning, and Harry couldn't get enough air. It felt as if his throat was swollen but he couldn't stop compulsively swallowing with the feeling that he was about to be sick. 

Trying to get control of himself Harry bent over and put his head between his knees, trying to take deep slow breaths. He felt a hand rub his back. 

He appreciated that Remus didn't ask if he was okay or if he wanted to step out, so he didn't have to listen. Remus knew he wasn't okay, but he needed to be here. 

"When I got in, half the room was gone, and Lily was lying on the floor in front of Harry's crib." He can still hear her screams. 

"This is my last warning."

"Kill me, spare my son."

"Avada Kedavra!"

"I knew she was already dead. There was no way she would not have gotten to Harry with him crying and bleeding as he was." His mother didn't have to die. Voldemort wanted Harry. She did everything she could to protect him. She made the ultimate Sacrifice.

"I picked Harry up, held him to my chest so he wouldn't see his parents like that, and took him out of the house." What hasn't Sirius done for him? He's done everything he could to protect and love Harry. 

"When I got out of the house, Hagrid was there on Dumbledore's orders to take Harry. I didn't want to give him up. He was mine, mine to take care of. My family." Sitting back up, his breathing under control, and no longer feeling sick, Harry leaned against Remus. Hearing that he had someone who loved him, wanted him, hurt him because that's all he has ever wanted but was denied. 

There was the sound of soft crying and sniffling throughout the Hall. 

"I lost nearly everything. I had forsaken one brother as a traitor who wasn't." The arms tightened around him as Remus breathed out a long painful breath.

"I had to walk over the dead body of another, and a sister." Ron and Hermione. Harry doesn't think he would have the strength to continue on after seeing them the way his father saw his parents. 

"All because the third brother betrayed us all." Harry couldn't see Ron and Hermione ever betraying him the way Peter did. Harry couldn't ever picture himself doing what Peter did. He'd choose death before ever betraying a friend. 

"The Marauders and Lily were my family. They accepted me, loved me when my own blood didn't." Harry saw the slightest of flinches from Mrs. Malfoy as a pained and guilt-ridden expression briefly crossed her face.

"Now, because of me, the family that I spent years building was no more." Harry hated how his father blamed himself when all he ever did was try to keep them safe. 

"All I had left was Harry. I couldn't lose him. I needed him. He needed me." The crying intensified around the room as his father's words painted just how much pain he was in was heard. 

"I knew though that Hagrid wouldn't take no for an answer. Hagrid is the gentlest, most kindhearted person, but I didn't want to risk a fight with him while I had Harry in my arms. I would never risk Harry." No matter what, his father always thought of him. He always came first for Sirius. 

"I reasoned with myself, Harry was hurt and bleeding. If I gave Harry to Hagrid, if Dumbledore wanted Harry, he'd be seen to, taken care of and healed." Harry wonders if he ever got the care that his father hoped for, or if he was immediately dropped off at the Dursley's.

"When I gave Harry to Hagrid, I realized Peter was still out there. I knew Harry wouldn't be safe as long as the Traitor was still out there. It was now my sole job to do everything to protect Harry. I went searching for Peter and found him two days later." Bitterly, Harry thought that Peter had allowed Sirius to find him, just so he could frame him, undoubtedly, for his parents' death. 

"What happened after you tracked down Peter Pettigrew?" His betrayal intensified, and his father suffered more than anyone should ever have to.

"He started shouting that I Betrayed James and Lily for everyone to hear. I didn't want to use Magick as there were Muggles around. I didn't want to start a fight where more innocents could be hurt or worse. Peter didn't have the same qualms." It sickened Harry that Pettigrew was willing to go the lengths that he did. Not only did he betray his friends and family, he caused the deaths of twelve innocent people who never did anything to him. 

"While he was shouting that I had Betrayed James and Lily, he threw a curse from behind his back, causing the explosion that killed all the Muggles. In the middle of the chaos, he cut off his finger, transformed, and fled through the sewers." Uh oh. Harry got a bad feeling about this. 

He couldn't help but glance out of the corner of his eye to look at Ron. 

Ron's features were a mixture of disgust and panic. His eyes kept darting to his mother and back to Hermione and Harry himself. Harry couldn't help but grimace.

"What do you mean by transformed?" A look of confusion spread over Madame Bones' face. Harry hoped that Sirius wouldn't get into trouble for what he was about to say. 

"James, Peter and I became illegal Animagi when we were fifteen." Professor McGonagall bolted to her feet, a look of outrage on her red face. 

Madame Bones looked more than shocked before shifting to amazement, then understanding. Then it shifted to a look that just said, 'I'm so done with you, I should smack you right now.'

"Illegal Animagi?" Her voice was a drawl like she's dealing and questioning him not about serious crimes, but like someone who has dealt with his shenanigans for years and just wants to know what goes on in his head. 

"We did it because we were all roomed together at Hogwarts, James, Remus, Peter and me. It didn't take us long to notice that Remus would disappear every full moon and come back exhausted and injured. It took us less than a year to figure out he was a werewolf. When we confronted him, he told us he had been bitten when he was four by Fenrir Greyback." Next to him, Remus tensed as every one of his muscles stiffened as his werewolf status was brought up. His face remained placid, but Harry knew the man thought himself a monster because of his werewolf affliction. Thought of himself as less for something that was brutally forced upon him by one of the most barbaric people to walk the Earth. As if it was his own fault that he was a werewolf.

Harry thought Remus was one of the most amazing people in the world. 

"Werewolf or not, I'm lucky you're a part of my family, Remus." Harry whispered to the man as he squeezed the larger, rougher, and scarred hand in his. 

Harry felt as some of the tension ease from Remus and bright amber eyes met his, filled with love and affection. It made Harry blush, seeing the open emotion but he held the man's eyes, wanting him to see the truth of his words. 

Remus' lips quirked up into a small soft smile. 

"I'm lucky to have you too, cub." Remus said as he ran a hand through Harry’s hair. 

Turning back to listen to Sirius, Harry kept a hold of the man's hand to let him know he wasn't alone. 

"Remus became upset, scared that we wouldn't want to be friends with him anymore. Scared that we would make a fuss about him being at school. We told him we didn't care. He was our friend, our brother, that's the only thing that mattered to us." Hearing that Remus was scared that they would end up hating him hurt Harry. Even now, he refuses to acknowledge the feelings Tonks has for him because he doesn’t think he is worthy of her affections.

"We didn't care if he was a werewolf, but we did care about him. We hated seeing him come back looking as though death had warmed over. Every full moon he would be locked up in the Shrieking Shack. When a werewolf can't hunt, they attack themselves. They bite, tear, and rip at their own bodies. It hurt us to see the ramifications of that when Remus would transform back into himself and have to bear the brunt of what his wolf part had done to him." Around the Great Hall, many faces turned white and green at the description of just some of what Remus had to go through. Harry noted with pleasure that it was not out of fear. It seemed it had less to do with Remus being a werewolf, and more to do with the person Remus was and was forced to endure.

"We wanted to stay with him, make sure that he didn't hurt himself. We couldn't do that as humans since werewolves’ attack humans. We could though if we were animals." Remus released a shuddering breath. Harry couldn’t imagine the pain he was feeling. The man had feared that he would be cast away, that he wouldn’t be accepted, but instead he was embraced and created a family.

Only for that family who loved him for who he was as a person to be ripped and torn apart.

"So, the last couple months of our first year, we did all the research we could on Animagi. We completed the transformation at the beginning of our fifth year." It was amazing at how much work both his fathers had put into helping a friend and what they were able to accomplish.

It seemed that Professor McGonagall was a mixture of surprise, pride, and complete and utter outrage. Harry feared for his father when this was over. He predicted that just because he had graduated from Hogwarts years ago, that the Professor wasn't going to let him get off without any form of punishment or telling off.

"We started staying with Remus during his transformations from then on." The surprise and pride that had accompanied the outrage on Professor McGonagall’s face completely vanished. She was giving both Marauders a look that did not bode well for them.

In his seat, Remus lowered himself to get out of his former Head of House's view.

Madame Bones had the same expression on her face.

It seems, Sirius, even in his state was affected by the blonde woman’s look for he had the slightest flinch when Madame Bones levelled a look at his father.

Although Harry had no room for judgement considering he’s going to have a hoard of angry redheads to deal with.

"As he stopped hurting himself, he would heal faster after the full moon." There was grudging approval on Madame Pomphrey’s face. Although she did look at Sirius like he was a complete idiot and like she wanted to do a scan to make sure his father was alright.

 Madame Bones' face softened upon hearing that. If she was really with his father before he was thrown into Azkaban, she would know the lengths he would go to for those he loved.

"What were each of your forms?" Harry couldn't help but sink into his chair, knowing that very soon what the trio had forgotten to mention to the Weasleys would come to light.

From the corner of his eye, Harry saw that both Ron and Hermione had mirrored his movements.

"Our nicknames came from our forms. Moony is Remus as he is a werewolf. James was Prongs, as he was a stag. Mine is Padfoot, as I'm a Grim, a big black dog. Peter is Wormtail, he's a rat. Which is fitting." It was more than fitting for the traitorous rat.

"The four of you were the only ones that knew about your Animagi status?" For Sirius’ sake, Harry hopes so. Judging by Madame Bones’ tone, it had better be. She would be upset if someone knew that the man that she was with was an Animagus and she didn’t know.

"Lily did too. She found out during the Christmas holidays of our seventh year. The five of us were at James' while Mr. Potter and Mrs. Potter were out at a party. Remus spiked the punch. James was always a lightweight." There were a few snickers and laughs as Remus smiled serenely. His smile dropped and he slid further into his seat at the raised eyebrow of Professor McGonagall.

"Lily made a joke and called him a dear. James said not deer, dear, I'm a stag. He transformed while standing on the table. We had a bit of explaining to do with Lily after that." Real laughter rang out throughout the Great Hall at the lightness of that comment after so much distress and heaviness.

Amusement shone in the sapphire eyes of Amelia Bones as the corner of her mouth twitched up with mirth. She allowed everyone to laugh for a moment before moving on.

"How come you never registered?" Harry also wondered about that too. He understood why they didn’t at Hogwarts. They weren’t allowed to even attempt it while they were still in school. They could have though after some time out of school.

"There are a few reasons. We were at war and Peter, and I had useful forms for spying. James and I used our enhanced senses when we were working. I would transform into mine when we had to track someone down. By the time we knew it, we'd been out of Hogwarts for a few years, and I was engaged to an Auror. I was worried that my status as an illegal Animagus would get you in trouble. I didn't want you to be disappointed in me. I still don't. I still love you and it would hurt if you were." Amelia was staring at his father with shaking hands, trembling lips, and watery eyes. The look in them was one of devastation, surprise, and so much hope.

She looked at his father as though he were a dream that she had dreamt many times before, hoping and wishing that the man she loved was innocent of the crimes he had been imprisoned for.

Harry hoped that his father and Madame Bones could find the happiness that had been taken from them for so many years.

Another thought came to his mind.

“Sirius never told her about me. Not everything, I mean. Did he?” It was more of an exhale of breath than a whispered question to Remus. Harry felt like he already knew the answer but just wanted to make sure.

“No, he didn’t. The reason why isn’t because he was ashamed. It was because of the position it would put her in at her job. He loves the both of you and wanted to protect you both.” Harry understood. Blood Adoptions are Blood Magick which is Dark Magick. With Dark Magick so heavily scrutinized and persecuted it could put someone like Amelia Bones who was an Auror under suspicion as she was with Sirius.

Sirius really did risk a lot for Harry.

Harry couldn’t help but look at Susan who was already looking at him.

He tipped his head at her, and she gave him a smile back.

It seems he’ll have another sister now too.

"You said that Peter Pettigrew transformed into his Animagus form and escaped. How did you know?" Oh no, Harry knew there was definitely no avoiding what was coming. 

"Because I saw him again twelve years later in the Daily Prophet." Harry grimaced and felt himself sink further into his seat. 

Remus gave him a concerned and confused look, unsure of what was wrong with Harry. 

"What do you mean you saw him in the Daily Prophet?" He couldn't help but release a quiet groan of dread. 

"Harry, you didn't do anything wrong here." It was sweet that Remus was trying to comfort him even though he doesn't know why Harry is acting the way he was. 

"It's less to do with what I did, and more to do with what we didn't do." Remus looked even more confused.

"Fudge had come to Azkaban for the usual yearly check-up. He always seemed particularly scared of me, seeing as how I managed to stay sane even after years there. Which I was only able to do so because I stayed as Padfoot for the majority of the time. In addition, I focused on the fact that I was innocent, as that wasn't a happy thought, the Dementors couldn't take it away. I always liked to unnerve him as it was my only source of entertainment there." Here it comes, any moment now. He's going to be killed by a family of Weasley's before Voldemort can get to him. 

"I saw he had the Daily Prophet in his hand and asked if I could have it as I missed the crosswords. I asked simply and it scared the piss out of him. Quite funny for me I have to admit. He threw it at me, and I didn't look at it until he left. When I did, I saw the picture on the cover. I saw him. Peter was in the picture with the Weasley family from when they won that Ministry prize." Harry flinched violently and fell impossibly lower in his seat, hoping to become invisible. From the corner of his eye, he could see Hermione was trying to inch away from anyone with red hair, and Ron was nearly under the table. 

So focused on his impending doom, Harry missed the look of comprehension that came across Remus' face. 

"You never told them?!" Remus whispered yelled in his ear and Harry couldn't stop his face from burning. 

"We kinda forgot." Harry said sheepishly.

"You forgot? How could you forget that? I understand before Voldemort came back, only you, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and myself knew about Sirius' innocence. Last summer though, you all were at Grimmauld Place." There was severe exasperation on Remus' face. He looked like he did sometimes when talking to Sirius at his most outrageous moments. 

"I've had a lot on my mind." It was a flimsy excuse, but Harry didn't know what to say. 

Remus just stared at him drolly.

"Merlin, you remind me of your father right now." Harry knew there was no heat to it as there was a slight smile on Remus' lips. 

The older man pulled Harry closer to him, making him sit up from his current position. 

"And you saw Peter Pettigrew in his Animagus form in that photo?" Oh no.

"Don't worry, I'll try to protect you." There was laughter in Remus' voice. Harry didn't know what the man found so funny. 

"Try?" What happened to standing by Harry's side? 

"Voldemort is one thing. Angry, and protective Weasleys are quite another." Harry felt Remus shake with laughter at his groan.

"He was difficult to miss. He was on Ron Weasley's shoulder. He was their family's pet rat." An explosion went off at the Gryffindor Table. The Weasley's faces were a series of shock, disgust, and outrage. 

Horrified exclamations rang out from the family. It was Ginny that noticed the silence of Ron and Hermione. With the fury on her face, Harry was happy he was sitting halfway across the Hall from them. Although Harry didn't think that would stop Ginny in her wrathful state. 

"YOU! You knew! You knew and you didn't think to tell us!" She looked like a vicious, raging lioness about to pounce on their kill as she turned her ire onto her brother. 

"I'm going to kill you!" Ron's face was caught between surprise and terror as Ginny launched herself across the table to get to him. 

Luckily for Ron, Charlie caught their sister around the waist in midair before she could get to Ron. 

"Charlie, let me go! I'm going to kill him! LET ME GO!" Ginny started kicking her legs out to get free from the hold her second oldest brother had on her. It looked like one of her kicks landed their mark going by the painful grimace on Charlie's face. 

Bill and Percy came to help their brother get their little sister under control. 

"Ginny, stop." Percy grunted out after a foot made contact with his stomach.

"He knew and didn't tell us!" Ginny was still trying to get to the youngest Weasley boy.

It took a moment, but between the three of them, they finally managed to get Ginny's feet back on the ground. However, she was still trying to get to Ron.

"GINNY! ENOUGH!" It was surprisingly Percy who shouted so loudly and with so much authority. In her shock, Ginny completely stopped.

"He was my rat for 9 years. If anyone is going to kill Ron, it's going to be me." Then something happened that Harry would have never expected was possible. 

Percy launched himself over the Gryffindor Table at his youngest brother. 

Tackling his youngest brother, they landed on the floor, Percy on top of Ron, shaking him by the shoulders and yelling at him. 

Harry did what any sane person would do when confronted with an angry Weasley family. 

He quietly got up from his seat, picked up his chair, and moved it to Remus' other side to stay out of their view, before quietly sitting back down. 

Harry could see the laughter in Remus' eyes, but Harry ignored it. 

As much as people like to say otherwise, he did have some sense of self preservation.

It seemed that Percy's actions took the whole family by surprise as it took some time for Fred and George to try to drag their older brother off their younger one. 

Harry thought that all the Weasley's must have some supernatural strength that they must be hiding because even with how strong both twins were, years of playing beater only added to their strength, they were unable to get Percy off of Ron. 

They only were able to accomplish it when Bill and Charlie came to help them, and even then, it was still a struggle. 

Ginny who was now free, was giving the third Weasley boy an approving look and a satisfied smile. 

Amid the chaos of the Weasley children, they had forgotten about their parents. That all changed when their mother's sobs broke the silence.

Mrs. Weasley was in her husband’s arms, with her face buried in his chest, and her shoulders shaking. Mr. Weasley was holding his wife to him as he gently ran his hands up and down her back, and through her hair, trying to calm her down.

Harry was frightened by the look on his face as he never expected the usual kind man to ever look that way. His face was set in stone, hard, full of protectiveness, retribution, and promise.

Harry knew that they had messed up, that they should have told the rest of the Weasley family. He prayed that the look from the Weasley patriarch wasn’t for the three of them. He doesn’t know what he would do if his blunder lost him some of the only people that have ever treated him like family.

“We…we housed…we housed the person who sold my brothers out. The person who got them killed.” Mrs. Weasley managed to say through her muffled sobs.

Oh Merlin, how did they not think of that? How did they not think of what it would mean for Mrs. Weasley?

That night in the Shrieking Shack, Sirius and Remus had mentioned that Pettigrew had been telling information about the Order to Voldemort for over a year. By this past summer, Ron would have known that his uncles were a part of the Order in the last war and had been killed by Death Eaters because of it. Guilt and shame bubbled in Harry’s stomach at the pain this had caused someone he cared deeply for.

“Mum, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.” Percy said as he made his way over to his mother to wrap his arms around her, tears trailing down from his eyes.

“I didn’t know. When I found him, he was hurt, and I just wanted to help. To do something good. I’m so sorry, Mum.” Percy’s voice quaked from his tears as he held on to his mother.

“Oh, my boy, it’s not your fault. I don’t blame you. You’re so kind and when you saw an injured creature, you did everything you could to help it. None of it is your fault. Do you understand me?” Percy’s eyes were cast down as he gave a slight nod of his head. There was a shaky smile on Mrs. Weasley’s face as she gently wiped the tears from her son’s face.

“I’m sorry mum. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Ron spoke up as he looked at his mother and the rest of his family with devastation on his face.

“When Harry, Hermione, and I found out about Sirius, and about Pettigrew and how he had stayed hidden, we were disgusted.” Harry clearly remembered the look of revulsion on Ron’s face, and the horror on Hermione’s that night. He remembered the way his stomach had filled with lead at the thought of having been so close to the man who had betrayed his parents for so many years.

“Then when the Minister wouldn’t listen to us about Sirius being innocent, or about Pettigrew being alive, we got scared. We were scared that Sirius would be Kissed, scared that Harry would lose family he just found, scared that we would get in trouble for helping him, scared what would happen to you all if we told you. If you could be thrown into Azkaban like Sirius was because of us helping him. We were scared that you wouldn’t believe us if we did tell you. No one ever does. Then we get stuck with feeling like it’s all on us to fix.” Ron’s voice shook and Harry felt tears sting his eyes and quickly swiped them off his face.

“Then when you found out last summer that Sirius was innocent, we honestly just forgot in everything that happened. We didn’t tell you not because we didn’t want you to know or anything like that. We simply forgot and I’m so sorry.” His best mate sniffled as a few tears escaped his eyes.

“Oh, Ronnie.” Mrs. Weasley bustled over to the spot in front of Ron and pulled him over the table into a hug. Soon, the other Weasley children joined.

“I guess I won’t kill you.” Ginny’s muffled words could be heard slightly.

There was a startled yelp from Hermione as the Weasleys brought her into the family hug.

“We’re missing Harry.” Happiness bloomed in Harry’s stomach at Fred’s words, hearing that he was still included in their family, and he couldn’t help the small smile that was put on his face.

“I’ll catch the next one, promise.” Fred’s head perked up to look at Harry. Harry felt his cheeks get hot from the look in his eyes.

A second later the family hug broke apart.

“When we’re done here, I think a family meeting is in order.” Mr. Weasley's words were warm and gentle, yet there was no room for argument in them.

“That includes you two as well, Harry, Hermione.” Mr. Weasley gave a look to Hermione and turned to do the same with Harry, until his look morphed to confusion as Harry wasn’t where he was when this all started.

“Of course, Mr. Weasley.” Harry gave the man a small smile.

“What’s with the seat change, Potter?” There was a knowing smile on Ginny’s face.

Harry thought Remus said it best.

“To quote Remus, ‘Voldemort is one thing. Angry, and protective Weasleys are quite another.” Harry saw a mixture of embarrassment and pride on the faces of the family in question.

Remus’ smile immediately dropped from his face as slight fear filled his eyes.

“Don’t bring me into this.” The werewolf’s voice had a panicky quality to it.

“I think both you and Sirius should be there as well, Remus.” Molly’s voice still trembled slightly from her earlier tears.

“Of course, Molly.” Remus smiled at the woman before giving Harry a look.

Harry ignored it and smiled at the man innocently.

“Not falling for that.” Came the whispered words from the corner of Remus’ mouth, making Harry’s smile grow even larger.

"I apologize for my family's outburst, Amelia. This was shocking news to us." Mr. Weasley addressed Madame Bones and saw the woman's eyes soften. 

"Please, Arthur, there's nothing to be sorry about. Fabian and Gideon were very dear friends of mine." She gave both Weasley parents a sad smile before her look hardened with steely determination.

"Molly, I want you to know that when these readings are over, and after Sirius has his official trial, the capture of Peter Pettigrew will be one of my top priorities." Tears once again started falling gently from Mrs. Weasley's eyes.

"Thank you, Amelia. I really appreciate that." The Weasley matriarch gave the other woman a watery smile.

Madame Bones gave her a soft, warm smile before nodding and turning her attention back to Sirius.

"How did you know it was Peter Pettigrew?" Harry noticed that hearing Pettigrew's name lit the eyes of the Weasley's with more contempt and anger than before. 

"It was impossible for me not to know. James, Peter, and I spent years practicing and learning to become Animagi together. When we finally managed to complete the transformation, we spent years transforming with each other. I would know Peter's form in a dark room while blind." Sirius' voice remained the same as though what had just happened with the Weasley's didn't just happen. It freaked Harry out about just how much the Veritaserum could affect someone. 

"After you saw Peter Pettigrew, what did you do?" Harry knew this was all public knowledge but figured Madame Bones was being meticulous.

"I read the article. It said that the youngest boy, Ron, was in the same year as Harry. That they were both in Gryffindor and dormmates. Peter was in Hogwarts, in Gryffindor Tower with my Harry. With my godson." Warmth blossomed in Harry at the care and love his father had for him even after so many years apart. 

"The son of a man who loved him as a brother that he Betrayed. I knew Harry wasn't safe." Remus once again brought his arm to wrap around Harry, as though the words were a threat to Harry, and he was ready to protect him. 

Harry was truly lucky to have both men in his life.

"Many people heard you repeatedly saying, 'He's at Hogwarts.' They had assumed it was Harry Potter you were talking about. Was it?" Thinking about it, Harry wasn't sure of the answer himself. 

"Yes and no. I knew Harry would have started Hogwarts already. As Blacks, we learn all we can about the celestial bodies in the heavens. It's why so many of us are named after them. In our early years, we are taught to tell time by the stars, planets, and moon, rather than by the calendar. When I realized that I was never going to get a trial, I kept track of time by the sky so I could always wish Harry a happy birthday." The fact that Harry spent so many birthdays hoping and wishing for someone to love him hurt and healed a part of him. The Dursleys barely even acknowledged his birthday. The birthday before his second year, he had been tasked with staying in his room and pretending he didn't exist. 

All this time he had a father who loved him. A father who was thrown in jail unfairly, yet kept track of time so he could wish Harry a happy birthday.

Harry couldn't help the few tears that fell down his face as his vision blurred. 

"As so, I knew he would be in his third year by then, but my concern, my fear was that Peter was with him." Even after years of languishing in prison for crimes he never committed, his father's first thought was of Harry.

"I knew Voldemort wasn't dead. I knew that he would return. I was surrounded by his devoted Death Eaters. The most devoted was Bellatrix LeStrange, my cousin. I could hear her screaming from my cell that Voldemort would be back. Bella would never lie about her Master." Neville's face twisted in anger, as his shoulders tensed, and his fist balled at the mention of the person who played a major role in the torture of his parents. Madame Longbottom's face was hard, but she placed a gentle, calming hand on her grandson's shoulder.

"I knew that Voldemort would somehow eventually come back. If he did, Peter was in a perfect position to bring Harry to him." Both Remus and Mrs. Weasley flinched at the thought that Sirius had conjured. Harry felt the arm tighten around him, nearly painfully. 

"Thoughts of Harry sleeping in Gryffindor Tower, vulnerable in a place where he should've been safe, and Peter cursing him to bring him to Voldemort to be killed, kept filling my every waking thought and nightmare. Harry would be the perfect gift from Peter to Voldemort to appease him and the other Death Eaters as it was his word that brought Voldemort to his downfall when he tried to kill Harry." Harry remembered the taunts that Sirius threw at Peter in the Shrieking Shack. How the Death Eaters would scream about the things they would do to him, thinking he was the traitor that planned their Master's downfall. 

"Peter was at Hogwarts. Harry was at Hogwarts. They were both at Hogwarts. Harry wouldn't be safe with Peter here." Sirius finished his answer. 

"How and why did you escape Azkaban?" Harry figured Madame Bones wanted to know so that other prisoners couldn't do it again.

Well, other prisoners who weren't freed by Voldemort or their father.

"They don't feed us very much in Azkaban. We get one meal of slop a day. After so long of only eating that, I was skinny, very skinny. Just skin, bones, and the Azkaban prison robes." It looked like those words were a physical blow to Madame Bones. As though they caused her actual pain as she flinched away from them. 

She quickly composed herself and gave the Minister a murderous look of contempt, causing the man to become white with fear. 

Harry assumed from Madame Bones' reaction that Azkaban was under the purview of the Minister, and she was not happy with what she heard. 

"I also spent most of my time as Padfoot, my dog Animagus. Animal emotions are much less complex than human emotions. As so, there's less for the Dementors to feed off of, harder to track. That made them think that I had just passed out from their presence, and they would move onto the next inmate. They still affected me greatly, especially after so long around them regardless of Padfoot, but I didn't dissolve into a hysterical, sobbing mess." Harry watched as Madame Bones took detailed notes of the conditions prisoners were forced to go through as well as how Sirius had escaped. It wouldn't surprise Harry if after this, the conditions in Azkaban and how prisoners are treated were to drastically change, and it became even more impossible to escape. Including, for Animagi.

Honestly, why couldn't they have a Minister that was like Madame Bones? That way the Ministry wouldn't be useless as it is now.

"I spent over a week as just Padfoot to build up some strength. One day, when the Dementors were bringing me my daily meal, I was able to slip between the bars as Padfoot since I was so thin. I stayed in my Animagus form as I made my way out of the prison and swam across the stormy North Sea." Surprise rang out over everyone present. Everyone knew how rough, turbulent, dangerous, and deadly the waters of the North Sea were. Especially, the closer one is to Azkaban Island. The fact that his father was able to swim, as a dog, malnourished to the point he was skinny enough to slip through the bars, was in itself another impossible feat. 

Harry felt warmth envelope him at hearing the lengths his father had gone to for him. 

"I made my way to my family house. I knew no one was going to be there. In 1991 during Fudge's yearly trip to Azkaban, I got the paper from him much as I did two years later. There was an obituary on my grandfather, Arcturus Black. It mentioned how he managed to outlive his son and youngest grandson, both who died in 1979, and his daughter in law, my mother, who died in 1985. As I was still Heir, I knew my mother couldn't give the family home to anyone in a will, as it was rightfully mine." As Sirius hadn't said the address, Harry assumed that even under Veritaserum, the Fidelius Charm kept the Secret safe. 

A fresh wave of anger surged through Harry, solidifying the fact that Pettigrew had willingly given up his parents' location. 

Squashing the feeling down, Harry focused his attention back on his father. 

"When I got to the house, I took one of the wands from the Family Collection, and some money. I left right after and made my way to Private Drive, where I knew Harry's aunt and uncle lived. I knew that Petunia had stopped talking to Lily and their relationship was strained before James and Lily went into hiding. I had thought though that she would at least have some idea where Harry was. I needed to just see him. It's been so long I had to see him, to make sure he was alright. I was surprised to see him storm out of their house with his school truck. It reminded me of when I left home at fifteen. I followed him, staying in the shadows until I knew he was safe." Overwhelming affection for his father filled Harry. Knowing that after just escaping prison, Sirius' main concern was Harry, meant everything to the little lonely orphan boy that still lurked within him. 

"It seems my stealth skills got rusty during my stay in Azkaban because Harry saw me. I frightened him and in return he accidentally summoned the Knight Bus." Remus smiled down at him as he blushed and ducked his head at the fact he summoned the Knight Bus, not even knowing about it, all by accident because he fell.

"Before he got on the bus, I heard him asking about London, and figured he would make his way to the Leaky Cauldron. It's what I would've done." There was a mumble about 'Constant Vigilance' that could be heard by Moody. Taking a look, Harry saw that both eyes were trained on him. He couldn't help the sheepish look he gave the grizzled Auror who just huffed at him.

He also saw the commiserating looks sent to him by Kingsley, Tonks, and even Madame Bones. 

Next to him, Remus was shaking in silent laughter. 

Harry wasn't sure he was going to like what this all meant. 

"There was no way I could sneak onto the bus unnoticed, so I made my way on foot to London." Moody gave Sirius a half disappointed and half accepting look at Sirius' words.

Harry thought that maybe it was Sirius admitting that after everything he had managed to do, he had been unable to sneak onto a bus stealthily, disappointed the old Auror, but the fact that Sirius knew his limitations and wanted to remain unnoticed soothed the grizzly man a bit. 

Madame Bones rolled her eyes at the renowned Auror.

Suddenly, it looked like she was hit in the face by his father's words.

"That's over forty miles away. How did you manage that?" The first part was an exclamation while her question held a bit of wonder.

After everything his father had been through, he hadn't stopped for a moment of rest and was now about to walk over forty miles just to make sure Harry was safe. 

"Stubbornness and determination. I was going to make sure Harry was safe at all costs." There was a deadpanned look on Madame Bones face as she looked at his father. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, looking as though she was counting back from ten. 

"Two people know better than most just how stubborn and determined Sirius can be." Remus spoke as quietly as he could. 

"Amelia and I." There was laughter in his voice and Harry made a note to ask the man for some stories later. 

When Amelia Bones looked at Sirius again, there was fond exasperation in her eyes. Her eyes then turned to Remus, and they shared a knowing and commiserating look. 

Yes, Harry definitely made a reminder to ask. 

"Will you continue answering my question before I interrupted you?" Amelia Bones asked when her face cleared back to professionalism.

"I made my way on foot to London. It took me all night and the better part of the early morning. When I got into Diagon Alley, I watched Harry for the rest of the day. I watched as he explored the Alley, ate ice cream, went to Flourish and Blotts, then finally went back to the Leaky for dinner and then to his room for the night. In the dead of the night, when everyone was in their rooms and I was sure it was safe, I transformed back into my human form, and placed a Blood Ward across Harry’s door, to make sure that nobody who wished him harm could enter while he stayed there. After that I made my way to the kitchen, took some bread, and left some of my money on the counter. I transformed back to Padfoot and made my way to Hogwarts." Harry's heart stopped when he saw Umbridge perk up at the mention of Blood Magick. It seemed Madame Bones noticed as well.

"The Blood Ward you performed, what category was it?" She asked quickly. Harry could tell she was trying to find a way to derail any possible new charges Sirius could face. 

"It doesn't have a category. It's Black Family Magick, therefore the Ministry is unable to regulate it, or outlaw it for a Black to use." Thank Merlin. The tension immediately left Harry's body.

"The only way it would have been illegal for you to have performed it was if you were convicted of a crime. Seeing as you had no legal and binding trial, as was your right, no conviction or even proof of innocence could be determined, as you were illegally thrown into Azkaban. Were you aware of that when you did the Blood Ward?" The question was for Sirius, but Amelia Bones' eyes were pinned on Umbridge. Umbridge's face slowly drained of color as Madame Bones talked.

"Yes, I wasn't willing to do anything that could potentially get Harry into trouble. I'm reckless with myself, not him. Not the ones I love.” Amelia gave one last look to Umbridge before she smirked and turned around to face Sirius once more. 

"You didn't go after Peter Pettigrew right away?" Madame Bones continued to question, and Harry had a feeling that they would be done soon. 

"No, I read that the Weasley's would be spending a significant part of the summer in Egypt. I could have waited for when they came back as I knew where they lived. I feared though that if I did that, I would be putting them all in danger. Especially the children." There was a whimper that came from Mrs. Weasley. 

"It's okay, Molly. We're all safe." Mr. Weasley held his wife tight in his arms.

"I didn't want to risk spooking Peter and him doing to them what he did to those Muggles. I didn't want to have the blood of more innocent, good people on my hands, so I made my way to Hogwarts instead to bid my time there. That way, I could also keep an eye on Harry." The two eldest Weasley children had thunderous looks on their faces at the thought of the Traitor hurting their family. Their younger siblings looked a bit frightened and shocked at the thought that that could have been a possibility.

"Thank you, Sirius." Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley said at the same time. Mrs. Weasley looked as though she wanted to run over to his father and give him a crushing hug.

"What did you do when you got to Hogwarts?"

"I stayed in caves for shelter. Especially when it rained and snowed. I survived on rats and other small animals." Harry thought back to the times last year when Sirius had done the same all so he could be closer to Harry after his name came out of the Goblet of Fire.

"I can't believe he went through so much." Harry heard one girl whisper. 

"Talk about love and devotion." He heard another girl say from the Ravenclaw table.

"My father wouldn't do anything like that for me." Harry thought this comment sounded like it came from Nott.

"I waited for the best opportunity to get to Peter, which I knew would be Halloween. I figured he would be kept in the dorms while everyone went to the feast. That way everyone would be out of harm's way when I went after him. Although, in my state, I forgot about the Fat Lady, and how there wasn't any way she would let me in. In my frustration over everything, I lost it, and flew into a rage, attacking her portrait." When his father started to talk about the Fat Lady, Harry could see that Professor McGonagall and some Gryffindor students grew miffed at the reminder of what had happened to the Gryffindor Guardian. 

"When I realized what I did, I fled. I knew the feast would be over soon and I needed to get out of there. I felt terrible once I realized what I had done to her." As Sirius brought up the state he was in as well as feeling bad, he could see they grew slightly mollified.

"There was a report a short time later in the year, saying that you had managed to get into Gryffindor Tower, into Harry Potter's dorm, and were seen standing over a student with a knife. What made you decide to do such a thing?" Both Harry and Hermione gave Ron a look, remembering the way he kept embellishing the story the more he was asked about it. Ron's ears turned red as he ducked his head. 

"The student mentioned was Ron Weasley. I had grown desperate, paranoid that something would happen to Harry any time now. I had believed I could get Peter, the way I feared Peter would get to Harry. Except, I decided to use a knife instead of a wand because I didn't want to curse and hurt the boy by accident." That got Harry thinking of what spells his father would have used on Pettigrew if he thought a knife was less risky.

On second thought, maybe it's safer if he didn't know.

"Before I could accomplish that, Ron screamed bloody murder and I fled once more." All the boys who shared a dorm with Ron all shared a humorous look with each other. 

Ron had retold the story one too many times and Seamus had grown completely annoyed. 

The Irish boy ended up jumping across the room from his bed onto Ron's, tackling the redhead. They both ended up on the floor with Seamus on top of Ron, hitting Ron with his own pillow over and over again. 

For the next month they found feathers from the abused pillow in the most random places.

"Did you intend to harm anyone other than Peter Pettigrew?" Harry couldn't help but look quickly at Snape. He remembered the look of utter hatred that the two men exchanged. 

Snape saw his look and gave Harry a drawl look and a raised eyebrow in return.

Harry scratched the back of his neck abashed. It made sense to Harry.

Before Sirius answered the question, Harry had a quick thought that it was strange to communicate with Snape, especially non-verbally, without the usual hostility.

"No, never. Just Peter. He was a danger to Harry, and I wasn't going to let anything happen to him." Once again, Harry couldn't help the warmth that enveloped him at his father's words.

That warmth soon turned to dread as he saw Umbridge's face light up as she stood on her stout legs. 

"If you had managed to get to Peter Pettigrew, would you have killed him?" Umbridge's voice was delighted at the thought that she could possibly get Sirius on one crime after his father and Madame Bones made utter fools out of them and the Ministry in their handling of Sirius' case.

"NO! You do not have to answer that!" Madame Bones' eyes grew wide at the question that burst from Umbridge's mouth. Her eyes were filled with fury and panic. 

"I had gotten to Peter Pettigrew. I could have killed him but didn't." There was shock on Madame Bones' face at Sirius' confession.

"Harry had said not to. He had said that if Peter died, then the truth would die with him. I had listened to him as Harry had more right than anyone to decide Peter's fate." That shock turned to relief. 

"I may have wanted Peter dead, but what Harry wanted was more important to me. He will always be more important to me." At his father's words, Harry couldn't help but give Umbridge a smug look. 

Her plan failed. 

Harry heard scattered comments throughout the Hall.

"After everything he suffered through because of Pettigrew, he didn't kill him?" The quiet question was filled with shock and surprise.

"If I were Black, I don't think I would have been able to stop myself." Another whispered.

"Twelve years in Azkaban. A Kiss on Sight order. Being on the run for years. I don't think I would have had the same restraint." Harry heard a voice from the Gryffindor Table. 

"Don't forget, Pettigrew is the reason Black's family is dead. He sold them out to You Know Who," said their friend.

"Surviving in caves in Scottish weather. Eating rats. That alone would infuriate me to near murder." Harry heard Lavender say.

More and more people started whispering to their friends about how much restraint Sirius must have after everything he had been through not to follow through with killing Pettigrew. 

They all whispered about how wrong they, and the Ministry were about Sirius. 

Madame Bones let the talk continue for a bit, to allow Umbridge to see the full scope of just how bad her questioned backfired. 

"Madame Undersecretary, after this, you and I will be having a long talk." Amelia Bones turned to look at Umbridge, whose face blanched at the look on Amelia's, and her tone. The Scottish Winter had nothing on the coolness and frost of the beautiful blonde. 

"As Madame Umbridge had questioned you when she did not have the right to, you have the right to stop the questioning. Is that something you wish to do?" Madame Bones' voice warmed up as she turned back to Sirius to address him. 

"Not if you still have more questions to ask. I'll answer whatever I have to so I can be free and be with my godson." Harry smiled at the proof that Sirius was willing to endure anything so they could be a family. 

"I only have one more question. Is that fine with you?" One more question, just one more, and Sirius will be free. 

Well, free here. The real trial will take place after the readings.

"Yes." They're so close. Harry’s been waiting for this ever since he found out Sirius was innocent. Sirius deserves his freedom.

"You were found, November 2, 1981, laughing and saying over and over again 'I killed them' when you were arrested. If you were not the Secret Keeper, nor did you kill Peter Pettigrew, or the Muggles, what did you mean?" Harry remembered the despair in his father's voice as he told Harry in the Shrieking Shack why he felt he was responsible for everything that happened. 

He knows the answer. Even though his father's voice will lack emotion in it because of the Veritaserum, Harry knows the burden his father still carries from it. 

"That it was my fault that James and Lily were dead. I didn't Betray the Secret, but I was the reason they were Betrayed. If I never came up with the plan to switch Secret Keeper with Peter, James and Lily would still be alive, and so would those Muggles. My plan to use Peter got them all killed. It was all my fault." Madame Bones stared at Sirius, tears in her eyes and her lip quivered. 

There was soft crying around the room. Harry saw how students were holding their friends, trying to find comfort. They felt the pain Sirius still carries with him as he blames himself for the deaths of his friends. 

Thinking about what they would do if what had happened to his father happened to them. Doing everything in their power to protect their best friend, only for it to backfire. Then, they spend years in the most dreadful prison in the world as everyone assumes that their deaths were your fault.

That even you blamed yourself.

Madame Bones took a moment to collect herself before she spoke once more. 

"All questions have been asked and answered. The Charged will now be given the antidote to the Veritaserum." Madame Bones then handed another bottle to Kingsley who walked over and administered it to Sirius. 

Harry saw it take effect as his father's spine stiffened, his hands balled into tight fists, and his head dropped. His hair curtained his face and hidden it from view. 

"Sirius Black, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, as this is not a legal trial, I cannot legally pronounce you innocent. I can only give you my thoughts based on your answers here today. I highly doubt that anyone here who has witnessed and heard your testimony will disagree." Madame Bones stopped talking for a moment as she looked at his father's bowed head. 

The silence continued for a long moment until Sirius lifted his head to look at Amelia Bones. 

It seems this is what she had waited for as her eyes softened as she stared into Sirius' eyes. 

"I find you innocent of all charges." A tear escaped the pool of sapphires as Amelia tenderly and lovingly smiled at Sirius. 

There was loud applause from all around at Madame Bones' words.

Harry felt as though he could produce the world's strongest Patronus right now. 

His father was free. 

They can be a family. 

"Sirius!" Harry yelled through tears of joy.

His father turned to face him, looking younger and happier than Harry has ever seen before. 

Before Harry could even track his father's movements, his father had him in his arms and was picking him up, lifting Harry's feet off the floor and spinning him around. 

Harry heard the tears of joy and relief in his father's barking laughter as he held Harry to him. 

When Sirius finally stopped spinning Harry around, Remus joined the hug. 

"Everyone here knows your innocent Pads. Soon, everyone everywhere will know." Remus' voice was thick as he clutched Harry and Sirius.

"You and Harry were always the most important people that I wanted to know the truth." Sirius whispered fiercely.

Harry couldn't help but think that wasn't entirely true. 

"I don't think you're being completely honest with us there, Siri." His father pulled slightly away, and Harry gave him a slight smirk and looked at Amelia Bones. 

His father tracked his eyes and Harry heard the sharp intake of breath as red dusted over his father's cheeks. 

Before Sirius could say anything in response to Harry’s words, they were bowled over and knocked to the floor. Harry could only see a curtain of red, brown, and bright pink hair, knocking everyone to the floor.

They all landed in a dog pile. 

"Sirius! You're free! Congratulations!" Ron's voice was loud and happy, and Harry couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. 

"I'm so happy for you, Sirius! You too, Harry! This is amazing!" Hermione's voice was bright and excited.

"This is so fantastic! You deserve it, Sirius!" Ginny squealed with delight.

"Now you can really help make sure Harry doesn't do anything stupid and dangerous." Fred piped up from behind Harry. Harry elbowed him in the stomach. 

"Don't count on that." Both Ron and Hermione responded. 

Which, rude. 

"Siri! You're innocent! Now I don't have to worry about getting in trouble for helping a criminal!" Out of all the exclamations of joy, Tonks' was the funniest. 

"Can't. Breathe." Remus voice broke free from his place at the bottom of the pile. 

Realizing that they were crushing the man they all let go of each other, and in a flail of limbs got up. 

Standing once more, they all looked at Remus who still laying on the stone floor, rubbing his ribs and trying to catch his breath. 

"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Moony, you're fine." Sirius smirked at the downed man. Remus gave him a drawl look

"You're seriously calling me dramatic." They all saw a pained looked slowly spread across Remus' face as his father's smirk intensified.

Oh no.

"Oh no." Both Ginny and Hermione groaned. 

Exactly.

"My dear, Moony, I'm always Sirius." Harry heard Tonks face palm at Sirius' words. 

"Oh, Merlin that's so old." Groaned Remus, although there was a slight smile on his face. 

"And you love me anyway." Sirius said as he offered Remus a hand and helped him up. 

When Remus got on his feet, he pulled Sirius into a bone crushing hug.

“Of course, I do.” The two men clutched each other as they had done that night in the Shrieking Shack.

When they let go, Andromeda and Ted, as well as the Weasley parents, and all the other members of the Order came and gave Sirius hugs and congratulations. Even Snape walked over and gave Sirius a handshake.

It seemed to surprise everyone, including the Malfoys and Amelia Bones.

“Sirius.” Amelia’s gentle voice came from behind the man. Harry saw as his father tensed slightly before he turned to look at the woman.

“Mia, beautiful as always.” Amelia’s breath hitched and her hand grasped desperately onto a chain that was wrapped around her neck. His father tracked her movements with his eyes.

“On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to offer my apolo...” She was cut off from finishing by Sirius.

“No, not you. Never you.” Her eyes widened at the vehemence in his father’s voice.

“If someone is obligated to apologize, it can’t be you.” The usually strong woman took a shuddering breath as she bowed her head in what looked like defeat.

Gently, Sirius placed a finger under her chin, bringing her face up once more so he could look into her eyes.

“It can’t be you because I know this would have never happened if it was you who were Head of the DMLE then. This would’ve never happened under you.” Everyone heard Sirius' conviction at that moment.

“Not one day. Not one single day went by where I blamed you. Nothing was your fault.” Amelia eyes fell closed at Sirius words; fluttering opened once more as he bushed his thumb across her cheek.

“Not one day has passed that I haven't thought about you. I always loved you, Mia.” A few tears escaped Amelia’s eyes as her grip around the chain tightened.

Sirius noticed and his free hand ran down the chain until he made contact with Amelia’s hand. Sapphire stared into liquid silver, as Amelia gently, and ever so slowly opened her fist.

Lying in her hand, which was cradled in Sirius’ larger one, was the most beautiful ring Harry had ever seen.

The center stone was a large emerald cut sapphire. Harry could easily see that it must have been personally picked out for Amelia, for it was the color of her eyes. On each side of the sapphire, were two smaller, emerald shaped amethysts. They were a brilliant soft purple that reminded Harry of the color of the sky during dawn. Beautiful, signaling the start of a new day. Surrounding the three large precious stones were smaller black ones that Harry thought may be onyx. They were set on a silver band that was embedded with diamonds all around.

Harry watched his father stare at the ring in wonder and amazement.

“You kept it?” His voice was thick as he wrapped his arm around Amelia’s waist, bringing her closer to him.

“I couldn’t get rid of it. I promised you that I would always wear it. I didn’t want to break my promise.” His father stared into Amelia’s eyes.

Suddenly, Sirius pulled Amelia closer to him as he kissed her fiercely, as though his life depended on it.

As though he had waited years to kiss her again.

Harry knew that he must have.

He was happy to see that Amelia was holding onto his father just as tightly as he was holding onto her. They were two people who were afraid they would be ripped apart again.

Harry knew his father wasn’t about to let that happen.

More importantly, Amelia wasn’t willing to let that happen.

Harry was happy that his father was able to get another chance with the woman he loved.

“You know, Harry-" Harry jumped up in surprise at Susan’s sudden appearance next to him.

“When I was younger, I used to think my aunt never started a relationship because she was busy with work and me. Then one night she fell asleep on the couch with her hand around the ring on her chain. I could see it through the space between her fingers. I knew it was an engagement ring. I thought the person that had given it to her had died in the war. That she lost her true love because of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.” Harry saw tears spring into Susan’s eyes, which reminded Harry of her aunt’s but a bit lighter in color.

"I figured she couldn't think of ever being with someone other than the person who gave her that ring. I guess I was only half right." She gave Harry a shaky, teary smile. 

"It seems they both lost a lot." It hurt Harry thinking of everything his father had suffered through in his life. 

"They had us though. Auntie had me and Heir Black had you." It was strange hearing his friend refer to his father as Heir. 

Harry thought that Susan wouldn't be calling Sirius that much longer considering everything. 

"And I guess now we're also going to have each other." Her smile became radiant and lightness enveloped Harry at her words. 

"Yeah. We will." Harry grabbed and squeezed Susan’s hand. He didn't have to guess. He knew that Amelia and Susan were now a part of his family. 

That is, if Amelia Bones didn't kill his father for not telling her about the Blood Adoption. Harry winced minutely at the very thought of that conversation.

It seems that Susan took after her aunt even more than Harry had initially thought for she noticed the slight movement and raised an eyebrow in question. 

"Umm I think the four of us will need a talk soon." Harry wasn't ashamed that he was Sirius' son. 

Harry was scared though at what Amelia would do to his father for not telling her about the Adoption.

"Oh, a family meeting already. Life isn't going to be dull with you around, is it, Harry?" There was a smirk on her face at his sheepish look. 

Harry felt an arm wrap around his waist and was pulled into a broad, strong chest. 

"'Dull' and 'Harry' never go into the same sentence." Fred said as he kissed Harry's cheek.

"I thought you would know that after the illegal underground defense group he teaches, Ms. Bones." Fred whispered ever so quietly into Susan's ear, then rested his chin on Harry's head. 

"Oh, how could I ever forget?" The sarcastic drawl was Snape worthy. 

"Which, by the way, I'm pretty sure will be in the books. Will your aunt..." Harry trailed off as he tried to find the right question to ask. 

Susan gave him an amused look. 

"Relax, Harry. Auntie will find a way to pin any trouble that we could get into onto Umbridge." Thank Merlin, for that. Harry feels he'll have enough to deal with without worrying about that bit. 

"Besides, I think she has a few more crucial things on her mind besides an illicit underground club." There was no way that Harry could argue with that. 

Finally, his father and Amelia broke apart. Amelia's face was red from the applause and wolf whistles that had been going on, and Sirius looked as though a part of him had been healed. 

That was until he looked at Harry and guilt crossed his face. 

Harry could guess what had the man who had just looked like he had been on top of the world, to looking as crushed and scared as his father did now. 

"Pup...I'm sorry. I know...it's just..." Harry figured he'd put his father out of his misery. 

Freeing himself from Fred's grip who reluctantly let go, Harry walked the few feet to stand in front of Madame Bones. 

"Hello, I'm Harry Potter. I know we haven't been properly introduced yet." Harry held his hand out to the blonde woman who took it smoothly but with surprise in her eyes. 

"Amelia Bones. It's nice to officially meet you, Mr. Potter. Although we did meet when you were much, much younger." Ah, right. Harry didn't think about that. Of course, his godfather's fiancée would have met him. 

"Just Harry, please. I have a feeling we're going to be seeing a lot of each other in the future." Harry saw as a smile spread over both Amelia’s and his father's faces. His father had tears in his eyes as well. 

"Yes, I think you are quite right about that." Harry saw as she gave a sweet smile to his father. 

"Harry says that a family meeting will need to happen soon, Auntie." Susan piped up from next to him with a smirk on her face. 

What is it with him always getting stuck with mischievous redheads?

"Oh, is that so?" Amelia raised an eyebrow, not objecting to the talk Harry had mentioned having been labeled 'family meeting'. 

"Uh, yeah. I'm sure there's a few things we all need to talk about, considering..." Harry waved a hand between Sirius and Amelia.

"Yes, I suppose you're right about that." Her eyebrow dropped as red softly dusted her cheeks. 

Wanting to get off the topic of his father and his fiancé reuniting Harry went back to his original plan before Susan had poked fun at him.

"I also wanted to thank you." Amelia turned to look back at Harry.

"Whatever for?" Question sparkled in her sapphire eyes. 

"My trial over the summer. You were the only one who spoke up and gave me a chance. The only one who didn't seem as though they were out for my blood. It was a nice change after everything." Harry truly was grateful for the way Amelia had handled his trial and had taken charge of it. 

Complete and utter shock covered Amelia’s face at his words. 

There was also deep sadness in her eyes. 

"We had no idea it was going to be a full Wizengamot Trial. Sirius said though that as I was facing expulsion for breaking the law that you would be there as Head of DMLE. He said if you're there, there was nothing I had to worry about. That you would get to the bottom of it and always do the right thing." When his father had told him that, the conviction in his eyes at the truth of the words he was saying, was the only reason Harry didn't dissolve into hysterics. 

"I don't think it's necessary for you to thank me for doing my job." It was easy to see that she really believed her words.

Harry shrugged.

"There is when it would have been easier for you to fall in line. Except, for a select few, I'm used to people turning on me when it's easy and convenient for them to do so." Harry felt Susan flinched as a distraught look crept on her face. Bumping her shoulder, Harry gave her a smile showing that he didn't hold anything against her. 

Amelia saw the interaction and gave her niece a hard look before she looked back at Harry, her eyes softening.

"Well then, I must thank you, Harry." Amelia smiled making her look all the more beautiful. 

"For what?" Harry doesn't think he did anything to be thanked for.

"Even in the face of opposition, adversity, and open hostility, you continued to try to do everything you could to warn the public, warn us all, of Voldemort’s return. I don't think there's another person who would carry on through all the vitriol thrown your way from the public, the newspaper, and our Minister." Her face didn't change but Harry heard the sneer in her voice as she mentioned the Minister. 

"And from one so young, you truly are an amazing young man." Feeling the blush burning his cheeks, Harry ducked his head and scratched his neck in embarrassment. 

From a few feet away he could hear Fred laughing at him. 

"You'll have to forgive him, Madame Bones. Harry doesn't know how to take a compliment for the life of him." Fred said as he wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and gave him a kiss to the cheek. 

Harry gave him a look and an elbow to the stomach.

Fred's smile just grew. 

"Well, I just wanted to say that I'm happy that Sirius has you now. He deserves to be happy. You both do. So, I just wanted to say, welcome to the family." A beautiful smile spread on Amelia's face as her eyes lit up. 

Before she could say anything, Harry was lifted off his feet once more and the room started spinning. 

His father's barking laughter was in his ear as Sirius held Harry to him once more and spun him around. 

After a moment, Sirius placed him gently on his feet as he laid a hand on each shoulder and looked into Harry's eyes. 

"Thank you, Pup. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't know how, and...and it hurt too much because I had thought..." There were tears in his father's eyes once more. 

Harry hoped one day that all the horrors would be washed away from his father's life. 

"I understand, Siri. I just want you happy. You deserve to be happy." Harry watched as tears sprang to his father's eyes once more as he crushed Harry to his chest and kissed the top of his head. 

"So do you, Pup." Sirius combed a hand through his hair. 

"Plus, you made me the happiest I could be when you believed me two years ago. That was more than I could have ever thought would ever happen." Harry's hold on his father tightened. If he hadn't had heard the man out, Harry would've never learned he had a father who was alive. 

Sirius pulled back from him and looked into Harry's eyes, gently cupping his face with a hand. 

"I love you, Pup." Harry doesn't think he could ever be embarrassed hearing his father say that in front of everyone. 

He's spent too long wishing and dreaming he'd have a parent figure who loved him. 

"Love you too, Padfoot." A huge smile spread across Sirius' face making Harry think any other look would now look alien on his father's face. 

Smiling suited him. It looked natural on him.

Harry hoped that now Sirius would smile more often. 

Sirius then turned back to Amelia. 

"And you..." Amelia raised an eyebrow but a smile was on her face. 

"I think that it's time that this..." His father gently held the ring that was still attached to the chain around Amelia’s neck. 

"Is put back on where it belongs." He unclasped the chain from around Amelia’s neck, freeing the beautiful ring. 

"That is, if you'll still have me?" His father held the ring out to Amelia. There was shock on her face as Sirius bent on one knee in front of her. 

"I'm a little more damaged, a little more haunted, and a little more broken." There was a sad little smile on Sirius' handsome features.

"But I have and always will love you unconditionally, Mia. Will you..." Sirius was cut off from his question by Amelia hauling him back onto his feet and pulling him into a fierce, passionate kiss once more. 

Harry was happy for his father, but he'd prefer not to see that. 

Feeling himself being pulled backwards, Harry landed once more with arms wrapped around him, his back leaning on a strong chest. 

"Seems like your family keeps growing, love." Fred whispered into his ear, and Harry couldn't help but smile happily at the thought. 

The boy who spent so many years alone no longer had to be anymore. 

"I hope you still have room for me." Harry knew Fred was only joking but he couldn't help the feeling of his heart being ripped out. 

The reminder of the future they barely managed to seem to avoid where he would have lost Fred. 

"I'd be nothing without you. I love you, Fred. With my whole heart." It came out more passionate, more fierce, more furious, than Harry had meant but Harry couldn't help it. 

He could have lost Fred. 

Fred looked at him with surprise at the tone Harry had used and the despair and desperation that Harry knew was in his eyes.

"Hey, I'm not going anywhere, Harry. I'm here, love. I'm here." Fred tenderly cupped and tilted his face to look into Harry’s eyes. Harry couldn’t fathom a world where Fred’s azure blue eyes didn’t sparkle with love, mischief, and so much life.

Nodding his head and blinking quickly, Harry once more rid himself of the tears at the thought of losing the other boy.

“Promise me?” Harry asked, needing to hear Fred say the words.

“I promise.” Fred softly kissed his lips.

“When have I ever lied to you?” Gently, Fred brushed his thumb over Harry’s cheek as he asked.

Never. Fred had always been brutally honest with him.

He knew how much Harry hated to be coddled or lied to.

“Never.” Harry answered.

“Then believe me when I say that won’t change.” It was impossible for Harry not to believe Fred.

Harry also knew that the other boy did leave him.

Whether he wanted to or not. Harry had probably spent years alone.

Not this time. He was going to make sure nothing ever happened to Fred.

“I believe you.” Fred gave him the sweetest smile at his words, and once more, kissed him tenderly.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” Harry heard his father say from a few feet away.

Sirius looked at Amelia with a brilliant smile and such tenderness. Amelia looked at his father with complete and utter love.

“Yes, Sirius.” His father gave the woman one more soft kiss before the couple were bombarded with congratulations.

It took a few minutes for the crowd around the couple to be cleared a bit.

“Sirius, this is my niece, Susan.” Harry heard Amelia say to Sirius as both Harry and Fred made their way closer to the reunited couple.

“Oh, I knew who this beauty was the moment she stood up and told the pink toad off.” Sirius looked at Susan with warm eyes and a tender smile. Susan blushed but smiled at his words.

“I remember when you when you were a tiny thing, following your aunt around like a shadow. Copying everything, she did.” Susan’s blush grew as she ducked her head.

“I always said you would be just like Mia. I was wrong though.” The embarrassed look turned affronted. Before Susan could tell his father off, Sirius continued.

“It seems, you’re even fiercer and more the true Hufflepuff than even Mia was at your age.” The affronted look from Susan turned bashful.

“You’re going to end up an even greater witch than your aunt, I think. I never thought I would say those words to anyone before.” Susan looked as though Sirius had just paid her the greatest compliment in the world.

“She already is.” Amelia said as she lovingly ran a hand through her niece’s hair.

Susan took a couple of deep breaths to calm her flustered face down. When it seemed she was finally in control, she gave Sirius a brilliant smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Heir Black." Susan held her hand out to Sirius, who offered a kiss to it with a flourish, making Susan blush and Amelia to roll her eyes. 

"The pleasure is all mine, Heiress Bones." Sirius gave the girl another charming smile. 

"Please, call me, Sirius. I hear Heir Black and I think of my mother and ancestors trying to kill me from the grave." Sirius said laughingly. 

Remembering the portrait of Walburga Black, Harry could see Sirius' mother trying that. 

"Sirius..." It seemed that Amelia didn't like Sirius speaking like that. 

"What, you know it's true." There was a contrite look on his father's face, telling Harry that this was a conversation they had many times before. 

"Whether or not it's true..." At the look on Sirius' face Amelia heaved a sigh. 

"Even though it is true..." Amelia amended, making Susan giggle at the couple's antics.

"Does not mean that you don't deserve the title or mean that they deserved to be mentioned. They're dead, you're not. Which is all the more for the better because it uncomplicates my life quite a bit." There was a lovesick expression on Sirius' face, as both Susan and Harry shard an amused look with each other. 

"Especially your mother." Amelia mumbled as she rubbed her ear tenderly in remembered pain. 

"I swear, my ears still ring at times because of her yelling." It was strange yet funny seeing the renowned woman grouse. 

"Oh, wait until you see her portrait. When she sees you, she may die all over again." There was a gleefulness to his father's excited voice.

Harry felt Fred's chest shake in laughter and heard Susan's giggles at the horrified look on Amelia's face. 

Closing her eyes, Amelia took a deep breath and audibly counted back from ten. 

Both Susan and Sirius' laughter increased. 

Opening her eyes, she gave Sirius the driest look Harry has ever seen on anyone. 

"Oh, joy." Susan nearly fell into hysterics at her aunt's reply. 

Before anyone could say anything else, Professor McGonagall came up to whisper in Amelia’s ear. Amelia grew more serious the longer she listened. When Professor McGonagall was done, Amelia called attention to all in the room. 

"Professor McGonagall has just reminded me at how late it is, and the night still is not over." At her words, Harry felt just how tired he actually was as he stood slumped against Fred's chest. Fred was the only reason why he was up right as he felt nearly dead on his feet. 

"I know many of you are tired, and I apologize for all of us getting so off track, but it seems we must continue with what has brought us all here today." Harry thought there would be protest, as he was ready to go to sleep. It seemed that even though people were tired, knowing that there was still possibility for more excitement was enough to hold any complaints at bay. 

"If everyone would please take their seats, let's finish the letter and then head to bed. We can begin the readings tomorrow after everyone has rested." Everyone reacted on instinct to the authority in Amelia’s voice and did as she said, taking their seats. 

Professor McGonagall stood at the podium that was in front of the center of the Head table. 

"As so much has happened since I started reading the letter, I will start from the beginning once more." The professor cleared her throat before she began reading.

“Before anything else, I, we would like to apologize to Professor McGonagall for having to be the one to read this. We are aware of how painful parts of this will be to read for you, Professor, but it has to be you. For the Magick to be effective, a person who will most certainly be at Hogwarts in both the present and the future must read the letter. This will immediately trigger the spell from their side. The spell will only end once all books are finished, followed by the last remaining letter. As you all may now be aware, we find it that it might just be good to confirm to all, that those who had such an extreme reaction to the start of the spell were the ones who had set up all this in the first place. We must apologize for what you have been made to go through and witness just now. Especially to the eight individuals who felt the effects of the spell most acutely. Just know, if you blame anyone for what you were made to experience, blame your future selves. We each assured ourselves that we would bear the pain of it, as it was more than worth it. That with the chance to ensure the safety and lives of the ones we love most; we would happily endure the pain of the Sacrifice. Our lives were of little cost for how much we had lost, and what we stood to gain. This is more necessary than you could ever imagine. We would not have been brought to such extremes had it not been. Every possibility was exhausted before we determined that this was the path that would need to be taken. This was the path that would save the most lives. That would save Magick itself. It all began during the second war with Voldemort. When the Ministry finally decided that they could no longer turn a blind eye to the truth, which was June of 1996. Voldemort had already gained back much of the power base that he had in the First Wizarding War. As so, when it became public knowledge that he was back, the Ministry was unprepared and unequipped to deal with the chaos that he and his Death Eaters had wrecked fifteen years earlier. It was too much too soon. No steady build up to allow us time to prepare for any sort of counter. It became a slaughter. It didn't help that much of the Ministry was corrupt with Voldemort’s followers on the inside making moves on his behalf before his return was exposed. Once Voldemort’s return was undeniable, things immediately took a turn for the worse. That first year, many people, many families, both Magical and Muggle were killed. Most within the walls of their own homes. Fear and terror ran rampant. The only solace for any was the safety the children were afforded when within Hogwarts. Nevertheless, many of the students were affected by the violence outside the school gates. Many received news that they would no longer see their loved ones ever again. It was a year after Voldemort’s return was acknowledged that the relative safety at Hogwarts had ended. The next year, Voldemort had total control of the Ministry and Hogwarts. Half-Bloods and Purbloods had no choice but to return. They learned that Hogwarts would be much different under the newly installed regime. Instead of the home away from home that Hogwarts had been for over a thousand years, it had turned into a prison. A prison where Death Eaters, such as the Carrows were their professors, their guards, their torturers. The only safety within the school was in a room which was not there. Housing a rebellion of students and offering sanctuary to all who needed it, regardless of House. Muggleborns were forced to go on the run as the Muggleborn Registration Act was put into effect. The act stated that all Muggleborns were to be put on trial for theft of Magick, and once found guilty, would be Kissed." Harry remembers this was the part they had gotten to before everything went sideways.

For the better, Harry thought. 

"During Voldemort’s near Year of Terror, not only did he have both Hogwarts and the Ministry under his control, he also had Snatchers." There were confused looks shared between the people who had fought in the first war. 

"I've never heard of Snatchers before." Emmeline said to herself. 

"Neither have I." Kingsley said with a look to Amelia who shook her head, showing she too did not know what they were. 

"Snatchers job was to track down Muggleborns and Undesirables, bringing them to either the Ministry for trial, or to one of Voldemort’s Inner Circle if the Snatched was valuable enough." Everyone's faces paled and filled with dread, looking sick at the thought of people actually being hunted down like animals. 

“It all came to a head on May 2, 1998, when everyone who opposed Voldemort’s reign made their last stand. It became known as the Battle of Hogwarts.” Professor McGonagall’s voice shook. No one dared interrupt the professor as she continued to read.

“The battle was aptly named as the battlefield was Hogwarts, herself, and her warriors were its students.” Devastation showed on nearly all the adults faces at the thought of children fighting in a war.

“The battle was long and brutal. Both sides suffered many losses. Many students that were too young died. “The professors looked crestfallen and devastated at those words. The very children they were supposed to care for and protect, killed way before their time.

“The professors had done all they could to protect their charges. They had set up evacuation of all the children who had not reached their majority through hidden passageways out of Hogwarts, with the help of the Order.” Harry heard a shout of indignation from Ginny.

“See, Pomona, we would have done everything we could.” Professor Flitwick said to a teary face Professor Sprout, and he gently patted her hand, with tears of his own in his eyes.

“Many children who had been evacuated made their way back to Hogwarts to stand with their older classmates and families.” Colin Creevey perked up; his face set stubbornly.

"How can we not? Hogwarts is our home too. If we want to, we have every reason to fight alongside to defend her and to fight for what's right." There were tears in the professors' eyes at his declaration. 

Before any of the professors could say anything, including Snape as he had opened his mouth, Colin cut them all off. 

"Death Eaters don't care about my age and whether or not I have reached my majority. The only thing they care about is my blood. They'll want me dead either way." Dennis Creevey grabbed onto his older brother's hand, tears in his eyes, face ashen, and lips trembling. 

"If I have to choose between dying while fighting for what is right and dying with a curse thrown at my back from fleeing, I rather died fighting. That way, it's on my terms. That way, I know my death meant something. No one has a right to take that choice from me." Colin sat down after looking defiantly at the professors to wrap his arm around his younger brother and comfort him. 

There were mummers of agreements from young faces all around the Hall. 

Harry agreed with Colin. It's why it angered him when the adults try to act as though he wasn't a part of the war. As if he shouldn't be aware of what was going on.

They may be children, but Voldemort and his Death Eaters don't care about that. 

Pretending otherwise will just end up getting them all killed. 

Professor McGonagall wiped a tear from her eyes and took a shaky breath before continuing.

"Students, professors, the Order, people from Hogsmeade, resistance fighters, House Elves, centaurs, and one giant stood against Voldemort, and his Death Eaters. They stood up to tyranny, persecution, and hate. They fought even in the face of immeasurable odds, they held their ground and fought for what was right." There were tears all around. 

"Each and every defender of Hogwarts stood their ground, marking them as the bravest of all of us, for when Voldemort arrived, his army outnumbered us greatly." All those who had fought in the previous war looked gutted and pale. 

"Thousands upon thousands of Voldemort’s supporters surrounded the castle. Death Eaters, Snatches, giants, acromantulas, and werewolf packs from across Europe who had grown hateful after so much persecution and hate directed at them." There were gasps of shock and fear as many students’ eyes had grown wide.

"Dear Merlin, we can't let this happen." Kingsley said as he gripped the table's edge tightly. 

"We won’t." Amelia said, determination in every line of her face. 

"When faced with all those who wished to lay siege to Hogwarts, many were scared but none ran away or backed down. Instead, they grew more determined as those who wished to harm them made their way closer to the castle." Even though there were scared and tear-filled eyes, Harry saw many shoulders square and backs straighten as they were in the midst of battle now. 

"At the end of the battle, Voldemort was dead, and the Hogwarts Defenders were victorious." A deafening cheer rose out of nearly all who were present in the Great Hall as people shouted, hollered, clapped their hands and stomped their feet at the knowledge they had won. 

Hearing that they had won, that Voldemort had been killed, didn't fill Harry with the same excitement as it did everyone else. They may have won, but what have they lost in the process?

Was it truly a victory if all this was necessary?

Harry didn't think so.

Looking at Professor McGonagall's face, Harry saw the tightness around her eyes as well as the devastation within them. She had allowed the students to celebrate. The sinking feeling in Harry's stomach doubled as he realized that he was right. As he realized that Professor McGonagall was allowing them to celebrate now because there wouldn't be much to be happy about going forward. 

It took some time but finally quiet returned and everyone looked at the Deputy Headmistress to continue.

"Yes, we won the battle, but we had lost so much. So many. The victory soon became hollow." Harry held his head in his hands and closed his eyes. 

"Hogwarts was nearly destroyed." Many people around took that as a physical blow. Hogwarts was a second home to most, and a first home to some like Harry. Hearing that Hogwarts had been so badly hurt was painful. 

"Many of the Defenders side had perished in battle. At least half the stu..." Professor McGonagall cut herself off with a shudder and tears. 

"At least half the students had been killed in the fight. More had succumbed to their injuries in the coming days and weeks." The professors were distraught at the fate of so many of their students that they had started crying openly. Even Dumbledore looked as though he had been dealt a significant blow. 

"Magick itself had been dealt a heavy blow within Great Britain with so much death. Especially, of those so young." Next to him, his father flinched and pulled him closer.

"It wasn't only children at Hogwarts who had lost their lives to Voldemort and his followers. When Voldemort had control of the government, he had gained access to....oh dear Merlin, no. No that...that..." Professor McGonagall looked sick and terrified at what she was seeing as she stared down at the letter. 

All the other Heads, as well as Madame Pomphrey bustled themselves as quickly as they could to get to Professor McGonagall upon seeing the state she was in. 

"Minerva, you need to breathe. Follow my breathing. Deep breath in, hold, and slowly release." Madame Pomfrey directed the Head of Gryffindor. Both Professor Sprout and Snape were rubbing circles into her back as Professor Flitwick held her hand.

Slowly but surely the Professor’s breathing evened but the tears still slid down her cheeks persistently. 

"The book...the record book. Voldemort got hold of it. He got their names." Harry didn't know what they were talking about but whatever it was, it wasn't good. 

That became all the more apparent when it was Professor Snape who had become deathly white and took a stumbling step back, eyes wide with terror. 

"He'll kill them all. Every single one of them. He'll slaughter their whole families." Professor Sprout looked as though she was going to be ill at Snapes words. 

"It won't happened." Professor Flitwick voice has more steel in it than Harry could have ever imagined. His face is screwed up, teeth bared as if ready to attack with his bare hands. 

His goblin blood rings true in this moment as he looks like a great goblin warrior of old. Ready to wage war and battle for what is his. 

"It will not happen." The fierce, tiny professor says as he looks at the other Heads and Dumbledore.

"Filius is right. We will stop him." Dumbledore said from his place at the Head Table. 

Each Head of House gives sharp nods at his words and make their way back to their place. 

"Will you be alright to continue, Minerva?" Professor Snape asked Harry's Head of House before heading back to his seat. 

"Whether or not I am, I don't have much of a choice, do I?" They both give each other small, miserable, sardonic smiles.

"Now I know how you feel when Albus asks you." Warmth enters Snape's black eyes as Professor McGonagall's smile turns sad. 

Snape dips his head to her and makes his way back, as Professor McGonagall steps once more to the podium to continue reading. 

"When Voldemort had control of the government, he had gained access to the Hogwarts record book that list all new incoming students and their home address. This book keeps records of all children who are to come to Hogwarts once they start having instances of Accidental Magick, whether they be Pureblood, Half-Blood or Muggleborn." A sick feeling came over Harry as he heard Sirius take a shuddering breath and bring him as close as possible, as if trying to protect Harry from the words Professor McGonagall was reading.

"It wasn't just a slaughter. It was extermination." There were tears in Hermione's eyes as she heard his father's words. 

"Sirius?" Harry wasn't sure what he was asking his father.

"Voldemort and the Death Eaters believe in Pureblood Supremacy. If he got ahold of a book that listed the names and addresses of all children who show signs of Magick, and will be sent a Hogwarts letter when they turn eleven..." Sirius snapped his eyes closed tightly and shook his head as if trying to rid the images his words had conjured from his head. 

"Then they will have a way to wipe out all future generations of Muggleborns that live within the UK and Ireland." Hermione finished what Sirius did not have the stomach to say. 

There were tears flowing down Hermione's face from her chocolate brown eyes as she stared into empty space, a desolate look on her face. 

"Children will be hunted down and killed. Their families will be killed alongside with them. They'll have no training, no wand, no knowledge of why someone is trying to hurt them. Them and their families will be killed, just because they're Muggleborns. Their gift of Magick will end up being a curse for them." There wasn't a person within the Great Hall that wasn't affected by Hermione's words. Students and adults alike were crying at the image that had been painted for them. 

At what their future had held. 

Even Lucius Malfoy looked sick at the thought of innocent children being murdered indiscriminately. 

"Voldemort used the record book to...to...to locate Muggleborns a...a...and set about the Gr...Great Cleansing by killing the Muggleborn ch...ch...children and their fa...families." Professor McGonagall barely managed to get out through her tears. 

Many in the Hall were in similar states to the Head of Gryffindor House. There were faces full of shock and devastation at having to listen to the depravity wrought on innocent people by a monster who was barely a man. 

All around him, Harry could see distress, despair, and grief written on people's faces.

Unlike the others, it wasn’t devastation and disgust that consumed Harry. It was prevalent, there’s no doubt about that, but he wasn’t willing to allow himself to fall into a pit of despair at the future that had awaited them.

That’s no longer their future, it’s why they’re here.

They’re here to change what happens. To make sure it never happens.

Determination settles into Harry and burns fiercely.

This will never happen.

"Then we make sure it can never happen.” All eyes within the Hall immediately look to him. Harry can’t help but straighten his back and square his shoulders at the weight of the eyes on him.

“If the record book could possibly be used to gather information on incoming Muggleborns, then we make sure that that can never happen.” Harry sees Ron’s eyes light up at his words and knows that his best mate understands what he’s saying.

“Plan ahead. With insight into your enemies’ possible moves, your able to counter them before they actual make them. If you can do that, you can have control. Have them make the moves that you already planned out for them until you’re ready to check them. Just like chess.” There was a light in Ron’s eye as he spoke, a spark of hope.

“If we know what Voldemort will plan to do, we make it impossible for him to do so before he has the opportunity, or before he even has the thought to do it.” Hermione continued, life returning to her face once more.

“Well, what do we know?” Harry asks as if it's just like solving the mystery of the year.

“Voldemort took control of the Ministry and Hogwarts a few years from now.” Hermione said succinctly, a quill in hand, along with parchment and an inkwell on the table place in front of her. 

Where those objects came from, Harry isn't sure, but trust Hermione to be prepared to take notes. Harry couldn't help the feeling of fondness he had for his two best friends as they sat together trying to solve yet another problem. 

“Which made it possible for him to get ahold of the record book.” Ron continued as he watched Hermione jot down notes.

"So, the record book is either in Hogwarts or the Ministry." Harry finished with the very obvious and potentially deadly fact. 

"Yes, but that's common sense. Even if we didn't know the exact location, we could easily find out where from either the Headmaster or one of the professors." It was said as though Hermione believed she had no doubt they would either tell them or they would find out for themselves. 

Both Harry and Ron nodded in agreement with their friend's statement.

"Why is it those three are so certain that they would find out the books location?" A slight miffed expression crossed Professor McGonagall's face.

"Because they have a habit of sticking their noses and getting into places where they don't belong only to come out the other side a bit worse for wear but still alive and knowing far more than they should." Snape deadpanned and Professor McGonagall couldn't help but concede that it was the truth.

"It's more important as to the people who have access to the record book." Ron chimed in.

"The Headmaster for sure. Also, Professor McGonagall as she's the one who sends out the letters each year." Harry listed the people who would surely have access to the record book, as he watched Hermione's hand fly over the parchment, her handwriting still extremely neat and legible.

"Presumably, the other professors as well." Hermione continued to list all the Hogwarts professors.

"Ministry officials, which considering how corrupt the lot are, doesn't make the book safe at all." Ron grouched as he threw a sneering and disgusted look at Umbridge and Fudge.

"There's no way Professor McGonagall would let Voldemort get ahold of that book if it was in Hogwarts while she's alive. We know she's alive too because she's the one that had to read the letter in the first place." Both Ron and Hermione nodded their heads in agreements with the vehemence in Harry's voice. 

"True." Hermione said for good measure.

"Oh great, so it's at the Ministry. No wonder Voldemort was able to get it. They probably wouldn't have even stopped him if they thought it would spare them." Ron's voice was full of contempt as he threw his hands up and slammed them on the table in outrage at the thought.

"I highly doubt Voldemort would have walked into the Ministry himself to get the book." Hermione said sharply as she stopped writing for a moment to steady the inkwell that shook from the force of Ron hitting the table. 

Ron gave an apologetic look at the glare Hermione sent his way. 

"Voldemort only does things himself if it would send a message." It's why Voldemort didn't want any of his Death Eaters to attack Harry that night in the graveyard. Voldemort wanted to kill Harry himself because he thought it would clear any doubt from people's mind that what happened Halloween of 1981 was just a fluke, and there was no way Harry could ever truly defeat Voldemort.

"Seeing how he would've already taken over the Ministry there would be no message to send by taking something from it." Hermione nodded her head in agreement with Harry.

"Probably sent one of his lackeys to do it for him. I bet it was Malfoy Senior." Ron's ears were red with anger, hands balled into fists, knuckles white, as he spit out with venom which only grew more poisonous as he mentioned the name of the man that had nearly caused his little sister to die.

"It doesn't matter who got the record book but that they were able to get it in the first place." Hermione stopped writing to place a gentle, calming hand over Ron's, looking at the redhead boy with soft eyes. 

Ron took a deep steadying breath, closing his eyes and slowly releasing the anger he felt. When he opened his eyes, calmer than he was before, he gave Hermione a soft smile who returned it. 

It took the two a moment to realize that they were still smiling at one another with their hands touching. When they did, bright blushes rose high on their cheeks as they averted their eyes and released their hold on each other. 

Hermione grabbed her quill once more and started to write again, hiding her face with her hair, as Ron cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Then we take it out of the Ministry and keep it somewhere safe." Ron said, his cheeks still slightly red. 

"Hogwarts is safe. It is also the Hogwarts record book so it would make sense to bring it here." Even with everything that has happened, Harry always felt the safest and at home while at Hogwarts.

"Except that Voldemort also managed to take control of Hogwarts too." Hermione's reminder at what their future had held pierced right through Harry's heart.

"He won't this time." Harry wouldn't let that happen. Not this time. Not when they could stop it.

"Yes, but we have to think worst case scenario too. He was able to do so before, or well, he would have, so it could still be possible that he may be able to take control of Hogwarts again." Hermione's voice was consoling like she knew the pain Harry felt at knowing what could have happened.

"We hide the book somewhere else then. What about Gringotts?" Ron suggested but Hermione was already shaking her head.

"Voldemort broke into Gringotts once, remember? Back in first year. He wasn't able to steal anything then, but he wasn't at full power either, and he still got into the vault." Harry remembered reading that article in the Daily Prophet in his first year about how someone had broken into Gringotts but didn't steal anything as the vault in question had been emptied out earlier that day. 

It's what started the three of them on their first quest.

"What about...well...you know?" Ron said with a head tilt and looked at Sirius.

Both Harry and Hermione stared at Sirius in response to Ron's words and actions.

Sirius responded with a bemused look and a raised eyebrow. 

"It's plausible but not full proof." Hermione's words were slow and cautious as she stared and squinted at Sirius, as though trying to figure out a puzzle, tilting her head to the side. 

Both Harry and Ron mirrored their genius friend. 

Sirius raised his other eyebrow in question. 

The three of them ignored him. 

Remus huffed a quiet laugh.

Sirius elbowed his friend in the ribs. 

"Is this how people felt with me, you, and Jamie?" Sirius grumbled the question to Remus.

"Most definitely." Remus replied amused. 

"The book would be needed for the letters in the summer. If it's there, Professor McGonagall would either have to work there or take it out for a few days, making the book vulnerable once more." Hermione finally said after a few moments of contemplating.

"I don't think she'll want to stay there for hours or even days while having to do the letters. The place drives Sirius raving mad - no offense Sirius." Ron cut himself off before Sirius could get insulted.

"None taken." Sirius looked more amused than anything else at Ron's words. 

Then clarity calmed the silver waves of confusion in Sirius' eyes as he realized they had thought of using Grimmauld Place as somewhere to keep the book. 

"True, but we stayed there for an extended period of time." Grimmauld Place may be a grim place with a dark history, but Harry didn't feel uncomfortable there at all. 

"Yes, but can you imagine her portrait going off while the Professor was trying to work? There'll be no more Headquarters." Ron's point did have a lot of merit. 

Tonks started snickering slightly, and Snape started coughing at the all to real possibility of Professor McGonagall destroying the Headquarters of the Order if the portrait of Walburga Black got on her nerves while she was working. 

Sirius looked as though he would not be against that idea at all. 

Kreature looked horrified.

"Point taken." Both Harry and Hermione said simultaneously.

"And if the book is taken out of its safe place..." Hermione trailed off.

"It's no longer safe." Harry and Ron finished. 

"What if we're thinking about it the wrong way?" Harry said quickly as a thought suddenly came to mind. 

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as Ron tilted his head in question. 

"We're talking about hiding the book, but the book is needed every year. We can hide it for the entire year until it's needed and has to be brought out." Harry started to try to explain what he was thinking. 

"Which will make it vulnerable during that time it’s being used." Hermione said. 

"What if it's not the book that has to be hidden." Harry said and saw Ron's eyes light up and widen in comprehension.

"It's the information inside the book that needs to be hidden." Ron finished what Harry was thinking. 

"Oh, that's brilliant!" Hermione started writing frantically once more. 

“We know it’s possible too.” Ron’s voice was excited.

All three of them were excited at the possibility that they may have found a way to keep the Hogwarts record book safe. 

“That way if someone, whether it’s Voldemort, one of his Death Eaters, or someone unscrupulous does manage to get the book, what’s inside of it is still safe.” Hermione didn't pause in breath or writing at all. 

“It’s a safer option too because let’s say the location of the book was moved someplace like Headquarters, it wouldn’t mean that it was safe.” The intensity in Harry's voice had the other two looking at him.

“The Imperious Curse.” Ron and Hermione said at the same time. 

“Exactly.” Harry confirmed.

"Someone can be Imperiused to steal the book against their will." Hermione started, voice growing more excited at the thought of solving the problem.

“But if the information within the book was made secret, then only those who knew it could read it, and they couldn’t be forced to under duress or compulsion. They’ll have to do so willingly.” Harry finished, a smile spreading across his face. 

“All we have to do is make sure that the ones who have access to it aren’t another Pettigrew.” Ron threw in wanting to make sure they never dealt with anyone so treacherous again.

“What are you lot talking about?” Tonks asked in complete confusion.

“Don’t worry, you get used to it.” Ginny said as she consolingly patted Tonks’ hand.

“You know, they remind me of a group of friends I knew when I went to Hogwarts.” Amelia said to Professor McGonagall as she looked at Sirius and Remus, her eyes sparkling with humor and slight confusion.

“Don’t remind me.” The professor groaned which didn’t hide the slight smile on her face.

“Would you three care to inform the rest of us what you so cleverly seem to have come up with?” Zacharias Smith said snidely.

“Shut up, Smith.” The entire DA said simultaneously causing the boy to glare at everyone he could while the others in the Hall snickered at Smith from behind their hands.

“Don’t you dare…” Smith stood up in indignation and started to say before Ginny, Susan, and Hannah cut him off.

“Shut up, Smith.” The girls growled at the Hufflepuff boy.

Smith didn’t listen and Harry thought only someone truly stupid wouldn’t recognize the looks of contempt and dislike on the two redheads and blonde girls’ faces.

“I don’t have to listen to three tarts. We all here because the Golden Boy thought it best to read a bunch of books and be the attention seeker, we all know he is. The least he could do is tell us what he and his sycophants have dined to come up with. First, he…” Once again Smith was cut off as Fred stood up and stared at him menacingly with such scorn and disdain that it knocked the air out of the Hufflepuff boy’s lungs.

“You best remember Smith, those are my two little sisters, my little brother, and my boyfriend you’re talking about. If I were you, I’d listen when we tell you to shut up.” Harry shivered at the power and intensity of Fred’s voice as he defended Harry and the others.

It seems that Smith finally realized he went too far as he gulped audibly and sat down quietly while Fred stared him down.

When Fred saw that Smith wasn't going to speak out again, he sat back down next to Harry, wrapping a protective arm around his younger boyfriend. Harry blushed at the display but couldn't help the happiness and warmth that spread through him at Fred’s defense of him. 

"Smith is a git, but what were you three talking about?" Lee question and ignored the insulted noise that Smith let out. 

"Isn't it obvious?" Hermione burst out brightly as she had a problem containing her excitement at the three of them seemingly solving the problem.

"No, not at all." Neville shook his head. 

"Well, we were thinking about hiding the book under a Fidelius." Ron started. 

"Only problem is that a Fidelius wouldn't be fool proof." Hermione continued. 

"The location of the book would be safe." Harry explained.

"But not the book itself." Ron expanded.

"If the book was hidden under a Fidelius, Voldemort or his Death Eaters could find out who the Secret Keeper is, or someone that has access to that location." Hermione elaborated. 

"The Fidelius Charm would stop them from being able to tell them the location if they were Imperiused." Harry added on. 

"But it wouldn't stop them from being Imperiused to steal the book." Ron supplemented.

"Which means that the book would still be vulnerable." Hermione disclosed. 

"The only way to make sure that the information within the book was safe..." Harry pointed out.

"Is to keep the contents of the book under the Fidelius." Ron illustrated.

"That way if someone who wanted to misuse the information got ahold of the records book..." Hermione broke down. 

"They wouldn't be able to read it." Harry concluded.

"Brilliant!" Sirius exclaimed with ringing pride making Harry blush. 

"But is it possible?" Mrs. Weasley questioned.

"If it weren't, then Professor McGonagall wouldn't be the only one who could read the letter from our future selves." The confidence in Hermione's voice was difficult to miss.

"Oh my." Professor McGonagall gasped in realization. 

"Three fifteen-year-olds manage to come up with a plan to outsmart Voldemort. We need them in the Aurors Department when they graduate." Harry couldn't help the fierce blush that burned his cheeks at Moody's grunted words.

Both Ron and Hermione seem to be in similar states.

"I believe that's for them to decide but I must agree, their plan would be the most effective any of us could come up with." Amelia said to Moody before she turned her focus onto the three of them.

"In the face of devastating and horrifying news, you three managed to keep your heads. Not allowing yourself to be consumed by your emotions and instead came up with a viable plan that could save many lives. It is truly remarkable." Harry felt his entire face light on fire from the praise that Amelia had given them.

"You have no idea just how remarkable these three are." His father said, his voice ringing with fierce pride. The sound of it making Harry's heart lighter.

He has a father, a father who's proud of him. 

"They truly are amazing." Remus said with deep fondness.

"We've had a bit of experience." Harry said as he ducked his head and scratched self-consciously at his neck.

"Well, I guess we'll be hearing a bit about that experience." Amelia said with a soft look to Sirius and Harry. 

"Minerva, if you would?" Amelia asked Professor McGonagall who nodded, but not before giving Harry, Ron, and Hermione a small proud smile. 

"With so much Magical Blood spilt, so much of it belonging to one's so young, Magick itself became severely wounded within Britain and Ireland. Soon, that wound spread to Magick in all lands." Professor McGonagall began to read once more.

"The Second Wizarding War may have been limited to the British Isles, but the havoc that it wrecked seeped and tore into the Muggle World. In their goal to cleanse the land and kill those who were deemed inferior, Death Eater attacks had become bolder, more devastating, and more widespread than ever before, claiming the lives of countless Muggles. As Voldemort and the Death Eaters wish were to eventually rule overall, including Muggles, they did not see cause for concern to hide the devastation they wrought within the Muggle World in their path of might and conquest, thus exposing Magick." There's a look of sick devastation on Hermione’s face. 

"Oh Merlin. There first ever contact with Magick will be of fear and death. It won't be Voldemort or the Death Eater they'll hate. It will be Magick." The forbidden in her voice sent chills down Harry's spine. 

"Their attacks did not end after Voldemort’s death. Instead, they became more vicious and catastrophic. Many of Voldemort’s Death Eaters and followers had escaped due to the corrupted state the Ministry had been in since the First Wizarding War, only made more blatant once he had gained total control after the death of Minister Rufus Scrimgeour." Several sharp inhales of breath could be heard around the Hall. 

"Scrimgeour became Minister? I would have assumed it would be Madame Bones who would take the job." Tonks says in confusion. 

There were sounds of agreements all throughout the Hall.

Harry didn't know who Scrimgeour was, but he had to agree with his cousin. Amelia seemed to be the best possible choice to take over as Minister, especially after all that they would be faced with from Fudge dismissing Voldemort’s return until too late. She was known in all circles as an extremely powerful and able witch. 

Everyone knew that she was completely incorruptible and would fight with everything she had to push back Voldemort. 

Stopping short, Harry realized that's the reason why she wouldn't have become Minister. 

Without meaning to, Harry catches the brilliant blue eyes of the woman his father loves. Within them is a deep painful yet accepting understanding. 

Voldemort would want the one person that could truly derail everything he wished to accomplish dead. 

Amelia didn't live long enough to become Minister. 

Either Voldemort had her killed or killed her himself. 

When Amelia saw the understanding in his eyes, she gave him a soft comforting smile. 

Go figure his father would love a woman who would try to comfort someone else about her dying.

Well, Harry wouldn't let her die.

Looking in into her eyes more intensely than he had before, Harry made her a promise. 

"You will not die, you will live. I swear it."

Tears filled the beautiful blue gems and Harry knew she understood he would fight for her. 

That he will always fight for his family. 

"As their first contact with Magick was one of fear, terror, destruction, and death, Muggles looked at Magick as something that needed to be feared. As something that needed to be destroyed." Hermione looked as though she wished she wasn't right about her earlier words. 

"With Magick so wounded, protective spells started to fail. Diagon Alley was the first location to be found by the Muggles and destroyed." Sobbing could be heard throughout the Hall. 

"Filthy Muggles." Zacharias Smith sneered from his place at Hufflepuff Table. 

Before Hermione or any other Muggleborns could give Smith the verbal smackdown of his life, it was a cold furious voice that broke through.

"Filthy Muggles? How many of those Muggles would have been forced to watch those they loved to be tortured and murdered by people with Magick? How many people do you think they had to bury because of people wielding Magick? Don't sit there and judge Muggles for hating Magick when you're guilty of the same exact thing." The ice in Theodore Nott's blue eyes was suffocating as they covered all who looked into their depth. 

"How many of you go around denouncing Dark Magick when you know nothing about it? How many of you persecute and scorn those who are considered Dark and lump them into with being evil?" Eyes bluer than the Scandinavian icy lakes swept over them all. 

"The difference between the Muggles and you, is that their fear comes from their forced experience with the worst types of Magick thrust upon them without even knowing what is going on. While yours comes from hypocrisy, laziness, and a need to feel better than others at any expense." It was as if Nott's words were a physical blow to many throughout the Hall. The reminder that those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Stopping those who wished to condemn Muggles for their future acts, but who have condemned the Dark no matter what they have done. 

Sitting down once more, Nott smoothed the robes over his chest and turned his attention back to Professor McGonagall.

"Countries around the world had seen how Magical communities had been hidden within Britain and assumed that they too had hidden communities and districts as well. With the knowledge that Magick was real, it became harder for certain protection spells to work. It wasn't long before other hidden magical communities and places were found throughout the world and systematically eradicated, along with those who they found within." Still stinging with the verbal lashing of Nott, many who wished to comment on the actions of the Muggles wisely kept their mouths shut.

"For centuries, those high up in Muggle governments have been aware of the existence of Magick and the Magical World. It was the vicious and devastating attacks on innocent Muggles by Voldemort and his Death Eaters, as well as the overwhelming proof to the general, wider Muggle population that ended the truce between our governments. Now, because of all the destruction wrought from Voldemort in both the Magical and Muggle World, we were at war with the Muggles, and stood no chance against them." Professor McGonagall was cut off from continue by the deep bass of Kingsley voice. 

"Since the inception of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy it was imperative that the top officials in the Muggle government were aware of our existence so in cases of extreme circumstances, we could work together to keep Magick secret from the general Muggle population. For it to fail after centuries of it working, the damage that was wrought to the Muggle World would be worse than anything we could ever imagine, even in our worst nightmares." The fact that the usual calm and stoic man had interrupted to explain the true severity of what the words in the letter meant hit everyone all the more harder. 

"We were forced to go from one war, a war that was still not completely over due to those who fought with Voldemort still at large, into another, larger war. The Muggle population outnumbered the Magical population ten to one. In the British Isles, Wixen were even more outnumbered due to the loss of life from the Second Wizarding War. We were forced to fight on two fronts, the remnants from Voldemort’s side, and the Muggles." Once again, Moody slammed his walking stick down in a fit of rage. 

"Fighting a war on two fronts?! There is no winning that. The only thing that will be accomplished is more death than anyone can handle." Moody's outburst was laced with all that were lost in the First Wizarding War. 

"There's no winning that." The veteran repeated once more, quiet, and brokenly. 

"Nearly the entire Magical population and places within the British Isles had been decimated. The same followed for the rest of the world shortly after. What many did not expect was that with the death of so much Magick, the Muggle World started to feel its loss as well. Magick is nature and nature is Magick. With war wrought on Magick from the fear and anger of the Muggles, alongside the infighting between Magicals, it took its toll on nature. Crops started to die, forests began to wither, and every living creature on Earth felt it's blow. Nature was dying and so too was Magick." Next to him Harry felt his father flinch as if he had been violently and painfully struck.

Looking around the Hall, Harry saw what he believed would be the more traditional people look much like his father currently does. 

"That was when we decided that it was time, that there was no other option than to Sacrifice ourselves to stop all this from ever happening. The idea of going back in time to change things started two years ago, three years after Voldemort’s death. Once again, Voldemort’s death at the Battle of Hogwarts was a hollow victory. His Death Eaters and followers who had managed to escape wrecked fear, havoc, and death everywhere they went. There were seldom any days where attacks did not happen, where friends and family did not die at the end of their cruel wands." The fact that it took so long for their future selves to accomplish this feat of Magick shows how dire things had gotten.

"Three years after Voldemort’s death, every night for six days straight there were multiple attacks on the most known and prominent people who had fought against him at the Battle of Hogwarts. Many friends, family, and loved ones were killed in those attacks. Although faced with the constant and painful losses night after night, nothing could prepare us for the seventh day, and what was to come. The week of systematic and relentless attacks became known as the Seven Days of Sorrow." With each word dread fills Harry and he sees it in the eyes and faces of all around him.

"It was noon on the seventh day when a series of simultaneous attacks took place. The attacks ranged from private residences and manors, to sweeping through newly created Magical villages. The bombardment and devastation were non-stop, spreading our forces thin trying to save as many as possible. We failed to realize that these attacks were a diversion to keep us busy while the remnants of Voldemort’s forces dealt the true blow. The attack on St. Mungo's and what was left of the Ministry of Magic." There was a quiet wounded sound that came from Neville.

"The number of people that were lost that day was even greater and more devastating than that of the Battle of Hogwarts. It would have been much worse had it not been for the fierce bravery, raw nerve, and Sacrifice of certain individuals. St. Mungo's had become more than just a hospital in the years after the Battle of Hogwarts. It had become a reunion center for people and families who had become separated after the most recent attacks. With all the attacks that had taken place in the six days beforehand, the hospital was filled past capacity with a large amount of the population who had opposed Voldemort and his rule. Having trapped everyone inside, the Death Eaters wished to rid St. Mungo's of those who had previously opposed them in one fell swoop." Horrified gaps filled the Great Hall as tears rolled down unbidden.

"Between all those we had lost in the days leading to the attack, all those who had been injured beyond the point of being able to fight, we were once again well and truly outnumbered. In less time than we could have expected, the hospital wards crumbled under the barrage of Death Eaters, before they were allowed to swarm in, killing everyone who stood in their path. Before all of the Death Eaters numbers could get in, a fierce and brutal push back was dealt to them by Neville Longbottom and Theodore Nott." A loud broken sob was ripped from Augusta Longbottom as she held her grandson. Neville held his grandmother, trying to soothe her pain.

Blaise Zabini had his eyes screwed shut, shaking his head, denying what he had heard. Next to him, Theodore Nott had a hand on his friend's arm trying to ground him in the here and now.

"With both young men leading the charge and defense of St. Mungo's, we were able to take the fighting out of the overpopulated hospital and onto the deserted streets outside, leaving less chance of innocent casualties. In the midst of all the ensuing chaos, Neville and Theo had managed to push back the opposition and allow those within the hospital that could not fight a chance to leave its confined walls and escape to safety." There was a few scattered clapping and light-hearted woops among the crowd.

"The Death Eaters, upon realizing that they were failing in what they had planned and had been setting up for the past week, did something that none had seen coming. They had sent Fiendfyre to the hospital and everyone in it." Many of the older generation looked sick and horrified at the words. Memories, nightmares of what was the last war played in their minds of scenes much like that being described.

"With their deliberate and malicious act, the Death Eaters were able to escape the onslaught brought upon them as now we had bigger problems; thousands of innocent people trapped in a cursed burning building. All those who had been fighting in the street were now trying to tame the flames that ate away at the once sanctuary and consumed those within its walls." Mrs. Weasley let out a gut-wrenching keening sound. This must remind her of how her brothers died.

"The flames were larger than any of us had ever seen. The images within were more horrific and gruesome than nightmares. The heat that radiated from them was more scorching than the sun. The sounds of the beasts made of fire were terrifying yet less so than the sounds of those they consumed in their path. It was hearing these sounds of tortured screams that made two of the kindest and bravest people any of us have ever met run into the damned building by way of minute gap of the flames." Harry saw as both Neville and Nott gave each other a long stare and nod of their head, respect in their eyes.

"After they ran in, it is unclear what happened next, but what is known for sure is that their Magick was able to smother the fire. It was their ultimate Sacrifice that not only did seventy percent of those who were trapped within St. Mungo's had made it out alive, but that the greater part of London had not burned down in the process. At the same time, there was a second, simultaneous and catastrophic attack happening at the Ministry of Magic." Merlin, will it ever stop? Will the horror ever end?

"After years and decades of deep-seated and unchecked corruption within the ministry, a fledgling government had been erected along with every measure that could be taken to stop the rot that had permeated the government. It was the mark of removing the poison that had corrupted those who once held power, forcing the most powerful within government to deal with accountability." The Ministry employees, excluding Fudge and Umbridge, looked hopeful that they would be able to remove the decay that had festered over time.

"The day was supposed to bring with it a start of a new era of leadership and responsibility, as well as rebuilding and honoring the Wizengamot by including new and deserving families a place, as well as representation for all Magical races that lived within the Magical United Kingdom." Hermione perked up in interest at this as a light entered her eyes.

"It all nearly ended before it began when the attack happened. Death Eaters had managed to infiltrate by disguising themselves so they could move freely within the Ministry. If it wasn't for the keen eyes and sharp reflexes of Adrian Prucey, the entirety of the top tier government positions would have been killed before anyone could realize what had happened." Over at the Slytherin Table, Prucey looked as though he had stopped breathing as he heard his name read aloud.

"When noticing something wasn't right, Adrian was able to put up a barrier to block the incoming volley of curses thrown at all the unsuspecting people before anyone got hurt. It was the shock of his defense that enabled Arthur Weasley to get out word that an attack was underway at the Ministry and reinforcements were needed before the Death Eaters could put up any of their own wards." All the Weasleys moved closer to the patriarch as worry marred their faces. Mr. Weasley had a resigned look on his face as his back straightened and his shoulders squared.

"At the moment, protected by the barrier that Adrian had put up, and nerves settled knowing Arthur had called for reinforcements, those who had once been the unwitting victims of the day's attacks now felt as though they had a moment to get on more even ground with their assailants and come up with a plan. Both Arthur and Adrian worked together to devise a plan to get everyone to safety with the least amount of risk and loss. Most wanted to wait until the barrier had completely crumbled before making their move against the Death Eaters. It was Adrian who countered that they should wait until the moment before the barrier fell and use it to aid in their escape. Arthur agreed, seeing that it would be their best course of action and give them the biggest chance of survival." Mr. Weasley gave Prucey an approving, appraising look before nodding his head and offering the Slytherin student a small, warm smile.

"With that decided, they waited. The moment before the barrier fell, those inside pushed their Magick against its crumbling walls, making the entire thing explode outwards, aiding in the downfall of more than half of the attacking Death Eaters." Mr. Weasley gave Prucey a beaming smile. Prucey returned it with a thankful smile and a slight blush on his cheeks at the silent praise.

"With such a heavy blow unexpectedly raining down on them, it gave the new Ministry officials time to gain distance between themselves and the remaining Death Eaters. Everyone nearly made it to the secured trial chamber before the cold and ice set in." Next to him, Sirius started shaking. Harry grabbed his hand trying to comfort his father as he knew what was coming.

"Unfortunately, for our people, it wasn't only Death Eaters involved in the attack at the Ministry for they brought nearly a hundred Dementors along with them." Shudders ravaged his father’s body. Harry and Remus bracketed him, leaning further into his father to remind him that he’s here with them. That he’ll no longer be subjected to the horrible creatures.

"With the number of Dementors now present, their effects became unbearable where the back half of the group nearly succumbed and fell to the ground. Pushing past the effects of the Dementors, both Arthur and Adrian magically and physically dragged those on the ground to the safety of the chamber." Many around the Hall were given both people mentioned looks of admiration.

"With everyone safely inside, both men realized that the chamber was safe from Death Eaters, but Dementors were another story. Especially, seeing as they used to be a part of the Ministry and knew the chambers. With that in mind, Arthur Weasley and Adrian Prucey realized that it would be the best course of action for all if there were people who could physically hold off the Dementors for as long as possible with the Patronus charm. Arthur had decided to take the job himself but Adrian, his son-in-law, having married Ginny Weasley earlier that year, refused to leave his side." Ginny and Prucey looked at each other in utter shock, eyes wide and mouths opened in a slight 'o' shape. It was Prucey who recovered first and gave Ginny a charming, genuine smile, and a tip of his head. Harry was surprised to see a slight blush rise up on Ginny’s cheeks as a small smile spread across her face. Giving Prucey a once-over, that small smile turned into a pleased smirk.

It was surprising to see that the other Weasleys didn’t look at Prucey with threats of murder for hearing about his future relationship with their little sister. Instead, there was respect, some more grudging than others, for the person that would marry their sister and stand side by side with their father.

"After taking up the duty they had given themselves, it wasn't long until reinforcements arrived to stave off the encroaching Dementors and save those who many had put their hope in for a better future. Unfortunately, when reinforcements did arrive, both men who had been integral in saving the newly constructed government had been found Kissed." Sobs wrecked the Weasleys, and Harry felt his own grief build in him at the thought of anything, of something so horrible happening to someone as kind and loving as Mr. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley was clutching her husband and sobbing into his chest as a white face Mr. Weasley rubbed her back consolingly.

Everyone remained quiet in the face of the Weasleys' grief at a future too horrible to imagine.

At a future that could have been.

Across the Hall, Harry watched as Terence Higgs, and Slytherins from all years looked distraught over the news of what Prucey’s future had held for him. Their emotions were laid bare, and Harry had to look away from the rawness of it.

At the pain.

It was a while before Mrs. Weasley calmed down enough, but when she did, she looked at Prucey.

“Thank you for staying with him. For not leaving him alone. We’ll make sure that this never happens.” Mrs. Weasley says wetly but her voice is full of warmth and promise. Prucey tries to smile at her, but it comes out more like a grimace, but his eyes show his appreciation of the woman’s words.

"It was their Sacrifice that saved many who would’ve died had it not been for their heroic acts. As much as I wish I could say so, it is regrettable that I cannot say that the attacks stopped on this day. The Day of Devastation would continue late into the night. Furious at all their earlier planning failings, that night the series of attacks that took place were more personal and deadlier than ever before. Most who had survived the days earlier attacks had not survived these. All the suffering from the last few years was further compounded by the last week. The pain was overwhelming. Everything we had lost, everyone we had lost, classmates, friends, family, loved ones, it was unbearable. Three days after the attacks, the group of us had been sitting around trying to drown our sorrows when a thought hit us - what if we could have stopped this all from ever happening? At first it seemed like a dream, a painful dream of everything we all could have had, would have had, had the war never happened, or had it should have ended before it got to the point it did. The painful dreams became a deep, aching yearning to turn the clock back. The thought of what our lives would be like. To once again be held by the one we loved, who took the biggest piece of our heart when they left. To be surrounded by our family laughing, joking, and happy in each other's presence. To share jokes and memories with the first true friends we ever had. What would we have done with our lives? What would we be doing for a living? Would we be married? Would we have started our own family already? What would our children have been like? Would Hogwarts survive with them all at school together? Would we be happy?" It was easy for Harry to see how tempting, how all-consuming the desire to do this, to save their past and create a better future after all they lost. Even now, with the people he loves most still warm, still breathing, still alive, a horrible ache consumed him at the thought of their deaths in the future.

Of the thought of a life without them.

"The next morning, we all woke up with painful headaches, but even more pain filled hearts. That small seed that started off as just a 'what if', rooted itself deep into our very beings until it became a part of us. Of course, we still had to listen to Hermione's and Draco's constant lectures on Time Magick and everything that could go wrong." Both Hermione and Malfoy looked at each other in complete shock.

"But we had lost so much. Too much. The thought of possibly getting back all that we had lost was at most times the only thing that kept us moving forward. A lot of the time, it was the only thing that kept us sane. Once we decided that traveling back in time was no longer a 'what if' but a 'must' we had to figure out everything that came with it. When will we be going back in time? We couldn't go too far back in time where key events that must happen didn't happen. With that, what were the key events that had to have happened? Once that was determined, how far will we be able to travel in the past, if we can go back at all? One question started ten more. All needed to be answered. Who would go and who would stay? Could any of us go? If we did, how would that affect our past selves? It was never ending and took what felt like an eternity. That's when we decided that the safest and surest way was to send the books detailing Harry’s life, along with a few memories, as he's the one person most involved and centered on nearly everything that has taken place." Harry understood their future selves' logic.

He'd do it in a heartbeat if it saved those he loved.

If it kept Fred alive.

If it freed Sirius.

"With that finally decided, we had to figure out the how and to ensure everything went as planned. It was imperative for the books to be found, but even more critical that they be proven true and that they are read. The problem with that was once it was revealed that Voldemort was indeed back, how could we ensure certain people wouldn't try to stop the readings all together? Also, how would we ensure Voldemort, or his followers wouldn't find out about the books and their contents and use them to their advantage?" Many in the Hall looked at Mr. Malfoy who ignored them all.

"How was an entire school, along with several high-ranking Ministry officials, and multiple others who should be a part of a reading of multiple lengthy books be done without others taking notice? As I stated before, one question became ten. It's lucky for us that our group consists of the brightest, most determined, and stubborn Wixen ever to answer every question we could think of, create the spells and ritual necessary, and to follow through with it all." All those who were involved in the spell couldn’t help but give each other a look.

"It was decided that the best possible time to send the books and warn everyone was seven years into our past. Although we wish we could travel further back to provide you all with more time, it wasn't deemed safe for the ritual to be set back even one extra year. One life, according to all the Magick we encountered, would be equivalent to one year turned back. While there were eight of us involved in the Ritual, Kreature's Sacrifice was a stability agent and connection to Magick and Nature to ensure that the Ritual worked as planned. As much as it pained us, especially as we wished we could have saved Cedric Diggory from his tragic death, we did not wish to risk all that we had done for an already unsure endeavor to implode before we even had a chance." It pained Harry more than words could ever describe that they couldn’t save Cedric. He understood why, but it didn’t lessen the pain of losing Someone who was so innocent.

Someone who didn’t have to die.

Someone who died because of Harry.

"Even in her wounded state, Hogwarts became the last remaining Magical safe haven. Its placement on ley lines, the power the founders had put into her, and over a millennium of taking in residual and excess Magick from generations of students walking through her doors, had made Hogwarts the last Magical stronghold. This was fortunate as it made us able to use Hogwarts as the setting stone for the Ritual, and the place where two timestreams could connect and interact. Thus, allowing us to send everything that needed to be sent back to your time. All the Magick involved is more than completely complex and extensive. It was only with the combined efforts of all of us, including all the reading we could do of the Black, Malfoy, Zabini, Longbottom, Nott, Prucey, and Greengrass Family libraries, as well as the research we had managed to get our hands on from the Department of Mysteries, that we were able to complete any of this." All those who belonged to the families mentioned perked up with intrigue when they heard their family names.

“What does that mean, research they got ahold of from the DoM?” Tonks asked Kingsley perplexed.

“I think it means that we should never underestimate Harry Potter and his friends.” Kingsley replied, his voice considering as he stared at Harry and the others who had made this possible.

"As explaining all the work and Magick that had went through in bringing you all here would make this already lengthy letter nearly fifty times more long, we decided to enclose all our research and notes in a separate envelope, which can only be opened and read by those who were involved in its creation, as well as the ones who would have been involved had they not been lost beforehand; Neville Longbottom, Theodore Nott, Adrian Prucey, and Astoria Greengrass.” A loud gut-wrenching sob rang out in the Great Hall. Harry watched as a blonde Slytherin girl, Daphne Greengrass, clung onto a smaller, dark-haired girl, whose face was ashen. The elder Greengrass’ body shook with the force of her sobs as she held onto her sister as though scared she would disappear if she were to let go. The sound of her pain upon hearing about her sister’s death was heartbreaking. Her fellow Housemates closed ranks around the distraught blonde.

Professor Snape had gotten up and gone to the Greengrass sisters who were now hidden behind a cluster of Slytherins, away from any prying eyes. It wasn’t long after that the sobs quieted, and the Professor returned to his seat and the Slytherins returned to their previous spots.

All wearing green and silver looked around the Hall, chins tilted up and hard looks on their faces as if daring anyone to mock their House mate for her emotional outburst.

Envy grew in Harry at the loyalty and solidarity that Slytherin showed to one of their own.

A seed of regret was planted as well.

If Harry had been Sorted into Slytherin, would they have stood by him all the times Gryffindor turned their backs on him?

He loved Gryffindor but the memories of their fickleness still hurt.

“The only others who would be able to read any of our work and research are those that our past selves allow but would have to be unanimous agreement of all eight of us. Now, as you can tell this letter is nearly finished, meaning there are only a few more points that need to be made. As it is most likely extremely late at night, verging possibly into extremely early morning, the first book would not be able to be read until all in attendance got a few hours of sleep and some breakfast in the morning." At that, a large number of students released jaw cracking yawns at the reminder of how long their day had been and everything that had happened.

There were some who were disappointed that they could not begin the readings yet, willing to push past their tiredness.

Others looked like they longed for their pillow and bed.

"Before the first book is read, detailing Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, there is another letter that must be read. Be warned, this letter will be emotionally, mentally, and even physically trying and turbulent as it will list just a fraction of the people who have died between your present and ours." Everyone’s attention was caught by this regardless of the tiredness they felt. Faces became worried and bodies tense. All were worried about who's name would be read.

Will it be a friend?

Family?

A loved one?

Will it be them?

"We know hearing about these deaths will be difficult, but it is imperative that you all be made aware of just how much we have truly lost in these last seven years and just why we have resorted to such extremes to change all of it. As there will be a lot contained in these seven books we have sent to you, we felt that as though to get the full scope of all that has happened, after reading certain chapters, those chapters will play out in memory form, so not only will you read about it, you will be able to witness it with your own eyes." Harry felt his heart stop as lead filled his stomach. He didn’t want to see it. He saw it once, and he didn’t want to witness it again.

He had no choice.

"Once again, we apologize for the toll that this will take on most in attendance. Especially as these moments will be traumatic, depicting moments of pain, fear, loss, death, and more horror than you could imagine. We are aware that many will have strong reactions to what they will be forced to see, so the memories will automatically pause if there is any type of commotion and will only resume once more when everyone is ready." Harry couldn’t help but think that their future selves really had thought of everything.

Part of him wishes they didn’t.

Part of him is happy they did.

"These books and all their events will center on and focus on Harry Potter. Although many will be distressed to hear and see the things that he has faced throughout his life, of what he currently faces, and of what he would have faced had we not intervened, it will be all the more so to him as these books will expose parts of himself that even he had not disclosed to those closest to him, including us, until their creation. It was why we made sure certain people would be there for him as the readings took place. So, he knows that he has people, family that he can count on, and not simply because they are members of the Order of the Phoenix. That was secondary to what they were to him. Although these people will love and stand by him during this time, there is no doubt in any of our minds or hearts that there is one person in particular who can get him through this more than anyone else could ever hope to." Once more, Harry leaned into his father's side as his father held him tightly. There was no doubt in his mind that the person mentioned was Sirius.

"The problem is that this person has faced over a decade of wrongful charges thrown at him, with no evidence or legal proceedings to verify his guilt or innocence, and instead was imprisoned without any further thought. As so, this part of the letter, while for the ears of all who are present, is mainly for the one person who many have heard from those they trust most that this woman is one who can be trusted to find the truth of the matter and fight for what is right. Madame Bones, you were directed to bring along with you a vial of Veritaserum and its antidote. This is because before you took the position of Head of the DMLE, a grave miscarriage of justice was done to an innocent man. Before proceeding any further, you must reveal the truth of all charges leveled against the Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Sirius Orion Black III. We understand that whatever conclusions you make from questioning him under Veritaserum will not be counted as a legally binding trial to declare him either innocent or guilty. What we know and trust is that once you have all your answers, you will do what is right as soon as possible. Once you have come to a decision you must hold this letter in your hand and state your stance on the matter as if it were a true trial out loud for all to hear. When you have completed this, you can once again give the letter back to Professor McGonagall who can then finish up the last bit there is of it left." Professor McGonagall stopped reading as her eyes glazed over the last few pages she had read. Nodding to herself, certain of what she was looking for, her eyes snapped to look directly at Amelia. 

"The rest of the words are blurred out. I’m currently unable to continue reading the letter." The Head of Gryffindor said, her voice strong and clear. A small, pleased smile spread across her face as her eyes landed on Sirius.

"It seems Mr. Black, that you have more than a few friends in the future who had always intended to prove your innocence and secure your freedom." There was no way Harry would have let any of this happen if he didn't get the two most important things to him out of it. 

His father freed, and Fred alive.

Next to him, Harry felt his father take a shuddering breath as his body shook slightly. Looking into Sirius' eyes, Harry saw they were once more filled with tears but the smile on his father's face showed it was tears of love and joy.

"Yeah, I guess you can say that I'm truly one lucky man." Sirius said as he placed a kiss on the crown of Harry’s head.

"Well then, seeing as Heir Black has already been questioned under Veritaserum, I believe all that is left is for me to state my verdict on the matter." Amelia said as she strode purposefully to the podium in front of the center of the Head Table located on the stage.

"Minerva, if I may?" Amelia asked the professor once she reached where the Head of Gryffindor House stood. 

Professor McGonagall offered the thick, many pages of parchment that the letter was composed of and gave them to Amelia. 

Once those pages were in her hand Amelia scanned the page left open for her. Her brow was furrowed in scrutiny as her eyes roved over the words that the Professor had read to them all."

"Truly remarkable Magick." Amelia said softly under her breath in amazement. 

It was a moment later that Amelia was gone, and Madame Bones stood in her place. Holding the letter in both hands, back straight, shoulders squared, Madame Bones looked over all those in attendance before focusing her sole attention on the parchment in her grasp. 

"I, Madame Amelia Susan Bones, Steward of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, do hereby state that while questioned under Veritaserum, I would proclaim Heir Sirius Orion Black III, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, innocent of all crimes charged against him should this have been a legal and binding trial. I do hereby state that as soon as possible, I will ensure that the accused's innocence is established, in a fair trial that should have been offered to Heir Black the moment he was charged, as his right as a citizen of the Magical United Kingdom." At the end of her words, the parchment in Madame Bones' hands shone with a blinding gold light. Everyone in the vicinity shielded their eyes. 

The light disappeared as suddenly as it appeared, leaving them all blinking spots out of their vision. By the time Harry and the others were able to clear their vision, they were greeted with the sight of Professor McGonagall rushing over to Amelia and gently snatching the once shining pages out of her grasp, holding them in her own hands as if she were a fierce lioness protecting something precious to her. 

Everyone in the Hall watched as the Professor's eyes ran urgently and carefully over the pages, her back stiff and her hands trembling. It took less than 10 seconds for her countenance to calm as she took a deep steadying breath. 

Looking around the room, Professor McGonagall noticed the looks and raised eyebrows that some were giving her. 

Clearing her throat, she gave each and every one of them a look. 

"These readings, this letter, all of it will ensure that I will be able to protect the students that are and will be in my care. I will not let this chance to make sure they all get to live long lives get past me by something happening to them." The Professor's Scottish brogue was more noticeable than ever before, making her voice deeper, fiercer. It was only matched in ferocity by the fire in her eyes. 

"We'll all make sure that none of these horrors ever come to pass. We may not be able to stop some of the children from trying to fight in this war. Many have made it known that that will be futile, but what we can do is ensure that they have a fighting chance. That their options aren't just fleeing for their lives or fighting for their lives." Amelia put a gentle hand on Professor McGonagall’s shoulder, eyes looking into the older woman's imploringly.

"We'll give them the chance that they didn't have the first time. We'll give them a better chance we didn't have in the first war." Amelia said with absolute conviction from every letter of every word she spoke.

Professor McGonagall gave the blonde woman a warm watery smile before nodding in acknowledgement of the words spoken to her before she once more composed herself. 

Harry couldn't help but think that it's a good thing that once this letter is finished there will be no more reading for the night until after breakfast. In the wake of all the emotional turmoil of the day, he's sure that he's not the only one who feels drained. 

Standing at the podium with the letter in her hand once more, Professor McGonagall waited the few seconds it took for all to turn their attention back to the Deputy Headmistress. 

"As you are now able to continue reading this letter, we hope that what you all have learned will stay with you during the readings. There will be times when people's actions and loyalties are put into question. Now you all have seen what can happen if you accuse an innocent person without all the facts. With that, we implore all of you to not pass judgement on anyone until all books have been read. No matter how black and white things may appear, no matter how undeniable the betrayal may seem, you must always remember that not everything is as it seems." Green eyes looked at the Dark professor, remembering those words when Sirius offered a truce. Those dark, fathomless eyes held emerald like no other, and their black depths held remorse like none other.

"Now we come to the last point in this letter. There are countless people who we wish we could bring back that were lost before their time. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, and friends. If we could give back to you all those you had lost, we would. Unfortunately, we cannot. Except for one person." Everyone present looked at each other, unable to comprehend all the Magick that has gone on today, unable to comprehend a feat that none thought possible.

"He was a young man when he died, barely more than a child still. His death was marked as one of cowardice, regret, and betrayal. While the betrayal was true, it was that which proved his courage and redemption in his final days. Enabling him to turn against everything he was taught as a child by his parents and family, to follow the one person who always saw and loved him for who he was, regardless of what some of his actions may have said otherwise." The silence was deafening as everyone waited with bated breath at the emotions the words had conjured in them.

"As he had gone to his death knowingly, purposefully, and ready, he Sacrificed his life so that others may have a chance to live theirs. His death being a planned Sacrifice, along with the relative isolation from the living during the time of his death allowed us to pull him from 1979 to now. Kreature, this is me fulfilling my promise to you. For everything you have done for me, for the aid you provided all of us to make this impossible plan, this impossible idea into reality, I wish nothing more than to give you back what you miss most." Kreature was trembling in his spot as tears streamed down his face.

Professor McGonagall, please hand the letter to both Kreature and Sirius as they will be needed to read the last words of the letter before I can fulfill my promise to Kreature, and you can all get some much needed and deserved rest." The professor stopped reading as her eyes met Sirius'.

"Sirius?" Harry was worried about what he saw when looking at his father's face. There was a fragility there filled with guilt, grief, pain, sorrow and so much hope. Harry was scared that one wrong move, one wrong word would break his father apart the way Azkaban failed to.

"1979." His father's voice was softer than the gentlest whisper. His voice echoed around the room like the roar of a hurricane. 

Harry hears the shuddering breath and a heart trying to rip itself out of its stone casing across the Hall. Narcissa Malfoy's eyes meet his own. Eyes no longer filled with coldness and distance, those of which kept so much pain at bay. Unfathomable longing and hope create the deepest carving of ache in her beautiful, undeniable Black features. 

"1979." Choking down the rest of his words, burying them deep into his heart, Harry sees the ghost that lurks within his father's eyes. The only one who he has seen evoke such emotion in his father.

Andromeda can see the ghost that has always been there. The way her trembling hand covers her mouth as if trying to hold back the hope she so desperately wishes she could let free. Scared to do so because the pain it could cause shall it not be real.

What if the hope isn't real?

The pain his loss still causes is as real as Harry himself. 

Harry can see the fear in his father's eyes.

1979. 

Harry can see the painful hope within them too. 

1979. 

"1979. That was the year..." His father's voice cuts off once more from the grip as that lurking lost ghost tightens its hold wrapped around his father's heart, always a part of him no matter how long it has been. 

"That was the year he died." The usual cool baritone voice was filled with a visceral pain that choked the breath out of all who heard it.

Grey eyes met black, and both only saw the shadow of a young man they had both loved completely and wholeheartedly. 

It was the sound of heavy breathing that drew Harry's attention away from his father to the last person who would be just as affected. 

"Kreature?" Hearing his name Kreature quickly snapped his eyes shut tightly, large pearly tears escaping as he did so, shaking his head as if to rid himself of years of painful loneliness.

"Master said he had promised Kreature. Kreature never thought Master would have gifted Kreature this. Master is not the cruel type. Master would never wish to cause pain to Kreature or anyone. Kreature still cannot believe it. Kreature is so scared to believe it. Kreature wants this more than anything else. Master, please, Kreature wants." The old and loyal Elf's quick and breathless words cracked until he stopped talking and started sobbing. 

In the face of Kreature's devastating sobs Harry did what he believed his father would have done for him, what his father has done for him multiple times today. 

Slowly, Harry stood from his seat next to Kreature and made it to the ancient Host Elf. Once he reached Kreature, Harry embraced the small, shaking, sobbing frame, holding him to his chest. He let the loyal servant of House Black cry years of heartache at the loss of a beloved and caring master into his neck as he walked them back to his seat next to Sirius. 

As Kreature wept, even his father could not remain stoic towards Kreature. Placing his large hand gently on the nearly bald head, Sirius started gently carding his fingers through the few stray, fine strands still left.

When the sobs became soft hiccups, Harry felt a presence walk up behind him. Turning his head slightly, from the corner of his eye Harry was able to make out the dark form of Snape. 

Gently, painfully tenderly, Professor Snape placed the thick pages of parchment that formed the letter that both Sirius and Kreature must read from on the table directly in front of Sirius. 

His father stared at the thick stack of parchment as if every hope and every accusation were written in its hidden view. Kreature fared no better than the last surviving male member of House Black. 

Kreature was the first to move, trying not to dislodge himself from Harry's lap and gentle embrace, he reached cautiously towards the letter. It felt like an eternity before a single, long fingered, bony hand landed on the thick cream-colored parchment. When Kreature's fingertips made contact with the parchment, his touch more delicate than butterfly wings, he released a long shuddering breath. 

It was more than a minute before Harry realized that Kreature was the only one who had moved to take hold of the letter. 

"Sirius?" Harry turned to face his father and was once more struck by all the emotions written plainly on his face. 

"Every day since I heard I have wished..." His father cut himself off, but Harry knew what he was about to say. Sirius loved more wholly and deeply than anyone Harry had ever met. He knew his father would have wished to see the ghost made flesh just one more time. Tell them how much he loved them, how much he missed them, how he wished they could trade places. 

"We're here Siri. I'm here." His father's eyes scanned his face and Harry watched as the man built himself up brick by brick before his very eyes, steadying himself as if preparing for anything that could happen. 

Gazing at the parchment in front of him, one side of it being held by Kreature, Sirius took a fortifying breath before he reached down to gently hold the other edge of the letter, opposite the one Kreature held. 

Watching his father's face, Harry could see the moment when the writing became legible for him to read as the bricks he had used to build himself up just a moment ago, shattered like the finest glass.

At that moment two voices rose in sync. 

"Toujours Pur, return home son of Black." The words were so quiet, yet they echoed around the room.

Suddenly the entire Great Hall was filled with intense, pale green light. The sound of water raging and rushing water filled their ears as if they were submerged under its murky surface. 

As suddenly as the phenomenon came it stopped only to be replaced by a loud sharp crack, as though the sky itself above them had torn open. 

The great tearing sound was quickly replaced by the sound of a loud, terrified gurgling scream that pierced through Harry’s bones and heart. 

"NOOO!!!" The scream was choked out as if there was no air in the person's lungs to push the word and despair out.

What was more terrifying than the scream itself was the fact that the sound of it did not come from anyone standing in the Great Hall. 

It came from above them. 

All those in the Great Hall looked up as one. 

What they saw was incomprehensible. It looked as though dozens of forms were swimming and struggling in what appeared to be a wall made of water that covered the entire area above the Great Hall. All the forms within the wall of water seemed to be focused on the dark struggling figure, placed directly above the Gryffindor Table. Barely more than shapes and colors could be made out, but one thing was sure.

The wall of water and the figures within were falling down and falling down fast. 

Sharp cries and shouts of fear pierced the air from all those with their feet on the ground. Young students threw their arms over their heads as a way to protect themselves from the inevitable collision. 

Harry, along with members of the DA, and adults threw up shield charms to protect themselves and those around them. 

There was one last suffocating scream from the dark form above them before the water made contact with those below. 

"SIRIUS!!!" It was a plea made out of love, desperation, and regret. 

Less than a second later, the water and the figures within landed, washing everything below into chaos.