Chapter 20
"What do you mean, Godfather?" Harry asked, perplexed.
Dumbledore sighed again:
"Sirius Black was good friends with your father during their time at Hogwarts. When your parents had you, they decided to name him your Godfather. Your parents went under the Fidelius Charm after learning about the prophecy. Have you ever read about the charm?"
Harry shook his head... He had not. Dumbledore continued:
"It is a very complex piece of magic. Only a truly skilled wizard or witch could cast it. The charm hides a location, place, item or any sort of secret within the soul of a person. It can only be revealed willingly, not through Legilimency, Veritaserum, or any other means.
Your mother managed to cast the charm over their house in Godric's Hollow and your parents chose Sirius as the Secret Keeper, as he was your dad's best friend." Dumbledore explained sadly.
Harry was processing the new information at a rapid speed:
"So Black was a spy for Voldemort? Why were my parent's friends with them in the first place? From what I have heard about the Black family, they were just as deeply involved in the dark arts as their name suggests?"
"Sirius was supposed to be the black sheep of the Black family. He befriended your father on the Hogwarts Express during their first year and was sorted into Gryffindor. Never before had a Black gone anywhere but Slytherin. It was almost a scandal."
"How did Black get caught after betraying my parents?"
Dumbledore waited for a couple of seconds but decided to be honest with the boy:
"He was cornered by Peter Pettigrew, another member of their little friend group during their Hogwarts years. Peter was no match for Sirius but distracted him long enough for the Aurors to arrive. Peter had been awarded the Order of Merlin posthumously for his efforts if I am not mistaken.
No one would have ever thought that things could turn out that way. Your father and Sirius were brothers in all but blood. They and their little group of friends were responsible for lots of mischief during their time at Hogwarts." Dumbledore gave a sad chuckle.
Harry froze. No! This could not be...
"What did you just say?"
"I beg your pardon, Harry." Dumbledore seemed confused
"About my dad and his friends?" Harry urged him. "What did you just say!" He almost shouted at the Headmaster.
"I said that they were always up to mischief during their time in the Castle. I believe they hold several records for the most detentions per year. I remember one of their pranks…"
Harry had stopped listening… Mischief…
All of a sudden, he knew where he had read the name Pettigrew before. He had seen the name on the Marauder's map close to the Gryffindor Tower once late at night and had wondered what student it was since the name was unfamiliar. He had shrugged it off as just an older year student.
What were the chances of a student with the exact name, wandering the halls of Hogwarts again? Could the Map be mistaken? And if not… if Pettigrew was truly alive, then what did that mean for Black's story? What really happened after the events of Halloween 1981.
"Harry, are you still listening?" Dumbledore asked him.
"Sorry, Headmaster. How did Pettigrew die? Was it the killing curse?" Harry asked curiously.
"No, Harry, Black used a 'Bombarda Maxima' and detonated half the street on which they were facing each other. 13 Muggle casualties were found… Of Pettigrew however, they only found a single finger."
That did not make sense, Harry thought. Why were the muggles clearly identified but no further tissue other than a finger was found from the wizard?
"But anyways…" Dumbledore continued in the background, while Harry still thought about what he just learned and took a large sip of water to calm his nerves.
"Oh, I was just telling you about the adventures of your father and his friends. They were famous all over the school...in all four houses people spoke about the pranks of the Marauders." Dumbledore chucked.
Harry spit the contents of his mouth all over his hospital bed... Things just got worse and worse! His father and his friends were the original Marauders?
They had created the Map? Was that why the Map showed Pettigrew? There were just too many questions right now. He needed a place to think and calm his mind. He needed advice. He needed Salazar.
"Well, I am glad you enjoy the story of their pranks as much as anyone else, Harry." Dumbledore grinned, drying Harry's blanket with a quick charm.
"However, that brings us back to my original request. I have reason to assume that Black is actively looking for you. Therefore, I asked you not to wander in the wizarding world and stay with your relatives for the remaining three weeks."
Harry thought quickly... How could he persuade Dumbledore to let him return to the Castle already?
"Why don't you let me stay at the safest place in Britain, Professor. Allow me to return to Hogwarts- You can upgrade the wards to notify you of any intruders. I even promise to stay within the walls of the Castle and not wander around on the grounds. Black would never expect me to be at Hogwarts this early in the summer."
Albus remained silent, thinking about his student's proposal. He could not find any flaw in his logic. Sirius would indeed never expect him at the school during the summer holidays.
But was Harry trying to deceive him somehow? He did not know for sure, but at Hogwarts, he could at least keep an eye on him:
"Very well Harry, I will allow you to return to the school early, but you shall not mention it to any of your peers after the start of the semester. I will also allow you to return to Diagon Alley the day before September first and finish your school shopping.
You may stay the night at the Leaky Cauldron and take the Express from the Platform the next morning, as to not raise any suspicion."
Harry nodded; this was perfect. At Hogwarts, he had access to the library, Salazar's tomes, the founder himself, and the Time-Turner as Harry remembered.
"I agree, Professor. Do you perhaps know if Professor McGonagall will be at Hogwarts already?"
"Why, yes, Harry. Minerva usually arrives about three weeks before the start of term to prepare for her classes and get settled in. Now that you mention it, she is currently working on a research project.
Perhaps you could assist. I have heard that you show a similar talent in her subject as your father once had." Dumbledore says, the familiar twinkle returning to his eyes.
"I will ask her about it, Sir." Harry nodded.
Too bad, he was hoping to start his own project with McGonagall. Ever Since the Scottish professor had transformed into a cat during his first lesson, Harry was fascinated in becoming an Animagus himself. He had hoped that McGonagall might support him in his endeavors.
"I have just one more question for you, Professor." Harry turned to Dumbledore, who had stood up from his chair.
"Do you know what happened to Fleur Delacour? Is she fine? I really did not mean to lose control like that."
Dumbledore looked at his young student:
"Actually, Ms. Delacour is in better condition than you, Harry. Her bones had been healed within a couple of seconds and her lungs emptied of any water that found its way in there. I have spoken to her and her family.
I know her father, Sebastian, personally. He is not amused by your choice of spells but understands your reaction. Had you not attacked her after receiving that burn, the situation would have likely been entirely different and Ms. Delacour would face the repercussions of using a lethal spell on you.
You were very lucky that she had missed your head, neck, or even chest. Ms. Delacour is extremely powerful, even with her… Background… I should say. I am sure you know what I am referring to.
Perhaps I could lend you a book that helps you better control your emotions in high-stress situations like that. You are extremely gifted in the mind arts and might learn the techniques rather quickly. The book has helped me personally a lot."
Harry thought about Dumbledore's offer for a second. He remembered the rush of power he felt as he held the spell around the blonde girl's head, even after being seriously injured.
To someone, who actually deserves his fury, this power might be useful, but if there was a way to better control it and direct his intent... he should learn about that opportunity, shouldn't he?
"I will take you up on that offer. Thank you, Headmaster. And thank you also for being honest with me about Sirius Black and allowing me to return to Hogwarts. How many more people were in my father's group of friends by the way?"
"They were four young Gryffindors, Harry." Dumbledore smiled sadly at the memory.
"Each of them was so very different from the other. And each of them fell victim to fate in their own way. But who knows... maybe you will learn a bit more about them this year?"
Of course… It was just like Dumbledore, to leave him with another riddle.
August 8th, 1993
Harry was released from the hospital and made his way to the Leaky Cauldron to pick up his personal items that Flitwick had dropped off in a room. From here, he would take the Floo to Flitwick's office at Hogwarts.
The charms Master greeted him and told Harry that he could spend the remaining weeks in the Ravenclaw common room, library, or anywhere in the Castle as long as he returned to his dormitory by 10:00 pm at night. He could eat his meals with the remaining staff in the Great Hall or by himself in the kitchen.
Harry took his leave from the office and made his way to his dormitory to drop off his stuff. Checking for any tracking charm, he made his way to the Chamber's entrance in the first-floor broom cupboard.
He opened the doors to Salazar's quarters and chuckled as he saw the founder sleeping in his frame:
"Wake up old man!", Harry greeted Salazar.
The Portrait groaned: "Why are you here already… Shouldn't you be beating the shit out of other kids at this little dueling tournament?"
Harry laughed out loud: "Merlin, I have a story for you, listen up."
Harry told Salazar about his duels and the interaction with the other opponents. Salazar congratulated him on his victory, stating that his heir finally brought glory to the house of Slytherin.
Harry continued and told him all about meeting Fleur Delacour and how she reminded him of the woman in the Mirror and her Veela heritage.
"You should be careful around those Veela, Harry. They might be insanely beautiful but also very proud and feisty. Great lovers too!" he grinned.
"Thanks, Sal… I really didn't need to know that." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Well from what you have told me, she must have been one of the most beautiful ones from her tribe if she had an entire arena staring at her."
"True, she really was very beautiful." Harry nodded, remembering the girl's deep blue eyes, silvery blonde hair, and athletic figure. "Unlike anything I have seen before."
"Snap out of it, my heir! She is not even here and you still suffer the effects of her allure?"
"No, nothing like that!" Harry shook his head. "I am immune to her allure, but let's just say we had a not so pleasant encounter on my last day in Paris…"
"I'm glad you are immune to her allure. Who knows... Veela are attracted to powerful men that are immune to their allure. Maybe what the mirror showed you had some truth to it." Salazar smirked.
Harry shook his head: "I'm pretty sure I ruined my chances with her… This is what happened next..."
He continued telling Salazar about his duel with Delacour. The founder chuckled at the way his heir had teased the Veela but frowned when Harry told him how he had been hit by her fire and the way he retaliated against her.
"I'm glad you managed to stop Harry. There is no place for Azkaban in our plans for you right now. Her flames were blue, you said... She must have been really pissed of then. Either that or she is naturally extremely powerful. It's a good match if you ask me... you have my blessings." The Portrait grinned and shot Harry a wink.
"Okay, you can stop with the jokes now." Harry rolled his eyes. "Talking about Azkaban, listen up to what else I have to tell you."
Harry explained the circumstances surrounding Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and his father. He explained what he had found on the Marauders Map, who the original Marauders had been, and Dumbledore's fear of Black breaking out of prison to kill Harry.
Salazar calmly listened to his entire story.
"I don't think the Map made a mistake when displaying that name Harry. Pettigrew being alive means that there has to be more to the story than what Dumbledore told you.
Be cautious. Check the map for his name every day as soon as school starts. Also, take Black seriously, no pun intended...
He might not have killed Pettigrew or those Muggles, but he could have still betrayed your parents and been one of Voldemort's followers.
Stay on alert at all times. If you encounter either of them, fire spells first and ask questions later. Don't kill them unless you have to. It would be interesting to get to know the whole story from them."
Harry nodded his agreement.
"Alright, Sal. Thank you for the advice. It's time to discuss the projects for this year. The next ritual will come up on Halloween. Within ten days each, I will perform the body, mind, and magic rituals, starting with the body on Halloween.
Next, we have the Winter Solstice for the healing ritual. After that, we should recalculate my birthday for the final ritual."
Salazar nodded his agreement. That was the plan so far.
"Also, I have two more projects for this year. There is a spell, I need to master as soon as possible. Flitwick had mentioned to me that the ministry sanctioned the dementors of Azkaban to search for Sirius Black. Even Dumbledore was forced to accept their presence at the school for the duration of this term.
In my book from Herpo the fool, I read about a spell he invented, that was able to repel dementors, similar to a Patronus. At the same time, the spell is strong enough to hurt and even kill a Dementor if sufficiently powered, due to its shared characteristics with Fiendfyre."
Salazar frowned. "Fiendfyre is extremely dangerous, Harry. Even I myself never managed to fully control it whenever I cast it… The spell sounds very useful though. Certainly, better than a regular Patronus. What is the incantation?"
"Elicio Tenebris Inimico" Harry had put the Incantation to memory already but never actually tried it.
"Well, the name certainly fits" Salazar chuckled. "If this spell behaves like anything as you described it, it will certainly require immense power to cast it. Do you want to give it a try?"
Harry nodded: "Sure, it's time for a first test. Let's get you out into the main Chamber, so you can watch."
Harry levitated the portrait out of the quarters and to the entrance of the main Chamber. He placed the founder in a way that he could watch the events unfold and stepped down from the statue's mouth.
"According to Herpo, true hate and anger are needed for the spell. The Patronus archives the opposite by utilizing positive memories. Perhaps something similar works in this case"
Salazar nodded and Harry started concentrating on performing the spell for the first time. Using his Occlumency practices, he focused on all the memories of being mistreated and abused by the Dursleys... He remembered Dudley and his gang kicking and punching him as he lay on the playground.
The memory fused with the stares and nasty whispers; he had received at Hogwarts, at the way people had treated him after believing he was the heir of Slytherin.
Finally, he thought about Tom Riddle and Voldemort, who had taken his childhood and his parents from him, robbing him of anything that made life worth living. Voldemort would most definitely try so again…
Harry felt the hate and rage surge through him. His eyes regained a slight emerald glow, pure magic was building up at the tip of his wand. Focusing on everything he hated and then shouted in Parseltongue
"Elicio Tenebris Inimico!
Blackish smoke, no… More like a flame, broke from the tip of his wand. Harry desperately willed the flame to form into something with a corporeal form but to no avail. After over 30 seconds, Harry couldn't hold the spell any longer and watched as the blackish flame shrunk and slowly vanished.
Completely exhausted, he collapsed on the stone floor of the Chamber.
"Well, that was not so bad for a first try. I would say this would already repel a dementor and scare him away if only you could hold it for a little longer.
You should be proud of yourself. If the spell truly shares its origin with Fiendfyre, then what you have just managed is something most adult wizards could never dream to archive."
"I am not most adult wizards." Harry gasped, still trying to catch his breath.
"Rest, Harry, and call for Dobby to give you a pepper-up potion from my quarters. You brewed more than enough of them before summer."
Harry nodded. The elf appeared with pop and was more than happy to comply with Harry's wishes after his usual overly enthusiastic greeting. After a couple of minutes, Harry felt strong enough to get up.
"I think you should let your magical reserve build back. Just leave me here for now. Let's talk about your other projects for this year."
"Well, I was hoping to have a quiet year, to focus on my studies and personal goals, but it seems as with the Black and Pettigrew issue that won't be the case.
However, I will study my new electives this year and will take them just as seriously as my main classes, therefore I will have a lot less time already.
I was also hoping to start studying how to become an Animagus with my Transfiguration Professor, as she is one herself. I will approach her over the next couple of days.
I also want to continue working on all the other mysteries, I still haven't solved, including the Hallows, the Peverell Family, and everything about Tom Riddle. Talking about good old Tom, have I mentioned my summer internship yet?"
Harry told Salazar all about his time at Borgin and the discoveries concerning Tom Riddle he had made. Salazar was enraged at Tom's perversion of turning the belongings of the founders into his Horcruxes.
When Harry told him about the plans he had read about a certain locket, Salazar started cussing in Parseltongue and it took almost ten minutes to calm him down.
Harry learned that the locket had been a gift to his wife and was passed down the Slytherin line for generations, always worn by the females. Harry promised Salazar to make Tom pay for what he did to it.
The two talked a bit more about the upcoming year before Harry used the time turner to get a couple of extra hours for some reading in the library and returned to dinner later that evening.
August 31st, 1993
Today Harry would finish his end of the year shopping at Diagon Alley. The new term would start tomorrow. During his breakfast in the Great Hall, Harry reflected on his eventful summer and everything that he had accomplished.
He had finished another ritual and worked at Borgin & Burke's, making some good money and learning more about his archenemy.
He had participated in his first dueling competition and even won the tournament, while unfortunately getting disqualified during his 'friendly duel' with the Veela.
He had also taken steps into magic, yet unknown to today's wizarding public. His further attempts at Herpo's modified Patronus had been ever so slightly better than the previous ones.
There was still no corporeal form to his Inimicus, but he could hold the spell for almost a minute now and no longer collapsed afterward.
Over the last three weeks, he had prepared for his classes and worked on his own little projects, including doing lots of reading on Animagi.
He had used the time turned to its fullest potential over those weeks. With the additional eight hours each day, the three weeks had been almost spread to a whole month.
He made his way up to Flitwick's office, to take the Floo to the Leaky Cauldron. He reappeared in the familiar green flames and quickly took his leave towards the entrance to the Alley. He had a couple of things to do:
First, he intended to have a chat with the goblins about his finances. His compensation from working for a month at Borgin, combined with his winnings from the Tournament, had gained him almost an additional 500 galleons, that he intended to invest.
The meeting with his account manager went very well. His investments were doing great and the additional 500 galleons would be invested in a company that experimented on futuristic medical technologies.
Harry made sure that he had more than enough galleons for his shopping and continued his journey to the other stores. First, he bought his supplies and new schoolbooks. Apparently, this year's DADA professor emphasized dark magical creatures, judging by the book he bought.
He had bought the known books for his new electives at the beginning of summer already. Now, he only bought the rest of his third-year books, including a very dangerous book for Care of Magical Creatures.
He restocked his potions ingredients and bought some owl treats for Hedwig. Last but not least, it was time to buy some new robes. Apparently, he had another growth spurt this summer. He was eager to see how much he had grown ever since the ritual.
The sales assistant at Twilfit and Tattings took his new measurements and let him know that he now stood slightly over five feet and five inches, meaning he grew an additional two inches over the summer. Good progress in Harry's opinion.
He bought his new robes and treated himself to some ice cream afterward. That was when he noticed the number of stares, he received for the first time. His actions at the championship had spread all over Britain. It had been one of the best-selling editions of the Daily Prophet in years.
Harry was used to staring whenever he was in public at this point, but apparently, it had only increased ever since Paris even more. He still believed that he had been treated unfairly by the reporters.
He would never make a public apology to Delacour, but perhaps an interview would help? Harry retired to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner and turned in for the night soon afterward. Let's see what the new term would be like.
Harry had plenty of time the next morning as most of his belongings, including his trunk, were already in his dorm. He only had a backpack with him and the new stuff he had bought, was safely stored in it.
He made his way to the platform at 10:00 am, entered an empty compartment, and began reading his new Runes book.
Through the window, he noticed that slowly the platform and the train started filling. Suddenly someone knocked at the door and opened it. Harry groaned... He had forgotten the locking and notice-me-not charms that he usually applied.
Susan Bones' head appeared behind the door and the girl spotted him sitting by himself:
"Oh...uh… Hello, Mr. Potter. Do you mind sharing a compartment?"
Harry thought about it. Why actually not? Just a week ago, Salazar had advised him to start making some connections at school. If Voldemort truly ever came back, he would not be alone, and Harry could not keep facing the entire world by himself:
"Sure, make yourself comfortable. Let me help you with your trunk." Harry offered.
Bones thanked him with a shy smile as Harry levitated her trunk up to the storage area. They returned to their seats.
"So uhm... How was your summer, Mr. Potter?" Susan tried to initiate conversation. Just then she realized what she had asked: "I am terribly sorry, that must have not been the best question to ask."
Harry laughed: "Don't worry about it. It was actually one of the better summers I've ever had. Dueling was certainly entertaining to say the least. You can call me Harry by the way."
"Then you can call me Susan." Replied the Hufflepuff with a smile.
"Alright, Susan. How was your summer?"
"It was very nice. I stayed at my aunt's place and we visited some very distant relatives on the continent. I also spent lots of time with my friend Hannah. Oh, there she is." Susan smiled as her friend opened the compartment door.
Hannah's eyes darted from Harry to Susan and back to Harry: "Can I join you guys?"
Susan gave Harry a questioning look. Harry just shrugged. He could endure their company for a couple of hours. He helped Hannah with her trunk and the three started talking a bit more about the summer.
At around quarter to eleven Terry Boot also found their compartment and joined them. Harry was on good terms with Boot, having shared a dormitory for two years now.
"What's up Harry?" Terry greeted him. "Heard, you ran into some trouble in Paris?" He grinned.
Harry snorted and hit Terry with a light stinging hex. Terry took a seat next to him and was about to ask more questions about the dueling tournament when the door opened again. This time, two girls already in their Slytherin robes entered the compartment.
Harry immediately recognized the honey-blond hair and grey eyes of Daphne Greengrass. He was on neutral terms with Greengrass. They had worked together in some of their classes so far and the pretty Slytherin was perhaps the most intelligent female student in their year.
Next to her stood Tracy Davis, if Harry remembered correctly. The girl had mouse-brown hair with blue eyes and stood a bit smaller than her friend.
Greengrass looked at him: "Do you still have space for two more?" She asked expectantly with raised eyebrows.
Well, this was already a social gathering, so why not, Harry thought: "Sure, make yourselves comfortable while I handle your luggage."
Greengrass looked like she was about to object, but then reluctantly allowed him to levitate her trunk. She took a seat next to Harry's while her friend joined the girl on the other side.
Harry sat down next to her and noticed that she smelled very nice... Like vanilla. No one initiated any conversation for some time until Terry spoke up:
"So... Are you guys excited for Hogsmeade?"
Harry had received permission from Dumbledore, as his magical guardian, to visit the village this year. That topic seemed to work well, as everyone started excitedly chatting about the famous magical village and what shops to visit first. They had left King's Cross a while ago and made their way up to Scotland now.
Harry noticed that Tracy Davis had started giggling for some reason while Daphne shot her a look that could be interpreted as 'Don't you dare!'.
Davis regained her composure and asked Harry in a teasing tone:
"So, Mr. Potter… who do you intend on taking on a date to Hogsmeade? Even in Slytherin, some upper-year girls would love an invitation." She chuckled, as did the rest of the girls and even Terry. Only Greengrass sat as stoic as ever, seemingly annoyed by her friend's behavior.
"I have not really thought about it, Ms. Davis." Harry returned her teasing tone. "Which girl in the house of the snakes do you think is worthy enough to accompany me to such a prestigious location?"
Davis started laughing while it took everything for Greengrass to keep her composure.
"Well, Mr. Potter." Davis continues. "Daphne here usually prefers broom closets, but I am sure she would not obj…"
She did not get any further as Greengrass stepped on the other girl's toe, looking furious. Harry just chuckled at the two girls.
The conversation drifted towards their new electives. Terry and Daphne had also taken Arithmancy and Runes, while Susan, Hannah, and Tracy Davis had taken Runes and a mix between Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies.
Surprisingly, Harry enjoyed the conversation and had more fun than he would have originally thought. They'd been traveling for a couple of hours now and everyone started occupying their time differently.
Harry and Daphne started reading their schoolbooks, exchanging their thought on the new classes, while the others started a game of exploding snap.
All of a sudden, Harry felt a change in the atmosphere around them:
"Guys, be quiet for a second!"
"What's wrong, Harry?" Terry looked up from the game.
"Something is coming," Harry whispered, flicking his wand into his palm while looking out of the window. The temperature outside and within the compartment started changing.
The rainy glass window froze over. Harry felt an unfamiliar cold wash over his entire body. Daphne, Terry, and Susan had taken out their wand as well. Tracey and Hannah were hovering in the corner, almost sobbing now.
The joy Harry had felt only a couple of seconds ago was replaced by hopelessness and fear. This could only mean one thing. Only one creature Harry knew off could have an effect like that on him.
He focused on his Occlumency shield, trying his best to keep the foreign magic from invading his mind. He heard something outside their compartment in the corridor and prepared himself for the inevitable encounter:
"Guys, get behind me! Think about something happy and let me handle this!"
Davis and Hannah looked like they were about to pass out. The others fared only slightly better, but they nodded and started cowering behind Harry, who cast a Lumos and took his stance in front of the door.
The door to the compartment slowly slid open. Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the Lumos from Harry's wand, was a cloaked figure that towered over them, reaching towards the ceiling. Its face was completely hidden beneath its hood.
Harry's eyes darted downward, and what he saw made his stomach contract. There was a hand protruding from the cloak, and it was glistening, grayish, slimy-looking, and scabbed, like something dead that had decayed in water…
But it was visible only for a split second. As though the creature beneath the cloak sensed Harry's gaze, the hand was suddenly withdrawn into the folds of its black cloak.
And then the thing beneath the hood, whatever it was, drew a long, slow, rattling breath, as though it were trying to suck something more than air from its surroundings.
An intense cold swept over them all. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. The cold went deeper than his skin. It was inside his chest; it was inside his very heart…
But Harry was ready. Doubling his Occlumency shields and focusing on everything he hates with a passion, he shouts in Parseltongue:
"Elicio Tenebris Inimico!"
Chapter 21
The familiar blackish flame erupted from the tip of his wand and this time it started forming into something almost corporeal. Harry could spot the faint outline of a black, horse-like head that started snapping at the Dementors arms.
When Harry's Inimicus finally managed to bite the Dementors, the creature let out a roar in pain and retreated from the compartment. Harry shut the door before collapsing on the bench inside:
"Is everybody alright?"
The children around him nodded. All of them looked incredibly pale. Hannah was even shaking and sobbing.
"What the hell was that?" Terry asked fearfully.
"A Dementor," Harry explained. "One of the guards of Azkaban."
"What kind of spell was that, Potter? You are the most powerful student in our year and it has you completely exhausted. I've never even seen a spell like that before." Greengrass asked, her voice full of suspicion.
"Just something I have read about, don't worry too much about it. Does anyone still have some chocolate frogs from the Trolley? Eat them, they are supposed to help!" Harry tried desperately to change the subject.
Just as the kids started sharing the remaining chocolate, a man with worn down robes and a heavily scarred face entered their compartment:
"Is everybody alright here? I saw the Dementor entering your compartment, how did you make it leave?"
Every student looked at Harry, who groaned.
"Harry fought it and even injured it, then it left us alone," Susan explained.
The man chuckled: "No spell can injure a dementor, you can only repel it."
"We all know what we saw, Sir. Harry's spell didn't just repel it, it hurt it!" Terry said heatedly.
"Guys, it's alright. I am sure the adult knows a lot more about those foul creatures than we do." Harry interfered. He wanted to avoid the others telling the stranger even more details about the spell.
The man frowned: "And what spell did you use, Harry?"
"One I would not share with a complete stranger," Harry replied, the suspicion evident on his face.
"My apologies, I indeed have not introduced myself yet. My name is Remus Lupin. I will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Now which one of you had the bright idea to eat some chocolate?" he smiled warmly at the kids.
They all started looking at Harry again, who rolled his eyes.
"You seem to know a lot about Dementors already, Harry. How come you have a developed interest in them?" Lupin asked the child.
"I'd like to be prepared for all eventualities, Professor. No worries, I am not going to, let's say, maraud around the grounds, looking for confrontations with them." Harry replied neutrally.
Lupin's eyes widen ever so slightly at Harry's choice of words. Another indication of who the man might be. Dumbledore had mentioned that he might learn more about his parents and their friends this year at Hogwarts.
One Marauder was dead for certain, the second might still be alive, the third had just escaped prison and Harry was now certain that the fourth stood in front of him.
"Very well, I'd give some house points to Gryffindor for clever thinking, but since the term has not started yet…" Lupin started.
"Actually, I am a Ravenclaw, Sir. Why would you assume I am a Gryffindor?"
The man looked perplexed at that. "I did not know that, I am sorry, Harry, I just assumed with Lily and James…" The man trailed off again, seemingly deep in thought.
"You keep calling me Harry, Sir. Do I know you?" Harry asked curiously.
Lupin frowned again. 'No, of course not… I mean, you used to, I guess, I was good friends with your parents, James especially… I should head off. I need to speak to the driver." With that, the new professor took his leave.
"What a strange dude." Terry mused loudly.
"Well, at least he seemed to know his stuff better than Lockhart. He knew there was only one way to repel a dementor and to eat chocolate to counter its effects." Harry explained.
"But didn't you just show that he was wrong?" Daphne asked with narrowed eyes. "I have seen a Patronus before and whatever you conjured was not one. No Patronus, not even Dumbledore's, could actually hurt a Dementor, they simply repel them. I'll ask you again, what was that spell, was it a Parseltongue one?
"You are too smart for your own good, Greengrass, but you better drop this one. All of you have already messed up some of my plans by revealing this spell. Especially to a new professor.
I saved you from this dementor. You are all in a magical debt to me. All I ask of you is to not mention this spell again. Not to your friends, housemates, and especially not the professors!" Harry retorted angrily.
"It was a dark spell, wasn't it? That's why you don't want anyone to find out?" Hannah Abbott accused him.
"This spell just saved you from the Dementor and you still call it dark? Just drop the subject already, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"It's okay, Harry," Terry says sincerely. "Thank you for what you did."
For the rest of the ride, not many words were spoken, Terry and Harry stepped outside for a couple of minutes to change into their robes, while the girls changed inside. They arrived at the platform and soon after Harry was greeted by the familiar sight of Thestrals pulling the carriages.
The six took a carriage up to the Castle where they went separate ways, each to their own house table.
The sorting was as unspectacular as last year, but the food was as good as always, even with Harry being used to it, having spent the last three weeks at the Castle already. It was now time for Dumbledore's yearly speech.
"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…"
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
He paused, and Harry remembered that Dumbledore had not been happy with the Dementors guarding the school, when he told Harry so a couple of weeks ago.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises — or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly.
"It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors," he said.
Percy Weasley, who was sitting a few seats down from Harry at the Gryffindor table, puffed out his chest again and stared around impressively.
"What an idiot. The boy most likely had no idea how to counter a Dementor."
Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound. "On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. "First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. A couple of people from his compartment clapped, Harry among them. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.
Snape was staring along the staff table at Professor Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job, but even Harry, who disliked Snape, was startled at the expression twisting his thin, sallow face. it was beyond anger: it was loathing.
It made sense. According to Snape's remarks, Harry's father had bullied Snape all throughout Hogwarts. If Lupin had been part of his little Marauder gang, then he probably took part in it.
Harry knew that expression only too well; it was the look Snape wore every time he set eyes on Harry. "As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away.
"Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
Well, that explained the book of course. Harry did not know what to think about that change in staff. Sure, Hagrid seems knowledgeable, but having knowledge and being able to teach it are two completely different things. One only had to look at Snape for that.
He was about to leave the Great Hall and use the time turner for some extra practice in the ROR when he was stopped by Draco Malfoy, surrounded by some upper-year Slytherins:
"They should have snapped your wand and put you in prison for how you represented the British magical society Potter. But I am sure they will soon enough. Father is very well connected to some of the families you so publicly disrespected. Did you enjoy his interview by the way?" Malfoy sneered and the Slytherins laughed.
"I couldn't care less about what the public thinks about me, Malfoy… but I urge you to practice your oh-so Slytherin self-preservation this year. I could wipe the floor with all of you. Imagine what I might do when meeting you all by yourself in a dark corridor… unpleasant things…"
He hissed the last two words in parseltongue and enjoyed watching the fear in the other boy's eyes.
"You don't deserve a gift like that, Potter. Salazar Slytherin would be ashamed that it was somehow passed to a dirty half-blood!" Warrington, a sixth-year spit.
Harry laughed at that: "You guys have no idea what Salazar Slytherin holds in high regards and what not. But you really shouldn't threaten his heir."
With that, he left the dumbstruck Slytherins and made his way towards the broom cupboard entrance, while checking the Map to see if the air was clear. Since he already had the Map opened up, he checked the entire Castle for a certain name.
There it was. Peter Pettigrew was in one of the dormitories in the Gryffindor Tower. How was that possible? Only the prefects had the passwords at this point in time. How did he sneak in there and why was he hiding there?
Suddenly Harry noticed another name that appeared at the edge of the map and entered the Hogwarts grounds: Sirius Black.
This was his chance to find out the truth. But was he ready? If Black was truly one of Voldemort's highest follows, then he was undoubtedly powerful and skilled. However, he had also spent twelve years in Azkaban… No one, no matter how well developed their Occlumency shields, could withstand the Dementors for that long.
He could always get the teachers, but the more people, the easier it would be for Black to spot the trap. Harry decided to confront the man himself. He felt confident enough in his abilities to at least defend himself adequately.
Harry pulled out his cloak and made his way towards the Whopping Willow, where Black was heading. Looking at the map, he watched as Black got closer and closer to the tree. He should be appearing at the edge of the forest now.
There was no sign of a man, let alone one in prisoner robes anywhere in front of him. The only thing he could see was a large black dog that slowly trotted towards the tree. Again, he checked the map. A dot with the name Sirius Black was only a hundred meters in front of him. Could this be possible? Was the man an unregistered Animagus?
The dog seemed very interested in the Whopping Willow, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to get closer. Harry, of course, knew about the secret passageway that started at the bottom of the tree.
It was supposed to lead all the way over to Hogsmeade to an old house called the Shrieking Shack. Was that where Black was heading?
Harry watched as the huge black dog sprinted forward, dodged the branches of the tree, and hit a knot at the bottom of the tree trunk with his pad. The Willow froze, no more sign of any aggression and the dog disappeared at the bottom of the tree.
Harry had a choice to make. He could follow Black, who would probably never expect someone to do so. The Shack at the end of the tunnel was supposed to be haunted and avoided by students and villagers alike. It was a brilliant hideaway for Black, Harry had to agree.
Harry decided to act quickly and made his way over to the tree for as long as the branches were still frozen. He slipped into the hole at the bottom of the trunk.
A whispered Lumos granted him some light and he followed the small passageway. He checked the map again. Black had already arrived at the Shack now. He did not suspect to be followed.
Harry continued through the narrow passage for almost ten minutes until he reached the end. There was a trapdoor leading to the top. Harry pulled over the cloak once more and carefully, as to not make a sound, climbed up the letter and opened the trapdoor.
Luckily, he didn't make a sound and it was unlikely that anyone would have heard him. It seems Black was redecorating in one of the rooms on the upper floor and not paying much attention to anything else.
Step by step, Harry made his way up the old staircase until he reached the top stairs. He could hear Black shifting around something heavy in the first room to his right. Harry almost stopped breathing as he carefully made his way to the entrance.
There was Black. He was a tall man, but incredibly skinny, probably from his lack of food since escaping Azkaban. Actually, scratch that thought...
He most likely never had enough to eat, even whilst being imprisoned. Black was moving one of the old beds around and groaned at the effort it took. He was still very weak, just as Harry guessed.
Harry slowly lifted his wand from underneath his cloak. A Stunner on his lips. Black stopped his efforts, almost as if he could feel what might happen, and whirled around just as Harry's bright red stunner hit him square in the chest and he fell over unconscious.
Harry took a couple more deep, calming breaths. This had been a lot more dangerous than he thought. Luckily Black had been distracted. He checked the dirty, smelly man for a wand and removed one when he found it. Then he bound Black in his thickest black robes.
"Serpensortia" Harry hissed.
The familiar thick Black Mamba appeared and hissed angrily at being summoned.
"I want you to keep an eye on my prisoner. Should he somehow free himself of his bonds and attack me, you have my permission to kill him. I want to talk with him, so don't harm him if he remains calm!"
The snake hissed its agreement and Harry checked the ropes on Black once more before hitting him with an Enervate.
Black groaned and slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Harry.
"Prongs… You won't believe the crazy dream I just had… Wait, why are we in the Shack? Is it a full moon already?"
"You better start making sense soon, Black, or your last words will be wasted on some rubbish!"
Black looked at him perplexed: "You're not James, but you look just like him… But you can't be James, I killed him…" Black continued babbling and mumbling.
Harry sighted… This might take a while:
"Why are you here, Black?"
The man looked up at him, a determined expression on his face:
"To kill the rat, of course."
"Rat, what rat?" Harry asked, confused.
Black motioned for a copy of the Daily Prophet that he had placed on an old table next to the door: "Look at the picture. Look at what the youngest boy is holding. You can see the rat!" he chuckled.
The man was definitely crazy… Harry took the newspaper and checked out the article Black was referring to. It was a picture of the Weasley family in front of one of the pyramids in Egypt. Apparently, they had won some gold and spent it on a holiday altogether.
Their youngest son was holding his pet rat, which Harry had seen him with a couple of times.
"A rat? You broke out of prison, came to Hogwarts, and risked getting caught only for a simple garden rat?"
"It's not just a simple rat!" Black shouted "Look at the rat's toes! Take a look!"
Harry did so and frowned. The rat was missing a toe. It had been seemingly cut off and was just missing.
"Pettigrew," Harry exclaimed.
"It's him! I know it's him! I have seen him transform a thousand times!"
"Why are you trying to kill him? What really happened before you were arrested? And which one of you betrayed my parents?" Harry asked Black, holding his wand to the man's face.
"Your parents… You're Harry!" Black gulped
"Of course, I am, who else would I be?"
"Well, you look like James, but you are not wearing glasses. And you have Lily's eyes, perhaps a tad brighter even." Black analyzed his face in detail.
"I still want answers and you better start talking, Black! I don't have all night!"
"I did not betray them, Harry! You have to believe me! James wanted me to be the Secret Keeper, but I thought it was too obvious. I advised them to take Peter instead!
I couldn't find Peter on Halloween night and knew something was wrong. I came back to your parents' house as quickly as possible... But I was too late.
James…" Black had started sobbing: "…He was laying in the living room, dead! My best friend… My brother… and your mom, Lily... She lay in front of your crib, the tears still wet on her face.
I took you out of there, but Hagrid demanded that I give you over into your relative's care. I told him I was your godfather, but he just said that Dumbledore, the old git, had ordered it.
I left my motorcycle with him and started hunting Pettigrew. After two days, I'd finally caught him in this muggle neighborhood. He started shouting all this bullshit…
How I was the one to betray Lily and James… Then he detonated half the street, cut off his finger, and transformed into his rat form to join his dirty little friends down in the sewage.
I could not believe I had been outmaneuvered like that. I broke down in the street and started laughing… It was all so surreal. They just cast me off to Azkaban without a trial and that's where I spent the last 12 years." Black continued sobbing.
Harry had mixed feelings. If the story was true, then the man had truly suffered from a great injustice. The story seemed logical.
"How can I trust that everything you just told me is the truth?" Harry asked the man.
"I can swear you an oath?" Black tried
"That sounds fine, but if you even point the wand in my direction, myself or my snake will kill you on the spot. I also want you to drop any Occlumency shields you might have. I will delve into your mind and see the memories for myself."
Black seemed perplexed: "You know Occlumency? At 13?"
"I have been studying it since I was eleven. Here is the wand, don't try any tricks!"
Black took the wand:
"I, Sirius Orion Black swear on my life and magic that everything I have just told Harry James Potter is the truth. So, mode it be!"
He successfully performed a Lumos, proving his innocence.
"Drop your shields and prepare yourself!"
Black chuckled: "I will drop whatever I have left of them."
Harry prepared himself, he had never performed the spell himself but knew the incantation of course:
"Legilimens!"
Black's mind was fractured. The damage from the dementors was more than clear. Harry followed the night of Halloween 1981 and saw the events from the man's story by himself. His story and everything he had told him were indeed true.
When he exited the man's mind, Black was sobbing again. He felt truly sorry for the man:
"It's good to see you, Padfoot!"
Sirius looked at him wide-eyed and barked in laughter. "How did you know?"
"I saw you transform, and I found something very special of yours. 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Harry replied with a wink.
"You found the Map! Awesome, we were afraid that Filch might have destroyed it."
"It's one of my most valued possessions. Maybe we can update it sometime soon. I have a few ideas..."
Sirius barked a laugh again: "Oh, you are definitely your father's son, Harry. We started the map our second year and finished shortly before our fifth. It was a lot of work."
"I can imagine." Harry chuckled "Was my dad Prongs or Moony? And what was his Animagus form?"
"Your dad was Prongs of course! He was a large stag. Remus is Moony." Sirius replied.
"What is his form?"
Sirius barked again:
"He is a Werewolf, Harry. That's the reason why we wanted to become Animagi in the first place… So that we could be there for him during his transformations."
"That's honorable, I guess." Harry shrugged and vanished the snake that he certainly had no use for now. "Anyways. I will return to the Castle for now. I will meet you tomorrow at midnight here. Don't do anything stupid until then!"
Sirius just nodded, glad that Harry believed him.
Harry looked at Sirius for a second. Could he trust the man already and take him into the chamber with Dobby? No, he would wait a bit. The chamber was his personal retreat.
However, he could at least use Dobby to get the man some food and decent clothes, Harry decided.
"Dobby!"
The elf appeared with a POP.
"Mr. Harry Potter, Sir?"
"You have an elf?" Sirius asked, perplexed.
"I tricked Malfoy and freed him from that family." Harry grinned.
"Good job, I never liked Lucius... That stupid git. He was already unbearable with his shiny badge at Hogwarts. Things got worse when he married Narcissa…"
"Well, Dobby here will bring you anything you need, you only have to ask for him. Dobby, could you get my Dogfather, I mean Godfather, some food from the kitchen?"
Sirius barked in laughter once more. "Just wait until I have rested, kid, you're going to regret messing with the famous Sirius Black!"
"Yeah, sure..." Harry rolled his eyes." I will see you tomorrow. Stay here and together we will think about how to get Pettigrew."
Sirius nodded and Harry took his leave under the cloak, making his way back to the Castle and down the Chamber. He had a lot to brief Salazar on.
The next morning Harry woke up early, finished his workout, and made his way towards the Great Hall. He was excited about his new timetable, to see if he had any new classes today. Flitwick came by just as Harry had almost finished his breakfast and gave him the parchment with a smile.
Today he had Transfiguration, his first lesson on Ancient Runes and Astronomy. The former two he was very much looking forward to. Just then three Gryffindor's entered the great hall, Ron Weasley carrying his pet rat in his hands, arguing with Granger.
Apparently, the girl had bought a cat over the summer and the two pets did not get along. Should Harry just make a run for it and capture the traitor right now?
It was very tempting, but Harry knew he had to do better. He needed a plan before charging into action like that. He calmed his mind and made his way towards his first class, thinking about last night.
He had used the time turner and gone back his usual eight hours to brief Salazar on everything that had happened. Salazar was interested in Black's story and could not wait for Harry to find Pettigrew, the real culprit, the one who had betrayed his parents.
Unfortunately, they both agreed that they could not just kill the rat. They needed him to prove Sirius' innocence. They came up with a plan for Harry to expose the rat at dinner in the Great Hall over the next couple of days.
He just had to either wait for Weasley to take the rat with him to dinner, or sneak into the Gryffindor dormitory, capture the rat himself and expose him in front of the Great Hall.
Harry preferred the second case. Pettigrew might have valuable information about Voldemort, as well as other known Death Eaters. Capturing him and interrogating him might be useful for the future.
Harry also needed to learn the Animagus revealing spell and prepare a cage that would not allow for Pettigrew to transform in it. Maybe he could ask McGonagall about the former?
Transfiguration was enjoyable as always. Funny enough, they actually started off the session by talking about Animagi. At the end of the lesson, Harry remained in class.
"Mr. Potter, can I help you with something?" McGonagall asked him, seeing him waiting at his desk.
"Professor, I would like to become an Animagus and I was hoping you would be teaching me or at least guide me in the right direction when it comes to books and other references," Harry replied.
McGonagall regarded him with her stern look: "You have a talent for the subject Mr. Potter. And whereas your father would have used an Animagus form for some of his pranks, I am certain you might put it to better use.
I will consult with the Headmaster and let you know our decision at the end of our next class. Will there be anything else?
"Yes, please, Professor. Could you tell me about the spell to reveal an Animagus and what enchantments can be used to hold them in an area?"
McGonagall narrowed her eyes at him:
"I don't even want to know where this sudden interest in Animagi comes from, Mr. Potter. But if I only get a hunch that you started transforming on your own, I will have you expelled from this school, is that clear?"
"Crystal clear, Professor. Does that mean you know about the spell and the material I was asking for?"
McGonagall sighed. She scribbled something on a piece of parchment: "This will give you access to the restricted section. I wrote down the name of the books you might find helpful. Do not disappoint me, Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded his understanding and took his leave. He made his way to the library and past a frowning Madam Pince, who seemed very confused at the ease with which Harry navigated himself around the shelves of the restriction section. She had never even seen that boy here before…
Harry found the books and took his leave. He had about an hour before the start of his next class and started reading in the Ravenclaw common room. He was excited for his next class: Ancient Runes.
It was a relatively small class, the Ravenclaws making up the majority of the students. Granger was the only Gryffindor and shot him a nasty glare as he entered the classroom. He walked past the girl and whispered:
"Ready to get outperformed again?"
Granger's glare only intensified as she huffed, opened her book, and quickly began reading, definitely trying to be as prepared as possible.
Professor Babbling entered the class from her Office.
"Good morning, everybody and a warm welcome to the study of Ancient Runes. Runes are incredibly interesting and might just be one of the most important classes taught here at Hogwarts for a variety of career feels.
How about a quick introduction? We go around the class once and everybody introduces himself and names a branch of magic or career field runes are used in. Let's start over here."
Everybody did as told, however after a couple of mentionings, the student became clueless as to what else runes might be used for. Terry added some fresh knowledge by mentioning the Department of Mysteries. Finally, it was Harry's turn:
"Runes can be used to permanently enhance the physical, mental, or magical capabilities of the caster via rituals. The oldest rituals make use of ancient Sumerian runes. However, the most commonly used runes for rituals are Egyptian and Nordic."
Professor Babbling nodded, fascinated at the knowledge Harry shared with the class. Of course, Granger had to ruin the moment.
"But Professor, the Ministry of Magic classifies rituals as dark magic. They are forbidden by the ICW in almost all countries. Only dark wizards make use of them nowadays." She narrows her eyes at Harry.
"That is only partially correct, but a very short-minded view on the magical branch of rituals, Ms. Granger." Babbling corrected her:
"Some rituals are still used during pregnancy, and they can be incredibly helpful for healing purposes. Unfortunately, many rituals had been abused in the past, which led to their bad reputation.
Tell me, Mr. Potter, have you had any other contact with runes? You seem very knowledgeable."
"My wand uses runes, Professor. The materials and core used in it are nothing short of extraordinary… Runes are necessary to stabilize the craft." Harry replied neutrally. He did not want to delve too deep into it.
"Have you found out what exactly they do, Mr. Potter? That sounds incredibly interesting, would you mind showing me your wand after class?"
"Sure, Professor." Harry nodded. Even though he was not too keen on it. But Babbling was perhaps the most knowledgeable person concerning modern runes in the Castle, apart from Dumbledore.
It was a blessing and a curse that Salazar's knowledge was limited to the most ancient runes, many of them forgotten by time.
Harry would do his very best in this class, he decided, as they started taking out the books and reading the introduction to the magic of runes.