Hey everyone,
IMPORTANT UPDATE! This will be the last month where I will be updating all 14 stories at the end of every month. I am just going to do the same thing everyone else does; either fully finish a story and then post the full thing or finish a chapter and then post it once it's written. However, there are stories, like to Read Into The Universe, where I will probably try to finish the whole thing and edit out the mistakes and whatnot and only then post the finished product.
I'm sorry if this upsets some of you, but I know about myself that I NEED to do this. Over the course of the last few months, I just haven't felt as if I have given these stories the attention they deserve and while I am happy with some stories and how some chapters are written, do I just feel lost and disappointed looking back on others. I'm just starting to feel like thinking: "I could have done better." when looking back at some of the chapters I wrote, so I made this decision. Onto the story.
I just want to use this chance to reassure V.L. Crawford. Lily will not be without her husband for much longer. James is going to come back sometime in next month's chapter. I am not sure at what point during the chapter, but it might just be right as the chapter title is read out. Also, I am going to see if I can't make a few more changes to the story like I did with last month's chapter, maybe even a few that are more significant.
Though I won't do this for the last six chapters of GoF and I won't have my readers go over those again either. I might make a small group reread that stuff, like the teaching staff, but not the whole group. Also, I have a question for you all and it's probably going to be my next poll: SHOULD I KEEP THE BEAUXBATTONS AND DURMSTRANG STUDENTS HERE OR NOT? I want to, for the Reading Spell, but I hardly use them.
Let me know,

Venquine1990
Wishfull-Star
BellaK26

Chapter 78
A Troubled Reunion

4th of July 1995
Ballroom, Beast's Castle
Sirius' POV

"I think I better read this chapter. Pretty sure this is where I come in. And to be honest, I do wonder what Harry really thought of me. I noticed a few things, but I can't say I noticed him having those doubts about my guilt." I tell the room at large and this makes my son cringe and grimace, but I just send him a loving and understanding smile. "Sorry to say it, love, but if you didn't see it, then you were damn blind that night."
Remus says as I get handed the book by Nella Diggory and this makes me send him a raised eyebrow, yet the man just shrugs. And while I wonder if he's lying to reassure our son – which makes me wonder if Harry really is still ours, seeing Lily's return – or if he's being truthful, do I just shrug back and think: "I really wasn't in the right state of mind the whole night. Maybe I did miss a few signs here and there." And with that I start to read.

Cat, Rat … with shock. He wanted desperately to reach out to Hogwarts, but felt that he was still too close to Dumbledore to dare risk the chance. The three … could they?"

I notice Amelia and Fudge grimace at this and Amelia turns to a lot of the adults in the room as she says: "Once we get back, we're going to hold an Emergency Wizengamot meeting. It's time we go through each and every law in regards to trials, guilt and innocence of suspects with a fine-toothed comb and make sure that we memorize the most important once." Every adult nods, I feel myself wishing James was here to nod along and read on.

"Come on," … fast now. Harry wondered if he would dare lie a hand on the closest wall, to get just a hint of Hogwarts' power and feel some – any – reassurance.
By the … inch-long teeth, saw a strange look of emotions in its pale eyes –

"I actually had trouble adjusting to the setting sun myself, so I hadn't recognized you at first, but I did so the minute I almost landed on you. I recognized your face, your scent, everything. It was also the first close look I got to have of you in almost half a year, so my heart skipped a beat at how good you looked, how grown up you looked." I happily tell my son, who beams at me and Lily also beams at me with loving gratitude as I read on.

But the … new attack. Yet something about the growl made Harry want to stay down, gave him a strangely sense of safety.

"I only growled one other time around you like that and that was when Death Eaters had managed to invade one of the places where your – where Lily and James had been hiding. You had been crying and they had been about to take you to their monster when I jumped in between. And as soon as I started growling at them, you calmed down and they backed off." I happily tell my son and Lily sighs in remembrance as I read on.

Ron was … wand out –"

Yet this makes me frown as we now know that Harry actually hadn't seen me, that he had dreamed of seeing me and Neville growls: "I still don't get how he managed that. Why didn't I see him?" And suddenly Harry gasps as he says: "He told us himself. Back in my first. I don't need a cloak to be invisible. He used – He used Lady Hogwarts." And this declaration makes so much sense that I continue to read with disgust in my voice.

They covered … to him as well as the weird look in the dog's eyes… He was … a crouch… he hated it as it proved that, even while playing Quidditch, his health hadn't improved to the point he had hoped, but decided to ignore it for the time being.
And then … said slowly.

"I did that." Remus whispers, a desolate look on his face and he goes on: "It was the first time I transformed in the Shrieking Shack. My inner wolf was beyond excited at first at the fact that it was no longer stuck in a small cage, like I had been at my parents' home, but, when it realized the whole house was boarded up, it started wrecking stuff. It was one of the only times, while I was alone, that I didn't end up hurting myself." A lot of those around me wince and I read on.

Quick warning: keep a copy of Prisoner closeby. There are a lot of sentences that have added or edited and changed bits of text from this point on. Even the thing Harry shouts about his parents and Black has been changed.

At that … on Harry. The same strange look was still in his eyes and it reminded Harry of the questions he had been wondering about since Christmas.
"I thought … bellowed it. Yet there was something about the tone of the man's voice as he mentioned the man that Harry fleetingly noticed.
However a boiling hate … for fear or curiosity. For the … shadowed eyes and the sight of Ron willingly hurting himself to protect Harry helped him push down on some of the hatred he was feeling.
"Lie down," … stay upright, Harry himself feeling his sense of curiosity growing stronger as he wondered, "Did Black just sound – concerned?""You'll have … and Hermione, deciding that Black had indeed gone mad with a hunger for death in Azkaban, but not willing to become one of his victims. "Didn't care … quiet!""HE WANTS US DEAD, YOU, RON AND ME, JUST LIKE MY MUM … in return — all the anger and annoyances he had felt over the year – over the secrecy, the questions in his head, the whole thing with Buckbeak and the constant arguing of Ron and Hermione – came out and he just wanted to vent – and Black looked like someone who could take it.

And while everyone has kept quiet so far, do I now sigh and turn to Harry as I say: "I don't mind being someone you can vent your emotions on, though I'd prefer a less – painful method next time. I just hope that you will try and vent some more often and not when every bit of shit has hit the fan." Harry nods at this, his face red with obvious guilt over the fact that he had actually attacked me back then, but I just smile and read on.

Perhaps it … too long – Don't hurt me, I don't want to hurt you."
The fingers … glasses askew. "Stop – choking – me." He tried to gasp.
Then, just as Black gasped, as if suddenly realizing what he was doing, he saw … broken leg. Harry wished they were back at Hogwarts right now. Screw Dumbledore, he would use Hogwarts' full ability to heal his friend's leg, or at least to the point that he could walk to the Hospital Wing.
Black was … Black's heart. A small part of Harry was feeling bad for causing the man pain, but he did feel slightly better and felt he had better control over his emotions now. Now it was time for answers.

This makes me smile at my son and I whisper: "I actually hadn't even noticed that. All I remember was that scuffle and then you standing over me. To be honest, I can't even properly remember if we shared any words or anything." This shocks my son and he says: "We did. I proved you I was willing to trust you." This astounds me and I quickly return to the book.

"Going to … quite steady, though he also made sure to voice the words like a question instead of an actual statement or accusation.
Black stared … sunken eyes, a look of confusion in his eyes.
"I don't … his ears, yet he fought this as he finally had what he had wanted for six full months. "So I was right. Those looks you keep sending me. They're because of dad, aren't they?"
"You're willing to listen to me?" Black asked, and there was a strong note of confusion in his voice now. "You want to – to give me a chance? To try and – understand?"
"I understand a lot better than you or anyone else seems to think," said … than ever as his anger at the whole situation and Black's words and his need to know the truth were struggling inside him. "You never … and you just said you did that … the wand. "I won't hurt him." He said, looking directly at the cat. "You know what I want. I want the truth. Don't take this away from me. Don't try to anger or aggravate me like you've been doing all year."
The seconds … stood there, staring at Crookshanks who was lying on Black's chest while Black was staring between the cat on his body and Harry standing over him, a look of incredulity on his face.
And then … wand convulsively — Curse her, she ruined your chance! said a … and Harry hadn't turned around or cast any magic.
The door … Harry's feet. Harry realized a second too late what it all looked like and wondered, "Who is Lupin going to defend? His friend or the son of his dead best friend?" And part of Harry hoped it was the former, for Lupin's sake.

This makes the man smile at our son, while I feel amazed at this bit as I hardly remember any of this. And while I feel horrible for the fact that I forgot about such a brilliant bit of bonding between me and my son, does Remus ask: "Did I pass?" And Harry laughs as he says: "With flying colors." Making Lily and Remus laugh. I smile at them both and then read on.

"Expelliarmus!" Lupin … feeling suddenly both concerned and relieved at the same time. Lupin was willing to protect Black. Though suddenly Harry wondered if that was because Lupin just didn't want Harry to make a mistake and feared that Black was … at all. Harry noticed that there was a look in his eyes that proved he needed time to realize that the man was there to help him, not hurt him. This, together with the conversation he just had with Harry, must have been exactly the opposite of what Black had been expecting when he took Ron into the Shack.

"You can say that again." I mutter to myself as I think back to what I had been expecting. I had actually spotted Pettigrew sneaking into Hagrid's hut a few weeks before then, but knew I wouldn't have been a match for the Half-giant, especially with how emotionally distraught he had been at the time. Instead I had waited my chance and started revising my spell knowledge, going back over all of my school years and DADA lessons.

Then, very … nodded. "Professor," Ron interrupted loudly, … Harry felt like grinning like a maniac. This was it. The proof he had been waiting for all year. His father had chosen Black as his godfather for a reason and Lupin had remembered what that reason was.
"I DON'T … of fury. What was Hermione even doing? Had she not been paying attention to what Harry had been saying? Had she not heard him say that she shouldn't try to anger or aggravate him. Yet she turned out not to be the only one willing to make that mistake.
"We trusted you," Ron shouted at Lupin, his voice wavering, clearly due to the pain in his leg, "and all the time you've been his friend!"
"You're wrong," said Lupin, though he also spared a glance at Harry, his eyes showing he was feeling curious as to why Harry wasn't joining his friends in yelling at the man. "I haven't … rather pale.
Though Harry, who was now standing near one of the walls, just rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall. Obviously Lupin was just as desperate to make things clear to Harry and his friends, so he was confident he could just wait this whole thing out and then get his answers. He noticed Black turning to look at him and he just shrugged carelessly at the man, whose eyes widened in surprise at this.

"You just confused me, pup. I was sure you had been fed stories about what I had done all year and that you wanted me dead. For you to treat this all so carelessly astonished me. I just didn't know what to think anymore. To be honest, the whole argument between Hermione and Remy made more sense to me." I tell my son, who rolls his eyes and says: "Thanks for the vote of confidence." I mock-glare at him while others laugh and I read on.

"Not at … stopped dead and Harry sent his friend a disgusted glare. Then, with … Lupin coolly, while Harry snorted, thinking Lupin's words of Hermione not being up to her usual standard being more true than false. "He assigned … said quietly, while Harry suppressed another snort as there had been way more obvious signs proving everything way before that essay had been set. And while he was not proud of it, Harry felt a small sense of glee at the fact that he figured out such a big secret long before his genius friend. He silently blamed it on the fact that he was still secretly stimulating himself with fake and real essays as well as the work he did for Lupin.
Lupin forced … staff do." "Along with every student who is either as smart as Hermione, basically everyone in Fourth year and up, or as perceptive as me, basically every Seeker on the school teams." Harry thought to himself.
"Dumbledore hired … THE TIME!"
She was pointing … caught his, moving away from the wall.
"There," said … his belt though he also send Harry a surprised look after spotting how he had been standing previously. "You're armed, … listen?"
Harry smiled, but then turned to Hermione, determined to make sure she wouldn't try to ruin his chances a third time in a row. "Hermione, I get that you're frightened, but for Merlin's sake, start thinking before you talk. You think you're the only one who knew? That you were keeping secrets? Did you forget how you kept commenting on others wondering about Lupin's illness? That probably made plenty of students try to find out the truth. You caused others to dig into another person's personal secrets.
Now, you know how much I have been wanting these answers. Or did all your studying make you forget that conversation we had after your Hogsmeade weekend back in Christmas? There are loose ends and now, Black and Lupin are offering us this chance to tie them up. So either let them or keep that mouth of yours shut. I am sick and tired of everyone – everyone – trying to keep the truth from me. No more, Hermione, got that?" The girl was gaping at Harry, yet Ron seemed in two-battle.
"If you … at school."

"HOW DID YOU KEEP THAT SECRET FROM US?" The twins suddenly shout, startling me. Yet Harry laughs and says: "We didn't. This was revealed before, back during one of the Goblet of Fire chapters. You guys just forgot, so we decided to play along. See if we could get another one of those reactions out of you." The twins gape at him and I read on, laughing.

"You wrote –?" … said Harry. He was getting worried. Was Lupin really willing to believe Black could be innocent? Or was this a trick from a former prankster who just wanted to get his former friend arrested? Who was using a diversion technique to protect Harry and his friends.
"And then … hesitated, then sent a short look at Harry, who noticed a look of great loyalty shining in his best friend's blue eyes, put a … to Ron, who shared another look with Harry, both of them feeling as if they were back to solving the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and had just discovered about Myrtle's involvement. He seemed … Peter Pettigrew."

And as I say this, as I finish the chapter, does it suddenly seem as if I am the only one in the ballroom. No one else talks and with how quiet they are, I kind of wonder if they're even breathing. Yet at the same time is my mind whirring like crazy and is my heart pounding like mad. And all because I hardly remember half of what I just read. And I fearfully wonder: "Why?"

Why indeed,
So YEAH, I changed A WHOLE LOT this chapter. And next chapter, I am probably going to change more and more. I do still plan to bring James back next chapter and I also plan to keep most of the whole confrontation between Snape, Remus and Sirius the same, though I am also thinking of adding a few gems to that conversation, like lines that were spoken by Gary Oldman, David Thewlis and Alan Rickman.
Hope you'll like,

Venquine1990
PS. Yeah, from now on, keep a copy of the current book at the ready, you might need it.
PPS. Here's a hint of what I want to add – "Give me a reason, I beg you." sound familiar?