Disclaimer: I own neither the Harry Potter characters nor settings. It is not my intent to gain financially from their use. Many thanks to J.K. Rowling for allowing us to take them out for a spin in this venue.

A/N – I hope you are feeling properly spoiled. Here's a new chapter after only 4 days and with luck you'll get another by Monday.

Sirius Black moved swiftly down the hallway in the wake of a very spry Minerva McGonagall. As they travelled across the castle to the Gryffindor dormitories, the witch rattled off a quick synopsis of what had happened to Harry after Sirius had fallen through the veil. She started with Harry's encounter with the Dark Lord evidently just moments after his fall while Harry was still in the Ministry. She spoke of the renewed closeness between Dumbledore and Harry during Harry's sixth year and the fact that Harry had witnessed the late Headmaster's death at the hands of Snape when Draco Malfoy couldn't fulfill the task. She explained how the potions professor had been appointed Headmaster due to Riddle's influence over the school's board. This also lead to the placement of two Death Eaters as teachers.

Tonight was the first time she'd seen Harry since Dumbledore's funeral. According to the boy himself, Albus had given Harry some kind of task to complete. One of the last items was hidden somewhere here in the castle.

"Evidently, Harry still hasn't found what he needs, but You Know Who has figured out what our boy is doing and is on his way here. Which brings us to why we are fortifying the castle and evacuating the younger students." McGonagall's timing was perfect as always as she finished her summary as they stepped through the entrance guarded by the portrait of the Fat Lady.

The Carrow's curfew may have kept the students from being out of the dorms, but the majority of her Gryffindors were still awake and dressed and sitting in the Common Room. Her appearance at this time of night immediately silenced all chatter.

"There has been a development. You all will proceed quickly and quietly to the Great Hall. Prefects you will ensure that everyone goes straight there. No skiving off and no detours, Atkins. You have three minutes to get your wands and return if they are not on you. You need nothing else." Sirius watched as three girls and a couple of boys headed for their respective dorms.

"Prefects take the group that is ready and we will be right behind you with the rest." McGonagall concluded.

A tall brunette stood immediately. "Alright you lot. Let's go. Abbie put your bag down."

A sandy haired boy quickly joined in the prodding of their classmates into motion. "Boys, no pushing. Everyone form a line and head out."

"Black, check the boys side for me while I do the same for the girls." He gave a Minerva a nod and headed up the stairs to the boy's rooms. He headed for the top level so he could seal it behind him. Having been skilled at evading prefects and teachers in his day, he was familiar with the tricks.

He arrived at the top floor and it had an almost abandoned air. Three of the beds appeared not have been used at all this year and the other two were carelessly made with papers strewn about and the sleeve of a jumper hanging out of a trunk. Sirius cast a quick Homono Revelo to confirm what he already knew. There was no one on this floor. He descended to the next floor and did the same. The shared bedroom and bath were just as empty as the last. On the fifth level, he found two first years fast asleep. He lit the torches with a silent flick of his wand.

"C'mon you two. Up and at 'em." Sirius said firmly.

"Who are you?"

"Never you mind. Professor McGonagall wants you both downstairs now." The boys were slowly stretching.

Sirius flicked his wand a second time and the bedcovers were yanked to the bottom of the bed. "I believe I said, Now. Grab your wand. Put on your bathrobe or a jumper. Get your slippers on your feet and head to the common room." He said loudly.

The boys scurried to comply. Sirius checked their shared bath and then herded the boys out the door and down to the main floor.

The door to the room on floor stood open. Stepping in Sirius recognized the boy as one of the pair that had dashed to his room. "Your three minutes are up. Get back downstairs." He watched the boy pull a small box off his bedside table and tuck it in his robe pocket. "Anyone else up here?"

"Kevin's in the loo. He's got a bit of a nervous stomach."

"Of course. Well, there's nothing wrong with you, so get moving." He growled which had the desired effect.

Sirius stalked over to the door to the lav and knocked loudly. "Time's up." He heard a moan from the other side of the door. Sirius let himself in and found the youngster leaning on a sink. There was a puddle of sick near one of the stalls that had evidently been his goal.

Sirius vanished the vomit, stode over to the linen closet that the castle elves kept stocked and pulled out a towel.

"Rinse out your mouth and quickly do your face too, Kevin." The pale boy moved to comply. "You can relax, kid. School year's just ending a little early."

"Truly?" Sirius nodded and watched as the student's tension dissipated slightly.

"Quickly now. Go to the Common Room and wait with the others." The boy set down the used towel and quickly did as instructed.

Sirius stood in the doorway and watched him start down the steps. As soon as the boy had moved out of sight, he crossed the tiled bathroom floor and made use of the bogs. He refused to feel guilty for taking advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself.

A minute later he was back to checking for errant Gryffindors. All of the remaining levels were empty of students. He found Minerva waiting impatiently with a total of ten students.

"All clear." He announced needlessly.

"I would certainly hope so, Mr. Black." And just like that he felt as though he were a student himself.

"Follow along everyone. Mr. Black take up the rear. I hate being late to my own meeting.

TR***TR***TR

Harry arrived in the Great Hall to find McGonagall nearly finished with her instructions to the students. Each house was assembled where their tables usually stood. The Transfiguration professor stood on the platform at the end of the hall with the remainder of the Hogwarts staff behind her including Firenze. The various school ghosts floated amongst the collection students.

Harry scanned the hall attempting to locate Ron and Hermione. They weren't with the assembled Gryffindors. He then searched the faces of the outside help that had mustered to the call for help. He spotted the rest of the Weasleys with ease. He saw his former teammates gathered near their House mates. Kingsley, Remus and several other Order members stood with a dark haired person whose back was to him. Harry shifted his gaze to the other side of the Great Hall continuing his search. Having no luck, he began to walk from the back of the long room to where Remus was standing.

"…which will be conducted by Madame Pomfrey and Mr. Filch. In just a moment, I will give the word and all House prefects will escort the younger students to the passage leading out of the school. Any student who is of age may stay and fight if that is their wish." There was some scattered clapping mostly from the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor side of the chamber.

"What about our clothes and our owls?" Queried a fourth year Ravenclaw.

"Personal possessions will need to be left behind. The priority is getting you all safely out of the castle."

"Why isn't Professor Snape telling us this?" Shouted Millicent Bulstrode from the back of the Slytherin group.

"I believe the phrase 'He's flown the coop' fits quite accurately." Minerva saw puzzled expressions on many faces. "Taken a powder?" She said to similar effect. "Done a bunk." Immediately cheers burst forth from all of the students except those of his House.

Harry had almost reached Remus as Professor McGonagall concluded her instructions. "Some additional protections have already been place around the castle, but these need to be reinforced. It is at this time I am asking that-"

A hard cold menacing voice masked the professor's words. It seemed to come from all directions at once. Possibly from the very walls surrounding them.

"I am aware that you are planning to fight." The words reverberated through the hall. Several students shrieked with fright. Others throughout the room clung to each other. The members of the Order pulled their wands in preparation. "Your efforts are for nothing. You know you cannot defeat me. Spilling magical blood is a waste. I do not want to kill you."

Harry had never understood the phrase a deafening silence until now. The absence of all sound was like a physical weight pressing against him.

"Give me Harry Potter and I shall be merciful." Encouraged the disembodied voice of Lord Voldemort. "Give me The Boy Who Lived and I shall leave the school and its occupants unharmed. Give me Harry Potter and be rewarded for your efforts." He paused for just a moment before concluding, "You have until midnight."

The eyes of every person gathered seemed to look his way. Pansy Parkinson pushed her way out of her group. Pointing at Harry, shouting at the top of her lungs, "There he is! Somebody grab Potter."

Before Harry could move or think of a single word in defense, he heard Neville in a very loud clear voice reply, "Not bloody likely." He felt a protective hand placed on his shoulder, but almost as one the Gryffindors turned to create a human wall insulating him. Within moments the students from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw also had their wands drawn and were facing down some very disgruntled Slytherins. Harry was completely overwhelmed by the support from the other students.

"Miss Parkinson," began Professor McGonagall, "you've just volunteered to lead your House out of the Hall first. I think I will hold onto your wands for safekeeping." With a silent wave of her hand, thirty odd wands flew out of pockets, holsters and hands and created a neat pile at her feet. "Mr. Filch if you will show them the way." There was a great deal of muttering as the Slytherins followed Pansy out the doors. "Ravenclaws next and so on."

Harry looked to his right and jumped five feet back drawing his wand. The hand on his shoulder hadn't been Remus'. He shook his head at the sight in front of him. His godfather stood there in all his disheveled glory in the same clothes he'd disappeared in two years earlier. Lupin had his arm around the man. Harry looked back and forth between them. His eyes then darted to Kingsley, who smiled slightly and nodded once.

Sirius took one cautious step forward. His eyes never left his godson. "Hi Harry," he said quietly. After two years, he looked even more like his father, Sirius thought. He was so thin though and his eyes had dark circles.

The whys and hows would wait. Harry launched himself into the waiting arms of the closest thing he'd ever had to a father.

A/N – The moment you have been waiting for – When Harry Sees Sirius