AN: Hey look, here's the second part to Chapter twenty-one! Yeah! My dad sent me the rest of my story notes, so hopefully I'mm be able to finally get this thing finished. Don't ask when the next chapter will be getting out because I don't know. Hopefully soon. School starting again on Monday, so I'm not sure what my life's going to be like just yet. I'll try hard though. Anyways, enjoy!

– Chapter Twenty-One –

Meeting 'Sirius Black' - Part Two

Dumbledore raised his hand, silencing the two rambling men. "What exactly happened?" he asked, softly, hoping to get a straight answer from them.

Sirius and James exchanged glances before James turned back to Dumbledore and continued with his explanation. "Harry started to glow gold."

"We're not sure why," Sirius said, rocking back on his heels. "I've only ever seen him do that when he was fighting Voldemort."

Dumbledore was in deep though, stroking his bread. "Maybe he was, or fighting something just as powerful."

James stared at the floor for a moment and then closed his eyes, searching.

"Prongs?" Sirius asked, looking over at his friend in concern. He understood that James was trying to use the link he shared with his son again, but it always seemed to drain him.

James opened his eyes slowly, stumbling slightly and taking a hold of Sirius's arm to stay standing. "Dementors. He was fighting Dementors."

"Do you know how many?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'm not exactly sure," James replied, slowly letting go of Sirius when he was sure he wasn't going to fall, though Sirius still kept a hand lightly on his elbow. "There were a lot of them and it looked as if Harry was trying to save you, Padfoot."

Sirius frowned. "Me? That doesn't make sense," he turned to look at Dumbledore he seemed to think otherwise. "Does it?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Voldemort is trying to break Harry's mind through the means of this curse and gain his power. It would therefore make sense that Harry's subconscious would create an environment in which he could protect himself. Your image in his mind is a representation of something, however I do not know if he is designed to help Harry or hinder him."

"Voldemort is behind some of the images in Harry's mind," James stated, having heard Dumbledore's explanation of the curse earlier.

"Yes and those images could be people Harry's knows. Myself, you, Mr. Weasley or Miss Granger. Voldemort could be anyone and Harry won't be able to tell the difference between those that are helping his as opposed to the ones which are hindering him until it is too late."

Sirius sighed, nodding in understanding. This curse was serious and there was a very real chance that they could lose Harry.

James sighed as well, rubbing his hands over his face. "God, I want him back," he said softly, thinking of the worse.

Sirius looked over at his friend sadly and put a reassuring arm around his shoulders. "I know, Prongs, I want him back too. Everyone does."

Dumbledore nodded sadly and walked behind his desk. "Unfortunately there isn't much we can do. Only Harry can break this curse. There is nothing we can do to help him."

"But Albus, no one has every survived it," James said, looking at the older wizard in hopelessness. "Harry might not be able to…"

"I understand, James, I do. However I believe Harry can do this. No one understands his powers, not really, and I believed that Voldemort understands them even less then we do. You should understand better than anyone. Some of the powers Harry now possesses once belonged to you."

"They still belong to me," James said softly, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Dumbledore nodded. "Then you know what they are capable of. Harry will come out of this, James. Just try not to worry."

James snorted. "It's a father's prerogative."

After what seemed like an eternity, Harry and Sirius finally came to the opening that led into the shrieking shack. The room was exactly how Harry remembered it; papers peeling from the walls, stains all over the floor, and every piece of furniture smashed to pieces, however there was one difference this time. Remus Lupin was sitting in a near by chair that be must have transfigured, his wand already fixed on black dog behind him.

"Could you please move away from him, Harry?" Remus said calmly, as if it was an everyday occurrence that he pointed wands on his friends.

Harry merrily rolled his eyes and stepped away, feeling that he should just humour his professor and godfather. "He won't hurt me or you, Remus."

"That may be, but he still hasn't regained my trust just yet," he replied, watching the black dog carefully.

"Don't worry about it, Harry," Sirius said, after turning back into his human form. "I expected this."

"That still doesn't mean that he has to point a wand at you," Harry answered, rummaging around the broken furniture until he found a stool that looked sturdy enough to sit on.

Sirius watched Remus closely as he cautiously leaned back against one of the walls and sat down next to it.

Harry sighed, crossing his arms. "Remus, really what's Sirius going to do. We're armed, he's not. What the worst that can happen?"

Remus seemed to understand what Harry was saying, but he still kept a close eye on Sirius as he slowly lowered his wand.

"Thank you," Harry said, sagging slightly in his seat.

Remus noticed this out of the corner of his eye and, after giving Sirius a stern look, turned his full attention to the boy. "Harry, are you alright?"

Sirius was also watching Harry with concern, Remus noted.

Harry shook his head. "Not really. Some Dementors attacked me while I was waiting for Sirius. I think I over did myself when I tried to get rid of them."

"How did you do that, by the way?" Sirius asked, his arms resting against his raised knees. "For one thing, most fully trained wizards have trouble with the patronus charm and secondly, I've never seen a patronus pulse gold."

Harry smiled slightly, though it was evident that he was exhausted. "Well, for starters, I'm in my fifth year, not third, and as for why my patronus glows gold, I have no clue. I have a feeling Dumbledore knows, however he hasn't told me." 'Along with about a million other things,' Harry thought grimly.

Sirius frowned, looking totally confused. "What?"

"He's from the future, Sirius," Remus replied, relaxing a bit more. "The year nineteen-ninety-five I believe." Harry nodded in reply.

"But…how?"

"Someone cast a curse one me," Harry continued. "I'm pretty sure it was Voldemort, though we have no idea what the curse actually does. We're not sure if I've traveled back in time or if this is all just part of my mine."

"What curse?" Sirius asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.

"We're not sure, but Harry said that he heard the words Avucinor Sarco just before all of this happened and we've been able to translate the words to mean the dreamer's sleep."

Sirius eyes had gone wide as Remus spoke and both Harry and Remus realized that Sirius knew exactly what they were talking about. "But no one has ever survived it," Sirius said in a soft whisper, looking in concern at Harry.

"You mean you've heard of it?" Harry asked, feeling slightly annoyed.

Sirius nodded. "I heard about a lot of things while in Azkaban and I was an auror before I was convicted."

"Figures," Harry said exasperatedly. "We spent all that time trying to figure out what the hell it was and he already knows."

"What else do you know about it?" Remus asked.

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his long matted hair. "The caster keeps his victim in a coma like stated, trying to break down the mind's defences and drain the victim's energy and power."

"Well that would explain a lot," Harry stated thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Remus asked curiously, leaning forwards slightly, his wand held limply in his hand.

Harry sighed, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "Last night, I was able to get home, but when I got there I was extremely tired and weak. I felt like I didn't have any strength. I could hardly keep my eyes open."

"Did you see anyone?" Remus asked.

Harry nodded and smiled, glancing over at Sirius. "I saw Sirius."

Sirius, who had been looking down at his boots while he listened, looked up sharply. "You saw me."

"Yup," Harry said nodding, "Well, the future you or the real you. I'm not exactly sure," Harry added thoughtfully, trying to make sense of all this in mind.

"But you're at Hogwarts, aren't you?" Sirius asked.

Harry understood what Sirius was driving at and, feeling that now that he understood the curse better, he could tell Sirius a little about the future. "Yes, and before you ask, you're there as well. Remus too. You teach Defence and Remus teaches History of Magic. You're a lot more interesting then Professor Binns, by the way," Harry added towards Remus.

Sirius stared opened mouthed at Harry for a moment, hardly believed what his Godson was telling him.

Harry just gave him a look. "Oh come on, do you really think that Dumbledore wouldn't help you once he found out you are innocent?"

Sirius had to admit that Harry was right and simply nodded in reply.

"Were you able to tell your Sirius anything?" Remus asked, getting back on topic.

"Just the incantation," Harry said regretfully. "But I think he knew what I was talking about."

Sirius nodded. "I or he should," he said with a wave of his hand. "The way this curse works is that, if I am a true representation of the real Sirius Black, I'll have all the same memories and experiences."

Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

Sirius crossed his legs and sat up a bit straighter. "Every person here," he gestured around and Harry realized he meant more then just the shack, "is a representation of the real people you know. We'll all have the same memories and experiences as our real counterparts. The trick, however, is that some will be influence by Voldemort to work against and others will be influenced by your subconscious, trying to help you."

Harry sighed. "Just great. Is there any way to tell whose working for whom?"

Sirius shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid not. You'll just have to decided for yourself whether you trust them or not."

Harry nodded. "Well, I know for sure that the two of you are helping me. I never would have gotten as far as I have without Remus and you've just given me more help then anything so far."

Remus had been watching Harry closely throughout this whole exchange and he saw how tired and worn out he looked. "We'll get you home, Harry," Remus said suddenly, trying to be reassuring. "I promise."

Harry merrily nodded in reply. He did believe Remus, but there was still some doubt in his mind. Voldemort wasn't going to let him go easily. What if he couldn't get back? What if he died?

Sirius stared at Harry for a moment before he cautiously moved towards him. He was well aware that Remus was watching his every move, but he couldn't just sit there and watch Harry like this. This wasn't how he had pictured his Godson, even if he was from the future. Kids his age shouldn't be sad and tired all the time.

He squatted down in front of Harry and forced the boy to look at him. "Harry, what's wrong?"

Harry watched Sirius closely then sighed. Should he tell Sirius? If this were real, he would. Sirius was the closest thing he had to a father and Harry trusted him. Remus too, but this was different. The Sirius and Remus here were both still plagued by the memories they had, not having yet worked through them like the real Sirius and Remus had. Could they understand?

"I'm just," he began, trying to organize his thoughts. "I'm just so…tried of fighting. I'm tired of Voldemort and all of his attempts at trying to kill me. I just…I just wish that it could all stop and my life could be…normal."

Remus watched both Harry and Sirius closely as this point. He could see things in Sirius's eyes that he had rarely seen before and would never have expected to see. He could clearly see the guilt and regret that was eating at the convict and he could clearly see the concern and love he had for Harry in his pale blue eyes.

But it was Harry's reaction that had surprised him the most. At first it had seemed like he had been debating with himself about whether he should answer Sirius's question or not.

The when he did, Remus realized how close he and Sirius must be in the future. Harry pretty much just split out to Sirius his troubles and feelings which Remus hadn't seen him do before to anyone, even Ron and Hermione.

Sirius wasn't quite sure how to react to Harry's answer. He spoke with so much sadness and loss that Sirius wasn't sure he wanted to know what he had gone through.

He sighed, rubbing his hand soothingly against Harry's knee. "Things can get better, Harry." "Only if Voldemort is destroyed for good," Harry said grimly. "Most of the wizarding world expects me to do it because I'm the bloody boy who lived." Sirius glanced up at Remus for help. Remus however was just as much at a loss as Sirius. Neither knew how to comfort Harry. For starters, they had no idea what he'd gone through and secondly, they just didn't know Harry well enough.

"Harry," Remus began, moving his chair closer to him. "No one is expecting you to do anything. Not now and I'm pretty sure our future selves, or real selves," he amended, "don't expect anything either. Your life has been pretty unfair to you and we know that. Just because you lived doesn't mean we expect you to defeat Voldemort."

"But everyone else does," Harry said, throwing his hands up into the air. "Everywhere I go, people stare at me, not just because I'm Harry Potter, but because they think that I'll protect them."

"It doesn't matter what other people think about you, Harry," Sirius replied. "Everyone thinks that I'm a Death Eater and that I betrayed Lily and James to Voldemort and killed thirteen people with one curse, but is that true?"

Harry shook his head in reply, understanding what Sirius was getting at.

Remus sighed. "Harry, why don't you head off to bed? Sirius and I need to sort some things out. Besides you look about ready to drop anyways."

Harry rubbed a hand over his face again, mentally agreeing with Remus, but he needed to make sure of something first. "Only if you promise you won't kill him" Harry replied, gesturing towards Sirius.

Remus smiled. "Promise."

"Okay," Harry said softly, leaning forwards slightly to give Sirius a hug. "See you later," he said, standing up.

"Yeah. Good-night, Harry," Sirius replied, as Harry headed for the trapdoor.

"Good-night. Good-night, Remus," Harry said with a bit of a wave.

"Night, Harry," Remus answered and then Harry was gone.

Sirius looked up at Remus cautiously. "Moony, I-"

Remus held his hand up, cutting Sirius off. "No Sirius," he sighed. "Harry told me all about what happened. He told me it was Peter who gave Lily and James to Voldemort and that he was the true Secret Keeper."

Sirius merrily nodded in reply, not exactly sure where Remus was heading with this.

Remus looked down at the floor, fiddling with his hands. "He has the Marauder's Map Sirius and he showed it to me. Peter is in Gryffindor Tower."

"So does this mean you believe me?"

Sirius asked, almost dreading the answer. He didn't know if he could handle the only friend he had left not believing him.

Remus raised his head, a smile on his face that made his amber eyes light up for the first time in years. "I believe you, Padfoot. I just needed to see if I could trust you or not."

A big grin spread across Sirius's face. Remus slowly got out of the chair and knelt down beside Sirius, hugging him. "Can you forgive me?" he said softly and Sirius could hear the guilt and regret in his voice.

Sirius sighed, rubbing Remus's back. "Only if you can forgive me for not telling you we switched and for ever thinking you were the traitor," he replied.

Remus pulled back a bit to look into Sirius's face. "Fair enough," he replied with a smile. "Now come on. You look like you could do with a shower and a good meal."

"And how, exactly, am I suppose to get that?" Sirius asked.

"Just come with me as Padfoot into the castle and I'll get you something to eat from the kitchen. You can use my shower."

Sirius frowned, raising an eyebrow. "You'll get in trouble if we're caught."

Remus just shrugged. "The way I see it, this isn't really happening and we aren't really real so what difference does it make?"

Sirius couldn't help but smile. "Fair enough. Thanks Moony."

Remus just nodded, getting to his feet. "That's what friends are for."

And so Sirius turned into his dog form and they silently made their way back up into the castle.

On Christmas morning, Harry was woken by Ron throwing his pillow at him.

"Oy! Presents!"

'What's the point?' Harry grumbled to himself, reaching for his glasses and squinting through the semi-darkness. 'I already know what I'm getting and I'd much rather sleep, thank you very much.'

Ron was already ripping through his own presents, not seeming to notice Harry's grumpy look. "Another jumper from Mum," he muttered to himself, holding the article of clothing up so he could get a better look at it. "Maroon again…see if you got one."

Harry already knew that he had, but he obediently checked just to please Ron. He got his jumper and a ton of sweets, but it didn't cheer him up any, even when he got to the bottom of the pile and saw the long, thin package lying on the floor that he knew contained his Firebolt.

"What's that?" Ron asked, looking over Harry's shoulder at the package, a pair of maroon coloured socks in his hands.

"Dunno…" Harry replied with a sigh, pulling the package towards him. He ripped it opened and pretended to be surprised when he saw the broom roll out onto his bedspread.

Ron's eyes opened wide as he dropped his socks and jumped off his bed to get a closer look. "I don't believe it," he said hoarsely.

Harry sighed, allowing Ron to pick the broom up to get a closer look. As Ron scrutinized the broom, Harry studied Ron. Sirius had said that some people here would be helping him and others would hinder. Now Ron still acted as though it was third year, along with everyone else, so he couldn't tell if he was being influenced by Voldemort or not, but he was hoping that he could see something that would tell him. He didn't like not knowing who he could trust and who he couldn't.

"Who sent it too you?" Ron asked in a hushed voice.

Harry merrily smiled. "A friend I know."

"Really? What kind of friend? They must not mind spending a lot of money on you."

"Well," Harry said, "I guess you could say that he hasn't had a chance to buy me anything before so this is to make up from all the birthdays and Christmases he's missed."

"What are you two up to?"

Hermione had just came in, wearing her dressing gown and carrying Crookshanks, who look very grumpy, with a string of tinsel tied around his neck.

"Don't bring him in here!" Ron yelled, hurriedly snatching Scabbers from the depths of his bed and stowing him in his pyjama pocket. But Hermione wasn't listening. She dropped Crookshanks onto Seamus's empty bed and stared, open-mouthed at the Firebolt.

"Oh, Harry! Who sent you that?"

"Just a friend I know," he answered, watching her closely for a response. If Voldemort was influencing her, surely he'd know exactly which friend he was referring too and maybe, if he was lucky, he'd get a reaction out of her.

Crookshanks, however, distracted him as he suddenly sprang from Seamus's bed, right at Ron's chest.

"GET-HIM-OUT-OF-HERE!" Ron bellowed, as Crookshanks's claws ripped his pyjamas and Scabbers attempted a wild escape over his shoulder. During the struggle, Harry could have sworn that he heard the sound of barking. It was getting louder until it sounded like it was coming from right outside the dormitory door. Then there was a scratching noise, like claws against the door.

Ron, holding his foot tightly, stared at the door in bewilderment. "How'd a dog get into Gryffindor Tower?"

Harry walked towards the door and slowly opened it. There was a dog sitting patiently just outside. A big, black shaggy do – "Padfoot?" Harry asked, looking surprised. "What are you doing here?" He opened the door wider and Sirius slowly padded his way in.

Hermione quickly snatched up Crookshanks. "Don't let that in here, Harry. Dogs and cats don't normally get along."

"Don't worry about Padfoot," Harry replied, carefully closing the door while Sirius sniffed around. "He's perfectly house trained."

Sirius turned and seemed to give him a reproachful look before getting back to his sniffing.

Ron looked at the dog questionably. "Whose dog is he?"

"Professor Lupin's," Harry said quickly. "And his name is Padfoot."

Sirius seemed to find whatever it was he was looking for and stared growling at the quivering form in Ron's hands. He moved closer to Ron, who stepped back, looking at the dog in apprehension.

He swallowed hard. "Um, Harry?"

"Padfoot?" Harry said, watching Sirius closely. "Leave him only."

Sirius looked up at Harry in surprise, but then he saw the look Harry was giving him and he backed down, moving towards Harry's bed, jumping up onto it, and lying down.

Hermione look at Sirius in concern. "Is he sick or something, Harry? He doesn't look to good."

"He's fine. He's probably just had a rough night," Harry answered, moving back towards his bed and sitting down beside Sirius, scratching him just behind his ears. 'I really can't blame him at the moment.'

Harry then turned to watch Scabbers with a vengeance. The little rat quivered even more.

"He's not looking too good, is he?" Harry asked, trying not to sound as pleased as he was feeling about it.

"It's stress!" Ron argued defensively. "He'd be fine if that stupid great fur ball left him alone!"

Hermione huffed angrily at this and promptly left the room, taking Crookshanks with her.

Harry sighed as Sirius turned to look at him questionably. "Here we go again," he said softly, rubbing a hand up and down Sirius's side. Sirius merrily licked his hand in reply.

AN: What else can I say but... REVIEW PLEASE!!!