365 days ago, I posted the prologue of this story. I thought that I would be able to keep with a writing schedule and now I laugh at that. I've changed so much over the past year, but my love for reading and writing hasn't changed (I'm just not able to do it as much)I hope you enjoy the chapter!

October 31, 1993

Remus Lupin was sitting in his office when he heard someone walking past. He thought that all the students were in Hogsmeade and the footsteps were too loud to be a first or second year, but too soft to be a fellow professor.

The night before was the full moon, so Remus's senses were very heightened. He stood up and walked to the doorway and saw Harry Potter walking aimlessly in the halls.

"Harry?" he asked.

Harry turned around and saw that it was Remus.

"What are you doing?" said the man. "Where are Ron and Hermione?" Remus was surprised that the two weren't at Harry's side as they usually would.

"Hogsmeade," he replied, trying to act casual.

"Ah. Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what?" Harry asked as he followed Remus into his office. Remus motioned him to a large tank of water with a sickly green creature inside.

"It's a water demon." he paused, "We shouldn't have much trouble with him in class."

Remus walked over to his desk. "Do you want a cuppa? I was just about to have one myself, but daresay I have enough tea leaves?"

Harry looked at the professor in shock but Remus just winked at him.

"How did you know about that?" he asked.

"Professor McGonagall told me," said Remus as he passed Harry a chipped mug of tea. "You're not worried, are you?"

"No," said Harry. Remus could see Harry hesitating whether he should say something else.

"Is anything worrying you, Harry?" he asked.

"No," Harry said. The boy drank a bit of tea and looked past Remus at the Grindylow. "Yes," he said suddenly, putting his tea down on Remus's desk. "You know that day we fought the boggart?"

Remus held his breath. He knew where this was going. Harry was going to ask about Voldemort. About when James and Lily were killed.

"Yes," Remus said slowly.

"Why didn't you let me fight it?" said Harry abruptly. The man raised his eyebrows.

"I would have thought that was obvious, Harry," he said, surprised.

"Why?" he said again.

"Well," said Remus, frowning slightly, "I assumed that if the boggart faced you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort." would else would it be? What or who could be worse than the monster who took away two of the best people in the world?

Harry looked shocked— he was not expecting that answer.

"I didn't think of Voldemort," the boy said. "I — I remembered those dementors."

"I see," said Remus thoughtfully. "Well, well . . . I'm impressed." He smiled slightly at the look of surprise on Harry's face. "That suggests that what you fear most of all is — fear. Very wise, Harry." Remus couldn't help but think if Voldemort came after the Potter just a little bit later, if Harry would remember them.

"So you've been thinking that I didn't believe you capable of fighting the boggart?" said Remus shrewdly.

"Well . . . yeah," said Harry.

Remus set his tea on the desk. "I'm sorry for giving you that impression, Harry. I believe that you are very capable of fighting the dementors off, it is just that I don't believe the other students would not be able to cope with an image of one of the darkest people in the modern era to appear right before them."

"I understand, professor. Thank you." Harry looked like he wanted to say more but he just took a sip of his tea.

"So Harry," started Remus, trying to switch the subject, "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing alright, I guess," he said, a little confused.

"How is Hermione doing?" Remus tried to be subtle, but he failed miserably. "Er— and Ron of course." He entally punched himself. After Minerva and Albus had told him about the bet, he sided with Albus.

"Well… Um— they're sort of in a brawl at the moment. Hermione's cat went after Ron's rat and now Ron's rat is traumatized, as Ron claims. I honestly don't know what to think anymore— those two go after each other more than…. Well, cats and rats." Remus chuckled softly.

Harry looked like he was about to say something else, but then the door opened and Snape was standing in the doorway with a cauldron of Wolfsbane potion in it.

"Ah, Severus," Remus said, with a grin. "Thanks very much. Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

Snape set down the smoking goblet, looking curiously at Harry and Remus.

"I was just showing Harry my grindylow," Remus said, pointing at the tank.

"Fascinating," said Snape, without looking at it. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, yes, I will," said Lupin. He was very grateful for Snape for making the potion. Severus probably had no say in the matter, but he was grateful nonetheless.

"I made an entire cauldron full," Snape continued. "If you need more."

"I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus."

"Not at all," Snape said, backing out of the office.

Remus saw the confused look on Harry's face and began to explain.

"Professor Snape has very kindly concocted a potion for me. I have never been much of a potion-brewer and this one is particularly complex." He picked up the goblet and sniffed it. "Pity sugar makes it useless," he added, taking a sip and shuddering. Wolfsbane was one of his least favorite tastes, but he tolerated it. After all, it was better than having no control over the monster inside of him.

"Why — ?" Harry began but Remus cut him off before he could continue his question.

"I've been feeling a bit off-color," he said. "This potion is the only thing that helps. I am very lucky to be working alongside Professor Snape; there aren't many wizards who are up to making it."

Harry tried to convince Remus that Snape was not able to be trusted as he finished the Wolfsbane. Harry reminded him of when James was around his age and would constantly bring the four of them into many mysteries, and ending up getting in trouble.

October 31, 1993

Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, digesting his wonderful feast when a young third year Gryffindor came into his office wailing about Sirius Black being in the castle.

Albus quickly got up and left his office, heading for the Gryffindor common room, leaving the third year standing there. He sent a patronus message to Minerva, Severus, and Remus to alert them of what was happening and to tell them to come as soon as possible.

Once he got to the common room, all of the Gryffindors were huddled at the door. As soon the students saw Albus, they quickly parted ways to let him through.

Marta, or as she was commonly known as 'The Fat Lady,' was not in her painting. When he became headmaster, Albus had made it so then the portraits in the castle were allowed to leave their painting whenever they so please, but the house portrait guardians were to be in their portrait or in the close proximity at all times. However, Marta was not anywhere to be seen.

"We need to find her," Albus said. "Professor McGonagall, please go to Mr. Filch at once and tell him to search every painting in the castle for Marta." at several students' confused faces, he added, "The Fat Lady."

"You'll be lucky!" said a cackling voice that Albus recognized to be Peeves the poltergeist. He was floating through the crowd, his body bobbing in and out through the disgusted students.

"What do you mean, Peeves?" said Dumbledore calmly, and Peeves's grin faded a little. Over the many years Albus spent at Hogwarts, Peeves knew not to joke around with him.

"Ashamed, Your Headship, sir." He said, "Doesn't want to be seen. She's a horrible mess. Saw her running through the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful," he said happily. "Poor thing," he added unconvincingly.

"Did she say who did it?" said Dumbledore quietly. Albus was very confident he knew who it was, but he wanted to make sure.

"Oh yes, Professorhead," said Peeves, "He got very angry when she wouldn't let him in, you see." Peeves floated up above Albus's head and reappeared with his head between the man's legs, looking him in the eye. "Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black."

In the midst of the chaos that ensued after those two words were spoken, there was Albus Dumbledore, standing calm and collected. He only had a few seconds to process that Sirius Black had been in the castle before people came to him asking him what to do. From a young age, Albus had always been the one to turn to in wake of a bad situation. That was one of the reasons he was able to climb the ladder of social hierarchy. He had a plan for every situation, and if he didn't, he acted like he did. This was one of those situations.

Albus turned to Minerva and Severus, who were standing behind him, waiting for his next move. "Minerva, I need you to take the Gryffindors down to the Great Hall. Severus, I want you to go down and bring the Slytherins down to the Great Hall as well. Make sure every student is accounted for. He then conjured two patronuses and sent them to Pomona and Filius to inform them of what had happened.

Stepped aside and let Minerva round up her students and Bring them down to the Great Hall. Before he set out to follow them, he called the head house elf of the school, Kolpley.

"Hello there," he said.

"What can Kolpley do for Mister Albus Dumblydore Headmasters sir?" she asked, her eyes wide and curious. She was not a very young elf, but she had the most talent and dedication Albus had ever seen from a house elf. She had been the head house elf at the school for over twenty years and she took pride in it.

"Kopley, I was wondering if you would be able to set up cots in the Great Hall. Sirius Black has broken into the castle."

"Mister Paddy is at Hoggyworts? Mister Moony told Kolpley all about what happened to Mister Paddy, and Mister Prongsy, and little Mister Wormy!" The house elf began to cry. "Kolpley is so very much sad about what happened to the misters!"

Albus bent over and patted her shoulder. "I know, Kolpley, but Sirius is really really bad and I need you to help me protect the students. I know you can do that, right?"

Kolpley raised her head high and nodded. "Yessir, Mr Dumblydore. Kolplay and keep the kiddies safe from Mister Paddy!" She apperated with a pop.

When Albus made his way down to the Great Hall, he had seen that Kolpley kept her word and made cots for the students. As he made his way to the front of the Hall, the students looked up at him expectantly.

Albus placed a sorounus charm on his throat. "The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," he said loudly, "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately." Albus looked over at Percy Weasley expectantly. Not only was he the brother of Harry's best friend, but he very strongly followed the rules. He knew that Percy would keep a close watch on Harry when Albus was unable to. "And send word to the ghosts as well."

Albus turned and walked out of the Great Hall.

After tirelessly scouring the castle, the professors found nothing. Not a single trace of Sirius Black was left. They checked every classroom, every dormitory, every corridor, and every broom closet, but still couldn't find him.

Albus left the search, knowing it was hopeless, to check on the students. He knew of the secret passages in the castle that led to the outside, and he knew that Black did as well. Black had probably left the school hours beforehand, and yet they were still searching. One thing that puzzled him, however, was the fact that the castle allowed black to leave.

Hogwarts was made with magic, and so magic was a part of it. In a sense, the castle was alive. It would always supply anything needed— a home, a school, a hiding place, a way out— but also, it was conscience.

Albus could not fathom the extent as to it's brainpower, and he learned just not to question it. He would never learn just how powerful, how all knowing the castle was.

All this being said, why would the castle let Black leave? It very easily could have trapped Black in, with no way to escape, but it didn't. It let him out, it let him free. The only question was why.

Albus opened the door to the Great Hall and walked in. Percy Weasley stood up from the chair he was sitting in, watching all of the students. Albus glanced over all of the students laying on the cots. His eyes rested on Harry Potter. He mentally noted that Hermione Granger slept right next to him, snoring quietly.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" the head boy asked.

"No," he replied. "All well here?"

"Everything under control, sir." the boy straighter than he was already standing before.

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back tomorrow morning."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor." Remus found her while searching the corridor. She was frightened of him at first because she thought that he was working with Black. "Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."

Albus heard floorboards creaking and turned around to see Severus coming into the Great Hall.

"Headmaster?" he asked, "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched . . ." the man replied.

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" asked Snape.

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before — ah — the start of term?" He was referring to his theory that Remus was aiding Black and knew where he was.

"Yes, I do, Severus," he warned, talking slow and deliberate.

"It seems — almost impossible — that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed —" Severus tried to say, but Albus cut himi off before he would

"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," Albus warned again.

"I said I would inform them when our search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" asked Percy.

"Oh yes," said Albus coldly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am headmaster." He hated those things. They sucked every happy memory you posses and bring back of the the bad ones. As a man with more bad memories than good, he couldn't stand being in the vicinity of them.

End note: so I'm writing this at like 11 at night and I fell asleep like 5 times while finishing this chapter, so it is unedited and I still want to add more to it. I was originally planning to do a Sirius POV in it, but let me know of you would like that. I hope you enjoyed reading!

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