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Sirius woke up on the morning of Harry’s second task with his heart already racing. Images had been circling his thoughts for the last few days about what his godson could be facing, and even though he knew he and Remus had prepared him well by providing him with Gillyweed it just didn’t feel enough. Sirius wished he could relax and enjoy the early hour by curling up next to Remus and sleeping for a few more hours but he knew it was futile. The urge to move, to do anything to get these thoughts out of his head was too much and he curled his hands into fists, feeling his nails dig into his skin, before he sat up.
He cast a quick tempus charm and his borrowed wand, it was actually his Uncle Alphard’s that Harry had chanced upon when cleaning out one of the old studies, shot out the silvery numbers 05:55. Sirius’ sleep schedule hadn’t been quite right since he’d escaped Azkaban. He left Remus in the bed, briefly pausing to ghost a hand over his shoulder before leaving the room and heading upstairs to the old loft which they’d converted to a barn. It had skylights which opened up into gaps just wide enough for Buckbeak to fit through, although the hippogriff was laying on her side as Sirius entered the room. A heavy eyelid opened and promptly shut again, but by this point Sirius knew what Buckbeak wanted. He summoned the rats that made up Beaky’s breakfast and let them fall in a heap next to her head before making himself comfortable by leaning up against her wing. Barely five minutes passed before a regal looking owl flew through the open window.
The letter was addressed to ‘ Sirius Black, an innocent man’ although the envelope was quickly discarded as Sirius scanned the contents of the letter.
‘Dear Mr Black,
It is with deepest regret that I look back on the events of 1981 with older, and dare I say wiser, eyes. Had I been less confident in my own knowledge and more open to the surprises of war I daresay you would have walked as a free man long ago.
I would not be writing to you if I didn’t have a way to make this right. I will not understate the danger involved in my plans although if I remember your school days, Mr Black, I do not think this will deter you. I need your trust for just a few hours. You must not show this letter to anybody, not even to Mr Lupin, and you will need to join me in my office this morning before the Second Task commences.
The plan, Sirius Black, will gain you your freedom and will allow Harry Potter to remain with you for as long as he wishes.
I await your visit,
Albus Dumbledore
PS: The floo to my office will open for you at 10:03.’
Sirius squeezed the letter in his hands and laughed. Freedom. Harry, safe with him for as long as he wanted. He spared no thought to the threat of danger, it wasn’t going to stop him doing this. Remus would be so mad, Sirius thought as he quickly burned the letter, but it would be worth it in the end.
Sirius took Buckbeak’s face in his hands and kissed her smack on the head, dodging backwards just in time to miss the wing she flapped his way. He blew her a kiss and sauntered out the door feeling lighter than he had in days. Knowing a plan was in place and that he’d be making progress towards keeping his family safe and together was eclipsing any worry he had about his own safety. Sirius had always preferred jumping in headfirst after all.
Sirius caught sight of Remus lounging in the kitchen doorway as he bustled around making breakfast half an hour later. He took a second to take in Remus’ tired face and the jumper he had on which was usually reserved for mornings after particularly bad full moons and felt his stomach drop.
He left the pancakes burning on the pan as he pushed his way into Remus’ arms, “hey.”
Remus sniffed and pulled Sirius closer, “wish you could come with me today.”
The blood drained from Sirius’ face and he had to stifle the urge to fidget. This was the only part of Dumbledore’s letter he wanted to rebel against. Not telling Remus something was going on was something he’d vowed not to do ever again.
“At least eat something before you go,” Sirius tried for a grin, “you look like shit.”
“You’re such a charmer,” Remus’ reply was wooden and automatic but at least he picked up his fork and took a bite. “And a shit cook to boot.”
--
Sirius waved Remus out the house an hour later. He was apparating to Hogsmeade to pick up a few good luck gifts for Harry then walking to Hogwarts ready for the task to start at 11. Sirius was supposed to be home waiting with his mirror but he was in the drawing room, facing the fireplace opposite the godforsaken Black family tapestry, staring as the clock struck 10:03.
He took a breath, picked up a handful of floo powder and stepped into the flames.
“Dumbledore’s Office.”
“Sirius my boy, how pleased I am you came.” Dumbledore’s voice sounded out and Sirius was at once eleven and seeing him for the first time, fifteen and sitting with James being reprimanded, eighteen and being conducted into the order, twenty and hearing “guilty!” echo around a cell. Thirty three and desperate for a shot at redemption.
“Professor,” Sirius looked up into the blue, blue eyes of his old Headmaster.
“Sit,” Dumbledore sat behind his desk, rested his elbows on the desk and threaded his fingers together, “we have much to discuss.”
--
Remus felt an overwhelming sense of deja-vu sitting in the stands, this time facing the Great Lake, with his two way mirror in his lap and Molly Weasley to his right. The sense of dread settling in his bones was the same too, although this time it felt even worse. Sirius wouldn’t answer his mirror call and there were only five minutes before the Task began.
“Welcome to the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament!” Bagman’s voice boomed, “for this task the Champions have all had something very dear to their hearts taken from them and they have precisely one hour to recover what they’ve lost.”
Remus had heard the clue from Harry before now but neither of them knew what had been taken. Harry had guessed at his invisibility cloak being down there but Remus knew it wouldn’t be so simple. And now he was starting to think he was right.
“On the count of three, then. One...two...three!”
A whistle sounded and three of the Champions turned their wands on themselves while Harry reached into his pocket for his Gillyweed and quickly stuffed it into his mouth. Remus was too preoccupied even to smile as he saw the revulsion flicker across his face. He’d experienced the slimy sensation of Gillyweed once before when James and Sirius had stolen some from Slughorn’s store cupboards on a dare from Lily in sixth year. They’d spent an hour in the Lake - Peter and James had gone off to try and find the Slytherin dorms, thinking it would be the height of comedy to press their faces up against the windows to scare Snape and his gang, Sirius was convinced he could charm the pants off the merpeople, and Remus and Lily had rolled their eyes and followed along just to see what would happen.
The crowd were restless not being able to see anything and Remus was trying to call Sirius every few minutes even though he knew where he was really. The memory of Sirius blowing kisses at merpeople wasn’t so funny anymore as he stared at the surface of the Lake. If Sirius was down there then people would see him, he’d be exposed and they’d have to go on the run. Remus stared around him and caught sight of Dumbledore at the judge’s table, sitting serenely but with a self satisfied air around him that brought Remus’ hackles up.
“This is ridiculous,” Molly moaned from beside him, “how are we supposed to know what’s going on!”
“You...you don’t suppose they’re rescuing people do you?” Ron was staring at the empty seat next to him that he’d insisted they keep free for Hermione.
“I think that’s exactly what they’re doing.” Remus caught Ron’s eye and flicked his gaze down to the mirror and back. He lowered his voice, “I can’t get hold of Padfoot.”
Ron’s pale face whitened further as he understood what Remus meant.
A shrill whistle sounded which made them turn back to the Lake and they saw the bright blonde hair of Fleur bobbing in the water a few metres from the shore. She sent silver sparks up with her wand, the universal sign of surrender, and they heard her cry as she was pulled to safety.
“Gabrielle! Gabrielle est là-bas, à côté d'un criminel!” She was pleading with her headmistress now, “Madame Maxime s'il vous plaît - aidez!”
Remus didn’t know much French but it didn’t take a genius to pick out the word ‘criminal’. His stomach tightened and his breathing quickened, panic settling in at the thought of what was going to happen. He couldn’t just stand around and do nothing.
Remus stood on shaking legs and headed to the judge’s table. Students around him parted, still holding respect for their old professor, unaware that he wasn’t going to go and help with the commotion but was going to help the criminal .
Fleur was shaking as he approached the shore, whether from cold, anger, or fear Remus didn’t know. He had eyes only for Dumbledore who was refusing to catch his eye.
Cedric appeared next, helping a Ravenclaw girl to shore with a hand around her waist. Cedric was looking around with wild eyes and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Remus standing there.
“Professor Lupin,” he panted, “Harry. Harry’s down there with..with Sirius Black. I tried to get him to follow me but he wouldn’t listen, he’s down there Professor, he’s trying to save him!”
Remus gripped Cedric’s shoulder and cast warming spells over him while his mind was running at 100 miles an hour. What was he going to do? There was no way he could go down there and grab Sirius now, they were still on school grounds and had no chance of apparating away. And the judges knew what was going on now - they might have brushed off Fleur’s insistent warnings as her not recognising Sirius, but they wouldn’t doubt that Cedric would recognise him, not after those awful wanted posters had been plastered around the school all of last year. No, Remus couldn’t dive in and save Sirius that way.
Krum appeared, looking unruffled as he hoisted Hermione to safety before following her. Remus had heard about this unlikely pair from Harry and watched as Krum tugged a blanket over Hermione’s shoulders before he shouldered his way to Karkaroff’s side.
Hermione took her wand from it’s sleeve holster and muttered warming charms over herself, throwing the blanket to the side as she stood up. Remus saw her frown as she studied the stands before she hurried off in the direction of the Weasleys.
Remus turned back to the Lake. Surely Harry would appear any second and Remus’ life would fall apart. He could see no way out of this. Everyone would see Sirius and there was no way they’d escape this crowd before someone started throwing curses his way. So Remus breathed in and out, twisted his wand in his hand and called to mind the most advanced shielding spells he could remember. It would have to be enough to protect Sirius from the worst.
Bagman’s voice cut through the restless crowd, “five minutes remain.”
“There’s a criminal down there with him, why won’t you do anything?” Cedric shouted, “he’s fourteen!”
Rumours flew through the crowd viciously. Sirius Black the crowd taunted him Sirius Black’s down there - Sirius Black - Sirius Black - Sirius Black.
‘Sirius Black’ Remus’ mind was chanting over and over, ‘what are we going to do?’
Five more minutes passed and Remus had company on the jetty by the shore. Ron and Hermione were grim faced next to him and Molly was trying to stop Ginny, Fred, and George from getting anywhere close to the shore. McGonagall was cursing under her breath behind him. Five minutes more and people were crying out. Harry had been under the water for over an hour. Gillyweed didn’t last that long.
Just when Remus thought he couldn’t stand it anymore Harry burst through the water, gasping for breath. The green heads of merpeople emerged with him, concealing him from view for a few tense seconds before they silently retreated beneath the waves. And there they were. In plain view of the screaming crowd. Harry Potter and Sirius Black.
Fleur screamed and jumped back into the Lake. Her sister had emerged with Harry and was clinging to his shoulder, although she fled as soon as she saw Fleur cutting through the water towards her. Sirius stayed back and Harry swam in front of him protectively, but Fleur barely spared them a glance as she got her sister to shore safely.
Remus was tempted to jump in after Sirius himself, but Hermione and Ron had a hold of him on either side. He hadn’t realised he’d taken a few steps forward already.
The crowd was screaming now and people were falling over themselves to try and get as far from the lake as possible, but Remus paid them no mind as he watched Harry and Sirius climb to shore. Remus darted forward and reached out but he was too late. Sirius turned to face the crowd in his careless manner, pushing the black curls from his eyes as he raised his chin proudly. What use was pride and courage? Remus wanted to shake the man in front of him. He wanted to scream but he pushed it down and wordlessly cast the protection spells he knew best. Sirius pulled Harry into a hug before he looked over to Remus.
“Trust me,” he mouthed, then he turned to the judges table and Remus looked on in confusion as he and Dumbledore shared a nod.
Dumbledore flicked his wand just as the first jet of red light soared over his shoulder and collided with Remus’ shield, temporarily blinding everyone watching.
When the light vanished and Remus looked up, Sirius had gone.
--
Sirius felt sick.
The adrenaline had worn off and now all he could picture was the fear in Harry’s eyes and the pain in Remus’. He hated this, he hated that he couldn’t warn them about what would happen after Dumbledore told him his stupid, fantastical plan.
He flew on, invisible under James’ cloak and silent on Harry’s firebolt, the cool air freezing his dripping clothes as his thoughts whipped around and around his head.
Finally, he made it far enough away from Hogwarts that he could land. Sirius grabbed his borrowed things, gripped his Uncle’s wand tightly, and apparated to Grimmauld Place.
Before he even opened his eyes he felt Remus’ arms around him. His heart shattered as he heard the tell-tale sounds of Remus trying to hold in his tears and he guided them to the kitchen table.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Sirius made a pained noise in the back of his throat, “I’m so sorry Remus.”
“No, Sirius.” Remus pushed away and looked him in the eye. Remus’ eyes were red and there were still tears on his eyelashes but his mouth was set. “We’re supposed to be a team.”
“We are a team Moony, but I -”
“But what? But you just felt like reliving your reckless schoolboy days again? You wanted to go out on your own and hatch a ridiculous plan? Don’t you remember who always went with you when you felt like doing something crazy? Who got us out of trouble countless times?”
“I know!” Sirius hated letting his temper get the better of him but he had a reason for this, didn’t he? He took a breath and started again, “I know Remus, and I know it’s you who always has to pick up the pieces but this was for a reason. And it wasn’t my idea to keep you in the dark.”
“Go on then.”
“Dumbledore sent me a letter this morning -” Sirius jumped as Remus thunked his head on the kitchen table. “He told me to come to his office before the task started, said he had a plan that would get me free and let Harry stay with us for however long he wanted - safely.”
Remus didn’t look up and Sirius squirmed in his seat, poking him in the shoulder childishly.
“Look at me, Moony, please.”
Remus gave him a withering look and pushed the finger off his shoulder, “what’s the plan then.”
“Okay, you’re not gonna like it but hear me out.” Sirius grabbed for one of Remus’ hands and didn’t let it go, “step one was today - we plant the seeds that I’m innocent by showing that I’m the person that Harry would miss the most.” Sirius couldn’t keep the awe out of his voice as he said that.
“Showing Harry siding with you won’t convince people you’re innocent you know. People will turn on Harry before they believe you.”
“I know. But it will cause so much uproar and confusion that the Ministry will have to address it. Not only that I was in Hogwarts last year, but that Harry knows me well enough to miss me, and then I got into Hogwarts again - this time with Dumbledore knowing. People won’t know what to think, and that’s the point. Dumbledore thinks he can use the momentum of this to push the Ministry into a public trial.”
Remus couldn’t hold back a growl at that. “And all this from the man who didn’t grant you a trial the first time round.”
“I know. I’m not happy about it either.”
Sirius watched as Remus stood up and started pacing the length of the kitchen, gesticulating sharply in the way he only did when he was mad and upset.
“Do you know how many times I begged him to give you a trial? How many times I told him and told him that you were innocent? He knew I couldn’t go straight to the Wizengamot to petition them, like they would ever listen to someone like me . He knew that if he said no I couldn’t do anything else about it. And he said no. He said no over and over again. And now he wants to make it all better?” Remus threw his hands in the air, “it just doesn’t make sense.”
“It’s because it’s about Harry.”
At that Remus swung back around with his eyebrows furrowed. “He never seemed to care about sending him back to Petunia before now.”
“He explained it to me earlier. Lily had the chance to live, did you know that?” Sirius’ voice was small now and he had to clear his throat before continuing, “Voldemort gave her a choice. But she refused to step aside and so he killed her before trying to kill Harry. But because she’d died to protect him the curse rebounded. Dumbledore said the protection lay in Lily’s blood, so the only other person who could continue it was Petunia. But it only works if Harry counts Petunia as his home.”
Remus squeezed his hand, “and he doesn’t anymore, now that he has you?”
“Now he has us,” Sirius smiled. “But it means that he’s not as protected as he should be when he’s here. So Dumbledore, the mad bastard, hatched a plan to get me exonerated so that I can become Harry’s true guardian and we can set up blood wards here.”
Sirius knew he’d done the right thing and as he watched Remus close his eyes and nod he knew Remus knew it too.
“I still hate that you did this on your own.”
“I know.”
“Promise whatever we do next we’ll do together?”
“Well I don’t think they can try us in court together Moons.”
Remus groaned, Sirius laughed, and Dumbeldore’s tawny owl swept through the window with another letter in its beak.