Harry's POV:

We stop in the courtyard, I jumped on around the same Sirius did. Hermione was helped down by Sirius. He placed his hands around her waist and helped her down next to me.

"I'll be forever grateful for this. To both of you."

I frowned. "I want to go with you."

"One day perhaps. For some time... life will be too... unpredictable. Besides, you're meant to be here." Sirius claps my shoulder, looks me in the eye. "But promise me something, Harry."

"Anything." I quickly agree.

"Trust yourself. No matter the challenges you face -- and I fear they will be many -- you'll be surprised how many times you can find the answers..." Sirius started tapping my heart. "...here." As Sirius climbs atop Buckbeak, a shooting star arcs through the heavens.

"A shooting star. Make a wish." Sirius gives Buckbeak a slap and they soar into the glittering sky. Me and Hermione stand watching, when we hear a loud chime. We wheel. Look to the Clock Tower.

"We have to go."

Me and Hermione dash off. We race up the tower stairway, then pass through the mechanism and on through to the end of the corridor. The Clock Tower bell thunders. The door opens to the hospital wing and we were met with Dumbledore back as he backs out.

"By the way, when in doubt, I always find retracing my steps to be a wise place to begin... Good luck." As Dumbledore begins to close the door, Me and Hermione stumble frantically forward, the door about to hit the jamb, when suddenly Dumbledore stops. Looks up. "Well?"

"He's free -- Sirius. We... we did it."

"Did what?" With a twinkle in his eye, Dumbledore swings open the door. As Me and Hermione enter, we they catch the faintest glimpse of ourselves across the room, just as we evaporate. Ron blinks. Turns. Frowns.

"How'd you two get over there? I was just talking to you... over there."

Ron glances to the other side of the room. Frowns. Hermione glances mischievously to me.

"What d'you think, Harry? Too much for him -- everything that's happened tonight? I haven't the faintest idea what he's talking about."

"Afraid so. Always been a bit of the nervous type, Ron has. Honestly Ron, how can someone be two places at once?" Ron stares at us, confounded. Slowly, we grin.

We ended up going to bed in the Hospital wing with Ron, too tired to continue running around the castle. When we woke up, Hermione and I left Ron to rest as I went to take a shower. Once I was clean, I ran to Andy's classroom to check on him and Lupin, only, when I climb up the stairs and go into their office. Lupin was cleaning his out.

Lupin stood over a battered suitcase, filling it with the last of his books. Without turning, he speaks.

"Hello, Harry." I jumped, not sure how he knew it was me in the room. Lupin turns, smiles through haggard eyes. "Saw you coming."  The Marauder's Map lies open on an otherwise bare desk. I nods, looks back to Lupin. Unable to disguise my shock at Lupin's appearance. "I've looked worse, believe me."

I eye the open desk drawers, the bare bookshelves. "You've been sacked." I say in disbelieve.

"Resigned, actually."

"Resigned! But why!?"

"It seems that someone has let slipthe nature of my condition." 

"Snape."

"Whoever. It was bound to get out.This time tomorrow, the owls willstart arriving. Parents will notwant a - someone like me - teaching their children."

"But Dumbledore -"

"Has already risked enough on my behalf. Besides, people like me,well... let's just say I'm used tothis by now. But before I go,tell me about your Patrons."

I smiled. "Well. At first I thought it was ahorse, or perhaps a unicorn, but I noticed the antlers and realized it was -"

"A stag."

"Yes."

"Your father used to transform intoone. That's how he was able tokeep me company when I became...sick. He was a great friendJames." Lupin smiles wanly, lifts his sorry suitcase. Then stops. "There are stories about him and your mother, you know. Some are even true. But I think it's safe to say, in the end, you'll know them best by getting to know yourself."  Lupin then - with a wicked twinkle - raises his wand.

"Mischief managed." I watched as the Map went blank. I looked back at Lupin and I see him closing the last of his tunks.

"Where is it you'll be going."

Lupin thought about it for a minute. I could tell he was questioning if he should tell me or not.

"Sirius and I have a far deeper history than just friendship, Harry. I suppose I'll go see him and make sure he's alright. See if he need a little company, seeing as he doesn't have his brother anymore."

I smiled. "Deeper history? Does that mean-"

"It means what you believe it means. I'll hope to see you around. Don't forget to write to us. I'm sure Sirius would love to have a greater connection with you...and I'd love to hear more from you, and not about your school work."

I laughed and hugged him before he left. I then turn to Andy's door but hear Lupin call out to me. "I wouldn't open that if I were you. The map does a good job of depicting people's feet and the way they are facing. I don't think it would be wise for you to open the door right now...and keep the map, will you? I don't want it falling into the wrong hands."

I laughed and nod. I watched as Lupin left. All of his belongings would soon be removed by house elves and I feel like part of this was my fault for being here but then again, I could be overthinking it.

"Harry?"

I look at Andy's room door and see him walking out of his room without a shirt on. His bandages were changed but still soaked with blood. I bit my lip and looked away. "I'm sorry about that..."

"Hey, its okay. It's not the first time something like this has happened." Andy laughed and ruffled my hair. "Don't worry too much." I laugh softly and nod. "Remington is about to head down to get breakfast. If that's who you're here for."

"I was actually here to see you, make sure you're okay. And Professor Lupin but...well, y'know."

"Oh, did you miss him?"

"No, I did see him before he left. But it was a rather quick conversation."

"Okay! I'm ready- Harry?"

I look behind Andy and see Remington. He was wearing his uniform but it was slightly messy, like he rushed to get it on. I laughed softly and point to his neck. "Fix your collar. You can see everything."

Remington turned to the mirror still in Lupin's room. He blushed and quickly fixed his collar and tie. He then turned to me and posed. "How do I look."

Before I answered, Andy did. "Amazing, as always." He turned around and leaned against the desk.

I picked up the parchment and then looked at Remington. "Let's go to breakfast. I'm hungry."

Remington nods and looked at Andy. He gave Andy a quick kiss before having me follow him out of the room. We walked together rather slowly to the Great Hall, but once we were inside, we see a giant group around the table.

"Stand back, I said! I'll take itupstairs if you don't settle!" Ron shouted. 

It made me curious. As I arrive, I glance at Hermione, who clears her throat loudly. The others turn, begin all speaking at once.

"Harry! Wherever did you get it!" Neville shouted.

"Can I have a go, Harry? Afteryou, of course -" Seamus asked, stuttering a little.

"Quiet!" Ron shouted. As they oblige, he clears his throat. "Thank you. Let the man through. I...I didn't mean to open it. I...It was badly wrapped...they made me do it." Ron spoke, pointing to older brothers, the twins, as he was holding for dear life on the singular crutch he had for his foot.

Mystified, I step forward, the boys peeling away, clearing my view of the broomstick on the table. The label gleams: Firebolt.

"Did not." They both denied together.

"Whose is that?" I ask.

As everyone laughs, Ron answers. "Whose is it? It's yours, mate."

"Who? But... how?"

"It's a mystery. Though... thisfell out of the wrapping."  I turn and see Hermione holding up a feather. "That's a Hippogriff feather -" As I stop short, Hermione raises her eyebrow. As we share a secret glance, the only name that came to mind was Sirius.

I take the broom outside to the courtyard. Everyone huddled around me. I could see Draco but to be quite honest, I didn't care. Hagrid, Draco, Goyle, and Crabbe joined the group to see what was going on. Draco saw the broom and smiled but I ignored him. He walked over to Remington and asked him something but Remington just shrugged.

"Go on, Harry." Seamus spoke.

"Yeah. Let's see."

I mount the broom. I lick my finger and jab it in the air. A few others do the same. Hagrid does the same. Crabbe and Goyle start to do the same, when Malfoy slaps their hands down. Finally, I place my hand on the broom. Sets my grip. Takes a breath. And frowns.

"What's wrong?" The twins ask at the same time. 

Freaky how they do that.

"I don't think it works. I thinkit's defective."  A collective groan. Dejected, many of the kids begin to drift toward the castle. I call after. "Oh, come on now. It's just abroom."  

Hagrid nodded sagely. "Just a broom."

My eye shifts to Ron and Hermione. A wink. "The fastest broom in the world."

As everyone turns I jet off, hearing them scream with excitement. I made a few loops around the school before coming back down and letting the others use it while I sat with Ron, Hermione, Remington, and Emerson.

"So, are you enjoying your first year at Hogwarts so far?" I ask Emerson.

"Definitely!"