Harry looked around surveying the scene. Ron was on the floor fighting Crookshanks off of him. Hermione was pale-faced and edged on the wall with a bleeding lip. And Sirius, Sirius was looking at him calmly, he had now dropped Ron's wand, as it lay on the ground next to his left leg. Harry pointed his wand at him. His hand, wand, and the rest of his body were shaking with fear, and/or anger. He had to do it, he had to kill Black. He took a step forward at the edge of his wand now on Blacks' throat.

"You'll regret this." Said Black gasping for air.

      Harry grimly smiled as a response. He had to do it, he didn't have a choice. He had to kill Sirius Black. It was now or never. Just as he pulled his wand back and was about to fire, he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. He looked to Ron and Hermione who just like him had looks of relief on their faces.

"WHERE UP HERE!" SCHREECHED Hermione, "WE'RE UP HERE-SIRIUS BLACK-QUICK."

       The footsteps came closer and closer. Harry relaxed a little as he saw the look of panic take over Blacks face. The footsteps came to halt and Professor Lupin emerged with his shabby robes on and his wand out. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a teacher. Professor Lupin walked silently to were Sirius and Harry were standing. He lowered Harry's hand that he held his wand with and faced Sirius.

"I saw his name on the map, but I didn't believe it. Was he alive? After all this time?" Professor Lupin said in disbelief.

     "It isn't possible!" He added looking at Sirius's face as if to pull information from it. "Unless" he whispered shakily. "Unless you switched without me knowing?" Sirius nodded, confirming Professor Lupin 's Story. Professor Lupin gave what seemed to Harry as a sort of half laugh and half cry of relief. Then, unexpectedly, Professor Lupin embraced Sirius like a brother.

"I hope you can forgive me." Said, Professor Lupin, as he let go of Sirius."For believing you were a traitor and a bit of a psychopath for all these years."

"Only if you forgive me for keeping it a secret from you." Said Sirius returning his smile. "Now, shall we kill him together?"

     Harry looked at Ron and Hermione. Surely he was missing something, but they looked just as confused as he did. Harry watched carefully as Sirius and Professor Lupin made there was over to Ron, both of them looking ready to pounce.

"Who are you going to kill?" Asked Hermione bravely, chewing on her fingernails with a horrified expression.

"His filthy rat!" Spat Sirius disgustedly. "Hand him over!"

"Whats Scabbers got anything to do with all this?" Said Ron going pale.

"Hand him over!" Sirius bellowed. "THEIRS NO TIME FOR QUESTIONS! I WAITED 12 DAMN YEARS FOR THIS I WILL NOT, I REPEAT, I WILL NOT WAIT ANOTHER GOD DAMNED SECOND!"

    Ron, now shaking with fear handed over Scabbers, which believe it or not, seemed more frightened than he did. Sirius laughed maliciously as he held him up by his tail. Scabbers tried to escape, but it was no use. Sirius had a firm grip. Professor Lupin, who was standing next to Sirius, saw the scared look on the children's faces. He quickly took a step closer to Sirius.

"Surely you can explain to them what you're doing Sirius?" Asked Professor Lupin looking over at their daunt faces.

"Theirs no time for explanations," said Sirius, not once taking his eyes off Scabbers.

"You owe Harry an explanation," said Professor Lupin firmly. "There are parts I don't even understand myself."

"I can explain everything later over a cup of tea after I have cleared my name." Said Sirius losing his patience. He picked up Ron's wand from the floor and walked over to the corner of the little shack.

Professor Lupin saw the look of panic on Ron's face and leaned over to whisper in his ear. "This won't hurt him a bit if he's a normal rat."

       Ron nodded and tried to get out of shotting range as Sirius blasted blue sparks from his wand. Harry and Hermione hid behind Professor Lupin just as there was a loud bang. Harry peaked from Professor Lupin's shoulder. Instead of holding Scabbers' tail, Sirius now held the foot of a fat, ugly, rat looking man. He tried to scramble to his feet, but Sirius was faster. He pinned him to the wall.

"Any last words you disgusting traitor?" Asked Sirius spitting on his face as he spoke.

Harry watched as the rat looking man struggled under Sirius's grip yet again. He looked around trying to spot any means of escape and met Harry's eye.

" Harry!" He said pleadingly. "You look just like your father. Help me, please help me. James would have mercy. Please, James would have mercy!"

Harry looked at Sirius who looked enraged at the ugly mans' pleading. Dumbfounded and oblivious to what was happening, Harry chose not to respond. Which turned out to be a wise choice.

"How dare you." Whispered Sirius menacingly. "How dare you speak to Harry? How dare you talk about his parents in front of him? Infront of me?!" 

The little shack was dead silent. Just like he had, the rat man found the whispering far scarier than the shouting had been. He turned paler than he already was if that was even possible.

"Everyone stand back," said Professor Lupin almost excitedly. He pulled Harry back behind him and summoned Ron behind him as well.

        Harry and the others shielded their eyes but peaked just a little bit. Harry had no idea what was happing, but he was now started to piece a couple things together as he watched things unfold. He still needed a full explanation mind you, but he had a basic idea of who was on his side and who wasn't. He looked through the cracks in his fingers just into to hear Sirius yell a curse that he was all too familiar with.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The rat man fell to the floor as the flash of green light subsided.

"Finally," said Sirius breathing a sigh of relief. "Now," he said looking at his audience. "For your explanation."

    Harry was startled. How had this man just killed someone and proceeded so calmly to explain? As he was pondering over that, he heard footsteps under them. They all turned towards the entrance of the little room. The footsteps had stopped, but no one came into view.

"And so we meet again," said Snape appearing out of nowhere. He took off the cloak and threw it to Harry. "Thanks, Potter, that turned out to be very useful." Snape stood his ground at the entrance to the little shack like room and surveyed the scene. His eyes flickered toward a dead man, then to Ron's injured leg, and lastly toward Professor Lupin who still had Hermione hiding behind him. Snape's mouth formed a straight line, some sort of half smile Harry had never seen before.

What are you doing here Professor?" Asked Hermione breaking the eerie silence.

"Well, I thought you'd never ask." Said Snape now fully smiling. It was clear though, from his expression, that he indeed was planning to answer that question even if it had not been asked.

"I had come to your office to give you the special potion." Said Snape turning towards Professor Lupin. "Imagine my-"

"I knew it," said Hermione excitedly, and also blatantly interrupting Snape."You're a werewolf."

Snape looked at her with menacing eyes. "For once in your life, Mrs. Granger kindly shut your mouth!" He shook his head in disgust and tried to get back to what he must have thought was an extravagant tale. Much to his dismay though, he was once again interrupted.

"What gave it away?" Asked  Professor Lupin turning so he faced Hermione. "Snape's essay or the fact that my boggart was a full moon?"

"Both," said Hermione standing up straighter. "And the fact that all the days you were sick matched up perfectly with the moon's phases."

Professor Lupin chuckled, "I knew the moment you answered the first question of the year that you were the brightest witch of this generation." He nodded approvingly at her. Hermione who had never received such a compliment was blushing furiously.

    "Wait," Said Ron breaking up the little teacher-student moment they were having. "If you're a werewolf... and tonights a full moon... doesn't that mean..."

   Hermione gasped in realization and took a couple steps away from Professor Lupin. Harry also took a step and looked nervously up at him.

    "Silence, all of you!" said Snape clapping his hands together for dramatic effect. "You think I'm foolish enough to come confront a werewolf and his dastardly friends without proper precautions?" He asked rhetorically with a sneer on his face. He reacher into his robes and pulled out a small potion bottle and threw it to Remus. He caught it in mid-air and cleared the bottle with one gulp.

    "Now that that's taken care of, where was I?" Said Snape pretending to think. He and everyone else in the room knew he had known exactly where he had left off. "Oh yes," He said slowly the pierced smile returning to his face. "Imagine my surprise when I find your office empty!" He said pointing at Professor Lupin. "And a map on your desk. One glance at it and it showed me everything I needed to know. You know, when Dumbledor hired you I warned him. I told him from the start that you'd try and help your dear friend Black get to and from the castle.

     Harry watched Snape carefully, who was now pacing and hung on to his every word. What had he meant by a dear friend? Why had he suspected Professor Lupin, and how had he known to use the Marauder's Map? His head was spinning with curiosity but he didn't dare interrupt Snape. He looked far too happy telling his story and he knew he'd get his head chopped off and unlimited detention if he interrupted him now. Snape continued his story gleefully and stopped every now and then to catch a reaction on their faces.

       "Confused Potter?" He said turning his attention towards Harry. "You see Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew-" he said pointing at the dead man on the floor finally giving him a name. "They were all part of your father's pathetic little gang. And every month or so they came up here to do their stupid, pathetic gang activities." Said Snape emphasizing stupid and pathetic as he spoke.

    Harry didn't say anything to Snape, not knowing whether his leg was being pulled, Harry thought that it was best to remain silent.

      Not getting the reaction he had hoped for, Snape turned away from Harry and advanced on Sirius.

      "I knew this was your little hideout back then, but never in a million years did I think you'd use this pathetic little dump as your secret little meeting place. "

 "Listen, Severus-"

"NO! You listen Black!" Snape spat his name out and pulled his wand from his robe.

"Accio wands!" He said and in an instant, everyone's wands were in his left hand.

"Your all coming with me, and Black, I think the dementors have a special little kiss ready for you."

        "The blood drained from Blacks face, "You know I'm innocent Severus! Don't do this!" Said Sirius pointing to Pettigrew as evidence.

"It's Professor Snape to you," said Snape coolly as he stepped over Pettigrew's dead body.

"And last time I checked killing was a crime. And I'm the only capable professor here so my word goes."

       "You're seriously going to go and get an innocent man killed just because of a squabble when we were back in school Severus?" Asked Professor Lupin shocked.

"A squabble that almost killed me!" Exclaimed Snape throwing his hands filled with wands up in disbelief.

         "Now move it, Potter," he said pocking his with his wand. "I'm delivering this-this PRISONER to the Minster guilty or innocent!"

Snape conjured up two stretchers and placed them under Ron and Pettigrew with the wave of his wand.

"Single file!" She snapped as he pointed his wand at them threateningly, the 2 stretchers floating behind them.

        They went outside just as the clouds parted for the full moon. Harry glanced nervously at Professor Lupin who was standing behind him, half believing that he was going to turn into a werewolf. Behind him, Professor Lupin came to a halt. His face went pale and his body rigid. he got taller and wider. His clothes were torn away and they heard cracked as his muscles and limbs doubled in size. He howled in pain as the transformation tool over him, soon after, in the place, Professor Lupin stood now stood a werewolf. Harry took a step backward the exact moment Sirius took a step forward. Snape, who stood behind Professor Lupin, rolled his eyes and prodded him in the back with the point of his wand. That seemed like a very stupid idea to Harry.

      "Move along, I haven't got all day you know!" Said, Snape. "Oh, don't look at me like that Potter, he isn't going to attack me you know! He still has all his brains! Thanks to me," he added under his breath.

     Harry nodded disbelievingly and continued walking behind Hermione. He glanced back every now and then. It was now Sirius who was walking behind him. Harry didn't know which was safer to walk in front of, a werewolf or a serial killer.

      As they approached the castle Harry felt the happiness being sucked out of him. How could he have forgotten about the dementors? Harry felt Sirius tense up behind him. Hermione slowed to a stop at the entrance gate to the castle. Professor walked to the front of the group and pulled out his wand, Pettigrew, and Ron still floating behind him.

       "Expecto Patronum!" He said almost calmy. The dementors parted immediately at the sight of his Patronus. Which seemed to be a doe.

     Harry gazed at Snape surprisingly, he hadn't completely registered the fact that he could summon such a powerful Patronus. After all, Snape was the least cheerful wizard Harry had come to know.

    Harry followed them as Snape lead them towards Dumbledore's office. Which they didn't even need to get to. Dumbledore and Fudge, the Minister of magic, where standing in the entrance hall. Dumbledore took one look at the strange group and immediately knew something was wrong. Fudge, on the other hand, took a couple steps away from the werewolf, madman, and the 2 people floating on stretchers.

Dumbledore took off his glasses, wiped them clean on his robes, and returned them to his face."By all means," he whispered. "Is that Peter Pettigrew?"

Sirius nodded and  Professor Lupin howled in agreement. "It can't be... Unless.." He looked at Sirius with wide eyes. "You switched without telling me?"

Sirius nodded again confirming his theory. The Minister, just like Harry, Ron and, Hermione was completely lost.

"Switched what?" He asked looking from Sirius to Dumbledore and back again.

"That can't be Peter. He died 13 years ago and he killed him!" HE said accusingly pointing a finger at Sirius's face.

"Yes Fudge," said Dumbledore gazing knowingly at Black. "An explanation is in order. Severus, why don't you escort Peter and Ron to the hospital wing and then meet us back in my office?" He suggested.

    Snape walked up importantly and didn't stop till he was an inch from the Minister's face. "Let it be known Minister," Snape drawled as he pulled his robes around himself and stood up straighter. "That I, Severus Tobias Snape single-handedly captured and turned in Sirius Black."

      Black sneered at that comment and took a step forward. Dumbledore, who saw things were getting out of hand also took a step forward. "It is noted, Professor." He said to Snape calmly. Then he put his hand out as if he expected something. Snape reluctantly reached into his robes and pulled out all their wands he had confiscated earlier. He set them into Dumbledore's hand and stalked off to the Hospital WIng with the stretchers following close behind.

Now more confused than ever Harry followed the strange group silently up to Dumbledore's office.(Password: Lemon Drop) They reached his circular office and crowded around. With a wave of his wand Dumbledore, magiced more chairs. It was a bit cramped, but they managed to squeeze.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Asked Harry impatiently when everyone was seated. "Who switched places? How did Scabbers turn into Pettigrew?"

"I'd like to know all this too." Said the Minister gazing at Black with a look on his face.

"I would explain," said Dumbledore. "But there is so much I myself still don't understand."

So they all turned to Sirius since Lupin wasn't a reasonable option.

"Well, it's a long story." Said Sirius turning so he was facing Harry."But you deserve to hear it." He took a breath and started the tale. "When I went to school, your father and Professor Lupin were like brothers to me..."

      By the time Sirius finished his story of how they were illegal Anamagi, and how he managed to single-handedly break out of Azkaban and into Hogwarts, the sun had risen. And Professor Lupin was now back to society's definition of normal. Snape, who had come halfway through the story, stood at the doorway in utter disbelief as the Minister stood up and embraced Sirius.

"B-But Minister! He killed someone! Used the killing curse! Surely that calls for some sort of punishment!" Stammered Professor Snape making his way over to the minister.

"I would have done the same thing myself! Replied the Minister. "Afterall, he was wrongfully accused and imprisoned for 12 years! Some sort of grudge I suspect."

     Dumbledore stood up and put his hand on Snape's shoulder. "I'm sure the Daily Prophet will want an interview with you when they catch a whiff of this. Won't they Minster?" Dumbledore looked at Fudge who nodded absentmindedly not really listening.

      Instead, he turned towards Sirius once again. "You're out of Azkaban and will receive a full apology on the Ministry's behalf. You will also be receiving a new wand, paid for by the ministry of course! Now, I should be off. Can't wait to get this information to the Daily Prophet. Finally close this case. Snape, you should come with me too. They will want an interview form you.

"And you'll take the dementors with you I suppose?" Said Dumbledore not even slightly mad at being ignored the last time he spoke.

"Of course!" He replied delightedly. "What a day, what a day! The office will have a field day when they hear about this! Come along Severus." Harry watched as Professor Snape and the Minister walked quickly out of Dumbledore's office.

     Dumbledore stood up and beckoned Hermione and Professor Lupin to follow. "Perhaps Harry and Sirius would like a minute alone?" He said rhetorically as they exited the office as well.
Harry looked at Sirius who seemed a bit nervous. 

"You know Harry," said Sirius slowly as he stood up. "I'm your Godfather."

    Harry, who had a sarcastic remark in his mind, held his tong and let him continue.
"So.. If you want to... I don't know... Leave the Muggle's..." he didn't even get to finish his sentence before Harry tackled him into a hug.

     Harry couldn't believe or process what he was hearing! Leave the Dursely's? Live with Sirius?! It seemed too good to be true. At that moment Harry felt as if he could produce a Patronus that could scare away a thousand dementors

"I'll take that as a yes." Said Sirius laughing, But it wasn't a psychopathic laugh. It was. Swarm hearted laugh that lit up his face. He was starting to resemble the guy in James and Lilly's wedding picture.

"Now let go, I have to go wash up a bit," said Sirius jokingly as he pretended to have to pry Harry's fingers off him. Harry beamed and hugged him harder, not wanting to let go.

     The next day the great hall was buzzing with rumors. Everyone was fighting to get a hold of the Daily Prophet, and as usual, all eyes were on Harry as he entered. Having caught up on sleep and Ron being out of the hospital wing, the trio made their way over to their usual spot. A minute after they sat down an owl came rushing in and landed on Hermione's arm.

"Good thing you have a subscription," said Ron as Hermione put a Sickle into the bird's pouch. "I don't feel like fighting everyone for a quick read."

Hermione smiled in agreement and flattened the paper in between the 3 of them. It read-

                                                      Former Prisoner, Now Savior

      Sirius Black, known to be a mass murder and prisoner of Azkaban was claimed innocent just last night. He was caught on Hogwarts grounds single-handedly by Professor Snape and question thoroughly by Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, and Fudge, the Minister.

   Recent evidence shows that he wasn't the one who committed the mass murder 13 years ago, it was no there than Peter Pettigrew.

    Everyone who had thought of Pettigrew as dead thought wrong. He was alive and well, disguised as a pet rat for one of the Weasley kids. Isn't that quite a shock?

     Peter was killed just last night by Black. Revenge after locking him up for 12 years. Black and Pettigrew are both supposedly unregistered Animagi, which shocked everyone of course. Here's what  Professor Snape, a teacher at Hogwarts, had to say about the matter.

"That stupid Black. Always thought of himself as better than everyone else. Even back in grade school. I finally wiped that stupid grin off his face when I captured him. Should have seen the look on his face. He was practically begging me not to turn him in."

  Black is now a free man. He will be getting his wand replaced, paid for by the ministry. He will also be taking custody of Harry Potter, his Godson. And from now on, in the wizarding world, Black will not be known as the Prisoner of Azkaban, but as the savior.

Written by Bertha Jorkins

    Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. Justice at last. They finished the last of their food and headed out the hall when they bumped into Hagrid.

"Oh, Hagrid! How'd the execution go?!" Asked Hermione worriedly. She looked at Ron and Harry who had also completely forgotten about it. With everything going on it had been the last thing on anyone's mind.

"Dumbledore's convinced 'em," said Hagrid happily. "Great man Dumbledore, great man. I've 'ot a week tor plead my case!"

"That's great!" Said Hermione tackling him with a hug.

"Great full that Dumbledore had them to convince him with him so busy an all. That Defense against the Dark Arts position is gonna be har' to fill."

Harry's eyes widened. "What's wrong with Professor Lupin," he asked worriedly.

"Didn't yer hear?" Said Hagrid. "Malfoy's dad sent him er letter tellin' him that he's a werewolf. I' reckon half the school knows by now."

   Harry didn't stop to give an explanation, he just ran down the hall towards Professor Lupin's office. And sure enough, he was packing.

"Oh hey Harry," said Professor Lupin looking up as Harry walked in.

"Professor," said Harry not even knowing where to begin. "Y-you can't let a couple Slytherins get you down!

"But by now angry parents will complain and send letters about their kids having a werewolf as a teacher." He replied wearily.

"B-but you're the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!" Exclaimed Harry.

"Remus smiled and put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Malfoy's got all the school governors under his thumb Harry, theirs nothing I can do."

Seeing that Harry was about to protest, he pulled an old parchment out of his tattered robes.

"Here," he said. "Now that I'm no longer a teacher I don't feel guilty about giving it to you." He handed the old parchment to Harry who knew exactly what it was, the Marauder's Map.

He tucked it away and slowly gazed around the office he was growing rather fond of.

"Oh cheer up Harry," said Remus (as they were now on a first name based). "I know who Dumbledore can bring as my replacement." He said his eyes twinkling.

"A recently freed wizard who knows lots of advanced magic, if you catch my drift."  He grinned at Harry, who returned it double in size.

Still grinning he helped Remus carry his bags to the carriage that awaited him at the gates. This was slowly turning into the best week of his life.

                                                                                 The End