I do not own Harry Potter, if I did, the whole story would've been so different.

Hello guys, Badger here. Back again with a new chapter. This chapter has been half written for what's felt like months, due to the fact I hit a massive writers block regarding this story when writing it. I eventually was able to get through it, but even then I don't know how to feel about this chapter. I feel like it could've been a bit better and longer.

But I'll let you come up with a conclusion yourself. But anyway, I'll leave it there for now. Read on, enjoy and I'll see you at the end.

…

Chapter 10

Meeting The Godfather

…

In the nearby town of Hogsmeade a small brown rat scurried off the streets, avoiding the kicks from the residents of the town, hiding away in an alleyway and hidden from the views of any random passer-by. Now safe, and hidden from view, the rat began to shift and morph into the chubby and stumpy form of Peter Pettigrew, who hid behind a bunch of crates and boxes to eat a sandwich he was able to acquire from a nearby bin. It was stale, but at least it wasn't mouldy. After news broke out about Sirius' innocence and an arrest warrant for Pettigrew's arrest was released to the public, Pettigrew knew he couldn't stay in the castle, let alone within the comfy residence of the Weasley family he had been living with for the last decade.

Pettigrew knew it was only a matter of time, before he was caught. So he figured it was better to disappear.

If the people of the Wizarding World didn't publicly execute him, by the Dementors Kiss or Veil of Death, the Dark Lord definitely will. Seeing as Pettigrew was the one to give up the Potters whereabouts to Voldemort, which lead to his destruction, Pettigrew had know doubts that he would be killed, if and when the Dark Lord returned. So when the news of Sirius' trial appeared in the Daily Prophet, he knew he had to escape. However, due to the amount of Aurors patrolling the castle because of the recent attack from a Mountain Troll, Pettigrew found it difficult to sneak through them, let alone get away from the youngest Weasley son, Ron. Today was the only opportunity he had to get away, as Ron had accidentally left the cage he was kept in unlocked.

After finishing off his rather stale sandwich he quickly turned back into his rat form, having heard someone approaching the alley he was hiding in, before disappearing through the grass of a nearby field. Within an arrest warrant on his head issued to the public, Pettigrew believed he could live better in another country.

Far enough away from people like Dumbledore and the Dark Lord.

…

Harry felt more then a little nervous as an Auror had escorted Susan, Hannah and himself to the Headmasters office. Amelia Bones had apparently arrived to the castle and had requested for the three to be brought to the Headmasters office. However, she didn't say why. Hearing that Amelia had wanted to see them, Harry specifically, had made him worried as he followed behind the Auror. Worried that something had happened, or gone wrong. As they got closer to the Headmasters office, Harry began to panic that maybe it had something to do with his relatives. He began to panic, wondering if his uncle had somehow managed to convince that they were in fact innocent, and they were set free. Harry hoped that wasn't the case.

Harry would, no doubt, be beaten to death by his Uncles hands if they ever got free and were able to get their hands on him.

Susan must've sensed Harry's nerves and panic, as she had put her hand in his. The sudden contact had startled Harry briefly, before he looked to Susan who had given him a soft smile, squeezing his hand with hers gently. Her support made Harry smile back, feeling a little better now from her actions. Although his heart still felt like it was close to bursting out of his chest. Hannah had seen this interaction and smiled, giving Harry a gentle and reassuring rub on his back, as they came up to the doors leading to the Headmasters office. The Auror led them inside the office, where Harry saw the Headmaster, as well as Amelia Bones, already there and waiting for them.

Harry couldn't help but notice that Amelia looked quite unhappy about being in the same room as Dumbledore, the steel gaze in the side eye she was giving him was sharp enough to cut through anything. The tension between the two was so thick, you could choke on it. However, Harry couldn't really blame the woman for not wanting to be in the same room as Dumbledore. Seeing as Dumbledore was the one to place Harry with his relatives, Harry didn't really fancy being in the same room with the Headmaster either. Especially with all the abuse Harry had suffered from at the hands of his relatives.

Once the Auror had led the three into the office, Dumbledore looked up, sitting straighter in his chair. However, before he could say anything, Amelia had spoken up.

"Thank you, Auror Dawlish..." Amelia said, "You may continue with your duties..."

"Yes, Madam Bones" Dawlish said

Susan waited for Dawlish to leave the office, before she turned to Amelia curiously.

"Why did you want to see us Auntie?" She asked

"Well, I've been regularly going to St Mungos, to monitor Sirius' recovery and he's been making good progress, both physically and mentally..." Amelia explained, before turning to Harry, "I had a small talk with Sirius and he wanted to meet you properly, have a chat...that is, if you want to"

"I can?" Harry asked, "I can meet him?"

"Yes" Amelia nodded, "I've already been given the necessary permission from Professor Dumbledore to have the three of you taken out of the castle for a small period of time...if you're feeling ready, I'll take you through the Floo Network, to St Mungos, so you can meet him..."

"Yeah, I'm ready..." Harry said, taking a moment to collect himself, "Let's go..."

"I'll keep the Floo Network open, Amelia" Dumbledore spoke up, as they got ready to leave, "That way you can just come right back through, once you're finished..."

...

Dumbledore was internally seething, as he watched Amelia leave along with Harry, Susan and Hannah. The Headmaster had been hoping to have a quick word alone with the boy, before he went to meet with Sirius, but Amelia had prevented him from doing so. Dumbledore had been trying to have a word with Harry ever since the trials at the Wizengamot, but everything that had been happening recently had kept him busy and unable to do so. He was still receiving Howlers from angry parents and citizens of Wizarding Britain, who were unhappy to hear the news of the trials and the troll attack on the castle. However, despite how ruined and muddied his name and reputation had become, he still believed it was salvageable. It would just take time.

By talking with Harry, it would've allowed him to also see just how ruined his plans were so he could start the necessary preparations to make new ones. But that too was squandered. All he could do, was hope that he could get a quick word with the boy, upon their return.

…

As Harry followed Amelia Bones into St Mungos, he couldn't help but find the place quite sterile and depressing. Everything was white. White painted walls, white marble floors, white ceiling tiles, white everything. Having never been in a hospital before, in the Muggle World, it all just felt lifeless. They were in what seemed to be a crowded reception area where rows of witches and wizards sat upon rickety wooden chairs, some looking perfectly normal and perusing out-of-date copies of Witch Weekly, whilst others sat patiently, with disfigurements and ailments such as, warts growing rapidly across their faces or human limbs replaced with animal ones. Harry tried not to stare as Amelia led him, Susan and Hannah to the front desk.

After talking with the receptionist for a few minutes, one of the St Mungos Healers arrived and led the group down one of the corridors, and into one of the wards where Harry saw rows and rows of beds along the wall, several of which had a witch or wizard laying upon it comfortably with each one surrounded by curtains for privacy. Harry paid them no attention as the Healer led him towards the end of the ward, where Harry saw the person he was here to see.

Sirius Black.

As Harry looked upon his Godfather, he could see that the man looked a lot better than he did during his trial at the Wizengamot. His greasy hair and beard has been washed and trimmed. His yellowed teeth were looking whiter. His sunken eyes and thin face were looking full and healthy. The same could be said for the rest of his body. Whilst he was still thin, he was no longer the skeletal mess he was before and his clothes no longer hung loose from his body. Once again, as Harry looked at Sirius, whilst he had no memory of the man, he still felt a sense of familiarity. After a small greeting with Amelia, Sirius looked to Harry, a soft and relieved look in his eyes.

"Hey kiddo…" He said, voice a little raspy, "I don't know if you remember me, but it's so good to see you again…"

"I…I don't know…" Harry said, as he inched closer to Sirius' bed, "I don't remember but…you look familiar…"

"It's okay, Harry" Sirius reassured, with a gentle smile, "You were very little, I'd be surprised if you did remember…despite how long it's been I'd still like to be a part of your life, like I should've been all this time…if you want me to…"

"I'd like that!" Harry nodded

Sirius smiled in relief and would've given Harry a hug, if he wasn't still bed ridden by the orders of the Healers. Instead, he looked to Susan and Hannah who, so far, had remained silent as they let Harry and Sirius talk.

"You're Susan and Hannah right?" He asked, "Harry's friends…I trust you've been keeping Harry out of any trouble at Hogwarts…"

"Yes sir…" Susan nodded, stepping forward so she was beside Harry, taking his hand in hers, "We've been looking out for him"

Sirius smiled at that, his eyes briefly glancing down at their entwined hands, as did Amelia. Sirius chose not to mention it, as he looked back at the trio.

"I'm glad to hear that" He said, before looking to Harry, "Hufflepuff as well I see…I must say, I wasn't expecting Hufflepuff when Amelia told me what House you had been sorted into…"

"Does…does that disappoint you?" Harry asked, worriedly

"No, not at all, a House is a House, it doesn't matter to me where you get sorted…" Sirius reassured, seeing the worried look on his godsons face, "I guess I was just expecting you to go into Gryffindor like your parents…most Potters go into Gryffindor…then again, both of your parents were loyal to a fault, so I guess it's not surprising that you ended up in Hufflepuff…"

"Really?" Harry asked

"Oh yeah, I'll tell you what…" Sirius said, "I'll tell you more about your parents, if you and your friends tell me more about what you've been up to at Hogwarts, I want to know everything…deal?"

"Deal!" Harry smiled

…

Back inside Hogwarts, Quirrell was wringing his hands together as he paced back and forth inside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, muttering to himself. Over the last several weeks, he had been keeping low, his head down, whilst he watched and monitored the Aurors and their movements across the castle and guarding the room which he believed to house the Philosophers Stone. During this time, he found no change in their routine. Quirrell was starting to get desperate. Christmas was getting closer and closer and it was safe to assume that the Aurors weren't being withdrawn from the castle any time soon. It was going to be risky, but he was going to have to go after the Stone now. He had no other choice.

And with the watchful eye of Amelia Bones currently out of the castle for the time being, now was best chance he had to do so.

…

Inside St Mungos, Harry had spoken with Sirius for what felt like hours. As the two conversed, Harry told him about what it was like to find out he was a wizard, his trip with Hagrid to Diagon Alley, meeting Amelia and everything he had gotten up to with Susan and Hannah. In return, Sirius told him a lot about when he was a student at Hogwarts, with Harry's mother and father, as well as answering any questions Harry had about his parents. Sirius had also spent plenty of time talking with Susan and Hannah, to find out more about them. And after a few conversations with the two girls, Sirius couldn't ask for anyone better to look out for Harry whilst in Hogwarts.

Harry had wanted to stay and talk for longer, however he unfortunately had to say goodbye when the Healer came back to inform the group that visiting hours were over. Harry had wanted to protest but Sirius convinced him to leave, stating he'd see him again after his school year is over. Plus Harry still had lessons to attend. Harry eventually conceded and the two shared a hug, which was slightly awkward from the way Sirius was positioned, before the trio were led back to the Floo network by Amelia.

As Harry made his way through the Floo network, and into the Headmasters office once more, he felt overjoyed from having met Sirius. Maybe now he could have a proper family. A family that wasn't his Aunt and Uncle. Upon entering the Headmasters office, alongside Amelia, Susan and Hannah, Dumbledore stood up, upon seeing their arrival, a gentle smile on his face.

"Ah, Amelia, glad to see you brought the students back safe…" He said, "Now, I was wondering if I could just have a quick word with…"

Dumbledore was unable to finish his sentence, as the door to his office quickly swung open with such force, that it clanged against the wall as Auror Dawlish came running in, pale and out of breath. His sudden appearance was a shock to everyone, as they nearly all jumped out of their skin.

"Auror Dawlish…" Amelia said, "What is the matter?"

"Forgive me for the interruption Madam Bones…" Dawlish panted, "But…there's been another attack…"

…

And that's chapter 10 done. Honestly, probably my least favourite as it could've been a lot better in my opinion, as mentioned previously.

But what did you think? Don't be afraid to see if it's bad, because it probably is.

Anyway, I know it's been a while since there's been any updates to stories, I've had a few people asking for more. Please remember, be patient, updates will come when they come, whenever I have time to write, or feel like writing. And regarding updates, I have a few chapters for a few stories currently underway, as well as the first chapter for a brand new story in its early stages. So updates will come guys.

But that is all for now, I hate to cut it off short but I'm tired and want to sleep.

I hope you enjoyed, and I'll see you next time, in whatever story I see you in.

Badger Out.