Without looking away from Harry, Albus revealed some aspects of his theory. "Voldemort possessed him, took control over his mind and by extension his actions." His face was calm but one could see the sorrow hidden behind.

It took a few moments for the message to sink in. The looks flickering over their faces varied all the way from amazement to worry to fear to pain.

Unable to remove his pained eyes from Harry, Sirius felt something shatter inside him, as the reality of the statement hit him hard.

After what felt like forever, Sirius finally found his voice and asked one of the questions racing in his head. "Why us?" He didn't have the guts to elaborate any further.

Albus understood what he meant and continued, tearing his gaze from Harry, "Ron ((Mr. Weasley, as he would have said it but it doesn't sound right in the context.)) is the ideal image of a friend in Harry's eyes. And you, Sirius, are the symbolic father figure, the real family he has. My theory is that Voldemort would want to break what Harry holds most dearly and he thought it would be more meaningful if he, Harry, himself destroyed it with his own hands."

"However, it is curious, very curious, how someone like Voldemort, who had never known love or friendship, could ever understand the meaning behind such powerful forces," Albus said thoughtfully.

"As for me, well, Voldemort and I aren't really friends, and he would do anything imaginable to have sight of my corpse," Albus said, no longer thoughtful, carrying on the grim instead.

The wise headmaster hesitated before adding as an afterthought, "however, the question still remains on how he found out Harry was alive in the first place."

"It may have escaped your notice, Albus, but it is apparent that the dark forces are infuriating Hogwarts from within," Arthur responded with a slightly irritated undertone.

Albus was silent for a moment before nodding, "indeed, I am afraid so. As for now, Harry will need support from all of you, especially because --being the person he is --the guilt could reach its breaking point and rip his soul apart," he continued grimly.

"But sir, I thought when possessed, the person doesn't remember anything," Hermione's inquisitive nature as always got the better of her, basing her claim on what she knew about Ginny's experience with Tom Riddle's diary.

"This is a bit different, Ms. Granger. Voldemort would want him to remember, and I am afraid that would be difficult on Harry... it will be something unbearably very heavy added on his shoulder that already has so much weight on." Albus said, his voice trailing off.

Suffocating silence met his words. All eyes were worry-driven and pain-filled.

When it seemed like no more words or explanatory answers were left unsaid, Madame Pomfrey rushed over and did what she does best asking everyone, except Harry and Sirius, to leave. After being reassured that he'll be fine, they did as they were told, excusing themselves politely knowing that it wasn't worth a try to argue.

Remus and Albus walked together out the hospital wing, the conversation between them still ongoing. A couple of words could be heard before they moved further --"this is getting out of hands, Albus. We have to do something, to protect him... please, I-I"-- in a constricted hoarse voice of the pained Remus.

Hermione still, stubbornly, asked Madame Pomfrey half-heartedly if she could stay with him but she knew all too well it was a failing attempt. Ron had started walking out but stopped in his tracks, hoping her request, and not to mention his as well, would be answered.

"Oh, don't you worry dear, he'll be fine. I'll send for you once he wakes up." She added as an afterthought, meaningfully having her eyes fixed at Ron, "if that's what you want, that is."

Ron's eyes glanced once again worriedly at Harry then sideways to Hermione before settling on Madame Pomfrey. "Y-yes, of course," said Ron, a bit shakened.

"Very well. Off you go then," the nurse said softly, a small smile gracing her motherly features.

***
As soon as the hospital wing was empty and silent once again, the maternal nurse gave Sirius a potion that he accepted without a word and took with one gulp down his throat. He did feel better, well physically at least. She also gave him another for Harry, just in case she wasn't there at the time he would wake up.

She urged him to rest for as long as he felt like it, and he nodded absentmindedly. Before she left, he thanked her in a soft voice that was very faint he wasn't even sure she heard it.

Sirius sank into his seat, a heavy sigh escaping him, as his mind tried to put together all what he had just seen and heard. His gaze was fixed on Harry's now relaxed and peaceful face. Still, he couldn't stop his stomach from twisting in worry.

After some time, his alert senses detected noises coming closer, and instinctively he kept his hand inside his jacket, clutching the handle of his wand, just in case. Deatheaters coming up with some funny business, well, that would be the last thing they'd ever do.

He heard someone tripping, and that gave him a good guess who that was, he then released his tight grip on the wand. And, it was definitely proven true as a certain purple-haired young witch opened the door.

"I am sorry, Sirius," she spoke in a sad voice, sitting beside him. When she saw amazement and confusion in his eyes, she continued softly, "Remus told me what happened." He nodded wordlessly, no longer frowning.

"Erm, shouldn't you rest a bit? I mean, it is quite amusing Madame Pomfrey left you here just like that without pulling up a fight," she said cautiously, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"I would have stayed with him, either way, with or without her permission. She knew what is best for her and decided to leave it as is," Sirius said, cracking a small smile, although he didn't feel like smiling at all.

"But you really need to rest from the cruc-- I mean it was a very long day," she hesitated before continuing again.

"I am not leaving him, Tonks," he countered easily with a tone of finality, looking at her straight in the eye.

Realizing it was no use to continue arguing, she relented, "O-kay, I guess I'd better go then." She walked a few steps before stopping again, her worry-filled eyes flickered from Harry to Sirius. "He'll be alright," she said in a tone between a statement and a question.

"Yeah, he'll be fine... hopefully," he spoke in a low voice, not tearing his gaze away from Harry's unconscious form.

And with that, Sirius was alone again.

Slumped on his seat, Sirius had his hands over his eyes, trying to get over the imprinted image of Harry writhing and shaking.

He couldn't stop his mind from wandering back to today's events. It was indeed a very long and hectic day. Tears... Pain... Grief... Desperation... Relief, rushing around all at once in a single day were more than he recalled experiencing since a very long time. All being of so much intensity had filled him up like clouds do to the sky of a rainy day.

A single specific conversation stood up to him.

** Flashback ** (4 chapters ago)

After Harry woke up, Remus walked out of the hospital wing leaving behind Sirius beaming at his godson.

"Oh, thank Merlin. I-I can't believe it, Harry. Really, that's the--happiest I've ever felt," Sirius said softly, a small smile sliding across his face.

But from the inside, Sirius felt his chest expand with joy at seeing the light of life in Harry's emerald eyes, once again, after he fearfully thought it was impossible.

Harry welcomed the arm that soon wrapped around him, pretending to not feel the wetness of Sirius' cheeks when his godfather buried his face in the crook of his neck, and just embraced Sirius tighter.

No matter how hard Sirius tried, he couldn't stop his eyes from filling. He made no sound, but he could feel the warm water slipping down his cheeks. This time they were tears of happiness and relief; Sirius felt like a blind man who had just gotten his sight back.

Pulling away, Sirius wiped his tear-strained face with the back of his sleeve. "I didn't know I had all these tears in store," he said smirking, making Harry crack a smile.

"If it were in my hands, you'd be grounded till I forget all what happened today... and that could take years," Sirius said seriously, still though he could feel the corners of his mouth turn up in a grin.

It wasn't his fault, Harry isn't to blame, you are -- Such intrusive thought all of a sudden took the happiness away from him, snatching it with much force that he felt empty on the inside.. again.

His face fell, smile fading, as he felt the guilt well up inside him again. With eyes distant and once again sad, Sirius got to his feet, away from Harry and walked all the way to the window, and he looked up at the bright stars giving sparkling light to the darkness of the sky.

Harry sighed and reached for him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Sirius, what is it?"

He took a deep breath and said, sadness once again heard in his voice, "I'll always care deeply for you, Harry. Even if, even if you never want to see me again."

"What?" Harry stared at Sirius as if he was speaking a different language. Sirius saw the answer on the face in front of him long before the words had been voiced aloud.

"Are you mental? Did someone hit you on the head?" That was the first countering reply Harry could think of.

"Harry-- what happened today was all my fault. I am sorry. I-I failed you." Emotion choking him, Sirius bit back a sob.

"No, no, no, no, definitely not. Please, just stop blaming yourself. That wasn't your fault at all, if anything it was mine." Harry emphasized every single word as if it could stand on its own.

Sirius' eyebrows shot upward, clearly confused. "Yours? There's no way it was your fault..." He exclaimed sarcastically with a hint of aggression.

"I am the one who rushed over to the ministry in the first place and put everyone's life in grave danger," Harry replied hesitantly.

And by everyone, Harry meant absolutely everyone: his friends, Sirius, Remus, all the Order warriors, even himself well he did actually die in a way.

What would it have been like to live ripped apart with guilt if he had lost any of them, just because of him acting on impulse? Harry shuddered at the very thought of the grief he would have been destined to live with.

"Harry, I am with you, you were a bit thick-skulled to jump to conclusions, but--" Sirius said, slightly shifting back to his old self. That's just how Sirius was made up, speaking or acting now and save the thinking for later.

"Well, that's very thoughtful of you Sirius, thankyouverymuch," Harry cut him off in light sarcasm.

"No no no, listen we'll talk about that later, ok?" Sirius said, a little bit too quickly.

"You are safe now, and that's all that matters," Sirius said gently, warmth blossoming in his chest. Harry returned the affectionate smile Sirius gave him.

"And.. Don't you dare blame yourself over it, Harry," said Sirius, his words firm but his voice was gentle. Determination in his eyes, Sirius waited for Harry to nod.

"Solemnly swear?" Sirius asked with a chuckle, mischief once again drawn in the depth of his eyes.

"I solemnly swear" Harry said, relieved, as he felt a wide grin wash over his face.

There was a comfortable silence, nothing left to be said but a lot to be felt and thought of.

Ron's accusing words, even Bellatrix's taunting, still stung Sirius hard -- with the pain you deserve to feel, an inner voice whispered in his ears as it always does. But now, his shoulders were no longer as heavy, didn't sag, with the weight of the world. Sirius felt slightly better, reassured now that Harry didn't blame him.

Should he stop blaming himself as well?

He didn't have any more time to ponder over an answer, since just then the door opened widely, bringing in the people who longed to see Harry once again on his feet.

** End of flashback **

Sirius unfroze himself, shaking his head momentarily closing his tired eyes, snapping himself back to the present. His pain filled eyes once again flickered over Harry's body. Harry's eyes shut more tightly as if in pain for a few seconds before he looked relaxed again.

Sirius' grey eyes were in the early stages of swelling shut, eyelids becoming heavier with every second. Sleep took him all by surprise, and he gave in eager for some rest, to drown his worries, at least for now.

He'll be safe, I solemnly swear. That was his last thought before drifting to blackness.

Hope you liked it!

Two updates almost at the same time, like wow... since they are to a great extent connected to each other, I thought you should have them together.

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Also, what do you think is Harry's best quality ??