Oddly enough, Harry didn't get in trouble for leaving Potions. It seemed that Snape was happy with the arrangement and didn't report it. Harry used the class period to catch up on his reading. Madam Pince didn't seem to mind his company, though she still was quick to shush him and made sure he was treating the texts with proper care. The Hogwarts library was an amazing resource, even with Dumbledore's edits to the material at hand. Harry thought of the free period as independent study. He brushed up on his runes, ward construction and breaking, and delved into textbooks long forgotten of the core subjects. It was a tragedy how much information was simply lost to time. There were entire chapters in Transfiguration that were no longer covered, including dueling techniques and further rituals similar to becoming an animagus.
He really hit the jackpot when he found a textbook for dueling. Apparently, it had been part of the curriculum at some point. In his past life he had been an accomplished duelist, his time as an auror demanded it. Still, there were little tips and tricks that he could incorporate into his style.
When he wasn't in the library he was in the Room of Requirement. Not only was it a secluded place to push his magic further, but it also contained years of lost things. There was more jewelry than he ever expected, as well as socks. Never a matching pair though. Textbooks, diaries, and notebooks were another thing the room had in large quantity. He only delved into the diaries and notebooks that weren't cursed. If he recognized the name as a living wizard, then he would set it aside to return to them. The cursed ones he ignored; they weren't worth the time.
The only thing half-way interesting was when the dementors were recalled to Azkaban. After that it was two months before something happened. By then he had settled into a pattern of classes, independent study, quidditch, and avoiding Hermione. She was persistent, but her bloated schedule helped add some distance. He couldn't think straight when she was around. Part of him just wanted to yell at her and find out why she had betrayed him. Logically, he knew it wouldn't solve anything and he would just come off raving mad. That part he could deal with. It was the stolen memories that hit the hardest. Flashes of their nights together, followed by a muddled patch in the morning. They must have slipped something in his morning cup. That train of thought circled right back around to wanting to interrogate her.
She wasn't that Hermione, yet. Maybe she would never become her. It still hurt. At least Ginny made sense. She wanted Harry until she had him but didn't want to give up the lifestyle. Ending a magical marriage wasn't as simple as going to court to file for divorce. She would have been locked out of the Potter vaults, especially when it came out that she wasn't the mother of the children. If he wanted, he could push for Line Theft. Her reputation would suffer, which would probably have led to her quidditch career tanking. It didn't leave her with a bright future. Harry didn't like it, but he could follow the logic.
This cycle of mental and emotional anguish was the reason he was happy when McGonagall pulled him away from lunch one day. She didn't speak as she led him to her office. Once inside he found Sirius, Remus, and Amelia Bones waiting.
"Harry." McGonagall cleared her throat. "This is Amelia Bones, she's the lead auror for the Ministry. She has something to discuss with you."
"What's this about?" Harry schooled his expression to one of confusion. "Why is professor Lupin here?"
"Please sit." Amelia inclined her head to the open chair. "Have you been keeping up with the news?"
"I haven't gotten my copy of the Daily Prophet in about a week." Harry took the seat as he spoke. "I've sent a letter asking why but I haven't heard back."
Amelia shot McGonagall a tight look. "This is Sirius Black. Until recently he was thought to be one of the people responsible for your parents' death. As it turns out, he is innocent on all charges, as well as your godfather. The responsible party has been apprehended, charged, and was kissed yesterday."
"I knew he was my godfather." Harry nodded at her. "The goblins keep exquisite paperwork."
"Indeed." Amelia smiled at him.
Harry felt his chest flutter. Damn, teenage hormones.
"Sirius is your legal and magical guardian." Amelia continued. "We thought it would be a good idea to get some time to speak."
"Well." Harry chuckled. "He spent the summer with me, in a sort."
"I've registered as an animagus." Sirius turned to Amelia. "This summer I was watching over him in that form." He looked to Harry. "Thank you for not naming me Slippers. Rook wasn't a bad call, but I got by Padfoot when I'm a dog."
Harry nodded. "I'll have to remember that. Why is Professor Lupin here?"
"I'm a friend of Sirius." Remus looked down at his feet. "Not a very good one."
"Stop it, Moony." Sirius sighed. "I was in prison for murdering our friend. I have already forgiven you for being an idiot."
Remus shook his head.
"You were friends with my parents?" Harry asked.
Remus nodded.
"Why am I just meeting you now?" Harry asked. It was always a question he wanted to know. Unfortunately, the war was more pressing than heartfelt conversations.
"I have a condition." Remus looked to Sirius. "Having me around wasn't an option."
"The werewolf thing, right." Harry said.
The adults in the room gawked at him.
"Please, it's not hard to tell." Harry motioned to Remus. "He eats like he's starving but it skin and bones. He gets grumpy a week before the full moon, disappears for a couple of days, and then comes back looking even more ragged than before."
Sirius laughed. "You get your brains from Lily."
"Thank you for keeping it a secret." Remus gave him a tired smile. "Werewolves aren't looked up in a kind light."
"It's pretty obvious considering how the Ministry treated Hagrid last year." Harry returned the smile.
"What happened with Hagrid last year?" Amelia asked.
"He was blamed for basilisk attacks." Harry shifted his gaze to her. "It's the same thing that got him expelled and his wand broken when he was a student. There was never any proof. He's half-giant so no one cared when he was put in Azkaban. Aside from my friends and I, that is."
"He was put in Azkaban?" Amelia's mouth pressed into a tight line.
Harry nodded.
"If you will excuse me, it seems I have some matters to attend." Amelia moved with surprising speed. One moment she was standing by McGonagall's desk and the next she had tossed powder in the floo. She disappeared with a flash of green flame.
"It was nice meeting you." Harry called after her, but she was already gone.
"You're a bit young for her, pup." Sirius smiled at him. "Can't fault you on your taste in women."
"Sirius." Remus and McGonagall said at the same time.
Sirius laughed. "Want to go get some lunch? I'm starving."