Harry felt himself dozing off about a half hour after the men had left his room, feeling slightly ashamed. He had all but yelled at them, because of the mirror and he knew that Snape had gotten back from getting tortured and probably didn't want to hear it. He knew logically that he shouldn't have reacted in such a way but they had no right taking what was his. Besides the fact that it communicated with Sirius it belonged to his father first.

Harry wanted everything he could get that once belonged to his parents. Why would they think that in taking the mirror everything would be okay? He sighed softly not willing to allow his destructive thoughts to take over. He blanked his mind before he finally allowed sleep to take him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Downstairs Albus was sitting calmly on the couch watching as Remus flooed back to Headquarters.  The old man said nothing as he waited patiently for Severus to gather his bearings and then report the meeting. He frowned however when he saw the man getting ready to give his report and ignore the potion vials sitting directly in front of him.

"No Severus I need you to take your potions first," Albus chided gently as if he was talking to a child.

Severus gave the old man a look as he glanced down at the vials. "When I finish I will,"

"You will now, the tremors will only get worse if you wait. You know that," he pointed out quietly.

"Fine," Severus bit out before quickly taking his potions, giving the man a pointed look. He knew the man's reasoning's were solid but he had his pride and this was his penitence for betraying Lily so many years ago.

"Thank you," the old man murmured as he looked at the man in front of him sadly. "How bad was it?"

"Nothing I can't manage," he replied briskly. He didn't want to talk about himself; this was after all his atonement.

"That's not what I asked," Albus said quietly.

"It doesn't matter about my condition Albus; do you want the report now?" Severus questioned him quietly.

He had forgiven what Albus had said a few days ago in the hospital wing, but he would never forget. He would never allow himself to fall into the lull of being forgiven by the old man, he had been burned once and he would never forget it. After all he didn't deserve forgiveness; he was still amazed at Harry's ability to forgive him.

"Of course, what did he want?" He asked, dreading the news as he usually did.

"He wants to know where the boy is, he knows he's not at the castle, nor at his relatives house. He thinks you have him in a safe house somewhere and I was punished because I couldn't provide him with the correct answer," Severus told him softly.

"I'm so sorry Severus," Albus said remorsefully for how the man had to suffer so.

"Well it's not your fault, and I clearly can't tell him the truth. We just need to think of a plan on where he is. Or where the Dark Lord can think he is, don't you have a house somewhere?" Severus asked curiously.

"Yes, a Manor I inherited from my father," Albus said as he stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"It's unplottable, I know that much; does it have any other protections?" Severus asked with a murmur.

"Indeed, I'm the secret keeper, and it's protected by my wards an additional Goblin wards," Albus told him seriously.

"Then why isn't Harry with you? You after all have the means to truly protect him," Severus said in disbelief. His manor wards paled in comparison to Albus's of course.

"Because while I may be able to keep him physically safe, his mental health would suffer as I would be busy with Hogwarts or the Ministry. I would do more damage than good Severus, he needs the stability that comes from you," Albus said as if it was obvious.

"I see," he murmured as his mind pondered on that.

"However I do see your point, so I will create a portkey for him. Actually I'll adjust yours as well, to take you both to the Manor in case of an emergency," the old man said fondly as he stroked his beard.

"That's very kind of you Albus," Severus said quietly.

"It's the least I can do," the old man said sincerely.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 Sirius woke up the next morning, in a mood that he hadn't felt in quite some time. He wasn't even sure just what it was, but he knew the emotion. Hope, and as he and Remus got ready to go to his session he found himself actually excited to go. That was a first he knew.  He ignored Moony's questioning gazes that were directed at him as he ate his breakfast eagerly.

He said nothing when the man glamoured him and simply held onto his arm as Remus apparated them to the front of St. Mungo's. He grinned to himself as they headed to the floor with the mind healers and after alerting the Secretary that 'Sam' was here they sat back and waited for their turn. Sirius was up and heading into the room when they were called in, taking a seat calmly as he looked at the Healer in front of him.

"Good morning Healer Braden," Sirius said cheerfully.

Braden gave the man a small smile in return, wondering his mood but not about to mess that bit up. Everything always went smoother when the patient was in a happier mood. "Well good Morning, Sam. How is everything?"

"It's great, I feel hopeful today," Sirius admitted to the man.

"That's good, but what brought on this. What's been on your mind?" The healer asked in interest.

"Harry," Sirius said automatically. "I miss him so much and the fact that I can't see him is killing me.  I know I need to change to be a better person, and I want to be better for him, I don't want to lose that little boy," he explained honestly.

"I see, and what else have you come to the conclusion of?" Braden asked, letting him work his thoughts out so they all could get a clear picture of what he as currently feeling.

Sirius opened his mouth to speak before he glanced over at Remus and shook his head. He wouldn't be disclosing his idea here with Moony in the room. He knew the other man didn't trust him anymore and he didn't want to be ridiculed for any more of his decisions.

"I can leave Sam if you prefer?" Remus said noting the look for what it was. He didn't want to admit that he felt a bit hurt for Sirius not wanting him to know what it was that he had finally realized. As long as it didn't endanger Harry he was clearly all for it.

"For only a moment, yeah that would be great," Sirius replied quickly. He watched the other male leave without a word before he turned back to his healer.  "I've heard a phrase before about letting something go, can you elaborate on that for me?"

Braden nodded as he looked up to see the man in front of him.  "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was," he replied cautiously as he gave the man a steady look. "What are you thinking Sam?"

Sirius had tilted his head as the man quoted the phrase, as ideas quickly flitted across his mind. He knew what needed to be done, but he didn't like it, but that was life. Sometimes you hate the hand that you were dealt, and he did. He sighed before he shook his head.

"It's not irrelevant at this time Braden, just a passing thought," he told the man carefully.

"When it decides to become more than that, you let me know alright? Don't do anything drastic, that's what landed you into this mess," the healer told him seriously.

"I promise, I'll come to you first before I do anything," Sirius said before he turned to yell back at Moony to come back into the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next more came quickly for Harry as he rose quickly out of bed and did his morning duties before he made his way downstairs. He didn't see or hear his potion's Professor down here so he figured that the man was still asleep. Which he was fine with he didn't want the man up anyway, Harry knew the meeting last night was rough. Harry smiled softly just wanting to do something nice for the man and to make up for his poor attitude last night.

He realized that his Professor probably didn't know that the mirror belonged to James Potter at one point and maybe if the man was aware of it he would be just a bit more okay with it. It didn't truly matter, as Snape hadn't even tried to take it. He nodded as he started looking around the kitchen, jumping in surprise as he heard a small pop. He knew the house elves probably didn't want him encroaching on their territory but maybe they would let me help. He just needed to convince them.

"If young master would allow us we can make yous something to eat," the elf stated softly.

"I actually just wanna make some breakfast in bed for the Professor, if that's alright," Harry told them cheerfully.

He could see their unease but he saw a reluctant nod and they popped away. He grinned before he got to work, knowing just exactly what he wanted to do. It took about fifteen minutes for Harry to whip up some hearty bacon, eggs and French toast before laying the plate on the tray and carefully making his way up the steps. He grinned as he stood in front of the man's door, knocking on it with his foot.

"Come in Harry," Severus asked his voice not betraying the tiredness he felt in his bones. He wasn't sure just why the child was knocking but he would soon find it.

"I thought you might like some breakfast in bed today," Harry started out as he let himself in the room and making his way towards the bed.

"Did you make this?" The man asked softly.

"Yes, but I know it's really good," Harry told him pride evident in his tone.

"I don't doubt it," Severus said as he leaned over to grab the tray before setting it on his lap. He reached to grab a fork only to glance back over at the child. "Where if your plate?"

Harry gave a sheepish shrug. "I didn't make any for me, this is all for you," he told him softly.

Severus shook his head at that and duplicated his fork with a twitch of his wand.  "Have a seat Harry," he told him.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked in confusion.

"I am about to enjoy breakfast with my child who cooked it for us," Severus said allowing a sad smile to cross his face.

"You want me to eat it with you?" Harry asked in disbelief. He had seen Dudley do this often enough but he never really figured it was something he would get to do.

"I do, now let's eat this before it gets cold," Severus said not wanting to get emotional this early in the morning. He could see Harry's expression and it made his throat tight. He should have always had this; they had truly made a huge error.

Harry nodded happily before he eagerly dug into his food.

"We're going to go to Hogwarts today, I need to speak with Albus and I want you and Ronald to show me the Chamber of Secrets," he told the boy. 

Harry nodded seriously at that. "Okay, after we eat I'll floo Ron and let him know," he promised.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius looked around his room, making sure he had his key to his vault and trunk full of clothes, which was already shrunk and in his pocket. He made sure he wasn't forgetting anything of importance. His half of the twin mirror was in his trunk; he couldn't find it in him to part with it.  Surprisingly Harry still had his half, finding himself grateful for Snape's intervention and not allowing Remus to take it.

He had a session with Braden today and he was planning on making his move then. Last session the man said sometimes one needed to let something go, before they could return to it. He wasn't sure what the man meant but he would ask him about it today. And he wasn't sure if he would leave or not, but he would be prepared if he did. Nodding to himself he walked out of his room closing the door behind him. He headed down the steps to find Remus standing there waiting for him.

"I'm going by myself today, you don't need to come with me," Sirius told him as the man glamorized his face.

"Are you sure about that?" Remus asked worriedly, unsure if Sirius could handle.

"Yes I'm sure, I'll see you after," Sirius told him with a small smile.

"Alright Sirius," Remus said still unsure of it but the man was an adult if he said he wanted the session alone, there was no way he would be allowed in the room. Something was tugging at him, but he wasn't sure just what that was, he only just remembered Sirius doing something like this yesterday.

"Yeah, and I wanna say thanks Moony for everything. And I'm so very sorry," Sirius said, his tone remorseful.

"You're forgiven Padfoot, but you owe someone else that apology," Remus said gently.

"I know, he'll know," he said quietly.

"How will he know? You're banned from seeing him," Remus said slowly, trying not to jump to conclusion.

"He will regardless, not to worry I won't be doing anything stupid," Sirius said before he hurried forward and gave his friend a hug before the man could figure out what he was planning.

Remus was slightly startled at the hug but he hugged him back just as tightly, getting a sinking feeling in his stomach but unable to figure out why. "Yeah, so I'll see you later?" He said feeling the need to confirm it for some reason.

Sirius gave a small shrug, before he smiled at the man. "Something like that," he said before he turned and headed towards the backyard of the house before he apparated on the spot.

He landed into the alley besides St. Mungo's and made his way in, and onto the floor with the mind healers. After informing the secretary he was here, he took a seat. It wasn't long before he was called and he made his way to the door, taking a deep breath as he entered in and closed the door behind him.

"Well Good morning Sam, wasn't expecting to see you alone. Where's Remus?" Braden asked cheerfully.

"It's just me today, I...I thought about what you said last session and I think you're right," Sirius replied carefully.

"Oh yeah, I said a lot of things last session. Which ones are referring too?" Braden asked turning to sit on his chair, gesturing for the man to do the same.

"About loving someone so much and then letting go," Sirius said as he took a seat.

"I see," Braden said slowly but he could read in between the lines. "What aren't you telling me Sam?"

Sirius sighed and shrugged. "I need you to take an oath before I can disclose that," he told the man quietly.

"I'm already under oath, as a healer I cannot share any information about my patients unless they are a danger to themselves or someone else," he told the man.

"Yes, but I need a secrecy oath. I'm not a danger to anyone, but you might think so once I disclose my secret and I need whole advice, not just half truths that might apply to me," Sirius told him calmly, despite his frantic beating heart in his chest. It was a risk he needed to take; he only hoped Braden didn't turn his back on him too.

Braden bit his lip, his insides screaming at him not to do this, but he was a healer first. And he liked Sam and wanted to know how he could help him. "Alright, I will," he said watching as the man carefully worded the oath which he then repeated. As the oath took effect, a bright light signified that it had gone through. He looked at the man in curiosity and concern, wondering what was so bad that he needed a secrecy oath.

Sirius nodded, knowing the door was already spelled to prevent anyone from hearing what they spoke out outside or allow anyone to come in. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at himself, bracing himself for the reaction. "Finite Incantem," he murmured out.

Braden watched in horror, as the blonde hair, brown eyed man faded away to reveal a dark haired man with piercing blue-gray eyes, his shaggy hair falling passed his shoulders. He swallowed fearfully, as the man's identity left him gasping. His first reaction was to pull his wand, but he was frozen in his seat as he watched the man across from him put his wand hand down.

"You're Sirius Black," he breathed out.

"Yeah I am, but I'm not a killer. I didn't do any of what they said, I'm innocent. The traitor lives, and his name is Peter Pettigrew," Sirius said calmly as but inwardly he was starting to freak out. He didn't want to hurt this man; his healer who he had started to believe was his friend. He didn't have many of those left, not anymore.

Braden's intermediate's response was to call the man a liar, but he realized that a lot of pieces were staring to fall into place. This would explain the name changes that Remus and Sam...No Sirius had often done when they were telling stories or memories. They made sense when before he had been confused more often than not, this was incredible. "Do you have any proof to back your claim up?"

"My memories aren't tampered with, and neither are my godson's and his friends," Sirius replied quietly.

"Harry Potter, your godson. Is he...is he the one you hurt too?" Braden asked, his eyes closing quietly.

"Yeah," Sirius whispered out softly, shame coursing through his body once more in remembrance of what he had done.

"It's not your fault; we went over these two sessions ago. Just because I know the identity of the boy now doesn't change the facts," he told him firmly.

"Okay," he replied, a sigh of relief leaving him.

"So what were you planning on doing in regards to your freedom?" Braden asked curiously.

"I don't know, the Ministry of Magic didn't give me a trial," Sirius said glumly.

Braden wasn't surprised the British Ministry of Magic was very bigoted at times. It was very much behind when compared to other branches of the Ministry of Magic's around the world.

 "I would suggest, getting those memories in a pensive but in sight of someone of authority. No one here, go to the American Ministry of Magic, or the Australia Branch or the Canadian one even. Somewhere far away that is in no way affiliated with the British branch," Braden told him thoughtfully.

"So none of the Ministries in Europe? Not even Russia?" Sirius said carefully, he just needed to see where his options were. Not to mention he had never traveled so far on his own, but this was a trip he needed to make.

"Well you could go to Switzerland, as the Prime minister there hates Fudge. But it's a risk you cannot afford to take. I would think outside of Europe would be your best bet," Braden answered honestly.

"Good idea, thanks Braden," Sirius said a bright smile on his face.

"Keep in contact with me, and be careful Sirius," Braden told him warmly. He didn't want to see this man hurt, he had been hurt too many times already.

"I will, thanks for everything," he told him sincerely.

"You're welcome," he replied with a smile before he remembered something. "What are you going write to Harry? He's going to want to know why you're leaving him."

Sirius bit his lip, and shrugged. "I hadn't thought about it honestly,"

"Well you can't just leave and expect him to understand. That will cause resentment and he might not ever forgive you," Braden said honestly.

"So what do I do?" Sirius asked softly.

Braden nodded and relaxed, he was back in his element. "Here's what you need to do,"

Sirius leaned forward in his chair as he listened to the man, finally able to breathe in what felt like weeks. He had a set plan and he knew what needed to get done. He needed to get his freedom and then once he was healed he would get his godson back.