This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter universe, which are trademarked by J.K. Rowling. I do not claim ownership of these characters nor the locations such as Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, etc. that are Rowling's creations. This work also includes Pokemon, which belong to the Pokemon Company, and I again claim no ownership of these characters.

I thank both Rowling and the Pokemon Company for the universes they have created that allows me to do something like this for my own entertainment and, hopefully, the entertainment of the readers.

The aftermath of the night's events were felt across the whole castle the next day.

The Daily Prophet had a field day after Sirius Black's impossible escape, with a lot of blame being laid at the feet of Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Pokémon, who looked very uncomfortable, even in the black and white picture on the front page.

Professor Dumbledore, on the other hand, had somehow managed to completely avoid blame entirely, despite Sirius Black having once again broken onto school grounds and escaped. Hermione hypothesised that it was hard to criticise Dumbledore after his involvement in stopping the attacks at the end of last year.

The one thing that wasn't so positive to come out of the situation were the rumours that had started to spread a few days after the night of the time travel. Harry made his way up to the Pokémon Battling classroom to investigate.

He knocked on Professor Lupin's office door.

"Come in," Lupin sounded just as pleasant and mild mannered as always and so Harry entered with some encouragement. That fell through as he got a glimpse of the room beyond.

"So it's true," he said in way of greeting. "You've been sacked." Lupin smiled.

"Not exactly," he said. "I've resigned." Harry gaped.

"Why?" he asked. Lupin smiled slightly.

"Well, there have been some suspicions about my role in the events that surrounded Sirius Black's escape," Lupin told him.

"They don't think you did it, do they?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Fortunately I have a stone clad alibi," Lupin confirmed, to Harry's relief. "I was in the company of an auror when Sirius broke out of Flitwick's office, but still there are some who remember that we used to be friendly and I think it would be best to remove myself from public attention." He clasped closed his briefcase. "Besides, there's an old friend I need to catch up with."

Harry smiled at that. He was glad that Sirius was free but still nervous about him living as a fugitive on his own. With Lupin with him he'd be safer, as well as more entertained with some extra company. Still there were some things Harry hadn't quite figured out yet and Lupin was the one with answers.

"So you travelled back in time," Lupin said, beating Harry to the punch. "And with a legendary Pokémon as well."

"You nearly saw me," Harry told him, causing Lupin to raise an eyebrow. "When you found Arcanine's Pokéball." Lupin chuckled.

"You do get into some incredible adventures, Harry," he said. "And I thought the stories of your exploits in the past two years were exaggerated."

"Professor, how did you know we were out there?" Harry asked. The question had been bugging him for days, especially as he felt he already knew the answer. Lupin paused, taking a moment to process the question, before an odd smile crossed his face.

"I was watching out the window," he explained. "I saw Mightyena attack."

"Why?"

Lupin just looked amused. "I had been hoping to speak with you that very evening," he explained. "When I saw you weren't at dinner I assumed you had gone to visit Hagrid, so I waited. And lucky I did."

"Why did you want to speak with me?" Harry questioned. Lupin gave a small snort.

"It was nothing really, in the grand scheme of things," he said, and he dug his hand into his coat pocket, grabbing hold of something and placing it on the desk.

It was a PFG figure. It was a Charizard.

"I found it a few days ago," Lupin commented as Harry stepped forward to take a closer look. "It is one of the pieces I don't use quite so much and since Ronald never challenged me again I somewhat forgot about it."

"It was your father's, Harry," Lupin told him and Harry's eyes widened. "Until of course he passed it into my possession. He had two of them, if you can believe his luck, and gave one to me, sort of as a challenge to try and adjust my playing style to suit it."

"You've taken care of it," Harry commented. The piece was in pristine condition.

"It has been in a case collecting dust for quite some time," Lupin told him. "I think it's right that it get some use."

A knock on the door interrupted them and they both looked up.

"Sorry to disturb you," Professor Dumbledore said amicably, standing in the open doorway. Just the casual way he had come upon them was enough to leave Harry staggered. "I was wondering if I might have a word with Harry and I was directed up here to find him."

"Of course," replied Lupin graciously. "I'll give you some privacy." He rounded his desk, giving the figure sitting upon it a significant look, before leaving the room.

"Such a polite man is our Professor Lupin," Dumbledore commented amicably as the man in question left. "It is such a pity we must say goodbye." Harry didn't say anything.

"You are troubled," Dumbledore commented observantly. "I understand you are worried about Sirius but I can assure you he is far more capable of looking after himself than you think." Harry shook his head.

"It doesn't make any difference," he said, his voice leaking disappointment. "He will always be on the run until we find Pettigrew and get him to turn back. If we don't…"

"I'm afraid Sirius may be in for a tough ride," Dumbledore agreed. "Few would believe his innocence, even if we were to publicly vouch for him."

"But you did," Harry pointed out. "Sirius was able to convince you of the truth just like he did to me."

"You give Sirius a bit too much credit for that," Dumbledore said with an amused smile. "It was not Sirius that convinced me of his innocence, or indeed Professor Lupin. It was you."

"Me?"

"Of course there were signs pointing to Sirius's story being true," Dumbledore admitted. "From the Aerodactyl that fought so valiantly to win you the Quidditch Cup, to the lack of violence with which he carried out his raids of your dorm room. But I didn't truly believe it until you gave your word that he was innocent."

"Why?" Harry asked, confused.

"You've got a remarkable sense of justice, Harry," Dumbledore told him. Harry blushed. "And you are an incredible judge of character. I had no doubts that you would never have been fooled, even for a moment, if it had all been an elaborate act."

"I think you give me too much credit, sir," Harry said modestly.

"And you not enough," Dumbledore countered. "In any case that was not why I was seeking you out. Madam Pomfrey is down in the Entrance Hall when you're ready."

Half an hour later Harry was walking across the sunlit grounds, Madam Pomfrey by his side, accompanied by someone he had missed most desperately throughout the year.

Fletchinder stood perched on Harry's arm, revelling in the feeling of the wind blowing through his feathers as he got his first real taste of the great outdoors in over six months.

"Are you ready, Fletchinder?" Harry asked, his voice tense with excitement. Fletchinder gave a low cry in response and, pushing off with one big kick, he launched himself into the air.

Never had Harry been so taken with Fletchinder's unique beauty than he was now, watching as his second Pokémon took to the skies with joy in his heart, swooping through the air like he had never left. It was a joyful sight.

"He will tire soon," Madam Pomfrey said from his side, causing Harry to briefly glance her way before returning his gaze to Fletchinder.

"How soon?" he asked, frowning slightly against the sun. It was dropping low now and shining straight into their faces, making Fletchinder almost a dark dot against its backdrop.

"A few minutes at most," Madam Pomfrey confirmed. "He still has a long way to go, though I admit this is a huge step. But now he needs time to build up his stamina and get used to the winds once more. Something he might struggle to do in the muggle world."

Harry turned to face the matron, already knowing where this conversation was going.

"You want him to stay here," he said. It was not a question.

"Over the summer months at Hogwarts I can track and monitor his progress to ensure as good a recovery as possible," Madam Pomfrey confirmed. "I know it will be hard to part ways, especially for such a long period, but I believe this is the right course of action."

Harry sighed. "If it's what's best for him," Harry agreed. "I just want him to get better soon."

Harry didn't expect much sympathy from the matron, her job requiring her to stay strict and professional, so he was surprised when he felt her hand on his shoulder. She didn't say anything, she simply joined him in watching Fletchinder swoop through the skies.

The term ended quickly after that, and Harry was forced to leave behind one of his most beloved friends, Madam Pomfrey even allowing the fire and flying type to accompany Harry down to the Hogwarts Express and see him off from there.

"You okay, mate?" Ron asked as they settled into their seats, Fletchinder having faded from sight along with the rest of Hogsmeade Station.

"You'll see him soon," Hermione assured him. "I promise, the summer will fly by." Harry gave her a doubtful look. Another long summer at the Dursleys, now with them being even more afraid of Pokémon after the incident with Ripper and Aunt Marge, was not an exciting prospect.

"Speaking of leaving Pokémon," Harry said, changing the subject. "What are you going to tell your parents about Crookshanks? They got him to protect you didn't they."

"He did a pretty good job, I reckon," Ron commented.

"Indeed," Hermione agreed. "But I think I'm just going to tell them that I left him behind at Hogwarts, like Fletchinder," she said. "I'm sure they won't find it suspicious. Anyway, I've already got myself another Pokémon so they won't need to worry."

Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"You have?" Ron asked incredulously. Hermione nodded, beaming, and while Harry and Ron waited for her to explain a ghostly shape appeared before them.

"Misdreavus," the ghost said, its voice haunting and Harry and Ron jumped in fright. Hermione giggled.

Collecting himself from the sudden shock Harry quickly fished out his Pokédex.

"Misdreavus, the Screech Pokémon," it said. "It likes playing mischievous tricks such as screaming and wailing to startle people at night."

"Yeah, I'm sure that'll comfort them," Ron said sarcastically. Poor Mr and Mrs Granger weren't ready for what was in store for them.

A sudden thud was heard in the compartment and everyone looked around, wondering where it had come from.

"I hope the train's not going to derail," Hermione said, only half jokingly.

"I think it came from the window," was Ron's response, leaning forward to look outside. He lurched back suddenly as a small brown object smacked against the glass before disappearing again.

"Is that a Pokémon?" Hermione asked interestedly, getting up to get a closer look.

"Why don't you let it in?" Harry suggested, equally intrigued. Ron looked doubtful that this was a good idea but did as suggested anyway, opening up the window just in time as the brown object hurtled itself towards them and flew through, coming to a dishevelled halt inside the compartment, looking rather confused.

It was a Pidgey. And it had a letter.

"Hold still," Ron muttered as he approached, having to wrestle with the tiny bird Pokémon to try and relieve it of its burden. The Pidgey was stubborn, however, and managed to wriggle free from Ron's grasp. It fluttered around the compartment, doing a quick lap round a confused Misdreavus, before coming to a stop in front of Harry, holding out its leg.

"I guess it's for me," he said lightly. Pidgey hooted.

"Who's it from?" Hermione asked interestedly as Harry pulled the paper free from the bird's talons. Across from him Ron was grumpily returning to his seat, giving Pidgey an annoyed look.

"It's from Sirius," Harry replied, half in wonder, half excitement.

"What does it say?" Hermione asked, Ron perking up too as they both leaned forward in their seats. Harry cleared his throat and read.

"Dear Harry," he started, squinting slightly as he tried to interpret Sirius's handwriting. "I hope this finds you well, and before you reach your aunt and uncle. I'm not sure how they'd respond to Pidgey mail but from my limited exposure to them I'd imagine not well."

"Too right," Harry added his own commentary. "They'd have probably locked me in my cupboard."

"Keep reading," Hermione scolded him and Harry acquiesced.

I have gone back into hiding now, and with Gallade, Mightyena, Aerodactyl and Crookshanks, too, I have more than a fighting chance of continuing to evade the Dusknoir, especially now they have no hint of my whereabouts. I imagine Dumbledore will do a good job of getting rid of the Dusknoir from the castle now but just to be sure I plan to let a muggle glimpse me, a long way from Hogwarts.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to you for the mistakes I have made. In my own grief and rage I put my desire for revenge ahead of your own wellbeing and it ended up costing both of us years of our lives, me in Azkaban, you with the Dursleys. There is nothing I can do to make up for such a betrayal of Lily and James but I promise you from now on your safety and your happiness are my number one priority.

On that note I've heard from a mutual friend of ours that you haven't been given permission to visit the village of Hogsmeade, and I'm sure I have been a major reason for that. I have therefore taken the liberty of delivering a signed note of permission to Professor Dumbledore to that end. I have fervent hope that your next year at Hogwarts will be far more enjoyable than the last.

And lastly I would like to address a promise I made to one Ronald Weasley. I distinctly remember promising to find Ron a suitable replacement for Scabbers and, while he's no Mightyena or Gallade, this young Pidgey was more than willing.

I will see you soon.

Sirius

"Pidgey?" Ron said incredulously, looking at the small normal and flying type. He didn't look particularly impressed. "Well, I was hoping for something cooler but, compared to Scabbers…" He chewed his lip. "Alright."

"You'll have to catch him first," Hermione pointed out. "He hasn't got a Pokéball with him."

"Right," Ron said confidently and he stood up and closed the window with a snap. Pidgey jumped at the sound and turned to look at Ron, tilting his head curiously to the side. "Okay Pidgey, you're mine," Ron said, holding up a Pokéball.

Pidgey charged forward, surprising everyone in the compartment as he went flying straight for Ron's face. Ron, eyes wide, instinctively threw his hands up to protect himself. In a moment Pidgey had flown up and hit the Pokéball in Ron's clutched fist, and was sucked inside. The Pokéball gave a soft ping.

"Eh," Ron said uncertainly, looking down at the Pokéball in his hand as he realised something had happened. "What just happened?"

"Congratulations, Ron," Harry chortled, holding his sides with laughter. "You just caught a Pidgey." Ron looked in wonder at the Pokéball, his expression dumbfounded, and what little composure Harry had disappeared as he burst out laughing.

The rest of the trip passed by in good spirits. Pidgey seemed to have no qualms about being captured, happily getting acquainted with the Pokémon small enough to fit into the compartment as the humans played games and talked about their plans for the summer.

"Quidditch World Cup, Harry," Ron said excitedly as his Skarmory knocked out Harry's Marill on the board between them. Even with Charizard Harry was still getting destroyed.

"Who's playing?" Harry asked interestedly. He didn't really follow Quidditch as a spectator sport.

"Who knows," Ron said excitedly. "It really depends on who makes it through, doesn't it. England have a good team I think, lots of young talent, but the favourites are definitely Ireland."

"That sounds like fun," Harry said, but he knew that it would be all he could look forward to over the summer as the Hogwarts Express started to slow down on its arrival at Kings Cross station.

Maybe things would be better, Harry tried to think optimistically. Maybe the fear of Charmeleon might get the Dursleys to leave him alone. And he was sure they wouldn't be inviting Aunt Marge around again. Maybe, just maybe, he could have a decent summer.

And maybe, just maybe, he might see Sirius again.

A/N: And that is all for 'Harry Potter and the Dusknoir of Azkaban'. I hope you've enjoyed it and I will be coming out soon with the next story, 'Harry Potter and the Trials of Champions'. Before that, though, I have a few things to clear up.

First off the poll for which Pokemon Draco Malfoy should have in my next project is now officially closed. There were a lot of choices and a lot of you voted, the only clear takeaway being that Weavile was incredibly popular, being chosen by almost everyone. I'm not going to go through exactly how many votes each Pokemon got (since the list is so long) so instead I'll leave the results of the poll up on my profile so you can check if you're interested.

Secondly I'd like to address the reviewer who had the theory about Crookshanks and Regulus Black. Crookshanks was not Regulus's Pokemon, just a regular Purugly, though I really liked the idea and wish I'd though of it myself. As for Kreacher I'm not going to say anything now as, as you noted, Kreacher doesn't appear in Harry Potter until book five.

That about wraps up everything for me now. I hope you've all enjoyed. I'll leave you with this little preview of 'Trial of Champions': To The Campsite.

Harry Potter had never had a summer so good. Mind, good was a relative term. Lets just say that he had never had a summer that was this easy.

Life at Number 4 Privet Drive had been something of a hell for Harry, especially since finding out about the world of Pokémon and embracing his position as a young, aspiring, Pokémon trainer. But this summer things had been much less dissatisfactory than the last. Mostly because of the last.

Last summer the Dursleys had made the huge mistake of inviting Vernon's sister Marge around for two whole weeks. As someone who hated Pokémon and anyone connected to them Marge had thrown insult after insult at Harry, but the true hostility of the visit occurred when Marge's prize bulldog, Ripper, had succeeded in sneaking into Harry's room, only to be defeated, with serious injury, by Harry's Charmeleon.

Needless to say the Dursleys did not make the same mistake this summer and had, in fact, gone out of their way to avoid Harry at all costs themselves, even going so far as to cook their own meals and do their own household chores, leaving Harry free to spend almost all of his time in his room.