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Chapter Text

Chapter 01: Limbo

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31 July 2003 – Limbo, the Crossroads

When Harry blinked his eyes open, the familiar sight of King’s Cross Station, with white background illumination, made him moan in frustration. He was dead... again. For whatever messed up reason, his mind always pictured the transition from life to death as King’s Cross Station. Death just called it the crossroads. There was likely a spiritual metaphor for it, but Harry was just too damn tried to care.

“Happy fucking Birthday,” Harry groaned to himself as he slowly pulled himself to a sitting position. He tiredly stood and sank onto a nearby bench seat. It was more comfortable than lying on the stone floor (or whatever it was). He sank his head into his hands and blocked out the sight of the station around him. He tried to recall his last moments.

Harry was working with a Gringotts’ curse-breaking team on a hidden temple complex in Peru. His birthday was going to be celebrated by the team later that evening. He was looking forward to the novelty of his birthday not being celebrated alone. He usually celebrated in the dark, alone, at Grimmauld Place. The depressing nature of the building seemed to fit his birthday spirit.

Unfortunately, Chal... Qualchi... Chalchiuhticue... Whatever the hell her name was… Jade Skirt. From now one, she will be Jade Skirt… Merlin, the people of the magical world were fucking weird.

Anyway, Miss Jade took offense at the curse-breaking team destroying the lethal curses she placed around several tourist attractions. The buildings weren’t magical. They were just cursed. This assignment was one of Harry’s more laid-back curse-breaking assignments. Jade Skirt's sudden appearance was unexpected. She started throwing around curses and apparently killed him. He doesn't really remember. He was diving for cover when he showed up here.

When Harry joined the Gringotts’ curse-breaking team as an apprentice (read: enslaved to the goblins after that whole dragon escape thing instead of returning to Hogwarts for 7th year), he had some reservations. The goblins didn’t give him a choice. Luckily, the work was pleasant. Dangerous as all hell. Potentially lethal… But pleasant. Granted, he earned slave’s wages (read: Nothing!). However, he was given invaluable learning experience. He liked the work enough that when his debt to the Goblin Horde was repaid in three years, he stayed (read: this time he was fucking paid).

According to Death, this would be the seventh time he arrived at the crossroads. Limbo. Crossed the Veil. Took the greatest adventure… Blah, blah, blah. The fifth time he died, Harry was met by Dumbledore’s spirit (something that ticked off Death to no end). The sixth time, Death met him, and elaborated on Harry’s death count, Dumbledore’s punishment for making assumptions, and an explanation for why this kept happening to Harry [1].

Yeah. Death count. That blew his mind a bit too.

Harry expected the death count to include the first time Voldemort killed him... and the second. He just didn’t realize the Dursleys succeeded in killing him twice... and the Basilisk (phoenix tears applied too late didn’t help, thank you very much Dumbledore). He didn’t remember the first four times. Didn’t even realize he died. It’s not like the Dursleys noticed him not moving after that beating... or how unnatural it was that he was locked in the cupboard for two weeks with no food or water and just went to work when he was let out (To be honest, he didn’t really notice either).

No. The first time he remembered dying was actually his FIFTH death. That’s when he got the full King’s Cross setup. Like some kind of fancy play. Complete with dead headmasters pushing him to go back and kill Voldemort. Granted, if Harry waited around a bit more, he would have enjoyed watching Death ream out the old man. As it stands, he went back. Made sure the snake horcrux was dead and then killed the Dark Tosser.

The SIXTH time Harry died wasn’t as impressive as killing Voldemort in some grand duel. No. He got cursed by wards of a tomb in Egypt. He dropped dead in front of his team. Luckily, his body fell inside the wards when he died. Made his 'coming back to life' a bit easier to deal with... and the wards were easier to take down from the inside. Then he talked down his team. They were very freaked out (who knew goblins could squeal like that).

“Do I want to know why you are back?” Death’s quiet voice asked next to him.

Harry sighed in resignation. He raised his head and turned to look at the god. “Not really,” he replied. “I don’t suppose I can ask to just ‘move on’, can I?” he asked hopefully.

“No,” Death replied gently. “I told you that old age is the only death that earns the afterlife for you.”

“I hate this,” Harry told Death with a tired sigh.

“So, you have said,” Death replied.

“I mean,” Harry collected his thoughts. “I figure this... whatever... would make it easier to help people. I want to help people. This curse-breaking thing... totally helping people. Top notch work... But... I’m tired. I just... want to stop... and I don’t think I can.” He turned to Death. “Do you know how guilty I would feel in the afterlife if I could help and I didn’t? It would totally suck.”

“I think you would feel less guilt and more peace,” Death replied gently. “Although I would miss our little talks.”

“It’s... It’s not like anything I do is helping either,” Harry stated tiredly. “Magic is dying. I can feel it. I don’t think there’s anything anyone can do to fix it. The problems... They’re systemic. The system broke a long time ago.”

“You were chosen as Mother Magic’s champion,” Death replied sadly. “She felt that by combining Magic, Death, and Fate you would have enough power to overcome… To repair what humans broke.”

“Perhaps,” Harry replied sullenly. “I just... I learned too little and too late to make a positive influence on the magical world. I’m just so tired. So alone. I want to give up... I hate that about myself.”

“How will this change when you return again?” Death asked.

“No,” Harry replied forcefully. “Not again. It’s insanity to keep doing the same thing and expect something different. I’m done being insane. I can’t fix the world as it is. If it’s my job to fix it, I can’t do it now. It's too late. I’m a failure in this time. There has to be another way.”

“Something different,” Death’s voice trailed off. “Today is your twenty-third birthday and your seventh death. The magic is strong for divine intervention.”

“What do you mean?” Harry asked in confusion.

“Divine numbers allow divine intervention [2],” Death lectured. “It is the reason you died after your first birthday when the Veil was the thinnest. Magic, Fate, and Death intervened.”

“Divine numbers?” Harry asked. “I didn’t take Arithmancy.”

“Divine numbers are those numbers with primacy. The numbers one, three, five, seven, eleven, and so on... The numbers cannot be divided evenly. One death, three deities, five souls, seven rebirths... You get the idea. Today... This death... is a convergence of divine numbers.”

“What will we do different?” Harry asked. “I mean, I died, obviously… going back won’t work. What other options do I have? You won’t let me move on.”

“The goal of Mother Magic, Lady Fate, and myself was to repair the magical world. Return it to balance,” Death replied sagely. “At the time, we felt it could be repaired.”

“Well, it can’t happen in the here and now,” Harry replied with derision.

“Nor can you go to a time before you exist,” Death answered sagely.

“I can go back… like into the past?” Harry asked in shock.

“Yes, during your lifetime,” Death responded.

“Time travel,” Harry sighed. “Hermione said that bad things happened to people who changed things.”

“Those wixen angered Lord Time,” Death replied with a chuckle. “They tried to change too much in too little time and were punished by Chronos. In this instance, you have permission. The death of magic will destroy all the gods. Your trip is endorsed by Magic, Fate, and me. You are our champion.”

“Okay. When should I go? It will have to be before Hogwarts. Can I leave the UK?” he asked firmly. “No. Wait. America is too isolationist. Asia is to insular. South America is mostly ruins. I don’t even want to think about the Middle East and Africa. As bad as Britain is, it’s not the worst, and most of Europe follows Britain’s example, as poor as that example has been. So, I stay in the UK.”

“You can only return to your previous deaths,” Death added. “Those are the points where I can intervene.”

“Oh,” Harry sighed softly. “I can’t save my parents then.” He paused. “If I went back, I would be stuck with the Dursleys again. My knowledge would be useless. Not to mention that I will have a hard time verbalizing…. I have to learn to talk again. That’s going to suck.”

“It will be easy enough to fix when you return,” Death replied. “Your knowledge and vocabulary will still be present. You will simply have to retrain your vocal muscles to speak properly.”

“How can I stay away from the Dursleys and Dumbledore’s well-meaning torture?” Harry asked with frustration.

Harry loved Dumbledore, but the man did not understand how to take care of children. His understanding of families was very poor. Some families weren’t loving. Blood didn’t fix anything in those families. No matter how much you wished. After the summer of Fifth-Year, he was certain he twould have easily killed the Dursleys to be free of their form of physical love. Hell, the only reason they restrained themselves after Third-Year was the threat of Sirius. With his death, they would have killed him. Probably a good thing he never returned after Fifth-Year.

“I have to go back, but when would be the best?” He speculated aloud. “At one, I’m too physically young to do much. Age five… after the starvation thing? I can run away. I would be less obvious with my knowledge. I could speak. I could use my knowledge to evade Dumbledore.”

“Your last death at the Dursleys was at age nine,” Death told him. “Not the best number to allow divine intervention.

“If we can keep me away from the Dursleys, then my first death gives me time to make the changes you want,” Harry told him. “How will we stop Dumbledore’s interference?” he asked.

“Another divine number,” Death replied smugly. “I can return one, three, or five souls to the same point in time. They would have all the worldly knowledge from before their deaths.”

“Do they need to be dead?” Harry asked painfully. While many of the dead could help him, he trusted the ones still alive as well. In some cases, better than the dead. Hermione. Ron. Luna. Neville.

“They do,” Death replied. “I can only return souls that are in my care.”

Harry sighed in defeat. Not the living then. He lost quite a few people in his short life. He started to turn over the dead in his mind. Weighing the pros and cons for including them.

Sirius. Remus. Fred. Dumbledore. Moody. Snape. Tonks. Cedric. Colin Creevy. All of them died before their time. All of them deserved to live. To get a second chance.

Colin was younger than him. He may not be born yet. Fred would want to share everything with George. Which would gain an ally, but George would feel left out not knowing and sharing memories with Fred. Alastar deserved to rest... Not to mention he was a touch too paranoid to really help. Suddenly being alive again... Yeah. Not Alastor. Dumbledore would make a bigger mess of it than he did the first time. Most of the man’s meddling caused more problems in the magical world than they solved. Snape… he really, really didn’t like Snape.

“Do they have to be human?” Harry asked quietly. Kreacher passed last year. Dobby and Hedwig died before his last year at school. They were all firm allies.

“They do not,” Death replied. “They need to be already born. Depending on the soul, they may count as an avatar for the other deities... Dragons represent Magic. Seers represent Fate. You, of course, represent death.”

“That Master of Death thing? [3]” Harry asked with a defeated sigh. He hated to think that he could somehow command a deity. He didn’t know any dragons and Luna was the only seer he trusted… and she wasn’t dead.

“That is the general human interpretation of the Peverell legend,” Death replied, chuckling in humor. “A Peverell is considered to have ‘Mastered Death’ when they have collected all three hallows and died at least once and returned without assistance... Resurrection is a bloodline skill. One you possess.”

“And the Potters descended from the Peverell line,” Harry replied with a sigh. “So, me and two others?” he asked.

“Two or four others,” Death added.

“Sirius,” Harry stated firmly. He was ready to defend his selection if he needed to. Sirius got a raw deal last time. He was there at Godric’s Hollow that night. “He’s in a position where he can help immediately. Plus, he’s my godfather... So legal custody is easy,” Harry replied. In his mind, Sirius was a given. If he can’t have his parents, then he wanted to save Sirius.

“He is a good choice,” Death agreed.

“Kreature?” Harry asked. “I know he and Sirius don’t get on, but I don’t want to go through years of trust building again. He was a good companion once I got the rest of the Order out of Grimmauld.”

“The elf could represent Magic,” Death relayed thoughtfully. “Have you considered Charon?” Death asked.

“Who?” Harry asked in confusion.

“Charon is a guardian of Hogwarts. She was slain in your Second-Year at Hogwarts,” Death replied.

“Charon... Charon...” Harry repeated trying to associate a name with that year. The diary. The basilisk. “The BASILISK?” Harry exclaimed in shock. “It has a name?”

“Indeed,” Death replied blandly. “Charon is one of mine. A guardian and a ferryman. She travels the path between life and death to escort souls to me.”

“She,” Harry replied. “I never would have guessed that the giant, homicidal serpent was a she.”

“You never truly knew her,” Death replied sadly. “She knew you were one of mine. She could feel my touch on you. You were young and didn’t recognize my touch yet. You only knew the twisted beast under Riddle’s control. Lord Slytherin would not have placed her in his school if she was not reliable.”

“So, she’s... not... evil?” Harry asked carefully.

“No, she was controlled with Parselmagic cast by the Riddle Horcrux in your Second-Year,” Death replied. “

“So, she’s was fine when Voldemort killed my parents,” Harry surmised. “Well, I can see the benefit to having a sentient... non-homicidal... source of basilisk venom available,” Harry replied cautiously. “It will make destroying the horcruxes safer than FiendFyre. But I definitely want to bring back Sirius.”

“Three of my avatars,” Death agreed with humor. “My Champion. My Grim. My Ferryman. A being of fate. A being of death. A being of magic.”

“Your Grim?” Harry asked. He knew Sirius’ animagus was a black dog, but a Grim was a magical beast. People weren’t supposed to turn into magical animals for their animagus.

“The Black Family serve me as the Shadow Lord,” Death chuckled. “The Blacks are dedicated to my shadow aspect. Those Blacks patronized by two of my aspects are granted the Grim or Odin's Raven animagus. They act as my avatars in the mortal world. Your Sirius is patronized by three of my aspects.”

“I thought Trelawney was cracked,” Harry said with a sigh. “I always saw the Grim in my tea leaves.”

“Fate was trying to get you back on track,” Death laughed. “She is usually not impatient… However, as a Peverell, you would always see one of my symbols in your leaves... usually a raven or a grim.”

Death waved his hand. Sirius and Charon, the basilisk, appeared before them. Sirius seemed to blink a few times trying to process where he was and how he got there. Charon, the basilisk, seemed smaller than she had in the Chamber. She was coiled in a pile and her head rose to Harry’s eye-level. Then Sirius noticed Harry and focused on him in shock and delight.

“Harry?” Sirius asked, barely containing his excitement. “Please tell me that's you. You look older.”

“I am older,” Harry replied with a grin.

“You died,” Sirius stated as his smile fell. “You are still young. You are too young to die!”

“I know,” Harry replied. He was still grinning. Dying was old hat to him, but seeing Sirius again… Seeing his family again. He would cherish that.

Sirius frowned and then took in the figure of Death sitting on the bench next to Harry. Casually. Friendly. He scrunched up his face and then started to look around. He jumped back as soon as he noticed the giant snake coiled not far from him.

“I am sorry, Master Death. I have been unable to assist,” Charon said as she rose up before Death and Harry. “I’m afraid a creature corrupted my duty.”

“You did no wrong,” Death told the basilisk. “The creature was stopped and you tried not to kill my champion.

“I’m sorry,” Harry apologized. “I didn’t know. Riddle possessed an innocent student and cast Parselmagic on you.” Harry paused in anguish. “I was too young… too ignorant… to understand or help. You were not under your own command. Please forgive me.”

“If you can forgive me for killing you in return,” Charon countered.

“You are forgiven,” Harry answered regally. It was an old death and his anxiety over being a parseltongue was in the far past.

“I... I can understand the snake,” Sirius replied with shock.

“All spirits speak the same language at the crossroads,” Death replied. “You will not understand parseltongue in the mortal world.”

“Why have you summoned us, Master?” Charon asked Death.

“We... talked,” Harry started. His hand waved vaguely between him and Death. “In our opinion, magic will die out in the mortal world… likely within the next few decades. Magical creatures are already disappearing. Dragons are dying. Magical places are turning mundane. Wixen are breeding themselves out of existence.” He paused and looked first at Death, then to Sirius.

“My year group at Hogwarts was the smallest in generations. Most likely due to the Blood War,” Harry told them. “The numbers never went up. The damage from Grindelwald and Voldemort crippled the magical world… Apparently, I was chosen as the champion for magic, fate, and death… to restore balance to our world. Unfortunately, I was kept uninformed, sheltered, and abused. By the time I reached Hogwarts and was introduced to the magical world, it was almost too late. After Voldemort returned… that was the killing blow to magic. I failed in my task even as Voldemort died.”

“The problem isn’t just Voldemort, is it?” Sirius asked.

“No,” Harry acknowledged. “Voldemort was a huge factor, but the people who were supposed to help me. Train me. Guide me... Didn’t. Dumbledore didn’t create a balanced magical world… he doubled down on eradicating dark magic and cloaking the young in ignorance. Wixen have responsibilities to magic and balance. They are ignoring them or intentionally destroying them.”

“I’m sorry, Harry,” Sirius said morosely.

“It’s not your fault,” Harry reassured him. “The ignorance of youth goes back to your grandfather’s time. You never knew.”

“But I could have learned,” Sirius said grumpily.

“Today, on his seventh death on his twenty-third birthday, you three have been chosen to return to the past.” Death announced. “You will be returning to the first death of my champion. At this time, you have all experienced my touch. You will become my avatars on the mortal realm.”

“First death?” Sirius asked in shock. “of SEVEN?”

“The Halloween my parents died,” Harry replied. Old pain and grief passing through his eyes.

“Shite!” Sirius whispered. “You’re a baby. What the hell? Can we save them?” he asked. Pleading. “His parents?”

“Sorry,” Harry replied. “We go back to my death. They both died before me.”

“James Potter sacrificed his ability to return to ensure his child was safe,” Death explained. “A sacrifice ward was placed around your crib.”

“That Samhain ritual?” Sirius asked. “I knew it was different than the usual rituals. I figured it was a Potter thing.”

“It was a combination of rituals created by Lily Potter,” Death elaborated. “It combined a bind rune in the Peverell grimoire, death magic, and blood magic.”

“Dumbledore always said I was protected by a blood shield created by my mother,” Harry replied in confusion. “That’s why he insisted I return to the Dursleys every year. He said that without my mother’s family, my mother’s love couldn’t protect me.”

“But the blood wasn’t just your mom,” Sirius replied in anger. “It included your dad and me. You would have been just as safe with the Blacks. At least my family would have taught you about magic… I can’t believe that old man. He always hated my family. Pushed me to rebel against them. He’s the damn reason I was expelled from my family… but blood magic fueled by sacrifice would have kept you safe… even in their care.”

“Did he know?” Harry asked. Thinking about how he could have grown up in a magical home.

“I… I don’t know,” Sirius replied. “He may have made assumptions. Noticed Lily dead in the room and just assumed she use blood magic as a last-ditch effort to save you. It’s not a farfetched scenario.”

They settled into silence as they thought through the various scenarios. Tried to parse what Dumbledore knew, what he assumed, and what he fabricated from the sparse facts.

“I was sleeping until the evil one came to my chamber and cursed me in Parselmagic,” Charon replied. “I will be of sound mind before the evil one returns. Your Champion was young, but not an infant.”

“I was twelve,” Harry supplied. “We will wake when I am one.”

“I was awake that night,” Sirius replied trying to think of what he was doing that night. “Not far. I flew to Godric’s Hallow. I didn’t know anything was wrong until I was at the traitor’s hidey-hole.”

“Now, we know how things went. Time to change things,” Harry stated firmly. He was determined to keep Sirius out of Azkaban. “We will all return with our full knowledge until the time of our death. Charon, we will need a place to hide from Dumbledore. Is your chamber livable... for humans?”

“It is,” Charon replied. “Salazar often kept quarters in the chamber. They are near the exit to the forest.”

“You can exit the chamber?” Harry asked. “To go to the forest?”

“Of course,” Charon replied. “That is the easiest path for me to enter the chamber. There are many entrances throughout the castle, the forest entrance is the preferred entrance. This was the preferred entrance the Headmasters used to recharge the ward stone. The others are for evacuating the students from the castle to safety.”

“That was not taught at Hogwarts,” Sirius replied. “Slytherin used the Chamber of Secrets as a threat to the rest of the school.”

Charon hissed in anger. “Salazar would not stand for this blasphemy,” she hissed. Her whole body tensed and twitched in frustration. “The chamber is a secure escape for the children. The students. Only the headmasters know how to access it without Parseltongue or Parselmagic. The ward stones are kept safely hidden away from…”

“Wait,” Harry called out confused. Hand waving frantically. “The headmaster knows about and can open the Chamber of Secrets?... What?... Why?...”

“I have not met with a headmaster for two hundred years,” Charon replied. “None have come down to the chamber to renew the wards.”

“That’s why Riddle was able to attack the school,” Harry replied with dawning realization. “The wards are failing. Hell, we had trolls inside the castle in First-Year.”

Charon hissed in agitation and her body rolled in her frustration with the endangerment of her charges.

“Alright,” Sirius stated to get them back on topic. “We return. Rescue Harry. Secure Harry in the Chamber.”

“Clear your name,” Harry told Sirius. “You are absolutely not allowed to hunt down Peter or get arrested. I’m a helpless toddler. I need you to stand guard against Dumbledore and Voldemort.”

“I can do that,” Sirius said firmly. “I already know how it went last time. I don’t fancy another trip to Azkaban.

The three avatars of death plotted their return and tasks. They had the time in Limbo. It would be foolish to rush forward without a plan. They discussed the various problems and potential issues at each stage while Death witnessed their collaboration.

As they plotted their tasks for returning balance to the magical world, Charon brought up how the old rituals were no longer being honored. How she no longer felt the magic of the festivals and holidays in the castle’s magic. Sirius brought up that his family had books on the old rituals. He needed to learn what was missing from the magical world with Dumbledore’s reign of ignorance. Harry pointed out that Hogwarts was right there for them to access the library. Between the Hogwarts library and all the books lost in the Room of Hidden Things, they would have enough reading material for a lifetime. The three of them plotted their approach as Death watched. He could feel the approval of magic and fate as his avatars plotted their return.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

Chapter Text

Chapter 02: All Hallow’s Eve

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31 Oct 1981 – Wales, Godric’s Hallow, Potter Cottage

The first real sensation Sirius encountered was tingling, followed by a panicked surge of need and fear that flooded his mind. His godfather bond. He blinked and tried to assess where he was. The transition from death to life was shocking and sudden. The sensations were overwhelming as he reacquainted himself with the feel of his magic. Unfettered. Undrained. His mind was clear once more, without constant depression fogging him.

His sight flooded with bright color, muted shadows, and piercing lights. His ears drowned with the soft sounds of the evening in London. The muted sound of vehicles in the distance, the sharp bangs of movement nearby, and the gentle trill of a bird singing good-night. His nose suffocated on the scents of trash, diesel, and cold earth. The air tasted cold. But perhaps the most longed for... The most missed sensation… was touch. The gentle cold breeze across his cheek. The soft warmth of his clothing. The rough wood of the door under his left hand. The smooth comforting feeling of his wand in his right. The gentle pulse of his magic as it coursed through his body, ready to act.

Sirius stopped and allowed the world to overwhelm his senses. He forgot what experiencing the world was like before Azkaban. The dementors stole those sensations and muted everything. Even after he escaped, the world remained muted. The scars on his senses, on his magic, too thick to heal properly. Here in the past, the sensations were almost too much. Like blinking your eyes when you first open them to adjust to the flood of sight.

Sirius took another breath and whirled around. He knew where he was (Peter’s hide out). His godfather bond told him when he was (just after Harry was struck by the killing curse). He took two steps towards his motorcycle before he stopped. He reassessed. Rushing blindly was the reason he spent ten years in Azkaban. He learned that painful lesson. He would stop and think before he took action. Rash actions were in the past.

In the past, Sirius took his motorcycle to Godric’s Hallow. He knew, even then, that the Ministry was full of corrupt individuals who could track his apparition signature. His work as an Auror taught him how easily those officials were bribed. His bike was untraceable. It took him ten minutes of flying to reach Potter Cottage. It took him even longer to search the home, take Harry, and exit. Hagrid insisted he take Harry from Sirius. When he noticed Peter hiding nearby, he took up pursuit after the rat, leaving Harry in Hagrid’s care with his motorcycle for transportation. Which had, of course, left him chasing the rat through the night and into the next day, culminating in Wormtail’s escape and his arrest.

Not this time, Sirius vowed.

Sirius took another moment to steady his mind and apparated outside the wards of Potter Cottage. As soon as he landed, he sprinted forward, wand at the ready. The cottage door was blasted open. He ran through and up the stairs, avoiding James’ sprawled body. He ducked into the nursery and paused only for a second to orientate on the crib. This time Lily’s body was crumbled in front of the crib. Harry was standing in his crib sobbing. His crying was slowing down. Blood dripped down the side of his face from his curse wound.

“I got you,” Sirius comforted as he wrapped the small form in his arms. “I made it. You’re safe.”

Harry’s crying slowed and his hands clung to Sirius’ jacket. He took several calming breaths and slowly his breathing evened out. Sirius was able to pull back and look closely at the toddler.

“I got you,” Sirius crooned again. “Now, are you Bambi or Mischief?” he asked the toddler once he calmed. He wanted to verify that this was future Harry. The one with the knowledge, if not the ability to speak.

“Mis’if,” Harry replied with another deep breath. Just because adult Harry could communicate easily, didn’t mean that toddler Harry learned yet.

“The talking thing… that’s going to be fun,” Sirius grinned. “Okay, step one, pack all your stuff. Step two, divert Hagrid and thus Dumbledore. Step three, alert the auror’s office. Step four, disappear off the radar.”

Harry nodded solemnly and sat back down in the crib.

“Yeah,” Sirius sighed dramatically. “I guess you aren’t much help as a tiny terror.”

Sirius took a step back and grabbed some nappy wipes. “First, face. You’re a mess, kid,” he said as he examined the curse damage.

Harry’s forehead was slashed open. It was still bleeding, but only sluggishly. Blood dripped down the side of his face.

“Episkey!” Sirius sealed the small wound. He knew it wouldn’t eliminate the Horcrux, but it would keep Harry from bleeding more.

Once the cut was sealed, Sirius used the wipes to clean up his face. He tossed them in the trash and grabbed Lily’s sweatshirt draped across the back of the rocking chair. He didn’t do that last time. He wrestled the sweatshirt over the toddler. It was large and bulky. Harry was drowned in the fabric. He would be warm and hidden now. With the hood, Hagrid won’t see the scar. Dumbledore won’t know Harry was hurt… well, at least not where. He was fairly certain Dumbledore would find the bloody naps.

“Better?” Sirius asked.

“‘ak,” Harry replied with a nod.

“Right, pack,” Sirius agreed and looked everywhere but at Lily’s body. Her death felt older to him. He had years to distance himself from her loss. It still hurt, but he could function. He was on a mission to get Harry away. He could fall apart with Harry later.

The next few minutes were a whirlwind of packing. Lily... Bless her over-prepared soul... had already acquired an expanded diaper bag. He crammed everything he could inside it. Nappies, wipes, creams, clothes, books, toys, blankets. If it was in the room, and fit in the bag, he stuffed it inside. He slung the bag over his shoulder and picked up Harry. He settled him on his left hip. He wanted to keep his wand arm free. With Harry secure, Sirius drew his wand and started out the nursery.

Sirius and Harry were cautiously walking toward the stairs when a panicked Snape barreled through the front door and sprinted up the stairs.

“Stupefy! Incarcerous! Petrificus Totalus!” Sirius cried out the three spells rapidly. His magic roared in response. His reactions were instant. Muscle memory. Present Sirius was a trained auror in a war.

Snape was not even aware of his presence before the first spell hit. His eyes widened as the first spell hit him. His body was bound in ropes as he dropped limply to the stairs and started to slide down the stairs. It straightened out in a petrified mass by the time he hit the bottom of the stairs.

“I had no idea Snape was here that night,” Sirius said absently as he examined the petrified body at the bottom the stairs. His brow furrowed as he cautiously crept down the stairs. He levitated Snape out the door. He didn’t want him in the house.

“No’ mem’br,” Harry replied with his head cranked to look out the door. Then he shook his little head. “Foo’.”

“Food, right,” Sirius paused by the front door. “Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!” he sent. Snape wasn’t dead, but he wouldn’t be hiding away this time. Then he strode into the kitchen and placed Harry on the counter, his wand back in his wand holster, and stuffed everything in the pantry and cold box into the diaper bag.

“Go!” Harry insisted.

“Right,” Sirius replied. He settled the bag over his shoulder, Harry on his hip, and drew his wand again as he made his way to the front door.

Sirius would have to walk by James’ body again. It was getting harder to avoid looking and tearing open that wound again. But... He missed his brother. The memories weren’t fresh. This would be the last time he could see James with his eyes. It hurt that it would be in death, but... He was willing to take that pain just to see his brother once more.

Harry drew a sharp breath as they looked down on the body.

“Sorry, Harry,” Sirius replied. He stopped by the body when he didn’t mean to. Harry hadn’t seen it before.

“No. ‘oak,” Harry insisted and banged his hand on Sirius’ chest before pointing at James.

“Oak?” Sirius asked and then he saw it. James’ invisibility cloak was peeking out from under his robes. He squatted down with Harry, moved his wand to his left hand, and pulled the cloak free. “His cloak. He... He was prepared to hide from Voldemort. To hide you and Lily. That’s the only reason I think he would carry this around inside a Fideliused house... He knew... Or suspected. Son of a bitch!”

Harry touched the cloak softly before Sirius tucked it into the diaper bag. He gently patted Sirius’ chest in comfort.

“Right. Not the time,” Sirius said as he reigned in his anger, his fear, his horror at his friend’s last minutes. He stood with Harry still on his hip. He transferred his wand back into his right hand, adjusted Harry’s hood to hide his face better, and approached the door.

They both heard the distant crack of apparition from down the road. Sirius ducked into the shadows beside the door with his wand ready. The lumbering form of Hagrid was stalking toward Potter Cottage. Sirius relaxed and left the shadows, but kept his wand ready.

“Siri’” Hagrid started. “Dumb...” he started.

As Hagrid neared the wards, a second softer pop of apparition sounded nearby. Sirius was waiting for it. He hadn’t noticed it last time because Hagrid made enough noise to cover it. Not this time. The figure of Peter Pettigrew barely solidified when it was struck by a series of spells.

“Stupefy! Incarcerous! Petrificus Totalus! Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!” Sirius shot out the spells rapidly. Breathing heavily, Sirius kept his wand pointed at the bound and petrified Pettigrew.

Hagrid looked shocked and took a giant step backwards. “Wha’?” he asked. His accent thick.

“Hold on, Hagrid,” Sirius replied as he calmed his breathing. Harry held him tighter with his head deep in the hood and pressed into Sirius’ neck. They both calmed down. “I got him,” he whispered to Harry. He took another calming breath before he cast.

“Expecto patronum!” Sirius said evenly. Bright, warm light sprang from his wand. The large canine figure was more imposing than he remembered. It was still a dog, but it looked more like a guard dog than a playful dog. Well, I am different now. More guarded. Less trusting, he reasoned. It was only then he realized he never cast the Patronus Charm after he escaped Azkaban. Then shook his head. Not relevant.

“Send a message to Head Auror On Shift Amelia Bones and the emergency Auror team. Give them the following message... The Dark Lord attacked Potter Cottage in Godric’s Hallow. Auror Black was first on scene. Secured two. The Secret Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, and a Death Eater, Severus Snape. One survivor. Taking survivor to safety. Magical Rubeus Hagrid will secure the two at the scene until your arrival. I will return once the survivor is secured,” Sirius clearly dictated to the patronus. The Grim barked once and then lopped off. Their initial plan didn’t include the capture of Pettigrew and Snape, but it worked well to ensure Hagrid stayed here and didn’t follow Sirius while he took Harry. Getting Bones and the other Aurors involved now, helped eliminate suspicion on him.

“Wha’s goin’ on, Siri’?” Hagrid asked, clutching his umbrella.

“The Potters were attacked by the Dark Lord, Hagrid. I assume you know that because you were sent here to check them,” Sirius replied with a grimace. He turned and elevated the petrified form of Snape out of the shadows to rest beside Pettigrew. “The only way the Dark Lord could attack was if Pettigrew told him where they were hiding. Peter was the Potters Secret Keeper." He flicked his wand with a silent cutting curse and Pettigrew’s forearm spilled out of his clothing and displayed the dark mark. He repeated the gesture with Snape.

“No,” Hagrid replied in shock. “No’ Peter.”

“The Order suspected a spy,” Sirius told Hagrid as he walked slowly outside the ward perimeter. “That’s why the Potters told everyone in the Order the Secret Keeper should be me. They never confirmed it. I was the diversion... A job I gratefully accepted... Peter was... I can’t muster the belief even now... He’s been our friend for years. He was supposed to be safe. Hidden. The Dark Lord was supposed to target me.” Sirius let out a shuddered breath. “He betrayed us.”

“I can’ believe it,” Hagrid whispered.

“It doesn’t matter,” Sirius said as he stood outside the wards. “Hagrid, notify EVERYONE in the Order. They all need to move. Peter knew where everyone was hiding. His talent was getting through wards and shields. He’s a rat animagus. It’s easy for him to hide and escape. That’s why James’ chose him. Don’t let him escape again. If he gave up the Potters... no one is safe.”

“Righ’. Righ’,” Hagrid replied absently. He clutched his umbrella tighter.

“Keep an eye on those two,” Sirius replied. “The aurors should be here soon.” Then he apparated away with Harry and landed lightly beside his motorcycle. He grinned. The aurors would find Peter’s hideout by following his apparition trail.

Sirius walked over to his bike, tucked away his wand, and hit the rune he used to hide the side car. It unfolded next to the bike. He stuffed the diaper bag into the floor of the side car and gently lowered Harry into the seat.

“It’ll be a long flight,” Sirius told him. “You may want to get some rest.”

“No!” Harry pouted. “See!”

Sirius barked a laugh and mounted the bike. He tapped the rune on the side car that secured everything inside. Then he tapped the runes on the bike’s tank one at a time. Noise was canceled. Wind was shielded against. Living things were repelled. Warmth flooded the area. Then he felt the disillusionment magic cover him. He grinned over at Harry as he rolled down the street before taking off into the sky. It was a long flight from London to Hogwarts. [4]

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

31 Oct 1981 – Wales, Godric’s Hallow, Potter Cottage

Albus slowly approached the crowd around the perimeter of Potter Cottage in Godric’s Hallow. He was concerned when Rubeus Hagrid failed to return to Hogwarts after he sent him to retrieve the Potter boy when the Fidelus failed. He could feel the failure of the charm as a pulse in his magic. It was a most disheartening feeling from magic. The Secret Keeper sought to harm the secret. They should not have trusted a Black.

Albus was most upset when the Potters chose to give Rubeus the location, but not himself. He could understand their caution. Rubeus was very trustworthy. Young Sirius simply nodded in agreement when James and Lily told him their decision. Albus cautioned them against trusting too many people, but they included Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew anyway. Some of their old school classmate loyalty, he was sure. Albus thought he engendered the trust of the young Potters. Alas, they refused him.

His exclusion was troubling, but acceptable… as long as the Fidelus Charm held. Unfortunately, it did not.

Albus never fully trusted Sirius Black or Remus Lupin. The Blacks were prone to madness. Regardless of his turn from his family’s dark history, the boy had madness in his blood. Likewise, caution should always be used when dealing with werewolves. He advised the Lupin boy’s father to tread carefully with the boy to prevent his exposure to dark magics before he could handle the knowledge properly. He was most gratified to see the boy sorted to Gryffindor. He grew into a fine young wizard.

“Excuse me, young man,” Albus addressed one of the Aurors on the lawn of the Potter Cottage. “I’m sorry to trouble you, but I am looking for Rubeus Hagrid. I sent him here to check on the Potters.”

“Mr. Dumbledore,” the arrogant man sneered.

The Auror at the ward turned to one of his fellows near the prone body on the lawn. The woman Auror placed a specialized portkey on the body. The Dark Mark a shocking contrast to his skin in the low-light of the night. The body disappeared as the portkey was password activated.

“Hey, Graves,” the first Auror called out when she finished. The woman stood up and looked over at him.

“What, Dawlish?” Graves cried back.

“Before you head back, can you let Bones know that Dumbledore is looking for her witness,” Dawlish called to her.

“Give me minute,” Graves cried out and disappeared inside the house. She returned a moment later. “Let him in,” she called. “Hagrid was released already, but Bones wants to get Dumbledore’s opinion on the magic used in the nursery.”

“Where’s Hagrid?” Dawlish asked. He pointed his wand at Dumbledore and authorized access for the man to enter the site.

“Already left,” Graves replied. “This way, Mr. Dumbledore,” she said with a bored look as she escorted him inside.

Dumbledore followed her inside the cottage and felt anguish as he passed the covered body of James in the hallway. She sat him down at the kitchen table and stood guard while she waited for Bones to come for him.

“Chief Robards,” Bones’ icy tone echoed through the cottage. “While I appreciate your response, I am the scene commander. I ask you and Head Auror Moody to investigate the exterior of the home. Too many bodies will contaminate my crime scene.”

“Very well, Auror Bones,” Robards replied sharply. His voice hard and tight like he wanted to say something else. “Come on, Alastar,” he said as his steps echoed down the hall and disappeared.

Albus smiled faintly. Gwain and Alastar would inform him later of their findings. A tragedy occurred this night. A tragedy and a triumph. As predicted, Voldemort was vanquished. A child born at the end of July was the cause. He was almost giddy to know that his long battle with Riddle was over.

“Mr. Dumbledore,” Bones greeted him as she swept into the kitchen nook. “I need your statement. According to Head Auror Moody, you are the person who placed the Fidelus Charm on the Potters’ Home.”

“I am,” Dumbledore replied with a patronizing smile. “I welcome the opportunity to give you my advice.”

Bones glared at him briefly at his belittling comment as she setup a parchment and a dicta-quill. She cast a quick Tempus.

“Potter Cottage attack. 31 Oct 1981. Interview with Albus Dumbledore. 31 Oct 1981, 11:13 pm. Fidelus Charm Castor,” Bones stated for the dicta-quill. “Mr. Dumbledore, are you the wix responsible for the casting of the Fidelus Charm at this location, the Potter Cottage in Godric’s Hollow?”

“I am indeed that wizard, my dear,” Albus replied with a grandfatherly smile.

“Explain to me how you came to be the chosen caster for the Potters,” Bones stated. Her teeth grating at the informal form of address. She decided to allow the old man the liberty because he usually interacted with children.

“Let me see,” Albus replied absently. “I became aware of a threat to the Potters in June of 1980. I advised them to go into hiding from the Dark Lord. I think it was… in Sep 1980 that they decided to seclude themselves. They asked me to cast the Charm to help them eliminate one of the vulnerabilities of the Fidelus.”

“What are those vulnerabilities?” Bones asked.

“The castor and the Secret Keeper,” Albus replied while slipping into lecture mode. “The Fidelus Charm requires a significantly powerful wizard or witch to cast. However, if the castor is killed, the Charm will fall and expose the location. They chose me to ensure a significantly powerful wizard could stand up against the threat of Voldemort. They did not believe Voldemort would be able to kill me.”

Bones winced at the use of the taboo name for the Dark Lord.

“The Secret Keeper must be absolutely trusted by those residing within the location. If the Secret Keeper is slain, the secret will be kept. If the Secret Keeper moves to betray those residing within the location, if they are harmed or killed, then the Charm will fall as well. The Charm is tied magically to those individuals who reside at the residence, the castor, and the Secret Keeper.” He smiled a grandfatherly smile. “The Charm will secure the secret, even from the caster.”

“As happened with the Potters, if the caster or the residents come to harm, then the charm will fall,” Albus’ eyes twinkled with mirth. “As I am in good health, I think the charm failed due to harm coming to the residents. I believe I noticed young James covered in the hallway. Have you contacted their Secret Keeper yet?” he asked with little subtilty.

“He hasn’t been interviewed yet,” Bones replied reservedly. “He was taken into custody and is currently in our holding cells.”

“I worried about the mental stability of young Sirius,” Albus blamed softly. He was heartened to know the man had been found and restrained. “He and James were quite close. I advised the Potters not to trust him, but alas… they ignored my advice.”

“So… you think the Secret Keeper for the Potters was Sirius Black?” Bones asked in confusion. “You just stated that even as the caster of the Charm, you were not privy to that information.”

“I do believe the Secret Keeper was young Sirius,” Albus replied firmly.

“Do you know this for a fact?” Bones clarified. “Casters are generally not informed of the Secret Keeper for a reason.”

“Generally, the caster is not privy to the Secret Keeper,” Albus allowed. “However, I asked to be made aware of the location and the Potters declined. Since young Sirius nodded his head to James in assent during that meeting, I became certain he was the Secret Keeper. It doesn’t surprise me that Sirius was chosen as the Secret Keeper.”

“So, to verify, you did not know. You are making assumptions based on your knowledge of the Potters. Who else was there when the charm was cast?” Bones questioned.

“Myself,” Albus replied easily. “James, Lily, and Harry Potter. Sirius Black, of course. I think Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were present as well. However, only Sirius made any indications he knew the secret.”

“Interesting,” Bones replied. She didn’t elaborate. She stood. The scroll and quill floated after her. “I also wanted to ask you to evaluate the magic residue in the nursery.”

“What happened in the nursery?” Albus asked. He sounded more serious. He tried to contain his excitement at seeing the location where Riddle was defeated.

“That is what we are hoping you can help us determine,” Bones replied as she led the way through the house, up the stairs, and into the nursery. She stood in the middle of the room and let Albus take a look.

Albus felt the malevolent atmosphere of the room. Whatever, magic was cast was very dark. Very strong. Very malignant. The darkness was concentrated on the part of the room destroyed by magic. Part of the wall and ceiling were missing. A sign of a powerful blasting curse or a rebounded curse. He relaxed his control of his magic and let it radiate through the room. His magic painted the room. It let him feel the nature and flavor of the magical residue.

The clean, underlying bones of the home magics flowed through the walls and the door. They were intact and trying to sooth away the darkness of the damaged corner. A darker red flavor of magic concentrated around the crib. It was strong and pulsed an angry red. The damaged area was surrounded by an inky-green flavor of dark magic. It stained the air. The feeling of oily green magic started at the crib and stretched and spread across the room through the wall. The magic was dark and intent heavy with hatred.

“The room reads strongly of dark magics,” Albus told her sadly. “Around the crib is a dark red magic. Around the hole in the wall is an inky green magic. Very dark. Intent based on hatred.”

“What about this?” Bones replied as she pulled his focus onto the crib.

Etched into the railing of the crib were runes. Not just runes. A binding rune. Where runes were intentionally blended to form a new single rune string. A way to combine runes in dangerous and new forms. Heavy with intent. He felt the intent of the dark red magic. Change, protection, shield, self-defense, courage, health, energy, success… A strong rune array that built a strong, stable, reliable shield. How was it powered?

“It’s a bind rune. Very rare in this part of England. I can’t be sure of all the runes involved, but… I think Thurisaz,” Albus replied as he examined the runes. “Algiz, Eihwaz, Unuz, and Sowilo… Is this… blood?” he asked pointing to where something dried across the runes. Blood magic would power the bind rune. The bind rune was no longer charged. Its power expended [5].

“It appears to be blood,” Bones replied. “I’m having it tested.”

“Blood magic then,” Albus chided in a disapproving tone.

“A desperate mother’s last form of defense for her child against Death Eaters,” Bones retorted resolutely. “What about the other signature? The green one.”

“That is harder to define,” Albus replied. “It is intent based. Hatred. It originates with the crib. It spreads from there across the room to the damage. It appears a curse as cast at the crib. The bind rune leapt to defend the crib… where, I assume, the child was located… the curse rebounded on its caster causing the damage. Obviously, the child defended himself with a power the Dark Lord knows not.” He was pleased that he had figured out that part of the prophecy.

“I doubt that,” Bones replied blandly. “According to Head Auror Moody, the child is barely over a year old. It had no defensive powers and I’m certain the Death Eaters knew about the child’s mother. Do you know what curse was used?” Bones asked.

“Not for certain,” Albus replied. “However, with the intent of hatred and the color green, I believe the Killing Curse was cast… and then rebounded.” He then noticed the drops of blood inside the crib. “Was the boy hurt?” he asked.

“We assume so,” Bones replied. “However, the child didn’t lose much blood and was treated fairly quickly.” She casually waved at the trash bin with only a few bloody naps inside. The blood was minimal.

“The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal…” Albus whispered softly to himself. “Where is the boy now?” Albus asked. This boy was prophesied. He defeated Riddle. He needed proper guidance. Only I can help this boy navigate our world and ensure his goodness.

“Safe,” Bones replied. “An auror responded, secured two Death Eaters, and took the child to a secure location.”

“I do not feel reassured,” Albus replied. This will not due. The Death Eaters will hunt down the boy in a fit of revenge. He is the Chosen One. The Savior. He is too young to properly protect himself. He needs to be safeguarded against dark magic.

“Luckily, it is not my job to reassure you,” Bones snapped at him. She led him out of the nursery and back down the stairs. “Do you have anything else to add to your statement?” she asked authoritatively.

“I have nothing to add,” Albus replied with the twinkle back in his eye. He was trying to win her back to his side. “I advise you to use caution. A number of Ministry officials are Death Eater sympathizers.”

“I am aware.” Frustration flashed across her face before Bones gave him a bland look. “Sign your statement, then you are free to go.”

Albus gave her a benevolent smile and signed the witness statement. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to contact me,” he delivered generously.

“Duly noted,” Bones replied tensely. She nodded her head and motioned to him to exit the building.

Albus knew he could no longer intrude into the official investigation. He was needed elsewhere. He felt confident young Amelia would contact him soon for a request of assistance in placing the boy. The boy required guardians. Albus needed to ensure they were adequate for safeguarding the boy.

With young Sirius safely in a cell, Albus needed to contact young Alice. Alice revealed to him that the Potters and the Longbottoms exchanged the role of godparents for their children. With his advice, the Longbottoms would ensure the boy was raised in the light properly. She would be disappointed in young Sirius for attacking her godson.

The blood bind rune intrigued him. It was a new magic to him. It was dark, but it was protective. Does the child require blood family to ensure the continued use of the bind rune? James was down stairs. He doubted James’ blood was on the crib. Lily was muggleborn. Would the child be safer with his muggle relations?

Either way, Voldemort chose the Potter child. He marked the child in some way. The child was injured and healed. Voldemort was the one to cast the Killing Curse. He was certain. The Killing Curse at that strength rebounding… It would destroy him. Not just the wall and ceiling. His body would be vaporized. He didn’t notice young Lily in the room. The rebounded curse likely destroyed her body as well.

Astonishing! The war was over. Voldemort was destroyed by a child. I must tell the Order. We can relax now. [6]

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

1 Nov 1981 – Wales, Godric’s Hallow, Potter Cottage

Fatigue flooded Sirius as he apparated to Godric’s Hollow for the second time that night. He appeared down the road and well outside the wards. He breathed out a long sigh as he slowly walked towards Potter Cottage. He was glad he chose to appear so far from the cottage. A small crowd collected just outside the wards.

Harry was secure in the Chamber of Secrets under the watchful, lidded-eye of a basilisk (who was significantly more terrifying in person). He was sleeping with Charon nearby. He was safe. He was resting. Dumbledore wouldn’t be able to find him and place him with his aunt. The Dursleys were out of the equation. They had prevented that by circumventing Dumbledore. They were hopeful they prevented other Dumbledore schemes by keeping Harry away from the old man.

Harry mentioned a number of bindings, potions, and compulsions the goblins removed in his past life. Dumbledore crippled Harry in that life. He ensured Harry didn’t gain strength. They speculated in limbo that Dumbledore must have recognized the horcrux in Harry’s scar and moved to limit Harry’s ability to be taken over by Voldemort as a child. They eliminated that possibility by ensuring Dumbledore never examined Harry in detail.

This visit was Sirius’ the first time in the Chamber of Secrets. It was huge. Charon was huge. Harry figured Death made her smaller in limbo to avoid terrorizing Sirius. He could honestly say that at first sight in her smaller form, she was terrifying. She was still a large serpent. She was more terrifying in the mortal realm. Not just large. Huge. GIANT.

How in the hell had Dumbledore hidden a giant fucking basilisk from the entire school? One that apparently went hunting in the Forbidden Forest occasionally. She was twenty-five meters long. Well over a meter wide. I’m a bit more understanding of the forest’s ‘forbidden’ title now. Sweet Circe! How many times did the Marauders galivant through the forest? How are we not dead?

When Sirius attended Hogwarts, there were only vague rumors of the Chamber of Secrets. Nothing concrete. Nothing that told the student body why Salazar Slytherin created the Chamber of Secrets. No hint as to what his ‘monster’ was. Speculation was just a fun school game. The hint of the Chamber drove the creation of the Marauders’ Map. They never found it, but they used the map to try. There was never a hint about a giant basilisk.

Not to mention, the Chamber of Secrets was massive. Charon said the underground complex was easily as large as Hogwarts, which made a bit of sense. Harry only explored a tiny bit before he was confronted by a spell-bound Charon. He escaped the same way he entered. He didn’t even know about the hidden entrance in the Forbidden Forest. He doubted Voldemort knew about the entrance if he was still using the escape hatch built into Hogwarts in the 2nd Floor Girl’s Bathroom.

In Limbo, Charon relayed that there were escape hatches in each of the dorms, bathrooms, the Great Hall, and in strategic areas of the castle. Each location of the Hogwarts crest, with all four mascot animals, was an entrance to the Chamber. It was designed to allow the students to escape when the school was found by the muggles and under attack. The teachers repelled the attackers while the children escaped. Charon would safeguard the children. It was kept secret to prevent the muggles from using it to invade the school.

As such, it was heavily warded and secured with Parselmagic. It was undetectable to any wixen residing in the castle. Only the headmasters were supposed to know about it. However, Charon relayed that the headmasters stopped visiting and renewing the wards two hundred years ago. Which meant it was possible Dumbledore didn’t know about it.

Which, frankly, disgusted Sirius. The man was in charge of the safety and security of a school of children. Wouldn’t he WANT to know where the ward stones were? Wouldn’t he want to ensure they were recharged? Purged? Enhanced? A ward keeper could only do so much remotely, no matter how powerful. Wouldn’t he want to know what other safeguards were in place for the children?

Obviously, Voldemort found it. It may explain why Voldemort didn’t fear the school wards when Harry was a student. It also explained how trolls, a cerebus, dragons, acraumatulas, bogarts, werewolves, giants… and who knows what else… were able to invade the school and attack students.

Sirius made a note to explore the Chamber in greater detail… after he made sure Harry stayed free and was safe from the Death Eaters… the Dursleys… Dumbledore… He wanted to examine and repair the wards. Charon was concerned that the wards were paper thin. The muggle repellents were in place, but the hostile creature wards were non-existent. The Forbidden Forest was filled with hostile creatures. The notification system was broken. The stairs were cursed. It was a mess.

Sirius shouldered his way through the crowd and stopped by the auror ward. Auror John Dawlish was maintaining the perimeter ward and scowling at the crowd. He finally met Sirius’ eyes.

“Black,” Dawlish acknowledged. He seemed less surly knowing that Sirius was there. Bones authorized his entry to make a report.

“Dawlish,” Sirius replied. “The survivor is secured. Who’s scene commander?” he asked. Dawlish pointed his wand at Sirius to allow him inside the auror wards.

“Bones,” Dawlish scoffed. “She’s inside with Shacklebolt. Robards and Moody are prowling the grounds. You know how the Chief gets… Graves and Thornbrook took the Death Eaters to the cells… Try to make it quick. It’s bloody freezing out here.”

“I’ll do my best,” Sirius replied grimly. “But you know the kind of detail Bones likes.”

“Aye,” Dawlish replied with a sigh. “She’s already grilled the great Albus Dumbledore about the whole thing.”

“Oh?” Sirius asked. “I assume she was consulting him about why his Fidelus Charm failed.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Dawlish griped. “I’ve been out here keeping the looky-loos from disturbing the investigation.”

“Well, keep your eyes peeled,” Sirius told him as he made his way inside. “Some of them could be Death Eaters looking to spy on us.”

Dawlish scoffed and turned back to the crowd. His stance was more alert this time.

Sirius was glad to see the two Death Eaters, Pettigrew and Snape, were missing from the front lawn. He was further gratified to see James’ body had been removed from the front hallway.

“Auror Bones?” Sirius called out from the front door to identify himself to the two aurors inside.

“We’ll be right down,” Amelia’s voice rang out.

Sirius relaxed and stood beside the open door. He tried to distract himself from the home and his thoughts as the other two aurors returned from the second floor. The nursery. He took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts into one of his boxes behind his Occlumency shields. He didn’t have time to freak out.

“Auror Black,” Amelia greeted him formally.

“Head Auror Bones, Auror Shacklebolt,” Sirius replied formally. “Auror Dawlish said you were the Scene Commander. I need to complete my report to you. I was the first Auror on scene.”

Amelia nodded in his direction and directed him into the kitchen to sit at a table. Shacklebolt posted guard down the hallway. Close enough to act as a second, far enough to act against entry. Then she pulled out parchment and a dicta-quill. She cast a quick Tempus charm.

“Potter Cottage attack. 31 Oct 1981. Interview with Auror Sirius Black. 1 Nov 1981, 2:13 am. First on scene,” Amelia stated for the dicta-quill. “Auror Black, please relay your observations of the evening as they happened.”

Sirius took a deep breath. He didn’t get talk to anyone last time. He felt vindicated this time. “I had dinner with the Potters at around 6 pm. I left at around 8. At the time, nothing was out of place. The Fidelus Charm was working. The Potters were not worried about anything. We celebrated a Samhain ritual and I left. It was my night off. I decided to check on my school friend, Peter Pettigrew. Peter was the Potter’s Secret Keeper. As such, he was in hiding. I was one of the few people who knew where he was hiding. I arrived at his hidden flat. The door was half open. It was not damaged, but I feared he had been found.”

Sirius had a long time to think back on those details. The tiny little things that screamed at him in his cell at Azkaban. The horror. The fear. The pain. The stress of the godfather bond. He took another deep breath to settle his thoughts.

“I was about to enter when I felt my godfather bond scream,” Sirius continued. “I stopped and apparated back to Potter Cottage. My godson was fine when I left. I was... I panicked.”

“Understandable,” Amelia replied. “Who else knew you were the godfather of Potter’s son?” she asked. It was a magical bond that muggles adopted without the magic. However, magicals FELT the bond. It was an oath to magic to ensure the protection of the child. A godparent could not act against their godchild.

“Not many,” Sirius replied with a frown. He hadn’t thought about that before. With the bond, it was known that he couldn’t have hurt Harry. Because it was a secret, he suffered Azkaban. “James and Lily Potter, obviously. Frank and Alice Longbottom. Alice is his godmother. Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. James, Lily, Frank, and Alice are all in hiding. Remus is off on Order business. Peter was hiding because he was the Secret Keeper. I don’t think anyone else was told.”

“You’ve mentioned Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper twice now and in your patronus,” Amelia stated. “According to our interviews, you were the Secret Keeper.”

“That deception was intentional,” Sirius replied, tensing. “James and Lily were aware of spies within the Ministry and the Order. They didn’t trust they would be safe behind a Fidelus. The main flaws of a Fidelus are the Secret Keeper and the caster. They chose Albus Dumbledore to ensure no one else was powerful enough to take down the Fidelus by killing him.”

Sirius winced as he laid out James’ reasoning. “It is very well known that James and I were close. If the Potters were under a Fidelus, then I would be the obvious choice as Secret Keeper. However, James had more than one close friend. Remus, Peter, and I were all close to James. While I was obvious, and Remus was in constant danger for the Order, Peter was in the background. He never stood out. Most people forget he was a close friend. He was the perfect choice for them.” He let out an angry huff.

“We... We didn’t know... about Peter... becoming a Death Eater,” Sirius struggled with the words. The betrayal was still sharp. His rage incandescent. “When I felt the bond... I panicked. I rushed here. I had to get my godson to safety.”

“Take your time,” Amelia soothed him as she watched him closely.

“I arrived outside the wards,” Sirius continued. “The door was blasted open. I ran inside. James was sprawled in the hallway by the stairs. I raced upstairs. The nursery door was broken open. Lily... Lily was sprawled before the crib. Harry... Harry was screaming in fear and pain. I raced over to him. Holding him helped me to calm my own panic.”

“Did you see anyone else?” Amelia asked.

“Not at the time,” Sirius replied. “After I calmed, I knew he was still at risk. I packed everything and grabbed Harry. As I was leaving the nursery, a Death Eater raced up the stairs. I subdued them. I only recognized Snape after he was secured. I moved him outside. I couldn’t bear to let a Death Eater remain inside. He was Lily’s friend. He didn’t deserve his last memory to be her lying dead… That’s when I took all the food in the kitchen. I have to take my godson into hiding. The Death Eaters will know I have him. I’ll need the supplies.”

“Where is he now?” Amelia asked.

“Safe,” Sirius replied firmly. His tone showed his intent to keep Harry’s location a secret. “Unless you think you can interview a 15-month-old, I refuse to bring him back here. The Dark Lord and the Death Eaters are still hunting him.”

“What about his medical care?” Amelia asked. “You said he was in pain. We found blood in the crib.”

“Minor curse damage,” Sirius replied dismissively. “Easily treated and he is back to normal. It is more important that he remains hidden from the Dark Lord and Death Eaters.”

Since there was not body for Voldemort, Sirius was trying to stress that Voldemort and the Death Eaters were still a risk. People won’t let their guards down. There was no point in celebrating the end of a war when there were soldiers still loose to kill people.

“Alright,” Amelia relented. “What happened next?” she asked.

“I was approaching the front door when I heard apparition further in town,” Sirius replied and he evened his breathing. “I recognized the figure of Rubeus Hagrid approaching. I relaxed a bit. He was almost to the wards when someone else apparated outside the wards. I recognized Peter and my rage had him restrained before he could take a step. That’s when I sent the patronus. I moved Snape closer to Pettigrew and exposed their dark marks.”

Sirius took a shuttering breath. “I was so afraid. I needed my godson safe. I needed to warn you. I needed to warn the Order... You were warned. I had my godson. I told Hagrid to warn the Order. Then I left. I made sure my godson was safe and guarded.”

“What warning did you give Hagrid to relay?” Amelia asked.

“Hagrid is an honorary Order member, but he’s too... He is unable to lie and his ability to conceal information is poor,” Sirius relayed. “Which is why his membership is honorary. He doesn’t attend meetings, but he knows everyone personally. His ancestry makes him spell resistant. Out of anyone in the Order, Hagrid is the one they will trust the most... and the Order knew it had a spy.”

Sirius took a deep breath before continuing. “The Order was fracturing with distrust because of the spy. Everyone suspected everyone else. Then the Potters and the Longbottoms went into hiding. I discovered that Peter was the spy when he facilitated the deaths of the Potters.” He let out another shuttered breath.

“Peter... He knew where all the safe houses were. All the hidden spaces. All the secret dwellings. Peter was good at hiding. Good at ferreting out secrets. He was so unassuming that it felt safe to tell him things. If he exposed the Potters to the Dark Lord... If he took the dark mark... Then NO ONE was safe. No secret from the Order. Everyone in the Order needed to move. They need to hide somewhere else. Somewhere unknown. With Peter caught, we don’t know who else will be targeted by the Dark Lord or the Death Eaters. He could have easily spilled his secrets to them before he was caught. They need to move to be safe.”

“I take it your hide out is unknown to Peter,” Amelia replied.

“It is,” Sirius replied. “Unknown to everyone. Unplotable. Unmapped. Heavily warded.” He paused. “I’m most worried about the Longbottoms. The Dark Lord is obsessed with killing two infants. He targeted the Potters tonight. The Longbottoms are next. They need to move hiding places and only trust information from Madam Longbottom. She should be safe at Longbottom Manor under War Wards.”

“I’ll make sure to pass on your warning personally,” Amelia reassured him. “My brother, Edgar is also involved with the Order. Which likely makes my family targets as well.”

“Thank you,” Sirius replied. His relief evident. “Can... Can you make sure Remus is recalled. I don’t know what mission he is on for the Order, but he needs to know. He needs to make sure James and Lily are buried properly at the Potter Family Crypt. I don’t trust anyone else to do it.”

“How do I reach him?” Amelia asked.

“Patronus,” Sirius replied. “Just tell him he is needed here immediately. That shouldn’t give away his mission. He can coordinate with the Potter elves to get access to the crypt. They know him from school.”

“Why don’t you send it?” Amelia asked as she looked him over.

“I don’t have the magical energy left,” Sirius replied tiredly. “I have one more apparition in me, then I need to crash.”

Amelia evaluated him critically. “Well, Pepper Up potions don’t help with magical exhaustion. Do you have anything else to add?” she asked with a gesture to the parchment. His statement.

“Just... I’m taking a leave of absence. I have to take care of my godson. He is too young for me to keep him secret and continue as an auror,” Sirius replied. “He’s my priority now. If I can’t do an LOA, then I will have to quit.”

“Understandable,” Amelia replied. “I’ll ensure the paperwork is filled out and filed.” She reviewed the interview sheet and signed it before she handed it over to Sirius to sign. He pushed some of his magic in his signature to make it official. The Auror statement and the leave of absence request. He handed it back to Amelia.

“I know that you don’t need my advice, but... Peter... If he knew where everyone in the Order was hiding, it’s a good bet that he knows where all the Death Eaters are hiding... Maybe even the Dark Lord himself. He’s a traitor half-blood and a rat animagus. They won’t look kindly on him.” Sirius paused as he stood to leave.

“Use Veritaserum on him to spill their locations and their crimes. You can’t use it on the Purebloods, but if enough of them are in jail, you can pass a war time measure to use it on Purebloods too. It may be the best way to eliminate this Dark Lord... I have it on good authority that he is an upstart half-blood himself.” He wanted to expose some of the truths hidden by Dumbledore and Voldemort.

“Do you have proof?” Amelia asked with bright eyes.

“No,” Sirius replied sadly. “I think... Look up Thomas Marvolo Riddle. Ask Dumbledore about him. That’s where I got my information. He taught him back in the day. I think he disappeared after Hogwarts. A few years later, the Dark Lord showed up. He’s the best candidate, even if Dumbledore is hesitant to release that information.”

“I’ll look into it,” Amelia replied. “Take care of Heir Potter. I’ll send a patronus if I need you.”

Sirius tipped his head formally.

Amelia returned the gesture with a slight smile.

Sirius tiredly exited Potter Cottage and apparated to where he had stored his bike. He still had to fly back to the Chamber before he could crash. This time travel avatar crap was exhausting. [6]

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

Chapter Text

Chapter 03: The Last Will and Testament of Lord and Lady Potter

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

3 Nov 1981 – England, London, Diagon Alley, Gringott’s Bank

Sirius needed a couple days to recover after the death of James and Lily. Magical exhaustion was no joke. Both he and Harry found the event much more taxing than they first assumed it would be. In their past lives, James and Lily died decades ago. They had time to come to terms with their deaths, even if most of that time was spent being tormented by dementors (in Sirius’ case). Harry went through the grief process at age eleven, when he discovered the truth of their deaths. He found the lack of credit given to them for his survival to be unreal and depressing. Which made the truth about James’ bullying hard to swallow. He did eventually get over it, but he stopped idolizing his father. Lily never fell off her pedestal.

However, the reality of seeing their bodies. Seeing the lives they tried to build in Godric’s Hallow. Seeing their hopes and dreams laid out and on display... That hurt. It reopened the scarred wound of their deaths. Harry may not have many memories of his parents, but after a decade of distancing them from Petunia’s spite and anger, they didn’t feel real. Like ghostly images of hopes and dreams. He still didn’t feel loved. It made Dumbledore’s manipulation more blatant. More horrific. Dumbledore ERASED his parents and then tried to weaponize their love for Harry… and Harry let him.

Harry and Sirius spent time in the Chamber of Secrets destroying fallen bounders and pest carcasses. Venting their anger and rage. They couldn’t deny their deaths, but they had plenty of anger. Anger was better than depression and they both knew better than to try and bargain with Death. Sirius joined Harry as he spent his rage on the debris of the Chamber. It gave them both a chance to vent and see how truly massive the Chamber and underground warren of tunnels were. It was cathartic and informative for both of them.

Sirius was done giving the old goat the benefit of the doubt. His further reflection on Dumbledore’s Hogwarts manipulations, his apathy in the Order, his tendency towards passive background actions, his desire for secrecy... especially when combined with Harry’s knowledge of Dumbledore’s past... Sirius realized that Wizarding Britan needed to remove two Dark Lords. Dumbledore and Voldemort. Or maybe it was a Dark Lord and a Light Lord (Semantics were annoying).

For all that Dumbledore claimed to only work for the light, he routinely lied, denied, and suppressed vital information. He set up and executed hazardous games and manipulations INSIDE HOGWARTS, risking the lives and livihoods of everyone in the school. He forced a CHILD to compete in a death tournament. He abandoned that same child when he was afraid the child was being manipulated by Voldemort. He actively encouraged one of his professors routinely, actively, torture that child mentally.

Dumbledore’s actions qualified him for the label Dark Lord. He sought and fought to maintain power. Add in his constant touting of the ‘Greater Good’... a direct parroted line from Gellert Grindleward... and the man needed to be removed from power and influence. Unfortunately, his sticky fingers were everywhere.

Harry’s speech dramatically improved every time he practiced. He still slurred some words as his muscles learned to speak again. His vocabulary was extraordinary. Considering he was 23 at his last death, this was not a huge surprise. They spent most of those three days with Charon talking (Charon felt a strange need to lick Sirius’ ears once. He was creeped out, but he understood parseltongue after that [7])... and occasionally destroying things... They formalized the next part of their plan. They needed to go to Gringotts and establish guardianship for Sirius.

At this point in time, Dumbledore had too much power. Harry knew from the future that Dumbledore would move to seal his parents Wills. He also knew, when he opened them in the future, that his parents outlined the Secret Keeper, their reasoning, and Sirius’ innocence as well as his guardianship (which, when Sirius found out, resulted in Sirius’ need to spend an hour destroying rocks). They didn’t know if Dumbledore KNEW what those Wills contained, but they needed to act now before Dumbledore was able to prod the Wizengamot into sealing those Wills. Harry was rooting for governemnt inertia.

They timed their entrance to Diagon Alley in the late night. Mostly because they lost track of time underground. Diagon Alley and Gringotts were always open to accommodate the nocturnal beings; hags and vampires. Some shops closed in the evening, but most had a night shift for their nocturnal customers (something the Ministry’s creature hatred eliminated in future years).

The bank was just as extravagant and imposing as the first time Harry saw it. Harry was gratified to see it again in its glory. It was a grim place after the Death Eater occupation. Sirius and Harry waited for their turn before one of the goblin tellers.

“Next,” the grim goblin called.

Sirius and Harry stepped forward and read the name plate on the desk. “Greetings, Steeljaw,” Sirius said deferentially. “I hope the day has seen your enemies cower at your feet as your gold grows.” He bared his teeth, rather than smile.

It was a traditional goblin greeting of respect. Not everything his family taught him was ignored. One of the main reasons the Black Family was still rich and powerful was their care and respect for the Goblin Horde. His family was horrified to discover what Professor Binns was teaching at Hogwarts during his time there. Their efforts to have the ghost replaced were ignored at Dumbledore’s insistence, but they ensured their family would not perpetuate goblin anger through ignorance.

Steeljaw bared his teeth at them. “What brings you to Gringotts?” he demanded.

“We require a meeting with the Blackclaw, the Potter Accounts Manager,” Sirius told the goblin. “We will wait for Blackclaw to summon us.”

“Very well,” Steeljaw grumbled. He wrote a quick note and placed in in the outbox on his teller desk. The missive immediately disappeared. Steeljaw motioned to a seating area.

Sirius and Harry moved to the seating and patiently waited to be called forward. It was not a short wait. They quietly chatted about nonsense things. Harry made an effort to slur his words more as a cover. They were finally called forward and led by a goblin warrior through the warren of offices inside the bank. They were finally deposited inside Blackclaw’s office.

After sitting respectfully before the goblin at the desk, Sirius waited for Blackclaw to start. It was a lesser-known goblin cultural quirk. It was also respect based. Harry picked up the habit while he was assigned to the curse-breaking teams. The goblin let them sit in silence for long enough to make most wixen start to babble. Neither Sirius nor Harry did. They waited.

“You requested a meeting,” Blackclaw stated as he bared his teeth at them. Pleased with the curtesy of the wait.

“We did because we know that you easily behead your enemies and dance on their corpses,” Sirius replied. Blackclaw’s widened in surprise at the greeting. “Unfortunately, an enemy of Lord and Lady Potter defeated them. I have ensured Heir Potter’s safety. I am informing you of their loss and looking to register Heir Potter’s magic with the Horde.”

Blackclaw’s eyes turned to Harry and took in his small form. “Heir Potter is very young. Has he produced magic at this age?” he asked.

“He has,” Sirius replied. He watched Harry perform several wordless and wandless spells in the Chamber. He was quite impressed with the blasting curses the boy let loose.

“Very well,” Blackclaw replied. “We will require an identity test to verify his magical identity and list his assets. It will also list his known magical guardians. Once he has been identified, if you are listed as a guardian, you can schedule the reading of the Last Will and Testament of Lord and Lady Potter. Heir Potter, do you understand what is required of you?” he asked Harry.

“‘Thik so,” Harry replied. Then paused. “I think so,” he pronounced more clearly. “Siri’ is my choice. To speak.”

“And you are?” Blackclaw asked Sirius.

“Sirius Orion Black the third,” Sirius replied. “I was the first to find and ensure Heir Potter’s safety after the attack.”

“Very well,” Blackclaw replied. He opened one of his drawers and started to pull out items. Two potions’ bottles, two scrolls of parchment, and a large dagger. “I require identity verification for you as well. Now, which verification test do you want?” he asked Sirius. [8]

“What diff’ce?” Harry asked. His face scrunched up. In the past, the goblins used a simple verification. One drop of blood. But it didn’t really tell him anything. He didn’t even know there were different types.

“Gringotts can provide three different identity tests,” Blackclaw relayed with a chuckle. “Each uses the same potion, but requires a different amount of blood to provide additional details on the magical signature. You will concentrate on your magic as you give blood. The Mother of All provides the information.” He bared his teeth in a pleased manner.

“One drop of blood provides the most basic information. Your legal magical name. Your date of birth. Your blood parents. Your guardians. Your vaults.” He paused. “This is the most basic identification test.”

“Three drops of blood provides more information,” Blackclaw continued. “This includes the same information as the first test, but also details direct relatives, being status, magical strength, magical gifts, vital anomalies, magical inheritances, and magical awards.” He gave Sirius a bland look. “Most wixen use test when the child reaches eleven. The healers use it to identify curse damage. Your inheritances may or may not be claimed yet. The Mother of All can gift them, but She cannot make you accept them.”

“Who she?” Harry asked with wide eyes. He looked between the goblin and Sirius.

“The Mother of All is the goblin name for Mother Magic,” Sirius replied with a thoughtful look. “I think She has other names as well. Magic, The Goddess, The Triple Goddess, Hecate, Circe, Maeve. She is responsible for our magical gifts.” Then he turned a knowing smile on Harry. “We both know that She is not the only deity out there.”

Harry nodded and smiled at him before turning to look back at the goblin. “Wha’s the thrud?” he asked.

“The last test requires seven drops of blood,” Blackclaw replied. “It also provides the same information as the other tests, but elaborates on the magical anomalies and related family going back four generations. All family who carry Her gift even if they have passed. The enhanced reporting of past anomalies; including past use of potions, blocks, or enhancements is frequently used in legal cases. Not just current anomalies, but things that have healed. Mail wards, child bindings by parents, and so on.”

“What do you think, Harry?” Sirius asked.

“Sev’n,” Harry replied sagely. “Bof.”

“You want both of us to complete the seven-drop test?” Sirius confirmed. At Harry’s nod, he turned to Blackclaw. “Then I believe that both of us require the seven-drop identity and inheritance tests.”

“Very well, seven galleons each,” Blackclaw told him.

Sirius sighed dramatically and then counted out fourteen galleons from his pouch. Since it was linked to his vault, he didn’t feel too badly. He just wasn’t sure how much was still in his trust vault. His mother may have expelled him from the family, but he retained his trust vault thanks to his Uncle Alphred. Money was no longer deposited from the Black Family Vault. Only his Auror salary was. He needed to think about how to stretch the money now that Harry was in his care.

“Excellent,” Blackclaw stated. His eyes twinkling in satisfaction. He positioned the scrolls and partially opened them with the edge by Harry and Sirius. He placed the potion bottle on the end and placed the knife between the two. “Place seven drops inside the potion. Mix it well. Concentrate on the feel of your magic as you donate blood and mix. Then pour it on the scroll. Magic will do the rest.”

Sirius helped Harry to use the knife, place the drops, and pour the potions before he did the same for himself. When he looked up the goblin was baring his teeth again and pulled the scrolls closer to him while they waited for the magic to list the results. He was curious to see how Harry’s would turn out. He was less enthusiastic to see his own. He only did the long test for Harry. Harry was curious to see if Death’s touch would show. Frankly, Sirius was curious too.

The initial information was expected; name, birth date, mother, father, guardians. The depressing fact that his only living close blood relatives were the Dursleys. Where it got interesting was the vaults. Sirius had to digest that information.

-----------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Hadrian James Potter~

NAME: Hadrian James Potter

BIRTH: 31 Jul 1980

MOTHER (BLOOD): Lillian Jasmine Potter nee Evans (deceased)

FATHER (BLOOD): James Fleamont Potter (deceased)

UNDERAGE APPOINTMENTS: [All appointments are to defer to blood parents until 31 Jul 1997]

• Godfather (magically sworn): Heir? Sirius Orion Black III (living)
• Godmother (magically sworn): Lady Alice Grace Longbottom, nee Fawcett (living)

AUTHORIZED VAULTS:

• Potter Family Vault – 625 (Upon acceptance of Lordship ring)
• Potter Heir Vault – 687 (Heirship at age 11-Annual stipend-accumulated)
• Peverell Family Vault – 592 (Upon acceptance of Family magic)
• Slytherin Family Vault – 244 (Upon acceptance of Family magic)

-----------------------------------------------

“Hadr’n?” Harry asked. “How I n’t kn’w?”

“You didn’t even know your magical name?” Sirius asked in surprise. His eyes flashed back up to where Harry’s name was printed. His legal MAGICAL name. Everyone had always called him Harry because Lily adored it.

Sirius barely read past the generic information before he gasped. “What the fuck?” he swore. There, listed in magical parchment, was the complete list of every death. Every resurrection… and time travel. Shite!

-----------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Hadrian James Potter~

STATUS:

• Patrons: Lord Death, Mother Magic, Lady Fate
• Magical Strength: 976 [Wixen, Púca creature inheritance]
• Magical Affinity: Gray
• Resurrected and Time Displaced (31 Jul 2003) Killing Curse – The Dark Lady Chalchiuhticue (Nuria Susana Fowks) – displaced to 31 Oct 1981
• Resurrected (31 Jul 2001) Crypt Death Curse – Tomb of Nebet-Hut in Egypt
• Resurrected (11 May 1998) Killing Curse – The Dark Lord Voldemort (Thomas Marvolo Riddle)
• Resurrected (7 May 1993) Basilisk Venom – Charon (controlled by Thomas Marvolo Riddle wraith)
• Resurrected (2 Aug 1989) Beaten to death – Vernon Richard Dursley
• Resurrected (31 Jul 1985) Starvation (two weeks) – Petunia Ash Dursley nee Evans
• Resurrected (31 Oct 1981) Killing Curse – The Dark Lord Voldemort (Thomas Marvolo Riddle)

-----------------------------------------------

Sirius panicked. He put aside the fact that MAGIC not only knew, but recorded these events for everyone to see. Sirius’ wide eyes shot up to Blackclaw. Realization slowly filtered into his mind. The goblin was not surprised or concerned.

“I have questions,” Sirius started slowly. “First, can I get a copy?” he asked. “This is a lot to unpack. Second, who else can see this report? We absolutely don’t want anyone outside the bank to know this kind of stuff.”

“Heir Potter’s report will stay here with me,” Blackclaw reassured them. “I am the Potter Account Manager. Should the time come that a new manager is selected, I will consult with Heir Potter before informing my replacement. Heir Black’s report will go to the Black Account Manager.”

“I’m not...” Sirius started when his eyes fell on his own report. “Oh shite.”

-----------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

NAME: Sirius Orion Black III

BIRTH: 3 Nov 1959

MOTHER (BLOOD): Olive Apple Macmillan nee Hornby (deceased)

FATHER (BLOOD): Orion Arcturus Black II (deceased)

OTHER (BLOOD ADOPTED): Walburga Astra Black (living)

AUTHORIZED VAULTS:

• Black Family Vault - 244 (Upon acceptance of Heirship)
• Black Heir Vault - 253 (Upon acceptance of Heirship. Annual stipend-accumulated)

---------------------------------------------------------

“I...” Sirius was starting to freak out. He lived his whole life, died, and had to come back to find out that the woman who hated and harassed him for as long as he could remember... was not his mother. His brain stalled.

His eyes skimmed past the extended relatives... Holy crap there were so many... Down to the inheritances. Listed was the Black Heir. He never knew. His father never told him. His mother... No, his father’s wife... Constantly claimed that he was unfit and expelled from the family. He was there when she burned his name from her tapestry.

-----------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

MAGICAL INHERITANCE:

• (M1) Hornby Family Legacy (Ritual Affinity)
• (M2) Crabbe Family Legacy (Artifact Creation Affinity)
• (P1) Black Family Legacy (Dark Affinity & Shadow Duty)
• (P2) MacMillan Family Legacy (Herbology Affinity)
• (X) Gamp Family Legacy (Grey Affinity)

MAGICAL AWARDS:

• Black Family Heirship (Upon acceptance of Black Heirship)
• Black Family Lordship (Upon acceptance of Black Lordship)
• Shadow Lord (Upon acceptance of Black Lordship)
• Animagus (Grim) (1974)
• Shadow Hunter (1978)
• Death's Grim (1981)

---------------------------------------------------------

Why didn’t her expulsion take?

“I don’t understand,” Sirius finally said. “I watched Lady Black burn my name from the tapestry. How can I still be Heir Black?” he asked the goblin.

“You watched Lady Melania Black nee Macmillan remove your name?” Blackclaw asked in confusion.

“No,” Sirius replied as equally confused. “Walburga Black... The woman who was married to my father.” And wasn’t that something to get used to. The harridan wasn’t really related to him. Well, she was... But as a cousin, not a mother. Thank Merlin!

“Walburga Black was never Lady Black,” Blackclaw told him. “Heir Orion Black died before he could assume the mantle as Lord Black. Magic passed down the inheritance to you.”

“I need to process this,” Sirius told Blackclaw. His mind wouldn’t settle. He had things to do before he freaked out. He put freaking out off for now. “I don’t want to take up all of your time. I’ll get with the Black Account Manager when I stop freaking out. Who is the Black Account Manager?” he asked.

“Longtooth is the current Black Account Manager,” Blackclaw replied. “Those scrolls should allow you to copy them with the standard Duplication Spell.”

“The Copy Charm?” Sirius asked. He constantly used that charm in school. The librarian was much happier when the students didn’t take the books out of the library. The originals were spelled to return at the end of their check-out time, but copies stayed with the students. Well, sometimes the return spell worked.

“That will suffice,” Blackclaw replied.

Sirius quickly made copies of the two scrolls, leaving the originals with Blackclaw. “Now, I want to modify the mail ward on Harry and find some way to collect the mail discreetly. Heir Potter is going to be stalked. We need alternatives. I also want to put the same kind of mail ward on myself,” Sirius outlined. “Finally, Harry needs a money pouch attached to his trust vault. I already have mine.”

Blackclaw pulled out a small black pouch from a different drawer on his huge desk. He placed the pouch on the scroll and held his hand over it. Sirius and Harry felt the pulse of magic binding the pouch to Harry’s accounts. The magic felt earthy. Metallic. The flavor of goblin magic.

“Here you are,” Blackclaw presented the pouch to Harry. “It will default to the Potter Heir Vault. A drop of blood on the clasp will ensure it can only be opened by you. I’ll recall your parents’ keys along with all their other tagged possessions [9]. They will remain in the Family Vault until you remove them. The key should be available for you to take when the Wills are read. Now that I have verification of your identity and Heir Black is listed as one of your legal guardians, I can schedule the reading.”

“No cart?” Harry asked slightly disappointed.

“A trip to your vault is not necessary for money transactions,” Blackclaw told him. “A trip is only required if you are surveying your vault, removing artifacts, like grimoires, or conducting routine surveillance of your assets. You shouldn’t need to frequent your vault often… that’s what you have me for.” The goblin bared his teeth in amusement at Harry’s disappointment.

“Like an inventory, Harry,” Sirius added. “Most of your assets can be managed by your account manager. It’s why you have Blackclaw as the Potter Account Manager.”

Blackclaw made sure Harry didn’t have any more questions before addressing the mail ward. “You said Heir Potter is currently under a mail ward. We will need to remove the old ward and then place the new ward.”

“Yes. His parents placed all of them under a mail ward when they were in hiding. Unfortunately, one of the listed authorized members betrayed them,” Sirius said. “What are our options for restricting mail?” he asked. “The Potters had a restriction on all magic. No trace. No charms. No curses. No spells, runes, or artifacts of any kind. It was very restrictive, but it allowed them to still receive owls as long as the requirements were met. I don’t want to be that restrictive. If we have to mail order stuff, I want to receive it. But I can’t allow hostile or negative spells, or any that are trying to identify our location.”

“It sounds like you want a mail redirect with screening services,” Blackclaw told him thoughtfully. “Gringotts has a screening service. It is frequently used by our more popular customers. You only have to list what types spells are authorized and which are restricted. Any unrecognized spells are sorted out until you make a determination on the package. The team uses a mole skin pouch to carry the screened items to your locations via owl. You would receive one owl rather than hundreds. You can return correspondence the same way to avoid tracking by owls.”

“Can we even get owls?” Sirius asked thoughtfully.

Harry just shrugged. They would have to ask Charon.

“What is the rate for this service?” Sirius asked. He would hate to pay for the service and find they didn’t really need it.

“One Knut per envelope. Five Knuts per package,” Blackclaw told them. “The service depends on volume for savings. More mail reduces the cost per item. A few wixen desire privacy and use it without volume, but they think the cost is worth it.”

Sirius looked over at Harry and the boy nodded. “Alright, what do you need from us? We will use the same location for us both.”

Blackclaw reached inside yet another drawer to pull out a parchment. He handed it over to Sirius to complete the form and hand it back. He requested an alternate address mailing chit. The Gringotts owls would go to the chit, not to Sirius specifically. All correspondence to Sirius and Harry would automatically reroute once the ward was activated, regardless of how they addressed the post. If it had their name, or a variation of their name, it would go to the goblins.

Blackclaw wrote a quick note and dropped it into his outbox with the form. A few minutes later, four potion bottles with two different potions and a coin appeared in his inbox. The goblin placed one of each potion before them. He placed a drop of the blue potion from each bottle on the coin.

“The green potion will remove any existing mail wards,” Blackclaw told them. They both downed the green potion. It wasn’t as bad tasting as it looked.

“The blue potion will enact your new mail ward,” Blackclaw relayed. “This coin is your new alternate mail chit. As a precaution, the daily or weekly delivery will always be carried by a falcon. Usually a merlin. Any deliveries not made by a falcon are assumed to be tracked or a mistake. Come in with the unopened delivery and we will work out why the redirect didn’t work.” They both downed the blue portion. It was sweet tasting.

“The reading of the Last Will and Testament of Lord and Lady Potter will be held at this Gringotts location at nine am on November 10th,” Blackclaw told them. “Do you have any other questions at this time?” he asked.

“Nope,” Harry replied cheerfully as he looped the money pouch over his head.

“I do not,” Sirius added. “Blackclaw may all your victories be this easy and your vault never run empty. We appreciate how you helped us.”

“You are welcome, Heir Black,” Blackclaw replied. “May the spilled blood of your enemies form a river and your gold rise to mountains in your vaults.”

Harry and Sirius left the office to be escorted back out of the maze and then out of the bank. They had shopping to do.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

10 Nov 1981 – England, London, Diagon Alley, Gringott’s Bank

It turned out that the Chamber of Secrets did have a bird entrance. While the owl post network was not established when Hogwarts was created, the Founders frequently used birds to send and receive messages. Because of the risk of discovery at the time, all manner of birds were used to send messages. This system evolved into the owl post of modern times.

They got the mail ward up on Harry just in time. Most of the post he received (according to the screening team), consisted of malicious or tracking spells. However, a few were condolences for the death of his parents. While future Harry could read easily enough, even if writing was beyond him right now, it amazed Sirius how many adults assumed a one-year-old could read and respond to them.

Sirius got it worse. He was inundated with requests, demands, and recommendations to give Harry to Dumbledore. Most of them were from various members of the Order of the Phoenix. Apparently, Dumbledore finally figured out Peter was the secret keeper, not Sirius. That Peter was incarcerated, not Sirius. Dumbledore didn’t like the idea Sirius taking care of Harry. The most heart-breaking ones were from Remus. Harry had to snap Sirius out of trances several times to keep him from falling victim to the potions and compulsions on him.

That was something else they digested from their identity tests. Both past and present. Present Harry was free and clear of potions and compulsions. Past Harry was drowning in them.

---------------------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Hadrian James Potter~

CURRENT VITAL ANOMALIES:

• Mail redirection ward (Authorized recipients only, implemented 31 Jul 1980 by Lord James Fleamont Potter)
• Soul Fragment (Thomas Marvolo Riddle) attached 31 Oct 1981

PAST VITAL ANOMALIES:

• Block - Eidetic Memory – active (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 2 Nov 1991)
• Block - Magical Sight – active (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 1 Nov 1981-cancelled by Knifefinger Rostic on 23 Aug 1998)
• Block - Metamorphagus – active (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledoreon 1 Nov 1981)
• Block - Parseltongue – active (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991. Broken)
• Block - Parselmagic – active (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991)
• Compulsions – Antisocial-Permanent (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 2 Nov 1991)
• Compulsions – Dependence (Dursleys)-Temporary (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 2 Nov 1991-expired 31 Jul 1991)
• Compulsions – Introverted-Temporary (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 2 Nov 1991-expired 31 Jul 1991)
• Compulsions – Tolerance (Dursleys)-Temporary (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 2 Nov 1991-expired 31 Jul 1991)
• Compulsions – Dislike of Research-Permanent (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991-Cancelled by Knifefinger Rostic on 23 Aug 1998)
• Compulsions – Distrust-Permanent (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991-Cancelled by Knifefinger Rostic on 23 Aug 1998)
• Compulsions – Laziness-Permanent (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991-Cancelled by Knifefinger Rostic on 23 Aug 1998)
• Compulsions – Rash Actions-Permanent (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991-Cancelled by Knifefinger Rostic on 23 Aug 1998)
• Damage - Crutacius Curse (past life: short term exposure by Bartimus Crux Crouch II, short term exposure by Thomas Marvolo Riddle)
• Damage - Imperius Curse (past life: Bartimus Crux Crouch II)
• Enhancement - Potter Luck – active (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 18 Jul 1991)
• Main Redirection Ward (past life: authorized recipients only, implemented 31 July 1980 by Lord James Feamont Potter-cancelled 1 Nov 1981)
• Mail Redirection Ward (past life: authorized recipients only, implemented 1 Nov 1981 by Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore-cancelled by Knifefinger Rostic on 23 Aug 1998)
• Mail Redirection Ward (past life: correspondence to Blood Drinker Clan, implemented 23 Aug 1998 by Knifefinger Rostic)
• Potions – Hate [Heir? Severus Tobias Snape]-Permanent (past life: Partially broken)
• Potions – Hate [Hogwarts Slytherin House]-Permanent (past life: Broken)
• Potions – Hate [Malfoy Family]-Permanent (past life: Broken)
• Potions – Location Loyalty [4 Privet Drive]-Temporary (past life: Expired 31 Jul 1991)
• Potions – Location Loyalty [Hogwarts]-Temporary (past life: Expired 31 Jul 1998)
• Potions – Love [Ginerva Molly Weasley]-Permanent (past life: Broken)
• Potions – Loyalty [Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore]-Permanent (past life)
• Potions – Loyalty [Arabella Nettle Figg]-Temporary (past life: Expired 31 Jul 1991)
• Potions – Loyalty [Dursleys]-Temporary (past life: Expired 31 Jul 1991)
• Potions – Motherly Attachment [Molly Anges Weasley nee Prewett]-Permanent (past life)
• Soul Fragment (Thomas Marvolo Riddle, past life: Removed 11 May 1998)

---------------------------------------------------------

Sirius and Harry were less concerned with IF Dumbledore knew about the horcrux and more horrified at how the old goat intentionally crippled Harry from infancy and caged him with his abusive relatives. Harry remembered Snape accusing Dumbledore in a memory of raising Harry like ‘a pig for slaughter’. Snape was more correct than he knew.

The correspondence with Blackclaw and Longtooth was very helpful. Apparently the goblin’s provided a number of services to their customers. Most were not banking related. Although Harry knew about the curse-breaking teams, he had not been aware of the healing, potions, or ritual cleansings offered.

While present-Harry was fine, present-Sirius was not.

---------------------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

CURRENT VITAL ANOMALIES:

• Compulsion - Rash Actions-Permanent (Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 21 Sep 1970)
• Damage - Crutacius Curse (repeated long-term exposure by Walburga Astra Black, short term exposure by Bellatrix Lyra Lestrange nee Black)
• Damage - Imperius Curse (Walburga Astra Black, developed resistance)
• Enhancements- Mischief-Permanent (Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 21 Sep 1970)
• Potions - Dislike of Ritual Magic-Permanent (Broken)
• Potions - Dislike of Dark Magic-Permanent (Broken)
• Potions - Hate [Hogwarts Slytherin House]-Permanent
• Potions - Hate [Death Eaters]
• Potions - Hate [Heir? Severus Tobias Snape]-Permanent
• Potions - Love [Remus John Lupin]-Permanent
• Potions - Love [Werewolves]-Permanent
• Potions - Loyalty [Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore]-Permanent (Partially Broken)
• Potions - Loyalty [Order of the Phoenix]-Permanent

PAST VITAL ANOMALIES:

• Compulsion - Rash Actions-Permanent (Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 21 Sep 1970)
• Compulsion - Location Restriction [12 Grimmauld Place]-Permanent (Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 1 Mar 1995. Broken)
• Damage - Crutacius Curse (repeated long-term exposure by Walburga Astra Black, short-term exposure by Bellatrix Lyra Lestrange nee Black, severe nerve damage)
• Damage - Dementor Exposure (past life: long-term exposure damage to senses and magic)
• Damage - Environment Exposure (past life: long-term exposure damage)
• Damage - Imperius Curse (Walburga Astra Black, past life: Alastar Edward Moody, complete resistance)
• Damage - Severe Malnutrition (past life: prolonged starvation)
• Enhancements- Mischief-Permanent (past life: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore on 21 Sep 1970)
• Mail Redirection Ward (past life: Azkaban prisoner, no mail)
• Potions - Dislike of Ritual Magic-Permanent (past life: Broken)
• Potions - Dislike of Dark Magic-Permanent (past life: Broken)
• Potions - Hate [Hogwarts Slytherin House]-Permanent (past life)
• Potions - Hate [Death Eaters] (past life)
• Potions - Hate [Heir? Severus Tobias Snape]-Permanent (past life)
• Potions - Love [Remus John Lupin]-Permanent (past life)
• Potions - Love [Werewolves]-Permanent (past life)
• Potions - Loyalty [Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore]-Permanent (past life: Partially Broken)
• Potions - Loyalty [Order of the Phoenix]-Permanent (past life)

---------------------------------------------------------

They immediately signed Sirius up for a ritual cleansing. It would eliminate all the effects of the permanent potions and erase the compulsions. They hoped to reduce the effects of the nerve damage, but weren’t really hopeful. Blackclaw already stated that the Imperius damage could not be healed. They would verify the cleansing with a three-drop blood test. Sirius was still trying to figure out when Dumbledore potioned him. He didn’t think it was before Hogwarts, but he couldn’t be sure. Either way, he would ensure he never took food or drink from the old goat again.

In the meantime, they told Remus to work with Blackclaw to ensure all James and Lily’s possessions were stored in the Potter Family Vault (specifically the items not previously tagged for vault storage). They would be there for Harry when he came of age. Harry and Sirius already planned to stop by the vault to take out their journals and photos when the Wills are read. While they were both looking forward to seeing old faces while the Wills were read, they were dreading the conversations they would surely face when they finally saw the people in their lives.

The correspondence they received painted a grim picture. Albus Dumbledore was insisting that the ‘Chosen Child’ be immediately turned over to him for ‘preparation’. However, most Order members were not certain that Harry was the Chosen Child. They didn’t have confirmation that Voldemort was defeated. Death Eaters were still attacking people. Some Order members were convinced that Harry was the Chosen One and Sirius should ‘gladly’ hand over his guardianship to Dumbledore. How it was an ‘honor’ that Harry was chosen.

Sirius sent out another warning to the Longbottoms to ensure they registered Neville at Gringotts. He strongly recommended they verify their health with the three-drop blood identity test. It was cheap. It was easy. It would spell out any compulsions or potions on them and Neville. If they found any, they could work with Gringotts to get a cleansing ritual. They were hoping to see the Longbottoms today at the reading. Harry didn’t remember enough about Neville’s history to know when the Death Eaters attacked them. With luck, Sirius’ warning saved them.

When they arrived at Gringotts, Blackclaw led them from his office to the reading room ten minutes before the start of the reading. Sirius moved to the front corner seat away from the rest of the chairs and then placed himself between Harry and the others.

“Remember,” Sirius told him as they sat down. “You are one. You get to be as clingy, needy, and silent as you want. You can freak out if anyone tries to touch you or pick you up. That is totally normal for kids your age.” He lowered his voice into a conspiratory whisper. “I really want to see you throw a temper tantrum if Dumbledore tries anything.”

“H’w big?” Harry asked with a smirk.

“Huge. Kicking, screaming, rolling on the floor, tears and snot everywhere,” Sirius described with a grin. “You are traumatized, you know.”

Harry’s response was to grin wider. Then he rearranged the seating to put Sirius in the distant seat with his feet on the next closest. Then he climbed onto his lap and cuddled into his chest. “I’ tra’m’tize’,” he tried to say with a straight face.

Sirius snorted in reply. “How is the world going to survive you, Mischief?” he asked as the others were escorted in.

Harry just shrugged in reply.

“Auror Black,” DMLE Chief Gwain Robards greeted him as he entered the room. He was representing the DMLE for this reading, as requested.

“Ex-Auror, Chief Robards,” Sirius replied. He didn’t even get up from his seat.

“Ex-Auror then... Until you return,” Robards stated. With a nod, he took a seat near the back.

Frank and Alice arrived with Neville. Sirius waved and patted at the seats next to him. Remus arrived next before looking around. He chose a seat far from the children. Fabian and Gideon Prewett strolled in and gave a happy wave before sitting next to the Longbottoms. Minerva McGonagall and Filius Flitwick arrived together, greeted everyone, and took seats in the second row not far from Sirius. Dumbledore arrived and frowned when all the seats near Harry were taken. Peter and Severus were the last two named in the will. They didn’t show up. Not that Sirius was surprised. They were captured by Aurors at the scene. They should be occupying cells at the DMLE right now.

Blackclaw took the front of the room. A scribe sat at the corner desk. He placed a smoky orb on the desk. It was the Will for the Potters. It rested in the projector tripod to display it before the small group. It would project the image above the orb and increase the volume of the words said.

“I am Blackclaw, the Potter Account Manager,” Blackclaw introduced himself. “With the verification of both Heir Potter’s magical guardians, I scheduled this reading. I have the paperwork for all inheritances. A written copy of this Will was sent to the Ministry of Magic for file. Without further delay, Lord and Lady Potter.” He tapped the Will orb and stepped back to a second desk.

The image above the orb slowly transitioned from a white smoke to people. Lord James Potter and Lady Lily Potter.

“Welcome everyone, I’m glad you could make it and I’m really sorry I’m not there,” James started with the hint of a smile.

“James and I decided to make this a joint will,” Lily stated. “We knew the risk to us both was very high. It was only supposed to be activated if BOTH of us died. Our intent is not to ‘expect the worst’, but to be prepared ‘just in case’.”

“If you are watching this, then the worst happened,” James said sadly. “However, I’m hoping I can clear up some of the confusion over our deaths. To the representative of the DMLE from the Ministry, if we were attacked at our home in Godric’s Hollow where it was under the Fidelus Charm. The Fidelus was cast by Mr. Albus Dumbledore. Our Secret Keeper was one Peter Pettigrew. It was our intent to spread disinformation through the Order and their spy that Sirius Black was the keeper, not Peter. Sirius knew this and volunteered to be the decoy. However, there are several questions we would ask the DMLE to investigate if our end came at Godric’s Hollow.”

“First, why would Albus Dumbledore not relay the full prophecy to the parents of the affected children?” Lily ranted. “He gave us a thin, watered down version of the prophecy and refused to give us details. Alice and I needed those details. You didn’t give us all the information we needed to protect ourselves and our sons. Shame on you, Albus.”

“Second,” James interrupted Lily’s rant. “Why were we required to move FROM unplottable properties with war wards to warded properties? Lily and I enjoyed the cottage, but with the risk I would have happily moved back to the manor and activated the war wards. They may not be perfect, but they were better than the cottage.”

“Third,” Lily started again now that she was under better control of her outrage. “Why, on God’s green Earth, did you, Albus, feel the need to TELL the KNOWN spy in your little secret vigilante group?” Lily’s voice rose in exasperation. “The Order KNEW they had a spy. Rather than keeping the information safe and secure, you blurted out our security precautions to the whole order. Thus, informing the spy. We were able to divert attention from Peter to Sirius, as we planned, but it was a severe violation of our trust. As far as I am concerned, YOU, Albus, intentionally and with casual disregard for the safety of my family, are PERSONALLY responsible for what happened at Godric’s Hallow.”

Gwain Robards was jotting down notes as they voiced their questions from beyond the grave. Albus paled next to Filius. He looked like he wanted to interrupt, but James’ voice started again.

“If we were not attacked at Godric’s Hallow, then ignore the above,” James gave them a grin. “Sirius, Frank, Alice, THANK YOU for looking after Harry. That is my biggest fear. Not dying, but leaving Harry. I don’t want him to be alone. I want him to know and grow with his godbrother, Neville. Teach him. Raise him. Love him. Show him everything he needs for his future Lordship.”

“Harry is already showing accidental magic,” Lily continued with a sad smile. “Raising him will be a challenge. With my parents gone, there is NO reason to make contact with my sister. Petunia hated me growing up. She despised my magic. She is full of spite and anger. Let her know I’m gone, and then NEVER contact her again. She will emotionally and physically hurt my son, even for a short meeting. Don’t risk it. She’s not worth it.”

“Sirius, my blood-brother, my friend, my confidant,” James said as he started out earnestly. “I know you don’t feel ready. But I also know that you adore Harry. When things settle down, reach out to your Black cousins. Reconnect. Let Harry have an extended family. I made sure the annual stipend was large enough to cover expenses for you both. Use one of the Potter properties. Show him his family history.”

“Peter, our friend, our shadow, providing we didn’t die in Godric’s Hallow, we established a nest egg for you,” Lily said with a sad smile. “I know you don’t want property, but this should be enough to keep you conformable and safe until you find your feet after the war.

“Remus, our friend, our researcher, our lost soul,” James continued. “You have had a hard life. We found and warded a property to high hell and back for you. It is a small cottage with a garden and a forest. The goblins will code the wards to your blood. No one can come in without your permission. It has no neighbors. This is not charity. It is inheritance. Fill it with books. Research to your heart’s desire. The small nest egg is for you as our friend. We love you.”

“Fill the whole thing with books,” Lily challenged. “I am watching and I want to see what you create.” She paused. “Fabian and Gideon, you two trouble makers need a safe spot to hide. Like Remus’ place, it is very warded and the goblins will code the wards to your blood. You both decided on a dangerous line of work. This will ensure you have a safe place to retreat and heal. Likewise, the nest egg is because you are our friends. This is the last way we can take care of you.”

“Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, our mentors,” James smiled. “Lily and I had so many plans. We have been trapped in this house for too long. Our minds expanded. We wrote down all our thoughts on Charms and Transfiguration. All our inspired ideas were documented faithfully in our journals. All our working projects to ensure muggle technology works with magic. We almost have it figured out. If you are nice, Sirius may show you his baby. It truly is a runes, charms, and transfiguration masterpiece. We hope you can share our work with your future students and inspire them.”

“Severus, my first friend, my potions partner,” Lily said with a fond smile. “You are brilliant. You deserve to commit yourself to your research. James and I found this property. It is heavily warded and the goblins will code the wards to your blood. It is outfitted for potions research. I have also gifted you a large nest egg. You are worth the effort. Even James is committed to investing in your brilliance. I can’t wait to see what you invent.”

“Harry, my beautiful, baby boy,” James said with tears in his eyes. “I wish with all my heart that I could be there for you. That I could hold you as you learn to fly a broom. That I can proudly celebrate all your accidental magic. That I get to meet your friends and teach you all the Marauders’ secrets. But I will watch. I will celebrate here. Know that I love you with all my heart. I give you everything else. All my worldly possessions. All my money. All my properties... and I know it will not be enough. Nothing will ever be enough for missing time with you.”

“We will absolutely fight tooth and nail to stay by your side,” Lily said fiercely. “If it doesn’t happen, I want you to know that we did everything to change the outcome. No matter how obscure the ritual or spell. No matter which god we prayed to. We tried to find another option. Since that didn’t happen, I want you to find love. Find freedom. Celebrate life. We will be right there celebrating with you. You may not see us, but we are there… And we are hexing your enemies from the afterlife.”

“Albus,” James said with barely restrained hurt. “I am wroth with you. It took being caged in this house to realize how utterly useless you are. Your wisdom was hallow and directionless. Your guidance was wrong and forceful. You decided to create a vigilante group because you didn’t trust the government to do its job... YOU ARE THE GOVERNMENT. You didn’t trust yourself. To everyone listening to this Will. DO NOT TRUST THAT MAN. He doesn’t deserve the positions he is in. He doesn’t deserve trust. His plans and guidance are heavily flawed.”

“You all are our friends,” Lily told them. “Take heed. Know that we love all of you. Look out for each other. Support each other. This war will end. Rebuild with kindness and compassion. Blackclaw, please ensure that anyone not present gets a written copy. May your enemies always fall to your ax and your gold tower over your home.”

Blackclaw stepped forward and turned off the Will orb. “If you will each approach the table, I will distribute your bequeathment,” he sat down with paperwork and pouches.

“I know, Mischief,” Sirius said as Harry clung to his chest sobbing. “I got you.”

“You are good for him,” Alice said as she stood with Neville in her arms.

“Thank you,” Sirius replied.

“We wanted to thank you for your advice,” Frank told him while holding out his hand.

“They found something then,” Sirius commented.

“They did,” Alice said. Fury flashed in her eyes. “Neville was clear.”

“So was Harry,” Sirius added. “Write me when you want to set up a play date. You have a safe place?” he asked.

“We do,” Frank replied. “Unplotable. We moved just in time too. The wards at our old place were triggered the day after we moved.”

“Thank heaven you’re safe,” Sirius said. “I knew Peter gave all our safe houses away. I just hope everyone was as lucky.”

“We were,” Gideon said with a head shake. “We thought about trapping them when the wards went off, but we would have been overwhelmed. I’m flattered to think they needed a dozen Death Eaters for us, but I prefer to live.”

“Dorcas and Benjy weren’t so lucky,” Alice said quietly. “Marlene wasn’t so lucky. She escaped with bad curse damage. The Bones Family was hurt, but only Edgar’s wife died. More curse damage. Thank goodness the children were at the new safe house. The people helping them pack were just enough to keep them from being overwhelmed. I heard they arrested eight Death Eaters that night. Though a few got away.”

“Sirius, my boy,” Albus tried to interrupt over the others. Fabian and Gideon moved off.

“We’ll write, Sirius,” Alice told him a she moved to take Neville and Frank out the room.

“Bye, Alice, Frank,” Sirius said with a wave. He was trying to ignore Dumbledore for as long as possible.

Harry turned with one arm tightly wrapped around Sirius’ neck. “Bye,” he shouted after them. They smiled and Neville shyly waved as they left.

“What do you want, Albus?” Sirius said sullenly. He was being intentionally rude. He just knew that Dumbledore wouldn’t even know it. The old coot threw around disrespect and made you feel grateful for his negative attention.

“I just want to talk, my boy,” Albus said with an expectant twinkle in his eye.

“I’m no longer an Auror. I refuse to go back to the Order. I stopped being a boy the first time I killed someone in the line of duty. I was never yours,” Sirius stated blandly. “What, pray tell, do you want to talk about?” he asked with thinly veiled hostility.

“Harry, of course,” Albus said with a smile.

“No,” Sirius said firmly. “Pick another topic. If you don’t have one, go away.”

“Harry needs guidance,” Albus said sagely.

“He’s one, of fucking course, he needs guidance,” Sirius said emphatically. “Just not from you. One, you were never a parent. Two, he doesn’t know you. Three, there is no way for Harry to relate to you. You are ancient and all...” His hand waved vaguely at Dumbledore. “…that. I don’t see you chasing butterflies anytime soon.”

“You need help, Sirius,” Albus tried another angle.

“I have help,” Sirius told him with his voice rising in anger. “Did you not just WATCH me coordinate with the Longbottoms... With Fabian and Gideon?... Are you blind, deaf, and senile?”

“NO!” Harry shouted with a firm, angry, toddler face. He was pointing his little finger at the old man. “No!” he repeated.

“Understood, Mischief,” Sirius replied with a cocky salute. “No pushy old men.”

Harry patted his cheek in approval.

“Good bye, Albus,” Sirius said. “Don’t try to contact me again.” With that, Sirius rudely turned away from Albus Dumbledore and walked right out of the room.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

Chapter Text

Chapter 04: The House of Black

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

14 Nov 1981 – Scotland, Hogwarts, Chamber of Secrets

After spending time thinking about his identity test results, Sirius decided to write letters to various family members. He wasn’t sure who, if anyone, in the Black family knew he was still in the Family Magic or not. He only had Walburga’s say on his expulsion. He watched her blast his name from the family tapestry at Grimmauld. Apparently, Mother Magic doesn’t care what Walburga wanted. And wasn’t that a pleasant thought!

This made Sirius wonder if other ‘expelled’ members were actually expelled, or like him, were perfectly in touch with the family magic (Walburga tended to get blast happy with the family tapestry). I mean, can you really expel a dead person? He already established that Walburga’s opinions don’t matter. If he was surprised by the results, they likely would be as well. As Head of House, his grandfather should know. His letter would include the most information from Sirius. A range of new people were identified as family. People he never heard of. It was possible he was related to them through is birth mother. If anyone knew what or who these unknown people were, it would be the Head of House Black.

Sirius always liked his grandfather as a child. His memories said Arcturus was formal and stiff, but was soft around children. Granted, he was only eight the last time he saw his grandfather. At the time, his grandfather's visit was welcome. Which was likely why Walburga forbid he and Regulus visit his grandparents. He was barely four when she eliminated their visits to Castle Black. By age five, he stopped asking. Which was why he was delighted to see his grandfather at age eight.

If Sirius were still suffering from the Dementor exposure, the compulsions, and the potions, he was certain that he would NOT be writing these letters. Harry’s insistence on the cleansing ritual was the reason he could think again. The compulsions painted every thought and action done by anyone in House Black in a negative or hateful light. He resented Dumbledore for stealing his family from him. Now, with his mind clear, he started to review those old memories. Thinking back on those same events with a clear mind... he could see how his actions confused his father and his brother. How the compulsions warped their perceptions of him.

Unfortunately, Walburga, and even Bellatrix to some extent, reinforced the compulsions and potions. Walburga hated him. She always hated him. Nothing he did found her approval. Bellatrix was a cruel girl who grew into a cruel and spiteful woman. After a decade of listening to Bellatrix’s insane ranting, Sirius honestly didn’t think he could see her or Walburga in a positive light. He wouldn’t be surprised if his actions helped drive Kreacher mad. Not with everything the old house elf said triggering the compulsions and potions. He treated the elf poorly back then and even worse when he hid at Grimmauld.

Sirius really needed to get Lord Black to send an elf to help care for Grimmauld Place. He didn’t want it to fall into such a poor state this time around... even if he never wanted to see the pit again. He knew Kreature couldn’t care for it.

For now, Sirius was very committed to ignoring one line of his report. His eyes still danced around the line, as if not reading it would deny the information. The whole report was full of pitfalls and surprises. When the fuck did Moody Imperius me? Each more confusing and horrifying than the last. But this one... This was the hardest to process.

The report of his death through the Veil.

It’s not like he didn’t know he died. He did. He even had a nice chat with Death in Limbo. No, he definitely died. That wasn’t the issue. He was dueling Bellatrix. He fully expected to feel at least one Unforgivable. Bella was always a bit liberal with the Crutacius Curse. But that’s not what killed him. Hell, Bella didn’t kill him. Oh, she wanted to. She craved it like a cat craved catnip.

No. Not Crucio. Not Imperio. Not even Avada Kedavra. A freaking First-Year jinx. There it was in painful text. Black and White. The great Sirius Black... sane after a decade of dementor exposure... after escaping the inescapable prison... hiding from the Ministry for years in London... was killed by a First-Year jinx. That fucking hurt.

-----------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

STATUS:

• Patrons: Lord Death, Shadow Lord, Lady Eris
• Magical Strength: 857 [Wixen, Púca creature inheritance, Blood Adopted-Wixen]
• Magical Affinity: Dark
• Resurrected and Time Displaced (18 Nov 1996) Execution Veil of Death – Knockback Curse (Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore) Time displaced to 31 Oct 1981

---------------------------------------

Worse...Absolutely fucking worse... Sirius was killed by a fucking ally. The Lord of the Light. The man who never made a mistake in anyone’s eyes. Who’s every action was calculated to the 100th degree. The man that potioned and layered compulsions on him so heavily that even present Sirius, ritually cleansed, had to fighting the thoughts. That fucking man chose to kill me in the chaos of that battle... CHOSE IT!

How many people does Dumbledore have to cause the death of...? To kill...? ... before he’s classified as a Dark Lord? Because... If Sirius had a choice… he would be calling everyone together to take down Albus Fucking Dumbledore... the man who fucking murdered him. Who used his death to manipulate his godson... and, of course, the remaining Dark Tosser on the board (because he is just the smell that won’t go away). No need to separate them out. They both risked the lives of EVERYONE around them. Wizarding Britain was caught in the fucking middle.

No. Not fucking thinking about it. Pin firmly placed.

Sirius took a deep calming breath. He was still processing that. Which meant he needed a distraction.

Just what the fuck was going on with Walburga? Alright, not the bitch. I already knew she was nuts. His father... His dad? No. Not ready to call him that yet... What the hell was his father thinking? Did he even know how he screwed over his kids with that bitch?

Because Sirius was most definitely not thinking about how his brother died... His HALF brother... How he was only 18 when he took a suicide mission to help defeat Voldemort. How Reggie’s letter to him... His death note... Was STILL sitting in Grimmauld Place waiting for him.

No. Sirius was definitely not thinking about that.

Sirius scanned his written letters one last time before sealing them. Each was labeled for a different family member. Lord Arcturus Black, Mrs. Andromeda Tonks, and Ms. Cassiopeia Black. A scattering of his living relatives who may... hopefully... shed some light on this weird mess of his family. He was getting better thinking about them now without the compulsions. Claiming them once more.

Sirius sealed the letters, addressed them, and tucked them away in the mole skin pouch for distribution. Blackclaw’s setup with the owl post was a miracle.

Harry interrupted him with quick taps on his leg. Sirius smiled down at him.

“Pafoo’,” Harry said earnestly. “Pra’tis.” He held up one of the Potter family photo albums like a trophy.

They had been practicing his vocalizations while Sirius told stories about each of the photos. Harry’s body didn’t have muscles in his mouth and throat to help him speak. Not yet. He had the words. He just didn’t have the ability to share them yet. He was getting better.

The only way to fix that was to practice speaking. It wasn’t abstract discussions yet, but they were getting closer. Sharing stories of his mom and dad were the vehicle they used. Harry loved it. He was learning more about his parents than he discovered in his entire first life.

“Perfect timing, Mischief,” Sirius grinned. “Let’s camp on the couch. Which photo do you want to start on.” They sat on the couch and Harry cuddled up close and opened the photo album. He pointed to one. The collection of friends beside Black Lake.

“Well, this was an awesome day... Just after end-of-year exams...”

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

15 Nov 1981 – Scotland, Unplotted, Castle Black

Arcturus Black was resigned to the death of his family. The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black was dying. Thirty years ago, he fought tooth and nail to secure his family. His wife, bless her soul, was a relentless force. The years before her death were hard. They safely married off Lucy only to discover Orion being... less than cautious... about sewing his wild oats.

Luckily, they caught the pregnant girl before she gave birth. She was more than happy to hand the child over to Orion. Pollux suggested Orion wed Walburga, to lock his Heir into responsibility. The girl was frightfully unpleasant and not likely to have any marriage requests. Even her status as Black wouldn’t help her. The infant would be blood adopted. It would be like she had the child herself... minus the pregnancy unpleasantness.

“Post is here, Master Artie,” Ceri, his house elf, announced.

“Thank you, Ceri,” Arcturus replied as he took the envelopes.

Gringotts, Walburga Black, Daily Prophet, Black Architecture, Shady Botanical, S Black... Arcturus set aside the newspaper, the investment updates, and the Gringotts statement. Walburga’s missive was tossed into the fire. He opened the last letter. Could this be young Sirius?

---------------------------------------------------------

~Letter: Lord Arcturus Black III~

Lord Arcturus Black III

Grandfather,

I know I have not written for some time. I am unaware of what you know about my circumstances. I can only assume Walburga Black and my father, Orion Black, kept you updated. During this horrible Blood War, I hope you are safe and secure behind Castle Black’s war wards. I apologize if I am repeating information you already know.

I became a disappointment to Walburga at the age of eleven when I was sorted into Gryffindor. That was my only crime. From that point on, I embraced my house and was foolish and reckless at home... for which Walburga frequently punished me. I can’t say the punishments were not entirely justified. Spite and hate motivated me in my later years. I regret, that in my youth, I generalized that spite to everyone in the family. I am attempting to rectify my shame now.

My story with my family culminated with the Yule Holiday during my fifth year at Hogwarts. Walburga banned me from the family and I fled Grimmauld Place for a friend’s home. I have not seen my father or Walburga since that holiday. My only contact with Regulus was at Hogwarts and we both behaved poorly.

Lord and Lady Potter took me in and cared for me until I graduated Hogwarts in 1978. I was accepted into the Auror Corp. I graduated top of my class, although I did not advanced to a Head Auror position as I gained field experience.

Recently, an event affected me deeply. Lord and Lady Potter (my friend and cousin took the lordship with the passing of his father) were attacked and killed on All Hallow’s Eve this year. I was first to the scene of the attack and was able to safely secure Heir Potter (age 1) and capture two Death Eaters. I have since seperated from the Auror Corp to care for Heir Potter (my godson).

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of an oddity I discovered while registering my godson at Gringotts and scheduling the Will reading for Lord and Lady Potter. While completing my identity verification, I discovered that Walburga Black is not my blood mother. Until this test, I would swear she was.

Likewise, all the information Walburga relayed to me about the family was false. Family members she claimed were expelled, disowned, and disinherited, were not. The test gathered this information from Mother Magic. It listed everyone I am directly related to with magical ability. Most are connected through the Black Family magic… even peripherally. I am also connected to the Hornby, Crabbe, Macmillan, and Gamp Family magics.

In fact, a whole range of new family members appeared. Names unfamiliar to me. The only name vaguely familiar was Iota Benton. She was a first-year sorted to Hufflepuff in my seventh-year at Hogwarts (I always took note of anyone with a star name. More for curiosity than to find lost Blacks).

I have included a copy of the identity test through the Extended Relatives section. Please review it and let me know who these additional family members are. I suspect some are related through my birth mother. According to the Potter Account Manager at Gringotts, the Extended Family section does not include Blood Adopted Family and they are listed according their relation to me (through my father). This is not a complete list of Black Family members. However, it is far more extensive than I thought I would be.

Receiving this information deeply affected me. I needed time to process this. To think through my past with my father, my brother, and Walburga. I don’t like the pieces to this puzzle. To this end, I can only speculate. I have no proof. I cannot be objective when it comes to Walburga. Perhaps you can provide a more objective view.

As a young child, my father was very active and involved with Reggie and me. Around age ten, he stopped being involved. He started to behave listlessly and uninterested. He was distant and travelled for business more. I noticed, but I was distracted by the changes in Walburga’s behavior. Her physical threat to me was very present at that time.

That was when Walburga began to assert her dominance over the household. She was never pleased with my performance of anything (I breathed too loud on one occasion). With my sorting, she wrote me off and tried to replace me with Reggie. This likely drove Reggie and later my father to their deaths (again, this is observation and speculation). I’m not sure how, but I’m sure you are familiar with her persistence. Her very loud, painful, obnoxious persistence.

Regardless of my suspicions, I am not welcome at Grimmauld Place (nor do I want to visit for any reason). If my fears are unfounded, I’m sure Walburga will be sure to squarely place the blame on me. However, if they are not, then Walburga drove Heir Black to his death and is responsible for the death of one of his sons with her rhetoric. The very thought enrages me. I have to restrain my Gryffindor response.

Needless to say, I welcome an investigation into the deaths of my father and my brother. I fully resent Walburga for banning me from their funeral services. [As a side note, I’m sure Walburga has driven the house elf assigned to Grimmauld Place mad. I fear for the maintenance of the home under Kreacher’s care.]

Please excuse the mail ward delay. My godson and I receive too many cursed, tracked, or spelled missives to allow any spelled correspondence. Please send a note if you would prefer a meeting. I would prefer to discuss the Heirship with you before taking the ring.

My regards,

Sirius Orion Black III

---------------------------------------------------------

Arcturus scanned the ID Test pages. He started at the top and read the expected information. Name, date of birth, parents... He paused.

---------------------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

NAME: Sirius Orion Black III

BIRTH: 3 Nov 1959

MOTHER (BLOOD): Olive Apple Macmillan nee Hornby (deceased)

FATHER (BLOOD): Orion Arcturus Black II (deceased)

OTHER (BLOOD ADOPTED): Walburga Astra Black (living)

AUTHORIZED VAULTS:

• Black Family Vault - 244 (Upon acceptance of Heirship)
• Black Heir Vault - 253 (Upon acceptance of Heirship. Annual stipend-accumulated)

---------------------------------------------------------

Arcturus was shocked to see how the report noted the blood mother. The girl was listed by her married name. She was unwed when Orion took possession of the child. Arcturus and Pollux worked hard to disguise Sirius’ birth. They were certain it was covered up. No Ministry records ever held the girl’s name. The girl’s medical record stated the child died after delivery. How did the goblins know?

He sighed. House Black was about secrets. The patron deity for the House of Black was the Shadow Lord. One of Lord Death’s faces. Shadow skill was a house gift. Finding and ferreting out the secrets of others. Concealing the secrets of House Black. He needed to make note of how THIS secret was discovered.

Arcturus found Pollux in the extended relations section as a first cousin, not a grandfather. Cygnus and Alphred as second cousins, not uncles. Then he noticed a name he had almost forgotten.

---------------------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

• First Cousin: Euphemia Estella Potter nee No Name (deceased)
• First Cousin: Howard Elliott MacMillan (living)
• First Cousin: Lawson Rafe Wilkens (deceased)
• First Cousin: Marius Atlas Black (living)
• First Cousin: Pippa Lyla Macmillan nee Hornby (living)
• First Cousin: Pollux Arcturus Black (living)

---------------------------------------------------------

Marius Black. First Cousin. A squib. Pollux’s younger brother. The hidden family shame. So, the ID Test also shows the squib family members. Interesting.

A few of the unknown cousins were Hornbys or Macmillan’s. Sirius had another half-brother. A MacMillan boy. The other unknown second cousins were Blacks. A boy and a girl. Likely Marius’ children. The unknown third cousins all carried the girls married name. The Black boy had a daughter. The unknown fourth cousins carried the surnames of the girls.

And there was Iota Benton, descended from Marius Black. Alive. Magical. Along with so many missing Black Family members. Named using the stars... A Black Family Tradition.

---------------------------------------------------------

~ID Test: Sirius Orion Black III~

• Fourth Cousin: Cygnus Crux Lloyd (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Draco Lucius Malfoy (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Ella Tori Wilkens (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Iota Maya Benton (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Justin Andrew Finch-Fetchley (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Kent Briscoe Wilkens (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Nymphadora Estella Tonks (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Phoenix Leptus Lloyd (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Vega Lyra Benton (living)
• Fourth Cousin: Zania Libra Lloyd (living)

---------------------------------------------------------

Iota, the Hufflepuff, enrolled at Hogwarts. Iota was a Black. A magical Black. Descended from a squib and never forgotten by the Black Family Magic.

Arcturus needed to know more. The girl was family. Did she even know? He needed to provide her the support and love every magical child should have. She wasn’t Muggleborn or half-blood. She was a Black. Blacks took care of their own. He was ecstatic at the number of new Black Family members. Perhaps the Black Family will survive after all. [11]

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

15 Nov 1981 – England, London, Tonks Residence

Sorting through her post while drinking her coffee, Andromeda froze as she came across the letter. S Black. Small. Unassuming. She was almost afraid to open it.

Andromeda knew Sirius was much more involved in the Blood War than she and Ted. She didn’t want to get dragged into the war. Ted was a barrister and worked mostly with wixen and muggle legal issues. His degree and his personal experience allowed him to serve both sides and reduce conflict.

Andromeda was a mediwitch at St Mungo’s. She was content to work in the children’s ward. Both sides of the Blood War ignored healers. Well, not ignored exactly. Mostly they declared them off limits. At least, if they were at St. Mongo’s or responding to a specific medical emergency. If she’s not in healer greens, then she’s fair game. As a result, she wore her greens to work and home again. Even shopping. It only got rough once when she was on Diagon Alley shopping (in her greens) when she took cover during an attack. She was in the habit of always having her emergency bag with her while in greens. Once the attackers cleared out, she went to work treating the wounded.

What does Sirius want now? I won’t help either side. I’m decidedly not taking sides. Even if we are a target of the Death Eaters.

-----------------------------------------------

~Letter: Andromeda Tonks~

Andromeda Tonks nee Black

Cousin Andy,

I know I have not written for some time. I’m not sure if you have heard anything from the Black Family. I can only assume you heard the same tripe from Walburga Black that she was tried to feed to me (It was all lies). During this horrible Blood War, I hope you are safe and secure and hidden behind complex wards. I worry for you and your family.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of an oddity I discovered while registering my godson at Gringotts to schedule the Will reading for Lord and Lady Potter (James and Lily died in a Death Eater attack). During this process, I completed a comprehensive identity verification for Gringotts (seven-drop identity test). I discovered several weird things.

One, Walburga is not my blood mother. I’m taking actions now to purge her from my family line.

Two, I was not disinherited, disowned, or expelled [12]... unlike what Walburga attempted to claim. I witnessed her banning me. Which was all she could do, apparently.

Three, there are more Black Family members than I was aware. Some are Blacks, some are under a different surname. They may be related to me through my blood mother. I don’t know. However, like you, they are still connected to the Black Family magic. I even noted little Dora there. (She has so many cousins!)

Four, I am listed as Heir Black (Holy shite!)

I’m looking into the family thing now, but I wanted to advise you to investigate on your own. Go to Gringotts and get the test done. Find out if you have been hating the family for no reason... Or just because Walburga lied to you. The test takes information from Mother Magic. The ultimate truth. Ted may want to get a full test too. Dora likely only needs the three-drop test (you got the fill relative listing with you and Ted). The original stays on file, but you can take a copy. I had to process mine. I still am really. It was... a lot to process.

I’m reaching out to Lord Black to see how he feels about it all.

Your goofy cousin,

Sirius Orion Black III

---------------------------------------------------------

Huh. Definitely not what she expected.

Not disinherited. Not disowned. Not expelled. Andromeda hadn’t received any letters from her family after her father banned her. She hoped to hear from her sisters, at least. Not even after Dora was born. She just assumed they didn’t want her. At least THIS warrants investigation.

Andromeda wanted that. She wanted to be recognized. She was DAMN proud to claim the Black family, but she loved Ted and refused to be around people who would disrespect him. He was safe, normal, and hard working. Her badger.

But the snake in her saw how this claim could be used to her advantage. The Black Family had resources. Their name opened doors. She could help her daughter with her Metamorphagus gift. It was a Black Family Legacy gift. Her eyes widened.

Dora’s gift. Lord Black would love to claim a resurgence in the gift. Did he even know about Dora?

If I was never expelled, then Dora’s gift is from the Black Family magic. Proving we belong. Proving House Black magic is strong.

Andromeda resolved to take her family to Gringotts and get the testing done as soon as possible. Depending on the results, she fully intended to write Lord Black.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~

16 Nov 1981 – France, Paris, The Black Salon

Cassiopeia spent the evening ferreting out secrets. It was her favorite hobby. Nothing brought her more pleasure then discovering a delicious secret that could ruin someone’s life. It always amazed her that the most vocal proponents for transparency (mostly politicians) carried the most secrets.

Not simple ones either, but massive secrets. Long-term affairs. Hidden families. Embezzlement. Fraud. Or her favorite, a hidden murder.

It’s one of the reasons she loved Paris. The city attracted all the pretty little liars for her to scandalize. To wine, dine, and bleed dry. Not to mention the fashion and food were amazing!

Cassiopeia strode into the Black Salon. Her current residence. It was secure and reactive to anyone not sworn to the Blacks. It kept her cache of secrets safe from other curious fingers.

“Post is on the table, Mistress Cassy,” Nessie told her once she closed the door and sealed the wards for a nice quiet night.

“Thank you, Nessie,” Cassiopeia replied with a smile. She strode to the small welcome table and fingered through the letters.

Most were invites to various parties and galas. Two were to fashion shows. One from the French Ministry. The oddity was the letter from England.

Cassiopeia thought through everyone she was still in contact with and no one came to mind. She was quite happy to avoid the mess in the UK right now. Some unknown Dark Lord rose in the wake of destruction left by Grindelwald. His main flaw was killing everyone who didn’t like his ideas.

Really! He was the least Slytherin thing to claim descendant from Lord Slytherin. It’s not like Lord Slytherin cornered the magical market on parseltongue. It was most common in India and parts of Asia, but it was not as rare as this Dark Lord claimed.

Then the idiot promptly ignores Lord Slytherin’s ideals. How horrible did the man have to be to be rejected by the Slytherin Family magic. Yes... That was one of her juicy secrets. The man tried to gain access to the Slytherin Family Vault only to be rejected by the Lordship ring.

Unfortunately, the man lived. He now had a grudge against... Well, everything. The man had charisma. He gained his followers mostly through his speeches. One Death Eater showed Cassiopeia his ‘dark mark’. He was trying to recruit her, but she could feel the leaching magic imbedded in the brand. She and her magic recoiled from it.

Because that is what it was. A slave brand. Very dark. It required a ritual and a death to place, but it ensured the marked follower would routinely offer up a portion of their magic to the owner. This Dark Lord may have been rejected by his Family magic, but he found a different way to increase his power. Theft. He was stealing magic from his followers and claiming it. Spitting in the face of Mother Magic!

It was horrible to think these wixen allowed themselves to be branded slaves. The idiots were ignorant of this type of magic. The degradation in the education system was appalling. All wixen should be able to easily identify a slave brand like that. They were common in the old days. The Black Family kept detailed records of the images used, what they represented, who had them, and their side effects; tracking, recall, leaching, and a kill code.

These Death Eaters were morons to allow this Dark Lord to brand them.

The marks were possible to remove, but it took knowledge to counter them. From Cassiopeia’s conversations with the younger generations, Hogwarts forbade that learning. Worse, they removed knowledge of the rituals needed to undo this kind of horror. Claimed the knowledge of the ritual cleansings were not needed. Which was a lie. How can they recognize a slave brand without knowing about them? How can the brand be removed without a ritual for divine cleansing?

Considering the disrespect shown the gods, perhaps they don’t want to be ritually cleansed by their patrons.

The blatant disrespect shown the gods on their holidays was more than concerning. Wixen were ignoring the  Sabbats. The sabbats were important enough that even the muggles bastardized a version of the holiday. Muggle religions stole the holidays, stripped out the most important rituals, and demanded their religion received primacy. Instead, the bloody magical school stripped out the VITAL rituals to celebrate like muggles. Ignoring the patron deities who gifted their magic. Who helped infuse the Family Magics. Disrespecting them. Only allowing the celebration of Christmas, Easter, and Halloween instead of Yule, Ostra, or Samhain.

The old families practiced the sacred rituals in hiding. In the dark. The wixen religion was the only one oppressed. It was offensive.

Then came a silver-tongued Dark Lord to entice followers. Drawing the old families in with tales of celebration in public once again. With rituals that honor the gods. Then he enslaved them to offer up their magic, their loyalty, and their very lives. Desecrating their magic. Soiling the patrons’ gifts. She wanted no part of it.

However, Cassiopeia was skilled at shadow play. She collected the secrets she needed to stall and end the followers of this upstart... if they came anywhere near her in France. Any good Slytherin knew that true change only happened slowly and with the correct political pressure. This Dark Lord was behaving very bold and rash in his actions. Very Gryffindor.

Cassiopeia examined in the letter one more time. S Black. A Black child was seeking her out. Interesting. Very Slytherin. She opened the letter and read.

-----------------------------------------------

~Letter: Cassiopeia Black~

Cassiopeia Black

Cousin (Great Aunt)

I’m not even sure why I am reaching out to you, but if there is one thing my father was afraid of, it was your shadow skill. During this horrible Blood War, I hope you are safe and secure in France. It truly is much safer there than here.

I’m not sure if you heard anything from the Black Family. I can only assume you heard the tripe Walburga Black was spewing. Since Lord Black never addressed her words, I made the Gryffindor assumption that everyone agreed with Walburga. Her lies led to turning my back on the family. That was my mistake. I take responsibility for my assumptions. I am working on rectifying my error. Unfortunately, I am a Gryffindor. I hope my courage and honor will see me through the mess my rash actions made of my family relations.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of an oddity I discovered while registering my godson at Gringotts. During this process, I completed a comprehensive identity verification for Gringotts (seven-drop identity test). I discovered several weird things.

One, Walburga is not my blood mother. I’m taking actions now to purge her from my family line.

Two, I was not disinherited, disowned, or expelled... unlike what Walburga attempted to claim. I witnessed her banning me. I made the assumption I was expelled. I was not.

Three, there are more family members than I was aware. Some are Blacks. Some have a different surname. I may be related to some through by blood mother. Since this information came from Mother Magic, I am investigating.

Four, I am listed as Heir Black (I didn’t know). I have contacted Lord Black to understand his desires in this process.

I’m hoping you are in contact with Lord Black. If not, you may want to reach out to him. These additional family members need to be investigated. You may be in a better place to investigate (the UK is a mess).

I’m reaching out to Lord Black to see how he feels about it all. I’m sure he will relay any of your findings if they are relevant.

My regards,

Sirius Orion Black III

---------------------------------------------------------

Cassiopeia tried to recall the boy. She did recall something about the son of the Heir being sorted into Gryffindor. She didn’t see it as a problem. She knew the boy needed training to curb his more rash and impulsive behaviors. It appeared Orion failed the boy’s training. This is concerning.

While traditionally, Blacks were Slytherin, not all of them were taken into the house of snakes. Blacks certainly didn’t marry into the house of snakes (That was asking for trouble). The various houses helped the child to develop their strongest personality traits. While ambition and cunning were a traditional goals for shadow play, she could see the need for a lion in a time of war. It took courage to stand up to this Dark Lord and call him a liar to his face.

Which means I’m returning to England to ensure the lion cub survives this war. The boy needs guidance. He needs to learn to curb his brasher instincts.

“Nessie,” Cassiopeia called. “Prepare to close up the Salon. We will leave the day after tomorrow. I am needed in England.”

“Yes, Mistress Cassy,” Nessie replied and popped away.

Cassiopeia strode away. The invites were ignored. She wouldn’t be here much longer.

~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~