Chapter 4: Four: Blood is thicker than Water
Remus Lupin, a one-time friend of Sirius and James Potter, looked between them before laughing his head off. Then, when he realised, they were not laughing, he looked at father and son with astonishment.
"You cannot be serious. The love between James and Lily was known by everyone," Remus gasped, "It would take a massConfundus in the water to make me believe James and Lily were not in love."
"Actually, I have proof," Maglugg stepped up, making the three look at him shocked, "View the memories after you finish the letter, but I have a birth certificate."
"I've seen Harry's birth records at the Ministry," Remus interrupted.
"Our records cannot be tampered with, neither can valid birth certificates. However, a true copy is buried in the ministry, hidden by someone."
"Why the hell wasn't anything said before?" Sirius stared at the goblin.
"We were under oaths, Your Grace. Duggat and I are the only ones that knew. We were to inform the right people on Harry's 15th birthday," Maglugg shrugged his shoulders as if it were of no consequence to him.
"Read the rest of the letter," Sirius suggested softly.
Harry, no matter what people say, Sirius Black is a good man, and I have no doubt he will be a great father to you. I hope this does not shock you, and Sirius will be in your life in some capacity, hopefully as your father.
I met him when he was eleven; he was the opposite of the other pure-bloods we met on the train. Annoying, childish, and full of mischief (Harry grinned), but something about him sparkled. However, he instantly took a shine and pursued me relentlessly until our fifth year, James Potter tried to keep him reigned in, but I knew he liked me. During the fifth year, the boys bullied my other friend Severus Snape relentlessly, I tried to help my friend, but he called me a 'Mudblood.' A dirty filthy word that upset me a lot.
I cried in a hidden corridor when Sirius found me, comforting me. This was a side I had never seen, his softer side. By Easter of our fifth year, we had begun dating, though only our friends James Potter and Remus Lupin knew. If people knew Sirius would have been threatened by his family, a scion of Black could not be seen with a Muggle-born.
We married secretly when we left Hogwarts, and I have never been more in love. Sirius is such a wonderful man; I hope that you know him. I have left these memories because I feel Dumbledore will do something. He has always creeped me out, insinuating I should be with James Potter, the light-born Prince. He has repeatedly said Voldemort is a danger to all muggle-born, but he spouts out the Greater-good nonsense, and I have seen how he favours the pure-bloods, especially on the so-called light side. I have seen the esteemed headmaster ignore the 'grey' families, blasting the so-called dark families.
Sorry for the rant; I really hope this letter never finds its way to you; that Sirius, you and I are all living as one happy family with a sibling for you. Please know that I love you very much and will always be with you.
Your Loving mother,
Lily.
Harry could not help but stare at the letter once again. Never in all his years had he expected to discover Sirius was his father. He passed the missive off to Sirius, turning to look at Remus.
"She seems to think you knew about Sirius and her dating," Harry told the man.
"James and Lily dated in the seventh year but never did Sirius and Lily date," Remus told the boy, surprised.
"Do you think Remus might have suffered the Memory Charm?" Harry asked, looking at Sirius, who had just put the letter down.
"If I've been obliviated, then I can certainly believe that Remus has been wiped too because I don't remember dating your mother," Sirius spoke sadly.
"We will have a look at the memories. They might be able to jog something," Harry suggested.
"I think that's a good idea," Remus added.
"Have you got a Pensieve?" Sirius looked at the goblin.
"We have one for your use," the goblin looked at him before going to a cupboard behind him and pulling out a grey bowl made of stone. Engraved on it were images of fighting goblins. Around the edges were runes.
"So, do you want to do this?" Sirius asked his son.
"I want to see if what you and mum had was real," Harry answered. Sirius picked up the first vial before tipping it out into the Pensieve.
"Are you coming with us?" the man asked his best friend.
"You bet," Remus replied firmly. The three looked at each other once more, and then each touched a finger into the memory. Harry felt himself falling before finding he stood on the edge of the lake of Hogwarts. The trio was next to Lily Potter; she had thick dark red hair that fell to her shoulders and startlingly green almond-shaped eyes- Harry's eyes.
"Impedimenta," a young Sirius shouted, pointing his wand at a fifteen-year-old Severus Snape, who was knocked off his feet halfway through a dive. Harry looked around to see others had begun to watch the young marauders taunt Snape. Lily was now observing them. Snape was on the floor panting as the pair advanced on him, wands up. Harry noticed James glancing over his shoulder, looking in their direction.
"Obviously, James liked Mum," Harry muttered as Wormtail edged around Lupin to get a better view.
"How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" said James.
"I was watching him; his nose was touching the parchment," Sirius crowed viciously, "There'll be great grease marks all over it; they won't be able to read a word,"
"You were nasty to him; no wonder he is like he is," Harry commented as several people watching laughed. Adult Sirius hung his head in shame; he never wanted the teen to see him like this. Harry realised Snape must have been unpopular. Snape tried to push himself up, but the jinx must have still been operating on him; he was struggling as though bound by invisible ropes.
"You…wait," he painted, looking at James with an expression of pure loathing, "You-Wait..."
"Wait for what?" Sirius asked the boy coolly. "What're you going to do, Snivelly? Wipe your nose on us?"
Snape let out mixed swearwords and hexes, but nothing happened with his wand being ten feet away.
"Wash out your mouth," said James coldly. "Scourgify!"
Pink soap bubbles streamed from Snape's mouth at once; the foam was covering his lips, making him gag, choking him-
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily Evans marched toward them, making the three Watchers follow her. Fifteen-year-old James and Sirius looked around. James' free hand jumped to his hair.
"All right, Evans?" said James, and the tone of his voice was suddenly pleasant, deeper, more mature. Sirius gave her a quick, shy smile that no one would notice if they had not been looking for it. But Harry's eyes were on Black like a hawk.
"Leave him alone," Lily repeated. She was looking at James with every sign of dislike. "What's he done to you?"
"Well," said James, appearing to deliberate the point, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean..."
Harry looked around as the other teens laughed, including Wormtail. Lupin, intent on his book, did not appear to join in, nor did Lily. He also noticed Teen Sirius had abruptly gone quiet.
"You think you're funny," she said coldly. "But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."
"I will if you go out with me, Evans," James tried quickly. "Go on...Go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again."
"He really was a dick," Sirius commented as Harry noticed teen Sirius flushed with anger. He wasn'twas not happy with James asking Lily on a date. But, behind James, the Impediment Jinx was wearing off. Snape was starting to crawl toward his wand, spitting out soapsuds.
"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," Lily shouted.
"Bad luck, Prongs," Sirius told his mate, but he had a slight grin. Wormtail suddenly shouted.
"OY!" But too late; Snape had directed his wand straight at James.
"That never happened. I was the one that called out," Older Sirius muttered as a flash of light and a gash appeared on James's face, splattering his robes with blood. James whirled about; a second flash of light later, Snape was hanging upside down in the air, his robes falling over his head to reveal skinny, pallid legs and a pair of greying underpants. Many in the crowd cheered, James and Wormtail roaring with laughter. Teen-Sirius eyes were darting between Snape and Lily.
"Come on, James, I think that's enough now," Sirius attempted to say.
"You're going soft," James snapped back.
"Let him down!" Lily thundered, his face aflame with anger.
"Certainly," replied James, and he jerked his wand upward. Snape fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. Then, disentangling himself from his robes, Snape got quickly to his feet, wand up, but James once again beat him to it. "Petrificus Totalus!" and Snape keeled over again at once, rigid as a board.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted. She now had her own wand out, which James and Sirius eyed warily.
"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," James told her earnestly.
"Take the curse off him, then!" James sighed deeply, then turned to Snape and muttered the counter curse.
"There you go," he said, as Snape struggled to his feet again, "you're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus-"
"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"
"Fine," Lily blinked. "I won't bother in future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."
"Apologise to Evans!" James roared at Snape; his wand pointed threateningly at him.
"I don't want you to make him apologise," Lily shouted, rounding on James, "You're as bad as he is..."
"What?" yelped James. " I'd NEVER call you a- you-know-what!"
"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid quaffle, walking down the corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can-I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head of yours. You make me SICK." She turned on her heel and hurried away.
"Evans!" James shouted after her, "Hey, EVANS!"
But she did not look back.
"What is it with her?" said James, trying and failing to look like this was a throwaway question of no real importance to him.
"Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited, mate," Teen-Sirius told him, though James missed the small smile on his face. By then, the three Watchers were pulled along suddenly as Lily must have gone out of earshot. They followed the girl as she walked through Hogwarts, as tears began rolling down her eyes.
"We really were horrible back then," Sirius commented as they walked alongside her until she found a disused corridor and settled on one of the window seats overlooking the Quidditch pitch. It seemed like it was maybe fifteen minutes before they heard the noise of boots scraping the floor. Lily quickly wiped her tears from her eyes as Sirius rounded the corner. She gave him an angry look making him stop some five feet away.
"If you're here to apologise for James, I'm not accepting it," she snapped.
"I'm not actually," he rubbed his head awkwardly, "I'm here to see if you're OK after what Sniv-Snape called you,"
"I, uh, I hate that word," she broke down in tears again, so Sirius approached her like she was a wounded animal. He slowly placed his arms around her and embraced the young redhead.
"Why does he have to be such a jerk?" She cried into his chest.
"He can't help it; he's an only child," Sirius tried to make her laugh; he got a watery chuckle out of her.
"I know you go along with him sometimes, but you're semi-decent," her muffled voice returned.
"Thanks, I think."
The scene dissolved, and the trio found themselves back in Maglugg's office, looking at one another.
"Well, that's not what I remember happening," Sirius and Remus spoke at the same time.
"What happened?"
"I shouted out about Snape, then once Lily was gone, we proceeded to hang Snape up again. I never went after her,"
"I definitely remember Sirius laughing at Snape a second time, though it almost seems foggy to me," Remus added.
"Let's look at the next one," Sirius suggested. So, they scooped the previous memory back into the vial before pouring the second into the Pensieve. This time they found themselves in a darkened corridor.
"I remember Lily telling us about this. This was about a month after the other incident," Remus commented.
"I'm sorry," Snape pleaded.
"I'm not interested."
"I'm sorry!" Harry could hear the raw emotion in Snape's voice now.
"Save your breath," Lily replied coldly; she was wearing a dressing gown and stood with her arms folded in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady at the entrance to the Gryffindor tower. "I only came out because Mary told me you threatened to sleep here."
"I was. I would have done that. I never meant to call you Mudblood; it just-"
"Slipped out?" There was no pity in Lily's voice. "It is too late. I have made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends- you do not even deny it! You do not even deny that is what you are all aiming to be! You cannot wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?"
He opened his mouth but closed it without speaking.
"I cannot pretend anymore. You have chosen your way; I have chosen mine."
"No-listen, I didn't mean-"
"-to call me Mudblood? But you call every one of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?" Snape struggled on the verge of speech, but with a contemptuous look, she turned and climbed back through the portrait. Harry caught one last glimpse of Snape's completely destroyed face before the magic pulled him into the Gryffindor Common room. Harry thought it had not changed much over the years before he was drawn to the scene in front of him. The Common Room must be empty, so it must have been near curfew.
"Are you alright?" Teen-Sirius asked. Lily nodded before she completely dissolved into tears. Then, the boy again took her into his arms, holding her as she sobbed. They remained this way for several minutes before they sat at the fireplace, staring into the fire.
"You know someone is going to come down and check the common room," Sirius nudged her. She leant into him, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Let them, I'm a Prefect!" she spoke like that would change everything. Sirius chuckled at her.
"You're such a kneazle sometimes."
"What?" she looked at him, confused.
"Fiercely loyal, a definite handful and dangerous as hell. But put a piece of string in front of you, and you go loony." She laughed at him pretending to slap him but she lost her footing and ended up on top of Sirius, her lips touching his. They remained that way for a couple of minutes before she slowly backed away. Sirius was looking at her wild-eyed as his hand stroked her auburn locks.
"I really like you," Sirius admitted.
"Shh," She told him, then kissed him purposefully. Harry noticed a shadow in the stairway that looked suspiciously like James Potter.
The room dissolved again before the trio found themselves on solid ground in Gringotts.
"I think I would remember a kiss like that," Sirius looked panicked, "What the hell did that goat-sniffer do to me?"
"Calm down. We cannot just go accusing the headmaster willy-nilly," Remus told his friend, trying to hold onto the last vestiges of his loyalty to Dumbledore.
"You've seen everything he's done, all the charms on Harry and me to the Obliviate," snarled Sirius.
"He is right; we cannot just accuse him of anything. We must play the long game, Dad." That one word brought Sirius back down to earth; he looked at the boy, his son.
They spent the next hour going over the memories until the last one cut off just before Sirius and Lily had sexual relations. Harry came out of that one looking green, but luckily, he did not see his parents naked. Oh wow, now he was thinking about them as his parents. Sirius was sitting in his chair looking into nothing, his mind going over everything.
"Here is Harry's birth certificate," Maglugg handed over the piece of parchment, which was sealed with magic, to Remus and Harry. The pair perused it, looking for any tampering.
"Harry's real name is Harry Antares Black," Remus commented, pulling Sirius out of his funk.
"I have a son," He laughed aloud, then hugged Harry, swinging him around the room, "How are you feeling about this?"
"Confused and surprised. I have been dreaming about this for years; when I was locked in the cupboard, I dreamt of my mum and dad coming to get me."
"What do you mean cupboard?" Sirius growled.
"It doesn't matter now, I'm here with you, and that's all that really matters," Harry hugged the man closer.
"So, do we announce it? What should we do?" Remus questioned the pair.
"First, as the firstborn son to the Duke of Anglia, you must accept the heir ring," the Senior goblin told the pair. He had retrieved the box with the rings in; Harry loved the look of the Black Coat of arms on it.
"First-born?" Sirius cottoned on as Harry took up the smaller silver ring slipping it onto his pinkie finger like he noticed his father wore. The ring was resized and fit him perfectly. "Do you mean to say I have another child out there?"
"I cannot tell you this, only that Family magic created a second Trust vault eleven years ago," Maglugg answered.
"I recommend we do not say anything yet, not least to the ministry or Dumbledore," Sirius suggested, "Until the hearing, you are missing."
"I agree, but Sirius, will you be able to go back and forth between Hárasteorra Hall and Grimmauld?" Remus asked.
"Yes, they already think I'm moody for having the Weasleys stay," Sirius returned, then looked at Harry, "Firstly, you as firstborn are the Marquess of Rendlesham, yet you look like that orphan Oliver,"
"I'm what?" Harry looked at the two adults.
"As my firstborn, you take on one of my titles, in this case, the 12th Marquess of Rendlesham. I did not know I had taken the title, as my father should have."
"So, I'll always be called Marquess?"
"Until you take my title, but in short, you will be called Lord as I'm called Your Grace, etc.," Sirius answered with a big grin.
"Do I have to call you Your Grace?"
"Between us, you can call me what you like if you are not comfortable with dad or father yet. However, in a more formal setting, it may be required."
"After we get done here, I'll take him to Diagon Alley to buy some new clothes and everything he'll need for next year," Remus suggested.
"Hey, how do you know what I need next year?" Harry looked at his former teacher.
"It's pretty much the same as last year, but with fifth-year books," Remus laughed, "Plus, we need to get you a superior trunk and better clothing and perhaps I'll treat you to an ice cream at Fortescue."
"He's going to need tutoring on etiquette, not to mention all the Houses, maybe some history of the family," Sirius suggested.
"You mean to tell me I have to have lessons during summer," Harry whined.
"Also, I've heard you're dismal at Potions; we'll have to get a tutor for you," Sirius considered ignoring the teen.
"That's because Snape is rubbish, and I get stuff thrown in my cauldron," Harry replied, gobsmacked at the change in the man.
"Come on, Harry, let's get going."
"Are you going to put a glamour on him?" Sirius questioned.
"Only his eyes and scar. He has definitely got your face. I will never know how I never saw it," Remus replied.
"Let this be the first outing for the Marquess of Rendlesham, son of the new Duke of Anglia," Sirius told them, "Don't let people know it's Harry unless it's the shops, but most of them have oath's not to reveal their clients,"
"Before you go, Your Grace, I need your permission to allow your heir to pay for things with his ring," Maglugg said.
"I forgot about that; how much is an heir limit on the accounts?" Sirius asked.
"He can take up to G5,000 a day from his trust account,"
"Remind me how much his account stands at?" the man looked at his son with a grin.
"He currently has G300,000, which has accumulated after fifteen years." Harry looked absolutely astonished.
"I don't deserve that!"
"You are my son; you will have the finest items money can buy," Sirius told him. "Authorise the account; I'll not miss another fifteen years of presents."
"Good, well done, Your Grace,"
"What about his other Trust fund?" Remus looked at Sirius.
"How much does he have in there?"
"G5,000 Galleons remain. However, Duggat and I want to do a full audit; as we said, we believe there may have been some fraudulent dealings regarding this vault,"
"Alright, you have my permission to investigate." Sirius picked up the ledger's, saying goodbye to the goblins before exiting through the Floo network. Remus shook his head at his friends' antics before putting a glamour on Harry. Remus conjured a cloak, which hid what Harry was wearing and had a hood. Harry had grey eyes like his father, and his scar had disappeared. He looked the epitome of a Black lordling. They bid the goblins goodbye before walking out into Diagon Alley. The rain had stopped, though angry clouds above them promised more.
"Where are we going first?" Harry asked lowly.
"We'll go to Twilfitt and Tattings first; they are where most of the Gentlemen go except for School robes, which Madam Malkins oversees," Remus explained, leading them through the alley until they reached a shop with rich red paint on the outside. Harry had never felt so low despite being incredibly wealthy. The bell tinkled as they entered; a long-legged man came out wearing an impeccably tailored suit. He looked at them with a small amount of disdain, especially Harry's clothing.
"The long-lost heir of Black has been discovered; his lordship needs a completely new wardrobe," Remus said for Harry. Immediately the man's eyes lit up, and Galleon figures could be reflected in them.
"Come this way, we already have another young man being fitted out for new clothing," the Tailor explained. Harry sighed, betting the other boy was Draco Malfoy, which would just be his luck. But, instead, standing on a box was none other than Neville Longbottom. He appeared thinner than Harry remembered and much stiffer, taller now than Harry by a few inches.
"Lord Grossmont," Remus offered the boy a bow.
"What did you call him?" Harry asked as Neville spoke.
"Professor, it's nice to see you," his face split into a genuine grin. "What are you doing here?"
"I've bought his lordship in to be fitted some new clothes," Remus explained, then turned to Harry, "Neville is the son of the Duke of Whitby; he goes by the title Marquess of Grossmont."
"Lord?" Neville looked at the other boy, taking in the ill-fitting clothes under the cloak, but smiled at him anyway. He wondered why Remus was explaining things to the young boy.
"This is the 12th Marquess of Rendlesham," Remus introduced. The Tailor had ushered Harry onto a box and then took measurements, reading out his results to an assistant.
"Pleasure to meet you, My Lord. Are you attending Hogwarts this year?" the once-nervous boy asked pleasantly.
"Erm, yes," Harry replied as Remus looked around. Then, seeing the Tailor and his assistant were busy, he muttered 'Muffliato."
"Go ahead. You can tell him."
"Nev, it's me, Harry."
"What? But you looked nothing like him, except the voice," Neville looked confused.
"I've got a glamour to hide my scar and eyes, but I came into my…legacy the last week," Harry explained.
"Marquess of Rendlesham, that's a Black title." Neville mused.
"I, erm, found out James Potter was not my biological father. Instead, Sirius Black is my real father; he is also innocent of the charges."
"Sirius Black, is your father?" Neville looked absolutely astonished.
"He has taken up the Head of House Black," Harry looked to Remus, who nodded, "So I am now the Lord Harry Antares Black."
"That makes us cousins, like five times removed or something, but my great-grandmother is a Black by blood."
"Actually, you are god-brothers too; Lily was your godmother, Lord Grossmont. Lady Alice was your godmother, Harry," Remus told the pair.
"I knew that," Neville told the pair reverting to his shyness again.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked.
"You made friends with Ron, then Hermione. Ron made it quite clear who your friends were; there were plenty of people that wanted to be friends with you," Neville described.
"But I was the Boy-Who-Lived. I did not want friends for my status," Harry returned.
"All the heirs know each other; we are all similar ages except a few. At the time, you were Heir Potter, the last son of the House of Potter. I know Susan and Hannah wanted to be friends, even Daphne and Draco."
"But Malfoy is a prick!" Harry answered. He received a frown from Remus but ignored him.
"He is only like that when Ron is nearby, he is jealous, plus Draco's got his father shoving the dark nonsense down his throat. But, of course, it does not help the Bad heirs all hang around him."
"Bad Heirs?"
"Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Flint, Carrow," Neville ticked off, "Though Crabbe and Goyle are Greater houses, beholden to House Malfoy."
"Wow, this is so confusing," Harry said. Just then, the Tailor returned to Harry, offering different clothing styles to the poor teen. Luckily, Neville and Remus could help him with colours, the Coat of arms, and the different types he needed. Two hours passed before Harry was dressed in new clothing; Neville had long since gone.
"Are you ready to pay, My Lord?" the Tailor asked.
"Actually, I would like my Steward fitted with some new clothes. It is well past time he got something new," Harry pranked his quasi-uncle, who glared at him; he knew revenge would be coming to him at some point.
Another hour later, Remus was dressed in much smarter clothes, with several bags shrunk down to a manageable size. Harry happily paid for the clothing with his new ring. Remus then took him on a shopping spree, getting more books than he could ever need or want to read. He also got a new trunk, which was lots bigger than his last, with many security features. Next, Harry was refitted for his school uniform, but this time with the finest silk money could buy. Finally, after a trip to the apothecary, Remus treated the boy to some ice cream.
"Hárasteorra Hall," Harry called out, stepping into the green fire; somehow, this time, he could step out into the parlour without falling over. However, he did have lots of soot all over him.
"What was that Steward thing all about?" Remus asked the minute he stepped through. Sirius appeared at the parlour's door, flicking his wand to vanish the soot on Harry.
"Steward?" asked a very perplexed Sirius.
"This little brat made me buy more clothes, calling me his Steward," answered Remus with a grunt.
"Well, I figured the House of Black needs a Steward while Sirius cannot walk down Diagon Alley; also, once he is free, someone will need to keep our affairs in order and work with Sirius. Unfortunately, few people will do that."
"Hey!" Sirius took a swipe at his son, who dodged out of his way.
"We could also pay him a wage, maybe allow him to live here," Harry suggested. Sirius led them out of the parlour into the hallway as Remus began to argue, telling them he did not need any charity.
"It is a great idea; Harry is correct. Master Lupin, I officially hire you as my Steward. You shall be paid G5,020, S1 and K10 a year," Sirius told him, all protests falling from Remus' mouth, "Now I shall contact my lawyer, and we will draw up a contract."
"Sorted," Harry grinned at the older man as he led them up the stairs and to his room. The pair pulled their purchases out and placed them on the bed. Sirius resized them before performing 'Finite Incantatem' on Harry. Now the glamour was removed, he looked at himself in the mirror. The teen appeared more mature, though was still woefully short for an almost fifteen-year-old.
"Did you buy all of Diagon Alley?" Sirius looked between the pair.
"Stop looking in the mirror; you'll freeze like that," Remus grinned at him just as a chime interrupted Harry from responding. Elkley appeared with a POP!
"Master Black, Lady Malfoy and Heir Malfoy are waiting for you in the parlour," the elderly house elf told them.
"Thank you, Elkley. We will be down shortly. Please take them to the drawing room and offer them refreshments," Sirius told the elf. The elf popped away as Sirius turned to Harry. "I know you are not younger Malfoy's biggest fan, but please do not antagonise him. He is family now."
"Yes, Sir," Harry replied cheekily, following his father and former teacher out of his room downstairs to the central living area. Narcissa stood up as soon as Sirius entered, followed slowly by Draco.
"Your Grace, I'm glad you could see us," Narcissa spoke formally.
"We're all family here; no need to be formal." Harry noticed there were some trunks next to the sofas.
"Draco, this is His Grace, Sirius Black, 15th Duke of Anglia. Yo-Sirius, this is my son Draco Malfoy," Narcissa introduced the pair. Draco performed a short bow and then shook the hand of the older man.
"Well met, Master Malfoy," Sirius intoned, "May I introduce you to the Steward of House Black, Remus Lupin, and my son and heir, Harry Antares Black. This is Narcissa Malfoy, my cousin. You already know her son, Draco, I believe."
"Pleased to meet you, My Lady," Harry spoke, formally taking the woman's hand and kissing her lightly. Draco looked at him, astonished.
"What a charming son you have," her questioning looks met Sirius's eyes.
"What can I do for you, Cissy?" Sirius asked. Harry heard a snigger from Draco as Sirius used the nickname.
"I wish to ask for sanctuary for myself and my Son!"
Chapter 5: Five: Family Matters
"What?" Draco and Sirius cried simultaneously, looking at the stately woman in shock. Harry did not think he had seen Draco looking as animated as he did right now.
"You cannot be serious, mother; we do not need sanctuary anywhere," Draco told his mother.
"No, he is Sirius," Narcissa replied, laughing lightly. Draco's jaw dropped, and even Harry appeared surprised. The last time he had seen Draco's mum, she looked like there was something smelly beneath her nose. He had never seen the woman looking so loose as she was now.
"That's the Cissy I remember." Sirius commented, "You are welcome to live here, but I have to ask why."
"The Dark Lord has moved into Malfoy Manor, and I will not play to his every whim," she answered, making Sirius's jaw drop. "I have caught one or two of the Death Eaters looking at Draco; I refuse to allow my son to join that half-blood murderer."
"So, you know the truth?" Harry asked the woman.
"Yes, as does Lucius, but he refuses to believe the man he prostate's himself before is less of a pure-blood than him," came the reply.
"What if I want to follow in fathers' footsteps," Draco spoke up petulantly.
"Then you are a fool!" Harry voiced before anyone could get in a word. Sirius glared at him going to speak, but Narcissa silenced him. She knew that a peer might persuade her son more easily. "I do not believe you want to join the Death Eaters; you have not got the disposition to murder, rape and steal from others. Yes, you have bullied Ron, Hermione, and me, but most of the time, that's done half-heartedly."
"You, my son, are much more intelligent than the oafs that join the Death Eaters. But, unfortunately, being around certain people has not helped you," Narcissa alluded to what Neville had told him earlier.
"Let us put this argument off. Narcissa, you are welcome to stay if you like," Sirius told them before calling out, "Elkley."
"Yes, Master Black"
"Can you get one of the house elves to set up a room for Lady Malfoy and her son?" the marauder asked.
"Yes, Master," the elf popped off, then returned with more tea for the inhabitants.
"Actually, this is good; I was going to call a family meeting in the next few days to reaffirm the Black family and introduce Harry to everyone,"
"It is surprising. I never knew you had a son and did not expect you to have Harry Potter as a son. Have you adopted him?" Narcissa asked primly.
"He is my biological son," Sirius looked at Draco as though not sure whether to speak in front of the blond boy.
"You know the Family Magic as well as I do, Sirius. A Black cannot repeat anything that is spoken within these walls," Narcissa looked around the hallowed walls of Hárasteorra Hall.
"What do you mean? I could not repeat anything said here," Draco looked confused. Harry almost felt sorry for him.
"You are a Black by blood. This House Hárasteorra Hall is interweaved with the Family Magic. Therefore, all those of Black descent cannot repeat any secrets that are spoken here unless given permission of the originator."
"But won't He be able to rip it from my mind?" Draco looked panicked now. Harry had never seen the boy this way; he was sure the other boy had no real friends.
"That brings up a good point; certain people may want to get to the secrets in Harry's head. I need someone to teach Harry Occlumency," Sirius suggested looking at Narcissa, "How far are you along with Draco?"
"His shields are weak at the moment," she answered candidly.
"Harry requires lessons this summer, especially in Etiquette and Occlumency. Would you be willing to train him?" Sirius asked. "In return, Remus will include Draco in Harry's lessons on everything else except Potions; I'm still looking for someone who could teach that,"
"Professor Snape could teach us," Draco spoke hopefully.
"Severus Snape is a traitor," Sirius ground out, not trusting himself. Narcissa gave him an appraising look.
"You know he is passing information to the Dark Lord; he came back to him on hands and knees," the witch explained. She noted that neither Remus nor Sirius looked shocked at this information.
"He is supposed to be a spy for the light side; he works for Dumbledore," Sirius spat.
"Ah, I see there is some disharmony, maybe one of the reasons for Harry's sudden appearance as your son," Narcissa suggested while Draco just goggled at the adults.
"I was, apparently, in love with Lily Evans. We started dating in our Fifth Year," Sirius described his relationship. Harry was unsure if he wanted the woman to know the secrets of his parents. How could Sirius trust this woman when she married Voldemort's right-hand man.
"I see, I had left then by the time you were dating, but I was under the impression that Lily started dating James Potter in the seventh year," Narcissa commented.
"I've seen the memories of us falling in love and dating right up to when we first made love, but I can't remember."
"Memory Charm?"
"We think so. Sirius had a scan done. He had been charmed, but there were traces of Obliviate on him," Remus told the woman, "I cannot remember him dating Lily either."
"I may know how you can regain your memories," the woman suggested. The marauder looked at her questioningly.
"I did not think there was anything that could bring back memories," Remus was the one who voiced their thoughts.
"It is an ancient potion, I believe it is in the Black Library, but it has been a long time since I have looked in there."
"Are you a potion's mistress?" Harry questioned. He was beginning to like the dignified woman, though he was unsure why Sirius was telling her everything.
"Beside Severus, she's the best!" Draco scoffed.
"It does not do to gloat, darling," Narcissa gently reminded her son.
"Perhaps then, you would be willing to teach Harry Potions, I'm afraid he has had a terrible teacher, and someone kept interfering with his potions." Sirius pointedly looked at Draco, who admittedly looked ashamed.
"You know how dangerous Potions are. How can you interfere with someone else's potions, especially a novice?" the blonde demanded of her son.
"It is perfect Potter, the prince of Gryffindor. Uncle Sev encouraged it," Malfoy whined.
"He is no longer a Potter; he is family, and we look after family no matter their house. Do you know the Black Family motto?" Narcissa asked her son.
"Toujours Pur; Always Pure," Draco replied quickly.
"The full motto before it was mangled was Domus est, Pura Semper," Sirius cut in. "Which means, "Always pure to the house, or in other words, Loyalty to the Blacks above all others."
"Siri is right," Narcissa told her son, making Harry giggle at his father's nickname. "I doubt Snape is a good teacher if he allows this to happen."
"How long will the potion take?" Harry asked, trying to take the attention off Draco a bit. When had he started calling the other teen Draco?
"If I find the right ingredients and the potion is correct, I believe it will take just over a month to create," Narcissa replied, giving the boy a smile. She knew exactly what he was doing regarding her son, knowing that conversation was not over.
"Right, let's take you to your rooms and get you comfortable," Remus suggested.
"Besides the three Unforgivables, are there other curses that could be considered illegal?" Remus asked the two boys. A week had passed since Narcissa and Draco had arrived at Hárasteorra Hall, though there had been no significant fights between the two teens as expected. Each day Narcissa would take the two boys for etiquette, Occlumency or Potions classes in the morning, and then Remus would take them in the afternoon for anything else the two boys required. Although Harry had to admit, it had been pleasant to have Draco play Quidditch with him earlier during the day. With no one else around, the other teen had not gloated, nor had he uttered the infamous words, 'My father shall hear of this.' Draco was almost coming into his own, Harry thought.
"Sectumsempra," Draco spoke quietly. Remus frowned at the boy. Remus was giving them an extra lesson because they had missed his class yesterday. Harry's mind drifted a bit as he smelt the library's old parchment and musty books. He was sure Hermione would absolutely love it here.
"Yes, how do you know about that?" Remus's voice was cold.
"Uncle Sev, he told us about it once," Draco's voice was small.
"It's a very dangerous curse created by Severus Snape."
"Yet, he's teaching it to school-aged kids," Harry snorted, "great teaching at Hogwarts."
"Elocution!" Draco muttered, earning a glare from his former enemy. Harry pointedly turned back to Remus.
"It IS a dangerous curse, but it is relatively modern. Some curses have been lost to time, thank Merlin," the marauder told them.
"I read about De'Agnon the Dark in fathers' library," Draco added.
"It would not surprise me if they had that information in your father's library. Did the book talk about the curses?" Remus asked.
"No."
"Well, there are some miracles in this world," Remus muttered.
"Who is De'Agnon?" Harry asked.
"De'Agnon the Dark was one of the first Dark Lords in about three AD. From what little we know, he was a spell spinner and necromancer who consequently created several dark spells, which luckily have been lost to time though we know their names and what they did." Remus started putting a weighty tome on the desk.
"So, what were the curses?" Draco asked, causing Harry to roll his eyes.
"They were known as the Seven Deadly Sins; the Catholic church later modelled their own sins off these. De'Agnon studied various creatures and perfected his curses around Greed, Wrath, Gluttony, Apathy, Lust, Shadow, and Bestial.
He and his followers forged an empire with these seven curses until early ancestors of the Blacks managed to capture and kill him. His research was destroyed, yet a Black documented what each of the curses did. I found them in the library here."
"So, what do they do?" Harry asked, now eager to learn about the curses.
"Greed was the least severe of the curses, but still bad. The three worse were Shadow, Lust and Bestial," Remus shuddered. "Lust changed the victim into a succubus or Vampire; without infecting them, they found themselves driven to drink blood at all costs."
"I'm guessing Bestial was to do with werewolves?" Draco broke in, and Harry was mesmerised by the teacher. Remus nodded but continued his story.
"Shadow would turn the victim into something unable to live in the light. This might not seem too bad, but the shadow victim was bonded to the spell caster and often used to commit assassinations in the dead of night," Remus continued to the impressionable teens. "Bestial was the worse of the worse, the ultimate warrior for the dark wizard. Ten times that of werewolves today, every full moon the victim would become a wolf slaughtering indiscriminately except for the original spell-caster."
"Was there any way of reversing these curses?"
"Fortunately, the Black Scribe wrote that all seven curses needed power and intent behind them. So, if you could stop them mid-curse, you could slow or stop the curse from taking full effect," Remus answered as a noise interrupted them.
"Welcome, Andromeda," Sirius could be heard greeting his cousin. They put their books away, though Harry noticed Draco slipping the weighty tome into his bag. When the blond looked up, he met Harry's eyes. The pair knew they would be looking at it together later. Harry followed the others out into the hall and to the drawing room. Andromeda Tonks entered soon after, followed by her family, so Harry took the older woman's hand, and kissed it lightly.
"Well, you have been taught manners, though I did not expect to find Harry Potter here," the brown-haired woman commented. Harry looked over to find a portly man with blond hair and a tall woman with a heart-shaped face and pink hair.
"Harry, this is my cousin Andromeda Tonks, her husband Ted and their daughter Nymphadora," Sirius introduced the boy to the newcomers. Harry heard Nymphadora speak.
"If you call me Nymphadora, you will never have children," the young woman threatened, looking between Draco and Harry.
"Nymphadora!" her mother admonished.
"You can call me Tonks, or as your family, I'll allow you to call me Dora," she told them a little sullenly. Sirius disappeared as another chime was heard, returning minutes later with an older woman.
"Everyone, this is Callidora Longbottom, Neville's great-grandmother," Sirius added for the benefit of Harry. "She's also a Black by blood."
"Pleased to meet you," Harry bowed to the older lady as Remus bid them all goodbye. Narcissa passed him, giving the man a small smile; Harry noticed and shared a look with Draco, who looked just as perplexed. The pair hid their book bags as Sirius sealed the room with Black magic.
"Now we have that out the way. I want to introduce you to the newest addition to the Black Family, Harry Antares Black, Heir to the House." Upon his announcement, jaws dropped. The old woman looked him over with a laser-sharp gaze and then nodded while the other three looked at him with utter astonishment.
"Are you positive he is your son? I can see the resemblance, but he is Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. He is the son of the world-class Auror," Andromeda looked between them curiously, not failing to see the frown on Sirius's face.
"He is my son; I have seen the memories of being with his mother, a birth certificate and last week Narcissa brewed a Puerapatrepotion for me. He is 100% my child," Sirius returned.
"You said, Memories?" Ted, the lawyer, asked.
"Yes, it is one of the reasons I am calling you all here. Unfortunately, my memories have been tampered with by the Great Albus Dumbledore." That sentence caused an uproar with the Tonks and Lady Longbottom.
"My son and grandson were great followers of Dumbledore; the Regent Longbottom is one of his closest allies," Callidora watched the man shrewdly.
"But you have never been a fan of the light," the man retorted, remembering his younger days when his great aunt would complain about how the light side, the progressives, were pushing new ways on all magical beings.
"You will find, impudent nephew, that I dislike the progressives, not those that are light completely," she snapped back at him, receiving a dry laugh in return.
"I have evidence that he has interfered in Harry's life. I have seen James and Lily's Will's, which is moot now; Harry was supposed to go to me first, Frank and Alice, then to Amelia Bones," Sirius told the gathered family. Even Harry did not know about the Will, so he was shocked. "Harry was taken to his Muggle family."
"Excuse me, Sir, but didn't Pot-er, Harry live with rich magical relatives?" Draco asked, astounded. His image of Potter, erm, Black, had totally been destroyed in the last week.
"No, I was just treated like a House-elf," Harry muttered, not realising he had spoken aloud until there was absolute silence in the room. He looked up from staring at his shoes to find everyone looking at him; Sirius was going red. Narcissa had a sympathetic look on her face, while Andromeda appeared horrified.
"Even in new clothes, you are shorter than a fifteen-year-old, and you look thin." Even though he was horrified, Draco sniggered at the embarrassment on Harry's face. Harry? He wondered. Andromeda looked gently at the teen. "Stand in front of me, Harry."
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry stood in front of the Healer. Everyone could see, even in the new clothing, the boy was far too slim. Ted handed his wife a parchment and quill, which she set on the coffee table. She took up her wand, muttering an incantation that Harry did not hear. Instead, a soft golden light scanned him from head to foot; the results of the scan were now being written on the parchment. After a few moments, the quill finally stopped writing, and Andromeda looked at the paper.
"Self-healed arm, poorly healed leg, severely malnourished, Phoenix tears and basilisk venom. Signs of a concussion, and, oh," Andromeda cried out, now staring at the boy before her.
"What is it?" Sirius looked very pale. Andromeda visibly pulled herself together before looking at the man, now his father.
"Firstly, why the hell is that Muggle family not in jail for abuse?" She asked angrily.
"I, er, wasn't abused," replied Harry, shrinking back into his seat, his speech lessons of the last few weeks forgotten. "Isn't that what all families are like?"
"No, Harry, Father has never treated me like a house elf," Draco responded, though there was a dark shadow in his eyes. Harry knew he was hiding something.
"Draco is right, honey; families are loving toward one another. We do not physically attack one another," Andromeda told him softly.
"You what?" Sirius spoke angrily.
"It appears he has had a broken arm and leg that have not healed properly, one arm that was wholly deboned-" Harry cut her off.
"That was Professor Lockhart during my second year," Harry explained.
"Be that as it may, that does not explain the shadow of a concussion or the broken bones that healed incorrectly," she answered in her best patient voice, "Why did Madam Pomfrey not notice any of this? Have not you had your yearly medical exam at Hogwarts?"
"No, what's that?" Harry looked perplexed.
"Every year, all students are required to visit Madam Pomfrey in case of ongoing injuries, problems they are having or someone to talk to," Draco spoke up.
"Never been invited to an exam." Andromeda harumphed.
"Perhaps we should get Madam Bones involved," Dora spoke up for the first time.
"I do not think it is time to get your boss involved just yet, we need these injuries properly investigated, not to mention speak to Poppy," her mum returned.
"Wow, are you an Auror?" Harry asked, his eyes shining.
"Just out of the Academy, I am partnered with Kingsley Shacklebolt," she told him excitedly.
"He's of the minor Noble houses, correct?" Harry asked, trying to remember some of his etiquette lessons.
"Yes, his father is Sir Shacklebolt."
"That is neither here nor there. We have other things to worry about," Andromeda interrupted them. "Did Dumbledore ever visit you?"
"No, I never knew I was a wizard until my eleventh birthday." He heard a gasp from Narcissa but ignored it in favour of watching Andromeda.
"Did anyone else ever visit you? Such as a Muggle social worker or a Police officer?"
"A social worker visited once when I was about eight, but nothing ever came of the visit."
"Magical interference," Ted and Sirius spoke at the same time.
"What were you surprised about?" Sirius asked, getting back to her gasp.
"Situated around his scar is some dark magic," the Healer told him. "I do not know what it is, but it is the darkest magic I have ever seen,"
"Do you think that's how I'm connected to Voldemort?" Harry asked, hearing the gasps from several parties.
"It could be," Andromeda suggested but looked to Sirius, who shrugged, "You really need to see a Mind Healer, not to mention having your old injuries looked at. I would also recommend a nutritional diet to help improve his body, though he will never be tall."
"Can you not do all that?" Sirius asked.
"It would be better to bring him into St Mungo's if only to catalogue the abuse of the Muggles and the abandonment of Dumbledore."
"Firstly, I would like you to represent Harry at the hearing in three weeks," Sirius turned to Ted, "How's the business going?"
"Tonks & Black is running well; we've acquired several lawyers, not to mention stolen some clients from the others," he laughed, getting a smack from his wife.
"Harry has been accused of breaking the Statute of Secrecy and the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery when he performed a Patronus in front of his Muggle cousin," Sirius told the other man.
"You can perform the Patronus Charm?" a shrill voice asked. Harry had forgotten about Callidora.
"Yes, Ma'am," Harry answered, respectively.
"I would like to see it," she demanded. Harry looked at Sirius for confirmation, who just nodded at him. Then, he summoned up his best memory, one of his latest. After brewing the Puerapatrepotion, Sirius turned to him and told Harry he was the boy's father.
"Expecto Patronum," Harry called but was shocked when a stag did not emerge from his wand. Instead, an ethereal raven emerged from the wand, flying around the room before settling on Harry's shoulder. He almost felt the weight.
"That is amazing," Andromeda cried.
"I thought your Patronus was a Stag," Draco commented.
"It is, was," stuttered Harry. Sirius let out a bark of laughter.
"It is the family magic; the raven is the Black family sigil," Sirius told a very perplexed Harry.
"You have one very powerful boy there," Callidora stated. "I will back the Black family. I have no doubt once Augusta knows of Dumbledore's interference, she will be looking for an alliance."
"Neville is my god-brother," Harry told the old lady.
"Better than that Weasel," Draco muttered under his breath, but Harry could not argue after what Neville had told him. In the last week, he had begun to question the loyalty of his friends.
"Narcissa and Draco have been bought back into the family. If I can get a trial for myself, I will begin proceedings to have your marriage annulled," Sirius turned to Narcissa, "For the time being, Harry and Draco, out in public, you must pretend to be enemies. Narcissa will remain in the estate in France."
"What are we going to do about Dumbledore?" Andromeda asked.
"His time will come, but I want to bring the Blacks back to a neutral state," Sirius revealed his master plan, "There are too many families that do not wish to side with Voldemort but strongly dislike Dumbledore's leadership of the light. They need a new leader to follow."
"Oh no," Harry gasped as he realised Sirius was looking at him.
"I hate to burden you, but even if I were acquitted, I would be looked at with suspicion, but if we use you as a figurehead, the former Harry Potter Heir to the House of Black, the House and its allies would be able to attract the neutrals."
"What about the announcement today?" Andromeda asked.
"The Muggle-born register?" Sirius asked.
"It was ratified today."
"There is still some debate on it, and the next Wizengamot session is not until after Harry's minor hearing. If we can get some evidence to Amelia, I will be able to attend and start overturning it,"
"What does that mean for Hermione?" he smiled fondly at the thought of his best friend. She had been there with him, always by his side. He felt his insides get warm at the thought of her. Butterflies seemed to be making the rounds of his stomach. Harry shook his head; there was time later to analyse what these feelings meant.
"It means that she will have to register as a Muggle-born. As a result, she will never get the best jobs. She will always be stuck as some clerk or something," Sirius answered.
"She's smarter than most of the people at Hogwarts," Harry angrily spoke. "Isn't there anything we can do? Narcissa told us about vassals and those protected by the big houses."
"It may not be enough," Narcissa tried to say gently.
"We can certainly see about having her protected by the House of Black as a vassal. However, as Narcissa said, it may not be enough," the marauder told his son gently, who sank into his seat. "We will all think about it and research possible solutions."
"Thank you," Harry replied quietly.
"Now, I think it is time we ended this meeting, but I hope we will have more meetings in the future or just gather as a family," Sirius suggested.
"I think I would enjoy that. Despite all the revelations, it was nice to see you again," Andromeda smiled and exchanged a few more words with everyone before they left, followed by Callidora. Andromeda went straight to her office when they arrived back home.
"I know that look on your face," Ted said, leaning against the door as she looked through several bits of parchment.
"What look?"
"The one that says someone is not going to be happy, usually that person is me," He replied with a smile.
"I'm going to see Poppy," she told her husband, who nodded his agreement. They could discuss the meeting later as he watched his wife enter their front room, where the fireplace was.
"Hello, Andromeda, it's been a long time," Madam Pomfrey greeted the head in her fireplace.
"Yes, I feel like it was during training that we last saw each other," the woman laughed, "Do you mind if I step through?"
"Of course," Poppy Pomfrey stepped back, allowing the other woman to step through. Andromeda had just started at St Mungo's in her first year as a Healer intern when it was Madam Pomfrey's last year of teaching. The older witch had left the following year to become Hogwarts matron. Andromeda looked around at the tidy office. All of the bottles were in neat rows, with labels facing outward. Her desk was clean, and the two cosy chairs had throw rugs on them. She took notice of the small bed in the corner in case there were patients overnight.
"How are you? It must be dreadfully boring."
"Summers are always quiet; I'm sure Harry Potter will keep me on my toes when we return," the kindly matron said off-hand, noticing the dark frown on her friend's face.
"And has Mr Potter come into the Hospital wing a lot?" Andromeda asked carefully.
"More than most, he had the incident in the first year, several incidents in the second year, the third year he was almost eaten by a werewolf, then last year was the whole tri-wizard nonsense," Poppy marked off her fingers as she served tea to the other woman.
"Did you ever scan him while he was here?"
"I must have done," the matron frowned as she tried to remember if she had scanned the boy. A headache sprang up. Andromeda was watching her closely, alarm tickling the back of her mind.
"Please have a seat," she said gently to the other woman.
"Why the visit?" Madam Pomfrey felt unsure of herself.
"Actually, Mr Potter is the reason for my visit. I have recently become his Healer. Were you aware that he had been abused?"
"What, no!" Pompey denied. She cried out as pain stabbed through her head; she clutched her head as the pain came in waves. Andromeda grabbed her friend, pulling her gently toward the fireplace. She was barely able to get the other woman through into the Emergency Department.
"Emergency, someone help me, please," she called out with authority. Immediately she was surrounded by several people and a floating bed. She pulled her wand out and called, "Somnum,"
"What's the matter?" A male healer spoke as Pomfrey was lowered down onto the bed.
"Sixty-year-old female, I believe she has multiple Memory Charm's on her, one of which may have triggered some reaction," Andromeda calmly told the other Healer.
"Ah, Healer Tonks, is this Madam Pomfrey?" he asked, shocked as they took the floating bed toward the fourth floor: Spell Damage.
"Yes, I was discussing a patient, Healer Ward, when she was overcome with headaches and I would guess, stabbing pains. I have sedated her, but you may need a specialist Mind Healer to help," she suggested.
"Thank you," she left the elderly matron with the Healers but wondered what to do next. Should she inform Hogwarts and Minerva McGonagall? If Pomfrey had been charmed, Hogwarts deputy Headmistress was likely compromised. She went up to the fifth floor and the Paediatrics Wing. Entering her office, she immediately called her husband, and then fire called Sirius. She explained everything to them.
"I agree with you. Professor McGonagall is likely compromised being so close to Dumbledore," Sirius spoke from the fire.
"I was going to recommend you speak to Regent Longbottom; she is on the Hogwarts Board of Governors," Ted said.
"Do we tell her everything, though? She will want to go after Dumbledore."
"Contact her via Callidora, we need to let Dumbledore know something soon, or he'll wonder where his matron is," Ted said.
"In the meantime, can you get Remus and Harry to St Mungo's? We need to start the ball rolling and get some evidence on Dumbledore before Harry's court case," Andromeda asked of the man.
"Sure, I will have them there in the next thirty minutes," Sirius disappeared from the fireplace, immediately going to find Remus and Harry. He found Remus in his usual spot in the drawing room in front of the fire and Harry in the library, which once again was a classroom. The man apologised to Narcissa for pulling Harry from his lesson. He just told Remus and Harry they were meeting Andromeda in her office. So, the pair went off through the Parlour Floo while he went to his study.
"Callidora, have you got a moment? I need some help," Sirius called into the fireplace, getting the older witch immediately.
"Welcome to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Hopefully, this will be your only visit," Andromeda smiled at the lad.
"Knowing his luck, I am not so sure," Remus muttered. Then he turned to look at the Tonk's parents. "Sirius didn't tell us what this is all about,"
"We would like Harry to be examined and documented," the witch answered.
"No!" Harry replied vehemently.
"Harry, what Dumbledore did to you is deplorable. You had people that should have taken care of you, but he put you in a Muggle home, where you were abused," Andromeda explained gently, trying not to spook the poor boy.
"I've been loyal to Dumbledore for years, but I wondered why you were given to Vernon and Petunia Dursley," Remus added.
"It may help prevent someone else from being abused," Ted threw in, having already sized the boy up.
"I'll do it, but very reluctantly," Harry responded under protest, knowing if he could help one person out, he would be happy.
"I'll be with you at all times as your attorney," Ted placed his hand on the teen's shoulder.
"As shall I," Andromeda got up from the desk and tenderly led Harry from the room down the corridor, putting him in an examination room with Remus and Ted. Moments later, she returned with a tall man with salt and pepper hair.
"Harry, I would like you to meet Healer Jonathan; he is my direct supervisor," Andromeda introduced the teen to the new person.
"This is a special case," Jonathan examined the boy before him.
"He is malnourished," Andromeda started going over as Jonathan conjured a file.
"He has also been laced with potions and charms," Remus added, beginning to tick off, "Harry had loyalty charms on him, which made him hate Slytherins, a charm that dimmed his intelligence and enthusiasm for reading. He also ingested love potions and broke through a magical binding."
"Excuse me?"
"We found that he had been bound from birth. After he was attacked by dementors; he was able to completely destroy it," Remus described what his scans had told them.
"Now, can you take your shirt off? Please," the older gentleman had a pleasant voice.
"Why? Can't you just scan me or something," Harry asked curiously.
"We can, but I would like to do a visual exam of your body, too," Jonathan laughed, making the teen relax a bit. He took his shirt off somewhat reluctantly; now Remus could understand why. His chest and back were a latticework of old scars. His chest was so thin Remus could count his ribs. Though the bruises were faded, the bruises were still black, blue, and yellow.
"Oh, Merlin," Remus uttered. Jonathan tried to remain impersonal, but even he was struggling with the enormity of the abuse. Remus turned away, feeling ill, while Ted tried to compose his face.
"I am going to perform several scans now, so please be still," the Healer's voice stuttered, shocked, "these readings are incredible; Mr Potter has basilisk venom in his blood and phoenix tears. In addition, one of his arms was completely deboned."
"Compare this," Andromeda handed the Healer her own bit of parchment, allowing the pair to examine his findings very similar to what Andromeda had found. Except these findings were official.
"It seems most of the charms and Potions you had on you are gone, but there are bits of your body that need healing again, not to mention the aura of darkness you have centred on the scar you have," Jonathan talked through all his findings. "I recommend admitting him today; we will need to vanish his leg and arm bones, then re-grow them. Then, of course, we'll have to start him on a Potion regime too."
"I think his guardian would agree to that," Remus nodded at the Healer, "Will you report this?"
"It has to be reported immediately; something on this scale is an injustice of epic proportions," Jonathan lost some of the softness in his voice. Harry could see that he could be scary.
"It's a delicate situation; we will be hauling someone over the coals for this, but it is someone extremely powerful. We cannot let them know what we are up to until the last minute. At the moment, Harry's guardian has a tenuous claim to that title."
"I see, but this will need reporting," Jonathan replied, leaving them with an official parchment with his findings.
"We need to involve the Aurors," Andromeda spoke to Harry's wide-eyed look.
"What about the Muggle police?" Ted asked instead.
"Why would you use Muggles?" Harry asked, knowing that Ted was Muggle-born himself.
"Because your aunt and uncle are muggles, they hate magic, but it would be wrong for our own force to get involved, really," Ted explained.
"Well, we still don't know who to trust, but there is someone that may be able to help us."
"Who?"
"Amelia Bones, the regent of House of Bones," Remus suggested.
"Do you think she'll be able to keep this quiet?" Andromeda asked.
"I've got leverage on her. Unfortunately, it involves your daughter, but also, back in the day, she was sweet on Sirius."
"You're not going to get Dora fired, are you?" Ted asked, confused.
"Actually, I was hoping she might be able to investigate, and we can get her out from under Dumbledore's wing," Remus told them ruthlessly.
"OK, we will do it," Andromeda said firmly, "I think we can all agree that Dumbledore is bad."
"We will get Bones to contact her counterpart in the Muggle police; she can hand over the evidence that we collect," Remus suggested, and the other three adults nodded.
"Don't I get a say in all this?" Harry asked; everyone seemed to have forgotten about the teen in the room.
"I would love to let you have a say, but I am pretty sure your father," Remus grinned at saying that out loud, "would want to bring down any and all involved in your abuse."
"But I feel like I'm taking up everyone's time," He had reluctantly allowed them to do the examination, but really, he didn't want to go any further.
"You are not; we just want to help you," Andromeda let her motherly side out, hugging the teen carefully. Then, all at once, the emotions got too much, and the fifteen-year-old cried into the woman's shoulder. Molly had embraced him, but this was something completely different.
"Let's get your t-shirt on, then we'll get you a cup of tea," Remus told the boy before the three adults left to contact Madam Bones. Harry looked up at Remus, hoping this was the right way to go about things.