Another new story, the idea popped into my head and I thought I would write it down before I forgot it, while the story hasn't been planned further ahead I have some ideas. Hopefully you like it, those that follow my main story an sacrifice akin to the original, Don't worry I'm still mainly focused on that, I aim to update that every ten days, my rough update schedule for each story is on my profile, remember please review, it really helps me!
Disclaimer: I neither own the Harry Potter universe nor the characters they all belong to JK Rowling.
Sirius Black did not conform to many rules in his time at Hogwarts, the same could be said for his adult life. Rules in his current situation did not matter to him, he was on the run simply put a fugitive, a man the ministry and the wider public considered a murderer.
What's more all those that would wrestle for his innocence were dead, there was no help looming nearby, he was on his own. There was no point looking toward his family for help either, the ones that were alive had left him in jail for sixteen long years, he had seen no attempt for his release.
He realised how dire his life had become when his cousin Bellatrix became somebody he confided in a women he hated with a passion.
He had welcomed her into her neighbouring holding cell with mock applause, jeering at her ever so precious Lord being beaten by an one year old boy. Frankly the display was a hollow one, James was dead, Lily was dead and his godson was also dead.
Something Bellatrix was only to willing to taunt him on, the hatred remained for at least three years, with neither of them conceding to the other.
The walls though were broken down quite swiftly after a certain conversation reflected Sirius. He remembered that it was indeed the date of Harry's fifth birthday, he had unwillingly broke down in front of a surprisingly consoling Bellatrix.
Sirius smiled to himself he never understand why she was like that, that very evening, he eventually put it down to something hormonal yet he was never sure.
They began to talk about when they were younger and of the family occasions when the two sets of Black families would meet at the patriarch Arcturus Blacks house. When they were still young and were not susceptible to the outside worlds demands.
They still never saw eye to eye fully yet their were brief moments when the two could at least form a conversation that did not contain baiting or petty comments.
She was the main reason he was currently in the dilapidated bathroom of a two star hotel in the town of Seaburn on the north East coast of England. He remembered that she had escaped a year prior from a death eater attack, it was well coordinated, planned thoroughly for maximum effectiveness in trying to release as many threats to wizarding society as deemed possible.
Sirius just smirked to himself while he was running cold water under the tap, ironic that a supposed mass murder of twelve muggles was seen as to light and rule abiding for him to be released. Yeah I'm sure Dumbledore puts that as a requirement qualification to join the order, he thought.
The following year reminded him of the first three years he spent in Azkaban, alone nothing else to describe it other than being alone.
But a year or so after the attack Sirius received an anonymous note, Merlin knows how it got its way into Azkaban but it did, saying only three words simply,
'Harry is Alive'
While short the note did what it set out to achieve. He reasoned it had come from his cousin there was nobody else out there, who would be giving him that information after fifteen years accept Bellatrix. Through some of their conversations she knew that most of the reasons he hadn't tried to escape was such his distaste for anything outside the walls of Azkaban, yet when he had seen the note he suddenly felt worthy again.
That was two weeks ago, he'd been in Muggle hospital for a week suffering from mild hypothermia, from the North Sea, the coat of his shaggy animagus and his warming charms had just about kept him alive.
Really he didn't think he'd done to bad though, it was really the first successful thing he had done without the help of his best mate James Potter.
He couldn't believe how well he had blended in at the Muggle hospital. Being raised strictly as a pureblood wizard, he had been restricted to all of Muggle society, to the extent Lily often refused to go any where with him in the Muggle world unless he left his wand at home, so to avoid any accidents.
Not just the hospital though he'd even managed to procure a room in a hotel, well strictly speaking his break in an attempt was successful enough to go undetected, without magic being used at all.
Sirius stared at the mirror now, he looked beaten if he was being honest with himself, his locks of black hair resembled Severus's greasy locks, it was down to just above his waist, he'd gained a full contingent of facial hair, his clothes were ripped, and draped across him. Yet he was still there alive and breathing.
He'd somehow escaped Azkaban undetected with no help, he expected a search party by now, or some sort of wanted signs but no nothing. I suppose war is good for something Sirius reflected while he started hacking away at his beard.
The years in Azkaban had not been kind to Sirius and he knew this, yet he had deduced that if he were to enter a magical community, looking how he did just before Azkaban he would be still recognised pretty quickly.
Not wanting to waste his escape he had realised a full make over was in order. Gone was the consistent stubble that never left him in his early years at the Order, instead he was freshly shaven now. The long hair that he had kept styled the same was gone, instead he had cut it short, in a cropped style.
Finally he had obtained a pair of glasses at a local Boots retailer. The lenses were replaced with just clear plastic, to the extent the glasses were there merely for the disguise, once placed on his face he reckoned he was almost unrecognisable to the passing wizard or witch.
Despite his newfound look, he knew he was still in relative danger, if he were to be spotted he'd be a sitting duck without any sort of wand and while he could cast some simple spells wandless he certainly wasn't talented enough to protect himself without one.
His two days in the hotel had brought with it a plan, to which the ultimate aim was to find and see his Godson.
His first order of business was Gringotts, his banishment from the family certainly removed any silver spoon he had growing up, yet the death of all other Black males, may just allow him to obtain head of the house and it's very riches.
After hopefully obtaining some funds he would procure a wand from Knockturn alley, a place he knew would not question his identity, unlike Ollivanders where the prat would always make some sort of personal offhand comment. He just hoped he had some money for it, Sirius was not sure how that situation would ultimately unravel.
He went and sat down by the rooms desk, looking over his small pad he'd written all those ideas down. He sighed this was when it got tricky. He had no further plans, the note given to him in Azkaban had simply said Harry was alive, it gave no information on his whereabouts.
An idea though suddenly sparked in his head, the first of September was the key date, Sirius knew if he had any chance of seeing him then Kings Cross was certainly a best bet.
Since Harry was an wizard, he was likely to be going to Hogwarts, no he would definitely be going to Hogwarts no way would the old fool Dumbledore deny him that.
The travel down south was tough, without any money, the best option was walking in animagus form, the trek was long but he avoided the most mountainous areas. It took him just over four days to transverse the country, the pads of his feet were aching his legs hurting but he made it.
He strolled into gringotts, in his opinion the bank hadn't changed at all for over the fifteen years he was gone, with the foyer still crowded, and the goblins still looking on from their high tables down at the many wizards in disgust. He reached the front counter where he was met by a despondent goblin.
"I would like to discuss my finances with Nagnok, please"
"I'm afraid that it's against bank policy, to call for a personal finance goblin without the identity of the wizard in question revealed"
"Tell him that it's worth his while to void that policy"
"I'm afraid that if you can't offer any proof of identity then you will have to leave" Sirius was at the end of his tether he had not just walked across the country to get dismissed, the fact the goblin showed little compassion for his misfortune or looked in anyway to help pissed him off more.
"Look here! I have gone through hell and back to get here, now you tell him that if he doesn't get his ass out here anytime soon, he will loose his most important client!"
"I'm afraid.."
"I don't expect other Blacks would receive this sort of treatment" renounced a stern Sirius. The name drop did indeed, have the effect Sirius desired, the obnoxious goblin changed tact quickly after the mention of the prestigious Black name. Soon after Sirius found himself being led to a private room.
"Nagnok your guest is here now"
"Thank you" he remarked while he looked over Sirius in an evaluative way.
"You're a Black?"
"Yes" admitted Sirius
"Ah a tight lipped Black, the first I have encountered, I suppose there is a good reason for it, I doubt that is your usual character is it, I imagine you're quite outspoken most of the time?"
"Maybe, but I'm here to discuss the finances of the Black household"
"Would I be right in guessing that you will suggest a simple blood ritual to prove your ancestry and authenticity so that we can move forward without fully addressing your true identity?"
"Precisely"
"Well Sirius Black that will not be needed, I do in fact already know who you are and what you represent," that response was not what Sirius was expecting he was left in a state of shock for a couple of seconds until he eventually reacted.
"I guess that I represent a murderer then!" snarled Sirius.
"The goblin nation does not recognise you as a murderer, you were never given a trial, yet this small fact doesn't matter either, Gringotts is not interested in your personal histories merely your financial history."
"Now what did you come here today for Mr Black?"
"I was looking to withdraw a sum of money from one or many of my family vaults, something I imagine I will be granted since I'm the sole male Black in existence"
"That wish would indeed be granted if you were the sole Black left, I'm not sure Arcturus would appreciate his grandson putting him on his death bed already though"
"Shit he's still alive?" Replied a nervous Sirius, he had no desire to engage with the cruel patriach,
"Very much so, despite him being very distant to society. However he did inform myself to expect you eventually, specifically after your cousin now Mrs Lestrange made herself known"
"Great I'm guessing he refuted giving me any access to some funds"
"In fact he set up a vault specifically for you Mr Black" Sirius's mind was frazzled now, first he was struck by the fact his grandfather was very much alive, and now to the fact he was willingly giving him a vault, that isn't even considering how he had predicted Sirius's escape.
"How much is in this vault?"
"Six million galleons"
"Woah, shit I wasn't expecting that,"
"Arcturus insisted that you have an sizeable account, or war-chest as he put it"
"War-chest?"
"Yes, Mr Black I'm sure that Arcturus will update you on his objectives when you see him, but I thought I'd alert you to the fact this was not just personal spending money."
"Well thank you, Nagnok, could I withdraw a thousand galleons now?"
"You can indeed, now is there anything else you request of?"
"Actually yes, could you find out if a Harry James Potter is a client of the bank?"
"I'm afraid Mr Black that I cannot discuss anything outside the Black accounts"
"Right well I was expecting that answer, I suppose I'll have to find out myself." After ten more minutes of Nagnok handing over the desired sum of money,
Sirius walked back out of the bank, not knowing exactly what to think of the meeting. Yet he had achieved his objective that he first went in there for, obtaining some money, so he set off in relatively high spirits.
That was until he actually looked around a rather desolate Diagon Alley. With many shops closed, some ruined through arson and the ones that remained open seemed to be lacking any life. Yet he spotted an outrageous looking shop in the distance resembled that of a joke shop.
Despite his circumstances, and the needed urgency, Sirius couldn't stop being drawn toward the shop, he reasoned what was the harm with a little swooping around, the wand could wait. When he approached the shop he realised it was in fact under Weasley ownership.
He entered the surprisingly busy shop, it actually had some life to it, he felt like he was the oldest there by a good twenty years, the walls were lined with pranking items, but his attention was immediately drawn to a tall lanky boy with bright ginger hair, whom he knew must be a Weasley.
"Look Ginny! You should stay away from them, they're all death eaters in training, they can't be trusted! You should stay with us!"
"Oh yeah because Dean and Seamus are so good fun"
"Hey you dated Dean!"
"Ron your so delusional, do you really believe Potter would hang around them if he saw them as potential death eaters"
"Yeah why not, he's a secretive guy, pretty dark why wouldn't he talk with them?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe because his parents were fucking killed by him, just piss off Ron, go and bother Lavender"
The story while short revealed a lot yet had also opened up a ton more questions for Sirius. The Potter they were talking about must be Harry, he was the only Potter child in existence when he was born, which meant Harry was indeed a wizard and did indeed go to Hogwarts.
Yet the use of his surname and the lanky boys distrust revealed that Harry was certainly not linked closely with what Sirius deemed a very light family in the Weasleys, which made him wonder Harry's attitudes and belief. Wait why was he doubting Harry's beliefs, no Harry wouldn't be a bigot he was James and Lily's son for Merlins sake.
After his mind began to wander back onto Harry he made quickly for the exit determined more so to get a wand and prepare himself to meeting him on September the first, which was less than an week or so away.
He checked in at the leaky cauldron to which was happy to accept any paying customers without asking many questions. The days continued slowly after that, the anticipation was killing Sirius he was nervous to see what had became of his Godson, he'd given up drinking down at the bar after hearing some appalling stories of the magical community that had gone on when he was in Azkaban.
The war which Sirius assumed had subsided with the death of Voldemort and the imprisonment of his many followers had indeed continued. The war though seemed to have become an long dragged out dogged affair, with both sides using almost guerrilla warfare to attack each other.
The deaths of prominent members was a regular occurrence, the regulars of the leaky didn't even blink at the news of the minister of transport being murdered in his home. It seemed the only two institutions of the Britain's magical society that continued to run smoothly was Hogwarts and indeed Gringotts.
He laughed, he supposed the Leaky could be included on that list. Despite this the retraction of any sort of society meant many either became secluded and relied heavily on prior wealth, or they just abandoned magical Britain in general, to the extent some Muggle borns that were desperate had brought weapons from the Muggle side into the war.
Sirius had been stuck in his room for over two days when he received a knock on his door. He immediately grabbed his wand and slowly made his way to bedroom door slowly.
"Who is it"
"Room service" answered a non distinct voice from the other side of the door. When he hesitantly opened the door he found an impatient Andromeda Tonks looking at him.
"Well can I come in" quipped Andromeda, brought out of his revere he dragged Andromeda in quickly, trying to limit the time they were seen together in public, to prevent any attention being drawn to them.
"I did expect a warmer welcome cousin" teased Andromeda.
"How did you know I was here?" Blurted Sirius urgently.
"I have sources"
"Sources, who?!"
"Oh I don't know maybe my husband who you happened to talk to three nights ago despite your disguise he recognised a tipsy Sirius, he'd seen it plenty of times before."
"I talked to Ted?"
"Yes, Sirius I did just say that" replied Andromeda nonchalantly.
"Oh"
"So Sirius how are you here?"
"What disappointed to see me Andy? Are you going to call the aurors and alert me that a murderer has escaped" snarked Sirius after realising this was in fact a cousin that had left him to rot in Azkaban.
"Don't get testy with me Sirius, you should know well and good that a banished family member has very little weight in the society we live in, I couldn't get you out even if I sold my own sole!"
"Hmm" not quite convinced by Andromeda's response.
"I know you're innocent Sirius otherwise you would be in an cell again right now, I tried as best I could to get you out but I got nowhere close to getting you out"
"Ok, at least I know I have at least two allies" smiled Sirius wearily.
"I would of thought a man that had just gained freedom, would look a lot happier"
"It seems that out here in the real world is just as bad as it is in there, it seems the whole country has fallen to pieces Andy, plus I wouldn't consider looking over my shoulder every five minutes freedom, would you?"
"Well I see Azkaban has took away your optimism" smiled Andromeda "so why in fact are you here now, I mean why escape now?"
"Harry" whispered Sirius.
"Ah, so you've come to find our saviour" Smirked Andy.
"Saviour?"
"Well he killed Voldemort didn't he?"
"Yes but the war is still going on"
"Maybe but the boy is sill seen as the person to guide us to victory, despite his age"
"Poor Harry he doesn't deserve that,… how much do you know of him" Asked Sirius keenly.
"Oh a reasonable amount since he stayed at my house for a month last year" Responded Andromeda nonchalantly.
"What! Why?"
"Harry moves from residence to residence while the summer holidays start, simply because he has a large target on his back. A moving target is a lot harder to hit" explained Andromeda.
"So you can take me to see him, right now?"
"I'm afraid not, his whereabouts is kept pretty confidential."
"No doubt by bloody Dumbledore" muttered an angry Sirius. His trust in Dumbledore had definitely diminished, the failure of the fidelius charm and his continued imprisonment were the main contributing factors for this.
"Actually while Dumbledore is always around, it would be Minerva that you would have to deal with, she'd tear anybody a new one if she thought they had any motivation against Harry"
"Minnie?"
"Yeah I would say she's the only one Harry would admit to be like family, she's seems to have taken the role of an old protective aunt"
"So he's firmly in the light camp?" Asked a curious Sirius, after remembering the conversation the Weasleys offsprings had.
"From the times I have encountered him, I would not readily put him in any sort of position or side so to speak, because despite McGonagall's standing she seems to have allowed Harry space to think for himself."
"Oh?"
"Yes now that I have seen you I should be going I have an appointment with Nymphadora to get to."
"Wait!" Shouted Sirius when he saw his cousins start to leave. "Could you answer me this final question…, Erm well has he had a good life so far?"
"What do you think Sirius?
"I don't know honestly?"
"I'm afraid being born with a target on your back and a expectation to others has from what I have seen developed a rather distant boy or one that does not trust easily, I would assume he would have a far different personality of one that he would have if he was raised by James and Lily"
"So he's a loner" croaked Sirius upset at the prospect.
"Now I didn't say that Sirius, he does have a small group of friends he seems to be in contact with" that statement was a slight consolation thought Sirius.
"Thank you Andy"
"No problem Sirius, Oh and by the way don't get arrested avoid those aurors, I would like to see you again in the not so distant future." And with that she was gone leaving Sirius once again alone.
He was at the station very early on, the train wasn't expected to leave until eleven o'clock as always yet he had arrived at the station at nine, not wanting to miss his godson. He stayed on the Muggle side of Kings Cross to avoid any suspicion. He also came to the conclusion Harry was likely to enter from the Muggle side to prevent any manipulated floo network or portkeys.
He was fidgety now, there had been no sign of Harry with ten minutes left before the Hogwarts express departed. Well he couldn't wait there any longer, He had to go to the platform, he didn't care if it was risky, just the sight of Harry would be worth it.
After going through the portal, he was encompassed by a mass of children and parents, it was the first scene of the wizarding world that gave himself still a bit of hope for his kind. It seemed very much that Hogwarts had gained in popularity, probably due to its safety he concluded.
The hoot from the train, indicated five minutes before the departure yet he still hadn't spotted him. Sirius though suddenly realised he had no idea what Harry looked like, he assumed it would be James but he could look like Lily.
"Fuck" he muttered to himself. An argument to his right gained his attention, it was a family of blondes, two of which Sirius immediately recognised as Lucius Malfoy and his very own cousin Narcissa. They seemed to be doting on their child, whose name Sirius had forgotten, when Narcissa caught him staring Sirius swore under his breath and dropped back and started to walk briskly to the other side of the platform.
In that very moment he caught sight of him. A reasonable tall boy, with a bit of muscle on him, yet it was his face and hair that gave him away. The boy was the spitting image of his best friend James Potter. The very sight of it brought a smile to his face the first real smile he guessed he had for over fifteen years. Sirius hadn't realised he had been staring at the boy rather obviously, he also seemed ignorant of the fact the very target of his staring was walking toward him.
"Excuse me I can help you" Asked a polite Harry when he reached Sirius.
"Erm, Erm…w.w..well,.."
"Harry stop talking to this blubbering idiot, he looks like a pencil pusher, he is of no importance, he's not worth risking more exposure to the public."
The boy glanced away from Sirius, to the outspoken voice next to him. Sirius followed his gaze and found what Sirius could only describe as a stunning blonde that had come up next to Harry.
"Daphne nothing is going to happen on the platform, remember we're under the protection of the great wizard that is Dumbledore" replied Harry dryly.
"Yeah leave him alone Greengrass the boy is only curious, he's been locked away with a old witch for the whole summer he's allowed to be curious, it's like when a dog is brought to a new place you know? It has to smell everything and piss everywhere, right Harry"
"I see, well Harry I'm going to find Pansy, but please don't cock your leg and piss on the man despite him being a nobody I think it might be deemed poor form."
"And Nott?"
"Yes Greengrass?"
"Do us all a favour and go and stand in front of the train" remarked the blonde sarcastically she then briskly made her way to the train.
"Wow how is her ass looking even better than last year" whistled the boy called Nott whom was noticeably watching the girl
"I don't think she'd appreciate that comment for some reason mate, anyway can I help you with something sir?"
"Sorry no you just erm erm reminded me of somebody"
"Great so Daphne was right, I really was wasting my time with you, well thanks, she's going to be a pain all journey now with her self-righteousness but thanks for that amazing observation good day" remarked Harry sarcastically then set off toward a train carriage with the other boy.
Sirius just looked on, Well that could of gone better, sulked Sirius.
So an slightly out of touch Sirius, an ongoing war, which has been going on for many years, and an slightly grey attitude that Harry has adopted. Which house does everybody think he is in, (should be obvious) please review!