Untapped Power
Chapter 2
Home at Last
Disclaimer: JK's not mine
Note:This is NOT a Dumbledore bashing story.
Thanks for reading. Please leave me a review and let me know what you think.
"Sirius." He said clearly.
Within seconds a scruffy face appeared in the mirror with a smile on his face.
"Pup it's two in the morning. I've cursed people for less than this." Said his godfather groggily.
"Sorry." Harry replied. "Another bloody nightmare."
"Same one?" Sirius asked.
"Yea."
"Well pup you're just going to have to relax until morning. Ill be by around nine to take you to gringotts and the ministry." Sirius said with a sad look.
"Sirius why are we going to gringotts tomorrow? Why not just straight to the ministry?" Harry asked.
"Without your parents will I doubt that we will be able to override Dumbledore's decision on where to place you." Sirius Replied. "Your parents specifically stated that you were to have nothing to do with your muggle relatives if anything were to happen to them."
"Then why was I stuck here in the first place?" Harry said angrily.
"Harry you must understand that Dumbledore is the most influential wizard in the country, possibly the world. During the first war his word was law at Hogwarts and the ministry." Sirius stated.
"Is Dumbledore going to try and stop us?" Harry asked.
"I'm sure he would if he knew." Sirius said. "That is why we must conclude our dealings in Gringotts very quickly and get to the ministry without alerting any of Dumbledore's contacts on the way."
"Sirius?"
"Yes pup?"
"Thanks."
"It's the least I can do after 13 years apart pup. Now try and get some rest we've got a big day tomorrow." Sirius said
"Alright see you tomorrow."
"Night pup."
Harry placed his mirror back under the pillow deep in thought. In a matter of hours he would never have to hear another Dursley insult, or cook another Dursley meal, or do anymore Dursley chores. No. In a few short hours he would be living with a father. At least a man that he considered a father in all but birth.
Strange that only two weeks earlier Sirius Black had been the most wanted man in the country. Now after Dumbledore, Harry, and Snape (forced on Dumbledore's orders) submitted pensieve memories as well as testimony under veritaserum Sirius was a free man. The sad part was when Sirius had discovered all of the copies of James and Lily's will had been taken save the original document at gringotts. Only the executor could remove that.
Harry could feel his eyelids getting heavy thinking of everything that was going on in his life at the moment. The elation of moving in with Sirius coupled with the thoughts of Dumbledore's actions were just too much and Harry finally dozed off.
Harry woke to the sound of pounding on his door. Aunt Petunia was yelling but Harry had learned to tune it out. He glanced at the alarm cock on his bedside table it read eight thirty five, he could only smile as he thought of what this day would bring. He got out of bed and dressed in some blue jeans and an oversized gray t-shirt and opened his bedroom door. His aunt had already stared screaming about how he was a lazy good for nothing whelp or something of the sort when Harry walked right past her as if she were invisible.
He came down the stairs and into the kitchen to find Vernon reading the paper with his morning coffee and Dudley stuffing his face full of cereal. Harry helped himself to a bagel and cream cheese completely oblivious to anything going on around him. His aunt came down about ten minutes later and sat next to Vernon. She fixed Harry with an angry look that didn't affect him in the slightest.
"Boy." she said. "Today you will weed the garden, wash your uncle's new company car, and clean out the attic."
Harry continued to stare into space not listening to anything she said.
"You can start by cooking breakfast freeloader" she spat. "Bacon, eggs, and hot cakes."
At this Harry looked up. "I think its time you learn to do your own chores."
Petunia was stunned into silence. Vernon had set his paper down and was giving Harry a malevolent look. Dudley was just plain shocked at Harry's cheek.
"As a matter of fact" Harry continued. "I do believe that I'm finished doing your chores for you. Maybe if you put little Dudders here to work he won't develop a fourth chin."
Gone were the days where Harry took the abuse lying down. Now it was his turn to let them know exactly how he felt seeing as he would never have another chance.
"Maybe if you didn't pamper them so much Dudley wouldn't resemble a baby whale and Vernon wouldn't have had another heart attack over the holidays." Harry said turning to Petunia.
When the words left his mouth Harry couldn't help but think "whoops". Dudley and Vernon were both on their feet advancing toward him.
"Look I don't want to hurt either of you" said Harry as he removed his wand from his back pocket. This seemed to stop Dudley in his tracks.
"You can't use that thing outside of that freak school boy." Vernon said eyeing the wand with malice, still advancing.
Harry weighed his options. He was trapped in the kitchen with only one way out. A whale and an elephant both blocking the door. If he ran at them maybe he could go straight through them without getting caught. Or he could blast them into oblivion, but that would result in ministry involvement.
Deciding quickly he ran straight into the small gap between the two obese men and immediately regretting the decision.
Before Harry knew what was happening he was being held arms behind his back by Dudley, while Vernon was looking at Harry with an evil grin on his face.
"Talk to us that way will you freak?" Vernon said scathingly. "Guess its time for another lesson."
Vernon reared his fat arm back and gave Harry a powerful jab to the gut immediately knocking the wind out of Harry's lungs. Harry tried to yell but there was no voice to be found.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Vernon turned to his front door wondering who would be calling at this hour.
"Not a word boy. Not even a sound. Or ill do what I should have done the moment you were left on our doorstep." Vernon said as he drew his hand across his throat. He then motioned to Petunia to go an answer the door.
Harry finally regaining his breath heard the door crack open. Some muffled conversation was exchanged and then:
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HES NOT HERE." Sirius's voice rang through the whole house making Vernon and Dudley flinch.
Harry then heard the door slam open against the stop and Petunia's frantic voice screaming about an intruder.
"SIRIUS IN HERE." Harry yelled out, earning him another jab from Vernon.
Almost instantly Sirius was standing in the kitchen doorway looking from Dudley who was holding Harry to Vernon and back again. He stood there for seconds taking in the situation until finally his face contorted with rage. He ran straight at Vernon lifted his hands driving his head into the countertops behind sending him crashing to the floor in a great heap. His gaze shifted to Dudley who had let go of Harry and was pacing backwards. Harry turned around quickly and with a power even he didn't know he had threw a vicious right cross into Dudley's jaw collapsing him to the floor out cold.
Sirius and Harry turned to each other and in one motion engulfed each other in a hug.
"You ok pup?" Sirius asked as they broke apart.
"As good as can be expected." Harry replied.
"What the hell happened pup?"
"They wanted me to slave for them as usual. I let them know what they could do with their chores." Harry replied.
"And they decided to beat you?" Sirius asked angrily.
"Apparently I needed a lesson in manners." Harry said.
"Ok. Well what do you propose we do with these two." Sirius motioned to the two great unconscious forms on the floor.
"It's not worth it Sirius. Let's just go." Harry replied.
"Alright pup. Let's go get your things." Sirius said.
They went back up the stairs into Harry's bedroom. Sirius looked around for a bit eyeing the padlock and flap built into his door with disgust. Harry walked to the center of the room and lifted the loose floorboard to reveal all of his possessions. With a flick of his wand Sirius had everything packed neatly. Harry walked to the window and opened Hedwig's cage whispered some quick instructions to meet at Sirius's place. As Hedwig soared out the open window Harry turned to Sirius.
"Ready?"
"Sure pup."
And off they went down the stairs and out the front door. As they walked down the path to the street Sirius was eyeing Vernon's new company car with a smile and casually leveled his wand whispering a blasting curse, which ripped through the shiny paint destroying everything inside leaving parts and leather all over the drive. Harry could only smile as they left the boundary of the anti-apparition ward and privet drive forever.
Sirius side-along apparated Harry into knockturn alley so they would not be seen by anyone from the order when Harry had a thought.
"Sirius wont the order know you took me? They have a guard watching the house at all times." Harry asked.
"Yea I took care of that before I knocked on the door. I Floo'd to Figg's place and asked her who was on guard duty today then I modified her memory. Found Fletcher passed out under an invisibility cloak behind the hedge across the street and stunned him. The order shouldn't change the guard until around eight tonight and we will be all finished by then." Sirius replied with a smile.
They had walked down Knockturn alley for a while when Harry finally saw the bright sunlight of Diagon alley. Sirius stopped them before they went out and applied a few glamour charms to Harry making his hair longer and brown as well as making him a few inches taller. After Harry was nearly unrecognizable they ventured out into the bright alley towards Gringotts.
They walked up the marble stairs of the beautiful white building to the giant brass doors Harry eyed the plaque warning thieves and thought back to first year. Through the doors up to the counters where a fierce looking goblin sat stamping papers.
"We are here for the official will reading of James and Lily Potter." Sirius stated clearly
The goblin stopped what he was doing and studied the two visitors carefully.
"Wands please." The goblin asked.
Harry didn't really like the prospect of handing over his one line of defense to a total stranger so he looked up at Sirius who nodded his ok and they both did as they were asked.
"Wands registered to Harry James Potter and Sirius Orion Black." The goblin said officially. "Executor and Primary beneficiary to the will of James and Lily Potter"
Both Harry and Sirius nodded.
"Through the black double doors to your left." The goblin stated.
"Thank You." Sirius said. "May your pockets always be filled with gold"
The goblin looked at Sirius closely and nodded his head in thanks. They proceeded to walk through the doors the goblin had told them and came to a great oak desk lined with interesting golden trinkets and a statue of a golden phoenix. Not thirty seconds after they had arrived in the office an unusually tall goblin wearing a dark red coat with golden shoulder boards and black slacks came in and sat behind the desk.
"Greetings I am Ragnok." The goblin said. "I am the director of the bank as well as leader of the goblin tribe."
"We are honored sir." Sirius said back.
The goblin looked from Sirius to Harry and waved his hand removing the glamour charm that Sirius had applied earlier.
"No need to hide your identity here Mr. Potter." The goblin said. "So I understand you are here for the Potter's will reading. It has been in waiting for 14 years so I will delay no longer."
The goblin opened a drawer in his oak desk and pulled out a file. He reached into his jacket and pulled out two wands and returned them to their rightful owners and instructed them to place the tips on the folder. They did as they were told and the folder opened and a voice Harry had only heard in the presence of dementors filled the room.
"I James William Potter being of sound mind hereby declare this as my last will and testament." The voice said.
"To Sirius Black I leave the properties in Godrics Hollow, Majorca, The Isle of Wright, and a vacation home in Athens. As well as a 10 bottles of flea shampoo which can be found in the Potter family vault." James's voice said with a chuckle.
"To Remus Lupin I leave the sum of ten million galleons and my whole wizarding wardrobe. Put the money to good use Remus you deserve it more then anyone I know."
"To Peter Pettigrew I leave one bag of dog shit courtesy of Sirius. If this will is being read you betrayed us and Harry you bastard." The voice said with hate.
"To Harry James Potter my only son I leave everything that is left. The map, a sum of twenty one million galleons, my invisibility cloak, and all of the contents of the Potter family vault. Harry if you are alive it means that we fell fighting, which is the only way your mother and I would want it. Don't cry for us but thank god that you are here to carry on the good fight. Please keep an eye on Sirius and Remus for me. And always remember that life was meant to be lived never let anything come between you and what you want." Said his father.
Harry looked at Sirius with tears streaming down his face. Sirius was barely able to hold his back. After a short pause a female voice filled the office. The tears that Sirius was holding back fell.
"Harry, remember that your father and I love you more then anything. There is no measure for it. If you are hearing this it means that we fell for you, to make sure that you have a wonderful life to live ahead of you. The only way you could ever let us down is by not living it to the fullest. Don't ever let anyone stand in the way of your happiness, and when you find the right girl old onto her and never let her go. Remember we love you son." At this Ragnok took two sheets of parchment from the folder and closed it. The folder immediately caught fire and was gone.
"This is the original copy of the will and a signed affidavit noting where to place young Harry here in the event of their deaths. The sums of money will be automatically transferred by midnight tonight and Mr. Potter's wand has been keyed to the Potter family vault. Mr. Lupin will receive his correspondence within 3 days but if either of you see him first please let him know to come in and sign for his inheritance." Said Ragnok motioning to the parchment he removed from the folder.
Harry looked to Sirius who was wiping the tears from his cheeks. He stood and collected the parchment from the desk and examined it. After seeing that everything was in order he tucked the documents into his cloak and bid the goblin farewell. They left the office together and walked back out into the bright morning sun of diagon alley.
"Now off to the ministry to clear a few things up. After that we see our solicitor to collect the keys to the new house and tonight I believe Remus will make it by to begin our training and a little celebration. Ready pup?" Sirius said wrapping his arm around Harry to begin the side along apparition.
"I've been ready since I was a year old." Harry said with a smile. A moment later they were standing on the Ministry of Magic's apparition platform.
They walked over to the reception desk and signed in. The ministry employee looked up at the two guests and within seconds his eyes were wide as saucers.
"W-W-Welcome to the M-M-M-Ministry M-Mr. Black." The receptionist said in obvious terror. "And…" As the man looked from Sirius to Harry he squealed and fainted right back in his chair.
"Good help is so hard to find." Sirius said to no one in particular causing Harry to smile.
"Do you have any idea where to go from here?" Harry asked
"Well if the ministry hasn't changed in the last 15 years the Department of Families should be on the third floor." Sirius said.
"Shall we?" Harry said waving his arm toward the lift in obvious excitement.
"We shall." Sirius replied almost skipping.
They took the lift to the third floor and walked out into a room with a podium in the center and two rows of desks piled high with papers. When the door shut a head appeared over one of the stacks of papers and scurried out to see the guests. The man was about a head shorter than Harry, in his late forties, bald on top with coke bottle glasses and black wizarding robes with the ministry crest on the chest.
"Names please." The short man asked hurriedly.
"Sirius Black here to challenge the guardianship of one Harry James Potter." Sirius said.
At the mention of these names the clerk looked up and upon seeing the face of, who up until recently was the most wanted man in the country, took a step back. Then the man turned his gaze to Harry who flipped his head so that his unruly hair would part revealing the lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
"W-Wait right here please." The man said. "I've got to get the department head to challenge any custody cases"
He almost ran to the furthest desk and disappeared behind a stack of papers for almost a whole minute before returning with another man with a nametag reading head of the department and his name. The man looked to Sirius first.
"The ruling of Harry potters guardianship was made by professor Dumbledore and the Wizengamot." The wizard said shortly. "Only a certified copy of a last will can overrule this decision."
"Then lucky for you I've come prepared isn't it." Sirius shot back thrusting the official parchment at the department head.
"Well…well…" the man sighed. "I guess all seems in order the guardianship of Harry Potter will be transferred to you Mr. Black immediately."
"What do I need to sign?" Sirius asked.
"We will need both you and Harry to sign a sworn affidavit." The man said. "The first from Harry stating that his current living conditions are unsatisfactory, and yours stating that you agree to take him on as your charge."
"And this cannot be contested by anyone? Not even Dumbledore? Is that correct?" Sirius asked.
"With the official copy of the will there is nobody that can overturn this decision." The man said. "But if I may pose a question. Does Professor Dumbledore know you are doing this? It was he that asked a favor of me directly to place him with his relatives. He said it was of the utmost importance. He had to battle it out with the minister to keep Harry here from becoming a ward of the ministry"
"That is not really any of your concern." Sirius stated.
"Alright, well your custody claim is granted but it is unwise to go up against the head of the wizengamot." The man said.
"I do believe that our business is concluded here. Thank you." Sirius said while turning around to leave. Harry followed suit.
They walked out of the office and straight back to the lift, which they took to the ground floor. Not needing to bother with secrecy anymore they walked right out of the front entrance of the ministry into London. Harry hailed a taxi for them both which they took to the leaky cauldron. They got out of the taxi and walked into the pub both feeling like free men, and oh how good it felt.
"Tom, Ogden's Finest and a pint of Butterbeer." Sirius shouted.
"Coming right up Mr. Black" Tom replied.
Harry and Sirius sat down and only had to wait for a few minutes before tom was out with their drinks. He took down there lunch order and returned back to the bar leaving Harry and Sirius to converse privately in the loud bar.
"Sirius why are we back at diagon alley?" Harry asked.
"Well pup, I as well as Remus believe it's high time you get trained up for battle. Up till now your potential hasn't even been touched. You are one of the three most powerful wizards in Britain weather you know it or not." Sirius said.
"You've got to be joking. I can't be as powerful as you say or id easily be able to deal with classes and brats like Malfoy." Harry said with a laugh.
"Well believe it Harry. We've all known since you were a baby that you would grow to be an incredibly powerful wizard. The type of accidental magic you did when you were young." Sirius shot back. "You once levitated me from the couch downstairs at godrics hollow up to your room into your crib."
Harry laughed at this. He always loved to hear about times when he was young. Times with his family and Sirius. Now he had him back. Now he had a father. A man to look up to and talk about manly things with. It was a great feeling.
"Conjuring a corporeal patronus at thirteen, training other students how to duel, standing toe to toe with Voldemort in that graveyard and coming out on top, Harry I watched that pensieve memory. You won a battle of raw power against Lord Voldemort." Sirius rattling off achievements that Harry would rather forget.
"Sirius that thing in the graveyard was more like a battle of wills not about power." Harry said.
"But that's where you are mistaken pup." Sirius said. "Your powers are directly connected to your emotions like nothing I've ever seen in a wizard before. If we can teach you how to pull from your magical core all the time instead of just when you're angry of hurt then you'll be easily as powerful as Voldemort or Dumbledore. Just look at what you did to Bellatrix, and without a wand. If we can train you in wandless combat then there's no telling how you could change the tide in this war.
"That's just it Sirius. I have no idea how I did that to bellatrix. It just felt like something snap and then I had all this power and…and…I don't even know how to put it…it felt like it needed to be unleashed." Harry said not satisfied with his own explanation.
"And imagine if you could tap into that power." Sirius said. "A power that Voldemort doesn't know of."
When Sirius said this Harry's face darkened. A power he knows not. Was this what the prophecy meant? Harry thought back to the battle at the department of mysteries and the power that surged through him. He hadn't really given it a whole lot of thought. But what Sirius said made a lot of sense.
"Harry. HARRY!" This shook Harry out of his thoughts as he realized that Tom had brought lunch out.
"What's on your mind pup?" Noticing the thoughtful look on his godsons face.
"Nothing" Harry said but then thought better of it. "Sirius what do you know of prophesies?"
"Not a whole lot to be honest with you. Just that I don't care for the fact that my destiny can be controlled by what someone else says." Sirius stated.
"The reason that Lord Voldemort attacked my parents and me is because of a prophecy made by professor Trelawney on her teaching interview. Born to those who have thrice defied him. Born as the seventh month dies. The child will have a power the dark lord knows not. For neither may live while the other survives." Harry said immediately scanning the bar for eavesdroppers.
Sirius looked thoughtful at this.
"Did professor Dumbledore tell you this?" Sirius asked
"Yes."
"Well if he believes it is true that would explain why he has gone to such lengths to protect you." Sirius said. "Regardless Voldemort has taken quite a liking to you. It doesn't change the fact that you desperately need training."
"Agreed" Harry said.
"Well finish up your sandwich we need to go into the alley and pick up a few special items to help you with dueling. Then we'll head home and floo Remus to get started with your training. I've also called an old friend who is a master occlumens to help you with that." Sirius said.
Harry finished up his food and gulped down his butterbeer. They got up from the booth they were in and left for the alley. After Sirius tapped the correct bricks they were off. Only they didn't head down the alley to the normal shops but veered off into knockturn alley for the second time today. They walked and walked until Harry could see the end of the alley. Sirius motioned to the last shop on the right, which had a faded sign that Harry couldn't make out.
"This is an old shop that the black family owned up until dueling became illegal." Sirius said. "Then they closed it down and turned it into a family armory just in case the ministry ever decided to raid grimmuld place."
Sirius pulled his wand out and placed it on his index finger so that the tip was glancing off and muttered a cutting hex. Sirius pressed the bleeding finger to the door and Harry heard the lock click. The door swung open and they both walked in. The shop looked like something out of medieval times. Swords were lining the walls. Different armors were on manikins. Sirius immediately went to the furthest corner of the room and opened a small trunk.
"This is all of James's old dueling equipment." Sirius said as he started piling all different types of armor and belts and knives into Harry's arms.
Harry found a table and cleared everything off of it. He set all of the equipment onto the table and stepped back. He had a sleeveless dragon hide pullover. A belt with 6 poison knives on each side of the buckle. Some skintight dragon hide pants with boots. There were black undershirts that matched the armor and a big black cloak that looked like something Harry had seen in star wars. Sirius watched Harry as he examined all of his father's gear in awe.
"Well are you going try it on? Sirius said with a smile.
Harry didn't even respond but began ripping off his oversized clothing and putting on the armor and other clothing. After he was all dressed he turned to the mirror and examined his new appearance. The vest fit to hit chest making him look lean and tough while his legs just looked like twigs. Everything fit perfectly well even the knife belt. He picked the cloak off of the table and slipped it over his shoulders. He gazed at himself. No longer did he look like a kid, but like a warrior.
"I couldn't tell you apart from James if I tried." Sirius said.
"Oh yea. Almost forgot." Sirius said as he reached into another trunk finding what he was looking for and tossing it to Harry. He caught it and knew immediately what it was. Dragon hide wand holsters that strap to the forearms. Harry immediately put it on and holstered his phoenix and holly wand.
"Flick your wrist like this and the wand will shoot into your hand without your enemy knowing." Sirius said demonstrating the motion.
"Wow Sirius I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything pup."
After another ten minutes of collecting various training and battle instruments they set off for home. For the first time ever Harry looked forward to going somewhere other then Hogwarts. They walked out of the shop and Sirius wrapped his arm around Harry and a moment later they were standing in front of a giant iron gate attached to vine covered walls as far as Harry could see.
"Welcome." Sirius said. "To Casa el Marauders."
Harry could barely contain his excitement as Sirius leaned over and whispered the address into Harry's ear. As soon as Sirius had told him the secret Harry looked through the gate and was astounded at what he saw. In the middle of the year sat a huge three-story Victorian style house with a walk around porch. Off to the left about a hundred yards was a stable. Directly behind the house was an official sized quidditch pitch complete with golden rings on each end. Sirius's bike was parked in the drive. Sirius touched his hand to a muggle scanner, which did a print reading and opened inward.
"Even if he could bypass the fidelius Voldemort would never know how to operate muggle technology." Sirius said with a smirk.
They walked together up the drive and stopping at the stairs that led to the entrance.
"You first pup."
Harry's face lit up with a toothy grin and he took off up the stairs to the porch and practically flew through the front door into the foyer. The inside was fantastic. Harry had never been inside a house to beautiful. It wasn't beautiful in a rich snobby sort of way but a cozy lodge feeling way. He walked out of the foyer into the main hall to his right a wooden spiral staircase leading to the second floor bedrooms behind the staircase was a game room with a billiards, ping pong, and air hockey tables. To his left was a potions lab with ingredients covering every wall. Straight ahead was an amazing library with easily as many books as Hogwarts had.
"I combined the Black library from grimmuld place with the Potter library from the family vault and what you see here is the result." Sirius said waving his hand from shelf to shelf.
"Hermione's never going to leave here once she visits." Harry said thinking of his bookworm friend.
"I figured as much. There's also a book on the podium in the corner where all you have to do is write the contents of what you're looking for and it will automatically pull up all of the titles with reference to that subject." Sirius mentioned. "Remus thought that one up."
After Harry had walked through every room in the house Sirius had one more surprise in order. He walked Harry out the back door and to the side of the house where there was a big iron door that looked like it belonged in a bank vault instead of a residence. Sirius motioned to the hand scanner and Harry placed his palm on it. After the blue light verified that he could enter the door swung open to reveal a dark staircase. Sirius stepped through the doorway first and clapped twice. All the sudden candles all the way to the bottom of the stairs lit up.
"Picked that up from the muggles too." Sirius laughed. Harry couldn't help but chuckle as they descended the stairs.
When they reached the bottom Harry couldn't believe his eyes. A giant rectangular room with lead walls. Weapons mounted on every inch of space. Straight across was a weight room shielded by two-inch thick bulletproof glass. Sirius had built Harry his very own training room. Harry resisted the temptation to draw his wand from the newly acquired wrist holster and start throwing curses left and right but it was difficult. Sirius seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.
"If you'd like we can go back upstairs to the library and I will give you an early birthday present." Sirius said.
"Sure. Want to tell me what it is first?" Harry asked.
"Why ruin the surprise." Sirius said with a smile.
"Sirius anymore surprises today and I don't know what I'll do." Harry supplied.
"You'll just have to wait for one more now wont you pup." Sirius responded.
So Harry ran off toward the stairs. Once he was out of the training basement he ran around the house to the back porch and into the main hall then into the library. Sirius had changed into a dog and chased him the whole way. Once they were in Sirius changed back into human form and walked over to a section of books and placed his hand on his chin.
"Aha." He said as he reached up and grabbed a particularly old leather bound book off the shelf.
"Turn to page 927." He said as he placed the book on the table next to Harry.
Harry did as he was told and opened the book to the correct page. When he read the caption he felt a rush of gratitude toward his godfather. Inside the book was a spell that someone could perform on him to remove the ministry tracking charm on his magic.
"That's right pup one incantation away from being able to perform highly illegal underage magic." Sirius said with a mischievous grin.
"Can you perform it now?" Harry asked.
"If you like" Sirius said. "It will hurt but only for a moment"
"that's ok." Harry said. "id do just about anything to be able to perform magic over the holiday"
"Alright." Sirius said. You might want to get on the ground first instead of falling when I cast the charm."
Harry did this and as soon as he was prone Sirius had pulled out his wand and aimed.
"One, Two, Three"
Sirius muttered the incantation and a jet of green light cam from the tip of his wand impacting Harry in the small of the back. Harry screamed for a moment it felt like his skin was being peeled from the bone. As soon as it had started the pain disappeared.
He looked up at Sirius.
"Finished?" he asked.
"All set" Sirius replied. "pull out your wand and cast a few spells"
At this Harry stood up and as fast as he could took aim at Sirius and cast a tickling charm. But Sirius displaying lightning fast reflexes was not an easy target.
"Protego" Sirius said and before Harry could blink an eye he fell victim to his own tickling charm.
"Say uncle." Sirius said standing over a hysterical Harry.
"UNCLE! UNCLE!"
"Say. Sirius is the most handsome man in the world"
"SIRIUS IS THE MOST HANDSOME MAN IN THE WORLD!"
"Finite" Sirius said pointing his wand at Harry.
After Harry tried out a few more charms satisfied that the ministry wasn't going to kick the door down Sirius walked over to the fireplace grabbed a handful of floo powder and tossed it into the empty grate.
"Remus Lupin" He said clearly.
Within moments Harry's favorite wolfish professor was stepping out of his fireplace and dusting himself off.
"Hello Moony" Sirius said before grabbing Lupin in a rough hug.
"Padfoot my friend good to see you." Remus said taking a step back.
"Harry how are you doing today?" Remus turned to Harry and asked.
"Fine professor. How are you?" Harry said politely.
"Oh it's been a long time since I've been your professor Harry. Why don't you just call me Moony like the mutt here does." Lupin said motioning to Sirius.
"I'm sure I can handle that Moony" He said testing out the name
"Wow." Said Moony. "It's almost uncanny how much like James you look. Especially with his old armor on."
"Yea." Sirius added. "He's even got James's old chicken legs"
At this all three men broke out in laughter.
"By the way Remus you have some business to attend to at gringotts." Sirius mentioned.
"Business at Gringotts eh?" Remus asked suspiciously
"Yea I mentioned to director Ragnok that we might be seeing you later today so he asked if we would steer you that way." Sirius lied. "who are we to disobey the goblin leader."
"Well I guess I can floo there now while you two have supper." Remus supplied
"Sounds like a plan." Sirius said. "We've got to get to work on Harry's training tonight so do try and make it snappy."
"Oh don't get your whiskers in a twist fleabag." Moony shot back as he grabbed a handful of floo.
"Gringotts." He said and stepped into the green flames and disappeared.
After the flames in the grate had subsided Sirius turned to Harry.
"I've got one last thing for you." Sirius said
"Sirius I can't take anymore surprises today." Harry said smiling.
"I'm positive that you'll appreciate this one." Sirius replied. "Dobby. Winky."
Out of nowhere the two house elves appeared in the entrance hall. It only took a moment for Dobby to notice Harry and with incredible speed collided with his waist.
"Oh Harry Potter sir Dobby is most honored to be sirs elf." Dobby said almost jumping.
"Well I'm glad you're here too Dobby." Harry said then turned to the other elf. "And you too Winky."
"Dobby and Winky are together now." Sirius said. "When I owled them last night Dobby was ecstatic. It took a bit to convince Winky though."
"Harry Potter sir." Winky said. "Dinner is on the table in the kitchen."
"Yes sirs Dobby made your most very favorite treacle tart" Said Dobby with a toothy grin.
"Thanks guys we will be in there in a moment." Harry said. "Make sure you set places for yourselves."
"Oh no Harry Potter sir. We is good elves. We dare not eat with the masters." Winky said looking horrified at the prospect.
"Winky you aren't servants here." Harry said kneeling down to talk on Winkys level.
"I is sorry Harry Potter sir." Winky said "We is just not used to being with nice wizards."
"Well the offer will always stand if you care to eat with us you are more then welcome to." Harry said.
Sirius watched all of this with a smile on his face. His godson never ceased to amaze him. Harry Potter was a fascinating young man in so many ways. Sirius walked over to Harry and put his arm around the young mans shoulder and guided him into the kitchen where there was a counter full of delicious looking puddings, rolls, and dressings. In the middle of everything a fantastic looking spiral cut ham. As they finished the main course, which was fantastic, Harry and Sirius heard a crash from the main hall.
"SIRIUS! HARRY!" Mooney's voice echoed through the house.
"In here Moony." Sirius called.
"Did you know about this?" He asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"We might have had an idea." Sirius replied.
"Harry I can't accept this." He said pleadingly to the young man. "This is your inheritance."
"Sorry Moony you're stuck with it." Harry said. "Mum and Dad left it to you so that you could live the type of life you deserve."
"Harry I don't know what to say." Remus said.
"Just take it. You know they would want you to enjoy yourself with it." Harry replied.
"Well now that that is settled." Sirius cut in placing his arms around his godson and his best friend. "Maybe we can get to a bit of training."
"Alright." Harry said.
"Train? Remus asked confused.
"Sirius had a whole room made just for training." Harry said. "I was hoping that you would be interested in helping."
"Definitely cub." Remus said. "It'll be great teaching Padfoot here a lesson or two like old times."
"If I recall correctly you ended up on your backside far more often then James or myself." Sirius said with a laugh.
Remus smiled in what looked like deep thought.
"Yes. Yes. I'll never forget when James transfigured you into a tabby cat to win the seventh year dueling tournament." Remus said with a grin.
"Very funny wolfie." Sirius huffed. "I got him back anyway."
"Charming the suits of armor to kick his backside was hardly original." Remus replied. "James played that same prank on Snape in third year."
"If you ladies are quite done yet." Harry joked. "I'd like to get a bit of practice in."
"Very well. Harry head down to the basement. Remus I took the liberty of getting your old battle gear from the shop as well. Its upstairs second bedroom on the right." Sirius said.
"Excellent." Remus replied heading up the stairs.
"Ok pup you head down and start tossing a few curses at the targets and we will be down in a few moments to find out exactly what you're made of." Sirius said with a wicked grin.
"oh boy." Harry said under his breath suddenly nervous, but Sirius must have heard.
"Relax pup. It's only to evaluate where you are. Just give it your best." Sirius said patting Harry on the shoulder. Sirius went upstairs to gather his gear. Harry left the back door and walked around the house to the basement door and let himself in he walked down the stairs and into the huge room glanced around and spotted the targets against the far wall the his left.
"Reducto! Stupefy! Expelliarmus!" Harry turned and yelled leveling the wand at the targets. His curses sped across the room and impacted dead center each on a different target. Satisfied that he hadn't lost a step in his dueling abilities since school had ended he began to get into a few more dangerous and advanced spells.
"Diffindo! Expulso! Confringo! Harry yelled jabbing his wand at the targets.
The spells jetted from the tip of Harry's wand blasting the targets into oblivion. Harry lowered his wand and thought about any spells he would find useful in the coming duel. He knew that he would be outmatched by Sirius, but he didn't want to embarrass himself to Moony and most importantly his godfather. As he stood in the middle of the rectangular room in deep thought the hairs on his neck stood on end. This shook him out of his mind very quickly and with lightning fast reflexes Harry whipped around with lightning somehow knowing exactly where the curse was coming from and threw up his most powerful shield. Almost as soon as the shield had sprung from his wand the bright red curse impacted and bounced off harmlessly. Immediately Harry scanned the room in the direction the sparks came from and saw nothing.
Disillusioned. Harry thought to himself. He started pacing backward as to not let his attacker sneak behind him. He didn't wait long for another curse to come flying at him this time in a violent shade of orange. Harry immediately dove to the right firing off a disarming curse in mid air before rolling into a kneeling position, but there was still no enemy to be seen. All of the sudden Harry had an idea.
"Homenum Revelio." Harry whispered pointing his wand at his glasses. Immediately he could saw some movement out of his periphery. A jet of purple sparks came hurtling at him which he casually sidestepped leveling his wand at the caster and firing off several bludgeoning hexes causing the other man to run parallel to the wall eventually diving to escape the final curse. Realizing his enemy was out of range for any type of assault Harry assumed a defensive position with his wand tip slightly raised. He was surprised to find that it was Remus who he was dueling with. From what Harry could tell Moony was wearing basically the same battle robes he was except the robes that Remus were a blood red color.
Remus walked casually toward Wand at his side. Harry suddenly realized that Remus still thought his disillusionment charm was affecting him. Immediately he began glancing around the room pretending to search for Moony while never actually losing site of him. As Moony walked around Harry's left side separated by about 10 meters Harry made his move.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" Harry turned and yelled aiming directly at Lupin's chest. The curses aim was true and as Remus made to dodge it he was caught in his thigh which froze him in mid dive sending him crashing to the ground, but instead of staying down he got up rather stiffly aimed his wand at his own chest and muttered "finite".
Damn. Harry thought as he remembered the two layers of dragon hide armor
Both the duelists turned to face each other wands at the ready. No longer was Remus going to toy with Harry for he had proved that he was not to be taken lightly. It had now become a duel. Harry smirked and slightly bowed to his opponent. Remus did the same. The two opponents never losing eye contact. It was Harry who made the first move.
"Stupefy! Tarantallegra!" Harry shouted in succession.
Remus sidestepped the stunner easily but the leg-shaking curse was thrown to quickly which caused the man to bring his own shield up.
In an instant Harry was back on the defensive ducking and dodging all manner of curses that Moony was throwing at him silently, most unrecognizable but he knew a few. All were fairly dangerous and Harry wondered how serious this duel was getting.
"DEFODIO!" Remus finally yelled in frustration. The deep blue spell jumped out of his wand heading straight at Harry's chest.
"PROTEGO!" Harry screamed as he finished a sort of pirouette to dodge the previous curse.
Blue impacted on gold with a resounding clang but instead of blocking the curse it seemed to fragment and pass through the shield. Pieces of the curse hit Harry in the chest and arm immediately slamming him to the ground as if gravity had increased tenfold. Harry struggled to his feet only to realize that Moony wasn't going to play by the rules. Before Harry even regained his balance a jet of red light was on him. Harry saw it as if in slow motion and while raising his wand mumbled the incantation for the shield spell. Harry caught the jet of light about a foot from his chest with the shield and lifted it almost like an uppercut into the ceiling of the training room. As he was bringing his arm down he swept it across his chest aiming at Remus and fired off a stunner, which his opponent sidestepped.
Remus paused for a moment and evaluated what he was up against. At first he treated this as a game but quickly learned that Harry was no laughing matter. He thought back at his school friend that was no longer with them. It was incredible how alike the two were. They both had amazing ability on a broom, both had the boyish good looks, and if he didn't know better he would swear that he was dueling with James Potter right now. Both father and son had a natural fluidity with the wand that he had seen in no other wizard before. Remus knew that if he was to win this duel he would have to take this far more seriously then he had been.
Harry held Lupin's gaze unflinchingly. His opponent was concentrating very hard one moment and the next it seemed like he was seeing Harry for the first time. As soon as the looks had come they were gone and Harry could read nothing but determination in the older mans eyes. Without warning a barrage of colored lights were heading right in Harry's direction.
"Protego!" he shouted hoping to catch the first few. Curse after curse hit the golden shield, which started to give under the pressure, finally shattering. Harry dove to the left but Remus was ready. Just before Harry had started his lunge Remus flicked his wand tip from one side of Harry to the other silently unleashing two disarming spells wide of his position. By the time Harry realized what had happened it was to late, he was in the air completely laid out when the disarming spell caught him square in the chest. The red spell impacted and sent Harry skidding about ten feet back while his wand sailed through the air landing at Moony's feet. Remus kneeled down and picked up the holly wand and walked over to an out of breath Harry.
"Well done cub." Remus said handing him his wand back.
"Not well enough apparently." Harry replied.
"Experience will come with practice Harry. Right now my heart is going a mile a minute. You nearly had me multiple times." Remus said. "By the way what was that spell you put on your glasses to see through my disillusionment charm?"
"It was the Homenum Revelio charm." Harry said smiling. "Hermione taught it to me. Figures it might come in useful sometime. Guess she was right"
"Bright witch that one." Remus said thinking back to third year DADA.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Harry whirled around to see Sirius standing in the corner of the room holding his fathers invisibility cloak.
"Harry that was some impressive dueling." Sirius said making Harry blush. "you've inherited another of your fathers abilities."
"Yes Harry. James and Sirius are the best duelists to come out of Hogwarts in the last hundred years." Remus said. "It appears you've got the same disposition."
"Well I'd say that is enough for one day. What do you say we head up stairs and break in that new game room?" Sirius asked with a grin.
"Sounds like a plan." Remus replied. "You and James may own the dueling arena. But the pool table will always be mine"
"You wish wolf boy." Sirius teased.
They walked up the basement stairs and out the iron door, around the side of the house and into the foyer when Sirius stopped suddenly. Harry turned to see Sirius's face darken. His godfather reached into his pocket and pulled out a chocolate frog card. The card muttered a few incomprehensible words and was pocketed.
"Remus." Sirius said with a mischievous grin. "Dumbledore has just called an emergency order meeting. It appears as though Harry Potter has been kidnapped"…
to be continued…