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Dirty scars. But not as dirty as your lies.
Remus sat down in his desk, dipping his quill into a pot of ink. He stared at the curled parchment before him. He set the quill to it and composed a letter:
Dear Headmaster A. Dumbledore,
First I must sincerely thank you for allowing Harry (Potter) Black to come into our care. We hope that we have raised him well and that he has begun to grow goodness in his heart. As you know from our days, however, he has much of Sirius still in him. I apologize in advance for an mischief that he will raise. Feel free to contact us if he is to be reprimanded. Secondly, I must inform you of
Remus stopped. He read over what he had previously written and sighed. It was atrocious. Atrocious and disorganized. He could write better than this. He was at the top of his class, James and Sirius had relied on him. Speaking of them, where was that blasted Map? Remus shooed these thoughts out of his mind and focused again on the letter.
He took at his wand and whispered a spell. The ink vanished, leaving him with a fresh piece of paper. Amazing what magic could do, Remus mused. He began to write again, composing a far more elegant letter. He wanted the words to be worthy of the Headmaster's attention.
By the third paragraph he was far too engrossed in his work to hear the door creak open and the padding that followed. Remus paused in his writing, reading over the last few lines carefully.
He restrained a yelp when heavy hands came down on his shoulders. Remus recognized from the soft scent and the vague dog breath who it was. He turned, annoyed. Sirius smiled at him and threw his arms around Remus' neck. He read over his shoulder.
Remus set his quill down.
"I really have gone lax these past few years, haven't I?" Remus asked.
Sirius nodded in his hair. "That or I have become considerably craftier."
Remus paused.
"I believe the former has a greater chance of being correct."
Sirius pressed his lips to Remus' cheek. Remus turned red. Sirius had shown his affection in the most doglike manner. Remus was prepared to reprimand him for it, but stopped, seeing no need to do so.
"Can you take Harry to Diagon Alley today?" Sirius asked.
Harry was pacing in his room, waiting for it to be decided.
"Are you still apprehensive about going into the wizarding world?" Remus asked.
Sirius nodded.
"I think a majority of them still distrust me. Even if Dumbledore had successfully cleared my name and had set the blame where it belonged. And then again I've been dealing with the muggle world for quite a while. I think the shift would be nearly unbearable. I am still part of the Noble House of Black." He sneered sardonically.
Remus pressed his lips together.
"I understand."
Harry approached the door impatiently. He saw Sirius' arms around Remus and made a face. He turned away and stood in the hall. "Are we leaving yet?" he asked.
Sirius let go of Remus.
"I can write the letter if you want." Sirius suggested.
"Although I'm sure Dumbledore would have a good laugh at an exploding letter, I think the matters are too serious for that. I'll finish it when I get back."
"Then I'll make dinner."
Sirius made a pleading-puppy pout. Remus' felt as though his heart had melted into a puzzle. With a deadpanned nod, he let Sirius prepare the dinner. Sirius grinned, happy to play some role in the end.
"Let's go, Harry." Remus said.
Sirius remained in the room, waving them off. Once he heard their footsteps descend and then a door shutting softly follow, he looked back at the letter.
We appreciate all you have done for us. The one rule you gave us we still follow, not that we have much of a choice. It has been difficult for Sirius to live without magic, but it is infinitely better than Azkaban. For that we cannot thank you any more, and we will continue to do so. The time was ripe now for us to express this gratitude.
Sirius smiled grimly.
Harry walked through Diagon Alley with a look of awe. Remus almost felt bad for depriving the boy a chance to look through it. Then again, it made his first time all the sweeter. He patted Harry's back.
"Where do we go first?" Harry said, his gaze lingering on the broomsticks lined in one window.
"Gringrotts." Remus said. "To get your allowance. Don't take all of it when we get there."
Harry raised his brows. "What makes you think I will?"
Remus narrowed his gaze. Harry fell silent.
"I won't." He muttered. "Besides, I don't even know any spells that could let me sneak a few into my pocket."
"If you did—"
"I would become a dragon's dinner, I know." Harry finished his sentence. "I read about it." Then he smiled.
They shouldered past bustling witches and wizards. Families gathered around the shops, purchasing the supplies quickly before the rush came on. Young witches had gathered in one of the shops. Harry looked into the group. Not because he hadn't had much exposure to women before. Not even because they were particularly pretty girls (Harry was too young to even tell). But because he thought he saw the brown-haired neighborhood girl. He didn't and felt a tad bitter. His smile went away.
"What were you planning, Harry?" Remus said softly in his ear. He ushered Harry towards the bank, deliberately taking the longest route possible and exposing him to the wizard's hidden realm. He didn't fancy wasting time later on it.
Harry knew better than to lie to Remus. "I was thinking of what I could do if I put a can of water, several pigeons and—ow!" Harry stopped, grabbing his arm.
Remus looked around and saw a cloaked figure walk briskly past Harry. "Let me see." Remus said, still pushing him on to walk. He shot the deadliest glare he could at the man who had walked past them.
Harry lifted his arm, looking for the passing stranger with a vengeful glare. Remus examined the wound. It was light, more like a short jab with a small blade. A trickle of blood ran down his arm.
"Looked like the man was busy," Harry said some time later, after Remus had treated it and wrapped gauze around the wound. "I saw him hold something like a cauldron in his arms. I think that scratched me."
"The brute could have at least apologize for harming a little boy." Remus said coldly.
"It's fine." Harry insisted.
No one hurts my kin. Remus' look boldly pronounced. Several witches and wizards receded around him at the sight of a gentle man's fury. Like a big wolf protecting little pups, Remus had turned on father-mode.
Harry felt both protected and as if he would drown in the embarrassing stares assailing him from all sides.
After he had collected a share of money and had a respectful moment for his lost biological parents, he went with Remus back to the shops. As they walked, this time more slowly, Harry felt the rattling coins in his pocket, making sure none fell.
"You were friends with my dad, right?" Harry asked.
Remus nodded. "He was a troublemaker, but a good man."
Harry smiled. He let the matter rest then. Whether out of discomfort or content, Remus couldn't tell.
"Harry Black? Black as in the Noble House of Black?" Draco Malfoy asked, looking pleased.
"Yes." Harry said, watching the witches swarm around him. Their wands dabbed at his new robes, shrinking and expanding here and there.
"I must say, I'm impressed." Draco said, looking at Harry. Harry grinned.
"And a pleasure to meet you, Malfoy."
"Always is, Black." Draco retorted.
Remus had gone to speak with someone or other and deliver a letter. He had left Harry to be fitted for robes.
"What about your mother, then?" Draco asked. "I trust she's pureblood as well? I can't imagine a member of the Black family meddling with anything less."
Harry flushed. "Uhh…"
Should he lie and gain Draco's brief, unworthy trust? Or should he tell the truth.
Then Draco's eyes became sympathetic.
"Do you have a mother?"
Better not to lie.
Harry shook his head.
"Oh, I apologize." Draco said, with an actual note of sorrow in his voice. So the oily, walking product of money and familial pride wasn't utterly heartless.
"No need, I never knew her." Harry said, which was the truth.
"Do you get extra attention from your father, then?"
"Yes, I suppose." Harry said.
Better not to tell the whole truth, either.
"You're straightforwards, Black." Draco said. "It's refreshing."
"Thank you. I'm glad I have achieved 'cup of cool water after a run' status."
Then, to more of Harry's surprise, Draco retrained laughter.
Something struck Harry about Draco: he was pretending to be someone he is not. And: it would be a very, very bad idea to be an enemy of his. Before he could response, the infamous Lucius Malfoy walked into the room like pale moonlight slicing through darkness. He watched the final touches added to Draco's robes, completely disregarding Harry. Harry looked away, keeping his head tilted so he didn't see the scar.
The furious, crooked, dangerous scar.
"This is Harry Black, father. From the House of Black." Draco said with a wave towards Harry.
Harry gave Lucius a polite smile. Everything about them should make Harry hate them. But, then again, Harry was raised by a werewolf and Sirius Black.
Lucius suddenly took interest in Harry, but only briefly. "Pleasure to meet you. Is your father around, then?" His eyes flicked to Harry's forehead, widening slightly.
But he was Harry Black, not Harry Potter. Wasn't he?
"Unless you came with your mother, or alone." Lucius said. Draco's expression contorted. Lucius noticed. But, unlike Draco, he offered no sympathy. Draco pretended that it didn't phase him either, that human emotions were beyond him. He was the rabbit trying to emulate a tiger.
"Ah, he went to do something important. I'm afraid I don't know where he is." Harry said quickly.
Lucius nodded and took Draco away.
Very shortly afterwards Remus walked in. His face was a mask of disgust. "Malfoys…" he muttered. He approached Harry and pinched the robes, testing them out.
"They look good. Let's pay for them and leave." Remus said, whatever ugliness he had set in his mind had passed for the time being.
Harry followed. The wound in his arm sprung back to life with a dull throb.
"You said people would recognize me because of my scar." Harry said quietly.
Sirius, who had been examining the wound, looked directly at Harry sympathetically. He gave a weak smile. He was just a kid. He didn't have to grow up too quickly because of guardians who hated him. He could be funny, quiet, pensive. And it would change, Sirius knew. Wizards matured quickly, after all.
"Did you think Remus would let you run through public with your scar viewable to everyone?" He asked.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "You mean he put a spell on it to hide it?"
"Only briefly."
"But Malfoy's father looked there."
"He's a powerful wizard. Luckily your black hair looks like mine."
Harry nodded, his eyes becoming cold and calculating. Sirius saw Remus in him. And this time, not in a good way.
"Did you get everything you need?" Sirius asked.
Harry nodded.
Sirius grinned. "Then I made you a promise, didn't I?"
Harry's smile vanished. "No, I'm a little tired. I think I want to sleep."
Sirius pressed is hand to Harry's forehead. He didn't seem sick. At least, not yet.