Title: Tough Act
Author: Izzy
Pairing: DMHP
Archive Permissions: ask if you want it… I guess
Homepage: snakecharm dot org
Disclaimer: not mine…
Warnings: slash and violence.

Sirius Black

"Did you hear? Sirius Black escaped! Black escaped from Azkaban!"

"He's a murderer."

Harry was not afraid of murderers; he had met quiet a few during his seven years on the street. The emerald-eyed boy had formed somewhat of camaraderie with those who were not considered 'model citizens'. In the muggle world, the boy known as Raven had acquired a notorious reputation and a thief, strategist, and fighter. The raven haired boy was a living legend at the age of thirteen. A wise man once told Harry that it did not do to 'dwell on dreams and forget to live'. Harry took this advice to heart and made sure that he lived each day to the fullest.

While Raven had made the best of his life on the muggle streets, Harry had learned all he could about the magical world. Lucius Malfoy had taken the emerald-eyed boy under his wing. The blonde never spoke Harry's true name; he would address his student as either Boy or Raven. Harry didn't mind, he knew that the older blond had great respect for him. Harry soon realized that good behavior was rewarded. The more progress Harry made in his studies, the more he got to see his friend. If Harry didn't make the desired progress, Lucius made sure that his student knew of his displeasure.

"Crucio!"

Harry stumbled, but didn't fall; he was expecting his punishment.

As the raven haired boy struggled to stand, the blonde mad his way around the room.

"Tell me, boy. Do you know why I'm upset?" Lucius asked.

"Yes," Harry replied through clenched teeth.

Lucius raised an eyebrow inviting the boy to continue.

"I failed to produce the desired results, sir. I did not concentrate hard enough while casting the spell. I was slightly off with the wand movement and I flicked my wrist too early."

"Is that all, boy?"

"My aim was slightly off…" Harry said trying to sound sheepish through the mind numbing pain.

Lucius snorted and said, "Try it again. Concentrate, I will not take the pain away, you must learn to block it out. Go!"

Harry's body twitched slightly under the strain of resisting Lucius' curse. Slowly and painfully, Harry raised his wand arm and aimed at a target across the room.

"Diffindo!" He cried.

Only after Harry had cast the spell three times successfully did Lucius end the Crucio.

"Good," Lucius said as he prepaired the next lesson.

"No extra credit for standing?" Harry asked, wiping sweat from his face.

"No, I doubt that you'll be standing for long, boy. Now, on to the next lesson."

Harry quickly wiped his eyes as Lucius turned. If his teacher saw the tears of pain, he would be in far more trouble.

Harry still lived on muggle streets, but the Malfoy family made sure he had cloths and food. Harry was always invited over when Draco was home for Holiday. While Draco was at Hogwarts, Harry was at the Malfoy Manner learning the arts of spell craft and the exact science that was potion making. Lucius was proud with the progress of his student; during the past two and a half years, Harry had learned all material up to Hogwarts sixth year. With the help of Lucius, Harry had acquired a wand and had mastered everything his teacher had put in front of him.

After every lesson, when Harry left The Manner, he would hide the scar. Lucius had warned him that the wizarding world considered him dead. However disturbing these words were to the boy, Harry found the freedom every child craved.

Harry pulled his cloak around himself and apparated to Knockturn Alley. Harry's hood was pulled up so that all people could see were glowing emerald eyes. Harry gracefully glided out of the dark, dank street to Diagon Alley where he was to meet Draco. Sure enough, the blond was standing out side of Olivanders with what looked like two sets of third year school supplies.

Draco took a good look at his old friend. Since Christmas, Harry had grown a fair amount and the boy's voice had dropped to a velvet purr. Sharp emerald eyes stood in contrast with a mass of hair the colour of midnight. Harry's chest and arms were more muscular than they had been seven months ago due to the vigorous training that Lucius put him through. Draco thought the boy before him was drop dead gorgeous.

"Happy birthday, Raven!" Draco greeted. "Da got the supply list early, I thought I was about time you had some proper supplies."

Harry grinned and pulled his friend into a hug.

"Thank you so much, Dragon," Harry said.

Draco felt the warm breath on his neck and tried not to shiver with desire.

"Anything for you Rave."

Harry smiled and let go of his friend. After Harry shrank both sets of supplies, the two made their way to the Leaky Cauldron for an early dinner.

"Hey, Raven, do you think you'll ever get to go to Hogwarts?" Draco asked as he and Harry ascended the stairs to their room after dinner. It had become a tradition for the boys to sleep at the Leaky Cauldron after a day of shopping.

"I don't know. With the exception of you and your family, the wizarding world believes me to be dead."

Draco had just entered the room when a crash was heard from down the hall. Harry turned to see a fat rodent running down the hallway. With his quick reflexes, Harry plucked the rat off the ground as a cat zipped out of a room after it.

"What the bloody hell was tha- EW!" Draco exclaimed as he saw Harry petting the rat in his arms. "Why do you have that disgusting thing?"

Harry didn't pay any attention to Draco's ranting and walked down the hall to the room that the rat and cat escaped from. He knocked. Quickly a red head popped out.

"Scabbers!"

The rat was taken from Harry's arms.

"Thank you!" the boy said excitedly and held out his hand. "I'm Ron."

"I'm Raven," Harry replied as he shook Ron's hand.

There was a loud 'Ah-HEM' from down the hall where Draco stood, glaring at the two with jealous eyes.

"I'd better be going," Harry said, somewhat sheepishly.

Ron snorted with obvious disgust. "Friends with a Malfoy? Thanks for my rat, you can go."

Before Harry entered the room he and Draco were sharing, he turned and embraced the blond from behind.

Harry nipped at Draco's neck before calling back to Ron. "You're just jealous that you don't have your own beautiful blond."

Draco froze. Ron's fact turned bright red as he slammed his door shut. Harry had to pull his friend back into their room so he could shut the door.

"What the hell was that?" Draco fumed.

Harry grinned. "What does it matter? I'll never see him again. You don't mind though, do you, Dragon?"

"Of course I mind, I'll have to hear about this at school!" Draco ranted. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"He's just jealous that he doesn't have his own beautiful blond."

Draco glared.

"… I mean… oops?" Harry said with obvious sarcasm.

Draco sighed overdramatically and collapsed onto the bed. Harry climbed up after him.

"You're such a drama queen."

Again, Draco glared.

"Harry?" Draco asked breaking the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean what you said?" Draco asked in a voice that was barely audible.

"About him being jealous?"

"No… the other part."

There was a moment of confused silence.

"Yeah," Harry finally said. "I do think you're beautiful."

The blond turned his head so he could see Harry. Both boys were relieved when the other's eyes revealed no signs of rejection. Slowly, Draco moved up and captured his friend's lips in a heated kiss.

Draco knew that Harry was more experienced that he was in the world of sexuality. While Draco was at Hogwarts, upholding the Malfoy reputation in Slytherin house, Harry was completely free as he wandered the London streets and subways. It would be expected that the raven haired boy would know more about pleasures of the flesh seeing as there were no adults around to tell him not to. But Merlin, Draco thought, where did he learn to use his tongue like that?

Harry woke and yawned into the pillow, unconsciously tightening his arms around Draco's waist. He opened his emerald eyes and smiled at the sight that greeted him.

"Sleep well?"

Harry nodded and pulled Draco closer so he could nuzzle the blonde's neck.

"What time is it?" Harry asked in a scratchy voice.

"Almost nine thirty. I told Mum that I'd be back at the Manner by ten."

"Oh," Harry sounded somewhat put out.

"I'd stay later, but you know how she gets."

"Don't worry, Draco. I'll just work hard so I can see you at Christmas."

Draco's eyes brightened significantly. Soon, both boys were out of bed. Draco had just finished packing as Harry finished a much-needed shower. Quickly, the two said their goodbyes and shared a kiss before Draco Flooed back home. Harry took the money Draco had left and went downstairs to eat a small breakfast and pay the bill for the room.

After ordering breakfast – and a lot of food for take away – Harry sat at a small table towards the back. He pulled out a pen and one of his books. Harry glanced around to make sure no one would notice and resized his book.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing? We're not aloud to do magic outside of school!" An angry whisper sounded from across the table. Harry looked up and saw the angry red head from the night before.

"Food's here," Harry said brightly, ignoring the read head's statement and motioning for him to sit. "Do you want anything?"

"I don't need your money," Ron spat.

"I might have taken that badly if this was my money. The beauty of my situation is that this," Harry said, waving a rather full money sack, "Is not mine. Malfoy pays for this, so please pig out."

Ron glared even more, but ordered a small breakfast.

"So, where is the blond git?" Ron asked, taking a bite out of a piece of toast.

"His mum wanted him home by ten, so he went home."

"And why are you here with his money?"

"Because they always pay," Harry answered.

"And you always accept?"

"Seeing as I don't have any of my own, yes."

Ron mumbled.

"Look," Harry said, annoyed. "I don't know what Draco has ever done to you, but I haven't done a sodding thing. I'm not here to change your opinion, or to say that you're wrong, but keep your opinions about my friends to yourself."

Ron sat, shocked as Harry shrank his belongings, paid his bill, and walked out with enough take-away food to feed an army.

"Why did he walk out the muggle way?" Ron asked after the door slammed shut.

"Fucking bollocks!" Sirius cursed as he fell to the ground in a dark alley.

He didn't know how long it had been since his last meal. His strength was failing; he didn't have enough energy to transform into his dog form and the foggy weather only added to the man's gloom.

A crash sounded from down the street. Sirius closed his eyes and listened. There were three sets of footsteps running his way. Looking around frantically, Sirius spotted two trashcans and pulled his weary body behind them. Seconds later, three figures ran into the alley. The third slowed to a stop.

"There's no place to run, now face me like the so-called man you are," the third person said. Judging by the sound of his voice, Sirius thought the boy couldn't be more than fifteen years old. The two other figures were obviously a good few years older, yet they still appeared afraid of the young boy before them.

"Raven," one of the older boys said. "He didn't know the kid was with you! We were just hungry, and the kid had money."

"I have no issues with you, Joey. It's your friend here who I have a bone to pick with. You can leave un-harmed, as long as you leave Tom to me." Raven's voice was deadly serious. He never took his eyes off his target.

The boy who spoke seamed to get the message. After a quick 'sorry, man,' he ran form the alley.

"Now, where were we?" Raven said in an almost pleasant voice.

"Oh, come ON!" Tom yelled. "What's your problem? You know how it is, we needed money! It's kill or be killed out here!"

"That's not justification for killing a ten-year-old boy!" Raven yelled back.

Tom reached into his jacket, pulled out a gun and aimed it at Raven's head.

"This game is over, Raven." Tom pulled the trigger as Raven rolled out of the way using cat-like reflexes. On the ground, Raven reached into his boot and pulled out a knife. With unearthly speed, Raven bolted forward and planted the knife in Tom's stomach.

"You're right, its kill or be killed, Tom," Raven said quietly. "Too bad I'm not ready to stop playing."

Sirius gasped as Tom fell to the ground. The young boy whipped around, quickly scanning the area for the source of the sound. Cautiously, Raven wiped his knife off on his black pants and made his way towards Sirius's hiding place. Seeing a man behind the trashcans, Harry pounced.

"Who are you?" Harry demanded, pressing the blade into the man's neck but not hard enough to draw blood.

Sirius looked up at the boy and saw fearless green eyes illuminated by the moon.

"Harry?" the man croaked out before hunger and fatigue overwhelmed his body and he was pulled into blissful unconsciousness.

The pain came back and Sirius groaned.

"Hey, Riley, he's commin' to!" a child's voice yelled.

Sirius winced as the pain in his head spiked.

"Someone go and find Raven," a girl said in a commanding voice.

Sirius felt something cold and wet brush against his head and cracked open an eye. A thin teenage girl in ragged clothing took the rag away from Sirius's face.

"Feeling better?" she asked with a smile. "Here, have some water."

Sirius gratefully accepted the glass the girl offered.

"Where am I?" Sirius asked.

"In one of our apartments in China Town. We're right near Soho. You passed out just a few blocks away, Raven brought you here," the girl explained and passed Sirius some bread. "Raven told us to take care of you. Then he left."

Sirius nodded. Of all the places to wind up, he never thought it would be in a small, run down flat in muggle London. He never thought he would see his godson again. Word had reached Azkaban years ago informing Mr. Black that Harry Potter was missing and presumed dead.

Suddenly, the door to the flat burst open. A boy with shaggy black hair that fell just past his shoulders walked in and headed towards Sirius. The others in the room fell silent with the boy's entry. Every child and teenager bowed their head slightly in a sign of respect as the boy passed them. Finally, the boy reached the far side of the room and addressed the girl.

"How long has he been awake?" the boy inquired, slightly out of breath.

"Just a few minutes. Where were you?"

"Just down by the tube stop. I made us some money," the boy said as he pulled a handful of wallets out of his pocket. "Now, I need to talk to our guest alone."

The girl nodded once and started to clear the room so only the boy and Sirius were left.

Sirius Black looked at the boy. The boy looked back at Sirius Black.

"Well?" Sirius asked, preparing himself for the worst.

The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out his wand. After conjuring up chairs, food and tea, the boy sat and motioned for Sirius to eat.

"You," the boy said after putting his wand away, "are Sirius Black."

"And you," Sirius said between bites, "are Harry Potter."

A grin spread on Harry's face as he leaned back in his chair.

"You're supposed to be in Azkaban," Harry stated.

"You're supposed to be with the Dursleys and you're not. People think you're dead."

"People think you're a murderer."

"… Touché…"

Harry was not a trusting person. The Dursleys had completely taken away any faith that the young boy had. Harry had quickly learned that he couldn't depend on anyone but himself; the thought of family was a foreign concept. Guardians were the people who punished you when you did something wrong and ignored you when you did something right. Harry did not know what family felt like until he met Sirius. Even though the pair were more like old friends or even brothers, Harry enjoyed the feeling of being looked after.

With the money Harry had saved up, Sirius and he were able to afford an extremely nice flat in Chelsea. It took a little black-mail and quite a bit of threatening, but after a few days of 'negotiations', Harry and his godfather entered no. 49 Burton Court with what little belongings they possessed. Sirius was in awe; the flat was huge. Slowly the man wandered around his new home. While Sirius explored the flat, Harry headed towards the kitchen to fin something to eat. He heard an unusual sound: a tapping at the window. Harry turned and found two owls hooting outside. The dark-haired teen opened the window and let the owls in. Immediately, Harry recognized one as a Malfoy owl. The short letter that it carried was from Lucius. Harry quickly glanced behind him before pulling out a worn ash white quill and opening the letter.

Mr. Potter –

I believe that the time has come for you to live in the world you belong to. I have informed Professor Dumbledore about your location; make the Malfoy family proud.

Lucius Malfoy

Harry turned to look for the second owl and was startled to find Sirius in the doorway with the own on his shoulder. Sirius smirked and sat down.

"God, I didn't even hear you!" Harry exclaimed.

"I know," Sirius smirked even more. "Good to know I still got it. You have a letter from Hogwarts. I thought they thought you were dead… how did they figure out you weren't?"

"A friend told them, lets leave it at that?"

Sirius laughed at the trademark 'Black' smirk that appeared on Harry's lips. "Secrets, secrets are no fun."

"Depends on who you are. Now lets go and grab some food."

The two left the Hogwarts letter on the counter; they both knew it would be a long letter welcoming Harry to the school and apologizing for not locating him sooner. In the envelope there would be a list of third year supplies which Harry already had thanks to the Malfoy family, and directions to the Hogwarts Express.

After a quick stop at Marks and Spencer's to pick up numerous frozen dinners, the two returned home. Sirius put food in the oven while Harry replied to his Hogwarts letter and wrote a short letter to Draco to arrange a meeting at King's Cross.

The next days passed in a blur for Harry. Finally, the last day of August arrived. Harry was packing his trunk when Sirius at his door.

"I can't take you to the station tomorrow. I can't risk being recognized. I have some business to attend to; I won't be here tomorrow morning," Sirius explained.

"Don't worry, I understand. Be safe," Harry said, closing his trunk. I'll owl you and I'll try to get back here for the holidays."

When Harry woke the next day, he was surprised to find a giant black dog sleeping in the hallway. Attached to the dog's collar was a short note from Sirius:

Congratulations for getting into Hogwarts. I'll see you soon.