Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter Four: Secrets.
Harry walked out the steps of Gringotts; he had spent an extra ten minutes or so gathering an unlimited coin bag and Muggle card. So now it was time to do a little shopping, his plans were simple, at least to himself.
Firstly, he was going to free Sirius, thanks to his Parents Will labelling Peter as 'Secret Keeper' would be enough proof to have a glance at the records and then it would be shown he had no trial. Secondly, Sirius and he would move out to Potter Manor or would purchase a new smaller home, of course he would ask Remus to live with them as well. Thirdly, he would be handling Dumbledore and finding out the truth. Fourth of course included the Quidditch Cup and Daphne, he would have to send her a reply.
His first stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions; he needed new robes and a nice warm cloak. The store was fairly empty being it was quite early in the summer and students hadn't gotten their letters. He would have to come back for his books but that wouldn't be much of a problem.
Madam Malkin walked up at the sound of the bell ringing "Hello," she said seeing who it was. "Ah, Mr. Potter. What can I help you with?"
"Well, I am in need of some new school robes, everyday robes, and a new cloak." He explained, looking around. He noticed the silver material of an Invisibility Cloak, not that he really needed it.
Madam Malkin smiled; it was after all a tall order, "Well, come with me and let's get you measured now, dear," she said leading him to the measuring room.
The measurements didn't take too long and then he was ready.
"So can I get the Gryffindor Uniform pack and cloak, two average robes in grey, two in deep blue and one in forest green? Then one light cloak in grey," he explained casually.
Madam Malkin was nodding as she wrote his order down. "Alright, I should have what you need in about an hour or so. Until then Mr. Potter," she said with a smile.
"Thank you."
Harry nodded his understanding, leaving the shop for the moment. He set his watch for an hour, giving him some time to look at the other robe shop Twilfitt and Tattings, it was more upper class and he would need some dress robes to attend the trial.
The place was far nicer than Madam Malkin's and screamed wealth or wonderful business. An older man walked out from the back room, his salt and pepper hair was slicked back and he had a sneer on his face. "Sorry Kid, we only handle real customers. Go see Madam Malkin, she'll set you up." He said in a gruff voice.
Harry twisted his ring lightly, showing it off.
The man instantly changed his posture "My Lord, I apologise for my earlier comment. How may I help you today?" The man's eyes had widened with shock, he didn't want to upset such a powerful customer.
Harry sighed "Please, call me Mr. Potter," he said softly "I need dress robes, preferably with the Potter coat of arms on them." He passed the man his measurements.
"Just one pair?" He asked with a raised brow.
"No, three. One in black with the Potter Crest, make it lightweight. One in ruby make these heavier and then one in Purple standard formal pair as well. Also I require a black cloak with the Potter Phoenix on the right shoulder and back." Harry explained casually, not really caring how the man acted but not going to explain.
The man nodded his head "Alright, it shouldn't take more than an hour or 45 minutes, Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded and turned to leave without another word.
Harry stopped at Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, to refresh his potions supplies and gather some new ones. At Scribbulus' Writing Implements, he received standard parchment, new owl quills, eagle quills for formal writing and then thick professional parchment. At this point he was just buying himself some time.
Harry glanced at his watch; he had at least another 30 minutes and didn't know what else to do. His trunk was in good shape, he was getting robes, he had enough books to last a while and Ollivander wasn't going to sell him another wand. He looked up from where he was standing at it was close to the turn of Knockturn Ally.
Harry bit his lip; he was interested in the place and didn't spend much time down there during his second year. Looking around he pulled his hood up and went down the alley.
He avoided Borgin and Burke's completely, not wanting to return to that place if he could help it. He passed by a place named Cobb & Webb's the look told him it was a place that sold Dark items. He paused at a place named 'Samuel's Wand Crafting.' He did need a second wand, preferably one without the trace so he could perform magic.
The shop was old, small and dusty. What surprised him was that it was a young woman with raven black hair that sat at the counter reading a book. "Excuse me." He asked softly.
The girl looked up slightly, showing golden colour eyes "How can I help you?"
"Well…I would like a new wand, see my old one was broken and I had heard this place crafts the wand…not just sells them." He explained, it was a bald-faced lie and he knew it.
The woman smiled a little "Well, come on back and I'll take your measurements then wake my father," she explained, opening the guarder.
The back room was covered in wand woods, cores and example wands. "Pa! Get up!" she shouted into a side room, and then she flicked her wand at the tape by his feet.
A few seconds later an older gentleman walked over, he had golden eyes and stark black hair.
"Hmm. A Potter, been a long time since I've seen one of you." He said pointing a finger at Harry, "I believe it was Charlus that came here last, at the time I was a young man. Now," he flicked his wand at Harry, "Walk to the woods and feel out which one calls to you."
Harry ran his hand over a few of the woods, Apple, Cherry, Dogwood, Pine, Cedar, Yew and Holly. None of them held anything to him other than Yew and Holly but it was limited, down to almost a chill. His hand rested on a piece of black wood, it was warm and cold at the same time "Sir, what is this?"
Sam looked up "Oh that is Ebony…normally it is used for those who stand up for their beliefs and is well suited to Transfiguration. However, I believe the wood is one who stands up for others, fights for those they love and themselves, are well suited to the Dark Arts and is accustomed to all elements."
Harry nodded "This one. It's warm but cool at the same time." He said casually.
"That's the one you want, if it's always warm then it will always work for you. Cold with never work but both means the wand will be attuned to your magic and emotions, treat a wand well and it will be far better than a wand of warmth." Sam explained pulling a large block of ebony off the wall "Core next."
Harry nodded and walked over to the cores. His hand stopped on Phoenix Feather but it wasn't red or orange like his normal wand, this was blue. "Sir, why is this feather blue?"
Sam looked up from his cup of coffee "Oh well that's because that is a neutral Phoenix, they are blue. Light are red or orange and Dark are black. Very few dark Phoenix's exist today Mr. Potter. However, neutral is just fine. Being neutral means it will work for both light spells and dark," he explained. "Normally it is for those who are misunderstood, courageous, pure of heart and reclusive. Which I believe matches you exactly." He took the Blue Phoenix feather and was about to start.
Harry wandered over to the gem cabinet, he felt drawn to something, something important. He reached out and wrapped his hand around a blood red stone. It was what he needed, "This too, this needs to be added." He held out the stone.
Sam picked the stone from Harry's palm "A Ruby blood stone," he said softly. "One of the Fire Elements…Normally very hard to maintain and brutal in combat…I'm impressed," he said pulling the Phoenix Feather onto the Block of wood. "Now Mr. Potter, if you would be so kind as to bleed a little onto the feather."
Harry nodded and pulled a throwing knife from his hip and pricked his finger, letting the crimson liquid pour onto the blue feather and then it started to glow. Sam then started to pull on the wood and wrap it around the feather and blood, the wood started to look like water the way it was warping.
The second the wood was wrapped around the feather, he put the Ruby in. The light was blinding and then he was finished. Sam was taking a few seconds to breathe and let the wand cool, his hands were raw and red looking. "Well…Mr. Potter," he said softly as the wand cooled, "A very unique wand."
Harry took the wand when it was stable; it was jet black but had carvings of fire throughout the wood and near the handle was that of the Phoenix its core came from. The Ruby was placed in certain places, to act as balls of fire. It felt smooth and nice in his grip almost like an extension of himself.
"Can I get an Ebony wand-care kit as well?" Harry asked the Shop girl, whose name he never learned.
The woman nodded "Of course, come up to the front and I'll ring you up." She said with a smile.
Harry held out his hand to Sam, "Thank you, Sir," he said with a grin.
Sam slowly shook the young wizards hand, "Take care of that wand Potter, I dare say it will save your life someday." The words were mumbled as he was wincing in pain.
Harry nodded, checking the time. He was running about ten minutes late but he would figure it out. He headed to pay for the wand then pick up his clothes
XX~XX~XX~XX
Black Bart?
'Due to new evidence, Sirius Orion Black is to return to the Ministry of Magic under the terms that none shall be harmed. If Mr. Black cannot get to the Ministry then he shall Owl, Amelia Bones: Head of the House of Bones and DMLE. Madam Bones has asked to place this within the consignment 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.' We here at the Prophet hope Mr. Black understands this request and wish for the best. – Wallace Rosewater.
Daphne started to laugh hysterically, this had Potter…Harry written all over it. He replied to her message claiming that he had been to Gringotts and had gotten a lot accomplished, most of which he didn't write in the letter. She did know he claimed Lordship and had so far being in the Muggle world kept it a secret.
Astoria looked up from her bowl of oatmeal, "What are you laughing about? You never laugh." Her voice held a note of jibing, even if the words were softly spoken.
"Hey! I do too!" Daphne huffed, slipping her the article and then crossing her arms.
"Black? Only took them 13 years." Heather said with a bored look on her face, reading the article over her daughter's shoulder.
"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.
Heather shrugged, "How anyone could think Sirius would betray the Potters is beyond stupid," she deadpanned, "When he left the Black home he boarded with the Potters, Dorea was his grand aunt or something to that effect." The woman finished putting on her earring, "I have a few errands to run, so do you want to come Daphne?"
The teen nodded her head, "I could use something to do, give me ten minutes to freshen up."
Quickly running up the stairs to her room, she moved to her desk writing a quick message to Harry.
'Good luck with Sirius, I hope you know what you're doing. Message me if you need any help~ Daphne.' With that she gave it to her Owl: Grace, who was a chestnut brown Barn Owl.
XX~XX~XX~XX
Sirius cringed, it had taken him no time to hop on Buckbeak and fly to Number 4. He had to see his God Son. Of all the kind, honest and idiotic things the kid had done this topped them all…well maybe the Basilisk topped this one but it was close.
He was glancing around, then he noticed Harry. Cutting the grass without a care in the world, in fact he looked like he was putting on some muscle and weight. He no longer was wearing glasses either and his hair was in a ponytail.
Stepping out of the bushes, he walked up to his godson, only hopping to maybe scare him a little. What he wasn't expecting was a dagger pointing at his forehead, a very familiar dagger. "Ah…Lily's favourite, glad to see you've been to the vaults, Pup," he said cheekily.
Harry smiled brightly and holstered the weapon, without a second thought he pulled his godfather into a great big hug, "Good to see you too, Padfoot." Harry was grinning, his entire visage had changed from the boy Sirius was expecting to find.
"You look…healthy." Sirius said with a small smile.
"It's amazing what you find out at Gringotts."
"So, dear godson of mine," Sirius drawled as Harry led him to a tree behind the house, "Mind telling me about this?" He asked pulling the slip out from his robe sleeve.
Harry grinned, "I managed to get a hold of my Parents' Will." This being said he held up his ring hand, which then flashed brightly, "Among other things."
"So Amelia? Why her exactly?" Sirius was questioning this decision, seeming a bit more nervous now.
"Susan is in my year, we've had a few parting words to the other. Heard about Amelia from the Prophet, being that the Minister didn't listen to me the last time. I had to go over his head." Harry's response was said casually as he was pulling his hair loose.
"Well….I want you to come with me," Sirius said with a small glare, "You started this, and if they try anything…I'll have some leverage." In truth he doubted anything would happen, at least if Amelia was still Amelia.
Harry shrugged "I'm not doing anything; we can go after you shower and shave." This was said affectionately whilst holding his nose.
Sirius smacked him upside the head, "Prat."
"Speaking the truth though, you look like hell," Harry said dully.
Sirius sighed, "You really are like your parents," he said casually.
"No one's in, go shower and shave," Harry said walking back over to the lawn mower.
"Good, I don't want to meet your relatives."
"No you don't."
It didn't take them more than an hour or so for them to shower and get dressed. Sirius' robes we're cleaned by Harry quickly while he showered and was shaving. Sirius looked fairly average his black robes only a little worn from weather. Harry wore his new grey robes with the Potter cloak.
"Where are we meeting her?" Harry asked.
"Bones Manor…let's just say…I have a…key…" Sirius mumbled, he wasn't meeting Harry's eyes.
"In other words you know the way around the wards because you're a dog."
"Prat!"
XX~XX~XX~XX
The Bones Manor was very simple and plain, it was only a two story with a fairly large basement. The House symbol was that of a Mongoose, it was featured on their door knocker. Sirius of course knew how to bypass the wards, basically all he did was relocate the ward stone on the west wing, Amelia had placed the stone a little outside the ward line when they were teens. Of course it seemed she had forgotten about it.
Harry was in front; better that she first sees a face that she won't immediately hex. He knocked half -heartedly.
It only took a few seconds before the door flung open and he was face to face with a pale wand and a grumpy looking Amelia, who was enjoying her day off, dressed in a sun dress. Her red hair pulled into a loose pony tail "Potter?" This was a question but she was slowly lowering her wand before shoving it back into his face, "What are names of the Marauders, in order?"
Harry smiled, "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs," he stated with a shrug, "Should I also remind you that I sent you the evidence on Sirius, who coincidentally is right behind me."
Amelia rose a brow and shoved Harry out of the way, pointing her wand at Sirius who was pointing his wand back, "Sirius….What was the name you called me in private," the question was said sharply.
"I always called you Amy in private, and would love to do it again." Sirius said with a wink, "Shouldn't the fact I broke through the wards be enough?"
Amelia slowly lowered her wand then smacked herself on the forehead "OH!" she wailed "That bloody rune stone, when you were sent off…I completely forgot about it," she mumbled.
Harry waved his hand at the pair, "Sorry, to break this up but if you don't mind, I think we should clear the air before you two get…reacquainted." Harry was leaning against a pillar looking bored as he said this.
Sirius coughed, "Err...Right," it was said softly, "Let's get this over with." Sirius lowered his wand and passed it to Harry.
Amelia noticed this, "What don't trust me Siri?"
Harry looked revolted at the coo that had come from Amelia Bones but said nothing of it.
"If you were in my position would you trust me?"
"Touché," she said before turning to Harry, "Go find Susan. She'll likely be in the study. We'll need you two to be the observers. I'll be in my Office, Susan will show you."
Sirius nodded, "Listen to her, I'll be alright."
Harry nodded, "Err…I don't know the way to the study," he said dully.
"Just walk towards the east wing, you'll hear the music," Amelia responded, leading them through the entry way. The Place must be the ancestral home as they had so many old portraits and trophies along the walls. Amelia pointed down the main hall, "That way Harry."
Harry nodded and left, cloak trailing a little behind him. He checked himself a little, dagger at his hip hidden under the first flap of robes. Boot dagger, check. Duel wands, Holly on his right and Ebony to his left. Invisibility Cloak in his robes pocket, Basilisk vest on under the robes. He wasn't worried much if an attack did happen, he was prepared.
As he walked he started to hear the sounds of a Violin, it was well practiced but he could hear a few hints of mistakes. The sound was coming from a slightly open door, it was the study. Susan had her back to the door, dressed in a white shirt and jeans, her red hair was shoulder length and he could even see a Hufflepuff wristband, she lightly played for a minute or two.
"You going to stand there all day?" she asked, looking over her shoulder, her eyes widened, looking him up and down. "Oh, I-I thought you were Neville. What are you doing here Harry? That is you right?" she asked placing the violin in its case.
Harry nodded with a smirk, "I'm here with Sirius."
"Ah, say no more. Aunty wants me to be a witness; I assume you'll be included in that," she said with a small smile.
Harry nodded; Susan led him through the halls down to Amelia's study. It was more of an office with a fireplace than anything else, it was full of Blacks and Yellows. Amelia was at her desk with a vial and a bowl in front of her.
Sirius was sitting across from her making light conversation; two chairs were places at opposite sides of the desk.
Susan moved close to her Aunt, Harry to Sirius.
Amelia snapped into DMLE mode, "Let's call this to order. Harry, three drops on his tongue if you would." This was said while passing him a small green bottle.
Harry nodded and waited for Sirius to open his mouth and stick out his tongue, adding three drops carefully then passing it back to Amelia.
"Is your name Sirius Orion Black?" She asked, placing the bottle back into her desk.
"Of course." Sirius responded, his eyes had a slight glaze to them.
"Where you the best man at the Potters wedding?"
"Yes."
"God Father of one Harry James Potter?"
"Yes, I am."
"Have you ever had a relationship with Selene Crave?"
Sirius' face contorted for a moment, "N…Yes." There was no mistaking the glare that Sirius sent in Amelia's direction, "No fair." The pout that followed was also unmistakeable.
Amelia smirked, "All is fair, in Love and War." She said with a casual tap of her quill. "Now, have you or were you ever a servant of Lord Voldemort?"
"No, I would never serve Lord Voldemort."
"Were you the Potter's Secret Keeper?"
"Yes," he said, then added, "At first."
"Elaborate."
"You see at first it was ideal, however I started to get targeted heavily," He said softly, running a hand through his hair. "So we needed a bait and switch, originally we were going to use Remus Lupin. However, he started to disappear a lot and we thought he was a spy, so we used Peter Pettigrew. We thought it was the perfect ruse, until Halloween 1981 when I could remember where the house was in Godric Hollow," he explained, making a small face at the use of Peter's name.
"Did you murder those Muggles?" she asked gingerly.
"No I did not; I never got the chance to fire a spell other than a shield charm. Peter got me with a laughing jinx." The response was punctuated with a frown.
"Right, now," she slid him an orange potion, "Down the hatch."
"What you're not going to ask him how he escaped?" Harry asked, Susan nodded with him.
"No." Amelia responded, "If we can throw this case out, then him breaking out of Azkaban would be justified." She said with a small shrug, "It's one of the loopholes we have, no one has ever escaped to our knowledge other than Siri."
Sirius shrugged and downed the potion, "I'm so going to get you back for that." He said this with a small glare.
"You'll get over it." Amelia said with a shrug, "So here is the evidence, The Potter Will. Which clearly says the Secret Keeper was Peter. Your statement. Along with the common knowledge that you were best friends, basically brothers with James and then less known fact that you are the godfather of Harry here. By getting his parents killed would hurt him, thus harming you via the oath," Amelia explained. "This is looking like an open and shut case."
Harry nodded, "Don't forget Peter Pettigrew is alive."
"Is he?"
Sirius nodded, "Remus Lupin, myself, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, all saw him. He was an Animagus, a rat to be exact, rather fitting don't you think? He had been living with the Weasleys for 12 years, ask any of the members they'll tell you he was missing a toe on his left paw."
"The biggest part of Pettigrew that was found was his finger," Amelia said with dawning recognition. "Which never made sense; I've never heard of a spell that completely destroys a person, leaving just a finger."
Sirius shrugged, "We should have never trusted him, we thought he was our friend."
Harry patted him on the back, "Don't beat yourself up over it. Amelia…what is the punishment for placing blocks on a minor without consent of a Guardian?"
Amelia raised a brow, "Well…a lot of Half-Bloods and Pure-Bloods use blockings to limit accidental magic, which only lasts until one is eleven. At that point most cores' start to stabilize, however, placing one without consent, is punishable only through a heavy fine, but if it extended if past the age of eleven, then you're going into jail time." She raised an eyebrow in Harry's direction, "Why?"
"Just curious," Harry said off-handedly.
Sirius glared at him, "Harry you were raised by Muggles, I doubt you know what Blocks are. Why?"
"Can we talk about this later. I promise, I just need things to fall into place first," Harry said softly.
Amelia nodded and smiled at the two of them, "You boys get out of here, Padfoot should stay with Harry and I'll send you a letter by tonight or tomorrow morning." She said this with a smile, muttering a small charm on a handkerchief.
Susan waved good-bye to the two, Harry bowed a little to Susan and then to Amelia.
"See you soon Amelia." He said with a smirk.
Sirius kissed her knuckles lightly. "We'll see you soon." He said with a wink, "See you later Susie."
Susan glared but this seemed to heighten Sirius' amusement if anything.
The two disappeared with a small tug around their navels.
Harry was thrown like a rag doll and Sirius landed on his feet, only doing a small roll for fun. He helped Harry up with a grin.
"By the way," Harry said gaining the attention of the older man, "Those blocks, take a guess."
"Dumbledore." Sirius said with a sigh, running a hand through his hair, "He's the only one that makes logical sense, Minnie would never hurt you and Hagrid can't do that type of magic. How bad?"
"Mental Arts, Magical Core, Healing, Shadow Walking, Wand Less, Parseltongue, Meta and Fire," Harry listed off from memory.
Sirius cringed, "Well…looks like we have a leak to fix…I'm going to have a few words with Remus and Amelia. Let's see…if we can catch him in the act," he said softly.
"Why do you even trust him?" Harry asked crossing his arms.
"Well…Dumbledore helped me and James a lot in our time at Hogwarts, then after as well. When you guys saved me a few months ago, I had a feeling he knew."
Harry nodded "He did, he left us a cryptic clue like normal," he said with a shrug.
"Why don't you trust him?"
"He placed me here, let me go after a Stone, guarded by a Cerberus, a Devil's Snare, killer keys, chess and trolls. Then two puzzles with one having a chance to poison you and the other having you wasting away," he explained. "Then he lets a Basilisk run around, while trusting me to fight against it. Sending me Fawkes with the Sword, not helpful at all to a bloody twelve year old who can't hold a broadsword stable," Harry said with a cold glare, crossing his arms.
Sirius frowned thinking about it for a few seconds, "Well….let's see if we can avoid that this year," he said with a smirk.
"You should turn into Padfoot before Vernon tries to murder me again," this was said in a would-be casual voice.
"Which would end with him getting a dagger in the face?"
Harry flicked his left wrist, passing his Ebony wand to Sirius.
"Bloody hell…this is amazing craftsmanship…Ebony?"
Harry nodded.
"Rubies…what's that core?"
"Neutral Phoenix," Harry shrugged
"Potter through and through," Sirius snickered, "Traceless?"
"No, I got the second wand as a back scratcher," Harry's voice was a perfect deadpan.
"I'll make a Marauder out of you yet."
XX~XX~XX~XX
AN: Hello Hello, So what did you guys think of this Chapter? I'm pretty sure, you'll see a fair bit more of the Bones' and Harry studying, training then the Quidditch World Cup. So what do you guys think? Should Sirius be freed? With all that Evidence it is all in his favour. I'd like to know your thoughts though. So leave me a Review with either Hate or Love: Sign 'The Demon'. I would also like to thank my Beta: AllyPotter1196.