Notes: A lot of people have been asking about other Harry raises Harry fics. These are my personal favorites: Of Shadow, Shine, and Shades by dra6on, Second Life by Nia River, and Déguiser by Batsutousi.

Hadrian woke up to Harry jumping on his bed. He yawned. "Is there something you need?"

"Just for you to get up."

"Is it Yule morning?"

Harry giggled. Hadrian was glad he'd caught the reference. In his old life, he'd only ever known Yule as Christmas, but Hadrian Naga had been raised a wizard and he knew the holiday as Yule. Hadrian had made sure to give Harry a book on wizarding holidays a few weeks ago.

"Not yet. We've still got almost two months."

Hadrian huffed. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Then why are you waking me up?"

"We're bringing Sirius home today! You've got to eat breakfast so we can go."

Hadrian chuckled. "He's not a pet, you know." Except, thinking about it, he kind of was. They were indeed going to be picking up an excitable black dog from St. Mungo's today… even if he was in human form.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm going to start eating without you."

"I'll be down soon." Hadrian poked Harry in the side. The boy yelled happily and ran away. Hadrian covered his laugh in another yawn and got out of bed.

Just about an hour later, he and Harry were waiting by the floo at St. Mungo's as Sirius came to join them. He'd been in the healers' care for ten days.

Hadrian had to say, Sirius looked much better. They'd obviously gotten him set on some nutrient regime—the gauntness of his cheeks was less pronounced. He was clean and wearing a plain set of black robes, his face clear of that untamed beard and his hair cut back to shoulder-length.

His eyes still spoke of shadowed horrors, but they were clearer than Hadrian remembered ever seeing them. He supposed that was what being officially free would do to a man.

"Sirius!" Harry called, waving. Sirius saw them and walked over, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Harry," Sirius said. "And, Lord Naga, wasn't it?"

"Hadrian," he said. "We are going to be living in the same house, after all."

"Then call me Sirius." Sirius held out a hand. Hadrian grasped it. "I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am. Madam Bones said you were the one who had the suspicion about Wormtail."

"Wormtail?" Harry asked. "Wasn't he one of the Marauders?"

Sirius looked down at Harry. "Uh, yes. He… Peter used to be our friend, your dad and I."

Harry scrunched his nose and nodded. "Then who was Moony? Was he an animagus too?"

"Let's take this conversation back to the manor," Hadrian said before they could get into it. "The floo is just Naga Manor. The wards have already been adjusted for you."

Sirius nodded. They all flooed back, ending up in the sitting room. Hadrian waved for Sirius to sit down. The man chose a burgundy armchair. Harry sat next to Hadrian on one of the green couches.

"Bito, some tea please," Hadrian called.

Bito came a moment later, a tray of tea in his hands. He set it down on the coffee table in between the chairs and left with a pop.

Sirius grabbed a teacup and sipped it slowly. "It's been too long," he murmured. Hadrian was pleased to note that his hands only had the finest of tremors, instead of outright shakes.

"So, Moony?" Harry pressed.

"Remus Lupin, is his name," Sirius said. "He wasn't an animagus. Actually, he was the reason we became animagus. Remus is a werewolf."

"Oh!" Harry looked at Hadrian. "Is that why you had me read Werewolves, As Mindless as Dragons are Harmless?"

"Well, no, I didn't know Mr. Lupin was a werewolf. I just think you should respect all magical creatures. Werewolves get a bad hype, but with the invention of Wolfsbane, they're just as capable as any other witch or wizard," Hadrian lied smoothly. "I suppose that does explain why his nickname was Moony, though."

"How do you know our nicknames?" Sirius asked.

"My dad left me the map," Harry explained. "And a letter. Do you want to read it?"

Sirius nodded. Harry ran up to his room. While he was gone, Hadrian looked hard at Sirius. "I know you fought for the light in the war," he said slowly. "And while I have never considered supporting Voldemort, I want you to know that I am not light."

"I figured not, with the name Naga," Sirius said.

"I would have figured you dark with the name Black," Hadrian countered. "But yes, I follow in my family's footsteps. I'm not completely dark. I'm grey and I have no doubt Harry will become so as well as he grows. He'd not a copy of his father."

"Lily was a grey witch," Sirius said. "I don't know how much James ever realized that, but I knew." He took a deep breath and looked down at his tea. "I've always been grey. As much as I preached the light, I couldn't get rid of my family background. In Azkaban, I realized that maybe I didn't want to. It was a part of me just as much as the light is."

Hadrian nodded. He listened for Harry's footsteps. They were coming back down. "I've heard rumor of your anti-Slytherin prejudice. The Naga family are descendant of Slytherin himself, and Harry holds that blood. I won't be surprised if he's sorted into that house at Hogwarts."

"I understand. I… I'll keep my thoughts to myself."

"That's all I can ask for."

Harry returned. He thrust the letter at Sirius. Sirius read it slowly. When he was done, he set it on the table. His hands were shaking now. "You have your dad's hair, you know. The Potter curse, he used to call it. But I can see your mom in your face. Her nose, her cheekbones… and those eyes." He looked at Hadrian. "That has to be a Naga thing."

"As Naga as black hair is for your family," Hadrian agreed. "It's surprising that my father never contacted Lily, but I suppose we were out of the country by the time she was off to Hogwarts. He probably thought she would be a muggle with squib blood like the rest of her family."

"My mum was the most powerful witch at Hogwarts!" Harry declared.

Sirius laughed. "Well she was Head Girl. And your dad was Head Boy."

Harry grinned. "I'll be Head Boy too, then."

"Work hard, and I'm sure you can be," Hadrian said. "Of course, you'll have to get your Hogwarts letter first."

Harry huffed dramatically.

Hadrian looked at Sirius. "On the subject of Remus Lupin, I sent him a letter after your trial. I didn't know he was a werewolf—though I suspected him to be Moony. He was the only other one I've heard that ran around with your group." Hadrian shook his head. "Not that him being a werewolf really matters."

"Did he reply?" Sirius asked. "I'm afraid I haven't contacted him yet."

Hadrian nodded. "He's going to be here at the end of the week. I don't know how long he'll stay, but I'm going to set him up a room in the manor just as I have for you. I hope that's okay."

Sirius nodded slowly. "It will be good to see him, I think." He sighed. "If he forgives me."

"Why would he need to forgive you? You're innocent," Harry said.

"Not for that. I… we knew there was a spy for You-Know-Who, you see," Sirius said. He glanced hesitantly at Hadrian, visibly wondering how much he could tell the eight-year-old. "We suspected him as the traitor. He wasn't, of course, and I should have trusted him."

Harry frowned. "Well then you should apologize." He shrugged. "He probably thought you were actually guilty, so really you two are even. You can start over."

Hadrian smiled. "Hopefully they'll be able to, but that's between Sirius and Mr. Lupin. Now, why don't we give Sirius a tour of the house?"

Harry nodded, jumping to his feet. He led the tour, showing Sirius around through the bottom floor, the second floor, and the third floor. "The fourth floor is warded for family only, Hadrian said, so I can't bring you up there." Harry explained. "Not unless you marry Hadrian."

Hadrian blinked and then chuckled. "I don't think that's going to happen."

"Why not? I'll have you know I'm a perfect boyfriend," Sirius said, mock offended.

"I'm sure," Hadrian remarked dryly. "I have also heard rumors of your playboy ways. I'm afraid I'm into commitment." He paused. "Beside, we're related, through my mother."

"Oh?" Sirius frowned. "Which one of my many cousins was she?"

"Lycoris. Your great aunt, I believe. Which would make us… second cousins?"

"Yeah, that's a bit too close for me." Sirius shook his head. "My parents were too, you know, second cousins. I always figured that contributed to my insanity."

"Well, at least you admit it."

"Hadrian, which room is Sirius'?" Harry asked, obviously wanting to move on.

"Which ever one he'd like."

Hadrian wasn't surprised when Sirius ended up choosing the red bedroom. The man bounced on the bed, grinning, and then looked over at the wardrobe. "I'm going to need to get a new set of clothes. And a new wand." He sighed. "The ministry snapped mine."

"We'll can go today, after lunch," Hadrian said. "Assuming you have access to your vault."

"Yes, my grandfather wrote me. He granted me back my personal vault. Apparently it was given to him by Gringotts cause he's the current Lord Black when I was incarcerated. He's also in charge of my dear cousin Bellatrix's vault. Anyway, I got mine back, I just need to get the key from a goblin."

"Your grandfather?"

"Arcturus. I guess he's your uncle."

"Oh, yeah," Hadrian said. He frowned. "He is my uncle, isn't he?" Hadrian tried to remember when Arcturus died in his original timeline. '91 or '92, he thought. Well, the man only had a couple more years then.

"Can I go to Diagon Alley with you?" Harry asked.

"Have you finished your work for the day?" Hadrian countered.

"It's Sunday."

"Oh, I suppose it is." Hadrian tapped his chin. "Yes, you can, but if things start to get too dangerous we're leaving." He sighed. "I don't want you to be destroyed by the crowd. Now that they know you're living in the wizarding world they'll be rampant to get your attention."

Harry scrunched his nose. "That's stupid."

"It is, but we can't change it. Hopefully by the time you go to Hogwarts they'll calm down."

Harry nodded.

Hadrian looked back at Sirius. "Sodder!" he called.

Sodder appeared with a pop. He bowed to Hadrian. "Yes, Master Hadrian?"

"Sodder, this is Sirius. He'll be living with us for as long as he likes. I want you to listen for him." Hadrian nodded to the man. "If you ever need anything, feel free to call Sodder. But I will warn you, I don't tolerate any house elf abuse in my home."

"Of course," Sirius said. "Thank you, Sodder."

Sodder bowed again and disappeared.

"There's a couple more members of the household you need to meet then," Hadrian said. "Let's go back downstairs. Harry, you want to run and find Faeda and Kiran?"

Harry nodded and ran out of the bedroom.

Hadrian and Sirius walked down the stairs at a more leisure pace. As they reached the sitting room, Garnet flew in through an open window. Hadrian held out his arm for the owl to land. "Ah, well here's another one. Sirius, this is my owl, Garnet. Feel free to use him if you need to send out letters."

"I think I might get my own in the Alley," Sirius said. "Though that's a beautiful bird."

Garnet clicked his beak. He held out his leg. Hadrian untied the letter attached. "Thanks." Garnet blinked at him and flew off.

"Mind if I read this?" Hadrian asked, waving the letter.

Sirius shook his head.

Hadrian opened it.

Dear Hadrian, it read.

Arthur and I wanted to thank you for your help in catching Pettigrew. Percy is much happier now with his new owl, and of course Bill and Charlie are as well with theirs. I think it might have started a bit of a trend in the family. Arthur's now thinking of getting a replacement for our poor Errol. The old thing can hardly deliver letters anymore. I'm only glad you sent us a letter first, so that I could send this back with your beautiful bird. After seeing him, Ron was adamant about getting a bird just like him. I told him he had to wait until Hogwarts. I'm sure you understand the trouble, what with raising a boy Ron's age.

To answer your question, yes Minerva, Arthur, and I did talk about it earlier. We didn't mention your involvement for several reasons, the first of which being that we didn't want to put scrutiny on you. You rescued us from living with a Death Eater in our home and we thought it would be ill willed of us to begin to barrage you with information as to how you knew, especially since you already explained it to the aurors.

I know that explanation probably doesn't satisfy you. Truthfully, Minerva had wanted to do investigation of her own after the trial if it was true indeed that Sirius Black was innocent. We all learned to follow our own rules during the previous war and many of us learned a mistrust of the Ministry judgment system. Too right we were.

That being said, we talked after and decided that we are certainly glad we kept the spotlight off of you. As Harry's guardian, we can only guess that you have been extra vigilant about Death Eaters and we thank you for that. Harry seems so happy in your care and I'm glad you took him in. He deserves to be raised a wizard.

If you, Harry, and Sirius if he so wishes to, would ever like to come to the Burrow for lunch or dinner, you are more than welcome to. I'm sure Harry would love to hang out with some kids his age and my Ron is always on the lookout for playmates who aren't his siblings.

Best wishes to you,

Molly Weasley

Hadrian closed the letter and placed it back in the envelope. He frowned down at it.

"Bad news?" Sirius asked.

"No," Hadrian said. "Just the Weasleys asking if we wanted to come for lunch some time."

"Bit long for just an invitation for lunch," Sirius said.

Hadrian smiled and said nothing. Sirius snorted and looked away.

He wasn't sure how he felt about the letter, if he was being honest with himself. He understood that McGonagall had wanted to investigate him without Ministry interference. He could even imagine Dumbledore asking her to do so. He was sure that if she still did, even with Molly's assurance that she wouldn't, she wouldn't find much.

What he wasn't sure about was going to the Burrow and letting Harry and Ron be friends. He wasn't convinced that it was a friendship that would suit Harry well. Not if Ron turned out to be just as prone to jealousy and betrayal as he had in Hadrian's former life.

Hadrian would let Harry decide that for himself, he figured, but at Hogwarts. He knew that if he let the Weasleys be Harry's first friends his age… it would create the same bond that had kept Hadrian sticking by Ron's side even after countless strikes against him. He didn't want Harry to have to deal with that much back and forth.

Harry took that moment to return. Slithering along behind him were Faeda and Kiran.

"Those are snakes!" Sirius yelled, jumping to his feet.

Hadrian and Harry laughed and after a moment Sirius joined them.

"Yes, they are snakes," Hadrian said. "I'm a parselmouth. So is Harry. We both get it from the Naga line."

Sirius stared and then visibly held himself back from saying the first thing that must have come to his head. He cleared his throat. "So you have pet snakes." He nodded. "Okay. What were their names again?"

"This if Faeda," Harry said. "She's an iridescent shieldtail. And this is Kiran. He's a king cobra."

::This is Sirius, as you can guess,:: Hadrian told them. ::Be nice to him.::

Kiran hissed. ::He smells like dog.::

Harry giggled. At Sirius' confused look he explained, "He said you smell like dog."

Sirius grinned. "Can't help that." He looked at Hadrian. "Can I?"

"Of course, whenever you want."

Sirius nodded and shifted. Padfoot wagged his tail, his coat a bit mangy but otherwise fairly healthy. Harry shouted in delight and reached forward. Padfoot let himself be pet, thumping his tail on the floor.

::I don't like this,:: Faeda said, protesting the vibrations. ::Make him stop.::

Hadrian chuckled and picked her up. Kiran slithered up onto the table as Faeda curled herself around Hadrian's neck and shoulders.

Peachy popped into the room. "Lunch is ready, Masters."

"Thank you, Peachy." Hadrian said. "Okay children, let's eat."

.o.o.o.

Diagon Alley was far less crowded than it had been the last time Hadrian had taken Harry, for which he was grateful. Where the crowd had worked to their advantage for blending in before, now they weren't hiding and it was best that not too many people were there to badger the boy.

They flooed in through the Leaky Cauldron. Hadrian lent Harry his wand so that he could tap the brick to open the archway. Harry grinned about it the entire walk to Gringotts.

At Gringotts, Sirius got a goblin to get him his vault key, as well as a pouch like Hadrian's to allow for easy money spending. Harry was disappointed that by doing so, that meant they didn't have to go down in the carts. Hadrian cheered him up by saying they could go flying with Sirius that afternoon.

That sparked the need to get Sirius a broom. Hadrian wanted to call it ironic that the very first spot was Quality Quidditch Supplies. After they got him a Cleansweep Six to match Hadrian and Harry's, they headed to Ollivander's.

"Mr. Black," Ollivander said. "I've been expecting you." He looked at the other two. "And this must be Mr. Potter. You'll be back in a couple of years, I suspect."

"Yes, sir," Harry said shyly.

"But I don't recognize you, though you have Naga eyes."

"Hadrian Naga," Hadrian said. "I got my wand from Gregorovitch."

"Indeed? Do you mind?"

Hadrian handed his wand over.

"Let's see here, twelve inches, ash with the core of… something snake related it feels like."

"A sliver of a basilisk fang, yes," Hadrian said.

"A very unique wand. I would not have thought to pair ash with so strong a core. Gregorovitch always has been rather experimental, but if it suits you…."

"It does, thank you Mr. Ollivander."

Ollivander handed the wand back. "Now, Mr. Black, such a shame about your original wand. Ten and a half inches, aspen with a kneazle whisker wasn't it?"

Sirius nodded.

"Still right-handed, I suppose?" Ollivander didn't wait for Sirius to answer. His measuring tape was already out and working.

Harry seemed fascinated by the process. Hadrian supposed it would help him know what to do when he got his own wand. Sirius waved wand after wand until finally a shower of black and white sparks shot out of a wand tip.

"Marvelous!" Ollivander said. "Eleven and three quarters. Ebony with thestral tail hair."

"Aren't thestrals the creatures you can only see if you've watched someone die?" Harry whispered.

"That's right," Hadrian said. Personally he felt the wand suited Sirius. The man wouldn't be the same after even just seven years in Azkaban.

Sirius paid Ollivander seven galleons and they headed to get Sirius new robes. Sirius chose to go to Twilfitt and Tatting's, an upper market robe shop. While he set about getting a whole outfit, Hadrian set Harry up with a different tailor to get him some winter cloaks and outer robes. It was starting to get colder and while he had plenty of clothes, Harry didn't have anything in heavy wool.

Harry's tailor, a young brunette, fussed over him a bit but was otherwise very collected. Hadrian supposed that—it being a high-class shop—the workers here were used to serving the more celebrated of wizards and witches.

Sirius and Harry both finished half an hour later. Hadrian gave the teller the name of his house elf who would come pick the robes up the next day when they were completed.

As they went to leave the shop, Narcissa Malfoy stepped in, talking to a witch Hadrian didn't recognize.

"Oh!" Narcissa said. "Why, Cousin Sirius. It is delightful to see you."

"You as well, dear Cissy," Sirius said, putting on his roguish smile. "And Miss Viola Bulstrode. You were in Cissy's Slytherin friend group at Hogwarts, weren't you?"

Viola, Millicent's mother perhaps, smiled. "Hello, Mr. Black."

"I see you are with Lord Naga," Narcissa said.

"Pleasure to see you again, Lady Malfoy," Hadrian said. He gestured Harry forward. "I'm not sure you've met my charge. Harry, this is Narcissa Malfoy. She's Sirius' first cousin."

"Nice to meet you, Lady Malfoy," Harry said politely.

"What a charming boy," Narcissa looked pleased, though Hadrian could see the calculating glint in the corner of her eyes. "You must come by Malfoy Manor sometime to meet my son. He's your age. His name is Draco."

Harry looked at Hadrian. He smiled. "I'll see if we can find the time." He paused, an idea forming. "Perhaps I'll host a gathering at Naga Manor. There are several witches and wizards his age I'm sure he'd love to meet. I'll be sure to invite yourself, your husband, and Draco of course."

"Millicent would love to come," Viola said. "My daughter. She often takes lessons with Draco."

Hadrian inclined his head. "Of course."

"Well then," Sirius said, obviously wanting the conversation to end. "I'm afraid we must be off."

"Do write some time," Narcissa told him. "I know it may not have seen like it, but I have missed you, Sirius. There are so few of us left."

Hadrian saw the real longing in Narcissa's eyes and he wondered if Sirius did too. He personally had nothing against the witch, however wary he was of her husband. Narcissa had saved his life by lying to Voldemort and after the war she and Draco had worked together to rebuild the Malfoy family name while Lucius faded in the background.

Sirius cleared his throat. "I'll have lunch with you, but only if you invite Andromeda. She's my cousin as much as you are, even if she married a muggle."

Narcissa blinked, looking down briefly. When she looked back up, her eyes were bright. "Her daughter is at Hogwarts, isn't she? I've heard she is a metamorphmagus."

"That's an old Black family trait," Sirius murmured in surprise. "Nymphadora, wasn't that her name?"

Tonks would have to be fifteen or so, Hadrian thought. Just around the same age as Charlie.

"I do not believe I ever knew…." Narcissa murmured. She seemed to make a decision. "You are correct, Sirius. She's my sister. I may not agree with her choices, but that doesn't stop her from being family. I'll send her an owl."

Sirius smiled. "Maybe we could all do lunch once Hogwarts ends for winter break. So we can meet Nymphadora."

Narcissa agreed and shortly after they parted ways.

Hadrian thought about this as they made their way back home. He hoped the sisters reuniting would be good for Narcissa, and for Sirius. Tonks could hopefully break any awkwardness at the family meeting. She was good at that. Then again, Hadrian didn't know how Narcissa would react to the girl turning his nose into a pig snout just to gander a laugh.

Either way, it would be interesting.

On the way back to the Leaky Cauldron, they stopped by Eeylops Owl Emporium. Sirius bought a small barn owl he immediately named Sunshine because Harry said her orange and yellow tail feathers looked kind of like a burst of sunlight.

After years spent without ever being allowed to see the sun, Hadrian could understand why that would appeal to Sirius.

.o.o.o.

Lucius was drafting a proposal for a new law reform when his study door opened with a bang. He stood up, wand in hand. In front of him stood an unfamiliar wizard with black hair and dark amber eyes.

"Who are you? How did you get past my wards?" Lucius demanded, keeping his wand trained on the man.

"No need to be rude, Lucius," the man said. He strolled forward and sat gracefully in the extra chair in front of Lucius' desk.

Lucius wanted to gape. The man looked at him and his eyes flashed a familiar bright red. "Sit, Lucius."

Lucius sat. "My Lord," he began, because the mark on his arm was tingling and there was no one else who could command a room quite like Lord Voldemort could.

"Lord, yes," he said. "Did you know I would return, Lucius? I suppose not." He tilted his head back. "I have been gone for seven years it seems and in that time I thought over some things. I tell you this only because you were once a trusted member of my inner circle and it seems I have few of them left that are not in Azkaban." He smiled coldly. "I am back, but things will not resume where I left them."

Lucius carefully blinked. Seven years it may have been, but he remembered his lord's crucio well.

The dark lord seemed to smile as if he knew exactly what Lucius was thinking. "None of that. I don't wish you to fear me… well not quite that much. I am a new man and I need your help assuring that."

"I… I'm sorry, my lord, I don't understand."

"Call me Marvolo," he said. "Marvolo Riddle. You knew who I was, of course. I imagine your father told you. Abraxas was a good friend of mine at Hogwarts."

"Tom Riddle," Lucius said slowly.

His lord's eyes flashed red again. "I think it is time for Tom to die. I am his son, Marvolo Riddle, procured with a pureblood witch who sadly died in childbirth. I was in your years at Hogwarts, Lucius. Don't you remember?"

Lucius nodded. "Of course, my lord. You were a top student, if often silent."

"Yes, exactly." His lord… Marvolo smiled. Lucius had a moment of realization that the man was now attractive as he never had been as Lord Voldemort. "I told you, though, none of that 'my lord'. Not anymore. We're friends."

Lucius wasn't fooled, but he knew better than to not play along. "Of course, Marvolo."

Marvolo nodded. "Few of my other followers are to know of my reappearance. Over the next year, the dark mark will slowly fade until it is but an outline. I have found it… too obvious a symbol." Marvolo looked to the right, staring at Lucius' bookshelf. "Tell me, do you still have the book I gave you?"

"Yes, my lo- Marvolo." Lucius reached into his desk. He'd kept the journal in the bottom-most drawer. He pulled it out and handed it over.

Marvolo touched it briefly. A strange smile seemed to flit over his lips. "It is as I suspected then," he murmured. With a flick of his fingers, he burned the book.

"I have your wand as well," Lucius said slowly. "Pettigrew had it, but he got himself discovered just recently. I managed to find out its location before he was taken to Azkaban." He reached in the same drawer and took out the yew wand he'd placed in there only a few days prior.

He hadn't been sure that his lord would return, but he'd had a suspicion after having been handed the journal that perhaps his lord wasn't able to die a normal death. He wasn't sure how he felt about being right, but he did know that he was interested in this new man before him.

Marvolo accepted his wand. It seemed to hum in his hands. True pleasure appeared in his dark amber eyes. "I need your mark, Lucius. This is the last time I will be using it, but I believe I should call a select few to help… spread word of my presence. Suggestions?"

Lucius considered the man. "Am I to assume you wish to take your plan to a more… political level?"

Marvolo smirked. "I am Head of the House of Gaunt." He flicked his lord ring. "And of the ancient line of Slytherin."

"I had wondered, if you'll excuse me for saying so," Lucius said. "There is another with Slytherin's blood."

Marvolo leaned forward. "Oh?"

"Hadrian Naga," Lucius explained. "He's the current guardian of Harry Potter." Lucius braced for an explosion.

Marvolo simply leaned back in his chair. "Is that so?"

"If you'd like, my- Marvolo, I can put all my memories of him in a pensive." Lucius offered. "I have only seen him twice. Once at the Blishwick Manor for a small gathering, and then as a witness in Pettigrew and Sirius Black's trial just a fortnight ago."

"Yes," Marvolo said. "I should like to see those memories. But first, my followers." He paused, obviously waiting.

Lucius let out a deep breath. "Lord Nott would be a good choice. I know you favored his uncle, but Trent is the head of the family and very politically minded. Amycus and Alecto Carrow both work in the Ministry. Lorelle Greengrass might also be a good choice."

"Not her husband, Astor?"

Lucius shook his head. "While Lord Greengrass is an excellent dueler, it is his wife that sits in the Wizengamot seat. You marked her, I believe, when you marked my own wife."

"I remember. I had grown paranoid about family members of my followers. I imagine that if I had gone on too much longer as I had been, I would have started marking the children." Marvolo shook his head. "This does not leave this room, Lucius, but as I'm sure you had noticed… I was not in my right mind by the end of our war."

Lucius didn't comment. Marvolo smirked.

"Very well then. Trent, Amycus, Alecto, and Lorelle." Marvolo pressed his wand to Lucius' mark. It burned as much as he remembered.

Despite the pain and the nervous anticipation, Lucius couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement bubbling through his body. Two new players on the political field in such a short amount of time, he thought. He couldn't wait for Marvolo Riddle and Hadrian Naga to meet face-to-face.

.o.o.o.

Hadrian, Sirius, and Harry were eating lunch when Remus arrived through the floo. Hadrian stood to greet him, telling the others to stay at the table.

"You must be Lord Naga," Remus said, holding out a hand.

"Mr. Lupin," Hadrian greeted. "Please, call me Hadrian."

Remus inclined his head. "Hadrian. Call me Remus."

Hadrian flicked his gaze down Remus' body. The man had obviously worn his best robes, but even they were frayed at the edges. Hadrian wanted to fix that, though he wasn't sure how. He made sure his thoughts weren't showing on his face. "We were just starting lunch. Would you like to join us?"

Remus' stomach growled before he could speak. He blushed. "I haven't eaten yet. If you don't mind…."

"Trust me, Peachy, my house elf chef, made more than enough."

Hadrian led Remus to the dining room. Sirius jumped to his feet as soon as they entered. "Remus!"

Hadrian left them to their greeting. He called for Peachy to set another spot for their newest guest. The elf did so immediately, practically beaming at having another stomach to feed.

He really would have to set up some large gathering soon. Peachy would love to cook for a crowd.

Remus sat in the spot next to Sirius. He smiled at Harry, who was across from his godfather whilst Hadrian sat the head of the table. "Hello, Harry. I'm Remus Lupin. I was one of your dad's friends at Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. "Nice to meet you. Did you know my mum too?"

"Remus and Lily used to study together," Sirius said. "When she wasn't studying with Snivellus that is."

"Snivellus?" Harry asked.

"That was, uh, our nickname for Severus Snape. He was a Slytherin in our year and Lily's best friend for a long time," Remus explained quickly.

Sirius' face drew in and he opened his mouth.

Hadrian cleared his throat before the man could get himself in trouble. "Sirius, I ask you to remember that half of this table has Slytherin blood in their veins."

Sirius closed his mouth with an audible snap. He had the grace to look sheepish. "Right."

Remus looked interested then. "So it's true? The Naga line comes from Slytherin? I read the transcript of the trial, of course…."

"Yes, all I said about Harry and my relation is true. I can even show you the tapestry if you're interested."

"Cenric Naga married Adrianna Slytherin," Harry said. "They had a son named Hadrian, just like my Hadrian."

"Your Hadrian?" He chuckled. "I'm actually the third Hadrian in the family."

Sirius grinned. "I'm the third Sirius."

"Mr. Lupin," Harry began.

"Remus, please. Or Moony, if you want."

"Okay, Moony," Harry said. He'd already taken to calling Sirius 'Padfoot', in either form. Hadrian still only thought the man such when he was a dog. "Is it true that you're a werewolf?"

Remus nearly spat out his drink. "I… Sirius?"

Sirius shrugged. "They don't care, Moony. And I figured if you were going to be living with us, they should know." He paused. "I hope that's okay?"

A bit late for that, Hadrian thought to himself. "Truly, Remus, neither Harry nor I do care. We know werewolves get a bad rap, but then so do Slytherins." And there came the blush across Sirius' cheeks. "Harry and I are parselmouths. It would be silly of us to judge someone because of an ability they possess."

"It's not really an ability so much as a curse," Remus muttered. "But thank you, Hadrian, Harry."

"No problem!" Harry said, his words jumbled.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Hadrian told him.

Harry mumbled something. Remus laughed.

.o.o.o.

Remus looked around his room. He'd been given a tour of the manor, introduced to the two owls—Hadrian's Garnet and Sirius' Sunshine—as well as the two snakes—the iridescent Faeda and the shining black Kiran. After the tour was over, Hadrian had shown him this room, the blue bedroom supposedly, and told him that if he needed anything he could call for the house elf Sodder.

It had all happened so fast. Seeing Sirius again, and Harry for the first time since he was a baby, and meeting the elusive Hadrian Naga. Remus honestly didn't know what to think about it all.

There was a knock on his door. "Come in," Remus called.

Sirius opened the door and closed it behind him. He wasn't looking at Remus. Remus felt a conflicting wave of emotion wash over him at the sight.

"Sirius—"

"Remus—"

They both stopped. "You first," Remus said.

"I'm sorry," Sirius told him, quickly as if he was afraid of a reaction.

"You're sorry?" Remus blinked. "I should be the one apologizing. I am apologizing. I should never have believed you would betray James. You two… you were so close."

He felt a very familiar jealousy prickle at the thought. But no, he thought he had done away with that long ago. It was worse to have now. James was dead, buried with his wife. He wasn't coming back.

"I don't blame you." Sirius looked up. "We suspected you. James and I and a lot of the Order. Now that I look back, Peter may have been the one to first suggest you were the spy… but we believed it. That was wrong."

"We knew someone had to be," Remus said. It still hurt, the memory of how they all turned their backs on him, but it was in the past. "I don't blame you."

"You should! Just because you were a werewolf, a dark creature. I never should have pushed you away. You were the best thing that ever happened to me, you know."

Remus didn't believe that. He couldn't let himself believe that. "Sirius…."

"Merlin, turning my back on our friendship was the stupidest thing I ever did. And I did a lot of stupid things."

"Yeah, you did," Remus agreed. He felt tears prickling in the back of his throat. "You should never have gone after Peter by yourself."

"I should have stayed for Harry." Sirius rubbed at the corner of his eyes. "I shouldn't ever have told you to seek out Greyback's pack because that was the only place you belonged. It's not. You don't."

Remus rubbed his face. "You never should have pranked McGonagall in fifth year and blamed it on me," he said, because he needed to get away from that painful memory.

Sirius swallowed. "I should have never have led Sniv- Snape to the Shrieking Shack."

"No, you shouldn't have." Remus wondered how that revelation had come to the man after years of laughing it off.

"If not for him, then for you. I know you, at least I like to think I do." Sirius stepped forward. "When I was in Azkaban there was a werewolf in the cell next to me. I never knew her name, but I'd hear her howling. She was in pain all the time. We all were but I think the dementors liked to torment her especially. If they did it enough, they could bring out her wolf even when it wasn't a full moon."

"Merlin," Remus whispered.

"I don't know why she was there. Maybe she deserved it. Maybe she bit children, like you were bitten. Or maybe she was innocent like me." Sirius shook his head. "You would never have forgiven yourself if you'd bitten Snape. If you'd killed him."

"No, I wouldn't have. And I never would have forgiven you."

"Why did you? It wasn't me that stopped him. It was James."

Remus looked away. He wanted to say… something. The truth was, he couldn't not forgive Sirius. Not until he did something Remus truly couldn't get over. And despite all the things that had happened, it hadn't yet come to that.

"Okay," Sirius said slowly. "Maybe… we can start over?"

"Start over?"

"Hello, my name is Sirius Black." Sirius stuck out a hand, his smile sharp and brittle and hopeful. "I just got out of Azkaban and I need a friend."

Remus felt a smile twitch on his own lips. "I'm Remus Lupin. I'm a werewolf without a pack."

"Nice to meet you, Remus."

"Nice to meet you, Sirius."