Anything in italics is a thought.
Any scenes in bold is occurring at a different time (Flashback).
Enjoy!
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A Traitor
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On the dawning of the second day since the incident in the hospital wing, Remus decided that he couldn't stand this situation any longer. The day before, Poppy had deemed Harry healthy enough to be moved and so, they had returned to number 12 Grimmauld Place, Headquarters to the Order of the Phoenix. The house had been undergoing heavy reforms since Sirius had entrusted it to Dumbledore's use and was now finally habitable, even if some extensive cleaning still needed to be done.
Being confined into such closed quarters didn't help either of his worries. Harry had withdrawn into himself, barely talking or eating at all, and it was all Mrs. Weasley could do to feed him and Ron and Hermione to get him to come out of his room. Sirius, on the other hand, was considered and adult and thus left alone by most. He still didn't know if that was a great idea considering the blunders he has been doing lately, but decided to give him a bit of privacy.
I'll just have to trust Harry to his friends and hope they can get him to open up to them for there is no way that he would consider coming to talk with me…
Sometimes he couldn't help but see a bit of himself in Hermione, which brought a small smile to his face as he remembered all the mischief they got up to while still students.
I guess it's all up to them now. Padfoot, on the other hand, is something completely different.
Sirius had taken all night off before he returned, and when he came back something was different about him. Remus could often catch him deep in thought when he wasn't simply mopping around somewhere inside the huge household. He also frequently fell back into his depressed state, most commonly when he saw or heard Harry which usually took him hours to get out of.
And no matter how many times I question him on what is on his mind he only shrugs it off as my imagination! Hunf! As if I could be mistaken when his scent is reeking with worry and fear…
He just didn't know what to do to fix the problem between their relationship and bring it back to what it was. He did feel somewhat responsible for what happened; after all he was the one who tried to convince Sirius to tell Harry the truth and ended up divulging everything unintentionally. But he also knew that there was little to nothing he could do except to wait and let things run their course.
Deep down Harry still loves Sirius, I know that he does. What he needs to do is to get used to this life changing idea and Padfoot is not helping by avoiding him completely. He needs to gain his trust again.
Sighing again, something which he had been doing a lot these past few days, he fell into the couch in the living room.
It is in times like these that I want to believe that strange saying that states: Everything will work out in the end. How? I don't know it's a mystery.
OOOooo§oooOOO
Four days has past since his birthday. Two days since he discovered the truth. One day since he was stuck in this infernal house.
None of which made him feel better.
No matter how much he thought about it, or how much he tired not to think about it, it made no sense. The only thing it served was to make him angry all over again.
How could Sirius have betrayed my fathe– I mean James, no! Da– Argh! This is so confusing! I don't even know what to call them anymore… why, why couldn't they have let him in the dark? Or better yet, why couldn't they have told me?!
Feeling tears begin to form anew he stomped hard on the feeling. Harry Potter refused to cry, for he had cried enough already. Instead, he opted to through his pillow across the room, head a satisfying thud as it hit the wall.
Will I ever be able to talk with Sirius again? Do I even want to?
He felt a tinge of guilt as he though of how cruelly he had treated him that day. Sirius was the closest thing he ever had to a father, the irony being that he turned out to be exactly that: his father.
Settling down on the bed, he frowned in thought.
I do miss him, I miss him a lot actually… but… I can't forgive him for betraying my father- argh! James trust like that. Or…did he betray him at all? Did James know about it all? Did my mother want it? Were they even in love?
The last question, he found, meant a lot to him, for all his life he had been told that his parents loved each other very much. It would be devastating to find out, in addition to all that happened, that he was actually an unwanted child from a forced union or something similar.
Although… Sirius couldn't have really wanted me if he left me with the Dursleys could he? He thought bitterly. But… I want to know. I want to know how this all happened.
Letting out a sigh in frustration he bit back a yell. So many questions still unanswered. So many doubts were swirling inside his mind that it was a miracle he was still sane! The worst thing was, the only way to get his answers would by talking with Sirius or Remus.
And I bet that Professor Lupin would tell me to go talk to Sirius…damn him!
He tried to stop thinking because he knew where this would lead. It would lead him to anger and guilt, which would both dissipate after an outburst leaving only a headache behind.
Not to mention the fact that Ron and Hermione keep sending me these worried looks, as if I wouldn't notice. I just…I don't know if I can tell them. I probably would help, especially with Hermione, but… he signed again I guess I'm just hoping that if I don't tell anyone, one day I'll wake up and all this will end up being one bad dream.
Harry snorted. Like that is going to happen anytime soon…
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear the door to his room opening and two people entering.
"Harry?"
"Hermione! You startled me!" He said, jumping off the bed. "Hey Ron."
"Ron and I have been talking Harry," Hermione began after giving him a concerned look, "and we decided that we need to talk."
Both of his best friends sat down next to him on the bed, but her tone of voice made him scowl. He knew what would be coming up next.
"You've been acting weird lately Harry. Not eating properly, barely talking, barricading yourself in your rooms for long hours…" she continued. "And don't you dare say I'm imagining things! Everyone has noticed it and is worried about you!"
"Well, they shouldn't be worried then."
Both of them glared at him.
"What's bothering you mate?" Ron asked after a moment of silence.
"Noth–"
"Better not finish that mate," he interrupted with a smile, "Hermione is going to curse you for sure if you do."
"Very funny Ronald." Hermione said in mock offence, but smiled as well when she noticed that Harry did laugh a little at his joke.
We can always trust Ronald to provide a comic relief she thought fondly.
"Now then, Harry James Potter, spill!" Hermione said, her tone of voice clearly saying she would not tolerate no for an answer.
Smiling at both his friends, and admitting defeat in the presence of their determined gazes, he started to tell them what had happened during the last few days. Slightly hesitant at first, but as relief began to wash over him, taking his tension away, he relaxed, bit by bit.
OOOooo§oooOOO
…I will get you on my side, whether by will or by force.
His last words have been popping up on his mind at random times during the day, causing his thought to wonder and worry over what he could do to prevent history from repeating itself. If he was quite honest, he had to admit that he never understood why Voldemort wanted him so badly on his side; it was not like he had any exceptional qualities or power that were desired by the dark forces.
Still, he knew how a mind like those of Voldemort's worked, after all it was very similar to the way his own family thought. That was how he knew that there must be a reason behind this, especially since he had been after him for many years.
But what can it be? It can't be simply me He shuddered At least I hope not! Just the idea of Voldemort desiring me is enough to make me sick! So… maybe something I have? Could it be Harry? He felt his heart skip a beat at that thought, but his mind was quick to dismiss it. No, it can't be, not even Voldemort knows about him… so what is it?
Finishing his chores for the day, he went to his room to retire before lunch was announced, his mind filled with thoughts on the situation at hand. There was the possibility of consulting with someone over this, but then he was sure that useless precautions would be ser, limiting him even more.
That is something that I definitely don't want.
But, what was bothering Sirius Black the most was his certainty that he would eventually give in. He knew, that there was absolutely no chance of turning to the dark side voluntarily but… if it meant that someone would be spared, especially someone he loved…
… I came here to warn you, come willingly or watch all you hold dear perish.
He knew that meant that something was going to happen soon, something ruthless and sudden. It didn't help at all that his gut feeling was stating that Harry was going to be involved in this somehow, and his gut feeling was rarely wrong.
Someone might get killed…just like last time when Andy was murdered… and that bastard also gave me a warning then!
Roaring in anger, Sirius shattered the goblet next to his bed against the wall.
If that snake faced, nose-less bastard even dares to harm my son in anyway…
The thought alone was enough to make him shake with rage and suppressed fear, especially because he would know, that anything that might happen would be because of him. At least he had the comfort of knowing that Voldemort had no idea of the link between Harry and himself, other than being his Godson.
And it will remain that way! Even if I have to avoid Harry for the rest of my life… I'll do anything to protect my son.
If his plan involved Harry, he could easily find out that they had fought and were not on good terms with each other and that might change his mind in involving him, at least as a first resort. Although, his son already was a prime target for Voldemort's forces…
I'm going to grow grey hairs with all this worrying!
He laughed, suddenly finding the situation he was in hilarious. Being pursued by Voldemort for reasons unknown to him, persecuted by the Ministry for a crime he didn't commit, and to top it all having a son who wanted nothing to do with him.
My life is so fucked up; no wonder Harry rejected me! I would reject myself if that was possible!
Calming down, his thoughts turned again to Harry.
I really should go talk to him and clear things up. He probably has many questions about what happened, he might even assume the wrong things if I leave this out to fester but…in a way I can't help but be slightly angry with him. Why did he reject me so forwardly, without even listening to what I had to say? Why should I risk suffering another blatant rejection by approaching him? No, it was better to focus on his safety… after all; Moony can always clear things up should he want to.
He couldn't help the small hope that, when all this was over, he and Harry could finally be a family. For he truly did love the boy and wanted nothing more that to have him accept him as his father…
Thumping his head on the wall he mulled over his options until a very familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
"What a waste to think that I was becoming bored downstairs, look at what I have been missing. The great Sirius Black, at the bottom of the well at long last."
OOOooo§oooOOO
Silence.
Harry was seriously beginning to reconsidering his decision of telling his friends the truth. He didn't know what was worse, the concerned glances of before or his gob smacked expression they were now wearing.
Well, at least Ron is shocked; Hermione has too confused an expression for me to understand what it means.
"Bloody hell!" Typical Ronnish vocabulary for when he has nothing else to say, "Why does everything have to happen to you mate?"
He snorted, trust Ron to point out the obvious he thought fondly
"But, well, this is so wicked!" At the incredulous look he sent him, his friend added, "I-I mean, sure it is awful that they haven't told you anything before but…I bet Sirius would be one great father to have! Imagine all the leeway he will probably give you with things such as pranking and getting into trouble! You are so lucky mate!"
Okay, has Ron completely lost his mind? Are we even speaking the same language here? How the hell can he describe my situation as wicked and lucky?
Spluttering, he finally managed to get out, "Lucky?"
"Well…yes. Look at it this way…you've always wanted a father and you're always on about how much of a father Sirius is to you since you were never able to meet your own parents. Combine this with your wish to be able to meet your parents and there you have it! A wish come true! You have a change to have the real thing now mate!"
He just stared at his best friend, the way he put it made things so… so…
So ridiculously simple!
"Oh Ron, really! Do you honestly think Harry thought like that when he found out? I'll bet you ten gallons that his first reaction was to deny everything, after all, who wouldn't? It is not everyday that you are told that nearly everything you believed in was a lie and the person you trusted kept such a secret from you. Add this to Harry's infamous temper and we were bound to get many broken objects and some screaming in the hospital wing that night." She said, smiling smugly at Ron and winking at Harry, the latter who tried once or twice to interrupt her in his defense during her little speech.
"But Ron does have a point, Harry."
He moaned inwardly, hitting his bed and lazily throwing his last pillows at his remaining friends.
Infamous temper indeed… maybe it is a hereditary thing.
"I suppose… it's just that…" he paused, trying to reconstruct his reasoning. "I just don't understand! I guess I was so… so… I don't know. Confused? Angry? Frustrated? That at the time that I didn't even give them a chance to explain how it happened… and now… now I have so many questions running around in my mind with no one to answer them!"
Ron and Hermione looked at him with sympathy, imagining the turmoil he must be going through.
Suddenly, it was as if all the questions that have been plaguing him burst free, "Did Sirius betray then? They my mother want to have me or was I a mistake? Why do I look so much like James then? Everyone says so!" his tone had gone a little desperate, his friends noted, as he tried to cling to the little that he knew in order not to break down again.
"Oh, Harry. That could easily have been an allurement charm to make you look like him. Of course, it would have to be a modified version because I've never heard of a charm that could last 14 years and grow with the person but a charm none the less." Hermione explained easily. "But, now that you mentioned it, have you looked in the mirror recently?"
He nodded.
"Then you should know that… you don't look like James anymore." To confirm her point, she conjured a simple hand mirror and handed it to Harry.
"Yeah, now that I know it I can say that you do look different mate… more like Sirius, you know? Especially with your hair all straight like that. Don't know why I didn't notice it earlier…"
"There's probably some residue of the spell protecting him, preventing people from noticing outright all these changes that he had gone through." Hermione mused out loud.
He continued to look at his reflection, and now that he did know what to look for he had to admit that I wasn't very hard to make a connection between Sirius and himself. It was then that he noticed something, touching his face he felt for his glasses but found none.
No glasses, but then… how am I seeing so well without them? I remember needing them until… after my birthday… realization dawned on him but before he could mention anything to his friends Hermione asked him another question.
"Well Harry, now all that is left if for you to decide if you really want to know the truth about all that happened." Hermione asked before her friend's temper flared again.
"What do you mean? Of course I want to know the truth!"
"Think about it Harry. It may not be a fairy tale story, it might not be what you are expecting to hear and if you ask it of Sirius I'm sure that he wouldn't lie to you, especially not after this."
He paused again.
Did he really want to know? What if… what if this means that Sirius betrayed James? What if his parents were never in love? What will he do if these fears become true? But… could he really endure this endless doubt and uncertainty?
"I want to know." And he did, he wanted to know the truth, being it a fairy tale story or not.
Ron and Hermione nodded and smiled at him.
"If it serves as any consolation to you Harry, I sincerely doubt that Sirius would have betrayed James in any way."
"And mate, from what I've heard about your mum, I don't think she would have… umm… had you if she wasn't in love with Sirius."
He smiled slightly, "Thanks guys."
OOOooo§oooOOO
Sirius glared at his unwelcome visitor.
Out of all the people that could see me like this, it had to be Snivillus. I've had enough of his voice bothering me already!
He slowly stood up, wiping away all emotions on his face in the process, allowing only his annoyance to show through.
"Are you here for a reason Snape? Or it is because you simply can't resist my charms?" He drawled out, sarcasm dripping from his mouth.
Severus Snap scowled, but that was soon replaced by a smirk.
"Sarcasm, Black? I thought such a complex pattern of speech was beyond your mental capacity. Considering, however, that I have just found you in, what appeared to be an inner… turmoil, I shall assume that you are not in your right mind and ignore your pathetic comment."
"What do you want, Snape?" He snapped, not up to dealing with the likes of him at the moment.
His obvious lack of control only seemed to amuse Severus further, for his smirk increased and it there was a pause before he finally answered.
"There has bee another attack. Since you are considered to be part of the Order, although the reason why surpasses me as you have done nothing worthy as of yet, I have been sent to summon you."
He tried his best to smother the anger he felt rising within him at Snape's nasty remark about his contribution to the Order.
It is not my bloody fault that the fucking Ministry insists in continuing in their persecution of me!
"And here I thought you were the intelligent one, Snape. Has it slipped your mind that I cannot appear in public? Or are you unable to reach that simple conclusion by the search posters they have displayed with my picture on it?"
He saw that Snape was about to retort, but deciding he wouldn't be able to control himself should they reach an argument, interrupted in faking a friendly tone of voice.
"Didn't you say Albus was calling? We really shouldn't leave him waiting, should we? Come along now, Snivillus!" With a perfectly insane smile he grabbed Snape by the arm and apparated both of them downstairs without warning him.
OOOooo§oooOOO
Albus Dumbledore smiled when Sirius and Severus suddenly appeared in their meeting room, it was clear that he was highly amused by their small arguments and behaviour.
"Really, Severus! I know you can't resist my charms, but must you grab me in such an obvious fashion? It is completely unbecoming of you." With that said, and struggling not to burst out laughing, Sirius quickly distances himself from the fuming Potions Master in front of him.
Deciding to intervene before he ended up with one less Order member, Dumbledore turned to Sirius, asking, "Did Severus tell you the reason for our meeting?"
"There was only time for him to say that there has been another attack before he jumped me." Sirius answered with an overly dramatic and suffering tone.
"Yes, it was an unexpected move for… Voldemort… being too soon after his attack at Hogsmeade two days ago. We never saw it coming…" explained Emile Vance, another Order member.
Sirius nearly smiled at the way she hesitated in saying the feared name of the current Dark Lord. Dumbledore has forbidden the use of You-Know-Who or He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Name during these meetings.
Honestly, it would have gotten too confusing with 'You-Know-Who' this and 'You-Know-Who' that…
Taking a moment to look around the room, he noted that as usual, not the whole Order was present. Probably only those involved with this meeting, which leave me the question of… why the hell did they call me then?
"What happened?"
"The Death Eaters attacked a completely wizard settlement not far from here, burning all the shops, a few houses and adopting the usual approach to all who crossed their line of vision." Minerva McGonagall answered, her voice tight with surpassed anger.
"How many dead?"
"Fifteen dead. He left no wounded, bastard did a clean job." Mad Eye Moody stated, muttering curses under his breath that most of them didn't recognise.
"A small number for Voldemort, but a big impact nonetheless."
Sirius nodded in agreement, trying to understand why Voldemort would bother in only killing fifteen people.
It couldn't have been an accident, therefore it must mean something… That bastard seems to amuse himself by leaving riddles once in a while.
"What is cause to worry though is that this is the second attack in which Voldemort launched in complete surprise.Hogsmeade and Manderlay Village. Both attacked in the same way in less than two days."
"You mean…no one knew of it before hand?" Sirius asked, glancing at Snape while he said that.
"If you, by any chance, mean me, Black, then no, I did not know about it. Neither, may I add, did most of the other Death Eaters. My best guess is that Voldemort was in a bad mood and decided to launch this latest attack to vent out his anger. As to the previous one, we also can only speculate as to the reason."
Sirius held back a snort.
Voldemort, angry? Surely you jest Snape! Of course he was angry! When is he not angry?!
Looking around he decided that he did not like the way in which everyone was looking at him, as if expecting him to know the answered to Voldemort's insane mind and actions.
And why the hell did Albus summon me anyway? It is not as if I can go to Manderlay or Hogsmeade to look for more information…and why are we even discussing an attack that occurred two days ago?
"This may sound stupid" he began, ignoring a suspicious sound that came from Snape's direction, "but why are we even bothering to discuss an attack that happened two days ago? And why the fuck did you summon me?"
Some of those present flinched at his expression, others smiles and the rest looked at him reprovingly. He found that he didn't care at all.
"Apparently the attack at Hogsmeade is linked with the recent attack at Manderlay." Remus finally answered.
"We found a something, just this morning, at Hogsmeade. Apparently he also left us a little clue there, just like at Manderlay, and we thought that you might be able explain a few things to us" Moody elaborated.
"Besides, you were a great Auror before you… er… I mean, in your time… so I, um… we thought that you might… help?" Tonk offered gently, blushing as she stumbled over her words.
Glaring at most of the people in the room, he asked, "And what wonderfully obscure clue might this one be?"
"We found this" said Shacklebolt, showing Sirius a glass case, which held within it a simple item.
An item that caused Sirius to start with surprise and realisation, for a second everything made perfect sense, and then the thought slipped his mind. There, on the table was the Black family heirloom, their signet ring. It was unmistakable; a ring made of white gold with the family crest delicately carved and set within various small precious jewels, each a symbol of the Black lineage.
What the hell is this thing doing here?
"This was found, glowing, in the location of the attack Black, Care to explain how?" Moody barked when he realised no one was going to say anything about it.
Sending the retired Auror one of his best glares, he turned back to look at the ring, not bothering the answer his accusing question.
The signet ring, a symbol of the heir of the Black family… mother probably gave it to Regulus after she blasted me off the family tree but still, it doesn't make sense, Regulus died around fifteen years ago…why would they bother to keep a ring for fifteen years?
A thought came to him then, with such strength that he nearly jumped.
Fifteen years ago! Today fifteen people were murdered at Manderlay and the family heirloom… come on come on! I know what this is…I know it…the heirloom, an item that is passed from generation to generation once their son reaches the age of sixteen… no, no, not sixteen, fifteen. Fifteen…the heirloom and fifteen… passed from father to son, to the Black family heir
Suddenly a cold feeling came upon him; his necklace had gone cold again.
Harry! Harry is my son! That would mean he is the Black heir…who is…exactly fifteen years old!
"Oh Merlin! Fuck, fuck, fuck!" He muttered, feeling dread swell inside him. Before he could so much as move a muscle, however, the door to the room suddenly opened and in entered a worried Molly Weasley.
"Albus, you better come quick. There has been an accident. Ron, Harry and Hermione were assaulted and are currently recovering in the kitchen."
Panic coursing through his every vein; he didn't wait a second longer before dashing directly to the kitchen.
I can't believe that I didn't notice the link earlier! Voldemort attacking so close to Hogwarts, and then in such a close village, both times running a high risk of getting caught and killing only fifteen people! All this after our little encounter! Leaving that blasted ring deliberately there! It was so bloody obvious! But the ring, why would he have kept it? It doesn't make sense… unless he knew he would use it at a later date, but that's impossible!
And the attack on Harry! How the hell did he get through the wards? It can't have been a coincidence… does… does this mean that he knows? But how? Who would have told him? Only a few people know and they wouldn't tell unless…
Unless… there is a traitor among us!
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Feedback is always appreciated.
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This is so much fun! I really like writing Severus even though me drives me mad sometimes! Anyway, not much to say this times except that I would love to hear who you guys think is the traitor this time! Any theories are more than welcome!
Now, for the wonderful behind the scenes shot:
[ Behind the scenes.
"Hey, look! It's nose-less!" Said Ron.
"Let's throw rock at him!" Hermione completed.
"Nose-less! Nose-less!"
Looking at the three children running around him, Voldemort felt a vein pop in his head. "Avada Kedavra."
"Noooo…"
An the golden trio ran away, losing the sight of Voldemort's wand suddenly transforming into a feather-less chicken. "I just work here." He muttered, retiring again to his shadowy chambers.
Until next time,
Hells Angel & Heaven's Demon
