Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything what you can recognize from the books. I do however own the plot of this story but I don't have profits because of it unless you count improving my English as a profit.
Preview: Regulus catches Pettigrew and then goes to play big, bad Death Eater. Mirzam adopts Harry and takes the kids out. Severus deals with one pissed kitty and later gets the scare of his life. In the end two lives are on the verge of dying.
So read, enjoy and review (because I love to read your criticism and as long as you are logged in or I have your email I'm answering to your questions).
Chapter nine: Heart Issues.
Using Patronuses as a means for communication in their little scheme was out from starters. Therefore Regulus pulled out from nowhere a pair of Two-Way Mirrors, claiming that he got them from his grandfather. Severus settled himself under Disillusionment Charm in trophy room waiting for Weasley to come.
"The squirrel had left the tree, alone," he heard Regulus's voice coming from the mirror. "I will go inside in a minute, prepare."
"Good luck, you will need it in a tower full of Gryffindors. Contact me at one o'clock again. End of transmission," Severus muttered.
He waited for what had felt like ages before he heard the footsteps near the trophy room. Slowly Weasley entered the room and looked around curiously.
Somewhere far away the bell had struck midnight. It was the highest time to execute another rodent and Severus dropped down Disillusionment Charm.
"Well, well, well, Weasley," Severus sneered at the red-head. "Out of the bed after curfew. That would cost you fifty points from Gryffindor."
"Potter and Malfoy are supposed to be here too," Weasley muttered.
"You are mentioning two students whom I know that they are safely in their beds without doubt laughing like struck with overpowered cheering charm at your situation," Severus snorted.
"The wizards duel …" Weasley started.
"There is no duel, imbecile. You neither challenged them properly and neither they answered properly to your challenge. That left them with every right to report your nightly wanderings to the authorities and you will pay dearly for them," Severus sneered again. "Professor McGonagall will be so happy that I heartily doubt that she will let you out of the detentions before Christmas. Before me, to Professor McGonagall's office," Severus ordered. "Quickly or Gryffindor will be on negative count of points before you reach it."
That seemed to work and soon Weasley was marching in front of him to Minerva's office, very, very quickly. Thankfully for Regulus, Severus knew that at this hour Minerva hardly was in her office but he planned to steer Weasley around the castle looking for her for as long as it was possible for Regulus to get inside the tower catch the rat and made his way out.
Under Disillusionment Charm Regulus had settled near the entrance to Gryffindor common room. He waited until five to midnight before the portrait swung open and Weasley slipped out. Wasting no time Regulus slipped inside the common room after Weasley. As soon as he was in and checked quickly that the room had been empty he used the mirror to contact Severus. He told him that he would wait a moment before he would go inside. Severus obviously assumed that he had the inside of the tower in meaning whereas he meant the first years dormitory.
He waited long three minutes before he crept up the stairs to first year dormitory. They were four beds inside it, three were occupied and one looked disturbed. Weasley obviously was so sure of himself that he didn't even brought the second.
He quickly localised the sleeping rodent and stunned him for a good measure. Wasting no time he grabbed the animal by its tail and quickly left the tower. He quickly secured himself in the nearest empty classroom before he examined the rat careful in the light of his wand.
Pettigrew without a mistake.
Now he needed to keep the git out for a while until before the adoption rite took place.
He barely made two steps outside the classroom when his luck ran off.
"I see that you found our rodent," Dumbledore spoke calmly. "Did you transformed him back to his human form?"
"No, I didn't," Regulus shook his head. "But I know that it is him. I saw him enough times to not make a mistake."
"Then follow me, my boy. We will transfigurate a cage for him on the stairs to my office. I hope that you are able to lie under Veritaserum if we are going to need it?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"I'm a Black, immunity to Veriaserum is something we inherit, that or sever allergy to it. I'm on the luckier side of the fence," Regulus replied.
"Good. I will call Amelia Bones and Kingsley Shacklebolt, they have their hearts and minds in their rightful places. Good for us that Kingsley is on duty," Dumbledore said quietly.
The way to Dumbledore's office never seemed this long to Regulus and his hands were aching to twist Pettigrew's neck but for Sirius's sake he managed to stop himself from doing so.
Finally they reached the entrance to Headmaster's Office. They quickly transfigurated a cage for the rat and dragged him inside. Regulus lifted Disillusionment Charm from himself.
Regulus seated him in overstuffed armchair and kept an eye on Pettigrew while Dumbledore was conversing with someone before he stepped aside to make a room for broad, square-jawed witch with very short gray hair, thick eyebrows and a monocle who was followed by tall, bald black wizard with a single gold hooped earring.
"Madam Bones. Auror Shacklebolt," said Dumbledore.
"Headmaster Dumbledore. Professor…" she paused.
"Lemeraude," Regulus supplied quickly.
"Headmaster Dumbledor informed me that there was very serious matter brought to his concern. What it would be?" Madam Bones asked.
"This rat," Regulus pointed at the cage, "is an Animagus and goes by the name of Peter Pettigrew."
Madam Bones's eyes widened and then she looked at Regulus questioningly before she whispered, "Are you sure Mr Lemeraude?"
"Absolutely sure," Regulus nodded eagerly.
"Auror Shacklebolt please proceed," whispered Madam Bones.
Kingsley nodded and with a flick of the wand rat's cage had vanished and a moment later blue flash of light hit the rat. Regulus watched transfixed the change and gasped together with the others when Peter Pettigrew appeared on the floor.
Kingsley sat him down on the spare chair and poured Veritaserum down his throat.
"What's your name?" Kingsley asked in his usual deep voice.
"Peter Patrick Pettigrew," Pettigrew answered.
"Why you were hiding as a rat for twelve years?" Kingsley asked.
"Because I would be killed if someone saw me," Pettigrew replied.
"Why?" Dumbledore asked.
"I was the Potters Secret Keeper. I sold them to the Dark Lord. But things didn't went as they were planed and I had to run away to save my life. Sirius was too smart to not check upon them and when he saw what had happened he went after me. He cornered me in the middle of muggle street, he was ready to kill me. I had no doubt that he was ready but something stopped him. I sized my chance and blew up the street before I cut my finger and transformed into a rat. I heard him laughing as I was getting away," Pettigrew replied dully.
"Was Sirius Black a Death Eater?" Regulus asked calmly.
"Sirius?" Pettigrew chuckled. "Him? A Death Eater? Never. He would never turn into a Death Eater, he wouldn't be welcomed amongst them after he put so many in Azkaban and after his brother's death it would be the last thing in the world which he would done."
"So he is innocent," Dumbledore whispered.
"Completely," Pettigrew said.
"How did you became an Animagus?" asked Madam Bones.
"Lupin," said Pettigrew blankly. "In our first year James Potter and Sirius Black discovered that he was a werewolf," Regulus flinched at that, "in our second year together they come to the idea that while werewolf would be dangerous to humans it won't be dangerous to the animals. That's why they learned how to become Animagi and since I was their friend too, they helped me also. We mastered Animagi in our fifth year."
"So Sirius Black is an Animagus too?" asked Madam Bones firmly.
"Seems to me that he preserved his sentence," Dumbledore said.
"If he registers as soon as we free him," said Madam Bones pensively. "Now I think that Auror Shacklebolt and I should take Mr Pettigrew to Wizengamont so we can free Mr Black today."
They quickly bid their goodbyes and Regulus was left with Dumbledore in his office.
"Should we be feeling happy that they didn't questioned me how I found him?" Regulus asked quietly.
"I told them that you found him on the floor of the classroom I found you in. You told me what you saw and we transfigurated him to his animal form since it was easier to carry" Dumbledore answered. "I think that we had done enough for tonight. Out of pure curiosity where he was hiding?"
"As Ronald Weasley's pet," Regulus answered. "It is something which Draco Malfoy had brought to our attention."
"Be careful around him, my boy. He is just a kid but you know who is his father. Never be too trusting around Lucius Malfoy," Dumbledore answered. "I will go to the Ministry in the morning and see how our case is doing."
"Draco is just a kid and Lucius would do everything to make him happy. Dark Lord's influence doesn't reaches that deep, Albus," Regulus replied and he left the office.
He stepped out from headmaster's office and breathed out. Finally, after years of fruitless search Pettigrew had been found and Sirius was going to be a free man.
He wasn't young kid and wasn't deluding himself that he would see his brother as soon as possible. Even if Sirius was freed tomorrow there was still the matter of tests in St Mungo's and Sirius would be lucky if they let him out before Halloween.
But even the trial would be the problem and Regulus knew it. With Fudge being so easy to buy anyone who had enough money to sway him things didn't looked so nice and shiny. And Fudge for the last few months was practically living in Lucius Malfoy's pocket.
It was time to sway Lucius and Regulus had enough aces in his hand to win this round.
Severus disposed Weasley in Minerva's quarters after making him run around for half of hour before they reached it. He was about to pull out his mirror when someone's hand reached his shoulder. He turned around and saw Regulus.
He expected him to be grinning like Cheshire cat but Regulus wasn't grinning. In fact Severus rarely saw him looking as serious as he looked right now.
"Pettigrew had been taken into custody but our problems doesn't end here, Severus," he said grimly. "There is a matter which needs to be taken care of and I need to do it alone. I just wanted you to know that Pettigrew was found so you can pass the news further."
As soon as he said it Regulus turned on his heel and went in the direction of his rooms.
"Where you are going?" Severus called out after him.
"To make a deal with the devil. Take care," Regulus called out without stopping but suddenly he stopped. "If I won't come back by dawn … carry on and protect Harry and Mirzam with everything you have," he said without turning back. "I don't think that it will be that bad … but I need to know that no matter what will happen to me those two will be safe."
"What about Charity?" Severus asked.
"She is a big girl and she can take care of herself. Mirzam isn't whole yet and Harry needs stability, she can give it to him as long as there will be someone who will protect her," Regulus replied and finally he turned around. Severus saw concern written all over his face, "I know that you have no ties with her but I beg you in the name of everything sacred protect my sister like she was your own sister."
She is my sister, idiot, was on the tip of Severus's tongue but it didn't left his mouth.
But as Regulus's footsteps got farther from him Severus understood that love didn't needed blood ties and that Regulus cared for Mirzam as if she was his sister.
He just wished to know where the idiot was going. He would hate to pass Mirzam the news that the git got himself killed.
He apparated to a moonlit lane, on the left it was bordered by wild, low-growing brambles, on the right by high, neatly manicured hedge. He adjusted his black cloak to obscure his face. A flick of wand later his hair were cascading down his shoulders and with another flick of wand they went back to they original colour. Third flick of the wand conjured infamous Death Eater Mask.
It had been years since he wore it and even longer since he wore it proudly. But love demands sacrifices and when you were dealing with Death Eater you had to be a Death Eater yourself. He only hoped that he would manage to drive the point home.
With the hood of his cloak hiding his masked face and the rest of the cloak obscuring his figure he turned right, into a wide driveway that led off the lane. The high hedge curved with him, running off into distance beyond the pair of impressive wrought-iron gates barring his way.
He stopped in front of it for a moment quickly calculating where he should put his feet to climb that monstrosity. Four sure steps and one jump down later he found himself inside the Malfoy Manor gardens.
The area was big and too open for him to like it. A human wouldn't went there unnoticed but a stray cat won't be a problem.
In his animal form he ran through drive. He abandoned the idea of going through the front doors, he didn't wanted to be seen to the very last moment. Thankfully he knew that Narcissa always left the bedroom door open and that as long as he managed to get at the balcony on the first floor he had short way to Lucius's and Narcissa's bedroom.
For once blessing Narcissa's fixation with ivy he hurried as quickly as his paws allowed him up the wall and landed himself on the balcony just few feet away from his cousin and her husband.
He came back to his human form and adjusted his mask. He approached the door slowly and turned the knob, thankfully the door were open and he slipped inside.
Lucius and Narcissa were sleeping peacefully not really expecting what was going to happen. As he stepped inside he left the door open but in the moment he found himself in the centre of the room he used the strongest warding charms he knew and the door had closed with a loud thud.
"Who's there?" Lucius was the first one to wake up, he scrambled into sitting position but Narcissa followed him quickly.
"Your friend," Regulus replied quietly, he hoped that Narcissa wouldn't recognise his voice quickly. "I came here to warn you."
"If you were my friend then you would use front door and won't crept like a thief in the night," Lucius sneered.
"I wouldn't take that tone Lucius," Regulus sneered. "You are in no position to argue with me. Your time and freedom are running out and with it is running out your son's life."
"Draco!" Narcissa yelped and she bolted from the bed. She was immediately kneeling at his side with face so full of despair that he pitted her. "Tell me what happened to my baby."
"Nothing," Regulus said calmly and hung his voice before he added grimly, "Yet. But his safety as well as his life is in great danger."
Narcissa sobbed and hid her face in her hands.
"Who dares to threaten his life?" Lucius asked angrily.
"The same person who threatens your lives. Don't delude yourself Lucius, you have enemies and enemies who would love to see you dead, your family shambles. You and I both know what happens when someone displeases that person and he will be greatly displeased if he find out how well you had served him over the last ten years. Imperius, seriously Lucius?" Regulus sneered.
"Who are you?" Lucius snarled. "I demand you to reveal yourself! NOW!"
"Who am I is not important, Lucius," Regulus said calmly. "What is important is your plans concerning your family. Do you plan to watch the disgrace of your wife, the humiliation of your son before their deaths? I think not," Regulus cocked his head to the left. "You value your life in the way it is now, don't you?"
"What you are trying to achieve?" Lucius asked calmly.
"A common point on certain matters," Regulus shrugged. "You won't benefit from Dark Lord's return and neither will I. For me there is only death but for you … for you is humiliation, disgrace, betrayal and huge loss before ultimate death. I came to offer you a way out."
"I won't make any deals with a man whose face I can't see!" Lucius snarled.
Regulus pulled his mask higher and threw it over his head with his right hand before he whispered, "Would you make them now?"
"By Merlin!" Narcissa gasped. "Regulus!"
"Aren't you supposed to be dead?" Lucius asked surprised.
"Aren't you supposed to be locked in Azkaban?" Regulus snorted. "My deal, Lucius."
"If you are worried about the Dark Lord…" Lucius started.
"I'm worried about the Dark Lord, Lucius. I'm worried by his return, you and I both now that there is more in the rumours about him hiding in Albania than meets the eye. All he needs is one faithful servant to come back. Somehow I don't see you or your friends as very eager to return to his side. Neither am I, in my case the matter will be simple, kill first and ask questions later," Regulus muttered. "What I need to know is how much your family means to you?"
"What do you want?" Lucius asked icily.
"To know if your family is more important to you than the Dark Lord," Regulus stated. "Would you endanger Narcissa's and Draco's lives by aiding Dark Lord in his return?"
"Aside from honour there isn't much to gain for me. We both know that Dark Lord's honours pass quickly and his content with his servants vanishes upon the first mistake," Lucius shrugged. "In front you I can speak clearly because you have nothing to gain from his return too. I guess that you want something for me but it beats me what I will receive in return."
"Depends if you are willing to give me something which will lead to Dark Lord's destruction," Regulus replied calmly.
"I have nothing of that kind," Lucius shook his head.
"You have," Regulus rolled his eyes. "An object which once was given to you by the Dark Lord with an order to hid it and take good care of it. A diary which looks like an ordinary diary. A Horcrux of the Dark Lord, thing which in wrong hands will bring the Dark Lord back but if it is destroyed …"
"How did you know about Horcruxes?" Lucius palled drastically.
"I destroyed one of them," Regulus said simply. "There are more than one Lucius and as long as they exist the world we know isn't safe."
"You weren't entrusted with one," Lucius whispered.
"In a way I was," Regulus shrugged. "I knew what it was and I knew what to do with it. It nearly cost me my life but now I know what to do to destroy one."
"How can I be sure that you won't try to bring the Dark Lord back?" Lucius asked sceptically.
"Had my intentions were not good, then I would answer that you can do nothing but trust me. You won't, therefore I will give you something in return. The Dark Lord had murdered my family. Almost every person I cared for had died because of the Dark Lord and I had to stood back and watch their demise. There is nothing worse in this world than coming back home and discovering that your wife was tortured and raped before she was brutally murdered, there is nothing worse than discovering that people who were your family, who took you as their own are dead and are dead because of your course of actions," Regulus said grimly.
"But you weren't married," Narcissa whispered. "Aunt Wally would mention your marriage or at least engagement."
"She would if it was a pure-blood I married, Cissy," Regulus replied. "I married a Muggle-born."
Lucius burst out in laugh.
"Love doesn't looks for arrangements Lucius," Regulus snorted. "Do I need to remind you that because you fell in love with Narcissa you broke down two engagements and almost landed in Azkaban for hexing your father?" Lucius immediately calmed down. "Do not judge my heart's choices for yours were the same as mine, I just didn't gained money because of them."
"If it was simply that matter only you would have come sooner," Lucius muttered. "There is something else."
"Oh, there is," Regulus nodded. "Tonight Peter Pettigrew had been discovered by Hogwarts professor of Ancient Runes. He was questioned under Veritaserum and had revealed that he was the Potter family Secret Keeper and the mass-murderer of twelve Muggles ten years ago. Tomorrow, actually today Pettigrew will face the trial. The evidence on him is very strong but Fudge might not be very eager to set free Sirius Black."
"You want me to … use metallic arguments, aren't you?" Lucius asked calmly.
"Only when it is necessary," Regulus nodded. "The money I can give you myself but he will listen to you, not to me."
"I won't gain anything from your brother's return," Lucius shook his head.
"Draco's respect for helping his friends won't be enough?" Regulus asked coldly.
"What Draco has to do with your brother?" asked Lucius.
"He befriended Harry Potter and Sirius is Harry's godfather, his magical guardian. In present circumstances gaining Harry's trust is the best choice for you. After all we are talking about a toddler who finished off the Dark Lord," Regulus explained.
"Severus failed to mention that," Lucius muttered.
"Severus doesn't have that much time to keep you informed about everything which is going in Slytherin house, not that it would interest you," Regulus shrugged.
"Are you trying to imply that Harry Potter is in Slytherin?" asked Narcissa, she was still kneeling in front of him.
"I'm not implying, I'm saying so. I saw the sorting and I'm as sure as my name is Regulus Arcturus Black that Harry James Potter is in Slytherin," Regulus stated.
"The kid has more common sense than his father, that's sure. You picked up my interest Regulus," Lucius muttered. "Do you by any chance happen to know how the relationship between my son and Potter is looking?"
"At this point I can hardly call them best friends, don't forget that just two weeks had passed since the beginning of the school year but I can safely call them colleagues," Regulus answered. "Harry adapted pretty well in Slytherin, so did the rest of his classmates."
"How you are able to say so much?" asked Narcissa and she slowly stood up.
"I just do," Regulus shrugged. "So, our deal Lucius?"
"Come with me," Lucius nodded. "Narcissa, my dear go to the sitting-room and prepare drinks because I think that we have much to celebrate.
Regulus followed Lucius down the stairs then through several secret corridors and stopped when Lucius stopped in front of the solid oak door.
"You don't happen to know how to get rid of the other things, do you?" Lucius asked as he opened the door and stepped inside. "Arthur Weasley is getting more persistent and while his attempts to put me in Azkaban for possessing dark artefacts are comic at best I feel slightly disturbed to have some of this things inside my house."
"Depends what you want to get rid off," Regulus answered and watched as Lucius rummaged through the bookshelf on the farthest end of the wall. "If it doesn't has the Malfoy family name written on it you can drop it over to Weasley and then tip him in the Ministry."
"I doubt that a hand-biting skull would put him in Azkaban," Lucius snorted as he threw frantically few books on the floor. "Where the hell it is!" he growled and threw few more books away. "I swear that I put it here the same day I received it and haven't touched it ever since."
Regulus was at his side immediately, "How many people know about this room, Lucius?" he asked gravely.
"Too many," Lucius huffed in irritation. "My father while he supported Dark Lord's philosophy wasn't very keen of joining his service. So when everything had started we used to meet here …"
"When you brought someone here for the last time?" asked Regulus.
"Lestranges," Lucius muttered and he slammed his left fist against the shelf. "Damn it! A little over nine years ago, shortly before the Longbottoms were attacked."
"Just Lestranges?" Regulus asked grimly.
"Barty Crouch junior was with them but the kid had kicked the bucket in Azkaban as far as I know," Lucius answered as he massaged his fist slowly.
"Bugger," Regulus muttered.
It wasn't good. The diary was gone and as far as he could tell it was in the hands of people who were either dead or locked in Azkaban.
"Are you one hundred percent sure that the diary was here before you invited them inside?" he asked grimly.
"As sure as I see you now," Lucius answered. "Lestranges fortune is in Ministry hands …"
"Rodolphus and Rastaban had no living relatives. Bellatrix … Narcissa won't be able to get into her vault and neither will I. Grandfather Arcturus has no legal claims over Bellatrix vault, only Sirius does," Regulus muttered.
"I will do everything in my power to free him," Lucius said.
"That's all I need," Regulus nodded. "Keep looking for the diary."
"How can I reach you?" Lucius asked.
"I will find you in due time, for now stick to your part of the deal and I will stick to mine," Regulus said and walked out.
On his way out he bid short goodbye to Narcissa before he disappeared in the night.
When he came back to his quarters he send one of the school owls to Severus and went to sleep.
When Harry and Draco came back to the dormitory they already found the rest of their classmates there. At first the boys had swooned over the Nimbus 2000 and a moment later over Firebolt when Harry showed them revealing charm on it.
"Why he acts like your uncle or godfather?" asked Theodore curiously. "You aren't related."
"Yet," Draco injected.
Draco explained Sirius's situation to the rest. He mentioned Mirzam and the plan to make Harry Sirius's and Mirzam's son. Because of the Fidelius he couldn't reveal that Mirzam was also Snape's half-sister.
"Wow," sighed Neville. "That's huge."
"Indeed it is," Harry admitted. "I just hope that Lemeraude succeeds."
"Speaking about Lemeraude," said Lilith. "Are we planning to still get back at him for that stunt on Hogwarts Express?"
"I think that we should. Though I suggest a little change in approach," Draco muttered. "He is indifferent about the houses so sporting Gryffindor colours for a while is not much of a punishment."
"I found that ritual very interesting," admitted Hermione. "What exactly they are planning to do?"
"Well general idea was to transfer blood protection from the Dursleys and tied them to Mirzam. As Sirius's wife she has legal qualms to remove me from the Dursleys legally. They think it would be wise to finish the change before Sirius leaves Azkaban which at this point may happen very soon," Harry explained. "Now we only have adoption left."
"Can we go with you?" asked Hermione curiously.
"I don't think that she would mind, Hermione," Harry answered. "But I don't even now exactly when it is going to take place aside from sometime this weekend."
"You know that even if Lemeraude succeeds you won't see your godfather anytime soon?" asked Theodore sceptically. "Every person who had been sent to Azkaban for longer than one year is supposed to stay in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for at least two weeks so Healers can establish the emotional damage."
"I know," Harry nodded. "And in Sirius's case it might take longer than two weeks. We are talking about ten years in top security cell. Mirzam and Regulus believe that it will be six weeks at the most."
"Everything is going to be fine, Harry," Hermione gave Harry reassuring smile.
"Hope springs eternal," Harry whispered.
"Hope is the one thing which dies as last," Hermione patted his shoulder. "Everything is going to be fine."
"I'm going to bed," Harry sighed.
On Saturday's morning Harry woke up very anxious. He wanted to know the outcome of Regulus's search in Gryffindor tower as well as he wanted to have blood rite behind.
The fact that neither Snape nor Regulus were present at breakfast didn't improved his mood either. The only spark of the morning was comforting knowledge that Mirzam was going to attend Quidditch training.
He was sorely disappointed when he didn't found her there. He spent as much of the time at looking for Mirzam on Quidditch Pitch as he spent on chasing the snitch.
When Flint dismissed them two hours later, Harry told his classmates to return to common room. He waited until the pitch cleared out and he sighed heavily when he glanced at the stands for the last time.
"That was a very nice catch," he heard Mirzam's voice from behind. "You were born on a broom, you know."
He whirled around and stared at her. She was wearing long dark blue cloak and was smiling widely at him.
"You came," he whispered in shock.
"I promised you that I will. I didn't promised that your other classmates will see me," Mirzam smiled at him. "The less people know about my stay in the castle the better. I wanted to warn you that you won't spot me but I was slightly delayed by certain news."
"He had been found," Harry breathed out.
"Yes, he had been found, Harry. As we speak Dumbledore is in the Ministry of Magic working on Sirius's trial," Mirzam said happily. "That's why we need to go to Severus's rooms quickly. The rite should be performed when Dumbledore has no reasons to suspect Sirius of participating in it."
"My friend had asked if she can watch the rite," Harry said.
"We are working on little time, Harry," Mirzam shook her head. "We have about a hour at the most to complete the rite safely. I'm sorry."
Harry nodded. He knew that Hermione was going to be disappointed but she would understand why they did it without her witnessing it.
Mirzam lead him through various passageways and Harry felt comforting warmth coming from her invisible hand which was resting on his right shoulder.
Snape was already in his quarters muttering something under his breath. Without a word he stopped in front of, now again visible, Mirzam and cut her finger then did the same to Harry. He collected the blood into two separate goblets and then he poured a thick looking silvery potion into both. Finally he passed the goblet with Mirzam's blood into Harry's hands and the other to Mirzam.
"Drink," he said sharply.
Harry downed the goblet without questions and had to suppress an urge to vomit. The potion was too sweet than anything he ever tasted.
"That's it?" Harry asked curiously.
"No there is another part," Snape answered. "Mirzam?"
"I, Mirzam Mira Black, wife of Sirius Orion Black in the name of mine and my husband accept Harry James Potter as our child. On behalf of myself and my husband I swear that no harm will reach Harry James Potter from our hands. What's ours is his. From now on Harry James Potter will be known as Harry James Potter-Black. Harry do you accept our pledge?" Mirzam said solemnly.
"I do," Harry whispered.
"Welcome in the family, Harry," Mirzam smiled at him.
Harry suddenly felt huge warmth filling him. It wasn't too hot, it was warmth in a very comforting way.
"Thanks," he said and then with small smile he added, "Mum."
"You are welcome, son," Mirzam smiled at him again.
He smiled at her and was about to hug her when he heard a knock on the door.
"Who in the name of Merlin…" Snape muttered as he went to open the door.
Behind the door were standing the rest of his classmates with hopeful smiles.
"Did we missed it?" asked Draco.
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"Pity," Hermione sighed.
"But I have a treat for you," Mirzam smiled. "We were asked to visit Mr Black. You are welcome to come with us."
"What if someone spots that we are missing?" asked Hermione nervously.
"Officially you are exploring every nook and cranny of the castle. You have your lunch with you. I see no reasons why you can't go as long as Mirzam returns you before dinner," Snape shrugged.
"Sure we are coming," said Neville.
Mirzam and the kids had left through his floo and Severus had finally a chance to relax, at least.
He couldn't resist small smile making his way on his face. It was comforting to know that everything which should be done before Black left Azkaban was done. Mirzam recovered from her injuries, aside from slight limp in her leg. The last remaining problem was her uterus which these muggle incompetents had removed twelve years ago. But Severus had no doubt that at some point of time he would come with something to fix it. He just didn't wanted to do it today.
He hated Sirius Black, he could stand Regulus and he liked Mirzam. Full circle if you counted out Charity for time being.
He settled himself in his favourite armchair and opened newest 'Potions Master Quarterly'. There were still some articles there which he didn't had a chance to read, who he was kidding, he only managed to read the index and decide that the paper contained interesting articles.
He summoned remains of his cold tea and settled more comfortably in the armchair. He managed to open the paper at index when he heard a knock on his door. He ignored it and flipped the page lazily.
The knocking, however, didn't ceased. It just grew more persistent.
"Severus Snape. You will open the door in an instant or you will be chasing them all along the dungeons," he recognised the voice of irritated McGonagall.
There went his plan to spend a pleasant morning.
He opened the door and he said, "How can I help you, Minerva?"
"Did you let Harry Potter into your Quidditch Team?" McGonagall asked sharply.
"I'm not the captain, Minerva," Severus shrugged. "As long as they are smearing your house I don't pay any attention to what is going in Slytherin Quidditch Team."
"He is just eleven, he isn't allowed to have a broom," Minerva huffed.
"You are just irked because your latest seeker was pathetic," Severus shrugged.
"I'm just expressing my concern …" Minerva started.
"That your house won't get the cup, yet again," Severus snorted. "Now can you please find someone else to bother because there is a paper which waits for me to read it."
Harry landed in a heap on the floor and only barely he managed to scramble away from the fireplace before Neville landed on the floor.
"Floo is horrible, isn't it?" Neville chuckled as Harry helped him up.
"It's confusing when you travel it for the first time," chuckled Mr Black. "Welcome in Broom Closet, you are currently in Surrey, Esher to be exact and if you want more detailed information the house you are in is situated on Broom Close under number 12."
"I thought that Mirzam was joking when she told us to say Broom Closet," Draco snickered.
"I moved to Esher shortly after my daughter was born, though that the kids needed more fresh air. The original name of the house was Black Shack but my son doomed it as Broom Closet when he was four years old and the old name wasn't used ever since," Mr Black explained.
"It's beautiful," Mirzam admitted. "Very bright."
"Thank you my dear, Melania would appreciate your opinion. She was obsessed over this house. Lucretia will show you around while I will make sure that the kids won't drown in the pool," Mr Black chuckled.
"You have pool here?" asked Sally-Anne in a very overexcited tone.
"Sure I do. I loved swimming when I was a lad and to these days swimming keeps me in shape. Do you want to swim?" Mr Black asked.
"It's mid-September," Mirzam pointed out.
"The water is heated my dear," Mr Black grinned mischievously. "And since we are magical we can conjure some swimming suits for kids if they want to swim."
"Fine," Mirzam snickered. "But if they catch a cold you will explain it to Severus how they caught it."
"Truly Slytherin approach my dear," Mr Black chuckled.
"I learn quickly," Mirzam giggled.
"So who wants to swim?" asked Mr Black.
"I do!" came from almost everyone.
Mr Black lead the others to family room and Harry and Mirzam remained alone.
"You don't want to swim, Harry?" Mirzam asked carefully.
"I don't know how," Harry mumbled nervously.
"Neither do I," Mirzam gave him small, reassuring smile. "How about, you give me a moment to talk with Mrs Prewett and then together we will learn how to swim?"
Harry nodded.
"Just Lucretia, my dear," said a tall grey-haired witch with grey eyes from the direction of the door. "Ignatius is long dead and only the goblins in Gringotts call me Mrs Prewett. "It's either Lucretia or Lucy. Mirzam I presume," she said as she moved to greet Mirzam. She gave Mirzam big hug before she turned to Harry, "and you must be Harry Potter. Welcome in Broom Closet."
"Thank you, Madame," Harry mumbled nervously.
"That won't do too," Mrs Prewett shook her head. "Aunt Lucy or Lucretia will be fine, my boy. You are the family now," she said quickly and she hugged him warmly. "Merlin who had been feeding you, you are so thin. You too my dear," she turned to Mirzam and before Harry knew what happened he and Mirzam were lead by Mrs Prewett to the kitchen. "I won't let you out until you have eaten everything on your plates."
Before Harry and Mirzam had a chance to protest in front of them at the table landed two big plates filled with scrambled eggs, toasts, sausages. Moment later on the table landed a jug of pumpkin juice and steaming pot of coffee.
"Eat, my dears," said Lucretia warmly.
"It looks delicious and I'm sure that it tastes just as much, Mrs Prewett but we just finished breakfast a little over half of hour ago. Though I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee," Mirzam said sheepishly.
"Then it will wait some time," Lucretia stated cheerfully. "Thank Merlin for warming charms otherwise no one in this house would be eating healthy. And it's Lucretia, my dear."
"Thank you, Lucretia," Mirzam smiled.
"Can you tell us more about the Black family, Lucretia?" Harry asked curiously. "It's not that Regulus is eager to talk about the family and I would love to learn the family history."
"I will tell you as much as I remember," Lucretia nodded. "Orion was better suited for this job, he was obsessed with the history of the family. I'm not as brilliant as he was, poor chap."
"What happened to him?" asked Mirzam.
"Regulus's death broke him down, completely. He never told Walburga but Sirius dejection hurt him very much and with Regulus's death he was left alone. Do not fool yourselves, there wasn't love between him and Walburga, like in the most of arranged marriages but for his sons Orion would walk through the fire. It is sad that he didn't lived long enough to see that Regulus was alive. But maybe it is better that he died when he did. What happened to Sirius would break down his heart … He loved them both … but Sirius … from the moment he was born Sirius was Orion's world," Lucretia said sadly.
"I saw as much," Mirzam whispered.
"Orion always kept tabs on Sirius, even after he left. It wasn't common knowledge but when Sirius had ran away and had stayed with the Potters Orion kept his eyes on him through Charlus. Sirius and James never knew that their fathers were friends. Charlus, your grandfather, Harry, had married Dorea Black. Dorea was Walburga's paternal aunt. James was Sirius's first cousin once removed which makes you and him second cousins," Lucretia explained.
"Did you knew my father?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Not very well. James was an only child, Dorea gave birth to him when she was forty. She and Charlus dotted over James very much, maybe even too much. There weren't reasonable boundaries with James … he was always a rebel. If Dorea didn't wanted him to do something she had to tell him opposite," Lucretia sighed. "James was … a bit insensitive."
"James was a bully," Mirzam muttered. "In the end he grew up but until then he managed to hurt a lot of people, not physically, but he had no troubles with humiliating people."
"You were one of them?" asked Lucretia sympathetically.
"He tried to humiliate me once, I defended myself and he didn't dared to do it again," Mirzam shrugged. "He made mistakes when he was young, Harry and I will never hide it from you. It wouldn't be fair both to you and your parents if we omitted the truth. Past mistakes are past mistakes and what truly matters is that he grew up and he died for you and your mother," she said solemnly. "He was a loyal friend and for his friends he would walk through the fire. In the end what really matters is the good things."
"I never knew him," Harry whispered. "Even if you told me that he was a murderer it would be still something," he hung his head.
"He was a good man, Harry. He was a jerk when he was at Hogwarts but at this age everyone has some time when they act horrible to the others. James loved pranks, he was practical prankster. Some were funny, some were hurtful but all of them make other people laugh. He was a very insecure boy," Mirzam said as she slipped her hand under Harry's chin and raised his head so there were looking in each other's eyes. "He got whatever he asked for but the brutality of life taught him hard way that not everything will come to him because he was James Potter. He learned that hard work can give you more satisfaction in life. That man died for his son and wife, not the prankster. Remember that Harry, no matter what."
And in a way it was reassuring. His father wasn't a saint, he didn't want him to be one. On the other hand knowing that his father was Hogwarts 'Dudley' in his time wasn't very comforting, but it still was something, a piece of information he learned about his father.
He was looking into Mirzam's eyes and he welcomed the warmth they showed.
Suddenly the kitchen at Broom Closet had disappeared and he found himself on Hogwarts grounds. But unlike today the warmth and blooming flowers around him indicated that it was the spring.
It was totally irrational and he survived his closest surroundings looking for Mirzam because she was the last person who knew where he was.
"Mirzam Mira Verascez!" yelled someone on the top of his voice.
The girl closest to Harry's left had hid her head behind the book and muttered, "Not again."
She was wearing faded blue jeans, Hogwarts cardigan with Ravenclaw's colours was tied around her waist, the arms of her white shirt were rolled up and her long, curly, jet-black hair were tied up with Ravenclaw tie. Her eyes were almond-shaped and had the colour of violet irises.
"Thank Merlin that Potter isn't there," sighed the girl with long, thick, dark red hair and as she raised her head and Harry spotted her brilliant green, almond-shaped eyes.
This one was wearing Hogwarts skirt with Gryffindor colours, her shirt was unbuttoned on the top and her jumper was tied around her waist.
"After six years you should know that they are like three musketeers, who lost their third musketeer, Evans," snorted Mirzam. "When one is there then the other is either about to follow or is already in. Now excuse me I have Charms homework to finish before it gets too hot."
"Mirzam my evening star," called out a young boy.
Suddenly the scene had shifted and Harry found himself in a broom closet with two people.
"That's the last time I allowed you to talk me into your plan, Sirius," Mirzam huffed.
"Come on you are as happy for them as I am," Sirius snickered. "James will finally shut up. No more moaning and groaning about how pretty and not his Evans is."
"Nature abhors vacuum, Sirius," Mirzam snorted.
"Shush, they will hear us," Sirius muttered.
"I want them to hear us," Mirzam muttered. "I want to get out. If they will hear us then they will stop. If they will stop then we can leave this place …"
"And once we leave this place James and Lily are going to be very shocked that I finally managed to talk you into snogging in a dark broom closet and once we leave it when they are still there we are never gonna hear the end of it. Trust me," Sirius finished.
"Sorry," suddenly Harry was back in the kitchen at Broom closet, it was Mirzam's voice which brought him back. "My memories are a bit fuzzy and Legilimency takes incredible toll on me."
"Legilimency?" Harry mumbled.
"Legilimency is a branch of magic which is not normally taught at Hogwarts, wasn't at least when I was a student there. It is the ability to extract emotions and memories from another person's mind. The world literally translates as 'mind-reading', but if you call a Legilimens a Mind Reader prepare to get severely insulted," Mirzam explained.
"So what I saw was your own memories?" Harry asked in surprise. "Cool, how did you done it?"
"It was my memories but what I've done wasn't Legilimency. It actually doesn't have a name. I lowered my mind shields and by looking into your eyes I allowed you to see my memories. The art opposite to Legilimency and my own actions is called Occlumency, it's the art of closing the mind from outside intrusion. Both Occlumency and Legilimency are very useful abilities when you want to be an Auror. I'm good enough Occlumens to not get caught on obvious lie, I used to be better with Legilimency but it got worse with time. If you want to learn more then you need to ask Severus, he is far more better at both than I," Mirzam explained.
Suddenly she paled drastically and opened her mouth but no sound come from her throat. Her right hand went to her heart and she tried to catch her breath. Harry watched, completely horrified as she staggered and fell to the floor.
"Father! It's Mirzam!" he heard Lucretia's voice but he couldn't tell where she was because his eyes were fixed on Mirzam's unconscious form on the floor.
He saw Mr Black running to Mirzam's side and for something which felt like ages there was silence until the most scary words rung in his ears, "It's cardiac arrest, Lucy. Call Andromeda and Severus!"
"We need to keep her alive," he heard someone saying.
He saw Hermione kneeling by Mirzam's side, she put her hands on Mirzam's chest and started pressing it up and down.
Severus was halfway through interesting article about usage of rosewater in calming draught when he heard terrified female voice coming from the fireplace.
"It's Mirzam," the woman said. "She went into cardiac arrest!"
Something squeezed his heart painfully and before he realised what he was doing he was on the other side of floo in a bright room, which could be kitchen kneeling at his sister's side and the only thought which was beating in his brain was, 'I can't lose you again.'
Ever since Regulus left Malfoy Manor Narcissa didn't went to bed again. Lucius of course did, if he wanted he could sleep through an earthquake but Narcissa wasn't that coldblooded.
She went to the library and spend hours on watching the photographs in family album. She couldn't tear her eyes from the photographs of young Sirius. It was then when she realised how much his unfair imprisonment weighed on her heart.
He was a fool, a rebel who chose his own way, a way which went against everything in what the family believed but he was passionate and devoted to what he was doing.
Hours passed and it wasn't she heard the bell from the church in the village, indicating that it was noon when her heart filled with dread and she realised that there was one thing which Lucius should know before leaving to the Ministry to help Sirius.
She rushed through the garden into the living-room. She grabbed handful of floo powder and threw it into the fire.
"Ministry of Magic!" she gasped out as she jumped.
She landed outside the fireplace in the most ungraceful manner a Black and a Malfoy could land, on her bum but she paid no attention to it because she was already running down the corridors, completely abandoning the lifts down to the tenth level.
She run past two surprised aurors guarding the courtroom number ten and pushed through the doors.
There in the middle of the room was a chair and Sirius was sitting in it. Lucius was sitting at his seat in Wizengamont.
"Don't give him Veritaserum!" Narcissa screamed.
"We already did, Mrs Malfoy," replied shocked Cornerlius Fudge.
"He is allergic to it!" Narcissa bellowed and before she realised what she was doing she was running through the room to Sirius's side.
She reached the chair as Sirius slipped from the seat and fell on the floor. She knelt by his side and put her hand half of inch away from his mouth. He wasn't breathing.
The hell broke lose and suddenly strong arms were pulling her away from his body and someone's kind voice was talking, probably to her.
"He will be fine Narcissa, healers will take care of him. He will be fine."
She looked up at the person who was talking to her and meet a pair of warm blue eyes.
"Save him Professor, for his child," she whispered before the world around her went black and she knew no more.
Awaiting criticism - like always. I'm replying as long as you leave me your email or you log in while reviewing. Bring my ego down ;)
Sniffy's random ramblings:
(hides behind the couch again) The Malfoys enter the scene - I'm not sure how often they would make it back before Christmas. It was vital to have Narcissa there as well as having Regulus scaring Lucius. Speaking of Lucius, Regulus indeed drove the point home, his family is something which Lucius won't risk for Voldemort, nor would most of the Death Eaters.
Next chapter: Hopefully Sirius's POV will make it. Will concentrate on Sirius's thoughts and what happened to him. We might see Harry visiting him, though I'm not sure.
