Vernon Dursley gritted his teeth, menacingly. Sirius held his famous taunting smirk at the man. It was pathetic really, like children on a playground. Dursleys could never intimidate Sirius; it was like when a small skinny child raises his fists to a bully, though you could never say that Vernon Dursleys was a small skinny child, though the theory was still there.
"Leave...leave my house," Vernon's voice trembled. In reality he was being quite brave, taking on a full grown wizard but at the same time he was being so stupid and giving Sirius reason to be concerned,
"I am not leaving without seeing harry," said Sirius calmly. Ever since coming out of Azkaban, he couldn't deal with his emotions. And the attitudes of the Dursleys made Sirius concerned, sending his emotions into overdrive. The Dursleys repeatedly lied about harry not being here, why? Sirius knew harry was in the house. Sirius had always lived in the magical world, his house had always been filled with magic, and therefore Sirius was aware when magic was not present. And in number four privet drive Sirius could sense magic, it was weak but it was there, resulting the fact that harry potter had to be there too.
"He is in here somewhere," Remus muttered, he too sensed the magical atmosphere
"Really, you should change your name to Albus Dumbledore for a discovery like that," Sirius muttered sarcastically though he then gave an apologetic look after seeing his friends hurt face. Remus had done so much for Sirius in the past couple of months, resulting in Sirius being grateful to his friend and trying to help his as much as possible. And even though Remus had not taken the criticism to heart after all he could see Sirius's distress, Remus gave a small smile to his friend, accepting his apology. The two friends then turned there attention back to the Dursleys,
"We are only here to see harry," Remus explained
"Well you cant he is not here," Vernon replied viciously, "and I suggest you two leave,"
"I am Harry's godfather, I have a right to see him," Sirius said calmly after deciding to control his emotions and himself,
"Godfather, humph, your sort have godparent," Vernon Dursleys laughed, imagining these freaks being sensible enough to name a guardian for there child,
"Yes and I am Harry's godfather therefore his guardian," Sirius replied trying to ignore Vernon Dursleys reply,
"NO, no you're not matey, that boy is ours," Vernon chuckled again, "who would put you in charge of a child anyway,"
"Your sister," Sirius replied looking a petunia in the eye,
"My freak of a sister didn't know anything, the stupid girl got her self BLOWN UP after all," petunia spat, taking her eyes of Sirius. The words hit Sirius heart like a knife. He felt his glide towards petunia unable to control him. Petunia stumbled into the wall behind her as Sirius leant over her shoulder,
"NEVER SPEAK OF LILY LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN," he yelled, he felt a hand on his shoulder pulling him back. He looked over and saw Remus wearing one of his "you should know better," faces.
"If you ever lay a...." Vernon Dursleys began before Sirius rudely told him to shut up.
"Now where is harry and don't give me no bull that he isn't here, I can feel him," Sirius said getting quite fed up of all the games,
"You can... feel him," Vernon Dursleys stuttered absolutely confused.
"We can feel his magic," Remus explained whilst noting there scared and shocked faces. It was quite hilarious really.
"Where is he?" Sirius asked bluntly,
"I told you he is not here, we sen...."
"Fine we will look ourselves," Sirius said and turned away from the Dursleys, facing Remus. After being friends for so many years Remus and Sirius did not necessarily need to communicate physically, they both knew harry was here, they both knew the Dursleys wouldn't tell them where he was, they both knew that Sirius was right and they would have to look themselves. Sirius calmly proceeded up the stairs whilst Remus turned and entered what seemed the living room, both ignoring the cries of the dismayed Dursleys.
Once upon the landing, Sirius stood dumbfounded. What if the Dursleys telling the truth and harry wasn't here? Or what If they was lying and harry was here, what reasons they had for not letting Sirius and Remus see there godson. He walked into the one room, his heart lifted slightly. The room was small but it was packed of toys and books, a small bed lay in the corner. Was this his godson's room? Looking around he saw most the books still had the wrappers left on and the toys was battered or broke, but still Dumbledore had said harry hadn't had the best childhood, what if this is what he meant, he didn't have all the best toys that's all. though finding his godson couldn't be that easy Sirius told himself as he firstly noticed this room had looked like it hadn't been touched in months and secondly his godson was no where in sight.
"What you doing in MY ROOM?" a voice asked, Sirius turned round, the small boy from the photos stood in the door frame, wearing stripy pyjamas that could only just about fasten.
"Harry?" Sirius asked, could it be? His godson, if so he had change sooo much, too much.
"I am not harry, I am Dudley," said the child confidently,
"ow," was all Sirius could say, half scolding himself for getting his hopes up and half for being stupid and thinking such a fat, ignorant brat could be his perfect godson, "sorry,"
He pushed gently passed the child, realising this wasn't harry's room he decided he had to continue with the hunt? After all if he found a bedroom that belonged to harry even if harry wasn't in it, it would mean that harry lived here. He walked into the nearest room. As the door opened, Sirius's eyes was immediately distracted by all the toys, some brand new, some battered, some broken but the amount was amazing,
"That's my room too," the boy said, wobbling in front of Sirius, he stuck out his hand, "you can't come in,"
"You have two rooms?" Sirius asked lifting up an eyebrow suspiciously,
"Yes, I need them for all MY stuff," the boy said, a fat smile spread across his face,
"If harry in there?" Sirius asked, getting slightly annoyed with the boy, Dumbledore was right, this kid was spoilt,
"No, he isn't allowed in any of MY rooms, he can only come upstairs for the bathroom," the boy said beaming at Sirius, Sirius blood boiled, why wasn't harry allowed upstairs? Stupid Dursleys, he knew the boy wasn't lying, why would he? An idea then came to Sirius,
"Does harry live here?" he asked looking down at the boy deciding that this simple question could give him the boys trust,
"Yes," the boy, Dudley said pompously, "his parents are dead,"
"Where is he?" Sirius asked trying to control his anger, how could he say that so carelessly, his parents are dead, without feeling. Sirius began deeply breathing trying not to shout, cry nor scream at the child. As you can see he had started dealing with the death of his friend but the process had not yet been completed.
"How am I meant to know," the boy snarled, "why do you care anyway?"
Sirius turned and went to walk away, the child was a brat, clear and simple to Sirius and he was glad he wasn't his godfather, but what if harry was the same, would Sirius love him? He is James's child of course I would Sirius told himself.
"HEY, I am talking to you," said the child arrogantly,
"Well I am not talking to you," Sirius said, his mind racing, if harry wasn't allowed upstairs apart from the bathroom then he had to be downstairs, but Remus would have found he by now, wouldn't he?
"Talk to me," the boy demanded, Sirius stood at the top of the stairs, and he turned to face the boy,
"Grow up you selfish arrogant brat," Sirius snarled, he would never he mean to a child but this boy was just so, so selfish,
"MOM" the boy shouted, turning a slight purple,
"DUDDERS," Mrs. Dursley cried appearing out of the living room with her husband and Remus,
"WHAT YOU DONE TO MY SON," Mr. Dursley bellowed,
"Nothing," Sirius barked, god James was right about lily's family,
"Any luck?" Sirius heard Remus say, he shook his head and looked at his friend, he blocked out Dudley's cries and Dursleys threats,
"You," he knew the answer but as Remus shook his head, Sirius heard his heart drop, was the Dursleys telling the truth, and was there godson not here. But Dumbledore's informant had told Dumbledore harry was here and if he was why was the Dursleys trying to hide him so much.
"told you, didn't I, said he wasn't here, well you can go now," Vernon Dursley said with a large smirk covering his face, Remus stood nearest to the door his head hung down in shame, the Dursleys stood behind Remus blocking off the rest of the hall and Sirius, he stood frozen half way up the stairs, his mind lost, "go on then go, and don't come back,"
"Harry," Sirius said his voice was bland as he tried to hide all his emotions, he had to try one more time to find him before excepting defeat, "harry are you there,"
Nothing, no noise could be heard by the normal human ear. But to the ear with hearing as good as a dog or lets say wolf a small squeak could be heard, Remus and Sirius looked at each other,
"Did you..." Remus began and Sirius nodded quickly, the Dursleys stood dumbfound, did they what?
"Harry, where are you, you aint in trouble just say where you are, please harry," Sirius said as he strained his ears, moments passed, nothing had they just imagined it,
"Have you finished?" Vernon Dursley asked at last breaking the silence, he pushed out his arms, sealing off the hall trying to make Sirius and Remus leave and to show he had authority, though this was not working,
"The cupboard," a small voice said, Mrs. Dursley took in a quick sharp breath, hearing the voice too. The cupboard, which cupboard, I have checked them all, where is he? Remus thought cursing himself for missing a cupboard though he couldn't tell where the voice had come from, unlike Sirius. Sirius heard clearly the voice, it was coming from below him, how is that possible Sirius thought, underneath me is the stairs, it then hit Sirius like a ton of bricks, Vernon Dursley saw as Sirius worked it out, Sirius face said it all, Vernon pushed passed his wife and went to grab Sirius, though this old dog was still to quick for him. Sirius placed his hand on the banister and jumped off the stairs and onto the hallway below, landing with a thump on all fours. His heart skipped a beat. Locks. Locks covered the small cupboard under the stairs, Sirius whipped out his wand, too impatient to undo the locks by hand or even ask the Dursleys for the keys. Remus stood by the door confused, where was harry, Mrs. Dursley stood the other side of the door, frozen with fear. Mr. Dursley though had quickly retracted his step and grabbed Sirius from behind just as Sirius pulled out his wand; he struggled from the Dursleys grip, which was surprisingly hard though the man was double the size of Sirius.
"GET OFF ME DURSLEY OR I SWEAR I WILL BLAST YOU INTO A THOUSAND PIECES," Sirius yelled, Vernon immediately dropped Sirius and backed away, Sirius had his wand pointed at Dursleys chest,
"You...you can't," dursley uttered, fumbling backwards,
"Try me," Sirius said threateningly, at this Vernon stumbled into his wife and fell fearfully onto the floor, Sirius turned and faced the cupboard, and it was now or never. He lifted up his wand,
"Aloamorah," he whispered, the locks all clicked and the cupboard door swung open.
The cupboard door swung open Sirius peered inside, at first look it looked empty, a threadbare mattress lay on the floor, it was only a couple of inches thick, and on top lay what looked like an old rag.
"I am sorry sir, I forgot, please sir," a small voice pleaded, from the bottom of the cupboard, at first Sirius couldn't see anything but then he saw a flash of whites from a persons eyes,
"Lumos," Sirius muttered and lighting up the whole cupboard, he looked at where the voice came from, a small child sat there scrunched up tightly in a ball. Sirius stared down at the child, his raven black hair identical to James, he couldn't believe it. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms round the child, hug him until he popped,
"please sir, I am sorry, I didn't mean to sir, please sir, please," the boy cried, he lifted his head up and looked at Sirius, Sirius saw as tears poured from his emerald green eyes, eyes as perfect as lily's, Sirius quickly studied the boys face, he had James's shape, nose, mouth, cheek bones, hair, ears and eye brows, and his eyes was exactly lily's. He was beautiful, Sirius leaned over, unable to contain himself, he had to hug him, he had to express his feelings, and the boy though winced.
"Why did I say something, I knew try would come, I am so stupid, who is this man? Maybe they have sent him, maybe he hurts more," harry thought silently, his heart stopped as the man moved, here comes the pain. But to Harry's amazement the man stopped moving.
"Shhhh, I am not going to hurt you harry," Sirius soothed seeing the fear in Harry's eyes, what is he scared of? Sirius thought as we watched the young boy, his muscles tense, "listen I am Sirius, I am here to see you,"
"me?" harry asked, he tensed more, knowing he shouldn't ask question, first disobeying them and now asking questions boy was he in for it, "I am sorry sir, I forgot sir, please sir,"
"Hey, shhhhhhhh," Sirius ushered, trying to calm down his godson, he reached out to stroke harry but the boy quickly turned away, hitting his head violently against the wall. Harry let out a cry of pain, hating showing weakness; he felt a tear run down his cheek. Instantly to his godson's pain, Sirius reached his arms out and wrapped them round the child, and for a moment, they sat there, everything flawless. What am I doing, it's a trick, and he will hurt me, harry thought and pushed his way out of unknown to him, godfathers arms.
"Sirius," Remus said, his voice full of questions and Sirius heard all of them, though at the sound of another unknown voice, harry flinched away further, contracting all his muscles,
"One minute, rem," Sirius spoke, his voice gentle and reassuring, though he was unsure of whom he was reassuring; Remus, harry or himself, "listen harry, we need to talk, can you come out the cupboard,"
"Yes sir," the boy replied though not moving a muscle, paralysed with fear.
"Please harry, we just need to talk," Sirius said softly trying to stay calm and in control, even though inside he was screaming out to see his godson so afraid of him, rejecting him.
"Yes sir," harry said quietly and slowly edged towards the cupboard door in which Sirius blocking. He is telling me to come out but he is stopping me, it is a trap; harry thought as he inched closer and closer to the blocked door. Sirius stood up graciously; he turned to see the three Dursleys huddled together in the living room doorway, all looking as they had seen the grim. Whilst Remus stood in between the Dursleys and Sirius, unsure of what to do. Remus watched his friend stand up and move free of the passage under the stairs, he then watched as a messy raven hair child sheepishly emerged. Unlike Sirius, Remus didn't immediately see James's nose or mouth nor did lily's eyes, no he see deep cuts, blistering burns, raw rashes and bulging bruises that covered all visible skin. The health of harry shocked Remus and Sirius too because in the dark cupboard none of these symptoms could be seen but once in the light, well Sirius became speechless. How could anyone do that to James's Son? To the Boy that lived?
"Hello harry, I am Remus Lupin," Remus said breaking the silence, he crouched down therefore at Harry's level,
"Hello Mr. Lupin, sir," harry said innocently, he doesn't seem that bad, harry thought at first but then again harry knew that people could change, act differently especially to ungrateful freaks like him, he probably doesn't know what I am. Remus stood up fully and harry turned his attention to the other man in the hall, his uncle.
"so you have found him, I still want you out of my house, we swore when we took him in that we would stamp this nonsense out of him," Vernon Dursley said bravely though not daring to meet either of the men's eyes,
"You can't stamp it out of him," Remus stated looking at the blubbering oaf before them in disgust,
"but by the look of it you have had a good try," Sirius snarled stepping forward toward the Dursleys, Remus put his hand up to refrain his friend though he didn't understand why, "think your good beating up a five year old, well DO YOU,"
"I was being punished, sir," harry said quietly let everyone in the room heard each and every word. Harry winced; he had spoken out of term, spoken when not spoken to. Though nobody noticed this though, they were all struck dumfound on what harry had just said.
"Exactly," Vernon said a smile filling his obese face,
"What had he done wrong? Done magic," Sirius barked, his heart bled not just at the thought of harry being hurt but at thought of harry thinking he deserved to be hurt.
"Magic, harry cant do magic, it's not real," said the youngest Dursley, his blonde hair dropping over his eyes,
"Magic, it's not real," Sirius repeated, hadn't they told him? Not said who he was, who his parents were, his voice shook with anger "do you think magic is real harry?"
"No sir," harry replied, hoping the answer was right,
"YOU HAVENT TOLD HIM," Sirius shouted unable to refrain himself, stepping towards the Dursleys,
"SIRIUS, Sirius your scaring harry," Remus said whilst pushing Sirius back, Sirius looked over at his godson and saw fear filling his mother's perfect eyes. Taking a rather large gulp, Sirius immediately calmed down, on the outside that is, inside he was fuming.
"harry magic's real, your a wizard," Sirius said looking his best friends son in the eye, he felt a single tear run down his cheek, how could life be this bad for a child.
"HOW DARE YOU," Vernon roared over at Sirius, "WE ARE NOT HAVING ONE OF THOSE IN OUR HOUSE,"
"good because I wouldn't let harry live here a moment longer," Remus snapped, enraged with the lack of love, care that the Dursleys gave harry, he turned to harry and knelt down, "listen harry, only if you want, you can come and live with me and Sirius, come and live with me and Sirius right now,"
"And leave my aunt and uncle, sir," harry said arranging the words so it wasn't exactly a question, knowing that asking questions annoyed his relatives,
"Yes harry, only if you want," Remus said softly, he watched as harry's eyes flickered from his uncles to Sirius's. This man, Mr. Lupin he seems really nice not like uncle Vernon but the other man, he is angry, scary would he be worse than uncle Vernon, would he hurt me, the thoughts whizzed through harry's head, everything from it being a trick, to have a happy life, to the two men hurting him more than his uncle Vernon. Harry came to his decision.
"So harry do you want to come with me and Remus?" Sirius asked making his voice carefree and fun, the total opposite to what he was feeling. Harry looked over at his aunt and uncle, taking a deep breath he replied.
"No"
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I wrote the last four chapter's ages ago but got too busy to add them to the site but now I will be adding more frequently hopefully. Took me ages to think of this chapter. I write it twice and scraped it cus I wanted to show that a) Sirius was still vulnerable and was not totally in control b) how much harry was ignored as a child and that he thought he should be c) that yes harry was abused but like any child they always want there parents, there relatives in this case, the ones that brought them up. Also could someone tell me how to get someone to be my beta because if you haven't guessed my grammar isn't brilliant and I don't know how to work the beta thing works thanks.....merry xmas but probably update before xmas