CW: mentions of bullying, sports injury, implied abuse, prejudice

:THIRTY:

Harry's first letter was pleasant and actually a bit funny.

"I knew Ginny would get into Gryffindor!" Sirius cheered when Remus got to the sorting ceremony.

"This Lockhart bloke sounds like an absolute joke, Sirius." Remus shook his head. "I mean, their 'pop quiz' had nothing to do with defense according to this. And honestly, who can't take care of a few cornish pixies? I've never even heard of the spell Harry said Lockhart tried to use."

"Wouldn't be the first time Dumbledore hired rubbish teachers though, would it?" Sirius snarked bitterly.

"You know," Remus murmured, setting down the letter. "I've actually been considering teaching."

Sirius blanched. "What do you mean? You can't leave me alone here with Petunia! And no offense, but you are still a werewolf, Remus."

"Yes, thank you. I had forgotten." Remus retorted acidly. "It was just an idea. We'd be closer to Harry if one of us taught there is all."

The next letter, as they really should have guessed by now, was less pleasant.

"Oh, how interesting!" Remus called from the kitchen. "Harry went to a Death Day party!"

"Yeah, super interesting." Sirius said sarcastically, pulling on his shirt. "Nothing like being surrounded by ghosts playing horrible music without anything to eat."

"You've been to a Death Day party?" Remus asked curiously.

"One of the many terrible Black family traditions."

Remus hummed, continuing to read Harry's letter. His brows furrowed as he read, concern etched plainly on his face.

"Do any of the Black traditions teach anything about the Chamber of Secrets, by chance?"

"Oh sure," Sirius waved him off. "Salazar Slytherin 'purifying the school' with his legendary monster. Just childhood bedtime stories. Why?"

"Because it's been opened at Hogwarts, and Harry was accidentally caught at the crime scene."

Sirius rushed over immediately, taking the letter from Remus and reading through it quickly.

"We've got to write back, Remus." He said immediately. "Harry can't use his parseltongue this year. Not till we've sorted this out. I don't know if he's told anyone already, but this is not good."

"His parseltongue?" Remus asked, clearly confused. "He doesn't use it at school, his pet snake stays here since Hogwarts doesn't allow them."

Sirius was pacing around the kitchen now, muttering quickly to himself.

"Sirius, what's going on?" Remus looked scared now.

"I'm sorry, Remus." Sirius took a breath. "It's just...I know about Salazar Slytherin. He spoke parseltongue and prided himself on his relationship with snakes. That means that the monster is very likely a magical snake."

"But it's been centuries!" Remus retorted. "What magical snake could possibly have lived that long?"

"I dunno." Sirius muttered. "That's why I'm so irritated."

He looked at Remus, resignation and bitterness clear on his face.

"We have to go back to 12 Grimmauld Place."

They procrastinated this venture for days afterwards, but eventually Sirius apparated them to his childhood home. Remus had never seen the place before, but it looked exactly how Sirius had described the place. Dark, cold, and forbidding, the two men entered the home quietly. Sirius had warned Remus about his mother's portrait, so they didn't speak until they were safely in the kitchen.

"Now, where do you think the books about Salazar Slytherin will be?" Remus asked. "And we should probably look for anything about magical snakes as well."

"We should start with the library, of course," Sirius muttered. "But they may have put those books in a drawing room as well."

Remus nodded, feeling like he was being watched all the time. "Sirius, I know this place is spooky regardless, but are you sure we're the only ones here?"

Sirius thought about it for a minute, then murmured. "Impossible...Kreacher!"

And Kreacher, an ancient house-elf, appeared with a loud crack.

"Hello, Master Black." Kreacher bowed low, muttering insults under his breath.

Sirius felt a rush of childhood resentment and bitterness, but Remus cut him off before he could say anything to Kreacher.

"Kreacher," Remus said urgently. "Do you know where the family might have kept books about Salazar Slytherin?"

Kreacher glared hotly at Remus, muttering frantically about how his poor mistress would loathe having this man in her home. But Sirius ordered him to answer Remus, so the house elf grudgingly led them to a drawing room on the second floor.

"Thank you, Kreacher." Remus said, nudging Sirius hard in the ribs.

"Yes," Sirius said gruffly. "Thank you, Kreacher."

"What does Master want with the books?" Kreacher asked suspiciously.

"We're trying to help the students at Hogwarts." Remus explained while Sirius began rifling through the books on the shelves. "Do you remember Hogwarts, Kreacher?"

"Of course Kreacher remembers!" Kreacher said indignantly. "Master Regulus went there - Kreacher's Mistress was so proud."

He glared pointedly at Sirius, who ignored him in favor of reading through some of the books he'd thrown onto the desk table. Remus turned to help him, leaving Kreacher to his own devices. The house-elf, who hadn't had company in many years, watched their goings-on curiously. Though he wouldn't admit it, Kreacher had become very lonely without anyone in the house.

The two adults didn't leave 12 Grimmauld Place until Harry's first game at school. They'd spent their days frantically reading, sleeping, or eating the rough meals Kreacher made for them. Remus tried to engage the elf as often as he could without raising Sirius' hackles too much, but it was very slow-going to get Kreacher to open up. They'd learned a lot about Salazar Slytherin's history, but were no closer to knowing what kind of magical snake was inside Hogwarts.

"Maybe Harry can give us more information when we speak to him." Remus said comfortingly as they put on their coats to leave.

"Master is leaving?" Kreacher called, looking up at the two men.

"We'll be back, Kreacher." Sirius said gruffly. "If you remember any books about magical snakes, put them on the table for us to look over when we return."

"Please," Remus chastised Sirius. "We'll be back by supper-time, Kreacher."

The elf nodded, wandering off and muttering about manners.

"Oh I'm glad to be getting out in the fresh air!" Sirius sighed, lifting his head up into the brisk wind. "That house really brings out the worst in me, Remus."

"I know, love," Remus patted him on the shoulder as they walked off to an alley to apparate. "But I think we're real close to figuring out what's going on. And Harry hasn't written about any further incidents, so that's good news as well."

"Yeah," Sirius muttered. "Let's just hope it stays that way."

Harry hadn't written about any further incidents, but he was getting ostracized by other kids at school. His close friends hadn't changed, but Harry was always sensitive to other people's emotions and feelings. He didn't let on in his letters, but Remus knew the situation was bothering the boy. Hopefully the match would go really well, and then those kids would have something else to talk about.

"Bloody hell!" Sirius said when they got to the stands and took their seats. "Did you see those brooms the Slytherin's have got?"

"Harry did say that Draco was being particularly awful this year." Remus commented, looking around at the players. "This must have been one of the reasons why."

"I think you're right, look there." Sirius pointed out Lucius Malfoy, who was sitting a few rows down from them.

"I know Slytherins' are known for being ambitious and clever," Remus said, shaking his head. "But you'd think the parents would have moved past something as simple as a quidditch rivalry."

Sirius scoffed. "What do mean, simple?! We cheer on Harry and Gryffindor every time we come too, you know."

"Well yeah," Remus acknowledged. "But we don't interfere with the team - we just got Harry a broom and come to his matches. It's different."

"Oh!" Sirius yelled, hitting Remus on the shoulder. "Here they come!"

And they were off, screaming and cheering for Harry and the Gryffindor team. There was a strange bludger issue that worried Remus, but he had to admit it was cool seeing how talented Harry was on his broomstick. The boy really was a wonder in the air.

"Look at that dive!" Sirius screamed, as Harry dove for the ground and caught the snitch.

"I'm a little more worried about that bludger!" Remus yelled back, quickly leaving the stands to make sure Harry was alright. That arm didn't look right, hanging at an awkward angle.

But before Remus could get to Harry, Professor Lockhart had done some sort of healing spell to Harry's arm. Remus just stared in shock, utterly incapable of speech, as Harry's arm resembled a floppy rubber glove.

"Oh, hullo." Harry muttered resignedly to Remus. "Can I go to the hospital wing, now?"

"Well, yes," Professor Lockhart stammered. "Best to let her, well, finish up."

Sirius, who was also at a complete loss for words, helped Harry get to his feet. There was a crowd of students around them, including Harry's teammates and friends. They all tried to cheer him up, but Harry was too cross to really listen.

"Told you he was a rubbish teacher." Harry muttered to Remus as they walked into the castle.

"Who was that tiny kid flitting around you, Harry?" Sirius asked, looking nonplussed.

Harry groaned. "Colin Creevey. He keeps taking pictures of me and asking me to sign them."

"Oh," Sirius looked sheepish. "Well, I may have signed one for you."

"You didn't!" Harry glared at Sirius with all the indignation he could muster. It wasn't very effective.

"It's flattering!" Sirius said defensively. "I like him - we should have him by for dinner, Remus."

"Certainly," Remus grinned, catching on to what Sirius was doing. "Maybe he can even break out Harry's childhood pictures."

"You wouldn't!" Harry looked positively alarmed now, as he was shoved into a hospital bed and given medicine by a very disgruntled-looked Madam Pomfrey.

He took the medicine quickly, ignoring the taste in favor of telling Remus and Sirius exactly how furious he would be if they ever showed people his childhood pictures.

"But Harry," Sirius whined as Remus helped the boy put on some hospital pajamas. "You look so cute in the bath with all the bubbles Remus made for you!"

Harry, too embarrassed and furious to speak at this point, simply made a choking noise in outrage.

"Okay, okay," Remus said, trying not to laugh at the pair of them. "That's enough teasing him, Sirius. We are sorry you got hurt, Harry."

"Yeah," Sirius clapped Harry on the normal shoulder. "But you did also catch the snitch! And I think I hear your friends coming down the hall now."

And he was right, a whole horde of children burst into the hospital wing, bringing snacks, drinks, and general cheeriness with them. Madam Pomfrey tried to shoo them all back out, but after a hushed conversation with Remus, she allowed them to stay and keep Harry company for that afternoon. They all chatted happily, Sirius and Remus telling the kids about their own adventures and keeping Harry from thinking about the painful process happening in his arm.

"No way!" Fred yelled, hitting George enthusiastically. "You mean to tell us -"

"You two are Moony and Padfoot!" George finished, grinning widely.

"Well, yes," Remus smiled at the twins. "But how would you two know about that?"

And the twins promptly told them about the map they had stolen in their first year at Hogwarts. Remus looked conflicted about how to feel, but Sirius was practically glowing with pride.

"We have a legacy, Remus!" Sirius said melo-dramatically, throwing his arms around the twins.

"Oh, don't mind me," Harry said sarcastically behind him. "You practically raised me is all."

"Aw, Har-bear!" Sirius hugged him too. "You know you're my favorite!"

"Har-bear?" Fred grinned evilly.

"Thanks, Sirius." Harry sighed. "You can just kill me now."

They stayed until visiting hours came to an end, leaving Harry asleep on his hospital bed.

"Well," Sirius chuckled as they left the anti-apparation barriers. "I'll give this for Harry - he certainly keeps things interesting."

Notes:
We broke 20k readers! Thank you for the kind reviews today as well - I had myself some tea and I feel better now.

As of right now, the only one petrified is Mrs. Norris, hence why Remus and Sirius aren't panicking as much yet. I also threw in telling Fred and George about the Marauders because I always thought they ought to have been told. They didn't mention being animagi though, or that Lupin is a werewolf. The Weasley parents know, but Lupin just doesn't mention it casually.

Anyway, happy reading!