CW: manipulation, chosen families, discussion of prejudice

:FORTY-THREE:

"Come on, Sirius!" Remus yelled from the entrance to their flat. "We're going to be late for the train!"

"You can't rush perfection, love!" Sirius winked at Harry, who was waiting in the hall for him. "My fans are counting on me to look dashing as always."

"The twins are not your fans, they just like tricking you into telling them all your secrets." Remus admonished. "And you really ought not to do that - Mrs. Weasley will kill us for sure."

Sirius shrugged. "Worse ways to go, really."

The family rushed out to apparate to the train station, still making it with some time to spare. While Remus checked his watch and looked about for the Weasleys who were supposed to be meeting them, Sirius pulled Harry to the side.

"Now, Harry," Sirius murmured to him quietly. "I want you to remember - your animagus form is only for emergencies, not showing off. If you really trust Ron and Hermione then you can tell them, but until we get you registered I wouldn't brag about it."

"Why didn't we just register me to begin with then?" Harry whispered back.

"Because, like I said, I want you to be able to use it in an emergency." Sirius replied. "The registry is open to the public, and the wizarding world will no doubt bring attention to it if your name shows up on the list."

Harry thought about it, then nodded. "I won't tell anyone, Sirius. I promise I'll be careful."

"Good." Sirius clapped him on the shoulder, turning them back to Remus. "Then let's head off to Hogwarts!"

Remus and Sirius tried to behave like adults during the train ride to Hogwarts, but it all fell to smithereens when the trolley came by with sweets. Remus contented himself with the chocolate frog cards and the licorice wands, while Sirius immediately began a game with the every flavor beans. He and the twins dared each other to eat all the suspicious-looking beans, along with Lee Jordan.

Then Hermione got started on asking Remus questions about her summer reading, so the twins and Lee abandoned the compartment, quickly replaced by Neville and his new plant. Harry and Ron quickly pulled Neville into their card game, which made Neville flush pink with happiness about being included. Sirius sighed contentedly, closing his eyes to take a nap as the sky darkened outside.

By the time they'd reached Hogwarts, Hermione had come nowhere near the end of her questions. She felt better though when Remus suggested she write down the rest of her questions and send them to him if the Hogwarts professors couldn't answer them satisfactorily. Sirius and Remus waved them off as they took the carriage off to school. They didn't want to interrupt the welcoming feast with their presence, and their meeting with Dumbledore wasn't until the next morning.

So instead, Sirius and Remus wandered slowly over to the Three Broomsticks for supper and a room for the night. It was really quite nice to wash up from the train ride and have a nice meal together. Afterwards, the pair of them walked around the small village, holding hands and people-watching.

"I know it's silly," Remus said contentedly. "But I really do love coming here. It just reminds me of all the good times we had as students."

"Yeah," Sirius nodded happily. "Like when James and I tried to see who could drink the most butterbeers in one sitting?"

Remus laughed. "Oddly enough, no, that's not what I was thinking about."

"I was thinking about that time we snuck off, actually." Remus smiled, feeling nostalgic just thinking about it. "James was too busy fawning over Lily and we went off to get his birthday present."

"Oh, yeah!" Sirius grinned. "That was the first time I kissed you. We were in between Honeydukes and that old clothing shop, right?"

Remus nodded as they turned around to walk back up the road. "I was so surprised when you did that."

"I thought you were going to faint." Sirius teased. "You turned so pale!"

Remus laughed, blushing slightly. "Yeah, well, my self-esteem was terrible at that age. Plus, you'd been flirting with that one girl just the week before."

"What girl?" Sirius tilted his head, trying to remember. "I don't remember that."

"I dunno," Remus shrugged, pulling open the door for them both. "It was someone on the Ravenclaw quidditch team."

"It was probably to make you jealous besides." Sirius nodded wisely. "Because I was oh so intelligent at that age."

"An absolute genius." Remus agreed, smirking.

They turned in early for the night, not looking forward to the next morning. Remus already knew Dumbledore wouldn't be pleased with his refusal to work at Hogwarts, but he hoped that wouldn't get in the way of the task they were trying to complete. Sirius, on the other hand, was spoiling for a fight, though he had promised Remus he'd be on his best behavior.

The minute this was all over, Sirius was taking the whole family on vacation for a least a month.

In the morning, Remus and Sirius had a leisurely breakfast at the inn. They wanted to give the students time to get their breakfasts and get to classes before they went into the castle. After their meeting, they'd agreed to have lunch with Harry before catching the afternoon train to London.

"Now, remember," Remus said sternly as they walked to Dumbledore's office. "We're doing this for Harry."

"For Harry." Sirius said grimly, holding Remus' hand. "Let's go."

Remus said the password, then they both went up the stairs and knocked on Dumbledore's office door.

"Come in." Dumbledore's calm voice spoke from the other side of the door.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius held the door open for Remus and they both walked into the office. Dumbledore was busy looking through some papers, but gestured for them both to take a seat.

"I'm pleased to see you both," Dumbledore began, looking through one last paper. "Forgive me, the Minister wanted my input on the latest education bill."

Remus nodded, folding his hands in his lap nervously. He wished he could be more like Sirius, who looked utterly comfortable in his chair.

"Yes," Dumbledore finally looked up at them both. "I'm pleased you were both able to come in today. We have much to discuss, I believe."

"Yes," Remus responded quickly. "We didn't know if it would be safe to write what we'd researched in a letter, so we're glad you could meet with us in person."

Dumbledore nodded for them to continue, so Remus and Sirius went on to explain all they had researched over the school months. They had compiled everything into a neat file, which they handed over to Dumbledore. He looked over everything they had found and listened with interest, looking impressed. Sirius, for a small moment, felt almost like he had as a student seeking his professor's praise.

"This is quite excellent work." Dumbledore said once they'd finished. "I also found some information that I believe will be useful to our endeavor."

He brought them over to his personal pensieve, showing them several memories that held pieces of Lord Voldemort's life. The most beneficial memory; though, was one from their old Potions professor, Horace Slughorn. In the memory, it showed Tom Riddle asking 'hypothetically' if a person could potentially make seven horcruxes.

Once they'd re-entered the headmaster's office, Sirius and Remus just stared at each other for a while. Seven...Lord Voldemort had split his soul into seven pieces. It was horrifying.

"Yes," Dumbledore looked gravely at them both.

"I believe Tom succeeded in making his horcruxes, but we also have some leads on what objects they might be. The Hufflepuff cup, from Blinky's memory, was taken along with the Slytherin locket. I believe he may have been trying to use the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts position as a way to search for items from the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor houses as well. We know he did not succeed in getting the sword of Gryffindor, as it exists within the Sorting Hat, but I am unsure if he found the diadem of Ravenclaw."

"That's two then," Sirius said. "What about that ring? The one with the Gaunt family - that could be one."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, I believe so. But I am uncertain if he succeeded in making the sixth before he was killed at the Potter's home."

There was a slight tension to Remus' voice as he said. "Okay. Well, do we have any idea where they might be hidden?"

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "Which is where I would ask for your assistance, Sirius."

Sirius looked up, cocking his head to one side. He wanted to say 'like I haven't already been assisting?', but he kept the mantra in his head. I am doing this for Harry.

"It is very likely that Voldemort would have wanted to hide a horcrux in Gringotts, as he did not have a vault of his own growing up. I'm only guessing, but I believe it is possible that he entrusted another Death Eater to protect one in their vault. The Malfoy family had one in their possession, but it is unlikely he would have entrusted two to their care."

Sirius felt himself stiffen even further. He knew exactly who Dumbledore was referring to.

"You want me to look in Bellatrix's vault." He deadpanned, ignoring the gasp from Remus.

"Can he even do that?" Remus questioned, putting his hand over Sirius'. "I thought he only had access to the Black family vaults when he inherited everything?"

Dumbledore nodded again, looking thoughtful. "Yes, but I believe that due to the current position the Lestranges are in, it may be possible that Sirius has access to them as well. He is the only relative with enough blood relation and power to do so, if I am correct. Even Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix's sister, would have a more difficult time getting in because of her family status."

Remus still looked a little skeptical, but Sirius nodded his head.

"Well," He shrugged. "It can't hurt to try. What about the ring and the diadem?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, well, I think with some more research we can hunt down the diadem. As for the ring, I plan to retrieve it at the end of the school year. I don't wish to leave my students while school is in session."

"Right." Remus nodded. "Well, we'll keep in touch with you on what we find regarding the diadem. Maybe there's another Hogwarts heirloom we've missed that Voldemort used as well."

"And I'll check in with Gringotts and the Ministry, see what I can figure out." Sirius added, standing up from his chair. "We'll be back at the Christmas holidays with an update."

Dumbledore stood up to walk them out, offering them both a muggle candy.

"Oh, Dumbledore," Remus remembered suddenly. "Whatever happened with the Malfoys and Dobby?"

Dumbledore smiled pleasantly. "Dobby is now under Hogwarts employ - he is quite an interesting elf - he's the first one who has ever asked for payment. Harry and he have developed quite the bond already, if I'm correct."

"And the Malfoys?" Sirius asked sharply.

"Yes," Dumbledore murmured. "Well, it seems that a rather large amount of money was exchanged to cover up the investigation."

Sirius' face was drawn in fury, but Remus quickly pushed him out of the office with a hurried 'goodbye' before Sirius could go off on Dumbledore. Instead, he settled for telling Remus exactly what he would do to Lucius Malfoy if he ever saw the man again. He followed it up with a rather rude gesture that Harry saw as he came running down the hall to meet them.

"Oi!" Harry yelled, covering his eyes. "That'd get you in detention, dad!"

"Trust me, kiddo," Sirius growled. "It's very much deserved."

"Come on," Remus said, pulling Sirius away to the Great Hall. "Let's have some lunch with Harry."

Sirius continued to grumble, but it lessened significantly as he began to eat.

"So," Remus said conversationally. "How is the first day of classes? Dumbledore says you also got to see Dobby again."

"Oh, yeah," Harry said awkwardly. "Dobby scared me to death, to tell you the truth. He popped up in the middle of the night to say hello."

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Sirius nodded. "One time, Kreacher popped in on me while I was in the bath, just to check on me. I still ward the bathroom out of habit."

Harry laughed. "Classes are alright. Did you guys know Hagrid was given the Care of Magical Creatures job? That's why he sent me that book - it's the text for the class."

"Did he teach you how to open the bloody thing?" Sirius smirked.

"Not yet." Harry sighed. "We have it in the afternoon. I'm a bit nervous about it, to be honest. Hagrid is really excited, but well… he doesn't exactly have the best track record with magical creatures."

"That's true," Remus nodded. "I'm a bit curious why he didn't want to try for a position with Charlie in Romania, now that he's been pardoned."

"Yeah," Harry shrugged. "I asked him, but he said he's got some course work he's got to do before they can hire him. He's taking night classes and teaching here until then."

"I suppose that makes sense," Remus agreed, taking a slice of pudding. "I hope they go well for him."

They finished eating together, joined by Harry's other friends who had to tell Remus and Sirius all about their day as well. Without realizing it, the two men had become pseudo parents to all of the children there. Even Draco, clear across the Hall from them, seemed envious of the group.

Harry, who saw where Remus was looking, muttered. "Malfoy tried to get his parents to come by Hogwarts, but I guess they said no. He's been worse than usual if I'm honest."

"Well," Remus replied. "His family did get into trouble over that business last year. I'd imagine Dumbledore wouldn't allow them to visit the school after all that."

Harry nodded, looking back over his shoulder to Draco. "I feel bad for him, Papa."

"Oh?" Remus asked, looking at him curiously. "Why's that, Harry?"

"His parents taught him to be a prat." Harry shrugged. "And then they just leave him here where he doesn't really have any friends, because he's a prat."

Remus nodded. "Yes, well, if he wants to make friends, he'll just have to make different choices."

"Yeah," Harry poked at his food. "I suppose so. It'll be hard though, after what he called Hermione last year."

Remus' brow furrowed. "You never mentioned that before. What did he call her?"

But Harry shook his head. "I can't repeat it - it made Hermione cry. He was saying it to all the muggleborns last year while the Chamber was open."

Oh. Remus' fist tightened under the table, but he forced himself to relax.

"Harry," Remus said quietly.

"I'm glad you're a good friend to Hermione and I'm proud of you for not using that word. We can only hope that Draco makes a different choice and hold him accountable if he doesn't. But it's important to know that he learned that at home. The things our family teaches us affect how we interact with the world. It doesn't excuse it, we just need to remember where these ideas begin. Sirius had to unlearn a lot of bias when he came to school as well."

"I had to what?" Sirius cut in, grinning around an orange slice.

"Learn some manners." Remus admonished, handing Sirius a napkin with a smile.

Harry nodded, smiling at Remus. "I'm glad I had you for my family."

"Aw," Sirius said, having swallowed his orange slice. "We love you too, kiddo."

They got up, having one last group hug before afternoon classes and their train.

"Be good," Remus murmured into Harry's hair.

"And have fun!" Sirius laughed, kissing Harry on the cheek playfully.

Notes:

And we're off! Third year is going to be a roller-coaster of horcrux hunting and making different choices.

Happy Reading!