Chapter 3

A Truth Revealed

Harry, now nearing his 11th birthday, was breathless but smiling as he returned from playing football with his school friends. His smiled turned into a grin as he saw Sirius and his Aunt Minerva sitting at the table, talking over coffee. "Aunt Minerva!" Harry exclaimed, racing to give her a hug. "I thought you were coming over at the weekend!"

"I thought I'd surprise you Harry," Minerva said, smiling slightly as she embraced Harry. "I have something for you."

"Presents? I love presents," Harry said, dropping his bag onto the kitchen floor.

"Harry?" Sirius' question was as much a statement, so Harry grabbed his bag, and hung it up on the coat rack.

"Sorry, Uncle Sirius," Harry said when he returned, sitting down at the kitchen table. "What did you bring me?"

"It's… well, we need to tell you something first Harry," Sirius began, looking at him in an uncharacteristically serious way. He took Harry's hand. "You asked once what happened to your parents, and I said they'd been killed by a madman. You need to know now the rest of the story."

Harry felt a chill run down his spine. He had asked, and accepted Sirius' story when he was told it, but he knew there was more to it. However, he was taught to be patient, so he had agreed to wait.

"There's something important that you need to know Harry. You're different from the other kids at your school. You're a wizard Harry," Sirius said. Harry blinked at him, before bursting into laughter.

"Good one Uncle Sirius. You almost had me there," Harry replied, wiping away a tear of mirth. His laughter died down, however, as Minerva took a wooden stick from her pocket, and turned her teacup into a mouse.

Harry froze: he didn't know what to say or do. His Aunt Minerva had always been a part of his life, but seeing what she had just done, it was like he didn't know her at all. Harry had always thought magic was just something on TV or books, but now he was being told that not only was it real, but he could do it.

"I… no, I… I can't be, I'd… I'd have noticed, wouldn't I?" Harry asked, hating how panicked his voice was becoming. Sirius and Minerva looked at one another, and then at Harry again.

"We've done what we can to stop you from noticing Harry, because you needed to have a normal childhood. You see, in the wizarding world, you're famous," Minerva told him, her tone softer than usual. The soothing tone eased some of the rising alarm in his chest and he took a few deep breaths as Sirius squeezed his hand in comfort. Harry listened with surprise and amazement as he was told all about how his parents had actually died, killed by Lord Voldemort, the most evil and powerful dark wizard in history, and how he alone had somehow survived the curse that killed everyone else it struck, leaving him with nothing but his lightning bolt scar.

By the time Harry had been told the whole story, he had so many questions, and there was so much he wanted to know. He thought of the time he grew his hair long – not a dream, but magic – and how he always felt slightly different from his fellow peers at school. It all made sense now; he was a Wizard!

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Harry's first question was going to be his most important one.

"Professor Dumbledore wanted to protect you from the wizarding world, until you were old enough to attend Hogwarts, because everyone in our world knows who you are," Minerva explained kindly. Harry thought carefully; he remembered instances where strange things happened, including the days where he could have sworn he had seen owls in the garden during the day, or heard his Uncle talking at night to the fireplace, or even when randomly dressed people had bowed to him in the streets.

"Uncle Sirius, did you go to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, turning his attention to the older man who had allowed Minerva to do most of the talking.

"I did. I was in Gryffindor House," Sirius said proudly. "If you get sorted into Gryffindor, your Aunt Minerva will be your head of house."

"So, I won't live with you anymore?"

"This will always be your home, but Hogwarts students stay there weekends, but they can come home at the holidays if they want. Whatever happens, I'm only an owl away if you need me," Sirius explained. "now, Minerva, if you would do the honours?"

The woman had a rare look of excitement over her face as she handed Harry his Hogwarts letter. He opened the fancy looking letter and read it a few times, and then looked at the two of them in amazement. The letter made him have more questions, not less of them!

"So where do we get all of this?" Harry asked, indicating to the list of necessary items. "I doubt the local supermarket will sell a cauldron…"

Sirius grinned his usual, cheeky grin. "Diagon Alley. It is a special place in London that only Witches and Wizards can go to. We'll have to go to Gringotts to get your money though," Sirius said, looking excited "You see, your parents were very wealthy when they died, and left you a lot of money. I didn't need it to raise you; as you know, we're also rich, so we've lived comfortably, but I think it's time you started to use your money for some things. That way you can treat yourself, plus it'll teach you how to use money wisely."

"I have money?" Harry had never wanted for anything with Sirius, but he had never been spoilt either. He had his games consoles, and television, but he had earnt them by being good, doing chores and showing that he was a good boy by treating others properly.

"Yep. Your grandparents invented something in the wizarding world called Sleekeazy Hair Potion, and it's the most popular hair product in our world. It's even used in the muggle world sometimes, although under a different name," Sirius explained. "It never really did anything for the Potter 'do though…"

"Okay, I didn't expect that," Harry said, feeling surprised. "I… I'll make sure I check with you before buying anything Uncle Sirius, I don't want to be silly with money."

"You won't be, I taught you about money for this reason. Just be cautious and if you think something is too expensive or extravagant, ask yourself why you want it. Sometimes, rich people want something expensive just because it is expensive," Sirius said. Harry noted Minerva's look of surprise.

"Aunt Minerva?" Harry directed towards her, frowning.

"I don't think she expected me to say something so wise. When I was younger, I could be a little silly with money," Sirius chuckled.

"A little?" Minerva chided, with a small smirk as she raised an eyebrow.

Sirius sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yes, if we're done embarrassing me for the day? Anyway, Harry, we'll be going to Diagon Alley on Saturday. You'll be able to keep in touch with your friends whilst you're at Hogwarts if you want, but if they ask, you're going to a private school. Muggles aren't to know about the Wizarding World for the safety of everyone involved."

"Okay Uncle Sirius," Harry agreed, reading his letter again.

"Go and get changed for dinner. We will talk more about what you need to expect and know about our world," Sirius ruffled up Harry's hair affectionately and the boy grinned before running up the stairs, possibly more excited than he had ever been in his life.

The weekend could not come quick enough for Harry, and as he, Minerva and Sirius stepped out of the house, he turned at Sirius. "Uncle Sirius, how are we getting to London? Won't it take us a few hours even with your crazy driving?"

Sirius lightly nudged Harry in protest, laughing as he did so. "We will be taking a Wizarding Bus called the Knight Bus. Only Witches and Wizards can use it. We'll be in London before you know it," Sirius said, as they walked to the end of the driveway of their house. As they reached there, Minerva held out her right hand. Harry frowned, but jumped as a large purple bus appeared out of nowhere with a bang.

"Welcome to the Knight Bus, for the stranded Witch or Wizard. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I'll be your conductor," a man standing on the entrance of the bus recited.

"Three to go to the Leaky Cauldron," Minerva told him, as Sirius led Harry onto the bus. As the three of them took a seat, Harry looked around, seeing a few people all reading a newspaper which had a picture on the front… where people were moving?

"Are those pictures moving?" Harry gasped in awe, pointing to a paper.

Sirius slapped a hand to his forehead. "Oh, yes, I knew there'd be something I forgot to say. Pictures taken with magical cameras allow for moving photos."

Harry had been told a lot about the Wizarding World over the last few days. It was fascinating! Sirius showed him simple spells with his wand and had laughed heartily at Harry when he complained that it wasn't fair that he had been made to tidy up manually over the course of his life; "all you have to do is wave your wand! Why did you put me through the unnecessary torture of cleaning?" Sirius seemed happy to be able to use magic freely again and spoke often about the trouble he used to get to in school, claiming that he was the reason why Minerva always looked so suspicious of him.

Harry turned his attention to his Aunt Minnie. He had always known she was a teacher, but to understand that she was a transfiguration professor piqued his curiosity of the woman even more. She had summoned one of the newspapers from the front of the bus and was flicking through the pages with a furrow developing at her brow. "Anything interesting, Aunt Minnie?"

"Nothing too exciting, just news about the latest Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. He used to teach Muggle Studies then he took a year off for study. He's a good teacher though, if not a little nervous about everything," Minerva said absently as she closed the paper and set it aside.

"Muggle studies?" Harry repeated, confusion in his voice. He couldn't remember being told about that class.

Sirius answered the question. "When you start year three, you get a choice of certain lessons. Muggle studies help those who aren't muggle born to understand how muggles live, to help them blend in better. You won't need those lessons since you grew up in the muggle world, but they can offer an interesting insight."

"So, I'm a muggle born?"

Sirius shook his head. ""No, muggle born's are witches or wizards that are born to muggle parents. Sometimes, magic can skip a generation or two, and sometimes magic just appears in a family line. No one really knows how or why. Then there are half-bloods, who have just one parent and grandparents who are a witch or wizard. You're known as a half blood, because although both your parents were from our world, your mum's parents were muggles. Some people, some really nasty people, think of anyone who isn't a pure blood, someone with only magical parents and grandparents, to be nothing but a virus or disgusting. Your mother was a muggle born, but she was one of the best witches who ever lived," Sirius explained. "I'm a pureblood due to my parents and grandparents being magical."

"Racists exist in the… in our world?" Harry could not hide the disgust in his voice.

Sirius sighed. "Sadly, yes. My parents were racists, as was my brother. Your dad was my best friend, and we were in Gryffindor together. My brother, and the rest of my family, were in Slytherin. No good witch or wizard ever came from Slytherin," Sirius quoted in a bitter tone.

"So… will people like me at school?"

Sirius let out a bark of a laugh, momentarily distracted. "Harry, they'll love you. Look at you; you're smart, you're brave and you're sweet. You care about people. Look at the friends you had at your last school! You'll make friends easily," Sirius promised. "Just be mindful of some people, okay? Some may only want to be your friend due to your name Others might just want to get close to harm you. Some of Voldemort's followers have kids around your age, and they would have grown up to hear negative lies about you. The Slytherin's…"

"- the Slytherin students are children," McGonagall interrupted. "In Hogwarts, we carefully monitor for any sort of discrimination or bullying. It is a safe space for all who attend, no matter their history, their blood, or their family. It is an institute for learning, and for a Witch or Wizard to discover who they are and what they want to be. Sirius, you remember the mistrust the other Gryffindors had in you when you were first sorted, and how upsetting that was. I can't believe I need to remind you that times are different now. We aren't at war, and you don't need to fill Harry's head with obnoxious ideas."

"You're right," Sirius agreed, looking suitably apologetic. "There are good people and bad people in each House, just like there are good and bad people in the world. You've got to listen to your gut. Stay safe, learn as much as you can and don't forget to pull some pranks!"

It didn't take long to get to London, and as the trio stepped off of the bus, Harry walked into someone he could only describe as a giant. He looked up in shock as he saw the man.

"Um… I…" Harry started, but Sirius butted in.

"Hagrid! Harry, this is Hagrid. He's groundskeeper at Hogwarts."

"Blimey, I haven't seen you since you were a baby. You've grown a bit," Hagrid greeted Harry with a back breaking hug. Harry was surprised but found it welcoming. It felt like he already had a friend.

"You saw me as a baby?" Harry asked when the larger man let him go.

Hagrid nodded, a beam over his bushy face. "I was there when your Uncle adopted you," he replied. "Made sure you were all settled in that lovely house of his."

"What brings you to Hogsmeade, Hagrid?" Minerva asked.

"Professor Dumbledore asked me to get the you know what," Hagrid said, puffing out his chest with a sense of pride. "Rumours going around and all that. The Headmaster figured it will be safer at Hogwarts, after the Professors have added their extra security measures."

"Well, we're taking Harry to get his school supplies. Why don't you join us? We'll make a day of it," Sirius suggested, cutting off Harry's inquisitive noise.

"I'd like that," Hagrid said, grinning again. "No problem with that is there Harry?"

"No, it'll be nice," Harry replied, ignoring his curiosity. "It's really nice to meet you, Hagrid."

"So polite," Hagrid commented happily. "You did an amazing job raising him Sirius."

"I did what I could. It's hard to raise the child of a Marauder! Harry is cheeky and mischievous, just like his father," Sirius said fondly. "And the splitting image of James, too."

"All 'cept the eyes, he has his mother's eyes."

"Shall we get going?" Minerva broke in, indicating to a nearby tavern that Harry saw was called The Leaky Cauldron. Harry noticed that none of the busy muggles even attempted to go near the place, almost like it didn't exist. Sirius had told him how this was the cross over from the muggle world to Diagon Alley, charmed so that non-magical people would never see the place and end up wandering where they shouldn't.

After meeting Professor Quirrell and being enthusiastically greeted by several people – Harry was told he was famous, but to see people reacting in such a way to him was shocking - Harry was astonished to finally see Diagon Alley. It was bustling with adults and children and his eyes couldn't take in all the magical shops.

Their first stop was the bank, Gringotts, where Harry met several Goblins. Griphook, took the group into the catacombs, for Harry to get money from his vault. Sirius had gotten some from his own, and Hagrid had retrieved a small package from a third vault.

Their next stop had been to get fitted for robes, where Harry had met a blonde-haired boy who had been quite rude about muggle born's. Harry made a mental note to not hang around that boy at Hogwarts; he was exactly the type that Sirius had warned him about on the Knight Bus. As Harry left the store he was greeted by Hagrid, who had brought him a white, snowy owl. With help from Sirius and Minerva, he named the owl Hedwig, a name from Wizarding history. He loved how soft Hedwig was, and Hedwig quickly bonded with Harry.

One thing did catch Harry's eyes; a broomstick called a Nimbus 2000. Unfortunately, he was not allowed one in the first year. "I'll make a deal with you Harry. You do well in your first year, and I'll buy you one for your twelfth birthday," Sirius promised. "You can try out for Quidditch then, as well."

Their final stop had been to get Harry's wand. He wasn't too comfortable with the shop owner, Mr. Ollivander, and was initially a little uneasy when he found out that his wand had a core that was twinned with Voldemort's. But to have his own wand, and to feel the immediately connection to his magic, was intoxicating. He was so excited that he almost set the shop on fire, which Minerva, Sirius and Mr Ollivander put out with a wave of their own wands.

Sirius and Harry had their dinner at the Leaky Cauldron that evening. Hagrid had declined the offer to join them, saying that he had delayed delivering the package to Dumbledore long enough. "But see yer in a few weeks, Harry!". Minerva also bade her goodbyes and left with Hagrid.

The pub became more crowded as the evening went on and eventually the landlord of the establishment, Tom, authorised the use of magic to set up privacy barriers so that the two would stop being disturbed.

"Uncle Sirius, I met a boy whilst I was being fitted for robes. He was… well, he said that they shouldn't let non pure bloods into Hogwarts," Harry told him while halfway through the main course. "I see what you meant; I think he was really rude and nasty."

"Sadly, Harry, people like him do exist. If they were smart, they'd be like you; kind and accepting of everyone," Sirius said. "Just because someone is different, it doesn't mean they're not good people."

"Exactly. One of the teachers at school was in love with another man, and they were the best teachers I had," Harry remembered.

Sirius grinned. "Exactly my point." He paused for a moment. "I was once in love with a man. But that didn't work out," he added, his smile fading.

Harry knew that Sirius dated a lot, but they were mostly casual flings. He had never heard that tone in his uncle's voice before… and to use the term love as well, that was new. "What happened, Uncle Sirius?" Harry asked delicately.

Sirius looked at Harry, eyes full of pain. "He did something unforgiveable, and he hurt me. I haven't seen him in years, and I doubt I'll see him again," Sirius replied. "But don't go worrying about me. You're all that I need and I'm so incredibly happy to have you in my life, regardless of the circumstances."

"I love you, Uncle Sirius." Harry got up from his seat and walked around the table to give the man a hug. "Thank you for everything you've done for me. And for always being there."

"I love you too Harry," Sirius said, smiling and kissing Harry's forehead, right on his scar. "I am so proud of you, for the young man you're becoming. You're very smart, and you care about others. I think that's so wonderful."

Harry ignored the uncomfortable squirm that ran through his spine. "Thank you, Uncle Sirius," Harry replied, grateful to have his Uncle in his life. He knew that his life was changing for the better, but whatever happened, he vowed to be the good person that Sirius had taught him to be.

He would miss the man while at Hogwarts, but at least he would have his Aunt Minnie. Or rather, Professor McGonagall. He couldn't wait to begin his lessons!