Chapter Two
Fixing Mistakes
2 November 1981Azkaban Prison, North Sea
Amelia Bones shivered unnoticeably as she looked up at the imposing building that was Azkaban Prison. Her trustworthy Aurors (the ones that were with her when she went to see James and Lily) were with her to help her discretely release Sirius Black before the Wizengamot meeting. They entered through the iron gates, ignoring the Dementors hovering beside it, and crossed the big grey archway where the paths split into three. On the left side were the maximum-security prisoners, on the right side were the minimum-security prisoners and in the middle was the administration department. Amelia flashed her Auror I.D badge to the guard standing beyond the archway. "Who're you here for?" he asked through a yawn.
"Sirius Black." Amelia confidently and without hesitation.
The guard looked at her and then the three Aurors behind her with an unreadable expression. "Let me grab my cloak and I'll be right out." He disappeared inside through the middle path and reappeared a few minutes later wearing a heavy-duty cloak. He led them through to the left side where most of the Dementors were present. They walked down one corridor of cells before climbing a staircase at the end of the corridor and coming up onto the first floor of the prison where the most security was present. Amelia immediately cast her Patronus, a bear, the same as the totem of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Bones. Sirius Black's cell was the last one in this corridor with three Dementors hovering beside it.
Amelia used her Patronus to push the Dementors back before facing the guard. "I would like you to give me the code to Sirius Black's cell," she commanded. Her tone made it clear that this was not a request but an order. "He is supposed to be taken to the Ministry for questioning,"
The guard protested. "But, Madam Bones-"
"Are you going to refuse a direct order from the Deputy Head of the Auror Department?"
The guard flushed. "The Head of the D.M.L.E, Mr Crouch made it clear to me that he was the most dangerous Dark wizard short of You-Know-Who himself. No one is supposed to move him. He was very difficult to subdue."
Amelia noticed out of the corner of her eyes movement inside the cell and then a handsome yet pale face appeared near the bars. She paid no attention to him at the moment. Instead, she mockingly raised her eyebrow. "And here, I thought that he was knocked out by Rubeus Hagrid and taken to Azkaban while unconscious. Are you saying that I am wrong?"
The man blushed and averted his eyes. "No, Ma'am."
Amelia nodded. "I am asking you again; Sirius Black needs to be taken to the Ministry holding cells for questioning so I need the code for his cell."
The man muttered the codeword required to open the cell. The slightly rusty locks opened with a creak as the bars slid aside. Sirius Black stepped forward, his eyes on her. His face was only slightly pale and the only abnormality was the dark circles under his eyes and the beginnings of a beard; otherwise, he looked as if he had stepped out of his home.
"Sirius Black, you are required to be at the Ministry for questioning. I would advise you not to try and escape, the consequences would be disastrous," she said. In the dim light from her Patronus, she winked at him and watched as his eyes widened a fraction and a hopeful look appeared on his face which was gone a split second later.
"Now, why would I try to do that?" he asked her with a charming smile. "I am not about to waste my only opportunity to run free."
Amelia gave him a so-called cold look. "You are not getting an opportunity to escape. You are being taken into the Ministry holding cells for questioning about your time as a Death Eater." She motioned to her Aurors who stepped forward and bound Sirius's hands with magic suppression handcuffs. Or at least that's what they looked like, who was to find out that they were normal handcuffs with about as much magic as Muggle handcuffs?
"I want you to retrieve any belongings of Sirius Black from the evidence room," she said to the guard who flushed and disappeared through the corridor from which they came. Amelia followed him along with her Aurors and Black, but instead of taking the middle path, she stood near the stone archway while Sirius tried, unsuccessfully to catch her eye.
The guard came back with a bag in hand which, Amelia learned later, contained his wand, a mirror, a backup wand, a dagger, a Chocolate Frog, and a small golden contraption that looked like a Muggle microphone, the ones that were attached to the ear. The guard told her that Sirius's Lordship Ring had been inside this bag too but it was no longer there. Amelia knew that it must be at Gringotts now.
Amelia pulled out a rusty key from her pocket and held it out for her Aurors and Sirius to hold. "This key will take us straight to the Ministry holding cells," she said, her eyes on Sirius who nodded defeatedly. He probably had lost hope that she was here to free him like he had thought when she winked.
There was a tug behind her navel and she was jerked off her feet and landed gracefully in her office. Sirius had also remained standing, likely a result of his Pureblood upbringing, but one of the Aurors had stumbled into another, knocking all three of them to the floor.
"Leave us alone," she said as the Aurors hurriedly straightened themselves. "And no one should hear a word about this." The only female Auror nodded and led the other two out of the room.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at her. "I thought we were going to the Ministry holding cells?"
"Plans change," said Amelia briskly as she tapped Sirius's hands and the handcuffs opened with a clink. She Banished them with a flick of her wand and motioned for him to sit down in the chair in front of her desk and did the same. "Sirius Black. Supposed Death Eater and Voldemort's right-hand man. The Man who betrayed the Potters."
"What do you want?" asked Sirius dully.
Amelia leaned forward. "James and Lily are alive."
Sirius jerked backwards as if stung. "Don't you dare talk about them in front of me! I can't- won't- I, I-"
"I am telling you James and Lily are alive. I saw them with my own eyes," she said, ignoring the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes.
"They are not!" said Sirius, his voice cracking. "I also saw them with my own eyes! They're dead and it's all my fault," he said, putting his head in his hands. Amelia made a pre-negotiated sign with her hand and watched as two Disillusionment Charms faded. James knelt next to Sirius and said in a soft voice. "She's telling the truth, Sirius. We're alive, we never died."
Amelia Bone's office, Ministry of Magic
The Healers at St. Mungo's declared them physically, mentally, and magically healthy, and though they were curious about how the hell they were still alive, they refrained from asking questions something that James was very glad for. Right now, he just wanted his kids and Sirius back. The Healers also had to swear a confidentiality oath to make sure no one found out about them being alive before the time was right.
Amelia had sneaked him and Lily into her office and asked them to place Disillusionment Charms on themselves. She was going to bring Sirius here, under the cover of taking him into the Ministry's holding cells for questioning about his so-called time as a Death Eater. The next hour passed in a blur of thoughts and emotions. James couldn't help but think of Peter. He hadn't allowed himself to think of him before but now, with nothing else to do except lean on Lily's shoulder, the thoughts were coming in hard and fast. James really wished that they had included Peter in the Grey Brotherhood secrecy and loyalty oath. He would never have betrayed them, then. But then he would have been thinking about it, even if he hadn't been a Death Eater and the DEs might try to force him, and then the oath would kick in and he would die.
The only reason they hadn't included him in the Grey Brotherhood was while he was good at lying -he did manage to fool them, James thought darkly- he had rubbish Occlumency skills and they feared Dumbledore would try to observe his thoughts since he was the only one whose mind he could observe. Sirius and himself were protected by family magic and years of learning Occlumency, being a werewolf meant Remus had automatic mental shields, and Lily had taken to Occlumency very easily. Her Potter betrothal ring also helped in giving her mental protection.
Peter hadn't known anything about the Grey Brotherhood except that the Marauders and Musketeers were a part of it, he hadn't even known about the other Order members or any plans or strategies of theirs. And they figured if Dumbledore found out about their involvement, he would be forced to reveal how he found out and unconsented Legilimency was a crime punishable by going to Azkaban.
James sighed, letting his head hit the wall with a thud. He was standing in a corner because he was too restless to sit while Lily was sitting in Amelia's chair. He glanced down at his watch. Twenty-two minutes. Amelia had said that it might take her an hour to bring Sirius back here so they were going to make themselves invisible ten minutes before the hour is up. The Disillusionment Charms were really only for the benefit of the accompanying Aurors. James didn't mind if they were the first thing Sirius saw as soon as he Portkeyed in. Except it may cause him to think he was dead and panic or something.
"You alright?" asked Lily looking up from the knitting she was doing. James had no idea where she got the yarn and knitting needles from. He wouldn't be surprised if she had a hundred different things inside her handbag which was charmed with an Undetectable Extension Charm. She was resourceful that way.
"Yeah, just thinking," he said, smiling sadly. Lily only nodded, there was no need to say anything else. Another thing that was bugging him was the distance between him and his children though he was pretty sure it was more difficult for Lily. Mothers connected with their children and he knew underneath Lily's calm exterior was a raging storm of worry and anxiety. He didn't know how Petunia and Vernon were treating their children and he had always hated the unknown. It didn't help that getting their children back wasn't the first thing they were doing. They were freeing Sirius, imprisoning Pettigrew, and then, demanding custody of their children again. Their guardianship never should have left our hands, he thought and glanced down at his watch again. Eleven minutes.
"Times up, Lily," he said to his wife who stowed her half-finished knitting into her bag and came to stand next to him in the corner of the office. The Disillusionment Charms were placed as soon as five people appeared in the room. Amelia and Sirius remained standing while the other tumbled to the floor. Amelia sent them away and removed Sirius' handcuffs, motioning him to sit down. James noted with worry, Sirius' pale form and the dark circles under his eyes. The defeated air around him also didn't help as well as the tear tracks on his cheeks.
"Sirius Black. Supposed Death Eater and Voldemort's right-hand man. The Man who betrayed the Potters." said Amelia, leaning back in her chair and James frowned at the dull and emotionless way Sirius answered her.
The next few minutes passed by in agony as James watched his brother in all except blood blame himself for their deaths. Only Lily's hand on his arm kept him back till Amelia made the pre-negotiated sign with her hand and he quickly deactivated his Disillusionment Charm as Lily did the same. James crossed the floor in two quick strides and knelt next to Sirius and said in a soft voice.
"She's telling the truth, Sirius. We're alive, we never died."
Sirius's head jerked upwards and he stared at them as if seeing a ghost, which was probably what he thought was going on. "No, no," said Sirius, leaning back in his chair as if trying to get away from them. "I saw them, they're dead, so cold both of them, and blank eyes-" He fell silent, still staring at them. James felt Lily twitch next to him and he knew she wanted to comfort Sirius.
He turned his head slightly to face Amelia. "Would you mind leaving us alone?"
Amelia nodded. "Call me when you are done," she said, her voice surprisingly soft, and left, locking the door behind her. James stood up and backed up a few steps before transforming. A split second later a lioness and a stag were standing in Amelia Bones' office. Sirius gaped at them. Prongs trotted forwards and butted his antlers against Sirius' legs. Pride jumped from her spot and landed lightly next to Sirius's chair. Sirius touched Prong's antlers reverently before stroking the lioness' red-tinted fur.
"Prongs and Pride," he said softly. "How?"
James transformed back into himself and tackled Sirius into a huge bear hug, which was joined by Lily. "How?" asked Sirius again when they separated. James noticed but didn't say anything about the barely-there crack in his voice.
Lily quickly explained how they had survived, including her thoughts on how the prototype worked as well as her suspicions about Dumbledore. She also explained how they had already captured Peter and alerted Remus, Frank, and Alice to the truth about their survival.
Sirius was looking down at his lap where his hands rested by the time Lily's throat was hoarse from all the talking she had done. She had known James wouldn't be doing any talking since the desperate way he was clutching at Sirius was obvious to everybody. Lily never believed that they were just best friends, not even brothers. She always knew that there was a much stronger bond between them and she knew she was right.
"Ok, ok, I can't believe how much has happened since I was in Azkaban," Sirius said, running a hand over the length of his face. Suddenly he chuckled. "Never I thought I would ever say that. Remember how many times we joked about it?"
"I remember," grinned James. "Back when we used to be innocent first-years-"
Lily snorted. "I doubt you were ever innocent,"
James and Sirius mock-glared at her simultaneously and Lily knew her earlier thoughts were right. They would never be separated. "We were. We were just innocent unassuming first years who thought we would go to Azkaban for every prank we did-"
"We didn't," said Sirius with a mischievous grin. "But Remus and Peter did," His smile faded as he thought about their ex-best friend. Suddenly he turned towards James and desperately clutched at his robes. "Harry and Lizzie? They're alright, aren't they? I don't know where Hagrid took them, please tell me where they are-"
"It's alright, Sirius," he said soothingly. "Harry and Lizzie are not where I would have liked them to be, but they are safe where they are, nonetheless."
"Where are they?" asked Sirius, fearing the answer.
Lily sighed. "My sister's house. I don't know what he thought would be accomplished by sending the kids there. However, our account manager, Ironclaw informed us that blood wards have been set up at Privet Drive. I can't believe he forgot that Fee and Monty and even my own parents are still alive." She huffed. "They are blood relatives too!"
"Or he didn't forget," said James darkly. "It's more than likely that he did it on purpose. And since he is Albus bloody Dumbledore, no one is going to question his decision, especially since we are dead. He was probably going to use some form of compulsion magic to keep my parents away, and well, Andrew and Rosemary are Muggles, they don't know how important Harry is, they probably wouldn't have minded Harry and Elisabeth living with Petunia. "
"What are we doing to get them back?" asked Sirius. brbr
Lily smiled. "First, we need to free you and imprison Pettigrew which we are going to accomplish in the next Wizengamot session. Then, Harry and Lizzie's guardianship should automatically come back to us, but if Dumbledore tries anything….well, we'll just reveal all our suspicions about him, about his illegal use of Legilimency, and how he usurped their guardianship when there were other, more suitable people present, like you and the Longbottoms and Minerva! And of course both sets of grandparents!"
James stood up. "Come on, let's call Amelia back in. Coincidentally, the next Wizengamot session is tomorrow so we don't have to wait long. We'll go see Remus now and deliver Pettigrew to Amelia."
3 November 1981
Wizengamot Court, Ministry of Magic
Albus Dumbledore banged his gavel. "Order!" The few people who were talking quieted down easily and the meeting began. "Welcome to the five-thousand, one hundred and ninety-second Wizengamot session!"
"This is mostly a judicial session. Firstly, I would like everyone to hold a minute of silence for the loss of one of our very own lords. Lord Potter will be missed." The silence was not held for Sirius Black because he betrayed the Wizengamot, technically. After the minute of silence was over, Dumbledore spoke up again. "We have two trials on our agenda. Madam Bones, I turn the floor over to you," Dumbledore was curious about whose trial it was since no name was given which was weird, but he held his tongue.
Amelia stood up. "Thank you, Chief Warlock." She nodded to her Aurors who disappeared through a side door and brought back Severus Snape. He was chained to the chair with one Dementor floating behind him. Before Amelia could proceed, Dumbledore stood up.
"I vouch for Severus Snape," He declared. "He is an innocent man and joined the Death Eaters on my command and has been spying on them on the risk of his own life."
"Then you won't mind, Chief Warlock, if we use Veritaserum to confirm your claims?" Dumbledore hid his panic behind a calm face. The truth was Severus did not join on Dumbledore's command, he switched sides later on, which could be disastrous because Snape could still be sent to Azkaban. He had to prevent this.
"There is no need for that, Amelia. He is innocent as I have just told you," Dumbledore stated.
"Then this should be a formality only. Surely, if he's innocent, he won't mind taking Veritaserum?" She turned to face the rest of the room. "I call for use of Veritaserum on Severus Snape," Her motion passed barely since most of the light side trusted Dumbledore's judgement.
"Deliver Veritaserum to Severus Snape," said Dumbledore in a defeated voice.
She signalled to her Aurors who came forward and administered the potion. Snape's eyes glazed over and he slumped in his chair. Amelia strode forwards and erected a sound barrier around the defendant. It meant that he and Snape's voice would reach the room but their voices would be unable to penetrate the barrier.
"What is your name?"
"Severus Tobias Snape."
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"Yes."
"Are you a willing Death Eater?"
"I am no longer a willing Death Eater."
Amelia raised her eyebrows. "You, once were a willing Death Eater?"
"Yes."
"Why did you change your mind?"
"I agreed with them in school, but I hated all the torture, rape, and killing once I joined. I suffered through it because I consented to be a spy for Albus Dumbledore."
Amelia turned to face the rest of the room and removed the sound barrier. "All those in favour of cleared of all charges?"
Most of the wands in the light faction were lit as well as a few in the neutral and dark faction. "All those in favour of conviction?"
Wands were lit and the votes were counted before Amelia turned back to Snape and motioned her Aurors to administer the antidote. "Severus Snape, the Wizengamot has cleared you of all charges, thirty-six to thirty-three. You are free to leave."
After Severus Snape had left the room, Amelia nodded to her Aurors who disappeared through a side door. When they reappeared, Peter Pettigrew was with them, along with a slight shimmer of air which Amelia knew to be Sirius. "Honourable Witches and Wizards, the defendant is one Peter Pettigrew. The charges for the accused are being a Death Eater, and accessory in the death of Lord and Lady Potter." Peter was pushed into a chair where chains bound his arms and legs and a Dementor floated over to stand behind him.
"What is this, Amelia?" asked Dumbledore. "I thought Sirius Black had already been convicted of these crimes?"
Amelia shook her head and suppressed her irritation at Dumbledore not using her proper title. "That's where you are wrong, Chief Warlock. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Sirius Black never got a trial," she couldn't help but notice the pale faces of Milicent Bagnold and Barty Crouch out of the corner of her eye. "Lord Black, please show yourself,"
Sirius removed his Disillusionment Charm. Immediately chaos erupted and spells flew at Sirius which were thankfully absorbed by the barrier that was present for exactly for this reason.
"Order!" Dumbledore banged his gavel, and reluctantly, silence spread in the room. "What is this, Amelia? Sirius Black is a known Death Eater."
"How can he be a known Death Eater when he was never formally convicted?" she asked, irritation colouring her tone. She turned to face Sirius who was already sitting in his chair with his arms chained. "Sirius Black do you consent to take Veritaserum?"
"I do."
"Permission to deliver Veritaserum to the accused granted," Dumbledore couldn't help but think about the disaster that would occur if Sirius was innocent. All of his plans…… Truthfully, he had never entertained the notion that Sirius might be innocent. James and Lily had done nothing to discourage the rumours of Sirius being the Secret-Keeper so he had done nothing to stop Crouch and Bagnold when they tossed Sirius into Azkaban without a trial. If Sirius was found innocent, then he would undoubtedly demand custody of the Potter children, but maybe…. He could discourage him somehow?
Dumbledore stopped his flow of thoughts quickly. There was a possibility that Sirius was guilty, and Amelia was wrong.
The potion was delivered by an Auror and the familiar symptoms of the truth serum kicked in. "What is your name?" Amelia asked.
"Sirius Orion Black."
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"No."
"Were you the Secret-Keeper for the Potters?"
"No, Peter Pettigrew was the Secret-Keeper."
"Who betrayed the location of the Potters?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
Amelia once again turned to face the rest of the room. "All in favour of clearing the accused of all charges?" All of the wands were lit because people weren't foolish enough to vote Sirius guilty. "All those in favour of conviction?" Not a single wand was raised. "Sirius Black, you are cleared of all charges by a majority. You are free to leave. Your belongings will be passed onto you outside,"
The chains fell to the floor with a clink and Sirius stood up but instead of leaving, he made his way over to the Black seat and sat down. A dark grey aura flared around him as the Black family magic accepted him.
Amelia revived Peter Pettigrew whose head swung around wildly when he realized where he was. "Peter Pettigrew, you are accused of being a Death Eater, betraying the Potters' location to the Dark Lord, and for being an accessory in the Potters deaths," Amelia stated.
"That wasn't me!" shouted Pettigrew. "That was Sirius. He was the Secret-Keeper! He betrayed James and Lily!"
"Funny," said Amelia, raising an eyebrow and turning her head slightly to where Sirius was sitting. Peter's eyes followed and stared at Sirius who stared back impassively. "We heard a different version from somewhere else."
"He's lying! I tell you, he's lying! I don't know why he is out of Azkaban, he shouldn't be here!" The panic on Pettigrew's face was unmistakable.
"I think you are already aware, Peter Pettigrew, that you can't lie under the influence of Veritaserum."
Pettigrew faltered before speaking up again. "He probably used some Dark magic to jinx the potion! I did not betray the Potters, Sirius did, he's dangerous!"
Amelia sighed tiredly. "Permission to administer Veritaserum, Chief Warlock?"
"Permission granted." The potion was delivered to a reluctant Pettigrew who slumped over when it was delivered.
"What is your name?"
"Peter William Pettigrew."
"Are you a willing Death Eater?"
"Yes."
"When did you join?"
"January of 1980."
"Who was the Potter's Secret-Keeper?"
"Me."
"Did you give the location of the Potters to Voldemort?" Amelia asked, ignoring the flinches and the shudders.
"Yes."
The antidote was then delivered and the votes were up. Nearly everyone was in favour of conviction and those who weren't, abstained from voting altogether. Pettigrew was dragged away to be taken to Azkaban and Dumbledore stood up.
"I assume, Sirius, you would like to take the custody of Harry and Elisabeth Potter?" he asked politely but was a worried mess inside.
Sirius stood up as well. "No." For a fleeting second, hope surged in Dumbledore's chest before being doused by a flood of icy water. "But, I have someone else in mind who are better suited than me."
"Who do you have in mind?" asked Dumbledore, hoping beyond hope that it would be someone he could manipulate…..
"You can reveal yourselves now," grinned Sirius. And from the side door that led to Amelia's office, emerged two people Dumbledore had thought he would never see again.
James and Lily Potter.
"Good morning, Honourable Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot," said James formally, striding towards the middle of the room with Lily beside him.
"You're dead!" cried out someone from the row of Order of Merlin recipients.
"If we were dead, we wouldn't be standing here, would we?" he asked, his tone amused. He turned towards Dumbledore. "When Rubeus Hagrid came to take our children away from the ruins of our cottage, he didn't bother to check that I and wife were alive. The only person who was struck by the Killing Curse is my son, Harry."
"Voldemort only thought he killed us," added Lily. "But we lived due to weird circumstances." Lily wasn't revealing the prototype since the backlash of magic that it caused could very well kill a person instead of the Killing Curse. She and the Unspeakables had experimented and they had thought the magic could be contained, but seeing first-hand, what could happen, was more convincing than an experiment.
"Chief Warlock, I would like the guardianship of my children back in my hands. Though, is it safe to assume that this is merely a formality?" asked James.
Dumbledore frowned. "James, your children are already safe with someone else."
"Are you denying us what's rightfully ours, Albus Dumbledore?" asked Lily. "I have already been parted from my children for three days, I won't wait any longer."
Dumbledore sighed. If he refused them now, then the whole Wizarding Britain would come down upon him. It would be best to comply now and transfer the guardianship over to Petunia when he could convince James and Lily what a bad idea it is, no one would be able to say anything if it was their own decision. "Of course, we will get the guardianship papers ready for you."
"Thank you," said James. "And I trust an inquiry will be made into why Lord Black was sent to Azkaban without a trial?"
"Of course," allowed Dumbledore.
Privet Drive, Surrey
Lily had always hated the place where Petunia lived. It was a modern suburb but completely devoid of life, in her opinion. All the houses were the same, same four bedrooms, same garage, same neatly trimmed garden, it gave her the creeps. She much preferred the different cottages of Godric's Hollow or the town in Glasgow where Potter Manor was located. She supposed this rich, expensive way of living was Petunia's husband, Vernon's choice of lifestyle because she and Petunia had grown up in an average middle-class household. But then again, the first thing she had heard about Vernon was that he had a lot of money.
She remembered when Petunia had learnt how rich James was. She hadn't meant to tell her, but she had eavesdropped on her conversation with Mum and had thrown a fit. Mum had been worried that we were marrying so young and wouldn't be able to provide for themselves so she had sat her down and explained how rich James was. Her eyes had grown wide when she learnt that James had grown up in a huge Manor where Lily still kept getting lost. Petunia had fussed a lot when she heard this.
"Ready?" asked James. They were here to get their children back. The guardianship papers were in his pocket, Petunia just had to sign them. Lily was sure she would be glad to be rid of Harry and Lizzie. She couldn't help but wonder about what condition her babies were in, but thinking about that made her really anxious so she shut down that train of thought.
"I think so," They walked over to number four, Privet Drive. There was no car in the drive like Lily had seen before so she reasoned that Vernon was probably not home. Good. Petunia would be much more pleasant. She rang the golden doorbell before James could because that was just a recipe for disaster. She had learnt her lesson, never bring James and Sirius near a Muggle doorbell.
"Hello, I am Petunia Durs- aaaghhhh!!" Petunia backed into the hallway when she saw who was there. "Lily, you, you died! What're you doing here? How are you here?"
Lily smiled softly. "Hello, Tuney. I didn't die. Oh, I know what Dumbledore said," she said when Petunia made to interrupt. "Dumbledore didn't bother checking our bodies properly. We didn't die but everyone thought we did."
"We're here to get out children back." added James.
"Right," said Petunia shakily. "They're upstairs." Petunia led them through an expensive-looking foyer and up the wooden staircase. The door to the first room on the right was open and through it, Lily could see Lizzie in a bassinet in a corner and Harry playing with Petunia's son Dudley.
"I didn't expect you to place them with your own son, Petunia," said James softly.
Petunia didn't blush but her cheeks took on an unhealthy pink tinge. "Vernon wanted to put them in the cupboard under the stairs," she said quietly.
"He did WHAT?!?" shouted James. Surprisingly, the kids didn't hear him, nor did they look up from whatever they were doing with the wooden blocks.
Petunia winced slightly. "This was just before he left for work so I waited till I knew he was gone and brought them out."
"Thank you, Petunia," said Lily. "I think we better go now, if I am here before your husband comes home, I don't think he will live long." Her voice was calm, too calm. A clear indication that her infamous temper was about to make an appearance.
Lily opened the door wide and stepped inside followed by James and Petunia. Harry looked up from where he was making a lopsided tower and his face broke out in a toothy grin. "Mama!" Harry fell over twice but it didn't dampen his enthusiasm as Lily knelt on the ground. Little Harry barreled into her and gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. James went over and picked up Lizzie from the bassinet. She was fast asleep. Her red fuzzy hair was covered by a pink cap and her beautiful hazel eyes couldn't be seen.
He felt something tug at his legs and looked down to see Harry grinning at him. He handed Liz to Lily and picked Harry up and swung him around before settling him on his hip.
"We'll be leaving now, Petunia," said Lily. "You can tell Vernon the truth." With that, there were twin pops of Apparition and the Potters disappeared from number four, Privet Drive.
Potter Manor, Glasgow
The Potters, Sirius and Remus were standing in front of Potter Manor, here to see Fleamont and Euphemia Potter since they believed that their son and his family were dead. The gates accepted their magical signatures and opened up to let them in. James knew that by now the house-elves must have realized who was here and would be informing his parents. They had just crossed the big stone fountain when the oak front doors opened wide to reveal a red-haired woman and behind her, a man with messy hair.
"James! Lily! Sirius!" James quickly handed Harry to Sirius and opened his arms wide to admit his mother who slammed into him with the force of a Bludger.
"Ooof, Mum. For someone so small and old, you sure have a lot of force," he teased. In response, she sobbed harder into his neck before letting go and hugging Sirius and Lily and of course, her precious grandchildren.
James turned towards his father and engulfed him in a hug. It was a long time before anyone let go. The last time he had seen his parents had been months ago before they had gone into hiding. He had missed them dearly. The grandchildren were passed around before Remus suggested they go inside and explain everything.
On the way in, James hugged the house-elves standing in a line near the front doors. Filbert, Isabelle, Mira, Trishy, Slinky, Robby, Wolpert, Freema, Loopy and Minley. Trishy and Slinky did the cleaning, Isabelle cooked, Filbert used to be James' house-elf before they went into hiding, Minley was Lily's, Wolpert was in charge of all the exterior, Freema and Loopy were his mum and dad's and Mira and Robby didn't have a specific job, they just helped out wherever they were needed.
After they had settled down in the sitting room, with mugs of tea for the adults and a biscuit for Harry, courtesy of Isabelle, did Euphemia finally let her motherly instincts free. "What happened? How are you here? You don't know what hit me when I read the Daily Prophet! And then three days later, here you are! And when I heard about Sirius, I knew it was false, there was no way he would have betrayed you!"
"Where's Peter?" asked Dad quietly.
James softly told how Peter was the real betrayer and how Sirius was taken into Azkaban without a trial. Remus took over and explained how they had captured Wormtail and brought him into the secret before Lily told of how they let the Longbottoms and Amelia into the plans before Sirius took over and explained the Wizengamot meeting. James ended by explaining how they got their kids back.
"A lot happened," Mum laughed softly. "I, I am just glad you kids are alright," she added, giving them a tremulous smile.
"Mum, Dad, Lily and I were thinking that till the cottage is fixed up again, we could stay here…?"
Mum and dad exchanged looks. "Sweetheart, we were thinking that maybe you and Lily could live here indefinitely."
"Mum, " started James uncomfortably. "As much as I love you guys-"
Dad laughed, a big booming laugh that never failed to fill James with warmth and love. "That's not what she meant, son. I think Fee meant to say that you and Lily would live here while I and Fee move into the cottage after it is renovated."
Lily's mouth dropped in shock. "We can't do that! We didn't come here to kick you out of your home!"
Mum laughed slightly. "And you're not doing that. I assure you, I and Monty talked about this extensively. We had thought with your growing family, you could move here and we'll live at the cottage. These were all tentative plans for when you would get out of hiding, obviously, this isn't how we imagined it, but, the plans are the same."
"Besides, it's just me and your mum in this big manor, it gets a bit lonely. You need it more than we do," added Dad.
Sirius let out a bark-like laugh while Remus played with Lizzie and Harry. "Just accept the offer, Prongs, they're not gonna let you go before you do!"
"And you, young man!" exclaimed Mum, suddenly stern. "Don't think you can get out of this. While the cottage is being renovated, I want you and Remus to live here!"
Remus looked up with an alarmed look. "I couldn't possibly do that, I have my own cottage-"
"There are no buts, Mr Lupin. Do you mind, James and Lily, having Sirius and Remus live here?"
"Not at all," said James, struggling to hold a laugh in.
"There, nothing is stopping you from moving in here now," said Mum with satisfaction.
"Lily, do your parents know that you are in fact alive?" asked Dad suddenly.
"No, they don't," replied Lily as she took a crying Lizzie from a panicking Remus. "I and James were planning on going there tomorrow."
24 November 1981
Toronto, Canada
Sirius tightened his jacket around himself and knocked on the flat door. Almost a month had passed by since Voldemort attacked Godric's Hollow and a lot had happened since then. He thought it was about time Marlene came back. He wondered briefly if she would like to see him again, or if she had met someone else by now, but he shoved these thoughts in the back of his mind just in time to notice the door open and a pair of brown eyes poke out, followed by the tip of a wand.
"Who are you?"
Sirius grinned. "It's only been a few months and you've already forgotten about me?"
"Tell me something only you and I would know."
Sirius thought briefly before taking the risk. "I told you a day will come when I will proudly marry you," he said softly.
The door was thrown open before arms were thrown around him, making him stagger backwards, though he wrapped his arms around the thin body just as tightly.
Marlene finally pulled back and looked at him with warm eyes. "I missed you."
"You did?" Sirius couldn't stop the hopeful tone his voice took on.
Marlene slapped his arm slightly and laughed though Sirius noted her cheeks were blushing. "Of course I did, you prat. Come inside. George, Mum and Anna are all asleep,"
"They are asleep at this time?" he asked amazed as he followed her inside.
Marlene chuckled. "Canada is five hours behind Britain. It's still early morning here."
Sirius glanced down at his watch before he looked out of a window in Marlene's kitchen. He didn't believe he hadn't noticed what time of the day it was but he supposed he had been a bit too preoccupied.
"What're you doing here?" Marlene asked, preparing a cup of juice for him the Muggle way. "No one-" her voice hesitated slightly. "No one died, right?"
"Why don't you sit down?" asked Sirius gently. "I'll explain everything."
Marlene sat down on a brown leather sofa and Sirius debated slightly before sitting down in the armchair across her. He accepted the glass of juice with a muttered 'thanks'. He pulled out shrunken newspapers from his pocket and returned them to their original size with a tap of his wand before handing them to Marlene.
Marlene picked up the first one that was dated "1 November". He saw her face go through several emotions. Grief, confusion, happiness shock, anger, grief again before finally settling on grief, shock and astonishment. She looked up at him and he was easily able to read the question in her eyes.
I don't believe you betrayed the Potters but it says here that you went to Azkaban. How're you here then?
He just nodded at the next paper dated "4 November". It detailed the Wizengamot meeting, James and Lily's survival, Pettigrew's imprisonment and Sirius' innocence.
Marlene sighed in relief when she finished the article. "It feels so good to know they didn't die. And I knew you didn't betray them. You're not capable of this." She shook the papers she held.
"Thank you," he murmured. Marlene picked up the next newspaper and gasped in shock.
It reported the attack of Death Eaters on the Longbottoms and how they barely managed to escape, only because the Potters' had been visiting at the time and evened the numbers out. The trial of Bellatrix, Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr. was also described as well as the consequences it had on Barty Crouch Sr. He was demoted to the Department of Internation Magical Cooperation and Amelia rose to be the Head of the D.M.L.E, even though she was not the Head of the Auror Department. Apparently, she was more suitable than Henry Devson. The paper also mentioned the resignation of Milicent Bagnold, who was too ashamed because of her role in Sirius Black's imprisonment. The next newspaper announced Cornelius Fudge becoming the new Minister for Magic.
"So much happened while I was hiding," she said, leaning back in her chair.
"Hey," Sirius frowned. "Don't blame yourself for protecting your family. You did what you had to."
"That's not what you said back then," she muttered quietly, but Sirius still caught the words due to his canine-like hearing.
"That's because you were the person I loved the most," he replied stiffly. "And you were leaving me behind."
"Loved?" she asked quietly.
"I'll always love you, Marlene," he said softly before placing his glass on the coffee table and standing up. "Are…" he hesitated slightly, "are you going to come back to England?"
Marlene stood up as well and stared at him for a few moments before launching herself across the table and attacking his lips. His arms automatically wrapped around her, with one hand cupping her face and the other gently holding the back of her head.
Sirius and Marlene didn't get out of the bedroom until noon that day.
Author's Notes: I am sorry to those of you who don't like it, but traditionalism and Pureblood society is going to be an integral part of this story. I believe that the Ancient and Noble Houses have a lot of political power and I want to show that in the Potters and Longbottoms. I also want to show you the difference in Harry growing up in a pureblood home. Even though Harry is a half-blood, the House of Potter is still considered a Pureblood house and the only reason it is not in the Sacred 28 is that they chose to stand with Muggles, rather than against them.
Dumbledore is not evil. He just is a manipulator and a control freak and thinks he is the only one who knows best. He will realize his mistakes but not right now. Right now, he wants to condemn the Potter children to a hard lifestyle all for the greater good.
I know some of you might think that Petunia is a good person because she stopped Vernon from putting the children in the cupboard but I have a theory. I don't think Harry was always in the cupboard. I think Vernon always wanted him to but he listened to his wife and Harry was placed in the smallest bedroom. I think a subconscious reaction to the trauma Harry went through at age one made him suppress his magic for the time being especially since he ended up being in a completely different environment with completely different people. When he started doing accidental magic again, he was moved to the cupboard under the stairs and treated horribly because he was doing freakish things now.