I think I stopped it before it got too bad. The round from the gun went wide, avoiding anyone living.

I jumped. I leapt really. However, once again, I naturally expected the movement to compensate for two legs, not one, and it was the middle of the night and my prosthetic was propped up against my bedside table.

So even though I jumped, I lost my balance and fell in a tangle of limbs on Vernon's hands, holding the shotgun. It was enough to make him flinch and back away, torn between shooting his son and helping me.

The Dobby creature screeched or maybe it was Petunia, who knew by that point?

"Stop! Uncle Vernon, don't!"

In the moonlight streaming in from my curtained window, I could see Vernon's outline. He was shaking, whether with rage or fear, or something else, I couldn't tell.

An instant later, Vernon was flung off his feet and thrown back-first into the wall behind him. He crumpled to the ground groaning. The shotgun fell out of his hands and blasted a second round.

BOOM!

The loud gunshot reverberated in my tiny room.

Petunia screamed bloody murder.

I managed to pull myself up and winced as my shoulder smarted from a sprain. I turned around, hopping on one leg, and stared in horror.

The body of the Dobby creature swayed in front of me. That in itself was not a problem. The problem was that the head of the Dobby was bleeding out on my duvet, definitely no longer attached to the rest of its body.

Dudley seemed to have found his voice at last. He screamed in terror, joining his mother, until a few moments after, when he passed into unconsciousness.

"Aunt Petunia!"

She continued to scream, her mouth open in a giant 'o'. For a brief moment, I wondered if she'd choke if a fly got in. I almost laughed at the thought. Almost.

I picked up my wand and stared at it. I tried my best to tune out Petunia's screaming. What was the spell they taught us in the leaving pamphlet? In case of emergency use: "Lumos Vigilate!"

A beacon of light shot out of my wand and encased the whole house.

That's about the time my work ended. I hobbled back to my bed and rested on the pillow, as far away from the bloody duvet as possible, and worked on reattaching my leg. It wouldn't do to look stumpy when the wizards arrived.

#

Petunia eventually stopped screaming. That was when one of the nice Obliviators shot her with a spell that knocked her out.

I was sat, half-asleep, on a bench in a Ministry room. The walls were dark and cavernous and despite the novelty of the location, I did not have the energy to pay much attention to my surroundings. It seemed nobody knew what to do with me when they discovered the situation, and they left me in here waiting until someone else could make a decision. A few Aurors came in with sandwiches and asked me a few questions. It was easy enough to answer the questions. 'I have no idea' is a great catchall. The sandwiches were great though.

I wasn't in the best state of mind. Seeing the Dobby's bloody head had brought up some unpleasant memories that I was very desperately holding at bay.

Chocolate frogs are the chocolatiest chocolates, but Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean has a Chocolate Frog flavoured bean that is chocolatier than the chocolatiest Chocolate Frog ever chocolated by a chocolatier.

The repetition of my focusing mantra to the exclusion of all else was helpful, it helped steel my mind from…those thoughts.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened and a man dressed completely in black swooped in. His eyes were sunken, like he rolled out of bed and made his way here as fast as he could, which he probably did.

"Hello, Professor Snape."

Snape paused at the entrance, taking stock of me. He studied me from top to bottom and whatever he found, made him snarl. "Ever the adventurer Mr. Potter. I must admit, finding a beheaded House Elf in your private room is certainly one for the ages."

I shrugged. That was about all the energy I had to react.

"Sorry to be a bother."

Snape didn't utter another word or make another move. His lips thinned and he stood in front of me, still as a statue.

After moments ticked by, I finally said, "I asked for Professor Dumbledore."

"Albus is currently in Paris. He's received the message and is making his way back here as soon as possible. I was asked to step in in the interim."

There was a long list of people I would have contacted before even thinking about Snape, but here we were. I nodded at him. "Thanks for coming."

Another pause that neither of us saw fit to fill up.

When it seemed like Snape was at the end of his patience, he snapped. "Well, what are you waiting for then? Up you get, time to get you somewhere else."

I heaved myself up and took a moment to rebalance myself. The stress of the evening was coming back to me.

I followed Snape out of the bedroom and towards the large lift doors that they had brought me down in when we first got here. I should rather say that I was carried here. It took me a while to get my bearings again.

"Did they have a Healer in to examine you?" Snape asked as we waited for the lift to arrive.

I thought back and vaguely remembered a wizard in white robes shoving a calming potion down my throat. It had helped. A lot.

I nodded at him.

Snape's quota of care exhausted, he fell silent.

The lift doors opened and on the other side, looking wild and upset in perfectly tailored robes and windswept black hair, was none other than Sirius Black.

He took a step forward out of the lift and we took a collective step back. I watched in fascination as Sirius looked everywhere but at Snape and Snape seemed to glare holes into his skull.

"I see you're alright then, Harry?"

I didn't respond.

"Not that you would be worried about that, Black. Why are you here?" Snape threw back at him.

Odd as it was to be in agreement with Snape, I found myself wondering the same thing.

"After Petunia and her husband, I'm listed as his next of kin." He coughed. "Seems nobody got around to changing that."

"Pity," Snape said. Though he stretched the word out like it was anything but.

"Are you?" Nobody was more surprised than me when I spoke up. Both Sirius and Snape turned down to acknowledge me.

"Harry?" Sirius questioned.

"Are you my next of kin?" I asked.

Sirius figured that now was a great time to admire the sconces of fire on the walls. Snape, on the other hand, looked like Christmas had come early.

"The thing is Harry…Well, you see, it's more complicated than that. Your father and I-"

"He's your godfather, boy."

I turned to Snape. "My what?"

Snape grinned victoriously. "Your godfather. That is to say, your parents assigned him as your legal guardian in the event of their untimely death. Of course, he accepted the position when their deaths seemed a long way's away. But when the time came to step up, he chose a life of adventuring over his godson. Isn't that right, Black?"

For the first time, Sirius looked mad in return. "I wouldn't put it quite like that, Severus. And I would ask that you keep your large nose out of my business."

Snape's smile melted into a sneer. "Well, seeing as I was woken up in the middle of the night because a House Elf was found in his bedroom, I feel an earned right to stick my nose in wherever I damn well please, Black."

Sirius winced and didn't say anything further.

There was a tightness in my gut, something I hadn't felt in some time. It was an anger, a fiery, burning anger that wanted to burn everything around me. But right now, it wanted to burn away this man, my godfather.

"Why?"

Sirius did not respond.

Snape walked around me and headed to the lift. "Drop him off at the Diggory's once you're done. They're waiting on him."

"Snape, you-"

Snape flung a piece of parchment at him as the doors closed. The last sight of him was of a cruel and angry smile.

Sirius caught the parchment and then sighed in exhaustion as the doors closed. I stood rooted to my spot as he examined the parchment.

"It's their floo address. Do you know how to use the floo?" He turned back to me, all big smiles and charming charms.

"Why didn't you want me?" I asked again.

Sirius sighed. "It's more complicated than that, Harry. When your parents…and when I…let's go find the House Elf and get this all straightened out."

"Is that what Dobby was?"

Sirius looked at me with curiosity. "Yes. Why?"

"He's dead."

Sirius reared back a fraction, as if I'd struck him. It brought me a vicious joy. He recovered quickly enough. "How did he die?"

"Uncle Vernon shot him. I hope they took the head."

Sirius didn't speak for a long moment as he processed that. "I see."

"Good."

"I'll-I'll take you to the Diggory's then."

"Are you never going to tell me why-" I didn't need to complete it and I didn't want to.

I dreamt of a long lost relative, an adventurer, a hero, someone dashing and strong from another world, coming to Privet Drive and telling the Dursleys off and making me their son. Turns out I was right. But I never thought that the relative would love the adventuring more than he would love me. So much more.

Sirius gave me a long hard look. "I- Harry, when your parents died, I-"

As he fumbled with his words, my heart twisted and twirled in my gut even more. As he failed to come with up an excuse that could justify this, I knew the real answer.

He never wanted you.

Of course, he didn't.

Nobody ever wants you.

I felt the pinpricks of tears at the back of my eyes, but I blinked and held them back until they were gone. The Dursleys were unpleasant monsters, but at least they took me in. They never claimed to be anything they weren't. They just were. There. Every day. But at least they were there.

Sirius was much, much worse. The Dursleys were mean. Sirius was evil.

And I didn't want to hear his excuses.

"Let's go," I said and turned away from him.

We didn't speak as he led me to the Ministry Atrium. I didn't ask him about the odd fountain in the centre and he didn't offer any comment. The last words I heard him say were: "Diggory Abode", as he threw powder in a fireplace and allowed green flames to engulf me.

#

"Terrible things happen-"

#

The Diggory cottage was all soft woods and warm textures. Everywhere I turned, I saw warm rugs and fluffy pillows in browns and yellows. It was cozy but not suffocating. Seeing it, I knew Cecric was destined to be a Hufflepuff.

"Harry, eat up, you need your strength," said Amos Diggory. His wide smile made his double chin more pronounced and there seemed to be a permanent accumulation of sweat on his balding head.

"He'll eat if he wants to," said Juniper Diggory. "I know it's simple Harry, but I hope you like it."

I ducked my head and muttered my appreciation, shoving more bites of warm potatoes and peas in my mouth even though my full belly protested. "It's great, Mrs. Diggory. Thank you."

She chuckled. "I'm afraid you have Mr. Diggory to thank for this. I can't cook to save my life."

Across from me, Cedric played with his peas, his fork running across his plate as his foot tapped on the leg of his chair.

"Stop that," Juniper said. "Don't be rude."

Cedric stopped at once. "Mum, can we please go out for a while?"

Juniper sighed.

Amos responded. "Very well, but don't stray too far and for Merlin's sake, wear something decent when you head out."

In short order, I found myself following after Cedric out of the homely cottage and into the woods. Cedric didn't say much as he led me away. I allowed my eyes and gaze to wander over the deep woods around the Diggory Abode. Tall trees and rustling leaves and the ever-present sounds of birds chirping and frogs croaking.

"It's not much," Cedric said without turning around. "But it's home."

I grinned. "I think it's brilliant."

Cedric beamed back at me.

We continued to hike through the woodlands until a clearing cut through the trees and we found ourselves sitting by a bubbling pond. The rocks were glistening in morning dew and were soft and comfy. I relished the feeling of calm against them.

The silence lasted only so long. Cedric couldn't hold his questions back any longer.

"So you have no idea why the House Elf-"

"-Dobby-"

"Dobby, right, why Dobby showed up at your Aunt's house?"

I shook my head no.

"And Sirius Black is your godfather? But he- um…"

"-Wasn't interested in godfathering."

More silence ensued.

I was tempted to stay clipped and enjoy the calm shade of the rare British clear day, but Cedric would never let things be. I loved that about him. Most of the time. I sat up and let my hands run through the crystal blue water.

"He didn't want me, I guess."

Cedric's back straightened and I knew he was rearing to say something angry. I held my hand up to stop him.

"It's fine, Cedric."

"Harry, he was what? 21 years old when your parents died. He was a full-grown adult wizard and you were the Boy Who Lived!"

"It's fine, Cedric."

"No, it's not! And it worries me that you're willing to just-just let it go." He threw his hands up in the air, clearly this bothered him much more than it did me.

"Cedric, I don't know him. He didn't want me. My relatives never wanted me either. When someone doesn't want you, it's terrible no matter what. The way I see it, it probably wouldn't have been much different growing up with him than it was with the Dursleys." I shrugged as water trickled down my hand.

"But they're muggles!"

"So?"

Cedric sputtered and then fell silent. "It's just, maybe if you had magic in your life from the beginning, maybe…"

"Maybe what?"

Cedric huffed. "I don't know. I'm trying to be angry for you, since you don't seem bothered."

I stared at him and then, unbidden, laughter bubbled up out of me. It grew louder and wilder.

It was contagious and soon enough, Cedric was laughing too. He shoved me into the pond and I dropped in, soaked completely. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him in too. A water fight followed.

It was one of the best days ever.

#

The two of us were soaked to the bone but beaming with the warmth of laughter and brotherhood as we ran back to the cottage. Cedric shushed me when the cottage was in sight and snuck me in through a back window that opened into his bedroom.

We continued to laugh, bodies thrumming with the mirth of childishness when there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"Boys? Are you in there?" Juniper asked.

"Yeah, Ma!"

"Yes, Mrs. Diggory."

"Alright, come out quickly please, someone is here to see Harry."

We looked at each other and changed out of our soaking wet robes as quickly and quietly as possible.

"Any idea who that might be?" Cedric asked as he opened the bedroom door.

"I have a few guesses."

We turned into the living area and there, sat atop the bright yellow cushion in fashionably yellow robes, was Professor Dumbledore. He smiled at me and I nodded back.

#

I followed Dumbledore out of the cottage and into the woods. It felt wrong to have any conversation with him in this place about terrible things. These woods only held good memories for me and those were hard enough to come by.

"Over here, Harry."

Dumbledore had planted himself underneath a large tree, his yellow robes billowed around him as he sat himself. I followed suit.

"You will be happy to know your relatives are going to make a full recovery and the Obliviators wiped their memories of the more mischevious antics they suffered from."

"Okay."

I watched the tree branches sway in the light wind.

"You don't seem relieved."

I shrugged. "I tried to warn you. I sent you so many letters."

Dumbledore leaned forward. "I never received a single letter from you, Mr. Potter. Not a one."

I blinked. "But how- was it Dobby?"

Dumbledore stroked his beard and sighed. "I suspect as much."

"Who was Dobby, Professor?"

"A pitiable creature. An unstable House Elf. While much is not known about their magic, House Elves are bound to the will of their masters, someone asked Dobby to watch over you."

"So did he make my relatives act- like that?"

Dumbledore put his hands in his robe pocket and pulled out two silver things: a necklace and a ring. "These were on your Aunt and Uncle. They're charmed jewellery. Someone placed these on them. Whoever was controlling Dobby, bewitched your relatives too."

I stared at the items and recognised them. Ever since I had come back to Privet Drive from Hogwarts, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon always wore them. I was sure of it.

"What were they meant to do?"

Dumbledore hummed as he studied at the jewellery. "That is the strangest piece of this puzzle. The bewitchment on these items was meant to make your relatives more agreeable towards you. They were meant to encourage them to think good things about you and curb antagonistic impulses. They seemed to have done the job too well or rather, the bewitcher underestimated the animosity in your relationship with your relatives."

"That at least explains their behaviour."

"I would think so."

"But who would do that, Professor?"

Dumbledore placed the items back in his pocket and looked up at the sky. "I have not the faintest clue, Harry. But I am investigating the matter. We are currently questioning the last known owner of Dobby the House Elf."

The curiosity bubbled up within me. "Who is that?"

"Narcissa Malfoy."

I reared back. "Cissy? Cissy sent Dobby?" That- was not entirely surprising.

"It is a working theory, the best one right now. She expressed an interest in getting to know you better, especially after she realised that contact with you would open visions for her to her Purged son. But she denies all knowledge. Claims she has not seen the Elf in a decade after she threw one of her son's blankets at him and set him free." Dumbledore sighed. "I want to believe she is lying, but I do not think she is."

We sat in silence, lost in our thoughts. When I felt like I couldn't come up with any further questions, I turned back to Dumbledore. "What now then?"

"We continue to investigate, much like we continue the investigation on the identity of the person who let the basilisk loose on the school." His words seemed weighted, tired even. "I am not fond of mysteries that take too long to unravel and the mysteries around you seem to compound upon themselves with frightening regularity."

I opened my mouth and then closed it. Dumbledore had that effect on me often. "What about the other thing?"

"Oh?"

"About- about using my power to bring the Purged back?"

Dumbledore didn't smile, but he didn't allow his gaze to waver from me either. After a long moment, he said, "I am working on a theory on that now. I need to speak to Alastor about it, but, we shall not proceed without your approval."

"Whatever you need, Professor."

"I wouldn't be so quick, Harry. It would require you interacting with Narcissa Malfoy, who is, as explained, our chief suspect on this latest mystery." Dumbledore thought about it for a moment longer. "While there are numerous other candidates who suffered the loss of loved ones during the Purge, we do not want this ability of yours getting out into the public. Not until we know if it can do some good first. Narcissa already knows of your skill and we can leverage it to make her share her secrets in relation to Dobby. Harry?"

I wasn't sure what to think. But if it helped, even a little…

I nodded back at Dumbledore. "I'll meet her."