Harry Potter looked out the window of the smallest room at Privet Drive, hoping to see Hedwig or an owl carrying a letter. The window was thick with grime, as if it had never been cleaned. He sighed, seeing nothing in the sky. Removing himself from his perch, he looked around the small room and scowled. They filled the room with half-broken objects from his cousin, Dudley. The bed was little more than a cot with a thin blanket on it.
In his annoyance, he strewed his school books around the room. They laid there open as if tempting him to sit down and work on his summer homework. Ever since the night of Voldemort's return, Harry wallowed in every nasty situation they forced him into. Cedric's death hit him hard. The Hufflepuff didn't need to die, but he did, and his death weighed heavily upon the Triwizard champion.
Since his arrival back at Privet Drive, his nights were filled with nightmares of the graveyard. He could see the dead look in Cedric's eyes as Harry carried the body toward the safety of Hogwarts. He could still hear the screams of magicals as Death Eaters fired spells, trying to kill whoever it hit. Harry refused to look into a mirror, knowing how dead his eyes looked. It surprised him that his relatives even let him out of the room.
Dropping on his small bed, several pieces of parchment floated onto the floor. Half written notes to his friends and several pathetic attempts at his homework. Since his arrival back at Privet Drive, his relatives have left him alone. The cat flap and the locks remained on the door. They didn't understand that someone had died, and that Voldemort returned. They put the locks on the door to use this summer. Much like the previous summers.
Harry turned to look at the clock on the small rickety table and sighed, seeing that it was nearly dinnertime. His stomach growled, but he knew that food was scarce for him. His aunt demanded that he cook, but gave him half portions of everything. Harry couldn't even use Hedwig to order food for himself. He heard the locks on the door clicking loudly as he sat there in the dim room.
He felt a rush of cool air enter his rather warm room as someone thrust the door open. Turning his head slowly, he saw his aunt standing there waiting impatiently for him. He could detect annoyance in her stance and a measure of anger in her eyes.
"Dinner needs to be cooked," she snapped before spinning away from his room and walking down the stairs.
Harry sighed and rose slowly to his feet. He looked out his window again, hoping to see an infinitesimal speck of an owl in the darkening sky, but found nothing. Shaking his head, he left the small room and headed downstairs to cook dinner for his relatives.
After a meager half warm dinner, Harry stepped slowly back up the steps to the small room. He could hear the telly blaring loudly as Dudley and his uncle sat down to watch a special. Harry tried once, a very long time ago, to watch the telly but received a thrashing instead. Pushing the door open, he sighed walking into the room. Closing the door quietly, he knew that his uncle would lock the door for him before he headed off to bed.
His books were still open and waiting on him to use them, but he ignored them and walked over to Hedwig's perch. She still wasn't back. Harry sent her out three days prior and he figured she would return by now. Normally he would have several letters from Hermione by now, but something was different this summer.
She had not written to him.
It worried him deeply. Was she far too frightened at the prospect of being his friend and the danger that came with it? He didn't know if something happened to her. She was Muggleborn, so she knew how to use the phone, but Harry didn't know the number to give her.
There was also Neville and Cassie to consider. His other two best mates. Neither of them had written to him. He thought his friendship with Neville was more important than this. Cassie's letters would be sporadic. She lived with a guardian and he wasn't sure what her home life was like. Not a bloody note from Sirius nor Remus.
The Boy-who-Lived was getting frustrated at the lack of communication. Taking a deep breath, he turned and pushed his books onto the floor with a loud thump. He winced, hoping the telly was loud enough that his relatives didn't hear him. Stripping down, he crawled into bed a few minutes later with his wand tucked under his pillow. He would try to sleep, but he knew the nightmares would wake him.
A quiet knock on the aged door was the only sound that Remus Lupin made. He volunteered himself to fetch Cassie York for Hermione this summer while she was staying at Grimmauld Place. Hermione had written her friend asking if she could stay, once Sirius said she could. He hadn't a clue where he was, but the directions were clear. Now he was standing in front of a slightly decrepit house and knocking on an aged door.
He raised his arm again to knock when the door was whipped open. Standing before him was a girl with long black hair and silver eyes. Remus opened his mouth to introduce himself when he looked at her again. She looked strangely familiar. He knew that she had been in his Defense class two years ago, but never noticed her. Of course, his thoughts were about Harry and Sirius's escape from Azkaban.
"Professor Lupin!" she said, standing to the side to let him in.
"It's Remus, Miss York, if you don't mind. I haven't been your Professor in almost two years," he reminded her with a soft smile.
"Ah, well then," she said, closing the door. "My guardian is in the sitting room. I think she wants to speak with you for a moment."
Remus nodded at her and followed Cassie toward the sitting room where an elderly woman with black hair with white streaks was sitting primly on the ancient sofa. The werewolf gave her a slight nod of his head as he took a seat beside Cassie. The air was quiet as the two adults gauged each other.
"You are here to take my ward to a place to visit friends this summer?" the elderly lady asked, her voice raspy.
"I am," Remus nodded his head in confirmation. "She's been invited and given permission to visit. The house is under Fidelius Charm, so it will protect her while she's there."
"Good," she replied with a sharp nod of her head. Remus watched as she turned her gaze toward Cassie. With another sharp nod her head, Cassie rose from the sofa and disappeared from the room, leaving Remus alone with her guardian.
A few minutes passed without another word spoken when Cassie returned with her trunk. She looked like she was trying to hide her excitement about leaving. Giving her guardian another nod of his head, Remus rose to his feet and walked out of the sitting room. Palming his wand, he shrunk her trunk for her. He watched as she pocketed it before retrieving the portkey back to Grimmauld Place.
"Now, if you will touch this key we will leave," he instructed, but paused. "Did you wish to say goodbye?"
"No, I did that already," she replied quietly but reached out and touched the key with one finger. Retracting her finger, she paused and looked at Remus, "Professor, have you heard from Harry?"
Remus paused his wand and looked at her closely, "Why do you ask?"
He watched as she squirmed, "I sent him several letters and I have gotten nothing in return. He promised he would write this summer. I know he's in pain, I know it."
Bewildered, Remus paused his wand and looked at her curiously. The wolf in him screamed caution as they stood there in the foyer of her home. Lowering the portkey, he watched her carefully for a moment, seeing her squirm.
"How do you know he's in pain, Cassie?" he asked quietly, fearing the worst.
He watched as she wrapped her arms around her and lowered her head. Her body trembled as she stood in front of him, refusing to meet his eyes. "I know what happened to Cedric and I know what Harry went through in the graveyard, but I don't think that's it. It's like something is telling me he's hurting. Can you take me to him?"
Remus paused and thought it over quickly. He could contact the Order and have them do a recon, or he could take Cassie directly there and hope that her fear wasn't real. He knew it was better to ask for forgiveness than beg for permission. He couldn't see Albus letting him take Harry from his relatives. Remus never asked why, and the thought irritated him. Even Sirius suspected Albus's intentions toward Harry.
"All right, I'll take you, but to help ease your mind." The werewolf said, observing the young girl.
Pulling out a blue handkerchief, he palmed his wand Portus as he whispered, thinking of his destination. When it glowed blue, he knew he was successful at creating a portkey. Holding it out to Cassie, she placed her finger on it and felt the usual jerk of her navel as they portkey whisked them away.
Landing on his feet, Remus squinted against the scorching July sun that beamed down on him and his charge. As his eyes came into focus, he saw that they were in the middle of suburbia. The houses were neatly stacked side by side with manicured lawns. He noticed with a hint of amusement that nothing was out of place. It felt oddly eerie being here. Scanning the area, he saw they were a few houses away from 4 Privet Drive.
Looking down at his charge, he gave her a small nod. Taking the lead, Remus walked quietly down the sidewalk, hoping he passed as a normal human. His werewolf senses were on high alert as they walked closer to 4 Privet Drive. Behind him, he could smell the fear and anxiety oozing from Cassie. He couldn't tell why she was so fearful, but he would soon find out.
Stopping in front of 4 Privet Drive, Remus looked at the immaculate lawn and house. It seemed such an ordinary place to house an extraordinary wizard. Nothing screamed excitement. Remus had to wonder how Harry stayed sane living here.
Walking toward the front door, Remus could tell that someone was home. More likely it was Petunia, Lily's older sister. Stopping before the door, he raised his arm to knock. Hitting the wooden door with his fist, he could hear the clacking of heels. When the door whipped open, it was a woman with a pinched face. Her eyes narrowed at the two as they disturbed her quiet afternoon.
"Yes?" she hissed at them, her eyes darting around the neighborhood.
"We are here to see Harry Potter," Remus said, watching her every move.
"Why?" Petunia hissed again.
"Because he's my friend and I would like to see him," Cassie answered this time.
Petunia's eyes widened as she finally realized who was standing before her. Widening the door for them to step through, she waved her arm with impatience. Remus raised an eyebrow at her but stepped inside her home. The inside of the house was immaculate. Everything was clean and, well, shiny. Not a single bit of furniture seemed to be out of order. Remus felt like someone was about to pull a prank on him.
"Where is he?" Remus asked, looking around the house for any signs of Harry.
Petunia frowned at him, her eyes narrowing as he continued to ask questions. "He is upstairs. Take him. No one wants him here."
Taken aback, Remus felt like someone had slapped him. What kind of woman would say such a thing about a person? Especially one that she was caring for? Turning his head to Cassie, he nodded toward the stairs. He would not leave her alone with Petunia. He wondered how in Merlin's name was she and Lily related.
Following the young girl up the steps, he heard her gasp in anguish. Rushing up the last few steps, he skidded to a halt, seeing multiple locks and... was that a cat flap? Anger roared in him as the wolf howled. He took a step toward the stairs, readying himself to tear Petunia apart, when he heard someone crying. Taking a breath, he reigned in his anger a bit and looked to see Cassie crying. Reaching for her, he placed his hand on her shoulder and waved his wand. The clicking of the locks would haunt his dreams, but what they found inside would become nightmare fodder.
He stood paralyzed as Cassie rushed into the gloomy room and cursed softly as she plowed into something. Stepping into the room a moment later, after he shook himself of shock, he reached for the light switch. Flipping it on, he felt the blood drain from his face as he took in the surroundings.
It was a tiny room with grimy windows. The room was filled with broken toys and magical books. Harry's trunk was open, his tattered clothes hanging from them. They covered the walls in an old wallpaper that was peeling. It smelled like a teenage boy and anguish. Remus looked to the bed. He saw Harry laying there motionless.
"Harry…." Remus heard Cassie whisper as she took a seat beside him. "Harry, it's Cas. Please wake up."
Remus walked around the cramped room, his wand waving madly as he packed Harry's things. His amber eyes directed on the boy laying in a bed too small for him. He watched with a breaking heart as Cassie tried her best to wake him up. His sensitive ears picked up a heartbeat, so he knew the boy was alive, but just sleeping. Once Harry's things were packed, he placed his hand on the boy's leg, giving it a shake.
"Harry, you need to wake up," Remus said loudly. The boy stirred in his sleep as he moved around the small bed.
"Please go away," Harry moaned into the pillow.
"We will not, Harry Potter," Cassie snapped, much to Remus's surprise. "Now get up, please."
Remus removed his hand and watched as Harry raised up from the foetal position and looked around the room. When his eyes landed on Cassie, Remus saw the boys' body tense up. Harry turned and looked at Remus, with panic in his eyes. The werewolf was instantly on alert. Something was going on and he could tell Harry was afraid. Terrified of what they might find out.
"Why are you here?" Harry asked, looking back at Cassie.
"Prof—I mean, Remus and I are taking you out of here," Cassie explained, glancing at Remus. He gave her a tiny nod of his head, which made her smile.
"Please come with us. Your things are packed and your aunt said you can leave…." Remus said, waving his wand again to shrink the enormous trunk. Reaching down, he picked it up and handed it to Harry, who pocketed it.
Remus vowed to burn everything in this room before it drove him mad. He feared what Sirius might do when he told him. He watched with careful eyes as Harry rose to stand up, only to collapse on the bed a second later. Rushing to his aide, he nudged Cassie aside and helped Harry to stand up. Inspecting the young wizard, Remus saw sweat break out over Harry's forehead. It was taking a lot of energy to stand up for him.
Harry dropped his head on Remus's shoulder and felt arms wound around him. Remus could feel the ribs on his back as his hand glided up and down Harry's back. The anger that was disappearing came roaring back, and it took all his strength to not set Harry down gently and flay the flesh off Petunia.
Turning to Cassie, he watched as tears rolled down her face. Her silver eyes darkened to nearly black, her face contorted in anger. Remus had to blink several times trying to figure out where he had seen that face. "Cassie, do you know how to call the Knight Bus?"
He smiled as she nodded and disappeared from the room. He could hear her feet stomping down the stairs and the door slammed closed a second later. Looking down at Harry, he was instantly grateful for the werewolf strength. Pulling Harry close to him, he checked the boy's pockets for his wand, finding it nowhere.
"Harry," Remus urged. "Where's your wand?"
"Under my pillow," Harry slurred as he fell back asleep.
Reaching for his wand, Remus pointed it at the pillow Accio Harry's wand, he intoned quietly. A second later, the wand flew into his hand as he slipped it in his pocket. Helping Harry down the stairs, he vowed revenge for his... well, his nephew, he supposed. He hadn't really thought about their relationship very much other than Professor and student.
Before they left the house, Remus stopped and turned to see a cupboard under the stairs. Fearing the worst of the rumors he had gleaned from Hermione earlier that summer, he walked over to the cupboard. With a meaty jerk of the handle, the door swung open to see a thin mattress and a few trinket toys scattered about. Remus swore quietly to himself as he realized what he was looking at. It was the cupboard. The same one these beastly Muggles threw Harry into. Before he could do anything rash, he spun on his heel, with Harry draped on him, and headed toward the front door.
Opening the door with a wave of his wand, they stumbled out of the house and into the bright sunlight. Harry hissed from beside him as they continued to walk toward the waiting Knight Bus. Inside, he saw Cassie standing there with her hand over her mouth.
"Eh, the lil lady has a'ready paid for you three," Stan said, stepping back and letting Remus and Harry onto the bus. Nodding his head in thanks, Remus took Harry to a nearby sofa. Using a Sticking Charm on him, he made sure his nephew was comfortable before walking back toward Stan.
"We need to go to 13 Grimmauld Place," Remus instructed Stan before turning away and picking a plush bright red chair beside the sofa he placed Harry on. Sitting at the boy's feet was Cassie, who was trying to keep herself together.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus took off through the streets of Surrey. The furniture moved around the bus, making Remus sick. He always hated taking the Knight Bus, but he didn't have a portkey back to Grimmauld Place. He supposed he could have made one, but he didn't know if Harry could take the landing.
Twenty minutes later, the bus came to a screeching halt in front of 12 Grimmauld Place. Shaking his head, Remus stood up with wobbly legs and helped Harry to stand up, who was finally awake. Slowly, they walked to the front of the bus and stepped down. Cassie stood to the side as Remus fished for something inside his pocket. Finding it a second later, he handed to Harry, who read it before passing it to Cassie, who did the same.
Before their eyes, the brownstone houses moved to the side as another house emerged. The windows looked black as if no one lived there. Once the house emerged fully, Remus gently helped Harry cross the road and up the steps. Helping Harry up the stairs was easier now that the young wizard was awake. Pushing the door open, they walked down the narrow hallway and up the flight of stairs. Remus knew that Molly would have Harry bunk with Ron, but the werewolf couldn't see that being friendly.
The house was eerily quiet as Remus helped Harry up the stairs. As they passed the library, the door ripped open revealing Sirius. Pausing, Remus could feel the anger radiating off his long-time friend. He felt Harry shift in his arms as the boy looked at his godfather.
"What happened?" Sirius growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"We'll talk when we get Harry in bed," Remus assured his friend, hoping that Sirius wouldn't press him right now. He sighed internally as Sirius gave a nod of his head.
Sirius stepped in front of him, leading the way. When another door opened as Hermione rushed out a bedroom. Remus could smell the tears as the smart witch saw her best friend in a horrible state. She rushed toward but stopped quickly, seeing his expression. Everyone stood in the narrow hallway staring at each other. Two of them wondering what happened.
"Let's get him to a room," Sirius said, taking the lead.
A few seconds later, Sirius pushed the door open, revealing a clean bedroom fit for a Gryffindor. Remus carried him toward the bed and gently sat Harry down. Wrapped in loving arms, Harry finally broke down sobbing. Hermione and Cassie sat beside their friend, holding close as he sobbed.
Remus and Sirius stood back as the two friends helped Harry. Placing his hand on Sirius's shoulder, his friend turned to him and Remus shuddered, seeing the dead look mixed with unimaginable anger. Jerking his head softly toward the door, the adults left the room quietly. As the two men left the room, Sirius closed the door behind them. Sighing, he gave a curt nod to Remus, who followed Sirius downstairs to the parlor. Remus wasn't looking forward to telling Sirius what he saw.
Sirius Black might have been locked away in Azkaban for over a decade, but it didn't mean he was an idiot. He didn't think today was going to be bad, even after Remus left to collect Cassie. When he didn't return within the half hour, Sirius worried. Squirreling himself away in the library, the former prisoner tried to occupy his mind, but failed spectacularly. Nearly twenty minutes into his seclusion, he began pacing the vast library. He was surprised that Hermione Granger had not locked herself away in the room.
The house was unnaturally quiet, but with no Weasely's here and Hermione locked away in her room, it left him alone. Only Kreacher popped in once to do something but quickly left muttering about the fallen House of Black. He wanted to kick the demented house-elf but stopped himself. He would try to better for Harry, and it seemed Hermione was their champion. No need to anger a witch who might know more spells than he.
As soon as he left Grimmauld Place to search for his lupine friend, he heard a noise outside the large doors. Quickening his step, he threw the door open to find Remus carrying his godson. Carrying him as if something were wrong with him. Narrowing his eyes, he asked Remus what transpired. When he didn't receive the answer he wanted, he escorted them to Harry's room.
Watching his godson sob shattered his heart. It was imperative that they filled him in. When Remus motioned for them to leave, he followed his friend down the narrow stairs and into the parlor. No sooner did they close the door that Albus walked into the room unannounced.
"Where is Harry Potter?" Albus demanded, looking around the musty parlor.
Sirius and Remus exchanged a look. Neither of them were willing to speak. Sirius took a seat on the ancient and musty sofa and turned his head to look at Albus. He heard Remus take a seat.
"Where is he?" Albus pressed again, looking at the both of them without the twinkle in his eye.
Sirius opened his mouth to tell Albus where he could stick his questions when the door was blown apart. Chunks of broken wood from the door spewed across the parlor. Ducking down, he bats away the debris as he rained down on them. When he opened his eyes, he saw two furious witches standing in the threshold. Both girls had their wands pointed directly at Albus.
"I won't tell you where he is," Cassie said angrily, her wand pointed at the headmaster.
"Neither will I." Hermione added, her ire raging at what she witnessed earlier.
"Now ladies, it's imperative that Harry return to his relatives…." Albus began using his grandfatherly tone.
"No!" Hermione shouted as angry tears fell down her face.
"Headmaster, let me tell you something about his relatives," Cassie sneered at the word. "Do you know how we found him? There were LOCKS on his door and a damn cat flap! When we opened the door, he was laying in the dark in the smallest and worst room I have ever seen!"
"When I held him earlier, I could feel his bones Professor," Hermione said shakily as her anger skyrocketing again hearing her best friend's words. "That is wrong! They are starving him!" she cried. "He could have died if Cassie didn't drag Remus to his house!"
"I'm not sorry when I say that I don't really trust you, Headmaster," Cassie chimed in angrily. "Do you even know what's been going on in that…. house?"
Sirius wanted to jump in and yell at Albus. He was itching to step in and interfere, to say his peace, but he refrained. As the girls continued to berate the Headmaster, the growing headache he had from earlier was turning into a wicked migraine. When Hermione mentioned the Dursely's were starving him, he leapt from the sofa only to be restrained by an angrier Remus.
Twisting and fighting in Remus's arms, Sirius considered apparating, but feared splinching himself. Whipping his head around, he saw amber coloring in Remus's eyes. His friend was perilously close to letting the wolf out. Jabbing his elbow in his lupine friend's stomach, he redirected the anger toward him. It worked for a second until he caught a word from one of the girls.
"He has scars on his back. We've seen them and those horrible people did this to him," Hermione spoke up, her voice deadly as she stalked toward Albus, her wand tight in her hand as she tried to control her impulse to hex Albus. "He won't talk about it…. at least not until he's ready too and you LEFT HIM THERE!"
Her anguish for Harry reached the surface, and she crumpled to the floor, her sobs breaking every piece of Sirius's heart. Cassie saw her friend collapse onto the floor, rushed to her aide and held the brunette witch close to her as the girls sobbed. Wrenching himself away from Remus, he stalked around Albus, placing himself between the headmaster and the girls.
"While that's unfortunate, Harry must go back to the Dursely's. I will take…."
"I am Harry's Godfather. He will stay with me," Sirius stepped in.
"Now Sirius, you're a wanted fugitive. Harry needs to go back to his relatives. It's not safe here…." Albus tried again to steer the chain of command back toward him.
"Get out," Sirius spoke quietly with venom in his voice.
"I beg your pardon," Albus asked, looking at Sirius.
"I said... GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Sirius screamed, finally releasing all the pent up anger from all his years in Azkaban. Every bone in his body shook so badly, he was amazed that he held together.
He felt a brush of wind and knew his old friend was standing beside him. He could see the cypress wand pointing directly at Albus. In seconds, his own wand was in his right hand. He was already ticking off every spell he could cast in under five seconds. His long forgotten Auror training kicking in. Raising his wand, he looked Albus dead in the eye and hoped the old man could see the pure hatred in his own.
"I think it would be best if you leave Albus," Remus spoke up, his voice calm, unlike his demeanor. "As you can tell, no one wants you here…"
Sirius could see the old man was trying to wiggle his way into staying, but when neither he nor Remus lowered their wands, Albus sighed and nodded. Reaching behind him, he felt a small smooth hand grasp his as he pulled the hand around to protect whichever girl he grabbed. Stepping aside, he kept his wand on Albus as the headmaster walked out of the room before apparating with a quiet pop.
Both men turned to look at each other before lowering their wands. Thin arms held onto him were tight and he felt his shirt become wet with tears. Pocketing his wand, he pulled whichever girl around and looked down to see a crown of black hair. He must have Cassie while Remus consoled Hermione. Sirius wrapped his arms around the sobbing girl and let her cry all over him. He wanted to break down and sob too, but he needed to be an adult. Later, he would drown himself in firewhiskey and sob to his hearts' content.
Soon enough the sobs turned into sniffles, and Hermione made her excuse to return to Harry. He could tell she was still quite shaken from the confrontation with Albus. Sirius watched her leave, stepping over the broken debris. Letting go of Cassie, he looked down at her and he felt something pull on his magic as he looked on. He glanced into her eyes and gasped as he realized who she was.
It was her.
His daughter Cassiopeia Dorea Black.
May Merlin and Lady Magic forgive him, but he thought he had lost her all those years ago. Those years he sat in Azkaban knowing that she and Harry were out there, hopefully alive, kept him sane. The night he left to chase after Peter, he never learned what happened to her.
He stood there in complete shock, refusing to blink or even breathe. Flashes of memories traveled quickly through his battered mind, reminding him that Cassie was no longer an infant but a lovely young girl. He didn't feel her remove his hand from her arm. She slipped quietly out of the room, just as Hermione did.
Two sturdy hands grabbed his biceps and pulled him to the sofa, forcing him to sit down. Unblinking, he turned his head slowly as if he was an Inferi and looked at his best friend. He could see the panic and worry in his lupine friends' eyes as he continued to stare.
"Padfoot! Snap out of it. What's going on?" He could hear the worry in Remus's voice.
It didn't matter if Remus was concerned. Here in this house were his kids. His children, whom he abandoned for the sake of justice, were upstairs consoling one another. Sirius felt like he was walking through a viscous liquid and not figuring a way out. He could see all the mistakes he made that fateful night. His mind replayed every smile, coo, and touch from his daughter.
He shut his eyes, trying to erase the memory of holding her one last time, giving her warm and sooty forehead a kiss before giving her to Albus. He trusted the man to keep his daughter safe until he came back for her. Then he would have taken Cassie and Harry and they would have disappeared.
None of that happened.
They threw him in a cell into the worst hell imaginable. Dementors haunted him daily, while the guards tried to beat him to death. He was thankful for his animagus gift. Being a canine kept him sane. The thoughts of Harry and Cassie helped keep him alive. He knew that one day he would be free to be with them. He just didn't expect Cassie to be nearly grown.
"Remus," Sirius said, swallowing hard. "That's Cassie…."
"Yes? I know this Sirius. She's a former student."
"No, Remus! Don't you see!" Sirius grabbed his friend by the biceps in a powerful grip. He wanted to shake him. "That's Cassie. M—my," he paused, struggling to keep his overflowing emotions in check. "That's my daughter."
Remus stood up quickly and looked toward the shattered door. Turning his head back toward Sirius, he sat down heavily beside him. Sirius looked at Remus and nodded his head. "How—How do you know?"
"I can feel the pull on my magic. She will never forgive me, Remus." Sirius dropped his head in his hands and sobbed quietly.
"We'll talk to her," his lupine friend said soothingly. "We'll let Harry know he has a sister…"
"Half sister…." Sirius mumbled through his hands.
Harry Potter awoke in a room with a single candle glowing. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the semi-darkness before slowly rising to a sitting position. He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut as vertigo hit him. He lost count of how many days it had been since he ate food. Living off water and air was slowly thinning him.
He felt a hollow ache in his stomach, reminding him it needed nourishment. He waited until the dizziness passed before he reopened his eyes. As he did, he reached for his glasses. Slipping them on, he gazed about the room. In the semi-darkness, he could tell this wasn't his room at the Durselys.
"Wha-?" he whispered softly, running his fingers through his messy hair.
"Harry!" a familiar voice screeched.
Before he could react, a pair of thin arms wound their way around his body. He inhaled, smelling vanilla and parchment with a hint of ink. Hermione. Wrapping his arms around her, they hugged for several minutes before his arms ached. As they parted, he watched as she scooted to sit on the bed beside him.
"Where am I, Hermione?" he asked.
"You're at Grimmauld Place. In your room that Sirius prepped for you," she answered him quietly.
"Really? How did I get here?" he asked with a mix of surprise and suspicion.
"Professor Lupin and Cassie brought you," she explained quickly. "They went to your house because Cassie had a terrible feeling. I've had this feeling that something was wrong when you never wrote me back…." she mumbled, chewing on her lower lip.
"No one sent me any letters, Hermione," Harry said, turning to reassure her. Placing his hand on top of hers, he nudged her. "I waited all summer to hear from my friends, but received nothing."
"Oh, Harry," she exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms again. "I should have known something was wrong! You always write me back, no matter what."
Harry held his best friend while she cried. It was a tad awkward as most teenage boys don't know how to take care of a crying girl, but Hermione was different. Wrapping his arms around her again, he just sat there and let her cry. It was all he could do. Something else was bothering her, and he knew it. She normally didn't cry over his well-being.
A few minutes later, Harry let her go. He didn't want to, but he did it anyway. They sat there in comfortable silence as neither of them had anything to say. After a few minutes, Harry shifted uneasily as his stomach growled again. This time, he felt pain.
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"Just a few hours. Sirius and Remus are around. Cassie is in our room. I know the Weasley's will be here shortly," she said, wrinkling her nose at the thought of being around Ron and Ginny. Neither of the youngest Weasley's were on friendly terms with Hermione.
"Is there anyway I can get food?" Harry asked, feeling rather embarrassed for asking. Grimmauld Place was his house too. He shouldn't have to ask about food, but living with the Dursely's fixed that.
"Oh! Y—yes," Hermione exclaimed, calling for Kreacher.
Kreacher appeared in the dim room, scowling and mumbling under his breath about blood traitor and filthy mudbloods before he listened.
"Kreacher, we will need something easy for Harry to eat. Maybe hot broth and crackers with tea?" she asked nicely to the house-elf.
Kreacher nodded and popped away softly. Harry stared at her wide-eyed. She kept herself from doing something drastic, like throwing clothes at the poor creature, and instead asked him for his help. Minutes went by before the house-elf returned with a fragrant broth, saltines and a tea set.
Harry felt his mouth water, smelling the broth. Taking the mug in his hands, he sipped it slowly. He was sure if it had not been volcanic hot, he would have gulped it. He felt his stomach clenched tightly. Slowing down, he dipped the saltine in the broth before biting into it. For the first time in ages, he didn't feel embarrassed that someone was watching him eat.
Once done, he sat the mug down and gave Hermione a slight smile. He knew what she did for him, even though he knew she would never ask him. She wouldn't press him why she could feel his bones sticking out like sharp angles. Or why his face seemed sunken in. She would help him and fatten him back up, then berate him on not finishing his summer homework.
A knock on the door prevented Harry from thanking her. He didn't hear Hermione's quiet come in, but stood shakily to his feet. The door pushed open, revealing Cassie and Sirius. They rushed over to him and pulled him into a hug. For the first time in months, Harry felt happy. All three were sobbing as they held each other tightly. Harry realized, with terror, that if Hermione knew about his condition, then Sirius and Cassie knew. They may even know more.
"We need to sit down and talk," Sirius said, breaking away from him and Cassie. Looking at his Godfather in alarm, Harry felt sick. "It's nothing bad, just well…." Padfoot sighed and scratched his chin. "Let's head downstairs, yea?"
Harry nodded slowly at his godfather, yet puzzled about what he needed to tell them. Following them slowly down the narrow stairs, they reached the bottom without Harry falling over. He knew Hermione was three steps behind him, just in case he faltered. Taking a seat on the ancient green couch, Harry gave a sigh of relief. It was going to take a few meals before he could walk without feeling tired.
Sirius took a seat on the black sofa across from Harry. He gave a smile when Cassie sat down beside him. He could tell something was wrong, but couldn't place it. Before Sirius opened his mouth, the door opened revealing Remus, who walked in and took a seat beside his godfather.
"I know it's been a trying day, but what I am about to tell you is the truth. The Merlin's honest truth and when I am done, I hope that you both can forgive me," Sirius began on a serious note. "You both know that I am Harry's godfather, but I am Cassie's father."
"What?"
"What?"
"It's a lengthy story, but when we were in school, James and I were in love with Lily. She even knew it. So when they married shortly after graduation, I became their consort," Sirius paused, seeing their confused faces. "I married them," he said clarifying. "James and Lily had you first, Harry. Then, after taking care of you and becoming your Godfather, I wanted a child. Anyone who knew me would laugh, but your parents didn't laugh."
"Lily and I got pregnant four months after she gave birth to Harry. Cassie, you were born in August, just as the sun was setting. The first time I held you, it was love at first sight. You wrapped your tiny hand around my finger and wouldn't let go," Sirius said, looking at them.
During his godfather's tale, Cassie's hand found his and gripped it with all her might. He winced from how she was crushing his bones. As Sirius wound down his tale, Harry looked over at Cassie, who was actually his half sister. It blew his mind that the whole time he was at Hogwarts, his sister was with him. It disturbed him learning that his parents were a triad. It wasn't something he thought was common.
"We were happy until Voldemort came and killed James and Lily that night. I still don't know how Cassie survived that night. I remember landing on the street outside the burning cottage and rushing in just to find James dead in the hallway. Before I became lost in my grief, I heard the crying of children. Rushing up the steps, I found Lily dead on the floor and Harry and Cassie crying for their mother. Grabbing the both of you, I should have called a house-elf to take you somewhere safe, but I didn't.
As I slowly made my way down the steps, Albus and Hagrid greeted me. My instincts screamed to take both of you away and run as fast as I could, but I didn't. Albus convinced me to let Hagrid take you both to Hogwarts, where you would be safe until I came for you. Handing you two over is the biggest mistake of my life." Sirius sighed and dropped his head into his hands. He felt a warm hand on his back and was instantly grateful for Remus.
"Then you chased after Peter and was arrested shortly after," Harry spoke up quietly. Sirius nodded his head sadly.
"Why didn't the Headmaster inform me last year that you were my father?" Cassie asked, confused. "I know Harry knew that you are his Godfather…."
Lifting his head to look at his daughter, "I don't know Cassie. Maybe he forgot about it…"
Harry snorted softly, "I highly doubt he forgot that you're Cassie's father. He can keep a secret well enough. He's been doing it to me for years."
Sirius watched Cassie sit quietly, listening to Harry's words, and peered at him. Maybe she was trying to find something that made them related. It was strange to have them sitting before him, accepting his story without blowing up at him. So far, neither of them blamed him for that night. No, each of them concluded that this was all Albus's fault.
"Why was Harry sent to the Dursely's and I to Great Aunt Aggie?" Cassie asked, looking back and forth between them.
Sirius gave a humorless laugh, "He sent you there? I'm surprised she let you go to Hogwarts without instilling that Pureblood dragonshit." He took a breath, sitting up. "I don't know why. Maybe he thought sending you both to Petunia would have the Muggles do something drastic."
"I'm younger than Harry, how are we in the same year?" she asked quietly.
"Yea," Harry added, looking at her before turning back to Sirius. "Shouldn't she be in her third year instead of going into fifth year with me?"
"We had it set, as a contract with Albus, that Cassie would start school at the same time you did. I know she was only ten, but we knew that the both of you would want to be there together. When you were babies, the both of you were inseparable." Sirius explained, wishing for a firewhiskey.
His plea was answered as Kreacher popped in quietly with two Butterbeers and a bottle of Ogden's. Two crystal glasses set placed beside the Ogden's. Handing the kids the Butterbeers, he poured Remus and himself a drink. Handing it to Remus, he looked at his old friend and knew that Remus needed the drink badly. Knocking back his own drink, he swallowed the liquid equivalent of fire. His face contorted as his body shook for a second before settling.
Refilling his glass, he looked across the table to see Harry and Cassie speaking quietly. Part of him was grateful to see them so close together, but he had to wonder... how close were they? Shaking his head from the thought, he knew that Cassie, from Hermione, was dating Neville Longbottom and he was certain that his godson fancied a certain bushy haired witch.
Rolling the glass between his palms, he wondered how much more the kids could take. He knew that both of them were hurting from not only emotionally, but physically. At least in Harry's case. He would skin Petunia and that bastard husband of hers slowly. Then heal them and start the process all over. He would break out the Dark Arts books his family coveted and find the nastiest curse he could use without alerting the Ministry.
Looking to his right, he saw Remus watching them. His lupine friend had them in his class last year. How could he have not recognized Cassie? They shared the same hair and eye color. She had Lily's nose and lips, but she inherited his cheekbones! Maybe his old friend wasn't looking for her. For either of them. He wondered how bad it could be for Remus to not find Harry or Cassie.
Maybe Dumbledore had his hand in that too….
"There is one more thing I need to tell you two," Sirius spoke up, setting his glass on the oak table. He could feel Remus's inquiring eyes on him. This was something that no one but he, James, and Lily knew. He watched as his... children turned to look at him.
"Not only am I Harry's Godfather, I also blood adopted him when he was five days old," he said, looking them in the eye, hoping they understood what he was saying. "Right after Cassie was born, I made James her Godfather. He blood adopted Cassie when she was five days old."
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"That means," Sirius took a deep breath. "I am both yours and Cassie's father."
No one said anything for a few minutes. Cassie and Harry stared at each other, trying to gauge how each felt about this revelation. Sirius could feel Remus's eyes bore into the side of his head. If he could, Sirius was sure that Remus could have drilled a small hole and see into his brain.
He refused to look at his best friend, but as he sighed, he turned to his head. "What?"
"You never told me."
"I didn't tell anyone Remus. James, Lily, and I agreed not too," he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "We did it to make sure neither kid would ever lose a parent. If James died, I would have stepped in and vice versa, but no... it was the both of them."
He watched Remus ponder this for a moment before looking back at him, "You still should have said something."
"I know Mooney, I know."
"So, what now?" Cassie asked, turning her head back toward her father.
"What do you mean?"
"Like living arrangements, telling people, letting Gringotts know…" she began, but silenced as her father held up his hand.
"First, if you want to live with me, then fine. We will fix up this hellhole. As for telling people, until my name is cleared, I can't do anything for either of you. I will also owl Gringotts in the morning about this. We might have to sneak me out for a visit." Sirius explained to them.
"I can't," Harry spoke up. "You know the Headmaster will not let me stay with you."
"He said that Harry has to go back to the Dursely's, but why does he have too?" Remus pondered, looking at all of them. "I'm sure he never told you why, did he?"
"I've asked him since first year why I had to go back. I wanted to move in with Sirius right after we rescued him, but Dumbledore kept telling me I had to go back to my relatives." Harry replied, leaning back into the sofa, the Butterbeer warming in his hands.
"It makes little sense why he would insist you go there. I don't know how much he could have prevented in eighty-one, but he could have made sure the both of you stayed with Sirius," Remus mused aloud.
"What about James and Lily's will?" Sirius asked, leaning back into the sofa.
"Don't know," Harry said, looking at his lap. "No one ever said anything to me the few times I've visited Gringotts. I have never received an owl from them."
"Well, we need to change that," Sirius said, rubbing his chin slowly. "I can add that to my letter to Gringotts in the morning. Maybe we need to set up a meeting to go over the Black and Potter Estate."
"Might make it easier," Remus agreed, copying Sirius's pose.
"Well, that's settled," Sirius said, sitting up and facing his two children. "Neither of you are going back to your former homes this summer." He smiled, seeing their faces light up. "You will stay with me and to hell with Albus's insistences."
He could see joy radiating from them as they glanced at each other and smiled. This would give all of them a chance to get to know one another. He would take them to Gringotts, have things fixed there and bring them back. They would need things here that he didn't have. Maybe a shopping trip to buy what they needed.
They would need their own rooms. Harry surely wouldn't want to bunk with Ron and he was certain that, while she and Hermione were friends, Cassie would want her own room. He almost felt sorry for putting Hermione and Ginny in the same room. Ron would most likely toss a fit and demand to know why Harry got his own room. Sirius would deal with that little bugger when the time came.
Harry was already in a room, but it could be repainted and cleaned better. It was something that could take a few hours with elf-magic. As the two teens sat across from him chatting about how to tell Hermione and Neville, he felt something akin to happiness. He knew that Harry had no problem telling Hermione what he learned. Cassie would tell Neville, he was sure of. Sirius had no issue with Frank and Alice's kid, but he would have to asses him close up.
Maybe they should invite the boy over for a week this summer. Let the kids be kids and spend time with each other. If he could convince Augusta to let Harry, Cassie, and Hermione over to Longbottom Hall, it keep the four teens occupied. He was sure she would say yes.
If they would live here with him, he would need another house-elf. Someone who would take their work seriously. As he wracked his fragile brain, he could not come up with a name. He considered asking Albus about buying one of the school elves, but Albus just made his shit list.
"We are gonna need another house-elf," he blurted, looking at his children.
Harry blushed, ducking his head, and refused to look at them. "I have a house-elf. His name is Dobby. I helped free him from Lucius Malfoy at the end of my second year."
Sirius blinked owlishly at his son. He had his own house-elf? The things he could have gotten away with in his youth if he had access to his own house-elf. Shaking his head from the thoughts of his youth and the unimaginable pranks he could have pulled, he looked at Remus who shrugged.
"Do you think he would come here?" Sirius implored.
"Yeah," Harry said hesitatingly. "Dobby!" Harry called out.
A soft pop greeted them a second later as a young house-elf wearing an old grimy sack appeared. His enormous eyes looked around before seeing Harry. Sirius noted with amusement that the house-elf's eyes lit up with joy seeing g his godson.
"Master Harry Potter sir! What are you doing here?" Dobby asked, looking around the room and frowning as he noted the dirt and grime.
Harry coughed, blushing furiously, "Dobby, this is my godfather, and he is looking for an elf to help here. Will you help?"
Dobby turned his head and looked at him in contemplation. Sirius fidgeted in his seat the longer Dobby looked at him. When the house-elf nodded his head, Sirius sighed.
"Dobby can do that! Dobby will make this place clean and shiny for his Harry Potter, sir." The house-elf exclaimed happily with joy in its bulbous eyes.
Sirius snickered at the honorific, shaking his head and ignoring the death glare his son shot him. Cassie smiled at her brother while it amused Remus. The house-elf had energy that Kreacher didn't possess, and it would help with the cleaning and renovation of Grimmauld Place. With that settled, Sirius wondered if he was going to be Dobby's new master or Harry was.
"First thing first, we need to get Cassie and Harry's rooms cleaned for them to live in. They will need clothes and their school supplies brought here," Sirius informed the hyper house-elf. "If either you have personal possession at your former homes, let us know and we'll fetch them for you."
The teens nodded at Sirius, and Dobby disappeared with a quiet pop. Before Sirius could say something they heard a crashing sound from upstairs in one room. It appeared Dobby took his task seriously. Sirius shook his head, realizing the little house-elf would have things done before nightfall. There would be no reason for either of his children to bunk with the Weasleys.
As he watched Harry and Cassie rise from their seats on the couch, Sirius felt a sense of relief and the burden of carrying around the weight of their identities lift from his shoulders. They were finally with him, and he would do everything in his power to protect them and keep them with him. Albus Dumbledore be damned.