A/N: Yes, I am still working on the conclusion of Heart. Yes, I am still working on the other stories. I have had some trouble finding time to write lately, so I decided to upload this to keep people happy until I can get some work done on the others. This was a thought I had at random, much like Heart started out as. Before I knew it I had 15 chapters outlined, three written, and more ideas for the rest of it, plus ideas flowing for others (new and ongoing). I will warn you all now, there are things to question, motives to wonder about, and egos that will take a bruising. With that said, welcome to Finding the Way Home.
Chapter 1: The Discovery of Deception
Sirius Black was deep in thought as he rode Buckbeak the Hippogriff away from Hogwarts. His thoughts dwelled on how to find Wormtail and clear his name of the crimes he was wrongly accused of and spent twelve years for in Azkaban. The little rat could be anywhere by now. Even if the Hippogriff understood what to look for, Pettigrew could have transformed into his human form and Apparated anywhere in the British Isles with the head start he was given by that ponce Snape. Sirius knew he needed a place to hide. A place to plan. A place to feel safe, even if it was just for a little while.
For some reason, Sirius suddenly thought of Potter Manor. The one place he had always felt welcome. The one place he would feel safest for a long time. The one place he had truly called home in his youth. Memories of that time in his life replayed in his mind, making him grin sadly. James and his parents had added him to the wards long ago to let him know they considered him part of their family. Sirius wondered if he was still on the list. He knew Potter Manor was protected by special wards that were Unplottable, had a special form of the Fidelius Charm that only people on the list could find it, and were strong enough to hide anyone for a long time. If he could remember where it was, Sirius would know he was still cleared to go there.
Like a flash of lightning, the location became clear in his mind. Sirius smiled as he directed Buckbeak to turn slightly southwest toward the South of England. A feeling of hope sprang up inside of Sirius for the first time in a very long time. Now all he had to do was make it to Potter Manor without being seen by the Dementors, the Aurors, or any other Ministry of Magic employee. The Manor was still a long way away, but with a little luck, Sirius would be safe in an hour or so.
More memories bombarded his mind of simpler times as he journeyed southward. Being a teenager enjoying the summer holidays with his three best friends at the Manor, before Peter turned on them. Enjoying the company of his best friend's parents who treated him like their own son. Fleamont and Euphonia were the best adults he had ever met back then. Much better people than his own parents. Orion and Walburga Black were so deep into the Blood Supremacy movement and the Dark Arts that it was a wonder he had been able to escape all that rubbish. The only other two members of his family that he knew of that had not turned out Dark were his late Uncle Alphard and his cousin Andromeda.
All three of them had been deemed blood traitors and blasted off the Black Family Tapestry by his mother. His uncle for thinking the Purebloods were foolish, and his cousin for marrying a Muggleborn. Sirius had been blasted off for being Sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin, ending centuries of Blacks in the House of Salazar. Sirius would not have changed his Sorting or his choice of friends, even if his parents had loved him the way parents should have. The Potters were just too good to him over the years for Sirius not to think that way.
Sirius shook out of his reverie as he saw the sun was starting to rise in the east as he neared the estate boundary of Potter Manor. He could see the slight shimmer of the wards in the early dawn's light. Sirius had to smile again. Soon, he would be safe. Soon, he would be home. Sirius glanced around to make sure he was not being followed before urging Buckbeak through the barrier.
As they passed through the wards, the sprawling estate came into clear view. Sirius directed Buckbeak to make a pass over the grounds so he could have a look around. The Quidditch pitch looked manicured as always. The woods and the small lake in the back corner of the property looked the same, if not a little more lush. The back garden was vibrant with flowers of all kinds. The lawn on all sides of the Manor looked as well maintained as ever. The large manor house was clean of ivy except for the very bottom around the entire house like it had been so many years ago.
Everything looked the same as it did the last time Sirius was there. This confused him a little. The only reason for the estate to look so good after so long being empty was that the house elves were still there and still working. Sirius realized that they were probably waiting for Harry to reach the age of majority and take his inheritance, which would include the Manor.
"Careful of the grass, Buckbeak," Sirius chuckled as they neared the ground. "Wouldn't want to upset the house-elves, now would we?"
Buckbeak squawked a reply that sounded unconcerned, but Sirius felt how lightly and gently the Hippogriff landed on the lawn of the back garden.
"Well done, Buckbeak," Sirius praised as he dismounted. He stroked Buckbeak's neck feathers as he looked around some more. Nothing had changed, and this still felt like home. With a sigh of relief knowing he was safe for the time being, Sirius started to walk toward the back door of the Manor. He stopped as a loud pop sounded in front of him.
"Mister Sirius has come home!" gushed a house elf in a little black suit with the Potter Family Crest on the left breast as it rushed toward Sirius. "Natty is so happy to be seeing youse again, Mister Sirius!"
"Natty!" smiled Sirius as he knelt to hug the little elf. "It's good to be home."
"Natty and the rest of the elves knews youse would never betray Master James!" Natty sputtered as tears of joy sprang to his eyes and shook his head vigorously. "We is knowing it was not true! Youse is safe here with us, Mister Sirius!"
"Thank you, Natty," Sirius breathed.
"We is already taken Mister Peter off the wards long ago," Natty nodded proudly. "We is also added Master Harry's other half to the wards."
"Whoa! Wait! What? Harry's other half?" Sirius looked at the elf confused. What could the little elf possibly mean by that, Sirius wondered.
"Oh, yes, sir, Mister Sirius," Natty nodded. "Master Harry be bound to his other half last year. But the bond his being blocked by someone. He is not knowing it yet, but bond be very strong. Block will not hold." Sirius still looked at Natty in confusion. Natty leaned closer to Sirius with a lowered voice. "Natty thinks it same old Wizard that took Master James and Mrs. Lily's rememberings away. Some of the others not want to think of the old great Wizard that way, but Natty be almost sure it being him!"
"Took James and Lily's memories?" Sirius asked in shocked confusion. "Blocking a bond? Old great Wizard?" Sirius paused as he thought of those words. A thought sprang to his mind of the only old great Wizard he could think of. "Do you mean Dumbledore? Natty, what are you on about?"
"Yes, sir! Ohs, Mister Sirius, it be so troubling!" Natty shook his little head, his voice cracking. Natty looked at Sirius' appearance as he composed himself. "Come, Natty will explain after youse is cleaned up and fed."
Sirius stood with a shake of his head. Something was going on and he wanted some answers. His stomach growled, making Sirius realize how hungry he really was. The answers could wait for a while. He was safe here and had the time to wait. Sirius turned as the Hippogriff squawked again. "Oh, could someone feed Buckbeak as well, Natty?"
"Ohs, yes, sir, Mister Sirius," Natty nodded as he snapped his fingers. Two more house elves appeared near Buckbeak with a large pile of dead ferrets. "Westy, take Buckbeak to stables with the other creatures."
Westy, the taller of the two elves nodded at Natty without a word.
"Thank you, Natty," Sirius grinned. He turned to face the other elves. "And thank you, Westy."
Westy merely nodded. Sirius watched as the two house-elves, dressed in farming overalls, led Buckbeak toward the stables. The Potters had always taken in Magical and non-Magical animals that needed to be cared for. It was a passion of Euphina's that Fleamont never denied. All through the Potter family history, there were two constants; redheaded women and taking in animals in need. Sirius wondered what other creatures were in the stables these days. Shaking that thought away, Sirius turned back toward the Manor, letting Natty lead the way.
"Youse old room is still waiting fors youse, Mister Sirius," Natty grinned as they entered the back door. "Does youse be remembering the way?"
"I do, Natty," Sirius smiled fondly at the elf. "I'll be back down in a little while."
"Of course, sir," Natty nodded. "Natty will get Bobetta to makes youse some breakfasts."
Sirius nodded as he made his way to the central staircase. The inside of the Manor hadn't changed a bit either. It was still the same polished black and white marble with gold and silver inlay. The stairs still had the rich, soft deep red carpet that ran up the center of the steps. The marble busts of past Potter men still lined the far wall in small alcoves by the stairs. James had once told him, that the busts were put into place once a Potter male died. Sirius noted that the place reserved for James was empty. How could that be? James was dead. He and Lily had died that long ago Halloween night. He had seen their bodies. Sorrow threatened to overtake him as the memories of that night washed over him. Sirius breathed deeply, forcing his mind to stop.
Sirius sighed again as he continued up the stairs. He paused as he passed Fleamont Potter's alcove. Sirius stared at the bust for a few seconds. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Nothing was making sense. He looked back at the empty alcove reserved for James. Natty's words echoed in Sirius' head. Some kind of a bond and Harry. Dumbledore taking James and Lily's memories. Everything Natty had told him since the little elf had appeared in front of him only gave Sirius a feeling that anything he had thought was true about that long ago night was wrong.
Sirius opened the door to his old room as he shook those thoughts out of his mind for the moment. He looked around quickly with a chuckle. Natty was right. His room was just as he had left it the day he had moved out to his apartment in London. The red and gold Gryffindor banners and crests still adored the walls and bed. The carpet still had the Gryffindor Lion embroidered into it. Sirius exhaled in relief as he slipped out of his prison clothes. He stood in the shower, relishing in the hot spray for a long time. Finally, he washed the twelve years of grime and disgust from Azkaban off his body.
After drying off, Sirius found fresh clothes waiting for him on his bed, along with a wand. He recognized that wand. It was the wand he had won in a duel with Marlene McKinnon's brother before their family was killed. The whole duel had been because her brother hadn't approved of their dating. Sirius had to push those memories away as well, they were just too painful, even after all these years. He had loved Marlene and had asked her to marry him shortly after that duel. But Marlene was gone, and she wasn't coming back. It wouldn't do him any good to dwell on that heartache.
Sirius had forgotten he had left the wand here all those years ago when he had moved out. He picked it up, feeling the tingle in his hand. It might not be his original wand, but it was a wand that would obey him. Sirius looked in the mirror as he waved the wand around his head. His hair shortened; his beard shaped into the old style he liked. Sirius sighed in relief again as he Magically fixed his rotted teeth. After dressing, Sirius stood in front of the mirror again.
"There you are, Padfoot," he told his reflection. "Looking much better, and feeling more like your old self."
After adjusting his jacket one last time, Sirius headed back down to the kitchen. He stopped by the small alcoves where Fleamont's bust was and where James' bust should have been. He stared at the empty space for several moments, a thoughtful frown creasing his lips. Something was definitely not right. Sirius just hoped Natty could explain it. If not, maybe Remus would have an answer. Sirius nodded to himself as he turned away to continue down the stairs.
As he neared the kitchen, the smell of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and tea greeted his nose. Sirius entered the kitchen to see two house-elves placing plates on the table. Natty looked up with a broad smile. The other elf, who was dressed in a little maid's uniform, froze for a split second after setting a plate full of food down.
"Mister Sirius!" the female elf hollered as she ran to him.
"Bobetta!" Sirius smiled as he knelt to greet the elf with a hug. "It's so good to see you again."
"Ohs, youse too, Mister Sirius!" Bobetta gushed as her eyes brimmed with tears.
"Now, now. None of that," Sirius grinned as he wiped a few tears from Bobetta's cheek. Bobetta nodded but continued to smile. "Thank you for breakfast, Bobetta."
"Oh, it being my pleasure, Mister Sirius," she gushed as she led him to the table by his hand.
"Natty, I was thinking," Sirius turned to the other house-elf as he sat down. "I think maybe you should bring Remus here before you explain. I'm sure he'd like to hear this as well."
"Of course, Mister Sirius," the little elf nodded with a broad grin. "Natty is going to get Mister Wolfie."
Sirius chuckled as the elf popped away. All of the house-elves of Potter Manor had referred to Remus that way since they had been teenagers, much to Remus' annoyance. Without even being told, Bobetta started setting a second place at the table. Sirius smiled at her as he tucked in. He was halfway through his plate before Natty and Remus Lupin appeared.
"Moony!" Sirius smirked as he stood to hug his old friend.
"Padfoot," Remus breathed as he hugged him. He looked at Sirius as they broke. "I'm glad you're safe."
"Of course, I am," Sirius smiled that cocky smile at Remus. "Did you expect anything less?"
"How did you even get here?" Remus asked looking around to see where they were. "I thought the list and location were closed until Harry becomes of age, or that's what Dumbledore told me, at least."
"From the little I've heard from Natty," Sirius gave Remus a dark look, "Dumbledore is a questionable source for information."
"What do you mean?" Remus asked looking confused as he sat down at the table.
"I'm still not completely certain," Sirius lamented. "Haven't heard the whole story yet. But we will after we eat Bobetta's delicious food. Wouldn't want to offend her, now would we?" He gave Remus a pointed look, flicking his eyes to his plate.
Remus chuckled as he smiled at Bobetta before lifting his fork to start eating.
"You're looking better than the last time I saw you, Padfoot," Remus commented as he started shoveling eggs into his mouth.
"The wonders a shower, some clean clothes, and a wand will do," answered Sirius with a cheeky smile.
"Where's the Hippogriff?" asked Remus starting in on his bacon. "I'm sure Hagrid would like to know it's safe."
"Buckbeak is out in the stables," Sirius replied with a pointed look as he finished his sausages. "Natty had the grounds elves take him there after we landed." Sirius paused to take a drink of his tea as he sat back waiting for Remus to finish eating. "How's Harry?"
"A bit disappointed that I had to resign thanks to Severus," frowned Remus as he finished his toast.
"Snivillis outed you," glared Sirius.
"Yes," Remus sighed. He shrugged. "Nothing I haven't been through before."
Sirius grunted as he shook his head. Remus always took these outrageous setbacks to his life too much in stride. If Remus would take a stand and fight the system once in a while, things like that wouldn't happen. Sirius frowned with a sigh, finishing his tea. He knew it was pointless to argue with Remus on this, at least for now. The only one that seemed able to reach through Remus' thick stubborn attitudes was Lily. That reminded Sirius of why he had Natty bring Remus there in the first place.
"Now then," Sirius cleared his throat as he set his teacup down. "Natty, please tell us what you meant earlier. In detail. From the beginning."
"Yes, sir, Mister Sirius," Natty nodded.
Remus raised an eyebrow at Sirius, but he held up his hand to stop Remus from asking any questions. Sirius nodded at Natty to begin.
"Old great Wizard is coming to Manor one night before Master Harry was being born."
"Dumbledore?" Remus asked for clarification.
"Yes, sir, Mister Wolfie," Natty nodded. Remus frowned at Natty but said nothing as he heard Sirius chuckle quietly. "Old Wizard be telling Master James and Mrs. Lily that Seer be seeing something about Master Harry and bad Wizard. He be wanting Master James and Mrs. Lily to go to hidey-hole."
"A prophecy?" Sirius asked for his own clarification.
"Yes, sir," Natty nodded. "Master James told old Wizard that they be safest here. Old Wizard not wanting to take Master's refusal. He tell Master they must go. Master James not be liking that. Master was quite angry. He be sending old Wizard away. But after Master Harry be being born, old Wizard coming back. He tell Master James they must go to hidey-hole again. That bad Wizard after them and Master Harry. Master refused again." Natty paused as tears started brimming in his eyes as he talked.
Sirius placed a hand on Natty's small shoulder, giving him an encouraging nod. Remus sat wide-eyed, shocked speechless.
"Old Wizard be leaving again, but he coming back soon after with two strangers that he tell Master James are for protecting." Natty paused to wipe his tears. "Mrs. Lily was being in a right temper at this."
"I'll bet she was," Sirius nodded with a grin.
"Oh, yes, sir, she was," Natty gave a water chuckle. "Mrs. Lily be giving old Wizard good yelling at, but old Wizard be ignoring Mrs. Lily. Old Wizard wait until Master James be tossing him out again. Then he put Master and Mrs. Lily to sleep." He paused as he gulped back tears again. "Then old Wizard be taking Master James and Mrs. Lily's rememberings," Natty stopped as he started sobbing in earnest.
Remus looked at Sirius with a gaping mouth. Sirius returned the look with a frowning nod. "Now you know why I wanted you here to hear this."
"But…" Remus started. "That could mean…"
Sirius nodded as he turned back to Natty as the little elf took a deep breath.
"Natty sorry, sirs. It just being so hurty to speak of again," Natty swallowed as he composed himself again.
"It's alright, Natty," Sirius smiled. "We understand. Take your time."
Natty nodded as he wiped more tears away. "Whiles Master and Mrs. Lily being asleep from spell, old Wizard be cutting some hair from they heads. Old Wizard then make the two strangers drink bubbly, muddy drinks with the hairs in it. Then there being two Master James and Mrs. Lily!"
"Polyjuice potion," Sirius frowned. The empty alcove was starting to make sense.
"Wait," Remus broke out of his stupor. "Natty, you're saying James and Lily are alive?"
"Yes, sir," Natty nodded. "Old Wizard then be putting Master James and Mrs. Lily's rememberings into the fake Master and Mrs. Lily. Old Wizard taking his wand and made real Master and Mrs. Lily wake up and leave with another spell. Old Wizard then be telling real Master and Mrs. Lily they is different peoples. But Natty couldn't hear the names. Old Wizard told them to go over the big water and stay there. Old Wizard then be taking little Master Harry and fake Master James and Mrs. Lily to Founder's town."
"Godric's Hollow," frowned Sirius. "But which big water?"
"Big water to the west, sir," Bobetta answered for Natty. She smiled sheepishly as they looked at her. Sirius gave her an approving smile.
"The Americas," Remus surmised with a nod. "Makes sense to keep them out of the way."
"How do know all this, Natty?" Sirius asked.
"Natty and Bobetta be hidey in next room," Natty answered with a blush. "Natty not be trusting old Wizard after first visit. Bobetta caught Natty spying on old Wizard's second visit. Bobetta being Natty's extra eyes and ears after."
"It was the right thing to do," Sirius nodded. "Well done."
"Thank you, Mister Sirius," Natty sagged. "But wes is not able to stop old Wizard, and wes not hear names old Wizard be saying."
"Wes can feel Master James and Mrs. Lily alive, but not wheres they are," Bobetta added sadly. "They's just too far away to sense clearly."
"Just telling us what happened helps loads, Natty. And your information is like gold, Bobetta. It gives us a place to start," Sirius comforted the little elves. He turned to Remus. "That explains why James and Lily left the Manor for a less secure place."
"It does, indeed," Remus agreed still looking shocked with the news. Sirius grinned impishly at Remus, suddenly.
"Now, Natty," Sirius turned back to the little elf, "what's this about Harry being bound to someone?"
"What?" Remus hollered looking confused. "Harry's what?"
"Oh, yes sirs," Natty nodded with a broad smile. "Master Harry is being bound to the one he be saving last year."
"Saved…last year…?" Remus thought out loud. He looked at Sirius with wide eyes. "Ginny Weasley!"
"The Potter Curse continues," Sirius barked out a laugh. He turned back to Natty. "You said the bond was being blocked?"
"Yes, sir, Mister Sirius," Natty nodded.
"Blocked?" Remus asked. "Blocked how?" He paused as he thought for a second. "It would take…"
"Yes, sirs," Natty nodded grimly. "Natty can feel the block and they being bound. But like Natty saying before, binding too strong for even old Wizard's Magic."
"Dumbledore again," frowned Remus. Natty nodded. Remus growled softly. "I'm starting to see what mean about Dumbledore now, Padfoot."
Sirius sat back stroking his goatee in deep thought. He had a responsibility to keep Harry safe. One he had already failed once, but not again. Sirius also knew he had to find James and Lily. He knew Harry's summer accommodations were less than ideal, but until he could clear his name or find James and Lily, or both, Sirius could do nothing for his godson without Dumbledore getting suspicious. Or could he? A thought occurred to him as he remembered a flier he had seen in Hogsmeade before the end of term. The Quidditch World Cup was coming up, and he knew how much Harry and the Weasleys loved Quidditch. A grin spread across his face as he thought of how to kill two birds with one spell.
"Natty, get some gold out of the Potter Vault, buy some Quidditch World Cup tickets, say…ten…" Sirius started as he picked up a piece of parchment from the counter. "Make sure Arthur Weasley thinks they came from the Ministry. If you have to, plant the idea of him taking Harry with his family."
"Yes, sir, Mister Sirius," Natty grinned with a nod before popping away.
"He'll enjoy that," Remus commented with a grin. "And it could start breaking the block on the bond."
"I know," Sirius smiled. He turned back to Remus with a serious face. "Any ideas on how to restore stolen memories?"
"No," Remus frowned. He stared off with a thoughtful look. "A Healer might know."
"A…Healer…?" Sirius asked slowly. His eyes suddenly flew wide. "Andromeda!"
"Your cousin?" asked Remus with an uncertain look. "We have to be careful of who we trust, Padfoot..."
"She's the only remaining Black I would ever trust," Sirius retorted. "Besides, she's a Healer, and married to a Muggleborn. She has no love for the Dark Arts."
"But doesn't she have a daughter that became an Auror?" Remus asked.
Before Sirius could reply, Natty reappeared with a proud look.
"Natty is having no trouble with youse orders, Mister Sirius."
"Well done, Natty," Sirius nodded. "Yes, Moony, her daughter is an Auror, who was trained by Mad-Eye Moody. But we'll just have to take that chance to help James, Lily, and most importantly, Harry."
"Harry?" Remus asked. He gave Sirius a dark look. "Other than the block on the bond, what's wrong with Harry?"
"Dumbledore placed him with Petunia," Sirius answered darkly.
"The more I hear, the less I'm beginning to trust Dumbledore," Remus frowned. "Or even like the man."
"Here's a little more food for thought, Moony," Sirius looked pointedly at his old friend. "Who's Chief Warlock? Who has sway with most of the Heads of the Ministry? Who can have the Head of the DMLE overrule the Minister about looking into a case again?"
Remus looked rattled. He had never realized. He had even talked to Dumbledore after Sirius and Peter escaped, but Dumbledore had told him that his hands were tied. How could a man as influential as Albus Dumbledore not be able to do something for an innocent man on the run? The answer was all too obvious now, he didn't want to. That realization settled into Remus' stomach like a chunk of lead. All the years of trusting the man, gone in a single conversation with his best friend and two house-elves.
"We need a plan to contact Andromeda," Remus nodded with a set jaw.
"A letter asking her and her family to come here should be sufficient," Sirius nodded.
"But I think I should write it, just in case," Remus pointed out as he reached for the parchment and quill. As he began writing, he glanced up at Sirius. "I think you should hide until we know we can trust them, and I can explain about you and Peter."
Sirius nodded. He then turned to Natty. "Make sure Andromeda's daughter and husband come with her. They have a right to know about me."
"And her daughter could be a help in clearing your name," Remus commented offhandedly as he wrote.
"There's the Moony I know," Sirius smiled. Remus smirked at Sirius as he handed the letter to Natty. "Now, off you go, Natty."
"Yes, sirs," Natty smiled before disappearing again.
"Bobetta, prepare a lunch for five," Sirius told her as he stood.
"Yes, Mister Sirius," she nodded as she started clearing the dishes from the table.
"Before they get here," Sirius started as he looked at Remus. "Come take a look at this."
"At what?" Remus asked as he followed Sirius out of the kitchen.
"If you have any doubts about James and Lily being alive, this will end them," Sirius replied.
"What are you on about, Padfoot?" Remus asked a little confused.
"Remember what Monty and James told us the first time we came here about the busts?" He asked as he led Remus to the stairs and the empty alcove.
"Yes," Remus nodded.
"Have a look," Sirius pointed as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Remus stared at the alcove for several seconds with wide eyes. He then turned to see all the past Potter males lining the wall all the way up the stairs. It was the only empty alcove except Harry's. Remus spun back to Sirius with the look of shock on his face once more.
"That confirms it, Padfoot," Remus finally spoke. "We need to start planning," he added with a firm nod.
"That we do, Moony. That we do," Sirius grinned as he clapped Remus on the shoulder.
Andromeda Tonks sat in her clinic office filling out her charts from her morning appointments. She glanced at her afternoon schedule as she turned to the last one. She smiled seeing no appointments for the afternoon. She would have some time to spend with her daughter on her day off, which were few and far between since her daughter became a full Auror last year. Andromeda finished her paperwork quickly before standing. She walked across the courtyard that separated her husband's repair shop and her clinic, knowing her daughter would be there talking with her father as he worked.
"Hi, mum."
"Hi, honey."
"I knew you would be in here pestering your father, Nymphadora," Andromeda smiled as she walked in the back door.
"Mum," her daughter growled slightly as her hair changed from pink to red. "We've been over this a thousand times!"
"Andi, must you always call Dora that?" her husband sighed, looking up from the pocket watch he was working on.
"It is her name, Theodore," Andromeda stated with a smug look as Ted frowned at her. She knew they both hated being called by their full names just as much as she disliked her husband shortening hers. But as a family, they tolerated the others doing it. Andromeda usually called her daughter by her full name just to get a rise out of her. Although, her daughter seemed less tolerant of it since she had graduated from Hogwarts and went to Auror training.
Ted rolled his eyes at his wife.
"And you know…" her daughter started, grumpily, but was cut off by the pop of a house-elf appearing.
"Can I help you?" Ted asked looking over at the elf, hoping the distraction would end Dora's grumpiness.
"Oh, yes, sir," Natty nodded. "Natty is being sent to deliver this to Mrs. Andromeda and hers family." Natty held out the letter to Andromeda.
"What's this?" she asked as she took the letter with a little confusion. She opened it to see who it was from, not recognizing the handwriting.
Dear Andromeda and family,
My name is Remus Lupin. I am a dear friend of your cousin, Sirius Black. I ask you and your family to please come with the house-elf that delivered this. I have some things to discuss with you about Sirius and ask for your professional opinion as a Healer on a question I have. It is a matter of some urgency. Please bring your husband and daughter with you.
Yours,
Remus Lupin
Andromeda looked back at the house-elf a little more confused. He was in a little suit with a family crest on his left breast pocket. She didn't recognize the crest, but it did look familiar. She just couldn't place it. Andromeda handed the letter to Ted to read. Ted looked at it quizzically as he read it quickly. He looked up with a shrug. Dora snatched the letter from her father.
"As an Auror, I have to go to follow any lead I get on Sirius, mum," Dora told her after reading the letter.
"You can't seriously believe he's guilty?" Andromeda frowned at her. "We've been over that at least a thousand times, as well."
"I didn't say that," Dora answered, shaking her head. "I said, I have to follow leads. Whether I turn them into the Ministry is another matter. He is family, after all."
"Alright, Natty, was it?" Andromeda asked. Natty nodded. "Take us to this Remus Lupin."
"Yes, ma'am," Natty smiled extending his hands for them to take.
They reappeared in a very luxurious kitchen in what looked to be a very large manor with a very large estate outside. A man rose from the table set for five as they looked around.
"Welcome to Potter Manor," Remus greeted them. He extended his hand. "I'm Remus Lupin."
"Ted Tonks," he nodded as he took Remus' hand. "My wife Andromeda and daughter Dora."
"Hello," Remus nodded to Andromeda. He paused slightly as he looked at Dora. She blushed as her pink hair changed to match her face. "Metamorphmagnus?"
"Yes," Dora breathed as she took his hand.
"Please, have a seat," Remus motioned to the table as he cleared his throat, but not taking his eyes off of Dora. Ted and Andromeda exchanged a look as they walked over to the table. Remus pulled a chair out for Dora before she sat. She blushed more as she let Remus push the chair in for her.
"What's this about, Mr. Lupin?" asked Andromeda. Remus startled slightly as he looked over at her. Dora giggled, causing Ted to raise an eyebrow at her.
"First, I have to tell you that your cousin Sirius is an innocent man," Remus started. "Peter Pettigrew was the Potters' Secret Keeper, not Sirius. He is also very much alive."
"Are you sure of this?" Dora asked as she made notes.
"Yes," Remus answered turning back to her. "I helped flush Pettigrew out of hiding. He is also a Death Eater."
Dora looked up at Remus with wide eyes. "Why didn't you tell all this to the Ministry?"
"They won't take the word of a…werewolf," Remus answered quietly. "Or the word of three thirteen-year-olds. Even though one of them was Harry Potter who witnessed it."
"Well, I will!" Andromeda spoke with certainty. "I knew he wouldn't betray James! I told you, Ted!"
"I know you did," Ted nodded. "I never believed it either, remember?"
"As I told my parents before we came here, Mr. Lupin," Dora started. "I have to follow the leads, but Sirius is also family, and I chose not to relay this to the Ministry until we have more proof."
"So, you do believe me?" Remus asked, looking at each of them. They all nodded. "Good," he sighed in relief. "We had to be sure we could trust you first." He turned toward the door. "Padfoot."
Sirius walked in, stopping just inside the door. Andromeda sprang out of her chair to hug her cousin. "Sirius!"
"Hello, Andi," he smiled as he hugged her. Dora joined her mother in hugging him. "Hello, to you, too, Nymphadora."
"Git!" she swatted his arm hard as her hair changed to a fiery red. "You know better!"
Sirius barked out a laugh as he hugged Dora again. "You know I had to, especially with how much you were blushing at Remus."
Dora glanced back at Remus, her hair changing from fiery red to bright red to match her flaming cheeks again.
"I think it's a lovely name for a lovely young lady," Remus smiled. He sighed suddenly. "But as a werewolf…"
"Thank you," Dora gulped. "And I don't care. It's a medical condition, not who you are."
Sirius barked out a laugh again, pointing at Remus. "Isn't that what Lils always used to tell you all the time, Moony?"
"Not now, Padfoot," Remus blushed sheepishly.
"As entertaining as this is," Andi smiled at her daughter before turning to Remus. "What else is this about? You said something about needing my professional opinion on something?"
"You may want to sit down again for this, Andi," Sirius told her.
After they had taken their seats again, Sirius and Remus explained what Natty and Bobetta had told them that morning about James and Lily as they ate lunch. Ted sat in a state of shock. Dora looked between Sirius and Remus with a gaping mouth. Andi looked thoughtful.
"I would have to examine them to be sure," Andi nodded, "but I think I can reverse the memory charm."
"Do you know where they are?" Dora asked, still in awe.
"Somewhere in the Americas," Sirius answered.
"Then we need to find them," Andi nodded. "But you can't travel very well, Siri."
Sirius looked thoughtfully at Ted. "Natty."
"Yes, Mister Sirius," Natty stepped forward.
"Do we have any Polyjuice in the storeroom?" Sirius asked as he stroked his chin. A smile spread across Andi's face as she realized what Sirius was thinking.
"Oh, yes, sir," Natty answered.
Ted looked between Sirius, Andi, and Natty realizing what was going through their minds. "Well, I needed a haircut anyway," he sighed.