SIN WITH ME
Summary: When all goes wrong in Harry's life he wishes he were never born. A normal life seems to be out of his league and the continuous jibes and lies thrown at him put him back at square one. But when Harry Potter gets a break the world suddenly hates him for it. HP/?? Slash!
"Fate is a sadistic mistress and we are her toys, Harry," He was told mournfully. "But when we do her bidding she rewards us, we have both served to her amusement, now it's time to be rewarded." Harry answered him slowly moving closer to chaste lips. "Fate rewards no one especially not sinners." he was gently pushed away. "Your lips are like sin, to touch is a sin." "Then we can sin together!" Harry cried out. (Little snippet to get you interested!)
Rated: R
Disclaimer: I have nothing that would be worth suing me over, I own nothing in this story except for the plot and a few made up characters, so don't complain if I accidentally use some thing that's not mine.
Chapter 1: Patience Is A Virtue
The rest of the morning had gone without any trouble from Malfoy or the rest of the Slytherins which was probably a good thing considering the mood Harry was in. Malfunctioning magic and undeveloped body or not he was as mad as an insulted Hippograff and one push in the wrong direction from someone would set him off on the unfortunate soul.
It was often common that he became invisible in crowds with his head bent forward and his hair hiding his face he blended in with the population easily and if you weren't looking for him you wouldn't find him.
And so Harry ventured through the crowd on the Hogsmeade station platform where the Hogwarts express was awaiting its passengers that very moment. Shooting smoke into the air and making small chugging sounds the scarlet engine that brought him happiness beyond those of any dreams he might have on September 1st of each year easily became the dread of his life on June 30th of each year. This year it did even more so with the prospect of what was supposed to happen that summer hanging over his head.
He hadn't seen Ron, Hermione or Ginny anywhere since his return from Snape's office either and strongly suspected that Dumbledore either told them something or was holing them hostage at Hogwarts so they can't rescue Harry from his relatives that summer. Since the latter sounded absurd even for that lying bastard Dumbledore Harry stuck with the former and assumed they'd been told something about the awkward mix he was in.
He walked to the end of the train only bumping into people clumsily once or twice and found an empty compartment where he stored his things and perched Hedwig's cage on the seat next to him. He opened the latch on her cage door and let her out to stretch her wings smiling when the snowy owl settled on his shoulder and rubbed feathered head against his cheek hooting. His familiar seemed to feel the gloom that flicker and fly around his being like a moth would to light. She nipped his ear and hooted again keeping the boy company through the long train ride. Hedwig would always be loyal to him, she wasn't repulsed at his very appearance, she would never ridicule him, nor would she ever consciously hurt him without being hurt by him beforehand.
It was during that ride that Harry realized he had very few real friends, only a handful that he could name. And seeing as Ron and Hermione hadn't come to find him in the usual compartment that they occupied at the very end of the train then they weren't part of that handful but part of the vast majority that Harry Potter would never again bat an eye for.
//So sure you wouldn't forgive them all like the foolish little Gryffindor you are?\\ the voice laughed
*I may be a Gryffindor 'voice', but I am not foolish. Don't forget that the Sorting Hat wanted to place me in Slytherin, never forget.* He replied darkly and the voice radiated pride in his mind.
//The loss of your friends has opened your mind I see. Let's hope you don't have to lose your head to realize that you have to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.\\
Feeling the last comment was very off hand and imprecise much like an omen in divination he raised an eyebrow seemingly to himself.
*Meaning exactly what smart arse?*
//Meaning are you sure you can trust Snape?\\
*I have nothing to lose by doing so. What he said did make sense anyways.*
//If you say so.\\ the voice trailed and mocking laughter was heard. Harry had long decided that not only was he completely barking mad to invent a cynical voice in his head but that voice was barking mad as well. Showing exactly how sane he really must have been. A sudden urge to know this voice struck him though and for a moment he almost felt silly for asking.
*By the way, who are you?*
//Accepted that I'm not a figment of your imagination yet?\\ it jeered but Harry didn't say yes or no.
*Do you have a name?*
//Acerbus\\was all the voice said and promptly disappeared leaving Harry to mull his mind and recall what it meant, the word obviously in Latin was also some kind of spell he'd read about. Then he remembered Acerbus was a spell that sped up the decomposition process, in Latin it meant bitter, dark, and gloomy. Well at least he knew it fit perfectly well with its personality, or rather his personality seeing as he made it up. But if he made it up then wouldn't he already know its name?
He was left in silence and his own thoughts until he felt the train shudder to a stop and blow its whistle signaling their arrival at Platform 9 ¾.
"Guess it's time to face the music Hedwig." He said to himself and collected his things before having her jump back in the owl cage and making a slow decent off the train. Like he had managed to get his trunk on the train somehow with great effort and a lot of breaks he managed to get it off and onto a trolley before heading out through the barrier. He made no stops to greet or say goodbye to the Weasleys nor any of his other so called 'friends'.
Like every year the station was bustling with muggles that usually just sidestepped him or avoided him giving Harry a strange look once in a while when they spotted Hedwig in her cage. This year even the muggles ran over him and pushed him as if he were invisible. Though invisible he might have been he was still solid so when the particular muggle that had ran into him realized he was indeed there Harry was usually acknowledged by an off look and once in a while a rude gesture of the hands, rarely anyone said anything.
*Am I bloody invisible or something? That would have been useful at Hogwarts!* he mentally muttered expecting to be answered by Acerbus as usual and he wasn't disappointed.
//There will come a time young Mortifer Praeclarus that these men will one day bow down to you. Don't get yourself worked up right now, I think I see that fat lard of an Uncle of yours trying to hide behind barrier number eight.\\
*What did you just call me? Doesn't that mean something along the line of deadly beauty?*
//Yes, you're Latin isn't bad you know. As for the name I think you can wait.\\
*Damn it! I never get any answers around here.* He thought gloomily and looked around the station trying to look as casual as possible instead of raving mad from the voices in his head.
Acerbus was right, behind barrier eight Uncle Vernon was currently trying to hide his blubber behind the wall peeking out every so often probably hoping his nephew wouldn't find him and he could go home a happy man. And if those 'freaks' came to see him he'd casually explain that he had gone to the station and waited for the boy for over an hour with no sign from him.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on the way you look at it Harry did spot the overweight man and pushed his trolley over behind the much bigger man and tapped him on the shoulder trying to hide back a snicker.
"Hello Uncle, it's good to see you again." Actually Harry felt he'd rather have a nice cup of tea with Voldemort and perhaps a Cruciatus Curse his way along with it rather than going back to Privet Drive but his luck had to have run out one day. That didn't mean he couldn't have fun and laugh at his uncle's expense whom must have jumped a foot in the air and gone beat red at that very moment giving him the nastiest glare he'd ever seen.
//Voldemort is prettier than that fat muggle.\\ said quite seriously and Harry had to hold back a smile threatening to seize his face.
*No kidding.*
"I see those freaks couldn't do anything about your face." The said gruffly clearly showing his amusement and grabbed him by the back of his shirt pushing Harry along before resuming the lead. "Hurry up now! Don't tarry, I'm not going to wait on your sorry behind!"
Harry didn't even feel like commenting. The bright side was that he got a good shock in on Vernon before his uncle was able to turn it around on him. He just hoped he wouldn't be paying for it later, with his luck he probably was. Tar the roof, paint the fence, weed the yard, mow the lawn, wash the windows inside and out, fix the gazebo out back, clean Dudley's room, mob the floors, wash the dishes, do the breakfast. That was only one third of the things he'd have to do normally, now that he was older they'll most likely add on a few other things. Perhaps wax the car? Or cook the dinner. Knowing them he'd be doing all that and more with minimal rations of food and a fair share of beatings. Oh the joy that was the Dursleys!
It wasn't much of a surprise when they approached a new roadster that Harry didn't know the name of in the parking lot. After all Vernon buys a new car practically every year, sometimes they would be lower in class sometimes higher and by the looks of it Harry assumed that Grunnings was doing very well this year. Vernon left him to put his things in the boot of he car while starting the engine. Getting them up there was harder than he expected and his uncle had grown so annoyed with him that he almost took off before Harry got into the car properly and shut the door. The result was a scratch on the leather interior in the rear seats. The rest of the ride was spent with his uncle ignoring him and Harry trying to cover the scratch as best as possible. It his uncle found it, he'd be in a wallop of trouble for sure.
As it turned out Vernon hadn't seen the scratch on his precious leather interior and instead when he was parked in the driveway in front of their house just briskly walked inside the house telling Harry to get a move on it and leaving him to his own things. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Dragging his trunk up the walkway he approached the door and turned the handle relieved that he could set down his things for just a moment. But the door wouldn't budge; the Dursley's had locked him out.
*Bloody hell! What do they expect me to do sleep on the front lawn?*
//Say wouldn't it be rather odd if the neighbors see you yelling and pounding at the door with a trunk and an owl in a cage beside you? It isn't exactly normal.\\ Ace as Harry had nicknamed him must could have been a Slytherin if he were ever a person. His devious tone only set an eerie smile on the boy's face and he rubbed his palms together eager to cause a bit of mischief.
"Aunt Petunia!! Uncle Vernon!! Dudley!! Let me in already!!! Mrs. Figg is looking at me funny!!!" He was pounding on the door when all of a sudden it flew open on his last words and someone yanked him inside kicking his trunk and Hedwig's cage in through the doorway in which case his snowy owl gave an indignant hoot and ruffled her feathers angrily.
//Smart lad.\\ the voice whispered and left him as soon as Vernon began executing a thorough yelling fit.
"Boy! How dare you exploit your abnormality in front of the neighbors! I'll have none of your freak behavior this summer! Be warned that if you so much as toe the line I'll flog you within an inch of your life." Harry gasped painfully as the beefy man grabbed him by his hair and pushed him toward the stairs where he stumbled over his trunk. In his haste to get to his room he tripped several times almost barreling down the stairs. Vernon was quite serious with his threats, that was no big secret to the young Gryffindor. He'd make sure to stay out of the man's way but he wouldn't forget the so-called kindness his family had showed him over the years. Especially when he graduated Hogwarts as a certified and fully trained wizard.
*Just you wait Dursleys, just you wait. You'll be sorry you ever knew the name Harry Potter.*
The voice cackled with glee and Harry set about writing a strongly worded letter to Sirius warning him of danger nearby. If anyone else had seen it they would have said he lied but asking his godfather to hide out on whatever island he had been to during the duration of his fourth year Harry expected him to be safe and away from Dumbledore's clutches. His reasons were vague and mysterious enough to bug anyone and Harry realized if he knew Sirius at all then the man would come to see him instead of go into hiding. He wasn't sure if it would work exactly. No, he was positive it wouldn't but that would at least plant some doubt in the man's mind about Albus Dumbledore's motives.
Once he was finished he blew on the ink letting it dry before tying the letter to Hedwig's waiting leg and watching her fly out. If all went as planned he'd be alive to see his 6th year and so would Sirius. If not at least he'd have tried his best.
Hedwig soared out the open window and into the early evening, her white body enveloped by the light of the setting sun hiding her from watching eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sirius Black never considered himself a patient man. Years of Azkaban couldn't even remedy that problem. So being asked to sit tight in a cave in Northern Bulgaria, freezing his arse off even in the summer time was not a way to sooth his nerves while hundreds of miles away his godson was in constant danger. Every day he would have to remind himself that he was there for his godson's good. Dumbledore said so. That had to mean it was the right thing to do.
Recently there hadn't been any Death Eater activity in Bulgaria, why the old Headmaster thought it was their hideout he didn't know. He had so far visited every castle and cave he could find in the country, went to every run down factory or warehouse he could find. Yet he found absolutely nothing, no stray Death Eaters, no Voldemort, and especially no Wormtail.
A deep growl emitted from the man's throat upon the thought of the rat that betrayed his friends and framed him. He wanted nothing more than to rip Wormtail limb from limb with his bare hands and bath in his blood as if it were soapy water. If it wasn't for that coward he wouldn't have gone to Azkaban for twelve years, he wouldn't have had to escape from there, he wouldn't be on the run, and he especially wouldn't have to be hiding out in a cold moldy cave in the middle of nowhere while his orphaned godson was mistreated by his relatives. Goddamn it fate was a bitch! He knew that and so did the entire world.
Sirius ran a shaky hand through his matted hair realizing he was getting to worked up about it. If he didn't calm down soon he might have start hyperventilating, or worse have a stroke. He was lucky enough he didn't have gray hairs but Sirius Black had run out of luck nearly sixteen years ago. Something was bound to happen he could feel it in his gut.
His gut was right as two incoming owls landed in the cave at the site of one, a beautiful snowy owl whom immediately settled on his shoulder and nipped his ear affectionately he grinned stroking her plumage and untying the letter from her leg. Eagerly he opened it and read, his smile slowly faltering and brows furrowing.
Dear Snuffles, How've you been? Have you been eating properly? I hope you have. How's Moony? Have you seen him lately? If you happen to stumble upon him tell him hi for me. My family has been their usual cheerful selves; they've been ignoring me lately so there's no trouble as of yet. All right enough of the pleasantries I have something serious to tell you about but I can't really tell you in this letter in case it's been intercepted.
Today I found out a little bit of what's happening to me. Let's just say I have a contact that told me. It's not going to be pretty Snuffles. Not if I don't get out of here, but don't worry my contact has arranged for me to get out before something happens. I can't tell you what because it'll be painfully obvious if someone were to find this letter. Snuff I've never really asked anything of you before but to stay safe. I need you to stay safe now. Trust me. Go back to that island you've been on when I was in my fourth year. Knowing the headmaster he's probably sent you out on some stupid mission telling you there are rogue Death Eaters that need to be taken care of. Rubbish He's trying to keep you away from me. We're pawns in this game of chess that is life and the old fool is the master game player, he commands the white side of the board and plans everything three steps in advance. He could have been a Slytherin the deceiving bastard! But chess is sometimes unpredictable you have to guess how your opponent is going to move. This time he underestimated his opponent and one of his rooks. That rook has shown me the master plan, and I don't like it.
Do you trust me like you once trusted my father? I hope you do because I'm asking you to right now. I'm asking you to hide. When this mess is over I want a godfather left. I'll be fine. Be safe Snuffles.
Love, Prongs Jr.
Sirius bit his lip and looked around his small cave as if asking the stone interior for assistance. What was he supposed to do? What if this 'contact' had lied to Harry? His godson was one of the most trusting people he'd ever met. Sirius didn't want to be cruel but the boy was rather gullible at times but only out of good nature. And since when had he called Dumbledore an old fool and a deceiving bastard? Something was wrong. During the course of the year the ex-convict had noticed the boy's gloomy outlook on life in his letters often.
He got up so fast that he almost fell over again and Hedwig was forced to fly off his shoulder nipping his neck painfully in anger as he kicked the cave wall and bit back a howl of pain.
*God damn it! Wormtail you bastard! If it weren't for you none of this would be happening!* He snarled and punched the stone with his left fist splitting the skin on his knuckles and cracking the bones in his hand. He cursed so colorfully that a sailor would be put to shame by it.
"Well good thing I have a wand now." He spoke to himself just as he had been for a while now looking down at his broken hand. When you isolated yourself from everyone you tend to want to speak, the walls were your only company and after a while even they grew tired of you. Carefully he tore a piece of cloth off his robe and wiped the blood off before using a charm to fix his hand. It would be stiff for about an hour but eventually would heal.
*What am I supposed to do? He wants me to trust him but he's just a kid. How could I trust just a kid?*
But he knew Harry wasn't just a kid. That kid went on a whim and believed his innocence. That kid saved his life and brought food to him when he came to visit. That kid was the reason he stayed sane and broke out of Azkaban.
*What am I supposed to do?* He repeated himself almost expecting an answer to pop out of thin air if he repeated himself strongly enough. And it did.
//Trust him.\\ Came an eerie voice from inside his head and he jumped up looking around for anyone that had intruded on his cave. There was no one.
*Hello?* He mentally said. *Have I finally cracked? Azkaban couldn't get to me but a fucking cave could?*
A snicker could be heard inside his mind that soon turned to roaring laughter. //Perhaps you've cracked and perhaps you haven't but I'm not the proof that would back it up. Please don't be alarmed\\ it chuckled. But Sirius was very alarmed. Hearing voices in one's head wasn't very healthy. But when those voices answered ones questions one could be sure that he or she was stark raving mad.
*Yes, I Sirius Christian Black have officially gone mad.* he dropped his head on his knees when he sat up on the ground and circled his arms around his legs which he had brought up against his chest. He felt like a lost little child in the middle of Diagon Alley. Without a clue as to which way his mother or father went or whom all the people around his were.
//Want to make that official? We could send a memo into the Daily Prophet, but then again they already think you're crazy.\\
The 'voice' simply wouldn't leave him alone and he groaned finding it useless to block out something his own mind made up and went about trying to act as normal as possible, as normal as an escaped criminal could act. The large tawny owl that had flown in with Hedwig was still there standing patiently on his torn blanket by the small fire he'd erected earlier.
Hedwig was still there of course probably waiting for a reply to her master. He stepped past her and to the strange owl taking the letter it offered and reading it quickly.
He frowned again this time not out of confusion but out of anger. The letter was from Dumbledore and although he wasn't sure at first if the old man was a bastard or not when he'd read Harry's letter he was sure now.
Sirius, I hope you are doing well and this letter finds you in good health. I shall keep this letter as brief as possible for your sake. Your work in Bulgaria is much appreciated here at Hogwarts but I have recently been informed that Bulgaria was simply a distraction. There are a group of Death Eaters on the south side of Berlin, Germany that have been plotting some movement to gain followers in Europe. What I need of you is to spy on them for at least a few months and gather their plans before returning to Hogwarts. As I expected you'd want a report on your young godson's safety I am glad to inform you that his nightmares haven't been to many and he is in good health as our medi-witch has told me. He will be leaving for the Weasleys after his birthday as I've deemed it safe so far with the new wards erected and the elder Weasley children visiting. He will have ample protection I assure you. I realize that you must want to visit the boy that is like a son to you but I beseech you, don't. The Ministry officials are all over the place, small incidents have caused them to believe you are around, but Fudge has kept things under wraps as much as possible.
Good luck, Albus
Albus Dumbledore was definitely a slimy bastard! Bulgaria was simply a distraction! Well so is your Berlin! Bastard!
*Slimy Sadistic Slytherinish Slimeball!* he mentally screamed.
//Bet you can't say that four times fast.\\ the irritating voice was back again. And it had a sense of humor!
*Merlin help me!* he rested his forehead on the stone wall of his cave and breathed steadily calming himself.
It made sense. Harry had to be right. Dumbledore was setting him up, his instructions were vague and up until his godson had shed some light into his dusty head had he realized his was being played. He had no doubt Fudge was covering the attacks on random muggle families and had the newspapers print bogus accounts of propaganda about him but sending him all the way to Bulgaria then Germany was a bit much. Dumbledore had charmed him into his palm when he believed in his innocence but Sirius had been emotionally vulnerable at that time. Now he was beginning to see the truth.
*I have to remember to thank Harry's contact whoever he is.*
//Once you find out I doubt you'll be singing praises in his name Mr. Black.\\ a faint chuckle was heard. That voice was sure cheerful for having laughed so much.
*Right since when do I call myself Mr. Black in my subconscious? Who are you-I mean who am I? Wait, that doesn't sound right. Who is this contact? How do you-I mean, how do I know that it's a he and not a she? How do I know it's not some witch Harry's been shagging for information?*
//I am not your subconscious! Merlin you're as thick as your godson! My name is Acerbus and you are Sirius Black. His contact is the least likely person you'd ever think of, and I know because I know, and Harry's not shagging anyone at the moment considering his puberty predicament. How dare you even think about your godson shagging!\\
Sirius blushed as the voice berated him and scowled when he realized this voice was still a figment of his imagination, which meant that he had been thinking about Harry shagging someone! All those years without a good shag had really taken a toll on him. Had he no shame?
*Right I'm going crazy and before I go completely insane I think I should visit my godson and get some answers. I don't care if I'm in danger of being caught. Screw Dumbledore and his mission, because it's bloody apparent Harry was right. Screw Wormtail for his betrayal. Screw Voldemort for this everlasting interest in MY godson, and for perpetually being evil. Screw Snape.well just because he's Snape! Ewww! I don't want to think about anyone screwing Snape.* He wrinkled his nose in disgust.
//For once I agree, my friend I declare you officially off your rocker.\\
*Where's my bloody certificate proving it?* he thought before gathering his blanket and writing a couple of quick notes on conjured up parchment with conjured quills and ink before attaching them to the two owls' legs. For now he'd lead Dumbledore on, after all the old man wouldn't know whether he went to Berlin or Florida, U.S.A.
And Harry, well he'd just warn his godson he'd be coming for a short visit before leaving to the Caribbean again. That is if he saw it safe enough to leave the boy to his contact.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*ATER'S NOTE*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I've decided to be unimaginably cruel and leave you off here. Since school starts on Tuesday I'm extremely gloomy as of now. That's why most of this chapter was full of snarky sarcasm and witty repartee, as is my outlook on life. A warning to all of you.the first thing I hear in the morning when I wake up better not be someone's voice, it easily irritates me and puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. But then there is a very slim chance I'd meet up with one of my devoted readers, even more slim that I'd sleep with them. Anyways I thank everyone who had reviewed my first chapter! Your praise certainly helped boost my over inflated ego. Many thanks once again.
P.S. REVIEW and tell me your opinions!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise the next chapter will have the action we're all waiting for. Don't hold me to that promise though; I rarely keep promises since I have such an airy head. And no I'm not blonde!
P.P.S. I hate doing spell-checks!
Summary: When all goes wrong in Harry's life he wishes he were never born. A normal life seems to be out of his league and the continuous jibes and lies thrown at him put him back at square one. But when Harry Potter gets a break the world suddenly hates him for it. HP/?? Slash!
"Fate is a sadistic mistress and we are her toys, Harry," He was told mournfully. "But when we do her bidding she rewards us, we have both served to her amusement, now it's time to be rewarded." Harry answered him slowly moving closer to chaste lips. "Fate rewards no one especially not sinners." he was gently pushed away. "Your lips are like sin, to touch is a sin." "Then we can sin together!" Harry cried out. (Little snippet to get you interested!)
Rated: R
Disclaimer: I have nothing that would be worth suing me over, I own nothing in this story except for the plot and a few made up characters, so don't complain if I accidentally use some thing that's not mine.
Chapter 1: Patience Is A Virtue
The rest of the morning had gone without any trouble from Malfoy or the rest of the Slytherins which was probably a good thing considering the mood Harry was in. Malfunctioning magic and undeveloped body or not he was as mad as an insulted Hippograff and one push in the wrong direction from someone would set him off on the unfortunate soul.
It was often common that he became invisible in crowds with his head bent forward and his hair hiding his face he blended in with the population easily and if you weren't looking for him you wouldn't find him.
And so Harry ventured through the crowd on the Hogsmeade station platform where the Hogwarts express was awaiting its passengers that very moment. Shooting smoke into the air and making small chugging sounds the scarlet engine that brought him happiness beyond those of any dreams he might have on September 1st of each year easily became the dread of his life on June 30th of each year. This year it did even more so with the prospect of what was supposed to happen that summer hanging over his head.
He hadn't seen Ron, Hermione or Ginny anywhere since his return from Snape's office either and strongly suspected that Dumbledore either told them something or was holing them hostage at Hogwarts so they can't rescue Harry from his relatives that summer. Since the latter sounded absurd even for that lying bastard Dumbledore Harry stuck with the former and assumed they'd been told something about the awkward mix he was in.
He walked to the end of the train only bumping into people clumsily once or twice and found an empty compartment where he stored his things and perched Hedwig's cage on the seat next to him. He opened the latch on her cage door and let her out to stretch her wings smiling when the snowy owl settled on his shoulder and rubbed feathered head against his cheek hooting. His familiar seemed to feel the gloom that flicker and fly around his being like a moth would to light. She nipped his ear and hooted again keeping the boy company through the long train ride. Hedwig would always be loyal to him, she wasn't repulsed at his very appearance, she would never ridicule him, nor would she ever consciously hurt him without being hurt by him beforehand.
It was during that ride that Harry realized he had very few real friends, only a handful that he could name. And seeing as Ron and Hermione hadn't come to find him in the usual compartment that they occupied at the very end of the train then they weren't part of that handful but part of the vast majority that Harry Potter would never again bat an eye for.
//So sure you wouldn't forgive them all like the foolish little Gryffindor you are?\\ the voice laughed
*I may be a Gryffindor 'voice', but I am not foolish. Don't forget that the Sorting Hat wanted to place me in Slytherin, never forget.* He replied darkly and the voice radiated pride in his mind.
//The loss of your friends has opened your mind I see. Let's hope you don't have to lose your head to realize that you have to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.\\
Feeling the last comment was very off hand and imprecise much like an omen in divination he raised an eyebrow seemingly to himself.
*Meaning exactly what smart arse?*
//Meaning are you sure you can trust Snape?\\
*I have nothing to lose by doing so. What he said did make sense anyways.*
//If you say so.\\ the voice trailed and mocking laughter was heard. Harry had long decided that not only was he completely barking mad to invent a cynical voice in his head but that voice was barking mad as well. Showing exactly how sane he really must have been. A sudden urge to know this voice struck him though and for a moment he almost felt silly for asking.
*By the way, who are you?*
//Accepted that I'm not a figment of your imagination yet?\\ it jeered but Harry didn't say yes or no.
*Do you have a name?*
//Acerbus\\was all the voice said and promptly disappeared leaving Harry to mull his mind and recall what it meant, the word obviously in Latin was also some kind of spell he'd read about. Then he remembered Acerbus was a spell that sped up the decomposition process, in Latin it meant bitter, dark, and gloomy. Well at least he knew it fit perfectly well with its personality, or rather his personality seeing as he made it up. But if he made it up then wouldn't he already know its name?
He was left in silence and his own thoughts until he felt the train shudder to a stop and blow its whistle signaling their arrival at Platform 9 ¾.
"Guess it's time to face the music Hedwig." He said to himself and collected his things before having her jump back in the owl cage and making a slow decent off the train. Like he had managed to get his trunk on the train somehow with great effort and a lot of breaks he managed to get it off and onto a trolley before heading out through the barrier. He made no stops to greet or say goodbye to the Weasleys nor any of his other so called 'friends'.
Like every year the station was bustling with muggles that usually just sidestepped him or avoided him giving Harry a strange look once in a while when they spotted Hedwig in her cage. This year even the muggles ran over him and pushed him as if he were invisible. Though invisible he might have been he was still solid so when the particular muggle that had ran into him realized he was indeed there Harry was usually acknowledged by an off look and once in a while a rude gesture of the hands, rarely anyone said anything.
*Am I bloody invisible or something? That would have been useful at Hogwarts!* he mentally muttered expecting to be answered by Acerbus as usual and he wasn't disappointed.
//There will come a time young Mortifer Praeclarus that these men will one day bow down to you. Don't get yourself worked up right now, I think I see that fat lard of an Uncle of yours trying to hide behind barrier number eight.\\
*What did you just call me? Doesn't that mean something along the line of deadly beauty?*
//Yes, you're Latin isn't bad you know. As for the name I think you can wait.\\
*Damn it! I never get any answers around here.* He thought gloomily and looked around the station trying to look as casual as possible instead of raving mad from the voices in his head.
Acerbus was right, behind barrier eight Uncle Vernon was currently trying to hide his blubber behind the wall peeking out every so often probably hoping his nephew wouldn't find him and he could go home a happy man. And if those 'freaks' came to see him he'd casually explain that he had gone to the station and waited for the boy for over an hour with no sign from him.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on the way you look at it Harry did spot the overweight man and pushed his trolley over behind the much bigger man and tapped him on the shoulder trying to hide back a snicker.
"Hello Uncle, it's good to see you again." Actually Harry felt he'd rather have a nice cup of tea with Voldemort and perhaps a Cruciatus Curse his way along with it rather than going back to Privet Drive but his luck had to have run out one day. That didn't mean he couldn't have fun and laugh at his uncle's expense whom must have jumped a foot in the air and gone beat red at that very moment giving him the nastiest glare he'd ever seen.
//Voldemort is prettier than that fat muggle.\\ said quite seriously and Harry had to hold back a smile threatening to seize his face.
*No kidding.*
"I see those freaks couldn't do anything about your face." The said gruffly clearly showing his amusement and grabbed him by the back of his shirt pushing Harry along before resuming the lead. "Hurry up now! Don't tarry, I'm not going to wait on your sorry behind!"
Harry didn't even feel like commenting. The bright side was that he got a good shock in on Vernon before his uncle was able to turn it around on him. He just hoped he wouldn't be paying for it later, with his luck he probably was. Tar the roof, paint the fence, weed the yard, mow the lawn, wash the windows inside and out, fix the gazebo out back, clean Dudley's room, mob the floors, wash the dishes, do the breakfast. That was only one third of the things he'd have to do normally, now that he was older they'll most likely add on a few other things. Perhaps wax the car? Or cook the dinner. Knowing them he'd be doing all that and more with minimal rations of food and a fair share of beatings. Oh the joy that was the Dursleys!
It wasn't much of a surprise when they approached a new roadster that Harry didn't know the name of in the parking lot. After all Vernon buys a new car practically every year, sometimes they would be lower in class sometimes higher and by the looks of it Harry assumed that Grunnings was doing very well this year. Vernon left him to put his things in the boot of he car while starting the engine. Getting them up there was harder than he expected and his uncle had grown so annoyed with him that he almost took off before Harry got into the car properly and shut the door. The result was a scratch on the leather interior in the rear seats. The rest of the ride was spent with his uncle ignoring him and Harry trying to cover the scratch as best as possible. It his uncle found it, he'd be in a wallop of trouble for sure.
As it turned out Vernon hadn't seen the scratch on his precious leather interior and instead when he was parked in the driveway in front of their house just briskly walked inside the house telling Harry to get a move on it and leaving him to his own things. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Dragging his trunk up the walkway he approached the door and turned the handle relieved that he could set down his things for just a moment. But the door wouldn't budge; the Dursley's had locked him out.
*Bloody hell! What do they expect me to do sleep on the front lawn?*
//Say wouldn't it be rather odd if the neighbors see you yelling and pounding at the door with a trunk and an owl in a cage beside you? It isn't exactly normal.\\ Ace as Harry had nicknamed him must could have been a Slytherin if he were ever a person. His devious tone only set an eerie smile on the boy's face and he rubbed his palms together eager to cause a bit of mischief.
"Aunt Petunia!! Uncle Vernon!! Dudley!! Let me in already!!! Mrs. Figg is looking at me funny!!!" He was pounding on the door when all of a sudden it flew open on his last words and someone yanked him inside kicking his trunk and Hedwig's cage in through the doorway in which case his snowy owl gave an indignant hoot and ruffled her feathers angrily.
//Smart lad.\\ the voice whispered and left him as soon as Vernon began executing a thorough yelling fit.
"Boy! How dare you exploit your abnormality in front of the neighbors! I'll have none of your freak behavior this summer! Be warned that if you so much as toe the line I'll flog you within an inch of your life." Harry gasped painfully as the beefy man grabbed him by his hair and pushed him toward the stairs where he stumbled over his trunk. In his haste to get to his room he tripped several times almost barreling down the stairs. Vernon was quite serious with his threats, that was no big secret to the young Gryffindor. He'd make sure to stay out of the man's way but he wouldn't forget the so-called kindness his family had showed him over the years. Especially when he graduated Hogwarts as a certified and fully trained wizard.
*Just you wait Dursleys, just you wait. You'll be sorry you ever knew the name Harry Potter.*
The voice cackled with glee and Harry set about writing a strongly worded letter to Sirius warning him of danger nearby. If anyone else had seen it they would have said he lied but asking his godfather to hide out on whatever island he had been to during the duration of his fourth year Harry expected him to be safe and away from Dumbledore's clutches. His reasons were vague and mysterious enough to bug anyone and Harry realized if he knew Sirius at all then the man would come to see him instead of go into hiding. He wasn't sure if it would work exactly. No, he was positive it wouldn't but that would at least plant some doubt in the man's mind about Albus Dumbledore's motives.
Once he was finished he blew on the ink letting it dry before tying the letter to Hedwig's waiting leg and watching her fly out. If all went as planned he'd be alive to see his 6th year and so would Sirius. If not at least he'd have tried his best.
Hedwig soared out the open window and into the early evening, her white body enveloped by the light of the setting sun hiding her from watching eyes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sirius Black never considered himself a patient man. Years of Azkaban couldn't even remedy that problem. So being asked to sit tight in a cave in Northern Bulgaria, freezing his arse off even in the summer time was not a way to sooth his nerves while hundreds of miles away his godson was in constant danger. Every day he would have to remind himself that he was there for his godson's good. Dumbledore said so. That had to mean it was the right thing to do.
Recently there hadn't been any Death Eater activity in Bulgaria, why the old Headmaster thought it was their hideout he didn't know. He had so far visited every castle and cave he could find in the country, went to every run down factory or warehouse he could find. Yet he found absolutely nothing, no stray Death Eaters, no Voldemort, and especially no Wormtail.
A deep growl emitted from the man's throat upon the thought of the rat that betrayed his friends and framed him. He wanted nothing more than to rip Wormtail limb from limb with his bare hands and bath in his blood as if it were soapy water. If it wasn't for that coward he wouldn't have gone to Azkaban for twelve years, he wouldn't have had to escape from there, he wouldn't be on the run, and he especially wouldn't have to be hiding out in a cold moldy cave in the middle of nowhere while his orphaned godson was mistreated by his relatives. Goddamn it fate was a bitch! He knew that and so did the entire world.
Sirius ran a shaky hand through his matted hair realizing he was getting to worked up about it. If he didn't calm down soon he might have start hyperventilating, or worse have a stroke. He was lucky enough he didn't have gray hairs but Sirius Black had run out of luck nearly sixteen years ago. Something was bound to happen he could feel it in his gut.
His gut was right as two incoming owls landed in the cave at the site of one, a beautiful snowy owl whom immediately settled on his shoulder and nipped his ear affectionately he grinned stroking her plumage and untying the letter from her leg. Eagerly he opened it and read, his smile slowly faltering and brows furrowing.
Dear Snuffles, How've you been? Have you been eating properly? I hope you have. How's Moony? Have you seen him lately? If you happen to stumble upon him tell him hi for me. My family has been their usual cheerful selves; they've been ignoring me lately so there's no trouble as of yet. All right enough of the pleasantries I have something serious to tell you about but I can't really tell you in this letter in case it's been intercepted.
Today I found out a little bit of what's happening to me. Let's just say I have a contact that told me. It's not going to be pretty Snuffles. Not if I don't get out of here, but don't worry my contact has arranged for me to get out before something happens. I can't tell you what because it'll be painfully obvious if someone were to find this letter. Snuff I've never really asked anything of you before but to stay safe. I need you to stay safe now. Trust me. Go back to that island you've been on when I was in my fourth year. Knowing the headmaster he's probably sent you out on some stupid mission telling you there are rogue Death Eaters that need to be taken care of. Rubbish He's trying to keep you away from me. We're pawns in this game of chess that is life and the old fool is the master game player, he commands the white side of the board and plans everything three steps in advance. He could have been a Slytherin the deceiving bastard! But chess is sometimes unpredictable you have to guess how your opponent is going to move. This time he underestimated his opponent and one of his rooks. That rook has shown me the master plan, and I don't like it.
Do you trust me like you once trusted my father? I hope you do because I'm asking you to right now. I'm asking you to hide. When this mess is over I want a godfather left. I'll be fine. Be safe Snuffles.
Love, Prongs Jr.
Sirius bit his lip and looked around his small cave as if asking the stone interior for assistance. What was he supposed to do? What if this 'contact' had lied to Harry? His godson was one of the most trusting people he'd ever met. Sirius didn't want to be cruel but the boy was rather gullible at times but only out of good nature. And since when had he called Dumbledore an old fool and a deceiving bastard? Something was wrong. During the course of the year the ex-convict had noticed the boy's gloomy outlook on life in his letters often.
He got up so fast that he almost fell over again and Hedwig was forced to fly off his shoulder nipping his neck painfully in anger as he kicked the cave wall and bit back a howl of pain.
*God damn it! Wormtail you bastard! If it weren't for you none of this would be happening!* He snarled and punched the stone with his left fist splitting the skin on his knuckles and cracking the bones in his hand. He cursed so colorfully that a sailor would be put to shame by it.
"Well good thing I have a wand now." He spoke to himself just as he had been for a while now looking down at his broken hand. When you isolated yourself from everyone you tend to want to speak, the walls were your only company and after a while even they grew tired of you. Carefully he tore a piece of cloth off his robe and wiped the blood off before using a charm to fix his hand. It would be stiff for about an hour but eventually would heal.
*What am I supposed to do? He wants me to trust him but he's just a kid. How could I trust just a kid?*
But he knew Harry wasn't just a kid. That kid went on a whim and believed his innocence. That kid saved his life and brought food to him when he came to visit. That kid was the reason he stayed sane and broke out of Azkaban.
*What am I supposed to do?* He repeated himself almost expecting an answer to pop out of thin air if he repeated himself strongly enough. And it did.
//Trust him.\\ Came an eerie voice from inside his head and he jumped up looking around for anyone that had intruded on his cave. There was no one.
*Hello?* He mentally said. *Have I finally cracked? Azkaban couldn't get to me but a fucking cave could?*
A snicker could be heard inside his mind that soon turned to roaring laughter. //Perhaps you've cracked and perhaps you haven't but I'm not the proof that would back it up. Please don't be alarmed\\ it chuckled. But Sirius was very alarmed. Hearing voices in one's head wasn't very healthy. But when those voices answered ones questions one could be sure that he or she was stark raving mad.
*Yes, I Sirius Christian Black have officially gone mad.* he dropped his head on his knees when he sat up on the ground and circled his arms around his legs which he had brought up against his chest. He felt like a lost little child in the middle of Diagon Alley. Without a clue as to which way his mother or father went or whom all the people around his were.
//Want to make that official? We could send a memo into the Daily Prophet, but then again they already think you're crazy.\\
The 'voice' simply wouldn't leave him alone and he groaned finding it useless to block out something his own mind made up and went about trying to act as normal as possible, as normal as an escaped criminal could act. The large tawny owl that had flown in with Hedwig was still there standing patiently on his torn blanket by the small fire he'd erected earlier.
Hedwig was still there of course probably waiting for a reply to her master. He stepped past her and to the strange owl taking the letter it offered and reading it quickly.
He frowned again this time not out of confusion but out of anger. The letter was from Dumbledore and although he wasn't sure at first if the old man was a bastard or not when he'd read Harry's letter he was sure now.
Sirius, I hope you are doing well and this letter finds you in good health. I shall keep this letter as brief as possible for your sake. Your work in Bulgaria is much appreciated here at Hogwarts but I have recently been informed that Bulgaria was simply a distraction. There are a group of Death Eaters on the south side of Berlin, Germany that have been plotting some movement to gain followers in Europe. What I need of you is to spy on them for at least a few months and gather their plans before returning to Hogwarts. As I expected you'd want a report on your young godson's safety I am glad to inform you that his nightmares haven't been to many and he is in good health as our medi-witch has told me. He will be leaving for the Weasleys after his birthday as I've deemed it safe so far with the new wards erected and the elder Weasley children visiting. He will have ample protection I assure you. I realize that you must want to visit the boy that is like a son to you but I beseech you, don't. The Ministry officials are all over the place, small incidents have caused them to believe you are around, but Fudge has kept things under wraps as much as possible.
Good luck, Albus
Albus Dumbledore was definitely a slimy bastard! Bulgaria was simply a distraction! Well so is your Berlin! Bastard!
*Slimy Sadistic Slytherinish Slimeball!* he mentally screamed.
//Bet you can't say that four times fast.\\ the irritating voice was back again. And it had a sense of humor!
*Merlin help me!* he rested his forehead on the stone wall of his cave and breathed steadily calming himself.
It made sense. Harry had to be right. Dumbledore was setting him up, his instructions were vague and up until his godson had shed some light into his dusty head had he realized his was being played. He had no doubt Fudge was covering the attacks on random muggle families and had the newspapers print bogus accounts of propaganda about him but sending him all the way to Bulgaria then Germany was a bit much. Dumbledore had charmed him into his palm when he believed in his innocence but Sirius had been emotionally vulnerable at that time. Now he was beginning to see the truth.
*I have to remember to thank Harry's contact whoever he is.*
//Once you find out I doubt you'll be singing praises in his name Mr. Black.\\ a faint chuckle was heard. That voice was sure cheerful for having laughed so much.
*Right since when do I call myself Mr. Black in my subconscious? Who are you-I mean who am I? Wait, that doesn't sound right. Who is this contact? How do you-I mean, how do I know that it's a he and not a she? How do I know it's not some witch Harry's been shagging for information?*
//I am not your subconscious! Merlin you're as thick as your godson! My name is Acerbus and you are Sirius Black. His contact is the least likely person you'd ever think of, and I know because I know, and Harry's not shagging anyone at the moment considering his puberty predicament. How dare you even think about your godson shagging!\\
Sirius blushed as the voice berated him and scowled when he realized this voice was still a figment of his imagination, which meant that he had been thinking about Harry shagging someone! All those years without a good shag had really taken a toll on him. Had he no shame?
*Right I'm going crazy and before I go completely insane I think I should visit my godson and get some answers. I don't care if I'm in danger of being caught. Screw Dumbledore and his mission, because it's bloody apparent Harry was right. Screw Wormtail for his betrayal. Screw Voldemort for this everlasting interest in MY godson, and for perpetually being evil. Screw Snape.well just because he's Snape! Ewww! I don't want to think about anyone screwing Snape.* He wrinkled his nose in disgust.
//For once I agree, my friend I declare you officially off your rocker.\\
*Where's my bloody certificate proving it?* he thought before gathering his blanket and writing a couple of quick notes on conjured up parchment with conjured quills and ink before attaching them to the two owls' legs. For now he'd lead Dumbledore on, after all the old man wouldn't know whether he went to Berlin or Florida, U.S.A.
And Harry, well he'd just warn his godson he'd be coming for a short visit before leaving to the Caribbean again. That is if he saw it safe enough to leave the boy to his contact.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*ATER'S NOTE*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I've decided to be unimaginably cruel and leave you off here. Since school starts on Tuesday I'm extremely gloomy as of now. That's why most of this chapter was full of snarky sarcasm and witty repartee, as is my outlook on life. A warning to all of you.the first thing I hear in the morning when I wake up better not be someone's voice, it easily irritates me and puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. But then there is a very slim chance I'd meet up with one of my devoted readers, even more slim that I'd sleep with them. Anyways I thank everyone who had reviewed my first chapter! Your praise certainly helped boost my over inflated ego. Many thanks once again.
P.S. REVIEW and tell me your opinions!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise the next chapter will have the action we're all waiting for. Don't hold me to that promise though; I rarely keep promises since I have such an airy head. And no I'm not blonde!
P.P.S. I hate doing spell-checks!
