Disclaimer; not mine
Chapter 43
Outkast came round on the floor of her living room flat, Sirius was by her side still out could. He looked bad, his hair was long and streaked with grey. She got up and tried to levitate Sirius into the spare room, she got him a inch off the ground but couldn't manage any more, sighing in defeat she cleared the coffee table and turned it over, her wand that had been the missing leg clatter to the floor
"This had better not be permanent" she muttered picking up the piece of wood with distaste she pointed it at Sirius;
"Wingardium Leviosa" she muttered and the body floated into the air. After she got him settled in the spare room she went into the kitchen and made a coffee, black with ten sugars in the hope of recovering her energy quicker, she used her wand to pin her hair out of the way secretly pleased that the entire house didn't need magic to work. She curled up on the couch and waited for her house guest to wake.
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"Morning" Harry said sleepily as he came down for breakfast, his father and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already in there, he was the first of the children to get up Mr Weasley smiled in acknowledgement, Molly went to fetch him a coffee and some toast his father looked up from the paper with an raised eyebrow,
"Has he-who-shall-not-be-named evil twin shown up again?" Harry shrugged
"Haven't seen her since yesterday morning why?" Severus handed him the paper
"She's been busy" he left leaving Harry confused, until he read the headlines;
MINISTER OF MAGIC OFFERS APOLOGY AND TRUCE TO THE BOY-WHO-LIVED!!
Harry almost chocked on the coffee. How in the name of all things magical had Outkast (because no one else would have managed it) got Minster Fudge-it to give him an apology as well as offer a truce. Harry wasn't sure he was gong to accept either but it was still and amazing turn of events, he wished she was around to talk to but she hadn't been back since yesterday. If it had been anyone else he would have been worried but he wasn't sure that even the Dark Lord himself would be able to take her down. Still he wanted her back here with them, she was becoming very important to him.
Ron and Hermione cam down a few moments later and he handed them the paper,
"I don't know how she does it I really don't" he said was they read it in silence. By the time everyone was up and had read the article gossip was widespread with rumours from she had forged the letter to bribing the Minister, though most were angling towards the twins theory that she removed his testicles and wouldn't give them back until he signed it. Harry didn't think that she would do any of those; he thought blackmail would be far more her style but didn't voice that opinion.
By lunchtime the fuss had died down somewhat but the paper had been framed and stuck to the wall in the dining room, when Harry discovered it he had tried to get it down, this proved more difficult then he suspected. The others had predicted his reaction and so it had been charmed to keep moving out of his reach every time he approached it. Much to his dismay this charm he been extended to include all those they deemed possibly for him to get to help. This had lead to a rather amusing game of mini Quidditch with the paper as the Snitch and Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George as seeker's when the adults have discovered that the ruckus was caused by the manic chasing of the paper which had resulted in the breaking of many items, they had stuck it permanently on the ceiling, leading to much pouting.
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Outkast was sitting down for lunch when she heard movement in the guest room, the door opened and a confused Sirius stumbled out, he looked at her and then around the flat
"Who are you? Where I am? What happened to Harry?" He got increasingly more distressed with each question. Outkast sighed;
"It's not so much where and when, it' now December. You were in a fight at the Ministry of Magic, Bellatrix LeStrange hit you with a stunner and you fell through the Veil. You have been stuck in the after world until now, I am sorry but it was the first opportunity for me to free you. As to the rest of it you better sit down this is going to take a while" Sirius nodded and took a seat opposite her. He listened in a horrified silence as Outkast revealed the events of that year, what had happened to Harry and his new family. What surprised Outkast the most was that the news that most took Sirius by surprise was not Harry's parentage, but the incident between him and Remus. She had to tie him to a chair to hear her out before he went out and gutted his friend, as she got to the end he held his head in his hands
"My God why didn't he say I never knew" he chocked. Outkast put an arm around him, trying to shake the idea that she was betraying Severus to his nemesis.
"He told no one, it was discovered. But you can be there fore him now, we all can but you need a few days to recover as do I. we will be back for Christmas but you will need your strength. Harry's fragile and depressed he's been hurting since you left Sirius no doubt he will improve when he sees you. Please don't expect it to be like it was, you'll have to share him with Severus. You can't ask him to chose" Siruis nodded;
"I know but it doesn't mean I have t like it" He muttered. Outkast smiled
"Yeah well until then, want some lunch? You need to eat" she said pushing a plate of chips towards him.
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"FILTHY MUDBLOODS, TRAITORS!"
"OH DO SHUT UP" Harry screamed back at the picture before losing his temper. He grinned evilly
"Well if we can't remove you we will just have to vandalise you" He smirked and went up to his room, he returned to the still shouting portrait with a black marker pen, he stunned the image of the late Mrs. Black and then drew a padlocked zip across her mouth. He made it part of the picture before reanimating her.
"MUFPH!" she muttered but it was no where near as loud
"Harry what are you doing?" Hermione gasped
"You can't use magic outside of school they could expel you!"
"Not when the Minister's making nice and besides wandless doesn't register, Outkast told me" Hermione glared at him trying to be mad but ending up in giggles watching the irate picture trying to talk.
"I must admit I like you artistic talent" Harry grinned
"Yes I really liked the way the padlock gleams when she gets cross" with that they left the portrait to itself.
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Sirius sat in Outkast's living, unbeknownst to him he sat in the same place that Harry had chosen when he needed to think, he stared at the now empty snake tank and briefly wonders why there was an upside down three legged table on the floor. Outkast reappeared from the bedroom with her hair dripping wet from the shower, she sighed and sat down on the chair curling her feet underneath her body.
"What's on you mind?" she said looking at him whilst running a towel through her hair
"Harry" he said simply.
"When can we go to them?" Outkast rolled her eyes, she had already answered him about ten times but he wasn't hearing her
"You have to wait, you're magically drained at the moment, if we were attack we would lose, we both need to recover, you more then me" he nodded
"How long?" Outkast shrugged
"I'm not sure, can you transform at the moment?" he stared at her blankly so she tried again
"You are animagus right? Harry seems to think you are" He nodded again and tried to
turn into Padfoot, he managed a paw before it became too much. Outkast gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze
"Give it time. And stop moping, he's safe and well" Sirius nodded but still didn't seem to believe it. Outkast fixed her hair with her wand and disappeared into the Dojo, she found that the workout always helped her think.
A couple of hours later Sirius found his thoughts disturbed by a tapping on the glass, at the same moment Outkast reappeared from the Dojo, looking rather worn out.
"Something triggered the wards have you noticed anything?" Sirius pointed to the window where a white blur was going frantic. Outkast opened the window and Hedwig flew in, she just about remembered to deliver her letter before bombarding into Sirius, hooting happily. Sirius was laughing, Harry's pets was normally far too dignified for this kind of behaviour
"Hedwig, calm down your going to hurt one of us" he said trying to get hold of her before she broke her wing. She did calm a little settling on sitting on his shoulder and nipping his ear affectionately. Outkast grinned and then turned to the letter.
Hi Outcast,
Where are you? Are you ok? You left yesterday and no one has see you since, I know I'm probably worrying over nothing and my father seems to thinks it's entirely normal for you to take off for a few days and not tell anyone but I'm a little concerned. Can you please send a letter or something back with Hedwig just to let me know you fine? Thank you
Harry.
P.s. Professor Dumbledore said to tell you that you will want to be around tomorrow night to meet some old friends. I hope that make sense to you, I don't know how he knew I was writing I haven't even told my father!
Outkast folded the letter and put it in her pocket she wondered over to a desk and retrieved a ball point pen and paper to write her reply
"OW stop that!" she turned to see the Hedwig had got hold of Sirius' finger and wasn't letting go, she tried not to smile while chastising the owl
"Hedwig don't break him before Harry has a chance to see him. I promise it won't be long but we need to recover before leaving the wards." She turned to Sirius
"There is some beacon in the fridge that she might find more appetising then you" Sirius gave her a look
"And a fridge would be what?" she rolled her eyes
"Sheltered wizards" she muttered "The white thing that looks like a cupboard in the kitchen I assume you know what that is" Sirius made a face before going in search of the beacon leaving Outkast to write her reply;
Harry,
Firstly it's OutKast with a K (I know that's not technically the correct spelling but I like to be difficult!). I'm fine I was just picking up some presents and doing a few things and gave myself magical exhaustion, am at the club so don't worry will be back soon. Tell Albus I'll be there but I want to meet up with you first, it's about your father's present. Will see you soon
The one and only!
She didn't bother signing it there was no point. She heard a loud bang from the direction she had sent Sirius in
"There's no beacon in here, it's full of dirty cups!" she rolled her eyes,
"That would be the dishwasher. Honestly don't you know anything about muggles?"
"I know of them" was the sheepish reply, Outkast counted to ten under her breath before going after him. She found the beacon and gave some to Hedwig, forcing her to release her hold on Sirius. After her snack Outkast quickly attached the letter to her leg taking her to the window
"Here take this back to Harry" She hooted reproachfully
"Oh don't give me that you will see him soon, I promise and don't tell Harry" Hedwig gave her a look that basically said Yeah I'm going to do semaphore with my wings before flying off. Outkast shook her head
"That bird has way too much personality and a brain that rivals Hermione" she muttered, Sirius snorted,
"Ain't that the truth" he said still nursing his bitten fingers. Outkast grinned at him there was something rather amusing about a full grown wizard being bested by a snowy owl. She decided that she had better not comment on that and went back to her room with the intention of getting catnap before ordering food.
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That night Outkast made her way back to headquarters she smiled at the younger members who were all very confused why she was there at an Order meeting and ignored the blatant glares that a certain snowy owl was giving her and went into the dining room. Conversation stopped as the members turned to stare at her.
"What are you doing here this is member's only" growled Mad-eye
"Well then it's a good thing I'm a member then isn't it?" she gave him a sweetly smile before commandeering the seat next to Severus.
"You are not a member of the order, you refused" Mad-eye still hadn't forgiven her for nearly killing him, understandable really but Outkast didn't really care he was beginning to piss her off;
"Look I reconsidered and if you don't believe me ask the Governor" she said indicating to Albus as he walked through the door. The headmaster deliberately ignored the tension in the room and pretended not to hear the comments being made as he entered
"Good evening everyone, firstly I would like to welcome our newest member" he nodded at Outkast, she returned with a half hearted salute and then glared triumphantly at Mad-eye.
"You said no, what changed your mind?" Severus whispered as Albus went over his report from the Slytherin corner of the school she grinned
"It's cheaper then a movie and there's free coffee" she said picking up the cup Molly had just deposited in front of her.
"What's a movie?" he replied, she rolled her eyes and muttered what sound like 'as bad as each other' under her breath but before he had a chance to question her Albus called attention back to him
"Now a lot of you are aware of Outkast's link to Tom, for those of you who are not then please talk to one of us after. This offer's her unusual insight to the Dark Lord" Outkast interrupted him
"No I can tell you about Tom, the Dark Lord I have hardly met, as I keep telling you they are two entirely different people, you only don't see it Albus because they both hate you" Albus looked at her over his glasses
"I'm am not convinced by that" she snorted
"Until you are you won't win, Voldemort can not survive without Tom but Tom can survive without him, he's a victim of this too" many people snorted, no one was really convince so she tried again
"Look I'm telling you that Voldemort is a daemon who possessed my brother when he was 16 that's why you can't kill him, he will just go on and on until he is banished back to his dimension…" Albus lost his patience's
"Really you went about this through the last war and cost us several months looking for banishing spells, whether you accept it or not your brother is doing this Outkast and you are either going to help us or leave" Outkast went to argue but then sighed in defeat
"What do you want me to do?" she whispered outwardly accepting defeat, inwardly plotting how to convince the only person who mattered.
"I want you to continue training young Harry, you seem to have built a good rapport with him. In addition please can you keep an eye on the DA, I know they will wish to help if they know enough, try and keep Harry teaching them defence rather then offence." She nodded; she had been planning on doing that anyway.
Soon enough the meeting was drawn to a close and the groups left. Outkast went to find Harry, who was at the time losing badly at Wizards chess to Ron.
"Hi guys, seeing as you have already lost Harry can I have a quick word?" Harry was about to protest the assumption he'd lost until Ron's queen smashed his king and Ron's gleefully announced check mate. Harry shrugged and followed Outkast into an empty room. She produced a small back from her pocket and opened it, in it was a simple silver chain on which hung a black rose with a silver stem, around the stem of the rose was coiled a snake with emerald eyes. Harry was quite surprised
"It's stunning" he said, she blushed and looked embarrassed, definitely not something he's seen on her before.
"Thanks I hope he likes it, the thing is that I've put protection charms on it, the snake is Sev and rose I guess is me, it sort of appeared when I added my blood to. I don't know if you have been told this but the blood of a one who loves you can offer strong protection from harm" Harry smiled a little
"Yeah I heard that" he said, running his hand over the pendent.
"So what do you want me to do?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to add protection to it as well, your father is not exactly an unknown low target, to Voldemort, like you he needs protecting" Harry agreed and nodded
"Sure, what do I do" he looked at Outkast waiting for an explanation. Outkast produce a small dagger from her pocket,
"All you have to do is prick you finger and let the blood fall on the chain whilst thinking about Sev and what you feel for him and the need to keep him from harm" Harry nodded and took the blade from her. He made a small cut on his index finger and let the blood fall. He thought about all the times his dad had held him, how safe he had felt and how much he needed him. Two drops hit the pendent,
"Ok you can stop now" Outkast said watching as the chain absorbed the blood. The chain emitted a blue glow that engulfed the entire thing it lasted a few second and when it had died the pendent had changed, now in front of the rose was a sword that look like the sword of Gryffindor but wound round the blade was the emerald eyes snake. Outkast smiled
"Wow, thanks I think it's done now" she picked it up and put it back in the back noticing with a little surprised just how much more power it was now emanating. Outkast said a few goodbye's before heading back to her flat, she didn't give a reason and just said 'because' if anyone asked.
She collapsed on to her bed feeling very drained, still only two more days and she wouldn't have to keep moving and on the plus side her magic was beginning to return, she had managed to conjure a coffee earlier which although was not much was an improvement. By Christmas day she too should be up to full strength, which was good because she really did hate having to carry a wand….
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"I'm not getting in there" Sirius was adamant, he didn't know who this woman thought she was but there was no way in the name of all things magical he was going to do what she suggested.
"Look please it will be really cool and it will make his day"
"NO!" Outkast pouted
"Fine but I know James would have done it…"
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Christmas morning came and everyone was awake early and the place was buzzing, everyone was coming for lunch so not only did rooms have to be enlarged and places made for sleeping but enough food to feed an army had to be prepared. Molly Weasley was in charge; she had the most experience of large Christmases and as such was up at 5 barking orders to her children and friends alike. She had even (against her better judgement) allowed Tonks to be in control of enlarging the dining room and setting the tables. Tonks was relieved at this, because she was able to usher everyone out of the Dining room so no one noticed that she had set an extra place next to Harry with the name card of 'Sirius Black'. She grinned please that her Aruor training had a use. At 11am after much badgering from her children Molly caved and agreed that they could open presents, Kingsley subtly left and sent a message to Outkast so that by the time everyone was settled in to he room she was there to make a grand, if somewhat bizarre entrance. Wearing, a full Christmas elf costume down to the pointed green shoes she burst through the living room doors, her hat playing a rather loud muggle Christmas song. Everyone was stunned silent apart from the twins who were wishing they thought of it first, she was carrying a very large sack.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!" she screamed to the stunned room, she apparently didn't notice and continued
"I'm a Christmas pixie and I'm here on behalf of Santa Claus to give you all gifts" Severus was confused and looked at Harry
"Who?" he mouth, Harry rolled his eyes and indicated he would explain later. Outkast continued
"Now for everyone who's been good this year I have a present, right lets start; Ronald Weasley" she reached into the bag and pulled out a box, she chucked it at Ron who tore into it, inside was a golden snitch that happened to be the one caught to win the match that the Chuddley Cannons had won last season, it was signed by all the players. Ron couldn't speak for a good few minutes apart from to thank her. Outkast brushed it aside and moved on
"Hermione Granger" a smaller box this time. Hermione was a bit more graceful in opening it, and smiled, it was a book on hoe to mast animagi. She also was thrilled. This continued with the Twins being given a whole new set of potion ingredients and 'hints' on interesting combinations until only two people in the room hadn't received their gifts. Outkast first smiled at Severus and retrieved a small box from her pocket.
"Sev, I hope you like it" she whispered and handed him the pendent. Severus was take back when he saw it and stared blankly it her, the power it radiated was overwhelming. Outkast explained about the protection and how Harry had added to it Severus hugged his son first causing him to blush and then in a one off display of affection devoured Outkast's mouth to jeers of 'get a room' from some of the younger members. Finally Outkast was allowed to give the last present out, she pulled a large create from the bag and looked at Harry
"Now remember that a puppy's for life not just for Christmas, she opened the door and a huge black dog wear a Christmas hat bounded over to Harry.
"That's not a puppy that's a monster" Sev said, the dog snarled at him. Harry didn't move, it couldn't be true. The dog looked so much like him but he was dead wasn't he, his eyes began to fill with tears and he shook his head
"It's not true, it's impossible" he whispered, at that moment Sirius transformed and hugged his Godson
"Not impossible, merely improbable" Outkast said as the room was in complete shock. Harry closed his eyes as Sirius went to hug him, knowing the dream would break when he touched him, but there he was solid and warm and holding him. Harry let out a cry of joy before wrapping his arms around his Godfather shaking. Sirius laughed as he too had tears on his face
"Hey come on now we're meant to be mucho men what will the ladies think"
"Sod'em" was the muttered reply and Sirius couldn't agree more. Outkast smiled and then started as though she forgot something
"Oh Sirius I forgot, here's your present" she said digging out a roll of papers
"Here's the date of you public apology, a photo of the death of Wormtaill – sorry you couldn't be there 500,000 galleons in compensation for you time in Azkaban, the release to all your estates funds and holdings and oh your complete exoneration for any crime you were committed of" he stared at her staggered
"How did you do all this in 5 days – it's just not possible" Severus was staring at her as though she had grown a third head (which is a little more strange then if she had grown two) Outkast sighed
"Of course it's possible it didn't involve a revolving door" she said exasperatedly, Ron, Hermione and Harry tried to smother their smirks while the rest of the room tried to make sense of the comment. Outkast rolled her eyes and kissed Sev's nose she then muttered something about a drink and sauntered off to the kitchen to give them time to digest what just happened.
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A/N I know it's a little shorter then the last two, I got bored with it! Anyway here's a little bit of a viewers poll, I'm going to write a sequel (don't get your hopes up I'm nowhere near the end) and was just wondering do you guys want the happy every after version with some angst and stuff or the full on it's all gone to hell in a hand basket most if not everyone will die version??? Let me know!