Harry padded down the stairs of Grimmauld in a slight fluster. At some point he had left a book out on a reading table next to one of the few small windows. It was not of great importance itself but helped with translating ancient runes. Most importantly, he had only found the singular copy within the come-and-go room.
His first stop had been to Kreacher who he found mumbling just down the hallway. While he had immediately pinned down the location of the locket he had yet to decide how best to destroy it without anyone being suspicious. Dumbledore was certainly suspicious of such a things existence, as any wizard would be when learning about soul anchors. While he did not know how to deal with the wizard in the long run, he knew that destroying the Horcux's too soon would be suspicious. Voldemort was also worth considering because of this. His subversion of the attempt to steal the stone was reliant heavily on luck and would leave the still far more experienced wizard cautious as he had been the first time.
This Kreacher had been of no help. At least not in finding the book. That the elf didn't gloat about having hidden it away someplace meant that the only other person who could have taken it would be Sirius. While Remus had likely visited Grimmauld at some point since his friends release, the werewolf had yet to make an appearance during his otherwise unknown homecoming. Tonight the Bones would be coming over for dinner as well as a special guest that Sirius hinted at. This could only be one of a few people and it was fairly obvious to him who it must be.
Thus found him pushing open the swinging door to the kitchen to stand in front of Sirius with his hands on his hips. The Wizard was eating from a plate of leftovers and reading a newspaper before that moment and now sat looking lightly concerned.
"Have you seen a book left on a table at the third landing? I was reading from it." This performance was copied almost precisely from past Hermione.
"The- the one with all the funny scribbles?" Had he not known better he would think Sirius was doing his best impression of Ron at such a moment.
"If you couldn't read it why would you take it?" At this Sirius straightened a bit, as if remembering something. With a sigh the older wizard patted at a spot on the table for him to sit.
"Honestly, I was curious as to how far along you were with your readings. I asked a friend to look over the book for me so that he could let me know what he thinks."
"It's just a reference book for Ancient Runes. I planned to learn the alphabets before third year to get a head start." Sirius grinned at him.
"Exactly, and I thought I'd catch up on how far along that is! I am supposed to be your Godfather after all." Harry returned his smile. He forgot how cheerful the man could be. Often times there was little cause for that in the previous timeline.
"Well, what did this 'friend' of yours think?" It seemed obvious it would be Remus. What the intelligent wizard might deduce he was unsure.
"Frankly, he is impressed with where you are at. Even if you are just working on the basics, it would be pretty far along. They said they will be bringing the book back with them tonight."
"Still won't tell me about this friend of yours?"
"It would be best if you meet him first. There are some things to explain. Nothing particularly bad but..." This was not the first time his guardian had trailed away from the subject.
"Very well, I'm not all that worried anyway. I just wanted to make sure you don't slobber all over my things." Harry hopped off his stool and made a face towards the wizard, who made one back. As he exited the man got in one last jab.
"Don't forget to wash behind your ears tonight. Susie is coming, remember!"
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Harry stomped his way down the stairs of Grimmauld in a quite a temper. Despite several attempts to get Dobby to arrange a meeting with his master, the elf was too concerned for him to allow it. No matter what he said the loyal elf was only concerned with keeping Harry away from Hogwarts that year. As before, his mail was being taken. That did not particularly bother him as he had little contact of importance over the mail. He made sure to get Remus to send each of his friends a letter explaining something was wrong with his mail reaching him at his new home.
However the elf had gone too far this time. Just in the middle of practicing very meticulous runes he was interrupted by the elf popping into his room and summoning all the books he had been using into a pile, which was then vanished with a snap of the elf's fingers. Before he could say anything Dobby began to sob a moment before he teleported himself away. Not only was his practice ruined but he would now need to find where the books had been taken to. That was aside the concern for his friend.
"Kreacher! I have a question for you!" It took a few moments but the old servant of the house popped into place nearby him in the entrance hall. "Do you know where Dobby would have taken my books?" He questioned in a rush. While he was not overly angry about the situation it was still quite frustrating.
"I would have no idea what that traitorous fool would be doing with your filthy possessions." The elf was as hostile, yet honest, as ever.
"Fine, go back to whatever it is you were doing." As he turned to walk away he had a brief mental flash of how Malfoy would treat his elf and turned back. "Thank you for taking the time to talk to me, Kreacher." The elf just huffed and looked as if about to insult him but Harry had already turned away and hurried around the corner towards the kitchens.
Inside was Sirius, of course eating from a plate of bacon with a cup of warm liquid, who upon seeing Harry picked up the plate and began trying to run out the side door. Harry waved his wand to slam the door shut just in front of the older wizard.
"Please tell me you have control of the wards here?" Harry asked, again having to control his temper. Why anyone would be afraid of a twelve year old was beyond him. Sirius though turned around with a smile.
"Oh, of course I do." He said, the door behind him opening. However the man simply went back to the kitchen table. "Why do you ask? If you plan to do something with them I will have to tell you no. Warding is very advanced and dangerous and-"
"I had no intention of touching the wards, but thank you for the concern. I would of course ask for your advice before trying anything dangerous." Harry sat down at the table, muttering a spell that brought a cup and the tea tin towards him. Sirius floated over to him the kettle of water. His godfather had long since stopped complimenting his spell work. He was, after all, the one who informed him the wards were old enough to block the trace.
"Then what is it you're asking after?" Harry stirred his tea for a few moments, wondering how best to word his request.
"It seems another students House Elf has taken to taking my things. So far it was just a few letters and I thought I could reason with him. But now he has taken several important books of mine that will take days to replace, if not weeks-" this time it was Sirius to interrupt him.
"So you are asking for me to block them out of the wards?" Sirius closed his eyes after a nod from Harry and held onto his large Signet ring of House Black with the opposite hand. After a few moments he opened his eyes. "There, all done. No House Elves but Kreacher will be allowed on the property unless one of us invites them."
"Good, but that doesn't really solve the problem." Harry was glad half of his plan had worked. Now to see what Sirius might really know.
"You mean who sent the elf and why?" Sirius looked contemplative. This usually meant he was thinking up a plan to do something rude to someone.i
"Yes, the name of the elf is Dobby but he won't reveal anything about his masters. It is clear however that the Elf is being abused. I don't think his masters sent him so much as they have some plans to hurt me." Sirius snapped out of his thoughts and looked dead at him.
"Do you have any idea how, or why, or where? Anything at all?" The older wizard had straightened up in his chair. Although he did not look quite so old Harry could see the clear resemblance between that of Sirius and the many of his ancestors paintings.
"Only that it will be something at Hogwarts. Im sure if we could figure out who his employees are we could figure something out." Harry stated pointedly. Sirius nodded.
"I'll ask some people at the Ministry. Maybe even Amelia will know. She does often have to travel in pure blood circles, after all."
"As should you, so that you can-" Harry cut himself off, realizing he was about to speak a bit out of turn for a soon-to-be 12 year old wizard.
"What do you mean?" Sirius questioned. Harry though of the first thing he thought sounded right.
"Well I just was wondering what your plans were for while I'm at school. I know money isn't really a big deal but I'm sure it will get quite boring being here alone with Kreacher." Especially if I can't figure out a way to 'accidentally' destroy that blasted Horcrux. He added afterward in his head.
"Ah, well, there are always Wizengamot sessions to attend." His godfather thought about things for a moment. "I suppose I could begin looking over the properties and setting up some small businesses. Really, all you need is one successful shop on Diagon and you will turn a real profit." Harry's mind lit up at this.
"I'm sure Moony would be good help, and I have a couple of friends at school who I think might have a great idea for a joke shop. I'd ask them but I can't get my mail through." He frowned at the end, pouring himself more tea and reaching over for a few thick slices of bacon to tear into. Not the healthiest of breakfasts but wizards tended not to need to worry about such things.
"Ah, a joke shop is a grand idea. Get your friends in contact with me and I might have a business offer. It's certainly not uncommon for wizards and witches in school to take up summer jobs at the shops." Harry tilted his head at this.
"Really? I had no idea. Nobody ever talks about having summer jobs." He had never really considered it before.
"Maybe it is no longer as common. Nobody would ever have taken me on and James would rather have spent the summer flying his broom and chasing after girls." Sirius had a faraway look in his eyes that made Harry a little bit sad.
"I'll have to look into that. I assume you would give me permission in a few years?" Harry thought it might be a good way to get closer to one of the shop keepers. Maybe even Ollivander, although he had no idea how one would become a wand maker.
"Maybe the year before your owls if you have a good job lined up. Im sure that won't be much of a problem for you though." Harry just rolled his eyes at the mans wide grin.
"If I wanted to make money off my fame I would just write awful books like that Lockhart bloke." Harry gave another roll of his eyes at the thought of the man and finished his second tea, debating wether to pour another.
"Have you heard then? That he will be your defense professor?" Harry had to feign a mild look of surprise. It was easily hidden at his genuine disgust.
"Hopefully he doesn't try to attack me for some reason like Quirrel." The mood went a little bit somber at that.
"How are you dealing with that, by the way? You want to talk about it some more?" Harry shook his head.
"Maybe later, but thank you. You said we had something to do today?" Harry sighed as he stood to put away his cup and the tea.
"Ah, yes, we have to go sign a few documents down at the muggle government building in Surrey." Sirius set away the kettle and waved his wand to pick up after a few more things, namely his now empty plate of bacon.
"Will the Dursley's be there?" Harry asked with crossed arms.
"No, nothing like that. Actually, Remus will be there to help with the papers. He's more familiar with muggle government buildings." They began making their way to the entrance hall.
"Good, I would have had to bring one of the morning stars with me to clobber my Uncle with. I don't think I would have handled seeing him without some accidental magic." They put on their most muggle looking summer blazers hanging in the entrance hall. Sirius certainly could pass for a sharply dressed muggle and Harry rarely wore robes outside of formal functions anyway. For a moment he wondered what muggles would think of two men coming in to fill out paperwork for an orphan boy.
"I don't think he'd want to see me for a few decades either, kid. Now then, let's be off. We should get some real breakfast on our way?" He questioned down at Harry.
"What, one giant plate of bacon not enough?"
"When have you ever seen a dog turn down bacon? And besides, there's a very lovely waitress working at the cafe down the road." Sirius waggled his eyebrows at that. Harry, although amused, had to make a face. His previous question would likely be answered the moment Sirius came in contact with an attractive woman at whatever government building they were set to be visiting.
"What would Aunt Amelia say about that? Chasing strange women around? It would be unbecoming of a lord." It was his turn to waggle his eyebrows.
"We'll just have to keep it our secret. I'll buy you extra pancakes if you do."
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Harry thundered down the stairs of Grimmauld in a clear rage. He finally had enough of the antics around the filthy old house. Between two troublesome elves, ancient paintings whispering horrible things out of dark corners, and no progress at all with his study of the Horcrux he was nearing his limit. Of course it was his ever-so-dear Godfather that had made sure he would be waking up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
"SIRIUS!" Harry had long since mastered the use of the sonorous charm. Even the paintings on the walls were holding their hands over their ears. From below there came a clatter and the distinct sound of a door being slammed shut. Even two landings above he could tell where his beloved godfather had fled to.
Rounding the final banister Harry nearly stormed through the parlor room. He stopped upon noticing Remus and Tonks sitting around a blazing hearth, reading newspapers and sipping at tea.
"You wouldn't have any idea where my Godfather is this morning?" Harry asked with hands clasped. All three pairs of eyes in the room darted towards the abandoned saucer of tea and copy of the Prophit.
"I believe he was checking on something down in the training room." His surrogate uncle grinned over at him. Harry gave a slight bow towards him and a wave towards his adoptive cousin, who shimmered her hair and gave him a wink, before he continued his way down into the basement.
Sirius was only momentarily stunned when the door burst open to the largest caller of the black family kitchens. Despite having spent several days under the payed guidance of Charlie Weasley there was no quick solution to cleaning out the dungeons. Harry had observed they worked similar to the come-and-go room. Of course he had asked the Weasley Cursebreaker several questions about the runes, hoping maybe to study the Room back at school for a side project. Charlie had done his best to explain but the runes were very old and expensive to create.
Harry certainly destroyed some of them as he blasted past the crude wards Sirius had set to keep him out. His uncle was backing away from him; one hand behind his back while the other waved dust from his face. Harry sent a stunning spell toward him but it was blocked by the wand he had not seen in the waving hand.
"Why would you take something locked away the way that locket was?" Harry sent several more spells forward. Sirius had regained most of his Auror skills and avoided them all easily.
"It's my duty as your Guardian to make sure you're not up to anything dangerous." They were trading spells now with Sirius staying on the defensive.
"There was a note warning that it's dangerous." Harry said flatly, his eyes narrowed. There was an expectant pause in the duel as he stared down the older wizard.
"Fine, fine!" Started the other man after a few moments. "I was curious, especially after hearing some of the things you were asking Remus about. Then I found this and knew there was something wrong with it." The hand behind his back drew out in front of him, Slytherin Locket glittering in his grasp to look at it. "It's almost as if it wants me to open it. Harry, you wouldn't-" Was as far as he got before a stunning spell crumpled him to the floor. In a few moments Harry had the locket levitated into a thick bag which was further stored in a robe pocket.
After checking that the older man was not injured, he cast several transfigurations on his clothes. Taking a moment to collect his own thoughts, he hit the dozing man with a powerful confounding charm. He guess it would take until dinner time for Sirius to realize what he was wearing.
"Any luck finding him?" Asked Tonks sweetly when Harry reentered the sitting room. She was just finishing her tea while Remus was at the fireplace adding a log.
"Yes, thank you. He should be up shortly. I had best go finish preparing for our trip to Diagon Alley." After the boy had left eyesight up the stairs Remus and Tonks shared a look.
"Sirius broke my camera. Do you have one?" Asked Remus of Tonks.
"I can be back in ten minutes. What else should we bring?" She stumbled over and then kicked at the Troll Foot umbrella stand near the entranceway. Remus was already grabbing a handful of Floo Powder.
"Not what, but who." Green flames lit the Room.
"Who then?" Nymphadora, though she hates that name, was standing just inside the open door ready to apostate.
"Everyone!" Exclaimed Remus, both of them beginning to laugh in an uproar as they began their tasks.
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A/N
Had progress on this one delete several times. Originally was meant to go on a bit longer. However I liked the "three part" structure and didn't want to mess with it. Wasn't meant to be clever but more just was an interesting way to structure the chapter.
Expect the next few years to be quick on reading, slow on "major" plot. I plan to somewhat move the storyline through canon, but avoid writing much of it directly. Telling that story can be done pretty easily while telling these side stories, which are cumulative into something.
Thanks as always
-Fumbls
