CHAPTER FOUR
All rights to the people that own harry potter
I never meant to hurt you like that, and if I could go back, I'd leave you alone
-o0o0o0o-
James and Lily Potter were the most remarkable people that Sirius Black had ever met.
And it wasn't their deeds to the wizarding community, it wasn't the sacrifices that they made that made them so.
No, James and Lily Potter were the best of them. Their hearts like pure and untouched gold. Their eyes were like uncorrupted stars. Their souls were bright.
They were bright lights in the darkness.
James' laugh could light up the world. Lily's hugs could melt away all his problems.
Their love was the best thing that had ever happened to him in the short time he had known them.
Sirius Black knew that eternity with them still would never be enough.
And so here he sat, by the bedside of their son who was so much like them that it physically hurt.
At times, if Sirius allowed himself to, he could pretend that in his place was James, and in Remus' place was Lily.
And that they were the ones who got a chance to raise their beautiful child. And Sirius would be content to see their smiles again.
To hear their laugh one more time.
To feel their hugs one more time. To feel Lily's soft hair tickling his face to the point he wanted to sneeze but he never pulled away. No, he stayed in her embrace.
In her embrace was where he felt safe.
In James' presence was where he felt alive. And though he loved Harry more than anything in the world, he would give it all up for James and Lily to be here.
To watch them raise their child.
To see all their imperfections once more.
Sometimes Sirius thinks he can smell a waft of Lily's perfume in the wind. And sometimes he thinks that the sound of the whistling wind holds an echo of James' laugh.
The nights are the hardest without them. When all he wants is for them to be with him. To tell him he's doing a good job. To tell him that they're so glad that Harry is loved, and happy.
For them to tell him they love him. Just one more time.
But, those words are not infinite. Their breaths were not infinite. Their minutes were counted. He knows that now. He's somewhat accepted that.
But that does not mean that they did not make damn sure that the minutes they had were lived to the fullest.
Because they were.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Padfoot." Was the last thing James said to him.
Only, they didn't see him tomorrow. And he'd never see them again.
-o0o0o0o-
After Harry was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing, life continued like normal.
The Quidditch Games continued. So did the pranks.
And here Harry was, wandering around with his Invisibility Cloak with Draco, Blaise, and Theo.
The twins and Neville had used the map to meet up with them, and they were wandering the palace halls one unremarkable night.
They neglected the map for only one second, or so Harry would swear. But Filch was in the third floor corridor, the one they were in as well.
And it all happened so fast. The nearest door was locked.
"Alohomora!" George muttered and they ran inside.
Fred exhaled in relief.
Everyone was chattering in relief except Theo.
"Theo?" Draco asked with a furrowed brow. It was then that he turned and stared at what Theo was looking at. "Oh fuck."
"Language!" Neville teased before seeing what they were seeing. "Bloody hell."
Everyone turned and they were making eye contact with a three headed, slobbering, and very angry looking dog standing over a trap door.
"AHHHHHHHH!" They screamed and scrambled out of the room as the dog lunged.
"We're never going in there again," Fred murmured, dazed.
"Agreed." Blaise said, his face very queasy.
They all headed back to their dormitories.
-o0o0o0o-
"A Cerberus?" Daphne said, her face screwing up in scepticism.
"It was there!" Harry swore.
"I'd have to see it to believe it." Daphne replied primly.
"All right then," Blaise said sardonically. "Let's take you to the murderous three headed dog in the third floor corridor standing on top of a trap door just so we can prove to you that it's real."
"Sounds great," said Daphne primly, sipping her tea.
"Don't be daft, Daphne," Theo snapped in annoyance. "We're not stupid Gryffindors to go in there a second time."
"I resent that statement," Said an annoyed Neville Longbottom who sat in front of Daphne and began buttering his toast. Fred and George sat on either side of him.
"Hey guys," Draco said tiredly.
"Oh Merlin,'' said the loud and harpy-like voice of Pansy Parkinson. "You Gryffindorks have your own table," She sneered.
"Ah," said Fred with satisfaction. "My day is never complete without the annoying voice of Parkinson screaming in our ear every morning."
"Quite right, Freddie." George agreed with a sardonic smile thrown to the annoying first year. "Parkinson, I mean this in the rudest possible way, sod off."
She scoffed. "Blood traitors."
"Say that again, Pansy." Harry said to her, his voice pleasant but his smile anything but.
She faltered. Harry hummed.
"That's what I thought. Keep your abnormally squashed nose out of our business, yeah?"
Everyone snorted their laughter, then Hermione walked up to them.
"You will never believe what just happened," Hermione said, sitting down in front of Harry with wide eyes.
"What?" They asked in unison. Harry hastily cast a silencing charm around them so nobody could overhear.
"I was just talking to Hagrid and I slipped in the three-headed dog,"
"And?" Daphne asked, eyebrows furrowed.
"He said its name was Fluffy and that whatever its guarding is between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
"Flamel?" Theo repeated, eyebrows raised in shock.
"You don't think.." Blaise trailed off and Daphne groaned, banging her head on the table.
"That daft, twinkle-y eyed old git!" She snapped.
"No way," Harry denied, shaking his head. "There's no way anybody could be that stupid."
"In a school full of children?" Neville asked, eyes wide.
"What the bloody hell are you all talking about?" George demanded.
"The Philosopher's Stone, George." Harry said, eyes wide.
Fred groaned. "Oh bloody hell."
-o0o0o0o-
"Oh fuck!" Sirius exploded, eyes wide after reading the letter that Harry sent to him.
"What is it?" Andromeda asked with a raised brow.
"The kids ran into the third floor corridor and went face to face with a cerberus."
"They're going to give me a heart attack one day," Lucius muttered, taking a large sip of his tea that was spiked with firewhiskey.
"And they noticed it was standing on a trap door and Hagrid let slip that whatever 'Fluffy' is guarding is between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."
"Bastard." Arcturus grumbled.
"You must be joking." Narcissa said with a laugh, then she looked at Sirius' expression. "You're not joking?" She said weakly. Sirius shook his head.
"Bloody hell," Narcissa said, sitting down on a chair in her shock.
"So, Dumbledore is holding the Philosopher's Stone in Hogwarts?" Cassie sighed. "He knows something is going on. Do you think he's..testing Harry?"
"Testing?" Remus repeated with a frown. "Why would you say that?"
"According to Hagrid," Sirius muttered, as he had gotten the half-giant drunk a day or two ago to see if the man could slip in the goings-on at Hogwarts. "He was tasked to remove..something from Gringotts, and that very same day Gringotts was broken into." Sirius said, referring to the article. "He also says something's been killing the unicorns in the forest."
"The unicorns?" Melania repeated with a frown. "Why would anything want to harm the unicorns?"
"They're drinking Unicorn blood," Sirius grimaced. Arcturus gasped.
"By killing something so innocent and drinking its blood..it curses you with a half life. It's against the very laws of nature." Arcturus snapped. Then he sighed heavily. "And who do we know that tends to do things against the laws of nature just to prove he can?"
"Voldemort." Lucius said grimly.
"But..that would have to mean that he's somewhere near the school." Andromeda said, her hands shaking. But that was the only inclination of what she was feeling. Her face was practically stone, and her eyes carefully blank.
Ted shook his head grimly. "Or at it."
-o0o0o0o-
Harry looked up from his letter sent by Andromeda and looked at his friends, all settled in his dormitory. Even the girls.
"This isn't good," Harry muttered, shaking his head.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, her entire body tense.
"Andromeda said that Sirius had gotten Hagrid drunk a few days back–"
Draco snorted. "And that Hagrid told him the day of the break in at Gringotts was the day 'something of value to Hogwarts' was taken from the vaults."
"That could just be a coincidence." Fred said, taking a sip of water.
"It could be," Harry agreed. "But something is also killing the unicorns."
Everyone gasped. "That's foul!" Daphne declared vehemently.
"I know," Harry murmured. "And what's worse? They're drinking unicorn blood."
"I think I might vomit," Theo muttered.
"I'll get the bin." Blaise said back.
"And..we all know the Philosopher's Stone is a tool for immortality. And we all know that Voldemort called himself immortal. It's why he's not really..dead. He must have something anchoring him to the world." Neville deduced.
"The Philosopher's Stone can give him his body back..instead of him just being a shade." Draco added.
"And unicorn blood must be sustaining him." Harry agreed with his cousins. "But that begs the question; who is hosting him?"
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked softly.
"Andromeda said that the Unicorn killings have happened either within the wards of Hogwarts or just outside of them. That means Dumbledore must know that he's here, as he is controlling the wards. And that means Voldemort's either very close to the school.." Harry trailed off.
"Or, he's in it." George finished grimly.
"Yeah, George." Harry agreed. "Or he's in it."
-o0o0o0o-
Winter Holidays finally approached and all their friends (including Fred and George, who are going to be spending the Holiday with Harry at Potter Manor) were on the train on their way to see their families.
Daphne was smiling brightly, and it unnerved Harry, so he asked her. "What are you smiling about?"
"I just got a letter from my parents, it seems they all received your letters about the family libraries!" Daphne exclaimed.
"That's great news!" Blaise said earnestly. "I hope you all find what you're looking for." His voice was soft and sincere. Daphne gave him a soft smile that made her angular features soften. Harry noted Daphne was quite pretty when she smiled.
Daphne was pretty regardless.
"They're incredibly overjoyed," Daphne said to them. "I think they had given up hope until this. I just wanted to say thank you." She whispered, making eye contact with all of them. "To all of you. I..I don't know how I will ever repay you."
"You don't have to repay us." Draco said genuinely.
"There is no such thing as a debt between friends." Harry replied.
"Well, if any of you need anything–"
"We'll come to you." Neville agreed with a soft smile.
The friends sat around together, joined with Lee Jordan as they laughed and ate junk and chocolate for the rest of the train ride to the station in London.
They all happily greeted their families.
"You must be Fred and George," Remus said warmly. "We've heard you're quite the pair of troublemakers." His voice held a twinge of amusement as his lips lifted into a smirk.
Fred and George glared at the sniggering boys before answering.
"Whatever they told you is a lie." Fred declared promptly with an innocent.
"What a shame," Remus sighed dramatically. "My name is Remus Lupin, but you two can call me Moony."
The reaction was quite comical as the twins began stuttering and taking back what Fred said, and stating that they are indeed troublemakers.
Sirius laughed heartily, before reaching out to shake their hands. "Sirius Black, or Padfoot, at your service."
"H-Hello, Lord Black," George said, eyes wide and starstruck.
"No need for honorifics among mischief makers, Messr. Weasely," Sirius said with a cheeky wink.
Daphne Greengrass was with her family that were speaking to Arcturus and Cassie.
"Hello Mother, and Father." Daphne said cordially before grinning and launching herself at her parents who laughed and hugged her back.
Cyrus Greengrass lifted his eleven year old daughter and spun her around in a hug, pressing a sloppy kiss to the crown of her head.
"Hello my darling daughter."
"Dad!" Daphne laughed. "Stop it, you're embarrassing me."
Cyrus pressed a hand to where his heart was and feigned a heart attack. "I can't believe you just said that to me."
"Oh don't jest, Cyrus," Remus said, coming up behind him with a grin. "We all know you're rather bad at it."
Rhea smirked as she greeted Remus. Cyrus' eyes widened comically before he whirled around.
"REMUS!" He boomed heartily, giving the tall werewolf a hug. "You look well, old friend." He said, surveying Remus' youthful glow, happy eyes, and great quality robes.
"Yes, well," Remus said modestly. "That's what happens when you raise the Lord Potter," he leaned in and added in a conspiratorial whisper "And Lord Black."
Everyone laughed except Sirius who shouted "OY!"
"They never let me refuse anymore, and they insist on providing me with wolfsbane every full moon." Cyrus was incredibly happy to see his friend so fulfilled. "It's great to see you, old friend." Remus said genuinely.
"Likewise," Rhea said with a genuine smile.
"I knew you were friends," Harry said. "But I didn't realise just how much. Lord Greengrass," Harry addressed properly with a bow that was too low, as the Potters are five seats above the Greengrass'. "I am Hadrian Potter, it is a pleasure to meet you," he looked at Rhea. "And you as well, Lady Greengrass," he said with the customary kiss on the knuckles.
"None of that," Rhea said as Lord Greengrass returned the bow.
"You honour me, Lord Potter," Cyrus stated. "Especially after everything your family and friends have agreed to do for mine," he said warmly. "Now, no more honorifics. I was supposed to be known as Uncle Cyrus to you, and I want no bowing or formalities."
"Agreed," Harry said with relief as he smiled. "I've seen memories of my parents, you both are featured in them quite a bit. My parents truly loved you, I'm glad to finally meet you."
Rhea smiled a teary smile. "You're so much like them, Harry."
Harry smiled genuinely. "I get that a lot. That is definitely high praise."
Cassie sped them up. "We should all really get going," She said, looking at her watch.
"We'll be seeing you all soon," Rhea said, nodding at the others whom she didn't get a chance to truly catch up with.
"We will?" Daphne perked up.
"Yes, the Potters have opened up their home to us for Christmas and Boxing Day."
Harry and Sirius smiled. "You are always welcome in our home," Sirius said with a genuine smile.
They all took their leave, with the Blacks, Longbottoms, and Malfoys going to Potter Manor with Remus, Sirius, and Harry.
Melania and Augusta had prepared a welcome home dinner for them all when they arrived through the family floo.
Everyone was greeted with hugs and kisses as well as introductions to the two Weasley twins.
Once the food was eaten, they all sat in the grand family room in front of a roaring fire with cups of hot chocolate.
"Now," Narcissa began primly. "Summary of the goings on in Hogwarts. The cerberus, the philosopher's stone, and the unicorn killings."
"Harry's scar hurt after he accidentally touched Quirrell." Dora added primly.
"Right. And the troll." Neville said simply.
"And nothing is being done about it?" Lucius questioned.
"Not that we know of." Draco sighed heavily.
"That brings me to something else," Lucius said gruffly, tossing a diary on the table in disgust.
"What the bloody hell is that?" Sirius questioned. "Property of Tom. M. Riddle?"
"Who is that?" Harry questioned softly.
"We don't know," Narcissa said gently.
"It feels..foul." Cassie grimaced. "I feel incredibly dark magic emanating from it."
"It feels like it has Voldemort's magical signature,"Arcturus said gruffly. "Get me a quill."
A quill appeared in front of him, courtesy of the house elves.
Arcturus opened the diary and wrote Hello.
Hello. My name is Tom Riddle. What is your name?
Arcturus Black.
A Black? Coming across my diary? I am quite honoured. How did you come across my diary?
I found it, and figured out what to write.
You must be incredibly powerful to get past the defences.
Arcturus immediately shut the diary in disgust and threw it in the fire.
Nothing happened. It was perfectly fine.
"What is that?" Harry asked, taking it out of the fire.
The second he touched it, his scar began to ache.
He got brief flashes of a diadem, a locket of some sort, a golden cup, and a ring.
"Ah!" He hissed, dropping the diary and clutching his scar.
It was pulsating, and the kids crowded around him as the adults picked the book up once more.
"Harry?" Andromeda asked him gently. "What happened?"
"I..I got flashes of objects. A blue and silver diadem, a locket with a snake, a golden cup with a badger, and a ring with the Peverell crest." Harry muttered. "That diary..whatever it is, isn't the only one."
"That's what I feared," Arcturus said grimly, levitating the book and looking at it in disgust.
"What is it?" Sirius repeated through gritted teeth.
"When I wrote in it," Arcturus didn't explain per-say. "I felt it..leeching off of me. Off of my soul."
"What the bloody hell is it?!" Draco eventually shouted, holding Harry's shoulder in distress.
"It is a horcrux." Cassie eventually said after a long bout of silence. "And it gave Harry a glimpse of the others."
"But why would it do that?" Dora asked, in fear. It can't be what she's thinking it is. There is no bloody possible way that Harry-
"Because Harry is a horcrux." Cassie finished grimly.
"No," Harry murmured.
"There's no way!" George refuted. "Harry..Harry is kind. And he's caring and-"
"And he's fun and loud and he-he would never hurt innocent people." Fred finished, eyes wide with fear.
They didn't know what a horcrux was, but they knew it was bad. And it was simply impossible for anything bad to be in Harry. In their Harry.
The rest of the kids shared the same sentiment.
"What is a horcrux?" Augusta Longbottom asked softly.
"A horcrux is the most foul piece of magic known to wizard kind." Narcissa responded softly. "It is a way to anchor one's soul into the world. A form of immortality. And the only thing that can split a soul is something awful."
"Ritualistic murder." Arcturus finished grimly. "He did ritualistic murder to split his soul and put it in containers of value to him. And..when he was going to kill Harry, he was going to make another horcrux. But..he didn't succeed, and his soul latched onto Harry. Harry's scar contains a piece of Voldemort's soul."
Harry promptly threw up.
a/n: hey guysss! They finally figured it out. And the horcrux hunt begins…soon. Debating on asking the goblins for help to locate them but i feel like if i created some kind of ritual that would use the soul piece in either harry or the diary to locate the rest it would be quite easy. But i do want to involve bill and charlie more..since charlie graduated a year before they joined. Maybe make him dora's love interest! I'm thinking of love interests for sirius and remus but idk if they actually need one. Unless its amelia bones, as the head of the DMLE it would be beneficial for her to be more involved i just don't know how to incorporate that yet. Anyways! Tell me what you think and all that!