TRIGGER WARNINGS: STRONG LANGUAGE, DARK THEMES: VIOLENCE, GORE, DEATH, ANGST
AUGUST 28TH, 1993 - WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - MALFOY MANOR - EARLY AFTERNOON
The gravel crunched loudly beneath Severus' feet as he walked briskly towards the imposing, dark manor that starkly contrasted against the sunny, grassy fields of Wiltshire. As he passed right through the iron gates that had long ago been charmed to allow him entry without prior clearance he was reminded of a time when this house had been the center of his world. It was a time back when the Dark Lord's presence in one's home had been the highest honor. Severus had been young, foolish, and overly ambitious so he would come to this house in search of becoming someone of importance and seeking power. He had tasted it briefly and it had left him yearning for more until his own greed and insatiable hunger cost him everything he ever loved.
The manor was now a reminder of that and although he had long learned to ignore it as his relationship with the Malfoy family remained strong even after the Dark Lord's downfall. However, Severus hoped that that same strength was enough to keep him from setting one of Lucius' beloved peacocks on fire in retaliation to whatever scheme he had orchestrated.
The photographs of Lily's daughter had appeared in every single wizarding publication rapidly becoming the subject of all discussions. Everywhere he went all everyone spoke about was Rose Potter and her 'wild summer holiday'. Even the wizarding wireless stations spent air time debating whether there had been alcohol and drugs at Flint's party. They spent endless hours discussing, dissecting, defending, and criticizing the girl, her new hair color, the adoptive parents, and their holiday with the Malfoys. It sickened Severus to witnessed how engrossed the public could be with a child celebrity; one could almost forget that there was a mass murderer on the loose.
He took no part in these discussions obviously nor indulged in what the press and media were reporting. Unfortunately, he had not been able to escape the front cover of the Daily Prophet the morning the paper had been delivered to him. He had wanted to break something, anything, preferably Marcus' head as he watched the little shit stain snake his slimy hands around the girl and pull her close. Worse yet, the girl had liked it as evident from the enjoyment on her face and the way she danced. He had felt an inexplicable spark of rage in the pit of his stomach that he dared not acknowledge ever and hoped to never experience again.
The resemblance to Lily was so great that it churned his stomach to see her daughter clearly drunk and surrounded by the children whose parents had fought and plotted against her own. There was no doubt that the girl had been drinking as evident by the disheveled picture taken at a marina. After all, Severus knew what inebriation looked like better than anyone and he also knew his students well. His Pureblood students were notorious for being as virtuous as their parents. The parents knew this too or had an idea of it but it was easier to ignore only because they were worse. Mistresses, affairs, bastard children, blackmail, corruption, bribery, and murder were just a few commonalities in Pureblood high society. However, there were also strict rules and among them was to ignore and never discuss these secrets or else risk their family's reputation.
And Lily's daughter had been placed among them and clearly had not had the same experience interacting with the Slytherins as her brother. This had certainly put the girl's character into perspective. She may favor his Lily in appearance but it was evident that she is as dim, reckless, attention-seeking, privileged, and entitled as her father and brother. Still, he worried despite his best efforts against it. Malfoys, Rosiers, Notts, Bulstrodes, and Flints, they all were prejudiced if not openly than among themselves. Severus had belonged to their inner circle long enough to know who they really were behind closed doors. Warrington, Zabini, and Pucey were no better. He wouldn't doubt if they had all sent their own children to spy on the Potter girl in their stead.
How could the adoptive father be such a fool?
How could Dumbledore have allowed this? One word from him and the girl would have remained in Ilvermorny.
The headmaster had set this disastrous course into action and Severus needed to be prepared to navigate through it with as little involvement as possible. He refused to be part of this Potter reunion. The boy was his only responsibility. Let Dumbledore deal with the repercussions of his ill-thought decisions to appease the ambassador. He was a fool to think he was the only player skilled at this game.
Lucius was up to something that seemingly involved a handful of the Sacred-Twenty-Eight and as much as he would enjoy interrogating the wizard on whatever twisted scheme he had set in play, Severus preferred to not think, speak or inquire about anything related to the girl. The boy was his only responsibility, he reminded himself again, and he would not be roped into caring for Potter's other child. Today he was at the manor on business he reminded himself as his long fingers gripped the wooden box containing a fresh batch of the Dreamless Sleep Potion for his most generous customer.
Well, his only customer to be exact. He would never spend his limited free time brewing potions for anyone else.
The house-elf, Tilly, opened the front door as soon as he neared it, having been informed of his presence upon him entering the enchanted and spell-warded grounds. The young elf looked miserable, Severus noted as he slung off his long, black cloak, and laid it over the elf's awaiting outstretched arms that were poorly bandaged revealing small bruises and cuts. The rest of the elf did not look any better, its ears sported fresh welts that looked like marks from an oven door.
Severus wanted to sneer at the pathetic creature but held back, "Where's Lucius?" he asked curtly.
"Master left for the Ministry this morning," explained the elf meekly while avoiding eye contact with the wizard.
That was strange. Whatever had brought Lucius to the Ministry on a Saturday must have been urgent.
"And Narcissa?"
"Mistress is on the south terrace taking tea."
Without further word or invitation, Severus crossed the foyer and made his way to the southeast side of the manor, passing sleeping portraits of past Malfoys before entering the tea room. He instantly spotted Narcissa seated outside looking over the luscious gardens before her. Despite having her back toward him, Severus could see the tension in her shoulders. He had no doubt that whatever was troubling her was directly related to her recent family trip to Spain.
Of course, Severus had seen the pictures of Rose and Draco together. Never would he have imagined that the two would have gotten along so well. He could only imagine how Narcissa felt seeing the concerns she had expressed to him become validated. It had been foolish to give her false reassurance that night when Severus had clearly misjudged the girl. It didn't matter now, quickly he forced all thoughts of Rose Potter out of his mind.
He was only here to deliver her order!
"Severus, dear," Narcissa said fondly as his distinguishable shadow cast over her. She turned to him, her eyes lighting up when they fell on his face, "Why, my love, we've had such a lovely and hot summer yet you look as ghostly as ever!"
He set down the wooden box upon the white, wrought-iron table wondering when was the last time Narcissa had actually allowed the sun rays to come in contact with her own pale complexion. Of course, he would never actually ask her this knowing too well about her insecurities and fear of wrinkles and blemishes. "I spend most of my days in a dungeon."
Narcissa smiled softly, "Don't you grow tired of that place? Surely you must enjoy your own home over the summer."
"It's easier when the castle is empty," he replied before adding to sound less pathetic. "Having access to Sprout's greenhouses and my lab is also beneficial for my practice."
"Your dedication is admirable but you must get away from time to time for your good, my love," she said giving him a small smile before inviting him to sit with her. Once he took his seat, the witch looked out into the blooming garden that rippled with the breezy, late summer wind and gave a sigh. "Do you wish summer lasted forever?" she asked.
Severus remained silent, unsure of how to answer as it was something he never thought of anymore, Once long ago, as a teen, he had wished for a perpetual summer alongside his best friend. His father's abuse, his mother's weakness, the squalor he lived in; he would endure it all if it meant avoiding the division that had gradually formed between them while at school.
"I do," continued Narcissa bringing his attention back.
Of course, she does, he thought. Severus had been close friends with Narcissa long enough to know she was dreading Draco's incoming departure. It had always been difficult for her to be away from her son. As an infant, she couldn't bear to be separated from him even for a few hours or in Severus' care. She was a fiercely overprotective mother who spoiled and adored her son with such fervor and with Lucius being gone most of the time, and a large manor with only servants for company, he imagined Draco's absence was much harder on her.
Now that Severus thought of the young Malfoy, he was surprised to not find the boy zooming across the sunny clear skies on his broomstick on what was surely, if not, the last warm day of the year.
"Is Draco home?" he inquired.
Narcissa's face slightly fell upon mention of her son and he instantly regretted his question upon remembering the boy's recent exploits.
"He's hardly left his room since we've returned."
Well, it certainly wasn't a mystery to guess what Draco was doing in the privacy of his room. He was a teenager now and Severus could still recall the urges that plagued a thirteen-year-old boy. Severus, himself, had spent half the summer before his third year with Lily and the other half locked in the safety of his small, dingy room fantasizing about Lily.
It wouldn't take a genius to deduce that Draco has a crush on the girl and Narcissa was no idiot. It was truly a paradox, Lily's daughter and Lucius' son but the evidence had been in the photographs and in the way Draco had looked at the girl as they had danced during the Muggle festival. Severus knew that look all too well, he had been a guilty wearer of it in his youth. Their uncanny resemblance to their prospective parents however was what had made those photographs all the more disturbing. It was like seeing Lily in the arms of a young Lucius. Most disconcerting, however, was the rumour that the two had been seen sharing a bed aboard Flint's yacht. No doubt Narcissa had seen red at that one! He couldn't dare imagine her reaction at discovering that her precious, darling boy was capable of such a thing nor that he was very much interested in Rose Potter.
He wanted to leave the conversation at that, to excuse himself and rise from his chair, mutter an excuse about last minute preparations at Hogwarts and take his leave but his commitment to his only true friendship compelled him to stay.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
Her blue eyes met his gaze, "We were wrong about that girl," she stated deadpanned.
"We made the mistake to presume too much," he admitted in the same manner. "Hardly surprising when was raised by a couple so different from the Potters."
A corner of her mouth lifted lightly as the witch gave a small laugh, "Oh darling, she's nothing like the Vegas," she explained. "They only gave her the class and culture to hide behind. If you were to call that class." Her beautiful features then contorted into a scowl, "Draco is completely smitten with the little lying, whore!" she spat out venomously.
Severus raised his eyebrows slightly, he truly underestimated how affected Narcissa was by Miss Potter's antics. After all, she was not one to resort to obscenities.
It seemed that no matter how much he avoided it he couldn't escape Rose Potter, especially now that she had associated herself with the people closest to him. He inwardly cursed his luck before continuing the conversation.
"I presume there was some truth to Skeeter's article?" Dear Salazar, did he loathe himself for even uttering the sentence. He really had no interest in knowing.
A sneer formed on her porcelain like skin, "They never had permission to be at that festival!" Narcissa revealed sharply. "The ambassador lied! That horrid girl was throwing herself at Draco from the beginning. And Draco..." She paused as she struggled for the right words. "He's only a boy, of course he was going to go along with whatever she wanted! Then she goes off and practically gets on top of that Flint boy. You saw those ghastly pictures, Merlin knows what she did to my son while we were away. He's changed so drastically since we returned. He's distant, secretive, and distracted. I've tried to talk to him but he insists he's fine as if I didn't know him!"
Severus took in all this information and attempted to make some sense of it. If this was the truth then Narcissa was wrong, the girl was just like her family, fancying herself above the rules set by others and thinking herself irresistible to the opposite sex. That was certainly no revelation. As for Draco, the girl had given him every reason to become infatuated with her. No doubt Draco found it exciting too, no doubt the prospect of hurting Potter by using his own sister was his true motivation.
'She's just like her disgusting father!' He thought bitterly.
He could not say that to Narcissa. Right now she needed reassurance so he cleared his throat for what he was about to say, "Narcissa, Draco's a teenager now and Miss Potter is wealthy, famous, and," he paused briefly biting back the distaste the next word arose," attractive to boys her age. They're young, it's simply a crush that will run its course."
Narcissa shook her head, "I can sniff a manipulator when I see one." she stated defensively. "She has her little claws sunk deep into my son!"
It was unusual to hear Narcissa speak in this way, she was always reasonable and level-headed. Severus reminded himself that when it came to Draco, however, Narcissa could be ruthless, and erratic and, therefore, would villainize any girl who her son took an interest in. He didn't judge her for it for he knew the reason behind her devotion to her son.
Draco had been her only successful pregnancy following three miscarriages and a still-born. She had come to him frightened that Lucius would divorce her if she failed to give him at least one heir. Seeing the pain and desperation in her face was enough for him to brew the strongest fertility potion. It had worked and finally, at twenty-five, which in Pureblood society was considered old for bearing a firstborn, Draco came into the world.
"Do you think natural Legilimens have the ability to not only access the mind but also control it?" Narcissa asked absentmindedly.
He was unsure what to say as he thought about what she was implying. Truthfully, studies on natural Legilimency were scarce due to ethical reasons so little was known about its full strength and potential. It was theorized that natural Legilimency had great power over the mind although the extent of it was unknown however, Severus had seen advanced Legilimency during his time with the Dark Lord. He remembered the many ways his old Master had used it to psychologically manipulate and torture his victims and the Dark Lord was no natural-born Legilimens. Of course, he was not going to share this with Narcissa.
"I wouldn't worry about Draco," he offered calmly. "Once they're at Hogwarts, Miss Potter will reunite with her brother. I'm sure he will do his best to change her opinion on Draco. I doubt she'll give a third-year Slytherin any mind when there will be many desperate suitors lining up for her attention, especially those dunderheads from her future House."
Narcissa smiled weakly and reach over placing her small, manicured hand over his own, "Do be careful, my love. That girl is anything but predictable."
Severus left the tea room now carrying a velvet pouch filled with galleons in his pocket and a troubled mind. He tried not to dwell on his conversation with Narcissa as he turned into the east gallery to make his way out of the manor. However, he could not ignore what she had revealed. He reassured himself that she was acting as any mother would. His closest friend had a habit of spoiling and coddling her son. If she only knew how not-so-innocent Draco actually was.
'Well, she does now', he thought.
"Ah, Severus!" came a drawl from behind him as he passed Lucius' study.
Severus stopped and sneered before turning to find him standing outside of the room looking entirely too smug and regal.
"Lucius," he nodded acknowledging his old comrade.
"Do come in," Lucius replied beckoning Severus with a hand.
Severus did his best to hide his reluctance and obliged only out of courtesy having no desire to entertain Lucius today.
"Come to call on the lady of the manor?" Lucius asked as they stepped into the room.
Severus nodded as he walked over to the armchair, "She required a new stock of Dreamless Sleep Potions," he explained.
Lucius chuckled softly settling in another armchair opposite of Severus, "My dear wife does require uninterrupted sleep these days. Whiskey?" he offered although the crystal bottle containing the amber liquid began to pour itself into two glasses immediately. Once filled the glass flew to their perspective drinker, both men caught their glass.
"Thank you," Severus said although he had no intention of drinking so early in the day. "I was told you had business at the Ministry today?"
"I did," Lucius answered bringing out an expensive cigar from a rich, wooden box that laid on the table next to him. He lit the cigar nonverbally before taking a large inhale and exhaling a large cloud of smoke. "Such exciting and busy times at the Ministry these days. With the dementors moving to Hogwarts, Black's break out, and the Potters' behavior there has been much to do. Surely, you've heard of the boy's incident involving his Muggle aunt and read about Miss Potter's little adventures. Fudge and Dumbledore came to the boy's rescue, of course. The ambassador, however, is having quite the time clearing his daughter's little hiccup but what a vivacious girl she is!" he said chuckling richly as he took a drink of whiskey.
By now Severus had lost count of how many times the girl was brought up in conversation. He'd rather swallow poison than continue any discussion regarding the brat but her 'little hiccup' had the world talking. She was her father's daughter and thrice the celebrity her brother was merely due to her gender, wealth, and looks; no doubt her repulsive father would be proud were he alive. The thoughts turned his stomach and he felt a hatred creep inside him at the thought of Rose Potter. The only personal satisfaction he received from any of this was knowing that the company she kept and situations the girl had placed herself into would have driven her real father mad. Her brother must have been upset seeing his dear sister in the arms of his rival which also pleased Severus to imagine.
"Narcissa seems to think less fondly of her," he replied taking a drink of the whiskey. His previous intention to remain sober was gone upon, he needed a drink if he was going to continue this inane conversation. The girl had already entered his life with full force and they had yet to meet.
"Does she?" Lucius asked amused although he did not look surprised, "I found her to be quite delightful."
"Really?" retorted Severus flatly. "I would think you'd find her a bad influence on Draco. After all, a muggle festival?" he pointed out. "Don't tell me you've suddenly had a change of heart towards the Muggles, what would old Abraxas say?"
Lucius chuckled arrogantly, "Perhaps that some actions, although questionable, are for the greater good."
Severus raised an eyebrow at Lucius' particular use of Grindelwald's slogan, "And what 'greater good' did Draco accomplish?" he asked.
The blond wizard smirked, "My son is close friends with a Potter," he remarked rather satisfactorily. "And in my opinion, the only Potter worth a damn."
"So this has all been for Draco's sake and his public image?"
"Partially," replied Lucius slyly as he continued to work his way down the cigar. "It certainly doesn't hurt to have the ambassador's friendship either. There's been so much debate at the Ministry on how to proceed with the capture and arrests of these drug smugglers. Some feel our government should stick to standard smuggling charges as if they were just bringing in dragon eggs; others, however, feel the gravity of these filthy Muggle drugs deserves more severe proceedings."
"I'm sure with the ambassador's stance on the issue you are confident that he, along with MACUSA, will support the latter regardless of what severe entails?" said Severus already imagining what sorts of torturous treatments and brutal sentencing the secretly anti-Muggle government officials could come up with to punish the smugglers who were largely Muggle-borns and Half-Bloods.
"Now, Severus, think of the children," said Lucius with feigning concern. "Think of our sweet Rose Potter, such a young and talented girl. I'm sure the ambassador will support whatever protects his daughter the most, particularly after that little party. Those rumors could cost him everything. Imagine the scandal, if the Ambassador's own daughter indulged in the very thing her father is working to keep out. We must protect our dear Rose. Now more than ever MACUSA and the Ministry must act and show what happens to those who dare poison our children with their Muggle filth."
The sly, smug look Lucius gave him only confirmed the mysterious plans that Severus had been unraveling. It all made sense, the pictures had been set up to capture the girl in those specific situations. Garrett Flint must have volunteered his luxury yacht and instructed his repulsive son to get the girl drunk and in a compromising situation knowing that the press would be nearby. It wouldn't surprise Severus if he had invited them. He then remembered the night he and Narcissa had come across Elsa, a well-known member of the press, and the manner in which his friend let it 'slip' that the girl would be in their home. It had never been a slip of the tongue, they were all in on Lucius' plan even Draco. Was the objective to bend the ambassador to their anti-Muggle laws or else he risks a personal scandal? Was it to destroy the image of the Potters and form a division between brother and sister? Or both?
Severus needed to know as it could possibly involve the boy but he needed a strategy to get Lucius to indulge his full plan in hopes that he could convince the man to lose interest; at least where the Potters were concerned.
"The Potters fall prey to all manner of things particularly to themselves," answered Severus. "I hardly think the girl has more sense than her brother or father combined. Truthfully, I am rather alarmed at how much a teenage girl occupies your thoughts and intentions. Perhaps Narcissa should have cause to be concerned."
Lucius laughed heartedly behind a cloud of smoke, "Don't speak too soon, my friend," he warned as he brought the whiskey to his lips. "Soon you'll see for yourself how impossible it is to ignore your new pupil." He laughed once more before adding, "What a fascinating creature she is! A rather naughty little witch, don't you think?"
He was baiting him, Severus could tell, he wanted him to inquire about the girl. After all, Lucius had been there when Severus had arrived at Hogwarts and had witnessed his friendship with Lily. As his Prefect and eventual Head Boy, the older wizard had repeatedly advised his young housemate to sever ties with his Muggle-born friend. When they had reunited at the end of Severus' seventh year, Lucius had been glad to learn of their fallout. When she died he had taken him to Eros as consolation as if that was all that Lily had ever meant to him.
"Unlike yourself, my friend, I have no care for the life of a silly, vapid girl," he remarked coolly. "Regardless of how 'delightful', 'fascinating', or 'vivacious' you think she might be."
"Don't tell me she does she not occupy your mind as well?" Lucius answered back raising an eyebrow in inquiry. "She looks so much like her mother, doesn't she? What was her name? Ah, yes, Lily."
Severus said nothing.
"Lily...Rose," Lucius mused. "Two flowers, both beautiful yet so different. Red and white. One stands for innocence and purity the other for love, passion, rage, and power. A rose with thorns, why I cannot think of a more fitting name."
He could feel his skin crawling. Lucius had brought him to toy with him for his own amusement and Severus had enough, he wasn't a fucking underclassman anymore to be teased, taunted, and intimidated. He certainly wasn't required to listen to any more nonsense for Lucius' sick entertainment, he would have to wait to get the full plan out of him for now.
"Do you plan on making a point with this or shall I leave you to your disturbed musings."
Lucius laughed and held up his glass, "To you my friend. You're in for quite the delightful treat."
LONDON, ENGLAND - DIAGON ALLEY - EVENING
A rat scurried away in panic and a loud bang echoed along the empty, dim alley as rubbish spilled out of several overturn bins behind the Magical Menagerie. The loud disruption alarmed the shopkeeper who came out with her wand ready to investigate only to find a large and severely malnourished black dog searching desperately through the piles of garbage for food.
The pitiful sight had pulled at shop keeper's heartstrings and so she brought out a large raw steak for the poor creature. She watched the dog devour the meat while she waved her wand to clean up the rubbish littered on the alley floor.
"Don't go making a mess for me now," said the shopkeeper sternly before retreating into the shop.
Sirius watched the door closed behind the woman wishing she would have brought more than one steak or even some table scraps for him but he couldn't complain, at least he had something other than garbage in his stomach tonight.
If only his dear ol' mum could see him now. No doubt the knowledge of him reduced to picking his food from rubbish bins would have delighted her but Sirius couldn't dwell on his misfortune, not anymore. He had a purpose again, he had to protect Harry and Rose from Peter and most importantly, he had to expose him.
For twelve years, Sirius had lived without any hope of ever stepping foot out of Azkaban. For twelve years, he lived believing that Peter had killed himself that night when he set off that deadly Blasting Curse thereby obliterating Sirius of any possibility to prove his innocence. That was until he had recognized the traitor, disguised in Animagus form, on the Daily Prophet last month.
He should have known the bastard was too much of a coward to actually kill himself. Instead, he had chosen to live as a rat, hiding behind a wizarding family as a pet to their children. Children who attended Hogwarts and were in Gryffindor House with Harry, who was soon to be joined by Rose.
Sirius instinctively growled at the thought.
He had lost everything because of Peter; his best friend, his family, Marlene, and his life, name, and freedom. However, fate had presented him with a chance to clear his name and avenge James and Lily, now there was a chance at a family with Harry and Rose.
Sirius was aware of their own family and guardians but he was their godfather after all. To hell with anyone who dare think he had no legal right to those kids. He had loved them from the minute they were placed in his arms as infants being only hours old and his only wish was to get them back.
By clearing his name he could finally tell them that as well as how proud he was of both of them. He had heard all about Harry's brilliant Quidditch talent and had tried his best to keep up with Youth Dueling Championship from the occasional newspapers he was given by the wizard guards. It was as if they had each inherited one of James' skills, only they were better than their old man.
Harry's picture had never been printed in papers, his first glimpse of his godson had been a few nights ago when he left his aunt's house and he had been taken aback by his strong resemblance to James. Rosie, however, had been featured in the papers several times. He smiled to himself recalling the happiness he had felt seeing his goddaughter on the Daily Prophet during the Championship even more so when she had placed second. Prongs would have been proud!
That happiness had helped maintain his remaining sanity, his innocence alone had been enough for many years but as time went on Sirius had accepted his fate and had even welcomed death or insanity as an escape. He had sunk into a deep depression accepting that he would die in Azkaban after all even Dumbledore had believed him guilty and in a way he was. It was him who had suggested Peter be made Secret-Keeper so while he had not betrayed his friends he did have an indirect hand in their deaths.
So Sirius had accepted his life sentence and with it came a sort of numbing peace where he simply awaited death. Yet when he had seen Rosie in the paper for the first time the happiness he had felt had been a revitalizing force.
She had grown so much and was as beautiful as Lily had been. She looked so much like her too and Sirius was sure she was beating back boys left and right. Despite his new happiness, his heart ached at having missed out on her life. After being forced to give her witness testimony, which had been ignored by those Ministry fuckers, Sirius had had no contact with his goddaughter. The last he had heard of her had been from a Hit wizard shortly after his sentencing.
"You're going to rot in this cell, Black," the wizard had gleefully taunted through the bars. "Serves you right, betraying the Potters and kidnapping their daughter, you sick, perverted fuck. You like little girls, Black? Thought you'd have your way with her? Or were you going to hand her over to your Death Eater pals? Good thing she's now far away from here, got adopted by a nice, fancy American family. She won't be coming back to this country ever again."
He had cried in his cell that night knowing he had lost Rosie however he had found some solace in imagining the bright and rich childhood this American family could provide for his goddaughter. Whereas, even if he escaped and went after her, he would forever be a criminal wherever he stepped foot.
Rosie deserved better than that.
Often nights, he had wondered what kind of person Rosie was growing up to be. She had been such a daring, curious yet sweet, and unbelievably kind little child. Now she was an American teenage girl. He wondered how she sounded now with that funny American accent. She was an Ilvermorny student of House Thunderbird and a Dueling Championship finalist. Did she ever think of him and if she did, what were her thoughts and feelings? Did she believe him guilty like everyone else? Could she forgive him for endangering her life that night? Could she forgive him for not keeping his word to her?
These were questions he had accepted never to receive answers to because Rosie would never return home but as fate had it he had been wrong. Rosie was back now, she was going to Hogwarts and she and Harry would be reunited!
There was a sudden gust of strong wind that blew over discarded trash and a loose newspaper across the alley floor where Sirius sat. He looked down at his front paws as a loose front page of the Prophet landed in front of him. He growled with displeasure as he read the pairing headline.
SWEETHEART OR WILD CHILD? AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK INTO ROSE POTTER'S WILD SUMMER HOLIDAY
He had seen and read the latest article on his goddaughter, having retrieved a discarded copy of the Prophet when it first came out. Sirius couldn't believe his eyes, there was Rosie dancing around practically half-naked on board a luxury yacht surrounded by Pureblood snobbery. He growled again as he stared at the Flint boy's photograph as it moved against his goddaughter running his disgusting hands around her.
What the bloody fuck was Rosie doing with that lot?
Her adoptive father was an ex-Head Auror for Merlin's sake! How could he allow Rose to be exposed to the very families that had plotted against them in the First War! How could he willingly take her to the house of Lucius Malfoy!
James and Lily must be turning in their graves!
He needed to find Rosie and protect her properly as he had sworn to do before that evil lot got to her as they did with Regulus. He could not sit back and allow her to take the same path as his little brother.
Harry would be leaving for school in a few days and Sirius had every intention to follow him. His plan was to Apparate near the Shrieking Shack and survive as a stray in Hogsmeade as he had been doing since his escape. From there, he could carry out his plan to expose Peter and regain his godchildren and name.
With one last look at the front page, Sirius grabbed a hold of it with his jaw and tore it to shreds. He then walked over to a small, secluded section of the alley by the rubbish bins to settle in for the night.
As he lowered his head onto his front paws a memory came to his mind. It was a painful memory, the last memory he had of his godchildren together.
"JAMES! LILY!" Sirius shouted as he ran into the silent and ruined home.
His wand had been raised and ready to strike down any Death Eather or Dark Lord. He searched around the foyer, wand out in front of him as he scanned the entrance of the home. The house had been eerily still and dark illuminated only by the strikes of lighting from the incoming storm. It was only when he had looked over to the direction of the staircase that a lighting strike revealed the figure of a young man lying outstretched on the floor.
"PRONGS!" Sirius shouted running to the figure and coming to kneel beside him.
His eyes widen in horror, it felt as if all air had been sucked from his lungs and the world was closing in as he has stared into the blank, dead eyes of his best friend.
Sirius' whole body shook and his chest felt as if it was collapsing inward at the sight of his best friend's corpse. James had looked disturbingly strange in death, his golden eyes had been lifeless behind his glasses, and gone were all traces of that cocky, amused grin. His cheeks once pink from laughter and warmth had been sickly pale and cold.
"Prongs...," he choked out. "James...I'm so sorry. It's all my fault, it's all my fault." He sobbed into Jame's chest.
There was a sudden noise from upstairs followed by the cries of a baby that snapped Sirius back to his senses.
'Harry! He's alive!' He had thought.
'Rose! Lily!' Perhaps they were alive too!
Without more thought, Sirius shot to his feet, wand at the ready, and raced up the staircase and down the hallway to the destroyed nursery.
"Lily!" He shouted as he entered the upturned room. Immediately his eyes had fallen on his best friend's wife, who laid dead on the nursery floor, her face shockingly white against the mane of red hair and her green eyes as empty as her husband's. Next to her, wearing pink and white-footed pajamas with Cruppies print, sat Rosie.
"Oh fuck!" Sirius gasped running over to kneel beside the small girl.
"Rosie!" He exclaimed taking her into his arms. He had hugged her tightly, a few tears of pain and relief escaped him before holding the little girl out to examine her. "Rosie are you okay?! What happened?"
There was no response or reaction just James' eyes staring straight ahead from his daughter's face. It was clear that she was in shock and it made Sirius sick to realize that his goddaughter had most likely witnessed Lily's murder.
"Rosie!" He said urgently gently taking a hold of her chin to direct her gaze at him. Sirius looked deep into her eyes, willing her to access his mind to receive some kind of indication that she was unhurt.
Suddenly, Rose blinked several times before her eyes regained focus and settled on him, "Uncle Sirius?" she said softly.
"Thank fucking Merlin!" he exclaimed in relief bringing the girl into his arms again. He looked around the room, near them Harry sat upright his cries much quieter by the presence of his godfather.
How long had they been waiting for someone to come? Sirius had not wanted to think about it. He had raced over on his flying motorcycle as soon as he had heard that the Fidelius Charm had been broken. He had cursed Dumbledore for making the location unable to find through Apparation and had hoped he would not arrive too late.
But he had.
James and Lily were dead.
His chest once again had felt as it was collapsing in at the fact but he focused on the children who lived and now needed him more than ever. There was no sign of Voldemort, only the bodies of his friends and the destruction of the house were evidence of his presence. It didn't make sense that Harry was still alive unless something or someone had stopped him. He couldn't waste time wondering, he needed to get the children out of there quickly in case any danger returned.
"Rosie," he had said gently as he released the girl from his embrace and stared into her eyes. "We have to get out of here," he explained carefully. "Let's get Harry, come on."
Sirius helped the little girl to her feet before going over to scoop his godson in his arms, who, except for a bloody gash on his forehead, was unharmed. "I'm here now, Harry," he whispered comfortingly, cradling him to his chest.
Suddenly there had been a loud creak from the staircase as if something massive had been placed on it. Sirius quickly shifted Harry to his left side, "Get behind me, Rosie!" he had ordered stepping in front of the small girl and preparing to strike down the intruder.
Sirius wasn't going to wait, he had been prepared to take no chances at that moment regardless if it was friend or foe. He waited, looking down the dark hallway as the creaks from the stairway grew closer and when he had caught the first glimpse of the top of the intruder's head he sent off a Stunning spell. The charm had shot forward hitting the target's forehead but he did not go down.
"ARRRGHH, YOUNG SIRIUS, IT'S ON'Y ME!" came the unmistakable voice of the Hogwarts groundskeeper.
"Hagrid!" Sirius had called out recognizing the familiar large silhouette of the half-giant as he stepped onto the landing.
"AY!" Hagrid had replied cautiously walking over. He hardly fit in the hallway and had to hunch over to keep his neck from awkwardly bending against the ceiling and with each step the floor groaned loudly. " 'Arry and Rose are alright', thank Merlin!" he exclaimed before choking out. "Young James e's...e's..."
"I know," Sirius has said somberly, lowering his wand as Hagrid entered the nursery. "Lily too."
Hagrid's eyes had then fallen upon Lily's body and he choked out another sob shaking his shaggy mane. "Those poor kids. Those poor babies," he said looking over at Harry and Rose before turning to Sirius. "I got ter get Harry out of 'ere. Dumbledore's orders, says he must go ter his aunt's right 'way."
At this Sirius had tightened his hold on Harry and kept himself firmly between the groundkeeper and Rose. "Harry and Rose are staying with me, Hagrid. I'm their godfather." he reminded matter-of-factly.
"I on'y need ter take Harry," Hagrid had explained calmly. "Dumbledore said nuthin' bout little Rose."
He had found it odd that Dumbledore wanted to separate the children until he reminded himself that he was a twenty-one-year-old single man whereas Lily's muggle sister was older, married, and, if memory served him correctly, a mother to a son close to Harry's age. She was the obvious choice to care for an infant but Rosie, with her power and exposure to the magical world, could not join her brother.
It didn't matter what Dumbledore believed however, James and Lily had appointed him godfather for a reason and despite his youth, Sirius had an overabundance of wealth. He was very much capable of caring for his godchildren.
"Both children are staying with me!" Sirius then stated rather menacingly as he gripped the end of his wand preparing himself for the possibility of having to take down the half-giant. "I'm their godfather."
"Come now, Sirius. Dumbledore says 'e must go wit' his aun' and uncle. If we can' trust Dumbeldore now who can we?"
Sirius said nothing but continued staring at Hagrid. Part of him wanted to send several strong stunning spells at him to at least distract him so he could make a run for it with his kids; away from this world, away from the Death Eaters, and away from Dumbledore. However, another part told him that Hagrid was right, didn't his old, wise headmaster and leader know best? Afterall, he was the only wizard Voldemort feared. That one alone was enough when they had all joined the Order. It had been enough when they had all agreed to place their trust in him regardless if he kept certain information from them. It had to be enough now too. Sirius was sure that Prongs and Lily would have agreed.
"What happened here, Hagrid?" Sirius had asked, desperate to know any information from the headmaster before even thinking of handing Harry over. "I know Dumbledore wouldn't have sent you if there had been any danger here. How is it that Harry and Rose are alive?"
Hagrid sighed defeatedly, "'E didn' tell me much. Jus' that You-Know-Who is gone for now and ter take Harry to his aunts right away for 'is protection."
"I can protect both of them just fine," Sirius remarked coolly.
"No one doubts ya, Sirius. But Dumbledore 'as 'is reasons. He said it's the on'y way ter protect Harry now."
Sirius couldn't fight him on this even though he wanted to. If Dumbledore said that Harry would be safe with his aunt then it was because it was so. He couldn't question it either, the old wizard had his reasons and as an Order member he had sworn to follow him. Perhaps Voldemort hadn't been defeated, perhaps his Death Eaters would come looking for Harry, whatever Dumbledore's reasoning was Sirius knew they were for the best.
When he had looked into Harry's emerald green eyes, his heart broke more at the thought of letting him go however Rosie still needed him. He needed to be strong for his goddaughter, at least she would remain with him. Placing a parting kiss on Harry's head, Sirius slowly handed him over to Hagrid, who took him and gently placed him in a sling he wore across his chest.
"It's all my fault," Sirius had said defeatedly. "I should have been here to protect them. I should have...I should have...Peter...it should have been me. It's all my fault!" His whole body shook as tears swelled up in his eyes. He had been so stupid to think Peter was the right choice for Secret Keeper. The little shit had always been a fucking coward and now he was a no-good traitor. He would pay for what he had done!
"Don' blame yourself, Sirius," Hagrid had offered, kindly placing a large, comforting hand on the young wizard's shoulder as tears rolled down his own red cheeks. "Der was nuthin anyone coulda done once You-Know-Who decided to kill ya. 'E would have killed ya too an' yer no good to these kids if yer dead. It's a miracle they're even alive!"
Hagrid was right but the pain of losing his chosen brother forever was eating him up inside. He turned to look down at Rosie, who was still standing behind him quietly observing the interaction between the adults. Her large, golden eyes met his and it was then that Sirius knew he had to pull himself together. James would have wanted him to keep his shit together and he would be damned if he didn't do right by his memory.
He nodded at the giant before stepping to the closet to quickly retrieve a dark green, wool jumper.
"Come, Rosie," he had said to the girl, carefully pulling the garment over her head and guiding each arm through the sleeves before picking her up. He settled his goddaughter against his chest and felt her instinctively rest her head on his shoulder. He would be a good father to her he had silently sworn then and there before turning to follow Hagrid.
As they descended, Sirius had remembered Jame's corpse laying next to the stairs, and once again the pain in his chest returned. However, he had been determined to be strong now for Rosie.
"Close your eyes, Rosie!" he quickly instructed, desperate to protect her from permanently engraving the image of her dead father in her young, developing mind. It was bad enough that she had witnessed Lily's murder and stayed for Merlin-knows-how-long beside her corpse. "Keep them closed until I tell you to."
Sirius too kept his eyes away from his best friend as they crossed the foyer, he couldn't risk reaching his breaking point. When they finally stepped out of the ruined home, he whispered, "You can open your eyes now, love."
She lifted her head and leaned back to look at him, "What about mummy and daddy?"
"Hagrid," he called to the groundskeeper. Hagrid stopped at the front gate and turned to face the younger wizard, "Lily and James...what about them?" Sirius asked.
"Dumbledore said 'e'd alert the Ministry coroners," the half-giant explained. "Should be arrivin' any minute now."
Sirius nodded, he did not want to see their bodies again but he needed to make sure they were tended to and given proper funeral arrangements. Afterward, he fully planned on finding Peter and dealing with the fucking traitor. Only after that did he intend on Disapparating far away with Rosie, away from this war and these people that had taken almost everything from him. Perhaps he could convince Moony to join them and they could live out in the country, that is if he could ever forgive Sirius for suspecting him as the traitor. "I'll stay here and wait for them," he said. "Take my bike, Hagrid," he added gesturing over the motorcycle parked in front of the home. "I won't be needing it anymore."
"Yer sure?" inquired Hagrid surprised.
Sirius nodded, "Harry needs to be transported safely to his aunt's." He explained reaching into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulling out the keys which he then threw to Hagrid who caught them.
"I'm not going with Harry?" asked Rosie.
Sirius smiled weakly at her, "No, my darling." he answered gently. "Harry needs to go with your aunt but you're coming with me. You and I are going to go find your Uncle Remus."
Rose gave a small smile at the mention of her other uncle but her face once again fell as she looked over in Harry's direction. His poor Rosie had lost her entire family in one night, he couldn't imagine what her little heart felt. But she still had him and Remus and they would be there for her so he articulated a comforting thought.
'It's okay, Rosie. It's not goodbye forever. We'll see Harry again soon, I promise. I'm sure your auntie will let us visit.'
She nodded to show she understood and so they both watched as Hagrid walked away with Harry. Hagrid mounted the motorcycle, swinging one large leg over to settle himself on the seat while keeping Harry secured in the sling.
"See ya 'round, Sirius," said Hagrid as he turned on the bike. "Take care, little Rose." He added waving at the little girl with a sympathetic smile.
Rose gave no answer and Sirius only nodded and gave a small wave before they both watched the Hogwarts groundskeeper take off with his godson into the dark, cloudy night sky. They waited until their silhouette grew smaller and smaller until it was eventually swallowed by the heavy rain clouds.
Sirius returned his attention to the small girl in his arms thinking of how drastically their lives had just changed in one single night. If only they had seen the signs, Peter had been acting strange and withdrawn for weeks, however, they had all put it off as anxiety and fear due to the deadly war particularly after Marlene's murder.
The thought of Peter begun boiling his anger deep inside him, it coursed through his veins as the thought of their losses overtook him. He had lost the only girl he had ever loved, both of his brothers, and part of his family. He wanted to rip Peter's throat out!
It was then he had remembered that Peter had mentioned feeling ill tonight and would probably be holed up in his flat awaiting the news from his Master or fellow Death Eaters if he hadn't already heard. Realizing he had no time to waste if he wanted to catch the rat Sirius began walking away from the ruined house.
"We're going to find your unc-" he stopped himself before he could utter the title Peter had never deserved. "We're going to find Peter before we go home," he finished explaining to his goddaughter knowing very well that taking her along was a dangerous idea, however, he could not allow Peter to get away and without knowing where Moony was, Sirius had no options and much less no one he could trust with Rosie.
"Hold on to me, love," instructed Sirius as they reached the end of the street. Rose tightened her hold around his neck knowing what was to come next.
With a quick 'CRACK' Sirius and Rose Disapparated away from Godric's Hollow and into an alleyway near the flat in Muggle London. There hadn't been an exact plan so he had improvised and rather poorly. All he knew was that he had to break in, place Rosie under a Sleeping Charm, and settled the score with his old classmate.
Grabbing on to his goddaughter tightly, Sirius walked onto the street and found that despite the late hour and light rain that had begun to pour, there were still Muggles out; no doubt celebrating their strange Halloween traditions. He turned the corner of the narrow street where Peter lived and was immediately taken aback by what greeted him. There, at the end of the street in front of the brick residential building, stood Peter. He did not look scared nor surprised, obviously, he had been waiting for Sirius which was evident by the slow smirk that etched across his ugly, round face.
The control it had taken from Sirius to not send the Killing Curse immediately had been a truly painful test but there had been too many Muggles and Rosie could not see that either. He could feel his heart pump furiously in his chest fueled by the boiling anger, hate, and pain that coursed throughout every fiber of his being but stood silent ground as he felt Rosie tighten her hold on him.
"Uncle Sirius, I'm scared," she whispered no doubt feeling his emotions and hearing his thoughts.
"Everything's fine, Rosie," Sirius had whispered softly into her ear.
He hadn't a clue what Peter was playing at and was alarmed as soon as the man began walking onto the road towards them. The smirk never left his face and as he got closer Sirius could make out a bandage around his right hand. Carefully, Sirius had set Rose down beside a nearby mailbox.
"Stay right here, Rosie," Sirius instructed.
"Uncle Sirius, don't," Rosie had pleaded.
"It's alright, I'm just going to talk to Wormtail. I'll be right back." He had reassured for surely Peter would not try anything with so many Muggle witnesses, after all, where could he hide behind now that his Master was gone.
With that Sirius stepped onto the road but had only taken a few steps forward when Peter stopped several feet away from him. The ugly, confident smirk slowly vanished from his round face to be replaced by a painful grimace.
"SIRIUS, HOW COULD YOU?!" Peter shouted loudly through tears that had been quick to flow.
Sirius stopped dead in his tracks, confused by the other man's sudden outburst even a few Muggles had stopped to stare at the spectacle.
"LILY AND JAMES! THEY WERE YOUR FRIENDS!" He continued to shout drawing more attention by the second. "YOU BETRAYED THEM! THEY'RE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOU GO AND STEAL THEIR DAUGHTER! I WON'T LET YOU!"
Catching on to Peter's twisted ploy, Sirius had been about to draw his wand and curse the bastard but Peter had carefully planned this encounter. There had been an ear-deafening BANG as he set off a strong Blasting Curse.
Screams of terror filled the air as rubble and debris showered the street hitting parked cars and unfortunate bystanders. Luckily Sirius had been quick to Apparate back to Rose in time to pull her onto the ground and shield her with his body.
The blast was quick to end just as it had begun. Sirius looked down at Rosie to make sure she was unhurt, the poor child was terrified and confused but without any physical injury. He had ignored the painful ringing in his ears and sudden deafness to stand and look over at the spot where Peter had stood. The rain had begun to fall hard and there had been nothing but a large crater in the middle of the road with scattered body parts and blood. Around him, the Muggles were running in a panic some rushing to tend to others with missing limbs although it was clear that many of them were dead.
Sirius had believed the little traitor had killed himself in an attempt to frame him for his own crimes.
He couldn't help but laugh and so he did completely deaf to his own volume from the aftermath of the blast until noise began to fade in again.
"Uncle Sirius!" came Rosie's voice as she ran over to him bringing him back to reality.
He quickly lifted the terrified child into his arms and was about to Disapparate when he felt a sudden force hold him down. Someone was preventing him from leaving. He tried to reach for his wand but couldn't. Suddenly, there was a swarm of Hit Wizards on the street running towards Sirius and Rose, their wands out and pointed at them.
"LET THE GIRL GO, BLACK!" shouted one of them. "WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED, THERE'S NOWHERE TO RUN!"
He had panicked at this unfortunate turn of events; he needed to tell them this was all a misunderstanding. However, before he could react a strong and painful stinging hex shot through his back and spread throughout his body knocking him down painfully onto his knees yet somehow he had been able to maintain his hold on his goddaughter. He had yelled in pain and could hear Rosie's own terror when suddenly he felt the little girl being pulled away from him.
"UNCLE SIRIUS! NO! DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME!" She yelled terrified as she struggled against whoever was pulling her away by holding onto Sirius as strongly as her little arms could. However, her strength was no match for the full-grown wizard and was quickly snatched away from his arms as a Binding and Silencing Charm rendered him helpless on the wet ground.
"NO! NO! UNCLE SIRIUS!" he could hear Rosie cry breaking his heart. "DON'T LEAVE ME! UNCLE SIRIUS!"
'I'LL FIND YOU, ROSIE! I PROMISE! I'LL FIND YOU!.' He had thought as strongly and as loud as he could turning his neck to watch his goddaughter be carried away, her little arms outstretched towards him, her face red, wet, and terrified before the Hit Wizard disapparated away with her.
A/N: Hi everyone, hope this note finds you all safe and well. Thank you to all who are following and favoriting this story, I'm glad to see that this story has been able to bring some joy or at least an enjoyable distraction during this time of quarantine. I hope to get the next chapter up soon as Rose will finally reunite with Harry although I'm not going to give myself a deadline. Please leave feedback, I wanna hear from yall and it's super motivating!
In this chapter, I took a few liberties with the night at Godric's Hollow and Sirius Peter's confrontation as not many details are given. BTW, Sirius totally seems like the type to be so driven by emotion that he'd make a reckless decision of going after Peter regardless if it endangered someone else. Don't fight me on this lol!
Sending love to everyone!