There was a long silence. Then Regulus asked from his portrait, "Brother, do you believe him?". Sirius answered, "Yes, indeed I do. To come here must have been very hard on him and it is reason enough for me to believe him. I am really concerned about what he has discovered. Remember Tom Riddle's diary. Tom enclosed his younger self into it. He was able to use magic which released its effects decades later. Therefore, it is not surprising that some of his arrangements have survived. We must find out, what these were and disable them". James said, "If Tom really took precautions to quickly and effectively squash a future revolt, most probably these would aim at half-bloods and true-bloods because he discarded Muggle-borns as being unimportant. We must keep in mind that it will be extremely challenging to fight Tom's magic". Regulus asked, "Shouldn't we contact Harry?". Simultaneously the others shouted, "No". Sirius explained, "Asking Harry for help, is not an option. First, the fight against Tom is mainly the challenge of our generation. And then, Harry is a very gifted young man. Yes, he vanquished Tom. But we all know that it was rather Dumbledore, who destroyed him. He first met Tom, when the later was still a child, he was his teacher, he knew that he was the heir of Slytherin, he found out about the horcruxes, and he guessed that Harry was one as well. For years he prepared Harry to fight Riddle. He provided him with protection, information, and weapons, and saw to it that he acquired the skills he needed to be successful. Dumbledore was also convinced that the mental connection between them only existed thanks to the piece of soul which Tom involuntarily passed on to Harry by killing Lily. When Tom turned him into a horcrux he enabled Harry to read his mind, share his feelings, see things through his eyes, speak Parseltongue, and much more. Thus, Tom himself gave Harry the extraordinary devices that would ultimately bring about his own downfall. And Dumbledore also knew that the moment Tom would destroy this piece of his soul, the link between them would be cut off and Harry would lose all those skills".
"Today Harry is still a powerful young wizard, and he will always be the boy who lived. But not the chosen one anymore. Of course, people will always remember him as being exactly that. But we all know that today he is just…, well Harry. Besides, I think that he really deserves to enjoy his life with Ginny. No, he cannot help us. We have to act ourselves and to be honest, none of us has the qualities of Dumbledore". Mercuria interfered, "Well, none of you has the qualities of Dumbledore, but together, we might still be able to outwit Tom. It is all too clear to me that he didn't consider the skills of Muggles or house-elves. But I am sure that we can add a valuable contribution too. What do you think, Kreacher?". "Well said, Mistress Black". Sirius smiled when he looked at their beaming faces which mirrored their excitement at the prospect of taking part in yet another adventure.
With a loud bang, the door opened, and his four boys came running at Sirius, followed by their nurse Lizzy and the house-elf Dinky. The older two ones shouted, "Dad, can we stay up a bit longer today? It is not yet dark, and we want to finish our game. Please Dad". The two little ones echoed, "Please Dad". Sirius smiled and looked at Mercuria. She nodded. "Ok. But only one more hour. I want you to stay inside when it gets dark, you understand?". They gambolled excitedly. The older ones run for the door; the little ones dragged behind. Regulus asked, "What do you think will happen to them if they stay out late? This estate is secured with every possible magic". Sirius answered, "I know that you are right as far as the protection of our home is concerned. But to be true, I never completely lost the feeling of being pursued. I'm constantly on alert. Though I know that presently there is no danger out there to us or others, I want the kids to be inside at dusk. Brother, since my escape from Azkaban, I have never felt completely safe. Deep down inside there is always this constant feeling of being threatened, even though my mind tells me that this is nonsense. But the story, which Lucius has told us today, has strengthened my doubts. Presently, I'd rather play it safe. Especially when the children are involved". Mercuria rose from her chair and from behind took him in her arms. He leant back against her and closed his eyes. The three wizards smiled from their portraits.
Regulus interrupted, "Well, brother, how will you go about this?". "Tomorrow we will visit Malfoy. Then we will see Andromeda". He looked at his wife. "You will get perfectly along with her. She is the cousin, whom I always liked the best. She is eight years older than me. Therefore, we didn't have much in common. But when she married Ted Tonks, I really admired her. She didn't care that the family broke off contact with her. She sacrificed her family for a happy married life. Not that there was much to sacrifice anyway. She set a good example for me. I am really looking forward to seeing her. I have no doubt that she will show me her Gringotts' vault. Unfortunately, you cannot come". " Why?". "Because Muggles are not allowed at Diagon Alley".
Mercuria snorted. "Sirius, sometimes you really surprise me". Sirius looked confused. "Of course, Muggles are allowed there. When Lily received her invitation letter from Hogwarts, my aunt and uncle drove her down to London to buy her school stuff in Diagon Alley. Where else would they have found them? They changed their money at Gringotts into Wizarding money and bought all the things, which Lily needed as a first-year student. Sirius, every year some Muggle-borns are invited to Hogwarts. Like Hermione Granger. Didn't you ever wonder where they buy their school outfit, their books and everything else? I'll be coming of course. Besides, I always wanted to get to know your cousin Andromeda as she seems to be the only likable member of your family. Apart from you and Regulus that is of course. Therefore, I will of course join you when you visit her". She smiled at Sirius, who looked utterly surprised. "Though I have been living in the Muggle world for nearly five years now, I always learn something new about it". Mercuria sniggered. "When we first met, you thought that there are two worlds apart. The Muggle one and the wizard one. But this is not true. There are many situations where they overlap. Anyway, I will come with you. It always pays out to have as much different perspectives as possible". Sirius nodded.
A short time later, they went to bed. For the rest of the evening Sirius had been deep in thought. He had not told them that since the beginning of the year the ghosts of his past had returned to torment him more and more frequently and to keep reviving the horrors of old. That night he slept fitfully and moaned as the familiar horrible images rose from the depths of his memory and the terrible scenario began to unwind over and over again. A group of Dementors surrounded him, and Sirius desperately fumbled for his wand. But as always, he searched for it in vain, and was left with no defence to face the unspeakable horror. The Dementor closest to him already pulled back its hood and Sirius looked into the hideous maw of the monster, which blew its icy breath into his face. He screamed like a banshee, lashed out wildly and forcefully pushed away the attacker.
At the same moment Sirius was woken by a loud cry and pitiful weeping. His sons had crawled into their bed and Procyon had leaned over him to give him a kiss. In his attempt to drive the Dementor away, he had struck the boy violently. Mercuria hugged the heavily sobbing child tightly to her chest and cradled him gently in her arms. The other three boys were sitting next to their mother and had watched the scene stunned. Sirius ran his hand through his hair and carefully reached out both arms to his terrified son. Distraught, he saw Procyon flinch fearfully. Mercuria spoke soothingly to the boy. "Love, your father had a bad dream. You've sometimes had a nightmare too, haven't you?". The child nodded. "Your dad didn't mean to hurt you. He was just terribly scared, you know? He didn't recognise you right away when he woke up from his sleep. Your daddy loves you and always will protect you, you know this, don't you? Look how sorry he is". Procyon squinted over at his father. Then he whispered, "Daddy," and reached his hands out to him. Sirius lifted the child up and hugged him tightly. He put his arms protectively around his son and whispered softly in his ear. Eventually the boy calmed down and pressed a kiss to his father's cheek before snuggling exhausted into his arms. Sirius sighed in relief. The other three boys slipped under the covers with their parents.
When in the morning Sirius opened his eyes, bent over him he saw the beaming face of Procyon, who softly caressed his cheek. He took him and held the child, who was whooping and kicking with joy, high above with outstretched arms before he pressed him tightly to his chest and kissed him. Never, never should any of his children be as afraid of their father as he had been of his own parents. He remembered with a shudder those lonely nights in his room in the house at Grimmauld Place. How often he had cried himself to sleep when he was Procyon's age and his callous parents had once again scolded him and pushed him back. And how he had longed to be held and comforted just once. To hear a few kind words. To elicit a sign of appreciation, even a kiss. For a long time, he had tried to please them and to avoid everything that they might consider wrongdoing. Yet nothing he did had won their approval, let alone inspired their affection for him. At some point he had given up trying to please his parents and from then on, he had only loathed them. He had sworn to himself that his own children would never feel as terribly abandoned as he had. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Mercuria watching him, smiling, before the rest of the pack also pounced on him, shrieking enthusiastically.
Sirius spent the day playing with his sons until Mercuria called him. "I think we should leave for Lucius. We must search the whole house, and this might take some time. Kreacher, won't you join us? While the wizards use magic, we'll apply other methods". Kreacher beamed at her enthusiastically. Sirius said to Lizzy and Dinky "You watch over the boys. We might stay overnight, and I want them to be inside at dusk. Can I count on you?". Their nurse and the house-elf affirmed enthusiastically. "Ok, then off we go".
Sirius and Mercuria mounted the motorcycle and flew to Malfoy Manor. Lucius received them in the great hall. "Let me first show you the stuff which Tom left behind". He walked to a table at the end of the hall on which several objects were displayed. A cloak, a pair of shoes, a scarf with the Slytherin crest, a book, a key, an inkpot, and a quill. Sirius looked at Tom's belongings. "Not much for such a long life. But I suppose he's always been more interested in other people's possessions". Lucius looked at him questioningly. "Dumbledore showed Harry some people's memories of Tom. From what Harry told us, since childhood, Tom has been stealing from other people. Even his own family. But this leads too far right now. How will we go about it?", he asked. Mercuria said, "I will search Tom's rooms the Muggle way. By hand. Kreacher should do as he pleases. And the two of you should use magic. Keep in mind that Tom was a half-blood. He might have considered hiding places which a true-blood wouldn't think of".
Lucius, Mercuria and Kreacher spread out around the house. Sirius remained in front of the table and examined Tom's belongings. He wondered, why Tom had kept a schoolbook. 'Defence against the Dark Arts'. It looked new and unused and was certainly not one of Tom's own textbooks. Sirius flipped through the pages but couldn't spot anything suspicious at first sight. He put the book back. Then he used several Revealing Charms on the items but did not disclose anything dubious. When he touched the Slytherin crest on the scarf with his wand, it detached, rose, and floated in mid-air. "Malfoy, Malfoy, come quick". Lucius apparated at his side. They shot each other a quizzical look. "You've seen this before?". Lucius shook his head. Suddenly, the crest transformed into a vision of a dark, overgrown graveyard and for seconds focussed on a grave slab. They read the name "Merope Riddle" before it fell back into its position on the scarf. Lucius shouted, "I know this. That's where Voldemort regained his outward appearance. His family is buried there". Sirius looked at him doubtfully. "Are you sure? I thought, Riddle's mother died in London". "Yes, I am. The graveyard is close to the Riddle house. We wanted to go there anyway, after we have finished our search here. How did you find out? I examined the crest thoroughly too". Sirius smiled. "I used an Obliteration Charm. Like Curey said 'we should consider even the most absurd possibility'. Well, the crest has been obliterated for an instant, hasn't it". Lucius shrugged his shoulders. "You know what, Black? I fear that we'll have a real hard time to cope with him. Regardless of what he's done, this was really impressive, don't you think? No wonder only Dumbledore could stand up to him. And most probably, he didn't even waste much time to figure out this trick". From above they heard loud rumbling and Mercuria, who swore furiously. Sirius said, "Well, I think, we better keep going".
It was already past midnight when they gathered in the great hall. No more left-behind findings had turned up, and their search had been fruitless. "Well, to be honest, nothing more was to be expected. What now?". Sirius told Mercuria and Kreacher about the vision of Merope Riddle's grave slab. When he wanted to show them what they had discovered and touched the crest with his wand, to his maximum surprise nothing happened. Now Sirius, Lucius and Kreacher cast all sorts of spells and charms at the scarf, but the crest did not reveal its secret again. Mercuria said, "I really wonder, what this is all about. We have figured out that the casket dates to the time before Tom disappeared. But this stuff here he gathered after his return. We must find out, whether they are connected to the casket at all. And what about this key? I suppose, it is not yours, Lucius?". "No". "I am always surprised when I find a key in a wizard's house. What does he need it for? Wizards open and lock things by use of magic". She took the key and looked at it closely. "It's definitely a Muggle piece. But where does it belong to? Some kind of locker perhaps. Seems to be part of a locking system. Usually, those keys are marked. But Tom has removed the identification. It's gonna be difficult to find the lock that goes with it. I'll keep it on me. Perhaps a locksmith might be able to assist". She put the key into her pocket. Sirius said, "Ok. I think there isn't anything more to find here. Let's get moving".
They flew to Little Hangleton, where the house of Tom's ancestors still stood on a hill overlooking the village. Unoccupied for decades, the building now showed clear signs of decay. The roof had partially collapsed, windows were boarded up or smashed and the house was overgrown with ivy. They landed at the back and after a short search found a door completely concealed by a thick curtain of leaves. Lucius pulled out his wand and removed the plants before he opened the door. He lit his wand and stepped inside. The others followed him hesitantly. They looked around and found that they had entered the kitchen. Slowly they advanced into the great hall. Sirius waved his wand and whispered, "Accio casket", but nothing happened. Mercuria said, "We should go upstairs. From what Harry told us, they occupied a room on the first floor. Though the casket is not here, we might yet discover something else". They climbed the stairs and walked down the corridor to the door at the end. Cautiously, Lucius pushed down the handle and peered into the room, as if he feared that the Dark Lord would still be sitting in his chair, waiting for him. They entered. The room was less run-down than the rest of the house. Mercuria inspected the fireplace. When she looked up, she said, "Let me put it this way. Three men and a snake. One a shapeless non-entity for thirteen years, the next a rat for just as long and the third being a prisoner in Azkaban and then living under the Imperious Spell of his father for the same period. What things can they possibly have possessed? Furthermore, they couldn't have spent more than a few weeks here. After having escaped his father's custody at the Quidditch World Cup Crouch junior stayed for a couple of days only, before he assumed Mad-Eye Moody's identity as a teacher at Hogwarts. And shortly afterwards Pettigrew and Tom left to keep Crouch senior a prisoner in his own house. After Crouch senior freed himself from their Imperious Spell and escaped to Hogwarts, where he was killed by his own son, Tom and Peter might have returned here waiting for Harry to win the Triwizard Tournament and to end up at the graveyard. The more I think about it I come to the conclusion that only Peter might have left something behind. Before Tom regained a body, he simply wasn't physically able to accumulate possessions. I propose therefore to find Peter's room".
They returned to the corridor and peered into every room. Finally, Sirius said, "This is it. Probably Tom's father lived here". They carefully searched the room. Suddenly Kreacher shouted, "Master Sirius. Look at this". He snipped his fingers and an old, tattered book soared at him. He handed it to Sirius. Mercuria asked, "What is it?". "A Muggle novel. Someone has written into it. This is Peter's handwriting. I've wondered all along how untalented, simple-minded Peter, of all people, could suddenly perform such complicated magic as helping Tom to regain a physical appearance. I remember how much of an effort it took James and me teaching him to become an Animagus. I guess Tom told him what to do and he secretly wrote it down. Okay. We're done here. We'll take the book with us. Perhaps there is something written into it that will help us".
They left the house through the kitchen. Lucius pointed to the east. "Over there is the graveyard. We should go there now". Sirius nodded and flew the motorcycle among the overgrown gravestones. In the light of their wands, they easily found the large headstone on the grave of the Riddle family. The surface of the grave was cracked where Peter had opened it to collect the bones of Tom's father. Together Lucius, Sirius and Kreacher tried to extract secrets from the withered stones. But there was nothing. Lucius said, "Well, let's look for Merope". They walked around the small graveyard but could not find the grave they were looking for. Mercuria said "To be true, I would have been surprised to find it here. She will have been buried where she died. I will try to find out where that was. She last lived in the Muggle world. Therefore they must have been the ones who organised her funeral". Lucius said, "And now? We could also search the Gaunt's premises. It must be someplace near". Sirius shook his head. "This is not necessary. Dumbledore searched it and found one of the horcruxes there. We can assume that he left no stone unturned. If anything else had been found apart from the horcrux, we would know about it". For a moment they looked at each other slightly embarrassed. Then Sirius said, "Well, I think, we better go home now. Lucius, we'll keep in touch". "What will you do now?". "First, we'll have a good night's sleep. Then we will visit Andromeda. She must show us the Lestrange's vault. And I want to convince her to join in". They shook hands and parted.
