Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own anything OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: Yes, I have made Dumbledore into a monster and let's not forget the Dark Witch. I am sorry if I made him too offensive. My only solace is everything I posted in the Prologue and that this FanFiction will end happily with everyone getting their dues. I hope I have answered why I did not have McGonagall be actively a part of the storyline until now. Anytime I find a natural break is when I end the chapter.

For the record, I despise Ron. However, I thought to make him a victim to Dumbledore's manipulations. I am unsure if Harry will maintain a friendship with Ron unless it is to maintain relations with the Weasley family or because he actually wants to forgive him. Any bets on which one? Reviews welcome since they are my motivation and enable me to write quickly :-).

Ch. XV: Sirius Dealings

Harry trudged into the Gryffindor Common Room and nodded to his friends and asked them how long they would be up tonight since the Gryffindor clock chimed 9:30 p.m.

"Probably another hour at the most," Hermione answered. It had bothered her all day regarding Harry's appearance and suchlike. She did not dare mention it to Ron. Mostly because she was sure she alone saw his eyes changed. It could have been the lighting. She thought, brow furrowing.

No, I know what I saw. Hermione internally debated if she should mention it at all to Sirius.

"Great, thanks." Harry said sincerely. "I'll just get ready and finish Snape's essay tonight since I'm more worried about that than the Herbology reading."

Ron grunted as he focused on a chess match between himself and Neville.

Actually, Harry thought. I could just make it a habit of getting up earlier than usual and pull a Hermione and read. Harry straightened, feeling sore and annoyed at Oliver for running him to-and-fro. But who was he to tell? McGonagall?

The second-year barely refrained from rolling his eyes.

You roll your eyes at me again, boy, and I'll make you regret it! Uncle Vernon's voice shouted in Harry's head from earlier in the summer before he stayed at The Burrow.

Harry gulped. He is having a difficult time keeping his Muggle life and his Hogwarts life separate all of a sudden.

Shaking his head, he grabbed an old pillow case he nicked from the Dursleys to use as a makeshift hamper. The boy grabbed his pyjamas and his towel and made his way to the Second Year Boys' Dormitory.

Thankfully, the showers are empty.

One solid grace, Harry thought smiling, is I get to have the hot water all to myself. But not for too long since Hermione will be going to bed early.

The boy stripped and readied the shower. He removed his glasses and placed them with his pyjamas while removing his soiled Quidditch training robes to put inside the pillowcase.

The showers have complimentary shower gel, shampoo and soap and Harry used them in abundance as he mentally reviewed his day.

Why do I still feel so cold? Harry wondered, his lips thinning. I've got the water on so hot my skin's lobster red!

He decided he would not bother anyone else about it.

After all, living at the Dursleys told him no one cared about his comfort levels or bothered to notice he had 'actual thoughts between his ears,' like Snape said.

So why would the wizarding world be all that much different? Although, Harry thought confused. I would like to tell Snuffles about what happened today. But would that constitute as anything of importance? I mean, he has so much to deal with already. Truthfully, Harry had no idea what Sirius did in his day. He assumed it is something all adults dealt with since he knew from his Dursley experience whether or not adults did anything in their day is of no consequence to Harry.

Unless he wanted to be struck.

Harry quickly finished his shower and changed into his pyjamas while throwing on a robe for modesty. His hair wet and he placed his dirty pillowcase atop his trunk for the House-Elves to gather. The only reason Harry knew to do so was when he asked Percy where he should take his laundry last year.

The elder Weasley actually snorted at Harry. "You don't have to do your own laundry, Harry," he scoffed. "The House-Elves'll take care of it." He pointed to Harry's trunk. "Didn't you see everyone else's trunks? With their laundry there?"

Harry decided then and there he did not like Percy.

I mean I know I'm not smart or anything you stupid prat. Harry thought angrily. His blood rising and his serpentine pupils appeared briefly. I was just trying to 'follow the rules,' and bloody ask a prefect a perfectly sensible question.

He shook his head and frowned down at his side.

The Black Quill remained inside his pillowcase and Harry fished it out. He felt the feathers briefly before placing it in his breast pocket of his black Gryffindor robes.

Harry sighed in relief. His temper gone once the Black Quill was safely against his body and Harry made his way to Hermione and Ron.

She smiled at him and passed him charmed covered copy of Most Macabre Monstrosities* and earmarked the Basilisk chapter for Harry.

"Thanks, I owe you one." Harry muttered to her.

Ron remained still as a statue while Neville grimaced and tried to decide which move to make. Owe her one what? Ron thought irritably. You don't bloody owe her anything except a simple thanks for courtesy's sake!

Ron's jealousy is a simmering kind. It would not be long before he did something reckless.

Albus smirked as he watched the putrid green mass over the Leaky Cauldron's meal ticket trinket swirl and flare with red spots.

If the red spots engrossed the meal ticket then it would cause Ron to explode under its manipulations egging on his jealous tendencies.

Not yet. He thought shrewdly. Yawning, the elderly wizard nestled in bed satisfied something went his way today.

Harry pulled out a spare leaf of parchment and his everyday quill and was just about to crack open the charmed Most Macabre Monstrosities book when the portrait door suddenly swung open.

Odd, Harry thought turning. A quick mental count told him every Gryffindor is accounted for and no one should be receiving any detentions or lost points.
He stared at Gryffindor's Head, Minerva Isobel McGonagall*.

"Just where have you been, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked irritably as she strode over to Harry, who thankfully had not opened his book, "I spoke with Messers Weasleys and Miss Bell during dinner."

"I was with Oliver, Professor." Harry said immediately. "And then I ran into Professor Dumbledore in the corridor."

McGonagall's mouth turned downward. She clearly did not believe him.

"And why were you with Wood for so late?" She queried instead.

"Extra training," Harry answered, beginning to redden.

McGonagall stared at him in surprise. "Extra training?" She sputtered. "You don't need extra training! Wood!" Poppycock! Minerva thought outraged. I chose you! You're a natural and you're going to win me that bloody cup from Severus at least once in your Hogwarts career or I will personally see to an additional detention added to your seventh year! She turned around and stormed straight toward the spiraling staircase leading to the Fifth Year Boys' Dormitory. She rapped her knuckles against the door.

"Wood! Come here this instant!" She snapped.

Harry virtually sank behind Hermione who quickly took Harry's book and replaced it with her real Herbology book. She tapped Harry's foot in reassurance as she waited with baited breath like everyone else in Gryffindor Common Room.

A burly, disgruntled Oliver Wood appeared before his House Head immediately.

"Professor?" He asked warily. His eyes flickering to Harry's, who promptly lowered his gaze.

I'm so going to get it, Harry thought miserably. Now he thinks I'm a tattle-tale.

McGonagall glowered up at the taller fifth year.

"And just on what grounds did you have in your authority," McGonagall practically spat. "Did you and Mr. Potter need extra training and miss dinner and roll call?"

Oliver had the grace to blush.

"Well?" McGonagall demanded. "Are you a professor, Wood? Are you aware there could have been wild animals roaming out of the Forbidden Forest and attacked you and Mr. Potter? Is there a Quidditch match, I'm not privy to?"

"No Professor." Oliver said quietly.

"You'll serve detention with me on Saturday." She said resolutely. "Mr. Potter will not be punished," she glanced over her shoulder at Harry, "this time," her dark green eyes* fairly shooting sparks as she speared Oliver. "Since between the two of you, I expected you to be the most responsible one as the eldest."

"Yes Professor." Oliver said quietly, his face aflame.

Huffing, Minerva made her way to Harry. "At least Miss Granger has some good influence on you, Mr. Potter." She said with a sniff, as her sharp eyes glanced at the Herbology book. "Don't let this happen again, Mr. Potter."

"Yes Professor," Harry said quickly.

Minerva seemed to hesitate. It bothered her immensely about Albus seeking Harry out. She would follow up with Albus in the morning.

Are his grades slipping? She wondered, frowning. If Harry's grades slipped then he would be disallowed to play Quidditch.

Something Minerva would not see.

She nodded to the other Gryffindors and briskly walked back to her duty patrolling the corridors.

After a tense silence Harry opened the Potions book and turned away from Oliver who seemed to have some sense other than his maniacal obsession regarding Quidditch and left for bed.

Harry opened to the current chapter reading. After a while other Gryffindors left while Harry caught up.

Ron bit his lip and actually felt for Harry. He had not realized how much of a prat he had been forgetting his best friend while he stuffed his face as per usual. He should have known Harry would not have been in training for four hours since it is not done unless you had special permission from the House Head to train for an extended length of time.

Shrugging at Neville, he returned the public chessboard pieces and figured he would do his homework before class. Bidding his friends a goodnight he felt exhausted all of a sudden just as the clock chimed 10:15 p.m. Several students began to wrap up for the night since breakfast is served promptly at 7 a.m.

Hermione slipped Harry the charmed book into Harry's lap, surprising the boy. He slipped her real Herbology book to her and focused on Basilisks.

"Don't stay up too late," Hermione whispered, even as the other students turned in she remained with Harry until he was alone. "And Harry?"

He looked at her with his Gorgeous green eyes Hermione thought unbidden. "D―Did you hear anything from Snuffles?" Coward! Hermione self-chastised. I've got to ask him some way about the stange Slytherin pupils? But how?

Harry shook his head. "You go on ahead," Harry whispered back. "I won't. And thanks Hermione."

She smiled at him and walked to the Girls' Dormitories spiraling staircase.

Sighing, Harry began to read and write his essay.

The Basilisk is considered to be the King of Serpents and is the mortal enemy of spiders….*

Harry frowned as he read and wrote. For some reason, the cold feeling inside him seemed relaxed.

Grimacing, Harry continued his essay while distractedly thinking of Sirius and his strange cold feeling.

~*Earlier that day*~

Sirius frowned at Harry's letter. He was more concerned with the shaky script than the actual message.

He arched a brow. Could he be sick? Or maybe he was in a rush?

"Séraphine," Sirius murmured.

Swirling silver-and-black* clouds appeared to his left while he continued to write on his Hogwarts-styled chalkboard.

"Yes, Lord Sirius?" She asked, noting his solemnity.

"Please read this," he said as he handed her Harry's letter.

The House-Witch took the letter and hid her surprise. The only time a Lord Black treated her like a person was her beloved Master Arcturus. Now, his grandson is doing the same thing.

It is precious to the House-Witch. For once, she did not have to spy in the walls and windows in order to learn anything she needed. She read Their Heir's script and pursed her lips.

Sirius could privately admit he liked having someone to talk to. Someone who actually understood everything from a Black point-of-view and he could legitimately trust. Certainly, he liked the kids, Dobby and the familiars, But it was not the same as dealing with an adult.

"I think I'll write to Ragnok presently," Sirius mused. "However, I am concerned about Harry's health. Do you think he was in a rush? Or am I being a fool?"

He turned and regarded her with mercurial eyes while he grabbed Father's modified stationery and it read in elegant black-and-silver script with the House of Black crest and simply from Lord Black as opposed to a specific name associated with it.

"He could have been in a rush," Séraphine said slowly. "But you're no fool for caring for Our Heir."

Nodding, he wrote to Ragnok while she waited. Séraphine read the chalkboard curiously.

The first quadrant read: Goblins. The second quadrant read: Harry. The third quadrant read: My enemies? And the fourth quadrant read: Misc. must-haves.

In sum, Sirius tried to organize his thoughts. Sirius did not trust the Goblins wholly. The only exception currently is Lacie since she actually interacted with his child. He seemed bothered about Harry's health and clothing. Rags. The House-Witch agreed based on what she glimpsed of the child. Her eyes focused on the easily recognizable column to her interests.

Narcissa Black must be punished. She thought darkly. She noticed under 'My enemies?' her initials C.C. or 'Cousin Cissy,' listed along with 'BB,' drawn with a snake around it. She frowned in confusion about that one.

Sirius is an accomplished artist and he primarily drew The Marauder's Map. Certainly, Sirius had help from the other three Marauders. However, he and James undoubtedly did the lion's share of the work.

A rat and a skull are also listed along with 'Dursleys.' Turning back to Sirius as he finished his letter, he sighed.

"Please take this to Ragnok," he told her. "I think I've come up with a solution for the Fidelius Charm along with what to do about Our House-Elf."

Intrigued, Séraphine quickly teleported to Ragnok's office in her usual swirling cloud while he is alone and automatically encrypted his office with her wavy shields to prevent eavesdropping.

"Lord Black agrees to meet and sends his signature." She said simply. Her dark eyes carefully watchful as Ragnok respectfully thanked her and opened the document. Satisfied, the House-Witch returned to her Master.

"What are your solutions, Lord Sirius?" Séraphine asked.

"I think...I need to have Harry cast with Grandfather's wand the Fidelius Charm." Sirius said, rubbing his temples and getting chalk on his eyebrow. "That way, no one will know Harry cast it using his wand in case they do a random search." Sirius said grimacing.

"A random search?" His House-Witch demanded. "Why ever for?"

Sirius sardonically smiled at her. "With Dumbass in power? I wouldn't put it past him to try something on my child." His eyes flashed mercury. "After all, he's already touched my baby's magical core." He seethed. "That's worse than murder, and I plan on using that trump charge on him as soon as I am able." Sirius scowled and paced in front of the chalkboard. "I mean, that's as pedophiliac* as one can get." Without actually touching my baby's body. His formidable temper beginning to leak magic from Grandfather's wand.

Trying to cool his temper, the wizard put the wand down on the desk.

"OK, I can't think along those lines." Sirius said tersely. He glanced at the calendar. Wednesday. "Only three days until I see my baby." He took a deep breath.

"Lord Sirius?" Séraphine asked. He glanced at her. "What are those names? And did you want Our Heir to cast the spell while we're with the Goblins? And if so...is it because he'll have access to the location since he's the spellcaster?"

Sirius smiled at her. "Right-in-one," He said approvingly. "Those names there are the Dursleys―the Muggles Harry had to live with thanks to Dumbass―," he could see her rage light her dark eyes and her subtle tension and actually felt sorry. These particular Muggles signified everything his House-Witch feared and hated. "Pettigrew," he pointed to the rat drawing. "BellaBitch," he said pointing to 'BB.' "She probably slept with Moldypants while being his sadistic lieutenant."

Surprisingly, both House-Witch and wizard shuddered.

"She's an enemy to Our Heir and to you, Lord Sirius." She explained at his surprised look. "I would suggest you do not say his name."

Sirius took askance. "And why not?" He protested, his handsome face contorting in disgust. Why should he care about using Voldemort's name? He was not afraid of a name for Merlin's sake.

"Because there's a dark spell associated with his name that Bellatrix Black casted using a Black Blood Ward spell and twisted it to make his name summon the speaker's location to him." She readily explained.

Sirius' jaw dropped.

"Merlin's balls," Sirius said horrified. "She did, didn't she?!"

Séraphine nodded grimly and summoned one of the darkest spellbooks the Black Family Libraries had and pointed to a particular chapter. The contents of what it took to create such a dark spell nearly made Sirius retch.

"She took the sister copy," she said in a low voice. "She stole it from Our House right before her wedding to the Lestrange Heir," her shoulders sagged.

"Anyone with Black blood can access it," she said dismayed to Lord Black.

"So that's why he was jonesing for all the Blacks to join as Death Eaters and why he specifically preyed on Reggie," Sirius said dangerously. His posture straightening to his full height. "He did it since Reggie was unofficially declared the Black Heir and would have fed him a pipeline to all our secrets."

You cost me my brother, my friends, innocents...He thought hatefully, all but gnashing his teeth in a snarl. My bloody freedom...You better not cost me my child. Or so help me! I will make it my life's mission to fucking annihilating your carcass and everything you worked so hard to create! Including BellaBitch!

It is no secret that Bellatrix Black Lestrange is an accomplished duelist and highly-skilled Legilimens. However, she is not a male heir. Once she married 'an acceptable' Pureblood family she no longer had access to the Black Family Libraries without express permission from its Lord and/or Heir. The only thing in her favor, would be to either steal it (as she had done) or to use her Black lineage to open any spellbook or use any curses specifically created by their forebears.

It gave Sirius an idea.

"Séraphine," he said suddenly. "Please write this down so I can discuss it with the Goblins...on how best to disenfranchise Bellatrix and Narcissa." Sirius rolled his shoulders back, and his lips became a tight line betraying his fear and vulnerability to his House-Witch. "Also, I'll need you to train with me…" He took a deep breath. "I know I'm rusty but I was once good at Occlumency―and I don't doubt for a moment that being decent at it spared my sanity while I was imprisoned."

Although, Sirius could admit his barriers are frayed if not permanently destroyed.

Only one way to find out. He thought grimly.

"What of Kreacher?" She asked quietly as she took a seat in front of his desk. A quill and parchment at-the-ready.

Sirius grimaced. "I think I'm going to have to use him in regard to Harry and to administer some House-Elf healing magic on him since he is obviously older and more experienced than Dobby. And I can't believe Dumbass won't figure out Dobby serves more than Hogwarts." He sighed before pacing while he dictated to Séraphine to write with the speed of a Quick-Quotes Quill*.

References:

Minerva Isobel McGonagall: OK, I love middle names and Minerva obviously admired her mother, Isobel. So, I thought I would honor the half-blood witch her mother bore despite being held in highest disregard. She actually does have green eyes and black hair just like Harry. History and appearance courtesy of Harry Potter Wikia.

Most Macabre Monstrosities: Is a real book posted on Harry Potter Wikia. It lists everything Hermione found in the Restricted Section in CoS. While I think it is supercool I did not want to completely quote it verbatim while Harry wrote his Basilisk essay for Snape.

Silver/black swirls: OK, I noticed I switch it between silver-and-black to black-and-silver swirls whenever Sérephine 'Apparates.' I realized I did not explain why I do it interchangeably. It is just how I always pictured her :-).

VERY IMPORTANT: Absolutely no sexual abuse will be in my stories. I only had Sirius say this because he has seen some serious shit in Azkaban. In my storyline, touching anyone's magical core unless it is for medical reasons is a filthy, corrupt thing to do. Especially to a child and that is why Sirius would have recoiled in such a fashion (much like any witch or wizard regardless of blood purity would have in my story).

Quick-Quotes Quill: Thanks to that hateful Rita Skeeter (honestly, Hermione you were too merciful with your threat to expose her to the Wizarding World as an unregistered Animagus beetle) this exists courtesy of GoF.