Two's Company
by Teddylonglong
All recognizable Harry Potter characters belong to J. K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story. I am merely borrowing the characters to play with them.
I am not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes.
Warnings: Completely AU, partly OOC, magically powerful Harry.
"Good morning, Harry and Henry," Minerva greeted the children, "and merry Christmas!"
"Happy Chwistmas," the children chorused, giving her an uncertain look that made her realise that they did not really know about the meaning of that specific holiday yet.
'It's strange. Somehow, they seem so grown-up for their age, but it's only their second Christmas after all,' she thought.
"How did you end up in Henry's bed?" she then addressed Harry, who shrugged.
"Henwy sad," he explained, as he sat up, causing the cat to jump away in a rush, letting out an angry meow.
"Sowwy Neko," Harry uttered.
"Thanks Harry," Henry spoke up, before he turned to Minerva. "We're not babies. We don't need the bars."
Smirking, Minerva flicked her wand and got rid of the bars around the boys' beds, knowing that the floor was soft enough, so that they would not get hurt, even if they happened to fall out of their beds.
"Is that better?" she asked, eyeing the boys in amusement.
"Yay, fanku," Harry was the first to respond, but his brother followed swiftly.
"Granny Minerva," Henry spoke up, seemingly thoughtful, "where is Padfoot?"
"Padfoot?" Minerva asked, questioningly. "Who or what is Padfoot?"
The twins stared at her in what seemed to be disbelief.
"Sirius?" one of them asked, tentatively, and the other nodded in agreement.
"Sirius Black?" Minerva returned the question, her eyes widening in shock, when the twins nodded.
"He is in prison," she said, lightly, "because he was very bad. He gave your parents away to Voldemort."
The twins shook their heads in apparent disagreement.
"Paf good," Harry contradicted.
"Yes is good. Wormtail is bad," Henry added.
Minerva's thoughts went haywire. 'Albus was the one who cast the Fideilius charm, and he told me that Sirius was their Secret Keeper,' she thought. 'Oh well, what do seventeen-month-olds know? But on the other hand, Albus made so many mistakes…' She remained thoughtful, while she gently cleaned the boys and readied them for Christmas breakfast in the Great Hall.
However, the question if Sirius Black was innocent or guilty remained at the front of her mind.
HP
"Albus?" she addressed the headmaster, who was wearing red robes like Santa Claus, obviously to impress her grandsons, which only worked so much. "When is Sirius Black's trial going to be held?"
"Black's trial?" Albus replied in apparent surprise. "As far as I know, he has already been sent to Azkaban."
"And when was his trial?" Minerva enquired, somehow feeling more suspicious about the matter than before.
"I am not aware of it," Albus told her, causing her to nod, grimly.
"Oh all right then, I'll ask Amelia about it," she replied, matter-of-factly.
"And why might that be important?" Albus asked, dismissively.
"He's the boys' godfather," she replied, glaring at him, noticing that the twins fiercely nodded their heads.
"He is a criminal," Albus stated, seemingly unimpressed by her and the children's glares.
"No," the twins contradicted.
"Mr. Reynolds," Albus addressed one of the Gryffindor students who had remained at Hogwarts during the holidays, "would you perhaps be willing to help the twins find their presents?"
"Of course," the boy replied and ushered the twins over to the large Christmas tree.
"Minerva, please just give up talking about Mr. Black in front of the children," Albus then turned to her. "He is in Azkaban because of his role in the Potters' death as well as because of killing Peter Pettigrew and thirteen muggles. He will never be able to fulfil his duties as the twins' godfather."
Minerva resolved to finish the discussion at this point; however, decided to ask Amelia about the matter as soon as possible.
HP
Back in her own rooms with two excited boys, she allowed them to play with their new Hogwarts Express set, while she floo called Amelia.
"Minerva," the younger witch greeted her in surprise, before two nineteen-month-olds suddenly pushed themselves in front of her and used the open connection to step through the fireplaces.
"We play with Henry and Harry," one of them announced, before they took off towards the play corner in a high speed.
"Wow," Amelia blurted out, seeming as shocked as Minerva. "I am sorry, Minerva. I thought I had taught them better behaviour."
Minerva shook her head in amusement. "That's not your fault," she replied, smiling. "On the other hand, why don't you step through as well?" she then offered, knowing that it was Amelia's first Christmas without her parents and brothers.
As the four toddlers occupied themselves, Minerva and Amelia had much time to discuss the matter with Sirius Black.
"I can't believe that he did such a thing either," Amelia told her. "I don't know if you're aware of it, but he was my fiancé. So, I asked Barty Crouch why he didn't have a trial, and he told me that Dumbledore had told everyone that he was the Secret Keeper. Apparently, Dumbledore's word is worth more than a trial," she added, and Minerva noticed that a sole tear was leaking from her eye.
"Do you know Unspeakable Ra?" Minerva enquired, causing Amelia to stare at her in apparent surprise.
"He has been my friend since my own time at Hogwarts," Minerva told her, smiling. "Let me call him here and ask him to investigate in this matter."
'Thank Merlin Amelia didn't ask me about his identity,' she thought, as she would not be able to tell her that it was Arcturus Black, her best friend, who had been forced to marry a dark witch over her.
She swiftly sent a Patronus to Arcturus, asking him to visit her and Amelia at Hogwarts at his earliest convenience.
HP
Arcturus arrived just a few minutes later. After a glance into Amelia's tear-stricken face, he lowered his hood, causing the younger witch to gasp.
"Arcturus Black?" she asked in obvious disbelief. "You're supposed to be dead. Please believe me that I am more than happy to see you, sir."
"Ditto," Arcturus replied, smiling, before he turned his attention to Minerva. "Congratulations to the two of you for having gained two grandsons and two nieces, who probably are more like daughters to you by now."
"Thanks," Minerva replied, dryly. "By the way, the kids asked for Sirius Black earlier today, probably assuming that he was going to spend Christmas with us."
"He never even had a trial," Amelia added in an upset voice. "Crouch simply told me that he's been sent to Azkaban because Dumbledore said so."
"And the boys told you that he's innocent?" Arcturus replied, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes," Minerva replied, sighing. "I know that they're only seventeen months old, but still."
"They seem quite mature for their age, just like mine," Amelia added, giving the old wizard a hopeful look.
"May I ask the boys if they can show me a memory?" Arcturus asked, causing Minerva to shrug.
"Sure, but please ask them beforehand. Albus tried to use Legilimency on them, and it didn't work out so well."
"What happened?" Amelia asked in apparent amusement.
HP
While the two witches kept chatting, Arcturus approached the children.
"Hello kids," he greeted them. "I am Arcturus Black, the brother of your late grandmother Dorea Potter, which means that the two of you, Harry and Henry, are my great nephews. Sirius Black is my grandson. Now, do you have any proof why you think that he is good?"
The boys nodded, and Arcturus enquired, "Can you look into my eyes and think of the memory, so that I can watch it please?"
An instant later, he was able to watch a memory, which fully convinced him of his grandson's innocence.
"Thanks kiddos," he said, happily, as he ruffed the boys' hair. "That was very well done."
'Oh Merlin,' he thought to himself. 'They're going to have fun with these kids. Thank Merlin that I'm an Unspeakable and no one uses to question me about anything.'
HP
"Minerva, Amelia," Arcturus returned to the two witches' side. "I'll see to it that Sirius is going to have a trial, as soon as Christmas is over," he promised. "I'll send someone to fetch him from Azkaban right away."
"Will the children need to attend as witnesses?" Minerva asked in concern. "They're not even two yet."
"No, they won't. We'll just question the imbecile under Veritaserum," Arcturus reassured her. "Thanks for bringing this to my attention."
"Thank you for dealing with the matter," Amelia spoke up. "It means a lot to me."
"You'll hear from me," Arcturus promised, before he donned his Unspeakable robes and simply popped away.
Minerva looked to where the four children were busying themselves playing with the Hogwarts Express toy. "These kids are not normal children, are they?" she thought aloud, shaking her head in a combination of exasperation and amazement.
"Apparently not," Amelia agreed, smiling. "Something seems very strange here. Thank Merlin we're together in this."
HP
The day of Sirius Black's trial began as strange as many other mornings ever since Minerva had taken in the twins.
It was still very early, when one of the twins toddled into her bedroom and lightly touched her arm, causing her to jerk awake.
"Gwanny Minerva, Henry is gone," Harry said, and in the faint light coming from the torches in the hall, she saw that his lower lip was quivering dangerously.
"Henry is gone?" Minerva asked in shock, as she swung herself out of her bed and followed Harry into the nursery, throwing her bath robes over as she went.
To her surprise and relief, the missing twin was lying in his bed and seemed to be peacefully asleep.
"Henry is there," she said, inwardly scolding herself, as it came out more reproachfully than intended.
"Yeah, sowwy," Harry replied, letting out a deep yawn.
"Now, you go back to bed and sleep some more," she instructed him in a soft voice. "It's still very early."
"Kay," Harry agreed and climbed back into his bed.
"I love you, sweetheart," she told her grandson, as she gently covered him with his blanket. When she turned to her other grandson to do the same for him, she noticed in shock that he felt very hot to the touch. He was fast asleep, and his breathing sounded normal though.
Berating herself for not having asked Poppy to teach her a diagnostic spell at minimum by the time she had taken in the twins, she headed to the fireplace and called her best friend.
"Sorry to disturb you this early, but Henry seems to be burning up," she worriedly told the healer.
"I'll be over in a minute," Poppy promised, shutting off the floo connection.
A short while later, the healer strode into the nursery casting a series of spells at the onyx-eyed twin, before she took a small phial out of her robe pocket and spelled the content right into the toddler's system.
"He has completely depleted his magic," she then informed her. "Do you know what he has been doing?"
"No," Minerva replied in surprise, only to add, "Harry woke me up claiming that Henry was not in his bed, but by the time we came here, he was fast asleep."
Poppy let out a deep sigh. "Tonight, I'm going to teach you a couple of spells, which you need to know with these twins," she announced. "Who knows what that kid did this morning. Their magic is very strong, but their small bodies can't handle so much power. Anyway, you must keep an eye on him. He mustn't do any magic for at least a week."
"Oh good. I will tell him then and take his wand," Minerva said, her voice laced with sarcasm, before she slapped her forehead, adding, "Oh no, he doesn't have one yet."
"Let Mum watch them during the day," Poppy replied, sighing.
"Thanks," Minerva replied, gratefully. "She can handle them better than me anyway, considering that she watches two couples of them on a daily basis. Today, I'm going to attend Sirius Black's trial anyway. I already asked Theresa last night if she could watch them today."
"According to Mum, the girls are harmless compared to your grandsons, by the way," Poppy replied in apparent amusement. "They're as alert as them, but not so powerful."
"The boys seem to do magic with full intent instead of accidental magic," Minerva admitted in exasperation, causing her friend to grin.
"By the time these four become students, they're going to turn Hogwarts upside down," Poppy prophesized.
"That's not funny," Minerva protested.
"We'll see," Poppy replied, still grinning in apparent amusement. "Oh well, good luck for the trial then."
"Thanks for your help," Minerva replied, casting her best friend a genuine smile.
"Any time," Poppy reassured her, before she stepped back into the fireplace and was gone, leaving Minerva worry about the question if she would be able to handle these children, who seemed to be anything but normal.
HP
On the Unspeakables' insistence, Unspeakable Ra led through the trial. He questioned Sirius under Veritaserum, so that it soon became evident that the young wizard was completely innocent and free from all accusations.
Minerva already relaxed in her seat next to Amelia in the audience, when the Unspeakable enquired, "Did you know that you have two godsons?"
"Yes, Harry and Henry," Sirius replied, still under the influence of the Veritaserum.
"Do you know why the Potters hid Henry's existence from everyone else?" Ra enquired.
"No," Sirius replied, automatically.
"Did you know that Susan Bones has a twin sister as well?" Ra asked.
"Yes, Sandra Bones," Sirius gave the response, and Ra nodded, contentedly.
"The antidote now please," he instructed the ministry potions master, who immediately complied.
The trial took mere thirty minutes, before Sirius was claimed a free man.
"Come," Amelia whispered to her in uncharacteristic excitement. "He needs us now."
HP
As soon as the Aurors released him from the ropes, Sirius scanned the crowd for his fiancée, grinning broadly, when he saw her come over together with Minerva McGonagall. However, before the ladies could even reach him, he spotted Albus Dumbledore.
With a few steps, he was at the old wizard's side.
"Dumbledore," he growled, glaring at the old man. "Where is my godson?"
"Which one?" Dumbledore had the gall to reply, "Harry or Henry?"
"Both of course," Sirius growled, when his vision was blurred due to his fiancée, who pulled him into a bear hug.
"You stupid git," she whispered to him. "How dare you let yourself being put into Azkaban, although you're badly needed here?"
"That was also Albus' fault it appears," McGonagall spoke up, joining him in his glare at the old wizard. "Don't worry, the twins are at Hogwarts with me, and they've already asked about you. You can thank them for making me ask Unspeakable Ra to arrange this trial."
"Now Sirius, I suggest that you come home with me and take a shower and get a decent meal, and in the afternoon, we can go to Hogwarts to meet the kids," Amelia suggested, and Sirius immediately agreed.
"Thanks for taking care of my godsons, Minnie," he blurted out, before Amelia activated her Portkey and took him away.
HP
'Thank Merlin, that went well,' Minerva thought and quickly approached Unspeakable Ra to thank him, before she returned home, too.
'I almost wished we could have a trial against Albus, too, if only to be able to have him questioned under Veritaserum,' Minerva thought, wondering if there was any way to achieve such an event, before she scolded herself. 'All these years, I have supported Albus, how can I so easily begin turning against him? Perhaps, these twins have corrupted me. Oh well, they're only seventeen months old. How would seventeen-month-olds be able to corrupt me?' She let out a deep sigh of disappointment towards her old friend and mentor, thinking, 'What Albus did or at least wanted to do concerning the twins is worrisome though. Perhaps, I should speak about the matter with Arcturus. Even Sirius might be able to help me in this, considering that it concerns his godsons.'
She only finished her internal debate, when four voices shouted in apparent happiness, "Granny!"
Little did she know just how much these twins would be able to manipulate her in the future – not only in her opinions and actions towards Albus Dumbledore.
tbc...
Thank you for your kind comments on the previous chapter. Please tell me what you thought about this chapter and what you expect from this story. My muse appreciates the feedback.
Next chapter "Baby Steps becoming Giant Steps".