Poppy laughs and shakes her head. Severus smiles, he is glad to see a smile on the young teen's face once again.
Sirius is happy. The plan was explained to him by Albus and he is proud of his Godson. He was told that it was Harry's idea that they were using to get him tried.
Albus sees the joy on the young man's face and knows that is going to be wiped off the moment he finishes the rest of his news. "Sirius, there's something else I need to tell you." Albus says in a grave voice.
Sirius immediately notices the tone of voice and his smile falters. "What is it? What's wrong? Harry? Remy?"
"Sirius, I'm sorry. We recently had a professor notice the signs of abuse. It was first from Delores Umbridge."
"What happened? It wasn't Harry was it?"
Albus doesn't respond. Sirius gasps. "Harry! Is he okay? What did that bitch do?"
"She forced him to use a blood quill in detentions."
"SHE USED AN UNFORGIVABLE ON MY GODSON! HOW DARE SHE! WHERE IS SHE, SHE IS GOING TO PAY!"
"Sirius calm down. She is currently in Azkaban she was found guilty."
"Good." Sirius says with such ferocity that Albus winces.
"I'm afraid that's not all."
"What is it?"
"This led to a discovery of abuse."
"I mean yes, she did abuse him."
"No Siri, it's not just from her."
"I don't understand."
"Harry's relatives were abusive too."
It takes a few moments for the words to sink in. Sirius's face goes from anger to sadness back to anger. He accios a cloak and starts heading out the door.
"Sirius. Stop. You are not to do anything to them. We will take it to the Wizengamot when Harry is ready. Right now he has been talking to one of his teachers about it. They had convinced Harry to do a deep scan physical which provided more than enough evidence, not to mention the memories."
"Who is this teacher? I want to personally thank them for all they have done for him and myself."
"Severus."
"What about him?" Sirius, genuinely confused, asks.
"Severus. Severus is the one that discovered the abuse."
"He did?"
"Yes. Ever since we discovered what was happening in the detentions Severus has been talking to Harry weekly to make sure he is okay."
"I can't believe that Snape of all people helped my Godson. He hated James."
"Severus has realized that Harry isn't all like James at all. He is now seeing what everyone else has seen the entire time."
"When did you find out?"
"3 days ago."
"Can I see them? Severus and Harry I mean."
"I'm sure that can be arranged. Come with me, we will floo to Hogwarts and I will call both of them to my office."
Sirius just nods happy to be leaving the house he has been stuck in for a year. Albus goes through first, followed closely by Sirius. Once they are both in Albus's office they take their seats beside the wooden desk.
They are only sitting there for a few minutes before Severus and Harry walk in together. Harry's eyes widen at the sight of his Godfather and then runs to him.
Sirius stands up and opens his arms, embracing Harry. "I thought you were at Grimmauld Place?"
"I was but then the Headmaster told me what's been going on so I wanted to see you."
Harry looks down at the ground when he hears the anger that lies beneath the gentle words.
"I'm sorry, I thought it would just be better if you didn't find out. I didn't want you to get sent back to Azkaban on my account."
"Harry. Look at me." Sirius says gently and continues when the teen does. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at your sorry excuses for relatives. I don't want you to worry about me like that, I will be fine. I am an adult and know what will happen if I do what I want to. I love you Prongslet and always will."
Harry looks at the man with tears in his eyes. He never has had anyone tell him that they love him. He buries his face back in Sirius's robes and says, "I love you too."
Severus is watching all of this through passive eyes. He knew it was only a matter of time before Harry's Dogfather was told. He knows that Sirius cares for Harry more than life itself. He just wishes that these weren't the circumstances. Severus sees Lily in Harry now and it makes his heart ache. He regrets the way that he had treated Harry in the past and would change it all if he could. Now that Harry is going to be under Black's care he is doubtful that he will be able to say two words to Harry without being accosted by Black.
Severus is confused as to why he was summoned here. He starts to leave but is stopped by none other than Sirius Black.
"Severus." Snape turns around. "I want to thank you for all that you have done for Harry. If you hadn't figured out what his relatives were doing to him he would be going back there this summer. Also, I wish to apologize."
Severus raises his eyebrow at that declaration. "I am so sorry how we treated you in school. I know it was wrong and it is far too late to change it but I do mean it. I wish we hadn't treated you so."
Severus is shocked to say the least. He dreamt about this day all throughout his teenage years. He clears his throat. "It's fine. We all could have behaved differently back then. But it is in the past and I won't hold it against you. We were teenagers with a stupid rivalry nothing more, nothing less."
"Truce?"
"Truce." Severus nods.
Harry smiles at both of them. "Sir?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Thank you. I am relieved that you found out about them and that I don't have to go back to them."
"Of course Harry. Although, I wish we had found out sooner, but that is spilled milk."
"I tried my best to keep it hidden from everyone. Ron found out when I didn't want to go back there, but he also saw scars on my back. He told Hermione but I forced them to keep it to themselves."
"You have good friends." Severus says simply.
"Yeah. I do." Harry says smiling at the thought of them.
"As fun as this has been I do have a potion that I need to watch and do the next step."
"Have fun." Albus says, talking for the first time in this reunion.
"I plan to." Severus says even toned.
Albus chooses to ignore the tone of voice his potions master used. "Stay safe and don't hesitate to contact me or Poppy should you need anything."
Severus sighs, "I know the drill."
Albus just smiles and Severus nods before leaving the office.
Albus looks at Sirius and Harry with a sad smile, he wishes that the two would have had a very different life than they had. Sirius never should have been in Azkaban and Harry never should have gone through what he has. Not to mention the fact that the world sees him as their 'boy savior.'
Albus notices that Sirius has taken a seat with Harry in his lap, a very vulnerable position that only those with complete trust in the person. Not only that but Harry has fallen asleep on his godfather. Albus motions for Sirius to follow him into his private quarters.
Sirius doesn't question where they are going as he has been there before. The last time he was in here was that night when Harry had found him in the Shrieking Shack. Albus guides him towards a room to set Harry down. There is a large bed that takes up most of the room but there is also a small bookshelf that is jammed packed with books.
Sirius sets Harry on the bed and he makes sure that he is settled in. He then heads into the living room to talk to Albus. Albus looks up from preparing his tea and smiles at the younger man. The Headmaster motions for Siri to sit. Sirius obeys and smiles when Albus puts two biscuits on the plate in front of him along with a cup of tea just the way he likes it, 2 sugars and no cream.
Albus and Sirius make small talk until 3 in the afternoon. Sirius looks up at the clock and realizes the time. "Oh shit. I should wake Harry up. I want him to sleep tonight."
Albus smiles at how responsible this man was being. He clearly has grown up from the rule-breaking, prank-pulling adolescent. He knows that Harry will be in good hands with his godfather and is glad that they have each other.
An/ Everything is going so well isn't it? It would be a shame should something happen… If only someone could control what happens in this story. Oh wait, there is… ME! I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter and next up the trial. Just a heads up, there isn't going to be many chapters left in this story. For sure 2 more maybe a few more, I don't exactly know how many it will take to finish this storyline.