Hey everyone!
Okay, a little something I forgot to mention during the AN of last chapter. I'm sure some of you were wondering how the outfit that Lea gave Harry looks and if you really want to know – just press the image attached to this story. I found it while looking for possible outfits on Google and just added the Gaia belt for fun, really.
Also, this chapter is going to, for the most part, remain untouched. I really don't see any reason or need to change or edit anything and the most you might find is one or two grammar errors being fixed or a word or two being added for the sake of making certain paragraphs longer.
Okay, enjoy
Venquine1990
Chapter 11
Come back to life
27th of January 1996
Campbrina High
James' POV
I sincerely hate that I can't be in the same room as my partner, my two little boys and Frank and Alice's eldest son and I hate it even more that – even while my little boy had been alive – I can't be with him when he is only a few months away from getting his Potter Inheritance and becoming a possible Kitsune – with required mate.
Wondering who Destiny would chose for my youngest boy, do I hate myself for the choice I made all those years ago, a choice I made out of nothing but sheer pressure and a defeated pride and heart and while I lean back in one of my favorite lounge chairs back in my own rooms, does the comfort of it do nothing to heal my hurting heart.
Then my sister, who I decided to take along on this ridiculous idea of surrendering to my own broken heart enters my rooms – a pair of rooms that I sometimes share with her and that even has an extra bedroom added to it – and she asks: "I heard from the Mother that you had a visitor at her office yesterday. What happened?"
And while I personally feel a sting of regret hit me in the heart, as such news would have spread through Hogwarts a lot quicker, do I still answer: "Someone came to see me indeed, Lils, someone who – who knew." And those two words are enough to shock the woman out of her stupor and make her sit down opposite me.
I then decide to make use of her shock and tell her everything. Of the House Elf visiting me with the message, of me heading for the mother and hearing the message again, of the mysterious man giving me a strange package and of me finding out that the package can make me enter my Siri's dreams and having done so last night.
"So – so – So Sirius knows that – that you're alive?" I nod and say: "Yes, and he's been taken by a force unlike any I have ever seen. Lils, he, Harry and Sora have been taken by Destiny herself. They're currently in a room created by the Deity and are apparently learning of each other's past, present and future."
The red-haired woman before me looks at me with eyes wide with disbelief and shock and I grab her hands with the same gentleness with which I held Sirius only last night as I say: "I know this is a lot to take in, Lily-flower, especially after fourteen years, but – but I've been healed and – and I think that – that this is a sign."
The woman looks at me and I say: "You know that – sometimes – the teachers that work at Campbrina High quit their jobs to return to their lives and loved ones, right? And – and that this even happens for those that were considered dead?" Lily nods, her eyes now shining as proof that she is already onto me and I smile as I ask:
"Care to join them?" Making Lily laugh hard as she says: "A message from Destiny is what it took for you to decide to face up to your problems? James Potter, you don't need a mate, you need a serious mentality check!" And while I want to feel insulted, do I know Lily well enough now to just laugh along with the redhead.
A few minutes later are Lily and I again in the Mother's chamber and just our arrival has made the elder woman – who has grown onto me since she asked me to be Transfigurations Teacher here – smile knowingly as she says: "I was actually expecting the both of you last night. Did something happen to postpone that?"
I nod and explain everything. How the package given to me was to be used at night, how it allowed me to see Sirius again and how I have been planning and pondering on how to announce my revival to the world since as I want to be an active force in the world for when Destiny allows me to return to the side of my beloved.
"I doubt Destiny will allow me an instant return to Sirius and believe that her needs to have Harry and Sirius bond will make her allow me only sudden, short-termed visits, so I wish to be certain that I know what is happening here in our world whenever I visit them, so I can keep them up to date on those they care for."
The woman nods and says: "I would have accepted your resign, even if it were just to let you be with Sirius Black again, James dear, but you are indeed right that Destiny probably wants Harry and Sirius to heal together before she allows you to rejoin the picture. Your plans are definitely valid and prove how much you've grown here."
At this I smile at the woman, who – had she been a few decades older – could have been the living representation of my deceased mother and then the woman turns to Lily and says: "Take good care of him, Lily, at least until Sirius can start doing so again." And my sister squeezes my hand softly as she nods at the woman.
She then nods back and asks: "How do you plan to announce your revival, you two?" And while I personally feel relieved for the few hours I have had before this meeting, do I answer simply: "Goblins." And this one word – while it shocks Lily – seems to make sense to the Mother, as she smiles yet again while nodding.
An hour later
Same time as Dinner Great Hall
I can't bless and thank Gringotts enough for their secrecy, needs for privacy and their respect for the wishes of those with lots of assets stored within their precious vaults. Mother made sure to make a meeting with the Potter Account manager and since then has the Goblin himself been the only one knowing my arrival.
Lily had agreed that – while this concerned both our supposed revivals – it would be best to let a Potter handle Potter dealings and that I have learned enough as an adult to handle these businesses as a Lord by myself and so I had been given a specialized Port Key by the Mother and had been send off to the office of my Account Manager.
The goblin himself had barely even blinked at seeing me and had only muttered something along the lines of: "No wonder – no response to inquiries – Heir." Making me realize that I have been – all this time – accidentally intercepting the mail the Goblins intended for my son, something I feel both guilty and pleased about.
Guilty because Harry most certainly deserves to know just how rich he is, being the Primal Heir to one Ancient House and the Secondary Heir of another, yet pleased as I just know that – having grown up away from the Magical world – Harry would have been overwhelmed were he to learn of what his role in this world really is.
I then shake my head, knowing I can't reminiscence about the past too many times in front of Goblins and say: "And that is the entire story, Lord Grasglew. I am the Submissive Mate to Sirius Orion Black, the mother of Sora Arturo Black and Harry Sven Potter and the Blood adopted brother to Lilian Rose Potter-Evans."
The Goblin nods and says: "You are in luck, Lord Potter. Reports of Campbrina High saving those thought dead happen all the time, whether they occur only days after or even three decades after the supposed murder. As long as we amplify the presence of the Mother in your reason for survival no one will question your return."
This makes me sigh in relief as I had personally hoped that the Goblin before me would have a battle plan, but then I notice how the Goblin himself seems to somehow be struggling with something and ask: "Is there something I should know of the outside world?" And when the Goblin nods, does his stance make me gulp.
Gulp because he has lowered his head while apparently fighting with himself and has yet to raise it back up, something that I know is never a good sign as Goblins are known for their neutrality when dealing with clients and their honesty and then the Goblin makes ice grow within my heart as he speaks and says:
"I will not lie to you, Lord Potter, your time of arrival is most unfortunate." This makes me look at the creature in shock and he says: "You are not the first of the supposed victims of '81 that – I'm afraid – has decided to return to – as you name it – the outside world." And instantly do I realize what the Goblin is hinting at.
"He's back." I whisper as I realize that the defeat of the Inferi that replaced me all those years ago has not been powerful enough to destroy what Voldemort's body represented and while the elder Goblin nods, does he go on and say: "We have been awaiting this for the last decade, Lord Potter, yes, yes, we have indeed."
This makes me look at the creature and he says: "What you must understand is that He Who Must Not Be Named has a powerful heritage that is vested within these very walls of Gringotts, Lord Potter, and when that heritage did not seal itself upon end of the Lineage, did we Goblins know that there were forces keeping him alive."
This makes me palm my face in both my hands while my elbows rest on top of my knees and I ask: "So Destiny actually allowed me a chance to return – exactly when a new war against You-Know-Who is about to begin?" And the Goblin in front of me hums, his tone of voice proving he understands and agrees with my concerns.
I then take a deep breath and lean back against my chair again, feeling without a doubt certain that Destiny has to have plans for me and my family as the Deity must have known about the Potter War Curse and my reasons for abandoning those I care for before I say: "I won't let this war continue what the last one caused."
And the smirk on the Goblin's face proves me I have made the right decision before he asks: "May I introduce you to one of our recent employees, perhaps? He has been working full-time for us for the last six years, only he recently decided to exchange himself from Curse Breaker in Egypt to Desk Employee here in London."
This shocks and intrigues me and a few minutes later am I introduced to a man who I – in the years to come – will thank for his employment to Gringotts and his actual bond with my son and mate as William Weasley is an amazingly caring and heartfelt person, hugging me in relief and happiness upon realizing who I am.
The Goblin who brought him in and the Goblin in service of my Family Fortune had both been shocked and slightly angered at his behavior, yet both had also apparently understood once William had explained to us all how his little brother is best friends with my son and how he had been staying in the same house as my mate.
By explaining this the man had made sure the anger of the two Goblins had diminished and both of them had also instantly understood why William had transferred as the younger adult must have heard the news of Voldemort's return from his little brother and must have wanted to come back and serve the Family as Primal Heir.
William had confirmed this and had afterwards sat me down in my seat and asked me what I knew about Harry and Sirius, explaining how everyone at the Order and Hogwarts were worried about their sudden disappearance after both had been seen going to bed just the other night and no one had recognized the magic taking them.
I had quickly reassured William and told him everything; my meeting with the strange accomplish of Destiny, the package that turned out to be a Dream Intruder with clear instructions written on the paper wrapped around the device and my meeting with Sirius in his dream while the Accomplice took both him and my son to a safer place.
William had asked: "What is safer than the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix?" His shock obviously making him a little rude, yet also proving just how much he has grown to care for my son and mate and I had asked: "How about an area created by Destiny herself?" Shocking the lad completely silent right away.
I had then asked him what he knew of my mate and son and had even revealed to him how Sirius was my Destined mate by his Veela nature, how he and I had two sons and the story behind why Harry was known as an only child, William being either silent or asking quite the intelligent questions at exactly the right time.
Finally we had both finished our stories, me feeling worried beyond belief after I hear about the attack on the Quidditch World Cup and the amazing problems during the Tri-Wizard Tournament and while I had scoffed at Harry's behavior during the Yule Ball, had I explained: "It means his Inner MC is meant for a male, nothing else."
William had been shocked at this and had muttered: "No doubt another reason for Harry to be taken." To which I had nodded, part of me wondering if it could be the accomplish, before I shake my head as the man had looked only a few years older than me and while part of me wonders if the accomplish could have a partner, do I say:
"Bill, I want to reveal myself again, but I don't want Voldemort to be the first to find out. I want those close to my mate and son to be the first. Sirius already knows and Harry will find out soon enough, I doubt Sirius can keep this secret much longer. Can you please get me somewhere I can meet those important to my family?"
And Bill happily nods as he says: "I can do you something better. I can get you to where Sirius was staying before Destiny took him. The Order – wait, how can I talk so freely about that?" The man then asks and I smile as I say: "Because you're talking to an old member. And because Gringotts funds the Order, so they already know of it."
The redhead, who I just know is a member of the Noble and Ancient House of Weasley, nods and says: "Well, the Order gathers there all the time and some of more experienced members even stay there whenever possible before or after missions. My whole family stayed there for the last summer and winter holiday, even."
This makes me smile and I say: "I remember that your family was expecting another child before I went down under. Did the child get born safely?" William nods happily and says: "First girl in seven generations and my youngest sibling too." This shocks and worries me and I ask: "They stopped after only one girl?"
William nods and I lower my head, remembering the lessons my father gave me about how certain aspects can affect certain members of a family – as these mistakes had been made a few times throughout Potter History – and I mumble slightly to myself: "That youngest lad can't have taken kindly to that."
Making Bill tilt his head before I say: "Potters only have four kids max for a reason. We like to keep an even number, so that there is less of a chance of one gender outnumbering the other. We only have more kids if we, say, birth three sons and one girl. We do so, because in the past, that usually ended up bad for the youngest boy."
William seems intrigued and shocked and I say: "William, has your youngest brother ever shown any signs of jealousy or venom towards your sister?" But when the lad shakes his head and answers: "No more than usual between siblings of opposite gender, I think." Do I realize that the age difference might be too big for proper deduction.
I then shake my head and decide that the problems of other families aren't really my concern now and ask: "Can you just take me to Headquarters? Lily is waiting for my signal to return." And while the man shows shock at hearing my sister's name, are his wide eyes the only sign of his shock as he nods and leads me out.
At the door to the office, do I turn and bow at Grasglew, the Goblin letting out a proud and almost domineering smirk as he bows back and while I have no doubt that the creature is happy to have an adult with who he can work on my Fortune again, do I decide to keep my contact with him to simple letters for the time being.
William then takes me down a long and windy hall, one I remember from the few times dad took me to see Grasglew for Heritage Lessons and while part of me really wishes I could do the same with Harry, do I shake of the thought and believe that my mate can do so just as well without having to visit the bank in the first place.
Then, at the end of the Hall does William turn around and say: "I have to use some magic here, Lord Potter. The more common you look, the easier I can get you out of Gringotts. Once there, I can do whatever I need to get you to London." I nod at the intelligent man and show him with my eyes that I trust in his skills.
The man shows me a small appreciative smile and then draws his wand, moving it all over my body and in front of me as he draws all kinds of patterns into thin air, the sparks that leave his wand allowing me a few glances at what kind of spells he uses and then, after about five minutes, does William nod at his handiwork.
He then turns around and while part of me wonders why I didn't just use the same magic as we used on Harry to make him resemble me, do I decide that this information is best left for a later time and place and do I simply follow William, more in need of arriving at my destination than feeling curious as to how I look.
William and I walk through the large main Hall, some Goblins looking at us strangely and others slightly glaring at William, obviously wondering why he is off desk duty so suddenly, but while they all ignore him once he passes us, does one female decide different as she calmly takes pace beside my current guide.
The woman herself seems to be off William's age and has quite a few distinct traits that instantly make me realize that she is both of Veela Nature and not born on our English turf, but I quickly realize that the woman has no interest in me and keep my mouth shut, deciding that the best move would be to let her make the first move.
And my little target bites as the woman whispers: "Were you summoned to the Great Hall too?" But while I wonder what could have happened at Hogwarts, does William shake his head and whisper: "I have a new member. Or better, one of the Old Crowd." And while I mentally raise my eyes, does the woman nod and leave.
I then quicken my pace just a little to get closer to William and before I can do more than open my mouth, does the man whisper: "Fleur Delacour. She's my Girlfriend. We joined the Order together this summer." I nod and spare another glance at the departing blonde before I decide to take a little risk and gently ask:
"What about her nature?" And William smirks at me as he whispers: "Same as yours." Making me smirk, as I always feel very happy for people that get to bond like that and I whisper: "Don't make my mistakes." To which William nods in promise that he won't before he turns his face back to his front and leaves the building.
We both pass first the silver and then the golden set of doors that are held open to us by the Goblins standing guard and while two of them look at me suspiciously, obviously detecting the glamour, does William show them both his wand briefly, explaining without words that the changes are his work, to which they nod and look away.
We then walk into the ever busy Diagon Alley and while I put on a casual look, can I not help myself but let my eyes roam over the one shopping street that has almost completely been under Potter control for the last two-hundred and sixty four years, my eyes searching for things that have either improved or worsened over the years.
William keeps a close eye on me while I do so and while I mentally categorize how Eeylop's Owl Emporium seems to have expanded its variation of owls for sale, how Quidditch Quality Supplies has apparently bought out the building next to it and expanded its stocking room, can I not help but raise an eyebrow at one of the stores.
The store itself is empty and by the looks of some of the things I can see inside it used to be a Second-Hand Apothecary, obviously having lost the battle of profits against Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, and while the small layers of dust on the windows indicate that this happened some time ago, do I not see any For Sale sign anywhere.
"Yep, that will be the next Weasley pride." William then happily says and I look at him, having stopped only shortly to get a better view as to where the sign could be before the proud smirking man says: "My younger brothers bought the store out just before it went bankrupt. The previous owner left and they'll come in next summer."
This makes me raise an interested eyebrow at the store – one that the other shoppers seem to completely ignore as if they're just not interested to the empty insides or used to seeing it like this – and then William and I travel on, William looking around every so often before he suddenly pulls me over to a parlor.
One I quickly recognize as Florian Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor and while William sends a meaningful glance at the store owner, Florian himself nodding in understanding and even drawing his wand from underneath the counter, does William keep his hand on my arm as he takes me to a seat halfway in the middle of the store.
There he allows me to sit down for only a few seconds, his eyes still on Florian, who waves his wand while at the same time scooping up some ice-cream for the younger boy at the counter and while I can't help but wish that I could have seen Harry at that age, do I suddenly feel some kind of magic settle itself over me and my seat.
William seems to sense it too as his hand tenses on my arm for a second and when Florian nods again, does a grateful smile show itself on William's face before he takes me out of my seat and over to the restrooms, my curiosity making me look back where – to my shock – I see a perfect copy of Bill sitting with a simple man.
Realizing that the man is actually my glamour duplicated to sit there, do I feel amazed as I had never imagined Florian to be an Order member, but when we enter the restrooms does it seem as if my shock is visible on my face as William says: "He's not from London, he just believes Dumbledore and wants to help where possible.
He fought hard in the last war and was rewarded by the Ministry as his efforts made sure the war never leaked out to other countries. He was also apparently really close with some London people that were lost last time and wants to protect us new London goers by helping wherever possible, something we constantly thank him for."
At this I nod as it certainly sounds like something Florian would do and then ask: "Can I have my arm back now?" To which the man smirks and says: "Only if you don't want to come along to London." And I laugh at the man's humor, while he uses his other arm to pull a simple string with crystallized water drop from under his cloths.
Smiling at the drop – as I had left mine with the Inferi that took my place when I ran away – do I close my eyes, already knowing that the travel method is not for those who have trouble seeing and when I feel the magic activating and – a few seconds later – deactivating, do I feel relieved for my decision as I open my eyes.
Only for them to widen in pure, heart-wrenching shock as I cannot believe what kind of house stands before me – or better said, whose house. Looking at the Ancient Manor of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, does only one scaring thought enter my befuddled and shocked mind as I can't help but think:
"Sirius lived here? Why? And – and – and for – for how – how long?" And while hating how I can't ask these questions to my beloved, do I steel my reserve and calm myself off my shock before I ask: "How long?" William looking at me confused before I ask: "How long has Sirius been staying here before Destiny saved him?"
To this William raises a questioning eyebrow, obviously wonder about my choice of words at the end and he calmly shrugs as he says: "Since summer, after Dumbledore had him gather the old crowd of the Order back together. It's the safest place for him because the whole world – bar the Order – thinks he's a wanted criminal."
"You call this safe?" I then ask in pure, unadulterated rage as memories of how Sirius arrived at my doorstep on Christmas in Sixth and how he behaved the few years before that whenever he came back to Hogwarts flash through my mind and while William now looks at me in shock, do I turn back from him and storm in.
The redhead instantly follows me and says: "Wait, if I don't introduce you –." But I cut him off with a growl in my voice as I ask: "Who else stays here?" And William answers: "My family and – and Remus sometimes." This makes me stop dead, that last name shocking me almost numb before I quietly ask the man:
"Remus?" William nods, the both of us now standing at the end of the long winded hallway and near the door leading downstairs and the staircase in front of it leading upstairs as he says: "He stays here whenever possible, whenever Dumbledore doesn't send him out on missions to prepare the world for You-Know-Who's return."
But while the words register in my mind, do I not hear them as shock over the fact that Remus accepts for Sirius to hide in the one place we both know he should never even hear off again in the first place makes me almost numb, every cell in my body wondering how my best friend could betray my own mate like that.
"Who are you?" A very, very familiar voice then asks and while I had been looking down at the worn out carpet and the rotten wood that is – here and there – visible under the carpet itself, do I now look up, up into a pair of amber brown eyes, a face lined with scars and worry, laughter and hurt lines and with brown hair with streaks of grey.
My best friend may have aged a lot more than should be visibly possible, but I can still recognize him for the shy, friendly young man he was as a teen, one who always wanted to put others first and who barely believed in himself unless it came to standing up for either Siri and me or making sure he got his homework done right.
The man has a wary eyebrow raised as he looks at me, one of his hands a little too close to his side and proving that he will draw his wand if need be and while I can more than understand that the man must be this wary as he worries for his missing friend, do I suddenly realize something that makes me feel rooted to the spot yet again.
While I had thought about resigning from Campbrina and while I had been only too happy to rejoin with my fellow Order members, had I not even planned on how to prove to said members that I have indeed – as they would believe – returned from the dead and I look from Remus to William who looks at me painfully worried.
This alone proves me that the younger adult had not wished to start with Remus when he brought me here and while I wonder why the young man would be against me reuniting with my best friend, do I suddenly realize that Remus is exactly the right person to start with as he knows something only he, Pettigrew, Siri and I know.
Smirking at the redhead and hoping he can keep his mouth shut about this as he did about my true identity, do I turn back to Remus and say: "I could tell you, my dear man, but – I do believe it would be more beneficial to show you instead. Would be a little hard for you to believe me otherwise, don't you agree William?"
And while William looks shocked to have been called on like that, does the eyebrow on Remus' face raise itself even higher and I turn back to the man, taking a deep breath as last night in the dream had been the first time in almost sixteen years that I last changed into this form and while focusing on how I felt then, do I feel it yet again.
Yet again do I feel my hair shortening on top of my head, yet again do I feel the pupils in my eyes enlarging and almost completely encasing my eyeballs, yet again do I feel the amount of hair on my head grow as it covers first my neck and face and then grows down from there, changing my cloths along as it does.
Feeling the bones in my body twist and rearrange themselves, do I hiss as the experience of this is one I have not felt in over a decade, making my body feel as if I'm doing this for the first time ever and while I try not to give into the pain, do I force my magic to transform my body even faster, falling on all fours as I do.
Bending my new front legs to make sure they don't break on the hard wooden floor, do I pant, an animalistic sound coming from my throat as I do and when I look back up through my changed eyes, do I see Remus staring at me with eyes wider than that the Great Hall is large and his arms spread as he has taken a step back.
Trying to get back on my feet, do I feel a pair of arms around my waist and look back, shocked to see William smiling at me as he asks: "Haven't done this in a while, have you?" And while I wonder how he could have known about this, do I allow for the redhead to help me get back on all four of my newly changed hooves.
Loving the sound of the clicks that come from my steel hooves as they go straight through the hard worn carpet and land on the wooden floor under it, do I look down at my feet and legs to make sure they're all standing strong before I look back up, smiling at my friend even while on my new face that smile probably isn't visible.
Remus, however, seems to recognize the twists of my features as he slowly walks forward, his eyes remaining wide as he lies a tentative hand between my eyes and muzzle and asks brokenly: "James?" To which I softly pull my head away from his hand and nuzzle his cheek like I often did during our last three years at Hogwarts.
The man again recognizes my gesture and his arms wrap themselves around my neck with the strength that I know he has deep within himself as he cries and whispers: "James, it's – it's – it's you, but – but – but how?" And while hating the pain that courses through me again, do I allow for my body to change back and hug the man.
Remus' hold on me strengthens once he realizes that he is holding onto my human form again and while I can feel William behind me taking off the glamours, do I whisper: "The Potter War Curse settled into me, old pal – and – heeeeh, I just gave up the will to fight. I – I did more than go down under, Remus, I – I fled."
This makes Remus hold me at arms' length his eyes making me wonder if they will ever look normal instead of wide again as he asks: "How?" And I explain everything. About the Potter War Curse, how our little plan actually enchanted that, how I was offered the position at Campbrina and how I fled there after succumbing to the curse.
Both Remus and William look at me shocked and Remus ask: "And – and Lily and – Harry?" But while I smile at the first name, do I shake my head at the second and say: "That's why we switched. So that while Lily and I fled, Siri could take his little boy and make his own future, the one I always wanted for them.
It – it just didn't end up that way and – and I just don't understand why. My – my faked death was supposed to make Sirius want Harry even more, but – but I just don't get what happened to change that." I end the explanation in a whisper, wishing more than ever that I could understand what went wrong with my plan.
Remus then sighs and says: "James, Sirius did care for Harry. He was even the first to arrive at your place after your fake death. He just – he trusted Dumbledore more than he did himself, so – so when Hagrid came to pick Harry up." And I sigh, finally understanding that Sirius must still have been troubled back then and whisper:
"Did Sirius continue the act of Godfather and did he give into the wishes of the Headmaster." And while Remus nods, do I personally feel that Dumbledore should have trusted my decision to make Sirius godfather and that he should not have pretended to have a more important role in my little boy's life or future.
I then sigh, knowing that this is one of the reasons Destiny decided to step in and then ask: "So, heard from either of them yet?" And while Remus still has wide eyes, does his relieved nod make me know that he was here when Sirius was taken to Destiny's room and he says: "Albus was visited by Destiny who explained everything.
He showed it to the students through his Pensieve and made sure to have Order members hide themselves in the Antechamber, so we could find out as well." This makes me smile as I say: "That sure sounds like something Destiny would do." Shocking the two men beside me and making me ask: "What, you think different?"
But while both seem to contemplate this, do both of them shake their heads afterwards, agreeing with what I said, before I decide to address the whole reason I stormed in here in the first place. I strengthen my stance and try not to show my anger at Remus as I send him a stern glance, shocking the werewolf as I ask:
"Now onto other matters, Remus – I – I just don't get what made you think keeping Siri here was a good idea? What on earth were you even thinking?" But when the man answers: "It's the safest place for him to stay." Can I not help it and do I release the iron-tight hold on my anger as I shout: "HAVE YOU LOST IT?"
Shocking both the werewolf and the Curse Breaker behind me as I ask: "The safest place? REALLY? This hellhole? This place that made Sirius a freaking carcass every single time he came back to Hogwarts? This place, that made Madam Pomfrey decide he needed to be on medical leave for a fortnight in fourth year?
This place, that Sirius – my Siri – fled from years ago because his mother wanted me locked up in here until she had a male heir she could steal from us? This place, which is the whole BLOODY REASON we hid from the world our love for each other? This place is safe for him? DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?"
And while William's eyes keep growing with each and every argument I throw at the two of them, does Remus cringe at each of them and I pant hard and loud, my anger almost getting the better off me and making me want to curse the man in front of me for his stupidity as I ask: "You seriously believe this place safe for him?"
And both men shake their heads, their motions calming the last of my anger and making me smirk at the two, before suddenly a snapping, high-pitched voice sounds from a floor higher as it cackles and says: "Sooooo – the Potter brat is my grandson, is he? Well, well, well, that little traitor sure knows how to hide such little facts."
And when I turn to where the voice is coming from, does a new surge of anger course through me as the source of all of Siri's pain and anguish over the years of his adolescence is smirking down at me from inside a huge portrait that actually takes up the entire back wall of the upper landing, one hand rubbing her chin as she says:
"I guess I will have Kreacher be send off to punish that little ex-son of mine – and of course he'll have to be locked in his room for the rest of his life – and while that happens, I'll just let Kreacher teach the brat all he has to know, with permission to punish if the brat follows his mother's side of the family instead, of course."
And this last part of her so-called plan is enough for me to feel an anger and hatred stronger than I have ever felt, even more than my hatred for Voldemort or my anger at the Death Eaters killing off my parents when I was young and instead of changing into Prongs as part of me is screaming to do, do I feel something else.
A power unlike any I have ever felt before, a power pure as the light created by a Lumos Maxima yet as strong as the shadows that grow over the land as the sun sets into the horizon grows within my heart and out of pure instinct do I raise my wand hand to the side, not even caring how as an amazing sword suddenly appears in my grip.
Tightening the grip on my newfound weapon, do I swing it in my hand several times, while allowing for the anger in my heart to heat up the key-shaped tip of the blade and then, while aiming my left side at the portrait, do I swing the weapon over my head and aim it at the portrait, a ball of fire being launched from the tip.
The ball instantly heads for the shocked to silent portrait and engulfs it quicker than a werewolf or a unicorn can run and while the woman screams and shouts and calls out words like Impossible and what kind of weapon is that, does her portrait get engulfed by the flames that all die out into nothing once the portrait has been turned to ash.
The group around me – which I only just noticed consists of more than just Remus and William – look at the remaining ashes that are falling down from the scarred, scorched wall with their mouths and eyes wide in shock and while I first take a glance at the bald tanned man, the scarred man and the chubby woman, do I then look down.
Down at the incredible blade that consists of two Chakrams, one at the handle and one at the end where six spikes stick out from the blade, while another two stick out from the top of the handle and a black metal numeral eight, while the Chakrams are made of a combination of red and white metal and the spikes are also white.
All in all the weapon looks downright amazing and while I can't help but feel as if this blade will somehow – in the future – make me even closer to my youngest son, do I shake the feeling off as I mutter: "She ruined his life enough in the past, if you ask me. Won't let her get any more chances, not when I can stop her, I won't."
And this makes everyone look at me, before Remus suddenly softly says: "Yes, it's him." All those that are new to the group look at the man and while he has tears in his eyes and has the largest grin on his face that I have ever seen present there, does he still run over and hug me tightly yet again, making me laugh as I hug him back.
Like this we remain standing for a good few minutes before the scarred man – that I recognize as my old friend Alastor Moody – asks: "You checked, I presume?" And Remus nods, while he keeps holding onto me, obviously in need of some more physical evidence that I am really here, yet I softly pat his back and say:
"Remus, Lily is waiting for my signal." And at these words does the man indeed let go, while a gasp of shock goes through the hall and the chubby woman asks: "Lily? She survived too? Oh – oh Harry will be ever so happy! Oh, but – but school started a month ago. Oooh, if only those two hadn't been taken by Destiny. This –."
But then I smile at the woman and say: "Ma'am, I met Sirius while he was dreaming last night. I spoke with him while Destiny's accomplice took him to her special room. Sirius already knows that Lily and I are still alive and I doubt that amazing man can keep this a secret for much longer, so Harry will know soon enough."
The woman sighs at that and nods, a relieved smile on her face that disappears a second later and she says: "James dear, I don't mean to be rude, but –." But then William coughs and says: "Mum, bad idea. Really, really, bad idea." And while I wonder what the man could be on about, does his mother wave him off and say:
"Sirius – isn't the man you remember from your youth, I'm afraid." And already by her tone do I realize that this woman is no better than my mother-in-law, something that makes the happiness I felt inside of me at reuniting with Remus and getting rid of that awful portrait vanish as I coldly retort to the woman:
"I don't think there could be a better parent for my son than my Siri, thank you." And the woman rears back, obviously shocked that I defended the man so harshly and Alastor is the first to catch up on my manner of speech as he asks: "What do you mean, yours, Potter?" And while I smile at the ever-observant ex-Auror, do I say:
"Just that Siri was one of the lucky Blacks with a MC inheritance, one kept secret by yours truly, my good buddy Remus here and –." And with that do I decide to hit two pixies with one stunner as I press the simple ruby embedded bracelet around my wrist and call for the lovely woman that appears like a Port Key, stumbling slightly as I say:
"My sister by Blood-Adoption, Lilian Rose Potter-Evans." Shocking everyone around me bar William and Remus, who now seems to have trouble holding back his laughter as he, instead walks over to hug Lily tightly, the woman happily accepting the embrace as she sends me a questioning glance and I think: "We have come back to life."
Okay, that's the end!
And I didn't REALLY want to end it there as this chapter sounded like it could go on for hours, but the length was getting a little ridiculous, so I decided to cut it short at exactly the right time, which just turned out to be a moment of Marauder Humor, but what else can you expect when you throw James Potter in the main POV?
Anyway, yes, James now has a Keyblade. Yes, the Bond of Flame does represent Harry's bond with Lea. And yes, there will be a little more hidden reason behind this, one that actually has its foundations – with Merlin. Why Merlin, you ask? Because he is a character that is known in both categories of the crossover.
Okay, enjoy,
Venquine1990
