Harry Potter had a secret. During his detention in the Forbidden Forest for dragon smuggling, he had found a badly injured eagle-sized bird. Quickly wrapping it beneath his invisibility cloak, he'd smuggled the bird to his dorm. Now, at Privet Drive, the bird, an incredibly dark blue-coloured avian, had awoken. As the bird sang beautifully for a moment, Harry was struck by inspiration.
"Hey, do you mind if I call you Ceridwin, it means 'blessed song'..." asked Harry.
The bird chirruped once before tucking it's head under it's wing and returning to sleep. It was a week later, the twelfth of June when the bird finally awoke and stayed awake. It was then that Harry heard a voice in his mind
"Harry, I thank you for saving me in the forest. Had you not, the Dark One would have drained my magic and killed me."
"What?!" he asked, realising the bird was gazing into his eyes.
"I'm a Phoenix, when you saved me, I bonded with you, I'm a part of you, I can communicate mentally. If you want to, you can return the bond and will probably be able to change into a Phoenix."
"How do I do that?"
"Simply say 'I, Harry Potter, bond to the Phoenix known as Ceridwin' and bingo." responded the Phoenix.
"I, Harry Potter, bond to the Phoenix known as Ceridwin." Harry repeated.
A flash of light lit the room as the two merged minds. Harry suddenly had access to an almost encyclopedic knowledge of both modern and ancient magics, as was apparently imbued into each Phoenix before they left for the world as known to humankind. What was unexpected for the Phoenix who had been perched on the back of the chair to suddenly turn into a human form, tipping the chair over backwards.
Despite an unknown human being in his room, Harry instinctively reached out to stop the person falling, only to be dragged down on top of the person, his face landing in the chest of the evidently female human.
"Hey Harry, I know you like being on top of me but can we save the affections for later?" Ceridwin asked cheekily.
"Wha-who-why?" he stammered, blushing bright red as he rolled off her.
"Apparently I now have both a human and Phoenix form, interesting..." commented the girl on the floor, holding a hand up to her face.
Lying on the floor was a beautiful girl, no, young woman, with a sheet of slightly wavy golden-blonde hair swept over a shoulder onto her chest where it reached halfway down. She was dressed in a simple glossy velvet dress in a deep, night-time sky blue which began a short distance above her noticeable breasts and with a girdle belt resting on her hips, accentuating a slender figure. A hood lay behind her head, suitable to be worn to conceal her face if necessary. He realised that the young woman had been his Phoenix until a moment before.
Realising he'd been staring, Harry once again blushed. As gracefully as was possible for the situation, Ceridwin stood from the floor before seating herself on the bed, pulling Harry down alongside her.
"So, how did you manage to turn into a beaut- human?" Harry asked.
"You think I'm beautiful?" Ceridwin replied with a question and a slight smirk. When Harry blushed and began to stammer again, she simply kissed him on the cheek.
"The answer to your question Harry, is that I have no idea how. This is the first time a Phoenix has had a complete bond since Merlin and the third time in history so there aren't many records to go on..." Ceridwin said.
"I had heard that Dumbledore had a bonded Phoenix..."
"He has Fawkes, a minor Fire Phoenix who is his companion. I'm an Imperial Phoenix, one of the highest echelons of our society, compare a relation of the Queen to a businessman, that is the difference between Fawkes and myself. Also, I go by the name you gave me, Ceridwin. Now, from your memories, you hate this dump, I'm going to get you out of here if it kills me." she exclaimed.
Looking in Harry's eyes, she suddenly felt guilty at the final proclamation;
"Please don't do anything that would hurt you. I've only just met you and..." Harry trailed off. Once again, Ceridwin pressed her lips to his cheek before reassuring him.
"If you want me, I'll stay, but nobody should be allowed to live with these... creatures."
"All my stuff except you, Hedwig and my invisibility cloak has been locked in the cupboard under the stairs though, I don't want to lose it." Harry said anxiously.
"Don't worry Harry, I'm on it!" Ceridwin replied before returning to her Phoenix form and vanishing in a burst of black fire.
She returned a moment later with his trunk clutched in her talons and dumped it on the bed, finally, Ceridwin shed a single dark blue tail-feather on Harry's desk before returning to human form.
"The feather is for having a second wand crafted for you, also, Phoenix fire can do many things, I used it to clean all tracking, controlling and limiting spells on anything in their, including the Ministry's trace from your wand. Now get your wand out from the trunk and I'll shrink it and get us out of here. Maybe we should move to your estate at Firestone Hall, the Potter Castle." Ceridwin commented.
"Potter Castle? I didn't know the Potters had any properties...!" Harry exclaimed as he handed his wand to Ceridwin.
"You're quite well off, the Potters have quite a few estates across Europe. To get access to any of them requires either emancipation or being 'Of Age'. However, ownership of a familiar such as myself, due to a ridiculous archaic law, counts as emancipation."
"Ceridwin, I could never hold 'ownership' of you." Harry protested.
Feigning hurt, she replied; "But Harry, most young men would love to have 'ownership' of a pretty girl."
"Call it morals Ceri, I don't want control of a beautiful young woman such as yourself." Harry answered, suppressing another blush.
A slight pink tinge adorned Ceridwin's cheeks at this announcement; "But anyway Harry, I mentioned that Phoenix fire has many uses. There is a block on your magic and several skills from your parents, evidently it should have been removed but they have moved on. There is also a piece of black magic attached to your scar. Lie back on your bed and close your eyes."
Harry followed her instructions. A few moments later, he could feel magic active in the room, such as he could feel when entering Hogwarts boundaries. He then felt warmth covering him and then blinding pain. It was then that he simply passed out.
It was around noon the next day when Harry awoke. Looking over at his battered alarm clock on his desk, he realised that he had been unconscious for just under twenty hours. It took a few seconds to realise that his arms were wrapped around a distinctly feminine body who was uncomfortably close to him, to the extent where the two were melded together, her back against his front.
He began to gently retract his arms from around Ceridwin's form when she complained;
"Shame you're awake now, you make a comfy bed companion..."
"Hey Ceri, I think we need to get certain things done. Like getting out of here." Harry said.
She slid out of the bed and grabbed Harry's wand, shrunken trunk and owl-cage, having allowed Hedwig to fly free earlier in the day. Harry followed, grabbing his wand, and matchbox-sized trunk an miniature cage out of the air. It was then that he realised he was no longer wearing glasses and that he had grown somewhat. While not having become a weightlifting boxer overnight, he'd become several inches taller and had a lithe build.
Ceridwin passed a one-piece robe and a hooded cloak with a glance which conveyed the simple instruction to put it on. Setting aside the trunk, cage and his wand, Harry quickly threw the robe over his head and pulled it down, wriggling into the sleeves and quickly doing up the buttons before clipping the cloak clasp across his chest.
Ignoring the offered hand, Harry wrapped an arm around Ceridwin's waist, the pair vanishing silently. They appeared in a small rubbish-strewn alcove between two empty shops, looking onto Diagon Alley. Ceridwin quickly flipped Harry's hood up before leading him to Gringotts.
Upon entering, the unusual duo made their way up to a teller. Harry announced softly;
"Harry James Potter here to enquire about familial holdings and visit my vault."
"Key?" asked the goblin.
"I am not in possession of my key, I had it for a brief period last summer, I assume it is in the hands of Albus Dumbledore." Harry replied.
"You will have to undergo a blood test. Hand please."
Harry offered his hand, wincing only slightly as a small knife pierced the pad of his index finger, removing a drop of blood before the cut sealed.
"Very well, you are who you say. BLOODBITER! Take my client to see Gutstomper."
A minute later and the duo were sat opposite a goblin wearing a grey pinstriped suit who had three ledgers sat on a pile on one side of him,
"Welcome Mr. Potter and Guest. As you can expect, the vault you have been using is nothing more than a minor trust vault. You are Heir to the Peverell and Potter families with conquest rights over Slytherin. The Potter vaults include your trust vault, the personal vault of James and Lily Potter and the Family Vault. The Peverell vault is devoid of any money, though it has an incredible collection of artefacts and heirlooms of many kinds, created by the Peverell family. The Slytherin vault is locked, completely. No goblin can enter and the last Slytherin claimant informed us that it performed a test which was 'defective', mixing up pure-heart and pureblood, not judging by the latter but by the former."
"Can I access all of the vaults, excluding the Slytherin vault?" Harry asked.
"Indeed you can, yesterday you were emancipated outwith and above governmental authority." Gutstomper replied, proffering a carved wooden box; "Simply take the three rings in this box and place them on your fingers."
Harry quickly removed the rings and placed them on his fingers. The Slytherin ring was two silver snakes, tails intertwined, a gold plate with the coat of arms carved into it held in their jaws, the Potter ring was a band of gold with a red gemstone engraved with the Potter arms. The Peverell ring was a curious object, a large white gem set in gold with a curious device engraved on it.
"Supposedly, the Peverell ring was one of a pair representing light and dark, we do not know what became of the second ring." the goblin informed Harry.
"How do I make someone a ward of a family, giving them the name?" Harry asked.
"Simply lay the ring on the forehead of the one you wish to bring in and say; 'To my house I bind you, with your will, become of us' and both say 'so mote it be'."
Harry slowly turned to Ceridwin, a question in his eyes. She simply nodded and Harry laid the Peverell ring on her forehead and intoned;
"Ceridwin, to my house I bind you, with your will, become of us." before both finished; "So mote it be!"
"I would like my parents' personal vault emptied into the family vault then the creation of a trust fund identical to my own set up for Ceri and no one save the two of us to have access to any of our vaults. Finally, is there any method to withdraw coin without having to take the trip down to our vaults?" Harry asked in rapid succession.
"I shall oversee the transfer, we will simply leave the required funds for the trust fund in your parents' personal vault. Your mother was a shark in a pool of minnows when it came to investment and made both the Potter family and Gringotts Britain immense profit, so that will barely put a scratch in that fund and you can be assured that no one save yourselves will be able to access the vaults, whether they have a key or not, we will install a blood lock. To withdraw funds with ease, our Gringotts moneybag sorts that, simply state the amount needed and currency and it will be transferred to your pouch." said Gutstomper, handing Harry a black leather pouch with a drawstring; "Place a drop of blood on it to gain access. The only place where you can add access to it is in this office with me overseeing."
Harry took a penknife off the desk and jabbed it slightly into the pad of his thumb, placing a drop of blood on the bag, which was quickly absorbed. Ceridwin quickly copied his actions when offered the knife.
"Excellent. The bag has two warning wards, a minor shock ward, a medium shock ward and a bone-vanishing hex for anyone not keyed in. You can add wards at your own pleasure, though anyone not keyed in who tries to modify the device will be hit with a minor lightning curse." Gutstomper added; "There is a gentleman outside who wishes to speak to you briefly, he is a trusted client of Gringotts."
Harry nodded his acquiescence and a few moments later, a tall, distinguished man with iron grey hair, flecked with silver tied back in a short ponytail, wearing smart, simple brown robes.
"Thank you for meeting me Scion Potter. I am Regent Lord Cygnus Black." spoke the man formally, prompting Harry to stand and shake hands with the Lord.
"My pleasure Lord Black." he replied simply.
"I'll get down to business. I am dying. Through your grandmother Dorea Black and... another relation, you are one of the few males in line to inherit Black lordship. During the war, much of the Black family served the Dark Lord, resulting in the near destruction of the House of Black and the disinheritance of any who refused to serve the Dark. I pretended to be a purist for several years while operating alone against the Dark Lord. For fifteen years, a curse which hit me has slowly been killing me." he said morbidly.
Harry was about to begin speaking when Cygnus cut him off with a wave of his hand;
"Don't worry boy, I'll pass on peacefully enough around Christmas. Unfortunately, my daughter;" he spat; "Bellatrix, is the most sadistic, twisted torturer stuck in Azkaban, while Andromeda was disowned for marrying a muggleborn wizard and Narcissa is playing trophy wife and boot-licker to the scumbag Malfoy. If you accept Black heirship, the scum responsible for the downfall of the Blacks will not get our money or any of the numerous items and books we possess."
"And if I accept?" Harry asked, feeling sorry for the man who knew he was to die but still cared enough for the Black family.
"You'll have increased political power, you could probably pauperise the Malfoy family if you can find an excuse, the Black family Library is a wealth of research on all forms of magic, not all good, in fact the majority are dark... You'll also be expected to be seen and heard at meetings of the Wizengamot and thereby socialise with other Lords, lots of filthy politics. Oh... you'll be pissing off the people responsible for the last war." Cygnus said, finishing sarcastically, a slight smirk adorning his lips.
"Final reason makes it worth it..." Harry said, grinning. A flash of gold and Harry caught the Black heir ring as it flew through the air to him; "One thing, I've heard that you were an accomplished dueller and I have a need of someone to instruct me in magical combat. There's probably somewhere at Potter Castle where such can occur."
Suddenly he shivered at the grin on Cygnus' face.
A week later and Harry was lying on his back on the stone floor of a raised piste, his ribs aching after yet another bludgeoning hex caught him, this time in his left shoulder, sending him spinning to the floor. Cygnus was a demon on the piste, insisting on silencing Harry before duelling, forcing Harry to cast silently. Both Harry and Ceridwin spent a large amount of time duelling him, between meals save for short resting periods and time spent in the Potter library.
On the fifth day of duelling, Harry had hit Cygnus with a spell he had found in the Potter library, a spell near a thousand years old and forgotten to the modern world. A universal counter to long-term curses. As he was unsure if this would save the fifty year-old Black, Harry kept his find to himself, hoping that this Uncle figure wouldn't be dead within months.
Snapping out of his musing, Harry opened his eyes to see Cygnus taunting him yet again by twirling his wand in one hand while grinning. Again. Quickly flipping off the floor, Harry sent a cutting curse and a bludgeoning hex down the piste dodging a blasting curse and shielding against a piercing hex. Sending off a ribbon-cutting curse, he ducked under a stunning spell and weaved out of the way of a chain of disarming, binding and petrification spells before retaliating with an incendiary curse.
Cygnus of course blocked every spell with ridiculous ease, firing a stream of nuisance spells at Harry. Charging a deflection spell into his wand, Harry sent the dozen or so spells flying away from him in various direction. It was then Cygnus made a mistake. He blocked a blasting curse, not noting that it had just passed through a ball of water, spraying it everywhere. A slight pain and blackness engulfed him.
Harry looked on, he'd used a lightning spell on the water before blasting it into thousands of droplets, every droplet electrically charged. Ten minutes later and Cygnus was back on his feet, though he looked slightly sore about being beaten.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Think like a Black. Reducto into the water after charging it with a lightning bolt. Raised a muggle, I know that lightning is a form of incredibly powerful electricity, which can be conducted by water. You failed to realise that every drop of water had a small shock of electricity. Hundreds of them and you went down." Harry said, laughing.
Cygnus had taken Harry and Ceridwin shopping on the first day at Potter Castle, they each now had a pair of wands, Harry had three as a second custom wand had been created from Ceridwin's tail-feather and elder. He'd also had them acquire dragonhide wand holsters and suitable clothes for duelling. In this case a dragonhide vest over a t-shirt, joggers and a pair of dragonhide duelling boots.
He'd spent evenings teaching the two to use their magic with minor conjuration, some more powerful curses and charms for use in combat. Ceridwin had acclimatised to a duelling style made of charms and transfiguration while Harry actively relied on movement, a small range of shields and his ever increasing repertoire of curses.
They also had begun basic occlumency, even though the Phoenix bond gave both Ceridwin and Harry incredibly strong barriers, they still found being able to channel or block emotion, maintain focus or conceal feelings to be a skill completely necessary in the world outside.
While Harry was unsure of Dumbledore's intentions, he had found too many discrepancies in his past to completely trust the man. He'd been placed with an abusive family due to some form of hinted protection. The only one that fitted the bill was Blood Wards which were both illegal and required blood relations and affection to power them. Lily Potter was an adopted Evans, thus Petunia wasn't her sister in blood according to Lily's diaries. Affection was incredibly scarce in the Dursley household thus the wards couldn't have kept out a determined thief, let alone a skilled Death Eater. Thus, he trusted three people, Cygnus and Ceridwin.
Cygnus was perfectly open about the fact that he was manipulating and grooming Harry to become the next Lord Black, instilling cunning, loyalty to family and a touch of ruthlessness in Harry. Ceridwin was completely and utterly loyal to Harry, helping him become more confident but kept him from becoming arrogant. She'd continued to share a bed with Harry as they had done at Privet Drive.
Some days later and the unusual trio were sat in a comfortable sitting room, Cygnus peering through a monocle at a book on curses while Harry was sat with Ceridwin nearly in his lap, reading his mother's final diary.
"Pettigrew." he spat; "I now know the name of the bastard who cost me my parents."
Cygnus started slightly before quickly slamming down a mask of indifference.
"Harry, do you mind if I see that?" he asked.
He handed the diary to Cygnus who's eyes roved across the page time and time again before slowly laying aside the diary and rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"Harry, I am going to come clean with you, despite your grandmother Dorea Potter having been a Black, that is not enough to make you Lord Black. Shortly after your birth, the Heir in the male line of Black blood adopted you when he became your godfather. Sirius Black was thought to be responsible for leading the Dark Lord to the Potter cottage as your parents used an enchantment called the Fidelius which meant that only the Secret Keeper could give someone the location of the cottage. We always believed it to be Sirius, my nephew after he supposedly murdered a dozen muggles and Pettigrew. We're going on a trip to the Ministry Harry." said Cygnus.
"And being Blacks, we bribe the politicians with coins enchanted with a translocation charm which brings the money straight back to us? Actually, imagine the Potter Scion, the Regent Lord Black and the Daughter of the House of Peverell turn up in Fudge's office..." Harry said enthusiastically.
"Indeed, now both of you go and get some smart robes on, it does well to make an impression, then meet me in the travelling chamber."
Ten minutes later and Harry was in the travelling chamber, clad in a pair of black dragonhide boots, a pair of loose black trousers, a dragonhide jacket with a sunburst compass shape sewn into the centre and a silver lined cloak of black velvet. Harry's jaw dropped when Ceridwin walked in wearing a simple forest green dress, her figure accentuated by the gold girdle belt and her hair running down her back surmounted by a braided circlet of golden hair. Even Cygnus couldn't resist the urge raise an eyebrow.
"Were I your age Harry... Now come on lovebirds, I've got a Portkey each to the Minister's Offices, just remember to keep moving, don't stop until you land and you won't fall on your backside."
A rough Portkey journey later and the trio were stood in the waiting room for the Minister's office, secretaries bustling around, papers flying and quills scratching. Cygnus who was wearing a simple pair of grey slacks, a sky-blue shirt, a grey blazer and a pair of brown leather shoes, strode up to a young woman manning a desk and commanded;
"Tell the Minister that Black, Potter and Peverell are here to speak to him on a matter of some urgency."
Two minutes later and the trio were in the Minister's office, where a portly man was sat opposite a platinum-haired man with sharp features.
"Ah, Cygnus, how are you?" asked the platinum-haired man
"Excellent Malfoy, I have been teaching the Black Scion everything needed for when he takes headship of the family and he has been adapting well and soaking up knowledge like the proverbial sponge. Now if you'll excuse us." Cygnus responded cheerfully.
Malfoy swelled up, going red with fury before stalking out, Cygnus' muttered "Blonde ponce" echoing behind him.
"What can I do for you and your guests Lord Black?" asked Fudge.
"We have come upon a little bit of information from one of the Potter's diaries. Sirius Black was never the Secret Keeper but was a decoy to draw attention away from Peter Pettigrew. We also know that Sirius was never given a trial, though we never protested as we assumed him to be guilty of all charges. I imagine that you'd become quite popular, fixer of Bagnold's mistakes, upholder of justice and political champion of the Blacks and Potters were you to get Sirius a trial by veritaserum within a week. Indeed, you, Cornelius Fudge will be seen as a bastion of integrity and justice, having brought up the subject of the unconvicted inmates of Azkaban." Cygnus instructed, carefully phrasing it so that Fudge both would think it his idea.
"Indeed Lord Black, Bagnold failed in her duty if people were imprisoned without trial. Well, have no fear, the Fudge Administration will fix these blunders. On the day after tomorrow, Sirius Black will be tried under veritaserum before the Wizengamot." Fudge declared imperiously.
Cyrus simply nodded, wheeled about and strode out, followed by Harry with Ceridwin on his arm. Once out of sight, all three activated their Portkeys back to the travelling chamber at Potter Castle.
For the next day and a half, the trio spent hours upon hours learning and practicing healing spells and creating potions should Sirius be released, something they believed was highly likely. A few experiments later and Harry found that Phoenix song while healing spells were being cast would increase the power of the spells, while the addition of Phoenix tears to healing potions would massively increase their potency. Harry managed to continue sneaking through many ancient and forgotten healing spells onto Cygnus, hoping to save his life.
The next day, the trio could be found sat around the Black seat of the Wizengamot were Cygnus was sat, Harry had also given him proxy powers over the Potter and Peverell seats for the emergency session which Fudge called.
"Good morning Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot;" began Fudge; "Today, the Fudge Administration begins to fix the failures of Bagnold. The Scion of a Noble and Most Ancient House was imprisoned without trial. Whether he is found guilty or not, the Ministry will bring about justice. Interrogators, Madam Amelia Bones, Regent Lady Bones and Head of the DMLE, Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic. Court Scribe Master Reginald Alphard."
"Council for the Defence, Regent Lord Cygnus Black!" announced Cygnus as he stood from the Black seat.
"Aurors, bring in the accused;" called Fudge; "Sirius Orion Black."
Uproar reigned as, shrugging off the Aurors, a tall, gaunt man strode in, stood straight, his gaze roving over the entire Wizengamot, his grey eyes narrowing as he took note of the James Potter replica sat next to Cygnus. After a few seconds, he seated himself in the chained chair with elegance differing from his ragged appearance. Fudge slammed his gavel down on the desk before him until silence resumed.
"How you, Sirius Orion Black plead to the charges of accessory to the murders of James Charlus and Lillian Marie Potter, accessory to the attempted murder of Harry James Potter on the 31st of October 1981 and the murders of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles on the 1st of November of that year?" Fudge boomed.
"First, Hadrian James Polaris Potter-Black is my godson's and blood-adopted son's name. Secondly, I plead not guilty with willingness to undergo trial by veritaserum or trial by oath as I would have died before betraying James and Lily." Sirius stated clearly; "A trial which I have been awaiting for over a decade."
Cygnus stood again, staring at Fudge;
"Yes Lord Black?"
"I want no doubt as to the outcome of this trial, I want firstly an oath on the charges, an oath of truth followed by the recitation of the events of 1981 followed by a second recitation under veritaserum." Cygnus barked.
"Sirius Black, would you be willing to undergo Lord Black's suggestions?" asked Fudge.
"I am willing to undergo all of his suggestions." Sirius answered.
"QUARTERMASTER! An oath wand and a vial of veritaserum!" called the monocled witch next to Fudge.
A few seconds later and a red robed man strode in with a vial of clear liquid and a short wand with two orange striped at it's hilt which he placed in Sirius' hand.
"I, Sirius Orion Black, do solemnly swear on my life, my magic and my soul that I did neither betray the Potter family to Lord Voldemort or murder Peter Pettigrew and the dozen muggles who died that day. I further swear that I did NEVER serve the man known as the Dark Lord Voldemort. So mote it be. I, Sirius Orion Black do swear on my life that the following events are true to the best of my knowledge. So mote it be." Sirius swore; "At Hogwarts, James, myself, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were part of a tightly knit group. When the Potters went into hiding, Remus was often on missions trying to dissuade some of the wolf packs from serving Voldemort and couldn't be trusted with information as he was so often at risk. So, it came down to Peter and I. I was the obvious choice and therefore, James, Lily and myself chose to make Peter the Secret Keeper and I was a decoy. Daily, I made checks on Peter and the Potters. The evening of the 31st, Peter's flat was empty, no sign of combat, so I rushed to Godric's Hollow. The scene haunts me even now, James, Lily dead. I gave Harry to Hagrid, believing he would be cared for as I went to find Peter. I hunted him down to the Cardiff street where he screamed about my betrayal, and in rapid succession, cast a cutting curse to remove a finger and a blasting hex which detonated the flammable gas beneath the street. He quickly changed into his rat Animagus form and scurried off down the sewers, having hit me with a lump of rubble which put me further into shock. A rat with a missing toe, remember that."
Five minutes later and Sirius' story was confirmed under veritaserum, although due to the nature of the potion, it was much abbreviated.
"Sirius Orion Black, by oath and by veritaserum, you have been cleared of the charges levelled against you." Fudge announced pompously; "Once you have been sufficiently healed, please report to the DMLE for your reserve Auror commission and reparations for false imprisonment. I hope today's trial shows that we, the British Ministry and her senior staff are willing to champion justice."
He then slammed his gavel down and the dull roar of voices began to rise around the chamber. A St. Mungo's healer bustled up to Sirius and handed him a standard Portkey, not noticing as it was switched with an identical copy with a different location by one of the dozens seated around the Wizengamot chamber. It was only when Sirius vanished that Cygnus and his charges activated their own Portkeys to Potter Castle.
Landing in the travelling chamber, Harry burst out laughing;
"Hah! Perfect switching spell and nobody noticed!"
"Harry? Cygnus?" asked Sirius from the ragged heap on the floor, a healthy amount of distrust aimed to the latter.
"Yep, I've been staying with Harry and Ceridwin since early in the summer. Corrupting them with Black-mania, teaching them to kill halfbreeds;" he said sarcastically; "Were they to see Lucius Malfoy they might kill him as he and his spawn are part ferret part banshee. Now get up, you need to get healed up."
Sirius let lose a slight snigger at Cygnus' description of his son-in-law and grandson as he slowly rose from the floor and was escorted to a bedroom and directed to get a bath after downing a pepper-up potion. An hour and three baths later and Sirius was no longer encased in the filth and grime of Azkaban, being tended to by his godson while lying in a massive, velvet-hung four-poster bed.
Harry administered a liquid retention potion followed by three multi-purpose healing potions, a blood replenishing potion, a muscle growth potion, a nerve regeneration potion, a vial of skele-gro and a vial of undiluted phoenix tears, a concentrated vitamin potion and a nutrition supplement potion before hitting Sirius with a sleeping charm which would have him asleep until, the next morning.
Harry simply spent the rest of the morning lying on a chaise longue, his head on Ceridwin's lap as she read through a book on Potter Family spells. Eventually, after a light lunch, Cygnus persuaded the inseparable duo into duelling practice, putting them through dodging drills and accuracy drills.
Harry had found that when he partially performed Phoenix transformation and changed his eyes, he could see the layers of magic on objects, he could zoom in, could see through concealment charms and could see the buildup of magic before Cygnus cast a spell and was able to recognise some of those he more often used and take appropriate actions.
Using this, Harry and Ceridwin completely confounded Cygnus as their spells hit the targets at a hundred feet with ease every time and seemed to be able to anticipate most spells he cast. The elder Black continued to insist on putting them under silencing charms until they ceased ever casting verbally which was irritating, though they saw the need for it. Instead of learning to non-verbally cast at the end of their Hogwarts careers, Harry and Ceridwin would get into the habit of doing so long before.
Both were regularly casting cutting curses, bludgeoning hexes and blasting curses in their duels, along with stunning spells, binding hexes, petrification spells and disarming charms, something that most wouldn't be able to do by the OWLs.
Dinner at Potter Castle was eaten in comfortable silence, each of the three elegantly eating the fish and pasta which the Potter house elves had painstakingly prepared. It had taken two nights and lots of stinging hexes to instill proper table manners in Harry, who had more often than not been the house elf, not the consumer of the food before Hogwarts.
Finally, Harry slid into the purple and gold velvet covers of his bed in the Master Bedroom of Potter Castle, sighing contentedly as he wrapped an arm around Ceridwin as she slipped in beside him.