Pup
By Jamnaz79
Chapter 1: Freedom?
Notice: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it. I do not make money off of this. Hell nobody in their right mind would pay me for one of my stories. I write to enjoy it and because something strikes my fancy.
Evening, August 6th 1995
The mangy black dog stared from the bushes as his godson picked himself up from the surprise arrival of the night bus. As a pimply young adult helped the teenager up and into the bus Sirius couldn't help but wonder about his choices. It wasn't that he didn't realize he had screwed up but till seeing Harry he never realized how much of a screw up he had made.
While Sirius knew he was not well mentally, being in the hellhole that is Azkaban prison for a decade wouldn't allow anyone to be healthy physically or mentally. But, even he could tell that there was problems with the boy. He looked just like James but far smaller then he remembered James at fifteen years old. Where Prongs had been tall, lithe but built with muscle Harry appeared to be scrawny and underfed. His skin was unhealthy with the sheer paleness that could make a vampire proud. Then there was the bruises on his cheek and arms. As a dog his sense of smell was enhanced forty to fifty times more than a human and he could smell a sickness from Harry.
Perhaps it was the concern for his pup, or perhaps it was the mental instability from his prison sentence. It could have been the fact that this boy was one of his few pieces of true family he had left. Whatever it was, it was enough to make the man crack.
As the night bus disappeared the Grim turned towards the house number 4 Privet drive. His goal to hunt down the rat had been forgotten. Instead he needed to know. He had to find out the truth. The truth of how big of a mistake he may have made with his godson that night!
The door of the residence had been left open from his godson's sudden exit so Padfoot slipped in. His pale gray eyes slowly moved around the too perfectly clean entryway of the house. A set of stairs ran upwards along the right wall to the second story and most likely the living quarters. Right before the mangy mutt was a long corridor towards the dining room, living room and kitchen if the scents filling his noise was correct. The house was quiet except for the sound of a shouting argument coming from the patio and backyard.
The anger still burning in his mind at the vision of his pup's bruises saw Padfoot start forward only to stop at the ajar door of the cupboard under the stairs. His finely tuned noise picked up the scent of Harry coming from there. His wet nose easily pushed open the door fully to peer inside. The chamber was small barely over a meter long and half of that wide. The scent of the boy filled the room as if he had been living there. But, what truly drew the dog to the room was the spots of blood on the ground. He leaned forward and took a whiff realizing that it was old blood stains from his boy. A deep throaty growl filled the dog animagus that only became worse as he glanced up and saw the ceiling. There written on the roof that almost brushed the shoulders of the big dog was the words, "Harry's room."
After that it became a blood colored haze for Padfoot. He was accused of being a mass murderer and in truth while he did not kill those muggles he had killed wizards and witches in the past war. He had blood on his hands before and knew more dark arts then most would be dark wizards ever could. But in all of those battles, all of that time his family forced him to learn sometimes through pain, nothing compared to this anger.
The Marauders had learned how to become animagus in their third year. It was an amazing feat of magic that they accomplished by a ritual found in the restricted section. What they ignored in their research was the warning that it would make the individual have less control of their spirit animal when in the form of it in times of extreme emotion. The nature of the beast would come out in these instances. James Potter developed more jealousy for anyone after his precious Lily-Flower which caused him to show off like a bull stag in heat for her. Peter developed the innate need to survive no matter the cost. While Sirius wanted to protect his family, his pack, his kin. No matter what he would do anything to protect his pup, his son Harry. Now that boy had been damaged and those whom harmed him were here now before him. Padfoot could do something about it to make certain they never harmed his pup again.
The rage that boiled in the veins of Sirius Arcturus Black as raced through the living room blinded him from any rational thoughts. The huge beast eyes seeming to glow with magic as death and anger radiated from him leaped through the open back door onto the back of one Vernon Dursley. The man may have been a giant sized man with rolls of fat but it did nothing to help him. In fact the rotund fool only had seconds to cry out before the dog ripped his throat out silencing him and giving him a painful death.
The blood madness didn't let up there as the dog pounced onto the horse faced woman with a growl. Her shriek filled the air only for moments before it too was silenced forever with jaws filled with teeth larger than her fingers ripping through her flesh.
Then as fast as it came the madness ended and the man turned beast seemed to realize what he had done. Quickly the monstrous black dog turned away from the pair and ran off into the darkness of the night leaving a trembling far boy huddling in the corner traumatized for life from watching his parents be slaughtered. Ironic since just earlier this Summer he taunted his cousin for the same happening to Harry.
~~~ Pup ~~~
Harry got off of the blast bus in a daze. It was the strangest ride he had ever had. It was the worst form of transportation he had ever experienced! Little did he know that it was considered a relaxing trip compared to portkey's and side-along apparition. But for now Harry swore that he would never ride that contraption unless he had to do so! He stumbled pulling his trunk through the front door of the Leaky Cauldron to bump into a pink haired woman in auburn colored Auror Robes. The pair landed immediately in a tumble onto the ground with the door swinging closed behind them.
"I found him Shack!" The woman yelled out, to a dark skinned bald man behind her even if it was pretty obvious. Her pale gray eyes scanned over the face of Harry before she looked down to between them, "Like the feel of them?"
"Huh?" Harry asked in confusion a dozen thoughts running through his mind at once. The main concern was the fact that the beautiful young woman and the man were both wearing Auror robes and they were looking for him! Slowly his eyes scanned her over placing her age at early twenties. She had a heart shaped face with pale gray twinkling eyes. Her hair was bumble gum pink falling down her shoulders and the pieces touching his hand felt smooth. His cheeks started to become heated when he realized he was on top of her and at her glance down his eyes followed. There he found his hand cupping to her left breast through her robes. 'Perky' was the thought that ran through Harry's head before he scrambled off of her and offered a hand up.
"Not the most intelligence of speech but better then most purebloods." The young woman said quietly to him as she took his hand and stood up.
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at that before he snarked back, "I am a half-blood remember? Besides a beautiful woman can tame any man's tongue and you certainly count as that."
He couldn't help but enjoy the slight pink that hit her cheeks before he smiled, "You were looking for me? It seems you found me, but what will you do with me?"
"Yes, half of the Aurors are looking for you Mr. Potter." The Tall dark skinned man stepped forward at that moment as he stated. He was tall muscular built man that filled out his robes impressively. He eyes were filled with a strength that drew attention to him. "But, I think we should bring you to the Minister to allow him to tell you everything."
"Is this about my Aunt? It was accidental magic..." Harry began before he quieted when the pair started to shake their heads.
"Come with us please." The elder Auror called to the young man then he started to walk through the empty common room of the Leaky Cauldron to the upstairs.
Harry stood there a moment apprehensive before the beautiful pink haired girl he heard called Tonks gently put her hand on his back and started to guide him, "You aren't in any trouble Harry I promise you."
A little more comfortable Harry allowed the woman to guide him up the stairs to the private chamber. Once they were there the tall black man Harry heard called Shack knocked three times and waited. The door swung open and the pair of Aurors guided him into the room before they stepped the side and closed the door.
The room like all wizarding places was larger on the inside than expected. The room was a long rectangle with windows overlooking Diagon Alley. There was a massive old style red brick fireplace at the end of the chamber There was two doors off of the room to other chambers that appeared to be a restroom and the bedroom. In the center of the room was a massive mahogany table with six chairs around it. On the closest side to the door was a plate with steaming bangers and mash. The other end of the table is a pile of paperwork.
Behind the paperwork sat a portly little man with rumpled grey hair. He wore a pinstripe suit with a cloak on the chair back with a green bowler hat on top of one of the piles of paperwork. He pulled out golden pocket-watch flipped it open to check the time then smiled as he noticed the trio entering the chamber. "You found him. Excellent Aurors Shackenbolt and Tonks."
The man stood up and walked forward with a friendly smile that seemed to come easy to him, "Harry, you had us worried sick. I am so very happy you are fine. When I heard what happened I was worried but it seems you are resourceful as they say. Come and sit. I had a meal prepared for you as soon as I was told you were on the night bus."
"Mr. Minister..." Harry began but he was cut off as he was ushered to the chair and food. Part of him wanted to argue and talk but this was the head of the government and his stomach chose that moment to rumble.
"No Mr. Minster for you Mr. Potter. Please just call me Cornelius when we are in private. I hope you do not mind if I call you Harry." He offered with a smile as he sat down next to the teenager.
The green eyed man caught the sight of the pink haired Tonks roll her eyes in the background. He forced a smile then spoke up worried, "I hope I am not expelled Sir. After I got the letter from the house elf that did magic in my Aunt and Uncles' home I was worried I would be kicked out from what took place."
"No Harry, you are not expelled. If we expelled every young woman and man that performed accidental magic at home we would have nobody left to teach." The man then blinked in surprised as the rest of the statement hit him, "You said a house elf caused you to get a letter? That is what happened last year.
"Yes Sir. It just showed up, It is not even my house elf." Harry offered after realizing he wasn't in trouble. The bit of his Slytherin side came out as he figured perhaps this would be a chance to remove the black mark.
It was an assumption that would be proven correct as the pudgy man pulled out a quill and parchment and scribbled down onto it. "Auror Shackenbolt see this gets to the Office for Improper Use of Magic. No need for Harry here to have a black mark on his record."
"Thank you Minister." Harry answered with a friendly smile.
"Think nothing of it Harry." The man was interrupted as an owl swooped into the room and landed to the side of the Minister. He pulled out the scroll and turned rather pale. He forced a smile for the boy before he stood up, "Take your time and eat up then we shall speak more afterwards."
The Minister walked back over to his piles of parchments and wrote an answer for the owl which flew off. After he had settled in with a hot cup of tea appearing before Harry and the Minister the man started to speak, "I have some terrible news Harry. You are aware of the prison break correct?"
"No Sir. When I am kept at my relatives residence I am not allowed to have anything to do with our world. They do not let me out of my room except for performing chores." Harry answered forthright. The last thing he wanted was to be sent home after getting out of there. No matter what Dumbledore said that would be hell. He remembered last year what was it was like after the problems with the cake. He was certain that this would be worse. Hell, this was the Minister of Magic with two Aurors in the room. If anyone can stop him from being sent back there it would be them.
A grimace came over the lips of the pudgy man as he frowned, "I was told they were a safe and loving family. That they raised you better than their own son."
"No Sir. They were the exact opposite. Let me show you." Harry stood up and walked over to open up his truck he carefully pulled out an envelope and held it out to the Minister.
The envelope was very familiar as it was something that every witch and wizard in Britain wanted at age thirteen. It was the invite to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This one address to Harry Potter living at number 4 Privet drive in the cupboard under the stairs. The Minister was silent for a few moments as he considered that fact. Then it seemed it grew in stature showing himself to truly be worthy of being the Head of the British Magical Government. There for a time seemed to be an aura of rage about and the portly kindly man was not seen. His eyes narrowed as he frowned, "I was told wrong it seemed. A cupboard? What are they thinking that you are a bloody house elf. Muggles!"
The last word came out as a growl which was calmed at once as he let out a sigh,"It does not matter now. You will not be sent back there no matter what Harry."
The Minister gently placed down the letter and put his hand to the arm of Harry, "Let me tell you a bit of what is going on and I will explain it all."
"On the night your parents were murdered they were in hiding. There is a powerful charms spell, one of the most powerful ever created called the Fidelius charm. It is so powerful that the secret of what it hides is hidden in the very soul of the keeper. In this case it was used to hide the house of James and Lily Potter and they chose their best friend to hide the secret with Sirius Black." The Minister seemed to be lost in his own world as he stared out of the window. The words rolling off telling the truth upfront of the situation was new for the young teen whom had been almost killed twice since coming into the magical world.
"It was Black that gave up the secret to his dark master. He gave up your parents Harry then he went and hunted down the his other best friend Peter Pettigrew and killed him. I worked as the Deputy of the Department of magical Catastrophes. I was the first one on the scene when he caught poor Peter. There was a hole taking up most of the street. Twelve muggles died in the blast from Blacks powerful magic and all that was left of poor Peter was a finger." The Minister looked aged as he was lost in memories. He fell silent for a few minutes just staring out of the window.
"What happened to Black Cornelius?" Harry asked carefully.
"He was tossed into Azkaban Prison hopefully never to be seen again. But that has changed. He has broken out. The first person ever to break out the prison and it appears he has done so to come after you Harry. Tonight you are lucky that you fled that horrible house and came here because not long after you left he showed up and murdered your Aunt and Uncle." Cornelius ended as he stared at the young man with a determined look, "But I am going to make certain you are safe no matter what. We just need to figure out where to hide you away till the school starts. Originally I was going to have you stay here but it is too dangerous."
"Minister he could stay with my mum." The Pink haired woman spoke up. When all eyes turned towards her in surprise at her words her hair started to flip colors before settling on purple. She smiled brightly, "My mum is his Aunt after all twice removed."
"I have family in the magical world? If so why was I given to the Dursley family?" Harry asked in confusion.
"I was not in office then Harry but my understanding the Headmaster and the former Minister of Magic had you placed there for your safety. It was hush hush but the basics was you were supposedly protected by something special there." The Minister answered back to the question,
"So special that they are dead from an escaped convict? It must have been very special to get these just to stay there with the muggles." Harry answered back motioning to the bruises on his arms with a frown.
"Indeed, something to look into. I will speak with Amelia about all of this tomorrow. Till we have this settled you will stay here Harry with Tonk was it?" At the nod of her head the Minister continued, "Tonks as your guard. Family is best to have as protection. Shackenbolt come with me. We shall look into what happened. I think it would be important for the people to see the Minister cares and protects his citizens."
The Minister waves his wand and the papers parked themselves away into a satchel which shrunk before jumping into his pocket. "Harry if you need anything just have the Auror contact me. Till then I expect not a hair on his head to be harmed. Understood Tonks?"
At the nod the of her purple head the Minister turned to the fireplace and floo'd away to the Ministry of Magic with Shackenbolt at his heels.
Harry blinked in surprised then looked around the room seeing it only himself the pretty young Auror, "What are we going to do now?"
"We will think of something Harry..." The metamorphmagus waggled her eyebrow before giving a smile.
Author Note: Obviously there is a little bit of liberty taken here with the characters. For one I aged everyone two years, Hogwarts starts at 13 instead of 11. It would make someone 17 when they finish their OWLS which is the most schooling required to graduate. NEWTS of course being required for the best jobs still. Any thoughts? Pairing would be a playful Harry before eventually a Honks perhaps.