AN: Apologies for the lack of updates. Life things happened, derailing me from my writing projects for a while. But I am back, getting my feet back on the train to complete this tale.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J K Rowling's property, not mine.
Student of the Foul
Chapter 8
A house so foul – part 1
"Oof!" Harry exclaimed as he landed in a heap at Remus' feet. It was the first week of June and Harry had received permission from McGonagall to visit Sirius at St. Mungo's after finishing his exams, with Remus as his chaperone.
"Didn't you tell me you've travelled by Floo before?" Remus asked with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Yes. I also remember telling you that it did not go well!" Harry grated out as he got up from the floor.
"Come along then." Said Remus as he led Harry through the hospital complex. A few queries to the hospital staff later, the duo found themselves witnessing a grown man screaming as he tried to fight off a pair of scissors with his pillow.
"Get that away from me. I am proud of my hair. Don't make me do something I'll regret!" screamed the Sirius.
"Mr. Black, you are in an appalling state, and I have instructions to make you look presentable. I need you to cooperate and behave!" screamed the nurse as she waved her wand.
"Never!" was the reply she received.
Remus coughed loudly, bringing the scene to an abrupt pause. The flustered nurse sighed and waved her wand, halting the assault of the Scissors, before leaving the room with a huff.
"Harry! It's so good to see you!" exclaimed the former tenant of Azkaban.
"It is good to see you too Sirius." Harry said, walking up to the man. He was pulled into a tight hug. "I can't thank you enough." Sirius whispered as he began to quiver. Harry could feel his shoulder getting wet as he held the weeping man. He tightened his embrace, and he made up his mind to ensure his godfather did not suffer again.
A few moments later Sirius loosened his embrace and looked over his godson while still holding him. "Your parents would be proud of what you have become, Harry. I know I am."
"I concur." Said Remus as he drew their attention to himself.
"Hello Mooney." Sirius said with a neutral tone. Remus winced but nodded his head in greeting. It seemed like Sirius had not completely forgiven him yet.
"So, how were your exams? Did you do well? You must have, considering the amount of effort I saw you putting into your studies and practise." Sirius asked.
Remus spoke before Harry could begin, "Yes, He did very well actually. He placed second overall among the third-year students. Miss Granger only beat him because she had a better overall total. He even beat her in Charms, Defence and Potions."
Harry smiled bashfully at the praise and looks of pride and admiration he received from his honorary uncles. Internally he grimaced as he recalled the shocked look that received from Hermione. He decided to change the topic.
"When are we leaving Sirius? You asked us to join you for getting a new wand, right?"
Sirius got up from the bed and said, "Yep. I also need to go to the bank to formally collect my inheritance. It seems I wasn't disowned by the family after all. Give me few moments to 'make myself presentable' and I will meet you outside."
About an hour later the trio found themselves reliving their experiences of getting their first wands at Ollivander's as the old man took Sirius through a series of wands. It was then that Harry heard the bell jingle and turned towards the door.
There stood a stern looking old woman wearing a unique vulture hat being accompanied by a familiar face.
"Neville! I wasn't expecting you here." Harry exclaimed.
Neville gave shy smile from beside the stern old woman, whose expression did not change.
"Hey Harry, hello professor, umm... this is my Gran, Augusta Longbottom." Neville replied, before turning and introducing Harry and Remus to his grandmother.
"Oh yes, Professor Lupin, I believe your letter is the reason behind our visit here." Augusta stated.
Remus could only nod as Augusta continued, "Although I didn't understand it at first, my grandson managed to convince me only after explaining the difference using another student's wand made to him."
"Yes, we asked him to try Harry's wand and it made a difference in his ability to cast spells." Replied Remus in a rather quiet voice.
Augusta regarded Harry for a moment before stating, "Then you must have a powerful wand Mr. Potter. Especially since it seems like your wand seems to have bested Frank's wand. My son was a powerful wizard. I thought his wand would be perfect for Neville, so that he could emulate Frank."
"Oh dear, Augusta Longbottom!" Harry heard Mr. Ollivander say from behind him. "How wrong you are. Do you not remember me telling you, as I do to every one of my customers, 'The wand chooses the wizard'."
They saw Ollivander and Sirius walk back to the front of the shop, Sirius brandishing his shiny new wand. Neville stared in awe at the recently released convict.
Ollivander continued, "I also recollect your son and husband coming here to purchase Frank's wand. By your beliefs, shouldn't Frank have used his father's wand?"
While Sirius paid for the wand and moved to show his wand to Harry with a wide grin, Augusta was left silent and flustered. "Come here Neville Longbottom, it is time we got you your own wand." Said Ollivander as he beckoned Neville towards the measurement and testing area.
"Well, we must be going now. We'll need to return this one back to St. Mungo's." Said Remus, gesturing to Sirius.
The older Marauders quickly rushed out of the shop, dragging Harry along.
Once they were a few meters away from Ollivander, the two let go of a bewildered Harry Potter.
"Okay, what was that about? I have never seen either of you so silent. Sirius, you didn't even make a sound in there!" asked Harry.
"Well, you see pup, we may have been on the wrong side of that woman a few too many times." Replied Sirius.
"That was when you were school, right? She can't have grudges for pranks you did in school. Could she?" Asked Harry.
When the two adults remained silent, Harry sighed. "It wasn't just school, was it?" asked Harry.
"It might also have involved an incident at a certain wedding of Frank and Alice Longbottom." Remus said softly.
"Do I want to know?" said Harry, running his hand through his hair in exasperation.
"I think it would be wise for you to not know, especially since you're friends with her grandson." Said Sirius.
The trio walked towards the bank in silence.
-(HHoHH)-
"That's it?" Sirius asked incredulously.
"Yes Mr. Black. That's it. The house- 12 Grimmauld place, your personal vault, the family vault, and the trust vaults of existing family members. The amount received as compensation from the ministry has been credited to your personal vault." Replied the goblin.
"What happened to the rest of it? The island bungalow in the canaries, the vineyard near Montpellier?" Sirius asked.
The goblin looked over his notes and stated, "All sold by your Grandfather Arcturus to cover the debts owed to bank by various members of the family. It also seems your family made sizable dowry payments to the Malfoys and Lestranges many years ago, along with some payments to a series of other families, while not having enough avenues for earnings."
Sirius' head slammed into the desk as he began weeping. The goblin across them narrowed his eyebrows but did not comment.
"I knew the family was going to the dogs. But they didn't have to leave it to me to pick the crap up." Cried Sirius.
Harry could understand his godfather's disappointment. Back in the cave, Sirius had regaled Harry with stories of his family's fortune and the various posh properties that belonged to the Black family.
When the goblin had informed Sirius that he was the head of the Black family, Sirius had been delighted and was shaking in excitement. This lasted until the point when the goblin detailed the statement of holdings of the Black family.
The Goblin witnessing the scene in front of him coughed. "Perhaps the transactions lists on this page will alleviate some of your worries." He pushed forward a paper that he pulled from the Black file.
Remus looked over the paper, drowning out Sirius' sobs, and soon saw what the goblin was referring to. He turned to Sirius and drew his attention away from his weeping.
Sirius picked his head up and looked at his friend with bloodshot eyes. Remus continued, "It seems your grandfather transferred most of the money from the Black vaults into another vault sometime before his death. About 85000 galleons." Remus looked up from the paper to his friend.
"Sirius, if your stay in Azkaban had continued, who do you think would have become head of the family?" Asked Remus.
Sirius thought for a second, "Well, there were only two potential heirs from my generation. Regulus and Myself. Otherwise, it would have gone to the children of Bellatrix or Narcissa. Andy was kicked out, so Nymphie would not get it. And Bella does not have children, at least, none that I know of..."
Remus finished for him, "Which would leave Narcissa's child, Draco Malfoy."
Harry was left flabbergasted. Draco! Draco would have been head of the Black family if Harry had not gotten Sirius freed.
Remus, who had paused to chuckle at Harry's expression, continued, "It would seem that your grandfather did not want them or anyone else unsavoury to get the Black family fortune. Tell me Sirius, who is it you have listed as your heir in the bank?"
"Him." Sirius said pointing to Harry causing Harry to blink in surprise.
"Harry, could you perhaps tell me your vault number?"
"68…7...!" Harry began, eyes widening in disbelief. Remus nodded.
Harry reeled back in realisation as Remus showed the transactions to Sirius. His thoughts swirled.
"Master Binklock, is vault 687 my only vault? That is, do the Potter family have any other vaults?" asked Harry.
"Yes Mr. Potter, it is. As per my records, it is being operated by both you and your appointed magical guardian, Albus Dumbledore." Replied the goblin.
"So only Dumbledore and I can access the vault?" asked an inquisitive Harry.
"No, it means that keys to the vault have issued only to you and your appointed magical guardian. Anyone with the key can access the vault."
Harry's eyes widened at that. After a moment of thought, Harry looked back at the statement in Remus' hands and confirmed an earlier observation.
Harry looked back to the goblin, "Master Binklock, I observed that it says owner in the fourth column. Could you correct my assumption on whether this column is a record of who has performed the transaction?"
When the goblin nodded, Harry asked, "Master Binklock, May I request for a statement of transactions for vault 687 from 1979."
The goblin nodded and left the room.
Harry knew he had to do something to dissuade the forthcoming enquiry when the two adults looked at Harry with questioning looks.
Harry answered, "I just want to know exactly how much my parents left me."
Five minutes later, Binklock entered with a set of parchments, "Here you are Mr. Potter, as requested, transactions for vault 687 from 1979."
The goblin turned to Sirius, "You may take this file detailing all the Black family assets as well. I would suggest you peruse this information at your own time as your scheduled hour here has ended."
The trio nodded and soon exited the building with a lot of information to process.
-(HHoHH)-
"It looks like my wish to take care of you will have to wait for some time, Harry." said Sirius as they returned in his room at St. Mungo's.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry.
"Well, the only house I have now is Grimmauld place. That is not a house I wish for you to set foot in until I have thoroughly cleared it of all curses and Dark magic. It is a truly foul house, Harry. It is not a place to raise children, a fact my mother was proud of." Said Sirius.
"How long would it take to clear the house of the Dark magic?" asked Harry.
"I'm guessing that it would take the better part of a month. I may even need to employ Goblin curse breakers if I can afford it." Replied Sirius, "Adding to that, I will be stuck here until at least mid-May. It would be difficult for me to get you away from your uncle and aunt."
Harry nodded in understanding. "I will be fine, Padfoot. One more summer there won't be too unbearable. Just promise me that you will get me out the moment the house is done."
"Of course, Harry. Once that is ready, I have also received tickets to the quidditch world cup too from the ministry as a part on my compensation and I am definitely taking you, alright?" replied Sirius.
"It is time to go back to the school Harry. It's almost time for dinner." Remus said.
Harry nodded and gave his Godfather a big hug. Remus smiled as he looked on.
"I read the news, Mooney. Will you be alright?" Sirius asked. As Harry left the room to use the rest room.
"Yes, although it will be difficult for me to find something in the magical world, I should be able to manage in the muggle world. It isn't the first time this has happened.
Sirius looked pensive for a moment before asking, "If you need a place to stay, Grimmauld place will have plenty of room, and you can help me look after the pup. It will be rent free, but you will have to help me clean it up."
"Thanks, Padfoot, I'll consider it. I'll let you know soon." Replied Remus.
A moment later Harry came back into the room. One final hug later, and Remus and Harry left the room to walk towards the floo.
"Do you know how the ministry trace for underage magic works, Harry?" Remus asked.
"No." replied Harry curiously.
"It might help with your aunt and uncle for you to know that the trace is usually linked to the child's wand."
Harry frowned in thought before saying, "That doesn't make sense. Last year, when I floated Aunt Marge, I didn't use my wand. It was accidental. Yet, I still got a warning from Minister Fudge."
Remus too began to frown at that, "Hmm, that does not seem right…" he trailed off, deep in thought.
Any further conversation died off, as they reached the dreaded fireplace.
-(HHoHH)-
"Something seems to be bothering you, Harry. You seem distracted tonight." Asked Herpo later that night.
"I think it would be better if you had a look first. I'll drop my shields." Replied Harry.
A few moments later, the two sat on conjured chairs deliberating on all the information from the day's happenings.
"Have you checked the statement for any deceit?" Herpo asked to which Harry nodded.
"Other than the one where Sirius' grandfather deposited the 85000 galleons into my vault, I found a few small withdrawals by Mrs. Weasley last year, and a large withdrawal by Dumbledore before 1991. I am guessing that is the Fee for the school." Harry replied.
"Yes, it would seem so. Still, you could ask your deputy Headmistress about the how your education has been paid for. All you have now is an overly broad statement by your friend Hagrid, saying that it has been taken care of." Said Herpo.
"Okay." Said Harry, "I wanted your opinion on the discussion I had with Remus around the magical trace. On whether there may be something off about the wards around my aunt's house."
Herpo hummed in thought before replying , "I believe you might have the wrong speculation about the, as you put it, 'Marge balloon incident'."
At Harry's speculative look, Herpo elaborated, "Recall that Dobby too performed accidental magic the year before, while trying to stop you from going to school. According to your speculation, you should have received some form of warning for that incident as well. And yet, all you received was punishment from your family alone and not the magical world."
"In the case of the Marge incident, I believe the authorities would have been called when a large balloon woman was floating around, all the while, screaming her head off. I do not think they detected your accidental magic specifically but were able to trace the magic back to you from when they captured that vile woman and reversed the effects of your magic."
Harry had to accept Herpo's logic. He replied, "I think the only way to be sure is to do some wandless magic there and wait to see the results." Herpo's head jerked downwards in agreement.
"Is that all that worries you, Harry?" Herpo asked.
Harry shook his head, "When I revisited the events of the entire day, something bothered me. A small detail, and I know it might seem petulant, but, at no point did Sirius mention anything in relation to taking up my guardianship."
Herpo sighed and replied, "I can only advise you to be patient when it comes to events that are not in your direct control. Events haven't escalated to the point where that speculation is something worth delving into."
"I understand." Replied Harry sombrely.
"Did you notice Sirius mentioning the headache, Harry?" Asked Herpo.
"Huh? Oh yeah, he did. Ever since the courtroom." Replied Harry.
"Something bothers me about that statement. Do you not think it is peculiar?" Said Herpo.
"On the lighter side of the argument, I do get headaches with Binns' class even after my focus training. " Replied Harry. "What is it you feel is off?"
Herpo shook his head, "Let us leave it at that. I should take the advice that I just gave you and not delve too much into a headache."
When Harry raised and eyebrow and continued staring inquisitively, Herpo replied, "I was worried that your wonderful headmaster may have Legitimized your Godfather before, during or after the trial."
Harry thought for a moment, before replying, "I'll have to be extra careful from now on, and being preparing for if your speculation would come true."
This speculation was not new to Harry. Herpo doubted Dumbledore on his every move. He still remembered the conversation with Herpo in October last year which enlightened him to Herpo's distrust, while also planting certain seeds of doubt in his own mind.
-Flashback-
"Herpo, I ask this just to satisfy my curiosity. Why do I feel you don't trust Dumbledore? You seem to always want me to keep away from him." Asked Harry.
Herpo took a deep breath before replying, "My doubts began after looking at your life, Harry. Firstly, you have studied quite a bit of magic now and are able to perform a good collection of spells, correct?"
At Harry's nod, Herpo continued, " So tell me, in your first year, were those traps and puzzles that you and your friends encountered to protect the philosopher's stone truly adequate for the task? A group of first years who did not know more than a handful of spells, managed to beat all the challenges."
"Each of those tasks seemed to be catered to the capabilities of you and you friends specifically. At the end, when you and Dumbledore concluded that Voldemort is still alive, you asked him to teach you. What was it that he said? That you have a special power…Love." Herpo burst out laughing at that.
"In your second year, while the school was assaulted by my Basilisk, Dumbledore knew who had opened the chamber. He knew that the girl who died was the ghost in the bathroom. He could have just as easily guessed the location of the entrance and warded it, could he not?"
Herpo paused and drew a deep, calming breath.
"I am worried, Harry, for your safety and the safety of the school. One or two mishaps, I can understand, but the clues in front of me, all paint a picture that has me worried. He seems to constantly create and direct you into dangerous situations."
"I have seen such people before, Harry. Good Nobles misguided and corrupted by the power they hold over others. Power that dissolves any semblance of humility within them. They stand on such a high pedestal that they seldom look down at what is actually happening beneath them. They refuse to acknowledge their mistakes and mishaps, only to be destroyed by the same sometime later."
"I would advise you to be careful with your headmaster, Harry. You do not want someone with that much influence and power to be doubtful of you. They might make the wrong conclusions. They would then do their utmost to destroy you for what they would perceive to be the greater good."
Herpo turned to Harry, speaking with searing intensity, "Let this also be a lesson to you, Harry. Never allow yourself to lose who you are as your influence on the world grows, for it will grow, beyond even that of Dumbledore. I can already see it, Harry. You will be a great wizard. One that I will proudly call my student."
-End Of Flashback-
-(HHoHH)-
Albus Dumbledore looked out from his office, observing the children making their way out of the school towards the carriages which would take them to Hogsmeade station.
He had a lot of thoughts flowing through his mind regarding the previous year. Chief among them were those regarding Harry Potter.
His presence in the school over last term had been intermittent, owing primarily to the overall Sirius Black situation, the deployment of dementors at as security around the school, and the Pettigrew incident.
Hence, it was the meeting with Harry Potter regarding Sirius black's innocence that caught him thoroughly off guard. His mind was in such turmoil that he had no other option but to help Harry Potter in providing freedom to Sirius Black.
Every moment after that fateful meeting seemed to bring on surprise after surprise. It brought to his notice the true extent to Harry Potter's involvement in the capture of Peter Pettigrew. Reviewing the information that he gleaned from Ms. Granger, that the entire event seemed to be very well planned between Remus and Harry.
The whole scenario around the capture seemed to have been planned to near perfection. He had given the credit of the capture to Remus, and rightly so, it seemed at the time.
The knowledge that the marauder's map had been handed over to him by the twins alleviated his doubts around Harry. But the meeting brought some of those doubts back.
Then there was the matter of Harry Potter's vast academic improvement. Praise rather surprisingly including from his Potions professor. Someone whom he knew was rather loathsome regarding the Potter boy.
The boy also seemed highly focused too. He received the same feedback from all his professors. It was vastly different from the feedback he had received last year that the boy was aloof and rarely paid attention in class.
No, something had changed about Harry Potter. The academic improvement, The increased focus, the blocked legilimency probe. It did not sit well with Dumbledore.
But what had caused such a change?
Dumbledore walked back to his desk and sat down. Popping in a lemon drop, he leaned back and immersed himself into his mind looking for clues that would give him his answer. A few moments later he jerked out of his chair.
The chamber of secrets. Something must have happened to Harry while he was there. Something must have happened to Harry when he fought of the Basilisk, or when he fought…...Tom…
"No…" Dumbledore let out in an audible whisper; eyes wide as the realisation struck him.
It seemed to add up, the vast academic improvement, the focus, the rudimentary occlumency….Tom Riddle.
Countless speculations flew through his mind about the boy. Had the Basilisk bite disturbed the Horcrux? How much sway did the horcrux hold on Harry's mind? If so, what could he do to prevent a second Voldemort?
Dumbledore let out a shudder and collapsed onto his chair. He took a few deep breaths to calm his wildly beating heart.
No! He could not allow his old age to stop him from stymieing a second Tom Riddle before he could cause havoc in the world.
Dumbledore let out a tired sigh. Maybe was overthinking this.
Other than the causes for his current speculations, the boy had done little else to warrant immediate action. It could very well be that the events in the chamber opened his eyes and forced him to put more effort in his academics.
His academics, while improved were still not completely on par with Ms. Granger, who still superseded him in the final year ranking. Maybe the meditation did indeed improve his focus. Could it be that the boy somehow developed rudimentary Occlumency shields through simple meditation?
The old chief warlock let out another deep sigh as he let the overwhelming anxiety flow out of his body to bring clarity to his thoughts.
He would have to keep a very close eye on the boy and the happenings around him. Especially considering the tournament that would be taking place the next year. If he found anything in the boy that ratified his speculation, he would do what was necessary. All for the greater good.
-(HHoHH)-
"Well, Mooney, here we are. I don't remember you ever stepping into this wonderfully ghastly place before. Thanks for helping me clean this place up for Harry. Though, I will warn you, anything and everything here may be cursed." Sirius told a weary Remus as they stood in front of a gloomy looking town house that had definitely seen better years.
"The curse-breakers have already been working here for ten days now and have cleared the outer area and the general areas of the house. So, we have two bedrooms and a kitchen available, along with the main hallway and stairwell. Unfortunately, the team have confirmed that my mother's painting has been mounted with a powerful permanent sticking charm, so she gets to stay."
"When do the curse-breakers get here?" Asked Remus. As if summoned, the aforementioned team of curse-breakers appeared beside the two men.
"Goblins and Gentlemen." Sirius addressed the team consisting of two sneering Goblins and two male humans. "I know I have repeated this every day since you began but approach this house with the utmost caution. My family was known to enjoy their curses. Without further ado, I will leave you to perform the duties for which you have been contracted." Said Sirius with a flourish.
The team of four took a moment to give him dead-panned looks, before walking towards the house. Remus shook his head. The dog never lost his affinity for the theatrics.
The team of curse-breakers entered the house, with the two marauders in tow. While the curse-breakers climbed up the stairs to continue from where they had left off, Sirius took Remus for a tour of the accessible areas of the house.
"Aren't you going to oversee the curse-breakers Sirius? What if they decide to steal something of value?" asked Remus.
"Oh, they can't. I've included a wonderful clause in their contract which ensures that they cannot take anything from anything within the house out without my permission, unless they wish to face 'consequences'. It is a Gringotts contract, so I know those consequences will be nasty." Replied Sirius. As he walked back and forth along the hallway.
"One of the first things the curse-breakers removed Mooney, was a horrid looking Troll-leg umbrella stand that had a permanent tripping jinx placed on it. Even worse, anyone who tripped on it would set my mother's portrait off." Said Sirius.
"Is your mother's portrait really that bad?" asked Remus with a raised eyebrow.
"Here, why don't I show you." Said Sirius, walking up to a portrait covered by a maroon curtain. Sirius yanked the chord which opened the curtain.
"Filth! Mudbloods! Scum! How dare you taint the house of my fathers with your vile presence, begone, I say, begone!"
"Nice to see you too, mother. It's my house now so, shut up you old hag." Sirius screamed back, before closing the curtain and turning back to Remus, who raised his palms in defeat.
"Unworthy Master disturbs the Mistress. Bringing filth and mudbloods into great house of Blacks. Oh, the shame." Said a voice to their left. Remus turned to find the voice coming from an old house elf with a bulbous nose, beady bloodshot eyes, and a heavily wrinkled face with a spattering of grey hair.
"Ah, Kreacher, I see you're still alive, you horrid elf. " Sirius greeted balefully. "The house's elf. He was my mother's. Unfortunately, I inherited him along with the house." Sirius told Remus, while pointing to the elf.
"Shameful master. Kreacher lives to serve the house of Black." Replied the wrinkled elf.
"If that is the case, you should be the one ashamed. Look at the state of this house. Clean it up." Said Sirius.
"Of course, master. Of course." Said the elf as he walked away.
"Don't expect him doing anything useful. He was always horrid towards me. A product of my dear mother's ways, unfortunately. " Sirius said.
Remus could only nod, still reeling from experiencing the portrait.
"You know, I should have made the curse-breakers clean the house up as well." Sirius moaned, "Aunt Dorea must be laughing up there, seeing my predicament. I am going to have to use all those household spells she taught us in the summer before our seventh year, if can even remember them." Sirius said, as he led Remus into the Black tapestry room.
"The rehabilitation really helped Mooney. I was told that I harboured more psychological scars from my childhood than my duration in Azkaban. The therapy helped me come to terms with many of my issues with this house."
"Such fond memories." Sirius said sarcastically, as his gaze swept the room in sombre reminiscence.
"I heard that mother did this." Sirius said, pointed to his own marker which had been scorched off. "On the day I decided to run away to James' house in sixth year. She wanted me to be like the rest of them."
He ran his hand gently over Regulus' marker, "Unfortunately, I think he bore the fruits of my own bravery. You remember him don't you, Mooney?"
"Yes, he was a rather quite boy." Said Remus
"Hmm, and he was in Slytherin; Something my family was proud of. When I got sorted to Gryffindor house, the family wasn't please, but I was still part of the house. I think they felt they could use me."
"It got especially bad for us after the day Andi ran away with that muggleborn during our second year. The whole family drove themselves to madness. Leashes got tighter; Whispers grew louder. The family's paranoia knew no bounds. I remember feeling eyes following me everywhere. They wanted to decide who I, or any child in the house, could associate with."
"It was particularly souring to them when I associated with you and James. But I could never break our bond, forged over so many years of fun and happiness. So, I ran away. Away from my own blood, because they were never family to me." Sirius said, staring at his scorched marker. He shook his head rapidly and turned away from the tapestry.
"Anyway, let's get cleaning shall we. I want this house to be a place Harry can call home. It is the least I can do in return for what he did for me." Said Sirius.
A few hours later, as the two marauders walked out from a cleaned kitchen, they heard a scream from the floors above.
"What was that?" asked Remus getting a shrug from Sirius in reply. They pulled out their wands and gingerly made their way up the stairwell to the first floor.
When they reached the final step, they saw a flash of light occur in one of the rooms to the left followed by loud hissing. The two Marauders looked to each other in askance, not knowing how to proceed further. Sweat trickled down the sides of their heads as the anxiety of the situation mounted.
Remus took a deep breath and squared his shoulders in preparation to move forward and investigate. He didn't need to move much as from three rooms down a figure emerged.
It was one of the human curse-breakers. He spoke to himself in a jumble of hisses and mumbles. His body erratically quivering as he clutched at something on his chest. They could see a wand poking out from his clutched hands.
The manic looking curse-breaker slowly turned towards the stairs and in doing so, revealed something far more gruesome. His clothes were covered in blood. What put the two Marauders off further was the evil sneer on the man's face as he looked to them with sharp green eyes.
The curse-breaker suddenly unclasped his hands and pointed his wand towards the last marauders. In doing so revealing a golden locket hanging from the curse-breaker's neck.
-(END)-
As always, my thanks to all who have reviewed, favourited, or followed this fic. I really appreciate it. It is what kept me wanting resume writing this Fic.
Thanks again!
Until next time.