Chapter 5 – Re-acquainting
Sirius woke the next morning when a slant of sunlight hit his face through a gap in the curtains. He had no idea what time it was, but the sun was well enough up that he figured he should be as well. He pulled on his same clothes from the previous day
and made his way down the hall to the loo. Then he descended to the kitchen and was happy to see Harry and Ginny were still eating.
"Good morning. I'm glad I'm not too late. What time is it?"
"Just after eight and it's my day off,so we usually sleep in a bit. James ate around three so we still have an hour until he is awake."
Sirius sat down and Quisi appeared with toast and tea, then looked up and addressed Sirius.
"Mister Black. I can fix you bacon and eggs immediately. How do you like your eggs?"
"Over easy Quisi."
The elf nodded and returned to her cooking. Sirius sugared his tea and looked up at Harry. Before he could figure out what to say, Harry spoke.
"Well Sirius, I have the day off so I'm at your disposal. I made a call to one of my contacts at the Prophet and your story hasn't hit yet. I wouldn't expect that to last. Soon the whole wizarding world will know about your return. So, what are your plans?"
"Hmm, I was just considering that Harry. There are a couple of people I need to see. First I'd like to see Andi and Moony's boy, then the Weasleys would be next. The rest of the Order should also be notified. I'd prefer they didn't hear from the Prophet.
First though I think I need some clothes. Do you have any of my old trunks around?"
"No, when we cleaned out the house, I donated any clothes that were in good condition. We should probably make our first stop at a department store. Which brings up something else we need to discuss. You left your entire estate to me and now we need to
contact a solicitor regarding the steps to reverse that. I still have plenty from my parents to find Ginny and I another place, but…"
Harry was cut off as Sirius scowled at him.
"No Harry! This is your home. Yours and Ginny's. It was never really home to me. It was my parents house, a place I hated. I want you to stay. The two of you have turned it into a lovely family home. As for the money, I may need some, but I don't want
you to go through a full reversal of the will. For now I just need a place to stay and a few funds while I re-acquaint myself with the world."
Ginny let out a sigh and tears welled in eyes. Realizing what had caused her reaction, Sirius reached across the table and took her hand.
"Ginny, you can't honestly think I would let you give up the home you've made here?"
"No, I guess not Sirius, but I couldn't help but worry. Thank you. You 're welcome to stay here for as long as you want. Harry said you like the Gryffindor room."
Quisi arrived with the rest of Sirius' breakfast as Harry finished the last of his and looked back at Sirius.
"Well then, since that's decided, after we eat we'll go shopping for some essentials Sirius. Then we'll make a couple house calls. I don't know how long the shopping will take so I won't call anyone until we have an idea of when we will arrive. Ginny,
do you want to come along?"
"Thanks love, but I think this needs to be a day for the boys. You and Sirius need the time."
An hour later Harry and Sirius left the house and proceeded to several shops. First, they started building Sirius a new wardrobe of trousers, jeans, button down shirts and polos, as well as a couple sweaters, a leather jacket and several pairs of shoes.
They also collected all the personal grooming items that he would need. The shopping took most of the morning and Harry suggested that they stop at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch.
"Actually Harry, I think I should avoid the Leaky until I've talked to everyone. It would be my luck to pop in there and run into Hagrid or someone else I know. I can just imagine the reactions."
"Hmm, you're right, not a good idea. How about we pick up some fish and chips and go home and eat with Ginny?"
"Brilliant plan. I can also change into something a bit cleaner before we go house calling."
They arrived home with bags of food and Ginny was thrilled by the lunch selection. Before they ate, Harry made a couple of floo calls. First, he called Andi and explained he had a bit of a surprise and wanted to visit with a guest. She was puzzled, but
agreed to see Harry in an hour. Next, Harry floo called the Burrow and spoke to Molly.
"Hi Molly. I know this is a bit last minute, but I was wondering if I could come visit later this afternoon? And bring a guest? Also, if it's possible, I'd like Minerva and Hagrid there."
"What? What are you up to son? Is everything alright?"
"Yes Molly, everything is quite good. I have a surprise."
"Well, okay. If you want me to call Minerva and Hagrid, why don't we make it dinner? You, Ginny, your guest, Arthur, myself, Minerva and Hagrid. That would be seven. Does that sound alright?"
"Sounds good Molly, but can we add one more? I'd like Hermione to come."
"Sure, fine. I'll be glad when you tell us what this is all about. Dinner will be at six as usual."
Harry pulled his head out of the floo and made his way to the table, where Ginny had spread out their lunch.
"I hope that was alright Sirius, dinner at the Burrow?"
"Certainly Harry. I'm always willing to eat Molly's cooking."
Ginny chuckled. "So Harry, I'd love to see Hermione more, but was there a reason to invite her as well?"
"Yes. She told me before she left last night that she's going to do some investigating about the arch and what happened to Sirius. I'm hoping she'll be able to give us an idea."
The rest of lunch was spent with Harry detailing the ongoing work of the Aurors in tracking down Death Eaters and other dark wizards. When lunch wrapped, Sirius went upstairs to change and shave in preparation for their trip to visit Andromeda. As Sirius
made his way downstairs after getting ready, he felt an unusual bit of tension. Andromeda was technically his cousin, but he hadn't seen her since before his imprisonment. During the time of the second Order, his movements had been limited and Andromeda
herself was not a member, although she had done what she could to support the cause. Sirius reached the downstairs hall and Harry was waiting for him.
"Nice Sirius. The clothes help. Now, instead of going by floo, I thought we'd apparate. It will give Andi a bit of time to adjust to your arrival. I'm afraid having you appear in her living room may be a bit overwhelming."
"Sounds fine Harry, although I think she's going to be overwhelmed anyway."
Harry shrugged and took Sirius's arm. Since Sirius had not been to the Tonks house since he was a student, Harry decided it was safer to side-along and Sirius did not disagree. They landed in the garden of the Tonks home and Harry made his way to the
door with Sirius close behind. A few seconds after Harry knocked, Andromeda opened the door.
"Harry! I'm glad you deci…"
Andromeda went pale as she looked past Harry at Sirius. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Harry was about to reach for her when a blur of turquoise hair with legs came barreling out the door.
"Unca Hawwy! You came to play with me! Yay! You want lunch?"
Harry picked up his godson and hugged him. Briefly ignoring Teddy's requests, Harry looked back at Andromeda.
"Andi, I know it's a surprise. Can we come in and talk?"
Andromeda said nothing as she stepped back and opened the door wider. Harry made his way into the house with Sirius following. He set Teddy down and kneeled to talk to the boy.
"Teddy boy, Uncle Harry has had lunch and he wants to play with you, but first he needs to talk to your grandmum. Can you be patient and wait for me?"
The young boy looked at Harry, crossed his arms and jutted his chin. "Okay, I wait."
Harry stood back up and turned to Andromeda to give her a hug.
"Andi, I know it's a shock. It was for me as well, but this man is who he appears to be. We don't yet understand how. As soon as he heard about the battle and about Teddy, he wanted to come see you."
Andromeda took a deep breath and finally found her voice.
"Well Sirius, please come in and sit. I need to get off my feet for a few minutes."
She led the way as they proceeded to the living room. As Sirius was getting ready to take a seat he looked over on the mantle and saw a row of pictures. Stepping over to them, Sirius traced a finger along two of them that portrayed Remus and Dora. Then
he turned back and looked at Andromeda as he found a seat. Andromeda looked over at the pictures and spoke.
"I suppose Harry told you everything from the battle? I lost my daughter that day. And my son-in-law. I was quite fond of Remus, despite his affliction. Nymphadora loved him so much. Some days I'm angry at her for insisting on going to meet him at the
school, but she never wanted to let him go. I lost my Ted two months before the battle. I didn't think I wanted to live without him either, but I haven't been given a choice. At least I have Teddy. I was afraid that Harry as his godfather would want
to take him, but he hasn't. He and Ginny have been great. Even before they were married they've been like second parents to him…Now, can you explain how you've returned? I still can't believe it."
"Before I do that Andromeda, I want you to know that I'll be here for you and Teddy also. I'm family to you, even if certain members of the family didn't want to admit it."
"Thank you. It will be good in a few years for Teddy to know more about his father. Within reason of course. I've heard a few things about what you lot got up to at school. As for family, I was disowned as much as you were Sirius. Of course, those who
disowned us are mostly gone. Except for Cissy of course, but I haven't talked to her and Draco in almost a year."
Sirius wondered about what had happened to the Malfoys, but decided to leave that for later. Instead, he gave Andromeda the story of his arrival on a remote beach in Indonesia with no memories of the intervening years. When he finished, she looked even
more stunned than she had before Sirius began.
"So, you have no idea how? Nothing at all?"
Sirius shook his head and looked at Harry, who had taken Teddy onto his lap. The boy was playing with a toy giraffe, but remained remarkably quiet as his godfather spoke up.
"No Andi, we don't have anything concrete. Hermione has an educated guess that sounds plausible. She's investigating further within the Ministry. She thinks the arch Sirius went through is a time travel portal."
Andromeda nodded her head.
"Well that does seem to make sense. Still, Indonesia? Let's hope she turns up something. Now, I think I've recovered enough. I have a fresh pitcher of lemonade and cookies if you'd like? Then you can play with Teddy a bit. I know he's the reason you came."
"Thanks Andromeda. The lemonade sounds good. And I didn't just come to see Teddy. It's good to see you after so long."
Andromeda smiled and left the room while Harry set Teddy down off his lap and looked the small boy in the eye.
"Teddy, this man is your Uncle Sirius. He was a friend of your dad's. He came to play with you too today."
"Yay! I go get anumules."
The excited boy's hair wavered between three colors as he darted out of the room, leaving both men smiling. Sirius stared at the doorway for a moment after the boy left.
"Looks like his father. Has his mother's coloring though."
Harry snorted.
"Yes, I forgot that detail. He changed his hair before he was two days old. Remus was thrilled."
Andromeda returned with the lemonade and cookies at the same time that Teddy reappeared dragging a large bag full of several ark's worth of toy animals. The boy was ready to play right away, but when he saw the cookies, he was convinced to wait a couple
of minutes. Then Harry and Sirius joined Teddy on the floor, where they spent the next hour engrossed in the boy. Finally it was time to leave and Harry hugged Teddy, assuring him that he would return soon. Then, much to Sirius' delight, the young
boy turned and hugged him as well.
Harry and Sirius apparated back to Grimmauld where they spent an hour relaxing and talking before it was time to head for the Burrow. Ginny gathered James and Harry looked at his wife.
"So Gin, how should we do this? Floo or apparate? I apparated to Andi's to reduce the shock. Should we do the same?"
"Nah Harry, mum's made of stronger stuff than Andi. Let's just floo over like normal."
With that, they made their way to the fireplace and Harry and Ginny went through first with Sirius following. They landed in the Burrow's kitchen and were greeted by Molly as she swept Harry and Ginny into a hug. She was just reaching to take James when
she spotted the third arrival.
"Sirius! What? No. How? Harry?"
"Hi Molly, yes it's really me. We'll explain as best we can, but yes, I'm home."
Molly shook her head, took her grandson from his father and led them to the large kitchen table. Then Arthur appeared from the garden and stopped in his doorway.
"Come sit Arthur. They're about to explain."
Arthur stumbled forward and took the offered seat next to his wife, but his eyes remained glued on Sirius. Sirius stuck out his hand and said hello, while Arthur remained stunned. Sirius put his hand down and looked at the Weasleys as he began to once
again tell his Indonesian tale. Twenty minutes later, Arthur had finally recovered and shook his head.
"Wow. I wouldn't believe it if you weren't right in front of me Sirius. I'll be interested to hear what Hermione digs up."
After Sirius finished his tale, talk shifted to updates on all of the Weasley clan, including their five grandchildren, which was Molly's favorite topic. At one point she stood and finished working on dinner with Ginny helping, but kept up with the conversation
while she did. At a quarter to six two pops from the direction of the garden indicated the arrival of Minerva and Hagrid. Sirius sat back and waited for the next round of confrontations and explanations. Minerva entered first, hugging Ginny and then
turning to look at everyone around the table. Her eyes settled on Sirius and she trembled.
"Perhaps you should sit down Minerva while I explain. You as well Hagrid. And please don't take my head off quite yet."
Minerva did as Sirius requested and found a seat next to Ginny. Hagrid meanwhile remained in the doorway, grumbling. Sirius then began the third retelling of his tale for day. As he finished with Hermione being called in for identification, Hagrid finally
let out a sigh and settled into a chair that Arthur had magically reinforced for him. As he finished his tale, Sirius sipped the wine that Arthur had just poured and finished with a final statement.
"The two of you are the last members of the Order that survived. I told Harry that I wanted to tell you in person, as he thinks the news may hit the Prophet tomorrow."
Minerva took a long sip of wine, finishing half the glass, before she looked at Sirius.
"Thank you Sirius. The shock was enough with you in front of me. Given the Prophet's past reporting, I don't know if I would have believed it if I just read it. There are two other Order members still surviving, but they were mostly underground and I
don't think you met them. I still speak to Elphias and Hestia regularly. I'll have to make sure to write a brief note to them. Now, you said Hermione was coming to dinner? I do hope she has started to find some answers. If anyone can, she will. Especially
if she gets Kingsley's assistance."
Minerva's words were barely uttered when a pop outside signaled the last arrival for dinner. Hermione knocked briefly and then let herself in the door. Sirius smiled. Apparently Hermione was still considered part of the family despite her breakup with
Ron. She stepped into the room and gave Molly a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting and taking the glass of wine Arthur offered. She looked quite tired, but then she smiled and the familiar spark that was Hermione returned. She spoke to Harry briefly
before exchanging a bit of news with Minerva. Finally, Ginny had enough.
"Hermione, we all want to talk and there will be plenty of time to wag, but did you learn anything today? Anything about the arch and Sirius' return?"
Hermione downed the last of her wine and passed the glass to Arthur for a refill before answering her friend.
"Yes Ginny, I've actually found a great deal. More than I would have thought I could manage in a day. I went into the office early and tidied up a few items around my office. I had one other brief meeting this afternoon, but I've spent most of the day
doing research. I didn't even stop for lunch. I started with the Director of Mysteries and he is still reeling from Sirius' return. I managed to catch him off guard and he initially confirmed that my suspicions on time travel were correct. Then he
clammed up and wouldn't tell me anything else. The man is as stubborn as a herd of oxen, so I went for desperate measures and sent a patronus straight into Kingsley's office, requesting that he assist as soon as possible. Thankfully he made time and
joined me in the director's office shortly thereafter. I must say, having the Minister of Magic appear in front of someone's desk is incredibly motivating. Kingsley ordered him to cooperate and assured him that I have his full trust. After that, the
director told me what he knew. That arch is an ancient Grecian construct that Ministry archaeologists recovered about three hundred years ago. He didn't know much more on its history, but did tell me that seventy years ago there was an accident and
someone in his department disappeared while attempting to research the arch. After that it was locked away and left where it was when Sirius disappeared. While his information was limited, the director also gave me access to certain portions of the
Department of Mysteries' archives. I have to say the information buried there looks fascinating, even if the glimpse that I was given was limited."
Hermione sipped her wine and seemed a bit wistful for a minute. Harry smirked, knowing that his friend would dream of the forbidden library she wasn't allowed to explore.
"Anyway, I had to return to my office to review some reports with Graeme and George, which took a couple of hours. Then I went back and began to go through the records that I was authorized to view. Many of the writings are quite ancient and I had to
use translate spells on them, but I learned a lot. The archway was the culmination of a life's work by an ancient Greek scholar named Euthymios. He had some radically advanced theories on the construction of the universe and the intertwining of space
and time. While the records don't say specifically, it seems obvious from the details surrounding his life that Euthymios was a wizard. He spent most of his lifetime collecting specific materials for the arch, including meteorites and sky stones.
Sky stones are rumored to be fallen pieces of planets that have gone missing from our solar system. While the origin of meteorites is well known, sky stones appear to be nothing more than highly unusual rocks with some magnetic properties. Euthymios
used all of this and some more mundane limestone to construct the arch. The records of that are fairly certain, but after that things get murky. It is assumed that somehow Euthymios enchanted the arch, but the science or magic of how is unknown. What
is known is that the arch was first mentioned in records sometime around 700 BC. Euthymios attempted several demonstrations using birds and other animals, but was never able to make them reappear, so he was written off by the other scholars of the
day. The last known record of Euthymios and his arch in ancient Greece was around eleven years after its construction. Then the arch and its creator disappeared. There have been rumors about it through the centuries and three hundred and four years
ago the Ministry mounted an archaeological dig on the island of Zakynthos. They were looking for some artifacts pertaining to an early rumored wizarding community on the island. Instead, behind a wall in a cave, they found the arch. The exploratory
team had no idea what it was until one of the team members went into it and never came back. The arch was declared dangerous, magically encased and moved back to the Ministry. Since then there have been several investigations and a total of six people
who disappeared during those investigations. Interestingly, the investigator who disappeared seventy years ago was a young man named Edwin. Edwin was a little person with a distinct humped back and a missing eye. A month after he disappeared, a coal
miner in Wales found a man matching Edwin's description encased in a vein of coal. The finding was so unusual, that it made headlines in Muggle newspapers and the Ministry heard about it not long after. Edwin's body was retrieved and buried in his
family's cemetery and all further investigations into the arch were halted. So, it would appear that the arch has the ability to transport a person through space and time, but no one has found the means to control when and where a person is sent.
Sirius, you are lucky that you returned where and when you did."
Hermione sat back and finished off her second glass of wine while she let everybody absorb her research.
Harry was the first to reply after Hermione's history lesson. "Wow, I can't believe you did that all today. Of course, you are Hermione."
Hermione smirked at her best friend. "I really wasn't that much. All the history was there once I had the access. A bit of time to filter through it all and a couple translate spells was all it took."
"Well, Hermione, you are one of the best researchers I've ever had the pleasure to teach." Minerva said.
All eyes were on Hermione now and she was beginning to blush when Molly stood up and announced the dinner was ready. The thought of food dispersed the rest of the tentative thoughts in the room as Arthur passed the wine bottle and dishes began to float
to the table. The rest of the meal was spent in review of any details that anyone felt Sirius had missed. Minerva and Hagrid spent a lot of time going into details about the rebuild of Hogwarts, which had taken a full two years after the battle. When
they mentioned that all those killed in the battle were buried in a special memorial cemetery on the grounds, Sirius immediately wanted to visit and Minerva agreed to arrange it. Many family members were regularly granted visitation access and Sirius
was a cousin to Tonks and Remus.
After the discussion on the rebuilding of Hogwarts, Ginny and Hermione gave detailed updates on the few of their friends that Sirius had known, including those who had battled at the Department of Mysteries. Sirius was pleased that Ron had gone into business
with George and Ginny readily agreed to take him to visit the Hogsmeade shop as soon as possible. Dinner was over and Molly's tray of biscuits was near devoured by the time yawns started and Minerva declared she had to leave. Hagrid followed her while
Harry and Ginny went to take care of the cleanup while James slept in Molly's arms. Hermione left next with a final hug for everyone.
"Thanks for dinner Molly. Excellent as always. I don't get to eat that well often. Most nights I'm back at the flat late and it's just soup or something simple."
"Well, you're always welcome Hermione. Kingsley works you entirely too hard. I can't imagine the hours you keep and then going back to a dark flat with just Crookshanks. Have you been seeing anyone lately dear?"
Hermione smiled at Molly's usual mothering.
"No Molly, I'm not seeing anyone. Just my job. Relationships have just been too complicated lately."
Molly grimaced as Hermione gave a final wave and stepped out the door to apparate back to her flat. Harry and Ginny finished the cleanup and went to hug her parents before collecting James and leaving with Sirius following behind them.