Fledgling
Written by Christina E Lupin
A/N: Oh wow…. 77 reviews? And we're only, what, on chapter seven? You guys must really love this fic. Thanks! Let's see if I can make it to 100 before chapter eight. You can do it!
I ended the poll today and the winner is Shadow Phoenix. You will learn more about a Shadow phoenix later on in the series, but for now, let us continue on with the next chapter. Keep on reviewing, everyone!
Chapter Seven: Escape
Severus let out a loud curse at breakfast the next morning. Harry froze, his spoon halfway to his mouth and Minerva sent a glare to the black-haired man.
"Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban," Severus snarled, folding the paper with quick movements of his hands.
Minerva sucked in a breath. Harry looked on curiously. He swore he recognized the name from somewhere, but he couldn't quite place his finger on it. "Who's Sirius Black?"
His guardians exchanged glances and then Severus looked his charge in the eyes. "You remember what we told you about the Dark Lord, right?" Harry nodded. "About how he had several followers at his beck and call?" Again Harry nodded. "Sirius Black was one of his most loyal Death Eaters. He may not have attended meetings but that was just as well. Black was the Dark Lord's secret weapon. The Dark Lord could not afford to have his plans to be botched. See, Black was your father's best friend." Harry's eyes widened in shock. "You would have thought the two were brothers the way they acted. Together with Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, they formed a gang known as the Marauders. They went out of their way to prank everyone and anyone they could, including the Slytherins. After school, when your parents got married, Black was Potter's best man and when you were born he was named your godfather. He was in the pefect position to pass secrets off to his master. Within a few months of your parents going into hiding, Black must have slipped the address of where they were hiding, because the Dark Lord went to their home and murdered them."
"And where he tried to kill me too," Harry whispered.
Minerva scooted her chair closer to her charge and she pulled him into a hug. "Yes, little one. But you are alive and for that, both Severus and I are grateful."
"So what happens now that Black is on the loose?" he whispered into her robes.
Minerva swallowed. Harry was far too young to know and understand what was happening. He shouldn't have to worry about having a crazy murderer of a godfather after him. Nonetheless, she started to explain. "He will try to come after you."
"Will he kill me?"
"Or kidnap you," Severus replied grimly.
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Padfoot finished eating his hamburger he had stolen from a man on a park bench. He licked his lips and he lowered himself down onto the grass. He thought back to the Daily Prophet paper he had sneaked a peek at. Harry's relatives had been tried and convicted and his little godson was now happily adopted. He wished that the paper had told him who had taken the boy. How he wanted to see the boy, to see if he looked like James. Also, he wanted to see for himself if his godson was happy before he turned to his secondary mission: find Peter and gain back his freedom. With a smile and a plan, Padfoot closed his eyes and went to sleep for the first time in a long while.
I'm scared, Fawkes, Harry replied, hugging his knees.
Fawkes let out a trill and he flew from his perch to land in front of his fledgling. He leaned in and nuzzled the boy's face. As you should be. I knew Black since he came to Hogwarts years ago and he can be very dangerous if he wanted to be. Though, I do not understand how he became as he is now.
Why?
Sirius Black would never betray his friends. He was disowned from his own family just because he was Sorted into Gryffindor. He adored James, Remus, and Peter, treated them like family. He loved you, too. Nothing is adding up, fledgling.
Harry had to agree. What if he was corrupt from the beginning?
Fawkes shook his head. He was not corrupt, Harry. He was just like any other boy, only with a deep hatred of his family. The Blacks are a Dark family, like the Malfoys, Lestranges, and several others. Black went to live with your dad when he was sixteen.
The young boy shuddered. Fawkes, can I ask you a question?
Sure, fledgling.
Is it possible that I turn into a phoenix like you?
Yes, fledgling. It is possible for you to become like me, but you cannot right now.
Why not?
Fawkes hesitated. Turning into animal, especially a magical one, is a real difficult magic to grasp. Most witches and wizards cannot become an Animagus because it is so difficult. You may have a talent for magic but we would rather you wait until you have a better control on your magic before you attempt this. Do you understand?
Harry nodded, though he looked disappointed. Fawkes nuzzled his boy once more and he flew back to his perch.
"Is this compartment taken?"
Sirius Black glanced up to look at the boy standing in the doorway. The boy had messy black hair, almost as black as his own, with hazel eyes hiding behind round glasses. He already had his robes on and he wore a maroon and gold scarf around his neck.
"No, go ahead," Sirius replied, looking back down at his legs, which were stretched out onto the other bench opposite him.
"You a first year too?" the boy asked, plopping down on the other bench.
"Yeah."
The boy grinned. "Great! Most of the other students on board are all older. I was wondering if I were the only first year here."
"Mm."
"My name's James Potter. What's yours?"
A Potter huh? The Potters were a Light family, unlike his own. Sirius eyed the boy warily. "Sirius Black."
James Potter wrinkled his nose. "You are a Black? And here I thought you were a good kid. But first, can I ask you a question?" He took the noise Sirius made as an agreement. "What is more impoartant to you, blood purity or equal citizenship of the wizarding world?"
"I don't give a crap about blood purity," Sirius spat.
James looked relieved. "Thank Merlin. I was afraid that I would have to become friendless on my first day to Hogwarts."
Padfoot awoke to a finger poking him in the side. He yelped and turned to glare at the person who woke him, but when he got a glance of the kid, his insides froze.
"Hi there," said the James look-alike. The boy's bright green eyes (Lily's eyes!) were filled with curiosity. "Sorry to wake you. I wanted to see if you were even alive. I mean, don't animals breathe when they sleep? I never saw your chest rise and fall so I wanted to check to see if you were alive."
He picked up James' trait to ramble, Padfoot thought. His gut twinged.
He watched as Harry looked him over and a frown formed on his face. "You look really thin. Have you been eating anything?" Then the boy brightened. "I know! Wait here." The boy dashed off, speeding toward the bunch of houses in the area.
Padfoot rose up on all fours and he ran after the boy. Harry ran about a block before he ran up the stairs to a nice house. He opened the door and dashed inside, leaving it open. Silently thankful, the dog nosed his way into the house. It looked nicer on the inside. He could literally feel the love permeating each room. Harry was obviously loved by whoever took him in.
"Back already, Harry?"
Padfoot froze.
Minerva McGonagall finished descending the stairs and went into the kitchen, where the boy was. Padfoot immediately ducked into a slightly open closet. Professor McGonagall was his godson's guardian? Now that was a new development.
"I got hungry, so I wanted to make a few sandwiches to take with me to the park."
"Did you meet a new friend already?"
Harry let out a sigh. "Not yet, Minerva. It's like I told you, I was hungry."
"Three sandwiches, though, Harry? Severus and I know what your appetite is like and you do not even finish two sandwiches without complaining that you are full. I do not mind you making a sandwich for someone but do not lie to me, young man."
Padfoot thought he was going to faint. Surely McGonagall hadn't just said what he thought she said. Those Dursleys starved him to the point he couldn't eat properly? And he did hear her mention Snape's name. There weren't a lot of people named Severus. His most hated enemy and his former Head of House have custody over his godson? What was Albus thinking?
You know, I couldn't have written that ending better if I tried. I'm proud of myself. Thanks again for all of your reviews! My Child will be updated later today. Right now, my arms are cramping. I lifted a little too much yesterday at work.