This Chapter will be in the perspective of Sirius, I'm nervous to write him because I feel he is so complex. I hope you enjoy this chapter! I'd also like to state that this story is roughly following everything that happened in "The Half Blood Prince" so we're still following that timeline just adding Sirius into the mix which will bring lots of added action and small changes, but unless stated in my story everything is canon to how HBP went down. Once again, I own nothing in the Harry Potter world, it all belongs to the brilliant and amazing JK Rowling.
There were only a few short days left before Harry would be returning to Hogwarts for his sixth year, summer had blown by in whirlwind. Sirius didn't like to think about the boy leaving because he had been thoroughly enjoying his time with him. Together they had pieced the house together, and it had come out looking great. He'd inherited a large amount of gold from the Black name when his parents died. Then Regulus had died as well and left him the only heir to all he gold in their Gringotts accounts. He smirked at the thought of his mother rolling in her grave as Harry and himself spent a fair amount her gold on crazy things to decorate their new home, often in Gryffindor colors as well. Neither of them had ever had the opportunity to make a home their own and had gone a bit crazy.
He'd begun to appreciate Harry for who he was in his own, instead of just being James's son. Sirius would never admit it to anyone but he guiltily knew he treated Harry as a backup plan to James at times last year. He'd grown angry at him for not being as carefree as James was when he was desperate to leave Grimmauld place for an adventure. Harry was quieter than James, he preferred to listen and observe what other people instead of being the certain of attention. Understandably of course, he got enough unsolicited attention from his history. He wasn't against breaking the rules, he just wanted there to be a reason behind it. That was something James and himself admittedly lacked in their days at school.
Remus, Hermione, and Ron spent a lot of time at the house as well, helping to put together the place and swap stories. He was impressed with what those three kids had accomplished in their 5 years at Hogwarts, but that was also what caused Sirius so much worry. What brought him to Hogwarts where he was now, strolling towards Dumbledore's office for their meeting he had scheduled. Molly had taken Harry and the rest of kids to finish buying their school items so Sirius knew he had to take the opportunity to meet with the headmaster.
He needed more information on the prophecy and what all that held in store for Harry. Every single year so far, besides his third when they had met, Harry had faced some form of Voldemort. The boy was talented without a doubt but he worried that Harry was running out of lucky chances. Everyone always said Hogwarts was the safest place for Harry, he was untouchable under Dumbledore's eyes. He didn't dare admit it to anyone around him for everyone was so loyal and sure of Dumbledore, but he had his doubts about the man the more he lulled over everything in his mind.
Harry almost died more than once under Dumbledore's watch. He'd also sentenced Harry to live with those awful muggles, Lily's sister and her husband, the Dursley's. Sirius's time with Harry revealed more than just triumphant times at Hogwarts with his friends. It revealed a poor childhood of abuse and neglect from the muggles. He was underfed and bullied, treated like a piece of garbage. Sirius clenched and unclenched his fists just thinking about it. It was truly remarkable that Harry had turned out so kind and loving under such circumstances.
There were more selfish reasons behind why Sirius had his doubts too though. Dumbledore had a large amount of political power within the ministry. Sirius had fought within the Order of the phoenix formed by Dumbledore, risked his life to aid bringing down Voldemort. When he was sentenced Dumbledore never spoke on his behalf of never having gotten a trial. He'd forgiven Remus and the other Order members but there was something that still made him feel resentment towards Dumbledore. He knew how much James and Lily had meant to him and he had the power to speak up but he never did.
"Cockroach cluster." Sirius said as he reached the stone gargoyles that he knew led to Dumbledore's study. Slowly they revealed stairs in which Sirius began to climb as he entered the headmaster's study.
"Hello Sirius, pleasure to see you! You look much healthier from when I saw you last!" Dumbledore called out. He was sitting behind his desk, his hands opened in welcoming way.
"Your hand!" Sirius cried out unable to stop himself as he walked further into the room. One of Dumbledore's hands was blackened and withered. It made his stomach churn as he looked at it, forcibly he tore his eyes away from it and looked back up at Dumbledore. His eyes were twinkling, totally unbothered by this blunt statement towards his hand.
"Please have a seat." He said gesturing towards the chair in front of his desk, obeying Sirius sat in the comfortable chair.
"What happen…" He began to ask but Dumbledore rose his good hand to stop him, lowering the blackened one in his lap behind the desk, no longer visible.
"Perhaps a story for another time, I do believe we're meeting regarding young Harry." He said politely but firmly. Sirius knew better to pursue the subject, and at the mention of his godson he focused back at the topic at hand.
"What is this prophecy about Dumbledore? Why harry?" Sirius asked searching the old man's blue eyes for answers.
"I can show you the memory in the pensieve if you wish. Essentially Harry has been marked by ancient magic of prophecy, he and Voldemort will continue to clash until one perishes." Dumbledore explained.
"Why Harry though? He was only a baby back then?" Sirius asked, almost desperately, he didn't know what kind of answers he had expected but so far, his fears were only being confirmed.
"Voldemort learned of the prophecy and marked him. Voldemort has grown increasingly fascinated and obsessed with the boy. He is a beacon of hope and reason to those who oppose him. While Voldemort has only taken and stolen happiness from Harry in return. Neither can live while the other survives." Dumbledore explained somberly.
"We must find the best protection for Harry then, we have to prevent this." Sirius cried out in frustration.
"The boy will continue to find his way into Voldemort's path, the best we can do is to equip him the best we can against Voldemort." Dumbledore said gently, his eyes tearing into Sirius inquisitively.
"Is that what these lessons are about?" Sirius demanded.
"Yes. I'm going to teach Harry everything I can about Voldemort and where he came from." Dumbledore explained. Sirius let out a bark of a laugh at this.
"How will that help Harry against the darkest wizard known to our world?" Sirius cried out.
"It is an extremely important piece of the puzzle. Voldemort has come back from what we thought to be death before, we can't allow that pattern to continue for Harry to succeed." Dumbledore said, he looked tired and older than ever sitting in front of him explaining this.
"So, what do you know?" Sirius asked, desperate now for news that may help Harry.
"I'm piecing everything I know together as we go. So far, I have reason to believe Voldemort has created Horcrux's to keep him alive even through death. So, this is where our journey of knowledge will start." Sirius was stunned, he sat there with his mouth slightly open. His family had been no stranger to dark arts and he knew of horcruxes.
"So, Harry must not only face Voldemort, but he has to find and destroy multiple Horcruxes first?" Sirius demanded, he was angry, but more so he was scared for his godson. How could a boy of only 16 make it out of this?
"Yes. I will aid him through as much knowledge as we can get this year and as he goes he will fill you in by owl I'm sure. He will have you, the rest of the Order, and those two great friends of his as well. He is not alone Sirius." Dumbledore said sympathetically staring him down with those twinkling eyes.
"He's not going back to the Dursley's, he's my godson and as a free man he will be safe with me now." Sirius said suddenly, desperate for some kind of control.
"Lily's blood that run's in both Petunia and Harry protects him at Privet Drive. He is untouchable there, he will go back for one very small portion of next summer. After that and now during holidays he is more than free to go with you, as I'm sure he wants." Dumbledore explained. This isn't what Sirius wanted to hear exactly but it would have to do, he couldn't deny that time that protected Harry even though he so wanted to.
"This is all wrong… he shouldn't be happening to him." Sirius finally said after moments of silence between the two.
"No it isn't right… but it's the reality of light versus dark. While Voldemort remains cold and dark Harry is a bright force of light. We will just have to face this as we go. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help." Dumbledore said looking down at Sirius with a somber expression.