Sirius was exhausted. He sat in the Grangers' household, nursing a mug of tea while his son played upstairs with Hermione. The Granger matriarch rubbed his brow with a damp tea cloth and spoke to him in a soft voice to calm and take deep breaths. Now the adrenaline had worn off for the kids and they had settled into Grimmauld Place they had started to fall ill. They had been fine for weeks but perhaps there was something in their system from Azkaban which had been lying in wait and had been brought to the surface now from something they ate or something they did. Taking care of sick 12 kids was not too hard a feat, taking care of sick 12 teens who refused to believe they were ill while throwing up their own kidneys was distinctly harder.
They were so used to pretending they needed no medical care and only having each other that getting them to sit still and sleep and drink medicine was a near Hercules feat. William and the twin girls were the worst, being the eldest and most caring respectively, they had thought it their job to care for the others when they were ill too. Regulus had been a great help, he was still there and had not gotten sick, perhaps by a twist of fate he'd had the same flu virus before, but Sirius had caught it and he knew his magic would help him heal quicker, but he felt like shit at the moment. Arnold and Clara had been a huge help too, and Sirius had felt too horrible and wanted to get out of the house too much to apologise 2000 times for using him like this.
He was lucky too; the old man had various protections to stop himself from also falling ill from common illnesses. At first Sirius had thought it was a magical charm but it turned out it was nothing but a muggle flu jab. After suffering from dragon pox as a kid and being very lucky not to be scarred from it, getting protections against flu seemed like a hypochondriac's behaviour if you were not over 60, like Arnold was, but right now he wished he'd had the same thing. "Honestly you men," Jane sighed, "always think you're dying with the most menial of illnesses. "I don't get ill very often myself having nursed Hermione through every disease known to man I've built up a bit of a resistance, but perhaps it would be best for Harry to stay here for a few days."
The whole reason he had come was to try and convince the couple to take the kid in for a few days. It was Remus' full moon night in three days' time and was not taking any chances there and he didn't really have anybody else he trusted enough to do it except perhaps Andy. Hermione, possibly through prolonged contact with Harry, had started to perform feats of accidental magic at alarming rates. After the initial elation had worn off, the Tanners, who the Grangers now knew to be the Blacks, had taken her under their wing. She joined Harry for all the lessons the Black brothers gave him and would soon overtake him in the studious side of things. Harry had taught her how to be a child throughout their friendship – but some things never change, she would always be a little Ravenclaw at heart, whenever and wherever she's sorted, Hogwarts or no.
Sirius stood in front of the two houses and looked at them in distaste, he lips curling slightly. The back to back homes were tall, three stories high although each floor was quite limited and the wall separating the two had been knocked down. There were separate bedrooms on each floor although as he already knew, the teens preferred the closeness and only a couple of the less dilapidated quarters were ever in use. One only had to access the other floors via carefully placed furniture given the demolished staircase which had once been an elaborate spiral but had been knocked down to burn given its wooden qualities. The teens knew magic and as unregistered orphans it would not be picked up on as underage but they were untrained, they knew no other way to keep warm and did not have the money for utility bills.
He could see mattresses and sheets lining the floor on the ground. It would seem during the winter months they had huddled together like penguins in the warmest room in the house around the dismal fire, used to the comfort and warmth they offered. Precious few possessions lined the walls or cluttered the floor and Sirius felt on his guard the whole time, waiting to find another forgotten child living somewhere amongst the rubble. Perhaps it would have been best to go on pretending he had forgotten about this place. 'Our parents left us two back to back houses'. William and Dexter probably thought themselves fortunate for them too. 'How did this place that was once so glamorous, become so run down so quickly?' the teens were not very tidy people, but this place looked on the brink of collapse.
He had found the house after meticulous questioning in which inventive methods had to be invented to disguise the reasons behind such invasive interrogation. It had then taken a stilted conversation with Teddy, because even though he was intelligent and he had the advantage of being able to speak to him in the tongue the child was most confident in – canine, both by himself in his animagus form and by proxy using Remus, he was still an infant. After that, he had used his nose, his grim form knowing the scents of the children and tracking down the house by following them. He had been planning to redecorate the house for them, get in new furniture and bring it back to not just suitable conditions but comfortable ones. He wanted it to be a pleasant surprise for the teens, they were overdue a kindly gesture.
Looking around the dank conditions, Sirius was now being forced to reconsider what had originally been in his mind a marvellous idea – though, he remembered with bitterness, it would not be the first time he'd made a grand mistake with his 'marvellous ideas'. Having rescued the teens and named himself their guardian Sirius took on all of the responsibilities that entailed. They were living with him now, healing and growing and learning under his guidance and tutelage and when they were ready to stand on their own once more, Sirius would take care of their living conditions. He knew they planned on returning to this place. Even if they had not actually said the words it was obvious and this place was really the only dwelling they had any say over in terms of ownership and was really the only residence they ever knew to call home.
As their alpha however, he found it to be entirely unsatisfactory, he would not have people under his protection living here. The teens may not have been his by blood, but they were his all the same and even if it had only been two months, he cared about them. It would take an extreme amount of effort and money and it would be easier and cheaper to abandon the project and build them a new place, a better place in a better location. There was no infestation of mould or insects or unwanted rodents, but it still seemed as if the place had been uninhabited for years rather than months. He would not say he had a large parental drive, seeming as if had been lying dormant it would have come into manifestation when he became Harry's father – but the boy remained, in his opinion, never wanting, but unspoilt.
The drive to protect what was his was there – he was changing the world for Harry. He would do so again for these teens, they had both been failed, he saw himself in them. "Dear God," he said aloud as he prodded a yellow mattress with his toe, it reminded of his days in Azkaban, his bedding there had been much the same. Yes, he and the teens were very much alike and Sirius was not at all surprised by how quick they bonded. He wanted nothing more than to set alight the whole place and with the purge of the materials, purge the thought that his teens, because they were his now, had ever lived like this from his mind – permanently. He clicked his fingers and the bedding in what might have been at one point the living one all set ablaze.
He felt a calmness descend over him as he watched the flimsy material burn and curl in the flames, purging the evidence but not the memory. As soon as the magically conjured fire started to lick the infrastructure of the building housing aforementioned evidence, a large bucketful of ice cold water from a silent 'aguamenti' doused the fire – and coincidentally Sirius – putting out the flames and saving the sorry excuse of a home. He absentmindedly raised a hand and wiped his wet hair out of his face, fighting the urge to shake like the dog he was, getting water over as many people and object as possible, before drying himself like a proper upstanding wizard, steam rising from his clothes and skin as he did so. "Hi Reggie," Sirius greeted without turning around, he'd recognise the buzz of magic from the free core anywhere.
"I would say not to level the building so hastily dear brother," mentioned the younger man, coming to stand by his brother's side and laying a hand on his shoulder. "Good riddance to all of the possessions and furniture, I would never let the teens sleep in such a hovel, but this place holds great emotional value to those children." Sirius didn't ask how his little brother knew where he was or how he found him. Regulus didn't press on why his brother had not included him again or relinquish why and how he was there with him now.
"You're right," Sirius agreed after giving the notion minimum thought, he had the same feelings for Grimmauld Place. There were dark creatures in it everywhere, the awful portrait of his mother, it was dark and gothic and Slytherin but it was the first place he'd wanted to go after Azkaban and not because it was the best place he owned that was his. One big difference with Grimmauld Place was that it had been possible to restore it. "You're right, but I don't like it."
"You have already done so much for them Siri. They want to return here, and it is not as if they were used to such comfort before meeting you."
"Well they deserve it!" Slight anger entered the older Black's voice as he turned accusing eyes onto his brother who did not even flinch. "They were failed by a system that was meant to protect them and I am their rescuer, would you deny them the comfort they deserve? I would not condemn a flobber worm to dwell in such miserable conditions."
"I am only saying that this is what they are thinking. They are resigned to it so do not worry about getting it perfect, not right away at least."
"They are ready to move out and move on, to ask them to stay for another month, possibly two to get this place sorted might come across as suspicious."
"Then tell them the truth."
Sirius frowned, "that would ruin the surprise."
"And that brings me back to what I just said. They will come to accept you eventually Sirius, they love you but they feel as though they owe you, because as you said, they are overdue for a little good fortune, but for now, with every gesture of good will they place themselves further into your debt. They would not hesitate to do anything you asked of them right now as loyalty and devotions are the only things they have they can freely give. They are in an extremely fragile mental state at present, that is why they have been so well behaved and helpful and what elicited the reaction from Moira – yes, I learnt about that. Based on your reactions alone they all have a deep mistrust for Dumbledore and Hogwarts in general, though that may not be a bad thing."
"I just don't want them to get hurt Reg. I need them almost as much as they need me."
"It's ok Siri," Reg said so quietly he barely heard himself. In that moment he had never seen him look so warm and fragile. He liked to think he was God now, but he was more human than he had ever been, capable of mistakes he was not allowed to commit due to these new responsibilities he should never have felt obliged to take on. He was allowed to be scared and pressured and he felt so much emotion for those who were his. He sent another disparaging look around the houses; he would get a team of house elves to work their magic on it. Borrow 20 or 30 from some ministry establishment as payment for keeping the teens' story quiet, they didn't need to know the teens did not want their story published anyway, by Rita Skeeter or anyone else.
When they arrived back home with the same crack of apparition as always they found William was waiting for them anxiously and Simone was crying, Andrew awkwardly trying to comfort her by patting her on the shoulder. Moira had her head buried in Conner's chest, her shoulders heaving with stifled sobs, Conner held onto her tightly, not really in any better state. Sasha ran over to him with a few tears in his eyes and hugged him, the display of affection something they had all been wary about before. Seeing Sasha receive the hug they apparently desperately needed broke the damn and they all came running. Sirius had just enough time to open his arms before they arrived; he got Sasha, Moira, Simone, Edward, Mark, Anthony and Toby. Conner, William, Luke, Dexter and Daniel ran to Regulus and hugged him in the same manner.
On any other day, the thought of some of the teens running to him for comfort instead of Sirius, purposefully and not because there was just simply no more room on the older Black would have delighted Regulus. He was not a jealous man, his nephew loved him as much his father it would seem but he had less power, less courage, less strength, less intelligence and sometimes someone just gets fed up of being second best. This time, panic and outright fear was far too prominent in both of the Black brother's minds to really even comprehend thinking about anything else. Having only ever handled one crying six year old, Kreacher had to be recruited in making hot drinks and sugary treats. He seemed to be in the same state as the teens although perked up a little as he completed his tasks with pinpoint perfection.
Each of the teens had their own set of characteristics and even though Daniel was the one who regained his composure first, all he did was shake his head and waited until William, the eldest and therefore nominated speaker gained the courage. "Someone came," the 22 year old rasped, sounding more like a frightened 11 year old on his first day of Hogwarts than the young man he was. "We didn't know who he was, but he looked so desperate and so scared and he was on the edge of the grounds. He said he needed to speak to you but he couldn't come in unless granted entrance through the wards. We said you weren't here and to come back later if it was so important but he said he had to come in and that Harry was in danger."
"We were scared, and he didn't look all that dangerous," Simone said quietly, "but as soon as we let him in there were dozens of apparations and at least 30 people appeared. We tried."
Sirius felt his heart clench and he looked around him, not releasing his grip on the teens clutching him. "Where's Harry?" His voice started off as a whisper but it quickly grew until it was nearer a shout and in an effort to keep his erratic behaviour from distressing the teens even more, Kreacher had to rush off to get a calming potion, "Where did they take Harry?" No answer was forthcoming and it wasn't really a surprise. Soon enough the tables had turned and the teens were trying to comfort the distraught father while his magical core raged inside him.
It took 2 days for any news to reach him. The teens had, apparently, done their best to save him, when it became clear it was a siege they were under they had let rip with every spell they knew. Stunners and diffindos were flying everywhere, none of them had quite mastered the patronus so could not call for help. They were, however, just at too much of a disadvantage numbers wise and before they could even contemplate what the strangers were after, Harry had entered the room to see what all the noise was about and was it a game and could he join in, he was seen, grabbed and they were away. They had not managed to take down any of them to question and the next few minutes were spent reviving and healing each other, at least their memories were all intact.
Sirius had been under watch since it happened, Kreacher was worried he would attempt to drown his sorrows; he had not washed or eaten since he went missing. He was slow in grabbing the mirror when it flared to show that Remus was online as it were. He said the words 'come now' before signing off and without even standing up Sirius obliged. His whole demeanour changing when he appeared in the front room of Remus' house and with the werewolf he saw one Albus Dumbledore, one Severus Snape and one upset Harry Potter. The air around them crackled with ferocity and sheer power as it erupted from his body and wrapped around its charge, bringing the boy to its harbourer. He purposefully ignored Snivellous and Dumbledore and turned to his friend as he was the one who alerted him and gave him two words, "one minute."
"I can do it in one word my friend: Dumbledore."
Indeed Sirius would concur that that was all he needed to hear before he turned murderous eyes onto the white haired man in the purple robes. "You just couldn't leave it alone could you, you meddling, annoying old man! You had to stick your nose in it again, into my business, into my pack, into my responsibilities and into my life. I am nothing to you, I owe you nothing and you owe my nothing, we are just people who have met."
"Sirius please listen to me, I just want to help."
"You want control, how many times must I tell you to stay out of my way. I am under no illusions that it was not you and your Order that took advantage of the love my teens, that's right my teens have for my son to gain access to my home. You can spout about Hogwarts and wanting to help and offering education all you want and my answer will never change. As long as the chance to go to Hogwarts is there I will inform them and any others who join them – because there will be more, about the opportunity. I will not force them to go and I will tell them all other options, as a Lord I have the right to home educate and have the exams sent to me."
"Just listen to me my boy!" There was certain sternness to his tone which Sirius quietened in reaction to without even realising it. "I just need you to understand that these children need an education and the chance to do what they wish, to make friends, to have teachers and the opportunity to go into any job they want to. These are children Sirius, just children; they are not your playthings or your warriors. I just want to help you Sirius, and you need people to help you but you keep pushing me away."
"This is just your problem Dumbledore! You keep saying that I can't turn these children into warriors or network but what evidence do you have that I want to do that, and how it is different from you and your Order? You say that all you want to do is to help but has it ever actually crossed you mind I neither want nor need it? What you want is my help and control over me. We are all doing well, without you kidnapping my son just to catch my attention!"
He rounded on Severus, "you can keep your pet death eater out of my life too!" He realised he may have been unfair with this low blow but he was too angry to care. "Each and every one of my teens will be able to take you down in a couple of months Severus, while you sit there over your cauldron getting greasier and greasier with every passing day." When they were at school he had pranked the Slytherins but they were in a time of war and their brand of bullying didn't seem so bad because of it. It was cruel he supposed, and one can give it whatever label one wants, it was still bullying, but making the death eaters in training turn up to class without their robes or with pink hair instilled hope into the other students who just wanted a normal life and a childhood.
Some of them became the death eaters he was now hunting down, some of them did not but he still hated the man in front of him. "Don't forget the debt you owe me Snivellous, and you too old man, I still haven't forgiven you and doubt I ever will." He turned to Remus, "make sure he used the bloody mirror next time he wants to talk to me." Just then he felt something probing at his mind and the teens started to drift to the surface before he realised what was going on. His aura flared more violently than he had ever shown before, his magic expanding out of him at all angles creating a faint golden glow around him. Severus and Dumbledore were physically blown back several feet, Severus managed to keep his footing, Dumbledore did not.
Sirius' voice was ice when he next spoke. "I am not just hunting down death eaters," he spat, "I am hunting down all those who mean me or my son harm to create a better world for him. You just don't know when to give up do you? I will drag you through the dirt over and over and over if I have to and I will have no problems over it. I do not make idle threats so if you ever try to do that again I will enact punishment on you like I would anybody else."
His mood had only improved slightly by the time he got back. The teens reunited with Harry as if he had been gone for months and they apologised over and over for his abduction as if they alone were responsible. It was the bombshell Harry dropped afterwards that cut him, because he had said he'd be fair, he'd said that, but he still hated to let others win. "I went to Hogwarts Dad," he said, climbing into his lap that evening before bed, playing with the Lord ring on his finger, he was strangely infatuated with the black gem. "I saw Min…Minnienerva and Hagrid and I spent some time with Sevrus and Dumblydore. I was shown the forest but I wasn't 'llowed to go far in coz of all the dang'rous animals in there. I liked the stairs most, they moved while you are one them and you don't know when they are going to go
"I liked to talk to the pictures. They are very old, and the portraits talk back to you and there were ghosts, real ones!" He started to play with his hands the way he did when he believed he may have done something wrong and was working his way up to admitting it. The worst he'd ever actually done was break a plate while playing with Kreacher, nothing a quick 'reparo' could not do, but at least he'd stopped flinching. "It's just," his voice was gotten quiet, "it was a little scary and I missed you and Reggie and everyone else but it was kinda fun too." He ducked his head and his voice was so quiet that it was only his advanced hearing that allowed him to catch the bombshell, "when I'm old enough, I think I'd like to try out Hogwarts."
Fuck you Dumbledore.