Hello everyone, hope you're doing alright. Hope your days going good. As always, all your support is always appreciated. So, I'll keep this short, now without further ado, on with the story!


How It Should've Been

Chapter 1: How They Would've Wanted

November 1st, 1981

"INNOCENT!" The judge yelled over the members and spectators in the Wizengamot. The courtroom was in chaos.

"ORDER IN THE COURT! SILENCE! I DEMAND SILENCE! NOW!" The judge slammed the gavel down several times in an attempt to restore order to the room. It took a while but eventually the members and spectators quieted at least enough to continue.

"In this session of Elite Court, I declare Sirius Orion Black, not guilty on counts of all charges. Sirius Orion Black will also be given full custody of a Harry James Potter, on authority of the will of James Charles Potter and Lily Evelyn Potter nee Evans and because the evident Godfather Oath and Acceptance! As revealed by use of Veritaserum in the trial of Sirius Orion Black, as an unregistered animagus, you must pay a fine of one thousand galleons and register within the next thirty days or face more severe actions. So, I pronounce it, Sirius Orion Black not guilty, so mote be it." The judge finished reading the verdict and banged the gavel.

Banging the gavel again the judge continued "Next case!" before banging it again.

Aurors moved over to the cleared man and removed the restraints from his hands and feet. Escorting him out of the Wizengamot chambers, as another set of Aurors brought the next accused in, they brought him to a certain Madam Bones office.

Madam Bones entered not long after with a certain infant in hand. As soon as she entered Sirius sprang up and practically ran over to her. Holding the baby out for him, Sirius took his godson into his arms and held him tight.

"Thank you, Amy, thank you." As he was talking, he leaned forward and finished the sentence with a soft kiss. Moving back, he looked back down and smiled at his godson, rocking the sleeping one year old.

Looking at his godson, he made his decision. Looking back up at Amelia he began "Amy, I know how chaotic things are going to be here and I know that you love your job and you have a life and family here. But I have to do this or I'll regret it. So that's why I'm only going to ask this once, please come with me, leave Britain with me." He pleaded, he knew what the answer was going to be but he couldn't leave without at least trying.

"Sirius, you know I love you and would do almost anything for you. But this is one of the few things that I can't do. I'm sorry but I can't. I can't leave them at a time like this." Finishing her apology with tears in her eyes, she leaned forward and gave him a final kiss before leaving the office. Even though it was technically her office that she was leaving and she still had work to do. The kiss wasn't a see you tomorrow kiss but it wasn't a goodbye one either. More like a see you later kiss. Because they both knew that one day he would be back, even if it meant waiting a few years.

Taking one last look at the door, he apparated, leaving the office empty.

He reappeared in his home, a flat in central London. With his godson still in his arms, he made his way over to his bedroom. Sitting his godson on the bed, Sirius went over to the closet and pulled out a duffel bag and a sling bag. He then went over to the night stand and opened the side panel, pulling out a safe. Unlocking it, he reached in and pulled out passports, a Gringotts card and other forms of identification. Pulling out his wand he tapped the passport and the card causing the surface to shimmer and the names to change. Changeable cards and identification were allowed to all Aurors and Unspeakables.

Then going back over to the closet he began throwing a few days' worth of clothes in the duffel and some other necessities, he went around the rest of the flat checking that he got anything of value that he needed now rather than later when he had house elves come get the rest. Going back into the bedroom and retrieving the sleeping boy from the bed, he disapparated from the flat with a slight pop.

Sirius appeared about half a mile from Heathrow Airport. Walking towards the airport, he didn't get very far before he heard another pop behind him.

Stopping but not turning, he waited for the person to speak.

"Sirius, are you really going to leave Britain? Do you really want Harry growing up in some far away country, when he should be growing up here? It's best for him to be here." Dumbledore tried.

Sirius turned to face Dumbledore and replied "Yeah we're leaving. And to tell you the truth, Harry would be way better off growing up anywhere but here." Sirius was not backing down on this. He and Harry were leaving, nothing was changing his mind.

"Sirius, you're taking Harry from where he really belongs. James and Lily would want him in Britain with family. Away from this world." With every sentence that Dumbledore said, he sounded crazier and crazier.

"Okay, listen here Dumbledore. I am Harry's rightful guardian, I am his family and I know for a fact that his parents, my best friends, would want him out of Britain and in the magic world." Sirius growled.

"Very well Sirius, if you believe that is what's best for the boy. Take good care of him Sirius." Dumbledore turned and apparated away.

"What the hell?" Sirius mumbled looking all around to make sure it wasn't a trick. It seemed too easy. Seeing no one, he took out his wand and checked for any spells on himself and Harry. Coming up with a tracking charm on each of them, he shook his head in disbelief before he removed them. Then turning and making it the rest of the way to the airport with his godson in his arms and his bag over his shoulder.

Walking into the airport, Sirius went over to the nearest counter with a person behind it and asked, "When's the soonest flight to New Zealand?" The woman at the counter looked down at her computer and typed.

"The soonest flight to New Zealand is in thirty-five minutes sir. Would you like tickets?" She paused and once he nodded, she began typing again. "Name for you and your son."

"Bradley and Jay Knight."

"Right sir and I'll need to check your passports." She held her hand over the counter.

"Of course." He replied. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled them out and handed them to the woman. She opened the passports up and looked at them, before scanning them and handing them back.

"A form of payment Mister Knight." After putting the passports away, he grabbed his card out and handed it to her. She swiped it and handed it back, before moving over and grabbing the papers from a printer. She handed them over.

"Have a good flight Mister Knight." Walking towards the terminal, Sirius made his way through security before getting onto the plane with nearly ten minutes to spare. Finding his seat, he put his duffel up in the compartment and his sling under the seat before sitting down with Harry on his lap.

"Hello everyone, this is the pilot. We'll be taking off very shortly so buckle your seat belts and sit back and relax. Enjoy the flight."


Several Hours Later

"Good morning everyone, this is your pilot speaking. Please buckle your seat belts as we'll be landing in about twenty minutes. Thank you." Hearing the pilot, Sirius buckled his seat belt along with everybody else on the plane before doing his godson's.

Twenty-Five Minutes Later

The plane had landed and Sirius unbuckled his belt and stood along with all the other people and grabbed his duffel from the compartment above his seat before returning to his seat and grabbing his sling bag and a sleeping Harry. Following the crowds of people, they exited the plane and made their way to an airport bathroom. Once in the bathroom, Sirius looked around before apparating away.

They reappeared outside the gates of the Potter Vacation home in New Zealand. The gates had a griffin stature on each pillar from each side of the gate. Walking over to one of the pillars, Sirius removed his wand from the inside coat pocket. He shifted the wand before pushing it flat against the middle of the pillar.

As soon as the wand was laid flat, a shimmer went up and down the entire pillar as if scanning the wand. The shimmer stopped at the middle point of the wand before the entire pillar just glowed and the glow spread over the gate and the pillar before the griffins roared and the gates opened and the shimmer died down once the gate was open.

Entering the gates, when he walked in between and past the pillars a glow pasted over him and Harry in his arms. Continuing walking, he heard the gates close behind him and the griffins releasing another roar.

Walking through the grounds, he eventually ended up at the front door. The doors had no doorknobs. Placing his hand flat against one of the door, the doors glowed and opened to him. Crossing the threshold, Sirius looked around. The house was the same as the last time he was here. Even though no one had been here in quite some time, the foyer was still in pristine condition.

Hearing a clearing of a throat from his left, Sirius turned and faced the noise. There were two house elves, dressed in uniforms with the Potter crest one them standing there.

"Mister Doggy." The elves chorused and bowed.

"Jonny, Sammy, long time no see." Sirius greeted with a smile.

"Master Harry." The other elf, Jonny, greeted the now awake one year old.

"Lily and James have recently passed, and I decided it would be best to get Harry out of Britain for a fresh start. But first, do you think you could do a full medical checkup of him? Nobody knows exactly what happened in that house that night."

"Of course, Doggy." Jonny answered and prompted for him to hand him Harry. Handing over Harry, Jonny disappeared.

"I'm sure you remember the way to your old room sir?" Sammy questioned. Nodding in response, Sirius shouldered his duffel and made his way up the stairs and through the house until he reached the room James had always said would be his whenever he needed it. Pausing outside the door, he turned his head to the left and stared sadly at the door at the end of the hall.

Sighing, Sirius shook his head and entered the room. Leaving the door open behind him, he looked around taking in the room. Just like the rest of the house, it was exactly the same. Except for one thing. There were two plain white envelopes on his bed.

Frowning, he checked around the room before dropping his duffel beside the closest and setting his sling bag in the desk chair in one corner of the room. Turning back to the bed, he made his way back to it.

Reaching down, Sirius slowly picked up one of the letter envelopes. There was no writing on it. Still slightly cautious, he flipped it over and pulled out the contents. Unfolding the first tri-folded paper, Sirius's eyes jumped to the top.

Hey pal,

If you're reading this, that means we are dead. Which you probably already know since you're already in the New Zealand vacation house.

Yes, I knew you'd take Harry here, it was always your favorite and one of our few houses Dumbledore doesn't know about. Nonetheless buddy, Harry is now in all but blood your son. So, treat him as such, and I mean teach him exactly what I would've. Not just magic, but the really important things in life like girls, pranks and jokes and most importantly how to take action. That's what we should've done.

Dumbledore was the one who insisted we go into hiding, and me being me followed blindly. Lily never fully trusted Dumbledore, especially when he told us that the prophecy was 'leaked' she was suspicious. If I believed her maybe we wouldn't be in this mess, but it's too late for regrets. Just make sure I don't leave any behind, yeah?

The other paper enclosed in this envelop is a copy of our will, just to ensure nobody does anything sneaky, sneaky, if you know what I mean.

As always, I swear I am up to no good and remember I will always achieve mischief managed. I hope you do too buddy. Love ya buddy. Be happy.

Until someday,

Prongs

James

Taking a deep breath, Sirius sat heavily on the end of the bed. Setting down James last letter, Sirius pulled the other paper out of the first envelop. As James had said, it was a will. Unfolding it, Sirius just flipped through not really looking for anything specific. He continued to read through the will until his eyes stopped on something.

Last will and testament of Lord James Potter and Lady Lily Potter nee Evans. If Lily survives, all titles, money, property and holdings go to her and then Harry when he reaches his majority and same for if only James survives. If nether one of us survived but our son Harry did, he is to inherit everything, absolutely everything other than the listed contributions. Also, our secret keeper was in fact Peter Pettigrew, not Sirius Black.

To Remus Lupin, we leave 15,000 galleons. Buy yourself something nice buddy.

To Amelia Bones, we leave 10,000 galleons and my best friend. Thank you for taking good care of Padfoot. Keep him out of trouble.

To Sirius Black, we leave full custody of our pride and joy, we also leave all of our property, money and holdings in your hands as regent for House Potter until Harry is old enough, including our paintings. The son we wish we could've seen grow up, Harry Potter. Take care of him Sirius, oh and don't let Amy go, you need her more than you realize.

To A.E, Lily leaves her personal affects to you. And take care of them both please.

To Minerva McGonagall, we leave 5,000 galleons and James transfiguration creations. Take care old friend. You were a great mentor to us and we hope you can be to Harry as well.

To Harry Potter, son, we leave everything to you. And we know it'll never be enough because it will never be enough for us either. We love you and please keep the two of them from killing each other.

Order Of Custody for Harry James Potter

Sirius Black

Amelia Bones

Alice Longbottom

Minerva McGonagall

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS HARRY TO GO TO PETUNIA AND VERNON DURSLEY, I WILL PERSONALLY COME BACK FROM THE GRAVE TO END YOUR EXISTENCE IF HE SO MUCH AS ENTERS THAT HOUSE

Signed By Lord James Potter & Lady Lily Potter

Witnessed By: Alice Longbottom & Amelia Bones.

Something about the will specifically saying paintings drew a flag in Sirius's head. That had to mean more than just artwork paintings. It had to.

Deciding to come back to it later, Sirius set down the will next to James letter and picked up the other envelop. Pulling out the contents, two things fell out of the envelop and landed on the ground. Eyebrow raised, Sirius bent down and picked up the fallen objects.

Turning back to the paper, he began reading the first sheet.

Hello Sirius,

As I know James already told you most of what you need to know, this is about something else. Well not really something else, more like somebody else. I'm sorry you didn't know this, James is the only one that did.

I don't want to say much in this letter but I can tell you more when you speak to 'me' next. I'll explain the objects then and more.

Keep both objects safe but more importantly keep my son safe. I swear to Merlin if something happens to him Sirius then I will come back just to punish your arse.

Don't test my word,

Lily

Sirius smirked at reading the ending. She had to get a threat in there somewhere. "Speak next, huh? Guess that confirms it, there is a painting." Sirius mumbled. He put the letter back as well as the objects. Just he was closing the envelops, Jonny popped in.

"Sir, we must be speaking about Master Harry's health. Come." Jonny extended his hand and waited until Sirius took it before disappearing.

They reappeared in a child's nursery. Jonny led Sirius over to a crib where two house elves were working.

"Master Harry, has a dark magic in him. A horcrux. Behind scar." Jonny informed him. At his words, Sirius went pale. He knew what a horcrux was, and it was not good.

"Can you remove it? Without harming him?" Sirius questioned quietly looking at his godson.

"With house elf magic, yes. We be doing that now?" One of the other house elves inquired.

Nodding, Sirius looked at his godson. "Please." He beckoned. Jonny looked to the other elves and nodded. They snapped their fingers and they along with Harry disappeared.

"Where did they take him? How long will it take?" Sirius questioned.

"To a protected room. Less than hour." Jonny assured him.


In Protected Room somewhere in Potter Vacation Home

Harry was laying asleep on a matt in the middle of a circular room. There were Potter house elves all around the room at the edges, about sixteen of them. Then another ring of four of them around the cot.

All of the elves in the ring at the edges held both arms up and fingers in the snapping ready position. The four elves in the inner ring, held one arm up, fingers in the snapping ready position with their other hand touching either an arm or a leg of Harry's.

One of the house elves in the outer ring, snapped both fingers at the same time. Then the elf to its right followed and it continued the same way around the outer ring until it reached back where it started. As they snapped, thin, shimmery beams of light rose from their snapped fingers and all connected at the center of the room several feet above Harry.

Then the elves in the inner ring, snapped their fingers all at the same time and similar beams of light rose above and joined in the center a little under the sphere of magic from the outer ring. Then the sphere from the inner ring, sped down and crashed into Harry's scar, followed shortly by the other sphere. On impact, it created huge magical backlash, causing ring of magic to extend to the edges of the room as a dark essence rose out of the one year olds scar.

The essence flew around the room looking for an exit but slammed into a band of magic and dissipated. The magic than flowed back to the center in waves of magic and into the sleeping Harry.

Randomly, the elves started popping out of the room, returning to their duties at other Potter houses. Of the twenty house elves that were there, only five of them worked and lived at the Potter home in New Zealand along with Jonny and Sammy.

Eventually it was down to just the two elves that had taken Harry there in the first place. Taking Harry, the two elves disappeared.

Reappearing back in the nursery, the elves set Harry back down in the crib before popping away. Jonny and Sirius then entered the room and moved over to Harry.

"According to Spinky and Socky, everything be fine now. Horcrux and scar gone and Master healthy." Jonny assured Sirius who had now picked up his godson.

"Jonny, how did you know what a horcrux was?" Sirius asked curiously.

"As you know, I has been in Potter family for a long while, my father and mother were in Black care though. They were able to teach me much in terms of things to beware."

"Of course. Jonny, can you get to the Potter Cottage in Godrics Hallow?" Sirius questioned.

"You need to be there?"

"No, I need something from there." Sirius corrected. "A painting, a painting of Lily and James to be exact." The elf nodded before disappearing.

The elf appeared seconds later with a very damaged painting. Seeing it, Sirius frowned. Jonny hung it on a spot on the wall in front of him. It was clear it was once a painting of Lily and James but definitely didn't work anymore.

"Bloody hell." Sirius muttered. "Do you think it can be repaired?" Sirius continued questioning the elf.

The elf disappeared in response and reappeared seconds later with another house elf. He had a different look to him, he still had a Potter uniform but something was different. He was definitely one Sirius had never met before.

"Guten Abend, ich bin Jacks, Jonny sagt du brauchst etwas? Herr Doggy?" The elf greeted in a language that was not English.

Recognizing it as German, luckily a language he was fluent in, Sirius replied. "Jacks, bist du vom der Potter nach Hause in Deutschland?"

"Ja Herr Doggy." The elf nodded.

"Kannst du ein magisches Gemälde reparieren?" Sirius questioned. Jacks nodded, and Sirius continued, "Kannst du das machen?" Sirius asked him before pointing to the painting on the wall behind the German house elf.

The house elf turned and sized up the painting before turning back to Sirius and answering. "Ja, Herr Doggy." He nodded.

Jacks then moved in front of the painting and placed a hand on it. The other hand he held up, closed his eyes and snapped. It was slow working but the undamaged parts of the painting glowed and slowly but surely the glow spread of the painting fixing it bit by bit until the painting was as good as new except from the top left corner, it was still damaged.

Pulling away from the painting, the elf spoke, "So gut ich kann." He elf said sadly.

"Es ist perfekt, danke." Sirius assured him that it was fine.

"Sehr gut, guten Nacht." The elf said before disappearing. Sirius then removed his wand from his coat pocket and cast a spell over the painting. The spell was designed to reanimate previously animated paintings. It caused the magic in it to work again.

The painting glowed for a few seconds before Lily and James started to move, showing that it had worked.

"Hey James, Lily. How's the weather?"


There we have it, the first official chapter of this story down. I'm actually quite happy with how it turned out. Also, the German used is mostly from Google Translate though some of it was from my knowledge of the language. I'm not super fluent but I do know some basics. I wanted to put in another language other than English at some point I just wasn't sure how I wanted to do it. Expect to see some more later on, maybe others. Anyway, the translations will be listed down below. Support is always appreciated, thank you. Hope you all enjoy this story. -DS

German Translations

Guten Abend, ich bin Jacks, Jonny sagt du brauchst etwas? Herr Doggy? – Good evening, I'm Jacks, Jonny says you need something? Mister Doggy?

Jacks, bist du vom der Potter nach Hause in Deutschland? – Jacks, are you from the Potter House in Germany?

Kannst du ein magisches Gemälde reparieren? – Can you repair a magical painting?

Kannst du das machen? – Can you do that?

Ja, Herr Doggy. – Yes, Mister Doggy

So gut ich kann. – As best I can

Es ist perfekt, danke. – It's perfect, thank you

Sehr gut, guten Nacht. – Very well, good night