Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I do own OC, non-canon, and fictional magic. I hope I have cleared any misunderstandings with my revised Ch. IV Plotting.
A/N: This is predominately about Sirius/Harry powerful familial relationship with elements of Harry/Hermione and just down with Dumbledore's manipulations. It is a complicated storyline―so I appreciate your patience and hope you enjoy it. Reviews are my motivation :-)
Ch. V: Returning Home
Sirius scowled. It had been three weeks since he arrived on his late uncle's private island. Having Dobby was the best thing that ever happened to Sirius. It was no effort for the little House-Elf to assist him in feeling human with Harry's tuition Hogwarts stockpiled in terms of basic necessities. Best of all, Dobby gushed details about Harry allowing Sirius to become more acquainted with Harry's habits.
The wizard swore, causing the House-Elf to shrink and the Hippogriff to snort.
He would have to do it. He would have to return to his ancestral home. He could not ask Dobby to withstand Gringotts like a coward. Nor would he subject the little House-Elf to his family's mad one. This House-Elf had his respect.
Although...Sirius had done some soul-searching these past weeks. He came to understand an inkling of what his younger brother may have felt for Creepy Kreacher.
Sirius rubbed his temples. Don't be a prat. He thought annoyed. You can't very well call him Creepy Kreacher when you see him. Sirius had thought of calling Kreacher to him.
And promptly decided against it.
No, this island would remain his ultra secret. Only Dobby and Buckbeak needed to know of its location. Sirius highly doubted Kreacher would know of it since Uncle Alphard had been banished from the House via Mother.
The wizard rolled his shoulders.
"Buckbeak," he said haltingly. He placed his hands on either side of the feathery head. A pair of intelligent golden eyes speared his mercury ones.
"You've been the bestest friend a wizard, an Animagus, well...me really...could have." He gulped. "This island is definitely a home to you and yours. But I can't take you where I'm going." He gave the Hippogriff a half-smile. "It's almost like Azkaban mate, and you'd never fly again with all the enchantments around the place." He cleared his throat. "The point is...you belong free. And...and…" Sirius could not continue. His eyes were leaking tears like a toddler.
Buckbeak gave a throaty chuff. Nuzzled his head against Sirius as if to say he not only understood what Sirius wanted to say in his heart and accepted Sirius' lifelong friendship.
"Thanks mate." Sirius muttered.
"Dobby," Sirius croaked. "I need you to Apparate me to No. 12 Grimmauld Place, London. You must keep this location an absolute secret. No one must know of it. You're to drop me off and just see me to the door. You can't enter with me until I've adjusted all the wards." He shrugged. "I dunno if I can Apparate just yet...at least not at that distance."
"Of course, Master Harry Potter's Snuffies." Dobby said. His sincere golf ball-sized green eyes regarding Sirius and Buckbeak. "Dobby will stop by the island to make sure it is properly stocked for Masters Harry Potter's Snuffies and Beaky for whenever they should need it again."
He held his little hand toward Sirius, who took it with misplaced regret. He knew he could not hide forever. He needed to bring power to his name and position―for his sake and Harry's. In order to do that...he needed to reestablish himself as Lord Black.
But first, Kreacher. That House-Elf knows all the Black secrets. Sirius squared his shoulders.
Dobby Apparated them to the front door as close as he dared.
The sensation made Sirius almost retch. To think I did this all the bloody time. He rolled his eyes. He hitched his cloak over himself and with a little help from Dobby's magic he would be cloaked from Muggle eyes.
No. 12 Grimmauld Place was mismarked as the Muggles would say. There was a No. 11 and a No. 13.
As the only living Black Heir he could enter. At least that is what he told himself as he walked forward. He heard Dobby's distinctive Pop! back to Hogwarts.
"Toujours pur." Sirius murmured.
No. 12 Grimmauld Place rumbled and appeared before Sirius. Of course, the Muggles knew nothing and were unaffected. His ancestral home was Unplottable. It would remain undetected from the Ministry and the Muggles. His father had paid a fortune in his paranoia.
Sirius decided he would visit Father's grave. Maybe he would not spit on it just for granting him this one clemency.
Sirius crinkled his nose in disgust. From the outset, the House looked little better than the Shrieking Shack.
Mother should be rolling in her grave. He thought. For once, he did not like that thought. The House had always been pristine. His parents would have killed any servant of the House for making them look bad.
The front door was decidedly Slytherin. It had a snake doorknocker that hissed at Sirius.
"You will allow me entry." Sirius commanded. Every inch Heir Apparent. "For I am the last of my line."
Unwillingly, the snake bowed to him. Swinging open the door.
Sirius quickly entered and all but choked on the thick dust permeating the air.
"Kreacher!" Sirius called.
The ancient House-Elf Apparated. Staring dumbfounded at Sirius.
"I've return to reclaim my birthright." Sirius said without preamble. He could see the mad House-Elf begin to work himself into a state just as the curtain swung open to reveal his Mother's portrait at the end of the corridor.
Merlin's balls! What a fright! Sirius thought all but vomiting. Her decayed flesh too real to be a portrait in her customary black House regalia.
"FILTH! FILTH OF MY FATHER AND MY FLESH!" Walburga Black screeched.
"SILENCE! I AM LORD AND MASTER OF THIS ESTATE!" Sirius matched his mother's temper. And well she knew it. Even her portrait succumbed.
"You're not Lord and Master of the House of Black." Kreacher pointed out. "He hasn't taken the ring nor the vow…" Kreacher muttered under his breath.
"I am well aware of that, Kreacher." Sirius said cooly. "Facts I wish to rectify. But before I do," he smiled. His flinty grey eyes almost silver in the dim light settled on the House-Elf. "You will explain to me why the so-called Pureblood House of Black is covered in dust. Why, it's worse than a Muggle hovel." Sirius almost danced at seeing Kreacher's outrage. "Furthermore, you will act like a proper House-Elf to the House of Black and assist me in every way possible to restore order and honor to this House." Sirius knelt to the House-Elf's eye level. "Or there will be dire consequences not even my Father could spare you from. For I have survived and escaped Azkaban and seen things even your maggot-infested mind could not begin to fathom for what I have in store for you should you fail me." Sirius said in a dangerously soft voice. "You will not betray me in any way possible. You will assist me in my revenge. You will help me accomplish many things to overtake, outwit and destroy those who have wronged me and what has been denied me. For I am the last living Black." He looked down his aristocratic nose at the House-Elf. "Do I make myself clear, Kreacher?"
The House-Elf may despise him. But if there was one thing he could respect it is the Black Family's cunning and vengeance. In spite of himself, he knew Sirius would make good on his threats...and he was not mad or stupid enough to bait Sirius after news of his Azkaban imprisonment and escape reached him.
"At your command, Master Sirius." Kreacher said demurely, bowing at the waist.
Nodding, Sirius decided to balance a carrot-and-the-stick approach. "You will remove Mother's portrait. You will bring it to Regulus' old room. Keep it there. If," Sirius paused making sure he had Kreacher's attention. "I decide you've earned the right to keep it then you may." Kreacher's eyes widened.
"Yes, whatever you should wish Master Sirius, anything at all." Kreacher said quickly. He started to exit when he realized he could not.
He had not answered Sirius' initial question.
"Well?" Sirius said arching a perfect brow. "Why is this House unclean?"
"Mistress Walburga said to keep everything as it was and make no changes...when Master Arcturus passed...he said," Kreacher gulped. "it is our punishment for turning our backs on Master Sirius."
Sirius' brows raised. Well then. He thought begrudgingly. Knowing Grandfather, he would have made that as a superficial punishment while leaving the true punishment behind elsewhere.
Sirius nodded. "Take down Mother and meet me in the study."
The wizard picked his way avoiding debris up to the second floor toward his Father's study.
My study now. Sirius thought grimly.
The door swung open to reveal a decrepit state of affairs. All the furniture rusted, moth-eaten, dusty and rotting.
Befitting of my House. Sirius thought with a little shake. He made his way to his Father's―no his―desk.
«Ouvrez.» Open. Sirius commanded in French, surprised at his skill despite not speaking it in over a decade. All Black family members were required to learn French and two languages of their choosing. However, Sirius being gifted learned five. Even his Grandfather only mastered three.
All drawers opened in the study revealing their secrets to the Heir Apparent.
Sirius only glanced at the others when he came upon a black box embossed in silver with the family crest. He sat on the barely broken desk chair.
It opened on its own. Silver mist swirling around it. He took a matching knife and sliced his pointer and added his Pureblood identity to the hidden depths of the Lord and Heir rings.
He recalled wearing the Black Heir ring on two occasions. It was the only time his family truly approved of him and made him want to rail against his upbringing.
The Lord Black ring glowed and silver-and-black Basilisk appeared before Sirius.
"I reclaim my rightful birthright," Sirius said, diction pure and commanding. "It has been denied me through misunderstanding, circumvention and corruption." Sirius did not dare falter despite his initial thoughts of why he left his family's estate. "I swear on blood and magic to lead the House of Black to victory, purity, cunning, and furthering Her interests while safeguarding Her against Her enemies. This, I so vow upon my life, blood and magic." The misty Basilisk wound itself around Sirius' forearm and leveled its eyes on Sirius. Doubtlessly, he would have killed Sirius if he were a real Basilisk. The Basilisk weighed Sirius' resolve.
It lunged at Sirius' heart.
Sirius willed himself not to flinch. The Basilisk entered Sirius' bloodsteam, chilling the wizard similarly to Azkaban's coldness. He almost fell to his knees, barely catching himself on the desk. On his right hand the Lordship ring appeared on his hand. It would not remove itself even should he lose his finger. Only when he died or bequeathed his legacy to his child would he see it removed.
The Black Family Basilisk is a sacred symbol that would not appear unless it was for ceremonial purposes or using family magic in defense of the House. Their outward crest are Ravens. As far as Sirius knew, only the oldest families which claimed and proved to be descended from Merlin directly could wield their most powerful magic.
I wonder how many of us are left after Voldemort. Sirius thought grimly.
Wearily, the now Lord Sirius Orion Black replaced the box and looked up sensing someone near him. Azkaban made him jumpier than ever.
Kreacher gaped at Sirius.
Sirius' eyes narrowed knowingly. So you thought to be rid of me, eh? Well, I hope to disappoint you further. Obviously, the House-Elf hoped the family magic would kill him.
"Your first tasks are to get me reports from Gringotts." Sirius said. "Then you will assist me in ordering the House's financial affairs. In the interim," he inclined his head to the study. "I want you sort every room in the House. Make piles for rubbish, family heirlooms, etc. And I will decide what to destroy and to keep. Furthermore, you will not notify Narcissa or any other Black family member of my Lordship...not yet anyway." His lips curled into a sneering smile. He had a few thoughts regarding dear Cissy. He noted Kreacher's instant protectiveness.
He would deal with that later.
"Start with a new mattress in my former room. I will sleep there tonight until I have settled the House." He actually missed his childhood room. It had been his one escape from the madness within. He dismissed Kreacher with a wave of his Lordship ringed hand.
Then it became a prison when his Father locked him in there using the family magic.
Bastard still haunts me from the grave. Sirius eyed the House with self-righteous contempt. Looks like I'll make this fortress mine in every way possible. I'll be more successful and get my revenge on my parents.
Revenge is decadence to the House of Black.
Exhausted, but not done yet, Sirius slipped under the desk. The floor safe was all but invisible to a trained eye.
Sirius always tried to open it as a child. Now, he had the access to do so.
Inside the floor safe were some of the House's treasures. Several copies of important documents like wills, birth certificates, death certificates, etc. Sirius would regard later. He did not find what he was initially looking for sifting among the jewels and weapons.
Frowning, he almost closed it until he saw his Grandfather's wand. It was the closest to Sirius' original wand. He had no idea if his wand was destroyed. Legally, he scoffed at the notion, he could not get his former wand back or buy a new one. Pureblood families kept wands of deceased members and usually did not bury them or cremate them with the bodies.
The custom made him sigh in relief as he picked it up and could almost feel his Grandfather's formidable will and power surge through him. It oddly comforted him. Arcturus may not have been a warm and fuzzy grandfather. But, he never lied to him nor did he mislead him unless it was to teach him a lesson. He was a feared and respected patriarch. And with good reason.
Replacing the floor safe, the wizard stood and experimentally flicked the window.
It smashed. Wincing, Sirius muttered a few swear words as the House repaired itself. He could actually feel the House's displeasure.
You've got to be kidding me...this House is sentient?! Sirius chuckled disbelievingly.
"My sincerest apologies," Sirius said, bowing. "It was unintentional. Would you be so kind as to prepare a battle mage room for me?" To his surprise the House complied. As he heard a room being made next door to him.
"Now, I know you dislike being unclean as much as I do." Sirius continued conversationally, feeling like he really was mad. "Would you mind opening all the windows and helping me to bring the dust, bugs and cobwebs outside?"
All the windows squeaked and creaked as they lowered or unlatched to reveal the cloudy midnight air. Sirius could barely make out the full view from where he was standing. It looked almost wavy to him and he realized the House had shields in place that he could see to keep their location secret.
Perhaps this is no longer a prison...I will speak with Dobby about how a House feels. When he had last spoken to Dobby about locations before he brought up his family home he found interesting House-Lore. At least shore up my defenses while learning more about the House in the process from an unbiased viewpoint. A fond smile tugged at his mouth concerning Dobby. Since I know where Kreacher stands with me.
An unseen whirlwind of dust, cobwebs and bugs rushed to all windows and exited. The rush of clean air removing the stench and debris to replace the House with a sense of wholesomeness it had not received in over a decade.
Sirius stared at the House around him.
"You're absolutely amazing." Sirius said sincerely. The House seemed chuffed to bits when he said that.
Sirius felt like he was missing something very important right in front of him. Something Arcturus may have told him. But what? He shook his head reminiscent of his Grim.
"Will you guard me well?" Sirius asked quietly. "I need your protection whilst I work on restoring our name in wizarding society. I have many enemies. I will need your protection, guidance...and friendship or at least familial relationship as I rebuild and carry out my plan for revenge and restoration of what is rightfully mine."
The House seemed to listen and to Sirius' surprise the family Basilisk appeared before him. It took shape in the form of his deceased Grandfather Arcturus Black*.
"I always knew you were the best we've had in generations. Damn shame you weren't my son." Arcturus Black quipped. His straight salt-and-pepper hair tied neatly behind him. His full regalia as a Black patriarch intertwined with the Basilisk symbol on his chest. Sirius looked the most like his grandfather and his mother. "I left a diary for you to peruse at your leisure…" Arcturus said, his misty form's eyes settling on his grandson. "The House does not need to be commanded. Merely asked." Grandfather said meaningfully. "You will find much of what you seek in Gringotts and in the diaries of Melania and I. Should you have need of me―assuming you can't figure it out." Arcturus said dryly. "You may call upon me four times before the magic wears off."
"Thank you, Grandfather." Sirius gulped. "For everything."
Arcturus inclined his head. "You were always mine, Sirius." He said softly before fading. Leaving a startled Sirius behind.
The House seemed to warm for Sirius. And he could feel himself becoming less uncomfortable and sad in what he thought had to be a lonely, frostbitten home of a prison. Standing, the warmth followed him as he made his way to bed.
Kreacher observed the whole scene from a hidden portrait. Closing the latch with House-Elf magic silently he slowly sank to the floor.
He looked at his hands and the mirror behind the wall of where some of Mistress' hidden jewelry and diaries lay. His Mistress often spied on her husband despite their mutual respect of one another. She had been convinced her husband was having an affair and once proven wrong she decided to keep it and spy on her husband to benefit her both politically and financially.
Horrified, the ancient House-Elf realized something. He could avenge Master Regulus if he obeyed Lord Sirius. If the House bespoke Her loyalty and utilized Master Arcturus then Lord Sirius is the answer to his shame.
Kreacher took a deep breath.
So be it. Whatever the nasty Lord Sirius wants from Kreacher he will receive it. Even if it goes against Mistress' principles. Kreacher will do it for Master Regulus.
Once again Kreacher glanced at the mirror. It contained Kreacher's shame.
Kreacher quickly Apparated to his lair.
The Dark Locket harms Kreacher when he too near it. He huddled into his torn mattress and closed his eyes.
References:
OK, so according to Harry Potter Wikia this should be Arcturus II based on the timeline. All this grandfather did was give the Ministry a heap of gold. I did not care for it much. So I chose Arcturus I for being a better fleshed-out character and I am using FanFiction creative license and fanon extensively. He is significant to me for this FanFiction.