Harry and Hermione's Unexpected Family Ties
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A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
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Chapter 5 Escape from Privet Drive
**OO**
Dobby returned from escorting Harry to the local library. The boy had never had a library card, as Petunia refused to sign for him. He wanted to look up different canines and check out some other books during this brief holiday here.
The librarian asked him if he just moved in, but Harry shook his head. "No, but my new guardian likes me to read. My old one didn't like me learning anything, and said I was showing off if I wanted to read."
Her assistant came up and recognized him but had heard everything, "Well, that is likely due to Mr Dursley, the younger, having the intellect of a gnat. I've seen you around, before, reading here. Hiding from others. I'm happy to see you better dressed, and looking better fed."
The assistant librarian didn't ask what happened to the police reports she had filed about the boy. Unbeknownst to both her and Harry, she was the granddaughter of a wizard. And that her weakened family talents had given her enough to see him when he was practically invisible to others.
The library had been his one sanctuary growing up; both here and at school. Harry went to his tasks, and the elf returned.
As Dobby arrived back at the tent, another letter came for Lord Black. The impressive eagle owl was told to stay to wait for a reply. Dobby recognized the bird and gave it a treat.
"This be coming…is from your cousin, Mistress Narcissa."
Dobby popped away, giving him space to read the letter in privacy. Sirius recognized the graceful hand, and his heart jumped. 'Cissa had written to him!
'Hello grandfather, if you are still with us, or Lord Black, if he has gone on.'
Oh, she hadn't been informed of Grandfather's death either. How sad.
'All of my previous correspondence seems to have gone astray.
'I am doing something very important, and need access to Grimmauld Place's library. Please. I intend to only borrow the books for a time. I am currently staying in the Hogsmeade house.'
'If you agree, just let Kreacher know, and we can work this out between us. If you are the new Lord Black, I hope to get to meet you one day, soon.
'Kindest Felicitations,
'Narcissa, of the House of Black.'
"Dobby? Didn't you work for Narcissa? Why does she claim our House, but not Malfoy? Can you give me a hint?" Sirius knew that Arcturus had given all of the daughters of the House their own separate sanctuaries to flee to from time to time. The House owned them, of course, but were theirs to use for their lifetime. The Paris House had been Bellatrix'.
Did grandfather do that on purpose? Give her a place where she would be arrested on sight? Sirius wondered about that. He focused on Dobby's answer.
"Mistress Narcissa not…former Death Eater scum Lucius being…Dobby canst say." Shaking his head violently.
Dobby was pulling his ears terribly, so Sirius stopped asking.
"I think I get the drift. Arranged marriages aren't always happy. Sorry. For her and you, my friend."
Sirius looked at Dobby. He was putting a lot of trust in him.
He wrote back to his cousin. Taking the name Alphard wouldn't fool her, but he needed an ally here, and they had been close as children.
The two white sheep of the Black family.
He explained that he was Harry Potter's legal guardian, and due to the death threats of the past two years of Hogwarts, was going to take him out of the country. He implied that he was going to Paris, but told no lies in the letter.
"If you ever have need of anything, let me know. I am so glad that you are free of Lucius. I support you in all of your doings. You have been a brilliant manager, and I hope that you continue in that post for as long as you wish.
"I have never forgotten your kindness to me as children, bringing me healing potions, or protecting me from the worst of the family gatherings we had to endure when young. Be happy, dear cousin. Yes, I have a little gift for you coming. The books are yours. And much more."
Narcissa would recognize his writing. Would she betray him? He doubted it. She had no reason to do so.
Her request was so very reasonable, and Sirius hoped that he was about to give her a reason to trust him all the more. Lord Black motioned for Dobby to prepare himself.
"Stand back, Dobby. I am about to invite a vicious…a raving beast into the tent. Be ready to act if we need to bind him, alright? Kreacher!"
A scowling hunch-backed house-elf bowed insincerely, "Lord Black calls poor beleaguered Kreacher? Into a house of what? Cast-off, cast-off, and I smell mudblood nearby. How…cozy."
That wasn't a nice way to refer to himself, Dobby or Harry.
Kreacher dealt no magic towards anyone, so clearly he knew that he was with the Lord of the House.
"Narcissa wants to borrow some books, and I am about to make you a very happy house-elf. I want you to listen to me! Bring me all, and I mean all goblin-made things that are in any Black property, and any money. I don't care if it's muggle, wizarding or anyone else's. I'll give you a list of books I want to keep. After you do that, if you do a good job, I am going to transfer you to her."
"Master Sirius means it? Giving Kreacher to serve perfect pureblood lady?"
"I promise if you complete these few tasks for me, quickly and completely. See if you can find my old school chest. Mother had locked it up, so Uncle Charlus bought me a new one. I have a bunch of pictures in there I want to show Harry soon."
"Kreacher knows where Mistress hid it. And where gold be hidden."
"Do you need help? You aren't getting any younger." Sirius asked, unexpectedly solicitous.
"Dobby be welcome to come and help old Kreacher. Dobby serves House of Black."
"Good. Dobby, if you ever feel in danger, pop back. The wards should protect you, but I don't want to test it. Kreacher, if Dobby says you got everything, and are honest with me, I swear on my magic, you'll go to Narcissa as her elf to serve her. No tricks. Kreacher, return later, after Heir Black has retired for the night. Now go!"
The two elves popped away.
**OO**
Dobby had finished cleaning up the kitchen and asked Harry's permission to run some errands.
"Sure Dobby, I'm probably going to head to bed here in a couple of hours, so if you aren't back, sleep well. See you in the morning."
Harry read on the couch, petting Lord Black who was snoring. Harry left him there to go to his own bed to join him in dreamland. Another Percy dream was in his future.
Sirius was later awakened by a fight between two house-elves and was grateful for his wand that he was able to use to cast a silencing charm.
They were struggling over Regulus Black's old trunk in Slytherin colors.
"No, no! Please! This is important!" Kreacher was crying!
"Let him keep it, Dobby. It was my brothers, and Kreacher worshiped him. It's okay Kreacher. Don't cry, you can keep Reggies' stuff."
Dobby started removing many shrunken items from the pockets of his very nice clothes. Muggle clothes. Did Harry buy clothes for this elf? Sirius needed to update the boy's education, but now was not the time.
Once unshrunk, Dobby piled up everything into a neat row. There was his old school trunk. Sirius peeked quickly. Yes! The photo album was still there. This one would only have pictures up to the end of fifth year, so they would all be very innocent. He'd have to be careful of the other albums. It hurt thinking of that one very saucy one of Marlene. Poor girl, and she had actually been a very nice, well, good…She'd been a brilliant girlfriend.
Dobby pointed out the goblin items that Sirius knew about, and there were three trunks with money. One had old muggle bank notes. Good. Well, not exactly good, but he was glad it was found. Sirius remembered his mother bragging about keeping money from the Dark Lord's muggle victims as an odd sort of trophy.
Sirius asked Dobby, "Is this everything?"
Dobby nodded, "There might be more things in Blackmoor Keep that you may want to get from the Library there for Master Harry. But the books from Grimmauld you wanted are here, and Kreacher didn't know where any other gold was. Mistress Narcissa being honest witch. If she finds valuables, she will give them to you."
Kreacher nodded at that, and Sirius thanked them both for their work.
Sirius did the ritual to transfer ownership of Kreacher to Narcissa and one step more. "After I find the deed, Grimmauld Place will belong to Narcissa. I don't know what she will do with it, but that house and you are hers."
'Her problem' is what he wanted to say, but the elf had stopped his vitriol with the bribe of going to Lady Malfoy.
He popped away, looking anxious. Had he not kept up the place? Well, that was his problem now.
Dobby was yawning and barely standing, so Lord Black sent him to his bed to rest.
Sirius was tired and just wanted to go to sleep himself. He knew that his father kept his gold at home; he didn't trust goblins who were sending him death threats for not returning goblin items.
Smart man, well, in some ways. Ohh, here was a job that he could hire Remus to do for him once they reconnected. A trunk full of old muggle money dating back to the first early raids in the 1950's that, because they were crimes against muggles, didn't even gain the attention of anyone for a long time.
His father was killed in 1975, so the newest of the banknotes and coins would come from then. He would ask the elf to sort it later, and keep out the older notes and coinage to be sold at a collector's shop.
Here was a decent nest egg without dipping into the Black vaults at all! And the goblin-made items going back to the goblins should earn him some goodwill.
Having goblins as enemies made his father's life difficult. Having goblins as friends?
This could see his name cleared, and him able to walk the streets of London openly one day.
Sirius Black had a cunning plan.
**OO**
Kreacher complaining about Lord Black had her raise her eyebrows. Yes, Kreacher didn't like pranksters, that was understandable.
Hearing that Dobby was with him, had her make a decision. "Daisy? If you are willing to help Kreacher with his duties now and then, as he is older, that would be wonderful. But why don't you go be Lord Black's elf since he gave me Kreacher?"
Hugging her mistress with glee, Daisy popped away. She was glad to get away from the elf who said mean things about Master Harry, and Lord Black, but worse.
He said that her mate's ears were too small and nose was too short! That being mean!
**OO**
Lord Black's idea for a Will for Peter was taking shape and form, and tickling the Marauder. Daisy coming to him made it easier to get things done as he could send her on errands, and she would not be missed.
His barking laugh woke both Dobby and Harry, but the lad fell back to sleep quickly. Dobby eagerly greeted his mate. They had errands now, but would be reunited soon. They were both content to wait, and Dobby was ordered back to bed.
Sirius wrote out a letter asking to buy an inert life stone from the goblins, and included a goblet for payment. A goblin-made goblet worth many times more than the stone.
Wealthy purebloods used life stones to activate Wills.
A Will that was completely fake, but had all the correct recipients. Shouldn't the sheer amount of gold from previous poor Peter Pettigrew make people ponder?
Sirius needed to get some sleep before he started coming up with dirty limericks. Setting a shrunken chest of gold for this scheme inside the box with the fake Will, everything was ready.
Sirius fell asleep smiling.
**OO**
Goldrub read the letter with glee and happily supplied the requested item.
This was going to shake things up! A life stone for Peter Pettigrew? A used, dead one? Oh yes, the goblins knew that he had just perished. And now, Pettigrew had a small vault; part of which was going to be given to the Department for the Control of Magical Creatures!
Goldrub laughed, remembering a young Amos Diggory rescuing a Grim from a prank gone wrong in Minister Bagnold's office. He wanted to thank the now Director of that department. How kind.
The bequests would wait for the start of the school year. Something that Gringotts did, not to save international postage, but to twit the wizards' long noses. It annoyed them to take young heirs out of school. In this case two heirs, one heiress, and one redheaded friend.
And the notified heiress had an aunt who was head of the DMLE? Oh yes, Black was being clever.
Notifying the Ministry of Magic was going to be part of his job. Hehehe.
And some of his clansmen had stopped by to make sure to give him their sympathies for having a prankster client.
This was going to be fun, pranking the Ministry of Magic! And by law, the notice had to be published in the newspaper in order to inform beneficiaries, creditors and other interested parties.
Oh yes, when would be a good date for that article? Just before school started again, perhaps?
Goldrub almost felt bad about getting paid for this work.
**OO**
The Gringotts post box went off in the library/study, but Sirius had fallen asleep at the desk. Fortunately for him, he woke before he was discovered there.
Harry Potter was notified that his parent's will was available for reading. They suggested waiting until he was away from Britain before doing so, for his own personal safety.
**OO**
By the next day, the wards were showing at full strength. Finally! Even though he hadn't heard from the Grangers, it was clear that people were already starting to look for him.
The magic windows had shown Mrs Figg going by three times yesterday, and quite obviously saw the tent. That made Harry very suspicious. It was time to be gone from here before someone magical decided that he needed to actually live miserably inside the house rather than live happily in the back garden.
Dobby showed Harry how to pack the tent. Hedwig's cage was inside, but she had left in the morning. Well, she'd find them wherever he was, Harry was sure. Dobby popped the exhaustively read library books to the return slot, but Harry had written down a few animal books that he wanted to buy at some point in the near future.
Hermione's parents' letter inviting Harry to stay for part of the holidays arrived just as he and Dobby arrived at Gringotts. With the address of where he was going! Yes!
They hadn't wanted anyone stealing from Harry's mind, so they were saving it for the last minute. Smart!
It said they had been delayed in France, but expected to be in Cairo soon, and would welcome Harry's visit as soon as they were there. Brilliant!
Then it was time to visit the healers. Both he and his 'new dog' were getting the full checkup, and Harry insisted the same for Dobby. Harry didn't expect any issues with that, and there weren't any. But some of the human workers around looked surprised to see Dobby being treated.
Harry was getting his first passport, past due vaccinations (dreadful potions) and his picture taken. His hair!
A distinguished older wizard with silvery grey eyes approached with a goblin Harry had been introduced to earlier that day. Gold…something. And a house-elf that Dobby clearly knew; he was nervous about seeing her and began reverting to speaking in the house-elf patois.
"Master Goldrub, Master Si…Uh, Alphard. This be Harry Potter. Master Harry, be meeting your great uncle, Alphard, Lord Black and Master Goldrub of Gringotts bank." As the female elf approached Dobby and took his extended hand, Dobby greened a bit, "And this vision of loveliness is my mate, Daisy. She belongs to Lord Black."
"Thank you, Dobby. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. Daisy, well met. Goldrub, nice to meet you. Lord Black? I didn't know I had magical relatives. Well met, Sir." Harry bowed awkwardly to all three; Dobby had been coaching him.
Was Dobby old enough to be married? Had he told him about her and Harry forgot? How sad that they were separated. Perhaps Harry could buy Daisy from Lord Black and free her.
"Alas lad. I only came to know of your unhappy life quite recently. I wanted to ask you to come and visit me while you are in Egypt. I have a house in Paris, but am planning on getting one in Cairo for my own schooling.
"I was hoping that we could get to know one another. Perhaps form an alliance. I taught your father more than one prank. I truly adored him, and would have done anything to prevent harm to your family if I could have. I would have offered before, but I was kept away from you."
"Let me guess. Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Sirius thought about it, "Well, he certainly didn't help in the matter."
"So, you knew my father? Really?" Harry was clearly wistful and anxious for stories about his parents.
"And your mother. The best people, but those are tales for later. I have pictures to share. Will you and Dobby visit me?"
Harry turned to Dobby, and the elf nodded. An elf would know if this man meant Harry harm.
There was just something about this wizard that Harry trusted at first sight. There was a connection to the man. He didn't know why.
A caged black dog was carried in, thin and careworn. Alphard looked at Dobby with a raised eyebrow.
"Dobby not hurting doggy! Doggy stray! Making friends, needing home." The elf explained, staring straight into Sirius' eyes. Making sure to resume the idiom that was expected of a house-elf while in public.
Harry fed the animal treats from his pocket. Clearly, the visit to the healers had done wonders for his coat, now even cleaner and shinier than Dobby had managed. Had the steel-blue eyes of the dog been caused by some kind of film over them? They were now brown. Yikes!
"Poor Lord Black! Who's a good doggie?" Harry asked, and fed the poor thing another treat.
It seemed so skittish, like he had never seen Harry before. The lad knew he couldn't ask about how the goblin veterinarians treated the dog, and now he seemed scared of everyone.
Dobby was obviously worried. The dog wasn't a perfect match; It was close enough as Lord Black was going to come clean very soon and Padfoot silently blessed the elf.
While busy goblins got their parchmentwork together, Harry noticed the ring on the man's hand.
"What's this sigil, sir?" Harry asked.
"House Black. Didn't your regent teach you about the Houses? Your duties in the Wizengamot?" Alphard Sirius Orion Black asked. He'd added the name 'Alphard' to his in taking up the Lord's ring.
"Regent? Wiz-in-gamm-ot? No sir. Sorry." Harry was as bewildered as when Severus had asked him to use his sig-net ring. He thought that the man might be talking about politics. Not something he wanted anything to do with!
Unconsciously sharing his godfather's thoughts as well.
"Is this like when Professor Snape asked me to put my 'seal' on our contract with a 'sig-net' ring? Oh, he also asked me what I'd been learning from my guardians and, for some reason, someone had said that Headmaster Dumbledore was giving me 'private lessons'!"
"Not your fault, Mr Potter, but where is your ring?"
"You can call me Harry, sir. As for the ring, when I asked Aunt Petunia about it, she ignored me. I did ask Dumbledore once, but he said that adult matters could wait. He just wanted me to 'enjoy my childhood'."
Harry's eyeroll and scoff showed Sirius that Harry was enjoying his childhood just as much as Sirius had. And Dumbledore hadn't helped him then either!
"While the goblins finish things up, do you want to go down to your vaults and get it real quick? The Heir ring should be there. If not, we can ask to meet with your account manager. I don't know how it works, but we don't need to be here in London to do that."
"Vaults, sir?" Harry asked, confused.
The matter was soon explained as Harry and Dobby went to the Heir vault. Dobby clarified about the difference between his Trust or Heir vault and the Family vaults. Which Harry's Regent or legal (the goblin's definition of legal) guardian could access but Harry couldn't until his majority at seventeen.
The family gold was busy making money, so the family vault had only a small amount of galleons, family heirlooms, and valuables. Something that Dumbledore had never tried to borrow or steal; as he knew what parchment work the goblins would demand. But Dumbledore was looking at the greater picture, and the goblins would never be able to accept his vision. So sad.
Looking around his trust vault, Harry saw nothing but gold, silver, and brass coins. Dobby was able to dispel Dumbledore's notice-me-not on the ring box. There were a few journals from his parents, some other documents like Harry's birth certificate, and for some reason, his early school records.
How had these gotten here?
He had ignored Vernon's threats to not do better than Dudley, because he was not going to get a scholarship to a good secondary school by playing dumber than a brick. And when the man threatened to beat him, Harry stood up for himself, "You're going to do that anyway. At least now I know why. Do it good enough, and there will be proof to show the neighbors!"
He had mostly A's and just a few B's, those were mainly from classes that required running. Harry never was allowed new shoes that actually fit him, so he made do and still excelled.
After gathering up a good size bag of coins, as Harry had no idea how much things cost, he and Dobby returned with all of the paper documents they could find…And the ring box.
Heeding Lord Black's advice, prior to heading down to the vault, Harry would wait until they were out of the country before putting on his ring. Just in case.
The pair went to join Lord Black who was chatting with the scowling female goblin healer who had examined Harry.
She clearly wasn't happy with whoever had been 'caring' for the boy, but was calming down after finding out they had just met.
He wasn't the p'takh who had abused the child. Just because it was mostly withholding food rather than physical abuse didn't make it right. The boy was showing clear signs of emotional abuse as well.
A healer for all three was recommended; A mind healer in Cairo.
"No one from the Ministry of Magic will find out anything from me." She handed over the report and recommendations.
Her mate, the Potter Account manager, would meet them later in Cairo. All letters to the boy had gone astray until he had purchased a goblin post box. No one could tell why that had happened.
**OO**
The travel documents finalized, Dobby brought in the portkey, and they all headed for the international gateway.
"Well, I know you call the dog that, but my title is Lord Black. Let's get to know one another, and see about names later, shall we?" Padfoot asked.
Sirius snapped his fingers, forgetting, and called for Daisy who had been sent down to add some true and fascinating pictures to Peter's vault. Pictures taken from Sirius' memory, but would look like Peter had taken them.
Daisy shyly took her mate's hand, so happy to be reunited with her Dobby.
"May I discuss buying and setting Daisy free later with you, Lord Black?" Harry was not a Gryffindor just because a hat said so!
Sirius blinked. Dobby was free? He looked at the elves in question, and pulled out a handkerchief.
"Daisy, you are free if you wish it. You are very welcome to come with us, and work for pay, just like your mate."
Daisy took the hanky knowing that this meant she could never be beaten again. Master Sirius and Master Harry were nice enough, but humans didn't live as long as elves. And she had many skills.
"Thank you, Master Harry, Master…Lord Black." Daisy bowed again, keeping his secrets even though she was now free.
Harry might look like James but he was pure Lily in this moment. She'd asked James to free all of the Potter elves. Most had migrated to Hogwarts after the manor was lost.
Harry too bowed to the man, impressed that he would possibly lose this valuable servant just on Harry's say-so.
Hedwig showed up with a letter from the school just before they left. Harry gave her lots of pets for being such a brilliant lady in arriving just in time to leave.
The Ministry of Magic would later receive notice that Alphard, Lord Black had taken over Harry Potter's guardianship in both magical and muggle worlds.
By the time Albus Dumbledore was informed of it, just before school started again, it was too late. Far too late to do anything but look sad and disappointed.
**OO**
Alphard invited Harry and the house-elves to come along with him house-hunting. Harry, Daisy and Dobby were staying at a very nice enclosed magical campsite, where bedouin and others set up their magical tents. Some would call it a campground, as it had a very nice dining hall, swimming pool, and other amenities; facilities for those that didn't have them inside their tents, and palm trees that were designed to look like an oasis. Gringotts arranged for the reservation. But Harry enjoyed talking to this man, and accepted his invitation.
It seemed like an opportunity to get to know the area better as Dobby and Daisy didn't know where anything was yet either.
The realtor was happy to point out places to shop, eat, and so forth on their walking tour of the magical district.
There were simply no homes available for rent in the magical area of Cairo: Dinas Rhosyn, which roughly translated to Magical Rose Garden.
Since it was perfectly legal to rent out a home in the area, and places were affordable to buy, Lord Black had decided, independently of the Grangers, to buy a place near the school. He would rent it out if they decided not to stay in Cairo.
Alphard got a hotel room at a palatial resort, and invited Harry to dinner that night. This gave Dobby and Daisy time at the campground, but Harry had a portkey to get back. Not that they didn't enjoy the evening stroll back to the campground afterwards.
Alphard had told him stories of his Prefect mother and prankster father that had Harry both laughing and crying. He missed them so much. But this man had pictures packed away he promised to share.
Harry went to sleep that night picturing some of the pranks in action, and promised to ask on the morrow if his father had known the Marauders.
**OO**
Harry spent the following week getting to know Alphard while house-hunting, sharing meals, and walking around Cairo.
After a few days, and looking at a number of places for sale, it was easy to settle on the small-on-the-outside, larger-on-the-inside three story townhouse. It was in the magical section of Cairo; easy walking distance to the school, which Sirius was filling out papyruswork to apply to. Easy walking distance to the shops, and best of all, had a refreshing swimming pool for use in the heat of the day that didn't rely on the muggle water systems.
Not that the cooling charms weren't doing their job. They were. But after his not-so-sunny holiday on the not-so-tropical island of Azkaban, Sirius was ready for sun.
And now that he was here, and getting settled, it was time to come clean. He had warned Daisy and Dobby, who went out on a grocery run for him after buying the house. He asked for a private conference with Harry, and let the lad choose the venue.
Harry didn't know anywhere else to go but back to the tent, so here was fine. They took glasses of iced drinks that Dobby had made for them out to the pool.
This was not going to be easy.
The furnished home was clean and move-in ready. That was great for the future, but Sirius had to confess who he really was to Harry.
Harry made it easier to start by saying, "I don't think the portkey travel agreed with Lord Black here. In fact, he's not acting the same at all." Harry stated with concern.
They had just gotten him back after the quarantine period had ended.
The dog was keeping his distance from Harry, slinking around. He seemed to be looking for something or someone. And the dog was afraid of Alphard Black, who was sitting on the outdoor couch under the grape arbor that came with the house.
"That's because he isn't. The same that is. He's not me. I'm Lord Black. I mean, of course, I'm Lord Black. What I mean is that I am the dog. Well, was the dog."
Harry looked at the far too skinny dog and back at the man. Was Harry really safe alone with this stranger? Maybe he should go back to the campground and fingered his portkey.
"Look at my eyes, Harry. Don't they seem familiar?" The man waited a moment, and transformed into the dog that Harry was used to seeing, even on short acquaintance. This caused the new stray to start barking fiercely and growling.
The previous Lord Black put himself between the boy and the stray to bark in strident tones.
The other dog backed down, but Sirius quickly transformed back into a man. He summoned treats from a nearby jar and talked in gentle tones.
"We may want to rename him Blackie or something. He clearly could smell canine on me. Now maybe we can be friends."
Harry was just looking at him in shock. This man could become a dog - just like Professor McGonagall. Woah! That had been something Harry wanted to learn from his first class with her. Would Alphard be willing to teach him?
**OO**
Sirius knew he was making a hash of this, and started from the beginning with some of his pictures that he had ready. Harry quickly recognized one of the photos - he had a copy of that in his beloved photo album that Hagrid had given him last year!
Using pictures and taking his time, Sirius told Harry a story of love and laughter as two people married and had a baby. And how he was given the honor of being named the baby's godfather. And then about his friend's child, his precious godson, being targeted, up to the current moment.
Harry was entranced and better yet, he was finally learning all of the names for the people in his photos that he had never known before!
"So, you escaped prison to kill Scabbers? I mean, Peter Pettigrew?"(Sirius would never learn until he was on the other side of the Veil that ghost Percy had visited him in his dreams and helped design Sirius' escape; in order to be an auror, in service to the Office.)
"Yes, before he could hurt you or anyone else. It's creepy that he was living in your dorm with you. I bet that was something he was doing for Moldywarts." Padfoot assured him.
Harry didn't point out that he was living with him in his tent before he came clean. Now he understood why Dobby kept taking 'Lord Black' out of his bedroom when Harry had invited him in.
But Scabbers? Well, Peter? A marked Death Eater? Was that why he had almost continuous headaches at Hogwarts for the past two years? Why was he there?
"That seems likely. And you're really my godfather? I haven't heard about those. Of course, before Hogwarts, I didn't know much about anything. And then, well, the last two years have been horrible!" Actually, a mixture of horrible and wonderful. Hermione was anything but horrible! "This year especially! People thinking I'm the Heir of Slytherin just because I can talk to snakes…"
"You can talk to snakes? There hasn't been a parseltongue Potter in generations. I suspected that Charlus was one, but if he was, he never confessed it. Not in Britain, anyhow. He did a lot of work here in the early part of the century. We should look into that. I don't like the look of your scar either, and the healer in Britain wanted you to get it looked at here. Just not there. Not where she'd have to report her findings to others. It wasn't safe." Sirius finished.
She claimed she wouldn't report anything to the magical government. But she was a mandatory reporter. Already, there would be an investigation started on the Dursleys that they would find…unpleasant. Combined with what others were doing, the Dursleys' visit with Marge was about to be truncated.
Changing the subject, he continued, "Your school years should be happy ones. Not being targeted by a dark lord once again like you were as a baby."
"Truly? I mean, Voldy told me that himself you know, but everyone thinks that he came after my parents. I asked Dumbledore about it, twice now. He says I 'need to enjoy being a child'. At the Dursleys? Being bullied at school? How? How can I enjoy this…mess? My only friends are Ron and Hermione. And Ron, well. He hasn't always been a good friend.
"He doesn't enjoy learning. He kinda distracts me. I do want to learn magic. I used to really want to learn potions before Snape."
"Snape?" He'd missed it, when Harry'd mentioned his name earlier at the bank. There can't be too many "Snapes" around. "Snivelous, I mean Severus Snape is teaching at Hogwarts?!" The man demanded.
At Harry's nod, his godfather stated firmly, "You are not returning. That man is a Death Eater! I've seen his Dark Mark!"
"That explains a lot about why he hated me. Well, up until the end of this last year. We kinda made an alliance. He brewed a potion to revive my girlfriend." Harry shuddered, remembering what Petunia had said when Snape had visited. Well, he was clearly there to be nice and paid for his new wardrobe. Harry had written him a thank you letter for the clothes. His turnaround was confusing. But Harry didn't want to return as he wasn't sure if this detente with Snape would hold. And Dobby told him that Lucius Malfoy had died very suddenly, and Draco was Snape's godson.
Harry did not want to be around Draco right now in the least. If Snape was indeed the good guy, Draco was about to be reined in. Professor Snape had been truly livid that one of his students had killed, er, ruined all of the mandrakes.
If he wasn't a good guy? He was clearly waiting for his master to return. Again. Yikes!
It hurt, thinking about not returning to Hogwarts, the castle itself. But trolls and basilisks? The government and/or other parties interfering with trying to import healing plants or potions? Getting detention in a place called 'forbidden' without an adult wand-wielding wizard or witch guarding them?
Hogwarts was supposed to be a school, not a death trap. Percy was just the worst case that clearly proved that it wasn't safe.
Sirius sighed. "There are some things that you need to know, Godson. I wish I had time to get to know you better first. But you need this information before we can start making decisions."
"We?" Harry asked.
"We. I can't live in Britain until my name is cleared. At best, I'd be tossed back into prison. But you have your life before you. Now, just a few months before you were born, there was a prophecy made…" Sirius explained everything.
**OO**
While Daisy gave Harry instruction on swimming in the shallow end of the pool, Sirius wrote to fill-in the girlfriend's muggle parents about Harry's changed status and the current situation.
Magic was just wonderful, and goblin-made items had made him friends. Friends that helped smooth the way for a change in citizenship, guardianship, and even friendships. After all, Goldrub was still his account manager, even if his gold was now in Cairo proper.
Harry and he were both legal citizens of the Bahamas. The island, the family had owned since the Blacks had had family members who were pirate kings, was part of that magical kingdom.
The island was unplottable - on muggle maps it showed up as a shallow protected barrier reef that should be avoided.
He sent this letter off to the Grangers via HEE. He had already received a thank you note for letting them stay longer than expected at the Paris townhome. He had reassured them that Harry would insist on providing the care and feeding of his lady and her family.
That had made both parents laugh.
Sirius liked the muggles already, but would have endeavored to like them just for Harry's sake. They had already proven to be caring parents of not just Hermione, but Harry's interests as well.
This was an epic prank in the making that Harry had no clue about.
Sirius rubbed his hands in glee.
**OO**
Dirk Cresswell was reading the missive from Goldrub regarding the bequests now in process from Peter Pettigrew, and they didn't know how to get in touch with Harry Potter, Sirius Black or Remus Lupin. Could he help them?
Dirk sipped headache potion. Pettigrew was already dead, wasn't he? Oh, dear.
He needed to make an appointment to speak to someone. He thought that he might want to talk to Albus Dumbledore, as he had been Harry Potter's magical guardian, until recently.
Did he really want to talk to the man about what had to be a sensitive subject? Why had he lost guardianship?
Dirk was leery of Skeeter, at the best of times, and never believed that the Potter boy was evil.
He made an appointment to talk to Amelia Bones. A Will, just now activating? The life stone was indeed black, and the Will's beneficiaries were clear.
This was going to explode someone's cauldron for sure!
**OO**
Last winter, the Granger family bought a magical house in the magical district of Cairo. Harry was going to be pleasantly surprised when he found out how close his girlfriend lived.
Begin Flashback
Like the Black home, it was smaller on the outside than inside, much smaller compared to their old house, but inside? They had several extra rooms, a private pool, and a place for a huge library. There was even a start on some of the books as a gift from the realtor that had been left behind in an office when others moved.
The honest goblin had tried to ask the sellers about them, but they didn't want them.
The Grangers had been looking at homes without Hermione, when she joined them at the Christmas holiday. The realtor then insisted on showing houses in Dinas Rhosyn, the magical area of Cairo where Gringotts was, and many magicals lived.
"But why? We can't live there!" Hermione was trying to figure out how to argue the point without breaking any laws.
The human looking real estate agent removed a lovely bracelet and transformed into a goblin! Quite surprising them all.
The goblin had explained to Hermione, "Because, as a witch, you need to live in a magical house to help develop your core, of course. Something that magicals in Britain refuse to acknowledge, if you can believe it! It's as though they want their muggleborns to fade away." The goblin huffed. "How would you hide her magic done at home if you lived with other muggles?"
"Really?" Hermione squealed far too loudly.
The realtor covered her ears and glared for a moment. Right. British.
"Yes, you can do magic. It would be wise to hire a regent that you can go to for advice and help. You'll find many magical adults willing to help for a fee that isn't burdensome. Gringotts would have people to recommend."
Hermione's first year had not been a safe one. But after a family fight, Hermione had returned to Hogwarts. She insisted that she had to return, for the sake of her friend…friends.
Hermione had been such a lonely child!
The Grangers had then met both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. They didn't get a very good impression of either of the boys' families after the shopping trip with the Weasleys, and an attempt to talk to Vernon at King's Cross. Dan liked Harry personally but was a bit dubious of the redhead.
Was it the smudge on his nose? Dan noticed Harry's sad clothing, but didn't know what to do about it, as they didn't seem much worse than Ron's. Which was really too bad.
If Harry and Ron had known that help was available, they would have been far smarter to go to Dan and Emma when the gates were closed to them at King's Cross and they made the unfortunate decision to fly the family car to school.
It was that year that the Granger's started to write to Harry as well as their daughter, hoping that he would feel comfortable enough to talk to them if his home life was…abusive.
They felt Ron was safe - perhaps a little backwards and unsophisticated compared to other magicals they had met, but they had not appreciated the way Arthur had treated them like children, or worse: Zoo exhibits.
The goblin completed the tour by showing all three how to work the magical stove. Emma couldn't get it to light with the kitchen wand, but Dan could.
"Good, that means you're responsible for cooking from now on." Emma jested. Clearly once going, it worked much like a regular stove until 'nox'd'
"Yes, but what about dishes?" Dan asked. "Am I now the house-elf?"
"You can hire an imp, or buy a genie, or do it the usual way." the goblin suggested.
She then showed the family the wand movements for dish-washing, encouraging the young witch to do her first magic at home. Legally. Hermione used her own wand, and had to clamp down on more girlish squeals of delight.
This was so brilliant!
With thanks for the tour, they gave her a nice bonus for the instruction. Something which would always stand you in good stead with goblins. The goblin who had refused to give her personal name, just her clan, quietly left the home, contemplative. 'That witch needs to be watched: She is truly brilliant.' Gringotts always hired the best and brightest, and cared not at all what their blood status was. Though, here locally, it would be best if humans had no goblin ancestors.
End Flashback
Hermione was so excited. She quickly wrote a letter to give to Hedwig when she appeared. Harry was somewhere in Cairo, and Hermione hoped that the owl would be coming to visit soon.
**OO**
Prince Manor, later Hogsmeade
Professor Snape was actually impressed that the boy figured out it was him that provided the money for the clothes. Even more impressed that he had sent a very nicely done thank you note.
Was someone giving the boy handwriting lessons? Alphard Black was raised in the old ways. Narcissa had shared that Harry Potter had come under Lord Black's guardianship recently, and had begged him not to tell Albus early. He would find out soon enough.
Lord Black would have been appalled by the boy's chicken scratch and taken strides to change it. Yes, Potter was improving.
He winced, thinking of stories that Regulus shared about his brother being zapped by his mother's wand if his writing wasn't perfect. Regulus wasn't held to the same high standards since he was her baby, but he did try to keep them just in case Walberga turned her wand on her younger son.
Severus had found his own mother's early exemplars when documenting the family library. Here, preserved as precious mementoes, were proof that his mother had been raised in an exclusive and elite household. Her notes continuously improved as she progressed towards Hogwarts years.
What had caused her to turn from her family, her family magic, to run to Tobias Snape of all people? Severus might not ever learn that truth, but here was evidence of the life he could have had if his mother had returned home after the first time her husband had beaten her while she was pregnant with him.
The potions master's thoughts turned back to Potter's letter.
Severus was very unhappy that Petunia had stolen two hundred pounds from him. She not only dared not provide for the child herself, her own nephew; she stole from others who tried? At least now with a wealthy guardian stepping in, the lad would have decent care.
Severus sent the squib a little curse in the mail that forced her to leave the stolen money outside, where his elf Dittany would pick it up and take it to Gringotts, and have it deposited in the Potter trust account.
This was Lily's boy, and he deserved some decent clothes before school. A hundred pounds? At least he might get some new jeans and trainers, maybe a good jumper.
Going through his occlumency exercises, when he met Narcissa for training drills, the blonde was surprised that one of the training dummies looked like a rather horse-faced woman with a long neck, wearing a very ugly muggle dress.
Thinking it was yet another parent who had insulted his brilliance, she asked not a word.
Her own target still looked like Lucius. Well, a horribly disfigured Lucius, missing an ear. And nose. She'd had quite some time to build up anger issues and was working them out.
**OO**
The family made tea together. Dan and Emma had not been here much as they had returned to England when Richard had taken ill. Now, everything was settled with his grandfather, and he was peacefully laid to rest.
"Hermione. We've made plans to visit several different schools. We need to talk to you, and we'll make a decision together as a family. But as of right now, my vote is that you never enter Hogwarts ever again. You nearly died there how many times during your first year?" Emma drew her daughter to a familiar couch.
"And that is not the only issue with magical Britain. Harry tells us that the large man he is so fond of was put into prison, without a trial, so that the Minister could be seen as 'doing something'. Harry asked us to hire a magical solicitor to see about getting him a trial. The lady we hired is one scary witch! So far, no luck." Dan was clearly angry about the whole situation. "And yes I know it's too late now."
"At least he was released from prison. He returned and thanked Harry for his help. Apparently the woman you hired visited him." Hermione shared.
"Released? No charges ever filed or reviewed? I'd write a letter to the PM's office, but that would get us just as far as the others." Emma pursed her lips. What to do about that now? Nothing as far as she could see.
All three shuddered. How many others were in prison because they were inconvenient to the Minister of Magic or his special friends like Lucius Malfoy?
"I can understand that Mum, but Harry…"
"Harry is not returning to Hogwarts either." At Hermione's shifty look, Emma leaned over as though confiding, and asked, "Let me know when I get to a part you don't know, will you, dear?"
Knowing she'd been discovered, Hermione came clean and confessed what Harry had told her while she was petrified.
Feeling greatly relieved that she and Dan weren't going to have the epic meltdown and histrionics they'd expected, she felt free to start explaining the easier parts to her daughter.
"Now Hermione, this is a secret, and not to be shared with anyone. Do you promise?" Emma's eyes bored into her daughter's who nodded. "Good. The recently named Lord Black has taken custody of your friend and applied to Beauxbatons, as France is where his home is. He recently came to find out about Harry's less than loving relatives, and wants to offer him a new home."
"But if he is going to Beauxbatons…" Hermione interrupted, panicked, but Dan took up the lead.
"Ah, but there is the brilliance of his plan. A Harry Potter will attend at the start of the year. But not the Harry Potter. Has Harry ever shown you any of his Heir rings?"
Hermione's brow furrowed. "No. You mean, he has more than one?"
Harry had mentioned something about a signet ring, but he was saying he knew nothing of it. Shortly after that, she was revived and spent the next two months trying to get ready for end of the year exams that never happened!
Her O's across the board mocked her, as she felt she hadn't earned them.
"Such a bright girl. She clearly gets her brains from me, my darling wife." Dan bragged buffing his nails on his casual shirt. "Yes. Including the House of Black. Can you imagine the histrionics, not to mention law changes that would happen, will happen when the government finds out that Harry is the Black Heir?"
"Draco Malfoy! He thinks he is! Oh no! He'll attack Harry at school! The older Slytherins! And Professor Snape has mentioned a Black before when talking about Harry's father. He hates them both strongly and equally. And Professor Snape is Draco's godfather. He'll fight for the boy's rights inside the government and school!"
Hermione had noticed that Professor Snape seemed a bit more professional towards the end of the school year with Harry, but that didn't stop him from…well. Behavior that would not please her parents.
"Indeed. Best to avoid all that, don't you think?" Emma asked.
"Oh, yes. But Headmaster Dumbledore won't allow Harry to leave! Harry couldn't get permission to go visit Ron at the Burrow."
"Imagine his surprise then when he finds out that Harry's family aren't British citizens, and he isn't one anymore himself. And if he tries to get Harry's new guardian on kidnapping charges? Well, let's just say that Mr Black knows a lot of Albus Dumbledore's secrets. He'll fight for Harry." Dan was so proud of the man; raised to be a Slytherin, and was Gryffindor through and through. And treated both he and his wife like people.
"Five years. We have to hide from everyone for five years. Can I go to school with a different last name, please?" Hermione begged.
"I already talked to this local school about the situation. With politicians, scholars, salesmen, and traveling military families, new students with British accents are common. French accents are even more common. The school will not release your names. As you say. Five years. But in those five years, you can start planning for a mastery or two. Or even three." Emma shared.
"We checked with Barrister Tonks about what Headmaster Dumbledore threatened you with. What he said wasn't true about binding your magic. You do have to be registered in a school, or have an authorized tutor, or otherwise have a homeschooling arrangement with a qualified wand-wielder. He had no right to scare you about binding your magic for leaving a school when you were going through all that. She feels that he did so in a panic for the example it would set if Harry joined you. That would have caused an exodus." Dan stated.
"Which is why we've snuck you out like thieves in the night, not even returning to the house." Emma shared.
Dan's eyes glittered, "And the school has guards. If someone decides to argue about your transfer. Traditional Mamelukes. These guys are really good! Professional! They've a squad stationed in Cairo. The government rotates them in and out of the school to keep them on their toes, and get to know some of the up-and-comers in the world while the students are young."
"Good politics, and good for the school's reputation. No trolls just wandering in and joining you in the loo. What a difference a competent adult would have made at school the last two years." Dan finished.
"I see your point." Hermione replied, slightly distracted by the brochure that Dad handed her. "Eighteen electives for the OWLs plus the standard classes? There are so many options! Magical languages. Advanced studies in Arithmancy beyond NEWTs. Look! Non-magical classes! I can catch up in no time! Mum! Dad! Are we really going to visit this school?"
Emma and Dan smirked knowing about the tour the next day. This was going to be so much fun!
**OO**
Harry did not like learning the truth regarding his life to this point. But he wasn't mad at Padfoot, as he was now asked to call him.
Harry's reaction was classic. "I meant to ask you if my father knew the Marauders. Are you…you…"
"Ahh," Sirius intoned, with a puckish twinkle in his eye. "And who found the lost piece of ratty parchment in Filch's office? Eh? By the way, please don't say you, you. That makes me feel like I'm in trouble or a female sheep," Making Harry snigger.
"Yes, your father knew all of the Marauders. One, in fact, he saw in the mirror every day, just like me. Moony, well, I tried to get him as a tutor for you, but no luck. Wormtail is, or rather was an owl treat and now worm food. We won't talk about him much. But yes, your father was Prongs."
Sirius looked into Harry's eyes."So, how did you come to know about us Marauders?"
The boy explained about how he and his friends had tried to find a way for Hermione to leave and visit her dying great-grandfather. When any other school would have allowed her leave on "Compassionate Grounds"!
Sirius could tell how much the situation still angered Harry and gave him a one-armed hug around the shoulders. Which startled Harry at first, but then warmed his heart, so he leaned into the embrace.
Harry went on to tell his new guardian about the twins' offer, the revelation of the map, Hermione's "escape", and his subsequent foray into magical investing.
Harry's tale demonstrated other facets of the boy: Not just the Gryffindor knack for finding trouble, and the closet 'Claw, but also the 'Puff loyalty with some 'Slytherin' cunning thrown in to boot.
They both looked up at the same time as the sudden noise of Blackie barking, but he was right there…wasn't he?
They both looked around, and when they got to the street, there was no sign of him.
Harry wanted to form a search party, but Sirius left it for when the house-elves were back.
**OO**
Sirius knew that the dog wasn't happy in Egypt and made a plan. After Dobby found him nearby, the dog was returned to England. Dobby knew a witch who was raising animals, and she knew a home that was looking for a non-magical dog since a crup had rejected their squib son. The poor thing went from a stray on the streets of London to Cairo, to a large farm in the country where it would have room to run, children to play with, and best of all? Chickens to chase!
Harry and Dobby had returned to their campsite to talk alone. Harry had to admit that he trusted the man. He saw in his eyes the love he had for his parents when they were looking at the pictures.
And Dobby had known Sirius all his life! Dobby wasn't afraid of him at all, well, not for being injured by him. He was concerned a bit about being turned a funny color, but Harry had endured two years of that with the twins.
If Harry was going to live with this man, he was going to request it be in a no-pranking zone. At least during the school year. Or something.
Would Sirius rather adopt the twins? Legally, Lord Black really was his guardian. Harry took the chance, and with Dobby's blessing packed up the tent and moved into Sirius' house, and into his very own bedroom.
It was nice, very elegant, and not at all 'Arabian Nights' as Harry expected. Sure, there were arabesque decorations on the walls, and the furniture had lots of gauzy silk instead of heavy tapestries to keep things warm, but it was so very light and bright. Clean and comfortable. The bed and pillows a cloud. Just brilliant!
Harry was very happy to live in a real house with his own room where the address wasn't the 'Cupboard under the Stairs'.
**OO**
Dobby called Sirius a dogfather. Someone who cared. It was a novel concept to Harry. Learning of his history as a baby wasn't happy news for the lad, though.
"You are safe here. No one even knows that you are here. Oh, sure. The British government knows that Harry James Potter emigrated to France to live with his great uncle Alphard Black. We have a really nice townhouse there in Paris. And Beauxbatons accepted your transfer there. And a real Harry Potter, age eleven will be starting there. No, he isn't you. Don't be dense, Harry! Just someone on a scholarship. Muddying the search for you once it starts; If you decide not to return to Hoggywarts. Something that I feel would be unwise."
"Well, I'm not going back. I can't. It was my first home, but it isn't safe. Not for me, and especially not for my friends. I'm very sure that Hermione was targeted because of me." Harry admitted. Harry debated sharing what he had seen in Ginny's eyes. The headmaster hadn't believed him in the least! But he would never feel safe around that girl, and had no interest in visiting her family while they were in Egypt.
If Bill needed to talk to him –and he had written asking for a meeting in early September– he could meet Harry at Gringotts, Cairo. Neutral ground, as it were.
Even Bill didn't want Harry running into his family!
He wasn't upset that Sirius had waited until they were here to inform him of everything. He wasn't upset that he'd killed his parents' betrayer. A little sickened about how, but Hedwig had never liked Scabbers, and had tried to eat him more than once, now that Harry thought about it.
Smart girl!
As if thinking about her woke the bird up from her nap, she shook out her feathers, gave Sirius the stink eye for bringing her to a non-snowy environment, and took off. (If the family was going to move, why didn't they go north? It would have been her vote.)
Flying to land on Harry's lap and cuddle up with her boy, as they'd been on the move and she was feeling neglected.
After a suitable amount of petting, as was her due, she launched herself out the open window to hunt. Well, they had been talking about rats, maybe she'd help the locals by reducing the rodent population.
The boy admired her soundless flight, such a lovely lady, and went back to the major issues about fleeing Britain.
What Harry was upset about was losing his friends, Ron and Hermione.
"Didn't you say that Hermione's parents worked in Cairo? Maybe she would be willing to transfer here, to a much better school than the three available to her there." Sirius reasoned. "I know that I want you to be able to pursue more than what's available at our old school. The castle is great; It was my first home too. But how dare Albus drop Enchanting? How would the Marauders have learned how to get around the castle without that class? And made our communication mirrors?"
Sirius took a sip of water. silvery grey met green. He was so like his mother. Would Harry really listen to him?
"I just don't trust Dumbledore anymore. I was sent to that terrible prison, that terrible place. And Harry. I don't remember a trial. I didn't kill Pettigrew back then. Though he deserved it, and I did try."
Harry wasn't happy with the letter that they had received just as they were heading to the portkey point. Delivered by Hedwig, clearly on her game and not wanting to be left behind. The only electives from Hogwarts he was being allowed were Divination?! And one other like Magical Creatures. Neither Runes nor Arithmancy! And Enchanting was no longer even being offered that he had already signed up for!
What was up with dropping a class from the curriculum that his mother had taken! And his father's parents? It had been offered for years, apparently. What about the students in the middle of their OWLs or NEWTs? What were they to do?
Aloud, Harry said, "Hermione has been treated like a second-class citizen by the administration and bullied for being smarter than the inbred…oops and having muggle parents.
"It's alright Harry. I don't know how I can be so handsome and powerful despite my father and mother being first cousins. My mother didn't have the same kind of marriage contract, and there was this one coal-deliverer who I favored…"
Harry burst out laughing, knowing he was forgiven for doing that talking thing again, but tried to continue explaining. "I've been bullied for what happened when I was a baby, and for speaking a magical language. And having a muggleborn mother. And being raised muggle.
"Ron's sister wanted me to have my parseltongue be removed by the matron! As if she could. And tried to kill both her future sister-in-law and my future wi…er girlfriend I mean. Not that I don't think…" Harry's face was the color of a stewed tomato. He grabbed a pillow from beside him and buried his face in it. From the depths, came a muffled, "Never mind."
Sirius chuckled and said nothing more. "I really don't think the Matron could do a pareseltonguectormy. In case you wondered."
Harry stuck out his tongue, recovering and getting somber, "My parents died fighting for the Light, and yet, even after Moldy was gone, nothing changed. He's going to come back? Maybe? Someday again? And it will all start again. And people will expect me to do something. How? With a tickling jinx? A shaving charm? How? And even if I kill him, his ideas don't die. The prejudice will still be there."
Sirius looked at his godson and realized he was right. "Britain is not safe for either of us. Will you at least take a tour of the school here?"
Dobby popped in right at that moment with a beautiful brochure of the local school, "Alexandria Magical Académie?" Harry read off. As he scoured the interactive brochure; occasionally tapping his wand, to enlarge the three dimensional images available, Sirius pondered the other school choices. Harry was much too caught up exploring the classrooms, sports fields, and the famous Library.
"Mounted archery. Flying class on something that might be related to a Pegasus? Is this for real?"
Hearing that, Sirius knew that Harry would want nothing to do with Beauxbatons: Dance, étiquette, diplomacy. Nothing on offer there for this son of Gryffindor. And Sirius agreed.
Harry had readily agreed with using it as a disguise before he decided where he really wanted to go. He had no idea that Sirius had been in secret communication with Hermione's parents, or arranged to meet at the local magical school.
In fact, he had two badges in his pocket for the morrow. One declaring Emma Granger an honorary Marauder. The other for her partner-in-crime, Dan. Pranking partner that was.
Sirius was quite looking forward to it all. Did Harry know just how much he had revealed about his feelings towards this girl?
**OO**
A/N: Story recommend: Your story recommendation here -
A/N: Story recommendation: kind reader Busymom75 recommends: Harry Potter Holy Terror by tscchope
Harry has a different reaction to being beaten by Vernon Dursley on submitting his report card, just before his 7th birthday. Revenge is on his mind. There will be bashing, especially of Albus Dumbledore. When you're the 'second-coming of Merlin', you get praised for everything. When things don't go well, you get blamed for everything. COMPLETE
s/13872381/1/Harry-Potter-Holy-Terror
A/N: Story recommendation DragonicFireLord recommends: Specialist Potter By: Akela Victoire
s/9058703/1/Specialist-Potter
When Harry finds himself in Magix after a moment of grief-fuelled rage over how Wizarding Britain has treated him, he tries to make the best of the new opportunities available to him. With magic of a different kind being revealed on Earth, he and Roxy must unite their worlds to fight against a common threat..
A/N: Ducky1776 has a great sad story in progress, but far enough along that I just have to recommend it. I found it at 3:00 in the morning on a sleepless night worrying. I appreciated it so much. s/14111489/1/Hope-is-Fleeting
**OO**
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
﷼ Arabic language